《Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses》


 Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Seizing Life Span

    Under the blazing sun, with clear skies and mountains all around, the earth and sky seemed to pulsate. A mountain breeze swept through, cooling Gu An as he stood in the garden.


    Gu An wiped the sweat from his forehead, his gaze fixated intensely on the blossoming plants before him¡ªeach vibrant in color, showing no signs of withering under the harsh sunlight.


    To his left and right stood two young men. The three had been accepted into the Elixir Hall under the auspices of Medicine Valley in the Supreme Sect that very day. Compared to Gu An''s excitement, the other two seemed disinterested, absentmindedly wiping away sweat.


    Before them stood a plainly dressed young man of average looks but a sturdy build and bright eyes. He was Zhang Chunqiu, the senior disciple of Medicine Valley, explaining the key points of harvesting Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grass.


    "The plants in this garden are all first-tier medicinal herbs. When harvesting, do not pull them out by the roots¡ªcut them close to the ground instead. After cutting, wrap them in the Spirit Protection Paper you have, to prevent the leakage of spiritual energy¡­" Zhang Chunqiu''s voice was loud and energetic, unaffected by the harsh sun.


    Gu An held scissors in his right hand and several white paper strips in his left, carefully noting every word uttered by Zhang Chunqiu.


    Unlike the others, he cherished this position, having endured many a disdainful glance to seize this opportunity.


    Others might think he was slacking off, on the path to ruin, but little did they know, this was the perfect way for him to become stronger!


    "Alright, start now. Everyone pick one plant for me to check," Zhang Chunqiu had just finished speaking when Gu An crouched down.


    Gu An placed his Spirit Protection Paper down and carefully gripped the stem of a red flower before him with his left hand.


    "Brother, aren''t you being a bit too nervous? Even if you cut it wrong, it''s no big deal¡ªit''s just a first-tier herb. These are used to refine basic elixirs; I wouldn''t even bother with them back home," said Meng Lang from Gu An''s right, his clothes luxurious, indicating a remarkable family background.


    Indeed, that was the case. Apart from Gu An, who was a house servant, the other two were from wealthy families. However, even children of affluent families needed proper Spirit Root qualifications to remain in the Immortal Cultivation Sects. All of them possessed the most common type, the Five Spirit Roots, and could only stay in the Supreme Sect as Servant Disciples.


    Gu An ignored Meng Lang''s words and concentrated on cutting the flower.


    He pinched the stem, snipped gently with his scissors, then wrapped the base of the red flower with Spirit Protection Paper.


    After finishing, he stood up and handed his work to Zhang Chunqiu for inspection. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Chunqiu took it and smiled approvingly, "Well done, you are very meticulous."


    Gu An didn''t respond, but stared intently at the red flower in his hand.


    He seemed even more nervous now than before cutting it.


    Seconds later, a row of text appeared before him that only he could see.


    [You have successfully harvested a Red Spirit Flower (first-tier)¡ª1 year life span]


    Success!


    A smile appeared on Gu An''s face, the burden lifted from his shoulders.


    Indeed, only creatures infused with spiritual energy could have their life spans harvested by him.


    The first time Gu An harvested a life span was when he was ten years old, accidentally bumping into a house servant carrying a pot, causing the Spirit Flower inside to spill and granting him twelve years of life.


    At that time, the Court Guardian flew into a rage, insisting on cutting off one of his hands, but it was the Third Miss Ji Xiaoyu who stepped in and saved him.


    This time, Gu An''s entry into the Supreme Sect was also thanks to Ji Xiaoyu, a dual Spirit Root talent seen once in a century. Many great sects courted the Ji Family, and with Ji Xiaoyu leading five members of the Ji Family into the Supreme Sect, Gu An was one of only two house servants to join.


    Without Ji Xiaoyu, with his ordinary Five Spirit Roots, he could only have joined a third-rate sect.


    While Gu An secretly rejoiced, Meng Lang and another young man named Li Ya had also completed their harvest.


    Zhang Chunqiu placed the three Red Spirit Flowers into his Storage Bag and said sternly, "Today your task is to collectively harvest fifty Red Spirit Flowers. You are only to move within this garden area, not overstepping into other areas. When completed, bring the Red Spirit Flowers to the attic to find me."


    With that, Zhang Chunqiu turned and left.


    Meng Lang waved his fist at Zhang Chunqiu''s departing back, muttering under his breath, "Such a trivial matter and he lectured for so long, has he never mentored juniors before?"


    Li Ya sat directly on the ground and frantically wiped sweat with his sleeve.


    After seeing Zhang Chunqiu head upstairs, Gu An turned back and said to Meng Lang and Li Ya, "Brothers, given your well-off appearance, you surely come from extremely good homes and are not used to such rough tasks, unlike me, a mere house servant. Let me take on the task. Find a shady spot to rest, and just take good care of me in the future."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang''s eyes lit up, and he exclaimed excitedly, "That works, brother! Very smooth. If you ever feel you can''t stay here, I''ll ensure you have food and clothes for life."


    Li Ya, too exhausted to speak, nodded in agreement.


    Then, they left their Spirit Protection Paper and supported each other as they walked out of the garden.


    Gu An picked up the Spirit Protection Papers, then looked back at the garden, his eyes shining brighter than the blazing sun above.


    In his eyes, the garden full of Red Spirit Flowers was not merely flowers, but steps built of longevity stones that led to immortality!


    He began to move cautiously, not just to complete the task but to do it well, to avoid losing this perfect opportunity.


    The scorching sun radiated its mighty rays, showing no regard for the mortals below.


    Meng Lang and Li Ya took refuge in a small pavilion, wiping sweat continuously and too drained to even talk. Their gazes followed Gu An.


    As time ticked by, sweat poured down Gu An''s face, but he was extremely excited, his smile never fading.


    Seeing the flushed face of Gu An, Meng Lang couldn''t help but remark, "On such a hot day, the kid really pushes himself. I like that. We''ll take good care of him later, ensure he''s well-fed and nobody bullies him, so he can keep working for us."


    Li Ya rolled his eyes and responded grumpily, "There aren''t many people in this valley; who''s going to bully him? If senior brother ever bullies him, would you dare talk back?"


    Meng Lang coughed and looked at Li Ya, asking, "Brother, which Li family are you from?"


    Li Ya replied calmly, "The Li family from Cangzhou''s Changluo."


    "Changluo? Isn''t that the imperial city? You share a surname with the Imperial Family?" Meng Lang asked in surprise, eyes widening as he spoke.


    Meng Lang did not respond but quietly looked at Gu An.


    Meng Lang felt uneasy, as he had not expected to encounter a descendant of the Imperial Family here.


    However, upon further reflection, he thought it made sense, given that this was the Supreme Sect, the leading Immortal Cultivation Sect of the Taicang Dynasty. The common use of the character "Ì«" in both the dynasty and the sect''s names was a testament to the sect''s exalted status. Hence, encountering a member of the Imperial Family in the lower levels of the Supreme Sect was not unusual.


    After a long while,


    Gu An finally finished picking fifty Red Spirit Flowers, wrapped them carefully, and placed them into a bamboo basket. He hoisted the basket onto his back, looked towards other gardens, and his face brimmed with anticipation.


    There were more than fifteen garden quarters within the valley, and the one they were in was just a small corner. He speculated that the herbs in other garden quarters might be of higher value.


    There was plenty of time!


    Gu An did not want to reveal his Golden Finger yet, so he decided today would suffice.


    He walked along the path toward the pavilion, signaling to Meng Lang and Li Ya to come, and they rose to join him.


    "Brother Gu An, you''ve worked hard, let me carry that," Meng Lang said with a chuckle, recalling each other''s names from when they had met the Valley Master.


    Seeing through Meng Lang''s intentions, Gu An smiled, nodded, and handed the basket to him.


    Li Ya scoffed, his eyes revealing a look of disdain.


    Gu An only wanted to keep his current job, uninterested in possibly being reassigned due to overly good performance, so he didn''t bother competing with Meng Lang.


    The three of them entered the pavilion and met with the senior brother, Zhang Chunqiu.


    Zhang Chunqiu was engrossed in a book but put it down as Gu An and the others entered. He said, "Place the Red Spirit Flowers down. These three are Basic Sorcery books left by Master. Make good use of your free time to practice them, striving to leap from here to become true disciples of the Supreme Sect someday.


    Five years ago, one disciple received Master''s Spirit Pill, succeeded in Foundation Establishment, and became an Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect."


    As he spoke, he waved his right hand, and three secret books flew from his sleeve towards the trio.


    Gu An caught one and read the title.


    Spring Wood Skill!


    It sounded so rudimentary!


    Yet, Gu An was not disappointed, considering he was at the lowest level of the Supreme Sect.


    Zhang Chunqiu added a few more words of caution and then instructed them to find rooms in the adjoining courtyard to settle down. The courtyard was specifically reserved for Servant Disciples, and currently, only the four of them were disciples there. The Valley Master was away and would not return for another couple of years, leaving Zhang Chunqiu in charge of the Medicine Valley.


    Thirty minutes later,


    Gu An lay on a wooden bed, gasping for air, his face flushed, having just endured a long exposure to the sun.


    With a thought, rows of text appeared before his eyes.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 15/151]


    [Spirit Root: Ordinary Five Elements Spirit Root (can invest life span to evolve in cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Level: Nonexistent (can invest life span to evolve in cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Technique: Fire Control Art (unmastered) (can invest life span to evolve in cultivation)]


    ...


    Gu An had seized a total of eighty-eight years of life span in one breath!


    Before this, his life span was sixty-three years, twelve of which he had gained at the age of ten by breaking a flower pot, meaning he originally only had a life span of fifty years.


    First-stage herbs could only provide one to two years of life span, but for a mortal, a single year was immense!


    Gu An looked at his attribute panel, growing more and more excited. In such a short time, he had earned eighty-eight years of life, making this job incredibly worthwhile!


    He wanted to become a permanent fixture of the Medicine Valley!


    He scorned the idea of being either an Outer or Inner Sect Disciple,


    As it was said that becoming an Official Disciple involved going to the Mortal World to fight demons and dangers.


    From childhood to adulthood, Gu An had never killed even a chicken, and in his previous life, he was just an ordinary person on Earth. He couldn''t bring himself to engage in such violence.


    Staying in the Medicine Valley was far better, almost free of danger and capable of crazily accumulating life span!


    Who says Immortal Cultivation must be a fierce struggle?


    Gu An indulged in delightful daydreams, unable to extricate himself.


    Overnight passed.


    Gu An awoke early the next morning, and after a quick wash, he went to find Zhang Chunqiu to receive his tasks.


    Zhang Chunqiu had not slept; he was practicing Energy Absorption. Pleased by Gu An''s diligence, he smiled appreciatively, rose from his seat, moved to the door, and pointed towards a patch of land, saying, "You may pick the Spirit Heart Grass in that garden quarter. Once done, just leave them at the door, no need to knock."


    With that, he waved his sleeve, and several Spirit Protection Papers fell into Gu An''s hands.


    Zhang Chunqiu, seeing Gu An struggling to contain his excitement and after a moment of hesitation, revealed a friendly and kind smile and said, "Junior brother, work hard and endure hardships, and you will undoubtedly make it through."

 Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Thousand-Year Life Span

    As spring left and autumn arrived, the Medicine Valley of the Supreme Sect had spent a year unnoticed with the changing of the seasons.


    The door to a loft opened, and Gu An, who was sixteen years old, emerged with Meng Lang and Li Ya, stepping out of the room. They turned and paid their respects to the room, then Meng Lang closed the door behind them.


    All three heaved a sigh of relief, and then made their way down the stairs.


    Upon reaching their own courtyard, Meng Lang couldn''t help but grumble, "All that for a lecture that lasted an ancient hour - couldn''t he have just passed us the Hundred Herbs Collection and be done with it?"


    Li Ya shook his head, resigned, and walked to the corner of the courtyard. He picked up a sword that was stuck in the ground and began practicing his swordsmanship.


    Though his Spirit Root Qualification was mediocre, he was, after all, from the Imperial Family and had in his hands an exquisite set of sword techniques, which he planned to use to make a name for himself.


    In the Taicang Dynasty, the Traditions of Immortal Cultivation were honored. All the scholars and warriors of the court practiced immortal cultivation. At the same time, the dynasty divided the people of the thirteen prefectures into classes, from low to high - slave, commoner, official, and immortal.


    Merchants were also ranked among the commoners. Only those who attained the class of immortals were considered true nobles. Ordinary officials could only govern in towns and cities while the masters of commandery cities and prefects of states were all of the immortal class, not to mention the imperial city of Changluo; one must be of the immortal class to enter there.


    Many immortal-class families would exile members with poor Spirit Root Qualification to ensure the excellence of their bloodline, and the Imperial Family was no exception.


    Even though he had fallen from grace, Li Ya who was of the immortal class was not someone Gu An could afford to provoke.


    Because he was of the slave class.


    Over the year, Gu An had been specifically helping Li Ya and Meng Lang pick medicinal herbs, mostly during the summer days or early mornings, so his efforts had made him quite popular with the two.


    For other tasks such as planting, watering and fertilizing, Gu An had not assisted them, and they felt embarrassed to ask. Moreover, when it came to planting, Zhang Chunqiu would watch from the loft above.


    Gu An listened to Meng Lang''s endless chatter while watching Li Ya practice his swordsmanship.


    Every man dreams of being a swordsman.


    After living together for a year, sharing each other''s company day and night, the three had established a good relationship. Li Ya did not prevent them from watching him practice since it was not feasible to practice in secrecy. Furthermore, the Li Family''s sword techniques came with a unique Qi cultivation spell which was indispensable; just learning the sword movements was insufficient.


    Meng Lang rambled on for a good while before finally winding down. He patted Gu An on the shoulder and chuckled, "You seldom practice yourself, yet you''re so interested in sword techniques. Why is that?"


    Gu An replied casually, "With my mediocre talent, I''m too lazy to practice. Watching him is just a way to pass the time out of boredom. Don''t you think life in Medicine Valley is dreadfully dull?"


    "Yeah, it is truly boring. If you knew what my life was like back home, with four maids to entertain me, you would know¡­" Meng Lang sighed and then his words poured out once more.


    Gu An, used to his boastful nature, didn''t bother to puncture his bubble.


    It wasn''t until dusk that Li Ya finished practicing. He stuck his sword back into the ground in the courtyard, wiping sweat from his brow, and said, "I''m going to take a walk in the little woods." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No sooner had he spoken than he headed for the gate, not waiting for a response from Gu An or Meng Lang.


    Once he had left the courtyard, Meng Lang murmured softly, "What do you think that guy is always doing in the little woods?"


    Gu An shrugged and replied, "How would I know? He''s a scion of the Imperial Family, having some secrets is normal. What if one day he goes back to become a prince?"


    "How could that be possible? He''s been sent out to be a Servant Disciple."


    "But think about it; it''s not just the Supreme Sect in this world. Why did he come here to be a servant disciple of all places?"


    Meng Lang was stunned by Gu An''s words, shaking his head.


    Then, Gu An walked to the well, scooped up a bucketful of water with a wooden ladle, and drank it all in one go before he set down the ladle and left the courtyard.


    Meng Lang didn''t follow Gu An; he knew what Gu An was up to and after mumbling to himself for a moment, he returned to his room to practice.


    Gu An arrived at a garden area where second layer Spirit Grass, Calming Grass, was cultivated.


    This year, Gu An only had the task of picking first layer medicinal herbs. Moreover, these Spirit Grasses were not ordinary plants. They required longer periods to mature and could take years to be harvest-ready, so he hadn''t collected much over the year.


    Zhang Chunqiu said that in another month, they would be able to pick the Calming Grass from this garden, which would be their first time harvesting second layer medicinal herbs. Gu An was looking forward to it.


    In his eyes, each stalk of the deep blue Calming Grass was not merely an herb but a numerical value of lifespan.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An noticed a Calming Grass plant shaking. Upon closer inspection, his expression dramatically changed, and he immediately vaulted over the fence, rushing towards it.


    He saw a white-haired mouse, the size of a palm, fiddling with the soil under the Calming Grass, seemingly trying to uproot it along with the roots.


    Startled by Gu An''s approach, the white-haired mouse darted away with the speed of lightning, vanishing beneath the wooden fence at the edge of the area, disappearing without a trace.


    Gu An wanted to chase after the creature but upon seeing the bitten Calming Grass with a broken stem, he quickly squatted down and took out a piece of Spirit Protection Paper from his waist.


    With his left hand, he swiftly picked the Calming Grass and with his right hand, he wrapped the roots with the Spirit Protection Paper to prevent the escape of spiritual energy.


    After finishing the wrapping, Gu An stood up.


    [You have successfully seized a 4-year lifespan from Calming Grass (second layer)]


    Before Gu An could smile, another line of text appeared before his eyes:


    [Your lifespan has surpassed one thousand years for the first time, activating the Life Span Detection function]


    Life Span Detection?


    Gu An was inwardly curious. He looked towards another Calming Grass on the ground and thought ''check lifespan'' in his mind.


    [Calming Grass (second layer): 4/25/102 years (Age/Lifespan/Lifespan Limit)]


    The lifespan limit of this Calming Grass could reach one hundred and two years?


    The lifespan taken was different from its inherent lifespan. It seemed impossible to take all of a target''s lifespan; most of its life dissipated upon the target''s death.


    Gu An wasn''t clear on the difference between lifespan and lifespan limit, though it might have something to do with cultivation.


    He picked up the wrapped Calming Grass and rose to his feet, heading towards Zhang Chunqiu''s loft.


    All the medicinal herbs in Medicine Valley had to be handed over to Zhang Chunqiu for safekeeping, and every half a year, Gu An and the other Servant Disciples would receive their stipend from the Supreme Sect, which consisted of Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills used for cultivation. Depending on their performance, Zhang Chunqiu would also grant them seeds of medicinal herbs.


    Gu An''s room contained three Calming Grass plants, one more than Meng Lang and Li Ya had, but Meng Lang and the other person did not feel envious.


    As soon as Gu An stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a person climbing the stairs to the loft where Zhang Chunqiu resided. It was a black-clad elder with a bookcase on his back and a black cloth hat on his head, appearing very mysterious.


    From a distance, observing the black-clad elder, Gu An''s mind stirred as he checked the man''s lifespan, and then two lines of hints popped up in front of him:


    [Cheng Xuandan (Energy Cultivation Realm Eight Layer): 104/120/180]


    Cheng Xuandan!


    Master of Medicine Valley and nominally Gu An''s mentor, he had only heard Zhang Chunqiu mention him. He had been traveling outside these years and had not met him until today.


    Cheng Xuandan, aged one hundred and four, would live up to one hundred and twenty years, with an extreme limit of one hundred and eighty years. That meant, barring accidents, he could only live for sixteen more years.


    Gu An found Life Span Detection interesting as it could help him identify others'' cultivation levels and qualifications.


    He speculated that extreme lifespan might indicate the height of one''s innate talent, but this guess had to be confirmed through repeated use.


    Cheng Xuandan entered Zhang Chunqiu''s room and closed the door behind him.


    Gu An went into Zhang Chunqiu''s courtyard, placed the bundled Calming Grass on a long table, and then turned away to leave.


    He returned to his own courtyard and first paid a visit to Meng Lang, who was cultivating in his room.


    [Meng Lang (Energy Cultivation Realm Second Layer): 17/90/190]


    Hmm, indeed a good-for-nothing.


    After learning about Meng Lang''s lifespan, Gu An didn''t linger to chat and quickly went back to his own room.


    Only when night had fallen and he heard Li Ya''s footsteps, did he rise and step out of his room.


    Just as Li Ya was about to head to his own house, seeing him open his door, he couldn''t help but ask, "What''s going on?"


    While checking his lifespan, Gu An replied, "Master has returned. How about we visit together tomorrow?"


    [Li Ya (Energy Cultivation Realm Six Layer): 18/210/1550]


    Hiss¡ª


    An extreme lifespan of one thousand and five hundred and fifty years!


    Is this the talent of Imperial Family descendants?


    Isn''t Li Ya also of Mixed Spirit Root?


    Gu An''s gaze towards Li Ya suddenly changed, perhaps Li Ya was an undiscovered genius who would shine brilliantly eventually.


    And this guy''s cultivation level had actually reached the Sixth Layer of Energy Cultivation Realm!


    What does that mean?


    Playing the fool to catch the wise?


    The realms of cultivation that Gu An had come into contact with, from low to high, were sequentially divided into Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, each major realm further subdivided into Nine Layers.


    Li Ya, reaching the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation at eighteen years old, probably wouldn''t need many years to achieve Foundation Establishment, rising to become an Official Disciple of the Supreme Sect.


    Such a genius fellow disciple must be befriended!


    Hearing this, Li Ya raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded, "Sure. You''ve thought it through well. Wake me up after you rise tomorrow."


    With that, he turned and walked towards his room.


    Gu An watched him close the door, filled with myriad emotions.


    Indeed, hierarchy exists in every world, and the difference in status destined that it would be difficult for him and Li Ya to become true friends.


    Gu An was not angry, having been treated with disdain and neglect as a house servant from a young age; he did not resent Li Ya, who seemed so unremarkable after all.


    It didn''t matter. Possessing the Golden Finger to seize lifespan, Gu An felt he would eventually become immortal. Before that, he aimed to keep a low profile and safely get through the phase of accruing lifespan.


    To ensure safety, one should avoid conflicts, stay out of trouble, and the more low-key, the better!


    A smile showed on Gu An''s face as he then turned and closed his room door.


    The moon was very full tonight, and its light scattered across the stone steps of the courtyard like water.


    ...


    In the early morning, inside the main hall.


    Gu An, Meng Lang, and Li Ya stood side by side. In front of them, Cheng Xuandan sat in a chair with a cup of hot tea in his hand; next to him stood Zhang Chunqiu, looking very respectful.


    [Zhang Chunqiu (Energy Cultivation Realm Fifth Layer): 54/110/175]


    Gu An thought the eldest disciple''s talent was low, but then he thought, naturally, as there was more than one Medicine Valley in the Supreme Sect. To have someone like Li Ya emerge was already quite extraordinary.


    Moreover, compared to these individuals, the initial Gu An was indeed the most worthless.


    Cheng Xuandan lifted his turbid eyes to scrutinize Gu An and the others, and then spoke, "I have learned about your performances from your eldest disciple. Meeting for the first time, as your mentor, I must present you with a welcome gift."


    "You may choose from the Hundred Herbs Collection, Energy Nurturing Skill, and the spell Poison Wood Vine, but you can only choose one and must not teach it to each other. If I discover that, I will punish you severely."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang was the first to speak up, "Master, I want the Poison Wood Vine!"


    Gu An thought to himself that no one would probably want the Hundred Herbs Collection, so he might as well let Li Ya choose first and do him a favor.


    Following this, Li Ya said, "Disciple would like the Hundred Herbs Collection."


    Gu An looked at him in surprise.


    Brother, not playing by the rules?

 Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Demon of Greed

    At midday.


    Gu An, Meng Lang, and Li Ya stood in front of a wooden fence in a garden area, Meng Lang stared curiously at the white-haired old mouse in Gu An''s hand.


    Li Ya pondered and said, "This should be a White Spirit Rat. They are highly interested in spiritual resources rich in spiritual energy, hence the name Treasure Hunting Rat. They can barely be considered spirit beasts."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang couldn''t help but ask, "What is the difference between spirit beasts and demon beasts?"


    "Demon beasts cultivate themselves into existence, while spirit beasts are born with the ability to perceive nature''s spiritual energy. They can also cultivate, and their aura isn''t as bloody as demon energy; to put it simply, spirit beasts are not as dangerous as demon beasts," explained Li Ya.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An suddenly didn''t want to kill the mouse.


    Meng Lang''s interest grew, and he laughed with a hehe, "Gu An, how about giving this old mouse to me?"


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and cursed silently, calling him an animal, daring to ask for it!


    Li Ya said coldly, "White Spirit Rats don''t usually live alone. If there''s one here, it means there''s a nest nearby. Go catch them yourself. It''s rather degrading to fight over a mouse."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang''s cheeks flushed with anger, and he huffed, "Then I''ll catch!"


    With that, he turned and left.


    Once he was far away, Gu An said to Li Ya, "Thank you."


    Gu An found that Li Ya seemed cold but was actually quite easy to get along with, generous in nature. He didn''t stop Gu An from watching him practice swordplay usually, and today, he even spoke up righteously.


    If Li Ya hadn''t spoken up, Gu An would have been in big trouble.


    If he had to make Meng Lang cry from a beating, with that kid''s volume, the commotion would be unmistakable!


    Li Ya looked at Gu An, sizing him up, and said softly, "Somehow, you seem to have changed suddenly, but I can''t quite put my finger on what exactly has changed."


    Suddenly, Li Ya grabbed Gu An''s wrist with his right hand. The speed seemed so slow in Gu An''s eyes, but instead of dodging, he pretended to be surprised.


    "Brother Li, what are you..."


    "It''s nothing."


    Li Ya withdrew his hand, hesitated for a moment, then added, "Your aura is stable, and there''s no significant problem with your body, except for the lack of spiritual power. Even if your talent is mediocre, don''t forget to cultivate. With effort, there is always hope."


    Gu An nodded and started making small talk following his remark.


    Li Ya seemed to be in a good mood today and was quite talkative. Through him, Gu An gained a deeper understanding of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    It had to be said, members of the Imperial Family were indeed different, possessing extensive knowledge without even traveling the world.


    After the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, Meng Lang returned quickly.


    "There''s a big problem!" Meng Lang came to Gu An''s side and whispered, his tone anxious.


    Gu An looked up towards the entrance of Medicine Valley.


    Li Ya asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Meng Lang''s eyes widened as he said, "There''s a cultivator guarding the entrance of the valley. When I went up and asked him, he said he is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sect, he had taken on our master''s reward task to protect us for a month."


    "I bet the master posted the task because of the demon we talked about earlier. What if the Inner Sect Disciple can''t fend off the demon? Wouldn''t we be done for?"


    Gu An had already seen the figure of the Inner Sect Disciple from afar, his current vision enabling him to see the person''s true appearance.


    It was a young man dressed in a green robe, handsome and distinguished, clearly not an ordinary man.


    [Chu Jingfeng (Foundation Establishment Realm, Level One): 19/290/870]


    Reaching Level One of the Foundation Establishment Realm at nineteen?


    A genius!


    No wonder he could be an Inner Sect Disciple.


    Gu An looked at the inspection hint in front of him and felt a myriad of emotions.


    The Supreme Sect truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost institution of the Taicang Dynasty, brimming with geniuses.


    Li Ya and Meng Lang began discussing the mysterious demon. Meng Lang thought it was preposterous, considering how powerful the Supreme Sect was, that a demon could infiltrate, and yet, after half a month, it still hadn''t been caught.


    Li Ya, however, thought it was normal, to use his words, the Supreme Sect was too vast, and Medicine Valley being on the edge made it normal for disciples to face danger.


    "A hundred years ago, there was a Demon Cultivator who invaded the Supreme Sect, killed hundreds of disciples, and left unscathed. That demon might know some Secret Techniques, making it hard to capture," Li Ya spoke with a distant tone.


    "Don''t mention the Supreme Sect; there''s no absolutely safe place in this world. The amount of Spirit Resources provided by the Dynasty to the Demon-Suppressing Mansion every year is an astoundingly large figure..."


    Li Ya started discussing the state of the world. Gu An and Meng Lang listened with great interest, taking in every word.


    Coming from an Immortal Cultivation family like the Ji Family, Gu An had little exposure to the wider world, and this was the first time he realized how dangerous the world was.


    Demons roamed the land, and evil spirits ran rampant, with three or four in ten Cultivators dying at the hands of demons and evil spirits.


    After listening, Gu An became even more fearful.


    He definitely couldn''t go out in the future. He had to stay in the Supreme Sect and accumulate life span!


    Survive for a thousand or even ten thousand years, survive until the Supreme Sect collapses!


    "But our Medicine Valley has so many medicinal herbs of great significance, how could the Sect send only an Inner Sect Disciple?" Meng Lang said indignantly.


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "There are more than fifty such Medicine Valleys in the Supreme Sect. The herbs cultivated here are not considered very precious. Inside the Sect, there are more valuable Medicine Valleys where all the herbs are divine resources capable of changing a mortal''s fate."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s eyes lit up, and he began to inquire about the details of that Medicine Valley.


    However, Li Ya was only aware of the existence of that Medicine Valley and didn''t know the specifics.


    After talking for a while longer, the trio eventually departed, each having to check on their assigned garden areas regularly to prevent any mishaps with the herbs.


    Once the inspections were finished, they each returned to their rooms.


    Gu An tied a rope around the White Spirit Rat''s body to prevent it from escaping.


    He sat cross-legged on his bed with the White Spirit Rat on his lap, and then he began to cultivate.


    He practiced the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, which could enhance his strength and life span. As for other cultivation techniques, he was too lazy to practice them; he preferred to simply expend his life span when more was available.


    By the time night fell, Medicine Valley became more silent than it had ever been before.


    Now with exceptionally acute senses, Gu An could hear Cheng Xuandan and Inner Sect Disciple Chu Jingfeng talking over a hundred zhang away. Cheng Xuandan was very respectful towards Chu Jingfeng, indicating that Chu Jingfeng was more than just an Inner Sect Disciple.


    Through their conversation, Gu An learned the name of that demon.


    The Demon of Greed!


    Chu Jingfeng was disdainful of the Demon of Greed. His confident tone also reassured Cheng Xuandan, and Gu An could distinctly feel Cheng Xuandan''s heartbeat returning to normal.


    "The Demon of Greed..."


    Gu An''s eyes flickered with curiosity, wondering whether his Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill could exterminate the Demon of Greed.


    According to the inherited memories of the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, its Dragon Strength had the effect of suppressing demons and exterminating evil.


    He had to prepare for the worst, in case Chu Jingfeng couldn''t withstand it!


    Even with his extended lifespan, he only had one life to live!


    He couldn''t afford to gamble with it!


    That night, the breath of everyone in Medicine Valley was unstable, clearly affected by their emotions. Capturing this, Gu An became even more nervous.


    Only when dawn came did Gu An begin to sleep.


    For the next five days, the Demon of Greed did not appear, and Gu An''s tense heart gradually relaxed.


    The sixth day.


    As always, as darkness descended, Gu An returned to his room to rest. This time, he brought back four travelogues from the library, aiming to broaden his knowledge of the world.


    The White Spirit Rat scurried out from under the bed and swiftly jumped onto the table. Ever since it had experienced Gu An practicing the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, it had become dependent on him and wouldn''t run away even if not tethered.


    Gu An sat down at the table, teased the White Spirit Rat, then began to flip through a book called "Green Hero Travelogue."


    The window was left half-open, and the cool breeze of the night blew in, causing the flame of the oil lamp to flicker and casting shadows of the White Spirit Rat on the table, which occasionally stretched.


    Gu An found this travelogue quite interesting.


    It had quite a bit about the affairs of men and women, with the Green Hero wandering the world, appreciating the scenery from north to south, slaying demons and monsters, as well as having brief romantic encounters.


    He continued reading deep into the night and felt something amiss.


    Why did every woman the Green Hero encountered like him? The man made a show of reluctance, always being half-pushed and half-pulled by the women...


    This couldn''t have been written by some scholar, could it?


    Gu An inwardly scorned the author of the book but was still engrossed in reading it.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A gust of cold wind blew in from outside the window, and even Gu An, who had cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, couldn''t help but shiver. He put down the book in his hand and got up to close the window.


    Before he reached the window, he suddenly heard a noise in the distance. He stopped and listened carefully.


    "Demon! Meet your demise!"


    The low shout from Chu Jingfeng made Gu An''s hair stand on end.


    Had the Demon of Greed arrived?


    But Chu Jingfeng seemed not afraid, even excited, and reliable. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah¡ª"


    Just as Gu An''s heart began to calm, he heard Chu Jingfeng''s scream, which frightened him into quickly closing the window and turning off the oil lamp.


    Gu An retreated to a corner inside the room. The White Spirit Rat clearly sensed something and quickly jumped into his arms.


    The little creature was actually trembling too!


    Its trembling intensified Gu An''s fear.


    From childhood to adulthood, Gu An had never encountered demons or evil spirits. It couldn''t be helped; the Ji Family was too safe. As a child, the most terrifying beings in his eyes were the Ji Family''s Court Guardians, resembling Zhang Fei and Li Kui.


    "Chu Jingfeng, you''d better live up to your bravado, and Li Ya next door, with your extraordinary spirit resource and unique life pattern, you must be like the protagonist of a novel, who will ascend to greatness upon defeating that demon..."


    Gu An strived to calm his emotions, his fists clenched tightly, already condensing the Dragon Strength within his body.


    Soon, he heard the sound of the door next door being pushed open¡ªit was Li Ya, rushing out with his sword to support Chu Jingfeng.


    As for Meng Lang, he was even less resilient than Gu An, hiding under the bed and almost making Gu An curse out loud.


    This good-for-nothing pretended to be so tough in front of him usually, posing as a big brother, but he turned out to be such a coward when faced with danger.


    Thinking this, each second that passed felt like torture to Gu An.


    In his Perception, the breath of Chu Jingfeng suddenly disappeared, and Gu An didn''t know whether he was dead or alive.


    "Demon! Hold your tongue!"


    Li Ya''s voice was captured by Gu An, sending chills down his spine.


    Was the demon planning to eat them?


    Then, Gu An heard a thud, and Li Ya''s voice abruptly ended.


    Was it over for him? Was he that useless?


    Gu An''s heartbeat pounded like a war drum, unable to settle down.


    Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu were hiding in their own rooms, ignoring the commotion outside, truly living up to the phrase "like master, like disciple..."


    Outside the room, silence fell, and even Gu An, with his superior senses, could not detect any movement or the presence of the Demon of Greed.

 Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Demon of Greed

    At midday.


    Gu An, Meng Lang, and Li Ya stood in front of a wooden fence in a garden area, Meng Lang stared curiously at the white-haired old mouse in Gu An''s hand.


    Li Ya pondered and said, "This should be a White Spirit Rat. They are highly interested in spiritual resources rich in spiritual energy, hence the name Treasure Hunting Rat. They can barely be considered spirit beasts."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang couldn''t help but ask, "What is the difference between spirit beasts and demon beasts?"


    "Demon beasts cultivate themselves into existence, while spirit beasts are born with the ability to perceive nature''s spiritual energy. They can also cultivate, and their aura isn''t as bloody as demon energy; to put it simply, spirit beasts are not as dangerous as demon beasts," explained Li Ya.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An suddenly didn''t want to kill the mouse.


    Meng Lang''s interest grew, and he laughed with a hehe, "Gu An, how about giving this old mouse to me?"


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and cursed silently, calling him an animal, daring to ask for it!


    Li Ya said coldly, "White Spirit Rats don''t usually live alone. If there''s one here, it means there''s a nest nearby. Go catch them yourself. It''s rather degrading to fight over a mouse."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang''s cheeks flushed with anger, and he huffed, "Then I''ll catch!"


    With that, he turned and left.


    Once he was far away, Gu An said to Li Ya, "Thank you."


    Gu An found that Li Ya seemed cold but was actually quite easy to get along with, generous in nature. He didn''t stop Gu An from watching him practice swordplay usually, and today, he even spoke up righteously.


    If Li Ya hadn''t spoken up, Gu An would have been in big trouble.


    If he had to make Meng Lang cry from a beating, with that kid''s volume, the commotion would be unmistakable!


    Li Ya looked at Gu An, sizing him up, and said softly, "Somehow, you seem to have changed suddenly, but I can''t quite put my finger on what exactly has changed."


    Suddenly, Li Ya grabbed Gu An''s wrist with his right hand. The speed seemed so slow in Gu An''s eyes, but instead of dodging, he pretended to be surprised.


    "Brother Li, what are you..."


    "It''s nothing."


    Li Ya withdrew his hand, hesitated for a moment, then added, "Your aura is stable, and there''s no significant problem with your body, except for the lack of spiritual power. Even if your talent is mediocre, don''t forget to cultivate. With effort, there is always hope."


    Gu An nodded and started making small talk following his remark.


    Li Ya seemed to be in a good mood today and was quite talkative. Through him, Gu An gained a deeper understanding of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    It had to be said, members of the Imperial Family were indeed different, possessing extensive knowledge without even traveling the world.


    After the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, Meng Lang returned quickly.


    "There''s a big problem!" Meng Lang came to Gu An''s side and whispered, his tone anxious.


    Gu An looked up towards the entrance of Medicine Valley.


    Li Ya asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Meng Lang''s eyes widened as he said, "There''s a cultivator guarding the entrance of the valley. When I went up and asked him, he said he is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sect, he had taken on our master''s reward task to protect us for a month."


    "I bet the master posted the task because of the demon we talked about earlier. What if the Inner Sect Disciple can''t fend off the demon? Wouldn''t we be done for?"


    Gu An had already seen the figure of the Inner Sect Disciple from afar, his current vision enabling him to see the person''s true appearance.


    It was a young man dressed in a green robe, handsome and distinguished, clearly not an ordinary man.


    [Chu Jingfeng (Foundation Establishment Realm, Level One): 19/290/870]


    Reaching Level One of the Foundation Establishment Realm at nineteen?


    A genius!


    No wonder he could be an Inner Sect Disciple.


    Gu An looked at the inspection hint in front of him and felt a myriad of emotions.


    The Supreme Sect truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost institution of the Taicang Dynasty, brimming with geniuses.


    Li Ya and Meng Lang began discussing the mysterious demon. Meng Lang thought it was preposterous, considering how powerful the Supreme Sect was, that a demon could infiltrate, and yet, after half a month, it still hadn''t been caught.


    Li Ya, however, thought it was normal, to use his words, the Supreme Sect was too vast, and Medicine Valley being on the edge made it normal for disciples to face danger.


    "A hundred years ago, there was a Demon Cultivator who invaded the Supreme Sect, killed hundreds of disciples, and left unscathed. That demon might know some Secret Techniques, making it hard to capture," Li Ya spoke with a distant tone.


    "Don''t mention the Supreme Sect; there''s no absolutely safe place in this world. The amount of Spirit Resources provided by the Dynasty to the Demon-Suppressing Mansion every year is an astoundingly large figure..."


    Li Ya started discussing the state of the world. Gu An and Meng Lang listened with great interest, taking in every word.


    Coming from an Immortal Cultivation family like the Ji Family, Gu An had little exposure to the wider world, and this was the first time he realized how dangerous the world was.


    Demons roamed the land, and evil spirits ran rampant, with three or four in ten Cultivators dying at the hands of demons and evil spirits.


    After listening, Gu An became even more fearful.


    He definitely couldn''t go out in the future. He had to stay in the Supreme Sect and accumulate life span!


    Survive for a thousand or even ten thousand years, survive until the Supreme Sect collapses!


    "But our Medicine Valley has so many medicinal herbs of great significance, how could the Sect send only an Inner Sect Disciple?" Meng Lang said indignantly.


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "There are more than fifty such Medicine Valleys in the Supreme Sect. The herbs cultivated here are not considered very precious. Inside the Sect, there are more valuable Medicine Valleys where all the herbs are divine resources capable of changing a mortal''s fate."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s eyes lit up, and he began to inquire about the details of that Medicine Valley.


    However, Li Ya was only aware of the existence of that Medicine Valley and didn''t know the specifics.


    After talking for a while longer, the trio eventually departed, each having to check on their assigned garden areas regularly to prevent any mishaps with the herbs.


    Once the inspections were finished, they each returned to their rooms.


    Gu An tied a rope around the White Spirit Rat''s body to prevent it from escaping.


    He sat cross-legged on his bed with the White Spirit Rat on his lap, and then he began to cultivate.


    He practiced the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, which could enhance his strength and life span. As for other cultivation techniques, he was too lazy to practice them; he preferred to simply expend his life span when more was available.


    By the time night fell, Medicine Valley became more silent than it had ever been before.


    Now with exceptionally acute senses, Gu An could hear Cheng Xuandan and Inner Sect Disciple Chu Jingfeng talking over a hundred zhang away. Cheng Xuandan was very respectful towards Chu Jingfeng, indicating that Chu Jingfeng was more than just an Inner Sect Disciple.


    Through their conversation, Gu An learned the name of that demon.


    The Demon of Greed!


    Chu Jingfeng was disdainful of the Demon of Greed. His confident tone also reassured Cheng Xuandan, and Gu An could distinctly feel Cheng Xuandan''s heartbeat returning to normal.


    "The Demon of Greed..."


    Gu An''s eyes flickered with curiosity, wondering whether his Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill could exterminate the Demon of Greed.


    According to the inherited memories of the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, its Dragon Strength had the effect of suppressing demons and exterminating evil.


    He had to prepare for the worst, in case Chu Jingfeng couldn''t withstand it!


    Even with his extended lifespan, he only had one life to live!


    He couldn''t afford to gamble with it!


    That night, the breath of everyone in Medicine Valley was unstable, clearly affected by their emotions. Capturing this, Gu An became even more nervous.


    Only when dawn came did Gu An begin to sleep.


    For the next five days, the Demon of Greed did not appear, and Gu An''s tense heart gradually relaxed.


    The sixth day.


    As always, as darkness descended, Gu An returned to his room to rest. This time, he brought back four travelogues from the library, aiming to broaden his knowledge of the world.


    The White Spirit Rat scurried out from under the bed and swiftly jumped onto the table. Ever since it had experienced Gu An practicing the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, it had become dependent on him and wouldn''t run away even if not tethered.


    Gu An sat down at the table, teased the White Spirit Rat, then began to flip through a book called "Green Hero Travelogue."


    The window was left half-open, and the cool breeze of the night blew in, causing the flame of the oil lamp to flicker and casting shadows of the White Spirit Rat on the table, which occasionally stretched.


    Gu An found this travelogue quite interesting.


    It had quite a bit about the affairs of men and women, with the Green Hero wandering the world, appreciating the scenery from north to south, slaying demons and monsters, as well as having brief romantic encounters.


    He continued reading deep into the night and felt something amiss.


    Why did every woman the Green Hero encountered like him? The man made a show of reluctance, always being half-pushed and half-pulled by the women...


    This couldn''t have been written by some scholar, could it?


    Gu An inwardly scorned the author of the book but was still engrossed in reading it.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A gust of cold wind blew in from outside the window, and even Gu An, who had cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, couldn''t help but shiver. He put down the book in his hand and got up to close the window.


    Before he reached the window, he suddenly heard a noise in the distance. He stopped and listened carefully.


    "Demon! Meet your demise!"


    The low shout from Chu Jingfeng made Gu An''s hair stand on end.


    Had the Demon of Greed arrived?


    But Chu Jingfeng seemed not afraid, even excited, and reliable. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah¡ª"


    Just as Gu An''s heart began to calm, he heard Chu Jingfeng''s scream, which frightened him into quickly closing the window and turning off the oil lamp.


    Gu An retreated to a corner inside the room. The White Spirit Rat clearly sensed something and quickly jumped into his arms.


    The little creature was actually trembling too!


    Its trembling intensified Gu An''s fear.


    From childhood to adulthood, Gu An had never encountered demons or evil spirits. It couldn''t be helped; the Ji Family was too safe. As a child, the most terrifying beings in his eyes were the Ji Family''s Court Guardians, resembling Zhang Fei and Li Kui.


    "Chu Jingfeng, you''d better live up to your bravado, and Li Ya next door, with your extraordinary spirit resource and unique life pattern, you must be like the protagonist of a novel, who will ascend to greatness upon defeating that demon..."


    Gu An strived to calm his emotions, his fists clenched tightly, already condensing the Dragon Strength within his body.


    Soon, he heard the sound of the door next door being pushed open¡ªit was Li Ya, rushing out with his sword to support Chu Jingfeng.


    As for Meng Lang, he was even less resilient than Gu An, hiding under the bed and almost making Gu An curse out loud.


    This good-for-nothing pretended to be so tough in front of him usually, posing as a big brother, but he turned out to be such a coward when faced with danger.


    Thinking this, each second that passed felt like torture to Gu An.


    In his Perception, the breath of Chu Jingfeng suddenly disappeared, and Gu An didn''t know whether he was dead or alive.


    "Demon! Hold your tongue!"


    Li Ya''s voice was captured by Gu An, sending chills down his spine.


    Was the demon planning to eat them?


    Then, Gu An heard a thud, and Li Ya''s voice abruptly ended.


    Was it over for him? Was he that useless?


    Gu An''s heartbeat pounded like a war drum, unable to settle down.


    Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu were hiding in their own rooms, ignoring the commotion outside, truly living up to the phrase "like master, like disciple..."


    Outside the room, silence fell, and even Gu An, with his superior senses, could not detect any movement or the presence of the Demon of Greed.

 Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Is That All?

    The night was silent, so quiet that the drop of a pin could be heard. Leaning against the wall, Gu An was frustrated, wondering why his heartbeat was so fast.


    For some reason, although he couldn''t hear any movement outside, he inexplicably felt that the Demon of Greed was approaching his house.


    His gaze moved back and forth between the door and the windows. Moonlight streamed in through the cracks in the door and windows, bright and terrifyingly so.


    The White Spirit Rat, trembling, made Gu An''s chest itch, making him want to throw it out, but he couldn''t bring himself to do it.


    Time slowly passed as Gu An held his breath and focused.


    Gu An had never longed for daylight as much as he did now.


    The Supreme Sect was not safe at all!


    In the future, he would need to accumulate more life span. While keeping a low profile, he must not stop growing stronger!


    Gu An was lost in thought, not knowing how much time had passed when his gaze suddenly fixed on the threshold of his door.


    The door was to his left, less than a meter away. It was illuminated by the moonlight, and a dark shadow appeared in the door crack, sending shivers down his spine.


    The Demon of Greed!


    It was coming!


    Gu An''s heart reached his throat, his body tense.


    He even felt an urge to rush out!


    Suddenly!


    Gu An''s body stiffened. He felt a wet hand touching his head, its sharp nails pressing against his forehead, sending chills down his spine.


    His mind went blank as he cautiously looked up, only to see a pale arm emerging from the darkness above, looking like a woman''s arm, the hand pressing on the top of his head with nails sharp as claws.


    The owner of the arm reached out from the darkness, a disheveled and ferocious face pushing through, her true face unclear, only her mouth full of dripping fangs visible.


    She was smiling!


    Damn!


    Gu An was terrified to the point of madness, lashing out with his arm in anger, slapping the face of the Demon of Greed.


    Boom!


    The roof of the house was blasted open, flesh and blood splattering inside, tiles and turf flung dozens of feet into the air, disappearing into the night.


    The night sky was so dark, the mountains and forests around Medicine Valley appeared to be standing like demons and ghosts.


    "Huff, huff, huff..."


    Gu An was gasping for air, his right arm in the air, trembling, his palm smeared with blood, the blood of the Demon of Greed splashed all over his face.


    When everything quieted down, Gu An still couldn''t calm himself.


    Moonlight poured in, illuminating the inside of the house.


    On the wall, a huge blossom of blood spread, horrifying and terrible, a pale severed arm lying at Gu An''s feet.


    Ten breaths later, Gu An finally calmed down.


    [You have successfully taken 52 years of life from the Demon of Greed (Tier 2)]


    Staring at the notification that popped up before him, he was still gasping for breath, but his expression turned peculiar.


    "Is that it?"


    Gu An found it ridiculous, was he too strong, or were Chu Jingfeng and the others too weak?


    Just as he was puzzled, he faintly heard a door opening; he immediately lay down, closed his eyes, and casually hung the severed arm of the Demon of Greed over his body.


    That wasn''t enough; he also raised his hand, pried open the palm of the Demon of Greed, and then grabbed his own neck. After doing all this, he spread his hands and pretended to faint.


    ...


    As autumn approached, the weather was no longer so hot.


    Gu An was picking Calming Grass in its dedicated area while Li Ya and Meng Lang stood outside the wooden fence, watching him work.


    Half of Li Ya''s body was wrapped in white bandages, with two shocking scars on his face, nearly reaching his right eye, hard to imagine what he had gone through.


    Meng Lang seemed unharmed. He watched Gu An and clicked his tongue in wonder, "This kid can still be so happy picking herbs, as if he hadn''t encountered the Demon of Greed before."


    Li Ya''s face was expressionless, his facial scars adding a fierce air to him as he calmly said, "Maybe he''s finding solace in his hardship, how do you know he can still smile after he closes the door?" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The night four days ago seemed like just last night. Li Ya recalled his encounter with the Demon of Greed, feeling scared just thinking about it.


    He survived purely by luck.


    Chu Jingfeng was more injured than him, having an arm violently torn off, while Cheng Xuandan, Zhang Chunqiu, and Meng Lang were completely unharmed.


    That morning, the Supreme Sect sent several cultivators, all with higher cultivation levels than Chu Jingfeng, the highest reaching the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. They questioned Gu An about the specifics, and Gu An pretended to be utterly frightened, claiming ignorance.


    Eventually, the cultivators concluded that someone else had acted, saving the life of this servant disciple from Medicine Valley, as Gu An had not a trace of spiritual power, so it couldn''t have been him who slew the Demon of Greed.


    Afterwards, Gu An deliberately changed rooms, and Zhang Chunqiu treated him even better, seemingly feeling guilty.


    As Li Ya and Meng Lang discussed Gu An, Gu An himself was relishing the joy of seizing life span from the second-tier medicinal herbs.


    Second-tier medicinal herbs could provide him with two to five years of life span. He helped Li Ya and the others pick them, this time able to gather sixty stalks in total, an incredibly delightful experience.


    At the same time, he couldn''t help but think of the Demon of Greed.


    Slaying the Demon of Greed had granted him fifty-two years of life, did this not imply that by eradicating demons, he could gain even more life span?


    However, as soon as he thought of that night''s terrifying experience and the injuries of Chu Jingfeng and Li Ya, he immediately dismissed the idea.


    It wasn''t necessary!


    He was not in a rush to become stronger. Why risk his life?


    Hmm.


    He mustn''t be reckless, he needed to develop discreetly!


    After a while.


    Gu An finally finished picking sixty stalks of Calming Grass and, carrying a bamboo basket, he approached Meng Lang, ready to hand them over.


    Meng Lang cleared his throat and said, "This time, you should report it to the eldest apprentice brother."


    Recalling his shameful performance that night, he truly had no face to steal Gu An''s credit.


    Gu An did not refuse and smiled, "Okay."


    He politely nodded at Li Ya, then headed towards Zhang Chunqiu''s loft.


    Li Ya didn''t stay either, turning away and walking towards a distant forest, and Meng Lang looked back and forth, touching his nose awkwardly.


    Inside the hall.


    Gu An handed over all of the Calming Grass to Zhang Chunqiu. Zhang Chunqiu did not ask him to leave immediately, instead, he engaged in perfunctory small talk, asking if he had been sleeping well recently.


    Zhang Chunqiu often recalled how the Demon of Greed had throttled Gu An, and his heart swelled with guilt. As the eldest apprentice brother, he had not managed to protect his junior, which was humiliating.


    How honest and obedient Gu An was on regular days; if such a disciple were to die, truthfully, it would be distressing to even think about.


    "Right, about the Demon of Greed, let''s not speak of it again. Today, I heard outside that the demon was kept by a certain elder in the Sect. This message shouldn''t be spread; pretend it never happened," Zhang Chunqiu earnestly said.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An frowned.


    So that was it; no wonder that demon had been free to roam around for so long.


    Zhang Chunqiu, seeming uneasy, added, "Such elders are not ones we can afford to provoke. A single word from them could make our Medicine Valley disappear. Coming from a humble background, you should understand the disparity that status brings. Only by being patient can we survive."


    He then raised his hand and pulled out a manual from his robe, saying, "This is a Secret Technique prepared for you by Master. Master spent five years of Sect contribution for this, after all, you truly have suffered an injustice."


    Gu An immediately appeared delighted, accepting the manual and seeing three words on the cover.


    Residual Wind Leg!


    "Thank you, eldest apprentice brother, thank you, Master!" Gu An immediately bent over to give thanks.


    Zhang Chunqiu blinked and smiled, "Practice it when you have free time. Maybe in the future it could protect you. Don''t share this manual with Meng Lang. As for Li Ya, he has shown exceptional talent and Master has decided to help him break through the Foundation Establishment Realm. I guess in two years at most, he will leave Medicine Valley."


    Gu An, upon hearing this, was not surprised; someone of Li Ya''s cultivation remaining in Medicine Valley would indeed be a waste.


    Then, after exchanging pleasantries with Gu An, Zhang Chunqiu let him leave.


    Once Gu An closed the door, Zhang Chunqiu murmured quietly, "Truly an honest kid, he can definitely take care of Master for me in the future, so I can finally leave the mountain... Lotus, wait for me¡­"


    As Gu An descended the stairs, his steps faltered momentarily, but then he continued downwards.


    ¡­


    Although the attack by the Demon of Greed had not resulted in any deaths in Medicine Valley, it had changed the atmosphere markedly. Li Ya became even more mysterious, hiding in the forest after finishing his chores, and even Meng Lang started practicing with more diligence.


    Gu An practiced the Residual Wind Leg from the manual for a month, managing to barely make the technique appear on display, which was a big blow to him, leading him to give up practicing and plan to try his luck later.


    Seasons changed; autumn leaves covered Medicine Valley.


    Gu An''s figure constantly appeared in various parts of the valley, becoming the busiest person in Medicine Valley. Zhang Chunqiu trusted him more and more, no longer supervising his work. As for Cheng Xuandan, he stayed in his house refining elixirs all day, hardly seen once a month.


    As autumn turned to winter, the white snow blanketed everything, engulfing Medicine Valley in a white vastness.


    A new year arrived amid the heavy snow.


    Until the winter snow began to melt, finally, some people from outside the valley came to visit, specifically looking for Gu An.


    Inside the room, Gu An closed the door then walked over to the table to pour hot tea for the young man already seated there.


    The youth, dressed in the Supreme Sect Outer Disciple''s blue robe, surveyed the room while asking, "How have you been this past year and a half?"


    Among those who followed Ji Xiaoyu to join the Supreme Sect were five individuals, including Gu An and the youth in front of him, both house servants.


    The youth, named Du Ye, with a Four Spirits Root, had joined the Supreme Sect''s Outer Sect with the help of Ji Family, and had changed considerably over the year.


    "Not bad," Gu An casually replied.


    Du Ye looked at him, shook his head slightly, and said, "You, you, you insisted on coming here. With the third miss and Ji Family''s influence, sneaking you into the Outer Sect wouldn''t have been difficult. Why choose to suffer here with no hope of cultivation?"


    Gu An looked at his lifespan of less than one hundred fifty years, then compared it with his own nearly a thousand years, and said with a smile, "My qualifications are mediocre, and I am afraid of both death and pain. Places like this, quiet and secluded, suit me better."


    Du Ye shook his head with a chuckle, criticized him for a bit, then revealed the purpose of his visit, "Young Master Ji Lin is planning to create an influence for the third miss within the Supreme Sect and gather connections. We all have to contribute. Collecting medicinal materials diligently on your part, I''ll come every six months to collect them.


    These materials can serve as the bargaining chips for Young Master Ji Lin to win over other disciples."


    "Okay, no problem," Gu An agreed in one breath, since medicinal materials weren''t very important to him anyway.


    Seeing how agreeable Gu An was, Du Ye smiled.


    After chatting for a while longer, Gu An escorted Du Ye to the valley entrance before turning back.


    Just as he returned to the courtyard, he saw Li Ya waiting.


    Li Ya approached Gu An, placing a manual against his chest, and said, "I''m preparing to leave. Consider this sword technique a farewell gift. Thank you for everything you''ve done for me these past eighteen months."

 Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Very Fat Outer Sect Disciple

    ```


    Gu An caught the secret manual and felt a subtle feeling in his heart. Although he had known that Li Ya was going to leave, when he actually heard that he was leaving, there was an unexpected twinge of reluctance in his heart.


    In Medicine Valley, he had only two friends; after all, he had nothing to talk about with Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu.


    Li Ya was so much better than Meng Lang, who was nothing but an animal!


    "Are you preparing for Foundation Establishment?" Gu An asked.


    He had used Life Span Detection and saw that Li Ya''s cultivation level had already reached the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm. Such a fast breakthrough speed.


    Could it be that there was a senior in the forest giving him guidance?


    Or perhaps Li Ya housed the soul of an old man who had suffered betrayal and persecution?


    Li Ya nodded and said, "I plan to begin Foundation Establishment next month."


    He paused for a moment, then said earnestly, "Once we part this time, I''m afraid we may not meet again. Don''t be too submissive to Meng Lang in Medicine Valley; that would only embolden him to take advantage of you even more. There will surely be other disciples in the future, and as a senior brother, you must assert your own temperament..."


    Gu An was speechless¡ªhow come he was being lectured by two people in one day?


    But compared to Du Ye, Li Ya was more sincere.


    Gu An suddenly felt a sense of loss. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since childhood, he had trodden on thin ice in the Ji Family without any real friends¡ªonly people he deliberately tried to please. He had never had a friend who would give him a gift like Li Ya.


    He understood that what Li Ya said would come true. This separation could be for a lifetime.


    Gu An couldn''t help saying, "The same goes for you. Don''t be as reckless as before. Staying alive is the most important thing. If you can rise from a Servant Disciple to someone on the verge of Foundation Establishment in less than two years, your talents must be top-notch. As long as you live, you will undoubtedly become a famous top Great Cultivator who will shake the world."


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya couldn''t help but smile.


    The two stood in the courtyard and chatted, and soon, Meng Lang returned. Hearing that Li Ya was leaving, he was also quite downhearted.


    In the end, Li Ya did leave. After saying goodbye to Gu An, he went to visit Cheng Xuandan, and finally, Zhang Chunqiu took him away from Medicine Valley.


    Winter snow had not yet fully melted, and Medicine Valley became much quieter.


    When Gu An had free time, he began to practice the sword manual that Li Ya had given him. His aspirations were not high¡ªhe didn''t seek to master it, but at least wanted to become skillful enough to have it appear on the attribute panel.


    Making a cultivation technique or a secret manual appear on the Attribute Panel takes time, and Gu An didn''t want to find out too late during a moment of danger when he might need to sacrifice life span to practice it.


    The sword manual Li Ya had given was titled "Li Family Seven Swords." Though the name was quite common, Gu An knew that this Li Family represented the Taicang Dynasty''s Imperial Family, so he practiced it diligently.


    As winter gave way to spring, the vibrant life bloomed throughout Medicine Valley.


    After Li Ya''s departure, Zhang Chunqiu brought back a person¡ªa fourteen-year-old boy named Xiaochuan.


    Xiaochuan was a reclusive teenager and seldom interacted with Gu An and Meng Lang after he entered Medicine Valley. After Gu An helped him collect spirit grass several times, Xiaochuan developed a fondness for him, and they gradually conversed more, but overall, Xiaochuan remained a man of few words.


    Time progressed into summer, and Gu An learned from the Attribute Panel that he had turned seventeen.


    From childhood, he had never known the exact date of his birthday, and he did not care about it.


    More than a birthday, what Gu An looked forward to was when he would be able to pick third-grade spirit grass.


    Most of the spirit grass in Medicine Valley needed several years before it could be picked, so his lifespan growth rate was not always increasing and had recently started to slow down.


    On this day.


    Zhang Chunqiu found Gu An.


    "Junior Brother Gu, I have a task here with a decent reward. Would you be willing to take it?" Zhang Chunqiu said with a beaming smile.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow¡ªthere were tasks within Medicine Valley?


    Suppressing his reluctance, he asked, "May I ask Senior Brother, what is the task?"


    "There''s an Outer Disciple who is about to go out for experience and won''t be back for two years. The task is to take care of the spirit grass in his cave dwelling until he returns. When he does, he will reward you with ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones," Zhang Chunqiu said with a smile.


    As soon as Gu An heard this, his heart was moved.


    Spirit stones are graded from Low-Grade to Mid-Grade to Top-Grade to Supreme-Grade, each level valued a hundred times more than the last. A Mid-Grade Spirit Stone is equal to one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and Gu An''s monthly remuneration was just one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. The task was equivalent to getting one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones in two years¡ªhow could he not be moved?


    Gu An hesitated and asked, "Can that senior be trusted?"


    Zhang Chunqiu was taken aback, then burst into laughter. He said with approval, "Not bad, Junior Brother Gu, you are very cautious. Rest assured, that man is an old friend of mine. We entered the Supreme Sect in the same year. The reason he chose you is because of your hard work and honesty. If it were Meng Lang, I wouldn''t be at ease.


    Plus, his cave is not far from our Medicine Valley; it''s only a dozen li away. You just need to go twice a month."


    After hesitating for a while, Gu An ultimately agreed.


    Recently, he hadn''t had the chance to pick spirit grass for half a month. Watching his lifespan not increase made him very uncomfortable. He was missing the feeling of sacrificing life span to gain more.


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill could only bring him a year''s increase in lifespan each month. If it weren''t for the Golden Finger that allowed him to seize lifespan, he would certainly be content, but now, he was greedy.


    And besides, he was unsure how long the effect of the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill to increase lifespan would last, as everything has its limits.


    Seeing that he had agreed, Zhang Chunqiu immediately led him towards the valley exit.


    Gu An hadn''t left Medicine Valley in two years; the thought of actually leaving the valley made him a bit nervous.


    As he stepped out of the valley, the sight of continuous mountains and forests greeted him. Sunlight streamed through the trees, forming circles of rainbow rays that were extraordinarily beautiful.


    Zhang Chunqiu patted his waist, and a sword flew out from the storage bag there. He grabbed Gu An''s arm, leapt up, and landed on the sword, following which they flew on the sword.


    Gu An, frightened, held tightly onto his waist. The hot summer wind blew his dark hair into a mess, envy in his eyes.


    Sword Control, this is a hallmark of cultivators!


    He hadn''t expected Zhang Chunqiu to possess such a skill!


    Feeling the strength of his grip, Zhang Chunqiu laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Gu, you better keep your eyes wide open and memorize the way back, as you''ll have to come on your own in the future."


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Senior Brother, could you teach me this Sword Control Technique?"


    ```


    "Only if you diligently cultivate and reach the fourth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, will I teach you Sword Control Technique."


    "The fourth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm¡­"


    "As long as you are willing to work hard, one day you will certainly reach the fourth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm."


    While saying this, Zhang Chunqiu couldn''t help but straighten his back and reveal a hearty and sunny smile.


    In his heart, he couldn''t help thinking, "In Junior Brother Gu''s eyes, my image must be very grand right now. I hope he is truly inspired and will no longer be lazy in his cultivation."


    In his eyes, Gu An was good in every aspect except for his lack of interest in cultivation; in his free time, that kid was always reading books.


    Gu An was quite speechless. Was reaching the fourth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm very difficult?


    If I consume a hundred years of my lifespan, would that work?


    No? Then how about five hundred years!


    If five hundred years don''t suffice, then...


    This is ridiculous!


    The two brothers flew on their swords, chatting as they went.


    Before long, they landed in a forest, and after touching down, Gu An was still savoring the feeling of flying in the sky.


    Zhang Chunqiu led Gu An forward, passing through a dense forest to arrive in front of a cliff face. He raised his hand and took out a Jade Pendant, pressing it into a slot on the cliff.


    "This cave has restrictions. You''ll need to bring this Jade Pendant in the future. Don''t ever lose it; it would be quite a hassle," Zhang Chunqiu cautioned.


    Gu An nodded. Following that, the cliff trembled, a stone door emerged and then opened up.


    Zhang Chunqiu removed the Jade Pendant and led Gu An inside.


    The two vanished into the darkness, and a few breaths later, the stone door thunderously closed.


    The cave was larger than Gu An had anticipated. Just the tunnel itself was thirty feet long. They arrived in a spacious cave chamber, where Gu An''s gaze was instantly drawn to an area planted with herbs.


    The herbs were densely planted, at least a hundred of them, occupying most of the space in the chamber. With Gu An''s current level of understanding, he could tell at a glance that these herbs were not of ordinary grade and rank.


    Are all the Outer Disciples of the Supreme Sect this wealthy?


    Zhang Chunqiu began to instruct Gu An, pointing out which herbs should be harvested and detailing the specific processes of cultivating each type of herb. The cave came equipped with its own restrictions and did not lack water, but too much could cause the herbs to die abruptly.


    Some herbs, if not harvested in time, could even ignite with spiritual energy flames, resulting in the destruction of all the herbs.


    Also, there were seeds on the table. After Gu An completed the harvesting, he would need to continue planting.


    The Outer Disciple had already prepared Spirit Protection Papers in advance, also placed on the table.


    "Alright, I''ll leave now. You come back on your own after you finish. First, try to see if you can find your way back. If you haven''t returned to Medicine Valley by evening, I''ll come looking for you," Zhang Chunqiu patted Gu An''s shoulder and then handed him the Jade Pendant.


    Gu An was not discourteous. He sent Zhang Chunqiu off before returning.


    He didn''t immediately begin harvesting herbs, but instead, he surveyed the cave chamber.


    It was very simple, with only a stone bed, a stone table, and two stone stools¡ªno, there were also books hidden on the cave walls, obscured by strands of vines.


    Gu An had no intention of browsing through them. What if the cultivators had some sort of surveillance restriction in place?


    It''s better to honestly earn lifespan and not cause any trouble!


    Gu An started to harvest the mature herbs.


    [You have successfully stolen nine years of Spirit Flame Grass (third grade) lifespan.]


    Sss¡ª¡ª


    Third-grade herbs!


    Suddenly, Gu An didn''t know whether it was his own misunderstanding of the grade and rank of the herbs or if the treatment for Outer Disciples was indeed far superior to that of his position in Medicine Valley.


    Forget it, enjoy it first!


    The first batch of herbs to be harvested was eleven in total, granting him eighty-nine years of lifespan, which made his total lifespan reach one thousand two hundred sixty-four years.


    Using Life Span Detection, Gu An took a look around and actually spotted fourth-grade Spirit Grass.


    Such a well-off Outer Disciple!


    Gu An was very pleased inside; such a lucrative employer was someone to maintain a good relationship with for the possibility of long-term cooperation.


    Wait a minute!


    Couldn''t he also do this kind of work for other disciples of the Supreme Sect?


    After all, every disciple would experience going out for adventures.


    No, first get this job done well. One must be steady and thorough. What if he encountered evil people trying to extort him?


    He was merely a Servant Disciple, and if he were to have a conflict with an Official Disciple, he would certainly be the one to be discarded.


    Gu An started planting the Spirit Flame Grass seeds. He did so with great care, wanting to do a good job.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An came out of the cave and closed the cave door behind him. Then, he headed in the direction of Medicine Valley.


    Wary of encountering demons like the Demon of Greed again, he walked quickly.


    With the power of Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, in less than an hour, Gu An arrived at the entrance of Medicine Valley. Before he even approached, he spotted someone.


    Chu Jingfeng!


    Chu Jingfeng, with his right arm severed, had a weather-worn face and wore a black robe, looking completely different from before.

 Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Three Thousand Year Life Span, Crisis Rebirth

    When Gu An saw Chu Jingfeng, Chu Jingfeng saw him as well.


    Just as Gu An was about to quicken his pace to greet him, Chu Jingfeng leapt up several meters high, soared over the hillside, and landed in front of him like a wild goose.


    "You are Gu An, I have questions for you," Chu Jingfeng said gravely.


    Gu An feigned nervousness as he bowed in respect and responded, "I am. What would the senior like to ask? I will answer truthfully."


    Seeing Gu An''s honest demeanor, Chu Jingfeng''s expression softened, and he said softly, "You encountered the Demon of Greed, and she even choked you, do you still remember her face?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "That night, there was no oil lamp lit inside the room, I could not see her face clearly, she appeared suddenly and scared me into fainting¡­"


    While speaking, he secretly circulated his Qi-Blood to make his face instantly flush red.


    Chu Jingfeng, seeing him so embarrassed, felt his anger dissipate significantly.


    "What am I doing, harassing a Servant Disciple¡­" Chu Jingfeng thought self-deprecatingly.


    His expression became gentle, and he said, "If you remember anything or encounter anything, you can contact me."


    After speaking, he took out a Spirit Stone the size of a chicken egg and said, "This is a special Spirit Stone, you can communicate with me by infusing it with Spiritual Power."


    He tossed the Spirit Stone to Gu An, then leapt up again, a long sword flying out at his waist. He stepped on the sword and rushed out of the forest, leaves falling in his wake.


    Whether it was an illusion or not, Gu An always felt that he had grown stronger after his arm was severed.


    Gu An did not think much of it and walked with the Spirit Stone towards Medicine Valley.


    "Ah, when will I be able to have my own Storage Bag?"


    The youth walked on a hillside in the woods, the dappled sunlight casting a colorful garment on him.


    ...


    Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.


    Nineteen-year-old Gu An walked in the woods, looking somewhat taller than two years ago, and his physique much stronger. Despite wearing simple linen clothes, he looked clean, especially his bright eyes, his long hair casually tied at the back of his head with a grass rope, and two strands of hair falling on his forehead, adding a free-spirited charm to his demeanor.


    Behind him, a young boy followed, ordinary in appearance and a head shorter than him, carrying a bamboo basket, wiping the large drops of sweat off his forehead as he walked.


    "Senior brother, how much farther?" Xiaochuan called out weakly.


    He was the only one in Medicine Valley junior to Gu An, and he liked following behind Gu An. Hearing that Gu An also managed a cave for Outer Disciples, he pleaded for a long time until Gu An finally agreed to bring him this time.


    Gu An agreed to bring him along for a reason.


    Because he had heard from Zhang Chunqiu yesterday that the owner of the cave had returned, and to prevent any accidents, he decided to bring Xiaochuan.


    If the other party had malicious intentions, seeing another person might make them hesitate.


    Gu An did not wish to harm Xiaochuan. Should there be trouble, his Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill was not for naught.


    "Almost there."


    Gu An said without turning back, to be honest, he was beginning to understand why Zhang Chunqiu liked him.


    Having such a well-behaved junior disciple indeed saved him a lot of trouble.


    Xiaochuan moaned, he had heard those two words no less than eight times, had he known this, he would not have come.


    Ten li was already a considerable distance for ordinary people, let alone with rugged mountain paths and hot weather, Xiaochuan felt like he was about to die.


    Gu An did not continue to comfort him because they were indeed almost there.


    About half an ancient hour later, Gu An pushed through the bushes and arrived in front of a mountain wall. He did not directly open the mountain gate but cupped his fists and said, "Junior Gu An, here to return the Cave''s Jade Pendant to the senior."


    Xiaochuan stood on the other side of the bush, curiously scrutinizing the mountain wall.


    His background was not much better than Gu An''s, with limited knowledge of the Immortal Cultivation World, seeing an Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect was a big deal in his eyes.


    Rumble¡ª


    The mountain gate opened, and a hoarse voice came from inside:


    "Come in."


    Gu An turned to Xiaochuan and said, "Wait for me outside."


    Xiaochuan naturally dared not follow him inside, seeing the cave gate open was already more than he expected.


    Gu An stepped forward into the cave, exuding more confidence than he had two years ago.


    His confidence came from his accumulated life span; his life span had now reached more than three thousand four hundred years.


    Apart from the herbs inside the cave, in the past two years, Cheng Xuandan had also started instructing him to pick Grade 3 herbs, so his life span increased rapidly.


    A person''s confidence comes from strength, and although Gu An had only a trace of Spiritual Power, he was greatly changed from before.


    Passing through the tunnel, Gu An saw a man sitting by a stone table.


    It was a middle-aged man, thin, with his Taoist robe hanging loose on his body, hair graying at the temples, sunken eyes, and prominent cheekbones, giving off a deeply calculating impression.


    From the first glance, Gu An felt this man was not easy to handle.


    [Zhu Moyan (Energy Cultivation Realm Nine Layers): 58/130/140]


    This life span limit was even less than Zhang Chunqiu''s, indicating his natural talents were inferior to Zhang Chunqiu''s.


    The fact that his cultivation was higher than Zhang Chunqiu''s was probably due to accumulation through elixirs.


    Gu An speculated as he quickly walked up to Zhu Moyan, took out the cave''s Jade Pendant, and offered it with both hands.


    Zhu Moyan reclaimed the Jade Pendant and said softly, "You did well, I am satisfied. This bag contains ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, take them with you."


    He picked up the cloth bag from the table and handed it to Gu An.


    Gu An respectfully received the cloth bag, secretly weighed it, and then thanked Zhu Moyan.


    "You can go now," Zhu Moyan said, waving his hand.


    Gu An nodded, bowed again, then turned around and left.


    As he turned around, his keen eyes caught something, and his reaction was swift, immediately casting a Life Span Detection.


    [Demon of Greed (Second Rank): 31/140/180]


    Gu An left swiftly without changing his expression.


    Zhu Moyan watched Gu An''s retreating figure, his eyes growing cold, and only when he heard the sound of the mountain gate closing did he snort coldly and mutter to himself, "You''re lucky."


    The restrictions in the cave of an Outer Disciple were of low level; the so-called restrictions were a type of magical mechanism, and naturally, those of Outer Disciples were not sophisticated, so Gu An outside the cave heard Zhu Moyan''s muttering, which made him even more uneasy.


    There really was a problem!


    Gu An had suspected before why the Demon of Greed had attacked all the way without affecting Zhu Moyan''s cave along the route; it turned out this guy was related to the Demon of Greed.


    "Brother, did it go smoothly?" Xiaochuan looked at the approaching Gu An and asked with concern.


    Gu An revealed a smile and said, "It went smoothly; let''s go, it''s time to head back."


    Xiaochuan nodded, and the two headed in the direction they came from; only after they had walked some distance did Xiaochuan start to ask what kind of person the cave owner was.


    Gu An gave a brief description, which left Xiaochuan captivated.


    During the journey that followed, Gu An had no mood to interact with Xiaochuan, his mind was filled with thoughts of the Demon of Greed and Zhu Moyan''s words.


    No, he couldn''t pretend he hadn''t seen anything, it was too dangerous!


    Gu An thought of the Spirit Stone left by Chu Jingfeng and decided to seek Chu Jingfeng''s help.


    But before that, he needed to enhance his strength, just in case.


    Having not cultivated dangerously for three years, just the thought of it excited Gu An.


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill could conceal his aura; even though he possessed Spiritual Power, he could hide it well. This time, he planned to first enhance his cultivation level, then improve his offensive methods.


    "Should I evolve the Residual Wind Leg, or the Li Family''s Seven Swords?" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An began to agonize over this decision.


    An ancient hour later, the two finally returned to Medicine Valley, where Gu An took the bamboo basket from Xiaochuan and then walked to his own courtyard.


    The bamboo basket was filled with ordinary medicinal herbs they had picked along the way.


    Xiaochuan was exhausted, without the energy to do anything else, so he headed directly to his own courtyard.


    Gu An returned to his room, closed the door, placed the bamboo basket and cloth bag on the table, then went to sit on his bed.


    He took a deep breath, first sensing the aura of others in Medicine Valley.


    Meng Lang was practicing spells in the forest, Cheng Xuandan was engaged in alchemy, and Zhang Chunqiu was struggling with energy absorption.


    Hmm, nobody seemed to be paying attention to him.


    Gu An brought up his attribute panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 19/3463]


    [Spirit Root: Five Elements better Spirit Root (can invest life span to evolve cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Level: Energy Cultivation Realm Level 1 (can invest life span to evolve cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (not mastered), Spring Wood Skill (not mastered), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (mastery), (can invest life span to evolve cultivation)]


    [Ultimate Skills: Residual Wind Leg (not mastered), Li Family''s Seven Swords (not mastered) (can invest life span to evolve cultivation)]


    ...


    Gu An cautiously invested one year of life span into his cultivation.


    [You have cultivated using energy absorption for one year, due to your mediocre talent and the average grade of the cultivation technique, your cultivation level did not increase much]


    This prompt appeared, and Gu An felt a change within his body.


    A thread of Spiritual Power turned into two...


    Gu An''s mouth twitched involuntarily, forcing him to turn his gaze to the Spring Wood Skill.


    It was the only Energy Absorption Skill he had mastered. As for the Fire Control Art, it was a Supporting Skill. An old servant from the Ji Family had taught him this while he was chopping firewood, aptly named for controlling fire strength.


    "Forget it, no need to wait for a more profound technique, since I can use life span evolution, even the most ordinary technique can be promoted to an unparalleled divine skill in my hands..."


    With this thought, Gu An''s eyes became resolute.


    He decided to invest one hundred years of life span into cultivating the Spring Wood Skill.


    [You cultivate the Spring Wood Skill for one year, and due to your mediocre comprehension and talent, your achievement in the Spring Wood Skill improved slightly]


    [You cultivate the Spring Wood Skill for ten years, finally mastering the Spring Wood Skill, your energy absorption rate increased]


    [You cultivate the Spring Wood Skill for fifty years, finally achieving great mastery in Spring Wood Skill, your energy absorption rate reached ten times the previous rate]


    [You cultivate the Spring Wood Skill for one hundred years, you gain new insights into Spring Wood Skill, upgrading it to Spring Origin Art]


    A flood of memories related to the cultivation of the Spring Origin Art poured into Gu An''s mind.


    The Spring Origin Art was far less complex than the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill, so before long, Gu An opened his eyes.


    After opening his eyes, he first listened to the sounds of others in Medicine Valley; Xiaochuan had fallen asleep, and everyone else was busy with their own tasks, nobody seemed to have noticed him for the moment.


    Now came the dilemma.


    Should he continue to enhance the Spring Origin Art, or directly use the Spring Origin Art to evolve his cultivation level?


    The higher his mastery of the cultivation technique, the faster Gu An could enhance his cultivation level, which would also save on the investment of life span.


    After much thought, Gu An felt that the cultivation technique was the most important and should not be taken lightly.


    First, he would invest one thousand years!

 Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, Position of the Eldest Senior Brother

    Gu An did not immediately invest his lifespan in evolutionary cultivation because of the example set by the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill; he feared the disturbance would be too great.


    Let''s wait until tonight!


    By then, even if there''s a great disturbance, given the timid nature of Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu, they would probably be scared into hiding and not dare to leave their houses.


    Night swiftly fell.


    Only after Meng Lang settled down to rest in his room did Gu An bring up his Attribute Panel.


    He focused on the Spring Origin Art and chose to invest one thousand years of his lifespan to evolve it.


    May the heavens bless me, please don''t waste these thousand years of my lifespan!


    While praying, Gu An also gave the White Spirit Rat a rub for some good luck.


    [You have invested one thousand years of lifespan in the evolution and cultivation of ''Spring Origin Art'']


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for one year, and because of your mediocre comprehension and qualifications, the growth in your cultivation level is minimal]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for ten years, and you have reached a whole new realm of understanding]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for one hundred years, and you have gained deeper insights into the great earth and forests, developing more thoughts about the Spring Origin Art]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for two hundred years, and your Spring Origin Art has advanced to the Withered Wood Spring Birth Skill]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for five hundred years, and your understanding of the Withered Wood Spring Birth Skill has reached the Transformation Realm, enhancing your Wood Spirit Root]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for eight hundred years, and you have sensed the nature''s spirit, elevating your Withered Wood Spring Birth Skill to the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill]


    [You have cultivated the Spring Origin Art for one thousand years, and your mastery of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill has reached perfection, enhancing your Wood Spirit Root]


    Looking at the series of prompts before his eyes, Gu An caught a few keywords and was suddenly overjoyed. Then, a flood of memories poured into his mind.


    His consciousness was immersed in the inheritance; his entire being emanated a green light, and wisps of verdant spiritual energy sprouted from the ground inside the room.


    At the same time.


    Zhang Chunqiu, who was practicing inside his house, opened his eyes. He looked toward his windowsill, where a sudden gust of wind began shaking his window.


    He hurriedly got up, walked to the window, and with only a glance outside, he swiftly closed it.


    He walked quickly back to his desk, blew out the oil lamp, and then hid in bed.


    "No, I must leave early. Medicine Valley is becoming more and more bizarre..."


    Meng Lang was also scared; he shivered under his blanket. Xiaochuan, exhausted from the day''s events, was already sleeping like a log, snoring thunderously.


    Cheng Xuandan sat in meditation in front of the pill furnace. Sensing the activity outside the window, he looked into the night sky. His gaze was profound, without a trace of fear or curiosity, as serene as a deep well.


    After a long while.


    Gu An finally awoke. When he opened his eyes, he felt as if the entire world had changed.


    He could clearly sense the Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy in the air and could feel the vitality of the plants and trees, a very marvelous sensation.


    With a thought, the previous prompts reappeared before him. Seeing that his Wood Spirit Root had been enhanced, he was pleasantly surprised.


    To think that one''s Spirit Root could be improved through the cultivation of techniques meant that he needn''t forcefully enhance his Spirit Root Qualification, which was a bottomless pit. Gu An had tried it only once but was already traumatized by the experience.


    He tried to operate the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill and, unlike before, he could now effortlessly absorb the Wood Spirit Energy from the world around him. The Wood Spirit Energy entered his body, flowed into his dantian, and transformed into Wood Attribute Spiritual Power.


    The whole process was smooth and slick!


    Just a single breath was more effective than half a year''s worth of his previous efforts!


    Gu An suddenly felt as if he were dreaming, as though he had become a genius overnight.


    In this case, there was no rush to enhance his Cultivation Level.


    He had unlocked Life Span Detection when his lifespan broke through a thousand years, and perhaps when it surpassed ten thousand years, new abilities might emerge.


    Moreover, with his current rate of cultivation, he felt he could rely on cultivation to enhance his Cultivation Level.


    While there was no rush to enhance his Cultivation Level, his offensive methods needed improvement!


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill was a Supporting Skill without any specific combat techniques. His gaze then fell on the Residual Wind Leg.


    The Li Family''s Seven Swords were swordsmanship techniques, and he lacked a treasured sword. Moreover, the effectiveness of swordsmanship probably relied on one''s Cultivation Level.


    The Residual Wind Leg was different as it relied on legs. His physical strength was already sufficient to easily kill a demon from the Foundation Establishment Realm. If he combined it with the Residual Wind Leg, the power would surely increase significantly.


    How much lifespan should he invest?


    Gu An fell into a dilemma; too little investment would be meaningless, and too much would be heart-wrenching.


    Forget it, let''s go with a round number, five hundred years it is!


    Excited, Gu An invested five hundred years of his lifespan in the evolutionary cultivation of the Residual Wind Leg.


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for one year, and because of your mediocre comprehension and qualifications, your movement technique is smooth but fails to unleash the full power of the Residual Wind Leg]


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for ten years, and years of arduous practice have brought your Residual Wind Leg to the pinnacle]


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for one hundred years, your Residual Wind Leg has returned to its purest form, and you have gained new insights, advancing your Residual Wind Leg to the Wind Shadow Leg]


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for two hundred years, and your Wind Shadow Leg is fully realized, improving your understanding of body techniques]


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for four hundred years, and your Wind Shadow Leg has transitioned into the Gale Shadowless Leg]


    [You have cultivated the Residual Wind Leg for five hundred years, your Gale Shadowless Leg has reached the realm of integration, enhancing your understanding of body techniques and movement technique]


    Does a better understanding of body and movement techniques mean an improvement in comprehension?


    Just as Gu An had this thought, his mind was instantly flooded with the memories of the Gale Shadowless Leg.


    ...


    At the break of dawn, as the first rays of sunlight skimmed over Medicine Valley, before even touching the threshold of Gu An''s house, the door was already opening.


    Gu An walked into the yard and faced the rising sun, stretching lazily, his spirit and vitality completely transformed.


    His face was full of smiles, and his excitement had not fully subsided.


    He silently summoned his attribute panel:


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 19/1862]


    [Spirit Root: First-Rate Wood Spirit Root, Four Attributes Above Average Spirit Root (life span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)] S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Cultivation Level: Energy Cultivation Realm Second Layer (life span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (unachieved), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (Mastery), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (Mastery) (life span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    [Ultimate Skill: Gale Shadowless Leg (achieved mastery), Li Family''s Seven Swords (unachieved) (life span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    Energy Cultivation Realm Second Layer!


    Just last night, during the inheritance of Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, his spiritual power had increased substantially. Coupled with a night of energy absorption cultivation, he had smoothly broken through to the second layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm.


    He was no longer the powerless waste!


    The feeling of spending life span was just too awesome!


    Gu An had more ideas about his path to immortal cultivation.


    He didn''t consider adventuring; while slaying demons and ghosts to obtain life span could accelerate his life span growth, the risk of death would skyrocket.


    What he thought of was the Medicine Valley''s master!


    Cheng Xuandan didn''t have many years left to live, and Zhang Chunqiu meant to descend the mountain¡ªthe position of valley master was his for the taking!


    When the time came, he could recruit a group of servant disciples to tend the gardens for him¡ªhe would only be responsible for the harvest, an idyllic arrangement.


    Gu An placed his hands on his hips and looked around at the surrounding peaks.


    Perhaps more medicinal herbs could grow on the mountain!


    Cheng Xuandan didn''t expand Medicine Valley, possibly because expansion had no meaning for him¡ªhe was just a worker for the Supreme Sect.


    But for Gu An, it was different; he didn''t need to share more herbs, all he wanted was the life span contained within them.


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more excited he became, and he began kicking in place, stretching his body.


    He was practicing the leg techniques of the Residual Wind Leg, powerful and imposing, the movements creating blasts of air.


    Before long, Meng Lang walked out of the neighboring house and caught sight of Gu An''s leg technique, his eyes widening in amazement.


    Nineteen-year-old Gu An had fully grown into his body, his legs whipping through the air like a lash. Though he didn''t move his stance, the force of the air reached Meng Lang''s face, leaving him dumbfounded.


    Meng Lang couldn''t help but rub his eyes, wondering if he had mistaken someone else for Gu An.


    When had Gu An become so formidable?


    Feeling Meng Lang''s gaze, Gu An stopped his kicks, turned around to look at him, and smiled, "Did I wake you up?"


    Meng Lang hurriedly approached him, scrutinizing him carefully before saying, "How did you suddenly become so powerful? Did you notice the demon wind last night? Does it have anything to do with you?"


    Gu An rolled his eyes at him, saying, "That''s right, it was me. Last night as I practiced the Residual Wind Leg taught by my master, it stirred the heavens, the earth trembled, it was so formidable it could startle both heaven and earth and make demons weep. Since you heard the noise, why didn''t you come out and witness my might?"


    Meng Lang certainly wouldn''t admit his embarrassing moment, and he huffed, "Your leg technique might be fierce, but without spiritual power support, how could it stir up last night''s strong winds? Moreover, it wasn''t just strong wind last night, there was also a fluctuation of spiritual energy. Either a demon was absorbing nature''s spiritual energy or a Great Cultivator was breaking through."


    Gu An let out a chuckle and kicked Meng Lang in the rear.


    "You dare to kick me, rebelling, are you? With Li Ya gone, do you no longer acknowledge me as your elder brother?" Meng Lang exclaimed.


    "If I recognized you as an elder brother, wouldn''t I have to stick with you here for life? Don''t you want to become an Outer Disciple?"


    "Fair point, you''re right about that, I''m different from you."


    The two began to play and tease each other.


    An ancient hour later, Zhang Chunqiu found Gu An and led him around Medicine Valley, explaining in detail every inch of land and herb within the valley.


    Gu An listened attentively, but as he listened, he began to feel something was amiss.


    Was this like handing over one''s last will and testament?


    Could the commotion last night have scared him out of his wits?


    Gu An had wanted to persuade him, but then he thought that Zhu Moyan was no good person. He probably did a lot of dirty work for the Demon of Greed behind him. Once Chu Jingfeng resolved the matter, Zhang Chunqiu would likely get implicated.


    After all, they were good friends.


    It was better for him to descend the mountain sooner!


    Gu An swore he wasn''t angling for the position of head disciple; he was genuinely considering Zhang Chunqiu''s well-being.


    Having mastered the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, Gu An was not in a rush to contact Chu Jingfeng. Firstly, he now had the power to protect himself, and secondly, he didn''t want to startle the enemy.


    His return to Medicine Valley was so recent, and Chu Jingfeng''s arrival the next day would be hard to dissociate from suspicion.


    Gu An was not wary of Zhu Moyan but the person behind him; according to what Zhang Chunqiu had previously mentioned, that person held a high position, and the entire Medicine Valley combined couldn''t shake them.


    It was just as well to improve his cultivation level while waiting!


    After an ancient hour of touring with Zhang Chunqiu, even climbing the surrounding mountains and speaking until he was parched and exhausted, he then took Gu An to find Cheng Xuandan.


    Gu An saw the Pill Furnace in front of Cheng Xuandan and his eyes were filled with curiosity.


    He had long heard that Cheng Xuandan was skilled in alchemy; he wondered if he could learn it too.


    Once he learned it and invested his life span, he could transform directly into an Alchemy Grandmaster!


    Cheng Xuandan rose and looked at Gu An, saying, "From now on, you are the eldest disciple of this Medicine Valley."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was shocked and looked instinctively at Zhang Chunqiu, asking in a flurry, "Eldest disciple, what''s wrong with you?"

 Chapter 9: Chapter 9 The Life of a Great Disciple

    Looking at Gu An, who was worried for him, Zhang Chunqiu felt extremely gratified.


    What he found hardest to part with upon his departure from the mountain wasn''t his master, but his junior brother Gu An.


    He was too obedient, too honest.


    Zhang Chunqiu shared the same concerns as Li Ya, worried that Gu An would be bullied in the future.


    "I''ve been in Medicine Valley for forty years; it''s time for me to descend the mountain. My aptitude for immortal cultivation is mediocre, and there''s no hope for me to achieve Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. Instead of wasting away here, I might as well enjoy the rest of my days. Junior Brother Gu, you take over the position of the eldest brother.


    Meng Lang that kid loves to slack off; he can''t take on the role of eldest brother," Zhang Chunqiu said seriously, patting Gu An on the shoulder.


    Gu An hesitated, "But without you, eldest brother, I''m afraid I..."


    Cheng Xuandan spoke up, "If you don''t dare, let Meng..."


    "I''m not incapable!" Gu An quickly interrupted.


    Zhang Chunqiu, who had intended to comfort him, was stunned.


    Cheng Xuandan looked deeply at Gu An and said no more.


    Gu An cleared his throat and said, "I can''t let eldest brother''s intention go to waste. Alright, actually I''m afraid if Meng Lang becomes the eldest brother, he''ll order me around every day."


    Hearing what he said afterwards, Zhang Chunqiu couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    The atmosphere relaxed instantly, and Zhang Chunqiu began to encourage Gu An, who listened intently.


    After chatting for a while, Zhang Chunqiu gathered his robes and kowtowed to Cheng Xuandan, leaving Gu An alone with Cheng Xuandan after three loud kowtows and rising to his feet.


    "You see, nobody wants to stay in Medicine Valley forever. If you don''t want to spend your life here, you can speak up earlier. Your master may well be able to help you," Cheng Xuandan said calmly.


    Gu An hurriedly replied, "Disciple wishes to stay in Medicine Valley for a lifetime."


    "Don''t rush your answer, because it really might be for a lifetime."


    "Master, your disciple dares not lie. I truly wish to stay here for a lifetime. Perhaps in others'' eyes, the work in Medicine Valley seems dirty and tiresome, but for me, these are the most comfortable days. Master takes good care of me, and the brothers are also very kind to me.


    I truly am willing to stay here for a lifetime," Gu An said earnestly, needing to express his true feelings at this juncture.


    Cheng Xuandan spoke somberly, "You must have a background. The fact that you survived the Demon of Greed is no coincidence, and the surge of nature''s spiritual energy yesterday also came from the direction of your courtyard."


    Gu An grew anxious, "Master, I really don''t have a background. The only background I might have is Ji Xiaoyu of the Ji Family, but I''m just her house servant."


    "The Ji Family?"


    Cheng Xuandan glared with shock, the first time Gu An had seen such a change come over him.


    On his master''s face, Gu An saw dread, anger, and fear¡ªmixing into a ghastly and terrifying visage.


    Damn it!


    This old man wouldn''t have a grudge against the Ji Family, would he?


    Feeling uneasy, Gu An thought he had gone too far.


    "So that''s how it is. From now on, you are the leading disciple of this portion of Medicine Valley," Cheng Xuandan said, taking a deep breath.


    What a turn of events!


    Gu An breathed a sigh of relief; regardless of whether Cheng Xuandan was sincere or not, he would take the role of the leading disciple first!


    Even if Cheng Xuandan had malicious intentions, he wouldn''t live much longer.


    Gu An was not afraid of Cheng Xuandan plotting against him. Could Cheng Xuandan take a beating as well as the Demon of Greed?


    "Disciple will diligently fulfill your expectations," Gu An hurriedly promised.


    Cheng Xuandan waved his hand, "Go call Meng Lang and Xiaochuan here."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An promptly bowed and then turned to leave.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An, Meng Lang, and Xiaochuan came down from the attic, with Xiaochuan extremely excited, repeatedly addressing him as eldest brother.


    Meng Lang, on the other hand, was discontented, exclaiming angrily, "How did you become the eldest brother? Why not me? My cultivation level is higher than yours, and my background is superior!"


    Gu An didn''t get angry at his words and turned to smile, "Meng Lang, being the eldest brother is no easy task; once you take on the role, it''s for a lifetime. Master noticed that you have the heart for immortal cultivation, so he let me take the position."


    "Really?" Meng Lang''s anger subsided.


    "Of course. Look at our eldest brother; he''s been here for forty years. How many forty years does one have in life?"


    Meng Lang fell silent; his gaze changed, filled with sympathy as he looked at Gu An.


    He patted Gu An on the shoulder and said, "Gu An, you''ve been wronged."


    Xiaochuan also grew quiet.


    He too harbored dreams of immortal cultivation and naturally did not want to spend his life there.


    Gu An pretended to be pensive while inwardly laughing.


    Meng Lang was indeed easy to fool. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And so, the life of Gu An as the leading disciple began.


    Cheng Xuandan assigned him to oversee all affairs of Medicine Valley, so he handed over planting and farming tasks to Xiaochuan and Meng Lang, and only took care of the harvesting himself.


    Meng Lang, possibly feeling guilty, didn''t complain.


    Since harvesting was a rare task, coming around once every month, Gu An spent most of his time cultivating in secret, never letting anyone perceive his true cultivation level.


    Three months had passed.


    In secrecy, Gu An reached the fifth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm.


    The Mastery of Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill was truly formidable!


    Gu An hadn''t cultivated as long as Meng Lang, and he made sure to leave time for reading.


    The autumn leaves blanketed Medicine Valley, and the surrounding mountains also took on autumn hues, spreading a sense of melancholy in the mortal world.


    Gu An stood in front of the wooden railing, watching the third-stage medicinal herbs that were about to ripen, fondling the White Spirit Rat in his hand.


    Suddenly hearing something, he turned his head, only to see Cheng Xuandan approaching from the valley entrance, followed by two people, a boy and a girl, both looking around fourteen or fifteen years old.


    He subconsciously used Life Span Detection.


    [Ye Lan (Energy Cultivation Realm first layer): 14/110/130]


    [Lu Jiujia (Energy Cultivation Realm second layer): 15/140/190]


    Excellent!


    Two more had arrived to serve!


    Gu An''s corners of his mouth turned up, and he immediately walked briskly towards Cheng Xuandan.


    He came before Cheng Xuandan and clasped his fists in a salute.


    Lu Jiujia and Ye Lan couldn''t help but look at Gu An curiously; Gu An was handsome, and with the cultivation of Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill and Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, he exuded an exceptional temperament which reminded them of Cultivators from the Supreme Sect they had met before.


    "An''er, these two are your junior brother and sister. You take them to settle in," Cheng Xuandan said before leaving.


    An''er?


    Gu An almost got goosebumps, but he still saluted Cheng Xuandan''s retreating figure.


    He turned to look at Lu Jiujia and Ye Lan; they both hastened to salute him respectfully, which pleased him greatly.


    Nice!


    They were more polite than Li Ya and Meng Lang; those two had no etiquette towards Zhang Chunqiu back in the day.


    Gu An felt an instant liking for his junior brother and sister. He began with introducing himself and asked them to do the same.


    Lu Jiujia had dark skin and wore tattered clothes, like a young farm boy. However, his eyes were bright and spirited.


    Ye Lan was thin and petite but dressed richly, and her features were only considered fair.


    "Let''s go, I, your senior brother, will take you to your lodgings," said Gu An with a smile, his gentle attitude easing their nervousness.


    On the way to the disciple''s courtyard, Ye Lan couldn''t contain her curiosity about the other disciples within Medicine Valley.


    Gu An introduced them truthfully.


    After that, he called over Meng Lang and Xiaochuan and made the four of them meet each other.


    Unlike Zhang Chunqiu, Gu An genuinely wanted to improve relationships among fellow sect members; after all, he was to be the Valley Master.


    The addition of Ye Lan and Lu Jiujia to the fold reminded Gu An of Zhu Moyan and the Demon of Greed.


    No good!


    He needed to resolve this issue soon, lest his junior brothers and sisters encounter danger.


    Gu An, with this matter weighing on his mind, began instructing his junior brothers and sisters on how to go about their tasks.


    That evening.


    He closed his room door, took out Chu Jingfeng''s Spirit Stone, and channeled a sliver of Spiritual Power into it, causing the Spirit Stone to become hot.


    This was Gu An''s first time using such a device from the world of Immortal Cultivation, and he found it very novel.


    After a few breaths, Chu Jingfeng''s voice came from within, "Who is this?"


    Wow, how many people have you given such a Spirit Stone to?


    Gu An forcefully suppressed the urge to complain and said, "Senior, it is Gu An from Medicine Valley."


    Chu Jingfeng fell silent.


    Gu An sensed a trace of awkwardness, but thankfully Chu Jingfeng soon asked, "Do you have information on the Demon of Greed?"


    "Yes!"


    Gu An declared with conviction, and then recounted what he had seen and heard.


    After he finished, Chu Jingfeng inquired seriously, "Is it true?"


    "True, without a shred of falsehood. He''s not far from our Medicine Valley. I fear he might harm us," Gu An seriously stated.


    "Alright, I will take full responsibility for this matter. I will look for his Cave location in the Outer Sect and won''t trouble you further."


    "Thank you for understanding, Senior. If this matter is resolved smoothly, I also hope that senior will not mention me. I am of mediocre talent and seek no trouble, just a peaceful life."


    "Hmm, I''ll handle it properly."


    After saying this, Chu Jingfeng cut off the Spirit Stone connection.


    Gu An placed the Spirit Stone on the table and carefully revisited his interactions with Chu Jingfeng and Zhu Moyan, confirming there were no slip-ups.


    What a hassle.


    I hope this issue resolves smoothly.


    I just want to farm in peace.


    Gu An thought to himself that, compared to fighting and killing, he much preferred the tranquil life of gathering herbs.


    ...


    After signaling Chu Jingfeng, Gu An patrolled every day, keeping a close eye on his junior brothers and sisters, fearing they might venture out of Medicine Valley.


    Three days passed without incident.


    It was not until the deep of the fourth night that Gu An sensed a disturbance of Spiritual Energy outside of Medicine Valley and faintly heard the sounds of weapons clashing.


    A fight has broken out!


    He stealthily moved out, making his way to the mouth of the valley. He wanted to stand guard there to prevent the Demon of Greed or any other evildoers from sneaking into Medicine Valley and attacking his junior brothers and sisters.


    The distant battle was fierce, and by the time Gu An reached the valley mouth, it wasn''t over yet.


    The numerous mountain peaks along the way made it impossible for Gu An to visually assess the fight, so he relied on his keen hearing to gauge the situation.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An seemed to sense something, quickly turned around, and looked back at Medicine Valley.


    His gaze fell upon a pagoda where he saw Cheng Xuandan standing by a window, watching him from afar.


    The bright moonlight bathed the dark pagoda, and Cheng Xuandan appeared like a ghost, sending shivers down Gu An''s spine.


    Oh no!


    He''s caught me!


    Gu An frowned, suddenly unsure of what to do.


    Just as he hesitated, Cheng Xuandan slowly closed the window, but his gaze lingered like two chilling beams that deeply unsettled Gu An.


    Gu An wasn''t afraid of Cheng Xuandan himself, but he dreaded the possibility that Cheng Xuandan might let his secret slip.


    Yet upon further thought, he figured it was unlikely. If Cheng Xuandan were really in cahoots with the Great Cultivator behind the Demon of Greed, why bother to summon Chu Jingfeng for protection?


    It would be superfluous!


    If they, as mere Servant Disciples, were killed, the other party wouldn''t even need to fabricate a reason to report back to the Sect.

 Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Alchemy, One Jade One Promise

    Gu An tried not to dwell on Cheng Xuandan''s intentions; instead, he focused his attention outside the valley to prevent enemy attacks.


    He stood guard the entire night.


    As dawn was about to break, Gu An quietly returned to his room.


    Gu An wanted to go to the battlefield to take a look but feared traps, so he could only hold back.


    The addition of Ye Lan and Lu Jiujia brought more vitality to Medicine Valley, dragging Xiaochuan all over the valley as they ran. They were in the prime of youth, brimming with energy, and even the normally silent and reticent Xiaochuan became lively because of them.


    Gu An leaned against the wooden railing of a garden area, holding a copy of Green Hero Travelogue, enjoying the caress of the autumn wind.


    His gaze occasionally swept towards Cheng Xuandan''s attic.


    The face-off from last night lingered in his mind, and he really wanted to talk to Cheng Xuandan but feared disrupting the delicate balance.


    Just then, Lu Jiujia approached Gu An, his face full of anticipation as he asked, "Senior Brother, I heard from Senior Brother Meng that you are proficient in a sophisticated leg technique. Could you teach me? I am willing to take over all your harvesting tasks."


    Gu An looked at him and smiled, "I wouldn''t say proficient. If you want to learn, I can certainly teach you. As for the harvesting, let''s leave it to senior brother. I should do some work, and besides, I enjoy harvesting."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia''s respect for Gu An grew even more.


    Senior Brother is truly a good person!


    He was extremely excited.


    Gu An tucked the book he was holding into his bosom and then began teaching Lu Jiujia the Residual Wind Leg technique.


    It wasn''t long before Xiaochuan and Ye Lan also ran over to learn, but as for Meng Lang, he was too proud to admit interest and felt that Gu An was not stronger than him. The reason he spoke of Gu An''s leg technique was merely to avoid Lu Jiujia''s pestering.


    The Residual Wind Leg technique was fierce, and even with Gu An holding back, it was still dazzling to the three youths.


    An hour later, as Gu An was thinking of an excuse to slip away, a voice came from afar:


    "An''er, come here."


    Gu An turned his head to look and saw Cheng Xuandan standing by the window, gesturing to him.


    Here it comes!


    Gu An immediately walked towards Cheng Xuandan''s attic, while Xiaochuan and the others did not think much of it and continued practicing the Residual Wind Leg technique.


    He made his way into Cheng Xuandan''s room, closed the door behind him, and quickly approached Cheng Xuandan, bowing in greeting.


    Cheng Xuandan was seated in meditation in front of the pill furnace. He pointed to the other side of the furnace and said, "Sit."


    Gu An went to the indicated spot, sat down cross-legged, and meanwhile prepared his words carefully in his mind.


    "Have you looked for Chu Jingfeng?" The first sentence from Cheng Xuandan interrupted Gu An''s thoughts.


    There we go, right to the point!


    Gu An didn''t beat around the bush and replied, "Yes, he approached me before saying that if there was any clue about the Demon of Greed, to contact him at any time. Senior Brother Zhang suggested I manage the cave of an Outer Disciple named Zhu Moyan. When Zhu Moyan returned, I went to hand over the cave and saw the Demon of Greed he had hidden behind the vines.


    His cave is too close to us; I had to find Chu Jingfeng."


    Cheng Xuandan nodded and said, "You did right. This matter indeed had to be left to Chu Jingfeng. Chu Jingfeng is no ordinary person. Besides being exceptionally talented, he also has a notable background. That''s why he can become an Inner Sect Disciple with the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation."


    A significant background?


    No wonder he dares to investigate the Demon of Greed!


    Gu An felt reassured in his heart, also worried that if Chu Jingfeng failed, the Great Cultivator behind the Demon of Greed might trace back to him.


    "Chu Jingfeng has been investigating the Demon of Greed, so he took on our Medicine Valley''s task. It''s part of a power play between his father and a certain eminent figure within the sect. Still, I am quite puzzled; it''s been several months since you returned from Zhu Moyan''s place, why did you only contact Chu Jingfeng recently?" Cheng Xuandan stared at Gu An and questioned.


    Gu An said helplessly, "Master, you should understand me. I dislike trouble and don''t wish to conflict with others. No matter what Meng Lang tried to command me to do, I couldn''t be bothered to argue, so originally, I intended to pretend I didn''t see anything. But since master has brought junior brothers and sisters to Medicine Valley, I had no choice but to contact Chu Jingfeng."


    This was a sincere confession; indeed, these were his reasons.


    Cheng Xuandan gave him a deep look, then glanced at the pill furnace beside him, and said, "You''ve done well. From now on, you are my True Disciple. I will pass on everything I know to you."


    "As for this matter, let''s both forget it. Neither Chu Jingfeng''s father nor the eminent figure behind the Demon of Greed is someone we can afford to provoke."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was stunned. He looked at Cheng Xuandan''s profile and suddenly felt he had misunderstood his master.


    "Master!"


    Gu An immediately stood up and bowed to Cheng Xuandan, with great formality.


    Cheng Xuandan looked back at him, showing a gentle expression that was like a different person from his usual self.


    "In the future, if there''s anything you want to understand or learn, you can always come to your master. Don''t feel like you''re bothering me. I don''t have many years left, and there aren''t many days for me to teach you." Cheng Xuandan''s eyes and tone were softer than they ever had been before.


    Gu An sat down, his voice cautious, "Master, can you concoct the Youth-Preserving Pill?"


    A staple for the protagonist of any immortal cultivation story is starting with a Youth-Preserving Pill for eternal youth¡ªGu An didn''t want to end up as an old man with white hair.


    Cheng Xuandan shook his head with a smile, then raised his hand, and with a movement through the air, a jade bottle appeared in his hand. He poured out one pill and handed it to Gu An.


    Gu An did not hesitate and swallowed it directly.


    The reason he was so bold was that the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill and the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill both had detoxifying effects, and describing his current state as immune to all poisons was by no means an exaggeration.


    Seeing Gu An had no guard against him, a look of gratification appeared in Cheng Xuandan''s eyes.


    After taking the Youth-Preserving Pill, Gu An felt nothing out of the ordinary, as if he had just consumed a piece of ice candy that melted in his mouth.


    "Do you have any interest in Alchemy?" Cheng Xuandan asked.


    Gu An''s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly, "Not hiding anything from you, Master, I have actually wanted to learn Alchemy from you for a while, but I was too shy to say anything before."


    Cheng Xuandan pinched his beard and laughed heartily, his laughter filled with genuine warmth.


    The atmosphere inside the room became very harmonious, and Cheng Xuandan began to teach the art of Alchemy, starting from igniting the fire in the pill furnace. Gu An, who had learned the Fire Control Art, picked it up quickly, leading Cheng Xuandan to mistakenly believe he possessed a natural talent for Alchemy.


    However, once Cheng Xuandan''s lecture moved beyond managing the fire, Gu An started to get confused, which rendered Cheng Xuandan silent for a while.


    ...


    After Gu An and Cheng Xuandan established a true mentor-disciple relationship, Medicine Valley became livelier. Cheng Xuandan, who usually stayed shut inside his room, began to come out more often, casually giving pointers to Gu An and the others on how to cultivate medicinal herbs.


    Lu Jiujia and Ye Lan grew increasingly fond of Cheng Xuandan, often praising how amiable and approachable their master was, much to Meng Lang''s scorn.


    Since that night''s great battle, there had been no more sounds of fighting outside the valley.


    Chu Jingfeng and Zhu Moyan never came to Medicine Valley, and Gu An didn''t dare to inquire into the situation, only able to keep the matter hidden deep within his heart.


    Time flew by swiftly.


    A year passed in a blink of an eye.


    Gu An crossed the threshold of twenty and his life span increased to over two thousand and eight hundred years once again. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One day at noon, Gu An was lying on a cliff halfway up the mountain, reading a book. Below was Medicine Valley, where he could see the figures of Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia practicing their leg techniques.


    Ever since the word ''Alchemy'' appeared on Gu An''s attribute panel, he stopped pestering Cheng Xuandan.


    Learning the process of Alchemy was truly too dull.


    It is worth mentioning that, at Gu An''s suggestion, Cheng Xuandan exchanged more seeds from the Outer Sect. Needless to say, Cheng Xuandan was very competent after they truly became master and disciple.


    Gu An propped his head with his left hand and held the book in his right, exhaling a breath of air to flip the pages.


    His eyes suddenly widened, and he sat up immediately.


    The latest edition of ''Green Hero Travelogue'' actually included illustrations!


    There was something special about it!


    Gu An carefully admired the pictures in the book, his mouth constantly critiquing as he went along.


    A loud screech descended from the sky, and he looked up sharply, his gaze becoming piercing.


    A white eagle with a wingspan of about ten feet landed. When it was nearly two yards away from Gu An, it loosened its talons, and a letter fell, which he caught effortlessly.


    The white eagle drew a perfect arc in the sky, swiftly disappearing beyond the other side of the mountain.


    What a majestic eagle!


    Gu An couldn''t help but think of his White Spirit Rat, tiny as a palm, and utterly useless.


    He opened the envelope and found not only a letter but also a jade pendant inside, engraved with the character ''Chu.''


    He tucked the jade pendant into his belt and pocketed the ''Green Hero Travelogue'' before examining the letter.


    The letter was surprisingly from Chu Jingfeng.


    Chu Jingfeng first gave a brief account of the battle from before, revealing that Zhu Moyan had died by his sword. Over the past year, he had gathered evidence all around and brought down the Great Cultivator manipulating the Demon of Greed, assuring Gu An that he needn''t worry about the issue anymore.


    The jade pendant was a token from the Chu Family; if Gu An encountered problems he couldn''t resolve, he could use it to seek out Chu Jingfeng or his clansmen.


    The Chu Family honors the jade, not the person¡ªA promise for a jade.


    Gu An''s regard for Chu Jingfeng rose greatly. He hadn''t expected such an aloof Inner Sect Disciple to value loyalty so much.


    Even if Chu Jingfeng gave him nothing in return, he couldn''t do anything about it. Moreover, he had previously said that there was no need for Chu Jingfeng to contact him anymore.


    After reading, Gu An tore the letter into pieces, then scattered them on the ground. With a slight twist of his right foot, the Spiritual Power beneath vibrated, turning the paper fragments into fine dust.


    The Spiritual Power of the Eighth Layer in the Energy Cultivation Realm was just that strong!


    Gu An''s mouth curved in a smile, and he leaped into the air like a wild goose flying swiftly away. Along the way, his toes lightly touched the leaves in the hillside woods, landing gracefully at the end of his path.


    To this, Lu Jiujia and Xiaochuan had already grown accustomed.


    Gu An kept his aura at the level of the Second Layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, and he had already showcased his Residual Wind Leg, earning high praise from Cheng Xuandan. Now, he was like a formidable master of the Martial Arts World.


    Gu An was low-key in his actions, but he felt he couldn''t always hide away. Revealing some of his strength appropriately would help him live a better farming life.


    As soon as he landed, the White Spirit Rat scurried over and climbed up his leg to his shoulder.


    "I haven''t checked your leg techniques for several days. Come on, let''s spar. The two of you together," Gu An said to Xiaochuan and the others with a smile.


    Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia exchanged glances and immediately charged at Gu An.


    The three of them fought with their leg techniques on the grass outside the garden, moving deftly with their long legs whipping through the air. For a moment, the breeze whooshed, and grass clippings flew about.


    Gu An faced two opponents alone, dismantling Xiaochuan and the others'' techniques with a single leg.


    Xiaochuan''s techniques appeared well-shaped but slightly clumsy. Lu Jiujia showed high talent, his kicks already carrying the momentum of the Residual Wind Leg, but every move was slower than Gu An.


    After half a censer of time, Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia were panting heavily, and after exchanging a look, they conceded defeat in unison.


    Gu An slowly retracted his leg, which had been suspended in the air, and said with a smile, "You''ve improved a lot, which made it quite challenging for your Senior Brother. I estimate it won''t be long before you surpass me."


    "How long is ''not long''?" Xiaochuan asked bluntly.


    Gu An patted the dust off his trousers and said with a smile, "That depends on how hard you practice."


    The White Spirit Rat perched on his shoulder, squeaking as if laughing.

 Chapter 11: Chapter 11 Ji Family Ultimate Skill

    After exchanging a few words with Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia, Gu An headed towards his own courtyard, pulling out a copy of "Green Hero Travelogue" from his robes, preparing to thoroughly enjoy the illustrations within.


    As he reached the front of the courtyard, Ye Lan approached him.


    "Senior Brother, I want to learn the Residual Wind Leg too!" Ye Lan said, puffing up with frustration.


    Gu An naturally closed the travelogue and asked with a smile, "What''s the matter? Has Senior Brother Meng refused to teach you spells?"


    Ye Lan grew even more annoyed and said with a sense of grievance, "Yes, he teaches in such a perfunctory manner. I got frustrated and argued with him, and then he snapped at me, saying he needs to prepare for the Outer Sect examination and doesn''t have the time to bother with me, telling me to scram."


    Gu An noticed her cheeks puffing up like balloons and felt amused, but he held back and didn''t laugh out loud.


    "Since Senior Brother Meng is busy, let''s not disturb him. How about this: tomorrow at noon, I will personally teach you the Residual Wind Leg, how does that sound?" Gu An said soothingly.


    Ye Lan looked at him in surprise and asked, "Why tomorrow?"


    "Senior Brother is tired, have some sympathy. You were just being harried by your two senior brothers, you can go ask them," Gu An said, pointing towards Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia in the distance.


    After finishing his sentence, he walked past Ye Lan and headed towards his own room.


    Ye Lan noticed the book in his hand and wondered to herself, "Is ''Green Hero Travelogue'' really that interesting?"


    Gu An closed the door of his room, lay on his bed, and picked up "Green Hero Travelogue" again.


    The reason he liked "Green Hero Travelogue" was that it was a series, with a new volume released every six months.


    Following a serialized book in the Immortal Cultivation World gave Gu An a sense of being back on Earth.


    He soon became immersed in the content of the book.


    He seriously suspected that the book was written by a cultivator from the Supreme Sect, just that he didn''t know how advanced the author''s cultivation level was since the book didn''t include detailed battle records, only leisurely travels and romantic adventures.


    An hour later.


    Gu An suddenly heard a commotion from the neighboring house; it seemed like Meng Lang was rolling on the ground, his breathing highly irregular.


    Hmm?


    Did he mess up his practice? Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An hesitated whether to check on him or not but Meng Lang soon stopped. This kid didn''t even cry out in pain; as the surrounding spiritual energy flowed towards his house, Gu An knew he had resumed his cultivation.


    Tsk tsk.


    Li Ya has already risen to prominence; could it be that Meng Lang also had his own extraordinary encounter?


    Goodness, if this is the case, then the three of them joining Medicine Valley on the same day, accepting the same master, and each having great opportunities, would indeed be the stuff of legends.


    Gu An quickly reconsidered and felt he might be overthinking it.


    Meng Lang would be lucky if he could die a natural death.


    In his view, with Meng Lang''s temperament, once he left the valley, it wouldn''t be long before he died. He was inept at speaking and quick to anger, hardly the demeanor of a cultivator.


    He stopped pondering and continued indulging in "Green Hero Travelogue."


    Gu An spent six ancient hours each day absorbing spiritual energy, usually using his sleeping hours for cultivation, as cultivators don''t need to sleep; the process of energy absorption itself was a better form of rest and relaxation than sleep.


    With the remaining time, he didn''t just read travelogues; he had other books too. Cheng Xuandan had already passed on to him the "Hundred Herbs Collection," a manual produced by the Supreme Sect that documented various spirit flowers and grasses around the world, with specific medicinal properties noted by Cheng Xuandan.


    Though Cheng Xuandan''s cultivation level was low, having lived for a century, he indeed possessed extensive knowledge and broad experience.


    People with poor qualifications have this advantage; they can spend more time accumulating knowledge and experiences.


    ...


    Another year passed, and winter snow arrived. Flurries of large snowflakes blanketed the garden, and Gu An was directing his junior brothers and sisters in clearing it.


    As for Meng Lang, that guy had become obsessed with his training, hiding in his room all day to practice, and now, Gu An couldn''t get him to do anything. Cheng Xuandan said to just let him be.


    Every edge of the garden had special talisman papers that could generate heat, but these papers had a time limit. Once they expired, it would only take an hour for the snow to blanket the entire garden again.


    Watching Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Lan bustling about, Gu An''s mind wandered.


    He was increasingly dissatisfied with the production of Medicine Valley and felt it was essential to clear new land!


    Once this winter was over, he planned to have them go up the mountain to cut trees and cultivate the soil.


    Suddenly, a sound of breaking air came from afar. Gu An turned to look and saw a man in plain clothes riding a flying sword, cutting through the snowy sky, resembling a sword immortal.


    Du Ye!


    Gu An instinctively sent out a life span detection toward him, discovering that his cultivation had reached the sixth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.


    Such a rapid breakthrough!


    The arrival of Du Ye also caught the attention of Xiaochuan and the others.


    As Du Ye flew close to where Gu An was and then leaped off, skillfully stowing his sword into its sheath at his waist¡ªhis movements as smooth as flowing water¡ªXiaochuan and the others stared in awe. They had joined the Supreme Sect not to do menial work but to cultivate immortality, a dream hindered by their mediocre Spirit Root Qualifications.


    They had joined Medicine Valley while waiting for a chance.


    Du Ye sized up Gu An, clapped him on the shoulders and said with a laugh, "Not bad, you''ve fully grown up, no longer the little kid who used to follow me around."


    Gu An exchanged pleasantries with Du Ye while inwardly swearing.


    We''re all house servants, what''s with the pretense?


    After several detours, Du Ye finally brought up the main topic. He whispered, "How are the medicinal herbs coming along?"


    "Come with me to retrieve them," Gu An nodded with a smile.


    He indeed had some herbs stored away, rightfully his as the top disciple of Medicine Valley, and he planned to give them all to Du Ye.


    Although he could steal life span, that stuff required time.


    Before achieving absolute invincibility, he had to foster good relations with the Ji Family, as they might prove useful in the future.


    Although the Chu Family was strong, their influence was only within the Supreme Sect. The Ji Family, however, was different¡ª they were a top-tier family within the entire Taicang Dynasty. The Ji Family where Gu An previously stayed was just a branch in one city, but descendants of the Ji Family could be found in all Immortal Cultivation Sects throughout the dynasty.


    Along the way, Du Ye began to talk about the Outer Sect.


    "Li Ya is from your Medicine Valley, isn''t he? Recently, he has been quite the topic of conversation. He is a descendant of the Taicang Imperial Family and is currently competing with his imperial brother. The two have even made a life-and-death duel pact, causing quite a stir."


    "It is said that Li Ya was considered a waste just a few years ago. By some stroke of luck, his cultivation level improved by leaps and bounds. Now, he has already reached the Second Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm."


    Hearing Du Ye mention Li Ya piqued Gu An''s interest.


    Why does Li Ya sound like a bitter and vengeful protagonist from a fantasy novel?


    Curiously, Gu An asked, "Must one reach the Foundation Establishment Realm to become an Outer Disciple? "


    Du Ye nodded and said, "Naturally, like me, my cultivation level is insufficient. Although I am in the Outer Sect, I still belong to the servants, but staying in the Outer City allows me to be involved in these matters."


    "Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm directly promotes one to an Outer Disciple, and reaching the Core Formation Realm advances one to an Inner Sect Disciple. Above the Inner Sect Disciples are the Inheriting Disciples and True Disciples. These are the explicit rules. If one''s talent is exceptional, they can also break these rules."


    "Our third miss is such a person. From the moment she joined, she was an Inheriting Disciple, and she is now thinking about breaking through to become a True Disciple. To become a True Disciple, relying solely on cultivation level is not enough; one must also be able to command respect and possess sufficient prestige. That''s why I need to pave the way for her."


    When Du Ye mentioned Ji Xiaoyu, he spoke incessantly.


    For the first time, Gu An did not mind his verbosity and listened attentively.


    As they entered the house, Gu An listened while taking out the bundle he had prepared earlier.


    Du Ye spoke for a while before finally stopping. He raised his hand slightly, dissatisfied, he said, "Is that all?"


    Gu An replied with a smile, "The future is long, after all. Immortal cultivation is not a matter of one or two years. Instead of overstepping my bounds and risking being banished from the valley, it''s better for me to stay compliant, providing herbs all year round. I won''t keep a single plant to myself, all will be offered up."


    Hearing this, Du Ye''s expression softened. He asked again, "Really?"


    "Really, with my qualifications, what do I need herbs for? Living a peaceful life is my pursuit," Gu An responded affirmatively.


    Du Ye opened his mouth but eventually sighed. His right hand reached for his storage bag, from which he took out a manual and handed it to Gu An.


    Gu An took it and saw it was titled ''Eight Directions Step''.


    This surprised him.


    Had the guy had a change of heart?


    Du Ye explained, "This is a stepping technique from the Ji Family. It''s only the basic step of Ji Family''s ultimate skill, Qilin Step, but if you learn it, you might move faster, which could help you escape trouble someday. This technique does not depend on Spirit Root Qualification; as long as you practice, you can always learn it."


    Gu An began to see Du Ye in a new light and was about to say something when Du Ye grabbed the bundle, patted his shoulder, and walked past him.


    Gu An turned around, following his steps, and saw him off.


    Reaching the courtyard, Du Ye turned back to him and said, "After all, we have grown up together. Even if our paths diverge later due to different choices, our friendship remains. If life treats you poorly, you can always come to me."


    With these words, his left hand slapped the scabbard, and with a metallic ring, the sword was drawn. He leaped up and rode away on the sword.


    Such an impressive Sword Control Technique!


    Gu An lowered his gaze to the manual in his hands, his lips curving upwards.


    He began to browse through the Eight Directions Step and started practicing it in the courtyard.


    A Ji Family ultimate skill?


    He wondered if, by using his lifespan to cultivate, he could evolve and deduce that Ji Family''s ultimate skill.


    When Xiaochuan and the other two finished cleaning all the sectors, they quickly came to Gu An''s courtyard, curiously watching him practice the stepping technique.


    "Senior Brother, what cultivation technique are you practicing?" Ye Lan asked curiously.


    Gu An, shifting his stance, asked with a smile, "Do you want to learn?"


    "Yes!"


    The three responded in unison.


    Gu An replied, "Wait until I learn it, then I will teach you."


    Bang!


    The door of the house next door burst open, and Meng Lang, whose eyes were covered with bloodshot veins and forehead full of blood-colored veins, emerged, looking terrifying.


    Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Lan were all scared.


    Meng Lang charged towards the nearest Ye Lan like a crazed beast, his aura ferocious.


    Ye Lan was terrified and couldn''t react quickly enough.


    In less than a moment, Meng Lang was about to collide with Ye Lan.


    Gu An grasped Ye Lan''s shoulders and pulled him back, while his right foot simultaneously stepped on Meng Lang''s chest.


    Boom!


    Meng Lang''s momentum exploded, his aura whirling around him, and his feet scraped long marks on the ground.


    Gu An''s right leg slowly straightened, pushing Meng Lang backward.


    Xiaochuan and the others widened their eyes, Gu An''s posture deeply imprinting in their minds, leaving them in awe.


    Is Senior Brother this powerful?


    Although Gu An usually managed to win over them in sparring without using spiritual power, Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia always believed they would eventually surpass their senior brother.


    Suddenly, Meng Lang grabbed Gu An''s right foot with both hands, a brutal force attempting to break his leg.


    Gu An leapt up sharply, then forcefully stomped down, pressing Meng Lang into the ground with a thud, forcing him to kneel.


    Meng Lang''s knees sank into the soil, his body trembling, unable to push Gu An''s foot off, looking extremely wretched.

 Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Foundation Establishment, Nighttime Turbulence

    Watching Gu An suppress Meng Lang with a single leg, Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Lan were extremely excited.


    On normal days, Meng Lang always boasted that he was the strongest in Medicine Valley, who would have thought that today, in his loss of control, he would be made to kneel by a single leg from his eldest senior brother!


    No wonder the eldest senior brother isn''t Meng Lang!


    The master has a discerning eye!


    Gu An gazed down at Meng Lang, who was kneeling before him, and spoke, "Haven''t you come to your senses yet?"


    His spiritual power flowed through his right leg into Meng Lang''s body, forcibly smoothing out the chaotic spiritual power within him.


    Meng Lang''s breathing stabilized, the bloodshot in his eyes began to fade, and his ferocious expression gradually returned to normal.


    Seeing that he had awakened, Gu An slowly retracted his leg, then helped him up.


    Meng Lang suddenly came to his senses, looking up at Gu An while breathing heavily.


    "Gu An... What... what just happened to me?" Meng Lang asked with difficulty, the violent fluctuations of qi-blood in his body making speaking quite strenuous.


    Gu An replied, "It seemed like you experienced a cultivation deviation."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Lang''s eyes widened in shock and he asked, "I didn''t harm you, did I?"


    Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia''s expressions instantly became peculiar.


    Ye Lan subconsciously wanted to answer, but Gu An hastily interjected, "It''s fine, you managed to restrain yourself at the critical moment."


    Meng Lang let out a sigh of relief, forcing a cheerful smile he said, "That''s right... after all, I am the true eldest senior brother. How could I harm you..."


    Ye Lan, on the other hand, looked at Gu An with eyes full of admiration.


    The eldest senior brother is not only powerful but also very gentle!


    Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia shared the same thoughts, while feeling contempt for Meng Lang.


    Talk is cheap, just a moment ago he was like a ghost!


    Gu An told Xiaochuan and the others to disperse, then helped Meng Lang back to his room.


    "What kind of cultivation technique are you practicing? It''s too shady, isn''t it?" Gu An asked, although he had a poor opinion of Meng Lang, after all, they had spent day and night together, and if possible, he still hoped Meng Lang would be safe and sound.


    Meng Lang chuckled and said, "Of course, it''s a divine skill... it''s just that my talents and comprehension aren''t enough, making it easy to go astray. But there''s no helping it, I must become an Outer Disciple..."


    Confused, Gu An asked, "Why must you become an Outer Disciple when you didn''t seem to care before?"


    Meng Lang''s complexion instantly darkened, and he fell into silence.


    Seeing that he did not want to speak, Gu An did not press further; after helping him to bed, Gu An then turned and left.


    This incident was but a minor episode for Gu An; he couldn''t control others'' fates. Everyone had their own aspirations, and if one perished on the Immortal Cultivation Path, it wouldn''t be considered a pity.


    Arriving in the courtyard, Gu An continued to practice the Eight Trigrams Step.


    ...


    Winter passed and spring arrived, another year of fine scenery.


    In the early morning, when Medicine Valley still held remnants of snow, Gu An took his junior brothers and sisters up the mountain.


    "Felling trees and pulling out roots is also a form of cultivation. You can use your spiritual power to do it. Once your spiritual power is depleted, you can cultivate to replenish, which will aid in improving your cultivation level."


    Dressed in green, Gu An stood in the forest, smiling softly. He had his hands clasped behind his back, exuding the demeanor of a master.


    That day, with a single leg, he had subdued Meng Lang who went into cultivation deviation, successfully establishing himself as a dominant figure in the eyes of his junior brothers and sisters.


    Gu An even felt the younger junior sister developing different thoughts about him, increasingly clinging to him. Fortunately, he guided Ye Lan in her cultivation timely, diverting her attention.


    How could one speak of affection in Immortal Cultivation?


    In this life, Gu An did not wish to fall into the whirlpool of emotions too early¡ªsuch would lead to losing his way.


    Xiaochuan turned and asked, "Eldest senior brother, do we use our hands, or do we use our legs?"


    Gu An maintained his smile and said, "However is convenient for you. Cultivation is one aspect, completing the task is another. You must find the right balance."


    Is this how Zhang Chunqiu felt before?


    Talking nonsense is actually quite enjoyable!


    "Junior Brother Xiaochuan, let''s see who can do it faster!" Lu Jiujia said, rubbing his hands in anticipation.


    Xiaochuan readily agreed, and Ye Lan also clamored to join, only to be ignored by the two who did not enjoy competing with a girl.


    So Gu An watched them pulling up trees while simultaneously planning out a new garden area.


    What medicinal herbs should be planted in this mountain?


    Gu An got lost in thought.


    Although Xiaochuan and the others were Cultivators, their cultivation levels were not high. It took them an entire half a day just to clear a piece of land. Gu An brought Soul Shaking Grass seeds, a third-grade medicinal herb, for them to plant.


    After finishing it all, the senior brothers went down the mountain together, chatting and laughing, as the sunset stretched their shadows long across the hillside.


    Gu An encouraged his junior brothers and sisters to share their goals¡ªall three aimed to enter the Outer Sect, each driven by different motives.


    Xiaochuan simply wished to become stronger; Lu Jiujia aimed to prove himself to his family; Ye Lan seemed to have some unspeakable secret, speaking vaguely.


    Gu An listened with keen interest, believing that every person should have their own story.


    Hearing different people''s stories could enrich his own life as well.


    ...


    A month had passed since they planted the Soul Shaking Grass, and that night, the moon was sparse with stars.


    Gu An was sitting in meditation on his bed inside his room, gazing at his Attribute Panel and caught in a dilemma.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 20/3163]


    [Spirit Root: First-Class Wood Spirit Root, Four Elements Decent Spirit Root (Life Span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Level: Energy Cultivation Realm Nine Layers (Life Span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (Unmastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (Mastery), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (Mastery), Alchemy (Initial Insight) (Life Span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    [Ultimate Skills: Gale Shadowless Leg (Integrated Mastery), Li Family''s Seven Swords (Unmastered), Eight Trigrams Step (Unmastered) (Life Span can be invested for evolutionary cultivation)]


    Should I invest my life span to break through the cultivation realm?


    Cheng Xuandan has the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. Now that she is so good to Gu An, perhaps he could seek a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    However, Meng Lang''s anomaly made Gu An wary of Cheng Xuandan once more.


    Meng Lang had no illustrious background; if he possessed a divine skill, he could have practiced it long ago. Why wait until Li Ya and Zhang Chunqiu had left before he began?


    With Gu An''s current senses, he could be certain that Meng Lang hadn''t been in contact with any strangers in the past two years. At most, he was summoned by Cheng Xuandan, and Gu An wouldn''t eavesdrop on their conversations every time.


    Forget it.


    Better to rely on oneself than to rely on others¡ªplay it safe!


    The path of immortal cultivation is fraught with dangers; a single misstep can result in utter destruction!


    Gu An immediately invested a year of his life span into his cultivation level to undergo evolutionary training.


    [Special Reminder: Cultivation level is actually present. The evolution process turns the abstract into the concrete, and its consumption will exceed the life span used in actual cultivation.]


    [You focused on Energy Absorption cultivation for one year, and due to the lack of a Foundation Establishment Pill and opportunities, you failed to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm.]


    Two lines of prompts appeared before Gu An''s eyes, and since he hadn''t succeeded in breaking through, his cultivation level saw no improvement.


    Gu An, unfazed, continued to invest year after year.


    Failure, failure, failure...


    After a full nine times, his expression could no longer remain composed.


    Damn it!


    Laozi doesn''t believe this anymore!


    Invest a hundred years!


    Gu An, with his temper flaring, directly invested a hundred years of his life span into his cultivation level for evolutionary training.


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for ten years, and with your Great Accomplishment in the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully attempted to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm, but ultimately failed.]


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for twenty years, and with your Great Accomplishment in the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully attempted to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm and finally succeeded.]


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for thirty years, and your cultivation level broke through to the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.]


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for fifty years, and your cultivation level broke through to the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.]


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for seventy years, and your cultivation level broke through to the fourth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.]


    [You cultivated Energy Absorption for a hundred years, and your cultivation level broke through to the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.]


    Rows of prompts crazily flashed before Gu An''s eyes.


    He had no time to rejoice when he sensed something was amiss¡ªthe breakthrough through so many levels would surely cause an enormous commotion, wouldn''t it?


    No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than his body started to overheat, the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill automatically circulated, and he quickly stood up and leaped out of the open window.


    His steps were incredibly fast, silent and swift, and in less than three breaths'' time, he dashed into the forest. With his feet kicking against the mountain wall, he climbed rapidly to the peak like an agile monkey. By this time, nature''s spiritual energy was already surging toward him.


    He leaped, plunging into the dim forest, his right foot landing on a branch to gain momentum. After several jumps, he landed smoothly on the ground.


    Spiritual energy madly flooded into him, creating a whirlwind around him.


    The speed at which he absorbed spiritual energy grew faster and faster, causing him to feel secretly alarmed. Fortunately, he had reacted quickly; if the breakthrough had happened in Medicine Valley, it would have certainly disturbed others.


    Cheng Xuandan and Meng Lang might not dare to come out, but Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia, two hot-headed fools, would definitely do so.


    While Gu An thought this, he surged forward quickly, as nimble as a spirit fox. Under the cover of night, the forest rustled with the sound of swaying leaves.


    Leveraging the Gale Shadowless Leg, Gu An''s running speed was extremely fast as he traversed the range of mountains.


    He was getting farther and farther from Medicine Valley.


    He had not yet stopped when his cultivation realm began to break through, with spiritual energy violently surging into his energy channels, also inducing his dantian to evolve.


    So painful!


    Gu An frowned, but his pace did not slow down.


    He ran wildly for more than ten miles, and eventually, he stopped in a stand of trees, sitting down beneath one to cultivate energy.


    While cultivating, he marveled to himself.


    He hadn''t expected a hundred years of life span to allow him to break through from the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm to the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    It seemed the life span he seized was truly substantive. Of course, his rapid breakthrough was primarily due to the mastery of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill.


    If he were to invest a thousand years of life span, could he possibly reach the Elixir Formation Realm in one go, or even touch upon the Nascent Soul Realm?


    Gu An lost himself in boundless reveries.


    The more spiritual energy he absorbed, the more the forest seemed to be engulfed in a tempest, violently shaking, with leaves falling everywhere¡ªin the darkness, they appeared like demons and ghosts baring their fangs and claws.


    "This commotion is a bit exaggerated..."


    Gu An ruefully thought to himself, recognizing the downsides of evolving cultivation with life span: excessive noise that drew unwanted attention.


    After evolution, it wasn''t a case of cultivation level increasing out of thin air but compressing the necessary spiritual energy into one period for a rapid breakthrough.


    Such was the turmoil from the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm to the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, what kind of earth-shaking disturbance would it cause when he attempted to break through from the Elixir Formation Realm to the Nascent Soul Realm?


    During the breakthrough, should other cultivators be attracted, that would be bad news indeed.


    Gu An made it a habit to plan for the worst scenarios.


    No good!


    He had to be even more careful in the future!


    Gu An decided to invest a year of life span into his cultivation level each day going forward, advancing step by step.


    Time swiftly passed and the night was engulfed by a fierce wind. Gu An''s robe billowed with the gusts as the spiritual power within him grew rapidly.


    A short while later, his aura suddenly shifted.


    Foundation Establishment successful!


    His dantian transformed, generating spiritual power even quicker while also stimulating his bones and entire body to become stronger. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It wasn''t over yet!


    His cultivation level kept soaring, as clouds of dust mixed with grass clippings swirled around him, the sound mighty.


    Foundation Establishment Realm second layer!


    Foundation Establishment Realm third layer!


    Foundation Establishment Realm fourth layer!

 Chapter 13: Chapter 13: I Only Remember His Kicks Were Very Fast

    Gu An was not pleased by his rapid breakthrough, as he constantly felt a taut string in his heart, fearing that someone might come.


    The Supreme Sect was so vast, and in the hundred miles around Medicine Valley, it was rare to see a trace of anyone. Could he have avoided alerting the Great Cultivator?


    As Gu An was thinking, he suddenly sensed two powerful presences approaching from afar, stronger even than Chu Jingfeng had been initially.


    Whatever you fear always comes true!


    He was in the middle of advancing from the fourth to the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm and couldn''t conveniently rise, and even if he attempted to flee now, escaping those two would be difficult.


    Big trouble!


    Gu An nervously felt the two encroaching presences, and when they were less than a hundred yards apart, they stopped on the opposite sides of a mountain peak.


    He was in a dim forest, dressed in a dark green robe, and the dust flying around made it hard to see his true face.


    Sensing that the two were not aggressively coming over, Gu An sighed in relief.


    It seemed they were wary of him as well and dared not disturb him rashly.


    Gu An''s cultivation level continued to increase. With movements being so loud and due to being separated by a mountain, he couldn''t hear the two people''s conversation, making him constantly unable to relax.


    By the time he broke through to the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, the two on the other side of the mountain had still made no move.


    Gu An''s rate of cultivation growth began to slow down. He lifted his right hand, pressing it against the tree trunk behind him, connecting his spiritual power with the trunk. A green light appeared on the trunk, winding around his palm.


    As the green light completed its circuit, he withdrew his right hand and pulled a piece of wooden mask directly from the tree trunk.


    He placed the mask over his face and with the fingers of his other hand, he carved out two eye holes, the carved portions falling away, leaving a complete mask over his face.


    Spiritual power continued to drill into his body, but he was already able to stand up.


    Feeling that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was settling, a loud voice came through:


    "May I ask which Daoist Friend is breaking through here, and why not do it within your own cave?"


    This voice was very serious, clearly suspecting that Gu An was not a disciple of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An hesitated about whether he should respond.


    He was just a Servant Disciple. Having succeeded in Foundation Establishment within a few years of joining, even though he could smoothly enter the Outer Sect, risks still remained!


    The noise he caused tonight was too great. If those two knew his identity, surely a third and fourth person would come to know, and what if someone harbored malicious intent against him? sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was no wonder Gu An was overthinking, having grown up as a house servant, he was all too familiar with the vicious nature of people.


    Gu An, while tying the mask with vines, pondered with eyes flashing cold light, gleaming eerily in the night.


    Not possible!


    He couldn''t expose himself!


    Gu An didn''t want to get embroiled in trouble; even becoming an Outer Sect Disciple wasn''t necessarily good for him.


    The Supreme Sect would not foster disciples for nothing; Outer Sect disciples had to undertake Sect assignments, inevitably placing themselves in mortal danger.


    Once his cultivation was completely stable, he stood up, his face obscured by the mask except for his eyes, still surrounded by spiraling currents of energy.


    At that moment, he sensed two presences swiftly approaching from the mountain; clearly, they now considered him an intruder.


    Gu An dared to keep silent also because he assessed that their cultivation levels were not very strong. If he felt they were too powerful to contend with, he wouldn''t have thought so much.


    He immediately turned and dashed deeper into the forest.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A slicing sound came from behind Gu An, and he looked back to see a cold gleam rushing toward him in the dim forest, breaking branches along its path, followed by a woman.


    This woman was dressed in white, her right arm extended straight, her palm facing the sword handle, connected by spiritual power. The blade emitted a fierce sword qi, unstoppable, flashing like a startled swan through the forest.


    In an instant, her sword had reached Gu An''s back, less than half a yard away.


    Gu An''s left foot landed, his body shifted backward, and as he simultaneously crouched with his left leg, the blade just flew over him.


    The woman in white widened her eyes, her face enveloped in shadows of the night, but the blade light shone right into her eyes, those stunning, shocking eyes filled with astonishment.


    Time seemed to slow down, but it was over in a blink!


    As Gu An crouched, his right leg kicked backwards, striking the abdomen of the woman in white with a force she had never experienced before. Her consciousness plunged into oblivion, and blood spewed from her mouth.


    Thud!


    The woman in white flew back, crashed against a large tree, then fell to the ground, her condition unknown.


    "How dare you!"


    A furious shout came, and Gu An fixed his eyes to see a figure cloaked in green light rapidly approaching, leaving behind a series of afterimages.


    So fast!


    Gu An''s eyes couldn''t keep up with the movement technique of the other, and in his panic, he immediately deployed the Gale Shadowless Leg.


    He had no real combat experience, having dealt with the Demon of Greed by merely using a slap, so facing a formidable opponent, he dared not close in.


    Spiritual power surged into his right leg as he shifted a step backward, his right leg lashing out violently.


    As he lashed out, a gale sprang up from nowhere, howling toward the figure cloaked in green light.


    Within the green light was a man wielding a sword, his pupils suddenly dilated, filled entirely with leg shadows.


    Dust filled the air, a row of trees were knocked down, leg shadows overwhelmed the swordsman, rolling on through dozens of yards with a mighty uproar.


    Gu An retracted his leg and plunged into the darkness.


    The forest returned to calm as the dust settled, revealing the swordsman lying on the ground, motionless.


    ...


    At dawn.


    Ye Lan walked out of the house, her gaze habitually turned toward the courtyards of her Senior Brothers, and over not-so-high courtyard walls, she saw their figures.


    "They really are diligent; I can''t afford to fall behind," Ye Lan thought to herself as she hurried along.


    Arriving in the courtyard, she briskly approached Gu An and greeted him politely, "Senior Brother."


    Gu An smiled and nodded at her.


    "Senior Brother, are you planning to do some work today?" Ye Lan asked curiously, as Gu An was dressed in an old cloth robe, which he only wore during harvesting times.


    Gu An replied, "Yes, I''m planning to take some time this afternoon to go up the mountain."


    Not dwelling on it any further, Ye Lan continued, "There was a fierce wind last night that scared me from cultivating. I was afraid the chaos in the spiritual energy might disrupt my energy absorption. Senior Brother, I heard from Senior Brother Meng that you once encountered a demon attack. What happened during that time?"


    While watching Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia practicing the Residual Wind Leg, Gu An began to recount the incident.


    He was always patient, no matter to whom he was speaking.


    An hour later, after the junior brothers and sisters had left, Gu An had some time to relax. He lay under a tree, one hand holding Green Hero Travelogue, the other playing with a White Spirit Rat, thoroughly enjoying his leisure.


    At that moment, he was still thinking about the two people he encountered the previous night.


    He had already restrained his power, so he hoped he hadn''t killed those two, right?


    Gu An felt somewhat uneasy, as after all, he bore no grudge against those two.


    In the absence of a grudge, Gu An did not wish to kill anyone.


    With such concerns, Gu An endured a rather distressing day.


    As the sun set and the moon rose, noon arrived the following day.


    Steping before a wooden railing to read, Gu An suddenly caught sight of figures at the mouth of the valley; focusing, he noticed there was more than one person.


    A man and a woman!


    Gu An silently breathed a sigh of relief; it was good they were alive.


    He used Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill to suppress his cultivation level to the third tier of the Qi Cultivation Realm, ensuring he wouldn''t be recognized.


    Soon, Cheng Xuandan emerged from the loft and briskly walked up to the two individuals, bowing with his fists clasped. Standing before him was a woman in white and a man in blue.


    The woman in white had a cold, resplendent beauty, her skin fair and smooth like cream, with almond eyes and willow brows, her right hand holding a sword sheath, exuding an unapproachable, proud aura.


    The man in blue was also handsome, with a tall posture and ornate robes, though his face was somewhat pale.


    Both were Outer Disciples of the Supreme Sect, the man named Shi Yang, and the woman named Li Xuanyu.


    Confronting Cheng Xuandan, Shi Yang smiled and clarified their intention.


    After listening to Shi Yang, Cheng Xuandan responded, "These past few days, no one else has come to Medicine Valley."


    Cheng Xuandan had lived for a hundred years, experienced everything, so he appeared very composed.


    Shi Yang glanced toward Medicine Valley and said, "Could you summon your disciples here?"


    Cheng Xuandan had no objections. He turned, sank his breath to his lower belly, and shouted loudly. Hearing this, Gu An and others ran over.


    "Xiaochuan, go fetch Senior Brother Meng as well," Cheng Xuandan instructed.


    Upon hearing this, Xiaochuan immediately turned and ran to find Meng Lang.


    Shi Yang and Li Xuanyu started examining Gu An and the two others, their brows furrowed, remaining silent.


    Cheng Xuandan was silent too, waiting for Meng Lang to arrive.


    Taking this opportunity, Gu An checked the life spans of the two Outer Disciples; the previous night had been too urgent to check.


    [Li Xuanyu (Foundation Establishment Realm Fourth Level): 24/245/1670]


    [Shi Yang (Foundation Establishment Realm Fifth Level): 25/298/1304]


    Impressive!


    Both geniuses, over twenty years old and already in the Foundation Establishment Realm, plus their maximum life spans stretching over a thousand years, with Li Xuanyu''s even higher than Li Ya''s.


    Both surnamed Li; could this girl also be from the Imperial Family?


    Gu An was secretly shocked, grateful he hadn''t revealed his identity the previous night.


    Before long, Xiaochuan brought Meng Lang, who appeared irritable.


    Upon seeing Meng Lang, Shi Yang narrowed his eyes and communicated telepathically to Li Xuanyu beside him, "Sister Li, this child''s energy is turbulent, showing signs of deviation. Although his cultivation level is very low, he might be connected to the person we are looking for."


    Li Xuanyu stared at Meng Lang, her cold eyes seeming to see right through him.


    Meng Lang, feeling their gaze and noting their distinguished appearance, promptly reined in his expression. He lowered his head and stood next to Gu An, Xiaochuan following closely behind.


    Cheng Xuandan then asked, "Two nights ago, several miles outside Medicine Valley, a mysterious cultivator was breaking through a significant barrier, suspected to be a spy from the Demon Path. Have you seen anyone else these past few days?"


    Impressive!


    Spies from the Demon Path too!


    Gu An internally remarked but showed a frown of concern on his face.


    Meng Lang''s eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Not another demon invasion?"


    "Again? What do you mean?" Shi Yang demanded, staring at Meng Lang.


    Unable to hold his tongue, Meng Lang immediately blurted out the previous incident involving the Demon of Greed, which also implicated an Inner Sect Disciple. Shi Yang''s expression shifted slightly.


    Is this area so dangerous?


    Shi Yang suddenly lost his interest in pursuing the matter further.


    Seizing the opportunity, Gu An asked, "Elder ones, have you encountered the spy from the Demon Path? Could you provide us with some clues?"


    The others nodded, the word "demon" heightening their tension.


    Shi Yang pondered and said, "It was too dark that night, but I remember his leg technique was very fast."

 Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Daily Plan, Medicine Poison

    Leg techniques very fast?


    Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Lan all had slight changes in their expressions. They thought of Gu An simultaneously, but they did not look towards Gu An, just inwardly speculated.


    Meng Lang asked, "What do you mean? You two haven''t defeated that spy from the Demon Path?"


    Upon hearing this, Shi Yang''s face couldn''t hold back his emotions.


    He took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, they were better than us. My cultivation level is at the Fifth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and my cousin''s is at the Fourth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The Demon Path cultivator who easily defeated us has an immeasurable cultivation level.


    If you have any clues, tell us as soon as possible to avoid leaving troubles for yourselves."


    Once he mentioned his cultivation level, Meng Lang, Xiaochuan, and others all gasped in shock.


    Meng Lang felt scared and quickly asked, "Since you are not his match, why do you still dare to seek him out? Why not ask the Inner Sect Disciple to come help?"


    Shi Yang responded, "We have our own backup."


    He was increasingly annoyed by Meng Lang, who was too irritating for his blunt way of speaking.


    Gu An took the opportunity to say, "If the person is truly a spy from the Demon Path and you both were easily defeated, that''s unreasonable. I observe that both your injuries are not severe. Could the Demon Path be so benevolent?"


    Shi Yang looked at him, his eyes conveying subtle thoughts. After thinking, he replied, "It''s indeed hard to determine, but both Outer Disciple and Inner Sect Disciple have their own caves and wouldn''t come here to breakthrough. There must be something fishy. You really don''t have any clues?"


    Li Xuanyu sized up Gu An, who feigned tension and dared not make eye contact with the two Outer Disciples.


    "Both of you, it seems my disciples indeed haven''t seen any spy from the Demon Path," Cheng Xuandan spoke up, breaking the awkward atmosphere.


    Shi Yang wanted to speak, but Li Xuanyu spoke first, "If that''s the case, then we shall take our leave."


    After saying that, she raised her hand in a salute to Cheng Xuandan, then turned and left.


    Shi Yang could only follow her steps, glaring at Meng Lang before he left.


    Xiaochuan turned his head to look at Gu An, wanting to say something, but was stopped by Ye Lan, who put her finger to her lips to signal silence and kept giving meaningful looks.


    Cheng Xuandan, without saying more, turned and walked towards his loft.


    After watching Shi Yang and his companion leave the valley, Gu An then walked towards his own courtyard, with others closely following behind; Xiaochuan seemed to have more to say but refrained.


    Gu An glanced at him and smiled, asking, "What, do you think my leg techniques could be powerful enough to defeat two cultivators from the Foundation Establishment Realm?"


    Xiaochuan''s face turned red and he couldn''t help but scratch his head.


    Meng Lang snorted with laughter and said annoyingly, "Your elder brother is only at the Third Layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, and besides, the Residual Wind Leg technique he practices is one of the most common leg techniques in the Outer Sect. How could he possibly be the Demon Path spy mentioned by the Outer Disciples?"


    Lu Jiujia nodded. He really didn''t consider Gu An as a spy from the Demon Path. In his eyes, the elder brother was the gentlest, kindest person he had ever met.


    Ye Lan, however, was somewhat dissatisfied and said, "Even if it''s the most common leg technique, the elder brother will eventually master it."


    The event of Gu An suppressing Meng Lang with one leg move had not reached Meng Lang''s ears, as instructed by Gu An; neither younger brother nor sister had let it slip.


    Meng Lang shook his head in amusement, then left alone to practice his spells in the forest.


    Ye Lan watched his departing figure, angrily clenching her fists, her cheeks puffing out.


    "Alright, let''s each continue our cultivation and strive to enter the Outer Sect early," Gu An said with a smile, then gestured with his hands for his younger brothers and sisters to disperse.


    Elsewhere.


    Above the mountains, Shi Yang and Li Xuanyu flew side by side with sword control. Their speed was moderate, their eyes scanning the area below.


    "Cousin, I always felt there was something off about Medicine Valley just now," Shi Yang said, a cold light flickering in his eyes.


    That guy was too infuriating!


    Shi Yang thought of Meng Lang''s ugly demeanor, growing angrier as he dwelled on it.


    Li Xuanyu''s expression was icy as she softly said, "I think that Servant Disciple was right; perhaps the other party isn''t a spy from the Demon Path but simply doesn''t want to be recognized. The fact that we''re still alive is the best proof."


    Shi Yang frowned and said, "There''s someone like that within the Outer Sect? It feels like they have at least a Nine Layers Foundation Establishment cultivation, and that leg technique I''ve never seen before must be some Ultimate Skill. His background must be significant."


    "We will know eventually."


    Li Xuanyu looked towards the horizon, a frown tightly knitting her brows as if she thought of something.


    Shi Yang also sank into silence. Both were famously talented within the Outer Sect, and the thought of their previous night''s opponent also being an Outer Sect Disciple struck him hard.


    ...


    As summer gradually came, the summer in Supreme Sect was extremely hot, with the whole world seeming to warp. Lu Jiujia, who was tilling the ground, was emitting white steam all over.


    Gu An, now twenty-one, was in the courtyard practicing alchemy. In front of him was a small cauldron, he watched the boiling potion, hesitant whether to throw the herbal medicine in his hand into it.


    Alchemy is really a skill!


    As Gu An struggled, Meng Lang rushed into the courtyard, hurried into his own house, and in less than ten breaths, he came out with a bundle.


    "Gu An, I''m going for the Outer Sect examination. Once I make a name for myself, I''ll come back and take care of you!"


    With these words, Meng Lang excitedly left.


    Outer Sect examination?


    Gu An was surprised. Meng Lang was only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, how was he taking the examination?


    If one couldn''t demonstrate outstanding talent at the entrance, they could only wait until Foundation Establishment was successful to enter the Outer Sect.


    This was the Supreme Sect, the number one Sect of the Taicang Dynasty!


    A Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator would be revered in some third-rate sects, but in Supreme Sect, they could only be an Outer Sect Disciple.


    Gu An looked in the direction Meng Lang had run off to, seeing Cheng Xuandan descending the stairs.


    Cheng Xuandan was actually taking Meng Lang out of the valley together.


    Gu An felt there was something fishy about this, but even if he tried to stop it now, Meng Lang wouldn''t listen; the fellow had become obsessed with becoming an Outer Sect Disciple.


    "Why bother with it, I am pursuing the path of immortality. If I get involved in this and that, will I ever have peace?"


    Gu An thought so, and his gaze turned resolute.


    He continued with his alchemy, striving not to think about Meng Lang.


    Consequently, he sat in front of the small cauldron for a day and successfully produced a pile of medicinal dregs.


    It was not until deep into the night that he stealthily slipped out.


    He did not leave Medicine Valley for Meng Lang but for his own cultivation. Two months had passed since Shi Yang and Li Xuanyu had left, and he was ready to start his daily regimen.


    From then on, every deep night, he would sneak out and invest a year of his life span into his cultivation level.


    This particular infusion of life span to enhance cultivation was similarly loud, but thankfully not as much as before, and it ended quickly.


    The next day, Gu An took the opportunity to ask Ye Lan how her cultivation went last night, and this time she did not hear any disturbances, having achieved a smooth practice.


    Gu An was utterly relieved; his daily plan could be implemented!


    Days went by.


    After half a month since Cheng Xuandan and Meng Lang had left, with no return, Gu An could affirm that Meng Lang''s chances were slim.


    Previously, when Zhang Chunqiu went to the Outer Sect, he would return in at most seven days, never having such a delay.


    As Xiaochuan and two others inquired when their master would return, Gu An could only divert their focus, urging them to concentrate on their cultivation.


    Two months later, Cheng Xuandan finally returned.


    Cheng Xuandan''s head was full of white hair, and he did not wear his cloth hat. His appearance greatly shocked Xiaochuan and the others, who all crowded around him, and so did Gu An.


    "I''m fine, just need a few days of rest,"


    Cheng Xuandan waved his hand weakly as he gently pushed Lu Jiujia away and then headed to his loft.


    Gu An furrowed his brows deeply.


    He saw that Cheng Xuandan''s cultivation had fallen to the second layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, and even his life span was shortened, remaining only two years.


    He had initially thought Cheng Xuandan intended to sabotage Meng Lang, either by snatching his body or turning Meng Lang into a puppet; instead, Cheng Xuandan appeared as though he was on the brink of death.


    As Gu An watched Cheng Xuandan''s retreating figure, he fell into deep thought.


    Ye Lan, thinking he was worried about Cheng Xuandan, spoke out to comfort him: "Big senior brother, don''t worry, master will be fine."


    Gu An looked at her and smiled, nodding.


    After chatting with his junior brothers and sisters for a few moments, Gu An left alone.


    "I feel something is off about master," Lu Jiujia said to Xiaochuan in a low voice, frowning and with a severe look in his eyes.


    Xiaochuan nodded and added, "Indeed, something''s off."


    Lu Jiujia leaned close to his ear, starting to whisper.


    Meanwhile, Ye Lan kept gazing at Gu An''s disappearing figure.


    ...


    After Cheng Xuandan returned, he stayed locked in his room, and Gu An could sense him practicing healing spells, though his aura grew weaker by the day.


    Just as it was nearly winter, Cheng Xuandan finally emerged from his room. He called out to Gu An from afar, and Gu An immediately ran to him.


    "Master," Gu An greeted with respect.


    Cheng Xuandan''s hair was completely white, including his beard and eyebrows, and some brown spots even appeared on his face, making him look extremely aged.


    "Come, I''ll take you to the Outer Sect," Cheng Xuandan said with a stroke of his beard and a gentle smile.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "What are we going to do at the Outer Sect?"


    "Don''t you want to be the Valley Master in the future?" Cheng Xuandan countered.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s heartbeat quickened, but his expression dramatically changed to one of panic, and asked anxiously, "Master, what''s wrong? Please don''t scare me!"


    Seeing him so flustered, Cheng Xuandan''s gaze softened even more. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Come, let''s talk on the way," Cheng Xuandan said and then turned, heading out of the valley.


    Gu An quickly instructed Xiaochuan, who was closest to him, and then followed Cheng Xuandan''s steps.


    After leaving the valley, Cheng Xuandan headed towards the woods, now unable to fly with sword control, which meant they would have to walk to the Outer Sect.


    All of a sudden, Gu An really wanted to turn back and tell Xiaochuan and the others not to pick the herbs that were about to ripen, waiting instead for his return.


    As the master and disciple walked through the woods, Gu An tried to offer his help to Cheng Xuandan, but it was politely declined.


    "The Sect''s stipend for the Valley Master is limited. You have to be careful recruiting Servant Disciples in the future, and you''ll also need to deliver a certain amount of yield every year..." Cheng Xuandan walked ahead, talking casually.


    Gu An appeared to be listening intently, but he was also alert.


    After all, Meng Lang''s fate was still uncertain.


    Cheng Xuandan''s pace wasn''t fast, and given the many hills nearby, it took them half an hour to cover a few miles.


    Gu An was beginning to become impatient; how long would it take to reach the Outer Sect?


    He even considered carrying Cheng Xuandan.


    As they crossed a small stream, Cheng Xuandan suddenly asked, "Why do you not inquire about Meng Lang''s whereabouts?"


    Gu An feigned confusion and asked, "Didn''t he go to attend the Outer Sect assessment? Did he not pass?"


    "I lied to him; he has already been turned into Medicine Poison by me,"


    Cheng Xuandan answered as he continued walking forward, seemingly unafraid of Gu An attacking him from behind.


    Gu An, hearing this, remained expressionless. He carefully sensed the surroundings to make sure no one else was around.

 Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, Master of Mystic Valley

    ```


    "Medicine Poison? Master, you..." Gu An feigned alarm as he spoke.


    Could Cheng Xuandan be plotting against him as well?


    Without turning back, Cheng Xuandan pushed aside the branches obstructing the path and stooped to walk through, continuing to speak as he moved forward, "Meng Lang has slightly better qualifications than you, but only by a small margin. Even with the support of my elixirs, it would be very difficult for him to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. Medicine Valley only needs one successor.


    His existence is a threat to you; you must be able to sense the flaws in his character."


    Hearing this, Gu An fell silent.


    Something about this didn''t seem right¡ªwhy did it sound like he killed Meng Lang for his benefit?


    But he did not wish for Meng Lang to die.


    Though Meng Lang was humble, his nature wasn''t inherently bad.


    "Don''t overthink it. Though I killed him to pave the way for you, blame him for having better qualifications than you. I was helping the future Master of Medicine Valley," Cheng Xuandan said casually.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Shouldn''t the Master of Medicine Valley be chosen based on who has stronger qualifications?"


    "But if one''s qualifications are too impressive, how could they live in Medicine Valley peacefully for life?"


    "Is there something special about Medicine Valley?"


    "Indeed, there is. I am not only a disciple of Supreme Sect but also a spy for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. The Thousand-Autumn Pavilion is a Demonic Sect not as powerful as Supreme Sect, which is why it has planted many spies like me."


    Well, there were really spies from the Demonic Path!


    Suddenly, Gu An didn''t know how to respond.


    He had come to see that Cheng Xuandan indeed did not intend to harm him. What was most fatal was that Cheng Xuandan obviously intended to pass on the heavy responsibility of being a spy to him.


    "After I die, you can be at ease as the Valley Master. You don''t need to do anything deliberate. When the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion needs you, they will naturally seek you out. All you need to do is to obey orders. Of course, you may also report to the Supreme Sect. After all, I don''t have many years left.


    However, you have to carefully weigh whether the Supreme Sect can tolerate your presence. For a Servant Disciple like you, they would rather mistakenly kill than let one go," Cheng Xuandan said, his tone tinged with a hint of contentment that made Gu An feel like hitting someone.


    "Remember the secret code of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion: ''No regrets under the cold vines of a thousand autumns; it is hard to find the root in the desolation of myriad laws.''


    "Do I have no other choice?"


    "What do you think?"


    Gu An was silent once again.


    "Even for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, a spy like me is insignificant. You might not encounter them in your lifetime," Cheng Xuandan said in a self-deprecating tone.


    Gu An pondered and realized that he indeed had no power to resist.


    It was like a lump of yellow mud falling into one''s pants¡ªit wasn''t necessarily a Demonic Path spy, but it might as well be.


    "Master, if you are a cultivator from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, staying in this Medicine Valley must have a reason. Why not disclose it?" Gu An asked solemnly.


    "You''re quite astute. Yes, there is a seventh-grade Spirit Tree hidden beneath the soil of Medicine Valley. When we return, I''ll take you to have a look," he replied.


    "Seve... seventh-grade?"


    Gu An''s voice trembled, his eyes glistening with excitement.


    ...


    Fine snowflakes fluttered through the world, and a majestic city stood between the mountains. The city gate was ten Zhang high, with some people entering the city on foot, Supreme Sect disciples flying on swords, and even disciples riding mounts.


    Walking on the mountain path, Gu An stared at the Supreme Sect''s Outer City from a distance, his eyes filled with amazement.


    What a vast city!


    "Supreme Sect has eight Outer Cities, within which are four Inner Cities, and inside the Inner Cities is the Main City of the Sect, a place where only the most exceptional, high-status individuals can set foot.


    Viewed from above, it is said that the Sect''s layout resembles a masterfully crafted compass, with each mountain holding its own mysteries," Cheng Xuandan explained with a sense of longing and regret.


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Gu An asked, "How large is Supreme Sect, then?"


    The journey here had taken them nearly half a month, which spoke volumes about the distance between Medicine Valley and this city.


    "Boundless and vast, even I am not sure," replied Cheng Xuandan as they continued towards the Outer City gate, with Gu An following closely behind.


    When Gu An first joined Supreme Sect, he didn''t visit the Outer City. An elder of Supreme Sect had hosted Ji Xiaoyu in a mountain forest pavilion. It was on her account that when Gu An expressed his desired destination, the elder dispatched a disciple to escort him to Cheng Xuandan''s Medicine Valley.


    This was his first time at the Outer City.


    As the master and disciple arrived at the city gate, Cheng Xuandan showed his token, and Gu An caught a glimpse of two characters engraved on it.


    Mystic Valley.


    After entering the city, a thunderous uproar greeted them, surprising Gu An.


    The city gate was shielded by a Restriction!


    With his hearing, he couldn''t detect any sound from within while outside the city.


    "Top quality herbs, first come first served, only ten plants for sale today."


    "Treasures from the cave of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, come take a look."


    "A purebred Snow Mountain Spirit Fox with the potential to speak human language after just five more years of raising."


    "Treasure hunt! Treasure hunt! Each item for just ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, may luck decide your find."


    "Maps of an Ancient Great Cultivator''s cave, available for those with substantial strength."


    Gu An was drawn to the shouting from both sides of the street. There were loft shops on both sides, and the street was spacious without any disciples setting up stalls.


    He even saw brothels.


    Impressive indeed, befitting the reputation of an upright and orthodox Sect!


    Cheng Xuandan continued to describe the sights, broadening Gu An''s horizons.


    No wonder so many people were desperate to join Supreme Sect; the resources for Immortal Cultivation were indeed plentiful.


    Gu An was not only listening but also frantically using Life Span Detection.


    ```


    After walking about two li of streets, he had seen five cultivators whose lifespans exceeded five hundred years.


    The Outer Sect truly concealed dragons and crouching tigers!


    An hour later, Cheng Xuandan led Gu An into a huge mansion; the plaque above read three large characters:


    Elixir Hall!


    Inside the Elixir Hall, people came and went, some hurried, some with furrowed brows, and some with hearty laughs.


    Gu An followed Cheng Xuandan to a courtyard to meet an elder of the Elixir Hall.


    Zhu Qinglu, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment Realm, was one of the elders of the Elixir Hall, supervising fifty-one Medicine Valleys, and he was Cheng Xuandan''s superior.


    He had a plump figure, dressed in a loose blue Daoist robe, with a kind smile on his face, giving off a harmless vibe to everyone.


    In the main hall, Zhu Qinglu met with Cheng Xuandan and had a disciple serve him tea.


    "Xuandan, why do you look so unwell?" Zhu Qinglu asked with concern.


    Gu An took the opportunity to use Life Span Detection.


    [Zhu Qinglu (Foundation Establishment Realm Nine Layers): 211/267/510]


    He had lived for two hundred and eleven years!


    Gu An stood by Cheng Xuandan''s side, careful not to be disrespectful.


    Cheng Xuandan chuckled, "To be honest, my time is near. Today, apart from delivering herbs, I am here for my disciple. I want to transfer the position of Valley Master of Mystic Valley to him."


    Zhu Qinglu looked at Gu An and laughed, "Third level of Qi Cultivation, it seems this child has something extraordinary about him."


    Oh, please!


    What a dirty curse!


    Cheng Xuandan smiled and said, "This child has a pure nature, can unite disciples, and is willing to stay in Medicine Valley for life. He''s the best candidate."


    Zhu Qinglu didn''t say much else, he raised his hand and gestured, and a disciple walked in from outside the hall.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An walked out of the Elixir Hall with Cheng Xuandan, playing with a bronze token in his hand, inscribed with the words ''Mystic Valley'', feeling the presence of restrictions within it. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From today onwards, in the Supreme Sect''s Elixir Hall, his identity would be Master of Mystic Valley.


    "The Valley Master''s storage bag is with me, I will pass it on to you," Cheng Xuandan''s voice came from ahead, interrupting Gu An''s thoughts.


    Gu An quickly asked, "Master, where do we go next?"


    He wanted to return. A batch of herbs was ready for harvesting and he was worried his junior brothers and sisters would pick them.


    "Before we return, I''ll take you to the Chores Hall, where you can recruit servant disciples. Today, you can recruit one servant disciple to take back with you. This is also to familiarize you with the process," Cheng Xuandan replied without turning his head.


    Gu An looked at his retreating figure, his emotions surging within him.


    Everyone has many sides, and this was fully embodied in Cheng Xuandan.


    The former Cheng Xuandan was cold to his disciples, and now he even refined one of his disciples into Medicine Poison, he was a spy from the Demon Path, no matter how you looked at it, an evil person.


    But his kindness towards Gu An was genuine.


    The Chores Hall was not far from the Elixir Hall, just around a few streets, and the mansion was even larger. Upon entering the main gate, Gu An saw a vast square filled with people.


    Looking at those disciples waiting to be chosen, Gu An realized he was quite fortunate.


    If it were not for the support of the Ji Family, with his own Spirit Root qualifications, he would be waiting to be selected just like these people.


    "You can look around yourself, I won''t interject. After you''ve made a choice, I''ll take you to register," Cheng Xuandan said softly, rubbing his chest, clearly in some discomfort.


    Gu An nodded and then stepped forward.


    Did he need to consider his choice? Activate the Golden Finger!


    Gu An began frantically using Life Span Detection on everyone he saw.


    The majority here had very low maximum lifespans, and there were even those doomed to early deaths, with only a year of life left, still hoping to be chosen.


    Gu An quickly found a genius whose lifespan exceeded five hundred years.


    He didn''t rush to a decision but decided to see everyone first.


    Medicine Valley didn''t need a genius; what he needed was someone with a long current lifespan.


    The maximum lifespan is the limit of someone''s cultivation, and reaching that limit is incredibly difficult, requiring a great deal of fortune to achieve.


    The reason there are so many hidden talents is that the Spirit Root qualification does not entirely determine the future height of a person.


    The current lifespan is different; as long as they don''t suffer serious injury, they can live that long.


    Soon, Gu An''s gaze locked onto a young boy, a little monk with an ordinary face and dressed in worn robes, sitting cross-legged in a corner of the square.


    [Wuxin (Qi Cultivation Second Layer): 15/330/380]


    Qi Cultivation Realm and he has a lifespan of three hundred and thirty years!


    Extraordinary!


    It''s possible that this child''s physique is special, or he might cultivate some unique technique.


    Gu An immediately approached Wuxin, who sensed something, opened his eyes, and was met with Gu An''s smiling face.


    "Little brother, would you like to come to my Medicine Valley? It''s not too busy usually, and you will have plenty of time to cultivate," Gu An said with a gentle smile.


    Upon seeing his smile, Wuxin nodded subconsciously.


    Cheng Xuandan, watching Wuxin from the side, seemed to notice something, then glanced at Gu An with a strange look in his eyes.

 Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Seventh Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, Mysterious Forest

    After being invited by Gu An, until he walked out of the Chores Hall, Wuxin did not say a word. From beginning to end, he had only nodded his head.


    Gu An suspected he had recruited a mute.


    For Wuxin, becoming a Servant Disciple as soon as possible was the most important thing at the moment. Gu An made a good first impression on him, so he agreed outright.


    The reason he was so eager to become a Servant Disciple was because he was a spy from the Demon Path.


    He came from the Demonic Sect of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, the youngest son of a Pavilion Master there. Since his talents were inferior to his brothers'', he had volunteered to come and be a spy.


    One reason was to escape the oppressive environment at home; the other was to see if he could establish some achievements.


    If he could not, then so be it.


    Wuxin watched Gu An and Cheng Xuandan ahead of him, making a preliminary judgment about the two.


    One, a kind and simple ordinary cultivator.


    One, an old man close to the grave.


    From their conversations, it seemed that Medicine Valley was indeed tranquil and would provide a good atmosphere.


    ...


    The snow flew heavily, and Mystic Valley was submerged in a whiteness where heaven and earth were indistinguishable.


    Bang!


    Wuxin was kicked down into the snow, snow splashing onto his face, and he clutched his chest in pain.


    "Lu Jiujia! Why are you being so serious?" Ye Lan chided from the side.


    Lu Jiujia stood in the snow, slowly retrieving his leg. He tilted up his chin and huffed, "Sparring should be serious. Only then can there be improvement."


    His cultivation level had already reached the fifth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, making him the openly strongest person in Medicine Valley. Ye Lan''s cultivation level was at the fourth layer, and Xiaochuan, like Gu An, was at the third layer.


    Wuxin, at the second layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, had no chance against Lu Jiujia.


    "Damn... How could a Servant Disciple be so strong..." Wuxin almost lost his composure.


    He saw Lu Jiujia practicing his leg techniques, so he couldn''t resist trying to challenge him, only to be defeated by Lu Jiujia''s two kicks.


    What he did not know was that Lu Jiujia had a great senior brother who spent time every day sparring with him. Lu Jiujia, who always fought with all his might, never managed to win. Day after day, his leg techniques had become extremely refined, his physical strength considerable.


    Wuxin, refusing to believe it, thought he had merely been careless. He stood up and rushed towards Lu Jiujia again.


    Bang! Bang!


    Lu Jiujia kicked twice and once again knocked Wuxin to the ground.


    Wuxin felt his forearm was about to break, and the fifteen-year-old lay in the snow, tears of humiliation streaming down his face.


    Why is it like this...


    This was not the life of a spy he had imagined. He wasn''t facing fiery mountains or blade-laden paths, and if he were to face defeat, it should have been on the path of stealing intelligence...


    Instead, he was defeated by a Servant Disciple who appeared to be ordinary in every aspect.


    "If I hadn''t cultivated this technique... With my talent... How could I endure such humiliation?"


    Wuxin clenched his fists tightly. The quarreling voices of Ye Lan and Lu Jiujia were piercing to his ears.


    Lu Jiujia, looking at Ye Lan before him, disagreed, "He''s a boy, not a frail girl. Step aside, don''t be biased towards him. When senior brother kicked me to the ground, why didn''t you say anything?"


    Ye Lan glared at him and said, "How could I not say anything? I defended you back then, and you even yelled at me. Besides, senior brother didn''t exert as much force as you. Think about it, when senior brother spars with you, doesn''t he wait for you to finish all your leg techniques before he gently defeats you? Unlike you, who is rough and reckless. What can Wuxin learn from sparring with you?"


    With that, Lu Jiujia''s dissatisfaction shifted as he thought it over, realizing she was right.


    It was precisely because he always exerted his full strength that he could think more deeply.


    Simply being on the receiving end of hits certainly didn''t teach much...


    Lu Jiujia felt ashamed, his gratitude for Gu An deepening.


    Senior brother was truly too good to him.


    Ye Lan helped Wuxin to his feet, seeing his eyes red,she quickly consoled him, "Don''t mind him. He means well, wanting to seriously spar with you to improve together. It''s just that he is a person who takes things too seriously."


    Seeing Wuxin''s red eyes, Lu Jiujia scratched his head in embarrassment.


    "Jiujia, I see your leg work has improved. Come, let''s practice,"


    a gentle voice came from behind. Lu Jiujia turned around to see Gu An approaching with a spring-like smile.


    Hearing this, Lu Jiujia immediately nodded eagerly, his confidence having swelled recently, feeling he could defeat his senior brother.


    Ye Lan and Wuxin looked towards Gu An, Wuxin secretly curious. Was this senior brother really that powerful?


    Could he really defeat Lu Jiujia across two minor realms?


    Gu An stopped and waved at Lu Jiujia, who chuckled and rushed towards him with a lightning step.


    Bang! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lu Jiujia was sent flying ten meters, carving a long trench in the snow.


    Seeing stars, he nearly passed out, feeling as though his organs were shifting, the pain immense.


    Wuxin was stunned.


    Such fast legs!


    He hadn''t even seen how Gu An had kicked.


    Ye Lan, on the other hand, laughed with joy, quickly walking up to Gu An to praise his increasingly faster leg work.


    Gu An ruffled her hair, then turned to Wuxin and asked, "Wuxin, do you want to learn leg techniques in the future?"


    Wuxin''s life span was longer than that of others, marking him as having potential talent. He couldn''t be damaged by Lu Jiujia''s kicks.


    "Yes!" Wuxin responded, his tone firm and strong, unlike his usual gentle self.


    From a distance, Lu Jiujia''s wails of pain drew Gu An''s attention.


    Gu An walked up to him, looked down at him, and snorted, "Stop pretending, Brother asks you, do you like this kind of sparring?"


    Lu Jiujia lay on the ground, slightly turning on his side, glanced at Gu An with one eye, saw his serious expression, covered his eyes again, and said in pain, "Brother, I was wrong..."


    Gu An pulled him up, patting the snow off his body while speaking softly, "A true strong person is not one who defeats those stronger than himself, but one who can control his own arrogant heart and not bully those weaker than himself."


    Lu Jiujia rubbed his chest, seriously pondering Gu An''s words.


    Ye Lan and Wuxin also heard, especially Wuxin, who was greatly moved; he never expected such a highly skilled person hidden in this small Medicine Valley.


    In the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, bullying the weak was the norm; he was weak, even his father and brothers bullied him.


    That''s right!


    They were not strong at all!


    Wuxin thought to himself, his view of Gu An changing.


    "You start by teaching Wuxin how to train his legs," Gu An said, patting Lu Jiujia''s shoulder; Lu Jiujia quickly nodded, not daring to refuse.


    Afterward, Gu An took Ye Lan up the mountain to look after the seeds that had been planted not long ago; Xiaochuan was on the mountain.


    As for Cheng Xuandan, after returning, he stayed in his room without coming out. Gu An had visited once, and he said he was recuperating, after which Gu An didn''t dare to disturb him again.


    Days passed, and with the addition of Wuxin, Medicine Valley became lively; Lu Jiujia and Xiaochuan loved to tease him, and the sound of the three frolicking could be heard in Medicine Valley from time to time.


    The end of the year.


    Night fell.


    Gu An was reading in his room, no longer the Green Hero Travelogue but another book titled "Thousand-Autumn Pavilion Secret History."


    This book came from the Book Collection Pavilion of Medicine Valley, its authenticity unknown, but he read it for amusement.


    The lamplight of the oil lamp flickered slightly, strands of cold wind sneaked in through the cracks of the window, but Gu An, now at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, remained unaffected.


    When he finished the contents of the current page, he put down the book, preparing to stand up for his daily routine.


    Suddenly, he heard a slight noise from the neighboring room; someone was stepping out of the room, their movements light, but they couldn''t escape his ears.


    It was Wuxin!


    Gu An was very familiar with the aura of everyone in Medicine Valley and instantly identified the person.


    He silently listened to Wuxin''s footsteps; Wuxin headed toward the Book Collection Pavilion and upon entering, started browsing through the books.


    "What is he looking for?" Gu An was filled with curiosity.


    In his view, Wuxin was very honest, conscientiously doing whatever he arranged, unlike Lu Jiujia who would occasionally slack off.


    Besides being honest, Wuxin also had a competitive spirit second only to Lu Jiujia, frequently challenging his two senior brothers, repeatedly losing and fighting repeatedly.


    Could it be that this kid was looking for a secret manual?


    Thinking this, Gu An felt a bit sorry for his young junior brother.


    Starting tomorrow, he would personally teach the young junior brother.


    Wuxin searched for half an ancient hour, then quietly returned to his own room.


    A while later, Gu An got up, quietly leaving his room; he was off to the distant forests for his daily routine.


    ...


    Another summer arrived.


    Gu An turned twenty-two years old, his lifespan had already exceeded four thousand years, and he planned to save up to ten thousand years before using it.


    Half a year passed, and thanks to his daily routine, his cultivation level successfully broke through to the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, though his apparent cultivation level remained at the third layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.


    As time passed, Gu An grew increasingly curious about the seventh-tier Spirit Tree that Cheng Xuandan had mentioned; he had even tried searching for it, but could never find the entrance to the underground.


    Occasionally, Wuxin also explored around at night, and once, the two nearly ran into each other, but fortunately, Gu An''s excellent hearing alerted him in advance.


    Nearing noontime, Gu An squatted under a tree, observing his White Spirit Rat.


    The White Spirit Rat was frantically running in circles in front of him, very lively.


    "Has it grown? But spring has already passed..." Gu An thought puzzledly.


    He had raised the White Spirit Rat for a few years, and its size had not changed; without Li Ya, he could not judge the growth stage of the White Spirit Rat.


    The little creature had been spinning in front of him for a long time.


    The White Spirit Rat seemed to understand Gu An''s words; it suddenly jumped up, bit Gu An''s hand, then swiftly ran away.


    Gu An did not feel any pain, so he was not angry; his gaze followed and saw that the White Spirit Rat actually stopped and started frantically running in circles again.


    Wait a second!


    Could it be...


    Gu An thought of something and quickly stood up, walking toward the White Spirit Rat.


    Seeing him approach, the White Spirit Rat no longer dallied and ran towards the forest, and soon, both disappeared into the woods.


    Wuxin stood under the tree, looking in the direction Gu An had gone; frowning, he speculated, "The forest again... Lu Jiujia mentioned that the previous Li Ya and Meng Lang also liked to cultivate alone in the forest, and Senior Brother''s leg technique is far superior to his cultivation realm. Could there be a secret in the forest?"


    The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed; he did not follow Gu An but planned to check it out quietly at night.


    On the other hand.


    Gu An followed the White Spirit Rat over mountains and ridges, eventually leaving Medicine Valley.


    Good grief, does this creature regularly roam this far?


    Gu An realized he had underestimated the White Spirit Rat and grew even more curious about where it would lead him.


    Before, Li Ya had said that the White Spirit Rat held the title of Treasure Hunting Rat.


    Could it have found the seventh-tier Spirit Tree?

 Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Serving as Valley Master

    Gu An truly underestimated the activity range of the White Spirit Rat. He followed it for over ten miles, and the rat still didn''t stop.


    The further he got from Mystic Valley, the less interest he had.


    Although he had been to the Outer Sect, that was only on one route.


    With Mystic Valley at the center, once he passed a radius of twenty miles, he felt it would be dangerous, even though he was already at the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Fortunately, the White Spirit Rat did not continue indefinitely. When it was about twenty miles away from Mystic Valley, it stopped.


    This was still a mountainous area, with a small stream flowing down from the mountains. The White Spirit Rat stopped at the edge of the stream and began to circle around.


    Gu An walked up to it. There were many flowers and plants on both sides of the stream, as well as numerous stones of varying sizes.


    He picked up the White Spirit Rat, then swept his right leg across.


    Boom¡ª


    Grass and debris flew everywhere, and stones scattered all around. Gu An cleared a large area with just one sweep of his leg.


    Looking closely, he discovered a square stone slab near the stream.


    I''ll be damned!


    A manhole cover?


    Gu An walked over to the stone slab and crouched down. The slab was carved with mysterious patterns he had never seen before, neither in writing nor in pictures.


    He could feel a trace of Spiritual Energy leaking from the edges of the stone slab, which perhaps was why the White Spirit Rat had been able to find this place.


    In the Foundation Establishment Realm, one already has Divine Sense. Divine Sense is an invisible, intangible force. When Divine Sense reaches out, it is like opening the Heavenly Eye, enabling one to see through objects and spy within.


    Gu An seldom used it, but that didn''t mean he lacked Divine Sense. In fact, as soon as one reached the seventh layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, one could begin to cultivate Divine Sense.


    He immediately concentrated his Divine Sense in an attempt to penetrate the stone slab and explore the space beneath.


    However, as soon as his Divine Sense touched the slab, it was repelled by a mysterious force, causing his body to tremble.


    This strong?


    Even Divine Sense at the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm couldn''t penetrate its Restriction...


    Gu An hesitated. With such a strong Restriction, could there be immense danger beneath?


    There were currents of Spiritual Energy inside. Either it was nurturing some kind of heavenly material or treasure, or someone was in seclusion below.


    No!


    He couldn''t be reckless!


    He needed to observe for a while first!


    Gu An let go of the White Spirit Rat, then moved the surrounding stones and weeds to cover the mysterious stone slab completely. Only after he had thoroughly concealed the slab did he take the White Spirit Rat and turn back to the valley.


    The White Spirit Rat squeaked, but he paid it no mind.


    Upon his return to Mystic Valley, Gu An did not mention this to anyone, as if he had never left the valley.


    In the following nights, in addition to his daily tasks, Gu An would go to the vicinity of the stone slab to observe.


    Night after night, there were no signs of the covering materials around the slab being disturbed.


    Apart from that, Gu An noticed that Wuxin went into the forest every night, apparently in search of something.


    He did not expose Wuxin, as his intuition told him that Wuxin had an extraordinary identity.


    A lifespan of over three hundred years at the second layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm suggested that he must be practicing some special Cultivation Technique.


    Gu An had once specifically used his Divine Sense to observe Wuxin''s cultivation, but could not discern anything exceptional¡ªit seemed just like normal Energy Absorption cultivation.


    And so, the scorching summer passed.


    Mystic Valley gradually became covered with the yellow of fall, and Gu An cleared seventeen plots of land in the surrounding mountains. The workload increased, requiring Xiaochuan and others to patrol every day.


    One evening.


    Cheng Xuandan summoned Gu An, signaling with his eyes for him to follow. The master and apprentice walked towards the mountain peak to the north.


    Gu An looked at Cheng Xuandan''s receding figure with complex emotions.


    Cheng Xuandan''s lifespan had decreased again; his age matched his remaining life, meaning he was nearing death.


    Even though Cheng Xuandan had tricked him, Cheng Xuandan indeed had made considerable sacrifices for him. As a man facing imminent death, he couldn''t help feeling sentimental.


    He tried to convince himself not to feel sad.


    He was pursuing the path of immortal cultivation toward eternal life. He would inevitably experience many more farewells in the future and would eventually get used to them.


    Of course, this was provided that he could keep on living.


    Wuxin, who was watering plants, saw Gu An and his master''s figures and raised an eyebrow.


    He silently noted the direction the two were heading, certain that there must be some secrets within that stretch of forest. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they entered the woods, Cheng Xuandan spoke, "I am taking you to the entrance that leads underground. You cannot tell anyone about this place, including your junior brothers and sisters. Today they may be close to you, but once they leave Medicine Valley and gain experience in the outside world, they will become strangers to you."


    Gu An did not argue; he had always been clear on this point.


    As long as Xiaochuan and the others didn''t abandon their goal of becoming Outer Disciples, their separation was inevitable.


    After a moment of hesitation, Gu An asked, "Master, were you originally from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, or were you chosen by them later?"


    Cheng Xuandan''s steps were heavier than before. He replied, "My experience is the same as yours. My identity is inherited from my teacher."


    Gu An fell silent.


    He suddenly felt that Cheng Xuandan was also a pitiable person.


    "After doing some work for my master, I couldn''t get rid of this identity. But I have no regrets," Cheng Xuandan said.


    Hearing his master''s words, Gu An wanted to speak but refrained.


    He hadn''t done anything yet, but could he make it ashore?


    Cheng Xuandan began recounting his experiences with his master, who he described as having an unpredictable temperament, sometimes stern and other times capricious, like a child.


    In his words, his master was like an old child who never grew up.


    They wound their way to the back of the mountain peak, where Cheng Xuandan stopped in front of a moss and vine-covered cliff face.


    "Master, is Martial Master dead or alive?" asked Gu An, unable to hold back his question.


    He thought of the stone tablet he had been focusing on, which wasn''t far from Mystic Valley, and with the Master of Mystic Valley being a spy for the Demon Path, he had reason to suspect that the stone tablet was left by Cheng Xuandan''s master.


    Cheng Xuandan replied, "He bid farewell and left before passing away in meditation, and your teacher will follow in his footsteps. I''ll be leaving tomorrow, and I bequeath all of Medicine Valley to you."


    Gu An''s brow furrowed, but it wasn''t Cheng Xuandan he was considering - it was his master.


    Does that mean Cheng Xuandan''s master might still be alive?


    Cheng Xuandan took out a compass from his sleeve, pushed aside a piece of vine on the cliff face, found a groove, and pressed the compass into it. As he channeled his spiritual power into it, the compass trembled and emitted a faint light.


    Gu An could clearly feel Cheng Xuandan''s breath growing even weaker.


    He couldn''t help worrying that Cheng Xuandan might suddenly die right there.


    The cliff face began to tremble, but the sound was not loud. Soon, a hole appeared in the cliff, one that Gu An had to lower his head to enter.


    Cheng Xuandan said, "Go on in, I''ll wait for you outside."


    Gu An hesitated and said, "Master, why don''t you hand me the compass? After you leave, then I will go in."


    Cheng Xuandan smiled, then took off the compass and handed it to Gu An.


    A stone door emerged from the hole in the cliff, sealing it off completely again. It was so perfectly aligned that it didn''t look like there had been a hole at all.


    Cheng Xuandan turned and began to walk down the mountain, with Gu An following him.


    "The underground space has its own set of complete formations. In the future, if you wish to plant some spirit grasses and spirit flowers that you don''t want others to know about, you may choose to grow them below," Cheng Xuandan said softly, as if making his final arrangements.


    Gu An listened attentively, feeling conflicted. He was grateful for Cheng Xuandan''s actions, but deep down, he always remained on guard.


    He couldn''t relax until the very end.


    Since Cheng Xuandan was going to die anyway, he could relax after his death.


    In the future, Gu An would offer incense to Cheng Xuandan annually, and he would show his respect then.


    The descent down the mountain was slow. Cheng Xuandan''s voice was faint as he described everything below ground, and Gu An listened carefully. The details were plentiful and didn''t sound fabricated.


    By the time they reached Medicine Valley, night had already fallen.


    Cheng Xuandan''s last words to Gu An were, "Life''s journey is long. Sometimes being of average talent is a good thing, and you can do what you want to do."


    Gu An watched him return to the pavilion. After Cheng Xuandan shut the door, Gu An still stood there, gazing, lost in thought.


    After standing still for nearly half an ancient hour, Gu An finally walked to his own courtyard.


    The junior brothers were all cultivating in their rooms, and the courtyard was quiet.


    That night, Gu An was cultivating the entire time.


    Just before dawn, he heard Cheng Xuandan''s footsteps. He went to the window and watched Cheng Xuandan descend the stairs.


    Cheng Xuandan moved staggeringly and slowly.


    He didn''t look in Gu An''s direction. After descending the stairs, he headed straight for the valley entrance.


    Gu An watched his figure vanish at the mouth of the valley but still did not leave the window.


    When the sun rose from the eastern mountain, the first rays of the morning sun crept over the mountaintops, casting Gu An''s elongated shadow.


    When Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, Ye Lan, and Wuxin gradually woke up, they all sensed something amiss in Medicine Valley.


    They quickly realized what was wrong. Usually, at this time, the senior brother would lead them in their cultivation techniques, and that body-strengthening technique known as "Eaglet Taking Flight" indeed held some profound secrets.


    The unwavering Gu An had, surprisingly, not led them in their exercises today.


    It wasn''t until noon that Gu An appeared and gathered them together to announce that Cheng Xuandan had departed and, starting from today, he was the Master of Medicine Valley.


    Xiaochuan and the others were somewhat excited as they asked about Cheng Xuandan''s whereabouts. Ever since Li Ya had left, Cheng Xuandan had become gentle, and he was very kind to his disciples, so their impression of him was extremely good.


    Only Wuxin was not particularly moved.


    After half an ancient hour of commotion, the junior brothers and sister finally dispersed.


    Gu An went to the mountain peak, gazing at the direction Cheng Xuandan had left.


    It was only after Cheng Xuandan''s figure had completely disappeared from view that Gu An went into Cheng Xuandan''s room.


    Cheng Xuandan''s pill furnace was still there, and the table beside it was covered with various items, including a storage bag, letters, numerous keys, and even a jar of spirit flowers.


    He picked up the letter and read its simple content:


    ''My dear disciple, knowing your fondness for harvesting flowers, I leave you with a fifth-order Tiger Blood Flower to pick as a parting gift.''


    A smile appeared on Gu An''s face as he then picked up the storage bag.


    He was most interested in that item.


    What cultivator would be without a storage bag?


    And so, he began to check the legacy Cheng Xuandan left behind.


    It wasn''t until evening that Gu An left Cheng Xuandan''s pavilion, now with a purple fabric bag at his waist, which was Cheng Xuandan''s storage bag.


    He headed toward the northern mountain peak, arrived at the cliff where the underground entrance was, and took a compass out of the storage bag, placing it in the groove on the cliff face.


    Along with a deep rumble, a hole appeared in front of him.


    Gu An took the compass and then ducked his head to enter the hole. After only five steps, the tunnel suddenly expanded, and as he moved forward, the mouth of the tunnel began to close.

 Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Myriad Poison Mystic Skill, 7000-Year Life Span

    After the entrance completely closed, Gu An continued along the tunnel.


    With the spiritual power of the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment Realm, Gu An moved as if walking in broad daylight, unimpeded, while the tunnel widened as he progressed, seemingly endless.


    Gu An grew more curious about Cheng Xuandan''s master, wondering what kind of remarkable person could construct such a massive underground tunnel?


    The tunnel meandered downward, and after traveling over ten Ancient Hours, Gu An still hadn''t reached the end.


    He could now be certain that the area beneath the slab was connected to this underground tunnel.


    A gust of Spirit Wind came from the tunnel ahead, hitting Gu An''s face, making him feel refreshed and delighted.


    Light began to appear ahead in the tunnel. The walls were set with various colored crystal stones, which Gu An carefully sensed and found disappointing as they were not Spirit Stones.


    If they had all been Spirit Stones, he would have struck it rich!


    As Gu An thought this, he continued forward.


    His senses remained on high alert. Although Cheng Xuandan had been very good to him until the end, the thought of Cheng Xuandan''s methods with Meng Lang made him cautious.


    What if Cheng Xuandan was just acting?


    After walking a few more Ancient Hours, Gu An saw that the tunnel ahead was very bright, and he heard the sound of water.


    The exit was here!


    Gu An cautiously made his way forward, arrived at the tunnel exit, and looked into the underground space ahead, his eyes widening.


    "I really struck it rich¡­"


    Gu An murmured to himself, a look of joy in his eyes.


    Following his gaze, there was a vast underground space ahead, several times larger than Mystic Valley, with a height from the ground to the ceiling of over a hundred yards. A giant tree, over a hundred meters tall and needing dozens of people to encircle it, stood there. Its branches and leaves were sparse, bearing fruits that looked like lanterns, glowing blue and translucent.


    Beneath the tree was a dense grassland, and beside it, a two-yard-wide underground river flowed, perfectly at the edge of the space, against the cliff.


    [Green Vine Tree (Grade Seven): 245/9999/87600]


    An extreme life span of eighty-seven thousand!


    Nearly ten thousand current life span!


    Seeing this prompt, Gu An felt an impulse to uproot the tree but restrained himself.


    According to Cheng Xuandan, this seventh-grade Spirit Tree was key to the underground formation, overseeing the entire formation which allowed other heavenly materials and treasures to grow freely. The Spiritual Energy gathered by these treasures would drive the formation and, in turn, nourish the Spirit Tree.


    If he uprooted the Green Vine Tree, Gu An would lose a planting site of immense potential.


    This place could also serve as his dwelling. The formations set by Cheng Xuandan''s master were extensive and rich. Here, one could cultivate and make breakthroughs without any noise escaping.


    Gu An scanned around and saw numerous distinctive stone statues embedded in the tunnel walls in various directions, each with unique symbols between them, arcane and mysterious.


    He stepped out of the tunnel entrance, and as he entered, he noticed a stone tablet next to him, engraved with four characters:


    Eight Scenic Caves!


    After looking at it briefly, Gu An continued to walk into the Grotto Heaven.


    Along the way, he frantically used Life Span Detection.


    All over the place were third and fourth-grade Spirit Grasses and Spirit Flowers. The closer to the Green Vine Tree, the higher the grade of the herbs, dazzling him.


    With such a huge treasury hidden, how could Cheng Xuandan fail to reach Foundation Establishment?


    Gu An didn''t know whether to sympathize with Cheng Xuandan''s poor abilities or his inadequate alchemy skills.


    Even if his alchemy skills were lacking, Cheng Xuandan could sell some herbs, exchange them for Spirit Stones, or ask the Alchemists of Supreme Sect for help with alchemy.


    In Gu An''s view, for a Sect like Supreme Sect, securing resources for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator shouldn''t be difficult.


    Of course, another possibility was that Cheng Xuandan feared revealing his identity.


    Gu An walked to the base of the Green Vine Tree. Standing there, he could better feel the vastness and vitality of the tree.


    He circled around the Green Vine Tree and saw that there were not just one entrance to the Eight Scenic Caves but a total of eight.


    He suspected one of the entrances might lead to the slab he had discovered earlier.


    He had no immediate plans to explore the other entrances. Turning around, he took out the Hundred Herbs Collection from his storage bag and began to cross-reference them.


    If they were ripe, he would pick them directly!


    The harvested herbs could be taken to the Outer Sect, exchanged for more high-rank seeds, and his developments could continue!


    The thought alone excited Gu An.


    An hour flew by swiftly. Gu An had already harvested over a hundred and thirty third-grade Spirit Herbs, wildly reaping over nine hundred life spans, taking his total life span past the five thousand-year milestone.


    This identity of a demon spy was worth it!


    Gu An was exhilarated, as the Eight Scenic Caves had a vast amount of medicinal herbs planted. He had only harvested one-tenth so far, and even these were of the lowest grade.


    In the future, this would be his dwelling, his secret base!


    Just as Gu An was about to bend down to pick the next herb, he suddenly heard a noise and immediately turned around, his gaze shifting towards a distant cave entrance.


    The cave entrance was pitch-black, looking eerie and terrifying.


    Gu An moved to the side.


    Not all the plants on the grass were medicinal herbs; there were also ordinary weeds. He suspected a fight might break out next, so he had to move to avoid damaging his herbs.


    Those were his lifeline!


    Gu An walked towards the underground river, his gaze constantly on that cave entrance.


    Soon, footsteps and heavy panting could be heard from inside the cave, as if a beast was about to emerge.


    A foot stepped out from the darkness, and when Gu An finally saw the true identity of the figure in the cave, he frowned.


    It was Meng Lang!


    At this moment, Meng Lang was disheveled, with tattered clothes and bare feet, his neck covered in bloodstains. His face was flushed as if scorched, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins, and white mist emanated from his mouth.


    "Roar¡ª¡ª"


    Meng Lang roared at Gu An and charged toward him fiercely.


    His speed was very fast, and the distance between him and Gu An was rapidly closing.


    Far from retreating, Gu An advanced, stepping forward to meet the charge.


    The distance between them quickly shortened, kicking up bits of grass along the way.


    Meng Lang leaped, trying to tackle Gu An. Gu An sidestepped and delivered a knee to Meng Lang''s abdomen, sending him flying back.


    Gu An''s brow furrowed even more, his right leg feeling somewhat numb.


    Good heavens!


    How had Meng Lang become so tough?


    Gu An felt that even the Demon of Greed was not as tough as Meng Lang. Although he had not used his full strength or his Spiritual Power, he could still make a rough judgment.


    He had held back his power because he wanted to see if Meng Lang could still come back to life.


    He shook his right leg and charged at Meng Lang again.


    Meng Lang fell on the grass, seemingly impervious to pain, and immediately got up again, lunging at Gu An.


    Gu An planted his right foot forward, forcibly stopping his body''s motion, and then lifted his left leg, channeling Spiritual Power into it to execute the Gale Shadowless Leg technique.


    The violent wind sprang up from the ground, and successive shadows of kicks landed on Meng Lang, sending him flying again. He rolled over a dozen times before finally coming to a stop.


    His limbs were clearly twisted. He tried to get up, but the next second he fell, his forehead heavily hitting the grass.


    Gu An retracted his leg, a curious expression on his face.


    Was the Medicine Poison from Cheng Xuandan so powerful?


    Just at first grade yet possessing such a robust physique, felt comparable to the Demon of Greed!


    How could Cheng Xuandan compare to the Great Cultivator backing the Demon of Greed?


    Gu An was increasingly certain that Cheng Xuandan was hiding something, probably related to his master.


    He walked up to Meng Lang, looking down at his body, grotesque like a demon, his mind filled with hesitation, unsure how to proceed.


    "He''s already dead anyway, why should I care about his identity from before?"


    Gu An''s eyes flickered, and the grass and dust around his feet began slowly swirling upward, indicating that he was cultivating energy.


    At that moment!


    Gu An saw the corner of a book peeking out from Meng Lang''s embrace. He immediately reached out, pulling the book towards him with Spiritual Power from afar.


    "Myriad Poison Mystic Skill..."


    Gu An whispered, quickly flipping through the book. It was a Cultivation Technique, and moreover, it was incomplete¡ªthe last page showed a clear break in content.


    Besides the initial Technique of Immortal Cultivation, there were also records of five types of Poison Skills, each accompanied by illustrations. After comparing them, he finally identified the Poison Worm that Meng Lang was afflicted with.


    Flame Corpse Poison!


    "The afflicted, their bodies harbor flaming energy, flesh tough as deep rock, possessing immense strength... incurable by any medicine, unbreakable by any skill, until their bodies are utterly shattered..."


    Gu An read this and couldn''t help but look at Meng Lang, his eyes showing sympathy.


    How pitiful.


    The Myriad Poison Mystic Skill had a method to suppress the Flame Corpse Poison; it merely required covering his seven orifices, preventing the Poison Worm from consuming Spiritual Energy, which would force the worm into a dormant state, rendering the host immobile.


    He immediately used mud to seal Meng Lang''s seven orifices, then he stood up and looked towards the cave entrance from which Meng Lang had come.


    He did not immediately go to explore but put the Myriad Poison Mystic Skill into his Storage Bag and turned to continue harvesting medicinal herbs.


    Even if Cheng Xuandan''s master was still alive, he had not attacked him, a Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator. Whether due to a lack of intent to kill or inability to move, why should he stir up trouble unnecessarily?


    The longer the time passed, the more beneficial it was for Gu An.


    An hour later.


    Gu An left the Eight Scenic Caves, satisfied, with his life span having reached an impressive seven thousand years!


    He had harvested all the third grade medicinal herbs he could, and it was time to plant new seeds, which would take years to mature anyway.


    After harvesting the third-grade medicinal herbs, it would be time to harvest the fourth-grade ones!


    To prevent damaging the ecological balance maintained by the formation, Gu An did not collect all the mature medicinal herbs at once. He harvested some and planted some, a sustainable and effective method for steady development!


    And even if the medicinal herbs were mature, they could be left to grow longer; the longer they lived, the more life span they could capture. Of course, there was a threshold to this, and Gu An was still observing it.


    ...


    The next morning, the new Master of Mystic Valley, Gu An, left his room early and immediately urged his junior brothers to come out.


    After hearing Xiaochuan''s response, he proceeded towards Ye Lan''s courtyard.


    "Junior sister, time to come out," Gu An called.


    "Okay, senior brother,"


    Ye Lan quickly responded, more proactive than the junior brothers.


    It wasn''t long before everyone was standing in front of Gu An. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An glanced around at them and smiled, "Congratulations, you''re going to be senior uncles soon. I''m going to take in more Servant Disciples, and they will be my disciples, your junior nephews."


    At these words, everyone became excited, eagerly discussing the future. No one mentioned Cheng Xuandan, not because they were heartless or dishonorable, but because they had agreed privately not to mention Cheng Xuandan for the next month.


    Gu An gave a few encouraging words, then started to lead his junior brothers and sisters in exercises to stir their muscles and bones. Afterwards, he still had to go to the Eight Scenic Caves to plant flowers and herbs.


    Life was about to become busy!

 Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Life Span Barrier, Breaking Through to the Elixir Formation Realm

    In Eight Scenic Caves, the light from the fruits of the Green Vine Tree shone upon cave walls, while the shimmering reflections from the underground river did likewise, bestowing tranquility and beauty upon the grotto.


    Gu An walked under the Green Vine Tree, turned around with his hands on his hips, and gazed upon the area he had planted with a satisfied smile on his face.


    As the saying goes, "You reap what you sow!"


    The romance he pursued was in cultivating his crops and his spiritual path!


    All that fighting and scheming could stay far away from him!


    Immersed in self-satisfaction, Gu An''s attention drifted.


    He wanted to build a loft within the Eight Scenic Caves where he could take refuge and rest occasionally.


    He was still young now, but in fifty or sixty years, he could follow in Cheng Xuandan''s footsteps, let his senior disciple handle all affairs, and simply enjoy life.


    But it was still too early to think about a senior disciple since Medicine Valley was his foundation, and not just anyone who became his disciple could oversee everything.


    Many plans began to form in Gu An''s mind.


    First, he needed to train a Deputy Valley Master!


    Xiaochuan was worth considering, with mediocre talent but honest nature, though his manner of speaking and dealing with people was somewhat rigid.


    Lu Jiujia would eventually move to the Outer Sect, so he was out of the question.


    Ye Lan...


    No, it was best to send her away early, to avoid destroying his Daoist Heart.


    As for Wuxin, that needed further consideration!


    He would have to recruit more disciples!


    While contemplating, Gu An looked up.


    He was curious about the fruits of the Green Vine Tree; some celestial and terrestrial treasures had fruits as their form. Would picking the fruits of the Green Vine Tree explode his life span?


    No sooner thought than done!


    Gu An leapt up, grabbed a fruit, and tore it off.


    He landed on the grass, then admired the fruit in his hand¡ªa pumpkin-sized fruit that he estimated to weigh seven or eight kilograms.


    Gu An took out a sheet of Spirit Protection Paper from his Storage Bag to wrap around the fruit''s long stem, to prevent the leakage of spiritual energy and loss of nutrients.


    All this was money, after all!


    About ten breaths later, a line of text appeared before his eyes:


    ["You have successfully obtained a Green Vine Fruit (Sixth Rank) with 85 years of life span."]


    Damn, that''s good!


    85 years of life span!


    Gu An''s gaze towards the Green Vine Tree changed.


    This was a veritable money tree!


    It absolutely must not be uprooted!


    It has to be well cared for until the end, so it can be cultivated and cherished!


    Excited, Gu An threw the Green Vine Fruit into his Storage Bag, and then counted the fruits on the tree. There were sixteen of the same large size as the one he just plucked, and he refrained from touching the smaller ones.


    He immediately sprung into action.


    Some of the fruits were in high places, and he had to climb the tree to reach them.


    In that moment, he fervently wished he had learned the Sword Control Technique.


    Still at the Foundation Establishment Realm, he could not yet fly or levitate, nor did he have any other means to do so.


    After much effort, Gu An finally succeeded in picking all sixteen Green Vine Fruits, amassing a total of one thousand three hundred sixty years of life span.


    His total life span had now reached eight thousand four hundred years!


    He was getting closer and closer to the ten-thousand-year mark!


    Enough!


    All in one go!


    Once he reached ten thousand years, he could increase his cultivation level through investment, then explore the other seven cave entrances, ensure they were clear of dangers, and then he could live peacefully and quietly!


    With a plan in mind, Gu An set out to execute it.


    The Eight Scenic Caves were rich with medicinal herbs, and he kept his eye on his Attribute Panel as he picked, planning to stop as soon as he reached ten thousand years of life span.


    An hour later.


    A prompt appeared before Gu An.


    ["You have achieved a life span of over ten thousand years for the first time, unlocking the Life Span Barrier feature."]


    ["Life Span Barrier: Consumes life span to open a barrier that can block all spying, perception, and speculation. The life span consumed depends on your cultivation level aura and the required spiritual energy."]


    Life Span Barrier?


    At the sight of the words "consumes life span," Gu An furrowed his brow¡ªwasn''t this asking for his life?


    But after reading the full explanation, he was pleasantly surprised.


    His breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm had already caused such a commotion, what would happen when he reached even higher realms?


    If things continued in this way, he would inevitably alarm the entire Supreme Sect, something that Gu An had worried about before.


    Now, he had no such fears!


    This feature was too good to be true!


    I like it!


    Gu An chuckled to himself as he walked towards the cave entrance.


    Once he broke through to the Core Formation Realm, he would explore the other entrances.


    Although the Eight Scenic Caves had formations protecting them, there could still be dangers within, so he decided to break through outside, which would be a good opportunity to test the Life Span Barrier.


    No matter what lay hidden in the shadows, he would face it unflinchingly!


    When Gu An returned to Medicine Valley, it was already deep into the night.


    He had moved into the loft previously occupied by Cheng Xuandan, which also housed many secret manuals, Elixir Records, and rare books, all of which he intended to read through eventually.


    After entering the house, Gu An approached a wooden cabinet made of special wood that could preserve the spiritual energy of celestial and terrestrial treasures as much as possible¡ªa fact previously explained by Cheng Xuandan. There were several such cabinets.


    He took out all the Green Vine Fruits and placed them in the cabinet.


    Suddenly thinking of something, he took out another Green Vine Fruit and placed it on the table.


    Sitting at the table, he pulled out the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion Secret History from his bosom and began to read quietly.


    It wasn''t until the late night that the White Spirit Rat finally returned.


    It ran straight to Gu An''s shoulder, its small eyes fixed intently on the Green Vine Fruit on the table.


    Gu An gently picked it up and placed it on the table, then waited for it to make a move.


    The White Spirit Rat approached the Green Vine Fruit, sniffed its scent, then climbed on top of it and started to nibble gently.


    Gu An was not clear on the miraculous effects of the Green Vine Fruit, as the Hundred Herbs Collection didn''t list heaven and earth treasures above the fifth rank, so he could only use the White Spirit Rat to test it.


    He let the White Spirit Rat choose for itself, banking on its nature as a Spirit Beast; if the Green Vine Fruit was poisonous, it should be able to smell it.


    If it couldn''t smell the poison, then Gu An would give it a generous burial.


    The Green Vine Fruit was ten times the size of the White Spirit Rat, and it struggled to gnaw on it, but Gu An did not help.


    Waiting was boring, so he simply decided to break through tonight!


    Gu An stood up, then quietly left the pavilion, sneaking out of Mystic Valley, and headed west. He crossed mountains and valleys, travelling nearly twenty leagues.


    First, he jumped to the top of a large tree and observed in all directions, ensuring there were no signs or traces of other cultivators. Only then did he sit down on a patch of grass in the mountain valley to meditate.


    He hadn''t consumed life span for cultivation for quite some time and found himself quite expectant.


    With the Life Span Barrier in place, Gu An could safely evolve his cultivation level this time.


    "Let''s start with a thousand years to test the waters," he thought, feeling bold with ten thousand years of life span in his possession. What was a mere thousand-year investment?


    It was just a splash of water!


    He invested a thousand years of his life span into cultivating energy in order to evolve his cultivation practice.


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for thirty years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for a hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for a hundred and fifty years, and with the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully assaulted the Core Formation Realm, starting tribulation crossing. You did not endure the Minor Heavenly Tribulation, and the tribulation crossing failed]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for two hundred years, and with the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully assaulted the Core Formation Realm, starting tribulation crossing. You did not endure the Minor Heavenly Tribulation, and the tribulation crossing failed]


    ...


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for four hundred and fifty years, and with the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully assaulted the Core Formation Realm, starting tribulation crossing. You successfully endured the Minor Heavenly Tribulation, condensed a Golden Core, and stepped into the Core Formation Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for five hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the second layer of the Core Formation Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for six hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the third layer of the Core Formation Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for seven hundred and twenty years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the fourth layer of the Core Formation Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for eight hundred and fifty years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the fifth layer of the Core Formation Realm]


    [You have cultivated Energy Absorption for a thousand years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the sixth layer of the Core Formation Realm]


    Line after line of prompts crazily flashed before Gu An''s eyes.


    Seeing the six failed tribulation attempts, Gu An nearly ran out of breath with frustration. Was crossing tribulations really that difficult?


    Accompanied by the last prompt, Gu An''s body began to cultivate energy autonomously, and he instantly felt a surge of nature''s spiritual energy about to erupt. He hurriedly activated his Life Span Barrier.


    [Life Span Barrier activated, lifespan consumed: 0 years]


    This prompt hung directly before his eyes, and as nature''s spiritual energy flowed into him, the number 0 jumped to 1.


    "Hope the consumption isn''t too great..." Gu An silently prayed.


    As the abundant nature''s spiritual energy crazily flooded into him, he felt incredibly unobstructed and experienced an indescribable sense of exhilaration.


    This time, he didn''t move during his breakthrough, so he didn''t feel any pain.


    With him at the center, the ground released waves of energy that rushed towards him from all directions, diving into his body. One could faintly see an invisible barrier with a diameter of nearly fifty meters.


    Gu An looked beyond the barrier and saw that outside it, there was not even a slight disturbance; the grass and trees were completely calm, clearly unaffected by him.


    He became immediately curious, wondering why there was no disturbance.


    Soon, he understood.


    Once the barrier was up, the spiritual energy he absorbed for cultivation came from the earth''s depths.


    This completely put his mind at ease.


    Not much time passed before his cultivation level reached the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and the life span consumed by the barrier had reached five years, causing him a bit of heartache.


    This thing was too costly!


    It reminded him of the experience of playing some mobile games in his previous life.


    One word: expensive!


    Just as Gu An was inwardly complaining, he suddenly saw a bright light in the distant mountains. Narrowing his eyes, he faintly discerned the scene of cultivators engaged in combat.


    Ten leagues away.


    Above the forest, Shi Yang swung his sword, releasing slashes of Sword Qi, sweeping through like a wild wind through the woods, scattering leaves in a frenzy.


    Dressed in black, Li Ya stood atop a tree, lifting his sword before him. A powerful force burst from him, forming a faint golden bell shadow that repelled all of Shi Yang''s Sword Qi.


    Shi Yang''s black hair whipped wildly in the wind, his face sporting a ferocious and defiant grin. He laughed loudly, "Li Ya, is this all the skill you have? You think you can contend with the Prince with such ability? Will you even make it into the Inner Sect alive?"


    Li Ya''s face was stern as his gaze shifted towards Mystic Valley.


    This won''t do!


    If this keeps up, it would alert the people of Medicine Valley.


    Li Ya didn''t want to bring trouble to Gu An and the others. He immediately pushed his sword, dispelling the Sword Qi, then flew in the opposite direction of Mystic Valley. Shi Yang pursued closely, and both of them flew on their swords, swiftly vanishing to the edge of the night sky.


    Within the Life Span Barrier, Gu An couldn''t see clearly the cultivators fighting in the distance, but fortunately, the bright lights disappeared.


    He dared not let his guard down; the Life Span Barrier could not probe, perceive, or deduce, but that didn''t mean it was completely nullified. What if someone accidentally stumbled into it?


    Time passed quickly as Gu An''s heart was filled with apprehension.


    Golden Core was beginning to condense inside him!


    As the Life Span Barrier''s consumption surpassed fifty years, his Core Formation was successful!


    Although the consumption of the Life Span Barrier was high, it was within the range Gu An could accept.


    Before beginning, he had been worried it might be too exploitative and drain him dry instantly.


    Now, his worries had vanished into thin air.


    Another thought crossed his mind.


    Having reached the sixth layer of the Core Formation Realm with a thousand years, should he continue to invest in his cultivation? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Transformation of the Spirit Root, Cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm

    The night sky was silent, with only the occasional cries of birds and beasts, as the mountain forest lay quiet in the darkness.


    Gu An sat meditating within the Life Span Barrier, enjoying the moonlight.


    The moon tonight was beautiful, just like his mood.


    His cultivation level had reached the fourth layer of the Core Formation Realm, drawing ever closer to its end.


    He planned to keep investing, right up until he broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, and then invest in an ultimate skill, for the Gale Shadowless Leg no longer satisfied him.


    What Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator would use legs?


    It had to be a sword!


    Gu An decided to bestow his favor upon the Li Family''s Seven Swords; with the cultivation level of the Nascent Soul Realm, he needed the attack methods worthy of it.


    Assume Cheng Xuandan''s master is a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator!


    Gu An intended to overestimate his opponent as much as possible to reduce the chance of defeat.


    After the Cultivator he had combated earlier left, he never returned, allowing Gu An''s heart to finally relax.


    As a Core Formation Realm Cultivator, he had enough influence in the Outer Sect to swagger around; even if someone were to burst in suddenly, they wouldn''t be able to withstand a single kick from him!


    Core Formation Realm, fifth layer!


    With another increase in cultivation level, Gu An''s Divine Sense also grew stronger.


    The Core Formation Realm and the Foundation Establishment Realm were as different as heaven and earth.


    The difference in Spiritual Power was like the gap between the sky and the earth; his Divine Sense now could be concentrated to form a powerful impact force.


    Having reached the Core Formation Realm, he felt as though he truly resembled a Cultivator.


    If the Core Formation Realm was like this, how powerful would the Nascent Soul Realm be?


    Gu An could hardly wait to invest his life force.


    He was forced to wait until his cultivation level reached a breakthrough to the sixth layer of the Core Formation Realm, then he finally pulled up the Attribute Panel.


    His gaze involuntarily drifted towards his Spirit Root.


    He had once tried to enhance his Spirit Root, but it was in vain, causing him a psychological shadow, fearful that it was a bottomless pit, so he shifted his life span to other areas. Moreover, deducing cultivation techniques could also improve Spirit Root Qualification.


    Now that he was strong enough and had plenty of life span left, it was time to try and elevate his Spirit Root once more.


    After some time, once the increase in his cultivation level halted, Gu An directly invested two thousand years of life span into his Spirit Root!


    "You have invested two thousand years of life span into the evolutionary cultivation of your Spirit Root"


    "You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for a hundred years, enhancing your Five Elements Spirit Root perception"


    "You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for two hundred years, enhancing your Five Elements Spirit Root perception"


    ¡­


    "You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for a thousand years, finally capturing a trace of the Heaven and Earth True Meaning.


    Your Spirit Root is baptized by heaven and earth, the qualifications of your Five Elements Spirit Root begin to transform, all of your Five Elements Spirit Root qualifications evolve into second-rate mortal qualifications, with the Wood Spirit Root being particularly prominent"


    "You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for twelve hundred years, enhancing your Five Elements Spirit Root perception"


    ¡­


    "You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for two thousand years, finally capturing a trace of the Heaven and Earth True Meaning, and at the same time, comprehending the earth''s vein flows. Your Spirit Root is baptized by heaven and earth; the qualifications of your Five Elements Spirit Roots begin to transform.


    All of your Five Elements Spirit Root qualifications evolve into first-rate mortal qualifications, with the Wood Spirit Root and the Earth Spirit Root being particularly prominent"


    Line after line of prompts appeared before Gu An''s eyes.


    When he saw the initial prompts about the Five Elements, his heart began to bleed.


    What a blunder! This thing truly is a bottomless pit!


    Seeing that the qualifications of all Five Elements Spirit Roots had reached first-rate, his mood lightened somewhat. However, he still felt pained, especially considering that his prior comprehension of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill had already brought his Wood Spirit Root to first-rate.


    That''s not the right way to think!


    He should consider that it took a thousand years for the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill to bring just one Spirit Root to first-rate; to get all Five Spirit Roots up there would require at least five thousand years.


    That raised the question: why hadn''t he cultivated techniques of the other four attributes?


    As a person, you must always try new things to find the most perfect path.


    As Gu An reflected upon himself, the Earth Spirit Energy surged once more, not to increase his cultivation level this time, but to temper his sinews and bones.


    Pain!


    Gu An experienced an unprecedented level of pain and could only grit his teeth and bear it.


    To divert his attention, he began thinking about the Attribute Panel again.


    It seemed that Spirit Root Qualification was the hardest to elevate, which made sense¡ªSpirit Root Qualification was akin to maximum life span, and cultivation level represented current life span. Breaking through the maximum limit was always the hardest.


    No amount of hard work could compare to breaking through a fate set by the heavens.


    That''s why the Supreme Sect treated geniuses so well; for them, Ji Xiaoyu with Dual Spirit Roots was far more important than a Core Formation Realm Cultivator.


    For most people, the fewer the Spirit Roots, the higher the qualification. If a person''s total Talent Value represented by their Spirit Roots is one hundred, then dual Spirit Roots could split fifty each, but if there were Five Elements Spirit Roots, the talent value for each would be only twenty, and being versatile sometimes means being mediocre.


    Now it was different for Gu An; by elevating his Spirit Root qualifications, it was as though he was increasing the total Talent Value from one hundred upward.


    Regrettably, he couldn''t invest cultivation into enhancing a single Spirit Root attribute. Currently, the other Spirit Roots weren''t of much help as he cultivated the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, so his cultivation speed increased only slightly.


    However, he noticed in the prompts that the prefix "mortal" preceded the first-rate qualification.


    Could there also be Holy Bodies and Spirit Bodies?


    Gu An let his thoughts wander, and meanwhile, the consumption rate of the Life Span Barrier began to slow down. From the start of the breakthrough, a total of one hundred thirty-four years had already been spent.


    As his Spirit Root Qualifications continued to improve, Gu An noticeably felt each attribute of Spiritual Energy become more distinct, which also caused his perception of the entire world to change.


    The sensation of pain was being replaced by a sense of novelty!


    After a long time.


    Gu An''s body no longer absorbed spiritual energy, and the spirit root on the attribute panel changed to a top-tier five elements spirit root. He did not rise to his feet but instead invested two thousand years of life span into his cultivation level.


    The failure of his tribulation cast a long shadow, so he decided to achieve a miracle by a bold stroke. If he were to invest only a thousand years of life span and got stuck at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would have no choice but to spit blood.


    Such a possibility did exist!


    After failing the tribulation, he would have to waste fifty years before he could continue to charge forth; it was all too real. In reality, failing a tribulation would result in either death or injury, and indeed recovering from such injuries took time.


    And the tribulations of the Nascent Soul Realm were bound to be even more difficult, with the number of failures likely to be nothing less than more!


    Begin!


    [You practiced energy absorption for a hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the seventh layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for two hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the eighth layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for three hundred years, and your cultivation level has broken through to the ninth layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for four hundred years. With the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully charged into the Nascent Soul Realm, began the tribulation, but you did not endure the Sanxuan heavenly tribulation, tribulation failed.]


    ...


    [You practiced energy absorption for a thousand and five hundred years. With the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully charged into the Nascent Soul Realm, began the tribulation, but you did not endure the Sanxuan heavenly tribulation, tribulation failed.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for one thousand six hundred years. With the great accomplishment of the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill, you forcefully charged into the Nascent Soul Realm, began the tribulation, and finally endured the Sanxuan heavenly tribulation, tribulation succeeded, promotion to Nascent Soul Realm.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for one thousand eight hundred years. your cultivation level has broken through to the second layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.]


    [You practiced energy absorption for two thousand years. your cultivation level has broken through to the third layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.]


    Damn!


    To actually fail twelve times!


    By the time Gu An saw that he failed the tribulation six times, his heart sank to the bottom. When he failed for the tenth time, his vision turned black.


    Thankfully, he eventually succeeded in breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Is the Nascent Soul Realm that difficult to break through?


    Collapsing into thought, Gu An realized why the life span consumed during simulated cultivation was higher than the actual expenditure.


    Simulated cultivation was akin to practicing without any aids. Normal cultivation would involve consuming elixirs, using formations to gather spiritual energy, both of which could also assist with crossing the tribulation, not to mention the marvelous effects of some rare and exotic treasures.


    The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged again, and the consumption speed of the life span barrier began to accelerate.


    Gu An calmed his heart and began to enjoy the upgrade of his cultivation level.


    ...


    The rising sun skimmed across the mortal world''s landscape, lighting up Mystic Valley as it gradually brightened. Standing on the mountaintop, Gu An looked down upon the autumn-colored forest; his robe fluttered in the wind, and the sunlight showered down upon him, as if at any moment, he might ascend and become an immortal.


    He had already condensed his nascent soul, becoming a true cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm!


    To reward himself, he increased his apparent cultivation level by one layer to the fourth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, and henceforth, he planned to increase it by one layer each year until he hit the ninth layer. This way, he would not be conscripted.


    He couldn''t resist checking his attribute panel once more.


    [Name: Gu An] S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Life Span: 22/4502]


    [Spirit Root: Top-tier five elements spirit root (with wood and earth attributes being more prominent) (life span can be invested for simulated cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul Realm third layer (life span can be invested for simulated cultivation)]


    [Cultivation Technique: Fire Control Art (not mastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (mastery), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (mastery), Alchemy (Initial Insight) (life span can be invested for simulated cultivation)]


    [Ultimate Skill: Gale Shadowless Leg (Integration and comprehension), Li family Seven Swords (not mastered), Eight Directions Step (not mastered) (life span can be invested for simulated cultivation)]


    In the future, Gu An planned to invest more in the Li family Seven Swords and then continue to accumulate life span¡ªsaving up to a significant milestone of a hundred thousand years before making use of it.


    For now, he needed a few days of rest to settle his excited heart.


    With his cultivation level of the Nascent Soul Realm, he could certainly go to the Supreme Sect to obtain decent positions and treatment. However, the thought of the sect possibly sending him out to slay demons and engage in combat with the demon path, or even possibly face infighting, quelled those stray thoughts.


    He who does not forget his beginnings, achieves the intended outcome!


    It didn''t matter who came calling; he was determined to hunker down in Mystic Valley till the end!


    Occasionally, he could search for heavenly materials and earthly treasures, but he must not divert his primary focus away from Mystic Valley.


    Higher status might allow his life span to increase much faster, but there was an equally proportional increase in danger. After all, since he had no enemies, why the hurry?


    Gu An turned around and started walking down the mountain.


    Already capable of flying in the sky at the Nascent Soul Realm, he chose not to do so, opting for walking down the mountain instead.


    When he got to Medicine Valley, Xiaochuan and the others gradually came out to greet him.


    "Senior Brother, you went up the mountain so early?" Ye Lan greeted Gu An, and whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that today''s Senior Brother seemed even more handsome.


    Gu An smiled and replied, "I went to check on the seeds. You will lead them in their practice today."


    Ye Lan nodded in agreement, wishing to ask more, but Gu An had already started walking towards the loft.


    Not far away, Wuxin watched Gu An''s figure, secretly thinking, "There must be a secret in the woods! I will surely find it!"


    Gu An ascended the stairs, pushed the door open, and upon entering, he immediately saw the White Spirit Rat lying on the table, its body inflated like a balloon, while the Green Vine Fruit was nowhere to be found.


    Still breathing, not dead!


    He immediately performed a life span detection on the White Spirit Rat.


    [White Spirit Rat (first order): 12/120/180]


    Hmm?


    Its life span had increased by seventy years; initially, the White Spirit Rat had only fifty years.


    Was the Green Vine Fruit''s medicinal effect so strong?


    Gu An immediately went over to the wooden cabinet, took out a Green Vine Fruit, and began to nibble on it.

 Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Li Ya Returns, Li Family Divine Weapon

    Gu An took his first bite of the Green Vine Fruit and immediately felt a warm energy flowing into his stomach, warming his entire body.


    It''s working!


    He began to eat it greedily, and in no time, the huge Green Vine Fruit was all gone.


    As he digested the fruit, he accessed his Attribute Panel, eagerly anticipating an increase in his life span.


    However, he ended up waiting for an entire hour.


    His life span didn''t increase at all!


    His Qi-Blood, on the other hand, had increased significantly, and his physical strength was greater.


    "What''s going on? Is my realm too high, or is this fruit only suitable for spirit beasts and demon beasts?" Gu An wondered privately.


    He looked at the White Spirit Rat on the table, which was still sound asleep. Its lifespan hadn''t increased further, but its aura was steadily growing stronger.


    Just wait and see!


    The White Spirit Rat slept for three days, and when it woke up, it was as big as an adult cat. It leaped into Gu An''s arms, affectionately nuzzling him, but its eyes were looking towards the cabinet behind them.


    "No more eating!"


    Gu An, who was reading a book, huffed, knowing it would cause trouble if it kept growing, especially with Xiaochuan and others getting curious.


    People like Lu Jiujia and Ye Lan would eventually go to the Outer Sect, and Gu An did not want them to know too many of his secrets.


    The White Spirit Rat looked pitifully at Gu An and even nodded its head, making Gu An widen his eyes in surprise.


    It actually understood?


    Gu An pointed his right hand to the side and said, "Come over here."


    The White Spirit Rat immediately jumped over without hesitation.


    He continued to issue commands, and as long as they were not complicated, the White Spirit Rat followed them, which made him grow increasingly fond of it.


    It''s finally acting like a spirit beast!


    Gu An picked up the White Spirit Rat and left the house with it.


    It was currently autumn, and all the gardens were filled with fallen leaves. Xiaochuan and the others were cleaning, and Medicine Valley was peaceful.


    As Gu An walked down the stairs, he set the White Spirit Rat down and said, "Don''t eat randomly."


    After saying that, he pointed at the White Spirit Rat''s mouth. It seemed to understand and nodded, then turned and hopped away.


    Gu An watched, his expression bemused.


    Why does it look like a rabbit?


    Could it be that not only its lifespan but also its genes had been altered?


    Ye Lan was the first to notice the White Spirit Rat, mainly because she was drawn by Gu An''s gaze and then saw a large white rat running toward her, which shocked her so much that her face paled.


    "There''s a rat demon!"


    Ye Lan exclaimed aloud, drawing the attention of Lu Jiujia, Xiaochuan, and Wuxin.


    They too were startled upon seeing the White Spirit Rat, having never seen such a large rat before.


    "White Spirit Rat, slow down!"


    At the sound of Gu An''s voice, the White Spirit Rat immediately stopped, turned to look back at him, then turned again and walked towards the forest, its pace slower than before.


    Seeing this, Ye Lan and the others put down their tools and ran toward Gu An.


    "Senior Brother Gu, is that your White Spirit Rat? How did it get so big?"


    "It must be another White Spirit Rat, right?"


    "It seems a bit clumsy, and its legs don''t seem very good."


    "That spirit beast''s bloodline is no simple matter."


    Hearing the discussions of his junior brothers and sisters, Gu An smiled but remained silent, letting them speculate.


    Gu An looked at everyone and said, "In a while, I plan to make a trip to the Outer Sect. Who wants to come with me?"


    As soon as he spoke, everyone except Wuxin wanted to go.


    "What an opportunity!" Wuxin kept his expression unchanged, but inside, he was thrilled.


    After some competition, Gu An finally chose to take Ye Lan and Xiaochuan to the Outer Sect, scheduling it for seven days later.


    Why seven days?


    Because he planned to thoroughly explore the Eight Scenic Caves first.


    Gu An turned to look towards the entrance of the valley, where a figure was approaching¡ªit was Li Ya.


    After many years, Li Ya had gained a more weathered and stern appearance. The black clothes flapped in the autumn wind, complemented by the sword at his waist, giving off an undeniable aura of a proud swordsman.


    Xiaochuan and the others also noticed Li Ya, and his appearance made them nervous.


    Whoever came to their Medicine Valley generally had a higher status than them, especially someone who looked as formidable as this man.


    Gu An checked Li Ya''s lifespan and discovered he had reached the fourth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    That was really fast!


    No wonder he was the first protagonist I discovered with a protagonist''s fate!


    Gu An immediately walked over, and the others quickly followed him.


    As Li Ya scanned everything in Medicine Valley, his gaze fell on Gu An, and he appeared somewhat dazed.


    In the past, Gu An would always be at the back of the group, but now he was capable of leading the other servant disciples¡ªit was indeed a changing of the guard.


    When Gu An approached him, he greeted with a clasped fist and a smile, "Brother Li, it''s been a long time."


    Injured?


    Gu An could feel that his Qi-Blood was in disorder, his breathing shallow, clearly indicating internal injuries.


    Li Ya smiled and said, "Indeed, it''s been many years. How''s master, and what about the senior brother and Meng Lang?"


    Gu An replied helplessly, "Master was approaching his end, so he passed away a while ago, and the senior brother left the valley after you did. As for Meng Lang, he went to take the Outer Sect examination and never returned."


    At these words, Li Ya was stunned.


    Xiaochuan and the others, standing behind, whispered among themselves, deducing Li Ya''s identity. Meng Lang had often mentioned that there had been a member of the Imperial Family who worked as a servant with him."


    Meng Lang lamented, "So you''re the only one left."


    Gu An asked, "Would you like to come inside and sit?"


    Li Ya nodded.


    The reason he came here was not only to revisit this place but also to heal his injuries, as only here did he feel safe.


    As Gu An led Li Ya towards the loft, he signaled to the others to continue clearing the fallen leaves.


    As they reached the Valley Master''s loft, Li Ya set foot on the stairs, and his emotions peaked. He couldn''t help but cough, and his complexion turned pale.


    The color on Gu An''s face, who was walking ahead, changed slightly.


    He sensed a faint soul fluctuation emanating from Li Ya.


    Good Lord!


    This guy really does have a grandfather-like figure with him?


    Gu An turned back and asked with concern, "Brother Li, what''s wrong?"


    Li Ya waved his hand and said, "Nothing, just a minor injury."


    "Injured? Well, you should stay then; Medicine Valley has plenty of living accommodations," Gu An immediately said.


    Li Ya nodded with a smile, thinking to himself, "Junior Brother Gu is still as considerate as ever, I must support him this time."


    After the two entered the house, Gu An had Li Ya sit down and then began to brew some tea.


    Li Ya surveyed the room, and his gaze was quickly drawn to the Green Vine Fruits in the wooden cabinet.


    Over the past three days, Gu An had placed most of the Green Vine Fruits into his Storage Bag, leaving only two in the cabinet to prevent the White Spirit Rat from stealing them.


    If the White Spirit Rat really did steal, he could not bear to kill it, so he simply hid the fruits.


    "This fruit..." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Ya squinted his eyes, but he did not look for too long. His gaze soon fell on Gu An.


    After many years, on seeing Gu An again, he was actually stunned by Gu An''s demeanor. Although Gu An used to be good-looking, he did not have the impressive aura he now possessed, resembling a Great Cultivator from the Inner Sect, composed and with a touch of transcendence.


    If he hadn''t noticed that Gu An''s aura was only at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation Realm, he would have doubted that this person was the Gu An he knew.


    Taking advantage of boiling water, Gu An came to sit at the table to chat with Li Ya.


    In order not to let the atmosphere turn cold, Gu An inquired about the life of an Outer Sect Disciple, and Li Ya answered each question.


    "As an Outer Sect Disciple, you must complete one Outer Sect bounty mission every year?" Gu An curiously asked.


    Li Ya smiled and said, "That''s right, and it''s an away mission too."


    "Did you ever encounter any demons?"


    "Nearly every trip out I encountered them. The Taicang Dynasty is so vast; there''s always some place overrun by demons. Last year, I nearly died there; it was a third-level Demon Beast, comparable to the Core Formation Realm.


    I and several friends fought fiercely, but one died, and the rest barely escaped with serious injuries," Li Ya explained, his face showing a hint of palpable fear toward the end.


    "Third level? Core Formation Realm?"


    Gu An feigned a shocked expression, dissipating the gloom in Li Ya''s heart.


    He then started to recount the specific details of that time, with Gu An listening as if to a thrilling story, providing very responsive feedback.


    In fact, he was indeed curious about Li Ya''s experiences.


    After listening, he only had one thought.


    Too dangerous!


    He was glad he had not become an Outer Sect Disciple.


    "Aside from demons, I also had to be wary of other cultivators. While treasure hunting, I clashed with disciples from another sect for half a month. It was tough to kill him, and guess what happened next?" Li Ya said enthusiastically as he began recounting another experience.


    Gu An guessed, "Did his father come?"


    Li Ya looked at him surprised and shook his head, "Not his father, but almost; his master came!"


    Good lord!


    Gu An felt even more fortunate not to have joined the Outer Sect.


    If the Outer Sect was so dangerous, wasn''t the Inner Sect even more perilous?


    Li Ya continued recounting his cunning and fierce struggle with the enemy''s master, giving Gu An the feeling of listening to a storyteller.


    Very thrilling!


    When the hot water was ready, Gu An got up to brew the tea.


    Li Ya casually asked, "Junior Brother Gu, are the fruits in the cabinet left by your master?"


    Gu An, with his back turned, answered, "I found them outside; have you forgotten? The White Spirit Rat is a Treasure Hunting Rat."


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya raised his eyebrows.


    Can it really find treasure?


    Suddenly, he also wanted to raise a White Spirit Rat.


    He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Junior Brother Gu, could you give me one of those fruits to heal my wounds? I won''t leave you uncompensated; do you want a secret manual or a magic artifact?"


    Gu An turned around, carrying the tea, and set it down in front of him, speaking in an indifferent tone, "I''ll just give you one; don''t give me anything. What''s our relationship?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya was deeply moved.


    In his years in the Outer Sect, although he had friends, they were all relationships based on interests; no one had ever treated him so well without expecting anything in return.


    After speaking, Gu An went to the wooden cabinet, took out a Green Vine Fruit, and placed it beside Li Ya''s teacup.


    His actions made Li Ya feel even more ashamed.


    "Li Ya, oh Li Ya, to think you once looked down on him and on Medicine Valley, even though you joined the Outer Sect, in the end, you still rely on him to save you..."


    Li Ya mocked himself inwardly. Following that, he raised his hand and took out a treasured sword from his Storage Bag.


    The sword sheath was blue, embedded with numerous gems and had an exquisite design, making it appear rich and splendid. The hilt seemed to be coiled with a dark golden dragon.


    Li Ya placed the sword on the table, its weight making a heavy and clear sound.


    He caressed the sword and softly said, "This was given to me by my mother; I''ll give it to you, it might save your life one day."


    Gu An was dazzled by the sword; although he only saw the sheath, he could feel the power contained within the sword. After all, he was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and he saw more than Li Ya did.


    This was definitely a Divine Weapon!

 Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Two Thousand Years of Evolution, Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword

    "I can''t accept it, how could I take the sword your mother left you?" Gu An quickly waved his hand and spoke the truth. Such a sword with a history surely had many origins and could lead to troubles.


    Li Ya lowered his eyes to look at the sword sheath, his thoughts sinking into reminiscence: "This sword is named Heavenly Residence. Since I was three, it has accompanied me. Now, I cannot unleash all its power, nor do I have the qualifications to use it anymore. It''s better left with you, perhaps here in Medicine Valley it may find someone destined for it."


    Gu An, confused, asked, "Why are you not qualified? This sword wouldn''t be related to the Imperial Family, would it? If so, I dare not accept it."


    Just thinking about entangling with the Li Family gave him a headache.


    Indeed the sword was gorgeous and he loved it, but he preferred his life undisturbed even more.


    Li Ya looked at him and smiled, "Even if I explained it, you wouldn''t understand. Rest assured, this sword won''t cause you trouble. The Li Family wouldn''t dare to claim this sword, for it was a token of engagement my father gave to my mother. With it in your possession, the Li Family would rather not trouble you.


    If you encounter unsolvable troubles in the future, you can also take this sword to Changluo and seek my father." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How could someone of my low status meet the emperor?"


    "Don''t worry. As soon as Heavenly Residence appears in Changluo, my father will feel its presence. In any case, you must accept it, or else I won''t eat this fruit."


    Then don''t eat it!


    Gu An almost blurted that out, but he restrained himself.


    He looked at the Heavenly Residence Sword again; truth be told, he still didn''t own a single magic artifact of his own. Cheng Xuandan''s heritage had left him nothing but talisman paper, not even a sword.


    What''s there to fear!


    I am a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator!


    If I really encounter an unbearable trouble, I could just throw the sword to them!


    Gu An took a deep breath and reached for the Heavenly Residence. The sword had some weight to it, causing his right hand to tremble as he lifted it, which made Li Ya laugh heartily.


    "Junior Brother Gu, even if your talent is ordinary, don''t forget to cultivate daily. The Seven-Sword Art of the Li Family I taught you, you must practice it," Li Ya said earnestly.


    Gu An, holding the Heavenly Residence Sword with both hands, forced a smile and nodded.


    Haha.


    Young man, you still need to train your eyesight more!


    Thus, Li Ya settled down inside Medicine Valley, and Gu An personally arranged a courtyard for him where no one would disturb him.


    Li Ya meditated on the bed, beside him lay half-eaten Green Vine Fruit. With both hands, he performed a cultivation spell, continuously cultivating energy to heal his injuries.


    A pale blue shadow emerged from Li Ya''s body and whirled throughout the room. It was an old man, benevolent in appearance, his Taoist robe fluttering slightly, exuding the majestic demeanor of a venerable Daoist.


    Li Ya opened his eyes and spoke, "Ancestor, what fruit is this? Its medicinal effect is so potent¡­"


    The Soul Body, known as the Ancestor, first waved his hand and the space in the room fluctuated. Following that, he stroked his beard and laughed, "It should be the Green Vine Fruit nurtured by the Holy Tree, the Green Vine Tree, of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. The lowest grade of Green Vine Fruits is sixth-grade; you are quite lucky."


    "The fruit from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion? Thousand-Autumn Pavilion''s infiltration is deep indeed, no wonder the Supreme Sect regards them as a formidable foe," Li Ya muttered to himself.


    The Ancestor looked at the Green Vine Fruit and said, "The Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and the Supreme Sect have harbored grudges for thousands of years. Both factions have many pawns planted in each other''s sects. Your Junior Brother Gu is lucky. If he hadn''t met you, the Green Vine Fruit would have brought disaster upon him."


    Li Ya shook his head, "It''s not that he is just lucky, but rather he is kindhearted and values loyalty greatly. People like him will always be rewarded. On the contrary, I am the one who is lucky."


    The Ancestor nodded, "That''s reasonable. In the world of Immortal Cultivation, such people are indeed rare. However, you need not feel too guilty. Heavenly Residence, given to him, means much more than the Green Vine Fruit."


    Hearing him mention Heavenly Residence, Li Ya sighed, "I failed to meet my mother''s expectations, but I really do not wish to vie for the throne. I only want to avenge her and then travel the world, far from the struggle for power."


    "Heavenly Residence is one of the three Emperor Swords of Taicang. To fully wield its power, you must master the Emperor-Level Sword Technique. Even your Nine Devastating Swords is only at the beginner stage. To master the Emperor-Level Sword Technique, it will probably take another hundred years," the elder pondered.


    Li Ya fell silent.


    The Ancestor joked, "You can''t even easily defeat that guy named Shi Yang. You need to try harder. Remember, your fourth brother has already reached the Core Formation Realm."


    Li Ya took a deep breath, said nothing more, and closed his eyes to continue healing his injuries.


    The Ancestor then looked out the window. Although the window was tightly shut, he could hear the laughter of Xiaochuan and others.


    "This is indeed a good place, far from worldly struggles. Unfortunately, those with a mission are not suited for this place."


    "Ah well, no more lamenting, I need to go back to sleep to rejuvenate my spirit."


    ¡­


    In the depths of the night, Mystic Valley was silent.


    Gu An used the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill to conceal his energy and left Mystic Valley silently, heading to the woods over twenty miles away.


    He sat under a tree, accessed the Attribute Panel, and focused on the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art.


    How much Life Span should I invest?


    After much deliberation, he decided to invest extra, to enhance his actual combat ability.


    Let it be two thousand years.


    With this single investment, I''ll just focus on preserving my life for a hundred thousand years!


    He immediately chose to invest two thousand years of Life Span, and the moment he thought it, the first digit of his Life Span changed from four to two.


    [You have invested two thousand years of Life Span in cultivating the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art]


    [You practice the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for ten years, achieving significant proficiency, and begin to contemplate further possibilities]


    [You practice the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for fifty years, reaching the pinnacle of Swordsmanship, your Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art ascends to Seven-Sword Art]


    ¡­


    [You practice the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for three hundred years, you perfect the Seven-Sword Art, which ascends to the Nine Devastating Swords]


    [You practice the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for five hundred years, you achieve mastery of the Nine Devastating Swords and consolidate your own Sword Intent]


    ...


    [You cultivated the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for a thousand years, your Nine Devastating Swords reverted to their original purity and were promoted to the Emperor-Level Sword Technique]


    [You cultivated the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for twelve hundred years, your Sword Intent condensed its own Heaven and Earth Imperial Energy, enhancing your Sword Dao comprehension]


    ...


    [You cultivated the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for eighteen hundred years, your Emperor-Level Sword Technique reverted to its original purity, Sword Intent triggered the Sword Dao, experienced the true meaning of the Sword Dao, you entered into a sudden enlightenment, and the Emperor-Level Sword Technique was promoted to the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword]


    [You cultivated the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art for two thousand years, your Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword achieved unity and coherence, enhancing your Sword Dao comprehension]


    A series of prompts popped up frenziedly. When the evolution time reached a thousand years, Gu An immediately activated the Life Span Barrier.


    He was afraid of disturbing the mysterious presence underground and the Soul within Li Ya.


    When all the prompts settled, a massive influx of memories entered his mind, and the ground surged with Spiritual Energy, which didn''t enter his body but surrounded him instead, gradually condensing glimmers of cold light akin to Sword Qi, shimmering with an unusual brilliance in the night.


    Gu An entered a state of Path Enlightenment.


    Time passed unknowingly, and he gradually woke up.


    At this moment, it was still dark.


    Gu An first looked at the consumption data of the Life Span Barrier.


    Good heavens, just by contemplating the cultivation technique, he had actually consumed three hundred years of life span!


    Fortunately, he had fully mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword; the profound understanding of the Sword Dao made his mood delightful.


    Looking at the Attribute Panel again, he saw that the Ultimate Skill section listed the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art, which had now turned into the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, with the words "unity and coherence" bracketed beside it.


    He didn''t immediately get up but took out the Heavenly Residence Sword and laid its sheath across his legs, his palms resting on it, and his eyes closed shortly after.


    He was feeling the Sword Intent of this sword.


    Once the Sword Intent of the sword merged with his own Sword Intent, he would be able to subdue this magic sword.


    Inside this magic sword were numerous Restrictions, resembling different magic spell challenges, waiting for the Sword Master to breach them using Divine Sense and Spiritual Power.


    Gu An didn''t understand Restrictions, but fortunately, he had his own Sword Intent, which passed through the Restrictions.


    An hour later.


    Gu An stood up, tossed the Heavenly Residence Sword into his Storage Bag, and headed towards Mystic Valley.


    With a step, he levitated, Sword Qi condensing beneath his feet, traveling by sword.


    Upon nearing ten miles from Mystic Valley, he then landed and proceeded on foot, suppressing his aura to the extreme.


    The night gradually passed, and the eastern sky slowly revealed hues of pink.


    Morning arrived.


    Li Ya pushed open the door, greeted by the rising sun. He stretched lazily, feeling refreshed and invigorated.


    The medicinal effect of the Green Vine Fruit was incredibly strong!


    He was no longer feeling as unwell and felt that a few more days might see him fully recovered!


    Li Ya smiled as he looked towards the far end of the garden, where Gu An was instructing junior brothers and sisters in drills.


    The set of movements piqued Li Ya''s curiosity.


    Though the movements were slow, they inexplicably seemed to hold a mysterious essence.


    Li Ya immediately approached, making his way next to Gu An, who greeted him with a nod, which he returned.


    "What are you guys practicing?" Li Ya asked curiously.


    Gu An responded with a smile, "This is something I learned from an old man when I was a kid, it''s good for strengthening the body and maintaining a healthy spirit. I bring them out every day to practice, ensuring they start the day with a good spirit."


    Lu Jiujia complained, "I actually feel it''s kind of useless."


    Xiaochuan shot him a glare, saying, "That''s because you are dull-witted."


    Li Ya then said, "Actually, it is useful, but it requires long-term commitment."


    His words as an Outer Disciple naturally commanded respect.


    Gu An glimpsed at Li Ya, finding him more amiable than before, surprisingly capable of uttering such emotionally intelligent words.


    Actually, the reason he brought the junior brothers and sisters to drill was mainly to clear their minds completely from cultivation and dreams, to prevent them from messing up his own flora.


    "Once you finish the drill, how about I teach you a sword technique?" Li Ya said cheerfully.


    Hearing this, Xiaochuan and the others became excited and thanked him profusely, addressing him as Brother Li Ya.


    Li Ya looked at Gu An and said, "You join us too. Since you now have a sword, it''s good to practice more."


    Gu An smiled and nodded.


    Alright.


    Let me test whether your mastery of the Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art is up to par!


    Li Ya''s involvement enriched the atmosphere even more. Watching the junior brothers and sisters being rowdy did not annoy him; instead, he felt pleased.


    It was only by noon that Li Ya, pulling Gu An along, made their way into the woods.


    "Show me your Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art, and once you''ve mastered the basics, I''ll teach you the real sword techniques. The Li Family''s Seven-Sword Art is just basic sword moves." Li Ya said earnestly.

 Chapter 23: Chapter 23: The Soul Shaking Bell, Yin Yang Art

    In the forest, Gu An couldn''t persuade Li Ya and eventually performed a clumsy rendition of the Li Family''s Seven Swords. It was then that he realized, pretending to be terrible was even more difficult than pretending to be skilled.


    Confronted with Gu An''s stiff sword moves, Li Ya criticized him for a while before beginning to patiently teach him how to use the sword.


    Gu An could tell from his swordplay that he had been practicing the Nine Devastating Swords and could be considered a genius, his talent for the Sword Dao at least surpassing Gu An''s.


    The next day arrived, and Li Ya still wanted to practice swordsmanship with Gu An.


    Gu An couldn''t take it anymore!


    "Senior Brother Li, I have no talent for the sword, let''s just stop, shall we? I only have a few decades of life to live; wouldn''t it be a waste to laboriously practice the sword? I would rather plant and water flowers than practice the sword."


    Gu An said helplessly, secretly stimulating the Dragon Strength within his body, causing his eyes to turn red.


    Seeing this, Li Ya, with a sword in hand, suddenly felt a sense of blockage in his heart.


    What was he doing?


    Was he repaying Junior Brother Gu in a way he liked?


    Wasn''t this also a kind of harm?


    Li Ya couldn''t help but think of his childhood, when the emperor father forced him to learn with his brothers, yet he could never grasp what they excelled at.


    Sighing, he walked over to Gu An, patted his shoulder, and said, "Junior Brother Gu, it was inconsiderate of me, I''m sorry."


    Gu An forced a smile and said, "It''s alright, Senior Brother is also thinking of my best interests. It''s just that I am untalented and lacking."


    The more Gu An said this, the guiltier Li Ya felt.


    The two sat down and began to talk about their first year in the valley, dispelling the tense atmosphere of sword practice.


    In the following days, Li Ya no longer insisted on practicing the sword with Gu An, but he still spent an ancient hour teaching Xiaochuan and the others swordsmanship.


    For those like Xiaochuan, whose dreams had not yet been extinguished, learning the sword from an Outer Disciple was a rare opportunity.


    This went on until five days later when Li Ya prepared to leave.


    Gu An, accompanied by his junior brothers and sisters, saw Li Ya off at the mouth of the valley. Xiaochuan and the others were very reluctant, having learned so much from Li Ya.


    "Senior Brother, this will always be your home, come back to visit often," Gu An said with a look of reluctance.


    Home?


    A surge went through Li Ya''s heart, but he wore a light and breezy smile and said, "Yeah, I will come back."


    With that, he turned and left, his black robe in the forest resembling a raging black flame, the bleak autumn wind unable to extinguish his fire.


    Gu An felt that he was burning with a certain determination, possibly related to his recent injury.


    Only when Li Ya had disappeared deep into the forest did Gu An withdraw his gaze. Turning to his junior brothers and sisters, he smiled and said, "Practice hard so that one day you can join the Outer Sect and bring glory to Mystic Valley."


    Lu Jiujia immediately vowed to enter the Outer Sect.


    Xiaochuan said the same, though clearly with less conviction than him.


    Ye Lan seemed preoccupied, lost in thought.


    Wuxin spoke up, "I won''t go to the Outer Sect; I want to stay with Big Brother for life!"


    When he said this, everyone looked at him in surprise, including Gu An.


    "This kid..."


    Gu An felt touched; perhaps he had misunderstood Wuxin?


    Lately, Wuxin had been behaving, not sneaking around at night, and nothing had gone missing in Mystic Valley, so they couldn''t be certain that Wuxin had malicious intentions.


    If that was the case, he would assign more menial tasks to Wuxin in the future.


    Ye Lan felt regret that she wasn''t the one to say those words before Wuxin.


    At the same time, she realized that perhaps in her heart, while Big Brother was essential, he wasn''t as crucial as the pursuit of immortal cultivation and longevity.


    Lu Jiujia couldn''t resist mocking Wuxin for being a sycophant, leading to a quarrel among Xiaochuan, Ye Lan, and Wuxin.


    Gu An led them back to the valley, his thoughts drifting underground.


    Li Ya had left, and now it was time to prepare to deal with the trouble beneath the ground.


    ...


    Late at night, in the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Gu An, holding the Heavenly Residence scabbard, approached Meng Lang who was lying on the grass with his orifices sealed by mud.


    "There are signs of movement around the grass; someone has indeed been here."


    Gu An keenly perceived slight changes in the grass around Meng Lang, which would be very hard to detect for an ordinary cultivator. He noticed because he had made a particular point to observe upon leaving last time.


    He squeezed the Heavenly Residence sword in his hand and then stepped toward the cave entrance from which Meng Lang had initially run out.


    Soon, he vanished into the darkness.


    This tunnel didn''t have many crystal stones, and it was very dim, but for a Nascent Soul Realm''s divine sense, this made no difference.


    The cold Spirit Wind blew through the tunnel, rustling Gu An''s robes. His divine sense had already reached the end of the tunnel ahead of him.


    There lay a spacious cavern, not as large as the main chamber of the Eight Scenic Caves, but still sizeable. Several coffins stood there, and a large blue-green crystal stone the size of a water jar was embedded in the ceiling. Bathed in the dim glow, the coffins were incredibly eerie and terrifying.


    Apart from the coffins, there was nothing else.


    Gu An''s divine sense suddenly captured that within one coffin lay a living person, the faint life force unable to escape the detection of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.


    Gu An didn''t perceive any danger from this weak sign of life, but he did not let his guard down.


    After a long journey, he finally reached the end of the tunnel.


    Standing at the entrance, he carefully poked his head out and asked cautiously, "Is anyone there?"


    No one answered him, as if there was not a single person in the chamber.


    Gu An picked up a stone from the ground and threw it inside, *thud*, the stone hit a coffin, but there was no movement. However, he seemed to be frightened, his eyes widening.


    He instinctively stepped back, pretending to be shocked.


    Why isn''t there any sound?


    If I keep acting it''s going to be awkward!


    Gu An was anxious inside; his actions were to ascertain the attitude of the presence, as the other party had not hurt him before. He didn''t want to mistakenly kill a good person.


    At least he needed to feel at ease within himself!


    Gu An gritted his teeth, suddenly drew his sword, and charged into the chamber, swinging wildly. *Crack*, the Heavenly Residence Sword struck a coffin lid and got stuck. Yanking it out forcefully, the inertia made him stagger back a couple of steps.


    "Pfft¡ª"


    A gentle laugh rang out, sounding very grating in the chamber.


    Gu An almost got goosebumps¡ªit was a woman''s voice, and at first, it sounded like a female ghost laughing.


    He held the Heavenly Residence Sword, nervously scanning his surroundings, constantly turning in a circle for fear that demons or ghosts would surge out from the sides.


    "Boy, are you Cheng Xuandan''s disciple?"


    That mysterious female voice spoke again, with a tone so flirtatious it led one''s thoughts astray.


    Gu An hurriedly replied, "Yes, senior, Cheng Xuandan is my master, may I ask who you are, and why are you here?"


    "Those who are here would naturally be your Martial Master. Cheng Xuandan is my disciple. That you could come means his end is near, right?" The mysterious voice dropped its playful tone, carrying a hint of melancholy.


    Gu An responded, "So it is my Martial Master, I pay my respects. Master''s time indeed has come; he said he wished to emulate you and find an unknown place to meet the end of his life."


    The chamber then fell silent once more.


    Gu An stayed alert. If the other party made a move against him, regardless of whether they were his Martial Master, he would show no mercy.


    The Heavenly Residence Sword in his hand had yet to taste blood!


    After a long while,


    Just as Gu An was about to speak again, the other''s voice sounded, "Did Cheng Xuandan tell you my identity?"


    Gu An replied softly, "My master told me everything. You come from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, and he also asked me to be ready to receive someone from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion at any time..."


    "Seeing you like this, so timid and cautious, and the way you entered here, it seems you didn''t come willingly, right? You only found out all this after he handed over the Valley Master position to you?" the other asked teasingly.


    Gu An sighed, everything was said without words.


    This time, he wasn''t acting¡ªhe was truly helpless.


    "Since you have already taken him as your master, you are naturally my Disciple as well. Guard this place for another ten years on my behalf; after ten years, I will be able to leave the Supreme Sect and will not trouble you."


    Hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "May I know Martial Master''s honorable name?"


    "My surname is Jiang, and my name is Qiong. As for my title in the Immortal Cultivation World, it''s not worth mentioning."


    Jiang Qiong?


    The name was quite pleasant to hear, although he didn''t know how many years she had lived.


    As Gu An was thinking, a coffin in front suddenly opened, startling him into raising his sword.


    Two objects flew out of the coffin and landed in front of him.


    He looked down and saw that it was a black small bell and a secret manual.


    "Consider these a gift for our first meeting, my Disciple. The Soul Shaking Bell can command all the Poison Skills of the Myriad Poison Mystic Skill. Just give it a shake, and all the Corpse Poison in this cave will obey your orders."


    "The manual is my Technique of Immortal Cultivation, the Yin Yang Art. The Yin Yang Art contains the spells to refine the Soul Shaking Bell¡ªa technique even your master did not learn."


    Jiang Qiong''s voice came through, sounding a bit weary.


    Gu An promptly bowed in gratitude and couldn''t help asking, "With my mediocre talents, why does Martial Master treat me so kindly?"


    "Hehe, mediocre talents? Boy, I don''t know what unique skills you''ve been practicing, but your actual Cultivation Level is definitely beyond the fourth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. You must have reached Foundation Establishment already. To achieve Foundation Establishment at such a young age, you are a genius.


    You managed to suppress your own pride and stay hidden as a Servant Disciple in the Outer Sect, and although I have no idea what burdens you carry, it seems you have a strong aversion to the Supreme Sect."


    "I''m satisfied with your ability, and your approach to things is even more to my liking. Practice hard, and later on, I will teach you more spells. Once you inherit my legacy, I will then recommend you to become a True Disciple at the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion."


    Jiang Qiong resumed her coquettish laughter, and Gu An''s expression changed, feeling as if he had been seen through and could no longer save face.


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Martial Master. Should you have any orders, feel free to tell me anytime."


    Having said that, he picked up the Soul Shaking Bell and the Yin Yang Art and turned to leave. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No more sounds from Jiang Qiong came from the chamber, and Gu An hurried back to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    He sat under a tree and began to read the Yin Yang Art.


    He pondered whether Jiang Qiong had any malicious intentions.


    Ten years was not a big deal; he wasn''t just a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator but also possessed the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    Jiang Qiong was clearly no saint; she was merely wary of Gu An''s Foundation Establishment Realm power. In a mere ten years, how could she go from being wary of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator to being able to crush a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator at will?


    She wasn''t hiding here recently; according to Cheng Xuandan, she had already been dead for seventy years.


    He would use the next ten years to extract as many spells and manuals as possible from her. If she left peacefully after ten years, Gu An wouldn''t betray his Martial Master.


    If she harbored ill intentions, Gu An would have to let the Heavenly Residence Sword taste blood.

 Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Jiang Qiong at the Ninth Layer of the Elixir Formation Realm

    Spring passed and autumn arrived, and five years flickered by in an instant.


    Over these five years, Gu An had maintained his plan of dedicating one year of his life span every night. Over five years, he had devoted more than 1,800 years of his life span, and his cultivation realm had reached the eighth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    After crossing the fifth layer in the Nascent Soul Realm, the time required for each minor realm increased exponentially. The evolving Gu An could only train rigorously, taking even longer.


    Now, his remaining life span was more than 10,200 years. The incorporation of Eight Scenic Caves had improved his annual life span income.


    Five years later, three more servant disciples had joined Mystic Valley. They all took Gu An as their master: two males and one female, respectively named Tang Yu, Su Han, and Zhen Qin, sorted from oldest to youngest.


    Gu An no longer chose disciples based on their talent; instead, he selected disciples of mediocre talent to avoid trouble. Each of the three had a potential extreme lifespan of around two hundred years. On that basis, he tried to choose disciples who caught his eye.


    One day, at the entrance to the valley, Xiaochuan, Ye Lan, Wuxin, Tang Yu, Su Han, and Zhen Qin gathered around Lu Jiujia.


    "Brother, I wish you success!"


    "Uncle Master, don''t forget us when you''re in the Outer Sect."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be at Medicine Valley."


    "If you fail, I will mock you."


    Today was the day for Lu Jiujia to go to the Outer Sect for the assessment. Gu An had sliced a Green Vine Fruit into four pieces, sharing them among the four junior brothers and sisters. Their cultivation levels surged, with Lu Jiujia being the first to reach the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.


    It is worth mentioning that since eating the Green Vine Fruit, Wuxin had completely settled down. He cultivated peacefully in his room every night without wandering over hills and valleys, and he became even more diligent in his actions.


    Twenty-three-year-old Lu Jiujia was spirited and ambitious. He looked toward the pavilion where his eldest brother resided. Seeing his eldest brother standing at the window looking at him warmed his heart.


    "Wait for my good news; I won''t let Elder Brother down!"


    Lu Jiujia said proudly and then turned depart.


    With the residual wind leg technique he had cultivated over the years, he felt that he could make a name for himself in the Outer Sect.


    Dressed in a robe with a white base and black patterns, Gu An watched Lu Jiujia leave from a distance, feeling a complex mix of emotions.


    He couldn''t tell if it was relief or reluctance, perhaps a bit of both.


    "To think at just twenty-seven years old I''m this sentimental. What about when I am two hundred or two thousand, even twenty thousand years old?" Gu An chuckled self-deprecatingly.


    He turned and sat down at the desk, picking up Green Hero Travelogue to continue his enjoyment.


    Released last year, Green Hero Travelogue was, in his opinion, a masterful work. The author''s skill in describing romantic encounters had reached a transformative realm.


    An ancient hour later,


    Wuxin came to visit. The twenty-one-year-old was still dressed as a monk. Gu An often teased him about being a ''Jade-Faced Monk Tang'', especially after Gu An had custom-made monk robes for him in the Outer Sect, which further enhanced his aura.


    "Elder Brother, I have watered the entire garden up the mountain. Is there anything else you require today?" Wuxin approached Gu An and spoke softly, glancing at Green Hero Travelogue and immediately blushing brightly.


    Without even lifting his eyes, Gu An said, "There''s nothing else; you may go and cultivate."


    Wuxin moved to the opposite side of the desk but did not leave, hesitating visibly.


    Gu An glanced at him and asked, "Is there something else?"


    In his black robe, he already had an authoritative presence. Over the years, the yields from Medicine Valley had been excellent, and since he did not hoard money for himself, he had paid out of pocket to buy new clothes for everyone in Medicine Valley, making none of them look like mere servant disciples.


    Wuxin bit his lip and said, "Brother, to tell the truth, with my talents, it''s impossible for me to be admitted to the Outer Sect. I genuinely want to stay in Medicine Valley with you for life."


    Gu An put down Green Hero Travelogue and studied him closely.


    Wasn''t that what his words implied?


    He wanted to progress!


    Gu An frowned, his expression troubled.


    Seeing his reaction, Wuxin became anxious and suddenly knelt down.


    "Brother, where do I fall short? I am more diligent than they are, more obedient, and unlike everyone else, I don''t want to go to the Outer Sect," Wuxin said fervently, his eyes beginning to redden.


    Gu An noticed that he had activated some cultivation technique, causing an upsurge of qi-blood.


    Smart boy, learning from me, huh?


    Gu An spoke earnestly, "Wuxin, in my heart, no one is better or worse than anyone else. Like the Green Vine Fruit, I divided it equally among you. However, the position of head disciple is crucial and may even represent the next Valley Master. Although I am a servant disciple, my treatment is no inferior to that of ordinary Outer Disciples, and I must acknowledge the Sect''s generosity."


    "It seems you have been hiding something from me, of course, everyone has their own difficult circumstances that they can''t speak of. I won''t pry further. You will always be my junior brother, but the position of head disciple..."


    Toward the end, he sighed, looking helpless.


    Wuxin was stunned, not expecting that his actions from years ago had long been noticed by his elder brother. His first reaction was panic, followed by a feeling of being deeply touched.


    The last time he had gathered intelligence late at night was five years ago; his elder brother had tolerated his behavior for five years.


    What did this mean?


    His elder brother truly regarded him as one of his ????.


    Putting himself in his elder brother''s shoes, Wuxin felt that if he had been in the same position, he probably would have severely punished such a junior brother long ago,


    The more Wuxin thought about it, the more ashamed he became. He really couldn''t keep up the act any longer.


    "Brother, actually..." Wuxin clenched his teeth, it seemed like he had made a significant decision.


    "Actually, I come from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. My father is one of the seventy-two Pavilion Masters of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. I am of poor aptitude and was often bullied by my siblings, so I ran away. The reason I wandered around at night was because I heard about Brother Li Ya''s deeds, hoping for some opportunity to prove myself to my father someday. But now I''ve given up.


    Not to mention comparing to my siblings, even compared to Lu Jiujia, I am far behind..."


    Wuxin said all at once, and toward the end, he lowered his head, not daring to look at Gu An.


    Gu An''s face showed shock and disbelief.


    "You..."


    Hearing the trembling voice of his senior brother, Wuxin felt even more ashamed, his forehead pressed tightly to the ground.


    Gu An had not expected Wuxin to come from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    What was this all about?


    Why not just rename Mystic Valley to Thousand-Autumn Valley then!


    Gu An secretly dispersed his divine sense, forming an invisible barrier, guarding against anyone eavesdropping.


    He remained silent for a while, then finally let out a deep sigh and said, "Enough, stand up and talk."


    The uneasy Wuxin, hearing this, instantly silently heaved a sigh of relief.


    As Wuxin stood up and saw the complicated expression on Gu An''s face, his heart was even more touched.


    Indeed, his senior brother truly cared for him!


    "I am not very familiar with the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. I heard it is a demonic sect?" Gu An took a deep breath and asked.


    Wuxin nodded and said, "It indeed is the demonic path, and it''s the most evil one. Corpse Path, Poison Skill, Soul Capturing, Poison Creatures, and all other demonic arts, they master them all. I couldn''t stay any longer, that''s why I escaped..."


    "Then, will your father come looking for you? I have to consider the other disciples," Gu An worriedly asked.


    Wuxin quickly shook his head and said, "How could he possibly come looking for me? He would rather I were already dead; I am his greatest shame!"


    Hearing this, Gu An''s expression eased slightly, and he scolded, "Wuxin, I won''t allow you to belittle yourself like that. How can one''s character be judged merely by their cultivation level?"


    Wuxin scratched his head and chuckled, "I know, but since the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion is a demonic sect, brother, people in the demonic path are not normal."


    Gu An nodded. He seemed to recall something and asked, "Right, have you ever heard the name Jiang Qiong while you were in the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?"


    "Jiang Qiong?" Wuxin was startled and pondered with a frown.


    After a few moments, he suddenly realized and said, "I remember now. She was the premier genius of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion a hundred years ago, also the daughter of the second pavilion master, but she has been dead for many years. I heard my father mention her when I was a child; he even wanted my elder brother to marry Jiang Qiong."


    Curious, Gu An asked, "How old is your father?"


    Wuxin replied, "Nearly five hundred years old. He has more than a hundred children, so he wouldn''t care if I were lost."


    Gu An fell silent.


    The style of the demonic path is quite appealing, isn''t it? Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An asked a few more questions, but unfortunately, Wuxin didn''t know much about Jiang Qiong.


    "Since you have confessed your background, I will train you to become the chief disciple. If a position of a chief disciple of a valley can be exchanged for a demon cultivator who has lost his way and found it again, it could be considered a meritorious deed. However, this matter must not be disclosed for now. Convince everyone in the valley with your performance," Gu An said earnestly.


    At these words, Wuxin was ecstatic.


    He was about to express his thanks to Gu An when he heard Gu An continue to instruct, "From now on, you cannot mention a single word about the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, not even when you are alone. This is the Supreme Sect, and even talking to yourself might be overheard."


    Wuxin quickly nodded, heeding the instruction.


    The two brothers shifted the topic, chatting about other casual matters.


    Wuxin felt himself growing closer to his senior brother, a feeling he was very grateful for, he should have been honest with his senior brother sooner.


    ...


    During the night, Eight Scenic Caves.


    Gu An came to a clearing next to an underground river, starting to plant medicinal herbs.


    His movements were not fast. As someone who didn''t cultivate much on routine days, he enjoyed the process of planting. What he planted were not just any plants, but life.


    People from Huaxia inherently loved farming, a habit that followed along with his soul into the world of immortal cultivation.


    After finishing his planting, he looked satisfactorily at his newly developed garden, neatly arranged, possessing a unique aesthetic beauty.


    "Dear disciple, come here for a moment."


    Jiang Qiong''s melodious voice came from an opening, and Gu An immediately went over.


    Over the years, Jiang Qiong occasionally summoned him to help pick some medicinal herbs and even to assist with alchemy.


    Gu An wasn''t busy in vain; during this process, his alchemy skills improved leaps and bounds.


    Jiang Qiong''s mastery of alchemy was far superior to that of Cheng Xuandan, clearly evident from how she taught.


    He made his way to the cave chamber which was still dimly lit. On the ground stood a pill furnace, half a person tall, with a pile of ashes stacked beneath it.


    Just as Gu An was about to speak, he suddenly heard a noise. He focused his gaze and saw a coffin in the depths beginning to tremble.


    Boom!


    The coffin lid fell down, crashing onto the ground and raising a cloud of dust.


    Gu An saw a hand crawling out from the upright coffin, skinny like a ghost''s claw. He immediately cast a life span detection.


    [Jiang Qiong (Core Formation Realm Nine Layers): 185/304/2490]


    Goodness!


    Nearly two thousand five hundred years of maximum life span!


    Why does someone in the Core Formation Realm Nine Layers have only three hundred years of life span?


    Could it be related to her injuries?


    Gu An wondered, and at the same time, his last trace of caution vanished.

 Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Have you ever heard of the Nascent Soul Realm?

    ```


    Crack¡ª


    An emaciated foot stepped out from within the coffin, treading upon a piece of charcoal and snapping it in two.


    Gu An saw that it was a raggedly dressed woman with disheveled hair, her body grotesquely thin as if drained of flesh and blood. The robe on her body was faintly recognizable as a white garment, with both sleeves and pant legs tattered. She staggered out, resembling a ghastly specter.


    Jiang Qiong slowly lifted her face, her features equally withered, her eye sockets sunken, her eyes bulging and terrifying.


    Her gaze fell upon Gu An, who hastily lowered his head, frightened.


    "Good disciple, I owe you a lot for helping me with alchemy these five years, allowing me to recover swiftly..." Jiang Qiong squeezed out a smile, even more horrifying, with a foul breath escaping her mouth.


    She no longer referred to herself as "this seat" but as "I," which made their relationship seem much closer.


    Gu An, suppressing his discomfort, said, "It is the duty of a disciple. But there is something that puzzles me."


    "Ask away."


    As Jiang Qiong spoke, she trembled toward the pill furnace.


    Gu An, watching her, asked, "If alchemy could help you recover faster, why did you not have my master help you with alchemy before?"


    Cheng Xuandan thought Jiang Qiong had been dead for seventy years, meaning she had hidden here for seventy years, and Cheng Xuandan had never realized she was still alive.


    Jiang Qiong replied with a forced, humorless smile, "Because I don''t trust him. Your master became my disciple under duress. His heart is fickle; who knows when he might betray me. Half of the disciples he took on are now lying in these coffins."


    Gu An fell silent.


    He believed Jiang Qiong spoke the truth because Meng Lang had ended just like that.


    Jiang Qiong sat before the pill furnace and with a wave of her hand, the piled herbs beside her flew into the furnace.


    "Five years have passed. What level are you at in the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Jiang Qiong inquired.


    Gu An''s apparent cultivation level was at the fifth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, but Jiang Qiong was convinced he was at the Foundation Establishment level.


    Gu An replied, "I''m close to reaching the third level."


    "That''s slow. Don''t neglect your daily training. When I, your Martial Master, was eighteen, I reached Foundation Establishment, and at forty, Core Formation. If not for spending decades researching the Alchemy Dao and formation spells afterwards, I would already be at the Nascent Soul Realm cultivation level.


    Have you heard of the Nascent Soul Realm?" Jiang Qiong said nonchalantly, eyes fixed on the pill furnace.


    Gu An promptly nodded, "The Nascent Soul Realm, those are Immortals, rarely seen by Outer Disciples."


    "Humph, ''Immortals'' is but a term for stronger cultivators. Once I have fully recovered, I will find a place to attempt reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. Then, you will have a Nascent Soul Realm pillar to rely on. How does that make you feel, excited?" Jiang Qiong''s tone became smug toward the end.


    Her voice was sultry, starkly contrasting her ghastly image.


    "Thank you for looking after me, Martial Master. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Gu An stepped forward and offered.


    Jiang Qiong replied, "Just stand by and watch, see how I perform alchemy, and we can chat in the meantime."


    With a pat of her hand, she indicated for Gu An to sit beside her.


    Gu An sat down but kept his distance from her, all the while remaining vigilant.


    No matter how kind Jiang Qiong was to him, he would never let his guard down until she had left.


    Meng Lang was a lesson to be learned; likely, he never suspected Cheng Xuandan before his death.


    Jiang Qiong asked about his background, and he divulged without concealing anything, roughly speaking of his life. Of course, he did not mention the Ji Family, only saying he had been a house servant before his Spirit Root was discovered, and thereafter he joined the Supreme Sect.


    After chatting for about an hour, Jiang Qiong allowed Gu An to leave, instructing him to return for the next three nights. If things went well, there would be a generous reward.


    Gu An arrived as agreed.


    The third night had come.


    Gu An sat across from the pill furnace, holding the Yin Yang Art in his hands, occasionally asking Jiang Qiong for clarifications.


    Eventually annoyed by the questioning, Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but curse, "You''re not tricking me, are you, boy? Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm at such a young age, yet so slow on the uptake?"


    Gu An protested, "Alchemy is alchemy, Energy Absorption is Energy Absorption, aren''t they?"


    Jiang Qiong suddenly didn''t know what to say, but then her attention was grabbed by the pill furnace.


    More and more steam began to emerge from the furnace, and the small holes on the lid turned dark green, eerily odd.


    Gu An shivered as he watched; what kind of elixir was she concocting?


    Could it be a Poison Elixir?


    Jiang Qiong''s eyes shone with excitement. She fell silent, staring intently at the pill furnace.


    Time ticked by, second by second.


    Gu An remained on alert, prepared for any sudden attack from Jiang Qiong.


    Some time passed.


    A dull thud came from within the pill furnace, and with it, a grotesque smile spread across Jiang Qiong''s face, uglier than a cry.


    She lifted her right hand, fingers poised, and the lid of the furnace flew off. Her hand moved quickly, snatching a pill that emerged from the furnace, popping it into her mouth before Gu An could react.


    So fast!


    As if afraid Gu An would snatch it.


    After swallowing the elixir, Jiang Qiong immediately sat cross-legged and began cultivating energy. In less than three breaths, wisps of white vapor rose from her body.


    Gu An stood up and slowly stepped back, widening the distance between them.


    More and more white vapor appeared, coiling around Jiang Qiong, obscuring her figure as if she was a zombie amidst the mist.


    Gu An constantly checked her Life Span, on guard against her potential breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Jiang Qiong''s current Life Span began to increase. Gu An was witnessing someone''s Life Span grow in raw numbers for the first time, and the sight was utterly shocking.


    He suddenly became very interested in Jiang Qiong''s elixir. What kind of miraculous elixir was it?


    Not only Jiang Qiong''s Life Span was increasing, but her aura was also intensifying, quickly surpassing that of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    A true Elixir Formation Realm cultivator!


    ```


    Gu An keenly noticed that Jiang Qiong''s physical body was recovering, growing increasingly thicker as if a balloon were being inflated.


    Pretty impressive!


    He patiently waited.


    Gradually, the sound of Jiang Qiong''s breathing filled the cave, growing heavier and heavier until, in the end, it was like the roar of a wild beast.


    After a long while.


    Jiang Qiong''s panting abruptly ceased, and Gu An noticed her realm hadn''t broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, so he wasn''t so tense.


    Amidst the white mist, Jiang Qiong stretched lazily, showing off her graceful figure, which was unrecognizably different from before.


    As she emerged from the mist, her hair was still disheveled, and her clothes were in tatters, but beneath the worn-out garments was skin white as snow, making Gu An''s face heat up in the dim light of the cave, causing him to avert his gaze.


    "It''s been a long time since I walked like this."


    Jiang Qiong said in a reminiscent tone as she walked up to Gu An, leaning forward with her hands brushing her hair aside, and asked, "What do you think, my obedient grand-disciple, does your Martial Master look beautiful?"


    Gu An took a quick glance, and although her face was dirty, her facial features indicated that she was indeed a rare beauty who, in his opinion, could only be compared with Ji Xiaoyu of the Ji Family and Li Xuanyu, an Outer Disciple.


    "Martial Master is indeed of unparalleled beauty in the world, but this disciple is more concerned about the state of your health, has your injury fully healed?"


    Gu An asked with clasped hands, his words sincere.


    Get well soon and be on your way!


    "Fully healed is still a long way off; I need to rest for another five years," Jiang Qiong laughed, her bright eyes surveying Gu An, evidently pondering something.


    Phew!


    She suddenly struck out at Gu An with a palm as fast as lightning, then stopped just in front of his chest, the forceful wind pulling his robes backwards wildly.


    Jiang Qiong asked with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, "Why didn''t you dodge?"


    Gu An''s face stiffened as he replied, "I didn''t have time to react¡­"


    In reality, however, that was not the case. In his eyes, Jiang Qiong''s movements were too slow. In a flash, his Dragon Strength could have counteracted her Spiritual Power.


    Her stopping wasn''t sparing Gu An''s life; it was saving her own.


    Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but chuckle, her laughter shaking her whole body, and she even ended up clutching her stomach.


    Gu An watched her laugh without saying anything to interrupt.


    After a good while, Jiang Qiong finally turned and walked toward the Pill Furnace, saying, "Don''t worry, I won''t kill my own disciples and grandchildren. Even when Cheng Xuandan wanted to betray me, I spared his life. I even took his protection to hide within the Supreme Sect. As long as you are filial to me, I will never let you down. If someone bullies you, I won''t just stand by and watch."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but laugh as well.


    Jiang Qiong stood in front of the Pill Furnace, turned to Gu An, and said, "Leave behind a set of new clothes and you can go back. Come again tomorrow night, I will teach you spells."


    Gu An immediately took out a set of his own white robes from the Storage Bag, gently placed them on the ground, and then raised his hand to salute Jiang Qiong before taking his leave.


    It wasn''t until he disappeared into the darkness that Jiang Qiong turned around. She approached the white robes and picked them up from afar with a lift of her hand. She sniffed their scent and let out a light chuckle.


    ...


    At dawn, Gu An was training the people of Medicine Valley.


    A figure approached the entrance of the valley.


    It was Li Ya.


    Li Ya was still clad in black, his sharp aura more imposing than five years ago, exuding the demeanor of a strong individual.


    His arrival immediately captured everyone''s attention.


    "It''s Brother Li Ya!" Xiaochuan exclaimed in surprise.


    Gu An immediately walked toward Li Ya, instructing the others to continue their drills.


    As he approached Li Ya, about to speak, Li Ya beat him to it: "Let''s talk upstairs in your building."


    Hm?


    Something important?


    Gu An instantly tensed up, what matter was so important that Li Ya personally made the trip?


    He led Li Ya straight to the loft, and after climbing the stairs and entering the room, he closed the door.


    Li Ya walked over to the table, waved his hand, and a Green Vine Fruit appeared on the table, rendering Gu An speechless.


    "A Green Vine Fruit appeared in the Elixir Hall of the Outer Sect four years ago, I purchased it. But due to heavy duties, I never had the chance to give it to you," Li Ya said with a smile.


    Gu An''s expression turned strange.


    Li Ya asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Feeling that he couldn''t hide the truth, Gu An cleared his throat and said, "I was the one who sold this fruit to the Elixir Hall."


    In order to avoid suspicion, he had sold it at a low price, which earned him praise from the Elder of the Elixir Hall for his grateful heart toward the Sect.


    Gu An had dared to sell it because Li Ya had mentioned that Green Vine Fruits were not rare in the Supreme Sect, not in the Outer Sect but certainly in the Inner Sect, which, to be precise, possessed strange and precious treasures of the world.


    He never imagined that Li Ya would buy it back¡­ sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Ya helplessly said, "This... turned out quite ridiculous¡­ Such a fruit can enhance Qi-Blood and is a very rare heavenly material. How could you sell it? For how many Spirit Stones?"


    "Twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones¡­"


    "What? I spent ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones!" Li Ya''s eyes widened.


    One Top-Grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.


    Both fell into silence at the same time.


    In fact, Gu An felt it wasn''t a bad deal; by relying on the Green Vine Fruit, he had established a good relationship with Zhu Qinglu of the Elixir Hall. Over the next four years, Zhu Qinglu took good care of him, offering many conveniences. However, facing Li Ya, he felt somewhat embarrassed.


    Li Ya said somberly, "Let''s just consider it a contribution to the Sect. Besides this fruit, there''s another matter for which I''ve come to you."

 Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The Great Outer Sect Conference of the World

    "What is it?" Gu An asked, hoping in his heart that it wouldn''t be trouble.


    He had no desire to get involved in the strife that whirls around the Outer Sect.


    Li Ya smiled and said, "Don''t you enjoy planting? You mentioned before that you even helped an Outer Disciple manage his cave. Now you have the opportunity, and the compensation is quite good. Take care of it for a year and you''ll get a mid-grade Spirit Stone and a bottle of Spirit Energy Elixir."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief.


    He wouldn''t refuse a chance to earn Life Span, especially since he rarely practiced cultivation and had plenty of time on his hands.


    He began to inquire about the employer''s identity, and Li Ya didn''t hide the fact that the Outer Disciple was a good friend of his and that the cave was near the Outer City.


    After Gu An agreed, Li Ya immediately took him there.


    Li Ya flew on his sword, with Gu An standing behind him, sharing the blade. Their figures drew envious gazes from Xiaochuan, Ye Lan, and others.


    Who wouldn''t yearn for Sword Control flight?


    The tall Tang Yu lamented, "If only our master could learn the Sword Control Technique from Martial Uncle Li Ya and teach us, wouldn''t that be great?"


    The slim and handsome Su Han nodded in agreement. Although he had been in Medicine Valley for four years, he still yearned for the Outer Sect.


    Not just him, Tang Yu and Zhen Qin felt the same.


    Ye Lan didn''t say much and pulled Zhen Qin back to their residence to cultivate. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elsewhere.


    Above the mountains, Li Ya''s Sword Control flight was very fast. He looked straight ahead, his black clothes fluttering and hair dancing wildly, exuding a carefree and unruly temperament.


    "I''ve noticed that there are more Servant Disciples in Medicine Valley than before, Junior Brother Gu. You should recruit fewer disciples and invest more Spirit Stones into your own cultivation," Li Ya said earnestly.


    Although Gu An always said his talent was not up to par, Li Ya still held out hope for him.


    He didn''t want to be still in the prime of life a hundred years later, while Gu An had already entered his twilight years.


    In his years at the Supreme Sect, Li Ya had a few good friends and some friends of convenience, but in his heart, none could compare to Junior Brother Gu.


    Junior Brother Gu was the only one who treated him well without expecting anything in return. He didn''t want to lose such a friendship.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Don''t worry, Senior Brother Li. The reason I recruit more disciples is that the farming land inside Medicine Valley has expanded. Each year I hand over more medicinal herbs, and the Elixir Hall is gradually improving my treatment. I won''t give up my cultivation."


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya showed a smile.


    "That''s true, you''re diligent and always achieve something great."


    "How can I compare with Senior Brother? Your reputation in the Outer Sect is so brilliant."


    The two started flattering each other. Li Ya usually hated this kind of flattery, but for some reason, coming from Junior Brother Gu, he didn''t mind it at all.


    Two Ancient Hours later.


    Li Ya sent Gu An back to Mystic Valley and then left on his sword.


    No sooner had Gu An landed than he was surrounded by two disciples, Su Han and Zhen Qin.


    They were curious where Gu An had gone, and he didn''t hide it from them. After a few words, he sent them away.


    The departure of Lu Jiujia greatly stimulated the disciples of Medicine Valley, causing a quietness in the valley. Whenever they had free time, disciples would cultivate in their rooms, hoping to catch up with Lu Jiujia''s progress.


    Gu An returned to his room, picked up the Yin Yang Art, and began to flip through it. Starting tonight, Jiang Qiong would teach him sorcery, and he was looking forward to it.


    What Cultivator would mind having multiple spells?


    Besides, Gu An lacked many fundamental spells.


    ...


    Late at night, in the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Under the Green Vine Tree, Jiang Qiong, dressed in white with her black hair casually draped, looked like a Fairy descending to earth, but her stunning face was full of annoyance.


    "Why are you so dumb? I''ve told you the sorcery technique multiple times, why can''t you remember it?" Jiang Qiong said, barely holding back her anger.


    She stood beside Gu An, her gaze fixed on the black energy in his hands.


    She was teaching him the Soul Capturing Skill, a sorcery that could snatch a person''s Soul, extreme in its malignancy.


    Gu An replied helplessly, "Martial Master, you''ve only taught me for a short while, can you be a bit more patient?"


    "It''s not that... It''s just..." Jiang Qiong suddenly didn''t know what to say.


    Before she recovered her strength, she had looked forward to teaching Gu An. After all, he was a genius in her eyes, but the reality was different from what she expected.


    This kid was too odd.


    When she taught him Sword Control Technique, he got it with a snap, but teaching him anything else, he was like someone just starting on the Traditions of Immortal Cultivation.


    In terms of the Sword Dao, Gu An was definitely the strongest genius she had ever seen, but the key was she wasn''t skilled in the Sword Dao.


    "If I could easily learn everything, wouldn''t I have avoided being a Servant Disciple?" Gu An sighed.


    Jiang Qiong held back for a long time before she managed to say, "But you shouldn''t be this foolish, right?"


    Gu An''s hand twitched.


    True to a person of the Demon Path, her words hurt so damn much!


    Angered, Gu An said, "I have my strengths too. When it comes to talent in the Sword Dao, even you, Martial Master, might not compare to me!"


    Jiang Qiong laughed upon hearing this and teasingly said, "Then shall we try? Neither of us will use Spiritual Power, just sword moves to spar?"


    "Alright!"


    Gu An''s hands loosened, and the dark aura dissipated. He then stood up, ready to teach Jiang Qiong a lesson.


    Jiang Qiong shifted two steps to the side and raised her right hand, extending her forefinger and middle finger together, and with a smile said, "Since we are just sparring, let''s not harm our camaraderie. Let''s use our fingers as swords."


    Gu An nodded, his left hand resting behind his waist, his right hand in front.


    Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes, for some reason, when Gu An raised his hand, she felt inexplicably panicked.


    "What''s happening to me, how could I be scared by a Foundation Establishment junior?"


    Jiang Qiong cursed herself for being useless, having lost the pride that once looked down upon everything.


    She immediately thrust her fingers towards Gu An; as she made her move, she revealed the speed of someone in the Elixir Formation Realm.


    Gu An''s right hand, with two fingers extended, struck hers horizontally, like flicking a sword, deflecting her arm away.


    Jiang Qiong''s eyes sharpened. She shifted her stance, moving past Gu An''s side like a ghost, her fingers pointing towards his ribs as if they were swords.


    Gu An turned around, his fingers pointing downward, stabbing swiftly and touching the back of her hand, causing her a sharp pain and an instinctive withdrawal.


    The two of them moved around under the tree, countering each move made by the other.


    Jiang Qiong''s attacks were fierce, while Gu An''s movements flowed smoothly like drifting clouds and flowing water.


    After thirty moves, Gu An clearly felt Jiang Qiong''s impatience and intentionally exposed a flaw, allowing her to touch his abdomen. He then clutched his belly and staggered back.


    Jiang Qiong did not pursue her advantage. She stood up and stared at Gu An with intense eyes.


    Gu An feigned a pained expression, frightened by her gaze.


    What kind of look was this?


    As if she wanted to devour him whole.


    Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and said, "Very well, I still underestimated your Sword Dao comprehension. The sword moves you just performed lacked structure, but each was straightforward and direct, targeting the opponent''s weaknesses. You are a rare Sword Dao genius, unseen for a century. Should you find a good master, you will surely become renowned across the world as a sword cultivator one day."


    Gu An shook his head and replied, "Renowned across the world? Let''s not. That would surely bring lots of trouble my way, and I hate fighting the most, not to mention life-and-death battles."


    Jiang Qiong was stunned for a moment, finding it quite interesting.


    It was her first time encountering such a timid genius.


    "It was Martial Master who was too hasty and shouldn''t have scolded you. Come now, continue cultivating the Soul Capturing Skill. Even though you are suited for the Sword Dao, you must master some spells. Only then will you be well-prepared for anything," Jiang Qiong gestured.


    Gu An immediately approached her and continued to cultivate the Soul Capturing Skill.


    After the sparring session, Jiang Qiong''s attitude had indeed improved a lot. She spoke in a warm and gentle tone, and occasionally gave him goosebumps.


    Thus, Gu An came to the Eight Scenic Caves every night to cultivate spells with Jiang Qiong, and as soon as he mastered a spell to the point it appeared in the Attribute Panel, he would start cultivating the next one.


    Jiang Qiong thought he was discouraged but did not press the issue. After all, she had many spells.


    While recovering from her injuries, she also found it quite interesting to instruct her juniors.


    Besides, every month Gu An would visit the Outer Disciple''s cave abode to tend to the medicinal herbs within.


    ...


    At the end of the year, with winter snow fluttering and filling the sky.


    Gu An, wearing a straw hat, climbed halfway up the mountain and arrived in front of a cave abode. Just as he was about to take out his token, he suddenly sensed something.


    There were people inside!


    And not just one person!


    Gu An immediately thought of leaving, but the conversation inside the cave had abruptly stopped. If he left now, it would prove he could penetrate through the restrictions and detect what was happening inside the cave.


    He could only press the token against the mountain gate, which obediently opened.


    He stepped inside the cave, through the passageway, and into the chamber, where he saw three people and momentarily paused, quickly bending down to greet them, "Sorry, I didn''t know the predecessors had returned. I won''t disturb you any further."


    After speaking, he turned around, preparing to leave.


    The master of the cave, Chen Li, appeared to be in his early forties, with the refined air of a scholar. He raised his hand with a smile and said, "No need, you do your thing, and we''ll continue with ours."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An could only turn back around, bow again, and then head to the area with the medicinal herbs not far off.


    Gu An noticed the other two people, a man and a woman. The woman was none other than Li Xuanyu, who had previously sparred with him.


    The man was not Shi Yang, but someone else, handsome and graceful, with the appearance of a gentleman who might have stepped out of a painting, stunning even men with his beauty.


    Li Xuanyu looked at Gu An; she clearly recognized him but said nothing.


    Gu An discreetly checked the handsome man''s life span.


    [Xiao Chenjun (Core Formation Realm, First Layer): 58/621/1508]


    Core Formation Realm, first layer!


    Inner Sect Disciple?


    Chen Li, after observing Gu An start to harvest the herbs, turned to glance at Li Xuanyu and Xiao Chenjun, sighing and saying, "The Outer Sect Great Competition is about to begin. This time it''s hosted by Supreme Sect, putting a lot of pressure on us."


    Xiao Chenjun laughed and said, "What''s there to worry about? There are many talents in the Outer Sect. Even if those schools and sects join forces, it''s difficult for them to overpower Supreme Sect. In the Taicang Dynasty, Supreme Sect is the strongest."


    Chen Li shook his head and replied, "I heard that Ancient Sky Sect, Heavenly Extinction Sect, and Thousand-Autumn Pavilion each have Outer Sect geniuses with Dual Spirit Roots, who are deliberately holding back their realm, waiting for this competition."


    He paused and looked at Xiao Chenjun with a hint of reproach, "Junior Brother Xiao, why didn''t you wait to make your breakthrough? Your master should have been aware of this."


    Xiao Chenjun laughed and responded, "Senior Brother Chen, the Outer Sect Great Competition is held at least twice every century. As cultivators, how can we be so concerned with winning or losing? Besides, Supreme Sect has new geniuses emerging every year. Don''t worry, the burden won''t fall on you alone."


    The three of them chatted and laughed about the Outer Sect Great Competition, with Xiao Chenjun and Chen Li doing most of the talking while Li Xuanyu occasionally interjected.

 Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Wanyin Sect, Xu Ruye

    An assembly for Outer Disciples from all over the world?


    All the genius disciples of the Outer Sect are gathering at the Supreme Sect?


    Does that include the disciples from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?


    Gu An listened with great interest. Such a grand event was sure to be exciting, but he worried whether a cultivator from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion would take this opportunity to approach him, pressing him for intelligence about the Supreme Sect.


    Chen Li and the other two shifted their conversation to other subjects, eventually leading to the Inner Sect. Chen Li was very curious about the Inner Sect and what it was like.


    Xiao Chenjun gave a brief description: the bustling Inner Sect City, the rich heritage of the various peak inheritances, the abundant mission rewards, etc. Gu An felt like he was listening to a story.


    However, Gu An still didn''t yearn for it.


    Inner Sect Disciples also had to defend the Taicang Dynasty, not only exorcising demons from within the realm but also assisting the dynasty in repelling invasions from other dynasties¡ªhe found the thought headache-inducing.


    After Gu An finished his tasks and harvested several hundred years of Life Span, he approached Chen Li, preparing to take his leave.


    "You''re quite meticulous in your work, can you also look after my Cave for me?" Li Xuanyu suddenly said.


    Upon hearing this, Chen Li immediately replied with a smile, "The boy does work satisfactorily, adheres to rules, and since he comes recommended by Li Ya, we can certainly trust him."


    Li Xuanyu stared at Gu An, awaiting his answer.


    Under everyone''s gaze, Gu An found it hard to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.


    "You two seniors can continue your conversation; I will take him around to familiarize himself with the place," said Li Xuanyu as he got up to leave.


    Gu An hurriedly bowed to Chen Li and Xiao Chenjun, then followed Li Xuanyu''s pace.


    Once the gate to the Cave was closed, Xiao Chenjun smiled and asked, "The Li Family''s grudges are truly complex. What do you think¡ªdoes Junior Sister Li have any enmity with Li Ya?"


    Chen Li shook his head and said, "How could there be any grudge? If there were, she wouldn''t have spoken up for Li Ya back then. He would have been killed by Shi Yang long ago. Now, with Shi Yang missing for several years, I suspect that he might have been killed by Li Ya."


    Xiao Chenjun lifted his teacup, his eyes reflecting a subtle change.


    ...


    After leaving the Cave, Gu An followed Li Xuanyu, both riding on the same Flying Sword but keeping a respectful distance.


    Standing behind Li Xuanyu, Gu An could smell a unique, clean fragrance, which was far more delightful than the scent on Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong, although she had cleaned herself up, still hadn''t completely rid herself of the smell of death.


    They traveled in silence; Li Xuanyu''s cold demeanor made Gu An unwilling to speak.


    Her Cave wasn''t too far from Chen Li''s, and soon they touched down.


    Gu An distinctly felt that the Restraints around her Cave were stronger, and after entering it, this feeling grew even stronger.


    The Spiritual Energy is so rich!


    Li Xuanyu began to explain the origins and cultivation process of the herbs inside her Cave. Gu An listened attentively.


    After about a 30 minutes, Li Xuanyu handed him a Token. With this Token, he could directly open this Cave; she offered him the same treatment as Chen Li.


    For Gu An, harvesting Life Span from herbs was enough, but he wouldn''t mind receiving Spirit Stones either.


    Gu An gave a formal bow and took his leave.


    "Wait, what''s your relationship with Li Ya?" Li Xuanyu suddenly asked.


    Gu An stopped and, turning around, said, "Li Ya is my senior brother, so naturally, our relationship is good."


    He could tell that Li Xuanyu''s relationship with Li Ya must be decent; else, she wouldn''t use him, a mere Servant Disciple, to scheme against Li Ya, right?


    Li Xuanyu said nothing more but nodded slightly.


    Gu An bid farewell once again.


    Managing a Cave for an Outer Sect Disciple wasn''t exhausting¡ªit typically involved visiting once every half a month or monthly. Gu An felt that he could take on some more work.


    His enterprises became increasingly abundant, with the Eight Scenic Caves and Mystic Valley being the main trunk, and now with additional branches, his Life Span would grow.


    He aimed to reach a hundred thousand years of Life Span as soon as possible!


    ...


    As the winter snow melted away and spring arrived, the Mystic Valley began to be adorned with lanterns and streamers by evening twilight.


    In front of the pavilion, the youngest, Zhen Qin, was squatting on the ground, cutting paper while quietly asking, "Master, what does the Spring Festival signify?"


    She was nine years younger than Gu An, with a sweet face, big eyes, a petite figure, and a gentle personality; even Lu Jiujia and Xiaochuan held a fondness for her.


    "When I was young, I heard an old man say that the Spring Festival represents the start of a brand-new year, to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. During this time each year, people wish each other good fortune. Since there aren''t any festivals worth celebrating in Medicine Valley, let''s just set the Spring Festival," Gu An said as he sat nearby, weaving a lantern.


    Not far away, Wuxin, Xiaochuan, Tang Yu were hanging up lanterns and pasting red papers, Ye Lan was preparing dishes, and Su Han was checking the different garden districts.


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin''s face lit up with anticipation.


    The idea about Spring Festival came to Gu An a few days ago when he overheard the people of Medicine Valley talking about their hometowns. He couldn''t help but reminisce about his own home on Earth in a previous life, especially since it was the Spring Festival. So, he decided to make it Mystic Valley''s first festival.


    They could also plan other festivals in the future, making life in Medicine Valley less monotonous.


    He just wondered if there were any other Earth transmigrants in this Mortal World.


    Gu An pondered quietly, reasoning that he had crafted the story of the Spring Festival coming from an old man''s tale as a precaution.


    Just then, Gu An''s brows furrowed slightly as he sensed two disturbing presences approaching the Mystic Valley, already less than ten miles away.


    The Cultivation Levels of the two individuals were in the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet their auras were thick with the stench of blood.


    They''ve killed many people!


    The World Outer Sect Conference is about to begin, could it be that Demon Cultivators have come to visit?


    Gu An silently prayed, hoping that the strangers would not enter their Medicine Valley.


    However, what he feared came to pass; the two individuals flew directly towards Mystic Valley and, in no time, their figures appeared on the mountaintop, overlooking Medicine Valley.


    They were a man and a woman, both dressed in deep purple robes, their demeanors sinister and enchanting; even in broad daylight, they looked like fierce ghosts.


    The woman had a seductive figure, her face painted with dark makeup, her nails long like talons as she covered her mouth and laughed, "Mr. Xu, we''re not far from the Supreme Sect''s Outer Sect, why don''t we rest here for a while? We could also inquire some information from the Servant Disciples here."


    The man standing next to her was tall and burly, with a stern face and a purple crown on his head, set with a red gem that looked like a crimson vertical eye.


    "A bunch of Energy Cultivation Realm worms, what can we learn from them?" the man in purple said coldly.


    He hailed from the Wanyin Sect, his name was Xu Ruye, and he had come with his Daoist friend, Chan Ji, to participate in the World Outer Sect Conference.


    Chan Ji laughed, "You know what those people from Supreme Sect are like, Mr. Xu; their strength isn''t up to par, and they''re fond of using their numbers to bully the few. It''s better to arrive early and avoid trouble. Waiting here isn''t such a bad idea."


    Upon hearing this, Xu Ruye felt it made sense and leaped down, followed closely by Chan Ji.


    Gu An looked up, and immediately cast Life Span Detection.


    [Xu Ruye (Foundation Establishment Realm Nine Layers): 67/389/920]


    [Chan Ji (Foundation Establishment Realm Seven Layers): 74/370/605]


    It looks like they''re both prodigies.


    Gu An stood up, and Zhen Qin couldn''t help but follow his gaze. Upon seeing Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, she was so scared that she quickly hid behind her master.


    Xiaochuan, Wuxin, and Tang Yu also noticed the arrival of the two Demon Cultivators and immediately put down what they were doing to run towards Gu An.


    Xu Ruye and Chan Ji landed in the garden, their gaze sweeping over the herbs, which made Gu An''s heart tighten.


    The security of Supreme Sect is too poor, isn''t it? S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Near such a grand event, don''t they dispatch disciples to patrol?


    Gu An cursed silently; of course, he also understood that, to the Supreme Sect, the value of Mystic Valley was just so-so, as it was planted with only Low-Rank Medical Herbs, meant to serve the Outer Sect.


    Chan Ji turned her head, glanced at Gu An and the others, and asked, "Who is the Valley Master here?"


    Gu An stepped forward, bowing, "I am the Valley Master. May I ask what matter brings the two seniors here?"


    Chan Ji threw a flirtatious look at Gu An, and with a smile, she asked, "Young man, we are a husband and wife here to attend the World Conference at Supreme Sect, and would like to rest in your valley for a few days. What do you think?"


    Xu Ruye''s gaze fell upon Ye Lan and Zhen Qin standing behind Gu An, his cold eyes making the two ladies uneasy. Ye Lan furrowed her brows and stood in front of Zhen Qin.


    Gu An felt displeased, but he sensed a familiar aura drawing near.


    He asked, "May I ask which sect or faction the two believers hail from?"


    Chan Ji''s eyes turned cold, about to speak.


    "What''s the point of wasting words with him? We want to stay, and with his mere Qi Cultivation Realm fifth-layer cultivation, can he drive us away?" Xu Ruye said impatiently.


    A terrifying murderous aura erupted from within him, turning all present pale, as if they were in a cold cellar.


    "Do the two from the Wanyin Sect seek to be enemies with Supreme Sect?"


    A cold and clear voice came from the sky, and everyone looked up to see Li Xuanyu standing on a Flying Sword, poised in the wind like an exiled immortal.


    "Li Xuanyu!" Chan Ji pronounced each syllable slowly, her teeth clenched tight.


    Li Xuanyu said, "Come with me."


    With that, she turned to leave, quickly disappearing behind the mountains.


    Xu Ruye leaped up, the gourd at his waist flying out, swiftly enlarging and landing beneath his feet. Chan Ji jumped up, landing behind him, and the two of them flew off on the gourd.


    The people of Medicine Valley heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Were those two Demon Cultivators?" Su Han couldn''t help but ask; Xu Ruye''s murderous aura had frightened him pale.


    Wuxin said, "Yes, the Wanyin Sect is a powerful Demonic Sect."


    Xiaochuan said discontentedly, "Aren''t we at Supreme Sect a renowned righteous faction? Why invite Demonic Sects to come?"


    The Disciples began to discuss the matter, all of them shaken by fear. If Li Xuanyu hadn''t appeared, they might have faced a huge disaster that night.


    Gu An turned his head towards the horizon and furrowed his brow slightly.


    Afterward, he had everyone continue preparing for the Spring Festival, while he went back to his room to rest for a while.


    Dusk fell, the sky turned a crimson red.


    Gu An stood in front of the side window of the loft; he could already sense that there was a battle far away, very faint, probably thirty miles away from Mystic Valley.


    Suddenly feeling something, he immediately flipped over the windowsill and vanished into the woods.


    In the woods far away, the trees were toppled and the ground was scarred with shocking fissures. Xu Ruye and Chan Ji stood shoulder to shoulder, smug smiles on their faces.


    Opposite them stood not only Li Xuanyu but also Li Ya.


    "The Li Family''s Nine Devastating Swords are indeed formidable, but your cultivation levels are not up to par," Xu Ruye said with a cold laugh, his right-hand fingers twitching as tendrils of purple energy circled around his fingertips.


    Li Ya''s corners of his mouth were stained with blood, the hand clutching his sword trembling, while beside him, Li Xuanyu''s condition was similar, though her injuries were less severe than Li Ya''s.

 Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Flying Leaves Annihilate Enemies, Such Overbearing Sword Qi

    Chan Ji ignored Li Ya, fixating her gaze on Li Xuanyu as she taunted with a bewitching smile, "Li Xuanyu, aren''t you the Girl of Heavenly Pride? Why do you look so disheveled? It seems you and your brother are no match for us."


    Xu Ruye stepped forward, moving towards Li Ya.


    Li Xuanyu suddenly threw her sword, which midway split into four shadows, all converging on Xu Ruye.


    Xu Ruye reacted swiftly, waving his right hand as a purple aura burst out like flames, forcibly blocking Li Xuanyu''s sword.


    Chan Ji appeared behind Li Xuanyu like a ghost, brandishing a red fan and forcefully fanning it to release rolling clouds of red poison mist, compelling Li Xuanyu to leap away.


    The red poison mist spread rapidly through the forest, and within it, a massive python moved swiftly, causing the red mist to rise wherever it passed, quickly enveloping Li Ya and Li Xuanyu in a matter of moments.


    Li Xuanyu landed next to Li Ya, scanning the surroundings, unable to see Chan Ji''s figure while Xu Ruye hovered above the forest, looking down at them.


    "On Supreme Sect''s territory, do you dare harbor murderous intentions?" Li Ya asked gravely.


    Xu Ruye''s lips curled upwards as he mockingly said, "I''ve heard that since the current Sect Leader assumed leadership, the Supreme Sect''s control over the borderlands has weakened continuously. It seems the intention was for the disciples in the borderlands to resolve conflicts themselves.


    The eight Outer City forts are like a wall, within which lies reputable sects, but outside, it''s survival of the fittest, no different from the Demon Path."


    "Up till now, no one has come to intervene, it seems beyond the Outer Sect, Supreme Sect hasn''t deployed anyone on guard. Today, if I kill you and capture your sister, it wouldn''t matter if we don''t attend the Global Outer Sect Conference, what do you think?"


    "And those from Medicine Valley too, I''ll kill them all. Having Princess Li come out to protect them must mean they share a close bond with you."


    Xu Ruye seemed to recall something, licking his lips.


    "Buy me some time," Li Xuanyu whispered softly, and then she sat down cross-legged, her hands moving quickly in a spell-casting motion as a faint golden flame emerged at her brow.


    Li Ya''s expression tensed; he suddenly crouched before leaping up, his sword raised above him. Like sword qi erupting from the ground, his powerful force caused the surrounding forest in a radius of dozens of meters to shake violently, stirring the rolling red mist in a grand spectacle under the dusk sky.


    Xu Ruye scoffed dismissively and quickly pulled a purple banner embroidered with a ferocious evil ghost from his storage bag, as if it could burst forth at any moment.


    He flipped his left hand downward as a surge of Spiritual Power erupted, forming a massive palm imprint that smashed down, forcefully suppressing Li Ya''s sword qi.


    Li Ya frowned, his Spiritual Power far inferior to Xu Ruye''s, incapable of contending with it.


    Under his gaze, Xu Ruye''s purple banner exuded a purple whirlwind that muddled his Divine Soul.


    This isn''t good!


    Li Ya''s face paled, a strong dizziness sweeping over him, the most terrifying part being his body unable to fall.


    "He wants to capture your soul, truly reckless and audacious!"


    The voice of the Martial Master resonated in Li Ya''s mind, the tone alarmed and angry.


    Hearing this, Li Ya grew even more panicked.


    "Let me taste the flavor of a Taicang imperial lineage soul!" Xu Ruye said with a gruesome smile, his eyes filled with greed. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh¡ª¡ª


    A sharp sound of cutting through the air came from afar, causing Li Ya, who was paralyzed in mid-air, to instinctively glance over, as Li Xuanyu who was meditating and cultivating energy also couldn''t help but look up.


    A leaf carried along an intense sword qi, slicing through the sky at a breathtaking speed, heading straight for Xu Ruye.


    Xu Ruye''s gaze flickered unintentionally, but the leaf was so fast he could hardly react.


    Bang!


    His head burst open, blood mist drifting, enveloping the forest with red fog that was swept away by a strong wind, tumbling Li Ya to the ground. Li Xuanyu, exerting her own Spiritual Power to withstand the strong wind, was still forced to hurriedly get up.


    "Mr. Xu!"


    Amidst the fierce wind, Chan Ji screamed out, just about to leap up when another whooshing sound came, forcing her to turn her head. The terrifying strong wind pressing down on the red poison mist swept over her body, her robes forcefully pulled back, outlining her perfect body curves.


    Reflected in her eyes was a falling leaf.


    Bang!


    The leaf penetrated her skull, blood splattered painting the forest, and the leaf continued its relentless path, cutting down several trees, stirring up clouds of dust, eventually piercing into the trunk of a large tree.


    Thump! Thump!


    The body of Xu Ruye hit the ground, followed by Chan Ji''s body falling. Soon after, only the sound of the wind remained in the forest.


    Li Ya propped himself up, sitting on the ground with disheveled black hair, completely dumbstruck.


    Not far away, Li Xuanyu was similarly scared, looking at the corpses of Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, she found herself in a daze.


    "A leaf slays the enemy, such a domineering sword qi. This person must be at least of Nascent Soul Realm and highly skilled in the Sword Dao!" the Martial Master''s voice echoed in Li Ya''s mind.


    Startled awake, Li Ya quickly stood, clasping his fist and shouting, "May I know which senior has lent their hand?"


    Hearing this, Li Xuanyu also stood, looking around.


    Unfortunately, no one responded to them.


    "Boy, go check there!" the Martial Master''s voice rang out again, urging Li Ya to walk in a certain direction.


    Li Ya immediately went, trembling and in pain, severely affected by the soul capturing.


    Li Xuanyu went to check the bodies of Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, stabbing them twice with her sword, using sword qi to pulverize their hearts.


    Li Ya walked about two hundred paces before stopping in front of a tree, his gaze falling on the trunk, causing his face to suddenly change.


    "How could this be¡­"


    Li Ya said, trembling, following his gaze to a tree leaf stuck in the trunk, swirling with a thread of sword qi, the whole trunk already split as if it might explode at any moment.


    "This person made their move from ten miles away. I could only capture the direction, unable to detect their presence."


    The elder''s voice was filled with emotion, and he followed up with admiration, "It seems the Supreme Sect isn''t so bad after all, with a Great Cultivator watching over the surroundings."


    Li Ya looked at the leaf, struggling to calm his emotions.


    At that moment, Li Xuanyu approached from behind him, and she, too, was stunned when she saw the leaf.


    ...


    Night fell, and in Mystic Valley, the Valley Master''s pavilion was brightly lit and decorated, Gu An and the disciples seated around a large round table, clinking cups and exchanging drinks, the atmosphere merry.


    Xiaochuan and Tang Yu were competing in a drinking contest, Xiaochuan, already flush-faced, refused to admit defeat despite others'' attempts to dissuade him, and continued drinking.


    The drink they were enjoying was not ordinary liquor but Spiritual Wine specially bought by Gu An from the Outer Sect, a jar valued at two Low-Grade Spirit Stones, equivalent to two months'' salary of a Servant Disciple.


    "Today we encountered two Demon Cultivators; there won''t be more coming after, will there?" Su Han suddenly asked, and with these words, the atmosphere at the table chilled.


    Smiles faded, and worry set in among everyone.


    Gu An reassuringly smiled and said, "Don''t worry, there are Outer Disciples patrolling. Didn''t you see them today? Maybe after this incident, the patrolling intensity will be increased."


    He wasn''t worried himself because he was immersed in joy.


    Killing Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, he had successfully seized a hundred and twelve years of life span.


    He was contemplating the pattern of the life spans he had seized, only able to discern that the years taken depended on the remaining life span of the target, ranging between half to two percent, and specifics were random.


    Though the life span seized from cultivators was higher, Gu An did not look forward to encountering such situations again.


    Too many enemies killed would eventually bring trouble, better to stack up life span securely through medicinal herbs.


    There are always others out there, and even if one grows strong through killing others, encountering a far stronger opponent would still result in death.


    He could not determine how high the strongest cultivation in the Mortal World could be.


    Yet he felt that if he could just survive for thousands of years, he might truly become unbeatable in the Mortal World.


    Upon hearing Gu An''s words, everyone felt reassured, and the mood became merry again.


    Gu An didn''t dwell on his own matters, beginning to chat with his junior brothers and sisters, asking about their upcoming cultivation goals. The atmosphere continued to rise, and even he began to drink.


    The first Spring Festival in Mystic Valley was a great success.


    Until late into the night, everyone dispersed.


    Gu An then went to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Jiang Qiong was cultivating under a Green Vine Tree, surrounded by Demonic Qi, appearing rather eerie.


    Gu An, carrying a meal, approached her and said, "Martial Master, today is Mystic Valley''s Spring Festival, this meal was prepared by my junior sister. Would you like to try it? Hope it helps you restore your power soon."


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong opened her eyes, her confusion evident as she asked, "Spring Festival? What is that?"


    Gu An recited the prepared explanation, claiming he heard it from an elder.


    "Hmm, setting a festival is indeed a good idea, it unifies people," Jiang Qiong nodded in approval, then looked at the basket of wood boxes in Gu An''s hand.


    Gu An promptly set the basket down, taking out dishes one by one, along with a small jar of wine.


    Spying this, Jiang Qiong''s eyes lit up, and she said thoughtfully, "Since it''s your kind intention, I must not refuse."


    She directly grabbed a bowl of food and began shoveling it into her mouth, gobbling it down.


    Gu An hurriedly poured the wine for her and asked curiously, "Martial Master, there''s something I''ve been unclear about."


    "You say¡­" Jiang Qiong mumbled unclearly, then took the bowl of wine, drinking it in one gulp, with moisture, either oil or wine, around her mouth.


    "Why does Thousand-Autumn Pavilion place spies outside the Outer Sect? It feels like nothing significant can be gleaned about Mystic Valley," Gu An asked.


    Jiang Qiong gave him a glance, saying irritably, "Who asked you to gather intelligence? Your role is to guard and wait until the Green Vine Tree fully matures, then this place will become a base for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. Others will handle intelligence gathering."


    Hearing this, Gu An became even more uneasy.


    What?


    To become a base?


    Gu An frowned and asked, "Is Mystic Valley the only possible base?"


    "Of course not, besides Mystic Valley, there are at least five other Medicinal Valleys under the control of spies from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. They are unaware of each other''s identities, but they reached the position of a True Disciple a hundred years ago, and today, they might already be of Elder-level," Jiang Qiong casually responded.


    Gu An fell silent.


    Had the Supreme Sect already become so permeable?


    Jiang Qiong put down her cleaned plate, picking up a large drumstick and chuckled, "The taste isn''t bad. Although I have long practiced fasting, satisfying my cravings occasionally is also nice. As a reward, later I''ll teach you a secret technique from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion."

 Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Demon Shadow Divine Skill, Jiang Qiongs Appreciation

    "What secret technique?" Gu An asked expectantly. He had already learned many spells from Jiang Qiong, but as far as spells were concerned, the more the merrier.


    Once Jiang Qiong left, it would be hard for him to encounter such a devoted Martial Master again.


    Jiang Qiong took a bite of a big chicken leg and said proudly with a smile, "One of the nine great secret techniques of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, the Demon Shadow Divine Skill!"


    The Demon Shadow Divine Skill?


    It sounded... S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An frowned and asked, "Is this a cultivation technique?"


    He wasn''t lacking in cultivation techniques. If he changed techniques and started over, he would have to cultivate his spiritual power from scratch, and he didn''t want to waste his lifespan.


    Jiang Qiong said vaguely with his mouth full of chicken, "I already told you, it''s a secret technique. The Demon Shadow Divine Skill will allow you to better infiltrate as a spy. You''ll see soon enough."


    A twitch appeared on Gu An''s face.


    I don''t want to be a demon path''s spy!


    Forget it, I''ll just get through Jiang Qiong''s visit. In the future, I will speak to others as needed and craft my identity however necessary while roaming the pugilistic world.


    ...


    The following day at noon, Gu An was reading under a tree when seven steps away, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were practicing their swordsmanship with graceful movements. Unfortunately, they could not attract Gu An''s attention.


    "Big senior brother, Martial Uncle Li Ya is here!"


    Xiaochuan ran up and informed him, followed by a person¡ªLi Ya himself.


    Gu An immediately got up, tucked ''Green Hero Travelogue'' into his bosom, and walked towards Li Ya.


    "The people in the pavilion said," Li Ya started.


    Gu An nodded, then led him upstairs.


    Zhen Qin ceased her sword practice and looked anxiously at Ye Lan, "Martial Uncle Ye, Martial Uncle Li Ya couldn''t be here because of those two demon cultivators from yesterday, could he?"


    "Perhaps," Ye Lan replied softly, glancing back.


    Inside the room.


    Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other. While pouring tea for Li Ya, Gu An asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Li Ya began to speak, "I''m planning to stay in Mystic Valley for half a year. Is that okay?"


    "Of course, that''s fine. You can stay as long as you like. Have you encountered some trouble?" Gu An readily agreed and kindly inquired further.


    Li Ya hesitated for a moment but still decided to talk about his experience from the day before. It might motivate Junior Brother Gu to cultivate more diligently due to the pressure.


    After listening, Gu An''s eyes widened in shock, "Those two are dead? Won''t the Wanyin Sect cause trouble?"


    Li Ya huffed, "He attacked Li Xuanyu and me. If anyone''s going to cause trouble, it will be the Supreme Sect against the Wanyin Sect. Besides, the imperial court will also pressure the Wanyin Sect because Li Xuanyu is my father emperor''s most beloved daughter."


    Gu An asked in surprise, "Then why would they dare to make a move on Elder Li?"


    "Xu Ruye and Chan Ji commit all kinds of evil and are unscrupulous. Chan Ji and Li Xuanyu had a fallout in Yecheng City. Naturally, they wouldn''t let the chance slip to attack when Li Xuanyu was alone. And..."


    Li Ya spoke disdainfully. But in the end, he held back.


    "And what?"


    "Nothing."


    Gu An felt like hitting someone, then speak the whole sentence or do not mention ''and'' at all!


    Li Ya looked at Gu An and asked, "Have you seen anyone else passing by Medicine Valley from yesterday to today?"


    Gu An shook his head.


    "You might not have seen, but if that Nascent Soul Realm elder hadn''t acted yesterday, Li Xuanyu and I would''ve been in great peril. That elder''s sword dao was truly terrifying. Plucking leaves to kill enemies, those at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm were like vegetables in the field before him, easily killed with a single leaf..."


    As Li Ya spoke of the previous day''s battle, he became visibly excited, beginning to depict the scene.


    Gu An''s eyes widened, occasionally drawing in a breath of cold air as if he was listening to a myth.


    The Nascent Soul Realm elder had thrown just two leaves, yet Li Ya used all the vocabulary he had to describe the event with great enthusiasm.


    "Sword cultivators should indeed be so, undefeated with or without a sword. Everything in the hand becomes a sword, even for me¡­ In short, senior brother, I believe I have found my path. From now on, I will focus on practicing swordsmanship and delve into the Sword Dao..."


    Li Ya showed a look of yearning, and Gu An nodded, secretly thrilled inside.


    Brother, the esteemed elder you are praising to the skies is right in front of you; it''s just that your cultivation is too shallow to see through it!


    Gu An interrupted Li Ya''s reverie and asked, "Why doesn''t the sect send disciples to patrol or protect us servant disciples during the grand event of the Outer Sect World?"


    Around Mystic Valley, there were at least six residences of Outer Disciples within a fifty-mile radius. Although most weren''t at their caves, a simple order from the sect would surely bring someone.


    Li Ya''s smile faded, and he said gloomily, "Think about it¡ªwhy are there people in the sect who dare to keep a Demon of Greed outside the Outer Sect? Isn''t it because the sect does not value servant disciples? But don''t worry, I will stay until the end of the Outer Sect World event."


    Gu An fell silent for a moment before asking, "Aren''t you participating?"


    "My cultivation level isn''t sufficient. Rashly participating would only lead to injury. Such a grand occasion is surely the world of those at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm," Li Ya shook his head.


    This response made Gu An look at him in a new light; he seemed quite self-aware.


    Of course, it might also be because the blow from Xu Ruye was too big.


    The two chatted for a while longer before coming downstairs. Gu An had Xiaochuan and Tang Yu help clear an area for Li Ya to reside alone.


    Knowing that Li Ya would stay for half a year, everyone in the valley was happy. Firstly, they would have someone to protect them; secondly, they could learn swordsmanship from Li Ya.


    In their eyes, everything about Gu An was great except that he knew too few spells to guide them. Li Ya was different¡ªhe was a bona fide Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator!


    In the days that followed, cultivators often flew over Mystic Valley on their swords. Gu An also saw many flying artifacts and demon beast mounts, involuntarily sighing in his heart.


    This is the world of immortal cultivation!


    ...


    A month later, deep into the night.


    Jiang Qiong leaned against the Green Vine Tree, her right leg swinging idly, a pale, delicate calf peeking out from beneath the hem of her dress, gleaming brightly. She held a book in her hands, casting glances towards Gu An in the distance, who was picking medicinal herbs.


    Suddenly, she flipped to her feet, the book flying into the pendant around her neck. She stretched, extending her body in a long yawn.


    "Good disciple, stop your work for now and practice the Demon Shadow Divine Skill," she said.


    Jiang Qiong called out as she leapt gracefully, landing in front of the Pill Furnace. Inside the furnace, the elixir was being concocted, with plumes of white smoke rising from under the lid.


    Without turning his head, Gu An replied, "It''s alright, I''ll be done soon."


    Jiang Qiong shook her head with a chuckle, thinking to herself, "This kid is really industrious, truly commendable. I should refine some elixirs for him."


    Half an incense stick''s time later.


    Gu An brought the gathered herbs over to Jiang Qiong''s side, arranging them meticulously by type on the ground, which filled her with even greater satisfaction.


    This child really is beyond reproach!


    Gu An had just reaped over thirteen hundred years of lifespan, leaving him in a rather good mood. Such fruitful opportunities do not come easily.


    "Continue your practice, and if there''s anything you don''t understand, ask me at any time," Jiang Qiong instructed softly, still watching the Pill Furnace.


    Gu An nodded, then began cultivating the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, which he had practiced for a month without it entering his Attribute Panel, much to his irritation.


    He had to master it now!


    The Eight Scenic Caves fell into tranquility, with Gu An and Jiang Qiong meditating near the Pill Furnace, their figures shrouded in the hazy elixir smoke.


    Four more days passed, and the Demon Shadow Divine Skill finally appeared on Gu An''s Attribute Panel.


    He looked at his Attribute Panel, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Lifespan: 27/12268]


    [Spirit Root: First-rate Five Elements Spirit Root (Wood, Earth Attributes more prominent)]


    [Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul Realm Eight Layers]


    [Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (Unmastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (Mastery), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (Mastery), Alchemy (Initial Insight), Myriad Poison Mystic Skill (Unmastered), Yin Yang Art (Unmastered)]


    [Ultimate Skills: Gale Shadowless Leg (Fully Integrated), Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword (Fully Integrated), Eight Directions Step (Unmastered), Demon Shadow Divine Skill (Unmastered)]


    [Spells: Soul Capturing Skill (Unmastered), Sword Control Technique (Fully Integrated), Enchanting Eyes (Unmastered), Poison Wood Array (Initial Insight), Wind Control Skill (Unmastered), Corpse Control Skill (Unmastered)]


    If it was on the Attribute Panel, it had to be real!


    In just over five years, Jiang Qiong taught him eight cultivation techniques and spells.


    Thoroughly responsible!


    This also caused Gu An to see her in a new light; although she was a Demon Cultivator, her teaching attitude surpassed that of the Righteous Path.


    Gu An stood up, bowed to Jiang Qiong, and said, "Martial Master, let''s call it a night for now. I wish to go back and rest."


    Jiang Qiong continued to meditate in front of the Pill Furnace, surrounded by swirling Demonic Qi. Without opening her eyes, she replied, "After you go back, focus on cultivating. I can only continue to nurture you for at most another two years before I leave."


    Gu An didn''t make a sound and turned to leave.


    Jiang Qiong opened one eye, peering at his retreating back, and thought, "It seems this boy is a bit saddened. After all, where else could he find such a wonderful Martial Master like me? Observing his loneliness, when I return, I''ll arrange for someone to take over my place, and have him continue to cultivate within the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    Then, I''ll ask my father to find that man to impart the Sword Dao to him."


    With his back to her, Gu An strode towards the cave entrance.


    He barely restrained the joy in his heart, not letting himself burst into laughter.


    At last, she was indicating she would leave!


    Although Jiang Qiong treated him well, he was more eager to enjoy the Eight Scenic Caves alone.


    Returning to the forest, Gu An didn''t immediately head back to his building, but instead headed into the distance, ready to invest a year of his lifespan into his Cultivation Level.


    He felt he was nearing the Ninth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, perhaps within the coming days.


    Even if it seemed close, he remained restrained, investing just one year of lifespan daily.


    Twenty li away, Gu An sat down in meditation under a tree, suppressing his aura to its lowest, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding flora.


    He immediately invested a year''s lifespan into his Cultivation Level, and Spiritual Energy surged towards him.


    The nearby plants rustled as though cheering him on, wishing him an early breakthrough.


    Soon, the flow of nature''s spiritual energy returned to normal, indicating he had completed a year''s Energy Absorption.


    Gu An stood up, ready to depart, but as he was about to take a step, he sensed something and quickly hid behind a tree.


    About four breaths later, the sound of breaking air approached, and two people flew over the space above Gu An''s head.


    Gu An''s vision was extraordinary, capturing the figures of the two people, and he swiftly sent out two Life Span Detections.


    [Zuo Yijian (Core Formation Realm Nine Layers): 142/490/980]


    [Zuo Lin (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 27/280/1400]


    Core Formation Realm Nine Layers!


    Gu An was secretly curious about which Sect or clan these two individuals came from.


    After they were gone, Gu An quietly returned to Mystic Valley.


    The next morning, like usual, he led the disciples in drills, while Li Ya just greeted him, mentioning he needed to visit the Outer Sect.


    It wasn''t until noon that Li Ya returned, flying on his sword, bringing someone with him.


    It was Zuo Lin, whom Gu An had detected the night before.

 Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Nascent Soul Realm Nine Layers, Wood Spirit Sword Technique

    "Junior Brother Gu, let me introduce you to my childhood friend, Zuo Lin. He wants to discuss swordsmanship with me. We''ll have him stay at my courtyard," Li Ya approached Gu An and introduced him.


    Zuo Lin, dressed in yellow, had a handsome and noble face, his inherent arrogance not fully concealable. He wore a precious sword at his waist, clearly of high grade.


    Li Ya introduced Gu An to Zuo Lin, but Zuo Lin merely nodded slightly at Gu An without saying a word.


    Gu An was unfazed and smiled, "Then, Senior Brother Li, you go ahead and settle him in."


    Li Ya nodded, his eyes conveying an apology.


    Zuo Lin, pulling Li Ya forward enthusiastically, said, "Ji Lin from the Ji Family was truly impressive today, have you seen his swordsmanship? It is extremely exquisite; I feel he stands a chance to be the ultimate victor."


    Ji Lin?


    The image of a handsome and proud face surfaced in Gu An''s mind. Ji Lin, like him, had entered the Supreme Sect under the guidance of Ji Xiaoyu. The two didn''t interact much, but Du Ye had previously helped Ji Lin gather herbs.


    Unexpectedly, Ji Lin was already making a name for himself at the grand gathering of the Outer Sect disciples across the world, given that he was only a few years older than Gu An.


    Of course, it might be related to the practice resources he received; the provisions from the Supreme Sect combined with those of the Ji Family made his rapid progress in cultivation understandable.


    Gu An walked towards the tree, but his ears were keenly eavesdropping on the conversation between Li Ya and the other.


    The world''s Outer Sect grand assembly had already begun, gathering talented Outer Sect disciples from both righteous and demonic paths to compete. From Li Ya''s conversation, the assembly was in the format of one-on-one duels, and those disciples who remained undefeated began to gain fame.


    Gu An did not hear Ji Xiaoyu''s name mentioned, and with a second thought, it made sense since Ji Xiaoyu was not part of the Outer Sect.


    Xiaochuan, Wuxin, and others were very curious about Zuo Lin, gathering in small groups and discussing amongst themselves.


    Zuo Lin''s arrival did not disrupt life at Mystic Valley; he disdained Servant Disciples, spending his time practicing swordsmanship with Li Ya and returning to his room for cultivation after practice.


    Due to their arrival, Gu An reduced his visits to the Eight Scenic Caves, but he still adhered to his daily schedule.


    A month quickly passed by.


    Gu An finally reached the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm. That night, as he walked back, he felt as light as a feather.


    When he returned to Mystic Valley, he discovered someone practicing swordsmanship in Li Ya''s courtyard.


    He returned to his own loft and stepped up to the window to watch after entering the room.


    The person practicing was Zuo Lin.


    When Zuo Lin had first arrived, Gu An thought he was a swordsmanship prodigy.


    But over the course of a month, as he watched Zuo Lin practice daily, Gu An realized that this fellow''s talent in the Sword Dao was extremely mediocre.


    By now, Gu An had a certain level of achievement in the Sword Dao, and he could judge Zuo Lin''s talent was even inferior to Su Han''s.


    Su Han had the strongest swordsmanship talent in the valley, yet that was only by the standards of Mystic Valley; it was not much to speak of outside.


    After watching for a while, Gu An closed the window.


    At dawn, Gu An went downstairs and saw Zuo Lin still standing in the courtyard, staring at the sword in his hands with furrowed brows.


    Gu An greeted his junior brothers, sisters, and disciples to start their drills, the noise catching Zuo Lin''s attention.


    "Actually, you don''t have to force the swordsmanship. With your incredible Spirit Root Qualification, once your cultivation level is higher, you might achieve more with less effort," Li Ya approached Zuo Lin and spoke softly.


    Zuo Lin''s face darkened as he said, "No, I must become a Sword Cultivator. My father is the Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake!"


    Li Ya initially wanted to persuade him but then thought better of it; he too had been trying to prove himself to his father.


    Zuo Lin intently watched Gu An and the others practice, sensing something profound in Gu An''s movements, which seemed just like everyone else''s, yet somehow embodied a deeper enigma.


    Initially, Zuo Lin thought it was his illusion, but the more he watched, the more he felt he was not mistaken.


    Li Ya did not continue to disturb Zuo Lin; he turned and walked towards the forest, needing ample time for cultivation himself.


    Defeated by Xu Ruye, although he seldom mentioned it, he kept it constantly in mind.


    He did not want to face defeat again!


    After Gu An finished a set of drills, he instructed the valley''s disciples to busy themselves; the valley''s affairs no longer required his direct involvement, as Wuxin was gradually taking over the role of senior brother''s authority.


    Xiaochuan was more reserved and not keen on directing others, so he was willing to let Wuxin take the lead.


    Ye Lan went without mention; she had refocused her efforts, fully sprinting towards the Outer Disciple examination.


    For people with average talents like hers, there was only one way to become an Outer Disciple: reach the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, then participate in and pass the Outer Sect examination to wait for the distribution of the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    If they could break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm directly, there would be no need for the examination.


    The question of whether or not to improve his skills in Alchemy to help craft the Foundation Establishment Pills for his junior brother and sisters lingered in Gu An''s mind. The ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill could all be found in the valley; the actual challenge was the process of Alchemy.


    Ye Lan was still some time away from reaching the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, giving Gu An enough time to weigh this matter. As for Xiaochuan, that was an even longer journey.


    Virtually no one with their level of talent could reach the eighth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm in their entire lifetime.


    Gu An walked towards the loft, pulling out the "Green Hero Travelogue" from his chest, his face showing anticipation.


    He had deliberately saved the last five chapters, waiting for a sunny and pleasant day to enjoy them.


    The storm was fierce as Green Hero and his Ms. Yin met in a ruined temple, their pent-up grievances and love about to erupt...


    Just the thought made Gu An very excited.


    "Brother Gu An."


    Zuo Lin''s voice rang out, and Gu An turned his head to see him walking briskly over.


    Approaching Gu An, Zuo Lin seemed a bit embarrassed. Gu An did not dwell on his previous arrogance, smiling and asking, "Brother Zuo, what''s the matter?"


    He gritted his teeth and said, "I''ve been observing your techniques¡ªthey are quite exquisite. Could you teach me?"


    "No problem, let''s go under the tree," Gu An responded.


    "Promoting public broadcasting gymnastics is a duty we, the sons and daughters of Huaxia, must bear!


    Zuo Lin was taken aback; he did not expect Gu An to be so agreeable and was immediately filled with shame. He hurried to keep up with Gu An''s pace.


    The two arrived at the courtyard in front of the attic. Gu An wasted no words and began to teach him the exercises.


    Zuo Lin had a photographic memory; whatever Gu An taught once, he learned immediately.


    "That''s it?" Zuo Lin asked, frowning.


    Conflued, Gu An asked, "Not enough? That''s all the moves."


    "What about the mental method?"


    "There is no mental method."


    "Impossible, without a mental method, how can you..." Zuo Lin said, frowning.


    His words only confused Gu An more, prompting him to ask, "What about me?"


    Zuo Lin became frantic and said, "It''s just that you give me a different feeling; the moves are the same, but different from others. You must have a mental method... "


    Gu An, feeling helpless, thought to himself, ''Has this kid been addled by his obsession with swords?''


    Seeing Gu An''s expression, Zuo Lin felt even more embarrassed. Rationality told him that a servant disciple couldn''t possibly be concealing a peerless mental method.


    However, his previous feeling couldn''t be wrong.


    From a young age, he was exceptionally sensitive to a person''s qualifications and aura, even earning praise from his master for having an Exquisite Spirit Heart, adept at discerning people''s true natures.


    This servant disciple before him was certainly no ordinary person!


    Zuo Lin''s eyes shifted as he said, "How about this, I''ll teach you some swordsmanship, and you try it out?"


    Gu An originally wanted to refuse, but seeing his insistence, it seemed difficult to shake him off, so he just nodded in agreement.


    A chance not to learn is a chance wasted!


    Noticing that Gu An had no sword, Zuo Lin took a long sword out of his storage bag and handed it to him while drawing the precious sword hanging at his waist to demonstrate his own sword techniques.


    This kid really doesn''t know how to behave!


    Why swing a sword so fast?


    Gu An complained in his mind, yet he watched very closely.


    At a distance, Tang Yu and Su Han saw this scene. Not daring to come too close, they could only watch from afar.


    "If Master learns it, couldn''t he just teach us?" Su Han said expectantly, his fondness for the sword clear. "The Traditions of Immortal Cultivation are indeed vast, but only the path of the sword cultivator truly captivates my heart."


    Tang Yu nodded, saying, "As long as Master learns it, if we ask him, he definitely won''t refuse."


    In their hearts, Gu An was the best master; the real issue was whether the master could learn Zuo Lin''s sword techniques.


    The answer was definite. Gu An had invested two thousand years of life span in the Li Family Seven-Sword Art; his Achievement in the Sword Dao was already profound.


    Zuo Lin''s demonstrated sword techniques, while decent, were not as advanced as the upgraded version of the Seven-Sword Art of the Li Family, much less comparable to the Nine Devastating Swords.


    Right, it''s unlikely that Zuo Lin would impart his strongest swordsmanship right at the start.


    After Zuo Lin finished demonstrating, he turned to Gu An and asked, "How much did you remember?"


    Gu An shook his head, "Maybe twenty percent... I can''t be certain. Your swordsmanship is too fluid, it dazzled me, and I''ve already forgotten the earlier moves."


    Zuo Lin frowned and immediately asked Gu An to try.


    Thus, Gu An began performing the sword techniques Zuo Lin had just demonstrated. His movements were hesitant and his strokes stiff, making Zuo Lin''s frown deepen.


    At a distance, despair overcame Tang Yu and Su Han; it seemed their master would not learn it.


    After fumbling through another demonstration, Zuo Lin tried once more, this time even slower, yet he still didn''t remember it all.


    After struggling for half an ancient hour, Gu An found an excuse to slip away. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An irate Zuo Lin sought out Li Ya and complained that Gu An was mocking him.


    Upon learning the reason, Li Ya gave a wry smile and said, "He truly has no talent for the Sword Dao, and he quite dislikes sword training."


    "Really?" Zuo Lin''s anger subsided somewhat, but he couldn''t help recalling the poise with which Gu An had performed the earlier exercises. He felt Gu An was concealing something.


    "He is my junior brother, how could I not know?"


    Li Ya gave him a look before warning, "Stop pestering him. It''s already good that you are allowed to stay. Keep bothering him, and you might as well head back to the Outer Sect and find your father!"


    Zuo Lin fell into deep thought, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the attic where Gu An resided, lost in thought.


    Elsewhere.


    Inside the attic.


    Gu An sat meditating on his bed, eyes closed, reminiscing about the sword techniques Zuo Lin had taught him.


    He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sword light in them.


    He accessed his attribute panel, and under the ultimate skill category, ''Wood Spirit Sword Technique'' appeared.


    Wood Spirit?


    Could it be a Wood Attribute sword technique?


    Gu An''s Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill was also of the Wood Attribute; if he cultivated Wood Attribute spells, he could achieve twice the result with half the effort. He had previously quickly learned the Poison Wood Array that Jiang Qiong taught him.


    However, he did not plan to enhance this sword technique for the time being; he had to save up to a hundred thousand years of life span first.


    With one thousand years to activate the Life Span Detection function, ten thousand to activate the Life Span Barrier, and surely a new function upon reaching a hundred thousand years of life span, he had always been looking forward to it.

 Chapter 31: Chapter 31 True Dragon Blood Lineage

    Ever since Zuo Lin taught Gu An sword training, every time they met, Zuo Lin would gaze at him with a look of resentment, which made Gu An quite uncomfortable. Luckily, with Li Ya around, Zuo Lin didn''t dare to pester him.


    Days passed by, one after another, and there were always Cultivators flying over the skies of Mystic Valley.


    Every time someone flew past, Gu An would use Life Span Detection to gauge their realms. He even captured the presence of those in the Nascent Soul Realm, but he couldn''t discern which sect or faction they belonged to.


    Spring gave way to summer, and Gu An turned twenty-eight.


    Ever since he reached the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, he had halted his daily routine. He feared wasting his life span and planned to break through forcefully using his substantial life span later on.


    Beyond hard work, he also believed in metaphysics.


    The scorching days of summer arrived.


    In the woods, Gu An lay under a tree reading a book, while Wuxin was directing Tang Yu, Su Han, and Zhen Qin to weed, and Xiaochuan and Ye Lan were cultivating in the valley.


    Tang Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and cast a curious glance toward the Green Hero Travelogue in Gu An''s hands.


    What exactly is that book?


    The valley''s biggest secret was what the Green Hero Travelogue contained.


    The three disciples also wanted to read it, but unfortunately, Gu An had kept the entire set of the Green Hero Travelogue to himself, and they couldn''t find it in the Book Collection Pavilion.


    Suddenly, a large White Spirit Rat darted out from the bushes and ran into Gu An''s arms¡ªit was indeed the White Spirit Rat.


    Gu An noticed something in its mouth and straightened up just in time to see it spit out an egg the size of a chicken egg. The eggshell was bluish-white with brown wave-like patterns on it.


    He could feel the fluctuations of Spiritual Power inside.


    Was this the egg of a Demon Beast?


    Gu An had encountered Demon Beast eggs before in the Outer City and seen their varying prices. The most expensive ones were astronomical figures that made his scalp tingle.


    While Wuxin and the others were not paying attention, he quickly threw the Demon Beast egg into his storage bag.


    The White Spirit Rat lifted its head, looking proud, and Gu An, amused, embraced it and gave it a good stroke.


    After weeding, Wuxin and the others began to sow seeds. Once everything was done, they all walked back to Mystic Valley together.


    Tang Yu walked beside Gu An, asking him about the difficulties of the Residual Wind Leg technique. He didn''t like swords, so he was the only disciple among the three who diligently practiced the Residual Wind Leg technique.


    Gu An gave patient guidance, all the while holding onto the White Spirit Rat tightly, not letting it escape.


    When they returned to Mystic Valley, Li Ya, who had gone to the Outer Sect in the morning, had already returned. However, Zuo Lin had not, which was a relief for Gu An.


    Li Ya came to Gu An and said, "The conference of the Outer Sects has ended, and now is the time for exchanges between the sects. During this period, there will be disciples patrolling nearby, so I should head back."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately showed a look of reluctance and said, "Then I won''t keep you any longer. You are determined to follow the Immortal Path, and I can''t hold you back. If you ever miss this place, you can come back anytime. As long as I''m still alive, I will always be here waiting for you."


    Li Ya nodded. Then he pulled Gu An up to the attic, closed the door securely, and took out three White Jade Bottles from his storage bag, placing them on the table. "These three bottles of Elixirs are the Foundation Establishment Pill, Top-Grade Spirit Elixir, and Soul Cleansing Pill. Take good care of these and don''t reveal them carelessly, especially the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    You must save one for yourself, and don''t trust your disciples too much. There are many who would kill their master for an Elixir, and people''s hearts can change."


    Gu An was stunned and quickly waved his hands, "I can''t accept this. Even if I were the Valley Master for a hundred years, I won''t have enough Spirit Stones to repay..."


    "Repay what? You are my junior brother, and besides, I will be coming back to bother you again. If you don''t accept, I won''t come back!" Li Ya glared and spoke sternly.


    Hearing this, Gu An had no choice but to reluctantly accept. He was deeply moved.


    More than the valuable Elixirs, he cared more about Li Ya''s feelings toward him.


    Li Ya continued, "Last night, a hundred miles away, there was a battle between Demon Cultivators, resulting in several casualties. These were all geniuses from various sects. Their deaths will certainly provoke investigations from their sects. You better not leave the valley these next few days."


    Gu An nodded, about to say something when Li Ya turned and left.


    He didn''t take the main door but jumped out of the window instead. He soared with his Sword Control Technique, cutting across the sky over the mountain peaks and disappearing without a trace.


    Gu An turned to look at the three bottles of Elixirs on the table, remaining silent for a long time.


    Finally, he sighed and swept the three bottles into his storage bag with a wave of his sleeve.


    ...


    Late at night, Gu An went to the Eight Scenic Caves and made his way to the Green Vine Tree.


    Jiang Qiong was still meditating in front of the Pill Furnace. Her aura was growing stronger and she wasn''t far from the ninth layer of the Elixir Formation Realm. Gu An was happy for her.


    She was about to depart!


    "Dear disciple, it''s been a long time since you came to see me. I thought you nearly forgot about me," Jiang Qiong''s voice rang out.


    Gu An stepped forward and performed a salute, saying helplessly, "Martial Master, could you please not add the word ''dear''? Your disciple really can''t handle it."


    A Demon Cultivator is a Demon Cultivator, never serious in their words.


    Jiang Qiong pursed her lips in a smile but didn''t pick up the conversation.


    Gu An took out the Demon Beast egg from his storage bag and brought it to Jiang Qiong, asking, "Martial Master, what kind of Demon Beast is this?"


    At that, Jiang Qiong opened her eyes. She glanced casually at the egg in his hand, seemingly unconcerned at first. But as she was about to look away, something struck her, and she suddenly widened her eyes in shock.


    She turned around and snatched the egg from Gu An''s hands.


    She examined it closely, her gaze as if trying to see through the eggshell.


    Seeing this, Gu An grew inwardly tense.


    Indeed, there was something extraordinary about this creature!


    When he heard from Li Ya about the battle between Demon Cultivators last night, he suspected that the White Spirit Rat had found the egg in the aftermath of the battle. Having lived in this area for so many years, not to mention seeing a Demon Beast egg, he hadn''t even seen a single Demon Beast.


    "It really is the Holy Beast of the Ancient Sky Sect," Jiang Qiong murmured to herself.


    Holy Beast?


    Gu An''s eyelids twitched. Suddenly, he wanted to strangle the White Spirit Rat for bringing him this trouble.


    Jiang Qiong handed the demon beast egg to Gu An and said, "This is a Sky Dragon, a rare beast in the Mortal World with True Dragon Blood Lineage. It can grow into a ninth-layer demon beast with immense potential, possessing the fierce might to level mountains and overturn seas. Revered as a Holy Beast by the Ancient Sky Sect, this creature will be loyal to only one master throughout its life.


    It is gentle and subdued towards its master, but to others, it is extremely ferocious. Should the master of a Sky Dragon fall, it will go mad and slaughter indiscriminately."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An quickly said, "With such power, it''s better to give it to the Martial Master, who also needs assistance in the Immortal Cultivation World."


    "Really?" asked Jiang Qiong with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile.


    Gu An nodded, his expression sincere.


    Seeing this, Jiang Qiong''s expression softened, her heart moved.


    Upon reflection, from the moment they met, this young man had always been courteous and respectful to her, carrying out her orders meticulously. His words now might truly be sincere.


    Jiang Qiong had faked her death for seventy years, falling into this state due to betrayal. Over the years, she had hated many people. When she first met Gu An, she was full of caution, so after recovering her body, she made her move to test him.


    Jiang Qiong forcefully stuffed the Sky Dragon Egg into Gu An''s hand. Their hands touched, making his feel a trace of coldness.


    "No more refusals, it just so happens that the Green Vine Tree requires a powerful presence to guard it. If you raise the Sky Dragon here, there''s no fear of exposure," Jiang Qiong said earnestly. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An felt that made sense upon hearing this.


    That way, it would also prevent people from stealing plants and flowers.


    Gu An sighed and said, "Alright, then."


    Jiang Qiong began to narrate the legend of the Sky Dragon and its habits, allowing him to understand more.


    The more Gu An listened, the more excited he grew, and he began to look forward to the Sky Dragon.


    Finally, he left the Sky Dragon Egg under the Green Vine Tree for Jiang Qiong to nurture.


    ...


    Over the next month, the number of cultivators passing over Mystic Valley in the sky gradually decreased, and for three consecutive days, none were seen coming and going. Only then did Gu An leave the valley.


    He still had a part-time job to do, which also provided him with a significant Life Span income that he could not miss out on.


    Compared to fighting and killing, Gu An preferred to earn Life Span in a steady and down-to-earth manner.


    In the middle of the day, he first went to Chen Li''s cave. Finding Chen Li not inside, he spent 30 minutes tending to the herbs before leaving.


    Next was Li Xuanyu''s cave.


    Li Xuanyu was also absent from her cave, so Gu An started to get busy.


    True to being a princess, Li Xuanyu had recently planted a batch of fifth-layer herb seeds, which made Gu An quite expectant.


    Fifth-layer herbs needed at least five years, or even ten or more, to mature. Fortunately, Gu An could afford to wait.


    However, just as Gu An was about to finish, Li Xuanyu unexpectedly returned.


    "I greet Senior Li," Gu An hurriedly came forward, clasping his fists in salute.


    Dressed in white, Li Xuanyu was still as cold and holy as ever, but Gu An could sense that her aura was unstable.


    She''s injured again.


    She really is combative!


    In a soft voice, Li Xuanyu said, "You and Li Ya are fellow disciples, there''s no need to call me senior. You may call me Martial Sister."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An had no choice but to do so, addressing her respectfully as Martial Sister.


    Li Xuanyu glanced over the cave and said, "You''ve done a good job. Do you need me to recommend you for this part-time work? If I speak up, those employers will show me some courtesy and won''t treat you unfairly."


    "I do need it, thank you, Martial Sister Li!"


    Gu An quickly replied, as he was still looking forward to accumulating a hundred thousand years of Life Span to break through to a realm above the Nascent Soul Realm, and naturally wouldn''t refuse.


    Li Xuanyu nodded and said, "Come back in a month."


    Gu An made his salutations and then took his leave.


    After he left, Li Xuanyu went to the bed and began to cultivate energy to heal her injuries. Her complexion quickly grew pale, devoid of any color, followed by a spit of black blood that sprayed onto the ground.


    Outside the cave, Gu An felt her aura suddenly fluctuate wildly, presumably due to her injuries flaring up, but he did not halt his steps on account of it.


    He couldn''t heal injuries, and besides, he didn''t want to get too involved with Li Xuanyu.


    ...


    After the conclusion of the Outer Sect Great Assembly, time in Mystic Valley resumed its rapid pace as before.


    When Gu An saw Li Xuanyu again, her injuries had largely healed. Under her guidance, he was introduced to five Outer Disciples. With that, he was simultaneously managing the caves of seven Outer Disciples.


    Since each cave was different, he had to leave the valley every three or four days. To make traveling easier, he elevated his apparent cultivation level to the sixth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, employing Sword Control Technique for each journey, as the Spiritual Power of the fifth Energy Cultivation layer was insufficient for him to travel back and forth in a single day.


    He did not reveal the Heavenly Residence Sword, instead stepping upon an ordinary Flying Sword. This was a common Magic Artifact exchanged from the Outer Sect, meant to keep his travels incognito.


    Summer passed, autumn arrived, and the fallen leaves blanketed Mystic Valley.


    After the autumn colors, winter snow came, plunging Mystic Valley into a vast expanse of white.


    One day, Gu An was engrossed in writing in the attic.


    Having read enough of Green Hero Travelogue, he wanted to write a book himself. Coincidentally, on his last visit to the Outer Sect, he discovered he could earn Spirit Stones from writing, though the vetting process was very strict.


    With his background as a reincarnated Earthling, Gu An decided to give Supreme Sect a bit of a shock.


    Earn more Spirit Stones, and he could buy more seeds!


    Engrossed in writing, he suddenly sensed something and furrowed his brows.


    The sky outside darkened as billowing thunderclouds rolled in from the horizon. A terrifying celestial might enveloped the heavens, earth, and forests.

 Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Sword Duel in the Snowy Night, Nascent Soul vs. Nascent Soul

    "Is this... the Thunder Tribulation?"


    Gu An looked at the thunderclouds outside the window, his brows gradually smoothing out as a look of curiosity spread across his face.


    He wasn''t worried, because he felt that the heavenly might was far from Mystic Valley.


    Tang Yu, Su Han, and Zhen Qin, who were clearing snow in the garden, turned their heads to look, while Ye Lan, who was sitting in meditation in the forest, also opened her eyes. Xiaochuan stepped out from his own house and gazed at the rolling thunderclouds in the sky.


    Wuxin was meditating at the mountain peak, where the snowfall couldn''t hide his figure as he stared at the horizon, frowning deeply.


    "Such a strong Sword Intent..."


    Wuxin murmured to himself. Although his cultivation level was modest, he was from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and had seen plenty.


    The entire sky quickly became covered with thunderclouds, resembling a boundless ocean about to unleash towering waves, plunging the snowy forest into darkness, the wind between heaven and earth growing stronger, causing the forest to sway and shake off sheets of accumulated snow.


    Disturbed by this heavenly might, Gu An found himself unable to concentrate on his writing, so he got up, descended the stairs, and called his disciples to look after various gardens.


    An ancient hour later, several cultivators flew swiftly over Mystic Valley, hurrying toward the direction the heavenly might came from and disappeared into the vast snowy expanse.


    This scene made the disciples in the valley even more nervous, uncertain of what was actually happening.


    Only when it was nearly evening did a thunderclap rumble through heaven and earth.


    Gu An stood on the mountaintop, seeing from a distance the lightning interweaving with thunder in the sky, striking a certain point on the ground and forming a tremendous fan shape, extremely magnificent. The lightning reflecting on his face as his black robe fluttered in the wind.


    "No wonder I failed so many times in my evolutionary cultivation, with the Thunder Tribulation being so terrifying,"


    Gu An lamented inwardly, his long-repressed grievances finally dispersing.


    Though evolutionary cultivation consumed more life span than reality, it was safer, and looking back at his achievements, could the Supreme Sect find a second person who reached the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm at the age of twenty-eight?


    Afterward, he turned and descended the mountain, preparing to continue writing.


    That night, the thunder roared on and off, causing everyone in Medicine Valley to not be able to cultivate in peace.


    By noon the next day, the thunder was still ongoing, the wind between heaven and earth becoming fiercer as if a blizzard was imminent. Gu An occasionally led the disciples out to check on the medicinal herbs.


    A full three days and nights passed before the thunder finally stopped. As the thunderclouds dispersed in the sky, sunlight finally poured down, giving the disciples of Mystic Valley a sigh of relief.


    However, before they could enjoy half a day of happiness, a sharp and overwhelming pressure engulfed heaven and earth, making them feel a heavy pressure on their chests, their hearts pounding with fear.


    Inside the loft.


    Gu An put down the brush in his hand and looked out the window with a worried frown.


    He felt a strong Sword Intent coming from the horizon, but for the moment, he couldn''t judge how far away it was.


    "What is he doing?"


    Gu An was puzzled. Had the person begun comprehending the sword right after the Thunder Tribulation?


    Was he that desperate?


    All Gu An could do was to pray that the other party wouldn''t disrupt his Medicine Valley. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the other''s Sword Intent was powerful, after a silent comparison, he felt it was not as profound as his Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    After all, the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword was the result of two thousand years'' sacrifice of his life span!


    How many people in the Mortal World could live for two thousand years?


    ...


    Late at night, Eight Scenic Caves.


    Gu An came to visit Jiang Qiong, and he made his way to the base of the Green Vine Tree, lifting his hand to pay his respects to Jiang Qiong.


    "Don''t come in for the next while, so as not to be discovered by Zuo Yijian," Jiang Qiong said without even opening her eyes.


    Zuo Yijian?


    Gu An remembered this person, who was the father of Zuo Lin. When he and his son flew over Mystic Valley back then, Gu An had even performed a Life Span Detection on them.


    Zuo Yijian''s cultivation level previously was precisely at the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm.


    After crossing the Tribulation, he would be a cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Gu An quickly thought about it in his heart, but asked anxiously, "Who is Zuo Yijian?"


    "He is the one who has been crossing the Thunder Tribulation these past days. According to your master, he has already made a name for himself as the Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake," Jiang Qiong answered.


    The Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake?


    Curious, Gu An asked, "Martial Master, did you know him from before?"


    "Yes, indeed, I did know him. Once, in his overweening ambition, he sought me as a Daoist Companion and got severely humiliated by me, turning him into a laughingstock of the Inner Sect. Since then, he has devoted himself to Swordsmanship in isolation, not emerging from seclusion until I was injured and feigned death. I haven''t seen him since," Jiang Qiong said.


    She opened her eyes and looked at Gu An with a teasing smile, "Dear disciple, don''t get carried away with emotions in the future, they lead to suffering."


    Gu An responded, "Thank you for your teachings, Martial Master. I will surely bear them in mind."


    Then, Jiang Qiong told Gu An to take a seat and began to instruct him on the Poison Skills of the Myriad Poison Mystic Skill.


    The Myriad Poison Mystic Skill included the Energy Absorption Skill as well as many Poison Skills and required a lot of time to study thoroughly.


    After staying in Eight Scenic Caves for two ancient hours, Gu An then took his leave.


    ...


    Three days later, at dawn.


    Gu An was leading the disciples in drills; they stood atop the white snow, amidst bone-chilling winds, yet they were still lightly dressed.


    Whoosh!


    A sound of cutting air came, startling everyone to turn their heads. They saw a Sword Qi strike the eastern mountain peak, cutting down two large trees on the mountainside, which collapsed with a crash and rolled down the slope, finally being blocked by a row of trees, kicking up snow and dust like a white mist.


    Looking up, there was a six-meter-long crack on the mountainside, as if it had been chopped by a giant sword, quite a spectacular sight.


    Su Han said with a frown, "This is not the first time. If it continues like this, it will inevitably endanger us."


    The other disciples were also anxious, their training movements consequently slowing down.


    Wuxin sighed and said, "Sword Cultivators seek enlightenment in their Sword Dao, which could be as short as a few days or as long as several decades, who knows how long that person will continue their enlightenment."


    Gu An rarely lacked a smile, but now his face was somber.


    He was worried about the herbs in Mystic Valley.


    Yesterday, he had made a trip to the Outer Sect to report the matter to the Elixir Hall, only to be told that he could choose to temporarily move to the Outer City and forgo this year''s harvest, but the Elixir Hall would not compensate for any losses in Mystic Valley.


    The herbs in Mystic Valley were Gu An''s treasures, how could he simply give them up?


    If Mystic Valley collapsed, even the Eight Scenic Caves might be exposed.


    No!


    He must think of a solution!


    Gu An''s eyes flickered with determination; he could endure humiliation for the sake of survival, but for his herbs, he was willing to fight!


    "Alright, hurry up and finish training, then proceed to your own cultivation practices. If that person hasn''t left in two more days, we will go to the Outer City to take refuge," Gu An instructed.


    Upon hearing this, the disciples were all revitalized, having been worried about the collapse of Mystic Valley and already considering taking refuge outside.


    The short winter days quickly passed.


    Night gradually fell.


    Atop a mountain peak, Zuo Yijian sat in meditation, five swords standing before him, each with a different shape and even the widths of their blades varied.


    As night descended, snowflakes filled the sky. As they landed on his body, they instantly melted into wisps of white mist, making his entire presence appear even more formidable.


    A hundred yards away, on another peak, Zuo Lin sat meditating at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by three large banners fluttering in the wind. When sword qi approached, an invisible barrier deflected it, preventing him from suffering any harm.


    Though unharmed, the booming sound of sword qi striking the formation jolted Zuo Lin awake.


    He lifted his eyes toward his father, his brows furrowed tightly, eyes filled with admiration.


    They say the dragon begets the dragon and the phoenix begets the phoenix, so why hadn''t he inherited his father''s aptitude for the Sword Dao?


    Feeling his father''s strong Sword Intent, Zuo Lin aspired to be strong.


    Despite having outstanding Spirit Root Qualification and cultivating his Energy Absorption much faster than his peers, he only wished to become a powerful Sword Cultivator like his father.


    If it were not for the need for sword enlightenment, his Cultivation Realm would certainly not be limited to the Second Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    "Alas!"


    Zuo Lin sighed, then prepared to continue his study of the Sword Dao, unconvinced that he couldn''t make a name for himself in the way of the sword.


    Just as he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly saw his father standing up, causing him to be taken aback.


    Was it over?


    Zuo Yijian stood at the peak facing the direction of Zuo Lin, but his gaze was set higher, on a taller mountain in the distance where night shrouded any sign of life, yet he could feel the lock of Sword Intent on him.


    The five precious swords before him began to tremble as if facing a formidable enemy.


    Zuo Lin, on the other mountain, also stood up, calling loudly, "Father, what''s wrong? Did you succeed?"


    Zuo Yijian did not answer him but instead called out, "I do not know which Daoist Friend has arrived. Why not show yourself?"


    Ten miles away.


    Gu An, clad in white, stood atop a mountain peak, wearing a wooden mask. Spiritual Power covered his face beneath the mask to avoid detection by Divine Sense.


    His white garments fluttered, blending into the snow behind him.


    In his right hand, he fiddled with a leaf wrapped in strands of Sword Qi.


    From high above, his gaze could see Zuo Yijian as well as Zuo Lin.


    Before releasing his Sword Intent, he had already scouted the area for a hundred miles to ensure no other powerful cultivators were present, and only then had he come to the mountain top.


    Gu An disliked needless killing, but Zuo Yijian threatened his precious Medicine Valley, and he had to drive him away.


    "Blame yourself for choosing the wrong place," Gu An muttered to himself. As he spoke, he was already stimulating his cultivation technique, channeling Spiritual Power into the leaf.


    Meanwhile.


    Upon hearing his father''s words, Zuo Lin quickly turned around, but with his Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, he was unable to discern the person ten miles away, especially in the darkness with snow obstructing his vision.


    Unable to see the newcomer, he couldn''t help feeling tense.


    Zuo Yijian felt the opponent''s Sword Intent rising and knew that the fight could no longer be avoided.


    "A spy from the Demon Path? Or could it be... they sent someone?" Zuo Yijian''s gaze flickered. His right hand grasped a precious sword before him; the blade was slender and crimson, flaring up with flames as he gripped it, becoming the brightest object in the night sky.


    He drew the sword and slashed through the air, igniting a wave of fire that hung across the night sky.


    "Under the cold sky, to use the Devouring Flame Sword Technique... it seems the past few days of sword enlightenment has greatly improved father''s mastery of the sword..." Zuo Lin turned his head and saw the sword fire in his father''s hand, his face showing admiration.


    No matter who the opponent was, he believed his father could not be defeated.


    "Since the Daoist Friend refuses to speak, I can only assume that you wish to disrupt my path enlightenment. Let this icy snowy land bear witness to whose Sword Intent is stronger!" Zuo Yijian''s icy voice echoed between heaven and earth, and as his words finished, a surge of soaring Sword Intent burst forth from him.


    The mountain he was on trembled violently, snow avalanching down, and even the one Zuo Lin was on began to shake.


    Ten miles away.


    "Too much talk."


    Gu An murmured softly, so quietly that only he could hear himself. As his words faded, he violently flung the leaf in his hand.


    The object that flew was not a leaf but a Divine Sword that pierced through time and space!

 Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Disturbing the Outer Sect, Deification

    In the dim snow night, Zuo Yijian''s Sword Intent formed a shocking and domineering column of air, stirring the wind and snow, linking the sky with the mountain. Hot flames ascended from within the column, miraculously transforming into a fire dragon rising up.


    Zuo Lin stood with his eyes wide and his mouth agape, unable to believe that his father''s Devouring Flame Sword Technique had reached such a level, something he had never heard of before.


    Boom!


    A tremendous booming noise suddenly came from behind Zuo Lin, like a thunderclap out of the blue, startling him into turning around subconsciously. His face hadn''t completely turned when a bright sword light illuminated it, and his eyes widened, catching a glimpse of a dazzling sword light sweeping through the dim horizon.


    That sword light was indescribably bright, its impact turning the falling snow into massive waves of air, as if the very night sky were about to be pierced through. This scene deeply shocked Zuo Lin.


    Zuo Lin''s mind went blank, entirely too late to think further.


    The dazzling sword light cut through the night sky, streaking above his head, the strong winds it created instantly activating the formations surrounding him, forming an energy shield that rippled violently, threatening to shatter at any moment.


    Under Zuo Lin''s gaze, the dazzling sword light collided with Zuo Yijian''s Sword Intent with an unstoppable, ruinous force.


    Zuo Yijian reacted faster than Zuo Lin, but not faster than his opponent.


    He had no time to employ swordsmanship and could only desperately resist with his own Sword Intent.


    Boom!


    The terrifying column of air that enveloped him was directly dispersed, and the crimson flame dragon disappeared in an instant. Zuo Yijian''s Sword Intent was forcibly shattered.


    His robe tore apart, and blood burst from his skin.


    His eyes widened, reflecting the image of a falling leaf.


    "How is this possible..."


    Such a thought flashed through Zuo Yijian''s mind. Before he could even feel fear, the leaf pierced into his shoulder, the terrible Sword Qi exploding, propelling him backward, smashing through mountains after mountains, before finally crashing into the forest dozens of miles away.


    The night sky had a clear path carved through it, where approaching snowflakes vaporized into mist, hovering between the mountains, an incredibly spectacular sight.


    Atop the mountain, Zuo Lin stood within the formation, incredulously staring in the direction where his father had disappeared.


    He then knelt to the ground, unable to accept everything he had just witnessed.


    His father, who was unbeatable in battle, had actually been defeated...


    And he was defeated without the power to fight back...


    Ten miles away, atop a mountain.


    Gu An maintained his gesture of a hand swipe, his white clothes flapping violently in the chilly wind mixed with snowflakes, his eyes calm beneath his mask.


    "How can your hundred years of practice stand against the efforts of my two thousand years of life span?" he thought to himself. He had shown mercy, aiming not for Zuo Yijian''s head but his shoulder.


    He turned away and disappeared into the vast snow, as if he had never been there.


    ...


    At dawn, as usual, Gu An was leading his disciples in drills.


    Zhen Qin, while twisting her waist, looked toward the sky and said, "It seems like the snow has lessened today."


    Wuxin gazed into the distance and remarked, "Not just the snow, that strong Sword Intent is also gone."


    Upon hearing this, the rest of the disciples immediately became excited.


    "Could it be that person has already left?"


    "It''s possible. It''s said that Sword Cultivators seeking Sword Enlightenment need to find a place with mountain spirits and scenic water to meditate on nature. Our area can hardly be considered blessed land."


    "Don''t be too careless, what if he''s merely taking a nap?"


    "Have you forgotten the recent Tribulation Thunder? Would a Great Cultivator of that level need a nap?"


    Listening to their debate, Gu An couldn''t help but smile.


    He cleared his throat and said, "Focus on your drills. Whether that senior has left or not, we''ll find out by taking a trip down there later."


    Hopefully, there won''t be any more nearby Tribulation Crossing or Sword Enlightenment.


    If he accidentally struck too hard, that would not be a pretty sight!


    In the following two days, there was no Sword Intent enveloping the heavens and earth, confirming for the Mystic Valley disciples that the person had already left. Since then, Mystic Valley returned to its normal rhythm of life.


    Occasionally, Cultivators flew over Mystic Valley, and the disciples were already accustomed to it. Only Gu An knew that those people might be investigating the incident of Zuo Yijian''s injury, as he had detected that one of the Cultivators had the Cultivation Level of the Sixth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Night fell.


    After several days apart, Gu An visited Jiang Qiong in the Eight Scenic Caves.


    After exchanging formalities, Gu An said, "It seems that Elder Zuo Yijian has already left."


    Jiang Qiong, who wasn''t practicing her Cultivation but rather refining elixirs, stared at the flames beneath the Pill Furnace and said, "Not left, he''s now either dead or injured."


    "What? Why would you say that?" Gu An feigned shock as he asked.


    He even added, "He is a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator after all!"


    Jiang Qiong gave him a sidelong glance, somewhat annoyed, "Nascent Soul Realm or not? There are levels beyond the Nascent Soul Realm. In the last few days, there were two bouts of strong Sword Intents clashing. One of the Sword Intents far surpassed that of Zuo Yijian, and the battle ended in an instant; this indicates that the other party''s strength far exceeds Zuo Yijian''s."


    Hearing these words, Gu An rejoiced secretly within his heart.


    Externally, he frowned and hesitated, "Then, might Mystic Valley be in danger?"


    "Rest assured, several days have passed. Would you stomp on an ant you see by the road?" Jiang Qiong looked back at the Pill Furnace and spoke softly.


    She seemed calm, but her heart was filled with a sense of urgency.


    She realized she might have fallen out of touch with the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Seventy years was enough to overturn dynasties, and she herself had reached the Core Formation Realm in just forty years¡ªwho knows what the landscape of the Immortal Cultivation World is like now.


    "When making a breakthrough in the future, one must be more cautious. Do not follow in Zuo Yijian''s footsteps; he might have thought no one would dare to interrupt him, unaware that internal conflicts within the Supreme Sect are intense." Jiang Qiong said with a hint of melancholy.


    Gu An, surprised, asked, "Are you suggesting that the one who attacked Elder Zuo Yijian is a Cultivator from the Supreme Sect?"


    "Of course. Cultivators from other teachings would not dare to rashly invade the Supreme Sect''s territory. Moreover, the attacker disappeared quickly without a second battle; he could only belong to the Supreme Sect." Jiang Qiong confirmed with a nod.


    And you guessed it right!


    ```


    After Gu An made his move last night, he quickly left the scene of the incident. As soon as he arrived at Mystic Valley, he felt several powerful divine senses sweeping over him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.


    Thankfully, his Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill was strong enough!


    Jiang Qiong clearly had many thoughts. She began to teach Gu An how to navigate the Immortal Cultivation World from now on.


    After a long talk, Gu An finally got away from her to check on the Sky Dragon Egg.


    The Sky Dragon Egg was placed by Jiang Qiong under a tree, surrounded by dry grass, with many talisman papers cushioned underneath. They were inscribed with Jiang Qiong''s spells to help the Sky Dragon Egg better absorb nature''s spiritual energy.


    What would the Sky Dragon look like when it hatched?


    Gu An had already begun to fantasize about riding atop a True Dragon and wandering the Mortal World.


    ...


    The news of Zuo Yijian being seriously injured was more impactful than Gu An had anticipated. Even after more than half a month had passed, as he came to the Outer Sect, he often heard people discussing the matter along the way.


    It used to be rare to hear about Nascent Soul Realm cultivators in the Outer Sect, but now the whole town was talking about Zuo Yijian, perhaps related to his recent Tribulation Crossing.


    Before the Tribulation Crossing, Zuo Yijian was an elder of the Outer Sect and ranked among the top in terms of strength.


    Following Elder Zhu Qinglu of the Elixir Hall, Gu An arrived at the Book Collection Hall of the Outer Sect.


    The Book Collection Hall was in charge of all book towers in the Outer Sect, including the Scripture Pavilions in various places.


    Cultivation techniques, esoteric texts, tales of wonders, and travelogues¡ªany books that flowed into the Supreme Sect had to be registered at the Book Collection Hall.


    "Young brother, your idea to write a book is good. I fully support you. If it passes, I will notify them to increase the scale of your first batch of books," said Zhu Qinglu, walking ahead and turning back with a smile.


    Ever since taking advantage of the Green Vine Fruit, he treated Gu An like a younger family member, at least outwardly.


    Gu An replied with a smile, "I''m deeply grateful for the senior''s support. I will certainly not forget your kindness."


    "Hahaha, you are too formal," said Zhu Qinglu, stroking his beard and laughing. Though he said these words, the smile on his face was even brighter.


    The Book Collection Hall was vast, no less so than the Elixir Hall. Passing through a series of corridors, they arrived inside a large hall, where an old man sat drinking tea at a table, with rows of bookshelves visible in the adjoining room.


    "Elder Liu, it''s been a while. How have you been?" Zhu Qinglu crossed the threshold, cupped his fists, and greeted with a beaming smile.


    Gu An immediately conducted a Life Span Detection on him.


    [Liu Chang (Foundation Establishment Realm Nine Layers): 226/270/340]


    Seeing Zhu Qinglu, Liu Chang immediately put down his teacup and stood up to greet him.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Chang pulled Zhu Qinglu to sit down. They reminisced about the last time they had met, even talking about their joint entry into the Supreme Sect two hundred years ago.


    Gu An stood behind Zhu Qinglu, portraying a demeanor of seriousness and curiosity. Elder Liu occasionally glanced at him, apparently quite satisfied.


    After chatting for nearly half an Ancient Hour, Zhu Qinglu finally stated his purpose for the visit.


    "That sounds fine. Young man, hand over your book to me. I''ll take a glance. If it''s suitable for distribution, then it''s a deal," said Elder Liu, looking toward Gu An and speaking with confidence.


    Gu An promptly took out the book he had written.


    Elder Liu received it and glanced at the cover, commenting, "Investiture of the Gods? Nice title."


    He began to leaf through it while Zhu Qinglu stood up and wandered to the nearby bookshelves. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An respectfully stood by the side.


    Initially, Elder Liu was casual, flipping through the pages without much care, but as he read on, he sat up straighter.


    Just then, a young man in white robes strode in and loudly said, "Elder Liu, do you have any books about Sword Cultivators? I want to see who in the Taicang World can defeat the Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake with a single leaf!"


    Elder Liu raised his hand, signaling for the young man to be silent.


    Gu An turned to look and subconsciously performed another Life Span Detection.


    [Gu Yu (Foundation Establishment Realm Eight Layers): 34/291/1402]


    A prodigy!


    Gu An had seen such geniuses before, so he didn''t give Gu Yu another glance.


    Gu Yu approached Elder Liu and leaned over to see the Investiture of the Gods in his hand.


    It didn''t take long for Gu Yu to become engrossed as well.


    Half an hour passed.


    Zhu Qinglu came over and asked in surprise, "Brother Liu, wasn''t it just supposed to be a quick look? Why are you taking so long?"


    He then glanced at Gu An.


    What did this kid write?


    Could it be crossing the line?


    Elder Liu looked up, a bit stunned, then stood and intently stared at Gu An before asking, "Did you really write this?"


    Gu An nodded, thinking to himself that indeed, it was written by one of his Earth''s ancestors.


    Zhu Qinglu frowned and asked, "Is there a problem? If it''s not suitable, I''ll have him rewrite it."


    "No problem, it''s fascinating," replied Elder Liu, shaking his head. He looked at Gu An again and said, "This book can be distributed. Your talent is admirable. I''ll arrange for you to have a 30% profit share. Each book sold will have half its Spirit Stones handed over to the Sect, and 20% given to the Book Collection Hall."


    Gu An naturally didn''t dare to object and quickly expressed his gratitude.


    Zhu Qinglu nodded slightly, feeling that Elder Liu had given him face.


    With a smile, Elder Liu asked, "Will the author''s name be your real one?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Better not. I fear it might bring trouble later on."


    "Then let''s go by the name ''Pan An'' for the author," he said.


    ```

 Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Thirty Thousand Years Lifespan, Ziwei Array Chronicles

    Gu An originally wanted to use the name of Xu Zhonglin, the original author of Investiture of the Gods, but then he thought about writing other books to earn some extra money, so he thought of a different name.


    Elder Liu and Zhu Qinglu didn''t think too much of it, and Pan An only changed his surname compared to Gu An, which they could understand.


    After that, Elder Liu began to admonish Gu An, mainly to remind him of what he could not write, and he hinted, both openly and subtly, that Gu An should incorporate the Supreme Sect into his story and portray it in a good light.


    Even if he didn''t write about the Supreme Sect, he could use metaphors; in any case, the more he praised the Supreme Sect, the better the treatment he would receive in the future.


    In response, Gu An could only agree, as for whether he would do it, that was a matter for later.


    Writing books was only something he did in his spare time; he wouldn''t put too much effort into it.


    After Elder Liu finished speaking, Gu Yu approached them excitedly and said, "Brother, have you written any other books?"


    Gu An shook his head and replied, "It''s my first time."


    "Hahaha, not bad at all. I have high hopes for you; you might even surpass Green Hero''s status within the Supreme Sect," Gu Yu said, patting Gu An''s shoulder with an all-too-familiar expression.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An suddenly became interested and asked, "Do you know Green Hero?"


    Gu Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you also like his travelogues? I don''t know him personally, just that he''s a cultivator from the Supreme Sect. I asked Elder Liu, but he absolutely refused to tell me."


    Elder Liu laughed heartily and pulled Zhu Qinglu to walk outside, saying, "Join me for a bit, to catch up and also let the younger generations chat for a while."


    Zhu Qinglu nodded, and the two of them quickly left the hall.


    Gu Yu then pressed Gu An for details on writing Investiture of the Gods, and seeing that Elder Liu didn''t treat him lightly, Gu An answered patiently.


    A good ancient hour passed before Gu An followed Zhu Qinglu out of the Book Collection Hall.


    "That disciple named Gu Yu holds no ordinary status; it''s rare to see someone who can be treated in such a way by Elder Liu," Zhu Qinglu spoke with profound meaning.


    Gu An nodded, but he had no intention of becoming close friends with Gu Yu, as such a person could disrupt his peaceful life.


    They didn''t walk together for long, and after parting ways, Gu An began to purchase herbal seeds and some clothes as well.


    It wasn''t until nightfall that he returned to Mystic Valley.


    The days passed, one by one.


    Another New Year arrived, and Mystic Valley''s second Spring Festival went even more smoothly, without any hitches, and the atmosphere was even more joyful than the first year. As usual, Gu An sent food to Jiang Qiong.


    He began to count the days, preparing for Jiang Qiong''s departure.


    Once Jiang Qiong left, he would make full use of the Eight Scenic Caves, filling them with all kinds of Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grasses.


    After the New Year, Gu An took Wuxin to the Outer Sect and once again selected three Servant Disciples, this time two women and one man named Yan Mei, Yang Min, and Ye Yan.


    All three of them were eighteen and looking forward to their new life in Mystic Valley.


    By becoming Servant Disciples, not only could they earn Spirit Stones, but they also had the chance to inherit their master''s spells.


    This time, Gu An wasn''t just recruiting Servant Disciples, but was also bringing Wuxin to get him thoroughly accustomed to the status of the chief disciple, so that he could run errands for him in the future.


    After returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An had Wuxin take the three to meet the others in the valley, while he entered the northern woods to make some plans.


    He wanted to fill the nearby woods with medicinal herbs, as the herbs he had submitted to the Outer Sect last year made it into the top ten of Medicine Valley. Zhu Qinglu valued him even more, enhancing his treatment. Now, he supported nine Servant Disciples with ease, and he was even thinking of recruiting more. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It''s hard for people to be content with their current state, and that''s exactly how Gu An felt about the annual income of his life span; if it didn''t grow as much as last year, he would feel discomfort.


    Gu An stood under a tree, scanning the woods, beginning to envision the layout of the garden.


    Suddenly, the White Spirit Rat scurried out of the woods. Seeing it, Gu An felt both a headache and anticipation.


    Afraid it might find a good treasure, yet hopeful it would.


    It hopped all the way to Gu An''s feet and spat out a jade ring.


    Gu An reached out to collect the jade ring and tucked it into his belt, intending to check it in private later.


    He scooped up the White Spirit Rat, not allowing it to run around anymore.


    "Good job, I''ll feed you a Green Vine Fruit tonight," Gu An said with a smile.


    The White Spirit Rat seemed to understand and stopped struggling, instead lying obediently in his arms.


    After Gu An stood motionless for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he turned and left the woods, standing on the grass next to the garden, waiting for someone''s arrival.


    Soon, a sound of someone tearing through the sky was heard.


    An Outer Disciple arrived on a flying sword, landing quickly beside Gu An, his figure drawing the attention of the other Mystic Valley disciples.


    "Senior Brother! I''m back!"


    The newcomer was Lu Jiujia, who had previously gone to participate in the Outer Sect examination. Dressed in Outer Sect robes, he looked quite different from before.


    Gu An smiled and said, "I thought you weren''t coming back."


    Lu Jiujia scratched his head and replied, "How could that be? As soon as I got the Foundation Establishment Pill, I went into seclusion. Right after succeeding in Foundation Establishment, I rushed back here immediately to share the joy with all of you."


    Gu An smiled and reached out to squeeze his shoulder, indeed his physique had strengthened.


    At this moment, the others crowded around, eagerly asking about his experience in the Foundation Establishment Realm, to which he responded proudly, one by one.


    When Gu An first met Lu Jiujia, he was only fifteen, and to see him so successful now, Gu An felt nothing but gratification.


    The journey to immortality is too lonely for one person; if those he interacted with could come to a good end, he too would have fewer regrets.


    Lu Jiujia''s return made Mystic Valley lively, and Yan Mei and her two companions, who had just entered the valley, were greatly inspired; they saw a pathway ascending.


    By working hard in Mystic Valley, there was hope for promotion to the Outer Sect!


    That evening, Gu An studied the jade ring brought back by the White Spirit Rat. The restrictions inside were forcibly broken by his Divine Sense, and he discovered that it was full of Spirit Stones.


    An unexpected fortune?


    Gu An developed greater expectations for the White Spirit Rat, which successfully obtained the right to eat the Green Vine Fruit.


    Lu Jiujia stayed in Mystic Valley for a month before leaving. Everyone knew that once he left, it was very likely they would never meet again in this lifetime, unless they too could become Outer Disciples.


    ...


    In the blink of an eye, two years passed, and Gu An was already thirty years old but appeared to be only around twenty, thanks to the Youth-Preserving Pill he had taken.


    His lifespan had now exceeded thirty thousand years!


    Mystic Valley was expanding its scale, and the number of Outer Disciples responsible for managing his cave residence had reached eleven. His lifespan increase was growing every month.


    Life was busy and fulfilling, but he did not feel tired at all; on the contrary, he was full of fighting spirit.


    With the arrival of midsummer, the moon was bright and the stars scarce, and fireflies glowed in the quiet forests.


    In the woods, Jiang Qiong, dressed in a white garment, walked ahead. Barefooted, even when treading on branches, she felt no discomfort.


    Gu An followed behind, silent.


    "Alright, let''s stop here,"


    Jiang Qiong stopped and turned to look at Gu An.


    Gu An nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Martial Master, please be careful on your departure. After all, this place is still within the domain of the Supreme Sect."


    Having spent so many years together, and with Jiang Qiong teaching him so many spells, it was definitely a lie to say he had no feelings for her.


    However, more than these feelings, Gu An hoped for her departure.


    Jiang Qiong nodded, raising her right hand from which a blue-covered book appeared. She directly tossed the secret manual to Gu An.


    "Practice well. The next time I return, I will examine your cultivation level. If you disappoint me, your Martial Master will punish you," Jiang Qiong threatened in a tone akin to warning a child, even waving her fist, which made Gu An both cry and laugh.


    Before he could respond, Jiang Qiong disappeared on the spot, and Gu An could feel her Demonic Qi rapidly departing.


    In the dim forest, Gu An''s lips curved up slightly. He turned to head back to Mystic Valley, simultaneously looking at the secret manual in his hand.


    Ziwei Array Chronicles!


    He casually leafed through it and found that each page of the book had special restrictions, with text describing formations, but the methods to practice the formations required probing with Divine Sense.


    There''s something here!


    Gu An thought of the formations in the Eight Scenic Caves. It was precisely those formations that prevented the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect from detecting the existence of the Green Vine Tree as they swept over Mystic Valley.


    Although Jiang Qiong''s cultivation level was only at the ninth layer of Elixir Formation Realm, her achievement in formations and Alchemy Dao far exceeded that of her realm. After all, she reached the Elixir Formation Realm at forty and had since focused on the study of formations and alchemy, also contemplating formations during her feigned death years.


    Gu An suddenly felt the Ziwei Array Chronicles in his hand was heavy with significance.


    Night turned to day.


    Dawn arrived.


    Jiang Qiong''s departure affected only Gu An, life in Mystic Valley continued as normal.


    After overseeing the disciples'' drills, Gu An returned to his own attic with Ye Lan.


    He took out a carefully prepared little wooden box and handed it to Ye Lan. The box was squarely shaped and finely crafted, as if it contained jewels.


    Ye Lan was stunned for a moment, then opened the box curiously. Immediately, she saw an elixir placed inside.


    "Senior Brother, what elixir is this?" Ye Lan asked.


    Seated at the table, Gu An poured himself some tea and smiled, "A Foundation Establishment Pill, prepared especially for you. Don''t mention it to anyone. In the future, if the disciples in the valley reach the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation Realm, I will do the same for them, but they must not know I have a Foundation Establishment Pill in advance, to prevent trouble."


    Foundation Establishment Pill!


    Ye Lan''s eyes widened, she instinctively thought of refusing, but Gu An preempted her, "Don''t worry. I have kept a Foundation Establishment Pill for myself. Once you succeed in Foundation Establishment, you might even become my backbone in the Outer Sect later. Work hard in your practice, that''s the best way to repay me."


    "I..." Ye Lan felt a complex mix of emotions, having much to say but finding herself lost for words.


    Gu An earnestly advised, "The journey of life is long, and people will always have many thoughts. Don''t forget what your greatest pursuit in this life is."


    Although Ye Lan hadn''t been clingy these years, every time she looked at him, her eyes were so tender. Sometimes, he could even overhear other disciples'' discussions; everyone could see her affection for him.


    Gu An''s feelings for Ye Lan were that of brother and sister. He had not reached the point of wanting to spend his life with her, and in his heart was only Immortal Cultivation.


    After listening, Ye Lan nodded vigorously, softly saying, "Senior Brother, rest assured, I will practice diligently and not disappoint you. I will strive to climb higher and take care of you in the future."


    As she spoke, she even winked at Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and then gestured for her to leave.


    Ye Lan carefully put away the Foundation Establishment Pill and left, closing the door behind her. However, just before it closed completely, she suddenly said, "Senior Brother, no matter where I go in the future, I won''t have feelings for any other man. You''ll be the only one in my heart."


    Having said this, she abruptly closed the door and scurried away.

 Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, Divinity Transformation Realm Legacy

    Ye Lan successfully established her foundation with the help of a Foundation Establishment Pill in just one month. That night, Gu An watched over her in secret as she endured her tribulation, and it passed with more thrills than dangers.


    The day after her successful foundation establishment, Ye Lan took her leave in a hurry.


    Her sudden success in establishing her foundation became a marvelous topic among the disciples of Mystic Valley. There were many speculations, some said it was thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pill given by Gu An, others theorized that Ye Lan had a fortuitous encounter, and still, others believed there was divine assistance during her cultivation in the forest.


    Regardless, Ye Lan had ultimately departed.


    Beneath the hot summer sun.


    Gu An stood on the balcony of the loft, watching the busy disciples and suddenly felt a sense of change, that things were no longer the same.


    Cheng Xuandan, Zhang Chunqiu, Li Ya, Meng Lang, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Lan were all gone.


    The ones who remained were now his juniors.


    The oldest among them in terms of tenure was Xiaochuan.


    Xiaochuan had given up on thoughts of leaving the Outer Sect, but he was not disheartened and continued to live an active life. Apart from cultivating, he found other meanings in life.


    Gu An''s gaze turned to a corner of Medicine Valley, where a bamboo fence enclosed a duck pen. Xiaochuan was leaning on the fence, communicating with the ducks.


    These weren''t ordinary ducks from among the common folk; each had a hint of third-rank demon beast blood in them. Each was priced at a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones. Xiaochuan had emptied his own purse to buy just two; the remaining ten were paid for by Gu An, which deepened Xiaochuan''s gratitude towards him.


    Though these ducks had the bloodline of a third-rank demon beast, it would be considered extraordinary if they could grow to the first rank.


    "The flesh of low-rank demon beasts is beneficial to cultivators as well. Should I start a livestock business? It could not only increase my life span but also earn Spirit Stones..." Gu An suddenly felt tempted.


    If herding sheep or cows in the mountains was acceptable, then why not?


    However, doing so would invariably require expanding manpower, and he feared making too much of commotion and drawing the attention of the Supreme Sect.


    He had considered running away to the mountains to do this on his own, but he quickly discarded the idea. Not to mention the difficulty in moving the Green Vine Tree, just the resource channels of the Supreme Sect were something he did not want to miss out on.


    Inside the Supreme Sect, as long as he had enough Spirit Stones, he could buy anything he desired, which wouldn''t necessarily be the case outside.


    Certain rare items were hard to come by!


    If it came to it, he would just glorify the Supreme Sect in his books later on.


    Gu An thought to himself that as long as the medicinal herbs and demon beast meats he contributed were sufficient, why would the Supreme Sect make things difficult for him?


    They might even assist him!


    Yes, that was the plan!


    In the future, Xiaochuan would become a Beast Tamer, and Wuxin would become the chief disciple in charge of cultivation; they would be his Left and Right Guardians in Mystic Valley.


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and he began to contemplate his plan.


    The jade ring found by the White Spirit Rat contained a vast fortune. He had calculated it to be equivalent to two million low-grade Spirit Stones or two hundred top-grade Spirit Stones, which was enough for him to make bold moves.


    Once he had the idea, he acted on it!


    Gu An called out to Xiaochuan, who immediately ran over and leapt onto the balcony.


    "Big Senior Brother, do you need something?" Xiaochuan asked.


    Gu An shared his thoughts, and Xiaochuan''s eyes lit up. The more he listened, the more excited he became.


    The two of them hit it off instantly!


    In the end, Gu An had Xiaochuan make a trip to the Outer Sect. When the time came, Xiaochuan would bring a list written on paper, and he agreed without hesitation, departing that very day.


    Xiaochuan, too, had mastered the Sword Control Technique, but as his Spiritual Power was insufficient, a round trip would take him two days, including a night''s rest in between.


    Three days later, Xiaochuan returned and handed Gu An the list he had prepared earlier. He spoke excitedly without pause, revealing that he had met Lu Jiujia in the Outer Sect. Lu Jiujia personally took him to inspect the demon beasts, saving him a great deal of trouble.


    After discussion, Gu An decided to start by purchasing fifty young beasts to test the waters, since only with such an order would the Beast Hall of the Outer Sect consent to deliver them to Mystic Valley.


    After a day''s rest, Xiaochuan set off with the Spirit Stones provided by Gu An, accompanied by Tang Yu and Su Han, both of whom had reached the fifth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, giving them a substantial presence.


    If not for a batch of medicinal herbs that were soon to be harvested, Gu An would have wanted to go himself, fearing being swindled.


    Luckily, such concerns were unfounded as the Supreme Sect was, after all, a reputable and righteous faction.


    Five days later, Xiaochuan and the others returned on swords. Following behind them were three double-horned white eagles with wingspans of five zhang, each with a cultivator standing on its back, and their talons carrying large cages, inside which bound lamb cubs with no horns yet could be found. The flight had not been bumpy, thanks to the talisman papers on the cages.


    Upon landing, Gu An went forward to thank them. The three disciples from the medicine hall were not particularly warm, but they did not embarrass him either. After exchanging pleasantries, they left on their eagles.


    "Xiaochuan, these sheep cost me a thousand low-grade Spirit Stones. You''d better take good care of them," Gu An said, patting Xiaochuan''s shoulder with a meaningful tone.


    It wasn''t just the Spirit Stones; it was his life!


    Once grown, these lamb cubs would have the strength of the first rank, equivalent to the third layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, though they would not develop the same sentient intelligence as humans.


    Xiaochuan nodded seriously, scratching his head and said, "Big Senior Brother, can I recruit a couple more Servant Disciples to give me a hand then?"


    Gu An replied, "Have others help you for the time being. We will recruit more disciples after six months; my Storage Bag is a bit tight right now."


    Xiaochuan, all smiles, thanked him profusely.


    Gu An actually had plenty of Spirit Stones left, but fearing too much attention, he chose to restrain himself for six months.


    After dealing with Xiaochuan, Gu An returned to the loft.


    All the people in the valley came running over, curious to see the first-rank Sheep Demons, as they offered a novel sight to those who normally focused on plants.


    Gu An returned to the attic, prepared to write the next volume of "Investiture of the Gods." Liu Chang from the Book Collection Hall had urged him several times, so it was time for him to write.


    Listening to the laughter and joyful voices of the disciples outside the window, the corners of Gu An''s mouth involuntarily turned up.


    ...


    In a courtyard, the white-haired Zuo Yijian sat meditating under a tree, pinching a leaf in his right hand, his brow furrowed tightly.


    Compared to himself, who had successfully crossed the Tribulation years ago, he had aged significantly, lost his edge, and no longer looked like a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator.


    Zuo Lin walked into the courtyard and turned his head to look. Seeing his father under the tree, he immediately approached and snatched the leaf from his hand.


    "Father, how long do you plan to continue this decadence?"


    Zuo Lin asked angrily, tossing the leaf in his hand to the ground and stepping on it.


    Zuo Yijian looked up at him, his gaze as calm as still water, and said, "Your father has not been decadent."


    "You sit all day with a leaf, how long have you been looking at it? How long since you last absorbed energy, and how long since you''ve refined your Sword Intent?"


    Zuo Lin said with a tone of disappointment, his anger surging as he thought about the frustrations he''d endured over the years, struggling to contain it.


    Zuo Yijian bent down to pick up the leaf and asked, "And when you sat there clutching your sword, deep in thought without absorbing energy, what was it for? Are you working harder with a sword in your hand than I am with a leaf?"


    "I..."


    Zuo Lin choked up, his face reddening, and he gritted his teeth, "A sword is a sword, a leaf is a leaf. It''s because I haven''t grasped the Sword Dao that I sit in frustration. You''re different; are you seeking the Dao of the leaf?"


    "But the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal defeated me with just a leaf. Do you think the leaf in his hand is not a sword?"


    "That''s different..."


    "The true Sword Dao has never been limited to a certain sword."


    Zuo Yijian spoke softly, his gaze once again locking onto the leaf in his hand, his eyes becoming distant.


    Zuo Lin cursed under his breath and reached into his Storage Bag, pulling out a book and said, "Father, take a look at this book, it''s called ''Investiture of the Gods.'' It''s been spreading through the Immortal Cultivation World these past two years, and many sects are discussing it. Some say it contains records of the great wars of Immortal Cultivation from the Ancient Era."


    Zuo Yijian remained unmoved.


    Zuo Lin placed "Investiture of the Gods" at his feet, then turned and left.


    As soon as he left the courtyard, he couldn''t help but pull out another copy of "Investiture of the Gods" from his Storage Bag.


    Zuo Yijian began to daydream.


    After an unknowable amount of time, he finally couldn''t help but blink, his gaze unconsciously glancing down at "Investiture of the Gods" on the ground.


    ...


    During the autumn season, Mystic Valley was covered with the colors of withering yellow and green.


    Inside the attic, Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other drinking tea, with Li Ya holding a book and speaking incessantly.


    It was "Investiture of the Gods."


    "These past two years, Supreme Sect has really been in the limelight. One is the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal who defeated the Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake from the Nascent Soul Realm with a single leaf, becoming famous in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    The other is because of this book, ''Investiture of the Gods.'' The Immortal Cultivation stories recorded within are so grand that all sects are discussing it. Some people even say this might be a real account from the Ancient Era..."


    As Li Ya kept praising "Investiture of the Gods," Gu An''s eyebrows tightened.


    Is it that popular?


    But his share of the profits isn''t that much.


    Is it the Book Collection Hall taking a kickback, or are the other sects not reading genuine copies?


    On second thoughts, how could there be copyright in the Immortal Cultivation World?


    After talking for a long time, Li Ya finally added with enthusiasm unfinished, "I wonder who this Pan An really is. He is truly talented. I really want to meet him. They say even Inner Sect Disciples and Inheriting Disciples are reading this book."


    Gu An said with curiosity, "So powerful. Then I have to see it, to see if it can match up to ''Green Hero Travelogue.''"


    "Can that lowbrow book even compare to ''Investiture of the Gods''?" Li Ya said with disdain.


    Gu An just smiled.


    Li Ya put down the book in his hand, picked up his teacup, and drained it in one gulp before saying, "I''m leaving to gain experience and probably won''t be able to return for at least ten years."


    For him, ten years meant little, but for Junior Brother Gu, it was different, so he had made a special visit to inform him.


    Gu An was not surprised; what Cultivator would spend a lifetime nestled within the sect? They must venture out to train, seek opportunities, and refine both their cultivation and heart.


    "Do you have a goal?" Gu An asked casually.


    Li Ya revealed a smile and said, "Indeed, I do. There is a Divinity Transformation Realm Great Cultivator in the southernmost Jizhou who will soon face the end of his lifespan. He wishes to choose a suitable successor before his final moment. This person is a Sword Cultivator, and I plan to go and try."


    "Divinity Transformation? What realm is that? How many levels above the Nascent Soul Realm?" Gu An asked with feigned curiosity.


    Li Ya laughed and said, "Divinity Transformation is just above the Nascent Soul Realm. If it were several levels higher, he wouldn''t appear in Taicang, for there is more to this land than the Taicang Dynasty. Besides, it is said beyond the sea lies an even vaster world, but one cannot travel there without reaching the Nascent Soul Realm."


    He stood up, a proud smile on his face, and declared, "Junior Brother Gu, when I return, I''ll be the heir of a Divinity Transformation Realm Great Cultivator. Then, if you call me Senior Brother, I might even let you see the spells of the Divinity Transformation Realm."


    With that, he turned, walked to the window, and leaped out, stepping on his sword to fly away.


    Gu An looked at the footprints on the windowsill, raising an eyebrow.


    Divinity Transformation Realm, huh?


    I must reach it before Li Ya returns! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 36: Chapter 36 Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, Comprehending Divine Skills

    After Li Ya left, Gu An threw himself into the construction of Mystic Valley, his leisurely days beginning to dwindle, as those young Sheep Demons proved to be quite troublesome.


    At four months old, they were running through the mountains and forests as if on flat ground, swift as the cheetahs of Earth in his previous life. Had the valley not been filled with Immortal Cultivators, they would have long since run off.


    Gu An had no choice but to study Jiang Qiong''s "Ziwei Array Chronicles," learning some low-level Restrictions to seal the sheep pen.


    Half a year later, Gu An had Wuxin take Xiaochuan to the Outer Sect to recruit two more Servant Disciples, named Chen Hong and Zhen Xiao''er, both of mediocre aptitude, which pleased him.


    The number of Servant Disciples in Mystic Valley reached ten, making it a lively place every day.


    Time flew like an arrow, days passed like a fleeting horse, never to return.


    Three years had flashed by in an instant.


    It was autumn again.


    Xiaochuan was patrolling the various gardens, followed by a row of ducks, flocking together in a grand procession.


    Around Medicine Valley, atop the mountain peaks, disciples were seated in meditation, absorbing energy, while the forests were occasionally shaken by the noise of Tang Yu and Su Han chasing after the Sheep Demons.


    Gu An emerged from the western forests with a smile on his face. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had just harvested another batch of medicinal herbs, gaining several hundred years of life span, drawing ever closer to his goal of one hundred thousand years.


    His life span had now reached eighty thousand years.


    In three years, he had earned nearly fifty thousand years of life span, mainly because the medicinal herbs he had been cultivating for many years had reached maturity, including ten thousand years'' worth of life span earned by managing the caves for Outer Disciples.


    The diminutive Zhen Qin, carrying a bamboo basket on her back, ran out from the forest. She quickly approached Gu An and said, "Master, can you teach me Alchemy today?"


    A dry leaf clung to her head, and the hair on her cheeks was slightly disheveled.


    Gu An chuckled, "Of course, but you''ll have to use your own herbs. That way you''ll be more careful."


    Zhen Qin had once overheard Gu An taking a Youth-Preserving Pill, and her interest in Alchemy had been piqued since then, pestering him incessantly, which lasted for half a year.


    "I''ve been ready for a long time!" Zhen Qin exclaimed excitedly, jumping around next to Gu An, like a girl who refused to grow up.


    Whiz¡ª¡ª


    A sound of breaking through the air flew over Mystic Valley. Gu An looked up and habitually performed a Life Span Detection.


    Another Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator!


    This year, more than ten Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators had passed over Mystic Valley, which made Gu An feel vaguely uneasy, as if a major event were about to happen.


    The Great Meeting of the Outer Sect from years ago had not attracted so many Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators.


    This won''t do!


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill needs a boost. What if a Great Cultivator far exceeding the Nascent Soul Realm appears and sees through his Cultivation Level? What then?


    Gu An silently decided.


    Over the years, the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill''s enhancement to life span had been diminishing. Now, a gain of one year for half a year of practice was already quite good. He estimated that in another ten years, this technique would no longer extend his life span.


    Afterward, Gu An took Zhen Qin back to his own loft to begin teaching her the Alchemy Technique.


    Until late at night, Gu An quietly entered the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Since Jiang Qiong had left, Gu An had also explored the other six cave tunnels, finding that their ends were filled with corpses similar to Meng Lang''s, which had been refined using different Poison Skills from the Myriad Poison Mystic Skill by Cheng Xuandan and Jiang Qiong.


    As for these Poison Corpses, Gu An temporarily had no intention of dealing with them.


    He made his way to the Green Vine Tree and arranged his robes before sitting down to meditate on the spot.


    At that moment, a shadow fell from the tree and burrowed into his embrace.


    A small black dragon!


    Slim and about two feet long, it had a pair of dragon horns and whiskers by its mouth. Its body was covered with tiny black dragon scales, and its sharp claws made it resemble the dragons from ancient Huaxia legends, albeit with a different color.


    This was the Holy Beast of Ancient Sky Sect, Sky Dragon!


    As Gu An stroked it, he checked its life span.


    [Sky Dragon (Tier 1): 1/965/18000]


    Its life span had increased again!


    When the Sky Dragon was born, it only had a life span of five hundred years. Now, just a year later, its life span had nearly doubled.


    As expected of a Demon Beast with the potential of Tier 9!


    Gu An recalled the process from last year when the Sky Dragon acknowledged him as its master, and a smile appeared on his face.


    The newborn Sky Dragon had bitten him straight away, infuriating him into tossing it aside, after which it had come over pitifully to snuggle up to him.


    Gu An felt that the Sky Dragon was not recognizing a master through blood, but rather identifying who its kin was.


    Their bond was a kind of soul resonance; he could understand its thoughts but couldn''t directly manipulate its life and death.


    Sky Dragon would only be loyal to one master for life, indicating that although it was inherently fierce, it was also exceedingly loyal and righteous.


    "Good, go eat," Gu An said.


    He took out a Demon Sheep that he had killed from his Storage Bag, which he had just slain that morning, yielding only three years of life span.


    The Sky Dragon''s eyes lit up, and it immediately grabbed the Sheep Demon''s carcass, flying to one side.


    The Demon Sheep''s body was several times bigger than the Sky Dragon, but held in its claws, it appeared surprisingly light, as if the Sheep Demon had no weight at all.


    Gu An brought up the Attribute Panel and focused on the Cultivation Technique column, investing two thousand years of his life span into the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill.


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill was fundamental in concealing his Cultivation Level and aura, the basis of his stand in the world, and of utmost importance. He even felt it was more essential than the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill.


    [You have invested two thousand years of life span into evolving and cultivating the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for ten years, nature''s spiritual energy refining your body, increasing your physical Qi-Blood]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for one hundred years, nature''s spiritual energy refining your body, increasing your physical Qi-Blood]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for two hundred years, and your Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill has reached the pinnacle of perfection.]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for four hundred years, and on this day, you have grasped the true essence of the earth, elevating your Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill to Earth Lineage Emperor Energy Skill.]


    ...


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for one thousand five hundred years, feeling the rules of the earth, your Earth Lineage Emperor Energy Skill has broken through its limits, ascending to Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill.]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for one thousand eight hundred years, and your understanding of the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill has improved, becoming thoroughly proficient.]


    [You have cultivated the Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill for two thousand years, and your understanding of the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill has reached the pinnacle of perfection, you have comprehended a Divine Skill¡ªMystic Yellow Dragon Might.]


    Line by line notifications popped up before Gu An''s eyes.


    The Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill ascended to Earth Lineage Emperor Energy Skill, then rose again to become Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill!


    And he had even awakened a Divine Skill!


    Gu An felt overjoyed, thinking that his luck this time was extremely good.


    Vast memories rapidly flowed into his mind, immersing him in the vast information of Daoist Sorcery.


    Sky Dragon, who was gnawing at the sheep meat, turned around, its eyes, like gems, revealing a look of curiosity.


    Wisps of green energy rose from the grass beneath Gu An, encircling his body. His eyes shut, he began to breathe unconsciously, a faint dragon roar lingering in the air.


    Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, which refined the body with the profound yellow energy of the earth, allowed the physical body to become one with nature. The so-called dragon roar was, in fact, the sound of the earth.


    A full two ancient hours passed before Gu An finally awoke.


    He opened his eyes only to furrow his brow immediately.


    All the flowers and plants around him had withered. He hurriedly stood up and took a glance at the Spirit Grass in the Eight Scenic Caves. After a complete sweep, he finally exhaled in relief.


    The withered ones were merely weeds; those Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grasses were not greatly affected.


    In the future, he mustn''t be reckless again!


    Whether it was advancing his cultivation technique or having a breakthrough, he would need to leave the Eight Scenic Caves lest he drain its Spiritual Energy dry.


    Gu An sat down again, reviewing the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill while cultivating energy according to the method.


    Condensing a breath of Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy, his physical body united with nature!


    Sky Dragon, having finished eating, lay beside the sheep carcass, sleeping. Within the Eight Scenic Caves, only the sound of wind remained.


    ...


    During the early hours of the morning.


    Gu An came down from the loft, dressed in a set of green robes, his black hair casually tied behind his head, with two long strands by his ears, all exuding the ethereal and unrestrained temperament of a practitioner.


    His body hadn''t yet fully adapted to the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, but he wasn''t in a rush. With nightly practice, in at most a month, he would be able to manifest Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy.


    As for the Divine Skill that came with the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, the Mystic Yellow Dragon Might, he didn''t need to cultivate it separately¡ªwhen the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy emerged, the dragon might would naturally form.


    The so-called dragon might was actually the might of heaven and earth, capable of intimidating all beings.


    Gu An began to drill the disciples, and as everyone gathered for the drill, they could feel that the mood of Gu An that day was good.


    Zhen Qin inquired with curiosity as to what made her master so happy.


    "Nothing much, I read a book last night called ''Investiture of the Gods''; you could also borrow it from the Book Collection Pavilion when you have time," Gu An explained with a smile while doing the drill.


    Xiaochuan''s eyes lit up, saying, "I know ''Investiture of the Gods''; almost everyone in the Outer Sect has a copy. It''s said to contain the ancient secrets of the Immortal Cultivation World."


    The disciples became intrigued and began asking Xiaochuan about what was written in ''Investiture of the Gods''.


    Gu An did not interrupt further, his mind still pondering the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill.


    Over the next month, he cultivated the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill every night, finally succeeding in manifesting a breath of Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy in his abdomen, taking his ability to hide his cultivation level and aura to the next level.


    Gu An felt a great weight lift from him; now, he could live in peace and quiet.


    Just like the previous years, this year passed by uneventfully, which to Gu An, was the best possible outcome.


    As the winter snow just began to thaw, Mystic Valley once again welcomed the spring, with all the disciples preparing for the Spring Festival.


    Gu An sat beneath a tree deeply engrossed in ''Green Hero Travelogue''.


    Zhen Qin came over suddenly, hands clasped behind her back, leaning over to ask, "Master, what would you like to eat tomorrow night? I''ll cook for you."


    Gu An, without shifting his gaze, replied, "Anything will do; whatever you cook, I''ll eat."


    Curious, Zhen Qin leaned in to see what book he was reading, but he stopped her.


    "Hurry up and prepare the ingredients. If you delay the festival meal for tomorrow night, be careful, I won''t teach you Alchemy!" Gu An said feigning severity.


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin stuck out her tongue and could only turn to leave.


    Gu An vaguely heard her muttering, "Always reading those unserious books."


    The corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily¡ªjust who had spread this rumor?


    Smearing his reputation!


    Now all the disciples in Medicine Valley knew he enjoyed ''Green Hero Travelogue.'' Although they dared not mention it to his face, they often teased him about it behind his back.


    Gu An stood up, tucking the ''Green Hero Travelogue'' into his chest.


    Starting today, he was giving it up!


    Gu An stepped out of the courtyard, ready to check the garden, when his gaze was suddenly drawn to the mouth of the valley, his brows knitting together.


    He saw a man in white robes strolling towards him, appearing to be in his thirties, with a handsome face and an extraordinary bearing.


    What made Gu An frown was that he could not sense the other man''s presence.


    He immediately cast Life Span Detection towards him.


    [Li Xuandao (Divinity Transformation Realm, Eighth Stage):230/899/3020]

 Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Emperors Recruitment

    Three thousand years of maximum life span?


    Gu An was startled by the information about the other party''s life span; it was the first time he had encountered someone with such qualifications.


    Moreover, they were at the eighth level of the Divinity Transformation Realm!


    But this life span seemed rather short and didn''t match Gu An''s expectations for the life span of someone in the Divinity Transformation Realm. Could someone in the Divinity Transformation Realm only live eight hundred and ninety-nine years?


    Gu An speculated that the other party might have been injured and lost years of their life span.


    He immediately walked over while pondering in his heart. He guessed that the other person might be a high-ranking member of the Supreme Sect, but he could not show too much respect since the other person had suppressed their aura.


    If he could see through the other person''s cultivation level, they would surely be relentless and might even take him for a spy of the Demon Path.


    Li Xuandao walked towards the valley, surveying the gardens along the way.


    Gu An approached him, cupped his fists, and asked, "I am Gu An, the Valley Master of Mystic Valley. May I know the name of this Daoist Friend and the purpose of your visit?"


    Li Xuandao''s gaze landed on Gu An, his eyes indifferent, exuding immense pressure.


    But then he smiled, and that feeling of pressure vanished completely, giving a misleading impression. He said warmly, "My name is Xuandao, from Cangzhou. I''ve come to the Supreme Sect to visit my child. The journey is long and tiresome, and I wish to rest for a few days at your esteemed valley to recover my Spiritual Power. I wonder if the Valley Master would accommodate me?"


    Upon hearing this, how could Gu An refuse? He agreed immediately and then called for Xiaochuan to arrange accommodations for Li Xuandao.


    Gu An avoided staring at Li Xuandao, so as not to arouse suspicion.


    "Surname Li, coming to visit a child ¨C could he be a member of the Imperial Family?" Gu An wondered curiously.


    So many Medicine Valleys in the Outer Sect to go to, yet he chose Mystic Valley; it must have something to do with Li Ya.


    Gu An continued to patrol the garden; everything was as usual.


    On the other side.


    Xiaochuan led Li Xuandao to an uninhabited house and said, "The house is simple; I hope you won''t mind. If there''s anything you need, feel free to tell me or any other disciple."


    Li Xuandao nodded and then asked, "I saw sheep in the forests on my way here and disciples tending to them. Aren''t you a Medicine Valley? Why do you keep so many sheep?"


    Xiaochuan did not conceal anything and replied, "The valley was originally only for growing medicinal herbs. But as my Spirit Root Qualification is limited, I gave up on going to the Outer Sect. When the eldest senior brother learned that I liked raising livestock, he indulged my interest and incidentally earned Spirit Stones to help more disciples cultivate and advance to the Outer Sect sooner."


    "Oh? Is the eldest senior brother the Valley Master?"


    "Yes."


    "Then he really is a good person, considering so much for you all."


    "That''s right, my eldest senior brother is the best person in the world..."


    Hearing Li Xuandao praise him, Xiaochuan became delighted and started praising Gu An non-stop.


    This made Li Xuandao even more interested in Gu An and he asked about more of his deeds. Without thinking too much, Xiaochuan sat down with Li Xuandao and spoke with even more enthusiasm.


    Gu An, who was checking the garden, curved his lips upward, thinking that his kindness towards this silly boy hadn''t been in vain.


    Whether Li Xuandao was related to Li Ya or a high-ranking member of the Supreme Sect, having a good image of himself could only be beneficial.


    After all, Li Xuandao couldn''t possibly be a person from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, right?


    Wait a moment!


    Thousand-Autumn Pavilion!


    Suddenly, a chill ran down Gu An''s spine, and his smile stiffened.


    Better to be safe than sorry!


    In dealing with Li Xuandao later on, he had to be even more cautious ¨C it was better to sail the ship carefully for ten thousand years.


    The arrival of Li Xuandao aroused the curiosity of the other disciples; after all, it was rare for visitors to come to Mystic Valley.


    That day, after settling in, Li Xuandao did not come out again, as if he was indeed recovering his Spiritual Energy.


    Because of Li Xuandao''s arrival, Gu An dared not go to the Eight Scenic Caves and spent the night honestly in the attic.


    The next morning, as always, Gu An led the disciples in drills. Li Xuandao, hearing the commotion, also came out to watch, and Xiaochuan greeted him enthusiastically.


    Gu An merely nodded to Li Xuandao; he did not avoid him.


    As the morning drills began, Li Xuandao wasn''t particularly interested at first, but as he watched, he found it quite intriguing.


    After the drills, Gu An dismissed the disciples and pulled out a book from his robe, beginning to flip through it as he walked toward the attic.


    At this time, he had to remain calm and not let the arrival of Li Xuandao disrupt his normal routine.


    However, as soon as he entered the courtyard, Li Xuandao caught up to him.


    "Valley Master, what are you reading?" Li Xuandao asked with a smile.


    Gu An turned around and raised the book in his hand, replying, "Investiture of the Gods. Have you read it?"


    Li Xuandao''s smile grew wider as he said, "I have indeed read it, and I know it by heart."


    "Oh? So we share a common interest?"


    "Hahaha, I had a feeling of kinship with the Valley Master from the moment I saw you. Shall we talk about Investiture of the Gods?"


    Hearing Li Xuandao''s insincere words, Gu An could only agree with a smile.


    He invited Li Xuandao upstairs, and once Li Xuandao was seated, he started boiling water for tea, igniting the fire with Spiritual Power.


    Li Xuandao scanned the interior decoration of the house and said, "Valley Master, what do you think of King Zhou?"


    Goodness!


    "You test me as soon as I arrive?"


    With his back to Li Xuandao, Gu An added tea leaves to the cup and said, "Based on the story alone, he''s brutal and inhumane, but looking closely, his actions are somewhat illogical."


    After hearing this, Li Xuandao reflected, "Indeed, when I first read it, I thought King Zhou was foolish and cruel, but upon a second look, something seemed amiss. In the world of the book, Immortals really exist, and King Zhou couldn''t have been unaware. Under such circumstances, to still dare to desecrate the holy image of Nvwa, it doesn''t seem like an action befitting a monarch of his time."


    "And Nvwa, so high above, faced with a mortal who desecrated her, didn''t directly punish him, but instead sent a fox spirit to wreak havoc on the Emperor''s heart, causing great chaos under heaven. Can such conduct really be deemed worthy of an Immortal, worthy of a god?"


    Gu An turned around, carrying the teacup to the table, and placed it in front of Li Xuandao.


    He began to laugh, "There are indeed many inconsistencies, but after all, it''s a story fabricated by people. For the sake of a good tale, they wrote these contradictions; it''s somewhat understandable."


    He couldn''t determine Li Xuandao''s identity, so his stance was deliberately ambiguous.


    Li Xuandao shook his head, "Perhaps the story is false, but the portrayal of the times within the story is true¡ªthat even with heaven just three feet above, mortals cannot triumph over it."


    Gu An didn''t expect him to interpret Investiture of the Gods in that way.


    "If King Zhou had been powerful enough to tower above all the Immortal sects, how would the story have been written?" Li Xuandao asked.


    After thinking it over, Gu An replied, "Then the final battle wouldn''t be against the Heaven-Reaching Sect Master, but against King Zhou."


    Li Xuandao was stunned for a moment, unable to suppress a chuckle as he lifted the teacup, blowing away the steam inside.


    Gu An couldn''t decipher his smile and could only maintain his silence.


    After taking a sip of tea, Li Xuandao began to inquire about the cultivation in Mystic Valley, even asking about some detailed aspects, to which Gu An answered each one.


    "Joining the Supreme Sect, you don''t seek immortal life, but focus on nurturing plants. Is it a reluctant choice, or do you truly enjoy it?" Li Xuandao asked.


    Gu An responded with a bitter smile, "There''s both necessity and fondness. Everyone has their pursuits; eternal life isn''t necessarily the only meaning. Of course, if I had exceptional talent, I too would pursue immortality."


    Li Xuandao teased, "You truly are a curious person, hiding nothing at all."


    "In this life, when we look back and then to the future, there are only four words, ''finding joy amid hardship,''" Gu An answered with a shrug.


    He grew more suspicious that Li Xuandao was from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, wanting to probe his stance on Mystic Valley.


    Li Xuandao set the teacup down and questioned, "What''s your opinion of the current Emperor? Do you think he''s like King Zhou?"


    Gu An was taken aback.


    The change in topic was quite abrupt, wasn''t it?


    How did the conversation shift to the Emperor of the Taicang Dynasty so suddenly?


    Could it be he''s not from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, but truly a relative of Li Ya?


    Gu An''s thoughts raced, "I don''t know much, since before joining the Supreme Sect, I was just a house servant. Now in Medicine Valley, I hear even less of the outside world. Why, has the Emperor done something?"


    Li Xuandao smiled, "No, nothing of that sort. It''s just he has been on the throne for too long, and there are many discussions about him in court and among the populace. People seem to think an Emperor shouldn''t reign for too long; if he does, it''s only a matter of time before he becomes ineffective.


    And the world of Immortal Cultivation fears even more an Emperor who has cultivated to immortality, thereby allowing imperial power to overbear the Immortal Cultivation World."


    Gu An became tense.


    That statement involved too many different layers of society; he dared not speak carelessly.


    Seeing that Gu An didn''t dare to continue, Li Xuandao bantered again with a smile, "Do you think it''s better for an Emperor to have a long reign, or to change every few decades?"


    Knowing his Cultivation Level was at the eighth layer of Divinity Transformation Realm, Gu An dared not remain silent.


    After a moment''s thought, Gu An said, "In my view, it depends on the character of the Emperor. If he is virtuous and can manage the world well, staying in power isn''t a problem. If such a virtuous Emperor, who still has many years of life, were to abdicate in favor of an inept son, that would be a disaster for the people.


    The common folk don''t care about a thousand autumns; they only live a hundred years or so. If this life is bitter, they will bemoan why that Emperor ever abdicated."


    Li Xuandao laughed once more, and Gu An could clearly sense his mood improving.


    Wait a minute!


    Relative of Li Ya, surname Li, first discussing King Zhou, then the current Emperor...


    Gu An recalled hearing in the Ji Family that the Emperor of the Taicang Dynasty also practiced Immortal Cultivation and had been on the throne for two hundred years. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You make a reasonable point. It''s indeed not right for Us to listen to those voices; We should see for Ourselves how the people are living," Li Xuandao said with a genial laugh.


    At these words, Gu An''s face drastically changed as he exclaimed, "You... You are the current Emperor?"


    As he spoke, he tried to stand up.


    Li Xuandao raised his hand, and a powerful pressure forced Gu An back down. He didn''t resist in case the other party could discern his cultivation level.


    "Keep it down. You needn''t treat me as the Emperor, just consider me Li Ya''s father. It''s fine to call me ''Uncle,''" Li Xuandao said with a smile, his expression very gentle and devoid of any imperial majesty.


    Gu An was at a loss for what to say next.


    An Emperor at the eighth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm!


    This was big trouble!


    Li Xuandao spoke up, "Bring out the Heavenly Residence Sword."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately retrieved the Heavenly Residence Sword from his Storage Bag.


    Li Xuandao''s gaze grew complicated as soon as he saw the Heavenly Residence Sword. He took the scabbard and gently caressed it.


    Considering what Li Ya had said, the Heavenly Residence Sword was a gift from his father to his mother. After her death, the sword passed into his hands...


    Now, observing Li Xuandao''s expression, Gu An started to flesh out a tale of deep-seated emotions between Li Xuandao and Li Ya''s mother.


    After a long while...


    Li Xuandao put the Heavenly Residence Sword down and pushed it towards Gu An, saying, "In the Supreme Sect, you''re the closest to Li Ya, and I heard you even saved him. Keep this sword, I bestow it upon you. From now on, you are the master of the Heavenly Residence Sword."


    "Additionally, We plan to establish a Medicine Valley near the Supreme Sect, where many high-rank medical herbs will be cultivated. You will manage it for Us. We won''t be unfair to you. In the coming days, helping you with Foundation Establishment, even Core Formation, is far from a difficult task.


    But you must understand one thing: on the surface, you are a disciple of the Supreme Sect, but your heart belongs to Us."

 Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, Shocking Change at Supreme Sect

    Li Xuandao finished speaking, his face filled with a smile as he looked at Gu An, waiting for his decision.


    Gu An was dumbfounded.


    The Emperor wanted him to become a spy too?


    This was forcing him to be a triple agent!


    This wasn''t what Gu An pursued, but the key issue was that it was difficult for him to refuse; the other party, in terms of both cultivation level and status, was above him.


    Not refusing meant endless troubles in the future.


    If he refused, there would be trouble now!


    However, Gu An thought of the high-rank medical herb he mentioned earlier, and his heart couldn''t help but beat faster.


    With a hesitant tone, Gu An asked, "Do I... have the option to refuse?"


    "You do. If you refuse, I will erase your memory of today, as if we had never met," Li Xuandao said with a light laugh.


    Feeling helpless, Gu An asked, "Why choose me? My aptitude is mediocre. With your status, digging up a disciple from the Supreme Sect is as easy as flipping a hand."


    Li Xuandao shook his head, "I am not deliberately trying to poach a disciple from the Supreme Sect. It just so happens that you have an excellent relationship with Li Ya. I want to promote you, and because your aptitude is mediocre, I feel more at ease, for I can fulfill your needs."


    He paused for a moment and then said in a frivolous tone, "People do not wish for an Emperor to live forever, nor do I wish for the master of Medicine Valley to live forever."


    You''re quite the humorist! Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All Gu An could say was, "If that''s the case, then I can only accept."


    "Decades from now, when you look back, you will not regret your decision today," Li Xuandao said with a laugh, his tone full of pride.


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Gu An asked, "Has Your Majesty been paying attention to Senior Brother Li all this time?"


    "Now that our business is concluded, there''s no need to address me as Your Majesty. Call me uncle instead, that''s more like family," Li Xuandao said sternly.


    Seeing that he did not seem to be testing him, Gu An called out "Uncle" once.


    Li Xuandao revealed a smile and said, "To tell you the truth, I have quite a few pawns in the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect. I am well aware of Li Ya''s situation."


    Previously, Gu An thought that Li Ya had a poor relationship with his father, the Emperor. It seemed that was not the case.


    Could there be some misunderstanding here?


    He wanted to ask on behalf of Li Ya, but he held back.


    The Emperor before him aspired to eternal life, and such an Emperor''s attitude towards Princes would certainly be complex. Even if he cherished a Prince, there was probably wariness in his heart.


    Which Crown Prince wants to be Crown Prince forever, which Prince doesn''t secretly long for the throne?


    Gu An felt a wave of emotions. He thought Li Ya and Li Xuanyu already possessed strong talents until he saw Li Xuandao, which explained why those two were so talented.


    Bloodline inheritance!


    Two hundred and thirty years old, at the eighth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm...


    He couldn''t have broken through to the Divinity Transformation Realm in his hundreds, could he?


    That''s preposterous!


    Most importantly, this fellow had cultivated a secret technique to conceal his aura. If it weren''t for Gu An''s life span detection ability, he would never see through his real cultivation level.


    Perhaps both the court and the Immortal Cultivation World couldn''t see through his cultivation level, which is why he has been able to cultivate securely until now.


    Afterward, Li Xuandao began to ask Gu An about the matters in the valley, curious about the origin of the Spring Festival mentioned by the disciples.


    Gu An answered him with the explanations he gave to others.


    Li Xuandao took an interest in the Spring Festival and decided to participate that very day. How could Gu An refuse?


    An hour later, the two walked down from the attic and joined the other disciples in preparing for the Spring Festival. The disciples were all delighted, with constant laughter and joyful voices, which also influenced Li Xuandao.


    As dusk fell, Gu An took out the homemade fireworks, and Mystic Valley began to echo with bursts of explosive sounds, deafening to the ear.


    Firelight sparkled on Li Xuandao''s face, his expression full of smiles, even toasting drinks with Xiaochuan, making it hard to associate him with the Emperor of Taicang Dynasty.


    Tang Yu, Su Han, and other disciples prepared some performances ¡ª storytelling, sparring sessions, acrobatics, and so on, making the night lively until the late hours.


    The next day at noon, Gu An saw off Li Xuandao.


    "Two more years, huh? I''m really looking forward to it."


    Gu An thought silently about Li Xuandao saying he would send someone to take him to Medicine Valley in two years.


    He planned to aim for a life span of one hundred thousand years within the next two years, and then break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Wrong, he had to surpass the Divinity Transformation Realm. He wouldn''t feel at ease unless he was stronger than Li Xuandao, for being close to an Emperor was like accompanying a tiger. What if Li Xuandao one day had a whim to harm him?


    Gu An looked in the direction of Li Xuandao''s departure, idly curious about why the Emperor had gone to the Outer Sect alone.


    Could it be that his real purpose was to visit Li Xuanyu?


    Li Ya had said Li Xuandao''s favorite child was indeed Li Xuanyu.


    Without dwelling further, Gu An turned and walked into the valley, preparing to plant some more medicinal herbs.


    ...


    As spring turned to summer, Gu An reached the age of thirty-four amidst the summer days.


    That day, he bid farewell to Du Ye, who came to ask for medicinal herbs.


    At the mouth of the valley.


    Du Ye turned and said, "These years, you''ve provided a good number of medicinal herbs. Young Master Ji Lin is quite satisfied with you. In some time, he will send someone with a Foundation Establishment Pill for you, to help you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm as soon as possible.


    Once you become a true Outer Disciple, he also plans to find a way for you to continue overseeing this Medicine Valley."


    Having said that, he left, stepping on a sword and leaping over the mountains and forests.


    Gu An shook his head with a wry smile. When he saw off Li Xuandao at the beginning of the year, Li Xuandao had said something similar.


    In the future, he would have to keep a distance from the Ji Family, lest they plan to take action against the Supreme Sect in the future and require his contribution.


    Powerful as sects may be, the power of noble families is immeasurable.


    On this land, dynasties rise and fall, sects come and go, but some noble families can endure for ages. The Ji Family is one of them.


    Alas!


    I just want to peacefully pick herbs and flowers, so why are there so many people trying to woo him?


    While thinking, Gu An walked into the woods nearby.


    In the forest, there was a person practicing swordsmanship, and it was Su Han.


    By now, Su Han had reached the seventh layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, ranking just behind Gu An and Tang Yu within the valley.


    Tang Yu practiced leg techniques, while Su Han practiced swordsmanship; however, the swordplay he usually practiced, taught by Li Ya, was far from profound.


    Gu An stood at a distance watching his silhouette practicing and hesitated whether to give him any guidance.


    Su Han, diligent in his duties and dedicated in cultivation, didn''t exhibit any faults that Gu An could pick on.


    Huh?


    No, the swordplay he''s practicing isn''t the Ji Family''s Seven Swords.


    Looking closely, the sword techniques he wielded were unfamiliar to Gu An, something he had never seen before.


    Could this young man also have had a fortuitous encounter?


    When did this happen?


    Gu An grew curious inwardly, then deliberately stepped on dry leaves to make a noise.


    Noticing Gu An''s arrival, the sword practitioner Su Han immediately stopped and turned to salute Gu An.


    "Su Han, in the Outer Sect, status is determined by cultivation level, why do you bother to painstakingly practice swordplay?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Scratching his head with his left hand, Su Han said, "I''m not anxious to join the Outer Sect; I want to master the essence of swordplay first."


    "Why do you think that way?"


    "Once you enter the Outer Sect, you have to undertake missions. If my strength is inadequate, it could only hinder my future."


    Su Han''s reply amused Gu An.


    Good, this lad is to his liking.


    Gu An asked curiously, "Is your sword technique a family heritage?"


    Su Han nodded, "It''s my father''s sword technique, but it''s too profound. Only recently have I been able to barely grasp it."


    "Your father must have been very capable indeed. I may not be fond of swordplay, but I have seen plenty of exquisite techniques within the Outer Sect, none of which surpass the sword technique you were just employing," Gu An inquired with curiosity.


    Su Han shook his head, "My father was a disabled person. Ever since I have memory, he was blind and didn''t possess a trace of sorcery. He passed away from illness when I was seven, and later, I found this sword manual in his belongings."


    As he spoke, he took out a sword manual from his chest and handed it straight to Gu An.


    Gu An took it and slightly raised his eyebrows.


    Hateful Heaven Divine Sword!


    What an odd name!


    At the sight of this name, Gu An immediately felt the impulse to expel Su Han from Mystic Valley.


    Clearly, the man carried a burden of grievances!


    Gu An casually leafed through it; with his Cultivation Level at the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, his retention was such that he wouldn''t forget what he read. However, mastering it would depend on his innatenatural understanding of the Sword Dao.


    He returned the manual to Su Han, pondering, "This sword technique is indeed exquisite, but its mental method seems somewhat malicious. Are you sure you want to practice it?"


    This technique required tempering one''s internal organs with Sword Qi, subjecting the practitioner to unimaginable torment, and some of its methods were even inscrutable to Gu An.


    With his Sword Dao achievement, he could assert without doubt that this technique was oddly sinister!


    Stunned, Su Han asked, "Master, do you think I shouldn''t practice it?"


    Gu An shook his head, "I just feel that this sword technique might bring you suffering. I don''t know your background, can''t understand your feelings. Whether you practice it or not is up to you. If you don''t, you''re welcome to stay in Mystic Valley for as long as you like, you''ll always be my disciple."


    Moved by Gu An''s words, Su Han tucked the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword into his chest and nodded vigorously.


    Gu An took out a book from his chest; it was the latest volume of Investiture of the Gods, given to him by Du Ye. Du Ye mentioned that Ji Lin was so obsessed with this book, it led their retainers to follow suit.


    "The book you wanted." After handing over Investiture of the Gods to Su Han, Gu An turned to leave.


    With a smile on his face, Su Han held Investiture of the Gods in his hands.


    Returning to Medicine Valley, Gu An started to observe the other Servant Disciples.


    First, Li Ya, then Wuxin, and now Su Han, all of them had extraordinary backgrounds¡ªMystic Valley was proving to be very profound!


    Something felt off!


    An hour later, Gu An finally headed back to his own loft.


    He couldn''t see any issue with the rest of the Servant Disciples, which eased his mind a bit.


    On second thought, that made sense; of those able to be admitted into the Immortal Cultivation World, who didn''t carry an exceptional background or experience? In their eyes, he was the protagonist.


    Deep into the night, Gu An quietly went to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    After playing with Sky Dragon for half an hour, he took out the Heavenly Residence Sword and began to cultivate the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.


    Having many skills won''t weigh one down, better to reach proficiency to add it to the Attribute Panel!


    Suddenly, the whooshing of the wind could be heard beneath the Green Vine Tree, the sound of a sword blade slicing through the air, while Sky Dragon curiously watched from several yards away, Gu An''s figure reflected in its dragon''s eyes while practicing.


    ...


    At the end of summer.


    Gu An visited the Outer City. First, he went to the Elixir Hall to deliver a year''s harvest of medical herbs, then he went to the Book Collection Hall to submit his manuscripts.


    Ever since Investiture of the Gods became popular, Elder Liu Chang held him in special regard, always receiving him personally, fearful of any leaks.


    Liu Chang openly worried that Gu An might be abducted by the Demon Path if his fame got out, which would mean a significant loss of Spirit Stones for the Book Collection Hall. This made Gu An even more cautious.


    After concluding official business, Gu An went to visit Lu Jiujia. Lu Jiujia was delighted and invited him to meet Ye Lan as she happened to be in the city as well.


    Not every Outer Disciple owned a cave abode outside the city; the cost of constructing one was prohibitive, and many chose to reside within the Outer Sect, basking in its Spiritual Energy.


    Seated in the courtyard, as Lu Jiujia poured wine for Gu An, he spoke with a hint of conspiracy, "A major incident occurred in Supreme Sect!"

 Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Nascent Soul Blockade, Despicable

    "What''s the big matter?"


    Gu An asked with a smile, having arrived in the Outer City today, he indeed felt that the atmosphere was off, with an indescribable sense of tension.


    Ye Lan spoke up, "The Sect Leader and a certain elder are vying for power. Recently, the Emperor came to the Supreme Sect and selected the elder''s direct disciple as the National Master, granting him a first-rank immortal official position and proclaiming it throughout the dynasty.


    This has greatly boosted the morale of that elder''s faction, who are also spreading unfavorable rumors about the Sect Leader."


    Lu Jiujia, beaten to the punch, looked somewhat resentful. After she finished speaking, he hastily added, "The Sect Leader''s domineering style has offended many elders. In recent years, there have been repeated incidents of disciple casualties and demon path invasions in the territories beyond the Outer Sect, which has caused dissatisfaction among many elders.


    Now with the Emperor''s support, the Sect Leader''s rivals certainly won''t hold back. How can this not lead to chaos?"


    Gu An curiously asked, "Doesn''t the Sect Leader have absolute power? Isn''t he the strongest cultivator in the Supreme Sect?"


    "Not necessarily, the Sect Leader is also elected by the collaboration of the elders. Moreover, within the Supreme Sect, the strongest in terms of cultivation level is not the Sect Leader but the True Inheritor. It is said that he is the most talented person in the Supreme Sect in a thousand years. He wanders outside and seldom returns.


    I have heard a rumor that if he wishes to become the Sect Leader today, by tomorrow he will be the Sect Leader," Lu Jiujia replied, his tone becoming excited as he spoke of the True Inheritor.


    "That impressive? What''s his name?"


    "Cough cough, I haven''t found out yet."


    Lu Jiujia coughed slightly, trying hard to cover his embarrassment.


    Ye Lan gave him an annoyed look, then turned to Gu An and whispered, "I have indeed heard many secrets in the Law Enforcement Hall. The open and secret struggles within the Main City of the Sect have also spread to the Inner and Outer Sects. Elder brother, you must be careful in Mystic Valley. Those people will do anything for power."


    Gu An laughed and said, "Surely not? Could someone really dare to slaughter Mystic Valley and then frame the other party?"


    As soon as these words came out, Gu An himself felt uneasy.


    Hadn''t someone already bred the Demon of Greed right outside the Outer Sect? What else couldn''t happen?


    Seeing his worry, Ye Lan reached out and held his hand, reassuringly saying, "Elder brother, don''t worry, I will try to convince the Law Enforcement Hall to increase patrols around the various Medicine Valleys in the Outer Sect."


    Gu An naturally withdrew his hand; he was only distracted for a moment, and she had sneaked an attack on him.


    Well, he had actually noticed, but he was afraid that reacting too quickly would arouse suspicions from his junior brother and sister.


    Lu Jiujia secretly snickered, but was given a stern look by Ye Lan.


    "Compared to me, you need to be more cautious. Such a power struggle is more dangerous than going out to slay demons," Gu An commented solemnly.


    Lu Jiujia was very confident, claiming it was impossible for him to die.


    Ye Lan then mentioned that she was in the Law Enforcement Hall, where others wouldn''t dare to easily harm her.


    The Law Enforcement Hall manages all divisions; joining the Law Enforcement Hall grants power above ordinary disciples, but disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall don''t have as much cultivation time as ordinary disciples, as they must intervene whenever any division faces an issue.


    Gu An looked at Ye Lan, feeling deeply inside.


    Just a few years out of the valley, Ye Lan had metamorphosed, no longer the little girl who followed him around; she now appeared capable and striking.


    The three of them chatted while drinking. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most of the time, it was Lu Jiujia and Ye Lan talking, through which Gu An gained a lot of insight into the situation of the Supreme Sect.


    He felt very gratified that the junior brother and sister he had trained were now looking after him in return, giving him a sense of achievement.


    If disciples of Mystic Valley were dispersed across various divisions of the Outer Sect, and even entered the Inner Sect in the future, wouldn''t he have connections everywhere?


    Just thinking about it excited Gu An.


    Two ancient hours later, Lu Jiujia left first. Gu An politely declined Ye Lan''s invitation to visit her residence to taste some delicacies, then left the Outer City under her reluctant gaze.


    Riding his flying sword, facing the wind, Gu An felt very pleased.


    The skies gradually turned crimson; dusk was approaching.


    Gu An''s apparent cultivation level had reached the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, so his flying speed was not slow; he admired the undulating forests along the way.


    Suddenly, half an Ancient Hour later, while flying, Gu An saw a figure emerge from the forest ahead, quickly approaching him, causing him to slow down.


    A white-robed elder appeared, flying on a sword and carrying a Wine Gourd, his nose red as a jujube, seemingly just having had a drink.


    "Young friend, please wait!"


    The voice of the white-robed elder reached him, and Gu An could sense the elder''s cultivation aura was at the Foundation Establishment Realm, but to be safe, he still initiated a Life Span Detection.


    [Lin Futian (Nascent Soul Realm Level 1): 603/800/840]


    Good heavens!


    Nascent Soul Realm!


    Gu An inwardly cursed the other''s deceit, who had evidently cultivated a Secret Technique to hide his cultivation level.


    The two quickly met in midair, Lin Futian''s face bearing a benign smile, said, "Young friend, I am a disciple of the Outer Law Enforcement Hall, Lin Kun, and I need to inquire about a matter with you. There have been frequent appearances of demon path spies recently. Shall we go to the woods to talk?"


    Gu An nodded, knowing that it was probably futile to refuse at that moment. It would be better to see what happens.


    The two quickly landed in the forest, and Gu An casually plucked two leaves.


    Lin Futian stepped forward, his tone mysteriously asking, "Young friend, have you heard of Xu Ruye from the Wanyin Sect."


    Xu Ruye?


    That I know all too well!


    That was the one I killed!


    Xu Ruye and Chan Ji had once sought to stay in his Medicine Valley and even injured Li Ya; how could he forget.


    Gu An feigned confusion and asked, "I''ve heard of the Wanyin Sect, but who is Xu Ruye?"


    "Xu Ruye was a genius of the Wanyin Sect, and his father was even the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Wanyin Sect. He died in this area, and recently there have been quite a few spies from the Wanyin Sect investigating the cause of his death," Lin Futian stepped forward and said.


    Gu An immediately stepped back to keep distance between them.


    Seeing his cautious expression, Lin Futian grinned and said, "What? Young friend, you don''t suspect that I am a spy from the Wanyin Sect, do you?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "The junior dares not, but the junior really has never heard of Xu Ruye. Since you are a member of the Law Enforcement Hall, why do you need to ask me?"


    "Hahaha¡ª¡ª"


    Lin Futian burst into laughter. He suddenly waved his sleeve, and a surge of Spiritual Power spread out like mist, quickly covering an area of several miles.


    Gu An panicked, raised his sword with his right hand, and looked tensely at him.


    Lin Futian then opened his Wine Gourd, and an unpleasant smell of alcohol wafted out. He sneered, "Don''t be afraid, there are fifteen of your fellow sect members accompanying you in here¡­"


    Gu An gritted his teeth and asked, "Who exactly are you? What''s your background? Even if I am to die, can you let me die understanding why?"


    "Haven''t you guessed it?" Lin Futian said with a cold laugh. He lifted his hand and made a grabbing motion from afar. A powerful Spiritual Power bound Gu An and forcefully pulled him toward himself.


    Gu An''s face showed despair as his body soared into the air, quickly flying towards Lin Futian.


    Lin Futian reached out with his left hand towards him while pouring from the Wine Gourd into his mouth with his right hand.


    Boom!


    Gu An suddenly burst out with a terrifying aura, instantly dispersing Lin Futian''s Spiritual Power.


    Lin Futian''s pupils suddenly dilated, a leaf reflecting in his eyes.


    Encircled by sharp Sword Qi, the leaf moved as fast as lightning, directly piercing Lin Futian''s forehead, blood splattering as the leaf continued on its path.


    Boom, boom, boom¡ª¡ª


    Several large trees were smashed, raising a cloud of dust that lifted into the air like a long, gray wall extending for miles.


    Lin Futian''s body trembled, his face showing disbelief as he cried out in anger, "You¡­ you hid your cultivation level¡­ despicable¡­"


    Gu An took a step forward right in front of him, his right hand''s index and middle fingers together like a sword, placed against his chest.


    Boom!


    Sword Qi burst forth, instantly shattering Lin Futian''s physical body and scattering the dust wave behind him, the surrounding trees falling outward, revealing a trench several miles long.


    A figure suddenly flew out of the rolling dust, an old-faced infant that looked odd; it was Lin Futian''s Nascent Soul.


    He flew rapidly towards the horizon, when suddenly a swooshing sound approached his ears.


    He instinctively turned his head just as a leaf sped forth, directly annihilating his Nascent Soul, with a mist of blood blossoming in the air.


    Gu An reached out his hand to summon his Flying Sword, took a step forward, attaching Sword Qi to his body, and transformed into a sword shadow speeding away, quickly disappearing into the woods.


    He did not head towards Mystic Valley but in a different direction. On the swiftly traversing path, a notification popped up:


    [You successfully seized Lin Futian (Nascent Soul Realm level one) 25 years of lifespan]


    It''s a bit little, but there''s nothing to be done about it. Although Lin Futian was at the Nascent Soul Realm, at six hundred three years old, he only had one hundred ninety-seven years left to live.


    Gu An didn''t dwell on it. He took a big detour and then returned to Mystic Valley at the fastest speed possible.


    He climbed through the window into the attic hall, sat at the table, lifted his hand to summon a jar of wine from the wine cabinet, and started drinking heavily.


    After drinking a gulp of wine, he gently set the jar down, his right hand trembling slightly, his heartbeat intense.


    "Huff, huff¡­"


    Gu An tried to calm his emotions.


    That was terrifying!


    Coming home to encounter a Demon Path spy!


    Worried about making too much noise with his previous move, Gu An decided to not leave the valley for the next month and lay low for a while.


    "No, it''s too dangerous¡­ Today a Nascent Soul Realm came after me, who knows when a Divinity Transformation or even higher realm might appear¡­"


    Gu An quickly accessed his Attribute Panel, and seeing his 91,000 years of lifespan, he felt somewhat relieved.


    The path of Immortal Cultivation is truly fraught with dangers. Even a regular Cultivator at the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm could be intercepted by a Nascent Soul Realm level one Great Cultivator. Isn''t that scary?


    Gu An thought about the fifteen souls in the Wine Gourd, feeling sympathy for them.


    Next, he planned to forcefully harvest a batch of medicinal herbs, striving to reach 100,000 years of lifespan and see if he could unlock new features. Then, he would rejuvenate his lifespan at the first opportunity!


    Gu An took a deep breath and pulled out the Green Hero Travelogue from his chest, diverting his attention.


    Night fell, and cheers from fellow disciples echoed from outside the window. Gu An used his Divine Sense to check and found out it was Tang Yu and Su Han sparring again, with other disciples watching the excitement.


    Ordinarily, he would have joined them, but he was not in the mood now.


    He focused on reading the Green Hero Travelogue, his heart finally calming down, though he remained somewhat worried.


    After a while.


    Footsteps approached, then the door swung open as Zhen Qin rushed in and said, "Master, big brother and second brother are fighting!"


    Her gaze fell on the cover of the Green Hero Travelogue, and she raised an eyebrow.

 Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Hearing of Flying Leaves Again, Life Span of 100,000 Years

    Gu An closed the "Green Hero Travelogue" and asked expressionlessly, "Don''t they often spar with each other, how did it turn into a fight?"


    Zhen Qin retracted her gaze and said in a panicked voice, "Second Senior Brother used a set of swordsmanship, and First Senior Brother mocked that his swordsmanship was too soft. Second Senior Brother got agitated, he has already stabbed First Senior Brother, and he refuses to stop!"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately stood up.


    The master and disciple quickly descended the stairs.


    At this moment, the crowd that had been watching was no longer cheering but incessantly trying to persuade Su Han.


    Under the cover of night, Su Han, with his hair disheveled, swung his sword wildly like a fierce ghost, his eyes glowing with a bloody light. Tang Yu, facing him, was in a sorry state, his robe slashed into tatters, with two shocking wounds on his chest from which blood surged, staining his trousers red.


    Wuxin and Xiaochuan wanted to step forward to stop him, but Su Han''s sword moves were too fierce for them to get close.


    Upon seeing Gu An arriving, the disciples hurriedly made way.


    Gu An stepped in between the two in two strides, grabbing Su Han''s right wrist with his left hand and blocking Tang Yu''s leg with his left arm.


    Shaken by the impact, Tang Yu staggered backward, astonished at how hard his master''s arm was.


    He then exhaled, looking at Su Han with a gaze filled with fear.


    With his wrist in Gu An''s grasp, Su Han could not move, and with a forceful squeeze from Gu An, his sword clanged to the ground.


    "Wake up!"


    Gu An commanded in a deep voice, and Su Han shivered, the bloodthirsty hatred in his eyes beginning to fade.


    Standing not far away, Wuxin was secretly startled.


    First Senior Brother moves so fast!


    Although Gu An had reached the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, he was not considered a strong cultivator in their hearts, mainly because he often belittled himself.


    Gu An''s actions just now changed Wuxin''s perception.


    He suddenly realized First Senior Brother was not simple.


    Xiaochuan, on the other hand, took this as usual because Gu An had once subdued the frenzied Meng Lang.


    Perhaps Gu An''s Spirit Root Qualification was mediocre, but in Xiaochuan''s heart, Gu An''s combat ability was strong, at least making him feel very reliable.


    The other disciples were also intimidated by Gu An''s move, as it was the first time they saw him in action, and he could easily suppress Tang Yu and Su Han, both at the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.


    Zhen Qin was the first to cheer, breaking the silence. The others followed and gathered around.


    "Master, so you are this formidable!"


    "Second Senior Brother, wake up!"


    "Master, did Second Senior Brother suffer from a deviation?"


    "It''s all First Senior Brother''s fault for mocking Second Senior Brother. I have never seen Second Senior Brother so angry."


    The disciples chattered nonstop, while Gu An kept his gaze fixed on Su Han.


    Su Han gasped heavily, his body suddenly slumping like mud, but his right hand was held by Gu An, preventing him from falling to the ground.


    He looked up at Gu An, weakly saying, "Master¡­ I¡­"


    Before he could finish, his neck slumped, and he passed out.


    Gu An instructed two disciples to help Su Han back to his room, then he turned to look at Tang Yu.


    Under his master''s gaze, Tang Yu''s face was flushed; he didn''t know how to explain, but he felt aggrieved as he was injured.


    "Go back to your room and stop the bleeding," Gu An said expressionlessly.


    Hearing this, Tang Yu quickly bowed and then left.


    Gu An turned to the others and said, "Aren''t you disbanding yet? Are you not practicing today?"


    With that, he turned and walked toward the attic.


    The disciples watched his retreating figure, exchanging looks.


    Although Gu An didn''t say anything too harsh, they all thought that Gu An was angry.


    Little did they know, Gu An was just not in the mood to lecture.


    That night, all the disciples in the valley were preoccupied with their own thoughts, unable to calm their minds.


    Gu An stayed alone in the attic, and in the middle of the night, he sensed several strong Divine Senses sweeping over.


    Eventually, his fight with Lin Futian had caught the attention of the Supreme Sect.


    The next morning.


    Su Han came to visit Gu An. He was there to apologize.


    "Apologizing to me is useless; you didn''t hurt me," Gu An said, looking at him with a calm expression.


    Su Han gritted his teeth, "He started by mocking that my swordsmanship was inadequate."


    Gu An asked, "Did you ever tell him about the origin of your swordsmanship?"


    "I¡­"


    "You and Tang Yu joined Medicine Valley on the same day, and you two had the best relationship. You know him well; he is brash but not malicious by nature," Gu An said with a heavier tone, as he didn''t want his disciples to become enemies after so many years of being together.


    He didn''t forcefully stop Su Han from continuing to practice the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword; such matters simply couldn''t be stopped, and if stopped, perhaps even the bond between master and disciple would be lost.


    Thinking back on the years spent together with Tang Yu, Su Han could not help but feel remorse.


    Initially, Tang Yu had only jokingly criticized that his swordsmanship was ineffective, already frustrating him for being unable to master the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. Hence, a conflict erupted, and Tang Yu, also angered, spoke more harshly, leading to his furious and sudden deviation.


    "Master, I was wrong. I will go to First Senior Brother later," said Su Han, taking a deep breath, earnestly.


    Gu An said, "Don''t wait any longer, let''s go now, I also need to check on the herbs."


    He stood up and walked towards Su Han.


    The two left the attic one after the other, with Su Han closing the door behind them. He caught up to Gu An''s pace and couldn''t help but ask, "Master, aren''t you going to ask why I lost my composure last night?"


    Gu An didn''t turn back and said, "It likely involves your Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. This swordsmanship was passed down to you by your father. Whether to practice it or not is not for me to decide. You need to think it through and decide what''s most important to you in your heart."


    Su Han slowed his steps, standing in front of the stairs, staring blankly at Gu An''s retreating figure.


    What''s most important?


    Gu An had no time to worry about his disciples'' conflicts. He had already said what needed to be said. If they couldn''t get along, then he would let them leave Mystic Valley and never meet again.


    Gu An began inspecting the herbs in each garden area to see which ones were nearing maturity.


    He needed to quickly gather 100,000 years of life span, so he harvested some herbs that were close to their maturity stage.


    Of course, for those herbs that were far from mature, Gu An didn''t touch them, as he wasn''t mad enough to destroy his own foundation.


    Now that he had many ways to collect life span, he wasn''t too worried.


    ...


    Above the mountain forest, cultivators floated in the air on their magic artifacts, looking down at the Law Enforcement Hall disciples searching below, among them was Ye Lan.


    Chu Jingfeng stood on a flying sword, his right sleeve fluttering with the wind, emanating an aura of worldliness unlike his former spirited youth.


    An old man flew over on a gourd, handing a leaf to Chu Jingfeng, saying, "It must have been the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal. Nearby, Lin Futian''s Wine Soul Gourd of Wanyin Sect was found with the souls of fifteen disciples of the Supreme Sect."


    Chu Jingfeng took the leaf and scrutinized it. The surface of the leaf was covered with fine sword marks, almost invisible at first glance.


    He said thoughtfully, "Does that mean the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal is really one of our own?"


    The elder nodded and said, "It should be so. The attack on Zuo Yijian was likely a factional dispute. Given his ease in killing Lin Futian, if he wanted to kill Zuo Yijian, Zuo Yijian would certainly not survive."


    Chu Jingfeng remained silent.


    The elder looked at his flowing right sleeve and said, "Jingfeng, it''s time to let go of your hang-ups and get your arm fixed. Otherwise, if you keep using your left hand for swordsmanship, it will be hard to change the habit later."


    "Why should I fix it? If the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal can use a leaf as a sword, why must I necessarily use my right hand to wield a sword?" Chu Jingfeng countered.


    Hearing this, the elder shook his head, sighing in resignation, and said no more.


    In the forest.


    Ye Lan stood in a ravine, looking towards the end as if it led to the ends of the earth and sea, her eyes filled with shock.


    "I heard that it was the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal who acted. This terrifying scene was caused by a single leaf." A female disciple came over, marvelling.


    The surrounding disciples also marveled at the incredible power of the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, and Ye Lan admired him too.


    How high must one''s cultivation level be to have such terrifying strength?


    Ye Lan turned her head towards another direction, her eyes showing worry.


    ...


    Since Lin Futian''s death, cultivators flew over Mystic Valley every few days, most of them at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Gu An occasionally could see Ye Lan among them.


    She did not come down to visit Gu An, as if she was just passing by.


    But she passed over Mystic Valley four times within a month, how could Gu An not understand her intentions?


    "This girl¡­"


    Gu An stood at the window, watching the cultivators disappearing into the horizon, feeling warmth in his heart.


    He accessed his attribute panel, looking at his 99,999 years of life span, his hands clenched in his sleeves.


    It was happening!


    Tonight, he was going to break through his current realm!


    Due to this month''s forced harvesting, the life span harvest for the next year would decrease, but after waiting for another year, it should recover and then continue to increase.


    He had intentionally left ten years of life span unharvested, waiting to secretly collect them that night.


    He wanted to thoroughly enjoy the sensation of harvesting life!


    Seeing that it was still early, Gu An couldn''t sit still and went downstairs.


    In the yard, he saw Su Han practicing swordsmanship on the eastern mountain top from a distance. Since the conflict that night, Su Han had become solitary, and others were afraid to disturb him, fearing that he might go berserk.


    The relationship between Tang Yu and Su Han had, however, improved. After learning the origin of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, Tang Yu apologized to Su Han, but after that, he practiced even harder.


    An apology was an apology, but he did not want to lose to Su Han again, especially since he was the oldest disciple.


    Gu An reached the front of the garden fence, looking out with a smile on his face.


    "Master, what''s making you so happy?" Zhen Qin came running over, curiously asking.


    Gu An ruffled her hair, smiling, "What? Do I not smile often usually?"


    Zhen Qin giggled, "Master, since you''re in such a good mood today, why not teach me the Residual Wind Leg technique?"


    Gu An asked in surprise, "I thought you hated practicing swordsmanship and leg techniques, what''s changed?"


    "I want to become a Disciple of Law Enforcement Hall just like Uncle Ye Lan!" Zhen Qin clenched her fists, excitedly saying.


    Earlier, Wuxin and Xiaochuan had also seen Ye Lan, and they remarked on it to each other. Their conversation was overheard by Zhen Qin, who was weeding nearby, learning that Ye Lan''s robe belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall, and she greatly admired her.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Alright, I''ll teach you."


    It was also good to send this girl off sooner; she always disturbed him when he was reading! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And so, Gu An began teaching Zhen Qin the Residual Wind Leg technique.


    When the deep night fell and all the disciples had gone back to their rooms, Gu An quietly left Mystic Valley. Before leaving, he also harvested two third-tier herbs from the garden.

 Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Do you know what realm is above Divinity Transformation?

    "My Martial Master speculated that it might be the arrival of the Silent Karma Demon Lord from the Heavenly Extinction Sect!" Ye Lan said solemnly.


    Gu An frowned and asked, "Why do you think so?"


    "Last night, the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect was drained, even affecting the Inner Sect; combined with the recent killing of Lin Futian from the Wanyin Sect by the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, all these incidents together prove that the Demon Path is preparing to besiege the Supreme Sect.


    Draining the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect is their first step, and among the Demon Path, only the Silent Karma Demon Lord of the Heavenly Extinction Sect is capable of such an act. It is said that his Heaven-Swallowing Demon Skill could make a thousand miles of land devoid of life," Ye Lan said, her eyes revealing a hint of fear as she spoke.


    This...


    Gu An was somewhat choked up.


    Lin Futian was killed by him, and last night''s events were also his doing...


    Is the Demon Path taking the blame for him?


    Although Gu An was reluctantly turned into a spy for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, he never considered himself a Demon Cultivator.


    He thought for a moment and then comforted her, "Junior Sister, don''t worry. If the sky falls, there will be tall ones holding it up. The Supreme Sect is the top Sect of the Taicang Dynasty; even if the Demon Path attacks, shaking the Supreme Sect will be extremely difficult."


    Ye Lan took a deep breath, her eyes resolute as she looked at Gu An. Clenching her teeth, she said, "Senior Brother, let''s flee far away. I am now at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and we can hide in uninhabited mountains to cultivate in seclusion. I will help you reach Foundation Establishment!"


    Gu An almost lost his composure.


    Goodness, she really wants to take this chance to pledge her life to me?


    Gu An helplessly said, "Junior Sister, you are exaggerating a bit. Moreover, where in this world is absolutely safe? If we hide in the mountains and encounter a Core Formation Realm Demon Cultivator, how would we deal with him? And you are only guessing; I don''t think the Demon Path will attack."


    "If the Demon Path really plans to besiege the Supreme Sect, shouldn''t they have come by now? Making so much noise but not making a move, could it be that they are giving the Supreme Sect time to gather the Great Cultivators from abroad?"


    Hearing this, Ye Lan found it reasonable.


    She thought for a moment and said, "Or why don''t you come with me to the Outer Sect to avoid the limelight?"


    Gu An gravely said, "Junior Sister, you really don''t need to worry about me. Don''t let me affect your cultivation. If you truly care about me, then strive to become stronger. In the future, you can take care of me then. It''s also for your own good, for cultivators who don''t prioritize cultivation will eventually encounter situations where they are powerless."


    Ye Lan felt ashamed and realized she was indeed being too anxious.


    "Senior Brother, I am now at the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm. It won''t be easy for a common Demon Cultivator to kill me!" Gu An said with a proud smile.


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan burst into laughter. She quickly covered her mouth and said, "Senior Brother, would any Demon Cultivator who dares to infiltrate the Supreme Sect be at the Energy Cultivation Realm? The previously deceased Lin Futian is said to be a Nascent Soul Realm old monster."


    Gu An scoffed, "What? Does a Nascent Soul Realm old monster not need to lift a finger to kill me?"


    "Yes, yes, Senior Brother is the most formidable," Ye Lan laughed, easing the tense atmosphere in her heart.


    Afterward, Gu An inquired about the situation of the Outer Sect, and Ye Lan did not hold back, telling him everything.


    It was not until dusk that Gu An bid her farewell.


    Originally, he planned to enhance his cultivation and spells tonight, but hearing that the Outer Sect was already preparing for battle, he dared not act recklessly and decided to lay low for now.


    He still had a doubt in his mind.


    If the nearby Spiritual Energy was drained while he continued to break through, what consequence would it bring?


    He estimated that the Life Span Barrier would devour the Spiritual Energy of even farther places; in such a case, the Supreme Sect would definitely not be able to sit still anymore.


    ...


    In the following three days, Gu An stayed within Mystic Valley, not even going to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Sky Dragon had already begun his training, and it didn''t matter that he hadn''t eaten meat for several days, as Gu An had prepared a batch of ripe Green Vine Fruits in advance, which it could eat if hungry.


    Gu An shared a soul resonance with Sky Dragon, so it remembered everything he instructed. Since its birth, it had never caused him any trouble, making him feel reassured about this child.


    That night.


    Gu An was reading in the attic, possessing a Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root; he could exhaust the Spiritual Energy within ten yards with a mere breath, and the conversion efficiency to Spiritual Power was extremely high.


    Since the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect was still recovering, he refrained from cultivating and continued suppressing it.


    Suddenly, Gu An sensed something, his expression subtly shifting.


    He did not get up but continued reading.


    Thirty minutes later, a figure appeared outside his window, who quietly pushed open the window and then leaped in.


    Gu An immediately threw a Life Span Detection.


    [Fuxiong (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 160/198/240]


    After encountering Li Xuandao and Lin Futian, Gu An relied even more on Life Span Detection; after all, there were too many cunning old foxes in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Fuxiong appeared to be around fifty years old, of mediocre stature, clad in black clothes, with dark eye sockets and eagle-like eyes, giving off a deeply scheming impression.


    He stood up and looked at Gu An, asking, "Are you the Valley Master?"


    Gu An frowned and asked, "I am. Who are you?"


    Fuxiong did not answer but continued to size him up. After a few moments, he suddenly said, "Unregretful heart of the Thousand-Autumn Green Vine!"


    Gu An was silent.


    His Divine Sense had already spread out, confirming that Fuxiong had come alone.


    Reluctantly, he responded, "All Dharma withered hard to find root..."


    Upon hearing this, Fuxiong''s expression relaxed, he walked to the table and sat down, as if he were in his own home. While pouring himself a cup of tea, he asked, "What about Cheng Xuandan? Is he dead?"


    Gu An nodded, "My master has passed away. May I know why the elder is seeking me?"


    "Do you know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree?" Fuxiong took a sip of tea, then continued, his gaze sweeping around the room.


    The room, besides books, was filled with various herbs wrapped in Spirit Protection Paper.


    Gu An saw that he didn''t really care about the Green Vine Tree, so he asked, "What is the Green Vine Tree?"


    Upon hearing this, Fuxiong withdrew his gaze and looked back at Gu An, asking, "Hasn''t your master told you about it?"


    Gu An shook his head, indicating no.


    "The Green Vine Tree is the Holy Tree of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. More than two hundred years ago, our pavilion sent a Green Vine Tree to the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect, but over time, the clues were lost, and it''s unclear where exactly the Green Vine Tree is hidden," Fuxiong said with a frown.


    It arrived more than two hundred years ago?


    Gu An frowned and pondered in silence. Could Jiang Qiong have hidden something from him?


    Fuxiong sighed and said, "To be honest, my master is about to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm. The Tribulation Crossing is extremely perilous, and I want to find the Green Vine Fruit to lend him a helping hand."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An curiously asked, "What realm is Divinity Transformation?"


    "Above Foundation Establishment is Core Formation, above that is Nascent Soul, and above Nascent Soul is Divinity Transformation," Fuxiong said, stroking his beard and smiling as if the one about to break through to Divinity Transformation was he himself.


    "Even a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator''s tribulation is perilous? I heard that Nascent Souls are already akin to immortals!" Gu An exclaimed in surprise.


    "What immortals? It''s still far off. From Foundation Establishment to Core Formation also requires passing through tribulations. Every tribulation is dangerous and mostly lethal. The higher the realm, the more deadly the Lightning Tribulations become. My master has been preparing for ten years to overcome his tribulation," Fuxiong said, his face revealing a look of longing.


    Gu An asked, "What needs to be prepared? Can''t one directly undergo the tribulation?"


    "How could that be possible? One must prepare elixirs to maintain Spiritual Power and heal injuries, have formations for support, and have several sets of magic artifacts ready. I haven''t heard of anyone who can just directly undergo the tribulation," said Fuxiong, glaring at Gu An as if he found the question rather foolish.


    After hearing this, Gu An felt much more at ease. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Fuxiong laughed and said, "I see your Medicine Valley has plenty of medicinal herbs. How about taking me as your master? I''ll back you up and teach you spells, and you give three-tenths of Medicine Valley''s harvest to me every year. How about it?"


    Gu An frowned again.


    In a low voice, Fuxiong said, "Boy, my master, who is also your Martial Master, is in the Inner Sect. Once he breaks through Divinity Transformation, he will surely become an Elder. By then, you can have whatever you want!"


    Gu An widened his eyes, asking in surprise, "Your master could become an Inner Sect Elder? Then doesn''t that mean he has been lurking for many years? Why doesn''t he know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree?"


    "It''s a long story. Let''s talk about taking me as your master first," Fuxiong said gravely.


    Gu An hesitated and asked, "Is this your master''s intention?"


    "How could it be? My master doesn''t even know that I''m here in this Medicine Valley. Boy, you''re just a Servant Disciple. What kind of person is my master, and why would he take notice of you?" Fuxiong stated displeasedly.


    Gu An stood up, towering over him, and asked, "One last question."


    Fuxiong frowned and asked in a deep voice, "What question?"


    He really wanted to kill this annoying kid. So many nonsense questions!


    "Do you know what realm is above Divinity Transformation?"


    "What?"


    Fuxiong was taken aback, then burst into a rage. He had no idea what lay beyond Divinity Transformation and felt the other was mocking him.


    Just as he was about to get up, Gu An''s right hand was already on his head.


    He looked up to see Gu An''s face so cold, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, and his whole demeanor had suddenly changed.


    In that moment, Fuxiong felt as if he was facing his master.


    No, even his master wasn''t this terrifying!


    He wanted to speak, but his consciousness quickly drifted into oblivion, and his eyes became listless.


    Gu An was using the Soul Capturing Skill. Until then, he had never mastered the Soul Capturing Skill, but now, with a superior Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root, he grasped it immediately.


    It might not be proficient, but it was enough to deal with Fuxiong.


    His Spiritual Power suppressed Fuxiong, while his Divine Sense forcefully invaded Fuxiong''s mind, searching brutally.


    After an hour, Fuxiong had passed away.


    Gu An reopened his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief.


    This guy indeed didn''t know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree, nor had his master sent him here.


    Gu An lifted his right hand, raising Fuxiong into midair, and from his palm, a burst of Spirit Power Fire began to incinerate the other.


    He closed his eyes, unwilling to watch this brutal scene.


    The Spirit Fire of the Void Crossing Realm was so powerful that within just four breaths, Fuxiong turned to ash, leaving behind only a Storage Bag. He had successfully seized four years of life span.


    Gu An checked it, took out all the medicinal materials and Spirit Stones. As for the magic artifacts and talisman paper, he didn''t dare touch them and instead burned them together with the Storage Bag to prevent someone from tracing him here.


    The next morning, Gu An went downstairs as if nothing had happened.


    While the disciples were assembling for drill, he secretly felt guilty.


    Oh no, I''m acting like a demon!


    And so it continued until a month later, with no cultivators from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion coming to find Gu An, he finally felt at ease.


    One day, Du Ye suddenly came looking for him, and the two talked on the penthouse floor.


    "The Third Miss has mastered the Qilin Step, and the clan leader is very pleased. He plans to come to celebrate for the Third Miss, and at the same time, a banquet will be held in the Inner Sect. As a servant of the Ji Family, you must attend to help welcome the guests. In ten days, I''ll wait for you in front of the Law Enforcement Hall in the Outer Sect.


    Prepare some medicinal herbs these days as a gift; perhaps you can gain the favor of the Third Miss," Du Ye said earnestly.


    Gu An nodded, having made up his mind.


    Tonight, I''ll practice the Eight Directions Step!


    Let''s see how strong Ji Xiaoyu''s mastered Qilin Step really is.

 Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Breaking Through the Void Crossing Realm, the Demon Lord Attacks

    Gu An didn''t continue to push his Cultivation Level, preferring to wait until he reached the first layer of the Void Crossing Realm. He feared the time it would take to absorb Spiritual Energy would be too long, and that daybreak might come before he finished.


    If the disciples discovered he wasn''t in the valley, it would spell trouble.


    With each notification that appeared, Gu An could distinctly feel the Earth Spirit Energy wildly surging upwards from beneath the ground.


    With a boom!


    Spiritual Energy rose in a wild frenzy from the ground, pulling at his robes and tangling his black hair as if trying to lift them into the air.


    His body wasn''t blown away, for the Spiritual Energy had already entered him, tethering him to the ground like chains.


    This time, the commotion caused by devouring Spiritual Energy was far greater than his previous breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm. In fact, the ground beneath Gu An vibrated so intensely he could feel it.


    He was secretly relieved he had the Life Span Barrier; otherwise, his Cultivation Level could not be concealed.


    But now he found himself worrying if such a disturbance would affect the Supreme Sect.


    After activating the Life Span Barrier, the Spiritual Energy wasn''t conjured from nothingness, but drawn from beneath the earth¡ªSpiritual Energy that naturally belonged to the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An had a new hypothesis.


    His progress in cultivation during lifespan evolution¡ªcould it be related to the richness of the surrounding Spiritual Energy?


    He felt it very likely, recalling Li Xuandao, only 230 years old at the eighth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm. It was incredible.


    Upon further thought, there was a huge gap between him and Li Xuandao. If Li Xuandao also had a Heavenly Spirit Root, the advantage was incomparable to Gu An''s circumstances.


    As an Emperor, Li Xuandao could have the highest quality cave residences, access to the best Immortal Cultivation Elixirs of the dynasty, and surely top-tier Cultivation Techniques.


    Furthermore, there were Formations, Magic Artifacts, and the like¡ªperhaps these were also reasons why Li Xuandao succeeded in Tribulation Crossing so rapidly.


    When Zuo Yijian underwent his tribulation, many cultivators swooped in to take formation positions. Others meticulously prepared for their tribulations while he simply withstood them during cultivation evolution. In reality, failing meant death with no 200-year repetition cycles.


    To compare evolutionary cultivation with Li Xuandao, Gu An seemed far behind, but it wasn''t a fair comparison.


    In reality, Gu An was a 34-year-old at the first layer of the Void Crossing Realm!


    Could Li Xuandao reach the Void Crossing Realm before the age of 300?


    Was there a second person in this world who cultivated nakedly, staunchly, and withstood heavenly tribulations as he did?


    Thinking this way, Gu An felt much more balanced. The lifespan invested in cultivation was merely a number, while the Cultivation Level in reality was what truly mattered!


    At the same time, he wondered if he should cultivate other attribute-based techniques or perhaps find a Five Elements Skill to practice, which might further unlock the potential of his top-tier Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root.


    The rumbling grew¡ª


    The sound of Earth Spirit Energy surging into his body became louder, and a cyclone formed within the barrier with five-colored Spiritual Energy nearly submerging his figure.


    ¡­


    Clouds gathered, gradually obscuring the moonlight.


    In a residence, within a small pavilion and beneath an oil lamp on the table, sat Zuo Yijian with white hair, holding a book from which the title "Investiture of the Gods" could be faintly discerned.


    "Above, the golden light separates into five colors, and below, red lotuses chase myriad paths, with an Eight Trigrams Immortal Garment shrouded in purple qi, and a three-edged treasure sword named Qingping¡­" Zuo Yijian muttered, his face alight with nostalgia.


    He had been immersed in "Investiture of the Gods" for several years, finding new insights with each reading. Although the book contained no Technique of Immortal Cultivation, the Immortal Sorcery described therein left him yearning.


    He believed the book contained profound truths, though they remained elusive to him for the time being.


    At that moment, Zuo Yijian felt something, suddenly rising to his feet with a focus that drilled into the ground.


    The night was somber, the cold wind harsh. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sound of the wind grew louder.


    The oil lamp flickered violently on the table as if it would go out at any moment.


    Not just him¡ªall around, Cultivators flew out from their residences and courtyards, as more and more Outer Disciples gathered above the city.


    "What''s going on? The Spiritual Energy is sinking!"


    "Do you feel it too?"


    "Could we be under attack by Demons?"


    "That''s unlikely. This is the Supreme Sect. Who would dare to seek death?"


    "Could it be that a large Formation is activating underground?"


    The Outer Disciples debated among themselves. Ye Lan also flew out of her courtyard on her sword, looking anxiously towards the streets of the Outer Sect.


    Under the dim night sky, a continuous stream of cultivators ascended, while Servant Disciples who couldn''t practice the Sword Control Technique gathered on the streets, everyone panic-stricken.


    Everyone could feel the Spiritual Energy sinking into the ground, an unprecedented situation that naturally induced panic.


    What troubled them the most was that the rate of Spiritual Energy''s descent was accelerating, thinning the concentration of Spiritual Energy within the Outer Sect.


    Spiritual Energy was the lifeblood of any Great Sect, as its foundation lay in the richness of Spiritual Energy.


    ¡­


    In the woods, Gu An had stepped into the Divinity Transformation Realm, and his Nascent Soul emerged from his body, floating above his head.


    In the Nascent Soul Realm, one could condense a Nascent Soul, but ordinarily, it could not leave the body without severing its connection. Thus, the Nascent Soul usually only emerged when on the brink of death, to find a new body to inhabit.


    The Divinity Transformation Realm allowed the Nascent Soul to evolve into a Primordial Spirit, a manifestation akin to the soul. Primordial Spirit Emergence was a unique ability of the Divinity Transformation Realm, not severing the connection with the body. Below the Divinity Transformation Realm, one could not see the Primordial Spirit unless it manifested itself.


    After the Primordial Spirit emerged from the Nascent Soul, a cultivator''s Divine Sense underwent a dramatic change.


    Gu An was immersed in this transformation, his Nascent Soul gradually turning into a blue lotus, then blooming. His Primordial Spirit slowly stood up from within, looking identical to his physical self, even down to the appearance of his clothing.


    Divinity Transformation Realm was not the end; Gu An continued to strive for an even higher realm. The Spiritual Energy he was devouring grew more and more immense, and he noticed that the forest outside the barrier began to vibrate gently.


    This made him even more nervous.


    The disturbance was too great!


    Gu An did not dare to let his Primordial Spirit fly out of the Life Span Barrier, fearing he might encounter a Cultivator of the Divinity Transformation Realm probing the area.


    The Supreme Sect surely had Cultivators of the Divinity Transformation Realm. After all, some of the powerful Elders from the Outer Sect had reached the Nascent Soul Realm, let alone those from the Inner Sect and the Main City of Sect.


    He even suspected that the Supreme Sect concealed a Void Crossing Realm; otherwise, why would Li Xuandao of the Divinity Transformation Realm Eight Layers hide his Cultivation Level?


    Time continued to pass.


    An Ancient Hour later, Gu An''s Cultivation Level had reached the ninth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Suddenly, two figures swept across the night sky. At the same moment he visually identified them, he immediately performed Life Span Detection.


    Oh my!


    Two Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators!


    Gu An grew even more nervous, only hoping that no one would notice this patch of forest.


    The Life Span Barrier could prevent others from seeing his figure, but it would be unfortunate if someone happened to pass by this exact spot.


    Afterward, strong Cultivators kept sweeping across the sky above, the lowest of them at the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Before long, he spotted figures of the Divinity Transformation Realm, and there was more than one!


    Gu An felt as if he had pierced the heavens, especially since he was now assaulting the Void Crossing Realm, which required an even more tremendous amount of Spiritual Energy.


    This night was destined to be restless.


    Only when the sky had just begun to brighten did Gu An''s growth in Cultivation Level finally slow down.


    Void Crossing Realm, First Layer!


    Upon reaching the Void Crossing Realm, one''s Primordial Spirit could traverse tens of thousands of miles. Whether it be Spiritual Power, Divine Sense, Perception, or Qi-Blood, all would experience a qualitative leap in strength.


    Gu An slowly stood up as the sunlight pierced through the heavens, shining all the way to the Life Span Barrier and falling upon him. Clothed in a robe of morning light, he looked toward the sunrise with a smile on his face.


    The Spiritual Power within him was incredibly vast, giving him a feeling of omnipotence.


    He deactivated the Life Span Barrier and then began walking towards Mystic Valley.


    Merely maintaining the Life Span Barrier had consumed almost two thousand years, clearly showing how significant last night''s disturbances were.


    With the breakthrough completed, the world returned to normal, but the Spiritual Energy in the forest could not compare to that of the previous day.


    Even Gu An, now of the Void Crossing Realm, could not estimate just how much Spiritual Energy he had absorbed last night.


    On his way back, Gu An saw Great Cultivators flying in the sky. Since last night, he had seen seven Divinity Transformation Realm Great Cultivators, which made him marvel at the profound depths of the Supreme Sect''s strength.


    He quickly returned to Mystic Valley and then stepped out from the attic, calling the Disciples to practice their drills.


    "Master, did you feel the sudden dip in Spiritual Energy last night?" Ye Yan asked, his brows furrowing as he spoke of the matter.


    The other Disciples chimed in, as they too had felt it. They were quite concerned, fearing that Mystic Valley might suddenly collapse.


    Gu An chuckled and said, "This is the Supreme Sect, the safest place in the Taicang Dynasty. How could it possibly collapse?"


    Upon hearing this, the Disciples'' worries diminished significantly.


    Wuxin speculated, "It might be related to some kind of Formation. Perhaps some Great Cultivator in the Sect was breaking through, needing a vast amount of Spiritual Energy."


    Clearly, he had encountered something similar in Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, but he couldn''t disclose it.


    "Master, why do I feel that there is something different about you today?" Zhen Qin stared at Gu An, asking curiously.


    Gu An gave her a sidelong glance, saying irritably, "You always think there''s something different about me every day. If you want to learn the leg techniques from me, just say it directly."


    The other Disciples couldn''t help but laugh, and Zhen Qin also giggled embarrassingly.


    The drill practice officially began, and Gu An used the process to get accustomed to his brand-new Spiritual Power.


    After practice ended, Gu An did not return to his room but instead walked towards the nearby forest.


    For this breakthrough, he had depleted quite a few herbs. The harvest for the next two years would be affected, and he could only cultivate new land, expanding more gardens.


    Sigh.


    A Great Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm farming herbs for you, the Supreme Sect should be content!


    Gu An thought to himself gleefully as he entered the forest, and, coincidentally, another Cultivator flew overhead. This reassured the Disciples in the valley, at least affirming that the Supreme Sect was indeed paying attention to the situation and not neglecting them.


    It wasn''t until noon that Ye Lan returned to Mystic Valley.


    After chatting for quite some time, she finally escaped the throng of Disciples and followed Gu An up to the attic.


    She closed the door, then proceeded to close the windows. Not only that, but she also took out Talisman Paper and pasted it on the doors and windows.


    Gu An watched her nervously and asked, "Junior Sister, what are you trying to do?"


    What to do?


    To follow or not to follow?


    Once all the isolating measures were in place, Ye Lan finally sat down at the table. As she poured herself tea, she said, "Senior Brother, something significant has happened. The Demon Lord might be soon attacking!"


    Gu An was taken aback, then sat down and asked curiously, "Who is the Demon Lord? Which Sect or faction are they from?"

 Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Do you know what realm is above Divinity Transformation?

    "My Martial Master speculated that it might be the arrival of the Silent Karma Demon Lord from the Heavenly Extinction Sect!" Ye Lan said solemnly.


    Gu An frowned and asked, "Why do you think so?"


    "Last night, the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect was drained, even affecting the Inner Sect; combined with the recent killing of Lin Futian from the Wanyin Sect by the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, all these incidents together prove that the Demon Path is preparing to besiege the Supreme Sect.


    Draining the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect is their first step, and among the Demon Path, only the Silent Karma Demon Lord of the Heavenly Extinction Sect is capable of such an act. It is said that his Heaven-Swallowing Demon Skill could make a thousand miles of land devoid of life," Ye Lan said, her eyes revealing a hint of fear as she spoke.


    This...


    Gu An was somewhat choked up.


    Lin Futian was killed by him, and last night''s events were also his doing...


    Is the Demon Path taking the blame for him?


    Although Gu An was reluctantly turned into a spy for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, he never considered himself a Demon Cultivator.


    He thought for a moment and then comforted her, "Junior Sister, don''t worry. If the sky falls, there will be tall ones holding it up. The Supreme Sect is the top Sect of the Taicang Dynasty; even if the Demon Path attacks, shaking the Supreme Sect will be extremely difficult."


    Ye Lan took a deep breath, her eyes resolute as she looked at Gu An. Clenching her teeth, she said, "Senior Brother, let''s flee far away. I am now at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and we can hide in uninhabited mountains to cultivate in seclusion. I will help you reach Foundation Establishment!"


    Gu An almost lost his composure.


    Goodness, she really wants to take this chance to pledge her life to me?


    Gu An helplessly said, "Junior Sister, you are exaggerating a bit. Moreover, where in this world is absolutely safe? If we hide in the mountains and encounter a Core Formation Realm Demon Cultivator, how would we deal with him? And you are only guessing; I don''t think the Demon Path will attack."


    "If the Demon Path really plans to besiege the Supreme Sect, shouldn''t they have come by now? Making so much noise but not making a move, could it be that they are giving the Supreme Sect time to gather the Great Cultivators from abroad?"


    Hearing this, Ye Lan found it reasonable.


    She thought for a moment and said, "Or why don''t you come with me to the Outer Sect to avoid the limelight?"


    Gu An gravely said, "Junior Sister, you really don''t need to worry about me. Don''t let me affect your cultivation. If you truly care about me, then strive to become stronger. In the future, you can take care of me then. It''s also for your own good, for cultivators who don''t prioritize cultivation will eventually encounter situations where they are powerless."


    Ye Lan felt ashamed and realized she was indeed being too anxious.


    "Senior Brother, I am now at the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm. It won''t be easy for a common Demon Cultivator to kill me!" Gu An said with a proud smile.


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan burst into laughter. She quickly covered her mouth and said, "Senior Brother, would any Demon Cultivator who dares to infiltrate the Supreme Sect be at the Energy Cultivation Realm? The previously deceased Lin Futian is said to be a Nascent Soul Realm old monster."


    Gu An scoffed, "What? Does a Nascent Soul Realm old monster not need to lift a finger to kill me?"


    "Yes, yes, Senior Brother is the most formidable," Ye Lan laughed, easing the tense atmosphere in her heart.


    Afterward, Gu An inquired about the situation of the Outer Sect, and Ye Lan did not hold back, telling him everything.


    It was not until dusk that Gu An bid her farewell.


    Originally, he planned to enhance his cultivation and spells tonight, but hearing that the Outer Sect was already preparing for battle, he dared not act recklessly and decided to lay low for now.


    He still had a doubt in his mind.


    If the nearby Spiritual Energy was drained while he continued to break through, what consequence would it bring?


    He estimated that the Life Span Barrier would devour the Spiritual Energy of even farther places; in such a case, the Supreme Sect would definitely not be able to sit still anymore.


    ...


    In the following three days, Gu An stayed within Mystic Valley, not even going to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Sky Dragon had already begun his training, and it didn''t matter that he hadn''t eaten meat for several days, as Gu An had prepared a batch of ripe Green Vine Fruits in advance, which it could eat if hungry.


    Gu An shared a soul resonance with Sky Dragon, so it remembered everything he instructed. Since its birth, it had never caused him any trouble, making him feel reassured about this child.


    That night.


    Gu An was reading in the attic, possessing a Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root; he could exhaust the Spiritual Energy within ten yards with a mere breath, and the conversion efficiency to Spiritual Power was extremely high.


    Since the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Sect was still recovering, he refrained from cultivating and continued suppressing it.


    Suddenly, Gu An sensed something, his expression subtly shifting.


    He did not get up but continued reading.


    Thirty minutes later, a figure appeared outside his window, who quietly pushed open the window and then leaped in.


    Gu An immediately threw a Life Span Detection.


    [Fuxiong (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 160/198/240]


    After encountering Li Xuandao and Lin Futian, Gu An relied even more on Life Span Detection; after all, there were too many cunning old foxes in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Fuxiong appeared to be around fifty years old, of mediocre stature, clad in black clothes, with dark eye sockets and eagle-like eyes, giving off a deeply scheming impression.


    He stood up and looked at Gu An, asking, "Are you the Valley Master?"


    Gu An frowned and asked, "I am. Who are you?"


    Fuxiong did not answer but continued to size him up. After a few moments, he suddenly said, "Unregretful heart of the Thousand-Autumn Green Vine!"


    Gu An was silent.


    His Divine Sense had already spread out, confirming that Fuxiong had come alone.


    Reluctantly, he responded, "All Dharma withered hard to find root..."


    Upon hearing this, Fuxiong''s expression relaxed, he walked to the table and sat down, as if he were in his own home. While pouring himself a cup of tea, he asked, "What about Cheng Xuandan? Is he dead?"


    Gu An nodded, "My master has passed away. May I know why the elder is seeking me?"


    "Do you know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree?" Fuxiong took a sip of tea, then continued, his gaze sweeping around the room.


    The room, besides books, was filled with various herbs wrapped in Spirit Protection Paper.


    Gu An saw that he didn''t really care about the Green Vine Tree, so he asked, "What is the Green Vine Tree?"


    Upon hearing this, Fuxiong withdrew his gaze and looked back at Gu An, asking, "Hasn''t your master told you about it?"


    Gu An shook his head, indicating no.


    "The Green Vine Tree is the Holy Tree of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. More than two hundred years ago, our pavilion sent a Green Vine Tree to the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect, but over time, the clues were lost, and it''s unclear where exactly the Green Vine Tree is hidden," Fuxiong said with a frown.


    It arrived more than two hundred years ago?


    Gu An frowned and pondered in silence. Could Jiang Qiong have hidden something from him?


    Fuxiong sighed and said, "To be honest, my master is about to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm. The Tribulation Crossing is extremely perilous, and I want to find the Green Vine Fruit to lend him a helping hand."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An curiously asked, "What realm is Divinity Transformation?"


    "Above Foundation Establishment is Core Formation, above that is Nascent Soul, and above Nascent Soul is Divinity Transformation," Fuxiong said, stroking his beard and smiling as if the one about to break through to Divinity Transformation was he himself.


    "Even a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator''s tribulation is perilous? I heard that Nascent Souls are already akin to immortals!" Gu An exclaimed in surprise.


    "What immortals? It''s still far off. From Foundation Establishment to Core Formation also requires passing through tribulations. Every tribulation is dangerous and mostly lethal. The higher the realm, the more deadly the Lightning Tribulations become. My master has been preparing for ten years to overcome his tribulation," Fuxiong said, his face revealing a look of longing.


    Gu An asked, "What needs to be prepared? Can''t one directly undergo the tribulation?"


    "How could that be possible? One must prepare elixirs to maintain Spiritual Power and heal injuries, have formations for support, and have several sets of magic artifacts ready. I haven''t heard of anyone who can just directly undergo the tribulation," said Fuxiong, glaring at Gu An as if he found the question rather foolish.


    After hearing this, Gu An felt much more at ease. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Fuxiong laughed and said, "I see your Medicine Valley has plenty of medicinal herbs. How about taking me as your master? I''ll back you up and teach you spells, and you give three-tenths of Medicine Valley''s harvest to me every year. How about it?"


    Gu An frowned again.


    In a low voice, Fuxiong said, "Boy, my master, who is also your Martial Master, is in the Inner Sect. Once he breaks through Divinity Transformation, he will surely become an Elder. By then, you can have whatever you want!"


    Gu An widened his eyes, asking in surprise, "Your master could become an Inner Sect Elder? Then doesn''t that mean he has been lurking for many years? Why doesn''t he know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree?"


    "It''s a long story. Let''s talk about taking me as your master first," Fuxiong said gravely.


    Gu An hesitated and asked, "Is this your master''s intention?"


    "How could it be? My master doesn''t even know that I''m here in this Medicine Valley. Boy, you''re just a Servant Disciple. What kind of person is my master, and why would he take notice of you?" Fuxiong stated displeasedly.


    Gu An stood up, towering over him, and asked, "One last question."


    Fuxiong frowned and asked in a deep voice, "What question?"


    He really wanted to kill this annoying kid. So many nonsense questions!


    "Do you know what realm is above Divinity Transformation?"


    "What?"


    Fuxiong was taken aback, then burst into a rage. He had no idea what lay beyond Divinity Transformation and felt the other was mocking him.


    Just as he was about to get up, Gu An''s right hand was already on his head.


    He looked up to see Gu An''s face so cold, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, and his whole demeanor had suddenly changed.


    In that moment, Fuxiong felt as if he was facing his master.


    No, even his master wasn''t this terrifying!


    He wanted to speak, but his consciousness quickly drifted into oblivion, and his eyes became listless.


    Gu An was using the Soul Capturing Skill. Until then, he had never mastered the Soul Capturing Skill, but now, with a superior Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root, he grasped it immediately.


    It might not be proficient, but it was enough to deal with Fuxiong.


    His Spiritual Power suppressed Fuxiong, while his Divine Sense forcefully invaded Fuxiong''s mind, searching brutally.


    After an hour, Fuxiong had passed away.


    Gu An reopened his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief.


    This guy indeed didn''t know the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree, nor had his master sent him here.


    Gu An lifted his right hand, raising Fuxiong into midair, and from his palm, a burst of Spirit Power Fire began to incinerate the other.


    He closed his eyes, unwilling to watch this brutal scene.


    The Spirit Fire of the Void Crossing Realm was so powerful that within just four breaths, Fuxiong turned to ash, leaving behind only a Storage Bag. He had successfully seized four years of life span.


    Gu An checked it, took out all the medicinal materials and Spirit Stones. As for the magic artifacts and talisman paper, he didn''t dare touch them and instead burned them together with the Storage Bag to prevent someone from tracing him here.


    The next morning, Gu An went downstairs as if nothing had happened.


    While the disciples were assembling for drill, he secretly felt guilty.


    Oh no, I''m acting like a demon!


    And so it continued until a month later, with no cultivators from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion coming to find Gu An, he finally felt at ease.


    One day, Du Ye suddenly came looking for him, and the two talked on the penthouse floor.


    "The Third Miss has mastered the Qilin Step, and the clan leader is very pleased. He plans to come to celebrate for the Third Miss, and at the same time, a banquet will be held in the Inner Sect. As a servant of the Ji Family, you must attend to help welcome the guests. In ten days, I''ll wait for you in front of the Law Enforcement Hall in the Outer Sect.


    Prepare some medicinal herbs these days as a gift; perhaps you can gain the favor of the Third Miss," Du Ye said earnestly.


    Gu An nodded, having made up his mind.


    Tonight, I''ll practice the Eight Directions Step!


    Let''s see how strong Ji Xiaoyu''s mastered Qilin Step really is.

 Chapter 44: Chapter 44: The Pinnacle of Divine Feats, Teleportation Array

    Du Ye came quickly and left quickly, and Gu An could feel his excitement, as if he truly believed himself to be a surname Ji.


    Gu An was also very interested in the Inner Sect, and being able to visit the Inner Sect through the relationship with the Ji Family banquet was a good thing.


    He planned to gather more Spirit Stones during these days so that he could also make some purchases when visiting the Inner Sect.


    Until nightfall.


    Gu An quietly left Mystic Valley, heading in the opposite direction of where he had made his breakthrough, and after about fifty miles, he stopped.


    Sitting in front of a cliff, he pulled up his Attribute Panel.


    He looked directly at the Eight Directions Step and invested five thousand years of lifespan into it.


    As a movement technique, it wasn''t only helpful in combat but also for escape, so it was essential to improve it.


    Accompanying the fall of his thoughts, a series of notifications popped up:


    [You have invested five thousand years of lifespan into evolving and practicing the Eight Directions Step]


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for one year, and you have successfully mastered the Eight Directions Step]


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for ten years, and your understanding of the Eight Directions Step has reached its peak, improving your comprehension of movement techniques]


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for fifty years, and you have gained insight into the Eight Directions Step, promoting it to the Eight Directions Mystic Step]


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for one hundred years, and your understanding of the Eight Directions Mystic Step has reached its peak, improving your comprehension of movement techniques]


    ...


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for three hundred years, and your Eight Directions Mystic Step has returned to its essence, capturing a trace of the true meaning of space, promoting it to the Qilin Step]


    ...


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for a thousand years, and your Qilin Step has returned to its essence, enhancing your comprehension of movement techniques and space, promoting it to the Heavenly Dragon Mystic True Step]


    ...


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for four thousand years, and your persistent practice has finally resonated with heaven and earth, breaking through the limit of your Heavenly Dragon Mystic True Step, promoting it to the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step]


    [You practiced the Eight Directions Step for five thousand years, and your Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step has reached the Mastery Realm, enhancing your comprehension of space]


    Eight Directions Step, Eight Directions Mystic Step, Qilin Step, Heavenly Dragon Mystic True Step, Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step!


    Gu An was secretly exhilarated, and at the same time, a flood of memories began to pour into his mind. He quickly activated his Life Span Barrier and then immersed himself in the inheritance.


    After an hour, Gu An opened his eyes.


    He first looked at the Life Span Barrier, which had only consumed two hundred years of lifespan.


    Although inheriting Cultivation Techniques and Spells wouldn''t increase one''s Cultivation Level, it still required the absorption of Spiritual Energy; after all, in evolutionary practice, no matter what one practiced, one was always in an environment infused with Spiritual Energy.


    Compared to his breakthrough to the Void Crossing Realm, the Spiritual Energy he absorbed this time was not much.


    Gu An looked at the Attribute Panel again, falling into thought.


    His Cultivation Level certainly still needed to be raised, but recently he had to lay low and couldn''t act rashly.


    Moreover, he wanted to improve his Cultivation Technique before his Cultivation Level. He planned to visit the Inner Sect to see if there was a Five Elements Skill. If there wasn''t a good option, he would bite the bullet and fully commit to the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill.


    After a moment of consideration, Gu An decided to invest in the secret technique taught by Jiang Qiong from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, the Demon Shadow Divine Skill.


    Jiang Qiong said this secret technique was very suitable for intelligence work, and he wanted to see exactly how suitable it was.


    A small investment should do, let''s put two thousand years of lifespan into it!


    [You have invested two thousand years of lifespan into evolving and practicing the Demon Shadow Divine Skill]


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for ten years, and you have preliminarily mastered the Demon Shadow Divine Skill]


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for a hundred years, and your Demon Shadow Divine Skill has reached the Mastery Realm, speeding up your execution of the Demon Shadow Divine Skill]


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for two hundred years, and your Demon Shadow Divine Skill has reached its peak, improving your comprehension of movement techniques]


    ...


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for five hundred years, and your Demon Shadow Divine Skill has returned to its essence, elevating to the Carefree Demon Body Skill]


    ...


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for a thousand years, and your Carefree Demon Body Skill has reached its peak, enhancing your comprehension of movement techniques and causality]


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for thirteen hundred years, and your Carefree Demon Body Skill has returned to its essence, elevating to the Great Yin-Yang Transformation]


    [You practiced the Demon Shadow Divine Skill for two thousand years, and your Great Yin-Yang Transformation has reached its peak, improving your comprehension of movement techniques and causality]


    Demon Shadow Divine Skill, Carefree Demon Body Skill, Great Yin-Yang Transformation!


    It only evolved twice; this secret technique must be rather complex in itself, and Jiang Qiong did not deceive him.


    Gu An immediately activated the Life Span Barrier and then submerged his consciousness into the inheritance.


    After a long while.


    He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with surprise and delight.


    This secret technique was indeed perfect for espionage!


    The Demon Shadow Divine Skill allows the caster to be covered in Demonic Qi, forming a demon shadow that even Divine Sense cannot penetrate. The Great Yin-Yang Transformation was even more exaggerated; it can''t be forcibly dispelled, allowing the caster to maintain the demon shadow state until death, with their true body remaining hidden even after death.


    Most importantly, the technique could not be deduced, and neither Magic Artifacts nor Dharma Treasures could reveal the true body.


    So domineering!


    With this skill, Gu An could do many things in the future.


    Especially when combined with the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step, it was invincible, for the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step already contained the mystery of the Teleportation Divine Power, and each step could manifest a Dharma Aspect, allowing for both evasion and attack, with endless profundity.


    Gu An pulled up his Attribute Panel again, his face showing satisfaction.


    Name: Gu An


    Life Span: 34/30823


    Spirit Root: Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root


    Cultivation Level: Void Crossing Realm First Layer


    Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (unfinished), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (Mastery), Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill (Peak), Alchemy (Initial Insight), Myriad Poison Mystic Skill (unfinished), Yin Yang Art (unfinished)


    Ultimate Skills: Gale Shadowless Leg (Complete Understanding), Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword (Complete Understanding), Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step (Mastery), Great Yin-Yang Transformation (Peak), Wood Spirit Sword Technique (Novice), Ziwei Array Chronicles (Novice)


    Spells: Soul Capturing Skill (Novice), Sword Control Technique (Complete Understanding), Enchanting Eyes (unfinished), Poison Wood Array (Initial Insight), Wind Control Skill (Complete Understanding), Corpse Control Skill (unfinished)


    Divine Powers: Mystic Yellow Dragon Might (Minor Achievement)


    What a fruitful night!


    Gu An deactivated the Life Span Barrier, then stood up and took a step forward; his figure vanished into thin air, only to reappear dozens of yards away in the forest. Then, with another step, he disappeared again.


    He was like a consistently reappearing flash; such was the mysterious essence of the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step. And this was merely a trivial trial; the maximum distance he could cross was much farther.


    Soon after, he returned to Mystic Valley.


    ...


    It was high noon, and the sunlight was brilliant.


    Gu An stood in the city, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked around at the towering buildings. The streets where he stood were bustling with passersby and even demon beast figures could be seen. Above, numerous cultivators flew back and forth. The city alone probably housed hundreds of thousands of people.


    The Supreme Sect had four major Inner Sect cities; each housed hundreds of thousands of disciples. This was almost too astonishing.


    Gu An suddenly felt he had underestimated the strength of the Supreme Sect as well as the vastness of the Taicang Dynasty.


    The ten days had come to an end. Early yesterday, Gu An had already visited the Outer Sect where he was tasked with managing the disciples'' Caves. Having finished the work by dawn, and when noon arrived today, he found Du Ye and the two of them used the Teleportation Array to arrive directly at the Inner Sect City.


    According to Du Ye, the Outer Sect City was thousands of miles away from the Inner Sect City, with lands in between where demon beasts raised by the Supreme Sect lived, as well as secret realms for disciples to train and Medicine Valleys for planting high-rank medical herbs.


    "The Teleportation Array is an amazing creation; I must study it thoroughly," Gu An thought to himself. He had already asked Du Ye about purchasing arrays in the Inner Sect, and that it was possible as long as he had enough Spirit Stones or Spirit Energy Elixirs.


    In the Immortal Cultivation World, Spirit Energy Elixirs also served as a form of currency, capable of restoring a cultivator''s Spiritual Power as well as being used like Spirit Stones. Various sects had already standardized Spirit Energy Elixirs so that each Elixir contained Spiritual Energy equivalent to one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, with the same value.


    Ever since Li Xuandao invited him to manage Medicine Valley, he had planned to expand his management of the valleys.


    If every Medicine Valley had a Teleportation Array, how convenient would that be?


    "Gu An, hurry up," Du Ye urged from ahead, and Gu An quickly caught up with his pace.


    Along the way, Du Ye introduced him to the buildings they passed by. Gu An listened attentively, planning to explore in the coming days.


    The Ji Family banquet would not end in just a few days; he had plenty of opportunity to explore.


    Gu An wasn''t just listening; he was also using Life Span Detection.


    He had yet to see anyone in the Foundation Establishment Realm; the worst were in the Elixir Formation Realm, but almost all these Elixir Formation Realm disciples were over two hundred years old.


    After a few streets, Gu An finally detected the presence of someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm; the person was only forty years old and had already reached the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment Realm. It was clear that they were a talented individual who had qualified for the Inner Sect based on their Spirit Root.


    It seemed as though Du Ye was deliberately trying to broaden Gu An''s horizons with his unhurried pace, which Gu An was happy to accommodate.


    After half an hour,


    They arrived in front of a mansion. This mansion was vast, its courtyard walls stretching for miles, and the plaque above the gate bore two characters.


    Ji Mansion!


    What boldness! Could all Ji Family Inner Sect Disciples live here?


    Gu An quietly criticized the situation, feeling a sense of foreboding.


    If this continued, one day the Supreme Sect would suppress the Ji Family, and then he would really become an infiltrator for the Ji Family.


    Although he was currently affiliated with the Supreme Sect, in his heart, the Ji Family was of greater importance.


    The Ji Family had raised and nurtured him, allowed him to grow up, and led him to join the first Sect like the Supreme Sect. Such favors could not be repaid by simply dedicating low-rank medical herbs.


    Of course, Gu An wouldn''t impose himself to repay the Ji Family, but should the Ji Family need him, as long as it wasn''t too much to ask, he wouldn''t refuse.


    In front of Ji Mansion''s gates, two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were on guard. Gu An cast his Life Span Detection and saw that their ages had already surpassed a hundred years; obviously they were not geniuses and were probably similar to Gu An and Du Ye¡ªlikely house servants from the Ji Family.


    Du Ye immediately stepped forward, taking out his Token, his demeanor humble and subservient.


    "Then you can take over for us. When it gets dark, we''ll take you to your place to stay," the cultivator named Zhang Yan said thoughtfully.


    Du Ye dared not refuse and immediately agreed.


    Just like that, Gu An and Du Ye began their guard duty upon arrival.


    Gu An took his position in front of a Qilin statue and suddenly had an idea.


    "Du Ye, you keep watch for me, I''ll give you a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. I want to go to the Inner Sect to buy some medical herb seeds; this is also for Miss Third''s business," Gu An said." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing this, Du Ye was momentarily stunned. He wanted to argue but found he couldn''t refuse.


    A hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones!


    The kid was quite generous!


    Thus, after handing over a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones to Du Ye, Gu An left and began to wander alone within the Inner Sect City.


    He hadn''t gone far when a voice called out: "Gu An, what are you doing here?"

 Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Become My Disciple

    Gu An looked back and saw Li Ya''s childhood friend, Zuo Lin, walking towards him.


    After many years, Zuo Lin''s cultivation level had only reached the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, presumably still obsessed with practicing the sword.


    Gu An turned around and greeted him with a clasped fist, saying, "My family summoned me for a task, so here I am."


    "You have a family? Aren''t you born from house servant origins?" Zuo Lin asked curiously.


    Gu An replied, "I indeed come from a house servant background, a servant of the Ji Family. Our Third Miss is about to host a banquet, and I came along with other servants to help."


    "What? You are from the Ji Family?" Zuo Lin''s eyes widened.


    Gu An retorted, "Didn''t Senior Brother Li tell you?"


    Zuo Lin shook his head and said, "He didn''t mention it, and it''s quite a coincidence. My father was also invited by the Ji Family, and I followed him here for the excitement. Isn''t Ji Mansion right behind us? Where are you heading?"


    He was always interested in Gu An, always feeling that Gu An was not simple, so he did not want to miss out now that they had finally met.


    "I plan to stroll around the Inner Sect city."


    "Then let me accompany you. Though I am not an Inner Sect Disciple, I have come here often, thanks to my father''s influence," Zuo Lin said enthusiastically, and Gu An didn''t decline.


    The two chatted as they moved forward.


    As Zuo Lin talked about his father, Gu An gained a deeper understanding of the hierarchy within the Supreme Sect.


    Usually, disciples would advance to higher realms as they progress, but some would take the path of power, like Zuo Yijian, who joined the Hall of Elders.


    Unlike other departments, the Hall of Elders was the center of power in the city. The threshold for the Outer Sect Hall of Elders was the Core Formation Realm, while for the Inner Sect Hall of Elders, it was the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    The Hall of Elders held absolute power in each city, and it was said that in the Sect''s Main City, the power of the Hall of Elders was even greater, being able to decide the position of the Sect Leader. Therefore, some Nascent Soul Realm cultivators chose to stay in the Outer Sect as elders to continue seeking their own benefits.


    Zuo Yijian arrived in the Inner Sect but had not yet joined the Hall of Elders; however, he had become the head of the Book Collection Hall, which was no small position.


    "It''s all because of the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal that my father has gone crazy. Now he spends all day engrossed in ''Investiture of the Gods'', completely neglecting his sword practice," Zuo Lin said indignantly.


    Gu An asked, "Do you think ''Investiture of the Gods'' isn''t interesting?"


    "It''s indeed very interesting. Let me tell you, my favorite character is Yang Jian. Why isn''t he a Sword Cultivator..." As Zuo Lin talked about ''Investiture of the Gods'', his speech grew denser.


    Gu An silently reflected, it seemed he had underestimated the impact of ''Investiture of the Gods'' on the world of Immortal Cultivation.


    As Zuo Lin praised Pan An, Gu An initially felt secretly pleased, but it became mundane after a while, as he wasn''t the true author; he wrote mainly to earn Spirit Stones.


    Soon after, Gu An asked Zuo Lin to lead him to the Scripture Pavilion.


    The biggest difference between the Scripture Pavilion and the Book Collection Pavilion was that the Scripture Pavilion contained only cultivation techniques and spells.


    On the way, Gu An had asked about the Five Elements Skill, only to be scorned by Zuo Lin.


    In the world of Immortal Cultivation, cultivation techniques generally focused on a single attribute, even for those with multiple Spirit Roots, unless someone intended to start over.


    Starting over with cultivation techniques, although maintaining the realm, the process of reaccumulating Spiritual Power could drive most cultivators to despair. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Immortal Cultivation isn''t like learning martial arts; it requires years to accumulate, and no one wants to retrace a journey of decades or centuries, let alone those old freaks who have cultivated for a thousand years. They only grit their teeth and press on, deeply studying one path. This is exactly why the Traditions of Immortal Cultivation blossom so diversely.


    Upon reaching the Scripture Pavilion, Gu An indeed did not find the Five Elements Skill, but he still purchased basic skills for the other four attributes, choosing the cheapest ones available since he could advance through extra expenditure.


    Spirit Stones needed to be mainly spent on purchasing seeds!


    Zuo Lin puzzled over why he bought different attributes'' cultivation techniques, to which Gu An replied it was for his disciples, earning Zuo Lin''s deep respect.


    Back in Mystic Valley, Zuo Lin could feel his attitude towards the Servant Disciples.


    Gu An was not only trying to ingratiate himself with someone of Imperial Family background like Li Ya, but he was also kind to those of lower status. Perhaps Li Ya was right; he truly was a good man.


    Zuo Lin watched Gu An''s profile and thought so.


    "Brother Zuo, could you take me to see the formations?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin readily agreed.


    The result left Gu An somewhat disappointed.


    Teleportation Arrays were indeed available, but they were all exorbitantly priced; he could not afford them!


    He would have to consider it another day. Although he was a Void Crossing Realm cultivator, forcefully taking them was not an option.


    After arriving at the Inner Sect, Gu An felt convinced that the Supreme Sect must be hiding old monsters of the Void Crossing Realm, especially since the threshold for the Inner Sect Elders was the Divinity Transformation Realm, and even higher up was the Sect''s Main City.


    Upon further reflection, the Supreme Sect was indeed potent. So many cultivators from the Demon Path died at the Outer Sect, and the Demon Path did not dare to launch an attack on the Supreme Sect. Even Jiang Qiong, a spy at the Core Formation Realm, only dared operate outside the Outer Sect.


    If the Supreme Sect was a grand map, Gu An was merely operating in a tiny corner.


    Until evening, Gu An bid farewell to Zuo Lin, then returned to the front of Ji Mansion where Du Ye was still waiting, which touched him somewhat.


    "Why did you only come back now? Without me, you couldn''t get in!" Du Ye complained.


    Gu An laughed and patted his shoulder, not saying much. The two entered Ji Mansion.


    Upon entering, Gu An sensed many auras. It turned out Ji Mansion also had seclusion restrictions, and he even caught a whiff of the Divinity Transformation Realm aura.


    Along the way, he kept using Life Span Detection on everyone he met.


    Ji Mansion was populated, and many were prodigies.


    Although Ji Xiaoyu brought only five people into the Supreme Sect, the Ji Family had many branches, and each year, many family members entered various sects.


    Thirty minutes later, Du Ye introduced Gu An to Ji Lin, this renowned genius of the Outer Sect.


    [Ji Lin (Foundation Establishment Realm Nine Layers): 36/330/900]


    A thirty-six-year-old at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, very strong!


    He must have consumed quite a few Elixirs.


    This is what Gu An thought as he took out the prepared herbs.


    Ji Lin was not arrogant and treated Gu An decently, painting a grand picture for him, and Gu An feigned excitement, ending the meeting smoothly.


    Afterwards, Du Ye led Gu An to their accommodations; the two shared a yard, but fortunately, they each had a separate house.


    There were no issues during the night.


    The next morning, as soon as the sky brightened, Gu An was dragged out of the courtyard by Du Ye.


    The two stood waiting at the main gate, not just them but also a dozen other cultivators were there; under the leader''s arrangement, they lined up in two rows, prepared to welcome the guests for today''s banquet.


    An hour later, the guests started arriving.


    The first to arrive was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator!


    After that person entered the Ji Mansion, Gu An heard other house servants discussing that this person was from the Inner Sect''s Law Enforcement Hall, with considerable power.


    As time passed, more and more guests arrived, and every leading person was at least in the Nascent Soul Realm, with a not insignificant proportion in the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    No wonder Li Xuandao had to conceal his cultivation level; although strong in the eighth layer of Divinity Transformation Realm, he was still far from invincible.


    One guest caught Gu An''s attention more than once. This person was the master of Fuxiong, named Luo Xunye. Gu An had memorized his face when he had searched Fuxiong''s soul.


    [Luo Xunye (Nascent Soul Realm Ninth Layer):254/804/1300]


    A two hundred fifty-four-year-old at the ninth layer of Nascent Soul Realm could indeed be considered a genius.


    The Ji family members in charge at the mansion''s front obviously had a good relationship with Luo Xunye, even exchanging pleasantries for a while.


    Who would have thought this man was a Demon Cultivator?


    Gu An silently thought to himself, standing quietly throughout, relatively at ease.


    About another hour passed before Gu An spotted another individual from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, a spy.


    Jiang Qiong!


    [Jiang Qiong£¨Nascent Soul Realm First Layer£©:192/700/2490]


    After seven years without seeing her, she had managed to succeed in Tribulation Crossing so quickly!


    Jiang Qiong was dressed in the robe of an Inner Sect Disciple, her demeanor cold, lacking the frivolity she had when facing Gu An before; she merely glanced at him and the two had no interaction before she walked into the Ji Mansion.


    "Why has she come? It can''t just be to celebrate, can it?" Gu An puzzled internally.


    Could Jiang Qiong be planning to scheme against the Ji Family?


    "Pan¡­"


    Suddenly, a call filled with surprise drew Gu An''s attention, as he saw Gu Yu, whom he had once met in the Outer Sect''s Book Collection Pavilion, swiftly approaching him.


    Following Gu Yu was a gorgeously dressed middle-aged man, exuding an extraordinary aura, though his own energy was faint, clearly having cultivated some kind of Energy Concealing Sorcery.


    Gu An instinctively sent out a Life Span Detection.


    [Gu Zong (Void Crossing Realm Second Layer):690/1805/2800]


    Good heavens!


    Void Crossing Realm!


    The Supreme Sect indeed harbored someone from the Void Crossing Realm!


    This person also bore the surname Gu, clearly related to Gu Yu by blood. Gu An had previously felt that Gu Yu was no ordinary person.


    "Gu An, are you from the Ji Family?" Gu Yu came up to Gu An and excitedly asked.


    Gu An nodded, replying, "I am just a house servant."


    "With your talents, why be a house servant! I will have my father recruit you into the Inner Sect!" Gu Yu stated boldly, causing the surrounding Ji family members to look sideways.


    Gu Yu turned to Gu Zong and said, "Father, this is the person I often mention. Please take him under your wing!"


    Following Gu Zong, all the cultivators, both Nascent Soul Realm and Divinity Transformation Realm, curiously surveyed Gu An upon hearing Gu Yu''s words.


    Oh no!


    How did it go wrong with this youngster?


    Gu An inwardly cursed.


    Gu Zong frowned and said, "In such a public setting, what is the decorum!"


    Gu An breathed a sigh of relief; Great Cultivators indeed knew better than to break the rules publicly.


    Gu Zong looked at Gu An, his stern expression suddenly disappeared, he revealed a gentle smile and said, "Young friend, my name is Gu Zong, please take me as your master."


    Upon these words, everyone visibly reacted, Du Ye included who looked towards Gu An in disbelief.


    The breath of relief Gu An had just released was caught up again.


    "My Spirit Root Qualification is mediocre, I fear I may not be suitable to take you as my master¡­" Gu An helplessly said.


    Gu Zong laughed and replied, "I don''t recruit disciples based on their qualifications, but on our connection. I quite like what you have written."


    With everyone watching, how could Gu An agree, and moreover, he did not prefer to take someone of the same realm as his master. When he had pledged to Cheng Xuandan, it was out of necessity.


    "I need to discuss this matter with others; I hope you can understand," Gu An took a deep breath and said with a forced difficulty.


    Upon hearing this, Gu Zong burst into laughter, he walked forward, patted Gu An''s shoulder, left a sentence, and then walked into the Ji Mansion:


    "After the banquet, let''s have a good talk. Even if you do not become my disciple, help me with a task and I will fulfill all your requests."


    Gu Yu winked at Gu An and then followed his father''s steps.


    After this batch of guests entered the mansion, the surrounding Ji family members gathered around, asking him what he had written that had earned Gu Zong''s high regard.


    An old cultivator joked, "It couldn''t possibly be Investiture of the Gods that you wrote, could it?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "I do wish it were me who wrote that."


    Du Ye scoffed, "How could he possibly have written Investiture of the Gods, it''s probably something related to cultivating herbs."


    The others joined in the ribbing, and through this incident, Gu An''s presence suddenly skyrocketed.


    Just as Gu An was thinking of escaping, a cultivator from the Ji Family came out from the mansion and said, "Who is Gu An? The third young mistress has summoned him!"

 Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Primordial Daoist Talisman, Demon Path Ambition

    "He is Gu An!"


    Du Ye pushed Gu An, who staggered a bit before looking at the summoning cultivator and said, "I am Gu An."


    "Come."


    The cultivator replied, then turned and walked toward the mansion.


    Gu An followed his steps, puzzled. What did Ji Xiaoyu want with him?


    As a child, he had little interaction with Ji Xiaoyu, given the stark difference in their statuses.


    After Gu An left, the Ji Family cultivators guarding the gate surrounded Du Ye, inquiring about Gu An. Du Ye''s expression turned unnatural; he could only reply to each question in turn.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An followed the message-carrying cultivator for about two li before finally reaching Ji Xiaoyu''s courtyard.


    The message-carrying cultivator stopped at the courtyard entrance, gestured with his hand for Gu An to enter, then turned and left.


    Gu An could already sense Ji Xiaoyu''s aura. By his judgment, Ji Xiaoyu was also at the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm but significantly stronger than Ji Lin.


    He stepped into the courtyard, which was filled with a bamboo grove that warred with the wintry atmosphere, making it feel like springtime.


    Following the small path through the bamboo, he soon saw a pond enveloped in white Spirit Mist; within the mist, a figure was meditating, vaguely discernible as a woman.


    As Gu An approached, he saluted Ji Xiaoyu who was in the pond and said, "Gu An pays his respects to the Third Young Miss."


    Ji Xiaoyu, dressed in green, sat cross-legged, floating above the pond''s surface with her fingers intertwined and resting on her knees. Her long hair, held up by three pearl-studded hairpins, framed her shining, jade-like forehead which bore a faint, red mark. In terms of facial features, only Jiang Qiong could compare to her in Gu An''s opinion.


    Unlike Jiang Qiong''s enchanting demeanor, which blended innocence and wickedness, Ji Xiaoyu was like a celestial nymph descended from the heavens, her expression impassive and radiating a sanctity that forbade desecration.


    Gu An thought back to the first time he had met Ji Xiaoyu as a child; even then, she didn''t seem like a child. Her eyes appeared as if they had been tempered by the ages.


    He immediately conducted a Life Span Detection:


    [Ji Xiaoyu (Foundation Establishment Realm Ninth Layer):34/830/8900]


    What the heck?


    An ultimate lifespan of eighty-nine hundred years?


    The key point was that she was only at the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. How could she possibly have eight hundred and thirty years of life expectancy?


    Surprised, Gu An suddenly felt Ji Xiaoyu was more than just someone with Dual Spirit Roots.


    "You did well earlier. After the banquet, you should meet Gu Zong, and you can take him as your master," Ji Xiaoyu said without opening her eyes, her voice melodious yet authoritative.


    She had actually eavesdropped on the conversation at the mansion''s gate!


    Gu An complained inwardly, but verbally responded, "Third Young Miss, honestly, I don''t wish to take him as my master. I can tell that his status is extraordinary and his cultivation level must be very high, but with my mediocre abilities, having a renowned master would only cause me troubles. I wish to stay in my Medicine Valley and live out my life peacefully.


    Supplying a batch of medicinal herbs to the Third Young Miss each year is already more than enough to fulfill me."


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu opened her eyes. The mist before her dispersed as she turned her head to look at Gu An with a slight upward flick at the corner of her eyes, adding a commanding air to her delicate features. Her bright eyes seemed to be trying to see through Gu An''s heart.


    Gu An slightly lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.


    It wasn''t that he feared her, but his current public identity was a mere Qi Cultivation Realm house servant. He had to play the part fully.


    "Then don''t take a master. However, since Gu Zong wishes to meet you, you''ll have to see him regardless. This matter is indeed difficult for you. Tell me, what can I do for you? As long as it''s within my power, I will make it happen," Ji Xiaoyu softly said.


    Perhaps it was because Ji Xiaoyu had once saved Gu An when he was younger that he held a fondness for her. Hearing her offer, he didn''t hesitate to say, "Third Young Miss, the Mystic Valley where I stay is too small. I wish to cultivate more medicinal herbs. Could you help me acquire another Medicine Valley?


    Of course, please don''t move me from Mystic Valley; my heart is tied to that place, and I can''t bear to leave."


    Ji Xiaoyu fell silent upon hearing this.


    Gu An was not in a hurry.


    If she couldn''t manage it, then he would ask Gu Zong.


    He had a rough idea of what Gu Zong wanted from him.


    What else could they want from a writer like him?


    Ji Xiaoyu finally spoke, "I can''t fully promise the Medicine Valley matter, as this place is not Ji Mansion, and you don''t wish to leave your Valley. I will try my best. Besides this, you may make another request."


    Gu An promptly said, "Could you give me a set of Teleportation Array? I wish to connect the two Medicine Valleys for ease of travel."


    "That is not difficult. After the banquet, I will have someone deliver it to you," she replied.


    "Thank you, Third Young Miss!"


    Gu An smiled, saluting her once more.


    Ji Xiaoyu closed her eyes then asked, "By the way, what exactly did you write that made Gu Zong hold you in such high regard, even wanting to take you as his disciple?"


    Gu An thought for a moment, realizing he couldn''t keep this a secret. After today, Ji Xiaoyu might investigate him. It might be better to be forthright; Ji Family might even protect him in the future.


    "Investiture of the Gods."


    When Gu An uttered these four words, Ji Xiaoyu abruptly opened her eyes and turned to look at him, showing a look of surprise for the first time.


    "Investiture of the Gods is written by you? How do you know so much?" Ji Xiaoyu asked, frowning. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a helpless tone Gu An replied, "It''s just my imagination, it''s not real."


    Many were saying that "Investiture of the Gods" was a piece of ancient history, and individuals like Zuo Lin and Wuxin thought the same, which had made him nervous for a while.


    If he hadn''t checked in the Book Collection Hall of the Outer Sect and found no records related to Huaxia, he might have actually believed that "Investiture of the Gods" was real.


    "Imagined? But the world of ''Investiture of the Gods'' that you depict is so vast and the Daoist sorcery so captivating," Ji Xiaoyu whispered softly.


    Clearly, she also enjoyed reading "Investiture of the Gods."


    Gu An pretended to be uneasy, appearing unsure of how to continue the conversation.


    "You mustn''t speak about this to anyone else. ''Investiture of the Gods'' has too great an influence, and Pan An''s name has already spread throughout the Taicang Dynasty; other sects all want to find you," Ji Xiaoyu cautioned.


    Thinking it over, she raised her right hand, the jade ring on her middle finger flashing with light, and a small bronze sword appeared in her palm.


    "This is a Talisman Treasure. You only need to infuse it with Spiritual Power to activate it. This treasure can slay cultivators in the Core Formation Realm. Keep it to protect yourself," she said.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s words made Gu An take another look at the small bronze sword.


    This was his first encounter with such a Talisman Treasure. Previously, Jiang Qiong had mentioned to him that Talisman Treasures do not recognize a master and require stored Spiritual Power to be used, often left by Great Cultivators to protect their juniors. He hadn''t expected that he would get to enjoy this privilege today.


    He did not refuse and accepted the small bronze sword.


    "Go back to your room and rest. You don''t have to stand guard anymore."


    Ji Xiaoyu closed her eyes again, her tone returning to its previous indifference.


    Gu An bowed politely with his hand, then turned and left.


    After leaving the courtyard, Gu An curiously pondered the indescribable, inexplicable aura he felt on Ji Xiaoyu, an aura that inexplicably drew one toward it.


    He did not think too much of it and walked toward his own courtyard.


    As more guests arrived, the Ji Mansion grew lively, bursting with people everywhere.


    The Divinity Transformation cultivators were lively and jovial, Nascent Souls keeping them company, while those in Core Formation could only scurry about busily, their status dictated by their cultivation realm blatantly apparent in the Ji Mansion.


    As he walked, Gu An suddenly saw someone.


    Jiang Qiong.


    The two met on a corridor face-to-face; Gu An was very composed, his expression unchanging. Jiang Qiong was the same.


    As they brushed past one another, maintaining half a meter distance, Gu An suddenly felt a Jade Pendant being slipped into his left hand.


    "Check with Divine Sense once you''re back in your room, and let''s pretend we don''t recognize each other,"


    The voice of Jiang Qiong reached Gu An''s ears¡ªshe was using the Sound Transmission Skill.


    Gu An clenched the Jade Pendant tightly and left without turning back, passing by each other as though they were strangers.


    ...


    Inside his room, Gu An sat cross-legged on his bed, his left hand gripping the Jade Pendant, the back of his hand facing upwards. Even inside, he did not let the Jade Pendant show.


    He sent his Divine Sense into the Jade Pendant and soon furrowed his brow.


    Inside the Jade Pendant was a vestige of Divine Sense left by Jiang Qiong, informing him of why she had come to the Ji Mansion.


    Jiang Qiong''s current target was precisely Ji Xiaoyu.


    Not just her, but Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and other Demonic Sects had also sent spies, all aiming to seize the Primordial Daoist Talisman within Ji Xiaoyu''s body.


    The Primordial Daoist Talisman was a very special power, like bloodline, innate to one''s birth, but once the owner formed a core, the Primordial Daoist Talisman would emerge on the Golden Core. At that point, if the Golden Core were taken away, the Primordial Daoist Talisman would leave the cultivator''s body.


    According to Jiang Qiong, a Daoist Talisman of this nature was a once-in-ten-thousand-years occurrence, rarer even than Heavenly Spirit Roots, and possessed life-altering natural benefits.


    No wonder Ji Xiaoyu had such an exaggerated lifespan¡ªit was because of the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    Now, Gu An was in a quandary. On one side was Jiang Qiong, and on the other Ji Xiaoyu. Whom should he support?


    Forget it!


    He wouldn''t interfere; after all, Jiang Qiong wouldn''t make a move until the banquet was over, waiting for Ji Xiaoyu to accomplish Core Formation. By then, Gu An would have already returned to Mystic Valley.


    Gu An was very curious about the Primordial Daoist Talisman; was the special aura he had felt on Ji Xiaoyu the aura of the Primordial Daoist Talisman?


    Even he, a Great Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm, could not help but feel greedy, which showed how powerful the primordial force contained within the Primordial Daoist Talisman was.


    As time passed, the banquet proceeded smoothly, and the lurking Demon Cultivators did not act rashly.


    At noon, Ji Xiaoyu showcased the Qilin Step for the guests, and Gu An witnessed this scene in the courtyard.


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped out from the courtyard, ascending to heaven with each step, creating a Qilin Dharma Aspect beneath her feet. After seven steps, the Qilin Dharma Aspect enveloped her body. At a glance, it appeared as though seven dark-red Qilins stood in the air¡ªa magnificent sight.


    With Gu An''s keen vision, he could tell that Ji Xiaoyu could take two more steps¡ªnine steps was her limit for the Qilin Step.


    But the ultimate limit of the Qilin Step wasn''t nine steps. Mastered to perfection, one could make a thousand steps, where thousands of Qilin, akin to avatars, could encircle and confuse an opponent.


    Regardless, Ji Xiaoyu''s mastery of the Qilin Step at the age of thirty-four was indeed remarkable. With it, she could sweep through cultivators of the same realm.


    In the evening, Du Ye came looking for Gu An with Gu Zong and Gu Yu.


    Having led the way, Du Ye left, not daring to disturb them.


    An Ancient Hour later, Gu Zong left with a smile of satisfaction.


    Gu An escorted them to the gate of the courtyard. Gu Yu turned back, winked at Gu An, and said, "Remember, I must have many beautiful ladies as friends in the book. In half a year at most, I''ll come looking for you, and the Medicine Valley you want will definitely not disappoint!"

 Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Demon Shadow Divine Skill, Begins to Show Its Might

    Gu Zong was asking Gu An to write a book about his deeds, and naturally, Gu An would not refuse, after all, it wasn''t as if he was being asked to cast Gu Zong as the main protagonist of "Investiture of the Gods."


    As an exchange, Gu Zong would elevate Gu An''s status to that of an Outer Disciple and grant him a Medicine Valley twice the size of Mystic Valley.


    Six months later, Gu Yu would go to find Gu An with the items.


    Writing a book in exchange for a Medicine Valley, Gu An felt it was a good deal, as he had nothing else to do on normal days.


    That night, after returning to his room, Du Ye pressed Gu An for details about what Gu Zong wanted with him.


    "Sect secrets, are you sure you want to pry?" Gu An asked meaningfully, instantly frightening Du Ye to the point where he shuddered all over and dared not inquire further.


    The next morning, as the guests of Ji Mansion dispersed, a cultivator found Gu An and handed him a storage bag, saying it was from the Third Miss. He swept it with his Divine Sense and found it was filled with materials for formations, a rich assortment indeed.


    Gu An hesitated whether or not to remind Ji Xiaoyu, but as soon as he saw the cultivators of the Ji Family in Ji Mansion increasing instead of decreasing, and even many cultivators meditating on the eaves, he knew that the Ji Family had already sensed the crisis.


    Since that was the case, there was no need for him to worry.


    At noon, Gu An followed Du Ye as they left, using the Teleportation Array to return to the Outer City.


    After saying goodbye to Du Ye, Gu An headed towards Mystic Valley.


    He had already started planning the planting in the second Medicine Valley in his mind.


    With the addition of Li Xuandao''s Medicine Valley, he would have three Medicine Valleys, and his future life span income was sure to skyrocket.


    Even though he had reached the Void Crossing Realm''s first layer, Gu An would not consider his life span to be in excess. Above the Void Crossing Realm, there were surely many more levels, each requiring more of one''s life span the higher one climbed.


    His goal was eternal life, to reach the pinnacle of the Immortal Cultivation path!


    Riding on a flying sword, roaming freely between heaven and earth, Gu An stood against the wind, harboring dreams of everlasting youth through the seasons.


    When he arrived back at Mystic Valley, his brows furrowed.


    He landed from Sword Control, and his flying sword then buried itself into his storage bag. Ye Yan, who was not far off weeding, saw him and immediately ran over.


    "Master, you''re finally back. Yesterday, a senior came to stay in our Medicine Valley," reported Ye Yan immediately.


    Gu An nodded and said, "I know, you keep busy."


    He noticed that there were flags hidden among the weeds around Mystic Valley, clearly part of a formation.


    He first felt out for the aura of the other, then pretended not to notice the formation and walked towards the direction of that cultivator''s aura, quickly inspecting the medicinal herbs along the way.


    Good heavens!


    Six fourth-tier medicinal herbs were missing!


    Gu An''s eyes suddenly turned cold.


    The other''s cultivation level was no trivial matter, being a Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator, but even if they were Divinity Transformation, if they dared to steal his herbs, they would have to pay a price!


    Gu An made his way to Xiaochuan''s courtyard and saw someone in the courtyard performing Alchemy. The Pill Furnace appeared ancient, nearly as tall as a person, with wisps of blue smoke coming out of it.


    The one performing Alchemy was an old man, hunched over and short, with white hair tied behind his head with a grass rope.


    [Qiu Qianli (Divinity Transformation Realm Second Layer):486/930/1050]


    Once Gu An was certain the other hadn''t hidden a stronger cultivation level, he directly approached and asked, "May I ask for your honored name, senior, and from whence you come?"


    His tone was aggressive, a stark departure from his usual manner of addressing people.


    Qiu Qianli stood up, turned towards Gu An with a smile, and said cheerfully, "I am Qiu Qianli, passing through this Medicine Valley and thinking to stay a few days."


    Gu An asked, "Is senior from the Supreme Sect?"


    Given that Ji Xiaoyu was about to reach Core Formation, he couldn''t help but suspect the other''s identity.


    Usually, there were no Divinity Transformation cultivators visiting his Medicine Valley.


    The busy disciples also turned their gazes toward the yard, sensing that Qiu Qianli was no ordinary visitor. They all felt relieved to see Gu An returning.


    "And you, are you the master of this Medicine Valley?" Qiu Qianli asked with a chuckle.


    Gu An replied, "That''s correct, senior, but why do you not answer me?"


    Qiu Qianli shook his head with an amused expression, muttering to himself, "A Qi Cultivation realm Individual Cultivator dares to speak to me in such a tone."


    He suddenly squatted down and slapped the ground with his palm.


    In an instant, the earth trembled, the flags hidden in the forest in each direction quivered, unleashing a surge of Demonic Qi. The Demonic Qi rose swiftly, forming a demonic net that enveloped the entire Mystic Valley, and then the net turned transparent as if everything that happened was an illusion.


    "What are you trying to do?"


    Gu An asked, feigning panic.


    The disciples in the distance sensed something was wrong and immediately rushed over.


    The first to arrive were Xiaochuan and Ye Yan, then Wuxin, Zhen Qin, and Su Han. The others hurried over too but dared not approach rashly, standing anxiously outside the yard to watch.


    Su Han stood at the forefront, with a sword in hand, though his trembling legs revealed his nervousness.


    Zhen Qin''s face turned pale with fear, but she still stood in front of Gu An, which made him want to laugh.


    This silly girl!


    Qiu Qianli''s right palm was swirling with chilling Demonic Qi. He slowly stood up, wearing a ferocious grin, "Now that the Valley Master has returned, I won''t disguise myself any longer. If you wish to live, then just obediently listen to me, otherwise I''ll skin you alive, extract your souls, and let you neither live nor die!"


    Sensing his terrifying aura, all disciples felt a pang of fear.


    Wuxin mustered the courage to ask, "We are all Servant Disciples, and even refining our souls would be of no benefit to you. Let''s talk this out; what is it that you want us to do?"


    He spoke quickly, worried that Gu An might not understand Qiu Qianli''s true cultivation level.


    Qiu Qianli sneered, "Wise of you. From now on, just wait in the valley for my orders. I intend to use your Medicine Valley for cultivating Elixirs. Don''t even think of escaping; my formation is invisible and colorless, even a Core Formation Realm cultivator who encounters it would turn instantly into a pool of blood."


    Having witnessed the formation taking shape earlier, they naturally believed his words.


    Qiu Qianli looked at Gu An and said with a mocking smile, "Valley Master, what would you do now if I told you I come from the Wanyin Sect?"


    The Wanyin Sect!


    Truly a shadow that won''t disperse...


    In his entire life, Gu An had scarcely killed anyone, besides Fuxiong, everyone else was from the Wanyin Sect.


    Feigning terror, Gu An clenched his teeth and said, "Please forgive my earlier insolence, senior. As long as you do not harm my disciples, you may command me as you wish, even if it''s to refine souls, please start with mine!"


    Upon hearing these words, the disciples immediately panicked, but none dared speak out for fear of enraging Qiu Qianli.


    Wuxin clenched his fists inside his sleeves, filled with self-reproach, "If only I had cultivated more diligently on a regular basis, and once my cultivation technique had reached its full potential, my brother wouldn''t have to suffer like this..."


    Zhen Qin, Xiaochuan, Su Han, and Ye Yan all shared a similar sentiment.


    Qiu Qianli laughed, a laugh full of contempt.


    Gu An hastily said, "Senior, I have fifth-grade medicinal herbs in my house, particularly suitable for use as medicine primer, do you need them?"


    "Not bad, you are quite aware of the times, go on then!" Qiu Qianli said, waving his sleeve.


    Immediately, Gu An turned around and ran towards his loft.


    The others watched Qiu Qianli warily, afraid that he would make a sudden move.


    Qiu Qianli casually dug at his ear and glanced towards Zhen Qin, smiling and saying, "Little girl, come over here and assist me."


    Seeing his malicious smile, Zhen Qin felt extremely disgusted, but more than that, she was filled with dread.


    What should she do?


    Based on the spectacle of the formation from just before, it was certain that no one in the valley was a match for this demon cultivator.


    Just as Zhen Qin was engulfed in anxiety, a figure clad in purple-black suddenly appeared beside Qiu Qianli.


    Qiu Qianli''s pupils abruptly contracted, instinctively turning to look.


    So fast!


    Impossible!


    Just as Qiu Qianli was about to retaliate, the other party''s right hand, swift as a sword, pierced directly through his chest, lifting him into the air.


    His eyes widened, disbelieving as he looked down at the individual below him.


    This was a figure enveloped in dark purple flames, its true face indiscernible, as if it had come straight from the Nine Nether World.


    Wuxin, Zhen Qin, and the rest were equally startled by the mysterious figure that appeared so suddenly, retreating in unison.


    "Thousand-Autumn Pavilion... Demon Shadow Divine Skill..." Qiu Qianli said with a trembling voice, his tone laden with terror.


    He desperately realized he could not summon any Spiritual Power within him; the strike from before had completely shattered his Golden Core, and the overpowering Spiritual Power of the attacker pressed down on his Primordial Spirit within his body, rendering it unable to escape.


    The adversary must be higher than the Divinity Transformation Realm!


    Gu An, who had been performing the Great Yin-Yang Transformation, glanced back at Wuxin.


    Wuxin seemed to realize something and his expression changed drastically.


    Immediately after, the hand that Gu An used to pierce through Qiu Qianli suddenly clenched into a fist, releasing a terrifying burst of Sword Qi, instantly disintegrating Qiu Qianli''s physical body, leaving only his Primordial Spirit dangling from his arm, while Qiu Qianli''s Storage Bag fell into his other hand.


    Blood splattered everywhere! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wuxin and the rest were splashed by it but were so shocked they couldn''t react, frozen in place.


    "Pre-..."


    The Primordial Spirit of Qiu Qianli began to speak tremblingly, but before he could finish, it was crushed to dust by Gu An''s overwhelming Spiritual Power.


    Gu An''s figure vanished into thin air.


    The next second, the sound of a door being smashed open echoed from afar, and Gu An, holding a fifth-grade Tiger Blood Flower, was seen climbing down from the balcony of his loft.


    He rushed towards the courtyard where Wuxin and others were, shouting loudly, "Senior! Stop this madness!"


    He leaped over the courtyard wall and arrived beside Zhen Qin, looking at the blood-stained courtyard, he hurriedly turned his head towards his disciples and saw that none were missing, then he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    In a tense voice, he asked, "The demon... where did he go?"


    His voice was low, as if fearful of being overheard by Qiu Qianli.


    As if woken from a trance by his voice, Zhen Qin screamed and, gripping Gu An''s robe, said with a trembling voice, "Master, he''s dead... he was..."


    The other disciples also snapped out of their shock, turning their heads in all directions, dreading the mysterious shadow might reappear.


    It took Gu An a while to understand from them what had just happened.


    It has to be said, acting can be very exhausting.


    Gu An instructed his disciples to hold their ground and stay alert.


    At the same time, he silently exerted force with his right foot, allowing his Spiritual Power to spread underground, destroying the invisible formation beneath.


    Suddenly, a screen of Demonic Qi appeared above Mystic Valley, and shortly after, the mysterious Demon Path Formation began to collapse, the Demonic Qi dissipating like smoke, as if it had never been there, with the autumn leaves atop the mountain following suit and fluttering down.


    "The formation is lifted?" Ye Yan tentatively asked.


    Wuxin took a deep breath and said to Gu An, "Brother, let us speak elsewhere!"


    Eliminating Qiu Qianli had granted him sixty-six years of life span, not a bad outcome.


    Feeling pleased, Gu An feigned a puzzled look; he hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.


    The two headed towards Gu An''s loft, while the other disciples gathered together to discuss the recent ordeal.


    Inside the loft, Wuxin closed the door, turned to face Gu An, and said through clenched teeth, "The one who just attacked must be a Great Cultivator from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, perhaps someone my father sent to protect me..."

 Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Yang Wood Primordial Skill, Nine Layers of the Void Crossing Realm

    Watching Wuxin''s complex expression, Gu An wanted to laugh, but his years of acting experience kept him from breaking character.


    Gu An''s expression kept changing, first shock, then relief, and finally tension.


    Seeing the changes in his senior brother''s expression, Wuxin felt even more awkward, but he did not regret revealing the matter.


    Since the last time they opened their hearts to each other, Wuxin felt that his senior brother was the closest person to him, and there should be no secrets between them.


    "You must not speak of this matter, or I can''t protect you!" Gu An took a deep breath and said seriously.


    Wuxin nodded solemnly, recalling the previous battle, which sent chills down his spine.


    Curious, Gu An asked, "Can you recognize the person just now, what realm was he in?"


    He wanted to gauge the depth of Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    Upon hearing this, Wuxin scratched his head and guessed, "I didn''t see his true face, but he might be in the Nascent Soul Realm, his movement technique was too fast, it feels like those in Core Formation Realm would scarcely possess such capability..."


    Gu An was stunned.


    This foolish boy...


    He remarked emotionally, "You say your father doesn''t care about you, but look, he still sends people to protect you."


    "He really doesn''t care about me, but it might also be because he fears I might tarnish his reputation, or perhaps the person who acted just happened to be on a mission to Supreme Sect," guessed Wuxin, feeling unmoved and still resistant to his father.


    Afterwards, Gu An gave a few more instructions and then took Wuxin downstairs.


    Gu An did not let the disciples clean up the courtyard but preserved the scene, waiting for Wuxin to go to the Outer Sect the next day to find the Disciple of Law Enforcement Hall.


    All the disciples in the valley had witnessed the previous battle; hiding it was impossible, so it was better to inform Supreme Sect in advance.


    He stood in front of Qiu Qianli''s Pill Furnace, observing the elixir inside it; he couldn''t tell what elixir Qiu Qianli was concocting, but decided to keep it for Supreme Sect to determine.


    That night.


    Gu An went to the Eight Scenic Caves, and as usual, fed the Sky Dragon sheep meat. Afterward, he took out Qiu Qianli''s Storage Bag.


    He emptied everything inside and then destroyed the Storage Bag.


    One must say, a Cultivator in the Divinity Transformation Realm was indeed rich, with just Spirit Stones and Spirit Energy Elixirs amounting to a massive sum.


    He inspected each item, burning all those of no use to prevent anyone from tracking him.


    For the Magic Artifacts, he also erased Qiu Qianli''s marks one by one, making all the artifacts ownerless.


    In the end, he was left with a letter containing a blank sheet, which required Divine Sense to read and an individual had to be in the Divinity Transformation Realm to discern it.


    After investigating, he learned why Qiu Qianli had come, which was for the Primordial Daoist Talisman. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qiu Qianli''s mission was to rendezvous with a member of Wanyin Sect at the Outer Sect and steal the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    Apart from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, Wanyin Sect had planted many spies inside Supreme Sect, and the individual Qiu Qianli was supposed to meet must be of high cultivation level.


    Demon Path spies truly infiltrated everywhere!


    How many were there, just like he had been, coerced into such roles?


    Gu An felt a mix of emotions and then stood up to check the medicinal herbs within the Eight Scenic Caves.


    ...


    The next morning, Wuxin, along with Tang Yu and Su Han, headed for the Outer Sect. Gu An had the other disciples carry on with their normal tasks¡ªgrazing sheep, weeding, watering.


    By noon, the trio returned. Their quick return was due to a ride from a Core Formation Realm Cultivator on a giant redwood fan, which accommodated dozens of people. Ye Lan was also there.


    As everyone landed, Gu An greeted them.


    The leader was an Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall named Murong Ying.


    [Murong Ying (Core Formation Realm Layer 3): 268/503/908]


    Murong Ying wore a purple robe, was tall and handsome, sporting a head of hair mixing black and white. His every action displayed the poise of a high-ranking individual.


    After hearing the full account of the incident from Gu An, he nodded slightly, saying, "You''ve done well. We will clean up this area, and we will not allow any Demon Cultivator to lurk."


    Gu An immediately expressed his gratitude.


    The Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall did not linger to chat with the valley''s disciples. They went to Xiaochuan''s courtyard and on seeing the bloodstains on the walls and ground, everyone was terrified.


    Murong Ying headed to Qiu Qianli''s Pill Furnace, peered inside, and quickly furrowed his brows.


    Meanwhile.


    Ye Lan came over to Gu An, comforting him.


    Gu An had Wuxin seek her out first as her intervention made it easier to mobilize the Law Enforcement Hall, so when she heard about the incident in Mystic Valley, she was eager to rush over immediately.


    After about half an hour, Murong Ying took the Pill Furnace away and then motioned for the Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall to leave.


    Watching the departing figures of the Law Enforcement Hall disciples, Zhen Qin couldn''t help but look at Gu An and asked, "Is it over just like that?"


    Gu An didn''t have high expectations for Law Enforcement Hall to take action, reporting the incident was sufficient; he did not want to be branded as a spy for the Demon Path.


    "They will investigate, at the very least you must trust your Martial Uncle Ye," Gu An said with a smile.


    Upon hearing that, Zhen Qin felt it made sense.


    Still, the demeanor of the Law Enforcement Hall had stung her, and she secretly vowed to become an Outer Disciple as soon as possible.


    For Mystic Valley, Qiu Qianli was merely a hiccup, but for Gu An, it was a caution.


    How many dangers had Mystic Valley already faced?


    No!


    It was time to advance his Cultivation Level!


    ...


    Before they knew it, seven days had swiftly passed.


    That evening, Gu An quietly left Mystic Valley and sat down in a forest a hundred miles away.


    He summoned his Attribute Panel and focused on the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill.


    First, he would enhance his cultivation technique!


    He instantly sacrificed ten thousand years of his life span.


    In the end, the Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill leveled up to become the Yang Wood Primordial Skill, achieving mastery in the process.


    The Yang Wood Primordial Skill also awakened a Divine Skill, which delighted Gu An.


    He immediately activated a Life Span Barrier and transmitted the Yang Wood Primordial Skill.


    An hour later, the transmission ended, and Gu An had also understood the mysteries of the Divine Skill.


    This Divine Skill, named Yang Wood Boundless, could channel spiritual power into the earth to condense Yang Wood, which would cover the land. This Yang Wood could devour the essence, spirit, and even the spiritual power of living beings, which was extremely terrifying. As long as the practitioner had enough spiritual power, it could cover tens of thousands of miles.


    A very domineering Divine Skill, Gu An liked it very much!


    Gu An continued to look at the cultivation level in his Attribute Panel, planning to level his cultivation to the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm. As for breaking through, he feared it might be too conspicuous, and currently, he only had just over twenty thousand years of life span left.


    He first sacrificed a thousand years of his life span, successfully moving from the first to the fourth layer of the Void Crossing Realm, which was quite good.


    However, after sacrificing another thousand years, his cultivation level only reached the fifth layer of the Void Crossing Realm.


    In the end, he had used a total of seven thousand five hundred years of his life span, reaching the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm.


    He still had thirteen thousand years of life span left and decided to stop there.


    As the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged into his body, he began to carefully perceive the mysteries within him. He couldn''t always rely on sacrificing life span; he wanted to establish his own understanding of cultivation.


    Spiritual energy of heaven and earth entered his body, gathered atop his Golden Core, generated spiritual power, and nourished his muscles, bones, and Primordial Spirit, continuously enhancing his cultivation level.


    Even upon reaching the Void Crossing Realm, a cultivator''s Golden Core remained within the dantian, and after reaching the Void Crossing Realm, Gu An could feel even more the significance of the Golden Core.


    This made him think of the Daoist myth of the Golden Core Path.


    The Core Formation Realm might just have laid the foundation; the true mysteries of the Golden Core would need to be explored at higher realms, just like the Spirit Root. Gu An always felt that cultivating a single Spirit Root would hit a barrier at some stage.


    Immortals are omnipotent; how could they only possess methods of a single attribute?


    The same goes for the Primordial Spirit and the Golden Core. The Primordial Spirit is the manifestation of the soul, enabling cultivators to break free from the physical body''s constraints.


    Gu An wanted to try, in the coming days, to integrate other attribute skills with the Yang Wood Primordial Skill. He aimed to create a perfect Five Elements Skill that would perfectly match his supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root.


    Two hours later, Gu An had successfully reached the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth had been depleted by him, probably alarming the Outer Sect once again.


    That was good; the Supreme Sect would surely be more vigilant, increasing the pressure on the spies from the Demon Path, and this could also improve Ji Xiaoyu''s chances of successfully crossing the tribulation.


    Gu An inwardly felt satisfied, having lent a hand to Ji Xiaoyu.


    ...


    Sure enough, the next morning, while Gu An was leading his disciples in exercises, he saw several Great Cultivators sweeping across the sky above Mystic Valley, with the disciples also talking about the previous day''s descent of spiritual energy.


    The consumption of spiritual energy from advancing from the first to the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm was in no way inferior to advancing from the first layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm to the first layer of the Void Crossing Realm, and might even be more substantial. The Supreme Sect''s Outer Sect having encountered this situation twice in a row was probably in a tight spot.


    Gu An planned to continue saving up life span, so he wasn''t worried about being discovered.


    Next, it was time for the grand development of Medicine Valley!


    The autumn wind was bleak, and Mystic Valley lived a secluded life.


    Since the disaster brought by Qiu Qianli, the disciples in the valley trained even harder.


    A month quickly passed.


    That day, Gu An was studying the Ziwei Array Chronicles under a tree, while the White Spirit Rat dozed off next to him, looking as plump as a fat dog.


    As he read the Ziwei Array Chronicles, his right hand petted the White Spirit Rat, quite cozily.


    Suddenly!


    Gu An seemed to perceive something and looked toward the distance, in the direction of the Inner Sect.


    He felt a powerful aura from the Void Crossing Realm, with a Great Cultivator in the midst of battle!


    It seemed Ji Xiaoyu had successfully formed his core, and the spies from the Demon Path could no longer restrain themselves and were engaged in a massive battle.


    Gu An couldn''t help but think of Jiang Qiong, hoping she wouldn''t act recklessly. With her cultivation at the first layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, it would be quite difficult for her to snatch Ji Xiaoyu''s Golden Core.


    The Inner Sect was so far from the Outer Sect that the disciples in Mystic Valley didn''t feel the battle''s aura and continued their own cultivation practices.


    Even as night fell, Gu An could still feel the distant battle''s aura, a testament to its intensity.


    The cold wind blew in from the window; Gu An sat at the desk reading, when footsteps approached from outside.


    "Senior brother, may I come in?" Wuxin''s voice came through.


    Gu An replied, "Come in."


    He quickly switched the book in his hand from Green Hero Travelogue to Cheng Xuandan''s Hundred Herbs Collection.


    Wuxin pushed the door open, then closed it behind him and walked to the desk. Seeing the Hundred Herbs Collection in Gu An''s hands, he secretly admired it and his eyes firmed up even more.


    The senior brother is so studious; I must help him!


    Gu An looked up and asked, "What brings you here so late?"


    Wuxin took a deep breath and said, "Senior brother, you''ve been stuck at the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm for some time now, haven''t you?"


    Gu An raised his eyebrows, what does that mean?


    You wouldn''t be dissatisfied with the position of the first disciple and coveting my Valley Master position, would you?


    Followed by Wuxin, who said, "Senior brother, actually I am a genius, but I practice a Divine Skill that suppresses the growth of my cultivation. This skill, meant for slow accumulation and sudden burst, possesses the mysterious power to change one''s fate!"

 Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Daoist Expansion Skill, Divine Power Collection

    Am I actually a genius?


    Upon hearing Wuxin''s words, Gu An almost laughed.


    He spoke with a smile, "In my eyes, you''ve always been a genius. Could it be that you wish to pass on your cultivation technique to me?"


    Wuxin nodded and said, "When I say genius, I mean compared to the others in the valley. However, when compared to my brothers and sisters, my innate talent is quite mediocre. The cultivation technique I practice is called Daoist Expansion Skill, taught to me by a divine monk."


    "Once one cultivates this skill, their cultivation realm won''t increase, but their cultivation level continuously accumulates. I plan to release the seal on my realm before my life''s limit approaches. By then, my spirit root qualification and lifespan will transform. However, once the seal is broken, the Daoist Expansion Skill will become ineffective."


    After listening to this, Gu An couldn''t help but be interested in the Daoist Expansion Skill.


    "What realm is that divine monk at?" he inquired curiously.


    Upon hearing this, Wuxin shook his head, "I am not clear about his cultivation level. He calls himself an Immortal Seeking Daoist."


    "If he is a Daoist, why do you call him a divine monk?"


    "He has been fully ordained and wears a kasaya. How could he be a Daoist? My appearance is modeled after him. He said I would have extraordinary destiny in the future and forcefully shaved my head. The scar on my head is his doing, making it so I can''t grow hair now."


    As he said this, Wuxin felt quite wronged. He wished to be handsome like Gu An and be liked by girls.


    Gu An didn''t continue to question and asked Wuxin to describe the Daoist Expansion Skill.


    He wanted to see just how mystical the Daoist Expansion Skill was.


    Wuxin began to explain the Daoist Expansion Skill seriously, and the explanation took an entire hour.


    The Daoist Expansion Skill truly was profound. Even the breathing techniques were incredibly complex, and to Gu An, who was of a higher cultivation realm, the Daoist Expansion Skill had even more hidden secrets.


    "Senior brother, have you memorized it? Or should I write it down for you to see tomorrow?" Wuxin asked with concern.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, "Alright, this skill indeed sounds formidable. Thank you for your kindness. Let''s rest for tonight."


    "What''s there to thank, what''s our relationship?" Wuxin laughed. He was pleased, feeling he had finally helped his senior brother.


    After finishing, he turned around and left.


    As soon as he went downstairs, Gu An began to practice the Daoist Expansion Skill.


    Wuxin worried that he wouldn''t remember, so Gu An went along with Wuxin''s idea, to avoid exposing his current talent and realm.


    In reality, as long as it wasn''t a particularly special Daoist Sorcery, Gu An could remember it firmly in his heart just by listening to the words.


    ...


    Three days passed, and in the woods, Gu An was exchanging sword techniques with Su Han.


    That day when Qiu Qianli caused trouble, Su Han was the one who stepped forward with a sword, which moved Gu An deeply, so he decided to teach him a few moves.


    Initially, Su Han didn''t hold much hope, thinking his master was just bored, but the fighting turned out completely different from what he had expected.


    Gu An, holding a wooden sword, used simple footwork and even more ordinary sword moves, yet he was able to effortlessly break down every single one of Su Han''s attacks.


    Su Han was greatly shocked, and Gu An''s image grew significantly in his heart.


    After dozens of moves, the sword in Su Han''s hand was flicked to the ground by Gu An.


    Su Han, looking at the wooden sword hovering in front of his throat, couldn''t help but swallow nervously and turned to Gu An in astonishment.


    Gu An sheathed his sword and looked at him with a smile, asking, "How was that?"


    "So impressive..." Su Han replied with embarrassment.


    Gu An shook his head, "I''m not asking you to evaluate me, but to ask what you felt."


    Su Han was stunned for a moment, then reflected carefully.


    Wait a minute!


    Something came to him, his expression changed dramatically, and he looked at Gu An with shock, cautiously asking, "Master, were you using the moves from the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword?"


    Gu An nodded, "Yes, I don''t have a deep understanding of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, but do you know why I could decipher your sword moves?"


    "Why?" Su Han pressed.


    "I''m faster than you."


    "But..."


    "You feel that I am slower than you? Yet I always manage to easily dismantle your sword moves?"


    "Yes, master, it really feels like you are very slow, but just..."


    "Think about it carefully. I seem slow because you are watching me as a person. My eyes, however, are on your sword. Before you strike, I''ve already judged your sword''s trajectory. As you strike, I do too, but as a defender, my sword swing is nowhere near as extensive as yours. Hence, when our swords clash, my speed is less than yours, yet I can catch up."


    Gu An patiently explained, and Su Han listened with a frown, beginning to carefully recall the sword exchange they had just had.


    Su Han quickly understood.


    Indeed, from the moment the two of them drew their swords, the outcome had already been decided.


    Su Han raised his eyes to Gu An, a look of admiration on his face, "Master, you are truly amazing. You were able to practice the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword better than me after only watching the sword manual once."


    Gu An stepped forward, smiling, "In fact, I have also practiced sword techniques, so I understand them better than you. But only you know this. You mustn''t tell others. I also carry some grudges and cannot let people know that I understand swordsmanship."


    Upon hearing this, Su Han was deeply moved, immediately kneeling on one knee, raising his hand to swear.


    "I will never reveal that master is skilled in swordsmanship. If I do, may thunder strike me down, and may I live a bitter and solitary life!"


    Gu An quickly pulled him up, saying irritably, "There''s no need for such an oath. If you promise, I will believe you."


    Although he said so, he was still very pleased with Su Han''s attitude.


    Given his way of doing things, taking the risk to instruct Su Han in swordsmanship was already a gamble.


    Su Han scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.


    Gu An continued to instruct Su Han in swordsmanship. Although he had not practiced the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword diligently, his achievement in the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword made it easy for him to impart some pointers.


    An hour later, Gu An left the forest, leaving Su Han to practice swordsmanship alone.


    He arrived at the entrance of the valley, his gaze fixing on the wooden railing of a courtyard ahead, where a figure stood accompanied by the servant disciple Yang Min.


    Jiang Qiong!


    Under the bright sunlight, how dare this scoundrel directly enter Mystic Valley?


    Gu An internally lamented. He became aware of Jiang Qiong approaching Mystic Valley, which was why he had ended his private instruction of Su Han ahead of time.


    He chose not to intervene earlier because Jiang Qiong flew here on a sword without attempting to conceal his figure or aura.


    Gu An walked briskly towards them, and upon reaching Jiang Qiong''s side, he said to Yang Min, "You can go busy yourself with other matters, I''ll attend to her."


    Relieved, Yang Min hurriedly left.


    Jiang Qiong turned to look at Gu An and smiled, "Your disciple really is timid."


    Gu An said, "Let''s go upstairs to talk."


    Jiang Qiong had no objections and followed him to the attic.


    Once inside, Gu An closed the door and asked in a low voice, "Martial Master, why have you come, and in broad daylight at that..."


    Jiang Qiong casually sat down, first flicked her sleeve and threw out four talisman papers, sticking them on the doors and windows, then poured herself some tea from the teapot on the table. She spoke nonchalantly, "What''s there to fear? I''m still an Inner Sect Disciple of Supreme Sect. Before my serious injury, I didn''t expose my identity.


    The reason I went into hiding was because I had enemies at that time. Over the years, I have investigated, and that enemy has already died."


    Gu An sat down opposite her, curious, he asked, "Was that enemy from Supreme Sect?"


    "To be precise, like me, that person was a spy from the Demon Path," said Jiang Qiong, with a smile that was not quite a smile, deliberately emphasizing the words "spy from the Demon Path."


    Gu An wanted to press for more details, but Jiang Qiong waved her hand and said, "Don''t ask anymore. I plan to stay in your Medicine Valley for a while. Once the heat dies down, I''ll leave. What do you say?"


    Gu An frowned and asked, "What happened?"


    He could sense that Jiang Qiong had suffered serious internal injuries but was just putting on a calm front.


    At his question, Jiang Qiong''s eyes became complex, and she said softly, "That Ji Xiaoyu really is not simple. She just stepped into the Elixir Formation Realm and was able to avoid my attack. At the moment when I was distracted, she was gravely injured by a Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Ji Family."


    "You engaged her?" Gu An suddenly became tense.


    Jiang Qiong gave him a white look and said irritably, "Have you forgotten the Demon Shadow Divine Skill I taught you? I did not reveal my true self, so you don''t need to worry." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this.


    He pressed on, "Was Ji Xiaoyu''s Primordial Daoist Talisman taken by someone?"


    Jiang Qiong shook her head and said, "No one succeeded. With her Qilin Step, it''s very difficult for Nascent Soul Realm cultivators to get close to her. Cultivators of Divinity Transformation and even stronger from the Demon Path were blocked by members of the Ji Family and Supreme Sect Cultivators. The elders of Supreme Sect are indeed formidable..."


    She seemed to recall something and showed a look of after-fright.


    Knowing that Ji Xiaoyu was unharmed, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief.


    Neither of them dying was, in his view, the best outcome.


    Gu An observed Jiang Qiong, contemplating how to comfort her.


    Jiang Qiong lifted her eyes to look at him and asked with a cheery smile, "You didn''t tip off the Ji Family, did you?"


    Gu An quickly shook his head and said, "How could I do that! I''m not that kind of person!"


    "Really?"


    "Truly! Do you want me to swear an oath, Martial Master?"


    Gu An said earnestly; he had just taken an oath with Su Han, and now he was supposed to swear again to Jiang Qiong?


    Jiang Qiong evaluated him and said with a tsk-tsk of amazement, "No need, actually I was thinking of using you to notify the Ji Family, to have them prepare for a battle so that when Ji Xiaoyu forms her elixir, there would be a fierce fight."


    "What a pity, I didn''t expect you to be that kind of person; I really misjudged you," Jiang Qiong feigned a sorrowful expression and even sighed.


    Gu An remained silent.


    Jiang Qiong shifted her tone and smiled, "But this also shows that you are more biased towards me; you haven''t let my affection go to waste. In the future, Martial Master will treat you well. Congratulations, you have completely captured Martial Master''s heart."


    "Martial Master, don''t talk nonsense!"


    "Ha-ha, you, oh you, it seems you have been bound by the constraints of the Righteous Path and cannot take a joke."


    Jiang Qiong covered her mouth with a coy laugh, causing Gu An to feel quite helpless.


    At that moment, Jiang Qiong suddenly reached into her Storage Bag and placed a bronze token on the table.


    The bronze token was square, with missing edges and densely inscribed with tiny letters.


    Jiang Qiong''s eyes burned with eagerness as she said, "This is the true reason I went to the Ji Mansion. This is the Divine Power Collection of the Ji Family, which records one of the ten Great Divine Powers of the Ji Family. It was a congratulatory gift from the Clan Leader of Ji Family to Ji Xiaoyu.


    This item requires the essence blood of the Ji Family''s direct lineage to open, but of course, if one''s cultivation surpasses the Divinity Transformation Realm, the restrictions inside can be forcibly broken."


    "The Ji Family passed down the Qilin Step to Ji Xiaoyu and also the Divine Power Collection. It seems they want to help her enter the Holy Land in the future."


    The Divine Power Collection?


    Gu An''s gaze involuntarily shifted towards the bronze token, his eyes filled with curiosity.


    Jiang Qiong pushed the bronze token towards Gu An and said, "Keep this item with you for now. Hide it within the Eight Scenic Caves. When I obtain the essence blood of the Ji Family''s direct lineage, I will come to find you. In the meantime, to have it with me would invite disaster."


    Gu An looked at the bronze token on the table and blinked.

 Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Heaven and Earth Path Gang, Tianya Valley

    Gu An put the bronze piece into his storage bag and asked, "Are the Ji Family''s ten great Divine Skills really that powerful, a talent from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion like you even envies them?"


    Jiang Qiong''s gaze shifted to the wooden cabinet beside her, and she softly said, "Very powerful, and it''s not something you can cultivate if you wish to. Within the Ji Family, anyone who managed to cultivate one of the Divine Skills, regardless of their status, would receive focused cultivation from the Ji Family and be moved into the main Ji lineage."


    "Within the Taicang Dynasty, all the sects combined would still find it hard to topple the Supreme Sect, and the same is true for the noble families, with a huge gap between them. There are three great noble families that stand above the dynasty, one of which is the Ji Family."


    Hearing her words, Gu An suddenly suspected that there might be a spy from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion within the Ji Family.


    Deserving of the Demon Path!


    Following her words, Gu An asked, "Who are the other two families?"


    "Zhou and Gu."


    "How come there''s no Li?"


    "Haha, the Li Family is just a puppet."


    Jiang Qiong''s words showed disdain for the Li Family, which refreshed Gu An''s understanding of the Taicang Dynasty.


    The royal family isn''t the strongest noble family?


    That''s right, Li Xuandao''s life span might be impressive, but it still can''t compare to Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu was the most talented person Gu An had encountered so far. Gu Zong was probably the Gu Family, whose Void Crossing Realm cultivation level was enough to prove the depth of the Gu Family''s heritage.


    As for the Zhou Family, Gu An had not yet come into contact with them.


    Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gu An continued to ask Jiang Qiong about the world of Immortal Cultivation, and she answered all his questions.


    After about 30 minutes, Jiang Qiong grew impatient.


    "Why do you have so many questions? Hurry up and arrange a place for this old lady to stay!" Jiang Qiong glared as she spoke.


    This was the first time Gu An heard her refer to herself as "this old lady," suggesting that her injuries were becoming unbearable.


    Thus, Gu An took Jiang Qiong downstairs and personally arranged accommodation for her.


    After settling in, Jiang Qiong began to cultivate energy to heal her injuries and did not leave her room anymore.


    Zhen Qin found Gu An, curious about Jiang Qiong''s identity.


    Gu An simply said she was an Inner Sect Disciple, which was enough to awe Zhen Qin. Just like that, news of an Inner Sect Disciple''s arrival quickly spread throughout Mystic Valley, and all disciples knew about it, especially that the Inner Sect Disciple was quite beautiful.


    Late at night, Gu An went alone into the Eight Scenic Caves and buried that bronze piece in the ground.


    After Jiang Qiong left, he would further investigate the Divine Power Collection of the Ji Family.


    ...


    As autumn gave way to winter, snow began to gently fall from the sky.


    After nearly a month of recuperating in Mystic Valley, Jiang Qiong bid farewell to Gu An. Watching her fly away with her sword, the direction opposite of the Inner Sect, Gu An guessed that she was probably leaving the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An looked towards Zhen Qin''s room, sensing that she was cultivating some kind of special technique, which Jiang Qiong had taught her.


    Before leaving, Jiang Qiong had explained to him that it was Zhen Qin who insisted on learning from her.


    Gu An watched for a while, then headed towards the woods, ready to check on the Demon Sheep moving about in the forest.


    The Demon Path should have already dispersed, and it was time to resume the peaceful farming life.


    Gu An wouldn''t become complacent with his nine layers of Void Crossing Realm; he felt it wasn''t enough. He was already looking forward to what abilities a lifespan of a million years could unlock, hoping for something powerful.


    In the following days, he would occasionally leave the valley to manage the caves of the Outer Disciples, and at the same time, he would visit the Outer Sect to purchase seeds for high-rank medical herbs.


    The winter snow grew heavier, blanketing the world in an expansive whiteness.


    One night, Gu An quietly entered the Eight Scenic Caves.


    He dug out the bronze piece from the ground and then brought it to the base of a Green Vine Tree. He sat down right there, and Sky Dragon came over, rubbing against him.


    Gu An suddenly noticed that Sky Dragon''s body was getting wider, which was not a good sign.


    He began to admonish Sky Dragon, telling him not to overeat. He didn''t want to raise a fat dragon.


    After playing with Sky Dragon for a while, Gu An started to strike the bronze piece with his Divine Sense.


    Jiang Qiong hadn''t lied to him; the bronze piece indeed contained a powerful Restriction that could not be forcefully broken by anyone below the Void Crossing Realm.


    Gu An had already decided that if the item could only be transmitted to one person, he would learn it first, then pass it on to Jiang Qiong. If it could be used repeatedly, he would pretend he hadn''t touched it.


    Boom!


    The powerful Divine Sense of his nine layers of Void Crossing Realm surged into the bronze piece, and the mysterious Restriction lasted only a moment before being forcefully broken. Once the Restriction was shattered, a vast memory flooded into his mind.


    This memory was very complex and chaotic, with various pieces of information aggressively invading his mind, causing him to frown slightly.


    Even after breaking the Restriction, there was still the need to sort out the information, which might also be a form of assessment.


    With Gu An''s strong Divine Sense, he could grasp the subtle connections. After a while, he sorted things out. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This Divine Power was called Heaven and Earth Path Gang!


    ...


    The winter snow was pure white, and the snowfall this year was heavier than before. Gu An had no choice but to lead the disciples in shoveling snow.


    Unless it was urgent, they wouldn''t use Spiritual Power; as Gu An said, this could also be considered a form of cultivation.


    The snow fell heavily like a downpour, only slowing down after half a day.


    Gu An stood in front of the wooden railing, looking at the medicinal herbs he had planted, noting that not a single plant had suffered, which brought a smile to his face.


    After looking for a while, Gu An''s gaze drifted to the entrance of the valley, where he saw a man wearing a rain hat and a straw coat approaching. He carried a long spear wrapped in cloth on his back.


    [Luo Hun (Core Formation Realm Eight Layers): 66/400/2803]


    A maximum lifespan of 2800 years!


    It''s not simple!


    Gu An immediately walked over, making his way to Luo Hun. He cupped his fists in a salute, ready to ask questions, but Luo Hun preempted him, "Who is Valley Master Gu An?"


    Luo Hun''s voice sounded somewhat young, but it was full of vigor.


    Gu An responded, "I am, may I ask who you are?"


    Lifting his head, Luo Hun revealed a handsome face from beneath his rain hat, except the left side had a brand mark, bearing the character for "prisoner."


    "His Majesty sent me here to give you an ancient hour to prepare, and then to follow me," Luo Hun said expressionlessly. After speaking, he walked past Gu An, heading into the valley.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s eyes twinkled with joy.


    Finally, they had come!


    He was eager to see just how extensive the Medicine Valley prepared by Li Xuandao was.


    He immediately went to find Wuxin. Wuxin had become the position of the greatest disciple in Mystic Valley, capable of overseeing the entire valley.


    The so-called greatest disciple was a position, not necessarily the disciple of the Valley Master, similar to the Supreme Sect''s greatest disciple who, possessing the strongest strength, wasn''t the disciple of the Sect Leader either.


    When Wuxin heard that Gu An would be leaving for a while, he was very excited. Gu An couldn''t help but remind him repeatedly, especially that the medicinal herbs must be left for him to personally harvest upon his return.


    Wuxin knew his senior brother had few hobbies, with picking being one of them; he promised not to harvest on his own.


    Luo Hun then approached Ye Yan, who was swinging a long staff, practicing a staff technique passed down in his family.


    Upon seeing Luo Hun approaching, Ye Yan hastily stopped and nervously looked towards him.


    Luo Hun took out a secret manual from his bosom and threw it to Ye Yan, saying, "Your physique is not bad, you can practice it."


    Catching the manual, Ye Yan replied, "But I am only of mixed spirit root..."


    "Spirit roots only define one''s aptitude for energy absorption and cultivation. There are other aspects to a person''s aptitude. Your physique is superior to ordinary people, making you a good candidate for spear training.


    Once you''ve mastered it, you can go to Cangzhou to join the army, establish your merits, and then exchange them for heavenly and earthly treasures to cleanse your marrow and change your destiny."


    Ye Yan was invigorated by Luo Hun''s words and promptly thanked him.


    Luo Hun nodded slightly, then continued to walk to other places, browsing the medicinal herbs planted within the valley.


    An hour later, Gu An found him and said they could go.


    Luo Hun lifted his hand and withdrew the long spear from behind, a dazzling golden long spear that caught the attention of the disciples in the valley.


    Nice gear!


    Gu An inwardly scoffed.


    Luo Hun leapt up with a bound, setting foot on the long spear in mid-air. He glanced at Gu An standing on the snowy ground and said, "Hop on."


    Gu An instantly leaped up, landing behind him, setting foot on the shaft of the spear.


    With a surge of Spiritual Power from Luo Hun, the long spear sped off with them, leaping over peaks and drawing a long line across the blanketed snow fog in the sky.


    The disciples in the valley gathered together, curiously discussing Luo Hun''s identity.


    The high sky was cold, and Gu An''s black hair was swept back, revealing a fair and graceful face.


    "Not bad, you have fine control over Spiritual Power, standing very steadily."


    Luo Hun''s voice sounded, his back to Gu An, with a tone of slight admiration.


    Gu An casually replied, "I have a fondness for the Sword Control Technique in my regular life, so I''ve studied it."


    "Although your cultivation level is low, being regarded by His Majesty means you must have extraordinary qualities. Once in that Medicine Valley, give it your all. I will protect the safety of the valley..."


    Luo Hun began talking about the Medicine Valley, and Gu An listened intently.


    According to Luo Hun, that Medicine Valley was very important to His Majesty, who planned to cultivate a batch of geniuses there for future use. If Gu An performed well, he could even receive a share of precious medicinal herbs.


    Gu An could feel that Luo Hun genuinely respected Li Xuandao, which piqued his interest in the "prisoner" mark on Luo Hun''s face.


    The Medicine Valley named Tianya Valley by Li Xuandao was indeed near the Supreme Sect, yet it was thousands of miles away from Mystic Valley, nestled in a range where Demon Beasts roamed.


    Gu An suggested building a Teleportation Array inside Tianya Valley to connect it to his Mystic Valley, but Luo Hun rejected the idea, stating that the existence of Tianya Valley must not be revealed to the Supreme Sect.


    This made Gu An really want to scoff.


    You placed it near the Supreme Sect and still want to keep it a secret?


    However, he thought of the Eight Scenic Caves and supposed Li Xuandao might have set up a high-rank formation.


    To accommodate Gu An, Luo Hun flew at a leisurely pace. As night fell, they were still flying.


    Gu An noticed the region was thick with Demon Energy, and even creatures on par with the Elixir Formation Realm lurked within.


    As expected!


    Suddenly, a third-tier Demon Bird swooped down from behind. But Luo Hun punched out, his Spiritual Power coalescing into a golden spear shadow that ripped the Demon Bird apart and casually absorbed its Demon Core into his hand.


    After this show of force, no demons dared to obstruct their path again.


    It wasn''t until the next morning that Gu An finally caught sight of Tianya Valley.


    The land and mountains ahead were enveloped in white snow and fog, with a white snow vortex among the mountains where the sunlight reflected, creating a vision of circling white cranes¡ªbeautiful, as if from an Immortal Realm.


    Gu An''s gaze penetrated the snow fog, seeing Tianya Valley, and his expression turned odd.


    situated amongst mountain ranges, Tianya Valley was indeed twice the size of Mystic Valley in terms of territory. On the surrounding mountains stood stone steles, clearly part of some sort of yet-to-be-activated formation.


    The problem was that the valley was overrun with wild, untamed grasses!


    Which meant, he had to start by clearing the land!


    Gu An couldn''t help asking, "Is it just the two of us in Tianya Valley for now?"


    Luo Hun looked ahead, allowing the long spear to descend. He replied, "No need to worry, I will capture a few demon creatures nearby to help you. This valley must not recruit anyone casually; we must wait for His Majesty to send people."

 Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Zhou Tongyou, The Strongest in a Century

    Catching demons?


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s interest was piqued.


    As they continued to descend, the terrain of Tianya Valley emerged through the snow and mist. Seen from mid-air, it appeared like a vast green ocean, with small streams flowing from the surrounding mountains into the valley. Along the edges of the valley lay two small rivers that, upon closer inspection, flowed into the ground.


    Soon, Luo Hun landed with Gu An, who then took out a cloth to wrap his long spear.


    "From now on, you are the Valley Master. You can do whatever you like and command me at any time," Luo Hun said.


    Gu An nodded and took out the Heavenly Residence Sword, saying, "You can start by constructing some pavilions around the perimeter. I''ll take care of the weeding."


    Luo Hun''s eyes landed on the scabbard of the Heavenly Residence Sword, and his pupils dilated instantly; he knelt down immediately, saying solemnly, "This lowly one, Luo Hun, greets the Master of the Heavenly Residence Sword!"


    Gu An had deliberately taken out the Heavenly Residence Sword, fearing that Luo Hun might not take him seriously enough.


    The effect was quite good!


    "What are you doing? Get up, get up," Gu An feigned panic and quickly helped Luo Hun to his feet.


    After rising, Luo Hun gave a complex look and said in a deep voice, "I didn''t expect His Majesty to have given you the Heavenly Residence Sword."


    Gu An asked in surprise, "Why such a big reaction?"


    Luo Hun answered, "There are three Emperor Swords in Taicang, and to see the sword is to see the Emperor: Heavenly Inquiry, Heavenly Residence, and Heavenly Punishment. His Majesty holds the Heavenly Punishment Sword, and the Crown Prince possesses the Heavenly Inquiry Sword. Without His Majesty''s permission, no one can take a sword at will, so to see the sword is like seeing the Emperor."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An suddenly felt that Li Ya held a high position in Li Xuandao''s heart, equal to that of the Crown Prince.


    Without Li Xuandao''s consent, it would be difficult for Li Ya to inherit the Heavenly Residence Sword.


    But now that the sword was in his hands, Gu An wondered if Li Xuandao had any schemes in mind.


    Gu An was accustomed to considering the worst-case scenario, so he felt that Li Xuandao''s thoughts were not so simple¡ªafter all, the heart of an emperor is as unfathomable as the sea.


    "I see. Let''s get to work then," Gu An replied.


    Luo Hun had no objections, but he couldn''t help giving the Heavenly Residence Sword a few more glances.


    Then, he saw Gu An using the Heavenly Residence Sword to weed, which left him speechless.


    After struggling for a while, Luo Hun finally turned and left.


    An hour later.


    The array steles around Tianya Valley were activated, each emitting a burst of blue light that shot into the sky. The lights converged high above to form a semi-circular barrier that enveloped the entire Tianya Valley before turning transparent.


    After activating the formation, Luo Hun began to build the pavilions.


    By noon, Gu An had cleared all the weeds at the bottom of the valley, working with incredible efficiency. If not for the need to hide his real strength, he could have cleared the weeds with a mere stamp of his foot.


    Three days later.


    Gu An had finished sowing, and Luo Hun had brought many seeds of high-rank medical herbs, seemingly with an endless supply from his storage bag.


    During these three days, Luo Hun had built five pavilions and caught three monkey demons.


    All three monkey demons were second-tier demon beasts, capable of walking upright. Apart from their hairy bodies, they looked no different from humans.


    Luo Hun asked Gu An to name them, so he named them according to their cultivation levels from highest to lowest: Sun Da, Sun Er, Sun San. This left Luo Hun silent for a long while.


    The three monkey demons, however, seemed quite pleased with their surnames.


    Gu An led the three monkey demons around the garden area, assigning them their daily tasks.


    The three monkey demons were already capable of human speech and were quite clever; communicating with them was easy. Gu An wasn''t worried about them causing trouble because they were bound by curse magic by Luo Hun, who controlled their life and death.


    Meanwhile, Luo Hun lay on the stairs of a pavilion, taking out a book from his bosom. On it were clearly written the words "Investiture of the Gods."


    He too was an admirer of "Investiture of the Gods." Gu An had discussed it with him before, and Luo Hun had been very excited, unlike his usual aloof demeanor.


    As evening approached, Gu An found Luo Hun and informed him that he was returning to Mystic Valley.


    Luo Hun was worried about him encountering danger on the way, as the path was rife with demon creatures. Nevertheless, Gu An insisted on going back.


    Gu An assured him that he would be careful.


    Luo Hun thought for a moment, then took out ten talisman papers from his storage bag, "These contain an Invisibility Technique. Infuse them with Spiritual Power, and you can become invisible, your aura undetectable. Unless you encounter a third-tier or Elixir Formation Realm existence, it would be very hard to detect you.


    Each talisman lasts for five ancient hours, so use them sparingly since you still need to return."


    Gu An accepted the talisman papers, thanking Luo Hun with a bow of his fist.


    Luo Hun was still somewhat uneasy and suggested, "Why don''t you perform Foundation Establishment first? I have Foundation Establishment Pills here."


    Gu An shook his head, "I have my own Foundation Establishment Pills. You don''t have to worry about me. I''ve memorized the way back, and I have plenty of Spirit Energy Elixirs."


    With that, he flew away on his sword.


    Leaving from within Tianya Valley, he was not obstructed by the formation, but entering would be difficult.


    Luo Hun watched Gu An''s departing figure, his brow slightly furrowed.


    He thought of His Majesty''s words and could only sigh.


    Li Xuandao had instructed that if Gu An died, he would replace him with someone else as Valley Master. Luo Hun''s only task was to guard Tianya Valley.


    ...


    After traveling a hundred miles away from Tianya Valley, Gu An suddenly sped up. Before nightfall, he returned to Mystic Valley.


    With Tianya Valley to manage, Gu An''s coming days became busy¡ªtending to the residences of Outer Disciple''s Cave was one of his tasks, and he had to visit Tianya Valley from time to time to check on things. He didn''t trust the monkeys entirely.


    Although constantly on the move, Gu An felt energized rather than tired, his fighting spirit undiminished.


    In a few years, his lifespan was about to surge!


    Once the promised Medicine Valley from Gu Zong was in his hands, a life span of a million years seemed not so out of reach.


    Gu An even contemplated studying Puppetry Technique; he thought of leaving a puppet in each Medicine Valley to help guard the condition of the medical herbs.


    Before that, however, he had to enhance his apparent cultivation level.


    The cultivation level of the ninth layer in the Energy Cultivation Realm was not enough, at least going back and forth between Mystic Valley and Tianya Valley would be quite troublesome.


    And so, after fifteen days passed.


    Gu An came to the Outer Sect, and he went to visit Elder Liu at the Book Collection Hall.


    He felt Elder Liu had more authority than Zhu Qinglu from the Elixir Hall.


    The two met alone in the inner room, where Elder Liu was perusing the latest volume of Investiture of the Gods, saying with a smile, "Not bad, not bad, it''s very thrilling, I can''t help but itch to read more just by flipping through it."


    Gu An hesitated and then said, "Elder Liu, I have a favor to ask."


    Elder Liu, without looking up, asked, "What is it?"


    "I''m preparing for my Foundation Establishment, but I don''t want to become an Outer Disciple, I want to continue as the Valley Master of Mystic Valley; it''s also more convenient for writing. If I become an Outer Disciple and have to carry out missions, I''m afraid I''ll die out there..."


    "Is that all?"


    "Can Elder Liu arrange it?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Of course, hehe, I''ll go directly to Gu Yu. He once told me his father holds you in high regard and asked me to look after you and try to meet your requests as much as possible."


    Elder Liu said with a laugh, his expression as cunning as a fox''s.


    Gu An immediately expressed his gratitude.


    Putting down the book in his hand, Elder Liu said, "You''re already considered a special talent of the Supreme Sect. The proceeds you turn in annually already rank among the top three in the Medicine Valley, not to mention, you can also write Investiture of the Gods. Because of your book, the number of disciples the Supreme Sect recruits each year has increased by fifty percent.


    Your contribution has already far exceeded the contributions of Outer Disciples carrying out missions."


    "You just relax, even if you''re able to reach the Core Formation stage in the future, we won''t send you out on missions."


    Laughing at his own remarks, Elder Liu was amused by the irony.


    He himself had not been able to reach the Core Formation stage, how could Gu An?


    Gu An felt a burden lifted, this would make things much easier.


    He just had to avoid appearing too talented and could gradually improve his apparent cultivation level; this would also be convenient for his future actions.


    Suddenly, Elder Liu seemed to recall something and said, "Lately, the genius Zhou Tongyou of Jueshan Sect plans to come to the Supreme Sect to challenge young Cultivators below a hundred years old. It''s expected to be a lively event. You can gather more information to inspire your next book. Remember, when the time comes, make sure to include the Supreme Sect in the story."


    Investiture of the Gods was nearing completion, and Elder Liu had already received instructions from above.


    Gu An nodded and curiously asked, "Is that Zhou Tongyou very impressive?"


    "Naturally, he is impressive. He was born with Dual Spirit Roots, and his physique, the Evil Suppressing Golden Body, was cultivated by the Zhou Family''s efforts over thousands of years. He has been unbeaten within the same realm, and once, with the cultivation level of the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he slew a Cultivator in the third layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.


    His fame shook the Immortal Cultivation World, and he has been called the strongest genius in the Taicang Immortal Cultivation World in a hundred years," Elder Liu said with admiration as he recounted that battle, and Gu An listened earnestly.


    Geniuses who can defeat enemies beyond their own realm, in Gu An''s eyes, all had the aura of a main character.


    After all, he couldn''t do that, or rather, he didn''t dare to do so.


    Compared to defeating strong enemies beyond his own realm, he preferred to suppress weaker ones with a stronger cultivation level.


    Half an hour later, Gu An left the Book Collection Hall.


    After purchasing a batch of items in the city, he hurried back to Mystic Valley.


    The next morning, Gu An gathered his disciples for training exercises and announced that he had successfully established his foundation the previous night, which surprised the disciples.


    Wuxin felt both excited and a bit reluctant.


    With their master''s success in foundation establishment, he would surely move to the Outer Sect, and Wuxin would become the Valley Master!


    "Master, does that mean you''re going to leave us?" Zhen Qin hurriedly asked, her tone sounding reluctant, with a pitiable expression on her face.


    The other disciples also looked nervously at Gu An, as Wuxin reined in his excitement and pretended to look downcast.


    Gu An sighed and said, "Yes... "


    The disciples'' expressions instantly dimmed, and Wuxin''s heart pounded uncontrollably.


    The most saddened was Xiaochuan, as he was going to become the one with the oldest seniority in the valley.


    "However, because our Medicine Valley''s harvest has been good, I applied to the Outer Sect to stay in Medicine Valley, and the Outer Sect has agreed," said Gu An, swiftly transitioning.


    The disciples were stunned for a moment and then burst into cheers, crowding around Gu An.


    Wuxin froze, standing motionless for several breaths before he managed to squeeze out a smile.


    The happiest was Xiaochuan; knowing he had no hope of foundation establishment in this life, if Gu An could accompany him for a lifetime, of course, he would be overjoyed, as only Gu An would indulge his interest in raising demon creatures.


    Mystic Valley burst into joy, and it took Wuxin a good while to settle his emotions.


    Seeing his mood, Gu An pulled him aside and revealed that he would soon have a new Medicine Valley and that even if he remained in Mystic Valley, Wuxin could be in charge of it in the future.


    Wuxin would have the de facto authority of the Valley Master!


    This news excited Wuxin greatly.


    Seeing his enthusiastic smile, Gu An thought of Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu again.


    Things had changed.


    Days quickly passed by, and Gu An went out of the valley every two days to manage the Outer Disciples'' caves and visited Tianya Valley once every half a month.


    Once he knew that Gu An had established his foundation, Luo Hun became completely reassured about him and stopped bothering him.


    Seeing Luo Hun''s fondness for reading, Gu An brought him a copy of Green Hero Travelogue.


    However, oddly enough, when Gu An visited Tianya Valley afterward, he never saw Luo Hun holding Green Hero Travelogue.


    Maybe he didn''t like it?


    Then he wouldn''t bring it next time!


    But why wasn''t he reading Investiture of the Gods anymore?

 Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Internal Strife, Third Medicine Valley

    Winter had passed, and spring was upon them once more, signifying the arrival of another New Year.


    In Mystic Valley, the disciples were bustling about with preparations for the Spring Festival, while Gu An walked around with the White Spirit Rat cradled in his arms, inspecting each garden area.


    The White Spirit Rat thoroughly enjoyed being held by him, its eyes closed, seemingly asleep.


    A whooshing sound broke through the air from afar, and Gu An turned his head to see, a smile spreading across his face.


    Ye Lan had returned.


    She swiftly landed beside Gu An, retracting her flying sword into her storage bag, and said with a beaming smile, "Senior brother, I''m back for the festival. You wouldn''t be unwelcoming, would you?"


    Gu An looked at her and asked with a smile, "Is the Law Enforcement Hall not busy?"


    "No matter how busy it is, I can always find a few days to relax. A proper rest is conducive to cultivation¡ªthat''s what you''ve always taught me, and I''ve kept it in mind."


    Ye Lan blinked and said in a playful tone.


    After chatting for a while, Ye Lan pulled Gu An toward the loft, saying as they walked, "Senior brother, let''s go to your room first. I have something to show you." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A treasure?


    Gu An set the White Spirit Rat down on the ground and followed Ye Lan.


    As they made their way to the loft and entered the room, Ye Lan didn''t close the door, which relieved Gu An somewhat.


    Ye Lan walked over to the desk and pulled a brocade box from her storage bag, looking sideways at Gu An with a victorious smile, "Senior brother, this is a Foundation Establishment congratulatory gift I prepared especially for you."


    "There''s no need for this. When you established your foundation, I didn''t give you any gifts."


    "Without senior brother''s Foundation Establishment Pill, could I have established my foundation? I''m definitely not one of those geniuses who can forcibly establish their foundation with their own Spirit Root Qualification," Ye Lan said, shaking her head and smiling.


    Hearing this, Gu An no longer demurred. He moved next to her, curiously looking at the brocade box.


    Ye Lan opened the box, revealing a plant root inside that resembled ginseng. If one did not pay close attention, they would hardly notice the faint fluctuations of spiritual energy within.


    [Human-Faced Tree (Reviving State): 0/600/22000]


    Twenty-two thousand years of maximum lifespan?


    Gu An raised an eyebrow; it was the first time he had seen the words "reviving state."


    Ye Lan explained, "This is the root of a sixth-grade Spirit Tree. Just plant it in the ground for a few years, and it will grow again, enhancing the spiritual energy of the area."


    Gu An asked curiously, "Such a precious treasure, where did you get it from?"


    Ye Lan blinked and replied, "Not long ago, when I captured a spy from the Demon Path, I found it in the cave of a spy from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. I didn''t report it."


    "That¡­ isn''t that bad?"


    "Don''t worry, other disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall also keep some things, and the higher-ups have tacitly approved it. It''s fine as long as we don''t get too greedy, and no one knows about this treasure."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An felt less burdened. After thinking it over, he said, "If you need any herbs in the future, just let me know. I will soon have a second Medicine Valley, and we can help each other out."


    Ye Lan smiled, "Alright, I''ll go find the others now. I''ve brought gifts for them too."


    Gu An nodded, and Ye Lan then took her leave.


    He gazed at the brocade box on the desk, considering where to plant it.


    After much thought, he decided to save it for the Third Medicine Valley. The new valley needed a boost in spiritual energy; the more abundant the energy, the faster the herbs would grow.


    Mystic Valley already had its own rhythm and didn''t need a Spirit Tree, not to mention Tianya Valley¡ªwhy should he plant the seed himself?


    Tianya Valley was Li Xuandao''s Medicine Valley. He only had managerial rights. Should he need anything from Tianya Valley, he could simply ask Li Xuandao for it.


    Sometime later, Gu An put the brocade box into his storage bag and then sat at the desk, picking up a brush and beginning to write on a piece of paper.


    The arrival of Ye Lan made the atmosphere in Mystic Valley even better.


    As night fell, various activities for the Spring Festival began, the liveliness never ceasing. Once everyone was seated and started drinking, Zhen Qin asked Ye Lan to share her experiences of executing tasks as an Outer Disciple, and she agreed without refusal.


    Besides protecting the Outer Sect, disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall also had to venture out for training experiences, and Ye Lan was no exception.


    "The mission we took on at the time was to eradicate evil. We were sent to a mountain town where nearly a thousand households had died off in just a few short days. To prevent evil entities from further harming the civilians, the local authorities requested help from the Supreme Sect. There were seven of us¡­"


    Ye Lan vividly recounted the experience, and since it was nighttime, the listeners, especially the disciples, were wholly engrossed and anxious, with the female disciples huddling together.


    Watching the young girl who used to follow him around grow into someone who could stand on her own, Gu An''s smile never once faded.


    When Ye Lan got to the part about the ghosts, all the disciples'' hearts rose to their throats, even Xiaochuan, Wuxin, and Su Han were particularly on edge.


    It wasn''t until late into the night that the disciples dispersed.


    Ye Lan followed Gu An back to the loft, where he took out a martial arts manual he had written and handed it to her, saying, "This is a leg technique manual I found in the Inner Sect a while ago. Practice it when you have some free time."


    Gale Shadowless Leg!


    Ye Lan took the manual, not opening it right away but instead placing it into her storage bag. Looking at Gu An, she said, "Senior brother, you''d better be careful around Lu Jiujia in the future."


    "What''s wrong with him?" Gu An asked, puzzled.


    Ye Lan sighed and said, "Remember how we talked about the infighting within the Supreme Sect? The elders who oppose the Sect Leader are secretly recruiting disciples. Lu Jiujia has taken an Elder of the Outer Elder Hall as his mentor, and that Elder is serving the Sect Leader''s adversary. If things continue like this, the Supreme Sect will inevitably erupt into chaos.


    If the Sect Leader gets the last laugh, he will certainly clean out the disruptive disciples. Lu Jiujia won''t be able to escape."


    "I tried to warn him before, but he didn''t listen. He says that the path of Immortal Cultivation requires struggle and that it''s better to take a risk than to lead a mediocre life. His choice is not wrong, I''m just worried that if you get too close to him, you''ll be implicated later. He probably thinks the same, which is why he hasn''t returned to Mystic Valley."


    Hearing this, Gu An fell into silence.


    He couldn''t interfere with Lu Jiujia''s choices because what Lu Jiujia had said was true¡ªthe path of Immortal Cultivation demands contention.


    He didn''t vie for power because he could snatch life spans, and thus, he had no right to instruct others on how to cultivate immortality.


    Ye Lan started talking about other matters, revolving around the Outer Sect. Surprisingly, the internal struggles of the Supreme Sect even involved the Ji Family and the royal descendants. Gu An listened with keen interest.


    It was only by dawn that Gu An finally saw Ye Lan off.


    Despite talking throughout the night, both of them were still full of vigor.


    Before she left, Gu An reminded her not to forget to practice the Gale Shadowless Leg, to which Ye Lan nodded, her eyes carrying a trace of silent resentment.


    After her departure, Gu An called his disciples to practice drills.


    ...


    On a blistering summer day, the thirty-five-year-old Gu An stood by the window, gazing at the sky with a slight frown on his face.


    He was waiting for Gu Yu.


    The half-year deadline had passed; why hadn''t he come yet?


    Gu An was looking forward to his third Medicine Valley every day, his seeds already prepared and awaiting sowing.


    Could something have gone wrong?


    Gu An''s concern grew; last month, when he visited the Outer Sect, he distinctly felt an unusual atmosphere. A new group of disciples in black had appeared in the city, said to be from a division established by the new Great Elder of the Outer Sect called the Demon Extermination Hall.


    The Demon Extermination Hall was directly under the control of the Great Elder, and even the lowest Cultivation Level among its disciples was the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Their treatment was even above that of other divisions.


    The Supreme Sect had eight Outer Cities; if the Outer Sect was like this, let alone the Inner Sect and the Main City of the Sect, such strife would surely spread to the Gu Zong.


    Sigh!


    So annoying!


    It''s affecting my gardening!


    All of a sudden, Gu An felt like throwing a punch to burst those troublemakers.


    Just then, he sensed something and his gloomy face immediately bloomed into a smile.


    He''s here! He''s here at last!


    Gu An caught Gu Yu''s aura. Struggling to compose himself, he didn''t go downstairs.


    After a while, Gu Yu finally landed within Mystic Valley.


    "Gu An!"


    Gu Yu called out loudly, drawing the attention of all the disciples in the valley.


    Gu An pushed open the door, looked at Gu Yu, and said, "Brother Gu, come up and we''ll talk."


    Gu Yu threw the compass into his Storage Bag and then climbed the stairs.


    After entering the room, Gu An closed the door and poured him tea. Gu Yu, however, didn''t sit down. Instead, he started browsing the bookshelf as if searching for something.


    "I haven''t written the final volume of Investiture of the Gods yet," Gu An spoke up.


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yu showed his disappointment. He turned around to the table, took out a series of books from his Storage Bag, and finally, he produced a Token.


    "This is your Valley Master Token; your Medicine Valley is situated between the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect, less than a hundred miles from the Outer City. For you, at the Foundation Establishment Realm, going back and forth would not be much trouble. These books are the life experiences penned by my father. You can refer to them.


    My father said you''re not obligated to stick to the exact facts, so feel free to make changes, or even draw from his experiences to conjure up a fictional tale," Gu Yu explained, his expression gleeful, as he hinted suggestively with his eyes to Gu An.


    Gu An put down the teacup in front of him, took the Valley Master Token, and observed it. Unlike the bronze Token of Mystic Valley, this one was silver-white, with several layers of Restrictions sealed within.


    "Later, I''ll take you to the Medicine Valley. If you get lost afterward, project your Divine Sense into the Token and it will guide you," Gu Yu said after sipping his tea, then continued.


    Gu An nodded; he couldn''t wait to see his new Medicine Valley.


    Gu Yu seemed to recall something and said, "By the way, when you write about me, include Zhou Tongyou. Write him as the strongest young genius in the Immortal Cultivation World who greatly admires me, obedient only to my leadership."


    Gu An''s face twitched, "That doesn''t sound like a good idea; I''m afraid it could cause me trouble."


    "Whatever you want, just name it, I can fulfil it."


    "It''s not about the price."


    "A hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones!"


    "If he sees it, he will surely investigate me¡­"


    "A thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones, that''s all my possessions!"


    "What about a pun; would that work?"


    At this, Gu Yu raised his eyebrows, "Fine, but you can only change one character."


    "Agreed!"


    Gu An promised, though he had no intention of defaming Zhou Tongyou in the book. He considered making these two into brothers who both loved and competed with each other, thus offending neither.


    He could tell that Gu Yu bore no animosity towards Zhou Tongyou; otherwise, he wouldn''t just make Zhou Tongyou his underling but would slander him in the book.


    Gu Yu was likely just envious of Zhou Tongyou. If Gu An could turn Zhou Tongyou into his brother and add some emotionally charged plot points, Gu Yu would probably be satisfied.


    After resting for an hour, the two set off immediately, flying out of Mystic Valley on swords.

 Chapter 53: Chapter 53 The So-Called Understanding, Gu Ans Fury

    At dusk, the setting sun sank in the west.


    Gu An stood on the cliff, overlooking the Medicine Valley ahead, his face showing a look of satisfaction.


    Before him lay a series of not-too-tall mountains, and between them, a spacious valley that stretched for tens of miles in length and around two to three miles in width. The periphery of Medicine Valley was lined with rows of trees, serving as a natural barrier against the wind and waves.


    Gu Yu stood beside him and said, "There are Cave mansions of Inner Sect Disciples nearby, and not just one. As long as you don''t stray further than a hundred miles, you won''t encounter any Demon Beasts."


    Gu An nodded, his eyes brimming with anticipation.


    What he saw was not just the Medicine Valley, but a continuous flow of Life Span numbers.


    Gu Yu gave Gu An''s shoulder a pat before flying away on his sword while Gu An leapt forward, jumping toward Medicine Valley, his limbs swirling with visible wind currents, a manifestation of the Wind Control Skill.


    Gu Yu looked back while riding on his Flying Sword, his eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he did not turn back.


    After landing, Gu An first went to the entrance of the valley where a stone stele stood, bare, with no inscriptions.


    He used his finger as a sword to carve four characters with Sword Qi.


    Third Medicine Valley!


    The name was kept simple because he planned to have many more Medicine Valleys in the future.


    Looking at his own handwriting, Gu An was very satisfied, his calligraphy reflecting the sharpness resulting from the meticulous practice he put in for writing his books.


    After admiring his writing for a while, Gu An began to look for a place to build a loft.


    He decided to first construct the Teleportation Array.


    Eventually, twilight came to an end, and night gradually fell.


    By the campfire, Gu An sat on a rock, flipping through a book in his hand. This was given to him by Ji Xiaoyu, and it recorded how to construct the Teleportation Array she had provided.


    One must admit, the development of Immortal Cultivation in this world was indeed strong; looking at the book felt like reading a manual, albeit a simplified version, as the Teleportation Array Ji Xiaoyu had given to him already had Restrictions in place. He simply needed to follow the sequence in the book to construct it.


    Gu An prepared to stay up all night to build the Transmission Array Platform, and once it was ready, he would bring several Disciples over to sow seeds.


    Activating the Teleportation Array required Spirit Stones. At the moment, he was quite wealthy, not to mention the Spirit Stone earnings from "Investiture of the Gods." Gu Yu had just given him a thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones, enough for him to squander for a long while.


    When night passed, Gu An had successfully constructed the Transmission Array Platform and immediately flew away on his sword.


    After returning to Mystic Valley, he built a Transmission Array Platform next to his loft. His activities drew all the Disciples to come and watch.


    Xiaochuan asked what he was doing, and he did not hide it.


    Hearing that Gu An was about to take over another Medicine Valley and construct a Teleportation Array, the Disciples became interested and peppered him with questions.


    As Gu An worked on the Array Platform, he answered their questions.


    By noon, the construction was complete, and under everyone''s watchful gaze, Gu An placed Spirit Stones into the grooves on the array pillars. Once the stones were in place, he channeled Spiritual Power into the activation mechanism.


    Boom¡ª


    The Teleportation Array roared to life, the ground trembling slightly. From atop the Array Platform, two pillars emanated a bright light, converging to form a barrier of light.


    Gu An turned and surveyed the crowd, commanding, "Wuxin, go to the Outer Sect and recruit three Servant Disciples. Su Han, Zhen Qin, and Ye Yan, come with me; the rest of you will stay and guard Mystic Valley."


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin and the other two excitedly stepped forward and followed Gu An into the Teleportation Array.


    Before long, the teleportation light screen dissipated, and the Array Platform returned to calm.


    On the other side.


    Within Third Medicine Valley, Gu An started instructing the three Disciples to weed, while he took care of building houses.


    Su Han used a sword, Ye Yan used a spear, and Zhen Qin employed leg techniques to weed.


    Ever since Luo Hun taught Ye Yan a set of Spear Techniques, he couldn''t help but beg Gu An for an iron spear, which Gu An procured from the Outer Sect. It was no ordinary iron spear as it could contain Spiritual Power, and could be considered the lowest grade Magic Artifact.


    Gu An wasn''t interested in Spear Techniques, so he didn''t bother to watch Ye Yan''s practice.


    Ever since practicing with the spear, Ye Yan''s strength had been improving day by day; Gu An witnessed for the first time a real genius within Mystic Valley.


    Ye Yan''s Cultivation Level still rose slowly, but his actual combat strength surged rapidly. After only six months of practicing with the spear, even Tang Yu and Su Han combined were no match for him, which dealt quite a blow to the pair. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An also reflected on his own comprehension, which was the only thing that one could not directly enhance with Life Span.


    In this world, it seemed that Spirit Root Qualification could not decide everything.


    Gu An called for Su Han, Zhen Qin, and Ye Yan, partly because he wanted to guide them. In the calamity brought by Qiu Qianli, their performance had earned his favor, and he decided to cultivate them well, to help them go further.


    Located between the Inner and Outer Sects, Third Medicine Valley had richer Spiritual Energy that could help them in their cultivation. Occasionally, Gu An would also give them extra lessons.


    All three had the character to endure hardship. Before completing their weeding task, none of them took a break, even secretly competing to see who could work faster.


    Once they had cleared the weeds, Gu An had finished building four lofts.


    The four gathered in front of the lofts to rest. Su Han looked at Ye Yan with a trace of defiance in his eyes.


    Ye Yan, on the other hand, was much calmer, having become more restrained since practicing with the spear.


    As Zhen Qin wiped off sweat, he asked Gu An, "Master, is just the three of us enough for such a large area?"


    "Of course it''s enough. In the past, I took care of Mystic Valley all by myself while your Martial Uncle Meng Lang and Martial Uncle Li Ya slacked off every day," Gu An said with a quiet laugh.


    Looking back at those past petty squabbles, it all seemed amusing now, a pity that the old friends were no longer there.


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin prodded Gu An for more stories about his past.


    Su Han and Ye Yan also listened carefully; they had great respect for Gu An.


    Even though Ye Yan did not learn his Spear Technique from Gu An, he still felt indebted to his master. Without Gu An, would the mysterious Cultivator ever have visited Mystic Valley, let alone bestow upon him a Spear Technique?


    After chatting for half an hour, they all got back to work.


    Three days later.


    Third Medicine Valley was fully sown with medicinal herb seeds, but it still looked like a barren land, since seeds take time to germinate and grow.


    Gu An led them back to Mystic Valley to pack up their things, then had them move to live in Third Medicine Valley.


    Curious about this, the remaining Servant Disciples also wanted to go to the Third Medicine Valley, but Wuxin suppressed their curiosity.


    As the Valley Master of Mystic Valley, Wuxin couldn''t allow anyone to leave!


    Mystic Valley was his foundation!


    And so, Gu An''s trifecta of Medicine Valleys began operating, and the idyllic farming life unfolded.


    ...


    An Ancient Hour had passed since the Third Medicine Valley was sown, and while Zhen Qin and the other two guarded the valley, Gu An only came by occasionally.


    They only needed to take a little time each day to check on each of the areas, spending the rest of their time on cultivation.


    As evening approached, the sky turned a reddish hue.


    Zhen Qin walked out from her house, stretched lazily, and looked full of energy.


    The Cultivation Technique taught by Jiang Qiong allowed her Cultivation Level to increase rapidly, far surpassing her past, thus her zeal for cultivation reached its peak.


    She turned her head and saw Ye Yan still practicing his Spear Technique on the hillside by the entrance of the valley.


    "Not absorbing energy, can practicing the spear alone be useful?" Zhen Qin murmured to herself. She didn''t go over to join the excitement but took the opportunity to rest and check on each of the plots.


    This was all her master''s painstaking effort, after all.


    Elsewhere.


    Ye Yan was practicing his spear in the glow of the setting sun, his sweat pouring down like raindrops. Despite the soreness in his body, he didn''t stop.


    The Spear Technique he practiced was his only opportunity; he didn''t want to miss it, nor did he want to remain a Servant Disciple for life!


    "Even though the Spiritual Energy is richer inside, why don''t you practice your spear in the valley?" A voice came, startling Ye Yan, who turned to look.


    Standing in the air above the woods ten zhang away, a figure stood with a foot on the treetop, his blue garment fluttering in the wind, displaying an Immortal''s demeanor.


    When did they appear?


    Ye Yan was secretly alarmed. He put away his spear and turned, asking loudly, "Senior, may I know your business here?"


    Gu An had said that this was now the territory of the Inner Sect; hence any Cultivator they encountered must be respectfully addressed as Senior to avoid any discourtesy.


    The man in blue had an ordinary face, but his bright eyes were so compelling that one could hardly meet his gaze.


    "I was just passing by and saw you practicing the spear. Your Spear Technique is no ordinary one; it incorporates the method of absorbing energy to temper the body, which is quite rare."


    Zhou Tongyou leaped down from the tree and walked towards Ye Yan.


    Seeing him approach, Ye Yan was very nervous. How should he deal with him in the absence of his master?


    "You haven''t answered my question yet," Zhou Tongyou reminded him. His tone was calm, but the calmer he was, the more pressure Ye Yan felt.


    Ye Yan, bracing himself, replied, "Behind me is my master''s Medicine Valley. It''s only been sown for an Ancient Hour; I don''t want to affect the growth of those herbs because of my cultivation."


    "Is this Spear Technique taught by your master?"


    "No, it''s from a friend of my master."


    "To have such a friend, your master must also be extraordinary. May I ask for your master''s name?"


    "My master is named Gu An."


    While answering, Ye Yan was perplexed, not understanding what the other party''s intentions were.


    Zhou Tongyou stopped walking and raised his hand, proposing, "How about a little sparring? I won''t use Spiritual Power or magic artifacts, just techniques. What do you say?"


    Ye Yan frowned, quite hesitant.


    "Are you scared?"


    Zhou Tongyou''s words ignited Ye Yan''s fighting spirit. He had faced even the great Cultivators of the Demon Path without fear; why would he be afraid of the man before him!


    ...


    At noon, Gu An used the Teleportation Array to arrive at the Third Medicine Valley. He first used his Divine Sense to survey all the plots and, finding no problems, then turned his attention to his disciples.


    Soon, he was drawn to Ye Yan, who was practicing his spear at the entrance of the valley.


    As he approached, Ye Yan noticed and slightly turned, showing his back to him.


    "Yan''er, how did you get injured?" Gu An approached and asked.


    After a moment of hesitation, Ye Yan chose to face Gu An and was seen with a bruised face and even a palm print on his left cheek.


    He told Gu An about what had happened the previous evening. Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately became furious.


    Someone had dared to bully his disciple!


    "What''s his name? Will he come again?"


    "I don''t know; he didn''t say. He just said that he''d come to find me again when he''s less busy."


    "Don''t worry, your master will support you!"


    Gu An patted Ye Yan''s shoulder and gave him some Healing Pills to take.


    For the next few days, Gu An stayed in the Third Medicine Valley, yet the assailant who had beaten Ye Yan did not show up.


    However, after Gu An left to take care of his Cave in the Outer Sect, he returned to find that Ye Yan had been beaten again.


    The assailant hit him and then left.


    Time and again, over the next two months, Ye Yan was beaten four times, each time Gu An wasn''t present.


    Gu An began to suspect that the assailant was deliberately avoiding him.


    That day at noon, Gu An was reading under a tree. Below was a slope that led to the entrance of the valley, giving him a clear view of Ye Yan practicing the spear.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An sensed something, his eyebrows raised slightly as he thought, finally, they have come!

 Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Your Sword is So Fast

    Under Gu An''s watchful eye, a figure flew swiftly and landed in front of Ye Yan.


    Seeing him, Ye Yan immediately tensed up and even took two steps back.


    [Zhou Tongyou (Elixir Formation Realm, Nine Layers): 62/900/3100]


    It was actually him!


    Gu An hadn''t expected to encounter Zhou Tongyou, whose name had recently shaken the Supreme Sect.


    Zhou Tongyou challenged younger disciples everywhere he went, undefeated in battle, his fame even reaching the Outer Sect.


    Since Zhou Tongyou''s Jueshan Sect was also a respected righteous sect, which maintained good relations with the Supreme Sect, the Great Cultivators of Supreme Sect couldn''t target him. Thus, Zhou Tongyou had been wantonly challenging for over half a year now, without anyone to punish him.


    Zhou Tongyou only engaged in combat, never killing, and he proclaimed that he would only challenge those under the age of a hundred. Many Cultivators of the Supreme Sect could only watch, seething in silent anger.


    The entire Supreme Sect was under the pressure of Zhou Tongyou''s presence, with no one daring to question his rules. Even though his opponents were under a hundred years old, he was still 38 years away from that age himself. He challenged disciples of the Supreme Sect who were ninety-nine years old, which in actuality gave the Supreme Sect an advantage.


    Yet even so, no one had been able to defeat him.


    Zhou Tongyou''s gaze glanced at Gu An on the nearby hillside, his expression calm.


    Gu An put his book away and then stood up and walked down.


    He made his way between Zhou Tongyou and Ye Yan, turned to face Zhou Tongyou, and clasped his fists, saying, "I am Gu An, Ye Yan''s master. May I know where my disciple has offended the senior?"


    Ye Yan, watching Gu An standing in front of him, felt deeply moved.


    Gu An had said before that all the Cultivators here were Inner Sect Disciples, which meant they had reached the Elixir Formation Realm.


    How could Ye Yan not be moved when Gu An, only at the Foundation Establishment Realm, dared to confront a Cultivator of the Elixir Formation Realm for his sake?


    "You''re his master? Your Cultivation Level is disappointing," Zhou Tongyou said, scrutinizing Gu An with a frown.


    Gu An replied, "My disciple is only at the Qi Cultivation Realm. As his master, how high can my Cultivation Level be?"


    Zhou Tongyou huffed, "I''m not bullying your disciple, I''m acknowledging his worth."


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yan''s face instantly turned green, and he found himself at a loss for words.


    Gu An stared at him, saying, "If you wanted to give him pointers, you could have been straightforward. My disciple would have been grateful for your favor. But you didn''t articulate that and struck quite heavily. Perhaps you really had an intention to instruct, but in your heart, you must have disdained him, which is why you couldn''t be bothered to explain."


    If Zhou Tongyou were the top genius of the Supreme Sect, Gu An might have reconsidered, but he was not.


    Without reason, Gu An didn''t want to provoke Zhou Tongyou. However, if Zhou Tongyou bullied him, Gu An wouldn''t be lenient or merciful.


    Zhou Tongyou, hearing Gu An''s words, furrowed his brows even more deeply.


    He wanted to retort, but he understood that Gu An had not misjudged him; he did indeed hold some contempt for Ye Yan. His frequent offers of instruction were just whims.


    "Hmph, it seems you are coming to accuse me. Very well, the rule remains the same: no use of Spiritual Power, relying only on techniques. If you win against me, I will apologize to your disciple and gift him a complete book on Body Refining Sorcery. How about that?" Zhou Tongyou stared at Gu An, his voice cold.


    "Master, forget it!"


    Ye Yan hurriedly interjected, well aware of Zhou Tongyou''s strength; even if it were a contest of techniques alone, it was unfathomably deep.


    Gu An asked, "Only a comparison of techniques?"


    "That''s right!"


    Seeing Gu An''s interested reaction, Zhou Tongyou revealed a smile, though it was somewhat ferocious.


    Gu An frowned and said, "If you lose, you cannot speak of your defeat to me, nor can you bother us master and disciple anymore."


    Hehe, he actually wants to compare techniques with me!


    Zhou Tongyou laughed, "All according to your wishes. Quickly, take up a weapon."


    Gu An raised his right hand, and with a motion through the air, he drew a branch from the forest to himself, grasped it in his hand as if it were a sword, and gestured to Zhou Tongyou with his left hand.


    Zhou Tongyou immediately walked towards Gu An, the distance between them narrowing. Ye Yan quickly moved out of the way, wary of hindering his master.


    When they were less than seven steps apart, Zhou Tongyou suddenly accelerated, stepping right up to Gu An, and aimed a punch with his right fist towards Gu An''s abdomen.


    Even without using Spiritual Power, the punch, as it was thrown, seemed to roar like tigers and leopards. Zhou Tongyou''s fist hadn''t even made contact with Gu An when Gu An already felt an overwhelming fierce energy bearing down on him.


    Hu¡ª¡ª


    Zhou Tongyou''s fist stopped, his pupils shaking violently, his expression astonished.


    Ye Yan''s eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him.


    Gu An''s body leaned slightly backward, the branch in his hand pointed at Zhou Tongyou''s throat, while Zhou Tongyou''s punch was still two feet away from Gu An.


    "If what I had in my hand was a sword, I wonder if I could have wounded you?"


    Gu An asked calmly, watching Zhou Tongyou''s face change colors.


    After a few moments, Zhou Tongyou retracted his fist, and Gu An withdrew his ''sword'' in kind.


    Zhou Tongyou took a deep breath, looked at Ye Yan, and said, "My apologies, I went too far!"


    He took out a book from his Storage Bag and tossed it to Ye Yan, then his gaze turned back to Gu An.


    "Your swordsmanship is very fast. Who exactly are you?"


    Gu An threw the branch back into the forest, saying calmly, "I''m just a Cultivator with mediocre Spirit Root Qualification who doesn''t like Energy Absorption. I simply enjoy practicing the sword. My sword techniques aren''t exquisite, but they are fast enough. Had we not set rules, I certainly wouldn''t have been a match for you."


    If Zhou Tongyou had refused to honor the outcome, Gu An would have made him regret it. Now that he kept his word, willing to apologize to a Servant Disciple, Gu An''s impression of him changed.


    This person may be proud, but he''s not a bad sort.


    Upon hearing this, Zhou Tongyou''s face shifted between shades, and he clenched his teeth, asking, "You really won''t talk about today''s incident?"


    "I don''t even know your name, so how could I speak of it?" Gu An countered.


    Zhou Tongyou heaved a sigh of relief, bowed with folded fists to Gu An, and then turned and left, moving even faster than when he arrived.


    Ye Yan came over, exclaiming excitedly, "Master, I didn''t expect your sword to be so fast, defeating him with just one move!"


    Gu An glanced towards the valley. Inside, Zhen Qin was absorbed in Energy Absorption, while Su Han was practicing the sword in a forest miles away. Neither had noticed the recent sparring match.


    ```


    "Don''t let this matter out, treat it as a secret between just the two of us, master and disciple. Don''t even mention it to your fellow senior brothers and sisters," Gu An instructed Ye Yan.


    Ye Yan nodded excitedly, feeling an even closer bond with his master.


    Teaching Zhou Tongyou a lesson was just a minor interlude for Gu An, after which he could leave Third Medicine Valley without having to stay on guard.


    However.


    One month later, when Gu An returned to Third Medicine Valley, he saw Zhou Tongyou''s figure at the entrance of the valley.


    Ye Yan was practicing with his spear while Zhou Tongyou stood by watching.


    Zhou Tongyou, sensing Gu An''s gaze, immediately beamed and waved at him enthusiastically.


    A hint of displeasure flashed in Gu An''s eyes as he walked over.


    Upon reaching the entrance of the valley, Gu An asked with a frown, "Why are you here again?"


    Is this guy planning to stick around the Supreme Sect?


    Zhou Tongyou said excitedly, "I figured out how to break through your sword technique, come on, let''s have another match!"


    "Didn''t we agree you wouldn''t bother me anymore? Going back on your word?"


    "It''s not bothering you. Look, ask for anything you want, I just want to try out your sword moves," Zhou Tongyou hurried to explain.


    Ye Yan, who was unharmed, spoke up, "Master, he has been waiting here for four days."


    Gu An frowned, hesitating.


    Zhou Tongyou, thinking of something, pulled out a small cloth bag from his storage bag and said, "In here are seeds of fourth-grade medicinal herbs, all for you. Just spar with me, I''m not doing it to win; I want to learn from you."


    Gu An took the cloth bag, weighed it with his hand, and sighed, "Only this one time."


    "There will be no next time!"


    Zhou Tongyou said excitedly, thinking to himself that this time he would definitely make Gu An admit defeat convincingly!


    He took a sword out of his storage bag and tossed it to Gu An, saying, "This is a mid-grade flying sword, very suitable for cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm. It''s for you, take this sword and fight me!"


    With that, he himself pulled out a long spear.


    What a move!


    A longer reach means a stronger punch?


    Gu An, holding the flying sword, didn''t know whether to laugh or to cry.


    Zhou Tongyou, facing his gaze, felt somewhat awkward and quickly explained, "Same rules as before, no using spiritual power, only techniques!"


    "Come on then!"


    This time, Zhen Qin and Su Han heard the commotion and ran over quickly, but before they could reach the entrance of the valley, Gu An made the first move.


    He threw the flying sword in his hand, attacking Zhou Tongyou!


    Zhou Tongyou''s pupils suddenly dilated, thinking to himself how fast!


    No, this fellow''s physical strength is tremendous!


    Zhou Tongyou sidestepped and thrust forward with his spear because he saw Gu An following closely behind the flying sword.


    In the blink of an eye, Gu An tilted his head, grabbed the spear shaft with his left hand, pulled it back, and with his right hand used two fingers as a sword, pointing at Zhou Tongyou.


    Everything happened too fast, so fast that even Ye Yan couldn''t keep up with his eyes.


    When the two stopped, Gu An''s fingers were already at Zhou Tongyou''s throat.


    Zhou Tongyou still held the long spear in his hands but his body had stiffened.


    "How can you be so fast... are you really only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment Realm?" Zhou Tongyou asked through gritted teeth, cold sweat forming on his forehead.


    Gu An replied, "If we used spiritual power, you would be faster than me; it''s your rules that gave me the advantage. I''m not your match at all, why do you insist on using such rules to defeat me? We ordinary cultivators have our own dignity, too."


    He released his hands, and Zhou Tongyou''s face turned bright red, his teeth clenched as he said, "I didn''t mean to trample on your dignity."


    "Farewell!"


    He left as if fleeing.


    By this time, Zhen Qin and Su Han had arrived. Gu An ignored them, picked up the flying sword, and walked towards the valley.


    In the eyes of the three disciples, his silhouette completely embodied the demeanor of a master.


    Another month later, Zhou Tongyou came again, bringing even more seeds of medicinal herbs. Gu An could only reluctantly accept them.


    This time, Gu An defeated him in three moves, leaving him feeling dejected but also glimpsing a sliver of hope.


    Zhou Tongyou''s generosity made Gu An somewhat reluctant to send him away.


    Time flew by, and the end of the year arrived.


    Winter snow blanketed Tianya Valley.


    Gu An, accompanied by three monkey demons, patrolled Medicine Valley. After checking everything, he headed toward the loft, looking at his lifespan as he went. Although he had been busy sowing seeds this year, the increase in his lifespan was not slow; thanks to the contributions from Outer Disciple''s cave and Mystic Valley, he had gained a fair amount of lifespan.


    In a few more years, when Tianya Valley and Third Medicine Valley welcomed their harvest, his lifespan would start to surge.


    Just as Gu An arrived in front of the loft, Luo Hun came over, looking very awkward and hesitant as he said, "Lately, why haven''t you brought any books?"


    "Do you want to read books? I thought you didn''t like them." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Medicine Valley is dull, there needs to be something to relax the Daoist Heart."


    "Alright, next time I''ll bring you the latest volume of Investiture of the Gods."


    *Cough cough*, bringing a few volumes of Green Hero Travelogue wouldn''t be bad either."


    ```

 Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Supreme Immortal Venerable, Sect Leader Changes Hands

    Seeing Luo Hun''s awkward expression, Gu An suddenly realized, "So this fellow shares my tastes, why didn''t you say so earlier!"


    Gu An immediately patted Luo Hun on the shoulder and laughed, "Brother Luo, I didn''t expect you to share my preferences. To be honest, compared to the battles and struggles over Daoist traditions in ''Investiture of the Gods,'' I prefer the tranquil interactions between people and the experience of roaming mountains and waters. Those are what truly refine the Daoist Heart!"


    His words made Luo Hun feel less embarrassed, and a smile spread across his face.


    The two began to talk freely about ''Green Hero Travelogue,'' and their relationship grew closer.


    However, Luo Hun still maintained his reserve, not daring to talk about the affairs between men and women in ''Green Hero Travelogue,'' but only about the strange and wonderful sights.


    Teasing the pseudo-earnest Luo Hun gave Gu An a great sense of amusement.


    From now on, Tianya Valley wouldn''t be so boring!


    ¡­


    Time flies like an arrow, and three years swiftly passed by.


    Another scorching summer arrived, and Gu An was now thirty-eight years old. Starting this year, the Third Medicine Valley would welcome the first batch of mature medicinal herbs, and he was looking forward to it.


    As for Tianya Valley, since it planted high-rank medical herbs, it would require more waiting.


    One morning, Gu An was leading his disciples in drills in Mystic Valley.


    Even though Zhen Qin and the other two had gone to the Third Medicine Valley, three new servant disciples were welcomed, and Mystic Valley was still bustling.


    As Gu An was twisting his waist, he suddenly sensed something and smiled.


    Xiaochuan noticed his smile and couldn''t help but ask, "Senior Brother, what are you smiling at?"


    "It''s nothing, continue practicing," Gu An brushed it off, and Xiaochuan had no choice but to drop the subject.


    A while later, the drills disbanded, the disciples scattered, and Gu An walked towards his own loft.


    Just as he reached the foot of the building, a whizzing sound came from the distance. He turned his head and saw someone flying towards him on a sword.


    It was Li Ya!


    After many years, Li Ya was still clad in black robes, but there was a change in his demeanor, and a strand of white hair above his brow added a touch of weathering.


    From afar, Li Ya saw Gu An and a smile cracked on his stern face, like an iceberg melting.


    Li Ya''s cultivation had reached the Nine Layers of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and Gu An felt that he was even stronger than Ji Lin had been, probably not far from Core Formation.


    After landing, Li Ya opened his arms and hugged Gu An, which caused him to stiffen a bit.


    "Not bad, you''ve reached Foundation Establishment, it seems you''ve been working hard," Li Ya said, pinching Gu An''s shoulder with a satisfied smile on his face.


    Gu An naturally wriggled out of his "clutches" and grinned, "You''re finally back, has everything been going smoothly?"


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "Not smoothly, but I''ve turned misfortune into a blessing. Let''s go inside and talk."


    Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.


    An hour later.


    In the loft, Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other, drinking. After hearing about Li Ya''s experiences over the years, he was filled with emotion.


    "It feels like it could be written into a book," Gu An remarked.


    Li Ya laughed and said, "Indeed, though I''ve had several close brushes with death, they''ve made me who I am now."


    Over the years, Li Ya had gone south in search of a legacy from a Divinity Transformation Cultivator, contended with various prodigies, and finally broke through the encirclement. Unfortunately, that Divinity Transformation Cultivator had actually intended to possess him. Luckily, he turned danger into safety.


    Although he didn''t explain how he escaped the peril, Gu An conjectured it had to do with the soul in his body.


    After the crisis of possession, Li Ya learned a whiff of Sword Intent in that cultivator''s cave, which he absorbed over three years, transforming him.


    Afterward, he returned from Jizhou in the south, encountering other twists and turns on his way. For instance, he came across a woman oppressed by a local noble family and rescued her. Unfortunately, shortly after he left, he heard the family had been forced to death.


    The tragedy was widely discussed among the common folk, prompting him to return and slaughter that noble family, stirring up much controversy in the region.


    The local government pursued Li Ya for several days before giving up and even withdrew the warrant for his arrest.


    When Li Ya recounted this part of his journey, his tone was not overly sorrowful but rather cold.


    Gu An poured another cup of wine for Li Ya, who suddenly asked, "Junior Brother Gu, what is the purpose of cultivating to immortality? Is it merely in pursuit of the elusive longevity? But from ancient times to now, has there ever been a person who truly achieved immortality?"


    Hearing this, Gu An poured wine for himself and said, "I''m not sure what those who pursue immortality are truly seeking, but I know that as long as you live, you should feel at ease. Whatever makes you feel at ease is what you should do."


    "I spend my days planting flowers and herbs. To many, that seems like a waste of years meant for cultivation, but I find such days interesting. The herbs I grow can help the Sect and have some significance, right?"


    He didn''t think Li Ya was being affected; after going through certain events, it''s normal to feel lost.


    Hearing this, Li Ya pinched his wine cup and fell into deep thought.


    This contemplation lasted half an hour, and Gu An didn''t disturb him, but instead began to read ''Green Hero Travelogue.''


    Once Li Ya had finished thinking, his eyes brightened. He looked up at Gu An and said, "Great truths are never found in grand temples. Junior Brother Gu, thank you, I think I know what to do now."


    He stood up, took out a small white jade bottle from his Storage Bag, and said, "This is an elixir made from a thousand-year-old Spirit Fat that refines muscles and bones. You can take at most two a year. I must return to form my core."


    Without waiting for Gu An to ask him to stay, he jumped out the window and left.


    Gu An was silent. Why did this youngster always like to jump out of the window?


    His gaze settled on the white jade bottle on the table.


    Why does everyone love to give him gifts?


    A helpless expression crossed Gu An''s face, but he still put the bottle into his Storage Bag.


    ¡­


    The summer nights arrive late; Gu An went to the Third Medicine Valley. Just stepping off the Teleportation Array, his gaze was drawn to a small pavilion in the distance, where Zhen Qin, Su Han, Ye Yan, and Zhou Tongyou were sitting together, chatting merrily.


    Gu An walked over immediately.


    Zhou Tongyou, who was chatting away, glanced at Gu An and smiled. When the others followed his gaze, they quickly stood up.


    Approaching the pavilion, Gu An asked with annoyance, "Why are you here again? Haven''t you emptied your storage bag yet?"


    Three years had passed, and Zhou Tongyou had come no less than ten times, each time bringing medicinal herbs, elixirs, and magic artifacts. During their last spar, it took Gu An ten moves to defeat him, and he barely won.


    Well, he had to pretend it was barely a victory.


    Zhou Tongyou laughed and said, "Don''t worry, I''m not here to spar with you this time. I''m here to say goodbye. I''m leaving. I''ve been at the Supreme Sect for so many years, and you''re the true friend I''ve made. I really acknowledge you."


    A friend?


    Gu An didn''t know how to respond.


    Ye Yan looked at Zhou Tongyou with some reluctance. Over the years, every time Zhou Tongyou visited, he would give Ye Yan cultivation advice, amounting to half a master to him.


    "What do you mean you''ve been at the Supreme Sect for so many years? Are you not a disciple of the Supreme Sect?" Zhen Qin asked in shock, his eyes wide open.


    Su Han and Ye Yan were also greatly shaken.


    They all had the same thought.


    Could this person be a spy from the Demon Path?


    Zhou Tongyou said with a smug smile, "Forget it, I wanted to keep a low profile because I was afraid of putting pressure on you. But now that I''m about to depart, I won''t pretend any longer¡ªI am Zhou Tongyou of the Jueshan Sect!"


    With that revelation, Zhen Qin and the others were stunned, which only made Zhou Tongyou enjoy their reaction even more. He even lifted his chin, looking at Gu An, wanting to see his shocked expression.


    Gu An''s face changed dramatically, sending Zhou Tongyou''s mood soaring.


    However, Zhen Qin suddenly fired a cold shot, "Is your fame really that big?"


    Zhou Tongyou''s pupils slowly dilated, and he stiffened on the spot.


    Fearing that he would change his mind and decide to stay, Gu An quickly said, "Indeed, it''s huge. To suppress all the young disciples of the Supreme Sect, I hadn''t realized¡­ My apologies, my apologies..."


    Upon hearing this, Zhou Tongyou''s face relaxed as Gu An signalled with his eyes, prompting Zhen Qin and the others to exclaim in amazement.


    "My god! Did I hear that right?"


    "It''s actually you..."


    "How is that possible!"


    Zhou Tongyou''s face twitched uncontrollably; for some reason, these words sounded grating to him.


    Taking a deep breath, he said, "There will be major changes at the Supreme Sect. Be careful on regular days. We''ll meet again if fate allows, in the green hills and clear waters."


    With that, he leapt up, transformed into a rainbow light, and soared towards the horizon.


    The three disciples were so astonished by his movement technique that they stared blankly in the direction he had gone.


    Gu An waved his hand and said, "Disperse. Focus on cultivating well. Reach the Foundation Establishment soon, so you at least have the qualifications to see him again."


    The three disciples quickly bowed and departed.


    Gu An pondered Zhou Tongyou''s words¡ªmajor changes at the Supreme Sect?


    He hoped his Medicine Valley wouldn''t be affected.


    Turning around, he headed towards his own attic. Once upstairs and in the room, he closed the door and sat down at the desk. He took out paper and a brush and began pondering the book of Gu Zong and his son.


    The final volume of "Investiture of the Gods" had been delivered to the Book Collection Hall, and now it was time for a new book.


    Following "Investiture of the Gods," the next must-write was "Journey to the West," but he feared its impact would be too great. So, he decided to put it aside for now and first write a novel about Gu Zong and his son to cool down the fever, making Pan An seem less divine.


    Lately, the Outer Disciples had exaggerated Pan An to the point of being a living immortal, which made Gu An somewhat uneasy.


    He planned to borrow classic plots from web novels he read in his previous life for his second book.


    Gu Zong had been cultivating for five hundred years and was renowned in the Immortal Cultivation World as the strongest Elder of the Supreme Sect. In the year his Daoist friend gave birth to their youngest son, the Demon Path invaded, and the Supreme Sect faced complete devastation. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Using his divine skills, Gu Zong called upon the power of heaven and earth to annihilate the Demon Path, but he also fell into a space rift caused by his divine skills.


    People thought he had died, but he had actually landed on a deserted island overseas, where he accidentally discovered an Immortal''s inheritance.


    Twenty years later, Gu Zong returned, only to find his son, Gu Yu, had been demoted to a servant disciple because someone had stolen his Heavenly Spirit Root!


    Zhou Tongyou and Gu Yu were of the same age. They were good friends from childhood, and even after Gu Yu was demoted, Zhou Tongyou still looked forward to his resurgence. After centuries of grudges and grievances, the two became the pillars of the Supreme Sect, guarding the peace of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    After contemplating, Gu An''s eyes brightened.


    He started to write.


    Chapter One, The Fallen Genius!


    ...


    The second year after Zhou Tongyou''s departure, in the spring season, Gu An went to the Outer Sect to submit his book. Liu Chang was very interested in the "Supreme Immortal Venerable" he had written and chatted with him for a long time.


    As he left the Book Collection Hall, Gu An overheard other disciples discussing rumors that the Sect Leader, Lv Baitian, had deviated while cultivating and had perished by accident, with Elder Chu Tianqi taking over as Sect Leader.


    Gu An was alarmed¡ªwas the Sect Leader murdered?


    He hurriedly left the Outer City and headed for the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon entering the valley, he saw Gu Yu waiting there. Behind Gu Yu was a hunched old man, gaunt and withered, with a head of white hair and wearing tattered clothes, inspecting the gardens with his eyes.


    Seeing Gu An arriving on his sword, Gu Yu''s face lit up with a smile, and he stood up, saying, "You''ve finally returned. This is a distant relative of my father''s; you can call him Elder Tian. His Spirit Root qualification is mediocre and he has no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment in his lifetime.


    He will assist you in the Medicine Valley from now on; you can order him around as you please."


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to the old man, his eyes showing a slight change.


    [Lv Baitian (Qi Cultivation Realm, Six Layers): 742/850/3200]

 Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Heavenly Destiny Returns to Ji

    Lv Baitian...


    Isn''t this the Sect Leader who just perished?


    Gu An imagined many possibilities, but his expression did not change much. Curious, he asked, "Since he is a distant relative of your father, why not arrange a better place? This Medicine Valley is both dirty and tiring."


    Gu Yu laughed, "The Supreme Sect wasn''t founded by my dad. Being placed in this Medicine Valley is already better than the Outer Sect''s Medicine Valley."


    Looking at him, he seemed unaware of Elder Tian''s true identity.


    Gu An also couldn''t outright refuse. Wouldn''t refusing imply that he knew Elder Tian''s real identity?


    Gu Yu dragged Gu An upstairs, and throughout, Elder Tian did not look back at Gu An even once.


    After entering the room, Gu Yu closed the door, turned around excitedly, and asked, "How is it? Should the book be out by now?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "It''s out. After much thought, I have made you the protagonist."


    "Really?"


    "Really, you''ll see it soon."


    Gu An smiled as he nodded. Pan An''s name was already famous throughout the Taicang Immortal Cultivation World. His second book would definitely be heavily promoted by the Supreme Sect, especially with ''Supreme Sect'' mentioned inside.


    This book was to satisfy the high-ranking officials, and after this, Gu An would not write about them again.


    It''s worth mentioning that, this time upon releasing the book, the Book Collection Hall allocated an additional 20% of the profits to him, granted by the Supreme Sect.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Gu Yu became extremely excited. He immediately pulled out a Spirit Stone from his Storage Bag, and slammed it onto the table, saying, "Thanks!"


    Gu An''s eyes turned to the Spirit Stone on the table, and his brows lifted.


    Such strong spiritual energy!


    Gu Yu smiled proudly, "This is a Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone, worth a hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones. I only have two in total, given to me by my mother. It''s a genuine token of appreciation. You just focus on writing, and I can handle anything else for you!"


    A hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones?


    Gu An was stunned. This guy was truly lavish.


    The disparity between the rich and poor in the Immortal Cultivation World was just too vast!


    This one Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to a million Low-Grade Spirit Stones. A Servant Disciple''s monthly salary was only one Low-Grade Spirit Stone!


    Such a wealthy house!


    Gu An felt a pang of envy, then accepted the Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone and smiled, "I won''t disappoint you."


    Gu Yu was very excited, and began to inquire about the details of the book, but Gu An kept his mouth sealed, increasing his anticipation.


    It wasn''t long before Gu Yu left; Gu An guessed he was heading to the Book Collection Hall.


    After bidding Gu Yu farewell, Gu An approached Elder Tian, introduced himself, and Elder Tian did the same, very respectfully, showing no signs of being the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect.


    Elder Tian, at 742 years old, had a lifeline of 850 years, meaning he could only live another 108 years.


    Gu An speculated it was related to an injury. With the Sect Leader''s cultivation, his lifespan should be close to two thousand years.


    Afterward, Gu An took him for a walk around, explaining the workings of Medicine Valley, and what he should normally do.


    Elder Tian listened intently, occasionally asking about the species of medicinal herbs they passed by. He genuinely seemed interested in a farmer''s life.


    Could it be that he had fallen from grace due to deviation?


    When Gu An heard about the Sect Leader''s misfortune, he instinctively thought the Sect Leader was sabotaged, especially with the ongoing strife between him and other elders for many years. But seeing Elder Tian''s condition didn''t seem so.


    Life Span Detection wouldn''t lie to him; this person was indeed Sect Leader Lv Baitian!


    Elder Tian''s arrival didn''t change the daily routine of the Third Medicine Valley; Zhen Qin and the other two spent most of their time cultivating, hardly interacting with him. However, every time Gu An returned, he always chatted with Elder Tian.


    Half a year swiftly passed.


    Autumn arrived, leaves falling and drifting into Tianya Valley.


    Gu An stood on a small path between gardens, watching three Monkey Demons sweep the fallen leaves, in the distance, Luo Hun sat on a hillside, holding the Green Hero Travelogue, absorbed in reading, beside him stood his spear, with wisps of spiritual energy entering it, forming a faint whirlwind.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An sensed something and glanced towards the distance.


    He looked away just as quickly.


    Before long, a figure approached from the mouth of the valley, dressed in a black and white robe, debonair, holding a folding fan in his hand.


    Li Xuandao!


    After many years, the Emperor of Taicang still boasted an impressive presence.


    Gu An turned his head, launching a Life Span Detection.


    The ninth layer of Divinity Transformation Realm!


    Luo Hun on the hillside also noticed the arrival of Li Xuandao and quickly got up, tucked the Green Hero Travelogue into his Storage Bag, and then carried his spear down the hill.


    Luo Hun arrived before Li Xuandao first to greet him, followed by Gu An.


    As Li Xuandao walked towards the Medicine Valley Pavilion, he turned to Gu An beside him and asked, "So, how is it? Are you satisfied with this Medicine Valley of mine?"


    Gu An replied, "It''s very good, beyond my expectations. Some of the high-rank medicinal herbs are even unheard of to me, fortunately, Your Majesty provided me with a copy of the Medicinal Herb Chronicles."


    "Hm? What did I instruct you before?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Uncle."


    "That''s more like it."


    Li Xuandao laughed heartily. Luo Hun, standing by his side, had a subtle expression.


    Uncle?


    Luo Hun seemed to recall something, his expression turning peculiar.


    The three of them arrived at the pavilion laughing and talking. Li Xuandao sat down at the stone table while Luo Hun immediately poured him wine.


    Li Xuandao raised his hand to signal Gu An to sit down as well. He looked at Gu An and asked, "Li Ya should have returned to the Supreme Sect by now, right?"


    Gu An nodded and said, "He came back last year."


    "Did he mention anything about his experiences over these years?"


    "Yes, Uncle should have sent someone to follow him, right?"


    "How dare we send someone to follow him? There are just informers everywhere. Tell me, how could a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator escape the soul-possession of a Divinity Transformation Realm Great Cultivator? What secret is he hiding?"


    When Li Xuandao asked this, he picked up his wine cup, drained it in one go, and then looked at Gu An with a smile.


    Gu An frowned and said, "A secret? He did not tell me, and I could not possibly ask him directly."


    Li Xuandao said with a half-smile, "My son has been mediocre since he was young, the least talented among all my children. Yet, ever since he joined the Supreme Sect, he has soared to great heights and continues to surprise me. I am naturally happy to see his growth, but I fear others might use him."


    Gu An looked at his expression, suddenly finding it hard to judge his attitude towards Li Ya.


    But no matter what, Gu An''s heart was definitely with Li Ya.


    "Then I will try to inquire indirectly in the future," Gu An mused, though he only said this; he had no intention of asking.


    Li Xuandao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Luo Hun standing beside him and asked with a smile, "Luo Hun, do you think Li Ya has the potential to become Crown Prince?"


    Luo Hun''s expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "I dare not assume too much!"


    "You, you''re really no fun," Li Xuandao shook his head with a chuckle.


    He looked at Gu An again, who hastily said, "Uncle, please don''t ask me such things. I wish to avoid trouble and prefer to focus on gardening for you!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Li Xuandao laughed aloud, picked up a nearby jug of wine, and poured it directly into his mouth, much more boldly than before.


    Afterward, he picked up another jug and continued pouring.


    Gu An realized that something was amiss¡ªthis Emperor was troubled!


    Luo Hun noticed it too, and he asked with furrowed brows, "Your Majesty, has something happened?"


    After downing three jugs of wine, Li Xuandao laughed and said, "It''s nothing serious. You must have read ''Investiture of the Gods,'' haven''t you?"


    Luo Hun nodded and replied, "It''s well-written, and you like it very much, don''t you?"


    "I indeed like it, but recently some have used ''Investiture of the Gods'' to criticize me, calling me King Zhou. The Li family has ruled for five hundred years; they argue it''s time for a change of emperor, for the Heavenly Destiny to return to the Ji Family.


    In recent years, the Ji Family frequently sends their youths out to exterminate demons and gain good reputation, deeply winning the hearts of the people," Li Xuandao said with a light laugh.


    Gu An''s heart skipped a beat.


    Luo Hun became furious, speaking sternly, "Your Majesty, who claims the Heavenly Destiny should be with the Ji Family? I am always ready for your command, even if it means killing Pan An, I am willing to go!"


    Good grief!


    No ''Green Hero Travelogue'' for you then!


    Gu An felt indignant internally, but his expression showed only concern.


    Li Xuandao snorted, "Foolish, killing Pan An would only prove I am narrow-minded. I can''t even tolerate a novelist!"


    Gu An was very pleased with Li Xuandao''s words.


    That''s a wise Emperor!


    Don''t worry, Your Majesty, my next book will be ''Journey to the West,'' featuring an Emperor with the Li surname.


    Though ''Journey to the West'' carries critical undertones, it targets the Jade Emperor, and the depiction of Emperor Li Shimin within the book is quite favorable.


    Though no Heavenly Court exists in this world, there is an Immortal Cultivation World. Criticizing the Immortal Cultivation World also fits well, aligning with the expectations the Cultivators have about Pan An, so long as he doesn''t specifically target the Supreme Sect.


    As Gu An pondered, Luo Hun remained angry.


    "The Prefects of various states all have their own backing, increasingly escaping the control of the court. Now that people''s grievances are rising, using ''Investiture of the Gods'' to criticize me is probably just their first step. One day, the sword will hang before me.


    I need to cultivate my own power; Tianya Valley plays a significant role, you must not disappoint me," Li Xuandao said with a smile, standing up and walking towards the garden, with Gu An and Luo Hun hurrying after him.


    It took three days before Li Xuandao finally departed.


    During these days, Li Xuandao always took the opportunity to express his expectations for Li Ya to Gu An.


    The more he did so, the more Gu An felt there was more to it.


    Anyway, he decided to let it go in one ear and out the other, unmotivated to involve himself in their father-son affairs.


    After Li Xuandao left, Gu An also decided to leave. Before leaving, Luo Hun advised him not to bring ''Investiture of the Gods'' anymore, only ''Green Hero Travelogue.''


    To this, Gu An just chuckled.


    ...


    As seasons changed, another three years passed.


    This year, Tianya Valley welcomed its first batch of mature medicinal herbs, and Gu An harvested nearly five thousand years of lifespan, greatly lifting his spirits.


    Starting this year, his annual lifespan income was set to skyrocket, and his total lifespan had already exceeded seventy thousand years. He was determined to reach a million years.


    One day, Gu An brought Su Han and Zhen Qin to the Outer Sect.


    Both of them had reached the Foundation Establishment. Besides their constant cultivation, Gu An had crafted many low-rank elixirs to help them achieve Foundation Establishment smoothly.


    After Gu An delivered them to the Hall of Elders in the Outer Sect, he turned and left. Servant Disciples needed to register in the Hall of Elders before they could officially become Outer Disciples.


    Just as he walked down a street, a familiar voice called out, "Senior brother, long time no see!"


    Gu An turned around to see Lu Jiujia, dressed in the black attire of the Demon Extermination Hall, walking toward him, followed by six Demon Extermination Hall disciples.


    "How have you been recently?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Ever since the change in sect leadership, the Demon Extermination Hall''s influence had surged, even surpassing that of the Law Enforcement Hall. It was common to encounter their members in the Outer City.


    Lu Jiujia approached him and nodded, "Quite well. Our master just promoted me. Not only has my treatment improved, but my authority has increased too. Senior brother, if you need anything in the future, just come to me."


    He took out a black token from his storage bag and handed it to Gu An.

 Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Aura of an Immortal Venerable, the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect

    Gu An held the Demon Extermination Hall''s token without refusing, and looked at Lu Jiujia with a gratified smile, "Not bad, you''ve now become the person you once aspired to be."


    On hearing this, Lu Jiujia''s mood became even more elated. He chuckled and said, "In the past few years, I indeed walked on thin ice. I dared not contact you out of fear that it might implicate you. Now, the storm has passed, and from now on, we can stay in touch frequently."


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Jiujia hurriedly took his leave with others, claiming they needed to capture a spy from the Demon Path.


    Gu An watched his retreating figure, feeling slightly conflicted.


    The reputation of the Demon Extermination Hall was not good; although it was the most powerful division in the Outer Sect, it was also the most disliked. It was said that if someone offended the Demon Extermination Hall, being accused of being a spy from the Demon Path by the Hall meant certain death.


    Gu An could clearly sense the disdainful and repulsive gazes from the people around him.


    He decided not to think too much about it and turned away to leave.


    An hour later.


    He arrived at the Third Medicine Valley. Just as he reached the entrance to the valley, he saw Elder Tian standing in front of the stele, pinching his beard, seemingly lost in thought.


    Over the years, Gu An had become familiar with Elder Tian. Elder Tian behaved very much like a Servant Disciple, and Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan did not notice anything different about him. Gu An also treated him as a Servant Disciple.


    "Elder Tian, why are you standing here?" Gu An walked towards Elder Tian while greeting him.


    Elder Tian looked at Gu An, his face revealing a kind and gentle smile, his eyelids almost too heavy to lift, giving off the impression of being one foot in the grave.


    "Valley Master, I was wondering why this place is called the Third Medicine Valley. Could it be that you have two other valleys?" Elder Tian asked with a laugh.


    Gu An walked up next to the stele and replied with a light chuckle, "That''s not the case. I only have this one herb valley besides. It''s called the Third Medicine Valley because it reflects my principle in dealing with matters¡ªI don''t compete for first or second place, but I strive for third. I believe that sticking your head out too much in anything can lead to trouble.


    The top three are all formidable, but third place is the safest."


    Upon hearing this, Elder Tian''s eyelids slightly opened as he fell into thought.


    Gu An patted his shoulder and laughed, "Today I''ve brought roasted chicken and fine wine to taste together. This is a Spirit Chicken raised in the Outer Sect, costing me ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones."


    Elder Tian snapped out of his reverie and followed in Gu An''s footsteps. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Yan was not practicing his Spear Technique at the valley entrance but was standing on the central pathway of the courtyard, his body erect, holding a long spear with one hand, and meditatively closing his eyes. As he put it, he was feeling the connection between himself and his spear.


    Gu An never inquired about the Spear Technique or the Body Tempering Technique Ye Yan practiced. He was not interested in Spear Technique, and since the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill he practiced was already a Body Tempering Technique, there was no need for another.


    "Yan''er, come and have a drink with us to celebrate your senior brother and senior sister becoming Outer Disciples," Gu An called out loudly.


    Curious, Elder Tian asked, "Over the years, you''ve turned all the herbs that belong to you into Elixirs for the disciples. What''s your aim? Even if they are indebted to you, the relationship will likely fade over time. Why not use all the resources for yourself?"


    "And me, I''m just an old bag of bones, not knowing how long I''ll live. Giving me Elixirs, wouldn''t that be wasteful?"


    Having spent several years together, Elder Tian had come to have a fondness for Gu An. Gu An treated him well and did not ignore him as other disciples did, even willing to share Elixirs to help him improve his Cultivation Level.


    Before his Cultivation Level declined, he could never have imagined there would be such a selfless person within the Supreme Sect.


    He even regretted his previous negligence towards the Outer Sect.


    Gu An smiled and said, "I''m of mediocre talent. Being too obsessed with improving my Cultivation Level would only make my life painful. It''s better to give it to the juniors who still harbor hope. As for you, Elder Tian, even though you''re older than me, you are also considered my disciple. Naturally, I must treat everyone equally.


    Even if it doesn''t increase your Cultivation Level by much, it will still boost your Qi-Blood, letting you live better, right?"


    His gaze rested on Ye Yan, a smile on his face.


    The sunlight cascaded down, illuminating his profile, causing Elder Tian to be somewhat moved.


    Elder Tian suddenly remembered what Gu Zong said when recommending Gu An.


    "Don''t underestimate that youngster just because his Cultivation Level is low. The fact that he could write ''Investiture of the Gods'' shows the vastness of his heart. After gaining fame and wealth, he was still willing to stay devoted to the Supreme Sect and tirelessly contribute to it. Regarding character and magnanimity, I think he is superior to a Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm."


    As he mulled over these thoughts, Elder Tian''s mouth curved into a smile, as if influenced by Gu An''s own smile.


    Soon, the three of them gathered around the stone table, starting to drink and eat.


    Gu An shared his experiences from that day, excluding the matters about Zhen Qin and Su Han. He also brought up the Demon Extermination Hall to see what Elder Tian''s take on it would be.


    However, Elder Tian remained indifferent, simply smacking his lips while holding a chicken leg.


    Ye Yan spoke up, "I actually think the Demon Extermination Hall is quite good. Back in Mystic Valley, I encountered Demon Cultivators several times. The Outer Sect really is too chaotic. The Demon Extermination Hall''s bad reputation is probably also due to Demon Path spies stirring up trouble in the dark."


    Gu An nodded, considering this a possibility.


    Since the establishment of the Demon Extermination Hall, Mystic Valley indeed had not seen any Demon Cultivators again, nor any spies from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion coming to look for him.


    "Master, after I achieve Foundation Establishment, I don''t want to stay in the Supreme Sect. I wish to join the military," Ye Yan suddenly declared.


    Good heavens!


    Talking of jumping ship in front of the former Sect Leader?


    Gu An asked, "Why?"


    Ye Yan''s face was resolute as he said, "The Supreme Sect prioritizes Spirit Root Qualification. For someone like me, it''s hard to stand out. Besides, joining the military would allow me to slay demons and rescue the common people. My parents were killed by a demon, and since I was young, I have vowed that once I''ve mastered spells, I will travel the world and be a knight who eradicates demons."


    Elder Tian lifted his eyes to look at him, nodding slightly.


    Gu An revealed a smile and said, "I never expected you to hold such lofty ambitions. Your master supports you."


    Ye Yan revealed a smile, immediately lifted his wine bowl, and toasted Gu An, then poured another bowl and clinked bowls with Elder Tian.


    The atmosphere became even more harmonious. After Ye Yan opened his heart, he talked more than usual, and Elder Tian also became more talkative.


    "Master, will we need to call for disciples from Mystic Valley later on?" Ye Yan asked.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Let''s wait until after your Foundation Establishment. I''m afraid others will disturb your Path Enlightenment. With me and Elder Tian here, we''re sufficient to handle matters."


    All the different sectors were already on the right track, and the daily miscellaneous work was not much.


    After hearing this, Ye Yan felt even more moved.


    Gu An began to talk with him about the future, going through one jar of Spiritual Wine after another until Ye Yan became drunk.


    ...


    At the End of Summer, the scorching heat between heaven and earth was receding.


    Gu An stood on the grassland of Mystic Valley, watching as four Demon Extermination Hall Cultivators flew away, silent and speechless.


    Wuxin came over and said, "Brother, what are you daydreaming about? There are so many boxes, aren''t you going to check them out?"


    The four individuals had just been sent by Lu Jiujia and had come especially to bring gifts to Mystic Valley. They waited half an hour, leaving only after Gu An returned.


    Gu An''s gaze returned from the distance to Wuxin, smiled, and said, "You can do the inventory. I guess it''s all herbs."


    Upon hearing this, Wuxin''s face broke into a smile, the feeling of being trusted was just too good.


    Now, Gu An had handed over the full management power of Mystic Valley to Wuxin. He was only responsible for picking. Wuxin had no complaints about this arrangement. Why would he object if Gu An could help him with some of the labor? What he wanted was power, not to drive Gu An away.


    Without Gu An, he always felt that something was missing in Mystic Valley, so he spent most of his time cultivating when Gu An was away.


    Gu An turned and walked towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    After a while, he arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Since Zhen Qin and Su Han had become Outer Disciples, this medicine valley had become very quiet. After Ye Yan finished his own work, he would practice his Spear Technique, and Elder Tian was also a man of few words.


    Gu An stepped down from the array platform and saw Elder Tian squatting in the garden, admiring a fourth-grade herb.


    The old man often zoned out, and Gu An had gotten used to it.


    He walked up to the attic and took out the Ziwei Array Chronicles to read.


    In the past year, he had been quietly delving into the Ziwei Array Chronicles and had gained substantial insights.


    Several Ancient Hours later, Gu An felt something and immediately stored the Ziwei Array Chronicles in his Storage Bag, then waited inside the house.


    "Gu An! Gu An! Come out quickly!"


    Gu An heard Gu Yu''s shouting, which grew louder from a distance. The guy hadn''t even landed before he started yelling.


    He got up, stepped out of the attic, and stood on the second-floor balcony. He saw Gu Zong and Gu Yu flying toward him on a golden wheel, their speed incredibly fast.


    After landing, Gu Zong put his magic artifact back into his sleeve, while Gu Yu took a step forward, excitedly said, "Gu An, your..."


    "Ahem!"


    Gu Zong let out a cough on purpose, and Gu Yu realized something and quickly shut his mouth.


    Gu An stood upstairs, smiling, "You two, come up and talk."


    Gu Yu nodded and hurried upstairs, while Gu Zong turned around and gestured for Elder Tian to come over.


    The group of four gathered in the upstairs room, where Gu Zong raised his hand and cast two restrictions on the windowsill.


    Gu Yu, holding onto Gu An, sat him down, still excited, "The Supreme Immortal Venerable is a complete success! The entire Immortal Cultivation World is watching, and not only that, but the surrounding dynasties and sects are also purchasing this book from the Supreme Sect!"


    "Hahaha, when the Supreme Immortal Venerable first came out years ago, how many people ridiculed Pan An for losing his talent. Now, in just a few years, everyone is chasing after it, all anticipating me, Gu Yu, to prove my genius name!"


    Seeing how excited he was made Gu An want to laugh and cry.


    That the Supreme Immortal Venerable would become famous didn''t surprise him at all. After all, such a story of rising against the odds and face-slapping the strong, is a huge emotional impact for the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Gu Zong spoke up, "Our visit today is not just to talk about this, but it is related. The Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect is preparing to come to the Supreme Sect to cultivate, and she''s coming for you. The Daotian Sect comes from the Great Yu Dynasty adjacent to the Taicang Dynasty and is the number one sect of the Great Yu Dynasty.


    Their Holy Daughter is the daughter of the Sect Hierarch of the Daotian Sect. Her arrival can establish a long-term friendly relationship between the Supreme Sect and the Daotian Sect."


    "When the time comes, I''ll have to bring the Daotian Sect''s Holy Daughter to meet you. Don''t worry; this will not be disclosed. You only need to meet her alone. She has promised not to reveal your identity."


    Gu An felt overwhelmed.


    I''ve become part of the diplomatic corps?


    Gu Zong stroked his beard and smiled, "The Supreme Immortal Venerable has played a significant role in the development of the Supreme Sect. The Hall of Elders appreciates you very much. If you can persuade the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect to stay, the Hall of Elders will grant you a seedling of a seventh-grade Spirit Tree.


    Once it grows, it will significantly enhance the local Spiritual Energy, and even if your qualifications are mediocre, it won''t be difficult to reach Core Formation in the future."


    "They wanted to grant you a cultivation technique or a high-rank dharma artifact, but Yu''er said you are averse to conflict and only like gardening. Hence, they decided on the seventh-grade Spirit Tree instead. This tree can also help with the entire Medicine Valley''s harvest, its benefits immeasurable."

 Chapter 58: Chapter 58: If You Became the Sect Leader, What Would You Do?

    Seven-Tier Spirit Tree!


    This is the grade and rank of the Green Vine Tree, the Supreme Sect actually managed to produce a Spirit Tree on par with the Holy Tree of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?


    Could it be that the Green Vine Tree within the Eight Scenic Caves isn''t a true Holy Tree, or perhaps it hasn''t fully matured yet?


    Gu An became excited instantly, as he simply couldn''t refuse such a treasure.


    What''s so difficult about keeping the Holy Daughter behind?


    Doesn''t she like to read books?


    I''ll write her some spin-off stories of Investiture of the Gods!


    "When will the Holy Daughter arrive?" Gu An took a deep breath and asked, his joyful heart not showing on the surface, instead, he feigned worry and solemnity.


    Elder Gu Zong smiled and said, "She will arrive within a year at most, you don''t have to feel pressured."


    Gu Yu, standing nearby, teased, "Don''t worry about her expecting you to reciprocate with your person, after all, the gap in cultivation level is evident. She just likes your book."


    Gu An nodded, as he was not so narcissistic to think that of all the people who liked Investiture of the Gods, it was only about him.


    Elder Gu Zong looked at Elder Tian standing by and asked, "How have you been staying here?"


    Elder Tian nodded and said, "Very good, the Valley Master has treated me well."


    Gu An felt helpless inside his heart. Had Elder Gu Zong brought his distant relative in fearing that he wouldn''t be suspicious?


    No way!


    The act must be played through completely!


    Gu An looked towards Elder Gu Zong, hesitating to speak.


    Elder Gu Zong seemed to notice his confusion and said with a smile, "He has long known of your Pan An identity. It''s because he likes Investiture of the Gods that I asked him to come here. Besides him, only the people of the Hall of Elders know. Don''t worry, we are even more concerned than you about your Pan An identity being exposed."


    Before the appearance of Investiture of the Gods, there were always disciples writing books, but the impact brought by Pan An had been unprecedented.


    No one had anticipated that a book could bring more disciples to a sect, resources for cultivation, and even help the sect with foreign relations, especially after the book Supreme Immortal Venerable came out, the entire world''s attention was on Supreme Sect. Being in a high position, he saw it most clearly.


    Gu An breathed a sigh of relief.


    Suddenly, Gu Yu said, "Zhou Tongyou has been quite good to Gu Yu, I take back my previous words. Let''s not have Gu Yu bully him anymore."


    Gu An looked at him, his gaze peculiar.


    Elder Gu Zong smiled and said, "My own image isn''t bad either. No matter where I go, I can hear people mentioning my name, asking when I will return to clean up those evil people for my son?"


    "Cough cough, we can''t reveal that in advance. If we did, there would be no suspense."


    "That''s true."


    Gu An changed the subject, inquiring about the Holy Daughter of Daotian Sect, knowing he must find out as much as possible to better face her.


    Elder Gu Zong began to introduce the Holy Daughter.


    Shen Zhen, with a triple Spirit Root, the youngest daughter of the Daotian Sect Hierarch, although not the top in talent, her aptitude for musical spells is incredibly high, and she normally loves zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    Just by the introduction, Gu An felt that Shen Zhen''s character wasn''t very dominant.


    With a liking for zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, her temperament should be quite good.


    ...


    Late at night, the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Beneath the Green Vine Tree, Gu An was practicing swordsmanship, practicing the Wood Spirit Sword Technique.


    The Wood Spirit Sword Technique was the swordsmanship Zuo Lin had passed on to him as a test of his depth, this technique wasn''t rare, it was purchasable within the Outer City.


    Because it was a wood attribute, Gu An decided to practice it himself and not invest life span into this sword technique.


    But, isn''t real-time just another form of life span?


    With his mastery of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword and his exceptional talent as someone with the Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root, Gu An found a genius''s sense in the Wood Spirit Sword Technique.


    He had already mastered the Wood Spirit Sword Technique and was now pursuing a higher realm.


    Every Cultivation Technique, Spell, and Ultimate Skill has minor realms, which according to his summary, from low to high, are Initial Learning, Initial Insight, Proficiency, Minor Achievement, Integration, Mastery, Pinnacle, and Returning to Simplicity.


    It felt like leveling up proficiency in a game, which Gu An found quite interesting.


    The Sky Dragon, a zhang long, watched Gu An practicing his sword technique from above the tree. It now possessed the dignity of a True Dragon, without any deformity.


    Gu An moved within a three-zhang radius underneath the tree, creating a series of afterimages as if nearly ten versions of himself were practicing swordsmanship. His Heavenly Residence Sword in hand was extremely sharp, with strength energy overflowing. This strength energy dissipated after traveling some distance without damaging any of the plants around.


    After practicing for an ancient hour, Gu An finally stopped.


    Clang¡ª


    The Heavenly Residence Sword sheathed with a sound like a dragon''s chant.


    He threw the Heavenly Residence Sword into his Storage Bag and then stretched lazily.


    The Sky Dragon descended from the sky, speaking in a young boy''s tender voice, "Master, that was amazing. Can you teach me?"


    Gu An glanced at it and asked with a smile, "Can your dragon claws wield a sword?"


    "With claw as sword, wouldn''t that work?" the Sky Dragon asked, blinking its dragon eyes.


    Gu An paused for a moment, struck by the idea.


    Interesting!


    He immediately took out the Wood Spirit Sword Manual he had drawn from his Storage Bag and threw it to the Sky Dragon, saying, "Then practice on your own. When I come back, you can ask me anything you don''t understand."


    The Sky Dragon caught the Sword Manual with its claws and quickly said, "Remember to bring me some roast chicken!"


    Gu An nodded with a smile and then turned to leave.


    The Sky Dragon landed and laid the Sword Manual on the ground, flipping through it with its claws.


    After leaving the Eight Scenic Caves, Gu An walked into the forest. Beneath the night sky, the forest was covered with snow, yet he left no footprints.


    Early the next morning, just after Gu An had accompanied the disciples through their drills, he was planning to head to the Third Medicine Valley when Ye Lan arrived.


    Junior Sister has arrived, so naturally, Gu An must keep her company.


    The two of them went up to the loft to chat.


    Gu An first inquired about her recent condition. Even if he were busy, she would visit him every year. Gu An would be lying if he said he wasn''t moved.


    "Since last year, disciples from the Outer Sect have frequently gone missing. Our Law Enforcement Hall has investigated, but cannot find the real culprit. Instead, it''s the Demon Extermination Hall that constantly finds spies from the demonic cult to admit their guilt," Ye Lan sighed.


    After the Sect Leader position changed hands, she and Lu Jiujia ceased contact, mainly because their respective departments were at odds, having reached the point of being utterly incompatible.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Then let the Demon Extermination Hall do the catching, which would be perfect because you can spend time cultivating."


    Ye Lan shook her head and said, "It''s not that simple. The leader of the Demon Extermination Hall wants to annex the Law Enforcement Hall, and it seems like the Outer Sect''s Great Elder has similar intentions. If our hall fails to accomplish anything, it will eventually be dissolved."


    "It''s fine. If it''s dissolved, just come back. The elixirs I can provide are no worse than what the Law Enforcement Hall offers."


    "That won''t do, what about you if you give them to me?"


    Ye Lan outright refused, her expression very serious.


    Seeing this, Gu An couldn''t say much more; he could only change the topic to discuss other matters.


    Since Ye Lan wanted to stay a few more days, Gu An decided to stay in Mystic Valley until after the Spring Festival was over before leaving.


    ...


    After the Spring Festival, the winter snow had completely melted. Gu An first went to Tianya Valley and harvested thousands of years of life span before planting anew. After spending two days there, he headed to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Mystic Valley was bustling, Tianya Valley had three monkey demons -- neither were desolate, but the Third Medicine Valley was different. Each time Gu An visited, it was utterly silent.


    Ye Yan and Elder Tian both enjoyed this tranquility, not disturbing each other.


    Gu An walked into a garden and began to harvest the ripe medicinal herbs.


    Elder Tian approached, curious, he asked, "Why do you always pick them yourself?"


    Gu An replied, "I must do something, and when I personally pick them and wrap them up, I feel a sense of satisfaction from contributing to the sect."


    Hearing this, Elder Tian laughed and said, "You are indeed contributing, it''s not just self-satisfaction."


    "I hope the higher-ups feel the same way," Gu An said with a light laugh as he continued picking.


    Suddenly, Elder Tian asked, "What would you do if you were made the Sect Leader?"


    Gu An''s heart skipped a beat, but his movements didn''t stop as he said with annoyance, "Stop daydreaming, you''re not the Sect Leader, how could you pass it to me? Besides, I can only manage Medicine Valley, not the millions of disciples in the Supreme Sect."


    "With my cultivation level, who would listen to me if I really became the Sect Leader?"


    He definitely did not want to become the Sect Leader!


    He wanted to cultivate in peace, not face the pressure head-on. If he became the Sect Leader and met an enemy he couldn''t defeat, could he run away?


    Gu An was not so loyal to the Supreme Sect!


    Elder Tian laughed and asked no more. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Tian followed Gu An into the loft after he finished picking.


    "Actually, I know an extraordinary cultivation technique; do you want to learn it? Even Elder Gu Zong doesn''t know it," Elder Tian suddenly asked.


    "I''m not learning. Wouldn''t it be better to write books with that time? Haven''t you seen? I don''t usually practice; my cultivation level depends entirely on elixirs."


    "You''re still young, how can you be so..."


    "You don''t understand, right? This is called enjoying life. I like to act within my capacity. Of course, that''s just me. Everyone has different pursuits," Gu An said casually. What''s with this old man and his chattiness today?


    Trying to ruin my Daoist heart?


    Elder Tian wanted to continue speaking, but suddenly, a noise came from the sky. Both of them turned their heads to look. They saw Gu Zong flying on a magic artifact with a black-clothed woman behind him, her face covered with a black veil, revealing only a pair of bright and captivating eyes.


    The Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect had arrived?


    Gu An asked Elder Tian to place the herbs inside the house first while he turned to greet Gu Zong and his companion.


    He conducted a life span detection.


    [Shen Zhen (Elixir Formation Realm Second Layer): 78/660/1050]


    After the golden wheel landed, Gu Zong smiled and said, "Gu An, this is the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, Shen Zhen. You must treat her well."


    He turned to Shen Zhen, who lifted her hand to salute him. He nodded in acknowledgement and swiftly left on his golden wheel.


    Shen Zhen looked at Gu An, her eyes scrutinizing him intently. Just by looking at her eyes, one could imagine that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman.


    Gu An saluted with his hand, saying, "My name is Gu An; it''s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Shen."


    Shen Zhen nodded slightly, then curiously asked, "Which do you prefer, ''Investiture of the Gods'' or ''Supreme Immortal Venerable''?"


    Testing me right off the bat?


    Gu An, unruffled, replied, "I like both. It''s not possible for someone to like only one book. Depending on one''s mood, they would want to read different books, right?"


    At this, Shen Zhen''s eyes immediately lit up.


    "Actually, I''ve written a book too. Do you want to see?" asked Shen Zhen, blinking.


    Gu An naturally wouldn''t refuse and said, "Shall we go upstairs to take a look?"


    Shen Zhen nodded, then followed Gu An up to the second floor of the loft.


    Gu An originally wanted to leave the door open, as it could be awkward for a man and a woman to be alone in a room, but Shen Zhen closed the door behind them.


    They sat down at the table, and Shen Zhen took a book out from her storage bag. Her brows slightly furrowed as she seemed to hesitate. After a moment''s thought, she still handed the book in her hand to Gu An.


    Gu An took it and his brows shot up.


    Black Hero''s Travelogue?


    What in the world!

 Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Great Demon Calamity

    This book title really shouldn''t be chosen!


    Gu An suddenly dared not open the book, could it be that the Green Hero Travelogue was written by Shen Zhen?


    Then his perception of the author would shatter!


    That''s not right, Shen Zhen comes from the Daotian Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty, how could she possibly publish a book within the Supreme Sect?


    After realizing this, Gu An calmed down and began to read through Black Hero''s Travelogue.


    Shen Zhen looked down at the table, her ears slightly red among her long hair.


    After Gu An read the first page, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.


    She wasn''t the author of Green Hero Travelogue. The difference in writing was apparent, but it was also clear that she was indeed imitating the Green Hero Travelogue.


    He patiently read on.


    Every story in Green Hero Travelogue starts with the local landscape, first describing the scenery, then the interactions between people; the Black Hero''s Travelogue did the same.


    However, Shen Zhen''s experience was obviously inferior to the author of the Green Hero Travelogue, the descriptions of landscapes in her book were somewhat lacking, at least in Gu An''s eyes, they weren''t as visually compelling as those in the Green Hero Travelogue.


    The room fell into silence.


    Late on, Shen Zhen stood up and went to look at the bookshelf nearby.


    An hour passed by before Gu An finally closed the Black Hero''s Travelogue, and Shen Zhen, holding a book, turned her head and asked, "How is it?"


    Gu An asked, "Do you like the Green Hero Travelogue?"


    Standing in front of the bookshelf, Shen Zhen nodded slightly and said, "Aside from cultivation techniques, the first book I read was the Green Hero Travelogue, but my favourite is still your Supreme Immortal Venerable."


    That''s quite common, but authentically so.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Actually, I also really like the Green Hero Travelogue. It was because I read it that I couldn''t resist the urge to start writing."


    Shen Zhen immediately came over, noticeably more excited than before, her eyes gleaming as she started to discuss the Green Hero Travelogue with Gu An.


    Her Black Hero''s Travelogue also involves romance between men and women but it''s not as explicit as the Green Hero Travelogue, and falls within the scope of normal books.


    Through the Green Hero Travelogue, their relationship quickly grew closer.


    They talked from the Green Hero Travelogue to the Investiture of the Gods, and then to the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    After a long while.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Have you ever met the author of the Green Hero Travelogue?"


    Shen Zhen shook her head slightly and said, "Although I really like his Green Hero Travelogue, I feel that he''s not very serious. I don''t want to meet him, but you''re different. From the Investiture of the Gods to the Supreme Immortal Venerable, your styles are so different, it makes me very curious about you."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An felt slightly disappointed.


    Who exactly is the Green Hero, that was his biggest curiosity within the Supreme Sect.


    "After finishing Supreme Immortal Venerable, will you continue to write about conflicts in the Daoist tradition like in the Investiture of the Gods?" Shen Zhen looked at Gu An and asked.


    Gu An responded vaguely, "Maybe. What about you, Ms. Shen, will you stay in the Supreme Sect?"


    Shen Zhen laughed and said, "The Supreme Sect pressures you, huh? Actually, we just need a nominal alliance. The Daotian Sect also needs to join hands with the Supreme Sect, to deter other sects within the Great Yu Dynasty, as well as face the great demon calamity together."


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and pursued, "What is this great demon calamity?"


    "On this continent, there are nine dynasties including Taicang and Great Yu, which have expelled powerful demons. As a result, the regions outside the nine dynasties have become overrun with demons. Now, the external demons have grown to threaten the dynasties.


    Even though various immortal cultivation sects often dispatch disciples to exterminate these demons, the territories outside are vast, and some exceptionally talented demons have grown up. In a maximum of a hundred years, the dynasties will face a demon calamity not seen in thousands of years, and dynasties will certainly fall."


    When Shen Zhen spoke of this matter, her expression was solemn.


    After listening, Gu An felt pressure surging towards him.


    He already imagined a scenario where the landscapes were shattered, the Supreme Sect''s frontlines were failing, forcing servant disciples to join the battlefield.


    No way!


    Within a hundred years, he must extend his life span to a million years, unlock the next function, and dramatically increase his cultivation level!


    Gu An thought to himself, then followed up with a question, "Given the situation, why don''t you focus on cultivating rather than thinking about writing books?"


    Although Shen Zhen wasn''t as good as Ji Xiaoyu, Zhou Tongyou, or Li Ya, her talents weren''t poor, and with the backing of the Daotian Sect, she could certainly climb higher if she focused on cultivating.


    Hearing this, Shen Zhen lightly laughed and said, "Everyone has their own destiny, cultivation is not mine. I prefer reading and writing books. Who knows, maybe one day I will achieve enlightenment through them? Who said that absorbing nature''s spiritual energy is the only way to enlightenment?


    I have reviewed various books from ancient times to the present, and it seems there are no Qi Cultivators who have survived to this day."


    Gu An saw her in a new light¡ªshe really dared to dream.


    They talked a bit more, and when Shen Zhen prepared to leave, Gu An got up to see her off.


    Downstairs, she summoned a flying sword, stepped on it, and with a parting word, flew towards the horizon: "Young Master Gu, I will set up my cave nearby. Let''s exchange more in the future."


    Gu An watched her departing figure with a smile on his face.


    He was happy not because Shen Zhen was going to live nearby, but because he was glad about acquiring a seventh-tier Spirit Tree.


    ...


    The Supreme Sect acted swiftly; not three days after Shen Zhen left, a sapling of the seventh-tier Spirit Tree arrived, personally delivered by Gu Zong.


    After Gu Zong left, Gu An, carrying the sapling of the seventh-tier Spirit Tree, went to the central area of the garden.


    Though it was called a sapling, this tree was already ten feet tall. Gu An planted it on a grassy area connected to four sections of the garden, with Elder Tian and Ye Yan watching from behind.


    After planting it, Gu An looked at the tree, his face full of a brilliant smile.


    [Mystic Pure Tree (seventh-tier): 48/8999/65000]


    Sixty-five thousand years of maximum life span, incomparable to mere mortals!


    Elder Tian chuckled and said, "The Mystic Pure Tree is extraordinary. Although it cannot bear fruit, cultivating under it can calm the mind and enhance the spirit."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s smile grew even brighter, and he said, "Elder Tian, you must take good care of the Mystic Pure Tree in the future and ensure it remains undamaged."


    "Rest assured, it has been planted in the soil, and its vitality is even stronger than my old bones."


    Hearing Elder Tian''s words, Gu An shook his head in amusement. The old man did have a sense of humor.


    Afterward, Gu An turned and left.


    Elder Tian and Ye Yan stayed chatting in front of the tree, not following his pace.


    Gu An walked to the edge of Medicine Valley near the cliffside. In this patch of grass, a tree was planted, but it showed no signs of growth yet.


    It was the sixth-rank Spirit Tree, the Human-Faced Tree''s root, which Ye Lan had previously given.


    This root had been buried for a few years and remained in a state of revival, aged zero.


    Gu An had tried to aid it with his Wood Attribute Spirit Power, but like a bottomless pit, it would absorb his spiritual power without showing any effects.


    He squatted in front of the Human-Faced Tree''s root, the point of the root barely poking out of the soil.


    After watching for a while, Gu An suddenly felt a faint flow of spiritual energy from the ground towards the Human-Faced Tree, tracing it back to its source, he was surprised to find it came from the Mystic Pure Tree.


    Could the Mystic Pure Tree be helping the Human-Faced Tree revive?


    Gu An was excited but also worried. He feared that the Human-Faced Tree might drain the Mystic Pure Tree completely, especially since this thing came from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and its name was somewhat ominous.


    If the Human-Faced Tree were to grow into something evil, Gu An would uproot it, as he could not allow it to destroy the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An felt it necessary to keep someone watching over it, to prevent it from growing unnoticed.


    Ye Yan had reached the eighth level of the Energy Cultivation Realm. His progress in cultivation was mostly dependent on elixirs; although he absorbed nature''s spiritual energy while practicing with his spear, it did not greatly increase his cultivation level.


    Once he left, it would be time to hire some help.


    ...


    After the height of summer had passed, forty-three-year-old Gu An arrived at the Outer City. First, he submitted his writings, then strolled the streets.


    He noticed that the Outer City was not as bustling as before. Although there were still many disciples coming and going on the streets, most of them looked serious and spoke in hushed voices.


    Looking up, Gu An saw four disciples from the Demon Extermination Hall descend from the sky and land in front of a distant pavilion. They surrounded a disciple who had just exited the building and began interrogating him. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The disciple was visibly irritated. A verbal altercation ensued, and then a fight broke out. When one of the Demon Extermination Hall disciples revealed a token, the disciple surrendered and was meekly escorted away.


    Catching demon spies for so many years and they still haven''t caught them all?


    Gu An frowned, confused but not intending to intervene. As long as they did not bother him, it was fine.


    He headed towards the Beast Hall, planning to keep a few demon beasts in the Third Medicine Valley so Elder Tian would not feel lonely.


    Elder Tian was diligent and had earned Gu An''s favor. Gu An now considered him as his own servant disciple.


    An hour later, Gu An walked out of the main entrance of the Beast Hall with three bags at his waist, each a Beast Control Bag containing a live creature, but each bag could only hold one demon beast.


    As he stepped out, he coincidentally ran into Lu Jiujia.


    This time, Lu Jiujia was alone. He approached the Beast Hall with a gloomy expression, but his face immediately brightened with a smile when he saw Gu An and he hurried over.


    "Senior brother, are you here to buy demon beasts?" Lu Jiujia asked warmly, his complexion paler than before and his brow marked with a sinister aura, giving off an eerie vibe overall.


    Gu An nodded and asked with concern, "You look pale, are you alright?"


    "What could be wrong with me? I''m just tired from recent training," Lu Jiujia shook his head.


    Gu An noticed a hidden trace of demonic Qi within him. It was so subtle that it would have been difficult to detect without close observation.


    Has this guy turned into a demon cultivator?


    Lu Jiujia was not forthcoming, so naturally, Gu An did not pry further.


    After exchanging a few polite words, Lu Jiujia reminded before parting, "Senior brother, try not to go out of the valley at night. Lately, a powerful demon cultivator has infiltrated the Outer Sect."


    With that, he turned and left.


    Gu An watched his retreating figure but did not dwell on it much and headed towards the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon arriving, he released the three Spirit Dogs he had just bought, all of second-rank demon beast lineage, not cheap.


    "I plan to stay in Mystic Valley recently; you take care of them," Gu An instructed Elder Tian.


    Elder Tian nodded, and Gu An turned and walked towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    It might have been an illusion, but as Gu An stood on the Transmission Array Platform, he noticed Elder Tian looking at him with a hint of worry.


    Before he could think more about it, the formation activated, and he arrived in Mystic Valley.


    As soon as he got to Mystic Valley, Gu An sensed a familiar presence.


    Li Ya!


    He descended from the Array Platform and looked towards the distance, seeing Li Ya instructing disciples in sword practice, and even Xiaochuan was participating.


    After a quick instruction, Li Ya turned and walked towards Gu An.


    When they met, Gu An asked curiously, "How come you are here?"


    Core Formation Realm Level One!


    Reaching the Core Formation Realm at forty-five, just five years behind Jiang Qiong!


    Li Ya chuckled and said, "I came to protect you. Hearing that a Demon Lord from the Heavenly Extinction Sect had infiltrated the Outer Sect, I was worried about you. I thought I would wait until this matter is resolved before heading to the Inner Sect."

 Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Save me, Ancestor!

    "Can you really take on that Demon Lord?" Gu An asked with a face full of doubt.


    Li Ya laughed proudly, "I have formed my core, don''t underestimate me!"


    "Elixir Formation Realm is just an Inner Sect Disciple in Supreme Sect, can you really match a Demon Lord?"


    "You kid, I came all the way here to protect you, and you''re complaining?"


    "I''m just afraid it will be like that time, remember? You rushed out to confront the Demon of Greed and ended up injured on the ground."


    "Can we not mention that?"


    The two began to bicker, with Gu An teasing Li Ya, who didn''t get angry, because he could feel that Gu An meant well, fearing he would drag him down.


    Little did Gu An know, his worry wasn''t about being a burden, but rather being a drag.


    Brother, if the Demon Lord comes, I can''t make my move with you by my side!


    Gu An couldn''t bring himself to express his true thoughts, and since Li Ya insisted on staying, he had to let it go.


    "By the way, have you seen Junior Brother Lu recently?" Gu An asked.


    Li Ya shook his head, "Haven''t seen him, I ran into him before, he was taken in by Demon Extermination Hall. I don''t get along with the Elder of the Demon Extermination Hall, so we haven''t kept in touch."


    Speaking of which, his expression turned indifferent, showing no concern for Lu Jiujia.


    Despite his warmth to Gu An, he was actually quite cold to others.


    "Let''s go upstairs and have a good talk. I heard you''ve acquired another Medicine Valley recently, and it''s in the Inner Sect. You must tell me all about it." Li Ya pulled Gu An upstairs.


    Their conversation lasted until deep into the night.


    Gu An didn''t mention his identity as Pan An but said that the harvest from Mystic Valley pleased the higher-ups, so they assigned him an extra Medicine Valley.


    With Li Xuandao being criticized because of Investiture of the Gods, how could Gu An dare to reveal Pan An''s identity to Li Ya?


    What if Li Ya let something slip?


    After all, they were father and son, no matter how big the conflict, their relationship was closer than with Gu An before a complete fallout.


    ...


    As summer gave way to autumn, the temperature still felt quite hot.


    Ten days had passed since Li Ya''s arrival, and in that time, Mystic Valley had not encountered any danger. Gu An even went out to manage the caves of the Outer Disciples, with Li Ya insisting on accompanying him. However, when they reached the caves, he didn''t enter, fearing that he might cause trouble for Gu An.


    Gu An wanted Li Ya to stay in Mystic Valley to protect the disciples, but Li Ya didn''t care about the others at all. In his words, he would only teach them swordsmanship out of respect for Gu An.


    That evening, as Gu An was picking mature herbs, Li Ya was meditating on a mountaintop to the west. The setting sun was just above his head, making him look like a peerless master.


    Suddenly, Gu An noticed something. His right hand paused momentarily before he continued picking herbs.


    "So there is a Demon Lord. I hope he doesn''t set his sights on my Medicine Valley."


    Gu An thought silently. The presence of the other was far beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm, but it did not pose a threat to his senses.


    The faint traces of Demonic Qi began to move away from Mystic Valley, which did bring him some relief.


    Compared to the life span of several decades he could gain from slaying the Demon Lord, he was more worried about revealing his strength.


    Until nightfall.


    Inside the house, Gu An was reading the Ziwei Array Chronicles. He was engrossed in the section about wood attribute formations.


    Suddenly, his brows furrowed, and he let out a sigh.


    Mystic Valley hadn''t attracted trouble, but Li Ya had caught the attention of the Demon Lord.


    On the mountaintop, Li Ya, who was meditating and absorbing energy, suddenly opened his eyes. He stood up, walked to the edge of the cliff, and looked down at the forest below the mountain he was on, about a hundred feet away. A mysterious figure, like a ghostly shadow, stood beneath the trees, looking up at him from afar.


    Under the moonlight, the figure merged almost perfectly with the darkness, and one had to be close to notice his presence.


    Li Ya frowned. He raised his hand toward the distance, then leaped up, soaring towards the end of the night sky.


    The figure beneath the trees turned into a wisp of black mist and dissipated, vanishing without a trace.


    After 30 minutes had passed.


    Li Ya landed beside a river in the valley, originated from the mountains and about two zhang wide, glittering under the moonlight.


    No sooner had he landed when a puff of black mist appeared on the grass across from the river, which then congealed into a human figure.


    Li Ya asked, "You''re not from the Heavenly Extinction Sect, and you seem to know me?"


    The mysterious figure''s hoarse voice came, "Prince Li Ya, inheritor of the Divinity Transformation Sword Intent from Jizhou''s number one Sword Cultivator¡ªan unexpected pleasure to encounter you."


    Li Ya drew his sword from his waist, pointing it at the shadowy figure, "Playing ghost tricks!"


    As soon as the words fell, rampant Sword Qi burst from his body, causing his black clothes to flutter intensely. Seven silver sword shadows quickly condensed around him, dazzling under the night sky.


    "Dare to resist me in the Elixir Formation Realm?" the mysterious person let out a scornful, cold laugh.


    He turned into Demonic Qi and dissipated once more, and in almost an instant, he reappeared behind Li Ya.


    Li Ya''s pupils shrank, and he immediately leaped up, while simultaneously swinging his sword behind him. The seven silver sword shadows slashed toward the mysterious figure at an extremely fast speed.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    The silver sword shadows fell one after another, stirring up clouds of dust, and the surrounding trees shook violently.


    In the air, before Li Ya could see whether the mysterious figure was hit, a strong gust of wind swept by his side, giving him no chance to react as he was sent flying.


    Li Ya plummeted into the forest like an arrow, toppling many trees along the way, and flew hundreds of feet before coming to a halt.


    As the dust cleared, the blood-covered Li Ya leaned against a tree trunk that was full of cracks, with branches still trembling.


    The mysterious figure appeared in mid-air, gazing down at Li Ya with a snort, "Kid, you dare to make a move against me just after reaching the Core Formation? You''ve got guts. Do you even know what realm I am?"


    Li Ya struggled to lift his head, his vision dyed red with blood.


    "Damn it..."


    Li Ya clenched his teeth, trying hard to stand up, but he couldn''t.


    "Sigh, kid, how did you get hurt again? You''re not playing with your own life, you''re playing with your ancestor''s life!"


    An elderly voice rang out in Li Ya''s mind, its tone filled with helplessness. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The mysterious person lifted his right hand, reaching out towards Li Ya through the air. In the darkness of the night, he was surrounded by Demonic Qi, his true face concealed.


    Before he could speak, a hand wrapped in Demonic Qi landed on his shoulder, startling him.


    Instantly, his body sprouted wooden branches, mingled with fresh blood, blooming like a blood flower in the air.


    The Demonic Qi on his body dissipated, revealing his true form¡ªa middle-aged man in the robes of an Outer Sect Elder, his stern and imposing face filled with incredulity as he was pierced through by the branches.


    With great difficulty, he turned his head, catching a glimpse of a purple-black figure standing behind him.


    "The Demon Shadow Divine Skill... you..." the middle-aged man said with a trembling voice.


    Li Ya''s eyes widened in anger and he exclaimed, "Elder Chen, how could it be you?"


    The man known as Elder Chen didn''t have time to respond as the Storage Bag at his waist was snatched away by the person behind him. Immediately after, the wooden branches on his body ignited with a green flame, rapidly burning him to ashes, his soul utterly eradicated along with his body.


    The purple-black figure stood in mid-air, his right arm still in the position of grabbing Elder Chen''s shoulder.


    Below him, Li Ya felt an immense pressure. He knew Elder Chen was a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator. How could someone of such cultivation be killed so effortlessly?


    "Void Crossing Realm! At least the fifth level or higher!"


    The voice of the ancestor echoed in Li Ya''s mind, heavy with gravity.


    The words ''Void Crossing Realm'' made Li Ya''s heart race.


    In the silent night within the mountain forest, Li Ya''s heart was in his throat, ready for the figure to strike at any moment.


    Inside, he roared, save me, ancestor!


    After several breaths,


    the purple-black figure vanished into thin air, causing Li Ya''s body to jolt, and he quickly looked around.


    "He has left, he must have weighed something." The voice of the ancestor resounded in Li Ya''s mind, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.


    "Stupid boy, stop worrying about Gu An, hurry to the Inner Sect. This Outer Sect is getting more and more sinister; someone must be damaging the heavenly virtue, and if you stay, trouble will eventually find you!"


    The ancestor''s tone became stern, and Li Ya fell silent.


    ...


    Inside the Mystic Valley Pavilion, Gu An gazed at the Storage Bag in his hand and sighed softly.


    Sorry, Senior Brother Li, without you getting hurt, you would never leave this place.


    Gu An felt guilty, as Li Ya had come for his sake. Although Elder Chen had clearly intended to capture Li Ya, if Li Ya had gone directly to the Inner Sect, the subsequent disaster would have been avoided.


    He decided to give Li Ya more medicinal herbs after his return.


    Killing Elder Chen granted him thirty-seven years of life span, no more, no less.


    He began to inspect Elder Chen''s Storage Bag, his Divine Sense scanning it several times, removing anything potentially dangerous and burning it.


    It wasn''t until daybreak that Li Ya returned.


    The fellow had changed into clean robes, appearing as if he hadn''t been through a battle at all.


    Downstairs, Gu An ran into him and asked, "Senior Brother Li, why does your complexion seem off?"


    Li Ya smiled and said, "I had a little mishap while practicing last night, it''s nothing."


    Gu An frowned, then pulled him upstairs, taking out all the elixirs he had prepared, dozens of bottles, claiming they were all stocked up for personal use.


    Li Ya asked in surprise, "Junior Brother Gu, what is this for?"


    "You''ve returned from outside the valley with a pale face, you must have been in a battle last night, right?" Gu An said gravely.


    Li Ya''s expression darkened in response.


    Taking a deep breath, he said, "Indeed, I encountered a Demon Cultivator last night and got injured. Junior Brother Gu, move to Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect. The Outer Sect is no place to stay!"


    No place to stay?


    I don''t believe it!


    Gu An''s foundation was here, he couldn''t possibly abandon it. Whoever brought trouble would die!


    On the surface, Gu An gave a wistful smile, "Senior Brother Li, the medicinal herbs we grow here in Medicine Valley are just Low-Rank Medical Herbs, the Demon Lord wouldn''t even glance at them. In fact, we''re safer without you here. You should go to the Inner Sect; we''ll be fine. I can get help from Lu Jiujia, we''re still on good terms."


    "But..." Li Ya hesitated.


    Gu An interrupted, "Senior Brother Li, I always feel that the chaos in the Outer Sect isn''t strongly related to the Demon Cultivators. The Demon Extermination Hall has been established for many years, and we''ve caught countless spies from the Demon Path. Is it possible that someone is causing trouble under the guise of the Demon Path?


    Going to the Inner Sect might save the Outer Sect, but if you stay, how long can you protect me alone?"


    Li Ya''s expression turned cold as he reflected on Elder Chen.


    After struggling for a few moments, he took a deep breath and said, "Junior Brother Gu, you are right! I will head to the Inner Sect now!"


    Gu An''s face lit up with a smile, then he forcefully stuffed all the elixirs into Li Ya''s hands, moving him greatly.


    After a brief conversation, Gu An urged him to set off, and Li Ya also felt the urgency.


    Because he was injured, Li Ya could only travel by sword flight. After flying out of Mystic Valley, he couldn''t help looking back, murmuring, "Do you see? This is why I can''t let him go. Whoever dares to harm him, I will make them regret it!"

 Chapter 61: Chapter 61 The Secrets of the Supreme Sect, The Division Between Righteous and Demonic

    After Li Ya departed, Gu An discreetly placed Elder Chen''s storage bag into the Eight Scenic Caves. That very afternoon, he made his way to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He wandered around, inspecting the premises, but his brow was furrowed the whole time.


    For a long time.


    Elder Tian finally took the bait.


    He came over, curious, and asked, "Valley Master, why are you constantly frowning?"


    Gu An glanced at him, shook his head slightly, and said nothing.


    Elder Tian took a step forward, saying, "Perhaps I can''t help you, but many things, once spoken, don''t seem so burdensome. I can offer advice from an outsider''s perspective."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately sighed and started recounting the events in the Outer Sect, including how Li Ya, who was in the first level of the Elixir Formation Realm, got injured while protecting him.


    The reason he specifically mentioned Li Ya was to ensure that the former Sect Leader remembered Li Ya''s contributions.


    Gu An felt that Elder Tian would not really spend his life here; he might make a comeback one day.


    After he finished speaking, Elder Tian furrowed his brow.


    Unable to hold back, Gu An complained, "The Demon Extermination Hall in the Outer Sect has been capturing demon infiltrators all these years, yet despite so many years of effort, demon cultivators still manage to infiltrate the Supreme Sect. Can the Supreme Sect really claim to be the foremost sect when its disciples cannot guarantee their own safety inside?"


    "It''s one thing for me to be killed, but I''m worried about my disciples."


    Upon saying this, he sighed again, clearly distressed and frustrated.


    Even he applauded his own acting skills.


    If acting could be included in the attribute panel, it would surely reach the pinnacle of mastery, leaving room to strive for a return to innocence.


    Elder Tian sighed along and said, "It does sound troublesome, but that''s how the Immortal Cultivation World has always been. No sect really cares about servant disciples¡ªto put it harshly, they don''t even consider them as true disciples."


    Gu An frowned¡ªthis time, he was genuinely troubled.


    Such words coming from the former Sect Leader sounded particularly harsh.


    "However, I''ve heard that the new Sect Leader is compassionate and has the support of the Hall of Elders. Perhaps he can change the current situation, at least better than the previous Sect Leader," Elder Tian continued, his expression unchanged as if he wasn''t criticizing himself, and it was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic.


    Gu An didn''t respond but sighed and continued inspecting the herbs.


    Elder Tian didn''t follow his pace, and he didn''t bring it up again, fearing that doing too much could be counterproductive.


    An ancient hour later, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.


    He planned to stay in Mystic Valley recently, making sure to return there the same day even when visiting other places.


    The disciples in Mystic Valley were puzzled as to why Gu An had been staying there continuously until Wuxin and Tang Yu made a trip to the Outer Sect and learned that demon cultivators had infiltrated recently, which made them nervous but also touched.


    Their master cared for them!


    Ever since the establishment of the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples felt that their relationship with Gu An had become distant, but now, they felt closer again.


    Wuxin felt the greatest pressure. He began to insist on the disciples practicing spells, aiming for each to have a slight ability to protect themselves.


    He bought some flashy spells from the Outer Sect for the disciples to practice.


    Counter-killing demon cultivators was difficult, but if the fight was noisy enough, maybe it would draw the support of the Outer Sect.


    Gu An did not stop him, thinking this might improve the unity of Mystic Valley and was an excellent opportunity to train Wuxin''s leadership and organizational skills.


    Several days later.


    Ye Lan arrived.


    She came for the same reason as Li Ya, worried about Gu An.


    In the attic, Ye Lan took a sword out of her storage bag and placed it on the table, saying, "Recently, there have been demon cultivators around, and their cultivation levels are not low. This sword is called the Qinghong Sword. Keep it with you. Though it doesn''t possess great power, it is connected to the White Spirit Sword I hold.


    If you encounter danger, I will sense it immediately and come to rescue you."


    Gu An couldn''t help but laugh and said, "Junior Sister, you''re only a few levels higher than me in cultivation. Don''t get yourself killed!"


    Get yourself killed?


    Ye Lan paused briefly, then quickly understood. She glared at Gu An and huffed, "Elder Brother, if we really fought, I could subdue you in one move. Don''t be fooled by how I act around you; others have a completely different experience facing me."


    "It seems my junior sister is indeed formidable. I underestimated you," Gu An admitted with a laugh. He then picked up the Qinghong Sword.


    The scabbard was exquisitely made, adorned with a carving of a flying goose among the clouds, very poetic. He then drew the sword; with a flash of light, a slender blade appeared before him. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s really beautiful. I''ll hang it at my side from now on," Gu An said with a smile.


    Those words brought a smile to Ye Lan''s face.


    Gu An noticed that although Ye Lan''s looks were not as stunning as Ji Xiaoyu or Li Xuanyu, she was quite attractive the more he looked at her.


    Ye Lan then sat down, watching Gu An play with the Qinghong Sword.


    Suddenly curious, Gu An asked, "If you encounter danger, can the Qinghong Sword sense the White Spirit Sword?"


    Ye Lan raised her eyebrows and said, "What, Elder Brother, you intend to protect me?"


    "Hahaha, how could that be? You know I''ve never been in a skirmish. Going there would only make things worse for you," Gu An laughed.


    "You know that''s good. Elder Brother, if I ever face danger, don''t you dare come to my rescue."


    "Don''t worry, I''m afraid of dying."


    Ye Lan giggled, "I''m afraid of dying too, but I have to survive. Without me, I''m afraid you''d be bullied by others."


    "Nonsense. Have I ever been bullied all these years?"


    "Then here''s to Elder Brother staying safe for a lifetime."


    ...


    Since Li Ya had left, Mystic Valley hadn''t faced any more dangers. When autumn arrived, Gu An calculated the time and found that a batch of herbs in the Third Medicine Valley should be ripe, so he returned there.


    He stepped out of the Array Platform, his gaze involuntarily turning towards his own loft.


    There was someone inside!


    Shen Zhen!


    Gu An did not go directly to look for Shen Zhen, considering there were no secrets in that loft, the only secret being "Green Hero Travelogue," which she happened to like.


    He walked into a garden, began picking herbs, and watching the tips continuously popping up, a smile curved the corners of his mouth, his mood extremely joyful.


    No matter how high his realm reached, he always felt happy seeing his lifespan increase.


    He wondered how much his cultivation level might ascend given his million years lifespan.


    He had searched through all the books in the Outer Sect''s Book Collection Hall, yet had not found any records of ascension, nor did anyone know how vast this world truly was.


    The larger the world, the higher the realms for sure. The Supreme Sect alone possessed the Great Cultivators of the Void Crossing Realm, and that True Inheritor who traveled abroad might have already surpassed the Void Crossing Realm, yet still wasn''t invincible in this world.


    The path of immortal cultivation was long and arduous.


    Gu An picked herbs while his thoughts wandered aimlessly.


    After he finished picking, he turned and walked towards the loft.


    Passing by Elder Tian, Elder Tian spoke up, "Ms. Shen came looking for you several times."


    Gu An nodded slightly, then continued on his way.


    Elder Tian hesitated for a moment, then said, "About the matter you mentioned, I''ve informed Elder Gu Zong. It might improve the situation for the Outer Sect."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An turned back to look at him, a smile on his face, "Elder Tian, you see, everyone has their own merits. You always say you''re about to go into the soil, but you can still help thousands of disciples in the Outer Sect. Thank you."


    Gu An lifted his hand in salute, turned his head, and left.


    Elder Tian seemed thoughtful, murmuring to himself, "Everyone has their own use¡­"


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An went upstairs, pushed open the door, and saw Shen Zhen sitting at the desk, writing with fluid strokes. She was still dressed in black, her face veiled in black, her hair piled up in a bun, with two strands like willow leaves fluttering beside her cheeks, giving her eyes and brows a soft and gentle beauty.


    Shen Zhen did not look up; she seemed to not notice Gu An coming in.


    Gu An walked over, moved to her side, trying to see what she was writing.


    At that moment, she stopped writing calmly and then tidied up the papers.


    But Gu An, having already seen part of the content, appeared puzzled and hesitated to speak.


    Shen Zhen stood up, stuffed the papers into her sleeve, walked to the side, creating some distance between them, and smiled, "I looked for you several times, and you were never here. Is the Outer Sect''s Medicine Valley that dear to you?"


    Gu An helplessly said, "Lately the Outer Sect isn''t safe, and I couldn''t take all my disciples with me, so I had to stay there. After all, my cultivation level is higher than theirs."


    The reason he disclosed this was to pass the message upwards through her.


    The more people talked about it, the more power and hope they might gather.


    "With your current achievements, not to mention entering the Inner Sect, going to the Main City of the Sect in the Supreme Sect isn''t difficult either. Why not write well instead of bothering with these trifles?" Shen Zhen asked curiously.


    Gu An answered, "You are the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, possessing resources that ordinary people can''t even think of. Why not focus on your cultivation instead of indulging in music, chess, and painting?"


    Shen Zhen fell silent.


    Gu An then began to tidy up the desk.


    After a while, Shen Zhen said with emotion, "No wonder you write about the Supreme Immortal Venerable. Indeed, only you understand me in this world. If you were to die, I''d have neither books to read nor a confidant."


    "No way, I can''t let you die. I''ll tell you a secret."


    She raised her hand, waved her sleeve, closed the room door, and from her sleeve flew out several talisman papers, which she adhered to the doors and windows.


    Gu An looked at her curiously, what secret could save his life?


    "Inside the Supreme Sect, some people are trying to cultivate Demon Skill to break through to higher cultivation levels to prepare for the upcoming great demon calamity. But whether this skill is feasible remains uncertain, so your Outer City is being used as a test.


    This matter cannot be overt, as it would damage the reputation of a reputable sect, so they disguise it under the guise of capturing Demon Cultivators," Shen Zhen said calmly, her gaze becoming unfathomably indifferent.


    Gu An frowned, "How do you know this?"


    Shen Zhen answered, "Because the Daotian Sect is also trying this, sacrificing some lower-level disciples in exchange for the prolonged existence of the sect, a feat that will be remembered through the ages."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An felt extremely uncomfortable.


    "What kind of Demon Skill requires the sacrifice of disciples?" Gu An pressed on.


    "In this life, cultivating towards immortality is said to defy the heavens, yet the higher the realm, the more one can feel the Heavenly Destiny. This Demon Skill allows those Great Cultivators who cannot break through any further to defy their Heavenly Destiny. All in all, you should give up the Medicine Valley out there; staying longer will do you no good.


    Because you are Pan An, they are afraid you''ll write indiscriminately, so they dare not tell you. Just don''t say it was me who told you."


    Shen Zhen''s words left Gu An silent.


    The distinction between the righteous path and the Demon Path seemed absurd at that moment.


    Shen Zhen''s eyes curved into a smile, "By the way, you just read my book; how did you feel about the content?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s expression became odd again, he earnestly said, "Actually, Green Hero Travelogue also has its flaws; some things are not necessary to learn."


    "Why can''t they be learned? That represents the most genuine clashes, the truest reflection of human emotions."


    "Do you have to write it?"


    "Yes."


    "Then, can the protagonist not be called Gu An?"

 Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Preparing for a Breakthrough, Immortal-Slaying Sword Array

    "What''s there to fear? There are more people named Gu An in the world than just you. Unlike you, I can''t just create characters at will; I need to acknowledge someone before I can write their story. From my perspective, you fit the role of the male protagonist the best. According to what I know, your only flaw is that your cultivation level is low."


    Shen Zhen spoke earnestly, causing Gu An''s face to twitch.


    Was this a compliment?


    Why did it sound more like a personal attack?


    If I were to reveal my cultivation level, even your father might not be able to measure up!


    Gu An continued to persuade, but Shen Zhen stubbornly refused to change his name.


    In the end, Shen Zhen suggested exchanging a secret manual for his name, and Gu An had no choice but to agree.


    After Shen Zhen left, Gu An stayed in the attic, browsing through the secret manual she had given him.


    Mystic Sound Art!


    This was a musical spell that could damage one''s internal organs and bewilder an enemy''s senses, quite comprehensive indeed.


    Gu An had been lacking in this type of spell and could further his study in the future.


    After reading through the Mystic Sound Art once, he tossed it into his storage bag and got up to leave.


    ...


    A month later, Gu An arrived at the Outer City. He first went to the Elixir Hall to submit this year''s harvest.


    Elder Zhu Qinglu met him. Gu An noticed that Zhu Qinglu looked fatigued, and there was a trace of demonic qi surging within him, just like Lu Jiujia.


    "Elder Zhu, you look unwell, what happened?" Gu An asked.


    He wasn''t sure how the Outer Sect''s Demon Skills were cultivated. Some people had gone missing, but on this visit to the Outer City, he noticed a hidden trace of demonic qi in many disciples, almost all of whom belonged to various factions and were not ordinary disciples.


    Was it collusion or a trap? He couldn''t judge, and Shen Zhen hadn''t elaborated.


    Elder Zhu Qinglu said with a smile, "The practice is strenuous, but no worries. Don''t you have a Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect? You better move there quickly, don''t stay in the Outer Sect anymore. Recently, Demon Cultivators have been rampant, and it''s too dangerous out here."


    Gu An tentatively asked, "A lot of people have told me that it''s very dangerous in the Outer Sect now. If it''s so dangerous, why doesn''t the leadership send more people to wipe out the demons?"


    "And what is the area under construction in the city? It is almost occupying one-fourth of the city area."


    Upon arriving in the Outer City, he had seen many disciples laying stones at the city center. Those stones were not mortal stones; each could contain spiritual energy.


    No matter how he looked at it, it appeared just like a gigantic sacrificial platform was being set up.


    Elder Zhu Qinglu replied nonchalantly, "The higher-ups have their considerations which we cannot speculate. What we can do is try to protect ourselves. As for the thing being constructed in the city, it''s an array platform that will provide protection for the Outer Sect in the future."


    Seeing his demeanor, Gu An felt that he was not a good person; he likely knew the inside story and had benefited from it.


    Gu An did not continue to inquire and, after exchanging a few pleasantries, left.


    Stepping out of the Elixir Hall, Gu An stood on the street and looked distantly at the array platform under construction. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dark clouds filled the sky. The once-thriving, sunny Outer City seemed so gloomy, as if it belonged to the Demon Path.


    Gu An stood still, watching for quite some time before finally turning to leave.


    The autumn breeze swept through the street, stirring his garments and slightly shaking the Qinghong Sword at his waist, its scabbard flashing with a cold light.


    After leaving the Outer City, Gu An went to tend to the caves.


    When he arrived at Li Xuanyu''s cave, he found her inside.


    "From now on, you don''t need to come here. I have to move to the Inner Sect. Here is your compensation," Li Xuanyu said as she sat at the table, waving her right hand and piling spirit stones on the table.


    Gu An immediately bowed and then went to collect the spirit stones into his storage bag.


    He didn''t say much and turned to leave.


    Li Xuanyu watched his leaving figure and asked indifferently, "I heard your leg technique is very powerful?"


    Gu An stopped, turned to look at her, and said, "Did Brother Li Ya tell you that? My leg technique is no match for his."


    Recently, Li Ya had stayed in Mystic Valley, watching Tang Yu practice the Residual Wind Leg, and had learned about the time Gu An had used the Residual Wind Leg to subdue Meng Lang.


    He hadn''t expected him to tell Li Xuanyu so quickly...


    "Hmm, I just asked casually."


    Li Xuanyu''s face remained calm as she spoke. She paused and then said, "I look forward to the day you join the Inner Sect. Then you and I can compete."


    Gu An replied, perplexed and helpless, "How can I compete with you, Senior Sister? I could never catch up to you."


    "Go back now."


    Li Xuanyu didn''t continue his line of conversation but instead gave him the order to leave.


    Gu An could only depart.


    After leaving her cave, Gu An didn''t feel much psychological burden.


    As long as he denied everything, what could Li Xuanyu do about it?


    ...


    Late at night, Gu An walked through the mountain forest. In the afternoon, he had already told Wuxin that he needed to go out and wouldn''t return until tomorrow.


    The reason he had mentioned it in advance was that he was preparing for a breakthrough.


    Once he made a breakthrough, it would undoubtedly cause a significant disturbance. If the disciples were looking for him then, and found he wasn''t in his room, they might get suspicious.


    Ever since his visit to the Outer City, Gu An had sensed a strong atmosphere of danger.


    The rulers practiced Demon Skills, and the nobles'' children fled the Outer Sect¡ªall these signs made him anxious.


    Although the Void Crossing Realm, Level Nine, was strong, the Supreme Sect had its share of those from the Void Crossing Realm. Thus, after several days of struggle, Gu An decided to break through to a higher major realm first.


    Ultimately, delaying the unlocking of the million-year lifespan feature by one year wouldn''t be too bad!


    This time, he took a long detour, traveling three hundred miles by night, and stopped in a dense forest. He stopped because he sensed two Nascent Soul auras, one of which he had felt before.


    Zuo Yijian!


    The Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake, who had previously gained Sword Enlightenment near Mystic Valley, was injured by Gu An in the guise of the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal. Since then, Gu An had only seen him at the Ji Family estate.


    Gu An had suppressed his aura to the lowest level, fearing no detection by anyone in the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Miles away, above the forest, Zuo Yijian, clad in blue robes, hovered in the air, with five precious swords floating beside him, circling around his body, epitomizing the demeanor of a Sword Cultivator.


    Facing him was a man in a wide black robe, burly in stature, wielding a long staff, with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes, and a square and imposing face. His black robe fluttered intensely, and his overwhelming domineering presence caused the trees below to tilt to the sides.


    "Zuo Yijian, you should have been content to stay in the Inner Sect and study, so why obstruct me?" the man in the black robe asked coldly.


    Zuo Yijian, expressionless, replied, "Chen Xuanjin, as a Great Elder of the Outer Sect, you practice Demon Skill, harming your fellow disciples. It''s not me who obstructs you; it''s your abundance of injustice that compels me to act on behalf of the heavens to apprehend you."


    Hearing this, Chen Xuanjin burst into derisive laughter.


    "Do you really not know whom I''m working for?" Chen Xuanjin snorted coldly, then planted his staff into the ground. A burst of purple light emerged from the base of the staff, forming purple runes and creating a complex and mysterious formation with a diameter of over a hundred meters.


    Just as the edge of the formation nearly touched Zuo Yijian, it was blocked by an invisible Sword Intent. From above, it looked as though a piece was missing from the edge of the purple light formation.


    "Of course I know. I cannot take on him, but I can handle you. Killing you means that even if your successor as Great Elder of the Outer Sect continues to commit wrongs, I can protect the Outer Disciples for a while."


    Zuo Yijian said expressionlessly, as the five precious swords around him unsheathed simultaneously, their sword light illuminating the night sky.


    "You think you can kill me?"


    Chen Xuanjin reacted as if he had heard a huge joke; his face twisted ferociously as his aura suddenly exploded, and a fierce wind arose, shaking the trees in the surrounding ten miles severely.


    Zuo Yijian''s expression changed slightly, and he involuntarily squinted.


    "You at Nascent Soul Realm level one think you can kill me at Nascent Soul Realm level nine? Zuo Yijian, do you think because you have your master as a backup, I wouldn''t dare kill you?"


    "Since you''ve chosen the path of power, refusing to remain ordinary, you are fundamentally mistaken. Saving some mediocre Outer Disciples as opposed to saving the entire Taicang Dynasty¡ªweigh what''s heavier and what''s lighter. If you don''t understand, then you''ve lived in vain!"


    Chen Xuanjin stood proudly, his domineering aura compressing Zuo Yijian''s sword shadows, causing his five precious swords to tremble.


    "I''ll give you one last chance, turn back now and it''s still not too late. Either go back to your Investiture of the Gods or die." Chen Xuanjin''s staff emitted rolling Demonic Qi, surprisingly condensing into a massive black dragon that coiled around him.


    Zuo Yijian took a deep breath and said, "Since you mentioned the Investiture of the Gods, do you know of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array?"


    Immortal-Slaying Sword Array!


    Chen Xuanjin''s expression drastically changed, revealing a look of astonishment.


    Gu An, who was secretly keeping an eye on them from a distance, was also surprised.


    "One breath becomes three pure ones, the marvelous technique penetrates Mount Sumeru..."


    Zuo Yijian muttered, his surrounding precious swords trembling fiercely, quickly dispersing and forming an array, its killing intent soaring into the heavens.


    Gu An, standing under a tree, was stunned.


    Could studying really reveal Daoist Sorcery?


    Was he a genius?


    Chen Xuanjin was also frightened and immediately cast a spell to attack.


    A great battle erupted instantly!


    The heavens shook and the earth moved, and the forests toppled.


    Gu An stood under the tree, unflinchingly, his pupils shining with Sword Qi, closely watching Zuo Yijian''s figure.


    After ten breaths,


    the battle ended.


    Gu An sighed with relief.


    That scared me!


    Gu An truly thought Zuo Yijian had discerned the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array from the Investiture of the Gods.


    If that were so, wouldn''t it mean that the Investiture of the Gods was real? What a world that would be!


    The swordsmanship Zuo Yijian used was self-created, truly powerful enough to compete with a Great Cultivator at Nascent Soul Realm level nine, but it did not last for long.


    The night sky cleared, the mountains and forests turned to wasteland, and dust flew into the air.


    Chen Xuanjin hovered in the air, gasping heavily, his face full of lingering fears. His eyes looked down at the rolling dust below.


    He could feel that Zuo Yijian was not yet dead, his brows furrowed in consternation.


    Although he wanted to kill Zuo Yijian, reason told him that doing so might cause trouble.


    Even though he was at the Nascent Soul Realm, within the Supreme Sect, he was still just a pawn.


    Just then, a sound of something cleaving the air came, startling Chen Xuanjin. He glanced up abruptly, his pupils dilating.


    A cold light sped from the horizon, scattering the dust and stirring up countless leaves as it passed, like a chilling sword slicing through the ages.


    Lying in the rubble, Zuo Yijian sensed something and instinctively opened his eyes. The dust above suddenly dispersed, the night sky reflecting in his pupils, where amidst the darkness, a bright light shined mesmerizingly.


    "It''s him..."


    Zuo Yijian''s eyes widened as he saw the swirl of Sword Qi around the leaves piercing Chen Xuanjin''s chest, blood splattering the night sky.


    In that moment, Zuo Yijian finally understood.


    The Flying Leaf Sword Immortal had not intended to harm him back then, but to guide him; otherwise, how could he have survived?


    Now, the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal''s intervention to save him both surprised and shamed him.


    Just who was this senior?

 Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Breakthrough to the Unification Realm!

    After Chen Xuanjin was pierced through the chest by a leaf swirling with Sword Qi, the Spiritual Power inside his body dispersed, and his eyes widened in fear, as his courage nearly shattered.


    He immediately escaped by ejecting his Nascent Soul and fled toward the horizon.


    In the trembling forest, Gu An calmly watched Chen Xuanjin flee. He intentionally did not kill Chen Xuanjin¡ªkilling him would only yield twenty to thirty years of life span. It was better to let him return, to intimidate the person pulling the strings from behind the scenes.


    Even if he killed Chen Xuanjin now, someone else would take his place, addressing the symptom but not the root cause.


    If intimidation failed to work, and his Mystic Valley was threatened, then Gu An would be forced to govern his domain personally.


    Under the night sky, Gu An''s gaze was so cold. He turned and left, quickly vanishing into the forest.


    Amidst the ruins.


    Zuo Yijian struggled for a long time before he managed to stand up. Covered in blood and dirt, he looked incredibly disheveled. He called out loudly for his seniors, but no one responded to him.


    He had no choice but to sit cross-legged and start cultivating energy to heal on the spot.


    Elsewhere, Gu An moved quickly, spanning a thousand miles before he finally stopped.


    He was still hidden in the woodland. Pulling up his clothing hem, he sat down in front of a tree and then called up his Attribute Panel.


    Looking at his life span of over a hundred thousand years, he took a deep breath.


    Void Crossing Realm''s Tribulation, who knows how many times it would fail.


    But he had made up his mind, no matter how many times he failed, he would break through!


    Otherwise, he felt no sense of security!


    First, let''s invest ten thousand years of life span!


    [You have invested ten thousand years of life span into your cultivation level for evolutionary practice]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for a hundred years, you with the Great Accomplishment of Yang Wood Primordial Skill forcefully broke through to the Unification Realm, starting Tribulation Crossing, and you did not survive the trial of the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Tribulation failed]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for four hundred years, you with the Great Accomplishment of Yang Wood Primordial Skill forcefully broke through to the Unification Realm, starting Tribulation Crossing, and you did not survive the trial of the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Tribulation failed]


    ¡­


    Continuous failures began!


    Every three hundred years, a Tribulation Crossing would be attempted!


    It''s no wonder the Supreme Sect practiced Demon Skills to break through Heavenly Destiny; this realm is indeed hard to withstand.


    After ten consecutive failures, Gu An''s heart began to quiver.


    Is it really this hard?


    He had practiced the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step, the Great Yin-Yang Transformation, and mastered two Divine Skills. Were Tribulation Crossings still this difficult?


    Gu An noticed that most of his Tribulations related to the Five Elements. Could it be that the Tribulations he faced were much more difficult than those faced by others?


    After Core Formation, Li Ya once said that Tribulations also varied in type. Different Cultivators may face different Tribulations, primarily related to one''s talent and cultivation technique.


    Gu An''s eyes grew sharp.


    No matter how hard, he would succeed!


    Heaven does not let down those who persevere!


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for five thousand four hundred years, you with the Great Accomplishment of Yang Wood Primordial Skill forcefully broke through to the Unification Realm, starting Tribulation Crossing, and you did not survive the trial of the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Tribulation failed]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for five thousand seven hundred years, you with the Great Accomplishment of Yang Wood Primordial Skill forcefully broke through to the Unification Realm, starting Tribulation Crossing, and you did not survive the trial of the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Tribulation failed]


    ¡­


    The prompts of failure still continued!


    Gu An quickly checked his Attribute Panel, looking at his life span, feeling slightly relieved.


    His confidence was still abundant!


    However, after ten thousand years had passed, he still had not succeeded.


    On the verge of losing his composure, he quickly invested another twelve hundred years.


    Failure!


    Failure! S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An''s eyes turned red as he once again invested twelve hundred years.


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Success!


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for nine hundred years, you with the Great Accomplishment of Yang Wood Primordial Skill forcefully broke through to the Unification Realm, starting Tribulation Crossing, and you survived the trial of the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Tribulation succeeded, advancing to the first layer of the Unification Realm]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for twelve hundred years, your cultivation level increased]


    He succeeded!


    Gu An let out a sigh of relief, it actually took twelve thousand four hundred years to finally achieve a successful breakthrough!


    Although the life span spent in life span evolution much exceeded that of actual practice, it still put immense pressure on him.


    If the Unification Realm was so challenging, what about the later realms?


    But on second thought, with his initial talents, to reach the Unification Realm before the age of fifty was incredible.


    What''s spent isn''t life, but merely numbers!


    Gu An adjusted his mindset, activated the Life Span Barrier, and prepared to enjoy the boost in cultivation level.


    The ground began to overflow with Spiritual Energy, visibly manifesting at a visible speed. Within three breaths, the ground showed waves of green, formed by the Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy.


    Spiritual Energy flowed into his body, stirring up a cyclone that enveloped him.


    The commotion grew larger and larger!


    Gu An felt that this time the disturbance would exceed his prior experiences; it seemed like just a single realm breakthrough, but this realm required an incomparably greater amount of Spiritual Energy than previous realms.


    As the Spiritual Energy entered his body, Gu An''s cultivation level began to rise, and insights about the Unification Realm flooded his mind as if he had truly experienced those years of practice.


    ¡­


    In the Outer City.


    Within a mansion, Chen Xuanjin''s Nascent Soul floated in front of a desk, his complexion dark and his gaze fixated on the ancient bronze mirror before him.


    Suddenly, a blurry face reflected in the mirror, and an indifferent voice emerged, "What brings you to me so late at night?"


    "I was nearly executed by the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal... and also Zuo Yijian, he''s thwarting our grand scheme!" Chen Xuanjin gritted his teeth, his voice filled with bitterness and a hint of fear.


    When the flying leaves pierced his flesh, Chen Xuanjin felt as if he was facing death itself, and now he was extremely horrified in retrospect.


    He felt that had he reacted even slightly slower, he might have truly perished!


    The person in the mirror fell silent upon hearing this.


    Chen Xuanjin did not disturb him, waiting quietly instead.


    After a while, Chen Xuanjin seemed to sense something, and his face drastically changed.


    "The Spiritual Energy is sinking again!" he said hastily, glancing towards the door as if afraid the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal would appear any moment.


    "Tomorrow, I''ll come to the Outer Sect myself!" the person in the mirror declared, and as the voice faded, the image vanished.


    Chen Xuanjin turned to look outside the window. The dark clouds gradually covered the bright moon, as if a terrifying omen was approaching, further unsettling his heart.


    It wasn''t just him who felt the sinking of the Spiritual Energy; the entire Outer City was in uproar, with more and more disciples taking to the skies.


    Lately, Demon Cultivators roamed wildly, with disciples going missing from time to time. With the sudden sinking of Spiritual Energy tonight, who wouldn''t panic?


    Ye Lan flew towards the Law Enforcement Hall, and along the way encountered Lu Jiujia, who flew at her head-on with Sword Control; both stopped simultaneously.


    Lu Jiujia had a stern expression. Seeing Ye Lan, he hesitated to speak.


    Ye Lan, expressionless, said, "Is it your doing again?"


    Lu Jiujia shook his head, "No, the Demon Extermination Hall has already ordered heightened alert, this time it might truly be a Demon Cultivator invasion."


    "Truly?" Ye Lan asked with a sarcastic tone.


    Lu Jiujia frowned.


    Ye Lan continued, "Senior Brother Lu, do you really think this path is correct? If they can be cruel to other disciples, are you so sure they''ll never turn on you?"


    Lu Jiujia retorted, "If we don''t take this path, then what? Follow your lead, and join the Law Enforcement Hall that could be disbanded at any moment?"


    Their gazes locked, bristling with silent confrontation.


    In the end, they brushed past each other, neither uttering any further threats.


    ...


    The clouds churned, and in the night sky, an enormous inverted vortex appeared, vast and boundless, with the forests below undulating like waves, oppressive to the extreme.


    In a secluded patch of woods, where no one could spy on him, Gu An continued his meditation.


    A full hour had passed, and his Cultivation Level was still rising, not yet breaking through to the Unification Realm.


    The amount of Spiritual Energy required for the Unification Realm was huge, far beyond Gu An''s expectations.


    Considering such a realm, how terrifying must real Tribulation Crossing be?


    He suddenly felt that failing the simulated Tribulation Crossing countless times was of no consequence since failing a real Tribulation Crossing even once could lead to complete annihilation.


    Gu An felt his Spiritual Power surging uncontrollably, and his mood was anything but calm.


    If the Unification Realm held such immense Spiritual Power, how powerful must a true Immortal be?


    He became lost in endless daydreams.


    The Earth Spirit Energy crazily flowed into his body, with green qi waves erupting from the ground, making him feel as though he was in the midst of an ocean.


    Outside the Life Span Barrier, the woods shook violently, and numerous Cultivators flew overhead, but none noticed Gu An''s presence.


    The impact he caused was not limited to this; to be precise, the entire Supreme Sect felt the effects, with the woods outside each Outer City trembling, causing alarm and unease among the Supreme Sect''s Cultivators.


    Having experienced this before, Gu An was not the least bit panicked; in fact, his mood carried a touch of playfulness.


    Wanting to practice Demon Skills, wanting to sacrifice Outer Disciples, let''s see if you panic now!


    Gu An was very dissatisfied with the idea of sacrificing a few for the greater good, not because he was noble, but because he was among those being sacrificed.


    Time continued to pass.


    More and more Cultivators flew over Gu An''s head, and he kept using the Life Span Detection.


    More than ten Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivators passed by, and he even saw those from the Void Crossing Realm.


    Indeed, the Supreme Sect was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!


    As the number of Cultivators from the Void Crossing Realm increased, Gu An even caught a glimpse of Gu Zong.


    The patrolling Gu Zong emitted a formidable aura, unlike the gentleness shown to Gu An before. His overwhelming pressure made all creatures tremble.


    This night was destined to be restless.


    Another half hour passed, and Gu An finally achieved a breakthrough to the Unification Realm, his entire perception undergoing a transformation.


    He felt a deeper integration between his physical body and his Primordial Spirit, the process of Primordial Spirit Emergence became much easier, and his control over both his body and his Primordial Spirit far surpassed that of his previous state.


    This feeling was so wonderful that he found it indescribable.


    After reaching the Unification Realm, Gu An''s Spiritual Power also changed, becoming stronger and more abundant.


    His Divine Sense range was rapidly expanding, but he refrained from actively probing, fearing that he might disturb the Great Cultivators passing by above.


    The number of Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivators had surpassed ten!


    Gu An even saw Great Cultivators of the Ji Family from the Void Crossing Realm, which explained why the Ji Family dared to have a residence in the Supreme Sect, and also why that person had not appeared during Ji Xiaoyu''s banquet.


    After a short while longer, the increase in Gu An''s Spiritual Power started to slow down.


    This signaled that the breakthrough was nearing its end.


    Gu An''s heart gradually returned to calm.


    The Life Span consumed by this barrier had exceeded a thousand years, but he wasn''t distressed about it, as the Life Span Barrier had shielded him from the detection of over a hundred Great Cultivators.


    Those he considered Great Cultivators had at least reached the Nascent Soul Realm.


    And this was only one direction of the Supreme Sect; if he added up the Great Cultivators checking the other seven directions and cities, how many would there be?


    The only thing that put Gu An''s mind at ease was that he hadn''t seen shadows of Great Cultivators from the Unification Realm, at least for now.


    Although this couldn''t definitively say that the Supreme Sect had no Unification Realm Great Cultivators, it did suggest that the Unification Realm stood at the pinnacle within the Supreme Sect.

 Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Heavenly Repair Platform, The Mysterious Formation

    ```


    The morning sun split through the mountains and rivers of the earth, sweeping across the Outer City, with disciples constantly flying in and out, busy and yet repressed.


    In a mansion.


    Chen Xuanjin''s Nascent Soul hovered within the hall, his head lowered, extremely tense.


    In front of him sat a man in the chief seat, dressed in a black robe with dragon patterns, his face young and handsome but his brows exuded such authority that it created a pressure incongruous with his appearance. His long hair was coiled under a silver crown with Qilin carvings, and just sitting there, he radiated an aura of unrivaled supremacy.


    "Your brother was executed by the demon cultivator from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, and now you have been seriously injured by the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal. Tell me, might Zuo Yijian''s master be connected to the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?" the man in the black robe slowly asked. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His tone was calm, as if speaking of an insignificant matter.


    Chen Xuanjin quickly raised his head and said, "We cannot rule out this possibility. It''s no secret that the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion has planted spies within the Supreme Sect. Didn''t you say before that there must be spies from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion among the high ranks? Haven''t they just revealed themselves now?"


    Offending Zuo Yijian meant endless trouble, but if Chen Xuanjin could topple Zuo Yijian''s backer, then he wouldn''t be afraid of Zuo Yijian anymore.


    The man in the black robe narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling upon Chen Xuanjin, who quickly lowered his head in fright.


    The hall fell into silence once again.


    After a while.


    The man in the black robe spoke in an eerie tone, "Prepare the formation. With the demon cultivators causing chaos recently, after this matter is resolved, we can pin the blame on the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion."


    Chen Xuanjin hastily said, "But in my current state, I fear..."


    "This time, I will take it upon myself."


    "What? That can''t be, whether this can succeed or not is not yet determined, and the Daotian Sect is also waiting for us to try it."


    "Nothing is ever certain to succeed. The path of immortal cultivation is inherently thorny. We''ve been planning this for a century, and the Supreme Sect must act; we can''t let those lurking in the shadows ruin our grand plan. Don''t try to persuade me further."


    Hearing this, Chen Xuanjin could only suppress his worries and agree to the matter.


    Elsewhere.


    Mystic Valley.


    Gu An was directing the disciples in their drills. The commotion from the previous night had left the disciples restless, so they were discussing in small groups.


    Tang Yu asked, "Master, how come you returned so quickly?"


    The others looked towards Gu An as well.


    Gu An snorted, "Didn''t you feel the commotion last night? I rushed back because I was afraid something would happen to you."


    Upon hearing this, the disciples all felt ashamed, believing that they were too weak and always a concern for their master.


    Xiaochuan said with worried urgency, "Senior brother, why don''t you go to the Inner Sect''s Medicine Valley? It''s okay if we disband, we can all find our own way in the Outer Sect, so you can be safe."


    He wasn''t afraid of dying; he just didn''t want Gu An to overexert himself.


    Gu An had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm and had a future beyond their comparison. Why should he always live in fear because of them?


    Gu An said, "If you want to go to the Outer City, I can let you go, but I must remind you that the Outer City is not necessarily safer than Mystic Valley, since disciples disappear in the city all the time. I''m not threatening or implying anything. Whatever you choose, I''ll respect it, and I can''t keep you against my own will. Whether you stay or go, the bond with Mystic Valley remains."


    He spoke from the heart.


    He yearned for longevity and knew he would inevitably face many partings and deaths; he had long been prepared and did not concern himself with the fates of others.


    Unless someone truly mattered to him, then he would act according to his heart.


    Hearing his words, the disciples fell silent, looking at each other.


    Wuxin hesitated to speak, but ultimately held back.


    "Leave, why leave? Could we, as servant disciples in other places, ever receive elixir refinement from a master like ours? Mystic Valley doesn''t need so many servant disciples, but our master still took us in without reducing our treatment. We can''t be ungrateful!"


    Tang Yu was the first to speak. His greatest regret was that he had not charged to the front like Su Han when Qiu Qianli caused trouble.


    Once, Su Han had been following his lead, but now Su Han had achieved Foundation Establishment, while Tang Yu was still unsure if he would ever reach that level in his lifetime. The gap had started to grow from that calamity.


    Tang Yu did not resent Gu An but felt ashamed. He swore to perform well and regain the favor of his master.


    As he spoke up, the other disciples joined in agreement, and the atmosphere became lively, no longer as oppressive as before.


    Gu An smiled and signaled for the disciples to continue their drills.


    Just as they finished their drills, Ye Lan arrived, confirming Gu An''s safety before quickly leaving.


    Gu An stood by the window, looking in the direction of the Outer City.


    Great Cultivators still occasionally flew overhead, though not as many as the previous night.


    Gu An''s Divine Sense could easily span thousands of miles to observe the Outer City, and that wasn''t even the limit of his abilities.


    He saw the massive Array Platform being rapidly constructed¡ªeven disciples had started moving Spirit Stones. He watched silently, still unable to discern the purpose of the formation.


    The issue of the sinking Spiritual Energy had thrown the Supreme Sect into turmoil, and the tense atmosphere had only begun to ease after nearly ten days.


    Gu An was affected by this.


    ```


    Several Outer Disciples were moving their caves, resulting in the loss of a few channels for him to collect life span; these disciples were clearly planning to flee the Outer City.


    Gu An, however, was not disappointed. He now had three Medicine Valleys and his life span would only continue to increase in the future. He was even planning to expand the Third Medicine Valley.


    He was just waiting for the matters of the Outer Sect to end quickly. As long as it didn''t threaten his Mystic Valley or the few people he cared about, he was too lazy to meddle in the conspiracies of the Supreme Sect.


    Just as Shen Zhen had said, even the Great Yu Dynasty''s top sect, the Daotian Sect, was involved in such activities. Why should he force himself to intervene? He did not possess such a strong sense of justice to save those suffering from hardship. With so many hardships in the world, could he save everyone even if he wanted to?


    Moreover, such matters were not easy to manage. If he forcibly disrupted the Supreme Sect''s plans, and the sect faced a great calamity of demons and could not hold on, he would become the sinner of the Supreme Sect. Everyone in the Supreme Sect would blame him. After all, aside from the sacrificed victims, all others benefited.


    Those he saved might even feel that without his intervention, they wouldn''t have been sacrificed and thus blame him.


    He couldn''t keep saving one group of people after another and carry the mission of saving all lives forever. Just the thought of it made him feel tired.


    Time continued to pass.


    One day, Gu An came to Tianya Valley, first harvesting the matured medicinal herbs, then leading three Monkey Demons to sow the seeds.


    Luo Hun approached from behind and said, "A month ago, the Earth Spiritual Energy subsided, and many Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect were patrolling around. Some even passed through the airspace above Tianya Valley. What exactly happened to the Supreme Sect?"


    Gu An casually replied, "It seems there was a Demon Cultivator invasion. Oh, and Li Ya was injured by a Demon Cultivator before. He is now recuperating in the Inner Sect."


    Upon hearing this, Luo Hun frowned deeply, turned around, and walked into the forest.


    Afterward, Gu An''s Divine Sense saw him casting a spell on a piece of Talisman Paper. Once his Spiritual Power was infused into it, the Talisman Paper ignited, quickly turning to ashes.


    Gu An, now at the Unification Realm, could keenly sense a strand of Spiritual Power belonging to Luo Hun fleeing toward the horizon at great speed.


    It seemed Luo Hun was sending a message to Li Xuandao.


    Gu An didn''t think much about it and continued sowing.


    After finishing the sowing, he gave a few instructions to the three Monkey Demons and then left Tianya Valley.


    Compared to those conspiracies and tricks, he was more concerned about the development of the Medicine Valley. Focusing his energy on this was the right thing to do.


    ...


    The sky was overcast with clouds, and the Outer City was crowded with people.


    Su Han and Zhen Qin stood in front of a stele. Su Han read out loud, "Heavenly Repair Platform."


    Following Zhen Qin''s gaze, they could see a massive Array Platform stretching over a dozen miles in front of them, incredibly majestic. Around the edge of the platform stood statues of various poses, all depicting ancient Immortals.


    At the very center of the Heavenly Repair Platform stood a hundred-zhang-tall stone pillar, square and upright, its surface etched with many indentations that resembled human meridians, exuding mysterious signs.


    "Senior Brother, what do you think is the purpose of this Heavenly Repair Platform? Why has the Sect summoned all Outer Disciples to return, and we even have to gather on the platform tomorrow?" Zhen Qin asked with a slight frown, her tone quite dissatisfied.


    Su Han looked at the Heavenly Repair Platform and said softly, "I don''t know either. It might have something to do with the descent of Spiritual Energy a month ago."


    Many Disciples who had just returned and were seeing the Heavenly Repair Platform for the first time were standing in the streets behind them, also discussing the platform.


    How powerful must the Formation be to operate such a large platform?


    Without an answer, Zhen Qin turned to look in other directions. In a daze, she thought she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure, but when she looked carefully, she saw no one, as if she had been mistaken.


    "Strange..." muttered Zhen Qin.


    In the crowd not far away, Jiang Qiong walked in blue garments, her gaze casually sweeping over the Heavenly Repair Platform without any expression on her face.


    An old man with a hunched back and a cane in his hand, only reaching her shoulder, accompanied her.


    "Miss, this Array Platform is not simple. I''m afraid there will be big trouble tomorrow. Should we really stay?" the hunched-back old man asked.


    Not just him, but many Disciples around were worried, with various speculations.


    Jiang Qiong, unfazed, replied, "It''s indeed not simple. The Restrictions within the platform are very complex, and it would take decades to deduce and complete. But since we''re already here, we must see what happens tomorrow."


    The hunched-back old man looked at her and exclaimed, "Miss, you''ve changed so much. Do you have attachments to someone in this Supreme Sect?"


    "Indeed, I do. That''s why I asked you to come."


    "Hehe, it seems my old bones will need to be put to work again."


    The two casually chatted, not mentioning the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, so no one suspected their identities.


    Meanwhile.


    On the other side of the Heavenly Repair Platform, two young figures stood on the edge of a nine-layered pavilion, one of them being the backer of Chen Xuanjin, a man in a black robe.


    The man in the black robe looked down at the Heavenly Repair Platform, his gaze profound, as he pondered something unknown.


    The young man beside him asked, "Master, the Outer Disciples of this city should have almost all returned. Should we summon more Servant Disciples from nearby Medicine Valleys, Beast Fields, and mines?"


    This voice was unmistakably Chen Xuanjin''s!


    He had taken over the body of a young Disciple.


    The man in the black robe said softly, "No need. The more Servant Disciples there are, the less pure their Cultivation Levels would be."

 Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Demon Suppressing Umbrella, Qinghong Trembles

    A night passed, and with the dawn of the next day, more and more Outer Disciples entered the Outer City.


    Disciples from the Demon Extermination Hall and Law Enforcement Hall began to guard each city gate, checking the identity card of every disciple who entered.


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform, many disciples were already sitting in meditation waiting; Su Han and Zhen Qin stood at the edge of the platform, looking out with furrowed brows.


    "Senior brother, I have a bad feeling about this, shall we leave?" whispered Zhen Qin.


    She practiced the cultivation technique taught by Jiang Qiong, with a keen perception. Those Demon Extermination Hall disciples standing at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform made her uncomfortable, an unease that instinctively made her want to flee the area. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Han also felt that something was amiss, so he nodded and left with his junior sister.


    The two of them went against the flow; it wasn''t just them, other disciples also sensed something off and wanted to leave the Outer City, but many more chose to trust the Supreme Sect.


    Reaching the city gate, Su Han and Zhen Qin were stopped by Demon Extermination Hall disciples, who stated that today entry was allowed, but exit was not.


    Su Han''s gaze moved to the flags standing on the city wall, his eyebrows furrowing again¡ªthose flags hadn''t been there when they entered the city yesterday.


    "Junior sister, I''ll draw their attention, you prepare to escape," Su Han said using the Sound Transmission Skill.


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin instinctively looked towards him.


    Just then, Su Han suddenly drew his sword and charged towards the city gate in a swift stride.


    "How dare you!"


    The Disciples guarding the gate shouted angrily; without needing orders, other surrounding Demon Extermination Hall disciples immediately took action.


    Zhen Qin wanted to support Su Han, but seeing him encircled, she knew that if she helped him now, they would both be captured, thus wasting his efforts.


    She immediately moved toward the city gate. However, nearly a hundred Disciples of the Demon Extermination Hall blocked the way, and there were also people on the walls, making it very difficult to escape.


    Zhen Qin charged towards the direction with the fewest people. At the same time, other disciples wanting to leave the city also started to fight, causing chaos at the front of the city gate.


    The cultivation level of the Demon Extermination Hall disciples was at least at the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Su Han was quickly subdued and pinned to the ground, unable to move.


    He struggled to raise his head, only to see Zhen Qin injured and on the ground, which made his eyes turn red.


    The one who injured Zhen Qin was a woman dressed in the black garb of the Demon Extermination Hall. She came from outside the city, blocking the gate, and coldly announced to everyone, "Today we are checking for spies from the Demon Path. Anyone who tries to leave will confirm their identity as a demon cultivator!"


    At her words, the restlessly anxious disciples instead let out a sigh of relief.


    So it was a search for demon spies¡ªno wonder the grand setup.


    They were worried that the Supreme Sect was up to something else. If it was just a search for Demon Cultivators, they were not afraid, for they had nothing to hide.


    Su Han, Zhen Qin, and other combative disciples had their Spiritual Power sealed with talisman paper by the Demon Extermination Hall disciples and were then escorted to the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    As noon approached, all the city gates in the Outer City were closed.


    A loud bell rang out, and an imposing voice reached all the disciples in the city:


    "All disciples must immediately gather at the Heavenly Repair Platform!"


    Disciples from various streets began heading towards the Heavenly Repair Platform, and the vast expanse of the platform was already occupied by tens of thousands of disciples.


    The news about the Outer City investigating demon spies had spread, and those who were not demon spies felt at ease, some even cultivating by absorbing energy on the platform.


    Ye Lan followed the Law Enforcement Hall disciples to the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform. She was about to step onto the platform when she suddenly saw a row of disciples kneeling on the ground in the distance. Her delicate brows furrowed because she recognized Su Han and Zhen Qin, who appeared disheveled with blood on their mouths, obviously having just been through a battle.


    She did not act rashly, but instead withdrew her gaze, pondering how to rescue her two fellow disciples.


    After much thought, she had to admit the only person she could turn to was Lu Jiujia.


    The Law Enforcement Hall had been completely suppressed by the Demon Extermination Hall, making it impossible to get people out of the Demon Extermination Hall, even for the leader of the hall.


    Ye Lan began to worry about Gu An, hoping he had not entered the city.


    She always felt that today''s events were more than just a hunt for demon cultivators.


    As a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, she could not flee just because of suspicions. Deep down, she still held some trust in the Supreme Sect, believing that the shady dealings of the Demon Extermination Hall could only operate in the shadows.


    In the distance.


    Jiang Qiong and a hunchbacked elder stood at the window of a pavilion. They were not the only ones; some Inner Sect Disciples who were passing by the Outer City did not go to the Heavenly Repair Platform either, but they were curious about what the Outer Sector was up to.


    "Last night, there was a powerful Divine Sense checking the entire city; its cultivation level may have already surpassed the Divinity Transformation Realm," the hunchbacked elder said with a heavy tone and furrowed brow.


    Surpassed the Divinity Transformation Realm?


    Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes.


    The hunchbacked elder then asked, "Miss, is it now time for you to tell me why you have come here?"


    Gazing towards the distant Heavenly Repair Platform, Jiang Qiong replied, "To kill a traitor."


    A traitor?


    The hunchbacked elder looked puzzled.


    Time continued to pass.


    When the number of people on the Heavenly Repair Platform surpassed one hundred thousand, the platform still appeared spacious.


    Lu Jiujia stood at the edge of the platform, scanning the disciples on it. The murderous aura on his face became even more apparent, giving off a very dangerous vibe.


    Ye Lan approached, and seeing her, Lu Jiujia''s brow furrowed.


    "Su Han and Zhen Qin have been captured by your people, can you let them go?" Ye Lan asked in a low voice.


    Though she had severed ties with Lu Jiujia, for the sake of the two juniors, she had no choice but to humble herself.


    If she were the victim, she could choose death, but those two were Gu An''s disciples, and she could not completely ignore them.


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia''s brows furrowed even tighter, but he still nodded slightly.


    "Thank you!"


    Having said that, Ye Lan turned and left.


    Lu Jiujia watched her retreating figure, wanting to say something but stopping himself. In the end, he could only sigh and then went to look for Su Han and the others.


    After half an incense stick of time, he returned to his original position with Su Han and Zhen Qin.


    Zhen Qin cautiously asked, "Martial Uncle Lu, is it really just about catching the spies from the Demon Path?"


    Lu Jiujia nodded lightly, without saying a word.


    Zhen Qin breathed a sigh of relief and said no more, while Su Han observed Lu Jiujia, his instincts telling him that something was off about Lu Jiujia.


    Suddenly.


    To the east of the Heavenly Repair Platform, a red umbrella rose from behind a large building, swiftly flying to the airspace directly above the center of the platform, drawing many gazes.


    The red umbrella opened, and beads made of white jade began to fall, tied together by tassels in the air; they swayed and collided with each other, producing a clear, chiming sound.


    With a loud bang!


    The red umbrella burst forth with strong spiritual power, and a pale golden light circle expanded swiftly, covering the entire outer city and connecting with the tall flags on the city walls.


    Everyone in the city looked up, some in astonishment, others in fear.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere below the red umbrella, strikingly the man in the black robe.


    "I am Chu Xian, an elder from the Main City of Sect of the Supreme Sect. I have come here to cleanse the Demon Path spies from the Outer Sect."


    The man known as Chu Xian spoke, his words falling, and the vast aura of the Void Crossing Realm enveloped the entire Outer Sect, making everyone feel his immense power.


    Ye Lan looked up at the high and mighty Chu Xian from the sea of people, her eyes filled with shock.


    What kind of cultivation level did one need to possess such a demeanor?


    Not just her, but Lu Jiujia, Su Han, and Zhen Qin were also shocked. The majority of the outer disciples revered Chu Xian like an Immortal.


    "The Outer Sect has had the Demon Extermination Hall for many years, and many spies from the Demon Path have been captured, yet their atrocities continue. Let us check the Demon Exhibition Hall first!"


    The voice of Chu Xian was so cold. As he spoke, the red umbrella above him whirled, emitting sinister sounds that echoed throughout the city.


    Lu Jiujia''s face drastically changed, his hands covering his chest, and with a thump, he knelt on the ground.


    Not just him, the other disciples of the Demon Extermination Hall did the same, some even cried out in agony.


    "Martial Uncle Lu, what''s wrong with you?" Zhen Qin quickly asked, extremely anxious.


    Lu Jiujia felt as if he was being devoured by ten thousand insects, the pain was extreme, he had no strength to reply. He could only raise his hand to signal Zhen Qin and Su Han to stay away.


    The disciples of the Outer Sect who were on the platform were all looking towards the edge area where the disciples of the Demon Extermination Hall were, talking in hushed, shocked tones.


    "The magic artifact on my head is the Demon Suppressing Umbrella. Under its light, all Demonic Qi vanishes. Any practitioner of Demon Skills will turn to blood water!" Chu Xian''s voice rose once again.


    The Heavenly Repair Platform exploded into chaos!


    The Demon Extermination Hall was actually full of Demon Cultivators?


    In all these years, how many had the Demon Extermination Hall captured, already making it abhorrent. Now knowing that they were all Demon Cultivators, how could they not be enraged?


    Various curses and condemnations arose.


    Lu Jiujia was in excruciating pain, his forehead on the ground, his body trembling.


    "Damn¡­ it''s true¡­"


    Lu Jiujia gritted his teeth, his face twisted to the utmost, he couldn''t mobilize his spiritual power, and his heart plunged into unprecedented fear.


    Suddenly, Demonic Qi emerged from his body, rising up, not just from him, but also from other Demon Extermination Hall disciples. It climbed swiftly into the air towards the Demon Suppressing Umbrella.


    Ye Lan stepped out from the crowd and saw Lu Jiujia in agony. She immediately came forward and took out an elixir from her storage bag to feed him.


    This act caused other disciples to start cursing her, but she remained indifferent.


    However, her elixir had no effect.


    "Junior Sister¡­ run¡­" Lu Jiujia''s voice was straining, each word seeming to exhaust all his strength.


    As the word "run" fell, he suddenly spat out a large mouthful of black blood.


    "What in the world is going on?"


    Ye Lan asked in a deep voice. She paused, then quickly added, "I can''t possibly escape right now, not unless the truth is revealed and the entire sect unites to resist. That''s the only chance for survival."


    Lu Jiujia no longer had the strength to reply. He shakily raised his right hand, his index finger pointing to the heavens.


    p>Ye Lan turned her head to look, and the person he was pointing at was indeed Chu Xian above them.


    "Next, we must inspect the platform for spies from the Demon Path."


    Chu Xian''s voice rang out, quieting the clamorous Heavenly Repair Platform in an instant. Even the disciples with clear consciences suddenly felt a bit panicked at this moment.


    The Demon Suppressing Umbrella swayed again, that sinister sound causing everyone''s hearts to palpitate.


    Ye Lan seemed to sense something, sharply looking down just as the ground of the Heavenly Repair Platform revealed dense, strange blood runes. Her feet were precisely on these runes, and a malevolent power burrowed into her body, forcibly sealing her spiritual power and immobilizing her.


    She trembled all over, and her White Spirit Sword also emitted a sound because of it.


    All the disciples on the platform knelt in unison, resembling the rise and fall of a tide, the ground beneath their feet also covered with dense blood runes.


    "To think the invasion of the Demon Path was this deep. Since this is the case, there is no need for this Outer Sect to exist anymore."


    Chu Xian''s voice descended from the heavens, so ice-cold, plunging everyone into a deep abyss.


    ...


    In Mystic Valley, within a loft.


    Gu An was busy writing a book when suddenly the table trembled, causing him to stop writing.


    His gaze shifted to the Qinghong Sword placed on the table beside him. At this moment, the Qinghong Sword was vibrating intensely, as if the blade was about to rush out of its sheath, with a faint sound of a bird''s cry.


    Watching the Qinghong Sword, Gu An''s expression changed.

 Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Sword Falling from the Sky

    Atop the Heavenly Repair Platform, tens of thousands of disciples knelt in submission, the bloodlines beneath their feet surging and transforming into streams of blood that enshrouded their bodies.


    "Elder, I''m not a spy from the Demon Path!"


    "You are the demon cultivator! Traitor! May you meet a horrible end!"


    "Ridiculous, so many spies from the Demon Path, truly the biggest joke. I never expected the Supreme Sect to be so dark, still claiming to be the foremost upright sect of Taicang, hahaha, it won''t be long before the Taicang Dynasty is also annihilated!"


    "Chu Xian, even in death, I won''t let you off as a ghost!"


    "Such actions, are you not afraid of the wrath of gods and men, of retribution?"


    Cries of agony, pleas for mercy, curses, and all manner of sounds filled the air within the Outer City.


    At the center of the Heavenly Repair Platform, the channels in the stone pillars began to fill with fresh blood flowing upwards, like veins engorging with blood, eerie and terrifying.


    Billowing dark clouds gathered from all directions above the heaven and earth, quickly enveloping the skies over the Outer City, casting a shadow over the city.


    The pale golden light emanating from the Demon Suppressing Umbrella began to take shape, enveloping the entire city. Those disciples who hadn''t ascended the Heavenly Repair Platform tried to flee, but couldn''t break through at all.


    Ye Lan trembled, striving to rise, but she simply couldn''t. Feeling her Spiritual Power being drained, her eyes were filled with panic and despair.


    Su Han and Zhen Qin by her side were the same, unable to even speak, only able to wait desperately for death to come.


    In the distance.


    Within an attic.


    The hunchbacked elder, gazing at Chu Xian''s silhouette, wore a grave expression and said, "I never thought he would become so powerful, the geniuses of the Supreme Sect are truly extraordinary, it has not been many years..."


    Fear also shone in Jiang Qiong''s eyes, the mere pressure from Chu Xian made her dare not act rashly, the gap was too vast.


    "So it is, the legendary Heaven and Earth Nirvana Array..."


    Jiang Qiong muttered to herself, causing the hunchbacked elder to look at her and say, "Miss, this formation might threaten us, we should leave quickly."


    Jiang Qiong nodded; her target was not Chu Xian. His appearance had taken her by surprise, especially the Heaven and Earth Nirvana Array, which left a great impact on her.


    They immediately turned and prepared to retreat from the Outer City.


    Boom¡ª


    Thunder roared within the dark clouds overhead, as if the gods were bellowing, a heavy and loud sound.


    Chu Xian looked up, his eyes calm. After a mere glance, he redirected his gaze to the city beneath him. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the struggling tens of thousands of disciples below, a look of compassion appeared in his eyes.


    "For the thousand-year lineage of the Supreme Sect, making this sacrifice is not in vain for your lifetimes of cultivation," he muttered, as if consoling himself. The pity in his eyes gradually vanished, replaced by detachment.


    He raised his hand and grasped the Demon Suppressing Umbrella, ready to increase its power and refine the cultivation of all disciples on the platform in one go.


    Ye Lan was already prostrate on the ground, lifting her eyes with difficulty. Under the rolling thunderclouds, Chu Xian''s figure was so terrifying.


    But at this moment, what she saw was not Chu Xian, but another silhouette.


    She worried that Gu An wouldn''t escape this calamity.


    She regretted in her heart, thinking that she should have looked for Gu An yesterday, urging him to leave the Supreme Sect in advance.


    The unforgivable actions of today meant Chu Xian would surely kill all the Servant Disciples belonging to this part of the Outer City.


    More and more Blood-Colored Runes appeared on her body, like chains pulling taut. They seemed to drag her into the ground; an unprecedented wave of exhaustion swept over her like a tsunami. Her eyelids trembled as they closed.


    The White Spirit Sword on her waist quivered fiercely, as if anxious for its master.


    Just then.


    Ye Lan seemed to sense something and opened her eyes instinctively. Sunlight shone on her face, and not only her, but other disciples enduring torture opened their eyes as the sky suddenly brightened.


    The badly mutilated Lu Jiujia could only glance at the sky with the corner of his eye. Under his gaze, the dark clouds overhead had been blown away, and from the lingering traces of clouds at the edge of the sky, it was clear they were dispersed by some tremendous force.


    Jiang Qiong and the hunchbacked elder moving quickly through the streets saw it more clearly; they turned their heads and stopped in their tracks.


    They saw above the Demon Suppressing Umbrella, outside the pale golden shield, a sword floating in the air, enveloped by Sword Qi, its blade indistinct, only its slim form recognizable.


    Chu Xian looked up and moved the Demon Suppressing Umbrella away, his brows tightly furrowed.


    "Who?"


    His voice rang out, his tone carrying a hint of tension.


    This "who" gave hope to everyone in the city; those sealed on the Heavenly Repair Platform looked on with eyes full of anticipation.


    Boom!


    A tyrannical Sword Intent burst forth from the sword shadow in the sky, instantly shattering the pale golden dome that covered the entire city.


    Chu Xian''s complexion changed drastically. He immediately channeled his Spiritual Power into the Demon Suppressing Umbrella. The umbrella shook violently, releasing a mighty force to oppose the Sword Qi from the sword shadow.


    "Un¡ª"


    Chu Xian''s eyes widened in shock as he uttered the beginning of a word, but the sword shadow descended with overwhelming dominance. It scattered the vast power of the Demon Suppressing Umbrella, smashing it head-on and piercing through his flesh.


    Like a meteor falling!


    The sword shadow descended from the sky, landing on the Heavenly Repair Platform, its blade embedding into the stone of the platform, trembling nonstop. The powerful Sword Intent released, dispelling all Blood-Colored Runes on the platform; the massive stone column shattered instantly.


    The Sword Intent swept over Ye Lan, causing her clothes to flutter, and she felt as if she had awakened from a nightmare.


    Su Han and Zhen Qin felt the same, quickly getting to their feet.


    More and more disciples freed from their bonds stood up, all turning to look at the sword shadow at the center of the platform; in their eyes, the sword was not to be feared, instead, it was their savior.


    Some looked up to see Chu Xian still suspended in the air, his right hand gripping the shaft of the Demon Suppressing Umbrella, his body trembling, blood flowing uncontrollably from every orifice.


    "Why...," Chu Xian''s voice trembled, but before he could finish speaking, his body burst forth with sword light after sword light, turning to ash in midair, not even his Primordial Spirit managed to escape.


    The vault of heaven then emitted a dark yellow glow as if dusk had arrived.


    "How is this possible... He was in the Void Crossing Realm..."


    The hunchbacked elder''s eyes widened in terror and disbelief.


    Jiang Qiong, too, could not maintain her composure. Chu Xian had existed beyond the Divinity Transformation Realm, so what level of cultivation was required to slay Chu Xian with a single sword strike?


    Following her gaze, a pillar of energy descended from the sky, connected to the Heavenly Repair Platform, as if splitting the entire world in two.


    That was Sword Qi!


    A Sword Cultivator of such caliber was actually born into this world...


    In that moment, Jiang Qiong felt extremely insignificant and mediocre, as if her injuries from the past century had already disqualified her from the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Simultaneously.


    Third Medicine Valley.


    Beneath a large tree, Elder Tian looked in the direction of the Outer City. Even from this great distance, he could see the column of Sword Qi above the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    "Unification..."


    Elder Tian murmured to himself, a sound that only he could hear.


    Atop the mountain at the edge of Medicine Valley, Ye Yan stood firm against the wind. Suddenly, a strong gust blew, pulling his robe behind him as he grasped his long spear, standing tall and unwavering as a pine.


    He squinted his eyes, staring at the distant column of Sword Qi, filled with amazement.


    Dozens of miles away.


    Shen Zhen stood on a cliff, with the entrance to her cave dwelling behind her. The wind swept her black clothes and veil, partially revealing her face below.


    Her eyes, too, reflected the column of Sword Qi, brimming with curiosity.


    The Supreme Sect had such a Sword Cultivator hidden within its ranks!


    She couldn''t help but think of the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, plucking leaves to slay Nascent Souls; his realm was unknown to all, as was his true identity.


    ...


    Ye Lan stood on the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform. Before her were tens of thousands of disciples. She couldn''t see the sword shadow enveloped by the crowd, but her gaze involuntarily shifted to the White Spirit Sword at her waist.


    The sword was still trembling slightly.


    A complex array of emotions crossed her eyes.


    It was at this moment that the Outer Disciples in front of her began to retreat en masse, causing a thunderous clamor. Ye Lan was drawn by a sharp sound.


    It was the sound of a sword blade grinding against stone!


    She immediately leaped up, stepping on her Flying Sword to rise into the sky. Not just her¡ªtens of thousands of disciples did the same, scattering into the air in a magnificent sight.


    All those who reached the sky stared wide-eyed because they saw the sword shadow that had killed Chu Xian moving rapidly, its blade still embedded in the stone of the platform, sparks flying, the Sword Intent overflowing.


    Elder Liu Chang of the Book Collection Hall furrowed his brows, chanting, "The... Righteous... Path..."


    Once the sword shadow finished the last stroke, it soared into the sky, swept over the heads of all the disciples, and vanished into the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    Everyone turned to look at the Heavenly Repair Platform, where two large characters were etched in the center.


    Righteous Path!


    The strokes were vast and fierce, exuding the ultimate sharpness and a killing aura!


    Jiang Qiong and the hunchbacked elder also flew up to see the two characters, and the two Demon Cultivators from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion were just as shocked.


    The Taicang Righteous Path conducted the affairs of the Demon Path, but in the end, the mysterious Sword Cultivator intervened and left behind the words "Righteous Path."


    What did this imply?


    While the Supreme Sect had its dark aspects, it also had Great Cultivators with a sense of justice!


    Jiang Qiong had always sneered at the Supreme Sect''s claim to the Righteous Path, believing they were merely fooling the world. Yet now, she suddenly felt that perhaps the Supreme Sect wasn''t as deplorable as she thought.


    ...


    In Mystic Valley, within a pavilion.


    Gu An sat at his desk, his brows slightly furrowed.


    Someone had locked onto his Qinghong Sword, making it difficult for him to directly retrieve it.


    He was controlling the sword with his Sword Intent. That previous strike was no ordinary attack, it was the maneuver of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword at the Integration Realm!


    "Since you want to pursue, so be it. Let them know that in the Supreme Sect, a sword hangs over their heads," Gu An thought to himself. He then picked up the writing brush, preparing to try and multitask.


    The Qinghong Sword had already traveled more than six thousand miles away from him, and the distance was rapidly increasing.


    Above the sea of clouds, the Qinghong Sword enveloped in Sword Qi swiftly moved, leaving behind a long trail of disturbed air that stretched to the end of the heavens.


    Suddenly, the Qinghong Sword stopped, hovering above the clouds.


    Within three breaths, a streak of golden light sped from the horizon, quickly approaching the Qinghong Sword to within less than a hundred feet.


    As the golden light dissipated, a man in a blue Daoist robe appeared, holding a horsetail whisk. He seemed to have the appearance of an immortal, but his expression was somewhat grave.


    "Who exactly are you? There''s no mention of a Unification Realm Sword Cultivator in the Taicang Dynasty," the man in the Daoist robe asked, his tone serious.

 Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The Furious Vice Sect Leader

    The voice of the man in the Daoist robe echoed above the sea of clouds, his gaze fixed on the Qinghong Sword.


    He couldn''t discern the true form of the sword, as his Divine Sense failed to penetrate the Sword Qi on its surface, which alarmed him greatly.


    The achievement in the Sword Dao of this person was undoubtedly the strongest he had encountered!


    However, he received no response.


    It seemed that the whole world consisted only of him and the sword; there was no second person present.


    Yet, he could feel a trace of Divine Sense fluctuation on the Qinghong Sword, indicating that the sword was being controlled, which tightened his mind and made him prepare for battle.


    At that moment, the Qinghong Sword burst out with a powerful Sword Intent. Instantly, rolling thunderclouds surged from all directions, darkening the entire world.


    The terrifying Sword Intent locked onto the man in the Daoist robe, causing him to be visibly moved.


    Thousands of lightning bolts interlaced in the cloud above, while bolts of pale lightning, like a group of dragons, tumbled through the sea of clouds. The Sword Qi on the Qinghong Sword surged wildly, burning fiercely like a roaring flame.


    The man in the Daoist robe immediately waved his horsetail whisk, casting out strands of Gang Qi, which gathered around him forming a huge Golden Light Mountain. Divine Statues rose atop the mountain, as if silently screaming.


    A sudden downpour fell, and fierce winds howled through the clouds.


    Under the flashing lightning, the Qinghong Sword, enveloped by Sword Qi, seemed like a supreme demon sword, exerting immense pressure on the man in the Daoist robe.


    The Qinghong Sword soared into the air, its tip pointing at the man in the Daoist robe.


    The man in the Daoist robe immediately struck with his palm. The Golden Light Mountain on his body burst forth with dazzling light, all the Divine Statues simultaneously swung their palms, turning Spiritual Power into a majestic group of light that attacked the Qinghong Sword, sweeping across the sky like a galaxy.


    The Qinghong Sword moved!


    Boom!


    The sword struck towards the man in the Daoist robe!


    As the sword moved, winds and thunder howled, and the heavens and earth trembled!


    Cold light dazzled the sky; the Qinghong Sword appeared like the fastest light in the world, the fiercest thunder, unstoppable as it blasted all obstructions away!


    The golden river of light was directly dispersed, the Golden Light Mountain on the man''s body instantly shattered, shocking him into hopping away; but in the next second, the Qinghong Sword had already reached him, relentlessly pursuing.


    He struck out with a palm, and the space in front of him seemed to solidify, an invisible barrier forcibly brought the Qinghong Sword to a halt, stirring up waves of qi around the barrier, giving it form.


    Suddenly!


    The man in the Daoist robe''s expression changed, cursing inwardly.


    Clang¡ª


    The sound of shattering glass rang out, and the man instinctively retreated. Time seemed to slow, and in his pupils, the tip of the Qinghong Sword drew closer and closer, its Sword Qi blooming like a dazzling, beautiful flower.


    Boom!


    A strong gust of wind attacked the face of the man in the Daoist robe, blowing off his hair ornament, his black hair danced wildly, his Daoist robe was pulled violently backward, and the sea of clouds behind him was scattered. The thunderclouds above tore open, sunlight poured down, seemingly splitting the heavens with a giant gap stretching to the horizon.


    The man in the Daoist robe widened his eyes, staring at the sword hanging in front of him, unable to calm his emotions.


    This sword was fully capable of injuring him, but it had stopped when he was defenseless.


    Under his gaze, he saw the Qinghong Sword slowly descending.


    He seemed to understand something, neither dodging nor striking.


    The Qinghong Sword gently tapped his chest three times, then turned and left, moving faster than it had when he had been pursuing it.


    The man in the Daoist robe didn''t chase after it this time, knowing it was pointless to do so, as he was no match for his opponent.


    His expression gradually darkened; the sunlight falling on him felt piercingly harsh.


    ...


    Inside the house, Gu An was writing. Simultaneously, he lifted his other hand to catch the Qinghong Sword flying in from the window.


    He had let the Qinghong Sword circle around a few times, retrieving it only when the disciples in the valley were not paying attention.


    After the previous encounter, Gu An had suddenly gained confidence in his Sword Dao.


    Killing Chu Xian in the Void Crossing Realm granted him ninety-three years of life span. The man in the Daoist robe he had encountered afterward was also in the Unification Realm. Judging by his aura, he had just entered the Unification Realm, at most not beyond the Second Layer, but he was no match for his Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had always thought his actual combat ability in the same realm was weak, but now, it seemed, he might have underestimated himself.


    Even without much combat experience, his cultivation in spells and ultimate skills was tangible, not fabricated from thin air.


    Not everyone could spend thousands of years cultivating spells, as most cultivators spent most of their time on Energy Absorption.


    Of course, it''s always safer in combat to fight from a higher realm against a lower one!


    Gu An placed the Qinghong Sword back into its sheath, then set it on the table. He turned his head toward the Outer City, where many Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect had already rushed there.


    With tens of thousands of Outer Disciples alive, Chu Xian''s sins could not be hidden. Ye Lan and others were now safe.


    It was likely that the Supreme Sect wouldn''t practice that Demon Skill for a while.


    The two characters that Gu An had carved at the Heavenly Repair Platform became the focus of the cultivators'' gathering. Great Cultivators marveled at his Sword Intent, while the Outer Disciples were indignant, cursing Chu Xian and demanding that the higher-ups must thoroughly investigate the matter.


    Because Chu Xian had isolated the Outer City with a formation in advance, the Servant Disciples in Mystic Valley heard nothing, only the sea of clouds stirring above, which drew a few more glances from some disciples outside.


    An hour later, more and more cultivators swept over Mystic Valley, causing a buzz among the disciples in the valley.


    Gu An did not come downstairs, pretending to be unaware of the matter.


    Today, the Supreme Sect was destined not to be peaceful.


    ...


    After one night, in the early morning, Ye Lan, Su Han, and Zhen Qin returned.


    Gu An received them in the attic, and Wuxin and Xiaochuan insisted on joining the excitement. Gu An let them enter the room together.


    Zhen Qin began to recount the experiences of the previous day, startling and astonishing Wuxin and Xiaochuan, making their emotions fluctuate with the story.


    Ye Lan was unusually silent and did not keep staring at Gu An; Gu An guessed the reason, so he pretended not to notice her abnormality.


    When Zhen Qin and Su Han finished speaking, Wuxin sarcastically said, "I had long seen that the Supreme Sect was not as righteous as the outside world claimed, but I never expected them to be so shameless as to sacrifice more than a hundred thousand fellow disciples. Even the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion has never seen such a heartless act!"


    Xiaochuan was also very upset, thinking about the Demon Cultivators Mystic Valley had encountered over the years, he gritted his teeth and said, "Senior Brother, why don''t we switch to another sect? Cultivating plants somewhere else is also cultivation!"


    Gu An gave him a glance and said, "Nonsense, speak less of such things in the future. Anyway, at least the matter was interrupted, and there are still righteous people within the Supreme Sect."


    He could not bear to part with his foundation, especially the Eight Scenic Caves.


    "There have already been Great Cultivators from the Main City of the Sect who have come to administer justice, and they said they would definitely give an explanation to the Outer Disciples. Let''s see how the Sect handles it from now on.


    The incident yesterday was too big; it will inevitably spread to the Immortal Cultivation World and cannot possibly be concealed," Ye Lan said, without looking at Gu An as she spoke.


    Su Han suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Master, Martial Uncle Lu has been seriously injured. Even if he survives, I''m afraid..."


    Gu An had actually seen Lu Jiujia''s dreadful condition yesterday, but he was powerless to help. Lu Jiujia''s cultivation level had been drained, and even if he survived, he would become disabled and would likely find it very difficult to cultivate further.


    He did not know if Wuxin''s Daoist Expansion Skill could help him.


    "Tell him, if he doesn''t mind, he can come to Mystic Valley to find me, and we can plant flowers and live a peaceful life together," Gu An sighed.


    The mention of Lu Jiujia''s fate made the atmosphere in the room extremely oppressive.


    "Alright, you all may leave now, I will have a talk with Junior Sister Ye," Gu An said, waving his sleeve.


    Everyone hurriedly paid their respects, then turned and left.


    Zhen Qin thoughtfully closed the door, and just as the door was about to shut, she gave Gu An a playful look, making him somewhat smile wryly.


    The room fell into silence.


    Gu An could feel that Ye Lan''s breath was not calm. He showed a smile and said, "Junior Sister, you were frightened, weren''t you? How about resting for a few days in Mystic Valley?"


    Ye Lan took a deep breath, turned to face him, and said, "It was indeed a shock, but not from fear. Brother, I suddenly understand what you said before; I have been foolish. The path of immortal cultivation should focus on cultivation. If we hid in the mountains and met such evil people as yesterday, being utterly powerless to fight back would be the most tragic thing for us both."


    Hearing her say this, Gu An instead worried that she was putting too much pressure on herself.


    "Junior Sister, don''t think too much. It''s right to work hard at cultivating, but dangers like yesterday are rare," Gu An earnestly advised.


    Ye Lan nodded and said, "Although I don''t know who the Great Cultivator was who intervened yesterday, I will learn from him. When I''m as powerful as he is, I''ll stand by your side, Brother."


    She smiled and even raised her eyebrows at Gu An.


    Seeing her return to her usual self, Gu An smiled as well.


    Later, Ye Lan talked about the Demon Extermination Hall; almost all of its disciples had been ruined, but the Main City of the Sect was preparing to thoroughly investigate the Demon Extermination Hall. According to the information she received, this incident might impact the Hall of Elders of the Main City of the Sect.


    Within the Supreme Sect, there was never a monopoly of opinion. Everyone had their own adversaries, and Chu Xian had many. Those people would surely exploit this incident to make a move.


    Gu An was also looking forward to changes within the Supreme Sect. If it continued to be so vile, and if one day he grew tired of it and became strong enough, he would let the Supreme Sect hear a different voice.


    ...


    Two days later.


    In the Third Medicine Valley,


    Gu An was checking the herbs when he suddenly sensed two presences. His eyebrows twitched, but he did not turn around.


    Before long, Gu Zong arrived with a man, who was none other than the Daoist robe man who had fought with the Qinghong Sword before.


    "Gu An, come here," Gu Zong called from afar.


    Gu An immediately turned and walked over, while casting a Life Span Detection at the Daoist robe man.


    Divine Sense can detect a person, but Life Span Detection must be done through the eyes.


    [Ji Hantian (Unification Realm First Layer): 780/3300/3500]


    Indeed, a Unification Realm First Layer!


    And he even has the surname Ji?


    Recently, he had seen a Ji-surnamed Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator; surprisingly, there was also a Ji-surnamed Unification Realm Great Cultivator hidden within the Supreme Sect.


    The Ji Family''s foundation was truly terrifying.


    Gu An walked up to Gu Zong and raised his hand in greeting.


    Gu Zong smiled and said, "Gu An, this is the Vice Sect Leader, and he''s from the Ji Family."


    Hearing this, Gu An immediately greeted Ji Hantian.


    Ji Hantian nodded his head and showed a smile, saying, "No need for such formality, especially since you are also from the Ji Family. Come, let''s go upstairs and talk."


    Gu An immediately led the way.


    Once they were upstairs in the room, Gu An closed the door, and Gu Zong followed by setting up a Restriction.


    Suddenly, Ji Hantian slammed the table and shouted angrily, "This is preposterous! Utter lawlessness! Pan An, you must write this down and expose the sins of the Supreme Sect to the entire world!"

 Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Promotion in Status, Searching for Pan An

    "Have me write it?"


    Gu An dared not respond, unclear about why Ji Hantian was angry.


    If Ji Hantian wanted Gu An to slander himself, he definitely wouldn''t write it!


    "Why are you so loud?"


    Gu Zong said discontentedly as he sat down and motioned for Gu An to sit next to him. Gu An nodded and took a seat on the stool beside him.


    Ji Hantian struggled to calm his emotions and said, "Using over a hundred thousand disciples to forge a formation, is this truly the righteous path? If it hadn''t been for that mysterious sword cultivator''s intervention, I would still be in the dark!"


    He was genuinely distressed.


    At that time, while in seclusion, he had felt a powerful sword intent and, startled, immediately left his retreat. He traveled tens of thousands of miles, and though he failed to save Chu Xian, he overheard the Outer Sect disciples'' curses. This made him furious yet curious about the identity of the sword cultivator, so he chased after him.


    To his surprise, he was easily defeated by the opponent...


    Since reaching the Unification Realm, Ji Hantian felt he could roam across the Taicang Dynasty unopposed, with few capable of challenging him, most being old freaks in prolonged seclusion. He had not tasted defeat for too long.


    Most crucially, the opponent had not only defeated him but also helped him!


    "Had that person not intervened, once I emerged from seclusion, would the hatred for the extermination of that Outer Sect segment have fallen upon the Demonic Sect?" Ji Hantian stared at Gu Zong as he asked.


    Gu Zong gave a bitter smile and did not respond, but his answer was clear.


    Ji Hantian then looked at Gu An and said, "You must write out everything about the incident three days ago, including the nefarious deeds of the Demon Extermination Hall and the sword cultivator who averted the disaster for the Outer Sect. That person intervened, signifying they are also from the Supreme Sect, albeit discreetly.


    Promoting his feats will help maintain the image of the Supreme Sect, at least not branding it as demonic all at once."


    Hearing that he could praise himself, Gu An felt no pressure.


    However, he couldn''t agree too readily.


    Gu An feigned difficulty, hesitating to speak.


    Ji Hantian frowned and asked, "What? Don''t you want to do it?"


    Gu Zong replied irritably, "For such a major issue, if he writes it, he''ll certainly offend a ton of people. You just put him in great trouble with a single request, daring you are to ask indeed!"


    At this, Ji Hantian appeared somewhat embarrassed.


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "I am willing to work for the Supreme Sect, but..."


    Gu Zong, smiling, asked, "What do you want? Just say it."


    Ji Hantian frowned but remained silent.


    "I want my Medicine Valley to expand, specifically the Third Medicine Valley of the Inner Sect. Allocate an area of a hundred square miles to me. I will cultivate more medicinal herbs there. The herbs provided to the Sect will remain as usual, and I won''t be greedy," Gu An stated earnestly.


    Upon hearing this, Ji Hantian couldn''t help but ask, "That''s it? You could ask for much more."


    He had expected Gu An to make exorbitant demands but was met with such a minor request.


    Gu An nodded and said, "I only want these. With my mediocre talent, seeking treasures and cultivation techniques would only invite trouble. Cultivating medicinal herbs is my hobby; it gives me inspiration when I write and also contributes to the Supreme Sect."


    Ji Hantian looked at Gu Zong.


    Gu Zong laughed and said, "Don''t underestimate him; that''s really what he thinks. You are unaware of Pan An''s fame; just get to know more about him in the coming days. If he speaks up, the Hall of Elders will surely promote him to True Disciple."


    "Oh? Are his books really that powerful?"


    "Take a look at ''Investiture of the Gods''; you will definitely like it."


    "Alright then, I''ll make the decision right now and allocate that hundred square miles to you. You can plant whatever you want there, and you''ll also receive a set of sixth-tier Spirit Protection Formations. Gu Zong, handle this matter," Ji Hantian said earnestly.


    Gu Zong nodded with a smile.


    Gu An immediately raised his hand to thank Ji Hantian.


    Gu Zong began to inquire how the Sect Leader viewed this matter; Ji Hantian said with a sarcastic tone that he definitely pretended to be unaware.


    The Sect Leader and the Vice Sect Leader don''t get along!


    In the meantime, Ji Hantian also mentioned Lv Baitian, also known as Elder Tian, expressing dissatisfaction with him.


    It appeared that Elder Tian had changed his appearance and physique, which is why Ji Hantian hadn''t recognized him.


    Only then did Gu An realize that Elder Tian had truly deviated. Elder Tian usually loved seclusion and seldom managed the Supreme Sect, leading many to misuse his name. Only after he deviated did they elect Elder Chu Tianqi as the Sect Leader.


    From Ji Hantian''s words, it was clear he considered Elder Tian as already dead.


    This gave Gu An more to speculate about the relationship between Gu Zong and Ji Hantian.


    A full hour had passed before Ji Hantian and the other left.


    Gu An stood on the grass, watching them depart.


    Suddenly, Elder Tian approached, curious and asked, "Was there trouble in the Outer Sect?"


    Gu An nodded and briefly explained the situation, causing Elder Tian to frown.


    "Elder Tian, what do you think? Do you consider the Supreme Sect righteous or evil?" Gu An asked casually as he squatted down to examine a medicinal herb in front of him.


    Elder Tian responded, "The boundary between righteousness and evil is not easy to define. Discussing righteousness and evil should not be based on the present but judged by posterity."


    Those words...


    No wonder the Supreme Sect is so warped!


    Gu An didn''t inquire further, no longer bothering with Elder Tian.


    He began planning how to fully cultivate the hundred square miles, as Gu Zong had already promised. Besides Shen Zhen, he would ask the Inner Sect disciples in nearby caves to move further away to avoid future conflicts.


    Inner Sect Disciples differed from Outer Sect Disciples. Those who became Inner Sect Disciples were not only highly talented but also possessed complex connections. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that anyone you met in the Inner Sect was a person with a significant background.


    Following this incident, Gu An had come to understand that the Taicang Dynasty didn''t belong to the Emperor, nor did it belong to the sects, but to the influential families.


    Members of the Ji Family could not only become the Vice Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, but they also managed to place members of the Ji Family in every sect throughout the Taicang Dynasty.


    Not to mention the Gu Family and the Zhou Family.


    Gu An felt that Chu Jingfeng and Sect Leader Chu Tianqi also came from the same clan, proving that the Chu Family was also formidable.


    However, this was of no concern to him, as he had no intention of establishing his own family. He did not want too many attachments. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    First pursue the path, then follow your heart!


    ...


    The actions of the Gu Sect were swift. In less than a week, the arrangements were complete. Nearby Inner Sect Disciples were relocated, and he also received a set of Sixth Layer Spirit Protection Array.


    The Spirit Protection Array was specifically used to enhance and contain Spiritual Energy.


    In the vast expanse of the world where Spiritual Energy flowed, every Great Sect began by locating Spirit Lineages and then sealing off the Spiritual Energy, ensuring an abundance of it within the sect. This, however, caused the Spiritual Energy available to the common folk to become sparse.


    With this array and the expansive resources of medicinal herbs, even if his Cultivation Level reached the Core Formation Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, or Divinity Transformation Realm, he could always downplay his talents by saying that his advancements were solely through the accumulation of resources, thus eliminating any perceived threat from others.


    Moreover, the Gu Sect allowed him to keep twenty Servant Disciples in the Third Medicine Valley. Normally, Servant Disciples are not allowed in the Inner Sect. Bringing four initially was already an exception, but his relations with the Gu Sect made it possible.


    Gu An had recruited seven people from Mystic Valley, including Tang Yu.


    As for Xiaochuan and Wuxin, they still remained in Mystic Valley, but Gu An now allowed them to visit the Third Medicine Valley anytime they wished.


    The days ahead were looking up.


    Time flew by, and a month had passed since the calamity at the Outer Sect.


    One day, Gu An went to the Outer City. Without the Demon Extermination Hall, the Outer City had regained its prosperity from years ago, and the going-and-coming disciples were not so tense anymore.


    As he walked, Gu An suddenly spotted someone.


    Jiang Qiong!


    During the confrontation with Chu Xian, Gu An had sensed Jiang Qiong with his Divine Sense but pretended not to notice. He thought she would have left after a month but was surprised to see her still around.


    Jiang Qiong walked up to him and smiled, "Come with me."


    Gu An looked at the hunchbacked elder behind her and launched a Life Span Detection.


    [Hu Mo (Divinity Transformation Realm Nine Layers): 970/1300/1570]


    Gu An could feel the Demonic Qi hidden within the old man.


    Jiang Qiong was really bold. It was one thing for her to come alone, but bringing a fellow Divinity Transformation Sect member wasn''t she afraid of revealing too much?


    Seeing Gu An hesitate, Jiang Qiong raised her hand, displaying a token.


    Great Elder of the Outer Sect!


    Equivalent to the head of the Outer Sect!


    Gu An looked at her in surprise. How did she manage it?


    Jiang Qiong smirked and then brushed past him. He quickly followed her pace.


    Later, Gu An entered Jiang Qiong''s residence, where there were several Servant Disciples, none of whom had an aura of the Demonic Path.


    Jiang Qiong led Gu An into a great hall, while Hu Mo stood at the doorway. Gu An could feel him enacting a spell, isolating the room to prevent anyone from peeping inside.


    Gu An watched Jiang Qiong sit at the head of the table, casually crossing her legs, lacking the demeanor of a Great Elder of the Outer Sect.


    "How did you manage it?" Gu An couldn''t help but ask.


    Jiang Qiong snorted, "Your Martial Master has vast Divine Skills. Becoming a Great Elder of an Outer City is nothing, not to mention that one day I might even become the Sect Leader."


    Gu An laughed, then inquired, "If you became the Sect Leader, would your loyalty lie with Thousand-Autumn Pavilion or the Supreme Sect?"


    "If I were the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, then I wouldn''t be a Demon Cultivator. Naturally, I would align with the Supreme Sect. Even if they offered me the position of Pavilion Master in the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, I wouldn''t accept," Jiang Qiong casually replied, her words filled with disdain for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    Gu An suddenly understood why the Supreme Sect had so many spies from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, yet the Pavilion failed to overthrow the Supreme Sect.


    In the eyes of the cultivators from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, the Pavilion was far inferior to the Supreme Sect!


    Wuxin would rather remain a Servant Disciple in the Supreme Sect than go back to being a Young Master at the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    "From now on, if any cultivators from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion come looking for you, you must not reveal the whereabouts of the Green Vine Tree. That tree belongs only to you and me, no longer to the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. Understood?" Jiang Qiong earnestly said.


    Gu An nodded.


    Sorry, it belongs only to me.


    Jiang Qiong laughed, "Apprentice, tell me, what do you need? Just speak up."


    Gu An thought for a moment and replied, "Could you promote Ye Lan from the Law Enforcement Hall? She is my martial sister. As for other requests, there''s no need at the moment. My Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect has already expanded; I don''t need more. If you have seeds of high-rank medical herbs, you can give them to me. I''ll plant them and harvest them for you once they''re ready."


    Jiang Qiong''s smile grew brighter as she assessed Gu An, "Not bad, I indeed did not choose the wrong apprentice. Don''t worry, your Martial Master won''t be formal with you, and of course, I won''t let you suffer."


    "Additionally, I have a task for you."


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Besides planting medicinal herbs, what else can I do for you?"


    "Keep an eye on Pan An''s activities from day to day. From the information I''ve gathered, Pan An is not high in cultivation level and is hidden in the Outer Sect. Exactly who he is, the Hall of Elders keeps it extremely confidential."

 Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Sword Venerable Fudao, Famous All Over the World [Fourth Update]

    "You''re asking me to find myself?"


    Gu An really wanted to laugh, but he restrained himself.


    Ji Hantian asked Gu An to write about himself, Jiang Qiong asked him to search for himself¡ªalthough the identities involved were different, he still found it absurd.


    What kind of situation was this?


    Gu An said with a hesitant face, "I usually stay within Medicine Valley, and I''m afraid it will be very difficult for me to notice any news about Pan An."


    Jiang Qiong waved his hand and said, "That''s hard to say. Pan An loves writing books and must interact with people. The book ''Supreme Immortal Venerable'' can greatly stir the emotions of the lower-level cultivators. Perhaps he often communicates with Outer Disciples and Servant Disciples. Just pay more attention, and you can tell me anything you find."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An could only nod.


    Afterward, Jiang Qiong spoke about some other matters, then had Hu Mo, who was guarding the door, fetch a bag of high-rank seeds for Gu An to take away.


    After leaving Jiang Qiong''s residence, Gu An headed towards the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    It was said that the Heavenly Repair Platform had become the most notable sight within the Outer Sect City, attracting disciples from other Outer Sect cities and Inner Sect cities.


    The great battle that occurred a month ago had spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World¡ª even Luo Hun from Tianya Valley had heard about it, which also implied that Luo Hun occasionally left Tianya Valley.


    Upon reaching the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An saw that there were at least ten thousand people there.


    Next to the characters for "Righteous Path," many cultivators were meditating.


    Gu An first noticed two familiar faces.


    Zuo Yijian and Zuo Lin!


    The father and son were observing Gu An''s Sword Intent.


    Gu An''s characters, carved by his Sword Intent, naturally also left behind Sword Intent, which had a great attraction for those of the Supreme Sect who pursued the Sword Dao.


    Gu An also saw another person¡ªhis disciple, Su Han.


    Su Han too was a swordsman; his Hateful Heaven Divine Sword had initially grasped the essence, which rapidly increased his Sword Dao achievement, transforming his entire demeanor.


    Gu An watched from a distance and did not disturb him; instead, he listened to the discussions of other disciples.


    "The Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao is truly majestic. It''s hard to imagine the height of his Sword Dao achievement."


    "It''s said that Sword Venerable Fudao possesses strength comparable to the Vice Sect Leader, and he wouldn''t necessarily lose even if he faced the Sect Leader."


    "Perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao is the Sect Leader?"


    "How could that be? The Sect Leader has already declared that he had no knowledge of Chu Xian''s actions and has ordered a thorough investigation of everyone related to Chu Xian, regardless of their status. Anyone who violates the doctrines of the Supreme Sect will be severely punished."


    "Looking at these characters for ''Righteous Path'' really fills me with excitement. I heard that Pan An plans to include Sword Venerable Fudao in his book; I wonder what kind of story it will be."


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    This was the title given to Gu An by Chu Tianqi, the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, specifically meant for the mysterious Sword Cultivator who executed Chu Xian.


    Sword Venerable Fudao, upholding the Righteous Path; if the Supreme Sect ever sees injustice again, the Sword Venerable may act on behalf of the Sect Leader to execute the unrighteous Sect Leader and to exterminate the demons within the sect.


    It sounds awe-inspiring, but Gu An found it to be of little use.


    Chu Tianqi''s announcement throughout the sect truly preserved his own position, as from the time he had conferred the title of Sword Venerable Fudao, the complaints within the sect had greatly reduced, instead praising him for his proper actions, considering this Sect Leader to be generous and willing to face his responsibilities.


    Gu An also overheard some questioning the Sect Leader.


    More accurately, they were questioning the Chu Family.


    Chu Tianqi and Chu Xian¡ªit''s hard not to link them together.


    This also pointed to the undercurrents within the Supreme Sect. Those praising and questioning were speaking publicly, which was not in line with the cultivators'' way of doing things. Whether they were pawns or not was hard to ascertain.


    However, all of this had nothing to do with Gu An.


    After staying a while at the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An proceeded to the Inner Sect''s Transmission Array Platform.


    He was going to the Inner Sect to purchase a large amount of medicinal herb seeds. Although Gu Zong, representing the Sect, had given him many medicinal herb seeds, they were far from enough to cover an area of a hundred miles.


    Just thinking about all hundred miles being filled with his herbs fired Gu An with excitement.


    A month ago, his bold action not only saved those around him but also brought him significant benefits, which pleased him greatly.


    ...


    Towards evening, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley. With the arrival of seven Servant Disciples, this part of the Medicine Valley gained quite a bit of liveliness; they were all clearing weeds in various directions, and the barks of Spirit Dogs could be heard from the distant woods, adding a pastoral charm.


    As soon as Gu An returned, he sensed Shen Zhen''s presence; that guy was waiting on his loft again.


    After climbing to the loft, Gu An saw Shen Zhen standing before a bookshelf reading a book. Hearing footsteps, she placed the book back on the shelf and then turned to look at him.


    Gu An closed the door behind him, then asked, "Ms. Shen, what brings you here today?"


    "I heard you''re going to write a book about Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "I will include him, but it''s not entirely about him. The main focus will be the event that happened a month ago in the Outer Sect."


    "Then you should be careful. The fame of Sword Venerable Fudao has spread even beyond the Taicang Dynasty. I just received a letter yesterday mentioning that the sword cultivators of the Great Yu Dynasty are preparing to challenge him.


    Many people think that since you are going to write about Sword Venerable Fudao, you must be connected to him, and they believe it would be easier to approach you than to find Sword Venerable Fudao himself," Shen Zhen said with a light laugh, her eyes gleaming mischievously.


    Gu An responded helplessly, "How could I meet Sword Venerable Fudao? To write about him, I also need to gather materials from the Outer Sect."


    "Don''t worry. I haven''t disclosed your identity to anyone. I even refused to inform my father when he wanted to know about you," Shen Zhen spoke as she took a book from her storage bag and placed it on the table.


    "Although I haven''t said anything, you should still be very careful. The strength of Sword Venerable Fudao has made many sects uneasy, all longing to probe his information. Also, this is the book I wrote. It will be distributed throughout the world by the Book Collection Hall in no more than a month. You can take a look first," she said before stepping away, brushing past him.


    The two were already familiar with each other, so Gu An didn''t see her out. He walked over to the desk, sat down, and then picked up the book written by Shen Zhen.


    Supreme Secret Records!


    Hmm?


    It sounds very serious.


    Gu An immediately started flipping through the book, but as he read, his brow began to furrow.


    Goodness!


    He had previously thought that Shen Zhen''s writing was inferior to the Green Hero Travelogue, especially in matters of men and women. He had no idea she wrote in even more detail than the Green Hero Travelogue.


    Was she pretending in front of him and writing so unrestrainedly in private?


    Should this content be published?


    Gu An hoped the Book Collection Hall''s review process would be effective.


    Although he was quite displeased, he still found it very enjoyable to read.


    He read like this throughout the entire night.


    At dawn, Gu An gathered his disciples to start their drills. As the number of disciples in the Third Medicine Valley increased, he felt traditions should not be lost¡ªhe even had Elder Tian join in.


    After the drills, Gu An began assigning tasks, leaving only three people to sow the seeds while the others continued to clear the land.


    The Third Medicine Valley was surrounded by dense forests. To turn it into suitable farmland required a lot of time and effort. Even without using spells, Gu An did not feel tired, and he even admonished the disciples that this, too, was a form of cultivation.


    The disciples themselves didn''t feel tired either and were very enthusiastic. The larger the Third Medicine Valley, the more they would benefit because Gu An was generous with them¡ªthe more medical herbs there were, the more elixirs they could enjoy.


    Life became peaceful.


    Gu An spent most of his time in the Third Medicine Valley, busy with land clearing and sowing.


    Five days later, Shen Zhen came looking for Gu An again. She was very angry because her book had been rejected by the Book Collection Hall.


    Gu An almost laughed, but he held it back.


    Shen Zhen was stubborn. The more the Book Collection Hall disapproved of her publication, the more she insisted on publishing it. She decided to print the book herself and distribute it quietly in the Inner Sect.


    Gu An advised her to revise it and remove some content, then it might be possible to publish, but she wouldn''t listen.


    No matter what, without the support of the Book Collection Hall, Gu An felt her book was unlikely to be successful, and his worries lessened considerably.


    The winter snow gradually fell, covering the earth in whiteness.


    At noon, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley.


    Unexpectedly, there was an additional person in the valley, and his presence was not weak.


    Luo Hun sensed Gu An''s presence and sprang from the woods, landing in front of him like a flying goose.


    "You''ve come at just the right time. Let me introduce someone to you. His Majesty arranged for him to come. Let him take whatever medical herbs he wants from our harvest to assist him in making a breakthrough soon."


    Luo Hun spoke, then led Gu An toward the lofts in the distance.


    Gu An was never envious of the herbs in Tianya Valley. He just wanted to pick them. After picking, it was up to Li Xuandao to decide what to do with them, since the herbs originally belonged to Li Xuandao.


    When the two men arrived in front of the loft, the door of a room in the adjacent courtyard was pushed open, and a man in white clothes walked out.


    [Yi Liuyun (Divinity Transformation Realm Nine Layers):466/1208/2850]


    Divinity Transformation Realm Nine Layers!


    The Emperor''s strength in hand is not weak.


    Yi Liuyun appeared to be just over forty years old. His posture was graceful and handsome, and with his white clothing, he showcased the beauty and aloofness of a swordsman to the fullest.


    From across the courtyard wall, Yi Liuyun greeted with a bow, "I am Yi Liuyun, and I greet the Valley Master."


    Luo Hun introduced him, "Senior Yi is the No.1 Sword Servant by His Majesty''s side. His mastery of the Sword Dao is considered top-tier within the Taicang Dynasty. There are few in the realm of swordsmanship who can match him, hardly more than a handful."


    Gu An raised his hand to greet Yi Liuyun in return.


    Yi Liuyun focused on Gu An and asked, "Valley Master, you are also a disciple of the Supreme Sect, do you know about Sword Venerable Fudao? What exactly is his realm?"


    Sword Venerable Fudao was renowned worldwide, but everyone only knew he had slain Chu Xian of the Void Crossing Realm. None knew he had clashed with Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian, and Ji Hantian hadn''t mentioned it, as if it had never happened.


    "I''m just an Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect and don''t know much, but Sword Intent from him remains on the Heavenly Repair Platform outside the sect. Senior might want to take a look."


    Swordsmen probing about Sword Venerable Fudao likely wanted a challenge.


    Gu An wanted him to go to the Heavenly Repair Platform to see the word ''righteous'', to see clearly the gap between himself and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As expected, upon hearing that the Supreme Sect held Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent, Yi Liuyun''s eyes lit up. He leaped up and flew straight out of the herb valley. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An turned to Luo Hun and asked, "Can he go directly to the Supreme Sect?"


    Luo Hun nodded, "He has the Emperor''s Sword Servant Order, allowing him free access to various Great Sects."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An asked no further. He walked toward a section of the gardens, preparing to pick herbs that were nearly ripe.


    An Ancient Hour later, he left Tianya Valley.


    A new year arrived in the cold winter.


    Right after the Chinese New Year, Gu An went to the Outer Sect. He first requested a batch of high-rank medical herb seeds from Jiang Qiong, then went to the Heavenly Repair Platform to watch the excitement.


    Zuo Yijian and his son were still seated in meditation, immersed in the Sword Dao, and Gu An also saw Yi Liuyun''s figure.


    He, too, was meditating near the words "righteous path", his brow deeply furrowed, lost in thought.


    Gu An''s gaze then moved up just above the word "path," and his brow involuntarily furrowed.

 Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Righteousness and Demons, Reading the Deification [Fifth Update]

    ```


    Following Gu An''s gaze, sitting cross-legged directly above the character for "Dao" was a plainly-dressed man, whose figure and appearance were unremarkable, and even his aura seemed quite ordinary.


    If it weren''t for Gu An''s constant use of Life Span Detection, he wouldn''t have noticed anything extraordinary about this person.


    [Underworld Demon Emperor (Void Crossing Realm Nine Layers): 3847/5700/14000]


    It''s actually a demon!


    Gu An knew that demons of the same realm typically had longer life spans than Cultivators of Human Race, but he was still startled to see the opponent''s limit of fourteen thousand years.


    What Cultivation Technique is this creature practicing that it doesn''t reveal any Demon Energy, that even he, a Unification Realm Great Cultivator, cannot detect it.


    And, more importantly, do demons also take pleasure in practicing swordsmanship?


    It reminded Gu An of the Sky Dragon he was raising, which was also obsessed with the Sword Dao.


    He didn''t keep his gaze on the Underworld Demon Emperor, but instead continued to scan the other figures on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Those who dare to sit and meditate on the sword have significant Cultivation Levels, after all, the Qi Cultivation Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators must busy themselves with Energy Absorption, and have not yet reached the stage of idle meditation for Path Enlightenment.


    Gu An realized he had underestimated the influence of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Although he had not heard of Chu Xian before, with Chu Xian''s Cultivation Level, he must be quite famous among the major forces in the Immortal Cultivation World, especially among the Great Cultivators, who probably all knew of him.


    The fall of a Void Crossing Realm cultivator would surely cause an upheaval in the Dynasty!


    It seems that from now on I must keep a low profile. As my reputation ferments, who knows how many diverse entities might be drawn to me.


    After surveying everyone on the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An eventually left.


    He had already developed the habit of using Life Span Detection whenever he encountered a stranger; without checking their background, he felt uneasy.


    In the following years, I shall devote myself to peaceful farming until the Immortal Cultivation World forgets Sword Venerable Fudao!


    He had already written the book concerning Sword Venerable Fudao and the Outer Disciple scandal, Ji Hantian had been pressing him hard, and he had finished it last month. This book isn''t a serial novel; one volume is enough.


    ...


    Spring vitality covered the land, bringing life to all things.


    Within the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An and Gu Yu were drinking in the house.


    "Your ''Righteousness and Demons'' has spread all over the Taicang Dynasty, and now no one talks about Supreme Immortal Venerable; it''s all about Supreme Sect and Sword Venerable Fudao," Gu Yu said with envy.


    Gu An laughed, "After all, Supreme Sect is the foremost sect of the Righteous Path, and with such a scandal happening now, it''s natural that everyone would be curious. Don''t worry, in a few years, the Immortal Cultivation World will lose interest, and then they will still follow the legendary stories about your battles with the Demon Emperor from the Exotic Realm."


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yu''s expression brightened, and he began to praise Gu An for his good writing, eagerly asking about the continuation of the story.


    Gu An wouldn''t reveal anything, which greatly tantalized Gu Yu.


    "By the way, I''ve recently come across a book in which the protagonist is named Gu An, quite intriguing," Gu Yu suddenly said as he took out a book from his Storage Bag.


    Supreme Secret Records!


    Gu An felt a tremor in his heart at the sight of this title.


    Damned! She really went through with it!


    My reputation is at stake, Gu An lamented!


    Toting the Supreme Secret Records in his hand, Gu Yu chuckled and asked, "Brother Gu, have you read this book?"


    Gu An curiously asked, "What book is this?"


    "It''s a great book. Be honest, did you write it?" Gu Yu asked with a smile.


    "How could that be? Let me have a look. Is it that interesting?"


    Grabbing the Supreme Secret Records from him, Gu An began to flip through it.


    Gu Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Really, you didn''t write it? Or was it written by someone you know?"


    After finishing the first page, Gu An furrowed his brows as if truly seeing it for the first time.


    Seeing him frown, Gu Yu refrained from teasing him further and continued to pour himself a drink.


    Watching Gu An''s expression grow increasingly unpleasant, Gu Yu thought for a moment and said, "This book began to circulate within the Inner Sect; you probably don''t know many Inner Sect Disciples, so it might just be a coincidence, as the name Gu An isn''t that uncommon."


    Closing the Supreme Secret Records, Gu An took a deep breath and asked, "The Book Collection Hall actually allows this kind of book to circulate?"


    "This book hasn''t gone through the Book Collection Hall; it''s being passed around privately by the disciples," Gu Yu explained helplessly.


    Gu An fell silent.


    Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Gu Yu stood up to leave, offering a few words of comfort to Gu An before he departed.


    After he left, Gu An began to critically examine Supreme Secret Records.


    It had to be admitted, Shen Zhen really did study the Green Hero Travelogue, as this book seemed to him to have surpassed the original in excellence.


    Although some contents were quite indelicate, the character of Gu An in the book was filled with chivalry, his personality was dashing and unrestrained, which made him quite likable and did not tarnish his image.


    Only after reading for an hour did Gu An close the Supreme Secret Records, then he stepped out of the attic and continued his work.


    His goal was to fill a hundred square miles with medicinal herbs as soon as possible. Today, he needed to fence off the land to prevent Inner Sect Disciples from intruding.


    ...


    In the Inner Sect City, Ji Mansion.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat at the desk, holding a book in her hands, with someone sitting opposite her ¨C it was Ji Hantian.


    ```


    "How is it, how well is ''Righteousness and Demons'' written?" Ji Hantian set down his teacup and asked.


    As Ji Xiaoyu flipped through the book, he replied, "Very well. The narrative is immersive and doesn''t shield the wrongdoings of the Supreme Sect. It portrays Chu Xian''s hideousness in great detail, yet the united spirit of the Outer Disciples is also touching. At least when I read it, I don''t think the Supreme Sect is completely rotten.


    Instead, I sense the depth and spirit of the Taicang''s foremost orthodox institution."


    The corners of Ji Hantian''s mouth curved, and he said, "Do you know who Pan An is?"


    Ji Xiaoyu was silent.


    "It''s actually your house servant Gu An, surprising, isn''t it?" Ji Hantian asked with a smile.


    Ji Xiaoyu spoke somberly, "I knew, I just didn''t expect that you would know too, great-grandfather. You didn''t have him write this book, did you? It could cause him a lot of trouble."


    Ji Hantian coughed artfully and said, "No matter, I will protect him. Thanks to this book, I now have more say in the Hall of Elders. It''s not impossible to bring down Chu Tianqi in the future."


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at the book in his hands again and said indifferently, "I feel that the Ji Family should not aspire to the position of Sect Leader. It''s quite good as it is now, spread across various factions, not becoming a target of public criticism."


    "You don''t understand the hard times I endured under Lv Baitian''s thumb, otherwise, why would I have let you join the Supreme Sect? It was to gain face with your talents," Ji Hantian snorted, feeling irritated just at the mention of Lv Baitian.


    "You''ve gotten Gu An into such trouble; is there any compensation?"


    "Of course, I''ve expanded his Medicine Valley to a hundred miles in diameter. Oh yes, in the future, you can provide him with the Ji Family''s high-rank medical herbs to plant. I''ve looked into it; the lad really has a knack for managing Medicine Valley. Getting closer to him, he might eventually reflect well on the Ji Family.


    I''ve read ''Investiture of the Gods''; his portrayal of Ji Fa indicates he has the Ji Family in his heart," Ji Hantian spoke earnestly, eliciting a frown from Ji Xiaoyu. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dissatisfaction flashed in Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes as he said, "Great-grandfather, in dealing with people and affairs, one must not be too calculating."


    "Silly child, this isn''t calculating¡ªit''s about creating a win-win situation. Why not do it?"


    Ji Xiaoyu bowed his head and continued reading, causing Ji Hantian to shake his head slightly.


    Getting to his feet, Ji Hantian said, "The Conference of a Hundred Races is about to begin. You should prepare yourself. You must secure the top position on the Hidden Dragon List."


    With that, he took two steps and then vanished into thin air from within the room.


    Ji Xiaoyu remained seated, continuing to stare at the book in his hands.


    ...


    In March, the spring breeze was cool.


    On a day in the early part of the month, the Ji Family sent people to the Third Medicine Valley to deliver a large number of medicinal herb seeds to Gu An. The lowest grade among them was fourth-grade, which pleased Gu An immensely.


    The Ji Family cultivator, before leaving, hinted openly and covertly that the Third Miss was quite fond of him and that the seeds were personally selected by her. For any future needs, he could seek her out.


    Naturally, Gu An would not refuse and stated that he would never forget the Third Miss''s kindness. Only after hearing this did the cultivator leave contented.


    Both the Ji Family and Gu Zong, Jiang Qiong included, were pressing seeds on him saving Gu An a lot of costs. He planned to recruit more Servant Disciples, filling at least twenty positions, assigning each a Demon Beast and providing the best treatment.


    One day, Gu An took Elder Tian to the Outer City. Elder Tian had taken the initiative to come, wanting to see the word ''Righteousness'' on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Arriving at the Outer City, the two split up.


    Gu An had just reached the entrance of the Chores Hall when a male disciple approached him, whispering, "Daoist Friend, I have a treasure here, for just two Low-Grade Spirit Stones."


    "Two pieces? Why don''t you just rob?" Gu An responded irritably and walked around him.


    The disciple blocked his path again and took out a book from his Storage Bag, saying mysteriously, "Look carefully, do you recognize this book? Many Inner Sect Disciples read it after ending their closed-door cultivations, it contains great opportunities."


    Gu An glanced at it and saw four words.


    ''Supreme Secret Records.''


    He pushed the other aside, leaving behind the words, "Sorry, I read ''Investiture of the Gods''."


    The disciple watched his back and cursed silently before turning to pitch to others.


    An hour later, Gu An walked out of the Chores Hall, followed by eleven people, men and women, all very young and excited.


    The fact that Gu An could recruit so many Servant Disciples at once meant his identity was certainly not simple; following such a senior would make their journey of Immortal Cultivation much broader.


    They proceeded to the Heavenly Repair Platform in great numbers.


    The Servant Disciples had always been curious about the Heavenly Repair Platform, but with their low Cultivation Levels, they dared not come on ordinary days, fearing they might displease a Great Cultivator.


    Gu An quickly spotted Elder Tian''s figure, who was staring intently right below the ''Righteousness'' character.


    He glanced in another direction.


    The Demon Emperor of the Void Crossing Realm''s Nine Layers was still there, at this moment, his right hand was gesturing something.


    Gu An only watched for two breaths and thought, good fellow.


    Isn''t that a technique of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword?


    This chap can comprehend sword techniques just by contemplating Sword Intent?


    That''s monstrous!


    No, I must put forward the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword next time, invest a life span of a few thousand years to maintain my standing in the Sword Dao.


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and approached Elder Tian.


    "Hahaha, I''ve got it! I''ve got it!"


    Suddenly, a loud laughter erupted from the Heavenly Repair Platform, resonant and loud, turning the heads of tens of thousands of people on the platform.


    The speaker was an old man wearing a Taoist robe, his grizzled hair slightly unkempt.


    He leaped into the air, soared high, then stretched out his hand, pointing two fingers towards the word ''Righteousness'' on the platform.

 Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Swords Dao Holy Land, Restart Plan [Sixth Update]

    Seeing that the old man wanted to destroy his characters, Gu An''s complexion changed.


    What does that mean?


    To comprehend my sword intent and then smash my characters?


    Gu An was about to take action himself, but fortunately, there was no need for him to intervene.


    "Impudence!"


    A thunderous shout rose, and the speaker was none other than Li Xuandao''s first sword attendant, Yi Liuyun.


    As a ninth-layer Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator, Yi Liuyun''s presence was formidable. His thunderous shout startled everyone in the city.


    Not only Yi Liuyun, but also other Great Cultivators around the characters for "righteous path" who were understanding the sword began to stand up one after another. Even the Underworld Demon Emperor of the ninth-layer Void Crossing Realm lifted his eyes to look at the elder in the sky, his gaze filled with dissatisfaction.


    Gu An immediately used Life Span Detection.


    [Pang Yu (Void Crossing Realm second layer): 1279/1720/1770]


    Nearing his limit!


    No wonder he is so crazed!


    Pang Yu, in the sky, looked at Yi Liuyun and scoffed with contempt: "A mere Divinity Transformation, and you dare to obstruct me?"


    Divinity Transformation?


    The disciples on the Heavenly Repair Platform were in an uproar, retreating en masse, fearing that they might be affected by the combat between Great Cultivators.


    "You look down on Divinity Transformation, but do you hold Void Crossing in esteem?"


    An icy voice came through, not from the Underworld Demon Emperor but another cultivator. Gu An had seen him earlier; he was a fifth-layer Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator, dressed in the robes of an elder from the Supreme Sect.


    Pang Yu''s expression shifted slightly. He withdrew his hand and with a wave of his sleeve huffed, "Fine, your Supreme Sect has the advantage of numbers, truly remarkable. I''m leaving!"


    With that said, he turned and flew towards the city''s outskirts, disappearing from the Outer City in the blink of an eye.


    "You seek to leave after attempting to destroy my Supreme Sect''s place of enlightenment?"


    A disdainful snort sounded, a voice all too familiar to Gu An, coming from Gu Zong.


    Gu An felt Gu Zong swiftly sweep across the firmament, pursuing Pang Yu.


    The fifth-layer Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator also vanished from the spot.


    The tense atmosphere on the Heavenly Repair Platform eased, and the cultivators on the platform began discussing the person from before while marveling at the might of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An felt that this Outer Sect city owed him a huge favor. When had so many Great Cultivators come here before? Now at any time, there were two Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivators watching over the city, making him feel incredibly secure.


    All thanks to the characters for "righteous path" that he had left behind!


    Afterward, Gu An led the Servant Disciples on towards Elder Tian.


    The Servant Disciples were extremely excited. Today they were promoted to Servant Disciples and also witnessed the clash between Great Cultivators. The realm names of Divinity Transformation and Void Crossing left them yearning.


    "Let''s go, it''s time to head back."


    Gu An patted Elder Tian on the shoulder and spoke.


    Elder Tian snapped back to reality and stood up to follow.


    As their gazes crossed, Gu An couldn''t shake the feeling that something about Elder Tian had changed, though he wasn''t sure if it was just his perception.


    He instinctively used Life Span Detection.


    Hmm?


    Energy Cultivation Realm eighth layer?


    How did he suddenly jump two layers?


    How long has it even been?


    Surprised internally, Gu An kept his face expressionless.


    He had long anticipated that Elder Tian would make a comeback, as Elder Tian hadn''t stepped down due to defeat but because of his own oversight. Such a person could easily return to their peak.


    An hour later, Gu An and the others returned to the Third Medicine Valley, where he asked Xiaochuan to help arrange for these disciples.


    Xiaochuan had visited the Third Medicine Valley a few times and no longer wished to leave. He even transported all of the demon creatures he was raising over. Gu An was very fond of him and naturally wouldn''t refuse.


    Among his peers, only Xiaochuan remained by his side.


    Although Wuxin was his junior brother and had come late, he didn''t hold the same importance in his heart as Xiaochuan did.


    Since childhood, Xiaochuan had always followed Gu An, obedient in every way. Such a junior brother was naturally cherished by him.


    Gu An knew that after two hundred years, when his old friends passed away, it would be hard for him to form such a bond with others again, so he cherished it all the more.


    After returning to the valley, Elder Tian went to sit in meditation under a big tree alone, seemingly deep in thought.


    The setting sun cast its last warm glow on the mountain top, where Ye Yan practiced with his spear against the backdrop of the sunset, creating a unique atmosphere that led the newly arrived Servant Disciples to discuss incessantly.


    ...


    The seasons changed, and more than two years swiftly passed by.


    That summer, the now forty-six-year-old Gu An stood on the mountain peak, looking down at the landscape. Everywhere he looked, there were medicine fields, and glimpses of garden scenery could be seen amid the trees.


    It had taken Gu An more than two years to fill a hundred-mile radius with medicinal herbs. Looking out at the fields, his heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment.


    A figure came up beside him, none other than Xiaochuan.


    "Brother, Ye Yan has been gone for several months. When will we recruit another Servant Disciple to fill the vacancy? Our Medicine Valley is so vast; with one person short, the others have to walk that much further," Xiaochuan inquired.


    Gu An took out the Valley Master Token and handed it to Xiaochuan, saying, "You go recruit. It''s a good opportunity to see your judgment."


    Upon hearing this, Xiaochuan immediately brightened with joy, quickly expressed his thanks to Gu An, and then hastened down the mountain.


    Gu An''s gaze, however, turned towards the Outer City. He sensed a potent surge of sword intent.


    Someone else had succeeded in comprehending the sword at the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    In those two years, there had been four individuals who experienced a major boost in sword intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform, further increasing the reputation of both the platform and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The Heavenly Repair Platform even became the holy land for the sword cultivators under the Taicang Dynasty, with sword cultivators from various sects and schools coming to visit, and the Supreme Sect demonstrating the magnanimity of the foremost righteous sect by allowing disciples from other sects to come and comprehend the Sword Intent.


    This approach, on top of the spread of "Righteousness and Demons," not only preserved the good reputation of the Supreme Sect but elevated it to the next level.


    Every time Gu An thought about this, he admired the people of the Hall of Elders.


    Those were truly capable people, skilled at power struggles and excellent in handling crises, no wonder they managed to become Elders.


    After pausing at the mountain summit for a while, Gu An turned and descended.


    Two years had passed, and the majority of the herbs were still growing, but his current life span was increasing rapidly.


    He decided to restart his daily routine.


    Every night, he invested five years of life span into his cultivation level, gradually enhancing it.


    Being at the first layer of the Unification Realm made him feel somewhat vulnerable, as more and more Great Cultivators arrived at the Heavenly Repair Platform, and who knows when an old monster of the Unification Realm might appear.


    He walked down the slopes of the mountain, headed to his loft more than twenty li away, taking a walk like this every day, appreciating his base of operations without ever feeling tired.


    Just like now, he strolled while enjoying the scenery along the way, his mood pleasant.


    After half an ancient hour.


    Gu An walked along the riverbank when a figure descended from the sky and landed behind him.


    "Long time no see," Li Ya said, patting Gu An''s shoulder, trying to scare him.


    Gu An pretended to shiver, because Li Ya had practiced a method of concealing his energy, landing without a sound.


    "How come you''re here? How have these years treated you?" Gu An asked Li Ya with surprise.


    Li Ya chuckled proudly, "Of course it''s good. After being severely injured by a demon cultivator last time, I''ve been training hard and have made great progress." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is that so, I don''t believe it."


    "Want to compare?"


    "Forget it, the gap between our realms is too big, it wouldn''t be fair."


    "As long as you know."


    "Heh."


    Gu An smiled, thinking to himself, brother, it''s you who wouldn''t stand a chance!


    The two chatted as they moved forward.


    Li Ya talked about his experience going to the Inner Sect, where he immediately sought the Hall of Elders. Unfortunately, before he could await the result, a calamity broke out in the Outer Sect. He was extremely worried at that time, fearing that something might have happened to Gu An.


    He took a day to visit Gu An in Mystic Valley, but Gu An was not there when he arrived.


    After learning that Gu An was safe, he returned to the Inner Sect to focus on his cultivation.


    He didn''t want to be defeated again, nor did he want to keep fighting across realms.


    "What brought you to me today?" Gu An asked curiously.


    Li Ya laughed, "The emperor ordered me and Li Xuanyu to attend the Grand Assembly of Hundreds. The Assembly is no trivial matter; it is a competition of combat among the hundred great clans of the nine dynasties, complete with strength rankings recorded in books and circulated in the Immortal Cultivation World. Moreover, the victor receives unimaginable opportunities.


    It''s a matter that concerns not only the face of the clan but is also a struggle for personal fame and fortune."


    "By the way, Ji Xiaoyu of the Ji Family will also participate," shared Li Ya.


    Gu An imagined the various scenarios, quite interested.


    However, he had no qualification to participate, and even if he did, he couldn''t be bothered to go.


    Such things were better left heard but not attended.


    "Can you beat our third young lady?" Gu An teased.


    Li Ya said confidently, "I couldn''t before, but now it''s not a certainty."


    Gu An glanced at him; something was off about this kid''s Qi-Blood.


    Why did it feel like he had the essence of a demon beast?


    Chatting like this, the two made their way back to the valley. That evening, they drank until late, with other disciples gathered around to listen to Li Ya talk about the Grand Assembly of Hundreds. Even Elder Tian joined in on the fun.


    "By the way, the former Sect Leader, Lv Baitian, once captured the top spot in the Hidden Dragon List, Dragon and Phoenix List, and Immortal Fate List. He was an unrivaled force at every stage. It is said that he was the strongest Sect Leader in the past three thousand years of the Supreme Sect. It''s just that, alas, he has fallen after a deviation," Li Ya remarked with a sigh.


    Gu An raised his eyebrows; Elder Tian was that impressive?


    He didn''t look towards Elder Tian to avoid revealing that he knew of Elder Tian''s true identity.


    Tang Yu couldn''t help asking, "Martial Uncle Li Ya, could Zhou Tongyou claim the top spot on this season''s Hidden Dragon List?"


    The Hidden Dragon List was a ranking competition among the geniuses of various clans who were under a hundred years old.


    Zhou Tongyou had already become the foremost among the young generation, and his fame grew even larger thanks to the book Supreme Immortal Venerable. Many people believed that the Zhou Tongyou in the book was the very same Zhou Tongyou who had been to the Supreme Sect, dominating his peers and leaving the sect with his head held high.


    Li Ya glanced at him and said, "What are you talking about? That top spot is naturally mine. What Zhou Tongyou? Just watch, this time your Martial Uncle will teach him the taste of defeat!"


    With these words, all the disciples looked up to Li Ya in admiration; such high-spiritedness was indeed enviable.


    Elder Tian chuckled, "Actually, Zhou Tongyou is not your biggest rival. There''s someone else in the Supreme Sect whose talent surpasses Zhou Tongyou. It''s just that he has been in seclusion and hasn''t made his name known."


    Li Ya looked at him and asked, "Who?"


    "Lv Xian; he reached Core Formation by the age of thirty."


    "What?"


    Li Ya was moved, and the others were shocked as well.


    Most of those present were over thirty and couldn''t imagine what it took to achieve Core Formation at such an age.


    Gu An''s expression turned strange; in the past two years, someone from Tianya Valley had come, and it was Lv Xian.


    He had not previously associated Lv Xian with Lv Baitian, but now it seemed these two might share some blood relations?


    Li Xuandao was indeed impressive, managing to recruit the Supreme Sect''s most hidden genius. This was somewhat outrageous.

 Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Reincarnation of Great Power, The Name of Gu An [Seventh Update]

    Elder Tian mentioned Lv Xian, which led the disciples to ask questions eagerly, wanting to know what kind of person this number one genius truly was.


    Li Ya also took note of this name and decided that he must defeat Lv Xian during the Hundred Clan Conference to prove his own talents.


    That night, the Third Medicine Valley was lively, and Elder Tian became talkative, occasionally bursting into laughter.


    As dawn just broke, Li Ya bid farewell to Gu An.


    "I''m leaving, wait for my name to be known all over the world!"


    Watching Li Ya''s departing figure, Gu An suddenly felt some envy. Li Ya was always so vibrant and full of fighting spirit, while Gu An tended to overthink everything, cautious and indecisive.


    However, just thinking about the miserable state in which Li Ya had been injured, the corners of his mouth couldn''t help but lift upwards.


    It''s okay to envy, but not to emulate!


    After Li Ya had left, the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley continued their labors. With the growing territory, it required daily patrols.


    Gu An returned to Mystic Valley and after checking the various gardens, he flew towards Tianya Valley.


    On the way, he found a place and secretly sacrificed five years of his lifespan to enhance his cultivation level, then continued on his journey.


    Upon arriving at Tianya Valley, Gu An entered through the mouth of the valley, walking up the slope where he saw Yi Liuyun and Lv Xian sparring.


    Lv Xian wore a red robe with flowing long hair. At first glance, he could be mistaken for a woman. Holding a large fan shaped like a gourd, he effortlessly countered Yi Liuyun''s sword moves. The two moved through the air, equally matched.


    Yi Liuyun had suppressed his cultivation level, otherwise Lv Xian would have been no match for him.


    Gu An couldn''t help but perform a Lifespan Detection on Lv Xian again.


    [Lv Xian (Core Formation Realm, Level 1): 75/480/4900]


    Reached Core Formation by thirty, but then no breakthroughs in cultivation for the next forty-five years?


    If not for the maximum lifespan of 4900 years displayed there, Gu An would have found it difficult to acknowledge him as the Supreme Sect''s top genius.


    Apart from Ji Xiaoyu, who possessed the Primordial Daoist Talisman, a lifespan limit of 4900 years was definitely the strongest human talent Gu An had seen.


    Lv Xian did not look injured; perhaps like Wuxin, he had practiced some extraordinary technique?


    Sun Da, Sun Er, and Sun San quickly ran towards Gu An, very excited because Gu An usually brought them tasty treats.


    Although they were demons and had been captured by Luo Hun, Gu An did not disdain them, so they shared a good relationship.


    "This is a fifth-tier Spirit Fruit, you can only eat one each, don''t fight over them."


    Gu An took out three watermelon-sized crimson fruits and placed them on the ground, letting the three Monkey Demons choose for themselves.


    He then walked towards a garden area; today was another harvest day.


    As his medicine valley continued to expand, he now had the opportunity to pick daily, and he thoroughly enjoyed his current life.


    After he had finished picking, Yi Liuyun and Lv Xian also stopped their sparring. Both landed, and Yi Liuyun began to critique Lv Xian''s performance, which Lv Xian received humbly.


    "Senior Yi, when will you cross tribulation? I am waiting for you to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao." Lv Xian asked expectantly, his tone serious as if he truly believed Yi Liuyun could defeat Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Yi Liuyun hesitated, "At most half a year. I will go to the Tribulation Crossing Valley of the Supreme Sect to cross the tribulation then. As for challenging Sword Venerable Fudao, we''ll see."


    Since his visit to the Heavenly Repair Platform, he had discarded the idea of contending with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The gap was too vast.


    Facing such Sword Intent, he couldn''t muster even the slightest desire to fight.


    Lv Xian raised an eyebrow, his delicate, almost feminine face showed a look of anticipation as he continued to persuade, "Just try, what if you win? Once you reach the Void Crossing Realm, your Sword Intent will naturally transform. You''ll definitely have the strength to fight, and even if you lose as the first person to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao, your name will resonate throughout the world."


    Passing by, Gu An really wanted to make a sarcastic remark.


    Lv Xian was truly deranged. Ever since he arrived in Tianya Valley, he had been urging Luo Hun to challenge the top spear practitioner of the Supreme Sect, and he had urged the three Monkey Demons to challenge nearby third-level Great Demons.


    And it was not just occasionally; whenever he encountered someone, he would urge them.


    If he was genuinely combative, Li Ya wouldn''t have remained unaware of his reputation.


    "I''ll think about it," Yi Liuyun frowned.


    Upon seeing Gu An, Lv Xian immediately approached, enthusiastically putting an arm around Gu An''s shoulder and said with a laugh, "Valley Master, I feel you are no ordinary person either. How about aiming for the position of National Master? I can teach you spells, just let me know what you want to learn."


    Gu An responded, "I''ve said many times, I don''t want to compete for anything, I just want to tend to my plants and flowers."


    "How could that be? Every person has a fame they wish to achieve."


    "Then what fame are you trying to achieve?"


    "Naturally, to be the best in the world."


    "Then why not spend the time you use persuading others on cultivation?"


    "I don''t need to cultivate; I''ll be unbeatable eventually."


    "Then you''re incredible."


    What a bragger!


    Dare to speak of being unbeatable in front of me?


    Gu An suddenly had an idea and said with a chuckle, "I heard you''re participating in the Hundred Clan Conference. If you manage to become the champion, I''ll learn your spells."


    "Really?"


    "Really."


    "I didn''t want to participate, but since you say so, just wait, I''ll leave tomorrow."


    After saying this, Lv Xian headed towards his dwelling.


    As Gu An watched his retreating figure, he truly couldn''t fathom this person.


    Yi Liuyun came over and transmitted his voice, "Don''t provoke him too much. Ever since he formed his core, he easily falls into dreams when he cultivates¡ªsometimes he dreams he''s the Emperor, other times he dreams he''s a dominating Sword Emperor in the Mortal World, and he even dreams he''s the Demon Emperor. According to him, in every life, he could reach the pinnacle in the Mortal World."


    What kind of problem is this?


    Could he possibly be a reincarnated Great Power?


    Gu An immediately dared not underestimate Lv Xian, fearing the worst-case scenario. This person might really be of great importance.


    The next morning, before Gu An left, Lv Xian had already departed, which made Gu An even more eager to attend the Great Assembly of the Hundred Tribes.


    The Hidden Dragon List was a contest for geniuses under a hundred years old. It was unclear whether Zhou Tongyou, Ji Xiaoyu, Li Ya, or Lv Xian would stand out as the leader.


    Before Lv Xian returned, Gu An decided to advance his cultivation level to the ninth level of the Unification Realm.


    He would secretly compete with these geniuses in their rate of growth!


    ...


    By noon, when Gu An returned to Mystic Valley, he sensed a familiar presence staying in his attic.


    Along the way, he greeted Wuxin and then headed upstairs.


    Upon entering the house, Gu An saw Ye Lan sitting at his desk, holding a book.


    Oh no!


    Gu An closed the door, walked over to the desk, and took the book from her hands, saying sternly, "It''s improper for a young lady to read such books."


    Since the incident at the Outer Sect, Ye Lan seldom visited him, spending most of her time training outside. Now, she had been promoted to a deacon of the Law Enforcement Hall, holding a certain status and power.


    Ye Lan looked at Gu An and smiled, "I heard from Zhen Qin that you usually enjoy reading ''Green Hero Travelogue.'' I wanted to see what type of books you like."


    "I don''t know about ''Supreme Secret Records,'' but don''t listen to Zhen Qin''s nonsense; this is slander. ''Green Hero Travelogue'' was left by our master. I haven''t read it, nor destroyed it. It''s merely kept as a memento."


    "Is that so?"


    "When have I ever deceived you, Sister?"


    "Humph."


    Ye Lan took out a book from her storage bag and threw it on the table.


    Gu An glanced at it, his eyelid twitching.


    Supreme Secret Records!


    How has this book become so popular?


    Ye Lan looked at Gu An and spoke solemnly, "Brother, I saw the protagonist''s name was Gu An and thought it was a coincidence. Now, after flipping through ''Green Hero Travelogue,'' I feel it''s not a coincidence anymore. Tell me the truth, did you write ''Supreme Secret Records''?"


    "How is that possible, I don''t write books! I only love tending to various plants!"


    "Hehe, you think I would believe that now? Brother, even if you wanted to read, could you not choose ''Investiture of the Gods'' or ''Supreme Immortal Venerable''? They are much better than such vile books that could affect our Daoist heart."


    "It really isn''t me who wrote it..."


    Gu An felt wronged, all thanks to Shen Zhen!


    Suddenly, Ye Lan stood up, scaring him into stepping back, but she circled the desk and came up to him, raising her right hand.


    About to hit someone?


    Gu An felt a headache coming on.


    Fortunately, Ye Lan wasn''t there to hit him, but to straighten his robe, her head slightly lowered as she spoke softly, "Brother, if you really like this kind of stuff... I could try to find a dual... cultivation method, I could join you..."


    Gu An saw that her ears were red.


    He quickly stepped back, breaking away from her hand, and said sternly, "Junior Sister, don''t joke around like this. If you continue, I will..."


    Ye Lan looked up at him with a burst of laughter, covering her mouth.


    "Look at you, making me out to be a flood beast. Alright, no more jokes. I''m here for another matter, concerning your disciple Su Han." Ye Lan''s face turned serious as she spoke.


    Gu An furrowed his brows and asked, "What about him?"


    "Do you know his family''s swordsmanship, named ''Hateful Heaven Divine Sword''?"


    "I have some recollection. Is there a problem with that swordsmanship?"


    "Yes, it''s not his family''s swordsmanship, but the forbidden swordsmanship of the Sword Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty, not to be shared with outsiders. Su Han often used the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword when he was training outside, killing too many opponents, and eventually someone recognized the sword skill.


    The influence of this incident has been quite significant; I''ve heard that the Sword Sect is already preparing to capture Su Han." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That bad?"


    Gu An was moved. Could Su Han really create a scene like a novel''s protagonist with his talents?


    Ye Lan nodded and said, "I''ve already sheltered Su Han in the Law Enforcement Hall, but if the Sword Sect arrives, the Law Enforcement Hall definitely won''t be able to protect him. After all, they are a Great Sect and the Supreme Sect won''t risk offending the Sword Sect for the sake of one Outer Disciple."


    Gu An thought for a moment and then said, "I will think of a way."


    Ye Lan reassured him, "If it''s too much trouble, then just let it be. You can''t protect him forever. I told you because I wasn''t sure how important he is to you. I didn''t want you to feel regretful later."


    Gu An nodded, then praised Ye Lan for considering things very thoroughly.


    Ye Lan didn''t stay long. After she had left, Gu An transported himself to the Third Medicine Valley, and then went to visit Shen Zhen.


    Since Shen Zhen tarnished his reputation, he needed her help.


    Previously, Shen Zhen had invited him to her cave, so he knew how to find it.


    After 30 minutes, Gu An entered Shen Zhen''s Cave.


    "It''s rare indeed for you to come seeking me out," Shen Zhen said, smiling. In her cave, without a veil, her stunning beauty was fully revealed, sweet and alluring.


    She was holding a pen dipped in ink, and Gu An looked up to see papers plastered all over the walls.


    This wench...


    Why is she drawing?


    Gu An quickly averted his gaze and said, "My disciple is in trouble, related to the Sword Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty. Can you help?"


    "The Sword Sect? No problem, they must give Daotian Sect respect!" Shen Zhen declared boldly.


    Gu An then related the whole situation to her.


    Shen Zhen frowned, hesitantly said, "There seems to be a problem..."

 Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Perhaps You Are a Genius, Mad Swordsman Wishes to Impart His Technique

    "Is there a problem?"


    Unable to help himself, Gu An rolled his eyes in exasperation and said, "Next time, wait for me to finish before you decide, will you? Isn''t this like giving me hope and then personally snuffing it out?"


    Shen Zhen shook her head and replied, "The problem doesn''t come from the Sword Sect but from the Daotian Sect. The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword is not only a taboo swordsmanship within the Sword Sect, it''s a forbidden technique throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty. Whenever the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword emerges, it inevitably leads to bloodshed and slaughter.


    A hundred years ago, someone mastered it and killed hundreds of thousands before being seriously injured by an elder of our sect and fleeing the Great Yu Dynasty."


    "The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword is a kind of swordsmanship that can break Heavenly Destiny. The stronger the hatred, the stronger the sword intent. Even a person with mediocre talent can break through the limitations of their Spirit Root if they harbor sufficient hatred.


    However, as their cultivation level rises and their hatred deepens, they are very likely to deviate and become a bloodthirsty demon. That''s why the Sword Sect forbids anyone from practicing it."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "If that''s the case, why did the Sword Sect create this swordsmanship?"


    Shen Zhen answered, "It was created by a genius from the Sword Sect. Naturally, the Sword Sect has the responsibility to handle this matter. They have already destroyed all copies of the sword manual, but the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword still appears from time to time. Maybe the creator dispersed the manual throughout the Immortal Cultivation World before he died."


    Gu An furrowed his brows.


    Will practicing this swordsmanship lead to the loss of one''s mind?


    If so, Gu An couldn''t in good conscience allow Su Han to continue practicing it¡ªhe couldn''t favor his disciple at the risk of bringing slaughter to the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Speaking with solemn concern, Shen Zhen said, "Every sect in the Great Yu Dynasty opposes the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. If you insist on protecting him, you''ll only invite endless trouble. There''s one other solution: have him discard the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword in front of the Sword Sect.


    To abandon the sword technique isn''t just about forgetting it; it''s about destroying his meridians and Spirit Root, rendering him mortal."


    Gu An nodded and replied, "I understand."


    Without further ado, he paid his respects to Shen Zhen and then departed.


    Shen Zhen watched his retreating figure, shaking her head slightly without offering further persuasion; she believed her words were clear enough.


    The following noon,


    Gu An arrived at the Outer City. The night before, he had invested a century of his life span from miles away, and his cultivation level had increased significantly.


    The trouble caused by Su Han made him increase the daily investment of his life span, striving to reach the ninth layer of the Unification Realm as soon as possible.


    While walking to Ye Lan''s residence, Gu An pondered the situation with Su Han.


    Su Han was his disciple, whom he certainly wanted to help, but he couldn''t do so unreasonably. Moreover, according to Shen Zhen, cultivating the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was not good for Su Han; he would eventually lose his mind, a path of suffering.


    After much thought, Gu An decided to let Su Han choose for himself, with the most he could do being to help him this one time.


    At the same time, he considered another issue.


    If he invested ten thousand years of his life span into the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, could he find a way to improve it so that it no longer leads to deviation?


    But this was a matter for the future. Even if he managed to create it now, the Sword Sect wouldn''t believe him. He couldn''t just demonstrate it for them.


    He wouldn''t completely expose himself just for Su Han.


    Although they shared the name of master and disciple, he didn''t owe Su Han anything.


    Half an hour later, Gu An and Ye Lan walked out from the main gate of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    "Since he''s made up his mind, Brother Gu, don''t bother with him anymore. In this world, no one should be responsible for another person''s life to the end. I''ll arrange for someone to send him away from the Supreme Sect quietly," Ye Lan said.


    Gu An nodded. He had negotiated with Su Han for a long time, but Su Han refused to give up the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, even though he promised not to let Su Han give up his cultivation. Still, Su Han was unwilling to let go.


    Su Han said that the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was given to him by his father and was the only connection he had to his father. He also wanted to use the sword to avenge his father.


    With the conversation reaching this point, Gu An could only give up.


    "Alright, thank you for your trouble," Gu An said, nodding to Ye Lan.


    The two exchanged a few words before Gu An took his leave.


    Walking on the street and watching the bustling crowd, Gu An felt quite sentimental.


    Lu Jiujia had strayed from his path for the sake of his own journey, ending up as a disabled person, only able to stay in Mystic Valley to cultivate the Daoist Expansion Skill with Wuxin, and to see if there was hope of rising again in the future.


    Su Han, driven by vengeance, was willing to become an enemy of the Immortal Cultivation World without regret.


    Gu An was strong, but he still couldn''t decide the path for everyone around him, nor could he change their thoughts.


    Human affairs churn endlessly, driven by grudges and emotions.


    As Gu An thought about this, his heart seemed to reach an epiphany, entering a strange state.


    Unknowingly, he had climbed onto the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    He accidentally bumped into someone and quickly snapped out of his reverie.


    "Sorry,"


    Gu An immediately uttered an apology, his heart filled with surprise.


    This was the first time he had entered such a self-forgetting state. He hadn''t experienced anything like it even when inheriting cultivation techniques and spells before.


    Looking back, he couldn''t quite articulate it, yet he felt some subtle change within himself.


    "Were you just experiencing Path Enlightenment?" asked the person Gu An had collided with, his voice cold and detached.


    Gu An involuntarily looked at the man¡ªclad in green, with a rugged appearance and a Sword Box on his back from which three sword handles protruded.


    Gu An instinctively performed a Life Span Detection.


    [Han Ming (Void Crossing Realm Fifth Layer): 587/1902/2780]


    This person had also cultivated a method to conceal his energy!


    The Immortal Cultivation World was truly a place with exceptional individuals at every turn.


    Gu An curiously asked, "What is Path Enlightenment? I was just lost in thought."


    He silently noted that it was not wise to wander while lost in thought, as it could easily attract trouble.


    Han Ming stared at him and said, "To seek Path Enlightenment is indeed to ponder over certain matters, to resonate naturally with the heavens and the earth during contemplation, and thus enter a wondrous state. You need not apologize; it was I who deliberately stopped you. If you had walked any further, you would have collided with those Great Cultivators."


    "Is Path Enlightenment very impressive? Yet, I haven''t felt any change in my Cultivation Level." Gu An asked, half seriously and half pretending to be ignorant. However, in reality, he truly did not understand what Path Enlightenment was.


    Han Ming turned around and looked toward the words ''Righteous Path'' in the distance and said, "Path Enlightenment is extremely rare. It cannot be taught or predicted, relying solely on one''s own comprehension and blessings. Some people break through realms with Path Enlightenment, and some create astonishing Ultimate Skills through it.


    I have also experienced Path Enlightenment, from which I conceived my own Swordsmanship. Although I am not clear on what you are comprehending, in time, you will come to appreciate its benefits."


    "Thank you for the guidance, senior. May I ask for your name?" Gu An asked with a hand raised in salute.


    Han Ming replied, "My name is Han Ming, from the Great Yu Dynasty. I have come to seek the wisdom of the Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Senior, how do you wish to seek guidance?"


    With a burst of energy and focus, Han Ming suddenly shouted, "I am Han Ming, a Sword Cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty, here to challenge the wisdom of the Sword Venerable Fudao. In a month''s time, outside the city, we shall have a Sword Competition. If Sword Venerable Fudao wins, I am willing to inscribe my Sword Dao on the city walls for the disciples of Supreme Sect to cultivate. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, if Sword Venerable Fudao loses or dares not come, then I shall add two words beside the ''Righteous Path''!"


    This voice thundered like a rock shattering the sky, resounded throughout the city, and traveled far and wide, even reaching the disciples in the Third Medicine Valley who all looked up.


    Countless gazes from the Heavenly Repair Platform descended on Han Ming, focusing on him.


    Gu An instinctively stepped back, not wanting others to associate him with Han Ming.


    However, Han Ming turned and walked towards Gu An.


    Don''t come over here!


    Gu An felt quite helpless.


    "Little friend, may I invite myself to your abode? We can discuss our experiences with Path Enlightenment. Frankly, I wish to attain Path Enlightenment once more. Whether successful or not, I shall impart my Swordsmanship to you," Han Ming said with a friendly smile.


    In the distance, Zuo Lin, who was sitting in meditation beside Zuo Yijian, saw Gu An and his eyes brightened.


    With his level of Cultivation, he naturally heard Han Ming''s words.


    Indeed!


    This lad is not simple; my previous intuition was right!


    Zuo Lin wanted to stand up but was held back by Zuo Yijian beside him.


    "Don''t cause trouble; that Han Ming is no simple character. He was once known throughout the world as ''Mad Swordsman'' for using his Nascent Soul Realm Cultivation to slay a Great Cultivator of the Divinity Transformation Realm," said Zuo Yijian in a solemn tone, his eyes sharply fixed on Han Ming.


    Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin was stunned.


    Under the gaze of many, Gu An found it hard to withstand the pressure and could only nod, then quickly walked away, with Han Ming following closely behind.


    The Cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform began to discuss the name Han Ming, with many having heard of it; his deeds swiftly spread.


    The Void Crossing Realm Elders sitting on the platform merely gave Han Ming a glance and did not interfere.


    Gu An thought for a moment and decided to lead Han Ming to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He was curious to see what would happen when Han Ming met Elder Tian.


    The journey was silent, with Han Ming following behind Gu An, his thoughts unknown.


    After the two arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, Han Ming could not help but ask, "Do you own all this land within a hundred miles?"


    "That''s right, what about it?" Gu An responded.


    After a moment of silence, Han Ming said with a sigh, "I had thought to take you as my disciple, but seeing that you possess such a vast Medicine Garden, it shows that Supreme Sect has great esteem for you. I can''t help but feel a little disappointed."


    You just challenged me, and now you want to take me as your apprentice?


    Gu An mocked inwardly but responded with a smile, "Thank you for your kind offer, senior, but I am not one for fighting and killing, nor do I pursue high or low Cultivation Levels, so I will respectfully decline to become your disciple."


    The two landed, drawing the attention of many disciples.


    Elder Tian, who was dozing beneath a tree in the distance, opened his eyes. He recognized Han Ming, and his expression subtly shifted, though Han Ming had not recognized him.


    After the two went upstairs and settled down, Han Ming began to recount his experiences with Path Enlightenment. Gu An listened intently.


    Han Ming attained Path Enlightenment at the age of two hundred. At that time, he was unable to break through to the ninth layer of the Elixir Formation Realm and felt that his life would be constrained to that point. Thus, he sat under a waterfall, despondent, for seven days and nights before finally attaining Path Enlightenment.


    Overnight, his Sword Heart gained sudden enlightenment, and his Sword Intent evolved.


    Listening to his story, Gu An began to ponder the limit of Life Span.


    He wondered if Path Enlightenment could change the limit of Life Span.


    To date, Gu An had not yet seen anyone break the limit of Life Span. Current Life Spans were subject to change.


    Different realms of Cultivators saw their current Life Spans increase with higher realms, but each major realm had no standard life span limit since Life Span is linked to conditions, Cultivation Techniques, natural treasures, and so on.


    Li Xuandao, for instance, although in the Divinity Transformation Realm, had a Life Span similar to some in the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Or Ji Xiaoyu, who had a Life Span of over eight hundred years at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, comparable to the eighth layer of Divinity Transformation like Li Xuandao.


    If a person is severely injured, their Life Span can change accordingly, such as Elder Tian or Lu Jiujia.


    After all, people are not data, without constant values. He could only observe more closely.


    After Han Ming finished speaking, he asked Gu An to share his own experiences with Path Enlightenment. This time, Gu An did not hide anything and spoke truthfully about his concerns, only omitting the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.


    As he finished, Han Ming pondered and said, "Worrying about the safety of your disciples and realizing that you cannot control the destinies of others¡ªsuch Path Enlightenment may make you a genius."


    "In a month, during my Sword Competition with Sword Venerable Fudao, I might die. Why not, in this month, I impart all of my Sword Dao to you, how about that?"

 Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Breaking Through to the Ninth Layer of the Unification Realm

    ```


    Sword Transmission?


    Gu An instinctively resisted.


    He had already mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, Wood Spirit Sword Technique, and even had the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword in his panel, thus, there was no need to waste time and life span on practicing other sword techniques.


    After all, he could rely on life span to deduce and upgrade his swordsmanship, so why learn so many?


    Making an excuse, Gu An said, "Senior, I''m not interested in the Sword Dao, to put it precisely, I''m not interested in any methods of combat. I rarely even cultivate on normal days; my true passion lies in plants and flowers."


    Han Ming was taken aback, then furrowed his brows.


    Gu An pretended to be anxious and explained, "Senior, it''s not that I''m resisting you. You can go and ask around; all the disciples in the Valley know my character. My spirit root qualification is limited, so instead of spending my limited life span on the elusive pursuit of immortality, I''d rather live freely and enjoy a brief two hundred years."


    Han Ming looked at him, silent.


    Gu An didn''t say more either.


    It''s not like he could beg Han Ming not to teach him, right?


    After quite a while, Han Ming said with emotion, "I finally understand why you easily attain enlightenment. Your state of mind has surpassed most cultivators. Letting go of obsession and experiencing the myriad states of the Mortal World might indeed make it easier to perceive the True Meaning of Heaven and Earth."


    The two continued to discuss Path Enlightenment, and Han Ming no longer insisted on teaching swordsmanship.


    After chatting for a whole day and night, Han Ming finally left.


    He planned to visit the Supreme Sect and look for a suitable inheritor.


    Gu An recommended someone, Zuo Lin.


    As it happened, Han Ming also knew Zuo Yijian, so he agreed to consider Zuo Lin.


    After he left, Gu An began to patrol the Third Medicine Valley.


    Elder Tian caught up to him and asked curiously, "Valley Master, the cultivator from earlier seemed extraordinary, but his clothes clearly came from the Great Yu Dynasty. What did he want with you?"


    "He wanted to take me as a disciple and teach me the Sword Dao."


    "So, did you accept?"


    "How could I? If I had accepted, wouldn''t that be tantamount to betraying the Supreme Sect? Though I''m not strong, I have a loyal heart towards the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An casually refuted, and the more casually he spoke, the more genuine Elder Tian felt he was.


    Elder Tian didn''t think Gu An was putting on an act. Having been at the Medicine Valley for many years, Gu An was serious about everything he did, and treated the servant disciples properly; aside from not loving cultivation, Elder Tian really couldn''t find any faults with him.


    Elder Tian began to accompany Gu An on his patrols, checking the medicinal herbs along the way, and they chatted intermittently.


    During this time, Gu An asked Elder Tian for his views on the mentor-disciple relationship.


    Elder Tian, who had lived for over seven hundred years, had life insights that Gu An was very interested in. While he did not necessarily plan to emulate them, listening to them was always beneficial.


    At the same time.


    The news about Mad Swordsman Han Ming challenging Sword Venerable Fudao rapidly spread throughout the cities of the Supreme Sect. Everyone who heard the news was filled with anticipation.


    Han Ming was a world-renowned sword cultivator, and Sword Venerable Fudao was currently the most famous cultivator of the Supreme Sect. Who wouldn''t want to watch a sword competition between the two?


    Most importantly, disciples of the Supreme Sect also wanted to see Sword Venerable Fudao''s true face and witness his elegance.


    Half a month later, when Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley, he heard that Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun were also discussing this matter.


    This made Gu An start to waver.


    Initially, he didn''t want to accept the challenge, confident that the Supreme Sect, teeming with experts, wouldn''t let Han Ming disrupt the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    But with the situation blowing up so much, if he didn''t go, wouldn''t that be a blow to his reputation?


    That won''t do.


    He had to hasten his progress in becoming stronger!


    Han Ming was a genius who could kill across realms. With his Unification Realm level one cultivation, he could control swords from a distance. What if he took a fall?


    He had to reach level nine of the Unification Realm in advance!


    Gu An saw that Han Ming was a decent person and decided to give him a vigorous defeat. What if Han Ming had another epiphany after his loss?


    ...


    Late at night, Gu An continuously teleported through the forest, covering a hundred miles with each step, using the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step to quickly move away from the Supreme Sect.


    Constantly drawing on the Spiritual Energy of the Supreme Sect, he felt a bit guilty, so this time he decided to break through in a place rarely touched by humans.


    He was determined to reach level nine of the Unification Realm in one go!


    Oh, how unpredictable the world is, always someone disrupting his plans and rhythm of becoming stronger.


    After traversing nearly twenty thousand miles, Gu An finally stopped. He was deep in the mountains, and the forest was filled with a thick aura of demon energy and ghostly energy.


    Gu An sat down under a tree and immediately initiated the Life Span Barrier.


    He could not go any further; who knew where further wandering would lead.


    Gu An began to invest a thousand years of his life span into his cultivation level, successfully reaching the second layer of the Unification Realm, as Earth Spirit Energy began to flow towards him.


    Afterward, he continued to invest another thousand years of his life span.


    A thousand years followed another thousand years.


    Until he reached level nine of the Unification Realm, he had altogether invested eighteen thousand years of his life span. After level five of the Unification Realm, each level required three thousand years of life span to break through, related to the Spiritual Energy of the environment he was in.


    That was acceptable to him, after all, just progressing from level nine of the Void Crossing Realm to level one of the Unification Realm had consumed more than twelve thousand years of his life span.


    Seeing that he still had over two hundred thousand years of life span left, Gu An felt quite pleased and began to enjoy the elevation of his realm. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The forest shook, and gusts of wind came from all directions, while green waves of energy surged beneath Gu An.


    "Roar¡ª"


    A deafening roar echoed from afar. It was a demon beast howling.


    ```


    Gu An secretly felt a shock in his heart; the aura of this demon beast was no less than that of the Divinity Transformation Realm. Such terrifying creatures were actually hidden in this area.


    Fortunately, when he had his breakthrough earlier, he didn''t venture this far. Otherwise, if he were eaten by a demon, that would be incredibly unlucky.


    Then, more beasts began to roar, one after another, the sounds becoming more numerous and joining together as if to overturn the night sky.


    The clouds in the night sky churned, obscuring the stars and moon, making it hard to tell whether they were clouds or demon energy.


    At this moment, Gu An felt as if he was trapped in a realm of demons, surrounded by the shrieks and wails of demons from all directions¡ªterrifying and horrific.


    The forest ahead shook violently as if the trees were about to uproot themselves at any moment.


    In the darkness behind the woods, the massive mountains began to move. With Gu An''s vision, he could see clearly that it was a giant demon at least three hundred yards tall, in the shape of a tortoise, carrying a mountain on its back. As it moved forward, dust filled the air.


    Gu An saw many lost souls and ghosts circling around the mountain, like an entourage following an army.


    No wonder the Great Yu Dynasty, despite having cultivators, couldn''t exterminate all the demons, ghosts, and fiends in the world. On his way here, Gu An''s divine sense had picked up the voices of villagers in the mountains, letting him know he had not yet left the Great Yu Dynasty.


    The Great Yu Dynasty was vast, Gu An felt it was even bigger than Earth from his previous life, and this vast land was teeming with countless demons and ghosts.


    The other eight dynasties probably weren''t much smaller than the Great Yu Dynasty, but according to what Shen Zhen had said, the combined territory of the nine dynasties was just a tiny corner of this continent.


    This world was truly boundless!


    The endless Earth Spirit Energy flowed into Gu An''s body, causing his cultivation level to grow constantly.


    No wonder it took eighteen thousand years of his lifespan to go from the first layer to the ninth layer of the Unification Realm. The amount of Spiritual Energy required was enormous. Gu An suspected that this commotion would affect tens of thousands of miles around and might even reach the Supreme Sect.


    If the ninth layer of the Unification Realm was already causing such a stir, what would happen when he aimed for an even higher realm? Would it alarm the entire dynasty?


    The main issue was the compression of eighteen thousand years'' worth of Spiritual Energy into a short period. The amount of Spiritual Energy drawn was immense, and once the energy in this area was exhausted, he would have to draw from other places as the world also needed time to replenish its Spiritual Energy.


    No matter!


    He''d focus on breaking through first!


    Nobody could stop him from becoming stronger!


    Gu An simply closed his eyes, refusing to look at the commotion around him.


    ¡­


    In the spacious cave, the firelight violently flickered, casting long shadows of a large pot.


    It was a giant iron pot with a diameter of ten yards, sitting over a roaring fire. The soup inside was boiling, with bones surfacing and sinking.


    Tied up in front of the cave wall were two human children, a boy and a girl, both appearing to be around twelve or thirteen years old.


    The boy was rubbing the hemp rope around his wrists against a protrusion on the wall. Even though his wrists were bloody, he didn''t frown, and his motion got even faster, revealing the white bone of his wrist joint.


    Next to him, the girl sat kneeling on the ground, nervously watching the cave entrance, as if afraid of something.


    The cave shook violently, and a terrifying demonic wind blew in from outside, carrying the wailing of numerous demons, making one''s scalp tingle.


    Extreme terror turned the children''s lips white, causing their bodies to shake uncontrollably.


    Finally, the boy broke the hemp rope around his wrists. He quickly removed the ropes from his body and proceeded to untie the girl.


    However, the ropes around the girl were tied too tightly, and he, lacking the strength, couldn''t untie them.


    "Uh-huh¡ª"


    A deep, breathy sound came from outside the cave, resembling the croaking of toads, causing the boy to pause and a look of despair to appear in his eyes.


    He looked towards the twisted path ahead and saw a massive, corpulent figure appear on the cave wall. Both children''s faces instantly grew pale.


    Suddenly!


    As if something had yanked the corpulent figure away, it disappeared in an instant.


    Following that, crisp and loud chewing sounds echoed from outside the cave. The boy leaned against the wall, hastily covering his mouth to avoid making a sound.


    The girl who was still tied up closed her eyes, not daring to look towards the cave entrance.


    ¡­


    The Earth Spirit Energy receded, causing the demons to flee in all directions. This night was destined to be restless.


    Two ancient hours later, Gu An''s cultivation level had only reached the sixth layer of the Unification Realm. He predicted that he would need to wait until daylight to reach the ninth layer of the Unification Realm.


    Compared to his previous breakthroughs, he was now consuming Spiritual Energy several times faster, yet the time required to break through had lengthened.


    Normal Unification Realm cultivators wouldn''t cause such a stir during their breakthroughs because they accumulated slowly, rather than devouring the Spiritual Energy needed for hundreds or even thousands of years of cultivation in a short time.


    Gu An waited patiently.


    Time flew rapidly.


    Dawn arrived, and the first rays of morning light cut across the sky. The sky was covered with demonic clouds, and the woods were surrounded by demon energy, as if engulfed in a flowing fog.


    Gu An was sitting under a tree, and suddenly opened his eyes.


    Unification Realm, ninth layer, achieved!


    Upon reaching this level, he distinctly felt his divine sense and senses greatly enhanced. He even felt his heart condensing Spiritual Power, as if something was about to grow out of it.


    The speed at which he devoured Earth Spirit Energy began to slow down. Gu An felt he was more than a hundred times stronger than before.


    The ninth layer of the Unification Realm was nothing like the first layer!


    Gu An didn''t believe any cultivator at the first layer of the Unification Realm could kill him across realms!


    As soon as this thought emerged, he broke out in a cold sweat.


    He had almost damaged his Daoist Heart!


    He shouldn''t think this way; those who had been slain across realms probably had the same mentality!


    He couldn''t look down on anyone and had to be prepared to be slain at any moment. Only then could he give his all!

 Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The Exaggerated Extreme Life Span, Gu An Takes on an Apprentice

    After his cultivation level became completely stable, Gu An closed the Life Span Barrier.


    This time, the Life Span Barrier had consumed over eight thousand years, and at this rate, opening the Life Span Barrier would eventually become a significant expenditure of life span.


    He still needed to work hard to earn life span. He might seem wealthy now, but if he wanted a comprehensive upgrade, his life span would not be sufficient!


    Gu An stood up, stretched his arms in a lazy yawn, and then touched his chest.


    The Unification Realm seemed to be a transition, not as phased as the realms before, but this transition put a great test on the accumulation of cultivation.


    Gu An could feel that the next realm had something to do with the heart, the thing condensed on his heart was a sign, but he could not yet determine what it might be.


    He began to move forward.


    Still using the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step, he continuously teleported, covering hundreds of miles in a single step while spreading his Divine Sense to feel the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on one direction, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    After hesitating for a moment, he moved toward that direction.


    ...


    Next to the mountain stream, a boy covered in bloodstains and dirt stood in front of a mountain wall, holding a large stone in his hand, with a girl standing behind him, equally disheveled, staring ahead in terror.


    On the other side of the stream, the trees parted as a two-zhang tall Wolf Demon emerged from the woods, walking upright. Its deep black fur and even in the early morning, its wolf eyes flickered with threatening ferocity.


    The Wolf Demon opened its mouth, exhaling foul breath, its gaze fixed intently on the two ahead.


    The boy''s arms shook in fear, but he bravely stepped forward.


    The two did not notice a figure appearing on the mountain top behind them, it was Gu An.


    Gu An had changed into a set of white clothes and wore a specially made mask with restrictions that blocked Divine Sense probing. He had made it when he had nothing better to do.


    The breeze fluttered Gu An''s robe as he looked down at the two children below, casting Life Span Detection.


    [Goudan (Insignificant): 12/99/9999]


    [Little Flower (Insignificant): 12/78/230]


    A maximum life span of 9999 years?


    Gu An doubted his own eyes, this number surpassed the records of the Ji Family of the Human Race.


    Could this child also possess an Innate Daoist Talisman within him?


    Just then, the Wolf Demon suddenly leaped towards the boy named Goudan. Gu An raised his hand and a Sword Qi shot out, landing between the Wolf Demon and Goudan. Stones shattered and water splashed skyward, scaring the Wolf Demon into halting and fleeing.


    Dust filled the air, causing Goudan to close his eyes and start coughing.


    When the dust settled, he looked to find a crack half a zhang wide and a hundred zhang long next to the stream, as if it were cut by a gigantic sword.


    Footsteps came from nearby, startling Goudan, who quickly turned around, only to see Gu An.


    Although Gu An looked normal, he wore a mask, so Goudan did not drop the stone in his hand.


    "You... are you a human... or a demon?" Goudan asked cautiously, his voice weak and trembling.


    Gu An spoke, "Naturally, I am human. Why else would I save you?"


    He altered his voice to sound aged, as if he were in his forties or fifties.


    Hearing this, Goudan let out a sigh of relief, but did not drop the stone, earning a look of admiration from Gu An.


    "Where is your home? I will take you back," Gu An continued.


    Upon hearing this, Goudan fell silent.


    At that moment, the girl named Little Flower behind him suddenly burst into loud sobs.


    "My mom and dad... they were eaten by demons..."


    She spoke in a choked voice, her emotions erupting, causing Goudan''s eyes to turn red as well.


    Goudan then recounted their ordeal.


    A group of demons had broken into their village, devoured all the adults, and then took the children to this area. Every day, they witnessed their peers being boiled into soup. It was supposed to be their turn last night, but suddenly there was an earthquake, and the demon guarding them ran out.


    At daybreak, they had escaped the cave and found no trace of the demons, so they began to flee. But they hadn''t gotten far when they were targeted by a Wolf Demon that was on its way.


    Gu An was silent as he heard the account, this was his first real glimpse into the suffering of the Mortal World.


    Since his youth, he had lived in the Ji Family, never facing the threat of demons. Later on, at the Supreme Sect, using the lives he seized, his journey could be considered smooth sailing.


    Compared to him, these two children truly suffered.


    Gu An felt compassion, but Goudan''s extraordinary maximum life span made him hesitate to bring him back.


    This kind of maximum life span, if one cultivated, would surely attract countless troubles.


    Gu An even suspected that Goudan possessed great fate, which was why only he survived out of his whole family. Just as he was about to be eaten, Gu An was nearby making a breakthrough. And as the Wolf Demon was about to catch him, Gu An saved him.


    When all these coincidences came together, they were no longer mere coincidences!


    A child of fate?


    Seeing that the two were now without both parents and even without relatives to rely on, Gu An could not bear to leave them alone.


    After thinking it over, Gu An decided to first take them to a safe place.


    With a step, he appeared behind Goudan, lifting him up, then went to Little Flower. Lifting one in each hand, he moved swiftly through the air.


    The two were stunned by his movement technique, no longer crying, tensed all over.


    Ten breaths later.


    In a stretch of woodland, Gu An stopped and gently set the two down on the ground.


    He took out a bottle of elixir from his storage bag and poured half into each of their mouths.


    They choked violently as the elixir was poured down, but as the medicine went down their throats, they felt a warm current flowing smoothly, which then spread to every bone and muscle. The sensation was truly magical.


    The two of them widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.


    Gu An then sat cross-legged in front of them and asked, "Do you want to cultivate to become immortals?"


    He didn''t dare to directly take Goudan back with him, but he could teach them the ways of immortal cultivation, so they could later seek to join the Supreme Sect on their own, absolving him of any connection to them.


    By offering the Supreme Sect a top genius, he felt it was a way to make amends for the numerous times he had drawn spiritual energy without permission over the years.


    "Are you an immortal?" Goudan asked excitedly, his face alight with thrill.


    "I am not. I''m just striving to become one. Since you have nowhere else to go, I can teach you the ways of immortal cultivation. In the future, when you join the Supreme Sect, you''ll have a place to belong," he answered, continuing to disguise his voice to avoid recognition should they meet again at the Supreme Sect.


    Goudan quickly nodded, even kowtowing and calling him master.


    He turned to look at Little Flower, who was still in a daze, and pushed her head forward, saying, "Quick, call him master!"


    Little Flower instinctively called out, "Master!"


    Gu An wanted to refuse, but seeing their hopeful expressions, he simply couldn''t.


    Damn it!


    Was this the influence of great destiny?


    Gu An felt it wasn''t his soft-heartedness, but rather the destiny surrounding Goudan that was affecting him.


    Immortal cultivation indeed talks of destiny, cause and effect, and believes in those elusive existences.


    "Alright, now I will pass on to you the mental method mantra. Listen carefully and remember well," Gu An said gravely.


    The two immediately sat up straight, staring intently at him, afraid to irritate him.


    Gu An passed on the Yang Wood Primordial Skill that he practiced to them. He wasn''t afraid of Goudan mastering it completely; once he accumulated a million years of lifespan, he would continue to advance the skill.


    Actually, he was also curious to see how far Goudan could develop the Yang Wood Primordial Skill.


    Up until now, he still wasn''t sure what rank the cultivation techniques and ultimate skills he possessed would hold in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Time quickly passed by.


    Gu An''s lesson lasted half a day, mainly explaining to Little Flower. Goudan remembered everything after hearing it once.


    The fruits of extreme lifespan surely didn''t lie!


    Gu An told Goudan to go to one side to cultivate, while he personally instructed Little Flower.


    "Master, it feels like there''s something inside me! Could it be Spiritual Power?"


    In the afternoon, while Little Flower was deep in contemplation, Goudan, not far away, suddenly exclaimed with extreme excitement.


    Upon hearing this, Little Flower''s eyes widened in disbelief, then her face fell in disappointment.


    Gu An calmly said, "All this fuss and commotion, what kind of behavior is that? Do you want to summon demons over?"


    Hearing this, Goudan immediately shut his mouth.


    As evening neared, Little Flower finally memorized the first layer of the Yang Wood Primordial Skill mental method.


    One night passed.


    Goudan had completely embarked on the path of immortal cultivation, while Little Flower had still not managed to cultivate any Spiritual Power.


    A cultivator with average five-element Spirit Root Qualification needed a month of cultivation to manifest Spiritual Power, so Gu An was not disappointed with Little Flower.


    As dawn just broke, Gu An prepared to leave.


    "Goudan, I''m going out for a while, I''ll be back this evening. Take good care of your junior sister," said Gu An.


    Goudan opened his eyes sharply and quickly got up, anxiously asking, "Master, will you really come back? Don''t abandon us, I promise I won''t shout anymore."


    Little Flower also woke up and stood up upon hearing this. She ran over and clung to Gu An''s waist, refusing to let him go.


    Gu An couldn''t help but smile wryly, yet he spoke with a stern voice, "I''m going to slay demons. Do you want to hinder me?"


    Upon hearing this, Little Flower quickly let go.


    Goudan''s eyes flicked about, then he said, "Master, since we''ve both taken up cultivation, why don''t you give us new names?"


    He felt that receiving a name from his master was significant; it would bring them even closer to their master.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment, then raised his right hand and with his index finger, he pointed towards the ground and used Sword Qi to write. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Goudan quickly ran over, standing beside him to watch.


    Although they were from a village, there was a schoolteacher there, so he could just about recognize the characters.


    Once Gu An finished writing, Goudan couldn''t help but ask, "An... An what? Master, what is the second character?"


    "Your name is An Hao. ''Hao'' stands for heaven, and I hope you can be like the sky for your junior sister and carve out a piece of heaven for yourself," he explained.


    "As for Little Flower, her name shall be An Xin. I hope you, my disciple, can live a life of peace and contentment," Gu An said soothingly. After finishing, he vanished into thin air.


    Renamed An Hao, Goudan looked around but could no longer see Gu An. He crouched down and gazed at his new name, murmuring, "An Hao, Hao..." as if trying to commit the character Hao to memory.


    An Xin crouched down beside him, accompanying him as they both looked at the characters on the ground.


    Meanwhile,


    Gu An was rapidly making his way to the Supreme Sect. When he arrived back in Mystic Valley, Wuxin was still leading his disciples in their drills.


    Walking from the entrance of the valley, he saw many cultivators flying overhead, it seemed the commotion from the night before had drawn the attention of the Supreme Sect.

 Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Center of Attention, What It Means to Be a Sword Cultivator

    ```


    Seeing Gu An walking from the valley entrance, Wuxin hurried over.


    Lu Jiujia was also practicing drills with the Servant Disciples. Now he was Wuxin''s right-hand man. He just glanced at Gu An from a distance without approaching him.


    Although he had returned for several years, Lu Jiujia still dared not face Gu An. If he could avoid it, he would because he felt that he owed Gu An.


    Gu An had given him so many Elixirs, but he ended up straying from the path and ultimately became a cripple. Whenever he thought about it, he felt regret.


    He even felt he deserved his outcome for all the bad things he had done in the Demon Extermination Hall; it was no more than he deserved.


    Gu An, on the other hand, didn''t go out of his way to enlighten Lu Jiujia, letting the young man settle and reflect on his own.


    "Senior Brother, last night the Spiritual Energy subsided again. Although it wasn''t as severe as the previous times, you should still be careful when you go out lately." Wuxin approached Gu An and reminded him.


    Gu An nodded and said, "I''ve also sensed this and came back for that very reason. How''s Medicine Valley?"


    "It wasn''t affected. By the way, Senior Brother, will you go watch the upcoming duel between the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu and Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "Has Sword Venerable Fudao agreed to participate?"


    "Not yet. But the news has been spreading like wildfire. Surely, Sword Venerable Fudao will make an appearance, right?"


    The two chatted as they walked toward the attic.


    Now that Mystic Valley had recruited a new batch of Servant Disciples, these disciples would frequently glance at Gu An while practicing their drills, curious about the real Valley Master.


    It was said that the Medicine Valley could produce an Outer Disciple every few years, how could they not be expectant?


    After talking briefly with Wuxin, Gu An went upstairs. He planned to make a few new sets of clothes for An Hao and An Xin.


    Half an Ancient Hour later, he proceeded to the Third Medicine Valley to inspect his own valley.


    The Third Medicine Valley was so vast that he had to check it personally to ensure there were no oversights.


    The death of a single plant meant the loss of his Life Span!


    The disciples of the Third Medicine Valley were also discussing the descent of Spiritual Energy the night before, speculating various possibilities. Gu An chatted with them a bit as well.


    It wasn''t until dusk that Gu An finally left.


    ...


    The sky was a fiery red, the forests dark and mysterious.


    An Hao stood on a tree branch, scanning the distance, hoping to find Gu An''s figure.


    Below, with a nervous voice, An Xin asked, "Could it be that Master will not return?"


    "No, he won''t. Master said he would come back, so he definitely will!" An Hao said firmly, with a resolute tone.


    Truthfully, he was also uncertain but forced himself to appear calm.


    Just the thought of Master potentially not returning made him feel indignant, and he really wanted to cry, but he couldn''t shed tears in front of An Xin.


    His father once told him that boys could cry but should never cry in front of women.


    Suddenly, a hand landed on An Xin''s head, startling her into a shriek, after which she quickly jumped away.


    Hearing this, An Hao quickly turned his head and saw the figure he had been longing for all day. He was instantly overjoyed and excitedly shouted, "Master!"


    He jumped down and pounced toward Gu An, hugging his waist, just like An Xin had done that morning.


    An Xin, seeing clearly that it was Gu An, was also excited and rushed forward to hug him.


    Although they had known each other for only two days, Gu An already held an unshakeable position in their hearts.


    Gu An pushed one hand on each of their heads, pushing them away gently and said softly, "Practice well. If you''re not diligent in your training, I will leave you behind."


    "If we make a name for ourselves, will you not leave then?" An Hao asked.


    Gu An took out two sets of clothes from his Storage Bag and said, "Haven''t I told you? In the future, you''ll have to go to the Supreme Sect. I cannot be with you forever. Once you are capable of protecting yourselves, I will leave."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao''s face immediately darkened, and An Xin pursed her lips, her eyes quickly reddening.


    Gu An ignored their emotions, handed them the clothes, and then led them towards the river in the forest.


    Half an Ancient Hour later, An Hao and An Xin had changed into new clothes and even had their hair tidied. It cannot be denied, the two looked quite impressive in their new attire, almost like celestial children; no wonder the demon had saved them for last, possibly unwilling to devour them.


    Gu An decided he would accompany them every night from then on, returning to the Supreme Sect during the day.


    In the surrounding thousand miles, there was no trace of any powerful demon. There were many villages and towns, so they were safe to practice there.


    And so the days passed.


    The month-long wait eventually came to an end.


    The Outer City was packed to the brim, and even the hills outside the city walls were dotted with figures of Cultivators seated in meditation. Many disciples from the seven other Outer Cities, the four Inner Sect Cities, and the disciples from the Main City of the Sect had come to witness the match. Even disciples from other Sects had come to watch.


    The Supreme Sect did not suppress the matter, resulting in the entire Immortal Cultivation World of the Taicang Dynasty discussing it.


    At the South City Gate, Han Ming stood proudly with his eyes closed, the Sword Box in front of him, his hands resting on top of it as the warm breeze of the late summer rustled his garment.


    On the city walls, numerous Cultivators were watching him, chatting incessantly.


    "It''s uncertain whether Sword Venerable Fudao will come."


    "I think it''s better if he doesn''t. If he does, his true identity will be revealed, and he will surely face endless trouble afterwards."


    "Of course he must come. He''s so powerful, even if his true identity is uncovered, who in this world can defeat him?"


    "It is said that Sword Venerable Fudao is the Sect Leader. He hasn''t shown himself because he wants to cultivate another powerful force for the Supreme Sect that can match the Sect Leader." S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ```


    "I heard that the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu has surpassed the Divinity Transformation Realm for many years. If this battle really breaks out, his name will surely go down in history," said someone.


    Zuo Lin and his father Zuo Yijian also stood atop the city wall, looking down at Han Ming''s figure.


    Anxiety was written all over Zuo Lin''s face. Having taken Han Ming as his master, he was naturally concerned about Han Ming''s safety.


    Jiang Qiong and Hu Mo, who had reached the ninth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm, were floating in the air on a huge gourd, discussing the upcoming battle.


    Ye Lan stood on the top of a tall building, gazing toward the South City Gate from afar. The sky was azure and cloudless, the mountains outside the city were rugged, and the figure of Sword Venerable Fudao was nowhere to be seen.


    She was accompanied by a dozen disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall, all of whom were her subordinates, including Zhen Qin. They all looked very excited.


    Five miles away, Shen Zhen, who wore a black veil, stood on top of the Treasure Pagoda, also gazing in the direction of the South City Gate with an expectant look in her eyes.


    The sword cultivator duel that had been brewing for a month had captured the attention of the entire Supreme Sect, and even the Immortal Cultivation World was waiting for the outcome of this battle.


    Under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands, Han Ming remained with his eyes closed, patiently waiting.


    Meanwhile.


    Fifteen thousand miles away.


    In a spacious forest, Gu An was giving swordsmanship guidance to An Hao.


    An Hao reached the second layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm after absorbing energy for three days, and now, having reached the third layer, Gu An was imparting to him the techniques of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, giving him a means to fight.


    Meanwhile, An Xin was still cultivating, trying to gather her first strand of Spiritual Power.


    The gap in their talents was like a chasm!


    Gu An taught only once, and An Hao memorized the sword moves immediately, making it very smooth for him to teach.


    Is this what it feels like to teach a genius?


    No wonder Great Cultivators dote on geniuses so much. Even he was starting to favor An Hao a bit.


    An Hao practiced swordsmanship while curiously asking, "Master, what is the name of this sword technique?"


    He held a wooden sword, but even so, there was a sharpness in the air as he swung it.


    "Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. You are the only one who has learned my sword technique. Do not dishonor this technique in the future," Gu An said.


    With An Hao''s talents, once he entered the Supreme Sect, he would surely be highly valued. If he additionally became an inheritor of Sword Venerable Fudao, that would be even more extraordinary.


    In the future, if the Supreme Sect wanted to suppress An Hao, they would have to consider whether it was worth opposing Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword..." An Hao murmured to himself, his eyes shining brightly. He could feel the intricacy of this set of sword moves. Every time he practiced the movements, he gained new insights, which made him addicted.


    In the forest, the sound of the sword cutting through the air echoed. Gu An stood to one side, quietly watching, his wooden mask hiding his expression from An Hao''s curious gaze.


    In the distance, An Xin opened her eyes and looked with a face full of envy.


    She too wanted to practice swordsmanship.


    An hour later.


    An Hao had actually cultivated Sword Qi. As the sword sliced through the air and the Sword Qi swept across, it passed by Gu An and struck the trunk of a tree behind him, leaving a subtle sword mark.


    After producing the Sword Qi, An Hao was like a conduit opened between heaven and earth, moving with greater speed, his swordplay fluid and graceful, swift as a startled swan. The Spiritual Energy of the forest started to gradually converge toward him.


    Gu An watched with a taut nerves.


    What kind of monster is this?


    He felt he had opened a can of worms. If he had not saved An Hao, An Hao would have already been buried in a demon''s belly, and the world would not have such a monstrously talented individual.


    He began to mourn for the likes of Li Ya and Ji Xiaoyu, Lv Xian, Zhou Tongyou, and other peerless geniuses, sorry, but from now on, the top spot in the world belongs to my disciple.


    Gu An himself was not interested in being the number one in the world. After all, one might encounter an enemy from heaven even when invincible on earth. What he pursued was the end of the Immortal Cultivation Path, he believed that there was more than this one world.


    At noon, Gu An said, "Stop now."


    Upon hearing his instruction, An Hao immediately ceased, his forehead drenched with sweat and panting heavily, but his face was spirited, his eyes shining brightly.


    "Master, how did I do?" asked An Hao proudly, feeling his spirits rise at the age of twelve.


    Gu An spoke, "You care too much about the sword in your hand. Remember, the sword does not lie in the hand, but in the heart. Whatever the heart desires, everything can become your sword. Go pick a leaf."


    Hearing this, An Hao scratched his head, then walked over to the side.


    Gu An then gestured to An Xin, who, full of anticipation, immediately ran over with a smile on her face.


    "Xin''er, you go pick a leaf as well," Gu An said softly.


    An Xin did as she was told without delay.


    Moments later, both disciples returned to Gu An, curious about what he was going to do next.


    Gu An took the leaf from An Hao''s hand first, saying, "A true sword cultivator, even with a mundane leaf, can exhibit the power of a formidable divine sword."


    He pinched the leaf between two fingers of his right hand and flicked it gently toward the distance. An Hao and An Xin watched intently.


    Boom!


    A sudden gust of wind arose, tangling their hair. The two of them widened their eyes in disbelief.


    The leaf suddenly unleashed a terrifying Sword Qi, shattering the forest ahead and charging towards the horizon with an unstoppable force. It vanished in the blink of an eye.


    A swath of forest had been cleared, ten meters across, with dust billowing, creating a sight to behold.


    And that direction, was precisely toward the Outer Sect of Supreme Sect!

 Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Two Leaves Determine Victory or Defeat!

    At the Outer Sect of Supreme Sect, in front of the South City Gate.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, if you do not show yourself within 30 minutes, I shall engrave two more characters on the Heavenly Repair Platform!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The voice of Han Ming rose, resounding loud as the distant thunder, echoing between heaven and earth, lingering for a long time.


    His words sparked a flurry of discussions among the cultivators. Although the disciples of Supreme Sect frowned, they dared not insult him, for he had first shown courtesy before resorting to arms.


    After a month of eager anticipation for the appearance of Sword Venerable Fudao, even the disciples of Supreme Sect felt some disappointment that he had not come.


    Zuo Lin on the city walls breathed a sigh of relief; in truth, he felt that Han Ming was no match for Sword Venerable Fudao, but after spending a month together, he truly did not wish for Han Ming to come to harm.


    Zuo Yijian looked towards the distance, his intuition telling him that Sword Venerable Fudao would certainly come.


    The noise within the city grew louder and louder.


    On the magic artifact gourd, Jiang Qiong whispered, "Could Sword Venerable Fudao really be the Sect Leader?"


    "It''s possible. Though Han Ming is not much stronger than Chu Xian, if Sword Venerable Fudao wants to defeat him, he must reveal his true form, which is why he dares not appear," Hu Mo pondered deeply.


    "If Sword Venerable Fudao is indeed the Sect Leader, that would be interesting. It would be seen as a play directed and acted by himself..."


    His expression was mocking, his tone filled with disdain.


    A faint light glowed from the gourd underneath them, a force of restriction isolating them from the surrounding space.


    Jiang Qiong was about to say more when suddenly, an intense Sword Intent burst forth from the South City Gate, followed by an overwhelming oppressive force approaching from the south.


    She looked up sharply, as did Hu Mo beside her.


    In front of the South City Gate.


    Han Ming picked up the Sword Box and stepped forward a hundred yards; he planted the Sword Box into the ground, and as the base sank into the earth, the Sword Box opened and two treasured swords sprung out to the sides.


    His right hand resting on the lid of the Sword Box, he burst forth with a vast Sword Intent, startling all the onlookers.


    Before the majority could follow his movement with their eyes, a Sword Qi charged from the ends of the earth, overwhelming forests in its path, unstoppable.


    In the blink of an eye, this Sword Qi collided with Han Ming''s vast Sword Intent.


    Han Ming''s Sword Qi formed a blue light barrier reaching nearly two hundred yards high, a spectacular sight. When struck by the mysterious Sword Qi, his blue Sword Qi ripped apart, as if crushed instantly.


    His eyes widened, he looked up, his pupils reflecting a cascade of leaves.


    Boom¡ª


    The leaves swept over over the top of his head with force, causing his hair to flutter, and he staggered backward two steps.


    All the cultivators on the city wall changed their expressions dramatically, Zuo Yijian instinctively raised his arm to protect his son, barely making out what was hidden in that Sword Qi.


    Another loud boom shook the city wall violently, but it did not crumble.


    As the violent Sword Qi dispersed like a gust of wind, leaves appeared embedded in the wall, with spider-web cracks spreading around them.


    Han Ming regained his composure and stepped forward again, drawing two treasured swords from the Sword Box, and looking into the distance.


    Leaves swept by, and a fierce wind roared in from the end of the heavens and earth, threatening to uproot everything along its path.


    Han Ming stood firm, his robe stretching back, highlighting his strong physique.


    He stared tensely at the horizon, as if facing a formidable enemy, while all the surrounding cultivators and those within the Supreme Sect watched with bated breath.


    Sword Venerable Fudao had arrived!


    ...


    "Wow! Master, you are so amazing, what Swordsmanship is this? I want to learn!"


    After a brief stupor, An Hao burst into excitement, jumping around.


    Gu An took the leaf from An Xin''s hand, startling An Xin into looking up at him as well.


    "I used the Swordsmanship I taught you earlier. Once you master it, you can do it like me. But true Sword Path Great Achievement is about returning to simplicity; without such great ostentations, you can have an unstoppable force," Gu An whispered, then flung the leaf from An Xin''s hand.


    An Hao and An Xin''s gazes followed the leaf as it gently drifted ten steps away before suddenly accelerating, flashing by like a bolt of lightning.


    This time, the leaf did not create the deafening commotion from before; it seemed ordinary, only moving very fast.


    An Hao chuckled, "I like it when it''s loud and scary!"


    Gu An placed his hands on their shoulders, taking them as they vanished into thin air on the spot.


    More than fifteen thousand li away, in front of the Supreme Sect''s Outer Sect South City Gate.


    Han Ming held two swords, ready for battle.


    All was silent in heaven and earth!


    Everyone awaited Sword Venerable Fudao''s next move!


    Suddenly!


    Han Ming''s pupils shrunk dramatically, and he immediately released the swords in his hands, beginning to cast a spell. The remaining sword in the Sword Box unsheathed itself, and the three swords circled around him. Following his pointed right hand, the tips of the three treasured swords rose up and surged forward.


    The three swords intertwined and spun, a terrible Sword Qi erupted, transforming into three sword Qi dragons speeding ahead, lifting every large tree in their path, throwing dust into the air and trembling the mountains and earth, with cultivators in the sky being flung away. The scene was incredibly spectacular.


    A cold light streaked across the distance, it was a leaf wrapped in swirling Sword Qi.


    It''s here!


    Han Ming intently watched the leaf in the distance; this leaf did not have the oppressive force of the previous one, but his intuition told him it was even more dangerous!


    The leaf suddenly accelerated!


    Transforming into a streak of cold light, it powerfully scattered Han Ming''s Sword Qi, the three treasured swords were deflected instantly, and before they came to a stop, the leaf had already reached Han Ming.


    So fast!


    Damn it!


    Han Ming was shocked, instinctively thrusting his palm forward, his robe bursting into a golden light, surprisingly condensing into a golden bell shadow.


    Boom!


    The leaf shattered the golden bell shadow and pierced into Han Ming''s right shoulder, its tremendous force making it impossible for him to resist, his body being dragged backwards as the ground beneath him cracked.


    Han Ming was sent crashing along the way, smashing into the city wall, causing the wall behind him to crack open, but the city wall did not collapse.


    The reason for its integrity was not due to the wall being overly sturdy, but rather the result of Gu An''s deliberate control.


    Han Ming was hung on the city wall, vomiting fresh blood, his head drooping as if he were dead.


    "Master..."


    Zuo Lin lay on the shaking city wall, calling out anxiously.


    Who knows how many cultivators gasped in shock¡ªcould it be that the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu was defeated by Sword Venerable Fudao with just two leaves?


    What was the magnitude of this gap?


    "The Flying Leaf Sword Immortal! Sword Venerable Fudao is the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal!" an Outer Disciple from the Supreme Sect exclaimed excitedly.


    There was no need for clarification, all the spectators had come to this conclusion on their own.


    On the gourd magic artifact, Hu Mo opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing at all.


    Ye Lan, gazing towards the sky where remnants of sword qi lingered, had eyes filled with envy.


    Just what realm must one cultivate to in order to possess such almost ghostly god-like power?


    Shen Zhen skimmed over the city wall, landing on the ground. She quickly took out paper and ink, beginning to sketch the scene of Han Ming hanging on the city wall.


    ...


    Under the blue sky, amidst the mountains and fields, a small town sat beside a large lake.


    "If anyone asks you, don''t mention me. Just say you are children from this town," Gu An transmitted his voice, then An Hao and An Xin landed behind him. They subconsciously looked back, but Gu An''s figure was already nowhere to be seen.


    At this moment, they were in an alley with earthen walls covered in moss on both sides.


    As An Xin was about to speak, An Hao covered her mouth and then said, "Little sister, let''s go catch some frogs."


    He gave An Xin a meaningful glance, waiting for her nod before releasing his hand.


    Afterward, the two of them walked out of the alley, drawn by the bustling streets, their faces involuntarily beaming with smiles.


    After all, they were still children.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An, who had taken off his mask and donned a green Daoist robe, stepped into an inn.


    Taking the rare opportunity to be out, he also planned to enjoy the mortal world''s scenery.


    He arrived on the second floor of the inn and sat at a table by the window, ordering the establishment''s signature dishes and alcohol, then turned his gaze to the street outside the window.


    Along both sides of the street were various peddlers shouting their wares and some travelers from the jianghu passing by. Gu An even felt the presence of cultivators, though they were not many.


    The patrons inside the inn were discussing feuds and stories of martial heroes of the jianghu, making Gu An feel as if he had crossed through time once again.


    Before the food and drink were served, Gu An sensed a powerful divine sense sweeping past the town.


    As expected, someone had followed!


    The divine sense was fleeting and did not reappear afterward.


    Gu An was not in a hurry; he was prepared to fully relax that day.


    After the food and wine were served, he began to drink alone, admiring the ancient streets bustling with people coming and going below the window.


    Sunset gave way to moonrise.


    As night fell, the town remained lively. Red lanterns were hung up from all the buildings, and small rivers meandered through the town, casting a ghostly glow.


    Gu An walked onto a stone bridge, his eyebrows slightly raised.


    He could sense a strand of demon energy infiltrating the town.


    It was not too strong, about equivalent to a second-order demon creature, comparable to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Since Gu An had already planned to return to the Supreme Sect the next morning to enjoy the praise for his victory, he was not in a hurry and wanted to see what the demon creature was up to.


    The town seemingly had no cultivators on the surface, yet the second-order demon creature was so cautious¡ªcould there be a special reason for this?


    Gu An slowly walked towards the source of the demon energy.


    As he passed by a courtyard, a voice called out to him.


    "Junior Brother Gu!"


    This voice was old, laced with surprise, doubt, and other emotions.


    Gu An turned his head and saw an elder in a courtyard looking at him.


    The elder had white hair and a hunched back and appeared to be in his seventies or eighties.


    Gu An frowned, then hesitantly asked, "Senior Brother Zhang?"


    Zhang Chunqiu!


    It had been so long that Gu An had almost forgotten Zhang Chunqiu''s aura, and Zhang Chunqiu''s appearance and stature had changed significantly.


    The elder hurried out, excitedly saying, "It is you! Just now, I felt that the person on the bridge looked like you when I was upstairs, but I didn''t expect it to really be you. Junior Brother Gu, how did you come here? Did you become an Outer Disciple and come out on a mission?"


    Gu An nodded and replied, "Something like that. Senior Brother, what brings you here?"


    This was too much of a coincidence, wasn''t it?


    Zhang Chunqiu laughed and said, "This town is the richest near the Supreme Sect, and I plan to retire here."


    That explained it.


    Gu An had chosen this town because it was bustling with people and therefore safer.


    Zhang Chunqiu grabbed Gu An''s wrist and said with a smile, "Come inside and talk. You''re not in a rush, are you?"


    "Not at all, not at all," Gu An responded. He could feel that there was no one else in the courtyard, and he really wanted to ask where the little Lotus was.


    He had once eavesdropped on Zhang Chunqiu talking to himself and knew that Zhang Chunqiu had descended the mountain for the sake of a girl named Lotus.

 Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Infamous Demon Gu An, Renowned Throughout the World

    The moon at the end of summer was very round, but the passing clouds soon obscured it.


    Gu An sat inside with Zhang Chunqiu, chatting idly. Zhang Chunqiu recounted the experiences of these years while he listened attentively.


    Zhang Chunqiu''s story was like one written by a scholar. He left the Supreme Sect for the woman he loved, but that woman was a demon.


    In his early years, Zhang Chunqiu went to the Supreme Sect in search of an immortal fate. On the way, he was attacked by a demon but was saved by a female demon named Lotus, eventually making his way into the Supreme Sect.


    He always remembered Lotus''s kindness and would go out each year to find her. The affection between the man and the demoness quickly heated up, and years later, with no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, he chose to leave the mountain and enjoy the rest of his life with Lotus.


    After they met, they came to this town together, bought a villa, got married, and had a son.


    After spending a long time with the demoness, Zhang Chunqiu''s Spiritual Power was drained, and even his Qi-Blood was on the decline. Lotus, not wanting to be a burden, left one clear morning without saying goodbye.


    Upon hearing this part of the story, Gu An really wanted to say something, but he held back.


    "You might think I was deceived by her, but that''s not the case. The end of a union between a human and a demon is fated to be such. The reason I came down the mountain was that there was no hope on the path of immortality, and I don''t regret it. Her Life Span is longer than mine; I don''t have many years left.


    Her leaving early is a good thing, to avoid the agony of parting at death," Zhang Chunqiu said with a cheerful laugh, his expression kind, and his murky eyes seeming to see through the vicissitudes of the Mortal World.


    Looking at him, Gu An couldn''t help but recall the time when he first entered Mystic Valley, how young Zhang Chunqiu was back then.


    Indeed, times have changed, people are not the same.


    He sensed that Zhang Chunqiu had only three years left in his Life Span, which made him feel somewhat melancholic.


    An hour later, the Demon Energy that Gu An had sensed earlier arrived in the courtyard, none other than Zhang Chunqiu''s son.


    [Zhang Buku (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 22/460/2300]


    A 22-year-old at the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm is definitely a genius!


    Do unions between humans and demons easily give birth to geniuses?


    Gu An wondered if it might be because Lotus''s talents were too high.


    "Buku, this is your Martial Uncle, Gu An," Zhang Chunqiu called to Zhang Buku, who had climbed over the wall into the courtyard.


    Zhang Buku looked like a teenager of sixteen or seventeen, except for the more abundant hair on his cheeks.


    "Good day, Martial Uncle Gu," Zhang Buku greeted timidly as he approached.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, then took out an elixir from his Storage Bag and said, "This is a Top-Grade Spirit Elixir, consider it a gift for our meeting."


    "How could I accept this?"


    "Elder brother, aren''t you looking down upon it?"


    "How could I? It''s just that it seems too valuable."


    The two insisted back and forth for a while, but eventually, Zhang Chunqiu couldn''t outmatch him and let Zhang Buku accept it.


    Curious, Zhang Buku looked over Gu An. This was the first time he had received a gift from someone other than his parents, which made him feel favorable towards Gu An.


    Zhang Chunqiu began to inquire about the situation in Mystic Valley, and Gu An did not hide anything.


    Upon hearing that Cheng Xuandan and Meng Lang were dead, Zhang Chunqiu wasn''t saddened but rather reflective, and he advised Gu An to be careful in his future endeavors.


    Then, Gu An mentioned that Li Ya had achieved Core Formation; Zhang Chunqiu clicked his tongue in wonder, acknowledging he had always seen Li Ya''s potential to soar high.


    The two talked for a long time.


    Only when Zhang Chunqiu could no longer hold on did Gu An take his leave.


    Before parting, with the support of Zhang Buku, Zhang Chunqiu turned around and said, "Junior Brother Gu, since you''ve reached Foundation Establishment, it means your talent is not utterly poor. Cultivate well and see the world for your elder brother in a few hundred years."


    Gu An stood at the door, turned back to look at him, and nodded slightly.


    From beginning to end, Zhang Chunqiu did not ask anything of him, only reminiscing about the past.


    As Gu An walked out of the courtyard, he couldn''t help but look back. He could hear the low voices of Zhang Chunqiu and his son, with Zhang Chunqiu asking where his son had gotten into trouble that day, and Zhang Buku saying he had fought with a young man.


    The young man he encountered was none other than An Hao, who had fought with Zhang Buku earlier. Although there was a gap in their Cultivation Levels, Zhang Buku had no intention of killing; after a few exchanges, he left.


    That too, must be fate.


    Zhang Buku had a potential Life Span of two thousand three hundred years and could well become a famous Great Demon among the Demon Clan, while An Hao was even more exceptional, possessing talents to chase after the number one spot in the world.


    Years later, when they met, would they remember the time they fought as children in this small town?


    Gu An''s mouth curved into a smile as he disappeared into the night.


    ¡­


    At dawn.


    In the wild mountains and steep cliffs, An Hao and An Xin sat on either side of Gu An, facing the rising sun in meditation.


    The sunshine fell on them, painting a harmonious scene.


    An Hao''s left cheek bore three scratches, inflicted by Zhang Buku. He had been looking for Zhang Buku all night, to no avail, and had left the town for this desolate place far away, still feeling indignant.


    Gu An could not sit still any longer. He stood up and said, "I have something to attend to and will return in the evening. Hao''er, take good care of your Junior Sister."


    With that, he vanished on the cliff.


    An Hao and An Xin then opened their eyes and turned to look, but their Master had already disappeared.


    "What do you think our Master really is? Why can he only be with us at night?" An Xin asked curiously.


    An Hao, stroking his chin, pondered, "Remember the storyteller who came to the village two years ago, telling stories of the Jianghu? I think Master is one of the top demons in the world, but his reputation must be a misunderstanding. Otherwise, why would he save us? That''s why he doesn''t want us to be affected by his fame."


    An Xin widened her eyes and then asked, "If Master really is a demon, what is he going off to do now?"


    "I don''t know... But no matter what, he is our Master. He has been kind to us, and we must remember his kindness."


    "Yes!"


    ¡­


    Gu An, whom his disciples called the great demon, returned to Mystic Valley and immediately used the Teleportation Array to go to the Third Medicine Valley.


    As expected, after the great battle, there would be people looking for him!


    Gu An entered his own attic room and saw Shen Zhen painting at the desk.


    "I must say, Holy Daughter Shen, have you made yourself at home here? Come whenever you wish; aren''t you afraid of offending me?" Gu An said helplessly.


    Without looking up, Shen Zhen commanded, "Hurry over and take a look!"


    Immediately, Gu An walked over, glanced at her work, and couldn''t help but frown.


    "Is this Han Ming?"


    "That''s right. How is it? Did I do a good job?"


    "Aren''t you afraid he will hold a grudge against you?"


    "Dare he? My father is not to be trifled with!" Shen Zhen huffed, rendering Gu An silent.


    Having a backing really is impressive!


    Gu An looked closely and had to admit that Shen Zhen''s painting skills were extraordinary. The scene of Han Ming nailed to the city wall was drawn with striking clarity, even capturing the cracks on the wall.


    "What do you think, how about that?" Shen Zhen asked, full of pride.


    Gu An then snatched her brush and added a few strokes to the paper.


    Shen Zhen squinted to see the changes and then her eyes widened in surprise.


    Gu An had added the traces of strong wind and shadows, bringing more tension to the scene¡ªthis was the technique of Earth''s comics.


    This style didn''t necessarily mean it was better than Shen Zhen''s, but the key point was that this was the first time Shen Zhen had seen such a technique.


    The paper was plain, yet it made her sense the trajectory of action, as if it captured the process of Han Ming smashing against the city wall.


    She turned her head to Gu An and couldn''t help asking, "You know how to paint?"


    "A little."


    "What about poetry and song?"


    "I know a bit of each."


    Admiration shone in Shen Zhen''s eyes, making Gu An involuntarily lift his chin.


    Trying to show off, huh!


    "That''s true, after all, you could write ''Investiture of the Gods,''" Shen Zhen remarked.


    Gu An then asked, "Why do you want to paint this?"


    Could it be that Shen Zhen had a grudge against Han Ming?


    "Honestly, I''m quite interested in Sword Venerable Fudao. I always felt he would be a handsome and aloof swordsman. With so many people coming to watch, he never shows up, which is truly a mark of character," Shen Zhen said, her eyes betraying a hint of infatuation.


    Gu An''s mouth twitched as he said, "What if he turns out to be an unattractive old man?"


    "That''s not impossible. Besides writing, I plan to investigate Sword Venerable Fudao. I must find him."


    "To what end?"


    "Of course, to become Daoist friends. Pan An, don''t think that I frequent your place because I like you. Although I''m not keen on cultivating, my Daoist friend must be a top cultivator in the world. Otherwise, how would he handle the offense when I write books and paint pictures?" Shen Zhen gave Gu An a sidelong glance, then gathered her painting and walked toward the door.


    Gu An shook his head with a chuckle, making no attempt to follow her. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only after Shen Zhen left Medicine Valley did he go downstairs, preparing to check the herbs.


    The servant disciples were still discussing Sword Venerable Fudao, with each showing a fanatical look on their faces. Listening to their praises, Gu An felt very pleased.


    Although he had made a show of strength recently, Gu An wouldn''t become arrogant; he still had to earnestly accumulate life span.


    The ninth layer of the Unification Realm was not enough to satisfy him!


    ...


    In the blink of an eye.


    A year had passed, and another summer arrived.


    Now, Gu An did not visit An Hao and company every day but twice a month instead. An Hao''s cultivation level had reached the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, capable of protecting An Xin.


    Last month, An Hao passed the test arranged by Gu An, personally slaying the wolf demon that had previously pursued them. Gu An had let the wolf demon escape just for An Hao to kill.


    Alright, he admitted that upon seeing An Hao''s talent initially, he had devised many plans for training him.


    The reason he hadn''t gone to the Supreme Sect yet was that An Xin''s cultivation level was still insufficient, and the two were still young, able to learn more from following Gu An.


    On this day, at noon, Gu An went to the Outer City alone. He first stopped by the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The number of sword cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform was increasing, and many were not from the Supreme Sect.


    The news that Sword Venerable Fudao had severely injured the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu spread wildly through the Immortal Cultivation World. Now, Sword Venerable Fudao had become the most admired figure among the disciples of the Supreme Sect.


    Even a year later, every time Gu An visited the Outer City, he could hear the disciples discussing it.


    As the fame from that battle spread, more and more sword cultivators came to visit, and the Supreme Sect did not deny them access, only strengthening the defensive forces in this part of the city, which resulted in Jiang Qiong gaining significant power, since she was the Great Elder of this city.


    Gu An observed from a distance and saw Han Ming standing beside Zuo Lin, impatiently scolding, while Zuo Lin sat on the ground, his face gloomy.


    Gu An was amused.


    This was the scene he wanted to see, which was why he recommended Han Ming to take Zuo Lin as his apprentice.


    Zuo Lin was a genius, but he was particularly dull when it came to the Sword Dao, despite his love for it.


    After relishing the scene for a while, Gu An turned his attention to other individuals on the platform, curious to see if there were any unfamiliar Great Cultivators.


    Upon scanning the area, indeed there were!

 Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Lv Xian Returns

    [Ghost Mother of Ephemera (Unification Realm Second Layer): 3750/8090/54000]


    Unification Realm Second Layer! S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This exaggerated life span!


    First the Underworld Demon Emperor, now the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, why does it feel like they''re characters from the Underworld?


    Gu An secretly marveled that even ghosts had life spans, which meant that even in death, they couldn''t exist forever.


    Thinking about it, it made sense¡ªif ghosts could exist indefinitely, wouldn''t they rule the world?


    He had only heard of millennia-old evil ghosts, never of a ghost emperor who lived for millions of years. Of course, it could also be that Gu An''s level wasn''t high enough, and he hadn''t encountered such beings, but at least the Mortal World was a world dominated by the Human Race.


    Perhaps there was some force in the universe suppressing the existence of spirits, maintaining balance in all things.


    Though the life span of the Human Race was short, they could cultivate quickly, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, disguised as a female disciple of the Supreme Sect, looked quite young, with her Cultivation Level aura suppressed at the Foundation Establishment Realm, making it hard for anyone to notice anything unusual about her.


    Gu An refrained from looking too closely, afraid of drawing her attention.


    There were so many bull-headed and snake-hearted beings within the Supreme Sect that as long as they posed no threat to him, he couldn''t be bothered to care.


    "Gu, my young friend."


    Han Ming suddenly came over, a smile on his face.


    Although he had suffered a crushing defeat, he felt no shame. Instead, he was very grateful.


    Sword Venerable Fudao had nailed him to the city wall with a tree leaf, and the Sword Intent contained in that leaf had benefitted him greatly; clearly, it was meant to be instructive.


    With Sword Venerable Fudao''s abilities, if he had wanted to kill him, he certainly wouldn''t have survived.


    Gu An watched the approaching Han Ming and immediately raised his hand in salute. Han Ming stepped forward, enthusiastically took his hand, and said, "Gu, my young friend, now that you''re here, you must practice swordsmanship with me. The disciple you recommended is just too stupid, it aggravates my Daoist Heart to no end."


    As he spoke, Han Ming pulled Gu An in the direction of Zuo Lin.


    Unable to free himself while concealing his true Cultivation Level, Gu An reluctantly followed.


    Han Ming had Gu An sit beside Zuo Lin and then taught him the incantations for swordsmanship. Zuo Lin was very happy to see Gu An and chatted incessantly, causing Han Ming to become irritable and bombard Zuo Lin with criticism.


    Zuo Yijian sat to one side, smiling as he watched his son get scolded, while also sizing up Gu An.


    Apart from being good-looking, Gu An''s Cultivation Level seemed rather ordinary, and Zuo Yijian couldn''t figure out what Han Ming saw in him.


    Zuo Yijian closed his eyes, feeling the Sword Intent within the words ''Righteous Path,'' while recalling the scene of Han Ming''s defeat. As if grasping something, yet also seemingly an illusion, he was engulfed in this complex sensation.


    A full Ancient Hour passed before Gu An finally managed to excuse himself from Han Ming''s insistent company.


    Han Ming''s swordsmanship, he had memorized after just one listening. However, to remain inconspicuous, he forced himself to listen six times. It was truly exhausting.


    Gu An left swiftly under Han Ming''s disappointed gaze.


    In the future, he''d need to avoid Han Ming at the Heavenly Repair Platform!


    That guy was too exhausting!


    Gu An thought to himself and then went about his business, first visiting the Elixir Hall, then the Book Collection Hall to complete his tasks, and afterward went to visit Jiang Qiong at the Great Elder''s residence.


    In the hall.


    Jiang Qiong tossed a Storage Bag to Gu An and said, "This bag contains all the high-rank medical herbs I''ve collected; once they mature, you can have a two-tenths share. Isn''t your Martial Master good to you?"


    Gu An scanned the contents with his Divine Sense and his expression brightened.


    So many seeds, all of them at least fourth-grade!


    "Thank you, Martial Master!" Gu An sincerely said.


    Jiang Qiong could have asked someone else to plant them¡ªshe was now the Great Elder, with great power.


    Hearing his thanks, Jiang Qiong smiled in satisfaction. She liked seeing Gu An''s grateful expression.


    "Try not to sell the Green Vine Fruit; it has a significant effect on enhancing Qi-Blood and foundational strength and is a treasure beyond the value of Spirit Stones," said Jiang Qiong earnestly.


    It was clear she had found records of Gu An selling the Green Vine Fruit.


    Gu An nodded; now that he didn''t need Spirit Stones to buy seeds, he naturally wouldn''t sell them.


    "I''m planning to strive higher next. Your Medicine Valley could become part of my accomplishment. Cultivate it well, and in the future, I will find Elixir Formation Realm Cultivators'' Golden Cores for you and use secret techniques to help you become an Elixir Formation Realm Cultivator," Jiang Qiong continued.


    Gu An hastily offered thanks again.


    Then Jiang Qiong waved her hand, indicating that he could leave.


    As Gu An turned to go, he''d barely taken two steps when Jiang Qiong''s voice floated after him, "Gu An, do you write books?"


    At these words, Gu An''s heart skipped a beat.


    What did she mean?


    Had Jiang Qiong found out? Or was it just a probing question?


    Gu An turned back, his face puzzled, and asked, "Write what books?"


    Jiang Qiong studied his face, which didn''t seem to show any sign of guilt, so she shook her head and said, "Never mind, you can go now."


    Gu An scratched his head, then left, even more bewildered.


    Jiang Qiong sat in her chair thinking hard for quite some time, before she finally took a book out of her Storage Bag and began to read through it.


    The cover read four words:


    Supreme Secret Records!


    ...


    Summer days were scorching.


    Thirteen-year-old An Hao lay by the riverbank, facing the sky, with his head submerged in water, continuously blowing bubbles with a gurgling sound.


    Not far away, An Xin was sitting and cultivating under a tree, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly encountering some difficulties in her practice.


    A figure cast a shadow over An Hao''s body, prompting him to open his eyes involuntarily. As soon as he recognized the newcomer, he quickly flipped himself upright.


    "Master!"


    An Hao scrambled up, rubbed his soaking wet hair, then began cultivating energy, allowing his spiritual power to dry his hair, causing wisps of white smoke to rise from his head.


    Gu An, wearing a mask, spoke in a hoarse and deep voice, "Today I won''t teach you swordsmanship but will pass on a leg technique to you."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao''s eyes lit up, and he immediately became excited.


    Finally, he could stop learning swordsmanship!


    Not only did An Hao possess a strong spirit root qualification, but his understanding was also exceptionally high. After practicing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword for a year, he had completely mastered the movements and the mental method, and now it was time to cultivate his own sword intent.


    Gu An raised his leg, standing on one foot like a golden rooster, a posture that immediately astonished An Hao. Even An Xin, who was in the midst of energy absorption, had her attention drawn by it.


    "This technique is called the Gale Shadowless Leg, watch closely."


    Gu An said in a deep voice, the only person currently inheriting this move was Ye Lan, and others cultivated the Residual Wind Leg, the fundamental leg technique. Although the Residual Wind Leg was the basis of the Gale Shadowless Leg, it was hard to see the close connection between the two when compared together.


    He wasn''t afraid that Ye Lan and An Hao would recognize each other''s leg techniques in the future. If they could recognize it, it would mean they were in combat, and it would be a good opportunity for An Hao to show mercy.


    Having spent over a year together, Gu An had come to regard An Hao as his own child. An Hao was inherently good-natured and even had a spirit of chivalry deep down, albeit a little carefree.


    Gu An kicked out his leg, and in an instant, myriad leg shadows burst forth, generating a fierce wind, splashing water droplets, and directly toppling the forest trees opposite. A hundred paces away, a cliffside crumbled, revealing a series of densely packed footprints, a truly magnificent sight, which even dispersed the clouds above.


    An Hao was dumbstruck, trembling all over, while An Xin stared with wide eyes.


    What a domineering leg technique!


    "I want to learn! I want to learn! It feels even mightier than the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!" An Hao exclaimed excitedly, even kicking a few times on the spot.


    "The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword is stronger than the Gale Shadowless Leg; it''s just that I haven''t shown you all its power yet," Gu An said.


    "Hehe, I got it, I will not forget to practice the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword in the future!" An Hao hurriedly assured.


    Gu An began to pass on the technique to him. As always, An Hao remembered the leg technique after seeing it only once, then started practicing on his own.


    Time after time, he became more proficient.


    Suddenly, Gu An felt it might be time to send An Hao to the Supreme Sect.


    This kid''s talent was too frightening. If he could enter the Supreme Sect earlier, he might be able to build a better foundation, while Gu An could only teach him cultivation techniques and ultimate skills.


    But...


    Gu An thought of An Xin, whose talents were too mediocre.


    Never mind, he''d let them both go. Talent was something he couldn''t change for the time being, so why worry about it on her behalf?


    Gu An decided to wait another half a year before sending the two children to the Supreme Sect.


    In ten years, An Hao would likely make a name for himself.


    It was uncertain how long it would take him to catch up with Li Ya and Ji Xiaoyu.


    Gu An even began to look forward to Li Ya fighting An Hao. With Li Ya''s competitive nature, it was only a matter of time before he faced off against An Hao.


    Inside the Supreme Sect, there was sibling rivalry among disciples. Even though there was a thirty-some-year age difference, they could still be considered of the same generation.


    In the summer heat, An Hao quickly became drenched in sweat, but he continued practicing the leg technique with tireless excitement, his young body outlining muscular lines through his wet clothes, exuding a sense of power.


    Gu An stood by, quietly watching.


    ...


    Tianya Valley.


    Gu An was sowing seeds, while Sun San followed closely by, carrying a basket.


    To avoid being recognized, Gu An did more than just harvesting; occasionally, he would also do other things.


    "I''m back!"


    A voice came from the entrance of the valley, and without turning his head, Gu An knew Lv Xian had returned.


    Lv Xian, in a blue robe, walked toward them from the entrance of the valley with a folding fan in his hand. He looked more spirited and manly compared to when he wore red, exuding an air of easy confidence.


    "How did it go? Was everything smooth?"


    Yi Liuyun, sitting on top of the mountain, asked, his voice echoing throughout Tianya Valley.


    Luo Hun, holding his long spear, appeared in front of the terrace to welcome Lv Xian''s return. Gu An had no choice but to pay his respects as well.


    More than Lv Xian, Gu An was concerned about how Li Ya had fared at the Hundred Races Conference.


    With a smile that suggested nothing could ruffle his feathers, Lv Xian said, "Naturally smooth, though there were some hiccups along the way. But as expected, I managed to take the top spot without much trouble."


    At those words, both Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun showed smiles. They all served Li Xuandao and would face life and death together in the future. The stronger Lv Xian became, the happier they naturally were.


    Again, Yi Liuyun asked across the Medicine Valley, "No threats from the Ji Family, Gu Family, or Zhou Family talents?"


    Lv Xian replied, "There was a woman from the Ji Family named Ji Xiaoyu who gave me a bit of a challenge, but it''s a pity she withdrew midway. I regret not beating her fair and square, and besides her, there were less than a handful who could be considered my match."


    "Did any of His Majesty''s children impress you?" Luo Hun asked eagerly.


    Lv Xian shook his head, speaking disdainfully, "Although I greatly admire His Majesty, his children just don''t measure up, nowhere near his caliber. Oh yes, there was a prince named Li Ya, who did show some grit worth my notice. To win against him, I had to break his arms and legs; I estimate he''ll need a year or two to recover."


    Upon hearing this, Luo Hun''s face turned ashen.


    Gu An also frowned involuntarily.

 Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm, Heavenly Spirit Root Revealed

    Hearing that Li Ya was injured, Gu An felt rather displeased.


    This guy was not only heavy-handed but also demeaning Li Ya right now!


    Previously, Gu An had thought that even if Lv Xian defeated Li Ya, he would hold back in consideration of Li Xuandao''s face, but it turned out this guy was so arrogant that he didn''t even regard Li Xuandao highly in his tone.


    Yi Liuyun appeared out of nowhere in front of Lv Xian and frowned as he asked, "Why did you hurt His Highness? Isn''t knocking him out enough?"


    Clearly, Li Xuandao often mentioned Li Ya in his presence as well.


    "What''s wrong? Can''t he be hurt? He''s not the Crown Prince, and he''s far from comparable to the Crown Prince," Lv Xian retorted with a frown, his tone very dissatisfied.


    "Even if he''s not the Crown Prince, he''s still a prince cared about by the Emperor!" Yi Liuyun''s tone was somewhat heavy.


    Luo Hun was silent, and from his expression, it was clear that he was also displeased.


    Lv Xian snorted, "Not allowed? Then beat me up and break my limbs!"


    At that moment, he saw Gu An approaching and immediately became excited, rushing up to greet him.


    "Valley Master, I''ve won the first place in the Hundred Tribes Conference. How about it? Will you cultivate with me?" As Lv Xian spoke, he took out a golden token from his storage bag, on which was written ''Leader of the Hidden Dragon List.''


    Gu An nodded, "Then let''s learn."


    Upon hearing this, Lv Xian immediately pulled him to the side.


    Yi Liuyun looked at Luo Hun and asked, "Should we inform His Majesty about this?"


    Luo Hun thought for a moment and said, "There''s no need, His Majesty definitely has people watching over Prince Li Ya."


    Yi Liuyun sighed, shook his head, and then disappeared on the spot.


    Gu An followed Lv Xian to an open area where three monkey demons followed and curiously watched from the side.


    "What kind of spell do you like?" Lv Xian asked as he rubbed his hands together, eager to begin. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Anything but swordsmanship."


    Gu An replied, as this had been agreed upon before, and he did not want to go back on his word.


    However, one thing at a time, he could not let go of Lv Xian injuring Li Ya.


    "Then shall I teach you a hand technique? I have a very strong hand technique, and it was with this move that I broke Li Ya''s limbs," Lv Xian said with a proud laugh, and after finishing, he even glared at Yi Liuyun in the distance, clearly meaning for Yi Liuyun to hear.


    Gu An nodded, "Let''s start the teaching, and let''s see how powerful it is."


    Lv Xian immediately began to teach the hand technique, demonstrating the moves and explaining the mental method as he went.


    Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm!


    The name sounded very imposing!


    Gu An watched carefully.


    Preparing to give Lv Xian a hard time.


    The sun shone brightly, gradually setting to the west.


    By the evening, Lv Xian, looking frustrated, said, "Are you really unable to remember, or are you messing with me?"


    His voice was loud, startling Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun, who rushed over, fearing he would start a fight.


    Gu An sighed, "I''ve already said that my talent and understanding are very poor. You didn''t believe me and insisted on teaching me, and now you are upset."


    "But... surely you can''t be that bad?"


    Lv Xian could not understand, but it didn''t seem to him that Gu An was pretending.


    Yi Liuyun spoke up, "The Valley Master''s cultivation level is all due to stacking elixirs, which is understandable. I''ve told you before, stop always persuading others; everyone''s situation is different."


    Luo Hun reminded, "What the Emperor values is his planting ability."


    He emphasized the word ''values.''


    Lv Xian took a deep breath and said, "I don''t believe it. I must teach him!"


    Gu An hastily said, "Next time, I need to go back."


    "You''re not allowed to leave!"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An turned and walked away, while Yi Liuyun and the other person quickly stopped Lv Xian.


    "Damn it, Valley Master, you must come back! Once you master the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm, you''ll have the power to protect yourself, even compete for Heavenly Destiny, and reach higher levels!"


    Lv Xian shouted at the back of Gu An.


    Gu An didn''t understand him; why was he cruel to his opponents yet liked teaching cultivation?


    Was he suffering from a split personality in his dreams?


    As Gu An pondered this, he controlled his sword and left, quickly disappearing into the twilight.


    In the days that followed, every time Gu An visited, Lv Xian would teach him spells, and no matter how he taught, Gu An could never master them. But Lv Xian didn''t give up¡ªif not this spell, then another.


    Time flew by.


    The end of the year arrived.


    Heavy snow covered thousands of miles of forest.


    Dressed in a white robe and wearing a mask, Gu An walked out of the forest, followed by two people, An Hao and An Xin.


    The normally lively An Hao was also silent now.


    Gu An halted his steps, gazing at the continuous snow-capped mountains ahead, and said, "Several hundred miles further and we will reach the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect. Once you reveal your Spiritual Power, they will take you into the city to test your Spirit Roots."


    An Xin, with her eyes red, couldn''t help but ask, "Master, when will we see you again?"


    "I saved you merely because it was convenient on my way; this was a destined encounter not meant to be. Henceforth, we shall not meet again, and you must not mention me to anyone," Gu An said with his back to them.


    He had taught An Hao and An Xin how to cultivate without any ulterior motives, simply on a whim.


    He did not need their repayment and hoped that their relationship would end there.


    Suddenly, An Hao knelt down, and An Xin followed, kneeling on the ground; both of them kowtowed towards Gu An.


    This time, Gu An did not stop them and accepted their three resounding kowtows. An Hao''s forehead was chafed raw, his skin a bloody pulp, but he felt no pain, his gaze steadfastly fixed on his master''s silhouette.


    He would never forget the terrifying experience in the demon''s cave and the despair when facing the wolf demon.


    "Master, no matter who you are, I will forever remember your kindness. I will strive in my cultivation, become known throughout the world as the most formidable person. If a time comes when you hear my name and need my help, just ask, and I will not hesitate to die a thousand times over!"


    With a solemn voice, An Hao, who had just turned fourteen, exuded a determination stronger than that of grown men.


    Gu An waved his sleeve, and a swift snowstorm swept in from the horizon, causing An Hao and An Xin to instinctively raise their arms to shield their faces.


    "If you want to help me, try living a thousand years first!"


    The voice of Gu An faded in the wind, and as the snowstorm passed, they looked up to find his figure gone.


    An Xin looked to An Hao, waiting for him to make a decision.


    He stood up, looking towards the horizon and softly said, "An Xin, we must not let our master down!"


    An Xin nodded firmly, and the siblings stepped forward, the flying snow seemingly devouring them.


    Gu An, on the other hand, returned to Mystic Valley.


    First, he checked the herbs in Mystic Valley, then walked back to his loft. Throughout, his Divine Sense remained locked on An Hao and An Xin.


    Even though the pair were less than three hundred miles from the Supreme Sect, he was still somewhat worried, given the chaotic mix at the Supreme Sect nowadays.


    In the following days, no matter where he went or what he did, he would keep part of his Divine Sense fixed on An Hao and An Xin until they safely reached the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect.


    When the young An Hao revealed his Qi Cultivation Realm with Nine Layers, it startled the Elder of the Outer City, who personally received them.


    The main reason for choosing this particular Outer City was because it was filled with Great Cultivators, ensuring An Hao wouldn''t be easily ambushed or his body seized.


    ...


    A new year arrived during the Spring Festival.


    Mystic Valley.


    Gu An, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, Wuxin, Xiaochuan, Tang Yu, and others were seated around a long table celebrating, while other Servant Disciples sat at another table, each merrily interacting.


    "Have you heard? Recently the Outer Sect recruited a disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root, even the Elders of the Main City of the Sect were astonished. That person is An Hao, only fourteen this year, and already almost at the Foundation Establishment stage. It''s incredible.


    Compared to him, I feel like my cultivation has been applied to a pig," Zhen Qin said while pinching a wine bowl, clicking his tongue in wonder.


    Heavenly Spirit Root!


    The others were captivated, Wuxin couldn''t help asking, "Really? The Taicang Dynasty hasn''t seen a Heavenly Spirit Root in hundreds of years."


    "It''s true. We from the Law Enforcement Hall even guarded him for a few days until the Sect Leader took him away," Ye Lan nodded, more composed than Zhen Qin.


    The discussion about the Heavenly Spirit Root continued non-stop, with Wuxin narrating many legends, causing Ye Lan to frown.


    "How does this kid know so much? Could there be a problem?"


    Ye Lan watched Wuxin, silently pondering; though she had known Wuxin for many years, people can change.


    No, she must check Wuxin''s entry records.


    As Gu An listened to everyone discuss An Hao, a smile couldn''t help but appear on his face.


    His days of farmland life had just gained a new source of anticipation, which was watching how high An Hao could grow.


    After chatting for a long time, the topic finally shifted to the Immortal Cultivation World. Reportedly, Cangzhou''s Changluo was suffering a demon calamity with demons attempting to assassinate the Emperor, who survived by luck. Enraged, the Emperor was thoroughly investigating the matter, with families already being executed.


    Knowing that Li Xuandao concealed a Cultivation Level of Divinity Transformation Realm Nine Layers, Gu An was not at all concerned; instead, he listened with relish.


    The Spring Festival, a time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, this night''s festivities continued until dawn. When the morning sun rose, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin departed.


    Gu An did not immediately leave Mystic Valley but quietly entered the Eight Scenic Caves, bringing delicacies for Sky Dragon.


    Beneath the Green Vine Tree, seeing Gu An''s arrival, Sky Dragon was very happy, rapidly swimming around him. Now nearly two zhang in length with fully grown dragon horns, it looked like a True Dragon, its black dragon scales shimmering with a cold gleam.


    "Master, when can you take me out?" Sky Dragon nuzzled Gu An''s face, pleading pitifully.


    Gu An rubbed its head and laughed, "Haven''t I told you? When you are fully grown. There are many people outside eyeing your flesh, just like you eye lamb meat."


    "How big is fully grown? I feel I''m already very strong now, and you might not even be my match, Master," Sky Dragon complained.


    Although Gu An had practiced swordsmanship under the tree, he had never revealed his real strength, and even Sky Dragon was unaware of it.


    Hearing this, Gu An felt that he indeed needed to come up with a solution.


    "I''ll think of something," Gu An pondered.


    He decided to visit Jiang Qiong to see if she understood the Transformation Skill, allowing Sky Dragon to transform into a snake, which would then accompany him outdoors.


    Upon hearing this option, Sky Dragon immediately became excited, even cheering, eliciting laughter from Gu An.


    After spending an ancient hour in Eight Scenic Caves, Gu An left, his departure so swift because he captured a familiar aura approaching Mystic Valley.


    Gu An returned to his loft and pretended to read.


    Before long, a figure leapt through the window. Before touching the ground, their voice rang out, "Junior Brother Gu, guess what treasure I''ve brought back for you?"

 Chapter 81: Chapter 81: The Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect, Demon Path Besieging the Supreme Sect

    Gu An looked at Li Ya, who had climbed in through the window, and said helplessly, "What treasure could compare to my windowsill?"


    Dressed in green, Li Ya walked to the table, took a pouch from his waist, laid it on the table, and said with a proud smile, "This treasure, you will definitely like."


    Gu An probed with his Divine Sense, frowned, and asked, "Why is it a bug?"


    "These are Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects. Their teeth can bite through any metal or ore in the world. If you feed them golden-attribute Spirit Energy, it can help them grow stronger. There are a total of sixteen inside, one of them a queen, which is perfect for guarding your home and can also help you with mining," Li Ya said with a laugh.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s interest was piqued, and he asked curiously, "How do I bond with this thing?"


    "There''s a special way to bond, which involves dropping a bit of your blood to the queen to establish a soul bond." Li Ya said, smiling, then took out a thin manual from his Storage Bag and gave it to Gu An.


    Gu An took it but did not open it immediately; instead, he asked, "How''s it going, was the Hundred Clans Tournament smooth?"


    Li Ya pulled a chair over from the side and sat down opposite Gu An, with a sigh he said, "Not really smooth, but it was quite an eye-opener. The world truly is full of experts, and geniuses are as common as carp crossing the river. My talents are nothing at the Hundred Clans Tournament; I barely made it into the top hundred, and Zhou Tongyou only made it into the top ten."


    Seeing Li Ya''s optimistic demeanor, Gu An felt a bit less worried.


    Li Ya began to recount what he had seen and heard at the Hundred Clans Tournament, and Gu An listened intently.


    Halfway through the conversation, Gu An even stood up to pour some wine, drinking and listening.


    Li Ya talked until dusk, still having much to say.


    Gu An said thoughtfully, "So, only our Third Miss could pose a threat to Lv Xian?"


    "Her Qilin Step is indeed incredible. She was the only one who wounded Lv Xian. Unfortunately, after taking nine steps, she faced a heavenly tribulation and had to stop the combat. We haven''t seen her since then," Li Ya nodded and said.


    "Heavenly tribulation? What do you mean? Is Qilin Step that powerful?"


    Gu An was surprised; he had taken many steps in the past two years without facing any heavenly tribulation.


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "How would I know? She probably has some secret inside her."


    Primordial Daoist Talisman!


    Gu An thought to himself, is this like starting with a cheat?


    "Compared to Ji Xiaoyu, Lv Xian''s strength is what shocked me the most. He will be my target afterward; I want to challenge him and win back the honor," Li Ya said, his fighting spirit soaring.


    Gu An asked, "You just said he broke all your limbs, don''t you hate him?"


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "It was a regular sparring match, what''s there to hate? Besides, it was me who refused to admit defeat. From a senior, I learned that he is a pitiful person. He has other remnants of souls inside him trying to seize his body, which is why he sometimes appears abnormal; friendly at one moment, violent the next."


    Other remnants of souls?


    Gu An felt relieved. If that was the case, then he was reassured.


    He had been worried that Lv Xian was the reincarnation of an Immortal, but it didn''t seem to be the case now.


    "What do you mean, why are there other remnants of souls?" Gu An asked, puzzled.


    "Not sure, it might relate to some treasure, or he might have been possessed. Before he clears out the remnants of souls inside him, he will always be tormented. No wonder I had never heard of him at the Supreme Sect before; probably the Lv Family was protecting him. Oh right, his father was the previous Sect Leader, Lv Baitian."


    "Lv Baitian was driven to insanity by deviated cultivation, and now his son is tortured by inner remnants of souls; it''s curious whether this is a coincidence or not."


    Li Ya said with a frown and then sighed before adding, "If Lv Xian were not affected by these remnants of souls, by now he might have formed his Nascent Soul and would have unimaginable strength."


    Gu An couldn''t help laughing; he hadn''t expected to find himself feeling sympathetic towards Lv Xian.


    "By the way, who is the senior you mentioned? Sounds quite powerful," Gu An asked, feigning curiosity.


    "A senior who prefers to remain unnamed. Sorry, I can''t reveal more," Li Ya replied.


    Heh, must be the old grandpa inside you!


    Gu An could feel the soul inside Li Ya growing stronger.


    He suddenly thought of something; if he could sense the soul inside Li Ya before reaching the Unification Realm, then those Great Cultivators in the Void Crossing Realm should also be able to detect it.


    From Li Ya''s tone, it didn''t seem like anyone had discovered this.


    Is it because the cultivation technique that Gu An practiced was too powerful, or was there another reason?


    Even though it was getting dark, Li Ya showed no sign of leaving and kept chatting with Gu An, now sharing stories about the sights he had seen on his journey.


    It wasn''t until the next morning that Li Ya finally left.


    After he was gone, Gu An picked up the manual Li Ya had left behind and began to study how to bond with the Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects.


    ...


    Under the vast clear skies, the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An stood before Elder Tian, lifting his right hand to reveal a golden insect perched on the back of his hand; at first glance, it looked like a golden beetle, but its mandibles were much larger.


    "Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects, these creatures are quite rare, at least hard to come by within the Taicang Dynasty," Elder Tian praised.


    "This was a gift from my senior brother Li Ya. He placed within the top hundred at the Hundred Clans Tournament and brought this insect back for me. It will help us patrol Medicine Valley in the future," Gu An said with a smile.


    He had mentioned Li Ya to Elder Tian more than once, hoping that if Elder Tian ever resumed his position as Sect Leader, he might remember Li Ya and give him special cultivation.


    Elder Tian nodded and said, "It seems this Li Ya is indeed a genius and values loyalty and friendship highly. One Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect is already worth a fortune, let alone sixteen."


    Gu An opened the pouch at his waist, and one by one, the Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects flew out. One of them, twice as big as the others, landed on his shoulder, while the rest hovered around him.


    As Xiaochuan passed by, he couldn''t help but come over, and Gu An began to show off the insects.


    ```


    Until evening, all the Servant Disciples of the Third Medicine Valley had witnessed the Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect. Gu An did this not merely to show off; he was worried that the Servant Disciples would later attack the patrolling Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects.


    ...


    Spring came and went, autumn followed, and three years passed by swiftly.


    Gu An crossed the threshold of fifty years of age. In these three years, his days were peaceful and fulfilling. His life span had already exceeded three hundred thousand years, and moreover, the harvest of his life span was increasing every year.


    On this day.


    Xiaochuan arrived at the Transmission Array Platform with Ye Lan.


    Gu An was playing with the White Spirit Rat, which was now as fat as a large dog. Seeing Ye Lan''s arrival, he immediately got up to greet her.


    Ye Lan''s complexion was not good. Facing Gu An, she opened her mouth and said, "Elder brother, let''s talk inside the house."


    Gu An nodded and then led Ye Lan upstairs.


    Xiaochuan turned to the White Spirit Rat, but the rodent turned and ran, infuriating Xiaochuan who picked up a stone to throw at it, unfortunately missing.


    Meanwhile.


    After entering the room, Gu An closed the door.


    He had just turned around when he heard Ye Lan speak, "Elder brother, Wuxin is a spy from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion!"


    At these words, Gu An''s expression subtly changed, and he asked frowning, "Nonsense, what evidence do you have?"


    Ye Lan took out sheets of paper, saying, "All of these are records of disciples left by the Demon Extermination Hall. The person who brought Wuxin into the sect is not a spy from the Demon Path, but if you trace the connections further, they all lead to spies from the Demon Path. Moreover, the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion has been searching for the son of a Pavilion Master for years.


    That person happens to resemble a monk, with an indelible scar on his head."


    Gu An took them and examined closely.


    These papers also recorded who they had been in contact with on a daily basis, including Wuxin.


    Wuxin had visited them a few times when he went to the Outer City.


    How careless!


    Why not be more vigilant in such matters?


    Gu An cursed inwardly, but he didn''t panic because Ye Lan was the one who discovered this.


    After inspecting the papers, he looked up at Ye Lan and asked, "How many people know about this?"


    "Just me for now. On normal days, the Law Enforcement Hall wouldn''t scrutinize the Servant Disciples. We did find that one of the Valley Masters in the Outer Medicine Valley is a spy from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, but we haven''t discovered who exactly it is. We wanted to continue the investigation, but someone higher-up forbade it," Ye Lan said fretfully, furrowing her elegant brows.


    "Who forbade your investigation?"


    "The Great Elder of the Outer Sect, Jiang Qiong. However, her people said it was an order coming from the Inner Sect."


    Gu An suddenly felt that Jiang Qiong being the Great Elder of the Outer Sect was rather convenient, as she could shield him from the storm.


    Although Gu An had never worked for the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, with the Green Vine Tree involved, he could not wash his hands clean. He certainly did not want his peaceful farming life disturbed.


    Gu An stepped forward, grasped Ye Lan''s shoulders with both hands, took a deep breath, and said, "Junior sister, this matter must be suppressed. Even if Wuxin comes from the Demon Path, after living together for so many years, I believe he is not a bad person."


    Ye Lan''s face flushed slightly as he held her. She looked down, and said, "Elder brother, are you also from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion? If you are, I''m willing to follow you."


    "How could that be? I am a man of the Supreme Sect in life and will be a ghost of the Supreme Sect in death."


    "I don''t care. From now on, no matter which sect you join, you have to take me with you."


    "Then, can you suppress this matter?"


    "Mm, I''ve already destroyed the other evidence. Only this copy in your hand remains."


    Gu An released her and threw the papers into his Storage Bag.


    He wouldn''t destroy them just yet, keeping them just in case.


    Ye Lan then said, "Actually, this is a small matter. I know you would protect him. I came to see you for a more serious issue. The Demonic Sects are preparing to besiege the Supreme Sect, and this time it''s for real. Someone in the Hall of Elders in the Main City of Sect has betrayed the Supreme Sect. This is information obtained by a spy from the Wanyin Sect that the Law Enforcement Hall planted.


    The news has already been relayed to the higher-ups, and the four Inner Cities are preparing for war." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "There are many Great Cultivators from other sects and dynasties in the Outer Sect, who have been staying for many years. The Supreme Sect finds it difficult to expel them. If the Demon Path truly attacks, the Outer City might be in great danger, and there might be spies from the Demon Path waiting to collaborate from inside and outside."


    The Demon Path attacking?


    Gu An frowned and asked, "With the increase in the number of disciples in the Supreme Sect over the years, how dare they attack?"


    "It is said they have allied with the Demon Clan, aiming to annihilate the Supreme Sect together and then divide the Taicang Dynasty among themselves," Ye Lan replied gravely.


    Allied with the Demon Clan?


    Gu An felt perplexed. Did these Demonic Sects not know of the great catastrophe of demons that would arrive in a hundred years?


    After sharing more intelligence, Ye Lan hastily departed. Gu An personally escorted her to the Transmission Array Platform, to the Outer City via Mystic Valley, to avoid breaking any rules.


    As Gu An was about to return to his room, he suddenly noticed Elder Tian sitting withered under an old tree.


    Come to think of it, he hadn''t checked on Elder Tian for quite some time.


    This fellow had previously gone to the Heavenly Repair Platform and had increased his Cultivation Level by two levels, but afterward, there had been no activity at all, which was truly strange.


    As Gu An thought about it, he sent out a Life Span Detection.


    ```

 Chapter 82: Chapter 82: The Battle Between Righteousness and Evil, Guarding Medicine Valley

    [Lv Baitian (Core Formation Realm, Third Layer): 754/1050/3200]


    Core Formation Realm, Third Layer?


    Seeing Elder Tian''s cultivation level soar so high, Gu An felt secretly startled.


    In the future, he''d have to keep a close eye on Elder Tian, lest he surpass him without Gu An even knowing.


    Gu An had realized that the higher the realm, the more people practice energy-concealing sorcery, and it''s very difficult to judge an opponent''s cultivation level just by the senses.


    In other words, the world of immortal cultivation is all about who can hide deeper!


    Luckily, he had hidden deep enough and still had the confidence to continue hiding.


    Elder Tian seemed to feel Gu An''s gaze, opened his eyes, looked at him, and he nodded slightly before returning to his room.


    The Demon Path was about to attack, yet he was not the least bit panicked; he would do whatever needed to be done.


    The Supreme Sect was no pushover, especially with Elder Tian, the hidden sect leader, secretly exerting his power; Gu An''s task was to protect his Medicine Valley well.


    ...


    At the end of summer, the weather was cool.


    As Gu An walked within the Outer City, he noticed a significant increase in the number of Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall and many Divinity Transformation Realm presences on the city walls in various directions.


    The whole city emitted a tense and solemn atmosphere.


    The Demon Path was truly about to come!


    As usual, he first went to check the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The Underworld Demon Emperor and Ghost Mother of Ephemera were still there, sitting alone like ascetics, without other demons hiding their identities around them.


    Gu An always felt that the Underworld Demon Emperor might be related to the Demon Path, but he hesitated to report this upwards, to avoid drawing himself into the vortex.


    His goal was immortality; would the Supreme Sect even exist after ten thousand years?


    He was never a person who harbored the great justice of the world in his heart; he was just an ordinary person.


    After scanning the area, Gu An didn''t see any powerful unfamiliar faces; it seemed the Supreme Sect had tight control over outsiders lately, only allowing outsiders to leave, not to enter.


    Afterwards, Gu An went to visit Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong was not at her mansion, and her servant asked him to wait in the hall.


    Gu An stood in the hall, observing his surroundings. He could sense that there were very intricate restrictions within the hall, invisible to the naked eye.


    He often studied the Ziwei Array Chronicles given by Jiang Qiong, and his understanding of formations had accumulated to be quite substantial, which allowed him now to discern hints of their workings.


    While observing, Gu An suddenly sensed something and his expression turned peculiar.


    There was a large space underneath this mansion, just like the Eight Scenic Caves below Mystic Valley!


    An Ancient Hour later, Jiang Qiong finally returned.


    After she entered the hall, she waved her right hand and the door slammed shut.


    Gu An stood up to look at her; she walked to the head seat and sat down, said, "No need for formalities, take a seat."


    Her face was gloomy, clearly having encountered something unpleasant.


    Gu An took out a storage bag from his waist and placed it on the table next to her, said, "These are the first mature batch of herbs, please check them."


    Jiang Qiong''s herbs were of high grade and rank, so now the first batch had matured.


    Jiang Qiong did not reach for the storage bag, instead she asked, "You must have other matters, too; otherwise, you could have simply let Hu Mo do the checking."


    Gu An nodded, said, "I heard news that the Demon Path intends to besiege the Supreme Sect, is that true?"


    This kind of matter, the Demon Path knew best.


    Jiang Qiong nodded, said, "Yes, in no more than half a year, the great war between good and evil under the Taicang Dynasty will erupt. The cause is the continuous expansion of the Supreme Sect over the years, which has made the Demon Path uneasy, and secondly because they have the support of the Demon Clan, a coalition that indeed holds hope of defeating the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An hesitated for a moment, then said, "I heard that after a hundred years, demons outside the nine dynasties will invade. Shouldn''t we be living in peace and striving to cultivate? How can we trust the Demon Clan so easily?"


    Hearing this, Jiang Qiong glanced at him and snorted, said, "Do you think all of the Demon Clan are united? The demons outside the nine dynasties are not purely of the Demon Clan; if they invade, the Demon Clan will also face slaughter, not to mention the Human Race. When have humans ever truly united? Moreover, the more chaotic the situation, the more there is to struggle over."


    "The resources of the immortal cultivation world in the nine dynasties are limited. The stronger the Supreme Sect becomes, the more it suppresses other sects'' cultivation resources. Since ancient times, the so-called struggles between good and evil have actually been about competing for resources, just with a righteous cause as an excuse.


    This time, the Demon Path''s pretext for starting the war is the Supreme Sect''s evil deeds, which you''ll soon hear about. Once the hearts of the Supreme Sect are unsettled, the Demon Path will launch their attack. If successful, the roles of good and evil might be reversed; if unsuccessful, the Supreme Sect won''t have the residual power to annihilate the Demon Path either."


    Hearing this, Gu An fell silent. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was the one who could best understand this, as each of his breakthroughs involved absorbing a massive amount of spiritual energy, thereby affecting the Supreme Sect.


    If the spiritual energy and spirit stones of the entire dynasty were concentrated in one sect, those in power within the sect would have a greater chance of breaking through. Thus, even with only a hundred years left until the demon calamity, they still competed fervently.


    Or rather, the Great Cultivators cared not for the common people but for their own cultivation level. As long as they were strong enough, they could even travel southward across the sea in search of opportunities for immortality.


    After pondering for a while, Gu An asked, "Martial Master, which side are you on?"


    Jiang Qiong laughed, said, "I stand with the victors. You need not worry; I can ensure that our Outer City remains unharmed. Moreover, there are too many Great Cultivators in this city; the Demon Path won''t attack from this direction."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An secretly heaved a sigh of relief and jokingly responded, "As long as my Medicine Valley is safe."


    "Scared now? I told you to practice cultivation more often, but you never listen."


    "Cultivation is not something that should be rushed."


    "Hmph, you''re just lucky to have me as your Martial Master. Before you leave, go find Hu Mo; I''ve spoken to him already, and he prepared a batch of Immortal Cultivation Elixirs for you ahead of time to help increase your cultivation level. You''re fifty years old and still haven''t formed your core; truly useless. Don''t ever say you''re my disciple in the future."


    "Thank you, Martial Master!"


    Gu An chuckled and said, but internally he was critical.


    A fifty-year-old at the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, have you ever heard of such a thing?


    I''d scare you to death if I told you!


    Next, Gu An asked about the highest cultivation level among the Demon Path''s most powerful, but Jiang Qiong was also unsure. She bluntly said that if Lv Baitian were present, the Demon Path certainly wouldn''t dare to invade, but now with Chu Tianqi as the Sect Leader, it would be difficult to determine the victor in a battle between the strongest of the righteous and the demonic.


    This statement made Gu An silently mourn for the Demon Path.


    Lv Baitian is not dead yet!


    "By the way, Martial Master, have you ever heard of the Underworld Demon Emperor?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    Jiang Qiong thought for a moment and shook her head, "I haven''t heard of it, what about it?"


    "It''s nothing, I just saw it mentioned in a book. They say he''s very powerful. Since you don''t know, let''s leave it at that, I should take my leave now."


    Gu An replied, then rose to perform a ceremonial bow, and turned to leave.


    Jiang Qiong watched his departing figure, pensive.


    ...


    Since talking with Jiang Qiong, Gu An''s worries about the grand battle between righteous and demonic paths had significantly subsided, and his days continued as uneventful as ever.


    Three months later.


    At the end of autumn, the Third Medicine Valley was still piled with many dry, yellow leaves.


    In the early morning, Gu An was leading his disciples in a drill, and Elder Tian was also participating, yet only Gu An noticed that his physique seemed even more robust than before.


    This guy''s cultivation level had already reached the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm.


    It''s hard to know how he cultivated, as Gu An witnessed no fluctuations in spiritual energy while he was around.


    After the drills ended, Gu An let the disciples disperse, while he walked towards the loft, surrounded by sixteen Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insects, making his surroundings seem as if they were glittering with gold stars.


    Just as he reached the base of the loft, he stopped in his tracks.


    He saw two figures speeding from the sky, they were Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian and Elder Gu Zong.


    Elder Tian, who was inspecting the medicinal herbs in the garden, turned his head to look, but after a glance, he redirected his attention.


    Upon landing, Gu Zong and the other greeted Gu An and called him upstairs to talk.


    Once inside, Gu Zong, as usual, set up a restriction.


    Bang!


    Ji Hantian slammed the table, making Gu An''s heartbeat accelerate.


    Damnit!


    Do they always have to slam the table every time they come?


    Gu An really wanted to use the Great Yin-Yang Transformation, transform into a Demon Cultivator, and give Ji Hantian a thorough thrashing.


    The furniture in this room was made of fine wood; he would be heartbroken if it were damaged.


    "Chu Tianqi is too much. I didn''t expect the entire Chu Family to be so corrupt. Pan An, you must write a book about this, reveal it to everyone, as the Supreme Sect being the orthodox sect of the world, we must let the people oversee it!" Ji Hantian said furiously.


    Again?


    Gu An remained silent, regretting his previous mercy.


    Gu Zong sat down, annoyed, "What''s the rush? You act as if you don''t know his deeds at all. I think you just want to be the Sect Leader. This time, don''t use Pan An as your pawn again. Pan An has already become the flag of recruitment for the Supreme Sect; this flag must not become a sword for fighting for power within the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An looked towards Gu Zong, appreciating his sensible speech.


    Ji Hantian sighed and said, "I indeed want to be the Sect Leader. I believe if I become the Sect Leader, I could make the Supreme Sect better. Look at what Chu Tianqi has done; his subordinates have been creating the Demon of Greed and even conspiring to sacrifice an entire Outer Sect. I thought he was Sword Venerable Fudao, so I trusted him, but he clearly is not.


    Now the Demon Path is becoming aggressively threatening, and unfavorable rumors about Chu Tianqi are rife within the sect, causing unrest; the Supreme Sect is in danger!"


    Creating the Demon of Greed?


    Gu An was surprised internally. He had previously heard from Chu Jingfeng and thought it was the Chu Family''s adversaries involved with the Demon of Greed.


    Now it seems there was more to the story.


    Was it an internal power struggle, or a self-directed drama?


    "Chu Tianqi has indeed been disappointing. When he initially harshly punished Chu Xian''s descendants, I thought he was being virtuous at the expense of his kin. Now it seems, it was just self-preservation. However, it''s difficult to make a move against Chu Tianqi, many in the Hall of Elders are his supporters, plus he has good relations with the Daotian Sect." Gu Zong shook his head.


    Hearing this, Gu An was confused.


    What exactly was this performance aiming at?


    What was the point of telling him, an Outer Disciple, all of this?


    It was probably a staged performance, intended to stir his emotions and motivate him to volunteer to expose the darkness of the Supreme Sect.


    The two continued criticizing Chu Tianqi, listing all his alleged wrongdoings, and Gu An couldn''t help but feel a surge of anger.


    If Chu Tianqi truly acted that way, he was indeed utterly reprehensible.


    Nevertheless, Gu An maintained his rationale and remained unmoved.


    Gu Zong looked at Gu An and said, "The Supreme Sect may face calamity soon. Your Third Medicine Valley grows too many medicinal herbs; it must be guarded. We are planning to send fifty Core Formation Realm Cultivators to guard the Third Medicine Valley; what do you think?"


    Ji Hantian added, "The Gu Family and Ji Family will each provide twenty-five people. Xiaoyu will be among them too, not only to help you guard the valley but also to keep her away from the war."

 Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Gathering Spirit Divine Finger, You Are Mine

    Fifty Elixir Formation Realm Cultivators?


    Gu An naturally wouldn''t refuse, after all, he could not always stay in the Third Medicine Valley; he immediately expressed his gratitude to the two from Gu Zong.


    An hour later.


    Only after that time did the two from Gu Zong leave; Gu An saw them out of the house.


    After their departure, Elder Tian approached, curiously asking, "Valley Master, what did they want with you?"


    In the past, Elder Tian wouldn''t have asked; now not only had his cultivation level risen, but he also dared to inquire about significant matters concerning the Valley Master. It seemed like he was indeed making a comeback.


    Gu An feigned hesitation, then shared the information he had learned.


    The crimes of Chu Tianqi were exposed by the Demon Path, spreading wildly within the Supreme Sect; the five major factions of the Demon Path were preparing to join forces with the Demon Clan to besiege the Supreme Sect.


    As he spoke of various deeds, combined with his worried expression, it was as if a great disaster was imminent for the Supreme Sect.


    Elder Tian comforted him, "Valley Master, you need not worry too much. The Supreme Sect has stood on this land for thousands of years, surviving numerous dynastic changes. Historical records also mention several instances where they were besieged by the Demon Path but always managed to turn danger into safety."


    Hearing his words, Gu An actually felt reassured.


    "Indeed, if the sky were to fall, there would be a tall one to bear it. As for me, I''ll just be at ease cultivating medicinal herbs and providing alchemy materials for the Sect; that is the only contribution I can make," Gu An said with a head shake and a wry smile.


    Elder Tian nodded in agreement, smiling. He admired Gu An''s nature.


    "However, since the Demon Path is coming, the danger is still unavoidable. Valley Master, I have a set of finger techniques, sharp and tricky. If the enemy is careless, you might even be able to kill opponents above your own realm. Let me teach you," Elder Tian continued.


    Gu An had never learned finger techniques before and was naturally interested; he couldn''t help but curiously ask, "Elder Tian, why do I feel like you have a remarkable background, possessing so much knowledge and skill?"


    "Haha, the old has merely lived long and naturally gained some insights."


    Elder Tian laughed heartily, no longer appearing timid or shrinking as before. Gu An sensed the demeanor of a true Sect Leader in him.


    Subsequently, Gu An followed Elder Tian into the nearby forests, as Elder Tian said, this technique could not be disclosed to others; he was making an exception by teaching Gu An.


    After entering the forest, Elder Tian began to explain the formidable aspects of the finger technique.


    Gathering Spirit Divine Finger!


    This technique could accumulate Spiritual Power and Spiritual Energy at the fingertip, ready to burst forth. The longer the energy was compressed, the stronger the killing power; theoretically, there was no limit.


    After listening, Gu An grew even more interested in the Gathering Spirit Divine Finger.


    ...


    Gu Zong and Ji Hantian acted swiftly; two days later, fifty Elixir Formation Realm Cultivators had arrived, including Gu Yu, the son of Gu Zong.


    Gu Yu was the first to visit Gu An''s attic.


    "You really have a lot of clout, to actually get the Gu Family and Ji Family to send twenty-five Elixir Formation Realm disciples each to protect you, and these aren''t just Supreme Sect disciples, they''re all from noble families," Gu Yu sat down and teased.


    Gu An responded, "It''s probably not to protect me but to protect this Medicine Valley. Does the Supreme Sect have any other Medicine Valley this large?"


    "There are, but indeed, there aren''t any in the Outer or Inner Sects; it''s mainly because your identity as Pan An is valued by the higher-ups," Gu Yu explained.


    "If it''s because of the Pan An identity, wouldn''t such pomp reveal me?" Gu An questioned.


    "That''s true as well," Gu Yu acknowledged.


    In truth, Gu An felt the Supreme Sect wasn''t protecting the Medicine Valley, but rather the seventh-order Spirit Tree within, the Mystic Pure Tree.


    Gu Yu didn''t press further on the matter, instead, he mysteriously produced a book, saying, "Gu An, you really need to take a look at this book; it''s incredibly exciting and even includes illustrations!"


    Gu An glanced at it and was speechless.


    Supreme Secret Records!


    Gu Yu had changed his focus, no longer asking about the latest situation with the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    Gu An felt an urge to leave the Supreme Immortal Venerable with a cliffhanger. He forcefully suppressed the annoyance he felt and took the Supreme Secret Records.


    After briefly flipping through a few pages, he was captivated.


    Goodness, Shen Zhen was actually stealing techniques!


    The images even used manga-style action strokes, allowing one to imagine a whole set of movements, sparking a vivid train of thought.


    He cleared his throat and closed the Supreme Secret Records, placing it in his chest pocket, "I''ll read it later; the Demon Path is about to invade, and I''m really not in the mood for reading right now."


    Gu Yu silently scorned him, saying, "That''s true, but you better take good care of this book; the Supreme Sect is cracking down on it, and it''s hard to find these days."


    "Don''t worry," Gu An reassured.


    After conversing briefly, the two descended from the attic.


    Gu Yu flew to his assigned post, while Gu An began inspecting the medicinal herbs along the way.


    The Third Medicine Valley was too vast; he could almost harvest every day, but he preferred to do it once a week¡ªafter all, even if the herbs were ripe, leaving them for a week wouldn''t really affect them.


    An hour later, Gu An was walking on a mountain trail when he felt the presence of Ji Xiaoyu. After hesitating for a while, he decided he should greet her.


    Ji Xiaoyu had saved him, given him a Talisman Treasure and a Formation, and even provided a batch of medicinal herbs. It would be rude not to greet her.


    After wandering for half an hour, Gu An eventually arrived at a mountaintop. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu, clad in a purple robe, was meditating at the edge of a cliff, her back to the Third Medicine Valley, surrounded by a Formation that prevented Gu An from crossing.


    "Greetings to the Third Miss," Gu An said with a bow.


    He immediately launched a Life Span Detection.


    [Ji Xiaoyu (Fifth Layer of Elixir Formation Realm):50/1400/8900]


    The Fifth Layer of the Elixir Formation Realm!


    She''s progressing so fast!


    With her back still turned, Ji Xiaoyu said, "You don''t need to come to greet me in the future; you are the master of this Medicine Valley, so there''s no need for such formalities."


    "If Miss Ji has any needs, feel free to come to me at any time, or speak with the disciples of the valley," Gu An responded.


    "Mm."


    Ji Xiaoyu hummed in acknowledgement.


    Gu An suddenly didn''t know what to say next, so he prepared to take his leave.


    Ji Xiaoyu suddenly said, "Ji Hantian is my great-grandfather. If he makes any excessive demands of you, you can come to me, after all, you''re my person."


    Gu An hurriedly replied, "The Vice Sect Leader has not treated me unfairly."


    "I know him all too well. Ever since I was young, he has been using me for his schemes. Knowing that you''re Pan An, he definitely won''t give up the chance to use you. In the future, within the Supreme Sect, if you encounter anything you find hard to refuse, you can use my name to get out of it."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s words brought a smile to Gu An''s face.


    Another pillar of support!


    "Write another ''Investiture of the Gods,'' I think the books you write are the best," Ji Xiaoyu said coldly.


    So, a reader too?


    Gu An agreed, saying he was already preparing it.


    "You may leave."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately paid his respects and left.


    ...


    At dusk, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley. It was harvest day again, and he expected to gather a lifespan of five to six thousand years.


    No sooner had he entered the valley than he felt a long-missed presence.


    Li Xuandao!


    Why was he here?


    Wasn''t it said that there was a demon upheaval in Changluo of Cangzhou?


    "Valley Master, His Majesty has come. Hurry to the house and see him," Luo Hun shouted from halfway up the mountainside.


    Gu An nodded at him then hurried toward the cluster of pavilions.


    Li Xuandao was waiting inside his pavilion, with Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun keeping him company.


    When Gu An entered, Li Xuandao showed a smile, gestured for Lv Xian to be quiet, and then smiled at Gu An. "Gu An, it has been a long time. Is your cultivation going smoothly?"


    After bowing respectfully, Gu An said, "Naturally smooth. Thanks to the herbs your Majesty shared with me, I''ve reached the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm."


    "Third layer isn''t enough; you''ll have to work harder. Once you''ve reached the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, I can assist you with Core Formation."


    "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will certainly strive for it."


    As Gu An replied, he intentionally avoided looking at Lv Xian, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to eat him alive, his gaze filled with anger and resentment.


    Despite teaching Gu An for so long, the latter had stubbornly learned nothing. If it weren''t for the fact that Gu An only came once or twice a month, Lv Xian would have suspected that Gu An was deliberately tormenting him.


    Li Xuandao signaled for Gu An to sit at the table, and without any pretense, Gu An sat down.


    Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun stood while Gu An sat, which made Lv Xian even more resentful.


    Li Xuandao looked at Gu An, assessed him, and then asked softly, "Has anything significant happened in the Supreme Sect lately?"


    Gu An frowned, hesitated, and said, "I heard that the Demon Path is planning to besiege the Supreme Sect. There are also some unfavorable rumors circulating about the Sect Leader."


    He detailed all that he had heard but did not mention his own Third Medicine Valley.


    Once Gu An finished speaking, Li Xuandao''s smile grew even wider as he said, "Chu Tianqi is arrogant and looks down on everyone. He even sees his own clan as pawns. It''s not surprising that he would do such things."


    "My moles within the Demon Path have also reported back that at the end of the year, the Demon Path will launch a full-scale attack on the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An began to ponder Li Xuandao''s attitude towards the Supreme Sect.


    He asked in confusion, "Doesn''t the Demon Path fear Sword Venerable Fudao? They say Sword Venerable Fudao is the number one Sword Cultivator in the world."


    Li Xuandao shook his head, "Of course, they''re afraid, which is why they have only made their move now. Sword Venerable Fudao''s true identity has been revealed throughout the Demon Path. Although that person is strong, he isn''t invincible."


    That person?


    Surprised, Gu An wondered who could be impersonating Laozi''s renown.


    Li Xuandao looked at Gu An again and said solemnly, "A major conflict between the righteous and the demonic is on the horizon. Ideally, I should have you evacuate, but Li Ya is still there, and I need you to keep an eye on the Supreme Sect for me. I''ve arranged for a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator to protect you; how about that?"


    Gu An quickly thanked him and then said, "Uncle, actually, there''s no need. I''m just an Outer Disciple, and the Demon Clan doesn''t know about me. Arranging a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator for me might instead attract the attention of the Demon Clan''s Great Cultivators."


    "Don''t worry, this person is skilled in the art of Energy Concealing, and even those far above her realm won''t be able to detect her," Li Xuandao said with a wave of his hand.


    Unable to refuse?


    Gu An looked at Li Xuandao, weighing his options silently.


    Li Xuandao continued, "You''re my person, and I naturally can''t afford to let anything happen to you. This person also has an excellent relationship with Li Ya. You can introduce her to Li Ya when the time comes."


    Having said so much, Gu An naturally couldn''t refuse.


    An hour later, Gu An took his leave and began to pick the mature herbs.


    From inside the house, Li Xuandao could see Gu An''s diligent figure and he remarked, "This young man is steady in his work, which pleases me greatly. You must take good care of him."


    Lv Xian couldn''t help asking, "Your Majesty, are you admonishing me? I just want to know, who is more important to you between Li Ya and the Crown Prince?"


    Yi Liuyun frowned but didn''t stop Lv Xian.


    Li Xuandao laughed and said, "Both are important. What are you worried about? Li Ya isn''t even in Changluo, he can''t threaten the Crown Prince, unless..."


    "Unless what?"


    "Unless Li Ya masters the Emperor-Level Sword Technique."

 Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Eclipse the Sun, Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird!

    Mastering the Emperor-Level Sword Technique would secure the position of Crown Prince?


    Gu An plucked the herbs while secretly listening.


    The Emperor-Level Sword Technique, he was quite familiar with it!


    If he had the chance, he''d ask Li Ya if he was interested in contending for the throne; Gu An could offer him a few tips.


    Wait a minute!


    This old fellow harbors ill intentions!


    Gu An sensed something amiss; he suddenly suspected Li Xuandao had deliberately spoken loud enough for him to hear since there was no Restriction isolating the loft.


    He recalled something: Li Xuandao''s ambition was to be an immortal Emperor.


    For Emperors, the greatest threat could be the Crown Prince; even non-immortal Cultivation dynasty''s Emperors would be wary of their Crown Princes as they age, and not many Crown Princes smoothly succeeded to the throne.


    Could it be that Li Xuandao wanted to use Li Ya to eliminate the Crown Prince?


    It was indeed possible!


    Gu An stopped pondering and focused on picking herbs, letting the father and son fight among themselves.


    As Li Xuandao was there, Gu An didn''t leave immediately after finishing collecting the herbs, but only left early the next morning.


    When he left, Li Xuandao had not yet departed; he said he would stay for a while longer, suspecting Li Xuandao wanted to watch the great battle between the Righteous and Demonic Paths.


    ...


    After returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An briefed Wuxin and others, warning them that the Demon Path was about to attack and to not wander around usually, which made all the disciples, including Wuxin, very anxious.


    Gu An planned to stay overnight in Mystic Valley from now on. The Third Medicine Valley had Elder Tian and fifty Elixir Formation Realm cultivators, making it very safe, unlike Mystic Valley, which only had a group of Servant Disciples.


    Nowadays, the fraction of lifespan income provided by Mystic Valley was increasingly small, but the Eight Scenic Caves below it were different, and even if Mystic Valley''s lifespan income wasn''t much, he was too reluctant to give it up.


    Ten days later.


    The Nascent Soul Realm cultivator arranged by Li Xuandao arrived at Mystic Valley.


    Gu An stood in front of the wooden railing, looking into the distance. A woman in a cone hat, wielding a sword, walked towards him; the cold wind stirred her attire, enhancing her ethereal aura.


    [Yang Ni (Nascent Soul Realm Nine Layers): 214/780/1360]


    A two hundred-year-old Nascent Soul Realm, quite talented.


    Gu An thought silently as he stepped toward Yang Ni.


    "I am Gu An, the Valley Master of this Medicine Valley. May I know who Daoist Friend is¡­"


    Gu An asked as he approached.


    Yang Ni suddenly appeared before him, and he purposely pretended to be startled, stepping back.


    "Let me see your other Valley Master Token," transmitted Yang Ni, her voice cold yet charming. Just hearing her voice, one would know she was a beauty.


    Gu An immediately took out the Tianya Valley''s Token, which Yang Ni snatched, examined, and then returned to him.


    "I am here to protect you by His Majesty''s orders; from now on, I shall be your Outer Disciple," Yang Ni transmitted again.


    Gu An nodded, replying, "It seems Elder Han recommended you; I''ve been waiting for you for a long time."


    With that, he turned and led Yang Ni towards the loft.


    Yang Ni followed his steps, and the other disciples in the Valley cast curious glances at her, her appearance drawing unavoidable attention. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After entering the building, Gu An closed the door and said, "The Valley only has disciples who are at the Energy Cultivation level; no need to worry."


    Yang Ni waved her hand, transforming Spiritual Power into a green Restriction that she stamped on the door.


    Very cautious!


    After finishing, Yang Ni walked to the table, placed down her precious sword, took off her cone hat, and her waterfall-like white hair cascaded down. She turned to look at Gu An; she appeared very young, as if in her early twenties.


    Her features were lovely and exquisite, but there was a coldness in her eyes that gave her an ice-queen demeanor, making it easy to overlook her beauty and difficult to look at her directly.


    She sized up Gu An and asked, "I heard you have a good relationship with Li Ya?"


    "Yes, Senior Brother Li was also a Servant Disciple here in this Medicine Valley, and we entered on the same day," replied Gu An.


    Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Yang Ni''s face, that smile bringing forth a stunning charm.


    Gu An did not think much of it, as he knew Ji Xiaoyu, who was even more beautiful.


    "That boy has always been stubborn, unable to get along with his siblings. I didn''t expect he could establish a friendship with a Servant Disciple like you," Yang Ni commented with admiration.


    The way she said it...


    Yang Ni took out a green jade bracelet from her Storage Bag and said, "This is a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact, capable of storing Spiritual Power. Consider it a meeting gift."


    Storing Spiritual Power?


    That was rare.


    Gu An immediately waved his hand, "That wouldn''t be right. You came here to protect me; how could I accept a gift?"


    "Just take it when I give it to you. Li Ya''s mother is my sister; since you have a good relationship with Li Ya, naturally, you are like my junior!" Yang Ni spoke impatiently, tossing the bracelet to him and then walking over to the bookshelves.


    "Go on with your business; don''t mind me."


    Gu An caught the bracelet and wanted to say that the loft was his and it wasn''t convenient, but seeing Yang Ni''s intention to stay, he had no choice but to let it be.


    Ever since he encountered Shen Zhen, Gu An no longer left items in the loft that couldn''t be seen by others. After hesitating for a moment, he still turned and left, not disturbing Yang Ni.


    Yang Ni''s addition did not disrupt the life rhythm of Mystic Valley because she rarely left the room and didn''t interact with other disciples.


    When Gu An prepared to go to the Third Medicine Valley, she insisted on following him, and Gu An had no choice but to take her along.


    After arriving at the Third Medicine Valley, she was shocked and began to reassess Gu An.


    This Servant Disciple wasn''t simple!


    Gu An wasn''t afraid she would tell Li Xuandao; perhaps Li Xuandao already knew about the Third Medicine Valley, and keeping it a secret was difficult.


    After all, he had a clear conscience.


    If Li Xuandao became suspicious of him because of this, he wasn''t afraid.


    In his heart, his fear of Li Xuandao was far less than his fear of the Supreme Sect.


    Just like that, Yang Ni followed Gu An as he patrolled Medicine Valley, watched him picking herbs, and then sowing.


    After a month, Yang Ni developed some good feelings towards Gu An.


    Gu An was too honest and treated the Servant Disciples kindly, posing no threat to anyone; this made her understand why Li Ya had taken a liking to Gu An.


    Days passed by, one after another.


    Winter snow fluttered, covering every part of Medicine Valley where Gu An was.


    Li Xuandao had said that the Demon Path would invade the Supreme Sect at the end of the year, which made Gu An worry about it every day, unsure of when the Demon Path would attack.


    That day.


    Mystic Valley.


    Gu An and Wuxin were leading the disciples in shoveling snow, while Yang Ni stood at a distance in front of a wooden railing, her hands clasping a sword.


    "Senior Brother, what cultivation level is this Outer Disciple?" Wuxin asked quietly next to Gu An, very curious.


    Yang Ni''s stance alone looked very strong.


    "None of your business, she''s my disciple, don''t even think about it," Gu An responded irritably.


    Wuxin chuckled, "Senior Brother, you really get me. When will you arrange for me to have a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple as my assistant? It would be quite prestigious wherever I go."


    "If I really arranged it, would you dare to take on the responsibility?"


    Hearing this, Wuxin seemed to think of something, smiled awkwardly, and said no more.


    Gu An continued shoveling snow.


    A while later, he seemed to sense something, furrowing his brows slightly, but he did not stop his work.


    In the distance, Yang Ni also sensed something. With a leap, she flew to the southern mountain peak, her movements causing everyone in the valley to look up.


    In the blinding snowstorm, the world plunged into a vast expanse of white. From inside the valley, the figure of Yang Ni standing on the mountain peak was very blurry, as if she could be swallowed by the storm at any moment.


    "What''s wrong with her?" Wuxin couldn''t help but ask Gu An.


    Gu An looked up and said, "I don''t know either, we can ask her when she comes down."


    Goo-goo¡ª


    A series of light, ethereal bird calls echoed through the sky, drowning out even the sound of the wind.


    The sudden bird calls made everyone frown and look around, trying to locate the source of the sound.


    Wuxin seemed to realize something, his face dramatically changed, and he quickly shouted, "Everyone back inside now! Hurry!"


    As he spoke, he grabbed Gu An and ran towards the pavilion complex.


    Gu An pulled his hand away and said, "You guys go ahead, I need to keep an eye on Medicine Valley."


    Wuxin looked back, urgently said, "That''s the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion''s demonic beast, the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird; it''s not something a Foundation Establishment Realm can deal with!"


    "Just go back, I won''t fight it! Don''t forget who you are!" Gu An said sternly.


    Upon hearing this, Wuxin could only clench his teeth and run back.


    Soon, only Gu An remained in the valley; the other disciples peered anxiously from the window sills towards the sky.


    Gu An had already sensed the presence of the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird.


    Very strong!


    Comparable to the Void Crossing Realm!


    Whoo-whoo¡ª


    A strong wind blew from the south, rolling up swirling snowwaves that swept across Medicine Valley. Gu An watched the swaying herbs with much heartache, but with Yang Ni and the other disciples around, he couldn''t reveal his true cultivation level. He could only move to the highest grade medicinal herb zone and guard it with the spiritual power of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    At that moment, Yang Ni appeared beside him out of nowhere, then took out a large flag and planted it firmly into the ground, raising her palm to inject spiritual power into the flagpole.


    The flag waved, forming a light screen that enveloped them, completely isolating the wind and snow.


    Yang Ni breathed a sigh of relief, turned her head to look at Gu An, and scolded, "Are you crazy? What do these herbs have to do with you? Didn''t you sense that demonic qi?"


    Gu An replied, "I did sense it, but if I could sense it, the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect could surely¡­"


    Boom¡ª


    A terrifying air pressure suddenly descended, causing Gu An to look up, and Wuxin and the other disciples did the same, their eyes wide.


    The vast snow fog was shaken apart, and a monstrous bird, enormous enough to cover the sun and plunge the sky into darkness, appeared above. As it passed over Mystic Valley, its massive form cast the valley into darkness, which wouldn''t dissipate for a short while.


    Even Gu An was shocked by the size of the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird. From his point of view, the bird''s wingspan was over a hundred miles wide, incredibly vast.


    On the back of the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird, there were also many auras of demon cultivators, no less than tens of thousands of them.


    It was headed directly towards the Outer City of the Supreme Sect!


    "The Thousand-Autumn Pavilion''s Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird, a sixth-grade demonic beast with the demonic might to destroy dynasties. This is also my first time seeing it," Yang Ni murmured as she looked up at the demonic beast in the sky, a hint of fear in her eyes.


    Gu An didn''t respond; his gaze was fixed on the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird, hoping the creature wouldn''t target his Mystic Valley.


    After the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird flew over Mystic Valley, sunlight spilled down, illuminating Medicine Valley, followed by falling snow that seemed like a vast white fog descending.


    This scene made all the disciples in the valley breathe a sigh of relief.


    Gu An had already sensed the presence of Great Cultivators fighting in the distance.


    Void Crossing Realm!


    And it wasn''t just two!


    The battles were coming from other Outer City areas, far from them.

 Chapter 85: Chapter 85: First Trial of Divine Finger, Xu Lian Demon Lord

    Outer Sect City.


    The city walls were lined with Outer Disciples; Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were among them, furrowing their brows as they looked off into the distance. It wasn''t just them¡ªevery disciple was looking in the same direction, as if facing a formidable enemy.


    The vast snowfall covered the mountains and rivers, and the fierce wind howled, occasionally revealing the outlines of mountain ranges amid the swirling blizzard.


    Goo-goo¡ª


    The mysterious sound of bird cries rose again, sounding like ghosts from the Underworld approaching, making the disciples'' hearts pound like war drums.


    Gradually, a shadow appeared in the other half of the white expanse, stirring all the disciples.


    "What... what is that?" Zhen Qin said with a trembling voice, her volume low as if she was asking herself.


    Ye Lan also widened her eyes; she thought she had seen and known much, but she was still shocked by the sight before her.


    The huge shadow resembled a black sea approaching, boundless, its ends melding with the horizons, and the mysterious bird cries grew louder.


    Anybody would feel fear when facing such a colossal shadow, as if a deep abyss was encroaching.


    A tremendous pressure emanated from within the city, startling the disciples to turn their heads. Suddenly, dozens of Flying Swords soared into the air, encircled by golden Spiritual Power, and with a loud bang, the swords shot forth simultaneously, their golden Spiritual Power merging into a gigantic Golden Phoenix that swept across the city wall.


    The Golden Phoenix, with a wingspan of a hundred yards, presented a majestic sight, yet it appeared tiny as it flew towards the terrifying shadow in the sky.


    The Golden Phoenix ripped through the snow in its path, unstoppable as it collided with the terrifying shadow. Then, golden light burst forth, and a fierce wind roared, bringing with it swirling snow, forcing the Outer Disciples on the city walls to raise their arms to shield themselves.


    "Your Majesty Demon Emperor, what are you waiting for?"


    A chilling voice rose, drowning out all other noise between heaven and earth. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The Underworld Demon Emperor slowly stood up, and across from him, a Five-Layer Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator followed suit. Their gazes met.


    "I never imagined that Your Excellency would be the legendary Underworld Demon Emperor; you''ve hidden yourself well,"


    The cold voice of this Supreme Sect Elder rang out as he lifted his right hand, producing a jade ruler in it.


    Several other Supreme Sect Cultivators also stood up, each exuding an aura far surpassing that of the Divinity Transformation Realm, causing other Cultivators on the platform to stand and retreat.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera also retreated, looking no different from ordinary Cultivators.


    "Heh."


    The Underworld Demon Emperor let out a chilling laugh that made one''s scalp tingle. His calm face quickly twisted as waves of Demon Energy flowed from his robe, spreading in all directions.


    Boom¡ª


    Thunder rumbled from the sky, with thunderclouds rolling in from all directions, pressing against the snow above, forming a vast white fog as if a second sky had appeared, oppressively heavy.


    The Underworld Demon Emperor looked up, a mocking sneer on his face. He suddenly crouched down and slammed his palm on the ground. In an instant, the dense Demon Energy covering the Heavenly Repair Platform violently surged, and numerous Evil Ghosts crawled out of the mist, their roars reverberating through heaven and earth.


    The battle between the righteous and the demonic had erupted!


    ¡­


    In Mystic Valley.


    Gu An was leading the disciples in inspecting the medicinal herbs. The fierce wind caused snow on the mountains to continuously slide down, and the distant rumbling persisted.


    Yang Ni stood next to Gu An, not shoveling snow but staring at the sky, her brow deeply furrowed.


    Wuxin moved closer to Gu An, anxiously saying, "Senior Brother, this disturbance seems pretty major, doesn''t it?"


    Gu An also cursed inwardly. Hadn''t Jiang Qiong said it wouldn''t affect this part of the Outer Sect City?


    Why did he feel like the Demon Path was invading from this side?


    "Don''t worry, the Supreme Sect won''t be easily breached," Gu An reassured.


    He sensed an unusually strong presence of Demon Energy in the Outer Sect City, unsure of its origins.


    Wuxin was troubled, yet his hands didn''t stop moving, a testament to the training he had received over the years from Gu An.


    The sky gradually became covered with thunderclouds, diminishing the snowfall, which was actually fortunate for Mystic Valley.


    After clearing the snow in the various sections, Gu An had Wuxin gather all the disciples together while he stood at a distance with Yang Ni.


    "Can Supreme Sect really hold on?"


    "What''s that sound? It''s terrifying!"


    "I wonder what the condition of the Outer Sect City is now; fortunately, we''re in Medicine Valley."


    "Hard to say. For all we know, Demon Cultivators could be eyeing us next."


    "Shut up, you doom monger!"


    The disciples were anxious and frightened, unable to calm themselves, overwhelmed by the pressure from grand Cultivator battles, Demon Energy, and demonic prowess, sensations they had never experienced before.


    Gu An glanced at the disciples a hundred yards away, then turned to Yang Ni next to him and asked in a low voice, "With your strength, how powerful an enemy do you think you can deal with?"


    "As long as they''re not from the Divinity Transformation Realm, I can kill as many as come," Yang Ni''s response was bold, yet Gu An couldn''t feel pleased.


    Because there were sure to be those from the Divinity Transformation Realm appearing.


    At that moment, a figure flew swiftly from afar and quickly landed in the valley¡ªit was none other than Li Ya.


    "Senior Brother Li!" Wuxin exclaimed in delight. Li Ya was an Inner Sect Disciple, a genuine Elixir Formation Realm expert, and his arrival couldn''t be more uplifting for Wuxin.


    As far as Yang Ni was concerned, to Wuxin''s eyes, she was just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator¡ªsurely no match for Li Ya.


    Li Ya disregarded Wuxin, swiftly approaching Gu An. His gaze swept over Yang Ni, his brows slightly furrowed; then, turning to Gu An, he urgently said, "Junior Brother Gu, we should evacuate. It''s too dangerous here now. All the Outer and Inner Sect Cities are in battle; there''s a traitor in Supreme Sect who has used the Teleportation Array to admit enemies inside!"


    Eh?


    Didn''t Li Ya recognize Yang Ni?


    Gu An''s expression grew solemn as he responded, "No way. I can''t abandon Medicine Valley. And even if we wanted to flee, where could we go?"


    To be honest, when Li Ya arrived now, he was both moved and troubled.


    With the Demon Path invading, Gu An was not really panicked; he simply found it inconvenient to make a move with other people around.


    "Think hiding is easy? We definitely can''t stay in Medicine Valley!" Li Ya said gravely.


    Gu An shook his head and replied, "If you want to hide, go ahead, Senior Brother Li. You really didn''t need to come to save me. I can''t abandon my disciples!"


    In Mystic Valley, there were more than twenty Servant Disciples, not easy to transfer all together¡ªthey could indeed be used as his excuse.


    Just as Li Ya was about to speak, Yang Ni suddenly said, "Someone''s coming!"


    Li Ya instinctively looked up, and Gu An did the same.


    They saw a huge vortex forming in the thunderclouds above, and within the vortex, a figure was plummeting down, heading straight for Mystic Valley.


    The figure, like a meteor from Outer Heaven, descended upon the northern mountaintop, stirring up a cloud of snow and mist.


    "Wuxin, you really made it hard for your brother to find you. I never thought you''d hide here, daring to sneak into the Supreme Sect as a spy!"


    A contemptuous and mocking sneer resonated throughout Mystic Valley, startling everyone into looking towards Wuxin.


    The disciples around Wuxin stirred, stepping back in a flurry.


    Wuxin''s expression turned ugly as he stared hatefully at the person atop the mountain.


    The man on the mountaintop wore a black robe patterned with blood-red designs, his hair disheveled, his features handsome but with eyes full of deadly menace, his smile even more ferocious as he looked down on Wuxin as if he were a mere insect.


    [Bai Wu (First Level of Nascent Soul Realm):203/790/980]


    Gu An, observing the results of the Life Span Detection, was not at all flustered.


    He dared to let the other party into the valley because he sensed that the man''s cultivation level posed no threat; it was just a precautionary measure he wanted to reconfirm.


    Li Ya frowned as he stared at Wuxin from a distance, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.


    Seeming to understand Bai Wu''s fearsomeness, Wuxin gritted his teeth and shouted, "I''ll go back with you, just don''t harm the others!"


    "That won''t do. The order I received is to kill everyone from the Supreme Sect, including those insignificant Servant Disciples!"


    Bai Wu licked his lips and mocked, "And who said I''m taking you back? Today, you''ll perish here with them, and I can bring your head back instead."


    "Hmph!"


    A sudden cold snort sounded, startling Bai Wu as his pupils dilated; he instinctively turned to look, only to see a woman in blue appear out of nowhere beside him, her sword slashing down.


    It was Yang Ni!


    He immediately leaped away, but still got struck on the arm, blood spurting out.


    Yang Ni continued her assault, and the two of them began fighting on the mountaintop, sword qi flooding around, demonic energy dispersing like fog, soon taking their battle high into the air.


    Li Ya couldn''t help but look towards Gu An and asked, "Who is that person?"


    "Your mother''s sister, Yang Ni. Don''t you recognize her?" Gu An replied softly.


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya''s expression turned perplexed, mumbling, "How could it be her..."


    Seeing his expression, Gu An grew secretly puzzled.


    What did he mean?


    Could it be that their relationship wasn''t good?


    Without asking further, Gu An said, "I''ll go check the forest, where many medicinal herbs are planted."


    Having said that, he ran off towards the forest.


    Li Ya wanted to call after him, yet his heart was caught up in Yang Ni''s battle.


    "Damn it!"


    Li Ya cursed softly and leapt up, rushing to support Yang Ni.


    In fact, Yang Ni didn''t need his help; she was overwhelming Bai Wu in the fight. In less than 30 minutes, Bai Wu was already covered in blood. Despite his expansive display of spells, Yang Ni''s movement technique was too exquisite, and she easily dodged each attack.


    Seeing Bai Wu so flustered, Wuxin widened his eyes, completely surprised by Yang Ni''s prowess.


    Where did his brother find such a powerful Great Cultivator?


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An reached the edge of the forest, his back to Mystic Valley, and looked towards the distant mountains.


    He raised his right hand, thumb pressing against his middle finger, beginning to aim at the distance.


    He sensed the presence of a Void Crossing Realm being hundreds of miles away, unsure why it lingered, but certain it meant no good.


    Too close to his Medicine Valley. It must be eliminated!


    Just in time to try out Elder Tian''s Gathering Spirit Divine Finger.


    He had already mastered the Gathering Spirit Divine Finger, and even though he wasn''t adept, killing a Void Crossing Realm Demon Cultivator should be effortless!


    Spiritual Power compressed at the front of his middle finger, he refrained from gathering the surrounding Spiritual Energy, fearing it might alert Yang Ni and the others.


    Hundreds of miles away.


    In a flat area among the mountains, a group of Demon Cultivators was gathered, setting up an Array Platform.


    A particularly imposing Demon Cultivator stood by, watching silently.


    His name was Xu Lian, one of the Demon Lords of the Heavenly Extinction Sect, with a cultivation at the fourth level of the Void Crossing Realm, idly playing with a white flame in his right hand, his expression indifferent.


    A disciple of the Heavenly Extinction Sect approached and said softly, "Master, the formation will be complete within 30 minutes."


    The Demon Lord Xu Lian replied indifferently, "Finish the formation first, prepare¡­"


    Before he could finish, his expression changed abruptly, and he instinctively turned his head to look.

 Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Elder Tians Determination, Overwhelming Demons

    Xu Lian Demon Lord was speaking, but his mind had already drifted to the inside of Supreme Sect. This battle was about the millennial destiny of Wanyin Sect, even its rise and fall.


    He could hardly wait to join the battle!


    But before he could finish his words, he instinctively sensed a terrifyingly dangerous aura and glanced over subconsciously.


    Everything happened too quickly!


    Even he, a Great Cultivator of the Fourth Layer of Void Crossing Realm, couldn''t react in time.


    In his eyes, a semi-transparent stream of air was approaching at an unimaginable speed, cutting through the mountains, causing the very world he saw to twist.


    The disciples who were setting up the Array Platform in front of him all paused, everything seemed to freeze, except for the rapidly encroaching scent of death.


    Boom!


    A mass of air tore through the sky, striking the plain between the mountains, Xu Lian Demon Lord and a group of Demon Cultivators were instantly turned to ash, a bright light burst forth, engulfing the surrounding mountains and devouring everything in its path.


    Above Mystic Valley.


    Yang Ni, Li Ya, Bai Wu, and others who were in battle were startled, hurriedly distancing themselves, turning around to see a spectacular bright light in the sky, feeling a terrifying pressure approaching, causing their faces to drastically change.


    Li Ya quickly flew towards the forest below, rapidly locating Gu An.


    Gu An was hiding behind a tree, pretending to be shivering. Seeing he was unharmed, Li Ya relaxed slightly and was about to speak when a terrible gale arrived, tilting the forest backward and causing the mountains to violently shake.


    Li Ya quickly moved to Gu An''s side, using his spiritual power to resist.


    "What''s happening..."


    Gu An asked through clenched teeth, his tone filled with panic.


    Li Ya''s face was grave as he said solemnly, "Not sure, there might be Great Cultivators fighting."


    At that moment, several notifications popped up in front of Gu An:


    [You have successfully taken 47 years of life from Xu Lian Demon Lord (Fourth Layer of Void Crossing Realm)]


    [You have successfully taken 35 years of life from Zhang Zhongchong (Second Layer of Core Formation Realm)]


    [You have successfully taken 42 years of life from Chen Duyuan (Sixth Layer of Core Formation Realm)]


    ...


    A total of twenty-six people, with the lowest being in the Core Formation Realm, including two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.


    What a sin!


    Gu An internally repented. He didn''t want to slaughter, but who asked these people to come near his Medicine Valley.


    The wild wind dominated for a long time.


    When the storm finally subsided, Li Ya stood upright, whispering, "It seems we can only hide in Medicine Valley now, danger is everywhere."


    "I told you so."


    "Come with me into the valley!"


    Li Ya dragged Gu An towards the inside of Mystic Valley.


    As they just entered the valley, Yang Ni descended from the sky, holding a severed head that was still dripping blood, with Bai Wu''s Nascent Soul hanging on her sword blade.


    At that moment, her aura was full of murderous intent, causing the disciples in the valley not to dare to approach.


    Yang Ni threw Bai Wu''s head in front of Wuxin and then flicked her sword, shattering Bai Wu''s Nascent Soul. She pointed her sword at Wuxin and said coldly, "Do you have any last words?"


    Wuxin, terrified, turned pale and trembled all over.


    "Stop!"


    Gu An quickly rushed over, standing in front of Wuxin.


    Yang Ni''s expression was icy as she said, "He belongs to Thousand-Autumn Pavilion."


    "But he has been with me for decades and hasn''t harmed us once. There must be a reason for his actions! After this matter is resolved, I will have him leave Supreme Sect!"


    Gu An said through clenched teeth, giving everything he had, his words causing Yang Ni to frown.


    Wuxin was touched; he dared not look at the other disciples and wished he could just crawl into a crevice.


    Yang Ni stepped forward, her sword tip nearly touching Gu An''s throat.


    Gu An glanced at Li Ya and shouted, "Senior Brother Li, say something!"


    Li Ya, frowning, came over, pushed Yang Ni''s sword away, and said, "Let''s listen to him. The Demon Cultivator from just now clearly had a grudge against Wuxin."


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Ni sheathed her sword and turned away.


    Gu An then turned back to Wuxin and said, "I''m sorry, brother, but I can''t keep you here anymore. If you return to Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, you''ll definitely suffer. Find a place to live incognito. As long as you maintain a good heart, no matter where you come from, you can still be a good person." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His words were solemn and heartfelt, making Wuxin''s eyes redden with emotion. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed to him.


    Li Ya''s brow relaxed, and he sighed softly.


    Yang Ni glanced at Gu An, looking somewhat surprised.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, it was clear he had known about Wuxin''s identity, and it seemed Wuxin didn''t want to be a cultivator of Thousand-Autumn Pavilion...


    Gu An helped Wuxin up and then let him hide inside a house to avoid being recognized by any Thousand-Autumn Pavilion cultivators who might come across him.


    Li Ya looked at Yang Ni and asked via transmission, "Why have you come here?"


    "Do I really need to explain?"


    "Tell him I don''t want to fight for the throne."


    "But he said he owes it to your mother, he must pass the crown to you."


    "Crown Prince is virtuous and capable, also a triple Spirit Root, he is the perfect Crown Prince."


    "Saying these things to me is pointless."


    As they communicated through transmission, Yang Ni''s gaze continued to rest on Gu An, pondering something.


    Li Ya''s transmission cautioned, "You better not harm my junior brother, or don''t blame me if I turn against you!"


    Yang Ni ignored him.


    After the attack by Bai Wu, Mystic Valley became solemn, with disciples gathering in the courtyard, whispering among themselves, all discussing Wuxin''s identity.


    The crisis at the Supreme Sect continued, with battles erupting in more and more directions.


    Gu An had been closely monitoring the Qinghong Sword at his waist, fortunately, it did not react to danger like the White Spirit Sword had.


    An ancient hour later, no demon cultivators had come to Mystic Valley again, and Gu An couldn''t suppress his impatience.


    He found Li Ya and informed him that he was going to another Medicine Valley, asking Li Ya and Yang Ni to stay at Mystic Valley.


    Li Ya knew that the Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect was definitely safer than Mystic Valley, so he nodded in agreement.


    This time, Yang Ni did not cling to Gu An. In her heart, naturally, Li Ya was more important.


    Before leaving, Gu An left an Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect in his room.


    He had established a soul connection with each Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect, which could keep him informed about the situation in Mystic Valley at all times.


    After stepping on the Transmission Array Platform, Gu An quickly arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon arrival, he heard booming sounds from all directions, deafening, as he opened his eyes and saw dark clouds rolling in the sky. Although it was winter, there was a summer-like scorching heat permeating the air.


    Seeing him arrive, Xiaochuan immediately came up to him, suppressing his panic, and asked, "Senior Brother, what should we do?"


    Noticing that Elder Tian was still there, Gu An immediately felt relieved. He quickly threw a Life Span Detection and replied, "Don''t panic, trust our sect!"


    [Lv Baitian (Nascent Soul Realm Nine Layers): 754/1560/3200]


    Wow, he has advanced quickly!


    Stable now!


    Gu An thought so while wondering where Elder Tian''s absorbed spiritual energy came from?


    He instructed Xiaochuan to stay nearby and not to run around, while he went to patrol the Medicine Valley.


    As he passed by Elder Tian, he felt a very concealed yet powerful surge of spiritual power within his body, which secretly alarmed him.


    Elder Tian was not absorbing nature''s spiritual energy; was the spiritual power spontaneously generated inside his body?


    This feeling...


    It was as if there was an entrance to an exotic world inside Elder Tian''s body, from which spiritual power continuously emerged, very eerie.


    What kind of cultivation technique is this man practicing?


    "Valley Master, with the great battle erupting, do not wander off," Elder Tian''s voice came.


    He turned his head and saw Elder Tian sitting under a tree with his eyes closed, his stature completely different from usual, becoming upright with an indescribable aura of a formidable being emerging.


    "I''m just going to check on those herbs, I won''t wander off," he said.


    With these words, Gu An hurriedly left.


    Elder Tian opened his eyes and looked at his retreating figure, his eyes showing a look of relief.


    "With such a disciple here, how can I bear to see the Supreme Sect destroyed?" Elder Tian murmured to himself, Gu An who had run a hundred feet away heard this statement.


    Gu An''s expression did not change, as if he had not heard.


    He really cared about the herbs!


    The fifty Core Formation Realm disciples guarding the Medicine Valley were all in battle, including Ji Xiaoyu and Gu Yu, and they were each facing multiple opponents, a somewhat urgent situation.


    Along the way, Gu An quickly checked the herbs he encountered along the way, harvesting those that were about to mature to prevent them from being destroyed on the spot by the battle, which would be a huge loss.


    During his journey, Gu An heard a high-pitched howl; he looked up to see a series of fiery red Qilins appearing in the sky, with the leading Qilin hiding a human figure.


    It was the figure of Ji Xiaoyu.


    Qilin Step!


    With each step she took, her figure flickered like a ghost, and the fiery red Qilin collided with a Core Formation Realm demon cultivator, instantly crushing him into pieces, burning his Golden Core completely; it was tyrannically dominating.


    Gu An felt that her aura and speed were no less than those of a cultivator in the lower levels of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Ji Xiaoyu seemed to feel his gaze; during combat, she actually glanced at him.


    With the Qilin Step, her dual hands wielded swords, casting spells with the swords that made her unmatched.


    Gradually, more and more demon cultivators rushed towards her, various spells attacking her from different directions, creating a tremendous momentum.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes narrowed, and a powerful wave of energy burst from her body, blowing all the surrounding demon cultivators several miles away, instantly killing the Foundation Establishment Realm demon cultivators on the spot.


    She raised the treasured sword in her right hand, thrusting it towards the sky, a tremendous burst of spiritual energy following the blade, shooting into the sky, and forming a golden disk-shaped apparition with a diameter of over ten miles, showing various profound and mysterious runes.


    With Gu An''s keen vision, he immediately recognized that the energy wave Ji Xiaoyu had just used was a divine skill, Heaven and Earth Path Gang!


    Previously Jiang Qiong had stolen the Divine Power Collection containing Heaven and Earth Path Gang from the Ji Family''s anniversary, and Gu An had also studied it regularly.


    As for the divine skills following Heaven and Earth Path Gang, he had not seen them before, but he could feel that they contained power surpassing the Core Formation Realm.


    This woman''s talent and comprehension were truly terrifying!


    Two divine skills in the Core Formation Realm!


    Within the golden apparition, numerous golden dragon illusions burst forth as if a troop of dragons from other worlds had come, rushing forward to attack demon cultivators in all directions, causing them to panic and flee.


    Some tried to resist with spells, only to have their spiritual power shredded by the dragons, following which they were struck by the dragons and swallowed whole.


    Because it was an illusion, Gu An could see those demon cultivators being swallowed into the dragons'' bellies, where they were burned alive by a mysterious golden flame, leaving not even ashes behind.


    After traveling ten miles with Ji Xiaoyu at the center, there were no more demon cultivators within a five-mile radius.


    She had slain over a hundred Core Formation Realm cultivators and more than three hundred Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators in one breath!


    This was just what Gu An had seen; she had already been fighting for a long time before he arrived.


    Ji Xiaoyu hovered in the air, holding swords in both hands, slightly gasping for breath, sweat seeping from her pale forehead.


    She suddenly turned her head, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    Following her gaze, countless indescribable demons and evil spirits appeared like a black sea from the horizon, densely packed and covering the sky, utterly uncountable.


    In the forefront of the army of demons, there was a man in a black robe standing on a bone sword, holding a black flag.


    "Ji Family''s Qilin Step, Heaven and Earth Path Gang, Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, you have mastered so many powerful methods at such a young age. If you are allowed to grow further, you might one day overshadow everyone else," a chilling voice from the man in the black robe rose, followed by a terrifying pressure that enveloped all beings.

 Chapter 87: Chapter 87 Angry Gu An, Lv Baitian Arrives

    While picking herbs, Gu An heard the words of the man in the black robe and couldn''t help but look up. With a clear view, he could directly see the man''s face, so he sent a Life Span Detection toward him.


    I really want to see what your cultivation level is, boy, to be talking so big!


    [Xu Jue (Void Crossing Realm Nine Layers): 982/2200/2300]


    Void Crossing Realm Nine Layers!


    Impressive!


    Gu An looked from afar and had no intention of making a move, as the Ji Family might have a Great Cultivator watching over Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Xu Jue with an indifferent expression and showed no fear of his nearly overwhelming presence. Above her head, the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form began to descend, then stood erect and hovered behind her while sections of dragons emerged from it, circling around her, making her seem like the master of dragons, majestic and powerful.


    Xu Jue, seeing Ji Xiaoyu preparing for battle, showed a disdainful smile.


    He raised the black flag in his hand, about to speak, when a cold snort resounded through heaven and earth.


    "Xu Jue, as the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Wanyin Sect, are you not ashamed to bully a junior?"


    Vice Sect Hierarch of the Wanyin Sect?


    Gu An recalled that Lin Futian had mentioned that Xu Ruye''s father was already the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Wanyin Sect.


    So it was him.


    As Gu An thought this, he continued moving forward.


    Xu Jue raised an eyebrow and snorted, "Ji Chen, I didn''t expect you to come as well. It''s time to settle our grudge!"


    He leapt up into the thunderclouds; immediately afterward, deafening thunder rumbled from the clouds, and the boundless thunderclouds began to churn violently. Occasionally, beams of light pierced through the cloud sea and rained down onto the Mortal World.


    The mighty roar of demons filled the air as they all rushed toward the Third Medicine Valley like wild beasts breaking free from their reins.


    The aura of these demons and evil ghosts was strong, and they dashed through the sky, creating an oppressive atmosphere.


    Ji Xiaoyu raised her sword, and the dragons within the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form immediately burst forth and entered the demon army, unstoppable.


    But the number of demons and evil ghosts was simply too great. The dragons couldn''t kill them all and, after rampaging for over a dozen miles, dissipated along with their Spiritual Power.


    Gu An entered the forest to clear the snow in the garden area. Many herbs were crushed by the snow, which deeply pained him, and simultaneously, his killing intent began to grow.


    Fight if you must, make noise if you must, but don''t destroy my herbs!


    Gu An''s heart trembled.


    While he grieved over the herbs, Ji Xiaoyu had been surrounded by demons. She no longer used spells but fought with the twin swords in her hands, one sword per demon, one sword per monster, her momentum like a rainbow.


    Other disciples from the Core Formation Realm had come to support her, assisting her, but the number of disciples was still negligible compared to the demon army.


    Gugu¡ª


    The voice of the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird suddenly rang out, overshadowing the roaring of all the demons and evil ghosts.


    Gu An felt annoyed. How had this creature not been killed by a Great Cultivator of the Supreme Sect yet?


    Just then.


    Gu An suddenly felt something, turned his head, and saw, thirty miles away, a cat demon sliced in half, falling in a garden area, thrashing about in pain and crushing many herbs.


    His gaze intensified, and a Sword Qi emerged from the ground, killing the cat demon.


    He looked up and saw even more demons falling, like rain sprinkling over the area of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An''s expression turned grim, and he shifted his right foot to the side.


    Meanwhile.


    The battle in the sky continued fiercely.


    Gu Yu, holding a long whip that swung like a dragon, shouted loudly, "Fellows, do any of you have backers? Call them quickly. My dad is blocking the demon leader at Cold Poison Valley!"


    All the disciples involved in the battle were from the Gu and Ji families, each with substantial backgrounds. Without needing his urging, some had already taken out treasure to summon help. In moments, various streaks of light and spectacularly dazzling Spirit Light burst forth, crisscrossing the battlefield.


    In the midst of the battle, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly looked down, her complexion slightly changing. She saw green lights emerging from the mountains and plains below, rapidly growing like a vast green ocean about to surge from beneath the earth, spectacularly scenic.


    In the distance.


    Elder Tian, who was meditating under a tree, suddenly opened his eyes and turned his head toward the direction of the battlefield, frowning.


    "Such vast Spiritual Power... Is it from the Gu family or the Ji family?"


    Elder Tian was puzzled; he could feel that this vast Spiritual Power was meant to protect this Medicine Valley, so he was not alarmed and continued to practice.


    The green Spiritual Power covered half the area of the Third Medicine Valley, and even the Servant Disciples near the attic area could see this scene from afar.


    "What is that?"


    "Is this sorcery?"


    "It seems like it''s protecting our Medicine Valley; it must be one of our own."


    "What exactly is happening over there?"


    ¡­


    At the edge of the Third Medicine Valley, on top of a mountain, Shen Zhen stood at the cliff. From her vantage point, she could overlook the vast sea of Spiritual Power.


    She immediately took out paper and a pen and began to draw.


    Suddenly, her pupils abruptly constricted. She saw countless green Sword Qi burst forth from the green sea of Spirit Power. Innumerable green Sword Qi soared into the sky, spectacular beyond measure.


    Shoo! Shoo! Shoo¡­


    The sound of Sword Qi tearing through the air echoed through heaven and earth. The disciples from the Gu and Ji families were shocked and quickly dodged, but they soon realized that all the Sword Qi was targeting the demons. One by one, demons and evil ghosts were exterminated, and bursts of blood-red fireworks bloomed in the air, hauntingly beautiful.


    Ji Xiaoyu stopped, looking around at the green Sword Qi, her heart filled with awe.


    What kind of sorcery is this?


    The Spiritual Power contained in these swords Qi was something she could only dream of reaching, and she felt that even her great-grandfather was far from its match.


    The green Sword Qi did more than just soar into the sky; it also pursued and killed demons.


    In less than ten breaths of time, heaven and earth fell silent.


    Countless green Sword Qi hovered in the air, shrouded in a blood mist, yet they could not be obscured.


    As the Sword Qi dissipated, no demons or evil spirits were to be seen.


    All the disciples involved in the battle were shocked, staring blankly around them.


    In the mountains and forests.


    Gu An exhaled softly.


    This wave of attacks drained quite a bit of energy, not only in launching it but also in controlling the Sword Qi to avoid harming the Supreme Sect disciples.


    Looking at the frenzied pop-ups in front of him, his face darkened.


    [You have successfully seized two years of lifespan from the Resentful Cat Demon (Tier 3)]


    [You have successfully seized one year of lifespan from the Flying Winged Snake (Tier 2)]


    [You have successfully seized one year of lifespan from the Greedy Dog (Tier 2)]


    ...


    All were either one year or two years of lifespan, with the two-year instances being extremely rare.


    The lifespans of those evil spirits were completely absent!


    What''s going on?


    Gu An furrowed his brows. He thought of the large banner in Xu Jue''s hands. Could it be that these demi-demons were not normal living beings?


    Thinking about it, it made sense. This was the Inner Sect, how could the Demon Path possibly lead so many demons and ghosts here? It was only feasible if a powerful Demon Cultivator broke in and summoned them with some sorcery.


    Nevertheless, Gu An''s lifespan began to increase rapidly, as the quantity of these demons was notable.


    At this moment, Gu An suddenly felt an urge to slaughter wildly.


    Such a method would accelerate his lifespan gain!


    But he still suppressed this thought. Excessive slaughter could easily bring about disaster; he should maintain his previous path of gaining strength, quietly and without enemies.


    Since he was not yet clear about how far the highest realm in the Mortal World was from him, it was best to be cautious before becoming invincible.


    Putting himself in others'' shoes, if he saw an ant growing rapidly by devouring other insects on the ground, he would surely take action to eliminate it. Just like the ant couldn''t see him above, he couldn''t see higher realms or Immortals.


    As long as the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill could still be upgraded, it meant that there were still people in the world who could see through its hidden techniques.


    Keep it steady, don''t be reckless!


    Gu An¡ªrelying solely on planting flowers and herbs¡ªmight not have the fastest growth speed, but it was definitely the most stable. Picking and planting simultaneously, he could grow stronger without any enemies over the years.


    No longer overthinking, he continued to check for herbs in the mountain forest, pushing aside the accumulated snow.


    When all notifications had settled, he gained more than fifty thousand years of lifespan in one breath.


    He had just seen that the army of demons numbered at least two hundred thousand, which meant that the majority of them were not living spirits.


    The methods of the Demon Path were truly sinister!


    As the army of demons was completely annihilated, the crisis in the Third Medicine Valley was temporarily alleviated, but the battle between Xu Jue and Ji Chen continued above the sea of clouds, with neither able to secure a clear advantage.


    Above the sea of clouds, Xu Jue held a black banner, surrounded by immense Demonic Qi, while dazzling golden light shone on his face.


    Following his gaze, ahead hovered a Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, even more magnificent than Ji Xiaoyu''s, with a Golden Dragon emerging from it, lifelike as if it were a True Dragon.


    In front of the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, a robed man stood suspended, his back to the golden light, rendering his face indiscernible¡ªas if a True Immortal was overlooking the world.


    "Your Demonic Reincarnation Array is nothing but a show of force," Ji Chen said indifferently. He then raised his hand, and a beam of golden light burst from the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form behind him, entering his hand and solidifying into a long halberd, emitting a scorching golden flame.


    Xu Jue snorted coldly and suddenly turned around, transforming into a cloud of Demonic Qi and flying rapidly toward the horizon.


    Ji Chen pursued immediately, with the Golden Dragon leading the way, pulling the bright sun forward like a flock of golden dragons, its light illuminating heaven and earth, majestic and awe-inspiring.


    ...


    After Ji Chen and Xu Jue departed, the Third Medicine Valley finally regained its tranquility, and Gu An continued to be busy. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An arrived beside a small river, moving all the nearby snow into the river to melt it.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared beside him; he pretended to be startled and staggered backward.


    "Is it you? You..."


    Upon seeing the newcomer''s face, Gu An asked in astonishment.


    [Lv Baitian (Second Layer of Void Crossing Realm): 754/1950/3200]


    What kind of speed is this?


    Elder Tian was still dressed in simple clothes, but his body had grown robust, his withered hair fluttering and gradually regaining vitality, even his skin seemed younger.


    Under Gu An''s gaze, his face rapidly rejuvenated by decades, appearing to be just over thirty years old, with white hair swirling like silver threads.


    Is this... a transformation?


    Elder Tian slightly raised his chin, his feet leaving the ground, looking down at Gu An, and asked, "Do you hate these practitioners of the Demon Path?"


    Gu An''s mind raced, feigning insecurity and nervousness as he answered, "I do..."


    "Since that is the case, how about I take you to eradicate the Demon Path?" Elder Tian proposed.


    "Who... who exactly are you?"


    "Elder Tian was just a temporary name I took. I am named Lv Baitian; have you heard of me?"

 Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Become My Apprentice, and You Will Be the Next Sect Leader

    Good...acting!


    Gu An stared blankly at the arrogant Lv Baitian, thinking to himself.


    Lv Baitian tilted his jaw even higher, thinking his grandeur had stunned the kid.


    "Could it be that you are the former Sect Leader who succumbed to demonic deviation?" Gu An feigned shock as he asked.


    Demonic deviation...


    A twitch crossed Lv Baitian''s face, and he snorted, "That was intentional on my part."


    "But you are only at the Energy Cultivation Realm now, how can you wipe out the Demon Path?"


    "Kid, I merely compressed my spiritual power into my primordial spirit, pretending to be deviated, just to show those people what Supreme Sect would become without me," said Lv Baitian, his tone filled with contempt, obviously directed at the Hall of Elders.


    Gu An fell silent.


    How many innocent disciples would die in the conflict between Lv Baitian and the Hall of Elders?


    "Let''s go."


    Lv Baitian reached out, wanting to grab Gu An''s shoulder, causing him to hastily retreat.


    "I''d rather not go, it''s too dangerous..." Gu An shook his head.


    He had to guard Medicine Valley!


    Lv Baitian laughed teasingly, "Don''t you want to see how the battle between good and evil will end?"


    Gu An shook his head frantically like a bobblehead, waving his hands as he said, "I''d rather stay and watch over Medicine Valley."


    "Don''t worry, nothing will happen to your Medicine Valley. The aura I''ve just released has already attracted a Great Cultivator here," Lv Baitian said, no longer referring to himself as ''this seat'', his tone now warmer.


    Gu An truly felt the presence of a Void Crossing Realm aura rapidly closing in.


    The Supreme Sect has such a profound foundation; how many Void Crossing Realm Cultivators are they hiding?


    Lv Baitian made another move, and although Gu An could see his actions, it was not good to evade, so he had to comply.


    Grabbing Gu An''s shoulder, Lv Baitian vanished into thin air with him.


    During the process of being grabbed, Gu An ran his Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill to the maximum, concealing his Golden Core and Primordial Spirit, making himself appear a genuine Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator.


    The fact was, he was worrying too much, as Lv Baitian had no intention of examining his physical body.


    After ten breaths, Lv Baitian stopped, bringing Gu An to a grand hall.


    The hall was spacious, and the stone pillars on both sides were entwined with familiar Divine Beasts like True Dragons, Phoenixes, Qilins, and other Divine Beasts that Gu An did not recognize.


    Lv Baitian let go, moving forward with a step, leaving a sentence behind, "Wait here for me, my powers have not fully recovered."


    Gu An could tell that he hadn''t reached his peak simply by using Life Span Detection, yet hearing such words from Lv Baitian seemed far-fetched.


    You haven''t recovered and still you put on an act before me?


    And you released your aura, not fearing that your adversaries might take this chance to finish you off?


    Wait, could this rash man have brought him along because he had discovered he was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Once Gu An considered this, a cold sweat broke out on him.


    He watched Lv Baitian ascend the steps, sitting on a golden chair like an emperor, looking down on all.


    He could see that Lv Baitian was indeed cultivating, as the spiritual power inside him was being released rapidly.


    The hall fell into silence, and Gu An pondered over Lv Baitian''s intentions.


    After a while, Gu An sensed two presences rapidly approaching, one of which was familiar to him.


    An Hao!


    The aura of the other person had reached the Unification Realm!


    He did not look back but instead walked to one of the side pillars to wait.


    Seconds later, two figures flew into the hall.


    Gu An glanced up and immediately performed a Life Span Detection.


    [Lei Zhen (Unification Realm Layer One): 1465/2700/2750]


    Lei Zhen?


    Gu An had never heard of him and thought that it would be Sect Leader Chu Tianqi who would come.


    It seemed that Chu Tianqi''s cultivation level might be even higher.


    Gu An felt his own Unification Realm Nine Layers cultivation level was not that stable.


    After this calamity, he''d have to work even harder to hoard life span!


    Being the strongest in Supreme Sect wasn''t enough; he also had to survive the upcoming Demon Calamity. Thinking of this, Gu An felt pressured.


    "Lv Baitian, you''re actually still alive!"


    Lei Zhen spoke as he walked towards Lv Baitian, his voice booming like a bell.


    He had a broad frame, clothed in splendid black robes, with a mysterious and fierce beast''s head on his back, mouth containing pale thunder, adding an even more domineering air to his appearance.


    The sixteen-year-old An Hao had grown taller, dressed in a tight blue robe, with long hair tied high, and two strands of hair flying like sword winds, his handsome face unable to hide the sharpness in his eyes.


    Gu An felt gratified looking at how he had turned out.


    He''s really grown handsome, like me.


    An Hao noticed his gaze and looked towards him, giving a slight nod.


    "Lei Zhen, do you wish for me to be alive or dead?" Lv Baitian''s voice rose, his eyes remained closed, his tone even more indifferent and pressuring than when he faced Gu An.


    Lei Zhen stood in the hall observing Lv Baitian, narrowed his eyes, and said, "A Void Crossing Realm, it seems you were indeed affected."


    Lv Baitian did not respond.


    The atmosphere in the hall grew subtly tense.


    Meanwhile, An Hao came by Gu An''s side, transmitting his voice, "Brother, who is this Lv Baitian?"


    Gu An looked at him incredulously.


    You don''t know yet you came?


    An Hao then transmitted, "I was brought here against my will. My master asked Elder Lei to protect me, and we were evacuating, but suddenly Elder Lei turned on us and brought me here."


    Gu An couldn''t help but transmit a message asking, "In their presence, do you think our Sound Transmission Skill is of any use?"


    Upon hearing this, An Hao couldn''t help but glance at Lei Zhen.


    Lei Zhen''s robes fluttered slightly as a terrifying aura brewed around him, ready to erupt at any moment.


    "Lv Baitian, since you have faked your death, you''d better not come back. Supreme Sect doesn''t need you."


    After Lei Zhen''s words fell, the great hall''s doors thunderously closed, and an immense aura enveloped the entire hall, causing An Hao''s breath to catch.


    "In front of the junior, you want to make a move on me, a former Sect Leader?"


    Lv Baitian''s voice sounded, his eyes remaining closed from beginning to end.


    Lei Zhen stepped forward and said, "Let him witness the cruelty of the Immortal Cultivation World!"


    He suddenly charged towards Lv Baitian, raising his right palm to strike toward the top of Lv Baitian''s skull.


    Boom!


    The collision of two powerful Spiritual Powers created a terrible gust, shaking the entire hall violently, while Gu An pretended to barely withstand it.


    An Hao shifted his position to stand in front of Gu An, using his own Spiritual Power to contend against the pressure, protecting him.


    This kid ...


    Gu An looked at An Hao''s figure in front of him and felt a surge of relief.


    Although An Hao was only sixteen, he had reached the Fifth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and in terms of aura, Gu An felt that he was already not inferior to Cultivators at the Eighth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Unfortunately, he faced the aura of the Unification Realm.


    An Hao clenched his teeth, but even so, he was forced to retreat by the combined pressure of Lei Zhen and Lv Baitian.


    Gu An seemed to sense something, his gaze shifting to the front, only to see Lei Zhen, who was on the offensive, trembling all over, his aura rapidly weakening, while another aura was escalating at an exaggerated rate.


    Lv Baitian!


    "You... it''s impossible..."


    Lei Zhen suddenly cried out in shock, his tone incredulous and filled with despair.


    The sitting Lv Baitian slowly stood up, his feet leaving the ground as he levitated and looked down upon him.


    Lv Baitian''s expression was so cold.


    Ninth Layer of the Void Crossing Realm!


    Lv Baitian''s Cultivation Level had soared several levels in an instant, not only that, but he was also breaking through to the Unification Realm. To be precise, he was merely releasing his true strength.


    An Hao too was captivated by Lv Baitian''s figure, his eyes filled with astonishment.


    "You deceived me... Defying Fate Divine Skill!"


    Lei Zhen said with a trembling voice, a mix of shock and anger.


    Lv Baitian looked down at him mockingly and said, "Lei Zhen, you are still as impulsive as before. Your recklessness has caused the deaths of many, yet you never learn your lesson. Today, it''s your turn to face the consequences."


    "I was hoping to wait for Chu Tianqi to arrive, but you came to deliver yourself to death first. Since that is the case, I will accept your Cultivation Level. Don''t walk too fast in the netherworld; Chu Tianqi will soon come to your company!"


    As his words ended, Lv Baitian raised his right hand and pressed it against Lei Zhen''s forehead.


    Lei Zhen struggled desperately, but he couldn''t break free, and not only that, Gu An could see his Primordial Spirit also struggling.


    Lv Baitian was using an unimaginable Divine Skill to suppress and then devour Lei Zhen''s physical body, Primordial Spirit, and Spiritual Power.


    Gu An watched with a heart pounding in terror.


    What kind of Cultivation Technique was this?


    Boom!


    Lv Baitian''s aura climbed to new heights, while Lei Zhen knelt on the ground, his body visibly withering away at a rapid pace, his wild black hair quickly turning white.


    First Layer of the Unification Realm!


    At the same time, Gu An and An Hao felt the pressure on them sharply decrease as Lv Baitian began to conceal his aura, sparing them from difficulty.


    An Hao let out a sigh of relief, standing in front of Gu An, quietly watching.


    Gu An felt helpless in his heart; he had taught the boy too little. In such a situation, this kid didn''t think to flee but instead continued to watch the spectacle, leaving Gu An with nothing to say.


    Lv Baitian''s aura soared higher and higher, while conversely, Lei Zhen''s aura rapidly declined, the trembling of the hall beginning to subside.


    After a while.


    Lei Zhen''s Spiritual Power was completely drawn out by Lv Baitian, and when Lv Baitian withdrew his hand, his body fell backwards and then rolled down the stairs.


    He struggled to lift his head, his weakened face filled with pain.


    He raised his hand towards Lv Baitian as if to plead for mercy.


    Lv Baitian lifted his right hand and flicked his index finger. A bloody Strength Energy burst forth, piercing through Lei Zhen''s forehead, scattering his Primordial Spirit.


    Gathering Spirit Divine Finger!


    Gu An sensed that Lv Baitian''s aura had reached the Third Layer of the Unification Realm, and there was still an outpouring of Great Spiritual Power within him.


    That is to say, Lv Baitian''s Cultivation Level was definitely more than just the Third Layer of the Unification Realm, which was why he was an existence that the entire Demon Path dreaded.


    Gu An became secretly vigilant, afraid that Lv Baitian would go mad and attack him.


    After all, Lv Baitian''s son, Lv Xian, was not normal!


    Lv Baitian ignored An Hao, looking towards Gu An with a smile curling at the corner of his mouth, and said, "How about it, do I now have the qualifications to eradicate the Demon Path?"


    Gu An pretended to reply nervously, "You are the Sect Leader, you naturally can..."


    He took a step forward, positioning himself in front of An Hao.


    "Gu An, take me as your master, and you will be the next Sect Leader!" Lv Baitian looked down at Gu An, speaking in a tone that brooked no argument.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was immediately troubled and responded with a wry smile, "Sect Leader, I am of mediocre talent; no matter how much you cultivate me, I could never achieve a Cultivation Level that would make everyone in the Sect truly convinced. The moment you pass on the leadership to me will be the moment Supreme Sect falls into chaos."


    Lv Baitian gave a disdainful smile and said, "What if I were to transfer my Cultivation Level to you before my time is up?"


    That ... sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An suddenly found himself at a loss for words.


    But he couldn''t possibly accept the role of Sect Leader!


    Even the powerful Lv Baitian had been forced to fake death and pass on his position; Gu An certainly didn''t want that trouble.


    Besides, by the time Lv Baitian''s time was nearing its end, his Cultivation Level might not represent much to Gu An!

 Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Turning the Tide: Emperors and Immortals

    An Hao, upon hearing Lv Baitian''s words, couldn''t help but reassess Gu An. In his eyes, Gu An seemed too ordinary. His previous action of standing in front of Gu An was merely an instinctive reaction, after all, his master had also protected him when he was weak.


    How could such a mediocre person be pursued for the position of Sect Leader?


    Facing Lv Baitian''s gaze, Gu An took a deep breath and said, "It still won''t do, Sect Leader. For all the years we''ve spent together in Medicine Valley, please spare me. I truly don''t want to cause trouble; I just want to live a quiet life tending to my grass."


    Upon hearing this, Lv Baitian frowned.


    No one had ever dared to refuse him, and not just once.


    Gu An continued, "The Vice Sect Leader mentioned that you usually only care about cultivating. You probably want to transfer your position to me so I can handle things for you. Why not establish another level above the Elders, limit it to three people, and have all major and minor Sect decisions made by these three, selected from the Hall of Elders, only answering to the Sect Leader?


    Also, ensure that the position of Sect Leader can only be chosen from among these three, so the Hall of Elders won''t oppose it."


    Hearing this, Lv Baitian''s tightly knotted brows relaxed. He looked deeply at Gu An without responding, his gaze then turned to An Hao.


    "What is your name, and what relation do you have with Chu Tianqi?" Lv Baitian asked.


    An Hao immediately responded with a fist and palm salute, "My name is An Hao, I am sixteen years old, and I have been in the Supreme Sect for over three years. Chu Tianqi is my master."


    The kid was smart, intentionally clarifying the time he joined the sect and his age.


    It articulated his talent and also indicated a shallow relationship with Chu Tianqi.


    Gu An thought relivedly, if Lv Baitian insisted on killing An Hao, then he would not hold back.


    To be frank, no matter how you looked at it, Lv Baitian was not a fit Sect Leader, but what Chu Tianqi did was even more outrageous.


    "An Hao, are you that Heavenly Spirit Root? The peerless genius who was taken away by the Hall of Elders shortly after entering the Outer Sect?" Gu An seemed to recall something and exclaimed.


    An Hao nodded, his expression neither humble nor arrogant as he calmly looked at Lv Baitian.


    Lv Baitian sized him up and then said, "If I let you become my disciple, would you be willing?"


    An Hao immediately answered, "Of course I am willing, but I cannot act against my master. Although I have only met him a few times, there is still the name of master and disciple."


    Under someone''s roof, one must bow their head!


    An Hao was very wary of Lv Baitian in his heart; the Cultivation Technique Lv Baitian displayed earlier was too sinister and similar to that of a Demon Cultivator.


    But, he had to survive.


    What was Chu Tianqi?


    His true master was only one!


    Lv Baitian laughed, stepped down the stairs, and walked towards Gu An and An Hao.


    "From now on, An Hao, you are my sole direct disciple. As for Gu An, since you do not wish to acknowledge me as your master, I will not force you. After this ordeal is past, if you have any needs, you can still find me. I will visit you often."


    Lv Baitian spoke with a gentle demeanor, his expression and tone no longer as domineering as before, resembling a kind elder.


    He waved his sleeve, and Gu An and An Hao were swept away by his Spiritual Power.


    When An Hao opened his eyes again, he found himself in the sky, standing on a dark cloud, with Lv Baitian in front of him and Gu An beside him.


    Lv Baitian erupted with a terrifying aura, startling the thunderclouds in the sky and causing countless Cultivators in the city below to look up.


    He flicked his finger, and a burst of Strength Energy shot out, crossing tens of miles to annihilate a Divinity Transformation Realm Demon Cultivator, obliterating both body and spirit.


    Gathering Spirit Divine Finger!


    The Gathering Spirit Divine Finger he performed was not as loud as when Gu An performed it, but its lethality was no less formidable.


    He soared into the city on clouds, flicking his fingers to kill demons, one demon per finger, unstoppable.


    An Hao was dumbfounded. What kind of Spell was this?


    Gu An felt the aura of Lv Baitian growing stronger, this guy''s Cultivation Level was still increasing.


    More and more people noticed Lv Baitian, the Demon Cultivators were trembling, while the Supreme Sect''s morale soared.


    "Who is that? So powerful!"


    "Wait, isn''t that the former Sect Leader? How could that be!"


    "You mean Sect Master Lu? He is Sect Master Lu?"


    "Hss¡ªThat Demon Cultivator had killed hundreds of Core Formation Realm disciples, and he just annihilated him with one finger, what level of cultivation is this?"


    "This aura... my God..."


    A tremendous uproar erupted from the Inner Sect City below, as Gu An and An Hao stood behind Lv Baitian, witnessing his slaughter.


    The news of Lv Baitian''s revival spread quickly, with disciples from various Demon Path Sects passing the message. In less than 30 minutes, all the battlegrounds within the Supreme Sect were aware that Lv Baitian had revived and was rampantly slaughtering.


    In another Inner Sect City.


    A group of Demon Cultivators was setting up an Array Platform amidst ruins. The purple-robed woman at the forefront frowned and asked her disciple in a solemn voice, "Where is Xu Lian Demon Lord? Why hasn''t he formed the array yet?"


    No one could answer her. Other disciples of the Heavenly Extinction Sect were also anxious; they sensed an extremely terrifying aura from afar, causing them to shiver with fear.


    Far away in Mystic Valley, Yang Ni and Li Ya also felt it.


    Standing on top of a mountain, Li Ya frowned and asked, "What realm is this?"


    Yang Ni didn''t answer, for she wasn''t sure either.


    All she could sense was that the aura wasn''t Demonic Qi, but rather righteous and mighty, signifying that the Supreme Sect would likely emerge victorious.


    She was not surprised by this; throughout history, the Supreme Sect had managed to turn dangers into safety. In this land, no Immortal Cultivation Sect had stood as long as the Supreme Sect.


    ...


    In Tianya Valley.


    Li Xuandao, Lv Xian, Yi Liuyun, and Luo Hun stood on a mountain top, side by side, looking in the direction of the Supreme Sect.


    "Defying Fate Divine Skill, truly unimaginable, indeed the foremost remarkable skill of this age." Li Xuandao remarked.


    Yi Liuyun snorted, "What remarkable skill, it''s clearly an evil skill, and the corruption of the Supreme Sect started from him."


    Lv Xian nodded and said, "The old man isn''t always in seclusion, rather he often pretends to be unaware of many things. I estimate that his feigned death was intended to purge the Supreme Sect and incidentally strike at the Demon Path. This has always been his style; he is too arrogant, believing that with his own cultivation level, he fears no turmoil."


    Speaking of Lv Defeated Sky, his tone was complex.


    "If that person were still around, Lv Defeated Sky would have a tough time," Yi Liuyun sighed.


    Lv Xian resumed the conversation, the two of them discussing Lv Defeated Sky.


    Li Xuandao looked into the distance, his eyes deep.


    After a long while.


    Realizing that Li Xuandao had been silent for too long, Lv Xian consoled him, "Your Majesty, don''t worry. Although the old man is strong, his aptitude is not as good as mine. Give me time, and I will surpass him eventually!"


    Li Xuandao laughed, "Then you must strive to grow, for I cannot wait forever."


    "On the day I reach Unification, I will take down the old man''s head and present it to Your Majesty!"


    Lv Xian said confidently, making Luo Hun unable to help but give him a sidelong glance.


    ...


    At dusk.


    Gu An landed on the grass in the Third Medicine Valley, looking up to find Lv Defeated Sky and An Hao nowhere in sight.


    He had followed Lv Defeated Sky around the Inner Sect and killed in a circle. Since Lv Defeated Sky said that he did not wish to be the next Sect Leader, he could not let Gu An witness what was to come, thus he had dropped him off along the way.


    Apart from Lei Zhen, Lv Defeated Sky had not encountered other Unification Realm Great Cultivators temporarily, but the strength displayed by Lv Defeated Sky gave Gu An a sense of crisis.


    Now the two of them were on good terms, which was fine, but what if they broke off?


    Gu An could feel that Lv Defeated Sky possessed a strong killing intent, which wasn''t present when he had taken the guise of Elder Tian.


    It must be said, this guy really could restrain his nature, making him the most terrifying kind of person.


    While thinking, Gu An began examining the nearby herbs.


    It wasn''t long before a figure flew over and landed beside him, it was Shen Zhen.


    "The person who brought you back earlier, was that the former Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, Lv Defeated Sky?" Shen Zhen asked curiously, her voice tinged with excitement.


    Gu An nodded and asked, "Why? Are you very interested?"


    "Of course, he is the lifelong enemy my father acknowledged. How did he come back to life? What did you see while following him?" Shen Zhen was beyond excited, even taking out paper and pen.


    Gu An couldn''t help but roll his eyes and said, "Big sister, could you gather intelligence a bit more subtly? You''re brave, but I''m scared. I don''t want to be treated as a traitor."


    He always felt that Shen Zhen was not so naive or simple, but she had no reason to harm him; therefore, there was only one possible explanation.


    Machiavellian!


    She probably just liked to see others in awkward situations.


    Shen Zhen was relentless, pestering Gu An continuously until he could no longer bear it.


    "If you keep following me, I''m going to write ''Medical Hero Travelogue,'' and you''ll be the first woman the protagonist meets. I''ll even draw it, definitely more lifelike than what you draw!" Gu An glared and said.


    Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen''s face instantly turned red. She glared at Gu An, stomped her foot in humiliation, and then turned and flew away.


    Gu An was stunned, wondering why she didn''t scold him.


    This expression didn''t seem like anger.


    Gu An shook his head in amusement and continued checking the medicine valley.


    The moon rose as the sun set.


    The night was not peaceful for the Supreme Sect. By the time Gu An returned to Mystic Valley, he could feel powerful Divine Senses sweeping by intermittently, the Demon Qi and Demon Energy waning, indicating the Supreme Sect was likely victorious.


    Under the moonlight, flakes of snow began to drift down.


    Gu An and Li Ya sat on the doorstep, speaking softly about the history of the Supreme Sect, mostly with Li Ya speaking and Gu An asking questions.


    They continued until dawn when Li Ya''s Inner Sect Disciple Token received an order, summoning all Inner Sect Disciples back to the city, making it necessary for him to bid farewell to Gu An.


    After Li Ya left, Gu An looked towards Yang Ni and transmitted his voice, "The great war between righteousness and evil is about to end, aren''t you going back too?"


    Yang Ni glanced at him and also used the Sound Transmission Skill to ask, "When did I say I would only protect you until the end of this battle?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "From now on, I''ll stay by your side; that''s Li Xuandao''s intention."


    "Really?"


    "You can go ask him if you like."


    Gu An was silent for a moment, then continued by transmitting his voice, "Is His Majesty powerful?"


    He wanted to understand Li Xuandao from others'' perspectives.


    Li Xuandao aspired to be an eternal Emperor, but was suppressed by the Immortal Cultivation Sects, with the most powerful and influential person in these sects not being Lv Defeated Sky?


    Li Xuandao also poached Lv Defeated Sky''s son, Lv Xian; Gu An sensed that a confrontation between these two was inevitable.


    With Li Xuandao''s talents, it was indeed possible for him to rise to power.


    His public identity was only at the Core Formation realm, perhaps to guard against Lv Defeated Sky.


    Isn''t their confrontation a clash between sovereign and Immortal paths? S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In terms of cultivation level, mediocre; but as for imperial tactics, he is indeed formidable," Yang Ni transmitted back with a mocking tone, clearly harboring resentment towards Li Xuandao.


    Just as Gu An was about to inquire further, he suddenly sensed something and then spoke out, "Help me guard the Medicine Valley for another half day; I need to make a trip to the Outer Sect City."


    There was a fish from the Demon Path that had slipped through the net nearby!

 Chapter 90: Chapter 90: As Time Passes, Ranked in the Venerable Pavilion

    Generally, Gu An was not interested in cultivators from the Demon Path and avoided them as much as possible, but there was one exception.


    That was Xu Jue!


    Xu Jue previously led a demon army to besiege Ji Xiaoyu, allowing Gu An to gain over 50,000 years of life span, and Gu An was deeply impressed by him.


    After leaving Mystic Valley, Gu An flew towards the direction of the Outer City. He had flown a great distance before he utilized the Great Yin-Yang Transformation, turning into a demon shadow, and disappeared into the forests, stepping on the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step.


    Two hundred miles away from Mystic Valley, in a dense forest, Xu Jue was meditating under a tree. His hair was unkempt, wearing a tattered black robe, and he was in a very sorry state.


    Small flags wrapped around him, and a faintly visible protective barrier shielded him.


    The Vice Sect Hierarch of the Wanyin Sect suddenly changed his complexion, and then he spat out a mouthful of black blood onto the grass, causing the weeds to wither and emit wisps of black smoke.


    "Damn Ji Family..."


    Xu Jue gritted his teeth, his tone filled with hatred.


    During the pursuit by Ji Chen, he had also encountered an attack by other Great Cultivators of the Ji Family, nearly losing his life, and he felt somewhat frightened upon recalling the event.


    The Demon Path, uniting the power of the five sects--Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, Ancient Sky Sect, Wanyin Sect, Heavenly Extinction Sect, Cold Poison Valley--was repelled in just one day, and the power of the Supreme Sect chilled Xu Jue''s heart.


    Xu Jue thought of the Ji Family members within his sect, and he suddenly wanted to return and kill all the Ji Family Cultivators.


    However, just thinking about the strength of the Ji Family, he sighed.


    Forget it.


    Just endure a bit longer!


    One day, he would annihilate the entire Ji Family!


    As Xu Jue was lost in thought, a strong gust of wind suddenly attacked from deep within the forest, causing him to instinctively look over.


    Boom!


    The formation around him suddenly shattered, and a purplish-black figure appeared out of nowhere in front of him, pressing a finger to his temple, an overwhelming aura enveloping him and leaving him unable to move.


    "Demon Shadow Divine Skill... which expert from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion are you?"


    Xu Jue''s complexion drastically changed, and he asked cautiously.


    Could there be such a powerful existence in the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?


    He was at the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm, and even though he was seriously injured, his level was not something that a Void Crossing Realm could suppress.


    "I have a question for you," Gu An spoke, his voice hoarse.


    Xu Jue breathed a sigh of relief on the inside, responding politely, "Senior, please go ahead!"


    Damn Thousand-Autumn Pavilion!


    I must lead the Wanyin Sect to flatten you!


    All of a sudden, Gu An remembered that Xu Jue was Xu Ruye''s father, and Xu Ruye had died at his hand.


    "Never mind."


    As soon as Gu An''s voice rang out, a burst of sword qi flowed through his fingertip, piercing Xu Jue''s temple, and then severely damaging his Primordial Spirit.


    Xu Jue''s pupils dilated, and before his body hit the ground, Gu An employed the Soul Capturing Skill to search his memory.


    The spells of Jiang Qiong''s sect were all very useful, and Gu An could use them for a long time.


    The memories of someone at the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm were immensely vast, but Gu An only searched for the spells related to the demon army, and just from yesterday, making it easy to look up.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An withdrew his hand, and Xu Jue collapsed to the ground.


    [You have successfully seized 153 years of life span from Xu Jue (Void Crossing Realm Ninth Layer)]


    Not bad, the life span burst is high!


    Gu An suddenly found Xu Jue pleasing to the eye; he took Xu Jue''s storage bag and then incinerated his corpse into ashes.


    After doing all this, he then departed.


    He didn''t return to Mystic Valley, but actually went to the Outer City.


    Outside the Outer City, a majestic giant mountain had appeared, which on closer inspection was actually the corpse of a giant bird.


    A Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird!


    Its corpse lay on the ground, thousands of feet tall, even larger than the surrounding mountains.


    Gu An rode his flying sword, looking from afar, his heart filled with curiosity. Where did such a gigantic beast live on ordinary days?


    He felt that the Taicang Dynasty probably didn''t have a habitat for this bird, guessing it was captured by the Demon Path from outside the nine dynasties.


    After the great battle, every gate of the Outer City had become more strict, carefully inspecting each disciple entering and leaving.


    After Gu An entered the city, he first went to look for Ye Lan.


    He encountered Ye Lan on patrol on a street.


    "Senior brother, why have you come?" When Ye Lan saw Gu An, her cold face immediately burst into a smile, and her subordinates tactfully dispersed. They had seen Gu An before and knew the relationship between the two.


    "Came to see you, how are you, not injured, right?"


    Gu An asked with concern, and Ye Lan shook her head, then took him aside and started talking about yesterday''s events.


    After yesterday''s great battle, the Outer City suffered heavy casualties, mainly because a terrifying demon named the Underworld Demon Emperor launched an attack within the city, causing the formation of the Outer City to be breached and leading to a tough battle.


    Eventually, the Underworld Demon Emperor left, becoming a shadow in the hearts of everyone in this Outer City.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An felt even more the cruelty of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Fortunately, the people he cared about were all unharmed.


    After chatting with Ye Lan for a while, Gu An said his farewells and left.


    He went to the surroundings of the Heavenly Repair Platform, where there were much fewer people than before, and most of those left were injured.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera was still there, and her body was stained with blood, as if she truly was a disciple fighting for the Supreme Sect.


    It seemed that she was not part of the same group as the Demon Path or the Underworld Demon Emperor.


    After inspecting the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An went to find Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong was within the mansion. After Gu An closed the door, he looked at her and asked, "Didn''t you say that this city would not be implicated?"


    Jiang Qiong sat on a chair, her complexion ill-looking; her qi-blood was unstable, and she clearly had been injured as well.


    "The situation has changed. The intelligence I received was false. It seems that Thousand-Autumn Pavilion has already begun to suspect me," Jiang Qiong said somberly after taking a deep breath.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An felt a surge of joy and said, "In that case, why not abandon the dark and seek the light, and sever ties with Thousand-Autumn Pavilion altogether!"


    He had too many spy identities, and he himself felt guilty; he needed to discard some.


    Jiang Qiong shook her head and said, "It''s not that easy."


    Gu An did not comfort her but asked, "By the way, did the Sword Venerable Fudao appear?"


    He was very concerned about who was impersonating him!


    "Fake. That person is not the Sword Venerable Fudao at all but a spy from the Demon Path who had been lurking in the Supreme Sect for hundreds of years. Claiming to be Sword Venerable Fudao, once the Demon Path understood his background, their wariness decreased, and they launched a great war," she said.


    Jiang Qiong couldn''t help massaging her temples as she mentioned this.


    Gu An asked in astonishment, "The Demon Path is harming each other? Or has that person degenerated, becoming bait for the Supreme Sect?"


    Jiang Qiong shook her head and said, "I''m not sure. My mind is a mess right now. It is said that Chu Tianqi has already fled, and Lv Baitian, who had died, took over as sect leader again, prepared to investigate the entire Supreme Sect. For the time being, you should visit me less often. I need to address the thorough investigation ordered from above.


    This morning, I received a message that the Venerable Pavilion will soon be established within the Supreme Sect, ranking above the Hall of Elders. The Sword Venerable Fudao is one of them, and the sect leader will also select three people from the Hall of Elders to join the Venerable Pavilion."


    "The Venerable Pavilion will re-govern the Supreme Sect and eradicate any improper practices."


    Lv Baitian truly listened to Gu An''s advice.


    It''s good to follow good advice!


    Gu An proposed this not only to deal with Lv Baitian but also in genuine hopes of improving the Supreme Sect. Since Lv Baitian was too busy to manage, it was better to let others do it.


    There were too many people in the Hall of Elders, and by the time their opinions were unified, it was already chaotic below. The establishment of the Venerable Pavilion should relieve some of the Supreme Sect''s distress.


    Then, Jiang Qiong took out a storage bag, saying it contained high-rank seeds she had obtained in exchange for eighty percent of her savings. All of them were above the fifth rank. She urged him to visit her again when these herbs matured.


    It meant they would not see each other for several years.


    It seems the situation Jiang Qiong faced was very perilous; neither Thousand-Autumn Pavilion trusted her, nor was it impossible for the Supreme Sect to track her down.


    She truly was treading on thin ice.


    Gu An could only wish her good luck in his heart before leaving with the storage bag, his mood uplifted.


    ...


    The siege of the Supreme Sect by the five Demon Sects swept through the Immortal Cultivation World like a whirlwind, shaking the entire Taicang Dynasty.


    The strength of the Supreme Sect also made the entire Demon Path tremble, and in the following period, the Immortal Cultivation World fell into an eerie calm.


    After Lv Baitian reassumed leadership, he decisively founded the Venerable Pavilion, weakening the power of the Hall of Elders and thoroughly investigating Demon Path spies, executing over a thousand of them.


    After Chu Tianqi fled, the Chu family faced Lv Baitian''s furious retaliation. Every descendant of the Chu family within the sect was suppressed¡ªsome died, some were imprisoned, and some disciplined young disciples had their cultivation removed, received a curse seal, and were sent to the Outer Sect as servant disciples.


    Mystic Valley welcomed a Chu surnamed servant disciple. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And it was someone Gu An knew.


    Chu Jingfeng!


    When Gu An had just entered the Supreme Sect, he was attacked by a Demon of Greed in Medicine Valley. At that time, Cheng Xuandan summoned the Inner Sect Disciple Chu Jingfeng, who ended up breaking an arm and later helped Gu An clear the evil cultivators around Mystic Valley allied with the Demon of Greed.


    Seeing Chu Jingfeng across from him, his face aged, made Gu An deeply melancholic.


    The last time they talked, Chu Jingfeng promised him that he could seek the Chu Family''s help if he ever encountered any troubles.


    As time changed, the Chu Family had completely fallen.


    Chu Jingfeng still kept his one-armed figure, wearing tattered clothes, his hair messy, his face covered with stubble, looking disheveled and desolate.


    "Brother Chu, as long as one is alive, there is still hope. Work hard, and as long as you behave well, the upper echelons might revoke your punishment," Gu An said, trying to comfort him.


    Wuxin had quietly left, and now that he was in charge of Mystic Valley again, he needed to cultivate new talents.


    He felt that Chu Jingfeng was a good choice.


    If Chu Jingfeng behaved well later, he might teach him Daoist Expansion Skill that Wuxin had passed to him.


    Daoist Expansion Skill relied on accumulating Spiritual Power to break limits; maybe it could save the crippled Chu Jingfeng.


    Chu Jingfeng numbly nodded, not saying a word.


    Gu An did not make it difficult for him, explained some matters, and then let him leave.


    When Chu Jingfeng left the room, he even closed the door behind him, his manner very humble; but from his demeanor, Gu An saw not respect but despair.


    Alas!


    Poor thing!


    Gu An shook his head, picked up a pen, and began to write a book.


    A half-year had passed since the great war between the righteous and the demons. Winter went, and spring went, and it was another summer year; he too had turned fifty-one, with many new insights on life, ready to express them in his book.


    Only in the evening did Gu An walk out of the attic, and through the Transmission Array Platform, he arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.


    He sensed Shen Zhen inside his own house.


    Since half a year ago when Gu An threatened to write about her in his book, they had cut off contact.


    Her appearance now, could it be that she was here to settle accounts?


    After all, being a Holy Daughter, how could she not care about her face?


    As Gu An thought this, he walked upstairs to find Shen Zhen.


    Upon entering the room, he saw Shen Zhen sitting at a table, wearing a veil, doing nothing, just calmly looking at him.


    Something was off!


    Not like her usual self!


    Could she be about to lose her mind?


    Hurriedly, Gu An closed the door, then turned to look at her, about to ask, but she preemptively asked, "Have you started writing ''Medical Hero Travelogue'' yet?"

 Chapter 91: Chapter 91: 700,000-Year Life Span, Ancient Relic Species

    Hearing Shen Zhen''s words, Gu An almost lost his composure; he quickly clarified, "How could that be possible? I was just scaring you; I could never write such a book."


    He had to explain to protect his innocence from being tarnished by Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen stared at him as if she wanted to see right through him, while he remained calm and guilt-free.


    "Alright, I believe you," Shen Zhen said softly, but her tone was different from before, making Gu An unable to decipher her thoughts.


    Gu An walked over to the tea table and started heating water for tea.


    Only after he had set a teacup in front of Shen Zhen did she say, "Actually, I came to discuss another matter with you."


    "Speak," Gu An replied, then sat down at the table.


    Shen Zhen began, "It is said that the Elder Tian from the Medicine Valley was actually the current Sect Master Lu Baitian; is that true?"


    Gu An felt there was no need to hide this, so he nodded.


    Speaking of which, since the great battle six months ago, neither Gu Zong nor Ji Hantian had returned, so it was unknown whether they had been dealt with by Lv Baitian.


    Gu Zong was not much of a concern, clearly being part of Lv Baitian''s faction, but Ji Hantian had cursed at Lv Baitian in the Third Medicine Valley and openly expressed his desire to become the sect leader.


    "I would like you to introduce me to Sect Master Lu in my personal capacity, not representing the Daotian Sect," Shen Zhen said, fixing her gaze on Gu An.


    Gu An frowned, showing hesitation.


    Shen Zhen took out a redwood box from her storage bag and said, "This is a sixth-grade spirit tree, Purple Mist Bamboo. A single section can form a bamboo forest, planted at the edge of Medicine Valley it automatically forms a Purple Mist Maze Array, and its bamboo shoots are superior medical ingredients, highly prized."


    "What do you mean by this, what is our relationship? Is there a need for such gestures?" Gu An said in a deep voice, then put the redwood box into his storage bag, continuing sternly, "For your matter, just a word is enough, and I will help. But do not take this as a precedent!"


    Shen Zhen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.


    Her eyes really looked beautiful when she laughed.


    Gu An thought to himself that by joking like this, the awkward atmosphere between them dissolved and their subsequent conversation resumed its usual tone.


    After a long talk, Shen Zhen finally left.


    Gu An then began wandering around Medicine Valley, selecting a suitable place to plant the Purple Mist Bamboo.


    Eventually, he chose to plant it in the southern edge mountains and assigned Tang Yu to specifically guard the area.


    He began to anticipate Lv Baitian''s arrival.


    It was not for Shen Zhen''s sake that he was eager; he was concerned about Lv Baitian''s promise.


    Lv Baitian had said that Gu An could turn to him for anything he needed!


    Gu An, for now, did not desire a fourth Medicine Valley but high-rank medical herb seeds to gradually replace the low-rank ones. If he could fill a hundred-mile radius with high-rank seeds, his life-span income would see a significant leap.


    If he reached a million-year life span and unlocked new functions, he planned to elevate himself fully!


    Days passed.


    Finally, at the beginning of autumn, Lv Baitian arrived.


    He was dressed in a dragon-embroidered black robe, his black hair coiled under a jade crown, his demeanor majestic¡ªa stark contrast to the former Elder Tian, now fully embodying the aura of a sect leader.


    Upon meeting, Gu An immediately threw a Life Span Detection at him.


    [Lv Baitian (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 755/3150/3200]


    Oh boy, he indeed reached the Ninth Layer of the Unification Realm!


    Moreover, his life span was nearing its limit; it was difficult for him to progress further.


    Gu An suddenly thought about something: previously, when Chu Xian deployed the great sacrifice array in the Outer Sect, could it have been prepared for Lv Baitian?


    No, that cannot be¡ªsince Lv Baitian had annihilated the Chu Family, it surely wasn''t his doing.


    Gu An pondered this as he greeted Lv Baitian.


    The two entered the house to talk.


    Lv Baitian took out four books from his storage bag, placing them on the table, and said, "Following your suggestion, I established the Venerable Pavilion; here are the four members of the Venerable Pavilion for you to review."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately picked up a book and noticed that it contained not only the members'' names and portraits but also various detailed information, including their life experiences.


    He quickly flipped through it, seemingly in a cursory manner, but in reality, he memorized all the information.


    The last book was about Sword Venerable Fudao, listing only the name and exploits, known in the Immortal Cultivation World as the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal and revered in the Supreme Sect as Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu Gua, Ji Hengshi, Zhou Yu!


    How extravagant¡ªthe three strongest clans of the Taicang Dynasty!


    And they were all of the Unification Realm cultivation level!


    Gu An had yet to meet these three.


    Until now, he had encountered six Unification Realm cultivators: Lv Baitian, Ji Hantian, Gu Gua, Ji Hengshi, Zhou Yu, and Lei Zhen¡ªand these were not even the full strength of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An always remembered that the strongest of the Supreme Sect was the True Inheritor, who had already left the Taicang Dynasty.


    He wondered if the Supreme Sect had any Supreme Elders?


    While feeling overwhelmed, Gu An asked, "Sect Master, is it appropriate for me to see this kind of thing?"


    Lv Baitian chuckled, "If next time you want to write something like ''Investiture of the Gods,'' you could incorporate the Supreme Sect into it. The depiction of the Supreme Sect in ''Supreme Immortal Venerable'' is quite superficial, not profound enough."


    "I''ll look into it later; let me finish ''Supreme Immortal Venerable'' first," Gu An replied. ''Supreme Immortal Venerable'' had at least five million characters, and he published only one volume a year, each volume about a hundred thousand characters, occasionally even taking two years for one volume. The end was still far off.


    The vast income from the Spirit Stones brought by the Supreme Immortal Venerable was enormous, far surpassing that from the "Investiture of the Gods." He was unwilling to let go of it just yet.


    ?!?@?@§¦%??-??


    Lu Baitian smiled but didn''t urge further.


    Gu An timely mentioned Shen Zhen''s request, and Lu Baitian agreed immediately, saying they could meet today without any hesitation.


    Gu An then asked, "Sect Leader, do you still stand by what you told me before?"


    "What? Changed your mind and want to be Sect Leader now?" Lu Baitian asked with narrowed eyes, his tone quite pleased.


    "No, you said I could come to you anytime I needed something. I want more high-rank medical herbs. I could even help you grow them, and deliver them to you once they''re mature. I want to learn about all sorts of exotic plants and strengthen my path of cultivation through planting," Gu An hurriedly explained.


    The path of cultivation through planting...


    Lu Baitian''s lips twitched, and his gaze was peculiar.


    In the end, Lu Baitian agreed, saying he would send someone with the seeds of the medical herbs after a few days.


    Afterward, Gu An stood up to look for Shen Zhen and bring him to meet Lu Baitian.


    After the two met, Gu An went downstairs and did not disturb their conversation.


    This time, Lu Baitian deployed a restriction that even Gu An couldn''t eavesdrop through.


    The two talked for one ancient hour before dispersing, with Lu Baitian leaving first and Shen Zhen standing beside Gu An, watching him leave.


    Shen Zhen turned to him, smiling, and asked, "Aren''t you curious about what we talked about?"


    Gu An shook his head, "I dare not ask, nor do I want to know. I fear the trouble it might bring."


    "I provided him with a piece of intelligence in exchange for the most powerful musical spell from the Supreme Sect. Once I master it, I''ll perform it for you," Shen Zhen said with a smile. Then, she leapt up and flew towards her cave.


    Gu An didn''t think much about it. Whatever Shen Zhen did was her own business, as long as it didn''t threaten him.


    He started looking forward to Lu Baitian''s delivery of high-rank medical herb seeds.


    Five days later, Lu Baitian''s man arrived, handing Gu An a storage bag. He inspected it with his divine sense.


    The grade was very high, with the quantity reaching up to several hundred thousand seeds. There was also a booklet and a letter inside.


    Gu An returned to his room to read the letter. Lu Baitian wrote that these seeds were provided from his personal resources, not using the wealth of the Supreme Sect. If Gu An grew them well, he could keep half of the profits; if not, he must become his disciple.


    Seeing this, Gu An felt rather helpless.


    He couldn''t understand why Lu Baitian was so adamant about taking him as his disciple.


    Could it be that my personal charm has conquered him?


    ...


    In the blink of an eye, five years passed.


    In these five years, nothing significant happened in the Supreme Sect, and Gu An''s days became quite mundane, with Ye Lan, Shen Zhen, Li Ya, Jiang Qiong, and Gu Yu all busy with their cultivation, rarely seeking him out.


    Although the great battle between good and evil ended quickly, its impact was significant.


    One noon, Gu An used the Teleportation Array to travel to Mystic Valley.


    He was in a good mood, humming a tune.


    He had calculated earlier that his life span income this year could exceed one hundred thousand, and his current total life span had already surpassed seven hundred thousand years.


    With a million years in life span very close, he was eager to grow stronger.


    Upon arriving at Mystic Valley, he sensed Li Ya''s presence; Li Ya was upstairs drinking tea with Yang Ni.


    Li Ya wasn''t concealed, so Gu An headed straight for the loft.


    After entering, Li Ya was the first to speak, "Junior Brother Gu, I''m preparing to leave the Supreme Sect to undertake trials in the North Sea Mountain, not returning until I reach the Nascent Soul Realm."


    Gu An, curious, asked, "What is the North Sea Mountain?"


    Li Ya smiled and said, "The North Sea Mountain is to the north of the Taicang Dynasty, about the size of the entire dynasty, surrounded by dynasties on all sides. It''s a gathering place for demons and a place for cultivators to seek fortune and undergo trials. Of course, it''s also very dangerous."


    Hearing this, Gu An suddenly felt that the North Sea Mountain might be suitable for his next breakthrough.


    Moving from the Nine Layers of Unification Realm to a higher realm was beyond his imagination. It would be best to stay away from the Supreme Sect!


    Yang Ni interjected, "You''re not looking for the North Sea Kun Fish, are you?"


    Li Ya scratched his head and said, "You caught me. News broke out a couple of years ago about a sighting of the North Sea Kun Fish in the North Sea Mountain. I want to check it out, got nothing else to do, and it''s a good chance to escape those arranged by my father."


    Gu An sat down and pressed on, "What''s the North Sea Kun Fish?"


    Yang Ni glanced at him and said, "You should still remember the Heaven-Swallowing Dark Bird, right? There exist in this world ancient relic species, different from ordinary demons. They have colossal bodies, and the difficulty of their shape-shifting far surpasses that of the Demon Clan.


    Because of their gigantic nature, they are revered as Mountain Gods or Sea Gods in various places and are elusive."


    Gu An grew even more interested and started to inquire about other ancient relic species in the world.


    Yang Ni casually described a few, which made his heart race.


    "Alright, I have to go now. A prodigy named An Hao has recently emerged in the sect. At 22, he''s already preparing for Core Formation, which is unbelievable. I need to work harder on my cultivation and not become his stepping stone," Li Ya said as he stood up.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An also felt that An Hao''s pace of cultivation was indeed fast.


    This showed that Lu Baitian held An Hao in high regard, investing a lot of cultivation resources in him.


    As Gu An pondered, Li Ya jumped out of the window and left.


    An old habit he couldn''t kick!


    Gu An turned to Yang Ni and asked, "He''s gone, what about you?"


    "I''m not leaving. Staying with you to garden seems rather enjoyable and much preferable to constant battling," Yang Ni replied.


    S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 92: Chapter 92: The Green Vine Tree Becomes a Spirit, The Realm Above Unification

    In the forest, Gu An was leading Yang Ni in sowing seeds. While he buried the seeds, he looked at the herbs nearby and said, "That''s the Shy Songgrass. Its leaves tend to curl up easily. When the wind passes through, it makes a strange sound, like singing. Often at times like this, you need to help open its leaves to avoid affecting its growth¡­"


    Yang Ni Squatted beside him, listening intently, her eyes filled with curiosity.


    When Li Ya left, Yang Ni said she wanted to stay and plant flowers and herbs. Gu An thought it was a joke, but unexpectedly, she was serious. She started to participate in the planting and would always ask him questions, displaying great humility.


    After changing her attitude, Yang Ni began to integrate into Mystic Valley and communicate with other Servant Disciples.


    Gu An wanted to assimilate her and have her truly become one with Mystic Valley, so he taught with great dedication.


    "From now on, you will be in charge of the herbs in this garden. Let''s see what you''re capable of, whether you can protect the garden as well as you protect people," Gu An said with a smile as he got up.


    Instead of refusing, a look of anticipation appeared on Yang Ni''s face.


    Then, Gu An left, leaving Yang Ni alone to observe the garden.


    He returned to Mystic Valley and saw Chu Jingfeng standing in a daze in front of the wooden railing, lost in thought.


    In the many years since Chu Jingfeng had arrived in Mystic Valley, he had always been like this; if Gu An gave him tasks, he would do them, but if Gu An didn''t assign any chores, he would just idle away in a daze.


    Out of consideration for their past relationship, Gu An decided to lend him a hand.


    "Brother Chu, I''ve just acquired a set of swordsmanship. Would you help me take a look?" Gu An asked with a smile, patting Chu Jingfeng on the shoulder.


    Chu Jingfeng nodded expressionlessly and then followed him into a secluded part of the forest.


    He was also a Sword Cultivator. Although his Cultivation Level had been ruined, his memory remained, so he felt he could be of help to Gu An.


    Contrary to his silence, he was actually very grateful to Gu An inside.


    When he had first arrived, he wished he could crawl into a hole in front of Gu An, but Gu An did not ridicule him. Instead, he treated him very well, and this treatment had lasted for many years, so it couldn''t be just an act. He couldn''t fathom what use he could still have for Gu An, and could only assume Gu An was truly kind-hearted, as the Sect Disciples all spoke highly of him.


    Under Chu Jingfeng''s watchful gaze, Gu An demonstrated the basic sword moves of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. Even though his motions were clumsy and not smooth, it still brightened Chu Jingfeng''s eyes.


    "Gu¡­ Valley Master, what swordsmanship is this?" Chu Jingfeng asked, holding back his excitement.


    As a swordsman, how could he not be delighted by profound swordsmanship?


    Gu An scratched his head and said, "I don''t know either. This is what a senior passed on to me when I happened to visit the Heavenly Repair Platform. He said if I could master this set of swordsmanship, I could become a Sword God in the Mortal World."


    Chu Jingfeng hesitated.


    Gu An smiled and said, "How about it? Do you want to learn? I''ll teach you. I have only one condition, and that is that you become the old you again. I miss the ambitious Chu Jingfeng, who, despite losing his Cultivation Level, could still train in swordsmanship. Haven''t there been legends recorded where people, without Energy Absorption, achieved enlightenment through Sword Enlightment?


    If others can do it, why can''t you?"


    Upon hearing this, Chu Jingfeng''s demeanor shifted, and he struggled internally.


    In the end, he agreed.


    Actually, he never wanted to deteriorate; it was just that he couldn''t find any meaning to continue living.


    Now, he suddenly felt that Gu An''s words made sense. If he lost his Cultivation Level, did that mean he couldn''t train in swordsmanship?


    A Sword Cultivator should face difficulties head-on, shouldn''t they?


    Thus, Chu Jingfeng began to train in the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. He learned the sword moves at a swift pace, which amazed Gu An and gave Chu Jingfeng increasing confidence.


    ...


    Late at night.


    A dozen miles from Mystic Valley, by the river, Gu An moved some pebbles aside and lifted a stone slab, then slipped underneath. The stone slab closed immediately after, and the scattered pebbles uncontrollably gathered back together, restoring the area to its state before any disturbance.


    Gu An followed the underground tunnel and arrived at the Eight Scenic Caves.


    A five-zhang-long black dragon burst out from the subterranean river and rapidly flew to face him.


    As usual, he took out a Demon Sheep corpse and laid it on the ground, and the Sky Dragon opened its mouth, spewing fierce flames to roast the sheep.


    "In another two or three years, I will take you out, how about that?" Gu An asked, patting the Sky Dragon''s head with a smile.


    Gu An planned to set the Sky Dragon free on his next breakthrough, allowing it to live in the North Sea Mountain.


    Previously, he had wanted it to practice the Transformation Skill, but unfortunately, there was no such skill. He did pass on the Demon Shadow Divine Skill to the Sky Dragon, but despite several years of practice, it failed to master it.


    Upon hearing about going out, the Sky Dragon immediately stopped roasting the sheep and excitedly inquired where they would go.


    Gu An briefly introduced it to the North Sea Mountain, stirring up even greater longing in the dragon.


    He warned it not to reveal anything about him or the Eight Scenic Caves once it''s out, and it promised to keep the secret.


    In reality, exposure wouldn''t matter; by the time Gu An returned from the North Sea Mountain, he would undoubtedly have surpassed the Unification Realm, and even if the entire Thousand-Autumn Pavilion came, they wouldn''t be able to take his Green Vine Tree.


    Of course, he believed the Sky Dragon would keep its word.


    "You''d better cultivate diligently from now on; don''t get eaten by a demon as soon as you go out," Gu An teased.


    The Sky Dragon lifted its head proudly and said, "How could a dragon possibly be eaten by a demon!"


    Gu An rubbed its dragon head and then moved towards the Green Vine Tree.


    He placed great importance on this seventh-tier Spirit Tree. Every time he came to the Eight Scenic Caves, he would check on it to ensure it didn''t encounter any problems.


    Reaching the base of the tree, Gu An looked up at the branches of the Green Vine Tree.


    As he gazed, he suddenly frowned.


    He noticed a tremor in one of the branches, faint though it was, it had indeed occurred.


    Sky Dragon was still roasting sheep not far away; he wasn''t the one playing tricks.


    Could this tree be becoming a spirit?


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.


    This was after all the Holy Tree of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, bound to be sinister; becoming a spirit wasn''t out of the question.


    Gu An continued to watch, but the Green Vine Tree did not show any more strange behavior, as if his previous feeling had been an illusion.


    He used his Divine Sense to probe and detected nothing unusual, but by doing so, he could warn the Green Vine Tree not to mess around.


    After staying for half an hour, Gu An finally left.


    He now had one more thing to be wary of, yet instead of worry, he felt a certain anticipation about the Green Vine Tree becoming a spirit.


    ...


    Spring came and went, and two years passed by.


    Gu An''s lifespan had reached nine hundred and fifty thousand years, and he felt that he could reach a million years by the end of the year, which filled him with anticipation, keeping his spirits up all year long.


    One day, Ye Lan came to Mystic Valley to visit Gu An.


    The two stood in front of the pavilion window, watching the busy disciples while chatting.


    Ye Lan spoke of recent major events in the Immortal Cultivation World, and Gu An listened with great interest.


    A new sect had emerged in the Immortal Cultivation World, known as the Ephemera Sect. Nobody knew where the Ephemera Sect was located, but its cultivators constantly invaded various sects of the Demon Path, seizing cultivation techniques, spells, treasures, and the like, causing the Demon Path to fall into turmoil. In contrast, the sects of the Righteous Path remained unaffected.


    Some said that the Ephemera Sect was supported by the Supreme Sect because one of the Ephemera Sect''s Great Demon Cultivators, who used leaves to slay his enemies, resembled the Supreme Sect''s Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Hearing this, Gu An was annoyed; why was someone else riding on his fame?


    "You''ve spoken about so many events, yet none targeted the Supreme Sect. It seems we have indeed established a powerful reputation," Gu An said with a smile.


    He was genuinely pleased; the more peaceful the Supreme Sect was, the better, since he could strengthen himself by planting flowers and herbs.


    After planting for another fifty years, there probably wouldn''t be anyone in the Taicang Dynasty stronger than him, right?


    Ye Lan thought for a moment, then said, "Actually, there is one. A cultivator in the Immortal Cultivation World who calls himself Ghost Thief has appeared, straddling both righteousness and evil.


    He used to rob the rich to aid the poor, but as his fame grew, just half a year ago, he declared his intention to come to the Supreme Sect to steal the Mystic Pure Tree, claiming that the Supreme Sect has gathered nine-tenths of the resources of the Taicang Dynasty, going against the will of Heaven. He plans to steal the Mystic Pure Tree and then plant it by the edge of Heavenly Pond."


    Mystic Pure Tree?


    Upon hearing this, Gu An frowned immediately.


    This was the seventh-order Spirit Tree the Supreme Sect had bestowed upon him, which had grown by now. How could he let someone steal it?


    This Ghost Thief was indeed courting death!


    Never mind, in consideration of his chivalrous deeds, I''ll spare his life. But he must be scared off to prevent future attempts.


    Curious, Gu An asked, "Is this Ghost Thief formidable?"


    "Definitely. Otherwise, how could he still be alive after offending so many people and stealing so many treasures?" Ye Lan gave Gu An a pointed look.


    True. Why ask her? She doesn''t even know what is beyond the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Gu An laughed, then inquired about her recent cultivation progress and whether she had been diligent.


    Although all lives must part eventually, he hoped that the day of life-and-death separation with Ye Lan would come later rather than sooner.


    His question prompted a lecture from Ye Lan.


    Ye Lan held the same wish, hoping that he would cultivate earnestly to extend his lifespan.


    The two began to bicker.


    After a while, Ye Lan suddenly asked, "Brother, are you acquainted with the current Emperor?"


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and asked, "Sister, why do you ask?"


    "The Emperor has introduced the Spring Festival, which, since the beginning of this year, has spread across all states. The customs and rules are exactly the same as your Spring Festival," Ye Lan said gravely.


    Gu An casually replied, "I too heard about it from an unnamed elder. Besides, having celebrated Spring Festival for so many years, it''s normal for others to know about it, especially since it conveys a good message."


    Ye Lan found this reasonable but still reminded him, "Recently, we''ve been ordered from above to collect more information about Emperor Li Xuandao and have increased the number of disciples sent to Cangzhou. It seems there might be aspirations toward the throne."


    "What do you mean, does the Sect want to seize the Imperial Throne?"


    "Not exactly; the Crown Prince is a disciple of our Sect, and having been the Crown Prince for a hundred years, the Sect naturally wants to support him."


    Gu An involuntarily turned to look at the woods a hundred feet to the west, where he saw Yang Ni watering the plants, and wondered if she was eavesdropping.


    After chatting a bit more, Ye Lan closed the window, wanting to share other matters and even got a bit handsy, which earned her a stern rebuke from Gu An.


    Ye Lan glared at him in embarrassment and anger before leaving.


    Gu An watched her departing figure, his thoughts drifting to the North Sea Mountain. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He would have to find a map in the Book Collection Hall to prepare for his breakthrough.


    He also wondered what realm lay beyond Unification?


    Gu An went downstairs, intending to walk toward the Transmission Array Platform when Yang Ni suddenly stopped him, conveying through a voice transmission, "Be careful of the Crown Prince. If he learns about your relationship with Li Ya, he will surely come for you, plotting against you."

 Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Gu Ans Background

    "Isn''t the Crown Prince very virtuous? Senior Brother Li speaks highly of him, which suggests their relationship must be quite good," Gu An asked telepathically, his tone puzzled.


    Yang Ni scoffed. "That''s only because Li Ya is naive. Over the years, the Crown Prince has sent many assassins to kill him, and I''ve intercepted them before."


    "Then why don''t you tell Senior Brother Li to be more cautious?"


    "Isn''t it his father''s idea? His father fears that by acting, they might provoke the Crown Prince, and if faces were torn, the Crown Prince would surely force a palace upheaval. His father''s cultivation level is mediocre, no match for the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince succeeds him, it will only be more dangerous for Li Ya."


    Yang Ni''s reply made Gu An want to laugh.


    Li Xuandao was nearly at the Void Crossing Realm, yet not the Crown Prince''s match?


    Thinking this way, Li Xuandao actually seemed a kindred spirit to Gu An.


    To this date, Li Xuandao had not exposed his true cultivation level. The only reason Gu An knew it was because he had activated the ''Golden Finger.''


    "I understand. I''ll be careful around the Crown Prince," Gu An replied using the Sound Transmission Skill.


    Yang Ni nodded and stopped hindering him.


    Watching Gu An''s departing silhouette, Yang Ni shook her head slightly.


    "Why have I genuinely started to care about this boy''s safety?"


    Ever since she learned that Gu An was linked to Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect, Yang Ni sensed his identity was not simple. At least within the Supreme Sect, he was sure to be well-protected and unlikely to encounter trouble.


    Soon, Yang Ni dismissed the thought; the Dusk Flowers she had planted were about to bloom, and she eagerly anticipated the sight.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, walking up to the Mystic Pure Tree.


    The Mystic Pure Tree had grown large, its leaves lush. The White Spirit Rat was dozing beneath it; ever since the tree provided shade, it rarely roamed around, mostly just sleeping under the tree.


    Gu An did not mind this, he was actually looking forward to it.


    Lv Baitian had said that the Mystic Pure Tree not only enhanced the Spiritual Energy of an area but also, meditating under it could enhance one''s aptitude.


    As the White Spirit Rat spent all day sleeping under the Mystic Pure Tree, could it be receiving enlightenment in its dreams?


    Time for an experiment!


    If it worked, he would also nap under the tree.


    Gu An took out an Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect from his insect bag at his waist and let it fly up to the tree. He then met Xiaochuan and instructed him to place a hundred pounds of iron ore under the tree every month to sustain the Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The best thing about Xiaochuan was that he didn''t ask questions; he simply agreed to it.


    After checking the Mystic Pure Tree, Gu An visited the Human-Faced Tree and Purple Mist Bamboo, ensuring these treasures were growing well before he began inspecting the Third Medicine Valley.


    The Third Medicine Valley now grew many High-Rank Medical Herbs. Last year, when Lv Baitian came to visit, Gu An specifically requested to increase the number of servant disciples, and Lv Baitian immediately agreed, raising the number to three hundred.


    Even with three hundred people, Gu An felt it still wasn''t enough, but to increase further, he needed to show sufficient results to prove his point.


    It wasn''t until the evening that Gu An finally returned to his loft.


    He had harvested another batch of medicinal herbs today, adding thousands of years to his life span, moving ever closer to the million-year milestone.


    ...


    A month later in the early morning, after leading the Mystic Valley disciples in drills, Gu An returned to the loft and spread a map on the table.


    This was personally drawn by a Great Cultivator of the Supreme Sect and had restrictions; when Divine Sense probed into it, one could even see detailed terrains, giving him the sensation of using a VR topographical map from his previous life.


    No wonder the map cost five Top-Grade Spirit Stones; it was truly worth more than its value.


    Gu An immersed himself in it, looking for a suitable breakthrough location.


    Just around noon, someone from the Mystic Valley came to visit. Yang Ni transmitted to Gu An, "The Crown Prince is here. Be careful on your own; I can''t show myself."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An slowly put away the map and then stood up to leave the loft.


    When he stepped outside, he saw a man in white holding a folding fan approaching, graceful and smiling, appearing much like a delicate scholar.


    Gu An conducted a Life Span Detection.


    [Li Dai (Nascent Soul Realm Level 1): 189/960/1250]


    He had not cultivated any special techniques, and his cultivation level was as it appeared.


    A Nascent Soul less than two hundred years old was indeed a genius.


    Li Dai did not walk toward Gu An; instead, he approached Chu Jingfeng, who was inspecting the grounds by a wooden railing.


    "Chu Jingfeng, long time no see," Li Dai greeted from a distance.


    Chu Jingfeng turned around, his brow furrowed.


    The two met and exchanged pleasantries, with Li Dai''s laughter being quite hearty, attracting the attention of other disciples in the valley.


    In the face of Li Dai, Chu Jingfeng appeared very tense, mostly just responding to Li Dai as he reminisced about old times.


    After chatting for a good while, Li Dai finally walked over to Gu An.


    He came in front of the loft and cupped his fists in salute. "I am Li Dai from Cangzhou. May I ask if you are Valley Master Gu An?"


    Gu An raised his hand in salute, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am Gu An. Would you like to come up and talk?"


    Li Dai smiled and nodded, then ascended the stairs.


    The servant disciples became excited, not expecting this visitor to be the current Crown Prince. §Ö??@§à§å--*§Ñ?$-+


    Although they had joined an Immortal Cultivation Sect, they were still curious about the Crown Prince and wondered why he was looking for the Valley Master?


    Several people surrounded Chu Jingfeng, asking how the two had known each other before.


    Gu An and Li Dai chatted inside the room for a full ancient hour, and when Gu An saw him downstairs, his face was filled with smiles, and he even held Gu An''s hand before parting, making Gu An feel awkward.


    "Junior Brother Gu, you and I really hit it off. Next time I return to the Supreme Sect, I must find you for another chat," Li Dai said enthusiastically, appearing utterly guileless.


    Gu An agreed, then watched him fly out of Mystic Valley.


    The duo hadn''t talked about much before; it seemed as though Li Dai was truly there to make friends. They even talked about Li Ya, and Li Dai''s words were full of concern. Had it not been for Yang Ni''s prior warning, Gu An would have believed they were good brothers.


    Until his departure, Li Dai didn''t make any requests or try to recruit Gu An.


    Gu An could feel a Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivator hiding in the nearby mountains, likely someone protecting Li Dai.


    About ten miles away from Mystic Valley, the smile vanished from Li Dai''s face, and his expression darkened.


    An elderly man in a green robe flew to his side and whispered, "Your Highness, there is a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator in the valley."


    "Hmm, I''ve sensed it too; it''s Yang Ni. The Emperor actually sent Yang Ni to guard him. This man''s connections must be significant. We should investigate his background and his role within the Supreme Sect," Li Dai said coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent when he mentioned Yang Ni.


    The green-robed elder asked, "If he has no backing, should we capture him?"


    "Let me meet with the Sect Leader first; his attitude is crucial. If the Sect Leader supports me, then we shall directly kill Li Ya and Gu An, cutting off the Emperor''s spies and pawns," Li Dai replied.


    The two were unaware that Gu An had heard their conversation.


    To Gu An, a Divinity Transformation Realm in front of him was no different from an ant beside the road.


    "Want to kill me? That''s interesting."


    Gu An smiled; he wasn''t concerned at all.


    Even if he stood still and didn''t fight back, neither Li Dai nor the green-robed elder would have a hope of killing him.


    Gu An turned and went upstairs. It wasn''t long before Yang Ni jumped in through the window.


    Yang Ni''s face was grave as he said, "He must have sensed my presence. This young man''s cultivation seems to have reached the Transformation Realm."


    Gu An asked in confusion, "Do you have a grudge against him?"


    "Nonsense, his mother was involved in my sister''s death. How could there be no grudge?"


    "Does Senior Brother Li know about this?"


    "He doesn''t, as I have only suspicions without evidence. This guy came to the Supreme Sect, mostly seeking to establish ties with the Venerable Pavilion or the Sect Leader. Previously, his supporter Chu Tianqi has already fled, so he must seek new protection."


    "Let him be."


    Gu An took out a book and began to read.


    Yang Ni stood by his side, asking in surprise, "Aren''t you afraid he''ll abduct you to plot against Li Ya?"


    "What can I do? I''m no match for him, the Emperor asked you to look after me, and I can''t refuse. If he wants to kill me, I can''t stop him either. Might as well pretend nothing is happening and peacefully enjoy my days."


    Gu An casually replied, his carefree attitude impressing Yang Ni.


    Yang Ni reassured him, "Don''t worry, if he truly intends to harm you, I will definitely protect you, just don''t wander off."


    Gu An was too restless, sometimes going to the Outer City, sometimes to his Inner Sect Medicine Valley¡ªplaces she dared not trespass.


    "Thanks for the protection, Senior. Rest assured, under the watch of the Supreme Sect, he shouldn''t dare to act rashly," Gu An said, smiling at Yang Ni.


    Yang Ni nodded and left without another word.


    Gu An sensed her retreat to the woods for training; it seemed she was under great pressure. In the years she''d been in Mystic Valley, she only quietly practiced at night.


    Gu An also wanted to grow stronger. He accessed his Attribute Panel and, seeing his Life Span, his lips curled upwards.


    Soon!


    ...


    In a residence surrounded by birdsong and the scent of flowers, with trees adorned with bright blossoms and a stream encircling a pavilion,


    Lu Baitian and Li Dai sat opposite each other in the pavilion, Li Dai picking up a wine pot to pour for Lu Baitian.


    "Being the Crown Prince for a century has indeed been tough on you. I''ve heard some of the civilian voices over the years," Lu Baitian said nonchalantly as he accepted the wine cup.


    Upon hearing this, Li Dai sighed and replied, "The Emperor has actually done quite well; it''s just unfortunate that his Cultivation Level is too low to suppress the Prefects and noble families across the lands. Beneath the vibrant veneer of the Taicang Dynasty lies suffering and darkness. I want to improve the lives of the common people, and my mother''s family has agreed to support me fully."


    Lu Baitian gazed at the nearby stream, not staring directly at Li Dai, and said indifferently, "Who becomes Emperor doesn''t matter to the Supreme Sect. What is important is being worthy of the trust of the Supreme Sect."


    Li Dai hurriedly assured him, "The Supreme Sect is the most revered in the world. If I become Emperor, the Supreme Sect can oversee my actions!"


    "Stop investigating Gu An. No matter how your Imperial Family fights among yourselves, you must not involve him."


    Lu Baitian said this nonchalantly, causing Li Dai''s face to drastically change.


    In that moment, Li Dai thought of many possibilities.


    He cautiously asked, "What noble family is Gu An from?"


    Assuming Gu An came from some family because of his low Cultivation Level, as maybe someone mediocre from a noble house sent to live out his life at the Supreme Sect.


    "He doesn''t come from any noble family; the only backing he has is me. Is that enough?"


    Lu Baitian said this, looking towards Li Dai, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

 Chapter 94: Chapter 94: A Million-Year Life Span, Five Elements Treasure Body!

    Crown Prince Li Dai hadn''t left for seven days before he returned to visit Gu An, this time bringing with him many medicinal herb seeds, clearly having put in a lot of effort.


    Although Gu An was unsure why he was being so generous, he appreciated and accepted the gift, even inviting Li Dai for a drink, which made their conversation even more pleasant than before.


    Until his departure, Li Dai didn''t try to recruit him, seemingly content with just building a good relationship.


    However, after Li Dai left, Yang Ni''s look at him changed.


    "I''ve never seen him be so attentive to someone," Yang Ni said with a complex tone.


    Gu An laughed and replied, "Who says I''m not amiable?"


    He wasn''t foolish; he guessed it might have something to do with Lv Baitian, but he wasn''t clear on the particulars.


    Li Dai had come to the Supreme Sect to find support, certainly not to turn to wealthy families, starting with excluding the Ji Family.


    Besides that, only Lv Baitian wielded such significant influence.


    Yang Ni also suspected that Gu An had even greater backing; after all, not even Li Xuandao could make the Crown Prince this solicitous. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was very curious about who Gu An really was?


    "It''s best not to tell His Majesty about this. You''ve followed me for so many years, you should see that I''m not competitive, and I definitely don''t want to become an object of suspicion," Gu An said seriously to Yang Ni.


    Yang Ni nodded in agreement. She joked, "Looking at it this way, Li Ya isn''t your blessing; rather, you''re Li Ya''s blessing. Indeed, anyone as diligent and earnest in planting as you, who grows so many medicinal herbs without scrambling for power, would be favored by the higher-ups of the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An picked up the Storage Bag given by the Crown Prince, took out a hundred seeds, and handed them to Yang Ni, saying, "These are all fifth-tier seeds. Take good care of them. If you do well, I''ll give you a tenth of the yield once they mature, and I''ll give you even more seeds in the future."


    Yang Ni accepted the medicinal herb seeds with a delighted expression, readily agreeing to the task.


    Gu An looked at her, feeling very reassured.


    There were many people in the Third Medicine Valley, but Yang Ni was the only one who truly enjoyed planting flowers and herbs. Xiaochuan preferred raising demon beasts, while the other disciples tended to their duties for the sake of immortal cultivation.


    Gu An grew more expectant of Yang Ni.


    ...


    As summer gave way to autumn, the hues of fall covered Mystic Valley, Tianya Valley, and the Third Medicine Valley.


    In autumn, the Supreme Sect took on an added layer of beauty, with autumn leaves blanketing the mountains and the earth as far as the eye could see.


    As autumn drew to a close, one afternoon in Tianya Valley¡ª


    Gu An used Spirit Protection Paper to wrap up the freshly picked medicinal herbs, and three notifications appeared before him:


    [You have successfully harvested Deer Bone Grass (fifth tier) for a lifespan of 52 years]


    [Your lifespan has surpassed one million years for the first time, unlocking the Life Span Detection feature]


    [Life Span Detection: Once activated, it will automatically discern cause and effect. When any creature harbors hostility towards your true self, a notification will appear. Notifications do not consume lifespan, but conducting a Life Span Detection will consume lifespan.]


    Staring at the feature before him, Gu An was momentarily stunned.


    What a great thing!


    This could inform him of potential enemies, useful for avoiding risk.


    He immediately activated the Life Span Warning.


    But there were no prompts for the time being, possibly because it would start discerning from now on.


    Gu An''s mood brightened. He felt this function was of great significance and worth the many years of waiting. Moreover, he had already accumulated a lifespan of one million years, and he was ready to break through!


    He began to work faster, harvesting the mature medicinal herbs in Tianya Valley, and moving all of them into the storage building. He noticed that the herbs in the storage building had been taken, leaving it empty.


    Without giving much thought, he left after placing the herbs down.


    No sooner had he left the storage building than Lv Xian approached him, saying, "Don''t rush off. I haven''t taught you the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm today."


    He has already taught Gu An eight spells, and two years ago, he decided to start afresh, to delve deeply into one spell.


    He refused to believe that anyone could be so dim-witted!


    He was prepared to invest fifty years in a battle of determination with Gu An.


    Fifty years of learning one spell, even a pig would get it by then, right?


    Gu An pushed him away, "Not today, maybe next time."


    Lv Xian was taken aback by being pushed by Gu An.


    Did this guy just push him?


    And he was moved by it!


    "No way!"


    Lv Xian grabbed Gu An''s shoulder, refusing to let him leave.


    Gu An, having no choice, turned his head and said, "It seems I''ve already mastered the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm. Why don''t you have a look?"


    "Really? Show me, quick!" Lv Xian immediately let go and urged excitedly.


    Gu An walked onto the open ground, then lifted his palm and struck out. Instantly, a surge of air followed from his palm, causing wave-like patterns to form in the air ahead, stretching several yards.


    He then withdrew his palm and said, "I didn''t trick you, did I? I''ve practiced diligently in private. I have other matters now, but you can teach me how to make it stronger next time."


    After speaking, he leaped into the air and flew towards the horizon.


    Lv Xian didn''t try to keep him any longer but stood there, frowning.


    After a while.


    Lv Xian couldn''t help but murmur, "No gestures to initiate, no energy trace behind, this is the state of handling it freely¡­"


    ...


    Upon returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An first went to the Third Medicine Valley to collect all the ripe medicinal herbs before returning to Mystic Valley.


    He found Yang Ni and informed her that he would be away for two days as he needed to report to the Inner Sect. Yang Ni didn''t suspect anything.


    He left at dusk, flying towards the direction of the Outer City and circled back near Mystic Valley. As the night fell, he snuck into the Eight Scenic Caves, brought out Sky Dragon, who was extremely excited, looking around with great interest.


    Gu An directly took it away from the Supreme Sect.


    He employed the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step, bypassed the Supreme Sect, and then headed towards the North Sea Mountains.


    Sky Dragon was amazed by Gu An''s stepping technique, but it was not shocked, for in its heart, its master was the closest being, and it had not yet encountered others or formed a worldview.


    The North Sea Mountains were over three hundred thousand miles away from the Supreme Sect. Along the way, Gu An continually executed the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step at full speed without stopping.


    Upon arriving near the North Sea Mountains, Gu An let Sky Dragon down.


    "Master, goodbye!"


    Sky Dragon exclaimed excitedly before leaving. Gu An smiled, then put on a mask, changed into a set of black clothes, and continued on his journey.


    He planned to break through in the depths of the North Sea Mountains.


    The North Sea Mountains were a range of mountains surrounding a sea, with the North Sea actually being a lake as large as an ocean.


    Gu An stepped forward in the air and saw from afar the North Sea, where the surface shimmered under the moonlight with fog rolling in, truly boundless at a glance.


    En route, he saw a giant fish a hundred zhang long leap from the lake, stretching its body in mid-air, a magnificent sight.


    The North Sea Mountains were home not only to demon creatures but also cultivators and ghosts.


    Gu An felt the presence of cultivators in a fierce battle, each with a Cultivation Level not weak, two of them at the Nascent Soul Realm. He merely glanced and swiftly passed by without stopping.


    He would admire the scenery after his breakthrough!


    He wondered where Li Ya could be?


    Thinking this, Gu An spread his Divine Sense to find a suitable place for his breakthrough.


    Less than half an hour later, Gu An arrived at a mountain deep in the wilderness and sat down under a large tree to meditate.


    No traces of humans were within three thousand miles, and there were few sightings of demon creatures, only ghosts wandering about, making the forest extremely gloomy and filled with ghostly energy.


    Gu An immediately activated the Life Span Barrier, rendering himself invisible.


    Then he pulled up his Attribute Panel:


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 58/1002060]


    [Spirit Root: Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root]


    [Cultivation Level: Unification Realm Nine Layers]


    [Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (Initial Insight), Yang Wood Primordial Skill (Mastery), Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill (Peak of Perfection), Alchemy (Early Achievements), Myriad Poison Mystic Skill (Untrained), Yin Yang Art (Untrained), Daoist Expansion Skill (Untrained)]


    ...


    Seeing the seven-digit Life Span, he felt a great sense of accomplishment.


    He decided to invest ten-thousand-year lifespans each into the Spirit Root, Yang Wood Primordial Skill, and Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, then enhance his Cultivation Level. As for spells, ultimate skills, and Divine Skills, he could invest less lifespan, since he rarely fought anyway.


    Gu An directly invested one hundred thousand years of lifespan into the Spirit Root, regardless of the outcome, he would stop, refusing to invest more.


    [You have invested one hundred thousand years of lifespan into evolving your Spirit Root through cultivation.]


    [You comprehend the nature of the universe for a thousand years, your Five Elements Spirit Root Perception Power has increased.]


    [You comprehend the nature of the universe for two thousand years, your Five Elements Spirit Root Perception Power has increased.]


    ...


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for seven thousand years, you finally grasp the True Meaning of the Five Elements, and your Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root has been tempered.]


    ...


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for fifty-six thousand years, you finally grasp the True Meaning of the Five Elements, and your Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root has been tempered.]


    Notifications kept popping up crazily in front of Gu An''s eyes. Although he had been prepared, his face still darkened.


    Perhaps he shouldn''t have improved the Spirit Root, as the Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root was already sufficient.


    But what''s done is done, so he had to endure!


    Even though there was no transformation, tempering should make his aptitude stronger.


    Gu An consoled himself with this thought.


    The notifications continued.


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for seventy thousand years, you finally grasp the True Meaning of the Five Elements, and your Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root has been tempered.]


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for eighty thousand years, finally grasping the True Meaning of the Five Elements, your Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root undergoes a transformation, the nature''s spiritual energy envelops you, and you enter a state of Nirvana.]


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for ninety thousand years, you successfully undergo Nirvana, as your Supreme Five Elements Heavenly Spirit Root merges with your body and soul, elevating to a Five Elements Treasure Body.]


    ...


    [After comprehending the nature of the universe for one hundred thousand years, your Five Elements Treasure Body has been tempered.]


    Upon seeing the Five Elements Treasure Body, Gu An''s expression brightened, feeling as though another village appeared after a dark and flowerless path, his persistence had paid off!


    Exciting!


    Just as Gu An''s mood soared, the Spiritual Energy from beneath the earth started to act up. The terrifying and violent Spiritual Energy surged towards him, the situation even more exaggerated than when he had broken through to the Unification Realm Nine Layers.


    Sorry, creatures of the North Sea Mountains, it''s time to startle you!


    Gu An began to immerse himself in the wonderful process of Spiritual Energy tempering his body.


    Beings throughout the North Sea Mountains successively felt the sinking of Spiritual Energy. In less than fifteen breaths, even those on the fringes of the North Sea Mountains could feel this anomaly.


    In a valley.


    A man dressed in white, Li Xuandao, was meditating on an Array Platform with thousands of Elixir Bottles and Storage Bags placed on it. Flags and Talisman Papers were erected all around the platform and even on the valley walls, dazzling to behold.


    Li Xuandao opened his eyes, his brows furrowed deeply.


    "Again, Spiritual Energy is descending. What exactly is happening? Why is this phenomenon even occurring in the North Sea Mountains?" Li Xuandao murmured to himself, a look of unease in his eyes.

 Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Primordial Ancestor of Li Family, The Momentum of the Ephemera Sect

    "You are passing on your swordsmanship to me?"


    Li Ya doubted if he had heard wrong, but the other person didn''t seem to be joking.


    The voice of the Primordial Ancestor rang in his heart, "Do not doubt him, with his cultivation level, there is nothing on you worth scheming for, even including the Li Family; he probably has some connection with you and feels a sense of care towards you."


    Gu An grasped the North Sea Heavy Sword, raising it and pointing it towards him.


    At that moment, Li Ya''s heartbeat nearly came to a stop.


    Facing the direction of Gu An''s sword, he felt a sense of suffocation and before he could think further, a sword intent burst from the tip of the North Sea Heavy Sword, rapidly entering his eyes, causing his entire body to stiffen.


    Upon closer inspection, within his pupils was a figure wielding a sword, performing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    Unknown how much time had passed.


    When Li Ya woke up, Gu An was no longer in sight, only the North Sea Heavy Sword stood in front of him, unshaken by the autumn wind.


    "Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword..."


    Li Ya murmured to himself, seemingly recalling something, his expression drastically changed, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "This sword intent is from Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    He had been to the Heavenly Repair Platform and was deeply moved by the sword intent encapsulated by the words "righteous path," unforgettable to him as he knew it belonged to the strongest sword cultivator he was aware of.


    "Primordial Ancestor, the person just now was Sword Venerable Fudao! He is not a demon cultivator!"


    Li Ya suddenly became excited, even clenching his fists.


    The brilliance of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword made his blood boil, feeling like he had received a peerless legacy, even surpassing the Dragon Image Divine Primordial.


    As long as he mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, he was confident he could sweep all the geniuses of this era!


    Li Ya was excited for a while, then suddenly realized the elder hadn''t spoken and couldn''t help but ask in his mind, "Primordial Ancestor? Why aren''t you speaking?"


    He started to panic, had the Sword Venerable taken the Primordial Ancestor away?


    Although he often argued with the Primordial Ancestor, without him inside his body, he would not have the same confidence walking in the world of immortal cultivation.


    "I am still here."


    The voice of the Primordial Ancestor rang out, instantly calming Li Ya''s panic.


    Following that, the Primordial Ancestor''s words confused Li Ya, "The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword is a sword technique of the Li Family; the Emperor-Level Sword Technique is but an incomplete version of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword..."


    Li Ya was moved.


    "There should be no one in this era who knows the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword; by the time I was alive, this sword technique had already disappeared. The existing Emperor-Level Sword Technique was something I compiled..." the tone of the Primordial Ancestor grew complex.


    Li Ya swallowed hard and cautiously asked, "Primordial Ancestor, what do you mean by that; please clarify!"


    "He might be the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family; perhaps this is why he has taken care of you and me," the Primordial Ancestor said somberly.


    The Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family!


    Li Ya widened his eyes, opened his mouth trying to say something, but a thousand words choked in his throat, unable to be spoken.


    ...


    After guiding Li Ya, Gu An did not linger in the North Sea Mountains. He rushed all the way to the Supreme Sect. content-hosted-on-MVLeMpYr


    A month later, he would return to the North Sea Mountains to enhance a combat technique.


    And start to amass a lifespan of ten million years after another six months!


    Gu An didn''t return directly to Mystic Valley but instead came to the Outer City, feeling good today and decided to stroll around.


    First, he visited the Heavenly Repair Platform; even after many years, there were still many cultivators on the platform, including over five Mahayana Cultivators at the platform, among them that Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    The Mad Swordsman of Great Yu, Han Ming was still there, under his guidance, Zuo Lin''s swordsmanship had slightly progressed which he had not hoped for before.


    Zuo Yijian had already left; according to Zuo Lin, he was obsessed with the "Investiture of the Gods," firmly believing he could comprehend his own Sword Dao from that book.


    "Master!"


    A joyous voice came from afar, Gu An turned his head and saw Zhen Qin, dressed in the robe of the Law Enforcement Hall, approaching quickly.


    Gu An showed a smile, and once she arrived, he smilingly asked, "How have you been lately?"


    Zhen Qin, mixing with Ye Lan, found life at the Law Enforcement Hall quite pleasant, and her cultivation level was also steadily increasing. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Just so, oh master, did you hear? Senior Brother Su has joined the Ephemera Sect." Zhen Qin spoke of Su Han, her face filled with worry.


    Gu An said, "Everyone makes their own choices; we can''t control them, so let him be."


    He had advised Su Han before and even assured that he wouldn''t waste Su Han''s cultivation, but it was in vain.


    Since that was the case, Gu An could only respect Su Han''s decision.


    But from then on, any trouble Su Han ran into, Gu An couldn''t care less, unless Su Han was about to die in front of him, out of compassion, he might lend a hand.


    "Sigh, I don''t know if I''ll ever see him again in this life," Zhen Qin said with a tone full of melancholy.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ruffle her hair, chuckling, "You''ve really grown up, girl, even knowing how to be touched by the seasons."


    The master and disciple stood at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, chatting for quite a while, before Zhen Qin had to continue her patrol and bid him farewell.


    Gu An looked at her retreating figure, feeling quite moved.


    In two hundred years, he would no longer see this girl.


    Even as a Mahayana Cultivator, he currently had no way to change someone else''s ultimate lifespan, nor did he plan to; after all, reincarnation is the norm for all beings. Forcing a change in someone''s destiny would only create obsessions, and should it fail, he would be the one who suffered.


    Everything around him was but a segment of life; what he pursued was eternal life. Of course, he wouldn''t shun social interactions as they form life''s relationships.


    After scanning the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An turned and left.


    He strode towards the Elixir Hall, hearing plenty of disciples discussing the Ephemera Sect along the way.


    The momentum of the Ephemera Sect is growing stronger and stronger!


    Looking at this situation, it seems they aim to unify the Demon Path.


    Gu An wasn''t too concerned, Ephemera Sect couldn''t threaten the Supreme Sect, and even if they could, they couldn''t threaten him.


    How to increase the lifespan income of Medicine Valley was what he cared more about.


    Even though he was already a Mahayana Cultivator, Gu An did not wish to go on a killing spree but continued to hoard medicinal herbs to preserve life, avoiding wastefulness and keeping a low profile, because he was not yet sure if he was invincible under the heavens.


    Reason told him that he was far from being invincible, which was proven by the descended Lu Lingjun.


    This world is vast!


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An visited Jiang Qiong at the Great Elder''s residence, who was at home. After he entered, Jiang Qiong waved her sleeve, closing the main door.


    Gu An took out the previously stored herbs, Jiang Qiong didn''t count them, waved her sleeve to move the herbs aside, and then looked at him, saying, "I''m leaving."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but ask curiously, "Where to?"


    "The Supreme Sect''s suspicions of me are growing stronger, I can feel the looming threat of murder, I plan to join the Ephemera Sect," Jiang Qiong said calmly.


    Again, the Ephemera Sect!


    What exactly is the origin of this Ephemera Sect?


    Gu An thought for a moment, then took out several Green Vine Fruits from his storage bag and said, "Take these with you."


    Jiang Qiong glanced at the Green Vine Fruits on the ground and said with a smile that was not a smile, "You lad, didn''t you embezzle any?"


    Green Vine Fruits cannot be produced in a short period of time, the fact that Gu An could produce so many meant he had not consumed them regularly.


    "My talent is average, increasing Qi-Blood would only attract attention and bring about deadly disaster, rather stay mediocre to the end," Gu An shook his head and said.


    Jiang Qiong laughed, "You really are without desires or demands, saying what mediocre talent, isn''t your sword dao comprehension strong?"


    "But I don''t like practicing swordsmanship, nor do I want to become a swordsman. Imagine if you were to find me a master, think about it, would a swordsman at the Foundation Establishment Realm with a peerless sword technique have an easy life?" Gu An said earnestly.


    Jiang Qiong found this reasoning sound. In the Immortal Cultivation World, cultivation level indeed was crucial.


    She no longer pursued the matter, but said instead, "Ephemera Sect and Supreme Sect are bound to have a battle. Once I establish myself within the Ephemera Sect, I may be able to come for you in the future."


    Another battle?


    Gu An couldn''t help but frown, why was the Supreme Sect so fraught with disaster?


    "This Ephemera Sect is no ordinary force, possibly an external power. Half of the people from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion have already pledged allegiance to the Ephemera Sect. My role hidden within the Supreme Sect, yet they still managed to extend their reach to me, their intelligence capabilities are truly terrifying," reflected Jiang Qiong.


    Has Ephemera Sect already infiltrated the Supreme Sect?


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "You didn''t mention me, did you?"


    "How could I? With your cultivation level, even if I did, they wouldn''t be interested," Jiang Qiong glanced at him.


    Gu An smiled, a look that seemed naive in Jiang Qiong''s eyes.


    This foolish grand disciple...


    Jiang Qiong shook her head with a smile, inwardly worried about how he would stand on his own in the future.


    She reminded him, "The new Great Elder of the Outer Sect is said to be extremely cruel, you should be careful. There have already been people from the Law Enforcement Hall investigating you. Relying solely on your junior sister to protect you will likely be difficult. When you enter the Eight Scenic Caves, be more observant, cautious, and also try not to trade Green Vine Fruits anymore."


    Gu An nodded, saying, "I''ll remember that."


    After chatting for 30 minutes, Gu An took his leave.


    After leaving the Great Elder''s residence, Gu An headed towards Mystic Valley.


    ...


    Autumn came and went, and heavy snow gradually covered Mystic Valley.


    One day, Mystic Valley welcomed a visitor.


    Gu An entertained the guest in the attic.


    "The Sect Leader has already instructed that if you encounter any issues in the Outer Sect, you can come directly to me," smiled Lv Songhan heartily, his smile very warm.


    This was the newly appointed Great Elder of the Outer Sect.


    Lv Songhan''s hair was completely white, but his face wasn''t aged, smiling like a naive big fellow.


    Despite his warmth in front of Gu An, in reality, he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, and in Jiang Qiong''s words, a formidable and tough character.


    Gu An raised his cup, laughing, "Then thank you for looking after me, Elder Lu."


    The two of them drank, becoming more and more engrossed as they chatted, even ending up addressing each other as brothers.


    By midday, Gu An had only just seen off Lv Songhan.


    After his departure, Yang Ni, like a ghost, appeared beside him, clicking her tongue in amazement, "You are getting more and more impressive, even being on brotherly terms with a Nascent Soul Cultivator."


    Gu An shrugged and said, "You can also address me as Brother Gu."


    "Looking for a beating?"


    Yang Ni glared at him, her posture suggesting she was about to draw her sword.


    Gu An feigned a cough and said, "Hearing the rise of the Ephemera Sect, be more attentive in Mystic Valley on regular days, and prevent the Ephemera Sect thieves from stealing the medicinal herbs."


    Yang Ni nodded slightly upon hearing this.


    Then, Gu An turned and left, Yang Ni watching him depart via the Transmission Array Platform.


    "Strange, why did he suddenly bring up the Ephemera Sect? Could he have guessed my identity?" Yang Ni frowned, thinking this.

 Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Breaking Through to the Eighth Layer of the Mahayana Realm!

    As Gu An was relishing the increase in his Cultivation Level, the Spiritual Energy of the North Sea Mountain once again descended, this time bringing with it fierce winds, as if a storm was about to arrive.


    Demons, Cultivators, and Ghosts all hid away, waiting for this descent of Spiritual Energy to end.


    They were unclear about what exactly had happened and could only pray for the catastrophe to end soon.


    Deep within a certain valley, Li Xuandao had already begun his Tribulation Crossing.


    A cluster of thunderclouds hovered above the valley, not maintaining the same altitude as the thunderclouds in the sky, instead only slightly higher than the surrounding mountain peaks.


    This mass of tribulation clouds was accumulating divine might, strands of lightning churning within, intermittently visible, a sight that was startling and awe-inspiring.


    Li Xuandao was on the Array Platform cultivating energy, with golden dragon shadows circling around him, causing his robes to flutter and make noises.


    After a while.


    Li Xuandao suddenly opened his eyes and looked up sharply, just in time to see a bolt of heavenly lightning strike down from the tribulation clouds.


    Boom!


    The outer Formation formed a light barrier to block this bolt of heavenly lightning. Before the light could dissipate, a second and third bolt struck down in quick succession, lighting up the valley with a continuous interplay of light and shadow.


    Li Xuandao raised his hand, and a treasured sword appeared in it. As soon as the sword was drawn, it let out dragon cries on its own, with the blade shrouded in strands of blood qi, as if thousands of evil ghosts were roaring and wailing within it.


    He planted the treasured sword beside him, then closed his eyes and continued to cast spells with both hands. Spiritual Power flowed through the Array Platform into the Formation in all directions.


    Block after block of Spirit Stones flew out from his Storage Bag, densely covering the empty spaces on the Array Platform.


    With his eyes closed, Gu An opened his mouth, and one Spirit Pill after another flew out from their bottles, automatically entering his mouth, causing his momentum to rise dramatically.


    The night sky was swept by strong winds, with the thunder rumbling faintly. From high above, the valley seemed so insignificant, nestled in the dark, endless expanse of the North Sea Mountain, like a dimly lit star in the night sky.


    ...


    Time flowed swiftly by.


    After an Ancient Hour of sedimentation, Gu An finally reached the first layer of the Mystic Heart Realm and now began to aim for the Mystic Heart Realm''s Nine Layers.


    Upon reaching Mystic Heart Realm, his heart underwent a transformation, sparkling with golden light and circulating golden blood. On the surface of his heart, a rune even appeared, mysterious like some kind of imprint.


    Gu An reveled in the nourishment of Spiritual Energy while feeling the rune on his heart.


    In the depths of his mind, he gained some enlightenment.


    Primordial Divine Power!


    The Mystic Heart Rune could nurture a Divine Power unique to oneself, although the time it required to do so and its intensity were unknown.


    What kind of Divine Power might be nurtured depended on the experiences and achievements of the Cultivator in his lifetime, with each person''s resulting Divine Power being different.


    Gu An was captivated by this fortune and could not extricate himself. Through the Mystic Heart Rune, he began to have new thoughts about his many Daoist Sorceries, starting to sort through the results of his cultivation.


    Meanwhile, his Cultivation Realm continued to make breakthroughs.


    Mystic Heart Realm Second Layer! MVLeMpYr.com-read-first


    Mystic Heart Realm Third Layer!


    Mystic Heart Realm Fourth Layer!


    Gu An suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze turning toward the forest canopy.


    He saw a streak of lightning appear above the forest under the night sky; it did not descend from the heavens but materialized out of thin air and did not vanish in a flash but instead twisted wildly in the air, like a struggling long worm.


    What was that?


    Gu An frowned, feeling somewhat uneasy.


    The streak of lightning began to split, generating several bolts of lightning. Following that, the space between the lightning bolts abruptly tore open, revealing a black fissure.


    A figure with disheveled hair leaped out. Under the illumination of the lightning, her fair skin was exposed; judging from her figure, she was a woman, barely draped with tattered cloth that failed to conceal her modesty, clearly indicating that her robe had shredded not long before.


    Gu An sensed the stranger''s aura and was inwardly shocked, immediately casting a Life Span Detection.


    [Lu Lingjun (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 1989/2750/3700]


    A nearly two thousand-year-old monstrosity!


    This was definitely the oldest person Gu An had ever encountered!


    And with a Cultivation Level of Unification Realm Nine Layers, she was already on par with Lv Baitian!


    Who was this person?


    Lu Lingjun stood suspended in the air, the black fissure behind her closing rapidly and disappearing along with the lightning bolts.


    She took out a set of blue Daoist robes from her Storage Ring and covered her exquisite figure. Then she retrieved a belt and wrapped it around her waist.


    Gu An could no longer afford to worry about the proprieties of male and female differences; he just wanted to know the origins of this woman.


    Lu Lingjun''s long hair fluttered in the wind, revealing a face so delicate and perfect, yet her brow was slightly furrowed, her eyes full of confusion.


    A single strand of her hair fell loose and then transformed into a white snake that settled on her shoulder.


    Gu An cast Life Span Detection again:


    [White Spirit Demon Emperor (Unification Realm Eight Layers): 4678/6280/8300]


    A Unification Realm Demon Pet?


    Just who was this woman?


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor flicked its forked tongue and let out a light and graceful female voice: "Such rich Spiritual Energy; it seems we have ascended successfully, the legends are not false!"


    Ascend... Ascension?


    Gu An froze, the weight of these two words overwhelming.


    Lu Lingjun''s eyebrows were tightly knitted, and she murmured, "The might of the heavenly thunder during the traversal was truly terrifying; I nearly met my end. I flew towards the weakest direction of the thunder and thus arrived in this realm.


    Judging from the richness of the Spiritual Energy, it is indeed more abundant than our mortal world, but whether the ascension is successful, we still need to travel more."


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor looked into the distance, saying, "The Spiritual Energy here is descending, and there is Unification Realm Demon Energy in the distance, clearly a sign of a successful ascension. We roamed the mortal world for two hundred years, traveling across the ends of the earth.


    There are only me in the Demon Clan at the Unification Realm and no more than five individuals in the Human Race. Only the legendary Great Heaven and Earth could have Unification Realms at every turn."


    Great Heaven and Earth?


    Gu An''s curiosity grew upon hearing this, feeling even more intrigued.


    It seemed that these two individuals came from a world weaker than this one.


    This world is so vast that no one knows its full extent. The Nine Dynasties are but a corner of this continent; what lies beyond the ocean, no one knows. At least Gu An did not believe that reaching the Unification Realm could represent the pinnacle of this continent, let alone the highest realm achievable in this world.


    The Immortals are but legends, ethereal and elusive, yet the world of Immortal Cultivation is vast indeed.


    In addition to marveling at the enormity of the world, Gu An also felt a sigh of relief.


    He had feared that some great power might descend upon the Nine Dynasties. In that case, the ninth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm would seem inadequate.


    This pair, a man and a demon, had ascended without any support or background. It would probably take some time for them to integrate into this world.


    Lu Lingjun and the White Spirit Demon Emperor were unaware of anyone below them. They spread their Divine Sense to confirm that there were no humans or demons within five hundred miles. Only then did they dare to converse without any guard.


    After chatting for a while, they flew toward the south.


    They felt that the south was brimming with the vital energy of the human race, while the north was heavy with demon energy.


    This is bad.


    I hope they don''t head for the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An silently prayed.


    From their conversation, Gu An suspected that their successful ascension was aided by the Life Span Barrier.


    A Life Span Barrier that can avoid heavenly tribulations would naturally weaken the thunder, which could also explain why, after breaking through space, their landing spot happened to be right above Gu An.


    Gu An was filled with many emotions.


    There were still Ascenders in the world, and anyone who could fight their way out of one world must be a formidable character. With their methods, they could probably continue to reign supreme.


    No!


    The ninth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm is unstable!


    Let the enhancement of Divine Skills be delayed, reach the Mahayana Realm first!


    Even for ones like Lu Lingjun and the White Spirit Demon Emperor, with their terrifying abilities, it surely can''t be possible to reach the Mahayana Realm in just a hundred years, right?


    Gu An immediately brought up his Attribute Panel.


    Although the increase of his Cultivation Level had not yet ended, he was ready to start spending generously.


    Just continue absorbing Spiritual Energy later.


    As always, aim for a breakthrough in ten thousand years, do it grandly!


    [You invest one hundred thousand years of Life Span into Cultivation Level evolution and practice]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for one thousand years. You use the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill to forcefully assault the Mahayana Realm and begin Tribulation Crossing. You did not survive the Xuanhuang Five Gods Heavenly Tribulation, and the Tribulation Crossing failed]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for three thousand years. You use the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill to forcefully assault the Mahayana Realm and begin Tribulation Crossing. You did not survive the Xuanhuang Five Gods Heavenly Tribulation, and the Tribulation Crossing failed]


    ...


    Undergoing Tribulation Crossing every two thousand years, Gu An felt somewhat uneasy.


    Even if the Life Span consumed for evolutionary practice was more than what would be spent in actual, real-life cultivation, this also showed how difficult the Mahayana Realm was. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Consider that the Supreme Sect has been established for several thousand years, yet there is no record of the Mahayana Realm in the Book Collection Pavilion!


    Gu An was already prepared to invest another hundred thousand years of Life Span.


    After all, the Life Span invested was just a number; it becomes real only after it is converted into cultivation!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    The final outcome was as he expected; a hundred thousand years were spent in vain.


    He grimaced and invested another hundred thousand years!


    The prompt appeared again, and the constant failures numbed his heart, his blood pressure rising.


    How could a Great Cultivator of the ninth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm be so easily enraged!


    But Gu An just couldn''t suppress his emotions right now.


    At last!


    Gu An saw the word "success," and couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief, a smile blooming on his face.


    [You practice Energy Absorption for eighty-seven thousand years. You use the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill to forcefully assault the Mahayana Realm and begin Tribulation Crossing. You survive the Xuanhuang Five Gods Heavenly Tribulation, and the Tribulation Crossing is successful, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the first layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for eighty-eight thousand years, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the second layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    ...


    [You practice Energy Absorption for ninety-two thousand years, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the fifth layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for ninety-four thousand years, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the sixth layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for ninety-six thousand years, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the seventh layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for ninety-nine thousand years, your Cultivation Level breaking through to the eighth layer of the Mahayana Realm]


    [You practice Energy Absorption for one hundred thousand years, your Cultivation Level increases]


    The eighth layer of the Mahayana Realm!


    Two hundred thousand years of Life Span!


    Gu An felt a bit frightened thinking back, but thankfully, he was successful.


    The consumption after successfully crossing the tribulation was quite reasonable, showing that the improvements in the Spirit Root and Cultivation Technique were useful. He remembered that from the first layer to the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, he had invested a total of eighteen thousand years of Life Span.


    After the fifth layer of the Unification Realm, each layer required three thousand years of Life Span to break through.


    Considering that practicing in the Mahayana Realm is definitely harder, yet he was able to reduce the time, this proves that the earlier improvements to the Spirit Root and Cultivation Technique were effective. Moreover, this effect would continue to impact him in reality.


    At this moment, Gu An regained his confidence.


    Putting aside how powerful the strongest beings on this continent might be or how vast the lands beyond the sea could be, focusing only on the Nine Dynasties'' territory, he could now walk about with authority.


    If Lv Baitian, at the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, could suppress the demon path of the Taicang Dynasty to the point where they dared not invade, considering that the Taicang Dynasty is not at the bottom among the Nine Dynasties, even if other dynasties had stronger beings, they should only be at the Mystic Heart Realm.

 Chapter 97: Chapter 97 The Terrifying Mahayana Realm

    The rising sun cast its rays, the sunlight streaked across the North Sea, swept over the mountains, and skimmed through the forests where Gu An was.


    At this moment, his cultivation level had reached the seventh layer of the Mahayana Realm, and he was striving to break through to the eighth layer.


    Gu An brought up his Attribute Panel and saw that he still had 370,000 years of life span remaining, and felt he could further enhance his combat techniques.


    But he couldn''t continue today.


    After a night of struggle, the Spiritual Energy in the area had become sparse. He was worried about disrupting the ecology of the North Sea Mountain, so he decided to wait for some time for the North Sea Mountain to recover its Spiritual Energy before returning.


    His next goal was to accumulate ten million years of life span!


    The mere thought of that number was frightening, but Gu An was full of fighting spirit.


    The life of a cultivator was incredibly long; he could take his time and first decide which Spells, Divine Skills, and Ultimate Skills to enhance.


    Time continued to pass.


    When Gu An reached the eighth layer of the Mahayana Realm, the speed at which his physical body absorbed nature''s Spiritual Energy slowed down.


    He waited patiently for the breakthrough to finish.


    After an entire night, the Life Span Barrier consumed more than 20,000 years of life span, which showed how much of a commotion Gu An had caused.


    Gu An spread his Divine Sense to see how extensive his perception range had become.


    A multitude of mountain and river sceneries entered his sight. He saw many Demons, Ghosts, Cultivators, and even behemoths like the Ancient Relic Species.


    Gu An reveled in the wonderful sensation of the Mahayana Realm''s Divine Sense.


    Suddenly, he spotted someone familiar.


    Li Xuandao!


    This guy was crossing Tribulation in a valley. Gu An saw the Formations inside the valley and all those Spirit Stones, bottles, and pots, and couldn''t help twitching at the corner of his mouth.


    No wonder Li Xuandao''s breakthroughs were so rapid; not only was he naturally gifted, but he also splurged resources like this!


    Thinking about how he had crossed Tribulation with his physical body alone during his cultivation evolution, Gu An couldn''t help but feel pained.


    Forget it.


    He shouldn''t compare like this, after all, he had never actually gone through a Tribulation in reality; he should be content.


    Gu An observed for a while longer and felt that Li Xuandao''s Tribulation Crossing was likely to be successful.


    Then he turned his attention to other locations, mainly wanting to check on Li Ya''s whereabouts.


    Soon, his Divine Sense captured Li Ya''s aura. That guy was hiding in a cave, and by the looks of his aura, it seemed as if he had been injured again.


    Sigh, such a reckless fellow, don''t die out there.


    Gu An decided to find Li Ya later and guide him under another identity.


    The old grandpa inside Li Ya wasn''t very effective!


    Gu An also caught sight of Sky Dragon who was bullying a group of Minor Demons, proudly proclaiming his ambition to become a great king.


    Eventually, Gu An''s Divine Sense enveloped the entire North Sea Mountain, with every nook and cranny within his sight. This feeling of overlooking everything fascinated him.


    Those Unification Realm Demons and Cultivators appeared no different from ordinary creatures in his eyes.


    It had to be said that the North Sea Mountain really was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. He sensed no fewer than a hundred auras of the Unification Realm here, of course, those who reached the ninth layer of the Unification Realm were rare, less than five, including Lu Lingjun who had not yet left the North Sea Mountain.


    Gu An indulged in the sense of power that belonged to him alone.


    When his cultivation stopped growing and his body ceased to absorb Spiritual Energy, he lifted the Life Span Barrier and stood up.


    He stretched languidly, the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves and falling on him, making him feel reborn.


    Indeed, no achievement, wealth, or emotion in the world could compare to the sensation of growing stronger!


    ...


    Li Ya walked out of the cave, and the sunlight made him squint and furrow his brows. His upper body was wrapped in white cloth, stained with blood in many places.


    He lifted his right hand, motioned through the air, and a Heavy Sword flew out from the cave, landing in his hand. His right arm trembled, and his face showed a pained expression.


    "Boy, your wounds have just healed and you''re already practicing Swordsmanship? Are you underestimating the weight of the North Sea Nether Iron, or overestimating the power of the Dragon Image Divine Primordial?" The ancestor''s voice sounded in Li Ya''s ear, filled with helplessness.


    Li Ya grinned, "I have to hurry with my cultivation; there isn''t much time left for me. I have to catch up with the recruitment of disciples by the Holy Land you mentioned."


    The ancestor responded irritably, "That Holy Land isn''t a must-go place; it''s the path taken by noble families."


    "But didn''t you once say that the Li Family also reached a glory comparable to the Zhou Family and the Gu Family? Although I don''t wish to be a prince, I have a duty to uphold the prosperity of the Li Family!"


    Li Ya picked up the North Sea Heavy Sword and walked toward the clearing ahead.


    Behind him was a small hill, surrounded by forests, with only an area about five zhang in diameter that was clear.


    After the anomaly of the previous night, the ground was covered with various rocks and fallen leaves. The cloud seas in the sky were torn apart, allowing shafts of sunlight to thread through, forming streaks of rainbow light, beautiful and enchanting.


    Li Ya gritted his teeth as he swung the Heavy Sword in his hand.


    This sword, which he had forged under the guidance of his ancestor, was made from the rare North Sea Nether Iron. It weighed ten thousand jin, and upon infusing it with Spiritual Power, its weight would double.


    Without utilizing Spiritual Power, it was very strenuous for Li Ya''s injured body to wield it. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly!


    A gust of wind swept in from the depths of the forest, startling Li Ya into turning and instinctively raising his sword to defend.


    With a thud!


    Li Ya was knocked flying, crashing against the mountain wall, sending rubble flying, and involuntarily spitting out a mouthful of blood. Upon landing, he planted the heavy sword on the ground, yet still fell to one knee, the white cloth rapidly reddening as all his wounds reopened.


    "Hmph, human brat, hand over the Dragon Image Divine Primordial!"


    A hoarse voice rang out, and a sinister figure emerged from the forest, a man dressed in a black robe with the head of a fox and surrounded by Demon Energy, long claws on each hand as dreadful as five sharp knives.


    Li Ya glared at the figure and gritted out the name, "Resentful Fox King!"


    The Resentful Fox King stared back at Li Ya, his brow suddenly furrowing, his face contorting violently, "You''ve been poisoned by my Fox Poison, and yet you can still stand; have you already swallowed the Dragon Image Divine Primordial?"


    By the end, his voice had become sharp, making the surrounding trees tremble.


    Li Ya gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, gasping for breath, and yelled inwardly, "Ancestor, I still need to rely on you!"


    The ancestor couldn''t help but wail, "Do you really think my soul power is endless? Just saving you these past few nights has nearly drained me!"


    "I don''t believe it, you always say that!"


    "Rascal! How could my Li Family have produced an unworthy descendant like you!"


    "Who asked you to reside in my body, deliberately devouring my Spiritual Power, changing the manifestation of my spirit root, causing me to be detected as having a Mixed Spirit Root talent!"


    "You..."


    Li Ya and the ancestor bickered in their minds, growing more agitated with each exchange, causing Li Ya to start coughing uncontrollably.


    The Resentful Fox King stepped toward him, his murderous intent locking onto Li Ya, making him feel as if he were in a cold cellar.


    Just then.


    It suddenly darkened before Li Ya''s eyes, and he instinctively looked up to see a dark purple figure standing in front of him.


    It was him...


    Li Ya remembered, back when he was gravely injured outside Mystic Valley by Elder Chen, it was this mysterious Demon Cultivator who saved him.


    The ancestor had said that this Demon Cultivator used the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion''s Demon Shadow Divine Skill!


    Li Ya had racked his brains before, but could not understand what connection he had with the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, and could only chalk it up to coincidence.


    But now, he was shocked.


    The mysterious Demon Cultivator had appeared again!


    Gu An, performing the Great Yin-Yang Transformation, looked towards the Resentful Fox King and sensed that the opponent was merely comparable to the Cultivation Level of the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    To be on the safe side, he still threw out a Life Span Detection, after all, this thing didn''t cost him any lifespan.


    [Resentful Fox King (Divinity Transformation Realm Four Layers): 1409/2900/3400]


    Well, a quite honest demon!


    The Resentful Fox King, unable to see through Gu An''s cultivation level, immediately grew nervous and asked, "Who are you?"


    Gu An raised his hand and pointed off into the distance, signaling for him to leave quickly.


    Gu An disliked killing opponents without grudge or grievance, he was already able to seize lifespan from medicinal herbs, and wanted to keep some leeway for his humanity, to avoid becoming addicted to killing, which could lead to reckless or even arrogant behavior, and eventually cause a great disaster.


    The Resentful Fox King''s expression fluctuated between gloom and brightness, but ultimately, he clenched his fist, turned around, and left.


    [Resentful Fox King develops a grudge against you, hating you to the bone; do you wish to perform Life Span Detection on it?]


    A line of prompt suddenly appeared before Gu An''s eyes.


    Hmm?


    To hate to the bone just like this?


    He chose the path of death!


    Gu An raised his right hand, plucked at the air, and the horrifying Spiritual Power of the Mahayana Realm burst forth, directly causing the Resentful Fox King to explode and perish, his Primordial Spirit turning to ash.


    Without using any Spell or Divine Skill!


    Simply oppressed with Great Spirit Power!


    If the opponent had been carrying a Storage Bag, Gu An might have been gentler in his approach.


    Following that, Gu An received the prompt to seize lifespan, not bad, he seized one hundred and ninety years, in line with his previous estimate, lifespans were taken between ten to twenty percent of the opponent''s remaining Life Span.


    Li Ya, who was kneeling on the ground, was stunned.


    A Demon King of the Divinity Transformation Realm just died like that?


    He didn''t even see how the Demon Cultivator made a move, to be killed from a distance?


    "How is this possible! What realm is he?"


    The ancestor exclaimed in shock within Li Ya''s heart, his voice trembling.


    This time, Gu An heard the soul voice in Li Ya''s heart.


    Even the Mahayana Realm cannot hear the voices of living beings, but the soul inside Li Ya was communicating with Soul Power, and each word spoken produced a slight fluctuation, which could not escape the Perception of the Mahayana Realm.


    Gu An turned to look at Li Ya, frightening him into retreating quickly until he pressed tightly against the rock wall.


    "This person''s cultivation realm is likely even higher than mine in life!" the ancestor said solemnly, his tone tinged with a hint of melancholy.


    He felt that Li Ya was doomed, and so was he!


    Hearing this, Li Ya completely panicked.


    All along, he believed that the ancestor was the most powerful, and that was why he dared to be reckless because he had the ancestor to back him up.


    Now that the ancestor was unable to shield him, how could he not be terrified?


    Gu An looked at Li Ya, who was close to dying from fear, and felt like laughing, but he really feared scaring Li Ya to death, and thus focused his Spiritual Power in his throat to change his voice and said, "I''ve saved you for the second time, do you think I want to kill you?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya immediately felt relieved, but Gu An''s next sentence made him tense again.


    "If I truly wished to kill you, even the soul in your body would not be able to help you." the-place-MVLeMpYr


    He can see through the soul in my body?


    Li Ya was terrifed, this was even more unsettling than the threat of being killed.


    Gu An raised his hand and from a distance drew the North Sea Heavy Sword into his hand, the sword weighing ten thousand jin felt as light as a feather in his hand, but the force of the wind it stirred up indicated the sword''s weight.


    Seeing the other party holding the sword, Li Ya''s heart rose to his throat, unclear about the other party''s intentions.


    "Boy, your swordsmanship is too slow, its rate of improvement displeases me. I''ll teach you a set of swordsmanship, how does that sound?" Gu An''s deep and aged voice sounded, leaving Li Ya dumbfounded.

 Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Primordial Ancestor of Li Family, The Momentum of the Ephemera Sect

    "You are passing on your swordsmanship to me?"


    Li Ya doubted if he had heard wrong, but the other person didn''t seem to be joking.


    The voice of the Primordial Ancestor rang in his heart, "Do not doubt him, with his cultivation level, there is nothing on you worth scheming for, even including the Li Family; he probably has some connection with you and feels a sense of care towards you."


    Gu An grasped the North Sea Heavy Sword, raising it and pointing it towards him.


    At that moment, Li Ya''s heartbeat nearly came to a stop.


    Facing the direction of Gu An''s sword, he felt a sense of suffocation and before he could think further, a sword intent burst from the tip of the North Sea Heavy Sword, rapidly entering his eyes, causing his entire body to stiffen.


    Upon closer inspection, within his pupils was a figure wielding a sword, performing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    Unknown how much time had passed.


    When Li Ya woke up, Gu An was no longer in sight, only the North Sea Heavy Sword stood in front of him, unshaken by the autumn wind.


    "Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword..."


    Li Ya murmured to himself, seemingly recalling something, his expression drastically changed, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "This sword intent is from Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    He had been to the Heavenly Repair Platform and was deeply moved by the sword intent encapsulated by the words "righteous path," unforgettable to him as he knew it belonged to the strongest sword cultivator he was aware of.


    "Primordial Ancestor, the person just now was Sword Venerable Fudao! He is not a demon cultivator!"


    Li Ya suddenly became excited, even clenching his fists.


    The brilliance of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword made his blood boil, feeling like he had received a peerless legacy, even surpassing the Dragon Image Divine Primordial.


    As long as he mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, he was confident he could sweep all the geniuses of this era!


    Li Ya was excited for a while, then suddenly realized the elder hadn''t spoken and couldn''t help but ask in his mind, "Primordial Ancestor? Why aren''t you speaking?"


    He started to panic, had the Sword Venerable taken the Primordial Ancestor away?


    Although he often argued with the Primordial Ancestor, without him inside his body, he would not have the same confidence walking in the world of immortal cultivation.


    "I am still here."


    The voice of the Primordial Ancestor rang out, instantly calming Li Ya''s panic.


    Following that, the Primordial Ancestor''s words confused Li Ya, "The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword is a sword technique of the Li Family; the Emperor-Level Sword Technique is but an incomplete version of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword..."


    Li Ya was moved.


    "There should be no one in this era who knows the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword; by the time I was alive, this sword technique had already disappeared. The existing Emperor-Level Sword Technique was something I compiled..." the tone of the Primordial Ancestor grew complex.


    Li Ya swallowed hard and cautiously asked, "Primordial Ancestor, what do you mean by that; please clarify!"


    "He might be the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family; perhaps this is why he has taken care of you and me," the Primordial Ancestor said somberly.


    The Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family!


    Li Ya widened his eyes, opened his mouth trying to say something, but a thousand words choked in his throat, unable to be spoken.


    ...


    After guiding Li Ya, Gu An did not linger in the North Sea Mountains. He rushed all the way to the Supreme Sect. content-hosted-on-MVLeMpYr


    A month later, he would return to the North Sea Mountains to enhance a combat technique.


    And start to amass a lifespan of ten million years after another six months!


    Gu An didn''t return directly to Mystic Valley but instead came to the Outer City, feeling good today and decided to stroll around.


    First, he visited the Heavenly Repair Platform; even after many years, there were still many cultivators on the platform, including over five Mahayana Cultivators at the platform, among them that Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    The Mad Swordsman of Great Yu, Han Ming was still there, under his guidance, Zuo Lin''s swordsmanship had slightly progressed which he had not hoped for before.


    Zuo Yijian had already left; according to Zuo Lin, he was obsessed with the "Investiture of the Gods," firmly believing he could comprehend his own Sword Dao from that book.


    "Master!"


    A joyous voice came from afar, Gu An turned his head and saw Zhen Qin, dressed in the robe of the Law Enforcement Hall, approaching quickly.


    Gu An showed a smile, and once she arrived, he smilingly asked, "How have you been lately?"


    Zhen Qin, mixing with Ye Lan, found life at the Law Enforcement Hall quite pleasant, and her cultivation level was also steadily increasing. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Just so, oh master, did you hear? Senior Brother Su has joined the Ephemera Sect." Zhen Qin spoke of Su Han, her face filled with worry.


    Gu An said, "Everyone makes their own choices; we can''t control them, so let him be."


    He had advised Su Han before and even assured that he wouldn''t waste Su Han''s cultivation, but it was in vain.


    Since that was the case, Gu An could only respect Su Han''s decision.


    But from then on, any trouble Su Han ran into, Gu An couldn''t care less, unless Su Han was about to die in front of him, out of compassion, he might lend a hand.


    "Sigh, I don''t know if I''ll ever see him again in this life," Zhen Qin said with a tone full of melancholy.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ruffle her hair, chuckling, "You''ve really grown up, girl, even knowing how to be touched by the seasons."


    The master and disciple stood at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, chatting for quite a while, before Zhen Qin had to continue her patrol and bid him farewell.


    Gu An looked at her retreating figure, feeling quite moved.


    In two hundred years, he would no longer see this girl.


    Even as a Mahayana Cultivator, he currently had no way to change someone else''s ultimate lifespan, nor did he plan to; after all, reincarnation is the norm for all beings. Forcing a change in someone''s destiny would only create obsessions, and should it fail, he would be the one who suffered.


    Everything around him was but a segment of life; what he pursued was eternal life. Of course, he wouldn''t shun social interactions as they form life''s relationships.


    After scanning the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An turned and left.


    He strode towards the Elixir Hall, hearing plenty of disciples discussing the Ephemera Sect along the way.


    The momentum of the Ephemera Sect is growing stronger and stronger!


    Looking at this situation, it seems they aim to unify the Demon Path.


    Gu An wasn''t too concerned, Ephemera Sect couldn''t threaten the Supreme Sect, and even if they could, they couldn''t threaten him.


    How to increase the lifespan income of Medicine Valley was what he cared more about.


    Even though he was already a Mahayana Cultivator, Gu An did not wish to go on a killing spree but continued to hoard medicinal herbs to preserve life, avoiding wastefulness and keeping a low profile, because he was not yet sure if he was invincible under the heavens.


    Reason told him that he was far from being invincible, which was proven by the descended Lu Lingjun.


    This world is vast!


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An visited Jiang Qiong at the Great Elder''s residence, who was at home. After he entered, Jiang Qiong waved her sleeve, closing the main door.


    Gu An took out the previously stored herbs, Jiang Qiong didn''t count them, waved her sleeve to move the herbs aside, and then looked at him, saying, "I''m leaving."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but ask curiously, "Where to?"


    "The Supreme Sect''s suspicions of me are growing stronger, I can feel the looming threat of murder, I plan to join the Ephemera Sect," Jiang Qiong said calmly.


    Again, the Ephemera Sect!


    What exactly is the origin of this Ephemera Sect?


    Gu An thought for a moment, then took out several Green Vine Fruits from his storage bag and said, "Take these with you."


    Jiang Qiong glanced at the Green Vine Fruits on the ground and said with a smile that was not a smile, "You lad, didn''t you embezzle any?"


    Green Vine Fruits cannot be produced in a short period of time, the fact that Gu An could produce so many meant he had not consumed them regularly.


    "My talent is average, increasing Qi-Blood would only attract attention and bring about deadly disaster, rather stay mediocre to the end," Gu An shook his head and said.


    Jiang Qiong laughed, "You really are without desires or demands, saying what mediocre talent, isn''t your sword dao comprehension strong?"


    "But I don''t like practicing swordsmanship, nor do I want to become a swordsman. Imagine if you were to find me a master, think about it, would a swordsman at the Foundation Establishment Realm with a peerless sword technique have an easy life?" Gu An said earnestly.


    Jiang Qiong found this reasoning sound. In the Immortal Cultivation World, cultivation level indeed was crucial.


    She no longer pursued the matter, but said instead, "Ephemera Sect and Supreme Sect are bound to have a battle. Once I establish myself within the Ephemera Sect, I may be able to come for you in the future."


    Another battle?


    Gu An couldn''t help but frown, why was the Supreme Sect so fraught with disaster?


    "This Ephemera Sect is no ordinary force, possibly an external power. Half of the people from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion have already pledged allegiance to the Ephemera Sect. My role hidden within the Supreme Sect, yet they still managed to extend their reach to me, their intelligence capabilities are truly terrifying," reflected Jiang Qiong.


    Has Ephemera Sect already infiltrated the Supreme Sect?


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "You didn''t mention me, did you?"


    "How could I? With your cultivation level, even if I did, they wouldn''t be interested," Jiang Qiong glanced at him.


    Gu An smiled, a look that seemed naive in Jiang Qiong''s eyes.


    This foolish grand disciple...


    Jiang Qiong shook her head with a smile, inwardly worried about how he would stand on his own in the future.


    She reminded him, "The new Great Elder of the Outer Sect is said to be extremely cruel, you should be careful. There have already been people from the Law Enforcement Hall investigating you. Relying solely on your junior sister to protect you will likely be difficult. When you enter the Eight Scenic Caves, be more observant, cautious, and also try not to trade Green Vine Fruits anymore."


    Gu An nodded, saying, "I''ll remember that."


    After chatting for 30 minutes, Gu An took his leave.


    After leaving the Great Elder''s residence, Gu An headed towards Mystic Valley.


    ...


    Autumn came and went, and heavy snow gradually covered Mystic Valley.


    One day, Mystic Valley welcomed a visitor.


    Gu An entertained the guest in the attic.


    "The Sect Leader has already instructed that if you encounter any issues in the Outer Sect, you can come directly to me," smiled Lv Songhan heartily, his smile very warm.


    This was the newly appointed Great Elder of the Outer Sect.


    Lv Songhan''s hair was completely white, but his face wasn''t aged, smiling like a naive big fellow.


    Despite his warmth in front of Gu An, in reality, he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, and in Jiang Qiong''s words, a formidable and tough character.


    Gu An raised his cup, laughing, "Then thank you for looking after me, Elder Lu."


    The two of them drank, becoming more and more engrossed as they chatted, even ending up addressing each other as brothers.


    By midday, Gu An had only just seen off Lv Songhan.


    After his departure, Yang Ni, like a ghost, appeared beside him, clicking her tongue in amazement, "You are getting more and more impressive, even being on brotherly terms with a Nascent Soul Cultivator."


    Gu An shrugged and said, "You can also address me as Brother Gu."


    "Looking for a beating?"


    Yang Ni glared at him, her posture suggesting she was about to draw her sword.


    Gu An feigned a cough and said, "Hearing the rise of the Ephemera Sect, be more attentive in Mystic Valley on regular days, and prevent the Ephemera Sect thieves from stealing the medicinal herbs."


    Yang Ni nodded slightly upon hearing this.


    Then, Gu An turned and left, Yang Ni watching him depart via the Transmission Array Platform.


    "Strange, why did he suddenly bring up the Ephemera Sect? Could he have guessed my identity?" Yang Ni frowned, thinking this.

 Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Limitless Freedom Step, Supreme Elder

    Deep into the night, heavy snow descended upon the forests of the North Sea mountains.


    Gu An sat on a cliff, having activated a Life Span Barrier; he had invested a hundred thousand years of life span into the Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step.


    The Infinite Traceless Mystic Heaven Step advanced successfully to the Limitless Freedom Step!


    It was still at the peak of perfection!


    Spiritual Energy descended; he began to pass on the Limitless Freedom Step.


    An hour later, Gu An opened his eyes, having fully inherited the Limitless Freedom Step.


    With the Limitless Freedom Step, one could predict an opponent''s attack trajectory, cross over Restrictions and Formations, and tread upon Dharma Aspects with infinite cunning uses.


    It was good for both fighting and escaping!


    In another month, he would enhance the Great Yin Yang Transformation and the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, which could conceal one''s identity and was very suitable for his Traditions of Immortal Cultivation.


    Gu An stood up and flew towards the Supreme Sect.


    Along the way, he spread his Divine Sense, searching for Li Ya.


    Li Ya was practicing his swordsmanship by the lakeside in the North Sea, working diligently¡ªit was unclear when he might master the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    Gu An started looking forward to Li Ya''s duel with An Hao. Imagining both of them simultaneously unleashing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, he could foresee their shocked and incredulous expressions.


    It was so interesting!


    Gu An then started to search for Sky Dragon, only to find Sky Dragon was nowhere to be found in the North Sea mountains.


    Could it be that he was driven out by the demons of the North Sea mountains?


    As for the possibility of being eaten, it was also there¡ªif really eaten, then it was just its bad luck.


    Taking advantage of the darkness before dawn, Gu An hurried back to Mystic Valley at full speed.


    ...


    A new year came, and so did the Spring Festival.


    Lv Baitian arrived, bringing his newly accepted disciple, An Hao, to celebrate the Spring Festival at the Third Medicine Valley; An Hao went to the Outer Sect to bring An Xin over.


    The grown-up An Xin was lithe and graceful, standing next to An Hao, they looked like a match made in heaven.


    The Third Medicine Valley, home to three hundred Servant Disciples, bustled with activity, Gu An planned to go to Mystic Valley that evening, not wanting to play favorites.


    Gu An and Lv Baitian sat under an old tree, drinking and talking about the trivialities of the Third Medicine Valley, and Lv Baitian enjoyed listening.


    According to Lv Baitian, the most comfortable days of his several hundred years of life were spent in the Medicine Valley.


    "Since you reminisce about our Medicine Valley so much, why don''t you relinquish your position as Sect Leader and return to a pastoral life?" Gu An jokingly asked, feeling comfortable enough to tease Lv Baitian now that they were more familiar with each other.


    Of course, his greatest reliance was still his own Mahayana Realm cultivation level!


    Lv Baitian shook his head and laughed, "To not advance is to go back. If I were to give up the position of Sect Leader, it wouldn''t be long before I''d be branded a traitor of the Supreme Sect and even smeared with all sorts of filth, maybe even accused of being a spy for the Demon Path."


    "Moreover, the Lv Family and the Gu Family, who support me, would not allow me to step down. In the Supreme Sect, cultivation level is key, but sometimes, it is not all that important."


    As he said these words, his tone was deep and meaningful, as if hinting at something to Gu An.


    Gu An changed the subject, "Recently, a branch of the Ephemera Sect has surfaced in the Immortal Cultivation World; You must have heard of it, right?"


    Having stayed in the Supreme Sect for a while, he still felt attached to it.


    Lv Baitian nodded lightly, then picked up the wine pot to pour more for Gu An, "The Supreme Sect has long been aware of the Ephemera Sect''s existence. In fact, two hundred years ago, the Ephemera Sect tried to infiltrate the Taicang Dynasty. At that time, the Imperial Family was under the control of the Ephemera Sect.


    I led the Supreme Sect in a battle against the Ephemera Sect in the North Sea and managed to repel them."


    "The Ephemera Sect''s resurgence probably stems from the belief that the Supreme Sect, having just experienced a great battle, is significantly weakened. In truth, the Supreme Sect is indeed temporarily unable to hinder the Ephemera Sect''s absorption of the Demon Path."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An asked in confusion, "What do we do then? Just let them grow in power?"


    Lv Baitian calmly replied, "It doesn''t matter. The Ephemera Sect has spies within the Supreme Sect, and we also have informants within the Ephemera Sect. The Ephemera Sect has many branches, but we have yet to understand their origins. ''To know the enemy and to know oneself is to be undefeated in a hundred battles.'' Let us wait and see.


    Also, I am preparing for a breakthrough to challenge my Heavenly Destiny."


    How could that be considered no matter at all?


    Not even knowing how strong the enemy truly was!


    Gu An felt Lv Baitian was feigning composure because he wanted to break through before taking action against the Ephemera Sect. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Speaking of the Ephemera Sect, I plan to send ten of the young disciples with the most exceptional talents from our sect to the Third Medicine Valley. They can protect you and cultivate their minds alongside you," Lv Baitian said with a smile. MVLeMpYr-official-text


    Gu An was taken aback, asking in bewilderment, "What could they cultivate here with me? I can''t provide any guidance to them."


    "You don''t need to guide them. Just by immersing themselves in the life here, allowing their hearts to become still is enough," Lv Baitian shook his head and replied.


    Suddenly, Gu An wondered if this man had recognized him as Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Otherwise, why would he be so good to him, even sending talents to be his underlings?


    Claiming it was for them to cultivate their minds¡ªdid he actually want Sword Venerable Fudao to impart some guidance?


    Gu An began to probe Lv Baitian, asking why not have Sword Venerable Fudao teach these disciples since the Immortal Cultivation World praises him as the strongest.


    Lv Baitian frowned and said, "Truthfully, we don''t have the slightest clue as to who Sword Venerable Fudao really is. He might be a reclusive Ascetic, and such cases are not uncommon in the Supreme Sect.


    The Supreme Sect has existed for thousands of years with over a million disciples; invariably, some obtain great fortune, change their destinies against the heavens, yet choose not to reveal themselves."


    "There''s another possibility¡ªthat Sword Venerable Fudao is one of the Supreme Elders. The Supreme Elders are elusive, sometimes returning unexpectedly. Considering the words ''Righteous Path'' on the Heavenly Repair Platform, it is very likely that a Supreme Elder is guiding the Supreme Sect''s ethos."


    There really is a Supreme Elder!


    No wonder Lv Baitian was not panicked.


    What truly relieved Gu An was that Lv Baitian seemed not to associate him with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    On second thought, Gu An suddenly realized he was indeed overthinking it.


    How old was he?


    How could he possibly be Sword Venerable Fudao?


    At most, they would think he had some relation to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    With his worries alleviated, Gu An asked, "Sect Leader, if you successfully break through, could you sweep through the Ephemera Sect by yourself?"


    Lv Baitian laughed and said, "If the Ephemera Sect still had the strength it did two hundred years ago, and I were to break through, I could sweep them all by myself."


    "Young man, do you know what realm I am in?"


    He lifted his chin, looking proud and haughty.


    Gu An pondered and said, "You should be above the Divinity Transformation, shouldn''t you?"


    "Hahaha!"


    Lv Baitian roared with laughter, drawing the attention of others in the distance.


    Gu An watched Lv Baitian show off, feeling secretly pleased inside.


    "Above Divinity Transformation is Void Crossing, and above that is Unification. And I, I am at the ninth layer of the Unification Realm!" Lv Baitian said softly. When he spoke these words, Gu An distinctly perceived his Spiritual Power diffusing, creating a Barrier to prevent other disciples from eavesdropping.


    Gu An showed a look of shock and muttered to himself, "The ninth layer of the Unification Realm... How many years of cultivation does it take to reach that?"


    "Haha, with your aptitude, let alone the Unification Realm, it''s hard to say if you could reach the Nascent Soul in this lifetime. As my disciple, my cultivation level will be yours one day," Lv Baitian revealed his intent once again, his tone full of seductive implications.


    Gu An''s face showed longing and delight, pleasing Lv Baitian inwardly.


    This kid is on the right track!


    "Forget it, standing high is not necessarily a good thing, just like you, there are times when you''re helpless. How high must one''s cultivation be to be considered high? Isn''t enjoying life more meaningful?" Gu An shook his head and said, making Lv Baitian want to spit blood.


    This kid really doesn''t know the dangers of the Immortal Cultivation World!


    If it weren''t for the protection of the Supreme Sect, how could Gu An be so carefree?


    Just as Lv Baitian was about to speak, he thought of Gu An''s previous opinion on the Outer Sect and his own teachings, and his words got stuck in his throat.


    Wasn''t it precisely because of Gu An''s disposition that he took an interest in him?


    If the desireless Gu An were to become the Sect Leader, that would be a blessing for the Supreme Sect. He may not be willing now, but that didn''t mean he wouldn''t be in the future, especially since his time was far from over.


    And so Lv Baitian convinced himself.


    Gu An then asked, "Sect Leader, what realm lies above the Unification Realm?"


    He was probing the depths of the Supreme Sect!


    Lv Baitian snorted, "When you become my disciple, I''ll tell you!"


    "Why do you insist on me becoming your disciple? Haven''t you already taken An Hao as a disciple? Why not cultivate him to become the Sect Leader?"


    "His background is unclear, and he has been a disciple under Chu Tianqi. I took him in simply appreciating his talent, not necessarily trusting him."


    "So you definitely trust me?"


    "Of course, I have already checked you thoroughly. You were a house servant raised by the Ji Family, with some connection to Li Xuandao, and even possibly some ties to the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. But I can see, you are compelled against your will.


    You have connections to Li Xuandao because of Li Ya, and to the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion because of the previous Valley Master," Lv Baitian finished with a look that said he had already seen through Gu An.


    Gu An was moved, his substantial change in expression satisfying Lv Baitian''s psychological needs greatly.


    "I didn''t expect you already knew. It''s indeed against my will. Do I need to sever ties with them in the future?" Gu An asked nervously.


    Lv Baitian waved his hand and said, "No need, just keep it as before. Directly severing ties will only bring you trouble. Besides, I might even glean some intelligence about them from you. There are as many spies in the Supreme Sect as there are stars, and I know of and have left untouched thousands of them."


    Gu An suddenly found it hard to judge him and could only give him an admiring look.


    Lv Baitian grew even more complacent and then went on to talk about the major disturbances caused by spies in the past.


    Whenever such disturbances arose, Lv Baitian would round up the spies all at once. Officially, he caught them all, but in reality, he kept half of them. He branded half of his internal competitors as spies from the Demon Path and dealt with them together.


    The surviving spies from the Demon Path were promoted by him. Those spies must have felt deeply trusted by him, either turning to the Righteous Path or becoming more reckless, readying to strike on Lv Baitian''s orders the next time.


    After chatting for a long time, Gu An realized that Lv Baitian was teaching him how to handle Sect affairs.


    Until evening, Gu An came alone to Mystic Valley and joined the other disciples for dinner.


    As the conversation reached its peak, Gu An announced that he was making Lu Jiujia the eldest disciple, in charge of handling all the affairs of Medicine Valley, which confused Lu Jiujia.


    Yang Ni frowned and thought to herself, "He really suspects me. On a regular basis, he does not interact with this disciple named Lu Jiujia; how could he suddenly appoint him as the eldest disciple?"


    She felt it was time to make a move!

 Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Shenzhou Scripture, The Fear of the Unification Realm

    Gu An had no idea what Yang Ni was thinking, he chose Lu Jiujia simply because there was no one else to choose from.


    As for Yang Ni, in his view, she would leave sooner or later, so he never considered her for the role of chief disciple.


    When it was late at night, after the feast was over and everyone had returned to their rooms, Gu An quietly made his way to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    He had been studying the Myriad Poison Mystic Skill for some time and had made considerable progress.


    He came to the base of the Green Vine Tree, and with a thought, a figure shot out from a cave opening like a swift gust of wind, lifting debris along its path.


    The figure was none other than Meng Lang, transformed into a Poison Corpse.


    Gu An controlled Meng Lang with his divine sense, directing him to pick a ripe medicinal herb.


    After Meng Lang had picked the herb, Gu An waited quite a while but did not receive any prompt that the life span extraction had been successful.


    The plan had failed!


    It seemed that in the future, he would still have to do it himself!


    Feeling a slight regret in his heart, Gu An was not disappointed, for now the Third Medicine Valley and Tianya Valley were yielding crops, and his annual life span income was at least a hundred thousand years¡ªand still growing.


    In less than a hundred years, he would be able to reach a life span of ten million years!


    With such speed, Gu An was quite satisfied, after all, how many realms could an ordinary cultivator advance over a hundred years?


    Gu An instructed Meng Lang to return to the cave while he himself took out the Heavenly Residence Sword and began practicing the Wood Spirit Sword Technique.


    ...


    The next morning, Gu An came down from the attic and led his disciples in drill exercises, which Yang Ni also joined. After the exercises, she hurried off into the forest.


    Gu An felt that her expression was unusual, quite out of the ordinary, so he watched her for a bit and saw her sowing seeds in the forest, causing his eyebrows to furrow slightly.


    Those seeds seemed unfamiliar!


    Being a Mahayana Cultivator with a photographic memory and the ability to observe subtleties, Gu An immediately noticed that the seeds in her hands were of a kind he had never seen before.


    He approached her and eventually came up behind Yang Ni.


    "What are you planting?" Gu An asked curiously, and while she was getting up, he sent a life span detection her way.


    [Ephemera (Tier 6): 0/120/5000]


    A Tier 6 Spirit Flower?


    And it''s even named Ephemera!


    Gu An could not help but associate it with the Ephemera Sect.


    Yang Ni replied, "I got these from an enemy''s storage bag a while ago. I''m not clear on what exactly they are called. I''ve had these seeds in my bag for dozens of years and only thought to plant them today."


    "Is that so?" Gu An mused.


    Observing his expression, Yang Ni said, "Yes, can''t I plant them?"


    "Go ahead and plant them," Gu An said with a smile, not pointing out the origin of the flower.


    Why would he refuse Yang Ni''s intention to plant a Tier 6 Spirit Flower?


    After all, the medicinal herbs she planted were for him to harvest later on.


    Gu An then offered a few words of encouragement to Yang Ni before turning to leave.


    Watching his retreating figure, Yang Ni found him even more inscrutable.


    "I can''t believe I got taken in by a Foundation Establishment youngster," she thought sarcastically to herself, then squatted down and continued planting the Ephemera.


    No matter what Gu An speculated, as long as she had the chance to plant Ephemera, she would take it! S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She glanced at Gu An''s retreating figure and thought to herself, "Once I make a significant contribution, I will ensure your safety. Then, I''ll introduce you to the Ephemera Sect."


    After years of interaction, she had grown quite fond of Gu An and felt it would be a pity if such a junior died in the strife of sects.


    Someone with his talent was suitable to join the Ephemera Sect and continue to shine.


    ...


    After the New Year, as everything came back to life, the Supreme Sect once again welcomed a lively atmosphere.


    In the early days of March, as Gu An and Shen Zhen were discussing books in the building, they suddenly felt something and put down their books.


    Gu An coughed, saying, "Put all this away."


    Blushing slightly, Shen Zhen quickly put all the drawing papers on the table into her storage bag.


    After cleaning up, the two of them went downstairs.


    They reached the open space in front of the attic and saw Cultivators flying in from the distant sky. Gu An recognized a familiar face among them, Ji Xiaoyu.


    There were a total of eleven Cultivators, and Gu An continuously used life span detection on them.


    Except for the Cultivator at the very front leading the way, all the others were below a hundred years of age. The lowest among them was at the eighth layer of the Core Formation Realm, and two had even reached the Nascent Soul Realm.


    The innate talent of those in the Nascent Soul Realm under a hundred years was formidable.


    The minimum limit of their life spans was at least two thousand years.


    The Cultivator leading the way was named Lv Chen, with a cultivation level of the second layer of the Void Crossing Realm. After landing, he greeted Gu An with a cupped fist, saying, "These ten disciples sent by the Sect Leader for tempering are now under your charge, Valley Master."


    He was very courteous towards Gu An, devoid of the airs typical of a Great Cultivator at the Void Crossing Realm, which piqued Gu An''s curiosity about what Lv Baitian had possibly done to set this up.


    Everyone from the Lv Family knew how to conduct themselves!


    Gu An raised his hand in greeting, replying, "Thank you for your efforts, senior."


    Seeing that Gu An observed full propriety, Lv Chen smiled, nodded, then soared away.


    Gu An looked towards the ten Supreme Sect geniuses, and they in turn were sizing him up.


    "Ms. Shen, what are you doing here?" a young man in green clothes frowned and asked, appearing displeased at the sight of Shen Zhen standing behind Gu An.


    This man, named Liu Yu, was at the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm and had a maximum life span of two thousand four hundred and nine years!


    Shen Zhen didn''t respond to him, but said to Gu An instead, "Since your Medicine Valley has guests, I''ll take my leave. We''ll be alone together next time."


    With those words, she leaped up and quickly disappeared behind the mountains.


    Alone together?


    People looked at Gu An with strange glances, and a cold gleam flashed in Liu Yu''s eyes.


    [Liu Yu has become hostile towards you and wants to attack you. Do you want to use Life Span Detection on him?]


    Wants to attack me?


    How deep is this hatred?


    Gu An spoke, "Ms. Shen and I simply share a liking for reading, occasionally exchanging our thoughts, and nothing more. She told me that her goal for a Daoist friend is none other than the Sword Venerable Fudao."


    All were young prodigies, and upon hearing this, they couldn''t help but laugh. Liu Yu laughed awkwardly and shot Gu An an apologetic look.


    They were not fools. Lv Baitian had personally named Gu An to lead them, so he must have had exceptional abilities. Even if he didn''t, he was Lv Baitian''s person, and they dared not offend him.


    The prodigies were pampered by the Supreme Sect, but being a prodigy didn''t mean they could do whatever they wanted, at least not if Lv Baitian wanted to deal with them, their families would have to weigh their actions carefully.


    Ji Xiaoyu asked, "Valley Master, what should we do? Just give us your orders."


    As soon as she spoke, the others quickly restrained their laughter and looked at Gu An with anticipation.


    The Sect Leader mentioned that they came here to cultivate their minds, and they subconsciously assumed that this would help their cultivation practices.


    Gu An smiled, "Then follow me. But don''t complain of being tired or in pain, and no one is allowed to stop midway. Only failures give up halfway."


    At his words, the prodigies grew even more excited, looking at each other with eyes that seemed to spark with electricity.


    All prodigies have a competitive heart!


    Afterward, Gu An took them to a forest dozens of miles away, instructing them to clear the land, then taught them how to plant seeds, and finally led them to inspect medicinal herbs all around.


    Though these were trivial tasks, the ten disciples took them very seriously, not even willing to miss a single stone along the way.


    A few days passed, and someone couldn''t hold back anymore.


    A disciple named Chang Cang couldn''t help but stop and look at Gu An, asking in a deep voice, "Are you playing us? Is cultivating our minds supposed to be the same as being a Medicine Boy?"


    The others looked at Gu An, even Ji Xiaoyu frowned.


    Gu An knew this was dubious, but Lv Baitian had insisted on it.


    He sighed, took out ten books from his Storage Bag, and threw them to the ten people.


    Their faces lit up with joy as they caught the books.


    "The Shenzhou Scripture?" Someone read the title aloud, their eyes lighting up.


    Such a name seemed profound at first glance.


    Gu An turned around, "Figure it out yourselves."


    Having said that, he walked away, leaving them to start reading the book.


    Liu Yu opened the first page and read, "The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name..."


    With his back to them, the corners of Gu An''s mouth lifted into a smile.


    The Shenzhou Scripture was not the Tao Te Ching; he had simply pieced together memorable verses from ancient Huaxia classics to form a miscellaneous book. It was enough to bluff someone.


    He couldn''t afford to write out the actual Tao Te Ching. What if someone truly came to understand something from it? That would be troublesome indeed.


    ...


    Since receiving the Shenzhou Scripture, Ji Xiaoyu and the others found their own places to contemplate it, not bothering each other, and the Third Medicine Valley continued at its normal pace.


    Five days later.


    Ji Xiaoyu closed the Shenzhou Scripture, looked down at the busy Servant Disciples in the valley, thought for a moment, stood up, and went down the mountain to help.


    your-MVLeMpYr-source


    A prodigy seated on the opposite mountaintop saw what she did, appeared to realize something, and also started down the mountain.


    They couldn''t comprehend the Shenzhou Scripture, but it seemed genuinely profound. Associating it with Gu An''s initial arrangements, they thought that maybe they could gain some insights while working in the fields.


    Another ten days passed, and the rest of the genius disciples were all engrossed in the menial tasks of the Medicine Valley, diligently working every day, reading the Shenzhou Scripture in their spare time, and practicing Energy Absorption at night.


    This pleased Gu An greatly. Sure enough, the ten top prodigies chosen by Lv Baitian, setting aside their aptitudes, were indeed no fools. As long as they believed something was the right thing to do, they were truly resolute and persistent.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.


    Gu An turned fifty-nine. That day, while he was collecting herbs in Tianya Valley, he suddenly felt something, his complexion changed drastically, and he immediately left the herbs with Sun Da beside him, then quickly left Tianya Valley.


    This baffled Luo Hun and the others in the valley, but they didn''t think too much of it.


    Ever since learning that Gu An had mastered the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm, Lv Xian stopped bothering him and even stopped bothering others, spending all day in seclusion and cultivation, like a demon, his Cultivation Level growing extremely fast. At this rate, it wouldn''t take many years for him to form his Nascent Soul.


    After leaving Tianya Valley for a hundred miles, Gu An disappeared into thin air, stepping through space, and covered thousands of miles to arrive at Mystic Valley. From there, via the Transmission Array Platform, he came to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Stepping off the Array Platform, he walked swiftly towards the Mystic Pure Tree.


    The Mystic Pure Tree was still there, but in front of it stood someone, pausing to gaze at it.


    From a distance, Gu An sent a Life Span Detection his way:


    [Zong Ying (Unification Realm Layer 4): 860/2800/3100]


    This fellow had cultivated a unique sorcery, appearing to only be at the Nascent Soul Realm Second Layer on the surface.


    Gu An became interested in his Cultivation Technique. Though the Mahayana Divine Sense could tell he was hiding his true Cultivation Level, it couldn''t fully clarify it.


    Gu An approached the Mystic Pure Tree and started, "I am Gu An, the master of this Medicine Valley. May I know who you are...?"


    Zong Ying was dressed in a Daoist robe with a pointed chin and small eyes, and a goatee on his mouth ¨C clearly someone not to be trifled with at first glance.


    He responded with a smile and a raised hand, "I am an Inner Sect Disciple, named Zong Ying. Just passing by and I was drawn to this extraordinary tree. Could it be the legendary Mystic Pure Tree?"


    Gu An stepped forward, grabbed Zong Ying''s wrist with his right hand, and exerted a little strength, using the power of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and smiled, "Indeed, it is the Mystic Pure Tree. Do you want it?"


    Zong Ying found it amusing; a mere Foundation Establishment Realm dared to lay hands on him?


    The Supreme Sect really had no one left, to end up entrusting a Foundation Establishment Realm to cultivate the Mystic Pure Tree.


    That made sense; it wouldn''t attract much attention this way.


    Zong Ying prepared to break free from Gu An''s grip, using the strength of the Nascent Soul Realm, thinking it would embarrass the other party.


    However, the next moment, his expression changed drastically.


    His eyes hardened, his brows furrowed, and he began to struggle fiercely.


    His expression changed again, this time revealing a look of surprise, rapidly replaced by terror.


    How is this possible!

 Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Ephemeras Wind, Arch-Enemy

    "You..."


    Zong Ying''s eyes widened, his voice trembling. He couldn''t believe what he was feeling.


    He had exerted all his strength, yet he still couldn''t break free from Gu An''s grasp. It wasn''t just about not being able to break free; he couldn''t even vent his power. Normally, as soon as the power of the Unification Realm exploded, the entire Medicine Valley would instantly collapse.


    His physical strength and Spiritual Power couldn''t be transmitted out of his body. An unimaginable force was suppressing him all around, and he experienced a suffocation he had never felt before.


    He was, after all, a Cultivator of the Unification Realm!


    A figure free to roam the lands of the Nine Dynasties!


    Zong Ying''s heart was filled with despair as he realized he was doomed, but he didn''t want to die!


    "Senior, please spare my life!" Zong Ying said through gritted teeth, void of any demeanor befitting his realm.


    Gu An had already isolated the surrounding space with his own Spiritual Power, making their voices inaudible to the outside world.


    He had a good guess about Zong Ying''s identity, so he did not kill him directly. Instead, he asked, "Give me one reason to spare your life."


    By now, Zong Ying bore no hostility toward Gu An, likely because he was terrified.


    "I am known as the Ghost Thief... I came to steal the Mystic Pure Tree not for myself, but for all the mortals of the world... Senior, as a high being of the Supreme Sect, you must understand the disparities in the resources of the Immortal Cultivation World. The Supreme Sect holds too many Immortal Cultivation resources.


    The Spiritual Energy in the common areas is weak; those without illustrious family backgrounds simply cannot make their way. If this continues, only families of noble lineage will exist in the Immortal Cultivation World..."


    Zong Ying spoke hurriedly, his eyes even reddening as he spoke.


    Gu An felt a pang in his heart¡ªsuch impressive acting skills.


    He acknowledged the ideology of the Ghost Thief, protecting the common people was indeed a heroic deed, but you shouldn''t be stealing from me!


    "You are now aware of my strength. I have no choice but to kill you to avoid any leaks," Gu An said expressionlessly.


    MVLeMpYr-original-content


    At these words, Zong Ying almost lost his soul in fright. His eyes darted, and suddenly, he blurted out, "I have a sorcery that can make me utterly obedient to you. I cannot defy you, or else I will suffer misfortune and die a violent death!"


    There''s a chance!


    I can deceive him!


    The fear in Zong Ying''s heart receded, replaced by excitement.


    [Zong Ying harbors hostility toward you, hatred to the bone. Do you wish to perform a Life Span Detection on him?]


    Just about to let you off, and you harbored hostility toward me?


    Interesting.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An grew interested and asked, "What sorcery?"


    Zong Ying explained, "This is the Heavenly Judgment Curse. Once we form a Skill Style pact, and I swear allegiance to you, it will be established."


    "Alright, then follow me. Let''s find a secluded place to form the curse," Gu An said, pulling Zong Ying toward a distant Transmission Array Platform.


    Zong Ying was still suppressed by his Spiritual Power and couldn''t move, but he relaxed inside, believing the other party had truly fallen for his story.


    While Gu An pulled him along, Zong Ying pondered in his mind.


    Who exactly is this person?


    To suppress him, a Cultivator of the Unification Realm, so effortlessly, could he have reached the Mystic Heart Realm?


    Could this person be a retired Supreme Elder of the Supreme Sect?


    The more he thought, the more frightened he became. He must report this to the sect.


    Thus, the two of them were transported to Mystic Valley and left there. They drew curious glances from disciples along the way, but upon seeing them chatting and laughing, the onlookers quickly diverted their gaze.


    Dozens of miles from Mystic Valley, Gu An made sure no one was following them before finally stopping.


    The two of them remained in a forest, Zong Ying unable to escape Gu An''s suppression of Spiritual Power the entire time.


    Zong Ying''s face carried a forced smile as he asked, "Senior, shall we begin?"


    Gu An nodded, a smile appearing on his face as well.


    Seeing Gu An''s smile, Zong Ying''s complexion changed drastically, instinctively sensing danger. Before he could contemplate further, a strong Divine Sense surged into his mind.


    Soul Capturing Skill!


    ...


    In a dim grand hall, Zong Ying knelt on the floor, his gaze directed toward a mysterious shadow atop the steps, enveloped in dark mist, its true form indiscernible.


    "You have the most potent Energy Concealing Skill. You will probe the depths of the Supreme Sect." A cold male voice came from the shadow, devoid of any emotions.


    Zong Ying hesitated, "Lv Baitian has returned to his position as Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, his Cultivation Level reaching the ninth layer of the Unification Realm. Are we really going head-to-head?"


    The mysterious shadow replied, "This is the mandate from the main branch, to assimilate the Taicang Dynasty before the great demon calamity arrives. The Taicang Dynasty, being coastal, plays a crucial role in our future plans."


    Hearing this, Zong Ying asked excitedly, "The mandate from the main branch? Is the main branch finally free to help us?"


    "Mm. The failure two hundred years ago left the main branch unsatisfied with us. Although we have infiltrated the Taicang Dynasty, compared to the actions of other branches, we have brought disgrace to the Ephemera Sect. Begin your mission to probe the current foundation of the Supreme Sect while waiting for the Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator from the main branch to arrive.


    Then, wage war against the Supreme Sect."


    Upon hearing the words of the mysterious shadow, Zong Ying excitedly complied, seeing this as a great opportunity to prove himself.


    The scene shattered, and Gu An''s Divine Sense moved on to other memories within Zong Ying.


    This guy wasn''t the Ghost Thief at all; he was merely using the Ghost Thief''s identity to make the Supreme Sect prepare in advance, allowing him to determine how many powerful cultivators the Supreme Sect had hidden.


    He avoided using the name of the Ephemera Sect because he feared alerting the enemy. If he failed, he could still survive under the identity of the Ghost Thief.


    The Ghost Thief acted in the name of chivalry, and the Supreme Sect was a part of the Righteous Path, so they might not kill the Ghost Thief.


    Had it not been for the life span detection, Gu An might have indeed been deceived by him.


    After a long time.


    An hour had passed in the real world, within the forest.


    Zong Ying fell to the ground with a thud before Gu An, his eyes rolled back, his body rigid, completely dead. His Primordial Spirit was shattered by the powerful Spiritual Power of Gu An, his soul perishing before his body.


    Gu An expressionlessly snatched Zong Ying''s storage bag and then incinerated Zong Ying''s body with Spirit Power Fire.


    Killing Zong Ying granted him two hundred forty years of lifespan, but this did nothing to improve his mood.


    In Zong Ying''s memories, there was no trace of the Heavenly Judgment Curse. Gu An did see his acts of murder, treasure theft, annihilating entire families, humiliating female cultivators, and crafting ghostly devices with Soul Refining. He was indeed utterly wicked.


    This gave Gu An an extremely poor impression of the Ephemera Sect.


    He had thought the conflict between the Ephemera Sect and the Supreme Sect was just a typical inter-sect conflict, but now he felt that if the Ephemera Sect were to unify the Taicang Dynasty, life would only become more difficult.


    There were darknesses within the Supreme Sect too, but the Unification Realm cultivators within it were not so despicable.


    "Mystic Heart Realm, huh..."


    Gu An thought to himself and then turned to leave.


    The autumn wind blew into the forest, scattering Zong Ying''s ashes in the air, where they completely disappeared.


    Gu An first went to the Eight Scenic Caves, checking Zong Ying''s storage bag, destroying any suspicious items to avoid exposing the location of the Eight Scenic Caves, keeping only the Immortal Cultivation resources.


    The storage bag of a Unification Realm Great Cultivator was indeed exceptional, filled with countless magic artifacts of all sorts and many Elixirs, some of which were quite nefarious.


    After toiling for an hour, Gu An finally left the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Upon returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An went to find Yang Ni, wanting to see how the Ephemera was growing.


    He saw Yang Ni meditating within the Ephemera Garden. Previously, she was busy with cultivation and hadn''t been distracted by Gu An and Zong Ying. She had grown accustomed to frequent visits from the people of Elixir Hall, Law Enforcement Hall, and the Ji Family.


    Of course, the main reason was that Zong Ying''s Energy Concealing Skill was too strong.


    "Why are you cultivating here?" Gu An asked, noticing Yang Ni absorbing the Spiritual Energy of the Ephemera, which was not good for the growth of the Ephemera!


    Yang Ni opened her eyes and said, "I''m cultivating in the valley to avoid exposing my cultivation level."


    Gu An directly pulled her up and headed towards his loft, saying, "Come practice in my room. I just set up restrictions there recently, so the disciples cannot see inside."


    Yang Ni frowned but could not outright refuse Gu An, so she followed him back to the valley.


    ...


    Winter came, and thick snow covered the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An was reading in his room when Ji Xiaoyu suddenly came to visit. He quickly hid the Supreme Secret Records and then stood up to welcome Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu closed the door, set up a Restriction, and then asked, "Is the Shenzhou Scripture something you comprehended in your dreams?"


    Having studied the Shenzhou Scripture for half a year, she had many insights.


    Gu An seriously said, "This is not a technique for cultivation but principles for life that can stabilize your mentality. A calm mind will allow you to cultivate better."


    "Not something comprehended in dreams?"


    "Certainly not. I met an old senior outside the Outer Sect before, who gave me the Shenzhou Scripture and spoke of grand simplicity among other confusing things. But over the years, I have studied the Shenzhou Scripture intensively. Although my cultivation level has not increased, my mindset has become more tranquil and open-minded; nothing worries me, and I don''t obsess over things."


    Gu An shook his head, and upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu looked at him deeply. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu said, "This book is indeed useful. My mind is much calmer now than before I came here, and I no longer think about things that can''t be achieved at the moment."


    "I would like to take this book back to the Ji Family. If you agree, I will try to obtain a seventh-grade Spirit Tree for you. The foundation of the Ji Family is no less than that of the Supreme Sect."


    "Of course, if you don''t agree, I won''t insist, and I promise not to reveal the Shenzhou Scripture."


    A seventh-grade Spirit Tree?


    Is the Ji Family that powerful?


    Gu An suppressed the surprise in his heart and calmly said, "Naturally, I am willing. The Confucius in the scripture had the aspiration to share his ideals with the world. How could I keep it to myself?"


    The Shenzhou Scripture is a compilation of phrases from many ancient Huaxia sages like Laozi, Confucius, Zhuangzi, among others. Gu An had also marked their names in the book, portraying their extraordinary images.


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu''s face showed a smile, and she began discussing the Shenzhou Scripture with Gu An.


    After a long conversation, she finally took her leave.


    Just as she was about to reach the door, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly turned back and said to Gu An, "Now that you own such a vast Third Medicine Valley and your status has changed, you must have heard of the Ephemera Sect. If someone from the Ephemera Sect tries to win you over, do not agree."


    "Why?"


    "The Ephemera Sect conducts itself in sinister ways and does not follow the Righteous Path. Engaging with them seldom leads to good outcomes, and furthermore, the Ji Family and the Ephemera Sect are sworn enemies."


    The real reason is at the end, right?


    Gu An mused internally while sensing the impact of the Ephemera Sect on the Supreme Sect. Ji Xiaoyu''s words signified she was aware that many people had been swayed by the Ephemera Sect.

 Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Defying Fate, The Fear of the Green Vine Tree

    ```


    Gu An had waited for more than half a year, passed his sixtieth birthday, and still hadn''t received the seventh rank Spirit Tree from the Ji Family.


    He believed that Ji Xiaoyu wouldn''t deceive him, guessing that the Ji Family''s procedures were a bit complicated, and that he would have to wait a bit longer.


    In this respect, the Supreme Sect was better, for the Mystic Pure Tree they promised him had arrived rather quickly!


    On a sweltering summer day, Gu An was sowing seeds in the Third Medicine Valley, with Gu Yu chattering ceaselessly by his side, talking about the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    This year, the plot of Supreme Immortal Venerable reached its peak, when the protagonist, Gu Yu, and the male lead, Zhou Tongyou, met, preparing to join forces to battle the evil that plagued the world, leaving countless readers hanging in suspense.


    Gu An was in a good mood, because last night he spent a hundred thousand years of his life span to advance the Great Yin-Yang Transformation into the Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body.


    The Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body retained the previous abilities of guarding against prying and deducing cause and effect, with the added intricacy of creating avatars. He could create nine avatars and control them to fight or act.


    Afterwards, he had even given it a try and used an avatar to gather herbs. Unfortunately, just like before, it did not capture any life span.


    Nothing to do but carry on as before!


    As Gu An sowed the seeds, he thought about what combat techniques to improve next.


    Originally, he had wanted to enhance his skills once a month, but over the past year, he frequently felt the presence of Great Cultivators from the Unification Realm fighting in the North Sea Mountains, so he delayed his plans to become stronger.


    Gu Yu couldn''t help but look at Gu An and asked, "Hey, are you really listening?"


    Without looking up, Gu An replied casually, "I''m not going to write a book the way you want, just wait and see."


    "How much longer will Supreme Immortal Venerable take to write?" Gu Yu asked in a soft voice.


    Within a ten-mile radius, there were only the two of them, so there was no fear of being overheard.


    "It will be done soon, in just a few more years." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What will you write next?"


    "Let''s talk about that later, I may not write anymore."


    "Don''t say that, if you stop writing, that would indeed be a great loss to the Immortal Cultivation World."


    "Me stopping is actually a good thing, otherwise cultivators wouldn''t cultivate properly and would just sneak away to read books all day."


    "Nonsense, who reads every day? You only write a few words a year, we only read books in our spare time from cultivation."


    The two began to bicker. It was only after Gu Yu pulled out the latest Supreme Secret Records that Gu An believed he wasn''t slacking off reading.


    Gu An stored the Supreme Secret Records in his Storage Bag, then asked, "Has anything significant happened in the Immortal Cultivation World recently?"


    Gu Yu secretly scorned his behavior, then said, "Actually, yes. The Demon Path and Ephemera Sect have been battling in the North Sea Mountains for more than half a year now. Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and Wanyin Sect have been nearly decimated by the Ephemera Sect. If this continues, it won''t be more than two or three years before Ephemera Sect unifies the Demon Path."


    Speaking of the Ephemera Sect, his tone became excited again.


    "The Ephemera Sect will inevitably have a battle with the Supreme Sect, and this battle will unify the Immortal Cultivation World of the Taicang Dynasty. The Sect doesn''t seem in a hurry at all, it seems they are confident of victory."


    Hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but think of Lv Baitian''s ultimate life span and harbored doubts whether he could make a successful breakthrough.


    Regarding ultimate life span, Gu An was at a loss, as it was not something he could reveal to others.


    Ultimate life span is like a kind of destiny, everyone who embarks on the path of Immortal Cultivation is struggling against fate, who can believe in destiny?


    Gu An felt that there must be ways to break destiny, but they were very hard to find.


    After chatting for another Ancient Hour, Gu Yu left, saying that recently Gu Zong had been in seclusion, apparently preparing for the battle against the Ephemera Sect. He also needed to properly cultivate and contribute to the Supreme Sect''s effort when the time comes.


    On the seventh day after Gu Yu left, the Elixir Hall issued orders to collect herbs from the Medicine Valleys ahead of schedule. Even the Third Medicine Valley had Cultivators from the Lv and Ji Families coming to gather a large amount of herbs¡ªthis indicated that something big was about to happen.


    Gu An didn''t think of an attack from the Ephemera Sect, but rather that Lv Baitian was preparing to challenge his Heavenly Destiny, to break through into the Mystic Heart Realm.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Autumn replaced summer.


    On this day at noon, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley and found that Li Xuandao was also there, his Cultivation Level having reached the Void Crossing Realm.


    Over two hundred years old and in the Void Crossing Realm, Gu An had only seen him at this level.


    This fellow was only openly displaying that he was at the first layer of the Elixir Formation Realm, quite low-key.


    Both settled down at the stone table in front of the pavilion to chat, and Li Xuandao praised Gu An''s outstanding planting ability, thanking the herbs cultivated by Gu An for his smooth breakthrough beyond the Core Formation Realm.


    Without those herbs, Li Xuandao planned to have Yi Liuyun help him transplant a Golden Core, which, for sure, wouldn''t be as strong as the Golden Core he could form by himself.


    To this, Gu An could only smile and say it was all thanks to his uncle''s talent.


    Seeing Li Xuandao''s smile, Gu An could guess that he must be very pleased, thinking that no one knew of his Void Crossing Realm Cultivation Level.


    "Gu An, how is Yang Ni doing on your end?" Li Xuandao picked up the tea bowl and smiled as he asked.


    "She''s doing well. She has now started planting medicinal herbs, becoming a fellow cultivator in my field." Gu An replied.


    "Planting medicinal herbs?"


    Li Xuandao''s expression turned intriguing.


    Suddenly, Gu An remembered something Lv Baitian had said about how, two hundred years ago, the Ephemera Sect had controlled the Imperial Family. Could it be that Li Xuandao''s cultivation technique came from the Ephemera Sect?


    Zong Ying was the best proof of this, capable of concealing his own Cultivation Level so that even those of higher realms would find it hard to detect.


    And then there was the Ephemera that Yang Ni planted...


    Well, well!


    Do I have an Ephemera Sect undercover agent by my side?


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.


    Li Xuandao continued, "Recently, the Immortal Cultivation World has been rather unsettled, you should be careful."


    Following his lead, Gu An asked, "Is uncle referring to the Ephemera Sect?"


    ```


    "That''s right."


    "Uncle, as the Emperor, what do you think of the Ephemera Sect?"


    Li Xuandao''s face remained calm as he said, "Ambitious wolves, they bring disaster upon the common people."


    Hearing this, Gu An was stunned; these words didn''t sound like something a member of the Ephemera Sect would say.


    Li Xuandao began to recount the past. It turned out that his father, the former Emperor, had been controlled by the Ephemera Sect, which turned the imperial court into a tool for their profiteering until their deeds were exposed. Subsequently, his father was murdered by the Ephemera Sect. He had no choice but to request the help of the Supreme Sect.


    His own position as Emperor was a result of his provision of intelligence to the Supreme Sect, which then supported his ascent to the throne, as he was not the Crown Prince.


    Li Xuandao''s tone was filled with hostility toward the Ephemera Sect, making Gu An feel that it was likely genuine.


    "I do wish to contend with the Supreme Sect, but that is just an internal imperial struggle. If the Ephemera Sect were to fight with the Supreme Sect, I would most certainly support the Supreme Sect without reservation," Li Xuandao said coldly, his eyes flashing with a murderous intent aimed at the Ephemera Sect.


    Gu An asked in surprise, "With the Ephemera Sect committing such detestable acts and their headquarters remaining unknown, how could there be so many willing to join them?"


    Li Xuandao replied, "Because of Ephemera, it is said that the plant can change the aptitude of Cultivators, even delay their demise. Moreover, the cultivation resources they provide to their members are indeed substantial. Thus, there are always people joining them."


    "From what I currently understand, the Ephemera Sect has an extremely strong foundation, perhaps even stronger than the entire Taicang Dynasty, because we are only dealing with a branch of the Ephemera Sect."


    Ephemera?


    Change in aptitude?


    Gu An raised an eyebrow; no wonder Yang Ni was meditating and cultivating in the Ephemera Garden.


    However, he remained skeptical about the effectiveness of Ephemera. A sixth-tier medicinal plant that could defy the heavens and alter fate?


    Li Xuandao continued to tell Gu An about the deeds of the Ephemera Sect from two hundred years ago. Back then, it was common for the population of an entire city to vanish, leaving behind empty cities. To this day, Li Xuandao still hadn''t discovered where those people had gone, but it was certain that their fates were more grim than not.


    Listening to all this, Gu An felt as though he was hearing various ghost stories, completely engrossed.


    This Ephemera Sect was indeed sinister!


    It was said that the members of the Ephemera Sect were not only Cultivators but also included demons and ghosts. This reminded Gu An of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera still remaining at the Heavenly Repair Platform.


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    After talking for an entire Ancient Hour, Li Xuandao still had not finished, and Gu An was not yet tired of listening.


    Suddenly.


    A notification appeared before Gu An''s eyes.


    [Zhong Liang harbors hostility towards you, holding murderous intentions. Would you like to conduct a Life Span Detection on him?]


    Zhong Liang?


    Who is this person?


    He didn''t recognize him at all.


    Gu An was momentarily stunned. He was typically benevolent in his interactions and rarely made enemies.


    The name sounded challenging, and silently, Gu An chose ''Yes.''


    [It will cost 100 years of lifespan, do you wish to proceed?]


    That expensive?


    Gu An couldn''t help asking aloud, "Uncle, have you ever heard of Zhong Liang?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao frowned deeply and said, "Has the Ephemera Sect already started to make contact with you?"


    "Is this person from the Ephemera Sect?" Upon hearing that, Gu An became tense immediately and made his selection internally.


    [Zhong Liang (Unification Realm Third Layer):1462/2900/3000]


    Third Layer of the Unification Realm!


    Gu An frowned and began to ponder how the other party could have known about him.


    Was it because of Zong Ying?


    No, that couldn''t be, he had checked many times to make sure Zong Ying didn''t carry any items allowing other Great Cultivators to send messages, and it had been half a year since Zong Ying''s death.


    Who could it be then?


    As soon as Gu An thought that he had already attracted the attention of the Ephemera Sect, he felt an impulse to barge into their lair to silence them.


    Unfortunately, the Ephemera Sect had no lair¡ªat least not in Zong Ying''s memory, as the place Zong Ying met with that mysterious shadow was always different.


    "Two hundred years ago, Zhong Liang was the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect. He was gravely injured by Lv Baitian and fled. Where have you encountered him?" Li Xuandao asked with a grave voice.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Previously, outside the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect, I met him by chance; he wanted to invite me out in search of an opportunity, which I declined. Now, having talked with uncle for so long, I suddenly remembered him, and I never imagined he really was a demon head of the Ephemera Sect."


    Li Xuandao did not doubt Gu An''s words but started to consider various possibilities.


    Could it be that Zhong Liang had his sights set on Li Ya, or was it on him?


    Li Xuandao''s complexion turned somber.


    The name Zhong Liang dampened the mood for both men, and no longer in the mood to chat, Gu An conducted a brief check on Tianya Valley before hurrying away.


    After returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An went into the tunnel of the Eight Scenic Caves.


    He wanted to look through Zong Ying''s Storage Bag again, just to be safe.


    As soon as he arrived, he used his Divine Sense to see a vine from the Green Vine Tree fiddling with Zong Ying''s Storage Bag. He maintained his Energy Concealing state, making no noise with his footsteps, and approached quietly.


    When he emerged from the tunnel, the Green Vine Tree was visibly startled, its vine withdrawing swiftly.


    Gu An made his way over to it and said coldly, "Since you have developed consciousness, why hide and sneak around? Are you afraid of me? Be careful, or I''ll burn you with a single fire!"


    As he spoke, his right hand ignited with the Spirit Power Fire.


    Due to Zhong Liang''s hostility, he was in a foul mood.


    Upon hearing this, the Green Vine Tree shuddered violently, with leaves falling all around. A frail female voice then said, "I... I''m not afraid of you; it''s that tree I fear..."

 Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Ephemera Tree, Gu An Defeats the Demon

    "What tree?"


    Gu An asked while looking at the Green Vine Tree, which was nearly three hundred years old. The tree''s ability to speak did not surprise him.


    The voice of the Green Vine Tree sounded somewhat similar to Jiang Qiong''s, probably because it often heard Jiang Qiong speak while it was nurturing its spiritual consciousness.


    "I''m not sure... but I can feel it, it''s going to eat me..."


    The Green Vine Tree''s voice rang out again, causing Gu An to frown.


    The first thing that came to Gu An''s mind was the Human-Faced Tree. That thing also came from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion and was particularly sinister, but its grade and rank were lower than the Green Vine Tree''s, so why would it strike such fear into the Green Vine Tree?


    "Where is it?" Gu An pressed on.


    "I don''t know..."


    "Is it close to you?"


    "Very far, very far..."


    Hearing this response, Gu An could rule out the Human-Faced Tree.


    Could it be related to the Ephemera Sect?


    Could the vanished townspeople have been consumed by some evil tree of the Ephemera Sect?


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more likely it seemed.


    And when he thought of Zhong Liang having set his sights on him, he felt extremely uneasy.


    He wasn''t afraid of Zhong Liang, he was afraid that someone would discover he was hiding his cultivation level.


    No!


    He couldn''t just wait for doom!


    Gu An''s eyes hardened, and he unleashed a terrifying divine sense of the Mahayana Realm, directly enveloping the Taicang Dynasty.


    The Taicang Dynasty was vast, but not too vast for a Mahayana cultivator''s divine sense!


    He began a carpet-search for Zhong Liang, determined to root him out, even if he had to dig three feet into the ground!


    One would never know without searching, but the search was startling. There were so many cultivators in the Taicang Dynasty that Gu An felt like he was sifting sand in a big wave.


    Gu An did not retreat in face of difficulties. Disbelieving in curses, he vowed to find the enemy lurking in the shadows.


    ...


    In a dim underground chamber, Su Han, shirtless, was seated in meditation inside a Cold Pool. The water exuded a cold qi, and beside him stood a white jade long sword that looked like it was made of bones, with blood swirling around the blade, ghastly and ominous.


    A look of pain crossed Su Han''s face as he clenched his teeth and endured.


    A little while later.


    Suddenly, he heard wailing from afar, which prompted him to open his eyes. Turning to the figure seated in meditation in front of the cavern wall, he asked, "Master, what was that sound just now?"


    Zhong Liang, with his eyes closed, said indifferently, "Don''t bother with them. They are just a bunch of pitiful creatures begging for mercy from the heavens. Whether they live or die has nothing to do with you."


    His white hair hung loosely, he wore a broad Daoist robe, his face was square and stern, and his brows conveyed a sense of oppression. Perpetual frowning seemed to have embedded a third eye at the center of his forehead.


    Listening to those wails, Su Han couldn''t calm his heart.


    "Don''t forget the purpose of joining the sect, and why you picked up my sword," Zhong Liang''s voice rose again, tinged with impatience.


    Su Han took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.


    As soon as he closed his eyes, Zhong Liang opened his, his gaze fixed on him, a cold light flickering in his eyes.


    "This boy''s hatred is not yet deep enough. I''ll have to think of a way to capture his master and use him to provoke the boy," Zhong Liang thought.


    Suddenly.


    Zhong Liang''s heart trembled, and for a moment, he experienced a terrifying sensation that made him frown.


    "What''s going on? Is it an illusion?"


    Filled with unease, Zhong Liang spread his divine sense but did not detect any enemies.


    Elsewhere.


    Within the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Gu An''s eyes suddenly shifted.


    Found it!


    Gu An had combed through the Taicang Dynasty without finding the Ephemera Sect''s base. Then it occurred to him to check underground, so he searched again for areas with unusual spiritual energy, and then he found Su Han.


    Next to Su Han sat a Unification Realm cultivator, and a few miles away, in a vast underground space, there was a huge Spirit Tree. Upon first laying eyes on that tree, Gu An was certain it was the being the Green Vine Tree feared.


    This must be the Ephemera Sect''s base. It didn''t look like anything good was happening here. Kill them all, then chase down Zhong Liang!


    He wouldn''t be able to rest easy until Zhong Liang was dead!


    Gu An turned back to look at the Green Vine Tree and said, "In the future, if you''re afraid of something, or if you sense anything unusual nearby, let me know immediately. I won''t let you be at a disadvantage."


    The body of the Green Vine Tree twisted, and it spoke in a timid voice, "Yes, Master."


    Gu An then stepped away.


    Even in the presence of the Green Vine Tree, he did not reveal his true strength. It was always good to keep an ace up his sleeve.


    After leaving the Eight Scenic Caves, Gu An entered the woods and, with his feet performing the Limitless Freedom Step, he vanished into thin air.


    ...


    In the underground chamber, Zhong Liang''s brows were tightly furrowed. His divine sense had swept around several times without detecting any anomalies, but he didn''t believe it was his imagination.


    At that moment, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.


    His complexion drastically changed, and instinctively, he tried to leap away, but to his horror, he found he couldn''t break free.


    In that instant, he felt the same as Zong Ying had before.


    Incredulous!


    Terrified!


    Despair!


    He was a cultivator of the third layer of the Unification Realm, yet he was pinned down by a single hand, unable to move.


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    Zhong Liang cast a sidelong glance and saw a figure shrouded in Demonic Qi standing beside him.


    The one approaching was none other than Gu An, who had employed the extreme Yin Yang body. His figure was enveloped in a purple-black Demonic Qi, preventing Zhong Liang from seeing his true face.


    There were over a hundred various formations and restrictions in this stronghold, but Gu An, relying on the extreme Yin Yang body and the Limitless Freedom Step, entered as if into a realm without people, stepping in without causing any disturbance. The surveillance formations also failed to detect any invasion.


    Gu An pressed one hand against Zhong Liang, his gaze turning towards Su Han.


    Su Han''s cultivation level had already reached the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but his maximum life span had not increased and remained at one hundred and ninety-nine years.


    The life span of a normal cultivator at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm was definitely over two hundred years. It seemed that the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword indeed had the potential to exceed limits, but it still could not break the restrictions of one''s Heavenly Destiny.


    No wonder those who cultivated the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, even if they advanced rapidly in cultivation, were more prone to deviation as they progressed.


    Su Han had not sensed Gu An''s arrival, as he was engrossed in his cultivation.


    Gu An''s gaze returned to Zhong Liang, preparing to use the Soul Searching Skill and began to search within Zhong Liang, unconsciously initiating Life Span Detection.


    What?


    It was you all along, kid!


    Then go to die!


    Gu An''s right hand clenched, and the terrifying Spiritual Power of the Mahayana Realm surged directly into Zhong Liang''s body, annihilating him completely, along with his soul, turning to ash!


    A gust of wind hit him squarely, causing Su Han to open his eyes instinctively. His pupils dilated suddenly as he hurriedly stood up, drawing the white jade sword beside him.


    "Who are you?" Su Han pointed his sword at Gu An and asked in a deep voice.


    Where is Master?


    Why did he suddenly disappear?


    Su Han was filled with fear, especially since Gu An''s figure was frightening and the cave was dimly lit.


    A terrifying pressure burst from within Gu An''s body, instantly overwhelming Su Han, who collapsed into the pool.


    Gu An turned and walked towards the nearby cave entrance, his figure vanishing into the darkness.


    Miles away, in a vast underground space dimly lit, there stood a hundred-zhang tall tree with blood-red leaves. Vines dropped down from the tree branches, each vine tying a person at its end.


    Their necks were entwined by the vines, unable to break free, their bodies visibly shriveling at a speed visible to the naked eye. Many people had already been sucked dry, turning into mummified corpses.


    The entire scene was horrific and extremely sinister.


    Beneath the giant tree stood many members of the Ephemera Sect, each escorting a group of cultivators, male and female, their bodies covered with talisman paper, their Spiritual Power sealed, looking like pitiful prisoners.


    There were over a thousand prisoners, and the Ephemera Sect members there numbered over a hundred. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All the prisoners looked in despair at the giant tree that was feeding.


    "This is a demonic being... a demonic being..."


    "You won''t die a good death, deceiving me into joining the sect, only to feed me to this evil tree!"


    "What is this, a monster or a demon?"


    "Damn it all!"


    Some cursed, some wailed, some begged; their voices made this dark underground space even more terrifying.


    A demonically charming woman with a voluptuous figure and a beautiful face snorted coldly: "Victors make history, losers are forgotten, what''s there to scream about? You are no saints yourselves; who knows, maybe the heavens think we''re exterminating villains and eliminating evil!"


    As she spoke, she lifted a man next to her and pressed her mouth to his forehead, beginning to devour his life force. The man''s complexion quickly became weak, and his eyes lost their luster.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A cold wind blew by, and the female demon cultivator subconsciously glanced at the weeds at her feet. She saw the grass trembling, and before she could react, a leaf shot out abruptly, piercing straight through her brow, and her blood splattered in her mind.


    It was not only her, but virtually all the Ephemera Sect demon cultivators were assassinated by the grass leaves at the same moment, regardless of their cultivation levels, they all died violently.


    The prisoners froze, as if sensing something, and they turned their heads in unison to see a figure walking out of the darkness.


    "Demon Shadow Divine Skill! People from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion!" someone exclaimed with delight.


    No sooner had the voice faded than Gu An suddenly accelerated, transforming into a series of afterimages as he swept past all the prisoners to arrive under the giant tree.


    The prisoners stood as if rooted to the spot, frozen in place, and within a breath''s time, all of them turned to ash simultaneously.


    Gu An looked up and a line of prompts appeared in front of him:


    [Ephemera Tree (Grade Eight): 340/42000/230000]


    Grade Eight!


    No wonder the Green Vine Tree was afraid!


    On the main trunk of the Ephemera Tree, a piece of bark began to split, and soon after, a huge human face emerged, showing only the features without a distinguishable gender. However, its expression was one of greed and malice.


    Vines loosened and then all at once, struck towards Gu An.


    Clang¡ª


    The sound of a sword being drawn echoed through the cavern, harsh to the ears.


    The Ephemera Tree was cleaved in two, its countless vines falling like heavy rain. The greedy face on it was also split in half, its expression seeming to freeze. The halves of the tree trunk suddenly began to shatter, with sword energies bursting out, creating a spectacular sight.


    Gu An sheathed the Heavenly Residence Sword back into its scabbard, then tossed it into his storage bag, and finally used his own Spiritual Fire to burn the Ephemera Tree.


    Rows of life span extraction prompts crazily popped up in front of him.


    A Grade Eight Spirit Tree is very strong, its presence nearly on par with a cultivator of the Unification Realm. Alas, it faced a Mahayana Cultivator.


    ...


    At noon.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An walked down from the Transmission Array Platform, his mood was very good. Last night, he had reaped more than forty thousand years of life span, with the Ephemera Tree alone contributing five thousand years.


    Only Su Han from that Ephemera Sect outpost remained alive.


    Once he knew those prisoners were also demon cultivators, Gu An showed no mercy and took the opportunity to completely silence them, leaving no future trouble.


    No sooner had he stepped off the Array Platform than he felt the presence of Lv Baitian, Gu Zong, and Ji Hantian. The three were waiting in his pavilion.


    Gu An immediately went up, and as he ascended the stairs, the door of the room opened.


    As he stepped over the threshold and was about to pay his respects, Gu Zong waved his sleeve, closing the room door and reapplying the restriction.


    Gu An noticed their strange expressions and thought that the Ephemera Sect might be about to attack.


    He wasn''t panicked; once the Ephemera Sect realized their Ephemera Tree had been destroyed, they probably wouldn''t have the capacity to deal with the Supreme Sect.


    Lv Baitian''s face looked extremely bad, the whole person was very weak, pale, and as he looked at Gu An, he said through gritted teeth, "There''s a cruel piece of bad news I have to tell you."

 Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Attack of the Ascenders

    "What''s the bad news?"


    Gu An asked, sensing that Lv Baitian''s aura was very weak, so he performed a Life Span Detection on him.


    [Lv Baitian (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 764/2050/3200]


    It didn''t look like there was much of a change.


    Wait a minute!


    His lifespan had dropped by eleven hundred years!


    Gu An remembered that his previous lifespan was three thousand one hundred fifty years.


    Could it be a failed Tribulation Crossing?


    Gu An was secretly alarmed, no wonder in the cultivation simulations, every time he failed, many years had to pass before he could attempt to cross the tribulation again. Reality was the same, and in reality, one might even die, and even if not dead, one could not continuously attempt the tribulation.


    Lv Baitian took a deep breath and said, "I failed the tribulation crossing, unable to break through to a higher realm. I even need many years to recuperate before I can recover my peak cultivation level."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s face changed drastically, and he immediately became excited, stepping forward two steps and anxiously asking, "Sect Leader, are you okay? You must take care of yourself, the Supreme Sect can''t be without you!"


    Hearing this, a smile appeared on Lv Baitian''s gloomy face, and Gu Zong also felt reassured.


    Ji Hantian, however, was displeased and said, "What do you mean it can''t be without him? If he dies, there''s still me."


    Which Vice Sect Leader doesn''t want to be the Sect Leader?


    But is it really good to be so blunt?


    Gu An thought to himself, his face still full of worry.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t die, but wanting to attempt a higher realm again in this life will be difficult. If I fail next time, then I will truly die." Lv Baitian said somberly, recalling his tribulation experience, his face showing a look of lingering fear.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask further, "Is the heavenly tribulation that difficult? Even a great cultivator like you can''t handle it?"


    Ji Hantian snorted, "He has surpassed countless beings of the Nine Dynasties in crossing the tribulation. Many people and demons spend their entire lives without even reaching the Unification Realm."


    Gu Zong nodded and self-mockingly said, "I''m one of those who can''t reach the Unification Realm."


    Gu An took a deep breath and bitterly said, "Don''t talk about the Unification Realm; I can''t even reach the Core Formation Realm."


    His current outward cultivation level was still at the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    "Don''t worry, even if I have to spend elixirs and precious treasures, I can get you to the Core Formation Realm. However, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm depends on your personal fate and opportunities; even the sect can''t help with that. Of course, you have one other option, and that is to become my disciple.


    I can directly transfer my cultivation to you." Lv Baitian said with a wave of his sleeve, assertively.


    Here we go again!


    Just as Gu An was about to refuse, Ji Hantian couldn''t help but interject, "Don''t think about transferring cultivation now; the Ephemera Sect is looking at us like a tiger watching its prey, they might attack tomorrow. Even if he inherits your cultivation, he won''t have your strength. Right now, the Supreme Sect truly can''t be without you."


    Gu Zong nodded, saying, "I have already contacted the Supreme Elders, though I don''t know how many can return."


    The conversation turned to the Supreme Elders, and Lv Baitian''s attention was diverted as he began to reflect.


    It turned out that the reason the Supreme Elders left the Supreme Sect was all to seek opportunities to reach above the Unification Realm. Historically, only a tenth of those Supreme Elders ever returned, and within that tenth, only a tenth managed a successful breakthrough; the rest came back to live out the rest of their lives.


    Ji Hantian brought up the True Inheritor, believing that person was the Supreme Sect disciple most likely to surpass the Unification Realm, even more likely than the Supreme Elders.


    This made Gu An curious about the True Inheritor, wondering what sort of talent it was that made everyone in the Supreme Sect mention him with respect and anticipation.


    Gu An stood to the side, quietly listening, learning more about the past of the Supreme Sect.


    A full half an hour passed before the three ended their conversation.


    "The most important thing I came here for today is that we''ll be sending more high-rank seeds soon. You must carefully cultivate them; it concerns the future battle between the Supreme Sect and the Ephemera Sect," Ji Hantian said seriously to Gu An.


    Sending seeds?


    The more, the merrier!


    Gu An quickly promised, "No matter how many you send, I will do my best to cultivate them; I absolutely won''t be negligent!"


    Gu Zong laughed heartily, "I love your enthusiasm. None of the other Medicine Valley masters are as earnest as you, either neglecting their duties or pocketing resources. Keep up the good work, and later we will promote you to an Inner Sect Disciple."


    Gu An promptly expressed his gratitude.


    Straight after, Lv Baitian and the other two got up and left.


    As they walked out of the pavilion, Lv Baitian''s complexion instantly recovered. As the Sect Leader, he couldn''t let the disciples see him in a weakened state.


    Gu An went downstairs and watched them leave in the distance.


    He felt a bit regretful; he had wanted to ask Ji Hantian when the seventh-tier Spirit Tree would arrive.


    ¡­


    Neither the news of the fall of the Ephemera Tree nor of Lv Baitian''s failed tribulation had spread in the world of immortal cultivation, at least not when Ye Lan came to see Gu An. She hadn''t mentioned these two events.


    Upcoming Spring Festival, Ye Lan was unable to participate since the Law Enforcement Hall had a major mission that would take several months.


    Gu An stood on the edge of the terrace, watching Ye Lan''s figure disappearing into the flurry of falling snow until she vanished, only then did he withdraw his gaze.


    He looked at Yang Ni emerging from the woods. As Yang Ni walked past his building, he asked, "You said the Ephemera Sect has no foundation, yet it attracts so many cultivators to join; how foolish are the cultivators of this world?"


    Yang Ni stopped in her tracks, looked up at Gu An, and said, "Maybe the Ephemera Sect has something they want to obtain?"


    "Is that so? But I feel it''s more like a scam. Previously, the Demon Extermination Hall of the Outer Sect was just like this. Lu Jiujia initially trusted the Demon Extermination Hall, thinking he could follow a clear path upwards, but he ended up being persecuted."


    Gu An spoke in a reflective tone, shook his head, and said, "It appears that looking around this world, everyone can''t escape one word, and that is ''struggle.'' It''s still better here in the Medicine Valley; I don''t need to compete for anything."


    Having said that, he turned and went back inside.


    Yang Ni frowned, sensing that Gu An was hinting at her.


    If Gu An had guessed her connection with the Ephemera Sect, why didn''t he just say it outright? S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Ni pondered for a bit, then decided to find Lu Jiujia to chat and see what Gu An was talking about.


    ...


    With winter snow swirling, the Ji Family finally delivered the promised seventh-rank Spirit Tree.


    [Pure Yang Tree (Seventh-Rank): 2/8999/64000]


    Gu An carried a sapling taller than a person and began searching for a suitable planting site.


    In the end, he decided to plant the Pure Yang Tree in the open space in front of the loft, and he immediately summoned his disciples to shovel the snow and dig the soil.


    Hearing that it was a seventh-rank Spirit Tree, many disciples gathered around to watch the excitement.


    Even though the Pure Yang Tree was still in its sapling state, as soon as it was planted, the snow around it began to melt, making everyone nearby feel warm, as if it were a tree of fire.


    This Pure Yang Tree was Gu An''s personal treasure, so listening to the disciples'' discussions, he felt a great sense of accomplishment.


    His gaze suddenly drifted towards the distance; he saw a group of cultivators flying over the mountain peaks on their swords, led by Lv Songhan, the Elder of the Outer Sect.


    Following Lv Songhan were two hundred Qi Cultivation Realm Servant Disciples, all above the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation Realm.


    Hm?


    Why has she come?


    Gu An saw Ascender Lu Lingjun also behind Lv Songhan. This chap''s surface cultivation level was the eighth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, a well-hidden depth.


    Who would have thought that this Servant Disciple was actually a ninth layer Cultivator of the Unification Realm, comparable to Lv Baitian?


    If it really came to a fight, Gu An felt that Lv Baitian might not be a match for Lu Lingjun, as Lv Baitian had only lived for over seven hundred years, while Lu Lingjun was nearly two thousand years old, an old monster.


    After Lv Songhan landed, he cupped his fists with a smile and said, "Brother Gu, here are two hundred Servant Disciples specially selected for you to command, already approved by the higher-ups." read-this-on-NovelFire


    The choice of Servant Disciples was because it is difficult for Servant Disciples to steal the medicinal herbs here; after all, this is Inner Sect territory with a whole Outer City nearby, so security is not a concern. The main thing is manpower.


    Gu An went forward and exchanged pleasantries with Lv Songhan.


    In the midst of the crowd, Lu Lingjun sized up Gu An, curiously pondering how a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could be brothers with a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator?


    What''s his background?


    The other Servant Disciples were thrilled, as this Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect''s territory represented a great opportunity for them.


    After Lv Songhan left, Gu An called Xiaochuan over, instructing him to arrange accommodations for these Servant Disciples.


    He did not take another look at Lu Lingjun, not wanting to entangle closely with an Ascender.


    That day, the new Servant Disciples were all constructing the loft and then exploring the Third Medicine Valley on their own.


    Seeing two seventh-rank Spirit Trees hidden within the Third Medicine Valley, Lu Lingjun was quite surprised.


    Before ascending, she had seen a seventh-rank Spirit Tree, over twenty thousand years old and larger than mountains.


    The foundation of the Supreme Sect was terrifying indeed; she must take root here!


    Thus, Lu Lingjun showed great diligence in the days that followed, so much so that Gu An could not deliberately ignore her.


    After New Year, Gu An asked Xiaochuan to select ten people to be Deacons of the Medicine Valley, responsible for managing the other Servant Disciples, and Xiaochuan chose Lu Lingjun as one of these ten.


    Lu Lingjun''s intense gaze made Gu An quite uncomfortable.


    She was naturally beautiful, no female disciple in the valley was more attractive than her, and her performance was so impressive that if Gu An deliberately ignored her, it would only raise suspicions.


    Gu An spoke to the ten Medicine Valley Deacons, encouraging them with a few words before dismissing them.


    But Lu Lingjun approached him, whispering, "Valley Master, I have something to tell you, may we speak in your room?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, leading her toward the loft.


    The other Deacons, still not far away, cast envious glances at Lu Lingjun.


    Being beautiful is indeed an asset!


    After entering the room, Lu Lingjun closed the door, and Gu An walked over to sit at the desk, casually flipping over the Green Hero Travelogue on the table.


    Lu Lingjun approached the desk and took out a secret manual from her bosom, handing it to Gu An.


    Gu An glanced at it.


    Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art!


    Intimidating name!


    Lu Lingjun whispered, "This is my family''s cultivation technique, I hope the Valley Master will not disdain it."


    Gu An frowned and said, "What are you doing? Put it away quickly. What would it look like if someone saw this?"


    Lu Lingjun nodded, understanding, and she put the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art back into her bosom, then took out a Magic Artifact from her storage bag.


    "I told you, don''t act rashly!"


    Lu Lingjun then switched to a bottle of elixirs, claiming they could enhance Qi-Blood and meridians.


    "Are you testing me with this? Are you questioning my devotion to the Supreme Sect!" Gu An rose angrily, his voice low as if he feared the disciples outside might hear.


    Lu Lingjun cursed greed under her breath.


    Suddenly, she thought of something else, took out a white jade long bottle from her storage bag, and said, "This is Heavenly Spirit Water. Though it''s just a single bottle, if sprinkled on the ground, it can gather Spiritual Energy, form a lake that water can enhance the soil around it, allowing the heavenly materials and earthly treasures to grow faster.


    Moreover, it can condense Spirit Pearls every year, which can be swallowed or used for making elixirs."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An took the bottle from her hand, saying sternly, "This should not set a precedent. Tell me, what do you want, but it must not threaten the interests of the Supreme Sect."


    Lu Lingjun showed a smile, "Valley Master, may I have your permission to cultivate under the Mystic Pure Tree?"


    She had previously stood in front of the Mystic Pure Tree and spotted an enormously fat White Spirit Rat. Although the fat rat seemed to be sleeping, with her insight, she could tell that the fat rat was in a mysterious state of Path Enlightenment.

 Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Void Crossing Realm, Is It Strong?

    Mystic Pure Tree?


    Gu An hadn''t expected Lu Lingjun to discover the mysteries of the Mystic Pure Tree so quickly. To him, this matter was not forbidden. On the contrary, it brought him more inspiration.


    In the future, he could use the Mystic Pure Tree to motivate the disciples to work harder!


    Gu An pondered and said, "Alright, but you can only go there at night. You must leave after dawn. The Mystic Pure Tree is an asset of the Sect, and many Great Cultivators will be watching. Understand?"


    As soon as Lu Lingjun heard this, she quickly thanked Gu An.


    Seeing this Unification Realm nine-layer Great Cultivator so respectful before him, Gu An felt quite emotional.


    Wasn''t he the same?


    Despite possessing great cultivation, he still had to act cautiously because they were all dissatisfied with their current situations and believed they could ascend further.


    After a brief conversation, Lu Lingjun bid her farewell and left.


    Upon closing the door, Lu Lingjun descended the stairs, wondering to herself, "What book is ''Green Hero Travelogue''? It even surpasses the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art."


    Although Gu An moved quickly, she had still managed to see the book''s title in a flash.


    She decided to go to the Outer City later to investigate further.


    Having arrived at the Great Heaven and Earth Spirit Realm, Lu Lingjun was curious about everything here, yet also filled with awe. That''s why she started as a Servant Disciple, familiarizing herself with this world first before gradually advancing.


    Her goal was to be an Elder of the Supreme Sect; Third Medicine Valley was just a stepping stone.


    On her way, Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but wonder what the cultivation level of the Sect Leader of Supreme Sect was like.


    It must be higher than hers, right?


    ...


    Late at night, in the North Sea Mountain, a fierce wind whipped through the area, carrying snowflakes with it.


    Gu An sat meditating under a tree, slowly opening his eyes, which flickered with sharp light.


    He had just spent a hundred thousand years of his lifespan to advance the Ji Family''s Divine Technique from Heaven and Earth Path Gang to Heaven and Earth Dominator Body and then to Daoist Gang Primal Energy.


    Once Daoist Gang Primal Energy was perfected, the invisible and colorless primal energy would automatically protect his body, warding off evil spirits and resisting various spells and divine skills. Moreover, he could manipulate the Daoist Gang Primal Energy to attack enemies, both offensive and defensive.


    Gu An began refining the Daoist Gang Primal Energy, having inherited the evolving memory. He simply needed to run the technique according to the sorcery to master it.


    An hour later, the Daoist Gang Primal Energy was perfected; he could store the Daoist Gang Primal Energy on the surface of his skin, allowing others to touch him but not harm him.


    Gu An still had 430,000 years of lifespan left and hesitated whether to continue enhancing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword was already very powerful, and it seemed that enhancing it further might not be very meaningful.


    His intuition told him that enhancing the Wood Spirit Sword Technique might be stronger than the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword because his cultivation technique had a Wood Attribute, and he temporarily did not obtain the Sorcery of Five Elements.


    But since he already had a sword technique, practicing another seemed pointless. It would be better to focus on one completely.


    Perhaps in a hundred years, a hundred thousand years of lifespan might not mean much to him. It would still be timely to practice the Wood Spirit Sword Technique.


    Forget it!


    He decided to focus on other spells and divine skills first.


    Actually, with Gu An''s eight-layer Mahayana Realm cultivation, any spell in his hands could exhibit overwhelming power against those in the Mystic Heart Realm. He wouldn''t challenge stronger foes across realms, so enhancing these spells and divine skills was done in preparation for future breakthroughs.


    After much consideration, Gu An decided to enhance the Gathering Spirit Divine Finger taught by Lv Baitian.


    The Gathering Spirit Divine Finger was particularly unique; not only did it gather the caster''s Spiritual Power, but it also gathered the surrounding Spiritual Energy, meaning this technique could borrow the power of heaven and earth.


    Gu An had a bold idea.


    During his evolution, could he possibly use the power of heaven and earth to disperse a heavenly tribulation with just one finger?


    The thought alone was quite thrilling to him.


    Hopefully, his evolving self would be smart!


    Gu An immediately invested a hundred thousand years of lifespan into the Gathering Spirit Divine Finger.


    The Gathering Spirit Divine Finger advanced to Sky-Reaching Finger, then upgraded to Breaking Path Divine Light.


    A torrent of memories flooded into Gu An''s mind, immersing him completely.


    The finger technique underwent transformation, evolving from being limited to the fingers to being able to be executed from any part of the body!


    As the Spiritual Energy in the North Sea Mountain continued to sink, all creatures discussed it widely; they had grown accustomed to the sinking Spiritual Energy, so they were not afraid, only curious about what exactly was happening.


    Another hour went by.


    Gu An opened his eyes and inwardly exclaimed.


    Such a dominant Breaking Path Divine Light!


    This spell specialized in breaking all kinds of formations, restrictions, and defensive spells and divine skills. It could also directly destroy an enemy, causing their body and path to perish.


    This round of enhancements hadn''t been a mistake!


    Gu An smiled and then stood up. He dispelled the Life Span Barrier and walked toward the deeper part of the forest. It was still early before dawn, and he prepared to enjoy the scenery of North Sea, meanwhile going to check on Li Ya.


    Li Ya was still at the edge of North Sea, diligently practicing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    When Gu An had initially taught him the swordsmanship, he had also infused a Sword Intent within the North Sea Heavy Sword to guide his practice.


    With the guidance of Sword Intent, Li Ya''s progress was swift, far easier than the arduous self-comprehension he underwent during evolution.


    The trees in the North Sea Mountain forest were tall, giving one the sensation of having been shrunk. The forest was filled with Demon Energy, and Gu An even saw spirit beasts similar to the White Spirit Rat, peculiar and varied, some adorable and some extremely ugly.


    As Gu An enjoyed the scenery along the way, thousands of miles away by a lake in North Sea, Li Ya stood bare-chested, wielding the North Sea Heavy Sword and swinging it toward the bright moon. read-first-on-NovelFire


    The shimmering surface of the lake held the moon aloft, with snowflakes scatterings, resembling stars falling.


    Li Ya''s body was drenched in sweat, his muscles taut with each sword swing, radiating a sense of power.


    "Never mind how well you have mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, your physical body has thoroughly merged with the Dragon Image Divine Primordial, and your strength is comparable to that of a fourth-tier demon beast."


    The voice of the elder rang out, filled with admiration.


    Li Ya''s lips curled up in a smile as he continued to practice his swordsmanship without responding.


    He had already begun to imagine defeating Lv Xian, Zhou Tongyou, and Ji Xiaoyu, intending to astonish all the clans and rebuild the peak of the Li Family.


    "Impressive swordsmanship, truly a formidable young man." A voice sounded from the side, startling Li Ya so much that he turned around to see a scholar-dressed man walking along the beach.


    Dressed in white, carrying a bookcase on his back, wearing a cloth hat, and holding a folding fan, he appeared to Li Ya in the moonlight like a fierce ghost.


    Li Ya frowned and asked, "What do you want?"


    Having stayed in the North Sea Mountains for many years, he had encountered both demons and evil spirits, and by now, no being could frighten him.


    The scholar in white smiled and said, "I hail from the Ephemera Sect. You can call me Traveler of Graceful Crane. I''ve seen your swordsmanship is quite good, and your qi-blood far surpasses those of the same realm. How about it, join the Ephemera Sect with me?"


    The Ephemera Sect! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Ya frowned. Over the past two years, the Ephemera Sect and various demonic sects had waged great battles in the North Sea Mountains, which he had naturally encountered.


    He resolutely responded, "I am a disciple of the Supreme Sect. Thanks for your kind offer."


    To him, he still took pride in the Supreme Sect, and in his eyes, how could a sect of unclear origin like the Ephemera Sect compare to the righteous, great Supreme Sect?


    "Many cultivators from your Supreme Sect, including elders, have joined our sect. The Supreme Sect will eventually be replaced by the Ephemera Sect, so joining the Ephemera Sect sooner is the right path," the Traveler of Graceful Crane said, smiling broadly.


    Li Ya''s expression turned cold, and he lifted his sword towards the Traveler of Graceful Crane, "So, you''re saying I can''t refuse?"


    Seeing him raise his sword, the Traveler of Graceful Crane laughed, "Young one, you think you are above all because you hold the soul of a great elder within you?"


    As he finished, he suddenly attacked Li Ya.


    Li Ya''s expression changed as he raised his sword to defend.


    ...


    Gu An had been wandering around the forest for several hours, and only when dawn was about to break did he leave, stepping with the Limitless Freedom Step.


    He arrived at the beach where Li Ya was, and from a distance, he spotted Li Ya sitting collapsed in front of a rock, his head buried in his arms. The North Sea Heavy Sword lay on the sand, enduring the continual wash of the waves.


    Hmm?


    Somethin appeared amiss!


    Gu An keenly sensed that the soul within Li Ya had vanished.


    He immediately walked towards Li Ya.


    It was only as he approached that Li Ya heard his footsteps.


    Li Ya slowly lifted his head. Upon seeing Gu An, surrounded by demonic qi, his expression dramatically changed. He hurriedly scrambled up and knelt before Gu An.


    "Primordial Ancestor! Please save my elder! He has been captured by the Traveler of Graceful Crane from the Ephemera Sect!"


    Li Ya urgently spoke, his voice even breaking into a sob.


    The reason he felt like crying was because he believed Gu An to be the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family, and in front of his own ancestor, his emotions completely overwhelmed him.


    Gu An asked in an aged voice, "What happened?"


    MWhile he spread his divine sense to search for traces of Li Ya''s soul aura.


    He had never met the Traveler of Graceful Crane, so instead of looking for him directly, he searched for the soul aura.


    Li Ya began to recount his earlier encounter.


    After being defeated by the Traveler of Graceful Crane and suffering humiliation, the Traveler of Graceful Crane took his soul, claiming that if he wanted to save that soul, he should join the Ephemera Sect and find him.


    The Li Ya who had diligently cultivated for years felt he had completely changed, but against the Traveler of Graceful Crane, he was utterly powerless, and his confidence was shattered.


    Gu An did not find the soul''s traces, guessing it was hidden by the Traveler of Graceful Crane. He was not panicked, believing that if he seriously searched, he would eventually find the Traveler of Graceful Crane.


    "Why didn''t you choose a safe place to practice your swordsmanship, and instead practiced here without even a formation?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    He felt Li Ya was commendable in every aspect, except for one bad habit: he was too reckless.


    Relying on having his grandfather inside him, he was reckless in his actions and always ended up injured.


    This incident would be a good lesson for him!


    "I..."


    Li Ya wanted to respond, but he was so ashamed he couldn''t rationalize his actions.


    The reason he chose this place was precisely to attract attacks from demons and ghosts, enabling him to improve during combat.


    Of course, his confidence stemmed from the elder''s soul within him.


    "You always escape from death, but have you ever thought, does it not burden him?" Gu An asked.


    Thinking of how often the elder reprimanded him for his recklessness, Li Ya felt even more embarrassed and wished he could hide in a hole.


    Seeing his distressed demeanor, Gu An felt a pang of sympathy and couldn''t bear to be too harsh.


    "You should join the Ephemera Sect," Gu An suddenly said.


    Li Ya looked up in shock, unable to believe what his revered ancestor was suggesting.


    "The Ephemera Sect harms people. You infiltrate the Ephemera Sect, and at the end of each month, find a mountain peak and release your aura. I will be able to locate you. When the Ephemera Sect gathers, I will make my move," Gu An said indifferently.


    Li Ya hurriedly responded, "But isn''t that very dangerous? The entire demon path is no match for the Ephemera Sect. It is said that the Ephemera Sect has members beyond the Void Crossing Realm, and not just one!"


    Gu An retorted, "The Void Crossing Realm, is it strong?"


    Li Ya was silenced.

 Chapter 106: Chapter 106 Nine Nether Road

    Li Ya finally agreed to join the Ephemera Sect, and Gu An did not comfort him much, maintaining his image as a mysterious senior.


    After leaving the North Sea Mountains, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.


    Next, he planned to start a long-term life-prolonging project, aiming straight for the grand goal of ten million years of life span!


    The cold winter had eventually passed, and the Spring Festival had arrived. The entire Taicang Dynasty was celebrating, with lanterns and streamers everywhere. Even the Supreme Sect began to hold the Spring Festival.


    That day, Gu An took Xiaochuan and Lu Lingjun to roam the Outer Sect.


    Lu Lingjun was very interested in the Spring Festival. This was her initiative to come to the city of the Outer Sect, and since Heavenly Spirit Lake, formed by the Heavenly Spirit Water, had indeed won Gu An''s favor, he brought her along.


    It just so happened that Lv Baitian had failed his Tribulation Crossing. If Gu An could win Lu Lingjun over as a cultivator for the Supreme Sect, she could shield him in the future.


    Gu An''s foundation had been established, and the stronger the Supreme Sect, the more he could survive.


    These years, the Supreme Sect was improving, with fewer dark events occurring, which increasingly strengthened Gu An''s sense of belonging to the sect.


    Upon arriving at the city of the Outer Sect, Xiaochuan went off on his own, having his own friends in the city as well.


    Gu An took Lu Lingjun to the Heavenly Repair Platform, wanting her to see the characters for "Righteous Path."


    When he had carved the "Righteous Path" characters, he had just reached the Unification Realm. This was also why the Demon Path was more wary of Lv Baitian, as the Sword Intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform was not unbelievably strong for those in the Unification Realm, after all, he was remotely engraving.


    "So many years have passed, and Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent still attracts so many cultivators to observe; it is truly impressive," remarked Gu An.


    Lu Lingjun had seen the characters "Righteous Path" when she first came to the Supreme Sect, and she nodded, "Indeed impressive."


    In her world, she had never seen such strong Sword Intent, which made her full of expectations for the Supreme Sect.


    If the Outer Sect had such powerful Sword Intent, what would the foundations of the Inner Sect be like?


    And the higher status Main City of Sect!


    Just thinking about it excited Lu Lingjun, feeling that she could find ways to breakthrough to higher realms in the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An found Lu Lingjun''s reaction quite flat, and his tone was somewhat perfunctory.


    Oh no!


    This person looks down upon his Sword Intent!


    Could it be that she is confident in defeating him in his Unification Realm?


    Thinking this, Gu An''s complacency was considerably restrained.


    There are so many geniuses in the world, let alone those who can emerge from one world to another. He couldn''t underestimate anyone.


    Gu An continued to scan the Heavenly Repair Platform, throwing in Life Span Detection at those unfamiliar cultivators.


    Because it was the Spring Festival, there were fewer people on the Heavenly Repair Platform than usual, all wandering in the city, relaxing their Daoist hearts.


    "Valley Master, may I wander alone, if that''s okay?" asked Lu Lingjun.


    This hurt Gu An even more. My Sword Intent isn''t attractive at all?


    "Go ahead, let''s regroup here at dusk," Gu An nodded, secretly deciding that he must keep Lu Lingjun at the Supreme Sect.


    Such an impressive person should serve the Supreme Sect!


    Wait a minute!


    Why am I suddenly thinking like a Sect Leader?


    It''s all Lv Baitian''s fault!


    Gu An shook his head, then turned towards the Elixir Hall.


    He also had many friends in the city of the Outer Sect, mainly in the Elixir Hall and Book Collection Hall. Each visit, he would hang out with a few good friends, have a few drinks, and listen to their cultivation experiences, enjoying this simple and leisurely life.


    Elsewhere.


    Lu Lingjun wandered around until someone stopped her.


    "Miss, I have good books here, buy one, many female disciples are reading them," said the disciple mysteriously, glancing around as if afraid of being noticed.


    Lu Lingjun raised an eyebrow, asking, "Do you know about ''Green Hero Travelogue''?"


    Upon hearing this, the disciple''s eyes lit up, "Expert indeed! I knew from Miss''s demeanor that you are well-versed in this area. Indeed, I have ''Green Hero Travelogue.'' Buy one ''Supreme Secret Records,'' and I''ll give you two ''Green Hero Travelogue'' for free!"


    "Oh? How many books are in the complete ''Green Hero Travelogue''?"


    "There are many, Miss. Would you like the whole set?"


    "Yes."


    "Alright, for two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, buy ten ''Supreme Secret Records,'' and I will give you the complete set of the ''Green Hero Travelogue.''"


    "Okay."


    The two completed the transaction, and afterward, the book-selling disciple quickly left, as if he were a thief.


    Lu Lingjun felt she had been duped. No way such unique and secretive books could be so cheap, but two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones were trivial to her. She stored all the books in her Storage Bag, planning to read them back at the valley.


    When Gu An reached the Elixir Hall, he saw an acquaintance.


    It was An Xin, a disciple he had taken in at the Outer Sect before.


    An Xin was of mediocre talent, only able to stay at the Outer Sect, and An Hao did not forget her, occasionally sending various elixirs. Unfortunately, her cultivation level still improved slowly.


    Both born in the same village, they had entered the Immortal Path but their paths were vastly different, which made Gu An lament the unfairness of fate.


    An Xin was doing odd jobs in the Elixir Hall. She felt she couldn''t always rely on An Hao; she wanted to make efforts on her own.


    Seeing the fragile An Xin dealing with a male disciple giving her a hard time, Gu An sighed internally.


    Perhaps, should he just take care of her for life?


    Although he valued An Hao more, An Xin was his disciple as well.


    Moreover, if he didn''t take action, he feared that one day, An Xin would die because of An Hao. As An Hao''s level got higher, his enemies would only increase, and sooner or later they would target An Hao''s vulnerability, which was An Xin.


    With that thought, Gu An walked over to An Xin. The disciple who saw Gu An approaching hurriedly smiled apologetically and bowed in greeting.


    In the Elixir Hall, Gu An held a significant status. After all, he visited every month, and the disciples who were often there knew he was close to the elders of the Elixir Hall.


    After dismissing the disciple, Gu An turned to An Xin.


    "Valley Master Gu, what do you need?" An Xin asked nervously.


    She understood Gu An''s identity better than any of the Outer Disciples here; he was someone who could converse and laugh freely with the Sect Leader.


    The last time Lv Baitian brought An Hao to confront Gu An during a dispute, An Hao took the opportunity to move An Xin to the Third Medicine Valley, and the two had met then. Although Gu An had not spoken to An Xin at that time, she remembered him distinctly. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    NovelFire.com-exclusive


    "You''re An Xin, right? Why not come with me to the Third Medicine Valley? You''re just doing chores anyway. Work for me, and the treatment will be better, plus, it''ll be easier for you to see An Hao. I''m quite familiar with your senior brother," Gu An said with a smile.


    An Xin, upon hearing this, hesitated slightly.


    Seeing through her thoughts, Gu An spoke earnestly, "It''s good to be independent and strong, but there''s no need to deliberately make yourself suffer. What''s good for you is good for An Hao too, so why hesitate?"


    An Xin was silent.


    This was the first time Gu An found the girl to be so stubborn. He said in a low voice, "I have a cultivation technique here that might change your natural talent. As long as you perform well in Medicine Valley, I''ll pass it on to you."


    He was referring to the Daoist Expansion Skill, a technique passed to him by Wuxin, which accumulated spiritual energy to suppress cultivation levels, allowing for a breakthrough that could alter one''s destiny when unleashed.


    Wuxin described it very mystically, but the skill had yet to be verified.


    Upon hearing this, An Xin finally felt tempted. She bit her lip and said, "Thank you, Valley Master Gu. Shall I go back and pack up now?"


    "No need to explain anything to the people at the Elixir Hall. I''ll handle it. Just go back directly; I''ll wait here for you. Don''t rush; returning before evening will be fine," Gu An said with a smile, unconsciously wanting to pat An Xin''s head, but he restrained himself.


    The child had grown up; such gestures were not suitable, and since they had not yet recognized each other, it would be somewhat presumptuous.


    An Xin smiled broadly, bowed to him, and then left.


    Gu An watched her leaving figure, feeling a deep emotion in his heart.


    The An Xin of the past was like a little bean, thin and weak. Now, she had grown up tall and beautiful, which pleased him greatly.


    After stepping out the threshold, An Xin breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Why did he look at me with such a smiling face? He doesn''t have any ill intentions towards me, right?"


    An Xin felt somewhat worried in her heart, but thinking that there were many disciples in the Third Medicine Valley and that Gu An would hardly dare to act recklessly, her heart felt steadier.


    ...


    After returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An asked Lu Lingjun to take care of An Xin, in case the two got closer and Lu Lingjun could give An Xin some guidance.


    This arrangement also eased An Xin''s nerves.


    During the journey, Gu An had noticed that An Xin was somewhat nervous, but he didn''t think much of it.


    Subsequently, he used the Transmission Array Platform to return to Mystic Valley.


    Back in Mystic Valley, he summoned Chu Jingfeng and Lu Jiujia, and formally passed on the Daoist Expansion Skill to them.


    After hearing Gu An explain the effects of the Daoist Expansion Skill, both men''s breathing quickened. The first to come to his senses was Lu Jiujia, who immediately knelt to Gu An.


    Chu Jingfeng clenched his teeth, yet he did not kneel.


    Gu An quickly helped Lu Jiujia up. He didn''t need anyone to kneel to him; kneeling did not represent loyalty.


    It was just right to let these two try the Daoist Expansion Skill. If it proved effective, he would let An Xin cultivate it.


    After the two left, Gu An took out the latest volume of Green Hero Travelogue to enjoy.


    So many years had passed, and Green Hero Travelogue was still being published. Gu An truly admired the author. Didn''t this guy cultivate? How could he journey outside all year round?


    ...


    Under the night sky, in the woods, a dilapidated temple sat.


    Traveler of Graceful Crane sat on the eaves, holding a scroll in his hands, he read by the moonlight and softly said, "Have you decided? Once you join the Ephemera Sect, you can''t leave, and you must also bear the Ephemera Seal on your body."


    Li Ya stood in the courtyard, his North Sea Heavy Sword on his back, and stared intently at the Traveler of Graceful Crane, saying, "Didn''t you want me to join the Ephemera Sect? What now? You don''t want me to join anymore?"


    The Traveler of Graceful Crane turned his head toward him, his demeanor aloof, his expression indifferent, his gaze seemingly piercing through Li Ya.


    "The Ephemera Sect''s purpose is to pursue the Nine Nether Road. A hundred years from now, a great demon calamity will sweep across the lands of the nine dynasties. At that time, only by following the Nine Nether Road will one be able to escape the mortal hell. Joining the Ephemera Sect is to secure a path for oneself.


    If you perform well, you might obtain Ephemera, which can enhance your natural qualities," the Traveler of Graceful Crane said profoundly. The words "great demon calamity" made Li Ya frown.


    Li Ya inquired about what the great demon calamity was.


    The Traveler of Graceful Crane didn''t conceal it and explained it to him.


    Hearing that the lands of the nine dynasties would be trampled by endless demons, Li Ya was also alarmed.


    "Your words are absurd. The sea lies to the south; if we can''t beat them, can''t we still escape? Do we have to rely on your Nine Nether Road?" Li Ya challenged.


    "Since ancient times, how many cultivators have gone south, and how many have returned? The demons of the sea are even more terrifying."


    "If the cultivators of the nine dynasties unite, we might be able to withstand the great demon calamity."


    "Beyond the nine dynasties, demons have already been born that surpass the Unification Realm. Do you know what the Unification Realm is? It''s the existence above the Void Crossing Realm! Such supreme great demons can sweep across the nine dynasties with their power alone. Moreover, there''s not just one, and they command endless legions of demons."


    The tone of the Traveler of Graceful Crane was cold, as if narrating the fate of all beings.


    Li Ya fell silent.


    Above the Unification Realm...


    He couldn''t help but think of the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family, unsure if the ancestor had surpassed the Unification Realm.


    The Traveler of Graceful Crane then added, "I forgot to tell you, the Ephemera Sect also has existences that surpass the Unification Realm. When he arrives, it will be the day the Supreme Sect turns to ruins."

 Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Holy Land, The Death of the Sect Hierarch

    Gu An had no idea what Li Ya had been through, but every few days, he would use his Divine Sense to search the Taicang Dynasty. Li Ya was practicing sword at the border of the Taicang Dynasty, and his body had gained an additional soul; it seemed that the Traveler of Graceful Crane had not deceived him.


    Next, they were just waiting for the Ephemera Sect to gather, and then they would wipe them out all at once.


    Since Gu An had destroyed the Ephemera Tree, the Ephemera Sect was still active, seemingly unaffected. Clearly, there was more than one Ephemera Tree.


    The real enemy of the Supreme Sect was not the current Ephemera Sect, but the Great Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage that would soon arrive.


    Gu An planned to find an opportunity to increase his Cultivation Level to the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm.


    The gap between small realms was not insignificant, especially at high realms!


    After the new spring, everything returned to normal.


    Lu Lingjun no longer came to find Gu An. She labored daily and practiced under the Mystic Pure Tree at night. When Gu An looked at her, he wasn''t sure if it was his illusion, but he felt like she didn''t want to meet his gaze.


    An Xin quickly adapted to the life in the Third Medicine Valley. The type of Valley Master dictated the nature of the Medicine Valley. The disciples in the Valley were very kind, and the people here did not prioritize Cultivation Level, which made her feel at ease.


    Spring departed and summer arrived; on this day, Gu An''s age jumped to sixty-one.


    Today, Tang Yu received a Foundation Establishment Pill from Gu An, and the entire Medicine Valley was bustling. Tang Yu represented their future, and they seemed to see themselves attempting the Foundation Establishment.


    This also made Lu Lingjun take a few more glances at Gu An, and An Xin completely let down her guard. She felt that she had misunderstood Gu An; he truly was a good person.


    Gu An was not only kind to his disciples, but he also spoke very gently and never used foul language. It was almost never seen him frown; he was always smiling, making one feel as if immersed in a spring breeze.


    Sending the disciples away meant it was time to recruit new ones. Gu An still let Xiaochuan take charge of this, as a way to increase Xiaochuan''s authority.


    Around noon.


    Ji Xiaoyu came to visit Gu An. She and her fellow top ten geniuses still cultivated their hearts within the Medicine Valley, but they seldom interacted with the servant disciples, keeping a significant distance.


    "I am preparing to leave, to participate in the Holy Land assessment," Ji Xiaoyu said softly after sitting down.


    Holy Land?


    As Gu An poured tea for her, he curiously asked, "What power is the Holy Land, and where is it located?"


    Ji Xiaoyu answered, "The Holy Land is the oldest power on this continent, with a legacy of ten thousand years, located beyond the nine dynasties. They avoid worldly affairs and do not engage in any conflicts. Every hundred years, they recruit disciples. After entering the Holy Land to cultivate, one must leave within a hundred years at most. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How long one can stay entirely depends on one''s own fate; the Ji Family rose to prominence with the legacy from the Holy Land."


    After hearing this, Gu An became even more curious and said, "What does the Holy Land aim for, to not retain people?"


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head and said, "No one knows; even the elder relatives from our clan who have been to the Holy Land did not talk much about it upon their return. They only mentioned that it is possible to inquire about the Immortal Path only while in the Holy Land."


    That sounds quite mysterious!


    "I''ve heard that there will be a great Demon calamity in a hundred years. Why doesn''t the Holy Land intervene?" Gu An asked further.


    Ji Xiaoyu picked up a tea bowl and said, "Actually, before the nine dynasties, there have been great Demon calamities that led this continent to be dominated by demons, and the Human Race barely survived, being penned like livestock by ghosts and monsters. At that time, the Holy Land did not intervene.


    Even without the Holy Land''s intervention, the Human Race later rose and established the nine dynasties. My clan''s elders say that the Holy Land has seen through the mundane world. They care not for the safety of a single lifetime''s people, but for the long-standing existence of the Immortal Cultivation Daoist Tradition."


    After hearing this, Gu An looked at the Holy Land in a new light. It seemed that this Holy Land truly transcended worldly concerns.


    Afterward, he no longer asked further but wished Ji Xiaoyu success in passing the Holy Land assessment and to have smooth sailing.


    Ji Xiaoyu did not stay long; she had to leave today.


    Gu An saw her off down the stairs, watching as she departed.


    Lu Lingjun, who was passing by, came over and curiously asked, "Valley Master, who is this woman? She seems quite extraordinary."


    She had noticed the ten geniuses cultivating their hearts within the Medicine Valley and learned that these people were arranged by the Sect Leader and personally taught by Gu An, which made her regard Gu An highly.


    Among the ten, the one she was most curious about was Ji Xiaoyu.


    She could sense the aura of the Primordial Daoist Talisman, and she even felt an impulse to snatch it, but she restrained herself.


    "A True Disciple of the Sect, and the young miss of the Ji Family, named Ji Xiaoyu, one of the top talents of the Sect," Gu An introduced.


    Truly one of the top. Among the cultivators, only An Hao had a longer life span than Ji Xiaoyu.


    An Hao had already succeeded in Core Formation and was said to have become a legend in the Inner Sect with no one able to rival him. Gu Yu even compared him to the True Inheritor who was out gaining experience.


    There are many paths in this world; not all talents need to participate in the Hundred Clans Conference or enter the Holy Land.


    Lu Lingjun nodded and then asked, "Valley Master, have you read the Supreme Secret Records?"


    The smile on Gu An''s face suddenly stiffened, and he frowned, saying, "Why are you reading such books?"


    Good gracious!


    When will the ways of the Supreme Sect be rectified?


    Even the Ascenders who just arrived are deeply affected!


    Gu An couldn''t help but curse Shen Zhen a few times in his heart.


    "Someone from the Outer Sect recommended it to me; could it be that it''s not written by you, Valley Master? I saw the protagonist''s name is also Gu An¡­" Lu Lingjun truthfully said.


    Gu An angrily said, "Do I look like that kind of person to you?"


    "Indeed, you don''t seem like it, so I had to ask."


    Lu Lingjun''s face then broke into a smile, the knot in her heart dissolving, making Gu An suddenly appear more pleasant to her.


    She had been holding back for a long time and couldn''t resist inquiring about this matter today.


    "Next time, I still need to check the Book Collection Hall. The supervision is not strict enough; there are still people selling this book. You better destroy the book," Gu An said seriously.


    Lu Lingjun rarely saw him so serious, and she felt inexplicably happy. She asked with a smile, "Valley Master, do you think the Supreme Secret Records is well written, or is the Green Hero Travelogue better?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was dumbfounded.


    Lu Lingjun did not wait for his reply and turned to leave.


    Gu An watched her departing figure, wanting to say something but eventually just sighed.


    His reputation was ruined!


    He shook his head, turned, and walked toward the attic while taking out the "Green Hero Travelogue" from his pocket.


    Since his reputation was already ruined, he might as well not hide it anymore!


    ...


    The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse over Mystic Valley.


    Gu An was in the attic, reading a cultivation technique manual. It was a fire attribute basic skill; previously, when he had gone to the Inner Sect, he had bought other attributes'' basic skills because it seemed there were no Five Elements Skills in this world, so he planned to figure it out by himself.


    After all, he didn''t cultivate ordinarily, but what if he figured it out?


    Although his comprehension was poor, he had plenty of time to grind it out.


    Deep into the night, Gu An suddenly sensed a presence entering within a hundred miles of Mystic Valley.


    A Void Crossing Realm Cultivator! NovelFire-chapter


    Such cultivators stealthily approaching Mystic Valley were definitely not a good sign.


    Gu An did not act immediately because he suspected a person in his mind.


    Sure enough, after a while, Yang Ni left her separate courtyard, quietly departed Mystic Valley, and hurried toward the direction of that Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator.


    Eventually, the two met in a forest more than thirty miles away.


    In the dim woodland, Yang Ni stopped and looked toward a figure under the trees ahead. By the moonlight, one could see it was a female cultivator.


    "You''re a bit slow, Yang Ni. Why have you been staying in the Outer Sect all this time? Didn''t Li Xuandao arrange for you to go to the Inner Sect?" the female cultivator asked, her voice cold.


    This female cultivator wore a purple gown, her long hair pinned up in a bun, interspersed with several jade hairpins. She held a dignified pose with beautiful features, and even though her eyes were full of coldness, they had a charm that enchanted the living.


    Yang Ni replied, "No, Li Xuandao asked me to protect an Outer Disciple who has a close connection with his son, Li Ya."


    "Has Li Xuandao detected your real identity?"


    "He shouldn''t have, otherwise he wouldn''t have sent me to protect Li Ya."


    "The Ephemera Tree was exterminated by a mysterious cultivator, and even the Sect Hierarch died. It could only be a Great Cultivator from the Supreme Sect. You must find a way to investigate if there are other Unification Realm cultivators above the fifth level within the Sect, excluding the Sect Leader."


    Unification Realm above the fifth level!


    Yang Ni was visibly moved and quickly said, "With my cultivation level, how could I possibly make contact with Unification Realm cultivators?"


    "According to the news from our people in the Hall of Elders, Lv Baitian has already failed in his tribulation crossing. It''s unlikely he''s the killer of the Sect Hierarch. Given the mystery, it''s highly probable it was Sword Venerable Fudao. Ever since Sword Venerable Fudao became famous, our sect has been investigating him.


    Having ruled out all other possibilities, we can only speculate that Sword Venerable Fudao is a cultivator who hides his cultivation level, possibly even lurking within the Outer Sect, where the Heavenly Repair Platform is."


    Yang Ni frowned tightly at the words of the woman in the purple gown.


    "Of course, Sword Venerable Fudao is merely a guess, but in any case, you''ll need to find a way to investigate the Outer Sect."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Ni couldn''t resist saying, "I''ve been cultivating Ephemera lately, I can''t leave."


    "Can''t leave?"


    The woman in purple hesitated, then spread out her Divine Sense to probe the distant Mystic Valley.


    A few breaths later, she snorted coldly, "That kid does have a good skin."


    Yang Ni''s expression changed, and she hurriedly said, "Don''t you dare harm him!"


    "What''s your relationship with him?"


    "He''s not only the person Li Xuandao wants to protect but also my newly accepted disciple!"


    "Your disciple? How about offering him to me?"


    "Shut up!"


    Yang Ni was furious and actually drew her sword.


    The woman in purple looked at her with scorn and said, "I''ll come again next year. If you haven''t provided information that satisfies me by then, that kid will be mine. After draining his life force, I''ll make his bones into a pendant and gift it to you, so you can look at it whenever you remember him."


    With that, she turned and left.


    Yang Ni watched the back of the woman in purple, eyes full of rage, but her hand holding the sword hilt could not draw the weapon.


    She took a deep breath and could only turn back to the valley, her movements swift as if she feared something might happen to Gu An.


    As she hurried back to Mystic Valley, the woman in purple walked through the woods, thinking about Yang Ni''s reaction just now and a sneering smile crossed her face.


    Snap!


    Suddenly, a hand pressed down on the shoulder of the woman in purple, stopping her in her tracks, her pupils dilating immediately.


    Almost reflexively, she tried to twist her body, catching a glimpse of a deep purple demon shadow in the corner of her eye.


    "Thou...


    Boom!


    A terrifying Divine Sense forcibly invaded her mind, making her eyes go vacant.


    Elsewhere.


    Yang Ni returned to Mystic Valley and reached the attic where Gu An was. Seeing the oil lamp still lit inside and sensing Gu An''s presence, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.


    Inside the room, Gu An was sitting at a table, the woman in purple kneeling in front of him, with his right hand on her head, applying the Soul Capturing Skill.


    His Spiritual Power enveloped the woman in purple, ensnaring her with the innate creation of his Nine Extremes Yin Yang body, making her invisible and undetectable by Divine Sense unless someone walked in.

 Chapter 108: Chapter 108 Why Do You Have to Force Me?

    Gu An originally just wanted to eavesdrop, but the woman in the purple dress used her Divine Sense to probe him and even developed hostility toward him, signifying a desire to tear him to pieces.


    Could he tolerate this?


    Gu An directly captured her!


    Before killing her, he decided to probe for information about the Ephemera Sect. This woman''s identity was clearly not simple, and he might be able to attain some useful intelligence.


    The woman in the purple dress was called Su Shan, a former elder of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. She joined the Ephemera Sect two hundred years ago and had been hiding within the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion ever since the Ephemera Sect''s defeat.


    Yang Ni was personally recruited into the sect by her. Yang Ni''s reason for joining the sect was Su Shan''s promise to help her find the killer of her sister.


    Su Shan''s purpose in recruiting Yang Ni was to keep an eye on Li Xuandao and Li Ya. Since Li Ya had inherited the Heavenly Residence Sword, Su Shan felt that this child could potentially become the Crown Prince, so she had Yang Ni monitor this father and son duo, waiting for the Ephemera Sect to make its comeback.


    Yang Ni did not fully trust Su Shan either, but regarded her as an additional channel to find the truth.


    Little did she know, the one who killed her sister was Su Shan herself! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The power structure of the Ephemera Sect was very complex, with many branches. Each Elder of the Void Crossing Realm was building their own merits, and if their contributions were great enough, they could enter the Nine Nether Road in pursuit of the Immortal Path.


    As for the Nine Nether Road, Su Shan had only heard of it and had never seen it. It was said that the Nine Nether Road could cross the ocean to another continent. The Nine Nether Road is a Yin Yang path opened by the Ephemera Sect, passing through the Ghost Realm where Yin and Yang meet, a place filled with evil ghosts and extreme danger, but also full of opportunities.


    Gu An had probed for a long time but was unable to obtain information about the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, and had no way of understanding just how strong the main lineage was.


    When he retracted his Divine Sense, an hour had passed. Your next chapter awaits at m,vlempyr.


    He looked down at Su Shan''s enchanting face, his eyes full of disdain. During the Soul Capturing Skill he had employed earlier, he had seen many unsightly scenes.


    Once a Demon Cultivator, always a Demon Cultivator!


    Gu An then ended Su Shan''s life and burned her body to ashes.


    Thus, this Great Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm died without any sound.


    She had contributed decades of life span to Gu An, which was somewhat satisfactory.


    After that, Gu An began to sort through her two Storage Rings.


    Meanwhile, Yang Ni was in her own room, still unable to calm down for cultivation, the threat of Su Shan continuously surfacing in her mind.


    Thinking about how she involved Gu An made her feel sorry.


    It wasn''t that she had special feelings for Gu An, but after many years of association, their relationship had grown closer. The thought of a junior with such good character possibly being persecuted because of her obviously made her uneasy.


    When morning came, Lu Jiujia called the disciples out for morning exercises, and Gu An also came downstairs.


    "The plans for the day lie in the morning, Yang Ni, it''s time for morning practice!"


    Gu An walked to the courtyard where Yang Ni lived and shouted.


    Yang Ni quickly came out, merely nodding slightly at Gu An as if she hadn''t experienced the events of last night.


    Gu An did not say much, but he was somewhat reassured when Yang Ni had dared to draw her sword when facing Su Shan''s threat last night.


    Well, in the future, he thought he''d allocate more land to her, allowing her to plant more flowers and plants.


    ...


    Since the night she encountered Su Shan, Yang Ni would go to the Outer Sect every other day, ostensibly to look for high-rank seeds.


    Gu An''s life, however, was not disrupted and he continued to shuttle to and from the three sides of Medicine Valley.


    At the end of summer.


    Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley. Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun had gone out, taking three monkey demons with them, and only Lv Xian remained in the Medicine Valley.


    "Thousands of miles away, a Great Cultivator''s Cave was discovered, along with many heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Yi Liuyun took them to move the finds. They will not return for several days," Lv Xian came up to Gu An and explained. His gaze fixed on Gu An, burning intensely.


    Gu An nodded slightly, then turned and walked toward the garden.


    "Who exactly are you, Gu An?" The voice of Lv Xian came from behind, his tone different from usual, heavy with resentment.


    Gu An stopped his pace, turned to look at Lv Xian, and smiled, "Who am I? I''m no deity, just an ordinary cultivator who enjoys planting."


    This guy is acting strange!


    Why does it feel like he''s a completely different person?


    Could it be that another remnant soul within him has taken over control of his thoughts?


    Gu An thought perplexedly.


    Lv Xian gave a cold laugh, his face turning ferocious, "I''ve only taught you a few times, yet your mastery of the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm has already surpassed my ten years of arduous practice."


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, not expecting that his deliberate control had still given hints to Lv Xian.


    This could be troublesome.


    Lv Xian took a step forward, his aura as a ninth-layer Core Formation Realm cultivator suddenly erupting, lifting the fallen leaves on the ground like a tornado taking off, grand and imposing.


    Though his cultivation level was at the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm, it was comparable to the aura of a lower-tier Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.


    Deserving of his reputation as the once number one talent of the Supreme Sect.


    "I had discovered that Cave long ago, calculating the day you would come and deliberately sent them away. Today, let us determine who is superior," Lv Xian said with a cold smirk.


    His right palm began to accumulate Spiritual Power, with the space beneath his palm churning fiercely, as if a surge was about to come.


    Gu An raised his hand, "Don''t be irrational, I''m really not any genius. Why fixate on me? I pose no threat to you."


    If you act rashly, I''ll have no choice but to kill you.


    Lv Xian licked his lips, "Don''t worry, I won''t kill you. I just want to test your depth. If you continue to hide your strength, be careful not to end up like Li Ya."


    Upon hearing these words, Gu An''s eyes turned cold.


    "Try my Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm!" Lv Xian let out a thunderous shout as he struck with his palm.


    The palm wind swept out, shaking heaven and earth, a sudden whirlwind starting from the ground as the overwhelming pressure headed straight for Gu An, grass along the way getting uprooted as dust filled the air.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The palm wind of the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm shot up to the sky, forming a wave of air nearly a hundred feet high, a magnificent sight.


    The smile on Lv Xian''s face froze, and following his gaze, behind the waves of air, Gu An stood unmovable, his palm strength forcibly blocked.


    Behind Gu An, the medicinal herbs of each garden swayed in the wind, untouched by the assault, still planted in the soil.


    At this moment, Gu An''s expressionless face, his entire demeanor changed abruptly, making Lv Xian feel estranged.


    "You..."


    Lv Xian spoke tremblingly, as he saw Gu An step towards him.


    With just one step, Gu An crossed a distance of several feet and instantly appeared in front of him.


    Boom!


    Lv Xian''s momentum was directly scattered, and the terrifying power made him fall backward, landing on the ground with no semblance of the grandeur befitting the leader of the Hidden Dragon List.


    Gu An raised his right hand, looking down at him, his palm facing his head.


    To his horror, Lv Xian found himself unable to move, a force of Spiritual Power that he could not contend with was oppressing him.


    "Divinity Transformation..." Lv Xian gritted his teeth and said.


    He was right in his judgement; Gu An had indeed suppressed his realm to the Divinity Transformation Realm, enough to easily suppress him.


    "Why did you have to force me?" Gu An looked down at Lv Xian and asked quietly.


    The killing intent in his eyes materialized, causing Lv Xian to feel the breath of death.


    The expressionless face was so terrifying, Lv Xian had never seen such a frightening look before.


    "Wait!"


    Lv Xian hurriedly spoke, showing a color of panic on his face for the first time.


    Gu An just quietly looked down at him.


    In fact, Gu An didn''t want to kill him either. After all, Lv Xian was Lv Baitian''s son, and he held no actual enmity towards him, indicating he really just wanted a sparring match.


    To avoid further entanglement, Gu An had to use the power of the Divinity Transformation Realm to strike terror into his heart.


    "I was wrong... don''t kill me..." Lv Xian forced out through clenched teeth, as he lowered his proud head, not daring to look at Gu An.


    Still sitting paralyzed on the ground, unable to stand up, such a posture made him feel ashamed.


    "But you made me reveal my true Cultivation Level, which will surely result in endless troubles in the future. This troubles me greatly. I just wanted to cultivate plants in peace. Why did you have to force me, why?"


    Gu An said coldly; by the end, his voice seemed like a low roar, his face distorting as if he were about to go mad.


    Lv Xian looked up, startled by his hysterical expression, and quickly said, "I won''t tell anyone... I promise! I swear!"


    Gu An''s right palm began to condense Spiritual Power, the terrifying power of the Divinity Transformation Realm frightening Lv Xian.


    "Wait, I know a clue about an eighth-tier Spirit Flower. This flower has been gestating for hundreds of years and hasn''t yet become sentient. Don''t you like cultivating plants? You can take it!" Lv Xian said hastily, truly frightened, beginning to tremble.


    Gu An was moved and narrowed his eyes to ask, "Where is it?"


    Feeling the oppressive force on him weaken, Lv Xian quickly took out a scroll of a map from his Storage Bag and said, "This is the map, I got it when I participated in the Great Hundred Tribes Meeting from an old senior who gave it to me."


    Gu An took the map, gave it a quick glance, then tossed it into his Storage Bag.


    He looked back at Lv Xian, frowning and said, "You truly won''t speak of it?"


    "If I speak of your cultivation, this life''s Tribulation Crossing will surely be plagued by demons of the heart, leading to death and the vanishing of my Dao!" Lv Xian immediately swore an oath.


    After hearing this, Gu An retracted his aura, and his Cultivation Level returned to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    The swaying flowers and grass in Medicine Valley also came to a halt; Lv Xian instantly sighed in relief, sweating profusely, catching his breath deeply.


    Gu An resumed his usual gentle demeanour, pulled Lv Xian to his feet, and dusted him off, saying, "Brother Lv, apologies for the offense. Promise me you won''t make such jokes again; they''re not funny!"


    Hearing these words, Lv Xian gave a forced smile.


    After that, Gu An turned and walked away, heading back to his original spot.


    Watching his retreating figure, Lv Xian remained silent for a long time.


    An hour later, Gu An bade farewell to Lv Xian and left.


    Lv Xian sat on the grass, watching the sun in the sky, remaining lost in thought.


    As the day gave way to night and then two days and nights passed, he didn''t get up.


    It wasn''t until Luo Hun, Yi Liuyun, and the three Monkey Demons returned, all talking and laughing with evident good gains, that he stirred.


    Seeing Lv Xian sitting still on the ground, Yi Liuyun asked with a laugh, "Lv Xian, why aren''t you cultivating?"


    Lv Xian''s body shivered slightly; he turned his head to look at Yi Liuyun and asked, "Do you think I can achieve Divinity Transformation by the age of a hundred?"


    He knew about Gu An''s age because Gu An was about the same age as Li Ya.


    "If you hadn''t wasted time before, you would have definitely reached the Divinity Transformation Realm by the age of a hundred, but alas, you are now ninety, and it''s difficult to go from the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm to the first layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm in ten years." Yi Liuyun shook his head and said.


    Luo Hun suggested, "His Majesty values you so much, if you ask, he will definitely provide you with a great number of Elixirs."


    Lv Xian remained silent.


    He fell into self-doubt, wondering if he was truly not a genius at all?

 Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Ancestor Xuan Tian, Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe

    Since Lv Xian was taken care of by Gu An, he completely straightened up. When Gu An went to Tianya Valley again, he was in seclusion, cultivating. Luo Hun said he wanted to attempt to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm as soon as possible.


    Gu An asked why, Luo Hun said he didn''t know either, which put Gu An at ease. Although Lv Xian was crazy and rash, his mouth was tight-lipped.


    That matter was considered past.


    Gu An had studied the map given by Lv Xian. It was too far from the Taicang Dynasty, so he had to put it aside for the time being.


    What if there were Mahayana Cultivators in that place?


    He couldn''t take the risk!


    Now, the life span revenue from the three Medicine Valleys was considerable. Even without further enhancement, his life span could rapidly increase.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Two months had passed.


    The withered yellow scenery of autumn covered Mystic Valley. That day, nearing noon, Ye Lan came to visit him.


    Having not seen Gu An for almost a year, Ye Lan missed him a lot. As soon as she entered the room, she embraced him.


    "Junior Sister!"


    Gu An said sternly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.


    Ye Lan let go of him and giggled, saying, "What''s wrong with a hug? It''s the courtesy of a brother and sister reuniting after a long time. Brother, don''t think too much about it. I''m not interested in romantic affairs now, I just want to pursue immortal cultivation."


    Gu An gave her a look, then turned to make her some tea.


    He had subconsciously performed a Life Span Detection on Ye Lan just now, which weighed heavily on his heart.


    [Ye Lan (Foundation Establishment Realm Fifth Layer): 56/130/130]


    The normal life span of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator is over two hundred, but Ye Lan had reached her peak early on due to the elixirs accumulated by Gu An.


    What will happen when Ye Lan turns one hundred and thirty?


    Will it be the five decays of heaven and man, dying suddenly, or encountering inner demons, with Qi-Blood attacking her heart?


    Gu An sighed inwardly and decided to teach the Daoist Expansion Skill to Ye Lan. With seventy-four years remaining, perhaps it would be effective.


    Daoist Expansion Skill was a process of accumulating spiritual power. Gu An had a bold idea.


    What would happen if one consumed Spirit Energy Elixirs frenziedly while cultivating Daoist Expansion Skill?


    Ye Lan, unaware of her senior brother''s thoughts, began to recount what she saw and heard on her recent trip.


    The Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall went out to protect Crown Prince Li Dai. Their enemy was the Ephemera Sect, and in over half a year, she went through seven or eight battles and survived some close calls.


    Gu An already knew about this because he occasionally used his Divine Sense to check on her. The disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall were basically used as informants; the real fighters were several Nascent Soul Cultivators.


    "Brother, we were able to return because a Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator came to protect the Crown Prince. Above the Nascent Soul is Divinity Transformation, and only above Divinity Transformation is the Void Crossing Realm. That senior was so powerful, he killed a Divinity Transformation Realm demon cultivator from the Ephemera Sect with a single palm.


    At that time, we all thought we were doomed. We didn''t expect the Crown Prince to have such a powerful figure behind him, who, I heard, is not a cultivator from the Supreme Sect," Ye Lan excitedly spoke of the Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked, "That powerful? How old must he be?"


    "It is said he''s already nine hundred years old," Ye Lan said, carefully observing Gu An''s expression.


    She had once suspected that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao. During the turmoil in the Outer Sect, her White Spirit Sword had sensed the Qinghong Sword. The sword that carved the word ''Righteous Path'' on the Heavenly Repair Platform was the Qinghong Sword!


    However, after her investigation, Sword Venerable Fudao was at least a being who had transcended the Divinity Transformation Realm, which made her hesitant again.


    She had grown up with Gu An and knew his age.


    A few decades old and in the Void Crossing Realm? S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was unheard of in the Immortal Cultivation World!


    Add to that, Gu An never acknowledged that he was Sword Venerable Fudao, so she wondered if Gu An might be a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Whether it was one case or the other, Ye Lan felt she didn''t match up to him, so lately she rarely expressed her feelings and focused more on cultivation.


    If she could raise her cultivation level, and her senior brother wanted a Daoist friend, then that would be her chance!


    Gu An exclaimed, "Junior Sister, you''re encountering cultivators of higher and higher realms now, but it seems difficult for your cultivation level to improve. Why not practice the cultivation technique of your senior brother?"


    "What cultivation technique?" Ye Lan asked curiously.


    The Gale Shadowless Leg given by Gu An was already her strongest combat method so she would not underestimate Gu An''s cultivation technique.


    Perhaps this technique was passed down by Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Gu An began to introduce the Daoist Expansion Skill, and Ye Lan listened attentively.


    After Gu An finished explaining, Ye Lan couldn''t help asking, "Brother, you possess so many herbs, but your cultivation doesn''t seem to progress much. Could it be because of the Daoist Expansion Skill?"


    Gu An nodded, "This is an unparalleled miraculous skill, I''ll only pass it on to you, and you must not speak of it to anyone."


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan''s heart immediately grew sweet, and she hesitated to say, "If I practice the Daoist Expansion Skill, will it add to your burden?"


    She knew that Gu An would certainly continue to provide her with elixirs to aid her cultivation, and to do so would inevitably delay Gu An''s own progress.


    Gu An smiled, "If you are worried, then don''t cultivate it. Just wait for your life to reach its limit, while your senior brother lives for several hundreds of years more. When that time comes, I''ll take several junior sisters and enjoy the blessings of many," he teased.


    "No way, I want to practice!" Ye Lan declared with a glare.


    Gu An immediately took out the already written Daoist Expansion Skill and handed it to her.


    After Ye Lan accepted the Daoist Expansion Skill, she took out a blackwood box from her storage bag and said, "This is the gift I prepared for you. I intended to give it to you after we finished talking, but I didn''t expect you to give me a cultivation technique first. That makes it seem like I''m not as thoughtful."


    Gu An took the blackwood box, smiling, "Junior Sister, what are you talking about? Over the years, you''ve given me so many fantastic things, you are absolutely the best to me."


    The Sixth-grade Human-Faced Tree was a gift from Ye Lan, and every time she visited Gu An, she would bring various herbs.


    Gu An had refused before, but Ye Lan convinced him by promising to repay the debt of the elixir. Any further refusal would have seemed heartless, so now the two exchanged gifts and both were very pleased.


    When Ye Lan heard Gu An''s words, she smiled and introduced, "This is a Dark Vine, likely of fifth grade, but there is only a small section. It needs to be cultivated for a decade or two to fully recover. Once matured, it can guard the house and shield against prying Divine Senses."


    Gu An opened it to find something resembling charred black wood with faint signs of life.


    He wasn''t disappointed though; for Ye Lan''s cultivation level to obtain even this fragment was commendable. The Human-Faced Tree he received before was also just roots, but it has already started to regain its vitality.


    Following that, Ye Lan continued to share the news from the world of immortal cultivation.


    Gu An listened intently, thoroughly absorbed.


    Recently, a group of mysterious cultivators known as Nine Nether Thirteen Evil had appeared in the immortal cultivation world. They forcibly entered Wanyin Sect, seized its greatest treasure, and left victoriously, their strength sending shockwaves through the cultivation world.


    In addition, another significant event had occurred: the Ancient Sky Sect successfully nurtured the Holy Beast, Sky Dragon, boosting the morale of the entire sect. Discussions spread across the regions, suggesting that the Ancient Sky Sect was on the rise.


    That Holy Beast was none other than the Sky Dragon he had raised himself. He had investigated the Ancient Sky Sect before, and now seeing the Sky Dragon treated with great care by the sect, he had no worries.


    From Ye Lan''s words, the immortal cultivation world seemed peaceful, and the Ephemera Sect had calmed down, no longer clashing fiercely with the demon path, but he knew this was just the calm before the storm.


    Once the Great Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage arrive, the cultivation world will again be plunged into violence and bloodshed!


    ...


    Deep in the night, amidst the North Sea Mountains, the Spiritual Energy began to sink, once again startling all beings.


    Gu An was seated within a Barrier, enjoying the enhancement of his cultivation level, having spent three thousand years of his life span to elevate his cultivation to the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm.


    After half an hour, he invested another fifty thousand years of his life span into Alchemy.


    He had initially thought of improving his Alchemy skills on his own but later realized that Alchemy required talent as well.


    A fifty thousand-year life span investment promoted his Alchemy Skills to the Taiching Elixir Path, significantly improving his intuitive understanding of Alchemy.


    Vast memories flooded into his mind, immersing him completely.


    The Alchemy skill he cultivated was the foundational Alchemy of the Supreme Sect. Different sects practice distinct Alchemy skills, hence evolving diverse paths of Alchemy.


    The Taiching Elixir Path also contained a spell called Taiching True Fire, which could aid him better in alchemy, and also serve as a weapon against enemies.


    These fifty thousand years of life span were well spent!


    When Gu An awoke, he raised his right hand, and a green flame ignited on his finger. His lips couldn''t help but curve upward.


    He checked his attribute panel next, still having four hundred ninety thousand years of life span. So wealthy!


    He deactivated the Life Span Barrier, stood up, and prepared to leave.


    Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a crack in a nearby cliff.


    The commotion of the descending Spiritual Energy had caused the weeds in front of the cliff to sway wildly, and upon closer inspection, there was a crack from which peculiar Spiritual Energy, not of the regular Five Elements, was leaking.


    He immediately approached it, reached the cliff, and extended his Divine Sense into it.


    Soon, he sensed a Restriction.


    It would be very difficult for anyone below the Void Crossing Realm to break through.


    He had a hunch and didn''t forcefully penetrate the Restriction. Instead, he used the Nine Extreme Yin Yang Form to transform into a shadowy figure and employed the Limitless Freedom Step to step inside.


    Passing through the layers of Restrictions, he entered an underground space.


    This space was even larger than the Eight Scenic Caves. In the center was an underground lake, with a three-hundred-zhang long and hundred-zhang wide patch of grassland and a row of old trees nearby.


    Under one of the trees sat a dilapidated wooden hut.


    His Divine Sense detected no presence of cultivators or demons, only many fish in the underground lake, including a two-zhang long giant fish that seemed like a Spirit Beast.


    As Gu An walked forward past a stone stele, it bore four bold characters.


    Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion!


    The Spiritual Energy here was abundant, even stronger than in the Eight Scenic Caves. He threw a Life Span Detection at the row of trees.


    All were six-grade Spirit Trees called Heart Clearing Trees.


    Excellent!


    Gu An was suddenly overjoyed. If no one was residing here, it could serve as his fourth Medicine Valley.


    Mystic Valley, Third Medicine Valley, and Tianya Valley were all under others'' watch, whereas his treasures were in Eight Scenic Caves, but there was only so much space there. Discover tales on mvle-mp _y,r.


    Gu An approached the wooden hut with the stone table, overgrown with moss, and two books on the table.


    One was a Nameless Book, and the other a secret manual.


    Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe!


    What an imposing name!


    Gu An picked up the Nameless Book and began to read.


    It was a will, left by the owner of Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    The owner''s name was Ancestor Xuan Tian¡ªa Mystic Heart Realm cultivator!


    Gu An furrowed his brow as he continued reading.


    Ancestor Xuan Tian turned out to be a Supreme Elder from the Supreme Sect. After leaving the sect, he carved out this Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion here, intending to seek enlightenment. However, he succumbed to Deviation and chose to leave the Cave Mansion for the Demon Land beyond the nine dynasties before his death.


    The Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe was Ancestor Xuan Tian''s most powerful ultimate technique, inherited from a Holy Land, one of the nine major legacies of that land!

 Chapter 110: Chapter 110: The Nine Styles of Heaven-Cutting, The Aura from Afar

    "After eight hundred years of arduous Path Enlightenment, consuming countless elixirs, once my cultivation succeeded and I achieved the Mystic Heart Realm, I could not escape the demon within my mind upon my life''s end, I resent... resent..."


    Gu An read this passage from the Nameless Book, his brow furrowing.


    The resentment of Ancestor Xuan Tian leaped off the page, a resentment directed at the heavens.


    He resented that the heavens had allowed him to achieve the Mystic Heart Realm, but before he could enjoy his accomplishment, a demon of the mind was born.


    After reading, Gu An''s first thought was of the ultimate life span.


    It seemed that there was a kind of destiny trapping all beings, perhaps Ancestor Xuan Tian''s ultimate life span was only enough to reach the Unification Realm, but he forced his way into the Mystic Heart Realm with an immense amount of resources. Yet, his life span did not extend and he ultimately faced upheaval from inner demons, confronting death?


    The more Gu An thought about it, the more possible it seemed.


    All cultivators striving for immortality are not just battling the heavens, but perhaps even fate itself.


    Gu An believed destiny could be broken, and he himself was the prime example.


    The ultimate life spans he saw might just be a reminder of the existence of fate.


    Besides his ability to seize life spans, there certainly were opportunities in this world that could help others break through their ultimate life spans, though he hadn''t seen them yet.


    Precisely because immortality was so difficult to achieve, so many pursued it relentlessly, risking their lives.


    Let''s see if the Daoist Expansion Skill is effective; if it is, he could afford to sacrifice some of his life span to enhance it.


    Gu An felt hopeful, as those with Wuxin tended to have life spans far beyond those of their peers in the same realm.


    He continued reading; the subsequent sections chronicled the life deeds of Ancestor Xuan Tian, from joining the Supreme Sect to competing for the position of Sect Leader. It was like a novel; even brief descriptions could make one''s thoughts wander.


    After finishing the testament, he tossed the book into his storage bag and then picked up the manual for the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe to check.


    The more he read, the more engrossed he became, his pupils seemingly reflecting a figure wielding a huge axe.


    The Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe consisted of nine forms: severing life, demons, ghosts, mountains, seas, laws, immortals, gods, and heaven!


    It sounded very domineering, but it remained to be seen whether it could truly sever immortals and heaven.


    The nine forms were not nine levels but nine techniques. Ancestor Xuan Tian had mastered all nine before he succumbed to deviation. He encountered no match during his rampage across the Nine Immortal Sects, securing the Supreme Sect''s reputation as the legitimate leader of the Taicang world.


    However, he did not leave the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe in the Supreme Sect because it was a legacy of the Holy Land and could not be passed on to others. Being discovered by the Holy Land would lead to the removal of his cultivation level¡ªa special note in his testament.


    After skimming through it, Gu An tossed the manual into his storage bag as well.


    He turned and walked into the derelict cabin, everything inside was dilapidated, the ground overgrown with weeds, and in the center of the room stood an axe, covered in dust.


    He approached the axe, blew gently, and the dust immediately dispersed, revealing a black axe.


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe, a supreme-grade magic artifact, also forged from North Sea Nether Iron, and it was million-year-old North Sea Nether Iron at that, heavier than Li Ya''s North Sea Heavy Sword and able to withstand more Spiritual Power.


    Gu An, gripping the Heaven-Cutting Axe, raised an eyebrow.


    It''s quite heavy!


    Despite being a Mahayana Cultivator and having cultivated the Primordial Ruyi Skill, which gave him tremendous strength, even he could feel its weight, which showed just how heavy the Heaven-Cutting Axe was.


    Forget using the techniques of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, it seemed like just smashing it directly could kill someone.


    Gu An lifted the Heaven-Cutting Axe and got serious, making it seem very light in his hands, easy to wave around.


    He attempted to place the treasure into his storage bag, but it was repelled by the space restriction.


    It won''t fit!


    Interesting!


    Gu An immediately set the Heaven-Cutting Axe down and then checked around; there were no other valuable items in the cabin.


    Immediately after, he stepped out of Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion and sealed the fissures on the rock wall. Now that he possessed the Five Elements Treasure Body with perfect Earth Attribute qualities, he could gather Spiritual Energy into earth.


    After completely sealing the fissures, Gu An finally felt at ease.


    From now on, this would be his cave mansion!


    Gu An, his mood uplifted, the corners of his mouth turning up, stepped into the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion again.


    Time to reclaim the wild!


    ...


    At the end of autumn, in the Third Medicine Valley, disciples were busy sweeping up fallen leaves.


    Lu Lingjun suddenly looked up toward the horizon and saw a figure swiftly approaching.


    Her eyebrows knitted slightly, a sense of alarm growing within her.


    Unification Realm, Ninth Layer!


    The newcomer was Lv Baitian.


    Lv Baitian quickly flew to the loft where Gu An resided and then stepped on the stairs to go up.


    Lu Lingjun withdrew her gaze, curious about the identity of the man.


    Although Lv Baitian had visited the Third Medicine Valley multiple times, he had never revealed his true identity. When An Hao and An Xin talked about him, they always said he was a senior elder from the sect.


    After entering the loft, Lv Baitian closed the door and set up a restriction to prevent prying eyes.


    Gu An set down the book he was holding and asked with a smile, "Sect Leader, what brings you here?"


    He stood up and went to brew some tea.


    "No need for that, sit down, let''s have a chat," Lv Baitian waved his hand as he walked to the table, drew a chair with a wave of his hand, and sat down.


    Gu An sat down and asked, "What shall we chat about?"


    What could I possibly chat with you about?


    "Not the matter of taking disciples again!"


    Gu An complained secretly in his heart, for he was a Mahayana Cultivator and could not possibly take a master.


    "Let''s talk about Li Xuandao," Lv Baitian began, his gaze fixed on Gu An. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An asked in astonishment, "What about him?"


    "Crown Prince Li Dai had his Golden Core taken, his Nascent Soul and Cultivation Level destroyed, and a Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm who was with him also died." Lv Baitian''s words moved Gu An.


    He was genuinely surprised.


    The Law Enforcement Hall of the Supreme Sect had just left, and Li Xuandao struck?


    Just entered the Void Crossing Realm and already able to execute a same realm opponent?


    Impressive!


    The means of a Great Cultivator in the Void Crossing Realm are numerous; even if unable to defeat an opponent, escaping should not be difficult.


    Don''t think that it''s easy for Gu An to kill someone in the Void Crossing Realm; he pressurizes a lower realm with his higher realm, leaving no time for the enemy to flee.


    Lv Baitian asked, "Does Li Xuandao have a Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm by his side?"


    With a sense of resignation, Gu An replied, "Whether he has one or not, I can''t tell."


    Lv Baitian paused, considered the logic, and his expression softened.


    "With the Crown Prince dead, the Supreme Sect can only support Li Ya. The imperial throne must be held by a prince of the Supreme Sect, but unfortunately, Li Ya has been away and hasn''t returned for many years," Lv Baitian sighed.


    "If it weren''t for the imminent attack of the Ephemera Sect, I would really like to depose Li Xuandao."


    Gu An asked in astonishment, "Why would you depose him?"


    Lv Baitian explained, "He has been Emperor for nearly two hundred years; the world below is rife with turmoil and evil spirits, and public grievances are soaring. Changing the Emperor to offer a sacrifice to the heavens might reverse the fortunes. Unfortunately, he has won over several Elders from the Hall of Elders, which prevented me from forcing him to abdicate before.


    Just as I was regaining my Cultivation Level, the Ephemera Sect arrived, bringing endless troubles."


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    Speaking of the Ephemera Sect, he showed a vexed expression.


    Gu An couldn''t tell whether he truly cared for the welfare of the common people or just disliked Li Xuandao.


    Both of them provided him with High-Rank Medical Herbs, so it was difficult for him to take sides and could only watch their struggle.


    Li Xuandao indeed has methods, capable of keeping a nine-layer Great Cultivator from the Unification Realm from taking action against him, and he is still growing rapidly.


    If Lv Baitian knew Li Xuandao had already reached the Void Crossing Realm Cultivation Level, he would probably go kill Li Xuandao right now.


    Lv Baitian began talking about the Ephemera Sect; the Venerable Pavilion had collected many leads on the Ephemera Sect, and there were several spies within the Hall of Elders, not just one.


    This angered Lv Baitian immensely, as he had just cleared out a bunch of demon spies a few years ago, only to find that there were still spies among those left, and from the Ephemera Sect which he loathed the most.


    "I received intelligence that Sect Hierarch Zhong Liang of the Ephemera Sect has died, though I don''t know who killed him. The Ephemera Sect is now lying low, awaiting their main branch Cultivators; they all suspect Zhong Liang was killed by me, which is laughable. I, on the other hand, suspect it was internal strife among themselves," Lv Baitian mocked.


    Gu An curiously asked, "Why are the major conflicts between the Ephemera Sect and the demon path concentrated in the North Sea Mountain?"


    Lv Baitian replied, "Because a large part of the Ephemera Sect''s high ranks are in the North Sea Mountain; they''re searching for an opportunity related to our sect."


    "What opportunity?"


    "Our sect has a Supreme Elder who attained enlightenment in the North Sea Mountain a thousand years ago, surpassing the Unification Realm, then disappeared without a trace. However, legends suggest that he didn''t take with him the Heaven-Cutting Axe, a treasure of the Supreme Sect. This axe couldn''t be stored in a Storage Dharma Artifact; it''s involved in a major legacy.


    The Ephemera Sect has been seeking this legacy all these years."


    Just as expected!


    Gu An secretly felt pleased; the Ephemera Sect had been searching for so many years yet hadn''t found it, but he had discovered it by chance.


    It seems that the sinking of Spiritual Energy does have its benefits.


    "The Heaven-Cutting Axe is extraordinary, said to be connected to the Holy Land. For three thousand years, only that Supreme Elder has inherited such a significant legacy from the Holy Land; he is also my Martial Master," Lv Baitian remarked sentimentally.


    Ancestor Xuan Tian was indeed formidable.


    Considering the weight of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Gu An found this perfectly reasonable.


    Lv Baitian obviously idolized Ancestor Xuan Tian and began to recount his exploits; he had never met Ancestor Xuan Tian but had often heard about him from his teacher.


    His teacher said that Ancestor Xuan Tian had never suffered defeat in his life and, no matter how many enemies, Ancestor Xuan Tian could always fight his way out. Ancestor Xuan Tian even ventured to the south on an adventure, reputedly obtaining Immortal Sorcery before returning to seclude himself.


    However, Gu An knew that Ancestor Xuan Tian had never obtained any Immortal Sorcery; he had roamed the seas for many years, nearly killed by the Demon King, which forced him to flee back home, intending to venture out again once he reached the Mystic Heart Realm. Unfortunately, he never achieved his wish until his death.


    Suddenly, Gu An thought about the True Inheritor who had gone out to gain experience, possibly heading to the sea as well.


    It was said that this True Inheritor was even more powerful than Lv Baitian, likely having reached the Mystic Heart Realm already.


    However, when Gu An mentioned the True Inheritor, Lv Baitian looked annoyed and unwilling to talk more.


    Clearly, their relationship was not good.


    Just as Lv Baitian was speaking, he suddenly stopped.


    Gu An also felt a powerful aura coming from the north, but he pretended not to know, especially since Lv Baitian was right in front of him.


    Lv Baitian turned his head, looking toward the sky outside the window, and murmured, "Has it finally come then?"


    Gu An asked in confusion, "What has come?"


    Lv Baitian stood up and said, "Nothing much, I have to go now."


    He left quickly, and Gu An quickly stood up to see him out, walking him to the entrance hall.


    Gu An saw that Lu Lingjun had also sensed the powerful aura from afar and was frowning deeply.


    It seemed that Lu Lingjun noticed Gu An''s gaze, glanced back at him, and then continued sweeping leaves.


    Gu An looked in the direction Lv Baitian had gone, curiously wondering about the origin of that aura.


    It didn''t feel like the aura of a Cultivator, but had an indescribably strange sensation.

 Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Mystic Heart Attacks!

    The sky was cloudless for thousands of miles, and below lay an endless wasteland, crisscrossed by fissures on the surface of the earth that revealed themselves as canyons upon closer inspection.


    On a flat expanse of barren land, a massive black qi was hovering, resembling a crack.


    At the bottom end of the black qi was an array platform, circular in shape and over thirty feet in diameter, carved with mysterious and complex runes. Spiritual energy surged, causing them to reflect a faint luster.


    In front of the array platform, a group of Ephemera Sect cultivators stood waiting, numbering over a thousand, among whom Jiang Qiong and Su Han were also present.


    The person standing at the forefront was an elder in a gray robe, clutching a wooden staff with his back hunched, gazing at the black qi above with eyes filled with anticipation.


    "Ephemera Sect Main Lineage..."


    Jiang Qiong looked at the spatial fluctuations within the black qi, very nervous.


    She had joined the Ephemera Sect for some time and had a deep understanding of it. The Ephemera Sect in the Mortal World was just a branch and could not be compared with the main lineage at all.


    Suddenly!


    Thunder erupted from within the black qi, followed by an expansion of the black qi, revealing a dark red sky within, where thick clouds could be faintly seen swirling.


    The gray-robed elder at the forefront knelt down and shouted loudly, "We welcome the descent of the main lineage''s Hierarch!"


    At his kneeling, the other Ephemera Sect cultivators knelt one after another, echoing his words in unison, their voices resonating loudly and clearly.


    Under everyone''s gaze, a figure appeared within the black qi, with his back to the dark red sky, stepping out gradually.


    This was a man wearing a tight purple robe with a gold-rimmed red sash around his waist. The robe was imprinted with blossoms of the ephemera flower, and even stitched onto the back was a tree of the Ephemera.


    He had a handsome face with a proud expression, snow-white hair coiled below a purple jade crown pointing to the sky, and a red gem inlaid on the crown which at first glance resembled a terrifying and dreadful eye.


    With his hands clasped behind him, he looked down upon the followers below, slowly saying, "Who is Elder Chi Han?"


    The gray-robed elder quickly answered, "Reporting to the Hierarch, I am!"


    The purple-robed man, high above, did not show any intention of descending. He calmly stated, "Find someone to lead me to the Supreme Sect, the rest stay here and wait for the descent of the main lineage."


    Upon hearing this, Elder Chi Han asked excitedly, "Are there more seniors from the main lineage coming?"


    "Hmm, it''s time for the ephemera to bloom."


    ¡­


    The mysterious aura was too far from the Supreme Sect, even beyond the detection range of the divine sense of someone in the Mahayana Realm. Gu An made no rash moves, as his intuition told him that the aura was connected to the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage.


    Without a clear understanding of the strength of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, he wouldn''t act recklessly.


    Although, from Zhong Liang and Su Shan''s memories, the Ephemera Sect was waiting for a Great Cultivator in the Mystic Heart Realm from the main lineage, Gu An was worried that things might have changed since he had eradicated the Ephemera Tree. What if more than one Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator came?


    Moreover, the Supreme Sect had profound resources and might not need his intervention. Perhaps a Supreme Elder would return.


    Setting aside the Supreme Elders, the Ji Family and the Gu Family also had immeasurable depths.


    When Gu An used his divine sense to search the Taicang Dynasty, he couldn''t find the main residences of these two families and estimated they were hidden in a Minor Heaven and Earth.


    This world contained many Minor Heavens and Earths, equivalent to innate spatial restrictions, which could also be described using Earth''s terminology as alternate dimensions.


    The day after Lv Baitian left, the atmosphere at the Supreme Sect became tense.


    Large numbers of cultivators in the Core Formation and Nascent Soul Realms flew over from above the Third Medicine Valley heading towards the Outer Sect direction, and even the nine talented disciples who were cultivating in the valley were summoned, bidding farewell to Gu An.


    Each disciple had their own identity token, through which the Supreme Sect could pass orders to everyone, including those disciples who were training outside.


    Xiaochuan came to Gu An''s side, asking nervously, "Senior Brother, what''s the big issue this time? It''s not an attack by the Ephemera Sect, is it?"


    Each time he went to the Outer City, he could hear other disciples discussing the Ephemera Sect. With its unbroken string of victories over the Demon Path and the great trouble it once caused the Supreme Sect two hundred years ago, all the disciples of the Supreme Sect felt threatened.


    "Unclear, no need to overthink. We just need to take good care of the medicinal herbs. If a real battle starts, you and I won''t make much of a difference. Trust in the Sect," Gu An reassured him.


    Xiaochuan found this sensible, but his thoughts still drifted towards the Outer Sect.


    Gu An turned and left, heading to harvest mature medicinal herbs.


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    Let the Supreme Sect take care of a falling sky; collecting herbs and flowers was of utmost importance!


    An ancient hour later, Gu An returned in front of the pavilion, pulling out the Qinghong Sword and began practicing his swordplay.


    He rarely practiced swordplay, attracting the attention of many disciples. They thought he had sensed the crisis and began to imitate him, starting to cultivate their own spells.


    Lu Lingjun also looked towards Gu An, unable to help shaking her head.


    Gu An''s sword moves were very peculiar; in her opinion, they didn''t constitute swordsmanship but rather resembled axemanship.


    Perhaps the Valley Master was merely trying to calm her nerves.


    Lu Lingjun watched for a while before withdrawing her gaze. She walked towards the distant mountains, preparing to observe the Outer Sect from the mountaintop to see what was happening.


    What Gu An was practicing was indeed not swordsmanship, but the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe.


    He purposefully used a sword to deceive onlookers; in fact, the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe had no legacy left in the Supreme Sect, and nobody used it.


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed.


    On this day, having settled matters of Mystic Valley, Gu An proceeded to the Third Medicine Valley to continue harvesting medicinal herbs.


    The Third Medicine Valley spanned a hundred miles, filled with too many herbs. Every day, there were herbs ripening. Each time Gu An harvested, he would leave a portion behind, ensuring a significant lifespan income each time.


    The herbs would not be affected if left to grow for several months after maturation.


    After successfully harvesting five thousand years of lifespan, Gu An had a servant disciple send the herbs to the storage tower while he looked for Lu Lingjun.


    "I''m planning to take a trip to the Outer Sect. Are you coming?" Gu An asked. Lu Lingjun had previously mentioned to remember to bring her along the next time he went to the Outer Sect.


    Of course, a deeper reason for Gu An was to add another fighting force to the Supreme Sect.


    Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun nodded immediately; she had been observing for three days and was eager to see the action in the Outer Sect.


    And so, Gu An led Lu Lingjun to the Outer Sect.


    Upon arriving at the Outer Sect, Gu An made an appointment to meet Lu Lingjun in front of the Heavenly Repair Platform at dusk before setting off alone.


    "Such a sensible person,"


    Lu Lingjun watched Gu An''s fading figure and thought to herself in silence.


    She then turned around and saw that in the sky above the South City Gate, there were numerous Great Cultivators suspended in the air, each with a large flag behind them. Spanning as far as the eye could see, there were around a thousand people, perfectly encircling the entire Outer City.


    These people were at the very least at the Nascent Soul Realm!


    A single Outer City housed so many high-realm cultivators. Lu Lingjun had previously probed with her Divine Sense and found that the other Outer Cities were in a similar state, which made her marvel at the profound depth of the Supreme Sect''s foundation.


    With the strength the Supreme Sect had shown so far, she felt it could easily sweep through the Mortal World she came from.


    On the other side.


    Gu An found Zhen Qin of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    The Law Enforcement Hall hadn''t been tasked with combat, but instead patrolled the city to prevent Ephemera Sect cultivators from sneaking in.


    Zhen Qin was pulled aside to the streets by Gu An, who took out a copy of the Daoist Expansion Skill from his Storage Bag and handed it to her, saying, "Keep it safe. Once you return, cultivate diligently and tell no one, including your Martial Uncle Ye."


    Zhen Qin glanced at it, saw that it was a cultivation technique, and was instantly thrilled. She nodded repeatedly.


    She was aware of the fact that Gu An had a Medicine Valley within the Inner Sect; his status was certainly beyond her comparison, and the cultivation technique Gu An gave her must be extraordinary.


    Although she had been cultivating Jiang Qiong''s cultivation technique, her cultivation level had troubled her with its difficulty to improve over the recent years.


    After a brief chat, the master and disciple parted ways.


    Gu An did not go to look for Ye Lan, because she was partaking in the Outer Sect meetings at the Great Elder''s residence.


    The entire Supreme Sect had already entered a state of combat readiness!


    The reason Gu An chose to come to the Outer City today was because he had sensed an aura surpassing the Unification Realm entering the Taicang Dynasty and moving closer to the Supreme Sect.


    Mystic Heart Realm!


    The person was not flying fast, for someone was leading the way; of course, it might also have been an attempt to pressure the Supreme Sect. The careless display of powerful aura, not only detectable by Great Cultivators of the Unification Realm but also by those of the Divinity Transformation and Void Crossing Realms, was the reason for the intensely tense atmosphere in the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An had no intention of taking action in haste; he wanted to see the full extent of the Supreme Sect''s capabilities.


    It would be unacceptable if he had to deal with every enemy himself.


    Killing cultivators could grant life span, but the amount added wasn''t much, not much different from that of medicinal herbs, so he wasn''t eager to kill enemies.


    Of course, if there were many enemies, he wouldn''t mind taking actions to snatch some kills.


    Gu An arrived at the Heavenly Repair Platform and positioned himself behind the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, pretending to be sensing the Sword Intent of the platform.


    "Gu junior, what brings you here?" A laughing voice came from the side as the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu, Han Ming, approached with a smile.


    He stood behind the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, exchanging pleasantries with Gu An.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, on the other hand, did not react and kept her eyes closed.


    Despite the imminent battle, hundreds of disciples were still engaging in Path Enlightenment on the platform.


    Han Ming, at the fifth layer of the Void Crossing Realm, did not realize that the female disciple meditating beside was an old monster at the second layer of the Unification Realm.


    After a few formalities, Gu An curiously asked, "The Ephemera Sect is attacking; why haven''t you left, Senior? Aren''t you afraid of being affected?"


    "What is the Ephemera Sect to worry about? They have been defeated by the Supreme Sect in the past, and it will probably be the same this time. The Supreme Sect is harboring too many Great Cultivators and old monsters. You should also take the opportunity to watch and gain a deeper understanding of the Supreme Sect," Han Ming chuckled.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An grew even more curious and began to ask him about the powerful Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect.


    Han Ming shared what he knew about the Supreme Sect while nearby disciples couldn''t help but eavesdrop.


    Ninety percent of the Supreme Sect''s disciples were not clear on how strong exactly their sect was, for the Supreme Sect was simply too vast.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera seemed disturbed, so she stood up, intending to move away.


    Gu An deliberately turned his back to her and pretended to step back naturally, bumping into her.


    Upon realizing he bumped into someone, Gu An quickly turned around and said, "Miss, I''m sorry."


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera frowned but merely shook her head without saying much.


    She passed by Gu An.


    "Stop!" Han Ming''s voice suddenly rang out, his gaze fixed on the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera couldn''t help but halt in her steps.


    The surrounding disciples cast puzzled glances, as Han Ming was a prominent figure on the Heavenly Repair Platform, and his actions easily drew attention.


    Gu An quickly spoke up, "It was my fault; I accidentally bumped into her!"


    Han Ming ignored Gu An, still staring at the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s figure, and said coldly, "Who exactly are you, Your Excellency? You''ve hidden yourself well, but you revealed a flash of your aura just now."


    "You''re not a person, are you? You''re a ghost!"


    A ghost?


    As soon as he spoke, the surrounding disciples all rose to their feet, with some even drawing out their magic artifacts.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was taken aback and looked at the Ghost Mother of Ephemera incredulously before retreating to the side.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera turned around. She did not look at Gu An, but instead eyed Han Ming indifferently and said, "You are not of the Supreme Sect, why trouble yourself with needless affairs?"

 Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Unrivaled Battle, Enlightenment in the Painting

    "I receiNovelFireed guidance from Sword Venerable Fudao, and naturally I must repay the kindness, and besides, the Supreme Sect has treated me well over the years!"


    Han Ming forcefully replied as he took out the sword box from behind, adopting a stance ready for battle.


    At that moment, three figures suddenly appeared around the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. These three were Cultivators from the Void Crossing Realm, specifically assigned to guard the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, being of the Unification Realm, was not afraid of them. She shook her head slightly, muttering to herself, "Truly annoying, but it''s about time."


    Suddenly, she transformed into a wisp of ghostly Qi and vanished into thin air.


    The three Void Crossing Realm cultivators disappeared on the spot as well, and Gu An felt them teleporting out of the Outer Sect, pursuing something into the distance.


    Han Ming, however, did not pursue. Merely exposing the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was an achievement; the chase was a matter for the Supreme Sect.


    He turned to look at Gu An, who was still shaking with fear, and reassured him, "Don''t worry, that ghost won''t come back after fleeing."


    Gu An nodded, but couldn''t help looking around, as if afraid that there were still ghosts nearby.


    Acting needed to be thoroughly executed!


    Han Ming walked up to him, clapped him on the shoulder, pulled him close to Zuo Lin, and then began to recount his past experiences of slaying demons.


    Gu An inwardly cursed, thinking the act had been overdone, making it difficult to leave, and he had no choice but to listen to Han Ming''s boasting.


    Zuo Lin, rarely seeing Gu An, was in a good mood. The two whispered among each other, provoking Han Ming to angrily roar.


    The incident with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was just an interlude.


    Gu An had been waiting for signs of hostility in his life span prediction system; if it indicated malice, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera would not survive the day.


    Luckily, no such notification had appeared, indicating that the Ghost Mother of Ephemera hadn''t suspected him.


    Of course, it was also possible that the Ghost Mother of Ephemera harbored no ill intentions toward the Supreme Sect. She had been with the Supreme Sect for many years without causing trouble, and she had not participated when the Underworld Demon Emperor caused chaos.


    Now that the Mystic Heart Realm cultivators of the Ephemera Sect were closing in, if the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had malevolent intentions, she could easily have wreaked havoc by coordinating with that Mystic Heart Realm cultivator.


    Could it be that the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had no connection with the Ephemera Sect?


    As Gu An pretended to listen to Han Ming''s boasting, he pondered in silence.


    ...


    Under the clear blue sky, the autumn landscape of withered yellow stretched over the mountains and rivers.


    Standing on the peaks were figures; among them were Lv Baitian and Ji Hantian. In total, there were thirty-two, all of them great cultivators from the Supreme Sect, each exuding an extraordinary aura.


    Ji Hantian stood beside Lv Baitian and asked in a low voice, "Has the opponent surpassed the Unification Realm?"


    "Most likely, his cultivation aura is far beyond what I can compare with, immense and boundless, and it doesn''t seem like he has just made a breakthrough," Lv Baitian said, his face solemn.


    Mystic Heart Realm!


    Ji Hantian''s expression darkened.


    In the distance, the other great cultivators of the Supreme Sect could hear Lv Baitian''s words, and their expressions were also grave, yet none showed fear.


    "What of the Mystic Heart Realm? With so many of us Unification Realm cultivators united, there might still be a chance to fight!" a small-bodied elder retorted coldly.


    "Exactly, what is there to fear!"


    "My Ji Family has more great cultivators on the way. Let them come from the Ephemera Sect; they will all perish."


    "It''s a pity that the elder from my Gu Family is hard to find; otherwise, inviting him would dismiss any risk."


    "Hahaha, ancestors are like that, not someone you can summon at will."


    "True, among the Supreme Elders of the sect, there are likely others in the Mystic Heart, but those who have reached that realm wouldn''t stay here but rather seek immortal opportunities and cherish their remaining years."


    The other Unification Realm great cultivators discussed among themselves loudly; most of them spent years in seclusion or training outside and rarely made public appearances at the Supreme Sect. For them, today was also a rare reunion.


    Lv Baitian took out an elixir from his storage ring and poured it into his mouth. Immediately, his complexion began to recover, and a faint burning aura emanated from his body.


    The other great cultivators also took out elixirs and magic artifacts, and some began to set up formations. The environment returned to calm, nervously anticipating the outbreak of a great battle.


    "So many Unification Realm cultivators, worthy of an ancient great sect standing for thousands of years."


    A light laughter echoed through the heavens and earth, causing everyone''s expression to change.


    That voice belonged to the purple-robed man from the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage!


    Before the man arrived, his laughter was already oppressing the Unification Realm great cultivators.


    ...


    Inside the Outer City, Gu An descended from the Heavenly Repair Platform, exhaling deeply.


    Han Ming could really boast!


    If it weren''t for Gu An claiming urgency, Han Ming would have continued narrating his legendary exploits.


    Even Gu An, who usually enjoyed conversation, was struggling mainly because interacting with Han Ming meant listening to his endless, uninteresting monologues.


    After leaving the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu An decided to head to the inn within the city to enjoy some drinks and watch the battle unfold.


    Barely taking a few steps, a deafening rumble came from the sky. Five breaths later, a wild wind swept through, revealing the sect''s protective formations.


    Gu An quickened his pace, not wanting to miss the fight.


    He sprinted to his usual inn, requesting the waiter to serve wine and meat.


    As the Supreme Sect was preparing for battle, there were only a couple of patrons in the inn, all seated separately.


    Gu An sat by the window, looking toward the horizon, his Divine Sense spanning vast distances, locking onto the battlefield.


    Thirty-two Unification Realm cultivators besieging one Mystic Heart Realm cultivator¡ªthe scene was stunning, earth-shattering, with thousands of miles of forest devastated, swiftly reduced to rubble.


    Gu An began to enjoy this visual feast, a grand battle rarely seen in centuries.


    Even if he decided to intervene, he rarely saw such a scene, as he would not act unless he could easily overpower his opponent.


    The Mystic Heart Realm was indeed formidable, far surpassing those in the Unification Realm. The purple-robed man suppressed the thirty-two Unification Realm cultivators of the Supreme Sect with his absolute dominance.


    Gu An noticed a familiar face on a mountaintop thousands of miles from the battlefield.


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    Su Han.


    It was indeed Su Han who led the man in the purple robe.


    Gu An had noticed before, but now he only felt dissatisfied with Su Han''s attitude of not fleeing.


    This kid isn''t afraid of being shaken to death!


    Gu An had already saved Su Han once, and he wouldn''t save him again in the future.


    As a master, he had done his best. Even if today Su Han were to be executed, he would not intervene.


    Afterward, Gu An paid no more attention to Su Han and concentrated on the battle.


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    Gu An had just taken a few sips when a voice came, "You are actually here drinking wine."


    Shen Zhen!


    Gu An ignored her, considering her recent absurd writings in the Supreme Secret Records which made him often unable to resist pulling it out to read.


    A stain on the name of Gu An.


    There must be other people in the Supreme Sect named Gu An, who all probably detest Shen Zhen thoroughly.


    Shen Zhen directly took a seat opposite him. She wore a veil which, ironically, made her even more conspicuous, causing the inn''s patrons to involuntarily glance at her.


    "The great battle is about to begin, and this one might even be fiercer than the previous righteous-evil grand battle. I plan to render the process of the battle, why don''t you join me? I was recently meditating on my past paintings and gained many insights, perhaps I could attain enlightenment through my art." Shen Zhen spoke, her tone proud when she mentioned enlightenment.


    She had specifically come in search of Gu An, having followed him all the way from the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An replied, "Forget it, I won''t join. It''s too dangerous. With my cultivation level, getting close to the battlefield could easily end with me annihilated."


    "It''s fine, I''ll protect you."


    "With your cultivation level, you can protect me?"


    "At least I''m in the Core Formation Realm!"


    "Core Formation Realm on such a battlefield is still cannon fodder. If caught in the aftershocks of the fight, you would probably just twitch a bit more than me."


    "You... well, you have a point."


    Shen Zhen glared, then poured herself a bowl of wine, her gaze drifting off into the distance.


    She felt the oppressive presence of the distant battle growing increasingly intense, making her heart pound with trepidation.


    What kind of battle could cause such an uproar?


    Gu An watched with great interest using his divine sense. Lv Baitian was indeed very powerful, clearly on a different level from other Unification Realm Great Cultivators. Ji Hantian was not bad either; his Qilin Step had reached the Transformation Realm, making him one of the few cultivators who could get close to the man in the purple robe.


    But the fight had only begun for a moment, and almost everyone on the Supreme Sect side had been injured to varying degrees, some even had their physical bodies destroyed, leaving only their Primordial Spirits arrayed in the distance.


    The man in the purple robe was surrounded by several magic artifacts, and he also held a long spear infused with powerful force, fighting with ease.


    Gu An felt that this man had not yet used his full strength.


    If the fight continued like this, the entire Supreme Sect side would be annihilated.


    Alas!


    No use, I''ll have to make a move myself!


    In order to better farm the land, Gu An definitely could not allow the Supreme Sect to lose so many Great Cultivators, unless an enemy appeared that even he could not handle; in that case, he would have no choice but to flee.


    Gu An stood up and said, "Ms. Shen, I''m going out for a bit, I will come back to find you later. You wait here for me, don''t go."


    Without waiting for Shen Zhen''s response, Gu An quickly left the inn.


    Shen Zhen was unperturbed; she was more curious about the distant battle than about Gu An.


    Gu An rapidly departed, traversing several streets, making sure no divine sense had locked onto him. Then, he stepped out of the Outer Sect using the Limitless Freedom Step.


    After five steps, he entered the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion!


    He walked into a wooden hut, picked up the Heaven-Cutting Axe, and immediately, a dark purple Demonic Qi flowed from his body.


    Nine Extremes Yin Yang Transformation!


    He lifted his right foot and vanished within the cave mansion.


    A second later, he appeared on a mountaintop thousands of miles away from the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    Gu An swung the Heaven-Cutting Axe in his hand, recalling the techniques of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe.


    Forget it!


    Did he need techniques to kill?


    Gu An immediately rushed towards the battlefield, carrying the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    He planned to use the guise of Ancestor Xuan Tian to kill the enemy. This way, news of the old ancestor''s return to the Supreme Sect would surely spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World. By then, any power wishing to oppose the Supreme Sect would have to weigh their odds carefully.


    Elsewhere.


    Within the Taicang Dynasty.


    Boom!


    The mountains shattered, and dust billowed.


    Another Unification Realm Great Cultivator fell, his fate unknown.


    In the sky, Ji Hantian and two other Ji Family Great Cultivators employed the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form to restrain the man in the purple robe. All three were gasping for breath, their Spiritual Power nearly depleted.


    Golden dragon shadows attacked from all directions, but the man in the purple robe stood proudly in the air, with a golden ring floating behind his head emitting dazzling light. These dragon shadows were shattered by an invisible force as soon as they approached within ten yards of him.


    "Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, truly an effective Divine Skill. Considering you are from the Ji Family, I could spare your lives. However, if you continue in your obstinacy, do not blame me for disregarding the reputation of the Ji Family!" the man in the purple robe said coldly, his words carrying a chilling intent to kill, losing the earlier scornful and mocking demeanor.

 Chapter 113: Chapter 113: If Youre Not Ancestor Xuan Tian, Who Are You?

    ```


    Faced with the threat of the NovelFirean in the purple robe, the three Ji Family Great Cultivators remained indifferent and continued their assault, as did the other Unification Realm Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect, all vowed to slay him right there.


    "Hmph!"


    With a cold snort, the man in the purple robe lifted the long spear in his hand and swept it forward. In an instant, a vast surge of Demonic Qi erupted, as if someone had streaked a black ink brush across the canvas of the heavens and earth, spanning the sky.


    The three Ji Family Great Cultivators spat blood and were sent flying, their Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Forms directly annihilated, dissipating like smoke and clouds.


    They crashed into the mountains like meteors from Outer Heaven, shaking the earth and sending clouds of dust billowing up.


    From the eight directions of heaven and earth, eight Unification Realm Great Cultivators cried out in unison. Behind them hovered eight ancient bronze bells, from which shadows emerged, enveloping a hundred miles around. As they cultivated energy, the shadows of the bells behind them drastically expanded, reaching a thousand feet high, magnificent and domineering.


    The eight enormous bell shadows produced a terrifying impact, shaking the space and even causing the firmament to undulate like surging waves.


    The man in the purple robe raised his spear to defend, as boundless Spiritual Power exploded around him, forming a powerful storm that resisted the impact of the bell shadows.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A sound of tearing through the air cut through the mountains at an incredible speed, heading straight for the man in the purple robe, causing his pupils to shrink as he abruptly turned his head to dodge the attack.


    It was a Flying Sword, swift as a lightning bolt. The one controlling it was a female Cultivator in a red robe, her hair fluttering wildly, and despite her holy and beautiful face being covered in frost, her eyes were filled with murderous intent towards the man in the purple robe.


    Behind the man in the purple robe, a golden circle rose, erupting with ten thousand feet of golden light, powerfully annihilating the bell shadows and causing the mountains within a hundred miles to suffer bombardment, with the earth violently trembling.


    Great waves of fire rolled up from the billowing dust, transforming into fire dragons and pouncing toward the man in the purple robe, who merely smiled in disdain.


    Suddenly, he turned around and thrust his spear.


    Clang¡ª


    An earth-shattering collision resounded as the spear struck a three-yard-tall bronze cauldron, intricately carved with mythical beasts, exuding a vast aura. Lv Baitian stood upon the cauldron, lashing out with a palm strike that burst forth like a mountain torrent of Spiritual Power.


    The figure of a mystical tortoise emerged upon him, roaring furiously as its terrifying palm winds submerged the man in the purple robe.


    Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm!


    The palm strike descended from the heavens, breaking through the earth and sweeping across the land, forcing the dust and sand in the atmosphere to part as if it would obliterate the whole world.


    With a bang, Lv Baitian and the cauldron were sent flying, with countless needle-fine strands of Spiritual Power piercing into his body, causing his expression to drastically change.


    Amidst the rampaging waves of energy, the man in the purple robe stood like a god descending to earth, looking down on everything.


    He looked at Lv Baitian and said with an unyielding smile, "At the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, it would be a pity to die, to serve me..."


    Before he could finish, he abruptly turned his head.


    Not just him, but all the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect seemed to sense something and turned to look in the same direction.


    Thousands of miles away, on a mountain peak, Su Han stood on a cliff with a sword on his back, gazing into the distance. Sensing the sudden cessation of battle noises, he couldn''t help but frown, his Divine Sense unable to penetrate to the center of the great battle.


    "Could it be that the Supreme Sect has already been defeated?"


    Su Han furrowed his brows tightly, his mood complex.


    He didn''t want to lead the way, but Elder Chi Han had singled him out, and without him, there would be others to guide. He had no choice but to come.


    In fact, he also bore resentment towards the Supreme Sect.


    As an Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect, when the Sword Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty sought to hunt him down, the Supreme Sect did not protect him but instead forced him to cripple his cultivation, which left him disappointed.


    Yet, despite the disappointment, the Supreme Sect was the first Sect of his Immortal Cultivation Path, and he did not wish to see the Supreme Sect destroyed. However, he had to accept it because he had joined the Ephemera Sect, and only the Ephemera Sect in the entire Immortal Cultivation World could accommodate him.


    While Su Han was in anguish, a figure streaked over his head.


    So fast!


    Su Han could not see clearly who had just passed by; he only felt a purple-black shadow flash by, as if it were an illusion.


    That figure was none other than Gu An!


    How could Su Han detect Gu An with his level of cultivation?


    Gu An had deliberately let Su Han see him, intending to scare him away.


    This was the last bit of care from a master.


    After passing Su Han, Gu An suddenly accelerated, appearing in the sky above the battlefield in a single step.


    He stopped at a distance of a hundred feet above the man in the purple robe and immediately sent out a Life Span Detection.


    [Golden Spirit Venerable (Mystic Heart Realm Second Layer): 1840/4500/4600]


    Getting two or three hundred years of life span, not too bad!


    Gu An did not immediately act, but allowed the man in the purple robe and the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect to take a good look at him.


    "Heaven-Cutting Axe, who are you?" Golden Spirit Venerable furrowed his brows tightly, staring at Gu An, and demanded in a deep voice.


    All the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect turned their attention to Gu An. Hearing the words "Heaven-Cutting Axe," Ji Hantian who was covered in blood and had just risen, couldn''t help but cry out in surprise, "Ancestor Xuan Tian?"


    Ancestor Xuan Tian!


    All the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect were moved, even Lv Baitian standing on the cauldron looked incredulously at Ancestor Xuan Tian.


    Ancestor Xuan Tian was still alive?


    "Impossible, you are not Ancestor Xuan Tian, who are you?" Golden Spirit Venerable stared fixedly at Gu An, unable to see through his true identity, which made him slightly uneasy.


    "A thousand years ago, Ancestor Xuan Tian, who had deviated, was slain by our Sect''s Cultivators, and his head still hangs on the Nine Nether Road. Who are you really, could it be you have obtained the inheritance of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe?"


    Golden Spirit Venerable pressed, gripping the long spear in his hand tightly, with golden strands of Strength Energy coiling around the spear.


    Upon hearing the fate of Ancestor Xuan Tian, the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect were enraged, all starting to curse the Ephemera Sect, while Golden Spirit Venerable was unmoved, his gaze fixed intently on Gu An.


    Gu An remained silent.


    Hmm?


    ```


    Can''t pretend to be Ancestor Xuan Tian anymore?


    Suddenly!


    Golden Spirit Venerable thrust his spear out, and golden light burst forth, making the whole world lose its color. A terrifying pressure followed, unleashing a wild wind that forced the Supreme Sect''s Great Cultivators to retreat, and the ruins below collapsed once again, as if the apocalypse had arrived.


    The scorching golden light caused Lv Baitian''s skin to start to decompose, startling him into quickly cultivating energy. Not just him, but others did the same.


    Fortunately, the golden light came quickly and disappeared just as fast. When the golden light abruptly vanished, everyone fixed their gaze and couldn''t help but widen their eyes.


    Golden Spirit Venerable still maintained his spear-thrusting posture, while the mysterious demon shadow appeared beside him, with the Heaven-Cutting Axe already suspended at his neck.


    Golden Spirit Venerable''s body was stiff, his face full of disbelief.


    How is this possible...


    That was fast!


    He was at the Mystic Heart Realm, yet he couldn''t catch the opponent''s speed at all. Most crucially, a suppression force beyond imagination enveloped him, preventing his Spiritual Power from emanating from his body.


    This was Gu An''s Divine Skill, Mystic Yellow Dragon Might!


    Mystic Yellow Dragon Might was a Divine Skill realized during the evolution of the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill, combined with the suppression of the Mahayana Realm''s Nine Layers. Even Golden Spirit Venerable, who was at the Second Layer of the Mystic Heart Realm, couldn''t resist at all.


    Everyone from the Supreme Sect was suppressed by Gu An, fear enveloping all present.


    Those who regained their senses realized that the opponent had deployed the Demon Shadow Divine Skill.


    Could Thousand-Autumn Pavilion possess such a Great Power?


    Gu An''s right hand held the axe, suspended over Golden Spirit Venerable''s neck, while his left hand slowly lifted and slapped away the crown on his head, then grabbed his long hair.


    Now, Golden Spirit Venerable looked extremely disheveled, lacking his previous air of untouchability.


    "You... The Ephemera Sect Main Lineage will arrive soon, do you really want to stain..." said Golden Spirit Venerable with a trembling voice, his eyes full of fear.


    But before he could finish his words, with a "whoosh," Gu An directly chopped off his head.


    Blood splattered, and Golden Spirit Venerable''s eyes bulged!


    With a swing of the Heaven-Cutting Axe in Gu An''s hand, a horrific gust of wind was raised, sweeping across dozens of miles, causing the dust along the way to explode into the air.


    Golden Spirit Venerable''s neck began to burn with blue flames, igniting from the base of the head, creeping up and down his body and neck.


    Golden Spirit Venerable let out a deep, hoarse voice as his Primordial Spirit desperately tried to jump out, but couldn''t leave the body.


    With a swoosh!


    Gu An let go, taking the Storage Bracelet from the other party, then watched as Taiching True Fire burned Golden Spirit Venerable.


    In less than the time of five breaths, Golden Spirit Venerable, with his Spiritual Power scattered, was burned to ashes, leaving only his heart suspended in the air, still beating.


    Mystic Heart!


    Gu An grabbed the Mystic Heart and tossed it into his Storage Bag.


    He turned around, ready to leave.


    "Wait, who exactly are you? Are you helping us, or do you have a grudge against the Ephemera Sect? If it''s the latter, why not join forces? The Nine Nether Road has already opened, and the real calamity is just beginning; we need to unite!" Ji Hantian hastily shouted, the others too looked towards Gu An, uneasy, their eyes filled with hope.


    Gu An did not make a sound but instead released his vast Sword Intent. content hosted on m _vlempyr


    With Sword Intent unleashed, the world changed colors!


    The trembling flowers and trees in the distance all went still.


    "Fu... dao..." an elder said with a trembling voice, his face showing surprise and joy.


    Before he could finish, Gu An disappeared into the world with a single step.


    Ji Hantian stood still in a daze, lost in a stupor.


    That Sword Venerable Fudao could kill Golden Spirit Venerable so easily, he thought back to how he had once pursued Sword Venerable Fudao relentlessly...


    He was filled with shame and fear.


    Lucky that he was one of their own, otherwise he would have been dead by now.


    At the same time, an unprecedented curiosity welled up in his heart.


    Who exactly was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    What was his status in the Supreme Sect?


    ...


    Outer City.


    Inside the inn, Shen Zhen was drinking, with Gu An having just left not long ago.


    Suddenly, a series of powerful auras burst forth in the city, shaking the entire city. A great battle soon erupted, startling the other disciples in the inn into getting up and leaving.


    Shen Zhen looked up, his gaze flicked to the window, and he saw two Cultivators fighting fiercely over the Heavenly Repair Platform, their momentum staggering. More and more Supreme Sect Disciples landed on various rooftops, forming formations to protect the buildings within the city.


    "The chaos has begun, interesting."


    Shen Zhen, seeing the Outer Sect in disarray, was not at all panicked, but rather interested in watching the battle.


    After a while, Gu An ran in hurriedly, saying, "The fight has broken out, why aren''t you hiding?"


    Ephemera Sect spies hidden in the Supreme Sect started to cause trouble, thinking Golden Spirit Venerable had already ended the battle, not knowing that Golden Spirit Venerable was dead.


    The following matters could entirely be left to the Supreme Sect, so Gu An was merely pretending to be panicked.


    Shen Zhen took out a pen, ink, and paper, and said with a laugh, "Let''s draw together, see who can do better. If you can satisfy me, I will fulfill any of your desires for herbs." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 114: Chapter 114 Ephemera Gather, Path Enlightenment

    Shen Zhen''s words failed to move Gu An. Sketching someone else''s battle was far too offensive, and besides, he wasn''t short of high-rank medical herbs right now, unless Shen Zhen could produce a seventh-rank herb to tempt him.


    Shen Zhen came from the Daotian Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty, which was far away. It was hard to tell how long it would take just to convey a message there.


    Gu An spoke up, "The whole city is in chaos. How can I be in the mood to draw? Ms. Shen, let''s find somewhere to hide to avoid..."


    His words were cut off by a sudden loud boom. The whole inn shook violently, and a rolling cloud of dust attacked from outside the window, burying the two of them.


    Shen Zhen, holding onto Gu An''s waist, quickly rushed out of the inn into its backyard.


    Gu An tried to free himself from her hold, but she gripped him tightly. Her eyes were solemn as she looked behind the inn and whispered, "Don''t move."


    Gu An had no choice.


    Do you still think you can protect me, a Great Cultivator of the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm?


    Shen Zhen frowned, and took a long flute out of her storage bag with her left hand. Following her gaze, a figure flew out from the dust on the other side of the inn.


    Gu An remembered him, Zhang Hong, an Inner Sect Disciple who contemplated the sword at the Heavenly Repair Platform. Gu An saw him every time he went there, never expecting him to be a spy for the Ephemera Sect.


    Zhang Hong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, turned his head, and saw the two of them. He immediately brandished his sword and slashed at them.


    A sword qi pierced through the eaves, aiming straight for Shen Zhen and him.


    The sword qi was so fast that all Shen Zhen could do was raise her flute defensively on instinct.


    Boom!


    The sword qi exploded, bringing the entire inn down with it, and dust roared into the sky.


    Zhang Hong leaped into the air, fleeing swiftly, followed by a number of figures from behind, in hot pursuit.


    Looking around, the entire Outer City fell into a battle frenzy, with even Elder Chi Han fighting. The City Protection Array above was twisting violently, possibly breaking at any moment.


    As the sword qi dissipated, Shen Zhen pulled Gu An out; both were in a sorry state.


    "Ms. Shen, are you alright?" Gu An asked with concern, though he could tell that Shen Zhen''s injuries were not life-threatening.


    Zhang Hong was a Cultivator of the first layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, and even though Shen Zhen had blocked the earlier sword qi, she had been internally injured.


    For Shen Zhen to block a Nascent Soul Cultivator''s sword with only a Core Formation cultivation level meant she had some skill.


    Her jaw beneath the veil was dripping blood, and she feigned calmness saying, "As the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, how could I be injured by a nobody? Let''s find somewhere to hide first."


    She relaxed her right hand, then quickly walked forward, with Gu An following closely.


    The whole city was fighting, so they couldn''t fly and had to walk through the streets on foot.


    Fortunately, they encountered a Disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall who led them to an underground palace for refuge. This underground palace was extensive, and many Disciples were taking shelter there, mostly Servant Disciples.


    Shen Zhen found a spot and sat down cross-legged. She took out a bottle of elixir from her storage bag, swallowed it, and began cultivating energy for healing.


    Gu An didn''t disturb her; instead, he scanned the underground palace to make sure everything was normal before sitting down himself and closing his eyes to observe the battles through his Divine Sense.


    Not only this Outer City, but the entire Supreme Sect was in chaos, and battles raged in every city.


    Lv Baitian and others felt the disturbances of the Supreme Sect and were rushing back.


    Without the support of Golden Spirit Venerable, the Supreme Sect would certainly get through this internal strife, but some casualties would be inevitable during the process.


    Gu An was mainly concerned with the safety of Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley.


    Mystic Valley was outside the Outer Sect and had not encountered any threats because, for now, it was the spies of the Ephemera Sect causing chaos within the sect.


    Third Medicine Valley had protectors; Gu Yu was leading a group of Cultivators to guard it, and a battle had already erupted there.


    As long as the medical herbs weren''t damaged, Gu An couldn''t be bothered to get involved. The Supreme Sect needed tempering as well.


    Time ticked away, second by second.


    As Great Cultivators of the Unification Realm returned, the conflicts in the cities ended rapidly.


    In less than 30 minutes, the Outer City where Gu An was located became silent of battle.


    A figure ran out from the underground corridor, exclaiming with joy, "The battle is over, everyone can go out now!"


    Upon hearing this, the Disciples all showed smiles, stood up, and helped each other walk out.


    Shen Zhen also stood up. She looked at Gu An and said, "Why don''t you spontaneously offer to help me? Look at the others."


    Gu An laughed, "I feel that your injuries aren''t to such an extent. When we return to Medicine Valley, you can pick a batch of medical herbs as thanks for your protection earlier."


    Shen Zhen smiled but did not continue the conversation and walked towards the crowd with Gu An.


    After leaving the underground palace, Gu An went to the streets. Looking up, he saw dark clouds rolling in the sky, several dragons made of Spiritual Power tumbling non-stop, a magnificent sight, as if celestial beings were protecting the city.


    Gu An spotted a figure of a Great Cultivator of the Unification Realm suspended thousands of feet high in the sky. This person had been in a sorry state during the earlier battle with Golden Spirit Venerable, but now he appeared invincible and unparalleled.


    Shen Zhen followed his gaze, ensuring the chaotic battle was thoroughly over, and then said to Gu An, "I need to go back. You should head back soon as well."


    With that, she turned and left.


    She pretended to be at ease, speeding up as soon as she left Gu An''s field of vision.


    Shen Zhen''s injuries would likely take several months to fully recover.


    Gu An began to wander around the city. As he passed through, many buildings had suffered damage and the Disciples passing by bore various injuries, while they were inspecting the whole city.


    Gu An could sense the presence of Zhen Qin and Ye Lan. Both women were unharmed, so he did not feel the need to go find them.


    The mysterious presence he had sensed a few days ago was still there, and due to the distance from the Taicang Dynasty, Gu An was unclear about the origin of this aura.


    He speculated that it had something to do with Nine Nether Road.


    Before Golden Spirit Venerable''s death, he had said that the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage was about to arrive, which meant that this disaster had only just begun, and more Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm might appear in the future.


    What a time of troubles!


    Gu An was reflecting on this when his gaze was suddenly drawn to a figure in the distance.


    Among the crowd walked a disciple who appeared very ordinary. His stature, appearance, and cultivation level were nondescript. Roaming the streets, very few took notice of him.


    The reason Gu An was drawn to him was this indescribable aura he had about him, which felt strangely familiar.


    Let''s send out a Life Span Detection!


    [Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 63/280/310]


    Such a life span limit was not outstanding in the Outer Sect.


    Gu An thought this as he observed Wu Jue. It didn''t take him long to understand why the latter''s aura seemed vaguely familiar to him.


    Path Enlightenment!


    The man was actually in the midst of Path Enlightenment; no wonder he seemed somewhat absent-minded as he walked the streets.


    Gu An''s interest was piqued, and he continued to watch Wu Jue, hoping to observe the state of Path Enlightenment from the perspective of a bystander.


    He too had experienced Path Enlightenment before, and he didn''t understand what changes had taken place within him after. Since he would sometimes use life span to enhance himself, any changes could easily be concealed, making it difficult to distinguish whether the transformation was his own fortune or an evolution brought about by his augmented life span.


    Gu An began to follow Wu Jue, maintaining a distance of several yards.


    As they traversed street after street, Gu An suddenly felt a surge in Wu Jue''s aura. It wasn''t a rise in cultivation, but rather another type of profound change.


    Subconsciously, he sent another Life Span Detection toward him.


    [Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 63/280/340]


    Hmm?


    The life span limit had increased by thirty years!


    This was the first time Gu An had seen someone''s life span limit increase.


    Was this the change brought about by Path Enlightenment?


    No wonder Han Ming said that the Sword Dao had undergone a tremendous progression after Path Enlightenment. It was likely that even his aptitude and comprehension had improved.


    Gu An was secretly amazed and became even more interested in Wu Jue.


    ...


    Above the barren plains, thousands of Ephemera Sect cultivators gathered in front of the Array Platform, whispering among themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing at the black rift on the platform.


    The black Qi had already dissipated, but a black space rift remained in the air, reflecting the dark red sky on the other side as if it were an entrance to an exotic world.


    Elder Chi Han sat meditating in the front, his brows slightly furrowed.


    For some reason, he suddenly felt uneasy.


    He tried hard to calm his emotions and then closed his eyes to cultivate.


    The sun set and the moon rose, and the night passed.


    It was early morning when the sound of footsteps appeared on the Array Platform, startling Elder Chi Han into opening his eyes. It wasn''t just him; many cultivators instinctively looked that way.


    "Golden Spirit Venerable is dead; summon all Ephemera Sect members to convene here."


    A crisp and cold voice reached everyone''s ears. The speaker was a woman in black clothes, wearing a mask engraved with patterns of ephemera.


    As these words came out, the Ephemera Sect members were in an uproar.


    They knew that the title Golden Spirit Venerable referred to the purple-robed man who had appeared earlier, a formidable figure. Just a few days ago, and he was dead?


    Was the Supreme Sect really that powerful?


    Jiang Qiong in the crowd furrowed her brows, shocked by the depth of the Supreme Sect''s resources.


    Elder Chi Han''s face changed dramatically, but he did not stand still. Instead, he got up to give orders, preparing to assemble the Ephemera Sect.


    Meanwhile, far away at the Supreme Sect, Lu Lingjun was also shocked.


    News of Sword Venerable Fudao slaying the Ephemera Sect demon had spread within the sect. Disciples everywhere were discussing it. Some Inner Sect Disciples had even gone to the Third Medicine Valley and loudly announced this deed, causing the disciples in the valley to be exhilarated and spark new discussions about the power of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    And Gu An took the chance to leave, flying towards the Outer City. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After entering the city, he moved swiftly through the streets and came upon a road.


    The disciple Wu Jue, who was previously in the midst of Path Enlightenment, had stopped under an aged tree, facing the trunk as if lost in thought.


    Gu An could sense that he had woken from his Path Enlightenment and was probably sorting through his thoughts now.


    [Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 63/280/540] enjoy on m|v|l|e-m|p|y|r


    His life span limit had jumped from three hundred and ten to five hundred and forty years, almost doubling!


    Gu An was very curious about what exactly he had comprehended.


    Thinking this, Gu An pretended to pass by, came behind him, and asked with concern, "Brother, are you alright?"


    Upon hearing this, Wu Jue turned around, his expression somewhat frantic as he waved his hand, "Nothing''s wrong, I was just contemplating a cultivation technique; I got distracted."


    After saying that and giving an awkward smile, he clasped his fist in a salute to Gu An and walked away.


    Gu An watched his retreating figure. He didn''t follow but decided in secret to observe this man more in the future.


    A life span limit of five hundred and forty years was not enough to stand out from the Outer Sect, let alone see if he would continue on the path of Enlightenment.

 Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Calamity of the Nine Dynasties, Harvesting Life Span

    It had been half a month since the attack by Golden Spirit Venerable.


    Ever since that day, the Supreme Sect remained on alert, recalling many disciples, who daily swept over Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley.


    Inside a pavilion in Mystic Valley,


    Gu An was listening to Ye Lan talk about matters of the Immortal Cultivation World; she mentioned the Nine Nether Road.


    "It''s said that there''s a path leading directly to the Underworld''s Nine Nether, known as the Nine Nether Road. The Ephemera Sect has opened the entrance to it, located in the Dustless Wasteland of the Great Zhao Dynasty. Now, cultivators from the Ephemera Sect are rushing to the Dustless Wasteland. It''s unclear whether the Ephemera Sect intends to retreat or has other plans.


    The Supreme Sect has already dispatched a group of disciples to investigate," she said.


    As Ye Lan spoke of the Nine Nether Road, a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes.


    Curiously, Gu An asked, "You seem quite fond of the Nine Nether Road?"


    Ye Lan responded, "Legend has it that the Nine Nether Road can cross boundless seas to reach another vast Mortal World, sheltering fortunes of immortality. To say I don''t harbor any thoughts would certainly be a lie. The Ephemera Sect has attracted many cultivators to join by using the Nine Nether Road, but with my qualifications, going there would likely bring more misfortune than fortune."


    Changing the topic, she began to talk about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    From the information she had obtained in the Law Enforcement Hall, Sword Venerable Fudao had shown capabilities surpassing entire sects. It was said that without Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention, the Supreme Sect might have faced total destruction.


    As she spoke, she observed the changes in Gu An''s expressions.


    Gu An listened with great interest, as if Sword Venerable Fudao had nothing to do with him.


    An hour later, Ye Lan stood up to leave; she had to return to the Law Enforcement Hall to welcome her own mission.


    After seeing her off, Gu An walked into the forest and arrived at Yang Ni''s garden.


    Yang Ni had gone to the Outer Sect again today; she was still investigating Sword Venerable Fudao''s identity. Gu An decided not to tell her that Su Shan was dead, letting her continue her investigation.


    After a year, if Su Shan hadn''t come to seek her, she would probably understand her liberation.


    Gu An looked at the Ephemera on the ground, carefully observing.


    He could feel the Ephemera generating a unique kind of Spiritual Energy, but he couldn''t quite tell whether this energy was good or bad.


    Every cultivator who joined the Ephemera Sect received a batch of Ephemera Seeds; planting Ephemera was also one way to establish accomplishments and reputation.


    What exactly Ephemera was for, even Sect Hierarch Zhong Liang of the Ephemera Sect was unclear.


    The Ephemera Sect left in the Nine Dynasties was merely a puppet of the main lineage, about which they knew nothing, yet each held their own expectations.


    m-vl _e mpY _r exclusive content


    Gu An picked an Ephemera flower and then stepped into the Eight Scenic Caves, arriving in front of a Green Vine Tree.


    He placed the Ephemera under the tree, allowing the Green Vine Tree to sense it.


    "Get it away... get it away..."


    The female voice of the Green Vine Tree sounded, gentle yet anxious.


    Surprised, Gu An asked, "You''re a seventh-rank Spirit Tree, still afraid of a sixth-rank flower?"


    "Its scent... is very annoying... I don''t like it..." the Green Vine Tree faintly answered.


    Hearing this, Gu An raised his hand and put the Ephemera into his Storage Bag.


    He then sat down and pulled a Storage Bracelet from nearby, starting to check the legacy of the Golden Spirit Venerable.


    In the Eight Scenic Caves, there were many Storage Bags and Storage Rings¡ªall spoils Gu An had collected from slain enemies; only here, his own territory, was suitable for storing secret objects.


    However, after searching thoroughly, Gu An found no intelligence regarding the Ephemera. He had no choice but to give up. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But he did find an Elixir Record; he took it out and started flipping through carefully.


    He had already mastered the Taiching Elixir Path, and his Alchemy skills had reached the master level. Given an Elixir Recipe, he could easily concoct Elixirs.


    Halfway through, his hand stopped.


    "Ephemera Demon Elixir?"


    ...


    Eventually, the harsh winter arrived, and snow drifted toward the Mortal World, continuously erasing its colors.


    In Tianya Valley,


    Having just harvested a batch of herbs and gained nearly ten thousand years of lifespan, Gu An felt pleased.


    Tianya Valley had a special Formation, preventing snow from entering, which spared a lot of trouble.


    Gu An let Sun Da move all the herbs into the barn, while he walked to the courtyard where Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun were sitting, drinking and discussing the Nine Nether Road.


    "The Nine Nether Road has now drawn the attention of the cultivators from the Nine Dynasties. It''s said that various dynasties and sects have sent people to investigate, but the entrance to the Nine Nether Road is encircled by Ephemera Sect cultivators, and all have returned defeated," Luo Hun said with a furrowed brow.


    Yi Liuyun glanced at Gu An walking toward them, then said to Luo Hun, "That''s also a good thing, at least the Taicang Dynasty doesn''t have to bear the pressure of the Ephemera Sect alone."


    Luo Hun nodded, adding, "The forces behind the Ephemera Sect will definitely cross the Nine Nether Road, and this will be a calamity for the Nine Dynasties. Moreover, I''ve received messages that Ephemera has appeared across the dynasties. Once the Ephemera ripens, it attracts demons and ghosts. It''s unclear what the Ephemera Sect''s purpose truly is."


    Gu An sat down beside them, listening to their discussion about the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Curious, he asked, "Does the Ephemera have any sinister legends associated with it?"


    Previously, he had thought that the Ephemera Sect was merely competing with the Supreme Sect for power and profit, but now he realized that their ambitions ran deeper.


    Without understanding the strength of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, Gu An dared not venture into the Nine Nether Road.


    Yi Liuyun frowned and said, "I have indeed heard of a legend; the Ephemera is a flower from the Underworld, symbolizing death and reincarnation. When the Ephemera appears in the Mortal World, it signifies that a great disaster is coming, and many lives will be lost."


    Luo Hun added, "Now, the Nine Dynasties have issued an order to eradicate the Ephemera, regardless of the Ephemera Sect''s intentions. The widespread emergence of the Ephemera must be curbed."


    Hearing this, Gu An immediately felt relieved.


    The troubles of the world should be borne by all under heaven; he did not wish to worry alone.


    With the entire world working to eradicate the Ephemera, he would join in the effort.


    From now on, he would go out at night to eradicate the Ephemera, earning lifespan and also saving lives, an endeavor beneficial in every way.


    As Luo Hun and Yi Liuyun continued discussing the Ephemera Sect, Gu An listened from the side, hearing many names mentioned.


    Nine Nether Road had reappeared in the Mortal World, leading to tremendous upheaval in the immortal cultivation world of the dynasties as many Great Cultivators who had been in seclusion began to emerge.


    The Ephemera Sect had become a scourge of the nine dynasties.


    Even ancient beings who had lived for thousands of years declared their intention to eradicate the Ephemera Sect.


    This was actually a good thing¡ªthe Ephemera Sect became an entity everyone wanted to eliminate. Those who had been recruited might waver and take the opportunity to break away from the sect.


    By evening, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.


    His Divine Sense swept the area, his expression peculiar.


    Yang Ni had burned all the Ephemera she had planted, leaving only ashes in the garden plot.


    Could it be that Yang Ni had come to a realization?


    Gu An did not go to ask Yang Ni but instead returned to his house.


    Late at night, Gu An began to scan the Taicang Dynasty with his Divine Sense, searching for Ephemera.


    This scan even scared him.


    How had so many Ephemera sprouted so suddenly?


    There weren''t any last month!


    Gu An immediately vanished from inside the house, departing to eliminate the Ephemera.


    Two steps later, he arrived in a forest thousands of miles away, near a village where the Ephemera were mostly concentrated.


    He picked an Ephemera, gaining only a year of Life Span.


    These Ephemera were growing very fast, clearly unnatural as if some force had drained their potential, leaving them with little remaining life span.


    One year is one year¡ªit adds up!


    Gu An began to eradicate Ephemera.


    ...


    At dawn.


    Gu An came downstairs, his spirit incredibly vibrant.


    Last night, he had harvested more than 40,000 years of Life Span, indicating just how abundant the Ephemera were everywhere.


    He joined the disciples in practice, and Yang Ni was there too, but she was listless, clearly preoccupied with something on her mind.


    After practice, Yang Ni approached Gu An and announced her intention to leave.


    "Where are you going?" Gu An frowned and asked.


    Yang Ni replied, "To take care of some matters."


    Gu An advised, "Recently, the Ephemera Sect has been causing chaos, and the nine dynasties are preparing to jointly punish them. You should stay away from this."


    Yang Ni nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I have no ties with the Ephemera Sect."


    Having said this, she gazed intently at Gu An.


    Some things went unspoken, but both understood the underlying message.


    Thirty minutes later, Yang Ni had packed her belongings and departed.


    Gu An stood by the window, watching the direction of her departure, feeling that this farewell meant they would not meet again for many years.


    Meanwhile.


    On the distant dustless wasteland, ghostly mists pervaded, forming dark clouds that covered the sky, and crows flew across.


    Li Ya, carrying the North Sea Heavy Sword, stood on a cliff, gazing down at the dense throng of people below, forming a vast sea of humanity, his brow furrowed.


    He hadn''t expected the Ephemera Sect to have secretly recruited so many followers.


    "That Nine Nether Road is quite sinister, containing an immense amount of ghostly and demon energy," the voice of the Primordial Ancestor sounded in Li Ya''s ear.


    Li Ya involuntarily looked towards the Traveler of Graceful Crane sitting on a rock in the distance, who was holding a scroll and deeply contemplating.


    "No matter, when the Primordial Ancestor descends, we''ll capture them all in one net!" Li Ya thought to himself.


    He now had full confidence in that mysterious Demon Shadow, feeling that the figure was an invincible presence in this world.


    "It''s not that simple, no matter how powerful he is, his Spiritual Power will deplete. It''s nearly impossible for him alone to avert the calamity of the nine dynasties. If he were really that powerful, he wouldn''t need to practice the Demon Shadow Divine Skill from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion to conceal his identity," the Primordial Ancestor sighed.


    Li Ya was displeased to hear this; ever since encountering the Ephemera Sect, the Primordial Ancestor had become timid, no longer bearing the aloof and profound demeanor of the past, which made him feel like his fantasies had been shattered.


    But remembering the caution of the Li Family''s Primordial Ancestor, Li Ya did not contradict the Primordial Ancestor''s words.


    Just then.


    The ground began to tremble, startling Li Ya into swiftly flying up, while the Traveler of Graceful Crane remained seated on the rock, unmoved.


    Li Ya looked towards the entrance of the Nine Nether Road where he saw the Array Platform below the black crevice begin to break apart, and a tree branch emerged from the soil, followed by the trunk.


    As all the followers of the Ephemera Sect retreated amidst their alarmed stares, a colossal tree shot up from the ground¡ªit was indeed an Ephemera Tree.


    This Ephemera Tree was even more enormous than the one Gu An had eradicated, towering over 500 meters tall, its top reaching into the dark clouds.


    The massive Ephemera Tree standing behind the black crevice appeared even more horrifying.


    "Hmph, they really planted an Ephemera Tree!"


    A cold snort echoed throughout the heavens and earth, chilling everyone''s hearts.


    Jiang Qiong turned his head to look and saw a dazzling sword light approaching from the horizon, cutting through the sea of clouds, unstoppable as it headed straight for the Ephemera Tree.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere in front of the Ephemera Tree, a black-clothed woman wearing a mask, holding a golden mallet in her hand. With a forward push, immense Spiritual Power burst forth, forcibly blocking the sword light miles away, causing the space around the sword light to twist.

 Chapter 116: Chapter 116 Fellow Travelers

    Beneath a snowy night, deep within the mountains.


    Gu An crouched down and plucked the last Ephemera flower from the snow, then tossed it into his storage bag.


    He still harvested only one year of life span, but he was not dissatisfied, as he had harvested nearly five hundred thousand years of life span this month, pushing his total life span past a million years once again.


    How exhilarating!


    After tonight, there would be no Ephemera flowers left in plain sight within the Taicang Dynasty.


    In a single month, he had picked over a million Ephemera flowers, half of which did not even have a year''s life span, having sprouted not long ago.


    If Gu An didn''t pick them, the cultivators of the Taicang Dynasty would have cleared them away, so he had no choice but to pick them whenever he saw them, chancing his luck.


    He couldn''t very well ignore the safety of the world''s populace and not allow others to clear Ephemera flowers, and he likewise feared the Ephemera Sect.


    Life could be accumulated slowly, but if the Ephemera Sect''s plan succeeded and he couldn''t resist, things would have gone terribly wrong!


    In the dimly lit woods, Gu An stretched lazily, then headed for a nearby city.


    It was nearly dawn, and he planned to stroll around within the city walls.


    Always staying in Medicine Valley wasn''t good, and stepping out occasionally to take in the landscape and foreign scenery could help him gain insights.


    Ever since he encountered Wu Jue''s state of enlightenment, Gu An had been contemplating the concept of enlightenment.


    He felt that enlightenment depended not only on chance but also on life experience.


    The sun was slowly rising.


    From a city a hundred li away, the noise started to pick up, signaling the start of a new day.


    At noon, Gu An sat on the second floor of an inn drinking alcohol, positioned by the window overlooking the streets where martial heroes shouted and displayed their martial skills.


    Where there were people, there was the Martial Arts World. Even though everyone within the Taicang Dynasty knew of immortal cultivation, ninety percent of the people couldn''t cultivate, giving rise to the world of martial arts. They existed independently from the world of cultivators, having their own glory and disputes.


    In the entire city, Gu An could only sense three other cultivators, who, like him, were disguised as mortals.


    The Immortal Cultivation World was facing threats from the Ephemera Sect, with endless demons looming outside the nine dynasties, yet the mortal populace remained unaffected.


    Most of their lives spanned merely a few decades; by the time their lives ended, the great calamity of demons might still not have arrived.


    This was the difference between immortals and mortals.


    Cultivators and mortals lived under different temporal rules.


    Gu An pondered the differences between immortals and mortals, stirring many feelings within him.


    He wanted to see if such thinking could lead him into a state of enlightenment.


    However, he sat for an entire day without entering a state of enlightenment, though he didn''t feel his time was wasted.


    Occasionally sitting down, not speaking, and experiencing the myriad states of human existence held its own kind of pleasure.


    Dusk fell again, and the snow that had paused for a day began to fall once more.


    Gu An stood up, left some silver, and then departed.


    He did not leave the city directly, but started wandering the streets among the crowd, letting the falling snow land on him as he immersed himself in the mortal world.


    Only by the next morning did Gu An finally return to the valley.


    Arriving at the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An saw that the disciples had gathered together, creating quite a lively scene.


    From afar, he heard the disciples discussing the Supreme Elder.


    A Supreme Elder had returned!


    This news shook the entire Supreme Sect, and the identity of that Supreme Elder had also been disclosed: a Supreme Elder who had lived fifteen hundred years, whose cultivation level was remarkably profound.


    Currently, with the Supreme Sect facing threats from the Ephemera Sect, the return of the Supreme Elder greatly boosted the sect''s morale.


    The leading orthodox powers had regained their disdainful dominance!


    This Supreme Elder had the name Xuan Quan, known as Ancestor Xuan Quan.


    Gu An guessed he had returned because the Supreme Sect had informed him that Ancestor Xuan Tian had been killed by the Ephemera Sect.


    After listening for a while, Gu An continued to pick herbs.


    During the herb-picking process, he reflected on the insights from the past two days.


    Although he hadn''t entered the state of enlightenment, a new rune had formed on his Mystic Heart.


    The Mystic Heart could gather divine skills; Gu An had reached the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm, but this divine skill was still brewing. Its formation depended not on cultivation level but on insight.


    He already had an idea, which he would continue to refine until the divine skill solidified.


    Three days later.


    Gu An visited the Outer Sect''s Book Collection Hall, where Elder Liu, as always, received him personally.


    Having not seen him for several months, Gu An noticed that he had aged a lot, and his vitality was deteriorating.


    [Elder Liu (Foundation Establishment Realm Layer Nine): 258/270/340]


    Seeing the other''s life span, Gu An sighed inwardly.


    Elder Liu''s cultivation level had clearly been elevated through elixirs, hence his lower life span relative to others in his realm.


    Having been close for many years, the two had become friends despite the difference in their ages. Seeing an old friend approaching death, he inevitably felt some melancholy.


    But he had long been prepared.


    Sooner or later, he would bid farewell to everyone around him. The path of prolonged life was destined to be lonely.


    Even if he later found a way to extend the utmost limits of life span, it would only be an enhancement. To make someone immortal was immensely difficult, and Gu An could not transfer his own life span to others.


    This anticipated loneliness didn''t upset Gu An but rather strengthened his resolve.


    The more so, the more he wanted to live on!


    He wanted to visit the Mortal World on behalf of his old friends to see the wonders of the next ten thousand years and to witness the transformation of the ocean and fields in ten million years.


    "Elder Liu, this is the last volume of Supreme Immortal Venerable." Gu An took out a book from his storage bag and said with a smile.


    Elder Liu took the book, curious, "I thought you were going to wait a few more years. How come it came out so soon?"


    "The story should also come to an end. Isn''t it perfect that the conclusion has the protagonist joining hands with the people of the world to eliminate demons and bring peace to the world? Doesn''t it echo the current state of affairs in the world?" Gu An laughed.


    He paused and said, "Although I am of mediocre talent, lacking the power to turn the tide, if I can inspire the fighting spirit of the people, that would also count as a contribution, however modest."


    Elder Liu didn''t flip through the book but admired, "Your book has influenced many. Before you, cultivators rarely read books beyond cultivation. The name Pan An now carries an air of a sage."


    "Elder Liu, you jest. It''s not that exaggerated."


    "Haha, what are you planning to write next?"


    "I don''t feel like writing for the time being. I''ll see later."


    "That''s also true. A masterpiece comes by chance, and it cannot be rushed."


    The two chatted casually, and Elder Liu began to talk about the scene when the two first met. Gu An listened intently and responded earnestly.


    After chatting for two ancient hours, Elder Liu suddenly said, "After I get the last volume of Supreme Immortal Venerable arranged, I will resign from the position of Elder and prepare to leave the Supreme Sect to visit my hometown."


    "Having joined the sect two hundred and forty years ago, I don''t know if my hometown has changed."


    He already sensed that his end was near.


    People wish to return to their roots before they die.


    Gu An couldn''t help but think of Cheng Xuandan, who had also left alone when his end was near.


    "Then I wish Elder Liu a smooth journey." Gu An said softly, laughing as if unaware of Elder Liu''s impending end.


    After bidding farewell to Elder Liu, Gu An went to the Elixir Hall.


    He didn''t enter the Elixir Hall; he just stood on the street, looking at the signboard of the Elixir Hall.


    Because of Elder Liu, he thought of Zhu Qinglu.


    Zhu Qinglu was the elder of the Elixir Hall, also the person responsible for handing things over to Gu An, and he too didn''t have many years left.


    It foreshadowed that, in the years to come, Gu An would continue to say goodbye to old friends.


    At this moment, Gu An entered a forgetful state.


    Time passed unknowingly.


    Gu An suddenly awoke, his vision clearing, and a disciple was standing in front of him.


    It was Wu Jue who had previously achieved Path Enlightenment.


    "Brother, are you alright?" Wu Jue asked carefully.


    He was passing by and was attracted by Gu An''s state. He suspected that Gu An had entered a state of Path Enlightenment like him; only when he approached did he realize that this was the disciple he had met on the day he finished his Path Enlightenment.


    Fate truly is marvelous.


    That day, this disciple encountered him during his Path Enlightenment; today, he encountered this disciple during Path Enlightenment.


    Wu Jue felt a fondness for Gu An and decided to stay nearby to keep people from disturbing him. He had been guarding for a while and thought he had disturbed Gu An when he suddenly opened his eyes, which made him somewhat nervous.


    Gu An had indeed entered a state of Path Enlightenment; his Mystic Heart had gained another rune. He looked at Wu Jue and smiled, "I''m fine. Have we met before?"


    Wu Jue smiled and said, "Yes, I was under a tree back then, and you asked me if I was alright, just like I''m asking you now."


    Gu An cast a Life Span Detection on him.


    [Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 63/280/1040]


    How did he gain another five hundred years?


    Did this guy achieve Path Enlightenment again recently?


    What is his background?


    This is too exaggerated!


    Han Ming achieved Path Enlightenment only once in his life; Wu Jue has achieved it twice in two months?


    "Did you just enter a state of Path Enlightenment? Shall we find a place to talk?" Wu Jue suggested.


    Gu An agreed, which suited his intentions.


    Later, he went to the private residence of Wu Jue, and after they both entered and closed the room door, they sat down to talk.


    Wu Jue became very enthusiastic, voluntarily sharing his experiences.


    He had been an orphan since childhood and was raised by his master at the Supreme Sect. His master, an Outer Disciple, found him hanging on a tree while out on a mission; he was still a baby, abandoned by his parents who apparently feared he would be eaten by wild beasts.


    In the Supreme Sect, Wu Jue''s Spirit Root Qualification was mediocre, but he lived well under his master''s protection, until recently when his master was killed by a disciple of the Ephemera Sect while on a mission. He learned of this from his master''s traveling companion, and it felt as if the sky had collapsed on him.


    Coincidentally, the next day, the Ephemera Sect attacked, and watching the cultivators fight, Wu Jue felt puzzled, unable to understand why people must fight to the death. In this state of confusion, he entered a state of Path Enlightenment.


    After Wu Jue finished, he looked at Gu An and asked, "Brother Gu, what caused you to achieve Path Enlightenment?"


    Gu An replied, "My Path Enlightenment was also related to life and death. An old friend of many decades is nearing his end."


    He spoke very calmly, but Wu Jue felt he must be very sad, though Gu An''s reason for Path Enlightenment also made Wu Jue feel closer to him.


    "Brother Gu, we must never speak of the matter of Path Enlightenment with others. After I achieved Path Enlightenment, I found that my Energy Absorption speed increased and even my understanding improved. My master always cautioned me from childhood that one must not be too ostentatious in actions and always hold a reserve," Wu Jue said seriously.


    Gu An nodded, amused inwardly.


    It seemed Wu Jue''s master was a man of the same path.


    Yet, he felt Wu Jue''s Path Enlightenment was not due to sudden understanding, because his master''s death led to two instances of Path Enlightenment?


    Unreasonable!


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 Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Kill him, do I need a sword?

    Gu An and Wu Jue exchanged experiences about their path enlightenment, talking until the next morning, both benefiting greatly.


    Before parting, Wu Jue once again urged him not to reveal anything about path enlightenment to others.


    Seeing how cautious the other was, Gu An smiled and assured him.


    Wu Jue watched Gu An leave, a smile spreading across his face.


    Having lived in the Supreme Sect for so many years, Gu An was the first true friend he had made. Before, he felt very inferior and dared not interact much with others; the only person he was close to was his master, so his master''s death was a huge shock to him.


    Wu Jue turned and went back inside to continue his cultivation, while looking forward to his next exchange with Gu An.


    Gu An stayed in the city for an hour before returning to the Third Medicine Valley. After checking the valley, he hurriedly left again.


    He first spent a short half-hour in Mystic Valley before heading to Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    There were already many herbs planted in Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, but it was still far from full.


    Gu An planned to plant herbs of the fifth level or higher here, as this was his private territory, a place truly unknown to anyone else.


    Jiang Qiong and Sky Dragon knew about the Eight Scenic Caves, but only he knew about Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    During the planting process, he felt the aura of battle coming from the north.


    The aura of the Nine Nether Road persisted, having lasted for several months; the dynasties continually dispatched cultivators to fight, temporarily containing the chaos caused by the Ephemera Sect.


    This was normal; if the Ephemera Sect were far stronger than the power of the nine dynasties, they would have already swept over them.


    Gu An paid no attention to the distant battle, his focus solely on planting.


    He could stay the night in Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion tonight since it was the end of the month, and in case Li Ya wanted to contact him, he could not afford to miss it.


    Since agreeing with Li Ya, Li Ya had not revealed his aura at the end of the month on any mountaintop. Perhaps it was beyond his control, but Gu An was not worried; he would come to Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion every end of the month to use his divine sense to search the north for Li Ya''s aura.


    In this way, Gu An planted all the seeds he had brought with him and took the opportunity to set up another formation. When night fell, he executed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, turning into a demon shadow and hastening towards the north.


    ...


    Under the cover of night, Li Ya with the North Sea Heavy Sword on his back arrived at the mountain top. He looked up to see mountains stretching endlessly ahead, their ends out of sight. The night sky was shrouded in clouds, hiding the stars and moon.


    "How far away the North Sea Mountains are from here, I wonder if the Primordial Ancestor can find me," Li Ya thought anxiously.


    The Primordial Ancestor''s voice sounded in his mind: "Great Cultivators of the nine dynasties appear one after another, yet they cannot shake that female cultivator. Once the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage descends, it will be even more dangerous. Even if the Primordial Ancestor arrives, he will not be able to turn the tide."


    He had resolved that Gu An was the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family, but he did not have confidence in the Primordial Ancestor.


    The Primordial Ancestor had a higher realm than he did in life, but within the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, there were also people like that, and not just one. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, Li Ya fell silent.


    He turned his head to look around, dispersing his divine sense, fearing that Ephemera Sect cultivators were trailing him.


    After confirming that no one was following him, Li Ya took down the heavy sword and sat down to meditate on the spot.


    He placed the heavy sword on his legs and carefully felt the sword blade.


    He had mastered a sliver of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword intent. The longer he studied the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, the more he realized its immeasurable depths. Once he achieved great proficiency in this Sword Dao, he would be unrivaled within his realm and could even fight across realms.


    The cold wind blew through. Though there was no snow, it was still bone-chillingly cold.


    Who knows how long passed.


    A figure appeared behind Li Ya, quietly watching him.


    It was Gu An, who was observing Li Ya''s swordsmanship achievement using the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.


    Not bad, he hasn''t wasted the swordsmanship achievement I left him.


    "He''s here..."


    The Primordial Ancestor''s voice resounded next to Li Ya''s ear, his tone complex.


    At that, Li Ya opened his eyes, turned his head, and upon seeing Gu An, he immediately scrambled up, holding the North Sea Heavy Sword and bowed to Gu An.


    He could now hold the North Sea Heavy Sword in one hand.


    "I pay my respects to the Primordial Ancestor!"


    Gu An was too lazy to explain Li Ya''s form of address; as long as he didn''t guess his true identity, it was all right.


    "Tell me about the situation with the Ephemera Sect," Gu An spoke up, his voice altered as usual.


    Li Ya began reporting the situation.


    The devotees of the Ephemera Sect were all gathered at the entrance to the Nine Nether Road, numbering over a million. Each Ephemera Sect cultivator had been branded with the Ephemera Seal, preventing those who were hesitant from escaping.


    He mentioned the Ephemera Tree, which nearly every day saw cultivators confronting the Ephemera Sect, ultimately dying and becoming nourishment for the tree.


    Upon mentioning the tree, Li Ya, who was usually fearless, also showed a look of fear on his face.


    Gu An was not concerned about these matters; he was curious about how powerful the strongest person in the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage was.


    Unfortunately, Li Ya was not clear about that either; after talking for a while, their conversation was centered around the battles around the Ephemera Tree, with no mention of the situation inside the Nine Nether Road.


    "Why have you come out secretly? It seems you want to pass on information, which looks like your supporter is also helpless and unable to respond to you," a scornful laugh sounded, startling Li Ya and causing his face to change dramatically as he looked past Gu An.


    Traveler of Graceful Crane, dressed like a scholar, emerged from the woods behind Gu An, who did not turn around.


    "Demon Shadow Divine Skill, may I ask which esteemed member of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion you are?" Traveler of Graceful Crane asked with a smiling face. He proceeded to take a bookcase from his back, placed it in front of him, and began to rummage through it.


    Before Gu An could answer, Li Ya urgently said, "Primordial Ancestor, his name is Traveler of Graceful Crane, he is the one who captured my ancestor''s soul before, he is very strong, you must not take him lightly!"


    Gu An turned his head slightly, glancing at Traveler of Graceful Crane with his peripheral vision.


    Unification Realm Nine Layers, no wonder he speaks with such presumption.


    Such a cultivation level would already allow one to dominate over the Taicang Dynasty!


    Gu An slowly turned around, looking at Traveler of Graceful Crane, who was searching for something. He wasn''t in a hurry and just watched Traveler of Graceful Crane act.


    A great cultivator of the Unification Realm Nine Layers still needs to search for things by hand?


    This man clearly thought he had Gu An in his grasp and was deliberately messing with Gu An''s and Li Ya''s mental states.


    "Primordial Ancestor? Turns out we are family. Then I''ll have to torture you to death right in front of him, so he gives up any of those twisted thoughts he shouldn''t be having," Traveler of Graceful Crane said with a sneer.


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya immediately came by Gu An''s side and presented the North Sea Heavy Sword to Gu An.


    "To kill him, do you need a sword?"


    Gu An''s hoarse voice rang out, causing Li Ya to startle, and Traveler of Graceful Crane''s movements searching for objects also stalled.


    Traveler of Graceful Crane looked up at Gu An; the two stood on a slope with Gu An positioned higher up.


    He couldn''t make out Gu An''s true face, but for some reason, as he looked at this figure, unease brewed within him.


    Suddenly, he pulled a scroll from his book box, which when unfurled, exploded with terrifying magma that blotted out the sky and was shockingly formidable.


    Li Ya stood in place, completely unable to react in time.


    Gu An raised his right hand at an extremely fast speed, flicking his finger to shoot a powerful beam that pierced through the terrifying magma, forcibly penetrating the throat of Traveler of Graceful Crane, with blood blossoming from the back of his neck.


    Traveler of Graceful Crane''s eyes widened, filled with disbelief.


    Just as his body started to tilt backward, a foot stepped on his back.


    Boom!


    The mountains trembled violently, and under the watch of Li Ya, that overwhelmingly powerful Traveler of Graceful Crane who had once driven him to despair was now stepped upon by the Primordial Ancestor, with rubble flying.


    "Ugh..."


    Traveler of Graceful Crane spat out a mouthful of blood in reverse. He despaired as he found his Spiritual Power suppressed within his body, completely incapable of being released; he couldn''t even use spells to escape.


    He had never felt such a suppressive force before.


    Even a Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm couldn''t have imposed such suppression on him.


    Could it be that he had already reached above the fifth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm?


    Traveler of Graceful Crane felt this was absurd.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    Gu An began to stomp his foot, relentlessly crushing Traveler of Graceful Crane''s back with each step, the blood stain beneath Traveler of Graceful Crane growing ever larger, the mountain itself cracking.


    Enveloped in dark purple Demonic Qi, Gu An appeared like a Demon God from the netherworld; even Li Ya couldn''t help but feel a touch of fear at this moment.


    The old ancestor''s soul within him also fell silent.


    After stomping nine times, Traveler of Graceful Crane had lost his ability to fight.


    Gu An''s right foot ignited with Taiching True Fire, attaching it to Traveler of Graceful Crane, who then fell back while Gu An''s left hand captured his Primordial Spirit and his right hand picked up the nearby book box.


    Traveler of Graceful Crane''s body was quickly reduced to ashes. As Gu An''s figure disappeared, he left behind a sentence:


    "From now on, do your best to stay alive. There''s no need to come looking for me again."


    Li Ya stood on the slope, staring at the remains of Traveler of Graceful Crane, reduced to ashes, silent for a long time.


    After a good while.


    He couldn''t help but ask himself, "Do you still think that the Primordial Ancestor has no chance of defeating the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage?"


    The old ancestor did not respond.


    ...


    Inside the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Gu An sat in front of a stone table, performing the Soul Capturing skill on Traveler of Graceful Crane''s Primordial Spirit.


    It turned out that Traveler of Graceful Crane was not a man of the nine dynasties; he originated from the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage and had arrived very early.


    Three hundred years ago, the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage came to the land of the nine dynasties. He and several fellow sect members dispersed, with the others acting in accordance with the main lineage''s grand scheme, seeking suitable puppet sects for manipulation, while he traveled alone in search of immortal fates.


    He had the audacity to act so uniquely because he was a core disciple of the main lineage with a prominent background.


    Two hundred years ago, having witnessed the strong Lv Baitian, aware that he was no match, he avoided direct confrontation and lay in hiding for two hundred years.


    The Ephemera Sect Main Lineage arrived in the land of the nine dynasties because they knew it was to be devoured by demons. In their eyes, the human race here was bound to die sooner or later, so it might as well contribute to the Ephemera Tree.


    The Ephemera Tree''s favorite food was the Spiritual Power and flesh of cultivators of the human race. If it could devour the people of the nine dynasties, it could transcend Heavenly Destiny and reach the legendary Nine Layers Realm.


    At that point, the Ephemera Tree could open the Nine Nether Road at will, providing convenience for the actions of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, allowing them to go wherever they wished.


    Through the memories of Traveler of Graceful Crane, Gu An learned about the hierarchical status within the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage. The Golden Spirit Venerable he had previously killed was one of the hundred venerables of the main lineage, all of whom possessed Mystic Heart Realm cultivation.


    Furthermore, the leader of the main lineage had, five hundred years ago, crossed the boundary of the Mystic Heart Realm to reach the legendary Mahayana Realm.


    This meant that the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage had only one cultivator in the Mahayana Realm!


    Could five hundred years have allowed that lineage leader to reach the Nine Layers of the Mahayana Realm?


    Gu An quietly pondered.


    Several ancient hours later, he finally withdrew his Divine Sense, then finished off Traveler of Graceful Crane, seizing two hundred and nine years of Life Span.


    Gu An''s right hand rested on the book box, his index finger gently tapping it, his eyes flickering.


    No more waiting!


    Tomorrow he would deal with the Ephemera Tree beneath the Nine Nether Road, better to prevent any further complications. After all, if he didn''t act, the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage would not rest either!

 Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Sword Venerable Fudao Makes His Move!

    ```


    Dustless Wastelands.


    Dawn.


    Because of the cloud cover above, the desolate plains were never graced by the sight of the sun or the moon.


    Atop a ruined wall, dozens of cultivators were gathered, among them the Vice Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, Ji Hantian. Looking towards the horizon, worry furrowed their brows.


    "That demoness is truly too powerful. Without a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator, no matter how many of us join forces, it will be futile."


    "Our dynasty does not possess any Mystic Heart Realm cultivators."


    "Our sect does have one, but they''ve been gone for eight hundred years, and their whereabouts are hard to trace."


    "How many Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators stand behind the Ephemera Sect?" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We are out of options, there is no turning back!"


    They were all rulers of various dynasties and sects, with each one''s cultivation level reaching the Unification Realm. Before the upheaval caused by the Ephemera Sect, each was a legendary figure within the nine dynasties of the Immortal Cultivation World, capable of great deeds that could alter heaven and earth. Yet gathered here for many days, they were helpless and dared not act rashly.


    Already, many Unification Realm cultivators had perished beneath the Ephemera Tree. Some acted alone, while others had launched an all-out assault, all returning defeated, their spirits shaken by the terror of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Ji Hantian suddenly raised his right hand, revealing a finger ring that burst forth with strands of flowing light that entered the space between his eyebrows.


    His face revealed a look of surprise, and then he lowered his hand, and said, "Gentlemen, the Supreme Elder Xuan Quan of my Supreme Sect has returned and is on his way here. We will be able to launch an attack alongside him! Our Elder Xuan Quan has attained the Mystic Heart Realm!"


    Upon these words, the cultivators of the various sects all turned their eyes towards him, similarly surprised.


    For a moment, praises for the Supreme Sect echoed, prompting Ji Hantian to stand straighter.


    Although the Supreme Sect was the strongest of the Taicang Dynasty, it was not necessarily in the top three of the nine dynasties. If the Supreme Sect could establish unparalleled merits in the face of the calamity brought by the Ephemera Sect, its fame would surely resonate throughout the world and attract many more families and cultivators to join in the future.


    The mood atop the cliff took a turn for the better, as everyone saw hope in defeating the demoness of the Ephemera Sect.


    Meanwhile.


    Thousands of miles away.


    The Ephemera Tree, hundreds of feet tall beneath roiling clouds, stood like a fearsome giant with its branches extended like claws touching the sky.


    Vines hung from the branches, most with corpses tied to their ends; some of the bodies writhed slightly, eyes bloodshot, necks bulging with veins, a sight of utter misery.


    Amidst the sea of people, Jiang Qiong looked at the hanging cultivators, her delicate eyebrows furrowed.


    She reached for the blood-red Ephemera Seal on her wrist, and her heart filled with anxiety.


    If things continued like this, she feared she would be either killed by the cultivators of the nine dynasties or devoured by the Ephemera Tree¡ªwaiting passively for death was not an option.


    But what could she do?


    The Ephemera Seal limited her freedom.


    Jiang Qiong glanced at the middle-aged man beside her and sent him a telepathic message, "Father, do you still trust the Ephemera Sect?"


    Seated next to her, the man was her father, one of the Pavilion Masters of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, named Jiang Lang. Not only had he brought Jiang Qiong, but other disciples as well, to join the Ephemera Sect.


    Jiang Lang''s expression was dark, and he did not respond.


    He was well aware that he had been deceived, but what could he do now?


    The Ephemera Tree was decorated with numerous bodies of Unification and Void Crossing cultivators. With his capabilities, how could he possibly escape?


    He turned to look in another direction. On the outskirts of the million strong followers of the Ephemera Sect, four cultivators were meditating. Their presence alone deterred any of the devout from acting recklessly.


    At the moment, the only people who could leave were those with close ties to the higher-ups of the Ephemera Sect or those deemed trustworthy.


    Yet Jiang Lang belonged to neither category.


    He was a man of Sect Hierarch Zhong Liang and should have enjoyed privileges, but with Zhong Liang''s fall, his subordinates were scattered, treated like prisoners, barely trusted even though they were accepted.


    Jiang Qiong, seeing her father''s demeanor, knew she could not rely on him.


    After all.


    From the very beginning, the only person she could truly rely on was herself.


    Jiang Qiong looked towards the Ephemera Tree once more, her gaze turning resolute.


    She must not fall here!


    No sooner had her thoughts settled than a ray of light shone upon her face, causing her eyes to widen.


    Not just her¡ªall present were illuminated.


    Looking up, they saw the dark clouds above the Ephemera Tree parting, revealing a gaping hole nearly a thousand miles in diameter, with sunlight streaming through, interspersed with flecks of snow.


    The woman in black seated on the Array Platform raised her head to see, her eyes behind the mask flashing fiercely.


    It wasn''t just her; the four Great Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect who were standing guard at the perimeter also looked upwards.


    Under the sunlight, the Ephemera Tree began to tremble as if it disliked the sunlight.


    "Who is this eminent personage, and why not show yourself?"


    The woman in black stood up, her voice cold as she called out loudly, her voice echoing across the entire land.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere in the sky above the Ephemera Tree¡ªit was Gu An who had used the "Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body".


    Gu An looked down upon everyone below, his eyes capturing the figure of Jiang Qiong.


    From his high vantage point, the million followers of the Ephemera Sect looked like captives, relegated to sitting on the ground, while a few cultivators stood at the periphery, clearly tasked with guarding those who were seated.


    To trust the Ephemera Sect and end up like this, truly a tragedy!


    Gu An quickly cast several Life Span Detection spells.


    One second layer Mystic Heart Realm, four ninth layer Unification Realms!


    The Ephemera Tree beneath him possessed the same maximal life span as the previous tree he saw, and it was just over five hundred years old.


    Growing so quickly, on how many bodies had it fed?


    Gu An raised his right hand, within the palm a green sword shadow began to condense.


    "Impudence!"


    The woman in black let out an angry shout. In one stride, she reached Gu An''s side, a blood-red sword appearing in her hand which she swung at him.


    ```


    This sword strike unfurled as if ten thousand evil ghosts pounced towards Gu An, and the entire firmament plunged into a momentary blood red light.


    But it was merely a moment!


    Boom!


    The woman clad in black was sent flying backward, sweeping over the heads of a million sect followers, crashing through the ground''s surface, her fate unknown.


    Everyone witnessing the scene was deeply moved.


    How could this be possible!


    Everyone inwardly exclaimed in shock.


    During this time, the woman in black had fully displayed her formidable strength, almost invincible under the heavens. No matter how strong or renowned a cultivator came attacking, they would be effortlessly suppressed by her.


    How could such a mighty being appear so powerless before this person?


    Gu An lifted his left hand, his index finger shooting out a beam of intense light, sweeping across the firmament and piercing through the rolling dust, striking the spot where the woman in black had fallen.


    A prompt emerged before Gu An''s eyes:


    [You have successfully seized forty-seven years of life span from the Night Cultivator Fairy (Second Layer of Mystic Heart Realm)]


    Not bad!


    With another reach of Gu An''s left hand, he remotely captured the Mystic Heart of the Night Cultivator Fairy.


    The Mystic Heart dispersed the rolling dust and fell into his hand, only to be tossed into his storage bag.


    Seeing the bad turn of events, the four Unification Realm Nine Layers Great Cultivators guarding the Ephemera Sect''s million followers in all four directions immediately fled in different directions.


    Gu An raised his hand and quickly tapped four times.


    Breaking Path Divine Light!


    Four beams of intense light, like shooting stars, fell, and while the eyes and Divine Senses of a million sect followers couldn''t catch their trajectory, everyone felt the four people''s prospects were grim.


    All of a sudden, silence fell upon the world.


    "There is actually such a person in the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion..." Jiang Lang murmured to himself, still in shock.


    Jiang Qiong was equally frightened, secretly relieved that she hadn''t caused trouble in the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion before.


    One after another, four prompts sprang forth before Gu An. He released the green sword shadow in his right hand, the tip pointing directly at the Ephemera Tree.


    Feeling the crisis, the Ephemera Tree trembled violently, its vines releasing corpses as they drifted upwards in unison.


    In the watchful eyes of a million Ephemera Sect followers, a ferocious, twisted face emerged from the main trunk of the Ephemera Tree.


    "What is that?"


    "A demon tree... It really is a demon tree!"


    "That face..."


    "We''ve been deceived!"


    "No... it can''t be..."


    A thunderous uproar rose among the million sect followers, not everyone was like Jiang Qiong. Many of them, having reached this point, still harbored illusions, or could only cling to illusions.


    Rumbling¡ª


    The ground trembled, giant vines burst through the surface, lashing towards Gu An, scaring a million sect followers into frantic flight, some seizing the chance to flee the area.


    Yet, there were those who desperately rushed into the Nine Nether Road, including Jiang Qiong.


    The terrifying Sword Intent burst from the green sword shadow in Gu An''s palm as if a Divine Weapon had descended from the heavens, arriving with a brilliant sword light.


    "This Sword Intent... Sword Venerable Fudao..."


    Jiang Qiong, while flying, looked up at Gu An''s figure and thought to herself in fear.


    So Sword Venerable Fudao was this powerful!


    The green sword shadow, carrying the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, fell from above. As cultivators just got to their feet, nowhere near escaping the battlefield, the green sword shadow landed on the Ephemera Tree''s crown.


    This time, with an overwhelming Sword Intent, it forcefully suppressed the Ephemera Tree, turning it from top to bottom into ashes.


    As the sword shadow hit the earth, the ground shattered, fissures spreading rapidly in all directions, looking from the sky like an expanding giant spider web.


    Gu An watched Jiang Qiong flee into the Nine Nether Road; he did not stop her.


    After today, even if Jiang Qiong stayed, it was doubtful she could find a foothold.


    He sensed dozens of Unification Realm presences swiftly approaching from afar, and immediately vanished from the spot.


    As for the million sect followers, Gu An had harbored the intent to kill, but he also feared that many, like Yang Ni and Li Ya, had been deceived or forced into the sect. The causal entanglements were too great; he dreaded killing the wrong person.


    To kill wantonly, how would that differ from the Ephemera Sect?


    He didn''t wish to be labeled a great demon and later be besieged by the whole world.


    Yet, even so, with that sword strike of his, many cultivators were still shaken to death.


    That was not Gu An''s concern.


    Everyone must pay the price for their choices; he was already restraining the goodness in his heart by not killing them all.


    A series of prompts crazily popped up before Gu An''s eyes as his figure disappeared into thin air.


    The earth continued to split open, the rolling dust rising, grand and vast.


    Ji Hantian and others rushed from afar, the wind carrying the dust hitting their faces, and their Divine Senses had already previewed the scene where the Ephemera Tree was destroyed.


    "Hahaha, our Supreme Sect''s Sword Venerable Fudao has made his move!"


    An impatient Ji Hantian laughed loudly, boasting about the might of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Another cultivator from the Supreme Sect?


    The leaders of the sects were deeply stirred; that surge of Sword Intent had left them terrified, feeling that no matter how they cultivated in this life, they would never reach such heights.


    After the destruction of the Ephemera Sect, they would need to reevaluate the depth of the Supreme Sect''s foundations!

 Chapter 119: Chapter 119: The Prestige of Sword Venerable, Lu Lingjuns Speculation

    Gu An entered Mystic Valley and observed the practicing disciples along the way. He saw Chu Jingfeng meditating under a tree, with a wooden sword erect in front of him.


    He suddenly became interested and turned to walk over.


    "Brother Chu, what are you doing?" Gu An asked curiously.


    Chu Jingfeng opened his eyes and replied, "I am contemplating my own Sword Dao, hoping to create a new Swordsmanship."


    "Create Swordsmanship? That''s quite impressive. Why use a wooden sword? If you need a sword, you can just tell me!"


    Gu An exclaimed and then took a magic sword out of his storage bag.


    Chu Jingfeng''s storage bag had long been confiscated, and the spirit stones he earned from his daily chores were kept in his room.


    Facing Gu An''s offer of a sword, Chu Jingfeng shook his head, "No need, I want to comprehend a pure Swordsmanship, to understand the sword through heart, not through the sword itself."


    That sounded quite profound.


    Gu An retracted the sword and smiled, "Then if you need anything, just let me know."


    After speaking, he headed towards his own loft.


    Chu Jingfeng looked at Gu An''s departing figure, sensing his cheerful mood.


    "Though he is weak, he always seems happy."


    Chu Jingfeng watched Gu An''s retreating figure and thought to himself, feeling a trace of envy.


    He was born into a wealthy family but ended up as a prisoner due to family infighting. If given a choice, he too would want to start as a servant disciple, unburdened by much.


    Chu Jingfeng stopped pondering and continued his Sword Enlightenment.


    After practicing the Daoist Expansion Skill, he couldn''t increase his cultivation level and was lazy to practice other spells, planning to solely focus on the Sword Dao.


    Just like the Mad Swordsman, Han Ming of Great Yu, once he understood the Sword Dao, his momentum was unstoppable.


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An returned to the loft, sitting at his desk and bringing up his attribute panel.


    He had gained over three hundred thousand years to his lifespan.


    This also indicated that when he destroyed the Ephemera Tree, he had killed thousands of Ephemera Sect cultivators.


    Gu An suddenly realized why there were so many demon cultivators; he tried to calm his emotions, keeping his original heart, not falling into the Demon Path.


    Planting flowers and grass was preferable, and the lifespan a Great Cultivator at Mystic Heart Realm brought was equivalent to a fifth-tier herb.


    For him, the benefit of slaying enemies was not much different from harvesting herbs but could bring potential troubles.


    Gu An took out ''Green Hero Travelogue'' to shift his attention.


    Soon, he was immersed, experiencing the love and hatred between the Green Hero and his beloved.


    At the same moment.


    In the Dustless Barrens, numerous cultivators navigated through the sky; some were arriving while others escorted away the captured Ephemera Sect cultivators.


    On a cliff, Ji Hantian stood behind a white-robed elder, respectfully narrating the previous battle.


    "That''s the situation, Ancestor, thanks to Sword Venerable Fudao. Who exactly is he among the Supreme Elders? The Great Cultivators at Mystic Heart Realm are powerless against him," Ji Hantian, trying to contain his excitement, asked.


    The intervention of Sword Venerable Fudao had pleasantly surprised him and allowed him to feel triumphant.


    Thinking back to the stunned expressions of other faction leaders, his heart was exceptionally gratified.


    The white-robed elder before him was none other than Xuan Quan, the recently returned Supreme Elder.


    Xuan Quan remained silent, his eyes also closing.


    Ji Hantian did not disturb him, thinking the Supreme Elder was pondering who Sword Venerable Fudao was.


    Little did he know, Xuan Quan was filled with shock.


    There was no such powerful Supreme Elder in the Supreme Sect!


    However, he had heard about Sword Venerable Fudao soon after returning, which at least indicated that the person was loyal to the Supreme Sect, most likely one of its members, just not a Supreme Elder.


    He had encountered such situations overseas as well; those exceptional sects would often produce remarkable talents who would step forward during crises, known as the great luck of the sect.


    Could the Supreme Sect also have such luck?


    Xuan Quan slowly opened his eyes and said, "Sword Venerable Fudao prefers to stay hidden, surely wishing not to be disturbed. The more so, the less we should try to uncover his identity, even considering ways to protect his information, but we must extensively promote his deeds to strengthen his sense of belonging to the Supreme Sect.


    Otherwise, as time goes by, he might leave, feeling that the Supreme Sect brings him no benefits, only holding him back."


    "Ancestor, I think the same. I have already sent a message to the Sect Leader to promote this matter," Ji Hantian said with a smile.


    The Supreme Sect had survived another calamity. After difficulties come great advancements, a pattern established since ancient times!


    "You can go now. I will check the entrance to the Nine Nether Road; maybe this path will become an opportunity for the Supreme Sect."


    Xuan Quan left these words and vanished into thin air.


    Ji Hantian turned and left, preparing to discuss with other factions on how to handle the Nine Nether Road.


    ...


    As the year''s end approached, Gu An went to the Outer City to find Wu Jue, bringing along fine wine and roast chicken.


    When Wu Jue saw him, he was very pleased and pulled him into the house.


    After closing the door, Wu Jue exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Gu, what brings you here?"


    This was the first time someone had visited him voluntarily; how could he not be delighted?


    "Just checking on you, didn''t want you to get bored," Gu An said with a chuckle. He actually wanted to see if Wu Jue had achieved any further Path Enlightenment.


    Unfortunately, he had not.


    Gu An still hoped to witness Wu Jue continuously gain Path Enlightenment and surpass the talents of the Supreme Sect.


    For himself, Path Enlightenment was more of a luxury; he could always increase his life span.


    He reflected on Path Enlightenment for two reasons, one being out of boredom, and the other to see if he could devise a way to extend one''s ultimate life span to help those around him.


    As it seemed, achieving Path Enlightenment was extremely difficult, not something that could be accomplished merely through profound experiences or rich emotions.


    Wu Jue brought the bowls and chopsticks to the table while Gu An placed down the fine wine and roast chicken. He looked around the room and saw that nothing had changed.


    Wu Jue''s cultivation level had risen from the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm to the fourth layer since he had last attempted Path Enlightenment. How long had that taken?


    Why did his talent seem even higher than the limits of life span? S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But judging from his living environment, Wu Jue hadn''t sought a new master.


    "Speaking of which, have you heard about the deeds of Sword Venerable Fudao? He single-handedly defeated the Ephemera Sect, which is incredible. The Demon Lord, whom no Great Cultivator of the Nine Dynasties could defeat, was killed by him in just two moves. That''s more impressive than Gu Yu in the ''Supreme Immortal Venerable''!"


    While pouring wine for Gu An, Wu Jue laughed.


    The deeds of Sword Venerable Fudao had spread throughout the Supreme Sect. Not just Wu Jue, but even the Servant Disciples of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley were discussing it.


    He had been to Tianya Valley a few days ago, and even that scoundrel Luo Hun had gotten wind of it and had inquired about it.


    "Of course, I''ve heard of it, he''s indeed formidable. I really wonder what he''s like in person," Gu An said with a grin.


    The two of them started talking about Sword Venerable Fudao, sharing drink after drink, quickly finishing a jar of wine.


    Wu Jue took out a manuscript from his bosom and said, "Brother Gu, I traded all my savings for this fist technique manual. Take a look and memorize it. You should practice it when you get back."


    Gu An hastily declined, "How could I do that? No, I can''t take advantage of you!"


    "What do you mean ''take advantage''? You''re my only friend, and besides, learning more combat skills can never be a bad thing. I''ve come to realize that peace in the Immortal Cultivation World rarely lasts for decades; conflicts between the righteous and the demonic are bound to erupt," Wu Jue said earnestly.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An could only accept and began perusing the fist technique.


    Sunset Fist!


    After browsing it once, Gu An had memorized it all. He returned the manual to Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue was taken aback and asked, "That fast? You didn''t like it?"


    Gu An replied, "I''m not fond of fighting, and this technique is too lethal for me."


    Wu Jue sighed in resignation, "For cultivators, fighting is a matter of life and death, unless you plan to stay in the Supreme Sect forever."


    "Hey, I actually do want to stay for a lifetime."


    "Alright then."


    Gu An didn''t want to take unfair advantage, so he took out a sword technique manual and said, "I have a swordsmanship manual here, would you like to take a look?"


    "No need, even though I respect Sword Venerable Fudao, I don''t like swords, or rather I don''t like using magic artifacts in battle. I only believe in my fists and feet," Wu Jue said, waving his hand while he flexed his robust arm.


    Gu An laughed and then took out a manual for the Gale Shadowless Leg, asking, "How about this one then?"


    Wu Jue glanced at it and couldn''t look away.


    "It sounds really powerful. Must be quite valuable, huh?"


    "Don''t worry, take it. If you become someone important in the Supreme Sect one day, just don''t forget about your brother here," Gu An said.


    Hearing Gu An put it that way, Wu Jue no longer hesitated, picked up the manual, and started browsing it carefully.


    Gu An held his bowl of wine, watching Wu Jue who was absorbed in the book.


    He wondered what he would be like a thousand years from now?


    ¡­


    As the New Year arrived, this year''s snow season extended, continuing until the Spring Festival without stopping.


    The Third Medicine Valley became very lively, the attic area was decorated with lights and colors, and the disciples were all busy, their faces full of smiles.


    Gu An sat at a long table in the courtyard, happily watching the disciples busy themselves.


    Having many people around was beneficial; he didn''t need to worry about anything.


    Gu An looked at Lu Lingjun, who was cutting paper. Surrounded by female disciples, she appeared extremely virtuous and gentle, which made it hard to imagine she had a cultivation level of the ninth layer of the Unification Realm.


    Xiaochuan came over and sat next to him, excitedly saying, "Brother, they are building a statue of Sword Venerable Fudao next to the Heavenly Repair Platform. It looks magnificent; you should definitely see it next time."


    He had also started practicing the Daoist Expansion Skill, but he clearly wasn''t as diligent as Chu Jingfeng or Lu Jiujia. He had accepted his mediocre talents and chose to simply enjoy life, a choice that Gu An respected, as he couldn''t force someone to cultivate.


    After all, even with serious practice, one would still eventually grow old and die, merely delaying the process.


    "Really? I definitely need to check it out," Gu An said, raising his eyebrows with a smile.


    He was satisfied with the attitude of the Supreme Sect, at least they gave him enough respect.


    Xiaochuan continued talking about changes in the Outer City when suddenly, Gu An sensed that Lv Baitian was flying toward them.


    It wasn''t long before Lv Baitian landed.


    As soon as he arrived, Xiaochuan stood up and left, not daring to disturb them.


    "Let''s talk inside." Lv Baitian dropped this remark and went toward the attic on his own.


    Lu Lingjun sent a curious look their way.


    What exactly was Gu An''s identity?


    Why did this Great Cultivator of the ninth layer of the Unification Realm always come to find him?


    Could it be that Gu An was hiding his true cultivation level?


    And was not as weak as he appeared?


    With this thought, Lu Lingjun decided she would find a time to talk with Xiaochuan.


    Meanwhile.


    Once inside, Gu An closed the door, and Lv Baitian promptly activated a restriction and sat down, saying, "I have a great opportunity; are you interested?"

 Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Sword Intent Shocks the Sect

    ```


    "No," Gu An flatly refused. How could there be any opportunities when the Supreme Sect was just recovering from a catastrophe?


    Lv Baitian was taken aback, not expecting such an outright refusal, and immediately retorted in annoyance, "Brat, I haven''t even said what the opportunity is!"


    Gu An sat down and said, "I won''t be the sect leader, I won''t write books, and I won''t accept any further disturbances from the Holy Sons and Daughters."


    After hearing this, Lv Baitian burst into an irritated laugh.


    "In your eyes, is that the kind of person I am?"


    "I just don''t want to invite trouble. If I''ve wronged you, then I apologize," Gu An spoke earnestly. Lv Baitian''s face stiffened, and with a forced cough, he said, "Of course you''ve wronged me. I came to find you for other matters."


    "What matters?"


    "You must have heard of the Nine Nether Road. The dynasties have joined forces to seal off the Nine Nether Road, and every sect has dispatched cultivators to guard it. Even the main lineage of the Ephemera Sect would have a hard time causing a stir. Now, each dynasty is leading disciples into the Nine Nether Road for training.


    The place is rampant with demons and monsters where one can hunt for treasures, and the spiritual energy is very rich, suitable for cultivation," Lv Baitian slowly explained, which took Gu An by surprise.


    He hadn''t expected the Nine Nether Road to become a place like a secret training realm.


    "Isn''t the Nine Nether Road supposed to be very dangerous?" Gu An asked.


    "Indeed, it''s dangerous. That''s why Great Cultivators lead disciples into training. I intended to give you a spot. Once inside, you''ll be protected, able to cultivate, slay demons, and seek treasures. Whatever you do, there will be others to cover for you. Isn''t that a grand opportunity?


    Later on, the Supreme Sect is planning to establish a city within the Nine Nether Road for disciples to rest and cultivate..." Lv Baitian continued enthusiastically.


    He believed that developing the Nine Nether Road would lead to the rise of the Supreme Sect, perhaps ushering in the most prosperous era in its history, raising his own status within the sect''s annals.


    Gu An listened attentively, thinking it was indeed feasible.


    Lv Baitian seemed intent on reversing a trend: historically, cultivators who reached the Unification Realm would leave the lands of the dynasties in search of opportunities. Lv Baitian wanted to enhance the foundation of the Supreme Sect, make it stronger, and eliminate the need for future disciples to venture out in search of their fortunes.


    The Nine Nether Road was his first step!


    He also planned to open up a sea route, led by the recently returned Elder Xuan Quan.


    As he spoke more and more excitedly, he was almost ready to declare dominance over the entire continent.


    Gu An, however, found it fascinating and appreciated Lv Baitian''s ideals.


    The stronger the Supreme Sect, the better shade he could enjoy.


    After a long while, Lv Baitian, seemingly never running out of things to say, looked at Gu An and asked, "What do you think? Will you go or not?"


    Gu An shook his head and replied, "I won''t go. I need to stay and look after Medicine Valley."


    "Someone else can look after it just as well."


    "No, I can''t be at ease. Fine, to be honest, I''m afraid. I always feel that the Nine Nether Road is very dangerous, and my combat capabilities are weak, so I won''t go. How about this: can I give my spot to someone else?"


    "You won''t go and still want to share the spot?"


    "At the very least, I have contributed to the Supreme Sect. I haven''t taken any bribes with such a large Medicine Valley in my charge. Shouldn''t you reward me?"


    Watching Gu An''s earnestness, Lv Baitian shook his head in amusement.


    He thought about it and agreed to Gu An''s request.


    Giving the spot to someone close to Gu An worked just as well, as it could foster a greater sense of identification with the Supreme Sect in Gu An.


    Lv Baitian didn''t believe that the position of sect leader could not be relinquished; he was determined to bestow it upon Gu An.


    Sooner or later, a day would come when Gu An would accept!


    With that thought, a smile appeared on Lv Baitian''s face, full of expectation.


    "How do you think the Supreme Sect can become the number one sect of the dynasties?" Lv Baitian suddenly asked. He wanted to test Gu An''s perception and guide him into thinking from the perspective of a sect leader.


    Gu An answered directly, "Ruling with an iron fist won''t work; it tends to accrue hatred. Instead, cultural infiltration could be the way, much like the previous Outer City gathering. The Supreme Sect could host various conventions in the future, such as Formation, Alchemy, Sword Competitions, Talisman-making, etc.


    We should aim for the ''Supreme Sect to host a major event every few years that captivates the attention of the dynasties. The initial investment might be substantial, but once people grow accustomed, they will gradually see the ''Supreme Sect as the righteous pinnacle of the world."


    "Just imagine, when you''ve just stepped onto the path of a sword cultivator, and you hear that the Supreme Sect''s Sword Competition is an event that every sword cultivator must attend and an opportunity to gain fame, you would subconsciously acknowledge the Supreme Sect''s high standing in the Sword Dao."


    "When the Supreme Sect becomes the most frequently mentioned sect in the world, or rather, when they become the most talked-about sect among all people, the ''Supreme Sect isn''t far from being the number one great sect in the world."


    "Of course, the sect''s own strength is most important."


    Gu An elaborated confidently, inspired by Lv Baitian''s enthusiasm. He even began to discuss the details.


    The events shouldn''t be solely about strength; there should also be competitions in other crafts and skills, held in different cities of the Outer and Inner Sects, to boost the economy of each city.


    He even suggested creating various societies among the disciples, such as the Elixir Society and the Swordsman Society, to facilitate exchanges among them and allow those with leadership potential to hone their skills.


    Lv Baitian was astounded.


    It was no fluke that this young man could write ''Investiture of the Gods''; he truly had great talent!


    After Gu An finished, Lv Baitian picked up a bowl of tea, drained it in one gulp, and felt a profound satisfaction.


    Lv Baitian looked at him with shining eyes and said, "And you say you''re not fit to be a sect leader!"


    Gu An waved his hand, "I lack the qualifications to be a sect leader. I have no illustrious background, no courage, and no daring to implement such grand development strategies. At most, I can only provide suggestions."


    Execution is the hardest part.


    Gu An will never become the sect leader!


    Lv Baitian smiled and then began to question Gu An about the strategies he had just outlined, to which Gu An patiently replied.


    ```


    An hour had passed before the two finally exited the attic.


    Following behind Gu An, Lv Baitian was still pondering Gu An''s ideas.


    As soon as they descended the stairs, he took his leave, claiming to have lost the mood for celebration.


    Gu An didn''t try to keep him. Without Lv Baitian, the festive atmosphere of the Third Medicine Valley became even more relaxed.


    After the New Year, the opportunity to train on the Nine Nether Road spread quickly within the Supreme Sect.


    Treasures, precious materials, demon cores, and spiritual energy, among other benefits of the Nine Nether Road, began to circulate wildly. Clearly, Lv Baitian took Gu An''s advice to heart, emphasizing the specific advantages of the opportunity to motivate the disciples and strengthen their sense of belonging to the Sect.


    Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.


    Ye Lan was summoned to meet with the Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    The Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall said cheerfully, "Ye Lan, you''ve been specially designated a spot for the Nine Nether Road journey by the higher-ups. You''re really something. Don''t worry, the Law Enforcement Hall won''t mistreat you and will help you enter the Nine Nether Road more smoothly."


    Ye Lan was stunned.


    The Nine Nether Road?


    Her first thought was of Gu An.


    Despite her many years entrenched in the Law Enforcement Hall, how could an opportunity like the Nine Nether Road fall to her?


    She had heard that the first batch of spots for the Nine Nether Road was limited to two hundred people, with virtually no chance for those from the Outer Sect.


    Ye Lan''s lips curled into a smile. She felt absolutely no burden about being looked after by Gu An, only surprise and sweetness. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Oh Elder Brother, it seems you do care about me after all, you''re just too stubborn to admit it!


    Ye Lan could understand Gu An''s reasoning; affairs of the heart could indeed delay one''s cultivation.


    And that''s exactly why she intended to seize every opportunity to grow stronger and prove her resolve to her Elder Brother.


    ...


    As winter passed and spring arrived, all things were reawakened.


    The time had come to the beginning of March.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An squatted next to the Heavenly Spirit Pond formed by the Heavenly Spirit Water. He had just released a group of carp into it and was watching them swim freely in the pond, observing if they could absorb the spiritual energy within.


    Lu Lingjun stood by his side and said, "With this method of raising them, perhaps they could develop spiritual intelligence."


    "Will the Heavenly Spirit Water continue to expand?" Gu An asked curiously.


    Lu Lingjun replied, "Given the volume of water I have provided you with, it should reach a diameter of about thirty feet."


    Gu An felt this was rather small.


    He was about to say something when suddenly, a surge of sword intent came from afar, stirring the heavens.


    Lu Lingjun''s expression shifted slightly as she turned her head to look, her delicate eyebrows knitting together.


    Gu An looked up to see clouds of thunder churning in the sky, moving at high speed towards the direction of the Inner Sect.


    The Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!


    Gu An could sense An Hao''s presence.


    The talented youth, already mastering the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!


    Gu An felt both proud and a bit astonished in his heart.


    An Hao''s talent was truly astounding.


    Lu Lingjun expressed her surprise, "This sword intent is similar to the one left by Sword Venerable Fudao at the Heavenly Repair Platform, but it''s far less vast. Could it be that one of Sword Venerable Fudao''s disciples has made initial progress in the Sword Dao?"


    Gu An asked curiously, "A disciple? How can you determine that so clearly? Even I can''t sense it."


    Lu Lingjun remained unflustered and calmly said, "Perhaps it''s because I''ve witnessed someone else achieve sword intent."


    Having served as a Servant Disciple for so long, she had come to understand the Supreme Sect and was ready to aim higher.


    If she wanted to climb the ranks, her cultivation level was naturally the most crucial element!


    She did not plan on starting as an Outer Disciple; instead, she hoped Gu An would recommend her.


    Elsewhere.


    Surrounded by clouds and mist, a mountain peak emerged from the sea of clouds, resembling an Immortal Realm. Atop the mountain, someone was meditating¡ªAn Hao.


    An Hao''s white clothing flapped violently, and a sword shadow condensed in front of him, exuding a vast aura.


    Several figures appeared out of thin air around him, with Lv Baitian and Xuan Quan among them arriving.


    Gu Zong looked at An Hao, astonished, "This Sword Intent is..."


    Another Elder spoke solemnly, "The Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao. Has he comprehended it from the Heavenly Repair Platform?"


    "Not right, relying on the Heavenly Repair Platform alone wouldn''t suffice. He must have obtained the legacy of Sword Venerable Fudao!" a female Elder said with gravity.


    "He''s a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao? No wonder such a genius willingly joined the Supreme Sect without any known background. It turns out Sword Venerable Fudao was grooming him for us," Gu Zong remarked with emotion.


    Lv Baitian watched An Hao closely, his eyes flickering.


    Xuan Quan stroked his beard and said, "Such a domineering Sword Intent could be considered the foremost in the Taicang Dynasty."


    His assessment made the other Elders even more excited as they began to discuss An Hao''s origins and talents.


    Xuan Quan then waved his sleeve, and several large banners flew out, surrounding An Hao. The flapping banners began to gather nature''s spiritual energy, channeling it into An Hao''s body.

 Chapter 121: Chapter 121 Battle for the Title of the Worlds Best

    An Hao''s Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword Intent stirred the entire Supreme Sect, drawing endless discussions among countless disciples, and the sword intent only dispersed after several ancient hours.


    In the days that followed, all kinds of rumors emerged, the only certainty being that the oppressive force came from a type of sword intent, which led to an increasing number of sword cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Gu An''s days were fairly tranquil, traveling to and from the three Medicine Valleys, occasionally visiting the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion at night, and enjoying life at other times.


    In the blink of an eye, nearly half a year had passed.


    Gu An had reached the age of sixty-two.


    It wasn''t until now that the news of Sword Venerable Fudao''s annihilation of the demon cultivators of the Ephemera Sect fully spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World. When Gu An visited the Outer Sect, he often heard people chatting; Sword Venerable Fudao had evidently gained the reputation of the foremost sword cultivator in the Taicang Dynasty.


    Some even believed he was the best in the world!


    One midday, Gu An stood at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, looking at the hundred-zhang statue before him with a pleased mood.


    This hundred-zhang statue was the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, depicting Gu An as he displayed the form of the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, with surrounding demonic qi crafted into a fierce aura. The statue had one hand pointing obliquely and the other holding a sword, exuding formidable dominance.


    At this moment, it wasn''t just Gu An sizing up the statue of the Sword Venerable; there were a dozen people gazing up at it, discussing amongst themselves.


    Listening to those words of admiration for Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An''s mood was even more uplifted.


    Who wouldn''t want to be famous across the world?


    Gu An did too, but he kept a low profile for fear of others discovering his life-stealing abilities. However, being able to shake the world under another identity also satisfied his vanity.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao can indeed be considered the number one sword cultivator of the Taicang Dynasty, but he may not be the number one sword cultivator in the world!"


    A voice caught Gu An''s attention and also drew the gazes of many surrounding disciples.


    The speaker was a man clad in blue, holding a folding fan and exuding elegance, with a calm look on his handsome face, as if the previous audacious claim hadn''t come from him.


    One tall and burly Inner Sect Disciple looked toward the man in blue, saying in a deep voice, "Oh? Let''s hear it, who do you think is the first sword cultivator in the world?"


    Sword Venerable Fudao had become the pride of all Supreme Sect disciples, not to be questioned by others.


    The man in blue answered, "In the Westernmost Land, within the Tianwei Dynasty, there is a sword cultivator known as Daoist Tianjian. Seven hundred years ago, he was the top sword cultivator of Tianwei. Later, he secluded himself in the deep mountains to focus on his Sword Dao. Not long ago, a sword intent burst forth in Tianwei, proving he is still alive.


    If Sword Venerable Fudao hadn''t acted quickly, he might have been the one to end the Ephemera Sect."


    Tianwei, one of the nine dynasties, lies on the far west, constantly plagued by demons. Yet, its territory is even more expansive than Taicang, which is enough to prove the strength of Tianwei''s national power.


    Gu An sensed that this person was concealing his true cultivation level. On the surface, it appeared he was only at the Core Formation Realm, but in reality, he had already reached the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    He sent out a Life Span Detection.


    [Si Zhe (Divinity Transformation Realm Second Layer): 289/800/1300]


    Concealing his cultivation level and boasting about a Tianwei cultivator, this fellow likely wasn''t a Supreme Sect Disciple.


    Gu An remained silent, watching the surrounding disciples verbally assault Si Zhe.


    Si Zhe remained nonchalant, facing the slander and insults from the crowd with composure.


    "Daoist Tianjian is indeed powerful and once shook the world, but that''s old history. As a prince of the Tianwei Imperial Family with the Fire God Blood Lineage, speaking so wildly in the Supreme Sect, are you inviting war?"


    A voice came through, and everyone turned their heads to see Mad Swordsman of Great Yu Han Ming stepping forward.


    Si Zhe turned around to look and saluted with his hand, saying, "So it''s the renowned Mad Swordsman. I''ve heard that you''ve stayed in the Supreme Sect for many years; are you planning to join?"


    He smiled and spoke gently, but his words were quite uncomfortable to hear.


    "Humph, kid, if it weren''t for the favor your father received from me, you''d be dead by now. Do you really think your Divinity Transformation Realm cultivation can block my sword?" Han Ming snorted coldly.


    Divinity Transformation Realm!


    As these words were spoken, the disciples who had been insulting Si Zhe changed their expressions and quickly retreated.


    "If that''s the case, then I''ll drop the pretense."


    Si Zhe smiled, then looked around and shouted with qi supporting his voice, "I am a disciple of Daoist Tianjian from the Tianwei Imperial Family, Prince Si Zhe. Today, on behalf of my master, I come to extend a challenge. In three months, my master will personally visit the Heavenly Repair Platform to seek guidance on the Swordsmanship of Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    His voice echoed under the heavens, and everyone in the city could hear it.


    Someone was extending a challenge to Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Han Ming laughed. He was the first sword cultivator to seek guidance from Sword Venerable Fudao. He reminded Si Zhe, "The Ephemera Sect had Great Cultivators that surpassed the Unification Realm. Does your master have such a realm?"


    Si Zhe closed his fan and said with a laugh, "Naturally, he does. My father was about to ask him to take action against the Ephemera Sect, it''s just that he was one step too slow."


    His tone was arrogant, as if Daoist Tianjian was bound to defeat Sword Venerable Fudao, making the disciples of the Supreme Sect even more displeased.


    An Elder appeared beside Si Zhe out of thin air and whispered a few words using the Sound Transmission Skill. Si Zhe''s expression changed slightly, and he huffed, "Then let''s go. The words have been delivered, whether to accept the challenge or not is up to Sword Venerable Fudao."


    With that, he left with the Elder.


    Gu An watched his retreating back and was on his guard internally.


    Just as Sword Venerable Fudao had crushed the scheme of the Ephemera Sect and his reputation was at its peak, someone daring to jump out at this time might possess great strength.


    Gu An didn''t think too much about it and turned to leave the Heavenly Repair Platform, planning to check on Wu Jue.


    A month ago, Wu Jue''s maximum lifespan had increased again, which made Gu An even more interested in him, curious to know how far his lifespan could extend.


    ...


    In the attic of the Third Medicine Valley, Lv Baitian said disdainfully, "Tianwei really has big ambitions, wanting to suppress the Supreme Sect in order to seize control of the Nine Nether Road. Although Daoist Tianjian is strong, daring to come to the Supreme Sect is truly seeking death!"


    It had been a month since Si Zhe shouted his challenge, and the duel had already spread throughout the Taicang Immortal Cultivation World, with cultivators from various sects and regions coming to watch.


    Lv Baitian, sly as ever, took the opportunity to promote the Golden List throughout the cities.


    The so-called Golden List is an index of the world''s talents launched by the Supreme Sect, recording only geniuses under the age of five hundred, encompassing the lands of the nine dynasties. It has a huge attraction and is widely talked about.


    Gu An, worried, asked, "The sects of the nine dynasties won''t start infighting, will they?"


    "You can rest assured on that. With the demonic calamity imminent, no one dares to act rashly. Moreover, with the possibility of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage causing trouble on the Nine Nether Road, the sects of the nine dynasties must cooperate. Otherwise, one on one, no one can be absolutely certain of crushing the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage.


    That''s exactly why Tianwei requested Daoist Tianjian to intervene, in the guise of a friendly match, to apply pressure," Lv Baitian said with a wave of his hand.


    Gu An asked again, "If Sword Venerable Fudao kills Daoist Tianjian, wouldn''t that trigger a war?"


    Han Ming is one thing, but now this!


    Gu An really couldn''t stand it anymore. This time, he was determined to make a move, to avoid these endless troubles.


    "Naturally, it wouldn''t. If even Daoist Tianjian died, Tianwei would only fear the Supreme Sect more! It would be for the best if Sword Venerable Fudao killed Daoist Tianjian!" Lv Baitian snorted, his face showing a fierce expression.


    Gu An suddenly remembered this guy had once been impeached by the Hall of Elders for his overbearing actions.


    Lv Baitian''s tone changed as he said, "An Hao is a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao, do you think his appearance before me is a reminder from Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "A reminder of what?"


    "A reminder that my position as sect leader is not secure."


    When Lv Baitian spoke these words, his eyes became profound and his tone elusive, leaving others uncertain what he was thinking.


    Gu An was torn between laughter and tears, saying helplessly, "If that''s the case, isn''t Chu Tianqi already dead?"


    Lv Baitian asked, "Do you think not?"


    "But An Hao is extremely talented and surely favored by Sword Venerable Fudao. If you were in his shoes, would you send your most beloved disciple to the side of your enemy to serve as a sword?" Gu An felt Lv Baitian was somewhat obsessed.


    "What you say makes sense," Lv Baitian said with a chuckle.


    Looking at his smile, Gu An felt a sudden surge of apprehension.


    Wait a minute!


    Why ask him about such things?


    Lv Baitian continued, "An Hao is too gifted. Once he fully matures, it will be easy for him to earn respect throughout the Supreme Sect, much like that True Inheritor. Boy, if you don''t take the position of sect leader, it might well be his."


    "Wouldn''t that be even better? I don''t want to be sect leader anyway."


    Gu An shook his head, and Lv Baitian smiled, saying no more.


    Afterward, Gu An inquired about Ye Lan''s situation, since the first group to head towards the Nine Nether Road had already departed.


    "Don''t worry, I''ve personally instructed the leading elder to take care of her," Lv Baitian said. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the Qinghong Sword in hand, Gu An could always sense Ye Lan''s condition. He could intervene only when she was in danger. He didn''t want her to be neglected or bullied during normal times.


    The two chatted for a while longer, and before leaving, Lv Baitian left a book behind.


    Gu An waited for him to leave before picking it up to read.


    Defying Fate Divine Skill!


    ...


    At dusk.


    Carrying the North Sea Heavy Sword, Li Ya arrived at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform and gazed at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, his eyes unable to conceal his excitement.


    "Ancestor, the Primordial Ancestor really was Sword Venerable Fudao!" Li Ya roared inwardly.


    The ancestor was also shocked, musing, "I thought he was..."


    "The demon from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?"


    "Yes."


    "Hahaha, I knew it, our Primordial Ancestor couldn''t possibly be a demon cultivator!"


    Li Ya felt elated, having heard about Daoist Tianjian''s challenge on the way. So, he had specifically come to the Heavenly Repair Platform to pay homage to Sword Venerable Fudao. To his revelation, Sword Venerable Fudao truly was the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family.


    He began to look forward to the forthcoming great battle!


    "Why don''t you go see your Junior Brother Gu?" teased the ancestor''s voice.


    In his mind, Li Ya replied, "I''d rather not disturb him. I''m not ready to face him, but once I master the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, I will. Especially with the Supreme Sect about to launch the Golden List, I must make my mark at the Golden List conference!"


    His tone was full of confidence.


    After ingesting the Dragon Image Divine Primordial and learning the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, his confidence was through the roof.


    Seven steps away, another figure approached, also looking up at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Wu Jue!


    He gazed at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, his eyes filled with sadness.


    "Master, you respected Sword Venerable Fudao the most during your lifetime. It''s a pity you won''t witness the upcoming great battle," Wu Jue thought, standing silently with his thoughts drifting away.


    Gradually, he began his path of enlightenment.


    Li Ya watched for a good while and then turned to leave.


    "Wait a moment!" the ancestor''s voice suddenly rang out.

 Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The True Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword

    "What''s the matter?"


    Li Ya wondered inwardly as he couldn''t wait to return to the Inner Sect cave and cultivate vigorously, then become famous all over the world!


    The voice of the ancestor rang out, "Look at the person next to you, he is actually in the midst of Path Enlightenment."


    His tone was grave and even carried a hint of shock.


    Path Enlightenment?


    Li Ya was puzzled and couldn''t help but turn to look, quickly fixating his gaze on Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue seemed entirely absent-minded, strikingly different from the vibrant disciples of the Supreme Sect around him.


    He was in Path Enlightenment?


    "Enlightening what Path? Thinking about cultivation techniques?" Li Ya asked in his heart.


    The ancestor replied, "Path Enlightenment is a special state, which is fortuitous and cannot be sought. During the process of Path Enlightenment, one will perceive the Heaven and Earth True Meaning, thus encountering a transformation in both enlightenment and physical aptitude. Those who achieve Path Enlightenment, even if only once, can defy the heavens and change their fate.


    Even I have never experienced Path Enlightenment, but I''ve seen a good friend of mine achieve it once. If he were still alive, he would certainly be among the top cultivators in the nine dynasties of the Immortal Cultivation world."


    That powerful?


    Li Ya carefully observed Wu Jue, noticing nothing unusual about him; he looked quite ordinary, not even comparable to his Junior Brother Gu.


    At least Junior Brother Gu was handsome, which made him quite likable.


    "The Supreme Sect truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers, not to mention Lv Xian, Ji Xiaoyu, and the pace of An Hao''s cultivation is astonishing. I''ve never heard of such monstrous talent before, and now you''ve encountered someone in Path Enlightenment. The younger the age during Path Enlightenment, the greater the potential.


    This lad looks about your age, he might rise to prominence someday, the fortune of the Supreme Sect is unstoppable."


    The ancestor''s tone was filled with emotion.


    He, too, felt the pressure.


    Remembering his promise to Li Ya, he was consumed by shame.


    He had promised to help Li Ya reach the pinnacle of Immortal Cultivation and become the best in the world!


    But seeing Lv Xian, Ji Xiaoyu, and hearing the legends about An Hao, he felt the pressure.


    The talents of these three were too exaggerated, and their backgrounds far surpassed Li Ya''s. At least the ancestor felt he couldn''t offer Li Ya any advantage in resources for cultivation.


    "It''s good that the Supreme Sect is so powerful; having rivals gives me something to look forward to." Li Ya thought confidently, leaving the ancestor at a loss for words.


    After a long while.


    Finally, the ancestor said, "Just wait nearby, and when he wakes up, ask him if he has a master. If not, take him on for me."


    "Ah? I take him as my disciple?"


    "How could that be, of course, he would be my disciple!"


    "What do you mean? If he becomes your disciple, wouldn''t that make me your elder?"


    "Be content. Without my help, you wouldn''t even qualify to compete with such a genius."


    The ancestor said bluntly, and although Li Ya was upset, he didn''t retort.


    He began waiting, while also contemplating the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    He waited all night.


    The next morning, Wu Jue finally awoke.


    He had experienced Path Enlightenment more than once, so he appeared calm.


    He turned around to leave, but Li Ya stopped him.


    "Brother, do you have a master?" Li Ya asked directly.


    Upon hearing this, Wu Jue''s eyes flickered with a cold light; he simply bypassed Li Ya and started walking down the platform.


    Li Ya stopped him again, which greatly angered Wu Jue, who then pushed his hand towards Li Ya.


    Li Ya''s physical body was strong; he was unafraid of this Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.


    Wu Jue''s right hand pressed on Li Ya''s shoulder, sensing the other''s strength, he immediately clenched his fist and pushed hard.


    Taken by surprise, Li Ya was pushed back two steps.


    Before he could react, Wu Jue left on his sword, making it difficult for Li Ya to chase after him since it was inappropriate to cause disturbances in the city.


    "How is that possible... such great strength..."


    Li Ya was shocked, his expression bewildered.


    The ancestor sighed in his heart, "What a pity. Don''t chase him, lest it leads to enmity."


    Li Ya''s smile faded; as a Core Formation Realm cultivator, to be pushed away by a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was humiliating, especially since he had consumed the treasured Dragon Image Divine Primordial sought after by the Demon Clan.


    Too embarrassing!


    Not possible!


    I''m still not strong enough!


    Li Ya clenched his fists, his self-pride dissolving.


    ...


    In the autumn, the Outer City became very lively.


    Gu An and Wu Jue met in an inn, where they drank and chatted while waiting for their decisive battle to come. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wu Jue was complaining to Gu An about Li Ya he had encountered last month. Every time he mentioned Li Ya, he became angry, feeling that Li Ya was insulting him.


    After hearing this, Gu An nodded and said, "Indeed, that''s problematic. He just came up and asked that; never mind, don''t think about him. He''s just a passerby in your life. You will one day become a genius, so why bother with such minor characters?"


    Although the man Wu Jue mentioned was somewhat despicable, Gu An felt he didn''t deserve death, and Wu Jue need not be petty about it.


    If Wu Jue was petty about such minor frictions, what would become of him if he grew in power later? Would he just strike down those he disliked on sight?


    Gu An did not want Wu Jue to become such a character.


    Wu Jue nodded and said, "I naturally will not hold grudges. I am just speaking my mind to you. You know, you are my only friend."


    Gu An asked, "When will you reveal your talents?"


    The inn was crowded, with most people discussing Sword Venerable Fudao and Daoist Tianjian. No one paid attention to them.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Wu Jue shook his head and said, "It''s quite good this way."


    He did not trust others, especially since the Supreme Sect had experienced internal strife before. The former sect leader had even sacrificed disciples in blood rituals, making him wary of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An took a storage bag from his waist and handed it to him.


    Wu Jue looked skeptical, accepted the storage bag, and probed it with his divine sense. His face changed dramatically, and he quickly pushed it back, saying, "Brother Gu, this really shouldn''t be done... How do you have so many... "


    He had always thought Gu An was a mediocre disciple like himself at the bottom layer. He did not expect Gu An could produce so many elixirs.


    Gu An smiled and said, "I am the valley master in charge of Medicine Valley. These are elixirs I usually refine. Take them. I don''t have a strong desire to become stronger. I fear fighting the most. Planting flowers and gardening are my pleasures.


    So, the elixirs are better off with you. Once you become stronger, you must protect me in the future."


    "But... this is too much..." Wu Jue hesitated.


    "You said I am your only friend. So keep it. If you really feel embarrassed, call me your brother from now on. The elder brother acts as a father, as a teacher. I''ll take good care of you for your master. The thing I lack the least is elixirs."


    Gu An said with a playful wink, making Wu Jue laugh and give him a glare.


    "I am two years older than you, I should be the elder brother!"


    "Forget it, you are not as mature as I am."


    The two began to bicker, and the smile on Wu Jue''s face grew thicker.


    In the end, Wu Jue still took the storage bag, secretly vowing in his heart that he would never let anyone bully Gu An in the future.


    The two continued exchanging cups.


    30 minutes later, a loud voice echoed through the Outer City:


    "I, Daoist Tianjian, have come to seek guidance from the sword of Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect!"


    Accompanied by the fall of his words, a vast and boundless sword intent enveloped the entire Outer City.


    Wu Jue''s complexion changed instantly, and he turned to look, while Gu An had sensed the presence of Daoist Tianjian early on, so he remained indifferent.


    Daoist Tianjian was indeed very strong, probably even stronger than the Night Cultivator Fairy of the Ephemera Sect, estimating around the fourth or fifth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Reaching the Mystic Heart Realm, even a small difference in levels was difficult to surpass. No wonder Daoist Tianjian dared to come.


    Gu An stood up and said, "I just remembered I have something to take care of at the Elixir Hall. I need to finish that first, so I can watch the decisive battle between Sword Venerable Fudao and Daoist Tianjian. I''ll come find you later."


    Having said that, he hurriedly left.


    Wu Jue did not have a chance to persuade him, and after he went downstairs, Wu Jue poked his head out of the window and shouted, "Make it quick!"


    Gu An did not look back but waved his hand and quickly disappeared around the corner of the street.


    Daoist Tianjian has arrived!


    The Outer City immediately boiled over, with more and more cultivators soaring into the sky, looking around for Daoist Tianjian''s figure.


    Just then, a sword shadow flashed with white light descending from the sky, suspended above the South City Gate, 30 meters in height, with an old man with a celestial aura standing on the hilt, dressed in white, without a sword or magic artifact in hand, his hands clasped behind his back.


    He closed his eyes and began to wait.


    The news spread rapidly, and disciples from all directions of the Outer City gathered swiftly.


    Lv Baitian brought An Hao to the Heavenly Repair Platform, followed by appearances of Xuan Quan, Gu Zong, and other high-level members of the Supreme Sect.


    An Hao looked at Daoist Tianjian with much curiosity in his eyes.


    He now knew that his master was the Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect, so he specifically came to watch the fight. In his heart, his master was invincible, so he was not worried about his master losing at all.


    He just wanted to see how Daoist Tianjian would lose!


    Xuan Quan stroked his beard and exclaimed, "Such a strong sword intent, profound cultivation. Worthy of his reputation, as dominant as he was a thousand years ago."


    He and Daoist Tianjian were contemporaries, and having witnessed Daoist Tianjian''s strength, he did not underestimate him.


    The figures on the Heavenly Repair Platform quickly multiplied, and the vast platform rapidly became crowded.


    Li Ya also arrived, standing on a roof, watching Daoist Tianjian from afar.


    The aura of Daoist Tianjian was too strong, giving one the impression of facing an Immortal descending to earth, far beyond the Traveler of Graceful Crane, which made Li Ya nervous.


    "This old fellow is not simple," Li Ya inwardly exclaimed.


    "Indeed, probably a being above Unification. Daring to make a move at this critical juncture, he surely is confident, stronger than I was in my lifetime," the elder said gravely.


    How could he be stronger than you again?


    Li Ya wanted to retort, but he held back.


    But the elder could hear his thoughts. For a moment, they were caught in an awkward silence, only able to wait for Sword Venerable Fudao to appear.


    Prince Si Zhe from Tianwei stepped onto the Heavenly Repair Platform and laughed, "Everyone, watch carefully. Witness the finest sword of Tianwei and see what being a Sword Immortal of the Mortal World is like!"


    Hearing his words, the disciples of the Supreme Sect were immediately unconvinced, but with Daoist Tianjian''s overwhelming presence, they dared not speak recklessly under his watch.


    Time continued to flow.


    Shen Zhen also arrived, standing on a roof, taking out her paper and pen, her gaze fixed on Daoist Tianjian, filled with anticipation.


    Meanwhile,


    Gu An had already moved to a forest. He sat under a tree, contemplating how to defeat Daoist Tianjian.


    Rarely making a move and being under the watchful eyes of all, he must put on a grand show!


    Gu An looked at a leaf in his hand, suddenly threw the fallen leaf on the ground, and muttered, "Forget it, let you all witness the real Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword."

 Chapter 123: Chapter 123 The Number One in the World!

    The Outer City''s city walls, Daoist Tianjian standing on the giant white sword, motionless, the autumn wind causing his robe, white hair, and beard to flutter, giving him the appearance of a transcendent being, capable of ascending to immortality at any moment.


    Every eave of the city was crowded with the silhouettes of disciples, not only from the Supreme Sect but also cultivators from other sects and noble families, all eager to witness who would be the number one swordsman in the world!


    Rolling dark clouds surged from the horizon, swiftly enveloping the entire city, making the atmosphere even tenser; no one dared to speak loudly, only whispering among themselves.


    Wu Jue stood atop a roof ridge, facing the wind as it grew stronger.


    The wind became so fierce that he had to cultivate energy in order to prevent his hair from covering his eyes. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What a powerful presence, truly worthy of an Immortal."


    "Why hasn''t Sword Venerable Fudao appeared yet?"


    "We can''t avoid this battle, the Prince of Tianwei has gone too far!"


    "Don''t worry, the Sword Venerable will surely come. Even the Mad Swordsman of Great Yu had to wait a while when he came to challenge him."


    "What''s the rush? A good show needs time to brew!"


    Listening to the discussions around him, Wu Jue''s eyes were full of yearning, wondering when he might possess such a commanding presence.


    One day, he too would have such a momentous duel under the watchful eyes of the top fighters of the era!


    He hoped his opponent would be Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Boom¡ª


    The thunderclouds changed abruptly, with the sound of thunder erupting, and a vast heavenly might descended, shrouding the Outer City.


    "He''s here." Xuan Quan the Elder said softly, prompting those around him to look up, with An Hao in particular becoming excited, his fists clenched tightly.


    The Daoist Tianjian on the giant white sword also opened his eyes and looked up at the boundless thunderclouds.


    The thunderclouds covered the entire sky, and the lightning within them surged like dragons, causing many cultivators to feel oppressed as if a terrible natural disaster was about to strike.


    The roaring thunder continued, and big winds ravaged the land.


    Daoist Tianjian stood on the hilt of the sword, his white robes billowing violently, like roaring white flames.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, why do you not show yourself? Is this the hospitality of the Supreme Sect?" Daoist Tianjian''s voice rang out, cold and detached.


    Han Ming on the Heavenly Repair Platform scoffed. I didn''t get to see Sword Venerable Fudao myself, so what makes you think you can?


    Just wait for your defeat!


    Shen Zhen had captured the figure of Daoist Tianjian in her sketch and now took out a new sheet of paper to continue her drawing. She first depicted the oppressive scene of the thunderclouds in the sky.


    "Welcome your downfall with your strongest Sword Dao."


    A vast and hoarse voice sounded, stirring up immense excitement in both Li Ya and An Hao.


    It was the voice of the Primordial Ancestor!


    It was their master''s voice!


    All the cultivators in the city held their breath and listened, hearing the voice of Sword Venerable Fudao for the first time, shockingly overwhelmed by his commanding presence.


    Absolute confidence, absolute dominance, this was the Supreme Sect''s Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Daoist Tianjian''s eyes sharpened, and a tremendous Sword Intent burst forth from within him, sweeping across the sky above the Outer City, forming a vast sea of swords. The sword light was brilliant, with countless star-like sword specks floating within, illuminating the faces of all present.


    At first glance, it was as if a galaxy stretched across the sky above the Outer City, leaving everyone in awe.


    What kind of Sword Intent was this?


    Was this a state that cultivation could achieve?


    Within the galaxy formed by Sword Intent, numerous sword shadows began to coalesce, all with their tips pointing upwards, displaying their sharpness.


    Meanwhile.


    The thunderclouds in the sky began to surge more violently, rapidly forming a huge face amidst the clouds, showing only the features without a clear visage, as if an Immortal was manifesting, looking down upon the entire Outer City.


    In front of this immense face, everyone seemed insignificant, including Daoist Tianjian''s galaxy of Sword Intent.


    Everyone''s heartbeat quickened, as they gazed upon this face occupying much of the sky, an inexplicable sense of awe arising in their hearts.


    Daoist Tianjian frowned, lifting his right hand to his mouth and started to cultivate energy; Sword Intent condensed around him into a white blaze, winds encircling his body. His aura peaked, disturbing the Outer City''s City Protection Array, which formed a massive light barrier around the city. He floated above the city gates, right at the edge of the barrier.


    The ground trembled, and mountains swayed.


    Mystic Valley in the distance was disturbed, and all the Servant Disciples turned their heads to look.


    Chu Jingfeng quickly reached the peak of the mountain. He looked towards the horizon where thunderclouds roiled, as if a cataclysm was upon them.


    It wasn''t just Mystic Valley; even Tianya Valley far away was stirred.


    Yi Liuyun sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, squinting toward the distance. His hands, hidden within his sleeves, were clenched tight. In this moment, he, a seeker of the Sword Dao, felt his own insignificance.


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform, Prince Si Zhe of Tianwei began to feel anxious. Though Sword Venerable Fudao had not appeared, the face in the sky was so terrifying that even he could not imagine what force was needed to overcome that oppressive presence.


    "Heavenly Sword, appear!"


    In the silent and oppressive world, Daoist Tianjian''s voice suddenly rang out, like the first ray of light cutting through chaos, jolting everyone''s spirits.


    Daoist Tianjian''s right hand thrust skyward and the myriad sword shadows floating in the galaxy of Sword Intent rose together, converging in the air into a tremendous and spectacular flood.


    Just then, the immense face in the sky abruptly opened its third eye on the forehead, from which a ray of sword light shot forth, like the light of the Heavenly Dao, bringing with it supreme heavenly might!


    Boom!


    The two terrifying forces of Sword Intent collided in mid-air, shaking heaven and earth, trembling the senses of countless cultivators. Their vision blurred, an array of noises flooded their ears, and their Divine Sense felt searing heat, instinctively retreating into their bodies.


    "Mystic Heart..."


    Lv Baitian looked up at this world-changing duel and muttered to himself.


    His face was illuminated by two kinds of strong light. The lower half glowed with silver-white light, while the upper half bore a dimmer radiance, which was steadily consuming the silver-white light below.


    ```


    Daoist Tianjian''s complexion changed drastically, the sword intent of his opponent far surpassed his imagination.


    "Impossible... Could it be he is not at the Mystic Heart Realm?"


    Daoist Tianjian found it unbelievable.


    At that moment, the third eye of the colossal face''s emitted sword light suddenly intensified, shattering his sword intent with a force far greater than lightning and plunged down, striking him with ferocious speed.


    His white hair and robe billowed out, his eyes bulging, his body becoming rigid.


    In his pupils, one could vaguely make out a figure, looking down upon him from high above, like an Immortal gazing down at an ant on the ground.


    And in the eyes of all the spectators, Daoist Tianjian''s sword intent lasted but two breaths before it was instantly crushed.


    The vast sword light galaxy was shattered, turning into countless silver fragments that floated both inside and outside the city, a sight so stunning it moved all onlookers, no matter how high their realm.


    Xuan Quan was wide-eyed, his heart too was swept by a storm of shock.


    His realm was the highest, so he saw the clearest.


    The gap between Sword Venerable Fudao and Daoist Tianjian was immensely vast, with Daoist Tianjian not standing any chance at all.


    He could even be certain that Sword Venerable Fudao had deliberately held back at the beginning; otherwise, he could have killed Daoist Tianjian in an instant!


    It was Daoist Tianjian who first demonstrated his powerful sword intent, only to highlight just how terrifying the sword of Sword Venerable Fudao was.


    At least Xuan Quan was scared; even he couldn''t fathom just how strong Sword Venerable Fudao could be.


    Si Zhe looked at Daoist Tianjian''s body, his pupils dilated, his face filled with incredulity.


    Before Sword Venerable Fudao made a move, Daoist Tianjian was the undisputed number one in his eyes.


    Yet this ''number one'' was defeated without the slightest ability to resist...


    The Mad Swordsman of Great Yu, Han Ming, was in a daze.


    The strength displayed by Sword Venerable Fudao made him feel ashamed, realizing how overconfident he had been in the past.


    An Hao''s face was all smiles, struggling to contain his urge to cheer.


    Li Ya stood on the eaves, utterly dumbfounded.


    Shen Zhen recovered quickly, with rushing strokes, he captured the dismal figure of Daoist Tianjian in his defeat.


    A gale blew past, and Daoist Tianjian fell backward, his Mystic Heart had shattered, his Primordial Spirit was breaking apart, with no power left to turn the tide, not even able to utter a word.


    Yet his face bore a contented smile.


    "The world''s number one... sword... I have witnessed..."


    Daoist Tianjian''s eyelids grew heavier, his gaze fixed on the giant face in the sky until the very end, and even as his eyes closed, the corners of his mouth still turned upward involuntarily.


    With a thud!


    Daoist Tianjian''s corpse fell before the South City Gate, stirring up a cloud of dust.


    The oppressive force that had enveloped heaven and earth dissipated, and the colossal face formed from thunderclouds in the sky faded away.


    Boom!


    The whole city shook, and a cacophony of noises erupted, like thunder on a clear day!


    Everyone became excited, their cheers, shouts, and exclamations merged into a deafening roar.


    "My God! It ended with just one move?"


    "Hahaha, I always said that Sword Venerable Fudao could never lose!"


    "Isn''t this disparity a bit too much..."


    "To be honest, Daoist Tianjian truly was strong. Before Sword Venerable Fudao made his move, I really thought he was the best in the world..."


    "Yes, that vast sword intent made even my own sword want to unsheathe..."


    Wu Jue listened to the voices from all directions, equally excited, but alas, without Gu An there, he did not want to express his emotions alone.


    Just then, he saw Gu An leaping up from the street, rushing towards him. Seeing this, an excited smile immediately bloomed on his face.


    "My heavens, did you see that just now? It was unbelievable!"


    Gu An came up to Wu Jue, exclaiming excitedly.


    Wu Jue responded enthusiastically, "I saw it! I saw it!"


    He grabbed Gu An, and they began to marvel, as excited as everyone else in the city.


    Upon the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Lv Baitian looked towards Gu Zong, instructing, "Intensify the promotion for the Golden List tournament, the champion will receive a Divine Skills scroll from the Supreme Sect!"


    Gu Zong nodded, his smile hardly containable.


    Lv Baitian turned to another Elder, "The plan for the World''s First Sword Society begins. Release the news first, the top ten of the world may glimpse Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent and even inherit his Sword Dao legacy."


    The Elder nodded but suddenly seemed to remember something and hesitated to speak.


    There were too many people around to ask certain questions openly!


    The entire Outer City was bustling, more than during the New Year''s, or rather, it had never been so lively.


    Xuan Quan looked around, stroking his beard and sighing, "The Supreme Sect is destined to prosper."


    An Hao closed his eyes, carefully savoring the sword strike from Sword Venerable Fudao just moments before.


    As if grasping something profound, he became immersed in that sensation.


    Xuan Quan seemed to sense something, turning abruptly to look at An Hao, and so did others. When they saw An Hao''s state, they were all deeply moved.


    This youngster¡­


    ```

 Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Two Million Years Life Span!

    In the inn.


    Gu An and Wu Jue had squeezed into seats, and after sitting down, continued their discussion about the earlier earth-shattering battle.


    Although brief, it was enough to make all spectators'' blood boil.


    Gu An agreed with a smile, feeling a slight regret in his heart.


    To kill Daoist Tianjian and gain ten years of life span because Daoist Tianjian had less than two hundred years left. Hence, he used ''withering'' to describe Daoist Tianjian.


    Daoist Tianjian must have reached the Mystic Heart Realm long ago, and probably realized he had no hope of improving his cultivation level about seven hundred years prior, which led him to seclude himself in the deep mountains. Sadly, even after sitting in meditation for seven hundred years, he still failed to find his path.


    This time, Daoist Tianjian came seeking death!


    Gu An didn''t think too much about it; his attention was quickly captured by An Hao on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    An Hao was actually enlightening on the Path!


    Elders from the sect gathered around him, protecting him.


    Good lad.


    Gu An felt a sense of relief in his heart; the stronger An Hao became, the happier he would naturally be.


    An Hao was his true disciple, unlike those from Medicine Valley. The more formidable An Hao became, the prouder Gu An felt.


    With so many Great Cultivators protecting him, Gu An felt reassured.


    He withdrew his thoughts, focusing on drinking and chatting with Wu Jue.


    Before long, a figure approached and sat next to Gu An, casually showing him a piece of paper she was holding.


    "How is it, how well did I draw?" Shen Zhen asked with a smile.


    Gu An looked carefully; the drawing of Daoist Tianjian showed him with his arms spread wide, enduring the sword light descending from the sky. The style was dark and sharp, possessing a kind of tragic beauty.


    "Not bad at all, worthy of you," Gu An casually praised.


    Shen Zhen pouted, sensing his perfunctory compliment.


    Wu Jue hesitated and asked, "Brother Gu, who is this¡­"


    Although Shen Zhen wore a veil, her dress and the look of her eyes suggested she was a beauty with a not insignificant status.


    Gu An smiled and said, "This young lady''s name is Shen Zhen. You can address her as Ms. Shen, just like I do."


    Then, he introduced Wu Jue to Shen Zhen.


    Seeing Shen Zhen''s indifferent attitude, Gu An reminded her, "This brother of mine is no ordinary person, he is bound to become famous throughout the Supreme Sect¡­"


    "Don''t talk nonsense!" Wu Jue quickly interjected, his face flushing red instantly.


    "Is that so?"


    Shen Zhen couldn''t help but take another look at Wu Jue, making him even more uncomfortable.


    Gu An laughed, "Come, let''s drink, and chat while we drink."


    In his view, Wu Jue would certainly showcase his talent, and Shen Zhen, as the Holy Daughter of a great sect, would inevitably meet him sooner or later. Getting acquainted earlier would aid them in looking out for each other in the future.


    Shen Zhen brought up the earlier battle and was also talkative; she led the conversation mostly, with Gu An continuing to play along while Wu Jue became increasingly uncomfortable, only managing to offer awkward smiles.


    After 30 minutes.


    Shen Zhen stood up to leave, planning to draw a few more scenes of the earlier battle.


    After she left, Wu Jue finally relaxed.


    Gu An teased, "Why so nervous, you''re not thinking of her, are you?"


    "Don''t speak nonsense; that lady obviously has her heart set on you. As a brother, how could I harbor inappropriate thoughts? I''m just not good at talking to women, you know that, I have only you as a friend," Wu Jue retorted seriously, his eyes wide.


    Here we go again!


    I have only you as a friend!


    Gu An shook his head and chuckled, "Having one more friend opens another path; it''s tiring to walk the path of immortal cultivation alone."


    "I know, I''m just not good at making friends¡­"


    "Then what''s going on with me?"


    "You and I hit it off at first sight, that''s not making friends, that''s fate!"


    "Hey, you little rascal, you sure know how to talk when it comes to me."


    Gu An was amused; facing him, Wu Jue was assertive and not tense at all.


    The two of them chatted until dusk before parting ways.


    Gu An then returned to Mystic Valley to see his disciples; he noticed Chu Jingfeng sitting motionless on the mountain peak and decided not to disturb him.


    If Chu Jingfeng could enlighten on the Path, that would be a good thing.


    However, enlightenment was not so easy to achieve. An Hao and Wu Jue were rare talents seen once in a thousand years; not everyone could be compared to them.


    After staying in Mystic Valley for an hour, Gu An then went to Third Medicine Valley.


    Third Medicine Valley was much livelier than Mystic Valley, as it had ten times the number of disciples.


    Gu An chatted with the disciples for a while before returning to the loft to read a book to calm his mind.


    Late at night, footsteps sounded from outside the door, and soon, a voice came through:


    "Valley Master, I have something to say to you."


    Lu Lingjun!


    Using the Sound Transmission Skill!


    Gu An put down the Supreme Secret Records in his hands and covered them with "Investiture of the Gods," then he said, "Come in."


    Lu Lingjun pushed the door open, entered, and after closing the door, she cast a spell on the door, laying down a restriction.


    Gu An was startled and looked at Lu Lingjun in astonishment.


    Lu Lingjun turned around, walked up to the table, and greeted Gu An with a salute, saying, "Valley Master, I''m truly sorry, I had been hiding something from you."


    "Your cultivation level¡­" Gu An asked anxiously.


    Lu Lingjun said, "To be honest, I am of the Void Crossing Realm."


    Void Crossing Realm!


    Gu An immediately stood up.


    Lu Lingjun hurriedly said, "Valley Master, I mean no harm; please hear me out!"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s expression changed, but he eventually sat down slowly.


    Seeing Gu An sit down, Lu Lingjun smiled and said, "I concealed my cultivation level because I don''t have a good understanding of the Taicang Dynasty. I come from a far place. During an adventure in a Great Power''s cave, I encountered a mysterious formation that transported me here. Unable to find my way back, I plan to settle in the Supreme Sect and hope the Valley Master could help introduce me."


    Gu An, surprised, said, "With your cultivation level, if you want to join the Supreme Sect, you can do so openly. Why do you need my recommendation?"


    "The rules of the Supreme Sect are strict. With my cultivation level, I can only become a Guest Elder and would have to wait many years. I have observed that you have connections; would it not save decades of waiting if you could help?" Lu Lingjun earnestly replied.


    While speaking, she took out three bottles from her sleeve and said, "These are bottles of Heavenly Spirit Water, and I hope the Valley Master likes them."


    Seeing this, Gu An frowned and said, "This is ridiculous. By doing this, you make it seem like I am accepting your gifts to help you. What would people think of me if word got out?"


    He gathered the three bottles in front of him.


    Lu Lingjun laughed and said, "How could that be? These matters are separate; this Heavenly Spirit Water is to thank the Valley Master for your care during this time."


    "Hmm, you are thoughtful."


    Gu An smiled in satisfaction and then motioned for Lu Lingjun to sit.


    He began to advise her about several things, mainly describing the structure of the Supreme Sect and highlighting the role of noble families to prevent Lu Lingjun from making enemies.


    Initially, Lu Lingjun was indifferent, but as she listened, she realized that Gu An was indeed considering her well-being, and she became serious.


    ...


    As autumn turned to winter, a great snow covered the Third Medicine Valley.


    One day, Lv Baitian came to visit Gu An. Seeing his figure, Lu Lingjun knew her opportunity had arrived.


    Gu An did not disappoint her. An hour later, Gu An and Lv Baitian came downstairs, and Gu An waved to Lu Lingjun from afar.


    She quickly walked up to the two men, and Lv Baitian looked her over and said, "Gu An has told me about you. Follow me, I''ll get your Disciple Token changed."


    Lu Lingjun immediately thanked Lv Baitian and also bowed to Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, then watched as the two flew away.


    Xiaochuan came over, astonished, and asked, "Why did Lu Lingjun leave?"


    "Didn''t you notice how fast she flew?"


    Gu An asked back, then turned and left.


    Xiaochuan paused, then caught up to his pace and asked, "What do you mean? Wasn''t it the senior flying with her?"


    "Xiaochuan."


    "What is it, Brother?"


    "Being bold is sometimes a good thing; keep it up."


    "Huh?"


    Gu An no longer paid attention to Xiaochuan and walked towards the Heavenly Spirit Pond.


    Watching the koi in the pond had become one of his pleasures.


    Lv Baitian had come earlier to discuss the Golden List Conference and the World''s First Sword Society. Gu An didn''t want to become an advisor, so he didn''t offer many opinions, which is why Lv Baitian did not stay long.


    The following days should be much more peaceful.


    That''s what Gu An thought.


    In the cold winter season, the news that Sword Venerable Fudao had executed Daoist Tianjian with a single strike began to spread across the nine dynasties, and the Supreme Sect also used this opportunity to start negotiations with other dynasties, preparing to establish themselves in other territories.


    The process was difficult, but the top officials of the Supreme Sect did not feel the slightest bit tired. From top to bottom, everyone felt a surge of momentum¡ªthat the Supreme Sect was about to soar.


    With the support of the world''s number one cultivator, how could the Supreme Sect not cover the land of the nine dynasties?


    ...


    Time flew like a shuttle.


    Five years swiftly passed, and the 67-year-old Gu An walked out of the Elixir Hall.


    He stopped in front of the gate, looked back, and sighed softly.


    Zhu Qinglu had already retired to return to his hometown, and although the new elder was very respectful toward him, it still made him somewhat uneasy.


    Old friends are gone, and today there are new ones.


    Gu An turned back and blended into the crowd on the street.


    In the past five years, as the Supreme Sect soared, the number of disciples from the Outer City could be seen.


    The Golden List Conference had spread across the world, and it was to be held at the Supreme Sect in five years. The sect had invited a hundred noble families, scattered across the nine dynasties, to drive participation. With their involvement, the number of geniuses joining the Golden List in the future would increase.


    Gu An guessed that the Ji Family and the Gu Family had put forth much effort, of course, and other noble families also wanted to invest in the Supreme Sect¡ªhaving an additional path was always a good thing.


    As Gu An walked along the street, he heard passing disciples discussing, with many names of talents entering his ears, among which An Hao was mentioned the most.


    Last year, An Hao went down the mountain for training and had conflicts with the Demon Path. As an Elixir Formation Realm cultivator, he had slain a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator, making his name resound throughout the Immortal Cultivation World.


    The title of the Supreme Sect''s number one genius was firmly placed on An Hao''s head, unshakeable by anyone.


    As for Lv Xian, although he was the foremost in the Hundred Clans Conference, the Hundred Clans, aloof and high, did not connect with the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Over these five years, Gu An''s life was uneventful, but his lifespan had increased by over seven hundred thousand years. His lifespan had already broken through the two million-year mark; the ten million-year threshold no longer seemed so far away. Therefore, he felt motivated every day, never feeling tired or bored.


    "Brother Gu, long time no see!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A voice came from around the corner of the street. Gu An turned his head and saw Zhou Tongyou from the Jueshan Sect approaching.


    Zhou Tongyou was followed by an elder with a plump figure and a feather fan in hand, appearing quite amiable.


    Before he could reach Gu An, Lu Lingjun appeared out of nowhere in front of Gu An.


    Back then, after Lu Lingjun followed Lv Baitian and left, she returned the next day. Her current position was that of an Inner Sect Elder, but her duty was to protect Gu An, which had frustrated her for a long time. If not for her wariness of Sword Venerable Fudao, she might have drawn her sword against Lv Baitian.

 Chapter 125: Chapter 125: The Golden List Poster, Ghost Shadows in the Night

    "The guy behind him is no simple matter!"


    Lu Lingjun reminded Gu An using the Sound Transmission Skill, her gaze bypassing Zhou Tongyou to look at the obese elder behind him.


    Gu An had already discerned the other''s Cultivation Level, yet he still performed a Life Span Detection.


    [Zhou Li (Unification Realm, Seventh Layer): 1478/3000/3100]


    Same surname Zhou!


    Gu An was secretly curious¡ªZhou Tongyou hadn''t had a Great Cultivator accompany him during his last visit.


    Zhou Tongyou sized up Lu Lingjun, laughing, "Brother Gu, it''s been many years since we last met¡ªyou also have a master to protect you, it seems you''ve done quite well over these years."


    Gu An smiled and asked, "I wonder, Brother Zhou, did you come this time to participate in the Golden List Conference?"


    "Indeed, this time, I aim to claim the top spot, become famous throughout the world. What do you think about sparring in your Medicine Valley?" Zhou Tongyou asked, his eyes sparkling.


    Although it had been many years since they last met, Gu An''s Cultivation Level was still mediocre, but he felt that Gu An had his strengths.


    Gu An shook his head, "Let''s not. I won''t go looking for trouble now. The Supreme Sect has a wealth of talent these days; you should find someone else."


    "Haha, I actually came especially after hearing the name of An Hao and decided to visit ahead of time. Since you''re not interested, I''ll go look for An Hao now," Zhou Tongyou said with a laugh, turning around to leave.


    The seventh layer Unification Realm Zhou Li nodded with a smile to Lu Lingjun, then followed the steps of Zhou Tongyou.


    Once they were far off, Lu Lingjun turned around and asked, "A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator challenging you to spar?"


    Zhou Tongyou had already achieved the Nascent Soul Realm and didn''t hide his aura.


    "Back then, he suppressed his cultivation level to spar with me, and I was slightly better," Gu An said pretentiously proud.


    Lu Lingjun chuckled, "Who would have thought you had such skills? Truly, appearances can be deceiving."


    After living together for five years, the two were quite familiar with each other and dispensed with formalities.


    Of course, she still harbored some resentment towards Lv Baitian''s arrangements, so her attitude towards Gu An was not as reverent as before.


    "What does that mean, I don''t look handsome?"


    "You do look a bit handsome, suitable for being a cauldron for a female demon,"


    "Cough cough, and you''re still a female cultivator. Please watch your words!"


    Gu An glanced at Lu Lingjun, then marched forward.


    Ever since Lu Lingjun returned, her temper had changed, and Gu An felt somewhat embarrassed. Knowing he was in the wrong, he could only accommodate.


    It''s all Lv Baitian''s fault!


    What kind of situation is this?


    Gu An didn''t need Lu Lingjun''s protection; thankfully, Lu Lingjun was also quite lazy. The reason she came to the Outer Sect today was that she had her own matters to attend to and just came along casually.


    Lu Lingjun watched Gu An''s retreating back, snorted, and then turned to walk in a different direction.


    Gu An was preparing to visit Wu Jue.


    He noticed that there were many Great Cultivators in the city, most of them concealing their cultivation levels.


    It looked like the Golden List Conference was going to start problems. Naturally, if the Supreme Sect succeeded, it would be easier to hold such conferences in the future, and other sects certainly couldn''t sit by and watch.


    Gu An wasn''t worried at all; besides the Mystic Heart Realm old ancestor Xuan Quan, the Supreme Sect had recently welcomed back a Supreme Elder. His Cultivation Level was slightly weaker than Xuan Quan''s, but he was also of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    With two Mystic Heart Realm figures stationed, those sects were going to have a hard time shaking the Supreme Sect.


    Thirty minutes later, Gu An arrived at Wu Jue''s separate residence.


    Wu Jue was practising boxing in the courtyard, not employing Spiritual Power, just practising the moves. Bare-chested, he looked very strong, with each punch capable of shaking the air.


    [Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment Realm, Nine Layers): 69/350/3500]


    The limit for his life span had risen again.


    Gu An realized that if he didn''t visit Wu Jue for more than two months, the guy always achieved a Path Enlightenment. There was a year where he visited every month and Wu Jue couldn''t achieve enlightenment.


    After achieving Path Enlightenment, Wu Jue would emit a lonely, solitary aura.


    This made Gu An think crooked thoughts.


    Could it be that this guy only achieved enlightenment when neglected?


    Well, let''s not visit him for the next year and see just how far he can achieve enlightenment.


    Gu An was looking forward to Wu Jue catching up to An Hao, adding another competitor so An Hao wouldn''t develop an arrogant nature.


    Being too smooth is not good either!


    Seeing Gu An approaching, Wu Jue glanced at him but didn''t speak.


    "Look at what good thing I brought you?" Gu An''s voice came.


    Upon hearing that, Wu Jue immediately stopped, walked toward Gu An unwillingly, and asked, "What good thing?"


    Gu An took out a poster from his Storage Bag, gold-rimmed and red-backed, with four big characters engraved on it.


    Golden List Conference!


    "You... how do you have it?" Wu Jue asked in astonishment.


    The Golden List Conference was not something just anyone could participate in; one must have a certain reputation and pay ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones for an entry pass.


    The rewards of the Golden List Conference were also very rich, with awards for the top hundred participants, the higher the ranking, the better the reward.


    Wu Jue knew about it and had once envied those geniuses.


    Gu An said with a proud grin, "It took me quite the effort."


    "But with my current Cultivation Level, participating would be futile," Wu Jue shook his head.


    Gu An reassured, "Don''t worry, the Golden List Conference tests talent, not Cultivation Level. As long as your strength within the same realm is strong enough, you will be able to break through."


    "Really?"


    "Truly."


    The rules are set by me, how could it not be true?


    Gu An thought to himself, Wu Jue''s biggest lack was resources. Muddling along like this was not a solution. In fact, Wu Jue also wanted to stand out, he was just too shy to ask others for help.


    Wu Jue took the poster, hugged Gu An tightly, patted his back heavily, then grasped his shoulders and said, "Brother, I won''t say much, I definitely won''t let you down!"


    Having achieved enlightenment several times, he could feel his own transformation. He had developed confidence, and this confidence was gradually altering his personality.


    Confidence of the strong!


    Gu An smiled and said, "There are still five years left, you must work hard in your cultivation. For the next five years, I won''t come looking for you."


    Upon hearing this, Wu Jue immediately became anxious, "Why? What is so important that it will occupy you for five years?"


    "It''s naturally a major affair of the sect. It''s not convenient to tell you." Gu An shook his head.


    Could it be because of this invitation?


    Suddenly, Wu Jue felt that the invitation for the Golden List meeting he held in his hands was very heavy, and he hesitated to speak.


    Gu An reminded him, "In addition to the Sunset Fist, don''t forget to practice the Gale Shadowless Leg. It will make you faster."


    Wu Jue nodded heavily.


    This time at the Golden List meeting, he vowed to make a name for himself!


    ...


    At the end of summer, within the Mystic Valley.


    Gu An lay under a tree, one hand propping his head and the other holding a book, thoroughly engrossed.


    A shadow approached him and looked down. It was none other than Li Ya.


    Li Ya still carried his heavy sword on his back, wore tight black clothing, and his long hair was tied back with a blue scarf, revealing a resolute and handsome face.


    "Cough cough, Junior Brother Gu." Li Ya coughed deliberately.


    Supreme Secret Records...


    Unexpectedly, Junior Brother Gu was also reading it.


    Well, sharing the same name, he must feel a strong connection to it.


    Li Ya thought silently.


    Gu An quickly stood up and tucked the Supreme Secret Records into his robes; he had noticed Li Ya''s arrival earlier, but since Li Ya had practiced a type of Energy Concealing Sorcery, he had to pretend ignorance.


    "Senior Brother Li, what brings you here?" Gu An asked with feigned surprise.


    Li Ya replied, "I''ve been back for several years and am preparing to return to Cangzhou for a visit before coming back for the Golden List meeting."


    Gu An remarked, "You''re really busy, Senior Brother Li. You must be very powerful by now, right?"


    Li Ya lifted his chin with a spirited expression, "Not very powerful, but making it into the top ten of the Golden List meeting wouldn''t be difficult."


    "Just as expected of Senior Brother Li, the pride of Mystic Valley."


    "Indeed."


    "You haven''t suffered any injuries over the years, have you?"


    "How could that be? Since the last time we parted, I haven''t shed any blood. I''m not the same person I was back then." Li Ya said earnestly.


    What an act!


    Gu An really wanted to hear Li Ya address him as a great-grandfather.


    Li Ya pulled out two items from his storage bag, an invitation and a long wooden box.


    "This is an invitation to the Golden List meeting. You should also participate. This box contains the Ten Thousand-Year Wood Spirit Ginseng. Digest it over five years, and it will definitely transform your spiritual power significantly, helping you achieve a decent ranking." Li Ya explained.


    Gu An was stunned.


    Li Ya pushed the items into his arms, saying, "Don''t refuse, or I''ll be upset."


    After saying this, he let go, and Gu An swiftly caught them.


    Li Ya turned and walked away.


    "Leaving just like that?" Gu An quickly asked.


    Li Ya raised his hand and said, "Pursuing the path of immortal cultivation leaves no time for reminiscing. If you want to see me again, perform well at the Golden List meeting."


    He then leaped into the air, turning into a beam of sword light that flew over the mountains and disappeared without a trace.


    Gu An looked at the invitation in his hands, silent for a long time.


    At the mountain peak, Chu Jingfeng turned his head towards the direction Li Ya had left, his brows tightly furrowed.


    He remembered Li Ya; back when Li Ya was a prince, he had spoken with him a few times, encouraging him to cultivate diligently.


    After many years without seeing each other, their statuses were now worlds apart¡ªbut he was not the heavens.


    Gu An shook his head with a wry smile, then put the items into his storage bag.


    This guy, every time he saw Gu An, he had to give something, seemingly knowing his nature, always giving things that increased cultivation level and talents.


    ... S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another year, and the Spring Festival arrived.


    After nightfall, the Mystic Valley was very lively.


    Gu An had just come from the Third Medicine Valley, and he sat around a long table with his disciples. Zhen Qin sat to his right, continuously pouring him wine and talking about matters of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    "The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword has appeared in the neighboring Great Jiang Dynasty, causing an uproar in the Immortal Cultivation World. It''s said that the sword has reached the Transformation Realm and is accompanied by demons, very terrifying. I wonder if it''s Senior Brother Su Han..." Zhen Qin said, sighing towards the end.


    Mentioning Su Han made her sad; after all, they had been so close, but now they followed paths of virtue and vice.


    Gu An spoke, "He''s no longer your senior brother. Don''t refer to him like that in the future. It could bring trouble to you and to us."


    Zhen Qin wanted to argue, but seeing so many disciples of the Medicine Valley, she remained silent.


    Gu An began serving her food while watching other disciples play drinking games.


    After drinking a bowl of wine, Zhen Qin''s spirits lifted, and she began to talk about An Hao, looking up to him with admiration and speaking without stopping.


    Gu An listened intently. Suddenly, he sensed something, and his expression subtly changed.


    Once Zhen Qin finished speaking, he then said, "I''ll return to my room briefly. Continue later; I want to know about the specific grievance between An Hao and the demon heads of the Wanyin Sect."


    After speaking, he stood up and went back to his room.


    Zhen Qin didn''t seem puzzled and began clinking cups with Lu Jiujia.


    Back in his room, Gu An activated the room''s restrictions, then in one step, he arrived a hundred miles away.


    In the dark forest, thirteen figures resembling fierce ghosts were moving forward, four of whom were carrying a large coffin.


    They did not notice Gu An''s presence nearby, spying on them in the shadows.


    A group of Unification Realm cultivators!

 Chapter 126: Chapter 126: The Immortal King Crown, The Evil Emperor

    Gu An cast several Life Span Detection spells towards the thirteen figures in the forest and found that their Cultivation Levels were uniform, all at the third layer of the Unification Realm, and their ages were the same as well.


    All with the surname Li.


    Gu An couldn''t help thinking of the Nine Nether Thirteen Li that had previously disturbed the Immortal Cultivation World.


    What were these people doing at the Supreme Sect?


    There were still several years until the Golden List Conference.


    Seeing they were not moving quickly, Gu An was not in a hurry to stop them, wanting to see what these fellows intended to do.


    The large coffin caught Gu An''s attention, his Divine Sense penetrated the coffin and found a skeleton inside exuding a strange aura, and it even wore a dark golden crown on its head. The jewels had vanished, leaving behind each empty socket, yet it still appeared extraordinary.


    About half an incense stick''s time had passed.


    The thirteen figures stopped simultaneously, with Li Shouyou at the forefront turning around and gesturing. The four carrying the large coffin followed by placing it down, then started to unveil the coffin.


    The moment the coffin lid was lifted, a hand suddenly pressed on it.


    The thirteen looked towards the end of the coffin to see Gu An standing there, wrapped in dark purple Demonic Qi, with his right hand pressing on the coffin lid.


    The forest fell into silence.


    These thirteen did not flee nor attack; the other twelve all looked towards Li Shouyou.


    Their bodies were pitch-black like ghostly shadows, their true faces obscured, making it impossible to read their emotions.


    Li Shouyou nodded slightly, then knelt down, and the rest of the twelve followed suit and knelt as well.


    "Nine Nether Thirteen Li pay respects to Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    Li Shouyou said in a deep voice, not particularly loud, but his enunciation was clear.


    Gu An was taken aback; were these people specifically here to find him?


    No wonder their behavior was odd; it didn''t resemble an invasion posture.


    Gu An spoke, "Give me a reason not to annihilate you all."


    These thirteen must be Ghost Cultivators, surrounded by ghostly Qi, but they still possessed human Qi-Blood and vitality.


    Li Shouyou responded, "We are the Nine Nether Thirteen Li, commanded by the Ghost Mother of Ephemera to present the Immortal King Crown to Sword Venerable Fudao, to assist in reclaiming your position among the Land Immortals!"


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera?


    Astonishment grew in Gu An''s heart; the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s Cultivation Level was a minor realm lower than that of the Nine Nether Thirteen Li, how could she command them?


    "Why?" Gu An asked.


    He did not sense any hostility from them, which suggested they might not be lying.


    Li Shouyou answered, "It is the Ghost Mother''s command. She has studied your Sword Intent at the Supreme Sect for many years and realized that you must have mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    This swordsmanship was promoted by the Imperial Family of the Taicang Dynasty from the Li Family; however, in truth, it was not created by the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family but came from the Ephemera Sect''s Immortal King, who is also the ancestor of the Ghost Mother."


    "For this reason, the Ghost Mother came to the Taicang Dynasty, wishing to find the ancestral heritage of the Ephemera Sect before it destroyed the Taicang Dynasty. Two hundred years ago, the Ghost Mother had visited, but unfortunately, the descendants of the Li Family were mediocre and no one understood the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, forcing the Ghost Mother to lie in wait."


    Indeed, Gu An''s Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword came from the Li Family, but he had not expected the Li Family''s Primordial Ancestor to be related to the Ephemera Sect.


    "Does your Ghost Mother want to obtain the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword?" Gu An asked.


    Li Shouyou replied, "The Ghost Mother wishes to invite you back to the Ephemera Sect and use the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword to reclaim the position of Sect Hierarch!"


    After hearing this, Gu An fell silent.


    What kind of ploy was this?


    To set a tiger to fight a wolf?


    Gu An pushed the coffin lid with a palm, noting the durability of this coffin and the abundant Restrictions within it; it was likely a Magic Artifact.


    His gaze landed on the skeleton within the coffin; despite being lifeless, the skeleton felt exceptionally sinister. To be safe, he still sent a Life Span Detection towards it.


    [Evil Emperor (Mahayana Realm fifth layer): 7600/9999/9999]


    What a surprise!


    He could still detect it and the maximum Life Span was exactly like An Hao''s.


    Gu An remained composed as he leaped and landed on the edge of the coffin, looking down at the Evil Emperor''s bones.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Li immediately knelt, not making a sound.


    Gu An''s eyes suddenly widened, and two streaks of cold light burst forth.


    Boom!


    The Evil Emperor''s bones were instantly shattered into dust, leaving only the Immortal King Crown lying inside the coffin, while the bottom of the coffin was pierced by the Breaking Path Divine Light.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Li looked up, gave a glance, and then lowered their heads again.


    A prompt appeared before Gu An:


    [You have successfully seized 320 years of Life Span from the Evil Emperor (Mahayana Realm fifth layer)]


    Gu An sighed with relief.


    Damn it!


    He had almost been scared to death!


    Who would have thought that this skeleton was still alive, and with a Cultivation Level of the Mahayana Realm fifth layer!


    In that moment, Gu An imagined many possibilities and even felt that he had resolved a major disaster for the common folk.


    The name Evil Emperor did not sound like anything good.


    Moreover, this one feigned death, hiding inside a coffin, clearly harboring a shocking conspiracy.


    Gu An raised his hand and drew the Immortal King Crown towards him; he did not grab it directly, but used his Spiritual Power to envelope the crown, preventing his body from making contact.


    He glanced at Li Shouyou and asked, "Do you know about the Evil Emperor?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Shouyu was momentarily stunned and hastily said, "To be completely frank, these bones are indeed those of the Evil Emperor. Five thousand years ago, the Ephemera Sect was in chaos. The Evil Emperor was ambushed by a traitor, struck by a deadly poison, unable to gather Spiritual Power.


    In desperation, he put on the Immortal King Crown and in an instant, his vitality was drained, turning him into white bones. Henceforth, the Ephemera Sect deemed the Immortal King Crown an Evil Artifact, which no one dares to touch."


    "Knowing this, you still dared to bring this thing before me?" Gu An''s tone was laced with bone-chilling murderous intent.


    Li Shouyu responded calmly, "If the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword is perfected, the Immortal King Crown will sense the Sword Intent and acknowledge its master. The creator of this crown is the same individual who forged the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword."


    Gu An continued to inquire, "What connection does the Ghost Mother of Ephemera have with the Evil Emperor?"


    "The Ghost Mother is a descendant of the Evil Emperor."


    "Why would she bring her ancestor''s remains to me? Is she not afraid of causing offense?"


    "The Ghost Mother detests her own bloodline. As a child, she was turned into an Evil Ghost by her own father''s machinations. Thus, she sought out the descendants of the Li Family, who are unrelated to her by blood. The Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family was merely a disciple of the Ephemera Sect.


    She wants someone who can inherit the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword to seize the position of Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect and complete her revenge."


    "How could you be so sure that you''d be able to find me?"


    "The Ghost Mother once said that as long as we approached the Outer City where the Heavenly Repair Platform is located, even if we were to conceal our Cultivation Level, you would notice us due to the vast disparity in our powers."


    The energy-concealing techniques practiced by Li Shouyu and the others were indeed formidable, visible only to Gu An.


    Up to now, they had not revealed a trace of their aura. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An continued his questioning, and Li Shouyu answered each one.


    After about 30 minutes, Gu An pondered and said, "I will keep the Immortal King Crown. You all may leave now."


    Li Shouyu took a Short Flute from his sleeve and said, "This is the Nine Nether Flute. As long as you play it, we will come as soon as possible, awaiting your orders. From now on, you are the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, at least in our hearts!"


    Gu An reached out and, using his Divine Sense, made sure there were no surveillance, tracking restrictions, or other traps within. Only then did he place it into his Storage Bag.


    He jumped down from the coffin and signaled the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil to leave.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil bowed to him and then lifted the coffin and departed.


    Gu An did not immediately return to the valley. Instead, he sat down under a tree and placed the Immortal King Crown in front of him.


    According to Li Shouyu, millennia ago, the Mortal World had an Immortal Dynasty. Everyone could practice Immortal Cultivation, and there was no Emperor back then. The ruler of the Immortal Dynasty proclaimed himself the Immortal King, commanding the land and the immortals.


    Eventually, disaster struck the Immortal Dynasty: calamities were unending, Cultivators faced constant inner demons, plagues spread, and in a mere decade, the dynasty went from its zenith to destruction.


    The Immortal King survived, but the Immortal Dynasty was no more. He dared not claim to be an Immortal or challenge Heaven''s might anymore.


    In the years that followed, his descendants founded the Ephemera Sect. One of the Sect Hierarchs created the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, its Sword Intent startling the firmament and invoking celestial tribulation¡ªhence the name Divine-Shocking. This Hierarch believed he had reached the level of his Immortal King ancestor, but still, he could not achieve eternal life.


    Facing the end of his days, he forged the Immortal King Crown using his own Cultivation Level. The crown contained the power of the Immortal King, and successive Hierarchs of the Sect studied it but failed to subdue it, instead finding misfortune befall them because of it.


    Gu An probed the Immortal King Crown with his Divine Sense, but even a Cultivation Level of the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm could not penetrate it.


    He certainly didn''t dare to test it with his own Sword Intent. Setting aside whether Li Shouyu was lying, even if it was the truth, this method had never been proven, given that no one had ever succeeded before.


    Upon reflection, Gu An felt that the artifact was too sinister and better off not kept close by.


    He stood up and, using the Limitless Freedom Step, quickly made his way to the North Sea Mountain.


    He dived straight into the bottom of the North Sea and buried both the Immortal King Crown and the Short Flute in the seabed''s mud, placing Restrictions on them.


    He could examine them later after breaking through a few major realms.


    After all, Gu An didn''t need to borrow the power of the Immortal King Crown.


    Once everything was done, Gu An quickly returned to Mystic Valley and continued to celebrate the festival with his disciples.


    ...


    Life returned to normal for Gu An after the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil had departed, free from further disturbances.


    Three years swiftly passed by.


    Gu An turned seventy years old.


    On this day, in Tianya Valley.


    Gu An had just finished picking herbs, in good spirits, he personally delivered the herbs to the storeroom.


    As he stepped outside, he saw Lv Xian approaching.


    Upon seeing him, Lv Xian''s expression turned awkward.


    Ever since being defeated by Gu An, he dedicated himself to relentless training, his Cultivation Level dramatically increasing, now having reached the sixth level of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    A Nascent Soul Realm Level Six at ninety-nine years old!


    Quite astounding!


    Yet, Lv Xian felt defeated. Despite consuming numerous Elixirs, he still had not managed to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm before reaching one hundred.


    "Are you competing in the Golden List grand tournament?" Lv Xian approached and asked.


    Gu An laughed, "Why would I? With my talents, I would only embarrass myself."


    Lv Xian''s mouth twitched. He took a deep breath and said, "I''m planning to participate. Three years ago, one night, I suddenly felt a great deal of pressure lifted off me. These past three years, I haven''t been affected by inner demons or dreams. It''s a good opportunity to join the Golden List tournament, to relax."


    Relax?


    Others would probably suffer for it.


    Gu An mentally critiqued as he felt the residual spirit within Lv Xian''s body.


    Huh?


    One spirit less; it was seven spirits before, now only six remain.


    That night three years ago...


    Gu An suddenly thought of something¡ªcould it be that the Evil Emperor also left a remnant spirit in Lv Xian''s body?


    That didn''t make sense.


    What possible connection could the Evil Emperor have with Lv Xian?


    The Evil Emperor was a long-dead Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, while Lv Xian was the biological son of Lv Baitian...


    Wait a second!


    Could it be that Lv Baitian had a connection with the Ephemera Sect?

 Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Path of Returning Primordial Spirit, Thoroughly Becoming a Dragon

    Gu An was merely puzzled in his mind and did not investigate the thoughts of Lv Baitian and Lv Xian.


    No matter what these people''s identities were or what schemes they harbored, as long as they did not affect him, he was too lazy to bother.


    The human heart is unfathomable, and to investigate each one would be utterly exhausting.


    Gu An began to make idle conversation with Lv Xian, who now treated him with great respect, daring not to show the slightest frivolity.


    After chatting for quite a while, Gu An finally departed.


    Everyone in the valley had grown accustomed to him not spending the night in Tianya Valley.


    After Gu An left, Lv Xian found Yi Liuyun and began to spar to prepare for the Golden List Tournament.


    Only two years remained until the Golden List Tournament.


    ¡­


    As the years gently passed by, the lands of the nine dynasties entered a period of peace, and the Supreme Sect''s Golden List Tournament attracted the attention of people from all over, becoming a grand event seen once in a century.


    Two years later, as the Golden List Tournament approached, cultivators crossed over Mystic Valley each day.


    Unlike before, the Supreme Sect deployed many disciples to patrol, protecting all the servant disciples of the outer sect and maintaining its image as the orthodox authority under heaven.


    Seventy-two-year-old Gu An was in the attic receiving Ye Lan.


    The first batch of disciples who had gone to train on the Nine Nether Road had all returned, ready to participate in the Golden List Tournament and bring glory to the Supreme Sect.


    Having not seen her for many years, Ye Lan''s disposition had matured, now possessing the elegance of a talented female cultivator. She remembered Gu An''s words and continued to practice the Daoist Expansion Skill, hence her cultivation level had not increased.


    The two sat opposite each other chatting, with Ye Lan vividly describing the wonders of the Nine Nether Road, and Gu An listened with great interest.


    The Nine Nether Road, though called a road, might better be described as a secret realm teeming with demons and ghosts, having its own ecosystem and harboring many exceptional heaven-and-earth treasures.


    Ye Lan mentioned encountering cultivators and demons from lands outside the nine dynasties during her journey on the Nine Nether Road. Listening to her descriptions, Gu An imagined many scenes and found them very intriguing.


    After chatting for an ancient hour, Gu An eventually asked, "Are you going to participate in the Golden List Tournament?"


    Ye Lan nodded and replied, "Yes, the elder gave me an invitation, all hundred disciples from the Nine Nether Road must participate. The first Golden List Tournament must be conducted splendidly, and we cannot tarnish the Supreme Sect''s reputation."


    Gu An blinked, feeling a bit helpless.


    Could he not even give out the invitations he held?


    Shen Zhen, Gu Yu, and Zuo Lin all had invitations, but the disciples in the valley, being of mediocre aptitude, would only labor in vain and likely suffer if they participated.


    "Brother, why don''t you participate too? Although your cultivation level might not be up to par, your strength is no small matter," Ye Lan said with a gentle laugh, always remembering that Gu An''s leg technique was very strong.


    Gu An''s cultivation level had not increased, and he likely spent most of his time practising his leg techniques, so his strength must indeed be formidable.


    Gu An said exasperatedly, "I can''t even defeat you, so participating in the Golden List Tournament would just be asking for trouble, wouldn''t it?"


    After hearing this, Ye Lan did not persuade him further and began to discuss the major events of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    It wasn''t until evening that Ye Lan finally left Mystic Valley.


    Gu An stood on the terrace with a smile on his face.


    Ye Lan''s maximum lifespan had increased by one year. Though trivial, it proved that the Daoist Expansion Skill was indeed somewhat effective.


    The maximum lifespans of Chu Jingfeng, Lu Jiujia, and Xiaochuan did not increase, likely related to their level of dedication. Moreover, the spiritual energy of the Nine Nether Road was much denser than that of Medicine Valley.


    Gu An turned and went back inside to continue studying the Ziwei Array Chronicles.


    This book deepened Gu An''s mastery of formations, and he was moving closer to becoming a true Mahayana cultivator.


    A Mahayana cultivator is not just about the cultivation level but also encompasses rich life experiences and research into various auxiliary paths. Gu An did not need to cultivate and could use his time to accumulate knowledge in other areas.


    That night,


    Gu An secretly went to the North Sea Mountain Ridge, where he hid under a tree, activated the Life Span Barrier, and then invested 50,000 years of life span into the Daoist Expansion Skill.


    Since the Daoist Expansion Skill was effective, he decided to enhance it and see what would happen.


    Alerts crazily appeared before Gu An''s eyes, and eventually, the Daoist Expansion Skill advanced to the Daoist Mystic Skill!


    With just 20,000 years of life span, the Daoist Expansion Skill advanced to the Daoist Mystic Skill, and the remaining 30,000 years were just to enhance mastery.


    Gu An then invested another 50,000 years of life span.


    This time, during the cultivation evolution that lasted 20,000 years, the Daoist Mystic Skill advanced to the Primordial Reincarnation Skill!


    The quick addition of the word "Primordial" indicated that the Daoist Expansion Skill was not of a low grade to begin with, which is why currently only Ye Lan and Wuxin had mastered it.


    Afterwards, the Primordial Reincarnation Skill enabled him to master a divine skill called the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit.


    Gu An began to inherit the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, as Earth Spirit Energy surged into his body, and vast memories occupied his mind.


    The Primordial Reincarnation Skill, possessing the mysteries of the Daoist Expansion Skill, also extended the secrets of accumulating cultivation level through countless lifetimes.


    After cultivating the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, one''s cultivation level would no longer increase, but by accumulating spiritual power, it could transform one''s aptitude. Unlike the Daoist Expansion Skill, which could remove restrictions only once per lifetime, this could be done repeatedly. The more cultivation level accumulated each time, the greater the transformation of aptitude.


    Furthermore, the Primordial Reincarnation Skill would also create a soul imprint. After a cultivator''s death and subsequent reincarnation, the memory of this skill would awaken once the person reached adulthood in the next life, accumulating life after life, until becoming an immortal or until their soul perishes and the path of reincarnation ends.


    The Path of Returning Primordial Spirit, a type of sealing divine skill, is extremely dominant. It could suppress a living being''s cultivation level to a certain realm, or even completely seal it, turning someone into a mortal spirit without cultivation!


    Those subjected to this seal could only be freed using the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit. Even if a being of great power far surpassing Gu An''s cultivation level tried to help, it would cause spiritual power to run wild, leading the sealed person''s cultivation to become chaotic and die instantly.


    After understanding this divine skill, Gu An quite liked it.


    He just lacked such methods!


    As for the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, he considered it mastered and was too lazy to spend more time on it. He was not concerned about myriad lifetimes, just this lifetime!


    However, this skill could indeed be used by those he cared about.


    Through the memories of the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, Gu An came to a harsh realization.


    Nine Layers of Immortal Path, each layer harder than the last.


    The first layer is Nirvana, but what is Nirvana? It''s the state where Mortal Spirits shed their mortality. Before reaching Nirvana, a lifespan cannot exceed ten thousand years, but only after Nirvana can one undergo a fundamental transformation in life, dramatically increasing lifespan.


    Gu An suddenly realized that the maximum lifespan might not only represent talent but could also represent the longest time each being could exist in the world, essentially a measure of one''s life.


    For example, An Hao could use nearly ten thousand years to pursue the realm of Nirvana, whereas Ye Lan had less than two hundred years. Regardless of how many opportunities the latter had, it was all in vain.


    The Daoist Expansion Skill could help Ye Lan extend her time in the world, but only to a limited extent. Even if Ye Lan mastered the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, her lifespan could at most increase several times.


    Gu An slowly opened his eyes, his gaze profound.


    "Heavenly Destiny..."


    ...


    With the arrival of summer, the Golden List conference of the Supreme Sect proceeded as scheduled.


    Participants of the Golden List conference were all cultivators under five hundred years of age, whose foundational qualities would be specifically tested by the Supreme Sect.


    Li Ya gave Gu An the entry post for the Golden List conference, which he did not know whom to give and felt it wasteful to discard, so he chose to register. Leveraging his youth of seventy-two years, he successfully registered.


    The Golden List conference unfolded in one-on-one battles, with no fixed duration, continuing until completion. The Supreme Sect would heal the injured to maintain participants'' condition as much as possible.


    The Supreme Sect would set up a special formation that allowed the more advanced cultivator to suppress their tendency to dominate by matching their opponent''s level, ensuring a level of fairness.


    When the Golden List conference began, Gu An was watching from the eaves of an Outer Sect building with Ye Lan. They were sitting opposite each other, a small table between them, accompanied by Spirit Melons, Spirit Fruits, and fine wine.


    Following their gaze upwards, a massive light screen hovered above the Outer Sect, reflecting scenes of combat.


    Gu An did not recognize the two cultivators currently engaged in combat, but that didn''t stop him from enjoying the spectacle.


    Ye Lan, peeling fruits for Gu An, said, "Brother, the cultivation technique you passed on to me is too difficult, even more so than the previous one. I don''t know when I''ll be able to master it."


    Gu An replied, "Cultivation, huh, it''s never easy."


    The Daoist Expansion Skill could at most double the lifespan, while the Primordial Reincarnation Skill could increase it several times. If Ye Lan managed to master it, living up to eight hundred years in this life could not be considered impossible. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For someone with Ye Lan''s talent, this was already a tremendous blessing.


    Ye Lan smiled and said, "I will definitely master it, don''t worry."


    At that moment, a thunderous roar of excitement surged through the city.


    It turned out that the first battle had concluded.


    "The winner is Duan Xu from the Flame Sect of the Great Zhao Dynasty!"


    Gu Zong''s voice emanated from within the large light screen, stirring discussions throughout the city.


    Ye Lan looked at the light screen and laughed, "That''s truly impressive."


    Gu An nodded, then raised his cup to drink.


    "Brother Gu!"


    A voice came from the side, and Gu An and Ye Lan turned to see Wu Jue appearing on a nearby rooftop, looking at them with a very unpleasant expression.


    Having not seen him in five years, Wu Jue''s cultivation was still at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, but his Qi-Blood was entirely different from before.


    After neglecting him for five years, his life span must have skyrocketed, right?


    Gu An had the feeling of opening a blind box as he cautiously launched a Life Span Detection towards him.


    [Wu Jue (ninth level of Foundation Establishment): 74/350/7600]


    Seventy-six hundred years!


    Goodness!


    The guy had completely become a dragon now!


    Wu Jue suddenly appeared on the rooftop where Gu An and Ye Lan were, standing seven steps away. He frowned and asked, "And who is this lady? Are you being fair to Ms. Shen?"


    With that said, Ye Lan narrowed her eyes and looked at Gu An, asking, "Who is Ms. Shen?"


    Gu An, feeling pressured, immediately said, "This is my junior, Ye Lan. What does Ms. Shen count for compared to her? My relationship with Ms. Shen is merely social."


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan''s expression softened.


    Wu Jue said angrily, "Never mind Ms. Shen, why didn''t you look for me after you were done with your tasks?"


    Ye Lan was stunned.


    She had thought that Wu Jue had some connection with Ms. Shen and had come to defend her honor, but his tone changed so suddenly.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Why are you speaking so loudly? I didn''t want to disturb your cultivation. What, do you want to fight me now?"


    Wu Jue, with his face flushed with anger, muttered, "How could I possibly fight you..."


    Ye Lan could sense that Wu Jue was not simple, observing his embarrassed appearance made her even more curious about his relationship with Gu An.


    Then, Gu An gestured for Wu Jue to sit down. Although reluctant, Wu Jue still sat beside Gu An.


    "Junior sister, this is a friend I made, Wu Jue. He is also participating in the Golden List conference." Gu An introduced.


    Ye Lan nodded at Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue scratched his head and said, "I''m able to participate in the Golden List conference thanks to a pass from Brother Gu."


    Ye Lan looked at Gu An, her gaze skeptical.


    Brother''s methods are quite impressive.


    He registered himself and still managed to get a pass for someone else.

 Chapter 128: Chapter 128 Three Pure Ones Mountain Divine Skills, The So-Called Fairness

    Gu An, Ye Lan, and Wu Jue enjoyed drinking wine and eating fruit while watching the battles of the Golden List Conference. They hadn''t been scheduled to compete in the past few days, so they were just watching the excitement.


    Ye Lan and Wu Jue had become familiar with each other, and Wu Jue was no longer so constrained.


    It wasn''t until the fifth day that it was Wu Jue''s turn to compete.


    Taking advantage of his absence, Ye Lan asked with curiosity, "Senior Brother, who is his mentor? He seems quite remarkable."


    She had seen much of the world and could discern that Wu Jue was no ordinary individual.


    Wu Jue''s temperament had transformed after multiple moments of Path Enlightenment, and even with his ordinary appearance and dress, he exuded an unforgettable aura.


    "His mentor has passed away, and he has been an orphan since childhood. I saw eye to eye with him and am considered his only friend. For the past five years, I deliberately didn''t go to see him; that''s why he got so angry," Gu An replied.


    After hearing this, Ye Lan felt both sympathy for Wu Jue and found it amusing.


    She exclaimed, "Senior Brother, you really are..."


    "What?"


    "Nothing."


    Ye Lan''s gaze shifted to the huge screen in the sky, and Gu An followed her gaze.


    The two competitors on the screen were extraordinary¡ªone was a young Taoist in a green robe, and the other was a warrior in battle armor wielding a long weapon.


    Gu An immediately discerned that both competitors were of a higher realm than those before.


    The green-robed Taoist was likely in the Divinity Transformation Realm, while the armored warrior was a Void Crossing Realm cultivator.


    Both were under five hundred years old, absolute top-tier geniuses.


    Above the Core Formation Realm, it''s not possible to excel simply by throwing resources at one''s cultivation.


    The battle was expected to be thrilling, but the green-robed Taoist quickly raised his hand to form a seal and cast a Daoist character shining with green light. The character was a hundred zhang high and wide, resembling a mountain, and collided with the warrior at breakneck speed. The warrior spat blood and was sent flying out of the fight, unable to continue.


    Although the armored warrior was constrained to fight in the Divinity Transformation Realm, his rapid defeat took Gu An by surprise.


    With his keen eye, Gu An could tell that the green-robed Taoist''s Daoist Seal held the mystery of divine skills.


    The single move that defeated the enemy caused a stir throughout the city!


    "The victor is Sage Xuan Miao from Three Pure Ones Mountain of the Chentang Dynasty."


    The voice of an elder rang out from the screen, ensuring everyone would remember the name of the green-robed Taoist.


    Ye Lan marveled, "Three Pure Ones Mountain is indeed formidable. I''ve witnessed it on the Nine Nether Road before. Three Pure Ones Mountain is the Chentang Dynasty''s number-one Sect, with few disciples, but each one is formidable. It''s said that there was once an Immortal from Three Pure Ones Mountain, though I''m not sure if it''s true."


    Gu An silently noted the name of this Sect; Sage Xuan Miao''s Daoist Seal was indeed powerful, enough to showcase the deep foundation of Three Pure Ones Mountain''s Daoist tradition.


    An ancient hour later.


    It was finally Wu Jue''s turn to make a move.


    The battles in the Foundation Establishment Realm weren''t as exaggerated as Sage Xuan Miao''s, so many people weren''t looking forward to them much.


    However, as soon as Wu Jue threw a punch, the earth-shattering momentum immediately caught the attention of everyone in the city.


    With each punch thrown, like the blazing sun erupting forth, the fiery wind of his fist made it difficult for his opponent to defend.


    Each of Wu Jue''s punches was filled with a sense of power and was incredibly domineering.


    After eight punches, his opponent was forced to kneel on the ground, continuously spitting blood.


    "The victor is Wu Jue from the Supreme Sect of the Taicang Dynasty."


    Discussion buzzed throughout the city as people began to talk about Wu Jue.


    Ye Lan was stunned; she knew Wu Jue was no ordinary fighter, but she hadn''t expected him to be this formidable.


    Gu An''s mouth curved upward; he knew that Wu Jue''s legendary life was about to begin.


    The Sunset Fist, seemingly so ordinary, had been perfected by Wu Jue to the point of reaching the Transformation Realm, even showing signs of further advancement.


    It seems that Path Enlightenment could indeed enhance one''s understanding of Fist Techniques!


    ...


    In the afternoon.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An met with Lv Baitian in the pavilion; it had been months since they last saw each other, and Lv Baitian was full of vigor, his face brimming with smiles.


    He opened his right hand, and a bead appeared in his palm. He laughed and said, "This is a Supreme-Grade Magic Artifact, the Thousand-Shadow Pearl. Spend the next couple of days refining it, and use it at the end of the month at the conference."


    Gu An took the Thousand-Shadow Pearl with a bittersweet smile and asked, "You still want me to keep winning?"


    In the recent days of the Golden List Conference, there had been cultivators winning by relying on Magic Artifacts. According to the rules, each cultivator could only bring one Magic Artifact or one set of Formations, ensuring relative fairness. Sword Cultivators, Array Repairers, and others all needed to use Magic Artifacts; prohibiting them outright would unfairly disadvantage them.


    Even with the limitation to a single Magic Artifact, victories thanks to Magic Artifacts had already occurred, leading to public disapproval across the cities.


    Lv Baitian laughed and said, "I have already planned your opponents and Combat times. You still have time. I don''t expect you to become world-renowned, but if you can get close to the top five hundred, it would be a solid foundation."


    With the gathering of geniuses from nine Dynasties, naturally, the top five hundred would all be exceptional.


    Gu An had intended to just go through the motions, but he hadn''t expected Lv Baitian to play such a hand.


    "Sect Leader, fairness, let''s not forget those two words," Gu An reminded helplessly.


    Lv Baitian''s methods were too far from the Righteous Path!


    But on second thought, he realized that his own past actions were also unorthodox, including his Cultivation Techniques.


    Unconcerned, Lv Baitian replied, "How is it unfair? Those heirs of great clans, who amongst them isn''t using their family''s resources? I''m giving you a Magic Artifact, and they have elders from their clans to assist them as well. As for arranging opponents, it''s just giving you a bit of luck. I''m not harming your opponents, and the final victory still depends on individual strength."


    Gu An fiddled with the Thousand-Shadow Pearl, somewhat hesitant.


    "If you enter the top five hundred, I will reward you with a Rank Six Spirit Tree!" Lv Baitian said earnestly.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately gripped the Thousand-Shadow Pearl and said, "Alas, since that''s the case, I can only do my utmost."


    Ly Baitian rose to his feet and chuckled, "Alright, start refining the restrictions early. The most difficult restriction has been refined by me, the remaining won''t stump you."


    Then, he left the attic.


    Gu An did not see him off but looked at the Thousand-Shadow Pearl in his hand, lost in thought.


    ...


    The Golden List Tournament was going to last for several months, and Gu An had to take care of Medicine Valley, so he didn''t go there to watch the event every day. Ye Lan and Wu Jue also had to prepare for battle.


    It was not until the end of the month that Gu An''s opponent arrived, the Golden List Token he had exchanged for was a magic artifact specially used for sending messages. At dawn that day, the Golden List Token emitted a sound, instructing him to go and wait.


    Each Outer City had a Teleportation Array for the Golden List Tournament, which was easy to find.


    After Gu An was teleported to the venue of the Golden List Tournament, he began to wait patiently.


    This place was a vast valley, divided in half, with one side as the waiting area and the other as the combat area. The combat area was several miles long, surrounded by mountains with formations set up to isolate it from the world.


    "Gu An, you''re participating too? Not afraid of getting beaten up?" A light, mocking voice came through.


    Without turning his head, Gu An knew Shen Zhen was approaching him.


    "Hmm, I''ll give it a try," Gu An said calmly. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The recent plot of Supreme Secret Records displeased him. In the book, the character Gu An bullied a fragile girl. Even though it was a misunderstanding, his behavior was somewhat overbearing, which made him view Shen Zhen less favorably as well.


    Seeming to understand this, Shen Zhen didn''t mind his attitude at all, instead smiling and saying, "If you encounter me, I won''t show any mercy, but if you speak nicely to me, I might just let you win."


    "A man of dignity shouldn''t be humiliated by you," Gu An glanced at her and snorted coldly.


    Shen Zhen burst into laughter, bumping Gu An with her shoulder, "Don''t be angry, that book is ending soon, and I''m tired of it. Once the Golden List Tournament is over, I will go into seclusion for cultivation, and you might not see me for decades."


    On hearing this, Gu An''s expression softened and he asked, "Could it be you have gained some enlightenment from the paintings?"


    "Exactly, perhaps I''m on the verge of achieving the Dao," Shen Zhen chuckled proudly.


    Big talk!


    Gu An began to chat with Shen Zhen, waiting for his turn.


    Suddenly.


    A woman teleported in, her presence catching Gu An''s attention.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera!


    How has she come again?


    Thinks Supreme Sect is unmanned?


    To come and go as she pleases?


    Gu An thought to himself, though his gaze did not shift to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    Even though the Ghost Mother of Ephemera intended to make him the Sect Hierarch, he remained resistant to her.


    It couldn''t be helped; this person had actually sent a fifth-layer Mahayana Realm evil being right in front of him. If he didn''t possess Life Span Detection, he really wouldn''t have noticed the Evil Emperor was not dead.


    Too dangerous!


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera now took the form of another woman, seemingly using a soul transposition technique.


    She also did not pay attention to Gu An, as she probably didn''t remember him at all.


    Half an hour later, Shen Zhen won her match and was teleported out of the valley.


    After another hour, it was finally Gu An''s turn.


    His opponent was weak, merely an Elixir Formation Realm cultivator. Suppressing his own level to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Gu An fought for dozens of moves before finally defeating his opponent with the Thousand-Shadow Pearl.


    For the spectators, this battle was rather dull, with only a few remembering Gu An.


    Just like that.


    Summer passed and autumn came, and Gu An had been through three combats, all evenly matched and narrowly victorious.


    Even now, there were still a thousand participants in the tournament.


    Supreme Sect didn''t mind the lengthy event. During this time, the income from spirit stones in each city doubled¡ªit was an insane profit.


    After three months of combat, a batch of talents had emerged, with An Hao being the most prominent, unbeatable by anyone. He hadn''t even used the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword; he was using spells learned from the Supreme Sect to crush all opponents effortlessly.


    Following him were Lv Xian, Sage Xuan Miao, and other geniuses from the Dynasties. Each of the nine Dynasties had someone who made a name for themselves at the Golden List Tournament. Although Ji Xiaoyu didn''t participate, other descendants from the Ji Family showed considerable strength.


    The Golden List Tournament had spread throughout the domains of the nine Dynasties, capturing the attention of cultivators everywhere, making the name of Supreme Sect known across the other eight Dynasties, ever-rising in reputation.


    In the Taicang Dynasty, the names of organizations from the other eight Dynasties were also making their presence known¡ªperhaps that was one reason the other sects were responding.


    The Golden List Tournament was just a pastime for Gu An, he didn''t care about the ranking at all.


    At first, he found it exciting, but as his interest waned, he shifted his focus to cultivation.


    That day.


    Word about an upcoming battle at the Golden List Tournament spread in advance.


    An Hao versus Li Ya!


    Li Ya had also shown his strength, proving himself to be within the top hundred contenders. Meeting An Hao, who was firmly locked in as the top contender, naturally garnered much attention.


    Gu An was in the Third Medicine Valley when he heard disciples flying overhead on their swords, shouting as they passed, arousing his interest to go watch the battle at the Outer City.


    He noticed disciples from various directions heading towards the Outer City, which made him marvel.


    Ly Baitian has finally mastered the art of marketing!


    Gu An was looking forward to it as well.


    Li Ya versus An Hao, who was stronger?


    The lives of both seemed like those of lead characters destined by heaven, just that their life trajectories were different.

 Chapter 129: Chapter 129 How Do You Also Know the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword?

    On the Combat Arena,


    Li Ya, dressed in black, slowly took out the North Sea Heavy Sword from his back. His expression was cold and stern, his gaze set on the figure more than a hundred zhang away, his eyes brimming with the desire to fight.


    His opponent was none other than An Hao.


    An Hao stood tall and straight, dressed in luxurious blue clothes with a gold-threaded, purple-based belt, his long hair coiled under a silver crown inlaid with a Golden Phoenix. He fiddled with his wrist guard, equally exquisite. A gentle breeze tousled the black hair on the sides of his cheeks, his smile radiantly confident.


    He slightly raised his chin, looking down at Li Ya with a laugh, "In the past, you''ve relied solely on the weight of your sword to defeat your enemies. This time, your opponent is me; don''t even think about holding back any strength."


    Li Ya asked, "An Hao, how old are you this year?"


    An Hao answered, "Forty, what of it?"


    A forty-year-old at the Elixir Formation Realm''s ninth layer...


    Li Ya fell silent, feeling envious just from hearing it.


    He took a deep breath, lifted the North Sea Heavy Sword, and declared, "Then let me see the might of the Supreme Sect''s number one genius!"


    As his words fell, he took a step forward, closing in on An Hao in three steps, and swung his sword, the hefty North Sea Heavy Sword stirring up a strong gust.


    An Hao used two fingers of his right hand as a sword, sending out Sword Qi from his fingertips to deflect and parry Li Ya''s sword moves.


    The flash of swords and the overflow of Sword Qi intertwined as their figures crossed ¡ª a fierce and swift battle unfolding, eliciting waves of cheers from the Outer City below.


    Gu An stood on the roof, looking up at the battle.


    Wu Jue suddenly joined him, gazing together at the light screen in the sky, commenting with a sense of admiration, "These two are quite impressive."


    "Of course, they are celebrated talents of the Supreme Sect, after all," Gu An responded.


    Both An Hao and Li Ya were at the Elixir Formation Realm, but the battle they showed far surpassed that of other talents at the same realm.


    Li Ya wielded tremendous power, his moves carrying a wild momentum as if he could split mountains and sever rivers.


    An Hao was light and graceful, facing Li Ya''s sword techniques with ease.


    They moved rapidly, so fast that the majority of the disciples within the Outer Sect couldn''t keep up with their speed, only catching glimpses of their whereabouts through the flashes of their swords.


    Clang!


    An Hao flipped over, wielding his arm, his Sword Qi forcing Li Ya''s legs to bend and the North Sea Heavy Sword atop his head to tremble ¡ª a testament to An Hao''s significant strength.


    Li Ya hadn''t anticipated that An Hao would match the force of someone who had taken the Dragon Image Divine Primordial, leaving him feeling immense pressure.


    Boom!


    A terrifying Sword Intent erupted, sending An Hao flying. An Hao somersaulted in the air and landed steadily a hundred zhang away.


    An Hao looked at Li Ya in surprise but then his face broke into a wild smile.


    The watching light screen was capable of transmitting part of the combat''s oppressive force, enabling the audience to realize the battle was genuine. Therefore, as Li Ya''s Sword Intent was unleashed, the whole Supreme Sect was electrified.


    "That''s Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent!"


    "Li Ya actually received the inheritance of Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "I''ve spent several days at the Heavenly Repair Platform; that''s definitely Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent!"


    "Li Ya is so impressive, I never thought he''d be the strongest among the royal offspring!"


    "He''s even more formidable than his sister Li Xuanyu!"


    Gu An''s city was also caught in a chorus of shock, as Li Ya''s use of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword amazed countless people.


    Wu Jue, feeling the force of the Sword Intent expressed his admiration, "That''s incredibly powerful. I feel like it won''t be easy to defeat him."


    Gu An glanced at him.


    Just not that easy?


    Li Ya, surrounded by Sword Intent, stood up straight. He raised his sword pointing it from afar at An Hao, his black hair whipping wildly, his black robe fluttering noisily, his aura drastically changing, his face so stern.


    "The battle is just beginning now."


    Li Ya stated coldly, not having expected to be forced to use the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword so early on. He could only blame his bad luck for facing An Hao ahead of time.


    Now that the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword had been employed, he felt the battle could end.


    Even if An Hao had not yet used his powerful spells, no spell could compare to the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    An Hao had comprehended Sword Intent before, but the news had been sealed. Li Ya, who had been away for many years, was oblivious to An Hao''s combat methods.


    However, seeing An Hao laughing left Li Ya quite puzzled.


    Has this guy gone mad?


    An Hao patted his clothes, his mouth curving upward.


    Boom!


    An overwhelming Sword Intent, far surpassing Li Ya''s, exploded, causing the entire valley to shake. The fierce Sword Qi above An Hao''s head condensed into a colossal face, looking down at Li Ya.


    Before this giant face of Sword Qi, Li Ya seemed so insignificant, his own Sword Qi practically inconsequential.


    "How is this possible! How do you also know the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword?"


    Li Ya exclaimed, his face showing disbelief.


    The Inner Sect was also filled with countless exclamations; An Hao had also received the inheritance of Sword Venerable Fudao! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera stood on the Heavenly Repair Platform, her eyes fixed on the screen above, her brows tightly knitted, revealing a look of shock.


    The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, hidden from the Mortal World for thousands of years, had re-emerged, and suddenly three inheritors appeared?


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, well aware of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword''s origins, was startled and her reverence for Sword Venerable Fudao deepened.


    She could tell that these two were able to wield the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword surely because of their connection with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Within the light screen,


    An Hao soared, gazing down at Li Ya from on high, with a laugh saying, "Since we''re both students of the same mentor, let''s see whose Sword Intent is stronger!"


    He raised his right hand, with the palm facing Li Ya, and the smile on his face disappeared.


    When Li Ya executed the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, he felt a kinship with Li Ya and identified him as a fellow disciple of their master.


    But even between brothers, he would not show mercy.


    He, An Hao, was born to be the strongest!


    All his opponents must submit at his feet!


    An Hao''s gaze intensified, the giant sword qi visage widened its eyes, and countless shadows of swords swept out like a galaxy, with an overwhelming momentum that was unstoppable.


    Li Ya''s hands clutched his sword as he lifted it to strike, showcasing the strongest sword move he knew.


    He clenched his teeth, his face contorted, roaring in his heart, "I cannot lose!"


    The two waves of sword intent collided, with sword light enveloping the entire city.


    Wu Jue''s face was illuminated by the sword light, and he was momentarily spellbound.


    "An Hao is so strong, I''m no match for him..." Wu Jue muttered to himself.


    If his opponent were Li Ya, he would still have some confidence, but An Hao''s strength left him utterly disheartened.


    Gu An watched the battle expressionlessly.


    He was pleased with the progress of An Hao and Li Ya, but the imminent serious injury to Li Ya made it hard for him to feel happy.


    He even suspected that Lv Baitian had arranged this on purpose. Lv Baitian had always been displeased with Li Xuandao, so did he arrange for An Hao to target Li Xuandao''s most beloved son?


    No matter what, Li Ya''s journey ended here, unable to even break into the top five hundred.


    A few moments later, the sword''s might dissipated.


    The ground shattered, and Li Ya, covered in blood, lay on the ground, his black clothes torn and no longer having the strength to stand up.


    "The winner is An Hao from the Supreme Sect of the Taicang Dynasty!"


    When the Elder announced the result, the entire city was exhilarated, marveling at An Hao''s strength.


    Previously, An Hao had never used such a powerful sword move but always easily defeated his enemies. This time, everyone saw just how astonishing An Hao''s sword qi and Spiritual Power were; he seemed not just an Elixir Formation Realm cultivator but could easily pass for someone in the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Gu An looked towards Wu Jue and said, "If you encounter An Hao, don''t try to take him head-on."


    Within their realm, whoever faced An Hao was bound to be eliminated.


    Even Wu Jue, who had experienced Path Enlightenment multiple times, was no exception.


    Looking at all the cultivators present, probably only Gu An could defeat An Hao, but he had no intention to do so, and Lv Baitian would not allow him to face An Hao either.


    "You too," Wu Jue said, his voice low.


    Gu An smiled; this kid was quite interesting.


    ...


    The news of An Hao''s inheritance from Sword Venerable Fudao spread like a whirlwind across the Immortal Cultivation World. As for the defeated Li Ya, many believed he had gained Sword Intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform rather than being the true inheritor of Sword Venerable Fudao. His Sword Intent was far inferior to An Hao''s even though both used the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword.


    An Hao''s fame skyrocketed while Li Ya was quickly forgotten.


    After his defeat, Li Ya did not seek out Gu An, probably recovering from his injuries in seclusion within his cave.


    Ten days later.


    Inside Tianya Valley, Gu An met Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao waved at him from a distance, and he immediately went over.


    Lv Xian, Yi Liuyun, and Luo Hun were also seated around a table. Seeing Gu An coming over, Luo Hun considerately got up to offer his seat.


    "How is Li Ya doing?" Li Xuandao asked with a chuckle, seemingly not distressed by Li Ya''s defeat.


    Gu An noticed that his Cultivation Level had risen again, already at the third layer of the Void Crossing Realm.


    To be honest, Gu An was quite curious to see Li Xuandao competing in the Golden List; he felt that Li Xuandao could make it into the top ten.


    Li Xuandao was not yet three hundred years old and eligible to compete in the Golden List. Being at the third layer of the Void Crossing Realm before three hundred, he was definitely one of the top geniuses in the world.


    "I''m not sure, he hasn''t come to me," Gu An replied.


    Li Xuandao mused, "Losing to An Hao is not a disgrace; An Hao''s reputation has spread to the other eight dynasties, and everyone acknowledges his talent."


    Not to mention his strength, An Hao''s rapid breakthroughs alone left him unparalleled.


    Jiang Qiong reached Core Formation at forty and considered herself extraordinarily gifted. At forty, An Hao was already at the threshold of Nascent Soul Formation. He delayed only because of the Golden List.


    An Hao at Nascent Soul Realm level one, facing a Nascent Soul Realm level nine genius, would likely have a huge expenditure even if he could win. But if the opponent were brought down to his level, Core Formation Realm level nine, there would be no doubt about the outcome.


    Gu An nodded and said, "An Hao is indeed powerful, Senior Brother Li just had bad luck."


    Lv Xian snorted, "No matter, I will avenge Li Ya."


    He had participated in three Combat events, and no one had lasted more than ten moves against him.


    Li Xuandao looked at Gu An and said, "I have sent your disciple Ye Yan to the Three Pure Ones Mountain of the Chentang Dynasty for training. When he comes back, he will surely be transformed."


    Ye Yan?


    Gu An remembered that disciple who always held a spear and was surprised he had such a fortune.


    Of course, he also understood that Li Xuandao was hinting at something; without his arrangements, Ye Yan would certainly not have had this opportunity.


    "Thank you, Uncle," Gu An immediately said.


    Li Xuandao then said, "Tell me, if I can win over Sword Venerable Fudao, could I firmly secure my throne?"


    Gu An replied, "Even without him, you could hold it firmly."


    Hearing this, Li Xuandao laughed out loud.


    Yi Liuyun and Lv Xian didn''t laugh; they shared the same opinion.


    Li Xuandao''s expression turned serious and said, "I already know who Sword Venerable Fudao is."

 Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Breakthrough and Battle in the Dead of Night

    "Who is it?"


    The one who asked these two words was not Gu An, but Lv Xian, and Yi Liuyun also looked curiously towards Li Xuandao.


    The reputation of Sword Venerable Fudao was truly immense, to the extent that some people already regarded him as the foremost cultivator in the Taicang Dynasty!


    Li Xuandao''s mouth curved into a smile as he said, "He has a close relationship with Li Ya."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s heart trembled.


    How did he guess this step?


    Lv Xian furrowed his brows and asked, "Li Ya? What kind of relationship?"


    Li Xuandao shook his head and said, "The specific details I cannot tell you, lest I offend the elder."


    Elder?


    Gu An''s heart relaxed somewhat.


    Afterward, Li Xuandao talked about other prodigies named in the Golden List gathering, expressing high admiration for the Supreme Sect''s organization of the event and noting that Lv Baitian seemed to have become enlightened, no longer as foolish and domineering as before.


    After discussing for an ancient hour, only then did Li Xuandao let Gu An go to work.


    This time, he had brought a batch of high-rank saplings, which had piqued Gu An''s intrigue.


    The grade and rank of the herbs in Tianya Valley were also continuously improving, indirectly proving that Li Xuandao''s power was increasing.


    Although all the herbs in Tianya Valley belonged to Li Xuandao, Gu An was able to harvest a continuous supply of life span from them, so he hoped that Li Xuandao would continue to thrive.


    Ah, and he hoped that Lv Baitian would thrive as well, so that everyone could get along harmoniously!


    After all, in immortal cultivation, the temporary wins and losses are not important¡ªwhoever lives the longest is the true winner.


    ...


    At the end of autumn, relying on the Thousand-Shadow Pearl, Gu An narrowly made it into the top five hundred of the Golden List gathering.


    In the upcoming matches, he planned to lose.


    Although he had won repeatedly, Gu An had not established a reputation because his victories were too difficult, the battles were unimpressive, and his opponents lacked renown.


    At noon, within Mystic Valley.


    Gu An was instructing Ye Lan on the Primordial Reincarnation Skill. Ye Lan had already been eliminated, but rather than being discouraged, she felt more determined.


    After chatting for several ancient hours, Ye Lan''s many confusions about the Primordial Reincarnation Skill had been resolved.


    "Senior brother, your achievement in this technique is truly high; it seems you have diligently practiced it in secret, no wonder your cultivation level doesn''t increase," Ye Lan remarked.


    She felt even more reverence towards Sword Venerable Fudao. It wasn''t only his mastery of the Sword Dao, but he also possessed such a miraculous technique.


    She was now convinced that Sword Venerable Fudao was Gu An''s master. Initially, it was with the Qinghong Sword that Gu An had sought out Sword Venerable Fudao, allowing him to save her.


    Once, she had suspected that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao, but the cultivation realm displayed by Sword Venerable Fudao was so high, it simply didn''t match Gu An''s age.


    Gu An did not refute, and this explanation suited him just fine.


    He raised his right hand, pulled a storage bag through the air, and handed it to Ye Lan, saying, "Take this back with you and cultivate well."


    Ye Lan did not check it. She clipped the storage bag to her belt and then stood up, saying, "By the way, senior brother, it''s best to keep your distance from Brother Li Ya for the time being. The higher-ups are investigating all members of the Li family within the sect. The intentions aren''t clear, but they''re definitely not good."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s face showed a puzzled expression, but he nodded his head and stood up to send his junior sister off.


    The investigation of the Li family members by the Supreme Sect did not cause Gu An to worry, as this was not the first time such an event had occurred.


    The Supreme Sect, though the foremost sect of the righteous path in Taicang, had never ceased its internal strife.


    As for whether it would harm Li Ya, that was not Gu An''s concern; he couldn''t always be watching over Li Ya.


    Everyone has their life journey. No matter whether it is good or bad, as long as one perseveres, that experience belongs to them.


    Several days later, Gu An went to participate in the Golden List gathering; facing his opponent, he conceded directly, leaving his opponent astounded.


    A month later, the top hundred were announced!


    Only Wu Jue was at the Foundation Establishment Realm, while the other cultivators were at least at the Elixir Formation Realm. This news quickly spread, causing Wu Jue''s fame to soar.


    When Lv Baitian brought a sixth-grade Spirit Tree, Gu An couldn''t help but mention Wu Jue, hoping that Lv Baitian could find a good master for him.


    This made Lv Baitian regard Gu An with greater respect.


    "Such a fine talent was spotted by you in advance, and yet you say you''re not suited to be the sect leader?" Lv Baitian said with a chuckle.


    Gu An laughed and said, "It''s all destiny. There are so many prodigies within the Supreme Sect; it doesn''t reflect my discernment, only that the Supreme Sect has a profound foundation and great fortune."


    Lv Baitian was very satisfied with Gu An''s rhetoric. Regardless of whether it was sincere, it was very suitable for a sect leader.


    "About Wu Jue, I can''t promise you anything. He has already taken Zhou Yu as his master. You must understand, taking An Hao as a disciple, I''ve already confronted much opposition. I can''t take any other talented disciples as my own¡ªSupreme Sect isn''t governed by just one person''s word," Lv Baitian said meaningfully.


    Zhou Yu, one of the Venerable Pavilion in the Supreme Sect, held power even greater than the Hall of Elders.


    Having such a person as his master, Wu Jue''s future was boundless.


    Gu An thought of that true inheritor disciple who had no teacher-student relationship with Lv Baitian, which precisely constrained him.


    It seems that within the Supreme Sect, taking disciples also involved weighing benefits and consequences.


    Of course, the main reason was still that Lv Baitian was not strong enough, at least unable to suppress the three major families with his own power alone.


    "I''m preparing to take action against the Li family, but rest assured, I won''t harm Li Ya," Lv Baitian continued to say.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately raised his hand and saluted him.


    Lv Baitian waved his hand and said, "After the Golden List conference is over, the Supreme Sect will soar, but there are still potential crises. Not to mention the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage at the other end of the Nine Nether Road, there are also those within the nine dynasties who wish to scheme against the Supreme Sect.


    To avoid unnecessary trouble, I will visit your Medicine Valley less frequently in the future. You must not indulge yourself any further. Focus on your cultivation, understand?"


    In the end, he sounded somewhat helpless.


    He had already imparted the Defying Fate Divine Skill to Gu An, but Gu An had yet to make any significant achievements with it.


    Gu An nodded and said, "I will manage the Medicine Valley well and not let the Supreme Sect down."


    Upon hearing this, Lv Baitian gave him a glare, then stood up and left.


    Gu An hurriedly stood up to see him off.


    The great snow had already covered the Third Medicine Valley. The sky filled with snowflakes seemed intent on burying everything between heaven and earth, and Lv Baitian''s figure soon disappeared into the vast snowy expanse.


    Time flew by.


    Another Spring Festival arrived, with the Golden List conference concluding the day before the festival.


    At dusk, Gu An arrived at Mystic Valley to celebrate the festival with the disciples.


    Zhen Qin had just returned from the Outer Sect, discussing the rankings of the Golden List conference with the disciples. After the conference, the Supreme Sect would publish a book detailing the biographies of the top hundred participants, representing a form of authority.


    An Hao took the top spot without any suspense.


    The second place was not Lv Xian but Sage Xuan Miao from the Three Pure Ones Mountain. The final battle between Sage Xuan Miao and An Hao had become a marvelous tale, completely making the name of the Three Pure Ones Mountain renowned throughout the Taicang Dynasty.


    Lv Xian ranked third, presumably depressed by now. Following him, the rankings were mostly dominated by geniuses from influential families. The Zhou, Gu, and Ji families occupied thirty percent of the top hundred places.


    The dominance of the three major families was clear for all to see!


    Wu Jue, with his Cultivation Level at the Foundation Establishment Realm, broke into the top twenty, but faced an overwhelming defeat against An Hao early on. Despite this, he had proven himself and had become a true genius.


    After sitting down, Gu An listened to the disciples excitedly discussing the Golden List conference and showed interest as well.


    The disciples also praised him; they all took pride in his being among the top five hundred.


    "Master, tomorrow I must leave for a mission, and I might not return for two or three years..."


    Zhen Qin sat beside Gu An speaking, while Gu An''s thoughts drifted afar.


    The high-rank medical herbs in the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion should be ready!


    ...


    Seven days after the Spring Festival had passed, that night, Gu An arrived at the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion. After harvesting the matured herbs, obtaining almost twenty thousand years of lifespan, he began planting.


    After years of cultivation, the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion was now filled with herbs of grade four and above, constantly providing him with lifespan.


    Relying on his current Medicine Valley alone, Gu An saw the doors to millions of years of lifespan drawing near.


    He had already begun contemplating his next breakthrough.


    Reaching the Mahayana Realm was about to pull apart the Spiritual Energy of the North Sea Mountains. He would need to find a place with more abundant Spiritual Energy for his next advancement.


    For his next breakthrough, Gu An planned to use at least five million years of lifespan to advance, and he was looking forward to what realm he could reach.


    After planting, Gu An sat down at the stone table, pouring himself some tea to enjoy a moment of leisure, while spreading his Divine Sense to check the movements in the North Sea Mountains.


    For cultivators, the North Sea Mountains were a great place for training, and with the start of the Golden List conference, the struggles in the North Sea Mountains had intensified.


    Huh?


    Gu An suddenly saw a battle, one person in it catching his attention.


    Sage Xuan Miao of the Three Pure Ones Mountain!


    This genius, who had surpassed Lv Xian, left a deep impression on Gu An.


    Under the dark night, the fierce wind was rampant, various spells continuously falling, ravaging the mountains and forests.


    Sage Xuan Miao, holding a sword in his right hand and a horsetail whisk in his left, a Dharma Aspect with three heads and six arms condensed behind him. Facing the siege of several Divinity Transformation Realm cultivators, he was not at a disadvantage.


    This three-headed and six-armed Dharma Aspect contained far greater Spiritual Power than Sage Xuan Miao himself, and each of its six arms could execute different spells.


    This Divine Skill is impressive!


    Gu An sipped his tea while enjoying watching the battle.


    These dozens of cultivators probably weren''t a match for Sage Xuan Miao, but stealthily, a Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm was itching to move, and the odds seemed against Sage Xuan Miao.


    Gu An had no intention of intervening. Other people''s grudges and grievances were not his concern.


    Even if Sage Xuan Miao died here, it would just show he was lacking in fate.


    Gu An only saved those related to him.


    Thirty minutes later, the covert Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm made a move, still with a sneak attack, dispersing Sage Xuan Miao''s Dharma Aspect with one strike, causing Sage Xuan Miao to vomit blood and crash into the forest. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, the injured Divinity Transformation Realm cultivators all heaved a sigh of relief, then praised the Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm.


    Just when Gu An thought Sage Xuan Miao was doomed, he suddenly sensed something and raised his eyebrows slightly.


    A whirlwind rose from the forest where Sage Xuan Miao had fallen, lifting trees into the night sky, while he meditated among the ruins, surrounded by aqua runes, which emitted rays of aqua light stars above his head, condensing into a massive gate.


    The gate slowly opened, streams of vast aura pouring out from within, causing the Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm''s expression to drastically change, prompting him to immediately turn and flee.


    "Where are you escaping to?"


    A hoarse voice echoed through the heavens and the earth.

 Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Can Sword Venerable Fudao Withstand the Power of Mahayana?

    Accompanied by a mysterious voice echoing between heaven and earth, the cyan light portal burst open, and from it, a giant hand emerged. With a grasp across the void, it captured the fleeing Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator into its hold.


    The Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator was nearly scared to death. He struggled with all his might but could not break free. He even thought of letting his Primordial Spirit emerge, but was despaired to find his Primordial Spirit could not leave the body.


    "You... who exactly are you?"


    The Void Crossing Realm Great Cultivator cried out in alarm, his voice filled with terror.


    The mysterious giant hand suddenly clenched, turning him into a mist of blood. His Primordial Spirit and Golden Core were both obliterated, ceasing to exist.


    The other Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivators, terrified, scurried away in a panic, while the mysterious hand did not strike again, simply retracting slowly back into the cyan light portal.


    Under the night sky, the wild wind still raged.


    The cyan runes surrounding Sage Xuan Miao began to dissipate, and the cyan light portal above his head vanished with them.


    "Puh¡ª" Sage Xuan Miao spat out a mouthful of blood, and his condition rapidly deteriorated. He continued to cultivate energy, regulating his breath.


    Far away within the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Gu An toyed with his teacup, his face showing a look of curiosity.


    The mysterious giant hand just now was definitely in the Mystic Heart Realm and above the fifth level, no less.


    No wonder Sage Xuan Miao dared to come alone to participate in the Golden List convention. He had a method of dealing with trouble at hand.


    Gu An was very interested in this divine skill.


    Such a divine skill was both imposing and capable of protecting the younger generation. Even he, Sword Venerable Fudao, was tempted.


    At the same time, he was also full of curiosity about Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    That Three Pure Ones Mountain hid a Great Power above the fifth level of the Mystic Heart Realm, although not in the Mahayana Realm, was enough to surprise Gu An.


    The lands of the nine dynasties were indeed full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons!


    No wonder the Ephemera Sect previously dared to cause chaos only in the Taicang Dynasty, instead of directly sweeping across all nine dynasties.


    Gu An listened to Ye Lan before, that the number of disciples in Three Pure Ones Mountain wasn''t large, barely surpassing a thousand. With such a number, yet capable of becoming the Chentang Dynasty''s foremost sect, it sufficiently demonstrated the multitude of Great Cultivators in Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    The Chentang Dynasty was not simple, either. The reason this dynasty was named Chentang was that the previous Tiantang Dynasty once nearly united the lands of the nine dynasties. Later, the Emperor did something heaven-defying, provoking fury from the heavens, which brought down torrential rains, flooding the entire dynasty and causing the internal power structure to change.


    The Chentang Dynasty has the most lakes, with the vast majority of cities and sects located on islands. The torrential rains may have flooded a dynasty''s land, but they also caused an eruption in the dynasty''s spiritual energy, shrouding it in Spirit Mist all year round.


    Within the nine dynasties, the Chentang Dynasty was the most mysterious, with the most legends. Many believed that on those solitary islands hid Immortals.


    Gu An withdrew his gaze. Although he was very interested in Sage Xuan Miao''s divine skill, he was too lazy to make acquaintances or provoke unnecessary attention.


    Being just one major realm higher than himself, it left no room for Gu An to be complacent.


    Grow cautiously, don''t be rash!


    A thousand years later, how many major realms would he exceed over the lands of the nine dynasties?


    He was very excited about that prospect!


    ...


    Clouds shrouded the skies, and mountains undulated across the earth. The forests seemed to gather demons, ghosts, and goblins, and a vast palace sat between two mountains, with blood-red columns and eaves, radiating a terrifying presence.


    Inside the grand hall, a group of black-robed figures knelt on the ground, comprising humans, demons, and Soul Bodies.


    The man kneeling at the forefront wore a mask, concealing his true appearance. He spoke, "Sect Hierarch, the nine dynasties have collectively entered the Nine Nether Road and have impacted our grand scheme. Should we retreat or continue to lie in wait?"


    His voice was hoarse, and as he spoke, a chilling ghostly air seeped from beneath his mask. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Standing above him on the stairs was a towering figure in a large black robe. A blood dragon coiled on the robe, its fangs and claws as if ready to leap out at any moment.


    His white hair gently fluttered, and he wore a bone crown embellished with two slender horns, sharp to the extreme and glittering coldly.


    He was the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, known as Butcher Immortal Jing!


    Butcher Immortal Jing slowly turned around, revealing a pale and indifferent face. His eyes were blood-red, and on his forehead were marks of two evil ghosts. These ghosts were fused together, their bodies pitch-black and having sharp claws¡ªutterly terrifying.


    "The nine dynasties, ridiculous. They even dare to step into the Nine Nether Road. Truly seeking death."


    Butcher Immortal Jing spoke coldly, and a gust of chilling wind blew into the grand hall, billowing the cloaks of all the followers.


    A black-robed follower with a white tiger head spoke, "The nine dynasties all have Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators. Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect is particularly inscrutable. To swallow up the nine dynasties before the demon calamity seems unlikely."


    Another black-robed Soul Body added, "Our Golden Spirit Venerable and Night Cultivator Fairy were both killed by Sword Venerable Fudao. This person is the biggest obstacle to our swallowing the nine dynasties. His Cultivation Level is at least above the fifth level of the Mystic Heart Realm, and he might have already reached the eighth level."


    Boom¡ª


    Low thunder rumbled outside the hall, as if some fierce beast was roaring.


    "Hmph, Mystic Heart Realm eighth level? Then tell me, can Sword Venerable Fudao withstand the Mahayana Power?"


    Butcher Immortal Jing said with disdain, his white hair dancing. His eyes sparkled with malice.


    Mahayana Power!


    The masked man at the front replied, "It has been nearly ten thousand years since a Mahayana Realm tribulation appeared in the lands of the nine dynasties. Naturally, he is no match for you. But if you act, might it affect your healing?"


    "Fools, all of you. Prepare to gather the followers. Once they are assembled, follow this Hierarch to sweep through the lands of the nine dynasties. Remember to bring the Origin Tree of Ephemera!" Butcher Immortal Jing said expressionlessly.


    His words caused an uproar in the grand hall.


    "Sect Hierarch, you''re not thinking of directly..." The hoarse voice of the masked man betrayed his nervousness.


    "My mind is made up, all of you may leave."


    Butcher Immortal Jing flicked his sleeve, turning to walk into the darkness.


    The followers of the Ephemera Sect in the hall exchanged looks.


    ...


    Another night fell, and Gu An once again came to the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion. It had been half a month since his last visit.


    He began by picking herbs and then sowing seeds. After completing all these tasks, he did not rush to leave, as usual. He planned to spend the night alone here, enjoying the tranquility.


    He walked over to the old tree beside the wooden lodge and jumped onto the rope hammock he had woven half a month earlier. Twisting his body, he found a comfortable position to lie in.


    "Comfy¡­"


    Gu An revealed a content smile as he took out a travelogue and began to flip through it.


    Recently, he had made a trip to the Inner Sect and purchased many travelogues¡ªone to pass the time, and two to see if there was a better place for breakthroughs than the North Sea Mountains.


    The cave mansion was tranquil, with occasional fish leaping from the underground lake, their movements echoing inside the cave mansion, creating a unique atmosphere.


    It wasn''t until late at night that Gu An finally set aside the travelogue. He spread out his Divine Sense, wanting to see if there was any activity in the North Sea Mountains tonight.


    Every time he came here, he made a habit of observing the North Sea Mountains.


    Soon, Gu An''s attention was drawn to Sage Xuan Miao.


    This fellow is still here!


    He saw that Sage Xuan Miao had built a simple Taoist temple in the midst of the mountains. Aside from Sage Xuan Miao, there was also a young boy inside the temple.


    What are they up to?


    Gu An took a closer look and saw Sage Xuan Miao meditating in front of a large cauldron, with wisps of blue smoke rising from his head.


    And that boy, in the wooden hut nearby, was practicing martial arts¡ªa demon boy with a fox''s tail.


    Fascinating.


    Gu An watched for a while before retracting his gaze.


    Not until dawn was approaching did Gu An return to Mystic Valley.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year flew by.


    At the end of summer, after a heavy rain, Mystic Valley was extremely muggy.


    One morning, Li Ya came to visit Gu An, as usual, entering by climbing through the window. Gu An had to play along, pretending to be startled by his entrance.


    "Look at you, getting scared like that, even though you''re among the top five hundred on the Golden List." Li Ya landed softly and hummed.


    Gu An got up to greet him, saying, "My place in the top five hundred is due to good luck. You could have been in the top ten, if only you hadn''t run into An Hao too soon."


    At these words, Li Ya''s mouth twitched.


    He suspected that Gu An was deliberately provoking him, but seeing Gu An''s look of genuine sympathy, he couldn''t find it in him to retort.


    Little did he know, Gu An was indeed doing it on purpose.


    Stepping on my windowsill again!


    Li Ya walked over to the desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down before saying, "I''m leaving."


    "Where to? For how long?"


    Gu An asked casually before walking to the teapot stand to brew some tea.


    Li Ya answered, "My father, the Emperor, has ordered me to go to Three Pure Ones Mountain in the Chentang Dynasty to cultivate. Without decades, it''s unlikely that I can return."


    Three Pure Ones Mountain again!


    What''s the relationship between Li Xuandao and Three Pure Ones Mountain? So close that he''s even sending two people there.


    Gu An couldn''t help but say, "That''s definitely a trip worth taking, after all, a disciple from Three Pure Ones Mountain has secured the second rank on the Golden List."


    "Sage Xuan Miao is indeed formidable. Even if I were to fight him, I probably wouldn''t be his match," Li Ya agreed.


    During the Golden List conference, Sage Xuan Miao was the only one who could fight An Hao for an entire 30 minutes.


    Gu An, with the freshly brewed tea, approached the desk and said, "Once you''re at Three Pure Ones Mountain, you should focus on solid cultivation and not get involved in unnecessary troubles, avoiding injuries."


    "Cough cough, aside from getting hurt by An Hao, I haven''t really been injured in these years."


    "Is that so?"


    "Would I lie to you?"


    The two started chatting idly, talking about Mystic Valley at times and the Golden List at others.


    It was not until noon that Li Ya finally stood up and said, "I should go now, Junior Brother Gu. I hope that when I return, your Cultivation Level will have increased. Entering the top five hundred of the Golden List is not something that can be achieved by mere luck. I believe you''ve found your own fortune, so do not waste the years. Strive to catch up with your elder brother soon."


    With that, Li Ya walked swiftly to the window and leapt out, leaving another footprint on the windowsill.


    Definitely on purpose!


    Gu An was helpless. Li Ya usually seemed quite serious, so why did he always have to play childish tricks on him?


    He stared out the window, his eyes turning profound.


    Why is Li Xuandao sending Li Ya away at this time? Could there be other reasons?


    And the Soul inside Li Ya, why has it become so weak?


    It feels like it could dissipate at any moment.


    Gu An shook his head; if he couldn''t figure something out, he simply decided not to think about it.


    Until night fell.


    Once again, Gu An arrived at Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion. He was just about to pick some herbs when he frowned.


    Why is Sage Xuan Miao nearby?


    The distance from Sage Xuan Miao''s Taoist temple to here was a good eight thousand miles. He couldn''t have come all this way by coincidence.


    At the same time.


    In the forest a dozen miles away, Sage Xuan Miao held a compass in hand, muttering to himself as he moved forward, "It should be around this area. Who knows what kind of blessing..."

 Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Mountain God, Karmic Entanglement

    Gu An heard Sage Xuan Miao''s mutterings, which silenced him.


    "To seek blessing, they come to my home?"


    His gaze fell on the compass in Sage Xuan Miao''s hands, curious about what kind of treasure it was that could search for blessings, far more powerful than his White Spirit Rat.


    Ever since the Mystic Pure Tree had appeared, the White Spirit Rat spent all day napping and no longer went out to hunt for treasures; it was practically useless now.


    The forest at night was quiet and serene, with wisps of mist swirling among the trees. Sage Xuan Miao could see the figures of ghosts drifting past, but he remained indifferent.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A gust of wind blew from ahead, billowing Sage Xuan Miao''s Daoist robe and making him squint his eyes.


    "This is the Land of the Mountain God, forbidden to mortals."


    A voice, ethereal as mist, made Sage Xuan Miao halt, and he looked up, unable to see the speaker. Even when using divine sense to search, he could not detect the slightest sign of life.


    Sage Xuan Miao was sure he wasn''t hearing things, so he clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I am Li Xuanmiao, a dedicated disciple of the Taiqing Lineage from Three Pure Ones Mountain of the Chentang Dynasty."


    A last name Li?


    Li Xuanmiao, Li Xuandao¡ªif there''s no connection, Gu An wouldn''t believe it even if he were beaten to death.


    The mention of the Three Pure Ones also made Gu An think of the Three Pure Ones in the Daoist mythology of his previous life in the Huaxia world. Was there a connection?


    There probably wasn''t; otherwise, his writing of the Investiture of the Gods would have already caused trouble.


    Perhaps the way of the Three Pure Ones reflects across all heavens, with traces of the Three Pure Ones present in this world as well as in the Huaxia world?


    Gu An''s thoughts raced, but he did not immediately reply.


    Sage Xuan Miao continued, "I come in search of blessing. May I have the honor of meeting the Mountain God?"


    He seemed not to question Gu An''s words, which made Gu An wonder.


    Could there actually be a Mountain God in the world, making the idea seem normal to Sage Xuan Miao?


    This made Gu An suddenly consider getting to know Sage Xuan Miao better to increase his understanding of this world.


    "Why do you seek the Mountain God?"


    Gu An''s voice rose once more, remaining elusive.


    Sage Xuan Miao said, "Meeting an immortal of the mortal world is an elusive fortune in life. Of course, I do have a selfish wish."


    Meeting the Mountain God thrilled him, even more meaningful than finding treasures.


    With his cultivation level of the Divinity Transformation Realm, he scanned in all directions, unable to find the other party, indicating an enormous disparity in cultivation levels. Even if the other wasn''t the Mountain God, they were a Great Cultivator whose realm far surpassed his own.


    The fact that the other did not attack him right away showed that they were not evil. Whether they were the Mountain God or not, it was worth making their acquaintance.


    Whoosh¡ª


    A strong gust of wind faced him, scattering leaves and forcing Sage Xuan Miao to raise his hand to shield himself.


    When the wind had passed, Sage Xuan Miao looked ahead, his pupils suddenly contracting, his face showing astonishment.


    Following his gaze, there was a tiny figure in white standing on a large tree ahead.


    That''s right!


    A tiny person!


    Just three inches tall, small enough to be held in one hand!


    This person wore white clothes and a theatrical mask on their face, appearing very mysterious.


    This white-clothed tiny person was Gu An, who had used the Great and Minor Ruyi Divine Power to shrink himself.


    Great and Minor Ruyi was a divine power awakened by the Primordial Ruyi Skill, which was itself his Energy Concealing Skill, transformed and evolved from the Energy Nurturing Skill.


    Sage Xuan Miao immediately knelt on one knee, raised his hand in salute, and said, "Li Xuanmiao pays respect to the Mountain God!"


    He could feel it wasn''t an illusion; it was the first time he had seen such a tiny person, which instantly made him believe the other was the Mountain God.


    He had never seen spells or divine powers that made one shrink, only spells that captured people in small spaces.


    Gu An leaped onto the tree branch, arriving at the tip, and looked down at Sage Xuan Miao, asking, "What treasure do you hold in your hand?"


    He cast a Life Span Detection.


    [Sage Xuan Miao (Fifth Layer of Divinity Transformation Realm): 198/900/4500]


    A maximum life span of four thousand five hundred years?


    It didn''t quite match his performance.


    It appears the legacy of Three Pure Ones Mountain is strong!


    Sage Xuan Miao promptly replied, "This is a treasure passed down through generations in my Three Pure Ones Mountain. If one keeps it close, and once the qi fate connects with the treasure, it will guide me to my destined fortune and hasten my growth process."


    As he spoke this, a smile adorned his face.


    Destined he was to meet the Mountain god!


    Gu An, however, thought to himself, could it be that Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion was supposed to belong to Sage Xuan Miao?


    Indeed possible. If it weren''t for him possessing a Golden Finger similar to a system, he wouldn''t have come to the North Sea mountains to undergo tribulation, wouldn''t have caused the rupture of Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, and the Cave Mansion wouldn''t naturally belong to him.


    In this light, it was Gu An who seized Sage Xuan Miao''s opportunity.


    Sage Xuan Miao then said, "Senior Mountain God, I have just taken a disciple, but he is afflicted with severe poison, and I am unable to cure him. Could you possibly take a look at him?"


    He had only been seeking fortune, but he didn''t expect to encounter the Mountain God. Since it was a deity, perhaps he could help him with his concerns.


    Gu An remained silent, but raised a hand, touched his chin with his left hand, and supported his left elbow with his right hand, shaking his head thoughtfully as he observed Sage Xuan Miao.


    Realizing this, Sage Xuan Miao flipped open his right hand, and a Lingzhi mushroom appeared out of thin air in his palm. He presented it with both hands, saying, "This is a sixth-grade Earth Mystic Lingzhi, I hope the Mountain God likes it."


    Gu An reached out and drew the Lingzhi into his hand. The Earth Mystic Lingzhi was larger than his whole body and looked rather comical as he held it.


    Sage Xuan Miao did not find it amusing, on the contrary, he felt it was full of spirituality.


    The actions and thoughts of an immortal should not be speculated upon or defined by mortals.


    "Come here with your disciple at this hour tomorrow night," Gu An said.


    Sage Xuan Miao immediately gave thanks; when he looked up again, Gu An had vanished.


    He smiled, stood up, and left without proceeding further, a move that made Gu An quite satisfied with him.


    At least for now, Sage Xuan Miao did not seem to be the deeply calculating, scheming type.


    When Gu An had previously probed into Sage Xuan Miao, he also noticed his demon disciple and saw through the poison within the demon, which he happened to be able to cure.


    After Sage Xuan Miao left, Gu An returned to the Eight Scenic Caves and began alchemy.


    He took out an Ephemera that he had been storing and placed it in the pill furnace. Then, he condensed Taiching True Fire and ignited the dry firewood beneath the furnace.


    A thought suddenly occurred to him.


    Perhaps the alchemy of Mystic Valley had also been passed down from Three Pure Ones Mountain, which is why he could produce Taiching True Fire.


    Indeed, it was possible!


    ...


    The second night, Sage Xuan Miao arrived with his disciple, still in the same woods shrouded in mist.


    The Fox Demon youth was very nervous, clinging to Sage Xuan Miao and constantly scanning the surroundings, fearing the emergence of evil spirits.


    Sage Xuan Miao lifted his garment and knelt on the spot, instructing the Fox Demon youth to kneel as well.


    After a while, a strong wind blew by.


    A thumb-sized pill rolled up to Sage Xuan Miao''s knees, and he couldn''t help but pick it up.


    "Let your disciple take it," Gu An''s voice floated over, and without hesitation, Sage Xuan Miao instructed the Fox Demon youth to swallow it.


    The elixir dissolved upon entering the mouth. Sage Xuan Miao grabbed the Fox Demon youth''s wrist, carefully feeling for any changes, and soon, his face lit up with joy.


    He looked up and asked, "May I ask, Mountain God, what poison was in my disciple?"


    "The poison of the Ephemera. He must have gone to a place where Ephemeras grow and ingested some by mistake," Gu An replied from atop a branch.


    The petite Mountain God elicited a wide-eyed stare from the Fox Demon youth.


    Sage Xuan Miao''s complexion darkened as he clenched his teeth, "The Ephemera Sect has indeed been a blight for a thousand years, their crimes are unpardonable!"


    Gu An crouched on the branch, looking at them, "Your disciple has been saved. It''s time for you to go. Remember, don''t reveal my existence to anyone, or I will trouble you."


    Sage Xuan Miao looked up, "Mountain God, would you impart to me the ultimate skill to become number one in the world? I am willing to exchange all that I have." Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Being defeated by An Hao had become his obsession.


    This was also why he had been reluctant to return, as he felt too ashamed to face his peers.


    "The first in the world? If you could become the first, you wouldn''t be seeking me out. Since you can''t become the first, all that you have is not worth the value of the first," Gu An said casually.


    A look of hope sparked in Sage Xuan Miao''s face despite his displeased expression.


    The Mountain God had not rejected him!


    He had only been testing the waters but now saw a real possibility.


    After all, no disciple from Three Pure Ones Mountain had ever encountered a terrestrial immortal; such beings were incredibly elusive.


    Sage Xuan Miao said, "Please, Mountain God, enlighten me. As long as it doesn''t contravene the principles of Three Pure Ones Mountain, I will surely comply!"


    Gu An feigned deep contemplation, arms crossed, and after a while, he suddenly spoke, "I have it. The divine skill you used to summon the Mystic Heart Realm cultivator, give it to me in exchange."


    Sage Xuan Miao''s face changed drastically.


    His reverence for the Mountain God deepened!


    The Mountain God could discern his reliance on rituals, showing the high level of the Mountain God''s practice.


    Moreover, the location of that battle was so far from here.


    Sage Xuan Miao hastily said, "The skill is called Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate. It can only summon others and poses no harm to the common people. I am willing to exchange it with you, Mountain God."


    While speaking, he took out a scroll from his sleeve and held it up.


    Gu An gestured, and the scroll flew to his side. After a brief scan with his divine sense and ensuring its authenticity, he waved his right hand.


    A book quickly landed in front of Sage Xuan Miao.


    Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body!


    Seeing these five characters, Sage Xuan Miao''s eyes lit up.


    Sooner or later, Gu An planned to advance the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, so he didn''t mind imparting it, especially since the skill originated from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.


    He was curious to see how many years it would take for Sage Xuan Miao, with his talent, to master the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.


    Sage Xuan Miao picked up the secret tome and began flipping through it. Gu An was in no rush and stored the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate scroll in his storage bag.


    After a while, Sage Xuan Miao''s hands trembled.


    Suddenly, he closed the secret tome, tucked it into his chest, and then extracted seven wooden boxes from the storage ring on his thumb.


    He said, "This ultimate skill is stronger than the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate; I cannot take advantage of you. These seeds are all of seventh-order heavenly materials and earthly treasures, presented to me by various dynasties. I had planned to use them to enhance my cave, but now I offer them to you!"


    Hmm?


    Considerate!


    Gu An''s goodwill towards Sage Xuan Miao increased.


    He gestured and placed the seven wooden boxes on the nearby tree trunk, "You may leave now."


    Sage Xuan Miao immediately kowtowed, then had the Fox Demon youth do the same, before pulling him away without lingering.


    Gu An watched their departing backs, inwardly reflecting, "This truly is a karmic bond."


    It wasn''t the bond between him and Sage Xuan Miao he was referring to, but rather that between Sage Xuan Miao and the Fox Demon youth.


    He couldn''t help but conduct another life span detection.


    [Underworld Fox Demon (Energy Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer): 14/999/14000]


    This maximum life span was exactly the same as that of the Underworld Demon Emperor, and both bore the name "Underworld," definitely related!


    Gu An even suspected that this individual might be the Underworld Demon Emperor himself!

 Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Becoming the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect!

    The sky was high and the air was brisk, early autumn''s breeze making one''s mood cheerful.


    Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An was picking medicinal herbs, while Lu Lingjun followed closely, carrying a bamboo basket to collect the bundled herbs he handed over.


    "I see you not doing anything significant on normal days; why do I need to guard you?" Lu Lingjun said with a trace of resentment.


    An Inner Sect Elder guarding an Outer Disciple?


    If word got out, it would be a disgrace to the Inner Sect Elders of the Supreme Sect!


    "I haven''t troubled you much on normal days either. You enjoy the treatment of an Inner Sect Elder, and you even get to meditate under the Mystic Pure Tree. Many elders envy you," Gu An said nonchalantly, unable to keep a smile from curving his lips.


    Now, the harvest was all sixth-grade medical herbs, each one bringing sixty to a hundred years of life span!


    Gardening surely was more delightful!


    Killing a Unification Realm Cultivator would give about the same life span, with much more grudge involved!


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Lu Lingjun found them logical, but still felt that her task was beneath her status, showing at least that Lv Baitian didn''t respect her.


    Lu Lingjun had already set a new goal in her heart.


    That was to become the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect!


    Since Lv Baitian had tied her and Gu An together, she had to establish a better relationship with him.


    Gu An had significant advantages, especially with the high-rank medical herbs in this Medicine Valley, which were enough to grant him substantial influence.


    In the future, she would protect Gu An and use his medicinal herbs to draw people in, establishing a power group centered around them, and gradually plot their course.


    Thinking this, a smile suddenly bloomed on Lu Lingjun''s face, like a lively flower, which Gu An happened to witness causing him to shiver.


    "What''s with that expression, you aren''t scheming against me, are you?" Gu An asked warily.


    Lu Lingjun smiled and said, "How could I scheme against you? You are my Valley Master. Without your connections, how could I have the treatment I have today?"


    "Cough cough, nowadays I don''t even restrict your cultivation time under the tree anymore. The outcome is better now, isn''t it? After all, the Supreme Sect''s seventh-grade precious trees are few and far between," Gu An feigned a cough and said, then continued to bend down picking herbs.


    "Yes, yes, you''re right, I owe you a favor, and I''ll repay it in the future."


    "That''s more like it."


    Lu Lingjun no longer disturbed Gu An as he worked.


    30 minutes later, the two returned.


    Along the way, Lu Lingjun asked, "Valley Master, don''t you want to improve your cultivation level? Making it onto the Golden List shows your qualifications aren''t bad, it''s just that you don''t love to practice."


    The higher Gu An''s cultivation level, the more it would benefit her grand plans!


    "Even if not bad, I''m definitely not a genius. My place on the List is thanks to magic artifacts. Stop persuading me. Even if I live for seven or eight hundred years with arduous practice, most of that time would be spent on cultivation. Why shouldn''t I just enjoy life?


    Not practicing is avoiding detours since my talents are not as incredible as yours," Gu An argued with conviction, not knowing why, but Lu Lingjun felt a bit of melancholy.


    As an Ascender, throughout her journey, she indeed had seen too many who spent their lives without escaping their fate.


    Countless people practiced arduously their entire lives and still died during Tribulation Crossing, were killed out of revenge, or succumbed to inner demons.


    Even for her, upon reflection, has she had as many happy moments in her life as this person has?


    At this moment, Gu An''s image in Lu Lingjun''s heart began to change.


    Although Gu An''s cultivation level was low, he possessed a kind of enlightenment and perspective on life that was hard for others to match.


    Lu Lingjun hastened her step to keep up with Gu An and asked, "Valley Master, then do you think I should learn from you?"


    "Learn from me? Ridiculous. Your realm has already demonstrated your talents; life is about striving. I lack the talents, so I strive for the richness of life; you have the talents, you should pursue the length of life," Gu An said offhandedly, certainly not letting anyone else emulate him, for he could harvest life spans, while others couldn''t.


    His argument was merely to conceal his real strength, not actually to guide others.


    After hearing this, Lu Lingjun respected Gu An even more.


    The two talked and made their way back to the loft area.


    It was not until evening that Gu An arrived at the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    A fortnight had passed since he swapped Divine Skills with Sage Xuan Miao.


    Gu An planted the seven seventh-grade celestial treasures Sage Xuan Miao gave him inside the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion; he wasn''t worried about revealing the mansion since, if it were to be exposed, he could relocate it by shrinking the entire mountain with Great and Minor Ruyi and moving it elsewhere.


    Because these seeds were of high grade, he made a trip here every other day, fearing they might grow incorrectly or clash with each other.


    After checking everything and making sure there were no problems, Gu An smiled.


    He spent all year reaping life spans, so running back and forth did not tire him but rather filled him with enthusiasm.


    At his next breakthrough, he planned to establish another cave elsewhere, recruit people to manage the new cave, and he would take care of harvesting.


    Those managing the cave should ideally be able to endure solitude.


    But all that was for another time.


    He approached the wooden house, brought out the Ziwei Array Chronicles and a pile of formation materials, and began trying to construct a formation.


    The new cave would definitely need many sets of formations; he needed to prepare in advance.


    Meanwhile.


    Thousands of miles away, hidden in a Taoist temple within the forest.


    Sage Xuan Miao sat in front of the Pill Furnace, cultivating the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, his hands continuously changing spells, faint dark green Demonic Qi emerging from his body, encircling him.


    Knock, knock¡ª


    The door was gently tapped, and without opening his eyes, Sage Xuan Miao said, "Come in."


    As the words fell, the door was pushed open, and a Fox Demon youth walked in.


    He knelt in front of Sage Xuan Miao and said softly, "Master, I just had a nightmare."


    "What nightmare?"


    "I dreamt that the sky tore apart, countless demons and cultivators burst forth, wantonly slaughtering all the living beings on the ground. I also saw a massive and terrifying tree with a face growing on it..."


    The fox demon youth replied, his voice trembling as he spoke, unsure whether due to fear or the chill wind blowing in from outside.


    Sage Xuan Miao opened his eyes, the demonic qi around him dissipating. He took out a compass and began to cast spells for divination.


    The fox demon youth watched him, deeply curious about the compass in his hand.


    The compass burst into light, with tiny stars ascending. Sage Xuan Miao raised his other hand toward the forehead of the fox demon youth. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instantly, the fox demon youth could not move. He widened his eyes, his gaze shifting upward.


    Sage Xuan Miao''s finger drew out strands of light from his forehead from a distance, then led them into the light star above the compass.


    Boom¡ª


    A wave of energy burst forth from above the compass, followed by the light stars exploding, forming an illusion¡ªthe very nightmare the fox demon youth had.


    In the illusion, the sky continuously ripped apart, with dark cracks spreading across the mountains and forests. Countless demons and black-robed cultivators emerged, sweeping through everything in the woods. Wherever they went, black mist spread, all things withered, and living beings turned to bones.


    The terrifying scenes made Sage Xuan Miao frown.


    After watching for a while, his expression drastically changed because he saw the North Sea!


    The fox demon youth looked as well, equally afraid, not wanting to recall his own dream.


    After a long time.


    Sage Xuan Miao put away the compass, walked out of the Daoist temple, and into the courtyard. He took out a piece of yellow paper, quickly wrote several lines, folded it, and then burned it with his own spiritual fire.


    The yellow paper turned to flying ashes, which shimmered with a faint light, quickly disappearing.


    The fox demon youth asked from behind, "Master, what are you doing?"


    "I''m sending a message to our sect."


    "Is it the Three Pure Ones Mountain you often talk about?"


    "Correct."


    "Master, when can you take me to Three Pure Ones Mountain?"


    "Practice diligently. Outer Disciples who wish to enter the Three Pure Ones Mountain must pass through numerous trials. Your cultivation level and character are not yet sufficient."


    Sage Xuan Miao casually replied, gave the fox demon youth a word of caution, and then left the Daoist temple.


    The moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, shining on the fox demon youth. He watched the direction in which Sage Xuan Miao departed, his innocent face slowly turning stern, his eyes flashing with a cold light.


    "Mountain God, huh..."


    ...


    Inside the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Gu An set down the brush and talisman paper in his hand, his expression stern.


    [The Underworld Fox Demon has developed hostility toward you, wary of your strength. Do you wish to perform Life Span Detection on it?]


    Wary?


    What degree of hostility does this entail?


    Should I kill it?


    Just thinking about the Underworld Fox Demon''s maximum lifespan of 14,000 years made him uncomfortable.


    Although demons generally have much longer lifespans than humans of the same realm, any who live up to ten thousand years are considered Great Demons.


    Gu An looked up, his divine sense seeing Sage Xuan Miao approaching him.


    Meet with Sage Xuan Miao first, then decide.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Sage Xuan Miao arrived in the woods and knelt on the ground, calling out loudly, "I have a matter that requires the presence of the Mountain God."


    As his voice fell, the Mountain God appeared on a nearby tree branch without any warning, which secretly impressed Sage Xuan Miao with the vastness of the Mountain God''s divine skills.


    Before Gu An could speak, Sage Xuan Miao took out the compass and, while performing a spell, relayed the dream of his disciple.


    Once the compass had recreated the dream, Sage Xuan Miao added, "There was the North Sea in the dream. This could be a calamity originating from the North Sea."


    Gu An inwardly cursed.


    Ephemera Sect again!


    The tree in the dream was the Ephemera Tree. It seems the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage is preparing to launch a major assault on the Nine Dynasties.


    Just how many Ephemera Trees are there?


    Gu An felt an urge to completely obliterate the Ephemera Sect to prevent these folks from interfering with his farming.


    But before that, Gu An planned to teach the Underworld Fox Demon a lesson.


    "Your disciple is no ordinary person. Whether he is a curse or a blessing, it''s hard to tell." Gu An said leisurely.


    Upon hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao''s face turned pale.


    He seemed to recall something, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.


    Gu An found this reaction quite strange.


    Did my words have such a great impact?


    Sage Xuan Miao remembered what his master had once told him, "Xuan Miao, in your life, you face nine tribulations, each a matter of life and death, arising from your interactions with the mortal world. They are inescapable, irremovable, only by breaking through can you achieve Nirvana."


    He looked at Gu An again, his eyes filled with respect.


    Truly a Mountain God, able to see through fate and causality.


    Taking a deep breath, he slowly stood up and then bowed deeply to Gu An, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Mountain God. I will be careful!"


    Having said this, he turned and left.


    Gu An tilted his head, his face under the theatrical mask full of confusion.

 Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Nine Nether Domain, Great Chaos Under Heaven

    After returning to the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Gu An lost interest in practicing formations, and instead began to watch the drama unfold, his divine sense following Sage Xuan Miao.


    As expected, when Sage Xuan Miao returned to the Daoist temple, a conflict erupted with the Underworld Fox Demon.


    Darkness conveniently ushered in a heavy rain, causing noise throughout heaven and earth.


    In the rainy night, Sage Xuan Miao, holding a treasure sword, questioned the Underworld Fox Demon about his origins.


    The Underworld Fox Demon, in panic, said he had been injured before and had forgotten his origins; had it not been for his master saving him, he would have died under the claws of another demon.


    The master and disciple duo erupted into intense conflict under the rainy night. After arguing for a while, Sage Xuan Miao, chanting about breaking through calamity and seemingly possessed, raised his sword to strike the Underworld Fox Demon.


    The Underworld Fox Demon, terrified, hastily fled, pleading bitterly, but failed to awaken even a trace of pity in Sage Xuan Miao.


    Gu An sensed a trace of demonic qi in Sage Xuan Miao, unsure whether this individual inherently harbored demonic tendencies or if it was caused by practicing the Yin Yang extremities.


    Ultimately, the Underworld Fox Demon could not continue the act and erupted with strong demon energy, simultaneously beginning to madly absorb nature''s spiritual energy, rapidly condensing into a fearsome demonic shadow that at first glance, resembled some kind of summoning spell.


    The terrifying presence of the demonic shadow was comparable to the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm, leading Gu An to guess that it was the Underworld Demon Emperor.


    As a Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator, Sage Xuan Miao simply couldn''t defeat this demonic shadow. In the critical moment, he once again used Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate, calling upon a Mahayana Cultivator from the Mystic Heart Realm to intervene.


    As soon as the Mahayana Cultivator made a move, he directly dissipated the demonic shadow, and the Underworld Fox Demon took the chance to escape.


    In the critical moment, Sage Xuan Miao softened his heart, allowing the Mahayana Cultivator to spare the Underworld Fox Demon.


    When the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate dispersed, Sage Xuan Miao collapsed once more, beginning to cough up blood frantically.


    It seems the cost of using the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate was very high!


    Truly, a thrilling sequence of conflicts!


    Gu An felt moved, feeling as if he were reading a novel.


    [The Underworld Fox Demon has generated hostility towards you, detesting you to the bone. Do you want to perform Life Span Detection on it?]


    Here it comes!


    Time to work!


    Gu An got up, beginning to move his limbs.


    ...


    Within the forest, the Underworld Fox Demon quickly fled. Under the downpour, he appeared very bedraggled.


    Unsure how long he had been running, he stopped under a large tree, pressing on the wound at his waist, the rain drenching his long hair, and his face turning fierce.


    "Mountain God¡­ damn it, I was almost successful¡­"


    The Underworld Fox Demon muttered to himself, his eyes filled with a murderous intent.


    He did not believe in any Mountain God; that person was probably transformed by some malevolent spirit. In any case, daring to ruin his plan to enter the Three Pure Ones Mountain, he was determined to take revenge.


    "Are you talking about me?" A voice suddenly rang next to the Underworld Fox Demon''s ear, startling him enough to instinctively turn his head, only to see a figure in white robes wearing a theatrical mask standing on his shoulder.


    Before he could react, a terrifying divine sense assaulted his soul.


    Huh?


    So here you are!


    When Gu An''s divine sense intruded into the Underworld Fox Demon''s body, he discovered another primordial spirit hidden in the depths of the Underworld Fox Demon''s soul.


    The Underworld Demon Emperor!


    This guy was really formidable, to have escaped the notice of Mahayana Cultivators.


    Unfortunately for him, he should not have harbored ill intentions!


    Gu An began to use the Soul Capturing Skill, seizing the memories of the Underworld Demon Emperor.


    The memories of the Underworld Demon Emperor were exceedingly vast: Gu An, deeming it troublesome, took only the most recent hundred years of memories. After a quick Soul Search, he finally understood the origins of the Underworld Demon Emperor.


    The Underworld Demon Emperor came from the Nine Nether Road, a demon from within the Nine Nether Domain who had long suffered persecution from the Ephemera Sect. Two hundred years ago, taking advantage of the Ephemera Sect''s opening of the Nine Nether Road, he escaped to the Nine Dynasties.


    Over two hundred years, he had wandered the world, visiting many sects. He considered the mightiest sect to be the Three Pure Ones Mountain. The rich foundation of Daoist sorcery at the Three Pure Ones Mountain, established for over ten thousand years, made it the most ancient sect in the lands of the Nine Dynasties.


    He attempted to infiltrate it but was discovered just as he stepped halfway through the sect gate, nearly dying at the Three Pure Ones Mountain. Therefore, throughout the following years, he constantly kept the Three Pure Ones Mountain in his thoughts.


    The Underworld Fox Demon was a small fox seized by the Underworld Demon Emperor; its original soul had been erased. He was using a special seizing technique, difficult to be detected.


    The reason he manifested the scene of the Ephemera Sect attacking was to force Sage Xuan Miao back to the Three Pure Ones Mountain, to not linger in the North Sea Mountain. Unexpectedly, after learning of this, Sage Xuan Miao went to find the Mountain God.


    This caused the Underworld Demon Emperor to harbor hostility towards the Mountain God. After a major battle once Sage Xuan Miao returned to settle accounts, his hostility towards the Mountain God turned into a killing intent.


    The whole affair felt somewhat coincidental, but now that the Underworld Demon Emperor harbored a killing intent towards Gu An, he could not let him live.


    An hour later.


    Gu An withdrew his divine sense, using Taiching True Fire to burn the Underworld Fox Demon, reducing him to ashes, completely obliterating his soul, successfully seizing ninety-three years of life span.


    He then returned to the Supreme Sect.


    Back in the attics of Mystic Valley, Gu An sat at his desk, taking out paper and a pen. First, he wrote down three big characters.


    Nine Nether Domain! S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Through the memories of the Underworld Demon Emperor, Gu An learned that the Nine Nether Road was an independent world, known as the Nine Nether Domain, inhabited by the Demon Clan, Demon Clan, and malevolent spirits, constantly oppressed by the Ephemera Sect.


    He planned to write the Nine Nether Domain into an encyclopedia, later in another form to pass on to the Supreme Sect, facilitating their exploration.


    ...


    The leaves of autumn carpeted Mystic Valley. Over twenty Servant Disciples were busy sweeping the fallen leaves.


    Gu An walked downstairs, just in time to see several disciples of the Supreme Sect flying overhead, traveling extremely fast.


    He just glanced once before withdrawing his gaze, preparing to head towards the Third Medicine Valley.


    Before reaching the Transmission Array Platform, Gu An sensed a presence. He stopped and turned to look at the working Servant Disciples.


    Half an hour later, Ye Lan flew into the Medicine Valley, pulling Gu An upstairs to talk.


    After closing the door, Ye Lan said in a deep voice, "The Nine Nether Road is in urgent trouble; the Ephemera Sect has arrived. A great battle is about to erupt, not just at the Nine Nether Road, but Ephemera Sect''s demon cultivators have also appeared in various places. This situation is completely different from the past. The Law Enforcement Hall must go out to protect the common people.


    I need to leave today!"


    Is it that urgent?


    Gu An immediately took out a batch of healing pills and handed them to Ye Lan.


    Ye Lan did not refuse and cautioned, "During this time, you must be careful. According to our previous investigations, there are still spies from the Ephemera Sect within the Supreme Sect. This time, we are facing the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage, and they might come out in full force. This is a calamity that occurs once in a thousand years!"


    "I understand. Take care of yourself; don''t let go of the White Spirit Sword," Gu An nodded.


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan lifted the White Spirit Sword in her hand and smiled, "Alright!"


    After she passed on some important intelligence, she hurriedly left.


    Gu An stood in front of the pavilion, watching her leave. He had already felt the outbreak of battles in the distance, and not just in one place.


    This time, the Ephemera Sect''s offensive was far greater than before; previously it was defense, but now it was an invasion.


    Gu An had no immediate plans to act; he decided to let the Nine Dynasties withstand it first to avoid startling the enemy.


    His target was dealing with that Mahayana Cultivator.


    Before that, Gu An decided to find a place to make a breakthrough.


    A Mahayana versus Mahayana, no confidence!


    Gu An''s combat experience was too limited, while his opponent was surely an old monster who had lived for thousands of years.


    He was not good at fighting life-and-death battles, only at crushing enemies.


    He needed to find a suitable place.


    It couldn''t be the North Sea Mountains anymore; the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion was there, and he couldn''t disrupt the spiritual energy ecosystem.


    Having thought so, Gu An headed to the Third Medicine Valley then to the Inner Sect.


    With the Valley Master Token of the Third Medicine Valley, he could freely enter the Inner Sect.


    Half an hour later.


    Gu An stepped into the Inner Sect City. Having not visited for several months, the atmosphere in the Inner Sect City was very tense. The cultivators passing by were all hurrying, very anxious.


    He heard the surrounding disciples discussing the attack of the Ephemera Sect. Apparently, the news had already been made public in the four major Inner Sect cities.


    Listening to these disciples'' discussions, it turned out that it wasn''t only the Taicang Dynasty facing the invasion of the Ephemera Sect but all of the other eight dynasties as well.


    It was said that the second batch of disciples sent to the Nine Nether Road had suffered over half casualties, and even an elder had fallen there.


    It sounded urgent, and even Gu An was affected.


    He made his way to the Book Collection Hall and went up to the third floor. This floor contained various maps and records of different areas.


    Due to the Ephemera Sect''s assault, there were very few disciples in the Book Collection Hall; the third floor was even emptier with only Gu An and a managing elder present.


    After a while.


    Just as Gu An was browsing through books, an elderly voice came over, "Young friend, what are you looking for?"


    Gu An turned to look and saw the managing elder Xu Lu casually walking over.


    He turned and bowed to Xu Lu, saying, "Disciple wishes to see how vast this world is."


    This Xu Lu appeared weak and old, but he actually possessed the Nascent Soul Realm cultivation level, which is the minimum requirement for an Inner Sect Elder.


    "Do you want the largest map? It''s not here; come with me," Xu Lu cocked his head, signaling Gu An to follow his steps.


    Gu An was secretly puzzled, wondering why the other party was doing this.


    He could only follow and see how things unfolded.


    "Previously you bought the Green Hero Travelogue here, right?" Xu Lu said nonchalantly.


    Gu An replied, "Yes, does the elder have any advice?"


    So it was about the Green Hero Travelogue.


    Xu Lu leisurely said, "Ever since a book called Supreme Secret Records circulated in the market, not many people are buying the Green Hero Travelogue, which has saddened my friend. Since you still enjoy the Green Hero Travelogue, I will bestow upon you my collection of a continent map, drawn by a Supreme Elder who traveled the world."


    Gu An, hearing this, immediately showed interest and asked, "Elder, is Green Hero a man or a woman?"


    "Naturally a man; no woman writes such books."


    "Is Green Hero still in the sect?"


    "Actually, no, but occasionally someone sends books back."


    The two chatted while walking to a door. Xu Lu asked Gu An to wait while he pushed open the door and entered.


    It wasn''t long before Xu Lu came out with a large scroll in hand and also holding a book. He handed these two items to Gu An, saying, "Take this back and copy it; remember to bring it back when you come next time."


    Gu An placed the scroll and the book in his storage bag and then thanked Xu Lu.


    Xu Lu cautioned, "With your cultivation level, you should travel through just the Nine Dynasties, do not form a Nascent Soul, do not go to the Demon Land, and especially do not go south into the sea."


    "Junior understands," Gu An replied.


    Xu Lu waved his hand, signaling him to leave.


    Gu An immediately left, but just as he reached the staircase, he felt a strong divine sense sweep over him.


    There was a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator in the building!


    Could it be one of the Supreme Elders reading here?


    Including Sage Xuan Quan, the Supreme Sect now had two Mystic Heart Realm cultivators!


    This further fueled Gu An''s desire to breakthrough.


    All because of the Ephemera Sect, bringing back so many old monsters!

 Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Breaking Through the Ninth Layer of the Nirvana Realm!

    Gu An didn''t use his Divine Sense to probe the Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator in the Book Collection Hall because Divine Sense vision could not carry out Life Span Detection. Using Divine Sense would be meaningless, and if by chance the other party had cultivated some unique technique that allowed them to sense higher realm scrutiny, it could unnecessarily cause trouble.


    After the return to Mystic Valley, Gu An went upstairs and then took out the map scroll and the book Xu Lu had given him.


    The book was named Chronicles of the World, which recorded the general situation of various places. It contained information on all the regions marked on the map.


    Gu An carefully inspected it, looking for a suitable place to make his breakthrough.


    From the map, the nine dynasties together only occupied one-tenth of the continent''s area; the rest was all land rampant with demons, with various mountain ranges and rivers that sounded scary by name alone, such as Demon Shadow Peak, Demon Bone Mountain Range, Human Head Ghost Forest, Falling Immortal River, and so on.


    After much thought, Gu An decided to make his breakthrough in the Demon Land.


    Where demons ran rampant, the Spiritual Energy was immense.


    Moreover, since ancient times, there have never been the same dangers in the demon lands as are found at sea.


    This map was the best proof, after all, a Supreme Elder had traveled across the entire continent.


    Until nightfall, Gu An quietly set out, heading east and a bit northward.


    With the map in hand, stepping with the Limitless Freedom Step, he swiftly navigated through the darkness of the night, quickly leaving the Taicang Dynasty behind.


    In less than twenty steps, Gu An had crossed out of the lands of the nine dynasties and entered the Demon Land.


    He felt the Demon Energy, Demonic Qi, and ghost Qi in the air double, with evil spirits lurking everywhere within his Divine Sense''s range.


    As far as the eye could see, the land and mountains were shrouded in thick fog, with each peak looming like a tremendous demon, vaguely visible and terribly foreboding.


    Gu An sensed the presence of living beings, most of which were demons.


    Occasionally, he could spot the figures of cultivators who, during the deep night, were all hiding and had set up formations to conceal themselves.


    After half an Ancient Hour.


    Gu An arrived at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, a colossal mountain towering tens of thousands of feet high, with a range stretching tens of thousands of miles. Chronicles of the World noted that, in ancient times, a phoenix descended upon this mountain and gave birth to its offspring, thus it was named Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain was occupied by demon creatures. The author of Chronicles of the World had encountered an attack by a Great Demon on par with the Unification Realm while passing this area.


    Perhaps the Spiritual Energy in Heavenly Phoenix Mountain was not the richest, but at least it wasn''t a place not to be ventured into.


    Gu An''s Divine Sense covered the entire Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, feeling the presence of three Great Demons of the Unification Realm, with the number of demon creatures exceeding one million, and countless more lesser demon creatures not yet transformed into spirits.


    With so many demon creatures on just this one mountain, it''s no wonder that the Demon Tribulation was formed.


    Gu An settled in a forest midway up the mountain; he sat down under a tree and directly activated the Life Span Barrier.


    Following his gaze, the forest was sparse, with Spirit Mist churning, and the grass on the ground was blown by the night wind, looking like waves, eerily stirring.


    Gu An watched for a while, retracted his gaze, and then called up his Attribute Panel.


    Seeing his own lifespan of 2,380,000 years, Gu An felt somewhat pained.


    This breakthrough would require who knows how many failures, probably costing years of effort.


    But he had to spend it, for staying alive was most important!


    Let''s start with a hundred thousand years of lifespan to steady the nerves!


    With a thought, Gu An immediately invested his lifespan into his cultivation.


    [You''ve invested one hundred thousand years of your lifespan into evolving your cultivation level through training]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for four thousand years; with the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill, you forcefully attempted to breakthrough into the Nirvana Realm, started Tribulation Crossing, but didn''t survive the Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation, failing the crossing]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for eight thousand years; with the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill, you forcefully attempted to breakthrough into the Nirvana Realm, started Tribulation Crossing, but didn''t survive the Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation, failing the crossing]


    ...


    Good grief!


    Four thousand years per Tribulation Crossing attempt?


    No wonder the Nirvana Realm is the first major obstacle in the Immortal Path Nine Tribulations!


    Prompt after prompt quickly appeared, but Gu An''s expression remained unchanged.


    One hundred thousand years of lifespan gone like running water!


    Let''s go for another hundred thousand years!


    The evolution training began once more!


    Gu An''s eyebrows twitched slightly.


    All failures again!


    Continue with another hundred thousand years!


    Gu An didn''t believe in curses; as he began the third hundred thousand years, his expression gradually turned grim.


    All failures again!


    Gu An''s complexion suddenly darkened, as he invested the fourth hundred thousand years.


    Failure alerts kept pricking at his mind, but fortunately, this time, he succeeded. Seeing the success prompt, the gloom in his heart was swept away, and a smile bloomed on his face.


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for seventy-four thousand years; with the Great Accomplishment of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill, you forcefully attempted to breakthrough into the Nirvana Realm, started Tribulation Crossing, survived the Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation, succeeding in the crossing, and your cultivation level broke through to the first layer of the Nirvana Realm]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for seventy-seven thousand years; your cultivation level has risen to the second layer of the Nirvana Realm]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for eighty thousand years; your cultivation level has risen to the third layer of the Nirvana Realm]


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for eighty-three thousand years; your cultivation level has risen to the fourth layer of the Nirvana Realm]


    ...


    [You practiced Energy Absorption for ninety-eight thousand years; your cultivation level has risen to the eighth layer of the Nirvana Realm]


    The eighth layer of the Nirvana Realm!


    It took five thousand years to go from the seventh to the eighth layer, so Gu An immediately invested another four thousand years of lifespan, successfully reaching the ninth layer of the Nirvana Realm!


    ```


    There was no helping it, Gu An was now unaccustomed to seeing numbers other than nine within minor realms.


    After reaching the ninth layer of the Nirvana Realm, he could accumulate life span peacefully again.


    Boom!


    The Earth Spirit Energy surged violently upwards, boring into Gu An''s body, causing his robe to disintegrate instantly. He raised his eyebrows slightly, continuing to endure the violent refinement of his body by the Spiritual Energy.


    Unlike his previous breakthroughs, this time, Gu An felt pain.


    Nirvana involved a transformation of both body and soul, so a bit of pain was understandable.


    At the same time, a flood of memories regarding the Nirvana Realm poured into his mind.


    As Gu An began to devour nature''s spiritual energy, the Spirit Energy of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain began to subside, and this spectacle was intense and sudden, startling all the demon creatures.


    Howling winds ravaged Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, and roars and cries echoed between heaven and earth, deafening and extremely terrifying.


    ...


    In the North Sea Mountain during the deep of night.


    In the forest, a dozen Supreme Sect disciples were seated around a campfire. Zhen Qin turned to look at Sage Xuan Miao, who was meditating under a tree nearby, thought for a moment, then stood up and walked over.


    "Senior, are you sure we don''t need to set up a Formation?" Zhen Qin cautiously asked.


    They were Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall, and when they were executing missions at the borders of the Taicang Dynasty, they were attacked by Demon Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect, all captured within a magic artifact, then taken all the way to the North Sea Mountain. It was Sage Xuan Miao''s rescue that saved them from unspeakable consequences.


    Sage Xuan Miao, eyes closed, calmly said, "It''s fine. If any Demon Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect come, I''ll just kill them."


    After the ordeal with the Underworld Fox Demon, his hatred for the Ephemera Sect was immense.


    He believed the Underworld Fox Demon hailed from the Ephemera Sect, or why else would it have consumed Ephemera Poison, and even informed him of an impending attack from the sect¡ªclearly, they had been plotting against him.


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin started to speak but stopped herself.


    Wasn''t this using them as bait?


    Although she was perplexed, she still held back her words.


    With their Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivation Level, it was difficult for them to stand on their own in the North Sea Mountain. They relied on Sage Xuan Miao''s protection, and Sage Xuan Miao was not a member of the Supreme Sect and had no obligations to protect them. At this time, she couldn''t afford to offend him.


    Zhen Qin turned around and returned to her previous spot, continuing her meditation.


    The other Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall began whispering amongst themselves, discussing the Ephemera Sect.


    With the world in turmoil, the calamity sparked by the Ephemera Sect this time far exceeded the past. These Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall felt the pressure, fearing they might die in this tribulation. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t worry. This region is under the protection of a Mountain God. Once my injuries have healed, I will send you back to the Taicang Dynasty."


    The voice of Sage Xuan Miao reached them, prompting all disciples to look in his direction.


    A male disciple asked curiously, "Mountain God? What Mountain God?"


    Sage Xuan Miao answered, "Naturally, it''s a mountain''s Immortal God. As for its location, I will not tell you."


    The group exchanged glances, feeling that Sage Xuan Miao was spouting nonsense. Could his head have been hurt in the previous encounter?


    Even Zhen Qin felt that there was something wrong with Sage Xuan Miao''s mind.


    For a moment, the forest fell into silence.


    ...


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, the forest shook like wild waves, the ground trembled slightly, Spirit Mist descended, and Demon Mist rose, giving the impression of dragon shadows surging everywhere, a spectacular scene.


    Bare-bodied Gu An was seated under a tree, and after an hour of settling, he finally made his breakthrough to the Nirvana Realm!


    Upon reaching the Nirvana Realm, Spiritual Power transformed into Mana, and his Primordial Spirit underwent a metamorphosis!


    Gu An''s Mystic Heart was already covered with runes, ready to hatch his very own Divine Skills.


    He already had an idea, to create Divine Skills based on his own cultivation technique.


    The speed at which he absorbed nature''s spiritual energy had not decreased, and he continued doing so. There was still some time before he would reach the ninth layer of the Nirvana Realm.


    He opened his eyes, frowning.


    A Demon Creature was flying towards the forest he was in, a hundred miles away currently. If the demon did not change its course, it would likely breach his Life Span Barrier.


    "May the heavens bless you, for if you encroach, even if we have no grudges, you''ll have to die,"


    Gu An silently thought, then closed his eyes again.


    He did not take pleasure in the senseless slaughter, which included the demon creatures. As long as they possessed intelligence, he always felt that random killing would accumulate karma for himself.


    However, if any being threatened him, he would not be merciful.


    Time kept passing.


    Another hour went by.


    Gu An''s Cultivation Level had reached the sixth layer of the Nirvana Realm, and the fierce winds around the world began to wane, not because the pace of his spiritual energy devouring had slowed but because the Spirit Energy of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain was nearly depleted. Now, his Life Span Barrier was drawing Spiritual Energy from much farther areas.


    A few miles away.


    On a hillside, a red figure was making its way forward.


    As the Demon Mist in the sky dissipated, the bright moon emerged, and beneath the moonlight, a woman in red was moving forward. With her hair disheveled and feet bare, her gait was staggering as if she could fall at any moment.


    Her long hair was messy, some strands stuck to her face by blood, only her bright, large eyes were clear to see.


    Her gaze was downcast, and she looked extremely weak.


    "I can''t fall... I''ll rest further ahead in the forest..."


    The red-clothed woman murmured to herself, her vision already blurry.


    In this wobbly state, she covered the distance of a few miles, which took her half an hour. When she entered the forest, she collapsed into a clump of bushes, unable to get up again.


    She was less than a hundred yards from Gu An''s Life Span Barrier.


    ```

 Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Attack of the Ninth Layer of the Mystic Heart Realm

    ```


    After bidding farewell to Wu Jue, in the following days, Gu An saw a large number of Supreme Sect disciples flying over the airspace of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley every day.


    The Supreme Sect had begun its expedition!


    Standing on a terrace, Gu An looked into the distance and could see battles erupting in the Wanji Forest; the sects that arrived first had already launched their offensive against the Ephemera Sect.


    Unfortunately, the joint effort of forty Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators was nearly invincible, and ultimately, the cultivators of the various dynasties returned in defeat, waiting to accumulate more strength.


    Gu An then turned his gaze towards the Dust-free Wasteland, which had been reclaimed by the Ephemera Sect, where a continuous stream of Ephemera Sect cultivators flew out of the entrance to the Nine Nether Road, all heading towards the direction of the Taichen Dynasty.


    The nine dynasties were Taicang, Great Yu, Chentang, Tianwei, Taichen, Hanlu, Great Zhao, Great Jiang, and Wuzhen.


    The strength of the Taichen Dynasty lagged behind, located in the center of the nine dynasties with a not-so-small territory, which had been occupied by the Ephemera Sect.


    From a macro perspective, Gu An could see that, with the Taichen Dynasty as the center, cultivators from all directions were continuously going to lend support, presenting a magnificent sight.


    Watching this, Gu An couldn''t help but boil with zeal, wanting to join in on the action.


    However, he had to guard his own Medicine Valley; that was the most important thing.


    Moreover, if he made a move too soon, that Mahayana Cultivator might not show up again.


    The lack of action from the other party till now made Gu An feel that they were definitely preparing something.


    To Gu An, the massive altar in the Wanji Forest looked like a target; he suspected that the Ephemera Sect might launch a sneak attack on the Supreme Sect.


    It wasn''t just him who was suspicious. The Supreme Sect was clearly defensive as well; there was still one Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator left in the sect to guard it, and it wasn''t Ancestor Xuan Quan.


    A month later.


    The number of patrols in the cities of the Supreme Sect had increased, a tense atmosphere permeating within the sect, even affecting the servant disciples of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley.


    As the chief disciple of Mystic Valley, Lu Jiujia began arranging disciples to take turns guarding the mountaintops surrounding the Medicine Valley, to prevent any Ephemera Sect demon cultivators from approaching.


    The same was true for the Third Medicine Valley; the deacons took turns leading disciples on patrols.


    On this particular morning, in the Third Medicine Valley.


    The morning exercises had just ended, and Gu An was on his way to his own attic when he seemed to sense something, his eyes flickered, but he did not stop moving.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a thundering roar resonated between heaven and earth, startling everyone in the valley, who involuntarily shuddered and turned their heads to look.


    Across the sky in the direction of the Inner Sect, rolling thunderclouds emerged, sweeping towards the Third Medicine Valley as if to cover the entire sky.


    "What was that sound just now?"


    "Could it be an attack by the Ephemera Sect?"


    "Wasn''t the Ephemera Sect in the Taichen Dynasty?"


    "After all, if we, the Supreme Sect, are destroyed, the morale of the nine dynasties will surely fall significantly."


    "I hope it doesn''t affect our Medicine Valley¡­"


    The disciples gathered and began to discuss among themselves.


    Gu An also stopped in his tracks, standing in front of a wooden railing on the edge of a garden area, watching the distant sky, and peering at the battle in the Main City of the Sect.


    The Main City of the Sect was the Supreme Sect''s largest city, where Inner Sect Disciples could enter but not reside; only the various levels of power within the Supreme Sect lived there.


    At that moment, two Unification Realm Great Cultivators in the Main City of the Sect were fighting. As the two commenced combat, more and more cultivators joined the fray, eventually leading to a large-scale chaotic battle.


    It was not an attack by the Ephemera Sect, but spies of the Ephemera Sect had begun to act.


    Gu An watched for a while and noticed that the disciples causing trouble seemed to come from the same clan.


    Lu Lingjun came beside Gu An and said, "Valley Master, from now on, you''d better not leave the Medicine Valley."


    She, too, was looking towards the Main City of the Sect, her expression grave.


    She had already sensed the aura of at least five Unification Realm cultivators!


    It wasn''t just the Unification Realm that was enough to make her anxious; she had a premonition that something extremely terrible was about to happen.


    Gu An nodded slightly and then continued to watch the battle.


    The Third Medicine Valley quickly darkened, as if night had fallen.


    Rumbling¡ª¡ª


    A deep rumbling of thunder echoed across the sky, as if ancient beasts were roaring in the sea of clouds, deafening to the ears.


    "Your Excellency should reveal yourself now. The battle between you and me will determine the fate of the Supreme Sect!"


    A cold voice echoed through the entire Supreme Sect, making everyone who heard it feel a heaviness in their chests, very uncomfortable.


    Lu Lingjun''s expression shifted slightly; she was certain the owner of the voice had a cultivation level surpassing the Unification Realm!


    Gu An had already seen a figure walking above the sea of clouds, a person in a black robe and purple crown, with eighteen golden daggers floating behind. As the figure moved forward, his sleeves caught the wind, stirring up airwaves like dragons accompanying him, exuding overwhelming authority.


    Mystic Heart Realm fifth layer!


    This person was probably among the upper echelon of the hundred venerables within the Ephemera Sect; the Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators within the Supreme Sect were three minor cultivation stages below him.


    Meanwhile.


    In the Book Collection Hall in the Inner Sect City.


    Elder Xu Lu stood in front of the counter, looking at the figure descending the stairs in the distance, and couldn''t help but ask: "How confident are you?"


    Following his gaze, an old man with an aura of immortality in a black robe came down, holding a horsetail whisk, his face calm.


    Without pausing, the man walked down the stairs and left only one sentence:


    "One does one''s best."


    Xu Lu turned to look out the window, where the rolling thunderclouds seemed like a black ocean, stirring up frightening waves, oppressive and thrilling, worry evident in his eyes.


    "Today is the first time this poor Taoist will face a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator in combat since stepping into the Mystic Heart. May I inquire the name of your Excellency? My Taoist name is Ancestor Kusong."


    The voice of the black-robed elder resounded through the entire Supreme Sect, calming the restless atmosphere of the cities.


    Mystic Heart Realm?


    Lu Lingjun was hearing the name of this realm for the first time.


    ```


    Unification Realm above is Mystic Heart?


    Lu Lingjun had already captured the figure above the sea of clouds, her eyes brimming with envy and admiration.


    She was determined to reach this realm!


    No!


    She wanted to surpass the Mystic Heart Realm! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I am Venerable Chi Qian from the Ephemera Sect, and to die by my hand is an honor, for you have bore witness to the Path of Mystic Heart!"


    The previous voice rang out again, its tone of pride causing the cultivators of the Supreme Sect to sweat on behalf of Ancestor Kusong.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A tremendous oppressive force descended, enveloping the entire Supreme Sect; thunderclouds churned violently in the sky, as protective barriers of light were simultaneously lit up in each city, with formations fortifying against the impending battle pressures from above.


    Venerable Chi Qian and Ancestor Kusong had begun their battle!


    Both were combatting high in the sky, not affecting the ground below, yet their might was so strong that it caused mountains to tremble between heaven and earth.


    Lu Lingjun kept her gaze firmly fixed on the heavens, unwilling to miss any detail of the battle between two Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Gu An could not help but glance at her.


    Hmm?


    Could she achieve enlightenment from this?


    After a while,


    Lu Lingjun was still in a state of self-forgetfulness, while Gu An turned and headed towards the entrance of the valley.


    It wasn''t just Venerable Chi Qian who was sent by the Ephemera Sect; another even more powerful being had already arrived at the entrance of the Third Medicine Valley.


    From a distance, Gu An saw a woman clad in white, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, her presence mystical. Her fair hands were poised in front of her lower abdomen, pale as snow, her demeanor dignified as if she were a fairy descended from the heavens, making it hard to associate her with a demon cultivator of the Ephemera Sect.


    [Fairy Bai Xia (Mystic Heart Realm Nine Layers): 2180/4900/6500]


    Nine Layers of the Mystic Heart Realm!


    They really plan to utterly demolish the Supreme Sect!


    Gu An felt moved, his pace quickening.


    He soon approached Fairy Bai Xia and greeted her respectfully, "The Ephemera Sect is causing chaos, may I inquire as to why the Predecessor has come?"


    The veil hanging from Fairy Bai Xia''s hat allowed a faint glimpse of her red lips, seemingly heavily rouged.


    This witch was extremely cautious, having used some kind of secret technique to make her Cultivation Level appear to be at the first layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.


    "Little brother, the spiritual energy in this Medicine Valley is so rich, surely your identity is no simple matter, tell me, what is your identity," Fairy Bai Xia spoke, her voice melodious, stirring one''s imagination.


    Gu An raised his hand and caught her wrist, saying, "I am just an ordinary Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect."


    Fairy Bai Xia smiled, her laughter carrying a chill. She did not struggle from Gu An''s grip, but instead used the Sound Transmission Skill, "Rumors say that Sword Venerable Fudao is active within a thousand miles of this area. Young brother, if you have any information on Sword Venerable Fudao, I can spare your life."


    Gu An had anticipated that she would use the Sound Transmission Skill, so he chose to listen to her entirely.


    Gu An''s expression turned solemn, "It seems you truly are a demon cultivator!"


    In an instant, Fairy Bai Xia felt a force of overwhelming power invade her body; under the veil, her face lost its color. She tried to pull her hand away from Gu An but found she could not do it at all.


    Her eyes widened in disbelief.


    What frightened her even more was that she could neither speak nor let her Primordial Spirit emerge.


    She had never felt such terror before.


    Her Cultivation Realm began to fall rapidly, and her Primordial Spirit was pressed deep into her soul; her Cultivation Level dropped to the first layer of the Core Formation Realm, just as she had displayed outwardly.


    "Impossible..."


    Fairy Bai Xia was near collapse, her rationale slipping away with the immense strength of her adversary and the reduction of her Cultivation Level.


    Under her gaze of despair, Gu An produced a pearl.


    The Thousand-Shadow Pearl given to him by Lv Baitian!


    With his left hand gripping Fairy Bai Xia''s wrist, his right hand pressed the Thousand-Shadow Pearl against her abdomen.


    "Demon cultivator, take this!"


    Gu An shouted loudly. With a boom, the Thousand-Shadow Pearl burst forth with brilliant, strong light, and bursts of Strength Energy erupted, turning Fairy Bai Xia into a bloodied corpse, her blood splattering all over Gu An.


    The Thousand-Shadow Pearl could not kill someone of the Mystic Heart Realm, so before activating it, Gu An had used mana to forcibly scatter her soul, causing her to die instantly.


    His loud cry attracted the attention of many Servant Disciples.


    Lu Lingjun appeared out of nowhere in front of Gu An, frowning as she asked, seeing his bloodstained face, "Are you alright? Why didn''t you call for me just now?"


    Putting on an act of shock, Gu An said, "I thought an Inner Sect Disciple had come in, but she turned out to be a demon cultivator from the Ephemera Sect! We must destroy the corpse and erase the traces quickly, lest the Ephemera Sect come after us later!"


    His hand holding the Thousand-Shadow Pearl was trembling.


    Killing Fairy Bai Xia gained him four hundred and ninety-five years of Life Span, not a bad result!


    With a disapproving tone, Lu Lingjun said, "It looks like you weren''t scared out of your wits; look at you pretending to be afraid. You''re at least a Golden List Genius, and yet a demon cultivator who has just entered the Core Formation Realm has scared you into this state!"


    She then began to reminisce about her feelings from observing the battle.


    Deep down, she felt like she might have grasped something.


    Indeed, the Mystic Heart Realm is enviable!


    The gap between the Ninth Layer of Unification Realm and Mystic Heart Realm is unimaginable.


    Suddenly, she felt that only by achieving the Mystic Heart Realm could one truly be considered a Great Power cultivator!

 Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Are There Immortals in This World?

    Third Medicine Valley, the autumn breeze fluttering.


    Gu An stepped out from the Transmission Array Platform and walked toward a garden area in the distance.


    Although he had just broken through, he hadn''t forgotten the harvest times for the flowers and herbs in each garden.


    Before he had taken many steps, Lu Lingjun quickly caught up to him, saying, "Valley Master, let me accompany you to harvest." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An nodded, with no objections.


    After proceeding several miles, Gu An began to bend down to pick herbs, while Lu Lingjun took out a bamboo basket to collect them.


    "Valley Master, the world is in great chaos now. With my cultivation level, shouldn''t I go out and make a name for myself?" Lu Lingjun suddenly asked.


    So that was what it was about, no wonder she was so eager to help!


    Gu An casually replied, "Then go find the Sect Leader and see how he arranges for you."


    "If he wanted to summon me, he would have surely sent me a message by now."


    "In that case, stay in Medicine Valley. Who knows, maybe one day Demon Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect will sneak into Medicine Valley, and we will rely on you to protect it."


    "But..."


    "Lingjun, to think you are a Great Cultivator, yet why is your Daoist Heart so impatient? Isn''t it also meritorious to protect the herbs? Doesn''t this merit compare to the merit you would gain from killing enemies?"


    Gu An said sternly, but he did not stop his hands from moving.


    Having just spent over forty million years of his life span, he had to replenish it.


    Lu Lingjun gave in helplessly, seeking to go out and eradicate demons primarily for the grand scheme of the Sect Leader.


    However, she wasn''t yet ready to tell Gu An of her desire to become the Sect Leader, especially since Gu An had a closer relationship with Lv Baitian.


    Seeing her plan had failed, Lu Lingjun changed the subject, asking, "Valley Master, do you think there are Immortals in this world? The heavens and earth are vast; if there are Immortals, why can''t Mortal Spirits lay eyes on them?"


    "Of course there are, otherwise why would we Cultivators exist? It''s just that we''re still on the pursuit," Gu An answered.


    Of course there are!


    I am one!


    But I can''t tell you!


    Gu An gloated inwardly while at the same time, another thought struck him.


    Could it be that Immortals are hidden among the Mortal World, and his previous Divine Sense was simply incapable of detecting an Immortal''s presence?


    Or perhaps, Immortals are hidden on the other side of the ocean, beyond the Mortal Plane, where even as Immortals, they must continue to compete for higher realms.


    Nirvana is only the first step on the Immortal Path, and they must traverse through the Eight Tribulations before they can reach the pinnacle of the Immortal Path.


    Above the Immortal Path, what lies beyond?


    For a time, Gu An lost himself in endless reverie. Although his thoughts were adrift, it didn''t affect his herb gathering.


    "In the place where I was born, there were no Immortals. Cultivators who reached high levels could only seek to shatter the void, for we believe that the divine resides in parts of the universe inaccessible to Mortal Spirits," Lu Lingjun continued, a wistful expression on her face.


    After ascending, she suddenly felt there was no difference from before her ascension. She still had to struggle in the mortal world, which was now infinitely vast, but the Immortal Path remained as distant as ever.


    Gu An listened, occasionally chiming in with agreement.


    An hour later, the two returned to the loft area and then parted ways.


    Gu An walked towards the Mystic Pure Tree and saw Xiaochuan crouching on the ground from afar, observing the White Spirit Rat that was soundly asleep under the tree.


    Although Xiaochuan had raised many Demon Beasts, his favorite was still the White Spirit Rat, even if it paid him little attention.


    Suddenly, Gu An noticed that Xiaochuan''s figure seemed to have aged.


    Xiaochuan was only three years younger than Gu An and was now seventy years old. Moreover, he had yet to achieve Foundation Establishment, so how could he not show signs of aging?


    Gu An had once given Xiaochuan a Youth-Preserving Pill, but that could only keep his appearance young ¡ª Xiaochuan''s demeanor and mindset had begun to age.


    This realization left Gu An feeling somewhat bewildered.


    In a hundred years, Xiaochuan would leave him.


    Xiaochuan didn''t enjoy cultivation, and Gu An couldn''t force him. Fortunately, even without achievements in Immortal Cultivation, Xiaochuan still lived happily. Because of Gu An, he had no regrets in this life.


    Gu An approached Xiaochuan from behind and asked with a chuckle, "Xiaochuan, what are you looking at? If you want to hold it, just pick it up."


    Xiaochuan looked up and said helplessly, "It''s got a big temper. I tried to hold it earlier, and it scratched me."


    "Oh? Why didn''t you tell me? This rascal!"


    Gu An immediately walked over, grabbed the tail of the White Spirit Rat, and lifted it.


    The White Spirit Rat woke up startled, but upon seeing it was Gu An, stopped struggling at once.


    Gu An placed it in Xiaochuan''s arms and warned it with a look not to resist, leaving it no choice but to curl up sulkily.


    Seeing he finally held the White Spirit Rat, Xiaochuan''s face broke into an excited smile, and he began gently stroking its back.


    At that moment, Gu An felt the presence of a battle from afar.


    Mystic Heart Realm''s big fight!


    One of the auras was that of Xuan Quan the Elder!


    He looked only once and did not think to intervene.


    As long as Ephemera Sect''s Mahayana didn''t take action, he couldn''t be bothered. Nine dynasties'' calamity wasn''t his alone to bear, and he could not let Supreme Sect fall into a habit of depending on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After chatting with Xiaochuan for half an hour, Gu An then left.


    Xiaochuan put the White Spirit Rat down, which scampered away with a whoosh, returning to sleep under the Mystic Pure Tree.


    Xiaochuan turned to watch Gu An''s retreating figure, and for some reason, he felt he was growing further and further apart from Gu An.


    Even though they always kept company, and Gu An had no intention of leaving Supreme Sect, he just inexplicably felt a sense of loss.


    Fortunately, that feeling of loss came swiftly and left just as quickly.


    "Little Yang, come over here. Let''s go see the Spirit Chickens; they should be laying eggs today."


    Xiaochuan waved to a Servant Disciple not far away, and thinking of the Spirit Chicken laying eggs, a smile once again bloomed on his face.


    ...


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Inside an underground space, Gu An sat on the ground with a stele placed in front of him, stroking his chin in deep thought.


    Tian Yao''er crouched beside him, curiously watching, and after holding back for a long time, she couldn''t help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"


    Gu An answered, "I''m thinking of a name for this cave."


    Suddenly thinking of something, he opened his eyes and looked towards Tian Yao''er, "If I let you choose, what name would you pick?"


    Upon hearing this, Tian Yao''er tilted her head, pondered for a moment, and said, "How about ''Demon Nest''?"


    Gu An closed his eyes again, too lazy to continue the conversation.


    Tian Yao''er pouted. She lifted both hands, curved them into claws, and gently swiped at Gu An, then stuck out her tongue and made a face as if trying to scratch him.


    After the time it takes an incense stick to burn.


    Gu An stood up, startling Tian Yao''er into rising as well. She widened her eyes, watching Gu An.


    Gu An lifted his right hand, two fingers extended forward and aimed at the surface of the stele, making sweeping motions through the air.


    Tian Yao''er looked down and saw a faint energy brushing against the stele, inscribing four characters.


    Nianchu Cave.


    Nianchu, meaning to not forget one''s original intentions, Gu An feared that he would become arrogant in the future.


    Today''s conversation with Xiaochuan led to many reflections on life, and Nianchu was also a hope to remember the first group of people he met on the path to immortal cultivation.


    After carving the name, Gu An picked up the stele and walked off into the distance.


    Tian Yao''er followed step by step. Since Gu An''s return, she had not left his side beyond the distance of seven steps.


    After inserting the stele into its place, Gu An turned around and started casting spells with his hands, then squatted down and slapped his palms to the ground.


    Actually, he didn''t need to go through all this trouble; he was simply putting on a show for Tian Yao''er.


    As his mana burrowed into the soil, the barren ground began sprouting weeds. In less than three breaths, the entire area around Nianchu Cave was covered, leaving Tian Yao''er with eyes wide open in amazement.


    This was one of Gu An''s Mystic Heart Divine Powers, which he called All Things Divine Presence!


    All Things Divine Presence wasn''t merely capable of this; it could create flora using mana within the reach of his Divine Sense. These plants, infused with his mana, could provide him with a field of vision. They had countless marvelous uses and could form rapidly enough to be used as a lethal move.


    With a wave of his hand, Gu An could easily conjure a forest wall tens of thousands of feet high. As for the ultimate limit of this power, even he wasn''t sure for now.


    Just the thought of it filled him with anticipation.


    Beyond that, this divine power could also accelerate the growth of plants.


    Today, Gu An planned to conduct an experiment.


    He wanted to see whether speeding up the growth of herbs would affect the lifespan they absorbed.


    He took out a seed and buried it in the soil.


    Tian Yao''er was dumbfounded, looking at the greenery that carpeted the ground. She seriously doubted Gu An''s word, as she had never seen the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother employ such methods.


    Half an hour later.


    Gu An sighed, holding a fresh Rank Two Spirit Grass in his hand.


    Forcing growth did reduce lifespan indeed.


    He forcibly matured a Rank Two Spirit Grass within half an hour, but the attempt to absorb its lifespan failed. Based on the Life Span Detection, this Rank Two Spirit Grass was already at its end, yet it didn''t show the remaining lifespan in months, making it difficult for him to judge directly.


    It seemed that he had to farm honestly after all.


    Gu An cursed himself for being greedy. His ability to absorb lifespan was already quite remarkable, yet he still wanted more speed.


    He stood up, and Tian Yao''er beside him did the same, as if imitating him.


    "Don''t you have something to do?" Gu An couldn''t help but ask.


    Tian Yao''er blinked, "Do what?"


    "Don''t you want revenge? Why aren''t you cultivating?"


    "How do I cultivate? You haven''t taught me the Technique of Immortal Cultivation..." Tian Yao''er replied aggrievedly.


    One couldn''t help but feel pity for her when she looked so distressed.


    Gu An silently cursed ''demoness'' under his breath, then asked, "How did you improve your cultivation level?"


    He had seen Tian Yao''er''s past, but only ten years of it. From the very beginning, she was raised by the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother, who occasionally fed her various elixirs and medicinal broths. He thought she had learned the Technique of Immortal Cultivation when she was younger.


    "I don''t really know; it just increased like that..." Tian Yao''er replied.


    Upon thinking it over, Gu An considered this a good thing, as it meant she wouldn''t have to start her cultivation all over again.


    Then, Gu An began imparting the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill to Tian Yao''er.


    Tian Yao''er was completely clueless about cultivation, which made Gu An explain some basic cultivation knowledge to her.


    A night passed, and Tian Yao''er was finally able to absorb energy on her own, which relieved Gu An.


    During this process, he discovered that Tian Yao''er couldn''t read.


    He glanced towards the scattered assortment of books in the distance and pondered whether to leave a copy of the Supreme Secret Records; it had pictures after all.


    But immediately afterward, he dismissed the idea.


    That''s too underhanded!


    He couldn''t let an ignorant demoness read such books!


    If Tian Yao''er harbored improper thoughts later on, it could even affect his own cultivation here.


    It was all Shen Zhen''s fault, causing Gu An''s thoughts to become increasingly impure. Some books being forbidden made sense!

 Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Mountain God Descends, Punishment

    The autumn wind was bleak in the mountain forest as Zhen Qin and others followed Sage Xuan Miao.


    Sage Xuan Miao walked at the front, leaving a trail of blood that made everyone following extremely worried, but they knew that any attempt to comfort him would be futile.


    They just tried as best as they could not to disturb him.


    Boom¡ª


    A deafening explosion sounded from the distance, and a wild wind roared in, overpowering the trees; everyone hastened to mobilize their Spiritual Power to resist the fierce storm.


    Sage Xuan Miao used his sword to block, and his Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivation Level fended off most of the pressure.


    He couldn''t help spitting out a mouthful of blood, causing the Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall from the Supreme Sect behind him to worry for him.


    A few moments later, the windstorm ceased, and Sage Xuan Miao half-knelt, using his sword to steady his body.


    The surrounding forest was nearly all toppled, with grass and debris flying everywhere, creating utter chaos.


    Zhen Qin and others hurriedly gathered around, concerned for Sage Xuan Miao''s safety.


    Since Sage Xuan Miao had saved them, they had experienced numerous ferocious battles almost daily, which not only prevented his injuries from healing but had exacerbated them.


    Sage Xuan Miao raised his head, his pale face filled with resentment, and he gritted his teeth and said, "The enemy is coming, everyone, meditate!"


    Upon hearing his words, everyone quickly sat down, having developed an unconditional trust in Sage Xuan Miao over the days; without him, they would have already perished.


    Sage Xuan Miao took a deep breath and said softly, "Together, call out in your hearts to the Mountain God and pray for intervention to save us!"


    He had no other choice as his Spiritual Power was insufficient to perform the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate, and the only hope he could think of was the Mountain God.


    Although they were far from the place where the Mountain God resided, he believed that the Mountain God could surely feel their call.


    The disciples listened to his words, all of them astonished, and some were even more anxious.


    "Why not flee instead of praying to some Mountain God?"


    "Exactly, the world is in chaos and full of battlefields; we might be able to escape amidst the chaos."


    "We can take turns carrying you and make our escape; we will surely find a way out!"


    "We cannot just sit here and wait for death!"


    "What Mountain God? If such a being existed, how could the Ephemera Sect wreak havoc like this?"


    The disciples grew more and more agitated as they too felt a powerful presence approaching.


    Sage Xuan Miao spoke up, "We can''t escape. They have already locked onto us. Quickly sit down and do as I said. There is still a sliver of hope, and if we delay, they will capture us, and then we can neither live nor die."


    Upon hearing this, the disciples could only grit their teeth and sit down.


    Zhen Qin sat among the crowd, closed her eyes, and began calling out to the Mountain God in her heart.


    She certainly did not want to die here!


    All at once, everyone sat meditating on the ground, calling out in their hearts to the name of the Mountain God.


    ...


    Inside the Inner Sect City, Gu An was selecting seeds of high-ranked medical herbs in the Elixir Hall when he suddenly felt something strange, his expression turning curious.


    Somehow, it seemed someone was calling out to him.


    This feeling was quite magical, something he had never experienced before.


    He extended his Divine Sense to encompass the lands of the nine dynasties and soon locked onto Sage Xuan Miao.


    The person calling him was none other than Sage Xuan Miao!


    Although there were other people meditating beside Sage Xuan Miao, Gu An could distinctly feel that only Sage Xuan Miao was calling out to him. He couldn''t hear Sage Xuan Miao''s thoughts but could feel a strong emotion that Sage Xuan Miao wanted to see him.


    Could it be because of his identity as a Mountain God?


    Gu An was curious, suspecting it had something to do with the Nirvana Realm; he had known Sage Xuan Miao for a while and hadn''t felt this way before his breakthrough.


    Gu An noticed Zhen Qin''s presence, and a group of cultivators from the Ephemera Sect was quickly advancing towards them.


    After hesitating for a moment, Gu An put down the seeds in his hand and turned to walk towards the door.


    ...


    In the North Sea Mountain, amid a clearing where trees had fallen, Sage Xuan Miao, Zhen Qin, and others were meditating, all with their eyes tightly shut, as if resigned to their fates.


    A group of cultivators in black robes flew from the horizon, led by an old man holding a wooden staff. He was completely white-haired, and his face was marked with liver spots, with a large python coiled around his shoulders, giving him an evil, menacing appearance.


    He looked down at Sage Xuan Miao and said, "Sage Xuan Miao, have you surrendered yourself?"


    He did not attack immediately; according to the information he had received, Sage Xuan Miao possessed a Divine Skill capable of summoning Great Cultivators, and the Ephemera Sect had already lost many Great Cultivators to this skill.


    Sage Xuan Miao ignored him and continued his silent chanting.


    The old man glanced at the others, his eyes flickering, indecisive.


    The Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall were extremely nervous, most of them sweating profusely. They dared not open their eyes but could only call out frantically to the Mountain God in their hearts, or pray for a miracle to happen.


    After a while, the old man with the staff snorted coldly. He raised his wooden staff in the air and thumped it down once, instantly causing rolling Demonic Qi to burst forth from the base of the staff, quickly covering the sky for ten miles around.


    The Disciples of Supreme Sect''s Law Enforcement Hall felt something and opened their eyes. To them, it seemed as if they had suddenly entered into the night, and the Ephemera Sect''s cultivators hovering in the air looked like evil spirits descending upon them.


    Everyone was extremely tense, their faces showing utter despair and fear, and so did Zhen Qin''s.


    Sage Xuan Miao also opened his eyes, sighed, and looked up at the sky, his gaze becoming calm.


    "Are you very disappointed?"


    A voice entered Sage Xuan Miao''s ears, causing him to instinctively turn his head to look, and then, he widened his eyes in surprise.


    "Mountain God!"


    Upon hearing these two words, the others turned their heads to look, and when their gaze fell on Sage Xuan Miao''s shoulder, they all widened their eyes.


    On Sage Xuan Miao''s left shoulder stood a small figure in white robes, wearing an opera mask, not even as tall as Sage Xuan Miao''s ears, which made the disciples think they were seeing things, and some couldn''t help rubbing their eyes.


    The elderly man with the wooden staff above furrowed his brow, also spotting the small figure in white.


    Other Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect began to whisper among themselves, as this was the first time they had seen such a small person. When they used their Divine Sense to probe, they could not discern the true face of the figure in white, nor could they sense any demonic aura from him.


    Gu An jumped off Sage Xuan Miao''s shoulder and landed on a nearby crooked large tree.


    Sage Xuan Miao hurriedly kneeled to worship Gu An, saying, "Please, Mountain God, help us. The Ephemera Sect has committed many evils, even attempting to sacrifice people of the nine dynasties, which is truly against heaven and harmful to reason. Please save the common people!"


    The Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall came to their senses, and one by one, they turned and knelt to worship Gu An.


    Zhen Qin was also kneeling, looking at the figure in white, feeling an inexplicable closeness.


    "Mountain God? Stop playing tricks! I advise you to not meddle!"


    The elderly man with the wooden staff stared at Gu An, threatening him coldly.


    Gu An ignored the threat of the Great Cultivator in the Unification Realm. He turned to look at Sage Xuan Miao and spoke leisurely, "The Mountain God does not save the common folk, only protects a certain land. You are not from this place, yet you ask me for help, which violates celestial rules."


    Sage Xuan Miao quickly replied, "After you take action, we will worship you!"


    "Hmm, sincerity invokes the spirit!"


    Gu An turned to look at the elderly man with the wooden staff, too lazy for excess words. He raised his right hand, palm facing upwards.


    As he raised his hand, the earth trembled violently, alarming everyone.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    Massive roots burst forth from the ground, rushing towards the heavens like a swarm of pythons, causing the elderly man with the wooden staff to hastily evade, while other Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect failed to avoid them and were successively pierced through, shattered to pieces, their blood spilling into the sky.


    The demonic Qi in the sky instantly dissipated, and sunlight poured down as Zhen Qin and others clearly saw the incredible spectacle before them, leaving everyone shocked, including Sage Xuan Miao.


    Trees soared into the sky, standing side by side, extending endlessly in both directions, indiscernible to the bounds, as if a green mountain had suddenly risen, piercing the clouds and astounding all onlookers.


    The elderly man quickly dodged, waving his wooden staff and casting a magnificent spell, with demonic Qi surging dramatically. However, in less than the span of three breaths, he was entangled by vines, horrified to discover his Spiritual Power suppressed inside his body, unable to escape.


    "How is this possible... could it truly be a Mountain God?"


    The elderly man''s eyes widened in despair, and then his face was covered by the vines, eventually disappearing among the interweaving branches, merging with the trees.


    From high above, a hundred miles in every direction were dense, massive trees intertwined together, forming a mountain of trees, shocking all creatures who witnessed this scene.


    Sage Xuan Miao gazed up at the mountain of trees, unable, despite his sharp vision, to determine their height.


    Messages started popping up before Gu An.


    A mini-harvest!


    Making do, so many people together, yet their lifespans haven''t even exceeded five thousand years!


    Gu An withdrew his hand, and the terrifying and majestic mountain of trees melted away, dispersing into countless green light stars, disappearing in an extremely short time.


    A huge abyss-like rift in front proved that the scene just prior was real!


    The Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall looked at Gu An again, their eyes filled with reverence and disbelief.


    Such a small stature, yet capable of displaying powers akin to those of ghosts and gods, truly a Mountain God!


    And even stronger than the Mountain Gods of legends!


    Gu An looked at Sage Xuan Miao, stroking his chin, and pondered, "I told you not to reveal my existence, I must punish you a bit."


    Sage Xuan Miao, upon hearing this, took a square wooden box from his storage bag and said, "I am willing to accept the punishment. This treasure is to repay the Mountain God for his rescue."


    Gu An gestured with his hand, bringing the wooden box before him, then threw it into his storage bag. Having many storage bags, fearing Zhen Qin might notice, he specifically switched to a different storage bag.


    He leaped up, flying to the front of Sage Xuan Miao, gently patted his forehead, and said, "I will punish you by regressing your realm by a year!"


    In an instant, Sage Xuan Miao''s expression changed as his realm rapidly regressed, his Cultivation Level falling all the way to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    It was Gu An''s Divine Skill, Path of Returning Primordial Spirit! Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was a Divine Skill awakened from the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, capable of sealing another''s cultivation level!


    Zhen Qin and others also sensed the rapid decline of Sage Xuan Miao''s cultivation aura, all their faces turning pale.


    When Gu An looked towards them, they hurriedly presented their treasures to Gu An, promising to never reveal the existence of the Mountain God to anyone else.


    Gu An waved his sleeve, collecting all the offered items, then with another wave, a sudden breeze arose, sweeping them all towards the horizon, including Sage Xuan Miao.


    "There is a difference between immortals and mortals. If you break your promise, even if you hide at the ends of the earth and sea, I will be able to find you."


    Gu An''s voice entered each of the Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall''s ears.

 Chapter 139: Chapter 139 Immortal Path Tactics, Eve of the Decisive Battle

    Gu An manipulated the mana-transformed breeze and safely delivered Sage Xuan Miao, Zhen Qin, and others to the border of the Taicang Dynasty before withdrawing his focus and vanishing from the spot.


    This action was primarily for Zhen Qin.


    Yet, the feeling of making a move was quite pleasant, allowing him to truly experience the mighty power of the Immortal Path.


    No wonder the Nirvana Realm is so special. Without undergoing Nirvana, a Cultivator of Human Race cannot live beyond ten thousand years. The gap between the Nirvana Realm and the Mahayana Realm is not just in terms of Spiritual Power but in all aspects.


    Upon returning to the Supreme Sect, Gu An continued to purchase herbs, preparing for planting in the Nianchu Cave.


    Before sowing, he had to properly instruct Tian Yao''er.


    Now that he possessed the means of an Immortal, he did not need to provide hands-on instruction to Tian Yao''er. A mere touch on her forehead could transfer a vast amount of information into her mind. However, to conceal his strength, he decided to teach her slowly, as he had ample time.


    Meanwhile.


    By the side of a great river, the Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall looked at Sage Xuan Miao, hesitating to speak.


    They could no longer care about the joy of their narrow escape; they were more worried about the impact on Sage Xuan Miao.


    If it weren''t for saving them, how could Sage Xuan Miao have ended up like this?


    Sage Xuan Miao washed his face and stood up, smiling at everyone, "Don''t worry about me. My cultivation level was only sealed by the Mountain God for a year because I did not keep my promise. It''s only right that I face this tribulation."


    The disciples hurriedly spoke up, taking responsibility onto themselves, but Sage Xuan Miao merely responded with a carefree laugh.


    Having his cultivation level suppressed to the Foundation Establishment Realm did not cause him any pain; instead, he felt more excited.


    Now, he fully believed that the Mountain God was a true Immortal. The methods of the Mountain God astounded him and were also very inspiring.


    The path to Immortal Cultivation can indeed be achieved!


    "Alright, everyone, now that we''re back in the Taicang Dynasty, it''s time to part ways. Remember, do not reveal the existence of the Mountain God to anyone," Sage Xuan Miao said with a salute.


    The disciples quickly returned the salute, promising never to reveal it.


    If Sage Xuan Miao, being as strong as he was, could have his cultivation sealed, how would they dare to anger the Mountain God?


    They shared the same excitement as Sage Xuan Miao, seeing an unprecedented hope.


    The Immortal Path is vast and immeasurable, and whether Immortals exist has always been a long-standing debate in the Immortal Cultivation World. Those who have seen an Immortal will be more resolute than others.


    ...


    As autumn passed and winter arrived, heavy snow gradually covered Mystic Valley.


    Zhen Qin came back to visit him, telling him how chaotic the outside world was.


    "The people from the Ephemera Sect are just too many; even with the combined forces of the nine dynasties, they cannot be completely eradicated..." Zhen Qin sighed.


    As a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, her perspective was limited.


    Gu An often saw battles involving Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators.


    Currently, each region was overseen by Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators. The total number of Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators across the nine dynasties had already exceeded twenty and was still increasing. The situation with the Ephemera Sect was the same, leading to a stalemate in the battles below.


    This would be a conflict that lasted many years!


    Gu An was not in a hurry; he was just waiting for that Mahayana Cultivator to show up and would eliminate him at the first opportunity!


    His Divine Sense could cover the nine dynasties, but the Main Lineage of the Ephemera Sect was in the Nine Nether Road, so he had not yet discovered the whereabouts of that Mahayana Cultivator.


    He did not intend to enter the Nine Nether Road to capture him, preferring to wait for the opponent to appear, as only then would the news of his death spread. At that time, the leaderless Ephemera Sect could only disperse.


    After Zhen Qin finished speaking, Gu An poured her a cup of tea, smiling as he asked, "You seem quite excited, quite different in spirit compared to when you left."


    Zhen Qin chuckled, "Although there''s killing everywhere outside, this experience has given me greater motivation to cultivate."


    "Master, I plan to go into seclusion next. Our batch of disciples has completed their mission, and the Law Enforcement Hall has allowed us to rest next," she said.


    Gu An took out bottles of Elixir from his Storage Bag and handed them to her, saying, "Cultivate well, in the future Master will rely on you."


    Zhen Qin did not refuse, and while accepting the Elixirs, she laughed, "Wait till I become an Immortal, then I''ll concoct the Elixir of Immortality for Master!"


    She looked spirited, causing Gu An to feel amused.


    Since Su Han and Ye Yan left, Zhen Qin had been frequently visiting Mystic Valley, still treating it as her home.


    Gu An never found it bothersome; every time he saw her coming to visit, he was very pleased.


    After Zhen Qin left Mystic Valley, Gu An began wandering around in Mystic Valley, admiring the fruits of his cultivation.


    Time continued to pass.


    Although the Immortal Cultivation World was already in great chaos, the Supreme Sect had not been attacked, and Gu An''s days within the sect remained peaceful.


    After the end of the year came the New Year. This year''s Spring Festival was not as lively as in past years, and Gu An could only celebrate the festival with the Servant Disciples.


    Late into the night, he quietly went to the Nianchu Cave.


    He appeared on the grass, feeling the Spiritual Energy within the cave, and his face showed satisfaction. The Spirit Gathering Array he had personally set up was beginning to show results.


    At that moment, Tian Yao''er came over excitedly and asked, "Master, did you bring any meat?"


    Since Gu An made barbecued meat for her last month, she had completely fallen in love with barbecue, and every time Gu An came, she would first ask if he brought meat.


    Nianchu Cave had no entrance, so Tian Yao''er could not leave it; she could only cultivate and wait.


    "I brought some, but we need to sow first. Based on your performance, I will decide how many pieces of meat you get to eat," Gu An replied, hearing Tian Yao''er''s eyes widen.


    Subsequently, Gu An began teaching Tian Yao''er how to sow the seeds, passing on his knowledge through both words and actions.


    After teaching her once, Gu An watched Tian Yao''er sow, which took up half the evening.


    Gu An noticed that Tian Yao''er had quite a talent for planting. Although she seemed dull, she was meticulous and skilled with her hands.


    After they finished sowing, Gu An took out a leg of lamb and some specially made seasonings. Tian Yao''er''s eyes lit up, and she took the initiative to fetch some firewood.


    30 minutes later.


    Tian Yao''er sat on the ground, gnawing on a sizzling, oily lamb leg while eyeing another one still on the rack.


    "They''re all yours, eat slowly," Gu An said with a laugh, unable to hold back.


    Why did he feel like he was raising a cat?


    In fact, Tian Yao''er was not a cat demon but a bird demon. Observing her potential life span, Gu An suspected she had Phoenix blood lineage.


    With her mouth full of meat, Tian Yao''er asked unclearly, "Master, what brings you to Heavenly Phoenix Mountain?"


    Although they had been together for several months, she still knew nothing about Gu An. Seeing him in a good mood today, she mustered the courage to ask.


    "Heavenly Phoenix Mountain is rich in resources. I came specifically for the herbs. What we planted is what I''ve gathered from the mountain."


    "Master, can you perform alchemy?"


    "Of course."


    "The Demon Mother has a demon under her who can perform alchemy and is highly favored by her. Can you teach me alchemy in the future?"


    "It depends on your performance."


    "Master, where are you from?"


    The quiet cave echoed with the conversation of the man and the demon, the firelight casting their shifting shadows against the cave walls.


    Tian Yao''er looked at Gu An, feeling an unprecedented sense of relaxation.


    Although she was still trapped in the cave, she felt at peace with Gu An and no longer lived in constant fear.


    In the days that followed, Tian Yao''er memorized all the details of cultivation, which meant that Gu An no longer needed to come to Nianchu Cave every night.


    On the days when Gu An was away, Tian Yao''er diligently cultivated. She was afraid that Gu An would be disappointed with her and abandon her, so since she began her cultivation, she never slacked off.


    In the blink of an eye,


    half a year passed.


    Gu An, at the age of seventy-four, had his lifespan break through to two million years, and everything was developing in a favorable direction.


    One day, Gu An went to the Outer City to deliver the last year''s harvest to Mystic Valley.


    After leaving the Elixir Hall, he heard passing disciples discussing the major events in the Immortal Cultivation World."


    It was said that the Ephemera Sect was building a massive sacrificial altar in the Wanji Forest of the Taichen Dynasty, planning to sacrifice living beings. Now, people were disappearing from all the dynasties, and sects from the other eight dynasties were rushing to the Taichen Dynasty. Everyone felt that a major battle was imminent.


    Using his Divine Sense, Gu An saw the altar, and indeed, it was huge, covering an area of a hundred miles. At the center of the altar was a large cauldron with a flag in it, harboring countless aggrieved souls.


    Surrounding the altar were at least forty Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators, suggesting that the Ephemera Sect was going all-in.


    This also indicated that the Mahayana Cultivator was about to make an appearance.


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and headed to Wu Jue''s residence.


    Wu Jue had already become an Inner Sect Disciple, but he hadn''t sold his separate courtyard in the Outer City; he just didn''t stay there regularly.


    Feeling Wu Jue''s presence meant Wu Jue was specifically waiting for him.


    On his way to the yard, the practicing Wu Jue saw Gu An entering and smiled, "You''ve finally come. I thought I wouldn''t see you before I left."


    Although Wu Jue''s potential lifespan had not increased, his cultivation had reached the first level of the Core Formation Realm.


    After closing the gate, Gu An turned to look at Wu Jue and asked with a smile, "What are you waiting for me for?"


    "Master is planning to take me to the Taichen Dynasty to eradicate the Ephemera Demon Path. Taichen is far from Taicang. It''s uncertain how long it will take to return, so I wanted to say goodbye to you," Wu Jue replied, halting his practice.


    He tried to appear calm, but Gu An could see the nervousness and fear in his heart.


    Indeed, Wu Jue had never experienced a life-or-death fight, and he had a particular fear of the Ephemera Sect since his master had died at their hands.


    "A genius like you should find it easy to stay, shouldn''t you?" Gu An asked.


    Wu Jue shook his head, "The Ephemera Sect is powerful. The Supreme Sect must devote all its strength to eliminate demons. Moreover, I have reasons that make it impossible for me not to go."


    His expression was resolute.


    He had to avenge his master!


    Although he did not know which Ephemera Sect Demon Cultivator had killed his master, to him, it did not matter¡ªas long as he could destroy the Ephemera Sect, he would consider it revenge.


    "Then you must be cautious. The Demon Path employs a myriad of strange and extreme tactics. You can''t judge someone''s strength based on their cultivation level alone..." Gu An began to admonish.


    Listening to his lengthy advice, Wu Jue did not find it tedious; instead, he smiled. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having such a brother made him even more determined to go!


    If the Ephemera Sect''s sacrifice was successful, the Demon Cultivators would eventually attack the Supreme Sect, and then Gu An would be in danger.


    Subsequently, Wu Jue began to talk about the scale of the Supreme Sect''s expedition this time. The Sect Leader had dispatched one-third of the Inner Sect Disciples to Wanji Forest, indicating the emphasis placed on this mission.

 Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Attack of the Ninth Layer of the Mystic Heart Realm

    ```


    After bidding farewell to Wu Jue, in the following days, Gu An saw a large number of Supreme Sect disciples flying over the airspace of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley every day.


    The Supreme Sect had begun its expedition!


    Standing on a terrace, Gu An looked into the distance and could see battles erupting in the Wanji Forest; the sects that arrived first had already launched their offensive against the Ephemera Sect.


    Unfortunately, the joint effort of forty Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators was nearly invincible, and ultimately, the cultivators of the various dynasties returned in defeat, waiting to accumulate more strength.


    Gu An then turned his gaze towards the Dust-free Wasteland, which had been reclaimed by the Ephemera Sect, where a continuous stream of Ephemera Sect cultivators flew out of the entrance to the Nine Nether Road, all heading towards the direction of the Taichen Dynasty.


    The nine dynasties were Taicang, Great Yu, Chentang, Tianwei, Taichen, Hanlu, Great Zhao, Great Jiang, and Wuzhen.


    The strength of the Taichen Dynasty lagged behind, located in the center of the nine dynasties with a not-so-small territory, which had been occupied by the Ephemera Sect.


    From a macro perspective, Gu An could see that, with the Taichen Dynasty as the center, cultivators from all directions were continuously going to lend support, presenting a magnificent sight.


    Watching this, Gu An couldn''t help but boil with zeal, wanting to join in on the action.


    However, he had to guard his own Medicine Valley; that was the most important thing.


    Moreover, if he made a move too soon, that Mahayana Cultivator might not show up again.


    The lack of action from the other party till now made Gu An feel that they were definitely preparing something.


    To Gu An, the massive altar in the Wanji Forest looked like a target; he suspected that the Ephemera Sect might launch a sneak attack on the Supreme Sect.


    It wasn''t just him who was suspicious. The Supreme Sect was clearly defensive as well; there was still one Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator left in the sect to guard it, and it wasn''t Ancestor Xuan Quan.


    A month later.


    The number of patrols in the cities of the Supreme Sect had increased, a tense atmosphere permeating within the sect, even affecting the servant disciples of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley.


    As the chief disciple of Mystic Valley, Lu Jiujia began arranging disciples to take turns guarding the mountaintops surrounding the Medicine Valley, to prevent any Ephemera Sect demon cultivators from approaching.


    The same was true for the Third Medicine Valley; the deacons took turns leading disciples on patrols.


    On this particular morning, in the Third Medicine Valley.


    The morning exercises had just ended, and Gu An was on his way to his own attic when he seemed to sense something, his eyes flickered, but he did not stop moving.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a thundering roar resonated between heaven and earth, startling everyone in the valley, who involuntarily shuddered and turned their heads to look.


    Across the sky in the direction of the Inner Sect, rolling thunderclouds emerged, sweeping towards the Third Medicine Valley as if to cover the entire sky.


    "What was that sound just now?"


    "Could it be an attack by the Ephemera Sect?"


    "Wasn''t the Ephemera Sect in the Taichen Dynasty?"


    "After all, if we, the Supreme Sect, are destroyed, the morale of the nine dynasties will surely fall significantly."


    "I hope it doesn''t affect our Medicine Valley¡­"


    The disciples gathered and began to discuss among themselves.


    Gu An also stopped in his tracks, standing in front of a wooden railing on the edge of a garden area, watching the distant sky, and peering at the battle in the Main City of the Sect.


    The Main City of the Sect was the Supreme Sect''s largest city, where Inner Sect Disciples could enter but not reside; only the various levels of power within the Supreme Sect lived there.


    At that moment, two Unification Realm Great Cultivators in the Main City of the Sect were fighting. As the two commenced combat, more and more cultivators joined the fray, eventually leading to a large-scale chaotic battle.


    It was not an attack by the Ephemera Sect, but spies of the Ephemera Sect had begun to act.


    Gu An watched for a while and noticed that the disciples causing trouble seemed to come from the same clan.


    Lu Lingjun came beside Gu An and said, "Valley Master, from now on, you''d better not leave the Medicine Valley."


    She, too, was looking towards the Main City of the Sect, her expression grave.


    She had already sensed the aura of at least five Unification Realm cultivators!


    It wasn''t just the Unification Realm that was enough to make her anxious; she had a premonition that something extremely terrible was about to happen.


    Gu An nodded slightly and then continued to watch the battle.


    The Third Medicine Valley quickly darkened, as if night had fallen.


    Rumbling¡ª¡ª


    A deep rumbling of thunder echoed across the sky, as if ancient beasts were roaring in the sea of clouds, deafening to the ears.


    "Your Excellency should reveal yourself now. The battle between you and me will determine the fate of the Supreme Sect!"


    A cold voice echoed through the entire Supreme Sect, making everyone who heard it feel a heaviness in their chests, very uncomfortable.


    Lu Lingjun''s expression shifted slightly; she was certain the owner of the voice had a cultivation level surpassing the Unification Realm!


    Gu An had already seen a figure walking above the sea of clouds, a person in a black robe and purple crown, with eighteen golden daggers floating behind. As the figure moved forward, his sleeves caught the wind, stirring up airwaves like dragons accompanying him, exuding overwhelming authority.


    Mystic Heart Realm fifth layer!


    This person was probably among the upper echelon of the hundred venerables within the Ephemera Sect; the Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators within the Supreme Sect were three minor cultivation stages below him.


    Meanwhile.


    In the Book Collection Hall in the Inner Sect City.


    Elder Xu Lu stood in front of the counter, looking at the figure descending the stairs in the distance, and couldn''t help but ask: "How confident are you?"


    Following his gaze, an old man with an aura of immortality in a black robe came down, holding a horsetail whisk, his face calm.


    Without pausing, the man walked down the stairs and left only one sentence:


    "One does one''s best."


    Xu Lu turned to look out the window, where the rolling thunderclouds seemed like a black ocean, stirring up frightening waves, oppressive and thrilling, worry evident in his eyes.


    "Today is the first time this poor Taoist will face a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator in combat since stepping into the Mystic Heart. May I inquire the name of your Excellency? My Taoist name is Ancestor Kusong."


    The voice of the black-robed elder resounded through the entire Supreme Sect, calming the restless atmosphere of the cities.


    Mystic Heart Realm?


    Lu Lingjun was hearing the name of this realm for the first time.


    ```


    Unification Realm above is Mystic Heart?


    Lu Lingjun had already captured the figure above the sea of clouds, her eyes brimming with envy and admiration.


    She was determined to reach this realm!


    No!


    She wanted to surpass the Mystic Heart Realm! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I am Venerable Chi Qian from the Ephemera Sect, and to die by my hand is an honor, for you have bore witness to the Path of Mystic Heart!"


    The previous voice rang out again, its tone of pride causing the cultivators of the Supreme Sect to sweat on behalf of Ancestor Kusong.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A tremendous oppressive force descended, enveloping the entire Supreme Sect; thunderclouds churned violently in the sky, as protective barriers of light were simultaneously lit up in each city, with formations fortifying against the impending battle pressures from above.


    Venerable Chi Qian and Ancestor Kusong had begun their battle!


    Both were combatting high in the sky, not affecting the ground below, yet their might was so strong that it caused mountains to tremble between heaven and earth.


    Lu Lingjun kept her gaze firmly fixed on the heavens, unwilling to miss any detail of the battle between two Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Gu An could not help but glance at her.


    Hmm?


    Could she achieve enlightenment from this?


    After a while,


    Lu Lingjun was still in a state of self-forgetfulness, while Gu An turned and headed towards the entrance of the valley.


    It wasn''t just Venerable Chi Qian who was sent by the Ephemera Sect; another even more powerful being had already arrived at the entrance of the Third Medicine Valley.


    From a distance, Gu An saw a woman clad in white, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, her presence mystical. Her fair hands were poised in front of her lower abdomen, pale as snow, her demeanor dignified as if she were a fairy descended from the heavens, making it hard to associate her with a demon cultivator of the Ephemera Sect.


    [Fairy Bai Xia (Mystic Heart Realm Nine Layers): 2180/4900/6500]


    Nine Layers of the Mystic Heart Realm!


    They really plan to utterly demolish the Supreme Sect!


    Gu An felt moved, his pace quickening.


    He soon approached Fairy Bai Xia and greeted her respectfully, "The Ephemera Sect is causing chaos, may I inquire as to why the Predecessor has come?"


    The veil hanging from Fairy Bai Xia''s hat allowed a faint glimpse of her red lips, seemingly heavily rouged.


    This witch was extremely cautious, having used some kind of secret technique to make her Cultivation Level appear to be at the first layer of the Elixir Formation Realm.


    "Little brother, the spiritual energy in this Medicine Valley is so rich, surely your identity is no simple matter, tell me, what is your identity," Fairy Bai Xia spoke, her voice melodious, stirring one''s imagination.


    Gu An raised his hand and caught her wrist, saying, "I am just an ordinary Outer Disciple of the Supreme Sect."


    Fairy Bai Xia smiled, her laughter carrying a chill. She did not struggle from Gu An''s grip, but instead used the Sound Transmission Skill, "Rumors say that Sword Venerable Fudao is active within a thousand miles of this area. Young brother, if you have any information on Sword Venerable Fudao, I can spare your life."


    Gu An had anticipated that she would use the Sound Transmission Skill, so he chose to listen to her entirely.


    Gu An''s expression turned solemn, "It seems you truly are a demon cultivator!"


    In an instant, Fairy Bai Xia felt a force of overwhelming power invade her body; under the veil, her face lost its color. She tried to pull her hand away from Gu An but found she could not do it at all.


    Her eyes widened in disbelief.


    What frightened her even more was that she could neither speak nor let her Primordial Spirit emerge.


    She had never felt such terror before.


    Her Cultivation Realm began to fall rapidly, and her Primordial Spirit was pressed deep into her soul; her Cultivation Level dropped to the first layer of the Core Formation Realm, just as she had displayed outwardly.


    "Impossible..."


    Fairy Bai Xia was near collapse, her rationale slipping away with the immense strength of her adversary and the reduction of her Cultivation Level.


    Under her gaze of despair, Gu An produced a pearl.


    The Thousand-Shadow Pearl given to him by Lv Baitian!


    With his left hand gripping Fairy Bai Xia''s wrist, his right hand pressed the Thousand-Shadow Pearl against her abdomen.


    "Demon cultivator, take this!"


    Gu An shouted loudly. With a boom, the Thousand-Shadow Pearl burst forth with brilliant, strong light, and bursts of Strength Energy erupted, turning Fairy Bai Xia into a bloodied corpse, her blood splattering all over Gu An.


    The Thousand-Shadow Pearl could not kill someone of the Mystic Heart Realm, so before activating it, Gu An had used mana to forcibly scatter her soul, causing her to die instantly.


    His loud cry attracted the attention of many Servant Disciples.


    Lu Lingjun appeared out of nowhere in front of Gu An, frowning as she asked, seeing his bloodstained face, "Are you alright? Why didn''t you call for me just now?"


    Putting on an act of shock, Gu An said, "I thought an Inner Sect Disciple had come in, but she turned out to be a demon cultivator from the Ephemera Sect! We must destroy the corpse and erase the traces quickly, lest the Ephemera Sect come after us later!"


    His hand holding the Thousand-Shadow Pearl was trembling.


    Killing Fairy Bai Xia gained him four hundred and ninety-five years of Life Span, not a bad result!


    With a disapproving tone, Lu Lingjun said, "It looks like you weren''t scared out of your wits; look at you pretending to be afraid. You''re at least a Golden List Genius, and yet a demon cultivator who has just entered the Core Formation Realm has scared you into this state!"


    She then began to reminisce about her feelings from observing the battle.


    Deep down, she felt like she might have grasped something.


    Indeed, the Mystic Heart Realm is enviable!


    The gap between the Ninth Layer of Unification Realm and Mystic Heart Realm is unimaginable.


    Suddenly, she felt that only by achieving the Mystic Heart Realm could one truly be considered a Great Power cultivator!

 Chapter 141: Chapter 141: A Sword Cultivator Must Always Remain Calm

    ```


    Watching Lu Lingjun fall silent again, Gu An could feel that she had grasped the opportunity for a breakthrough.


    It had clearly been a long time since Lu Lingjun reached the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, her Spiritual Power had entered a state where it could no longer grow.


    Gu An pulled her along as they walked into the valley and spoke at the same time, "Tell me, what exactly is the Mystic Heart Realm like? It sounds very powerful. Mystic Heart, Mystic Heart, could it be that the heart at this realm has something special?"


    Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun''s eyes showed a change. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her heart was undergoing some changes, with a hint of special power surging within it.


    This trace of special power was naturally Gu An''s mana, but he employed it so skillfully and with such a vast difference in their cultivation realms that Lu Lingjun didn''t realize it was his power. Instead, she thought she was on the verge of a metamorphosis.


    This trace of mana made a circuit within Lu Lingjun''s heart and then returned to Gu An''s body, leaving Lu Lingjun with a fleeting sense of loss.


    At this moment, the other disciples in the valley came up one after another, asking about the origins of the female demon cultivator from just before.


    Covered in blood, Gu An briefly answered their questions and then returned to the loft to wash himself.


    Lu Lingjun returned to the wooden railing and looked up at the thunderclouds, continuing to watch the battle.


    To Medicine Valley, Fairy Bai Xia was just a minor incident. Even the servant disciples didn''t pay it much attention, not realizing that the now-deceased female demon cultivator had a cultivation realm surpassing the lands of the nine dynasties. Aside from Gu An, she was the strongest cultivator.


    ...


    Taichen Dynasty, Wanji Forest.


    Banner after banner stood along the edge of the forest, marking off an open space hundreds of miles in circumference. On this open space, numerous trenches were drawn, forming complex symbolic trajectories when viewed from above.


    This was the Ephemera Sect''s town sect grand formation, the Six Paths Mahayana Array!


    In the center of the formation, seven figures in black robes sat in meditation, forming a circle. They were all Mystic Heart Realm cultivators, and moreover, they were above the fifth layer, making them the top seven Venerables of the hundred within the Ephemera Sect!


    One of the old women opened her eyes and said, "There is the aura of a Mystic Heart Realm great battle coming from the direction of the Supreme Sect. It seems the Vice Sect Hierarch and Venerable Chi Qian have acted. It''s uncertain whether Sword Venerable Fudao will make a move."


    At her words, the other six also opened their eyes.


    "The Supreme Sect is in imminent danger, Sword Venerable Fudao will surely take action."


    "It is said that Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation at least reaches the eighth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm, though it is unclear if this is true."


    "Regardless, with the Vice Sect Hierarch taking action, the Supreme Sect can only rely on Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "It must be said, we truly underestimated the sects of this land. It seems a barren, backward place, yet it has called back so many Mystic Heart Realm cultivators."


    "After all, they have stood for thousands of years, there would always be those reaching the Mystic Heart Realm."


    The top seven Venerables of the Ephemera Sect discussed among themselves with a casual tone, as if the downfall of the Supreme Sect was already a foregone conclusion.


    At the same time.


    Thousands of miles away, in the mountainous regions, Supreme Sect cultivators were stationed, with disciples monitoring the surroundings from every mountain peak within thousands of miles.


    At the main camp, in a temporarily built grand hall, Lv Baitian, Ancestor Xuan Quan, and several dozens of high-ranking members of the Supreme Sect were gathered.


    An Hao and Wu Jue were also there, with An Hao standing beside Lv Baitian and Wu Jue standing behind Zhou Yu of the Venerable Pavilion.


    Lv Baitian sat boldly with his legs spread wide, not resembling the Sect Leader of a Righteous Path Sect, but more like a Demon Lord.


    His face was gloomy as he asked, "What does this mean, the Cangtian Sect wants to be the Alliance Hierarch?"


    Ji Chen from the Ji Family said helplessly, "Yes, the number of sects in the nine dynasties has exceeded forty. Acting haphazardly will lead to mutual hindrance, hence the Cangtian Sect proposed electing an Alliance Hierarch. They dispatched a million disciples and four Mystic Heart Realm Supreme Elders, so they naturally feel entitled to the leadership."


    Four Mystic Heart Realm cultivators were indeed formidable!


    It should be known that before the calamity stirred by the Ephemera Sect, the Unification Realm was the highest realm within the nine dynasties. Who would have thought that when the calamity of the nine dynasties fell, the Cangtian Sect could summon four Mystic Heart Realm Supreme Elders!


    Among the sects coming to support, not every sect has Mystic Heart Realm cultivators.


    And this was the lineup sent for battle. Certainly, within the Cangtian Sect, there would be Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators standing guard, just like with the Supreme Sect.


    But the Supreme Sect could only dispatch one Mystic Heart Realm Supreme Elder. With such a disparity in strength, the Supreme Sect truly couldn''t compare with the Cangtian Sect.


    Ji Chen''s words led the grand hall to fall into silence; many Elders wanted to refute, but lacked the strength to do so.


    The Ji Family, Zhou Family, and Gu Family were the three great families of the Taicang Dynasty, but in the lands of the nine dynasties, it was not certain they could be counted among the top three.


    Lv Baitian took a deep breath and stared intently at Ji Chen, asking, "When will the Ji Family''s ancestor arrive?"


    Ji Chen replied, "He should arrive within a few days, but he''s the only one we''ve been able to find."


    Just like with the sects, the Mystic Heart Realm cultivators of the great families rarely stayed within the family. They traveled far and wide, seeking higher fortunes.


    Lv Baitian then looked at Zhou Yu, who immediately said, "The senior members of our clan cannot leave, but the clan leader is making every effort to persuade, and we should be able to summon a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator within a month."


    Lv Baitian frowned, feeling quite irritable, because among the four Mystic Heart Realm cultivators from the Cangtian Sect, one bore the surname Zhou.


    He turned his gaze to Gu Gua of the Venerable Pavilion.


    Gu Gua spoke calmly, "It''s hard to say. The elders of my clan are unpredictable, and I cannot be sure how many will come, but as a duty to the nine dynasties, my Gu Family will definitely take action."


    Lv Baitian laughed.


    An Hao, watching from the side, was inwardly astonished. This was the first time he had witnessed the influence wielded by the three great families.


    Even the powerful Sect Leader had to speak courteously.


    Lv Baitian was domineering, but he chose his targets. Against the Chu Family, he could suppress the entire clan, but when dealing with the three great families, he had to be polite.


    Below the Mystic Heart Realm, Lv Baitian was invincible, but because of the Ephemera Sect, it was now time for those of the Mystic Heart Realm to be in charge.


    "When I become the Sect Leader, all these families will have to listen to me!" An Hao vowed secretly.


    In his view, Lv Baitian''s difficulties stemmed from him not being strong enough!


    ```


    As long as he was strong enough, he would not fear the looks of any power!


    Wu Jue, however, hadn''t thought that much. After all, he was now in the same camp as the Zhou Family, and he just found the conference noisy.


    If Ephemera Sect wasn''t eradicated soon, Supreme Sect would be in greater danger.


    Just then, an Elder walked briskly into the hall, holding a jade slip. He spoke quickly, "The Sect has been attacked by a Mystic Heart Realm combatant from Ephemera Sect!"


    The room erupted into commotion at his words, and An Hao frowned, thinking of his sister An Xin.


    Wu Jue clenched his fist; he thought of Gu An.


    Lv Baitian asked, "How many from the Mystic Heart Realm?"


    "One?"


    "That''s the intelligence we have so far."


    "Well, then there''s no problem. Even if Ancestor Kusong is not a match, there''s always Sword Venerable Fudao." Lv Baitian said cheerfully, and his words helped ease the tension.


    A female Elder couldn''t help but murmur, "Will Sword Venerable Fudao really take action?"


    Although Sword Venerable Fudao had already helped Supreme Sect several times, due to his mysterious identity, there were still many who couldn''t be sure that he was truly a member of Supreme Sect.


    Especially when the safety of the Sect was at stake.


    ...


    Supreme Sect.


    Under the rolling thunderclouds, Venerable Chi Qian and Ancestor Kusong were still in fierce battle, each wielding a Magic Artifact and constantly casting spells. Their mighty presence caused the thunderclouds to churn violently.


    At this moment, Venerable Chi Qian was filled with confusion.


    "Why hasn''t the Vice Sect Hierarch taken action yet?"


    Although his Cultivation Level was higher than Ancestor Kusong''s, it was difficult for him to kill a Mystic Heart Realm combatant like Ancestor Kusong and he also had to be on guard against Sword Venerable Fudao intervening. As time passed, his confidence gradually turned into unease.


    "What are you waiting for?"


    Ancestor Kusong waved his horsetail whisk, and immense Spiritual Power gathered into thousands of green light beams. They flew in various trajectories towards Venerable Chi Qian, stretching for a hundred miles, forcing him to dodge.


    This first battle of Mystic Heart Realm was tough for Ancestor Kusong, but he could see that his opponent was wary of others, which made it difficult for him to concentrate solely on the fight.


    Ancestor Kusong thought of the mysterious Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Venerable Chi Qian did not answer; he suddenly shifted direction, moving closer to a certain Outer City.


    Ancestor Kusong followed closely behind.


    Elsewhere.


    Inside Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An had changed into a new robe and then went downstairs, coming to Lu Lingjun''s side.


    Lu Lingjun had entered the state of Path Enlightenment once again. Her right hand was resting on the railing, and seeing this, Gu An too rested his hand on the railing.


    Even at Nirvana Realm, Gu An could not change the fate of others, but for someone like Lu Lingjun, who was halfway into the Mystic Heart Realm, he could lend a helping hand and enable her to break through sooner.


    Under the guidance of his Mana, Lu Lingjun''s Spiritual Power gathered in her heart, which also caused nature''s spiritual energy to quietly pour into her body.


    At that moment, Gu An sensed something and looked up, furrowing his brows with a flash of displeasure in his eyes.


    Venerable Chi Qian was approaching the Third Medicine Valley, or more precisely, drawing near to the Outer City.


    "Where is Sword Venerable Fudao? If you do not take action now, your fellow disciples will die within your own Sect!" Venerable Chi Qian''s voice rose, filled with murderous intent, reaching the ears of millions of Supreme Sect disciples.


    At the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, Ye Lan and a group of Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall stood in one corner. She looked up, the thunderclouds in the sky tumbling oppressively.


    She could feel Venerable Chi Qian approaching, his terrifying aura growing stronger.


    She couldn''t help but tighten her grip on the White Spirit Sword in her hand.


    There were thousands of Cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform, but now only a few remained composed and meditated calmly.


    The Mad Swordsman Han Ming had long since gone back to the Dynasty. Zuo Lin stood next to his father, Zuo Yijian, and nervously asked, "Father, are we not leaving yet?"


    Zuo Yijian, holding Investiture of the Gods, calmly said, "Where can we go?"


    "But..."


    "Trust Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Hearing his father''s words, Zuo Lin was tempted to curse. What you believe in is the Investiture of the Gods! He really wanted to tear up the Investiture of the Gods in Zuo Yijian''s hand.


    Gu An, far away in the Third Medicine Valley, had already covered the Outer City with his Divine Sense, his Divine Sense locking onto a person.


    I''ve decided it''s you!


    Zuo Yijian seemed to sense Zuo Lin''s anger; he turned to the next page and said, "Lin''er, don''t rush in times of trouble. A Sword Cultivator must always remain composed..."


    Just then, the treasured sword lying next to him began to tremble violently, instantly capturing his gaze.


    A vast Sword Intent leaked out from the sword, causing Zuo Yijian to be moved.


    "This is..."


    Zuo Yijian trembled with excitement, completely forgetting the words of education he had intended for his son.

 Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Valley Master Touches Your Hand, And Thats Not Enough?

    When Zuo Yijian trembled, Zuo Lin also noticed the unusual movement of his treasured sword; the vast Sword Intent made the sword sheath shudder violently. Under Zuo Lin''s shocked gaze, the sword sheath, along with the treasured sword, began to levitate.


    Zuo Yijian then stood up, looking at his own sword, trusting that his Perception had not been mistaken.


    This was the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Above the Heavenly Repair Platform, more and more people felt the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao, including Ye Lan.


    She turned her head, her gaze stretching far toward Zuo Yijian, her expression one of astonishment.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    Suddenly the thunderclouds were ripped open, and the Outer City was instantly illuminated. A violent wind descended from the sky, making the buildings in the city shake. Outer Disciples and Servant Disciples with lower Cultivation Levels were pushed to the ground, and everyone struggled to look up.


    They could only see a gigantic hole in the thunderclouds above the Outer City, with a diameter of several dozen miles.


    The thunderclouds could not reconverge, and as the sunlight shone down, Venerable Chi Qian and Ancestor Kusong were locked in an indecisive battle. The two were a hundred yards apart, constantly casting Spells. The impact of their magic collided, generating strong winds and bright lights.


    The terrifying pressure caused the protective light screen around the Outer City to twist violently, threatening to shatter at any moment.


    "Father... what is this..." Zuo Lin couldn''t believe what he was seeing and turned to Zuo Yijian, his voice trembling.


    Could his father be the mysterious Sword Venerable Fudao?


    The others also harbored the same thought, for the Sword Intent was just too powerful.


    In the midst of their heated battle high above, Venerable Chi Qian also felt this burst of Sword Intent. He glanced over, focusing on Zuo Yijian and frowning deeply.


    Could this man be Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Just then.


    Zuo Yijian suddenly knelt on one knee and looked at his continuously trembling treasured sword, and cried out loud, "Please, Sword Venerable, save our Sect!"


    As his words fell.


    Clang!


    The sound of the sword blade being drawn from its sheath tore through all other noise between heaven and earth!


    Venerable Chi Qian abruptly leaped to the side, moving above the thunderclouds, distancing himself from Ancestor Kusong. Looking down at the Heavenly Repair Platform, he gathered eighteen golden daggers in front of him into one long blade. With a manic grin, he shouted loudly, "Come out, Sword Venerable Fudao, let this Sect witness your prowess!"


    His voice echoed throughout the entire Supreme Sect!


    He was not only provoking Sword Venerable Fudao but also signaling the Vice Sect Hierarch to come quickly.


    With his Cultivation Level at the fifth stage of the Mystic Heart Realm, even if he could not defeat Sword Venerable Fudao, stalling for some time should be no difficult feat.


    However, the only response he got was the sound of a breaking wind!


    Right as Venerable Chi Qian finished speaking, the treasured sword in front of Zuo Yijian suddenly struck at Venerable Chi Qian. The terrible Sword Intent burst forth in an instant, tossing everyone around it through the air.


    The entire city saw a streak of cold light shoot out from within and soar into the sky, unstoppable!


    In the process of being thrown backward, Zuo Lin saw the cold light tearing through the sea of thunderclouds on the horizon as if it was a sword splitting the sky, cleaving the firmament in two, stunning his eyes.


    Venerable Chi Qian was also caught off guard by the sudden attack.


    So fast!


    Unable to evade in time, he instinctively lifted his great blade, but his lifting speed was far from matching the approaching speed of the treasured sword.


    With a boom!


    The great blade in his hands shattered, and as the sword tip reached his face, the fearsome Sword Qi of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword suddenly erupted, crushing his physical body.


    As the sword flew past, there was no longer any sign of Venerable Chi Qian!


    In the path of the sword blade, the sea of clouds split open, leaving behind a magnificently stunning mark of Sword Qi across the sky.


    The Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm didn''t even have the chance to flee with his Primordial Spirit, let alone unleash his Mystic Heart Divine Power! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The disparity was simply too vast!


    Venerable Chi Qian didn''t have the slightest chance to fight back!


    Ancestor Kusong, hovering in the high sky, his robes fluttering and white hair flying wildly, stared in the direction of the Sword Qi. This Supreme Elder was dumbstruck, struggling to maintain his composure.


    He, who had engaged in combat with Venerable Chi Qian, knew full well the terror of this Demon Cultivator, feeling as if it was bottomless.


    Was such a powerful being truly killed in an instant by a single strike from Sword Venerable Fudao?


    And all this time, Sword Venerable Fudao had never shown himself!


    Whoosh!


    The sound of the air being split came again, as the treasured sword flew back from the edge of the sky, tracing a perfect arc as it fell from the heavens, finally plunging into the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Clang!


    The sword blade stabbed into the platform, sparks flying, the sword body quivering intensely, creating afterimages.


    Lying on the ground, Zuo Yijian was also gazing at his treasured sword, his mouth agape equally wide.


    The city fell silent!


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An''s mouth curled up, the prompt for claiming a lifespan appeared before his eyes, confirming that Venerable Chi Qian had indeed died completely.


    Gu An turned to look toward the Main City of the Sect, where the battle was still ongoing, but he had no intention of intervening.


    He had already taken action twice today, and three''s the charm!


    The Supreme Sect also needed to face its Tribulation!


    Soon, a thunderous cheer erupted from the Outer City, audible even to the Servant Disciples in the Third Medicine Valley. They couldn''t make out what was being shouted on the other side, so they were all nervous.


    Gu An, meanwhile, stayed beside Lu Lingjun, afraid that other disciples might disturb her Path Enlightenment.


    ...


    In the Outer City, more and more people rushed onto the Heavenly Repair Platform. Ancestor Kusong descended from the sky and landed in the midst of the crowd, right in front of Zuo Yijian.


    At that moment, Zuo Yijian was clutching his sword tightly, unwilling to sheath it, let alone hand it over to someone else.


    "Junior, may I take a look at your sword?" Ancestor Kusong asked with a smile, his voice gentle.


    Zuo Yijian looked at him as if guarding against a thief, without agreeing.


    "Wait, the sword intent beneath our feet is intensifying!"


    An elder suddenly exclaimed, causing everyone to look down; they saw a stream of sword intent flowing within the sword marks of the two characters for ''righteous path''.


    Just a moment ago, as the sword fell, Gu An''s sword intent also entered these two characters, enhancing the intent within them, which served to increase the deterrence of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Ancestor Kusong turned around, his gaze fell on the characters for ''righteous path'', feeling the sword intent flowing within them, he slowly closed his eyes.


    Zuo Yijian turned and stepped back, he transmitted a message to Zuo Lin, saying, "Lin''er, pick up the ''Investiture of the Gods'' for your father."


    In the distance.


    Ye Lan stood on the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, surrounded by excited Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall discussing the might of Sword Venerable Fudao, while she thought of Gu An.


    With such a formidable backer, elder brother should be quite safe, right?


    ...


    The sun set and the moon rose; after the moonfall, a new day began.


    A whole day and night passed, and the battle at the Main City of the Sect finally drew to a close.


    In the early morning, after the morning drills ended, Gu An and Xiaochuan stood on either side of Lu Lingjun.


    Xiaochuan leaned against a wooden railing, five steps away from Lu Lingjun, and curiously asked, "Elder brother, what exactly is she doing?"


    All disciples had discovered Lu Lingjun''s abnormality, and Gu An did not allow anyone to disturb her, which is why she was able to remain undisturbed for the whole night.


    Gu An speculated, "Perhaps she is performing some sort of extraordinary technique; she is a Great Cultivator, we cannot fathom her realm."


    "What kind of cultivation technique could have her motionless all night like that?" Xiaochuan was quite curious.


    "It''s not a cultivation technique, I just had an enlightenment," Lu Lingjun suddenly said, Xiaochuan blinked, quickly retreating several steps.


    Lu Lingjun didn''t look at him, instead, she glanced at Gu An, who also stepped back, at the same time signaling Xiaochuan with his eyes, prompting Xiaochuan to immediately slip away.


    Gu An asked with concern, "Are you okay?"


    "I am fine, thank you for staying by my side all night," Lu Lingjun replied calmly.


    Gu An feigned an expression of relief, then said, "You should go rest now, standing for a day must be tiring."


    "I just remembered, when you came back yesterday, did you hold my hand?" Lu Lingjun stepped forward and asked.


    At that time, she was immersed in recalling her enlightenment and actually didn''t shake off Gu An''s hand, which she found absurd upon reflection.


    Gu An coughed awkwardly, saying, "I was scared at the time, no offense meant."


    "No man has ever held my hand before," Lu Lingjun stared at Gu An, her voice carrying a deeper meaning.


    Heh!


    You think I believe that?


    You''ve lived for two thousand years and you''re playing the na?ve one with me?


    Gu An''s expression hardened, and he said seriously, "What? Is the Valley Master not allowed to touch your hand?"


    He had helped Lu Lingjun avoid a hundred years'' detour, so what was a touch of the hand in comparison?


    Lu Lingjun''s lips curled upwards with a compelling smile fraught with significance, "Alright then, from now on you are my man."


    After speaking, without waiting for Gu An''s response, she turned and left.


    Gu An was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed after her, saying, "Ms. Lu, I was just joking, please don''t take it to heart. In a while, I''ll speak with the Sect Leader and have him transfer you out."


    "It''s too late now."


    Lu Lingjun pushed Gu An away, continuing forward.


    Gu An inwardly cursed his bad luck.


    "By the way, I am preparing to undergo tribulation crossing above Medicine Valley, what do you think?" Lu Lingjun''s voice came, as she stopped in her tracks, her back to Gu An.


    Gu An frowned, asking, "Tribulation crossing requires much preparation. Why not wait for the Sect Leader to return? I can have him take you to the tribulation area."


    "I can''t wait. With your strong relations in the Supreme Sect, if anyone comes, you speak for me. Don''t worry, I won''t affect the medicine herbs of Medicine Valley," she said before leaping into the sky, a thousand feet high. A blue lotus flew out from her sleeve, growing rapidly. She stepped into the lotus and sat down to meditate.


    This spectacle caused the Servant Disciples to exclaim in surprise, while Xiaochuan once again approached Gu An, inquiring what Lu Lingjun was intending to do.


    Gu An looked up at Lu Lingjun and answered, "She is about to cross her tribulation."


    Under his watch, Lu Lingjun continuously waved her hand, as magic artifacts flew out, rapidly forming one circle of formations after another around her.


    He suddenly became interested, wanting to see for himself how fearsome the tribulation of the Mystic Heart Realm could be.


    "Tribulation crossing?" Xiaochuan stood frozen, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the Lu Lingjun above.


    ...


    Wanji Forest, within the Mahayana Array of the six paths.


    Where the seven venerables were seated, a sphere of black flames suddenly appeared from nowhere among them, startling them into opening their eyes and rising to pay their respects.


    "Greetings to the Sect Hierarch!"


    The seven venerables spoke in unison, drawing sidelong glances from the cult members who were placing offerings around.


    The offerings were all living people, stuck with talisman papers and unable to move. They were precisely enclosed by the array, and each of their faces bore expressions of terror, some even fainting from fear.


    "Where is the Vice Sect Hierarch?"


    The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing, the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, emerged from the black flames, tiredness seeping through his tone.


    An old man wearing a mask replied, "He has yet to return, but the attack plan against the Supreme Sect has failed. We lost seventy percent of our spies within the Supreme Sect. According to the messages sent back, Venerable Chi Qian was killed by a single sword strike from Sword Venerable Fudao, but the Vice Sect Hierarch did not make an appearance and his whereabouts remain unknown."


    As he mentioned this, his tone grew heavy.

 Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Are You Really Pan An?

    The masked elder''s voice fell and the floating black flames paused momentarily.


    The other six all bowed their heads, their expressions changing like clouds in the sky, and after the battle at the Supreme Sect, their fear of the Sword Venerable Fudao had grown even more.


    The masked elder continued, "During this period, the main branch has lost two-tenths of its followers, including seventeen Unification Realm cultivators. We cannot determine the life or death of the Vice Sect Hierarch, does the Sect Hierarch have a way to confirm?"


    Upon hearing this, Butcher Immortal Jing''s voice emanated from within the black flames, "The Vice Sect Hierarch is unfettered; even I am not privy to her whereabouts. However, she cannot possibly be dead unless a Mahayana Cultivator has emerged in the lands of the nine dynasties. Even if there were Mahayana Cultivators, the commotion of trying to kill her would not be small.


    Have you felt any battle pressure surpassing the Mystic Heart Realm?"


    The masked elder replied, "No, but with the Vice Sect Hierarch suddenly going missing, I cannot help but be more cautious."


    "Rest assured, she may be held up by something and would not die without a trace. Moreover, I have already cursed myself and there''s no turning back now. Continue to search for more sacrifices, the more the better, for I intend to probe the Heavenly Destiny at once!"


    The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing sounded, and all seven responded in unison.


    ...


    In the Chentang Dynasty, at Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    This sect, regarded by the dynasty as a land of Immortals, was hidden among lakes, with majestic mountains that appeared intermittently, like a mirage.


    Beneath an ancient tree, Li Ya was sitting cross-legged, his back against a cliff, the North Sea Heavy Sword standing beside him. Both his hands propped on his knees, his gaze fixed on the chessboard on the ground, his face showing a puzzled expression.


    He howled in frustration and couldn''t help but rub his scalp.


    At that moment, a Soul Body fell from the ancient tree. It was the soul of the Ancestor of the Li Family, now more substantial than before.


    "Hahaha, youngster, I told you the trials of Three Pure Ones Mountain are arduous and demand wisdom. Your comprehension is not enough; you are still far from me. Back then, I solved the chess puzzle in just three years, but looking at you, I fear even ten years might not suffice," laughed the Ancestor of the Li Family in schadenfreude.


    Li Ya glared and cursed, "What kind of ancestor are you, hoping your descendant is inferior to you? I refuse to believe I''m really worse than you!"


    The Ancestor of the Li Family chuckled, "My master once foretold that someone destined from the Li Family would emerge to help me overcome tribulation. I originally thought it was you, but now it seems there might be someone else. Child, why not give up cultivation, go down the mountain to marry and have children, and give birth to the person of destiny sooner."


    Li Ya was so furious that he immediately stood up, drew the North Sea Heavy Sword, and swung at the Ancestor of the Li Family.


    "What are you two making a fuss about now?" An elderly voice came.


    Li Ya turned around to see a figure emerging from the mist: an old Taoist with a youthful face wearing a blue robe, holding a horsetail whisk as if it caught the clouds, exuding an aura of immortality.


    He hurriedly saluted, "Disciple pays respect to Martial Master."


    The Ancestor of the Li Family also saluted the blue-robed Taoist, "Greetings to Master."


    This blue-robed Taoist, known as Daoist Tianshu, had the demeanor of a true immortal in the Mortal World.


    Daoist Tianshu landed on the cliff and smiled, "Who says the person of destiny has not yet been born? I have calculated again, and the Li Family''s fortune is rising, which indicates that the person of destiny has already been born."


    The Ancestor of the Li Family said with a laugh, "I was just teasing the youngster. He''s arrogant and self-important; he needs to be humbled, otherwise, he will make trouble for me when he descends the mountain."


    Daoist Tianshu waved his whisk, turning the chessboard on the ground to flying ash, which dissipated like smoke.


    Li Ya frowned and asked, "Martial Master, what are you doing?"


    He was anxious, wondering if even his Martial Master thought he lacked wisdom.


    Daoist Tianshu smiled, "A great calamity is descending upon the nine dynasties, and the tribulations are increasingly perilous. Even Three Pure Ones Mountain may be in danger of destruction, so it''s not appropriate for me to test you anymore. All three branches of Three Pure Ones Mountain must descend to save the world. Before I leave, I will impart a divine skill of mountain protection to you.


    If Three Pure Ones Mountain is destroyed, I hope you will carry on the Daoist Tradition of the Three Pure Ones."


    To descend the mountain!


    Both Li Ya and the Ancestor of the Li Family''s complexions changed.


    "Please teach me, Master. I wish to join the battle!" Li Ya immediately said.


    Daoist Tianshu shook his head, "Your cultivation level is too low, it won''t make a difference in this tribulation. If we fail, there will be others in the mountain who will take you away from the nine dynasties to another world far away to live on.


    This continent originally belongs to the Demon Clan; our sect has been established for so many years, it''s already come to the end of its Heavenly Destiny."


    He stroked his beard and smiled, his face showing no worries, as if he had seen through the mortal world.


    "But..."


    "There is no ''but,'' just obey."


    Li Ya bit back his words, his face a tangle of emotions.


    Daoist Tianshu asked with a smile, "Could it be that you still have someone you are concerned about?"


    The Ancestor of the Li Family teased, "He''s worried about his Junior Brother Gu."


    Hearing this, Daoist Tianshu said softly, "If one can control their own destiny in life, they have transcended. Everything depends on human effort; do not force things."


    Li Ya was silent.


    ...


    At the Supreme Sect, the Third Medicine Valley.


    The world was dark, and disciples gathered together, looking up at the grand scene in the sky, with Gu An among them watching.


    One could see bursts of heavenly thunder striking down, all converging at the same spot: the formation set up by Lu Lingjun. The golden lightning, like azure dragons, plummeted down and made the formation burst with rainbow light that scoured the sky, creating a magnificent sight.


    In the distance, on the mountaintops surrounding the Third Medicine Valley, stood numerous cultivators of the Supreme Sect, including cultivators and elders with the lowest being in the Elixir Formation Realm. They watched Lu Lingjun''s tribulation and discussed among themselves.


    The maximum extent of the tribulation reached a hundred miles, with the thundercloud area emitting red light as if it were the eye of heaven.


    In front of this heavenly eye, the Third Medicine Valley seemed insignificant. Thankfully, the heavenly thunder was concentrated solely on Lu Lingjun. Otherwise, the valley would have suffered a catastrophic strike.


    Gu Zong stood beside Gu An, expressing his sentiments, "The Mystic Heart Realm is truly indescribable. Just witnessing this tribulation makes me feel a myriad of emotions."


    Lu Lingjun''s tribulation had already lasted three days. The heavenly might was most terrifying yesterday, and today it had weakened somewhat. Yet even now, each thunderstrike was powerful enough to kill a Unification Realm cultivator.


    Looking up, there were Unification Realm Great Cultivators guarding in every direction. Upon knowing that Lu Lingjun was an Inner Sect Elder, the Supreme Sect rejoiced and even assisted in setting up her formation.


    Whenever the formation was about to break, the Unification Realm elders would take action, using their Spiritual Power to maintain the formation, which also showed Gu An the unity of the Supreme Sect.


    Some people doubted Lu Lingjun''s identity until Gu Zong said that even if she truly was a Demon Cultivator, and succeeded in breaking through, she still wouldn''t be a match for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    This statement alleviated everyone''s concerns.


    Gu An also sighed emotionally, "I never expected that the Servant Disciple randomly assigned to me by the Sect Leader could harbor such formidable cultivation. I am indeed fortunate across three lifetimes."


    Gu Zong laughed, "Perhaps you are a Great Fortune of Energy Movement after all. Considering you could write ''Investiture of the Gods,'' maybe in the mysterious ways of the universe, you are the reincarnation of some Great Power, recalling experiences from your past life."


    Gu An rolled his eyes at him, what a wild imagination.


    I do indeed have a past life, I was the great descendant of Yan and Huang in my previous incarnation!


    Gu Zong was only jesting, but he was also very curious about how Medicine Valley under Gu An could give birth to a Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator.


    Those who cultivate immortality believe most in destiny, the more mysterious, the more they believe.


    Gu Zong thought about the Shenzhou Scripture that Gu An previously gave to the ten talented disciples and wondered if he should also cultivate his mind.


    Gu An refocused his attention on Lu Lingjun. Her Mystic Heart had been refined, signifying a successful breakthrough, and her cultivation level was about to soar.


    He felt emotional in his heart.


    Crossing Tribulation is really difficult!


    If it weren''t for the formations and elixirs, Gu An felt that with the capabilities of the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm, he couldn''t have crossed the tribulation at all.


    The Spiritual Power of the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm is indeed vast, but to withstand the heavenly lightning, the consumption is also enormous. Gu An didn''t bother to calculate how many elixirs Lu Lingjun had taken, but it was definitely an astronomical number.


    At one point, Gu An even thought of intervening to help her because she nearly couldn''t hold on and didn''t even have time to take elixirs. Luckily, the Unification Realm Cultivators of the Supreme Sect acted in time.


    Over twenty Unification Realm Elders along with Ancestor Kusong of the Mystic Heart Realm joined forces to finally protect Lu Lingjun.


    After the most difficult part of the celestial tribulation passed, Ancestor Kusong left at dawn.


    Gu An wasn''t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that the back of Ancestor Kusong seemed very forlorn.


    "It seems the Tribulation Crossing was successful, and it''s time for me to leave. Once her cultivation stabilizes, you should foster a good relationship with her and try to keep her in Medicine Valley until the Sect Leader returns to make arrangements," Gu Zong left these words behind and departed. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He flew into the sky, transmitted a few words to the other Unification Realm Elders through voice transmission, and then left.


    Although Gu Zong was only at the Void Crossing Realm, his status was extremely high. His backing lay with the Gu Family, and he managed the great powers of the Sect, which also caused him to neglect his cultivation.


    Reaching the Unification Realm, they are mostly hands-off managers, spending most of their time in closed-door cultivation and not involving themselves with the Sect''s affairs.


    Gu An looked not far away, where Shen Zhen was drawing a portrait of Lu Lingjun''s tribulation.


    That''s really courting death!


    Daring to offend even a Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator!


    ...


    Two days later, the heavenly tribulation in the sky completely dissipated, Lu Lingjun''s Tribulation Crossing was successful, and she officially stepped into the Mystic Heart Realm. After retracting her formation, a crowd of Unification Realm Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect gathered around, making pleasantries with her.


    Lu Lingjun was also grateful for their assistance, so she was courteous in her demeanor, which also satisfied the gathered Great Cultivators, stirring excitement in their hearts.


    The Supreme Sect had welcomed a new Mystic Heart Realm member!


    Especially at this critical moment!


    It truly is heaven''s blessing for the Supreme Sect!


    After a while.


    Only then did Lu Lingjun manage to extricate herself from their compliments, as she flew towards Medicine Valley, she happened to see Gu An being entangled by Shen Zhen.


    Upon seeing Lu Lingjun fly down, Shen Zhen immediately stored the painting in her Storage Bag.


    Lu Lingjun landed in front of the two, looked at Shen Zhen, and said, "Were you drawing my Tribulation Crossing earlier?"


    Gu An quickly interjected, "This is the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, Shen Zhen. She meant no offense; she admires your strength."


    The key point was the Daotian Sect!


    Lu Lingjun, noticing the closeness between Shen Zhen and Gu An, instantly spoke with displeasure, "Ms. Shen, please maintain a proper distance from Gu An in the future."


    Shen Zhen asked with surprise, "Why? Could it be that someone of your stature as a Great Cultivator is interested in him..."


    Lu Lingjun didn''t answer, only calmly looking at her.


    "Haven''t you heard of the name ''Gu An''?" asked Shen Zhen curiously.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An quickly said, "It''s all your fault, using my name to write that worthless book, ruining my good name!"


    Lu Lingjun had seen the Supreme Secret Records before and even doubted him, so he preemptively revealed Shen Zhen''s trickery.


    Shen Zhen didn''t get angry but laughed, "What do you mean ruining your good name? Didn''t you receive benefits?"


    Lu Lingjun''s gaze towards Gu An turned strange, as if accusing him of greed.


    Then, Shen Zhen continued, "Senior, Gu An is no simple man. He is the author of ''Investiture of the Gods'', Pan An. You better keep an eye on him daily; there are no shortage of women who admire him."


    With that said, she saluted Lu Lingjun with a gesture of her hand, then turned and left.


    Gu An inwardly felt troubled.


    Lu Lingjun ignored Shen Zhen and looked intently at Gu An, "Are you really Pan An?"

 Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Prepare to Welcome the Descent of the Immortal!

    Gu An dealt with the situation for quite a while before sending off Lu Lingjun, of course, there was another reason, which was that Lu Lingjun also needed time to adapt to the Mystic Heart Realm.


    He had a bad feeling, knowing that Lu Lingjun, who knew his identity as Pan An, might become even more entangled with him?


    He remembered that Lu Lingjun, when not busy, liked to read "Investiture of the Gods."


    In the days that followed, the name of Lu Lingjun spread throughout the Supreme Sect, uplifting all the disciples.


    The three words "Mystic Heart Realm" were enough to boost the morale of the entire sect!


    The news also quickly reached the Taichen Dynasty.


    All the cultivators within the Supreme Sect''s headquarters were thrilled upon hearing the news.


    During this time, they had come to understand the terror of the Mystic Heart Realm; without exaggeration, it was the only factor now determining the outcome of the battlefield!


    No matter how numerous the Unification Realm might be, they are no match for the Mystic Heart Realm!


    Lu Baitian was very delighted, stating that it was he who had personally recruited Lu Lingjun into the Supreme Sect, which also eased the minds of the higher-ups who felt unfamiliar with Lu Lingjun.


    The sudden emergence of an unknown Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator, especially at this critical juncture, inevitably caused those in power to be suspicious.


    They began to request Lu Baitian to recruit Lu Lingjun to join the battle.


    Relying on Xuan Quan alone, the Supreme Sect''s role in this war was minimal, and among the nine-dynasty alliance, they could hardly enter the top five in terms of influence, which was a disgrace for the Supreme Sect that had just hosted the Golden List Conference.


    Lu Baitian temporarily suppressed these requests, wanting to give Lu Lingjun time to solidify her cultivation level.


    Afterwards, under the lead of the Cangtian Sect, the nine-dynasty religious sects launched sporadic attacks on Wanji Forest, with Great Cultivators charging into battle, middle-level cultivators attempting to rescue captives, and the lower-level cultivators handling supply and support tasks.


    No matter how fiercely the nine-dynasty religious sects attacked, they could not break into the Ephemera Sect''s six Mahayana Arrays.


    The news continued to spread outward, letting more and more people in the world know that the great calamity of the nine dynasties had arrived, a crisis concerning the fate of all under heaven.


    ...


    Autumn arrived, and Lu Lingjun had been in closed-door cultivation for a month. During this period, Gu An did not disturb her.


    Gu An still traveled between the various Medicine Valleys, and the Nianchu Cave had already gotten on the right track. Tian Yao''er was becoming increasingly pleasing in his eyes, and he had not visited Nianchu Cave for six days.


    This particular day.


    Gu Zong came to visit Gu An and asked him to relay a message to Lu Lingjun that as soon as she emerged from seclusion, she should rush to support Wanji Forest; Gu An agreed.


    The battlefield in Wanji Forest became increasingly severe. Gu An used his Divine Sense to look over, and at that moment, Wanji Forest was still embroiled in fierce combat.


    From all directions, hundreds of thousands of cultivators formed their arrays, shaking heaven and earth, causing the spiritual energy of the entire Taichen Dynasty to flow towards Wanji Forest.


    The situation was incredibly dire!


    Gu An watched for a while and then retracted his Divine Sense.


    The number of offerings kept growing, and nine out of ten were prepared for that Mahayana Cultivator; it seemed that Fairy Bai Xia''s death had not affected the plans of the Mahayana Cultivator.


    Gu An continued his inspection of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Until evening came, Lu Lingjun walked out of her courtyard and visited Gu An in the pavilion.


    Gu An relayed Gu Zong''s request, and as to whether Lu Lingjun would go or not, that was up to her. As a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator, no one else could really control her.


    "Hmm, I heard about it earlier. I''ll set off in a bit," Lu Lingjun nodded and said, her expression cool, which perhaps was the real her.


    She was the strongest cultivator from the Lower Realm, no longer concealing her cultivation level or disguising her true nature.


    Gu An watched her, wondering why she hadn''t left yet.


    Lu Lingjun looked at him and said, "I can sense many Mystic Heart Realm auras in Wanji Forest, even one that makes my heart palpitate. This journey seems fraught with more peril than luck."


    Her eyes were beautiful and also deep, honed by the years. She fixed her gaze on Gu An, making him feel inexplicably guilty.


    Gu An replied, "Do what you can. If you cannot turn the tide, then preserve yourself."


    Lu Lingjun''s lips curled into a smile as she said, "Of course, I would not shatter myself into pieces for the Supreme Sect. However, I am about to depart for such a dangerous war, don''t you have anything you''d like to say to me?"


    Gu An cleared his throat with a fake cough and said earnestly, "Ms. Lu, the earlier incident of holding your hand was unintentional. Don''t get the wrong idea. As for matters of love, they can''t be decided on a whim. Two people must have feelings for each other to commit for life, not just because they touched hands."


    "Moreover, I''ll tell you the truth, the ''Investiture of the Gods'' was not written by me. I just listened to a Daoist named Xu Zhonglin tell it."


    Lu Lingjun laughed and said, "If it were really written by someone else, how could you, Pan An, have been riding on its coattails for decades?"


    Gu An choked.


    He couldn''t exactly say that the actual author was not from this world!


    "Actually, whether ''Investiture of the Gods'' is written by you or not, it doesn''t matter. Having been with you for so many years, I know your nature is quite good. Greedy as you may be, it''s always with mutual consent, and you are invariably polite, respectful to those above and courteous to those below..." Lu Lingjun began to praise Gu An, causing him to become somewhat elated.


    Am I really that good?


    Lu Lingjun shifted her tone and said, "You are good in every way, except that your cultivation level is too weak. If you wish to be my Daoist friend, first cultivate to the Void Crossing Realm. Until then, I will keep an eye on you. When you reach the Void Crossing Realm, I have a set of cultivation techniques that I have never tried before that we can practice together."


    Practice together?


    Suddenly Gu An thought of certain scenes in the Supreme Secret Records, and a surge of heat rose within him. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This isn''t right!


    Trying to ruin my Daoist Heart?


    Gu An looked at Lu Lingjun once more, finding her smile ominously dangerous.


    A two-thousand-year-old matron wants to ensnare me, a seventy-year-old youngster?


    "Then you should stop dreaming, as I will never reach the Void Crossing Realm in the remainder of my life," Gu An stated solemnly.


    Lu Lingjun smiled and then stood up. She placed her right hand on the table, leaving behind a ring set with a red jade, and said, "This is the Double Heart Ring. Refine it, and if you''re ever in danger, I can detect it immediately and might just save your little life."


    Before Gu An could reply, she vanished into thin air inside the room.


    Gu An looked at the Double Heart Ring on the table and remained silent.


    He couldn''t help but glance at the Qinghong Sword lying on the table next to him, feeling as if this scene was strangely familiar.


    Damn the heavens, why do they keep making women fall for him?


    Are they afraid I''ll somehow survive?


    ...


    A night passed.


    The next day at noon, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley, where he discovered that only Luo Hun remained.


    He found Luo Hun and inquired about the whereabouts of Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun.


    "They have followed His Majesty on an expedition to the Taichen Dynasty. His Majesty said that in times of trouble, as the Emperor, he must contribute," Luo Hun replied, admiration evident on his face. If it weren''t for Li Xuandao ordering him to stay and guard the place, he would have liked to join the battle too.


    Gu An hadn''t expected Li Xuandao to possess such sentiment. Without further comment, he just nodded and then turned to walk towards the garden area.


    And so, Gu An waited another half a month.


    Standing at the window ledge of the Mystic Valley pavilion, his Divine Sense looked out toward Wanji Forest. Lu Lingjun was fighting a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator, and nearby several other Mystic Heart Realm cultivators were engaged in battle. The mountains within a thousand miles had turned to ruins, with dust filling the air.


    All over the ground, corpses lay in heaps, a horrific sight to behold.


    That Mahayana Cultivator had still not shown himself!


    Gu An didn''t believe it; surely, he couldn''t wait his whole life!


    If the mysterious sacrificial formation were to activate and the opponent still hadn''t appeared, then he would have to take action to prevent the cultivators of the nine dynasties from being slain to the last.


    After all, the demon calamity was yet to come.


    Gu An looked toward Nine Nether Road, which had now become the territory of the Ephemera Sect. Ephemera could be seen everywhere within a thousand miles.


    After dealing with the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, those Ephemera could be harvested.


    This time, the Ephemera Sect must be exterminated to prevent its resurgence in the future.


    ...


    Wanji Forest, within the six Mahayana Arrays.


    All seven hierarchs of the Ephemera Sect opened their eyes at the same time, their gaze filled with fierceness. The leader, wearing a mask, spoke first, "My fellows, the auspicious time has come. Prepare to activate the formation and welcome our Hierarch."


    He stood up, with the other six following suit.


    "We''ve finally waited until now."


    "It''s rumored that the Taichen Dynasty has a Divine Beast, the Chen Snake. I wonder if this sacrifice will disturb it."


    "Just a vague legend. So many have died, and yet we haven''t seen the Chen Snake appear."


    "Speaking of which, Sword Venerable Fudao hasn''t shown himself. I am actually relieved. It seems he is quite wary of us and only guards the Supreme Sect because it threatens his own existence."


    "Even without us, the nine dynasties will face annihilation. A Great Cultivator like him seeks immortality. To be immortal, one must survive, so of course he won''t place himself in danger."


    Their tone was light, feeling that the goal they were scheming toward was about to be accomplished.


    Then, they each took a step back and began to cast their spells.


    Boom¡ª


    The ground beneath their feet cracked open, and huge tree roots emerged from the soil. They stepped onto the roots, rising into the air and away from the ground.


    At the same time, all the Great Cultivators involved in the distant battles felt a heart-pounding presence.


    Lv Baitian turned his head to look, his brow deeply furrowed as he uttered three words: "Ephemera Tree!"


    This Ephemera Tree was far more terrifying than the one in front of Nine Nether Road!


    The aura seemed to come from the Nine Nether World, chilling everyone to the bone!


    Above the earth, countless human captives widened their eyes in terror, looking at the giant Ephemera that kept rising. They were even smaller than the leaves of the Ephemera Tree.


    Thousands of miles away.


    Lu Lingjun held her twin swords, with a golden sash swirling around her body like a dragon. She turned to look toward the horizon, spotting the silhouette of the Origin Tree of Ephemera.


    A small snake popped out from her hair bun, hissing, "Such a terrifying presence. This is no joking matter. We''ve fought enough; we''ve repaid our debt to them¡ªit''s time to slip away!"


    This small snake was the White Spirit Demon Emperor who had ascended with her, a cultivator of the eight levels of the Unification Realm!


    Hundreds of yards away, a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator of the Ephemera Sect, trapped by Lu Lingjun''s formation, was resisting the array while laughing wildly, "Thinking of fleeing? It''s too late for that. Prepare to welcome the arrival of an Immortal!"


    An Immortal?


    Lu Lingjun''s brow furrowed, and the White Spirit Demon Emperor was also startled, looking at the Mystic Heart Realm cultivator and asking, "If your sect had an Immortal, why haven''t you conquered the lands of the nine dynasties yet?"


    The Mystic Heart Realm cultivator just smiled, offering no explanation, as he began to make a desperate effort to break the array.


    The other Mystic Heart Realm cultivators who were fighting in different directions also stopped their attacks. The cultivators of the nine dynasties watched the Origin Tree of Ephemera with dread, while the Ephemera Sect side grew excited, as though victory was in their grasp.

 Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Take It to Save the World

    The Origin Tree of Ephemera broke through the soil, unleashing massive and dense branches, countless leaves rapidly growing, enveloping the entire Wanji Forest with a coverage reaching tens of thousands of miles, its trunk as colossal as a great mountain.


    A ghastly and terrifying human face grew out of the Origin Tree of Ephemera''s trunk, exhibiting only facial features, revealing a greedy and cruel smile that made the numerous captives below feel their hearts and gallbladders split in terror.


    At that moment, countless people fainted from fright.


    All were sealed with Talisman Paper on their bodies, unable to speak, and for this reason, their fear escalated to the extreme.


    Upon seeing a human face grow on the Origin Tree of Ephemera, all the Mahayana Cultivators from the nine dynasties went insane.


    "Everyone, we have no place to retreat, think of your descendants, your disciples, if we fail today, there will be no land in this world for the Human Race to stand on!"


    A domineering voice thundered across heaven and earth, as deafening as thunder.


    As the words fell, a dazzling golden light burst from the horizon, speeding forth unstoppable.


    The four Mystic Heart Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect appeared out of nowhere in the sky, simultaneously casting spells, attempting to intercept this golden light.


    However, just as the two were about to collide, the golden light burst forth with thousands of beams, continuing to charge forward.


    A majestic blue river came from behind, on top stood a man in a black robe, holding a Zen Stick, his Spiritual Power vast, stirring up waves.


    From other directions, Great Cultivators arrived, each displaying Divine Skills, a spectacular sight.


    All Mystic Heart Cultivators on the nine dynasties'' side began to charge with all their might, vowing to reach the Origin Tree of Ephemera.


    Lv Baitian raised the big flag in his hand high, and beneath him, a hundred thousand Inner Sect Disciples simultaneously revealed their Magic Artifacts, they quickly shifted, altering formations, myriad Spiritual Power dragons rose into the sky ¡ª fire dragons, ice dragons, with the intertwining dragons roaring, shaking heaven and earth.


    Lu Lingjun stood on a white python, soaring across the sky, she released the swords from her hands and then drew a large bow, pulling the bowstring taut, Spiritual Power converging into arrows.


    Nature''s spiritual energy surged towards this arrow, gathering together, causing its aura to explode, and her right hand pulling the bowstring gleamed with a dazzling light.


    From another direction, Daoist Tianshu from the Three Pure Ones Mountain led dozens of Daoists swiftly towards the Wanji Forest.


    A battle far surpassing the previous ones erupted!


    ...


    Boom!


    In Mystic Valley, Gu An stood on top of a mountain, hearing the distant booming sounds, beside him, Chu Jingfeng was thrilled, unable to remain calm.


    "This commotion..." Chu Jingfeng frowned and spoke, he could feel the sound coming from a very distant place, which made him think of the Wanji Forest of the Taichen Dynasty.


    The battle of Wanji Forest had already spread across the Immortal Cultivation World; those Servant Disciples who had roamed the Outer Sect had come back and talked about it.


    This battle had started a while ago, yet now suddenly erupted with such terrifying noise, it was hard to imagine what exactly had happened.


    Dark clouds began to gather in the sky, fierce and threatening, as if intending to cover the heavens.


    Gu An looked towards the distance, softly saying, "The moment of life and death for the nine dynasties has arrived, it''s a pity we can''t do much, only pray that the heavens stand on the side of the Righteous Path."


    Chu Jingfeng took a deep breath and asked, "What kind of realm must one reach to save all lives with one''s own power?"


    Gu An glanced at him, asking with a smile, "So, you still harbor such ideals?"


    "Sword Venerable Fudao has repeatedly saved Supreme Sect by himself; as a Sword Cultivator, naturally, he is the person I hope to become. Yet, the longer I practice, the more I feel my talent and comprehension are very mediocre," Chu Jingfeng said as he gazed into the distance, his eyes becoming blank.


    Gu An laughed and said, "If you''ve realized this, then you better practice diligently the Daoist Expansion Skill I taught you. Although this Cultivation Technique comes from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, I haven''t mastered it myself, but I believe you can. I hope you can go and see the Mortal World for me a thousand years from now."


    Chu Jingfeng looked at him, frowning and asked, "You always urge me not to give up hope, why are you giving up on yourself?"


    Gu An turned around, patted his shoulder, said nothing, and walked down the mountain.


    Chu Jingfeng chased after him, asking, "Where are you going?"


    "If tomorrow is the end of days, I want to be with my beloved herbs," Gu An dropped these words and disappeared into the woods.


    Chu Jingfeng was stunned for a moment, a bitter smile appearing on his face.


    "Compared to him, I really am worrying over nothing¡­" Chu Jingfeng thought silently to himself, then looked back up at the horizon.


    Just then, a gust of wind swept from the horizon, stirring his robes, squinting his eyes.


    The wind had risen.


    ...


    After walking around in Mystic Valley, Gu An finally returned to his attic, he closed the room door, activated the restrictions within the room, and then directed his Divine Sense towards Wanji Forest.


    He felt spatial fluctuations within the Origin Tree of Ephemera, these fluctuations were very covert, and he was able to perceive them because he sensed an unfamiliar aura inside the Origin Tree of Ephemera.


    Mahayana Realm!


    Gu An had spent many years in the Mahayana Realm, he was very familiar with the aura of the Mahayana Realm.


    The time had finally come!


    Just then, Gu An felt someone calling him again, he paid close attention.


    It was Sage Xuan Miao again!


    Hasn''t this fellow learned his lesson?


    Far in the North Sea Mountains, Sage Xuan Miao arrived in the forest where he had met the Mountain God before, kneeling on the ground, continuously kowtowing.


    For a long time.


    Sage Xuan Miao couldn''t remember how many kowtows he had performed when the voice of the Mountain God reached his ears, causing his body to stiffen.


    "Hey, kid, what are you bothering me for again, do you have that many treasures to offer me?"


    Sage Xuan Miao looked up, seeing the Mountain God squatting on a branch, tilting its head towards him.


    He hastily said, "The lands of the nine dynasties will soon face an overwhelming disaster, and when the people of the nine dynasties perish and demons invade, there will be no one left to worship you!"


    "Who said that only humans can worship me, and who told you that I only protect the human race?"


    Facing the Mountain God''s enquiry, Sage Xuan Miao was stunned and suddenly did not know how to respond.


    Gu An followed up, saying, "I might lend a hand, but..."


    "But what? What do you want?" Sage Xuan Miao pressed, his expression very agitated.


    Gu An''s tone suddenly turned chillingly cold, "I want you to serve as my eternal servant, to cultivate and guard my Taoist temple, and to never have freedom for the rest of your life!"


    Upon hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao''s face drastically changed, and he fell into silence.


    Gu An had come with the intention of using his identity as a Mountain God to eliminate a Mahayana Cultivator from the Ephemera Sect.


    He initially wanted to use the identity of Sword Venerable Fudao, but feared that it might attract more consequences for the Supreme Sect in the future, so he decided to act as a Mountain God.


    After all, this situation was different; the cultivation level of that Mahayana Cultivator was nearing the ninth layer of the Mahayana Realm, and his vast aura was far beyond any opponent Gu An had previously faced.


    Eliminating such a powerful being would have significant implications!


    Since the identity of a Mountain God was elusive and intangible, even if the Ephemera Sect had support, they would have to think twice.


    Gu An did not want to get entangled in endless troubles.


    Sword Venerable Fudao protected the Supreme Sect, and the Mountain God protected the people of the nine dynasties!


    By subordinating Sage Xuan Miao, he not only punished him but also wanted Sage Xuan Miao to help him establish a medicinal garden.


    Being the second-ranked talent on the Golden List, Sage Xuan Miao had enough strength to guard the medicinal garden.


    After struggling for a few moments, Sage Xuan Miao gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I am willing to serve as the servant of the Mountain God, as long as the Mountain God saves the people of the world!"


    Gu An waved his sleeve, and a wooden figurine fell into Sage Xuan Miao''s hand.


    This wooden figurine was carved in the likeness of Gu An''s Mountain God.


    Sage Xuan Miao picked up the wooden figurine, looked up toward Gu An, but his figure was nowhere to be seen.


    "Carry it to save the people."


    The voice of Gu An echoed through the forest, and Sage Xuan Miao''s cultivation began to recover, bringing joy to his face.


    Path of Returning Primordial Spirit, release!


    Sage Xuan Miao immediately rose to his feet and headed toward Wanji Forest at full speed, bursting with the velocity of the Divinity Transformation Realm, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    ...


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    The great rumbling reverberated surrounding the Mahayana Array from all directions, deafening, as seven dignitaries of the Ephemera Sect floated in front of the Origin Tree of Ephemera, standing side by side, half-kneeling in mid-air.


    Following their gaze, a black crack adorned with a human face on the forehead of the Ephemera Tree oozed black flames, as if a terrifying being was about to step forth.


    Looking further down, at the feet of the prisoners on the ground, those runes emitting blood light densely packed, formed arrays of beautiful but mournful light arcs rising up.


    The activation of the Mahayana Array had commenced!


    The terrifying pressure of the formation stimulated the hearts of the cultivators at the edge of Wanji Forest belonging to the nine dynasties; the cultivators had gone mad, charging forth heedlessly, falling dead every moment.


    Lu Lingjun, too, was fiercely battling, unable to break through the defensive line formed by dozens of Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators.


    The sky grew dark, thunder clouds tumbled about, lightning flashed, and thunder roared as if even the heavens were lamenting.


    Suddenly, a giant claw emerged from the clouds, directly grabbing the branches of the Origin Tree of Ephemera to uproot it entirely, causing the tree to tremble violently.


    "How dare you!"


    The seven dignitaries of the Ephemera Sect shouted in unison, each taking action. Their Divine Skills exploded in force, jointly repelling the giant claw.


    Right then, a massive red snake descended from the sky, this snake bearing claws and a head resembling a human face. From afar, it looked like a woman''s face smeared with rouge, with wild and disheveled hair, quite frightening in this dark and gloomy world.


    The body of the snake was a hundred zhang thick and stretched for an unknown number of miles.


    "It''s the Divine Beast of our Taichen Dynasty, Chen Snake!"


    A cultivator exclaimed excitedly, greatly boosting the morale of the nine dynasties'' cultivators.


    The aura of Chen Snake was ancient and vast, far surpassing the ordinary Mystic Heart Realm; its appearance brought a strong sense of hope to the nine dynasties.


    Chen Snake opened its massive mouth, spewing out magma like a torrential flood, sweeping towards the Ephemera Tree.


    Just then!


    A beam of blood light burst from the black crack on the forehead of the Ephemera Tree''s human face, fiercely annihilating the rolling magma, sweeping across a hundred miles, piercing through Chen Snake''s throat, and hot blood sprayed like that from a trumpeting elephant, echoing through the heavens and earth.


    Chen Snake fell, stirring up thousands of zhang of dust, causing the ground to shake violently.


    A terrifying pressure, far surpassing the Mystic Heart Realm, enveloped the entire Taichen Dynasty.


    "An Ancient Species dares to call itself a Divine Beast?" sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing resounded, his tone cold and filled with murderous intent, as if originating from a Demon God of the Nine Nether, sending chills down the spine of anyone who heard it.


    While battling, Lu Lingjun turned her head, her pretty face drastically changed, her eyes filled with disbelief.


    Facing this pressure, her Spiritual Power seemed to be suppressed.


    The opponent''s realm was definitely higher than the Mystic Heart Realm!


    "The Immortal of the Ephemera Sect has descended, why aren''t you kneeling down yet to receive the favor of the Ephemera Immortal?" a Mahayana Cultivator of the Ephemera Sect laughed maniacally.


    The Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators from the nine dynasties no longer cared about his provocation, all looking terrified towards the Origin Tree of Ephemera.

 Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Heaven Opens Its Eyes! The Power of Heaven and Earth!

    "What realm is this..."Under the thunderclouds, Lv Baitian, standing on a magic artifact, was full of fear as he gazed at the Origin Tree of Ephemera and muttered to himself.


    If he, a Unification Realm Nine Layers, felt this way, what more those with a cultivation level lower than his?


    The disciples of the Supreme Sect below felt as if they were being crushed by a weight of ten thousand catties, starting to descend, which forced them to dissolve their formation.


    "What exactly are we facing..."


    "Impossible... impossible... Could it be that Ephemera Sect truly possesses an Immortal?"


    "What to do... Is there truly no chance of victory?"


    "We still have Sword Venerable Fudao, once he arrives, perhaps there will be a glimmer of hope..."


    While the disciples of the Supreme Sect still harbored a sliver of hope, other sects had plunged into complete despair.


    Daoist Tianshu from Three Pure Ones Mountain looked towards the Origin Tree of Ephemera, his face pale as he calculated with his fingers, only to find no hope no matter how he calculated.


    "Inescapable doom..."


    Daoist Tianshu murmured to himself as his aura of righteousness began to dissipate.


    With the terrifying presence of Butcher Immortal Jing enveloping the Taichen Dynasty, the morale of the cultivators from the Nine Dynasties instantly collapsed.


    There were still some who refused to give up. A Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm from the Cangtian Sect continued to fight fiercely, displaying the leadership spirit of the leader of the Nine Dynasties Alliance.


    An Hao and Wu Jue were rapidly speeding along. With their low cultivation levels, no one hindered them for the time being, and they swiftly flew into Wanji Forest to rescue those who had become sacrifices. However, as soon as they landed, threads of blood quickly entangled their feet.


    Before they could react, the runes beneath their feet burst out with shocking blood light, spreading rapidly, sweeping across the Taichen Dynasty at an incredible speed, freezing in place all living beings within the territory of the Taichen Dynasty, including the Great Cultivators in the air.


    Those Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm were also suppressed, their movements incredibly slow, floating like falling leaves, driving those who wished to escape to despair with such drifting speed.


    They suddenly felt the Taichen Dynasty was boundless!


    On a cliff, Li Xuandao, Lv Xian, Yi Liuyun, and a group of impressive cultivators were all frozen in place.


    "What is this thing?" a cultivator watching the mysterious blood lines entwining his legs exclaimed in horror.


    He tried to struggle, but was utterly unable to free himself. The most despairing part for him was feeling his control over his body slipping away.


    Lv Xian looked down, his eyes filled with astonishment.


    Li Xuandao gazed into the distance, his demeanor calm, as if he was not afraid of this calamity at all.


    "This is the Six Paths Mahayana Array, it requires the mighty power of the Mahayana Realm to activate. Do you know what the Mahayana Realm is?"


    The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing resounded, chilling the heavens and the earth.


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao''s eyes began to flicker.


    Elsewhere.


    Lu Lingjun was in the air, she too suffered from the mysterious blood lines entangling her, these blood lines materializing out of thin air, unpredictable and unavoidable.


    Below her, the White Spirit Demon Emperor wailed, "We''re done for!"


    Lu Lingjun looked towards the Origin Tree of Ephemera. She could see a figure stepping out from the black fissure.


    It was Butcher Immortal Jing!


    His black clothes violently billowed, the cuffs and hem tattered, making his robes resemble black flames. His pale face revealed a ferocious smile, despising all living beings, with the imprint of two evil ghosts on his forehead vivid as though they could burst forth at any moment.


    Boom¡ª


    The ground shook violently, a blood-colored barrier rose from Wanji Forest, making the sparse trees appear as insignificant as weeds.


    More and more disciples of the Ephemera Sect fell down, kneeling on the ground, fervently looking up at him.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect, why not show yourself?"


    "Taoist of Immortality from Three Pure Ones Mountain, where are you chanting now?"


    "Wasn''t there someone from Cangtian Sect who claimed that flattening the Ephemera Sect would be easy?"


    "Why don''t you show yourself, if you do not come now, these myriad beings will enter the Six Paths, aiding me in becoming an Immortal!"


    The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing continuously rang out, each phrase quenching the hope in the hearts of the cultivators from the Nine Dynasties, causing more and more people to fall into despair.


    His blood-colored eyes reflected the illusion of Ephemera, and behind him, the face of the Origin Tree of Ephemera opened its mouth, spewing out a gigantic Ephemera, which then flew under his feet, carrying him as he soared away.


    As he ascended, everyone within the Taichen Dynasty felt their life force being drained, intensifying their despair.


    Far away in Mystic Valley, Gu An was secretly alarmed.


    This guy''s aura is so strong!


    Feels like he''s almost comparable to the Nine Layers of the Mahayana Realm!


    Thank goodness I had advanced earlier, and even advanced to the Nine Layers of the Nirvana Realm.


    Gu An''s divine sense locked onto Sage Xuan Miao.


    With his mana boosting, Sage Xuan Miao''s speed was greatly enhanced, and he was already fast approaching the Taichen Dynasty.


    Sage Xuan Miao also heard the voice of Butcher Immortal Jing, his heart racing, never feeling his speed as slow as now.


    "Mountain God! It''s too late!"


    Sage Xuan Miao roared in his heart, gripping the Wooden Mountain God tightly, his arms trembling.


    "If it''s too late, then throw it."


    Gu An''s voice entered his ears.


    Hearing this, he immediately threw the wooden entity in his hand towards the front.


    The moment it left his hand, it suddenly erupted into terrifying speed, transforming into a streak of green rainbow light, racing unstoppably towards Wanji Forest.


    Almost instantly, Butcher Immortal Jing sensed something and turned his head to look towards the horizon.


    Lu Lingjun was right in the line of sight of Butcher Immortal Jing. Facing his gaze, the heart of this Ascender trembled, and the White Spirit Demon Emperor under her feet shivered even more.


    In a trance, Lu Lingjun seemed to sense something and subconsciously turned her head.


    Time seemed to stand still as she caught a glimpse of a cyan light rainbow through the corner of her eye; she faintly saw a small figure within the cyan light.


    Struggling fiercely, An Hao turned his head to see a cyan light rainbow speeding towards him, sweeping over his head at an inconceivable speed.


    At the edge of the cliff, Li Xuandao saw a cyan light rainbow flying past the horizon, and he felt a dizzy sensation.


    In the desolate gaze of millions of sacrifices, a cyan light rainbow tore through the dark sky, bringing light to their eyes.


    Butcher Immortal Jing reacted far beyond anyone within the Taichen Dynasty; he raised his hand to block, and terrifying Spiritual Power formed into dark light, forcefully intercepting the cyan light rainbow.


    His complexion slightly changed, and in a cold voice, he said, "Mahayana Realm, who are you?"


    Within the cyan light rainbow, a small wooden figure twisted its body, facing Butcher Immortal Jing.


    The small wooden figure raised its hand, pointing at Butcher Immortal Jing.


    Butcher Immortal Jing''s gaze sharpened, and his right hand suddenly clenched into a fist, terrible dark light directly forming a demonic claw, intending to crush the small wooden figure.


    Boom!


    A massive cyan beam of light suddenly struck from behind the small wooden figure, engulfing Butcher Immortal Jing with unimaginable speed.


    Too fast!


    Standing at the peak of the Mahayana Realm, Butcher Immortal Jing had no time to react!


    The majestic Origin Tree of Ephemera was instantly pierced by the cyan beam of light, its trunk rapidly turning to flying ash. The thunderclouds above were dispersed right away, and the bright sky suddenly broke through above all beings, causing countless people to subconsciously close their eyes.


    The cyan glow around the small wooden figure then dissipated.


    Silence fell upon the land.


    Great Cultivators from the Nine Dynasties and those from the Ephemera Sect were all dumbstruck, staring in the direction of the Origin Tree of Ephemera, watching its trunk gradually vanish, their minds blank.


    The small wooden figure fell backwards, its body trembling slightly.


    In an instant, a roaring sound thundered up!


    The ground shattered, countless trees burst forth, charging at the Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect with frenzied speed. The Great Cultivators in Mystic Heart Realm intuitively tried to escape, but in a blink, they were entwined by the trees.


    Outside the Six Mahayana Arrays, endless trees rose up, forming tree walls ascending from all directions.


    The Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect, their faces drastically altered, leaped up, trying to jump over the tree walls, but as soon as they ascended, they were entangled by the vines and pulled into the trees.


    "No¡ª"


    "What is this! Who!"


    "Sect Hierarch, save me!"


    "Spare me! Spare me!"


    Countless shouts and screams arose, plunging the land into despair.


    Cultivators from the Nine Dynasties also scrambled to avoid, but they quickly realized that the vines and trees were bypassing them, targeting only the Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect.


    Daoist Tianshu from Three Pure Ones Mountain hovered in the air, overlooking the land. Vast clouds of dust rose like an ocean, endless, seemingly covering the entire Mortal World. The trees resembled rising dragons, mystic and vast, shaking the very visual and cognitive perception of this Great Cultivator of Mystic Heart Realm.


    He could not imagine such a mighty force.


    It was as if the heavens and earth were punishing the Ephemera Sect!


    Not just him, all Great Cultivators of Mystic Heart Realm from the Nine Dynasties looked on in shock at this stunning sight; no matter how high they flew, they could not see the end of the sea of trees, the entire land submerged by dust storms, with countless trees growing, rampaging.


    Lu Lingjun stared blankly at this scene, unable to believe her own eyes.


    "The power of heaven and earth... Heaven has opened its eyes indeed!" exclaimed the White Spirit Demon Emperor excitedly, its bloodlines starting to dissipate, regaining control over its Demon Body.


    At the summit of a mountain in the North Sea Mountains, Gu An stood on the cliff, facing the wind, displaying the stature of an Immortal.


    The wooden figure given to Sage Xuan Miao was just a misdirection, leading Butcher Immortal Jing to mistakenly think the approaching person was merely a Mahayana Cultivator. Gu An used the mana on the wooden figure to remotely lock onto Butcher Immortal Jing, then executed a swift takedown.


    The stakes were high, but the process was brief!


    Prompt after prompt crazily popped up before Gu An''s eyes, his right foot subtly shifted.


    Tens of thousands of miles away within the Taichen Dynasty, the vast sea of trees came to a halt, those towering like mountain ridges shocking the eyes of all beings.


    Gu An turned around, the wind picking up and ruffling his black hair; he walked into the forest, disappearing into the darkness as if he had never appeared.


    Elsewhere.


    Sage Xuan Miao was still rushing towards the Taichen Dynasty at full speed.


    When he flew into the border of the Taichen Dynasty, his speed began to decrease; his eyes widened, shocked by the sight of the towering, twisted trees ahead. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Could this be the power of a Mountain God?"


    Sage Xuan Miao slowly descended, landing on a cliff, much like Gu An earlier, facing the wind that blew towards him.


    Unlike Gu An''s calmness, his face was filled with astonishment.


    In his eyes were both joy and reverence.


    He suddenly felt a deep fear.


    That he had so offended a Mountain God, and yet the Mountain God could tolerate him.


    The tiny Mountain God and the magnificent spectacle before him created a strong contrast, stimulating his spirit.


    He slowly knelt down, his knees less than five centimeters from the edge of the cliff.


    "To be a servant for life... it turns out to be my honor..."

 Chapter 147: Chapter 147 The Legend of the Mountain God, A Sight to Behold

    Under the sunlight, the vast dust storm between heaven and earth refused to dissipate for a long time. The sect leaders of the nine-dynasty alliance gathered together, perched on the immense roots of trees, looking at the surrounding scenes with unspeaking glances.Lv Baitian felt the same, even though the high ranks of the Ephemera Sect had been dead for some time, the shock in his heart had yet to fade.


    They had battled for so long, unable to break through the Ephemera Sect''s defenses, yet in a matter of mere moments, the sect hierarch of the Ephemera Sect and the Great Cultivators in the Mystic Heart Realm had all perished?


    What on earth had happened?


    These towering figures who stood at the pinnacle of the nine-dynasty Immortal Cultivation World were all feeling a complex, unsettled emotion at this moment.


    Their survival from the calamity had brought them joy, but once they calmed down, they also felt fear.


    Could the mysterious force that had so easily obliterated the Ephemera Sect also easily obliterate them?


    The Cangtian Sect''s sect leader, Liang Canghai, looked towards Daoist Tianshu of Three Pure Ones Mountain and asked, "Daoist Friend Tianshu, do you know what force this might be?"


    Everyone''s gaze turned towards Daoist Tianshu, their eyes filled with hope.


    Being the oldest sect among the nine dynasties, Three Pure Ones Mountain''s understanding of heaven and earth was surely beyond theirs.


    Daoist Tianshu''s face was a picture of complexity, and taking a deep breath, he said, "I also do not know which being has intervened, perhaps it is heaven and earth punishing the Ephemera Sect."


    Heaven and Earth?


    The sect leaders'' expressions fluctuated with uncertainty.


    Zhong Wujin, the sect leader of Jueshan Sect from the Taicang Dynasty, looked into the distance with a sigh, "If heaven and earth have a spirit, why would they wait for so many people to die before intervening?"


    Following his gaze, disciples from various sects were escorting the captives who had become sacrifices. Their figures were numerous like stars, yet appeared so insignificant within the sea of trees.


    No one answered Zhong Wujin''s question, the battle had shattered their pride.


    Having witnessed such a fearsome power, they finally realized that the Unification Realm meant nothing, and even Cultivators in the Mystic Heart Realm were merely somewhat stronger ants.


    The Great Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect had died without the slightest resistance, and they could not forget the despairing looks on the Great Cultivators'' faces before death.


    "It was the Mountain God! The Mountain God intervened!"


    A voice came through, startling everyone to turn their heads, only to see Sage Xuan Miao flying swiftly towards them.


    Lv Baitian remembered this man, the prodigy ranked second on the Golden List, the only one who could force An Hao to give his all.


    Sage Xuan Miao flew over quickly, landing in front of Daoist Tianshu and gesturing a salute with his hand.


    An elder Taoist of Three Pure Ones Mountain asked him hurriedly, "Xuan Miao, what Mountain God? What do you know?"


    Sage Xuan Miao took a deep breath, looked towards the sect leaders, and said, "The being that annihilated the Ephemera Sect was the Mountain God. It''s hidden deep in the mountains, elusive to track. I was fortunate to have seen it. Previously, the Mountain God gave me a wooden effigy, instructing me to save the common folk with it. All this was caused by that wooden effigy."


    Speaking of these matters, his face was full of nothing but reverence.


    The sect leaders bombarded him with questions, chattering away noisily, making the area rowdy.


    Liang Canghai of the Cangtian Sect seemed to recall something and immediately waved in the direction of a figure in the distance. Soon, a cultivator flew rapidly towards him, clutching a wooden effigy.


    Liang Canghai beckoned from afar, grabbing hold of the wooden effigy, then asked Xuan Miao, "Young friend, could it be this wooden effigy?"


    Sage Xuan Miao nodded immediately, saying, "This is the wooden image of the Mountain God - you must not offend it."


    All eyes fell on the wooden effigy in Liang Canghai''s hands, making him feel as if it were burning hot.


    While some were still skeptical of Xuan Miao''s words, Daoist Tianshu suddenly cast a spell, immobilizing Xuan Miao and swiped his horsetail whisk across his forehead, conjuring a spectral image.


    Everyone saw Xuan Miao kneeling in the woods, and in front of him on a tree branch sat a white-robed figure.


    Seeing this white-robed figure, Liang Canghai was so startled that he dropped the wooden effigy from his hands.


    They were identical!


    The diminutive stature of this Mountain God somehow convinced the onlookers of his divinity.


    "The lands of the nine dynasties will soon face a catastrophic disaster, and when all the people of the nine dynasties are dead, and demons invade, there will be no one left to worship You!"


    "Who told you only humans can worship me, and who informed you that I only protect the Human Race?" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I am willing to intervene, but..."


    "But what? What do You desire?"


    "I want you to be my servant for all eternity, to build a Daoist Temple for me, to guard my Daoist Temple, and never have your freedom again!"


    Hearing the Mountain God''s words, everyone felt a chill run down their spine.


    The previous dialogue left them puzzled about the Mountain God''s intent, but the latter remarks revealed the Mountain God''s frightful capriciousness.


    Dealing with an Immortal God, the price was steep.


    As everyone waited tensely, the spectral image showed Xuan Miao looking up, his reply causing a profound shock to all who heard.


    "Good, I am willing to be the Mountain God''s servant, if only the Mountain God would save the commonfolk!"


    "Take it and save the commonfolk."


    The Mountain God tossed a wooden effigy to Xuan Miao, who stood up, bowed, and took the wooden effigy before departing.


    The vision broke off at this point.


    Daoist Tianshu''s expression shifted subtly. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of reverse blood, his face paling.


    Xuan Miao recovered his freedom and looked at Daoist Tianshu with a frown.


    The other sect leaders looked at Xuan Miao with complex eyes.


    Xuan Miao''s dedication of his spirit for the common folk earned their deep respect from the depths of their souls - truly worthy of being the sole disciple of the Taiqing Lineage of Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    Knowing of the Mountain God''s existence, they all breathed a sigh of relief.


    Compared to the so-called power of Great Heaven and Earth, the Mountain God was more reassuring to them.


    Furthermore, from the words of the Mountain God, it seemed that the Mountain God didn''t care much about the mundane world.


    "The Mountain God...cannot be deduced or speculated..."


    Daoist Tianshu, supported by his fellow disciples, spoke these words.


    Liang Canghai took a deep breath and said, "Fellow Daoists, we must not offend the Mountain God, to avoid bringing disaster upon the Nine Dynasties, but we also must not forget the Mountain God''s merits. Everyone, remember the Mountain God''s image; when you return, set up statues and shrines in your respective sects to extol the Mountain God''s virtues to all under heaven!"


    Upon hearing this, all the sect hierarchs nodded in agreement, endorsing his opinion.


    Sage Xuan Miao approached Liang Canghai and took hold of the wooden figure floating in the air.


    He turned to face the people of Three Pure Ones Mountain, raised his hand in salute, and said, "My esteemed teachers and uncles, please inform my master when you return that from now on, I am no longer the successor of the Taiqing Lineage of Three Pure Ones Mountain. I will not return, and I hope the sect can forgive my wilfulness."


    Daoist Tianshu and the other Daoists of Three Pure Ones Mountain all sighed, but no one tried to stop him.


    "A man without credibility is worthless. Serving the Mountain God is not necessarily a punishment. Xuan Miao, henceforth, no matter what happens to Three Pure Ones Mountain, you must not go against the will of the Mountain God. Do you understand?" Daoist Tianshu said earnestly.


    Sage Xuan Miao nodded, then turned and left.


    Some sect leaders hesitated, their eyes flickering with the thought of sending someone to follow Sage Xuan Miao, but considering the terrifying scenes around them, they eventually gave up the idea.


    At least for now, it was best not to provoke the Mountain God!


    In the distance.


    Lu Lingjun stood on a towering tree, with the White Spirit Demon Emperor curled up on her shoulder, having shrunken in size.


    "The Mountain God... truly a spirit of the Great Heaven and Earth, indeed an Immortal!" the White Spirit Demon Emperor exclaimed excitedly.


    They watched the sect leaders'' discussion from afar and even saw the illusion that Daoist Tianshu had drawn out.


    It wasn''t just them; the Mystic Heart Realm Cultivators from various sects were also watching, having witnessed the recent events unfold.


    The existence of the Mountain God shook the understanding of the Mystic Heart Realm Cultivators.


    Lu Lingjun recalled the little white figure from the illusion.


    ...


    In Mystic Valley, within the pavilion.


    Gu An was in a pleasant mood; his recent actions had garnered him a lifespan of one million one hundred twenty-seven thousand years.


    Among them, Butcher Immortal Jing from the Mahayana Realm''s Nine Layers contributed six hundred forty-nine years to his lifespan, while the eighth-tier Origin Tree of Ephemera granted him seven thousand five hundred years.


    The other Cultivators of the Ephemera Sect could only provide him with dozens of years of lifespan each, while those from the Mystic Heart Realm often contributed less than forty years each.


    This time, he had slain nearly thirty thousand Cultivators from the Ephemera Sect. Though they weren''t all the sect''s members, they were definitely its elite forces. After this battle, the Ephemera Sect was bound to dissolve.


    He himself had slain seventy-two Mystic Heart Realm Cultivators!


    Seeing that his total lifespan had now exceeded three million three hundred thousand years, Gu An felt even happier. He immediately took out his Green Hero Travelogue, ready to cultivate his mind.


    After the fall of the Ephemera Sect, there should be peace for several decades.


    He wondered if, before the great Demon calamity arrived, he could push his lifespan past ten million years.


    The news of the battle in Wanji Forest had not yet reached Supreme Sect, which was still in a tense atmosphere.


    Only when night fell did Gu An start to act, going to pick Ephemera flowers.


    Just like before, these Ephemera could each provide only one year of lifespan, but he didn''t mind at all.


    Three days later.


    The Supreme Sect was astir!


    The news of the demise of the Ephemera Sect spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World.


    At noon, Ye Lan came to visit Gu An and told him about the great battle at Wanji Forest. As a Disciple of Law Enforcement Hall, she had access to more comprehensive information. She also mentioned the Mountain God.


    "The power of the Mountain God can destroy heaven and annihilate earth, indeed beyond the reach of mortals. The Ephemera Sect was strong, but with a single intervention from the Mountain God, the sect was eradicated in a moment. Tsk, the Mountain God is really that powerful. In mythical stories, aren''t Mountain Gods only capable of protecting a piece of land?


    Our Mountain God seems too exaggerated; even if you said it was an Immortal from heaven, I would believe it," Ye Lan said with great excitement, quite unlike her usual composed self.


    For Cultivators, the existence of the Mountain God was certainly exhilarating news.


    There really are Immortals in the world!


    Gu An pretended to be excited, eagerly inquiring further, satisfying Ye Lan''s desire to share.


    As for the spread of tales about the Mountain God by Sage Xuan Miao, Gu An had been prepared for it. Sage Xuan Miao simply wouldn''t reveal his whereabouts but would sing the praises of the Mountain God to anyone he met.


    Gu An had even noticed when Daoist Tianshu drew upon Sage Xuan Miao''s memories.


    Such is the capability of the Immortal Path!


    He had used his Divine Sense to punish Daoist Tianshu from a distance, a small reprimand and also a warning to the other sect leaders.


    Daoist Tianshu, unaware that it was an assault by Divine Sense, thought he had suffered backlash and grew even more reverent toward the Mountain God.


    After a chat of two Ancient Hours, Ye Lan finally left.


    Her entire being was ignited with fighting spirit. The world now had a Mountain God, so what was impossible?


    Gu An had still underestimated the Mountain God''s influence.


    In the following period, every time Gu An went to the Outer City, he could hear people discussing the Mountain God. The Outer City had already built a Mountain God Daoist Temple for people to offer incense and kneel in worship¡ªit was bustling with activity.


    At the same time, the Nine Dynasty Sects were clearing out the Ephemera flowers throughout the world.


    Within a month, ninety percent of the Ephemera widespread across the world had vanished, leaving only scattered remnants, which Gu An couldn''t be bothered to pursue.


    Even so, his gains were still substantial!

 Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Soaring Life Span

    Within nearly a month and relying on Ephemera, Gu An harvested 10.7 million years of life span, most of which were harvested in the first half of the month. As time went on, it became increasingly difficult to seize life span, and more Ephemera withered directly after he picked them, which he found rather curious.As if some force was pulling the vitality out of these Ephemera ahead of time, in the unseen realms.


    Although he did not know the reason, Gu An was quite content.


    Thanks to the Ephemera Sect, he saved twenty years of effort, and his life span reached 43.9 million years.


    After the Ephemera Sect''s downfall, the lands of the Nine Dynasties all welcomed joyous times. Various versions of the story spread among the people, turning the Ephemera Sect into the most terrifying sect in the world, while the Mountain God became the faith of the common folk.


    On this day.


    Within a forest in the North Sea Mountains,


    Sage Xuan Miao was kneeling on the ground, his expression devout.


    Suddenly, he heard a voice and his face lit up with joy. He then walked in another direction.


    Two ancient hours later, Sage Xuan Miao stopped. He stood on a mountainside and could see the shimmering North Sea.


    "Build a Daoist temple for me here, and open up a field for planting medicinal herbs for me," Gu An''s voice rang in Sage Xuan Miao''s ears.


    Sage Xuan Miao immediately agreed, looking forward to the life of service that lay ahead.


    And so, a day and night passed.


    At the break of dawn.


    Gu An, transformed into a white-robed petitesse, appeared on Sage Xuan Miao''s shoulder.


    Sage Xuan Miao was meditating on the steps in front of the Daoist temple courtyard, with his eyes closed and practicing his skills.


    Gu An assessed the Daoist temple that Xuan Miao built, which was decent. It was not grand, but neither was it stingy.


    The courtyard walls were made of stone, as was the Daoist temple. The beams and pillars were of mahogany, while red tiles made up the eaves. Hidden amongst the mid-mountain forest, the temple was barely visible with a large cauldron burning incense within the courtyard, and the green smoke curling upwards, exuding the atmosphere of an immortals'' abode.


    All in all, Sage Xuan Miao had put a lot of thought into it and managed to please him.


    Gu An said, "The name on this plaque won''t do. Mountain God Temple is too generic, as there might be more than one mountain god in this world."


    Sage Xuan Miao''s eyes snapped open and he looked over reflexively, only to see the Mountain God standing on his shoulder. His body instantly stiffened, not daring to move.


    He cautiously asked, "May I venture to ask for your immortal name...?"


    "Haven''t thought of one yet."


    Gu An hopped down from Sage Xuan Miao''s shoulder and walked into the courtyard.


    Sage Xuan Miao quickly got up and followed, curiously asking, "What do you mean you haven''t thought of one? Don''t you belong to a group of immortals, like the Heavenly Court in ''Investiture of the Gods''?"


    "Investiture of the Gods? What''s that?"


    Sage Xuan Miao briefly recounted the tales of ''Investiture of the Gods'', speaking of the book with reverence.


    After listening, Gu An scoffed, "Mortals daring to conjecture about immortals? I don''t know if there''s a Heavenly Court in the world, but I''ve never seen other immortals since I was born."


    "Then how are you..."


    "You want to ask how I dare to call myself a Mountain God?"


    "Not at all, I didn''t mean that..."


    "Being an immortal is not just about status, but also a certain realm. Keep cultivating, and perhaps one day, you will reach it too."


    Gu An''s words inflamed Sage Xuan Miao''s heart with passion.


    He too, wanted to be as powerful as the Mountain God!


    Seeing that the Mountain God was in a good mood, he began to inquire about the medicinal field.


    "You can plant whatever you want, and when the time comes, I will harvest it and send these flowers and plants to rebirth," Gu An replied casually, earning Sage Xuan Miao''s solemn respect.


    He had never heard that flowers and plants needed rebirth.


    The breadth of the Mountain God''s spirit was indeed beyond his imagination.


    After Gu An gave some instructions to Sage Xuan Miao, he vanished into thin air, saying he was going to sleep underground and not to disturb him unless necessary.


    Sleeping underground?


    Sage Xuan Miao''s knowledge expanded further.


    ...


    Two months after the fall of the Ephemera Sect, the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect began returning with their disciples. Their return brought back many insider stories, which once again spread the fame of the Mountain God throughout the Supreme Sect.


    Lu Lingjun also returned.


    She was placed into the Hall of Elders by Lv Baitian, her status catapulting. Lv Baitian originally wanted to move her out of the Third Medicine Valley, but this time it was she who refused.


    "In the future, I will cultivate in the Third Medicine Valley and continue to protect you. But don''t think of ordering me around. If you can offer some herbs on regular days, I might be willing to help you with some tasks."


    In the loft, Lu Lingjun sat across from Gu An, speaking indifferently.


    That demeanor...


    Really putting on an act!


    Gu An laughed and said, "Giving you herbs is not a problem. In fact, you could go and buy seeds, and I''ll help you grow them. The entire yield will be yours. It''s a small effort for me, and with you in charge of the Third Medicine Valley, I can rest easy."


    Hearing this, Lu Lingjun felt it made sense and said, "Indeed, I''ll head to the Main City of the Sect in a couple of days; the seeds there are of higher grade and rank."


    Afterwards, she began to recount the great battle at Wanji Forest, describing the battle she witnessed, which was even more brutal.


    She held immense respect for the Mountain God, and as an Ascender, the significance of an immortal in her heart was even greater.


    Listening to her speak of her awe for the Mountain God, Gu An secretly reveled.


    Gu An didn''t give himself away, occasionally joining in with expressions of amazement.


    When she finished, Gu An remarked, "The realm of the Mountain God is truly unimaginable. One wonders whether a mortal can ever hope to reach such heights in a lifetime."


    Lu Lingjun said earnestly, "It may be difficult, but since we''re on the path of immortal cultivation, we must strive towards that goal, without regret even in death."


    Gu An saw that her life span had reached the ultimate life span, which is 3,700 years. She still had nearly 1,700 years left, and he wondered if she could change her fate against the heavens and reach the Nirvana Realm in the remaining years.


    He didn''t have the intention of imparting the Primordial Reincarnation Skill to her just yet. His relationship with Lu Lingjun hadn''t reached that level.


    He would see how she performed in the future first.


    If he could be made happy, he would indeed lend a hand.


    But if this fellow had a bad attitude towards him, then forget about it.


    An hour later, Lu Lingjun got up to leave. Before going, she reminded him, "Don''t look at those broken books. Write another ''Investiture of the Gods'' when you have time, I want to see what kind of stories those people have after becoming Gods."


    Broken books?


    You don''t understand at all!


    Gu An glared at Lu Lingjun''s departing figure, and only after she closed the door did he take out the Supreme Secret Records.


    This was the last volume of the Supreme Secret Records; he planned to burn it after reading.


    He turned the first page and began to appreciate it.


    Huh?


    The writing style of Shen Zhen changed; this last volume actually had a melancholic tone, not as unrestrained as before.


    Good, I like it.


    As a melancholic person, Gu An decided not to burn the Supreme Secret Records.


    Watching the male lead and his beloved companion express their deeply buried sorrows at the moment of parting, the emotional conflicts that had been built up over many years were finally released.


    Next was the illustration, which Gu An usually disdained.


    He had to take a good look to see if Shen Zhen''s drawing skills had any flaws.


    ...


    With the arrival of the new year, Gu An participated in the celebrations of the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley. Then, late at night, he came to the Nianchu Cave on Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    He brought Tian Yao''er delicious wine and food, planning to celebrate the festival with her.


    Apart from tending to the herbs, Tian Yao''er spent all her time cultivating, which made her days quite dull; hence, Gu An always brought her all kinds of delicious food whenever he visited.


    This was Tian Yao''er''s first time drinking alcohol.


    She held the jug and choked on the first sip.


    This was Spiritual Wine, and even a Core Formation Realm Cultivator would get drunk if they drank too much.


    Drunk as one might get, this wine could enhance one''s Cultivation Level and was considered a good medicine for cultivation.


    Tian Yao''er''s pretty face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. Gu An reminded her, "If you can''t drink, don''t rush; save it for later. You''ll get used to it after drinking more."


    A Demon getting red-faced from drinking?


    This was beyond Gu An''s expectations.


    Tian Yao''er shook her head and said, "I can drink, why can''t I?"


    Seeing Gu An finish a bowl of Spiritual Wine, she naturally refused to admit defeat.


    Moreover, the wine made her feel warm all over, and despite the heat, she found it comfortable and wanted to drink more.


    Gu An was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something and stood up, saying, "Have some meat first, I''ll be back soon."


    As his voice faded, he disappeared into thin air.


    Tian Yao''er picked up the jug again, licked her lips, and took another sip. This time, she continued to drink despite the burning sensation in her nose.


    ...


    Under the cover of night, the mountains stretched endlessly, and one of the ridges undulated ceaselessly. Upon closer inspection, it was a huge snake with human-like feet and a human face.


    It was the Chen Snake that had previously appeared in Wanji Forest.


    Chen Snake was covered in blood, weak, and breathing heavily like thunder. The demon fog around it churned, and ghostly shadows crept closer.


    The snake''s lively eyes were extremely weary and seemed ready to close at any moment.


    "Such strong vitality, an Ancient Species."


    A cold sneer sounded, startling Chen Snake to open its eyes. In the distant demon fog, a figure appeared; it was an old woman in a black robe with two horns on her head and a pair of wings on her back. Her cheeks were covered with black fine hairs, making her look even more terrifying.


    The Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother looked down at Chen Snake with eyes full of greed. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Snake tried to move but was powerless to rise.


    The Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother began to close in on Chen Snake, emitting dense demon energy from her body that coiled around the massive snake like two black dragons.


    "If you don''t want to die, then turn around and leave."


    A voice came from Chen Snake''s direction, causing the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother to stop and squint, looking forward to see a white-clothed little person standing on Chen Snake''s forehead, wearing a mask.


    The Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother scoffed, "How is it? Who are you, revered guest? Are you unaware of who I am?"


    As soon as Gu An heard this, he wanted to respond but then thought it bothersome.


    He waved his sleeve immediately, and terrifying mana surged towards the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother like a wind, instantly turning her to dust.


    [You have successfully taken 203 years of Life Span from Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother (Unification Realm Nine Layers)]


    The Demon King that Tian Yao''er most feared died at the hands of Gu An, utterly powerless to resist.


    Chen Snake struggled to open its eyes, spitting out human language, "Are you... the Mountain God..."


    Its voice was indistinguishable between male and female, weak and breathless.


    That day during the battle at the Ephemera Sect, it had been injured and fallen, catching sight of a wooden figure.


    The image of the wooden figure greatly resembled the current Gu An.


    Gu An spoke, "In consideration of your efforts to save the people, I will save your life."


    He took out a bottle of Elixirs that he had already refined and poured them into Chen Snake''s mouth.


    Having suffered severe injuries and being poisoned by the Origin Tree of Ephemera''s Ephemera Poison, only the Ephemera Elixir, refined from Ephemera, could cure it.


    "Mountain God... someone... has inherited the power of the Ephemera Sect..." Chen Snake strained to speak, and its serpentine eyes shone, revealing a figure''s silhouette.


    Gu An focused his gaze, and his eyes beneath the mask took on a strange expression.


    How could it be him?

 Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Unifying the Universe, Fighting Demons Together!

    Li Xuandao!How did this guy inherit the power of the Ephemera Sect?


    Gu An opened his mouth and asked, "Inheriting power, what power does the Ephemera Sect have to inherit?"


    Chen Snake struggled to reply, "The Ephemera scattered all over the world are there to absorb spiritual energy for the Spirit of Ephemera, an ancient species. It can use the Ephemera to absorb the spiritual energy of the world. Once it merges with a living being, all Ephemera will lose their vitality, leaving only their shells..."


    The figure that burst forth from its eyes was indeed Li Xuandao, even revealing his true face. Li Xuandao seemed to be communicating with someone, but no sound was heard.


    Gu An asked, "Is your injury because you stopped him?"


    "Exactly, he has the support of the Mystic Heart Realm, but he didn''t kill me..." Chen Snake replied.


    Gu An asked, "Do you want me to kill him?"


    "If possible... it would be best to cripple his cultivation level... the Spirit of Ephemera is ultimately an ominous entity..."


    "Then you better heal well and take care of him yourself later, your poison will dissipate soon."


    Gu An casually answered, without concerning himself with the truth or falsehood. How could he possibly listen to Chen Snake''s words and cripple whoever he''s told to?


    Chen Snake remained silent for a moment before saying, "I was presumptuous..."


    Gu An then disappeared from its forehead.


    Chen Snake also possessed the cultivation level of the Mystic Heart Realm. Once the poison is resolved, the demons of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain will not be able to harm it.


    Feeling Gu An disappear, Chen Snake closed its eyes, and its breaths began to weaken.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An returned to the Nianchu Cave, astonished to find Tian Yao''er already drunk, sprawled over the table.


    He picked up the jar, only to find it empty of wine.


    This girl...


    Gu An smiled helplessly as he picked up Tian Yao''er and walked inside the house.


    "Master... master... help me... kill the Demon Mother... avenge my parents..."


    Tian Yao''er, clinging to Gu An''s neck, muttered to herself, her hot breath spilling onto his neck.


    Gu An didn''t tell her that the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother was already dead.


    Having a target for her hatred would drive her to cultivate harder.


    ...


    The next day at noon, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley.


    Last night, he had captured with his divine sense that Li Xuandao had already returned to Tianya Valley.


    From afar, Gu An could see the figure of Li Xuandao, who was sitting at a stone table under a tree, holding a book in one hand.


    [Li Xuandao (Void Crossing Realm Seven Layers): 271/1599/6050]


    Void Crossing Realm Seven Layers!


    His cultivation level had increased again!


    Most crucially, his maximum life span had doubled. Gu An remembered that it was just over three thousand years.


    Such a significant effect from the Spirit of Ephemera?


    Gu An suddenly felt that Li Xuandao was truly extraordinary. Those with higher maximum lifespans than him didn''t cultivate as fast as he did.


    Even An Hao''s cultivation speed might not match his!


    Most importantly, no one knew Li Xuandao''s real cultivation level. He cultivated some special secret skill, and his apparent cultivation level was now at the first layer of the Core Formation Realm.


    Disguising the Void Crossing Realm Seven Layers as the Core Formation Realm first layer, how cunning!


    While thinking this, Gu An walked towards Li Xuandao.


    "I pay respect to Uncle," Gu An approached Li Xuandao and raised his hand in greeting.


    Li Xuandao put down the Investiture of the Gods he was reading and smiled, "Gu An, you''ve finally arrived. Your uncle has prepared a superior quality Golden Core for you, the original owner of the Golden Core was a top-tier genius.


    Once your cultivation level reaches the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, your uncle will have a Great Cultivator help you achieve the Core Formation Realm."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An hurriedly thanked him.


    Li Xuandao signaled for him to sit down and began talking to himself, "Recently, I''ve reanalyzed the Investiture of the Gods and gained profound insights. What do you think would have happened if King Zhou had allied with the Chan Sect from the beginning?"


    Gu An responded, "There are not so many what-ifs. Different natures lead to different choices, and many events are destined to happen. King Zhou was domineering, the Chan Sect might not have approved of his ways."


    Li Xuandao shook his head, "Too one-sided. I think the Investiture of the Gods also conveys deeper meanings."


    Has he lost his mind?


    Suddenly unsure how to continue the conversation, Gu An paid careful attention to Li Xuandao''s energy, but he didn''t sense any aura of the Ephemera.


    He grew intensely curious about Li Xuandao''s cultivation technique, intuitively feeling it was extremely powerful, possibly even stronger than Lv Baitian''s Defying Fate Divine Skill.


    Li Xuandao attracting talents was one thing, but behind him was even the Mystic Heart Realm!


    Gu An wondered how he had managed that. Was it through using benefits to woo noble families, or had he taken a high-ranking master as his teacher?


    Most likely the latter; otherwise, how could a Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm take interest in an Emperor?


    Li Xuandao began sharing his interpretations of the Investiture of the Gods, getting more profound and even analyzing the motives of the characters.


    Gu An noticed Yi Liuyun and Lv Xian hadn''t returned.


    Given that Lv Xian once possessed remnants of the Ephemera Sect''s Evil Emperor, he suspected Li Xuandao''s acquisition of the Spirit of Ephemera was connected to Lv Xian.


    After a long discussion, Li Xuandao eventually concluded his seemingly endless insights, then sent Gu An off to gather herbs. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once Gu An was done, he came before Li Xuandao to take his leave. Before leaving, he curiously asked, "Uncle, what brings you here this time?"


    Li Xuandao, looking at the book and casually answering, "Waiting for the Venerable Pavilion from the Supreme Sect to find me."


    The Venerable Pavilion?


    Gu An grew even more curious. Had Li Xuandao managed to win over one of the three major noble families?


    He did not continue to ask questions, letting these people fight, as long as it did not affect him.


    With his current cultivation level, he could not claim to be invincible across the continent, but at least within the Nine Dynasties, no one could threaten him.


    His curiosity was more about enjoying the spectacle.


    Standing on high, watching these people fight, was indeed quite interesting.


    ...


    After the world became peaceful, Gu An''s days returned to normal, moving between various Medicine Valleys and occasionally visiting the Outer Sect City to chat with his friends there; he found every day interesting and not at all dull.


    Time flew by.


    Five years passed.


    That summer, Gu An turned seventy-nine, and his life span broke through five million years, getting ever closer to ten million years.


    The Mystic Heart Realm was no longer a secret, as he even heard people in the Inner Sect City discussing the stories of the Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators.


    One day, Gu An went to the Inner Sect City and invited Wu Jue for a drink at the inn.


    Wu Jue was happy about his visit.


    After they each drank a jug of wine, Wu Jue said, "Brother Gu, I will be leaving next month and it would be difficult to return within the next ten years."


    Over the years, Wu Jue''s maximum life span had not increased, possibly due to the overly comfortable life.


    Gu An curiously asked, "Where are you going?"


    Wu Jue replied, "Isn''t the current Emperor calling for the unification of the Nine Dynasties, and then gathering the world''s strength to resist the great demon calamity decades later? My master has sent me to support him."


    Zhou Family!


    Five years ago, because Gu An was curious about whom Li Xuandao was meeting with, he used his Divine Sense to spy and discovered that the person was none other than Wu Jue''s master, Zhou Yu.


    After their meeting, Li Xuandao returned to the Empire and made that shocking declaration.


    Unite the world to fight against the demons!


    This arrogant declaration caused dissent within the Supreme Sect, yet things didn''t turn out as the disciples expected.


    The Supreme Sect actually sent disciples to support the Dynasty and assist Li Xuandao.


    This obviously wasn''t Lv Baitian''s intention, and Gu An could feel the atmosphere in the Inner Sect becoming tense. It''s worth mentioning that Lv Baitian hadn''t looked for Gu An in those five years either.


    If it weren''t for his previous probe using Divine Sense, confirming that Lv Baitian was alive and well, concentrating on his practice, Gu An would have thought Lv Baitian had suffered from deviation again.


    "I have a disciple named Ye Yan. He joined the army many years ago. If you meet him, please take good care of him," Gu An said with a smile.


    Wu Jue slapped his chest and laughed, "Of course, no problem. Your disciple is my disciple as well."


    Gu An raised his wine bowl and clinked it against Wu Jue''s again.


    The two continued to chat, and Wu Jue was very enthusiastic, starting to talk about his practice; he had gained a deeper understanding of the Sunset Fist and Gale Shadowless Leg and had realized even stronger moves.


    Suddenly,


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to the staircase on the second floor, where he saw a person walking up.


    [Lord Wei of the Heaven (Mystic Heart Realm third level): 3889/4500/4600]


    Mystic Heart Realm third level!


    Gu An glanced and then withdrew his gaze, feeling inwardly curious.


    Who is this person?


    Living for over three thousand eight hundred years, even Ancestor Xuan Tian, were he alive, would probably be considered a junior in his presence.


    Lord Wei of the Heaven wore a blue robe, held a horsetail whisk, and his beard hung past his jaw with his hair tied atop his head. His aura resembled that of the Elixir Formation Realm, so he did not attract the attention of other disciples.


    This kind of attire was not rare in the world of immortal cultivation; even on the second floor of the inn alone, there were two other similarly dressed people.


    Lord Wei of the Heaven scanned the room, his gaze landing on Wu Jue. He stepped forward, came to the table, and asked with a smile, "May I join you two young friends?"


    Wu Jue frowned and looked towards Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Since we are fellow sect members, how could we refuse. Daoist Friend, please take a seat."


    Lord Wei brushed his beard and smiled before sitting down, introducing himself, "I am Wei, not a disciple of the Supreme Sect. I am just a guest here. Seeing you two today felt like seeing kindred spirits, so I came up to join."


    This statement made Wu Jue''s frown deepen.


    In the first half of Wu Jue''s life, the Supreme Sect had already suffered several disturbances from spies, so he was quite wary of cultivators from other sects.


    Gu An asked, "May I know which sect Brother Wei comes from?"


    Lord Wei turned to Gu An, smiled, and said, "I am from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Have you two heard of it?"


    Gu An shook his head.


    Wu Jue said irritably, "What exactly do you want to find out? Be direct and don''t disturb our drinking."


    Lord Wei shook his head with a chuckle, took out a green jade piece from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Wu Jue, saying, "Seeing your extraordinary foundation and your top of the skull exuding a spiritual aura, you seem destined for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. I would like to invite you to cultivate there."


    He turned to look back at Gu An, who couldn''t help but look forward to his response.


    Yet the man just smiled, nodding politely yet awkwardly.


    Gu An maintained his smile, remaining silent.

 Chapter 150: Chapter 150: Demons Galloping, Legend of the Demon Ancestor

    "Seven Stars Spirit Realm is so powerful, why do you need to invite me? Wait until I come begging you in the future," Wu Jue replied stiffly.After hearing this, Lord Wei of the Heaven shook his head and chuckled, not feeling angry at all.


    In the time that followed, Gu An watched Lord Wei of the Heaven boast about how powerful the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was. Unfortunately, no matter how eloquently he spoke, he couldn''t persuade Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue''s attitude amused Gu An.


    If Wu Jue knew that Lord Wei of the Heaven was of Mystic Heart Realm cultivation level, how would he react?


    Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Lord Wie of the Heaven. Gu An looked up and saw it was Wu Jue''s current master, Zhou Yu.


    [Zhou Yu (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 864/2000/3100]


    To become a member of the Venerable Pavilion, apart from high cultivation level, one''s talent was also of the very top tier, second to none compared to Lv Baitian.


    Zhou Yu looked at Lord Wei of the Heaven and said, "Senior Lord Wei, Wu Jue is my disciple. Can we talk somewhere else about this?"


    Lord Wei of the Heaven turned to him and pondered, "You''re Zhou Yu, right?"


    "Indeed, five hundred years ago, I cultivated under your guidance for several years," Zhou Yu replied with a slightly respectful tone.


    Wu Jue stood up and bowed to his master.


    Lord Wei of the Heaven suddenly realized and laughed, "Ah, that''s right. In that case, let''s move to a different place to talk."


    The disciples around them, who were drinking and enjoying themselves, were all watching them; continuing the conversation here was indeed inappropriate.


    Without waiting for Wu Jue and Gu An to greet him, Zhou Yu grabbed his shoulder and disappeared on the spot.


    Meanwhile, Lord Wei of the Heaven smiled and nodded at Gu An; Gu An followed with a gesture of respect.


    After Lord Wei of the Heaven disappeared, Gu An''s lips curled up.


    He picked up the wine pot, filled both his and Wu Jue''s cups, then lifted his cup and whispered, "Here''s to a brilliant future for you, and to making a name for yourself soon."


    After speaking, he drank it all by himself.


    After drinking, Gu An got up, went downstairs, settled the bill, and left the inn.


    He didn''t head straight back to the Third Medicine Valley but instead walked towards the Book Collection Hall of the Inner Sect.


    Since Gu An had borrowed the "Chronicles of the World" and a continental map from the Inner Sect''s Book Collection Hall, he had also established a relationship with Elder Xu Lu. Over the years, the two often exchanged copies of "Green Hero Travelogue" and had formed a friendship that transcended age.


    It''s worth noting that in the Book Collection Hall, Gu An also met Ancestor Kusong.


    Ancestor Kusong had concealed his identity as a Supreme Elder, interacting with Gu An as an Inner Sect Disciple, and Gu An didn''t expose him.


    Arriving on the third floor of the Book Collection Hall, Gu An found Xu Lu, handed back the books he had borrowed, and then smiled, "Elder Xu, do you have any more books by Daoist Xunchun?"


    Daoist Xunchun was the author of the book lent to Gu An by Xu Lu. This book was not sold in the Book Collection Hall but had been brought back by a friend of Xu Lu who had been overseas, and it was said to be very popular there.


    After reading it, Gu An realized that Daoist Xunchun''s writing was indeed remarkable; he even saw traces of "Green Hero Travelogue" within it.


    Latter, he heard Xu Lu saying that Green Hero was inspired to write "Green Hero Travelogue" after reading Daoist Xunchun''s book.


    Xu Lu took from the table the books Gu An placed there, looked up at him, and said not very kindly, "Kid, you should read in your leisure time from cultivation. Don''t get too engrossed."


    Gu An laughed and said, "My talents are average, hard work in cultivation is futile for me, and I''ll probably only reach the Elixir Formation Realm in this lifetime. You know, I am the Valley Master of Medicine Valley; I can improve my cultivation level through elixirs. Why should I waste time cultivating when I can instead enjoy life and cherish the time I''m alive?"


    Elder Xu, who already knew his Heavenly Destiny, thought this made a lot of sense after hearing it.


    Elder Xu laughed and said, "Indeed, there is another book by Daoist Xunchun, in the hands of that person upstairs. Go find him."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately bowed to him and then turned towards the staircase.


    There were only two people on the fourth floor, Ancestor Kusong and a Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm, who did not disturb each other.


    Gu An walked up to Ancestor Kusong, who was sitting in a chair by the window, holding a book in his hands.


    Supreme Immortal Venerable!


    This was a thrilling narrative written by Pan An. Over the years, under the management of the Supreme Sect, both "Supreme Immortal Venerable" and "Investiture of the Gods" had spread to the other dynasties and were highly popular; the most popular was still "Supreme Immortal Venerable," while "Investiture of the Gods" was highly esteemed by the higher-ups of various factions.


    In the world of immortal cultivation, there''s a classic saying: high realms read ''Investiture of the Gods'', lower realms read ''Immortal Venerable''.


    It surprised Gu An that Ancestor Kusong liked "Supreme Immortal Venerable." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Senior, Elder Xu recommended I visit; may I borrow the book by Daoist Xunchun?" Gu An asked softly.


    Upon hearing this, Ancestor Kusong reached into his robe, pulled out a book, and threw it to him.


    Gu An caught the book, quickly flipped through it, and immediately smiled.


    Ancestor Kusong suddenly asked, "Gu An, have you ever read ''Supreme Immortal Venerable''?"


    The identity of Pan An was still a secret within the Supreme Sect, known only to a few people, and Ancestor Kusong did not inquire further about the original author''s intentions.


    "I have read it, it''s alright," Gu An commented.


    Although ''Supreme Immortal Venerable'' was his original work, he didn''t like to read it because it lacked novelty for him.


    Ancestor Kusong chuckled and said, "Then you don''t understand the profoundness of ''Supreme Immortal Venerable''. In my view, this book is superior to ''Investiture of the Gods'' because it resonates with the vast majority, showing that the author has seen through worldly matters."


    Gu An responded, "But I still prefer ''Investiture of the Gods'', which is more detailed and imaginative."


    The two started debating which book was more appealing.


    Gu An had no intention of indulging him. After all, openly Gu An did not know his true identity, and they were friends of different generations that shared interests. If Gu An always played along, flattering him, it would have made things uninteresting instead.


    After a long debate, Gu An gained the upper hand and left, fully satisfied.


    Ancestor Kusong, his nose blown and eyes glaring, watched as Gu An descended the stairs; his anger only dissipated after Gu An''s departure, replaced by a mocking smile.


    At that moment, a Great Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm approached. He was a man clad in a gray Taoist robe who came to Ancestor Kusong and asked with a smile, "Ancestor, why do you contend with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"


    "Although he is at the Foundation Establishment Realm, but being able to enter the Inner Sect, do you think he is that simple?" Ancestor Kusong countered.


    The man in the gray robe shook his head, "Perhaps he has some background, but his cultivation level cannot lie."


    Ancestor Kusong smiled and did not respond, continuing to watch the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    The man in the gray robe continued, "The nine dynastic sects are preparing to join hands to investigate the land of demons to find the cause of the calamity of demon disaster. Will you go?"


    Ancestor Kusong replied, "Hmm, this old bone of mine has no hope of advancing further. After enjoying some leisurely days, I will head to the demon land."


    Upon hearing this, the man in the gray robe followed up, "Ancestor, take me with you."


    "Nonsense, it''s a journey of nine deaths and one life. Even though I am in the Mystic Heart Realm, I cannot guarantee your safety."


    "Is it that terrifying?"


    "What do you think is the reason the Ephemera Sect only dares to cause chaos within the land of the nine dynasties?"


    "Could it be that the demon land also harbors a Mahayana?"


    Ancestor Kusong did not answer; he shifted his gaze to the window. Under the blue sky, disciples were flying in and out, presenting a pleasing scenery.


    ...


    Late at night.


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, Nianchu Cave.


    Gu An was teaching Tian Yao''er the Limitless Freedom Step.


    Tian Yao''er was the only one who had inherited the Limitless Freedom Step, and coupled with the Innate Earth Immortal Skill, in a thousand years, her strength would certainly be formidable, unbeatable within her realm, with no one and no demon able to capture her.


    Excited about Gu An''s teaching, this was the first time he taught her a spell.


    The technique of the Limitless Freedom Step was very complex. Tian Yao''er found it extremely challenging to practice, but Gu An was not in a hurry; this technique required years of practice to show effects. If Tian Yao''er mastered it after just one attempt, he would have been overwhelmed.


    Five years had passed.


    Gu An was contemplating when he should help Tian Yao''er form her core.


    Tian Yao''er had been like a pot of medicine before. When they first met, she had already achieved the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, just one step shy from the Elixir Formation Realm, but she had previously lacked a cultivation technique. Now that she was practicing the Innate Earth Immortal Skill, breakthrough was no longer a difficult task.


    As Gu An watched Tian Yao''er''s graceful figure, he suddenly sensed something and dispersed his Divine Sense.


    His Divine Sense soared into the sky, overseeing the entire Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, witnessing a spectacular scene.


    Countless demons were heading towards the north, in a mighty flood resembling waves that covered the mountains and rivers. The night fog churned continuously under the dark night, unable to hide the figures of the demons.


    With a glance, Gu An saw monsters, demons, and ghosts; their advance made the mountains and rivers tremble, with the disturbance still intensifying.


    After a while.


    Nianchu Cave also began to tremble slightly, alarming Tian Yao''er enough to stop her.


    She came nervously to Gu An''s side, leaning on his arm and clutching at his sleeve, her eyes filled with fear as she whispered, "It''s happening again."


    Gu An looked down at her and asked, "Why do you say that?"


    Tian Yao''er replied, "When I was very young, this happened as well. Many, many demons went north, even the Demon Mother went to see the Demon Ancestor."


    "Demon Ancestor? Tell me more about it," Gu An''s interest piqued, and he led Tian Yao''er to sit down at a stone table.


    Taking a deep breath, Tian Yao''er began recounting the legends of the Demon Ancestor she had heard.


    "Legend has it that a long time ago, when the first demon was born between heaven and earth, he was the Demon Ancestor. Born superior to all beings, he felt lonely through the long years, so he sprinkled his own blood onto the earth, allowing the beings of the earth to be baptized and then transformed into demons¡­ "


    "Later, a group of beings called humans arrived on earth. They were immensely powerful and slaughtered the demons¡­"


    At this point, Tian Yao''er could not help but look at Gu An, her expression tense, for she already knew that Gu An was not a demon, but a human.


    For demons who had never had contact with humans, humans were terrifying beings.


    If it weren''t for Gu An saving Tian Yao''er, she would have tried to escape long ago.


    Gu An, wearing a mask, noticed no reaction from him, so Tian Yao''er mustered the courage to continue.


    The group of alien human cultivators was extremely powerful, slaughtering demons and seizing Demon Cores and Demon Treasures, ultimately angering the Demon Ancestor.


    The Demon Ancestor personally intervened, repelling those terrifying human cultivators.


    However, the real calamity then descended.


    Years later, the human cultivators attacked again, this time in even greater numbers. The Demon Ancestor, in his efforts to protect the demon race, ultimately fell and perished.


    Afterward, humans took root on the earth, ushering in a period of oppression for the demon race.


    Throughout the long years of oppression, the demon race has consistently sought to resurrect the Demon Ancestor to exterminate the humans.


    Until now, the resurrection of the Demon Ancestor is imminent. Every few decades, all the demons in the world go to worship the Demon Ancestor, offering their own demon blood.

 Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Ridge of Ten Thousand Demons, The Chosen One of Heavenly Destiny

    Hearing the legend of the Demon Ancestor, Gu An felt something strange inside.So the Nine Dynasties on the continent were the invaders?


    No wonder the Holy Land didn''t help the Nine Dynasties.


    Gu An didn''t think too much about it, he wasn''t going to sympathize with the Demon Clan, nor blame the Nine Dynasties.


    The battle for survival was never defined by good or evil, and besides, it''s possible there were other species on the continent before the Demon Clan was born.


    The evolution of the world is a natural selection, a cycle of the old being replaced by the new.


    As a human, Gu An naturally had to consider things from the perspective of the Human Race.


    If one possesses justice, then one should not annihilate the Demon Clan.


    In fact, the Human Race and the Demon Clan could coexist; demon shadows could be seen everywhere in the Immortal Cultivation World, and demon pets had become an indispensable element for the vast majority of cultivators. In some sects, powerful demon creatures could even become protective deities, worshiped by cultivators.


    After Tian Yao''er finished speaking, she looked at Gu An nervously and suddenly reached out to grab his left hand, saying, "Master, can the Human Race and the Demon Clan really not coexist? Why must it be a fight to the death?"


    Although she feared the Human Race, she did not despise them, because she had never been in contact with the Human Race since she was young. On the contrary, it was the Demon Clan who persecuted her.


    Gu An withdrew his hand and said, "It''s not just species that struggle in this world. To become stronger, one must walk the path of strife. Rather than worry and feel sorrow, it''s better to cultivate diligently because your enemies will not sympathize with you. If you want to sympathize with others, you need to be strong enough."


    With memories of his past life, Gu An always regarded the world from the perspective of a bystander, except for his sincerely befriended old friends.


    When chaos plagued the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect, he might have inscribed the words of the Righteous Path, but he did not loathe the actions of those people.


    Ephemera Sect''s ravaging of the world didn''t fill him with extreme hatred either.


    He could blend into the secular world, but deep in his heart, there was always a loneliness that allowed him to see everything clearly while not being swayed emotionally by his surroundings.


    After hearing his words, Tian Yao''er nodded seriously and followed with, "If the Demon Ancestor is revived and the Human Race is driven out, Master, wherever you go, you must take me with you!"


    Gu An smiled and asked, "Is the Demon Ancestor really that powerful? Will the Human Race definitely be driven away?"


    "I''ve heard the Demon Mother say before that once the Demon Ancestor revives, this continent will completely become the Demon Land, and the current Cultivators of the Human Race will not be a match for the Demon Ancestor," Tian Yao''er said with a tilted head.


    That strong?


    Gu An became even more interested in the Demon Ancestor.


    If nothing went wrong, when the great calamity of demons erupted, the Demon Ancestor would have to be dealt with by him.


    Furthermore, Gu An was somewhat skeptical about what Tian Yao''er said; he felt that this continent was hiding more secrets, and the legend couldn''t explain it all.


    If the continent truly belonged fully to the Demon Clan, then where did demons and ghosts come from?


    Demons are not just another name for demon creatures; demons are a separate force.


    When the Human Race cultivates demon powers, they become Demon Cultivators; when the Demon Clan cultivates demon powers, they become fiendish demons. Why do demon powers exist?


    Moreover, Gu An felt that the resentment in the Demon Land was far greater than in the Nine Dynasties'' lands, and in the Demon Land, the traces of Cultivators of the Human Race were scarce. It couldn''t be said that all this resentment was caused by the Human Race Cultivators, could it?


    Then, Gu An asked Tian Yao''er to continue practicing the Limitless Freedom Step while he used his Divine Sense to chase after the rampaging demons.


    In the night, various demons ran through the mountains and fields, with many demon birds sweeping over the mountain tops. Upon closer inspection, there were several shadows of demons and ghosts amongst the demons.


    The difference between the demon and ghost shadows was that these demon shadows emitted Demonic Qi, like clouds of black mist flying past.


    Gu An''s Divine Sense followed them across a distance of a million miles, and he saw more and more demons along the way.


    Seeing the number of demons along the way, even he, at the Nirvana Realm, felt his scalp tingle. If the demon calamity were to break out, the lands of the Nine Dynasties would likely be quickly flattened without his intervention.


    Not far from the depths of the Demon Land, Gu An also sensed the presence of demon creatures at the Unification Realm; these creatures were not stirred by the great tide of demons but remained in their own caves.


    Finally, Gu An''s Divine Sense stopped at a cluster of volcanoes. The place was filled with lava, and the night sky was covered in thick, hot smoke. Some volcanoes were even constantly erupting, spectacular yet terrifying.


    According to the map given by Xu Lu, this should be the Ridge of Ten Thousand Demons deep in the continent.


    The Ridge of Ten Thousand Demons has tens of thousands of volcanoes and is home to tens of thousands of Demon Kings; the number of demons is unimaginable.


    The author of the Chronicles of the World passed by here and did not dare to go deep because the demon energy here was so intimidating that it made him turn back. He only came to know about the Ridge of Ten Thousand Demons by capturing and interrogating a demon.


    Gu An could sense the presence of over a thousand figures in the Unification Realm, more than twenty in the Mystic Heart Realm, and even one at the Mahayana Realm!


    At this moment, countless demons within the Ridge of Ten Thousand Demons were also rushing northward.


    Gu An did not continue to explore northward, not because his Divine Sense could not stretch further, but because there were Mahayana Realm demons here. It was very likely that the Demon Ancestor surpassed the Mahayana Realm.


    Thinking carefully about what Tian Yao''er had said about the legend, it was very plausible.


    The blood of the Mahayana Realm wasn''t so almighty, but the Nirvana Realm was different; the essence of life had already undergone transformation, just like Gu An''s blood was no longer ordinary.


    Gu An did not want to startle the snake.


    After all, the demon calamity wasn''t going to erupt tomorrow.


    He still had time to extend his life span. When he reached a life span of ten million years, his strength would also see a big leap.


    Stay calm!


    The advantage is mine!


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and continued to guide Tian Yao''er in her cultivation.


    ...


    Spring passed and autumn came, and another three years went by.


    One afternoon, the 82-year-old Gu An, transformed into a small figure clad in white, arrived at the North Sea Mountains to visit Sage Xuan Miao.


    Sage Xuan Miao was being cared for by him, with Gu An visiting once every few months, and Sage Xuan Miao had grown accustomed to it, spending his days cultivating in the Mountain God Temple and living a contented life.


    As soon as Gu An arrived, he saw another person outside the temple, and it was someone he knew.


    An Hao!


    An Hao stood shoulder to shoulder with Sage Xuan Miao at the edge of the hillside, gazing together at the majestic North Sea.


    It seemed their relationship was good, the Golden List Conference having led to their fateful encounter.


    An Hao had already broken through to the first layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, and he was not even fifty years old yet...


    It looked like An Hao had a very good chance of surpassing Li Xuandao''s breakthrough speed!


    "Your cultivation speed is fast enough, what you really need now is to calm your mind," Sage Xuan Miao said, sounding somewhat helpless.


    Before attending the Golden List Conference, he truly thought his talents were unmatched in the world.


    Being defeated by An Hao didn''t get him down; instead, he was grateful. He was fortunate to have encountered An Hao, allowing him to recognize his own shortcomings early, which would help him to cultivate better going forward.


    An Hao stood tall and straight, his arms crossed before his chest, his face handsome and his hair casually tied back, exuding both grace and the pride of a heaven''s chosen. A blade of grass dangled from his lips as he said with a slight laugh, "I don''t feel that my cultivation speed is very fast. I don''t know why, but ever since I began cultivating, I''ve always felt that time is pressing.


    If I do not cultivate diligently, disaster will eventually fall upon me."


    He gazed at the surface of the North Sea, his eyes deep. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing the little brat who once didn''t even reach his shoulder become such a figure, Gu An felt a great sense of achievement.


    If it weren''t for him, An Hao would''ve died in the jaws of demons long ago, and he had also instructed An Hao in cultivation; he deserved that sense of achievement.


    Hearing An Hao''s words, Gu An thought of the limit of life span.


    Could geniuses like An Hao sense the existence of Heavenly Destiny?


    If he could not achieve Nirvana within ten thousand years, he would eventually die.


    Sage Xuan Miao spoke with emotion, "If that''s the case, then I will guide you. On my way past Tianwei, my treasure led me to the ruins of a Great Cultivator''s cave, but the restrictions inside were complex, and I couldn''t comprehend them at the moment. I had to put it aside to attend the Golden List Conference. You can try it out, there''s a great chance inside."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao immediately inquired about the specific location of the cave ruins.


    Sage Xuan Miao took out a map from his Storage Bag and handed it to An Hao.


    After chatting for a while longer, An Hao prepared to take his leave. Just before leaving, he reminded, "The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword has been causing quite a stir in the Immortal Cultivation World lately. The Sword Master has fallen into the Demon Path, and he has also cultivated a heretical technique. More and more people are dying at his hands.


    You must be careful in these deep mountains, lest he catch you. If the Mountain God continues to doze off, no one will be able to save you."


    Sage Xuan Miao laughed, "I''m a fifth-layer Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivator, the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword has not yet killed anyone of the Divinity Transformation Realm."


    An Hao shook his head with an amused smile, waved his hand, and then turned to leave.


    He leaped up, a Flying Sword emerging from his waist, and he rode the sword away, quickly disappearing into the horizon of the North Sea.


    Sage Xuan Miao watched for a while, then turned and went back to the temple.


    Just as he entered the courtyard, he heard the Mountain God''s voice: "This child has an excellent foundation, and his destiny is remarkable."


    He looked up to see the Mountain God sitting on the temple eaves, watching the departing figure of An Hao.


    Sage Xuan Miao revealed a smile, "His talents are indeed unmatched in the world. My master once said that the Supreme Sect would give birth to a prodigy who could change heaven and earth. Perhaps it''s him."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An chortled, "Is Three Pure Ones Mountain that powerful?"


    Sage Xuan Miao replied, "Of course, Three Pure Ones Mountain can''t compare with you. It''s just that the Daoist Tradition has been in existence for over ten thousand years, and the elders have mastered some prediction techniques. In truth, our Three Pure Ones Mountain came from overseas as well. Our ancestors couldn''t return, so they rooted themselves on this continent."


    He started to elaborate on Three Pure Ones Mountain, and Gu An listened intently.


    The Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate alone was enough to make him not underestimate Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    "By the way, the Li Family has also given birth to a person of Heavenly Destiny, with tremendous destiny. This child must also be a disciple of the Supreme Sect. He has not yet revealed his talents, but once he encounters a great opportunity, he might soar to the skies and compete with An Hao. I''m quite looking forward to that day," Sage Xuan Miao looked up at Gu An, his face full of anticipation.


    Gu An asked curiously, "The person of Heavenly Destiny, have you calculated it clearly?"


    "How can calculations be so clear? But it should be him, the other descendants of the Li Family don''t have such extraordinary talents," Sage Xuan Miao shook his head.


    Gu An knew whom he was referring to; within the Supreme Sect, the most talented Li Family disciple could only be Li Ya.


    But in fact, Li Xuandao''s talents were even more terrifying!


    Perhaps Li Xuandao was the Li Family''s person of Heavenly Destiny, and looking at the current state, Li Xuandao indeed had the potential to rival An Hao.

 Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Master, Save Me!

    After chatting with Sage Xuan Miao for a while, Gu An asked him to take him to the herb garden for a visit.At the foot of the mountain, Sage Xuan Miao had planted a large herb garden, guarded by several Minor Demons. Gu An began to pick the ripe herbs and shared numerous Great Dao truths with Sage Xuan Miao.


    Sage Xuan Miao listened intently to every word about the mountain god''s truths, feeling that each contained great Daoist meanings.


    After the picking was done, Gu An only took half, leaving the other half of the herbs for Sage Xuan Miao to use for alchemy cultivation.


    Although it wasn''t the first time this had happened, it always moved Sage Xuan Miao deeply.


    He was said to be a servant, to serve for a lifetime, but in reality, he was cultivating under the guidance of the mountain god, which was a tremendous blessing!


    Sage Xuan Miao felt that the mountain god had an important mission for him because the god had said, "Heaven, when about to place a great responsibility on a man, always first tests his resolution, wears out his sinews and bones with toil, exposes his body to starvation, and confounds his endeavors."


    Perhaps planting herbs was not for the sake of the mountain god, but a way to temper his character.


    Regarding the mission the mountain god wanted to pass on to him, he had a bold guess that even he couldn''t help being agitated by every time it crossed his mind, and he tried not to think about it.


    ...


    The herb garden of the Mountain God Temple had not yet become a stable source of longevity for Gu An. He mainly relied on Mystic Valley, the Eight Scenic Grotto-Heavens, the Third Medicine Valley, Tianya Valley, and Nianchu Cave, gaining nearly two hundred thousand years of life span each year, with occasional fluctuations.


    His life span had already exceeded five million six hundred thousand years, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would reach ten million years of life span in twenty years.


    The Demon Calamity was unlikely to erupt within the next twenty years. According to the internal estimates of the Supreme Sect, there would be at least fifty years before the outbreak of the Demon Calamity.


    After returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An continued to be an ordinary disciple.


    It''s worth mentioning that Gu Zong had already promoted Gu An to be an Inner Sect Disciple, but Gu An still preferred to wander around the Outer City.


    He had many friends in the Outer Sect, and he was a person who cherished old acquaintances.


    And so, another year passed.


    Summer arrived.


    Gu An was practicing calligraphy on the attic of Mystic Valley, contemplating the profound formations of the Ziwei Array Chronicles while writing.


    Lu Jiujia suddenly came to visit Gu An. Upon hearing the knock, Gu An let him in.


    He closed the room''s door, approached the desk, and said, "Senior Brother, I''ve found news about Wuxin."


    Wuxin, Gu An''s junior disciple, was a spy from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion who had left but left behind the Daoist Expansion Skill.


    Gu An did not look up, continuing to concentrate on his paper, and said, "Let''s hear it."


    Lu Jiujia immediately recounted, "Due to the chaos of the Ephemera Sect, Thousand-Autumn Pavilion has been dissolved. I originally thought he had met with disaster, but recently I heard that a young monk has appeared under the Emperor''s command, who claims to be Wuxin.


    This monk acts ruthlessly and once single-handedly slaughtered nine thousand imperial guards of the Hanlu Dynasty, turning their skulls into magic artifacts. This matter has caused a huge uproar in the Immortal Cultivation World. The Emperor, in his desire to unify the realm, employs people without considering morality, and now he has many Demon Cultivators and Ghost Cultivators under his command."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An silently noted that Wuxin had grown stronger.


    As for Wuxin''s actions, he didn''t feel it was his place to judge.


    It''s worth mentioning that the Immortal Cultivation worlds of all nine dynasties tacitly approved of Li Xuandao''s actions, allowing the dynasties to wage war, but on one condition: factions must not get involved, at least not in the dynasties'' struggles.


    Of course, that was the rule, but the Supreme Sect would quietly support Li Xuandao, and the Immortal Cultivation Sects of the Hanlu Dynasty would also send reinforcements.


    Every Cultivator from the nine dynasties hoped the dynasty that unified the realm would be their own.


    Lu Jiujia lamented, "Wuxin''s strength now is probably comparable to that of the Elixir Formation Realm. With his talent, there is no way he should be this formidable; he must have cultivated some type of Demon Skill. Senior Brother, if you encounter him in the future, you must be careful."


    He too had once strayed onto the wrong path and understood the feeling of falling into the Demon Path - the urge to become stronger by any means necessary, where his state of mind was focused solely on his own importance.


    Gu An nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I usually won''t leave the range of the Supreme Sect. He certainly would not dare to come here."


    The Supreme Sect was rising, and due to the impact of the Golden List competition and Pan An''s writings, more and more disciples were joining the sect, including many powerful Loose Cultivators. Each year, the paper strength of the Supreme Sect increased one level.


    One notable change was that Gu An seldom saw Demon Cultivators sneaking into the Supreme Sect anymore.


    After sharing this news, Lu Jiujia no longer disturbed Gu An.


    Gu An continued with his calligraphy. He thought that in his next book, he could show off his handwriting.


    Such beautiful writing should not be hidden and enjoyed alone!


    I may not be a cultivation genius, but I am definitely a calligraphy genius!


    Gu An praised himself inwardly, feeling increasingly pleased.


    Just then,


    He suddenly felt someone calling out to him. He initially thought it was Sage Xuan Miao, but when his Divine Sense swept out, he found Sage Xuan Miao was in the midst of cultivation.


    He listened more intently and realized that the call was not for the mountain god. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a plea for help, "Master, save me."


    Hmm?


    ...


    Under the blue sky and white clouds, hundreds of Cultivators were suspended between the mountains, all facing the same cliff, continuously employing their spells.


    No matter how powerful their Spiritual Power was in assault, they could not shake the cliff. Each attack would bring forth a layer of blue light from the cliff, repelling all assaults.


    An old man flew next to the only purple-robed man who was not attacking and said gravely, "Your Highness, the Restriction here is too powerful; even I, a Void Crossing Realm Cultivator, cannot break through it!"


    The purple-robed man was a Prince of the Tianwei Dynasty named Si Zong, with the Cultivation Level of the first layer of Divinity Transformation.


    Si Zong replied indifferently, "Continue the attack. Even if we can''t break through, we must intimidate that young man. My master will soon arrive. Additionally, send a group to scatter and look for him, to prevent him from escaping. He is the top scholar of the Golden List in the Supreme Sect. If he escapes this time, capturing him again will be difficult.


    If he grows in strength, he will become a major problem for Tianwei."


    "Yes!"


    The elder immediately took orders and departed.


    Meanwhile,


    Within the mountain wall, after traversing a winding tunnel, a spacious cave chamber was reached, where An Hao was sitting cross-legged, meditating to heal his injuries. Next to him stood a woman in yellow robes, dressed extravagantly, her face pretty and exquisite.


    "Hey, my second brother''s master is at the Mystic Heart Realm and is the Supreme Elder of the Tianwei''s number one sect, Candle Sky Peak. Whatever he wants, he''s sure to obtain. You''d better open your sect door and let him in, then offer an apology. I can plead with my second brother on your behalf," said the woman in yellow, her name Si Yan''er, a princess of Tianwei.


    At that moment, she stood on the ground, only able to speak, her body rigid. If one looked closely, they could see a talisman paper stuck to her shoulder.


    An Hao kept his eyes closed, paying her no mind; his complexion was pale.


    He too realized that the situation was dire, with virtually no hope of escape.


    While healing, his thoughts turned to his master.


    His greatest wish was to see his master, even though he knew his master was Sword Venerable Fudao, An Hao still did not know his true identity.


    No one in the Supreme Sect knew who exactly Sword Venerable Fudao was, not even his second master, Lv Baitian.


    It was for this reason that An Hao trained even more diligently.


    His real master was stronger than the entire Supreme Sect, and how could An Hao satisfy him if he did not train hard?


    An Hao felt discontent within him, but also a bit weak.


    That was because he hoped, at this critical juncture, his master would come to save him.


    Even though Si Zong was at the Divinity Transformation Realm, he was no trouble for An Hao. The problem was that Si Zong could call for help, and he had summoned a bunch of high realm cultivators.


    This made An Hao feel extremely frustrated.


    He had a powerful backing too!


    If only his master would come, then no matter how many people Si Zong summoned, An Hao felt it would be pointless.


    The constant haranguing from Si Yan''er was annoying and made his mind chaotic.


    Unable to bear it, An Hao abruptly opened his eyes and glared at Si Yan''er, cursing, "If you speak one more word, be careful, or I''ll peel you, and before you die, I''ll take my pleasure with you!"


    At these words, Si Yan''er''s face turned ashen, and she promptly shut her mouth, only able to stare at him with wide eyes, looking both aggrieved and angry.


    "Cough cough..."


    Angrily reacting caused An Hao''s blood to surge, leading to a coughing fit; he disliked spitting out blood, so he endured the discomfort and swallowed the blood back down.


    Soon, he regained his composure and continued to meditate and heal.


    An ancient hour later.


    Si Yan''er couldn''t help but speak up, "Hey, An Hao, do you think that statue could be the owner of the cave?"


    Following her gaze, at the center of the cave chamber stood a stone statue. It depicted an old man standing on a turtle, holding a wooden staff in his hand, hunchbacked, with a kind face¡ªa statue that seemed almost ready to come to life.


    An Hao, with his eyes closed, replied, "Perhaps."


    Suddenly thinking of something, he promptly got up and approached the statue.


    He began to circle around the statue, observing it closely.


    "Have you discovered something?" asked Si Yan''er, curious.


    An Hao did not answer her.


    Just then,


    An overwhelming terrifying pressure descended, causing An Hao to stop moving, his face turning pale, and Si Yan''er was equally frightened.


    "Master, you''ve finally arrived!"


    An exuberant cry of joy from Si Zong came from outside; the fellow deliberately raised his voice, clearly intending for An Hao and Si Yan''er to hear.


    "I didn''t expect that this place would conceal the remnants of an Ancient Great Cultivator''s grotto heaven. Stand aside," a cold voice commanded, making An Hao''s expression even more troubled.


    Si Yan''er said schadenfreudely, "Hey, scared now? Better release me quickly, or when they break in, you''ll really be done for!"


    Boom¡ª


    The cave chamber shook violently, as rocks and dust fell, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.


    A powerful divine sense had already probed inside, causing An Hao''s heart to race and his forehead to break out in cold sweat.


    No matter how talented he was, he couldn''t possibly be a match for someone at the Mystic Heart Realm!


    Let alone the Mystic Heart Realm, even a person from the Void Crossing Realm could crush him!


    At this moment, An Hao could not remain calm; he clenched his fists tightly, and inexplicably thought of his master''s figure.


    "Damn it..."


    "Master, save me..."


    An Hao gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath.


    Upon hearing this, Si Yan''er laughed and said, "Isn''t your Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect your master? I''ve heard he''s only at the Unification Realm; he''s no match for my second brother''s master. And he''s far away at the Supreme Sect; it''s impossible for him to come save you!"


    An Hao glared at her, retorting angrily, "The master I''m talking about is not Lv Baitian!"


    Si Yan''er pouted and asked, "You mean to say you have another master at the Mystic Heart Realm?"


    "I..." An Hao was unable to respond because he had promised his master not to disclose his master''s existence.


    Just then, a hand landed on An Hao''s shoulder, making him jump. Following that, he heard a voice that made his eyes well up with tears, "Silly disciple, it''s only been a few years, and you''re already crying out for your master to save you?"

 Chapter 153: Chapter 153 Scram!

    The person holding An Hao''s shoulder was none other than Gu An. An Hao turned around cautiously, and when he saw Gu An, the joy in his heart completely erupted."Master!"


    An Hao couldn''t help but turn around and hug Gu An tightly.


    Although Gu An still wore a mask and his attire was different from before, An Hao recognized him as his master at a glance.


    When Gu An suddenly disappeared, An Hao staggered forward a step involuntarily.


    He turned to look, and Gu An appeared seven steps away, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.


    In the instant his master vanished, he thought he had been caught in an illusion.


    "Tell me, what''s going on," Gu An said.


    Even as the mountain trembled, An Hao was not panicked. With Gu An''s appearance, he was excited instead, and began to recount the grudge.


    Gu An listened attentively.


    Not far away, Si Yan''er''s eyes widened in amazement as she looked at Gu An.


    This man was An Hao''s master?


    How did he get in here?


    While An Hao was speaking, he couldn''t help but probe for Gu An''s true face with his Divine Sense, only to have it repelled by the power contained in the mask, which startled him.


    Gu An remained silent, which made An Hao feel ashamed; he did not dare to offend his master again and focused on telling the story of his enmity with the Prince of the Tianwei Dynasty, Si Zong.


    Two months ago, following the map given by Sage Xuan Miao, he found this cave dwelling site, but he couldn''t enter. After a month of attempts, he went out to gain experience and then met Si Zong and Si Yan''er.


    Si Zong had also participated in the Golden List Conference back then and made it to the top ten. They had been opponents once, and upon meeting again, they got along quite well. This made An Hao think he had made a friend like Sage Xuan Miao. So, the three of them traveled together and had a pleasant time.


    Later, An Hao shared the opportunity he was seeking with Si Zong and his sister, not expecting Si Zong to harbor resentment over his previous defeat to An Hao. Once he knew An Hao was after an opportunity, he plotted to capture him.


    After a fierce battle, both were wounded. An Hao then kidnapped Si Yan''er.


    An Hao brought Si Yan''er back here, and as they argued, they accidentally opened the mechanism, revealing an entrance in the mountainside.


    Just as they were about to enter, to their surprise, Si Zong quickly pursued them with the accompaniment of a Void Crossing Realm Cultivator.


    While trying to enter the cave with Si Yan''er, An Hao was ambushed and severely injured. Fortunately, the entrance closed in time, allowing him to escape a disaster.


    When An Hao finished speaking, he was furious and cursed, "That son of a bitch, Si Zong, I trusted him so much. I must have been blind!"


    Si Yan''er pursed her lips, remaining silent and not speaking up for Si Zong since she also disapproved of his actions.


    Boom!


    An explosion echoed from the tunnel, followed by a gust of wind that billowed their robes.


    Gu An looked toward the statue in the center of the cave, seemingly lost in thought.


    Footsteps approached, and An Hao, not in a panic, moved next to Si Yan''er, ready to take her hostage.


    "Let her go. What''s the point of using a woman as a hostage? It''s meaningless," Gu An''s voice sounded.


    Si Yan''er''s face lit up with a smile at his words, and she quickly said, "Thank you, senior. You truly understand righteousness!"


    An Hao glared at her but still dutifully tore off the Talisman Paper attached to her.


    Once the Talisman Paper was removed, Si Yan''er instantly regained control of her body. She breathed a sigh of relief, not running toward the tunnel but standing beside An Hao instead.


    A group of Cultivators came from the entrance, led by Si Zong. Following him was a man wearing a gold-trimmed black robe with an imposing presence, half of his hair white, his appearance handsome, his eyes cold and detached, exuding an indescribable sense of oppression.


    Si Zong''s gaze fell on Gu An, and his eyebrows furrowed. He raised his hand in greeting and asked, "May I inquire who Daoist Friend is and what brings you here?"


    Si Yan''er said, "Brother, he is An Hao''s master. Let''s just put an end to this matter."


    Master?


    Si Zong''s frown deepened even more, and he asked, "Could it be Sect Master Lu has arrived?"


    Gu An glanced at the robed man behind him and cast Life Span Detection.


    [Ancestor Xingyan (Second Layer of the Mystic Heart Realm): 1904/4400/4600]


    The nine dynasties truly harbor hidden dragons and crouching tigers!


    It was unclear whether this person had been cultivating in Tianwei all the time or had returned from the Ephemera Sect overseas.


    Gu An said, "I''m not Lv Baitian. This cave dwelling was first found by my disciple. I would advise everyone to stop right here."


    The Cultivators behind Si Zong were taken aback, not expecting such a forthright stance from this person.


    An Hao, on the other hand, became exhilarated and provocatively looked at Si Zong.


    Ancestor Xingyan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Si Zong. He sized up Gu An and said, "May I inquire about your name, Daoist Friend? Why not show us your true face?"


    His Divine Sense too failed to penetrate Gu An''s mask, which made him a bit wary of Gu An.


    But it was only a slight wariness; after all, he was a Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator!


    In previous battles with the Ephemera Sect, he had fought other cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm, with both victories and losses. As someone of the same realm, it wasn''t possible for him to be killed so easily.


    Unless this person before him was like the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, having reached the even higher Mahayana Realm.


    The Mahayana Realm?


    Ancestor Xingyan didn''t believe it. If such a powerful individual existed, why wasn''t he known before?


    Gu An turned to face Ancestor Xingyan and uttered a single word: "Leave."


    Leave!


    Everyone present changed color, especially those on Si Zong''s side who knew of Ancestor Xingyan''s background.


    "How dare you! You dare to speak so arrogantly to a Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm!"


    An elder chided angrily, but Ancestor Xingyan laughed, his laughter cold and chilling.


    An Hao was extremely excited, worthy of being his master, so domineering!


    Si Yan''er looked at Gu An, feeling that this person''s arrogance was backed by real power.


    Just as Ancestor Xingyan was about to speak, Gu An sighed and muttered to himself, "Troublesome."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Gu An suddenly waved his sleeve, and mana erupted, transforming into a gale that rushed towards Ancestor Xingyan, Si Zong, and the others. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His action was too fast, so fast that everyone was too late to react.


    As the gale swept by, Ancestor Xingyan and others all turned to ash, with storage bags and storage rings falling to the ground one after another.


    The cave chamber quickly fell silent.


    An Hao''s eyes widened, and Si Yan''er was so shocked that she couldn''t help but rub her eyes.


    Row after row of prompts appeared before Gu An''s eyes, slaying fifty-seven cultivators and seizing over twelve hundred years of life span.


    Ignoring the shock of An Hao and Si Yan''er, Gu An then walked up to the stone statue.


    "Mystic Heart Realm... dead?" Si Yan''er muttered, cold sweat starting to bead her forehead, instinctively feeling fear.


    An Hao was stunned for a moment, then began to cheer. He came to Gu An''s side, excitedly saying, "Master, how are you so powerful? What is your realm? Could it be the Mahayana Realm as mentioned by the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect?"


    Mahayana Realm!


    These three words made Si Yan''er''s heart race.


    She no longer cared about Si Zong''s death, her mind filled only with panic and fear.


    She immediately ran towards the cave entrance, An Hao only glanced at her and did not stop her.


    After Gu An''s move just now, his confidence was inflated, even if the entire Tianwei Dynasty came to encircle them, master and disciple, it would be suicidal.


    Gu An paid no attention to An Hao, who saw his master observing the stone statue and didn''t dare to interrupt, standing obediently aside.


    He looked at Gu An, his heart burning with fervor.


    He couldn''t help but stimulate his Spiritual Power, exciting his senses to assure himself that this wasn''t a dream.


    "If Master is so powerful, could he destroy the Ephemera Sect without the Mountain God''s intervention?"


    The idea flashed through An Hao''s mind, and his gaze towards Gu An grew even more worshipful.


    Before long.


    Si Yan''er came back. It turned out she wasn''t escaping but was telling the cultivators outside to leave quickly to avoid dying because of Si Zong.


    She came to An Hao''s side and waited quietly.


    An Hao frowned and glanced at her; she turned up her nose at him.


    Just then.


    Gu An raised his hand and struck the stone statue. Under his control of mana, the statue began to spin, and as the turtle-shaped statue moved, water began to flow from its base.


    After the statue spun halfway around, the turtle''s mouth opened, and a beam of white light shot out, striking the mountain wall.


    Under the gaze of An Hao and Si Yan''er, ancient and complex characters appeared on the mountain wall, each character twisting as if it were trying to break away from the wall, making them both widen their eyes.


    Bright light shone on their faces, and their pupils seemed to hold a sun that was growing larger.


    Upon closer inspection, a bright light emerged from the mountain wall etched with strange characters, expanding as if a door to an exotic world were opening.


    The stone statue suddenly lifted its stone staff and tapped it lightly. The bright light in front of it suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire cave and a rich Spiritual Energy rushed towards the three people.


    Gu An immediately headed towards the mountain wall, followed closely by An Hao.


    Si Yan''er gritted her teeth and followed as well.


    Once they entered the bright light, An Hao was unable to cast spells, and even his Divine Sense could not spread out; he could only press on resolutely.


    About ten steps in, he suddenly bumped into someone. He stopped immediately, just about to speak when the bright light in front of him dissipated, and his vision cleared.


    What entered his sight was a breathtakingly beautiful world; they stood atop a cliff with endless green mountains in front of them, the sky azure blue, the white clouds scattered.


    Such rich Spiritual Energy!


    An Hao was so attracted to the Spiritual Energy of this world that he couldn''t help but take a deep breath.


    "What''s that?" Si Yan''er next to him exclaimed, pointing towards a forest in the distance. An Hao turned to look, following the direction she pointed, a piece of woodland ten miles away was shaking as if some giant creature was moving through it.


    "Welcome, three fated ones, to my abode. If you can pass my test, you may inherit my mantle, and it''s not impossible that you might gaze into the Mahayana Realm one day!"


    An echoing, vast voice resounded through the heavens and earth.


    Mahayana Realm!


    An Hao and Si Yan''er''s hearts raced.


    Gu An was very calm. He could sense that this Minor Heaven and Earth hid four Spirit Beasts comparable to the Unification Realm and a remnant soul of the Mahayana Realm.


    The remnant soul was in a stone statue hundreds of miles away, extremely weak.


    Gu An spoke, "Try your luck and see if you are blessed enough."


    Hearing this, An Hao leapt into the woods, with Si Yan''er bowing to Gu An before following him.


    "Wait for me!"


    Si Yan''er called out, her figure quickly disappearing into the forest.


    Gu An''s figure vanished from thin air, covering a distance of hundreds of miles, arriving halfway up a mountain where another identical stone statue sat just like the one they had encountered in the cave.

 Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Gathering of Ascenders

    On the hillside, the gentle breeze swept by, stirring the robes of Gu An as he stared intently at the stone statue in front of him, his Divine Sense having already penetrated the statue to capture the remnant soul within.The image of this remnant soul was identical to that of the stone statue; it was an old man, with his soul body curled up as though in deep slumber.


    The voice that had spoken earlier had been triggered by some kind of restriction, which would activate whenever a living being entered this cave dwelling.


    Moreover, during his previous exploration, Gu An had discovered that there were other Teleportation Arrays within this minor heaven and earth of the cave dwelling. Including the one they arrived from, there were a total of eight Teleportation Arrays, each corresponding to a different direction, which led him to speculate even more about this cave dwelling.


    A Mahayana Cultivator''s cave!


    Gu An lifted his hand and moved the remnant soul out from within the stone statue; a glowing orb appeared in his hand.


    [Daoist Star-Master (Mahayana Realm Layer Three): 0/0/0]


    All zeros?


    Does this mean Daoist Star-Master is completely dead?


    He immediately extended his Divine Sense into the remnant soul of Daoist Star-Master and performed the Soul Capturing Skill to search his memories.


    Boom¡ª


    From the distance came a thunderous noise, the sound of An Hao and Si Yan''er in battle, entangled with a group of wooden puppets.


    Gu An did not turn around, focusing earnestly on the Soul Search.


    An Ancient Hour later.


    The remnant soul in Gu An''s hand dissipated into smoke and clouds.


    Daoist Star-Master had indeed perished long ago. He had left behind his remnant soul in the hopes of waiting for an opportunity for resurrection or to seize another body. However, the secret technique he used to preserve his remnant soul could not withstand the erosion of time.


    As the years passed, his Soul Power was completely depleted, and what remained was only a Soul Shell, which retained some of his memories.


    Daoist Star-Master hailed from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, which was the Holy Land of this continent.


    Within the memories of Daoist Star-Master, Gu An learned a horrifying truth.


    The Demon Ancestor actually originated from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm!


    Daoist Star-Master, along with several fellow disciples, was ordered to bring the Demon Ancestor out, to foster the Demon Ancestor, and to let the Demon Ancestor create the Demon Clan. Later, for reasons unknown, Daoist Star-Master broke away from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, traveled south across the sea, and attempted to flee the continent.


    He was attacked by other Cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, badly injured, and eventually hid in the Tianwei territory to create a Grotto Heaven, from where he never emerged again until his life''s end.


    Gu An did not see the true form of the Demon Ancestor in Daoist Star-Master''s memory. The Demon Ancestor was sealed within a wooden box, and Daoist Star-Master and his fellow Cultivators were very wary of the Demon Ancestor. They placed the wooden box down and left, unsealing it from a distance and then making a swift escape.


    However, the towering Demon Energy released upon unlocking the wooden box made a deep impression on Daoist Star-Master.


    Beyond this memory, the rest were all scenes of Daoist Star-Master nurturing Spirit Beasts within the Grotto Heaven.


    That the Demon Ancestor was related to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was vastly different from the legends that Tian Yao''er had heard.


    Gu An conjured many possibilities in his mind, but he had no urge to investigate this matter.


    Daoist Star-Master was a Mahayana Realm Cultivator; this indicated that within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, there could very well be Immortals.


    He must not appear within the sight of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm now.


    His greatest advantage was the absence of grudges and enemies, allowing him to quietly grow stronger.


    Having thought this through, Gu An turned around and prepared to pick the herbs here. He could also transport a batch of heavenly materials and treasures away.


    ¡­


    In the evening, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    The afternoon''s harvesting alone allowed him to claim more than three hundred thousand years of life span. He could continue to harvest in the future because the Grotto Heaven was vast and had already developed its own ecosystem, so he did not eradicate everything.


    Why would he destroy a place that could provide life span in the long term due to momentary greed?


    Only plants that contained Spiritual Power or Spiritual Energy could be harvested by him for life span. Such plants were considered heavenly materials and treasures. Despite the vastness of the Grotto Heaven, the majority of the plants were ordinary. The rich Spiritual Energy within the Grotto Heaven was due to the Restrictions preventing the leakage of Spiritual Energy.


    An Hao and Si Yan''er were still in that Grotto Heaven and had even made friends with the Spirit Beasts inside, posing no immediate danger.


    Daoist Star-Master had left behind Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills for legacy, enough for An Hao and the others to explore for many years.


    Just as he returned to his loft, Lu Lingjun came looking for him.


    After closing the door, Lu Lingjun sat down at the table and said, "Don''t go wandering around every day. Today, I sensed a powerful Divine Sense coming from the Outer City. As soon as the other party detected my Divine Sense, they withdrew it, and I couldn''t track their whereabouts."


    "You mean there could be danger within the Supreme Sect?" Gu An frowned and asked.


    Lu Lingjun nodded and said, "The other party should be from the Demon Clan. Their Divine Sense is different from that of Cultivators. I used to deal with demons quite often, so I can tell."


    Being able to evade the pursuit of Lu Lingjun meant that the other party was also of the Mystic Heart Realm!


    A demon of the Mystic Heart Realm?


    Gu An prepared to investigate the Supreme Sect that night to at least ensure that the other party posed no threat to his Medicine Valley.


    "With you here, no matter if it''s a demon or a human, they definitely won''t dare to touch my Medicine Valley. I will have to rely on you to protect the Third Medicine Valley in the future. Don''t worry, I will personally take care of those herbs for you!" Gu An said with a smile, his words brimming with admiration, which Lu Lingjun found very pleasing.


    Lu Lingjun snorted, "Don''t worry, unless the Mountain God descends, no one can damage the Third Medicine Valley."


    Having reached the Mystic Heart Realm, she regained the pride she once had in the Lower Realm, overlooking the world. She felt that her path of Immortal Cultivation had just begun!


    The two chatted for a while until Lu Lingjun revealed the true reason for her visit.


    Warning Gu An about the Great Demon in the sect was just a pretext; her real intent was for Gu An to write a book with her as the main character, like the books about the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    "You''re a Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator; if you wish, you can make a name for yourself easily. Why do you need me to write it?" Gu An said, hesitating.


    He didn''t expect Lu Lingjun to have such a hobby.


    Lu Lingjun raised an eyebrow, "Just tell me what you want in return."


    "You''re here again! What kind of talk is that!"


    "When I returned from the Taichen Dynasty before, I sensed the presence of an eighth-grade Spirit Tree, hidden within a certain sect. If you help me write the book, once the deed is done, I''ll go steal that tree for you."


    "You dare to steal it, but I don''t dare to take it."


    "I can use a secret technique to seal the tree. Once the commotion subsides, you can find a place to plant it."


    "I don''t have anywhere to plant it..."


    "Stop pretending, you definitely have a secret, otherwise, why do you often go out on normal days?"


    "Cough cough, don''t talk nonsense. Writing the book is negotiable, but don''t slander me, understood?"


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but laugh, saying, "Yes, yes, I''m not slandering you, you don''t have any secrets, you are wholly devoted to Supreme Sect, absolutely selfless."


    "Hmm, that''s more like it. Now, tell me your story, I''ll find inspiration from it," Gu An said with a satisfied nod, then spoke.


    Having some free time lately, writing a book was also fine, to show off his calligraphy skills for the world to see Pan An''s foundation!


    Lu Lingjun''s thoughts drifted into memories as she started to tell her own story.


    And she spoke through the entire night.


    As the sky was about to brighten, Lu Lingjun finally left Gu An''s loft.


    Tang Yu, who was practicing his cultivation early in the morning, caught sight of this scene and was taken aback. He quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to have seen.


    The news of Lu Lingjun being an Elder of the sect had already spread throughout the valley, and the disciples all treated her with respect from a distance.


    "Master is truly formidable, even managing to handle an Elder of the sect. Indeed, a good appearance can bridge the gap in cultivation levels," Tang Yu thought to himself. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Lu Lingjun returned to her own loft, Gu An heard her talking to the White Spirit Demon Emperor.


    Lu Lingjun''s loft was protected by profound restrictions, unfortunately, they were ineffective against Gu An, and since their lofts were adjacent, it was easy for Gu An to hear her movements.


    "Can his book really help contact other Ascenders?"


    "It''s hard to say, but it''s worth a try. Pan An''s reputation has spread across the territories of the nine dynasties; I can''t exactly go around announcing that I''m an Ascender, can I?"


    "Right, but your idea is quite good. If you can unite other Ascenders to form your power, it will be of great help to you when you seek to seize the position of Sect Leader."


    Hearing this, Gu An put down the pen in his hand and fell into deep thought.


    ...


    At noon, within the Outer City walls.


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    A man dressed in white reached the bottom of the character ''Repair.'' He admired the Sword Intent contained within the character, his eyes filled with amazement.


    "Just this Sword Intent alone, Sword Venerable Fudao would be invincible in the Mystic Heart Realm. It''s just unknown if he has reached an even higher realm."


    The man in white was secretly stunned; he squatted down and reached out to touch it.


    "Hey, don''t touch it carelessly, beware the Sword Intent hurts your hand!"


    A voice came from the side, it was none other than Zuo Lin.


    Ever since Sword Venerable Fudao had used his father, Zuo Yijian''s, sword to slay an enemy, Zuo Yijian had not returned to the Heavenly Repair Platform, spending all his days sequestered in his room, contemplating that sword, undisturbed even by his son.


    Zuo Lin had no other way to comprehend Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent and could only continue to sit on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The man in white looked at Zuo Lin and asked with a smile, "Brother, how long have you been on the Heavenly Repair Platform?"


    Zuo Lin replied, "Since these two characters appeared, I''ve been meditating here. Your face is unfamiliar; is this your first visit?"


    He scrutinized the man in white with a suspicious look.


    There were too many tales about the Heavenly Repair Platform, and he couldn''t help but speculate.


    The man in white laughed and said, "I come from the Chentang Dynasty, and I was just accepted into Supreme Sect this year, becoming a Guest Elder of the Outer Sect. My reason for joining Supreme Sect was precisely because of Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin immediately waved him over, beckoning him to sit beside him.


    The man in white hesitated not, swiftly sitting down next to him.


    Just as Zuo Lin was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of someone, his eyes immediately lit up, and he shouted, "Gu An, come over here quick!"


    In the distance, Gu An was wandering through the crowd, looking completely idle.


    After hearing Zuo Lin''s call, he hesitated for a moment but still walked toward Zuo Lin.


    The man in white turned his head to look, and upon seeing that the person Zuo Lin called was only a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, he retracted his gaze.


    Gu An cast a Life Span Detection spell toward him.


    [Di Xie (Mystic Heart Realm, third layer): 2450/8000/19000]


    He''s a monster who has lived for over two thousand years!


    The reason Gu An came to the Outer City was precisely for Di Xie.


    The monster that disturbed Lu Lingjun was none other than Di Xie!


    Di Xie had cultivated a special technique that left not a trace of Demon Energy on him, but unfortunately for him, his technique could not evade the Divine Sense of a Mahayana Realm Great Cultivator.


    Watching Gu An slowly approach, Zuo Lin said to Di Xie, "Don''t judge me by my low cultivation level, but I have an Exquisite Spirit Heart. The moment I saw you, I knew you weren''t simple."


    At those words, Di Xie''s heart tightened.

 Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Shattering Void, Engagement Arrangements

    Zuo Lin''s words suddenly made Di Xie''s expression unnatural, but his next sentence left him both amused and exasperated:"You must be a genius, I have never been mistaken in judging someone''s talent and destiny."


    Zuo Lin wore a proud expression, he raised his chin, signaling Di Xie to look at Gu An, and said, "Don''t underestimate this young fellow just because his cultivation level is at the Foundation Establishment Realm. He is not simple. In fact, my judgment has proven to be correct, as he is now a Golden List Genius."


    Gu An came over and said helplessly, "What kind of genius am I? My entry into the Golden List was mostly due to good luck."


    Zuo Lin pulled Gu An over to sit down, and then had Di Xie and Gu An introduce themselves to each other.


    Di Xie behaved very calmly, showing a pleasant demeanor towards Gu An without any traces of arrogance that a Guest Elder might have.


    Zuo Lin was very interested in Di Xie. Upon hearing that Di Xie wanted to learn about Sword Venerable Fudao, he did not hold back and began to narrate the deeds of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Di Xie listened attentively.


    Before coming here, he had heard that the foremost cultivator of the Nine Dynasties was either the Taoist of Immortality of the Three Pure Ones Mountain or Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect.


    Among these, Sword Venerable Fudao was the most mysterious; though he had intervened on behalf of the Supreme Sect numerous times, no one knew his true identity.


    Gu An listened to Zuo Lin boasting about his other identity, finding it quite amusing.


    Simultaneously, he was also observing Di Xie.


    In the subsequent hour, Gu An did not sense any ill intention from Di Xie, prompting him to momentarily suppress his suspicions.


    The Great Demon calamity was imminent, and a mighty demon of the Mystic Heart Realm had infiltrated the Supreme Sect, but his purpose remained unknown.


    Fearing Di Xie would suspect him, Gu An found an opportunity to slip away.


    There would be other days to observe Di Xie, as he planned to comprehend the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao at the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    In the days that followed, Gu An would daily observe Di Xie using his Divine Sense.


    The more he observed, the more he believed Di Xie harbored no ill intentions; he seemed purely interested in learning the sword.


    Previously, Di Xie had scanned his surroundings with his Divine Sense, probably searching for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    ...


    Seasons changed, and two years passed by.


    In these two years, Gu An''s life span increased rapidly; the Star-Master Cave had provided him with a vast amount of life span, and his life span had now surpassed six million five hundred thousand, drawing closer and closer to the ten million mark.


    One day, Gu An went to the Outer City''s Book Collection Hall under the name of Pan An to release his new book "Shattering Void."


    The Elder Liu Chang, who was in charge of receiving Pan An years ago, had passed away; Gu An was now received by the Book Collection Hall''s Great Elder, Feng Shang.


    It was the first time Feng Shang received Pan An, and he was very excited; he showered Gu An with many flattering words and guaranteed that he would handle the follow-up of the book carefully.


    Having stayed in the Book Collection Hall for an hour, Gu An was finally able to leave.


    Feng Shang was really too enthusiastic!


    In Feng Shang''s eyes, Gu An was a tremendous opportunity; as long as he managed Pan An''s new book well, he could ascend to great heights in the future!


    After leaving the Book Collection Hall, Gu An wandered around the city. As the Supreme Sect grew stronger year by year, this Outer City became extremely bustling. Every street was crowded, and stalls even appeared on the streets selling all sorts of curious and rare items. Over the past year, Gu An had grown fond of strolling through the city to watch the hustle and bustle.


    As he walked, Gu An spotted a familiar face.


    "Du Ye."


    Gu An approached to greet him. As both were house servants of the Ji Family and had joined the Supreme Sect together, although their relationship wasn''t close, they would chat if they bumped into each other in the Outer City.


    At a stall, Du Ye was fiddling with a small gourd. Hearing Gu An''s voice, he put down the gourd and stood up to look at Gu An.


    As Gu An approached, Du Ye smiled and asked, "Are you here to hunt for treasures too?"


    Gu An replied with a laugh, "There aren''t that many treasures to pick up; I just came to stroll around, watch the lively scene. How have you been recently?"


    At ninety-two years old, Du Ye looked just over forty; he hadn''t taken Youth-Preserving Pills in his youth, unlike Gu An who still looked young.


    In the world of Immortal Cultivation, not all cultivators pursue a youthful appearance; some feel that a mature appearance can be more imposing.


    "Ah, don''t mention it, I recently tried to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and failed, and I also wasted a Foundation Establishment Pill," Du Ye said dejectedly.


    He was truly one of the lower tiers of the Immortal Cultivation World, with mediocre talent, and had to run errands for the scions of noble families to obtain cultivation resources.


    Gu An comforted him, then pulled out a small medicine bottle containing two Foundation Establishment Pills.


    "This..." Holding the medicine bottle, Du Ye hesitated, not wanting to accept Gu An''s charity but also reluctant to refuse.


    For cultivators like him at the bottom, the Foundation Establishment Realm was a lifelong goal.


    Gu An said with a smile, "Please, don''t be shy. After all, we grew up together. I want you to live a few more decades. When we''re old, we can catch up and reminisce about our youth." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On hearing this, Du Ye felt warmth in his heart, recalling the past when he had told Gu An that if he ever ran into trouble, he could come to him for help, and he would never refuse.


    Half a lifetime had passed, and Gu An had never sought his help; instead, it was he who was indebted to Gu An.


    Du Ye gently thumped Gu An''s shoulder and no longer refused. He placed the medicine bottle into his storage bag.


    "By the way, I recently heard something, our Third Miss has already become betrothed." Du Ye suddenly mentioned this softly.


    On hearing this, Gu An was startled and curiously asked, "Engaged? To whom?"


    Upon hearing of Ji Xiaoyu''s engagement, ripples of emotion stirred in his heart.


    Perhaps, it was because Ji Xiaoyu had saved him when he was a child.


    As he grew older, Ji Xiaoyu treated him kindly, more like a friend than a house servant, and had given him many things to aid his cultivation.


    Could a girl of Heavenly Pride like her not escape a marriage alliance?


    At this thought, Gu An felt quite emotional.


    Du Ye shook his head and said, "How would I know, but it seems they have only arranged a marriage engagement, and the date of the actual wedding is yet undecided. I saw the Young Master and his group quite happy, so I guess the other party must be someone significant."


    "That''s inevitable. To form a marital alliance with the Ji Family is beyond our imagination," Gu An chuckled.


    After a few more exchanges, Gu An bid farewell to Du Ye.


    He didn''t return to Medicine Valley but continued to wander around the city.


    ...


    The actions of the Book Collection Hall were swift; in less than a month, "Shattering Void" appeared in the Book Collection Halls across various cities.


    Riding on the reputation accumulated from "Investiture of the Gods" and "Supreme Immortal Venerable," Pan An''s new book triggered a storm, sweeping across the Taicang Immortal Cultivation World.


    A month later, the name "Shattering Void" had spread throughout Taicang Immortal Cultivation World and was reaching the other eight dynasties.


    Lu Lingjun also bought the book, and right after reading it, she sought out Gu An immediately.


    "It''s written quite well. The male protagonist harbors a Great Demon within him and starts on the path of Immortal Cultivation with his ordinary talents, but..." Lu Lingjun furrowed her brows as she spoke.


    Gu An asked, "But what?"


    "Why is it called ''Shattering Void''?"


    She stared intently at Gu An, as if trying to see through him.


    Gu An puzzledly asked, "Didn''t you say that Ascending is your pursuit in your homeland? Isn''t Shattering Void appealing then?"


    Lu Lingjun nodded upon hearing this and said, "Indeed, it is very appealing. Then, keep writing it well."


    She mocked herself inwardly, thinking how could this young man possibly guess that she was an Ascender?


    Following that, the two discussed "Shattering Void," with Lu Lingjun making many requests. Gu An was initially resistant, but as soon as she produced a pile of heavenly treasures, he changed his tune and agreed to consider them.


    Lu Lingjun was amused by his greed.


    After Lu Lingjun left, he took out the "Daoist Xunchun" and began to read.


    "Shattering Void" was only written upon request; the true classic still had to be "Daoist Xunchun!"


    As Pan An published the book, the Servant Disciples from Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley also began discussing the book, and Pan An''s name had a greater impact than Gu An had imagined.


    Half a month later.


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, he sensed Lv Baitian''s presence.


    After counting the days, it had been over ten years since they had last met.


    Gu An entered the loft where Lv Baitian had been waiting for a long time, closed the door, and then approached Lv Baitian to perform a salute.


    Lv Baitian looked the same as he had years ago and gestured for Gu An to sit.


    Once Gu An had sat down, Lv Baitian finally asked, "Why did you suddenly think of writing a book?"


    "It was a spur of the moment. Have you read it?" Gu An replied.


    "I have, but it''s not as good as ''Investiture of the Gods.''


    "That is true," Gu An said sincerely, agreeing with his own thoughts.


    Lv Baitian changed the subject and asked, "Is Su Han your disciple?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An feigned tension and asked, "He was, what about him?"


    Lv Baitian stared at Gu An and said, "He too has cultivated the Defying Fate Divine Skill."


    "What?" Gu An was startled.


    He hurriedly explained, "It wasn''t me who taught it to him, I haven''t even met him in these years."


    Since Lv Baitian had passed the Defying Fate Divine Skill to Gu An, he hadn''t practiced it much because he couldn''t simply abandon his previous Cultivation Level and start over.


    Lv Baitian snorted and said, "I, of course, know it wasn''t you who taught him. In fact, the Defying Fate Divine Skill wasn''t my creation either; I too received it from someone else."


    "I can directly tell you that the Defying Fate Divine Skill comes from the Ephemera Sect. Now that Su Han has also learned the Defying Fate Divine Skill, it shows the remnants of the Ephemera Sect have not been completely eradicated."


    Gu An widened his eyes, his face showing disbelief.


    In his mind, he thought of the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera; could it be that they had contacted Su Han?


    "Sect Leader, you..." Gu An looked at Lv Baitian, unsure of what to say, various emotions displayed on his face.


    He wanted to reveal, "I also have an identity related to the Ephemera Sect."


    "I am the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect!"


    Lv Baitian chuckled and said, "Don''t worry; I have a karmic relationship with the Ephemera Sect but am not truly from the Ephemera Sect. In my younger days, I formed a Daoist friendship with a woman from the Ephemera Sect, who, on her deathbed, passed the Defying Fate Divine Skill to me. It is because of this skill that I have achieved my current level."


    "Do not speak of this past to anyone; should it become known, I certainly cannot keep my position as Sect Leader. Ever since the Supreme Elders returned, my position has become increasingly unstable."


    Toward the end, he laughed self-mockingly.


    Immediately, Gu An said, "I naturally won''t speak of it, as long as you do no harm to the interests of the Supreme Sect."


    Lv Baitian glared at him, feigning annoyance, but his heart was filled with satisfaction.


    Truly a Sect Leader I recognize!


    Lv Baitian then said, "Su Han has inherited the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, and now the Defying Fate Divine Skill. His growth will be rapid. How close are you to him? If you are close, you should be cautious. It''s clear that Su Han has a mastermind behind him, and I fear they may come to harm you, pushing Su Han to further resent this world."

 Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Innate Divine Skills

    Persecute me?Gu An almost laughed.


    Whoever wished to persecute him was simply courting death.


    With the function of foreseeing life-threatening enemies in place, he could sense hostility directed towards his true self immediately.


    At least for now, no one harbored hostility towards him.


    Gu An was usually kind to others, making it difficult for anyone to develop hostility towards him, except for those in the Supreme Sect, not many knew him.


    Facing Lv Baitian''s gaze, Gu An frowned and pondered, "I can''t say for sure, I treated him quite well, but when the Sword Sect chased him, I urged him to abandon the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, perhaps he also harbors resentment towards me."


    Lv Baitian nodded, "Having grievances is a good thing, at least you won''t become his weakness, but you still have to pray he doesn''t hate you, otherwise if he grows powerful, you''ll be in trouble."


    His tone turned teasing towards the end.


    Gu An shrugged and said, "I trust the Supreme Sect will protect me well; if I encounter trouble while staying here, then that would mean big trouble for the Supreme Sect."


    "You cheeky kid, mocking me, are you?"


    "Not at all, I trust you, Sect Leader, so please stop teasing me. As a Minor Cultivator like me, I''d rather not get involved in serious troubles¡ªEphemera Sect, Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, the fewer ties the better," said Gu An helplessly.


    Seeing his expression, Lv Baitian suddenly felt ashamed and thought that he should not tease him.


    He does not possess the cultivation level of the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm, facing the threat of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword would definitely make him panic, he was just feigning calmness.


    Thinking so, Lv Baitian''s face turned serious and said, "If you just avoid leaving the Supreme Sect, you should be safe, at least within the Supreme Sect, I promise your safety!"


    Clearly, he was alluding to Gu An''s trip to Tianya Valley.


    Although Lv Baitian did not know where Tianya Valley was, he was aware that Gu An frequently left Mystic Valley, yet he never pressed him about it.


    Lv Baitian began talking about Li Xuandao.


    The Taicang Dynasty''s offensive was fierce, having opened up no fewer than five battlefronts in alliance with the Great Yu Dynasty, and the neighboring dynasties were nearly unable to hold on.


    Lv Baitian genuinely disliked Li Xuandao, but he had to admit Li Xuandao was very adept at utilizing talent, always able to unearth geniuses or capable generals.


    From Gu An''s perspective, he hoped that Li Xuandao would unify the nine dynasties because only then could they better resist the calamity from demons.


    Once unified, they could establish order, and only then could the world be peaceful and on the Righteous Path!


    World peace would help him to lay low.


    For lower-tier cultivators as well, peace was beneficial; they might encounter fewer opportunities, but how many lower-tier cultivators could truly turn their lives around using those opportunities?


    At least, the ones transformed by these opportunities were far fewer than those who died in the struggles.


    The two talked for a long time, not stopping until the evening, when Lv Baitian finally departed.


    Gu An was not sure if it was his illusion, but he felt that Lv Baitian had lost much of his edge compared to years before.


    ...


    Star-Master Cave.


    Gu An, wearing a mask, appeared on the cliff; his Divine Sense swept out and spotted An Hao in a cave with a pool filled with blood-red water inside. An Hao was cultivating in the pool, his Qi-Blood strength continuously increasing.


    Si Yan''er was in the woods, practicing her footwork.


    Having spent two years in this Grotto Heaven, An Hao and Si Yan''er had both obtained different inheritances; their strengths had soared. It would take many more years for them to fully inherit Daoist Star-Master''s legacies, as Daoist Star-Master possessed Mahayana cultivation level, and left behind extensive inheritances.


    Despite An Hao''s exceptional talent, it would still take a considerable amount of time to absorb them.


    Gu An just glanced once, then went to gather the spiritual and celestial treasures of the forest.


    His presence was concealed, undetected by the Spirit Beasts within the cave.


    These Unification Realm Spirit Beasts were quite docile and had already formed a bond with An Hao, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, Gu An still chose to move stealthily.


    An hour later, Gu An left, satisfied.


    This trip, he had gained 50,000 years of life span.


    Since nobody had sown seeds in the Star-Master Cave, and Gu An was reluctant to do so for fear of attracting people from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he could only patiently wait for the celestial treasures of the cave to grow naturally. Thus, he did not harvest much; wherever he went, he left half of the celestial treasures to seed on their own.


    He quickly made his way to Nianchu Cave.


    Last month, one night, under Gu An''s setup, Tian Yao''er successfully crossed her Tribulation and stepped into the Core Formation Realm; since then, she had been consolidating her cultivation level.


    After landing, Gu An felt her demonic power had stabilized, indicating that she had solidified her cultivation level.


    He deliberately made footsteps, walking towards a garden.


    Tian Yao''er pushed open the door and, like a breeze, arrived beside Gu An, instantly hugging his left arm, excitedly saying, "Master, my Demon Core has completely solidified, and I''ve even gained a Divine Skill!"


    Feeling the softness from his left arm, Gu An internally remarked, Demons indeed remain demons, appearing slender yet having an exaggerated figure.


    He naturally withdrew his arm, walked a few steps forward, and then bent down to pick herbs, simultaneously asking, "What Divine Skills?"


    Tian Yao''er came to his side, bent over with her hands on her knees, and chuckled, "A shape-shifting Divine Skill, I''m really formidable now."


    As her words fell, a burst of demonic energy spread from her body, obscuring her figure.


    Gu An turned his head, and as the demonic energy dissipated, Tian Yao''er had unexpectedly transformed into his likeness, even her aura was similar, with no trace of demonic power visible.


    That had certainly surprised him.


    This divine skill is impressive!


    Gu An tossed the herbs he had picked into his storage bag and stood up. Out of curiosity, he asked, "Can this divine skill be taught to me?"


    Tian Yao''er shook her head and said, "I wish I could, but there are no mental methods or incantations for this skill. It seems like a natural ability I was born with, akin to speaking. I can use it easily, but I''m unclear on how to cultivate it specifically."


    She shifted back to her original form, demonic energy swirling around her, and pounced towards Gu An''s mask.


    Gu An stepped back as Tian Yao''er, clad in red, placed her hands on her hips and laughed proudly, "Master, what do you think? Isn''t my divine skill impressive?"


    Her bright eyes curved into crescent moons, compelling Gu An to stretch out his hand and ruffle her hair, messing it up.


    After praising Tian Yao''er a few times, Gu An urged her to continue her cultivation.


    It was rare for Gu An to visit, and Tian Yao''er did not want to cultivate, so she stood by, chattering incessantly about trivial matters such as a flower growing askew or bumping into a tree while practicing the Limitless Freedom Step.


    She could only stay inside Nianchu Cave, rarely encountering demon creatures. If it were Gu An, he wouldn''t have so much to talk about.


    Gu An was not annoyed; instead, he listened attentively, occasionally jumping into the conversation, making Tian Yao''er even happier.


    After a long time.


    Tian Yao''er followed Gu An to a stone table, where Gu An took out bottles of elixirs, all meant for cultivation, and instructed her on how to consume them.


    "Once you master the Limitless Freedom Step, I can take you out for a tour," Gu An said earnestly to Tian Yao''er.


    Having been in Nianchu Cave for many years, Tian Yao''er had never expressed a desire to go out. She had been very serious about handling herbs, at least Gu An couldn''t find fault with her.


    Gu An had accepted Tian Yao''er and no longer treated her as a demon slave.


    Tian Yao''er didn''t show excitement; instead, she pouted, "The Limitless Freedom Step is too hard to learn; I don''t know how many years it will take me to master it."


    "The Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother didn''t become powerful just through decades of cultivation; all the powerhouses in this world endure long, lonely periods before they can do as they please," Gu An said earnestly.


    Tian Yao''er nodded and declared, "I know, I will definitely work hard on my cultivation!"


    Gu An noticed that she no longer clamored for revenge; he wasn''t sure if she had hidden these thoughts or completely abandoned them.


    He didn''t leave immediately but sat down and started to teach Tian Yao''er about the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill.


    Core Formation was just the beginning; there was still a long path ahead for Tian Yao''er.


    If he could cultivate a supreme Great Demon, Gu An would certainly feel a sense of accomplishment.


    Tian Yao''er''s maximum lifespan was eighteen thousand years, meaning she would be the one who could accompany him the longest.


    Perhaps not wanting to be lonely later, Gu An''s teaching of Tian Yao''er was in no way less diligent than his teaching of An Hao.


    ...


    Dark clouds covered the sky, and the mountainous terrain was uneven. Looking around, the flora was sparse, and most of the trees were dry and leafless.


    Bleak, deathly silent.


    Two figures walked through the mountains, one of whom was Gu An''s disciple, Su Han.


    Decades had passed, and Su Han had undergone a complete transformation. He wore black clothes and carried a bone sword on his back. A red cord tied around his forehead secured his casually tied black hair, and his eyes emitted a fierce aura, cold and indifferent.


    Walking in front of Su Han was a frail old man who kept turning back with a submissive, apologetic smile.


    "Young master, up ahead is the habitat of the Sky Dragon, a Holy Beast. Although this Sky Dragon is less than a hundred years old, it is capricious; you must be careful," the frail old man warned.


    Su Han looked ahead; amid the darkness, a large mountain loomed, intermittently emitting roaring sounds that made the surroundings eerily terrifying.


    He ordered, "You go ahead and lure it out; I''ll follow shortly."


    Upon hearing this, the frail old man''s face fell, and he quickly waved his hands, "I fear my cultivation level is¡­"


    Su Han''s gaze turned icy, causing the man to shudder and hurriedly agree. He then flew towards the direction he had pointed and quickly disappeared into the darkness. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon, a dragon''s roar erupted from ahead, shaking the heavens and earth.


    Su Han then took off the bone sword from his back, emitting a fearful black aura from his orifices, making him appear as if possessed by a demon.


    "Arrogance! Who dares to trespass the forbidden land of the Ancient Sky Sect!"


    An angry, elderly shout rang out as a man in a gray robe flashed across the mountaintop, charging at Su Han.


    Su Han, with his back to the man, didn''t turn around and continued moving forward.


    At that moment, a ghostly figure appeared behind him, raising its palm and striking, with terrifying demonic energy forming into a giant black wing.


    The gray-robed man''s face changed and he used his Spiritual Power to defend himself, but he was still sent flying.


    "I advise you to pretend you didn''t see anything; otherwise, to die and dissolve would be a regrettable fate," a cold female voice emanated from the mysterious ghostly figure.


    If Gu An were there, he would have recognized her voice.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera!

 Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Different Paths, Downfall

    At midnight, beneath the earth of Mystic Valley, within the Eight Scenic Caves.Gu An was sitting under a Green Vine Tree reading a book, his back against the main trunk, while two vine tendrils rested on his shoulders, gently kneading.


    Suddenly, he put down the book in his hands and sat upright.


    "What''s wrong, Master? Is the pressure too much?" The Green Vine Tree spoke in a weak female voice, sounding pitiful.


    Gu An replied, "No, I have something to attend to and must go now."


    The Green Vine Tree trembled, quickly saying, "Master, don''t forget to bring some mutton next time!"


    Gu An waved his hand and then disappeared on the spot.


    With one step, he moved beyond the boundaries of the Supreme Sect and arrived atop a mountain, near the end of autumn. The chilly night wind blew, fluttering his robes as he gazed into the distance.


    He sensed that Sky Dragon was in trouble.


    Although he had not formed a pact with Sky Dragon, they had established a subtle connection since Sky Dragon''s birth, similar to the feeling he got when Sage Xuan Miao called out to him.


    Following this subtle sensation, he extended his Divine Sense.


    Soon, he locked onto a certain sect. His Divine Sense penetrated layer upon layer of Restriction and entered a Minor Heaven and Earth similar to the Star-Master Cave.


    Oh?


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil!


    These beings were battling with the Great Cultivators of the Ancient Sky Sect!


    Gu An''s Divine Sense pinpointed Sky Dragon, and his facial expression turned strange.


    The person battling Sky Dragon turned out to be Su Han!


    Su Han''s aura had approached the Nascent Soul Realm, but it was wildly erratic, giving off the impression that he could deviate at any moment.


    Though Sky Dragon was lazy, rarely cultivated, and loved to eat, it relied on its powerful innate abilities, so Su Han could not subdue it easily for the time being.


    The twenty-zhang-long Sky Dragon writhed, occasionally spouting intense flames from its mouth. Su Han''s movements were ghost-like, deftly dodging while occasionally swinging his sword. The Sword Qi slashed across Sky Dragon''s body, causing its dragon blood to spurt continuously.


    With his other hand, Su Han held a cloth bag, surprisingly collecting the blood of Sky Dragon.


    After hesitating for a moment, Gu An decided to take action.


    ...


    In the dim and turbid environment, Sky Dragon fled through the mountain wilderness while Su Han, wielding a bone sword, relentlessly pursued.


    "Damn it... Who exactly are you? I''ll never let you off in the future!"


    Sky Dragon bellowed, the vibrations shaking the forest. Its voice still youthful, reminiscent of a young boy.


    A cold voice came from behind, "Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, Su Han."


    Sky Dragon''s dragon eyes constricted, obviously recognizing the name of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. Fear flashed in its eyes as it sped up, its body twisting like an eel.


    Su Han soared into the air, flying up high before slashing down with his sword. The Sword Qi was vast, forming seven sword shadows that charged at Sky Dragon, each tail end adorned with several ghostly spirits, pushing the sword like terrifying ghosts under the night sky.


    A dark purple demonic shadow suddenly appeared above Sky Dragon''s head, raised a hand and pinched, dispersing Su Han''s Sword Qi in mid-air.


    Su Han''s eyes widened in shock.


    It was him!


    Su Han couldn''t forget the mysterious demonic shadow that had killed his master, Zhong Liang, recognizing it at a glance.


    Boom!


    A terrifying Divine Sense instantly struck his mind, causing him to faint and fall into the forest below.


    Sky Dragon was also hit by the Divine Sense, falling unconscious instantly. Its massive dragon body followed, crashing to the ground and stirring up billowing dust.


    Gu An approached Su Han, who lay on the grass, his life hanging by a thread.


    At that moment, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera materialized in front of Su Han, knelt halfway, and said with a fist salute, "Please forgive us, Sect Hierarch. We didn''t know Sky Dragon was related to you!"


    Her ghostly aura dissipated, revealing the pale face of a woman. Her gaze towards Gu An was filled with surprise.


    Gu An coolly asked, "Are you the Ghost Mother of Ephemera?"


    Although he had seen the Ghost Mother of Ephemera before, Sword Venerable Fudao had not, so he had to ask.


    "I am indeed the Ghost Mother of Ephemera!" the Ghost Mother of Ephemera replied respectfully.


    Gu An then said, "The Ancient Sky Sect is also under my protection. Sky Dragon is a Holy Beast of the Ancient Sky Sect, and I will not allow you to plunder it."


    By saying this, he made it clear he intervened because of the Ancient Sky Sect, not just for Sky Dragon.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera cautiously asked, "Why do you protect both sects?"


    Gu An retorted, "The Ephemera Sect has perished, why haven''t you returned to the Nine Nether Road?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera responded helplessly, "We indeed wish to return, but the path back through the Nine Nether Road has been blocked by cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. We had no choice but to flee back here."


    Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Hearing this, Gu An became more certain that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was pushing behind the Demon catastrophe.


    "Is this young man your disciple?" Gu An asked.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera looked at Gu An, surrounded by Demonic Qi, and hesitated for a moment before saying, "He is not my disciple, just a chess piece of mine. The great calamity of demons is imminent, and a huge disaster is about to befall the common people. I want to use this opportunity to cultivate him to become the strength that breaks through the Nine Nether Road."


    To use Su Han to combat the cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm within the Nine Nether Road?


    Gu An couldn''t help but feel pity for Su Han, but he had no intention of rescuing him.


    Su Han''s craving for power had become an obsession. Even without the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, he would still have taken the wrong path. In Su Han''s eyes, he hadn''t committed evil; he was merely striving to grow stronger.


    The reason Gu An did not personally eliminate Su Han was that he had not heard of Su Han slaughtering ordinary people. True, many had died at Su Han''s hands, but they mostly had grievances with him, and most were people who sought to eliminate the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, only to be counter-killed by him.


    The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was indeed a family sword technique passed down to Su Han, so he wasn''t truly a disciple of Gu An. Gu An had only provided him with some elixirs.


    The past bond of master and disciple had been severed, and Su Han''s life and death were no longer of concern to Gu An.


    Now, Gu An mainly wanted to see how Su Han''s fate would unfold.


    Su Han, who possessed the Defying Fate Divine Skill, could absorb other cultivators'' Spiritual Power, which, in some ways, was similar to Gu An''s ability to take life spans.


    However, the path Su Han took was starkly different from Gu An''s. Wherever this young man went, he fought, and his name for killing spread far and wide.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera spoke of the effects of the Defying Fate Divine Skill, matching exactly what Gu An possessed. There was not a shred of falsehood in her words.


    From the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s perspective, naturally unaware that Sword Venerable Fudao would defy fate, she was able to speak the truth. Perhaps she genuinely wished to establish Gu An as the Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In the land we come from, the Ephemera Sect has stood for tens of thousands of years. The Spiritual Energy there far exceeds that of the Nine Dynasties. Although the Ephemera Sect has been destroyed by the Mountain God, those destroyed were the traitors who sided with Butcher Immortal Jing. The orthodox disciples of my Sect still exist.


    As long as you follow me back, within a thousand years at most, the Ephemera Sect could regain its former glory," said the Ghost Mother of Ephemera earnestly.


    Gu An asked, "Just because I know the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword? Aren''t you afraid that I will sacrifice you all like what the Ephemera Sect did?"


    "Knowing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword is only one reason. I have been in the Supreme Sect for many years and have learned about your deeds. You were able to carve the words ''Righteous Path'' on the Heavenly Repair Platform, which speaks to your character. If you are willing to take charge of the Ephemera Sect, you will definitely lead it back to the righteous path.


    The Ephemera Tree might be a malevolent entity, but the founding of the Ephemera Sect was based on subduing the Ephemera Tree to save the people, thus establishing our Daoist tradition," she said.


    As the Ghost Mother of Ephemera spoke, she raised her right hand, and a token appeared in her hand.


    "This is the Sect Hierarch token of Ephemera Sect. The deceased Hierarch had been searching for this token, unaware that it was in my possession. This token can locate all members of the Ephemera Sect and also find the hidden heritage sites of the orthodox disciples."


    Gu An stretched out his hand to summon the token, his Divine Sense rushing into it.


    He sensed a powerful Restriction that could not be broken except by those in the Mahayana Realm. Of course, this Restriction was strong only to others; in front of him, it was as if it did not exist.


    As his Divine Sense entered the token, he felt as if his consciousness could overview the land. He saw a chaotic, dim world, just terrains without flora or fauna.


    Through the scenes within the token, he could see the locations of other Ephemera Sect cultivators.


    Beyond that, this token had other functions, many of which Gu An found novel.


    He withdrew his Divine Sense and said, "This token, I will temporarily keep. From now on, seeing the token is as good as seeing me."


    Hearing this, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was overjoyed and quickly thanked Gu An.


    Following that, Gu An disappeared on the spot.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera immediately got up and left with Su Han, not daring to meddle with Sky Dragon any further.


    ...


    At the end of autumn, Mystic Valley.


    Gu An watched his disciples sweeping the fallen leaves in various gardens, while his Divine Sense landed far away, watching the decisive battle between the Taicang Dynasty and the Hanlu Dynasty.


    Lv Xian and Wu Jue also participated in the battle, each showing their capabilities, and they were about to reach the capital of Hanlu Dynasty.


    Gu An''s gaze primarily rested on Ye Yan, who also came from Mystic Valley and had been guided by Luo Hun and Zhou Tongyou in Spear Technique and Body Tempering Technique before joining the army after the Foundation Establishment.


    Decades had passed, and Ye Yan had become a general of the Taicang Dynasty, with illustrious military achievements. Although he hadn''t yet reached the Core Formation, his strength on the battlefield was considerable.


    After all, those who joined the army were mostly below the Core Formation Realm. Those who had achieved Core Formation generally transcended the constraints of the dynasties and pursued their own Immortal Path.


    Gu An looked at the battlefield and felt it quite resembled the scenes from Investiture of the Gods.


    Both sides had sect cultivators charging into the fray and dueling each other. The side that lost faced the military charge and was forced to retreat.


    Just as he was engrossed, Zhen Qin flew to him riding a Divine Sword, landing beside him and quietly said, "Master, brother Su Han has been wanted by Ancient Sky Sect."


    Gu An carelessly said, "I''ve already said, he''s not your brother."


    Zhen Qin pouted and said, "Officially, he might not be my brother, but after all, we grew up together. How could I completely cut him off?"


    "Talking to me about it won''t help, what can I do?"


    "Master! I''m just feeling restless and wanted to chat with you!" Zhen Qin replied sharply.


    Gu An glanced at her and smiled, "Don''t worry about him. He''s been hunted for so many years and is still fine. Instead of worrying about him, you should worry about yourself. I sense you''re in greater danger than he is."


    He was referring to the previous time the Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall were rescued by Sage Xuan Miao. Although Zhen Qin hadn''t mentioned the existence of the Mountain God, Ye Lan knew about her peril and had informed Gu An.


    Just as Zhen Qin was about to retort, she suddenly sensed something and took out her Disciple Token from her Storage Bag.


    Gu An did the same, taking out his Valley Master Token, and plunged his Divine Sense into it. Then he heard the voice from the Gu Sect:


    "Supreme Elder Kusong ventured into the Demon Land and has unfortunately perished. In three days, all disciples shall enter the affiliated cities to mourn the ancestor!"

 Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Jiang Qiong Returns, Hands in the Night

    Ancestor Kusong is dead?Gu An felt somewhat dazed upon hearing the words from Gu Zong.


    Although he was not a close friend to Ancestor Kusong, their conversations during visits to the Book Collection Hall in the Inner Sect were always enjoyable.


    Learning of the fall of Ancestor Kusong, he felt an indescribable sensation.


    "The Supreme Elder has fallen; I remember that Ancestor Kusong was at the Mystic Heart Realm, wasn''t he?" Zhen Qin frowned as she spoke.


    Originally, when the Ephemera Sect attacked, Ancestor Kusong''s great battle with Venerable Chi Qian had spread his Daoist title throughout the Supreme Sect, elevating his prestige to only second to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Even Zhen Qin, who had never interacted with Ancestor Kusong, felt saddened by the news of his demise.


    Gu An looked up at the sky, where he saw dark clouds indicating that a storm was about to come.


    The fall of Ancestor Kusong shocked the entire Supreme Sect, and the news quickly spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Three days later, as expected, Gu An arrived at the Inner Sect City to participate in the mourning of Ancestor Kusong; hundreds of thousands of disciples silently grieved, listening to the Elders narrate Ancestor Kusong''s life achievements, even the newly entered disciples of the Supreme Sect felt deep sorrow.


    After recounting the life of Ancestor Kusong, for the first time, the Supreme Sect publicly announced a grand calamity with demons set to erupt decades later, causing an uproar across various cities.


    In the days that followed, each sect of the Taicang Dynasty also declared the news, once again disrupting the peace in the Immortal Cultivation World as all cultivators felt a sense of crisis.


    A Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator had already fallen; this calamity would be even more terrifying than the previous turmoil caused by the Ephemera Sect.


    Autumn passed and winter arrived.


    Winter snow gradually covered Mystic Valley.


    That day, Gu An arrived early at the attic in Mystic Valley, waiting, as he sensed a familiar aura approaching.


    At midnight, a silhouette appeared in front of Gu An''s window. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An went to open the window and let the newcomer inside.


    The visitor was a white-robed woman wearing a bamboo hat. After entering, she removed her bamboo hat and turned to look at Gu An, who was setting up restrictions, and smiled, "Dear disciple, have you missed me?"


    After setting the restrictions, Gu An turned and approached her, curiously asking, "Where have you been all these years? Are you well?"


    He threw a Life Span Detection at Jiang Qiong.


    [Jiang Qiong (Nascent Soul Realm Level 6): 243/700/5490]


    Hmm?


    A maximum life span of five thousand four hundred and ninety years!


    Gu An remembered Jiang Qiong''s previous maximum lifespan was only around two thousand four hundred years.


    It appeared she had a great opportunity on the Nine Nether Road!


    Jiang Qiong laughed, "I went to a mysterious place and gained a great opportunity. What kind of person do you think your Martial Master is? Could I possibly not fare well?"


    Noticing Gu An''s concerned expression, Jiang Qiong felt warmth in her heart.


    There were still people in this world who cared for her.


    Gu An let Jiang Qiong sit while he started to make tea.


    "Disciple, how have you been these years?" Jiang Qiong asked, her gaze wandering over the furnishings in the room.


    With his back to her, Gu An responded, "As usual, planting flowers, reading books. Oh, and during the previous Golden List conference, I made it into the top five hundred thanks to a Magic Artifact bestowed upon me by a senior..."


    Talking about the Golden List conference, he felt quite proud, purposely boasting to Jiang Qiong.


    If it had been earlier, Jiang Qiong might have been surprised, but after experiencing the turmoil of the Ephemera Sect and venturing the Nine Nether Road, her views had drastically changed.


    Faced with Gu An''s boasting, she only felt amused and very reassured.


    Seeing that the young man was doing well made her happy too.


    After Gu An finished speaking, he brought the hot tea to the table. Sitting down, he began pouring tea while asking, "What about you, can you share a bit about your experiences?"


    Jiang Qiong, smiling, said, "I offended some powerful figures and had to hide in the Eight Scenic Caves for a while. Are you sure you want to know?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately shook his head, saying, "Then let''s not talk about it. As for hiding, go ahead. I certainly won''t betray you."


    Jiang Qiong had taught him a lot in the past, and since the Eight Scenic Caves belonged to her, harboring her was unquestionably the right choice.


    What was most important was that Gu An already knew who was pursuing Jiang Qiong.


    Before visiting the Ancient Sky Sect, Gu An had discovered Jiang Qiong''s whereabouts through a Divine Sense investigation. He had accepted the Sect Hierarch token from the Ephemera Sect with the intent to give it to Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong indeed had great ambitions!


    The ones chasing Jiang Qiong were two Void Crossing Realm Cultivators who had lost track of her and were currently wandering in the nearby Great Yu Dynasty.


    Reacting to Gu An''s words, Jiang Qiong smiled and raised her hand, drawing out a white jade bottle, "The spirit juice inside this is beneficial; take a sip each month, no more, to avoid disrupting your Qi-Blood. This spirit juice will enhance your intrinsic qualities."


    "How could I accept this? You should save it for yourself."


    "I''ve already consumed a lot; this is what''s left. It no longer benefits me, so keep it, and don''t refuse!"


    With a stern face, Jiang Qiong spoke, and Gu An, hearing her, had no choice but to accept.


    After talking for an hour, they moved to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Gu An shared that the Green Vine Tree had developed spiritual intelligence. Jiang Qiong was unimpressed, stating that the Green Vine Trees of Thousand-Autumn Pavilion also possessed spiritual intelligence.


    Earlier in the attic, Gu An had communicated to the Green Vine Tree, cautioning which matters it could discuss and which it could not.


    Returning to the Eight Scenic Caves once more, Jiang Qiong could sense that the spiritual energy here was even richer than before, which pleased her greatly about Gu An.


    "Disciple, the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion is disbanded, and my relatives have perished. From now on, I will have to rely on you; you won''t mind, will you?" Jiang Qiong rested her hand on Gu An''s shoulder and asked with a smile.


    Gu An took half a step to the side and said, "How could I despise that, I still want to learn formations from you."


    Afterward, he arrived beneath the Green Vine Tree, dug up the Divine Power Collection of the Ji Family, and handed it to Jiang Qiong.


    This was something Jiang Qiong had snatched from the Ji Family''s banquet years ago, which recorded the Heaven and Earth Path Gang Divine Skills.


    Gu An had already mastered the Heaven and Earth Path Gang and had even advanced it to Daoist Gang Primal Energy. Now, even if he was careless, it was very hard for an enemy of the same realm to kill him in an instant, as the Daoist Gang Primal Energy could autonomously protect him.


    Looking at the Divine Power Collection in her hand, Jiang Qiong''s eyes reflected complex emotions, and for some reason, her mood was somewhat mixed.


    Seeing her expression, Gu An silently cursed his luck.


    She couldn''t be touched, could she?


    He immediately found an excuse to leave.


    Jiang Qiong watched his retreating figure and thought, "This young man is really foolish, not even bothering to study it at all."


    She could feel that the restrictions within the Divine Power Collection were still intact and hadn''t been broken, so she assumed Gu An hadn''t tampered with it.


    So foolish, he was bound to encounter trouble sooner or later.


    I have to teach him a lesson!


    ...


    Jiang Qiong''s return didn''t change Gu An''s life. Every seven days, he descended into the Eight Scenic Caves, and he had prepared various herbs in advance for her, asking her not to pick any herbs, leaving the task to him.


    Jiang Qiong already knew his quirks, so upon returning to the Eight Scenic Caves, she didn''t interfere since Gu An had prepared the herbs, why should she make a move?


    Due to the death of Ancestor Kusong, the atmosphere at the Supreme Sect this winter was colder than in previous years.


    At the end of the year, a major event occurred¡ªthe Hanlu Dynasty had surrendered, and thus the Taicang Dynasty had annexed the Hanlu Dynasty, breaking the established dynamics of the nine dynasties for a millennium.


    Li Xuandao''s prestige soared, and even the Outer Sect of the Supreme Sect discussed him.


    If he could truly unify the land under heaven, his name would surely be immortalized in history!


    In the Outer Sect, Gu An heard that Li Xuandao had already started sending troops to the Wuzhen Dynasty. This time, there were no complaints from the common people; instead, they praised Li Xuandao.


    It was said that the distant Tianwei Dynasty was also waging war, with the current emperor possessing an ambition no less than that of Li Xuandao.


    It''s worth mentioning that the downfall of Ancestor Xingyan had not spread, and Tianwei didn''t question the Supreme Sect over Si Zong''s death, clearly indicating they intended to swallow the loss without objection.


    These matters were irrelevant to Gu An; he treated them as mere entertainment.


    With the new year, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came to celebrate with Gu An.


    Gu An divided the Spirit Juice given by Jiang Qiong into three parts, giving them separately to Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and Xiaochuan, instructing them to not reveal it to anyone.


    Just after the Spring Festival, the Supreme Sect began recruiting disciples to scout the Demon Lands.


    Facing an inevitable crisis, the Supreme Sect didn''t want to sit idly by, thus attracting disciples with generous rewards to explore the area.


    Disciples who were nearing the end of their potential or those encountering difficulties in their cultivation eagerly registered. Gu An advised Ye Lan and Zhen Qin not to participate, and fortunately, both women heeded his advice.


    In the following years, news about demons continuously flowed into the Supreme Sect.


    Demons were increasing across all Nine Dynasties, clearly a prelude to the coming calamity of demons.


    Time flew, fleeting as a white steed flashes past a crack.


    Two years later, during late autumn.


    Under the cover of night, within a mountain forest, Di Xie was walking.


    He stopped, and from the darkness ahead, a flock of black crows flew out. The crows swept past Di Xie and landed on a large tree behind him, coalescing into a shadowy figure, dark and eerie, its true features hidden.


    "The Emperor is looking for you. Aren''t you going back yet?" the mysterious figure spoke.


    Di Xie retorted, "Go back for what? Isn''t it just a matter of time before we move south again?"


    His tone was filled with sarcasm.


    "Why are you so resistant to the Emperor''s plan?" the mysterious figure asked sternly.


    Di Xie mocked, "Isn''t this world large enough? Even in the Demon Lands, there are countless peaks that he doesn''t control, so why must he exterminate the human race?"


    The mysterious figure snorted, "The Demon Clan and the Human Race are irreconcilable. Only by wiping out the human race can we ensure our safety."


    "But there are still humans overseas. How long will the extermination last? I think he is bewitched by the Demon Master!"


    "Don''t speak ill of the great Demon Master!"


    "Regardless, I don''t care. I''m not going back. I want to cultivate at the Supreme Sect. Don''t come looking for me anymore. If Sword Venerable Fudao catches you, even if you die, I won''t intervene!"


    Having said this, Di Xie flung his sleeves and left.


    The mysterious figure spoke coldly, "Sword Venerable Fudao? Ancestor Kusong of the Supreme Sect also died by my hand. If I encounter Sword Venerable Fudao, I will ensure he meets the same fate as Ancestor Kusong, boiled into broth!"


    Di Xie did not look back, disappearing into the darkness.


    The mysterious figure scoffed coldly and transformed into a flock of black crows, flying out of the forest and heading north.


    The flock of black crows flew swiftly and soon left the Taicang Dynasty.


    An hour later, the crows flew over the North Sea Mountain and arrived in the forests of the Taichen Dynasty.


    The crows flew down to a small river, landing nearby, and once again coalesced into a figure. This time, it revealed its true form: a crow-headed humanoid draped in black feathers, with folded wings on its back. It crouched down, dipping its hands into the river water.


    The night air was cool, and the river''s surface shimmered.


    Snap!


    A hand suddenly pressed on its shoulder, causing its face to stiffen.

 Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The Momentum of the Demon Clan, Daoist Lord

    Ever since Ancestor Kusong fell, the great calamity of demons and monsters drew near, and Gu An would use his Divine Sense every night to survey the land of the nine dynasties to prevent enemies from sneaking in.That night, he happened to see Di Xie leaving the Supreme Sect, so he followed him with his Divine Sense and then saw Di Xie meeting with a demon.


    When Gu An heard the demon say that it was he who had killed Ancestor Kusong, Gu An felt an urge to kill.


    He must avenge Ancestor Kusong!


    After all, Ancestor Kusong and Gu An were friends despite the age difference.


    He didn''t take action immediately, waiting instead for the other party to move far away from the Taicang Dynasty before he made his move.


    The Black Crow Demon Envoy landed by the river, intending to rest for a while and infuse his demonic power into the waters to mark this territory with the river''s flow.


    Before his demonic power could probe into the water, a hand landed on his shoulder.


    He had never experienced such a thing, not even in the Demon Land could a demon approach him so stealthily and unnoticed.


    He instinctively tried to evade, but a crushing force of unimaginable strength pressed down on him, rendering him immobile.


    A look of panic appeared on his crow face; glancing sidelong, he could only make out a mysterious and demonic silhouette.


    Gu An had meant to taunt him with a remark, but seeing that he was already terrified out of his wits, suddenly found it tasteless and proceeded to assault his soul with his Divine Sense.


    Soul Capturing Skill!


    The night was silent, with only the faint sound of the river''s flow echoing in the air.


    The moon set and the sun rose, its proud light emerging from behind the eastern mountains, slicing through the sky and shining upon Gu An and the Black Crow demon.


    In the light of the sun, Gu An, who had performed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Skill, appeared ghostly, while the Black Crow demon squatting before him rolled his eyes back and convulsed slightly.


    After a full Ancient Hour had passed, Gu An finally retracted his Divine Sense, then took the Storage Bag and Storage Ring from the Black Crow demon''s body, and used the Taiching True Fire to burn his corpse.


    In a few breaths, the Black Crow Demon Envoy was dead and his path extinguished, leaving behind only his Demon Core and Mystic Heart, which Gu An collected into the Storage Bag.


    [You have successfully seized the life span of 380 years from the Black Crow Demon Envoy (Eighth Layer of the Mystic Heart Realm)]


    Gu An then vanished from the spot.


    ...


    At noon, Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform and walked towards the distant garden area, being warmly greeted and saluted by the Servant Disciples he encountered along the way.


    The number of Servant Disciples in the Third Medicine Valley had now reached four hundred.


    Gu An, who did not hoard treasures or natural resources and took care in planting herbs, ensured that the Third Medicine Valley''s yield of medicinal herbs was considerable. Even compared with those of the Inner Sect, the yearly contribution of the Third Medicine Valley to the Sect ranked among the top three.


    With this accomplishment, the Sect became increasingly satisfied with him and continued to increase the number of Servant Disciples sent to him.


    While on his way, Gu An saw An Xin sweeping the floor; he immediately waved to her, signaling her to come over.


    An Xin saw this and quickly approached, greeting him with a bow.


    After so many years in the Third Medicine Valley, An Xin had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, thanks in large part to the elixirs secretly given by Gu An, hence she was very grateful to him.


    Back in the day, An Hao and An Xin had both started cultivating under Gu An''s tutelage. An Hao had already reached the third layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, whereas An Xin was only at the first layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, making Gu An sigh at the unfairness of fate.


    "Walk with me," Gu An said.


    An Xin naturally had no objections and then followed him step by step.


    During the subsequent harvesting process, Gu An intermittently introduced her to the cultivation of high-rank medicinal herbs, and she listened intently.


    She had also become very interested in herb cultivation.


    After half an hour, Gu An took out a secret manual and handed it to An Xin.


    "This technique might help enhance your aptitude. Don''t let anyone discover it," Gu An instructed in a low voice, looking cautiously towards the distance.


    An Xin took the manual and immediately beamed a smile, saying, "Thank you, Master!"


    Over the many years of living together, she had come to trust Gu An completely. Like the other Servant Disciples, she called Gu An "Master," but unlike the others, in her heart, Gu An had become her true master, second only to the mysterious master who had saved her years before.


    Gu An ruffled her hair, indicating that she should get back to her tasks.


    An Xin promptly bowed and then turned to leave.


    Watching her retreating figure, a smile appeared on Gu An''s face.


    He hoped the Primordial Reincarnation Skill would be of help to An Xin. Even if she didn''t undergo a complete transformation, if it could extend her life for a few more years, that would be a blessing.


    The life at Third Medicine Valley was not dull¡ªGu An had already built a library and a tavern, and he had also purchased some equipment for the lofts, for the disciples to enjoy.


    He had even invented chess, which became popular throughout Third Medicine Valley.


    Afterward, Gu An flew towards the Inner Sect City. He had just avenged Ancestor Kusong and wanted to chat with Elder Xu Lu from the Book Collection Hall of the Inner Sect. Of course, he wouldn''t tell Xu Lu about the events of that morning; he just simply wanted to talk.


    He felt suffocated in his heart after seeing the tragic end of Ancestor Kusong in the Black Crow Demon Envoy''s memories.


    ...


    Inside the Nianchu Cave at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Tian Yao''er watched curiously as Gu An planted a tree. This tree was already two zhang high, with leaves as red as fire and vines hanging all around. At first glance, it seemed like a tree ablaze with flames.


    This was the seventh rank Spirit Tree, the Sun Nurturing Tree. Gu An had moved it from the Star-Master Cave, still a sapling because the Sun Nurturing Trees there were a thousand zhang tall, bearing Sun Nurturing Fruits that could enhance Qi-Blood and even perception of the fire attribute spiritual energy.


    After planting, Gu An looked at the Sun Nurturing Tree with satisfaction.


    He turned around and patted Tian Yao''er''s forehead to snap her out of her daze.


    "Come, I''ll teach you a Demon Clan spell."


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Tian Yao''er instantly became excited and hurriedly followed.


    Gu An had acquired many spells and cultivation techniques from the memories of the Black Crow Demon Envoy, and he planned to teach Tian Yao''er the spell that could turn the Black Crow Demon Envoy into a flock of black crows.


    It must be said that Tian Yao''er''s aptitude and comprehension were both very high.


    An hour later, she was already able to transform into several fire crows.


    That''s right, fire crows, not black crows.


    The crows ablaze with flames made Gu An even more suspicious of her having a Phoenix Blood Lineage. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The most important aspect of this spell was not the transformation but the speed of flight. For Tian Yao''er to master it fully, it would still take a considerable amount of time.


    Watching her practice the spell, Gu An''s thoughts drifted away.


    The Demon Emperor, Demon Masters, and the seventy-two Great Demon Kings, as well as the Demon Ancestor who was about to be resurrected...


    Even Gu An, who was at the ninth layer of the Nirvana Realm, could feel the pressure.


    The lowest cultivation level of the seventy-two Great Demon Kings was the Mystic Heart Realm, with the top three even stepping into the Mahayana Realm, which was why the Ephemera Sect dared not set foot in the Demon Land.


    The reason the Demon Clan had not moved southward was not out of fear of the Nine Dynasties'' lands but because they were waiting for the resurrection of the Demon Ancestor. After the Demon Ancestor''s resurrection, he would need a large amount of flesh and blood to restore his body, and the humans of the Nine Dynasties'' lands were the food designated by the Demon Emperor.


    Of course, the lands of the Nine Dynasties also had the protection of mysterious Great Cultivators. Two thousand years ago, when the Demon Emperor moved south, he was severely wounded by a mysterious Mahayana Cultivator and almost perished.


    However, that Great Cultivator had already traveled southwards across the sea. The subordinates of the Black Crow Demon Envoy had discovered this matter and reported it to the Demon Emperor.


    That Great Cultivator came from the Cangtian Sect of the Great Jiang Dynasty and was known as the Daoist Lord. Two thousand years had passed, and whether the Daoist Lord was still alive was still an unknown.


    The Great Jiang Dynasty was the strongest of the nine dynasties, and while chaos reigned in the world, the Great Jiang Dynasty still held a stable position, and the Cangtian Sect had established itself as the leading sect in the whole world by opposing the Ephemera Sect.


    The land of the Demon was vast and boundless; apart from the prominent Great Demon Kings, who knows what else was hidden.


    This made Gu An even more eager to achieve the life span of ten million years.


    If possible, he didn''t want to flee but to continue surviving on this land with the Supreme Sect.


    ...


    The death of the Black Crow Demon Envoy caused no impact whatsoever, and Di Xie still spent all day engrossed in comprehending sword intent at the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    But as time passed, the number of demons in various places kept increasing, causing the common people to suffer greatly, and the Supreme Sect assigned more tasks for eliminating demons, with even Ye Lan and Zhen Qin having no choice but to participate.


    Since the tasks they took were within the Supreme Sect, Gu An was not too worried.


    Two years flashed by in an instant.


    Gu An''s lifespan had reached over seven hundred and forty million years, getting ever closer to the grand milestone of ten million years.


    Every day, he would use his Divine Sense to inspect the Demon Land, ready to advance his breakthrough sooner if the great calamity of the demons arrived ahead of schedule.


    He had already considered a location for the breakthrough.


    He would break through above the southern seas!


    One day, An Hao and Si Yan''er left the Star-Master Cave.


    The two walked out of the mountain wall and looked back to see the cave entrance gradually disappearing.


    "Where is your master? Why haven''t I seen him for all these years?" Si Yan''er asked curiously.


    An Hao replied, "His Excellency is as elusive as a dragon that shows its head but not its tail. I''m not sure where he is, but one thing is certain, if I encounter danger, he definitely won''t just stand by and watch!"


    As he said this, a look of pride appeared on his face.


    Si Yan''er pursed her lips, wanting to mock, but she restrained herself.


    She couldn''t forget the scene of Gu An sweeping away a Mystic Heart cultivator with a flick of his sleeve. Such a Great Cultivator was not someone Tianwei could afford to offend!


    Just then, a figure leaped out from the woods and landed swiftly in front of them. An Hao frowned, thinking there was an ambush, and prepared for combat.


    The new arrival was a man dressed in Tianwei official clothes. He saluted with his hand and said, "Your Highness, I have come to welcome you by the emperor''s sacred decree. His Majesty has decided to betroth Your Highness to the head of the Golden List, An Hao."


    As these words were spoken, Si Yan''er''s complexion changed drastically, and she asked angrily, "Has Father gone mad? How could he betroth me to such a person?"


    An Hao was going to refuse, but upon hearing this, he immediately felt displeased and said, "What do you mean, ''such a person''? You think I''m not good enough for you? Well, I insist on marrying you!"


    The two started arguing.


    Meanwhile, the official dressed man kept smiling, watching them argue.


    Far away in the Mystic Valley of the Supreme Sect, Gu An was watching them, and he was not opposed to An Hao and Si Yan''er getting married because he had long seen that the two of them had already developed feelings for each other.


    However, he remained wary of Tianwei.


    If Tianwei dared to plot against An Hao, he would not show any mercy; it was a good opportunity for the Taicang Dynasty to swallow up the Tianwei lands.


    After the three set off, Gu An contacted Daoist Xunchun.


    Someone was coming towards the Mystic Valley.


    He stood up, left the house, and descended the stairs.


    Half an hour later, Du Ye flew into the Mystic Valley on his sword. From afar, he saw Gu An and waved to greet him.


    Seeing that he knew Gu An, the disciples in the valley did not stop him.


    After landing, Du Ye stored his flying sword in his storage bag and then dragged Gu An to a secluded place.


    "The family sent news that they are preparing to move out of the Supreme Sect. The third young miss specifically mentioned taking you and me with her," Du Ye spoke softly, his expression one of excitement. He felt honored that the Ji Family had not forgotten about him.

 Chapter 160: Chapter 160 You Are Not Strong Enough

    Leave the Supreme Sect?Gu An was stunned, not expecting Du Ye to come to him with this matter.


    How could he possibly leave the Supreme Sect!


    His foundation was still here!


    And where could the Ji Family go after leaving the Supreme Sect?


    Gu An frowned and asked, "Why leave?"


    Du Ye replied, "It seems to be related to the great disaster of the demons, the family has already found a place to avoid the catastrophe. No matter what, as long as the family can take you and me with them, we should be grateful. Get ready, the exact time of departure is not yet determined. When it''s really time to go, do not delay."


    Gu An shook his head, "I cannot leave, tell the family thank you for the kind offer, but I plan to stand with the Supreme Sect through thick and thin."


    Upon hearing this, Du Ye was stunned, his eyebrows instantly furrowed.


    He said gravely, "Gu An, don''t forget where we come from."


    "Sorry, I have repaid the Ji Family for their upbringing with medicinal herbs over the years, but I have yet to repay the kindness of the Supreme Sect. I can''t leave, you go ahead, I''ll stay," Gu An said earnestly.


    Du Ye, irritated, wanted to lecture Gu An, but he was afraid to be overheard by other servant disciples.


    "There''s still time, think it over for yourself. When the demons invade the Taicang Dynasty, by then you won''t be able to hide even if you want to!" Du Ye left these words behind and stormed off, his sleeves flapping in the wind.


    He came quickly, and left just as fast, but this time without a smile on his face.


    Gu An felt warmth in his heart at Du Ye''s anger; at least it showed that Du Ye cared for him, otherwise he wouldn''t bother with his life or death.


    But he truly could not leave the Supreme Sect.


    If the Supreme Sect could not survive the demon calamity, it would still not be too late for him to flee.


    With Gu An''s cultivation level, if he truly wanted to escape, who could stop him?


    It wasn''t until dusk that Gu An arrived at the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Jiang Qiong was sitting beneath the Green Vine Tree cultivating, with a large cauldron in front of her and the elixir fire still burning underneath it.


    Sensing Gu An''s presence, Jiang Qiong asked casually, "Why have you come, didn''t you just visit a few days ago?"


    Approaching the large cauldron, Gu An glanced into the brewing potion and said, "Today, people from the Ji Family came to find me, they said they are preparing to withdraw from the Supreme Sect and asked me to get ready."


    After hearing this, Jiang Qiong opened her eyes, her lovely brows furrowed, as she asked, "Are you leaving?"


    If Gu An left, a new disciple of the Supreme Sect would surely take over the Mystic Valley, which was not good news for her.


    A trace of irritation she couldn''t quite articulate welled up in her heart.


    "Not leaving. I''ve refused. My dilemma is, by avoiding the great demon calamity, where can the Ji Family possibly hide?" Gu An sighed.


    He came here precisely to probe for information from Jiang Qiong, perhaps she was in the know.


    Jiang Qiong replied sarcastically, "Probably to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, which is a holy land, a place even demons dare not invade. I heard before that the Ji Family was planning to betroth Ji Xiaoyu to a prodigy of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. It seems true, and it looks like the Ji Family has managed to cling onto a high branch."


    Indeed it was the Seven Stars Spirit Realm!


    Gu An looked at Jiang Qiong and asked with a furrowed brow, "Is the Seven Stars Spirit Realm that powerful?"


    "Of course it''s powerful. On this earth, dynasties change, and racial wars are incessant. Only the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has always been there. Tell me if they''re not formidable. In a sense, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is the true ruler of this land.


    The ones who were after me are cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm because I got to the opportunity they wanted first," Jiang Qiong said with sarcasm.


    After listening to this, Gu An was tempted to say that if she, a practitioner of the Nascent Soul Realm, could snatch an opportunity from the hands of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators, then the Seven Stars Spirit Realm couldn''t be all that powerful.


    Jiang Qiong seemed to see through his thoughts, saying, "The foundation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is strong. They should have a Great Heaven and Earth not inferior to the lands of the nine dynasties, with numerous noble families, and a vast number of disciples. The young ones I ran into on the Nine Nether Road were just a group out on a training journey.


    All of those fellows were under a hundred years old but possessed Nascent Soul Realm cultivation levels. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is indeed fearsome."


    An awed expression appeared on her face; even as she was pursued by cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, she held no desire for revenge, as the gap in power between them was too vast.


    A Great Heaven and Earth not inferior to the lands of the nine dynasties?


    Gu An''s curiosity about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm grew.


    No wonder the Seven Stars Spirit Realm doesn''t interfere in the continent''s racial conflicts¡ªit seems that even if the humans on earth are exterminated, the race will still have legacies left to persist.


    Afterward, Gu An asked a few more questions, and Jiang Qiong told him everything she knew. The more he understood, the deeper his wariness of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm became.


    Intuition told him that after surviving the great demon calamity, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm might trigger the next disaster.


    Gu An wasn''t worried though; his strategy was to act only when he had absolute certainty.


    If he could fight, he would fight; if not, where there''s life, there''s hope!


    "Your third miss is set to marry into the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Are you happy for her, or not?" Jiang Qiong suddenly asked teasingly.


    Gu An casually responded, "The third miss is the Girl of Heavenly Pride, and her suitor will surely be the Son of Heaven''s Pride. I am definitely happy for her."


    "Really? There''s not a hint of regret in your heart?" Jiang Qiong asked with a smile.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and spread his hands, "Indeed, it''s regrettable. Actually, I admire the third miss, but alas, with my mediocre talents, I''m not worthy of pursuing her. Since I can''t have her, I can only comfort myself and wish her happiness."


    The smile on Jiang Qiong''s face vanished as she scoffed, "You sure take it easy. You''re right, if status and talent don''t match, love will only bring you harm. Keep your composure, and don''t fall in love lightly in the future," she cautioned.


    Gu An nodded, "I don''t need to fall in love. There are plenty of female disciples in the valley."


    "Oh? Is that why you don''t love cultivating?"


    "What I mean is, if I want a daoist friend, it''s not a difficult task, but I don''t want to."


    "That''s more like it," she said. "The Martial Master has lived longer than you and knows daoist friends can''t be relied upon. How many daoist friends have abandoned their partners at critical moments of life and death? How many calculate against their partners for personal gain?


    The Martial Master hopes you won''t get attached easily, that you''ll be more cautious, because the Martial Master has your best interests at heart."


    "Then have you ever had a Daoist Partner?"


    "If I had, your Martial Master would have long been dead."


    Jiang Qiong began to earnestly instruct Gu An, and Gu An also sought advice with pointed questions.


    More than an ancient hour later, Gu An finally departed.


    Jiang Qiong watched Gu An''s retreating figure, thinking to himself, "This kid actually doesn''t call me Martial Master, he''s got quite a wild streak."


    ...


    The tail end of summer eventually slipped away, and autumn arrived once again.


    Gu An came to Tianya Valley and noticed that there was an additional person inside the valley.


    Since Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun left, Tianya Valley had only Luo Hun and three monkey demons for company. As a result, Gu An brought Luo Hun many books, even a chess set.


    Actually, even if he hadn''t brought these things, Luo Hun wouldn''t have found it dull, after all, he was a cultivator.


    But because Gu An did bring them, it made him more prone to distraction. He would often curse Gu An internally for being devious, yet he couldn''t refuse the well-written works of Daoist Xunchun and Green Hero Travelogue.


    Gu An walked down from the mountain slope, looking far off at the figure standing in front of the wooden railing.


    [Ji Ruolai (Nascent Soul Realm, Level 8): 96/700/3900]


    Ji Ruolai?


    Gu An raised his eyebrows. He had heard this name before; it was Ji Xiaoyu''s biological older brother, who was taken away to the main family for cultivation at a young age. He had never met the man, only heard about him from other house servants.


    He hadn''t expected Li Xuandao to have even lured Ji Xiaoyu''s brother to his side.


    Luo Hun descended from the sky, landing beside Gu An, introduced Ji Ruolai to him, and asked, "You should have heard of him, given that you''re also from the Ji Family."


    Gu An nodded.


    The two approached Ji Ruolai from behind, who was gazing at the flowers and plants in the garden, looking distracted. Only when Luo Hun called out to him did he snap out of his reverie.


    He turned around to face Gu An and the other, saying, "Is this Valley Master Gu An?"


    Gu An raised his hand in greeting and said, "I''ve seen the Second Young Master before."


    Ji Ruolai waved his hand, "Here, I must address you as Valley Master. His Majesty said that from now on, I''ll be assisting you."


    Though the talents who came to Tianya Valley had to assist Gu An, they had free access to the medicinal herbs within the valley. Therefore, Ji Ruolai was very cordial with Gu An.


    However, Gu An didn''t really need their assistance; it would be better to grant them a small favor.


    "The Second Young Master can focus on cultivating in peace. Sun Da and others are in charge of the valley''s mundane affairs," Gu An said with a soft chuckle.


    Ji Ruolai nodded, then began to exchange pleasantries with him.


    Gu An noticed a strange cold energy within Ji Ruolai''s body, circling around his Golden Core.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An made an excuse to leave, as he needed to gather herbs.


    Ji Ruolai watched Gu An''s retreating figure, deep in thought.


    Luo Hun, however, caught up with Gu An and asked in a low voice, "The Supreme Secret Records you were looking for before, did you find them?"


    Gu An suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and replied in a low voice, "I haven''t found them. The book has vanished without a trace, let''s forget about it. Aren''t Daoist Xunchun''s works and Green Hero Travelogue enough for you to read?"


    Luo Hun could only sigh regretfully, then left.


    Gu An shook his head, smiling wryly.


    Who knows where Luo Hun heard about it, but he somehow knew about the Supreme Secret Records and even asked Gu An to purchase them.


    Gu An didn''t want to distract him from his cultivation, so he never really bought them for Luo Hun.


    All the blame lies with Shen Zhen for leading astray the customs of the Immortal Cultivation World! S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Late at night, inside a dilapidated temple.


    Thump!


    A man in plain clothes fell to the ground. After his right foot twitched a few times, he was completely lifeless.


    A man in black stood by, none other than Su Han.


    Having just absorbed the plain-clothed man''s Spiritual Power, Su Han cultivated energy with both hands, trying his best to harmonize it. Judging from his furrowed brows, he was struggling.


    There were also four other corpses nearby, both male and female, all dead.


    A wave of ghostly energy seeped through a hole in the roof, forming the figure of Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    Bathed in the moonlight, the pale face of Ghost Mother of Ephemera was terrifying. She stood aside, watching Su Han.


    After a long while.


    Su Han opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of foul air.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera said, "I have already disclosed your whereabouts; within seven days, a large number of cultivators will come to assassinate you. I will have the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil hold off the Great Cultivators. You must seize the opportunity and not let a single one escape."


    Su Han nodded, then asked, "Ghost Mother, why are there so many people seeking death? I have no grievances with them."


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera replied calmly, "Some want to kill you to establish a reputation, others aim to kill you in exchange for rewards from the Sword Sect. The root reason they seek your life is because you''re not strong enough, and they think they can kill you."

 Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Mahayana Demon Attacks, The Only Way to Live!

    Hearing the words of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Su Han remained silent. He didn''t refute because he also felt weak. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Along the way, he had escaped death several times, and it wasn''t due to his own strength.


    Su Han was very aware that he was merely a pawn, just like the Ghost Mother of Ephemera before him, who wholeheartedly helped him, surely had her own schemes; he had no other choices.


    "The time left for you is running out, the great disaster of demons is approaching, and the Defying Fate Divine Skill can only absorb the spiritual power of Cultivators, not the demonic power, once the great disaster of demons arrives, and you are unwilling to abandon your principles.


    At that time, all Cultivators will be busy fighting demons, and it will be difficult for you to grow stronger," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera said.


    Hearing this, Su Han asked, "Are you in a hurry? What exactly do you want me to do for you?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera answered, "That depends on how strong you can become. The one who should be anxious isn''t me, but you. Since you began cultivating the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, your lifespan has already been decreed; no matter how high of a realm you attain, your lifespan will not increase, unless you can reach the legendary Immortal Realm."


    Su Han frowned.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera had mentioned the shortcomings of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword more than once. It seemed like a reminder for his own good, but what he felt was a threat, oppression.


    "I will try my best," Su Han said and then started to practice meditation on the spot.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera watched him for a while, then dissolved into a burst of ghostly air and vanished.


    Su Han looked up at the round moon outside, and for some reason, he suddenly felt desolate and lost.


    There was probably no one in the world who worried about him anymore.


    ...


    With the arrival of winter snow, the Third Medicine Valley was covered in vast white snow, everything appeared bleak.


    Gu An stood on the terrace, admiring the snowy landscape while also contemplating the next volume of Shattering Void.


    Shattering Void had become popular, and its popularity had far surpassed Gu An''s expectations, exceeding the total sales of all volumes of Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    The theme of Shattering Void was essentially the same kind of exhilarating literature as Supreme Immortal Venerable, but its theme resonated deeply with the current mood of Cultivators around the world.


    With the imminent disaster of demons approaching, various sects continually sent disciples to gather information. As more and more information accumulated, the entire world of Immortal Cultivation became increasingly oppressive.


    More and more people felt the end of their paths in Immortal Cultivation, wondering how wonderful it would be if they could shatter the void?


    In the distance, a White Spirit Rat scurried through the snow with Xiaochuan chasing behind. Failing to catch it and instead getting a face full of snow thrown at him by the rat, Gu An couldn''t help but laugh.


    He didn''t know what charm this plump rat had that made Xiaochuan so fond of it.


    Lu Lingjun walked up to Gu An''s terrace, looked up at him, and said, "Valley Master, do you feel something?"


    Gu An eyeing her, asked, "Cold?"


    "That''s one way to put it. There''s a strong demonic energy coming from the north. I don''t know if it signifies that the great disaster of demons is close," replied Lu Lingjun, her gaze turning northwards.


    Gu An had actually felt it long ago. A Mahayana Great Demon was moving southward, approaching the Eight Dynasties'' territory.


    He did not stop it. He wanted to see if there were any hidden experts in the Eight Dynasties'' territory.


    Once the great disaster of demons erupted, he could not rely solely on his own power to reverse the situation, dangerous as it was, and such actions would easily attract the attention of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Although Gu An''s Divine Sense could cover the territory of the Nine Dynasties, the world was vast, and there were always some people who were hidden, just like the Star-Master Cave, which he had not been able to detect using Divine Sense before.


    Gu An asked, "If the great disaster of demons arrives, what will you do?"


    Lu Lingjun answered, "Naturally, I will fight alongside the Supreme Sect, but if the enemy is too powerful, and there''s no hope, I will head south to seek fortunes in the Immortal realm."


    Having ascended many years ago, she had a deep understanding of this land.


    Since ancient times, when Great Cultivators encountered dead ends, they ventured southward, even though the seas were more dangerous than the land of demons, nonetheless, there were always those who followed one after another, without looking back.


    As an Ascender, Lu Lingjun would naturally not face death alongside the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An nodded slightly, making no comment.


    Lu Lingjun looked at Gu An and asked, "And you, Valley Master?"


    Gu An feigned hesitation, saying, "I will actively cultivate medicinal herbs to contribute my strength."


    "What if the Supreme Sect falls?"


    "Then I will kill myself, to avoid being eaten by demons."


    Hearing this, Lu Lingjun gave Gu An a stern look, thinking him beyond help.


    Gu An chuckled, not continuing the discussion further to avoid causing panic amongst the other Servant Disciples who might overhear.


    But how should the world of Immortal Cultivation respond to the impending Mahayana realm great demon?


    The white snow, seemingly endless, as if it intended to bury the world beneath it.


    Night fell.


    Gu An arrived at the Nianchu Cave at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    As soon as he entered, he saw Tian Yao''er squatting in front of the Medicine Cauldron, warming herself by the fire, hugging her knees, shivering, her head buried.


    Approaching Tian Yao''er, Gu An deliberately made noise with his steps, startling her so that she looked up and upon seeing Gu An, she appeared thrilled, rushing over to embrace him like a gust of wind.


    "What''s the matter with you?" Gu An, seeing her genuine fear, did not push her away but asked with concern.


    Tian Yao''er buried her head in Gu An''s chest, murmuring softly, "I''m scared¡­ I feel something terrifying approaching¡­"


    She clung tightly to Gu An''s waist, fearful he would leave.


    Gu An patted her shoulder, comforting, "Don''t be afraid, that fellow isn''t heading for Heavenly Phoenix Mountain; we are very far from it."


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er looked up, cautiously asking, "Really?"


    "Really, and aren''t I here with you?"


    "But you can''t even defeat the Demon Mother, and I feel that that terrifying being is even stronger than the Demon Mother."


    "Indeed, I can''t defeat her, but I will take you and flee."


    "Then don''t lie to me, if you''re going to leave here, you must take me with you."


    "I won''t lie to you."


    Gu An replied. If it weren''t for his rescue, Tian Yao''er would probably have already perished within the belly of a demon. She could only rely on him, how could he abandon her?


    However, Tian Yao''er''s reaction caught him off guard.


    Both being demonic creatures, how could she be so afraid?


    He sat down with Tian Yao''er, urging her to tell him why she was so scared.


    Unfortunately, Tian Yao''er hemmed and hawed for a long time but couldn''t explain clearly.


    Based on the memory of the Black Crow Demon Envoy, Gu An knew the origin of that Great Demon.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon, one of the seventy-two Great Demon Kings, dominated a territory of over a hundred thousand miles, commanded countless demon soldiers and generals, was notoriously violent and ferocious, and even the Black Crow Demon Envoy was careful when meeting him, fearing he might be swallowed whole.


    At that moment, the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was leading hundreds of millions of demons southward, constantly being joined by other demons along the way, even some Demon Kings willing to follow.


    His overwhelming demonic power had alarmed the human Immortal Cultivation World, and Gu An could feel that many cultivators from the eight dynasties were rushing there, with more than twenty from just the Mystic Heart Realm alone.


    Gu An comforted her for a long while until Tian Yao''er finally calmed down, what made him helpless was that the girl had fallen asleep on his lap.


    It seemed he would have to stay here longer this night.


    ...


    Hum¡ª


    At the break of dawn, a dragon''s hum sounded from afar, startling the servant disciples in Mystic Valley.


    Chu Jingfeng, who was meditating on the cliff, opened his eyes and looked toward the horizon, his brows furrowed, the snow on him gradually melting.


    The servant disciples in the valley gathered together, discussing where the sound had come from and which demon had made it.


    Gu An arrived on his flying sword through the heavy snowfall, landing in the valley. After storing his flying sword, the servant disciples immediately crowded around him, asking about the dragon''s hum.


    "I also don''t know which demon made that sound, but you can all rest assured, nothing will happen as long as you stay within the Supreme Sect," Gu An reassured them.


    Now the disciples of Mystic Valley had been replaced by a new batch, except for Lu Jiujia and Chu Jingfeng, none knew of the various calamities Mystic Valley had experienced, so the disciples easily believed Gu An''s words.


    In the days that followed, news kept flowing into the Supreme Sect.


    The title of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon strongly entered the eyes of the disciples of the Supreme Sect as there had been a Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator eaten alive by him; this news unsettled the entire Supreme Sect.


    Massive numbers of disciples were dispatched to support the northern territories, and even Gu Zong himself had come to the Third Medicine Valley to request Lu Lingjun to take action.


    After some hesitation, Lu Lingjun decided to intervene.


    Xuan Quan also accompanied him!


    The news of their departure spread throughout the cities of the Supreme Sect; however, when Gu An was wandering in the Outer City, he found that many people held little hope for the two from Lu Lingjun, with more people praying that these two Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators would not meet any misfortune.


    The fall of Ancestor Kusong had cast a long shadow over the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An was also following the distant battle. Once again, the Cangtian Sect took on the role of leader, and the Cangtian Sect led by example, gathering the spiritual power of a million cultivators to form a grand formation, creating a huge barrier to block the invasion of the Demon Clan.


    Fourteen Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators besieged the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, none daring to approach, the battle was completely one-sided.


    However, the Six-Headed Sea Dragon showed no intention of invading the human territories, merely making threats and insults, which annoyed and frightened the Immortal Cultivation side.


    It seems that the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was testing the lands of the eight dynasties.


    Perhaps he was wary of the Daoist Lord of the Cangtian Sect, or perhaps he feared the Mountain God.


    The next morning, Lu Lingjun and Xuan Quan joined the war, and Gu An watched the entire event to ensure they didn''t die.


    Facing the powerful Six-Headed Sea Dragon, the duo from Lu Lingjun quickly lost and then fled back to human territories to recuperate.


    Gu An felt that Lu Lingjun was shirking in battle, deliberately getting injured, then retreating.


    Perhaps Lu Lingjun also thought that if they fought to the death, they might truly die.


    The longer the Six-Headed Sea Dragon refrained from invading human lands, the more Gu An suspected there was an even stronger demon watching from behind.


    The father of Di Xie, the Demon Emperor!


    That Demon Emperor ruled over the demons of the Demon Land, perhaps this was a trial he had orchestrated.


    Several days later.


    Gu An arrived at the Outer City, but the scene he witnessed was complicated.


    He saw the vast Heavenly Repair Stone seated with hundreds of thousands of disciples, with even Gu Zong sitting under the characters for "Righteous Path," causing those who were practicing sword enlightenment to be forcibly removed from the stage.


    Di Xie had stepped down.


    He happened to see Gu An and came over, saying with emotion, "The Northern Territory is in urgent need, and the sect is pleading with Sword Venerable Fudao to make a move."


    Gu An worriedly asked, "With Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators already perished, is relying on Sword Venerable Fudao enough?"


    Di Xie sighed and said, "Perhaps it''s useless, but what else can be done?"


    Being a demon himself, he knew well the strength of the Demon Land.


    He spoke in a mournful tone, "This calamity is inevitable, perhaps only the sea is the path to survival."

 Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Please Ask Sword Venerable Fudao to Take Action!

    ```Hearing Di Xie''s words, Gu An could only follow with a sigh.


    Escape to the ocean?


    What a joke!


    Gu An didn''t know what Di Xie''s mindset was, but he felt that after the extinction of the eight dynasties of the Human Race, the demons would be the next to suffer.


    The legends of old had proven this, for when demons overrun the earth, powerful Cultivators would come forth.


    Raising demons on humans, and humans on demons?


    Shift the perspective, and it was no longer the same race killing each other while the Holy Lands continue to be revered by both races.


    Gu An casually talked with Di Xie, his gaze never leaving the Heavenly Repair Platform, and he weighed whether or not to take action.


    After all, he still had some time before he reached that crucial milestone of ten million years of life span.


    If he broke through now, he would certainly advance to a higher realm, but he was more interested in unlocking the next life span feature.


    He feared that his intervention might accelerate the progression of the Great Demon Calamity.


    ¡­


    Great Jiang Dynasty, this is the northernmost land of the eight dynasties, where towering mountains spread across the earth, known for various wonders.


    With the Demon Land to its back, Cultivators from the Great Jiang Dynasty faced even harsher living environments, which in turn forged the strongest dynasty.


    In the Northern Territory, mountain ranges overlap, vast snow hides the sky, and the magnificent snow mist makes the mountains appear both hidden and visible, akin to the spine of a True Dragon, grand and spectacular, like a wall created by heaven, dividing the world into two halves.


    On a mountain range, Lu Lingjun sat cross-legged on a huge boulder, her Spiritual Power pulsing around her, preventing the snow mist from approaching and forming wisps of white smoke rising around her.


    She slowly opened her eyes and gazed towards the horizon.


    In front of her were rolling mountains, with faint traces of fire at the edge of the world, which the flying snow could not fully conceal, and occasionally strong winds blew towards Lu Lingjun.


    The terrifying Demon Energy of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon enveloped the whole world, making even Lu Lingjun and the White Spirit Demon Emperor on her shoulder feel uneasy.


    "What exactly is he waiting for?" the White Spirit Demon Emperor asked in a low voice.


    Lu Lingjun''s expression was serene as she replied, "It might have something to do with the Mountain God, after all, there were Mahayana Cultivators who perished at the hands of the Mountain God."


    "Will the Mountain God take action? There are so many demons in the north, and this calamity is by no means comparable to the Ephemera Sect, no matter how you look at it, the Human Race is doomed," the White Spirit Demon Emperor murmured.


    Being a demon itself, it naturally wouldn''t side with the Human Race, and it hoped that Lu Lingjun would leave this land of conflict.


    Lu Lingjun remained silent, her eyes fixated on the distance, her thoughts unknown.


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor couldn''t help but urge her, "Lingjun, why don''t we move south? Maybe the ocean isn''t as dangerous as it seems."


    Lu Lingjun said pensively, "Do you still remember, when I had my breakthrough, the Cultivators from the Supreme Sect were laying the Formation for me?"


    Upon hearing this, the White Spirit Demon Emperor opened its mouth but ultimately could not utter another word.


    It knew Lu Lingjun too well.


    If Lu Lingjun were not so significantly driven by loyalty, why else would it follow her?


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor''s snake head drooped, speaking somberly, "Then let''s see if the Mountain God is indeed powerful. Oh yes, the Supreme Sect also has Sword Venerable Fudao; he should take action, shouldn''t he?"


    A high-pitched dragon chant sounded, shaking heaven and earth, the scent of blood mixed with the flying snow, shaking even the mountain Lu Lingjun sat upon.


    Thousands of miles away. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The battle raged, the land scorched black, lava flowed in the earth''s wounds, firelight floated between heaven and earth, mountains were leveled leaving behind gaping holes, countless Cultivators floated in the sky, grand and imposing Formations stretching across the sky.


    The earth was split in two by an unfathomable fissure, Cultivators of the Human Race cast spells on one side, while the other teemed with demons and ghosts, crowding the edge of the cliff in dense masses, each with a ferocious face, their roars and howls rising and falling, turning the land into hell.


    A terrifying Giant Demon stood behind the endless array of demons, towering into the clouds, adorned in black armor with sharp fangs on its shoulders, resembling mountain peaks, and wearing a belt hung with the heads of Great Demons.


    Its human-like body stood a thousand feet tall, his neck disappeared into the clouds, and the six Sea Dragon''s heads, somewhat visible through the mist, eyes crimson like demon eyes that peer from the abyss into the Mortal World, were enough to send chills down one''s spine.


    He was the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, a Great Demon who terrified the Demon Land!


    On his shoulder was a figure shrouded in black Demon Energy, very small in comparison, revealing only a goat''s head with blood-red goat eyes.


    "Great King, it seems the Human Race has no Mahayana Cultivators left, and that so-called Mountain God dares not trouble us," the goat-headed demon spoke, its voice reaching the Six-Headed Sea Dragon''s ears.


    Upon hearing this, a terrifyingly oppressive aura erupted, making the demons in the front panic and scatter, clearing the way for the Six-Headed Sea Dragon.


    Before the immense figure of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, the majority of demons appeared as insignificant as ants.


    As the Six-Headed Sea Dragon stepped forward, ghostly energy rose, forming many enchanting and glamorous female ghosts that circled him, their combined laughter almost bewitching the distant Cultivators.


    "The Six-Headed Sea Dragon is coming!"


    A burly man in a grey robe bellowed like thunder, his voice echoing through the world.


    The head of the Cangtian Sect, Liang Canghai, flew to the forefront of the Formation, raising his sword high and roaring, "Desciples of Cangtian Sect, heed my command, consume the Elixir, and fight to the death!"


    As his words fell, millions of Cangtian Sect disciples unhesitatingly produced a dark brown Elixir; upon consumption, their Spiritual Power surged, blood qi radiating from them, veins on their faces bulging, eyes wide and bloody.


    Leaders from other sects issued their orders, all ready to fight to the death, and the Supreme Sect was no different.


    Xuan Quan rushed over the battlefield, flying to the cliff''s edge. Holding a horsetail whisk in one hand and drawing talismans with the other, a series of Spiritual Power-formed characters appeared in front of him, lined up in a row.


    More and more Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivators joined in the air above the cliff separating the battlefield, united against the Six-Headed Sea Dragon about to cross it.


    ```


    The Mad Swordsman, Han Ming, was also in the Great Yu Dynasty''s position, ready to fight to the death.


    Lu Lingjun stepped on a hundred-zhang-long white python, holding a sword in each hand. Her aura was unmatched, and her eyes showed no fear.


    "It seems the Human Race has no Mahayana, and if so, they should become the food of the Demon Clan!"


    The cold voice of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon echoed between heaven and earth followed by the terrifying roar of six dragon heads resounding, shaking the world.


    The dragon''s roar converged into one, traveling far and heading towards the lands of the eight dynasties.


    The battle erupted once more!


    This time, the approach of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon signified the official start of the Demon calamity!


    ...


    In the Supreme Sect, outside the Outer City walls.


    When the dragon''s roar came from afar, the snow in the sky seemed to freeze, as the hundreds of thousands of disciples on the Heavenly Repair Platform opened their eyes in unison.


    Sitting in the very center, the Gu Zong''s face changed dramatically, his eyes filled with worry.


    The disciples within the various streets and residences of the city were also alarmed; even without seeing the situation in the Northern Territory, just hearing that sound was enough to chill their hearts.


    What kind of epochal demon could produce such a terrifying roar?


    Even the medicine valleys in all directions outside of the Outer Sect were disturbed.


    Mystic Valley, atop a mountain.


    Gu An and Chu Jingfeng stood side by side looking towards the north, their robes fluttering in the wind and snow.


    Chu Jingfeng frowned when he heard the roar of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, and he asked, "Valley Master, do you think the Supreme Sect can survive this calamity?"


    Gu An, while observing the battle with his Divine Sense, replied: "Of course it can. Believe in the Supreme Sect, believe in our world of Immortal Cultivation."


    When the Six-Headed Sea Dragon crossed that gorge, the aura of the Mystic Heart Realm rose from the lands of the eight dynasties, heading towards the Northern Territory.


    Not just from the lands of the eight dynasties!


    Even from the southern seas, strong auras emerged!


    At this moment, Gu An felt the foundation of the eight dynasties, the accumulation of nearly ten thousand years.


    There were always those who ventured to the sea in search of the path to immortality, yet there were also those who, even in foreign lands, still yearned for their homeland.


    Gu An''s left hand reached for the Double Heart Ring on his right, and in truth, without this ring, he could still sense Lu Lingjun''s crisis.


    Even at a long distance, Lu Lingjun had sustained serious injuries, as the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was too powerful, with an onslaught that could destroy heaven and earth, forcing the entire Human Race to retreat continuously.


    "What a pity, I am now a cripple; otherwise, I would go to war as well, even if I were to die on the battlefield." Chu Jingfeng sighed.


    Gu An patted Chu Jingfeng on the shoulder and said, "How could you be a cripple? As long as you are alive, there is hope. You can turn your current resentment into motivation. Perhaps one day, the Supreme Sect will need you to save it, and then you will be the hero of the Supreme Sect. I hope to see that day within my lifetime."


    Chu Jingfeng turned to look at him and asked, "Do you really think I can do it?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "Of course, Brother Chu, you are a child of heaven in my eyes. What I cannot achieve, you certainly can."


    A child of heaven?


    Chu Jingfeng was taken aback. Looking at Gu An''s smile, a strength surged within him.


    All these years, Gu An had been encouraging him.


    If there was even a hint of false sentiment, it couldn''t have lasted till today.


    This meant that Gu An truly had expectations for him!


    "Please Sword Venerable Fudao make your move!"


    A hoarse shout from Gu Zong came from afar, followed by a gust of wind and snow hurtling towards the two.


    Before Chu Jingfeng could speak, shouts arose again from afar, the cries of hundreds of thousands of Cultivators, united as one, the noise of the wind and snow unable to drown them out.


    "Please Sword Venerable Fudao make your move!"


    "Please Sword Venerable Fudao make your move!"


    The voice grew louder and louder as more and more people joined in.


    Chu Jingfeng reflected, "I''m not sure if I can become a hero in the future, but right now, Sword Venerable Fudao is the hero of the Supreme Sect."


    In the distance.


    Within the walls of the Outer City.


    Atop the Heavenly Repair Platform, hundreds of thousands of disciples were sitting and shouting with all their might; even the disciples on the streets started to join the cries, requesting Sword Venerable Fudao to make his move.


    The intensely shouting Gu Zong seemed to sense something, looking down to see his treasured sword trembling as if eager to be drawn from its sheath.


    He took down his treasured sword, and he was not the only one; the other disciples did the same, some even taking out their swords from their Storage Bags.


    On the streets, the disciples who were passing by stopped in their tracks, astonished to look at the swords at their waists or in their hands.


    All of their blades were trembling, and deep down, they felt engulfed by a tremendous Sword Intent.


    Could it possibly be...


    A daring guess surfaced in the hearts of the Supreme Sect Cultivators.

 Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Slaying the Great Demon King, the Terrifying Sword Venerable!

    All the treasured swords and flying swords throughout the city were trembling, which greatly excited the cultivators within. They even lifted their own swords into the air, holding them aloft."It''s Sword Venerable Fudao''s sword intent!"


    "Sword Venerable Fudao has heard our call!"


    "This sword intent is indeed Sword Venerable Fudao''s!"


    "Could such vast sword intent be enough to contend against that Six-Headed Sea Dragon?"


    "Where is Sword Venerable Fudao? Could he be within the city?"


    A thunderous roar of excitement surged through the city as everyone grew agitated.


    Clang¡ª¡ª


    The sound of blades unsheathing suddenly drowned out the uproarious voices as sword after sword ascended to the sky, their tips pointing upwards, hovering at the same height. There were more than a million of them, their radiance cutting through the sky, impossible to be obscured even by the blizzard.


    Atop the Heavenly Repair Platform, Gu Zong stood up, as did the other disciples, all of them looking up at the swords above.


    Di Xie stood on the rooftop, gazing at the scene, his face full of incredulity. Having been at the Supreme Sect for so many years, he had a deep understanding of Sword Venerable Fudao''s sword intent, and thought he had overestimated him, yet only now did he realize the profound unpredictability of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Even with a third-layer Mystic Heart Realm cultivation level, Di Xie felt that this sword intent was out of his reach.


    Under the gaze of the entire city, over a million swords flew together toward the north. Their sword qi erupted, dispersing the snow in the heavens and earth, unstoppable, vanishing into the sky in a blink of an eye. The vast expanse of the white sky was split in two, revealing the blue beyond, creating a magnificent spectacle.


    Gu Zong''s hair was disheveled by the strong wind as he watched the direction in which the million-strong sword formation had disappeared, a smile appearing on his face, no longer the worried frown seen before.


    "Six-Headed Sea Dragon, can you withstand the mightiest sword of the Supreme Sect?"


    ...


    Great Jiang Dynasty, Northern Territory.


    An unending stream of cultivators flew toward the north like a torrent of arrows, mighty and spectacular, scattering the snowy skies.


    Following their flight path, tens of thousands of miles away, on the Demon Battlefield, the Six-Headed Sea Dragon had already leaped over the seemingly bottomless gorge, with an endless horde of demons leaping after it, following the lead as it crushed its way towards the lands of the human race.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon held a Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm in its grasp, who struggled in vain to free himself from its palm.


    A thousand zhang away, various Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm continually cast spells, but to no avail¡ªnone of their spells or divine skills inflicted the slightest harm on the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, nor could they breach its armor.


    Like a meteor shower, rocks rained down continually, striking the demon army, but the Six-Headed Sea Dragon showed no intention of protecting its troops.


    As it advanced, the creature tossed the Great Cultivator from the Mystic Heart Realm into its mouth, chewing mercilessly. As it did so, its six dragon heads twisted around, scanning the surroundings. Every now and again, it would reach out and snatch dying demons from the distance, swallowing them with one gulp. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood rained down like a shower; fresh blood stained the corners of each dragon head''s mouth, a terrifying and gruesome sight.


    His figure was so languid, supremely arrogant.


    The cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm all felt despair, for they had never felt so powerless before, not even when facing the Butcher Immortal Jing of the Ephemera Sect, because Butcher Immortal Jing had died too quickly. But now, they truly experienced the strength of the Mahayana Realm.


    Lu Lingjun stood on the White Spirit Demon Emperor, her hair disheveled, her right shoulder bleeding profusely and bubbling with blood. She gazed into the distance at the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, her eyes filled with unwillingness.


    "We can''t make a dent at all! If we keep holding out like this, we might fall into its mouth at any moment!"


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor said dejectedly, lacking the spirit of someone from the Unification Realm. It only wanted to escape from this place now.


    Lu Lingjun took a deep breath. She knew that continuing the fight without any chance of victory would only lead to meaningless sacrifice.


    She harbored thoughts of retreat, and not just from the battlefield, but from leaving the continent altogether.


    Just at that moment.


    She seemed to sense something, suddenly turning her head to look, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    In the vast expanse behind them, the white snow covered everything, and the fog carried by the wind assaulted her.


    It wasn''t just her. More and more cultivators felt something and turned to look in unison.


    The disheveled, blood-covered sect master of Cangtian Sect, Liang Canghai, held a large cauldron in his right hand. It burst forth with thousands of green lights, sweeping across the battlefield, where blood splattered everywhere. However, his attacks on the Six-Headed Sea Dragon were equally ineffective.


    He suddenly turned, his eyes widening as he looked behind them.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon, which had been advancing and feeding at the same time, felt something as well and turned its six heads forward.


    Its six draconic faces twisted ferociously as it roared in unison, the dragon roar shaking heaven and earth, and who knows how many lower-level cultivators and demons were shocked into bleeding from all orifices.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon raised its hand, demon energy bursting from its palm. A huge bone knife appeared out of thin air, and it grasped the knife with both hands, furiously slashing forward.


    With one slash, demon energy surged forth like waves, turning into black dragons that raced towards the ends of the earth, sweeping across heaven and earth. Along the way, cultivators who couldn''t dodge in time were struck and instantly turned to ash.


    Boom¡ª


    A world-shocking boom came from the end of the earth. Sword light dazzled between heaven and earth, and a terrifying sword qi moved at a speed far surpassing that of the black demon dragons, cutting through the ranks of innumerable cultivators.


    These cultivators only felt the world brighten suddenly, and then they were enveloped by a mysterious and vast sword intent. Their pupils dilated as countless swords, wrapped in sword qi, passed close by them, forcibly entering their field of view.


    Lu Lingjun, with her higher cultivation level, reacted faster, but was still engulfed by countless swords. She dared not move and could only watch as those swords charged towards the Six-Headed Sea Dragon.


    Her beautiful eyes widened, full of shock.


    No sooner had it been said than done! A massive stream of sword qi formed by hundreds of thousands of swords boldly dispersed the black demon dragons, boldly confronting the Six-Headed Sea Dragon.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon reacted swiftly. After swinging its knife, all six draconic heads opened their mouths, spewing rolling flames, like a celestial river of burning flames sweeping across the sky.


    Boom¡ª


    The flames scattered, and the colossal demon body of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was struck, retreating again and again, flesh flying about like rain pouring onto the ground.


    After seven steps, the Six-Headed Sea Dragon came to a halt, its demon body pierced through by a million swords, which then traced an upward arc in the sky behind it before hovering in midair.


    Countless cultivators and demons fixed their eyes on the scene, the demon energy dissipated, and each dragon head crashed to the ground, kicking up billowing dust.


    The terror-inducing body of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was riddled with bloody holes, densely packed and enough to make one''s scalp tingle, its life force completely severed.


    The Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword forcefully dispersed his Primordial Spirit, with a Mahayana Demon Elixir from the Six-Headed Sea Dragon suspended amidst the sword swarm in the sky.


    Silence enveloped heaven and earth!


    Both Cultivator of the Human Race and demons stared dumbfounded at this scene.


    The nearly invincible Six-Headed Sea Dragon had died just like that?


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh¡­


    The million-strong sword swarm began to fly towards the direction of the Taicang Dynasty, the sound of cutting through the air incessant, breaking the silence.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao! It''s our Supreme Sect''s Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    A Great Cultivator shouted ecstatically, not just him, but all the cultivators who had experienced the Sword Intent at the Heavenly Repair Platform were roused, shouting the name of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Lu Lingjun looked up at the sky where the million-strong sword swarm passed like a meteor shower, her eyes filled with complex emotions.


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor beneath her feet was also staring, dumbstruck and speechless.


    "Kill¡ª"


    Liang Canghai shouted loudly, his tone equally excited, and with that command, the cultivators of the Cangtian Sect were the first to charge towards the demon army.


    Witnessing the death of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, the demon army instantly collapsed, all beginning to flee in panic, with the Demon Kings leaping up and fleeing at full speed back to the Demon Land.


    The mighty sword swarm swept over mountains and lakes, causing cultivators, common folk, and demons along the way to look up in awe.


    The Great Jiang Dynasty, Taichen Dynasty, North Sea Mountains¡­


    Sage Xuan Miao stood on a hillside, looking at the sword swarm flying towards the horizon, his eyes full of confusion.


    Just moments ago, he had seen the million-strong sword swarm flying north, how did it return so quickly?


    He watched as the million-strong sword swarm disappeared into the horizon, then stood in place, deep in thought.


    In mid-flight, Gu An appeared out of nowhere among the sword swarm, seized the Demon Core of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, and then vanished.


    He returned to the attic in Mystic Valley, unknown to anyone that he had disappeared for a mere two breaths of time.


    Using his Divine Sense, he maneuvered the million-strong sword swarm back to the Outer City, relying on the memory and insight of the Nirvana Realm, he directed each of the million swords back into their owner''s hands, igniting an uproar throughout the city.


    Slaying the Six-Headed Sea Dragon won Gu An eight hundred years of life span, far less than what an eighth-tier Spirit Tree offered.


    Gu An picked up Daoist Xunchun, calming his emotions.


    With this action, he wondered if he would hasten the Great Demon Cataclysm.


    If the Great Demon Cataclysm were to arrive early, then he would have no choice but to embark on a massive slaughter, reaching a life span of ten million years as soon as possible.


    He did not wish to massacre the living and become a demon, but if it was for survival, he would have to lower his principles.


    In the process of seizing life span, Gu An always worried that excessive killing would lead to the formation of a heart demon or an accumulation of sins, a not uncommon occurrence in the Immortal Cultivation World, so he tried as much as possible to extend his life span through plants.


    Of course, he also feared that too much killing would attract enemies he couldn''t defeat.


    He tried not to think of these things and instead pondered, what sort of life span functions would ten million years unlock?


    ¡­


    Within the Outer City.


    Di Xie watched the cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform, euphoric, and his expression was vacant.


    With his Perception Power, he could sense that the Demon Energy of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon had already dissipated.


    How much time had passed?


    Sword Venerable Fudao had actually managed to slay the Six-Headed Sea Dragon with the swords of others...


    Di Xie knew the Six-Headed Sea Dragon; he disliked him, but he had to admit that the latter was strong, ranking high among the seventy-two Great Demon Kings.


    To be able to kill the Six-Headed Sea Dragon with such ease, how strong was Sword Venerable Fudao really?


    Di Xie suddenly felt the upcoming war between the two races was unpredictable.


    Sword Venerable Fudao might be the biggest stumbling block for his father the Emperor.


    He was not worried, in fact, somewhat looking forward to it.


    Compared to the atmosphere in the Demon Clan, he preferred the atmosphere of the Supreme Sect, where at least there was no infighting.


    Di Xie looked into the distance with a playful gaze, curious in his heart, "Demon Master, you consider yourself extraordinary, believing you can foresee all things between heaven and earth, but have you predicted Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    He walked towards the Heavenly Repair Platform, ready to continue observing the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    He had a premonition that the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao might be the greatest opportunity he would ever encounter in his life!

 Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Demon Invasion, Descend the Mountain to Hunt!

    ```At the end of the year,


    Gu An arrived at the Outer Sect city and found that the streets were full of disciples discussing the feat of Sword Venerable Fudao slaying the Six-Headed Sea Dragon. Some stalls even began selling dolls of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, as well as various drawings, including those depicting its death.


    Looking at those images, he inexplicably thought of Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen was still in seclusion; had she not been, perhaps she would have been exhilarated by this event.


    Having not seen her for many years, Gu An actually missed her for a moment.


    It was not her person he missed, but her ability to create.


    He didn''t want Shen Zhen to stop writing; he only hoped she wouldn''t use him as a subject in her next book.


    Gu An began to wander around the city, listening to the disciples praising Sword Venerable Fudao. He inwardly reveled in their words, and the lingering worries in his heart were somewhat alleviated.


    The Demons of the Northern Territory had been eradicated, with no Great Demon King on the scale of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon appearing. Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction.


    Yet, Gu An knew that the great Demon calamity was still approaching. Now it was not only the Northern Territory of the Great Jiang Dynasty that was being breached, but Demons continuously infiltrated the lands of the Human Race, from east to west, near the Demon Land. The invasions were on a small scale, preventing the various sects from stopping them entirely.


    Fortunately, the number of Demons currently infiltrating was not large, and they were at least not enough to shake the foundation of the Eight Dynasties. Gu An could still survive.


    After roaming around for a long time, Gu An finally headed to the Book Collection Hall to submit his books.


    Then, something happened that left Gu An not knowing whether to laugh or cry.


    The Great Elder Feng Shang hoped Gu An could incorporate Sword Venerable Fudao into the ''Shattering Void'' narrative to enhance his image, as per the Sect''s wish.


    Gu An feigned difficulty, and then Feng Shang mentioned that the Sect had already prepared a hundred sixth-grade medicinal herb seeds for him, so he reluctantly agreed.


    ...


    With the new spring''s arrival, this year''s Spring Festival found Ye Lan and Zhen Qin absent, so Gu An spent the holiday with the disciples, which felt somewhat lacking compared to previous years.


    This sudden realization made him somewhat panicked.


    Years later, if all his old acquaintances had passed away, would the Spring Festival still be a joyous occasion, or would it be filled with sorrow?


    When it was late at night, his mood began to lift as he arrived at Nianchu Cave.


    No matter what, Tian Yao''er at least could accompany him for eighteen thousand years, and if she could undergo Nirvana within this period, she could join him for even longer.


    However, he also needed to learn to reconcile with himself, to be open-minded about the ways of the world in order to achieve the Dao.


    Next to the stone table, Gu An and Tian Yao''er began roasting lamb legs. They chatted and laughed, with Tian Yao''er always having endless topics when facing him, creating a festive atmosphere.


    "By the way, master, I''ve been hearing a strange noise lately, like it''s coming from the outside. Could it be that a Demon has discovered our cave?" Tian Yao''er suddenly asked. Her mouth was greasy, her face smeared with dipping sauce, and her furrowed brows made Gu An want to laugh.


    Gu An answered, "Don''t worry, no Demons will break in. The owner of that noise is someone I''ve met. It''s just temporarily residing in the Heavenly Phoenix Mountain."


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er immediately felt reassured.


    "By the way, master, where did you go after you left the cave? Did you return to live with the Human Race?" Tian Yao''er asked.


    "Well, I have other caves to look after."


    "Ah? Master, you haven''t raised other Demons, have you?"


    "There are a few, but none of them are as formidable as you."


    "Are there female Demons?"


    "Of course not, those Demons are low in aptitude and still cannot Shape-Shift."


    "That''s good, master, do you have a Daoist friend?"


    Tian Yao''er, as if opening a floodgate, bombarded him with questions.


    Raising an eyebrow beneath his mask, Gu An asked, "Where did you learn about Daoist friends?"


    Tian Yao''er took a bite of the lamb, speaking indistinctly, "From the books you left behind, do you have a Daoist friend or not?"


    Gu An replied, "Of course not."


    Tian Yao''er''s face lit up with joy, but Gu An''s next sentence made her face fall, "However, there are several women who might become my Daoist friends, and I''m troubled over whom to choose."


    Tian Yao''er put down the lamb leg, wiped the stains off her face, and asked seriously, "Master, do you think I qualify?"


    Glancing at her, Gu An replied irritably, "What? You want to ascend the ranks now?"


    "No... I just think based on the standards for Daoist friends in the books, I could fit as well. Moreover, I definitely will not betray you like the Daoist friends in the books, destined to live and die with you!" Tian Yao''er quickly explained.


    You may want to live and die with me, but I certainly don''t.


    I am someone who seeks immortality!


    Gu An had resolved to live longer than heaven and earth, so such words could not move him.


    He replied with annoyance, "Focus on your cultivation, Minor Demon. Don''t entertain foolish thoughts. Whether human or demon, cultivation is the priority. As for feelings, at most they are a secondary pursuit."


    "Alright, then what are your requirements for a Daoist friend?"


    "I was just teasing you earlier. I don''t need a Daoist friend. If I had one, I''d have to bury her someday, and that would be too sad."


    "That sort of makes sense."


    "I let you read books to under the different facets of life, don''t indulge in thoughts of affection in the future."


    "Hmm, I won''t think about feelings, but if my master wishes, I am always ready!"


    As Gu An looked at Tian Yao''er''s earnest expression, his gaze involuntarily drifted downward, but after just a glance, he quickly withdrew it.


    He changed the subject and began talking about matters of cultivation.


    ```


    Tian Yao''er pouted. Although she felt depressed inside, she still listened attentively; she could only see Gu An twice a month, so she cherished their time together.


    ...


    After the New Year, the name of Sword Venerable Fudao had spread far and wide. The Supreme Sect had also been busy issuing numerous demon-slaying tasks, and more and more disciples began to descend the mountain to save the common people.


    Mystic Valley, within an attic.


    Gu An was weaving a robe for himself. Since he didn''t need to sit in meditation to absorb energy, he had plenty of time to pursue his interests, and tailoring used to be one of them.


    The reason he was making a robe was that he was preparing to descend the mountain to slay demons and eradicate evil.


    One reason was to help the people, and the other was to seize the opportunity to accumulate lifespan, striving to reach a lifespan of tens of millions of years as soon as possible.


    He also wanted to experience the kind of life Ye Lan and Zhen Qin led.


    Finally, Gu An finished weaving his robe. He stored the robe in his Storage Bag, then picked up the Qinghong Sword and walked out of the attic.


    He greeted Lu Jiujia with a nod and then left Mystic Valley.


    Lu Jiujia wasn''t curious about where he was going; after all, Gu An left the valley every now and then. In the eyes of the valley''s disciples, their master was a very busy person.


    ...


    Under the clear blue sky and white clouds, Gu An stood on a cliff. He was dressed in a deep purple robe cinched at the waist, embroidered with a dark red phoenix, and had the Qinghong Sword at his side.


    He took out an opera mask and put it on his face, then placed a bamboo hat on his head.


    After making adjustments, he used his Divine Sense to observe his image.


    His figure was quite impressive, and his aura commanding!


    Like a chivalrous wanderer of the martial world!


    Gu An leaped forth, jumping into the forest and quickly vanishing from sight.


    A hundred miles away, amidst the mountains and fields, a fierce battle was taking place. Several escort vehicles stopped alongside, and more than a dozen armed escorts were fighting demons beasts attacking from every direction. Behind the escort vehicles, there was a carriage with panicked horses neighing continuously, and inside the carriage, a mother and son clung tightly to each other.


    These armed escorts were not cultivators but merely martial artists, no match for the demon beasts.


    Just as the armed escorts despaired, a swift gust of wind approached.


    Then, a figure burst out from the neighboring woods, swift as a cunning rabbit, his swordplay as fast as the wind, slaying a demon with each strike. In less than the time of three breaths, nine demon beasts lay dead.


    The armed escorts turned to look, barely catching a glimpse of the dark red phoenix embroidered on the stranger''s back before he quickly departed. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Amazing!"


    "That person just now must be a cultivator, right?"


    "Nonsense, what martial artist has such skills?"


    "Truly amazing, I didn''t even see how he made his move just now."


    "Me neither, and I don''t know which sect or school of cultivators he belongs to. I once sought to learn from the Ancient Sky Sect when I was young but was refused because I didn''t have a Spirit Root."


    Elsewhere in the woods, Gu An heard their conversation, the corners of his mouth curling slightly under his mask.


    This feeling of saving people was quite good; it may not be less satisfying than the sense of achievement from slaying the Six-Headed Sea Dragon.


    Thus, Gu An began his journey of demon hunting. The demons he killed were all those that attacked the common people, so every time he acted, he was saving someone.


    "Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda." I wonder if it counts in this world?


    Regardless, Gu An was at peace with himself. Slaying a demon, saving a person¡ªhe believed the good would offset the evil, and he shouldn''t be troubled by sins.


    ...


    In the deep of night.


    A group of cultivators were sitting in meditation around the forest, with campfires scattered around, each encircled by five or six people.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were also there. Ye Lan was meditating with her eyes closed, while Zhen Qin was discussing with the disciples nearby about the recent demons encounters and matters of the Immortal Cultivation World.


    "I wonder what the Six-Headed Sea Dragon actually looks like. I heard five Great Cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm were devoured by it," Zhen Qin said softly, her face a mix of curiosity and fear.


    When she brought up the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, the other disciples became excited and started talking about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After slaying the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, Sword Venerable Fudao''s reputation in the Immortal Cultivation World had peaked. How powerful he truly was had become the question of greatest curiosity among all cultivators.


    It seemed that no matter how strong the opponent was, Sword Venerable Fudao could always easily slay them.


    As they chatted, the discussion turned to some of the momentous events in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    "Su Han of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword just devoured the Spiritual Power of twenty Nascent Soul cultivators not long ago. It''s said that he''s about to step into the Divinity Transformation Realm. What Demon Skill has he been practicing?" a male disciple said with worry.


    As they frequently fought against demons, they were very concerned about encountering Su Han.


    Listening to their talk about Su Han, Zhen Qin''s mood suddenly became gloomy.


    "What? You want to know the Cultivation Technique Su Han practices? Then you''re in luck tonight. You''re about to find out."


    A sinister laugh suddenly echoed through the forest, startling the Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall to their feet, including Ye Lan, who unsheathed her White Spirit Sword, ready for battle.


    "Prepare to fight!"


    Ye Lan commanded in a stern voice. The disciples quickly gathered, each drawing their Magic Artifacts.


    Looking around, the night woods were eerily silent, with mist swirling in the depths, obscuring any figures.


    Ye Lan suddenly looked in one direction, her brows furrowing, and the others did the same. They saw figures emerging from the darkness, carrying a coffin upon their shoulders!

 Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Eight Million Years Life Span!

    Watching that group of dark figures carrying the coffin, Ye Lan furrowed her brows, and the other disciples felt the same. They couldn''t see through the aura of the figures, which made their hearts sink.The newcomers were none other than the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil. Under the cover of night, they appeared like thirteen ghastly shadows, so terribly frightening.


    "We are disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Supreme Sect. What do you seek to do?"


    A male disciple called out sternly. Within the Taicang Dynasty, being a disciple of the Supreme Sect gave them quite a bit of confidence.


    Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil remained unmoved. As they continued to approach, the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall had no choice but to retreat.


    "Alright, stop scaring them, let them hurry up and leave,"


    a weak voice came from inside the coffin.


    Zhen Qin''s eyes widened, and she couldn''t help but shout, "Senior Brother Su?"


    Su Han?


    All the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall were shocked and quickened their retreat. Ye Lan''s expression also turned serious.


    Su Han''s name was well-known in the Immortal Cultivation World, but it was a name that spelled doom and infamy.


    "So, it''s your junior sister. No wonder you want to let them go. Then scram quickly," a dark figure said with a sinister tone.


    Zhen Qin wanted to speak again, but was stopped by Ye Lan. Without making any threats, Ye Lan immediately led the disciples in retreat.


    As they left, Zhen Qin kept looking back, her gaze resting on the coffin. Unfortunately, her eyes couldn''t penetrate through the coffin.


    And like that, Ye Lan and the others swiftly departed.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil then set the coffin down, and the lid opened, with Su Han sitting up from it, disheveled, one hand gripping the side of the coffin.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil dispersed, setting up formations in various directions.


    Su Han looked in the direction Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and the others had left, his gaze complex, his thoughts inscrutable.


    Miles away.


    Above the forest, Gu An stood atop a tree, watching this scene from a distance. He held the Qinghong Sword in his crossed arms, and a mask obscured his face, although his eyes shone with a ghostly light.


    After watching for a good while, Gu An finally turned around and jumped into the forest below.


    ...


    Spring arrived, and all things revived. The sky above the Supreme Sect turned azure blue, adorned with white clouds, making for a pleasant vista.


    Within the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An was picking herbs, with An Xin following beside him, carrying a bamboo basket in her hands.


    In these days, Gu An went out daily to save people and exterminate demons. Though his lifespan didn''t increase very quickly, gaining a few thousand years of lifespan each day was still feasible.


    Mainly, he wasn''t just after demons. In the process, he was also experiencing the myriad states of the Mortal World.


    "Valley Master, do you have any news of my brother?" An Xin suddenly asked, a question she had been holding back for a long time.


    She knew that Gu An was acquainted with An Hao, especially with An Hao''s master, Lv Baitian.


    While picking herbs, Gu An replied, "I''ve heard before that he''s in Tianwei, supposedly to marry the Princess of Tianwei. The auspicious date isn''t set yet; he''s in closed cultivation in Tianwei."


    This matter was no secret, already being discussed in the Inner Sect. As the number one genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao''s every move could stir up gossip.


    The Supreme Sect had already dispatched Elders to discuss this matter, and they were supportive of An Hao''s marriage to the Tianwei Imperial Family.


    Upon hearing this, An Xin heaved a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, "What about the appearance and talent of the Princess of Tianwei?"


    "As for her character, I''m not sure, but she''s said to be quite beautiful. Don''t you know your brother? If someone isn''t attractive, would he even spare a glance?" Gu An answered.


    Whenever An Hao was mentioned, An Xin''s smile grew wider as she started to recount embarrassing stories from his childhood. Gu An listened attentively, showing no sign of impatience.


    Gu An was also pleased about An Hao''s upcoming marriage.


    Although Gu An hadn''t married himself, the prospect of his own disciple, whom he had raised, getting married filled him with joy just thinking about it.


    After they finished picking the herbs, the two headed toward the pavilion cluster.


    Gu An instructed An Xin to take the herbs to the storage building while he went upstairs alone, planning to relax with a book.


    When evening came, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley and continued his chivalrous endeavors.


    Months passed, and Gu An celebrated his ninetieth birthday. During this time, he had slain over twelve thousand three hundred demon beasts, accruing nearly four hundred thousand years of lifespan, breaking through eight million years in total.


    Cultivators all over the world were slaying demons and saving the suffering masses, so Gu An hadn''t made a name for himself yet, but the tens of thousands of people he''d saved remembered him. Sooner or later, his exploits would spread far and wide.


    The Eight Dynasties continued to wage war against each other, pushing toward unification, while the Immortal Cultivation World was repelling demons. But no matter how many demons were killed, the number of demons in the Eight Dynasties seemed to only increase.


    The Demon Calamity wasn''t like many had thought; it wasn''t a countless horde of demons attacking all at once, but rather a constant infiltration.


    Perhaps, once the Demon Ancestor revived, the situation would be entirely different.


    In the scorching summer days.


    Disguised, Gu An walked along a mountain path. Along the way, there were many refugees, gaunt and with sallow complexions, their faces dirty and their bodies swaying as though they were the walking dead. Even as they brushed by Gu An, they didn''t turn their heads, as though nothing in the world was worth their attention anymore.


    Gu An wasn''t seeing this for the first time.


    These refugees were usually people whose homes had been destroyed by demons, forcing them to head towards other cities. However, it wasn''t just demons that made life difficult for people; evil people too, taking advantage of others'' misfortune, were all too common. Gu An had even killed several evildoers in the act of abusing women.


    Gu An likewise did not turn his head towards the refugees; he was pondering a question.


    What would he do to survive in this world if he did not have the ability to claim life spans?


    From the Holy Lands that nurture demons to harm the common world, to the common folk who are deeply harmed by demon and evil people.


    Although Gu An wanted to focus on cultivation, if he could do so without harming himself, he also wanted to do whatever was within his power.


    He moved forward while pondering.


    Not until he sensed a breath coming from the south did he pull back his thoughts and extend his divine sense to investigate.


    The divine sense of the Nirvana Realm''s ninth layer swept across the land, mountains, rivers, and lakes, arriving above an endless azure sea.


    He saw a dazzle of white light appear at the horizon of the sea¡ªupon closer inspection, they were white lotuses, forming a stairway in the air, constantly extending forward, with the lotuses behind disappearing. A daoist was moving forward on the white lotus stairway, stepping down and generating lotuses beneath his feet, as if an immortal walked in this world.


    A Mahayana cultivator!


    Finally, a Mahayana cultivator had returned. Gu An felt a sense of relief in his heart. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If only he himself could stand against the demon''s calamity, he really had to consider taking people and fleeing.


    The power of one person, to avert a genocide¡ªa Seven Stars Spirit Realm and those unseen forces would certainly take notice of him, frantically investigating him. Even if he could hide deeply, he would not dare to say he would definitely not be found out. This did not align with his principles of immortal cultivation.


    With others to help shoulder the pressure, he could make his move.


    Afterward, Gu An quickened his pace and continued with his demon eradication plan.


    He did not kill any demon he saw; he only killed those that attacked villages and common people.


    If he could earn several hundred thousand years of life span in one year, it would not take three years before he could break through.


    Gu An was very much looking forward to the second realm of the immortal path.


    ...


    The return of the Daoist Lord from Cangtian Sect!


    This news, like a blockbuster bomb, shook the entire immortal cultivation world. When the news reached the Supreme Sect, the disciples there were also invigorated, and various legends about the Daoist Lord started wildly spreading in every city.


    When Gu An arrived at the Book Collection Hall to return books, he heard many disciples discussing the Daoist Lord.


    There was little information about the Daoist Lord, but one thing was very clear: the Cangtian Sect recognized him as a Mahayana cultivator!


    After years of calamity, the Mahayana Realm within the world of immortal cultivation was no longer a secret; it represented the limit a mortal spirit could reach and symbolized the highest realm within the world of immortal cultivation!


    With the return of the Daoist Lord, various factions actively sought to contact the Supreme Elders who were away, in the hopes that a Mahayana cultivator would appear.


    It is worth mentioning that in this month, the Wuzhen Dynasty surrendered to the Taicang Dynasty, with Taicang once again annexing a kingdom. Meanwhile, Tianwei absorbed the Great Zhao Dynasty, and thus the once nine dynasties'' land became six dynasties'' land.


    In terms of vastness, the Taicang Dynasty was the greatest, and the name of Li Xuandao was often mentioned even within the immortal cultivation world.


    After leaving the Book Collection Hall, Gu An walked on the streets, eavesdropping on the disciples'' discussions about the various major events of the immortal cultivation world with interest.


    As the immortal cultivation world was striving to unite its power, he could not show weakness.


    He aimed to quietly break through to the second realm of the immortal path before the world was united under one ruler!


    Half an hour later, Gu An left the Outer City and then went to the North Sea Mountains to pick herbs in Sage Xuan Miao''s medicinal garden.


    Deep into the night, Gu An was on the move again.


    This time, he came to a valley. This valley was less than two hundred miles away from the nearest town. The demon energy was thick, and within it, dozens of people were captured, with as many as two hundred demons inside. The strongest one had reached the Nascent Soul Realm. That demon had sustained severe injuries, which is why it sent its subordinates to catch people from the town.


    Gu An stood on the cliff, overlooking the flickering firelight in the valley, when he suddenly caught a breath. His eyes narrowed beneath the mask.


    Without hesitation, he leaped down.


    When facing demons in the civilian world, Gu An never used spells or divine skills, relying solely on swordsmanship to kill demons.


    After a short period of time,


    Inside the valley, dozens of ragged common folk knelt on the grass before Gu An, bowing their heads.


    In front of Gu An, against the cliff, hung a huge cat demon, covered in blood, its body embedded into the rock face, with rubble steadily sliding down.


    Beyond that, centered around Gu An, were bodies of demons in all directions, a ghastly scene to behold.


    Gu An spoke, "You should hurry back."


    Upon hearing this, the common folk quickly got to their feet and ran towards the mouth of the valley.


    Gu An''s gaze then moved to the cat demon''s body below, where another shape-shifting demon was lying, twitching all over.


    Suddenly, a woman turned her head back and said, "Kind sir, that demon cared for us and even tried to save us. Please don''t kill him."


    As soon as she spoke, the other fleeing common folk also stopped, and when they saw the demon the woman was pointing at, they began to vouch for it, pleading for mercy on its behalf.


    Gu An waved his hand, and the common folk had no choice but to leave; the woman bit her lip and ultimately followed suit.


    Soon, the valley fell silent.


    The shape-shifting demon shakily stood up beneath the cat demon. He didn''t look like a monster at all but rather more like a person.


    "Kill or carve as you wish¡­" Zhang Buku said to the mysterious sword cultivator before him, clenching his teeth, his eyes showing no fear.

 Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Green Hero Appears, The Nine Custodians of the World

    ```Watching the defiant shape-shifting demon before him, Gu An''s memories were stirred.


    He remembered the times he spent with his eldest martial brother, Zhang Chunqiu, whose life spanned from youth to old age in his memories.


    This shape-shifting demon was none other than Zhang Chunqiu''s son, Zhang Buku.


    When they first met, Zhang Buku was still a boy, but now he had grown up.


    Seeing the miserable state of Zhang Buku, his eldest martial brother must feel heartbroken, right?


    That''s what Gu An thought, his mind beginning to wander.


    Zhang Buku''s injuries were not caused by him; before he lifted a hand, Zhang Buku was being bullied by other demons. Earlier, when he had killed demons, Zhang Buku had charged at him and been kicked to the ground by him. It wasn''t until all the demons were dead that Zhang Buku managed to stand up with difficulty.


    From what the villagers said, Zhang Buku indeed had done no evil.


    But why did this boy have an attitude of seeking death?


    Gu An raised his Qinghong Sword and pointed it at him, asking, "Do you truly wish to die?"


    But Zhang Buku, without hesitation, wore a ferocious expression and charged straight at Gu An.


    Gu An inverted his grip on the sword and used the hilt to press against Zhang Buku''s chest. His upper body leaned backward, preventing Zhang Buku''s hands from reaching him.


    Not waiting for Zhang Buku to change his moves, Gu An took off his mask and placed it over his face.


    Zhang Buku instinctively retreated, then removed the mask, staring angrily at Gu An. Just as he was about to smash the mask in his hands at Gu An, his eyes widened in astonishment.


    "Gu... Martial Uncle Gu?"


    Zhang Buku asked cautiously.


    Gu An wasn''t afraid of exposing his identity because the power he displayed when slaying demons, though strong, was far from his true cultivation level.


    Plus, only in this way would Zhang Buku stop.


    Gu An asked with a smile, "You still remember me?"


    Zhang Buku wiped the blood from his face and said excitedly, "Of course I remember, you even gave me Spirit Energy Elixirs, how could I forget?"


    Gu An sheathed his sword and then took out Healing Medicine to give to him, having him heal his injuries first.


    Zhang Buku did not refuse, he swallowed the elixir and sat down to meditate on the spot. While cultivating energy, he watched Gu An collecting Demon Treasures.


    An hour later, the two of them arrived at a small river. Zhang Buku squatted down, began to wash his face, and took the opportunity to clean his wounds.


    After he was done, he turned to look at Gu An, who had put the mask back on, and asked, "Martial Uncle Gu, why do you dress like this?"


    He was no longer the naive boy he once was. Having roamed the Immortal Cultivation World for so long, he was well aware of the status of the Supreme Sect.


    In the Taicang Dynasty, disciples of the Supreme Sect were honored wherever they went.


    Gu An replied, "In these chaotic times of demons, although I wish to save and help the suffering, I also fear trouble. Thus I wear a mask, not wanting to be recognized."


    Zhang Buku suddenly understood; he remembered his father''s assessment of Martial Uncle Gu.


    Timid, cautious, yet also kind-hearted.


    "Don''t tell anyone about what I''ve done," Gu An added.


    Zhang Buku chuckled and said, "Don''t worry, I keep my mouth shut. Besides, you just saved my life, Martial Uncle Gu, how could I possibly harm you?"


    Gu An ruffled his hair and asked, "How did you end up mingling with these demons?"


    As soon as he said this, Zhang Buku''s smile froze, and he lowered his head.


    The night wind was hot and dry; Gu An looked at Zhang Buku''s back and sighed in his heart.


    Actually, without asking, Gu An could guess his predicament.


    The offspring of a human and a demon, born among humans, but as he grew older, the demon energy grew stronger. The human race would not accept him, but his beliefs had already been shaped by Zhang Chunqiu, so how could he integrate into the Demon Clan?


    Gu An had previously heard those demons mocking him for his impure bloodline, meaning the Demon Clan didn''t accept him either.


    "I obtained this cultivation technique said to be from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. Being from the Righteous Path Sect, I shouldn''t cultivate it, so I might as well pass it on to you," Gu An suddenly said. Then he pulled out a manual from his Storage Bag.


    It was titled, Demon Shadow Divine Skill!


    In fact, it was the cultivation method for the Yin Yang Extreme body!


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku looked up, staring at Gu An''s offered hand, somewhat dazed.


    In his sixty-six years of life, only Martial Uncle Gu before him had taken care of him without expecting anything in return.


    He stood up, caught in hesitation.


    Gu An directly stuffed the manual into his chest, saying, "Take it, and remember, don''t tell anyone that I gave you this cultivation technique."


    Zhang Buku took a deep breath, looked up at Gu An, and asked, "Martial Uncle Gu, am I truly a human, or a demon? Why does it seem that neither humans nor demons are willing to accept me?"


    Gu An asked in surprise, "Who says no one is willing to accept you? I can accept you. As for whether you''re human or demon, does it matter? Buku, the suffering you''re experiencing now might be due to these troubled times. Think about those people trapped in the valleys, are they able to control their own fates? You can cultivate and have already surpassed ninety percent of the living beings."


    Zhang Buku fell into a daze; he began to think of those suffering people.


    ```


    "What''s important is not the identity you were born into, but the kind of existence you aspire to become in this life," Gu An said with earnest gravity.


    Zhang Buku took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for the enlightenment, Martial Uncle Gu." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fearing that Zhang Buku might harm himself, Gu An continued, "When he was young, your father often said how wonderful it would be if his Spirit Root Qualification were not poor. He too wanted to travel the world, to traverse rivers and mountains, to reach the highest peaks and ask the heavens whether immortals truly exist in this world.


    What you have now is something your father spent his entire life unable to touch. Practice your cultivation diligently, for Immortal Cultivation will guide you to the meaning of life."


    Zhang Buku''s maximum life span was two thousand three hundred years; even with half of the Demon Clan''s bloodline, it still proved that his qualification was not poor.


    Having said that, Gu An patted Zhang Buku on the shoulder, then tossed him a Storage Bag and left.


    Zhang Buku hastily asked, "Martial Uncle Gu, where are you going?"


    "To save those who suffer just as you do," replied Gu An.


    Gu An raised his hand in farewell, not looking back.


    Watching his retreating figure, Zhang Buku''s eyes were filled with admiration.


    He knew of Martial Uncle Gu''s background¡ªhaving no parents, born as a house servant, while he himself at least had his father''s company into adulthood.


    If Martial Uncle Gu could still be so free-spirited, why should he wallow in self-pity?


    When Zhang Buku saw the Storage Bag on the ground, he picked it up. Just as he was about to call out to Martial Uncle Gu, he was already out of sight.


    He probed into the Storage Bag with his Divine Sense and then his expression grew complex.


    Inside were all the Demon Treasures left by the demons they had encountered earlier.


    He gripped the Storage Bag tightly, his head bowed, tears streaming down his cheeks. As he cried, the corners of his mouth began to turn up into a smile.


    "I will practice my cultivation diligently, Martial Uncle Gu. One day, I will repay you and make you proud."


    ...


    A year swiftly passed by.


    Throughout the year, Great Cultivators had been returning from overseas, one after another, their life stories proclaimed by their Sects, spreading throughout the land, rousing the fervor of Cultivators everywhere.


    The demon calamity was indeed terrifying, but just like Pan An wrote in ''Shattering Void,'' the Human Race, relentless in strengthening itself, would surely endure all calamities!


    Gu An had a fulfilling year; when not gathering herbs, he spent his time descending the mountain to alleviate suffering. If he encountered oppressed demons, he would lend a helping hand as well.


    Gradually, a legend about a Swordsman spread among the common folk¡ªthe Swordsman was known as the Green Sword Hero, and somehow, as the tale evolved, it turned into the Green Hero.


    At Mystic Valley, in front of the pavilion, Gu An was practicing his swordsmanship with Chu Jingfeng.


    Ye Lan was watching from the side.


    In the end, Gu An barely managed to defeat Chu Jingfeng. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he sighed, "Without using Spiritual Power, it''s truly difficult to win against Brother Chu just with swordsmanship."


    Chu Jingfeng was gasping for breath, but he smiled and said, "Your swordsmanship is very good. I''m not disgraced by my defeat."


    Even though he lost, he was not discouraged because Gu An''s victory had not come easily either.


    Afterward, he took his leave, not wanting to disturb Gu An and Ye Lan.


    Gu An led Ye Lan upstairs.


    After entering the room, Gu An went to wash his face while Ye Lan closed the door and walked to the desk to speak, "Lately, there have been more and more demons along the borders of the Five Dynasties, even Mystic Heart Realm Great Demons have appeared. It seems the death of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon hasn''t had a deterring effect on the Demon Land."


    In the past year, the Chentang Dynasty was annexed by the Great Jiang Dynasty, the world thus having one fewer Dynasty.


    "I''ve heard that there are seventy-two Great Demon Kings in the Demon Land, and the Six-Headed Sea Dragon was one of them. When the true demon calamity arrives, I wonder how the Human Race will cope. In my opinion, the combined strength of the Nine Pinnacles is far from sufficient," said Ye Lan, sitting down with a troubled expression.


    The Nine Pinnacles was a title proclaimed by the Supreme Sect, including the Daoist Lord of Cangtian Sect, the Taoist of Immortality from the Three Pure Ones Mountain, and Sword Venerable Fudao from Supreme Sect.


    With the Nine Pinnacles united, the morale in the Immortal Cultivation World surged, with Supreme Sect frequently mentioned in conversations.


    Lv Baitian had thoroughly researched and understood the strategies taught by Gu An.


    Gu An turned around, smiling, "At least the strength of the Immortal Cultivation World is continuously improving, which is a good sign. As long as there''s hope, that''s all that matters."


    Ye Lan followed with, "It is said that above the seventy-two Great Demon Kings, there are even more terrifying existences. Who knows what the Demon Land is really preparing for."


    "Let''s not think about that. You and I can''t change the course of the world, all we can do is to live with the tide," Gu An consoled her.


    Ye Lan nodded and said, "If Great Jiang falls, brother, let''s head south and set sail. I have been preparing for it. The ocean is dangerous, but at least it''s a path to life. If we can find an island to live on in the future, even if we can only survive another decade or two, it would not be a wasted life."


    Gu An asked with a smile, "What kind of life would that be? Just the two of us? Wouldn''t that be boring?"


    "How could it be boring? We would work at sunrise and rest at sunset. I have many ways to keep brother entertained," Ye Lan replied, giving Gu An a suggestive raise of her eyebrow that led his thoughts astray.


    Gu An cleared his throat and said, "If it really comes to that, then that''s all we can do."


    Hearing this, Ye Lan became excited and began discussing the resources she had prepared.


    Seeing her smile, Gu An thought to himself, don''t worry, junior sister, I won''t let you be destitute and drifting!


    Gu An''s lifespan had already exceeded nine hundred and thirty million years, getting ever closer to the milestone of ten million!


    If he worked hard this year, he might just accumulate a lifespan of ten million years by year''s end.


    For his junior sister, he was willing to test the sharpness of the great demon calamity!

 Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Breaking Through Ten Million Years Life Span!

    Dark clouds churned, the sky dim and murky, and the earth was spread with rivers of magma. From above, it seemed as if the surface was cracked, and a scorching heat permeated the air, mixed with demon fog studded with sparks that surged around.Volcanoes stretched endlessly, some still erupting, with countless demons circling among the mountains, and even fish leaping out from the magma, causing bones to sink and float.


    Atop a majestic volcano, there stood an altar where a black-robed man was seated in meditation. His robe was wide, and his hair even longer, giving the impression that the robe occupied a third of the altar''s surface. He had a snake tail covered in black scales that extended from beneath his robe and draped over the edge of the altar.


    In front of the black-robed man, a giant skeleton held a bronze mirror. Demon energy was swirling within, as if thousands of evil ghosts were struggling to break free.


    A Great Demon with a tiger''s head and a human body flew in on a cloud of demon mist and landed beside the altar.


    "Demon Master, the Demon Emperor plans to visit the ancient tomb of the Demon Ancestor and wants to know if you will accompany him,"


    the tiger-headed Great Demon inquired respectfully with clasped fists.


    The black-robed man on the altar was the Demon Master, a being whose power was second only to the Demon Emperor in the land of demons.


    The Demon Master replied with indifference, "Tell His Majesty, my divination is at a critical juncture, and I cannot accompany him."


    The tiger-headed Great Demon then asked, "His Majesty asked, what should he do if the Demon Ancestor regains consciousness ahead of schedule?"


    "Tell His Majesty not to worry. The soul of the Demon Ancestor is merely a shell, its spirit worn away by heaven and earth. Without a suitable soul, resurrection is impossible."


    "But¡­ His Majesty requires an answer."


    The tiger-headed Great Demon hesitated. Hearing this, the Demon Master fell silent, his tail no longer swaying, which only added to the Great Demon''s anxiety.


    After a while,


    the Demon Master said deeply, "If he truly regains his wit, then tell His Majesty to eradicate him."


    "As you command!"


    With a relieved bow, the tiger-headed Great Demon promptly departed.


    Once he disappeared into the horizon, the Demon Master slowly lifted his head, revealing a face so ghastly and terrifying that most of it was bare bone, with eyeballs that seemed as if they might fall out at any moment and two fangs sharp as daggers.


    His pupils were blood-red, staring at the bronze mirror before him. He murmured to himself, "Why has fate altered¡­"


    ...


    Late autumn at the Inner Sect''s Book Collection Hall.


    Gu An came to the third floor to find Elder Xu Lu and inquired, "Recently, another group of disciples from overseas have returned, along with Supreme Elders. Is there a map of the ocean?"


    Xu Lu looked up at him and chuckled, "You''ve asked three times now, and indeed you have waited long enough."


    He opened a drawer, took out a jade slip, and said, "The map is in here, to be read with Divine Sense, but I cannot let you take it with you. You can look at it right here in the hall."


    "Thank you, Elder."


    Gu An quickly expressed his gratitude, then took the jade slip and headed towards a chair not far away.


    He wasn''t worried about being suspected. If someone did investigate, he could only reveal his identity as Pan An.


    Gathering materials as Pan An was perfectly reasonable!


    Gu An''s lifespan had already reached nine hundred and ninety-five million years, merely fifty thousand years shy of the ten-million-year milestone.


    Fifty thousand years was, for him now, no issue at all; he could wait another month at a slow pace or quickly go to the Star-Master Cave and gather rare and precious materials if he was in a hurry.


    After sitting, Gu An sent his Divine Sense into the jade slip.


    Instantly, he saw a vast ocean. From above, one could see the boundaries of the Taicang Dynasty, and below was the ocean, with margins wreathed in fog, representing the unknown.


    At a glance, there seemed to be no landmass larger than this continent atop the ocean, only islands of varying sizes, some as large as the Taicang Dynasty itself.


    When his Divine Sense focused on a particular spot, the view zoomed in, and he could even see the exact scene of that part of the ocean, magnificent waves, with even the figures of demon beasts within. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Cultivator who created this jade slip must have been very powerful, possibly the work of a Supreme Elder?


    An ancient hour passed.


    Gu An finally withdrew his Divine Sense and stood up to return the jade slip to Xu Lu, remarking, "The ocean is truly vast."


    Xu Lu placed the jade slip back in the drawer and asked with a half-smile, "Are you studying the ocean map to plan an escape?"


    At this, Gu An replied emphatically, "How could that be? I believe the Supreme Sect will overcome the great calamity of demons. Why would I need to flee? I''m just curious about this world."


    "Is that so? Many, just like you, have come to me for ocean maps recently, including True Disciples. I thought for a moment the Supreme Sect was dissolving," Xu Lu laughed.


    Gu An asked, "What about you, Elder? If the Supreme Sect needed all its disciples to fight with their backs to the wall, what would you choose?"


    Xu Lu replied with a laugh, "This old bones of mine have long been ready to be buried within the Supreme Sect; I''ve even prepared my tombstone in advance."


    Hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but show an expression of admiration.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An bid farewell with a bow.


    Once Gu An was downstairs, a figure descended from the stairway leading to the upper floors ¨C a masked woman in a plain Taoist robe with her hair coiled up and secured with a wooden hairpin. She approached Xu Lu.


    Xu Lu raised his hand in greeting and asked with a smile, "Elder, what do you require?"


    The masked woman took out several jade slips from her sleeve and said, "If that disciple comes looking for a map again, you can give these to him."


    Xu Lu took the jade slips, unable to hold back his curiosity, "Do you know him?"


    "Let''s say I''m aware of him. Someone wishes to take him as a disciple, and he also has another layer of identity worthy of cultivation," the masked woman left these words and vanished on the spot.


    Xu Lu, looking down at the jade slips on the table, muttered to himself, "Another layer of identity? He''s just a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, spending his days reading idly, what kind of identity could he have? Could he be Pan An?"


    "Impossible, how could Pan An love reading Daoist Xunchun''s work? Perhaps he''s the author of the Supreme Secret Records, writing under his real name?"


    ...


    As winter approached, this year''s snowfall was late.


    After dusk, Gu An first went to Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion to harvest a batch of medicinal herbs, and then replanted them anew.


    Leaving Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion behind, after a dozen steps, he arrived at the Nianchu Cave on Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Tian Yao''er was practicing Limitless Freedom Step, her figure constantly shifting. Despite the short distance, the mystery of her Divine Skills was already apparent.


    This demoness indeed had a high comprehension, yet to reach a hundred or a thousand miles with a single step, she would need many, many years of hard work. As for achieving Gu An''s level of proficiency, he momentarily saw no hope for her.


    Gu An merely glanced at her before turning to gather herbs.


    Seeing him, Tian Yao''er immediately showed a delighted smile and rushed towards him.


    A gust of fragrant wind assailed Gu An, and Tian Yao''er hugged him tightly, rubbing her face against his chest, much to his helplessness.


    How had this girl become so clingy?


    "Why do you suddenly smell so sweet?" Gu An raised an eyebrow and asked. He gently patted Tian Yao''er''s thigh, but she became even more mischievous.


    To hug was one thing, but to rub against him with her leg!


    That was going too far!


    Tian Yao''er looked up, giggling, "I don''t know either, perhaps it''s my natural scent. Master, do you like it?"


    Gu An pressed against her forehead, pushing her away.


    "It''s alright. I need to gather herbs now, you keep practicing."


    Gu An honestly meant what he said. Although Tian Yao''er smelled lovely, he wasn''t harboring any inappropriate thoughts.


    Tonight, he would reach a lifespan of ten million years!


    Tian Yao''er didn''t obey, instead following him around and trying to find out his preferences while he was gathering herbs.


    Gu An responded offhandedly, his thoughts already drifting overseas.


    He had begun to envision even higher realms!


    After a while, Gu An suddenly sensed something, pausing in his actions before continuing to gather herbs.


    His Divine Sense reached out from Nianchu Cave, looking into the distance where demon fog churned in the night sky, with an enormous entity stirring behind the mountains.


    Upon closer inspection, he saw a group of cultivators attacking an Ancient Species that stood a thousand feet tall, shaking the ground and mountains.


    The Ancient Species resembled a turtle, with a mountain on its shell ¨C a volcano, in fact ¨C with three serpent-like heads constantly spouting demon flames.


    Among those attacking it was a familiar face.


    Ji Xiaoyu!


    Why was she near Heavenly Phoenix Mountain?


    Ji Xiaoyu had reached the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, and the cultivators accompanying her were all at least at the Divinity Transformation Realm, numbering twenty-seven in total, with a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator watching from a distance.


    Gu An could feel a surge of demon energy approaching from afar, with a cultivation level at the fifth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Could these cultivators be from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Gu An mused to himself, but his hands didn''t slow down.


    It wasn''t long before the Mystic Heart Realm Great Demon attacked, forcing the Mystic Heart Realm cultivator to act. A major battle at the Mystic Heart Realm erupted, and Ji Xiaoyu and the others promptly withdrew, distancing themselves from the battlefield.


    Seeing that the battle of the Mystic Heart Realm was evenly matched, Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and focused on gathering herbs.


    After some time,


    Gu An suddenly stopped as two notices appeared before his eyes:


    [Your lifespan has broken through ten million years for the first time, unlocking the Life Fusion feature.]


    [Life Fusion: Sacrifice lifespan to break Heaven and Earth Rules and the laws of heaven, combining different Divine Skills, spells, and strengths. The amount of lifespan consumed will be determined by the objects fused.]


    Fusion?


    Gu An first thought of his Five Elements Treasure Body, finally able to fuse the Cultivation Techniques into the Five Elements Skill.


    A look of anticipation shone in his eyes.


    "Master, why have you stopped?" Tian Yao''er asked from beside him.


    Gu An replied, "I''m checking if the number of herbs has decreased, worried that you might have snuck a few."


    With that, he resumed gathering herbs.


    However, Tian Yao''er grew anxious and began to swear endlessly that she had not sneaked any.


    After teasing her for a while, Gu An finally said he was joking.


    Tian Yao''er was clearly dissatisfied, glaring at him with big eyes as if she wanted to devour him.


    This was the first time Gu An saw her angry.


    After finishing the herb gathering, Gu An put an arm around her shoulder, comforting her, "Don''t be mad, I''ll teach you a powerful spell later."


    Tian Yao''er pouted, "Just the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill and Limitless Freedom Step are enough for me to practice. I don''t want any spells."


    "What do you want, then?"


    "Let me think... How about you stay with me for the night?"


    "To practice with you?"


    "No, no, no, to read books. We can lie down and read."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately felt that something was amiss.


    This girl was getting bolder!

 Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Descending to the Ocean, Integrating Cultivation Techniques

    Facing Tian Yao''er''s incessant coquetry, Gu An eventually agreed to stay and spend the night with her, as he had finally broken through to a ten-million-year lifespan that night and could relax for an evening.


    After Gu An agreed, Tian Yao''er became even more joyful.


    To celebrate achieving a ten-million-year lifespan, Gu An went back to Mystic Valley to fetch some lamb for barbecuing, which deeply touched Tian Yao''er, who thought Gu An was commemorating the special occasion.


    During the barbecue, Gu An''s divine sense was locked on the battlefield at the edge of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    More and more demons were arriving, and the Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm leading Ji Xiaoyu and others couldn''t claim victory within an hour, dragging Ji Xiaoyu and the rest into the battle.


    If the battle continued like this, it was likely to end badly.


    It was uncertain whether these people were from the Ji Family or from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Gu An thought this to himself while casually chatting with Tian Yao''er, not letting her detect any flaws.


    An hour later, the Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm was severely injured and had to lead Ji Xiaoyu and others in a retreat, but by then, it was already too late.


    Gu An was lying under a tree, guiding Tian Yao''er in her cultivation.


    Tian Yao''er continuously practiced the Limitless Freedom Step in front of him, and he would occasionally comment on it. Tian Yao''er felt very aggrieved and pouted the whole time.


    Hadn''t they agreed to lie down and read together?


    Liar!


    Big liar!


    The more Tian Yao''er practiced, the redder her eyes became.


    Seeing her expression, Gu An found it amusing.


    Today, he planned to teach her a lesson.


    The more you want something, the harder it is to obtain¡ªthis is the essence of life!


    How could she survive for thousands or tens of thousands of years if she started having wild thoughts after just a few years?


    Gu An was moved by his own foresight, feeling that Tian Yao''er was incredibly fortunate to have met him; it was the blessing of eight lifetimes of cultivation. If it were another master, she would have been miserable!


    ...


    Under the cover of night, Ji Xiaoyu, dressed in black, was fleeing rapidly. The wilderness was rife with demons and ghosts. Seeing her figure, these demons and ghosts all pounced toward her.


    Holding a sword in her right hand, she activated the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form. A golden Dharma Aspect appeared behind her, and golden dragons emerged from it, slaughtering demons and ghosts from all directions.


    Soon, she deactivated the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form and continued to fight demons and ghosts with her sword.


    She could no longer discern her direction and could only flee toward one.


    Time passed unknowingly.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s spiritual power was exhausted, and as she ran, she took out Spirit Energy Elixirs to consume, but the spiritual power provided by these elixirs was completely insufficient for fighting.


    She stopped at the foot of a slope, quickly pulled out several small flags and talisman papers, and managed to set up a formation in less than five breaths, concealing her presence.


    She sat down and began to cultivate energy.


    Several demons passed over her head, not noticing her presence.


    However, the ground began to tremble, and sand and stones jumped up, causing Ji Xiaoyu to open her eyes and furrow her brow.


    Following her gaze, a gigantic, semi-visible creature loomed behind the mountains. It was a shape-shifting Giant Demon with a human-like body and a lion-like head; its long mane twisted like tentacles, which, in the black night, looked extremely terrifying.


    "Little lady, where do you think you''re escaping to?"


    A cold, violent voice sounded, and a raging wind swept through, covering the mountainside in a rolling dust storm.


    The formation around Ji Xiaoyu was hit by the wind. The airborne sand and movement of air flowed around the formation, revealing its outline.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched the approaching figure of the Giant Demon calmly, showing no fear in her eyes.


    She just sighed softly, a golden pattern faintly emerging on her forehead.


    Before long, the terrifying Lion Demon stepped in front of her. He slowly squatted down, the sea of clouds churned, revealing his lion head. His fangs were sharp, his eyes blood-red, and his black mane burned ferociously like flames from hell.


    Suddenly.


    The terrifying Lion Demon halted. He raised his eyes toward the hill behind Ji Xiaoyu.


    The golden pattern on Ji Xiaoyu''s forehead had expanded, covering her entire forehead, resembling a complex network of pathways.


    Sensing something, she turned her head to look.


    She saw a figure standing on the hilltop behind her, a man in purple clothes, wearing a mask, standing against the wind.


    She was inwardly shocked, as she hadn''t noticed his approach.


    "Where did you come from?" the terrifying Lion Demon roared angrily, then swung a paw toward the hillside.


    A palm strike landed, the immense pressure shattered Ji Xiaoyu''s formation instantly. Several small flags sank into the soil as talisman papers flew away, and her crown was blown off her head, her hair flying wildly.


    Boom¡ª


    Accompanied by a deafening roar, the earth shook violently, forcing Ji Xiaoyu, a seventh-layer Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, to close her eyes.


    When the breath that made her heart throb dissipated, she opened her eyes and saw that the terrifying Lion Demon was left with only his upper body, blood raining down. The nighttime clouds were dispersed, revealing a sky full of stars, dazzling and mesmerizing.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes widened in shock.


    Such a powerful Lion Demon, even her companions from the Void Crossing Realm had been devoured by it.


    Instinctively, she turned to look back. The mysterious man still stood on the hillside, his hands naturally hanging by his sides as if he hadn''t made a move.


    It was Gu An!


    To prevent being recognized, Gu An had intentionally made his figure larger, standing a head taller than his original body, disheveled and almost traceless.


    The reason he didn''t use the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body was that news about Sword Venerable Fudao using Demon Shadow Divine Skill had already spread. He didn''t want Ji Xiaoyu to associate him with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Ji Xiaoyu quickly stood up, bowed to Gu An, and said, "Thank you, senior, for your rescue."


    "Why is a member of the Ji Family in the Demon Land?" Gu An asked, his voice hoarse, easily reminiscent of a man in his forties or fifties who had experienced much of life.


    The killing of the Great Demon had just earned him six hundred years of life span, which was quite a bounty.


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "I am accompanying the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on a training expedition. Senior, are you acquainted with my clan?"


    Gu An appeared out of thin air in front of Ji Xiaoyu, pressed a hand on her shoulder, and said, "Let''s talk elsewhere."


    Before Ji Xiaoyu could respond, her vision blurred.


    The long-distance spatial movement made her feel terrible and immobilized.


    A few moments later, she felt her feet touch the ground and, opening her eyes, found herself in a cave.


    The space here was not very large, the rocks were stratified, and the mountain wall in front of her was moist with groundwater trickling down. Looking up, she saw crystal stones hanging from the ceiling, their multicolored light illuminating everything inside the cave.


    "You should heal here for now."


    With those words, Gu An disappeared into thin air.


    Ji Xiaoyu stood silently on the spot. She spread her Divine Sense to find that the cave was more than a thousand feet from the surface. The cave was rich with Spiritual Energy, indeed suitable for healing.


    Although she was unclear about the origins of the person just now, the abilities he had demonstrated made her realize she could not escape even if she wanted to.


    He most likely bore no ill will; otherwise, with her completely exhausted, it would have been the perfect opportunity to attack her.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate to replenish her Spiritual Power.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An returned to Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, where Tian Yao''er was sulking. However, when she saw the two jars of fine wine he was carrying, her face immediately brightened with a smile.


    Ever since she got drunk last time, she had fallen in love with wine.


    An hour later, Tian Yao''er collapsed onto Gu An''s lap, drunk. Gu An patted her back and smiled softly.


    ...


    At dawn, Gu An did not go directly back to the Supreme Sect, nor did he go to find Ji Xiaoyu, as she needed more than just one night to restore her Spiritual Power and heal her injuries.


    He headed south, flying towards the ocean.


    Executing the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body and transforming into the Demon Shadow, he then stepped out using the Limitless Freedom Step, quickly leaving the Taicang Dynasty and entering the oceanic territory.


    The boundless sapphire sea and the vast sky opened up Gu An''s field of vision and lifted his spirits.


    He continuously shifted his form, moving swiftly above the sea of clouds.


    On the ocean, a large ship sped forward.


    A man in green robes lay on the deck, holding a book. Suddenly, he sat up abruptly as if he saw something, but upon closer inspection, he found no one in the sky.


    "How odd, am I seeing things?" the man in green furrowed his brows.


    Suddenly losing his mood for reading, he put "Investiture of the Gods" into his Storage Bag and walked to the bow of the ship to gaze into the distance.


    The ocean was endless, yet he could feel the aura of his homeland.


    A smile appeared on his face as he murmured, "The demon calamity, huh? It will become yet another stepping stone for me to turn the tide."


    ...


    Gu An took more than five hundred steps, eventually landing on a cloud-enshrouded island. The island was vast with few living creatures, with only six islands within ten thousand miles, making it an ideal place for him to make a breakthrough.


    He silently sneaked into the woods and then sat under an old tree, directly activating the Life Span Barrier.


    He accessed his Attribute Panel, looking at his life span of ten million and one years, a smile appearing on his face.


    First, enhance the Cultivation Technique!


    Gu An started using the life-span integration feature, merging the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill with four other foundation cultivation techniques of different attributes.


    [Due to the disparity among these five techniques, forceful integration might not surpass the strongest technique. Do you wish to continue?]


    Hmm?


    What does this mean, will the result be an average?


    Gu An cursed under his breath, refusing to let his life span be wasted.


    Fortunately, he had prepared other techniques, having slain many enemies over the years and searched many souls, copying several techniques in preparation for unexpected needs. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He immediately took out four high-rank techniques and began practicing them one by one.


    He didn''t need to abandon any prior skills or even generate other types of Spiritual Energy; he just needed to run each technique once to add them to his Attribute Panel.


    An hour later, Gu An''s Attribute Panel had four additional techniques.


    He planned to enhance each of these four techniques, but received a prompt:


    [Technique attributes conflict. Choose to abandon and retrain or force compatibility with the risk of deviation.]


    Good heavens!


    Even with a system-like Golden Finger, deviation is possible?


    Gu An had no choice but to use the life-span integration feature to merge these five techniques.


    [The merging requires 500,000 years of life span. Do you wish to continue?]


    Half a million years of life span?


    Gu An, enduring the pain, chose to continue.


    [You have used 500,000 years of life span to merge Primordial Earth Immortal Skill, Karma Fire Dark Sky Skill, Golden Light Spirit Body Art, Horsetail Banner Qi Art, and Great Cold Heaven Sorcery]


    [Merge successful. You have comprehended the Five Elements Taoist Skill]

 Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Breaking Through to the Ninth Layer of the Loose Immortal Realm!

    As the prompt for a successful fusion appeared, a vast flood of memory crazily burrowed into Gu An''s mind, plunging his consciousness deep within.


    Earth Spirit Energy rose and surged, transforming the ground into a sea of Qi, with five-colored Spiritual Energy enveloping his body like a tornado.


    The Spiritual Energy from the entire island began to gravitate towards him, causing the forests to sway and the creatures on the island to be disturbed, fleeing in panic.


    Gu An immersed himself in the cultivation memories, oblivious to his surroundings.


    An Ancient Hour later.


    He slowly opened his eyes, and through the Life Span Barrier, he saw the forest shaking violently, storm clouds rolling in the sky, and it felt as if he had gone from morning to evening in an instant.


    He savored the profundities of the Five Elements Taoist Skill, his heart filled with joy.


    The Sorcery of Five Elements is indeed powerful!


    The Five Elements can form heaven and earth. Although heaven and earth contain more than just the Five Elements, they are the most fundamental. The Five Elements evolve into heaven and earth, and from heaven and earth, more attributes and rules are derived.


    Through Life Span Evolution, Gu An had mastered the Five Elements Taoist Skill. It was difficult to clearly explain the myriad nuances of the skill in a short time.


    He once again brought up his Attribute Panel, investing five hundred thousand years of Life Span to evolve his Five Elements Treasure Body.


    One notification after another popped up crazily before his eyes.


    Until he saw a certain notification, a smile appeared on his face.


    [You have comprehended the natural ways of heaven and earth for three hundred and fifty thousand years, and you have acquired the True Meaning of Heaven and Earth to temper your flesh. Your root bone has transformed, and your Five Elements Treasure Body has advanced to the Innate Taoist Body.]


    The following one hundred and fifty thousand years were all for enhancing the Innate Taoist Body, which did not undergo another advancement.


    With Earth Spirit Energy flowing into him once again, Gu An decided to continue investing Life Span, to at least allow his Physique to transform once more.


    He invested ten thousand years at a time.


    After three hundred and seventy thousand years, his Innate Taoist Body successfully evolved into the Mystic Holy Body.


    The influx of Earth Spirit Energy into his body quickened, immersing him entirely in an indescribably wonderful state.


    Just then, a powerful Divine Sense swept past the island!


    Nirvana Realm!


    Gu An inwardly felt a surge of alarm; indeed, there were beings of the Immortal Path Realm hidden overseas!


    His continent was but a tiny corner of the vast world.


    Gu An was not flustered at all, with the Life Span Barrier in place, it would be impossible for the other party to detect him.


    After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, that Divine Sense disappeared.


    However, in the time following, Divine Senses swept over this sea area one after another.


    The Life Span Barrier began to draw Spiritual Energy from even more distant parts of the sea, causing waves to rise and fall vigorously, stirred by the Sea Demons.


    It was high noon by the time Gu An completely transformed into the Mystic Holy Body. The whole world appeared completely renewed to his senses; he could not only feel many more invisible forces, but his bodily Qi-Blood had also greatly strengthened.


    With his own physical strength, he felt he could easily crush a cultivator of the Mahayana Realm!


    He opened his eyes and saw that the Life Span Barrier had consumed nearly two hundred thousand years of his Life Span just in the morning.


    Sensing more and more Divine Senses sweeping across this sea area, Gu An was forced to stop.


    Just now, he even felt a Divine Sense that startled him, indicating the other party''s realm was likely the same as his or even higher.


    The ocean is indeed unfathomable!


    He worried if he continued today, he would attract even more terrifying old monsters.


    He decided to find a new location to continue his efforts.


    Gu An maintained the Life Span Barrier while staring at the Attribute Panel, contemplating what to enhance next.


    His Cultivation Technique could be raised another level, and he could choose between Divine Skills and Ultimate Skills. There was no need to enhance too many combat techniques at once.


    Many of the Divine Skills, Spells, and Ultimate Skills he had mastered were already of a very high level, each of them uniquely rare in the world.


    Only in the evening did Gu An finally leave the island, swiftly moving eastward.


    After taking five hundred steps with the Limitless Freedom Step, he finally stopped. This time, the island he arrived at was small, devoid of demons, and populated only by creatures without sentient spirit.


    Gu An activated the Life Span Barrier and sat down before bringing up the Attribute Panel.


    He invested two hundred thousand years of Life Span into the Five Elements Taoist Skill.


    However, this attempt did not advance the Five Elements Taoist Skill, so he invested another two hundred thousand years of Life Span, still failing.


    With a determined heart, Gu An invested three hundred thousand years of Life Span, and finally, the Five Elements Taoist Skill evolved and advanced to the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill.


    Mastery Realm!


    A total investment of seven hundred thousand years of Life Span!


    Additionally, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill also awakened a Divine Skill named Universe in the Palm, which can bring all things in the world into one''s palm. How much one can hold depends on the level of one''s Mana.


    Gu An looked at his remaining Life Span, which was over seven million seven hundred thousand years, still sufficient for his purposes.


    Nature''s Spiritual Energy began to flood into his body wildly, and his mind was once again occupied by the inherited memories.


    An Ancient Hour later, he finally opened his eyes.


    It was already dark.


    Without the time to reflect on the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, he looked back at the Attribute Panel.


    The Primordial Ruyi Skill must be upgraded; it was the foundation of Gu An''s existence, allowing him to remain undetectable even by higher realms.


    Another five hundred thousand years of Life Span invested!


    Gu An, without realizing it, had become more generous.


    Notification after notification crazily popped up before his eyes until at last the Primordial Ruyi Skill advanced to the All Things Form and Energy Art.


    The All Things Form and Energy Art not only enhanced his ability to conceal his aura but also allowed him to change it, to blend in with all things, meaning that if Gu An encountered demons, he could manifest Demon Energy, and in the presence of evil creatures, he could manifest Demonic Qi, all without being detected.


    At the same time, the All Things Form and Energy Art awakened a Divine Skill called the Nine Transformations of Heaven and Earth!


    This was a transformative Divine Skill, endlessly miraculous!


    As the Earth Spirit Energy dispersed, it began to surge toward Gu An once more, with the sea within tens of thousands of miles once again raising ferocious waves, its scope swiftly expanding.


    This time, it wasn''t only Divine Senses sweeping across the island, but cultivators were also seen flying through the sky.


    Gu An''s arrival broke the silence of the ocean!


    He could no longer manage that much!


    Another Ancient Hour later, Gu An opened his eyes and saw that he had less than seven million two hundred thousand years of life left, he suddenly felt that ten million years of life was not that long after all.


    He could not afford to improve other divine skills, what if there was not enough for a breakthrough?


    The higher the realm, the more life is consumed, especially in the Immortal Path Realm. Even without anything to reference, Gu An could guess that breaking through the Realm of the Immortal Path would take far more than decades or centuries.


    He slapped his face and began to pray silently in his heart.


    He first invested one million years of his life span into his cultivation level!


    [Because you are re-cultivating your technique, you begin to comprehend the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill from the Energy Cultivation Realm]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for one year, your cultivation level recovers to the Foundation Establishment Realm]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for three years, your cultivation level recovers to the Core Formation Realm]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for five years, your cultivation level recovers to the Nascent Soul Realm]


    ¡­ S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for five hundred years, your cultivation level recovers to the Mahayana Realm]


    ¡­


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for five thousand years, with the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly assault the Loose Immortal Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, but you don''t endure through the Five Mysteries Heavenly Tribulation of the heavenly way, and the Tribulation Crossing fails]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for ten thousand years, with the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly assault the Loose Immortal Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, but you don''t endure through the Five Mysteries Heavenly Tribulation of the heavenly way, and the Tribulation Crossing fails]


    ¡­


    Seeing the need to recultivate, Gu An''s expression instantly stiffened, but fortunately, he started to assault the second realm of the Immortal Path with just five thousand years.


    The combination of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill and the Mystic Holy Body was terrifying!


    Keep in mind that evolution of life span consumes more life than real cultivation!


    The reason for the greater consumption is due to the need for more life to evolve through the cultivating process and to quickly transform Spiritual Energy into his cultivation level. This compression of time naturally results in additional life consumption.


    Gu An developed infinite confidence in his current aptitude and foundation.


    A Tribulation Crossing every five thousand years?


    A mere trifle!


    Failure, failure, failure¡­


    Gu An remained indifferent to the continuous stream of failure notifications appearing in front of him. After all, he still had plenty of life.


    While his cultivation speed increased, Tribulation Crossing was another matter. Gu An had long been prepared to fail many times.


    One million years of life was enough for him to fail two hundred times!


    He couldn''t be that unlucky, right?


    But as Gu An watched, his expression really did darken.


    What on earth was the Five Mysteries Heavenly Tribulation?


    Why was it so outrageous?


    Gu An thought of the lightning tribulations he had crossed before; he found no related records in the Book Collection Pavilion. Everyone else went through various Minor Heavenly Tribulations, but every tribulation that came to him sounded terrifying.


    He suspected it was related to his physique and cultivation technique.


    Enhancing the physique and cultivation technique could speed up cultivation, but it also increased the difficulty of Tribulation Crossing.


    Immortal Cultivation truly goes against the heavens!


    However, during the evolution of cultivation, he relied solely on himself to cross the tribulation without the help of any external objects. Failure didn''t matter, as long as he could break through, spending even more life was worth it!


    One million years of life wasted in vain.


    But it couldn''t exactly be said that way, as at least his mana evolved from the Wood Attribute Dharma Power of the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill to the Five Elements Dharma Power of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill.


    Just with this change alone, he became several times more powerful than before.


    As Gu An was comforting himself, Earth Spirit Energy surged into him once more, and this time, his thoughts were not disturbed, so he continued to invest life into evolutionary cultivation.


    Here goes another million years!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An looked serious, imagining the perilous scenes of failing Tribulation Crossing.


    Poor evolving self.


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for four hundred fifty thousand years, with the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly assault the Loose Immortal Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, you endure through the Five Mysteries Heavenly Tribulation, the Tribulation Crossing succeeds, and your cultivation level breaks through to the first layer of the Loose Immortal Realm]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for four hundred fifty thousand three hundred years, your cultivation level breaks through to the second layer of the Loose Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for five hundred thousand years, your cultivation level breaks through to the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm]


    [You cultivate and absorb energy for five hundred sixty thousand years, with the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly assault the Wandering Immortal Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, but you don''t endure through the Yin Yang Mystical Yellow Five Emperors Tribulation, and the Tribulation Crossing fails]


    ¡­


    And the failures began again relentlessly!


    But seeing his cultivation level reach the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm brought a smile to his face.


    The difficulty of cultivation in the Loose Immortal Realm was certainly higher than in the Nirvana Realm, but the life spent by Gu An did not increase. Noteworthy, it took him five thousand years of life to advance from the seventh to the eighth layer in the Nirvana Realm.


    To move from the first to the second layer of the Loose Immortal Realm only took three thousand years of life, attesting to the power of the Mystic Holy Body and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill!


    However, upon reaching the higher realms, the required life still increased, which was normal, and Gu An could accept that.


    As all the notifications ended, Gu An still hadn''t endured through that damned Yin Yang Mystical Yellow Five Emperors Tribulation!


    Looking at the remaining five million years of life, Gu An found it hard to remain calm.

 Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Wandering Immortal Nine Layers, Roaming the Heavens and Earth

    It took Gu An a full four Ancient Hours to ascend from the ninth layer of the Nirvana Realm to the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm.


    After reaching the Loose Immortal Realm, his mana doubled, and he felt freed from many constraints, constraints that the Great Heaven and Earth imposed upon all beings. For example, he no longer needed to use mana to fly, nor to dive into the sea, and he could even switch his physical body to his Primordial Spirit state to directly pass through all the innate obstacles of this world.


    Indescribably wonderful!


    When his cultivation level reached the eighth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm, Gu An felt the entire ocean in uproar, and far away, he even witnessed Great Cultivators of the Nirvana Realm engaging in combat, causing him to feel secretly ashamed.


    The experiences of these past two days made him realize how vast the world was, with many powerful presences passing through this area.


    Lu Lingjun was not wrong to ascend; in some sense, this realm was akin to the Spirit Realm or the Immortal Realm, a world that surpassed ordinary people''s understanding.


    By comparison, Earth from Gu An''s past life, if placed here, might not even be as grand as the Taicang Dynasty.


    Gu An recalled the term used by Lu Lingjun and the White Spirit Demon Emperor to describe this Great Heaven and Earth.


    The Mystic Great Heaven and Earth!


    Just how vast is this so-called Great Heaven and Earth?


    Gu An couldn''t help but look up at the sky.


    Speaking of which, he had never explored how high the sky was.


    In the Nirvana Realm, he once used his Divine Sense to keep probing upward, but the result terrified him.


    He couldn''t extend his Divine Sense beyond the zenith, and the sky of the Mystic Great Heaven and Earth seemed infinitely high, which deeply shocked his cosmological views from his past life.


    Upon reaching the Loose Immortal Realm, Gu An could sense a mysterious power in the firmament, a power that even Loose Immortals dared not rashly touch.


    It was not the aura of living beings but more like the majesty of heaven!


    Gu An took a deep breath and looked down again, his gaze turning towards the Attribute Panel, his eyes firm.


    Considering the major disturbances already caused, he might as well continue to elevate his cultivation level!


    One million years of Life Span, invest!


    A series of prompts popped up frantically!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An''s mood remained optimistic. Five million years of Life Span, could it not break through the yin-yang, profound yellow emperor tribulation?


    I don''t believe it!


    Just as this thought surfaced, that one million years of Life Span all ended in failed tribulations.


    He kept his composure and continued to invest another million years of Life Span!


    Still, failure came incessantly. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He told himself that he was a Great Cultivator of the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm, and his Daoist Heart was stable.


    He would not be overjoyed by external gains nor grieved by personal losses...


    A third million years of Life Span, invest!


    After several breaths, Gu An couldn''t help but blurt out a word: "Damn!"


    The quality cultivated over ninety-one years in the Immortal Cultivation World finally broke, awakening the essence of his hometown language from the depths of his soul!


    Gu An dared not invest another million years but chose to invest five hundred thousand years instead.


    Bless me, dear heavens! No, wait, I''m defying the heavens here, so let''s pray for my master Cheng Xuandan''s blessing!


    Failure swept across his vision once more.


    When the wording of a particular prompt was noticeably longer, he was ecstatic.


    Here it comes!


    [You have cultivated for three hundred and fifty thousand years and, with your great accomplishment in the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcefully broke through to the Wandering Immortal Realm, beginning your tribulation. You endured through the yin-yang, profound yellow emperor tribulation, and your cultivation level broke through to the first layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm.]


    [You have cultivated for three hundred and fifty-five thousand years, and your cultivation level broke through to the second layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm.]


    [You have cultivated for three hundred and sixty thousand years, and your cultivation level broke through to the third layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm.]


    ...


    [You have cultivated for four hundred and forty thousand years, and your cultivation level broke through to the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm.]


    [You have cultivated for four hundred and sixty thousand years, and, with your great accomplishment in the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcefully broke through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, beginning your tribulation. You did not endure through the Heaven and Earth Divine Intent Heavenly Tribulation, hence the failure of your tribulation.]


    ...


    The following forty thousand years, likewise, all ended in failures, with attempts at crossing the tribulation every twenty thousand years.


    Phew¡ª


    The ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm!


    Exhilarating!


    The majestic Earth Spirit Energy surged upward, the sound of the earth resonating like the chant of a dragon, echoing in his ears as if heaven and earth were celebrating for him, making his mood incredibly wonderful.


    Heaven does not disappoint those who strive with grit!


    The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm... could one fly out of this heaven?


    Gu An pondered to himself, filled with boundless anticipation.


    He now had only one million six hundred thousand years of Life Span left and didn''t dare to continue the tribulation crossings.


    If he got carried away and drained his Life Span, causing a sudden demise, it would be too great an injustice to this life!


    The ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm should suffice, right?


    Currently, there were no Nirvana Realm beings in the open on the continent. The Demon Land and Seven Stars Spirit Realm perhaps had some, all hidden in the shadows.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm might have Loose Immortals, but could any be a match for him, the Wandering Immortal?


    Even if there were such old monsters, Gu An could simply endure for a few more decades. Regardless of the plan to activate the hundred million years feature, he could make a solid push. He refused to believe the Seven Stars Spirit Realm could overcome him, a cheater!


    No, wait, I haven''t cheated at all; my cultivation has all been achieved through my own efforts!


    Gu An consoled himself in this way.


    The influx of Earth Spirit Energy into his body was far faster than before, as the range of the Life Span Barrier''s energy absorption grew larger; Gu An could sense powerful presences from all directions.


    The aura of the Loose Immortal Realm had already emerged!


    Hopes for a Wandering Immortal Realm aura weren''t emerging too, were they?


    Gu An was secretly tense; having just reached this realm, he didn''t wish to encounter someone of the same level.


    As time passed, Gu An kept assaulting the Wandering Immortal Realm, and the mysteries of the Wandering Immortal Realm continuously emerged in his mind.


    Wandering Immortal, the celestial that wanders through heaven and earth, up to the ninth heaven, down to the depths of the earth, with the Primordial Spirit and body unified, moving freely within the Great Heaven and Earth, the Primordial Spirit no longer fragile, even possessing strength greater than that of the body.


    Upon reaching this level of realm, Soul Power surpassed Mana for the first time, and, of course, his Mana also underwent a transformation.


    In the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, the higher one ascends, the greater the disparity between each heaven!


    While Gu An was immersed in his breakthrough, a terrifying giant wave suddenly rose from the west, a thousand zhang high, startling him into looking over.


    With a booming sound!


    The island where Gu An was located was submerged by the giant wave, and before the island could re-emerge, the surrounding sea began to churn violently.


    Gu An could clearly feel something striking the island, breaking the mountain base below it, and he fell along with it.


    The formidable nature of the Life Span Barrier was fully displayed; as the barrier fell, he remained as still as if he was meditating on the ground, without feeling any jolts, and the Earth Spirit Energy continued to pour into his body.


    He looked up and through the surging water, he saw a behemoth that resembled a mountain range moving through the sea, its presence terrifying.


    [Deep Sea Ancient Whale (Nirvana Realm Eighth Layer):87808/150000/180000]


    A Sea Demon that had lived for eighty thousand years!


    No wonder they say the ocean is even more dangerous than the Demon Land!


    Gu An also saw other sea creatures of various realms, which he found quite fascinating.


    Not long after, his breakthrough reached a critical moment, and he had to close his eyes to focus on grasping the true essence of the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Time raced by.


    When Gu An opened his eyes, he had reached the first layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, and he found himself already at the bottom of the sea.


    It was pitch black all around, with what seemed like many mountains and countless Sea Demons roaming, almost no creature without Demon Energy in sight.


    It''s inevitable to feel fear in such an environment.


    Fortunately, Gu An did not sense the presence of the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    If he did, it would mean he had to overexert himself to the point of exhaustion.


    Moving from the first to the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm requires an even greater amount of Spiritual Energy, with the Life Span Barrier constantly draining Earth Spirit Energy, causing the seabed to tremble slightly.


    An hour later.


    Gu An felt intense movement in the distance, as if a submarine volcano was erupting; hot seawater churned, and the aura of a Loose Immortal emanated, chaotic and agitated.


    He faintly heard the person shouting.


    "Hahaha, Daoist Father has finally broken the seal!"


    "Seven Stars Spirit Realm, you just wait!"


    Hearing this, Gu An secretly rejoiced¡ªcould it be that he had saved an enemy from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    He had already considered the Seven Stars Spirit Realm his hypothetical enemy; naturally, the appearance of more enemies from that realm was welcome.


    Even with the cultivation of the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, Gu An had no intention of tackling the Seven Stars Spirit Realm alone; he at least needed someone to distract attention openly, enabling him to venture into the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and tackle the strongest enemy, yet not letting others think he had taken down the Seven Stars Spirit Realm by himself.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm had existed for many years, and who knew if it had connections above the seas?


    The ocean housed no shortage of immortal creatures.


    Overcoming this tribulation would certainly lead to the next, life is always fraught with difficulties; if Gu An could slow down at each stage, it would be beneficial for him.


    Gu An didn''t dwell on it any further; even if he was at the bottom of the sea, as long as no one disturbed him, he could rest easy.


    He accessed his Attribute Panel.


    The Life Span Barrier was rapidly consuming his lifespan; he had over one and a half million years of lifespan left.


    After much thought, he decided to enhance his Sword Technique.


    He had been reluctant to do so previously, fearing his lifespan wouldn''t suffice, but now with spare years, he felt it was acceptable to proceed.


    He had hesitated about whether to enhance the Wood Spirit Sword Technique, but now that he possessed the Five Elements Skill, there was no need to enhance it.


    He continued to enhance the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!


    This was the signature Sword Technique of Sword Venerable Fudao!


    More and more people were recognizing the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, which was not a good sign.


    He had to create a Sword Technique unheard of in the world!


    Let''s start with two hundred thousand years for a trial!


    Gu An invested lifespan into evolving the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword through cultivation, and a series of prompts emerged one after another.


    After eighty thousand years, the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword advanced into the Overarching Star Suppressing Infinite Sword!


    With the remaining one hundred and twenty thousand years, the Overarching Star Suppressing Infinite Sword reached a pinnacle of mastery!


    A vast influx of memories flooded into Gu An''s mind.


    Overarching Star Suppressing Infinite Sword, drawing on the stars to drive Sword Intent, capable of suppressing the heavens and the earth, with infinite and boundless Sword Qi imbued with the mysteries of Great Divine Power!


    Half an hour later.


    Gu An opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a sharp light.


    What a domineering Overarching Star Suppressing Infinite Sword!


    With this sword technique at play, all sword cultivators under the heavens would likely bow down, not daring to dream of surpassing his Sword Dao.


    Gu An was already fantasizing about the impact wielding this Sword Technique would bring.


    However, he couldn''t use it recklessly¡ªit had to be saved for a critical moment!


    The corners of his mouth lifted in a smile.


    At the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, wielding the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill and the Overarching Star Suppressing Infinite Sword, with the Mystic Holy Body, could that Demon Emperor withstand even a few of his moves?


    Could the about-to-be-revived Demon Ancestor pose a threat to him?


    Sorry, Junior Sister, your Senior Brother truly can''t bear to let you be stranded on a desolate island!


    Gu An slowly stood up; he deactivated the Life Span Barrier and stepped out of the ocean to tens of thousands of li high in the sky. In an instant, his Divine Sense had already captured the aura of the Third Medicine Valley Xiaochuan from the Supreme Sect.


    This sense of power brought Gu An immense joy.


    He took a stride forward and arrived directly above the Supreme Sect!


    The distance he traversed with that step was incalculable!

 Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Named Holy Land, Actually Demon Cave

    The Supreme Sect under the night sky was serene and peaceful. Gu An''s divine sense encompassed the entire Supreme Sect. He saw the hidden spaces seemingly exposed before his eyes, each cave residence laid bare. There were even small realms similar to the Manifest Holy Cave, though those small realms were far less extensive than the Star-Master Cave.


    The Supreme Sect had four Mystic Heart Realm cultivators!


    Ancestor Xuan Quan, Lu Lingjun, and two Supreme Elders whom Gu An had never seen before. One was a woman whose presence he had sensed in the Inner Sect''s Book Collection Hall.


    One had to admit, the foundation of the Supreme Sect was strong!


    Gu An noticed Lv Baitian practicing energy in his cave, seemingly still striving to break through to the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Lv Baitian treated Gu An well. Gu An started to consider secretly assisting him during his next tribulation crossing.


    Then, Gu An returned to the Mystic Valley.


    He stepped into the pavilion, sat on a chair, and stretched lazily.


    Home was always the most comfortable!


    Gu An closed his eyes and began to savor the experiences of the past two days.


    The mysteries of the Wandering Immortal Realm, the vastness of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, and the wonders of the Mystic Holy Body¡ªtoo many things were worthy of reflection and appreciation.


    Until morning came, Gu An went downstairs to lead his disciples in exercises, then returned to his room.


    The disciples did not notice Gu An''s changes because the gap in cultivation levels was too vast.


    The disturbances in the ocean did not reach the continent, and over the next three days, Gu An did not sense the divine senses of Nirvana or Loose Immortals sweeping across the continent, which put him at ease.


    After three days, he continued harvesting medicinal herbs.


    His lifespan was just over 1.4 million years, with the life span barrier alone consuming hundreds of thousands of years.


    For the next life span function activation, he would need to accumulate 100 million years of life span. The mere thought made Gu An''s scalp tingle.


    A hundred million years of life span was no easy task, certainly not the work of two or three decades.


    At his current rate of 200,000 years of life span income per year, it would take about five centuries.


    He had to strive harder to increase his annual life span income!


    In the morning, he went to the Third Medicine Valley. In the afternoon, he visited Tianya Valley. By evening, he headed to the Demon Land to meet Ji Xiaoyu.


    In the underground cave, the black-clad Ji Xiaoyu was still seated in meditation, cultivating energy. Her Spiritual Power had recovered by thirty percent, and she had consumed quite a number of Spirit Energy Elixirs during this period.


    Gu An appeared out of thin air ten steps away. Ji Xiaoyu did not detect his presence.


    After watching quietly for a while, Gu An finally spoke up, "There is a powerful force within you. After depleting your Spiritual Power, this force has actually enhanced your cultivation level."


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu quickly opened her eyes, then stood up and faced him with a clasped fist in courtesy.


    "I have ties with the Ji Family and wish to teach you a divine skill. Would you like to learn?" Gu An asked calmly.


    He intended to impart the Daoist Gang Primal Energy to Ji Xiaoyu.


    The Daoist Gang Primal Energy, transformed from Heaven and Earth Path Gang, was stolen from Ji Xiaoyu by Jiang Qiong. By returning it to Ji Xiaoyu, Gu An repaid the debt of her past rescue.


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu asked, "May I ask, senior, what divine skill is it?"


    "The Daoist Gang Primal Energy. Have you heard of it?"


    "The Daoist Gang Primal Energy?"


    Ji Xiaoyu was moved, her eyes showing a mix of surprise and doubt.


    Gu An said softly, "It seems you have heard of it."


    Through her mask, Ji Xiaoyu could not discern his true appearance. She suppressed her inner shock and asked with furrowed brows, "May I ask, senior, who exactly are you? The Daoist Gang Primal Energy is an ultimate skill of the Ji Family that has been lost.


    There is no related transmission within the family, and to master the Daoist Gang Primal Energy, one must first cultivate the Heaven and Earth Dominator Body. To achieve the Heaven and Earth Dominator Body is enough to be included in the main family''s lineage."


    Gu An replied, "There is no need for you to know my identity. You only need to answer whether you want to learn."


    "Then please, senior, teach me!" Ji Xiaoyu replied without hesitation.


    Gu An waved his sleeve, and a gust of wind blew towards Ji Xiaoyu. She had no time to dodge and was immobilized. In her pupils, a figure continuously changed stances.


    While Ji Xiaoyu was entranced, Gu An observed her, equally curious.


    Besides the Primordial Daoist Talisman, Gu An sensed she had other secrets.


    She possessed an indescribable composure; even facing Gu An, she did not lose her poise.


    Gu An recalled the first time he saw Ji Xiaoyu in his youth. She was different from her peers even at a few years of age. At that time, he even guessed she might have been possessed by someone, with an old soul inside her body.


    An hour later.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes became clear. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Gu An, who was standing not far away by the mountain wall. She said, "Thank you, senior, for your guidance. How can I repay you?"


    She was sure the Daoist Gang Primal Energy she just acquired was genuine!


    The Daoist Gang Primal Energy shared many similarities with her Heaven and Earth Path Gang. She could even see the signs of the Heaven and Earth Path Gang evolving into Daoist Gang Primal Energy.


    This person''s Dao level surely exceeded her imagination!


    He might even be the strongest person she had ever encountered in her life!


    "I do not need your repayment. I am only considering your surname, Ji. Tell me, what are your impressions of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Gu An replied casually.


    In fact, in his heart, Ji Xiaoyu was more important than the Ji Family.


    Although the Ji Family raised him, years ago, they intended to cut off his hand. It was Ji Xiaoyu who spoke up to save him. His acceptance into the Supreme Sect was also Ji Xiaoyu''s idea, unrelated to the Ji Family. Over the years, the medicinal herbs Gu An had contributed were enough to repay the Ji Family.


    This time, rescuing Ji Xiaoyu was also repaying her past kindness.


    At least in Gu An''s mind, he and the Ji Family, including Ji Xiaoyu, were even in grace.


    The Ji Family was about to leave the Supreme Sect. To Gu An, it meant that the Ji Family would have no relation to him in the future, becoming strangers.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An and calmly said, "A place named Holy Land but in reality, a Demon Cave."


    Gu An was surprised. He did not expect Ji Xiaoyu to recognize this.


    Ji Xiaoyu continued, "It seems senior also has a different view of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Otherwise, you would not have asked me. Perhaps we can stand on the same side."


    "Oh? Why should we stand on the same side?" Gu An''s tone was intriguing.


    Ji Xiaoyu frankly said, "I want to overthrow the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. My power alone is too weak. I hope senior can assist me."


    Gu An inquired, "Reason?"


    "It has nothing to do with the sake of the people. The Ji Family wants to marry me off to a disciple of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. For the sake of blood relations, I cannot oppose the Ji Family, so I intend to eliminate the Seven Stars Spirit Realm." Ji Xiaoyu''s expression remained calm.


    "Though I was born in the Ji Family, I will not choose to sacrifice myself for the family. Between me and the family, I will always choose myself. If senior harbors animosity towards the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, then we can join forces. I will gather as much information about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm as possible."


    Listening to her, Gu An could sense the coldness emanating from her bones, causing him to reassess her.


    In Gu An''s impression, Ji Xiaoyu had been merely calm and composed. Only this time did he truly understand who Ji Xiaoyu was.


    Although her words seemed selfish, Gu An did not dislike her for it.


    A person must prioritize themselves, and Ji Xiaoyu had not harmed her clansmen. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm was indeed not a decent entity.


    Gu An said, "Alright."


    Ji Xiaoyu immediately raised her hand in salute to Gu An.


    "Do you know that the root cause of the demon calamity comes from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu frowned and said, "I only know some of the evil deeds the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has done. I guessed there might be a connection, but I don''t know the specific reasons."


    Gu An then told her what he had learned.


    As she listened, Ji Xiaoyu''s brows furrowed more and more tightly.


    After he finished speaking, Ji Xiaoyu coldly said, "If what you say is true, then destroying the Seven Stars Spirit Realm could indeed save the populace."


    "The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is deeply rooted and strong. To destroy them is extremely difficult. For now, you should lie low. Once humanity prevails over the demon calamity, then make plans against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm." Gu An replied.


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded.


    Then Gu An waved his sleeve, taking her to the edge of the Great Jiang Dynasty.


    In the land of five dynasties, there must be a Transmission Array leading to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Delivering her here made Ji Xiaoyu safer.


    Before Ji Xiaoyu could speak, Gu An disappeared from the spot.


    Ji Xiaoyu spread her divine sense and soon caught sight of cultivators. Her expression grew complex.


    To cross such a vast distance in such a short time...


    "Who exactly is he¡­"


    ...


    As autumn ended, winter snow finally arrived. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After parting with Ji Xiaoyu, Gu An returned to his usual farming life. Even though he had reached the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, he did not act recklessly.


    However, the changes brought by Wandering Immortal could not be completely hidden, so he began to elevate his apparent cultivation level.


    He planned to pretend to reside in the Core Formation Realm using elixirs.


    In the future, he could slowly improve his cultivation, creating the image of someone dependent on elixirs. This would make others think him lucky and not strong.


    Gu An aimed to be perceived as harmless to the Supreme Sect and other factions, making everyone believe there was no point in killing him, nor any harm in keeping him alive.


    This day.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An was playing chess with Lu Lingjun. Snow drifted down but could not cover their bodies or the chessboard.


    Gu An placed a piece and smiled, "You''ve lost again."


    Lu Lingjun frowned, puzzled. She had calculated countless scenarios; how did she still lose?


    It didn''t make sense, she thought. She was in the Mystic Heart Realm!


    Unable to restrain herself, she asked, "Why can''t I beat you?"


    "You''re too hasty. Being hasty leads to flaws." Gu An replied.


    Chess was something he brought to this world. How could he lose?


    He had to defend the dignity of Huaxia people!


    Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but ponder.


    At that moment, a figure flew over¡ªElder Gu Zong''s son, Gu Yu.


    He quickly landed beside Gu An, excitedly saying, "Gu An, the true inheritor disciple has returned. He''s planning to lecture in the Inner Sect after the New Year. You have to listen. They say he''s now in the Mahayana Realm!"


    Hearing this, Lu Lingjun grew interested too.


    For Mystic Heart Realm cultivators, the most intriguing subject was how to reach the Mahayana Realm.


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Really? What is the true inheritor disciple''s name?"


    Yesterday, he had sensed a Mahayana Realm cultivator enter the Supreme Sect. As elders had personally received the person, he hadn''t paid much attention.


    "Of course, it''s true. His name is Xuan Tianyi. With a Mahayana cultivator like him, we''ll have a better chance against the demon calamity. He said if he''d come back earlier, dealing with the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, another Mahayana cultivator, would have taken just a single move!" Gu Yu said excitedly, his face full of admiration.

 Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Regret Having Met Too Late, Journey to the West

    Gu Yu''s arrival interrupted the chess game between Gu An and Lu Lingjun. Lu Lingjun was also interested in Xuan Tianyi, so she asked Gu Yu a few questions.


    After chatting for a while, Gu Yu finally left.


    Gu An noticed Lu Lingjun''s drifting thoughts and knew she was thinking about Xuan Tianyi.


    He stood up and turned to leave.


    Lu Lingjun suddenly said: "After the New Year, you should go listen to the teachings too. It''s a rare opportunity, as Great Cultivators are not often seen."


    Gu An turned back to look at her, seeing her face full of longing. He chuckled lightly without saying more.


    The influence of a Mahayana Realm cultivator''s teachings was immense. As winter approached, more and more disciples returned, and cultivators from other sects also came.


    Xuan Tianyi''s name spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World, and his cultivation achievements were revealed and widely circulated.


    Supreme Sect''s strongest genius since ancient times: Core Formation at twenty, Nascent Soul Formation at forty-two, Divinity Transformation at seventy, Void Crossing at one hundred, and Unification at two hundred!


    Due to his extraordinary talent, Supreme Sect hid his true age before he reached the Unification Realm. When he attained the ninth layer of the Unification Realm, he went south to seek immortal fate directly. This made Supreme Sect even more cautious about mentioning his talent, fearing great calamity.


    He searched overseas for immortals for three hundred years, and upon his return, he had already reached the Mahayana Realm!


    With Supreme Sect''s grand promotion of Xuan Tianyi''s legendary life, his name shook the world in a short time, overshadowing the Nine Cultivators.


    The vast majority of cultivators found his achievements unbelievable, even thinking Supreme Sect was exaggerating.


    Gu An heard about Xuan Tianyi''s deeds in the Outer Gate City and also thought it exaggerated.


    But on second thought, it made sense. No wonder someone in the sect said as long as the true inheritor wanted the sect leader position, Lv Baitian would have to step down within a day.


    In the face of such talent, no matter how great Lv Baitian''s contributions were, he had to concede.


    Although Xuan Tianyi''s growth trajectory defied the understanding of ordinary cultivators, his return indeed boosted Supreme Sect''s morale. Even before the New Year, the Outer Gate City already had a festive atmosphere.


    Amidst the vast winter snow, Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley from Mystic Valley.


    As soon as he arrived, he sensed two auras, one of which was unmistakably at the Mahayana Realm.


    Xuan Tianyi was here!


    Gu An''s expression remained calm as he walked towards his loft.


    Upon pushing open the door and entering the room, he saw two people inside: the vice sect leader Ji Hantian and a man in green robes.


    Xuan Tianyi, dressed in green robes, looked youthful, making it hard to imagine he was a Mahayana Cultivator, more like a young disciple.


    "Gu An, you finally arrived. Close the door and sit down for a chat," Ji Hantian said with a smile, as if he were the master of the loft.


    Gu An didn''t mind. After closing the door, he came forward and cupped his hands in respect.


    Before Ji Hantian could introduce him, Xuan Tianyi spoke first: "You are Pan An?"


    [Xuan Tianyi (Mahayana Realm, Sixth Layer): 598/4800/5000]


    Seeing Xuan Tianyi''s lifespan, Gu An was secretly astonished.


    Five thousand years, the extreme lifespan cultivation reached so quickly?


    Looking at it this way, Xuan Tianyi would surely undergo Nirvana within forty-five hundred years. By then, breaking the Heavenly Destiny would achieve another extreme lifespan.


    Based on Gu An''s experience, Xuan Tianyi''s spirit root qualification should be equivalent to the five-thousand-year extreme lifespan level. At least his physical qualifications weren''t as good as Ji Xiaoyu or An Hao, but his comprehension must have been astonishing, combined with extraordinary opportunities to achieve his current state.


    Gu An pretended to hesitate and looked towards Ji Hantian.


    Ji Hantian smiled: "Speak truthfully, this is our sect''s true inheritor, Xuan Tianyi. He is not an outsider. He is Supreme Sect''s most prized disciple."


    Ignoring the compliment, Xuan Tianyi continued to curiously observe Gu An, his eyes bright.


    Gu An immediately responded: "Indeed, I have a pen name called Pan An."


    Xuan Tianyi smiled, saying: "Your Investiture of the Gods is very good. Someone gave it to me earlier, and I enjoyed it very much. I even had it mass-produced and spread overseas. Your book is widely popular on the seas, much more so than my own writings."


    "Thank you for your appreciation, senior. May I ask what book you wrote?" Gu An cupped his hands in thanks and inquired.


    Xuan Tianyi coughed lightly and said: "I just wrote something casually. It doesn''t compare to Investiture of the Gods."


    "His book is not worth mentioning," Ji Hantian shook his head with a smile.


    This made Gu An even more curious about what Xuan Tianyi had written.


    However, Xuan Tianyi didn''t want to talk about it and instead started discussing Investiture of the Gods.


    Facing his inquiries, Gu An had to answer each one, and Ji Hantian didn''t interrupt anymore. He got up and left, closing the door behind him.


    Xuan Tianyi didn''t have the pride typical of a Mahayana Cultivator. When he talked about some of the plots in Investiture of the Gods, he became indignant, especially over the story of Nezha cutting his bones to return to his father and flesh to his mother, which greatly angered him.


    Gu An couldn''t remember Investiture of the Gods word for word, so he expanded many stories in the book, like Nezha cutting his flesh to return to his parents and Yang Jian rescuing his mother at Peach Mountain, making the characters more three-dimensional. This was also why Investiture of the Gods became so popular.


    Xuan Tianyi was very curious about how Gu An wrote such an extraordinary book.


    Gu An replied that he met an immortal in his dreams who touched his forehead, suddenly enlightening him.


    It was sudden because he could never write another divine work like Investiture of the Gods afterwards.


    "Your Supreme Immortal Venerable and Shattering Void are also good, but I still think they fall short of Investiture of the Gods," Xuan Tianyi said with lingering interest.


    Gu An didn''t argue, but asked what book he had written.


    Xuan Tianyi suddenly looked embarrassed and mumbled.


    Gu An seized the opportunity, constantly asking questions, and finally, Xuan Tianyi revealed the book''s title.


    "What? Green Hero Travel is your work?" Gu An exclaimed, slapping the table in excitement.


    Whether it was Xuan Tianyi''s illusion or not, he felt an inexplicable panic for a moment, unsure if he was scared by Gu An or had a guilty conscience.


    He nodded reluctantly.


    Gu An raised his hand and took out a copy of Green Hero Travel from his storage bag, which made Xuan Tianyi emotional upon seeing it.


    "I love Green Hero Travel! I''ve read every copy at least a hundred times..." Gu An went on and on about his love for Green Hero Travel.


    Xuan Tianyi listened, feeling unprecedentedly moved in his heart.


    Finally, someone appreciated his talent!


    He immediately felt as if they had met too late.


    On the way back, lying on the deck, each time he read Investiture of the Gods, he felt more of a connection with Pan An. This feeling of anticipation even surpassed the thrill of returning to save the sect.


    Sure enough, Pan An was the soulmate he had been seeking all his life!


    The more Xuan Tianyi thought about it, the more excited he became. He suddenly stood up, grabbed Gu An''s shoulders with both hands, and said: "Pan An, no, Gu An, let''s become sworn brothers. From now on, I''ll be your elder brother!"


    Gu An was stunned.


    What kind of logic was this?


    Wasn''t the pace too fast?


    Seeing his hesitation, Xuan Tianyi said boldly: "Brother, I tell you, with my cultivation level on this continent, I am undoubtedly invincible. Swear brotherhood with me, and no one will dare to bully you anymore. I heard that Lv Baitian wants to take you as a disciple? Don''t listen to him. His Defying Fate Divine Skill is dubious and sinister. I can teach you my divine skill.


    With our brotherhood, I won''t say I''ll help you defy heaven and change fate, but leading you to the Unification Realm won''t be difficult!"


    Initially, Gu An wanted to refuse, thinking it absurd to become a younger brother to him, a wandering immortal.


    But Xuan Tianyi''s latter words tempted him.


    He was worried about how to live for a thousand years in the future. Normally, once he reached the Divinity Transformation Realm, people wouldn''t consider him ordinary anymore.


    Now, if he reached the Unification Realm with Xuan Tianyi''s help, people would at most admire him and not see him as a threat.


    However, Gu An decided to put on an act. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, he pretended to decline. Xuan Tianyi didn''t give up, and after several attempts, Xuan Tianyi got angry, forcing him to agree.


    "Since brother appreciates me, I''ll call you Brother Xuan from now on," Gu An said helplessly.


    Xuan Tianyi smiled broadly, taking out a jade scroll: "Here''s my cultivation technique. Take it and practice. After the New Year, I''ll send a batch of cultivation resources to you."


    "This... isn''t good, right?" Gu An said, holding the jade scroll with embarrassment.


    Xuan Tianyi glared: "If you feel bad, then write a second Investiture of the Gods. Stop writing Shattering Void. It''s too absurd and tasteless!"


    Gu An, holding onto the advantage, could only laugh: "Alright, I''ll definitely write it."


    "Oh? Do you already have a plan?"


    "Mm, it''s called Journey to the West. I''ll tell you in advance."


    "Journey to the West? It doesn''t sound as good as Investiture of the Gods. You should think it over again."


    "Haha, you don''t understand. You''ll know when the time comes."


    Xuan Tianyi didn''t continue to criticize Journey to the West. Instead, he started talking about another book and took out a book.


    "The inspiration for Green Hero Travel came from this." Xuan Tianyi said mysteriously, raising the book in his hand.


    Gu An looked down, his eyelids twitching. He then took out a book from his storage bag.


    Xuan Tianyi was dumbfounded upon seeing it.


    "How do you also have Daoist Xunchun?" Xuan Tianyi asked, his eyes wide with excitement.


    "Elder Xu Lu from the Book Collection Hall gave it to me."


    "So you''re the descendant who keeps asking for Daoist Xunchun. Hahaha, we truly have a fated connection. I had someone bring this book back for him!"


    Xuan Tianyi was overjoyed, pulling Gu An to start discussing Daoist Xunchun.


    Their conversation lasted until dusk without ending. During this time, Ji Hantian knocked on the door but was driven away by Xuan Tianyi.


    Only at dawn did Gu An escort him down the stairs.


    Watching Xuan Tianyi''s departing figure, Gu An''s face was full of smiles.


    After chatting all night, he didn''t feel tired. Both felt as if they hadn''t had enough. Had Xuan Tianyi not had other important matters today, they could have continued talking.


    Lu Lingjun suddenly walked over and asked: "Is he the true inheritor?"


    Gu An nodded.


    Lu Lingjun examined him with a peculiar look in her eyes, asking: "You spent a day and night together, you didn''t..."


    "Didn''t what?"


    "It''s rumored that some Great Cultivators, after experiencing mortal pleasures, seek new interests to fill the void in their hearts, like homosexuality..." Lu Lingjun trailed off, but Gu An already understood.


    Gu An rolled his eyes and snorted: "Oh? You guessed it? Then don''t ever think of me as your daoist friend!"


    Lu Lingjun, seeing his expression, pursed her lips and smiled: "Looks like I overthought."

 Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Heavenly Dao Trap, Difference Between Immortal and Mortal

    The new year had arrived, and the atmosphere this Spring Festival was even more lively than in previous years. With the addition of Gu Zong and Xuan Tianyi, the Third Medicine Valley was buzzing with excitement. It was rumored that the true inheritor had sworn brotherhood with the valley master, which thrilled the four hundred servant disciples, all worshiping Gu An with adulation.


    Xuan Tianyi always wanted to chat with him about Daoist Xunchun, which made him quite distressed.


    It wasn''t until dusk that Gu An found an excuse to leave and returned to the Mystic Valley to spend the festival with his junior sister and disciples.


    The disciples sat around the table, toasting and exchanging cups, rejoicing in the celebration.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin began recounting matters of the immortal cultivation world once again.


    The number of demons in the land of the Five Dynasties had not decreased due to the actions of various sects, but had, in fact, increased. Moreover, demon cultivators and evil people were also on the rise.


    Many believed that the human race was doomed and thought it better to indulge before dying, or to seize treasures through murder and then sail south. In short, both the immortal cultivation world and the common folk were in chaos.


    As long as the demon calamity was unresolved, the world would remain in turmoil.


    Zhen Qin had once complained why the Mountain God did not take action, but Gu An, pretending he wasn''t the Mountain God, remained silent.


    "Didn''t the Mountain God say, why should he protect the human race? If demons worship him, why can''t he support them? The strength of a race ultimately depends on itself, not the favor of immortals," Ye Lan remarked nonchalantly.


    Having been in the Law Enforcement Hall for so long, she had seen too many sins, giving her deep life experiences.


    The more evil she had witnessed, the more she cherished Gu An, Zhen Qin, and Xiaochuan.


    Many cultivators ended up lonely at the end of their paths. Having companions in life was a blessing.


    Gu An listened quietly, occasionally chiming in.


    No matter how chaotic the world became, he had no intention of taking it upon himself to save it.


    However, he would still occasionally descend from the mountain to relieve suffering, aiding some fated beings without upsetting the grand scheme of things.


    After all, he was still unsure of the strength of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Even if he knew, he couldn''t protect the continent alone. Doing so would mean that all future calamities befalling the continent would fall on his shoulders, and any enemies targeting the continent would first come after him. The mere thought gave him a headache.


    Zhen Qin mentioned Su Han again, saying that Su Han had followed the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil to Tianwei. Recently, Su Han had just absorbed the spiritual power of a Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator, causing a stir in the immortal cultivation world.


    The Supreme Sect had also dispatched great cultivators to kill Su Han but ended up being severely injured by the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil.


    Gu An thought that the person being merely injured might have been due to the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil considering the face of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The world''s situation was changing, and Gu An only wanted to watch from the sidelines.


    His target was the Demon Emperor and the Demon Ancestor.


    Once the demon calamity erupted and the world plunged into chaos, he would seize the opportunity to eliminate the Demon Emperor and the Demon Ancestor, eradicating the greatest scourge of the calamity. The remaining demons would serve as grindstones for the world''s cultivators.


    The conversation lasted deep into the night, and Ye Lan and Zhen Qin decided to stay in the Mystic Valley and leave the next day.


    Ye Lan even came to his pavilion to confide in him.


    As they chatted, Ye Lan suddenly blew out the candle in the room.


    "Junior Sister, what are you doing?"


    "Senior Brother, I fear the calamity may strike at any time and do not wish to have regrets before I die."


    "You again?"


    "Senior Brother, though I may not be your Daoist friend, let us cherish the feelings we have now. What say you?"


    "Junior Sister, we should not be like this!"


    "Senior Brother, I really like you..."


    "Stop it!"


    "Senior Brother, don''t make me use force!"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Sounds of physical confrontation echoed inside the room.


    ...


    Come morning, Gu An and Ye Lan came downstairs, Gu An walking ahead with a smug expression.


    Ye Lan, rubbing her wrist, looked at him with a resentful gaze.


    They had fought last night. Ye Lan had tried to use force, but surprisingly could not overpower Gu An. In the end, she was unsuccessful and inevitably felt disappointed.


    Yet, thinking of how Gu An had restrained her, a smile tugged at her lips.


    "So, Senior Brother likes this sort of thing..." Ye Lan began to understand Gu An a little more.


    She quietly rubbed her backside, counting how many times Senior Brother had struck her last night.


    After finishing her morning exercises, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin left.


    Gu An then sneaked into the Eight Scenic Caves.


    As he approached the Green Vine Tree, Jiang Qiong, with her eyes closed, said, "Last night was the Spring Festival, wasn''t it? It was really lively."


    "Yes, I brought you some pastries made by the disciples."


    Gu An responded, squatting down and taking out the pastries and wine.


    Jiang Qiong opened her eyes and looked at him, "Do you like your Junior Sister Ye?" she asked.


    Gu An replied, "To say I don''t like her at all would be a lie, but I feel I cannot accept her now. It would delay our cultivation."


    "Oh? And why do you think it would cause a delay?" Jiang Qiong asked, intrigued.


    "Once someone is in your heart, you can''t help but think of them. If the relationship is confirmed, feelings turn into responsibility, and you''ll consider that person in everything you do. This inevitably affects your cultivation. I''m not afraid of being affected myself, but I hope she can cultivate peacefully without my influence," Gu An said earnestly.


    He spoke from the bottom of his heart.


    Ye Lan had poor aptitude and now needed to find a way to cultivate the Primordial Reincarnation Skill to change her extreme lifespan.


    Gu An could choose to accompany her for the last hundred years of her life, but he didn''t want her to have only a hundred years now.


    "If love lasts forever, why not cherish every moment together?" Gu An raised his wine cup, offering it to Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong looked into his clear eyes, feeling as if she was seeing him for the first time.


    This boy still had a romantic heart.


    Jiang Qiong asked, "How do you know you''ll definitely live longer than her? What if you die first, and her years of painstaking cultivation lead to a regretful second half of her life? What then?"


    Gu An smiled proudly, "To be honest, I now possess two slices of the Medicine Valley, with an endless supply of medicinal herbs. Even if I don''t cultivate much, living a few hundred years just by relying on elixirs isn''t hard."


    "A few hundred years?"


    Jiang Qiong found it amusing. This boy''s perspective was really narrow.


    But for some reason, the thought of Gu An passing away in a few hundred years while she continued to pursue the elusive immortal path made her inexplicably uneasy.


    "Come on, drink! Not drunk, no return!"


    Jiang Qiong suddenly said with a stern face.


    Gu An immediately raised his cup.


    An hour later, when Jiang Qiong still wanted to drink more, Gu An saw things were going awry and found an excuse to leave. But Jiang Qiong pulled him back.


    Jiang Qiong began forcefully making him drink. To hide his cultivation level, he had to pretend to be weak against alcohol.


    This was Spiritual Wine. If a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator drank too much, they would definitely get drunk.


    Eventually, he had to pretend to be drunk, lying on the ground.


    Jiang Qiong sat on the ground, looking at Gu An, letting out a breath of relief.


    "This boy is clearly a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. How can he drink so much?" Jiang Qiong thought to herself with a flushed face. She almost couldn''t outdrink Gu An.


    If word got out that a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator couldn''t outdrink a Foundation Establishment Realm one, it would be a huge joke.


    She just sat there watching Gu An, her thoughts wandering.


    Feeling the time pass, Gu An began calculating in his mind.


    Three hours later, he got up to leave, having already been drunk once. If Jiang Qiong tried to stop him again, he wouldn''t hesitate to flip out.


    After a long while.


    Jiang Qiong suddenly squatted in front of Gu An, raising her hand to brush the hair from his face.


    Gu An''s heart pounded with tension.


    Wait a minute!


    This old demon cultivator wouldn''t be greedy for my flesh, would she?


    Gu An felt absurd. Why did so many women like him?


    Was it simply because he looked handsome?


    Hadn''t these female cultivators seen handsome men before?


    Jiang Qiong''s low voice came to his ears, "Why does this boy look better and better? It''s really strange..."


    After achieving Wandering Immortal status, even though Gu An hid his cultivation, his appearance and demeanor had a transcendent quality to them.


    Jiang Qiong thought it was her affection changing his image in her eyes.


    "Sigh, what am I thinking? He''s my grand-disciple. Even if I''m a demon cultivator, I can''t act immorally..."


    Jiang Qiong withdrew her hand and sat down.


    She became silent.


    After a while, she suddenly kicked Gu An, hitting his waist.


    Gu An cursed inwardly. Why was this woman hitting him?


    She kicked him again, and Gu An rolled away, putting distance between them, and shouted, "More drink... What master? I don''t recognize you... You definitely can''t outdrink me..."


    Seeing his drunken state, Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but laugh.


    After that, Jiang Qiong didn''t act out again.


    When the three-hour period ended, Gu An groggily got up, seeing Jiang Qiong meditating. He immediately snuck away.


    Though Jiang Qiong didn''t open her eyes, a smile crept onto her lips.


    After leaving the Eight Scenic Caves, Gu An went to the Nianchu Cave of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain. After picking some medicinal herbs, he sternly guided Tian Yao''er in her cultivation.


    He vented his frustration from Jiang Qiong on Tian Yao''er.


    Tian Yao''er didn''t mind though. When Gu An was about to leave, she clung to his arm, trying to pester him further, causing him to quickly vanish on the spot out of fright.


    Back at the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An kept pondering a question. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Was it that spring had come and everyone was more prone to emotions, or was he just unlucky?


    Why did Ye Lan, Jiang Qiong, and Tian Yao''er all come on to him?


    Fortunately, Lu Lingjun only indulged in banter and didn''t actually treat him as a Daoist friend.


    These were all traps set by the Heavenly Dao!


    The Heavenly Dao wanted him to be ensnared by these women''s affections, dragging him into worldly conflicts. Sooner or later, the three women would encounter various troubles. If he were bound to them, how could he stand idly by?


    Intervening more frequently would eventually attract the attention of powerful enemies.


    The concept of causality was complicated. The higher his cultivation, the more Gu An respected causation.


    The intersections of fate in the mortal world seemed random, but in reality, followed certain laws.


    Gu An pondered as he walked toward his pavilion, contemplating the Way of Cause and Effect.


    In the distance.


    Xiaochuan stood by the wooden fence, watching his spirit dogs playfully fight. His gaze suddenly caught sight of Gu An ascending the stairs.


    For some reason, Xiaochuan became lost in thought.


    The feeling Gu An gave him was indescribable as if his senior brother could fly away at any moment.


    This feeling was quite strange.


    He came back to his senses and smiled self-deprecatingly.


    "Senior Brother has already sworn brotherhood with Mahayana cultivators. He''s long been a different league from me. I only rely on his care to live. When I pass away, he will still be young..."


    Feeling melancholic, Xiaochuan sighed.


    He was envious but bore no jealousy towards Gu An, believing his senior brother deserved his current status.


    When he died, if there truly were an underworld, he would pray for his senior brother, wishing his immortal path smooth and worry-free.


    "Uncle Xiaochuan, the White Spirit Rat is back!"


    An Xin suddenly ran over, interrupting his thoughts.

 Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Catastrophe Rarely Seen in Ten Thousand Years

    Ever since they had the Mystic Pure Tree, the White Spirit Rat had basically been napping under it, rarely going out, and when it did, it was gone for several days, making Xiaochuan always worry about it.


    Under An Xin''s guidance, Xiaochuan arrived at the Mystic Pure Tree.


    The White Spirit Rat was lying under the Mystic Pure Tree, its belly facing the sky.


    Xiaochuan squatted down and gently petted its belly, while it displayed a look of comfort. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin came up behind Xiaochuan and said with emotion, "Uncle Xiaochuan, you spoil it too much. It goes out for so long, don''t you think it needs a little scolding?"


    She couldn''t stand the White Spirit Rat''s cockiness and laziness. Had it not been Gu An''s pet, she would have taken care of it long ago.


    "Don''t underestimate it; it has another name, the Treasure Hunting Rat. It rarely goes out, but when it does, it might come back with a treasure," Xiaochuan said with a smile.


    At these words, An Xin squatted down as well, curiously examining the White Spirit Rat.


    The White Spirit Rat opened its eyes to see her, and its eyes widened. Suddenly, it spat a pearl at An Xin, who couldn''t dodge in time.


    The pearl hit An Xin''s face and immediately turned into liquid, seeping into her skin.


    Everything happened so quickly that An Xin couldn''t react. By the time she realized what had happened, she screamed, stood up hurriedly, and frantically touched her face, while Xiaochuan was also frightened, not knowing what to do.


    The White Spirit Rat gave a smug smile and ran behind the tree.


    Gu An heard An Xin''s scream and rushed over immediately, followed by other disciples.


    "Don''t move, let me see."


    Upon hearing Gu An''s voice, An Xin calmed down instantly and let go of her hands.


    Everyone looked closely and saw that apart from a slight redness due to emotional agitation, there were no injuries on her face.


    Gu An examined her and then asked Xiaochuan to go fetch Lu Lingjun.


    Although An Xin was fine, she had obtained an opportunity.


    But Gu An couldn''t say this out loud; he had to get Lu Lingjun to explain it.


    Before long, Lu Lingjun arrived. After inspecting An Xin, she smiled and said, "You should thank that fat rat."


    Upon hearing this, An Xin was stunned, and the people around were puzzled.


    The White Spirit Rat suddenly peeked out from behind the tree, baring its teeth at Lu Lingjun, but its overly chubby figure rendered it completely non-threatening.


    "Senior, do you recognize the pearl it spat out?" An Xin asked nervously.


    Just as Lu Lingjun was about to answer, a figure flew in from the distance, and she turned to look.


    The newcomer was an imposing male cultivator who swiftly landed behind the group. Frowning, he asked, "Whose White Spirit Rat is that?"


    An Xin couldn''t help but tighten her grip on her sleeve.


    Gu An stepped forward and said, "It is mine. I''m sorry, Daoist Friend, that pearl has already been absorbed by my disciple. I am willing to compensate with medicinal herbs."


    An Xin looked at him with gratitude, while Lu Lingjun had a look of amusement.


    The male cultivator''s cultivation level was at the Nascent Soul Realm, and his cave was not far from the Third Medicine Valley. Having only joined Supreme Sect two years ago, he was unaware of the importance of the Third Medicine Valley. Seeing that Gu An''s cultivation was low, he said sternly, "Compensate with medicinal herbs?


    You are merely the acting Valley Master, how many medicinal herbs can you offer? My Water Spirit Pearl is an extremely rare treasure. Your White Spirit Rat sneaked into my cave while I was away and stole it. This is unforgivable!"


    Lu Lingjun chimed in, "The Water Spirit Pearl is indeed rare; it can enhance a being''s perception of water attribute spiritual energy."


    The male cultivator glared at An Xin with even more anger, making her even more anxious.


    Gu An said helplessly, "How about twenty sixth-grade medicinal herbs?"


    Hearing this, the male cultivator was moved, surprised at Gu An''s generosity.


    The disciples were also shocked, knowing the high value of sixth-grade medicinal herbs. They usually handled even the seeds with extreme care, for a single seed of a sixth-grade herb was worth their lives.


    Seeing the male cultivator hesitate, Gu An continued, "This disciple of mine is An Hao''s sister. Her aptitude is mediocre, so she can only temporarily reside here. If you can let this matter go, An Hao will also appreciate it."


    "An Hao? Which An Hao?" the male cultivator asked with a frown.


    Gu An smiled, "Of course, the top of the Golden List."


    The disciples were not surprised, as this had long ceased to be a secret, while An Xin opened her mouth but said nothing.


    When the male cultivator heard this, his expression shifted between dark and bright. He coughed once and said, "In that case, on An Hao''s account, I''ll accept your twenty sixth-grade medicinal herbs. But keep a better eye on your White Spirit Rat in the future."


    "Thank you for your generosity, brother. I will take you to get the medicinal herbs."


    Gu An took the male cultivator away, leaving the other disciples to discuss the event.


    Xiaochuan began to comfort An Xin. She did not feel wronged, but rather ashamed, as she had received such a stroke of luck out of nowhere and caused trouble for Gu An and An Hao. She felt guilty.


    Lu Lingjun snorted, "That kid has guts, not even letting me help."


    She was a member of the Hall of Elders and could have easily made the male cultivator leave with a word.


    This made her see Gu An in a new light.


    Besides her, Gu An had also sworn brotherhood with Xuan Tianyi and had a close relationship with the Sect Leader. Even so, Gu An did not resort to abusing his power, always offering sincere compensation.


    This character was truly admirable.


    After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the male cultivator left.


    Gu An looked back, feeling quite emotional.


    Was this a fortunate mistake?


    If Xiaochuan hadn''t been so kind to the White Spirit Rat, would it have spat the pearl on his face?


    ...


    Xuan Tianyi''s Dao Enlightenment Conference was held as scheduled. Gu An took An Xin and Xiaochuan to the Inner Sect City to listen to the teachings. He didn''t gain much, but for An Xin and Xiaochuan, as well as all the Inner Sect disciples, it was immensely beneficial.


    With the successful conclusion of the Dao Enlightenment Conference, Xuan Tianyi''s prestige soared, surpassing that of the Sect Leader and becoming revered by everyone in the sect.


    In early summer, Xuan Tianyi went to the border and killed a Mahayana Realm Great Demon King and three Mystic Heart Realm Demon Kings, becoming famous across five regions.


    Now, the title of the strongest under heaven was attributed to him, though many still believed Sword Venerable Fudao was stronger.


    As for the Daoist Lord of Cangtian Sect, he had been silent since his return.


    Xuan Tianyi''s action greatly intimidated the Demon Land, giving people hope.


    Thus, two years passed.


    Gu An''s lifespan reached over 2.5 million years. In those two years, he still occasionally went down the mountain. Upon learning that people called him the Green Hero, he was stunned.


    What was this?


    That night.


    Jiang Qiong left, going somewhere to retrieve her belongings. Gu An could only wish her safety, unable to stop her.


    After leaving the thousand-mile range of Supreme Sect, Jiang Qiong walked through the mountains and forests. Clad in a long black robe, she looked like a ghost.


    Suddenly, she stopped, frowning.


    Following her gaze, a black shadow appeared ahead, and she was startled.


    Demon Shadow Divine Skill!


    Could there still be a master of Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?


    Wait!


    Near Supreme Sect, a Great Cultivator who knew Demon Shadow Divine Skill...


    Jiang Qiong immediately readied her magic artifact, poised for action.


    "If I wanted to kill you, do you think you could resist?" A cold and hoarse voice came from the mysterious shadow ahead.


    Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and asked, "May I ask if you are Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Gu An raised his hand and tossed the Ephemera Sect Hierarch Token to her. She did not catch it, but took a step back and looked down at the token on the ground.


    The three words ''Ephemera Sect'' made her complexion change drastically.


    "You are from Ephemera Sect? How is that possible?" Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An in disbelief.


    Sword Venerable Fudao who had opposed Ephemera Sect was actually from Ephemera Sect?


    Gu An said calmly, "This is the Hierarch Token of Ephemera Sect. From now on, you are my envoy, managing Ephemera Sect on my behalf. You can do what you want, but don''t let Ephemera Sect commit any more evil deeds."


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong immediately understood.


    Sword Venerable Fudao must have taken over the position of Hierarch after Ephemera Sect''s downfall, intending to change Ephemera Sect.


    She breathed a sigh of relief.


    As long as Sword Venerable Fudao is truly a good person, there is no need to be so fearful.


    "Why choose me?" Jiang Qiong asked.


    "You have been in Supreme Sect for over a hundred years, coming and going. I saw you on Nine Nether Road before. Later, you returned to Supreme Sect and did not harm the disciples, which at least shows that your nature is not bad. You seem to be in a swamp, perhaps because there are people you care about in Supreme Sect or because you are avoiding enemies," Gu An said nonchalantly.


    Jiang Qiong''s expression changed, and her eyes turned cold.


    She thought Sword Venerable Fudao was using Gu An to threaten her.


    "None of that matters. What matters is whether you are willing to take over Ephemera Sect. The Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil will see the token as seeing me. With this token, you can make great impacts," Gu An said coldly.


    Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, I have offended Seven Stars Spirit Realm..."


    "That is also one of the reasons."


    "What?"


    Jiang Qiong''s face changed drastically, and she looked at Gu An in shock.


    Moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating her, while Gu An remained in the darkness.


    ...


    Jiang Qiong returned after three months.


    It was autumn, and the night was slightly cool.


    Gu An and Jiang Qiong came to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    "Disciple Grandson, I have returned to say goodbye," Jiang Qiong said softly, looking up at the Green Vine Tree.


    Gu An feigned confusion and asked, "Where are you going?"


    Jiang Qiong smiled, "During this time, I''ve thought a lot. Hiding all the time is not the solution; it might even drag you down. Seven Stars Spirit Realm is indeed powerful, but they are not necessarily the rulers of the world. I want to build my own force and keep climbing."


    Gu An appeared hesitant, various emotions flickering across his face.


    Noticing his expression, Jiang Qiong felt even happier. She laughed, "The Great Demon Calamity is imminent. The more chaotic it gets, the greater the opportunities. Maybe in a hundred years, I can come to Supreme Sect openly. By then, I''ll have you receive me, all right?"


    Gu An asked, "Do you really have to fight?"


    "In the world of immortal cultivation, if you don''t fight, you''ll be trampled on sooner or later. Even if you are safe in Supreme Sect for now, what about later? What if someone wants to kick you out and take over your achievements in Medicine Valley, what will you do?"


    Faced with Jiang Qiong''s questioning, Gu An remained silent.


    Afraid that he would be timid in the future, Jiang Qiong smiled and said, "If you don''t fight, then I''ll fight. Don''t worry, as long as I''m alive, there will always be a place for you. Unless I die."


    Gu An was moved and looked at her.


    Satisfied with his expression, Jiang Qiong said, "According to the information I''ve received, the Great Demon Calamity is about to fully erupt. Be prepared for this once-in-a-million-years catastrophe."

 Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Su Hans Envy, Demon Ancestors Resurrection

    Jiang Qiong returned home but stayed only for one night before leaving. Gu An could sense her renewed fighting spirit, much like when she first restored her physical body, full of vigor.


    Gu An also had high hopes for her future. If she could lead the remaining followers of the Ephemera Sect onto a righteous path, it would be a meritorious deed.


    Although the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was using Su Han, they merely desired to return to their homeland. Meanwhile, Su Han needed someone to protect him. Both sides were using each other, and who would have the last laugh depended on their own abilities.


    Everyone had their own life journey. Even those closest to Gu An, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and Li Ya, were living their own lives of immortal cultivation, only occasionally visiting Gu An for a chat.


    After Jiang Qiong left, Gu An''s life continued as usual.


    Even though he had reached the Ninth Layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, he did not find planting flowers and herbs tedious, as he had higher goals to pursue.


    Since the medicinal herbs had to be picked personally to gain life span, Gu An rarely used his clone technique. As for receiving guests and handling matters, he was too lazy to use his clones. Throughout the year, the instances requiring another persona to handle were few and far between. Such occasions added variety to his tranquil life, which he naturally enjoyed experiencing first-hand.


    Every day held fascination for Gu An.


    ...


    Tianwei, Heavenly Palace Mountain.


    Heavenly Palace Mountain was nestled among vast mountains, with a massive palace sitting at the peak. A stone staircase extended from the foot of the mountain to the summit, unobstructed by trees, thus the palace was referred to as the Heavenly Palace, and ascending the mountain was lauded as reaching the heavens.


    On the Ascending Heaven Steps of Heavenly Palace Mountain, Su Han approached with a bone sword in his hand. His black robe fluttered, and his long hair danced in the wind. He looked up at the figure on the mountaintop, a look of unwillingness on his face.


    The person standing at the summit was An Hao.


    An Hao wore a gold-trimmed white robe, with a dragon crown on his head. His wrist guards, belt, and boots were all exquisitely ornate and gleamed with brilliance. He looked down on Su Han from the mountain top, a smirk of arrogance and pride playing on his lips.


    "Hateful Heaven Divine Sword? That''s all? I heard you can devour others'' spiritual power, but even though you take shortcuts, your cultivation growth is slower than mine?"


    An Hao''s voice resounded under the vast sky, full of heroism.


    Su Han looked up at An Hao, not angry, but with a complex expression in his eyes.


    At that moment, several figures appeared in the woods at the base of the mountain. They moved like spectres, quickly positioning themselves behind Su Han.


    Nine Nether Thirteen Evil!


    Su Han raised his sword to block them.


    The third of the Nine Nether evil spirits, Li Sanyou, said in a deep voice, "If you don''t deal with this boy, you won''t be able to devour the cultivation of those cultivators in the palace!"


    Su Han responded calmly, "He''s from the Supreme Sect. I don''t want to deal with a disciple of the Supreme Sect."


    The seventh of the Nine Nether evil spirits, Li Qiyou, mocked, "You can injure him without taking his life."


    Seeing the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil appear, An Hao squinted. He raised his right hand, and a long sword materialized in his palm.


    Bathed in sunlight, the blade glimmered with a radiant arc.


    Su Han frowned, hesitating.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil did not wait for him to decide and started to ascend the steps.


    Rumble¡ª


    Clouds in the sky churned, quickly transforming into thunderclouds. A powerful sword intent enveloped the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil and Su Han.


    Su Han''s eyes widened, looking up at An Hao in horror, unable to maintain his composure from before.


    "Such sword intent... how could it be..."


    Su Han knew that An Hao was younger than him. He couldn''t comprehend how An Hao had cultivated such a powerful sword intent.


    "To have honed the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword to such a degree? What is your relationship with Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    A voice rang out, belonging to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    As soon as she spoke, the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil stopped in their tracks.


    The name Sword Venerable Fudao made them cringe in fear. Luckily, they had not attacked An Hao earlier.


    An Hao snorted coldly, "Why ask so many questions? If you want to fight, then fight!"


    The Taicang Sword Intent caused the thunderclouds to gather into a human face. If Gu An saw this, he would feel gratified, as An Hao had taken the mastery of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword to a new level.


    "Retreat!"


    The Ghost Mother''s voice rang out, and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil turned and descended the mountain without hesitation. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they walked past Su Han, they nudged his shoulder.


    Su Han followed them down, but he couldn''t help but glance back at An Hao.


    It was the first time he had seen someone scare off the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, which made his feelings more conflicted.


    "If I had a background like his, I wouldn''t be in this situation..."


    Su Han quickly disappeared into the forest with the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil.


    At the mountain top, An Hao quietly exhaled, despite his arrogance. The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil had put him under tremendous pressure.


    His master was truly formidable!


    Wherever he went, he thrived!


    An Hao felt proud, then turned and walked towards the Heavenly Palace.


    Before he reached the door, Si Yan''er poked her head out from within, looking at An Hao excitedly.


    As An Hao approached, she softly asked, "So your master is Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    An Hao pressed her head, not uttering a word, and walked straight into the Heavenly Palace.


    ...


    Late autumn, Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An sat on the staircase of a pavilion, watching the disciples clear the autumn leaves. The Third Medicine Valley was vast and its scenery magnificent, making him feel content.


    The weather was pleasant, the wind was gentle, everything seemed wonderful. The only blemish was a strong surge of demon energy gathering in the north.


    Gu An used his divine sense, at the Wandering Immortal Realm, to see endless demons surrounding a mountain. The mountain appeared as if it had been sliced by the Heavenly Sword, its top flat, with an altar standing on it.


    The area around the altar was filled with great demons, the lowest of which were at the Mystic Heart Realm, and one had even reached the Nirvana Realm!


    Gu An speculated that the one of the Nirvana Realm must be the Demon Emperor.


    A stronger demon energy than the Nirvana Realm was amassing within the altar.


    Demon energy pervaded the lands and skies, and the clouds above churned, occasionally a meteor would fall, resembling an apocalyptic scene.


    Moreover, Gu An sensed the presence of great cultivators around the demons. Some of these cultivators also had the aura of the Nirvana Realm.


    Evidently, these cultivators were from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and they were waiting for the resurrection of the Demon Ancestor.


    "Neither human nor demon, what an interesting world."


    Gu An laughed softly, his tone mocking. He retracted his divine sense and then took out the Daoist Xunchun''s writings to peruse.


    He had no intention of prematurely stopping the demonic calamity. He planned to act unexpectedly against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and now was not the right time.


    The sun set and the moon rose.


    An Xin arrived at the staircase, asking, "Master, why are you sitting here?"


    Gu An looked at her, smiling, "Enjoying the moonlight. How about you? How has your cultivation been lately?"


    After merging with the Water Spirit Pearl, An Xin''s maximum life span hadn''t changed. Treasures of extraordinary rarity in this world couldn''t easily alter one''s life span limits, but he could feel that An Xin''s energy absorption speed had greatly improved.


    An Xin smiled sweetly and said, "Pretty good, thanks to you, Master. I promise to cultivate herbs well to make up for your loss."


    "A sixth-grade herb is priceless; it might take you a lifetime to make up for it."


    "No problem. As long as you don''t mind, Master, I''m happy to stay in the Medicine Valley for a lifetime."


    Unlike An Hao, who sought justice in the world of immortal cultivation, An Xin, aware of her mediocre talents, only cared about this Medicine Valley.


    There were hundreds of disciples in the valley, so life was not dull. Occasionally, she would visit the Outer Gate City. She had no worries and enjoyed these days greatly.


    Seeing An Xin''s bright smile, Gu An couldn''t help but smile too.


    Then I will provide for her for a lifetime.


    Gu An treated his disciples well, not for any return. Could these disciples surpass him in power?


    He simply enjoyed creating good relationships. Having affection for others who reciprocated his kindness gave him satisfaction.


    The master and disciple chatted idly, and An Xin mentioned the White Spirit Rat, saying it was too fat and needed some exercise.


    Thus, Gu An entrusted the White Spirit Rat to her, permitting her to handle it as she wished, which made her very happy.


    One night passed.


    Early the next morning, many Supreme Sect disciples flew northward. Some even flew over the Third Medicine Valley, making an impressive spectacle and causing the valley''s disciples to talk excitedly.


    After watching for a while, Gu An stepped onto the Transmission Array Platform.


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley.


    He saw Lv Xian had returned, meditating on a cliff facing the valley''s entrance.


    Seeing him from afar, Lv Xian nodded slightly as a greeting.


    Gu An nodded back and walked into the valley.


    Two years had passed, and the world''s landscape had greatly changed. Now only three dynasties remained, the Taicang Dynasty, the Tianwei Dynasty, and the Great Jiang Dynasty.


    Among them, the Taicang Dynasty possessed the most extensive territory. The Great Jiang Dynasty was at the bottom because they hadn''t participated in the internal wars, being too busy fighting demons.


    After Gu An finished harvesting the medicinal herbs, he had three monkey demons plant the seeds.


    Luo Hun came to Gu An''s side and said, "Your majesty wants you to hasten to increase your cultivation level to the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and reach the Core Formation soon."


    He raised his hand, took out an ornate box, and handed it to Gu An.


    "His majesty said that with your current status in the Supreme Sect, someone will surely help you form your core. This is a Golden Core he prepared in advance since he can''t find the time to return himself." Luo Hun''s eyes showed curiosity.


    He was curious about Gu An''s current status in the Supreme Sect. Unfortunately, Li Xuandao''s letter did not specify.


    Gu An put the box into his storage bag and asked Luo Hun to thank Li Xuandao on his behalf.


    Luo Hun whispered, "The book?"


    Gu An discreetly took out a book, "This is the latest Green Hero Travelogue. Green Hero himself gave it to me, and no third person has seen it yet."


    Luo Hun accepted it with joy.


    At that moment, Ji Xiaoyu''s brother, Ji Ruolai, appeared behind Luo Hun, looking at Gu An, asking, "Have you met Xuan Tianyi?"


    Luo Hun moved aside to give him room.


    Gu An asked, "Why do you ask?"


    "Green Hero Travelogue is written by Xuan Tianyi," Ji Ruolai said expressionlessly. Luo Hun was embarrassed, quickly leaving.


    Gu An nodded, "Indeed, we have sworn brotherhood."


    Hearing this, Luo Hun stopped, looking at him in disbelief.


    Ji Ruolai squinted his eyes, carefully examining Gu An.


    Lv Xian, who was meditating on the cliff, opened his eyes. The name Xuan Tianyi was well-known to him. In the current world of immortal cultivation, who didn''t know the Supreme Sect''s true inheritor?


    Ji Ruolai stared at Gu An and said, "It seems Xuan Tianyi likes your Investiture of the Gods."


    "Investiture of the Gods? What do you mean?"


    Luo Hun suddenly stepped forward, looking at Ji Ruolai with a frown, "Are you saying Investiture of the Gods was written by Gu An?"


    Ji Ruolai nodded.


    Luo Hun looked at him in disbelief. This news was more shocking than Gu An and Xuan Tianyi''s sworn brotherhood.

 Chapter 176: Chapter 176 The Eyes Peeking at All Beings!

    "Gu An, Pan An..." Luo Hun looked at Gu An, thinking in a daze.


    His expression made Gu An very displeased.


    What do you mean by this?


    Disappointed?


    Gu An was not afraid of Pan An''s identity being exposed now. Not to mention his cultivation level, just his backing was enough to handle all the trouble he could encounter.


    Don''t think that Gu An has killed many strong people, but those strong people had no direct enmity with him. Currently, the enemies he could provoke would hardly exceed the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Even Lv Xian in the distance felt shocked. Gu An was Pan An?


    He knew that Gu An had extraordinary cultivation talent but did not expect him to have such skills.


    At this moment, Lv Xian once again felt his own mediocrity.


    He realized that true geniuses never show off their talents; they disdain comparing themselves with others.


    Ji Ruolai looked at Gu An and said, "My third sister wrote to me, asking me to take good care of you. She greatly appreciates your decision to stay at the Supreme Sect instead of following the Ji Family in relocating."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An could only say, "I am cultivating in the Supreme Sect. At a time of crisis, I cannot run away. Moreover, I don''t need to go to the battlefield, so I must do my part from the rear."


    Ji Ruolai nodded, with a look of admiration in his eyes.


    The three chatted for a while before Gu An took the opportunity to bid farewell and leave.


    Watching his departing figure, Ji Ruolai chuckled softly and said, "Being sworn brothers with Xuan Tianyi, his cultivation level no longer matters. From now on, I have to treat him as a great personage."


    Luo Hun did not respond but muttered, "Why could he write the Investiture of the Gods... I can accept that he wrote the Green Hero Travelogue..."


    Don''t think that he now loves reading the Green Hero Travelogue and Daoist Xunchun, but in his heart, Investiture of the Gods was the masterpiece!


    The former satisfies his desires, while the latter is his life pursuit.


    ...


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    Just at dawn, a terrifying demon energy came from a distance, startling everyone at the Supreme Sect.


    In Mystic Valley, the servant disciples practicing exercises with Gu An also noticed it, all turning to look in terror.


    They had never felt such dreadful demon energy, making them instinctively fearful.


    Gu An also felt it and said, "Continue practicing, focus on our tasks, don''t worry about what you can''t control."


    Hearing this, the disciples could only suppress their inner fear and continue practicing.


    Chu Jingfeng and Lu Jiujia were also practicing, both furrowing their brows tightly.


    They felt that this demon energy far exceeded that of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, which had once brought despair to the Human Race. Now, an even more terrifying demon appeared, leaving them wondering how to survive the demon calamity.


    This demon energy did not dissipate after its appearance; it lasted for seven whole days.


    On this day, Gu An came to the Outer Gate City, where rumors about the Demon Ancestor had already spread.


    "Have you heard? The Ancestor of Ten Thousand Demons, who founded the Demon Clan, has resurrected. He is the root cause of the demon calamity."


    "The Six-Headed Sea Dragon was only one of the seventy-two Great Demon Kings. There''s still the Demon Emperor above him, and now an even more powerful Demon Ancestor appears. What are we going to do?"


    "With Senior Xuan Tianyi, Daoist Lord, and the nine great cultivators of the world, we still have a sliver of hope."


    "These people are formidable, but who can kill the Demon Emperor and the Demon Ancestor?"


    "No matter what, even the Great Cultivators have returned from overseas to aid us. How can we, the people who cultivate immortality, be afraid? We will fight to the death with no regrets!"


    Even the Foundation Establishment Realm outer disciples were stirred with bloodlust, ready to fight at any moment.


    Gu An arrived at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform and saw Di Xie, the son of the Demon Emperor, not comprehending Sword Enlightenment, but standing by the platform, looking at the sky, seeming deep in thought.


    The sky was covered with surging dark clouds, and the snow was falling heavily, as if to obscure the vast world.


    Gu An also looked up, raising his right hand to catch a flake of snow.


    The snowflake melted instantly upon touching his hand, dissipating into wisps of white vapor.


    "Loose Immortal."


    Gu An silently thought in his heart, judging the cultivation level of the Demon Ancestor.


    Indeed terrifying. If Xuan Tianyi and Daoist Lord had not returned, the Human Race of the Three Dynasties, having only Mystic Heart Realm cultivators, how could they resist the Loose Immortal Realm Demon Ancestor?


    Even if those two returned, they could not possibly be a match for the Demon Ancestor. The gap in cultivation levels was too vast, vast enough for the Demon Ancestor to easily crush them.


    Under Gu An''s gaze, the dark clouds in the sky actually formed the outline of two gigantic eyes, overlooking all beings with oppressive power.


    More and more people noticed the abnormality in the sky. As they looked up, all were terrified.


    Before these eyes, all beings felt their insignificance.


    They inexplicably thought of a name.


    Demon Ancestor!


    The Outer Gate City quickly fell into extreme silence and oppression.


    "Humph! So what if it''s the Demon Ancestor? I, Xuan Tianyi, will surely vanquish it. Watch closely, everyone, this world is ruled by humans!"


    Xuan Tianyi''s domineering voice resounded through the Supreme Sect, like thunder, echoing for a long time, making everyone who heard it enthusiastic with boiling blood.


    Gu An smiled upon hearing this.


    One had to admit, Xuan Tianyi indeed possessed the bearing of a savior. In this regard, Lv Baitian was inferior to him.


    Lv Baitian was domineering in management, but Xuan Tianyi had an unmatched sharpness, a sharpness that could bring people endless power in times of calamity.


    Gu An could feel Xuan Tianyi flying out of the Supreme Sect, heading towards the Northern Territory.


    He turned and left.


    Countless demons were coming south, and it wouldn''t be long before the great calamity of demons would fully erupt!


    Let them fight first. Only after experiencing despair can one truly cherish peace.


    ...


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, Nianchu Cave.


    At a stone table, Gu An was drinking, while Tian Yao''er squatted on a stone stool, barefoot, looking up at the sky nervously.


    At this moment, countless demons were passing by Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, heading south, causing Nianchu Cave to tremble slightly.


    Tian Yao''er looked at Gu An, furrowing her brows, and asked, "Master, I don''t know why, but I am very angry and want to tear things apart. I have never felt this way before."


    Gu An also felt a force.


    The demons of the Demon Land were continuously going berserk, losing their minds. This was not caused by the commands of the Demon Emperor or the Demon Ancestor; there was an eerie force affecting the demons in the dark.


    Specifically, it was affecting the demons of the Demon Land. Gu An could feel that this force did not extend to the demon creatures in the lands of the Three Dynasties.


    He was very curious about what kind of force could influence so many demons?


    Could it be the blood of the Demon Ancestor?


    He remembered that the demons on this continent were derived from the blood of the Demon Ancestor.


    "That''s because your cultivation level is not high enough. Do you want to be controlled by other demons in the future?" Gu An asked expressionlessly.


    He was watching the grand procession of demons.


    No matter which direction his Divine Sense probed, it was filled with countless demons, making one''s scalp tingle.


    Tian Yao''er shook her head and said, "I don''t want to be controlled by other demons. I will only let Master control me."


    Gu An did not respond but stood up. He was preparing to strengthen the restrictions in his cave to prevent Tian Yao''er from going berserk and destroying his medicinal herbs.


    At the same time.


    In the Northern Territory of the Great Jiang Dynasty, on the battlefield where the battle with the Six-Headed Sea Dragon took place, numerous factions had established large bases at the edge of the canyon spanning across the ground.


    Lv Baitian hovered in the air, looking at the horizon with a serious expression.


    On the other side of the canyon, demon energy pervaded, darkening the skies, like a different world from the one the cultivators were in.


    Ji Hantian flew to Lv Baitian''s side, saying solemnly, "This battle is unlikely to last for many days."


    Lv Baitian glanced at him and asked, "Isn''t the Ji Family planning to withdraw?"


    "Yes, most of the disciples have already left the Supreme Sect."


    "Then why are you here?"


    "Because I am the Vice Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect. Anyone can leave, but not us."


    Ji Hantian looked far away, his gaze calm, yet his words carried immense strength.


    Lv Baitian shook his head and laughed, then looked towards the horizon alongside him.


    The demon fog surged at the horizon, like an abyssal storm gradually approaching, with the oppressive feeling of countless demon energies converging.


    ...


    Tianwei Dynasty, the former land of the Chentang Dynasty, in a forest around Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    Su Han sat under a tree, caressing the bone sword in his hand. The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil scattered around, and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera sat on a coffin, resting with her eyes closed.


    Li Sanyou spoke, "Ghost Mother, all the Great Cultivators of Three Pure Ones Mountain have gone to the Northern Territory. When do we strike?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera replied with closed eyes, "No rush, wait for the battle to break out."


    Su Han looked up at her and asked, "This time, who is our target?"


    "Prince of Taicang, Li Ya," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera uttered the name.


    Su Han couldn''t help but frown. He knew Li Ya had a close relationship with Gu An. He asked, "Why him?"


    "He also mastered the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. The Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword of the Li Family was passed down from our Ephemera Sect. Although An Hao prevented us from taking Heavenly Palace Mountain, his appearance gave me an idea. That is to let you also acquire the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword. The Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword can cover the strength of all beings, perhaps better unleashing the power of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword."


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s tone was exceedingly calm, as if Li Ya were already a dead man.


    Su Han took a deep breath and said, "Choose someone else; there are other Li Family disciples. I don''t want to deal with Li Ya."


    "Only he knows the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword in the Li Family, not even Li Xuanmiao of Three Pure Ones Mountain can use it."


    "No, Li Ya is my martial uncle. I can''t do it!"


    Su Han said solemnly, showing a rare strong stance against the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera opened her eyes, her hollow gaze falling on him. Even in broad daylight, it instinctively made him avoid her eyes.


    The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil remained silent, all watching Su Han with amusement.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera slowly spoke, "If you don''t want to deal with Li Ya, fine, but you must be prepared to¡­"


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    A thunderbolt flashed across the sky, startling the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Su Han, and the others to look up. They saw thunderclouds rapidly gathering at the horizon, intertwined with lightning, and a colossal figure appeared in the cloud sea.


    "Taoist of Immortality, it is time to settle our scores!"


    An ancient voice echoed, coming from the mysterious presence within the thunderclouds.


    Far away in the Mystic Valley of the Supreme Sect, Gu An was observing the Three Dynasties'' lands with his Divine Sense. He discovered that numerous ancient ruins and perilous places across the Three Dynasties'' lands revealed signs of spatial formations, transmitting many demons into the interior.


    These teleportation arrays came from various ancient relics and deadly grounds.


    Gu An was certain that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was assisting the demons, and those ancient relics were likely left by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm had indeed made a brilliant move!

 Chapter 177: Chapter 177: The Demon Master Appears, Di Xies Fear

    The world was in chaos, and flames of war rose everywhere!


    Immense demonic energy rose from all over the realm, threatening to engulf the entire land.


    The winter snow was colder than in past years. Gu An donned a rough raincoat, transforming into the Green Hero, wandering the mortal world.


    In the mountains, within a small town shaped like a crescent moon, flickering flames, and curling green smoke rose. Black crows circled the sky densely above, their cries interwoven with the sounds of screams, wails, and roars, echoing relentlessly.


    Gu An rushed out of the forest, leaping like an eagle from the cliff toward the town. Following his gaze, the town was filled with numerous demons and ghosts, wantonly slaughtering the common people. Some were gnawed alive from the feet by demons before they even died, a scene of cruelty and horror.


    In less than half an hour, only the sound of weeping remained in the town.


    Gu An walked out of the town, shaking off the demon blood from his sword, then sheathed the Qinghong Sword.


    Despite the anguish left behind, he did not look back.


    It had been ten days since the revival of the Demon Ancestor. Battles had erupted in the Northern Territory of the Great Jiang Dynasty, with Mahayana Realm cultivators still engaged in fierce fighting. Not only the Great Jiang Dynasty, but even the borders of Tianwei were also under the impact of the demonic tide.


    Although the Taicang Dynasty did not need to guard its borders, demons wreaked havoc internally, presenting a crisis no less severe than in the other two dynasties.


    The Demon Emperor had not yet taken action, nor had the Demon Ancestor appeared. Gu An was naturally not in a hurry. Judging from the current scale, even if the Demon Emperor and Demon Ancestor were killed, the human race of the three dynasties would still suffer for a long time under the demonic turmoil.


    Rescuing people while accumulating life span was a rare opportunity for Gu An.


    Gu An did not use the Limitless Freedom Step but flew by controlling his sword. Along the way, he saw many disciples of the Supreme Sect.


    Unconsciously, in the immortal cultivation world of the Taicang Dynasty, the number of Supreme Sect cultivators had reached one-third. No matter where one went, Supreme Sect disciples could be seen, showcasing the rapid development of the Supreme Sect over the years.


    It was evening when Gu An finally returned to the Mystic Valley.


    He sat at his desk, took out pen and paper, and began writing, using the act of writing to dispel the malevolence in his heart.


    Too much killing would foster a heart inclined toward slaughter, and seeing too many tragic scenes left him in a poor mood, necessitating self-adjustment.


    Though he was a Wandering Immortal, he had yet to possess the Daoist Heart of an immortal.


    And he was shaping his Daoist Heart.


    No matter how high his cultivation level, he was still a person who had lived for less than a hundred years. A person''s mindset needed to change gradually. Which true immortal had not gone through thousands of years of worldly tumult?


    As the moon set and the sun rose.


    The next morning, the bell of the Supreme Sect sounded, summoning the Inner Sect disciples. Though Gu An''s status had already been elevated to the level of an Inner Sect Disciple, he did not need to participate in the various affairs of the Inner Sect but only needed to focus on cultivating medicinal herbs.


    Gu An went to the Third Medicine Valley and began harvesting the mature herbs.


    Suddenly, he sensed a cataclysmic battle erupting in the distance. The immense pressure transmitted across millions of miles to the Supreme Sect.


    One of the combatants was Xuan Tianyi!


    Xuan Tianyi was fighting against three Great Demon Kings, each at the Mahayana Realm!


    Gu An could sense that the demonic energy of two of the Great Demon Kings was unstable, seemingly freshly broken through.


    Was it the work of the Demon Ancestor or some trickery from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    The battle among four Mahayana Realm powerhouses was immensely grand, and the pressure shaken the cosmos. The disciples in the valley were uneasy. Ever since the full outbreak of the demonic catastrophe, even if they did not participate in the fighting, they would occasionally feel the terrifying pressure, making them inevitably fearful.


    Gu An, however, remained calm and continued picking herbs.


    Currently, relying solely on the herbs from the Mystic Valley, Eight Scenic Caves, Third Medicine Valley, Tianya Valley, Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Nianchu Cave, and Mountain God Temple, Gu An reaped at least twenty-five thousand years of life span annually, with occasional bursts.


    If the demonic catastrophe ended and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm made no further moves, Gu An would not proactively act against them.


    To him, the longer time dragged on, the greater the benefit.


    After Gu An finished harvesting the herbs, just as he was about to leave, he sensed something, and his gaze turned toward the direction of the Outer Gate City.


    He gave some instructions to Xiaochuan, then flew towards the Outer Gate City.


    Half an hour later.


    Gu An arrived at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, looking towards Di Xie.


    Di Xie was meditating beneath the two characters "Righteous Path", striving to comprehend sword intent. Over the years, Gu An could feel that a sword intent had already accumulated within him.


    A demon practicing the sword, a Sword Demon?


    Gu An mused silently, his gaze shifting to the others on the Heavenly Repair Platform, constantly performing life span detection.


    He waited for someone to arrive.


    Specifically, he waited for a demon.


    After a while, a figure stepped onto the Heavenly Repair Platform, passing right in front of Gu An.


    [Demon Master (Nirvana Realm Second Layer): 30290/90000/170000]


    Nirvana Realm Second Layer!


    Demon Master! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An recognized the existence of the Demon Master, a peerless Great Demon second only to the Demon Emperor in the Demon Land. To the Black Crow Demon Envoy, the Demon Master was unfathomable, his cultivation level unknown.


    The Demon Master certainly had another name, but the name shown in the life span detection may have used an alias, just as Li Xuanmiao appeared as Sage Xuan Miao.


    Gu An speculated it related to the name''s renown.


    Most people only knew Sage Xuan Miao''s name but not Li Xuanmiao''s, hence the life span detection showed the name "Sage Xuan Miao".


    The Demon Master had transformed into a middle-aged man in plain robes, with a refined and handsome appearance, devoid of any demonic energy. His cultivation seemed only at the Core Formation Realm.


    He did not notice Gu An, distracted by the numerous cultivators on both sides.


    He walked straight towards Di Xie, eventually standing behind him, silently observing the two characters, "Righteous Path".


    After a while.


    The Demon Master spoke, admiringly, "What a domineering sword intent. The Sword Venerable Fudao lives up to his name."


    Di Xie suddenly opened his eyes, turning to look at him, an incredulous expression on his face. He quickly stood up, facing him, and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?"


    The surrounding cultivators only glanced at them briefly, showing little concern.


    The Demon Master chuckled lightly, saying, "I came to see you, and to check out the Supreme Sect."


    Di Xie took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.


    He knew the Demon Master''s strength. His father had said that even seventy-two Great Demon Kings together could not match the Demon Master.


    In other words, the Demon Master''s realm exceeded the Mahayana Realm!


    Although the Supreme Sect had the enigmatic Great Cultivator Sword Venerable Fudao, if a fight broke out, it would definitely level the Supreme Sect.


    Living in the Supreme Sect for so many years, Di Xie had grown fond of it and did not wish for its early demise.


    The Demon Master surveyed the Heavenly Repair Platform, smiling, "The Supreme Sect is truly magnificent. No wonder it harbors the Heavenly Destiny."


    "Heavenly Destiny? What Heavenly Destiny?" Di Xie asked, frowning.


    He was cautious, fearing someone would discover the Demon Master''s true identity.


    The Demon Master chuckled, saying, "In my calculations, the celestial order has changed, yet I cannot discern the reason for the shift in Heavenly Destiny. But I found that the celestial order of the human race in the three dynasties has altered, with the Supreme Sect undergoing the most significant change."


    Di Xie asked in a low voice, "What is your purpose in coming here?"


    The Demon Master grinned, his smile growing increasingly sinister and cold.


    They did not notice someone leaving the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Gu An arrived in an alley, then instantly appeared in the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion in the North Sea Mountain Range.


    He stood under the Heart Clearing Tree, pulled the Heaven-Cutting Axe from the ground, then flashed to a mountaintop miles away.


    He raised the Heaven-Cutting Axe, aiming it at the Heavenly Repair Platform of the Supreme Sect.


    This axe left in the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion was a waste, better to leave a legacy for the Supreme Sect.


    After aiming, he lightly tossed the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Though it seemed casual, the moment the axe left his hand, it erupted with terrifying power. The space visibly distorted, creating a strong visual impact. The violent wind crushed all the surrounding forests, even dispersing the clouds in the sky.


    The wind stirred Gu An''s black hair. He smiled, his divine sense trailing the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    ...


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Facing Di Xie''s inquiry, the Demon Master spread his hands, smiling, "What purpose could I have? It''s just..."


    Suddenly!


    His face changed dramatically. Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but his reaction was a moment too slow.


    Boom!


    Accompanied by a thunderous sound, an axe fell from the sky, striking the Demon Master. Blood and flesh splattered, instantly drenching Di Xie in blood.


    Di Xie stood there, dumbfounded, his eyes widening in shock.


    The surrounding cultivators were also splattered with blood. The terrifying blast wave sent everyone except Di Xie flying.


    The Heavenly Repair Platform shook violently, startling everyone, who all turned their heads to look.


    Everyone was terrified at the sight, seeing a black axe embedded in the Heavenly Repair Platform with a pool of mangled flesh beneath the blade. The axe blade was surrounded by wisps of strength energy, burning like flames.


    Blood bubbles formed at the base of the axe blade, with demon energy continuously emerging. Gradually, a skeleton appeared, its specific race indistinguishable, but it was definitely not human.


    Di Xie still stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, unable to move.


    One by one, figures appeared out of nowhere, including the Supreme Elder, Xuan Quan.


    Xuan Quan''s face changed dramatically. In a solemn voice, he said, "This is a demon, and one at a higher realm than the Mystic Heart Realm!"


    His words startled everyone.


    "A Great Demon infiltrating the Supreme Sect?"


    "Oh my god, I just looked at him, wondering what he meant by Heavenly Destiny. Who knew he was a demon¡­"


    "What''s the origin of this axe?"


    "Does anyone in the Supreme Sect use an axe?"


    "Carefully feel it. There''s sword intent on the axe. Isn''t that the sword intent of Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Recognizing the sword intent on the Heaven-Cutting Axe, everyone''s panic turned into excitement and joy.


    The Sword Venerable Fudao was always protecting them secretly!


    "Sword Venerable Fudao..."


    Di Xie stared blankly at the Heaven-Cutting Axe, the sight of the Demon Master''s crushed body terrified him.


    The Sword Venerable Fudao could see that the Demon Master was a demon, and naturally, he could see Di Xie''s true form.


    Why had the Sword Venerable Fudao spared him?


    Was it because he had not caused trouble?


    At that moment, Di Xie''s reverence for the Sword Venerable Fudao reached its peak.


    He was certain that the Sword Venerable Fudao was undoubtedly stronger than his father!


    Without showing himself, being able to kill the Demon Master instantly was beyond his father''s ability.


    Xuan Quan stepped forward, grabbing the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, trying to lift it. His face changed dramatically.


    He began cultivating energy, causing the entire Heavenly Repair Platform to tremble.


    Under everyone''s watchful eyes, the Heaven-Cutting Axe stood motionless, undisturbed.


    Everyone''s eyes fixated on Xuan Quan, the Supreme Elder''s face extremely grave.

 Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Xuan Tianyis Shock

    Ancestor Xuanquan tried to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe for a long time but couldn''t manage to lift it. He had to let go and step back, which made everyone watching understand one thing.


    That was, Ancestor Xuanquan was far less powerful than Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Although they had already thought so, witnessing this scene still left them shocked by the vast difference between the two.


    How high was Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation level?


    Just at that moment,


    the blade of the Heaven-Cutting Axe emitted bursts of sword Qi, hitting the ground, sending stones flying, and scaring everyone back.


    Di Xie had also woken up by this time, but his expression was very complex, and he was visibly shaken. The others thought he had been scared silly.


    Everyone stared to see two lines of words appear on the platform in front of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    "Whoever lifts this axe!"


    "Shall inherit its legacy!"


    These eight words made many people start breathing heavily.


    Immediately, an elder stepped forward to try lifting the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    On the other side,


    Gu An had already returned to the Outer Gate City. He walked to the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, watching the cultivators continually try to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe. A slight smile appeared on his lips.


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe was forged from North Sea Nether Iron, which had been buried for millions of years. Even Mahayana cultivators would feel its immense weight without using spiritual power, and Gu An had infused the axe with mana and sword intent.


    Only a Loose Immortal could draw this axe!


    No one in Supreme Sect could lift it, and Gu An was not deliberately making things difficult. He would find a suitable inheritor in the years to come.


    In the meantime, he could eliminate the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe was one of the Nine Great Legacies of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Passing it on to disciples of Supreme Sect prematurely would only bring trouble.


    Slaying the Demon Master had extended Gu An''s lifespan by over 6,300 years, a massive gain.


    The Demon Master''s bones still lay under the Heaven-Cutting Axe without disintegrating, implying the bones were rare treasures. Gu An was not in a hurry to collect them. With the axe pressing on them, no one could take those bones.


    After watching for a while, Gu An turned and left.


    Along the way, the disciples were still excitedly discussing Sword Venerable Fudao, not realizing he had just passed by them.


    Ancestor Xuanquan approached Di Xie with a serious expression and said, "Come with me."


    Di Xie, with his face covered in blood, came to his senses. He did not resist and nodded in agreement.


    ...


    Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    On a cliff, Li Ya was practicing his swordsmanship. Wielding the North Sea Heavy Sword, he swung it through the air, creating gusts of wind. Compared to years ago, his sword strikes no longer felt heavy. Instead, they appeared graceful and elegant.


    The soul of Ancestor of the Li Family floated under a nearby tree, his gaze distant and his brows deeply furrowed, lost in thought.


    When Li Ya finished practicing, he looked back at Ancestor of the Li Family with pride and asked, "Ancestor, how is it? My sword moves have returned to their original form, haven''t they? If I were to use my sword intent, its power would probably even scare me. Next time I meet An Hao, I might not lose."


    Ancestor of the Li Family continued to be lost in thought, ignoring him.


    Li Ya walked up to him, waved his hand, and complained, "What are you looking at? I''m talking to you!"


    "Don''t bother me; I''m watching a battle," Ancestor of the Li Family coldly snorted.


    Li Ya couldn''t help but ask, "What level of battle?"


    "Unification Realm."


    Li Ya lost interest immediately upon hearing this. He raised his North Sea Heavy Sword and said, "Stop watching. Nowadays, the world belongs to the Mystic Heart Realm and Mahayana Realm. Unification Realm is nothing; I''ll reach it sooner or later."


    "I want to go down the mountain!"


    As he said this, his expression turned serious.


    Ancestor of the Li Family responded casually, "Then go."


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya immediately turned to leave.


    "Wait, where are you going?" Ancestor of the Li Family regained his senses and hurriedly asked.


    "Back to Supreme Sect!"


    "Still worried about your Junior Brother Gu? What kind of spell has he put on you?" Ancestor of the Li Family frowned, his tone one of exasperation.


    Standing with his back to Ancestor of the Li Family, Li Ya replied, "It''s not for Junior Brother Gu; it''s because Supreme Sect is in trouble. I need to go back and help. With the world in chaos, hiding here to cultivate¡ªhow can that be the behavior of a true man? What''s the point of all the training bestowed by Supreme Sect?"


    With that, he leaped off the cliff.


    Ancestor of the Li Family did not pursue him but stayed where he was, mulling over his words.


    Gradually, a smile appeared on Ancestor of the Li Family''s face.


    "That brat has finally grown up."


    ...


    News of Sword Venerable Fudao slaying a mysterious Great Demon with one swing of his axe quickly spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World, greatly boosting morale on the front lines.


    According to Ancestor Xuan Quan of the Supreme Sect, that mysterious demon definitely had Mahayana Realm cultivation!


    The fall of a Mahayana Realm demon was undoubtedly good news for the entire Human Race!


    In a grand hall of the Great Jiang Dynasty...


    "Ha ha ha ha! My Supreme Sect is indeed powerful. Sword Venerable Fudao can kill a Mahayana Realm cultivator with a single axe swing; his cultivation level is probably catching up to mine!"


    Xuan Tianyi, sitting in the main seat, laughed heartily.


    Liang Canghai, sitting beside him, also stroked his beard and smiled. Although Xuan Tianyi''s words were arrogant, no one could deny that Sword Venerable Fudao''s actions were beneficial to the Human Race.


    Cultivators from various sects praised him. Among those present, the lowest cultivation level was in the Mystic Heart Realm. Even the Sect Leader of Supreme Sect, Lv Baitian, was not qualified to enter the hall because they were discussing strategies against the Mystic Heart Realm and Mahayana Realm demons.


    Since the outbreak of the demon calamity, there had been demon informers within the Human Race.


    Demons disguised as humans lurked around, and some people even sought to defect to the demons to save their own lives, complicating the calamity even further.


    A Great Cultivator in the Mystic Heart Realm asked, "Why not bring Sword Venerable Fudao to the front lines?"


    This suggestion received a lot of support, as many believed that if Sword Venerable Fudao joined them, their pressure would certainly decrease.


    A woman in black spoke, "We don''t know exactly who Sword Venerable Fudao is. He is merely protecting the Supreme Sect. We can''t force him to act, nor can we pressure him with public opinion."


    She wore a veil and was a Supreme Elder named Fairy Suxin from the Supreme Sect.


    Her words garnered nods of agreement from the crowd.


    Someone brought up, "Sword Venerable Fudao possesses the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, suggesting he may have come from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion. If so, he might have turned over a new leaf and thus cannot show his true face. In that case, we definitely shouldn''t request his help."


    Liang Canghai then said, "When the Nine Nether Road opened before, Sword Venerable Fudao made a move. I suspect he will do so again in the future. But he has his considerations¡ªdon''t forget, we still don''t know how strong the Demon Emperor, Demon Master, or that mysterious Demon Ancestor are. Sword Venerable Fudao might be concerned with these matters, thus waiting in the shadows."


    The reasoning seemed sound to everyone, so they began to discuss the Demon Emperor and the Demon Master.


    An old Taoist from Three Pure Ones Mountain suddenly said, "Could the demon that died under Sword Venerable Fudao''s hand be the Demon Emperor or Demon Master?"


    Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.


    Liang Canghai said solemnly, "We must determine this matter. Whether it''s the Demon Emperor or the Demon Master, their death would benefit our future plans. As we continue to fear the unknown forces in the Demon Land, our efforts lack effectiveness."


    Xuan Tianyi spoke, "I''ll go back and return by tomorrow at the latest."


    No one had any objections to this; Supreme Sect had only one known Mahayana Realm cultivator. They couldn''t send a Daoist Lord to Supreme Sect, after all.


    Even the Alliance Hierarch, Liang Canghai, agreed, so Xuan Tianyi immediately set off.


    ...


    At dusk, Supreme Sect, Outer Gate City.


    Xuan Tianyi walked up to the Heavenly Repair Platform, his appearance causing many Inner Sect disciples to stare wide-eyed.


    This Outer Gate City had gathered a number of Inner Sect disciples, either to gaze at the Heaven-Cutting Axe or to seek sword enlightenment, and most of them had heard Xuan Tianyi preach the Dao, thus recognizing him instantly.


    For a moment, silence fell over the Heavenly Repair Platform; even the Outer Sect disciples noticed the change in atmosphere and followed everyone else''s gaze.


    Xuan Tianyi walked straight to the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    A disciple trying hard to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe was pushed by his friend. He instinctively looked at Xuan Tianyi, his face changing drastically. He quickly stepped back and saluted Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi nodded slightly, stepped two more steps forward, and faced the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    He looked at the inscription on the ground and squinted his eyes.


    How domineering the sword intent was!


    Just by feeling the sword intent, he realized that he was inferior to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    This made him speculate even more about Sword Venerable Fudao. This person was definitely not cultivated by Supreme Sect; the reason he protected Supreme Sect might be that he was hiding there.


    His gaze shifted to the Demon Master''s bones, carefully examining them, even probing with his divine sense.


    More and more cultivators gathered around, whispering. Quickly, even the Outer Sect disciples knew that he was the True Inheritor, Xuan Tianyi!


    This excited everyone.


    Was the True Inheritor also going to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao''s legacy?


    Although Xuan Tianyi had gained much fame in recent years, in the hearts of many disciples, he still did not measure up to Sword Venerable Fudao. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, Sword Venerable Fudao was deeply mysterious!


    Sword Venerable Fudao''s eyebrows suddenly knitted, and his eyes showed a look of shock and fear.


    These bones were definitely not from a Mahayana Realm!


    Their realm was even higher!


    Xuan Tianyi had traveled overseas for years and had encountered Great Cultivators and demons in Nirvana Realm, even Immortals.


    Could Sword Venerable Fudao crush a Nirvana Realm demon with one axe?


    Was Sword Venerable Fudao an Immortal?


    Xuan Tianyi immediately raised his hand, gripping the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Heavy!


    That was Xuan Tianyi''s first impression.


    At this moment, Ancestor Xuanquan and Lu Lingjun also arrived nearby, curiously watching Xuan Tianyi.


    Lu Lingjun had also tried to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe before but couldn''t even budge it, so she was very curious if Xuan Tianyi could lift it.


    Xuan Tianyi used all his strength with one hand but could not move the Heaven-Cutting Axe at all.


    A fierce look flashed in his eyes.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A terrifying aura erupted, startling everyone around into retreat. The entire Heavenly Repair Platform trembled violently, as if about to crack open at any moment.


    Everyone was shocked by Xuan Tianyi.


    What kind of cultivation could produce such an aura?


    Spiritual power burst forth, creating a gust of wind around Xuan Tianyi, even making his robes flutter and rustle.


    He even bent down, using all his might to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    However, the Heaven-Cutting Axe remained unmoved.


    "How could this be..."


    Xuan Tianyi''s eyes were bloodshot, completely lost in the moment.


    He admitted he was weaker than Sword Venerable Fudao, but to be unable to lift Sword Venerable Fudao''s magic artifact¡ªhow could he accept that?


    His eyes widened, his aura suddenly increasing, his hair lifting, and strange cyan runes appearing on his neck.

 Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Promotion to Big Brother, Immortal Legend

    The Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An, who was sowing seeds, looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.


    This Xuan Tianyi was no simple person!


    This momentum was already close to the Nirvana stage!


    It was known that Xuan Tianyi was only at the six-layer Mahayana Realm. In the Mahayana Realm, even a small gap of one layer was difficult to overcome. For Xuan Tianyi to exude momentum comparable to the Nirvana stage, how incredible was that?


    Gu An became curious about Xuan Tianyi''s cultivation technique.


    Previously, Xuan Tianyi had already given him the cultivation technique, but he was too lazy to look over it.


    On the other side.


    At the Heavenly Repair Platform, even after using the secret technique, Xuan Tianyi still couldn''t shake the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Veins bulged on his forehead.


    All the onlookers were shocked, including Ancestor Xuan Quan and Lu Lingjun.


    To think that Xuan Tianyi''s momentum was so formidable, yet he couldn''t budge the Heaven-Cutting Axe!


    What kind of cultivation level did Sword Venerable Fudao possess?


    The more they thought about it, the more stunned they felt.


    Lu Lingjun''s reverence for the Supreme Sect deepened. After reaching the Mystic Heart Realm, she felt she could act recklessly within the Supreme Sect. Today''s event showed her how far she still had to go; she shouldn''t act carelessly in the future to avoid offending Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Several seconds later.


    Xuan Tianyi''s momentum dissipated. He slowly straightened his body and let go of his right hand.


    The world was silent; no one dared disturb him.


    Everyone could feel his pride and anger; they didn''t want to provoke him.


    Previously, Xuan Tianyi had touted himself as the number one cultivator of the Supreme Sect, even the world. Today, he couldn''t even lift Sword Venerable Fudao''s axe, bringing great shame upon himself.


    Just as everyone grew tense, Xuan Tianyi suddenly laughed, loudly at first, then thrown back in hearty laughter.


    Spreading his arms, he laughed, "Who would have thought, our Supreme Sect harbors such a formidable cultivator? I underestimated the world, I am impressed! Impressed!"


    His hearty acceptance of failure relieved everyone.


    Even though he couldn''t match Sword Venerable Fudao, he remained a figure of admiration and reverence in the Supreme Sect.


    Ancestor Xuan Quan took a step forward to console him, "Tianyi, you represent the future of the Supreme Sect. I am pleased that you can see it this way."


    Other elders also stepped forward to offer consolation.


    Xuan Tianyi turned around, his robes fluttering as he laughed, "Don''t worry. If it''s against our own, how could I mind? However, one day, I will challenge Sword Venerable Fudao. Before that, I will first eliminate the Demonic Calamity!"


    Upon hearing this, cheers erupted. More people began to echo the sentiment, and everyone admired Xuan Tianyi''s ambition. He held his head high, embodying the demeanor of a prodigy.


    Time flew by quickly.


    Night fell.


    Inside the pavilion of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Bang!


    "Damn it, that was so humiliating!"


    Xuan Tianyi slapped the table angrily, one hand couldn''t help but cover his face.


    Facing him, Gu An found it amusing and said, "Isn''t it good that someone is stronger than you? At least the pressure isn''t all on you."


    Xuan Tianyi covered his face, "I know. I just regret acting so hastily. I should have tried when fewer people were around. No, I should have given up after a try. Instead, I used the secret technique and caused such a commotion, it''s just too embarrassing!"


    The more he spoke, the more frustrated he became.


    Gu An secretly enjoyed it; he took out spiritual wine and poured a drink for Xuan Tianyi, "Then let''s drown your sorrows with wine?"


    "Drink, I swear to reclaim my honor once I become an Immortal!" Xuan Tianyi said in frustration.


    He looked at Gu An, "Don''t tell anyone about this. I''m only confiding in you."


    Gu An said, "Don''t worry, we are sworn brothers. Your honor is my honor, I will naturally cover for you."


    "Sigh, I wonder who Sword Venerable Fudao is and where he is hiding. Honestly, I really want to meet him and get to know him." Xuan Tianyi sighed.


    Gu An teased, "If you knew Sword Venerable Fudao, would you be sworn brothers with him?"


    "Why not? It would give you another backer." Xuan Tianyi laughed too.


    "Could you call Sword Venerable Fudao your big brother?"


    "Of course, how could I ask him to be my little brother? And he is surely much older than me."


    "Alright, from now on, Sword Venerable Fudao is the eldest brother, you are the second brother, and I am the third."


    "Hahaha, deal, I think it''s a deal!"


    Xuan Tianyi laughed gleefully and began clinking bowls with Gu An.


    Gu An was equally pleased, finally promoted from little brother to big brother.


    Although Xuan Tianyi was over five hundred years older than him, serving as a little brother to someone of lower realm felt uncomfortable. Now, it was better, he became the big brother.


    After venting his frustration, Xuan Tianyi started to narrate how heavy the Heaven-Cutting Axe was.


    "You have no idea, your brother really gave it his all, but that axe was as heavy as if the Heavenly Dao possessed it¡­"


    The more exaggerated Xuan Tianyi described, the more Gu An enjoyed it. He wasn''t bothered in the slightest, even hoping Xuan Tianyi would continue.


    It wasn''t until dawn the next day that Xuan Tianyi finally left. He had to head to the frontline for battle and couldn''t stay in the Supreme Sect for long.


    Gu An walked downstairs, stretching lazily. Sunlight bathed him, making him feel refreshed.


    The sense of accomplishment from slaying the Demon Master was far less satisfying than listening to Xuan Tianyi praise himself!


    Gu An felt he could keep listening if Xuan Tianyi kept boasting for three days and three nights.


    Feeling joyful, Gu An began strolling within the Medicine Valley, occasionally instructing the disciples on their tasks. They could all sense his good mood.


    An Xin approached him, "Master, I''ve been practicing swordsmanship recently. Can I spar with you for some pointers?"


    She wasn''t looking for a fight; she sincerely sought guidance, knowing Gu An was a Golden List Genius, though the lowest among them.


    Gu An agreed without hesitation, leading her to an open area to spar.


    The sun continued rising, symbolizing hope ascending.


    Days passed one after another.


    After the death of the Demon Master, no demon dared infiltrate the Supreme Sect, while Di Xie returned to the Heavenly Repair Platform, indicating he had received the Supreme Sect''s approval.


    Towards the end of the year.


    A piece of news shook the world!


    Sword Venerable Fudao was an Immortal!


    This was revealed by Xuan Tianyi himself. According to their investigation, the monster slain by Sword Venerable Fudao with one axe strike was the Demon Master of the Demon Land, an existence far surpassing the Mahayana Realm.


    When this news spread, the world was stunned, then overjoyed.


    The morale of the cultivators of the three dynasties soared, and the cultivators from all over who were slaying demons and monsters also grew more determined.


    With an Immortal backing them, the Human Race could surely endure this calamity.


    Staying in the Supreme Sect, Gu An wasn''t delighted by this news; instead, he felt trouble looming.


    Now surely, the Demon Emperor, Demon Ancestor, and Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s eyes would be on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Fortunately, no one knew that Sword Venerable Fudao was him.


    As the winter snow began to melt, Gu An headed to the Third Medicine Valley. He turned to look at his pavilion.


    There stood a figure below the pavilion.


    Ji Xiaoyu!


    Ji Xiaoyu looked silently at the garden area, her appearance was extraordinary, with a heavenly charm. Even in a black robe, she exhibited an ethereal fairy-like aura, attracting much attention from the disciples.


    Gu An stepped forward, arriving beside Ji Xiaoyu, and said, "Third Miss, long time no see, why have you come?"


    Ji Xiaoyu withdrew her gaze and turned to scrutinize Gu An, "Foundation Establishment Realm, seventh layer, your progress isn''t bad. Core Formation is hopeful."


    Gu An smiled, "With such a large Medicine Valley, even a pig could reach Core Formation. My progress is already quite slow."


    Ji Xiaoyu neither affirmed nor denied, "The Ji Family has completely withdrawn from the Supreme Sect. Do you not regret it?"


    "Regret what? Haven''t you heard that Sword Venerable Fudao is an Immortal? With him, the Supreme Sect will surely endure this calamity." Gu An shook his head, showing an expression of admiration.


    He wasn''t boasting but aligning with the current mindset of Supreme Sect disciples.


    Now, all Supreme Sect disciples took pride in Sword Venerable Fudao, mentioning him in every three sentences.


    Ji Xiaoyu smiled, "Sword Venerable Fudao is indeed formidable. I also highly respect him."


    "By the way, Third Miss, why have you returned this time?" Gu An asked.


    Wasn''t she supposed to gather intelligence on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Why had she returned so quickly!


    Ji Xiaoyu said, "I have returned to see Sword Venerable Fudao." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An widened his eyes, "Have you met him before?"


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, "He saved my life, he is my savior."


    Before Gu An could ask more, she continued, "I want to go to the Heavenly Repair Platform, will you accompany me?"


    Gu An had no objections and agreed. Ji Xiaoyu waved her sleeve, lifting Gu An with spiritual power, and flew into the sky.


    Lu Lingjun, under the Mystic Pure Tree, looked up, frowning.


    "Primordial Daoist Talisman..."


    Lu Lingjun seemed to recall something, her thoughts drifting into memories.


    Soon, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived at the Outer Gate City, flying directly to the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Many people surrounded the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Zuo Yijian was also there, guarding the Heaven-Cutting Axe, and said in a deep voice, "Each person can try only once, do not offend the Sword Venerable, or you will be dealt with according to the strictest sect rules!"


    He raised his sword, causing the surrounding people to disperse.


    His sword had once received the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao, making his name widespread. The Supreme Sect believed Sword Venerable Fudao favored him, as Sword Venerable Fudao had also saved him. Thus, they assigned him to guard the Heaven-Cutting Axe, which he accepted as an honor.


    Even when his son, Zuo Lin, approached, he would sternly reprimand him.


    After the crowd dispersed, he took out Investiture of the Gods.


    Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived before the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Zuo Yijian glanced at them, "Nephew Gu, you can only try once."


    His tone was indifferent, but Gu An didn''t get angry, finding it amusing instead.


    This guy was too interesting.


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t immediately touch the Heaven-Cutting Axe. She said, "The Heaven-Cutting Axe was forged by Ancestor Xuan Tian. The purpose of forging this axe was to better execute a set of axe techniques called the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe. When perfected, the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe could split the sky and was one of the nine inheritances of the Holy Land. Perhaps lifting the Heaven-Cutting Axe could lead to the inheritance of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe."


    Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin couldn''t help but look at her.


    Zuo Lin naturally recognized her. He had attended the Ji Family''s grand banquet. However, since the Ji Family withdrew from the Supreme Sect, he looked down on them and did not greet her earlier.


    Gu An didn''t expect Ji Xiaoyu to guess his plan.


    She had guessed it, yet, why say it aloud?


    Did she not fear the presence of spies from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Ji Xiaoyu raised her hand and grasped the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    At that moment, Gu An suddenly sensed a mysterious power within her.


    Primordial Daoist Talisman!


    This woman...


    She planned to cheat?

 Chapter 180: Chapter 180 Evil Demon Breaks the Seal, Searching for Sword Venerable

    Ji Xiaoyu grasped the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, and she immediately felt its weight¡ªa weight that struck her soul and filled her with an involuntary sense of reverence.


    The reason was Gu An''s mana at work.


    Realizing she couldn''t lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe, she immediately channeled the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    This was the result of her training in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Previously, she could only draw on a tiny bit of the talisman''s power, but now she could channel it at will.


    As the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman flooded her bones and muscles, her aura suddenly changed.


    Zuo Yijian looked at her in surprise, and the surrounding great cultivators, too, were startled, their gazes focusing on her.


    Gu An silently took a step back, avoiding being noticed by the others.


    Even if Ji Xiaoyu channeled the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman, she still couldn''t lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Before the annihilation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the Heaven-Cutting Axe could not be lifted by anyone!


    After a while.


    Ji Xiaoyu released her right hand. Although she failed, throughout the process, she didn''t seem as strained as Xuan Tianyi, even when channeling the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman. Her stance was steady, as if she hadn''t exerted much effort at all.


    No one was surprised by her failure, only curious about the aura she had exuded moments ago.


    She turned and walked over to Gu An, whispering, "As expected, I failed. Do you want to give it a try?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "If you can''t do it, there''s no need for me to embarrass myself with my cultivation level."


    "Perhaps this inheritance tests not cultivation but a certain trait," Ji Xiaoyu speculated.


    Gu An inwardly felt helpless. She had guessed correctly again.


    To avoid suspicion, Gu An stepped forward to try anyway. He even gripped with both hands and lifted a few times, his face turning red.


    Zuo Yijian laughed and said, "Nephew Gu, don''t be discouraged. As long as the Heaven-Cutting Axe is here, you''ll have another chance. Just keep cultivating diligently."


    Gu An quickly raised his hand in salute to him before leaving.


    Zuo Yijian then picked up the Investiture of the Gods again and continued to savor it.


    After leaving the Heavenly Repair Platform, Ji Xiaoyu and Gu An parted ways. Gu An didn''t return to the valley but wandered around the city to relax.


    The world was still in chaos, yet the Outer Gate City seemed unaffected, remaining bustling due to the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao!


    An ancient hour later, Gu An finally left the Outer Gate City, once again disguising himself as the Green Hero and acting chivalrously.


    ...


    Winter passed, spring passed, and another summer arrived.


    The death of the Demon Master didn''t change the world''s grand trend; the demonic calamity continued, with great demon kings ceaselessly emerging. Yet the Demon Emperor and the Demon Ancestor remained unseen.


    Gu An''s days became very busy. Besides picking flowers and herbs, he also had to descend the mountain to slay demons, although busy, his life span increased rapidly.


    On this day, Gu An had just cleared demons from a town and came to a small river in the mountains, preparing to wash the demon blood off his blade.


    At that moment, he suddenly sensed something and looked into the distance.


    At the edge of the North Sea Mountains, a group of cultivators were in fierce battle. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Han, holding a bone sword, was fighting Wu Jue. The two exchanged blows in the sky above the forest, while in the distance, other Nine Nether Thirteen Evil were battling the great cultivators of the Zhou Family.


    Su Han swung his sword rapidly; his murderous aura soared to the sky, and his brows knitted tightly.


    The opponent was just at the first layer of the Nascent Soul Realm. Why was he so difficult to deal with?


    Now that Su Han already possessed cultivation in the Divinity Transformation Realm, armed with the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword and the Defying Fate Divine Skill, he confidently faced any Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator without feeling pressured.


    But this time was different!


    He couldn''t take down this low-realm cultivator in a short time!


    Wu Jue''s punches and kicks were like the wind. With each punch, it was like the midday sun, unstoppable; his strength energy was domineering, even Su Han could not withstand it head-on.


    Unlike Su Han''s surprise, Wu Jue was very excited, even letting out loud shouts.


    In the distance, Zhou Yu, watching the battle, looked satisfied. With a Unification Realm ninth layer cultivation, he alone held off six of the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil.


    The Zhou Family specialized in physical cultivation, using their bodies as weapons. Zhou Yu wielded a knife single-handedly, his black robe billowing, each move grand and powerful, full of the spirit of splitting mountains and cutting rivers.


    "Focus on the elixir, use qi to control the god, the body is the weapon, and the weapon is the momentum!"


    Zhou Yu''s voice suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth, like a rumbling thunder.


    Hearing this, Wu Jue immediately closed his eyes. His fists became slow but brought an even stronger sense of oppression to Su Han.


    Su Han dodged the fist wind, landing before a tree. He swung his sword quickly, sending tens of thousands of black sword qi rushing madly, lifting countless fallen leaves, attempting to drown Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue, suspended in mid-air, raised his right leg. The gusty, rain-like leg wind suddenly arose, countless leg shadows clashing with his sword qi.


    Boom¡ª


    The air waves expanded violently; Wu Jue was forced back. He flipped in the air and landed steadily on a cliff.


    Su Han raised his sword to defend, without retreating, but his eyes widened involuntarily, and he couldn''t help but ask, "Residual Wind Leg, who taught you?"


    Wu Jue opened his eyes, looked at him, and said, "Not Residual Wind Leg, this is Gale Shadowless Leg, taught by my brother."


    "Who is your brother?"


    Thinking that Su Han was from the Supreme Sect, Wu Jue said, "My brother, Gu An, do you know him?"


    Su Han''s face changed slightly upon hearing this, and he involuntarily lowered his sword.


    Seeing this, Wu Jue realized that the other might have a connection with Gu An, and he said in a deep voice, "No matter what your relationship with Gu An is, never target him again. Otherwise, I won''t spare you!"


    Hearing Wu Jue''s words, Su Han didn''t get angry. The days in Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley were the times he cherished the most, even though Gu An had once advised him to give up his cultivation. He didn''t resent him, knowing the master meant well. But he couldn''t let go of his hatred and didn''t trust the Supreme Sect.


    "Ghost Mother, let''s go, find other Golden List geniuses!"


    Su Han shouted loudly, taking a deep look at Wu Jue, thinking this person possessed talent not inferior to An Hao.


    Such a genius being friends with Gu An truly made Gu An fortunate.


    "Let''s go."


    The voice of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera sounded, and Zhou Yu suddenly descended, disrupting their plans, making further fighting pointless.


    Hearing this, the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil immediately retreated.


    Zhou Yu raised his hand, signaling the other Zhou Family cultivators not to pursue.


    Wu Jue watched Su Han''s departing figure and couldn''t help but shout, "What''s your relationship with Gu An?"


    Su Han did not answer and did not look back.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An retrieved his divine sense; he could sense that the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was about to act against Su Han. Over the past two years, Su Han''s cultivation level rose swiftly, but his aura grew increasingly unstable, potentially deviating at any moment.


    Now, Su Han no longer only attacked those hunting him but also hunted innocent Golden List geniuses, completely stepping into the demon path.


    Gu An didn''t dwell on it; after washing his sword, he continued his journey.


    The world was chaotic, some saving, some killing. He only wanted to extend his life span without violating his principles.


    ...


    In a dimly lit underground palace, firelight flickered, casting shadows on the stone walls.


    Huge stone pillars stood on either side of the great hall. A red-scaled little snake quickly slithered, arriving at the steps before it stopped. It raised its body, looking at the burly figure reclining atop the stone chair at the top of the steps.


    "Your Majesty, King Mingjiang has already breached the Tianwei Dynasty. It won''t be long before the Great Jiang Dynasty falls too!"


    The red-scaled little snake spoke human words, its voice soft and charming like a woman''s.


    The burly figure reclining on the stone chair was the Demon Emperor, dressed in a loose purple robe, draped in some demon beast''s fur, with a necklace of skulls around his neck. His face resembled a human''s, with red fur on his cheeks, eyes like an eagle''s, thick black hair, and two sharp horns.


    He reclined on the chair like a small mountain, his form exuding a sense of terrifying power.


    The Demon Emperor gazed down at the red-scaled little snake and slowly asked, "Has the Demon Ancestor emerged from seclusion?"


    The red-scaled little snake replied, "Not yet. His demands have been increasing lately, even devouring the demons waiting on him..."


    The Demon Emperor squinted his eyes, deep in thought.


    The red-scaled little snake continued, "Your Majesty, I think we don''t need the Demon Ancestor''s power to flatten the three human dynasties. If you can kill Sword Venerable Fudao, Xuan Tianyi, Daoist Lord, and Taoist of Immortality are no threats at all. The Demon Ancestor is too strange, I have a feeling..."


    "What feeling?"


    "A feeling that the Demon Ancestor is also a calamity to us..."


    With that, it flicked its tongue, closely watching the Demon Emperor.


    The Demon Emperor remained expressionless and said, "Whether it is a calamity, we''ll know when the Demon Ancestor emerges."


    The red-scaled little snake thought of something and hurriedly asked, "Are you planning to let him fight the humans first?"


    The Demon Emperor did not answer but instead asked, "Have you found out who is helping those demon kings break through?"


    "No, those demon kings won''t talk. Your Majesty, you know these guys each have their own agendas, but I discovered something else."


    "What is it?"


    "The Evil Demon that has been sealed for fifty thousand years is about to break free."


    Upon hearing this, the Demon Emperor immediately sat up, leaning forward, squinting his eyes, and asked, "Is that true?"


    The red-scaled little snake replied, "More and more demonic qi is surging from the ground; it''s highly likely true. But we can''t trace the Evil Demon''s exact location."


    The Demon Emperor seemed to think of something and sneered, saying, "The Demon Ancestor revives, the Evil Demon breaks free, and many coincidences converge. This is no coincidence. It''s a pity the Demon Master died too early; otherwise, we could have tested him further."


    "Speaking of which, he''s also pathetic. Even after death, no one sought vengeance for him. It seems his so-called master only used him as a pawn."


    The red-scaled little snake remained silent, seemingly unwilling to comment on this topic.


    "You go to the Supreme Sect and find a way to send a message to Sword Venerable Fudao." The Demon Emperor commanded.


    The red-scaled little snake trembled upon hearing this, hastily saying, "Your Majesty, I..."


    "Hmm?"


    The Demon Emperor interrupted it and stood up, his terrifying demonic presence enveloping it.


    The red-scaled little snake had no choice but to lower itself, crawling on the ground in submission.


    ...


    At dusk.


    Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley through the teleportation array; his face slightly grim. Today''s encounters and revelations once again refreshed his understanding of human nature, putting him in a foul mood.


    Since the outbreak of the demonic calamity, his disdain for certain people had gradually surpassed his disdain for demons.


    The war between humans and demons was a struggle for survival of a race, where morals and ethics didn''t apply.


    But in times of crisis, inner strife among one''s own kind was even more odious.


    Gu An walked towards his loft, where someone was already waiting for him inside.

 Chapter 181: Chapter 181 The Foundation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Black Disgust Demon King

    Gu An pushed the door open and saw Shen Zhen sitting in his chair reading a book.


    He noticed that Shen Zhen''s cultivation level had improved significantly, so he threw a life span detection at her.


    [Shen Zhen (Core Formation Realm, Ninth Layer): 130/760/2560]


    Huh?


    How did her maximum life span increase?


    Gu An remembered her maximum life span was just over a thousand years, but now it had doubled.


    Could she really gain enlightenment from the painting?


    Gu An closed the door, then walked to the desk and asked, "Why are you here?"


    Shen Zhen put down her book, smiled, and said, "What? I can''t come? It looks like you''re having such a good time with your Daoist friend that you don''t want me to show up."


    Gu An shot her a glance and said, "I don''t have a Daoist friend."


    "Isn''t the Great Cultivator in your valley trying to take you as her Daoist friend? She''s highly cultivated and extremely beautiful, no normal man could refuse her." Shen Zhen looked him up and down with a slightly teasing tone.


    Gu An raised his eyebrow and said, "I''m not a normal man. If she wants to be my Daoist friend, she needs to become an immortal first."


    Shen Zhen laughed, saying, "If she becomes an immortal, do you think she''ll still look at you? By that time, would you even still be here? You can''t spend your days fantasizing about an immortal descending to favor you, can you?"


    Gu An sat down and laughed, "I''m a writer, like you. Writers love to fantasize, don''t they?"


    "Hmm, makes sense. I fantasize about Sword Venerable Fudao appearing before me and taking me as his Daoist friend," Shen Zhen nodded, then looked at Gu An to see his reaction.


    Gu An seriously responded, "What if it happens? I think there''s hope."


    Shen Zhen pursed her lips before continuing, "Recently, I''ve gained many insights from a painting and captured the aura of a supreme treasure, so I''m planning to go treasure hunting. Will you join me?"


    Treasure hunting?


    Gu An quickly shook his head and said, "The world is in chaos now. Going out is like seeking death. I won''t go!"


    Shen Zhen furrowed her brows and said, "That painting came from the Imperial Palace of the Great Yu Dynasty, a gift from the former Emperor to my father. It is said to be over six thousand years old. I can sense that the treasure within it is extraordinary and not just one. Such an opportunity is seldom seen. I''m only sharing it with you."


    Gu An replied, "Thanks for your kindness, Ms. Shen, but I''ll pass. With my cultivation level, I''d only be a burden to you."


    Shen Zhen''s expression darkened. Just when Gu An thought she was about to get angry, her tone shifted, and she asked, "How is your relationship with Lu Lingjun? Do you think she is trustworthy?"


    "You want to invite her for the treasure hunt?"


    "Yes, I can sense that the place is beyond my ability to handle alone."


    "She should be trustworthy, but I can''t guarantee it completely. You should know, people''s hearts are inscrutable."


    "Can you introduce me to her? With you as the middleman, if she still intends to harm me, she wouldn''t be able to face you afterward."


    Seeing Shen Zhen smile, Gu An realized this was her true intention.


    Gu An thought about it and agreed.


    Later, he took Shen Zhen to find Lu Lingjun.


    Lu Lingjun occasionally went out, but most of the time she stayed under the Mystic Pure Tree, seeking enlightenment.


    After learning about Gu An and Shen Zhen''s request, she was indifferent until Shen Zhen took out the painting, at which point she was moved.


    Gu An sensed a hint of Mahayana Realm aura from the painting, indicating there truly was a supreme treasure at that place.


    Soon, the two women set off.


    Gu An rarely came to the Mystic Pure Tree and decided to lie against the trunk, closing his eyes for some rest.


    He began recalling everything he had seen recently, the scenes of slaughter persistently replaying in his mind.


    Until evening, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley.


    The moonlight was cool, and a ghostly wind blew through the mountains and forests.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat meditating under the tree, resting with her eyes closed.


    She heard footsteps nearby and couldn''t help but open her eyes to see.


    It was none other than Gu An, transformed into Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Ji Xiaoyu stood up and greeted him with a raised hand, "Senior, I have obtained some information about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."


    "Go ahead," Gu An said coldly.


    Ji Xiaoyu began to recount the information, and Gu An listened attentively.


    She had learned that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm intended to seal off the seas around the continent and were establishing a dynasty in the northern part of the continent. That dynasty consisted solely of descendants of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators and had been around for four hundred years. Within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, their claim was that the Holy Land must not interfere with the evolution of the continent, but they needed to leave human lineage behind, hence the establishment of a new human dynasty in the north.


    This was how it had always been. The current lands of the three dynasties were also formed by descendants of Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators from long ago.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm was divided into seven Grotto Heaven sects, the strongest being One Star Cave. The Ji Family could only interact with Seven Stars Cave. Ji Xiaoyu found out that the strongest cultivator was the Cave Master of Seven Stars Cave, said to be an immortal, and within the Seven Stars Cave, there were as many as twenty Mahayana Realm cultivators, and these were just the elders on the surface.


    Gu An was also surprised by the strength of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The weakest Seven Stars Cave had twenty Mahayana Realm cultivators and one immortal; how terrifying must the whole Seven Stars Spirit Realm be?


    "The reason I came to find you now is that I''ve noticed the Seven Stars Cave is wary of me. While I was cultivating, I could clearly sense a divine sense watching me, so I took the chance to escape. From now on, it will be hard for me to return," Ji Xiaoyu said, looking at Gu An.


    She knew that the information she provided wasn''t much, which could affect her cooperation with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Ever since she learned that Sword Venerable Fudao had killed the Demon Master with a single slash, she had faith in him.


    If anyone in this world could challenge the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, it would only be Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An said, "If you can''t go back, stay in the Supreme Sect. When the demon calamity is over, we need the combined strength of the three dynasties to fight against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, "I have been to the Minor Heaven and Earth of the Seven Stars Cave. They have nearly two million disciples, their cultivation levels generally higher than those in the Immortal Cultivation World. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm has become a world of its own, indeed needing the combined strength of the three dynasties."


    "When you contact the Ji Family, try not to alert the enemy. The fight against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cannot be rushed," Gu An reminded her.


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded.


    Then, Gu An disappeared into thin air.


    Ji Xiaoyu turned and walked deeper into the forest.


    ...


    Approaching the end of summer, urgent news from the Northern Territory arrived: the Immortal Cultivation World ultimately failed to resist the onslaught of the demon calamity. The Human Race Alliance was forced to retreat, and the Tianwei Dynasty was similarly affected. The human race had to resort to scattered warfare.


    Though the Taicang Dynasty was not impacted by the surge of demons, there were more and more demons within the dynasty, seemingly endless.


    The number of demons Gu An killed each month kept increasing, and his life span had already surpassed four million years.


    Although it was still far from one hundred million years, Gu An was not fixated on the next life span ability. The threat from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was too great; as soon as a Wandering Immortal appeared on the continent, he would break through immediately.


    Even if his life span accumulated to over ninety million years, he would still break through.


    Life spans are just numbers; surviving is the most important!


    One day, Gu An returned to the Mystic Valley, changed into his usual robe, and walked downstairs.


    He didn''t head to the Third Medicine Valley; instead, he looked into the distance.


    He sensed a demon energy approaching the Supreme Sect, about five thousand miles away in a forest, seemingly waiting for something. Tens of thousands of miles further, another stronger demon energy was approaching.


    It seemed there would be some excitement tonight.


    As dusk approached, Di Xie left the city and headed towards the demon energy.


    An ancient hour later.


    Under the cover of night.


    Di Xie arrived in the forest and looked at the red-scaled little snake on the branch, frowning as he asked, "Why are you here? Where is the Black Crow Demon Envoy?"


    The red-scaled little snake replied, "After he came to find you, he disappeared. He was likely killed by Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Upon hearing this, Di Xie''s expression changed slightly.


    He finally understood why he was still alive¡ªSword Venerable Fudao must have heard what he said and thus spared him.


    How terrifying was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    They had concealed their demon energy and stayed outside the Supreme Sect, yet Sword Venerable Fudao still noticed?


    "Since that''s the case, why do you dare show up?" Di Xie sneered.


    The red-scaled little snake said, "His Majesty sent me. He wants me to deliver a message to Sword Venerable Fudao about the demon calamity, but I don''t know where Sword Venerable Fudao is."


    "So you called me out? Don''t tell me you think I''ve met Sword Venerable Fudao?" Di Xie scoffed.


    The red-scaled little snake flicked its tongue and said, "Di Xie, there''s no need to hold such animosity towards your father. Most of the time, he is helpless. Do you think it was your father''s idea to resurrect the Demon Ancestor?"


    "Wasn''t it? Could the Demon Master have forced my father?"


    "Exactly, he could!"


    The red-scaled little snake''s answer made Di Xie frown.


    It continued, "The Demon Master''s cultivation level is indeed lower than His Majesty''s, but there are more powerful beings behind him that His Majesty does not dare provoke. Moreover, His Majesty has lost control over the demon calamity. If you leave the Supreme Sect and see for yourself, you will understand that the demons invading the human race have all turned into demons, with violent temperaments, including the Great Demon Kings."


    Di Xie fell into silence.


    The red-scaled little snake went on, "The Demon Master said that the Demon Ancestor is only a soul shell without self-awareness, but this is not true. His Majesty cannot control the Demon Ancestor, nor can he control the world''s demons. His Majesty worries that the demon calamity targets not just the human race but also the demon clan."


    Di Xie took a deep breath and asked, "So he wants to talk with Sword Venerable Fudao to deal with the demon calamity together?"


    "Correct," the red-scaled little snake answered. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was about to speak when it suddenly turned its head towards the depths of the forest on the western side, asking, "Who''s there?"


    Di Xie also turned to look, seeing a figure slowly walking out of the darkness.


    When the two demons saw the true form of the newcomer, their faces changed drastically. The red-scaled little snake even trembled all over.


    "Black Disgust Demon King¡­ you¡­" the red-scaled little snake said tremulously, filled with fear.


    Di Xie was equally tense.


    A man in red emerged from the darkness, his hair disheveled and his feet bare. He looked like a human with no demon traits, except for his pale complexion and the sinister air between his brows.


    The Black Disgust Demon King revealed a sinister smile and mockingly said, "The demon calamity has been ongoing for so long, and the Demon Emperor has yet to make a move. I was curious about the reason, so I followed you to the Supreme Sect. I didn''t expect that His Majesty intends to yield to humans. I will not allow it; tonight, I¡­"


    His words were abruptly cut off by a hand suddenly resting on his shoulder.

 Chapter 182: Chapter 182: Too Frightening!

    The Black Disgust Demon King felt his right shoulder being pressed. Instinctively, he wanted to leap away, but his demonic power instantly solidified, making it impossible to move.


    His expression changed drastically, and a sense of panic instinctively arose in his heart.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake and Di Xie widened their eyes. They saw a shadowy figure appear behind the Black Disgust Demon King, a mysterious figure shrouded in dark purple demonic aura.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Di Xie immediately guessed the true identity of the shadowy figure, his entire body stiffening with fear.


    He dared not move, but the Black Disgust Demon King could not move.


    Gu An stood behind the Black Disgust Demon King. He initially wanted to hear some information from the demon, but then thought better of it. There was no need to listen; a soul search would suffice.


    Confirming that the Black Disgust Demon King had animosity towards humans was enough!


    The Black Disgust Demon King tried his hardest but could not mobilize his demonic power or perform primordial spirit emergence. With his peripheral vision, he vaguely saw a figure, and his fear reached its peak.


    Having lived for over ten thousand years, he had never been so terrified.


    Even when he lost to the Demon Emperor in the past, he had not been this scared.


    This was a fear of the unknown!


    The opponent suppressed him with one hand, shattering his understanding.


    He struggled to open his mouth to speak, but suddenly a terrifying divine sense invaded his mind, causing his eyes to instantly lose their luster.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake quickly jumped down from the branch, crawling on the ground and trembling, saying: "I mean no harm... Senior, please do not kill me..."


    Di Xie remained silent, knowing that Sword Venerable Fudao would not kill him, but the sudden appearance still scared him.


    This reminded him of the scene when the Demon Master was killed.


    What kind of cultivation level did Sword Venerable Fudao have?


    Even though the Black Disgust Demon King was not one of the seventy-two great demon kings, his cultivation was not much weaker than the Demon Master''s. His domain was an area that Di Xie''s father, the Emperor''s father, could not conquer.


    Seeing that Sword Venerable Fudao did not respond, Di Xie and the Red-Scaled Little Snake could only wait.


    They dared not run.


    With the Black Disgust Demon King subdued, where could they run?


    As for attacking Sword Venerable Fudao, that would be seeking death!


    "So this is Sword Venerable Fudao... The rumors are true..." the Red-Scaled Little Snake thought in fear.


    It had heard that the Demon Master was killed by Sword Venerable Fudao with one axe. Although it seemed absurd and exaggerated, the fact that Sword Venerable Fudao could kill the Demon Master was enough to instill fear.


    When the Demon Emperor assigned it this task, it was nearly in despair.


    Along the way, it had managed to adjust its mindset. That night, it almost collapsed again.


    Too frightening!


    No, too terrifying for demons!


    This was scarier than meeting the Demon Ancestor!


    After all, the Demon Ancestor would not appear suddenly...


    The two demons waited for two ancient hours, with each second feeling like an eternity.


    At this moment.


    Gu An''s right hand ignited with cyan flames, quickly enveloping the Black Disgust Demon King.


    Under the watchful eyes of both demons, the Black Disgust Demon King was reduced to ashes in an instant, without even leaving behind his soul.


    [You have successfully taken 7090 years of life span from the Black Disgust Demon King (Nirvana Realm third layer).]


    Not bad!


    It was worth coming out!


    From the Black Disgust Demon King''s memories, he was a renowned genius among the demon clan; he once overshadowed the Demon Emperor. Unfortunately, the Demon Emperor later had a great opportunity and surpassed him.


    If he had not come to the Supreme Sect, he could have lived for another seventy thousand years.


    Was it not good to stay alive? sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why cause trouble?


    Gu An thought silently, his gaze turning to the Red-Scaled Little Snake.


    The Black Disgust Demon King''s demon core was now in Gu An''s hand; he deposited it into his storage bag for future needs.


    Unfortunately, the Black Disgust Demon King did not carry a storage bag or storage ring. This guy was too arrogant, having not used a magic artifact for many years.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake hurriedly said: "Senior, are you Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Although it had already guessed, it still had to ask because it concerned the task assigned by the Demon Emperor.


    "Hmm." Gu An responded with a sound.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "His Majesty the Demon Emperor asked me to come, hoping to join forces with you to resist the entity behind the Demon Master and the Demon Ancestor. After the Great Demon Calamity ends, the Demon Clan wishes to coexist peacefully with the Human Race. After all, this continent is vast, and there is no need for one race to be exterminated."


    "Who is behind the Demon Master?" Gu An asked.


    From the Black Disgust Demon King''s memories, there was no mention of the Demon Master''s benefactor or interaction with cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. However, he was a confidant of the Demon Master, a chess piece cultivated by the Demon Master, deliberately kept out of the seventy-two great demon kings to counter the expanding power of the Demon Emperor.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake replied: "His Majesty said that entity calls itself the Heavenly Destiny Ancestor, whether human or demon is unclear. Its cultivation level is tremendously powerful, capable of easily sealing His Majesty''s demonic power. The Heavenly Destiny Ancestor is likely a legendary Loose Immortal, two grand realms higher than the Mahayana Realm!"


    Loose Immortal!


    It was the first time Di Xie had heard of this realm; he stood on the side, very restrained.


    Gu An asked: "Specifics on how to cooperate?"


    He needed to see sincerity.


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake said: "His Majesty is in the Demon Land, inconvenient for initiating war, but he will send demons to support the human race. These demons are secretly cultivated by him, and at the time, they can fight as demon companions of the Supreme Sect, led by Di Xie himself. His Majesty can externally declare Di Xie a traitor!"


    "How many demons, what realms?"


    "Three Mahayana, ten Mystic Heart, and a thousand demon troops, with the lowest cultivation level at Void Crossing."


    This statement left Di Xie astonished, looking at the Red-Scaled Little Snake. He did not realize how many great demons his father secretly cultivated.


    It seemed his father had long planned!


    Di Xie''s face showed a smile; it was the first time he acknowledged his father.


    Gu An also felt the Demon Emperor''s sincerity; this force indeed could assist the human race.


    Seeing that Sword Venerable Fudao remained silent, the Red-Scaled Little Snake added, "Since ancient times, demons exterminated humans, humans exterminated demons, over and over. Only the Holy Lands endured. His Majesty finds it odd and wishes to change this situation. To use a line from your Supreme Immortal Venerable''s book, ''How can wrongs be righted if both seek revenge endlessly?''"


    Gu An turned and left a sentence: "Let him take you to meet the elders of the Supreme Sect."


    He walked into the darkness, as if he had never appeared.


    "Thank you, Sword Venerable, for your kindness. In the future, when the continent is peaceful, the demon clan will remember your grace!"


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake shouted excitedly, feeling thrilled.


    Di Xie bowed to Gu An, his courtesy proper.


    For a long time, the Red-Scaled Little Snake sighed in relief, saying: "Sword Venerable is really scary, that was the Black Disgust Demon King, and he died so easily, without even a chance to resist."


    Di Xie''s eyes showed determination, saying: "Just as you said, ''How can wrongs be righted if both seek revenge endlessly?'' In the end, the heavens are watching, perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao is the savior who will change the continent''s suffering."


    The Red-Scaled Little Snake nodded in agreement.


    ...


    The autumn scenery covered the mountains and rivers. Gu An wandered in the Third Medicine Valley, inspecting each garden area, with An Xin accompanying him.


    A month had passed since the night when the Black Disgust Demon King was killed.


    The Supreme Sect remained calm, but Gu An noticed that on the edge of the Supreme Sect, a large number of disciples were building teleportation arrays, with Di Xie among them. It was evident that the Supreme Sect was willing to cooperate with the Demon Clan.


    At this critical moment, the human race was constantly retreating, and the situation grew increasingly dire. The Supreme Sect planned to take a risk, counting on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After a while.


    Gu An stopped, giving An Xin a few instructions, and then left alone.


    Watching Gu An''s back, An Xin blinked. She felt that her master''s presence had become even more outstanding, giving her an indescribable feeling.


    It was this presence that made her increasingly cling to Gu An. Seeing him appear, she wanted to be close, even if they did not speak, she did not feel bored.


    Gu An used sword control to fly swiftly to the transmission array platform and headed to Mystic Valley.


    After arriving in Mystic Valley, he left quietly, not going to Tianya Valley but to another territory of the Taicang Dynasty.


    In a forest, trees were toppled, blood and flesh everywhere, all demon corpses, a ghastly sight.


    Zhang Buku, covered in blood, leaned against a mountain wall, panting heavily, his long hair matted with blood forming strands. His chest was covered with gruesome wounds, his eyes full of exhaustion.


    He had fought another fierce battle.


    Since the Great Demon Calamity erupted, he often encountered demons wanting to eat him, even those evil spirits would attack him.


    Practically every three or four days, he had to fight.


    Constantly wounded, constantly healing, narrowly escaping death, he was too tired.


    Many times he wanted to give up, but whenever he thought of Martial Uncle Gu''s encouragement, he found strength, gritting his teeth to persevere.


    "I wonder if Martial Uncle Gu is doing well. Now that there are more powerful demons rampant in the world, I hope he does not encounter danger..."


    Zhang Buku looked at his bloody hands, thinking silently.


    He had no family left in the world, not even friends. He could only think of Martial Uncle Gu to divert his attention and lessen his pain.


    He did not notice that above him, a figure was watching him.


    It was Gu An.


    Gu An had hidden his presence, making it impossible for Zhang Buku to detect him with his level of Dao.


    Seeing Zhang Buku''s injuries, Gu An could not help but feel compassionate.


    Since their last parting, Gu An occasionally used his divine sense to observe Zhang Buku.


    According to Gu An''s observation, Zhang Buku was kinder than most people in the world. He never bullied anyone or any demon. When encountering the weak, he would step forward, but few people or demons would accept him. Even if saved by him, they would part ways after a few days.


    Zhang Buku had always been seeking companions to alleviate his loneliness. No matter how many times he was injured, he never harbored resentment. The most despondent time for him was when he met Gu An previously and wanted to commit suicide.


    With such a temperament and such experiences, Gu An ultimately could not bear it and decided to help him.


    He performed the Divine Power of Heaven and Earth Nine Transformations, transforming into a sparrow, descending in front of Zhang Buku.


    He chirped a few times, catching Zhang Buku''s attention.


    Zhang Buku looked at it, a strained smile appearing on his face, saying: "Little sparrow... are you concerned about me?"


    Gu An hopped forward and then turned back, chirping again.


    Zhang Buku did not respond, so Gu An hopped forward again and turned back once more.


    This time, Zhang Buku understood. He endured his pain and asked: "Do you want me to follow you?"


    The sparrow chirped again. Zhang Buku, seeing this, forced himself to stand up and limped after the sparrow.


    He left a long trail of blood, and as the sun shone on him, the blood began to glisten.

 Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Master

    Zhang Buku followed the sparrow, passing through the forest. Although his injuries were severe, his physique was strong. He had suffered such injuries before and only needed a month to recover.


    However, he hadn''t rested for long before he began his journey again. The exhaustion rushed over him like a tide, testing his willpower. After walking several miles, he could hardly hold on and wanted to lay down for a sleep.


    The sparrow''s chirping kept urging him forward, and he had no choice but to continue.


    Gradually, Zhang Buku''s eyelids grew heavier and his steps became more sluggish.


    Gu An did not help him, only kept urging him on.


    It was unclear how much time had passed.


    Finally, unable to endure any longer, Zhang Buku collapsed on the hillside and lost consciousness completely.


    Sunset and moonrise.


    A night passed.


    Zhang Buku''s eyelids fluttered. His consciousness gradually returned, and he slowly opened his eyes. The sunlight falling on him made him feel warm.


    At this moment, a few small birds were perched on his body. Sensing his movement, they all flew away.


    Zhang Buku opened his mouth, feeling his throat dry. He struggled to get up and looked around, but the sparrow that had led the way was nowhere in sight.


    His brow furrowed, and he prepared to go downhill to find a place to clean his wounds.


    He suddenly sensed a faint demonic energy he had never encountered before, inexplicably compelling him to approach.


    After hesitating for a moment, he took a step forward.


    He walked around the hillside to the other side and pushed aside the weeds in front of a rock wall to reveal a rather small cave entrance.


    He began to dig through the soil.


    After resting for a night, his strength had recovered considerably.


    An hour later, he crawled into a tunnel. After crawling for a long time, he finally reached a spacious cave chamber.


    Upon landing, his gaze fell on a smoothed round stone in front of him, upon which a bright red demon core, the size of a human head, was placed.


    Seeing the demon core, a greedy expression involuntarily appeared on Zhang Buku''s face.


    Step by step, he walked forward with trembling hands.


    Meanwhile.


    Hundreds of miles away, Gu An observed the scene with his Divine Sense.


    That demon core was the demon core of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon!


    A demon core from the Mahayana Realm, sufficient for Zhang Buku to defy fate and change his destiny!


    However, given Zhang Buku''s current realm, whether he could withstand the power contained in the demon core was uncertain.


    If he couldn''t hold on, Gu An would intervene.


    Under his Divine Sense''s watch, Zhang Buku grasped the demon core tightly and began to cultivate, absorbing the demonic power. His body trembled incessantly, the scabs on his skin transforming into blood energy and dissipating. His face contorted, and his skin turned red at a visible speed.


    "What is this pain!"


    Zhang Buku gritted his teeth. Thinking of the hardships he had endured over the years, he was determined to seize this opportunity!


    He could feel the high realm of this demon core, possibly the strongest demon he had encountered so far.


    If he could obtain its demonic power, he would undoubtedly be reborn!


    His expression became more twisted, and his eyes filled with blood. Wisps of blood energy overflowed from his body, coalescing behind him into the terrifying form of a demon¡ªthe shape of the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, exuding immense pressure.


    ...


    By evening.


    Gu An returned to Mystic Valley. Along the way, many servant disciples greeted him.


    "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Li Ya has returned." Lu Jiujia said to Gu An. Gu An nodded at him and then walked towards the pavilion.


    From the moment Li Ya started his journey back to the Supreme Sect, Gu An had sensed his presence.


    Along the way, Li Ya encountered many events, including slaying demons and resolving grudges. It seemed they would have a long conversation.


    Upon going upstairs and entering the room, Gu An saw Li Ya writing at the table.


    Li Ya was already at the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm, but his lifespan had not increased, still at 1,550 years.


    Compared to Li Xuandao, he was not only less talented but also less fortunate.


    Fortunately, Li Ya was unaware of how powerful his father was and still carried himself with confidence.


    Gu An closed the door and smiled, asking, "Senior Brother Li, long time no see, what are you writing?"


    Li Ya looked up at him and said, "I''m writing a body cultivation method that can extend your lifespan for you."


    Gu An was intrigued and walked over to see the cultivation technique Li Ya was writing.


    "How have you been these years?" Li Ya asked while writing.


    "Quite well, peaceful and at ease," Gu An replied and then asked in return.


    Li Ya began to recount his experiences cultivating at Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    After arriving at Three Pure Ones Mountain, he discovered many members of the Li family living there. With the help of his family elders, he lived well and learned many spells. Especially his Daoist Heart, which had become more solid than before. Now, when he performed swordsmanship, it carried Daoist Intent, which, according to the accomplished cultivators at Three Pure Ones Mountain, was very rare¡ªeven a genius like Sage Xuan Miao hadn''t mastered it.


    Gu An could sense the Daoist Intent within him, a power similar to Sword Intent but more advanced.


    With Daoist Intent, Li Ya''s perception of spiritual energy in nature became keener, and he might even be able to capture the rules of heaven and earth.


    It seemed he had indeed gained a lot.


    After talking about Three Pure Ones Mountain, he spoke of the events he encountered on his return journey.


    Li Ya also encountered many cultivators who took the opportunity of the demon calamity to commit evil acts, including cultivators from reputable sects, which made him very angry.


    "Now I not only slay demons but also people. Although many tell me that in extraordinary times, these people are needed to resist demons, I don''t listen." Li Ya said coldly.


    He then looked at Gu An and asked, "Junior Brother, do you think I''m wrong?"


    Gu An replied, "How could you be wrong? If these people were willing to resist demons, they wouldn''t commit evil acts. By doing evil, they are a burden to the entire human race. I support you."


    Li Ya''s face immediately broke into a smile, knowing his junior brother understood him.


    He continued to speak about his journey, and Gu An listened attentively.


    Over the decades, Gu An had made many friends, disciples, and even had romantic interests, but Li Ya still held a high position in his heart.


    They had both entered the Supreme Sect together, and before reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Li Ya had taken care of him. This kindness he would naturally remember.


    Once Li Ya finished writing, he had also concluded his story.


    Li Ya put down his brush and looked at Gu An, smiling, "Junior Brother, I have come specifically to visit you. Tomorrow, I must descend the mountain again."


    "The world is in chaos. Senior Brother can go and do what you must. I don''t have your strength and can only plant herbs in Medicine Valley. I will pray for you, wishing you safety," Gu An said with a smile as well.


    Li Ya laughed, "With you praying for me, I will certainly be safe."


    He then asked, "By the way, do you still have contact with my emperor father?"


    This matter had been hidden for decades, and Gu An felt it was time to speak out, so he told him about Tianya Valley.


    "I used to disdain him, but now his deeds have made me look at him with new eyes. Follow him well. If he dares to scheme against you, I will not spare him," Li Ya said with emotion.


    After the demon calamity, the three dynasties had ceased fighting, united against the demons. Li Xuandao even personally led troops to expedition against the Demon King, his fame growing larger, acknowledged more highly in the Immortal Cultivation World than even the emperors of Tianwei and Great Jiang.


    "Oh yes, a wise man at Three Pure Ones Mountain divined that our Li family has a person destined for great things. That should be me. I might become an immortal in the future. See, isn''t your Senior Brother impressive?" Li Ya said proudly.


    Only in front of Gu An could he reveal his true feelings.


    Gu An curiously asked, "What are the characteristics of a person destined for great things? Is it top talent or unrivaled fortune?"


    Li Ya raised an eyebrow, "Whether in terms of talent or fortune, I am the strongest among the direct bloodline of the Li family. How do you see it? I should be the person destined for great things. Or do you think there is someone else? You don''t possibly like my sister, do you?"


    "How could that be? I haven''t seen your sister for years. By the way, is Senior Sister Li well?"


    "Of course she''s well, but wait, you just said you don''t like my sister?"


    Li Ya''s eyes widened, and he began to bicker with Gu An.


    Senior Sister Li was Li Xuanyu. Gu An had once helped her manage her cave, and she had introduced him to other businesses. They had a good relationship, but in recent years, Li Xuanyu had been in seclusion in the Inner Sect, and the two had only met a few times, exchanging brief greetings before parting.


    Thus, it continued until the next morning when Li Ya finally departed.


    Gu An stood at the window sill, watching him leave.


    "A person destined for great things... Senior Brother, in any way I see it, your father seems more like the person destined for great things..."


    ...


    In the cave.


    Zhang Buku sat on the ground shirtless, in meditation. The blood spots on his body had disappeared, and his skin had become even fairer. There were three black scales on each side of his neck, and eerie phantasms emerged around him, like the lingering souls of demons.


    He slowly opened his eyes and stood up, his joints cracking like thunder.


    Feeling his newfound strength, a look of excitement appeared on his face.


    Not only had his Cultivation Level advanced greatly, but his Qi-Blood had also undergone a complete transformation. The feeling was truly wonderful.


    He began to stretch his bones.


    After a while, he seemed to notice something and walked to the rock wall, examining it closely.


    "Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe..."


    Zhang Buku muttered. Having been on the run for years, he was unaware of major events in the Immortal Cultivation World and had not heard of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, but he could tell that a mighty technique was inscribed on the rock wall.


    After finishing reading, he discovered it only contained the general outline of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe and not the specific mental method, which disappointed him. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just from its description, he could tell the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe was formidable. If he could master it, he would be invincible.


    He suddenly sensed something and used his Divine Sense to inspect the rock wall.


    Bang!


    A vast amount of memory surged into his mind, causing him to become dazed.


    After some time.


    His eyes cleared, and a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.


    He had unexpectedly inherited the complete Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe!


    Recalling those grandiose moves, his heart burned with eagerness.


    He was impatient to start practicing the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, but he had no axe in hand.


    He glanced around and noticed a stone axe wedged in a crack in the rock, making him delighted.


    He pulled out the stone axe and swung it a few times, feeling it was too light.


    Nonetheless, he at least had an axe to practice the moves!


    He stepped back a few paces and then knelt, facing the rock wall, "Senior, though I do not know your identity or whether you are still alive, what I have gained today is entirely due to your grace. From now on, you will be my master! I will never forget your kindness!"


    Afterward, he began kowtowing heavily, his forehead bleeding profusely.

 Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Mutual appreciation, Su Han’s desperate situation

    In Tianya Valley.


    Gu An, who was picking herbs, smiled; he heard Zhang Buku''s words and felt both comforted and accomplished.


    Senior Brother Zhang, did you ever think I would become your son''s support?


    Gu An''s thoughts drifted back several decades. At that time, Cheng Xuandan was still around, constantly engaged in alchemy and rarely coming downstairs. It was always Zhang Chunqiu leading him, Li Ya, and Meng Lang in their work.


    Years passed, and of the original five master and disciple members, only Gu An and Li Ya remained.


    Time flows, and some people and events are taken away by the years, with their traces gradually erased.


    Autumn leaves danced in the air, as Sun Da, Sun Er, and Sun San followed Gu An, occasionally asking questions.


    Normally, neither Luo Hun, Lv Xian, nor Ji Ruolai paid much attention to them, only Gu An would chat with them and even bring them some gifts whenever he came, so they liked him very much.


    This time, Gu An brought them some spirit fruits, which were very tasty.


    Although the three monkey demons were demon slaves, Gu An did not look down on them. Just like when facing Tian Yao''er, he was used to treating all living beings with an equal attitude.


    Moreover, in his view, even ordinary monkey demons had their own personalities and interesting aspects.


    Perhaps one day, these three monkey demons could also have their own opportunities.


    Gu An told them about the current calamity of demons, depicting the evil deeds of demons and humans, guiding them towards virtue.


    Hearing how dangerous the outside world was, the three monkey demons gave up the idea of leaving the valley, trusting that Gu An would not frighten them with lies; what he said must be true.


    Lv Xian suddenly came to Gu An''s side and asked: "Valley Master, do you think humans and demons can live in harmony?"


    Gu An squatted down and replied: "Why not? Before the great demon calamity, there was constant strife within the human race. There will always be survival struggles among individuals, but on a collective level, it is definitely decided by a minority in power."


    Lv Xian was immediately interested and asked: "Do you mean that the calamity between humans and demons is not destined by heaven?"


    The three monkey demons also looked at him.


    Gu An asked: "If in a mountain forest, there were no cultivators, no demons, only a group of ordinary living beings, would there be a calamity sweeping the entire forest? No, there would be conflicts, but they wouldn''t shake the environment."


    Lv Xian agreed and followed up: "You mean that as long as the leaders of both races negotiate peace, there can be tranquility?"


    "Even if there is peace, the struggle for survival among living beings will not cease, but it would not be as terrifying. However, these ideas are meaningless; we cannot change the world''s trend, so it''s useless to think too much. Better to cherish the days we have now."


    Gu An stood up and said this. Then he looked at Lv Xian and asked: "Do you have something to do?"


    Lv Xian pretended to cough and said: "I''ve been having some difficulties with the Mystic Tortoise Surging Wave Palm lately and would like your guidance."


    "My hand techniques were all taught by you, how can I guide you?" Gu An replied, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes as he looked at Lv Xian.


    Lv Xian quickly said: "It''s precisely because I taught you that I want to hear your thoughts. One doesn''t need to be superior to guide another; different people have different insights, and you might offer unexpected ideas."


    This explanation was reasonable and considerate.


    Gu An said: "Then wait a moment, let me finish my work first."


    "Alright!" Lv Xian stepped aside immediately.


    After a while, Gu An handed the medicinal herbs to the three monkey demons and then took Lv Xian to the attic.


    Without needing his instructions, Lv Xian began setting up restrictions.


    Neither Luo Hun nor Ji Ruolai thought much of it. Even though they all served Li Xuandao, they still kept secrets from each other, especially regarding cultivation matters, which should not be easily pried into.


    An hour later, Lv Xian finally opened the door and left, and Gu An was also about to leave.


    Staring at Gu An''s retreating figure flying by sword, Lv Xian felt filled with admiration.


    This person was truly incredible.


    Despite having a cultivation level in the Divinity Transformation Realm and extraordinary comprehension, he concealed his abilities to appear as an ordinary valley master.


    He had investigated Gu An''s background and found no deep-seated enemies; he even had the Ji Family as his support.


    This indicated that Gu An had unimaginable patience and goals.


    Lv Xian''s admiration for Gu An grew, wishing to become someone like him.


    What''s a moment of glory? Becoming immortal is the true goal!


    Lv Xian also thought of Li Xuandao. He was the only one who knew Li Xuandao''s true cultivation level, no wonder Li Xuandao admired Gu An so much.


    It was mutual appreciation among those with grand ambitions!


    It amused Lv Xian that neither knew the other''s true cultivation level.


    He started to look forward to the day when both would discover each other''s true strength.


    ...


    Autumn passed, and winter arrived. A major event shook the world of immortal cultivation.


    The Supreme Sect actually sent a demon army to support the Northern Territory, including a Mahayana Realm Demon King, causing an uproar. Countless people questioned the Supreme Sect''s collusion with the Demon Clan, but with this demon army sweeping through a battlefield, the doubts disappeared, replaced by excitement.


    Successive reports of victory boosted the morale within the Supreme Sect.


    Yet, even so, the world crisis remained unresolved.


    The Demon Land''s demons seemed endless, impossible to kill completely.


    Besides picking herbs, Gu An spent most of his time descending the mountain to slay demons. His lifespan had already surpassed six million years.


    This winter, more and more disciples were dispatched down the mountain, and the number of disciples in the outer and inner sects kept decreasing.


    Gu An could sense a terrifying demonic energy brewing in the north.


    Loose Immortal Realm!


    It must be that Demon Ancestor!


    Deep within the Demon Land, there might be a Great Cultivator of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Therefore, Gu An did not act immediately.


    Once the Demon Ancestor ventured south, as long as he dared to step into human territory, Gu An would strike at once!


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm, claiming to be a Holy Land, would not directly attack the human race.


    One night.


    Gu An habitually used his Divine Sense to scan the world and was attracted to a certain forest. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In that forest, Su Han was hiding in the grass. He had an artifact that could conceal his aura. The Nine Nether Thirteen Evil were patrolling within a hundred miles but could not find him.


    Su Han''s aura was unstable, indicating severe injuries.


    Had he fallen out with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera?


    Gu An had no intention of intervening; he quietly observed.


    After seven days, Su Han finally left the forest.


    During his travels in the mortal world, Gu An would occasionally keep an eye on him.


    Su Han was secretly investigating Zhen Qin.


    What was he planning?


    Gu An wouldn''t allow Su Han to harm Zhen Qin. If Su Han dared to harm Zhen Qin, he would not stand by.


    ...


    Heavy snow fell, covering everything.


    In a mountain ravine, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and several disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall were resting, each cultivating energy to restore spiritual power.


    Zhen Qin suddenly opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings.


    She hesitated for a moment, then stood up and walked to Ye Lan, whispering: "Martial Aunt, there is an issue with my cultivation. I need to undress, so I wish to be alone in the forest for a while."


    Ye Lan opened her eyes and looked at her, concerned: "Do you need my help?"


    "No, you know my cultivation technique is special." Zhen Qin smiled. Seeing her smile without any signs of trouble, Ye Lan nodded in agreement.


    Zhen Qin then left the camp.


    She continued walking through the forest, traveling several miles before stopping and looking ahead.


    Under a tree, a figure stood with its back to her.


    "Senior Brother Su Han, is that you?" Zhen Qin asked cautiously.


    Su Han turned around, his face devoid of color and hair turned white. His bone sword was gone.


    He forced a smile and said: "It''s me, come here."


    Zhen Qin hesitated but still approached Su Han.


    When she was only seven steps away from him, she sensed being trapped in some kind of restriction, causing her expression to change.


    "No need to panic, it''s my artifact, which can block Divine Sense detection, keeping the Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil from finding me," Su Han explained.


    Zhen Qin breathed a sigh of relief, maintaining her distance and asked: "Senior Brother, can you really not turn back?"


    Su Han''s face twisted into a grim smile: "Turn back? There''s no going back. My hands are already stained with blood; even if I abandon my cultivation, my enemies won''t let me go."


    Zhen Qin saw his unstable condition and quickly asked: "Do you need healing medicine?"


    "No, I came to ask you for a favor." Su Han shook his head.


    Zhen Qin couldn''t help but ask: "What is it?"


    At that moment, Su Han suddenly moved closer, pressing his right hand on her forehead. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized she couldn''t move.


    Su Han''s face turned immensely cold in that instant.


    "Senior¡­ brother¡­"


    Zhen Qin managed to utter two words before a powerful spiritual force entered her body, rendering her speechless.


    In the distance.


    In a town, Gu An was swinging his sword to slay demons, his brows furrowed, eyes complex.


    He turned and continued to kill demons, while other cultivators were fighting alongside him in the town.


    In the forest, Su Han looked at Zhen Qin''s panicked expression and whispered: "Junior Sister, don''t be afraid. I won''t harm you. Senior Brother is at the end of his rope, destined to die, and wants to pass all my cultivation to you before I die, to help you change your fate."


    Hearing this, Zhen Qin''s pupils dilated.


    Memories of Outer Gate City flashed in her mind. Back then, the outer gate wanted to sacrifice disciples, and Su Han risked his life to cover her escape from the city.


    Because of this gratitude, she had always cared about Su Han''s fate.


    Though Su Han was infamous, perhaps wronging many people, he had always been good to her. Everyone could condemn him, but not her.


    "The Ghost Mother of Ephemera taught me the Defying Fate Divine Skill, wanting me to enter the Nine Nether Road. Though I don''t know her final intention, my fate would be grim. In a secret realm, I seized a Mahayana Dharma Artifact and escaped them, but I''m heavily injured and won''t live long¡­"


    "The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword ends with me. I sought revenge, but the true enemy is elusive. Yet, I understand now that practicing the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword means endless enemies, perhaps I''ve already taken my revenge."


    "Junior Sister, with our average talent, we are mere ants in the world of cultivation. Practicing the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was my only chance to escape fate. Though I failed, my life was still worthwhile¡­"


    "Now, inherit my cultivation¡­"

 Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Hateful Heaven Ancestor

    Listening to Su Han''s last words, Zhen Qin''s eyes were red. She wanted to stop Su Han, but she couldn''t speak.


    Su Han continued to instruct: "I am only passing my cultivation to you. After I die, burn my body to ashes, and remember to take my storage bag. Anything related to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera has already been discarded¡­"


    Blood began to flow from the corners of his mouth, followed by his eyes and nose. The blood streaks on his pale face were so brilliant, especially in the icy snow, making it even more horrifying.


    Seeing Su Han''s eyes turn into a pair of blood-red eyes, Zhen Qin''s heart ached immensely, and tears kept flowing uncontrollably.


    Her robe began to flutter, and her cultivation level started skyrocketing.


    "The power of the Defying Fate Divine Skill is very easy to cause deviation, but this cultivation technique itself is meant to be a wedding dress. After passing it on to others, the power becomes pure, even able to cleanse their tendons and marrows, transforming them¡­"


    "Junior Sister, thank you for still thinking about me¡­"


    Su Han''s voice grew weaker.


    Zhen Qin felt her eyelids becoming unprecedentedly heavy. Her vision started blurring, she couldn''t see her senior brother''s face clearly anymore.


    "Tell Master¡­ I am sorry¡­ I disappointed him¡­ He helped me establish my foundation¡­ But instead of repaying him, I only caused trouble¡­"


    "Although this life has been extraordinary, there are too many regrets¡­"


    Zhen Qin''s consciousness completely sank into chaos.


    The snow fell harder and harder, as if the heavens and earth were lamenting.


    ...


    No one knew how much time had passed.


    Zhen Qin''s consciousness began to wake up, and she suddenly opened her eyes, awakening as if from a dream.


    She found herself lying in the snow, with another person lying beside her, her senior brother Su Han.


    She immediately scrambled up to check on Su Han, but as soon as she turned him over, she was so frightened that she hastily retreated.


    Su Han was already dead, his whole body was purple, and he was skin and bones, looking as if his flesh and blood had been sucked dry, extremely terrifying.


    "Senior Brother¡­ No¡­ It shouldn''t be like this¡­"


    Zhen Qin sat desolately on the ground, staring at Su Han. She could feel an unprecedentedly powerful spirit power within her, but she wasn''t the least bit happy.


    She suddenly threw herself onto Su Han''s corpse, starting to wail loudly.


    When she flipped Su Han over to face the sky, she noticed that his purple lips were slightly curled, as if he had died without pain.


    After a long time.


    After Zhen Qin vented her emotions, she slowly stood up. There were still tear stains on her face, but her expression had become colder than ever.


    She raised her right hand, and with a gesture, Su Han''s gold ring flew into her hand.


    She could feel the immense power contained in this gold ring, even though she had been transformed, it still shocked her.


    This must be a Mahayana Dharma Artifact!


    Zhen Qin''s eyes turned back to Su Han, she bit her lip, her eyes full of struggle.


    Her trembling right hand lifted, a spirit power fire igniting on it.


    "Are you really willing to burn the senior brother who passed on his cultivation to you?"


    A voice came from the side, startling Zhen Qin. She turned to see a small figure in white sitting on the trunk of a tree behind her, wearing a mask.


    She was stunned for a moment, then couldn''t help but cry out in joy: "Mountain God!"


    She immediately knelt down, continuously kowtowing to the Mountain God.


    Gu An looked down at her with a deliberately frivolous tone, laughing: "What are you doing?"


    Zhen Qin looked up and hurriedly said: "Please save my senior brother, Mountain God!"


    "He killed so many people, why should I save him?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin panicked and said: "How many people did he kill? Looking at the world, which Great Cultivator''s hands aren''t stained with blood? The Immortal Cultivation World is inherently competitive. My senior brother didn''t want to kill, but many people wouldn''t tolerate him and forced him onto this path!"


    "He cultivated the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. It''s said that the greater the hatred of the sword practitioner, the stronger the sword intent; but my senior brother is not invincible in the world with the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, which shows that his hatred is not that great!"


    "He also cultivated the Defying Fate Divine Skill of the Ephemera Sect. This skill can seize other''s cultivation. If my senior brother had no bottom line, his cultivation level would be even higher!"


    As she spoke, she became more and more agitated, releasing all her grievances.


    She felt aggrieved for Su Han.


    Su Han grew up without a mother, his father passed away early. He carried a blood feud and entered the Supreme Sect. The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword he cultivated was passed down by his father. What wrong did he do?


    Others hunted him down, shouldn''t he fight back?


    Su Han never killed ordinary people, even to become stronger, he only killed cultivators.


    The righteous path of the world, Zhen Qin did not believe those Great Cultivators never killed innocent cultivators!


    Gu An looked down at her and said: "The world has countless paths to cultivation. He must be responsible for his choices. Do you know what the fairest thing the heavens provide to all beings is? It is death."


    "Since people have died because of him, he will naturally die as well."


    Zhen Qin wanted to refute but feared offending the Mountain God.


    Gu An continued: "You think he had no other path, and he thought so too. But if you think carefully, was that really the case? I don''t think so. You both came from the same sect, why are you living well?"


    After hearing this, Zhen Qin gradually calmed down.


    "If you truly believe your senior brother was without fault, then you will walk the same path. This is not what he wished to see." Gu An''s tone became ethereal.


    "The dead cannot be brought back to life. I am just a Mountain God; I don''t have such power. But I can take away your senior brother''s body and leave you with a sliver of hope. How about it?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin did not respond immediately.


    She hesitated for a long time, then said through gritted teeth: "Then please, Mountain God, take him away. One day, I will find you. I will seek the method of resurrection!"


    Gu An did not oppose her. If Zhen Qin had one more goal, her future cultivation would be more diligent.


    He raised his right hand, taking Su Han''s body into his hand, making it very small, leaving only a storage bag on the snow.


    Seeing the Mountain God''s miraculous divine skills, a grief-stricken Zhen Qin was too sad to be amazed.


    She got up and asked: "Mountain God, why are you here?"


    Gu An disappeared from the tree branch, leaving a sentence:


    "Who says a mountain god can only stay in one place? Moreover, I am not just a mountain god."


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin was awed, thinking that this mountain god might hold a transcendent position among the immortals and gods.


    She wiped away her tears and infused the gold ring with spirit power, causing the barrier to disappear immediately.


    She headed toward the place where Ye Lan and others were stationed. Her senses had already captured the aura of Ye Lan and others. They spread out, moving quickly, clearly searching for her.


    ...


    Inside the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion.


    Gu An placed Su Han''s body on a stone table, looking at his apprentice''s face, feeling a bit dazed.


    He thought of when they were in the mountains of Mystic Valley years ago. He guided Su Han in swordsmanship, and Su Han generously gave him the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword Technique passed down from his family.


    He recalled how, when demon cultivators attacked Mystic Valley, Su Han stood in front of him without hesitation to protect him.


    He felt he had not owed Su Han anything, but in reality, Su Han had not wronged him either. Su Han had simply chosen a different path.


    Gu An used his mana to start freezing Su Han''s body, preventing it from decaying. The soul remained temporarily within the body.


    He had no way to resurrect the dead, this was the best he could do.


    "Hmm?"


    During the freezing process, Gu An detected something, raising an eyebrow.


    Su Han only transferred his power to Zhen Qin, but the Hateful Heaven Sword Intent remained in his body.


    Gu An sensed that this Sword Intent contained many causal connections, one of which was very complex, reaching the Loose Immortal Realm.


    How could Su Han have come into contact with a Loose Immortal?


    Could it be the creator of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword?


    Gu An raised his other hand, taking Su Han''s Sword Intent into his palm, forming a cluster of blood energy swirling in his hand.


    After Su Han was fully frozen, Gu An walked aside and began to study this Sword Intent.


    As early as the Nirvana Realm, Gu An could detect causal connections and observe the past decade of beings of lower realms. Now, his perception of causality was even stronger.


    In his eyes, causal auras constantly formed lines. The one belonging to the Loose Immortal extended from the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion to the ends of the heavens and the earth.


    Gu An turned, using his divine sense to trace the line.


    They spanned countless mountains, his divine sense traversed oceans, finally landing on a vast island.


    On this island lived millions of people; a third of them were cultivators, and their cultivation levels were very high, with seven at the Mahayana Realm.


    One at the Nirvana Realm, and one at the Loose Immortal Realm!


    The Loose Immortal was hidden underground on the island, within a complex barrier.


    [The Hateful Heaven Ancestor has developed hostility toward you, and his killing intent is increasing. Would you like to perform Life Span Detection on him]


    Hmm?


    How does he know about me?


    Gu An was secretly alarmed. He hastily dissipated the Hateful Heaven Sword Intent in his hand, choosing Life Span Detection.


    [Hateful Heaven Ancestor (Loose Immortal Realm Second Layer): 14809/25000/28000]


    Loose Immortal Realm Second Layer!


    After a moment of hesitation, Gu An disappeared from his spot.


    ... S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In a mysterious underground chamber, the Hateful Heaven Ancestor, clad in a grey robe, meditated on a prayer mat. He kept his eyes closed, brows furrowed.


    "Mountain God¡­ Who is playing tricks? I didn''t expect such a figure to be hidden on that continent¡­"


    The Hateful Heaven Ancestor muttered to himself, opening his blood-red eyes.


    He could spy on all sword practitioners through the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword Intent.


    Su Han was too far from him, causing a delay in his spying process.


    The thought of the Mountain God taking Su Han caused him unease.


    Moreover, it seemed the Mountain God was deducing his causality.


    "Has he transformed into a Mountain God to evade the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, or is he from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm himself?" The Hateful Heaven Ancestor pondered with a frown.


    Su Han''s death made him furious.


    Fewer and fewer people were cultivating the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. The Immortal Cultivation World was well aware of its price, severely impacting his plans.


    For this reason, he had turned his eye to the continent.


    Unfortunately, in less than a thousand years, the reputation of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword on that continent also turned foul.


    Having finally found someone to inherit the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, he naturally cared.


    He felt resentment toward the Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil, even considering exterminating those insects but feared being discovered by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Now, no one on the continent cultivated the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.


    The more the Hateful Heaven Ancestor thought about it, the angrier he became, even developing murderous intent.


    "No, I have to go there myself and personally pass on the teachings!"


    The Hateful Heaven Ancestor thought silently, closing his eyes to continue cultivating.


    This matter could not be rushed; he needed to wait until the so-called calamity of demons and spirits ended before quietly sneaking onto the continent.


    He had already discovered that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had nurtured another human dynasty.


    At that moment.


    A hand suddenly pressed on the Hateful Heaven Ancestor''s shoulder, making him open his eyes abruptly.

 Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Hateful Heaven Path, Demon Ancestor Intends to Head South

    Hateful Heaven Ancestor had stayed in his cave for over a thousand years without taking a single step outside. None of the cultivators on the island knew he was hiding there.


    Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Even though he had Loose Immortal cultivation, he was still startled.


    He instinctively wanted to turn his head, but at that moment, an incredibly terrifying mana surged into his body, destroying his bones and tendons before restraining his Primordial Spirit.


    Behind him stood Gu An, who had performed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.


    Gu An pressed a hand on his shoulder, looking down at him.


    Although there was only one major realm difference between Loose Immortal and Wandering Immortal, the gap was vast. Moreover, Gu An had Ninth Layer Wandering Immortal cultivation, while Hateful Heaven Ancestor only had Second Layer Loose Immortal cultivation.


    "Puff¡ª"


    Hateful Heaven Ancestor spat a mouthful of blood, and his eyes immediately lost their spirit.


    Gu An began to perform Soul Capturing Skill to search his memories.


    The memories of Hateful Heaven Ancestor were too vast, so Gu An only searched for memories related to the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.


    A long time passed.


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and then began to use the Three Pure Ones True Fire to finish off Hateful Heaven Ancestor.


    [You have successfully taken 1,280 years of life from Hateful Heaven Ancestor (Second Layer Loose Immortal Realm)]


    Watching Hateful Heaven Ancestor''s body gradually turn to ashes, the heavy weight on Gu An''s mind slowly lifted.


    Being resented by a Loose Immortal put pressure on Gu An. If he didn''t eliminate the enemy immediately, he couldn''t be at ease.


    He started examining the cave. It wasn''t small; it was well-furnished and even had a Spirit Pond with various kinds of aquatic plants.


    According to Hateful Heaven Ancestor''s memories, he had no connection with this island. He had sneaked onto the island to hide because he had enemies.


    His enemies were from a sea-based sect called Star Sea Congregations. This sect dominated the ocean and had countless disciples, though Gu An wasn''t sure of their exact strength.


    During the memory search, Gu An was very careful, fearing he might see other Wandering Immortals or higher realm beings. Immortal Path Realm cultivators'' perception of karmic forces increased with their cultivation level, and he worried that other great cultivators might notice his soul search.


    As for the strongest cultivator on this island, they were only in the Nirvana Realm, not a major concern.


    Soon, Hateful Heaven Ancestor was burned to ashes. Gu An began to inventory his belongings.


    His storage bag was of high quality, containing dozens of restrictions. The internal space was over ten miles in diameter, storing countless spirit stones, elixirs, magic artifacts, secret books, and rare treasures.


    Gu An felt that with this storage bag alone, he could establish his own sect.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to leave. He sat on a stone bench and took out a secret book to read.


    This secret book was called Hateful Heaven Path!


    The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was merely a branch of the Hateful Heaven Path. Because Hateful Heaven Ancestor had been a sword cultivator, he had created the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.


    Hateful Heaven Path was a legacy discovered by Hateful Heaven Ancestor in an ancient palace under the sea when he was a thousand years old. It was said that this palace belonged to a powerful sect from ancient times. When the ocean submerged the mortal world, everything sank to the seabed.


    Hateful Heaven Ancestor had reached his current height relying on the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. He propagated the sword technique, allowing sword cultivators to bolster his Hateful Heaven Path. The power of the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword came from borrowing his strength. In this process, he would continually absorb the other party''s Qi fortune and lifespan. Thus, those who practiced the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword advanced quickly in cultivation but also died quickly.


    The cultivator from the Sword Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty who created the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword had also been taught by him, not self-created.


    After perusing it, Gu An thought Hateful Heaven Path was indeed powerful, but it was too sinister. Moreover, practicing this path would lead to backlash. For example, Hateful Heaven Ancestor couldn''t be exposed to sunlight and could only act at night. Even as a Loose Immortal, walking in the sunlight would cause heart demons to torment him.


    Gu An threw the secret book into his storage bag and continued to inventory the other secret books.


    ... ¡­


    At the end of the year, the demonic catastrophe was entering a more severe stage, and the Supreme Sect began mobilizing outer disciples to patrol the surrounding areas.


    That day, a violent demonic cat rushed into Mystic Valley, attempting to attack servant disciples. Fortunately, Chu Jingfeng arrived in time to slay it.


    When Gu An returned from the Third Medicine Valley and saw the demonic cat''s corpse, he found it still harbored a concealed and sinister power of cause and effect.


    This power of cause and effect was quite similar to the Hateful Heaven Path, possibly explaining the demon clan''s transformation into demons.


    The disciples gathered around him, talking all at once, worried that Mystic Valley would face an attack during the demonic catastrophe.


    Gu An stood up and comforted them, "Don''t be afraid. With the protection of the Supreme Sect, nothing will happen."


    The disciples didn''t believe him. If there was a demonic cat today, what would appear tomorrow?


    Chu Jingfeng had no cultivation, relying solely on his swordsmanship to slay demons. If Gu An wasn''t present, even a Second Layer demon beast could devour them all.


    Hearing the disciples'' concerns, Gu An thought they were reasonable and decided to go to the Outer Gate City to issue a bounty, inviting Foundation Establishment Realm disciples to protect the Medicine Valley, which made the disciples very happy.


    Watching them discuss excitedly, Gu An thought of the scene when Cheng Xuandan invited Chu Jingfeng.


    He turned to the north. He could feel the demon ancestor''s aura had stabilized and was no longer rising, indicating the demon ancestor had fully revived and could head south at any time.


    Besides the demon ancestor, he also felt another aura. This aura didn''t seem to emanate from an individual but from an entire land, vast and eerie.


    It should be the Evil Demon from Black Disgust Demon King''s memory.


    The legend of the Evil Demon had been around for a long time. Black Disgust Demon King had only heard of it but never seen it.


    According to legend, obtaining the true blood of the Evil Demon allowed demons to revert to their ancestral forms. The Six-Headed Sea Dragon had once obtained a drop of true blood from the Evil Demon.


    Gu An suspected the Evil Demon was also raised by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    He stood there for a while, then headed toward the pavilion.


    At the same time.


    In the distant north.


    Demon energy filled the heavens and earth, thunderclouds covered the sky, and lightning flickered, resembling the rolling of a sea dragon.


    The land was uneven, and trees were sparse. Bones, more numerous than trees, stretched as far as the eye could see, resembling a hellish landscape.


    The further north one went, the more bones there were, with even mountain-sized skeletons appearing, likely the remains of ancient species.


    As the bones grew denser, an enormous altar emerged. It stood on a desolate plain, over twenty miles in diameter, made of some kind of blue stone and covered with numerous ancient runes. Bone piles surrounded the altar, forming a white ring around it from above.


    Eight black lines, resembling chains, intertwined at the altar''s center, where a figure sat.


    It was the demon ancestor!


    The demon ancestor wasn''t as colossal as the Six-Headed Sea Dragon, appearing more like a human cultivator. He wore tattered robes, with long white hair hanging loosely, and his black fingernails were sharp as blades. On closer inspection, he had two additional eyes on his forehead, all four eyes pitch-black with dark red pupils.


    He was playing with a stone sword. The blade wasn''t long and was as wide as his arm, appearing ordinary.


    "I''m hungry."


    The demon ancestor suddenly spoke, his voice booming like thunder, accompanied by the roar of tigers and dragons.


    A figure flew in from the horizon¡ªa bird demon with black wings. He hovered at the altar''s edge, looking nervous as he said, "Demon Ancestor, all the demons within a million miles have been eaten by you. His Majesty has also gone south to join the battle. There''s no food left for you..."


    His gaze towards the demon ancestor was filled with fear, and he tried hard to keep his voice from trembling.


    The demon ancestor glanced at him, his eyes cold, causing him to immediately bow his head.


    "Who says it''s all been eaten?"


    The demon ancestor''s voice echoed, its tone lazy.


    Upon hearing this, the bird demon''s face changed color drastically, and he turned to flee, disappearing in an instant into the horizon.


    The demon ancestor''s eyes narrowed, and the space in front of him rippled.


    That bird demon suddenly appeared before him, and he grabbed its head, smashing it violently onto the altar.


    Blood splattered, and the demon ancestor showed a ferocious, cruel smile. He opened his mouth and bit down directly.


    "Ah¡ª"


    The bird demon let out a miserable scream!


    The demon ancestor didn''t choose to kill it but to eat it alive.


    A long time passed. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The demon ancestor sat in a blood-soaked area, surrounded by black feathers. He licked the blood on his fingers, his gaze looking towards the horizon.


    "It''s time to prepare to head south."


    ...


    The new year''s Spring Festival arrived, but it was very quiet, not as lively as in past years, and the banquets quickly dispersed.


    In the dead of night, on Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    In Nianchu Cave, Gu An was spending the festival with Tian Yao''er.


    While roasting lamb, Tian Yao''er repeatedly showed off the Limitless Freedom Step, moving back and forth and occasionally using her innate Divine Skill to transform into various female demons.


    Gu An couldn''t help but laugh and ask, "Why do you keep transforming into female demons?"


    "I want to see if the master likes it."


    Tian Yao''er stopped and giggled.


    Gu An commented, "None of them are as pretty as you. Stop transforming from now on."


    He was telling the truth. Tian Yao''er was already stunningly beautiful, far superior to the female demons who retained demonic features.


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er was overjoyed and immediately pounced on Gu An, clinging to his arm.


    After being affectionate for a while, she asked, "Master, can you catch a few more demons to keep me company?"


    Gu An asked, "What kind of demons do you want?"


    "Just female demons, preferably young ones, easy to control," Tian Yao''er smiled.


    Gu An thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.


    Now that the various zones in Nianchu Cave were running smoothly, he could capture a few demons for Tian Yao''er to assist her, ensuring she could focus on her cultivation.


    "Let''s see if I come across any later. I don''t like randomly catching demons," Gu An said, focusing on the roasted lamb leg in his hand.


    Tian Yao''er nodded and smiled, "Master is kind-hearted and only saves demons. Being chosen by you is their blessing."


    "What do you mean, kind-hearted? Don''t use words incorrectly."


    "Anyway, master is very nice. You''re the best person I''ve ever met."


    "How many people have you met in your life?"


    "Oh, it doesn''t matter. You''re the best. Meeting you is the greatest blessing of my life."


    As she spoke, Tian Yao''er''s gaze fell on the mask on Gu An''s face.


    She really wanted to remove Gu An''s mask but was afraid of angering him.


    Gu An handed her the lamb leg and then stood up, saying, "Alright, you eat slowly. I have to go."


    Tian Yao''er froze and quickly asked, "So soon? Where are you going?"


    Gu An vanished into thin air, leaving a single sentence, "To check on another lonely demon."


    Tian Yao''er''s smile instantly froze.

 Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Immortal Paths Powerful Enemy, The Supreme Sects Crisis

    Inside the cave.


    Zhang Buku wielded the stone axe, continuously swinging it. His movements were fierce, his footwork mysterious, and his afterimages appeared in succession, making it seem as if several clones of him were left in the cave.


    Since he arrived at this cave and learned the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, he hadn''t gone out again.


    Relying on cultivating the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, his Qi-Blood rapidly strengthened, and he had completely fused with the power of that mysterious demon core.


    He didn''t notice a sparrow watching him from a distant rock.


    Watching Zhang Buku''s posture, Gu An felt gratified.


    This kid still had some talent!


    At least he hadn''t wasted the effort of nurturing him!


    Gu An also noticed the change in Zhang Buku''s bloodline. This change wasn''t evolving towards the Six-Headed Sea Dragon but was another type of demonic aura he hadn''t seen before.


    He suddenly thought of the Evil Demon.


    The Six-Headed Sea Dragon ingested the True Blood of an Evil Demon, thereby regressing to its ancestors. Could it be that Zhang Buku would also regress to his ancestors?


    In fact, Zhang Buku wasn''t alone and destitute; he still had a mother. But Zhang Chunqiu had never revealed his mother''s identity, making it impossible for him to find her.


    Could Zhang Buku''s mother have an extraordinary background?


    Gu An thought silently but didn''t fear too much.


    After practicing the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe for a while, Zhang Buku finally saw Gu An.


    "It''s you, little sparrow, you''ve finally appeared. What is your relationship with the predecessor of this cave?"


    Zhang Buku asked excitedly. He didn''t rush towards Gu An immediately, fearing he''d scare Gu An away.


    Gu An shook his head and didn''t make a sound.


    The Heaven and Earth Nine Transformations, brought by the All Things Form and Energy Art, were indeed convenient. Not only could it transform one''s form, but it could also change one''s aura. Zhang Buku hadn''t noticed anything unusual about him at all.


    Seeing the sparrow transformed by Gu An not speaking, Zhang Buku wasn''t disappointed either and began to excitedly talk about his own unique opportunity.


    If it weren''t for this sparrow before him, he wouldn''t have had this encounter. He might even have been eaten by demons.


    Even if this sparrow had no spiritual wisdom and was unrelated to this cave, he still felt grateful.


    Gu An listened patiently. The current Zhang Buku was filled with unprecedented fighting spirit, and his entire essence, energy, and spirit had transformed.


    In Zhang Buku, he saw the shadow of An Hao.


    That was the aura belonging to a genius!


    Gu An suddenly remembered that when they were young, An Hao and Zhang Buku had fought, and that was An Hao''s first failure since he began immortal cultivation. He wondered if An Hao still harbored resentment.


    After Zhang Buku finished speaking, Gu An opened his mouth and spat out the demon core of the Black Disgust Demon King.


    Seeing the sparrow spit out a demon core nearly ten times its size, Zhang Buku''s mouth opened wide.


    Subsequently, Gu An flapped his wings and quickly disappeared into the cave passage.


    Zhang Buku stared at the demon core on the ground in silence for a long time.


    ...


    The New Year had just passed, but the land of the Three Dynasties had not yet welcomed the revival and was still shrouded in demonic mist and demonic Qi.


    In the northern region of the Great Jiang Dynasty, in a valley, cultivators continuously flew in and out, very busy.


    Xuan Tianyi sat under a tree, his upper body bare and wrapped in white cloth, holding a white bone and examining it carefully.


    Ji Hantian approached Xuan Tianyi and spoke: "The Daotian Sect has deduced that the Demon Ancestor is about to descend south. Are you confident?"


    Xuan Tianyi replied casually: "Of course, I have confidence. Even if I can''t win, there''s still Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "What if the Demon Ancestor is stronger than Sword Venerable Fudao?" Ji Hantian asked worriedly.


    "Then we all die together. Don''t really think it''s a battle for the survival of the Human Race. Rest assured, if we die, there are larger human forces overseas." Xuan Tianyi said casually, raising the bone in his hand and squinting his eyes as if examining its surface patterns.


    Hearing this, Ji Hantian couldn''t help but roll his eyes.


    He couldn''t help but ask: "You''ve been looking at that bone for days. What''s so special about it?"


    Xuan Tianyi answered nonchalantly: "My spells are so powerful that this Demon King was reduced to ashes, leaving only this bone. It surely has something extraordinary about it. Perhaps there''s a secret hidden behind the demon calamity."


    Ji Hantian was about to say more when a strong wind blew from the north into the valley, giving everyone a sudden shiver.


    Xuan Tianyi couldn''t help but put down the bone and turn his head, frowning.


    "Such powerful demonic energy... how could it be..."


    Ji Hantian''s face changed drastically, mumbling to himself.


    Even for a cultivator of the Unification Realm like him, this was terrifying, not to mention the other cultivators in the valley.


    "Such terrifying demonic energy, it feels like the sky is about to collapse..."


    "Is it the Demon Emperor?"


    "No, I''ve felt the aura of the Demon Emperor before. This demonic energy far surpasses that of the Demon Emperor. It must be the legendary Demon Ancestor."


    "This demonic energy is too terrifying. The legends are true, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Demons..."


    "What should we do? We aren''t going to fight, are we? Facing such demonic energy, I can''t see any hope of winning!"


    The cultivators in the valley had fought demons for years and had even experienced battles with Mahayana Realm participants. Their Daoist Hearts had long transformed.


    But even so, facing the distant demonic energy, they were terrified, without any will to fight.


    Xuan Tianyi vanished into thin air.


    Ji Hantian immediately turned and urged the disciples of the Supreme Sect to prepare for battle.


    Far away, Gu An stood up at the Third Medicine Valley of the Supreme Sect. He didn''t look north but looked up at the sky.


    The sky was blue, but the white clouds were dissipating.


    "Master, what''s wrong?"


    An Xin, who was counting seeds nearby, turned and asked. Xiaochuan and several disciples all looked at Gu An.


    Gu An said: "The clouds in the sky are dispersing."


    Hearing this, the others all looked up. Soon, they also began to feel suspicious.


    After the clouds dispersed, they didn''t disappear but kept surging, like pieces of torn cloth being pieced together. Moreover, everyone noticed that the whole world became strangely quiet, with even the sounds of insects missing.


    "Seven Stars Spirit Realm, is it¡­"


    Gu An looked at the sky and thought silently.


    He could feel the space above the Supreme Sect fluctuating, a mysterious power had already enveloped the entire Supreme Sect.


    This power had surpassed the Nirvana Realm, so the Supreme Sect cultivators hadn''t noticed.


    The Demon Ancestor descended south, but another Loose Immortal was about to arrive at the Supreme Sect.


    It seemed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had set its sights on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Were they afraid that Sword Venerable Fudao would stop the Demon Ancestor from descending south?


    Under Gu An''s gaze, the scattered clouds in the sky gradually formed an array diagram, grand and spectacular. This made more and more disciples of the Supreme Sect look up.


    The disciples in the valley could even hear the noise from the outer city in the distance.


    Lu Lingjun appeared next to Gu An, saying in a deep voice: "Trouble is coming, you better not run out."


    With that, she leaped into the sky.


    Not only her, but the Unification Realm cultivators of the Supreme Sect also flew out.


    Lu Lingjun took out a treasure sword and slashed it, the spiritual power sweeping across like a rainbow, majestic in momentum.


    With a loud boom!


    The array diagram in the sky burst out with brilliant golden light, and a boundless pressure descended, startling Lu Lingjun to stop in a hurry.


    The other Unification Realm cultivators were the same. Unlike Lu Lingjun, they were suppressed by the pressure from the sky, unable to move, all looking at the array diagram in the sky with fear.


    Every piece of scattered cloud in the array diagram emitted golden light, forming golden lines and then condensing into golden runes. The golden light shined down, and whoever was illuminated by it couldn''t move.


    An Xin''s eyes widened, showing a look of despair.


    The outer city, atop the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The cultivators in sword enlightenment there all stood, their bodies trembling, they looked at the sky incredulously.


    "What is that¡­"


    Zuo Yijian, standing next to the Heaven-Cutting Axe, raised his neck and asked with difficulty.


    No one answered him. The other cultivators seemed to be watching the descent of gods, but not bringing fortune, rather despair.


    Under the gazes of countless people, a gigantic, illusory face manifested within the vast golden array diagram. Only the outlines of the facial features were visible, its true visage unclear, and its gender indistinguishable. It seemed like the will of the Heavenly Dao overlooking the myriad beings, imposing great oppression on the Supreme Sect disciples.


    More and more people''s legs shook, kneeling on the ground. Subconsciously, it was as if an invisible hand pressed their heads, not allowing them to look directly at the mysterious giant face in the golden array diagram.


    In a mansion in the Inner Sect City, Ji Xiaoyu looked at the sky, her brows tightly furrowed.


    She didn''t recognize this array diagram, but intuition told her the visitor was certainly related to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    "May I ask which senior has arrived, why oppress the Supreme Sect in this world of chaos wrought by demons?"


    A female voice rang out, and a woman in black appeared next to Lu Lingjun.


    She was the Supreme Elder, Fairy Suxin. Returning from overseas, she suffered severe injuries last year in the demon battlefield, and now back in the Supreme Sect to heal.


    Her cultivation level wasn''t much higher than Lu Lingjun. Facing the golden array diagram together, they could only slightly reduce the pressure.


    The mysterious giant face in the golden array diagram didn''t respond. It seemed to be searching for something.


    Suddenly.


    The golden array diagram emitted golden light beams, shooting towards the outer gate city of the Supreme Sect, sweeping across the sky. Under the gazes of countless disciples, the golden light beams converged into a golden arm, like the hand of the heavens, exuding supreme pressure.


    That direction was exactly the Heavenly Repair Platform!


    Standing beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Zuo Yijian''s face changed drastically. He was also suppressed, half-kneeling, unable to stand up.


    From his perspective, the golden hand in the sky shrouded the heavens and covered the sun, making everyone in the city feel despair.


    With a loud rumble!


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe trembled, an immense sword intent soared into the sky, causing the golden hand to stop.


    "Existing within the Realm of Immortal Path, why hide among mortal sects?"


    A cold voice echoed, reverberating through the Supreme Sect, making every cultivator hear it clearly.


    Realm of Immortal Path?


    They immediately thought of an entity.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Only Sword Venerable Fudao could belong to the Realm of Immortal Path!


    Gu An and An Xin, like the others, were pressed to the ground. Unlike others who were kneeling, he was squatting with his hands supporting him, arms trembling, head down, making it hard to see his expression.


    "Since you won''t answer, watch this sect turn to dust." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cold voice spoke again, like a heavenly god issuing judgment upon all beings. The terrifying pressure over the Supreme Sect suddenly intensified, and the earth began to tremble.


    With his head down, Gu An glanced at Xiaochuan, An Xin, and others'' desperate expressions from the corner of his eye.


    Everyone''s hearts were shrouded in fear, too preoccupied to look at those beside them.


    Gu An sighed softly.


    Why do people always seek death?

 Chapter 188: Chapter 188: What Realm is Sword Venerable Fudao in?

    Gu An infused his mana into the ground, the Five Element Spiritual Energy followed his mana and converged towards the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    On the Heavenly Repair Platform, the cultivators who couldn''t raise their heads saw wisps of Spiritual Energy emerging on the platform, all converging in one direction, they glanced out of the corner of their eyes.


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe!


    Zuo Yijian, kneeling beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, felt it even more deeply, his pupils dilated, filled with excitement.


    The elder was about to make his move!


    nature''s spiritual energy gathered beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, forming a whirlpool, quickly condensing into a dark purple phantom.


    It was precisely Gu An''s Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body!


    Under the golden light, the posture of the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body was incomparably domineering, causing the nearby cultivators to be filled with excitement.


    Sword Venerable Fudao has appeared!


    The giant face in the sky locked its gaze on the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, the Golden Light Array Diagram once again burst forth with golden rays, and this time, it was as if a torrential downpour decorated the entire sky, especially for the cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform, the visual impact was immense.


    Under Zuo Yijian''s watchful eye, the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body grasped the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe in reverse.


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe, which the cultivators of the Supreme Sect thought impossible to lift, was effortlessly raised as if it had no weight.


    The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body lifted the axe with one hand, facing the golden rays that filled the sky, its figure looked so insignificant.


    But at that moment, all the cultivators kneeling on the platform directed their gaze towards it.


    With its appearance, everyone in the Outer Sect City felt the pressure on them lessen, at least they could turn their heads.


    No one knew why, but looking at Sword Venerable Fudao holding the Heaven-Cutting Axe, all the fear in everyone''s hearts dissipated.


    Time seemed to slow down at that moment.


    Zuo Yijian raised his head, a look of fanaticism on his face.


    He was still kneeling, as if worshipping the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.


    The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body lifted the axe with its right hand, moving the Heaven-Cutting Axe to its left waist, and then suddenly lifted it upwards.


    Slicing Heaven with Axe!


    With one slash, the entire world instantly lost its color!


    The golden rays in the sky were successively annihilated, the Golden Light Array Diagram spanning the sky was directly cut in half, including the giant face, and even a clear space rift appeared in the sky, shocking the onlookers.


    "Who are you, to have trained the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe to such a degree?"


    A mysterious, cold, and indifferent voice sounded, this time filled with fear, no longer calm and composed as before.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The Golden Light Array Diagram in the sky, sliced in half, suddenly exploded, a terrifying strong wind crushing everything between heaven and earth, Zuo Yijian instinctively lowered his head and closed his eyes.


    All the disciples in the Third Medicine Valley were blown away by the suddenly erupting strong wind, including Gu An''s true body, the formations in each area of the valley were activated, forming protective barriers, like light shields suddenly lighting up.


    The mountains and forests outside the Medicine Valley shook violently, as if the trees were about to be uprooted at any moment!


    The same happened in Mystic Valley!


    All the cultivators in the outer gate cities in the eight directions, the inner gate cities in the four directions, and the main city of the sect saw the Golden Light Array Diagram in the sky suddenly cut in half, although they couldn''t see clearly what had happened, the space rift spanning the sky proved that someone had just made a move!


    Along with the mysterious enemy''s words, everyone thought of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Ji Xiaoyu stood on the eaves, resisting the strong wind with her own spiritual power, the debris beneath her feet was blown away, she squinted as she looked on, her eyes filled with shock.


    The sky was covered with streaks of golden light, as if the golden sky had been torn apart.


    "The Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe..." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu muttered to herself, her beautiful eyes fixated on the sky.


    She naturally knew that the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe was one of the nine inheritances of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the appearance of the Heaven-Cutting Axe had made her think that Sword Venerable Fudao just got the relic of Ancestor Xuan Tian.


    But now it was proven that Sword Venerable Fudao had also mastered the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe!


    From the words of that mysterious great cultivator, it seemed that Sword Venerable Fudao not only mastered it but trained the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe to a very high realm!


    Sword Venerable Fudao was hostile to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, could it be that Sword Venerable Fudao was also a person of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Ji Xiaoyu resisted the wind and thought wildly.


    The violent windstorm lasted for a long time.


    Zuo Yijian struggled to open his eyes, seeing Sword Venerable Fudao turn around, putting the Heaven-Cutting Axe back in place, then Sword Venerable Fudao came to him, gently patting his shoulder.


    He froze, immense joy filled his heart, his mind went blank.


    Before he could think more, Sword Venerable Fudao disappeared into thin air.


    When the storm completely subsided, more and more people stood up, looking up, there were only golden remnants of clouds and a space rift of unknown length left in the sky.


    "We are saved!"


    "The one just now definitely reached the Realm of Immortal Path, yet was killed by Sword Venerable Fudao with one slash!"


    "He should be dead, otherwise why didn''t he make a sound?"


    "Who on earth is that person, to dare suppress our Supreme Sect alone, fortunately, we have Senior Sword Venerable here."


    "Didn''t you hear? Sword Venerable Fudao is also in the Realm of Immortal Path, they say even the Mahayana Realm can''t reach the edge of the Immortal Path!"


    A thunderous cheer erupted from the Outer Sect City.


    Lu Lingjun and Fairy Suxin floated in the air, the impact on the two women was even greater.


    When Sword Venerable Fudao swung the axe, they felt a chill that made them fearful even in retrospect!


    The mysterious great cultivator they couldn''t resist was killed just like that?


    Fairy Suxin looked at Lu Lingjun and sighed: "It seems the Mystic Heart Realm is still within the mortal range."


    Lu Lingjun remained silent, her feelings were complicated.


    She had reached a realm she had dreamt of before her ascension, but since reaching the Mystic Heart Realm, she often felt powerless, even though her cultivation level had grown stronger, she felt weaker.


    ...


    In a forest, a figure appeared out of thin air, it was a man in golden robes, stumbling forward as he landed, spitting a mouthful of blood.


    His blood splashed on the flowers and grass, immediately turning them to ashes.


    He stabilized his figure and started to cultivate energy to suppress the domineering mana within his body.


    "Damn... how can his mana be so powerful... and with more than one attribute..."


    The man in golden robes thought through gritted teeth, his handsome face full of pain.


    It couldn''t be done!


    He couldn''t suppress it at all!


    He immediately turned around, preparing to flee back to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    But as soon as he turned, a hand pressed down on his shoulder, his eyes widened.


    Before he could turn around, a Divine Sense far surpassing a Loose Immortal''s rushed into his mind, causing his eyes to lose their luster.


    The strongest aspect of a Wandering Immortal was their Soul Power, stronger than their own mana!


    Standing behind the man in golden robes was Gu An''s true body, he had delayed a bit to handle the disciples in the valley, which was why the man in golden robes had escaped here.


    This time, Gu An did not perform Soul Search, instead using Divine Sense to destroy the Primordial Spirit of the man in golden robes, directly suppressing him!


    [You have successfully seized Startling Immortal Lin (Sixth Layer of Loose Immortal Realm) 1709 years of life span]


    Gu An took Startling Immortal Lin''s Storage Bag, then used Taiching True Fire to burn his body.


    The Loose Immortal died in the forest, without a sound.


    After Startling Immortal Lin turned to ashes, Gu An disappeared into thin air.


    About half an hour later, figures appeared in the forest, looking at the scorched grass burned by Startling Immortal Lin''s immortal blood, all frowning.


    There were eight people, male and female, all with extraordinary auras.


    "Is Startling Immortal Lin dead?"


    "Not sure, we''ll know whether he is alive by checking his Soul Jade."


    "I didn''t expect Sword Venerable Fudao to be so powerful, his Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe feels close to Elder Lin''s level."


    "In terms of achievement, he can''t compare to Elder Lin, it''s just that his mana is strong enough."


    "If Startling Immortal Lin is really dead, how do we explain to Elder Lin? What about the Supreme Sect, how should we deal with it next?"


    Everyone was silent.


    Although they hadn''t gone to the Taicang Dynasty, they sensed the terrifying aura of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, now they dared not go to the Supreme Sect.


    An old man in black robes said solemnly: "Let''s go back first, lest Sword Venerable Fudao comes to kill us."


    As soon as he said this, everyone''s expressions changed, they immediately disappeared from the spot.


    Gu An, who had returned to the Third Medicine Valley, was indeed watching them.


    Eight Loose Immortals!


    The foundation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm shocked Gu An, no wonder Hateful Heaven Ancestor didn''t dare come to the continent.


    Fortunately, the other side also feared him.


    Gu An''s gaze turned northward.


    The Demon Ancestor was approaching!


    He had to deal with Startling Immortal Lin and now the Demon Ancestor.


    Today was truly troublesome!


    Lu Lingjun had returned to the valley, she saw Gu An and immediately dragged him to the loft, causing him to be temporarily unable to leave.


    As Lu Lingjun closed the door, Gu An asked: "What''s wrong with you?"


    Lu Lingjun replied: "After the Demon Calamity ends, I''m planning to leave the Supreme Sect and explore the secret realm Shen Zhen discovered."


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask: "How do you know we can definitely withstand the Demon Calamity?"


    Lu Lingjun gave him a blank look and said crossly: "You didn''t see how Sword Venerable Fudao acted today, just one slash killed the invader, with Sword Venerable Fudao here, how can the Taicang Dynasty not withstand the Demon Calamity?"


    Gu An was secretly pleased, but still showed a worried expression on his face, saying: "No matter how strong Sword Venerable Fudao is, he can''t possibly wipe out all the demons, right?"


    "He only needs to deal with the Demon Ancestor and the Demon Emperor, the Demon Calamity will surely end, today I have truly broadened my horizons, this is also the first time I have seen Sword Venerable Fudao in action myself..."


    Lu Lingjun began recounting the scene of Sword Venerable Fudao swinging the axe earlier, with reverence in her words.


    At the same time, in the Great Jiang Dynasty, Northern Territory.


    Xuan Tianyi stood at the edge of a cliff, figures constantly appearing on either side of him, all great cultivators from various sects, following their gaze forward, there was a desolate plain with demon energy permeating, the end of heaven and earth was murky, as if black mist was about to press down.


    Liang Canghai of the Cangtian Sect looked at Xuan Tianyi and said: "We sensed a terrifying pressure from the direction of the Supreme Sect earlier, could something have happened?"


    Others also looked at Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi said indifferently: "It came quickly and went quickly, meaning it''s already resolved, if it was an enemy, with Sword Venerable Fudao there, anyone daring to invade the Supreme Sect would die."


    Despite his calm demeanor, a storm was raging in his heart.


    Startling Immortal Lin''s pressure made even this Mahayana Realm cultivator feel fear.


    It must have been an Immortal descending on the Supreme Sect!


    Xuan Tianyi, with the highest cultivation level among the group, had experienced more.


    The mysterious Immortal had just appeared not long ago, then was killed by an even more terrifying aura, indicating a great battle had erupted in the Supreme Sect and ended swiftly!


    This made him wonder, what realm was Sword Venerable Fudao in?

 Chapter 189: Chapter 189 Sword Venerable Fudao Battles the Demon Ancestor!

    When Xuan Tianyi felt shocked in his heart, other great cultivators turned their eyes to the distance.


    The overwhelming demonic aura of the Demon Ancestor was constantly approaching. They could no longer worry about the situation within the Three Dynasties; the upcoming battle for them was one of life and death.


    A figure appeared out of thin air next to Liang Canghai. This person wore a blue dao robe, had a refined and elegant demeanor, black and white hair, and exuded a sense of detachment as if he had seen through the worldly affairs.


    As soon as he appeared, the others bowed to him.


    Xuan Tianyi withdrew his mind and glanced at the newcomer.


    This person was the Daoist Lord of the Cangtian Sect!


    One of the three great cultivators in the land of the Three Dynasties; now, Sword Venerable Fudao was considered an existence beyond the Mahayana Realm, leaving only Xuan Tianyi and the Daoist Lord in the Mahayana Realm.


    The two rarely met as they had to take charge of different parts of the battlefield.


    Liang Canghai looked at the Daoist Lord and respectfully asked: "Martial Master, can you see what realm the Demon Ancestor is in?"


    The others looked at the Daoist Lord, their expressions tense.


    The Daoist Lord replied: "The Realm of Immortal Path. As to the specific realm, I do not know, but it can be confirmed that even if we join forces, we are not his match."


    His voice was light, but the words he said struck everyone like a heavy hammer, making their faces pale.


    Fight to the death!


    These two words were often on their lips, but when facing an invincible enemy, it was inevitable that they felt a bit flustered in their hearts.


    "Even if we are not his match, we must hold him off and wait for Sword Venerable Fudao to come and support us."


    Xuan Tianyi said with a casual tone, without any hint of fear, even with a touch of smile.


    These words instilled hope into the other great cultivators, whose eyes suddenly shone with vitality.


    One couldn''t help but ask: "Will Sword Venerable Fudao really come? Over the years, he has hardly ever taken action outside of the Supreme Sect. He might not belong to the Supreme Sect but instead come from overseas, secretly cultivating there. He may not want to interfere with the mainland''s major events unless some fellows provoke him directly."


    These words caused the crowd to waver once again.


    Xuan Tianyi raised his hand, and a blue lotus bloomed in his palm. Looking ahead, he said: "Everyone, don''t overthink it. Believe in Sword Venerable Fudao, believe in the Supreme Sect. If Sword Venerable Fudao had nothing to do with the Supreme Sect, then the Heavenly Repair Platform would not have the word ''Righteous'' on it."


    "We seek immortality, but even immortals from overseas cannot achieve true immortality. So-called immortals just have a longer lifespan than mortals. Since all lives will end, why not bloom brilliantly in this calamity rather than dying in seclusion, thus not wasting a lifetime of cultivation."


    His words resonated with the other great cultivators, who began adjusting their mindsets, preparing for the upcoming battle.


    At the same time.


    Ten thousand miles away, on the barren plains.


    The Demon Ancestor strolled forward, followed by a vast demonic fog, covering the sky and swallowing all the white bones along the way.


    His white hair fluttered wildly, his tattered robe swaying in the wind, and his four eyes stared ahead, his brows slightly furrowed.


    A bird flew out of the demonic fog behind him, swiftly landing on his shoulder. It was a white dove, tilting its head and asking: "Demon Ancestor, you seem to have some hesitation in your heart."


    Its voice was like a little girl''s, ethereal and melodic.


    The Demon Ancestor looked into the distance and said: "Earlier, there was a Loose Immortal aura among the human race, and another aura even stronger. However, both disappeared in an instant, making it impossible for me to determine their cultivation levels."


    Upon hearing this, the white dove immediately asked: "Could there still be a being stronger than you in the world?"


    "How could there not be? If there weren''t, why would I need to resurrect?"


    "If that''s the case, why march southward? The world is so vast; why not just leave some survivors? If you are hungry, we can go to the sea to find food; the sea has plenty of demon beasts..."


    The white dove chattered non-stop, describing the vastness and beauty of the ocean.


    The Demon Ancestor listened intently but did not stop moving.


    The desolate land was littered with white bones. With each step he took, the demonic fog behind him surged forward, plunging half the world into darkness. He was like the catastrophe of heaven and earth, driving away the light with darkness.


    After a long while, the Demon Ancestor finally said in a melancholic tone: "Little demon, sometimes being strong in this land is a mistake. I cannot leave this continent."


    Upon hearing this, the white dove was dumbfounded, staring blankly at him.


    "However, even if I am not the strongest, unable to leave the continent, no one can completely eradicate me. Since we all have to die eventually, let me see the strength of the human race in the south."


    His face once again turned vicious, his four eyes filled with greed and cruelty.


    He shook his shoulders, startling the white dove into flight.


    "Little demon, fly northward. Since you yearn for the ocean, then go. Although the ocean is more dangerous, it also holds more hope."


    As the Demon Ancestor''s voice fell, he took a step and traversed several miles in an instant. The demonic fog behind him quickly engulfed the white dove.


    Boom!


    A terrifying aura burst from his body; the ground beneath his feet constantly cracked, surrounded by demonic energy, connecting with the demonic fog behind him. Countless shadowy figures of demon beasts appeared, as if he were leading the entire demon clan forward, exuding grandeur.


    In the distance, Xuan Tianyi, the Daoist Lord, and others were all startled.


    The people of the Three Dynasties'' land were equally terrified.


    The Supreme Sect, which had just survived the calamity brought by Startling Immortal Lin, fell into silence once again.


    But this time, the disciples of the Supreme Sect were no longer afraid; instead, they started to look forward to what would happen next.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, inside a pavilion.


    Lu Lingjun turned her head to look out the window, her brows furrowed and said: "This should be the aura of the Demon Ancestor, truly terrifying. I wonder if Sword Venerable Fudao will make a move this time, the other cultivators might not be able to withstand such demonic energy."


    Gu An feigned confusion and asked: "Is the Demon Ancestor very powerful? Can even Xuan Tianyi not stop him?"


    Lu Lingjun rolled her eyes at him and said irritatedly: "Do you think your sworn elder brother is invincible in the world? Compared to Sword Venerable Fudao, he is far inferior."


    Gu An wanted to say on behalf of Sword Venerable Fudao that his second brother was invincible in the world, but he held back.


    He sighed and said: "When will this world''s disaster end? It is so difficult to live a peaceful life."


    Lu Lingjun found it funny and laughed: "Your peaceful life hasn''t been enough? You don''t even need to fight."


    "But seeing you all get hurt, how can I feel at ease?" Gu An said earnestly.


    Seeing his expression, Lu Lingjun suddenly felt guilty.


    With his personality, he would indeed worry about those around him; how could she mock him?


    Although Gu An did not fight, everyone around him received his medicinal herbs and elixirs. His contribution was no less than the other fighting disciples.


    Lu Lingjun took a deep breath and said: "Don''t worry. It''s almost over. It just depends on the battle between Sword Venerable Fudao and the Demon Ancestor, to see who is stronger."


    Gu An nodded and said: "Let''s go down and comfort the other disciples. At this crucial moment, we must stay united."


    His divine sense could easily cover the land of the Three Dynasties, and he could feel the Demon Ancestor getting closer to the Northern Territory.


    The two of them got up and walked downstairs.


    The disciples in the valley had already gathered together. Seeing Gu An and Lu Lingjun coming over, they quickly surrounded them, asking Lu Lingjun about the distance of the demonic aura from the Supreme Sect.


    With their low cultivation levels, they did not know where the demonic aura was, worrying that it was once again aimed at the Supreme Sect.


    "Do not worry, this demonic aura should be from the Demon Ancestor. It is still far away, and the great cultivators of the Immortal Cultivation World are already preparing to confront him."


    Lu Lingjun reassured them. The mention of the Demon Ancestor startled the disciples, and they began discussing it incessantly.


    Xiaochuan turned to look at his senior brother, who was standing outside the crowd, gazing at the sky, lost in thought.


    He immediately walked over and asked: "Senior brother, are you worried?"


    Gu An nodded and said: "Of course, I''m worried. I can''t help but wonder if I should have worked harder on my cultivation. If I were stronger, I would feel more at ease now."


    Xiaochuan responded: "Senior brother, you should indeed work harder on your cultivation. Your talent and status are higher than mine; don''t give up."


    "I''m also talking about you, fool. Can you focus on the cultivation technique I taught you?"


    "Senior brother, do you think that even if I cultivate this technique, I can reach the Core Formation Realm? Will I be able to form a Nascent Soul in this lifetime? We don''t know; it''s impossible. Even if I live for another couple hundred years, if all the time is spent on cultivation, what''s the point? This is something you once told others. I just want to enjoy life to the fullest. Maybe in my next life, I''ll be a genius like Senior Brother Li Ya."


    Xiaochuan chuckled, his face showing a look of yearning.


    Looking at the wrinkles at the corners of Xiaochuan''s eyes, Gu An couldn''t help but mock himself.


    He always said to respect everyone''s choices, yet he cared too much for those close to him.


    He patted Xiaochuan''s shoulder, then turned his gaze to the horizon. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Better think about how to kill the Demon Ancestor!


    After slaying Startling Immortal Lin, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would certainly notice Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Since that''s the case, no more pretending!


    It''s time to show everyone swordsmanship that surpasses the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!


    Gu An squinted his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through the sky to the outer heavens.


    ...


    The Great Jiang Dynasty, Northern Territory.


    On the cliff, Xuan Tianyi, the Daoist Lord, Xuan Quan, Liang Canghai, Daoist Tianshu, and others, more than thirty great cultivators stood side by side, their robes flapping in the wind.


    Following their gaze, the sky had been obscured by the vast demonic fog; their divine senses had already locked onto the Demon Ancestor.


    The Taoist of Immortality from the Three Pure Ones Mountain, dressed in a white robe, held a horsetail whisk and waved it downward off the cliff.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The earth cracked, the mountain where the cliff was located separated from the barren plain, forming a deep, bottomless chasm. Spiritual energy rose from the chasm, forming a shocking energy wall, dispersing the clouds in the sky.


    Xuan Tianyi glanced at the Taoist of Immortality with the corner of his eye, then continued to stare at the Demon Ancestor.


    "Everyone..." Liang Canghai was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something, abruptly raising his head. It wasn''t just him; the other great cultivators did the same.


    They saw the sky quickly darken, the starry sky appeared on the heavens, countless stars twinkling, even meteors streaked across.


    The Daoist Lord couldn''t help but frown, calculating with his fingers.


    The Demon Ancestor also saw this scene. Behind him was the dim demonic fog, while in front of him, half the sky was covered by the brilliant starry sky.

 Chapter 190: Chapter 190 Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword!

    Tianwei Dynasty, Heavenly Palace Mountain.


    An Hao, Si Yan''er, and a group of cultivators walked out of the Heavenly Palace, gazing at the vast sky full of stars with wide eyes.


    The sky in the Immortal Cultivation World was very high. They had never seen so many stars, and they were so close that it seemed they could reach out and pluck them.


    "What is this phenomenon?"


    "Could the sky be falling?"


    "Could this be the work of the Demon Ancestor?"


    "It shouldn''t be. It might be a powerful formation, perhaps from the Cangtian Sect. Their formations are grand, embodying the essence of heaven and earth."


    "Recently, there have been more and more demons in the nearby areas. I''m afraid it will be very difficult for us to protect the inheritance here."


    An Hao gazed at the starry sky, his eyes flickering.


    Si Yan''er stood next to him, marveling. She said a few words but received no response. She couldn''t help but turn to look at him.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Si Yan''er nudged his arm with her elbow and asked.


    An Hao took a deep breath and said, "This is the sword intent of Sword Venerable Fudao. It should be an evolution of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword."


    Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Everyone looked at him, their faces showing surprise and joy.


    They had been drawn out by the demonic might of the Demon Ancestor and were fearful and uneasy. When the sky suddenly changed, they naturally became more tense. Now, upon hearing An Hao''s words, did this not imply that Sword Venerable Fudao was about to confront the Demon Ancestor?


    Si Yan''er knew that Sword Venerable Fudao was An Hao''s master, which made her look forward to the upcoming battle even more.


    She couldn''t forget the scene when Sword Venerable Fudao waved his sleeve and annihilated a Great Cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Such a powerful figure should not be defeated, right?


    Thinking carefully, no matter how strong the enemies that emerged in the world, Sword Venerable Fudao always emerged victorious.


    If he didn''t act, it wouldn''t matter. But when he did, it shocked the world!


    Taicang Dynasty, on a blood-soaked plain, Wu Jue was fiercely battling with the demons. His fists moved like the wind, and each punch could explode the demon''s bodies, making his presence even more terrifying than the demons''.


    On the battlefield, tens of thousands of soldiers from the Taicang Dynasty were fighting against the demons.


    Wu Jue looked up, his face filled with shock.


    How did the sky change so suddenly?


    Not only him, but the other soldiers were also frightened. However, the rampaging demons would not stop, forcing them to continue fighting.


    Miles away, a general clad in silver armor wielded a long spear, unmatched and invincible.


    He was Ye Yan, a disciple recruited by Gu An in the Mystic Valley.


    Although Ye Yan was still in the Foundation Establishment Realm, his physique and spear technique were exceptionally strong, far beyond other Foundation Establishment Realm soldiers. Of course, he was still somewhat inferior to Wu Jue, but his spear technique was more agile.


    The spear danced like a dragon, and his movements were swift like a startled swan. With each thrust and pull, flesh and blood flew!


    Ye Yan also looked up at the starry sky, his eyes filled with envy.


    "What kind of cultivation level could create such a phenomenon?"


    Ye Yan wondered, having served in the military for decades and fought countless battles, his vision was already broad. It was precisely because of this that he understood his own insignificance.


    The world was vast, and the rulers of the world''s destiny were those Great Cultivators who stood above the dynasties. In this life, he probably would not have the opportunity to witness the elegance of those Great Cultivators.


    Ye Yan collected his thoughts and continued fighting.


    On a distant mountaintop, Li Xuandao stood facing the wind, gazing at the myriad stars, his sword-like brows furrowed.


    With his current cultivation level observing the phenomenon in the sky, his feelings were deeper than Wu Jue''s or Ye Yan''s.


    "The Realm of Immortal Path¡­"


    Li Xuandao murmured, his eyes drifting.


    Cultivators across the world were stunned by the star-filled sky, except for a few hiding in the mountains who remained unaware, such as Zhang Buku, who was still cultivating the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe in that mountain cave.


    On a mountain trail in the western region of the Taicang Dynasty, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and other disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall stopped in their tracks, admiring the majestic scene of the stars in the sky.


    The disciples speculated that a Great Cultivator was about to confront that unknown terrifying demonic energy. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Lan withdrew her gaze and looked at Zhen Qin, sighing slightly.


    Since the last disappearance, Zhen Qin seemed like a different person, becoming silent. Even when questioned, Zhen Qin did not respond, which made her very worried.


    She could only pray now that the demonic calamities would end soon so she could take Zhen Qin back to the Supreme Sect to rest.


    ¡­


    In the Third Medicine Valley, all the disciples were astonished by the changes in the sky, and Lu Lingjun was gazing at the star-filled sky.


    She felt a vast sword intent that reminded her of Sword Venerable Fudao, but she also felt that this sword intent was stronger than what Sword Venerable Fudao had displayed before.


    Was it someone else, or had Sword Venerable Fudao never shown his full strength before?


    Gu An and Xiaochuan stood side by side, both gazing at the sky with similar expressions, but Gu An only pretended to be shocked.


    His Divine Sense had already locked onto the Demon Ancestor!


    When he wielded the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, the Demon Ancestor had no escape. It was too late to turn back now.


    However, instead of retreating, the Demon Ancestor exploded with even stronger demonic energy, intending to invade the Human Race''s territory.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao? Let us determine the victor of this calamity today!"


    The Demon Ancestor''s cold voice echoed across the three dynasties. This time, people were not afraid. The words ''Sword Venerable Fudao'' seemed to have a certain power, giving them a great sense of security.


    By now, not only the Immortal Cultivation World but even commoners knew the name of Sword Venerable Fudao. Sword Venerable Fudao had already become the guardian deity in the hearts of people across the three dynasties, even greater than the Mountain God.


    The Mountain God was ethereal and elusive, but Sword Venerable Fudao was a cultivator, closer to them!


    Northern Territory of Great Jiang.


    After the Demon Ancestor''s call, he leaped into the air, his demonic energy erupting, with thunderbolts intertwining around him. The demonic fog behind him billowed fiercely, and countless demonic beast phantoms roared deafeningly, causing the ground to crack continuously, as if the entire world was about to collapse.


    He quickly approached the cliff where Xuan Tianyi and others were.


    Even though they knew Sword Venerable Fudao was about to act, Xuan Tianyi and the others did not let their guard down. They all took out their strongest magic artifacts or formed formations, preparing to confront the Demon Ancestor.


    A vast sword intent suddenly descended, enveloping the world!


    Xuan Tianyi and the others instinctively looked up, and then, their eyes widened, and their mouths fell open. Even the inscrutable Daoist Lord and Taoist of Immortality could not remain calm at this moment, all showing shocked expressions.


    As they watched, the countless stars burst out with sword light, like innumerable sword shadows streaking down with flowing light, covering the entire sky, an awe-inspiring spectacle.


    Even someone as strong as the Mahayana Realm felt insignificant as dust at this moment!


    The Demon Ancestor gazed at the endless starry sword shadows, a fleeting look of fear in his eyes, followed by a manic expression.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    Amidst the rolling demonic fog, countless demonic beast phantoms condensed into a giant demon a thousand feet high. The figure was human-like, standing on lions and tigers, with an azure dragon coiled around its waist, a phoenix spreading its wings on its shoulders. Its long hair writhed like a cluster of serpents, and its hands conjured a long blade''s shadow, brandishing it skyward in fury.


    At this moment, Xuan Tianyi and others, along with the approaching cultivators in the rear, were all stunned. It seemed as if they were witnessing a creation god resisting the sky, the visual impact making their hearts pound like war drums.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    Endless starry sword shadows descended, striking the long blade in the giant demon''s hands. His demon blade was instantly submerged, and his demon body was continuously pierced through.


    He let out a soul-shaking roar and struck the sky with his palm.


    The starry sword shadows fell like the Milky Way, and the thousand-foot-high giant demon was submerged in an instant. The ground shattered, dust flew, and winds howled across the world.


    The giant spiritual energy wall cast by the Taoist of Immortality shattered in an instant, startling Xuan Tianyi and the others to gather their spiritual power to defend themselves. But the mountain they stood on was still pulverized, and they were swept away.


    People in the three dynasties felt the northern sky suddenly burst with blinding light, and the world lost its color in their eyes.


    Even the people in the Third Medicine Valley were dazzled and closed their eyes. Lu Lingjun flew into the sky, shielding the valley with her spiritual power.


    Her beautiful face was full of incredulity, gradually losing its outline in the bright light.


    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, Nianchu Cave.


    The cave walls shuddered, and Tian Yao''er hid by the stone table, extremely nervous. She covered her head with her hands, murmuring "master."


    North Sea Mountains, in front of Mountain God Temple.


    Sage Xuan Miao stood outside the forest, enveloping the mountains in his spiritual power. Yet even so, the surrounding forest still shook violently. He looked into the distance, his face filled with shock.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao..."


    Sage Xuan Miao murmured. Such power made him feel that Sword Venerable Fudao might be no weaker than the Mountain God.


    Or perhaps, the Mountain God did not act because he foresaw that there were still strong individuals like Sword Venerable Fudao in the world?


    Sage Xuan Miao could not see the specific battle situation, but facing such grand sword intent, he could not think of how the Demon Ancestor could win.


    The intense light lasted for ten breaths'' time. When everyone regained their vision, the world was still filled with howling winds, and the earth shook.


    The starry sky spectacle displayed across the heavens gradually disappeared, revealing the blue sky.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An looked at the prompt before him, his brows furrowed.


    [You successfully seized 1,030 years of lifespan from the Demon Ancestor (Fifth Layer of the Loose Immortal Realm)]


    How is it only a little over a thousand?


    It''s not even as much as Startling Immortal Lin!


    Next to him, Xiaochuan cautiously opened his eyes, watching the sky''s stars gradually fade, and couldn''t help asking Gu An: "Senior Brother, is it over?"


    He had expected an earth-shattering battle between Sword Venerable Fudao and the Demon Ancestor. Now, looking at it, it was certainly earth-shattering but not much of a battle.


    Gu An took a deep breath, pretending to be profound, and said: "I am not sure either. Perhaps only Lu Lingjun knows the situation afar."


    The servant disciples behind them also discussed this matter, their eyes looking toward Lu Lingjun in the sky.


    Lu Lingjun hovered in the air, looking northward with a look of fear in her eyes.


    A small snake peeked out from her hair¡ªit was the White Spirit Demon Emperor. It hissed its tongue, exclaiming: "My goodness¡­ such terrifying demonic energy dissipated just like that? The Demon Ancestor was not even an opponent for one move of Sword Venerable Fudao..."


    Lu Lingjun did not respond to it because she was also pondering this.


    Just how strong is Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Before long, the outer gate city in the distance erupted with cheers, the disciples of the Supreme Sect''s Law Enforcement Hall unleashing their pent-up emotions.


    To see Sword Venerable Fudao act twice in one day¡ªno regrets in this life!


    Most importantly, the Demon Ancestor had perished. Does it not signify the end of the demonic tribulations?

 Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Sword Venerable Shakes the World, Holy Land Saves the World

    Rumble, rumble¡ª


    Dust flew in the air as Xuan Tianyi flew out from the ruins. He ascended to the sky, overlooking the scene below, his eyes widened.


    His gaze crossed the chasm created by the Taoist of Immortality. On the other side of the land, the Demon Ancestor''s figure was no longer visible. The horrifying demonic might from before had completely disappeared. All he could see was rolling dust and demonic mist, the area appearing like a chaotic world.


    "Was that a sword array just now?"


    Xuan Tianyi frowned, thinking to himself. The Sword Venerable Fudao hadn''t appeared, yet he was able to vanquish the Demon Ancestor with one move, truly frightening him.


    This was his first real encounter with the might of the Sword Venerable Fudao. Even on the ocean, he had never seen such a sword array.


    Other great cultivators also gathered from all directions. They were unharmed, only thrown off by the force. They were very excited.


    "The Demon Ancestor is dead! Is the demonic calamity finally over?"


    "Hahaha, we finally won, and we didn''t have to die!"


    "The Sword Venerable Fudao is truly too powerful, even among the immortals there are still gaps."


    "Why would someone so powerful hide their identity?"


    "Ask yourself that. For someone of his caliber, if he were to step in a few times, it''s already commendable. If his true identity were revealed, you''d all come begging to him whenever trouble arises."


    The great cultivators were very excited, some even burst out laughing. The years of pent-up aggression were finally released. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Liang Canghai, Sect Leader of Cangtian Sect, spoke: "Everyone, I suggest that the various sects of the three dynasties should all erect statues of the Sword Venerable Fudao, not to curry favor, but to let the world remember his benevolence forever!"


    Hearing this, the great cultivators of other sects all applauded.


    The Supreme Elder Xuan Quan frowned, hesitated to speak.


    Xuan Tianyi glanced at Liang Canghai and snorted coldly, but said nothing.


    Subsequently, under Liang Canghai''s orders, they started patrolling the area to ensure that the Demon Ancestor was truly dead.


    Far away in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An was also using his divine sense to search the battlefield. The Demon Ancestor left behind no demon core or demon treasure upon death.


    This guy died so worthlessly.


    Could it be he could be resurrected later?


    Gu An suppressed his thoughts and joined his disciples in discussing the strength of the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Now it depends on how the Seven Stars Spirit Realm reacts!


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm claimed to be a Holy Land, they shouldn''t act recklessly. That Startling Immortal Lin had not revealed his true name; even the disciples of the Supreme Sect didn''t know who he was.


    ...


    The fall of the Demon Ancestor!


    This news spread throughout the world in just two days. The reason it spread so quickly was that the Demon Ancestor had previously called out to the Sword Venerable Fudao when he moved south.


    The Sword Venerable Fudao''s prestige reached unprecedented heights across the three dynasties!


    Although the rampaging demons had not completely dispersed, the demon kings were already scared and had withdrawn from the lands of the three dynasties, greatly boosting the morale of the human race!


    Everyone in the world sang praises of the Sword Venerable Fudao!


    When Gu An disguised as the Green Hero traveled through the mortal world, in every city, village, and town, people were discussing the Sword Venerable Fudao, much to his surprise. He hadn''t expected the news to spread so fast.


    After the fall of the Demon Ancestor, demons were still numerous, indicating that the true controller of the demons was not the Demon Ancestor.


    However, as long as the demon kings retreated, the three dynasties would eventually triumph. Gu An did not remain idle, seizing the time to accumulate life spans.


    The ability to seize life spans was his greatest secret, so he couldn''t use the identity of the Sword Venerable Fudao to massacre, mainly because the Sword Venerable Fudao seldom slaughtered demons before. It was more reasonable to do so as the Green Hero, as there were many heroes like him in the current world.


    Days passed by.


    A month later, Gu An''s life span broke eight million years.


    On this day, Lv Baitian came to the Third Medicine Valley to find him. Gu An received Lv Baitian in a pavilion.


    Lv Baitian was very happy, constantly praising the Sword Venerable Fudao. The Sword Venerable Fudao appeared during his tenure as the head of the Supreme Sect, and he successfully retained the Sword Venerable Fudao. The Supreme Elders were very pleased with his actions, and Xuan Tianyi also stated that he would not compete for the position of sect leader.


    "The demonic calamity is virtually over. Besides the Sword Venerable Fudao slaying the Demon Ancestor, the Holy Land has also opened its doors, sending disciples down the mountain to save the world," Lv Baitian lightly shook his teacup, smiling.


    Gu An asked: "The Holy Land? I heard from the Third Miss that the Holy Land never intervenes in the affairs of the continent. Why did they intervene this time?"


    Lv Baitian explained: "It is said that the formation of the demonic calamity relates not only to the Demon Ancestor but also to an ancient demon known as the Evil Demon. The Evil Demon was sealed underground by the Holy Land. When the Demon Ancestor fell and the demons continued to rampage, the Holy Land realized something was wrong. After investigating, although the Evil Demon remains sealed, his demonic qi seeped into demon bodies through nature''s spiritual energy, causing their corruption into demons."


    "Because the lands of the three dynasties lie in the southernmost part of the continent, furthest from the Evil Demon, the human race was not corrupted. The Holy Land also revealed that the Evil Demon grows increasingly powerful and will inevitably emerge in the future, bringing another catastrophe. The Holy Land will face it alongside the various sects of the human race, as they consider it their responsibility for not completely eradicating the Evil Demon."


    Hearing this, Gu An almost developed a sense of admiration for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Truly flawless and impeccable!


    If Gu An hadn''t searched through so many memories, based on Lv Baitian''s words alone, the Holy Land indeed seemed great.


    But he knew it was all orchestrated by the Holy Land themselves.


    It was also a good thing. The Holy Land sending disciples to save the world indicated that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cared about its image and wouldn''t act recklessly.


    It also meant that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm feared the Sword Venerable Fudao, unwilling to confront him directly, giving Gu An more time to grow.


    Still, Gu An couldn''t let his guard down; he had to watch out for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm investigating him in secret.


    Gu An, feigning joy, asked: "That is indeed good news. The Holy Land must be really powerful. Do other sects know of this?"


    "Yes, all sects received a message from the Holy Land''s envoys. It''s estimated that within five years, demons will be no more, and the three dynasties might even expand into the demon lands. For the Taicang Dynasty and the Supreme Sect, it could be a bit troublesome," Lv Baitian nodded.


    Gu An was surprised and asked: "What kind of trouble?"


    "With the Great Jiang Dynasty and the Tianwei Dynasty standing between the Taicang Dynasty and the demon lands, it makes it hard for us to mine spirit mines or seek opportunities in the demon lands. Over time, the Taicang Dynasty will be swallowed by the other two dynasties, weakening the Supreme Sect''s influence in the immortal cultivation world. I''m planning to support Li Xuandao to accomplish this."


    Lv Baitian spoke worriedly, then began sipping tea.


    Gu An wanted to say, you guys are really persistent.


    The demonic calamity isn''t over, and you''re already thinking about dividing the demon lands?


    But he couldn''t interfere; the Supreme Sect indeed needed to grow stronger, which would help him to continue surviving.


    Lv Baitian started discussing the Supreme Sect''s upcoming plans with a sincere attitude. Clearly, he still hadn''t given up on recruiting Gu An as a disciple.


    According to him, once the demonic calamity was resolved, the Supreme Elders would no longer travel south but lead the Supreme Sect''s disciples to explore the demon lands, constantly enhancing the Supreme Sect''s foundation.


    They even considered the Cangtian Sect as a hypothetical enemy, and the Cangtian Sect felt the same. Lv Baitian found the Cangtian Sect''s over-the-top praise of the Sword Venerable Fudao nauseating.


    "Do they want to align with the Sword Venerable Fudao? Dream on! Gu An, why don''t you write a book with the Sword Venerable Fudao as the protagonist, just like Pan An''s works which spread throughout the world!" Lv Baitian looked at Gu An, seriously.


    Write about myself again?


    Gu An wasn''t so narcissistic. He immediately shook his head: "No way, I don''t want to write books for others anymore. Besides, the karma of the Sword Venerable Fudao is too significant. If I write it and the book becomes famous, it''d attract endless trouble. Sect Leader, do you want to get me killed? Not to mention, you wouldn''t be able to defend against the enemies of the Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Lv Baitian agreed, temporarily setting the idea aside.


    After chatting for a long time, Lv Baitian left regretfully.


    Gu An didn''t stay idle; he left the Third Medicine Valley, spent an hour in the Mystic Valley, and then disguised himself as the Green Hero again to descend the mountain.


    ...


    Time flew by, and another month passed.


    Gu An celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday; he was getting closer to a hundred years old.


    On this day, Xuan Tianyi visited Gu An. He pulled Gu An, who was still sowing seeds in the garden, back to the pavilion, looking mysterious.


    "What''s the matter, so urgent?" Gu An asked, seeing Xuan Tianyi set up restrictions inside the room.


    Xuan Tianyi turned to the desk and took a book from his storage bag, slamming it onto the table.


    Gu An looked closely, his eyelids twitching.


    Sword Venerable Travelogue!


    Good heavens!


    He immediately said: "Are you crazy? Daring to mess with the Sword Venerable Fudao? Aren''t you afraid he''ll come after you?"


    Xuan Tianyi raised an eyebrow: "I''m just writing a book. What trouble can it bring?"


    "Be careful, the Sword Venerable Fudao might tap your shoulder at midnight!"


    "Oh? That''s a nice idea, could add to the atmosphere."


    "No, I''m serious, don''t mess around!"


    Gu An became anxious. The Supreme Secret Records had already tainted his real name, and he didn''t want his other identity to be tarnished too.


    Lv Baitian was such a beast, unable to find me, so he asked Xuan Tianyi to write?


    If he had known, Gu An should have taken the task himself!


    Seeing Gu An''s anxiety, Xuan Tianyi felt moved. This brother was not a mistake!


    "Don''t worry, this time I changed the style. I''m imitating your books. Take a look first." Xuan Tianyi waved his hand, assuredly.


    Gu An immediately picked up the Sword Venerable Travelogue and seriously read through it.


    Xuan Tianyi walked to the bookshelf, wanting to see what books Gu An usually read.


    A long while passed.


    Gu An put down the Sword Venerable Travelogue, letting out a sigh of relief. He turned to Xuan Tianyi and said: "It''s not bad, indeed it doesn''t have so many romantic affairs. The Sword Venerable Fudao is now revered by cultivators worldwide. You can mythologize him, but not degrade him."


    Xuan Tianyi turned around, glaring at him: "What do you mean? You think the Green Hero is degrading?"


    "By the way, I''ve always been curious. Is the Green Hero Travelogue made up or real experiences?"


    "Half true, half false."


    The anger in Xuan Tianyi''s eyes dissipated significantly, replaced by embarrassment.


    "Which half is true, and which half is false?" Gu An frowned.


    It turned out to be true!


    Do you think you''re worthy of Ms. Zi? That night in the abandoned temple, you two were so¡­


    Gu An suddenly wanted to find a knife to poke Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi fake coughed: "Let''s talk about this book. Don''t get distracted. Give me some advice. After all, Pan An knows the cultivators of the world well. I heard other sects are also sending people to write books, imitating Pan An, to win over the Sword Venerable Fudao. Our Supreme Sect can''t lose in book writing!"

 Chapter 192: Chapter 192 Cant Lift It Just Cant Lift It

    "First of all, the name cannot be called Travelogue, it has no attraction at all. As an immortal cultivator, do you want to see people traveling the world? Don''t they have the ability? I like to watch it because my aptitude is poor and I don''t dare to leave the Supreme Sect on normal days."


    Gu An commented pompously, Xuan Tianyi sat down beside him, carefully listening to his suggestions.


    Just like that, Gu An began his long-winded tirade.


    Putting aside everything else, bragging felt exhilarating, no wonder so many people liked to act as mentors, Gu An enjoyed it very much.


    Two ancient hours quickly passed.


    Gu An stopped reluctantly, while Xuan Tianyi felt deep admiration, realizing there were so many tricks to writing a book¡ªwhat to make enjoyable, relatable, create tension, and more, listening to him was utterly fascinating.


    Excitedly, Xuan Tianyi stood up to bid farewell.


    "I''m planning to visit the Heavenly Repair Platform to feel the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao and rewrite this book. Following your advice, I won''t call it Sword Venerable Travelogue anymore. I will come up with a new name."


    After saying that, he walked towards the door. Gu An stood up to see him off.


    After going downstairs, Gu An watched him leave with a look of contemplation.


    An Xin suddenly ran over and said, "Master, the White Spirit Rat is missing!"


    Gu An responded casually, "It''s gone, then it''s gone; it knows how to come back on its own."


    Many disciples in the valley were rewarded by him and allowed to cultivate under the Mystic Pure Tree, but the one who benefited the most was the White Spirit Rat, whose maximum lifespan had increased several times over. He suspected it had achieved enlightenment in its dreams.


    How difficult enlightenment was. Lu Lingjun practiced under the Mystic Pure Tree every day without success, but the White Spirit Rat managed to do it.


    However, no one else noticed this; the White Spirit Rat appeared the same as before, just a bit more agile. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin looked worried as she listened.


    Since Gu An had handed the White Spirit Rat to her, she no longer disliked it; Gu An thought she was becoming a rat slave.


    Gu An led An Xin to the side, preparing to guide her in her cultivation.


    Now, Gu An was already a Great Cultivator at the Eighth Floor of the Foundation Establishment Realm, more than capable of guiding An Xin.


    On the other side.


    Xuan Tianyi arrived at the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    It had been two months since the fall of the Demon Ancestor. Because of Sword Venerable Fudao, the Supreme Sect had become the most prestigious sect in the Three Dynasties region, attracting numerous cultivators to visit the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Zuo Yijian guarded the Heaven-Cutting Axe, with dozens of disciples by his side, all his followers.


    The Heaven-Cutting Axe was the inheritance left by Sword Venerable Fudao to the disciples of the Supreme Sect, so Zuo Yijian did not allow disciples from other sects to challenge this legacy.


    "No one but disciples of our sect can test the Heaven-Cutting Axe!"


    Zuo Yijian shouted sternly, causing dissatisfaction among the cultivators surrounding the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Someone even questioned his authority.


    Zuo Yijian defiantly replied, "I am Zuo Yijian, the Maniac Swordsman of Canghu Lake. My sword was once used by the Sword Venerable himself, and I have the duty to safeguard his legacy!"


    With that statement, no one dared to question him further, though many still disapproved of his attitude.


    Xuan Tianyi watched from a distance, equally displeased.


    An insignificant Nascent Soul Realm cultivator dare to act so arrogantly?


    He suddenly recalled Gu An''s warning. Yes, this could be written down. In the future, he would write that Sword Venerable Fudao killed people with a shoulder tap to frighten this kid.


    "Xuan Tianyi, long time no see."


    A light chuckle caught Xuan Tianyi''s attention. He turned to see a man in a purple robe approaching. The man was elegant, with his robe fluttering in the wind and a feather crown on his head, attracting the gazes of disciples along his path.


    Xuan Tianyi slightly raised his chin and said, "Ji Xuanling, it''s been years. How come you''ve just now entered the Mahayana Realm?"


    As soon as his words fell, the Heavenly Repair Platform was abuzz.


    Even Zuo Yijian, standing beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, couldn''t help but look toward the two.


    Very quickly, someone recognized Xuan Tianyi, making them even more curious about Ji Xuanling.


    Where did this Mahayana Realm cultivator come from?


    Weren''t there only two Mahayana Realm cultivators in the Three Dynasties region?


    Ji Xuanling walked up to Xuan Tianyi, standing five steps apart, their heights nearly identical. Xuan Tianyi was more arrogant, while Ji Xuanling, though not as proud, was equally formidable.


    "Brother Xuan, you made rapid progress after a trip to the ocean. Are you now a disciple of the Supreme Sect or the Star Sea Congregations?" Ji Xuanling asked with a smile.


    Xuan Tianyi scoffed, "I can be a disciple of any sect I want, can you?"


    Ji Xuanling chuckled and continued asking, "I wonder, Brother Xuan, have you met Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Xuan Tianyi suddenly had an idea, smiling as he said, "Of course I have. If you want to meet Sword Venerable Fudao, you can. See the Heaven-Cutting Axe over there? If you can move it even slightly, I''ll take you to see Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "Really?"


    "Absolutely."


    "It seems this axe is hard to move." Ji Xuanling said thoughtfully.


    Xuan Tianyi replied proudly, "Indeed, it is. Even with my cultivation, I could only make it shift a little."


    Many disciples of the Supreme Sect who had seen him lift the axe were hesitant to speak, not daring to contradict him in public.


    "Then let me try."


    Ji Xuanling turned and walked toward the Heaven-Cutting Axe, with Xuan Tianyi following closely behind.


    Upon reaching the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Zuo Yijian wanted to stop him but was instantly subdued by Xuan Tianyi''s divine sense, rendering him immobile.


    Zuo Yijian looked at Xuan Tianyi in fear, feeling furious.


    Ji Xuanling ignored Zuo Yijian''s minor actions. He raised his hand to grasp the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    More and more cultivators gathered. On the Heavenly Repair Platform one could find disciples from all sects of the Three Dynasties Immortal Cultivation World, even including Demon Path Disciples. In the face of the demon calamity, the righteous and demonic paths had ceased hostility to jointly resist demons, so the Supreme Sect did not prevent Demon Path Disciples from coming, as long as they didn''t cause trouble.


    Under the watchful eyes of Sword Venerable Fudao, who would dare to act recklessly?


    The moment Ji Xuanling grasped it, he felt the same as Ji Xiaoyu.


    Unshakeable!


    However, remembering that Xuan Tianyi could make it shift with all his might, he felt slightly reassured and began cultivating energy.


    Boom!


    The aura of the Mahayana Realm was fully unleashed, startling the surrounding cultivators to retreat.


    Xuan Tianyi''s eyes narrowed; he immediately isolated Ji Xuanling''s aura with his own, directing it skyward to avoid harming others.


    Figures appeared out of thin air on the Heavenly Repair Platform. Lv Baitian, Gu Zong, Ji Hantian, and Lu Lingjun had all arrived and were watching Ji Xuanling.


    Ji Xuanling''s brows furrowed. He shifted his stance for better leverage, even emitting golden flames from his seven orifices, causing the surrounding space to quake violently.


    The Heavenly Repair Platform trembled, and Lv Baitian and others cultivated energy to channel mana into the platform, preventing it from shattering.


    Despite using secret techniques, Ji Xuanling found himself unable to budge the Heaven-Cutting Axe, becoming increasingly agitated.


    He let out a low shout, veins bulging from his neck, his face flushed red, no longer composed or elegant.


    Xuan Tianyi''s mouth twitched uncontrollably.


    Yes!


    Just like that!


    The so-called prodigy of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, nothing more!


    Ji Xuanling''s entire body ignited with golden flames, resembling a human torch, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t move the Heaven-Cutting Axe!


    "How could this be¡­"


    Ji Xuanling was shocked, unable to accept this reality.


    He could accept not being able to lift it, but he couldn''t accept being weaker than Xuan Tianyi!


    The harder he tried, the more he felt the Heaven-Cutting Axe was immovable. How did Xuan Tianyi manage to do it?


    Could it be the Star Sea Congregations had deeper foundations than the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    "Enough, it''s about time. If you can''t move it, you can''t move it. As a prodigy of the Holy Land, can you not accept this fact? Looks like the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s training is inadequate, only teaching cultivation, not character formation?" Xuan Tianyi''s voice rang out.


    This guy was incredibly annoying, broadcasting his voice for all to hear, as if afraid no one would know Ji Xuanling''s identity.


    Ji Xuanling cursed inwardly, withdrawing the flames around him.


    The terrifying pressure of the Mahayana Realm vanished, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Xuan Tianyi no longer suppressed Zuo Yijian and began mocking Ji Xuanling. Ji Xuanling tried to keep smiling, praising the greatness of Sword Venerable Fudao, after all, he was a renowned Great Cultivator.


    Seeing Ji Xuanling''s humility, Zuo Yijian felt favorable towards him, speaking up, "Actually, Senior Xuan failed before as well. He couldn''t make the Heaven-Cutting Axe budge."


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xuanling''s smile froze.


    Xuan Tianyi wasn''t angry; he became even more pleased.


    He decided he would definitely include the shoulder-tapping detail in his book to make Zuo Yijian restless!


    On the other side.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An pondered the purpose of Ji Xuanling''s visit.


    It probably wasn''t to investigate him; if so, would they come with such fanfare?


    Could it be the Holy Land was preparing to integrate into the Immortal Cultivation World?


    After the Mahayana Realm pressure dissipated, An Xin relaxed and raised her sword again, saying, "Master, Senior Xuan said just now that the other party comes from the Holy Land, does this mean the Holy Land intends to accept us?"


    In her mind, the Holy Land was definitely more powerful than the Supreme Sect.


    Hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but speculate if the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wanted to annex the Supreme Sect?


    Facing the unknown Sword Venerable Fudao, they couldn''t continue to suppress openly, mainly because their previous actions were in secret and couldn''t be publicly exposed.


    But the Lin Family wouldn''t let it rest.


    The Lin Family was a major clan in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm!


    Gu An was ready to bully the older and more powerful ones.


    He said, "How would I know? Focus on practicing your sword skills. You''re good in every way, but your mind isn''t focused. Whenever there''s a chance, you slack off."


    An Xin blushed and continued practicing her sword.


    Gu An collected his thoughts, no longer thinking about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    He began to think about his new book.


    It was about time to start writing Journey to the West. Perfect, he could use this book to critique the high and mighty Seven Stars Spirit Realm, awakening the thoughts of cultivators everywhere.


    Of course, this book had to be written slowly to avoid alerting them.


    Writing for decades, by the time the Seven Stars Spirit Realm realized, Gu An would have already reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal realm!


    News of the prodigy Ji Xuanling from the Holy Land failing to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe quickly spread, exciting the disciples of the Supreme Sect.


    As the Holy Land began saving the world, many legends about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm sprouted like mushrooms after the rain. To many disciples of the Supreme Sect, it seemed like the Holy Land was trying to steal the glory of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Why didn''t the Holy Land act before the demon ancestor''s death?


    Now, the moment a prodigy from the Holy Land appeared in the Supreme Sect, they were overshadowed by Sword Venerable Fudao. How could they not be pleased?


    This news quickly spread from the Supreme Sect to the Immortal Cultivation World of the Three Dynasties, attracting more and more cultivators to come to the Supreme Sect, eager to witness the prowess of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.

 Chapter 193: Chapter 193 Just Sparring, Not Life-Threatening

    With the arrival of midsummer and under the scorching sun, Gu An was picking medicinal herbs in Mystic Valley.


    As the number of demons and monsters in the world significantly decreased, the sky became bluer. Now, with the three dynasties, the Holy Land, and the Demon Emperor''s forces actively eliminating demons, Gu An''s speed of harvesting life spans also slowed down.


    However, everything gradually returned to peace, which was a good thing for him.


    Peace in the world, quietly farming, and developing steadily¡ªthat was the true path.


    Lu Jiujia came to Gu An''s side and asked softly, "Senior Brother, are you going to participate in the alchemy contest at the end of the year?"


    After the Demon Ancestor died, Lv Baitian became active again. First, he made Xuan Tianyi write a book, and then he organized the First Alchemy Contest of the world. The various rich rewards attracted the attention of cultivators across the world, and disciples of the Supreme Sect could participate as well.


    In Lu Jiujia''s view, Gu An''s alchemy skills were quite good. He had elevated batch after batch of servant disciples to outer disciples. Just in Mystic Valley alone, more than twenty disciples had achieved Foundation Establishment successfully, and new faces appeared in Medicine Valley almost every year.


    "No need to join the excitement; having my name on the Golden List is enough for me to make a living." Gu An casually replied.


    There would be many similar world contests in the future. If there were a calligraphy contest, he might participate since he liked practicing writing daily.


    Lu Jiujia sighed at the development of the Supreme Sect.


    Now, the Supreme Sect was vastly different from when he first joined, with a more upright atmosphere and a stronger sect. Previously, even seeing a Nascent Soul cultivator was difficult, but now there were numerous Divinity Transformation, Void Crossing, and Unification cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform, and he even heard of Mystic Heart Realm affairs.


    The stronger the Supreme Sect, the more opportunities for the disciples. For example, even participating in organizing the First Alchemy Contest of the world could reap significant rewards, making it suitable for disciples with ample time but lacking cultivation resources.


    Gu An continued to pick herbs while attentively listening.


    Listening more to the opinions of lower-level cultivators about the Supreme Sect revealed more about whether the Supreme Sect was on the right path.


    Wait!


    Why do I have this sect leader''s mindset again?


    Blame Lv Baitian!


    However, Gu An was accustomed to acting as Lv Baitian''s behind-the-scenes advisor. This feeling was actually quite satisfying, just speaking without doing, fulfilling his desire to command without exerting effort.


    Lv Baitian also enjoyed it. Over time, perhaps one day Gu An would want to manage the sect personally.


    It had been several months since the Demon Ancestor''s fall. The Supreme Sect dispatched inner disciples and outer disciples to eliminate demons, while inheriting disciples and true disciples were sent to the Demon Land for exploration.


    The Demon Land was vast, an unknown treasure trove for the sects of the three dynasties. Even great cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm could not resist going.


    Lu Lingjun had left the Third Medicine Valley as well, but her departure did not affect the Third Medicine Valley.


    When Lu Jiujia finished speaking, Gu An finally said meaningfully, "You must cultivate the technique left by Wuxin seriously. The rise of the Supreme Sect shows that times have changed, and we both have opportunities."


    Lu Jiujia nodded, starting to imagine the future.


    Gu An handed the picked herbs to Lu Jiujia, gave a few reminders, and then left Mystic Valley.


    Next was the picking in Tianya Valley, Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Mountain God Temple, and Nianchu Cave. In the evening, he had to go to the Eight Scenic Caves. It was busy but fulfilling.


    Although the number of demonized monsters was decreasing, Gu An still gained a lot of life spans by picking medicinal herbs.


    He was even preparing to expand Nianchu Cave Mansion, just as he needed to find two female demons for Tian Yao''er.


    At night.


    In Nianchu Cave Mansion, Gu An sat at a stone table, sipping tea while watching Tian Yao''er and two little cat demons.


    The Demon Land lacked nothing but demons, and Gu An sought out demons that were suffering.


    These two little cat demons were twins. Their parents were eaten by a demonized monster last month, and they barely escaped, suffering many injuries over the past month. Tian Yao''er was cleaning their wounds.


    Seeing her joyful yet distressed expression, Gu An couldn''t help but think of An Xin.


    Do women all like to keep pets?


    Gu An extended his divine sense to the depths of the Demon Land. The legend of the Evil Demon spread continuously in the three dynasties, making the Evil Demon a dire threat to all, more terrifying than the Demon Ancestor, even the ancient Holy Land could not shake it.


    The demonic qi of the Evil Demon was constantly spreading. Even Gu An, in the Ninth Layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, needed to spend some time searching for it.


    Half an hour later, Gu An''s divine sense locked onto a mountain range deep within the continent, a place nearly ten million miles away from Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, with demonic qi covering a radius of over a million miles.


    Gu An''s divine sense penetrated the densest area of demonic qi. Along the way, he saw a group of mysterious cultivators, none of whom were weak, with the weakest at the Mahayana Realm. They had set up camp in a mountain forest''s temple, each cultivating alone without interacting.


    It seemed like the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wanted to guard against the Evil Demon breaking its seal?


    Soon, he felt a strong restriction, breakthrough only possible by someone at the Wandering Immortal Realm. He felt he could break it, but he did not want to alarm the Seven Stars Spirit Realm or the Evil Demon, so he withdrew his divine sense.


    Take it slow, no rush!


    If he could reach a lifespan of one hundred million years before the Evil Demon broke its seal, great. If not, he would break through early.


    Gu An called up his attribute panel and saw that his lifespan was about to hit nine million years, feeling calm inside.


    After a while, Gu An asked, "Have you thought of what to name them?"


    The two little cat demons had low spiritual wisdom, still at the First Order.


    Tian Yao''er thought for a while and said, "Master, why don''t you name them? Speaking of which, I still don''t know what master''s name is."


    Upon saying this, her tone turned wistful, her gaze at Gu An filled with grievance.


    Ignoring her look, Gu An said, "Let''s call them Tianqing and Tianbai."


    Both cat demons were white. The names Tianqing and Tianbai came to Gu An''s mind because of his Qinghong Sword and Ye Lan''s White Spirit Sword.


    Tian Yao''er immediately flattered, "Sounds good, as expected of master."


    Gu An stood up and left with a parting word, "Remember, don''t let them step on the herbs."


    Seeing him disappear into thin air, Tian Yao''er pouted, then picked up the two cat demons and brought them to the stone table. She suddenly noticed two books on the table.


    "Sword Venerable Legend?"


    Tian Yao''er became interested, placing the two cat demons on the table, then picked up one of the books and started reading.


    ...


    At the end of summer, the heat in the world persisted.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Xuan Tianyi sat on a chair, looking depressed. He couldn''t help but ask, "Why doesn''t my Sword Venerable Legend sell as much as your book?"


    Gu An was writing, answering, "Maybe there are too many books of the same type, so it has a weaker effect."


    Not to mention other sects, just the Supreme Sect had produced dozens of books about Sword Venerable Fudao. Green Hero didn''t have Pan An''s appeal, so how could it be popular?


    Xuan Tianyi sighed, feeling he was better suited to writing travelogues.


    He picked up a piece of paper Gu An had just finished writing and read aloud, "Chaos wasn''t divided, and the world was in turmoil; vast and boundless, unseen by anyone. Since Pangu broke the primordial chaos, from then on, clear and turbid were distinguished¡­"


    Just the opening poem captivated him.


    This must be an Investiture of the Gods type of book!


    He read on seriously, finding it fascinating.


    When he finished the first page, he wanted to find the second, but Gu An hadn''t written it yet.


    Gu An wasn''t just recalling the plot but also thinking about the handwriting, how to make it look good.


    "Forget it, you keep writing. I''m here to say goodbye today." Xuan Tianyi put down the paper and said.


    Without looking up, Gu An asked, "Where are you going?"


    Xuan Tianyi replied, "To the Demon Land to find the Evil Demon. The Holy Land is leading us."


    Gu An nodded and said, "Be very careful, don''t be complacent because of your cultivation level."


    "You brat, how dare you lecture me? I''ve roamed the oceans, unlike you who stay in the Supreme Sect all day. Don''t worry, I can''t possibly die; I''m invincible below the immortal path."


    Xuan Tianyi stood up, full of spirit, and said. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An looked at him and asked, "What if you encounter an immortal path being?"


    "Then I''ll die gloriously!"


    Xuan Tianyi said, turning to leave. At the door, he looked back and urged, "Write faster; I want to see if your book can surpass Investiture of the Gods."


    He pushed the door open and left. Gu An did not get up to see him off.


    Surpass Investiture of the Gods?


    Gu An chuckled, continuing to write.


    As dusk approached, he finally left the Third Medicine Valley.


    ...


    Late at night, in the mountains and forests.


    Wearing animal skins, Zhang Buku strolled forward, carrying a stone axe at his waist. His eyes were fixed on the firelight on the mountain, where there was a temple, illuminated by firelight and an inexplicably familiar aura.


    He had left the cave a month ago, heading north, seeking opportunities in the Demon Land. Along the way, he had hardly interacted with cultivators or demons, making him very nervous as he cautiously approached the mountain.


    Soon, he entered the temple. It was large, with Zhang Buku standing in the outer courtyard, hesitating. The firelight was just behind a wall.


    "Since you''re here, come over and meet."


    A voice came from the other side of the courtyard wall. Hearing this, Zhang Buku breathed a sigh of relief and leaped over the wall.


    He landed in front of the fire, scrutinizing the black-clad man sitting opposite. The man had a stern face, and beside him was a noticeable heavy sword.


    While Zhang Buku observed Li Ya, Li Ya was also observing him.


    "My name is Zhang Buku. May I know your name, Daoist Friend?" Zhang Buku cupped his fists and said.


    He could sense the person before him was very strong, but now he was no longer the same as before. He was only somewhat nervous, not afraid.


    Li Ya replied, "My name is Li Ya. Why do you have half demon energy in you?"


    Zhang Buku answered, "My father is human, my mother is a demon. Are you the same as me?"


    Li Ya?


    That name sounded familiar.


    Upon hearing his question, Li Ya glared at him and snorted, "Of course not. I only consumed a demon treasure, having the power of demon blood."


    Zhang Buku felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this.


    Noticing the stone axe at Zhang Buku''s waist, Li Ya stood up and smiled, "Kid, how about we spar a bit?"


    Since witnessing Sword Venerable Fudao''s Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, he had understood the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword better. He had been diligently practicing for half a year, eager to test it out.


    Zhang Buku instinctively touched the stone axe at his waist and asked, "Are we really just sparring?"


    Li Ya nodded, "Just sparring, no life-threatening moves. I''ve been practicing my swordsmanship for half a year and want to test it."


    Zhang Buku''s eyes lit up, and he smiled, "To be honest, I''ve been practicing hard for some time too. Alright, let''s go."

 Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Be Careful Sword Venerable Fudao Pats Your Shoulder

    In the dark night, strong winds arose, and the forest swayed violently.


    The flames of the temple flickered with the wind, and dust billowed up from the foot of the hill.


    Li Ya crashed into the forest, his body smashing through the mountain wall, and the dust quickly engulfed him. His North Sea Heavy Sword flew hundreds of feet away, piercing a thousand-year-old tree and splitting its trunk.


    Zhang Buku hovered in the air, holding a stone axe in one hand. He looked nervously down and asked, "Daoist Friend Li Ya, are you alright?"


    Li Ya''s Sword Intent was so strong that he had to use the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe. He was happy when he struck Li Ya down, but then he got worried, fearing that he might have killed him.


    The two had met by chance; he never killed those without grievance or enmity.


    Zhang Buku waved his left hand, dispersing the dust below, and looked at Li Ya lying among the shattered mountain wall.


    Li Ya hung his head low, covered in blood.


    That blow from the axe had almost split his body apart. Fortunately, he had taken the Dragon Image Divine Primordial; otherwise, he wouldn''t have survived.


    Zhang Buku quickly flew to Li Ya''s side, panicking and unsure of what to do.


    Li Ya struggled to raise his head, closing one eye and gritting his teeth, "What kind of monster are you..."


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t do it on purpose. I really didn''t mean to. It''s just that you were too powerful; I had to give my all," Zhang Buku hurriedly explained.


    Hearing this, Li Ya felt slightly consoled.


    But he still felt miserable!


    Fortunately, the ancestor''s soul remained at Three Pure Ones Mountain; otherwise, it would have been a complete disgrace!


    Afterwards, with Zhang Buku''s assistance, Li Ya landed, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating energy to heal his injuries. Zhang Buku went to retrieve his North Sea Heavy Sword.


    An hour later.


    Li Ya opened his eyes, looking at the uneasy Zhang Buku beside him, feeling somewhat helpless.


    If Zhang Buku had been flaunting his victory, he could still be angry, but Zhang Buku''s respectful attitude left him with nothing to blame. After all, it was he who suggested the sparring.


    "How old are you?" Li Ya asked.


    "Seventy-one."


    "..." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At ninety-seven years old, Li Ya felt wounded once again.


    At that moment, he truly understood what it meant to always have someone better.


    Losing to An Hao, he could accept, as An Hao was renowned. But losing to an unknown half-human, half-demon in the wild made him feel terrible.


    Suppressing his pain, Li Ya asked, "Who is your master?"


    Zhang Buku scratched his head, saying, "I don''t have a master, though I do have an uncle. But all my skills were learned in a cave."


    A cave?


    Li Ya thought of the encounters his ancestor had mentioned. He didn''t expect someone to be so fortunate, surpassing decades of his hard work by sheer chance...


    Seeing him puzzled, Zhang Buku began to recount his experiences, omitting Gu An''s existence, as he had promised not to cause trouble for Gu An.


    Listening to Zhang Buku''s story, Li Ya felt even more speechless.


    Where did this sparrow come from?


    Why hadn''t he encountered it?


    Although he was known as the person of Heavenly Destiny in the Li Family, blessed with great qi fortune, he felt vastly inferior compared to Zhang Buku.


    The two, now familiar through their fight, continued their conversation.


    Far away, tens of thousands of miles away, Gu An, who was slaying demons, smiled and then turned to walk into the darkness.


    After staying in the temple for two days, Zhang Buku and Li Ya joined hands to head north, seeking opportunities in the Demon Land.


    During that period, Zhang Buku offered to teach his axe technique to Li Ya, which deeply touched him.


    However, determined to concentrate on swordsmanship, Li Ya declined, realizing that his loss wasn''t due to his swordsmanship but because Zhang Buku''s physique was far stronger.


    Li Ya began to wonder if accompanying Zhang Buku might lead to great opportunities.


    Sigh, if Junior Brother Gu knew he was seriously injured again, he would surely worry about him.


    ...


    Time flew by, and a year passed quickly.


    In early May of that year, Gu An''s total lifespan reached ten million years, and the demons in the three dynasties had become scarce. He no longer descended the mountain, returning to his former farming life.


    Although the trend of seeking opportunities northward was rising, the number of new disciples recruited by the Supreme Sect each year continued to grow, keeping the sect lively.


    This year, the number of servant disciples in the third Medicine Valley exceeded six hundred, a quarter of whom were new; those who left had been promoted thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pills bestowed by Gu An. As a result, Gu An''s network within the Supreme Sect grew wider.


    Now, whenever he went to Outer Gate City, disciples would always greet him.


    The number of servant disciples in the Mystic Valley also reached fifty. When Gu An wanted to expand the Medicine Valley, the Outer Sect Great Elder Lv Songhan readily agreed. Gu An''s book "Shattering Void" had brought him many benefits, and combined with the Lv Family''s backing, he would comply with most of Gu An''s requests.


    One day, Gu An came to the North Sea Mountain, embodying the Mountain God, to inspect Sage Xuan Miao''s progress over time.


    Sage Xuan Miao had also recruited some minor demons to assist, giving him more time for cultivation.


    When the Mountain God arrived, he immediately rose to welcome him and accompanied the Mountain God to pick medicinal herbs. During this process, he mentioned some recent events in the North Sea Mountain.


    Though the demon disaster had ended, cultivators often fought over treasures and grudges. He saved many people in the name of the Mountain God, hoping to spread the Mountain God''s name.


    Interestingly, although the Mountain God''s name was widely known, only Sage Xuan Miao could sense Gu An''s presence.


    Gu An speculated that it was because others hadn''t seen him, while those, like Zhen Qin and other disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, who had seen him, did not worship him. The disciples of the Supreme Sect only revered Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "Mountain God, what do you think of the Holy Land?" Sage Xuan Miao suddenly asked, his expression slightly tense.


    While picking medicinal herbs, Gu An replied, "Why do you ask?"


    Sage Xuan Miao answered, "I always felt the demon disaster was related to the Holy Land, and the recent rumors about the Evil Demon. I found in some historical records of Three Pure Ones Mountain that the Evil Demon appeared only after the birth of the Demon Ancestor. There''s no clue about where he came from or why he came."


    "Didn''t Three Pure Ones Mountain also claim to be a Holy Land? If you suspect something, why not investigate the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Gu An asked nonchalantly.


    Did Sage Xuan Miao want him to act against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    That was impossible!


    Before fully understanding the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Gu An wouldn''t act rashly.


    Sage Xuan Miao stepped forward and whispered, "We did investigate before, but it resulted in a near-catastrophic disaster. Since then, Three Pure Ones Mountain no longer dares to mention the Holy Land; even my master stays apprehensive about them."


    Gu An wasn''t surprised. The land of the three dynasties had undergone numerous dynastic changes and sect upheavals, yet only the Seven Stars Spirit Realm persisted. Surely, there were those who suspected it but didn''t dare offend it.


    "Be careful tonight; their people are coming for you," Gu An suddenly said with a smile, catching Sage Xuan Miao off guard.


    Gu An''s visit to gather medicinal herbs today was because he sensed two Mahayana Realm presences approaching the North Sea Mountain, one of whom had set off from the Supreme Sect.


    Sage Xuan Miao wanted to ask more, but Gu An refused to say anything.


    After gathering the herbs, Gu An took a portion, leaving the rest for him, and then disappeared into the forest.


    Sage Xuan Miao became restless, anticipating an encounter with people from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm that night.


    ...


    At dusk, the North Sea shimmered.


    Ji Xuanling stood at the shore, holding a book with the words "Sword Venerable Legend" on its cover.


    Out of nowhere, a figure appeared beside him, a man dressed in a gold-threaded red robe, with a ruby-embedded headpiece burning with golden-red flames. His right hand was placed behind his waist, and arrogance marked his brows.


    "Why are you slower than me?" Ji Xuanling asked nonchalantly.


    Lin Chen stared at Ji Xuanling and snorted, "That''s what I should be asking you."


    He shifted his tone and asked, "After staying at the Supreme Sect for a year, any information on Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "The information is in my hand. Do you want to see it?" Ji Xuanling raised the book in his hand, smiling.


    Lin Chen immediately confiscated the book, quickly scanning it with his Divine Sense. He looked up at Ji Xuanling and said coldly, "Are you mocking me?"


    Ji Xuanling raised his chin and said, "Lin Chen, who told you that I came to the Supreme Sect to investigate Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Lin Chen frowned.


    Ji Xuanling continued, "The higher-ups want to be on friendly terms with Sword Venerable Fudao. He''s likely at Loose Immortal Realm Nine Layers or even higher. Such a great cultivator couldn''t have appeared out of nowhere; he might be from a great sect overseas. Lin Senior''s death was indeed unfortunate, but it''s his fault for not being strong enough. If someone like him, a Loose Immortal, had to die, I advise you to give up on this idea."


    Lin Chen sneered coldly, "So your faction prefers to endure humiliation? Sword Venerable Fudao dared to kill my father. Are you sure he has respect or goodwill towards the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    Ji Xuanling shrugged, "Why don''t you ask him yourself? I don''t want to court death. Honestly, our family sent me here to recruit the Supreme Sect, which means recruiting Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Lin Chen''s eyes flashed with anger.


    He threw the book against Ji Xuanling''s chest and turned to leave.


    Ji Xuanling grabbed the book, smirking, "It''ll be dark soon; be careful if Sword Venerable Fudao pats you on the shoulder."


    Lin Chen stopped and looked back at him, while Ji Xuanling raised the book.


    Next, Lin Chen vanished into thin air.


    Ji Xuanling smiled and then sat down to continue reading.


    At night.


    Lin Chen arrived at the Mountain God Temple where Sage Xuan Miao resided to inquire about the Mountain God, suspecting that the Mountain God was Sword Venerable Fudao. How could two such great cultivators appear simultaneously in the land of three dynasties?


    As a disciple of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he had never seen any mention of the Mountain God in ancient records.


    Lin Chen expressed that the Holy Land wished to recruit the Mountain God and sent him here for this purpose.


    Sage Xuan Miao was cautious towards him, merely stating that the Mountain God''s whereabouts were elusive, and he wished to see the Mountain God himself, which was why he had built the temple there.


    After inquiring for a long while and getting no satisfactory answers, Lin Chen felt a murderous intent but held back, fearing the Mountain God might be nearby.


    He suddenly noticed the small wooden figure in Sage Xuan Miao''s hand and asked, "Is this the Mountain God''s wooden figure? Can you give it to me?"


    Sage Xuan Miao had leisurely carved many small wooden figures of the Mountain God, intending to spread the Mountain God''s name.


    He tossed the wooden figure to Lin Chen.


    Lin Chen said no more, taking the wooden figure and leaving.


    Burdened with thoughts, he walked through the forest at night, his eyes fixed on the wooden figure in his hand, increasingly convinced that the Mountain God might be Sword Venerable Fudao, his eyes filled with uncontrollable killing intent.

 Chapter 195: Chapter 195 Ive Spilled the Beans!

    [Lin Chen harbors hostility toward you and loathes you to the bone. Would you like to perform a life span detection on him?]


    As Gu An was writing in the Mystic Valley pavilion, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes. He frowned and chose to perform a life span detection on Lin Chen.


    [Lin Chen (Mahayana Realm, Second Layer): 634/4500/4700]


    Mahayana Realm, Second Layer?


    Gu An immediately extended his divine sense toward the North Sea Mountain, because there was a cultivator with a Mahayana Realm Second Layer cultivation there.


    He quickly caught sight of Lin Chen''s figure, who happened to be holding a small wooden figure that bore an exact resemblance to his own.


    No wonder it triggered the life span hostility warning!


    Gu An didn''t take action right away; instead, he expanded the range of his divine sense to ensure that no Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm cultivators were nearby.


    ...


    Under the cover of night, Lin Chen tossed the small wooden figure into his storage bag, feeling that he couldn''t rush in avenging his father.


    Since he couldn''t determine if the Mountain God was Sword Venerable Fudao, he could only turn his attention to the Supreme Sect.


    He didn''t dare confront Sword Venerable Fudao directly. What he thought about now was how to incite conflict between the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    If he could uncover Sword Venerable Fudao''s true identity and if Sword Venerable Fudao wasn''t strong enough to be untouchable by the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, then Sword Venerable Fudao would surely die.


    Lin Chen took a deep breath. Just as he was about to leap into the air, a hand rested on his shoulder.


    He was overcome with a feeling of falling into an abyss, his spiritual power freezing instantly.


    His pupils widened, a wave of indescribable terror rising in his heart.


    "The sky''s getting darker, beware of Sword Venerable Fudao patting your shoulder."


    Ji Xuanling''s words echoed in his ears. At this moment, he was petrified with terror.


    Unable to move, he wanted to plead for mercy, but he couldn''t even open his mouth.


    The mysterious hand pressed firmly on his shoulder, making no further move, which only compounded his fear, plunging his heart into despair.


    Suddenly,


    from behind came a sigh. Lin Chen couldn''t help but feel a strange kind of relief. Did the other person not intend to kill him?


    Boom!


    An overwhelming divine sense rushed into his mind, causing him to lose consciousness instantly.


    ...


    With the turn of the ancient hour, Gu An walked down the stairs, joining the disciples for exercises.


    Last night, he reaped three hundred and eighty-four years of life span, but more importantly, he gathered crucial information.


    Within the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, there were two attitudes towards Sword Venerable Fudao.


    One was to investigate his identity and, if he was not insurmountable, find a way to lure him out and then annihilate him.


    The second was to actively recruit him, compensating for the loss of Startling Immortal Lin and covering up their crimes.


    The latter was primarily worried that Sword Venerable Fudao might be associated with maritime forces.


    The Lin Family''s strongest force was only a loose immortal, and the death of Startling Immortal Lin was a severe blow to them, severing their upward path. Their hatred for Sword Venerable Fudao was profound, continuously pushing for revenge within the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. However, the higher-ups'' attitude was ambiguous, forcing Lin Chen, as the direct offspring of the Startling Immortal Lin, to leave the territory to investigate Sword Venerable Fudao.


    This intelligence was favorable for Gu An. At least, it confirmed that without knowing his true identity, the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm wouldn''t act recklessly, allowing him to continue biding his time.


    Notably, the current Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the continent was mainly led by the Six Stars Cave. The Lin and Ji families originated from the Six Stars Cave, but continent geniuses could only enter the Seven Stars Cave for cultivation.


    The five-star caves above them were all overseas!


    This heightened Gu An''s wariness towards the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    He was facing a power far surpassing the Ephemera Sect!


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm was not only stronger but maintained a holy land image, executing their plans seamlessly, making it difficult for an individual to shake their foundation.


    Even if Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal could sweep through the Six Stars Cave and Seven Stars Cave, how would one face the five-star caves above?


    Gu An cast aside these thoughts, focusing on his practice, listening to the disciples discuss their plans for the day. His mood lightened.


    Why worry so much?


    His identity was well hidden. As long as he didn''t reveal himself, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wouldn''t dare act rashly.


    Cherish the present!


    "Have you heard? Next year, there''s going to be the World''s Best Sword Dao Tournament."


    A female disciple suddenly spoke, stirring everyone''s interest. They began discussing the World''s Best Sword Dao Tournament.


    Gu An occasionally interjected, appearing very enthusiastic, dreaming of the tournament¡ªafter all, outwardly, he was just a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.


    Next year, he planned to advance to the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment. Then, after turning a hundred, he would form his core.


    Forming a core before the age of a hundred marked a genius; doing so afterward painted him as a mediocre cultivator relying on elixirs to break through.


    Near noon, Ye Lan came to find him.


    "Senior Brother, Zhen Qin has dramatically changed over the past two years, becoming silent and introspective. I can''t understand her lately. I''ve noticed her investigating the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. Could she still have lingering feelings for Su Han?" Ye Lan said anxiously after closing the door.


    Gu An knew the reason but couldn''t disclose it, nor could he stop Zhen Qin from seeking revenge.


    Currently, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil were following Jiang Qiong into the Great Jiang Dynasty, establishing a sect named Juhua Sect, without much notoriety.


    Zhen Qin needed to face life on her own to grow better. Of course, if she ever confronted the Ghost Mother of Ephemera and couldn''t win, Gu An would protect her, as she hadn''t deviated from the right path.


    "She''s grown up and has her own thoughts. Don''t worry too much," Gu An comforted.


    Ye Lan came closer, speaking in a low voice, "I always feel she has a higher cultivation hidden. Could she have been possessed? Or did she take a mysterious master? Senior Brother, don''t you have connections with Sword Venerable Fudao? Can you ask him to investigate?"


    Gu An shook his head, "I haven''t seen him for a long time. Remember, do not mention Sword Venerable Fudao. His name carries too much weight now. Many strong enemies might be plotting against him. With our cultivation level, we can''t involve ourselves, or we will be doomed."


    As he spoke, he released mana from his feet, isolating the room to prevent eavesdropping.


    Ye Lan nodded, "I understand. I never dare to mention it, only to you."


    Her steadiness reassured Gu An. Most importantly, Ye Lan''s activity range was within his divine sense.


    The Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators of the Supreme Sect could never escape his divine sense range for life.


    Such was the brutal reality of cultivation differences.


    Ye Lan began talking about other matters, mainly about some trivial issues in the Law Enforcement Hall. Gu An listened intently.


    When she finished, Gu An said, "If you''re uncomfortable, let me know. I''ll find you a better position."


    Ye Lan raised an eyebrow, "Senior Brother, do you really have that capability?"


    She knew about the Third Medicine Valley''s existence but couldn''t access specific details about it. She wasn''t sure how much Gu An contributed to the Supreme Sect.


    She even suspected Gu An of growing medicinal herbs for Sword Venerable Fudao, which explained why he often left Mystic Valley.


    Gu An pulled out a book, tossing it onto the table: "I''m revealing my cards!" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was the initial draft of "Investiture of the Gods," a treasured edition without a cover.


    Ye Lan''s face turned pale instantly. She asked in a trembling voice, "Senior Brother, did you write that book?"


    "Mm-hmm."


    Gu An crossed his arms, raising his chin arrogantly.


    Ye Lan glared at Gu An, angrily asking, "Senior Brother, if you had such great needs, why did you reject me? Is your heart set on someone in the valley?"


    Gu An was stunned, taken aback by her sudden outburst.


    He looked down, realized something, and quickly picked up "Investiture of the Gods," flipping it open: "Look closely! Junior Sister, what are you thinking all day? Senior Brother must criticize you a bit..."


    Ye Lan only needed to glance at a couple of lines to recognize the book. She widened her eyes in shock, "You wrote ''Investiture of the Gods''? Are you Pan An?"


    Gu An shook his head, giving her a look that said he couldn''t believe her misunderstanding.


    Her face turned red. She circled the table, grabbing his shoulders and gently shaking him, "Senior Brother..." she said coquettishly.


    ...


    Two ancient hours later, Ye Lan opened the door and walked downstairs.


    Lu Jiujia saw her and smiled, greeting her.


    Ye Lan kept a stern face, nodded slightly, and then flew away using her sword.


    Lu Jiujia was used to her demeanor. After all, staying in the Law Enforcement Hall for a long time tended to make one serious.


    Days of leisure passed by. Gu An wandered among the various medicine valleys, occasionally visiting the Outer Gate City and Inner Sect City, living a comfortable life. However, the increasing demonic qi from afar indicated the day when the Evil Demon would break the seal was approaching.


    Gu An hesitated whether he should breakthrough to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm early to avoid mishaps.


    After thinking it over, he decided to breakthrough at sea by the end of the year.


    Better safe than sorry!


    Summer gave way to autumn.


    Because of the upcoming World''s Best Sword Dao Tournament, more sword cultivators started arriving at the Supreme Sect, causing sword competition signs to appear around Mystic Valley.


    Fortunately, Sword Venerable Fudao was hidden in the nearest Outer Gate City, deterring these sword cultivators from bullying the servant disciples.


    After noon in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stood with his hands behind his back, watching the disciples sweeping the grounds.


    The White Spirit Rat was frolicking in a pile of fallen leaves, infuriating An Xin but always eluding her capture.


    Everything felt perfect!


    Gu An''s lips curved into a smile. As he was appreciating the beautiful scene, he suddenly sensed something and turned to look north.


    Beyond three dynasties, a strange heavenly aura appeared above a river that cut through the mountains.


    It resembled the celestial aura that appeared when Lu Lingjun ascended.


    Someone else was ascending?


    Gu An thought to himself. He sensed this celestial aura was slightly stronger than when Lu Lingjun ascended but not strong enough to make him wary.


    He previously speculated Lu Lingjun''s successful ascension was due to his presence nearby during his breakthrough. Would there be special circumstances around this ascender?


    Gu An''s divine sense began scanning the forests within a thousand-mile radius, his gaze suddenly locking onto a stele hidden in the grass. The stele contained restrictions only breakable by Mahayana Realm cultivators, concealed without any leakage of aura.


    Interesting.


    Gu An had no intention of investigating further, as he already saw many great cultivators heading toward the place where the ascender would descend. Besides great cultivators, there were also low-cultivation individuals, such as Li Ya and Zhang Buku.


    Seeing Li Ya''s figure, Gu An''s expression turned peculiar.


    Why did he feel like Li Ya was going to get hurt again?


    Speaking of which, Zhang Buku was frequently injured in recent years, even more severely than Li Ya. Did these two have some sort of attraction field?

 Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Being Someones Mount After Ascending?

    The demon lands in autumn were covered with golden leaves, like a sea of gold.


    Li Ya stood on the North Sea Heavy Sword, flying through the air, while Zhang Buku stood behind him, staring into the distance.


    Zhang Buku saw a figure in the distance flying towards the horizon at a speed far beyond theirs, the powerful aura of their cultivation level making him secretly astonished.


    "Brother Li, are we really going to get involved in this mess?" Zhang Buku couldn''t help but ask.


    Li Ya had been his first friend. This past year, they had ventured through the demon lands together, facing life and death, forming a deep bond, but it was easy to get hurt.


    Even though they often got injured, being able to rely on each other was far better than going it alone.


    The fierce wind blew against Li Ya''s face, and he showed a smile on his handsome and resolute face, he said, "So many great cultivators are rushing there, let''s go take a look. We won''t fight yet, we''ll observe quietly. If there''s no opportunity, we''ll just watch the excitement, but if there is one, all the better."


    Zhang Buku heard this and found it reasonable. He looked ahead, eyes showing a hint of anticipation.


    On the other side.


    Gu An was not continuously watching the Ascension Land but had begun to busy himself.


    He was preparing to expand Nianchu Cave. Nianchu Cave, watched over by Tian Yao''er, truly belonged to him. Apart from the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, the other Medicine Valleys were mostly exposed, making direct expansion difficult.


    He entered Nianchu Cave and used his own mana to enlarge it.


    Tian Yao''er watched Gu An''s back, her little mouth opened wide, while Tianqing and Tian Bai squatted on her shoulders, shaking their heads as they watched Gu An.


    Gu An walked in front of the mountain wall, his right hand leading the way, and with each step, the mountain wall ahead would cave in without any rocks falling or the cave shaking. This ability left Tian Yao''er''s eyes wide with amazement.


    She always knew Gu An was strong but hadn''t realized just how formidable.


    Even after training for many years, she couldn''t comprehend Gu An''s divine skills.


    In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Nianchu Cave had doubled in size. Since Heavenly Phoenix Mountain was particularly large, it wouldn''t affect the mountain body, and further expansions by ten times would be no problem in the future.


    Gu An arrived at a stone table, placed down a storage bag, and said, "These are all seeds, up to you to plant them. Don''t disappoint me."


    Without waiting for Tian Yao''er to respond, he vanished into thin air.


    Tian Yao''er didn''t look at the storage bag but instead mimicked Gu An''s earlier posture, raising her right hand and carefully recalling his movements.


    ¡­


    The moon set and the sun rose, ushering in a new day.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An put down his pen and stood by the window, looking at the demon lands. After the Ascenders arrived last night, that stele triggered a restriction, opening an entrance to a Minor Heaven and Earth, where all the great cultivators swarmed in.


    Early this morning, many people had flown out and started fighting, including Li Ya and Zhang Buku.


    In the mountain forests by the riverbank, Li Ya lay bloodied amongst the fallen trees, staring at the overbearing figure high in the distant sky, clenched his teeth, and struggled to stand up.


    "Hahahaha, so this is the ability of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land? Nothing more! I don''t know whether I ascended to the wrong place or if this world is just so weak?"


    The speaker was a man with blood-red hair, two curved black horns on his head, bare-chested, in black pants, with a fiery red sash around his waist, crawling with strange blood-colored runes. With his spiritual power surging, the runes wriggled, lifelike.


    He wielded a silver rod, sweeping it at the great cultivators attacking from all directions. Blood flames erupted, sweeping across the sky in a spectacular display, forcing those great cultivators back.


    He vanished into thin air, appearing instantly behind a great cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm, and smashed down with his rod.


    Boom!


    The great cultivator plunged into the river, their life or death uncertain.


    Zhang Buku quickly flew to Li Ya''s side, also severely injured but not as badly, he said in a deep voice, "Brother Li, we should retreat!"


    Though reluctant, Li Ya could only nod.


    The two supported each other, flying away, with mad laughter and the sounds of heaven and earth clashing coming from behind.


    That guy deliberately didn''t kill, specifically tormenting opponents. The more they suffered, the more excited he became, like a mad demon.


    "Runaway ants, remember the name of this one. This one is honored as the Great Saint, you all may call this one the Blood Prison Great Saint!"


    Hearing this, Zhang Buku immediately accelerated, fearing the Blood Prison Great Saint would chase them.


    In fact, the Blood Prison Great Saint was indeed watching Li Ya and Zhang Buku.


    He was very interested in these two guys with half-human, half-demon blood.


    Especially Zhang Buku, whose qi-blood was so strong it seemed he was hiding a cultivation level, and his axe technique was also impressive.


    After a while, with no one left standing around, the Blood Prison Great Saint smacked his lips, looking at the white light whirlpool hovering over the distant forest, hesitated, then flew off in another direction.


    That direction was where Zhang Buku and Li Ya had fled!


    An ancient hour later.


    Zhang Buku and Li Ya landed in a dense forest shrouded in thick fog, with rich spiritual energy, perfect for hiding.


    After landing, Li Ya began to set up a formation, with Zhang Buku merely watching, not knowing the technique.


    When Li Ya finished setting up the formation, they both sat down and exhaled in relief.


    Li Ya grinned, even with a face full of blood, his excitement was evident. He raised his right hand, pulling a fist-sized golden fruit from his storage bag.


    "With this, our efforts weren''t in vain." Li Ya said contentedly.


    Zhang Buku wiped the blood and sweat from his face, saying admiringly, "Brother Li, you''re amazing. You were so fast those great cultivators didn''t notice you seeing the treasure."


    "We''re brothers, half each. I can feel the power within this fruit, it''s definitely a treasure that can transform the body." Li Ya laughed proudly, enjoying Zhang Buku''s gaze.


    Although he couldn''t beat Zhang Buku in combat, he could play the big brother in actions!


    As they excitedly talked, little did they know, several miles away, the Blood Prison Great Saint was silently approaching, already hearing their conversation, and Li Ya''s formation was as good as nonexistent to him.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s mouth curled up in a sneer.


    At that moment, a hand rested on his shoulder, instantly freezing his demonic power, and his body could no longer move forward.


    His eyes widened, instinctively wanting to struggle, but he was entirely powerless.


    How could this be...


    What realm was this opponent at?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint panicked. He had never been so suppressed before, with even his divine sense unable to spread out, clueless about who was behind him.


    Naturally, it was Gu An, who had used the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.


    Before attacking, Gu An ensured that no one was following the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    [Blood Prison Great Saint (Mahayana Realm Eighth Floor): 1209/9000/9999]


    Mahayana Realm Eighth Floor, far stronger than Lu Lingjun.


    Gu An immediately used the Soul Capturing Skill to search the Blood Prison Great Saint''s memories.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint hailed from the Spirit Realm, a mortal world with nine continents and seven seas, where the Mahayana Realm was the highest realm.


    He had been a cultivator of the human race, later transforming into a demon body after obtaining Divine Beast True Blood, completely unleashing his talent, sweeping through those of the same realm, even able to battle across realms, invincible. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Interestingly, although the Blood Prison Great Saint''s name sounded terrifying, he was actually a soft-hearted individual. As long as there wasn''t a blood feud, he would spare those who knelt and begged for mercy after defeat. He had never committed an evil act in his life.


    His notorious name stemmed from his foul mouth. His threatening boasts made many believe he had committed those evil acts, compounded by slander from enemies, gradually earning him the Blood Prison Great Saint title, which he proudly saw as the fear and dread of the Spirit Realm''s beings, his greatest achievement.


    After reading his soul, Gu An unexpectedly didn''t want to kill this guy anymore.


    With no one watching him, he could take him in.


    Because Gu An saw the Divine Beast''s true form whose blood was absorbed.


    With the fall of the Demon Ancestor, many demons were slaughtered, and the demon lands had become a place where the human race sought opportunities, with great cultivators fighting everywhere. The focus of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was on the evil demons, ignoring the Blood Prison Great Saint, perhaps having seen countless Ascenders.


    ¡­


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s consciousness gradually awakened, feeling a heavy and uncomfortable drowsiness.


    He struggled to open his eyes, seeing a large tree with a man sitting on the grass in front of it, holding a book.


    He abruptly opened his eyes wide, trying to teleport away, but only managed to stand up, not jump away.


    He seemed to realize something, his eyes showing panic.


    He had turned into a red-furred bull, almost as tall as a grown man.


    He wanted to speak, but all that came out was a moo.


    The most despairing thing was that his cultivation level was gone!


    This must be the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit!


    Gu An had sealed his cultivation to the Energy Cultivation Realm, with mana wrapping his demon core and primordial spirit, making him appear no more than a First Order demon beast.


    "Ascender from the Spirit Realm, if you serve me for a thousand years, I''ll let you go."


    Gu An put down his book and said leisurely.


    Looking at his youthful face, the Blood Prison Great Saint felt only fear.


    Gu An stood up and walked toward him, making him retreat in fear.


    Without his cultivation, how could he dare escape? Eventually, he was caught by Gu An and humiliatingly ridden.


    Gu An sat on his back, patting him, pointing in a direction. He could only move forward.


    By dusk, Gu An had ridden the Blood Prison Great Saint back to the Mystic Valley.


    With his dark red fur and majestic body, he instantly drew the curiosity of numerous disciples, who gathered around, pointing.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was dazed.


    With his divine sense sealed, he had worried all the way about which demon cave he would be taken to.


    Yet...


    These cultivators'' qi-blood was so weak, seemingly all in the Energy Cultivation Realm?


    He felt like he had arrived in some small place in the Spirit Realm.


    As Gu An introduced him to the disciples with a smile, this feeling of illusion became a mix of complex emotions.


    He was the Blood Prison Great Saint, the most outstanding genius of the Spirit Realm in ten thousand years, sweeping the nine continents and seven seas, reigning invincible, earning the title of Great Saint through his battles.


    Yet...


    After ascending, he had become a mount?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint sank into bewilderment.

 Chapter 197: Chapter 197 The Ambition of the Supreme Sect

    Gu An flaunted his new mount, attracting the disciples'' curiosity towards the Blood Prison Great Saint, causing him to feel quite oppressed. But fearing Gu An, he could only endure.


    Even Chu Jingfeng, who usually practiced swordsmanship on the mountaintop, came to join the fun. He had seen many mounts, but it was his first time seeing such an imposing ox. Its large horns were impressive, and its fur fluttered like flames in the wind.


    After lingering in the Mystic Valley for an hour, Gu An took the Blood Prison Great Saint back to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He planned to take the Blood Prison Great Saint with him wherever he went around the Supreme Sect.


    Now, the number of cultivators in the Supreme Sect was increasing, and it was possible to see cultivators riding their mounts in the sky.


    The disciples of the Third Medicine Valley were equally interested in the Blood Prison Great Saint. The presence of such Spiritual Energy in this valley amazed the Blood Prison Great Saint, as such a level of Spiritual Energy was rare even in the Spirit Realm, making him look forward to the days ahead.


    Since he came, he might as well find peace!


    But just one night later, that thought was replaced by anger.


    There was an incredibly fat old rat in the Medicine Valley, damn it, it was infuriating!


    He was napping downstairs when the White Spirit Rat bit his butt, startling him. As an invincible Great Saint in his realm, how could he tolerate this?


    What frustrated him even more was yet to happen.


    He couldn''t catch the White Spirit Rat!


    That night was the darkest moment in the Blood Prison Great Saint''s life.


    The next day, Gu An took the Blood Prison Great Saint to Tianya Valley.


    "Why are you riding an ox?"


    Luo Hun approached the Blood Prison Great Saint and asked curiously, unable to resist touching its fur.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Just bought it. How is it? Impressive, right?"


    "Indeed, quite nice. What breed is it?"


    "I''m not sure either. I call him Bull Demon King."


    "Bull Demon King? That name¡­"


    Luo Hun shook his head with a smile, while the Blood Prison Great Saint lowered his ox eyes, looking dispirited.


    Lv Xian and Ji Ruolai were also attracted to the Blood Prison Great Saint and came over to greet Gu An.


    Given the plethora of demon creatures in the world, they didn''t inquire much further.


    "Have you seen my third sister lately?" Ji Ruolai asked Gu An.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "No, I rarely go to the Inner Sect. What''s the matter? Need me to deliver a message?"


    Ji Ruolai nodded and said, "The family wants to summon her back to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Could you help convey the message?"


    Gu An readily agreed and then went to pick medicinal herbs.


    Three monkey demons circled the Blood Prison Great Saint with great curiosity.


    Seeing their scratching and sniffing, the Blood Prison Great Saint felt they were mocking him, making him even more annoyed.


    It became even more difficult after ascending for the third day.


    ...


    In late autumn, Lv Baitian came to see Gu An.


    After going upstairs, he habitually closed the door and set up a restriction. After finishing, he approached the desk and sat down, smiling as he asked, "Is the ox downstairs yours? Its qualifications are a bit lacking; it''s just a First Order. It''s not very useful. Do you want me to give you a Third Order mount?"


    Gu An shook his head and smiled, "No need. I don''t have many enemies. I don''t need such a powerful mount. Besides, I have a good eye for this ox. It''s quite intelligent."


    "Intelligent? Looking at its eyes, it seems like it''s about to be buried."


    "Ha ha."


    Gu An chuckled without denying.


    Lv Baitian didn''t continue to mock the Blood Prison Great Saint and started discussing sect matters.


    Although the number one Sword Dao tournament in the world had not yet taken place, he already looked forward to the next big event.


    Gu An''s love for teaching was aroused, and he began to talk at length about various ideas, which Lv Baitian listened to with great interest.


    Gu An not only discussed methods but also envisioned a bright future, making Lv Baitian feel quite pleased.


    After a long time.


    Taking advantage of Gu An drinking tea, Lv Baitian asked, "How do you think the Supreme Sect should view demons?"


    During the previous great demon calamity, the Demon Emperor had sent a group of great demons. This group of demons was now still staying in the Supreme Sect, following Di Xie''s leadership. The Supreme Sect had not mistreated them, arranging caves for each.


    Gu An responded, "Sometimes human hearts are worse than demon hearts. Since we are already cultivating to become immortals, why should we have racial prejudice? Why can''t the Supreme Sect recruit demon clan disciples?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lv Baitian nodded. He sighed and said, "But doing so, wouldn''t there be hidden dangers?"


    "Everything has its pros and cons. We can''t avoid doing something just because we fear the cons. If successful, it can set an example, making the human and demon clans on the mainland no longer be at odds. If it fails, then treat it as a training exercise, suppress it if necessary. Isn''t suppression what you were best at in the past?" Gu An said calmly.


    With this, he aimed to accumulate strength for the Supreme Sect.


    The Supreme Sect eventually has to face the Seven Stars Spirit Realm!


    Ji Xuanling represented the Seven Stars Spirit Realm in trying to win over the Supreme Sect, but the Supreme Sect only maintained good relations without bowing down, reflecting the attitude of the Hall of Elders.


    Now, the mentality of the upper echelons of the Supreme Sect had become inflated. They were already thinking about becoming the second Holy Land in the mainland, or even surpassing the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    With Gu An''s support, Lv Baitian felt much more confident, and the smile on his face became brighter.


    The two chatted for a long time before Lv Baitian left, satisfied.


    Downstairs, he looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint lying on the ground and became interested. He walked over, patted the Blood Prison Great Saint''s head, and said with a laugh, "Little beast, cultivate well. One day, you might become a disciple of the Supreme Sect. Reaching the Nascent Soul Realm is not impossible."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint glanced at him with a white eye, too lazy to respond.


    This made Lv Baitian pause, suspecting he had misseen.


    Forget it. What''s the use of arguing with a beast?


    Lv Baitian stood up and left.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint watched his back, seething with inner rage.


    Old thing!


    Just you wait!


    Daring to insult me, in a thousand years, I will make you kneel before me and beg for mercy!


    ...


    Snowflakes flew as Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint, wandering in the Third Medicine Valley. It seemed like he was patrolling, but in reality, his Divine Sense was traveling overseas, looking for a place to break through.


    An Xin ran over, curiously asking, "Master, why do you ride it wherever you go? Don''t you think it''s slow?"


    Gu An lightly chuckled and said, "I''m training its physique. Although it''s my mount, I won''t mistreat it. Sooner or later, I will release it."


    Hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes brightened, and his ox body became upright, no longer looking like an old dying ox.


    An Xin nodded. Just as she was about to speak, two figures suddenly flew in from the sky.


    It was Lu Lingjun and Shen Zhen.


    After landing, Shen Zhen enthusiastically greeted Gu An.


    Lu Lingjun glanced at the Blood Prison Great Saint under Gu An but didn''t pay much attention.


    Shen Zhen talked excitedly about their opportunities over the years, making even An Xin listen with envy.


    Gu An also pretended to be emotional, envious, satisfying Shen Zhen''s sense of achievement.


    Now Shen Zhen was already at the Fifth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, evidencing the great fortitude.


    After chatting for a while, Shen Zhen finally left. Before leaving, she mentioned preparing to publish a book next, which made Gu An''s heart skip a beat.


    After Shen Zhen left, An Xin also didn''t disturb Gu An and Lu Lingjun, finding an excuse to leave.


    Lu Lingjun lightly stomped her foot, forming a barrier with her spiritual power, isolating the three-foot area, making the Blood Prison Great Saint look at her again.


    "Gu An, I heard there''s an ascender appearing in the north. You are close to the sect leader. Did you find out anything?" Lu Lingjun asked directly.


    Ascender!


    Upon hearing these words, the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but lower his head.


    Such a disgrace!


    Gu An thought for a moment and shook his head. "I haven''t heard of it. Why are you so concerned about the ascender?"


    Lu Lingjun hesitated for a while and said, "To be honest, I''m also an ascender, so I wanted you to write about the Shattering Void."


    Gu An''s eyes widened, showing a look of incredulity.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint looked up again, this time with tears in his eyes.


    Lu Lingjun had wanted to say this for a long time. The opportunities over the years had made her more confident as she said, "I want to recruit ascenders and build my own network in the Supreme Sect. What do you think?"


    She knew Lv Baitian often visited the Medicine Valley, and she had often heard about Lv Baitian''s plans from Gu An.


    She also wanted to convey her intentions to Lv Baitian through Gu An.


    Gu An excitedly said, "Of course, it is a good thing. It will enhance the strength of the Supreme Sect. However, I really don''t have any information on that ascender."


    Hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint was full of confusion.


    He could tell now that no one knew the true cultivation level of the person on his back.


    Moreover, the cultivators he had seen so far were very weak, not even reaching the first-class level in the Spirit Realm. He couldn''t understand why a great cultivator like Gu An would hide in such a small place.


    "In the future, keep an eye out for such information, and I won''t treat you unfairly," Lu Lingjun said.


    She had to devote most of her time to cultivation. Since the appearance of beings in the Mahayana Realm and the Immortal Path, she felt a great urgency, thinking the Mystic Heart Realm was inadequate.


    Gu An nodded with a smile.


    They had a brief chat before Lu Lingjun left.


    Gu An patted the Blood Prison Great Saint, signaling him to continue forward.


    "People always want to go to places they''ve never been before, but when they arrive, they find it''s all the same. When they want to turn back, it''s often too late."


    Gu An said leisurely, and the Blood Prison Great Saint felt he was speaking to him.


    Unfortunately, the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t speak; otherwise, he would argue with Gu An.


    If it weren''t for meeting you, would I be so aggrieved?


    The falling snow grew heavier, the ground accumulating more snow. The Blood Prison Great Saint left two ox hoof prints in the snowy ground as he and Gu An disappeared into the vast snow.


    Until nightfall.


    Demon Land.


    On the wasteland, Xuan Tianyi and An Hao sat facing the fire. The falling snow did not land on them, melting in the ten-foot radius around them, separated from the surrounding snowy ground.


    Xuan Tianyi held a book and softly said, "The demonic qi here is very strong. Maybe we''ll find Evil Demons hiding nearby."


    An Hao was practicing his skills. He opened his eyes and asked, "Senior, what should we do when we find the Evil Demon?"


    After the trend of heading north swept the world, he couldn''t restrain his restless heart anymore. Saying goodbye to Si Yan''er, he ventured north alone.


    His goal was to become an immortal and not stay in one place for any person indefinitely.


    Xuan Tianyi answered, "Then you take the information back. I will stay here alone."


    "Why would you stay?"


    "I also want to play the hero. I can''t always rely on Sword Venerable Fudao, can I?"


    As he spoke, Xuan Tianyi turned to the next page and continued to read.

 Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Master Understands You

    Deep in the night, inside the Mystic Valley Pavilion, candlelight flickered, and hot tea was brewing. Zhen Qin sat dazedly on a small stool, staring at the teapot and lost in thought.


    Gu An was writing a book. After he finished a page, he started to appreciate it, feeling increasingly pleased with his work.


    "Disciple, come and have a look."


    Gu An''s voice interrupted Zhen Qin''s thoughts.


    Zhen Qin quickly stood up, walked to his side, took the page from his hand, and read it attentively.


    "The Seven Great Saints... Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven, Bull Demon King?"


    Zhen Qin couldn''t help but look at Gu An and asked, "Master, isn''t your Bull downstairs the Bull Demon King? Did you write him into the book?"


    Gu An chuckled and asked, "Is that not allowed?"


    "Of course it is, but your writing style..." Zhen Qin nodded, her expression a bit hesitant.


    Does Master have such talent? sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon thinking about it, she realized that since Master didn''t cultivate, he must have time for music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    After finishing reading, she handed the page back to Gu An and said, "It''s very well written. Just this part alone feels no worse than the Investiture of the Gods. Master, are you planning to publish a book? I hope you can surpass Pan An..."


    Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly widened her eyes in astonishment and looked at Gu An.


    "Pan An... Gu An..."


    Zhen Qin''s expression turned peculiar, and she quickly asked, "Master, could you actually be Pan An?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "This is my biggest secret. I''m only telling you. Can you tell Master what''s troubling you?"


    Gu An could feel that Zhen Qin came today wanting to share her troubles but was afraid of something, so he revealed his identity as Pan An to draw her out.


    Although he already knew the truth, he couldn''t expose his identity, and what Zhen Qin needed was to confide in someone close by.


    Zhen Qin gritted her teeth and said, "I''m afraid of dragging Master into this!"


    "If you don''t say anything and something happens, you''ll not only drag me into it, but it will also become my burden. That would harm me more." Gu An shook his head.


    Zhen Qin felt relieved and smiled for the first time.


    At Gu An''s gesture, she moved to the other side of the desk and began to talk about Su Han''s death.


    Gu An got up to pour tea, and Zhen Qin''s gaze followed his back, trying to see his reaction.


    However, she couldn''t see through anything.


    Had Master already let go of Senior Brother Su?


    Zhen Qin thought to herself. She couldn''t blame Gu An. She owed Su Han for covering for her, but her Master owed him nothing.


    Gu An brought a bowl of hot tea in front of her, looking at her calmly as she spoke.


    When she finished, Gu An said, "The deceased have passed. You should live according to his wishes, not inherit his hatred."


    "But..."


    "Think about what he said to you before he died. What do you think he hoped for you to do?"


    Gu An interrupted her and asked solemnly.


    Zhen Qin remained silent.


    Gu An continued, "Let alone whether you can defeat the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, the world is so vast. Are you going to spend your whole life searching for her? Cultivate well and experience the world your Senior Brother wanted to see. Do the things he couldn''t achieve. That is truly good for him. There is a divine intent in the unseen world. Your Senior Brother ultimately attracted a body of sins, but inheriting his power means you share his fate, whether for good or ill. It''s all up to your intentions."


    Zhen Qin was filled with countless thoughts, her expression complex.


    Gu An was not rushed; he merely provided guidance. To let go, she needed to rely on herself.


    Zhen Qin looked up at Gu An. Now, in her eyes, he seemed very weak. Since inheriting Su Han''s cultivation, Zhen Qin had already formed her Nascent Soul, and her cultivation level was still growing. It was inevitable she saw others from a superior viewpoint, but tonight, she felt deeply ashamed.


    What use was mere cultivation level?


    She took a deep breath and asked, "Master, if I perform good deeds, will it really help Senior Brother Su?"


    Gu An answered, "I am not sure, but at least this way, you can free yourself and fulfill his wishes."


    Zhen Qin chuckled, instantly returning to her usual lively and mischievous demeanor.


    "Master, you are Pan An! You hid it well. Earlier, I even thought you were the author of the Supreme Secret Records!"


    "Ahem, nonsense. How could Master be such a person?"


    Wait!


    Does she also read the Supreme Secret Records?


    Gu An''s expression turned peculiar. Shen Zhen truly was a scourge, corrupting so many people!


    Zhen Qin snorted, "Who told Master to love reading Green Hero Travelogue?"


    "They are all rumors! Don''t believe them!"


    The master and disciple duo began to argue.


    A long while passed.


    Gu An spoke, "Defying Fate Divine Skill, Master knows. Someone wants to pass it on to me. I can put in a good word for you, allowing you to become a True Disciple and embark on a proper immortal cultivation path."


    Zhen Qin was once again shocked, not expecting her Master to have such an opportunity!


    "Master, who is it? Are they powerful?" Zhen Qin asked curiously.


    "Sect Leader Lv Baitian, do you think he''s powerful?"


    "Hiss... Does that mean, Master, you will become a Great Cultivator of the Unification Realm in the future?"


    "I did not agree, and his lifespan is long. Perhaps he will live longer than your Master. This matter cannot be spread, to avoid trouble."


    "I understand, Master. To be honest, I am now a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator. These years, hiding my cultivation level has been really uncomfortable..."


    Zhen Qin began to complain.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Master understands you."


    "How do you understand?"


    "Fine, I do not understand. Can Master hit you for daring to show off to Master?"


    The master and disciple again started to bicker.


    It was almost dawn when Zhen Qin finally went downstairs.


    Passing by the Blood Prison Great Saint, she squatted in front of him, stroked his bovine head, and whispered with a laugh, "Little Bull, I can now become a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator. Impressive, right?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint opened his eyes and glanced at her.


    Crazy!


    He finally understood that this Upper Realm was full of crazy people.


    After muttering a few more words, Zhen Qin leaped up and flew toward the Outer Gate City.


    It was not until noon that Gu An used his Disciple Token to contact Lv Baitian to help change Zhen Qin''s disciple status.


    Lv Baitian was very interested in the transmission of the Defying Fate Divine Skill to Zhen Qin and agreed right away.


    ...


    Another nightfall arrived.


    That night, Gu An left Mystic Valley, stepping on the Limitless Freedom Step and heading west, crossing mountains and lands, and entering the ocean.


    Step by step!


    The distance that a ninth-layer Wandering Immortal could traverse was immense!


    This time, he took a full hundred steps and landed on a small continent.


    Standing on the beach, his Divine Sense enveloped the continent. He saw many demon creatures, but no cultivators of the human race.


    This continent should not be sunk by giant sea demons!


    Gu An walked into the forest. He didn''t immediately find a place to break through but instead took a look around the continent.


    Meanwhile.


    In the Demon Land.


    In the dim tunnel, Xuan Tianyi and An Hao were walking. An Hao was very nervous and kept looking behind him.


    "Cultivators observe with Divine Sense, not with eyes. Didn''t Lv Baitian teach you that?"


    Walking ahead, Xuan Tianyi asked casually.


    An Hao looked at his back, feeling a bit reassured.


    This was the only Mahayana Realm Cultivator in the Supreme Sect on the surface. In the Three Dynasty Regions, he was second only to his Master among the cultivators of the human race.


    Following Xuan Tianyi, even in dangerous situations, they should be able to escape with their lives.


    An Hao asked, "I always feel this journey is too quiet without any demon obstruction as if they intentionally let us in."


    "Perhaps."


    Xuan Tianyi responded casually.


    Not long after, the two walked out of the tunnel and arrived at a cliff. Looking out, they saw a vast underground space, with rolling magma below, like a blazing lake.


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    Xuan Tianyi looked down at the magma lake, the firelight casting shadows on his face.


    An Hao also looked down, but his expression was tense.


    "Such dense demonic qi, is the Evil Demon hiding below?" An Hao asked in a low voice.


    Xuan Tianyi said, "You''ve been following for so long. Why don''t you come out?"


    As soon as he said this, An Hao was shocked and quickly looked around.


    Immediately, he saw mysterious figures shrouded in demonic qi emerging from the distant cave walls, seven in total.


    Xuan Tianyi said softly, "I didn''t tell you earlier because I was afraid you''d be in danger separated from me. Just watch how I handle these sneaky ones."


    With that, he stepped forward, walking in mid-air.


    An Hao remained vigilant, drawing out his treasure sword and keeping an eye on his surroundings.


    ...


    Under the tree, Gu An sat in meditation, leaning against the trunk. He had activated the Life Span Barrier and looked up through the leaves at the crescent moon in the night sky.


    Tonight''s weather was excellent!


    It was as if heaven and earth were celebrating for him!


    Gu An''s lips curled up as he opened the Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 96/10376008]


    [Physique: Mystic Holy Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Wandering Immortal Realm, Ninth Layer]


    ...


    Ten million three hundred seventy-six thousand years of life span!


    Because of the failure to breakthrough to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm from the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, he needed to wait twenty thousand years, so Gu An chose to invest a million years first.


    Fifty attempts, gambling on a stroke of luck, what if he got lucky?


    The simulation began!


    [You cultivated energy absorption for twenty thousand years. Using the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly attempted to break through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. You faced the Heaven and Earth Divine Intent Heavenly Tribulation but did not survive and failed the tribulation crossing]


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An remained calm, first playing with two hundred thousand years, succeeding would be nice, but failure was acceptable.


    As expected, all attempts failed.


    He then invested another one hundred thousand years!


    One after another, lines of equally long prompts kept appearing.


    All failures again, one hundred failed tribulation crossings!


    Another fifty attempts, surely he''d succeed now?


    More practically identical prompts popped up, and now Gu An could no longer keep a straight face.


    Three million years of life span and still no breakthrough!


    He couldn''t help but look again at the words Heaven and Earth Divine Intent Heavenly Tribulation.


    He truly wanted to see what this heavenly tribulation looked like!


    He hoped someone could show him in reality how to overcome the Heaven and Earth Divine Intent Heavenly Tribulation someday!


    Gu An took a deep breath and chose to invest fifty thousand years of life span.


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Consecutive failures struck at Gu An''s Daoist heart.


    Until a prompt suddenly grew longer.


    [You cultivated energy absorption for thirty-eight thousand years. Using the great accomplishment of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, you forcibly attempted to break through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. You faced the Heaven and Earth Divine Intent Heavenly Tribulation and survived, succeeding in the tribulation crossing. Your cultivation level has broken through to the first layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm]

 Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Breakthrough to the Ninth Level of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!

    [You cultivated in energy absorption for 390,000 years, and your cultivation level broke through to the second layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm]


    [You cultivated in energy absorption for 400,000 years, and your cultivation level broke through to the third layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm]


    [You cultivated in energy absorption for 420,000 years, and your cultivation level broke through to the fourth layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm]


    ...


    [You cultivated in energy absorption for 500,000 years, and your cultivation level broke through to the eighth layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm]


    Seeing all the indications fall, Gu An summarized the pattern and invested another 30,000 years of his life span, successfully reaching the ninth layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm.


    At the same time, nature''s spiritual energy already bore into his body, symbolizing the start of his breakthrough.


    It felt so comfortable!


    Gu An considered whether to spend another 30,000 years of life span to foresee the name of the next realm, but then thought it would be futile, for what use was knowing a name?


    The surrounding forest began to shake violently as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth descended.


    The ground beneath Gu An showed signs of a Qi Sea, and the speed at which spiritual energy entered his body became faster. He began to imagine the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm.


    What is the difference between a Wandering Immortal and a Heavenly Flying Immortal?


    Gu An looked at the sky. In the depths of his mind, he felt it was related to the heavens.


    After reaching the Wandering Immortal Realm, he could sense a certain power from the heavens suppressing all beings, making it impossible to leave. Wandering Immortals could break free from the constraints of heaven and earth rules but could not escape the suppression from the heavenly power above.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The speed at which spiritual energy entered his body reached an unprecedented level, even making Gu An somewhat alarmed.


    How wide a range of spiritual energy was needed for this?


    It didn''t take long for the entire continent''s living creatures to be startled, with birds flying chaotically, beasts fleeing wildly, and the earth trembling.


    Gu An did not bother to worry about the commotion, as a large amount of immortal insights poured into his body.


    Heavenly Flying Immortal!


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    One can peep into yin and yang, and control the five elements!


    Upon reaching this level, one must delve into the Path of Five Elements to progress further.


    The Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill Gu An practiced was precisely a Five Elements Cultivation Technique, so his breakthrough went smoothly.


    His primordial spirit underwent an unprecedented transformation, giving his soul a feeling of joy surpassing any form of pleasure.


    An hour later, Gu An completely crossed into the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm.


    The oceans surrounding the continent also erupted into monstrous waves, a scene formed by countless underwater demonic beasts surging, affecting unknowable miles.


    Gu An opened his eyes, his primordial spirit leaping out of his body.


    He instinctively wanted to break free from the Life Span Barrier, leap out of this heaven and earth, and peek into the higher world.


    However, he restrained himself.


    He gazed up at the night sky, his eyes penetrating millions of miles high, and he saw an invisible membrane enveloping the night sky, like a prison cage binding all beings of heaven and earth.


    He felt he could cross that invisible heavenly layer, but he didn''t dare to at the moment.


    Having no understanding of the world beyond, he couldn''t rush there.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An spotted that invisible heavenly layer producing ripples. He looked towards the direction from which the ripples came and saw a figure descending from the sky, falling to the end of heaven and earth.


    Someone arriving from the outer heavens?


    He dared not look too closely, fearing to disturb the other.


    He suddenly realized that the world and the outer heavens weren''t so isolated. Heavenly Flying Immortals of this heaven and earth would venture out but also return?


    He continued to enjoy the process of spiritual energy tempering his body.


    After the breakthrough, his primordial spirit had already transformed into a Flying Immortal Primordial Spirit, capable of slipping into yin and yang. By yin, it did not mean underground but another world contrary to this one.


    He could see the wandering souls in heaven and earth, and those souls about to enter reincarnation, flying into the sky, and disappearing less than 100,000 miles above, being pulled into the underworld by reincarnation.


    Gu An could already sense the chilling aura of the underworld, so cold that he didn''t wish to trespass.


    His cultivation level continued to rise!


    The speed of spiritual energy entering his body still increased, the Qi Sea on the ground resembling waves ready to engulf him at any moment.


    His primordial spirit continued to gaze at the sky.


    An hour later, he saw a Heavenly Flying Immortal escaping into the outer heavens in the distance, confirming even more that this world had other Heavenly Flying Immortals, and reaching the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm did not mean one had to leave this realm.


    It suggested that the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm might not be the highest realm in this world!


    No matter what, Gu An''s desire to explore the outer heavens was not that intense; staying in the comfort zone was the safest.


    Being able to grow stronger, why leave the comfort zone?


    Time flowed quickly.


    A full two ancient hours passed before Gu An''s cultivation level stabilized at the ninth layer of the Heavenly Flying Immortal Realm.


    The Life Span Barrier consumed nearly 700,000 years of life span, an exaggeration.


    The next breakthrough, to fully reinforce, would consume millions of years of lifespan just on the Life Span Barrier?


    A heavy burden and a long path ahead!


    After the spiritual energy no longer entered his body, and the world returned to calm, Gu An slowly stood up.


    He did not immediately remove the Life Span Barrier but sensed his own strength.


    His mana, and senses, both underwent a transformation; the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, and the gaps thereafter would only grow wider.


    Gu An felt that a Wandering Immortal couldn''t defeat a Heavenly Flying Immortal across realms, mastering any divine power would not suffice.


    Elsewhere.


    In the demon land, within a dark forest.


    A space rift suddenly appeared, and a severely injured An Hao was tossed out from it.


    He immediately got up and flew south, constantly calling for his master in his heart, but unfortunately, as before, his master did not appear.


    "Damn it... it''s all because I''m too weak..."


    An Hao gritted his teeth, his pride shattered that night.


    The scenes of Xuan Tianyi using a mysterious scroll to send him away kept flashing in his mind, and his ears echoed with Xuan Tianyi''s ambitious words.


    "Go back, I won''t die here, wait for me to return and find you."


    The more carefree Xuan Tianyi appeared, the more worried An Hao became, as those seven mysterious great cultivators were overwhelmingly powerful, Xuan Tianyi was absolutely outmatched.


    "Who exactly are they? What did Senior Xuan leave on my back?"


    An Hao thought anxiously and angrily, recalling how before parting, Xuan Tianyi slapped him into the space rift. At the moment he was struck, he felt his back burn, and now it itched as though someone were using a small knife to carve words on his back.


    He felt Senior Xuan detected something and left the information on his back, but now he could not use his divine sense to check. Whenever his divine sense approached his back, it was repelled by a mysterious power.


    He quickly took out a Spirit Energy Elixir and forcefully poured it into his mouth.


    His gaze became determined.


    He would definitely return!


    If Xuan Tianyi died, no matter who the murderer was, he would seek revenge for Xuan Tianyi!


    ...


    The moon set, and the sun rose.


    Heaven and earth completely calmed down, and Gu An then removed the Life Span Barrier and headed towards the Supreme Sect.


    With just three steps, he returned to the Supreme Sect.


    He returned to the Mystic Valley, came down from the building, and rode the Blood Prison Great Saint towards Tianya Valley.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint could feel his good mood, humming an unfamiliar tune.


    He had to admit, it sounded quite nice.


    Gu An spread his divine sense, taking in the entire continent, even encompassing the surrounding seas.


    He began to inspect old friends one by one.


    Jiang Qiong''s Juhua Sect seemed very harmonious, and she was practicing in the sect master''s mansion.


    Ye Lan was handling affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall, appearing very different from how she faced Gu An, exuding an ice queen temperament.


    Li Ya and Zhang Buku were being chased by a great demon, appearing dangerous but likely to survive.


    Gu An also saw An Hao, who was escaping. With no pursuers behind, he couldn''t be bothered to intervene.


    His divine sense swept over friends and disciples, and then glanced at the demonic energy-filled land still teeming with many Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators.


    Gu An felt he could easily break the seal and spy on the Evil Demon but refrained.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s growth speed couldn''t keep up with his own.


    Unless the Seven Stars Spirit Realm actively provoked him, he intended to lay low.


    Anyway, the Three Dynasties'' land was far from the demonic energy land, and unless it was a catastrophic disaster, he preferred not to intervene.


    After leaving the Mystic Valley''s range, the Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly felt his body enveloped by a terrifying power, causing his steps to falter as the surrounding environment changed drastically.


    They immediately found themselves less than 200 miles away from Tianya Valley.


    What kind of divine skill was this?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint marveled internally; it wasn''t his first time experiencing this divine skill, but he had no idea how far they had traveled due to being sealed by the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit.


    As the strongest being in the Spirit Realm, he was trying to sense Gu An''s divine skills to learn, but had yet to figure out the trick.


    Half a day later.


    Gu An again rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to arrive at the Third Medicine Valley.


    The disciples had grown accustomed to seeing him always riding a bull, and some even went to buy first-order mounts in the Outer Gate City to imitate him, though first-order demon beasts rarely had the presence of the Bull Demon King.


    He sensed Shen Zhen''s presence, waiting for him in a pavilion.


    This guy isn''t releasing another book so soon, right?


    Gu An urged the Blood Prison Great Saint to quicken his pace, reaching the pavilion and dismounting.


    Watching Gu An''s anxious back, the Blood Prison Great Saint felt stifled.


    In such a hurry, couldn''t he just walk himself?


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    He couldn''t understand why Gu An needed to act weak in front of these minor cultivators, so he lay down to sleep, reliving his invincible moments in his dreams.


    Entering the room, Gu An closed the door.


    Shen Zhen sat on a chair, pointing to a jade scroll on the table with a mysterious smile.


    Gu An approached the table and asked, "What is this?"


    Shen Zhen raised her white chin, proudly smiling, "This is my new work, guaranteed to shock the immortal cultivation world!"


    Gu An looked skeptical, picking up the jade scroll and probing it with his divine sense.


    His face instantly turned red and he immediately withdrew his divine sense, incredulously looking at Shen Zhen.


    "You¡­ you did this?" Gu An asked, trembling.


    Could she be a genius?


    This creation could indeed shock the immortal cultivation world, it was incredible, damn it, it was outrageous!


    Shen Zhen raised an eyebrow, smiling, "How is it? Isn''t the idea of making pictures move like real people amazing?"


    Gu An didn''t know how to respond.


    Immortal cultivation world anime?


    But this anime was too lifelike, no different from real people.


    Using such design in the Supreme Secret Records'' plot was truly impactful.


    Gu An resisted the tumult in his heart, asking, "Who is the male cultivator in it?"


    Shen Zhen looked at him, blinking, "I didn''t use your face, but thinking of other men was too uncomfortable for me, so I had him wear a mask."


    Gu An fell silent.


    No wonder the mask...


    His physique was very similar to his own!

 Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Do you know my Cultivation Level?

    Gu An, suppressing his complicated emotions, asked, "This thing is too groundbreaking, are you really going to do it? The commotion might be bigger than writing a book."


    In fact, the *Supreme Secret Records* written by Shen Zhen had always been forbidden by the Supreme Sect. If she were not the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, Gu An suspected she would have long been captured.


    Shen Zhen retorted, "I haven''t killed or set fires, what''s the Supreme Sect going to do, throw me in jail?"


    "But you are, after all, a woman. If this gets exposed, how will people see you? How will they view your father, or the Daotian Sect?"


    Gu An spoke earnestly. Shen Zhen''s nature wasn''t bad, nor did she have any emotional entanglements. Whenever he used his divine sense to survey the world, he would also glance at her. When she wasn''t seeking him, she was mostly in her cave cultivating or delving into music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    Shen Zhen fixed her gaze on him and asked, "You don''t like what I''m doing?"


    Gu An responded, "I''m just worried about you."


    Shen Zhen couldn''t help but smile, and she took out a new jade scroll, handing it to Gu An.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment but still used his divine sense to inspect the jade scroll.


    Immediately, his eyebrows raised.


    It wasn''t just an action illusion, but the process of cultivating divine skills. The person in the jade scroll was Shen Zhen, and it recorded her divine skills cultivation process, even including the meditation spells.


    After a while,


    Gu An withdrew his divine sense, his gaze fixed on Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen hummed, "This is my real creation, isn''t it more conducive to inheritance?"


    Gu An nodded, saying, "Very good, it gives people more direction during cultivation."


    With that, he placed the two jade scrolls on the table.


    Shen Zhen began to recount the experience of her and Lu Lingjun''s training. They had ventured into the grotto heaven of an ancient great cultivator, filled with dangers, and only after great effort did they obtain the inheritance and treasures.


    Gu An listened avidly, occasionally exclaiming in amazement, gratifying Shen Zhen''s desire to talk.


    She loved discussing these things with Gu An, while talking to others might attract unwanted attention. With Gu An, she enjoyed his praise without that risk.


    After a long time,


    Shen Zhen finally stood up and said, "I''ll leave this divine skills jade scroll with you."


    Before Gu An could refuse, she headed for the door and quickly went downstairs.


    Gu An looked at the jade scroll on the table, wanting to call out to Shen Zhen. Why not take the other one?


    Forget it!


    He''d better keep this one to prevent anyone from going astray.


    Gu An had memories of his past life and had long experienced the corruption of this thing. His willpower in this aspect was far beyond that of the people in the Immortal Cultivation World. He felt it was his duty to bear this mental burden for the cultivators.


    Elsewhere,


    Shen Zhen, upon going downstairs, couldn''t resist teasing the Blood Prison Great Saint, annoying him greatly.


    Until nightfall, Gu An finally took the Blood Prison Great Saint back to Mystic Valley. Late at night, Gu An quietly arrived at Nianchu Cave of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Tian Yao''er was cultivating, while two cat demons were playing. Seeing Gu An appear, they quickly stopped and lay on the ground. Although they hadn''t shape-shifted yet, they were highly intelligent and, under Tian Yao''er''s guidance, they were very respectful towards Gu An.


    Gu An nodded at them, then sat at the stone table and began contemplating the matters of a grotto heaven.


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    With his current cultivation level, opening up an independent minor heaven and earth wasn''t difficult, but the challenge was in raising the spiritual energy.


    He couldn''t instantly create a minor heaven and earth filled with spiritual energy.


    Next, he planned to collect high-grade celestial treasures to prepare for his grotto heaven. He was now thinking about where to hide the grotto heaven.


    Although the minor heaven and earth within the grotto heaven was hidden in another space, the entrance to the real world was fixed and couldn''t move.


    After much thought, Gu An decided to open the grotto heaven on the mainland.


    This mainland was vast and had fewer immortal realms, making it suitable for him to develop slowly.


    At this time, Tian Yao''er approached and asked what he was thinking.


    Gu An didn''t hide anything, as the grotto heaven would eventually need to be managed by her.


    To seize life span, he needed to personally harvest it with his mana, as puppets or clones weren''t reliable.


    The clones of his Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, though called clones, were actually formed by his mana and lacked independent thought.


    Gu An had no interest in clones; he preferred to directly experience life and growth.


    Tian Yao''er, upon hearing this, was secretly shocked.


    The master had already opened a minor heaven and earth?


    She wondered if Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother could do the same?


    Having cultivated for so long, she wasn''t naive. She was increasingly certain that the master was stronger than the Demon Mother. It was just that he claimed he couldn''t defeat the Demon Mother to encourage her to cultivate.


    She felt no resentment towards this. Her enemies needed to be dealt with by her own hands.


    "Just set it here at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain. It''s said that Heavenly Phoenix Mountain was once a habitat for phoenixes. Every few thousand years, enormous spiritual energy surges from the ground, producing countless celestial treasures." Tian Yao''er said earnestly.


    Gu An thought it made sense.


    Then, he sent his divine sense underground to open up a minor heaven and earth.


    The grotto heaven couldn''t be too close to Nianchu Cave to avoid affecting the growth of medicinal herbs here. It should ideally be near the great earth spirit lineage, so it could absorb the underground spiritual energy.


    An hour later, Gu An successfully opened it. Unlike other great cultivators who needed to fill it with soil and water, he could directly manifest it with his mana, thanks to his Five Elements attribute. However, the plants would still need to be relocated manually.


    For now, he wasn''t in a hurry. He would let the grotto heaven absorb spiritual energy first.


    ...


    With the arrival of the New Year, the Supreme Sect was busy with celebrations and all cities were bustling.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City. Although they attracted many gazes along the way, no one was surprised. Nowadays, many disciples in the Outer Gate City rode mounts, and numerous majestic demon birds circled above the city.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was also very interested in the Outer Gate City, constantly looking around.


    "Brother Gu, long time no see."


    A light laugh sounded, and Gu An turned his head to see Di Xie approaching.


    Di Xie had gotten acquainted with Zuo Lin and Gu An when he first arrived. He had always hidden his true identity, and now only the high levels of the Supreme Sect knew that he was the son of the Demon Emperor.


    Gu An dismounted with a smile, raised his hand, and cupped his fists.


    Di Xie looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint, examining it, and said, "Brother Gu, this mount of yours seems to have a unique bloodline?"


    Although the Blood Prison Great Saint''s cultivation level was low, Di Xie could still sense some unusual traits, but nothing more.


    Gu An laughed, "He''s quite good. I like him a lot, so I take him everywhere with me, but his speed is a bit slow." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Di Xie smiled and nodded, then invited Gu An for a drink, which Gu An didn''t refuse. He led the Blood Prison Great Saint and followed Di Xie.


    They chatted and laughed along the way, their relationship harmonious.


    After experiencing the Demon Catastrophe, Di Xie cherished his friendship with Zuo Lin and Gu An even more.


    The human and demon races shouldn''t be forever locked in conflict; they could coexist peacefully, just like him and Gu An.


    The two found an inn. Gu An left the Blood Prison Great Saint by the inn''s door and asked the innkeeper to keep an eye on him.


    The two went to the second floor by the window.


    "The first sword competition in the world is about to start. I''m planning to participate. You must come to watch then." Di Xie said with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately agreed and wished him success in advance.


    "I''ve heard they''re preparing to recruit some demon clan disciples. Brother Gu, what do you think about this?" Di Xie asked curiously.


    He was pleased but also worried when he heard this. He knew well the nature of some demons. If they harmed someone in the Supreme Sect, would that not worsen the conflict?


    After all, the Demon Catastrophe had only ended recently, and there was still significant resentment towards demons among the human cultivators.


    "It''s a good thing. Didn''t some demons help us fight off the Evil Demons during the catastrophe? Now that the Demon Ancestor has fallen, but Evil Demons remain, which are a greater calamity. The human and demon races should unite to overcome the tribulation." Gu An said casually.


    Di Xie observed his expression, trying to figure out his true thoughts, but his words made Di Xie happy.


    They started drinking, passing cups back and forth, and soon, two jars were emptied.


    An hour later, sounds of a cow and the innkeeper''s voice interrupted Gu An and Di Xie''s conversation.


    "I need to go down and check." Gu An said, standing up.


    Di Xie nodded and followed him downstairs.


    In front of the inn''s door, more and more disciples gathered.


    The innkeeper stood in front of the Blood Prison Great Saint, wearing a forced smile as he looked at the luxurious robed man in front of him, saying, "Sir, I really can''t sell this cow. If you want to buy it, you should find the owner upstairs."


    The man in luxurious robes was arrogant, with four attendants behind him, all looking formidable.


    He looked down at the innkeeper and said, "Go call him down."


    Before the innkeeper could respond, Gu An''s voice came from behind, "Brother, sorry, but this cow is not for sale."


    Gu An approached the Blood Prison Great Saint, patting its head, and gave the luxurious robed man a life span detection. This was his habitual action to see the other person''s maximum life span.


    [Zhou Ye (Divinity Transformation Stage Fifth Level): 402/880/1200]


    Surname Zhou?


    Gu An thought to himself.


    After the Ji Family left the Supreme Sect, the Zhou Family also started leaving, reportedly to support the Cangtian Sect.


    Zhou Ye looked at Gu An and said, "Two top-grade spirit stones, I''ll take it."


    As soon as he said this, the surrounding disciples were in an uproar.


    A first-order demon beast worth that much?


    Listening to the discussions around, the Blood Prison Great Saint was infuriated, his eyes flaring up with rage.


    He accepted being Gu An''s steed, but who did this kid think he was?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint judged from the other''s aura that he was just a low-level Divinity Transformation cultivator.


    Gu An frowned, shaking his head in difficulty.


    Di Xie suddenly stepped in front of him and said, "My brother said it''s not for sale, stop pestering!"


    Zhou Ye looked him up and down and sneered, "Do you know what my cultivation level is?"


    "What, being in the Divinity Transformation Stage Fifth Level makes you arrogant?" Di Xie retorted coldly.


    The crowd was in an uproar again, and the innkeeper stepped back in fear, with Gu An also pretending to be shocked.


    Zhou Ye asked, frowning, "Who are you?"


    Di Xie said calmly, "I am Di Xie, Mystic Heart Realm Third Layer."


    Bang!


    The whole street exploded into chaos.


    Zhou Ye and the four behind him all retreated together.


    Di Xie glanced at Gu An, giving an apologetic look.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, at the Mahayana Realm Eighth Layer, felt humiliated. Was the Mystic Heart Realm that prestigious?


    After he ascended, he shouldn''t have been so arrogant!


    Gu An, at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm Ninth Level, feigned tension, continuously stroking the cow''s head.

 Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Demon Shocks the World

    Under the might of Di Xie, Zhou Ye ultimately withdrew with his men. Before leaving, Zhou Ye still harbored hostility towards Gu An. However, it did not reach the level of hatred, only dissatisfaction, and a desire to teach him a lesson.


    Afterward, Di Xie laid his cards on the table with Gu An, revealing his true identity, and left with a look of shock on Gu An''s face.


    He turned his back to Gu An, sighed slightly under the gaze of many disciples on both sides of the street.


    From now on, it would be challenging for him to befriend Gu An, as the difference in status and cultivation level was clear.


    Even if he had the inclination to form a bond, Brother Gu would probably feel pressured, wouldn''t he?


    Di Xie smiled self-deprecatingly.


    Gu An continued to ride the Blood Prison Great Saint around the street. After nearly two ancient hours, they finally left the city.


    On the way to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An introduced the Supreme Sect and those noble families to the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint listened intently, for Gu An had said that he would let him go after a thousand years. Once free, he would still need to understand this Great Heaven and Earth, so it was best to accumulate knowledge now.


    "Do you know why I captured you?" Gu An asked nonchalantly.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was no fool and thought it must be related to those two half-human, half-demon individuals.


    "You might think this world is nothing special, but it is far more dangerous than you imagine. This is also why I hide my cultivation level. Serving me for a thousand years, first to atone for your sins, and second to temper your character. I hope you cherish it."


    Gu An spoke softly. If the Blood Prison Great Saint performed well, he wouldn''t mind teaching him the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    The Primordial Reincarnation Skill and the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit were, in a sense, a perfect match. It was just right to use the Blood Prison Great Saint to experiment and see if it was effective.


    "Moo..."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint responded. Although he could not speak human words, Gu An understood his submissive intention.


    In fact, the mindset of the Blood Prison Great Saint had already changed. He had thought before that following Gu An might be an opportunity.


    At least Gu An could be his protector!


    If it hadn''t been Gu An who took action against him back then, but another immortal cultivator of similar cultivation level, he might have already died and vanished.


    Putting himself in someone else''s shoes, if someone attacked his disciple or junior, he wouldn''t show mercy either.


    Within the circle of Great Cultivators in the Spirit Realm, there was a saying: It is better to provoke the Blood Prison Great Saint himself than to suppress his juniors.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s pace wasn''t fast, and Gu An didn''t rush him. During the ride, it seemed as if he was talking to himself, while the Blood Prison Great Saint didn''t feel annoyed.


    For some reason, he always felt that Gu An had changed recently.


    Even a casual remark from him felt inexplicably calming to the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    He didn''t believe it was an illusion. It must be related to Gu An''s cultivation level.


    Perhaps he could learn something by following Gu An.


    ...


    After the bustling and busy Spring Festival, Gu An continued his simple life. During this period, no one from the Zhou Family caused trouble for Gu An, perhaps fearing Di Xie or knowing about his relationship with Lv Baitian.


    In any case, Gu An didn''t mind.


    Nowadays, he wouldn''t regard the Zhou Family as a threat. If Zhou Ye harbored any intent to kill him, he would resolve it immediately.


    In the days that followed, he would go to the Inner Sect City once a month to sell his medicinal herbs and accumulate spirit stones.


    He had already spotted a more prosperous cultivation city overseas, planning to go there in the future to purchase a large number of high-rank medical herbs and plant them in his Grotto Heaven.


    The days were busy yet purposeful and not at all dull for him.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Over half a year had passed, and Gu An turned ninety-seven years old.


    The demonic qi in the north grew thicker, and in a few more years, the so-called Evil Demon might break the seal.


    The first Sword Dao Tournament in the world was in full swing, and Gu An was also watching the excitement.


    In the distant Demon Land.


    In the underground space where An Hao parted ways with Xuan Tianyi, Ji Xuanling stood at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the magma with a frown. He saw several skeletons floating and sinking.


    Behind him stood a group of Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators.


    "Below should be the sealed place of the Evil Demon, right?"


    "The demonic qi here is truly terrifying. We must have the seniors of our realm come to handle it."


    "A message has already been sent. We shall hold our ground here first to prevent other cultivators from entering and ruining the plan."


    "You never know when the Evil Demon will break the seal. If it suddenly happens, we won''t be able to hold out."


    Ji Xuanling ignored their chatter, his gaze lingering on the distant cave wall. He saw numerous shocking cracks, indicating a great battle had occurred there before.


    One of the cracks made him frown.


    "Could it be him?" Ji Xuanling thought of Xuan Tianyi.


    He had fought with Xuan Tianyi countless times and was well aware of his combat methods.


    The thought of Xuan Tianyi possibly dying here made him inexplicably uneasy.


    "Wait, the seal hasn''t been broken yet, so why would someone be fighting here? Could someone have tried to stop Xuan Tianyi? Who could have arrived here before the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    Ji Xuanling furrowed his brows deeply, a terrifying suspicion arising in his mind, making his face turn even grimmer.


    Meanwhile.


    In the main hall of the Supreme Sect''s main city.


    An Hao stared intently at Lv Baitian sitting at the head seat, while Lv Baitian frowned deeply.


    "Master, what should we do?" An Hao asked in a deep voice, with a sense of foreboding in his heart.


    Lv Baitian did not display the fury An Hao expected but remained silent instead.


    "Senior Xuan is the only Mahayana Realm cultivator we have in the Supreme Sect. We cannot abandon him!" An Hao said through gritted teeth.


    Lv Baitian looked at him and said, "You said it yourself: the only one. If even he couldn''t withstand it, what can we do?"


    "Unless the Sword Venerable Fudao intervenes, but we don''t even know where he is. We can''t ask the entire sect to beg him for one person, right?"


    An Hao''s expression changed several times.


    Because when he failed to summon his master that night, he thought his master didn''t want to get involved. Afterward, he stopped calling for help and rushed back to the Supreme Sect.


    His master was unwilling to intervene, and the Supreme Sect didn''t want to; what should he do?


    What bothered An Hao the most was that he couldn''t blame anyone.


    If he had the strength, he wouldn''t need to beg!


    The Supreme Sect had countless disciples; it was impossible to sacrifice them all for one person.


    His master didn''t owe him or the Supreme Sect anything. Why should he keep cleaning up after him?


    Suddenly, An Hao thought of something. He turned around and removed his robe, exposing his back, saying, "This is left by Senior Xuan, seems to be some kind of restriction. My divine sense couldn''t decipher it." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lv Baitian looked up, eyes widening abruptly, and appeared behind An Hao in a flash.


    He gripped An Hao''s shoulders tightly, preventing him from moving.


    "So, that''s it..."


    Hearing Lv Baitian''s words, An Hao, though confused, didn''t interrupt his master''s examination of the restriction on his back.


    ...


    Mid-autumn, the first Sword Dao Tournament in the world concluded, and the champion was a sword dao great cultivator from the Gu Family. Di Xie ranked second.


    Gu An also watched the final battle between Di Xie and the Gu Family great cultivator. If Di Xie hadn''t insisted on using a sword, he might not have lost.


    Though Di Xie was at the Mystic Heart Realm, his swordsmanship was exceedingly immature.


    The first Sword Dao Tournament in the world attracted the entire Immortal Cultivation World''s attention, bringing immense profit to the Supreme Sect.


    Other sects began to emulate the Supreme Sect, hosting various tournaments. However, at this stage, cultivators were more interested in the spectacular combat demonstrated in the first Sword Dao Tournament in the world.


    After the tournament, An Hao sought out An Xin. The siblings hadn''t seen each other for a long time and were very happy, talking for a long while.


    Gu An noticed that An Hao seemed to have something on his mind, but his relationship with An Hao wasn''t close enough to inquire.


    Before leaving, An Hao found Gu An, thanked him for taking care of An Xin, and gifted him many high-rank medical herb seeds. After some polite refusal, Gu An reluctantly accepted them.


    The two didn''t talk for long before An Hao took his leave.


    Gu An watched An Hao''s departing figure, guessing it was related to his experience in the Demon Land.


    "Disciple, fear not. Once he emerges, he''s dead."


    Gu An thought silently and suddenly recalled Xuan Tianyi.


    An Hao had previously spent time with Xuan Tianyi. Why had only An Hao returned?


    He immediately used his divine sense to scan the entire continent but couldn''t find Xuan Tianyi.


    Had Xuan Tianyi sailed away?


    But he hadn''t seen him depart!


    Gu An''s gaze fixed on that demonic qi-laden area, where numerous Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators had gathered, including Ji Xuanling, who had previously visited the Supreme Sect.


    Aside from the deep underground and a few obscure hidden realms, the only remaining place he hadn''t explored was the sealed area of the Evil Demon.


    Could it be that Xuan Tianyi was captured by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm or had fallen into the sealed area of the Evil Demon?


    ...


    Two months later, the north erupted with terrifying demonic qi, as dreadful as the demonic might of the Demon Ancestor, alarming the Three Dynasties.


    Standing up in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An turned to look.


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    Not far away, the Blood Prison Great Saint also gazed northward, secretly alarmed.


    What terrifying demonic qi!


    This Great Heaven and Earth truly hid dragons and tigers!


    Who might be behind this demonic qi?


    Gu An only took one glance before continuing to pick medicinal herbs.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint glanced at Gu An, seeing his calm demeanor, and felt relieved.


    Come to think of it, he wasn''t clear about Gu An''s true cultivation level.


    Disciples in the valley were also disturbed by the distant demonic might. They gathered in groups, discussing the matter.


    They immediately associated it with the Evil Demon!


    Since the Holy Land''s emergence and the spread of the legend of the Evil Demon, it had become a significant concern among people.


    After the eruption, the demonic might persisted, not dispersing, though it didn''t affect the disciples'' lives. It made them feel oppressed and uneasy.


    Early the next morning, many cultivators flew over the Third Medicine Valley, heading north.


    Gu An''s divine sense observed the Three Dynasties, noting that various sects were sending many cultivators toward the Demon Land.


    He wasn''t worried. Judging from the current aura, the Evil Demon was at the level of a loose immortal and had not completely broken free from the seal.


    He wanted to see if the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would truly assist the Three Dynasties'' human race in resisting the Evil Demon.


    Meanwhile.


    In a forest, Zhang Buku followed Li Ya, unable to restrain himself from asking: "Brother Li, with such demonic qi, it must be the legendary Evil Demon. We should stay away and let the great cultivators handle it."

 Chapter 202: Chapter 202: The Elder Uncle is called Gu An, do you know him?

    "The world is in distress, how can we cultivators sit idly by? This has nothing to do with cultivation level, it''s about spirit!"


    Li Ya said without turning his head, his tone resolute and powerful, causing Zhang Buku to feel somewhat ashamed.


    In terms of awareness, he was indeed not as good as Brother Li.


    "Of course, if we get an opportunity, that''s even better. Let''s try it. The more people there are, the easier it is to blend in, at least we won''t be easy targets." Li Ya shifted his tone and continued.


    Zhang Buku twitched his mouth but did not refute.


    He twisted his arm and said, "Brother Li, it seems my old injury is acting up."


    "Hold it in. Is your injury more serious than mine? As men, even if we die, it''s just a scar as big as a bowl. What are you afraid of? If you''re scared, you''ll lose for a lifetime!"


    Li Ya snorted, his gaze penetrating the gaps in the leaves, looking at the rolling demonic clouds in the sky, his thoughts drifting.


    Zhang Buku pouted, secretly thinking that he was just good at talking big.


    Having been together for so long, it''s true that he couldn''t bear to abandon Li Ya.


    Forget it, this brother for a lifetime, I''ll follow him through the mountains of swords and seas of flames! Find unique content at m-vl-em-py-r


    Zhang Buku consoled himself in his heart. He followed up and asked, "Brother Li, where do you think the Blood Prison Great Saint we encountered before is now? He''s an ascended being, is he looking for a sect to establish himself?"


    Li Ya casually answered, "Naturally, one person can''t establish themselves in the Immortal Cultivation World. The Mahayana Realm sounds strong, but it''s not invincible. But with his ability, he is probably being revered by some sect now, living much better than the two of us brothers."


    "Indeed."


    Zhang Buku clicked his tongue in amazement. Without a sect as a backing, he deeply understood how difficult it was for a person to wander the Immortal Cultivation World alone.


    The two chatted while advancing, the demonic clouds in the sky continued to spread, seemingly marching towards the entire Mortal World like a calamity.


    ...


    Gu An rode on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, heading towards the pavilion area. His divine sense already locked onto the depths of the Demon Land.


    Amid a desolate land, the ground cracked open, spreading like a spider web. Majestic demonic qi erupted from the earth''s crevices, soaring to the sky, an awe-inspiring sight. It was as if a peerless evil demon was about to break out from the ground, creating a suffocating atmosphere between heaven and earth.


    Gu An observed cultivators constructing a transmission array platform on a cliff about fifty thousand miles from the place where the evil demon was breaking its seal. They probably belonged to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, as Ji Xuanling was among them.


    At this moment, Ji Xuanling stood at the edge of the cliff, his brows furrowed.


    A woman in white walked up to him, smilingly asked, "What''s the matter? Are you afraid?"


    Ji Xuanling glanced at her indifferently, "No matter how strong the evil demon is, can it be stronger than Sword Venerable Fudao? I''ve been to the Supreme Sect."


    "It''s different. These two haven''t fought, besides, you represented the Seven Stars Spirit Realm going to the Supreme Sect. Why would Sword Venerable Fudao attack you?" The woman in white shook her head.


    Ji Xuanling continued to look ahead, ignoring the woman in white.


    The woman in white added, "Elder Lin is here too. He is a Loose Immortal. With his intervention, we should get through this tribulation."


    "Elder Lin?"


    Ji Xuanling''s brows furrowed again, his doubts growing stronger. The terrible conjecture seemed to be about to be confirmed.


    He always believed that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was the true holy land and took pride in being born in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. But recently, more and more things made him feel that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm harbored many unspeakable secrets, secrets that might shatter its holy name, driving him to the brink.


    What tortured him the most was that he guessed the truth but didn''t dare to reveal it, and still had to follow orders.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The demonic clouds in the sky began to emit thunderous sounds, like ancient demon gods roaring, causing unrest among all beings.


    ...


    Gu An watched for a long time. When the Blood Prison Great Saint returned to the pavilion, he dismounted.


    Although cultivators from all over the world were heading north, and even the demon clan was mobilizing troops towards the evil demon''s seal, he was not in a hurry. Better wait for the evil demon to revive before taking action.


    He suspected that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wanted to eliminate the evil demon themselves to make a name for themselves, but he felt that the rising speed of the demonic qi might disrupt their plan.


    Unless the Seven Stars Spirit Realm dispatched a Wandering Immortal!


    Just right to use the evil demon to test the strength of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the continent.


    In the days following, news of the imminent revival of the evil demon spread wildly within the Supreme Sect, even reaching the disciples in Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An could feel that the evil demon was about to break its seal ahead of time for some unknown reason.


    He didn''t bother to speculate on the reason, as long as the evil demon didn''t grow strong enough to exceed his control.


    Judging by the current pace of its qi rising, it would take another hundred years to pose a threat to Gu An.


    The difference between Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal and Wandering Immortal was like the gap between mortals and immortals, not to mention that the evil demon had not yet reached the Wandering Immortal realm.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm side hadn''t made a move yet, they were also waiting. Gu An thought they would act only when the three-chao cultivators gathered, which would be their chance to make a name.


    In the blink of an eye.


    A month quickly passed, and a large number of three-chao cultivators had gathered where the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators were stationed. The evil demon''s qi had almost reached the Wandering Immortal realm, sending a chill down all cultivators'' spines. Let alone scouting for information, they didn''t even dare to send their divine senses into Demon Land.


    On the wasteland, the Supreme Sect cultivators gathered to build houses, with formations set up around the perimeter.


    Lv Baitian stood on a terrace, his gaze fixed on the distant cliff, where the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was stationed, isolated as a holy land, not mingling with the three-chao sects.


    All the sects gathered on the wasteland under the cliff, but the Seven Stars Spirit Realm remained aloof.


    Ji Hantian approached Lv Baitian, whispered, "There''s still no sign of Xuan Tianyi. Could he really have perished in Demon Land?"


    His brows furrowed, Xuan Tianyi was a rare talent in the Supreme Sect in thousands of years and their strongest person on the surface. Losing Xuan Tianyi would mean half of the Supreme Sect''s foundation crumbling.


    "Regardless, we must prepare for the possibility that he can''t fight." Lv Baitian said solemnly.


    Ji Hantian looked at Lv Baitian, deep in thought.


    After a long while, he finally asked, "Sect Leader, are you hiding something from me? If Xuan Tianyi is really dead, how can you be so unperturbed? You are too calm."


    Lv Baitian shook his head and turned to go downstairs.


    In the distance.


    Li Ya led Zhang Buku into the Supreme Sect''s encampment. Zhang Buku looked around, full of curiosity.


    "I heard the Supreme Sect started recruiting demon clan disciples. You should join later, I''ll recommend you." Li Ya softly laughed.


    Zhang Buku asked, "Really?"


    He was visibly excited.


    Li Ya glanced at him, curiously asking, "Why so excited? When I introduced you to the cultivators of the Cangtian Sect, you weren''t this thrilled. Why?"


    Zhang Buku took a deep breath, "Truth be told, my father was an outer sect servant disciple of the Supreme Sect. Since childhood, I''ve heard tales of the Supreme Sect from him. Naturally, I yearn for it."


    Due to Zhang Buku''s tragic background, Li Ya never asked much, afraid of saddening him. Today, hearing this, he couldn''t help but ask, "What''s your father''s name? By the way, I also started as an outer sect servant disciple. Maybe I knew your father."


    Zhang Buku turned his head, "My father''s name was Zhang Chunqiu."


    "What?"


    Li Ya stopped in his tracks, staring at Zhang Buku in stunned surprise. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Surprised, Zhang Buku asked, "Brother Li, you knew him?"


    First shocked, Li Ya then remembered that Zhang Buku''s father had passed away. His mood dropped.


    "Was your father a servant disciple in Medicine Valley? When I joined the valley, he was my senior brother." Li Ya said with mixed emotions.


    Zhang Buku was excited again, "Really? I didn''t expect we had such a connection."


    "Right, you mentioned a martial uncle earlier, what''s his name? Why didn''t your father mention me?" Li Ya asked. Just as he finished, his mind suddenly jolted.


    Wait!


    Isn''t this messing up the seniority?


    Zhang Buku replied, "Martial Uncle''s name is Gu An. Do you know him?"


    "Junior Brother Gu..." Li Ya immediately realized.


    Indeed, back in Medicine Valley, Senior Brother Zhang Chunqiu''s favorite was Junior Brother Gu. Junior Brother Gu was kind to everyone, universally liked. It''s natural that Senior Brother Zhang Chunqiu remembered him.


    Zhang Buku also realized, scratching his head, "Should I call you Martial Uncle Li?"


    "Forget it, Brother Li flows better. We''ll each stick to our own!"


    Seeing his shameless expression, Li Ya felt somewhat vexed. They''d been calling each other brothers for years, it was hard to change now.


    After all, Zhang Buku only saw him, their previous relationship might as well not count.


    Zhang Buku nervously asked, "Brother Li, how''s your relationship with Martial Uncle Gu?"


    Hearing this, Li Ya suddenly wanted to alter the relationship. He looked up, proudly smiled, "Of course, we''re the best of brothers."


    "Really?" Zhang Buku was overjoyed.


    Li Ya asked skeptically, "Why are you so curious about him? Have you seen him?"


    "Of course, when I was young and my father hadn''t yet passed, Martial Uncle Gu came to my house. He even brought me a top-grade spirit elixir. He''s my only elder in this world." Zhang Buku said seriously.


    Only elder...


    Li Ya''s mouth twitched, "In that case, you''d better call me Martial Uncle."


    "No way, we''ll each stick to our own."


    "If Junior Brother Gu hears this, it''ll be a joke."


    "What? Last year when the Demon King nearly tore you apart, I risked my life to save you. Didn''t you say we''re brothers for life? Now you''re denying it?" Zhang Buku glared.


    They had already sworn brotherhood, how could he recognize his brother as a martial uncle?


    Li Ya opened his mouth, feeling somewhat stifled.


    Zhang Buku looked around, muttering, "I wonder if Martial Uncle Gu is here..."


    Li Ya sneered, "He''s just a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, besides, he''s timid. How could he be here?"


    Foundation Establishment Realm?


    Zhang Buku was taken aback. He had seen Martial Uncle Gu slay demons. To be honest, he felt Martial Uncle Gu was stronger than Li Ya.


    But he had promised Martial Uncle Gu not to reveal his acts of heroism. So, he held back.


    Seeing Li Ya''s expression, he clearly didn''t know Martial Uncle Gu''s true cultivation level.


    Such a proud person, if he knew the truth, he''d definitely hassle Martial Uncle Gu?


    Zhang Buku thought secretly, feeling rather delighted.


    Knowing Martial Uncle Gu''s secret, did it mean Martial Uncle Gu saw him as closer?

 Chapter 203: Chapter 203: The Evil Demon Breaks the Seal, Its Him

    Zhang Buku could not find Gu An within the Supreme Sect''s camp, as Gu An was still busy planting seeds.


    He had come to the grotto heaven he had cultivated beforehand, scattering ordinary herb seeds to improve the soil.


    Once the matter with the Evil Demon was resolved, he planned to go overseas to buy a large number of high-rank medicinal herb seeds.


    Decades had passed, and Gu An had accumulated a vast fortune, enough for him to spend lavishly.


    The demonic power from the north persisted, affecting all life. Wherever Gu An went, he heard people worrying about it. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Simultaneously, Gu An overheard another discourse: some were constantly advocating for the Holy Land, claiming that this calamity would not spread to the human realm with the Holy Land''s intervention.


    Using his divine sense to cover the land of three dynasties, Gu An saw many people specifically spreading this news. From the karma around them, he deduced they were entrusted by Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators.


    Indeed, the Holy Land''s means were far beyond the Supreme Sect''s.


    After witnessing how difficult it was to control the Sword Venerable Fudao, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm acted swiftly.


    Moreover, Gu An noticed batches of cultivators landing from the sea, some among them even Nirvana Realm great cultivators. They infiltrated the three dynasties to gather information¡ªsome were investigating the Sword Venerable Fudao, others the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Gu An did not pay too much attention, as long as they didn''t appear before him.


    Time continued to pass.


    About half a month later, as autumn drew to a close,


    Gu An was riding the Blood Prison Great Saint, wandering around the Third Medicine Valley when his divine sense turned northward.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm had begun to take action!


    Gu An saw among them appearing a Loose Immortal, whose aura was no weaker than Startling Immortal Lin''s, even without releasing his pressure.


    In the depths of the Demon Land, at the edge of the Demon Land.


    "All disciples, prepare for battle!"


    A bold voice resounded throughout the Supreme Sect''s encampment, prompting all disciples to begin mobilizing. Not only the Supreme Sect but other sects were the same.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm dispatched disciples to various sects, instructing on battle tactics. Even powerful sects like the Cangtian Sect did not dare refuse, only complying, as the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had great cultivators at the Realm of Immortal Path.


    When the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s cultivators flew toward the depths of the Demon Land like arrow showers, dozens of sects spread out, ready to encircle the Demon Land from different directions.


    An Hao, Li Ya, and Zhang Buku were among them.


    The Supreme Sect''s Mystic Heart Realm had only one representative¡ªAncestor Xuan Quan. Other sects were the same, with even the strongest Cangtian Sect only sending a Daoist Lord, not even bringing any Mystic Heart Realm great cultivators. Discover stories on m-vl-em,pyr


    They all knew the battle''s key lay with the Holy Land!


    An Hao gazed at the backs of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators, frowning deeply in thought.


    Over ten thousand Supreme Sect cultivators followed Lv Baitian in flight, everyone tense. Even with the Holy Land at the forefront, they still felt anxious, as the Holy Land had stated that the Evil Demon could not be completely eradicated by them.


    In the Seven Stars Spirit Realm faction, Ji Xuanling''s eyes held complex emotions as he looked at the elder at the very front.


    That elder was the Lin Family''s Loose Immortal, named Ancestor Lin Lu, holding a high position within the Six Stars Cave. Not only was his cultivation profound, but he himself had lived for nearly ten thousand years.


    Ancestor Lin Lu wore a large purple robe, his white hair bound beneath a coronet, and his weathered face exuded vitality with bright eyes, making him appear imposing.


    Suddenly, his eyes squinted, and in the direction he gazed upon, the barren earth ahead was riddled with fissures, black demonic qi seeping out, as if something extremely evil was breeding. Thunderclouds churned above, lightning flashing, casting a heavy atmosphere over everything.


    Ancestor Lin Lu raised his right hand, a golden umbrella appearing in his palm. He lifted it, and the golden umbrella flew over his head, swiftly shooting forward.


    In the blink of an eye, the golden umbrella flew to the most densely concentrated area of demonic qi, hovering ten thousand feet above the ground, near the thunderclouds.


    BOOM¡ª¡ª


    The golden umbrella suddenly opened, spreading golden rays of light, as if an immense power from another dimension shook the very sea of time, dispersing clouds and lightning, transforming the gloomy sky into something majestic and ethereal.


    Golden light poured down from the umbrella like a torrential rain, landing on the cracked ground, forming inscriptions that expanded rapidly, covering a thousand-mile radius within two breaths and continuing to spread.


    The golden inscriptions suppressed the demonic qi emerging from the ground fissures. When the inscriptions stopped extending, their edges emitted golden light, shooting into the clouds and forming golden pillars, isolating ten thousand miles around, with the Three Dynasties'' sects positioned outside the golden barrier.


    "What kind of magic artifact is that? It can form a formation by itself?"


    "Indeed powerful, this formation feels stronger than our sect-protecting array."


    "No wonder it''s the Holy Land, truly formidable."


    "It seems the Holy Land plans to handle the Evil Demon alone. We just need to assist."


    "That''s good. Who wants to die?"


    Discussions buzzed among the sect disciples, their reverence for the Holy Land rising rapidly.


    Ji Xuanling looked up at the golden umbrella in the sky, uttering four words: "Loose Immortal Dharma Treasure."


    Ancestor Lin Lu accelerated alone, quickly arriving above a massive black hole. Looking down, he saw it was bottomless, with all the ground fissures extending from this pit.


    The demonic qi inside pushed against the golden mana, threatening to break through at any moment.


    "Seven Stars Spirit Realm, heh heh."


    A chilling voice echoed through the world, heard clearly by all cultivators outside the formation.


    On the Supreme Sect''s side, numerous great cultivators'' faces changed dramatically, including Lv Baitian, Ji Hantian, and Ancestor Xuan Quan.


    An Hao''s eyes widened, his expression incredulous.


    "Senior Xuan... Impossible..."


    The voice was precisely that of Xuan Tianyi!


    An Hao subconsciously looked toward Lv Baitian. Ever since Lv Baitian discovered the restriction on his back, he had strictly forbidden him from revealing it.


    Lv Baitian had also promised to handle the matter and never wrong Xuan Tianyi.


    At this moment, Lv Baitian''s face was dark. Ignoring An Hao''s gaze, he stared intently at the depths of the Demon Land.


    "Evil Demon, after ten thousand years, you still haven''t repented?"


    Ancestor Lin Lu''s voice rang out, calm yet pressing.


    Evil Demon!


    All cultivators tensed, with those from various sects who had met Xuan Tianyi furrowing their brows, frequently looking toward the Supreme Sect.


    Just then, the earth trembled violently.


    Ancestor Lin Lu remained unfazed. He raised his right hand, strengthening the formation.


    The demonic qi in the ground fissures grew more potent and frenzied, trying to shatter the golden inscriptions on the surface, as if countless vengeful demons were about to burst from the abyss.


    Mournful wails echoed throughout the world, sounding like both dragon and phoenix songs, and evil ghosts'' howls, making everyone''s hair stand on end.


    BOOM¡ª¡ª


    A terrifying force suddenly broke through the surface, shattering the golden inscriptions. Rolling demonic qi surged to the sky, merging with the thunderclouds and sending the golden umbrella flying.


    Ancestor Lin Lu was caught off guard, forced back by the overwhelming pressure.


    Stabilizing himself, he frowned, raised his hand, and cast a spell to steady the golden umbrella in the sky, then pulled out a long redwood sword.


    Hundreds of Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators spread out, surrounding the terrifying pillar of demonic qi, each taking out their magic artifacts.


    Ji Xuanling wielded a large fan, with golden flames leaping from its seven apertures.


    His gaze noticed a figure rising within the demonic qi pillar, causing his pupils to dilate suddenly.


    "It''s him... So it''s all true..."


    ...


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An dismounted from the Blood Prison Great Saint''s back. Instead of returning to his quarters, he turned and looked north.


    His brows furrowed, his eyes filled with coldness.


    His expression quickly changed. He retracted his gaze and prepared to go upstairs.


    At that moment, a figure flew in from afar. He stopped, turned, and saw Ji Xiaoyu swiftly approaching like a fairy descending from the sky before him.


    Gu An saluted her, smilingly asking, "Third Miss, what brings you here?"


    Ji Xiaoyu raised her hand, revealing a jade pendant, "Leave this with you. Don''t mention it to anyone. I will come back for it later."


    She tossed it to Gu An and then turned to leave, as quickly as she came.


    Gu An''s divine sense scanned it as he nonchalantly put the jade pendant into his storage bag before turning to go upstairs.


    The jade pendant contained intelligence about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Why did Ji Xiaoyu give it to him?


    Could she have guessed something?


    Meanwhile,


    in the Demon Land, a figure stepped out from the roiling demonic qi. His appearance made Ji Xuanling''s face turn extremely grim, causing a stir among the Supreme Sect and disbelief in other sects.


    The figure emerging from the demonic qi was none other than Xuan Tianyi!


    Xuan Tianyi wore a black robe, his white hair fluttering wildly. His handsome face was pale, with deep red eye sockets, and his pupils seemed to swirl with demonic qi, appearing particularly sinister.


    He twisted his neck, raised his arms, and stretched his body.


    "Senior Xuan!"


    An Hao''s voice echoed from afar as he tried to rush into the formation but was stopped.


    On the Cangtian Sect''s side, Daoist Lord frowned, calculating with his fingers. Sect Master Liang Canghai also frowned deeply, filled with confusion. How could this be?


    The Taoist of Immortality from Three Pure Ones Mountain couldn''t help but look at Ancestor Lin Lu, his eyes full of meaning.


    Discussions buzzed among the sects, and soon, Xuan Tianyi''s identity spread.


    A Supreme Sect Mahayana Realm cultivator had turned into an Evil Demon?


    This revelation shocked everyone. Once, during the demonic invasion, Xuan Tianyi had achieved great feats, earning the respect of cultivators worldwide.


    Ancestor Lin Lu stared at the Evil Demon, speaking coldly, "Evil Demon, you dare possess a human Mahayana Realm cultivator? You seek death!"


    His voice rumbled like thunder, echoing through the heavens, heard by all.


    Xuan Tianyi turned to him, eyes icy, and sneered, "Noisy!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his sleeve at Ancestor Lin Lu, releasing the terrifying power of a ninth-layer Loose Immortal, obliterating the golden inscriptions on the ground. Ancestor Lin Lu''s spellcasting tried to block it, but he was still forced back. Thousands of miles away, the golden light from the formation was shattered, sending tens of thousands of sect disciples flying, with countless casualties.


    "You..." Ancestor Lin Lu glared at Xuan Tianyi, his tone filled with shock and anger.


    What was happening?


    Their cultivation?


    Before he could think further, Xuan Tianyi raised his hand, palm facing the sky, with a wild smile on his face.


    He grabbed with his right hand and yanked downward. The thunderclouds in the sky collapsed instantly, the terrifying pressure causing all cultivators outside the formation to plummet to the ground, and the earth trembled.

 Chapter 204: Chapter 204 Above Loose Immortal!

    Xuan Tianyi merely grabbed out with his hand, but it gave all the cultivators a sense of the sky falling, with the heavens shaking and the earth roaring, reverberating in everyone''s ears.


    The cultivators of the Seven Star Spirit Realm also fought desperately to resist. Although their cultivation was high, it was only impressive compared to the cultivators outside the formation. Before Xuan Tianyi, they were insignificant.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The earth continuously shattered, overwhelming demonic energy surged forth like a volcanic eruption, and countless lightning bolts intertwined like dragons and snakes, converging in the palm of Xuan Tianyi''s right hand.


    At this moment, Xuan Tianyi''s momentum reached its peak, white hair wildly fluttered, a madman expression, as if a demonic god had descended upon the world.


    Ancestor Lin Lu steadied himself and quickly cast spells with both hands, pushing forward with a palm strike, the mana like a dragon emerging from the abyss, carrying the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth, fire and wind intertwined, sweeping across the shattered earth, heading straight for Xuan Tianyi.


    In the face of this mana, everything in the world seemed insignificant!


    Xuan Tianyi raised his hand. Facing the vast tide of wind and fire, he blocked it with one palm, causing the raging wind and fire to split apart, forming countless fire dragons scattering in all directions.


    "Form the array, exterminate the demon!"


    Ancestor Lin Lu roared angrily, and the other Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators leaped away, distancing themselves from Xuan Tianyi.


    Suddenly, the rolling dust behind Ancestor Lin Lu was scattered, and Xuan Tianyi stepped behind him, standing sideways.


    Xuan Tianyi''s eyes were filled with killing intent. With one palm strike, his hand ignited with demonic flames, penetrating Ancestor Lin Lu''s chest, splattering blood. Stay connected with m|vl|e|mp|y|r


    Ancestor Lin Lu''s eyes widened with a look of shock and anger.


    Xuan Tianyi lifted his arm, following up with a dive, slamming Ancestor Lin Lu, who was impaled on his arm, into the shattered ground. He then began to wildly swing him around, causing the Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators to panic, and the great cultivators from distant sects were horrified.


    The evil demon, though not as exaggerated in size as the Demon Ancestors or Great Demon Kings, exuded an even more intimidating presence.


    Ancestor Lin Lu transformed into a blood mist. In an instant, his body reappeared dozens of miles away, covered in blood, with his robe tattered, no longer composed as before.


    Xuan Tianyi stepped out from the blood mist. As he looked up, countless sword shadows emitting silver light descended from the sky, engulfing him in an instant, causing dust to rise like a dragon swallowing the sky.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    Countless sword shadows bombarded the ground, causing the entire earth to tremble violently.


    The ones casting the spells were dozens of Seven Star Spirit Realm sword cultivators. They floated high in the sky, each with their treasure sword inverted in front of them, the blades vibrating with a clear and piercing sound.


    Watching the formidable sword array of the Seven Star Spirit Realm, the cultivators of various sects were elated. They retreated one after another, distancing themselves from the battlefield.


    The difference in cultivation levels was too great. Even flying was difficult, so they had to expand the encirclement.


    Lv Baitian grabbed An Hao and quickly retreated.


    "Master, is there no hope?" An Hao looked at Lv Baitian, gritting his teeth.


    Hearing that Xuan Tianyi had been possessed, his heart ached terribly.


    Lv Baitian gazed at the chaotic and terrifying battlefield in the distance, speaking in a solemn tone, "The urgent task now is to eliminate the demon!"


    Li Ya and Zhang Buku were also retreating. Their cultivation level was too low. Facing Xuan Tianyi''s demonic power, they felt suffocated.


    "Brother Li, there''s no way to take advantage of this situation!"


    Zhang Buku whispered urgently.


    He felt that the Holy Land was not containing the evil demon.


    Li Ya didn''t speak. He was equally nervous.


    In his eyes, the Holy Land was the most powerful force in the world. With the Holy Land leading the way, their pressure should be less.


    But once the evil demon appeared, the situation was completely reversed, and even the mighty Holy Land was being suppressed?


    On the other side.


    Ancestor Lin Lu flew high into the sky, taking out various magic artifacts. While forming an array, he cast spells to attack Xuan Tianyi.


    "What''s going on¡­ he shouldn''t be this strong¡­"


    Ancestor Lin Lu thought fearfully. He could feel that Xuan Tianyi was still growing stronger, even challenging a higher realm.


    The realm above Loose Immortal!


    In the Six Stars Cave, there was only one person in that realm, and that person was not on the continent.


    After reaching the Realm of Immortal Path, most cultivators would not stay on the continent. He usually roamed the oceans and would not have returned if not for the family incident.


    Before he could think further, a surge of demonic energy burst from beneath the sword array, scattering it. Dozens of Seven Star Spirit Realm sword cultivators spat blood and were sent flying.


    This demonic energy, like a blade, pierced through the sky, aimed at Ancestor Lin Lu.


    Too fast!


    It was so fast that Ancestor Lin Lu couldn''t dodge and could only instinctively use mana to defend.


    Boom¡ª


    His figure was engulfed by demonic energy, and the clouds in the sky were also pierced. As the demonic energy dissipated, sunlight shone through the gap in the clouds.


    All of the magic artifacts in front of Ancestor Lin Lu shattered, and though he barely managed to block it, he was covered in blood, looking miserable.


    He was also at the Loose Immortal Realm, and at the eighth floor of cultivation, but before Xuan Tianyi, he was defenseless.


    "Damn it¡­"


    Ancestor Lin Lu roared, his mana bursting from within, further shattering the ground below. Earth spirit energy surged up like a celestial screen, covering hundreds of miles, grand and majestic, engulfing his figure.


    Xuan Tianyi suddenly appeared behind one of the Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators, grabbing his head. The cultivator''s face showed terror.


    Before he could resist, Xuan Tianyi directly extracted his soul, opening his mouth to forcibly devour it.


    He then released his right hand, and the soulless cultivator collapsed to the ground.


    This scene terrified the other Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators, who fled in panic.


    Xuan Tianyi immediately disappeared and reappeared behind a female cultivator, grabbing her head and devouring her soul. These Mahayana cultivators had no chance to resist in his presence.


    Boom¡ª


    A gust of wind came, and Xuan Tianyi instinctively turned his head. He saw beam after beam of green light phantoms rushing out of the spiritual energy curtain covering half the sky. Each held different forms of magic artifacts, stood a hundred feet tall, and looked like celestial soldiers from another world, unstoppable.


    ¡­


    The Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An sat at his desk, practicing calligraphy while watching the battle.


    Possessed by the evil demon, Xuan Tianyi suppressed the Seven Star Spirit Realm alone. That Loose Immortal constantly displayed divine skills, shaking the heavens and earth, but was unable to harm Xuan Tianyi. Instead, he watched as Xuan Tianyi continuously devoured souls.


    Gu An sensed that ten Loose Immortals were heading to the battlefield, flying in from the northern coast of the continent with great speed.


    They should be reinforcements for the Seven Star Spirit Realm!


    "Strange, there is still Xuan Tianyi''s soul aura within him. It doesn''t seem like possession, but the two are so perfectly integrated, it''s as if they were originally one..."


    Gu An wondered. He initially planned to act once the evil demon broke free, but he had to wait because of Xuan Tianyi.


    The Seven Star Spirit Realm intended to use the evil demon to bolster their holy land''s prestige while luring Xuan Tianyi into a trap, weakening the Supreme Sect''s explicit power and reputation. It was truly sinister.


    But the evil demon was on the verge of breaking through to Wandering Immortal, which shouldn''t have been part of the Seven Star Spirit Realm''s plan. Otherwise, Ancestor Lin Lu wouldn''t have acted early, forcing the evil demon to break free prematurely.


    The variable was Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi seemed to have additional secrets unknown to others.


    Thinking carefully, Xuan Tianyi''s talent didn''t seem trainable by the Supreme Sect, and his growth didn''t involve training in the Seven Star Spirit Realm but rather heading south instead.


    In any case, Gu An was determined to rescue Xuan Tianyi.


    Now the Seven Star Spirit Realm found itself in a difficult situation, and it was perfect to use the evil demon to weaken the realm''s power and prestige.


    At the very least, let the other sects know that the Seven Star Spirit Realm was not invincible.


    Gu An''s eyes turned subtle when he saw Xuan Tianyi spared Ji Xuanling.


    Besides Ancestor Lin Lu and Ji Xuanling, all the other Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators had their souls devoured, leaving only their shells.


    Without anyone to restrain him, Ancestor Lin Lu was no match for Xuan Tianyi either. Being in the same realm, it would be difficult for Xuan Tianyi to completely kill Ancestor Lin Lu in a short time.


    Suddenly, Xuan Tianyi drilled deep into the ground. As soon as he disappeared, the ten Loose Immortals arrived.


    In the battlefield of the Demon Land, the world turned dark, and the land was buried in overwhelming dust, resembling the early chaos of creation.


    Ancestor Lin Lu looked around at his fellow disciples and said solemnly, "He''s about to break through to Wandering Immortal!"


    Upon hearing these words, the ten Loose Immortals'' faces changed dramatically. Without needing further orders, they all plunged into the ground fissures, chasing after Xuan Tianyi.


    Ancestor Lin Lu took out an elixir and swallowed it, then began cultivating energy mid-air to heal.


    His face was grim, filled with fear.


    The Lin Family had already lost Startling Immortal Lin, the most talented family member in history, and their plans involving the Seven Star Spirit Realm were nearly exposed. He came this time to redeem himself, but hadn''t expected the evil demon to be so powerful.


    Ten thousand years ago, the evil demon had just reached the Loose Immortal realm. How was he so strong now?


    Was there another''s influence behind the evil demon?


    His first thought was Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Sword Venerable Fudao could easily kill a Loose Immortal and was likely a Wandering Immortal. The Six Stars Cave had only one Wandering Immortal, and without knowing Sword Venerable Fudao''s true identity, they did not dare act rashly.


    Could Sword Venerable Fudao be someone from a great sect at sea, specifically targeting the Seven Star Spirit Realm?


    "Three hundred years ago, we shouldn''t have let the Ephemera Sect in!"


    Ancestor Lin Lu hated bitterly. The Six Stars Cave had numerous factions and his family couldn''t dominate. But now, the main loss fell on the Lin Family.


    The disciples just devoured, most came from the Lin Family; how could he not hate?


    At the same time.


    The Supreme Sect and other sects had retreated ten thousand miles away, sensing only two auras of Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators, making them even more afraid.


    "Even the Holy Land can''t suppress the evil demon?"


    "Without the Holy Land, we would''ve been dead already."


    "The Holy Land does live up to its name, but its foundation is¡­"


    "Could we ultimately rely on Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "I suspect he''ll only act when the evil demon reaches the Three Dynasties border. We''re truly useless, always troubling him¡­"


    The cultivators discussed, while the Supreme Sect remained somber.


    Xuan Tianyi being possessed by the evil demon was a huge blow to their morale.


    Lv Baitian looked into the distance, his face dark and eyes flashing. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Hao had calmed down, waiting for the outcome. He hadn''t yet connected Xuan Tianyi''s plight to the Holy Land, only cared for Xuan Tianyi''s safety.


    However, it didn''t take long before an even more terrifying demonic energy erupted from the ground, startling everyone.

 Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Majestic Divine Might, Wandering Immortal Arrives

    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The sky above the Supreme Sect was covered by rolling thunderclouds, as if a storm was about to break.


    The sky changed so quickly that the disciples who were still busy in the Third Medicine Valley hurried their tasks.


    Gu An descended from the pavilion, feeling that Xuan Tianyi had already half-stepped into the Wandering Immortal Realm, which made him very interested in the sealing ground of the Evil Demon.


    What exactly was hidden below?


    It could actually allow the Evil Demon to break through in one fell swoop; there must be a secret down below.


    Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr


    Could it be that the Evil Demon also had the ability to evolve lifespan cultivation?


    Gu An''s mind wandered, and he was already prepared to take action.


    Once Xuan Tianyi dealt with the eleven Loose Immortals of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he would make his move.


    He could feel the heavenly might condensing in the sky above the battlefield, signifying that Xuan Tianyi was about to face the tribulation.


    "Tsk tsk, is the tribulation range of a Loose Immortal this large?"


    Gu An looked at the thunderclouds in the sky and thought silently. This gave him a clearer concept of the celestial tribulation of the Immortal Path. The tribulation of the Evil Demon had covered the entire continent, showing just how exaggerated the power of the tribulation was.


    If the tribulation from Loose Immortal to Wandering Immortal was already like this, then what kind of power would the tribulation from Wandering Immortal to Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal be?


    The aura of a distant Loose Immortal suddenly disappeared. It seemed he had died at Xuan Tianyi''s hands.


    With the first, there would be a second.


    The successive deaths of two Loose Immortals made Ancestor Lin Lu, who was healing, unable to remain calm.


    He immediately rushed into the underground to support.


    Gu An observed the tribulation. He could feel the Spiritual Power of the five elements in the heaven and earth gathering toward the thunderclouds above, rushing toward the crossing site at an extremely fast speed after entering the clouds. The Spiritual Power of the five elements in heaven and earth thus gathered together to accumulate heavenly might.


    The third Loose Immortal fell!


    After devouring the souls of the Loose Immortals, Xuan Tianyi''s momentum soared. Vaguely, Gu An felt two strands of Demonic Qi surging within one body.


    Could it be that Xuan Tianyi and the Evil Demon were vying for control of the body?


    Gu An silently thought, keeping a cautious attitude. If Xuan Tianyi''s soul was about to collapse, he would immediately take action.


    For mortals, the distance from the Supreme Sect to the Demon Land was a lifelong journey that could never be covered, but for Gu An, it only took one step.


    The disciples in the valley began to gather, discussing what the thunderclouds in the sky portended.


    Lu Lingjun still stayed within the pavilion, cultivating, seemingly unconcerned about the calamity outside. Since returning, she had been in closed cultivation and had not left the room.


    ...


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    Watching the lightning and thunder in the sky, the cultivators of the Supreme Sect were extremely tense because they felt they were also within the scope of the celestial tribulation and might be affected.


    Liang Canghai was decisive and immediately ordered the disciples to retreat. After all, they couldn''t help the Seven Stars Spirit Realm; it was better to preserve themselves.


    Their presence here was at the call of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Otherwise, the safest option would be to guard the borders of the Three Dynasties, where they could gather more strength.


    Lv Baitian also led the disciples in retreat, and at that moment, Ji Hantian approached him.


    "I suddenly remembered that Xuan Tianyi had gone demonic in his youth¡­" Ji Hantian whispered.


    Lv Baitian glanced at him, his gaze cold, scaring him into immediate silence.


    Ji Hantian spoke with some grievance: "I thought you two were at odds. So all these years have been an act for me?"


    Lv Baitian was the Sect Leader, and he was the Vice Sect Leader. He also had the ambition to be Sect Leader, but above them was Xuan Tianyi, who many elders supported for the position of Sect Leader. As such, he naturally harbored no good feelings toward Xuan Tianyi. It so happened that Lv Baitian once found him, complaining about Xuan Tianyi, which quickly won his favor.


    Because of Xuan Tianyi, the two formed a better bond. Whenever Lv Baitian shirked his duties, he would work hard because Lv Baitian promised that if he stepped down, he would choose him. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, all this was about vying for power. On a day-to-day basis, the three of them, as fellow disciples, greeted each other amicably.


    "Talking nonsense, is now the time to discuss this?" Lv Baitian said in a deep voice, cutting off Ji Hantian.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A deafening sound came from behind, startling the two into turning their heads. The distance was too far for them to see what had happened, but the horrifying demonic might of the Evil Demon made them tremble in fear.


    At that moment, a disciple cried out: "Look at the sky!"


    Everyone looked up, astonished to find that the thunderclouds in the sky had reflected a scene of the Demon Land. Figures moved as swiftly as lightning, dazzling everyone. Those exaggerated spells and divine skills were even more shocking to every cultivator''s eyes.


    Various factions began to slow down, retreating while watching the battle unfold.


    An Hao, Li Ya, and Zhang Buku did the same.


    Zhang Buku''s eyes were full of longing; could he reach such a realm in his lifetime?


    An Hao''s eyes were full of concern and worry. He always believed that there was still hope for Xuan Tianyi to break free from the Evil Demon.


    Under the watchful eyes of all the cultivators, whenever Xuan Tianyi stopped to devour a soul, the scene in the sky would focus on him, zooming in, showing everyone the chilling process of him consuming the souls of the Loose Immortals.


    Xuan Tianyi''s face displayed two different expressions, arrogance and cruelty on the left, frowning and pain on the right. This made him look even more bizarre.


    Time continued to pass.


    In the end, only Ancestor Lin Lu remained alive. Seeing the last Loose Immortal companion''s soul drawn out, he completely gave up on resisting. He tried to escape, but Xuan Tianyi caught him, and this time, he could not escape Xuan Tianyi''s grasp.


    "You¡­ can''t¡­" Ancestor Lin Lu trembled, his Primordial Spirit unable to leave his body, his physical form unable to use divine skills, and his Qi unable to break free from the hand above his head.


    Sadly, before he could finish his words, he collapsed to the ground.


    Xuan Tianyi swallowed his soul, soared into the sky, sat cross-legged in mid-air, constantly rising. When he stopped, beneath him was a vast wave of dust like a dragon, seemingly engulfing the entire world.


    The illusions in the sky continued to expand, eventually covering the entire continent. Wherever there were people or demons, they were frightened, discussing who the figure in the sky was.


    Transformed into the Evil Demon, Xuan Tianyi deeply imprinted himself in the hearts of all beings.


    The disciples of the Third Medicine Valley discussed in astonishment. Some remembered Xuan Tianyi, finding it hard to believe.


    Gu An turned and walked toward the Transmission Array Platform.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lay on the ground, watching the spectacle.


    "As expected of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. This tribulation is too exaggerated, and this Evil Demon looks so powerful¡­" the Blood Prison Great Saint thought to himself.


    He was not at all flustered; after all, he was a prisoner.


    His gaze unconsciously followed Gu An. Seeing him teleport away, he didn''t mind, thinking Gu An was going to take care of the Mystic Valley.


    After arriving at the Mystic Valley, Gu An simply inspected it briefly before leaving.


    As the great battle ended, the only sound left in heaven and earth was thunder.


    The cultivators of the Three Dynasties'' factions all paused. The leaders from each faction gathered to discuss their next move.


    They could all see that the Evil Demon was undergoing a tribulation.


    If the Evil Demon succeeded in the tribulation, the situation would become even worse.


    But with the complete annihilation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, what could they do?


    Someone complained: "There are so many cultivators in the Holy Land, yet they sent only so few of us here. Isn''t this courting death?"


    Every hundred years, geniuses from various factions would go to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm for cultivation. They knew that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm far exceeded this number of people.


    Not only was the Seven Stars Spirit Realm sparsely populated, but they even called them to die here!


    It wasn''t just one person; others also resented the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. No matter how nicely the Seven Stars Spirit Realm spoke, these were old monsters who lived for hundreds, even thousands of years, not easily swayed by sweet talk. They judged the Seven Stars Spirit Realm by its actions.


    Liang Canghai took a deep breath and said: "Alright, now the urgent task is how we might stop the Evil Demon''s tribulation?"


    Everyone fell into silence.


    The gap in realms was too vast; they had no chance of winning.


    Daoist Lord suddenly said: "I foresee that the fate of the Three Dynasties has not yet run out. Perhaps there will be a turn of events. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm, after all, is an ancient Holy Land. Having lost so many people, they will not let it go easily."


    As soon as he spoke, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.


    They trusted the Daoist Lord greatly.


    Lv Baitian said nothing, his gaze fixed on the illusions in the sky.


    Time flew by, and those who came to fight felt agony.


    The people of the Three Dynasties were even more tense, watching the demon go through the tribulation, guessing what might happen next. Some even prayed for Xuan Tianyi to fail the tribulation.


    An Hao sat cross-legged on the ground, both restoring his Spiritual Energy and keeping a close watch on the sky.


    Zhang Buku and Li Ya did the same, though they were more curious about Xuan Tianyi''s actual realm, finding the tribulation''s momentum excessively exaggerated.


    On the other side.


    Suspended high in the sky, Xuan Tianyi was surrounded by Demonic Qi. The Demonic Qi from the underground pierced through the dust of heaven and earth, entering his body, continuously boosting his momentum.


    "Xuan Tianyi! Have you forgotten you consider yourself a hero of the Righteous Path?"


    A voice rang out in fury and alarm.


    From the dust wave emerged the disheveled Ji Xuanling, shouting angrily at Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi''s right eye opened, his brow furrowed, half his face showing a struggling expression.


    At that moment, his other eye opened, glancing at Ji Xuanling with a gaze full of soul-chilling murderous intent, making Ji Xuanling''s heart quake.


    Xuan Tianyi''s lips quivered slightly, laboriously uttering two words: "Run¡­ away¡­"


    As soon as he finished speaking, his right eye closed, and his entire face''s expression returned to a unified look of cruelty and malevolence.


    He raised his right hand, aiming at Ji Xuanling.


    "Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation! To think you, fiend, can undergo one of the top ten tribulations of all time!"


    A voice, like that of a Heavenly God, resounded throughout the continent, shaking all beings to their core.


    Anyone who heard this voice was instinctively filled with awe.


    Ji Xuanling instinctively turned his head, seeing a massive hole suddenly form in the thunderclouds above. A figure shining brightly descended from the sky, pressing the two of them down, scattering the boundless dust waves on the ground.


    Boom!


    Xuan Tianyi sat on the ground, the ruins within a hundred-mile radius collapsing, forming a massive circular pit. A figure descended in front of Xuan Tianyi, causing him to look up in fear.


    For the first time, he showed such an expression!

 Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Domineering! Sword Venerable Fudao!

    Ji Xuanling also fell to the ground, but unlike Xuan Tianyi, he did not bear the overwhelming pressure that surpassed a Loose Immortal. After landing, he only staggered a few steps.


    He quickly raised his eyes to look, his gaze locked on the mysterious figure in front of Xuan Tianyi.


    It was a figure shining with a strong light, and he recognized the identity of the other person at a glance.


    "Cave Master!" Ji Xuanling exclaimed in surprise.


    The Cave Master of Six Stars Cave, Divine Soul True Lord!


    The Divine Soul True Lord stood tall, draped in a wide, black robe, with white clothes cinched with gold thread underneath, and a jade-adorned green silk belt. His black hair was coiled with three small swords. His expression was cold, and he looked down at the seated Xuan Tianyi with eyes so frigid they seemed to freeze time.


    The illusion in the sky mirrored Xuan Tianyi''s figure while also reflecting the image of the Divine Soul True Lord, allowing everyone in the world to see his true appearance.


    Even the most esteemed Great Cultivators instinctively revered the Divine Soul True Lord at first sight.


    Just by standing there, the Divine Soul True Lord exuded an invincible aura!


    The people of the world were even more encouraged. The invincible Evil Demon cowered before the Divine Soul True Lord, all his previously established terrifying aura completely gone, now appearing so weak.


    Xuan Tianyi did not want to stand up, but he simply could not!


    The gap between a Loose Immortal and a Wandering Immortal was as vast as the difference between clouds and mud!


    Xuan Tianyi looked at the Divine Soul True Lord in terror, a look of pleading in his eyes.


    Thousands of miles away.


    An Hao looked at the illusion in the sky showing the Divine Soul True Lord and panicked immediately.


    Under his watchful gaze, the Divine Soul True Lord raised his right hand, and his imposing voice echoed across the entire continent:


    "Today, I, the True Lord, will execute the demon for the sake of all living beings!"


    His voice, akin to a god''s, reverberated with rolling thunder.


    "No¡ª" An Hao shouted with all his might, immediately wanting to leap up to intervene.


    Almost instantly, he felt a tap on his shoulder, causing all his Spiritual Power to dissipate, rendering him unable to fly up.


    Zhang Buku, Li Ya, and many disciples of the Supreme Sect glimpsed a shadow so fast they thought it was a hallucination.


    After speaking, the Divine Soul True Lord prepared to finish Xuan Tianyi with a single palm strike.


    Ji Xuanling''s face changed drastically as he opened his mouth to plead.


    Smack!


    Suddenly, a hand pressed down on the Divine Soul True Lord''s shoulder, dispersing the bright light on him, altering his expression and halting his right palm.


    Xuan Tianyi also saw someone suddenly appear behind the Divine Soul True Lord, his expression changing dramatically as he struggled visibly.


    Ji Xuanling gaped in shock, staring at the person behind the Divine Soul True Lord.


    At this moment, all living beings saw the person behind the Divine Soul True Lord in the sky.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Lu Lingjun pushed open the door, just in time to see the illusion in the sky, her expression changing accordingly.


    Outer Gate City, Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Standing beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Zuo Yijian looked up at the sky and murmured, "Sword Venerable Fudao..."


    In the distance, Di Xie also recognized the mysterious figure, growing nervous immediately.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was going to confront the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s expert?


    An Hao, upon seeing Sword Venerable Fudao''s figure, became excited, clenching his fists tightly.


    He thought it was his master who finally came to help him out of reluctance.


    Li Ya also became excited, the patriarch had actually come!


    Zhang Buku was simply curious about who had suddenly arrived.


    Lv Baitian, looking at the sky, visibly sighed in relief.


    The leaders of other sects were stunned, not understanding why Sword Venerable Fudao had intervened.


    In the illusion in the sky, the Divine Soul True Lord slowly lowered his right hand, glancing back and asking, "Could it be that you are the Sword Venerable Fudao who recently made a name for himself throughout the land?"


    Behind him stood a demonic shadow, shrouded in dark purple demonic qi, mysterious and ominous.


    Gu An suddenly pulled him behind and then stepped forward. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Divine Soul True Lord''s expression changed dramatically, and his body involuntarily recoiled.


    Gu An stepped forward to stand before Xuan Tianyi, extending his right hand, pointing two fingers at Xuan Tianyi''s forehead.


    The magic of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal erupted, forcibly expelling the Demon Soul from Xuan Tianyi''s body, dispersing the demonic qi, making Xuan Tianyi grimace in pain.


    This scene shocked everyone in the world.


    This wasn''t the Evil Demon?


    Everyone saw a demonic shadow emerge from Xuan Tianyi, identical to his form.


    Before the Evil Demon could resist, Gu An''s right hand opened, swiftly grabbing it and capturing it in his palm.


    The demonic pressure that shrouded the continent disappeared instantly, leaving everyone feeling inexplicably relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from their hearts.


    "You..."


    The Divine Soul True Lord was enraged. As the Cave Master of Six Stars Cave, he naturally knew the Evil Demon''s true origin. Though not personally leading it, he had allowed it.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was slapping him in the face!


    Gu An turned and stood side-on to the Divine Soul True Lord.


    Xuan Tianyi spat out blood, collapsing forward, his forehead landing on Gu An''s thigh. Before closing his eyes, he weakly uttered, "Fudao..."


    He collapsed by Gu An''s leg, his consciousness plunging into darkness.


    Sword Venerable Fudao made no sound, allowing him to lie there, calmly staring at the Divine Soul True Lord.


    The people of the world held their breaths. Everyone could feel the standoff between the Divine Soul True Lord and Sword Venerable Fudao, recognizing that Sword Venerable Fudao had come to save the one possessed by the Evil Demon.


    No!


    More accurately, to save the one possessed by the Evil Demon!


    The world fell silent. Even the Great Cultivators near Demon Land were incredibly tense, not daring to breathe loudly.


    Blood Prison Great Saint, lying on the ground, looked at Gu An''s figure, eyes full of admiration.


    Such domination!


    Without saying a word, everyone could feel his strong intent!


    Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly felt his past self was incredibly weak. Always boasting, but compared to the Great Cultivator of the Upper Realm, his spirit fell short by miles.


    Not just him, everyone else felt the Divine Soul True Lord had fallen to a lower position.


    This mysterious figure effortlessly pulled the Divine Soul True Lord away and scared him into inaction. Their abilities were clearly unmatched!


    Ji Xuanling, closest to them, was utterly shocked.


    He knew better than anyone the power of the Divine Soul True Lord. In the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, centered around Six Stars Cave, the Divine Soul True Lord was as divine as an Immortal to them, representing the continent''s strongest being.


    Such an existence was easily pulled away by Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Ji Xuanling finally understood why the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had suddenly changed their mind and decided to come forth to save the people. They feared Sword Venerable Fudao and wanted to restore their image!


    The Divine Soul True Lord''s face was extremely grim, caught in an inner struggle between choices.


    He had intended to use the anomaly of this Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation to showcase his grand and heroic image of saving all living beings. But now, he found himself in a difficult position.


    If he acted, he couldn''t be sure of winning, plus what would the world think of him?


    If he didn''t act, how would the world view the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    "Who exactly are you? Do not say you''re from the Supreme Sect. This land could not possibly spawn someone as powerful as you!"


    The Divine Soul True Lord asked solemnly, this time, not letting his voice echo across the continent, only audible to himself, Gu An, and Ji Xuanling.


    Gu An did not answer him but raised his right hand and pointed his index finger at his face.


    Somehow, facing Gu An''s fingertip, the Divine Soul True Lord felt fear.


    Too overbearing!


    The other party didn''t want to converse, only conveying one message, for him to back off!


    Otherwise...


    The Divine Soul True Lord realized that, given the unmatched power of the other party, he might very well die.


    He was, after all, a Wandering Immortal. Not only on this continent but across the nearby sea areas, his cultivation level was among the top!


    In an instant, many thoughts crossed the Divine Soul True Lord''s mind.


    Finally, he coldly snorted, flicked his sleeves, and disappeared within a few steps.


    He left gracefully, yet in the people''s eyes, it was a stance of fear, no matter how upright his posture was.


    The reason Gu An didn''t kill the Divine Soul True Lord was that the world was watching, and a public execution would not be good. Firstly, because the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was a Holy Land here to save the world, and secondly, to avoid drawing other Great Cultivators from the Star Caves.


    However, sometimes, not killing had a greater deterrent effect than killing!


    Not killing could both instill fear and leave room for the opponent to fantasize.


    Killing meant a never-ending vendetta!


    Gu An looked up. The celestial might was dispersing. With the Evil Demon gone and unable to cross the tribulation, the Heavenly Tribulation naturally couldn''t continue.


    He then vanished from the spot.


    Xuan Tianyi, leaning against Gu An''s leg, fell forward, and Ji Xuanling appeared out of thin air, catching him before his forehead hit the ground.


    Seeing this, Lv Baitian immediately called for Supreme Sect disciples to follow him to rescue.


    Over ten thousand Supreme Sect cultivators flew up all at once, fearless, every one of them with excitement written on their faces.


    With Sword Venerable Fudao present, what did they have to fear?


    Leaders from other sects exchanged glances. The situation had exceeded their expectations, too much information challenging their understanding.


    Liang Canghai took a deep breath and said, "The three dynasties advance and retreat together!"


    With that, he immediately flew towards Cangtian Sect.


    Other sect leaders snapped out of it and went to give orders.


    Winning over Sword Venerable Fudao had become their most important task in years. The recent confrontation only solidified this belief.


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    Sword Venerable Fudao turned out to be stronger than the Holy Land!


    ...


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Lu Lingjun watched as the illusions in the sky gradually dispersed, pulling her thoughts back to reality.


    Instinctively, she wanted to find Gu An to discuss her observations from the battle but realized his presence was not in the valley.


    She unconsciously scanned Mystic Valley with her Divine Sense, finding Gu An among the mountain woods nearby, inspecting medicinal herbs, and she breathed a sigh of relief.


    She showed a helpless smile.


    Such a great spectacle ignored, all he worried about were his plants.


    Truly hopeless!


    Elsewhere.


    In the Inner Sect City, Ji Xiaoyu stood on the eaves, glancing up at the sky. Even as the illusion started to fade, she did not avert her gaze.


    She hadn''t seen the Divine Soul True Lord before but could feel his high status within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Such a powerful being was forced to retreat by Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Her eyes filled with complexity.


    Sword Venerable Fudao, who exactly are you?


    After this battle, she guessed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would have to humble themselves. Before Sword Venerable Fudao came along, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wouldn''t dare to commit blatant evil, let alone now.


    However, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would surely frantically investigate Sword Venerable Fudao, and the Ji Family from the Supreme Sect would become their tool.


    "Patriarch, was this outcome within your expectation?"


    Ji Xiaoyu''s lips curled into a smile as she turned to leave. Just as she turned, the Inner Sect City erupted in thunderous cheers.


    One city was but a microcosm of the world!


    The entire world erupted into a feverish celebration!

 Chapter 207: Chapter 207 Like Pan An

    Over the ocean, Divine Soul True Lord sat on a huge gourd, his arms crossed in front of his chest as the sea breeze blew his hair.


    He closed his eyes, frowning deeply.


    The more he thought, the angrier and more restless he became.


    After this battle, the prestige of the Holy Land would surely plummet. How could he not be angry?


    He just couldn''t judge Sword Venerable Fudao''s attitude towards the Seven Star Spiritual Realm.


    For now, Sword Venerable Fudao did not seem hostile towards the Seven Star Spiritual Realm. The previous Lin Jingsian killed himself, and Ji Xuanling went to the Supreme Sect without incident.


    This time was no different. Sword Venerable Fudao only pushed him back and did not strike a killing blow.


    He couldn''t tell if Sword Venerable Fudao feared the Seven Star Spiritual Realm or had no killing intent from the start.


    In fact, when the Evil Demon attacked the Wandering Immortal Realm, Divine Soul True Lord had sensed it but deliberately did not intervene.


    He allowed the Lin Family Loose Immortal and disciples to be devoured by the Evil Demon to create a more terrifying image of the Evil Demon. The stronger the Evil Demon, the more prestige he would gain by exterminating it. Secondly, he wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate the Lin Family, thus removing the cause and effect of offending Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Had he succeeded, the Seven Star Spiritual Realm would have maintained the prestige of the Holy Land while resolving any grudges with Sword Venerable Fudao, achieving a perfect outcome.


    But things went wrong.


    Sword Venerable Fudao acted ahead of schedule.


    "It seems Sword Venerable Fudao is related to Xuan Tianyi. Could he be from the Starsea Congregations?" The more he thought about it, the more likely Divine Soul True Lord found this possibility.


    Before Xuan Tianyi joined the Starsea Congregations, the Supreme Sect did not have such a great cultivator.


    He speculated that Xuan Tianyi, knowing the demon disaster was imminent, had asked Sword Venerable Fudao for support in advance.


    That''s right!


    It must be so!


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    Divine Soul True Lord had heard that Xuan Tianyi wrote a book entitled The Legend of Sword Venerable.


    He raised his right hand and took out a token, hesitating for a moment before probing it with his divine sense.


    Soon, he sensed a wave of divine sense from the token, and began to relay what had happened, along with his speculations.


    After a while, his face turned grim as he was obviously reprimanded.


    In the forest of Mystic Valley, Gu An silently pondered. Ever since Divine Soul True Lord had left, his divine sense had been following him, preventing any unforeseen events.


    Seeing Divine Soul True Lord take out the token, Gu An could guess he was contacting someone more powerful from the Seven Star Spiritual Realm.


    Once Divine Soul True Lord placed the token back into his storage ring, Gu An exhaled a long breath, his eyes growing cold.


    Judging by his expression, Gu An hesitated.


    The life span foresight could only determine whether others had ill intentions towards his true form, while the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body could conceal his true form and obscure karmic calculations unless the other person linked Sword Venerable Fudao directly to his true form and harbored enmity.


    The Mountain God''s little figure had resembled Gu An''s true form closely, without any divine skills to cloak it, which was why he could sense it. And the Hateful Heaven Ancestor had discovered him directly through sword intent.


    After thirty minutes, Divine Soul True Lord landed on an island. As he entered a cave, Gu An sensed a restriction and stopped following.


    Just remember this island!


    Gu An stood up and walked back to Mystic Valley.


    The disciples in the valley were still excitedly discussing the sky illusion they had witnessed earlier, the image of Sword Venerable Fudao deeply ingraining in their minds. They also believed that the entity confronting Divine Soul True Lord was indeed Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An joined them, chatting for a while.


    The impact of this battle was even greater than when Sword Venerable Fudao killed the Demon Ancestor, not only because peace prevailed after defeating the Evil Demon, but also because it involved the Holy Land.


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples were gathered noisily, like in a busy market.


    Lu Lingjun, who had been waiting for him, pulled him into a pavilion, excitedly talking about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Seeing her admire Sword Venerable Fudao so much filled Gu An with satisfaction. He had to feign excitement and reciprocate the emotional value.


    For the next month, the Supreme Sect was in constant uproar, everyone full of excitement, various news spreading wildly within the sect.


    Gu An went to the Outer Gate City twice, each time staying for two ancient hours, listening to the disciples on the streets praise Sword Venerable Fudao.


    It was worth noting that within this month, Gu An noticed more cultivators arriving from the sea, some even in the Realm of Immortal Path, spreading throughout the Immortal Cultivation World, gathering intelligence on the Seven Star Spiritual Realm and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An suspected they might be from another great power.


    He thought of Hateful Heaven Ancestor''s foes from the Starsea Congregations. The Starsea Congregations was a colossal power at sea. At least in Hateful Heaven Ancestor''s mind, the Starsea Congregations were on par with the Seven Star Spiritual Realm.


    Could the Starsea Congregations be preparing to strike at the Seven Star Spiritual Realm?


    Although Gu An let his imagination run wild, he remained calm, continuing his peaceful farming life. After all, no one knew that he was Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After the winter snow fell, the cultivators who had fought the Evil Demon began returning to the Supreme Sect.


    It was worth mentioning that Li Ya and Zhang Buku also returned.


    Sensing their auras flying towards Mystic Valley, Gu An awaited them in advance.


    The two still shared the North Sea Heavy Sword. Zhang Buku, looking at the forest covered in snow, appeared nervous.


    He was returning to the Medicine Valley where his father used to live, eager to see Martial Uncle Gu again. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The more Zhang Buku thought about it, the more nervous he became. Li Ya reminded him not to mention their injuries to Gu An and to speak based on Gu An''s reactions.


    Zhang Buku felt helpless but could only agree.


    After a short while, Li Ya and Zhang Buku flew into Mystic Valley.


    Their arrival drew the attention of the servant disciples.


    "Senior Brother Li!" Lu Jiujia walked over excitedly, full of surprise.


    Of all those who had left Mystic Valley, who was the most formidable? Naturally, it was Li Ya!


    Despite losing miserably to An Hao and missing the Golden List because of it, Li Ya''s strength had earned the Supreme Sect''s recognition, making him Mystic Valley''s pride.


    Li Ya looked at Lu Jiujia, knowing he was Gu An''s junior brother. He nodded slightly and said, "I am here to see your senior brother."


    Before Lu Jiujia could reply, a voice floated down from the pavilion:


    "Senior Brother Li. Buku. Come up."


    Hearing Gu An''s voice, Zhang Buku became excited.


    Li Ya glanced at him and then led him upstairs.


    Watching Li Ya''s confident back, Lu Jiujia''s eyes were full of envy. Li Ya lived the life he desired.


    Soon, Li Ya and Zhang Buku reached the upper floor and entered the room. Zhang Buku, seeing Gu An, became so excited that he knelt down immediately.


    Li Ya hurriedly closed the door in fright. If word got out about his closest brother kneeling to his junior brother, it would be a scandal.


    "What are you doing? Get up quickly!" Gu An, sitting at the desk, said helplessly.


    Li Ya immediately pulled Zhang Buku up, glaring at him for losing face!


    Zhang Buku ignored Li Ya and looked at Gu An with a silly grin.


    Gu An gestured for them to sit and then got up to pour them tea.


    "Senior Brother Li, how have you been these years?" Gu An asked warmly.


    Li Ya immediately started boasting about his encounters and his progress in cultivation.


    Throughout the conversation, Zhang Buku hesitated to speak.


    Gu An placed two cups of tea before them; Zhang Buku wanted to stand and bow, but Gu An stopped him with a look.


    Seeing Gu An''s one glance making Zhang Buku obedient, Li Ya felt a pang of jealousy amidst his storytelling.


    "By the way, Junior Brother Gu, when did you descend the mountain without telling me? If I had known you were visiting Senior Brother Zhang, I definitely would have gone too." Li Ya suddenly recalled, asking sternly.


    Gu An rolled his eyes at him and said, "At that time, Buku was still a minor. Could you have come with me? You were focused on proving yourself."


    Li Ya heard this and gave an embarrassed smile.


    His relationship with Zhang Chunqiu was average. Even if he had free time, he wouldn''t have gone unless Gu An insisted.


    Gu An turned to Zhang Buku and asked, "How has it been following Senior Brother Li? Any injuries?"


    Zhang Buku was about to speak when Li Ya interrupted: "How could you get injured following me? These years, we''ve been a great team, having everything we wanted, and our cultivation has advanced rapidly."


    Seeing this, Zhang Buku could only nod.


    Then Li Ya shifted the topic to Sword Venerable Fudao, instantly changing the subject. Zhang Buku, who admired Sword Venerable Fudao, couldn''t stop talking.


    Gu An smiled at them, occasionally chiming in.


    Did Li Ya really take him for the Primordial Ancestor?


    The proud look on his face made Gu An want to laugh.


    As for Zhang Buku, although excited, he wasn''t as exaggerated as Li Ya.


    Hearing Gu An praise Sword Venerable Fudao made Li Ya feel greatly satisfied.


    He wanted to tell Gu An that Sword Venerable Fudao was their Li Family Primordial Ancestor!


    But recalling the Primordial Ancestor''s instructions, he could only hold back.


    He hadn''t encountered the Primordial Ancestor in a long time. What was the Primordial Ancestor doing?


    Was he busy teaching An Hao?


    On the way back, Li Ya had communicated with An Hao, and compared to An Hao''s progress, his achievements over the years were negligible.


    Once again, he felt sour.


    The Primordial Ancestor favored An Hao for his talent, but guided him out of blood and kinship.


    Gu An didn''t know what Li Ya was thinking but felt his mood suddenly drop.


    He didn''t want to inquire and took the chance to focus on Zhang Buku, feeling slightly irritated by Li Ya''s hogging of the conversation earlier.


    Bullying my nephew?


    "I''m fine. Brother Li treats me well, really." One sentence from Zhang Buku caused Li Ya''s blood pressure to soar.


    Gu An, smirking, asked, "Brother Li?"


    "Yes, we are sworn brothers, promising to live and die together!" Zhang Buku said stoutly. He could help Li Ya hide some things, but not let him gain seniority!


    Li Ya''s expression turned awkward.


    His gaze fell on the paper in front of Gu An. Seizing the moment, he picked it up and asked abruptly, "Junior Brother Gu, what are you writing?"


    Gu An smiled and replied, "A book called Journey to the West."


    "Journey to the West? Never heard of it."


    "Just started writing it."


    "Alright then, I wish you to become a famed writer like Pan An."


    Li Ya skimmed a few lines before putting it back, mainly using it to divert the conversation. He didn''t really care about Journey to the West.


    Zhu Bajie carrying his wife?


    What nonsense!


    This book seemed boring at first glance.

 Chapter 208: Chapter 208 Hostility from the Divine Soul True Lord

    When Li Ya put down the paper, the conversation unconsciously turned back to Sword Venerable Fudao, as if they could talk about him endlessly.


    Zhang Buku said that earlier, when Sword Venerable Fudao made his move, he saw a blurred figure, suspecting it was Sword Venerable Fudao, who passed right in front of them.


    Li Ya also said he saw it, and the two were quite convinced.


    Gu An found it amusing; he had deliberately let An Hao and the other two see him, accurately speaking, let the cultivators from the Supreme Sect notice that he was coming from there.


    With the Limitless Freedom Step, Gu An could move beside Divine Soul True Lord in one step.


    The three chatted for another ancient hour before Li Ya and Zhang Buku bade farewell.


    Li Ya was preparing to bring Zhang Buku into the sect, and there were many things to be busy with, so Gu An naturally did not keep them.


    Watching them disappear into the heavy snow, Gu An stood there for a while before entering the house.


    ...


    At the end of the year, as the Spring Festival approached, since the human race had completely overcome the demon calamity, it seemed peaceful days were ahead, so Lv Baixia ordered an extravagant Spring Festival celebration this year.


    Before the Spring Festival even arrived, each city began preparations, and this atmosphere also affected Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley.


    To welcome the new era, Lv Baitian issued various decrees, raising the treatment of every level of disciple, down to even the servant disciples, making the entire sect jubilant.


    Riding the Blood Prison Great Saint, Gu An strolled through the Outer Gate City. He could sense many people hiding their cultivation levels in the city, with more than twenty Mystic Heart Realm cultivators, three Mahayana Realm, and one in the Nirvana Realm.


    These people were all from overseas, and in the past year they had been gathering various intelligence, mainly about the views of Supreme Sect cultivators on the Holy Land Seven Stars Spirit Realm and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    They did not affect Gu An, so he could not be bothered with them.


    Along the way, Gu An met many old acquaintances, some who graduated from Medicine Valley, and some fellow disciples he met at the Book Collection Hall and Elixir Hall. Engaging in small talk, he did not feel bored, but rather found it interesting.


    Listening to friends'' current endeavors in immortal cultivation also broadened his experience.


    The Spring Festival atmosphere enveloped every street, even the Blood Prison Great Saint looked around curiously.


    Unknowingly, Gu An arrived at the Heavenly Repair Platform again.


    The vast Heavenly Repair Platform was crowded and noisy, with many Outer Disciples standing guard around the edges.


    First vanquish the Demon Ancestor, then eliminate the Evil Demon, Sword Venerable Fudao''s prestige had reached its peak. Even disciples from other sects would come to the Heavenly Repair Platform to worship the words "Righteous Path".


    The entire Immortal Cultivation World was discussing Sword Venerable Fudao, and it was worth mentioning that the Sword Venerable Legend written by Xuan Tianyi had become a hit.


    In the book, Sword Venerable Fudao liked to tap his enemies on the shoulder at night, which corresponded perfectly with the earlier scene where he pressed down on Divine Soul True Lord''s shoulder, making people wonder if Green Hero knew Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An just watched from below the platform. There were many like him, mostly Foundation Establishment Realm and Qi Cultivation Realm, content to watch the excitement from afar.


    Then, Gu An patted the Blood Prison Great Saint, guiding it.


    With the festival coming, he had to prepare gifts for the disciples.


    This year''s Spring Festival held a different meaning, as the Supreme Sect was ready for rapid development. The previous Golden List Conference, Alchemy Meeting, and the World''s First Sword Dao Conference had accumulated enormous wealth for the Supreme Sect, and now with the world in peace, it was time to make great strides.


    Gu An also needed to gather high-rank medical herbs for the Grotto Heaven.


    Suddenly.


    A prompt appeared before Gu An''s eyes.


    "Divine Soul True Lord has developed hostility towards you and formed the intention to kill. Would you like to perform Life Span Detection on him?"


    A prompt suddenly appeared before Gu An''s eyes, making him frown.


    Well then!


    Gu An took a deep breath and chose to perform Life Span Detection. He had looked before and wanted to see again because this time it was about his own life.


    "Divine Soul True Lord (Wandering Immortal Realm Third Layer): 28098/130000/180000"


    Currently, he had around ten thousand years of life left!


    He should be able to seize ten thousand years of life!


    Gu An changed his mind and had the Blood Prison Great Saint leave the Outer Gate City, heading outside instead of towards the inner sect, finding an uninhabited forest to stay for a while.


    ...


    Within a secluded palace, the floor reflected a luminous glow, with many spirit stones embedded in the stone pillars on both sides. It was these spirit stones that illuminated the hall.


    At the end of the hall, Divine Soul True Lord sat at the head seat, holding a scroll. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the black-clad man kneeling in the hall, saying, "You may leave."


    The black-clad man immediately turned and left. Once the door closed again, Divine Soul True Lord frowned, with his left hand supporting his cheek and his right hand holding the scroll, deep in thought.


    His gaze occasionally glanced at the scroll in his hand.


    "Xuan Tianyi¡­"


    Divine Soul True Lord muttered to himself. Since leaving the continent, although he feared Sword Venerable Fudao, he had not given up.


    He had ordered Supreme Sect''s spies to investigate all of Xuan Tianyi''s relationships, and the scroll in his hand recorded everyone closely related to Xuan Tianyi.


    The rising power of the Evil Demon was likely related to Xuan Tianyi, and Sword Venerable Fudao intervened to save him.


    No matter how he thought about it, Divine Soul True Lord blamed Xuan Tianyi for the failure in the battle against the Evil Demon.


    So he developed a murderous intent towards Xuan Tianyi and his close associates.


    But he dared not act rashly, for perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao was among them in disguise.


    The mere thought of Sword Venerable Fudao made Divine Soul True Lord feel troubled.


    Fortunately, the Three Star Cave had not contacted him much over these years, or he really wouldn''t know how to report back.


    "Sigh!"


    Divine Soul True Lord sighed, stood up, and prepared to head to the small Spirit Realm to seclude himself.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm needed to maintain its image and avoid being discovered by nearby great powers. As the high-standing Cave Master, he only needed to issue orders and would not personally manage things.


    He took two steps forward, just about to descend the steps.


    A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. Although it was just a light tap, his heart stopped.


    He couldn''t forget the feeling of being tapped on the shoulder by Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Fear instinctively arose in his heart, and as he was about to speak, an overwhelming mana surged into his body, instantly turning his flesh into ashes, and even his primordial spirit vanished.


    The gap between the Ninth Layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and the Third Layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm was immense!


    In front of Gu An, Divine Soul True Lord was no different from an ant.


    The scroll in Divine Soul True Lord''s hand also turned to ashes along with him. Gu An, who had performed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body technique, vanished as if he had never appeared.


    He quickly returned to the Supreme Sect, emerging from the bushes and walking towards the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    He had been out of the Blood Prison Great Saint''s sight for less than ten breaths.


    With its cultivation sealed, the Blood Prison Great Saint had no idea what he had done and immediately stood up after seeing him return.


    Gu An hung the wildflowers he had casually picked on the Blood Prison Great Saint''s horns and directed it towards Mystic Valley.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint did not think much and carried Gu An away.


    At this moment, Gu An appeared calm, but his heart was far from at peace.


    He looked again at the prompt. Killing Divine Soul True Lord had given him ten thousand five hundred years of life.


    The Wandering Immortal Realm was indeed formidable, no longer akin to weeds!


    When he killed Divine Soul True Lord, Gu An did not even dare to perform a Soul Search as Divine Soul True Lord surely knew many high-realm immortals, and he feared that soul searching might alert those powerful beings.


    He was already peering into the Way of Cause and Effect. If he delved deeply into this path, it would be like gaining foresight of potential life threats.


    He had not even explored that cave.


    For a great cultivator like Divine Soul True Lord to disappear for decades or even a hundred years was not unusual.


    It remained to be seen whether the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had a device to contact its disciples.


    Gu An had once read a book stating that some sects across the seas possessed special artifacts. When a sect member perished, they could detect it immediately.


    Anyway, he would take a gamble. Gu An would not allow someone harboring murderous intent towards him to live. The longer they were left unchecked, the greater the danger!


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    ...


    After the Spring Festival, the Supreme Sect began promoting the World''s First Cultivation Meeting.


    What was the Cultivation Meeting?


    This idea, inspired by the Heaven-Cutting Axe, was to create a heavy object that participants would control with spiritual power. The announcement of this meeting caused widespread interest in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Such a meeting had never been held before. Lv Baitian planned to prepare for five years and even hinted at participation from overseas cultivators.


    Since killing Divine Soul True Lord, Gu An observed the territory of the Three Dynasties every day with his divine sense. Fortunately, everything was peaceful, and the life span detection had not been triggered. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In mid-March, Lv Baitian visited Gu An.


    The two drank wine in the house, with Gu An listening carefully to Lv Baitian''s ambitious plans, occasionally interjecting.


    He did not understand how to manage a sect but could offer some suggestions. Currently, Lv Baitian''s ideas aligned with his own.


    Lv Baitian put all his efforts outward, and the entire sect worked hard for its growth, reducing internal strife significantly. The Supreme Sect enjoyed unprecedented harmony.


    "Even though the world appears peaceful now, I still feel uneasy, just like half a year ago when dealing with the Evil Demon. That mysterious cultivator, his cultivation was incomparably strong."


    Lv Baitian put down his wine bowl and sighed.


    That person was already dead.


    Gu An silently answered in his heart but said, "Wasn''t it said that the person was an immortal senior from the Holy Land? The Holy Land shouldn''t bring calamity, right?"


    Lv Baitian curled his lips and said, "Who knows. Alright, let''s not talk about this. I just hope that in my lifetime, the Supreme Sect can produce someone who surpasses the Mahayana Realm. For this, I will spare no effort."


    Gu An nodded and said, "An Hao is exceptionally talented; he is the best candidate."


    "Indeed."


    Lv Baitian smiled. After experiencing the Demon Calamity, he seemed to have a new perspective on An Hao.


    This was good too. He hoped Lv Baitian would focus on An Hao as Gu An did not want to become the sect leader.


    The two talked for a long time before Lv Baitian finally bade farewell.


    He had gained new ideas from Gu An. Even before the World''s First Cultivation Meeting began, he was already planning the next grand event.


    After Lv Baitian left, Gu An did not stay long at the Third Medicine Valley either. He returned to Mystic Valley, then quietly left.


    He continuously used the Limitless Freedom Step, quickly distancing himself from the mainland.


    After several steps, he arrived on a vast island, the most prosperous in this sea area, with a cultivator population exceeding five million, always bustling with people.


    He did not disguise himself since the Supreme Sect was so far away. Even a Mahayana Realm cultivator would take a lot of time to get here, and there were countless sea demons along the way.


    Here, no one recognized him!


    The purpose of this trip was to purchase medicinal herb seeds. His Grotto Heaven only grew herbs of the seventh rank or higher!

 Chapter 209: Chapter 209 Meng Lang, Loose Immortal Realm Level 6

    Before coming, Gu An had already observed with his divine sense that the strongest on the island was slightly stronger than a Divine Soul True Lord, but not by much. If there was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, he would not have dared to come.


    If there was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, then there could be an even higher realm.


    If the strongest on the surface was only a Wandering Immortal, there should not be a more terrifying existence hidden in the shadows.


    Even if there was, as long as Gu An did not cause trouble, nothing should happen.


    He went to the Sea Protection Mansion in the city, intending to conduct a transaction and register for an identity token, which would allow him to enter and exit the various buildings. This was information he had gathered with his divine sense earlier.


    The Sea Protection Mansion was very large, with many cultivators coming and going, covering an area of a hundred miles. As soon as Gu An entered, a servant greeted him.


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    "Senior, may I ask what you are here for?"


    "To register for an identity token."


    "Alright, let me take you there. This way, please."


    The servant''s demeanor was very respectful and enthusiastic.


    Gu An followed him. There were many servants like him. Although their attire was not luxurious, it was clean and respectful. From the color of their clothes, their status in the Sea Protection Mansion could be judged. The clothes of this servant were the most common.


    After asking Gu An if he was a newcomer, the servant began to introduce the Sea Protection Mansion and the island to him.


    This island was called Immortal Seeking Island, a famous neutral island in the ocean. Transactions could be conducted here safely. If something went wrong, the Island Master would ensure justice. Moreover, connections could be made with Great Sects such as the Star Sea Congregations, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace.


    When introducing the background of Immortal Seeking Island, the servant was not arrogant, remaining humble, which Gu An found impeccable.


    When Gu An asked for his name, the servant was flattered and quickly introduced himself.


    Actually, even without his introduction, Gu An already knew, but it was necessary to go through the formalities.


    [Hu Xiaojian (Nascent Soul Realm, Second Layer): 480/860/2200]


    A lifespan of this extent could make him a genius in the Supreme Sect, but on Immortal Seeking Island, he could only serve as a servant.


    Gu An sighed inwardly.


    "By the way, Senior, have you reached the Immortal Path Realm? If so, I can guide you to obtain a High-Rank Identity Token, which comes with various benefits." Hu Xiaojian asked cautiously.


    He could tell from Gu An''s extraordinary bearing, though not overbearing, that Gu An was likely a Great Cultivator who had returned to simplicity.


    Gu An responded affirmatively, making Hu Xiaojian even more excited.


    After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, under Hu Xiaojian''s guidance, Gu An arrived at a large hall where most of the cultivators coming and going were in the Mahayana Realm or Nirvana Realm.


    The Nirvana Realm cultivators were likely outsiders like Gu An, while the Mahayana Realm cultivators belonged to the Sea Protection Mansion.


    As for Loose Immortals, they were rare to encounter.


    Hu Xiaojian approached an elderly man and explained Gu An''s intention. The elder immediately stood up and led the two to a side hall.


    [Chu Feng (Nirvana Realm, Fifth Layer): 3860/15000/17000]


    Gu An silently noted this information, then followed Chu Feng.


    Chu Feng took a white jade token, uninscribed, from a redwood cabinet, handed it to Gu An, and said, "Inject your mana into this, then silently recite your name to register."


    Gu An took the white jade token, adjusted his cultivation level, and injected his mana.


    After a few breaths, he raised the identity token to show Chu Feng.


    "Meng Lang, Loose Immortal Realm, Sixth Layer."


    Chu Feng read aloud, then quickly raised his hand in salute, respectfully addressing him as Senior.


    Hu Xiaojian was even more excited, also saluting.


    Gu An put away the identity token and casually asked, "I heard there are many benefits to a High-Rank Identity Token?"


    Chu Feng nodded and respectfully introduced the benefits of a High-Rank Identity Token.


    Tax transaction discounts, permanent cave residence, allocation of five servants, and more.


    Gu An was very pleased with what he heard and ultimately decided to have Hu Xiaojian lead the way, making Hu Xiaojian feel flattered while Chu Feng smiled and encouraged Hu Xiaojian.


    Thus, Gu An began his procurement journey on Immortal Seeking Island.


    First, he had to exchange for Spirit Stones. It was worth mentioning that on Immortal Seeking Island, the basic currency was a Top-Grade Spirit Stone. Low-grade and Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were not allowed here.


    Low-Rank Cultivators did not even have the qualification to enter the island, a harsh reality.


    But on second thought, who below the Nascent Soul Realm could cross the ocean to reach Immortal Seeking Island?


    Immortal Seeking Island was surrounded by millions of miles of sea, with no other islands around. As for the mainland, it was even farther away.


    To Hu Xiaojian, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was a distant power. He had heard most about the Star Sea Congregations, the overlords of the ocean!


    ...


    In the evening, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.


    Purchasing medicinal herbs took time, not a one-time deal. However, Immortal Seeking Island had plenty of high-rank medicinal herbs, even offering Ninth-Rank Medicinal Herbs, enough to meet Gu An''s needs.


    It was said that every few decades, Immortal Path Spirit Trees might even be auctioned on Immortal Seeking Island.


    After greeting the disciples in the valley, he went upstairs.


    Once the procurement was done, it would be time to publish Journey to the West!


    Today''s trip to Immortal Seeking Island had put Gu An in a good mood. Using the name Meng Lang was a way to commemorate an old friend.


    He was not worried about being recognized.


    Most people who knew Gu An would never reach Immortal Seeking Island in their lifetimes. As for geniuses like Xuan Tianyi and An Hao, without advancing to the Immortal Path Realm, they would find it difficult to come.


    If Xuan Tianyi had connections with the Star Sea Congregations, he might have the chance to go to Immortal Seeking Island, but he had never heard of Meng Lang.


    Gu An thought that many years later, if he met Xuan Tianyi overseas, Xuan Tianyi''s expression would be interesting.


    Speaking of Xuan Tianyi, that guy was still recovering from his injuries in the Supreme Sect. Who knows when he would recover his strength.


    Gu An set aside these thoughts and focused on writing.


    A month later.


    Having just turned ninety-eight, Gu An came to Nianchu Cave. He found Tian Yao''er and brought her into his Grotto Heaven, then took out a large number of medicinal herb seeds and handed them to her for planting.


    Looking at the multitude of seeds, Tian Yao''er''s eyes widened, her breath quickening, "How long will this take to plant?"


    Gu An had spent all his wealth, yet only a quarter of it was used. He chuckled softly, "These seeds are at least Seventh-Order. Be careful, if you ruin any, I''ll have to hold you accountable."


    Seventh-order¡­seventh-order?


    Tian Yao''er was stunned, then thrilled. With so many high-rank medicinal herbs properly planted, the Spiritual Energy here would be abundant, wouldn''t it?


    She immediately began to take action.


    Gu An, on the other hand, infused his mana into the ground, converting it into Five Element Spiritual Energy.


    Relying solely on the Grotto Heaven to absorb Earth Spirit Energy was too slow.


    Fortunately, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill documented a sorcery on how to convert mana into Spiritual Energy.


    Busy days awaited!


    ...


    Time flew by, and the Immortal Cultivation World welcomed a period of peace. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.


    Gu An''s total lifespan had reached six million seven hundred thousand years. He had planted all the high-rank medicinal herbs he had purchased in his Grotto Heaven, but the maturity time for Seventh-Order Medicinal Grass was extremely long, so he had to be patient.


    Though the wait was long, once harvested, it would be an enormous amount of lifespan!


    Moreover, Seventh-Order Medicinal Grass had a strong life force and required little oversight.


    That year, the Supreme Sect had grown much stronger. Meanwhile, the Taicang Dynasty and the Tianwei Dynasty had begun to war, while the Great Jiang Dynasty remained stable, not participating in the conflict.


    The dynastic struggles were cruel but not a catastrophe, having no impact on the Immortal Cultivation World.


    Gu An planned to achieve Core Formation that year.


    His surface cultivation level needed to be improved!


    One day at noon, Xuan Tianyi came to visit Gu An.


    As they entered the house to chat, Xuan Tianyi cast many restrictions first. He was now the strongest cultivator in the Supreme Sect but still deployed many restrictions, indicating his awareness of several Great Cultivators infiltrating the Supreme Sect.


    "Did you see the celestial phenomenon from that battle?" Xuan Tianyi turned to Gu An and asked solemnly.


    Gu An nodded, then motioned for him to sit and talk.


    Bam!


    Xuan Tianyi slammed the table in fury, cursing, "I was schemed against by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm! A bunch of bastards! This isn''t over!"


    Gu An''s eyelids twitched. Why are you telling me this?


    He suddenly suspected that the Divine Soul True Lord''s hostility towards him a few months ago was due to investigating Xuan Tianyi''s connections. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Seven Stars Spirit Realm? Are you talking about the Holy Land?" Gu An asked cautiously.


    Xuan Tianyi sat down, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes, I was thrown into the Evil Demon''s sealing ground by cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. If not for Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention, they would have wanted to eliminate me completely. How hateful! Divine Soul True Lord, just you wait!"


    Gu An said worriedly, "The Holy Land is powerful. You mustn''t be reckless. Even the entire Supreme Sect wouldn''t be enough."


    Xuan Tianyi looked at him and snorted, "I know that, but I''m not just a disciple of the Supreme Sect. I''m also a disciple of the Star Sea Congregations. My peers have already infiltrated the Supreme Sect. I''m planning to head south and inform my master about this. The Star Sea Congregations and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm both follow the righteous path and do not harm the common people. I will ensure the Seven Stars Spirit Realm doesn''t have it easy!"


    How bold!


    You have a backer, and you didn''t say so earlier?


    Forcing me to take risks?


    Gu An complained inwardly, feeling helpless.


    Xuan Tianyi, seeing through his thoughts, said with a hint of regret, "After all, it is the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Without a legitimate reason, the Star Sea Congregations would not act. I don''t have that kind of influence, but if I had evidence, it would be different. Anyway, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm won''t have a good time coming."


    Gu An cautioned him, "Though I don''t know how powerful the Star Sea Congregations are, be careful. The journey south is long; if anything happens on the way..."


    He didn''t finish his sentence, but Xuan Tianyi understood.


    "No worries. I will be accompanied by other disciples of the Star Sea Congregations, and there will be Immortal Path seniors overseeing from abroad. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm won''t dare to act rashly." Xuan Tianyi reassured him.


    Gu An felt relieved.


    Xuan Tianyi then said, "You focus on your cultivation. Someday, I''ll take you into the Star Sea Congregations; you might gain immortal destiny."


    Gu An shook his head, "Forget it. The ocean is a place for the high and mighty. As a mere mortal, I''ll stay in the Supreme Sect. I don''t want to be a burden."


    Xuan Tianyi tried to persuade him further but was diverted by Gu An, who asked him when he would return.


    Xuan Tianyi said it depended on the situation, ranging from a few years to several decades. But he would definitely return, as his next goal was to help develop the Supreme Sect.


    Although he was angry, he saw this as an opportunity. If the Star Sea Congregations pressured the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the Supreme Sect could develop.


    Even though he now belonged to the Star Sea Congregations, he wanted to help the Supreme Sect.


    In any case, he believed that no matter how the Supreme Sect developed, it could never catch up to the Star Sea Congregations!

 Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Journey to the West Emerges, Shocking the World

    Gu An chatted with Xuan Tianyi for a full two ancient hours. Before leaving, Gu An even gave him half a set of Journey to the West.


    So many years had passed, he had already written Journey to the West, but he wanted to release it later and kept refining his calligraphy, so he had rewritten Journey to the West many times.


    The reason for giving Xuan Tianyi only half was because he was afraid Xuan Tianyi might leak it.


    Always leave some suspense!


    After Xuan Tianyi left, Gu An followed downstairs and rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Mystic Valley.


    Ye Lan was waiting for him in the pavilion. He dismounted from the Blood Prison Great Saint''s back and leisurely went upstairs.


    When the two met, they exchanged pleasantries. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the past year, Ye Lan had been very busy and could only come to see him during the Spring Festival.


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    "Senior Brother, you are turning a hundred this year. How about a celebration?" Ye Lan asked with a smile.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Why would a cultivator celebrate a big birthday? No need, I don''t like trouble."


    Ye Lan nodded and didn''t press further. She just mentioned it casually. After all, a hundred years was an important milestone.


    They started chatting. Ye Lan didn''t have any special reason to see Gu An, she just missed him.


    They talked about everything, from the Supreme Sect to the Immortal Cultivation World, and even about the common folk. Most of the time, Ye Lan did the talking, and Gu An chimed in.


    A long time passed.


    Gu An was concerned about her Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    Ye Lan said that she practiced it daily, although her cultivation level hadn''t increased, she could feel the accumulation of the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    Gu An took out a large number of prepared supreme-grade elixirs for her, telling her to take them promptly. In twenty years, she would need to unseal the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    By then, it was unknown how much her maximum lifespan would increase.


    Faced with Gu An''s gifts and arrangements, Ye Lan did not refuse and instead showed a happy smile.


    Seeing her smile, Gu An couldn''t help but shiver.


    "Junior Sister, don''t misunderstand, I will always be your Senior Brother," Gu An said seriously.


    Ye Lan nodded with a smile. She stood up, walked to Gu An''s side, and placed her hands on his shoulders.


    It had always been him who patted others'' shoulders; only his Junior Sister could pat his.


    Ah, well, she was his Junior Sister, after all.


    "Sit down, no hands-on."


    "Oh, Senior Brother, I won''t do anything inappropriate, just like last time."


    "You dare mention last time?"


    "What''s wrong with a little touch? I promise I won''t go further."


    "Don''t speak such bold words, sit down, I have something to tell you."


    "Say it, I''ll just stand by your side."


    ...


    Three days later, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City. He made his way to the Book Collection Hall.


    The Great Elder of the Book Collection Hall, Feng Shang, personally received Gu An. After they were seated, Feng Shang asked with a smile, "Shattering the Void is finished. Do you have a new book in mind?"


    Though Shattering the Void''s reputation wasn''t as great as Investiture of the Gods, it made a lot of money, benefiting not only him but the entire Outer Gate City as well.


    Their Outer Gate City had become the top among the eight outer gate cities, with Sword Venerable Fudao in martial and Pan An in literature.


    Every time he read Investiture of the Gods, Feng Shang felt Gu An resembled Sword Venerable Fudao.


    But thinking that Gu An was not yet a hundred years old, he found his speculation absurd. Though perhaps Pan An was somehow related to Sword Venerable Fudao, maybe this was why Pan An refused to write about Sword Venerable Fudao, fearing people might discover the connection.


    Gu An took out five books from his storage bag, which were the first half of Journey to the West.


    Feng Shang picked up the topmost book and, seeing the cover, he couldn''t help but read aloud, "Journey to the West?"


    The name sounded ordinary.


    He was a bit disappointed, but considering Pan An''s fame, even an ordinary book would earn spirit stones.


    He began to read, and after a few moments, his expression changed slightly. He straightened his back and read more intently.


    As time went on, his right hand began to tremble.


    When he read about Sun Wukong causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace, he couldn''t help but slap his thigh in excitement.


    Gu An shook his head and laughed. He stood up and said, "The books are yours. Leave the rest to you."


    Having worked with the Book Collection Hall for so many years, he naturally didn''t worry about them deceiving him.


    Upon hearing this, Feng Shang quickly stood up, excitedly saying, "Journey to the West will definitely be a hit. This is a divine book comparable to Investiture of the Gods. No, it''s even better than Investiture of the Gods!"


    Journey to the West had a stronger narrative ability and the plot was highly engaging. Watching Sun Wukong''s birth, his struggle for kingship, and his journey to the sea to seek immortality, he felt it resonated well with the cultivators in the Immortal Cultivation World. Furthermore, when the Heavenly Court appointed Sun Wukong as the Horses'' Fortune, and he endured humiliation in Heaven, he couldn''t help but anticipate Sun Wukong''s rebellion.


    He hadn''t expected Sun Wukong to actually cause havoc in the Heavenly Palace!


    It was truly powerful!


    Feng Shang genuinely admired Gu An, who could think of anything. Moreover, the spells, dharma treasures, and powers in Journey to the West felt real, as he had heard similar legends before.


    There were stories of a Dragon Palace under the sea, immortals in the heavens, and sages overseas, among others.


    Gu An smiled at him and, without saying much, turned and left.


    Feng Shang watched Gu An walk out the door, with sunlight shining on him, feeling dazed.


    Truly an immortal!


    Gu An found the Blood Prison Great Saint and rode it away from the Book Collection Hall.


    Along the street, he occasionally encountered old acquaintances, greeting them with a smile.


    After the Ji Family withdrew from the Supreme Sect, the Zhou Family also switched to the Cangtian Sect. The departure of the two great families happened quietly. Had it been decades earlier, the Supreme Sect would have been severely weakened, but now, there didn''t seem to be any impact. Instead, the Supreme Sect had grown even stronger.


    However, Gu An heard other family names from the passing cultivators.


    This was the Supreme Sect. When some left, others would take their place.


    This was a sign of continuous prosperity!


    Who knew when the Supreme Sect would reach the levels of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Congregations?


    At that time, how many of his old acquaintances would still be around?


    Gu An''s thoughts drifted with the bumping of the ox''s back, fantasizing about scenes thousands or even tens of thousands of years in the future.


    ...


    A blink of an eye.


    Another year passed.


    This year, the Supreme Sect''s First Under Heaven''s Cultivation Level Tournament was about to commence, but the hottest topic was a book.


    Journey to the West!


    With the release of Pan An''s Journey to the West, the entire Immortal Cultivation World was shaken!


    Initially thought to be another mediocre book like Supreme Immortal Venerable or Shattering the Void, it turned out to be a classical type like Investiture of the Gods!


    Great Sage Equalling Heaven Sun Wukong became the most popular name in the three dynasties'' Immortal Cultivation World!


    Pan An was once again elevated to a god-like status. With just one Journey to the West, people no longer doubted his talent, and some even claimed that Journey to the West was superior to Investiture of the Gods!


    Lv Baitian seized the opportunity to leverage the popularity of Journey to the West, declaring that the person who won the top spot in the First Under Heaven''s Cultivation Level Tournament would earn the title of Great Sage.


    This ignited even more interest and anticipation for the First Under Heaven''s Cultivation Level Tournament!


    Because of Journey to the West, Pan An''s fame within the Supreme Sect even overshadowed Sword Venerable Fudao for a while.


    Pan An had initiated a trend of book-chasing in the Immortal Cultivation World. Now, he once again outshone Sword Venerable Fudao through his literary work.


    In fact, many Immortal Cultivation stories had emerged after Pan An, but most cultivators still felt Pan An''s writings were the best. Gu An thought this was due to the initial euphoria of the first read, as the Immortal Cultivation World certainly had many literary talented cultivators.


    One day.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint once again to the Outer Gate City. He felt there would be some excitement to watch today.


    The city was bustling with people, cultivators coming and going ceaselessly, very lively, almost like celebrating the Spring Festival. Gu An saw many cultivators in strange costumes, and even shape-shifting demons.


    Now, the Supreme Sect had begun recruiting demon clan disciples, with great results. Each year, around ten thousand shape-shifting demons would come to apprentice.


    The main character in Journey to the West being a demon had made the entire demon community more favorable towards the Supreme Sect.


    Arriving at the surroundings of the Heavenly Repair Platform, the Blood Prison Great Saint halted. He heard people around talking.


    "Have you read Journey to the West? The Book Collection Hall put up another batch yesterday, and I managed to get a copy."


    "Then lend it to me. I read an unofficial version that doesn''t contain Pan An''s handwriting."


    "Recently, more and more people have been challenging the Heaven-Cutting Axe. They say that whoever can lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe can secure the top spot in the First Under Heaven''s Cultivation Level Tournament."


    "You''re joking. Even the champion can''t possibly lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe!"


    Some were talking about Journey to the West, some about Sword Venerable Fudao, but most were discussing the First Under Heaven''s Cultivation Level Tournament.


    Gu An silently counted down.


    After a while.


    He thought to himself, Here it comes.


    A dominating aura enveloped the Heavenly Repair Platform, followed by a loud voice that echoed throughout the city:


    "I am the foremost cultivator of Lingxia, Qiao Dai. All of you move aside. I want to challenge the Heaven-Cutting Axe!"


    Boom!


    The entire city trembled. Everyone looked towards the sky above the Heavenly Repair Platform and saw a majestic figure floating in the air. It was a man in a yellow robe, wearing a golden crown and a python belt, with an aura like a swirling dragon around him.


    Gu An cast a Life Span Detection spell on him.


    [Qiao Dai (Mahayana Realm Ninth Layer): 898/8900/8900]


    An extreme lifespan of 8900 years!


    Among Nirvana ded, he was second only to An Hao and the Blood Prison Great Saint, even surpassing Xuan Tianyi.


    Gu An could feel that this person contained qi-blood beyond the Mahayana Realm.


    Of course, it was only beyond, reaching the Nirvana Realm was impossible.


    The weakest in the Nirvana Realm was stronger than the strongest in the Mahayana Realm. This¾³½ç was the barrier between the mortal and the immortal!


    People around the Heaven-Cutting Axe gave way, and Qiao Dai descended.


    Many were discussing where Lingxia was.


    Gu An knew about Lingxia. It was the dynasty in the far north of the continent, created by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Everyone in that dynasty was a descendant of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators.


    But the territories of the three dynasties hadn''t interacted with Lingxia yet.


    Zuo Yijian stood beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, eyeing Qiao Dai.


    Qiao Dai exuded an emperor''s aura, and with each step, a dragon''s roar accompanied him, which made Zuo Yijian secretly marvel.


    When he reached the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Qiao Dai didn''t try to lift it immediately. Instead, he looked at Zuo Yijian and said, "Move away, so you don''t get hurt!"


    "You..."


    Zuo Yijian was instantly infuriated, crumpling the Journey to the West in his hand.


    An Elder in the Unification Realm appeared out of thin air and said, "Listen to him, everyone back off."


    Upon hearing this, Zuo Yijian reluctantly retreated. The cultivators meditating around the righteous words also got up, including Di Xie.


    Ji Hantian appeared among the crowd, watching Qiao Dai with solemn eyes.


    The Ji Family had close ties with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and he had met Qiao Dai in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. At that time, he was still young, and Qiao Dai was already the most famous genius in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Though most of the Ji Family had joined the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Ji Hantian had a strong aversion to it, which made him dislike Qiao Dai.


    He couldn''t help but say, "Without Immortal Path cultivation, don''t dream of challenging!"

 Chapter 211: Chapter 211 The Unfathomable Gu An

    Qiao Dai ignored Ji Hantian''s provocation and fixed his gaze on the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Everyone looked at him. Over the years, there were countless cultivators who came to challenge the Heaven-Cutting Axe, but few had such a commanding presence like him.


    The number one cultivator in Lingxia, it sounded quite intimidating!


    Though Qiao Dai appeared calm, in fact, he was very nervous inside.


    In recent years, Sword Venerable Fudao''s prestige was incredibly strong, spreading widely even within the Spirit Realm. Qiao Dai knew he could not possibly be a match for Sword Venerable Fudao, but since the Heaven-Cutting Axe was merely a treasure left behind by Sword Venerable Fudao, he still had confidence in lifting it.


    He raised his right hand and gripped the handle of the axe.


    At the moment he grasped it, he felt an unprecedented heaviness.


    His brows furrowed, and he immediately began to exert force.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The Heavenly Repair Platform quaked, and everyone watched him nervously.


    No matter which sect they were from, the cultivators on the platform did not want him to lift it.


    The disciples of the Supreme Sect cared about face, while disciples from other sects cared about opportunity; who wouldn''t want to become the heir of Sword Venerable Fudao?


    To this day, Sword Venerable Fudao had become a figure of worship for all sects under three dynasties.


    Under Gu An, the Blood Prison Great Saint secretly marveled. He too wanted to try lifting the Heaven-Cutting Axe. So far, the only person he couldn''t surpass was the one on his back.


    This fellow named Qiao Dai was different. The Blood Prison Great Saint could sense that Qiao Dai''s cultivation level was even higher than his own.


    If Qiao Dai couldn''t move the axe, then he would have no hope.


    This made him even more wary of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Just leaving a Dharma treasure on the platform, and over the years, no one could lift it, let alone move it. It was unimaginable how high Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation realm must be.


    Qiao Dai also started using a secret technique, making his momentum soar, causing even the Outer City to tremble.


    More and more figures appeared on the Heavenly Repair Platform, all high-ranking members of the Supreme Sect. They looked at Qiao Dai with eyes full of fear.


    But as they watched, the great cultivators of the Supreme Sect began to smile.


    The momentum was terrifying, but it was useless!


    If it couldn''t be lifted, it just couldn''t be lifted! Zuo Yijian watched Qiao Dai''s contorted face with silent glee.


    Let him be arrogant¡ªwith such limited skills, he dared to challenge the Heaven-Cutting Axe?


    In the end, Qiao Dai did not become like Xuan Tianyi or Ji Xuanling. He only attempted for a few breaths before his momentum suddenly receded.


    He stood straight, withdrew his right hand, and said, "As expected of Sword Venerable Fudao, I, Qiao Dai, admit defeat!"


    His voice echoed throughout the city, resonating endlessly.


    Even though his words were boastful, many people wanted to ask who he was, having never heard of him before. But recalling Qiao Dai''s earlier momentum, no one dared offend him.


    Not daring to offend Qiao Dai, they all praised Sword Venerable Fudao instead!


    Suddenly, the Heavenly Repair Platform became lively, and everyone started discussing the strength of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Qiao Dai looked at Ji Hantian and snorted, "Where is your sect leader? I want to meet him!"


    Ji Hantian nodded, then motioned for Qiao Dai to follow. The two quickly left the Outer City.


    Gu An patted the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, signaling it could go.


    After leaving the Outer City, Gu An said leisurely, "In a few years, I will let you reach the second level, able to speak human words."


    Hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes brightened.


    Not being able to speak was really unbearable!


    He couldn''t wait to curse those ants who kept touching him all day long!


    "But remember, there are things you can say and things you can''t," Gu An reminded.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint nodded quickly. Actually, there wasn''t much he could say, as he had no idea how strong Gu An really was.


    ...


    Day by day passed, and it came to the end of summer.


    On the peak of the mountain north of Mystic Valley, Gu An was sparring with Chu Jingfeng in swordsmanship.


    While swinging his sword, Gu An''s divine sense spread out, surveying the continent inside and out.


    He saw a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal traversing the sky, descending to the Mortal World at the eastern end of the firmament.


    Over the years, he saw many figures coming and going between heaven and earth. Though Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were rare, at his level, he could see at least one every day, showing how vast this mortal world was. Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were not the strongest.


    Even at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, Gu An''s divine sense could not cover the entire Mortal World.


    No wonder it was called the Great Heavenly Spirit Land; this mortal world was truly vast!


    For Gu An, the bigger this world was, the better. The larger the world, the smaller and more insignificant he felt. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while, Gu An sensed a vast aura erupting from the eastern direction, far from the continent, even farther than Immortal Seeking Island.


    But that aura made his heart tremble.


    It was very powerful!


    It didn''t seem like the aura of a living being''s cultivation, but rather some kind of supreme treasure.


    Could it be that someone from beyond the heavens came for this mysterious supreme treasure?


    It seemed highly possible to Gu An.


    At this moment, Chu Jingfeng sheathed his sword, gasping, "I''m exhausted, can''t match you."


    He looked at Gu An with a complex expression.


    Every time he felt his swordsmanship had improved significantly, he would spar with Gu An. Each time, it seemed he was about to win, but the result was always defeat.


    The two competed in swordsmanship without using spiritual power, purely relying on qi.


    Of course, if he couldn''t defeat Gu An before his qi was depleted, it meant his swordsmanship wasn''t superior to Gu An''s.


    Gu An smiled, "Just a little more, you are much stronger than before."


    Chu Jingfeng wiped the sweat off his forehead and stared at Gu An, asking, "Do you mean you are also improving, or have you been holding back?"


    He increasingly felt that Gu An was unfathomable. Initially, he was merely grateful to Gu An, but now he felt Gu An was either a peerless genius or a high-level cultivator hiding his cultivation. Keep the adventure going with m|vl-em|p-yr


    He thought back to the years when the Demon of Greed caused chaos. The Demon of Greed had perished in Gu An''s house, but to this day, no one discovered who had saved Gu An.


    Could it be Gu An himself?


    Gu An laughed, "Hey, I''m at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, about to reach Core Formation. Isn''t it normal to beat you? Don''t forget, I''m ranked 500th on the Golden List!"


    Seeing his smug expression, Chu Jingfeng couldn''t help but shake his head and smile.


    Right, why overthink!


    In any case, he was now a cripple, weaker than everyone.


    After chatting for a while longer, Gu An gripped his Heavenly Residence Sword and descended the mountain, while Chu Jingfeng sat meditating on the cliff, reflecting on his earlier sword-fighting experiences.


    The next morning, the first Heavenly Strength Tournament officially began. It was said that over fifty thousand cultivators and demons had signed up, covering all realms. There were even mysterious Mahayana cultivators participating.


    Gu An did not participate; instead, he headed to Tianya Valley to harvest medicinal herbs.


    This year, he aimed to reach a lifespan of seven million years. After surpassing the ten million-year mark, he could look forward to a billion-year lifespan.


    A billion years would bring new abilities, the next time could be ten billion or even a hundred billion years for new functions?


    The thought was exciting to Gu An.


    If a billion years passed in the real world, how high would his cultivation level be?


    ...


    The sky was clear, and the ocean was boundless. Immortal Seeking Island sat on the ocean, small as a speck of dust, but when viewed up close, its prosperity was evident.


    Gu An returned to Immortal Seeking Island, and exchanged all the medicinal herbs he had gathered over the past three years for top-grade spirit stones, then began to wander around.


    He planned to buy some high-quality cultivation elixirs to help Ye Lan and Xiaochuan. As for others, he wouldn''t go out of his way to help them; enjoying the elixirs he personally refined was good enough.


    Hu Xiaojian continued to lead the way for Gu An, full of enthusiasm.


    "By the way, senior, several months ago, a conflict broke out between the Star Sea Congregations and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Have you heard about it?" Hu Xiaojian asked suddenly, his expression excited.


    Gu An answered, "I''ve been secluded in training, unaware of this. Why did they clash?"


    Hu Xiaojian lowered his voice, "It''s said that a disciple of the Star Sea Congregations was killed by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, so a group of Star Sea Congregation cultivators attacked islands affiliated with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. They fought for three days and nights. Many say the Star Sea Congregations and Seven Stars Spirit Realm are going to war. They have been at peace for fifty thousand years, who knows if it''s true."


    "If these two top forces go to war, this ocean will be far from peaceful."


    Gu An first thought of Xuan Tianyi.


    Was Xuan Tianyi''s capability so great?


    On second thought, yes, a Mahayana cultivator of several hundred years was rare. Even on the ocean, he would be a top-tier talent. On Immortal Seeking Island, Gu An had only seen a few.


    The two continued chatting as they moved forward.


    An hour later, Gu An had spent all his spirit stones, reaping abundant rewards.


    Spending on his junior brothers and sisters, he felt no regret, even if they were destined to die. He was willing to help them live a few hundred or thousand years longer.


    After dismissing Hu Xiaojian, Gu An began to wander Immortal Seeking Island on his own.


    Immortal Seeking Island was large, with numerous cities. Cultivators, demons, and spirit beasts were everywhere, making the streets very lively.


    Suddenly, someone brushed past Gu An. Due to the person''s peculiar attire, Gu An subconsciously threw a life span detection.


    [Nine-Finger Divine Lord (Second Layer of Traveling Immortal Realm): 170800/190000/800000]


    Hmm?


    Seventeen thousand years?


    Was this eighty thousand-year maximum lifespan serious?


    Gu An was intrigued. The person''s apparent cultivation was only at the Mahayana Realm. Even as a ninth-level Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm great cultivator, Gu An couldn''t see through his true cultivation level, indicating this man''s greatness.


    Of course, it was also possible that this person was not a wandering immortal, but had his cultivation level fall due to some reason.


    Gu An thought the latter was more likely. He didn''t turn back and continued forward.


    However, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord stopped. He wore a black outfit like a wanderer; his clothes were not fancy, somewhat old, with a bamboo hat and a large wooden box on his back.


    He looked back, frowning under his hat, eyes filled with confusion.


    "Was it a misperception?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord felt someone watching him earlier but saw no one when he looked back.


    The strongest on this street was just a loose immortal.


    He retracted his gaze and continued on his way.


    30 minutes later.


    He arrived at a residence and met a man in a purple robe in the courtyard.


    "Senior, please have a seat," the purple-robed man said with a smile, respectfully.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord sat down, placing the large wooden box beside him. He calmly asked, "What business do you have with me?"


    The purple-robed man sat, waved his right hand, and a purple light barrier rose around the courtyard, then quickly disappeared.


    He looked at the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and whispered, "Senior, I have a lead on the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure you sought before. It is somewhat troublesome; it involves the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Do you dare to venture there?"

 Chapter 212: Chapter 212 Strange Aura

    After brushing past the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Gu An quickly left Immortal Seeking Island.


    Although the Nine-Finger Divine Lord couldn''t threaten him at the moment, his age of one hundred seventy thousand years made Gu An reluctant to associate with him.


    Gu An had no need to make connections with great powers; he just wanted to avoid trouble.


    After returning to the Supreme Sect, he went to watch the First Cultivation Conference every few days and found it quite interesting. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Supreme Sect created different treasures according to different realms, and it was said that the materials were brought from overseas by Xuan Tianyi. The heaviest was a Mahayana Realm treasure, heavier than a mountain.


    Because of this, the Supreme Sect also specially opened a venue and set up layers of restrictions to prevent the ground from collapsing.


    Since there was no combat, the First Cultivation Conference didn''t last as long as previous events; in less than half a month, Qiao Dai won the first place and was conferred the title of Great Sage of the Heavenly Peak by the Supreme Sect!


    Afterwards, Qiao Dai announced his decision to join the Supreme Sect and become an elder, which took Gu An by surprise.


    What is the Seven Stars Spirit Realm up to?


    Sending a Mahayana Realm cultivator to the Supreme Sect for no reason?


    Or are they planting a pawn?


    Gu An didn''t ask Lv Baitian; even if Qiao Dai had bad intentions, he wasn''t afraid.


    It only took one move to kill the Divine Soul True Lord, and it would be the same for Qiao Dai!


    However, after autumn arrived, Ji Hantian brought Qiao Dai to find Gu An, who happened to be in, so he received them in his building.


    Qiao Dai sat at the table, looked around the environment, and asked: "Are you Pan An?"


    Gu An, carrying a cup of tea to the table, responded: "I am Pan An. May I ask what business you have with me, senior?"


    The Ji Family had switched allegiance to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and now Ji Hantian brought Qiao Dai to find him, which made him think deeply.


    "Sit down and talk," Ji Hantian said with a warm smile, even taking the initiative to pour tea for the two of them.


    Gu An sat down and looked at Qiao Dai.


    Qiao Dai scrutinized him with an oppressive gaze.


    "What do you think of the Holy Land, Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Qiao Dai asked.


    Gu An was stunned and replied: "The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is called a Holy Land; naturally, I respect it. Why do you ask me this?"


    Qiao Dai said: "Is Master Puti from the Oblique Moon Three Stars Cave in your writing meant to pay homage to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    Master Puti was the teacher of Sun Wukong, the protagonist of Journey to the West. Ever since Journey to the West became a hit, Master Puti was often mentioned. Some even firmly believed that the Oblique Moon Three Stars Cave, the Spirit Platform, and Square Inch Hill truly existed.


    Gu An nodded.


    Since the Ji Family had turned to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Qiao Dai came from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Gu An naturally had to go along with their thoughts.


    If these two still had doubts about him, he could only have Sword Venerable Fudao take action.


    Seeing Gu An nod, Qiao Dai didn''t seem pleased; instead, he frowned and said: "Actually, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is not as good as you think."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An looked at him in amazement.


    What does this mean?


    Could it be that Qiao Dai harbored enmity toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Ji Hantian chimed in: "The previous great calamity of demons is related to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. We sought you out because we feared you esteemed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm too much, and there are some things we need to tell you."


    Without waiting for Gu An to respond, Ji Hantian explained the origins of the Demon Ancestor and Evil Demon, leaving Gu An dumbfounded.


    Gu An actually knew this long ago but had to act surprised while contemplating their intentions.


    After Ji Hantian finished, Qiao Dai said: "The actions of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm disgust me deeply. Ever since I embarked on the immortal cultivation path, I wanted to be an immortal who saves the world. That was also why I chose to join the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. But a friend of mine exposed the crimes of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. He came from the Lin Family, whose ancestor was slain by Sword Venerable Fudao after attacking the Supreme Sect. Later, during the siege of the Evil Demon, the Lin Family suffered heavy losses."


    "Taking advantage of this, their adversaries within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm sought to exterminate them. Before fleeing, my friend left me a letter exposing the general misdeeds committed by the high-ups of the Six Stars Cave against the Lin Family. It took me years to fully accept these facts."


    Gu An felt a sigh of lament at hearing that the Lin Family had been abandoned by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Of course, the Lin Family''s annihilation was not undeserved, just infighting among dogs.


    Gu An furrowed his brow and said: "I am merely a minor cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Why are you telling me this? I cannot help you. Don''t think of using Pan An''s name to expose the Holy Land; I cannot afford to provoke them."


    Ji Hantian smiled: "Rest assured, we are not that reckless. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is currently too powerful, and even the combined forces of the three dynasties can''t shake it. We just hope you won''t exalt the Seven Stars Spirit Realm in your books in the future."


    Qiao Dai nodded and said: "Exactly. Your influence is truly great. I used to disdain it until I read your Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, only then realizing your prowess. However, I liked your Supreme Immortal Venerable the most; the story of a comeback is more captivating."


    So that''s what it''s about...


    Gu An found it both laughable and exasperating. It was just a coincidence; in fact, he was subtly hinting that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm resembled the Buddhism Sect of Western Heaven.


    He pretended to contemplate and then reluctantly agreed to the matter.


    Seeing Gu An seemingly hesitant, Ji Hantian and Qiao Dai didn''t get angry. They too took a long time to process this information when they first learned about it.


    Not only did they have to expose the evil side of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, but they also had to endure the pressure of confronting it directly.


    This was, after all, the most powerful force on the continent, with no equal!


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask: "If the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wishes to enslave all beings, why engage in such roundabout methods? Even the combined forces of our three dynasties are no match for them, right?"


    Qiao Dai replied: "Not all of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is evil. On the ocean, it remains a Holy Land of the Righteous Path. Our continent is merely one region of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, governed by the Six Stars Cave and Seven Stars Cave. Over the past tens of thousands of years, the high-ups of the Six Stars Cave sought extreme ways to break through the Heavenly Destiny, deceiving superiors and subordinates, leading to these consequences."


    "In the unseen world, there exists Qi Fortune and incense. If the beings of the continent detest the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the other Star Caves would surely notice. If the beings are exterminated, it would also attract the attention of surrounding forces. Fire can''t be wrapped in paper, and most cultivators within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm are unaware of this, considering themselves disciples of the Righteous Path."


    Once again, it was the parasites within the Righteous Path committing atrocities, but the parasites of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm were an existence that the beings of the continent couldn''t contend with.


    Gu An feigned a sudden realization, then asked a few more questions, even mentioning the Ephemera Sect.


    The reason the Ephemera Sect managed to come through the Nine Nether Road was due to the connection between its Hierarch, Butcher Immortal Jing, and an elder in the Six Stars Cave. The interwoven interests between the two were immeasurable. It seemed like they were allowing the Ephemera Sect to wreak havoc, but in reality, that elder wanted to devour the essence of the Origin Tree of Ephemera.


    Once the three dynasties'' cultivators sacrificed to the Origin Tree, the elder would strike, not only reaping benefits but also gaining a good reputation.


    The continent where the Ephemera Sect resided was also a subsidiary of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, extremely distant from here, so far that the cultivators of the Ephemera Sect had to rely on the Nine Nether Road. Without Mahayana Realm cultivation, they would surely die en route through the ocean.


    The three continued their conversation for an hour. Before leaving, Ji Hantian urged Gu An not to spread this matter.


    With the current strength of the Supreme Sect, it was completely inadequate to contend against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, so they had to endure!


    Gu An rose to see them off. Watching Ji Hantian''s departing figure, he very much wanted to ask about the Ji Family''s true stance towards the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Currently, there were very few members of the Ji Family in the Supreme Sect, practically just Ji Hantian''s lineage.


    Speaking of which, when the Evil Demon broke free, Ji Xiaoyu gave Gu An a jade pendant to temporarily keep. It recorded the crimes of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and after so many years, Ji Xiaoyu had yet to come to reclaim it.


    Using his divine sense, he noticed Ji Xiaoyu heading towards the Tianwei Dynasty, moving towards the eastern ocean.


    What was this?


    Running away from marriage?


    ...


    Ji Hantian and Qiao Dai''s visit did not affect Gu An''s life. In the following days, he visited the Outer Gate City more and more frequently.


    During the winter season, with heavy snow falling.


    In front of the Law Enforcement Hall''s gate in the Outer Gate City, Gu An and Ye Lan stood before a statue.


    After taking the elixirs from Gu An, Ye Lan said helplessly: "This is too much. Senior brother, don''t you cultivate? Are you spending all day making elixirs for me?"


    Gu An patted the snow off her shoulder and laughed softly: "Don''t worry. What I gave you is only a small part; the majority I consumed myself. How could you be more important in my heart than myself?"


    Ye Lan glared at him but felt deeply moved inside.


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    She wasn''t foolish. Gu An had definitely given her all the elixirs just to help her achieve the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    She was puzzled. She felt her body was still good, able to live for another two hundred years. Why was her senior brother so insistent on her achieving it in the next twenty years?


    Did her senior brother think she could only live for one hundred and twenty or thirty years?


    She didn''t ask much as she chose to trust her senior brother.


    The two started talking about Zhen Qin.


    For a long time.


    Gu An bid farewell to Ye Lan and turned to leave.


    Watching him walk into the heavy snow, Ye Lan felt an inexplicable sense of loss.


    This feeling was strange; she felt she and her senior brother were growing further apart.


    After leaving the Law Enforcement Hall, Gu An began wandering the streets.


    Although the winter snow was heavy, some streets remained bustling.


    Arriving in the busy market area, a young disciple approached him and whispered: "The long-lost Supreme Secret Records, want to buy? The kind with illustrations!"


    Gu An gave him a look of disdain, bypassed him, and continued on his way.


    The young disciple persisted; after a dozen steps of entanglement, he finally gave up.


    "So hypocritical! I spit on you!"


    The young disciple cursed at Gu An''s back.


    As he walked, Gu An unknowingly arrived near the Book Collection Hall and suddenly noticed someone reading a book under an old tree beside the hall''s courtyard wall.


    Reading Journey to the West, no less!


    Gu An walked past and curiously asked: "Brother, why don''t you read inside? There are seats in there."


    Foundation Establishment Realm, just average.


    Even his appearance was average.


    But Gu An felt something off about his aura, so he used life span detection.


    {You Yingying (Foundation Establishment Realm, Eighth Floor): 124/400/5000}


    Hmm?


    Maximum life span of five thousand years?


    Why is the cultivation level so low?


    And the name is a woman''s?


    Doesn''t seem like she''s disguised as a man.


    You Yingying looked up at Gu An and replied: "It''s too noisy inside. It''s more peaceful here, and I can feel the nature."


    Then she suddenly scrutinized Gu An, hesitated, and asked: "Are you Gu An?"

 Chapter 213: Chapter 213 Divine Monarch Arrives, Great Opportunity

    Hearing You Yingying''s inquiry, Gu An hesitated for a moment and asked, "I am. Do you know me, Daoist Friend?"


    You Yingying''s eyes lit up and she said, "My name is You Yingying. Senior Brother Xuan recommended that I come to find you. I was originally going directly to your Medicine Valley but couldn''t resist coming to see Journey to the West first."


    "Senior Brother Xuan Tianyi?"


    "That''s right. We are from the same sect in the Star Sea Congregations. You might not know about the Star Sea Congregations, they are a great sect overseas..."


    She started introducing the Star Sea Congregations, and Gu An listened attentively, pondering why Xuan Tianyi had sent her.


    Gu An became increasingly certain that You Yingying was indeed a woman, merely using some miracle technique to make her aura and appearance resemble that of a man.


    Such means were truly impressive. Without using divine sense to probe her, she could deceive someone at the Ninth Level of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm like Gu An. How could it not be impressive?


    However, since she came from the Star Sea Congregations, it made sense. The Star Sea Congregations had a long history and had certainly produced Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, possessing miracle techniques and divine skills that could deceive the senses of such beings. It wasn''t unusual.


    You Yingying greatly admired Gu An''s Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, so her words were filled with praise.


    For a long time.


    Gu An asked, "Daoist Friend, you didn''t come just to find me, did you?"


    Coming all the way from overseas just for two books?


    He didn''t believe it. You Yingying surely had other motives.


    You Yingying nodded and said, "To be honest, Senior Brother recommended me to sit at the Supreme Sect. But fearing I would be bored, he suggested I come to see you. I am indeed very interested in your books."


    "To sit?" Gu An became even more curious.


    You Yingying said, "Senior Brother fears that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm might attack the Supreme Sect. With me around, they would at least not dare to act rashly."


    So impressive?


    This Foundation Establishment Realm Sixth Layer cultivator seemed to have a significant background.


    What background could intimidate the Six Stars Cave?


    Gu An pondered while inquiring further, but You Yingying didn''t want to say more.


    Later, Gu An invited her to the Third Medicine Valley, but she refused politely, saying she had already rented a residence in the Outer Sect and would visit him if she felt bored.


    Gu An was just being polite. Since she refused, he naturally wouldn''t insist.


    You Yingying suddenly waved her sleeve, transforming into a slender woman in blue clothes, with fair skin and a beautiful face. Her eyes carried a playful and mischievous spirit. Her long hair reached her calves, the ends tied with a red scarf.


    Gu An wasn''t too stunned. You Yingying was indeed beautiful, but the most beautiful ones he had seen were Tian Yao''er and Ji Xiaoyu. The two women were equally matched in appearance, with different temperaments, making it hard to judge.


    "Remember, this is my true appearance."


    You Yingying winked at Gu An, then waved her sleeve again, turning back into the ordinary male image from before. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An feigned a shocked expression, greatly satisfying You Yingying''s vanity. After leaving her residence address, she turned and left.


    After she had gone far, Gu An finally smiled.


    Hopefully, this woman could truly become the trump card of the Supreme Sect!


    ...


    Five years swiftly passed by.


    During these five years, the Supreme Sect encountered no major troubles and developed steadily. Gu An''s life continued as usual, moving between different Medicine Valleys and visiting the Immortal Seeking Island about once a year.


    He also successfully formed a core and officially became a Core Formation Realm disciple, causing quite a stir in the Third Medicine Valley.


    In the evening, Gu An rode on the Blood Prison Great Saint back to Mystic Valley. He spoke, "From today onwards, your cultivation level will be at the Second Layer."


    As he finished speaking, he released a bit of the Returning Primordial Spirit Path from within the Blood Prison Great Saint, restoring its cultivation level to the Second Layer, akin to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt the spiritual power within its body surge, filled with excitement. It wanted to let out a loud roar but restrained itself.


    "Thank you¡­ master¡­" the Blood Prison Great Saint said respectfully, its voice somewhat hoarse.


    It had been holding back for too long!


    Gu An, sitting on its back, continued to offer instructions, which the beast listened to intently, fearing to offend Gu An in the future. Find adventures at m v lem|p-yr


    Once Gu An finished, he placed his hand on the ox-head of the Blood Prison Great Saint, imparting the Primordial Reincarnation Skill to it.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes instantly turned vacant, its body halting.


    Gu An wasn''t in a hurry, beginning to admire the surrounding scenery.


    This was a sparse woodland located on a ridge, with views of other majestic mountains in the distance when turning one''s head.


    Gu An suddenly noticed a powerful aura approaching the Supreme Sect.


    Wasn''t this the Nine-Finger Divine Lord he had encountered before on the Immortal Seeking Island?


    Gu An was curious. The Divine Lord''s limit of eighty thousand years of lifespan had left a deep impression on him.


    Why would such a powerful figure come to this backward continent?


    Compared to the surrounding sea areas and continents, the continent where the Supreme Sect was located was indeed backward, naturally due to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Every ten thousand years, they would instigate a major demonic calamity. How could the human race on this continent ever prosper?


    After the demonic calamity ended, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was quite restrained, causing no further troubles but sending more disciples down the mountain to establish more connections with the secular world. Because of this, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm remained highly regarded in the Immortal Cultivation World, with many sects hoping to establish friendly relations with them.


    Gu An silently pondered.


    After a long time.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint finally awakened, exclaiming excitedly, "What a domineering cultivation technique! Master, if I cultivate this technique for a thousand years, can I ascend into the Realm of Immortal Path in one leap?"


    It was willing to be Gu An''s steed for a thousand years, with its cultivation sealed. It was perfectly suited to cultivate the Primordial Reincarnation Skill during this time.


    "That depends on whether you put in the effort." Gu An replied with a smile.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint wanted to say more, but Gu An patted its head, transmitting a message that someone was approaching, causing it to shut up immediately.


    "Let''s continue on our way." Gu An said.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint immediately resumed walking.


    The mountain path wasn''t too steep, with the surrounding flowers and birds making the journey refreshing.


    Just as they exited the forest, a figure approached from ahead. It was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, still wearing a straw hat and looking travel-worn.


    He came before the Blood Prison Great Saint and asked, "May I ask if you are a disciple of the Supreme Sect, brother?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stopped, scrutinizing the man but unable to discern his depth.


    "I am Gu An of the Supreme Sect. May I ask what brings you to our sect, Daoist Friend?" Gu An raised his hand in greeting, smiling as he asked.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had sought out Gu An because he observed that among the local cultivators, Gu An had the highest cultivation level, thus most likely belonged to the Supreme Sect.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked up at Gu An, feeling as if he had seen him somewhere before.


    However, with Gu An only at the Core Formation Realm, having encountered many with similar cultivation levels in his travels, he paid it no mind.


    "I am Daoist Nine-Finger, a loose cultivator wandering the world. I''ve heard of the Supreme Sect''s reputation and wish to join. May I ask if you could introduce me?"


    Gu An naturally didn''t refuse, agreeing readily, and began leading the way.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint walked at a leisurely pace, and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was in no hurry, using the time to learn more about the Supreme Sect from Gu An.


    He asked many questions, and Gu An answered them all, his forthrightness furthering the Divine Lord''s favorable impression of him.


    After a considerable time, the two grew closer.


    "Daoist Friend, could you tell me your cultivation level so that I can decide whether to take you to the Outer Sect or the Inner Sect?" Gu An asked.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had observed on his journey that to become a high-ranking member of the Supreme Sect, one needed at least an Unification Realm cultivation.


    "To be honest, I am at the Fourth Layer of the Unification Realm." Daoist Nine-Finger said hesitantly.


    "What? Unification Realm?"


    Gu An exclaimed, making the Blood Prison Great Saint want to roll its eyes.


    In the face of Gu An''s excitement, Daoist Nine-Finger remained calm, not relishing the sense of superiority since his real cultivation level was at the Second Layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Energy Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Crossing, Unification, Mystic Heart, Mahayana, Nirvana, Loose Immortal, Wandering Immortal!


    Pretending to be at a lower realm, he was four major realms higher than Gu An.


    In reality, he was nine major realms higher than Gu An!


    Along the way, Gu An''s curiosity grew, but his words didn''t come across as obsequious, earning more respect from Daoist Nine-Finger.


    As evening approached, they arrived at Mystic Valley. Gu An invited Daoist Nine-Finger to stay for the night, to which the latter had no objection.


    Upon entering Mystic Valley, a group of servant disciples greeted them warmly.


    Seeing these Energy Cultivation Realm cultivators mingling closely with Core Formation Realm Gu An, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord noticed that Gu An wasn''t just respectful on the surface; he was also kind and non-arrogant towards those below him.


    Gu An tasked Lu Jiujia with arranging accommodation for Daoist Nine-Finger before retiring to his room to rest.


    A while later, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord sat cross-legged on his bed, scanning the Supreme Sect with his divine sense.


    The strongest cultivator in the Supreme Sect was only at the Mahayana Realm, posing no threat to him and offering little of interest.


    He even discovered the existence of the Eight Scenic Caves but paid it no mind. Everyone had secrets; Gu An having a hidden cave was nothing notable, and the herbs within the Eight Scenic Caves did not attract him.


    Deep into the night.


    On the mountain top, Chu Jingfeng sat meditating, absorbing energy.


    "What cultivation technique are you practicing?" The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s voice suddenly came, startling Chu Jingfeng, who turned to look.


    An hour ago, he had seen the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was addressed as senior by Gu An. He quickly stood up, greeting him, "A technique for absorbing energy, not worth mentioning."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord scrutinized him and said, "Your natural talents are decent. It''s a pity you haven''t laid a solid foundation. The technique you''re practicing can improve your aptitude, but its effects are limited."


    Hearing this, Chu Jingfeng felt both relieved and somewhat uncomfortable.


    Daring to belittle the Daoist Expansion Skill?


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord continued, "I can help you rebuild your foundation and restore your cultivation. Will you become my named disciple?"


    Chu Jingfeng hesitated and asked, "May I know the senior''s identity?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s eyes flashed with appreciation, "I am a loose cultivator from overseas. I met your Valley Master. Tomorrow, I will join the Supreme Sect. I am an Unification Realm cultivator. According to your Valley Master, becoming an elder shouldn''t be difficult."


    Unification Realm cultivator!


    Chu Jingfeng was stunned. To him, Unification Realm cultivators were exalted, unapproachable beings!


    He gritted his teeth and said, "I need to discuss this with the Valley Master. He took me in when I was in distress. I can''t just leave."


    "Hahaha, talk to him tomorrow then."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord laughed, then turned and left.


    This foolish boy didn''t realize he had encountered a great fortune!

 Chapter 214: Chapter 214 Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!

    The next morning, Nine-Finger Divine Lord brought Chu Jingfeng to find Gu An and expressed his intention to take him as a disciple.


    Gu An was pleasantly surprised and hastily had Chu Jingfeng express his gratitude to Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    This gesture deeply moved Chu Jingfeng. Upon hearing that Nine-Finger Divine Lord could help him restore his cultivation level, he felt tempted. However, given all that Gu An had done for him over the years, he felt torn and unsure of how to decide.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord also held Gu An in higher regard; he could see that Gu An was genuinely happy for Chu Jingfeng.


    This was indeed true. Although Gu An was powerful, in terms of knowledge and experience, he certainly couldn''t match the seventeen thousand-year-old Nine-Finger Divine Lord. If the Divine Lord sincerely cared for Chu Jingfeng, it would be a turning point in Chu Jingfeng''s life.


    Subsequently, Gu An directly instructed Chu Jingfeng to acknowledge Nine-Finger Divine Lord as his master, making the atmosphere very harmonious.


    An hour later, they used the Teleportation Array to reach the Third Medicine Valley and then flew to the Inner Sect City.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord had long known of the Third Medicine Valley but had not expected it to belong to Gu An as well.


    It wasn''t until noon that Gu An returned alone to the Third Medicine Valley, while Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Chu Jingfeng prepared to stay in the Inner Sect City.


    Though the true intentions of Nine-Finger Divine Lord remained unclear, the addition of a Wandering Immortal was a good thing for the Supreme Sect.


    If Nine-Finger Divine Lord caused trouble, Gu An could always intervene.


    "Is the fortune of the Supreme Sect rising?"


    Gu An sat in his chair, silently pondering.


    First, Xuan Tianyi summoned You Yingying of the Star Sea Congregations, then Qiao Dai of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm came to surrender, and now a mysterious Wandering Immortal had arrived. This fortune made Gu An marvel.


    He didn''t overthink it and began to practice alchemy.


    ...


    In the dead of night, Gu An arrived at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain. He first visited his own Grotto Heaven and then made his way along the tunnel to Nianchu Cave.


    The two cat demons had grown up. Though they had not yet shape-shifted, they now appeared as large as leopards, lying prone on the ground, seemingly napping but actually absorbing nature''s spiritual energy.


    Tian Yao''er heard Gu An''s footsteps and immediately stepped out of the house, appearing before Gu An as if teleporting. She was about to throw herself into his arms when he pressed her forehead with his finger, stopping her from moving forward.


    "You are a bit slow, not fast enough."


    Gu An was referring to Tian Yao''er''s Limitless Freedom Step.


    Tian Yao''er pouted and asked, "Master, did you go to your Grotto Heaven first?"


    "Yes,"


    Gu An responded, then walked past her.


    The medicinal herbs in the Grotto Heaven were all at least Seventh Rank, taking much longer to mature compared to Low-Rank Medical Herbs, so he couldn''t harvest them yet.


    However, once he could harvest them, he would surely gain a large amount of life span at once.


    Even without relying on the Grotto Heaven, Gu An could now accrue nearly 300,000 years of life span each year.


    Tian Yao''er caught up and curiously asked, "Master, when will we move in there?"


    The Grotto Heaven was much more spacious, while Nianchu Cave felt too stifling.


    "You can go in anytime you want, just don''t forget about Nianchu Cave," Gu An replied.


    A look of disappointment flashed in Tian Yao''er''s eyes. She had hoped to live with Gu An, thinking he was planning to move in because of the many High-Rank Medical Herbs planted there.


    She didn''t press the matter but instead started talking about recent events.


    The previous night, a Great Demon had fought in Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, causing a huge commotion that made her very nervous, fearing a demon might break into Nianchu Cave.


    Their conversation continued leisurely. Soon, Tianqing and Tian Bai were awakened by their chatter. Seeing Gu An, the two cat demons grew delighted and immediately rushed over.


    "Master!"


    "Master, you finally came!"


    The two cat demons'' voices sounded sweet, like two young girls coyly addressing Gu An.


    Gu An almost got goosebumps; he felt that Tian Yao''er had spoiled these two cat demons.


    They sat down at the stone table, and Tian Yao''er brought out some fine wine, saying, "Master, do you have more of ''Journey to the West''? I just read the part where Sun Wukong fights the White Bone Demon. Monk Tang is really frustrating!"


    Gu An took out the latest scroll from his Storage Bag and placed it on the table. He joked, "Why, didn''t you side with the demons?"


    "Sun Wukong is also a demon. I support him. Monk Tang may save demons, but he''s so oblivious. Master, do humans have a legend about seeking scriptures?" Tian Yao''er asked indignantly.


    "No, it''s just a story I made up."


    "Really? It feels so real."


    "When you become a Great Demon, you can also rule Heavenly Phoenix Mountain."


    "Hehe, that''s what I thought too! When the time comes, I''ll call myself the Beautiful Phoenix King and form the Seven Great Saints."


    Talking about such things excited Tian Yao''er. She chattered on enthusiastically.


    Gu An found it amusing. Indeed, boasting needed no teaching; it came naturally with imagination.


    As they chatted, Gu An sensed a vast aura from a distance. His Divine Sense instinctively followed, but the aura quickly vanished.


    Gu An speculated it might have come from a Minor Heaven and Earth realm. Thinking of such vastness, he first considered the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Only the Minor Heaven and Earth realm of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm could be so well-hidden.


    Of course, Gu An''s Divine Sense could locate the Minor Heaven and Earth realm of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, but the restrictions there were highly advanced. Sneaking in unnoticed was beyond his capability. If he forced his way in, it would certainly alert the cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    "Are they up to something again?" Discover new adventures at m-vl-em-pyr


    Gu An pondered as he dealt with Tian Yao''er.


    ...


    With the passage of summer into autumn, the weather remained hot.


    At noon, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City. There, he overheard cultivators talking about a recent event.


    An Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!


    "Did you hear? There are signs of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in the Demon Land."


    "What''s an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    "I don''t know either. I heard it''s an immortal''s magic artifact. Possessing it grants the power of an immortal."


    "I heard about it too, but no one knows the exact location yet."


    "Is this Immortal Path Supreme Treasure more powerful than the Heaven-Cutting Axe?"


    Gu An listened silently, but the Blood Prison Great Saint, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Master, is there really such an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    Gu An did not answer but looked ahead.


    You Yingying approached, hands behind her back, her face beaming with a smile. "It''s true. Want to know more?" she asked.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint nodded, eagerly looking at her.


    However, You Yingying rolled her eyes at him and then looked at Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Of course, I''m also interested."


    "Come to my residence, I have something to discuss with you," You Yingying said, turning to leave.


    Gu An patted the Great Saint, signaling him to follow.


    After 30 minutes, they were sitting in a courtyard. You Yingying and Gu An sat across from each other at a stone table. She began to introduce the Immortal Path Supreme Treasures.


    "The world has magic artifacts, Dharma Treasures, and Immortal Treasures. Immortal Treasures are magic artifacts crafted at the Immortal Path Realm, only wielded by an immortal''s mana. But an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure is crafted by the mightiest of the Immortal Path, each imbued with an Immortal Spirit."


    "These supreme treasures not only contain immense power but also remain unaffected by the passage of time. The beings who crafted them either left the Mortal World or have passed away, but the treasures endure. The Star Sea Congregations possess one such supreme treasure, the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, which is their Church Treasure."


    "The Holy Land, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, also has an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, the Seven Stars Mirror, which is likewise their Church Treasure. Recently, it is said that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm discovered another Fake Immortal Treasure, and the entire ocean is competing for it. I hadn''t expected the news to spread so widely that even the low-level cultivators of the Supreme Sect would hear of it."


    Gu An, curious, asked, "What is a Fake Immortal Treasure?"


    You Yingying explained, "It is a damaged Immortal Path Supreme Treasure where the Immortal Spirit is dormant. Though still possessing great power, it pales in comparison to a complete supreme treasure."


    Gu An suddenly suspected that Nine-Finger Divine Lord had come to the Supreme Sect for this Fake Immortal Treasure.


    Normally not engaged in combat, Gu An wasn''t particularly interested in Immortal Path Supreme Treasures. He placed more trust in his own mana.


    You Yingying continued to describe other Immortal Path Supreme Treasures, each a legendary artifact, claiming that those who obtained them could achieve the Immortal Path, boasting extravagantly.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lay nearby, listening intently with a look of longing in his eyes.


    As Gu An listened, he spread his Divine Sense over the continent, noticing that from all directions, cultivators and demons were arriving from overseas, including several beings at the Immortal Path Realm. He identified three wandering immortals and over a dozen Nirvana Realm beings making their way here.


    Within the continent, he detected the presence of more than twenty wandering immortals, spread out in different areas, all seeking Immortal Path Supreme Treasures. Some were even near the Minor Heaven and Earth realm of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, plotting how to infiltrate.


    Notably, Gu An saw that An Hao, Li Ya, and Zhang Buku were also roaming the Demon Clan''s territory. An Hao was fighting a Great Demon of the Divinity Transformation Realm alone.


    "After talking about Immortal Path Supreme Treasures, let''s discuss ''Journey to the West,'' shall we?" You Yingying suddenly said, her eyes glowing as she looked at Gu An.


    She usually loved reading all kinds of miscellaneous books, especially stories, which was why she got along well with Xuan Tianyi.


    Ever since Xuan Tianyi gave her ''Investiture of the Gods,'' she had been fascinated by Pan An.


    "What do you want to discuss?" Gu An asked.


    You Yingying immediately asked a series of questions, such as whether ''Investiture of the Gods'' and ''Journey to the West'' were connected, how many years apart they were, and on which continent the stories took place.


    She was even curious about how Gu An came up with these two remarkable books.


    Gu An answered her questions one by one. As for the source of his inspiration, he mentioned meeting two Daoists before, one named Xu Zhonglin, who told him the story of ''Investiture of the Gods,'' and another named Wu Cheng''en, who told him the story of ''Journey to the West.''


    You Yingying did not doubt him and became even more curious about these two Daoists.


    She believed that with Gu An''s cultivation level, he did not seem to possess such extensive knowledge but simply had literary talent.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint listened curiously. He knew Gu An wrote books but did not know the details. Only when You Yingying mentioned the Bull Demon King did he become interested.


    Gu An had given him the name of the Bull Demon King!


    Had his master written a book for him?


    Who was Sun Wukong? Could it be the monkey in Tianya Valley? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thinking of those three monkeys, the Blood Prison Great Saint felt angry. Those three always stealthily pulled his fur, and he couldn''t catch them.


    Two hours passed like this.


    You Yingying brought tea and snacks, indicating she had no intention of letting Gu An leave.


    In the few years since arriving at the Supreme Sect, she hadn''t sought out Gu An because she was busy reading. She had read through all the books in the Book Collection Hall, a determination that impressed even Gu An.


    At that moment, a high-pitched dragon''s roar echoed from the sky.


    You Yingying''s face changed, and she murmured, "Dragon-Slaying Spear Chi Jiuxiao."

 Chapter 215: Chapter 215: 700,000 Years Life Span Limit

    Dragon-Slaying Spear Chi Jiuxiao?


    Dragon-Slaying?


    How arrogant!


    The Blood Prison Great Saint heard You Yingying''s words and couldn''t help but show a curious expression. He looked up to the south and saw a golden glow appearing in the sky, becoming more and more spectacular, as if the sky was changing color.


    Gu An also turned his head to look. In fact, he had already seen the figure of the approaching person.


    Nirvana Realm Nine Layers!


    The golden light gradually enveloped the sky above the Supreme Sect. More and more people flew up, looking into the distance.


    Dragon roars echoed continuously, growing louder, indicating that the person was getting closer.


    Soon, a thousand-foot-long five-clawed golden dragon flew from the horizon. Its majestic and imposing figure shook the Outer Gate City.


    Gu An saw that in the dragon''s head was a long spear, entirely golden, with a golden dragon coiled around the shaft, its mouth spitting out the spear blade, exuding dominance.


    That was a very extraordinary Dharma Treasure!


    Perhaps it was the Immortal Treasure that You Yingying mentioned!


    This golden dragon was condensed from the Immortal Treasure and was not a True Dragon.


    Standing on the dragon''s head was a man wearing a gold-patterned white robe, a red belt around his waist. His shoulders were broad, his posture upright; his aura couldn''t be concealed. His face was handsome, his long hair coiled under a crown, with two strands of black hair hanging in front of his ears, fluttering in the wind.


    Chi Jiuxiao stood high above, looking down at the Supreme Sect, a smirk on his lips, and his gaze arrogant.


    Gu An''s gaze locked onto him, throwing a Life Span Detection at him.


    [Chi Jiuxiao (Nirvana Realm Nine Layers): 998/25000/700000]


    Seven hundred thousand years of ultimate lifespan!


    Very exaggerated!


    This guy wasn''t even a thousand years old yet, and was already in the Nirvana Realm Nine Layers?


    No wonder he was so proud!


    "Who is this person?" The Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but ask. He could feel that the other party was definitely above the Mahayana Realm.


    You Yingying looked up at the sky and said softly, "He is a disciple of the Star Sea Congregations, with top-notch talent. At the age of five hundred, he stepped into the Realm of Immortal Path. The golden dragon he rides is transformed from the Dragon-Slaying Spear, which is an Immortal Treasure refined by an ancient Immortal. Although it is not as great as the Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path, with this spear, even a Loose Immortal would find it difficult to kill him."


    Chi Jiuxiao, standing high above, looked down and saw You Yingying through the sky.


    He slightly raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaped down.


    The City Protection Array of the Outer Gate City was instantly disturbed, but it was broken as soon as it appeared, with no resistance whatsoever.


    He fell like swift thunder, landing in the courtyard of You Yingying''s residence, startling the Blood Prison Great Saint to his feet, as did Gu An.


    Chi Jiuxiao ignored him and Gu An, his eyes fixed on You Yingying, and he laughed, "Little girl, what are you doing here?"


    "Little girl? How did your master teach you to speak?"


    "Haha, so this is the Supreme Sect that Xuan Tianyi comes from?"


    "Hmm."


    "Really weak. I heard he wants to deal with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Your master is running around making connections, but the higher-ups are unmoved."


    Chi Jiuxiao laughed softly. Seeing You Yingying frown, he continued, "How about I go and probe the depths of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm for you?"


    You Yingying looked at him and snorted, "With your cultivation level, don''t die at the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."


    "Hahaha! Then watch me seize the Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path!"


    With that, Chi Jiuxiao leaped into the air, the golden dragon in the sky transforming into a streak of golden light, flying across the sky and disappearing without a trace.


    From beginning to end, Chi Jiuxiao didn''t even glance at Gu An.


    You Yingying snorted coldly, "That guy is truly arrogant, sooner or later he will suffer a big loss."


    Gu An sat down again and curiously asked, "What is your relationship?"


    "Just fellow disciples, we''re not on the same path," You Yingying shook her head, obviously not wanting to say much about herself.


    A Foundation Establishment Realm Eighth Floor saying she''s not on the same path as a Nirvana Realm Nine Layers? Though correct, it felt a bit awkward.


    Gu An felt more and more that You Yingying was not simple, no wonder Xuan Tianyi invited her to the Supreme Sect.


    He looked at the cause and effect around You Yingying, probing her past twenty years.


    However, he only saw various scenes of You Yingying throwing tantrums and being domineering, with Xuan Tianyi pleasing her.


    "Letting him stir things up is good, your Supreme Sect is dissatisfied with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm anyway." You Yingying continued.


    Gu An remained silent, not responding.


    You Yingying could see that he didn''t want to cause trouble. Xuan Tianyi had mentioned this before.


    "Let''s continue talking about Journey to the West," You Yingying laughed.


    At this moment, the entire Supreme Sect was in an uproar, all disciples discussing Chi Jiuxiao.


    In a mansion in the Main City of the Sect, Qiao Dai stood on the eaves, frowning.


    "Dragon-Slaying Spear... why is he here? Could it be that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm really has the Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path? But why bring the Supreme Treasure to this continent?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qiao Dai was filled with confusion. He felt it was not a coincidence; the Seven Stars Spirit Realm must have a plan.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s appearance marked the beginning of the competition for the Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path. In the days that followed, powerful presences occasionally swept past the Supreme Sect, and divine senses occasionally scanned the Supreme Sect.


    This made the atmosphere within the Supreme Sect tense, fearing they would suffer in the crossfire.


    ...


    Five days later, Lv Baitian came to find Gu An. The two hid in a room to talk.


    After setting up a restriction, Lv Baitian couldn''t help but sigh, "Lately, many Great Cultivators from overseas are arriving. The peace of this continent is about to be broken."


    He felt very aggrieved.


    Those overseas Great Cultivators freely probed the Supreme Sect without greeting, completely ignoring them. The most crucial part was that the Supreme Sect had to endure it.


    Not only the Supreme Sect, but the three dynasties and all sects felt this way.


    After surviving the demon calamity, all sects were eager to grow stronger. But in just a few years, so many beings at the Immortal Path Realm appeared, making them feel like weeds.


    "Before the demon calamity, I lived for hundreds of years without seeing a Mahayana Realm cultivator, let alone those at the Immortal Path Realm. Now, how come there are more and more?" Lv Baitian said troubledly.


    Gu An comforted him, "It''s okay, for now, no one is endangering the Supreme Sect. Their target should be that so-called Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path."


    Lv Baitian nodded, "I just wanted to vent to you. Now the Hall of Elders is on high alert, fearing another calamity may break out..."


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A deafening roar came from afar, startling Lv Baitian, cutting off his words.


    Gu An''s divine sense swept out, seeing Chi Jiuxiao fighting a Nirvana Realm Great Cultivator far beyond Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    That person should be from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm; his aura did not come from overseas but seemed to have suddenly appeared.


    Chi Jiuxiao was indeed strong, completely suppressing the opponent.


    Gu An sensed a Loose Immortal aura approaching the battlefield, also emerging from the Minor Heaven and Earth of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    "I need to go back." Lv Baitian stood up and then disappeared from the room.


    Gu An also stood up, walked downstairs, and saw disciples gathering. The previous noise had scared them, and they couldn''t help but be afraid.


    Lu Lingjun also walked out from inside.


    She and the Blood Prison Great Saint looked in the same direction.


    After a while, Lu Lingjun withdrew her gaze and looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Why did it seem like the Blood Prison Great Saint was also looking in her direction?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt her gaze and couldn''t help but glare at her.


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    "Stupid bull." Lu Lingjun shook her head and smiled, then walked towards Gu An.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but curse, "You''re the stupid one!"


    "Hmm?"


    Lu Lingjun glanced at him, a terrifying murderous intent locking onto him, making his bull body stiffen.


    Gu An also gave the Blood Prison Great Saint a look, forcing him to lower his head.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt extremely aggrieved.


    A dignified Mahayana Realm cultivator, humiliated by a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator, unable to retort!


    He now really hated Lu Lingjun.


    Thousands of years later, I definitely won''t join your Ascension Sect, and I''ll even steal your people.


    Lu Lingjun smiled with satisfaction, then came to Gu An.


    "Why do you argue with him?" Gu An pretended to complain.


    "Upset? I apologize to you, how would I know he has such a bad temper?"


    Usually, she was in seclusion, unaware of what the Blood Prison Great Saint had gone through.


    "Never mind, treat him better in the future. After all, he''s my mount." Gu An shook his head, making the Blood Prison Great Saint feel very touched.


    Lu Lingjun laughed, "This bull is too weak. If you want a mount, I can get you a stronger one."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s anger flared up again.


    Gu An feared he would die of anger, so he pulled Lu Lingjun to an isolated place.


    Lu Lingjun sought him out of curiosity about recent events.


    Gu An didn''t hide anything and told her about the rumors of the Supreme Treasure of the Immortal Path. Lu Lingjun became interested and flew north directly.


    Really reckless!


    Are all ascenders like this?


    Gu An felt helpless. His divine sense locked onto Chi Jiuxiao; this guy was already facing a Loose Immortal.


    The Loose Immortal seemed to be the master of the Nirvana Realm cultivator, continually warning Chi Jiuxiao. But Chi Jiuxiao was extremely arrogant, soon starting a fight after a few words.


    One had to admit that the Dragon-Slaying Spear in Chi Jiuxiao''s hand was indeed powerful, capable of both offense and defense, preventing the Loose Immortal from defeating him in a short time.


    Of course, Gu An could see that the Loose Immortal was very cautious of Chi Jiuxiao, not dealing a deadly blow.


    Before long, Chi Jiuxiao was still defeated and had to retreat.


    The Immortal Treasure could only protect him from death but couldn''t help him kill a Loose Immortal Realm Great Cultivator.


    After the battle ended, Gu An retracted his divine sense and turned back to the house.


    ...


    In the middle of the night.


    An Hao walked through the woods, holding a map. He had obtained it by chance, and it was said to record the cave of an ancient Great Cultivator.


    As he walked, he suddenly sensed something, quickly putting away the map, warily looking around, and a long sword appeared in his hand.


    Footsteps came from the darkness. He looked closely and saw a man approaching.


    It was Chi Jiuxiao!


    An Hao did not recognize Chi Jiuxiao but could sense that the other was very strong.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s face was very bad. He looked at An Hao and asked, "Hey, what''s your name? Which sect or school are you from?"


    An Hao frowned, "My name is An Hao, from the Supreme Sect."


    Chi Jiuxiao said, "The Supreme Sect? There''s a connection. One of my junior sisters is in the Supreme Sect. In light of this connection, give me the eighth-rank heavenly material and earthly treasure from your storage bag for my healing, and I won''t treat you unfairly."


    Hearing this, An Hao''s face changed drastically. How did the other know he had an eighth-rank heavenly material and earthly treasure hidden?

 Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations, Divine Exotic City

    Chi Jiuxiao noticed An Hao''s tension, so he raised his hand, took out a scroll, and threw it to An Hao.


    An Hao instinctively caught it, then heard Chi Jiuxiao say, "Take a look, this is a divine skill I accidentally obtained."


    After saying that, Chi Jiuxiao sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate energy to heal his wounds.


    An Hao hesitated for a moment before he delved his divine sense into the scroll.


    After a while, An Hao''s face changed dramatically, and the hand holding the scroll trembled.


    He withdrew his divine sense, then took out an Eighth Rank heaven and earth treasure from his storage bag, a bright red spirit flower, and presented it to Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Jiuxiao beckoned with his hand, and the Eighth Rank spirit flower flew into his hand. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He stood up, took out a medicine cauldron that was about a zhang tall, tossed the spirit flower into it, and then added numerous medicinal herbs.


    After lighting the fire, he took out a small bottle and poured water into the cauldron; the small bottle seemed to contain an otherworldly space and never ran dry.


    When the cauldron was filled with water, Chi Jiuxiao sealed the bottle and put it back into his storage dharma artifact.


    He looked at An Hao and said, "You can leave now."


    With that, he leaped into the air and landed inside the medicine cauldron.


    An Hao hesitated for a moment but did not leave. Instead, he sat down under a nearby tree and began to comprehend the divine skill given by Chi Jiuxiao.


    "Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations¡­"


    Just by looking at the description of the divine skill within the scroll, An Hao couldn''t help but feel his blood boil.


    Thus, day after day passed.


    Seven days later.


    Chi Jiuxiao leaped out from the medicine cauldron. When he landed on the ground, his wet robes quickly dried, and wisps of white smoke coiled around his body.


    He shrank the medicine cauldron to a small size, stored it in his hand, and then emptied it, using his mana to clean out the residue. At the same time, he looked into the distance.


    Through the gaps in the leaves, he saw an azure dragon tumbling in the sky beyond the forest.


    "This kid''s comprehension is extraordinary."


    Chi Jiuxiao was secretly astonished. In just a few days, An Hao had managed to master the divine skill.


    Such talent was rare even in the Star Sea Congregations.


    After putting away the medicine cauldron, he disappeared without a trace in the forest.


    The next second, he appeared in the sky, blocking the azure dragon.


    The azure dragon, which An Hao had transformed into, was three zhang long, not very large, but full of imposing presence.


    Upon seeing Chi Jiuxiao, the azure dragon shook and transformed back into An Hao, who excitedly said, "This divine skill is amazing! After transforming, I feel like a true dragon, and my speed has increased significantly."


    Chi Jiuxiao said proudly, "Of course, I am Chi Jiuxiao of the Dragon-Slaying Spear. How could I deceive you, kid? The value of this divine skill far exceeds the Eighth Rank heaven and earth treasure. You should thank me."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao immediately bowed and thanked Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s face was full of smiles, though he felt a bit jealous inside.


    He had originally thought that even if he passed the Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations to An Hao, An Hao wouldn''t be able to learn it, making himself appear generous without any loss.


    Who would have thought¡­


    Chi Jiuxiao sized up An Hao and said, "Kid, why don''t you join the Star Sea Congregations? The Supreme Sect is too small for you. With your talent, if you join the Star Sea Congregations, you''ll reach the Mahayana Realm within five hundred years!"


    An Hao frowned slightly upon hearing this.


    Reaching the Mahayana Realm at five hundred years old was impressive?


    An Hao had always thought of his own talent as unparalleled, so he didn''t see reaching the Mahayana Realm in five hundred years as a difficult feat. Even Xuan Tianyi was only a few hundred years old.


    Chi Jiuxiao continued to boast about the greatness of the Star Sea Congregations. When he mentioned Xuan Tianyi, An Hao finally grew interested.


    He had a very good relationship with Xuan Tianyi. However, in Chi Jiuxiao''s words, Xuan Tianyi was just a fellow disciple with decent talent. The reason Xuan Tianyi was mentioned was that he also came from the Supreme Sect.


    "Forget it, I''m not going to the Star Sea Congregations. I want to stay in the Supreme Sect," An Hao said, shaking his head.


    Chi Jiuxiao did not try to persuade him further; after all, he wasn''t the sect hierarch of the Star Sea Congregations, so making a few recruiting gestures was enough.


    "Why did you appear in this area?" Chi Jiuxiao asked.


    An Hao did not conceal anything and said, "I was originally training and heard the legend of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. I wanted to see it for myself."


    Chi Jiuxiao laughed and said, "How about joining forces? We''ll rely on our abilities when the time comes."


    An Hao hesitantly asked, "Can my cultivation level really help you?"


    "I''m not very familiar with this continent. You can tell me about the events happening here, and I''ll guide you in cultivating the Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations. How about that?"


    "Alright, thank you, senior," An Hao responded excitedly. The reason he did not leave was that he wanted to learn more skills from Chi Jiuxiao.


    Then, the two of them flew off in one direction.


    ...


    As autumn arrived, the scorching heat between heaven and earth gradually dissipated. The influence of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure continued to increase, attracting more and more cultivators to head north in search of opportunities.


    Gu An was not affected and continued to live his plain yet interesting life.


    Occasionally, he would visit the Outer Gate City to chat with his friends about the various events stirred up by the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    One day.


    Ye Lan came to find Gu An and also spoke about the Immortal Cultivation World.


    "A faction of the Tianwei Dynasty was flattened by overseas great cultivators, causing panic in the Immortal Cultivation World. Fortunately, our Supreme Sect is protected by Sword Venerable Fudao; otherwise, those great cultivators from overseas wouldn''t dare to act recklessly," Ye Lan said with concern.


    The battle took place at night, and Gu An had sensed it, but he didn''t intervene.


    He had no relationship with Tianwei, so naturally, he was too lazy to take action.


    Such calamities were not uncommon in the Immortal Cultivation World. The overseas great cultivators who intervened were only at the Mahayana Realm, but they were enough to crush a great sect with a million disciples.


    Gu An reminded her, "Then you should go out less and stay in the sect to cultivate."


    Ye Lan nodded and said, "I''m now stationed at the Law Enforcement Hall, doing idle tasks all day, and spending most of my time taking elixirs and absorbing energy."


    She was already one hundred and one years old, and her maximum lifespan was only one hundred and thirty years. Time was running out.


    Now, besides growing flowers and plants, Gu An supervised her cultivation.


    Unlike Xiaochuan, Ye Lan was quite ambitious, so Gu An was willing to help her.


    As they chatted, the topic shifted to Zhen Qin.


    A few days ago, Zhen Qin followed the elders and inheriting disciples to the Demon Clan''s territory. It was said that the Supreme Sect had discovered a secret realm, a rare opportunity.


    "That girl is bound to soar to great heights. She might even become a great cultivator of the Supreme Sect in the future. Imagine, she used to come to the Inner Sect to find me, acting like a little girl, reckless in her actions and careless in her words," Ye Lan began reminiscing about decades ago.


    Gu An listened attentively, and when she finished, he teased, "What, are you jealous of her? Why don''t I cultivate the Defying Fate Divine Skill and pass my cultivation level to you before I die?"


    Ye Lan gave him a sidelong glance and said, "I wouldn''t want that. What''s the point of living without you?"


    As they talked, the teacups on the table began to tremble, and ripples appeared in the tea.


    Ye Lan noticed this and frowned.


    Soon, even the ground began to shake, alarming all the cultivators in the city.


    Gu An''s gaze turned towards the depths of the continent to the desolate plains where a giant city was rising from the ground, occupying a thousand-mile radius. Dust filled the sky, and the momentum was magnificent.


    That was¡­


    Gu An could sense the vast power contained within the city. It was a dharma treasure, the strongest he had ever seen.


    He immediately thought of a name.


    Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!


    The restrictions contained in this treasure were not only advanced but also very complex. Gu An even sensed the aura of karmic rules.


    A city that occupied a thousand-mile radius was colossal, with walls a hundred zhang tall, the city filled with buildings, palaces, and towering spires. Despite its ancient and dilapidated appearance, the city had crossed the long river of time.


    With the arrival of this city, the great cultivators scattered across the continent all rushed towards it, including Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao, even Li Ya and Zhang Buku joined the excitement.


    "I''m going out to take a look." Ye Lan said this and then leaped into the air, stepping on her flying sword as she left the residence.


    Gu An picked up his teacup and continued drinking tea, watching the excitement.


    He saw numerous cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm enter the city, and once they did, their figures disappeared, and their auras weakened.


    Gu An, at the Ninth Level of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, could barely catch their auras. Even so, it was difficult for cultivators of lower realms.


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    No matter how many cultivators flew into the city, it remained silent. No one was seen, and no signs of life could be detected.


    "The Divine Exotic City is open. All beings under the heavens can enter the city and find their immortal fate!"


    A booming and ancient voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth, reaching every corner of the continent.


    Wandering Immortal!


    Gu An raised an eyebrow. The Six Stars Cave only had one Wandering Immortal. Now, with the appearance of a second, had the death of the Divine Soul True Lord been discovered?


    After a while, Ye Lan flew back.


    "The disturbance seems to be coming from afar. This Divine Exotic City sounds extraordinary. I really want to see it," Ye Lan said wistfully as she sat opposite Gu An.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Such immortal fate is not something cultivators like us can reach."


    "I know. Don''t worry. I won''t go looking for death. With my cultivation level, I might die before even seeing the Divine Exotic City," Ye Lan said with a smile, shaking her head.


    Gu An didn''t comfort her; it was indeed the truth.


    About an hour later, Gu An left under Ye Lan''s urging.


    In the days that followed, various legends about the Divine Exotic City circulated within the Supreme Sect.


    Shen Zhen especially visited Gu An, bringing many tales of the Divine Exotic City.


    "I heard from a senior that the Divine Exotic City is an Ancient Immortal City, hidden and elusive. Each appearance can change the world. Our predecessors in the Daotian Sect once excavated an ancient site and found an inscription mentioning the Divine Exotic City. It is a very ancient legend," Shen Zhen said excitedly.


    Gu An smiled and asked, "What, do you want to join the excitement?"


    He observed the Divine Exotic City every day, witnessing over ten thousand beings enter the city, but none had come out.


    Shen Zhen nodded and said, "Yes, I''m planning to take a look. I won''t enter the city, just watch the excitement from outside and draw the Divine Exotic City. Are you coming? There will be the vice sect leader and the supreme elders leading the way."


    Gu An shook his head and said, "I''m not going. If there''s an incident, dying there would be too worthless."


    "Nonsense! Are you cursing me?" Shen Zhen glared at him.


    No matter how much she persuaded, Gu An wouldn''t go, so she had no choice but to give up.


    After Shen Zhen left, Gu An went downstairs to start picking medicinal herbs.


    At the same time, his divine sense saw Li Ya and Zhang Buku entering the Divine Exotic City.


    Another person was on the way to the Divine Exotic City.


    It was Ji Xiaoyu.

 Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Have you read Journey to the West?

    The noise caused by the appearance of Divine Exotic City in a short period of time matched the past catastrophe of demons, with various legends about Divine Exotic City emerging and widely circulating in the immortal cultivation world and among the common people.


    Divine Exotic City houses immortals!


    Divine Exotic City has the elixir of immortality!


    Divine Exotic City has a passage to an exotic world!


    And so on!


    These countless peculiar tales made Gu An feel astonished.


    In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed. This year''s Spring Festival was quieter than in previous years because many disciples of the Supreme Sect went out to seek opportunities. Fortunately, the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley were not affected.


    Divine Exotic City still stood there, continuously attracting cultivators from all over the world to seek treasures. Even the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was temporarily residing in the Supreme Sect, went there, taking Chu Jingfeng with him.


    Up to now, it was only heard who had gone to Divine Exotic City; no one had been heard to bring back any harvest from inside the city.


    In late spring, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Tianya Valley.


    Li Xuandao was actually there as well; he had not returned to Tianya Valley for many years.


    Gu An came to him and saluted, thanking him for the Golden Core he had given.


    "It seems the Supreme Sect treats you well, someone helped you form a core; I originally wanted to send someone to help you." Li Xuandao stroked his beard and smiled.


    In response, Gu An could only express his gratitude without mentioning much about the Supreme Sect.


    After not seeing him for many years, Li Xuandao''s cultivation had reached the second level of the Unification Realm. He was only three hundred and fourteen years old, which was quite extraordinary. Gu An suspected that he could reach the Mahayana Realm before the age of five hundred.


    Considering only this continent, it was estimated that only An Hao and Xuan Tianyi''s talents could compare with his, and his maximum lifespan was not less, exceeding six thousand years. Achieving nirvana in this life would be no problem.


    Li Xuandao called over Ji Ruolai, Luo Hun, and Lv Xian, and they all sat down to chat.


    He mentioned Divine Exotic City and planned to take people to explore it.


    "According to the information I received, Divine Exotic City is an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, containing numerous minor heavens and earths with countless opportunities. Who among you wants to go?" Li Xuandao asked.


    All three expressed their interest, and Li Xuandao then looked at Gu An.


    Gu An did not expect Li Xuandao to invite him and quickly shook his head and said, "I''ll pass. Given my cultivation, I would only be a burden to you, and I am not interested in the so-called immortal opportunities. I am self-aware enough to know that such immortal opportunities are not something I can covet."


    Li Xuandao laughed and said, "I am also at the Core Formation Realm; do you mean I shouldn''t go either?"


    Pretending to be at Core Formation Realm with the Unification Realm, do you still have the nerve?


    Gu An helplessly said, "There is a difference even among those at the Core Formation Realm; my strength is far inferior to yours."


    Li Xuandao raised his hand and pointed at him, did not insist, and just smiled.


    Lv Xian wanted to say that both of them should stop pretending, but he held back because he could not afford to offend either of them.


    They continued talking about Divine Exotic City, and Ji Ruolai began sharing the intelligence he had gathered about it, while Gu An silently listened.


    It was said that even the Seven Stars Spirit Realm could not subdue Divine Exotic City. The immortal spirit of Divine Exotic City was hidden in the city and hard to find, so they had no choice but to release the city and let cultivators from all over the world come to find the immortal opportunities, thus forcing out the immortal spirit.


    Ji Ruolai received news from his family, saying that more overseas cultivators were on their way, which would inevitably affect the local immortal cultivation world.


    "As the Holy Land, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm doesn''t consider us at all, causing trouble for the immortal cultivation world of the three dynasties," Lv Xian couldn''t help but curse. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Hun nodded, he also disapproved of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    During the Great Catastrophe of Demons, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm did not intervene. After Sword Venerable Fudao exterminated the Demon Ancestor, they descended from the mountain to save the world and gain a good reputation. Now, how many years have passed since the Great Catastrophe of Demons ended, and they provoked so many powerful overseas cultivators? Can such a force really be considered a Holy Land?


    Li Xuandao did not comment on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Ji Ruolai was even more silent.


    Gu An also wondered what the Seven Stars Spirit Realm intended to do.


    This was not just targeting the immortal cultivation world of the three dynasties. If all the overseas cultivators who came died, the impact would be massive.


    An hour later, Li Xuandao took Ji Ruolai, Luo Hun, and Lv Xian and set off. Meanwhile, Tianya Valley became lively. Three monkey demons found Gu An and chattered non-stop, giving off the vibe of being the kings in a mountain without a tiger.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint also became talkative, quarreling fiercely with Sun San.


    After Gu An finished picking medicinal herbs, he rode the Blood Prison Great Saint away leisurely, and Tianya Valley returned to silence.


    ...


    At dusk, Divine Exotic City stood tall on the wasteland, magnificent and grand. Quite a few cultivators and demons gathered in front of the four city gates, and some cultivators and demons directly flew into the city. The air above the city walls rippled, and then the entrants disappeared without a trace.


    Two figures flew from the horizon; it was Jiang Qiong and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    As they looked from a distance, their eyes showed astonishment.


    Before coming, they had heard many legends about Divine Exotic City, but seeing it in person now, they felt the shock.


    Not only was it a visual impact, but an indescribable ancient aura also surged toward them.


    "Divine Exotic City, it is said that obtaining it can summon Divine Soul Demons to sweep across the heavens and earth. I never thought I would witness this legendary Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in my lifetime," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera marveled.


    Jiang Qiong frowned and said, "Why can''t I see anyone coming out?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera replied, "There are countless minor heavens and earths inside Divine Exotic City. Without several years, it''s very difficult to come out."


    Jiang Qiong fell silent, her beautiful eyes fixed on Divine Exotic City.


    At that moment, a loud bell suddenly roared, making everyone''s divine soul tremble. Jiang Qiong and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera instinctively turned their heads and saw a golden light flying from the horizon at high speed across the wasteland and entering Divine Exotic City, with no one seeing its true form.


    Jiang Qiong asked in a low voice, "What realm is that passerby?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera remained silent, unable to answer.


    Meanwhile,


    Gu An, staying in the Third Medicine Valley, also stared at Divine Exotic City.


    "Even the Wandering Immortals have come. Will Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals appear next?"


    Gu An stood by a wooden railing, looking at the horizon and silently thought.


    He originally wasn''t interested in Divine Exotic City, but as more and more old acquaintances entered the city, he had to pay more attention.


    If something happened to Divine Exotic City, half of the people he cared about would die. Just thinking about it felt distressing.


    After watching for a while, he moved to check each garden area.


    ...


    Inside a broken and desolate city, An Hao and Chi Jiuxiao sat cross-legged in front of a collapsed wall, their faces pale and obviously injured.


    Roar¡ª¡ª


    A thunderous roar echoed through the heavens and earth, causing the wall behind them to tremble slightly.


    An Hao opened his eyes and frowned, asking in a low voice, "Senior, is there really an immortal opportunity here? Should we try another place?"


    They were in a minor heaven and earth inside Divine Exotic City. After being here for several months, they had not found many treasures but often encountered demon beasts of the Immortal Path Realm, facing life-threatening dangers. Even the powerful Chi Jiuxiao was injured.


    Chi Jiuxiao, with his eyes closed, said, "There are many powerful demon beasts here, indicating that this place must hide a supreme treasure. The desolation is only on the surface. If we can find the immortal spirit of Divine Exotic City, you and I will soar to the skies and become one of the dominions of heaven and earth."


    An Hao smiled bitterly, "Even if we find the immortal spirit, can we protect Divine Exotic City with our cultivation?"


    He admitted that Chi Jiuxiao was strong, but ever since they paired up, he often saw Chi Jiuxiao in difficult situations.


    Although Chi Jiuxiao claimed those opponents were in the Loose Immortal Realm, it at least proved that within Divine Exotic City, he hadn''t reached the top tier. How could he compete for the immortal spirit with such strength?


    "The immortal spirit will choose its master. Once chosen, it can borrow the power of Divine Exotic City. Even you could possess the power of the Immortal Path Realm. With the protection of Divine Exotic City''s power, you and I will rise eventually," Chi Jiuxiao said nonchalantly.


    Upon hearing this, An Hao''s eyes lit up.


    He was about to speak when suddenly, the city shook more violently. Chi Jiuxiao instantly appeared before him, grabbing him before vanishing from the spot.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    Streets collapsed, and dust rolled up, wanting to envelop the skies.


    Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao reappeared in the air, looking closely, the world was submerged in rolling dust waves, and the dilapidated city below seemed in danger of being swallowed at any moment.


    "Chi Jiuxiao, long time no see!" An eerie voice rang out.


    Upon hearing this, Chi Jiuxiao''s brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Qin Xunyin, you indeed came!"


    As the words fell, the dust waves ahead suddenly parted, and figures emerged from it. Leading the group was a man in blue robes, graceful and proud.


    "Do you dare to come alone to our Six Stars Cave''s territory? Do you seek death?" Qin Xunyin stared at Chi Jiuxiao, a cold smile on his face.


    Chi Jiuxiao gripped An Hao''s shoulder with his right hand, and in his left hand, he condensed the Dragon-Slaying Spear. He pointed the spear at Qin Xunyin and sneered, "What? Do you think you can defeat me with a few helpers? Have you forgotten the cowardly look when you knelt before me a hundred years ago?"


    Upon hearing this, Qin Xunyin''s eyes turned cold. With a roar, the dust waves behind them dispersed, revealing a terrifying giant demon. It was an elephant demon with a head as huge as a mountain, black skin, blood-red eyes, and scars covering its trunk. Its two tusks were like mountain ridges dispersing the dust waves below.


    Meanwhile,


    In another minor heaven and earth within Divine Exotic City,


    under the clear sky, Zhang Buku and Li Ya walked through a vast monastery. Along the way, there were numerous Buddha statues. Some stood on demon beasts, looking heroic, while others sat on lotus seats, appearing kind and merciful.


    "Brother Li, have you read Journey to the West?" Zhang Buku suddenly asked. Discover untold stories at m_vl_em_p_yr


    Li Ya, walking in front, hummed, "When do I have time to read leisure books?"


    His gaze swept forward, his brows furrowed. Since coming here, he had felt uneasy, as if someone hidden was watching them, making him very uncomfortable.


    "Let me tell you, Journey to the West involves the Buddhism Sect, and the Buddha is very powerful. Even the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, couldn''t escape the Five-Finger Mountain of The Buddha..." Zhang Buku began introducing Journey to the West.


    He didn''t actually want to talk about Journey to the West. His senses were sharper than Li Ya''s, and since stepping into this monastery, he felt danger.


    Strangely, they had walked around several times and couldn''t find an exit.


    The two had a tacit understanding. Neither pointed out this fact and continued to stroll, their minds on high alert.


    Tap, tap, tap¡ª¡ª


    A stone suddenly fell from the courtyard wall, startling Zhang Buku, who turned to see the stone rolling on the path behind, with no figures of people or demons on the walls around.


    He released his divine sense, but also failed to detect anything unusual.


    He turned back, about to say something, and in the next moment, his eyes widened. The space in front of him was empty; Li Ya had vanished!

 Chapter 218: Chapter 218: My Master Is Definitely More Powerful Than Yours

    After Li Ya disappeared, Zhang Buku immediately panicked. He flew into the air, and from above, the vast monastery stretched out endlessly. The interconnected courtyards seemed endless, dizzying to behold. He scanned the area but could not find any trace of Li Ya.


    It wasn''t just Li Ya. He couldn''t see a single living creature!


    Thoroughly alarmed, he began to fly around, searching for Li Ya.


    "Brother Li!"


    He called out loudly, but unfortunately, there was no response.


    The eeriness and horror intensified, making him feel that danger was approaching.


    No matter where he flew, he saw no human figures or traces. Gradually, he felt that the courtyards he passed by became increasingly repetitive, causing his consciousness to blur.


    He did not know how long had passed before he gradually descended into a courtyard.


    The world spun!


    His eyelids grew heavy!


    This feeling made Zhang Buku extremely uncomfortable. He half-knelt on the ground, supporting himself with his hands, feeling on the verge of fainting.


    "Damn it... I can''t... fall here..."


    Zhang Buku struggled to maintain his last shred of rationality.


    He vaguely heard footsteps approaching from nearby. He turned his head with difficulty and saw a blurred, overlapping figure approaching. It seemed to be an old monk in a cassock.


    The old monk crouched down in front of him. Before Zhang Buku could see the monk''s face, he saw the monk''s hands, bony and gaunt, like a pair of ghostly claws, with very long nails.


    These hands alarmed Zhang Buku and instinctively filled him with fear.


    A faint chirping sound came from afar, making him feel dazed, as if he had heard this sound somewhere before.


    The old monk beside him stood up and turned to look, his body trembling, seemingly chastising something.


    Suddenly.


    The old monk''s figure vanished into thin air, and he felt something land on his shoulder.


    His consciousness quickly cleared, and the world in his eyes returned to normal, no longer shaking.


    Once he was fully awake, he quickly stood up and turned his head to see a sparrow perched on his shoulder.


    "It''s you!"


    Zhang Buku exclaimed with joy. It was this sparrow that had led him to the cave back then, where he obtained the Demon Core and learned the axe technique. He would never forget this sparrow.


    He instinctively wanted to grab the sparrow, but it suddenly flew away, landing on the courtyard wall, chirping nonstop.


    Zhang Buku couldn''t understand it, but seeing the sparrow tilting its head, he immediately understood and followed the sparrow.


    The sparrow flapped its wings and flew away, and Zhang Buku hurriedly chased after it.


    After a while, the sparrow landed on a stone statue along the courtyard path. As Zhang Buku approached, he was astonished to find that the face of the statue was Li Ya''s face.


    The statue''s body was a Buddha statue, wearing a cassock with Li Ya''s face on it, making Zhang Buku feel very uneasy.


    He began to call out to Li Ya, but unfortunately, received no response.


    Gu An, in the form of a sparrow, looked at Zhang Buku and sighed inwardly.


    This kid''s physique and cultivation were good, but his Divine Sense was lacking and needed more practice. Unlock tales at m-vl-em-pyr


    Gu An flapped his wings, continuously pecking at Li Ya''s statue, guiding Zhang Buku.


    Zhang Buku took the hint and pushed the statue, but nothing happened.


    Gu An landed on the statue''s head, using his beak to peck at the statue''s face, then looked up at Zhang Buku.


    "I understand! Move aside!"


    Zhang Buku stepped aside and said in a deep voice. Gu An immediately flew away.


    Zhang Buku swung his fist and smashed the statue''s head with a punch.


    Rumbling¡ª


    The ground shook violently, spatial ripples appeared in the sky above the monastery, revealing various colors. Soon after, blood-red lights appeared, quickly replacing the clear sky.


    In less than three breaths'' time, the monastery was under a night of blood, terrifying and horrifying.


    Zhang Buku stared ahead and found that all the stone statues had turned into white bones, hideous and terrifying.


    He leaped into the air. From above, the once boundless monastery now covered a mere hundred-zhang area. In front of one temple, Li Ya was tied to an old tree, a ghostly claw covering his mouth and a ghostly hand pressing on his chest, preventing him from breaking free.


    These two ghostly hands'' arms extended behind the tree, making one wonder how terrifying their owner was.


    "Brother Li!"


    Zhang Buku roared in anger, leaping with a stone axe in hand. Just as he flew into the courtyard, the temple door suddenly opened.


    "I didn''t expect you to see through my formation! Remarkable, young human!"


    A hoarse voice came from the darkness behind the door. Then, an old monk in a cassock walked out. His figure was gaunt, his skin dark and covered in corpse spots, and his pupils had lost all color, pale to the extreme.


    Zhang Buku said nothing and swung his axe.


    Cutting through the mountain!


    With one swing, the sky and earth trembled. The old monk vanished from his spot, and the temple was split in two, with the connecting walls shattered, the cut extending outside the monastery.


    Gu An, in the form of a sparrow, landed on a distant eaves, watching the battle unfold.


    Zhang Buku was no match for the old monk, but Gu An could assist with his Divine Sense.


    The battle erupted in full scale!


    The monastery soon turned into a flat field, more and more evil ghosts emerging from the ground and rushing toward Zhang Buku.


    Zhang Buku was deeply surrounded, fighting more and more valiantly.


    "Who? Show yourself!" the old monk suddenly shouted in anger. Whenever he was about to kill Zhang Buku, a powerful Divine Sense would strike him, throwing his Divine Soul into chaos and making him lose focus.


    No one answered him, and Zhang Buku was killing with red eyes.


    Gu An multitasked, using Divine Sense to help Zhang Buku while observing the Minor Heaven and Earth within Divine Exotic City.


    The powerful restrictions of Divine Exotic City could not stop his Limitless Freedom Step. As long as he locked onto the auras of Zhang Buku and Li Ya, he could step in instantly.


    Now he could enter and exit Divine Exotic City freely, utterly unhindered.


    Entering Divine Exotic City revealed its vastness. The city''s Minor Heaven and Earth numbered at least a thousand. Some Minor Heaven and Earth were larger than the entire Taicang Dynasty. Combined, the internal space of Divine Exotic City was likely wider than the entire continent.


    Gu An saw Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao being pursued, the pursuers likely from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, led by a Loose Immortal.


    He also saw the Nine-Finger Divine Lord single-handedly facing endless divine and ghostly armies in a heaven and was constantly using Divine Skills, domineering and unrivaled.


    Gu An tried to kill an evil ghost nearby but gained no life span from it.


    He instantly abandoned the idea of venturing through Divine Exotic City.


    These evil ghosts seemed to be from a single power, a power even Gu An could not fathom.


    The being who created Divine Exotic City must have a realm far beyond the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    Time flew by quickly.


    An hour later, Zhang Buku finally managed to kill the old monk, though it was Gu An''s Mana that had initially eliminated him, with Zhang Buku''s axe energy following closely.


    Killing the old monk did not grant Gu An any life span either.


    Zhang Buku landed, gasping heavily. He reached the old tree and cut off the ghostly hands, causing Li Ya to fall, whom he caught.


    He subconsciously looked back but saw no trace of the sparrow.


    He couldn''t care much about that and focused on attending to Li Ya.


    "Brother Li! Brother Li!" Zhang Buku whispered, using his Spiritual Power to heal Li Ya''s wounds.


    At the same time, Gu An had already returned to Mystic Valley.


    To Zhang Buku and Li Ya, Divine Exotic City was incredibly far from the Supreme Sect, but to Gu An, it was just a step away.


    He approached the Pill Furnace in his room, preparing for alchemy.


    Not only Li Ya and Zhang Buku encountered troubles today, but several other old friends did as well, so Gu An decided to stay in Mystic Valley and wait.


    "Divine Exotic City Immortal Spirit..."


    Gu An seemed to catch something just now. He stood before the Pill Furnace, pondering while beginning to place herbs into the furnace.


    ...


    In the dark hall passage, An Hao and Chi Jiuxiao were walking quickly.


    Chi Jiuxiao suddenly stopped, leaning against the wall, and whispered, "We can stop now."


    An Hao looked around and asked, "Where is this place?"


    They had just flown out of a Minor Heaven and Earth and ended up in this hall passage. After walking for a long time, passing numerous intersections, they had lost their way.


    They couldn''t forcibly break through the walls or even penetrate them with their Divine Sense, making An Hao very nervous.


    Chi Jiuxiao sat down, placing a small cauldron in front of him, then inserted two incense sticks.


    Watching him light the incense, An Hao frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"


    Black blood seeped from Chi Jiuxiao''s mouth. He forced a smile and said, "Those scum from Seven Stars Spirit Realm dared to hire two Loose Immortals to deal with me. I indeed couldn''t defeat them, but since Qin Xunyin can call for help, so can I!"


    An Hao widened his eyes and quickly asked, "Aren''t you from overseas? Who can you call?"


    "Heh, my master is a being surpassing Loose Immortals. Once I light this incense, he will sense it and come to rescue us quickly..." Chi Jiuxiao grinned.


    Surpassing Loose Immortals!


    An Hao was stunned.


    He sat down and said, "Since you''re calling your master, I''ll call mine as well!"


    He began calling his master in his mind.


    Previously, he had managed to call his master through his thoughts.


    But he was unsure. Last time, he wanted his master to save Xuan Tianyi, and his master didn''t come right away, though he did act later. He wasn''t sure under what circumstances his master would act.


    "Your master? Forget it. What formidable cultivator could the Supreme Sect have?" Chi Jiuxiao couldn''t help but laugh.


    An Hao said, "My master is definitely stronger than yours."


    "Kid, don''t disrespect my master!" Chi Jiuxiao glared at him.


    An Hao was about to say that Chi Jiuxiao had also disrespected his master.


    Suddenly, the hall passage began to tremble, and a powerful killing intent attacked from the darkness.


    "Damn it! They caught up so fast!"


    Chi Jiuxiao immediately stood up, grabbed the small cauldron with the incense, and pulled An Hao along, flying quickly.


    Though strong at the Ninth Layer of Nirvana Realm, he couldn''t break through the walls or ceiling, so he could only fly close to the ground.


    "Chi Jiuxiao, you can''t escape!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qin Xunyin''s voice came from behind, filled with frenzied excitement.


    At the same time.


    Outside Divine Exotic City.


    Lv Baitian and a group of Supreme Sect cultivators watched the city gate, discussing their plans after entering the city.


    Suddenly!


    A terrifying aura came from afar, startling everyone outside the city to turn and look.


    They could only see a streak of light breaking through the sky, disappearing into Divine Exotic City in the blink of an eye, swift as lightning, and couldn''t see what was within the light.

 Chapter 219: Chapter 219 Master!

    Chi Jiuxiao took An Hao and fled quickly, passing dozens of intersections. They suddenly flew into a vast palace whose length and width were difficult to estimate. The palace was dimly lit, with rows of stone pillars, most of which had extinguished oil lamps hanging on them.


    As soon as An Hao entered the palace, he felt a cold wind blowing towards him, making him shiver uncontrollably.


    Before he could think more, a terrible killing intent came from behind.


    A dark red long scarf flew out from the darkness, swiftly passing by the two and circling in front, trying to entangle them.


    Chi Jiuxiao took out the Dragon-Slaying Spear and threw it forward. A dragon''s roar exploded, and a Golden Dragon condensed, illuminating the whole palace with golden light.


    The Golden Dragon formed by the Dragon-Slaying Spear fiercely collided with the dark red scarf, stirring up strong winds that ravaged the palace space.


    An Hao only felt himself about to be swept away. Fortunately, Chi Jiuxiao was holding him, but even so, he was still very uncomfortable.


    Chi Jiuxiao leaped up, his toes stepping on the Dragon-Slaying Spear. He flipped into the air, jumping over the dark red scarf, and then turned to look below.


    The dark red scarf was like a red river plunging into the darkness, with no end in sight.


    Figures attacked from all directions, quickly surrounding them.


    Qin Xunyin flew from the front, landing less than thirty feet from the two, and said with a sneer, "Chi Jiuxiao, where do you think you''re going?"


    Chi Jiuxiao put down An Hao and coldly said, "Want to kill me? Fine, let this kid go first!"


    "I..." An Hao was urgent, just about to speak but was stopped by Chi Jiuxiao raising his hand.


    Qin Xunyin laughed dismissively, "Do you think you''re in any position to negotiate with me right now?"


    As he finished speaking, a figure appeared beside him. It was an old man in white, with a cold face, holding a jade lamp.


    Chi Jiuxiao slightly turned his head, glancing back. Another Loose Immortal had already appeared behind him.


    "Master..." An Hao whispered through clenched teeth.


    Chi Jiuxiao heard his words and smiled.


    "An Hao, it seems your master cannot hear your call. But my master is coming soon." Chi Jiuxiao said softly with a smile.


    With these words, the faces of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators slightly changed.


    The old man in white beside Chi Jiuxiao instinctively turned around to look.


    "You bully my disciple, does Divine Soul True Lord agree?"


    A cold voice echoed through the palace, the killing intent in the tone making everyone feel as if they were in an ice cellar.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s face once again showed an unruly and wild smile, looking at Qin Xunyin as if he were prey.


    ...


    The autumn wind blew, lifting the fallen leaves off the ground and gently putting them down again.


    Gu An was sweeping the ground, and the Blood Prison Great Saint beside him curiously asked, "Master, there are so many disciples in the valley, why do you sweep the ground yourself?"


    Not only Gu An but other disciples were also sweeping the ground in the Third Medicine Valley. However, compared to the vast Medicine Valley, the hundreds of people seemed sparse.


    "It''s sometimes good to sweep the ground. Feeling the earth with your hands and feet might lead to some insights." Gu An casually replied.


    He sounded very perfunctory, but his words fell on the ears of the Blood Prison Great Saint and seemed very reasonable.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint began to walk back and forth, feeling the earth and nature.


    Gu An looked toward the direction of Divine Exotic City, where four Wandering Immortals had gathered, two from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, one was Chi Jiuxiao''s master, and another was Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord was leading Chu Jingfeng to search for Immortal Spirit, while the other three Wandering Immortals were engaged in chaotic battles.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s master had killed two Loose Immortals and more than a dozen Seven Stars Spirit Realm disciples, attracting two Wandering Immortals.


    The situation was not good, as Chi Jiuxiao''s master had already fallen into a disadvantage.


    Gu An was not in a hurry to take action, first letting Chi Jiuxiao''s master fight for a while longer. He had to sweep this area clean.


    After a while, Gu An looked towards the west.


    Another Wandering Immortal had arrived!


    "It''s really lively."


    Gu An thought to himself, feeling a bit worried.


    The increasing presence of Immortal Path beings on this continent could easily bring catastrophe to the Immortal Cultivation World of the Three Dynasties.


    He just hoped this matter would end soon.


    ...


    In a Minor Heaven and Earth within Divine Exotic City, yellow sand covered the sky, and the wind raged wildly.


    On the desert, An Hao stood in front of Chi Jiuxiao, with a faint golden light around them, blocking the wind and sand.


    Chi Jiuxiao was sitting and healing his wounds, looking ahead. Booming sounds kept coming, with heat waves, flying leaves, and gold flames entangled and surging. In the distance, mana rainbows flashed brilliantly, shaking the heavens and the earth.


    The battle of Wandering Immortals, how terrifying!


    An Hao could not see the figures of the three Wandering Immortals. Even with the protection of the formation, he felt his body might turn to dust at any moment, which was an unbearably uncomfortable feeling.


    Chi Jiuxiao could barely see the Wandering Immortals'' battle, and because of that, his face looked even gloomier.


    His most respected master had already fallen into disadvantage!


    He realized that doom was inevitable.


    This time, he had also implicated An Hao and his master, which made his fists clench tightly.


    "Damn it..."


    Chi Jiuxiao realized for the first time the power of Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Before, he had mainly been active within the territory governed by Star Sea Congregations. Even when encountering Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators, he rarely suffered losses. Now, coming to the territory of Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he recognized that those people feared not him, but the Star Sea Congregations.


    An Hao turned back and asked nervously, "Senior, what is the situation now?"


    Chi Jiuxiao was silent, not answering, just staring ahead.


    Seeing his face darkened to the point of dripping water, An Hao knew the situation was bad, making him even more anxious.


    "Chi Bei, today your disciple must die. If you insist on living and dying with him, then prepare to vanish!"


    A majestic voice rang out, followed by the sound of a zither, causing An Hao inside the formation to feel dizzy, with everything in his field of vision shaking.


    Chi Jiuxiao took a deep breath, then stood up.


    "Senior, what are you going to do?" An Hao frowned and asked.


    Chi Jiuxiao did not answer but shouted loudly, "I take full responsibility for my actions. This matter started because of me. Let my master go. I am willing to die to atone!"


    "Hmph, it''s not up to you to talk here!"


    An old voice echoed, filled with displeasure.


    "Master, I..."


    "Shut up!"


    With a loud and violent shout, the desert rolled, and black lightning bolts extended from the horizon, as if tearing the sky apart.


    The battle became more intense!


    The formation protecting An Hao and the others was also shaking violently, causing An Hao to sway. He looked nervously ahead and suddenly saw a figure walking through the wind and sand.


    "Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion! You are truly vicious! Does Seven Stars Spirit Realm really belong to the Righteous Path?" an old voice rang out again, filled with anger.


    "Hmph, what is righteous, and what is demonic? Can you Star Sea Congregations really distinguish?" another voice replied, filled with disdain.


    Chi Jiuxiao panicked and quickly shouted, "Let my master go! I am willing to die!"


    His gaze instinctively turned to the figure walking through the sandstorm ahead.


    That figure stepped out of the sandstorm, revealing its true form: a man wearing purple robes, with white hair, a youthful face, and eyes as cold as serpents.


    He looked at Chi Jiuxiao and coldly said, "Whether you are willing or not, you must die, and your master must also die now."


    "You..."


    Chi Jiuxiao was furious, wishing he could rush out and fight the man in purple robes for three hundred rounds. But he remained rational, knowing he was no match for his opponent. If he went out, he probably wouldn''t withstand even one move, and would only distract his master.


    Boom!


    The rolling yellow sand behind the man in purple robes was suddenly scattered. An old man with torn robes and a face covered in blood flew, stepping on a golden ring. Before he could get close to the man in purple robes, a terrifying giant scorpion pincer swept in from the side, directly catching him and pulling him back, disappearing into the sandstorm.


    "Master!" Chi Jiuxiao shouted hoarsely.


    The man in purple robes raised his right hand, igniting a strange white flame in his palm. He looked at Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao with a mocking smile.


    He approached the formation step by step, the wind and sand behind him swirling madly, with waves of qi created by mana soaring like dragons, creating a spectacular scene.


    "Just wait for death. Soon, your master will come down to join you."


    The man in purple robes said coldly. As he finished speaking, he was already less than ten steps away from the formation.


    He deliberately approached slowly, tormenting Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao''s minds while trying to distract Chi Bei.


    An Hao looked at him and couldn''t help but recall the scene when Xuan Tianyi was held back by mysterious cultivators. Just like last time, he was still utterly useless, weak enough to hate himself.


    He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and couldn''t help shouting out loudly, "Master!"


    He screamed with all his might, his voice echoing inside the Minor Heaven and Earth. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master? What? You also have a master? Can your master compare to Mahayana..."


    The man in purple robes laughed with more disdain. Before he finished his sentence, a hand suddenly pressed on his shoulder, forcibly stopping him.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s pupils dilated, staring in shock at the figure behind the man in purple robes.


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    The man in purple robes instinctively tried to use divine skills to dodge. He was horrified to find that the mana in his body was solidified and immovable. He tried to use his own qi to break free, but the hand on his shoulder was as heavy as the heaviest mountain in the world, pressing down on him. The more he struggled, the greater the pressure felt.


    "Do you think I have the cultivation level of the Mahayana Realm?"


    A cold voice came from behind the man in purple robes. An Hao heard it too and opened his eyes to see. When he saw the scene outside the formation, he was instantly overjoyed.


    "Master! You finally came!" An Hao looked at Gu An with surging emotions, his eyes quickly turning red.


    Gu An, who had displayed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, ignored An Hao. He was standing sideways, his left hand pressing on the shoulder of the man in purple robes with a casual posture, yet the man in purple robes couldn''t move.


    "Who... who are you?"


    Another voice rang out, filled with fear.


    As he finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared behind Gu An. It was a man in red robes, dressed extravagantly, exuding powerful energy, holding a short sword, and stabbing towards Gu An''s lower back.


    Gu An, holding the shoulder of the man in purple robes, vanished into thin air, causing the man in red robes to miss.


    Before the man in red robes could turn around, he felt an unimaginable force hitting his back. His body uncontrollably fell to his knees on the sand, and then a foot stepped on his back, pushing his spine down.


    Gu An, with his left hand pressing on the shoulder of the man in purple robes and his right foot stomping on the back of the man in red robes, suppressed two Wandering Immortals with his own strength!

 Chapter 220: Chapter 220: The Legendary Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal

    Seeing Gu An''s fierce suppression of the two Wandering Immortals, Chi Jiuxiao was dumbfounded, while An Hao trembled with excitement.


    Gu An glanced at the purple-robed man in his hand and cast a Life Span Detection. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Nine Stars True Lord (Fifth Layer of Wandering Immortal Realm): 42089/150000/160000]


    He then looked at the red-robed man at his feet and performed the Life Span Detection as well.


    [True Lord Cangye (Sixth Layer of Wandering Immortal Realm): 56803/160000/190000]


    Both are quite old!


    They all call themselves True Lords; could it be that True Lord is a title in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    As Gu An was pondering, True Lord Cangye at his feet struggled to speak: "Who might you be, sir? If that boy is indeed your disciple, take him away!"


    Boom!


    The whirlwind behind Gu An suddenly exploded, darkening An Hao and Chi Jiuxiao''s vision. A massive black scorpion, as large as a giant mountain, attacked, its pincers clamping towards Gu An.


    Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion!


    Its speed was insanely fast, so fast that Chi Jiuxiao and An Hao couldn''t react in time.


    They only saw the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion attack suddenly, and before they could see it clearly, it exploded. Black venom splattered everywhere, followed by an even more terrifying roar.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    A vast cloud of dust rose behind Gu An, covering the sky with black venom.


    "Impossible..."


    The Nine Stars True Lord, held by Gu An, had his eyes wide open in disbelief.


    That Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion was also in the Wandering Immortal Realm, yet it died instantly?


    He didn''t even see what method Gu An used, feeling that as soon as the scorpion''s pincers touched Gu An, its body exploded.


    [You successfully seized 57009 years of life span from the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion (Second Level of Traveling Immortal Realm)]


    Seeing the notification, Gu An felt slightly satisfied.


    The Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion died under the Daoist Gang Primal Energy, which was manifested by the Ji Family''s Divine Skill, Heaven and Earth Path Gang. Whenever someone attacked Gu An''s body, this divine skill would trigger, killing the attacker.


    True Lord Cangye could neither extend his Divine Sense nor turn his head, but he felt as if he would be annihilated the moment the Daoist Gang Primal Energy exploded.


    He had never felt so desperate.


    The opponent had definitely surpassed the Wandering Immortal Realm!


    How could such a being exist on this backward continent?


    The Nine Stars True Lord, witnessing the explosion of the Daoist Gang Primal Energy, was even more terrified.


    At this moment, the two Wandering Immortals lost all will to fight, feeling only endless fear.


    The longer they lived, the more they feared death.


    "Senior... give..." True Lord Cangye said, trembling.


    Although Gu An did not receive any hostility prompt, True Lord Cangye dared to let the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion attack him, truly courting death.


    Gu An suddenly exerted force with his right foot, directly crushing True Lord Cangye''s body into blood mist, leaving only a storage bag.


    The Nine Stars True Lord''s eyes widened in despair.


    From Gu An''s palm, the Breaking Path Divine Light burst forth, instantly reducing him to dust, leaving no trace behind.


    The storage bag of the Nine Stars True Lord also fell to the ground.


    The two Wandering Immortals died without any resistance!


    An Hao and Chi Jiuxiao were stunned. They knew how powerful these two Wandering Immortals were, which made them even more bewildered.


    Two notifications popped up before Gu An; he successfully seized twenty thousand years of life span!


    A figure flew over and landed behind Gu An, bowing and cupping his fists. "Thank you, senior, for saving me!"


    It was Chi Jiuxiao''s master, Chi Bei.


    Chi Bei looked extremely miserable, his body oozing black blood.


    "Don''t reveal this to anyone, or you''ll become my enemy." Gu An warned before disappearing into thin air, taking the two storage bags with him.


    Chi Bei looked up, but his Divine Sense could no longer detect Gu An, making him sigh.


    At this moment, Chi Jiuxiao rushed out of the formation, supporting Chi Bei.


    "Master, are you okay?" Chi Jiuxiao asked anxiously.


    Chi Bei struggled to speak: "Bring out the medicine cauldron; I need to expel the poison..."


    Chi Jiuxiao hurried to comply.


    Soon, Chi Bei entered the cauldron to heal, taking out his prepared medicinal herbs and Spirit Water.


    An Hao approached the great cauldron and cautiously asked, "What''s the origin of the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion?"


    Chi Jiuxiao, staring at the great cauldron, said solemnly, "The Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion is one of the nine ancient deadly poisons of the ocean and the most powerful venomous insect alive today. If an Immortal is swallowed by it, they instantly turn into toxic blood; stung by it, their cultivation dissipates, and gods and Buddhas cannot save them."


    So terrifying?


    An Hao was startled, not knowing how to comfort Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Jiuxiao turned to him and asked, "Who exactly is your master? It''s simply..."


    Gu An''s earlier performance was terrifying, even though Chi Jiuxiao was saved, he feared Gu An''s power.


    It was a fear born from something beyond his comprehension!


    "I can''t reveal my master''s name; he forbids it." An Hao shook his head, feeling proud inside.


    Whenever he encountered a higher realm existence, he would wonder what realm his master had reached.


    However, his master kept breaking his understanding time and time again.


    No matter how powerful an entity appeared before his master, they were but ants.


    He realized that although he was extremely talented, compared to his master, he wasn''t worth mentioning. He even suspected that his own talents were due to his master''s favor.


    Chi Jiuxiao fell silent after hearing this.


    He recalled Gu An''s previous demeanor, eyes showing admiration.


    A true man cultivating the immortal path should have such a presence!


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An did not return to the Supreme Sect but instead arrived at an isolated island on the sea with one step.


    He appeared in the forest, quickly sorting through the storage bags of the two True Lords, destroying suspicious items, and throwing the treasures into his own storage bag.


    As his storage bag wasn''t enough to hold the inheritance of these two, he had to refine one of their storage bags.


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    After a while, he finally left.


    He entered his own Grotto Heaven with one step, emptied everything out, and burned the Nine Stars True Lord''s storage bag to ashes.


    Although he checked and found nothing wrong, he still wanted to be cautious.


    After doing all this, he returned to the Supreme Sect.


    He stood on the mountaintop next to the Mystic Valley, gazing into the distance.


    Although it was easy to kill three Wandering Immortals, he wasn''t at peace.


    He knew things were about to escalate!


    But he didn''t regret it; he couldn''t let the enemies survive.


    There was another way!


    He also wanted to find the Immortal Spirit of the Divine Exotic City and give it to someone to end this conflict prematurely.


    Gu An had no interest in Divine Exotic City, despite its power, because its karma was too great. He didn''t want any trouble.


    Giving it to someone else to follow the Star Sea Congregations away would be the best result.


    He had visited Divine Exotic City twice and vaguely tracked the Immortal Spirit''s whereabouts.


    ...


    Several days later, within the Minor Heaven and Earth of Divine Exotic City, the wind and sand had ceased.


    Chi Jiuxiao helped Chi Bei, who had just emerged from the cauldron, to sit down. Chi Bei, now dressed in a clean white robe, had a pale face and disheveled hair, lacking any Wandering Immortal demeanor.


    Sitting down, he sighed: "I didn''t expect Divine Exotic City to attract a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal."


    An Hao''s face showed curiosity upon hearing this.


    "Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal? Is it the legendary realm capable of traveling beyond the heavens?" Chi Jiuxiao''s eyes brightened with excitement.


    Chi Bei nodded: "It must be. Being in the same realm, he couldn''t have possibly defeated those two True Lords so easily."


    He looked at Chi Jiuxiao and said, "Senior saved us, so we must keep our promise and not speak of his intervention. Just say it was cultivators from the Star Sea Congregations, got it?"


    Chi Jiuxiao nodded heavily.


    Chi Bei then looked at An Hao, scrutinizing him. He could see that An Hao had extraordinary roots and asked, "Is your master also from the Supreme Sect?"


    He could see the karma surrounding An Hao but could only see the past ten years, not the interactions between An Hao and his master.


    As for Lv Baitian, he was quickly dismissed; a mere Unification Realm was not worth his attention.


    "I''m not sure; he probably isn''t." An Hao shook his head, keeping a cautious mind and not fully trusting Chi Bei.


    Chi Bei smiled: "You''re very fortunate, young man. With such a master, your future is limitless. How about joining the Star Sea Congregations later?"


    An Hao hesitated: "I don''t have just one master. My other master is the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, and I have to take on the responsibility of strengthening my sect."


    Chi Bei''s smile grew even more gentle: "It''s not about leaving the Supreme Sect. You can train with the Star Sea Congregations for a while and help establish good relations between the two sects. The Star Sea Congregations can help you grow strong quickly; once you''re powerful enough, you''ll better protect the Supreme Sect. In the future, if the Star Sea Congregations face difficulties, you can offer your help."


    Hearing this, An Hao found it hard to refuse and looked towards Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Jiuxiao snorted: "Is my master going to deceive you? Xuan Tianyi is the best example."


    Traveling together all this way, he had learned about the relationship between Xuan Tianyi and An Hao.


    He also wanted to win An Hao over.


    Winning over An Hao meant winning over the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal from a few days ago!


    A Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal; the Star Sea Congregations had produced such beings, but those were legends, and he had never seen one with his own eyes.


    An Hao hesitated for a while but finally nodded in agreement, bringing smiles to Chi Bei and Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Bei''s smile faded as he said, "I haven''t completely expelled the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion''s toxin. Let''s leave Divine Exotic City to avoid the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s pursuit."


    "But Divine Exotic City..." Chi Jiuxiao hesitated.


    Chi Bei glared at him angrily: "There is a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal in Divine Exotic City, along with other Wandering Immortal presences. Do you think you have the qualifications to compete for the Immortal Spirit?"


    Chi Jiuxiao immediately backed down, scratching his head with an awkward smile, not daring to insist further.


    An Hao felt some regret, but leaving now wouldn''t be a loss; he had found many treasures alongside Chi Jiuxiao and had gained a lot.


    So, the three of them packed up and began to search for a way out.


    ...


    In a dark hall, one side of the wall was adorned with a row of brass oil lamps, some of which had already gone out.


    In front of the lamp wall stood a woman in a purple dress with a veil, her long hair coiled into a bun. Her revealed eyebrows were delicate, but the coldness in her eyes added a sense of mystery to her aura.


    A boy dressed in a sleeveless top appeared on her shoulder, tilting his head and asking, "Mother, what are you looking at?"


    Upon closer inspection, the boy''s feet were embedded in the shoulder of the woman in the purple dress; he was a Soul Body, not a Living Spirit.

 Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Immortal Spirit, I Want It!

    "Mother is seeing who has fallen again."


    The woman in the purple dress spoke slowly, her voice ethereal, echoing in the hall like the sound of spring water flowing through a mountain stream.


    The boy on her shoulder asked confusedly, "What is there to see? People die all the time, don''t they? As long as less than half of the lamps on this wall are extinguished, the fortune of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm won''t be severed."


    The woman in the purple dress replied, "Three wandering immortals have died recently, all from the same place. This place is close to the Star Sea Congregations; I don''t know if it''s their plot or if someone else is causing trouble in the dark."


    The boy followed her gaze to the oil lamps on the wall and began to ponder.


    At this moment, footsteps echoed from the darkness behind, and an old voice said,


    "Cave Master, the spirit mirror is showing divine sense fluctuations."


    When the woman in the purple dress heard this, she turned and walked into the darkness.


    The boy on her shoulder turned his head to look, his clear eyes drawn to the oil lamps on the wall.


    ...


    Under the night sky, in a dilapidated city.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord sat meditating in front of a fire, with Chu Jingfeng sitting next to him.


    Chu Jingfeng occasionally glanced into the distance; beneath the moonlight, dense fog surged, vaguely revealing terrifying ghostly shadows.


    "Can you feel it?" the Nine-Finger Divine Lord suddenly asked.


    Chu Jingfeng''s thoughts were pulled back, and he cautiously asked, "Master, feel what?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord whispered, "It is approaching."


    "Who is it?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Immortal Spirit of Divine Exotic City."


    Chu Jingfeng''s eyes widened, and his breath quickened.


    Since coming to Divine Exotic City, he had learned about the Immortal Spirit from the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    As long as the Immortal Spirit accepted a master, one could control the great power of Divine Exotic City!


    The Immortal Spirit''s choice of master was not solely based on cultivation level; it might also depend on fate, which was why so many non-Immortal Path Realm beings came to adventure here.


    Chu Jingfeng did not dare to hope that he could obtain Divine Exotic City, but he hoped his master could.


    The stronger his master became, the more benefits he would get. Moreover, from the bottom of his heart, he was grateful to the Nine-Finger Divine Lord¡ªit was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord who had given him a chance to be reborn.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stopped speaking and continued absorbing energy.


    Chu Jingfeng then began to imagine what might happen next.


    After entering the city with the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, he had witnessed many battles. No matter how strong the demons and ghosts were, they were no match for his master.


    He believed that as soon as the Immortal Spirit appeared, his master would inevitably control it and thus dominate Divine Exotic City!


    The moon set and the sun rose.


    The sun rose in the east outside the city.


    Chu Jingfeng was practicing Qi absorption cultivation when he suddenly felt the ground tremble. He opened his eyes to find the surrounding buildings shaking.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was sitting opposite him, slowly stood up. Before Chu Jingfeng could ask, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord raised his hand, and both of them soared into the sky.


    Chu Jingfeng looked down and his eyes widened in fear.


    He saw endless demons and ghosts appearing in all directions, surging like black waves, engulfing the city''s buildings, and stimulating his eyes.


    "This is the true power of Divine Exotic City, the Divine Soul Demons. Over countless years, an endless number of Divine Soul Demons have accumulated here. This is a force that can overthrow the Mortal World."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord spoke indifferently, looking into the distance.


    Before Chu Jingfeng could respond, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord raised his right hand and pressed down.


    Boom¡ª


    The city below instantly collapsed, and countless Divine Soul Demons dissipated into ghostly mist. It seemed as if the entire earth was collapsing, with dust flying up, turning the sky and ground murky.


    Chu Jingfeng vaguely heard a child''s playful laughter, like a ghost, giving him goosebumps.


    ...


    Divine Exotic City, East Gate.


    The gate stood open, and from outside, the streets inside appeared empty.


    Suddenly, the space inside the gate rippled, and three people emerged: Chi Bei, Chi Jiuxiao, and An Hao.


    The three of them walked ten steps forward. An Hao turned to look back, seeing the majestic city gate of Divine Exotic City, and sighed in relief.


    Finally, they were out!


    "An Hao?"


    A voice came from afar; An Hao looked and saw a group of cultivators in the distance, including Lv Baitian.


    An Hao quickly called out, "Master!"


    He was about to go over, but Chi Bei blocked him.


    "From now on, do not acknowledge your association with the Supreme Sect," Chi Bei said sternly, his gaze fixed on the distance.


    An Hao frowned and asked, "Why?"


    "They are here!"


    Chi Bei''s expression turned serious. He raised his hand, pulling out a magic artifact, ready for battle.


    Chi Jiuxiao also took out the Dragon-Slaying Spear, cursing under his breath, "It''s troublesome to be in the territory of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. These guys move fast."


    "After seven days and the fall of two wandering immortals, it''s impossible for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm not to have noticed." Chi Bei said calmly.


    Chi Jiuxiao looked at him and asked, "Master, what do we do?"


    Chi Bei sneered, "If the Seven Stars Spirit Realm makes a move, our Star Sea Congregations will respond in kind!"


    Hearing this, Chi Jiuxiao showed a smile of delight. He turned to look into the distance, his face lighting up with excitement.


    "So it''s you, Chi Bei of the Chi family from the Star Sea Congregations. Do you know the consequences of killing our disciples in the territory of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    An icy voice echoed through the sky, the killing intent in it sending a chill down the spines of all beings outside the city.


    The disciples of the Supreme Sect quickly stood up, nervously looking into the distance.


    Terrifying auras erupted from all directions, shaking the earth and mountains.


    An Hao looked around and found that they were surrounded.


    Such a fearsome aura, could it be from wandering immortals as well?


    He was secretly alarmed, his eyes turning towards Chi Bei, wondering if this senior could hold out.


    When would the wandering immortals of the Star Sea Congregations arrive?


    "Oh? So this land belongs to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. I thought you had long abandoned it!" Find new adventures on m,vl-em|p-yr


    A domineering voice rang out, opposing the previous wandering immortal of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Chi Bei clearly recognized the owner of this voice, a smile appearing on his face.


    The true battle of the wandering immortals was about to begin!


    ...


    The world was desolate, and smoky ghostly mist pervaded the land. Chu Jingfeng stood on a gourd, surrounded by a faint light veil.


    His eyes were fixed ahead.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood bare-chested, surrounded by fiery energy, his hair wild, looking like a war god, his posture imposing!


    In front of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord floated a fiery red phoenix, its wings spanning a thousand feet, flapping as fiery waves surged, like dragons sweeping towards the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    "Humph! Since you refuse to bow, I can only subdue you!"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord spoke, his eyes cold, his body covered with black runes, crawling and horrific.


    With those words, he suddenly charged towards the phoenix.


    The phoenix let out an ear-piercing screech, flapping its wings once more. The surrounding dust waves scattered, revealing terrifying ghostly figures, each a hundred feet tall, clad in battle armor, wielding long weapons, like ancient divine generals, exuding an unrivaled aura!


    In the blink of an eye, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was engulfed by these terrifying ghostly figures.


    Boom¡ª


    A violent gale exploded, scattering the ghostly figures. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord burst forth with relentless energy, striking towards the phoenix, shaking the mountains and rivers.


    This punch shattered space, and an ancient bell seemingly from the river of time emerged from a space rift, crashing directly into the phoenix.


    The enormous phoenix seemed small as a sparrow before a tree compared to this ancient bell.


    The phoenix let out a mournful cry, as chains emerged from the surface of the bell, quickly binding the phoenix.


    No matter how it struggled, it couldn''t break free from the chains.


    The air was filled with a frenzied energy as more and more Divine Soul Demons approached from all directions, of various sizes and forms, with even a thousand-foot-tall Divine Soul descending from the sky.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord faced countless enemies alone, his punches and kicks like the wind, shaking the mountains and rivers, unstoppable.


    Chu Jingfeng stood on the gourd, his blood boiling as he looked on. Though he couldn''t see the specific movements of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord clearly, seeing those Divine Soul Demons being destroyed one after another, he could feel the immense power of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord!


    So strong!


    At this moment, Chu Jingfeng even felt that the Sword Dao was not the ultimate path; the path of the physical body was the strongest!


    The world roared, and the earth continuously raised dust. No matter how many Divine Soul Demons the Nine-Finger Divine Lord eradicated, there were always more to come.


    Rumble¡ª


    An enormous shadow rose at the edge of the world, like a mountain towering up, awe-inspiring.


    Chu Jingfeng looked from afar, feeling a chilling aura.


    "What is that..." he thought, terrified.


    Before he could think further, the mysterious giant shadow stepped out from the dust waves that covered the sky. It was a figure ten thousand feet tall, with a strong build, each muscle like a rocky mountain, exuding a power that made all living things fear.


    It was entirely black, with disheveled hair, wearing only armored pants, and holding a massive axe in its hand.


    Wielding the axe in both hands, it swept forward. The force of the axe, even without reaching, sent a devastating wind along its path, nearly flinging the gourd Chu Jingfeng stood on.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord appeared in front of the gourd out of thin air, throwing a punch.


    Dong¡ª


    The deafening roar echoed, as the Nine-Finger Divine Lord met the mysterious giant''s axe with his own power.


    Both sides retreated; the Nine-Finger Divine Lord frowned, feeling his right fist numb.


    The mysterious giant stabilized after retreating several steps, then swung the axe again. This time, the mysterious force from the heavens gathered on the axe blade, slashing down with the power of creation!


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord raised his hand, which had only four fingers, extending two fingers as a golden beam shot out, piercing through the murkiness of the world, sweeping all obstacles aside!


    Boom¡ª


    The ten-thousand-foot-tall giant shadow was annihilated by the golden light, leaving a vacuum in the world, and a huge canyon appeared below, astonishing Chu Jingfeng.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord turned and flew towards the phoenix.


    The phoenix was still trapped by the ancient bell, unable to move.


    Just as the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was about to approach the phoenix, a figure appeared out of thin air, raising a hand to capture the phoenix.


    The phoenix with wings spanning a thousand feet shrank to the size of a palm!


    "Who are you?" the Nine-Finger Divine Lord asked in a deep voice. He didn''t rashly advance, as he couldn''t gauge the person''s strength.


    Gu An, in his Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body form, turned to the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and said, "The Immortal Spirit, I''ll take it."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face instantly twisted with rage, and he roared angrily, "Arrogant!"

 Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit Recognizes Its Master!

    Facing the furious Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Gu An remained composed. Holding the Phoenix, he said, "Feel carefully, and you will understand that this karmic consequence is not something you can bear."


    Hearing this, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was about to attack, instinctively dispersed his divine sense.


    A few moments later, his expression changed drastically, and fear filled his eyes.


    The Divine Soul Demons were still pouring out, throwing themselves at them recklessly, their roars echoing through the heavens.


    Gu An suddenly squeezed the Phoenix in his hand, and the Divine Soul Demons in the heavens were obliterated one after another, turning into ashes, and the noise abruptly ceased.


    Chu Jingfeng stood on his gourd, turned his head, and looked at Gu An in the distance, his face changing dramatically.


    A dark purple demon shadow, surrounded by demonic qi...


    "Fud..."


    He had just uttered a word when a terrifying divine sense locked onto him, scaring him into silence.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord also regained his calm. He looked at Gu An and asked, "What do you plan to do?"


    He could sense a more horrifying presence brewing beneath the earth.


    Purely in terms of aura, it was beyond what he could contend with.


    Gu An did not answer but instead flipped his palm downward.


    Rumble¡ª


    The earth shattered, rocks rose into the air, and the entire world seemed on the verge of collapsing. The momentum released by Gu An was so terrifying that even the Nine-Finger Divine Lord felt fear.


    "Just how high is his cultivation level?" the Nine-Finger Divine Lord thought to himself, feeling fortunate.


    If he had acted rashly earlier, or if the other party had directly ambushed him, he might have been in grave danger.


    Chu Jingfeng also looked nervously downward. Rocks ascended around him, flying towards the sky. As far as the eye could see, the distant earth was breaking apart endlessly, a visual impact so intense that he did not dare to breathe.


    Suddenly, as if seeing something, his eyes widened, and his body trembled.


    As the earth shattered, a massive black object appeared below, boundless and terrifying.


    In the daylight, this extreme black mass looked so horrifying and scary.


    Looking from above, the black mass below was writhing. It was so immense that its shape couldn''t be discerned, much less identified.


    Gu An fixed his eyes on it.


    [Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit (Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm third layer): 0/0/0]


    No lifespan was shown, but there was a realm.


    Gu An''s right hand, which was suspended in the air, suddenly clenched, and the gigantic Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit below began to shrink at a visible speed.


    This was a divine skill, Universe in the Palm!


    Previously, he had used this divine skill to bring the Phoenix into his palm. This time, he desired to capture a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit struggled frantically, but wrapped in Gu An''s mana, it had no way to escape. Under the watchful eyes of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Chu Jingfeng, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, now a black mass, rapidly shrank.


    Eventually, it fell into Gu An''s hand, resembling a mass of black qi, constantly changing shape.


    Gu An then disappeared from his original spot, leaving the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Chu Jingfeng behind, unable to recover their wits for a long time.


    After a long while, Chu Jingfeng flew to the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s side and asked nervously, "Master, what should we do next?"


    He knew that the figure earlier was Sword Venerable Fudao, but he decided to keep it a secret.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was the most revered existence in the hearts of all disciples of the Supreme Sect. He had repeatedly saved the Supreme Sect and the human race of the Three Dynasties. Chu Jingfeng felt that he owed Sword Venerable Fudao his life, so he chose to side with him.


    Even if he revealed Sword Venerable Fudao''s identity, he felt it would only push the Nine-Finger Divine Lord into the abyss.


    From what had been shown earlier, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was no match for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Thinking of this, Chu Jingfeng felt deeply emotional.


    During the days he followed the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, he had thought that the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was stronger than Sword Venerable Fudao, and that he had struck the ultimate blessing.


    But the result was...


    He couldn''t help but wonder just how powerful Sword Venerable Fudao was.


    It now seemed that Sword Venerable Fudao was not from the Supreme Sect but was merely hiding there to protect them.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord took a deep breath and said, "It''s time to leave."


    Having the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit taken away made him furious, but Gu An''s Universe in the Palm divine skill had extinguished any desire to fight.


    Moreover, the aura emitted by the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit was clearly not something he could handle. If the mysterious person hadn''t appeared earlier, he might have been swallowed by the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit and turned into a Divine Soul Demon.


    Chu Jingfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his master''s words.


    He truly feared that his master would have an obsession.


    After wandering through Divine Exotic City for so long, he had already reaped some rewards and was eager to return to the Supreme Sect to meditate in seclusion.


    On the other side.


    Gu An arrived at the most secluded Minor Heaven and Earth. There were no living beings here. The sky was dim, and the ground was dotted with trees that looked like Evil Ghosts.


    He glanced at the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit in his hand, no longer struggling but trembling.


    Just as Gu An hesitated about whom to give it to, it suddenly burst open and then drilled into Gu An''s palm.


    The process was extremely quick. When Gu An wanted to stop it, he suddenly felt its emotions.


    It was pleading.


    Gu An fell silent.


    Soon, he felt his mana merging into the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit''s body. This was a process of accepting a master that he had never experienced before.


    He was taking control of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit and the entire Divine Exotic City.


    A 30-minute incense time later.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit reappeared, condensed in Gu An''s palm.


    From now on, Gu An was the master of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit and the master of Divine Exotic City.


    This made him feel somewhat complicated.


    If he had forcibly stopped it earlier, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit would have turned to ashes, so he had to accept it.


    Of course, now Gu An could easily squeeze the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, causing it to cease to exist.


    After accepting the master, Gu An gained more understanding of Divine Exotic City.


    Even if the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit was destroyed, as long as Divine Exotic City remained, a new Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit would be born. Whether it was the same one was unclear, as it resisted death much.


    "Master."


    The voice of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit echoed in Gu An''s mind, sounding like a young boy.


    Gu An asked, "Can you share your power with others, hiding the fact that I am your master, and making others appear as your master?"


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit wiggled in his palm, suddenly transforming into a small black figure. It had no hair or facial features, just a body resembling a five or six-year-old boy, standing about ten centimeters tall.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit tilted its head, considered it for a moment, and said, "It can be done, but wouldn''t you be unhappy?"


    Gu An replied, "No. I want you to protect one of my juniors, but you must not reveal my presence to him. You have to pretend that he is your master."


    Upon hearing this, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit nodded obediently.


    Gu An disappeared with it.


    He arrived in another realm, a dense forest where Li Ya and Zhang Buku were resting.


    Gu An directed the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit with his mind to find Li Ya.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit immediately leaped from his hand and went to find Li Ya.


    In Divine Exotic City, the person Gu An cared most about was undoubtedly Li Ya. Although Li Ya had numerous opportunities, he was clearly far behind geniuses like An Hao and Lv Xian, so Gu An decided to help him.


    As for An Hao, whether he had Divine Exotic City or not, he would eventually rise. If he joined the Star Sea Congregations, he would possess immortal treasures no less powerful than the Dragon-Slaying Spear, even without a fake immortal treasure like Divine Exotic City.


    The Dragon-Slaying Spear was highly powerful, allowing Chi Jiuxiao to display power comparable to a Loose Immortal.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit hopped along its way, its aura elusive, unnoticed by Li Ya and Zhang Buku as they meditated.


    When the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit landed on Li Ya''s shoulder, a sudden scare made him instinctively open his eyes.


    "Screech¡ª"


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit called out and then plunged into Li Ya''s face, startling him to his feet.


    "What was that?"


    Li Ya kept touching his face but felt nothing. Zhang Buku, equally startled, rushed over.


    Upon learning that something had entered Li Ya''s body, Zhang Buku panicked.


    The two fumbled around, even using their divine senses to scan, but found nothing strange.


    After a while, Li Ya suddenly stopped, his expression peculiar.


    "Brother Li, are you okay?" Zhang Buku asked nervously.


    Li Ya took a deep breath, looked at Zhang Buku, and said with a complicated expression, "Brother, I think I have been accepted as the master by an Immortal Spirit?"


    "What?"


    Zhang Buku''s eyes widened, unable to believe his ears.


    "Is it true?"


    "It is..."


    "Why you?"


    "What do you mean? Am I unworthy?"


    "How are you worthy?"


    "You! Show some respect. I can command Divine Soul Demons. If you want to leave, it will be up to me!"


    "Brother Li! We are supposed to live and die together as brothers..."


    "You dog! Stop talking like that..."


    In the distance, Gu An listened to Li Ya and Zhang Buku bicker. Under the demonic qi, a smile appeared on his lips. He turned around and disappeared once more.


    He was the true master of Divine Exotic City. Within its confines, he could see all the minor heavens and the Divine Soul Demons hidden beneath each.


    The number of Divine Soul Demons was indeed staggering, and the entire Divine Exotic City was still in a state of recovery. It would only grow stronger until it became a true immortal treasure once more.


    Immortal Treasures existed eternally. Even if severely damaged, they could recover on their own, making Gu An view them differently.


    Gu An planned to harvest the heavenly materials and earthly treasures in Divine Exotic City. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, everything in the city belonged to him and was not to be shared with anyone else!


    Experience tales at m v|l e-NovelFire


    ...


    Under the rolling thunderclouds, Jiang Qiong sat meditating on the edge of a cliff, below which a majestic river of lava surged, occasionally sending hot waves crashing against the mountain sides.


    She opened her eyes and frowned.


    "Why hasn''t she returned yet..." Jiang Qiong muttered to herself.


    She and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had entered Divine Exotic City together. They had arrived in this world two days prior. While Jiang Qiong was healing, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had said she would go to scout, but two days had passed, and she had not returned.


    Jiang Qiong was worried.


    Though she did not consider the Ghost Mother of Ephemera particularly trustworthy, their long companionship had made her reliant on the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s abilities.


    Could the Ghost Mother of Ephemera be in trouble?


    She was so cautious; what could have ensnared her?


    Jiang Qiong sank into thought. If the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was in danger, surviving alone, let alone obtaining the Immortal Spirit, would be nigh impossible.

 Chapter 223: Chapter 223 Gu Ans Fantasy

    Jiang Qiong grew more uneasy the more she thought about it. She took out an elixir and started accelerating the restoration of her spiritual power.


    The sky darkened, and the only sound was the lava below crashing against the mountain walls, making the atmosphere incredibly oppressive.


    Half a day passed.


    Jiang Qiong''s spiritual power had recovered considerably. She stood up and headed in the direction the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had gone earlier.


    Meanwhile.


    Li Ya had already mastered the power of the Divine Exotic City. Although he still couldn''t see every corner of the city, he felt unbelievably powerful now.


    Before entering the Divine Exotic City, he had doubts about the legends of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    How could it be that legendary?


    "Let''s go, there''s a big battle outside the city. Let''s go watch the fun!"


    Li Ya stood up, his face full of high spirits.


    Zhang Buku followed him up, staring blankly at him.


    Li Ya shrugged his shoulder, and the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit jumped out of his body, landing on his shoulder with its hands on its hips, looking very spirited.


    Looking at the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, Zhang Buku had a strange expression. It was hard to imagine that this little being was the Immortal Spirit of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Li Ya raised his right arm, and the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit immediately mimicked him.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The ground trembled, and the sky changed color, making Zhang Buku look around nervously.


    One by one, the Divine Soul Demons broke through the ground, lifting big trees into the sky. The same scene repeated everywhere, forcing Zhang Buku and Li Ya to stabilize themselves with their spiritual power.


    Li Ya laughed proudly, "These are my Divine Army. Follow me to conquer the world!"


    Zhang Buku looked at him, just about to speak, when suddenly the ground beneath them rose with a roar. A terrifying giant shadow stood up, holding a piece of land in its hand with a forest on it, where Zhang Buku and Li Ya were standing.


    Compared to this terrifying giant shadow, they were as small as ants.


    This terrifying giant shadow was the same ten-thousand-foot figure that had fought against the Nine-Finger Divine Lord before. One hand held the land, and the other held an axe, looking like a giant god who opened the sky, with divine majesty spreading wide.


    Zhang Buku looked down, his eyes wide with shock.


    Li Ya was extremely excited. With such a Divine Army, how could he not sweep away all enemies?


    He could sense a terrifying battle outside the Divine Exotic City, but he also saw the disciples of the Supreme Sect, and he had to step forward.


    "Primordial Ancestor, this time I will be the hero, watch me!" Li Ya was trembling with excitement.


    He suddenly thought of Gu An.


    If only Junior Brother Gu was here, how great that would be.


    But if Junior Brother Gu were here, he would still worry about his safety.


    Never mind, after this battle, he would brag about it to him.


    Li Ya began to think about what treasures to bring back for Junior Brother Gu.


    The Divine Exotic City was so vast and had countless treasures. Just bringing a few out would be enough to reverse Gu An''s fate!


    ...


    Gu An was in a Minor Heaven and Earth, harvesting heaven and earth treasures. His life span kept increasing, which made him very happy.


    He saw that the four gates of the Divine Exotic City opened, and Li Ya rushed out with an endless stream of Divine Soul Demons, immediately affecting the battle. Over twenty wandering immortals from the Star Sea Congregations and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm were all disturbed and retreated.


    The ten-thousand-foot figure suddenly leaped out of the city, landing on the wilderness, roaring ferociously, and the sound echoed throughout the continent, making everyone tremble with fear.


    Just the roar alone was enough to make people lose their courage!


    Gu An was not worried about Li Ya. After all, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit itself possessed the power of a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    He continued harvesting heaven and earth treasures, having gained an eighty-thousand-year lifespan today. He did not intend to harvest everything, as he had to leave some for the Immortal Spirit to continue planting.


    Since the Divine Exotic City belonged to him, he planned to let the Immortal Spirit set rules for Li Ya.


    Usually, don''t pluck the heaven and earth treasures randomly. It would prepare mature medicinal herbs for Li Ya, who would surely accept them excitedly without suspicion.


    Looking at Li Ya''s spirited appearance made Gu An want to laugh.


    After this battle, Li Ya would surely come to show off.


    Gu An began imagining that a thousand years later, when Li Ya thought his end was near and came to bid him farewell with the Divine Exotic City, what kind of scene would it be?


    Interesting, interesting!


    Gu An was just thinking when he suddenly felt something. He frowned and disappeared from the spot.


    In another realm, thunder clouds rolled, covering the sky. In a basin between the mountains, Jiang Qiong slowly stood up from the ground, clutching the wound on her right shoulder with her left hand, blood flowing continuously from the corner of her mouth. She looked ahead.


    Figures in black robes filled the slopes, meditating at the highest point was an elder with a wooden staff beside him, from which black gas wafted, wrapping the Ghost Mother of Ephemera in the air.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera had already turned into a soul body and was extremely weak.


    She opened her eyes with difficulty and looked at Jiang Qiong down the mountain.


    "Little girl, you have a good fighting spirit. Just right for luring the Ghost King of Hell."


    The black-robed elder spoke with a mocking tone.


    The other black-robed cultivators all looked down at Jiang Qiong with cold eyes. To them, Jiang Qiong was already a dead person.


    "The Ghost King of Hell? What exactly are you looking for?" Jiang Qiong gritted her teeth, thinking about how to escape.


    The difference in cultivation was too great. Any one of these people could easily kill her.


    "The Ghost King of Hell is the strongest ghost king hidden in this world. It guards an immortal treasure." The black-robed elder spoke nonchalantly.


    A black-robed cultivator started descending the mountain, step by step approaching Jiang Qiong.


    Just as Jiang Qiong was extremely anxious, a gust of wind came from afar, making her instinctively close her eyes.


    The gust of wind whistled past, and Jiang Qiong felt her injury had somewhat healed, whether it was an illusion or not.


    She quickly opened her eyes and was astonished to find that those mysterious cultivators had disappeared.


    The soul body of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera was suspended in the air above the slope, slowly falling.


    Before Jiang Qiong could react, a whooshing sound came from afar, and a blood-red treasure pagoda descended from the sky, landing in front of her, scaring her to retreat instinctively.


    The blood-red treasure pagoda burst out with immense power, turning into blood mist, which quickly wrapped around Jiang Qiong, pulling her towards the pagoda.


    Jiang Qiong''s face was full of fear when she heard a voice in her ear: "Do not panic."


    Hearing this voice, Jiang Qiong instantly felt at ease.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    He had come too!


    She was pulled into the blood-red treasure pagoda, her figure disappearing. Explore stories on m,v l''-NovelFire


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera fell to the ground, turned her head to look, her face full of worry.


    ...


    Twilight approached.


    The towering Divine Exotic City stood on the wilderness, its four gates wide open. Cultivators continuously flew out, appearing as if they were being thrown out by some force instead of flying out on their own.


    Li Ya stood on a high slope at the edge of the ruins, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit standing on his shoulder, guarding him.


    Two figures appeared beside him, one being Chi Bei, the master of Chi Jiuxiao, the other a middle-aged man in luxurious white robes, with a commanding presence.


    "I am the Sea Lord of the Star Sea Congregations, Nan Fengtian. After this battle, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm will surely hold a grudge against you. You possess the immortal treasure, and relying solely on your own strength might not be enough to protect it. Come back with us to the Star Sea Congregations. We will train you as a true disciple, treating you better than Xuan Tianyi." The man in white robes spoke.


    Chi Bei followed: "The Star Sea Congregations is a great righteous sect. Many cultivators from the Supreme Sect are your seniors, so you can join without worry."


    Li Ya looked at the Divine Exotic City and said, "Thank you both for your kindness. I am willing to join the Star Sea Congregations, but can I visit the Supreme Sect first?"


    He was not foolish. After this battle, he had to choose a power to lean on. Lv Baitian had also just sent him a message, advising him to ally with the Star Sea Congregations.


    Nan Fengtian smiled, "Of course, we also want to visit the Supreme Sect. I heard the Supreme Sect hides a great cultivator stronger than a Loose Immortal, named Sword Venerable Fudao. This indicates the Supreme Sect''s great Qi fortune; it''s a treasure land."


    Li Ya smiled, thinking that Sword Venerable Fudao was his Primordial Ancestor. It was not the Supreme Sect''s good fortune, but the sect had benefited from the Li Family''s qi fortune!


    Of course, he wouldn''t say this out loud to avoid causing trouble for his Primordial Ancestor.


    They continued chatting. Li Ya wanted to take two companions, Zhang Buku and Gu An.


    Hearing that Gu An was only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, Nan Fengtian advised against taking him, as his cultivation was too low. Without a Nascent Soul, joining the Star Sea Congregations recklessly would only lead to setbacks, especially since Li Ya couldn''t always look after him.


    As for Zhang Buku, his strong qi-blood made him an excellent candidate.


    Li Ya frowned, not very happy.


    Chi Bei had to continue to persuade him, describing the atmosphere in the Star Sea Congregations at length, and only then did Li Ya give up.


    Far in the Third Medicine Valley harvesting medicinal herbs, Gu An pouted.


    What Foundation Establishment Realm!


    I had already formed my core!


    Gu An inwardly sneered, having no intention of joining the Star Sea Congregations.


    The Star Sea Congregations had too many old monsters, making it unsafe.


    Unlike the Supreme Sect, where Gu An was already the strongest. He had absolute confidence staying there.


    Seeing that Li Ya allied with the Star Sea Congregations, Gu An felt completely relieved.


    In the Divine Exotic City, he had harvested a million and five hundred thousand years of lifespan, pushing his lifespan past a million again, putting him in a great mood.


    He planned to revisit the Divine Exotic City after some time.


    Even if Li Ya went to the sea, with his cultivation level, he could hardly escape Gu An''s divine sense. Besides, Gu An had established a soul connection with the Divine Exotic City, ensuring he could track it wherever it went.


    Li Ya had begun expelling the adventurers from the Divine Exotic City. Gu An had not only given Jiang Qiong an immortal treasure but also given Zhen Qin one.


    Immortal treasures could merge into the body, making them hard to detect.


    Once Ye Lan was unsealed and her maximum lifespan increased, Gu An would give her an immortal treasure too.


    The Divine Exotic City held many immortal treasures. Controlling it brought unimaginable gains.


    Gu An couldn''t help but hum a little tune. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though he was hiding in the Medicine Valley, he could benefit those around him, making him feel truly great.


    Deeply hiding his work and name!


    One day, when his companions discovered the truth, how much gratitude would they feel?


    Gu An started to imagine again.


    Night fell, and a night passed.


    At dawn, Gu An saw Li Ya store the Divine Exotic City within himself and then, under the guidance of Nan Fengtian and others, head back to the Supreme Sect.


    They wanted to leave the continent early to avoid any mishaps.


    Gu An arrived early at the Mystic Valley and followed the disciples in their exercises.


    Just as they finished, Li Ya came flying from the horizon, directly into the Mystic Valley.

 Chapter 224: Chapter 224 Gu An and Sword Venerable Fudao

    Mystic Valley, inside a pavilion.


    Thud!


    Li Ya slammed a small city onto the table. This small city was only the size of a palm, but a closer look revealed that its structure was extremely detailed and complex.


    It was indeed a miniature version of Divine Exotic City!


    He raised his chin, looking very proud.


    Gu An looked at Divine Exotic City and curiously asked, "What kind of carved artwork is this?"


    Li Ya''s mouth twitched, and he glared, "This is Divine Exotic City!"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s face showed a look of shock, which made Li Ya feel quite pleased, but Gu An''s next words almost made him faint with anger.


    "Amazing, Senior Brother, you actually made a replica of Divine Exotic City!"


    "What replica, this is real! Don''t believe me? I''ll summon the Immortal Spirit to show you!"


    After saying this, Li Ya tried to summon the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit in his mind, but no matter how he called, the Immortal Spirit did not come out.


    He immediately became anxious.


    What''s going on?


    Why are you pretending to be dead at such a critical moment?


    Gu An almost burst out laughing, but fortunately, years of honing his acting skills had made them flawless. He pretended to try lifting Divine Exotic City with a puzzled expression. As the whole pavilion trembled, he was unable to lift the city.


    "Could it be real?" Gu An muttered.


    Li Ya couldn''t care less about cursing the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit in his mind. He said proudly, "Do you know how many Great Cultivators are inside Divine Exotic City?"


    He began to recount his experiences, not mentioning that the Immortal Spirit had approached him first, but instead claiming that he had gone through various trials to win the Immortal Spirit''s recognition.


    Gu An listened with admiration.


    Who knew his acting was so good?


    If it weren''t for me personally handing it to you, I might have believed you got it through the trials!


    Gu An was only teasing in his mind, outwardly agreeing to satisfy Li Ya''s vanity.


    Li Ya focused on describing his battles with the immortals from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, making Gu An exclaim in surprise from time to time.


    After talking for a full two ancient hours, Li Ya finally stopped, still somewhat unwilling to end it.


    How satisfying!


    It''s always thrilling to brag with a brother!


    He wouldn''t bother telling someone he''s not close with.


    Seeing Gu An pouring tea for him, Li Ya couldn''t stop smiling. He took out a jade ruler from his storage bag, nearly two feet long, and greenish-white in color.


    "This is a high-grade magic artifact. I intended to give you an immortal treasure, but your cultivation level is too low. An immortal treasure would only bring you trouble." Li Ya said seriously, then took out numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures, placing them one by one on the table, and proceeded to accept them.


    Gu An felt very touched.


    Although Divine Exotic City was his, the fact that Li Ya, unaware of the truth, could still care for him this much proved Li Ya''s loyalty to him.


    Gu An was very generous to those around him, but most of it was just a small effort. Those he truly gave to also gave him in return.


    "I have to go to the Star Sea Congregations. It may take a hundred years before I return. Don''t miss me too much." Li Ya said proudly, though he felt reluctant inside.


    A hundred years was too long; no one could predict what would happen in a hundred years.


    He also worried about Gu An, but he had his own path to follow.


    Gu An nodded and said, "A hundred years later, as long as you return, I will still be here waiting for you. Although living a thousand years is hard, now that I have reached Core Formation, living a few hundred years shouldn''t be a problem."


    Li Ya smiled, then reminisced about the days when they were still minors.


    Another ancient hour passed, and Li Ya left through the window.


    Gu An looked at the footprints he left behind and suspected he did it on purpose.


    No way, I''ll have to let the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit bully him a bit, in the name of teaching!


    Gu An made up his mind, simultaneously sending orders to the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit through his mind.


    In the evening.


    Zhang Buku came to visit Gu An. He had prearranged with Li Ya to visit separately.


    Zhang Buku had personal matters he wanted to discuss alone with Gu An, while Li Ya didn''t want to disrupt the seniority hierarchy. Three people in one room would also be crowded!


    As expected, Zhang Buku debunked Li Ya, saying Li Ya was just lucky and the Immortal Spirit approached him first. However, he wasn''t jealous of Li Ya; rather, he was happy for him, saying that if Li Ya wasn''t strong enough, he feared they might die on their adventures.


    In the end, Zhang Buku also took out numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures as gifts for Gu An in gratitude.


    Gu An tried to decline, but Zhang Buku insisted until Gu An had no choice but to accept them.


    Being able to repay Gu An made Zhang Buku very happy. He started talking about how he wished his father could see his achievements now.


    What a pity!


    It wasn''t until evening that Zhang Buku finally left.


    ...


    Snow fluttered down as troops from the Supreme Sect returned. Zhen Qin came to visit Gu An first and also brought many treasures.


    Gu An couldn''t help but laugh and cry, but he didn''t refuse.


    Four days later, at night, another person came to see Gu An.


    It was Jiang Qiong.


    The two entered the Eight Scenic Caves to chat.


    "How have you been these years?" Gu An asked softly, sitting in front of a green vine tree.


    Two vines sprouted and began to massage his shoulders.


    Seeing him enjoying himself like this, Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but roll her eyes.


    Jiang Qiong took out a medicine cauldron, lit a fire, and added water before answering, "Pretty well. I recently went to Divine Exotic City and gained a lot."


    She started placing medicinal ingredients into the cauldron.


    Gu An immediately congratulated her.


    "Do you know who I serve now?" Jiang Qiong asked casually.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "How would I know? In the immortal cultivation world, I am just an ordinary person who knows very few Great Cultivators."


    "Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "What?"


    Gu An was shocked. He cursed inwardly, I told you not to say anything, how could you spill it so easily?


    If Jiang Qiong told him about Sword Venerable Fudao today, she might tell others tomorrow. How could he not be nervous?


    Of course, even if others knew about Jiang Qiong and Sword Venerable Fudao''s relationship, it wouldn''t threaten Gu An. However, Jiang Qiong might attract fatal trouble.


    "I''m only telling you, so don''t spread it around." Jiang Qiong said, turning to glare at Gu An fiercely.


    Gu An sighed and said, "You shouldn''t have told me. If he overhears this, won''t I be in trouble?"


    Jiang Qiong laughed and said, "Don''t worry, Sword Venerable Fudao doesn''t kill nobodies. I''m just chatting with you."


    Then she turned the conversation to her experiences in Divine Exotic City.


    "This trip to Divine Exotic City was full of dangers, and I nearly died. If it wasn''t for Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention, you wouldn''t see me here today." Jiang Qiong said with a slight air of melancholy.


    Gu An comforted her, "You''re back now though. With your fortune, you might even become an immortal someday."


    Jiang Qiong shook her head and said, "An immortal? That''s far too difficult. The higher you stand, the more fears you have. By the way, why do you think Sword Venerable Fudao cares so much for me? Could it be he fancies my looks?"


    She glanced at Gu An, anticipating his reaction.


    Gu An frowned and said, "Probably not. He''s too powerful and renowned, not lacking in women."


    I care for you only because you''ve taught me so many spells!


    Thinking of you that way is too hurtful!


    Gu An felt insulted. How could Sword Venerable Fudao be so shallow?


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    Seeing Gu An frown, Jiang Qiong felt a bit relieved, though his remarks annoyed her.


    "There are many women in the world, but how many have you seen that are more beautiful than me?" Jiang Qiong glared, stepping forward quickly to lean over Gu An and stare at him.


    Their faces were less than ten centimeters apart, and Gu An, sitting on the ground, had to shift to the side.


    Jiang Qiong lifted her left foot, brushing past Gu An''s ear and stepping on the tree trunk, stopping his movement. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why are you dodging? Do you find your Martial Master so repulsive?" Jiang Qiong snorted.


    Gu An said awkwardly, "Repulsive, never. I''m just afraid of offending you."


    He glanced downward for a moment.


    Jiang Qiong was wearing a skirt, though there were pants underneath, her posture was still quite improper.


    "Offend?"


    Jiang Qiong withdrew her foot, squatted down, and started pulling at Gu An''s clothes.


    "What are you doing?" Gu An exclaimed in fear.


    Jiang Qiong replied, "In case that being really has his eyes on me, how could I refuse? Before that happens, let me fulfill you¡­"


    Although Sword Venerable Fudao was strong, Gu An was more important to her¡ªeven the most important.


    Gu An crawled away, but Jiang Qiong''s strength increased, making it difficult for him to reveal his true cultivation level, leaving him in a dilemma.


    "Stop this... This isn''t right..." By now, Gu An''s robe was in disarray, even his hair was loose, and his face was flushed with embarrassment.


    Jiang Qiong laughed, stopping her actions, and said, "Even if you don''t comply tonight, it won''t matter. I will force it if necessary..."


    "You..."


    Gu An panicked. Was she really going to do this?


    I''ve never even been with my junior sisters, how could I be with you, a witch?


    Gu An was about to call for Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention.


    Just then, Jiang Qiong stopped, stood up angrily, and said, "Look at you, so cowardly. Strip down and get into the cauldron. Did you really think I wanted to do anything to you? I''m just preparing an excellent body tempering concoction for you."


    Gu An was stunned for a moment and then sighed in relief, quickly getting up.


    He walked past Jiang Qiong, only to get kicked in the butt by her.


    "Hurry up and strip!"


    Jiang Qiong said impatiently, feeling truly annoyed.


    In fact, she really had the impulse just now, but seeing Gu An''s terrified look, she couldn''t bring herself to do it.


    This made her both embarrassed and angry.


    Did this kid really think so little of her?


    Was it because of etiquette?


    Jiang Qiong thought of how Gu An grew up in a righteous path environment, surely respecting etiquette.


    She didn''t respect that because she came from the demon path.


    With this thought, she felt much better again.


    After all, if he felt nothing, why did he glance down?


    Jiang Qiong smiled.


    Gu An approached the medicine cauldron, quickly stripped, and then leaped into the cauldron, splashing water.


    "It''s a bit hot." Gu An''s voice came from within the cauldron.


    Jiang Qiong said coldly, "Endure it. Are you afraid of a little pain?"


    Gu An remained silent, not daring to speak further.


    The Eight Scenic Caves fell into silence.


    After placing all the medicinal ingredients into the cauldron, Jiang Qiong took out a blood-colored tower. She sat down and inspected it carefully.


    Gu An poked his head out and asked, "What treasure is this?"


    Jiang Qiong, staring at the blood-colored tower, replied, "This is the Blood Domain Soul Suppressing Tower, an immortal treasure. It''s incredibly powerful, and I got it by sheer chance."

 Chapter 225: Chapter 225 Outer World Cave

    Jiang Qiong briefly introduced the formidable aspects of the Blood Domain Soul Suppressing Tower. This tower could suppress enemies; once trapped within, they would lose their way and find it extremely difficult to escape. Moreover, they would constantly endure the burning of the blood flames within the tower, and if reduced to only their soul, there would be no chance of escape.


    According to the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, the Blood Domain Soul Suppressing Tower was absolutely one of the top three Immortal Treasures within Divine Exotic City, which was also the reason cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm sought it out.


    Most of the treasures within Divine Exotic City were plundered; some were seized by former owners from enemies, and others were left behind by adventurers after their deaths. The Blood Domain Soul Suppressing Tower had a longstanding reputation over the ocean and was considered a legendary supreme Immortal Treasure.


    Gu An often exclaimed in amazement, which caused Jiang Qiong to involuntarily smile.


    Watching Gu An''s inexperienced expression, she did not feel annoyed; instead, she found it amusing.


    In other places, her cultivation level was insignificant, but in front of Gu An, she was a Great Cultivator.


    Even though many people looked down on her, as long as Gu An admired her, it was enough.


    Jiang Qiong then recounted her experiences from past years, including the founding of the Juhua Sect. Gu An listened attentively, even though he often used his Divine Sense to keep an eye on Jiang Qiong; hearing stories directly from her was more interesting.


    Night passed.


    By noon the next day, Gu An leaped out of the Medicine Cauldron and quickly put on his robe.


    Jiang Qiong approached him, scrutinizing him with amazement and said: "I didn''t expect your absorption speed to be so quick."


    Gu An precisely controlled his Qi-Blood, ensuring Jiang Qiong did not notice any issues.


    "Thank you!" Gu An said earnestly. Your adventure continues at m v|l-e-NovelFire


    Jiang Qiong thought to herself that this kid still wouldn''t call her Martial Master; she would have been angry in the past, but now she felt a hint of delight.


    She raised her head and said: "Practice your sword well. Your Sword Dao talent is outstanding. As for your cultivation level, I will find a way to help you improve."


    "This... isn''t appropriate. You should keep it for yourself. Giving it to me is a waste."


    Gu An hesitated, genuinely grateful to Jiang Qiong.


    Having this intention was enough!


    There was no need to take it seriously.


    If combat prowess had a numerical value, with Jiang Qiong''s help last night, Gu An''s combat power would have successfully increased from one hundred billion to one hundred billion and one!


    Indeed, it had enhanced, but this slight increase in value was more valuable to Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong snorted: "Rest assured, I won''t delay my cultivation."


    Gu An had to give up.


    Jiang Qiong asked Gu An about his experiences over the years, and Gu An did not hide anything, but as she listened, Jiang Qiong became increasingly unable to withstand it.


    "Planting herbs, planting herbs, why are you always planting herbs?" Jiang Qiong exclaimed.


    Gu An pouted: "Yeah, just planting herbs. What else do you expect me to have experienced? Don''t underestimate herb planting; different medicinal herbs bring different feelings..."


    He began to enthusiastically recount his planting experiences.


    Jiang Qiong suppressed the irritability in her heart and listened carefully. Gradually, her mood calmed down.


    To her surprise, listening to Gu An talk about his farming life was quite interesting, bringing her thoughts back to her childhood.


    Time flew by.


    Until nightfall, Jiang Qiong bid farewell and left.


    Gu An did not leave the Eight Scenic Caves, planning to go out early the next morning.


    In the following winter, discussions about Divine Exotic City spread throughout the Supreme Sect cities, and Li Ya''s name reverberated throughout the Immortal Cultivation World, surpassing Sword Venerable Fudao and Pan An.


    Many believed that with the control of Divine Exotic City, Li Ya would become an Immortal in the future. Moreover, Li Ya was very young, and some already called him the best of the younger generation, even surpassing An Hao.


    Li Ya''s prominence did not affect Gu An''s life.


    With the capture of Divine Exotic City, many Great Cultivators overseas left, but some cultivators stayed behind, joining various sects, with the Supreme Sect absorbing the most.


    Because Li Ya hailed from the Supreme Sect!


    With control of Divine Exotic City, Li Ya didn''t need to wait for the future; he possessed power beyond a Loose Immortal, to the extent that even Wandering Immortals couldn''t do anything to him.


    In this way, a new spring arrived.


    That year, the Supreme Sect''s New Year celebrations were livelier than ever. It was said that the Supreme Sect was preparing to head south in search of an island to establish a city, with the support of the Star Sea Congregations, making the task much easier.


    After the New Year, the Supreme Sect began recruiting disciples for the southern sea expedition, with ten thousand openings and excellent benefits, leading to active registrations across all cities.


    Gu An remained busy harvesting medicinal herbs, occasionally worrying about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm stirring up trouble.


    Among the conflicts sparked by Divine Exotic City, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm suffered the most losses, but they currently appeared very calm, which made Gu An even more suspicious that they were brewing something.


    By March, the disciples of the Supreme Sect gradually put the matter of Divine Exotic City aside.


    On this day, Gu An went to the Outer Sect Book Collection Hall to hand over the last volume of Journey to the West.


    Despite the Great Elder Feng Shang''s earnest attempts to persuade him to stay, Gu An found an excuse to leave.


    Not far from the Book Collection Hall, a figure blocked Gu An; it was You Yingying from the Star Sea Congregations, disguised as a chubby man, looking jovial.


    "Brother Gu, how have you been lately?" You Yingying asked with a smile, having used the Sound Transmission Skill to reveal her true identity to Gu An in advance.


    Gu An replied with a smile: "Pretty good, how about you?"


    He couldn''t understand why You Yingying always enjoyed shape-shifting. What was the fun in it?


    Within the Supreme Sect, her reputation wasn''t widespread, making her actions pointless.


    "I''m quite well too. Lately, I''ve been really bored. How about I go to your Medicine Valley to help you out?" You Yingying asked.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment and agreed, then directed her to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon hearing this, You Yingying was immediately delighted and pulled Gu An towards her own residence to pack her things.


    "Your Supreme Sect has produced a Li Ya; with the support of the Star Sea Congregations, you''ll definitely rise to prominence. In the future, we''ll at least assist you," You Yingying remarked as she walked, her tone slightly emotional.


    She had not expected that amidst the scramble of so many Great Cultivators, an obscure minor cultivator would gain Divine Exotic City''s approval.


    As a member of the Star Sea Congregations, she deeply understood the might of the Fake Immortal Treasure, believing that Li Ya would undoubtedly become a significant Great Cultivator over the ocean.


    "That''s great news," Gu An responded, trying to act surprised.


    Following this, You Yingying began describing those powerful Immortal Path Supreme Treasures to Gu An.


    The Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner of the Star Sea Congregations was said to invert the stars and ocean within the formation, causing those who entered to become forever lost, and it could harness the power of stars and the ocean to change the course of events.


    The Seven Stars Mirror of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm contained ancient power, under whose light nothing could hide.


    Gu An found this very intriguing.


    He wondered what cultivation level was needed to craft an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. When he reached that level, he also planned to create one.


    Making early plans to avoid panic when the time came. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Spring went and autumn came, five years passed quickly.


    After Li Ya took Divine Exotic City, the mainland enjoyed peace. The Supreme Sect successfully established a city overseas, with even the Outer Sect having a Transmission Array Platform leading to Southern Sea City. More and more disciples began training at sea, and news from the ocean continually arrived at the Supreme Sect.


    Since the completion of the teleportation array in Southern Sea City, Gu An saw new things in the Outer Gate City whenever he went, making him feel like he was at a fair.


    In early summer, Gu An arrived at Immortal Seeking Island.


    Led by the servant Hu Xiaojian of the Sea Protection Mansion, Gu An strolled around Immortal Seeking Island, listening to the various disturbances on the sea.


    "The friction between the Star Sea Congregations and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is increasing. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm has gone mad, constantly invading the Star Sea Congregations'' territories. It''s said to be related to an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure from five years ago. On a distant continent, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm released an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure for others to contest, which was eventually obtained by a minor cultivator. The Star Sea Congregations then recruited that minor cultivator, thoroughly offending the Seven Stars Spirit Realm," Hu Xiaojian said with a sigh.


    Gu An asked: "Why would the Seven Stars Spirit Realm release the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    He had wondered about this before, finding it very puzzling. The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit also didn''t know the reason, thinking it was because it was being too powerful, making it impossible for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators to find. So, they released Divine Exotic City.


    But considering it from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s perspective, even if they couldn''t conquer Divine Exotic City themselves, they shouldn''t give other powers the chance.


    Hu Xiaojian pondered: "It does seem unreasonable. Perhaps the Seven Stars Spirit Realm needed an excuse to declare war on the Star Sea Congregations? But using an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure as bait seems too exaggerated."


    The two continued chatting as they walked.


    Gu An wasn''t worried about causing trouble with the topic since the surrounding cultivators were all discussing the conflicts between the two great maritime powers.


    Half a day later, Gu An left Immortal Seeking Island and arrived at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain''s Nianchu Cave, bringing Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai into the Grotto Heaven.


    He took out the seeds he bought today and had the three demons plant them. Though Tianqing and Tian Bai had not yet shape-shifted, their nimble claws made them capable of handling the planting duties.


    While they were planting, Gu An went to the entrance of the Grotto Heaven, using his mana to create a stele, and then inscribed characters with his sword Qi.


    Outer World Cave!


    The meaning was to be forever isolated from the world.


    In the future, Gu An wouldn''t bring others here to live. This would always be his secluded Medicine Valley, specifically providing him with a longer life span.


    Because the seeds planted in the Outer World Cave were all high-rank seeds of level seven or above, no medicinal herbs had matured yet. He wasn''t in a hurry, patiently waiting.


    When the first batch of herbs matured, it would bring him a significant increase in life span, something he eagerly anticipated.


    Two ancient hours later, Gu An took them out of the Outer World Cave, walking along the underground passage towards Nianchu Cave.


    "I''ve prepared Shape-Shifting Elixirs for you; you can shape-shift in the next few days," Gu An said as he walked ahead.


    Upon hearing this, Tianqing and Tian Bai were overjoyed and hurriedly came forward to thank their master for his gift.


    Demons could achieve shape-shifting through their own cultivation, but the Shape-Shifting Elixir could speed up the process and increase the success rate. If they relied on themselves for shape-shifting, failure would mean death or severe injury, similar to crossing a tribulation.


    "Master, what about me?" Tian Yao''er asked as she held Tian Bai, squeezing in beside Gu An with a pitiful expression.


    Gu An replied: "I''ve prepared a batch of Qi-Blood enhancing elixirs for you."


    The elixirs he prepared for Tian Yao''er weren''t ones he refined but were purchased on Immortal Seeking Island, worth a fortune, and made by the top alchemy sect on the sea, the Purple Pill Palace.

 Chapter 226: Chapter 226: Sudden Change in the Sea, Strange Fragrance

    Gu An did not personally oversee the shape-shifting of Tianqing and Tian Bai. With Tian Yao''er around, he believed the two cat demons would be fine.


    Tian Yao''er''s cultivation had reached the Ninth Layer of the Core Formation Realm, capable of handling matters independently.


    Gu An first returned to the Mystic Valley, taking a few laps around the valley before heading to the Third Medicine Valley.


    The number of Servant Disciples in the Third Medicine Valley had increased to eight hundred. As soon as he stepped out of the Transmission Array Platform, he heard a commotion.


    He glanced up and saw some disciples sweeping, some patrolling the area, and others practicing spells. Under the distant trees, some were playing chess and Go.


    Gu An was lenient in managing the disciples. As long as they completed their daily tasks, they could arrange their time freely.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, not all disciples were idle. Most harbored ambitions of becoming Outer Disciples, so they worked diligently to please Gu An and obtain elixirs.


    Gu An walked towards his pavilion.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was dozing on the grass below the pavilion, nature''s spiritual energy slowly flowing into his body.


    Suddenly, the pavilion door opened, and You Yingying beckoned to Gu An. Seeing this, Gu An sighed helplessly and walked over.


    This pavilion belonged to Lu Lingjun. After Divine Exotic City was taken by Li Ya, Lu Lingjun returned.


    She was in seclusion for cultivation until You Yingying entered the valley, causing a change.


    The two of them unexpectedly got along well.


    Having heard that Lu Lingjun was a Great Cultivator in the Mystic Heart Realm, You Yingying became intrigued and approached her, successfully befriending her through her Star Sea Congregations'' background.


    Gu An didn''t need to enter the pavilion to know what they would discuss.


    It was definitely about establishing the Ascension Sect!


    Gu An was also forcibly pulled into their plan. As long as he provided medicinal herbs, he could secure a high-level seat in the future.


    Upon entering, You Yingying closed the door.


    Gu An walked into the hall. Lu Lingjun was sitting at the table, which was covered in papers, with a small white snake coiled on them.


    He sat down, teasing the White Spirit Demon Emperor, enjoying stroking its snake head.


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor, having concealed its cultivation, was usually docile. Besides, Lu Lingjun had privately instructed it, so it had to comply with Gu An''s actions.


    You Yingying quickly sat beside Gu An, excitedly saying, "Recently, my people have tracked the whereabouts of Ascenders! And there''s more than one!"


    Gu An responded irritably, "You dragged me into this just for that? I have no intention of leaving the Supreme Sect."


    He wondered what Lu Lingjun had said to make this native You Yingying so obsessed with creating the Ascension Sect.


    Moreover, You Yingying, though only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, had many spies at sea. Previously, Gu An overheard their conversation and learned that You Yingying''s grandfather was one of the Sea Lords of the Star Sea Congregations, meaning he was at least in the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Gu An felt quite unsettled about this. He had known You Yingying first, but she hadn''t confided in him, instead revealing everything to Lu Lingjun.


    Since you two are so close, why not just soar to great heights together?


    You Yingying giggled, "Of course, it''s not about asking you to invite them. With your cultivation level, seeing them would be quite difficult. I''m just informing you that the framework of the Ascension Sect is almost formed!"


    Lu Lingjun nodded, saying, "I plan to establish the Ascension Sect outside the three dynasties. The Supreme Sect will also support us."


    To this, Gu An was not surprised.


    The position of the Taicang Dynasty was too awkward, located at the southernmost part of the continent. The spirit mines discovered by the Supreme Sect in the Demon Clan''s territory were constantly plundered by other sects, preventing the sect from expanding to the North.


    If the Ascension Sect could be established, other sects might not target it. In the future, the cooperation between the two sects would certainly hinder the development efforts of other sects.


    Regarding the sect competition in the three dynasties'' area, Gu An had no intention of intervening. The Supreme Sect had not been gathering disciples or seeking Sword Venerable Fudao''s help, as both the Venerable Pavilion and the Hall of Elders were harboring pent-up frustrations, determined to elevate the Supreme Sect to the foremost sect among the three dynasties.


    Lu Lingjun said, "I plan to personally head south. I''m just letting you know so you won''t wonder where I went."


    Gu An said, "You don''t need to report your whereabouts to me."


    "Huh?"


    Lu Lingjun glanced at him, her gaze slightly cold.


    Gu An pouted and said no more.


    You Yingying began excitedly detailing the information on the Ascenders. There were five in total, three males and two females, residing on an island within the Star Sea Congregations'' domain. The weakest among them had reached the Unification Realm, with two having reached the Mystic Heart Realm.


    There were actually many Ascenders overseas. Once they understood the survival rules of this world, they no longer hid their origins. After all, cultivators here couldn''t ascend to the lower realms, and they weren''t interested in the lower realms.


    Gu An listened attentively, contemplating the impact if the Ascension Sect truly established itself in the immortal cultivation world on the continent.


    Ascenders might not have the highest cultivation, but their survival skills and temperament were formidable.


    Whether Lu Lingjun could win them over remained uncertain to Gu An.


    An hour later, Lu Lingjun left with the White Spirit Demon Emperor.


    Gu An and You Yingying saw them off. As Lu Lingjun''s figure disappeared into the sky, You Yingying looked at Gu An, patted his shoulder, and laughed, "When the Ascension Sect is established, you can be counted as an elder. Your destiny will change, remember to thank me!"


    Gu An looked at her, curiously asking, "You''re not even an Ascender; why are you so enthusiastic?"


    Once the Ascension Sect was established, those without ascension experience would surely be marginalized or scorned, as the sect''s teachings would focus on gathering Ascenders.


    "It''s interesting. In this lifetime, if you could do a few notable things, it wouldn''t be a waste of time in this mortal world. If you could leave a mark, that would be even better," You Yingying said matter-of-factly.


    Gu An was surprised, "With your background, why do you sound like¡­"


    He noticed that in her true form, You Yingying had a peculiar causal force within her, limiting her spiritual power''s growth.


    Once her cultivation couldn''t progress, even with a maximum life span of five thousand years, You Yingying would surely die at the age of four hundred.


    You Yingying looked at him and sniffed, "Right, I already know my fate. In this lifetime, I can''t pursue the immortal path."


    With that, she turned and left, not wanting to continue the conversation with Gu An.


    Gu An didn''t press further.


    Having come this far, he asked a single question, as he wouldn''t involve himself in You Yingying''s fate.


    He couldn''t ensure his junior sister''s immortality, so he wasn''t qualified to help others.


    He turned and went back inside to practice alchemy, planning to bring the elixirs to the Outer Gate City in a few days.


    ...


    The time came to the end of summer.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An was studying the Ziwei Array Chronicles when he suddenly felt something, casting his gaze outside the window, frowning slightly.


    "Why has this guy been so restless recently?"


    Gu An pondered in confusion.


    In the past month, Li Ya repeatedly used the power of Divine Exotic City, starting anew today.


    Li Ya was far from him, and he couldn''t capture him with divine sense due to the prohibitions of the Star Sea Congregations along the way. He didn''t want to alarm their Great Cultivators.


    Even without using divine sense, he could learn about Li Ya''s situation through the mental connection with the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit.


    After a moment of hesitation, Gu An inquired the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit with his mind.


    Soon, the spirit informed him of the reason.


    Li Ya was exploring a secret realm, one of the legacy secret realms of the Star Sea Congregations. If he succeeded, he''d gain the ancient legacy of the Congregations. With the power of Divine Exotic City, Li Ya had already reached the final challenge, facing the remnants of the inheritor''s soul, with the army of Divine Soul Demons unable to capture it for a while.


    Knowing the reason, Gu An stopped worrying.


    Li Ya had been with the Star Sea Congregations for over five years. If they had intended to harm him, they would have done so long ago. It seemed the Congregations genuinely wanted to nurture him.


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and continued studying the Ziwei Array Chronicles in his hand.


    Time continued to pass.


    An hour later.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A deafening roar from afar interrupted Gu An''s thoughts once again.


    "What''s special about today? Why is there so much commotion?" Gu An muttered quietly, sending his divine sense towards the source of the sound.


    Before long, his expression changed dramatically.


    Reflected in his pupils was an endless ocean. At this moment, a gigantic fissure appeared in the ocean, continuously expanding. The seawater furiously rushed into the fissure, forming a spectacular waterfall. The deep fissure stretched for miles.


    Gu An sensed other divine senses being drawn to the ocean fissure and many cultivators heading towards it.


    The ocean was to the west of the continent. Gu An''s divine sense traveled a long way, discovering the fissure extended for tens of thousands of miles and was still growing, seemingly dividing the ocean in two.


    Strangely, despite the seawater pouring into the fissure, the sea level didn''t drop but maintained its majestic sight.


    Fortunately, the ocean fissure was far from the continent, with a landmass in between. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An retracted his divine sense and continued reading, planning to visit Immortal Seeking Island later for information.


    On Immortal Seeking Island, Gu An could always hear various significant oceanic events.


    Late at night.


    Gu An arrived at Nianchu Cave, walking towards the stone table. As soon as his footsteps sounded, two fragrances greeted him. Next, his arms were embraced, sinking into softness.


    "Master!"


    "Greetings, Master!"


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    Two enchanting women clung to Gu An''s arms, one in a blue dress, the other in a white dress. They had graceful figures and delicate features, gazing at Gu An with eyes like rippling water.


    They were Tianqing and Tian Bai after shape-shifting.


    Gu An, wearing a mask, asked, "What''s that smell on you?"


    Tianqing tilted her head and said, "It''s a special water Miss made. It gives off a distinctive fragrance, masking our demon scent, so Master won''t dislike us."


    Gu An remained silent, inwardly satisfied.


    The newly shape-shifted Tianqing and Tian Bai indeed had a foul demon scent, which made him reluctant to be close to them before.


    Allowing them to hold him, Gu An walked towards the small building.


    The two cat demons chattered non-stop, just like Tian Yao''er.


    Soon, Tian Yao''er emerged from the house, beaming as she approached Gu An, expecting praise. Unfortunately, Gu An didn''t mention the fragrance but asked about her cultivation progress.

 Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Immortal King

    Gu An sat at the stone table, enjoying Tianqing and Tian Bai''s shoulder and leg massages. He cast his gaze toward Tian Yao''er, occasionally giving remarks on her Limitless Freedom Step, feeling quite content.


    Tian Yao''er felt rather frustrated but had no choice but to listen.


    After a long while, Gu An finally stopped his pointers to her and said, "Tianqing, Tian Bai, today I will teach you a divine skill. Do you wish to learn?"


    Upon hearing this, the two girls immediately nodded, their eyes shining with excitement.


    Gu An raised his hand, using his index finger to touch their foreheads. In an instant, their bodies stiffened, and a figure practicing divine skills was reflected in their pupils, their postures constantly changing.


    He imparted the Daoist Gang Primal Energy to them. Tianqing and Tian Bai needed many years to master it, which would also help them settle down.


    During the massages, their hands had been a bit restless, which made Gu An slightly displeased, hence a small punishment.


    Tian Yao''er sat down and curiously asked, "Master, what divine skill are you teaching them?"


    Gu An briefly introduced the Daoist Gang Primal Energy, which piqued Tian Yao''er''s interest, and she began to coquettishly beg him to teach her.


    Having spent so much time together, Gu An found it hard to refuse Tian Yao''er''s requests, so he nodded in agreement. This made Tian Yao''er very excited; her eyes darted around, thinking of something, unable to contain her smile.


    Once the two cat demons regained their senses, Gu An let them go to practice.


    As they left, Tian Yao''er approached again, eagerly leaning her forehead forward with her eyes closed.


    Seeing her acting like a damsel waiting to be picked, Gu An cursed her as a demon under his breath, then began imparting the divine skill.


    After teaching the divine skill, while Tian Yao''er was still immersed in the inherited memories, Gu An began picking medicinal herbs.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai were very restless. Wherever Gu An went, they would practice nearby, constantly chatting with him.


    It wasn''t until dawn that Gu An finally left.


    ...


    As autumn arrived, the weather became slightly cool.


    Gu An crossed several seas and reached Immortal Seeking Island.


    Sure enough, news of the ocean rift had already spread across Immortal Seeking Island, and everyone was talking about it.


    It was said that the rift was still continuously expanding, making it impossible to gauge its length. The width alone reached a hundred miles, causing unease, as if the entire mortal world was about to split in two.


    During this time, Gu An even saw Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal approaching the ocean rift, but they were powerless as well.


    "Senior, I heard a legend. Long ago, the mortal world was submerged by the ocean, countless Daoist traditions perished. When the ocean receded, all beings returned to living on land, and sects sprang up like bamboo shoots after a rain. One of those sects was the Red Dust Sect. The Sect Master of Red Dust Sect created the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, Divine Exotic City, which suppressed the mortal world and achieved the position of Immortal King."


    "Before the Red Dust Sect Master fell, he split the ocean in two, then his body fell and was buried at the bottom of the sea. His realm was unimaginable, and some say it was the power of his bones that cracked the ocean. No one knows if it''s true."


    Hu Xiaojian followed beside Gu An, speaking mysteriously.


    Red Dust Sect, Divine Exotic City?


    Upon hearing this, Gu An suddenly felt that the ocean rift was related to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm first released the Divine Exotic City, then created the ocean rift. What was their true intention?


    "Help me gather all the legends and records of Immortal Kings throughout history," Gu An instructed.


    Previously, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had sent the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil to deliver the Immortal King Crown to Gu An. Hidden beneath the crown were the bones and soul of the Evil Emperor. Gu An buried the Immortal King Crown at the bottom of a lake in the North Sea and had not touched it since.


    He originally thought the Immortal King was just a title, but now it seemed there were many Immortal Kings.


    Hu Xiaojian quickly agreed. Being able to work for Gu An made him feel honored. Having spent so many years with Gu An, he felt fortunate to have someone powerful to rely on.


    Serving a Loose Immortal was indeed his blessing!


    There was an auction on Immortal Seeking Island in a couple of days, and Hu Xiaojian recommended Gu An attend because there was a sapling of a ninth-rank Spirit Tree.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately agreed.


    Half a day later, Gu An left with the sapling of the ninth-rank Spirit Tree. Some Loose Immortals attempted to track him but couldn''t keep up. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An arrived at the Outer World Cave and planted the sapling of the ninth-rank Spirit Tree.


    [Tree of Luo Hai (Ninth Rank): 56/80000/500000]


    Five hundred thousand years maximum lifespan!


    If he were to kill it now, Gu An could gain eight thousand years of life, but he would not engage in killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.


    The Tree of Luo Hai could form the Luotian Energy Sea, gather spiritual energy, and enhance the growth environment of all things. The Luotian Energy Sea could even bring down spiritual rain, which, it was said, offered a chance for enlightenment from the heavens and earth.


    This kind of Spirit Tree made Gu An very excited.


    In ten thousand years, the Outer World Cave would be fully cultivated. By then, if his old friends were no longer around, he could retreat there for tens of thousands of years, with Tian Yao''er keeping him company, he would never be lonely.


    Gu An admired the Tree of Luo Hai for a long time before leaving.


    When he returned again, it was already ten years later.


    In ten years, the Tree of Luo Hai had grown significantly taller.


    Tian Yao''er accompanied Gu An, standing by his side, gazing up at the Tree of Luo Hai together.


    In the distance, Tianqing and Tian Bai were playing around. Gu An had taken them in to serve Tian Yao''er, but since Tian Yao''er was often in seclusion, she rarely disciplined them, leading to their continued innocence and playful nature.


    Ten years had passed, and Tian Yao''er''s cultivation level had reached the second layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    "Master, we''ve been looking for so long. Shouldn''t we leave now?" Tian Yao''er asked softly.


    Gu An came back to his senses, nodded gently, then took her and left.


    Tian Yao''er urged him because she didn''t want to waste time here. She had a lot she wanted to discuss with Gu An.


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    However, she could sense that Gu An''s mood wasn''t high.


    This feeling persisted until Gu An left.


    Returning to Mystic Valley, Gu An sat at his desk, holding the Green Hero Travelogue, unable to calm his mind.


    He sighed quietly, feeling very troubled.


    The reason for his distress was because tonight Ye Lan was going to release the cultivation suppressed by the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    He was already one hundred and twenty-two years old, whereas Ye Lan was one hundred and seventeen, only thirteen years away from the end of her lifespan. He feared that the Primordial Reincarnation Skill might have issues, so he left thirteen years as a buffer.


    Over these years, he had sent countless elixirs to Ye Lan, which should have helped her accumulate a significant amount of cultivation.


    Gu An thought this, feeling a bit more at ease.


    He sent his divine sense toward the Outer Gate City, inside Ye Lan''s mansion.


    Ye Lan was meditating on her bed, practicing her skills. Gu An could feel that her cultivation realm was loosening.


    He waited until the deep of night.


    Ye Lan''s cultivation was completely released. Gu An had set up many formations in her mansion in advance. Nonetheless, her aura still alerted many people because he couldn''t lay formations beyond his apparent abilities'' grade.


    More and more people gathered toward Ye Lan''s mansion. Fortunately, the Outer Sect''s Great Elder Lv Songhan arrived in time, dispersing the disciples and dispatching subordinates to guard the mansion.


    This was Gu An''s prior arrangement.


    Gu An could feel that Ye Lan was forming a core, and he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief.


    Until dawn, Ye Lan began forming her Nascent Soul.


    This made Gu An secretly shocked. The Primordial Reincarnation Skill was quite domineering!


    Of course, the reason Ye Lan could break through so quickly was mainly because Gu An had invested a lot of elixirs. The value of those elixirs had already surpassed the accumulation of most Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.


    After two more days, Ye Lan''s cultivation finally stabilized.


    But her commotion had attracted the attention of the Inner Sect and the Main City of the Sect.


    Gu An had no choice but to stand guard at the mansion''s entrance.


    Lv Baitian flew over. Seeing Gu An, he immediately approached him.


    Facing the Sect Leader, Gu An did not conceal anything. He explained the origin of the Daoist Expansion Skill and revealed that the reason Ye Lan''s breakthrough caused such a stir was that he had poured all the medicinal herbs he had obtained over the years into elixirs for her.


    Lv Baitian had heard of the Daoist Expansion Skill. Wuxin was now a key figure beside Li Xuandao, and the power of the Daoist Expansion Skill had already spread in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    He hadn''t expected Gu An to be so sentimental. He knew that Gu An possessed three Medicine Valleys, and the quantity of medicinal herbs he obtained yearly was immense. That he would pour it all into Ye Lan was astonishing.


    "Hmm, I''ll handle this. You can wait here in peace." Lv Baitian said and then signaled to Lv Songhan.


    He had Lv Songhan proclaim that a Great Cultivator at the Divinity Transformation Realm was practicing in the mansion, and no one was to disturb.


    A Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator reaching the Divinity Transformation Realm in two days would indeed cause a huge stir, but if it was a Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator practicing, the impact would be much less.


    Gu An stood and waited in front of the mansion.


    Until evening, when Ye Lan''s aura calmed, Lv Songhan finally led his people away.


    Gu An entered the mansion and walked toward Ye Lan''s room.


    Standing in front of the door, he waited.


    "Senior brother, why don''t you come in?" Ye Lan''s voice came from inside the room.


    Gu An took a deep breath and pushed the door open.


    His gaze was immediately drawn to Ye Lan on the bed. He quickly performed a life span detection.


    [Ye Lan (Divinity Transformation Stage Fifth Level): 117/600/600]


    Only six hundred years of life span?


    Gu An frowned, his heart sinking.


    Ye Lan opened her eyes, looked at him, and smiled, "Senior brother, I''ve reached the Divinity Transformation Realm. It''s incredible!"


    She was very excited, unaware that her life span was only six hundred years.


    In her understanding, living a thousand years at the Divinity Transformation Realm was not difficult, and she believed her cultivation would grow higher in the future.


    The Primordial Reincarnation Skill could extend the maximum life span but couldn''t ensure that the practitioner''s life span increased with breakthroughs.


    After all, this skill was meant to defy fate.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Really? That''s great, junior sister. You''ll have to look after me from now on."


    Ye Lan laughed, "The technique is yours. When you release your cultivation, you''ll definitely be more powerful than I am."


    Gu An hadn''t practiced the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, but hearing her say this, he had no choice but to agree.


    Ye Lan got up and sat at the table with Gu An, starting to talk about her breakthrough experiences.


    Gu An, meanwhile, pondered how to help Ye Lan achieve enlightenment.


    At present, it seemed enlightenment was the best way to extend the maximum life span. But how difficult enlightenment was!

 Chapter 228: Chapter 228 The 9,999-Year Life Span Limit

    Feeling down, Gu An looked at the excited Ye Lan, and his mood gradually improved.


    No matter what, he at least helped Ye Lan extend her life by four hundred and seventy years, and her cultivation progressed from the Foundation Establishment Realm to the Divinity Transformation Realm, making her future life more exciting.


    With nearly five hundred more years of life, perhaps she would have her own opportunities in the future.


    Gu An smiled and occasionally echoed Ye Lan''s words.


    When Ye Lan finished speaking, Gu An said, "I recommend you go to the Inner Sect."


    Ye Lan nodded, with a face full of yearning she said, "If I cannot progress further in this life, it would not be in vain to experience the world of Great Cultivators."


    Since Gu An stepped into the room, Ye Lan had noticed something was off with his expression.


    Recalling Gu An''s usual advice, Ye Lan thought of many possibilities. One thing was certain, her senior brother was very concerned about her life span.


    Ye Lan did not feel afraid or disappointed, instead, she felt very content.


    Without her senior brother''s help, she might have been a Servant Disciple for her whole life, let alone reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm. Everything now seemed like a dream.


    "If I can only live for a few hundred years, senior brother, you need not regret. If fate allows, we can meet in the next life, right?" Ye Lan blinked and said with a light laugh.


    Gu An was startled, then laughed, "Yes, if it''s meant to be, even reincarnation can''t stop it."


    They talked from the future to the past this time. Gu An chose to stay overnight at Ye Lan''s residence and they talked all night without feeling tired.


    Early the next day, Gu An left.


    Ye Lan saw him off to the gate, watching his departing figure, the sense of loss welled up in her heart once again.


    After her cultivation level rose, she increasingly found her senior brother''s demeanor extraordinary.


    Perhaps her senior brother had already reached a certain stage, after all, he was valued by the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Ye Lan knew one thing for sure, if it was not just a chance meeting with the Sword Venerable Fudao, the Sword Venerable would not have taken action with the Qinghong Sword.


    Gu An just wanted to avoid trouble; that''s why he hid his relationship with the Sword Venerable Fudao. Ye Lan could understand this.


    "Senior brother, I will always be with you for the rest of my life."


    Ye Lan smiled, her eyes filled with an expectant smile.


    The future was far away, she did not want to think about it too much, she just wanted to cherish the present.


    ...


    Putting aside Ye Lan''s matter for the time being, unlike the Daoist Expansion Skill which could only lift the cultivation constraints once in a lifetime, the Primordial Reincarnation Skill could be repeatedly cultivated. Ye Lan would continue to suppress her cultivation in the future and release it after hundreds of years, then the ultimate life span should be able to increase again, but Gu An was not sure if the effect would be the same as the first time lifting the cultivation constraints.


    Anyway, this was at least a hope.


    After hundreds of years, Gu An''s cultivation would also transform, and perhaps he could find the chance to change Ye Lan''s fate against the heavens.


    Compared to Ye Lan, Gu An was more worried about Xiaochuan.


    Xiaochuan this fellow usually did not work hard on cultivation, and even if the cultivation constraints were lifted, the improvement would be limited, certainly not as good as Ye Lan.


    But Xiaochuan had already seen through life and death, without fear of life and death, so Gu An was not so regretful.


    Everyone has their own choice, everyone will experience farewells, Gu An was not a stubborn person. If he was powerless, he could only work hard on his cultivation and see the end of the immortal path on behalf of his old friends.


    This year''s summer was not as hot as previous years.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An went downstairs, looking at the myriad forms of life in the valley, and he had a smile on his face, feeling very good.


    In the distance, You Yingying was instructing An Xin and several female disciples in practicing spells. Although her cultivation level was very low, she understood many spells.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was chasing the White Spirit Rat again. The gap between them was very small, whenever he was about to catch the White Spirit Rat, it always managed to dodge, making him extremely angry and unwilling to stop, so he could only keep chasing.


    Ten years had passed, and Lu Lingjun had not returned yet.


    Gu An detected through his divine sense that her Ascension Sect had been preliminarily established, but one of the Ascenders had offended an overseas family, and they had an ongoing grudge for several years.


    Gu An just watched the play with no intention of meddling.


    Although Lu Lingjun had been injured many times, it was not to the extent of life-threatening.


    It had to be said that Ascenders were indeed very tenacious. Even though the enemy was powerful, they had no plans to back down and were prepared to fight to the death, not giving up until justice was served.


    Xiaochuan came to Gu An''s side and said, "Senior brother, I just recruited a hundred Servant Disciples, do you want to take a look?"


    Over the past ten years, disciples have constantly established their foundations and left, while new disciples joined, and the total number of disciples had breached nine hundred.


    Gu An, being idle, agreed and nodded.


    He followed Xiaochuan to the grassy area at the edge of the pavilion area, where a hundred Servant Disciples were waiting, very nervous and whispering to each other.


    "Will the Valley Master accept us?"


    "He should. The head disciple brought us here."


    "This Third Medicine Valley is not simple, it sends out several Foundation Establishment Realm disciples each year to help them become Outer Sect disciples."


    "I''ve heard that too. It''s said that the Valley Master is the disciple of the Sect Leader."


    "The most important thing is that the Valley Master is very generous."


    Some were excited, some were anxious, and some were so nervous that they were shaking all over.


    When they saw Xiaochuan and Gu An approaching, they all shut up.


    Their gazes fell on Gu An and were amazed by his appearance and demeanor.


    So young!


    So handsome!


    Gu An''s eyes swept over these Servant Disciples, constantly checking their life spans.


    In the past decades, there were no few buried talents among the Servant Disciples recruited by Xiaochuan, but none had an ultimate life span exceeding a thousand years. Gu An had never focused on cultivating Servant Disciples, so the master-disciple bond was not close.


    With one glance, all had ultimate life spans of a hundred or two hundred years, occasionally showing up one with over three hundred years.


    [Yang Jian (Energy Cultivation Realm third layer): 15/97/9999]


    Hmm?


    Yang Jian?


    Even True Lord Erlang appeared?


    And with the same ultimate life span as An Hao¡­


    Gu An''s gaze fixed on Yang Jian, he pointed at Yang Jian and transmitted his voice to Xiaochuan, asking him to call that kid out.


    Yang Jian wore simple gray clothes, his face slightly black, looking like he had been doing farm work since childhood, but his facial contours were very good. If well-groomed, he would appear handsome.


    He stood in the crowd, very inconspicuous.


    Watching Xiaochuan approach, everyone held their breath, both nervous and expectant.


    Xiaochuan squeezed into the crowd, patted Yang Jian on the shoulder, and asked him to come out.


    Yang Jian was stunned, and quickly followed, feeling very anxious, afraid that Gu An would find him unpleasant.


    When he stood in front of Gu An, he heard Gu An ask, "Introduce yourself."


    Yang Jian came to his senses and hurriedly said, "My name is Yang Jian, from Longhu Town, Xu Province. I am fifteen years old, and my family has nine members..."


    Before Gu An could speak, Xiaochuan couldn''t help but ask, "Yang Jian? Which Yang, which Jian?"


    Yang Jian scratched his head awkwardly and said, "It''s Yang Jian from the Investiture of the Gods, True Lord Erlang from Journey to the West. I really like these two books, so I changed my name to Yang Jian after joining the Supreme Sect. My old name was Yang Xiaohu, which sounded really bad..."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the other Servant Disciples burst into laughter.


    Hearing this, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief.


    Scared me to death!


    He really thought this kid was Yang Jian from the Investiture of the Gods. After all, this nearly ten-thousand-year ultimate life span was too eye-catching.


    To date, Gu An had encountered three people with an ultimate life span of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years: An Hao, the Blood Prison Great Saint, and Yang Jian.


    He scrutinized Yang Jian, finding his bones peculiar, and his spirit root was a Mixed Spirit Root of the Five Elements, but his bones were unlike ordinary people. This point was hard to detect without reaching the Immortal Path Realm. His bones needed a vast amount of spiritual energy to revive.


    In other words, if Yang Jian could not awaken his physical body, he was no different from an ordinary Servant Disciple.


    Without the life span detection, Gu An would not have detected this.


    If not encountered by Gu An, Yang Jian would likely never have been noticed for his extraordinary traits, as the number of immortals in the Taicang Dynasty was few, making it hard for him to come in contact with them.


    Discover exclusive content at m,v l''-NovelFire.net


    Xiaochuan, with a dark expression, said, "You really know how to name yourself, daring to take the name of True Lord Erlang, who is so divine and handsome?"


    He also liked the Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West and had a very good impression of Yang Jian.


    In the Investiture of the Gods, Gu An included the story of Yang Jian rescuing his mother on Peach Mountain, making Yang Jian''s character more complete and raising his popularity to the highest in the Investiture of the Gods, surpassing even Nezha.


    The other Servant Disciples joined in the teasing, making Yang Jian''s face turn red, wanting to find a hole to crawl into.


    "Choosing a new name after embarking on the path of Immortal Cultivation is also a way to show your ambition. From now on, you shall be called Yang Jian."


    Gu An said, with his words, the other disciples dared not laugh anymore.


    Then, Gu An gave some courteous encouragement and explained some rules of the Medicine Valley, stating that as long as the disciples worked diligently, he was willing to help them establish their foundations and pursue the immortal path. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After speaking, Gu An turned and left.


    He would not accept someone as a disciple based solely on their ultimate life span; he would observe Yang Jian''s future behavior. If he had good character, Gu An would be willing to help, forming a kind fate. If his character was mean, then he would live his exceptional life span in mediocrity.


    Due to being singled out by Gu An, Yang Jian was pursued by other disciples looking to befriend him, making him feel flattered.


    He looked at Gu An''s departing figure, his eyes full of gratitude.


    Without Gu An''s recognition, his name would have been constantly mocked.


    He decided secretly that he must perform well and strive to get a Foundation Establishment Pill someday!


    Back in his room, Gu An couldn''t help but turn his gaze to An Hao.


    Compared to Ye Yan, Su Han, and Zhen Qin, An Hao was his true disciple, inheriting his cultivation techniques and ultimate skills. He had always held great expectations for An Hao.


    An Hao''s cultivation had reached the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, and terrifyingly, he was not yet a hundred years old.


    At the moment, An Hao was cultivating on a small island in the ocean, with Chi Jiuxiao and Chi Bei also on the island, guiding him in his cultivation.


    Both were stunned by An Hao''s talent. If they didn''t know that An Hao had a mentor at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, they would have fought to take him as a disciple.


    Gu An noticed that Chi Bei''s cultivation level was continuously dropping; it seemed the poison of the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion could not be completely eliminated.


    He needed to find an opportunity to pass the Yang Wood Primordial Skill''s advanced technique to An Hao to prevent An Hao from being surpassed by Li Ya and Zhang Buku.

 Chapter 229: Chapter 229 Yang Jians Longing

    With the passing of summer and the arrival of autumn, the Third Medicine Valley gradually became tinged with yellow.


    Yang Jian came before the Blood Prison Great Saint, respectfully presenting a platter filled with flowers and fruits.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lay on the ground and gave him a casual glance. "Is it washed clean?" he asked indifferently.


    Yang Jian quickly nodded and whispered, "I washed it three times."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lowered his head to sniff, then said, "Not bad. Keep it up, you may go now."


    Yang Jian stood up, bowed, and then retreated.


    Ever since Gu An approved his name, he had been more driven than the other disciples. Not only was he busy with chores in the valley, but he also served the Blood Prison Great Saint and the White Spirit Rat diligently. His industriousness made the other servant disciples feel disdainful, so they gradually began to distance themselves from him.


    Despite this, he did not feel embarrassed but was instead full of anticipation.


    He knew full well that with his average talent, if he only did what the other disciples did, he would at most earn a single Foundation Establishment Pill.


    He believed that even if he reached Foundation Establishment, it wouldn''t change his fate. There were many Foundation Establishment Realm disciples in the Outer Sect who still remained at the bottom.


    But if he could gain the favor of the Valley Master, that would be entirely different!


    Lacking aptitude and connections, Gu An represented the greatest opportunity in Yang Jian''s eyes.


    He didn''t know how to go about pleasing Gu An deliberately, so he used his spare time to take care of Gu An''s mounts and spirit pets.


    Yang Jian stood at the wooden fence, looking out over the vast expanse of the Medicine Valley''s garden. He wiped the sweat from his face, filled with hopes for the future.


    Being able to join such a medicine valley was already very fortunate!


    Next, he needed to seize this fortune!


    ...


    Days went by one after another.


    In late autumn, someone came to visit Gu An. It was Wu Jue, whom he hadn''t seen in many years.


    Wu Jue, visiting the Third Medicine Valley for the first time, was amazed by its grandeur.


    "I''m looking for Gu An," Wu Jue said, grabbing a person. Coincidentally, that person was Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian was sweeping the ground and couldn''t help but ask, "May I ask for your name, senior? What is your relationship with the Valley Master?"


    "My name is Wu Jue. Gu An and I are brothers. I''ve been away for many years and came here specifically to see him today," Wu Jue replied.


    Hearing this, Yang Jian dared not be careless. He asked Wu Jue to wait for a moment and ran all the way to Xiaochuan to report the matter, asking Xiaochuan to make the decision.


    Xiaochuan then went to Gu An''s pavilion and relayed the story at the door.


    In fact, Gu An had already sensed Wu Jue''s arrival, but since Wu Jue had now cultivated the Energy Concealing Sorcery, it was hard for him to detect directly. So he waited for his disciples to report it to him. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Bring him over," came Gu An''s voice from inside the room.


    Xiaochuan immediately called out to Yang Jian, sending the waiting Yang Jian downstairs on an errand.


    Just as Yang Jian turned around, Wu Jue suddenly rushed past like a gust of wind, startling him so much that he widened his eyes.


    He stood there dumbfounded, watching Wu Jue leave a trail of afterimages as he swiftly went upstairs. Even Xiaochuan, who was upstairs, had his hair blown around and stood frozen in place.


    Wu Jue pushed open the door, saw Gu An, and smiled, turning around to close the door behind him.


    Xiaochuan came to his senses and turned to descend the stairs.


    Yang Jian was still stunned. It wasn''t until Xiaochuan beckoned to him that he finally snapped out of it.


    He didn''t inquire about Wu Jue''s identity, but in his heart, a great determination ignited.


    He also wanted to become a great cultivator like Wu Jue!


    On the other side.


    Inside the room, Gu An poured tea for Wu Jue and listened to him recount his experiences over the years.


    After sitting down and adjusting his mindset, he used Life Span Detection on Wu Jue as if he were about to open a blind box.


    [Wu Jue (Nascent Soul Realm, Level Eight): 124/890/7600]


    So many years had passed, but Wu Jue''s maximum lifespan had not increased, indicating that he hadn''t made any breakthroughs in Path Enlightenment for decades.


    Gu An felt a bit disappointed; he had hoped that Wu Jue could continue his Path Enlightenment indefinitely.


    Of course, with Wu Jue''s current talent and status, reaching the Nirvana Realm before the age of seven thousand six hundred wouldn''t be difficult.


    However, Gu An thought it a pity that Wu Jue wouldn''t reach the ultimate lifespan limit of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years.


    Wu Jue didn''t notice any change in Gu An''s expression and continued to talk excitedly about his experiences over the years.


    Gu An listened attentively. The timid boy from back then had now grown to be a capable individual. Hearing him now also made Gu An feel somewhat emotional.


    After a long time.


    Wu Jue began to speak about his troubles.


    "The Emperor treats me very well and has tried hard to win me over, but my master also treats me exceptionally, training me without reservation. Now, the Zhou Family behind my master is not only in conflict with the Taicang Dynasty but is also challenging the Supreme Sect..."


    Wu Jue spoke with a face full of anguish. He had embarked on the Immortal Cultivation Path at the Supreme Sect, so he had deep feelings for it. When the Zhou Family left the Supreme Sect, it made things difficult for him. Hence, he chose to serve Li Xuandao to avoid the disputes. But now, with the Zhou Family supporting the Great Jiang Dynasty, a three-way war was imminent, and he faced another decision.


    This time, he had returned to seek Gu An''s opinion.


    After hearing this, Gu An also felt troubled. Repaying a debt of gratitude was always the hardest.


    He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Who do you think is the most important?"


    Wu Jue was silent for a moment before he replied, "In my heart, the Supreme Sect is definitely the most important. Whether it is my master or the emperor, they chose me only after I had grown up. Without the Supreme Sect, I wouldn''t have met them."


    He raised his eyes to look at Gu An, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Since you can make a choice, I won''t say more. Regardless of your decision, I will support you."


    Wu Jue felt a smile spread across his face and sighed, "I have to consider how to face them in the future."


    "It''s simple. Don''t become their enemy. Support the Supreme Sect unilaterally. There are many ways to repay them; you don''t have to follow orders blindly," Gu An reassured him.


    Wu Jue nodded, then took out various treasures from his storage bag, placing them on the table.


    "This is the Demon Extermination Elixir, which can prevent the birth of inner demons."


    "This is the Sleeve Gold Sword Array. Though small, it can form a large sword array once infused with spiritual power."


    "This is the Substitute Mouth Cricket. It''s of no practical use but can speak for you and serve as entertainment."


    "And this, Top-Grade Dharma Artifact Mist Cloud Boots, allows you to create clouds under your feet and soar through the skies. It was a reward from the emperor for slaying the enemy''s general."


    Wu Jue introduced the treasures one by one; there were eight in total, each with different uses.


    After he finished speaking, Gu An pretended to decline, but Wu Jue insisted, saying he had received many elixirs from Gu An in the past and had to pay him back.


    After several refusals, Wu Jue glared and said, "Are we not brothers? You must accept these, or we can''t be brothers anymore!"


    Gu An had no choice but to agree reluctantly.


    "Next time you visit, don''t bring so many things. I don''t need them, and our bond can''t be measured by treasures," Gu An said seriously.


    He genuinely didn''t want them and hoped Wu Jue wouldn''t go to so much trouble.


    Wu Jue waved his hand and said, "I don''t care. When I see good things, I think of you. Since you don''t venture out and only focus on cultivation, I''ll find you all the magic artifacts and secret books you need."


    Gu An smiled and didn''t continue the topic.


    It wasn''t until dusk that Wu Jue left, having made up his mind to choose the Supreme Sect. He intended to see the Sect Leader next.


    Gu An stood on the balcony, watching the direction in which Wu Jue departed.


    The sunset was beautiful, even nearing twilight.


    Gu An saw Yang Jian staring blankly in the direction Wu Jue had gone.


    During this time, Yang Jian''s performance had been commendable, and in Gu An''s eyes, he was already halfway towards becoming a disciple. Stay updated through m-v l|-NovelFire.net


    In the future, if Yang Jian became famous and even surpassed Wu Jue, would Wu Jue remember that the minor cultivator who led the way for him today was the renowned Yang Jian?


    Gu An found the thought amusing, and a smile appeared on his lips.


    He noticed that he was developing a mischievous habit of imagining the astonishment of those around him.


    ...


    In the blink of an eye, five more years passed.


    During these five years, An Hao broke through to the Divinity Transformation Realm, and Wu Jue reached the ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm, on the verge of a breakthrough.


    Since Wu Jue had decided to stay in the Supreme Sect, he hadn''t left the Supreme Sect. After expressing his intentions to Lv Baitian, Lv Baitian was very pleased and began investing substantial resources in him, creating momentum for him. Now, Wu Jue was one of the top three talents in the Supreme Sect, holding the position of a True Disciple.


    One hundred twenty-seven-year-old Gu An had a lifespan nearing sixteen million four hundred thousand years, still far from the billion mark, but he hadn''t harvested the high-rank medical herbs from the Outer World Cave yet. He was eagerly looking forward to those high-rank medical herbs.


    Throughout these years, Gu An occasionally went to Immortal Seeking Island to buy high-rank medical herbs. The number of seventh-order medicinal herbs planted in the Outer World Cave had exceeded one hundred thousand, and the number of eighth-order medicinal herbs surpassed ten thousand. Once all these herbs matured, harvesting them would significantly extend his lifespan.


    On this day, Gu An had just returned from Immortal Seeking Island.


    He walked into the Third Medicine Valley with a slight frown.


    Recently, more and more Loose Immortals had been eyeing him, so he needed to consider purchasing medicinal herbs from other islands.


    The price of a single seventh-order medicinal herb was astronomical. Gu An''s extensive purchases at Immortal Seeking Island had made him one of their top ten clients, naturally drawing envy.


    As Gu An passed by the Blood Prison Great Saint, he saw Yang Jian standing nearby, washing the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    He said, "Don''t spoil him. He spends his days lazing around, only knowing how to eat and sleep."


    Yang Jian quickly responded, "It''s fine. I don''t have anything to do anyway."


    Gu An said no more and quickly went upstairs.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, thinking he had upset Gu An, quietly said, "Yang Jian, come here."


    Hearing this, Yang Jian hurried over and squatted in front of him.


    "Come find me at midnight tonight. I''ll teach you a spell," the Blood Prison Great Saint said mysteriously.


    Yang Jian''s expression became strange. "There''s no need. I''m not taking care of you for any benefit," he said.


    What he desired was Gu An''s favor!


    What kind of spell could a Bull Demon teach him?


    "I don''t care. You must come!" the Blood Prison Great Saint demanded, and Yang Jian had no choice but to agree.


    He stood up and left, glancing towards the pavilion where Gu An resided.


    If only it were his master teaching him a spell instead.


    Inside the room.


    After sitting down, Gu An spread his divine sense, looking towards the ocean trench to the east.


    This great trench had ceased to extend but still existed across the ocean, frequently drawing great cultivators to observe.


    Gu An sensed the presence of an entity surpassing the Wandering Immortal Realm flying above the ocean trench. The individual displayed their aura recklessly, drawing many divine senses to probe.

 Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Sect Leaders Successor!

    Gu An looked for a while and then withdrew his gaze. Without knowing the other party''s intentions, he didn''t want to provoke them.


    The ocean trench had been around for many years without any disaster so far. Gu An hoped this tranquility could last long enough to give him time to grow. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He picked up the latest volume of the Green Hero Travelogue from the table and started reading. This book was sent by Xuan Tianyi, and he had already read it several times. Each reading gave him a different flavor.


    Xuan Tianyi seemed flamboyant and unrestrained, but he was actually meticulous and skilled in writing about women.


    Night fell.


    Yang Jian came to the Blood Prison Great Saint''s side, wanting to say something but hesitating.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stood up and, with a twist of his ox-like butt, dropped a line before leaving, "Follow me."


    Yang Jian had no choice but to follow.


    "Well, maybe by appeasing it, it will mess with me less in the future," Yang Jian thought silently, his mood improving.


    The man and ox arrived in a forest a dozen miles away. The forest was vast, echoing with the sounds of insects.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint turned around to face Yang Jian, then started cultivating energy. In an instant, his red ox hair began to flow like burning blood flames, and a fierce aura erupted from his body.


    "Huh?"


    Yang Jian''s eyes widened, his whole being becoming alert.


    This aura... Stay updated via m-v l|-NovelFire.net


    Could this lazy ox really know spells?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint let out a deep ox roar, making Yang Jian feel an explosion by his ear, his brain buzzing.


    It took him a while to recover, looking at the Blood Prison Great Saint in horror. The Great Saint still maintained his aura, looking especially menacing in the night.


    Yang Jian''s gaze towards the Blood Prison Great Saint became fervent.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint raised his ox head and said, "This is a spell of the Blood Prison Divine Skill called the Blood Prison Roar. If you train to a minor achievement realm, it can cause the enemy''s divine soul to become unsettled in battle. If perfected, it could kill enemies with a roar."


    "So powerful? I want to learn! I want to learn!" Yang Jian felt ignited, the image of the Blood Prison Great Saint completely transforming in his eyes.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, full of pride, said, "Cultivating the Blood Prison Roar isn''t easy, are you ready for hardship?"


    "I''m not afraid of hardship!" Yang Jian said firmly.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint grinned. Under Gu An''s divine sense, he found an ox smiling to be quite eerie.


    This guy didn''t have any ill intentions, right?


    ...


    Autumn and winter passed, and the new spring arrived.


    The Third Medicine Valley began preparing for the Spring Festival once again. On this day, Wu Jue arrived, but Gu An wasn''t there, so he wandered around the valley.


    He saw the minor cultivator who had previously guided him carrying water, so he walked over and asked with a smile, "Little brother, aren''t you a cultivator? Why are you carrying water yourself?"


    Yang Jian''s eyes lit up when he saw Wu Jue. He hadn''t forgotten Wu Jue''s movement technique from that day, ethereal like an immortal.


    He replied, "This is... our... a form of... cultivation method..."


    His voice was hoarse, speaking haltingly, making Wu Jue uncomfortable to listen to.


    "What happened to your voice?" Wu Jue asked with a frown.


    Yang Jian answered, "From... practicing..."


    Wu Jue shook his head with a smile, patted Yang Jian on the shoulder, and turned to leave.


    The reason Wu Jue remembered Yang Jian was that before leaving last time, Gu An had asked him about his thoughts on Yang Jian. Being remembered by Gu An, he naturally developed a bit of interest in Yang Jian.


    But now it seemed, this boy''s talent was quite mediocre, with almost no advancement in cultivation over the years.


    Yang Jian didn''t know what Wu Jue was thinking. Just being asked by him already made him very happy.


    Wu Jue continued wandering in the valley.


    An hour later, he sensed Gu An''s aura. But when he turned his head, he frowned.


    There were actually two women beside Gu An!


    "Why isn''t it Ms. Shen?" Wu Jue wondered. He always thought Gu An and Shen Zhen liked each other, but now seeing Gu An chatting and laughing with two women beside him, he felt upset.


    Brother Gu was letting down Ms. Shen!


    Gu An, with Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, flew in. The two women were curious about the scene in the Third Medicine Valley, constantly asking questions, and he answered with a smile.


    After landing, Wu Jue approached, pointing at Zhen Qin and asked, "Gu An, who is this?"


    His tone was sharp, making Zhen Qin look at him in confusion.


    He knew Ye Lan, Gu An''s junior sister, but seeing Zhen Qin clinging to Gu An''s arm made him feel uneasy.


    Zhen Qin''s eyes lit up and said, "Are you Wu Jue?"


    Ye Lan nodded and said, "Yes, he is the true disciple who has recently become famous in the Supreme Sect, Wu Jue."


    Seeing Wu Jue, she felt very emotional.


    At the Golden List Conference, she met Wu Jue through Gu An. Back then, Wu Jue surprised her, but she didn''t expect him to achieve so much today.


    Why did geniuses always appear around senior brother?


    Gu An smiled and said, "This is my disciple, Zhen Qin. Let''s go inside and talk."


    Hearing this, Wu Jue''s expression softened.


    "When is Ms. Shen coming?" Wu Jue asked.


    He always believed that Gu An and Shen Zhen were meant to be together.


    Gu An casually replied, "How would I know when she will come?"


    Hearing this, Zhen Qin''s eyes darted between Gu An and Wu Jue, thinking about something.


    The four of them headed towards the pavilion, Zhen Qin continuously asking Wu Jue questions enthusiastically, making Wu Jue a bit shy.


    Before they reached the pavilion, a figure flew in quickly.


    Gu An silently thought, oh no.


    "Ms. Shen!" Wu Jue called out excitedly and waved at Shen Zhen.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin looked towards Shen Zhen. She wore a white dress with a veil on her face, looking like a celestial being, with an outstanding temperament.


    Shen Zhen landed beside Zhen Qin and smiled, "Wu Jue, long time no see."


    She was often in seclusion and didn''t know about Wu Jue''s reputation over the years.


    She looked at Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, full of curiosity.


    Gu An pretended to be calm and began introducing them to each other. The three women exchanged pleasantries, creating a harmonious atmosphere, but Gu An could feel the undercurrent.


    "I didn''t expect it, Gu An, you have so many female confidants?"


    You Yingying suddenly approached, asking excitedly.


    Wu Jue''s loud voice had drawn her attention. Seeing the three women surrounding Gu An and chatting, while Wu Jue maintained a polite distance, she felt there was a good show to watch.


    Gu An turned black-faced and said, "Don''t talk nonsense!"


    Ye Lan looked at You Yingying and asked, "Who is this?"


    So senior brother''s previous jokes were true, many female disciples in the valley liked him!


    "I''m You Yingying, working for Gu An," You Yingying said with a smile. No one believed her, as how could an errand girl call the valley master by name?


    You Yingying continued, "I forgot to tell you, Senior Lu should be coming back for the festival."


    Gu An kept a straight face and said, "Let her come back if she wants to."


    Ye Lan squinted her eyes and asked, "Is Senior Lu a man or woman?"


    You Yingying said, "A woman, Lu Lingjun. You should have heard of her. She''s a great cultivator in the Mystic Heart Realm!"


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin''s faces changed. They had indeed heard of Lu Lingjun, but didn''t expect her to be connected with Gu An.


    Shen Zhen''s eyes curved in a smile, looking appreciatively at You Yingying.


    What a talent!


    I like her!


    Gu An took Ye Lan''s hand and walked towards the pavilion, saying, "My junior sister is here for the first time, I need to attend to her."


    Ye Lan''s face blushed, Zhen Qin hurriedly followed, feeling victorious. She proudly gave You Yingying a challenging look.


    You Yingying glared at Zhen Qin before turning to leave. Shen Zhen tacitly followed suit without a word.


    Wu Jue stood in place, watching the backs of the three women. After thinking it over, he decided not to follow them.


    If they really start fighting, he would step in to protect Gu An.


    "Ah, no wonder Brother Gu doesn''t cultivate, too busy tending to his peach blossoms. Indeed, Master is right; women are obstacles on the immortal cultivation path, they are inner demons." Wu Jue shook his head and continued strolling through the valley.


    Upstairs in the room, Gu An poured tea for the three women.


    Ye Lan started chatting with Shen Zhen. Having worked in the Law Enforcement Hall for many years, she was adept at handling people and situations, making the conversation lively and pleasant among the three women, appearing like close friends.


    After Gu An sat down, Shen Zhen asked, "After Journey to the West, will you write another book? I want to read about Sun Wukong becoming the Victorious Fighting Buddha."


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin already knew Gu An was Pan An, but still looked at him curiously, eager for his answer.


    Zhen Qin looked at Gu An, marveling inwardly. Her master''s cultivation talent might be mediocre, but his writing was extraordinary.


    By now, more and more people knew Gu An was the author, so he didn''t mind Shen Zhen revealing his identity intentionally. After all, his apparent cultivation level was no longer weak, and he could defend himself.


    "No more writing, busy researching other minor arts." Gu An answered casually.


    Shen Zhen felt a bit disappointed and began praising Journey to the West, saying it was better than the Investiture of the Gods and more meaningful. She felt Journey to the West was critiquing something.


    Ye Lan also joined in the discussion about Journey to the West, while Zhen Qin gazed at Gu An with admiration, realizing its impact had even surpassed the Investiture of the Gods.


    An hour later, another guest arrived at the valley, freeing Gu An somewhat.


    Lv Baitian!


    Lv Baitian entered the room, and Ye Lan and Zhen Qin quickly stood up to greet him. They were already true disciples and had naturally met Lv Baitian before.


    Shen Zhen also greeted Lv Baitian courteously.


    "Hmm, you all go out and have a look around. I have something to discuss with Gu An," Lv Baitian said indifferently, but he laughed inwardly.


    This kid was impressive, having so many peach blossoms, not inferior to my younger days!


    Zhen Qin couldn''t help but curiously ask, "Sect Leader, are you very familiar with my master?"


    Lv Baitian looked at her, knowing she was Gu An''s disciple, then laughed, "Of course. He is my appointed successor to the sect leader. During the Golden List Conference, the World''s Number One Sword Dao Tournament, the Alchemy Conference, and so on, it was all his idea. From now on, you can call me Martial Master."


    Upon hearing this, the three women widened their eyes.


    Gu An silently thought, this is bad.


    Shen Zhen also felt surprised. She knew Gu An was close with Lv Baitian, thinking it was because of Pan An''s identity. She didn''t expect Lv Baitian to hold Gu An in such high regard.


    Seeing Gu An''s expression, Lv Baitian was amused and said, "Never mind, you all stay and listen."


    The three women quickly thanked him. Their gazes towards Gu An made him uneasy.

 Chapter 231: Chapter 231: The World-Destroying Catastrophe is Coming

    Lv Baitian sat down, then began to ask Gu An about what kind of event to hold next to make it more attractive.


    Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and Shen Zhen stood by, listening; they were also curious about how Gu An strategized for Lv Baitian.


    Gu An pondered and said, "The Supreme Sect has already held numerous events; although the types are changing, for the vast majority of disciples, there isn''t much participation. Other sects have started to imitate us, making it hard to increase our influence no matter what kind of event we hold."


    Lv Baitian nodded, troubled by this situation himself.


    Other sects were not fools; seeing the Supreme Sect to profit, they also began to hold similar events. Especially with Cangtian Sect joining, cultivators across the land flocked to them, significantly reducing the Supreme Sect''s appeal.


    To this day, Cangtian Sect remained the top sect in the Immortal Cultivation World of the three dynasties.


    Shen Zhen also fell into deep thought.


    Although the Great Yu Dynasty was no more, the Daotian Sect remained. Now, having established close ties with the Supreme Sect, the better the Supreme Sect''s development, the more it benefited Daotian Sect.


    Gu An continued, "Actually, we''re in the best position. We have two Mahayana Realm cultivators and the mysterious Sword Venerable Fudao. On this point, Cangtian Sect cannot compete. If you want to surpass Cangtian Sect, why not hold a Tianbang Tournament? No age limit, no cultivation realm limit, combat to determine the top hundred ranks. As long as we announce it, the world''s cultivators will be shaken. Sects that don''t dare participate will only be ridiculed."


    "If Cangtian Sect doesn''t dare to participate, they will be deemed weaker than our Supreme Sect in the eyes of the world''s cultivators. If they participate, then let it be a normal competition to see if their Daoist Lord can defeat Senior Xuan and Senior Qiao."


    Lv Baitian''s eyes lit up upon hearing this, but he still hesitated, saying, "Mahayana Realm combat, if it gets intense, how do we control it?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An thought for a moment and said, "How about holding it in the Outer Sect? We can use Sword Venerable to deter them."


    Lv Baitian frowned, still hesitant.


    The Supreme Sect''s high-level members also had reservations about Sword Venerable; they didn''t know what Sword Venerable''s intentions were or his origins.


    Previously, they fantasized that Sword Venerable was an ascetic trained by the Supreme Sect, hiding his cultivation level, unknown to anyone. But as immortals continued to appear in their vision, they realized that the Supreme Sect''s soil couldn''t nurture such an existence. Sword Venerable was simply too powerful, forcing them to recognize reality.


    "If the sect leader fears angering Sword Venerable, we can allocate part of the Tianbang Tournament''s proceeds to the Heavenly Repair Platform as a tribute to Sword Venerable, showing our sincerity," Gu An suggested.


    Lv Baitian hesitated and asked, "Is that alright?"


    Gu An continued, "You can inquire in front of the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Sword Venerable is an immortal; he will surely hear you. As long as you explain the stakes clearly, he should tacitly allow it."


    "After the Tianbang Tournament is held, as long as the Supreme Sect cultivators retain the top position, other sects won''t be able to host their own Tianbang Tournaments, since only the top sect in the world has the qualification to host it. If Cangtian Sect cannot secure the top position, their morale will also suffer."


    "Like the previous Golden List Tournament, the Tianbang must be recorded. It''s best to distribute it to the world''s cultivators without charging spirit stone fees, to spread its influence first. The second Tianbang Tournament can then collect spirit stone fees for profit."


    As long as the Supreme Sect made this announcement, the matter would be settled.


    Throughout history, no sect dared to do it despite thinking of it. Gathering the world''s top cultivators within their sect to compete for supremacy could easily spiral out of control, possibly leading to total destruction.


    The Supreme Sect was different, as they had the balance-breaking existence of Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Shen Zhen couldn''t help but say, "This plan is indeed devious; no sect in the world can refuse. Even if they know they can''t secure the top position, they have to participate."


    The more Lv Baitian thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. As long as the Supreme Sect secured the top spot, they could still attract great cultivators in the future!


    "What if cultivators from the Holy Land or overseas participate? What do we do then?" Lv Baitian hesitatedly asked.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Wouldn''t that further prove the Supreme Sect''s influence? Even cultivators from the Holy Land couldn''t resist participating. As long as our people''s ranks are the highest within the three-dynasty Immortal Cultivation World, that''ll be sufficient."


    Lv Baitian found it reasonable and began to discuss the specific details with Gu An.


    Mere slogans wouldn''t suffice; there had to be tangible benefits to attract more cultivators to participate.


    Ye Lan watched Gu An and Lv Baitian discuss matters involving the world''s great trends. She felt sentimental; as expected, her senior brother was destined not to be an ordinary person.


    Zhen Qin, on the other hand, didn''t think much; she was already fantasizing about the Tianbang Tournament.


    Who wouldn''t want to be the world''s number one?


    Though she had no qualification to compete, she still wanted to know who was the number one in the Immortal Cultivation World.


    An ancient hour later, Lv Baitian hurriedly left, not even celebrating the New Year.


    Gu An took the three women downstairs to enjoy the New Year''s atmosphere with the disciples. The disciples in the Medicine Valley even set up a market, making it very lively.


    As dusk approached, Lu Lingjun returned. The gap in cultivation between her and Ye Lan and the other two women was vast, so there was no conflict. Distracted, she paid no attention to their relationship with Gu An.


    Gu An first went back to Mystic Valley, drank with the disciples, and returned to the Third Medicine Valley to continue celebrating with the others.


    The next morning, guests left, and the disciples resumed their busy routines. Lu Lingjun also left Medicine Valley, flying towards the main city of the sect.


    One night, several days later, Gu An saw Lv Baitian leading several dozen members of the Hall of Elders to the Heaven-Cutting Axe. They set up a formation to prevent other disciples and cultivators on the platform from hearing them.


    After explaining the Tianbang Tournament, the Heaven-Cutting Axe remained silent, and they took this as Sword Venerable Fudao''s tacit approval.


    Gu An had already begun to look forward to the benefits the Tianbang Tournament could bring; he could buy many high-rank medicinal herbs.


    The second morning, Gu Zong brought a large group of cultivators to find Lu Lingjun; these cultivators had a minimum cultivation level of Void Crossing Realm, numbering over a hundred.


    Lu Lingjun immediately took this group of disciples southward. Gu Zong exchanged pleasantries with Gu An before leaving.


    Gu An didn''t ask what Lu Lingjun was up to. There''s no need to guess; it''s obvious it was about overseas ascenders.


    One month later.


    The Supreme Sect announced the Tianbang Tournament, and notices about the tournament quickly covered every city in the Immortal Cultivation World. At the same time, Lv Baitian sent out invitations to various sects, acting first and reporting later.


    The world was shaken!


    The higher-ups of the various sects cursed the Supreme Sect''s shamelessness, but the lower and middle-level cultivators were exhilarated.


    Many were curious: aside from Sword Venerable Fudao, who was truly the world''s number one?


    Sword Venerable, being too powerful, was considered an outsider by the cultivators of the three dynasties. The local world''s number one had never been definitively determined.


    When Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint into the Outer City, the disciples passing by discussed this matter excitedly.


    Yang Jian, who was following beside the Blood Prison Great Saint, also felt his blood boiling.


    He wondered if he would ever have a chance to be on the Tianbang in this lifetime.


    Throughout the journey, Yang Jian saw Gu An greeting people frequently. He knew many, including cultivators with their subordinates, which made Yang Jian admire Gu An even more.


    This morning, Gu An had Xiaochuan send word to Yang Jian, saying he would take him to the Outer Gate City, thrilling him.


    It meant Gu An was truly accepting him!


    Not just him; other servant disciples also thought so, which led to many imitating him, gathering around the White Spirit Rat, leaving An Xin helpless.


    "Yang Jian, are you willing to truly become my disciple?"


    Gu An suddenly asked, making the daydreaming Yang Jian freeze. He asked reflexively, "What?"


    Gu An glanced at him, giving him a fright that drenched him in cold sweat.


    "Fool, the master is asking if you are willing to truly become his disciple!" the Blood Prison Great Saint said mockingly; it was his way of caring for Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian had served him for five years, so he naturally had a liking for him and wanted to help him.


    Others might not know Gu An''s true cultivation level, but the Blood Prison Great Saint knew very well.


    The strongest person in the Supreme Sect was Gu An; he even suspected that the mysterious Sword Venerable Fudao was Gu An.


    "Ah? I am willing! I am willing! Master, please accept my bow!"


    Yang Jian was overjoyed and knelt in the street.


    The passing disciples all looked at him with strange expressions.


    Gu An didn''t feel embarrassed, accepting his bow. After he kowtowed three times, he let him up.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint continued forward, and Yang Jian followed closely, trembling with excitement.


    He had been in the Third Medicine Valley for five years. In his mind, Gu An was highly esteemed. Although Gu An seemed to only be at the Core Formation Realm, there were actually Mystic Heart Realm great cultivators hidden in the valley, leading him to imagine many things.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint glanced at the trembling Yang Jian, feeling a bit sour.


    Why?


    This kid seemed unremarkable and extremely ordinary!


    This kind of person could be Gu An''s disciple, while he, an invincible ascender in the Mortal World, could only be a mount.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt conflicting emotions.


    If he hadn''t been so reckless when he first ascended, hadn''t hunted down Li Ya and Zhang Buku, he wouldn''t have ended up like this.


    But then he thought, if not for those incidents, even after a thousand years of cultivation, he might not have encountered a great cultivator like Gu An. Even if he did, he would probably be killed.


    He considered it a blessing in disguise.


    "He can have many disciples, but if I am his only mount, it would be different," the Blood Prison Great Saint thought, getting excited again.


    As the saying goes, beating a dog depends on the owner''s face...


    Spit!


    Disciples eventually graduate, but a mount is a lifelong bond!


    Even if Gu An freed him a thousand years later, he would pledge loyalty, saying he would always be Gu An''s mount.


    He wanted Gu An to be his backing in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


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    The more the Blood Prison Great Saint thought about it, the more excited he became. His ox body began to tremble.


    Gu An looked down at him and then at Yang Jian. He suddenly worried that Yang Jian might be led astray by the Blood Prison Great Saint, as his mind didn''t seem stable.


    Just then, a shabbily dressed old man stopped the Blood Prison Great Saint. He looked at Gu An, his eyes wide, rambling, "The mortal disaster is coming, the ocean will engulf everything, the apocalypse is nearing..."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stopped, eyeing him suspiciously.


    Yang Jian also glanced at him, drawn by his words.


    The old man finished speaking, turned, and stopped other passing cultivators, saying the same things.

 Chapter 232: Chapter 232: First Heavens Pride

    Watching the old man crazily preach about the apocalypse, the cultivators passing by on the street couldn''t help but discuss, most of them not taking it seriously, just curious about where this old man came from to dare be so presumptuous at the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An remained half-skeptical.


    The ocean would swallow everything?


    He had heard such legends before; on the ocean, these kinds of legends were not uncommon. Moreover, in recent years, a large rift had mysteriously appeared on the ocean, making it hard for him not to believe.


    "I am only one hundred and twenty-seven years old, why so much hardship?"


    Gu An thought helplessly, but the previous demon calamity was not a disaster for the mortal world, just a scheme by the immortal cultivation forces, and such things were by no means rare in this world.


    This time, he hoped the ocean calamity wasn''t targeting him or the three dynasties'' lands. If that''s the case, he would have to think more, wondering if the Heavenly Dao was scheming against him.


    Indeed, he shouldn''t get too involved in the mortal world. Could his way of crazily growing stronger without crossing tribulations be seen as an anomaly by the Heavenly Dao?


    To eliminate an anomaly without knowing where it is, it simply launches an apocalypse.


    For all beings, a calamity is a catastrophe, but for heaven and earth itself, it''s just a major cleansing.


    Lost in thought, Gu An soon saw that old man being seized by a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, still shouting as he was taken away:


    "The ocean will swallow everything¡­"


    This small episode didn''t stay in many people''s minds. Compared to such crazy talk, the disciples were more concerned about the Heavenly Rankings Tournament.


    The title of "Number One in the World" stirred the hearts of countless cultivators.


    Gu An wasn''t too worried either. This old man didn''t have an extraordinary limit to his lifespan, nor did he hide his realm; he was merely at Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation level.


    He brought Yang Jian to the Elixir Hall, instructing him to observe carefully and listen, as he might help him with tasks in the future.


    This made Yang Jian both excited and nervous, worried about making mistakes and disappointing Gu An.


    It wasn''t until evening that they finally returned to the Medicine Valley.


    Spring passed and summer came, and Gu An crossed the threshold of one hundred and twenty-eight years old.


    The Heavenly Rankings Tournament had already spread throughout the world, but the exact start time was not yet determined. With the operation of the Supreme Sect, over ninety percent of the cultivators in the lands of the three dynasties knew about it.


    Who is "Number One in the World" became a hot topic for cultivators during their leisure time.


    On this day.


    Gu An came to the Immortal Seeking Island. As soon as he arrived, he heard someone discussing the millennial great sea tide.


    Legend has it that once every millennia, the ocean will rise and flood land masses, lasting for hundreds of years before it subsides. Not every great sea tide is the same; in severe cases, it could flood the entire mortal world, a phenomenon that happens once in a million years. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Today''s cultivators couldn''t calculate how far it had been since the last apocalypse-level sea tide, but precisely because they couldn''t calculate it, they were in a state of panic.


    Everywhere on the ocean, people were proclaiming that the apocalypse-level sea tide was imminent. These people came from different sects, claiming to have sensed the world''s omens and saw the apocalyptic visions in their dreams while cultivating. Weaker cultivators might even undergo deviation and become insane.


    Some even linked it to the oceanic rift that appeared before, suggesting it might be a sign of the apocalypse-level sea tide!


    When Gu An found Hu Xiaojian, Hu Xiaojian also brought up the matter, his face full of worry.


    "The world is truly in chaos now. First, there was the conflict between the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Congregations, battles occurring everywhere. Now, there''s an imminent apocalypse-level sea tide. We truly live in the worst of times," Hu Xiaojian sighed.


    Gu An comforted, "Nothing is certain yet, don''t overthink."


    Though the news was spreading widely, the sea level hadn''t risen, at least not affecting the mainland of the three dynasties'' lands.


    According to legend, before an apocalypse-level sea tide erupts, there would be a buildup period of hundreds of years that all living beings in the mortal world can sense. It''s said that during this period, the spiritual energy of the sea would burst forth, enriching the entire world''s spiritual energy, accelerating the cultivation speed of all beings, as if a small mercy from heaven and earth. If one could leave this world during this period, they could escape the calamity.


    But that''s only applicable to high-level cultivators. To achieve Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal within those few hundred years, one would at least need to be at the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Gu An and Hu Xiaojian wandered the streets, chatting as they walked.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared before them, a woman in yellow attire, her demeanor dignified with an extraordinary aura, and her appearance also top-notch. Her cultivation level reached the Mystic Heart Realm.


    "May I ask if you are Senior Meng Lang? My lord wishes to invite you as a guest. My lord is Sage Tang Hai," the woman in yellow said respectfully.


    Using a Mystic Heart Realm female cultivator as a maid?


    Such a grand gesture!


    As Gu An was thinking, Hu Xiaojian quietly introduced, "Sage Tang Hai is an honorary elder of the Sea Protection Mansion on Immortal Seeking Island, known for his righteous actions and good reputation."


    The implication was that he could be trusted.


    Gu An glanced at Hu Xiaojian before looking at the woman in yellow and said, "Lead the way."


    He cast a lifespan detection on the woman in yellow. With a lifespan limit just over two thousand, she would be considered a girl of heavenly pride on the mainland, only to be a maid on Immortal Seeking Island.


    The woman in yellow gracefully bowed and then turned to lead the way.


    Half an hour later, they entered a mansion. Hu Xiaojian chose not to go inside, waiting at the gate instead.


    Tang Hai Mansion was large, with many servants whose lowest cultivation level was at the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Led by the woman in yellow, Gu An arrived at a courtyard where he saw a man in blue attire sitting at a table, sipping tea, with a scholarly and elegant air.


    [Sage Tang Hai (Loose Immortal Realm Fifth Layer): 8908/27000/27500]


    The woman in yellow stopped her steps, bowed to Sage Tang Hai, and then left.


    Sage Tang Hai looked at Gu An and stood up to clasp his fists in salute, "Daoist Friend, I apologize if my invitation disturbs you."


    Gu An approached the table, raising his hand in return salute, "No worries, I have nothing much to do anyway."


    Then, both of them sat down and began to chat.


    After some casual conversation, Sage Tang Hai finally said, "Daoist Friend, the number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures you''ve purchased over the years is staggering, and many people are inquiring about you. But rest assured, no one dares to cause trouble on Immortal Seeking Island. I''ve also helped you block some of them."


    Gu An didn''t understand his meaning and could only follow along, thanking him.


    The strongest on Immortal Seeking Island had only the cultivation level of Wandering Immortal Realm. Gu An didn''t really regard anyone there seriously.


    "Recently, the news of the apocalypse-level sea tide has been rampant. Whether it''s true or not, the world is in turmoil. If we cultivators can band together for warmth, that would be the best. Ten years from now, I plan to hold a private auction here, even offering an Immortal Path Spirit Tree. If Daoist Friend is interested, you can attend it. The actual trading price will count seventy percent of the final transaction price. Consider it my gift to Daoist Friend as a meeting token," Sage Tang Hai said, stroking his beard with a smile that gave a comforting feeling like a spring breeze.


    Gu An heard this and smiled, thanking him again.


    An Immortal Path Spirit Tree?


    He was indeed very interested!


    The highest-grade spirit tree he had was only of the ninth rank. He couldn''t imagine what wonders an Immortal Path Spirit Tree would hold.


    Seeing Gu An agree, Sage Tang Hai became more enthusiastic.


    The two chatted for a long time, with Sage Tang Hai revealing his desire to form a small circle of Loose Immortals, to explore and venture into the Ancient Immortal Path Secret Realm together.


    After a full hour, Gu An finally left Tang Hai Mansion.


    Hu Xiaojian followed without saying a word.


    ...


    The first wisp of autumn breeze blew into the Third Medicine Valley.


    Yang Jian stood in front of the wooden railing, staring blankly at the pavilion where Gu An lived.


    It had been a while since he apprenticed under Gu An, yet nothing in his life had changed. Gu An hadn''t taught him any cultivation techniques or spells, causing him some agony.


    He was already twenty-one years old, and his cultivation remained at the third layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, making him very anxious.


    He heard that the number one genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao, had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm at his age.


    Time passed as he daydreamed.


    As dusk fell, Yang Jian washed a batch of fruits and carried them on a large wooden tray to the Blood Prison Great Saint''s side.


    Just as he was about to leave, a voice came from the pavilion, "Jian''er, wait for me downstairs after nightfall."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian became excited, quickly bowing to the pavilion. He didn''t shout loudly, fearing other disciples might hear.


    An hour later, wearing clean clothes, Yang Jian stood in front of the stairs, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the window upstairs.


    Blood Prison Great Saint found it amusing, teasing him now and then, making him blush, not knowing how to respond.


    Suddenly, the door upstairs opened, and Yang Jian immediately stood straight.


    Gu An descended the stairs and headed towards the Transmission Array Platform. Yang Jian quickly followed, and Blood Prison Great Saint also trailed behind.


    The two of them, along with the ox, used the teleportation array to reach the Mystic Valley and then headed towards the deserted mountains and forests.


    Seeing Gu An riding on the ox''s back, Yang Jian felt very nervous. He wanted to ask his master when he would teach him cultivation techniques but was afraid of being rude.


    They walked through the night.


    By dawn, Yang Jian was in a daze.


    Gu An made Blood Prison Great Saint stop; beside them was a large river, the water so clear that they could see small fish and crabs.


    Gu An looked at the rising sun and asked, "Jian''er, do you wish for superior cultivation techniques?"


    Yang Jian awkwardly scratched his head and said, "If such exists, I naturally want it¡­"


    Gu An didn''t dislike his utilitarian nature.


    He looked at Yang Jian and asked, "What are you willing to sacrifice for immortal cultivation?"


    He planned to nurture Yang Jian well and keep him close, a treatment even An Hao didn''t receive.


    Yang Jian was stunned for a moment and said, "I have nothing, but I desire only immortal cultivation, even if it costs my life."


    Gu An said calmly, "Your root and bones are special, making energy absorption difficult. You should feel it too."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian''s face instantly darkened.


    His aptitude was not merely humble; even in the Third Medicine Valley, it was considered low-tier. After many years in the valley, he hadn''t even broken through a single minor stage, which made him yearn even more for higher-level cultivation techniques.


    "I can transform you into a genius, but you must endure unimaginable pain, perhaps even facing physical destruction. Are you willing?" Gu An fixed his gaze on Yang Jian, his tone indifferent.


    Facing his master''s gaze, Yang Jian felt inexplicably flustered.


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    "Master, are you scaring your disciple?" Yang Jian asked cautiously.


    Physical destruction sounded terrifying.


    Gu An said, "Changing one''s fate against the heavens isn''t easy. If you fear, I won''t force you. I will still teach you appropriate cultivation techniques and spells, but your path will progress slowly."


    Yang Jian asked, "Master, has any other senior brother or sister succeeded?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "I''ve truly taken only two disciples. The others are just given elixirs, and your senior brother is already a world-renowned genius."


    World-renowned?


    Yang Jian opened his mouth, filled with confusion.


    Isn''t the master at the Core Formation Realm? How does he have such a powerful disciple?


    World-renowned?


    Could he compare to the legendary first genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao?

 Chapter 233: Chapter 233: What Realm is Above the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal

    Gu An saw through Yang Jian''s thoughts but didn''t explain and instead waited for his choice.


    Yang Jian''s bones were special and required vast amounts of spiritual energy for body tempering. This process was bound to be painful, so Gu An let him choose.


    No matter how strong the aptitude, without a firm will, the road ahead would be difficult.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint looked at Yang Jian mockingly, wanting to see how the boy would choose.


    Yang Jian clenched his teeth and said, "Yang Jian from ''Investiture of the Gods'' was able to split a mountain to save his mother and fight against the heavens. Since I''ve renamed myself Yang Jian, I can''t disgrace his name. Even if it means my body is shattered to pieces, I will have no regrets. Master, please help me defy destiny!"


    With that, he knelt down suddenly.


    Gu An''s lips curved upwards, and Yang Jian felt a terrifying force envelop him, sending chills down his spine.


    Before he could think further, he felt the world suddenly shift, causing his internal organs to quiver.


    The next second, the world returned to normal, and he felt his feet touch the ground. The intense sense of weightlessness made him almost want to vomit.


    He supported himself on the ground and instinctively looked up to see his master still sitting on the Bull Demon King''s back. He couldn''t help but sigh in relief. He opened his mouth and asked, "Master, just now..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, a sea breeze blew, instantly clearing his mind.


    He stood up and turned around, dumbfounded by what he saw.


    What did he see?


    "The sea...how is that possible..."


    Yang Jian looked towards the vast ocean in front of him, utterly stunned.


    Though he had never seen the ocean, he had heard old stories saying it was larger than a lake, boundless, like another world.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had felt the Limitless Freedom Step before, but each time it left him astonished.


    This divine skill was truly unbelievable!


    Without any warning, it was so fast that even he, a Mahayana Realm cultivator, couldn''t react.


    Gu An dismounted from the Bull and walked towards the island''s interior, saying, "Follow me."


    Yang Jian snapped out of his stupor and quickly followed Gu An.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint also followed, curious about how Gu An planned to help Yang Jian defy destiny.


    Could such a mediocre talent truly transform into a favored son of heaven?


    He was filled with doubt.


    Yang Jian''s feelings were complex, a mix of excitement and trepidation.


    Just from that earlier display, he could tell that his master was definitely not a Core Formation Realm cultivator.


    In other words, his master''s words were true!


    He could defy destiny, but he would have to face bone-crushing pain. The mere thought of it made his legs tremble.


    Gu An noticed Yang Jian''s state but didn''t offer any comfort because Yang Jian would have to face it eventually.


    After walking into the forest, Yang Jian''s attention was diverted. He found the spiritual energy here incredibly abundant, and the creatures on the island seemed unusual. He saw a blue-furred rabbit as fast as lightning.


    There were also snakes resembling white jade, spiders like gemstones, and long creatures hovering in mid-air like sea dragons. All these new sights stimulated his senses.


    After walking for an hour, Gu An finally stopped at a lakeside deep within the forest. He stood by the lake, took out a great cauldron, and started a fire.


    Yang Jian watched as Gu An pointed with his right hand, shooting out a blue flame, feeling an even deeper sense of awe.


    "Master, what realm are you in?" Yang Jian braved himself to ask.


    Gu An casually replied, "Loose Immortal Realm."


    "What is a Loose Immortal?"


    "Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Crossing, Unification, Mystic Heart, Mahayana. These are the nine ranks of the Mortal Realm. Beyond that is the Immortal Path Realm. Nirvana is the first step on the Immortal Path, and Loose Immortal is the second step."


    Gu An explained, and Yang Jian gasped in shock.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint also learned about the Immortal Path Realm for the first time.


    Was his master really only two major realms above him?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint suspected Gu An was hiding something.


    Fortunately, Yang Jian, the innocent one, asked the question he wanted to ask: "What realm is above Loose Immortal?"


    "That is something you will have to seek out yourself in the future."


    Gu An answered. While he intended to reveal part of his strength, he couldn''t fully expose himself; there always had to be some reserve.


    He had recently been contemplating breaking through to a higher realm. In case a World-Destroying Sea Tide erupted, he feared the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal technique wouldn''t suffice.


    He wasn''t too worried, though. If the Mortal World were ever submerged, he could escape to Outer Heaven or open a Grotto Heaven under the sea, bringing those close to him into a Minor Heaven and Earth of his own creation.


    Yang Jian continued to inquire about the differences between the various realms, and Gu An patiently answered, gradually emboldening Yang Jian.


    He suddenly felt that his master wasn''t as terrifying as he had initially thought and was actually quite gentle.


    In reality, Gu An treated all his disciples gently, including him, but his desire to depend on Gu An brought inevitable pressure.


    After Gu An had finished preparing the medicinal herbs, he instructed Yang Jian to enter the Medicine Cauldron.


    Yang Jian asked if he needed to undress, and Gu An replied that it wasn''t necessary.


    Ordinary robes couldn''t block spiritual energy.


    Yang Jian sat inside the Medicine Cauldron, extremely nervous, clutching the corners of his robe tightly, with cold sweat the size of beans dripping from his forehead.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stood up, placing his hooves on the edge of the Medicine Cauldron, and said, "Boy, the path of immortal cultivation is arduous. Many times, you just need to think about holding on a little longer, just a little longer, and the pain you''re enduring will soon pass."


    Yang Jian took a deep breath, looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint, and asked, "Senior Niu, may I ask what realm you are in?"


    Since his master was a Loose Immortal, the Bull Demon King, as his master''s mount, must be incredibly strong.


    Otherwise, why would his master only bring him along?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint looked at Gu An, saw him nod, then turned back, smiling proudly, and said, "I am at the Mahayana Realm''s eighth floor, and I''m not just a Bull Demon; I am the Blood Prison Great Saint who ascended from the Lower Realm..."


    He recounted his glorious history endlessly, leaving Yang Jian with his mouth agape.


    The Mahayana Realm''s eighth floor!


    He knew that the Supreme Sect had only two Mahayana Realm cultivators in name.


    Who would have thought that the bull raised by his master was at the Mahayana Realm?


    Yang Jian was dazzled by the immense joy, feeling as if he were dreaming.


    Gu An instructed the Blood Prison Great Saint to step aside, and the Blood Prison Great Saint had no choice but to shut up and move away, showing none of the bearing of a Mahayana Realm cultivator.


    Gu An took out an elixir and handed it to Yang Jian, saying, "After consuming this, follow the mental method I described and cultivate your energy. I will guide you in your training. No matter how much it hurts, you must follow my guidance to absorb energy; otherwise, you will perish, and not even an Immortal Daluo can save you."


    Yang Jian was about to ask what an Immortal Daluo was when he saw Gu An turn away. He could only toss the elixir into his mouth.


    The moment it entered, it dissolved, and Yang Jian felt his throat burning, his body suddenly heating up.


    At this moment, Gu An''s voice reached his ears using the Sound Transmission Skill, along with a domineering force entering his body, guiding him to absorb nature''s spiritual energy.


    Gu An was teaching the All Things Form and Energy Art!


    The All Things Form and Energy Art originated and continually elevated from the Energy Nurturing Skill. It was fundamentally a body tempering technique. Although Gu An rarely engaged in close combat, his physique was robust.


    Furthermore, the All Things Form and Energy Art could conceal one''s aura, making it perfect for Yang Jian to hide his strength in the future. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An wasn''t worried about Yang Jian revealing the technique, as he himself would inevitably upgrade it further.


    Yang Jian began absorbing energy following the power within him while keeping his master''s mental method in mind.


    As time passed, the medicinal soup in the cauldron started to boil. Yang Jian''s skin turned hot red, but the pain in his skin was insignificant compared to the agony of tearing in his bones and muscles.


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    Pain!


    Pain beyond imagination!


    The sensation of thousands of insects gnawing at bones, tearing muscles, couldn''t begin to describe this agony!


    His master''s voice constantly echoed in his ears, making him feel less afraid. With his master present, he felt inexplicably reassured.


    Just like the Blood Prison Great Saint had said, hold on a little longer, and soon it would be over.


    The pain intensified, and gradually, he began gritting his teeth.


    His hair fluttered, veins bulged on his face, and his body was drenched, making it hard to distinguish between sweat and medicinal fluid.


    Crunch¡ª


    His body suddenly made a hair-raising sound, as if bones were grinding against each other. Even the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but shiver.


    "Can he really defy destiny?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint thought in shock.


    To him, Gu An remained the omnipotent immortal!


    He turned his head, seeing Gu An standing by the lake with his back to the medicine cauldron, his calm demeanor earning even more admiration.


    For Gu An, defying destiny seemed like it wasn''t a difficult task.


    Little did the Blood Prison Great Saint know, Gu An wasn''t truly defying destiny but merely helping Yang Jian restore his true physique.


    At this moment, Gu An was multitasking, guiding Yang Jian''s cultivation while using his divine sense to scan the ocean.


    He was searching for a suitable place for his next breakthrough.


    "I wonder what realm lies beyond Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal..."


    Gu An thought expectantly. With over sixteen million years of lifespan, he felt he should be able to break through.


    However, he hesitated over whether to enhance his cultivation techniques and divine skills, as elevating them required investing tens of thousands or even more lifespan years.


    He feared he might not have enough lifespan left to break through afterward.


    "Ah¡ª"


    Yang Jian suddenly let out a shrill scream, making the Blood Prison Great Saint''s heart tighten.


    This seemed more painful than when he had absorbed the true blood of the divine beast.


    Gu An didn''t turn back, seemingly unconcerned about Yang Jian.


    The elixir he had given Yang Jian was extraordinary, worth 100 supreme-grade spirit stones, equivalent to 10,000 top-grade spirit stones.


    One hundred million low-grade spirit stones!


    It was known that outer sect servant disciples only received one low-grade spirit stone per month as stipend. The treatment in Mystic Valley and the Third Medicine Valley was better, but not by much.


    With this elixir, Yang Jian might even make a direct breakthrough, depending on how much of the medicinal power his physique could absorb.


    Time passed by second by second.


    After a while of screaming, Yang Jian''s voice suddenly stopped.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint widened his eyes in shock.


    Yang Jian slowly rose from the cauldron, still in a meditative posture. His black hair fluttered, skin glowing red. Strangely, he emitted a menacing aura, frightening the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    This feeling was like encountering a nemesis!


    Rumble¡ª


    A thundercloud had quietly formed in the sky, brewing a mighty force.


    "What kind of life grid is being altered? This is too overwhelming!"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint thought in astonishment. Even with his divine beast blood-enhanced physique, he was intimidated by Yang Jian''s presence, indicating how terrifying Yang Jian''s physique had become.


    He turned to look at Gu An, who remained unfazed, seemingly unconcerned by the heavenly power.

 Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Only I Can Decide My Disciples Life and Death

    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The sound of thunder continued to roar, causing the ocean around the island to rise and fall, with howling winds signaling the approach of a storm.


    Gu An had his back to Yang Jian, his divine sense enveloping the sea area spanning thousands of miles, constantly on guard against any approach by a Great Cultivator.


    He wasn''t worried about the celestial tribulation Yang Jian was causing, as such tribulations were insignificant over the ocean. Yang Jian''s cultivation level was formidable enough that, though terrifying, it was only a threat to cultivators of lower realms.


    Yang Jian still had his eyes closed, meditating in mid-air. His robe fluttered wildly as the nature''s spiritual energy surged into his mouth and nose. Simultaneously, his pores expelled searing qi, enveloping him and making him appear extremely imposing.


    His eyebrows were tightly furrowed, enduring unimaginable pain. His entire focus was on his inner being, completely unaware of the outside world, or even that he had floated up into the air.


    The thunder roared like a heavenly god, oppressively overwhelming.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lay prone on the ground, his mindset now adjusted and filled with anticipation.


    He was eager to see what kind of defying fate Yang Jian would create.


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    Bang!


    A sudden bolt of lightning struck down, hitting Yang Jian. In an instant, his robe was reduced to ashes, and his body turned charred. As the lightning subsided, blood began to seep from his skin, making him look ghastly. Within three breaths, he was transformed into a bloodied figure.


    Gu An turned to look at Yang Jian, his gaze remaining calm.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint also remained composed, sensing that Yang Jian''s life was not in immediate danger.


    One bolt of heavenly lightning after another struck down!


    Gu An sharply noticed that these heavenly lightnings contained Five Elements Spiritual Energy.


    Could it be that Yang Jian''s physique could directly absorb the Five Elements Spiritual Energy?


    No wonder such immense spiritual energy was needed to break through the constraints deep within his bone marrow.


    Too monstrous, thus unaccepted by the Heavenly Dao?


    Gu An''s expectations for Yang Jian grew; he wanted to see what kind of transformation Yang Jian would undergo.


    Yang Jian continued to endure the lightning strikes, his skin and flesh splitting open, blood splattering, yet his aura didn''t weaken. Instead, it brewed an even stronger force.


    After around 30 minutes, Yang Jian''s body was devoid of hair, his skin was completely charred, with white bones faintly visible at the joints.


    The might of the heavenly lightning reached a new height, causing the Blood Prison Great Saint to grow tense, fearing that Yang Jian might suddenly die.


    At this moment.


    Gu An felt an aura rapidly approaching.


    It was a Nirvana Realm cultivator, not too strong.


    As long as a Loose Immortal or higher did not appear, Gu An wouldn''t need to forcibly take Yang Jian away.


    Soon, a figure flew into the island, traversed the forest, and quickly landed by the lake. Without looking at Gu An or the Blood Prison Great Saint, his gaze fixed on Yang Jian, filled with astonishment.


    [Immortal Seeking Taoist (Nirvana Realm Nine Layers: 20489/25000/300000)]


    Immortal Seeking Taoist?


    This name seemed familiar.


    Gu An suddenly remembered that Wuxin mentioned being taught the Daoist Expansion Skill by a divine monk who called himself Immortal Seeking Taoist.


    He didn''t expect this person to be a Nirvana Realm existence!


    In other words, during his weaker days, there was a Nirvana Realm Great Cultivator in the Trithree Halls. If he had recklessly seized life spans and grown rapidly, he could have very likely perished at the hands of a Nirvana Realm Great Cultivator.


    This made him feel fortunate for having kept a low profile.


    Though named a Daoist, Immortal Seeking Taoist looked more like a monk, clad in a dark-yellow monk robe and cassock, with a youthful and handsome face.


    Gu An remained silent, but the Blood Prison Great Saint wasn''t pleased. He grumbled, "Hey, smelly monk, who let you in? You come in without a greeting?"


    Since deciding to be Gu An''s exclusive mount, his mindset had shifted.


    The monk could disrespect him, but he must respect his master!


    Immortal Seeking Taoist glanced at the Blood Prison Great Saint, smiled, then looked at Gu An, cupping his fists in salute. "This humble Daoist is Immortal Seeking Taoist. May I know the honored name of Daoist Friend, and what is your relationship with this person?"


    Gu An calmly replied, "My name is Meng Lang, he is my disciple."


    Immortal Seeking Taoist noted that Gu An''s aura only indicated a Core Formation Realm cultivation level, but he didn''t believe it, growing even more curious.


    Being unable to discern the other''s true cultivation meant the other was likely far superior to him.


    He smiled, "Daoist Friend Meng, your disciple is extraordinary. His heavenly destiny exceeds the current world''s limits; it should have been buried, but you discovered it. This world will change because of him."


    Gu An asked, "Oh? Did I make a mistake?"


    "Not at all, the affairs of heaven and earth are about change. The old gives way to the new, and everything changes daily. There''s no right or wrong." Immortal Seeking Taoist smiled, his gaze then returning to Yang Jian, filled with wonder.


    Gu An inquired, "Daoist Friend, do you know what his physique is?"


    Immortal Seeking Taoist pondered, "This humble Daoist finds it hard to judge. He has the mysteries of the Ancient Five Elements Treasure Body and the fierce qi and blood of the Primeval Tyrant Body."


    Five Elements Treasure Body?


    Gu An had once possessed the Five Elements Treasure Body but had ascended to an Innate Taoist Body, transforming further into his current Mystic Holy Body.


    "Are the Five Elements Treasure Body and Primeval Tyrant Body powerful?" the Blood Prison Great Saint asked, making Gu An quite satisfied with him.


    Good, he has potential!


    If Gu An asked this himself, it would have lessened his status.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist smiled at the Blood Prison Great Saint, saying, "Naturally, in ancient times, talent wasn''t solely determined by spirit root attribute and qualification. Physique also played a major role. Those with Treasure Bodies, regardless of spirit root qualification, ultimately became legendary rulers of the immortal path."


    He began to recount the ancient Treasure Bodies he knew about.


    The Exquisite Treasure Body, a physique of great comprehension, impervious to evil influences.


    The Flame Primordial Treasure Body, a body like blazing sun, which could transform into a glorious sun at its peak.


    The Defying Blood Treasure Body, where near-death situations trigger immense potential, possibly leading to permanent power increases.


    And so on!


    Immortal Seeking Taoist described eight types of Treasure Bodies, astonishing both Gu An and the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    From his tales, ancient immortal paths seemed stronger than today''s, with various Treasure Bodies thriving, myriad races standing tall, and even reincarnation existing, allowing the mighty to seek immortal opportunities through rebirth.


    "Daoist Friend, I hope today''s events remain between us," Gu An said.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist had shown no hostility and shared much ancient lore, which spoke well of him, though not necessarily proving him absolutely good, but certainly not bad at the moment.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist nodded, "Rest assured, this humble Daoist doesn''t wish to see such a promising figure fall either."


    Bang!


    Suddenly, Yang Jian erupted with a terrifying force, shaking the forest and causing ripples in the nearby lake.


    The thunderclouds emitted a red glow. A terrifying red lightning bolt struck Yang Jian, making him scream in agony.


    "Mystic Dark Heavenly Tribulation¡­" Immortal Seeking Taoist frowned, stating each word slowly.


    Mystic Dark Heavenly Tribulation?


    Gu An remembered this name; it was the tribulation he faced when breaking through to the Void Crossing Realm in his cultivating visions.


    "This tribulation is odd, beyond what his cultivation should attract. It''s a certain-death tribulation!" the Blood Prison Great Saint shouted in horror.


    This tribulation surpassed even his Unification Realm tribulation in intensity!


    He sensed the Mystic Dark Heavenly Tribulation still brewing, with the true horror yet to come.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, a certain-death tribulation. It seems the heavens will not tolerate him."


    Gu An thought of An Hao, who also had a 9,999-year lifespan, yet faced less intense tribulations.


    Could it mean that even within the same 9,999-year limit, talent varied?


    This number marked a human limit, but talent had no bounds.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist said to Gu An, "The Mystic Dark Heavenly Tribulation is a tribulation of karma, not to be forcibly dispersed. Intervening would stain you with karma, leading to facing the same, or even stronger, tribulation yourself during a breakthrough¡­" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His face expressed deep regret.


    What a pity for such a promising seedling.


    Gu An looked at Yang Jian and remained silent.


    Karma from the heavenly tribulation?


    Sorry, he didn''t undergo tribulations, and he had faced this kind of tribulation in his cultivating visions, enduring it without assistance. He had made it through!


    Another bolt of lightning fell, this time even more terrifying!


    Gu An''s eyes sharpened, and he suddenly waved his sleeve.


    His long sleeve swept, directly dispersing the thunderclouds, allowing sunlight to shine down on Yang Jian.


    The tribulation dissolved instantly!


    Immortal Seeking Taoist''s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned his head to look at Gu An, who remained indifferent, serene.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint turned as well, wanting to speak but holding back.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist felt the dissipating aura and his eyes grew complicated. He sighed, "Daoist Friend, why did you go to such lengths¡­"


    Gu An looked at the blood-soaked Yang Jian and said, "Immortal cultivation is about enduring tribulations. So what if it''s a different tribulation? Only I determine my disciple''s life and death."


    How domineering!


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt his blood boil; following such a person was indeed a blessing.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist looked at Gu An, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He raised his hand in salute, showing respect.


    Then, they both waited for Yang Jian to awaken.


    They could feel Yang Jian''s qi-blood rapidly strengthening. With the tribulation gone, ample spiritual energy rushed towards him, causing a profound transformation in his bones and marrow.


    After a long time.


    Immortal Seeking Taoist asked Gu An, "May I ask where Daoist Friend hails from?"


    "From the west."


    "The west?"


    "Have you heard of Immortal Seeking Island?"


    Gu An glimpsed at Immortal Seeking Taoist, curiously inquiring.


    Immortal Seeking Island, Immortal Seeking Taoist, could there be a connection?


    Immortal Seeking Taoist smiled, "So, Daoist Friend knows Immortal Seeking Island. To be honest, I founded the island long ago, later passing it to my disciple. The fame it enjoys now is all thanks to him, not myself."


    The Island Master of Immortal Seeking Island was a Wandering Immortal, while Immortal Seeking Taoist was merely a Nirvana Realm cultivator.


    Indeed, one shouldn''t judge solely by cultivation level; background and connections also counted as strength.


    Gu An reflected on this and then engaged in polite conversation with Immortal Seeking Taoist.


    It wasn''t until early the next morning that Yang Jian''s transformation concluded. He leaped into the lake, washed his body, and then stepped ashore.


    Under the sunlight, he had grown a few inches taller, his skin fair and his muscles well-defined, exuding immense strength from merely looking at his upper body.

 Chapter 235: Chapter 235 Post-Holiday Breakthrough

    Looking at Yang Jian who was now a completely different person, Gu An smiled.


    Yang Jian had reached the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm in one go. His qi-blood was even stronger than that of the Foundation Establishment Realm, proving that Gu An''s elixirs and medicinal herbs had not been wasted.


    Of course, Yang Jian''s physique surely still held more mysteries that needed to be uncovered through future cultivation.


    Gu An took out a blue robe and tossed it to Yang Jian, who hurriedly put it on.


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist quickly walked up to Yang Jian and carefully looked him over. The more he looked, the happier he became, as if staring at a rare treasure, making Yang Jian feel very uncomfortable.


    "Young friend, your master is exceedingly good to you. Do you know what kind of tribulation you just went through?"


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist said. Upon hearing this, Yang Jian couldn''t help but ask what kind of heavenly tribulation it was.


    Then, the Immortal Seeking Taoist began to explain the Mystic Dark Heavenly Tribulation and told him that it was Gu An who had dispelled the tribulation, bearing great heavenly tribulation consequences as a result.


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian''s face changed dramatically. He hurriedly bypassed the Immortal Seeking Taoist and ran to Gu An, kneeling before him.


    "Master... Your disciple is not worthy of your actions... Your disciple let you down..."


    Yang Jian''s forehead touched the ground, choking with emotion as he spoke.


    He felt both moved and guilty in his heart. His master had changed his fate, not only by providing precious elixirs and medicinal herbs but also by bearing the consequences of the heavenly tribulation. The depth of this kindness was immense.


    From childhood to adulthood, although he had not suffered hardships and had a happy family, ever since his spirit root was detected, his world had turned dark. Gu An not only brought him hope but also fulfilled that hope...


    Yang Jian knew well that his master could train other disciples and was not obligated to choose him, which made the weight of this kindness even heavier.


    Gu An looked down at him and said: "Since you have acknowledged me as your master, it is something a master should do. Get up now. I do not seek your repayment in the future, just that you avoid causing trouble and implicating your master."


    Yang Jian looked up and saw Gu An blinking at him. He immediately understood that his master was joking with him, just like Master Puti''s advice to Sun Wukong in "Journey to the West".


    "Master..."


    "Get up now. A real man doesn''t cry, what kind of behavior is this?"


    "Alright..."


    Watching Gu An and Yang Jian, the Immortal Seeking Taoist felt deeply moved. He had a feeling that many years later, today''s events would become a story as Yang Jian''s name shook the world.


    He took two steps forward and said: "Daoist friend, our meeting is fate. I have a divine skill here that I would like to give to your disciple, would you mind?"


    Gu An said: "Jian''er, quickly bow in gratitude to Senior."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian turned around, cupped his fists, and bowed to the Immortal Seeking Taoist, thanking him for the divine skill.


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist took out a secret book from his sleeve and handed it to Yang Jian: "Young friend, what is your name? I will keep an eye on your achievements in the future."


    Yang Jian took the secret book, first looking at Gu An. Seeing him nod, he then replied: "My name is Yang Jian."


    "Yang Jian?"


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist noted the name; he felt like he had seen it somewhere in a book before.


    Afterward, the Immortal Seeking Taoist did not disturb the master and disciple any further and took his leave.


    Gu An began to teach Yang Jian the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill!


    The All Things Form and Energy Art and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill were Gu An''s foundation techniques. Even An Hao only practiced a lower version, showing how much Gu An valued Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian had been in the valley for many years, though he didn''t have an outstanding personality, Gu An liked his honesty.


    This boy had ambitions but did things steadily.


    He clearly wanted to get close to Gu An but never looked for a chance to face Gu An directly. Instead, he dutifully served the Blood Prison Great Saint and the White Spirit Rat for years, which even Gu An found amusing.


    In Gu An''s eyes, Yang Jian was like an unpolished gem, and he looked forward to seeing what kind of person Yang Jian would become under his careful training.


    Gu An did not seek Yang Jian''s repayment in the future. Teaching Yang Jian was just an embellishment to his leisurely life.


    He merely wanted to teach a disciple, nothing more.


    ...


    In the evening, at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint down from the Transmission Array Platform, with Yang Jian following beside him.


    "Master, where have you been? I haven''t seen you for four days." A passing An Xin asked curiously.


    Her eyes turned to Yang Jian, widening as she carefully examined him.


    "Just went out for a walk."


    Gu An casually replied, then dismounted and walked alone towards the pavilion.


    An Xin immediately approached Yang Jian, examined him closely, and asked: "Are you really Yang Jian? How have you changed so much?"


    Yang Jian had already mastered the sorcery of the All Things Form and Energy Art, letting him conceal his aura, but he couldn''t precisely disguise his realm.


    He said nervously: "Master gave me an elixir to temper my muscles and bones, so my skin has become a bit whiter." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I see, it looks like Master has accepted you as a closed-door disciple." An Xin smiled. She did not harbor any jealousy, as her master was far more powerful than Gu An.


    Although the disciples of the Medicine Valley all called Gu An Master, it was merely a term of respect with no actual relationship.


    Yang Jian scratched his head and smiled. Though still shy, he now exuded more confidence.


    The two chatted for a while, and more and more disciples noticed Yang Jian''s changes, gathering around to inquire.


    In just a few days, Yang Jian seemed to have transformed from a countryside boy into a clean and handsome young gentleman, which was quite a shock for the disciples who knew him.


    Soon, the news about Yang Jian becoming Gu An''s closed-door disciple spread, and because of Yang Jian''s transformation, Gu An became even more mysterious in the eyes of the disciples.


    In the days to follow, Yang Jian continued to do chores like other servant disciples, but he spent most of his spare time on cultivation, hiding in his room for most of the day. To prevent anyone from disturbing his cultivation, Gu An arranged a separate courtyard for him.


    Yang Jian truly felt the change in status that came with becoming Gu An''s disciple, making him even more grateful to Gu An.


    Time flew by.


    Another new spring festival arrived. The Immortal Cultivation World was already dominated by the Heavenly Rankings Tournament. The Supreme Sect had set the specific date for the Heavenly Rankings Tournament to be in ten years during the Spring Festival.


    When Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came to the Third Medicine Valley to visit Gu An, Gu An introduced Yang Jian to them and pointed out that he was his disciple.


    Because of this, Ye Lan even gifted Yang Jian a magic artifact.


    Zhen Qin was very happy, considering herself his senior sister and told him to come to the Inner Sect if he ever needed anything.


    Little did they know, Gu An introduced Yang Jian to them to provide them with a backing.


    Since his physique awakening, Yang Jian had cultivated for half a year, raising his cultivation level from the fifth layer to the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. This speed was very fast, and it was estimated that he could form his core before the Heavenly Rankings Tournament started. One should know that half a year ago, he was only a third-layer Energy Cultivation cultivator.


    Apart from the increase in cultivation level, Yang Jian''s understanding of the All Things Form and Energy Art was very quick. It seemed he was naturally suited for body refinement.


    Lv Baitian also visited the Third Medicine Valley to speak with Gu An. Gu An similarly introduced Yang Jian to Lv Baitian.


    In the room, Lv Baitian looked over Yang Jian, who was energetic, becoming more astonished as he gazed.


    This qi-blood was extraordinary!


    Even though Yang Jian hid his cultivation level, his aura made anyone feel that he was not ordinary at first glance.


    Upon knowing that this person was the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, Yang Jian was very surprised. But compared to before, he treated others more composedly, a confidence that came from his strength.


    Moreover, he knew his master was a Loose Immortal, more powerful than anyone in the Supreme Sect.


    This secret was only known to him and the Blood Prison Great Saint, making him more proud.


    "Your disciple is remarkable. It''s a waste for him to be your disciple. Why not let him come with me to the Inner Sect for training?" Lv Baitian said.


    Before Gu An could answer, Yang Jian quickly responded: "Thank you for your kind offer, Sect Leader, but I only wish to serve my master! I will never take a second master in this life!"


    Lv Baitian''s expression became strange.


    Gu An chuckled and said: "Naughty boy, how dare you interrupt when I''m speaking with the Sect Leader."


    Lv Baitian couldn''t help but look at Gu An. For some reason, he felt that Gu An had changed. This change was hard to articulate.


    Auras!


    Yes!


    That was the feeling! From the moment he entered the room, he felt that Gu An and Yang Jian shared a common aura, one that only the proudest of heaven possessed.


    Could it be that Gu An had encountered a great opportunity?


    Lv Baitian pondered and then smiled: "No harm done. Since he is your disciple, I wouldn''t force it. Let''s talk about the Heavenly Rankings Tournament."


    Gu An nodded, and the two began discussing the Heavenly Rankings Tournament.


    Only then did Yang Jian learn that the Heavenly Rankings Tournament, which had become the talk of the Immortal Cultivation World, was his master''s idea.


    Although a bit surprised, he was not shocked.


    What is the Heavenly Rankings Tournament compared to this? His master was a Loose Immortal, definitely the most powerful in the world. Even the mysterious Sword Venerable Fudao might not be his master''s opponent!


    Sword Venerable Fudao''s battle records were widely known, but the realm of his opponents was not clearly transmitted. At least, Yang Jian didn''t know.


    An ancient hour later, the three descended the stairs. Lv Baitian did not leave but stayed at the Third Medicine Valley for the festival, chatting with Gu An. He found it very enjoyable, as Gu An always inspired him, and there was no scheming between them. They could open up their hearts and drink freely.


    Yang Jian was also praised by many disciples. His wine cup rarely left his hand, making this the happiest Spring Festival of his life.


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    ...


    Late at night, Gu An came to Nianchu Cave, bringing fine wine and delicacies. He sat with Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai around a stone table.


    "Eat slowly; there''s plenty more." Gu An said, watching the three demons devour the food, laughing.


    He still wore a mask, which exposed his mouth so he could drink.


    Tian Yao''er put down the roasted lamb leg in her hand, wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, and asked curiously: "Master, you seem very happy?"


    "Not bad. I accepted a disciple in the past half-year. He has excellent talent and constantly gives me surprises, so I''m naturally in a good mood." Gu An replied, taking the opportunity to caution the three demons not to be lazy.


    Tian Yao''er frowned and asked: "Disciple? Male or female?"


    "Male, why?"


    "Nothing. Don''t worry, Master, I won''t disappoint you either. I''ll spar with your disciple sometime in the future." Tian Yao''er said confidently.


    Gu An smiled and agreed to the request.


    Although Tian Yao''er''s maximum lifespan was longer than Yang Jian''s, as a demon, it was not comparable. In terms of talent, Tian Yao''er could not match Yang Jian.


    Gu An was more eager to see a spar between An Hao and Yang Jian.


    After the Spring Festival, he planned to find a place to break through and then visit An Hao.

 Chapter 236: Chapter 236 Breakthrough to the Nine Layers of the Carefree Immortal Realm!

    New Year''s just passed, and all things in heaven and earth began to revive.


    Gu An walked through the air, admiring the ocean scenery along the way.


    Although the rumors about the World-Destroying Sea Tide were spreading far and wide, the ocean still looked calm, without the slightest sign of disaster.


    He spread out his divine sense, searching for a suitable place to break through. He was already very far from the continent, and his Limitless Freedom Step had already crossed a hundred steps. With his current cultivation level, he could step across a distance dozens of times that of the continent, showing just how far this sea area was from the continent.


    The spiritual energy of the beings in the ocean was exceptionally dense, far exceeding that of the continent. Moreover, the cultivation levels of the oceanic demon beasts were very high. He even saw a whale at the Loose Immortal Realm, as large as half the continent, capable of swallowing the territory of three dynasties in one gulp, exaggeration to the extreme.


    Upon arriving here, the aura of human cultivators became rare. The occasional aura felt belonged entirely to Immortal Path Realm cultivators.


    Without a cultivation level at the Nirvana Realm, one couldn''t enter this sea area.


    Finally, Gu An''s gaze locked on a grand sea island. The island was teeming with life, even housing a power formed by hundreds of thousands of demons, with most of the demon soldiers training in the plains. The strongest demon had reached the second layer of the Loose Immortal Realm.


    The ninth layer Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm Gu An stealthily sneaked into the forest, meditating under a tree and activating the life span barrier.


    He did not immediately attempt to break through but instead spread out his divine sense, observing the situation all around.


    Within the range of his divine sense, he felt the aura of Wandering Immortals. Fortunately, there were no Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were always few in numbers, not visible to mortal spirits, after all, they could leave this world.


    When Gu An expanded the range of his divine sense to its maximum, he still did not see any Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, finally putting his heart at ease.


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    Though he couldn''t see any Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals at sea, if he looked up at the sky, he could daily see the figures of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals coming and going, like meteors streaking across the sky.


    Gu An retracted his divine sense and pulled up the attribute panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Lifespan: 128/16890764]


    [Physique: Mystic Holy Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm Ninth Layer]


    ...


    With ten million years of lifespan invested, could I break through to a higher realm?


    The eighth to ninth layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm cost thirty thousand years of life span. To reach a higher realm, failing once would mean waiting for more than thirty thousand years before trying again.


    Failing a hundred times would cost at least three million years of life span, which made him shudder just thinking about it.


    If he could use ten million years of life span to break through to a higher realm, he would consider himself lucky.


    So he dared not upgrade his cultivation technique or physique, deciding to brute-force his way in the realm instead!


    Gu An took a deep breath and first invested a million years of lifespan to test the waters.


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for fifty thousand years, using the Great Accomplishment of Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill to forcefully break through to the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm. You began to cross the tribulation, but you did not survive the Ultimate Reincarnation Heavenly Tribulation and failed.]


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for one hundred thousand years, using the Great Accomplishment of Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill to forcefully break through to the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm. You began to cross the tribulation, but you did not survive the Ultimate Reincarnation Heavenly Tribulation and failed.]


    ...


    Crossing the tribulation every fifty thousand years?


    A bit harsh!


    Gu An looked at the constant failure prompts before him, feeling somewhat panicked.


    A million years of lifespan resulted in just twenty failures...


    It would take five million years of lifespan to fail a hundred times...


    The more Gu An thought, the more anxious he became. His heart hardened, and he directly invested five million years of lifespan into cultivation!


    Fail!


    Fail!


    Gu An couldn''t even be bothered to look closely, just seeing that as long as the prompt didn''t grow longer, it meant all failures.


    After all, five million years of lifespan ultimately went down the drain, another hundred failures.


    This Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm was truly difficult to break through. No wonder he had never even heard of it in the real world. There were legends of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals above the sea but no tales of Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    Gu An pulled up the attribute panel again, and seeing there were still ten million years of lifespan left, his heart settled a little.


    Another five million years of lifespan!


    He didn''t believe he couldn''t break through!


    Series of prompts crazily popped up, and within the life span barrier, spiritual energy never surged, and the leaves above his head swayed with the wind, producing rustling sounds that made Gu An feel malice.


    It was as if the life span barrier was mocking him.


    The second five million years of lifespan all ended up in failures!


    He had already spent eleven million years of lifespan, failing two hundred and twenty times to cross the tribulation!


    If he upgraded his cultivation technique and physique first, today would he be unable to break through?


    But even if he didn''t break through, at least his strength would''ve increased like now. If he ultimately failed, he would have gained nothing.


    Gu An couldn''t accept such a failure, so he continued investing, this time putting in five hundred thousand years of lifespan.


    Constant failures appeared before him, but finally, a prompt suddenly lengthened, surprising him with joy.


    It worked!


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for three hundred and fifty thousand years, using the Great Accomplishment of Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill to forcefully break through to the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm. You began to cross the tribulation, you survived the Ultimate Reincarnation Heavenly Tribulation successfully, and your cultivation level advanced to the first layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm.]


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for four hundred and ten thousand years, advancing your cultivation level to the second layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm.]


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for four hundred and seventy thousand years, advancing your cultivation level to the third layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm.]


    [You cultivated through energy absorption for five hundred thousand years, your cultivation level increased.]


    Sixty thousand years for a small realm advancement, this Carefree Primordial Immortal was truly fierce.


    Gu An felt sentimental, the life span barrier finally began to function, and earth spirit energy surged into his body.


    He didn''t remain idle, continuously investing lifespan into his cultivation.


    His cultivation small realms could only be at the ninth layer; he wasn''t used to presenting himself as an observer below the eighth layer, lacking a sense of security.


    Eventually, he spent another four hundred and ninety thousand years of lifespan to attain the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm.


    The eighth layer to the ninth layer shockingly cost him one hundred and fifty thousand years of lifespan!


    This breakthrough took nearly twelve million years of lifespan to reach the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, an utterly terrifying figure.


    Boom!


    The earth rumbled, and spiritual energy soared like a tide, covering the grass within the barrier.


    All spirit energy on the entire island and the surrounding sea area abruptly plummeted, startling all beings into panic and chaos.


    The influence of the life span barrier continued to expand. The spiritual energy required from the ninth layer Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm to the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm was immense. After a few breaths, ocean demons erupted from beneath the sea.


    Heaven and earth were in an uproar!


    The island fell into a clamor as the demons roared, deafeningly.


    Gu An saw shape-shifting demons flying over the forest, thinking an enemy was attacking the island.


    Gu An closed his eyes and began to feel the changes within himself.


    He wanted to see what the Carefree Primordial Immortal had that made it so hard to break through.


    After thirty minutes, a flood of profound insights exploded in Gu An''s mind like the universe''s big bang, infinite information pouring into his consciousness.


    Heaven and earth rules!


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal required cultivating the Path of Five Elements to perceive higher realms. With the Five Elements Perfection, one could perceive the heaven and earth rules.


    All things in the world were composed of the unseen and untouchable power of rules. The Five Elements were the foundation, as stated in the "Tao Te Ching" that Dao produced One, One produced Two, Two produced Three, and Three produced all things.


    The Carefree Primordial Immortal was the realm of perceiving the rules of heaven and earth. Reaching this realm meant being completely unbounded by the constraints of heaven and earth, completely carefree. The primordial spirit underwent a baptism by the rules of heaven and earth, reaching transcendence.


    His Golden Core and Mystic Heart were transforming into higher existences. The Golden Core was accumulating the power of heaven and earth rules to form his Dao.


    What was Dao? Dao encompassed everything, cultivation techniques, spells, divine skills, etc. Everything about his existence was his Dao!


    The Golden Core generated the Dao, transforming into the Primordial Elixir!


    No wonder the Nascent Soul and Golden Core independently existed. The Nascent Soul transformed into the primordial spirit, and the Golden Core transformed into the Dao. Gu An guessed they would merge at some future realm, making him the incarnation of the Dao.


    Time flew by quickly. As earth''s spiritual energy sank faster, the clouds above churned violently as if ready to collapse with the spiritual energy. The island''s demons were terrified, assembling in formations and hiding within the island, not daring to come out.


    Fortunately, no demon intruded into the life span barrier!


    After an hour, Gu An successfully transformed into a Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    Breaking free from heaven and earth rules, truly carefree!


    Wherever the Dao existed, the mind could reach!


    What was the existence of Dao?


    Places and beings inheriting Gu An''s Daoist Sorcery were where the Dao existed, enabling him to easily escape and control their causes and effects!


    Gu An realized the Way of Cause and Effect was a unique Daoist sorcery. As his realm increased, his mastery over cause and effect grew deeper.


    The so-called cause and effect were the invisible forces produced by the interaction of all beings. There were cause and effect, and gathering endless cause and effect together was the world!


    After a major realm breakthrough, Gu An''s cultivation level began to surge.


    The Primordial Elixir had already deduced his Dao, and all the cause and effect related to him would appear in his Dao. He was moving towards the realm of omniscience.


    First, understand all his cause and effect; at higher realms, who knows if he could comprehend all cause and effect!


    After three hours, night fell, and Gu An finally reached the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm.


    His divine sense range was expanding continuously, perceiving the life span barrier''s extraction range of earth spirit energy significantly exceeded his ninth-layer Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm range.


    Due to this immense scope, no one, not even a demon, could detect the focal point of spiritual energy''s descent.


    When the earth''s spiritual energy ceased flowing into Gu An, he slowly stood up and opened his eyes.


    He instantly transformed into an aurora and vanished from the spot.


    Then, he arrived in front of a mansion. As it was late at night, the streets were empty, but the mansion within was brightly lit.


    He looked up, and the signboard bore two words.


    Ji Mansion!


    Through the Dao of his Primordial Elixir, he arrived at the Ji Mansion where his cause and effect resided.


    Yes, it was arriving, not teleporting!


    Arriving wouldn''t produce any signs between the two places, breaking free from the rules of heaven and earth, arriving at another place from a higher dimension.


    He was essentially traveling within his Dao! S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This feeling was truly marvelous.


    Gu An walked towards the Ji Mansion, the place of his birth and childhood.


    Taking a step past the main gate, he walked within the courtyard.


    An old servant carrying a lantern walked towards him, passing through his body.


    This, too, was the mystical nature of the Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    Mortal Spirits couldn''t see, Mortal Spirits couldn''t touch!


    No wonder there were no legends of the Carefree Primordial Immortal. For the first time, Gu An felt invincible.

 Chapter 237: Chapter 237: Soul of the Ji Family Ancestor

    Late at night, the Ji Mansion was dimly lit. Gu An walked leisurely through the corridors, and childhood memories kept surfacing.


    As the starting point of Gu An''s life, he had deep feelings for the Ji Mansion. From childhood to adulthood, he lived quite well in the Ji Mansion. Apart from the incident when he smashed the flower bed and was nearly punished by having his hand cut off, he had a good life without being bullied by other Ji Family members. Although there were occasional conflicts among the house servants, it never escalated to a point of deadly enmity.


    Having not returned for a hundred years, the Ji Mansion felt both familiar and unfamiliar to him.


    What was familiar were the furnishings and environment, which had not changed much. What was unfamiliar were the people.


    There were many branches of the Ji Family, and the Ji Mansion he was in was just one among many, with branches spread across three generations.


    Before the Demon Catastrophe, the Ji Family had hidden in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Only the main family and the high-ranking and talented disciples went into hiding. After the catastrophe, those who had hidden in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm returned to their respective homelands to continue developing the family.


    Gu An even saw branches of the Ji Family on the ocean, though they stayed close to the mainland, not daring to venture far because the demons in the ocean were powerful, and high-level demons could be encountered frequently.


    The person with the highest cultivation level in this Ji Mansion was in the Unification Realm. Back then, those in the Unification Realm were beings he had to look up to.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An detected a faint soul aura, piquing his interest. He immediately walked toward that direction.


    Along the way, figures passed by him; he even walked through the courtyard walls as if everything there was illusory to him.


    Gu An saw a familiar face, the court guardian who almost cut off his hand back then.


    A hundred years had passed; the guardian now had gray hair and looked aged. He no longer appeared fierce but rather kind and gentle. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An merely glanced at him, having no thought of seeking revenge. Indeed, it was his fault for smashing the flower bed back then. The guardian was just doing his duty, and now, their realms were worlds apart. Why should he hold a grudge?


    The Ji Mansion was large, and Gu An walked leisurely as if on a casual stroll.


    An hour later, he arrived at the place where the mysterious soul resided, which turned out to be the ancestral hall of the Ji Mansion.


    He passed through the door and saw rows of spirit tablets, all of Ji Family''s ancestors, and the soul was hidden within the main spirit tablet.


    Gu An approached the spirit tablet, noting the name on it.


    Ji Zhan!


    A soul was hidden deep inside the spirit tablet, an old man, lying on his side, seemingly napping.


    He was hidden in the Power of Cause and Effect, not in an ordinary exotic space, where beings couldn''t detect his presence with Divine Sense.


    Ji Zhan turned over as if dreaming, unaware that someone was spying on him.


    Gu An cast Life Span Detection on him, but the data came back as zero, not even displaying his realm.


    In the unseen, Ji Zhan had countless connections with the entire Ji Mansion, threads of cause and effect among them, one involving Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Zhan was an ancestral bloodline of Ji Xiaoyu.


    Following Ji Xiaoyu''s line of cause and effect, Gu An saw a segment that was very blurry, even to his eyes.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s cause and effect seemed off, giving Gu An an eerie feeling as if Ji Xiaoyu had suddenly become someone else at a certain stage.


    Looking closely, the change seemed to occur when Ji Xiaoyu was ten years old.


    He did not dwell on it, for he wasn''t here to investigate Ji Xiaoyu. Ji Xiaoyu possessed the Primordial Daoist Talisman, so having special causes and effects was not surprising. Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelFire.net


    Gu An did not stay long and quickly turned away from the ancestral hall.


    Deep within the spirit tablet, Ji Zhan suddenly turned over and sat up. He scratched his head, muttering: "Strange, just now I felt a sense of unease. Could it be that the Ji Family is facing another calamity?"


    "Blame it on that Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Sigh, the current generation truly lacks ambition, always relying on others. I can only watch and hope that she can restore the Ji Family to its former glory."


    Ji Zhan lay down again and continued to sleep.


    For him, time had no meaning. He was accustomed to indulging in dreams, enjoying the reincarnations he created for himself.


    ...


    At dawn, the sunlight swept from the horizon.


    Chi Bei stood on the beach, frowning as he gazed into the distance. His face was pale. During the battle in Divine Exotic City, he had been stung by the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and the scorpion venom had not been fully purged from his body.


    A figure emerged from the forest behind him. It was Chi Jiuxiao, the genius from the Star Sea Congregations.


    "Master, An Hao that kid was really outrageous. I passed on my Divine Skills to him, and he mastered them last night. It''s simply unnatural¡­"


    Chi Jiuxiao cursed as he approached, resentful of An Hao''s extraordinary talent.


    He had indeed been defeated, acknowledging that An Hao''s talent and comprehension surpassed his own.


    Chi Bei did not respond, still staring into the distance.


    "Master, what are you looking at?" Chi Jiuxiao couldn''t help but ask when he saw his master lost in thought.


    Chi Bei snapped back to reality and said: "The spiritual energy over the sea seems unusual. I suspect there is an anomaly somewhere, possibly related to the recently rumored World-Destroying Sea Tide."


    Chi Jiuxiao frowned and said: "What World-Destroying Sea Tide, it must be the Seven Stars Spirit Realm causing trouble. That huge rift appeared too coincidentally!"


    Chi Bei did not reply, thinking those comments were pointless.


    At that moment, a seven-colored radiance descended from the sky, landing beside them, instantly drawing their attention. They turned to see a figure within the radiance.


    It was a mysterious figure enveloped in dark purple demonic qi.


    Chi Jiuxiao''s eyes widened: "Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Chi Bei could not forget the scene where Gu An easily killed two Wandering Immortals, and he quickly bowed. No matter what, the other had saved his life, so he should pay his respects.


    "Thank you for looking after my disciple all these years," Gu An said.


    Chi Bei was about to speak when Gu An suddenly appeared in front of him, reaching out with his right hand. Two fingers pointed at Chi Bei''s chest, rendering him immobile instantly.


    "Master!"


    Chi Jiuxiao was startled, instinctively wanting to rush forward.


    "Stay put!"


    Chi Bei shouted, even using his mana to restrain Chi Jiuxiao.


    "The senior is detoxifying me¡­" Chi Bei took a deep breath and said slowly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.


    As Gu An''s mana entered his body, he suddenly felt insignificantly small.


    In the face of this power, the Wandering Immortal Realm was so weak, vulnerable.


    How powerful were the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals?


    Although Chi Bei was a Wandering Immortal, he lacked the confidence to reach the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm in the future. It seemed only one great realm apart, but he couldn''t imagine how to break through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    Chi Jiuxiao was overjoyed at his master''s words.


    He had been constantly worried about his master''s poisoning, feeling helpless and anxious. He never expected An Hao''s master could purge the Immortal-Swallowing Scorpion''s poison.


    After a few breaths, Gu An withdrew his hand and said: "I''d like to spend some time alone with my disciple."


    Then he turned and walked into the forest. Chi Jiuxiao quickly bowed, not daring to obstruct him.


    Chi Bei felt the poison in his body dissipating, and with it, the weight on his heart. He looked at Gu An with awe.


    Such a terrifying poison, yet he could easily expel it¡­


    Little did he know, Gu An could have eradicated the poison instantly but deliberately prolonged the process, even so, it was beyond Chi Bei''s reach.


    Chi Jiuxiao quickly came to Chi Bei''s side, concerned about his condition.


    Deep within the island, hundreds of miles away in the mountains, An Hao sat cross-legged on a mountainside, cultivating.


    Divinity Transformation Realm, Fourth Layer!


    Still stunning.


    Gu An stood behind An Hao, reflecting on his current cultivation level.


    An Hao was now only ninety-four years old, and a ninety-four-year-old cultivator in the Divinity Transformation Realm, Fourth Layer, would surpass Li Xuandao in no time. An Hao was still the fastest cultivator Gu An had ever known.


    At one hundred twenty-eight years old, having reached the ninth layer of the Carefree Immortal Realm, Gu An said: "Based on your cultivation level, you haven''t been slacking."


    An Hao abruptly opened his eyes, turned around, showing a look of surprise and joy. He quickly stood up, excitedly asking: "Master, what brings you here?"


    Gu An replied: "I came to check on you."


    Hearing this, An Hao became even happier, rushing to Gu An, asking various questions, losing his usual composure.


    In front of Gu An, he still seemed like that lively, mischievous boy.


    The master and disciple talked for a long time before Gu An got to the point: "How is your practice of the Yang Wood Primordial Skill progressing?"


    An Hao''s Spirit Root Qualification was strong, not because of a single-root attribute but because each of his spirit roots was of Heavenly Spirit Root level.


    In other words, An Hao could cultivate the Five Elements Skill.


    Practicing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill was not considered abandoning his current practice because the two cultivation techniques were from the same origin.


    "Very well, I have already cultivated the Yang Wood. This spiritual wood can absorb Spiritual Power, and it''s quite domineering¡­" An Hao eagerly described his accomplishments, not wanting to disappoint his master.


    After he finished, Gu An said: "I will teach you a higher-level cultivation technique, the Yang Wood Primordial Skill is just one foundation of this technique."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao''s eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded.


    "This technique cannot be disclosed, as it may attract calamities. Also, your Tribulation Crossing will be more difficult than cultivators of the same realm, so be mentally prepared." Gu An reminded him.


    An Hao suddenly realized: "Heavenly Tribulation is related to the cultivation technique? No wonder my tribulations always astonish others."


    Gu An continued, saying: "Recently, I have taken on another disciple. Your junior apprentice''s qualification is also outstanding, not inferior to yours. As the senior apprentice, you must set an example and not be surpassed by him."


    A junior apprentice?


    An Hao frowned, feeling a sudden tension.


    If someone else had said this, he would have dismissed it, believing no one could match his qualifications.


    But hearing it from his master, he didn''t doubt it. There was someone with qualifications comparable to his, possibly younger, giving him a sense of urgency.


    "Master, what is my junior apprentice''s name?" An Hao cautiously asked.


    "One day, you will meet and get to know each other because you are cultivating the same technique." Gu An answered.


    Could it be Li Ya?


    An Hao thought of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword that Li Ya had used.


    Soon, he dismissed this guess. Li Ya was older than him and wasn''t considered a genius, at least in his eyes, quite ordinary.

 Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Seven Days in Outer Heaven, Vast Expanse of Heaven and Earth

    After passing down the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill to An Hao, Gu An didn''t linger longer and quickly left the island.


    In the sky, he saw the distant ocean stirring up massive waves, originating from the place of his breakthrough. The spiritual energy he consumed during his breakthrough was enormous, causing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to sink, inevitably shaking the ocean.


    Fortunately, that sea region did not have any human-occupied mainland. The demon creatures surviving there all had cultivation levels, so even if the island was flooded, they wouldn''t die. Besides, the waves just swept across rather than raising the sea level.


    Gu An just glanced at it and did not give it much thought, avoiding any burden on himself.


    He harbored good intentions and avoided harming innocent beings as much as possible. Still, if his cultivation inadvertently affected innocent lives, he couldn''t help it, and he would not stop his progress.


    Upon returning to the Supreme Sect, Gu An first wandered around the Mystic Valley. Lu Jiujia and the servant disciples were already accustomed to days without Gu An. Although Gu An often visited the Mystic Valley, everyone knew that his focus was on the Inner Sect''s Medicine Valley, which they understood. Without Gu An, they felt no pressure.


    Half an hour later, Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Compared to the Mystic Valley, the Third Medicine Valley was much livelier.


    Gu An stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform, looked around, and saw the past of every servant disciple before his eyes.


    A mortal spirit''s century-long life was just a fleeting moment for him.


    Gu An looked at An Xin, peering into her past, and sure enough, he saw his own figure.


    He could see the past of mortal spirits, and so could other Carefree Primordial Immortals. This made him more grateful for his choice. Luckily, he stayed in the Supreme Sect. If he had roamed the world, the increasing causality would have attracted the attention of hidden Carefree Primordial Immortals. If such transcendental beings found his growth speed unreasonable, it would have been troublesome.


    Gu An walked to the wooden fence in the garden area, looked up, and found his vision far beyond before, feeling more and more that the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was vast.


    The name "Great Heaven and Earth" was indeed well-deserved!


    This continent was already vastly broader than Earth in his past life, yet it was like dust in the entire Great Heaven and Earth. As his field of vision expanded, he saw more Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals coming and going.


    He could even see the scenes beyond heaven, a splendid Star Sea with breathtaking spectacles, with starry lights resembling celestial rivers, filled with countless stars like great waves sifting through sand, and gigantic nebulas like cosmic trees guiding all beings.


    Gu An''s gaze was drawn to the sun illuminating heaven and earth. Outside the Great Heaven and Earth, there were not just one, but seven enormous suns, orbiting around the Great Heaven and Earth under some mysterious rule, allowing every place within it to maintain a regular pattern of four seasons and day-night cycles.


    With his eyesight, he saw that each of the seven suns contained a mysterious being. They were colossal, with various forms¡ªsome were birds, others beasts, and even human-like figures, instilling awe.


    The sun''s surface had a power barrier that prevented Gu An from seeing their true forms, which also made life span detection impossible.


    Gu An merely glanced before looking away, avoiding disturbing the beings within the suns.


    Carefree Primordial Immortals could easily cross the sky to the outer universe, but he didn''t want to go for now. Staying at the Supreme Sect was good enough. He had no urgent enemies, so exploring was unnecessary.


    He could now roam the world freely. With the mystique of a Carefree Primordial Immortal, if he wished, no life below a Carefree Primordial Immortal would see or touch him.


    Gu An looked towards the distant heaven and earth, his vision extending rapidly for countless miles.


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    A vast expanse of ocean swept past his eyes, he saw more prosperous continents and scenes of life fighting, including wars, battles between immortal great cultivators, and giant spirit beasts revered as divine beasts roaming the world, with countless mortals kneeling in worship.


    There were also many places his vision could not penetrate, indicating that they might be home to Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    Such places were either far from the mortal world or within extremely prosperous human or demon lands.


    Gu An even saw a continent full of immortal beings, with the lowest cultivation being the Nirvana Realm, which amazed him.


    Fortunately, that continent was incredibly distant. Even Nirvana Realm cultivators would find it difficult to cross because the journey was fraught with dangers. He had just seen a Loose Immortal swallowed by a mysterious giant sea demon, an event that happened so suddenly. The Loose Immortal was just passing by at an immense speed beyond mortal sight, yet was still devoured, perishing instantly.


    Gu An felt as if he was exploring, this kind of peering brought him novelty. The whole world seemed to reveal its true face before him, making him unable to stop.


    He did not know how much time had passed.


    You Yingying came beside him and asked: "What are you thinking about? Why have you been staring blankly for so long?"


    Gu An withdrew his gaze, looked at her, and smiled gently, "I am thinking about how vast the Star Sea Congregations are, and how broad the world outside is."


    You Yingying laughed and replied, "If you want to go to the ocean, I can arrange it for you. As for how large the Star Sea Congregations are, even I, who was born there, am unsure. The sea area occupied by the Star Sea Congregations is thousands of times larger than this continent, and that''s just my estimation."


    Gu An nodded slightly. The territory of the Star Sea Congregations indeed exceeded the continent''s size by thousands of times, but it did not seem vast to him because he could see even further.


    He wondered if there were Carefree Primordial Immortals in the Star Sea Congregations.


    Gu An thought that even if there were, they would not be in the mortal world.


    Though Gu An could see the other side of the mortal world, he did not find the existence of Carefree Primordial Immortals. It was just hard to see them, but he could not be sure they did not exist. Perhaps Carefree Primordial Immortals could not spy on each other.


    Therefore, this realm was called Carefree!


    "Speaking of which, the internal assessment of the Star Sea Congregations is about to start. I wonder if Xuan Tianyi will make a name for himself this time," You Yingying said, her face full of reminiscence.


    When Gu An heard this, he couldn''t help but ask, "Is there a threshold for the internal assessment?"


    Li Ya, Zhang Buku, and An Hao had already joined the Star Sea Congregations. Gu An looked forward to seeing them make a name for themselves. All three had received his inheritance. If they could thrive in the Star Sea Congregations, he would naturally be pleased.


    "No, anyone under a thousand years old can participate. By the way, Li Ya from the Supreme Sect is expected to take part. That Divine Exotic City is a Fake Immortal Treasure, so many prodigies will want to compete with him."


    You Yingying smiled wickedly, with an expression of anticipating someone to be embarrassed.


    The two of them continued chatting, the topic revolving around the Star Sea Congregations. Although You Yingying did not want to return, she spoke with pride about the Star Sea Congregations, often belittling the Supreme Sect.


    This made Gu An look forward to the future of the Supreme Sect.


    The future was long, and there was no rush!


    Who could tell if the Supreme Sect would be more powerful or the Star Sea Congregations more prominent in ten thousand years?


    Although Gu An had already reached the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal stage, his life had just started at one hundred twenty-eight years old. Not to mention the future, he was very much looking forward to tomorrow.


    After chatting with You Yingying for a while, Gu An moved to another place to continue observing the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    In the extremely distant west, he saw a majestic mountain located in a desert, surrounded by sky-covering sandstorms, with a golden, radiant giant palace atop the peak, constantly receiving and sending off monks. That palace was also a place his vision could not penetrate.


    This indicated that the palace likely had a Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    The world was indeed vast and populated with numerous great powers. Not every Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal or higher existence would leave the mortal world.


    In the days that followed, whenever Gu An had time, he observed the heaven and earth.


    What made him most wary was the north. There lay a vast continent, the largest he had ever seen. He could only see its outline from the edges, and as soon as he got closer, a mysterious force barred his sight. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a very mysterious power present in all things.


    It must be Qi Fortune!


    The Supreme Sect also gathered similar power, but compared to that continent, its Qi Fortune was like a grain of rice compared to the bright sun.


    He speculated that the continent was the strongest area in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, but he could only observe with just his eyesight.


    That continent was also incredibly far from the land of the three dynasties. Crossing mountains and seas to reach it was harder than the Journey to the West.


    ...


    Spring of the first year of being a Carefree Primordial Immortal passed. Despite reaching a new realm, Gu An continued living as before, traversing various Medicine Valleys, sometimes visiting the Outer Gate City to read, and occasionally drinking and chatting with friends. Life was very leisurely.


    In the mountains and forests.


    Yang Jian, dressed in blue, continuously attacked Gu An. His movements were agile, and his punches and kicks were fierce, while Gu An stood still, dismantling each move in an unhurried manner. The faster Yang Jian was, the slower Gu An seemed.


    Yang Jian was kicked by Gu An again, crashing into a tree and shaking down many leaves.


    This time, Yang Jian didn''t have the strength to get up, his Qi exhausted, but he didn''t feel frustrated. Instead, he looked at his master expectantly.


    He couldn''t match his master''s prowess, but he wanted to hear his master''s evaluation of him.


    "The path of physical cultivation is not so narrow. Not just fists and feet can become magic artifacts; every part of the body can," Gu An said, feeling gratified.


    This boy''s growth speed was amazing, even surpassing An Hao back then. Perhaps the elixir''s efficacy still lingered, making Gu An feel astonished.


    Set a goal.


    Reach the Nirvana Realm within five hundred years!


    Before that, Yang Jian couldn''t go down the mountain to train, at most, he could return to visit family.


    Yang Jian didn''t know that his master had set a cultivation goal in his heart. He stood up and said, "Master, should I mainly practice the All Things Form and Energy Art, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, or the Daoist Gang Primal Energy you taught me? They all seem profound and hard to master."


    Gu An replied, "Take it slow, there''s no need to rush to breakthrough the cultivation realm. You can start by laying a solid foundation."


    Yang Jian felt it made sense. Following Gu An in cultivation meant he had all the elixirs he needed and no usual expenses, so he didn''t need to hurry.


    "Master, when would you be willing to participate in the Celestial Ranking Tournament?" Yang Jian suddenly asked, his tone full of anticipation.

 Chapter 239: Chapter 239: This Time, I Win!

    Since being given a life-altering destiny by his master, Yang Jian believed that his master was the most powerful cultivator in the world. No one, be it the Sword Venerable Fudao, Daoist Lord, or the superpowerful forces like the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and Star Sea Congregations, could match his master.


    He wanted to see his master renowned across the world, for as his disciple, it would be a moment of pride.


    Gu An looked at him with a stern expression and said, "Are you cultivating to seek fame, or to pursue immortality? If it is fame you seek, then go to the mundane world, where you can become an ultimate martial expert."


    Yang Jian thought his master was angry and quickly replied, "Of course it is to pursue immortality... Master, I was wrong. I was just curious after hearing other disciples talking about the ranking competition."


    Gu An did not let him off so easily, using this opportunity to temper his character. In a heartfelt tone, he said, "Not to mention your current physique is against the laws of nature. If others learn about it, it may bring disaster upon you. There are many who are aware of their Heavenly Destiny. I am strong, but there are always others out there stronger than the likes of Loose Immortals. A cultivator should cherish what they already have rather than recklessly seize opportunities."


    "Do not flaunt, do not underestimate the common people of the world."


    Yang Jian felt ashamed, filled with guilt. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Recently, he indeed had developed a sense of pride, seeing other disciples in the valley struggling with basic Qi Cultivation, while he was already at the Foundation Establishment level, feeling superior.


    "Though I do not seek repayment from you, I do not want you to become someone who acts recklessly. Since you are cultivating immortality, you ought to understand that there is a Heavenly Destiny beyond human efforts. If you stray down the wrong path, you will eventually be punished by the heavens. I do not wish for you to become someone who seeks vain glory. Do you understand?" Gu An continued, bringing tears to Yang Jian''s eyes.


    Yang Jian was not moved by grand principles; it was hearing his master say once more that repayment was not required that touched him, making him feel unworthy.


    He knew exactly what he was thinking. Even though he was reborn anew, his heart still harbored selfish desires and a darker side, making him feel ashamed of himself.


    Look at his master, clearly an immortal, yet never bullying the weak, humbly staying within the Supreme Sect, living among mortals without arrogance.


    He should learn from his master and become a true cultivator!


    "Master, I..." Yang Jian began, but was interrupted before he could finish.


    "Let''s go back."


    Gu An turned and left, with Yang Jian quickly following.


    ...


    At the end of summer, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint back from Tianya Valley. Along the way, the Blood Prison Great Saint kept cursing three monkey demons and even begged Gu An to release some of his cultivation, at least to the Core Formation Realm.


    "No rush, it''s good for tempering your character. You are too impetuous, your words can hurt. Without proper tempering, you will bring calamity upon yourself sooner or later," Gu An said nonchalantly, holding a peculiar book in his hand that Luo Hun had obtained from Li Xuandao.


    According to Luo Hun, this book was comparable to the Green Hero Travelogue!


    Indeed, the three-dynasty land had many literary talents, and there were always those who could write better than Xuan Tianyi.


    This book was not a travelogue, but a collection of tales about the romance and scandals in the Imperial City.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lost his spirit upon hearing Gu An''s words.


    He knew his faults, but once he got into an argument with someone, he couldn''t quench his anger without giving them a good beating.


    [Zhou Yu has developed hostility towards you and harbors killing intent. Would you like to perform Life Span Detection on him?]


    Zhou Yu?


    The former Venerable Pavilion of the Supreme Sect?


    Gu An frowned, wondering why this guy had suddenly developed a killing intent towards him. Could it be related to Wu Jue?


    The Zhou Family had already left the Supreme Sect, causing quite a stir. At least the disciples of the Supreme Sect regarded the Zhou Family as traitors, especially given their choice of the Cangtian Sect.


    To this day, Cangtian Sect was the Supreme Sect''s biggest rival. The disciples believed that to become the premier sect in the Immortal Cultivation World, they must surpass the Cangtian Sect.


    Gu An spread his divine sense across the entire continent, searching for Wu Jue''s presence, and quickly found him.


    Wu Jue was at the border forests of the Taicang Dynasty, in a dilapidated temple. Besides him, there were several other cultivators present, standing off against him.


    At this moment, Wu Jue frowned deeply, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves.


    Zhou Yu, dressed in a black robe, stood in front of him, exuding authority. The other Zhou Family cultivators looked at Wu Jue with disapproval.


    "Wu Jue, our Zhou Family has invested a lot of resources in you. Without the Zhou Family, you wouldn''t be who you are today. Are you really going to forget our kindness?" a female cultivator said sternly.


    Others chimed in, with most of them hinting at threats in their tone.


    Wu Jue gritted his teeth and said, "The Supreme Sect has also been kind to me. Wouldn''t joining the Zhou Family be a betrayal of that?"


    Zhou Yu slowly spoke, "Jue''er, although the world is peaceful now, more and more Ocean Cultivators are arriving. The Immortal Cultivation World will face a catastrophe sooner or later. As far as I know, even the Sect Leader and Supreme Elder do not know the true identity of Sword Venerable Fudao. If there ever comes a day when Sword Venerable Fudao leaves, the Supreme Sect would be quickly annihilated."


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    Wu Jue firmly responded, "Impossible! Why would the Supreme Sect alone face destruction? Is the Cangtian Sect absolutely safe? Besides Sword Venerable Fudao, there are other Great Cultivators in the Supreme Sect. I believe the Supreme Sect is stronger than the Cangtian Sect!"


    In saying this, he was severing ties with Zhou Yu, who now served the Cangtian Sect.


    Zhou Yu''s expression turned ugly, and he said, "Think carefully, betrayal of the Zhou Family will make you our enemy. Out of respect for our master-disciple relationship, I can let you go today, but in the future, I will kill you to uphold the Zhou Family''s reputation. Not only you, but anyone associated with you will die, such as your only brother in the Supreme Sect, Gu An."


    "Besides Gu An, all your friends in the Main City of the Sect will also die."


    Zhou Yu truly did not want to let Wu Jue go, as Wu Jue''s perception was too formidable. He believed Wu Jue could rival An Hao.


    The Cangtian Sect had no talent comparable to An Hao!


    Moreover, Wu Jue had no background and was alone. In the future, he could marry into the Zhou Family, continuing the lineage of exceptional talent.


    Upon hearing this, Wu Jue''s expression turned grim. He tried to keep calm, took a deep breath, and asked, "Since when did you start investigating me?"


    When Zhou Yu mentioned Gu An, Wu Jue panicked.


    So, the Zhou Family still had spies within the Supreme Sect!


    Zhou Yu said calmly, "From the day you became my disciple, I understood all your relationships. It''s not too late to turn back now. You can even bring those you care about into the Cangtian Sect in the future."


    This time, he didn''t mention Gu An.


    Because he couldn''t draw in Gu An, knowing Gu An was actually Pan An and close to Lv Baitian.


    The thought that Gu An could influence Wu Jue meant that Lv Baitian might be able to win over Wu Jue, inflaming his killing intent.


    Why should Lv Baitian have both An Hao and Wu Jue, these two peerless talents?


    Wu Jue fell into a struggle.


    If the Zhou Family came only for him, he wouldn''t be afraid. But since it involved Gu An, he had to hesitate.


    His talent and perception were top-notch, and he believed he could become a world-shaking force. But he was still young and needed time to grow. The Zhou Family, in his eyes, was a colossal existence, one he couldn''t challenge alone.


    The Zhou Family still had spies within the Supreme Sect. He couldn''t keep an eye on Gu An all the time. What if one day a Zhou Family spy attacked Gu An...


    He couldn''t bear to imagine such a scenario.


    "Damn it..."


    Wu Jue clenched his fists, staring at Zhou Yu with eyes ablaze.


    Zhou Yu sighed and said, "Disciple, actually, I..."


    Boom!


    A sudden thunderbolt struck down with a speed that left Wu Jue and the others no time to react, hitting Zhou Yu and sending everyone flying from the blast.


    Wu Jue hit the wall but quickly stabilized himself, looking over, and his eyes widened.


    Zhou Yu had vanished. The spot where he stood was charred black and smoking.


    The other Zhou Family cultivators were wide-eyed, their expressions stunned.


    "Master?"


    A disciple called out quickly, but received no response.


    "Not good, there''s a Supreme Sect Great Cultivator nearby!" a female disciple shouted and disappeared, followed by the other cultivators, forgetting all about Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue stood in a daze, hesitated for a moment, and then chose to leave.


    On the way out, he couldn''t help but wonder if Zhou Yu was dead or alive?


    Who could have struck that thunderbolt?


    It couldn''t have been a coincidence that Zhou Yu was struck by natural lightning, right?


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An still riding on the Blood Prison Great Saint''s back, felt bored with the mere ninety-two years of life span gained from killing Zhou Yu.


    "I hope the Zhou Family knows their place and stops developing hostility towards me. Otherwise, don''t blame me for being ruthless..."


    Gu An thought silently. While he continued to choose a low-profile approach to cultivation, he was not someone the Zhou Family could provoke!


    Fortunately, in the days that followed, no one from the Zhou Family developed hostility towards Gu An.


    No one believed that a newly formed Core Formation cultivator like Gu An could have killed Zhou Yu, a cultivator of the ninth layer of the Unification Realm out of thin air.


    The one who killed Zhou Yu must have been at the Mystic Heart Realm or even the Mahayana Realm, which was an obvious warning from the Supreme Sect to the Zhou Family.


    ...


    In a bright grand hall, thousands of cultivators gathered. The vast palace was expansive, with a hallway over a hundred feet wide and rows of transmission array platforms on either side, with cultivators constantly teleporting in.


    An Hao stood in place, curiously looking around at everyone.


    "I heard that this entrance exam involves Li Ya from Divine Exotic City."


    "Divine Exotic City? Could it be that Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    "Yes, that Li Ya is indeed lucky. Who knows how powerful he is with the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    "I hope he can''t use the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. How could we compete against that?"


    "Without using the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, he''s just a minor cultivator from the Barbarian Continent, nothing noteworthy."


    An Hao listened to the disciples'' discussions around him, filled with mixed emotions.


    The influence of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was enormous, and Li Ya''s name had reached the Star Sea Congregations, making the new disciples who were about to enter the sect hostile towards him.


    Just as he was thinking, a voice called out, "An Hao, long time no see. This time, it''s my turn to win."


    An Hao turned his head to see two men walking towards him, one of whom exuded demon energy.


    It was Li Ya and Zhang Buku!


    Li Ya appeared confident, eyes fixed on An Hao, while Zhang Buku looked full of curiosity.

 Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Sworn to Protect

    Looking at Li Ya, who was full of fighting spirit, An Hao remained unmoved. If it had been before, he might have expected to spar with Li Ya, but now his mind was occupied only with that junior brother he had never met.


    Li Ya possessed the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure and was no longer the same as before. An Hao naturally did not consider himself a match for Li Ya.


    However, excluding the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, An Hao truly did not think Li Ya was qualified to be his opponent.


    Li Ya thought he was timid, so he said, "Don''t worry. When I spar with you, I won''t use that treasure. But if it''s against others, I won''t hold back at all, and I''ll show off our Supreme Sect''s might."


    Zhang Buku stood beside them and snorted, "I don''t mind if you use that supreme treasure. In fact, I want to test its sharpness."


    An Hao looked at Zhang Buku. He had met Zhang Buku before, at a time when Zhang Buku and Li Ya were already inseparable, though they had not yet become acquainted.


    He found Zhang Buku very interesting and could feel the immense strength of his qi-blood. In terms of real strength, he was certainly stronger than Li Ya.


    "What''s your name?" An Hao asked Zhang Buku, staring at him.


    Zhang Buku replied, "My name is Zhang Buku. I''m Li Ya''s brother."


    Li Ya''s mouth twitched, but he did not refute.


    An Hao nodded and then said nothing more, turning around.


    Li Ya became interested, stepped forward, and said, "The three of us come from the Supreme Sect and have joined the Star Sea Congregations at the same time. Regardless of victories or defeats in the future, how about mutual support?"


    An Hao nodded without objection.


    In his heart, the Supreme Sect held a high position. Helping fellow disciples was only natural to him.


    Li Ya and Zhang Buku stepped forward and stayed beside An Hao, starting to chat and share their past experiences. An Hao initially didn''t care, but as he listened, he became captivated by their experiences.


    Were these two so eager for battle?


    Very soon, Zhang Buku and Li Ya started arguing, each blaming the other. An Hao suddenly felt a bit envious of them, as they could rely on each other no matter where they went.


    Thinking of his junior sister, An Xin, An Hao couldn''t help but sigh.


    Even he felt that the heavens were unfair.


    ¡­


    While Li Ya and the others wandered in the Star Sea Congregations, far away at the Supreme Sect, Gu An and his disciples lived their lives as usual for ten years.


    Ten years passed in a flash.


    Gu An''s age reached one hundred and thirty-nine. That summer, the Heaven Ranking Tournament, hosted by the Supreme Sect, was about to begin, plunging the Supreme Sect into an unprecedented state of prosperity.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, within a pavilion.


    Gu An looked at his attribute panel. His lifespan had recovered to eight million years, and he was secretly satisfied.


    When he broke through to the Carefree Primordial Immortal, the life span barrier alone cost him nearly a million years of life. In ten years, he had gained more than four million years of life, which was quite stable.


    Next, Gu An planned to aim for one hundred million years of life, at which point he would comprehensively enhance his attribute panel before breaking through to higher realms.


    Although it seemed far off to gain a one hundred million year lifespan in just ten years, Gu An was not anxious. He still had a trump card, which was the Outer World Cave Heaven.


    The seventh-order medicinal herbs in the Outer World Cave Heaven couldn''t mature in just a few decades, and every month, Gu An brought in high-rank seeds.


    What Gu An was currently thinking about was collecting an Immortal Path Spirit Tree.


    Last year, during a private auction held by Sage Tang Hai, an Immortal Path Spirit Tree appeared, but unfortunately, its price skyrocketed. Gu An could not afford it due to his regular purchases of high-rank medical herbs. The other party was a great cultivator from the Star Sea Congregations with deep pockets and an astonishing background.


    Gu An had not resorted to robbing for a single tree. There was no need to make enemies, as an Immortal Path Spirit Tree would not gain him a million-year lifespan at once. Moreover, at that time, the Supreme Sect and the Star Sea Congregations were on good terms. His disciple, An Hao, was also comfortably staying in the Star Sea Congregations.


    There would be another chance in the future!


    Seizing this Heaven Ranking Tournament, Gu An planned to amass wealth. He was looking forward to the upcoming excitement.


    He stood up, preparing to head for the Mystic Valley, as an acquaintance had returned.


    After coming downstairs, Gu An called over Yang Jian, then rode with the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Mystic Valley through teleportation.


    The disciples of the Mystic Valley had all seen the Blood Prison Great Saint and Yang Jian over the years, so they knew of their relationship with Gu An.


    Gu An did not go upstairs but began patrolling the gardens in the valley, with Yang Jian and the Blood Prison Great Saint following.


    After ten years, the thirty-two-year-old Yang Jian had already reached the second layer of the Core Formation Realm. At such an age, with such cultivation, he was among the top-tier talents of the time. Considering that Yang Jian, at the age of twenty, was only at the third layer of Qi Cultivation Realm, his talent was immeasurable.


    Yang Jian still concealed his cultivation, appearing to be at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation Realm.


    Yang Jian, who practiced the All Things Form and Energy Art and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, had an extremely powerful qi-blood. Gu An judged that cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm couldn''t withstand his strength.


    With Gu An''s teaching, Yang Jian had grown more steady, neither arrogant nor impetuous, showing the demeanor of a true disciple.


    "I heard the Daoist Lord of the Cangtian Sect has arrived," Yang Jian chatted with the Blood Prison Great Saint about the Heaven Ranking Tournament.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was also very interested, and the two only talked about others, not their own cultivation¡ªa habit developed under Gu An''s long-term instructions.


    After a while.


    A figure flew from the distant sky; it was Li Ya.


    Yang Jian turned his head to look, curiosity showing in his eyes.


    What a powerful aura!


    Li Ya came on his sword, like an immortal descending from the sky.


    After sheathing his sword, he quickly walked to the edge of the garden and greeted Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Senior Brother Li, what brings you here? Wait for me for a moment."


    Li Ya nodded, his gaze inadvertently falling on Yang Jian.


    Although Yang Jian''s cultivation was low, his demeanor was extraordinary.


    "What is this person''s relationship with Junior Brother Gu?" Li Ya thought to himself.


    After a while, Gu An handed over medicinal herbs to a servant disciple, then led Yang Jian towards Li Ya.


    He introduced Yang Jian to Li Ya, asking Yang Jian to greet him.


    "Yang Jian greets Uncle Master," Yang Jian clasped his fists, neither humble nor overbearing. Although Li Ya''s aura was strong, it couldn''t compare to Gu An. If Gu An hadn''t concealed his cultivation, the two wouldn''t be considered fellow disciples.


    Li Ya, hearing this, curiously asked, "Is it the Yang Jian from the Investiture of the Gods?"


    Yang Jian nodded and said, "I loved reading the Investiture of the Gods since I was a child, and I changed my name to symbolize my aspiration after joining the sect."


    Li Ya smiled, then took out a treasure sword from his storage bag and gave it to Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian looked at Gu An, and only after seeing Gu An nod did he accept it.


    Li Ya pulled Gu An towards the pavilion, while Gu An beckoned Yang Jian to follow, causing Li Ya to hesitate.


    "Jian''er is my truly accepted disciple, whom I''ve taught everything I know. Let him follow us and broaden his horizons," Gu An said with a smile.


    Li Ya, hearing this, took another look at Yang Jian.


    He understood Gu An''s implied meaning.


    "I see. If you ever encounter trouble while adventuring out there, you can always come to me, your Uncle Master," Li Ya said with an air of spirit, to which Yang Jian quickly expressed his gratitude.


    Gu An found it amusing; Li Ya had guessed his intention correctly, but got the relationship wrong.


    He wasn''t setting Yang Jian up with a backer but the other way around!


    After the three went upstairs, Li Ya began recounting his experiences within the Star Sea Congregations. He had already become a true disciple of the Star Sea Congregations, although his cultivation was the lowest among them, relying on the Divine Exotic City.


    Although Yang Jian had joined later, he had heard of the Divine Exotic City.


    Unexpectedly, the Supreme Sect cultivator who seized the Divine Exotic City years ago turned out to be his Uncle Master.


    He suddenly suspected that Li Ya had obtained the Divine Exotic City with help from his master.


    "By the way, I heard there was an internal assessment in the Star Sea Congregations. Did you participate?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    Li Ya''s expression instantly became unnatural. "I did, and I got quite a good ranking, entering the top hundred. I became a true disciple based on my own strength."


    Gu An didn''t believe it. Over the years, Li Ya had used the power of the Divine Exotic City quite often.


    "I heard An Hao also participated. What was his ranking?" Gu An continued to ask.


    Li Ya''s expression became even more awkward.


    Yang Jian''s eyes lit up, and he asked, "Master, are you talking about the number one genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao?"


    "That''s right, it''s him."


    Yang Jian fell into contemplation.


    Li Ya ambiguously said, "His ranking was also good. Without using the Divine Exotic City, I indeed couldn''t match him."


    Gu An curiously asked, "What do you mean? Did you two meet again?"


    Li Ya felt aggrieved. Was Junior Brother Gu doing this on purpose?


    Trying to embarrass me in front of a junior?


    He did indeed run into An Hao. He had subdued many great cultivators with the Divine Exotic City. But when facing An Hao, for the sake of fairness, he didn''t use the Divine Exotic City and ended up disastrously defeated. This incident became widely known inside the Star Sea Congregations, and An Hao made a name for himself by stepping on him, leaving him very frustrated.


    Although frustrated, he did not regret it. An Hao had always been his goal to chase. He wanted to know how far apart their real strengths were.


    Gu An chuckled, knowing his disciple had defeated Li Ya. He felt a sense of satisfaction.


    Sigh, this kind of attitude was not good!


    Gu An changed the topic, talking about the Heaven Ranking Tournament.


    Li Ya said the reason he came back was that the Supreme Sect had sent a message, asking him to return. The Supreme Sect needed the power of the Divine Exotic City to deal with great cultivators from overseas.


    After all, this was the first Heaven Ranking Tournament hosted by the Supreme Sect. Lv Baitian hoped to maintain the title of number one in the world, even if the opponents were cultivators from Holy Lands or great cultivators from overseas.


    Gu An felt Lv Baitian was not being fair, but he couldn''t criticize. Dharma treasures were part of a cultivator''s strength. Besides him, who on the Immortal Path didn''t rely on Dharma treasures in combat?


    "Senior Brother Li, what do you think of my disciple? Five hundred years from now, I''ll have him participate in the Heaven Ranking Tournament. Maybe he will even encounter you then," Gu An said with a smile.


    Li Ya glanced at Yang Jian and said, "His cultivation is a bit low. To compete for the number one position in the world, he still needs a big opportunity."


    Yang Jian remained silent, standing honestly aside.


    Gu An laughed and said, "In any case, I believe my disciple has great qi fortune. He will eventually astonish the world. Although I''m uncertain if I''ll live to see that day, I hope you will support each other on the Immortal Cultivation Path, advancing and retreating together. After all, this path requires more than just oneself." Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelFire.net


    These words made Li Ya emotional.


    He knew Junior Brother Gu''s talent was mediocre, so he certainly couldn''t vie for longevity like him.


    Li Ya earnestly said, "Rest assured, your disciple is my disciple. As long as I am alive, I will protect him with my life. Anyone who dares to harm him must step over my dead body first."


    Yang Jian looked at Li Ya, his eyes showing a change. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Sword Venerable Fudao, Will You Battle Me?

    Li Ya returned this time and brought many gifts for Gu An, including Immortal Cultivation medicinal herbs and overseas magic artifacts. When Gu An tried to make some polite conversation, Li Ya didn''t bother with the pleasantries and left directly through the window, leaving Gu An in silence.


    Yang Jian also marveled at what a peculiar person this uncle-master was.


    Although Li Ya seemed unreliable, Yang Jian still held a good opinion of his actions and words.


    Just based on Li Ya''s previous declaration that he would protect him to the death, Yang Jian acknowledged him as his uncle-master.


    After staying in Mystic Valley for a while, Gu An took Yang Jian and Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City. With the approaching Grand Tournament, cultivators frequently flew across the sky, not just from Supreme Sect but from all over the world.


    No matter the outcome of the Grand Tournament, Supreme Sect was set to gain substantial benefits this time, and Gu An was eager to see how much profit Supreme Sect would share with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Days passed by.


    Five days later, though the weather was hot, the Inner and Outer Gate City was crowded due to the imminent start of the Grand Tournament.


    In front of the South City Gate, countless cultivators gathered, forming a vast sea of humans, their heads bobbing, creating a spectacular scene. Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net


    Following their gaze, in the sky stood an array platform surrounded by seventy-two large flags, with a diameter over a hundred miles, its base emitting a faint golden light forming a golden platform that blotted out the sky when looked at from below.


    This array, known as the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, was purchased by Supreme Sect from Star Sea Congregations, specifically for Great Cultivators to compete in combat, at a huge cost. Maintaining this array required massive amounts of spiritual energy. It was said that Supreme Sect had already channeled the spiritual energies from their underground spirit lineages into the array.


    Every city and medicine valley within Supreme Sect had formations projecting the scene of the Luotian Floating City Battle Array. These transmission formations were not very expensive, so even Mystic Valley had an array set up by Supreme Sect, allowing all disciples in the valley to watch the match.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Over nine hundred disciples gathered in the pavilion area, some meditating on the ground, some sitting on benches, looking up at the light screen in the sky, waiting for the Grand Tournament to begin.


    Before the combat even started, the disciples were already excitedly discussing.


    Gu An sat by a stone table, savoring pastries. Yang Jian, An Xin, Xiaochuan, and You Yingying sat at the same table, also discussing the Grand Tournament.


    The names of each Great Cultivator were mentioned from their mouths. Over the past decade, many oceanic Great Cultivators had established their fame in the Three Dynasties, making it uncertain who would claim the title of the world''s number one.


    These ocean cultivators temporarily stayed in the Three Dynasties region, leaving many opportunities behind, promoting the development of the Immortal Cultivation world and establishing a reputation for virtue and greatness.


    You Yingying mentioned an ocean Great Cultivator named Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord. Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord claimed to be the reincarnation of an immortal, possessing vast divine skills. The Star Sea Congregations tried to recruit him but were refused. His whereabouts were mysterious, like a dragon glimpsed but never seen fully. He liked to teach beings with mediocre talents, earning admiration.


    She believed Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord could claim the first position in the Grand Tournament.


    Xiaochuan couldn''t help but say, "Why are these ocean Great Cultivators meddling in the Grand Tournament? Isn''t this bullying?"


    You Yingying replied, "Although the Three Dynasties region is weak, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm in the mainland is not. As long as cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm participate, other Great Cultivators will be drawn in, all wanting to establish their fame by stepping over the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Of course, there might be undercurrents I''m unaware of. This Grand Tournament is indeed unusual with so many Great Cultivators joining."


    An Xin nodded, saying, "It''s said there are five hundred participants, with half coming from overseas. The Three Dynasties'' cultivators only make up a third. Besides Li Ya, the weakest among them is in the Mystic Heart Realm. Many withdrew after seeing the participant list, leading to the current situation."


    Yang Jian remained silent, gazing at the illusion in the sky with yearning in his eyes.


    The title of the world''s number one was certainly mesmerizing.


    Gu An didn''t join their discussion. He knew the level of participants in the Grand Tournament better than anyone.


    Currently, five Loose Immortals had gathered within Supreme Sect; the number of Nirvana Realm cultivators reached seventeen, and there were over a hundred Mahayana Realm cultivators.


    If nothing unexpected happened, sects within the Three Dynasties couldn''t hope to claim the first position in the Grand Tournament, or even make it into the top twenty. The only hope lay with the Supernatural City''s Li Ya.


    Moreover, Gu An sensed a Wandering Immortal''s presence, hidden in the mountains outside Supreme Sect, purpose unknown.


    This Grand Tournament was no longer just a test among the Immortal Cultivation world of the Three Dynasties.


    Gu An wasn''t worried though. If Supreme Sect faced destruction, he would intervene.


    If they weren''t in danger, he wouldn''t act even if Supreme Sect lost. One must accept their inferiority. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Until noon, the Luotian Floating City Battle Array finally changed. The seventy-two large flags trembled, bursting with golden light, quickly forming a majestic palace, vast and transparent, allowing the outside world to see inside.


    "Today, the first Grand Tournament of Supreme Sect will begin. I am Lv Baitian, the Supreme Sect leader, here to announce the rules of the Grand Tournament. It''s all about winning. No killing..."


    Lv Baitian''s voice spread throughout Supreme Sect through the array light screens, silencing the hustle and bustle instantly.


    Gu An turned his head, asking An Xin to bring over a few more plates of pastries, and An Xin immediately obeyed.


    After a while, Lv Baitian finished explaining the rules of the Grand Tournament and began announcing the first match.


    "The first match today will be between the Cangtian Sect..."


    Before Lv Baitian finished his words, a vast pressure engulfed Supreme Sect, interrupting him.


    "Wait a moment!"


    An aged voice echoed between heaven and earth, catching countless people off guard.


    Was someone going to interfere with the Grand Tournament?


    Yang Jian and the others beside Gu An also tensed up.


    "Before the Grand Tournament begins, could Sword Venerable Fudao have a match with me? I am Bi Luo, the Island Master of Jinghai Bi Luo Island, known as Sage Bi Luo."


    The aged voice''s words caused a tremendous uproar within Supreme Sect.


    Someone dared to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao!


    You Yingying frowned, saying, "Sage Bi Luo? How is he involved? Did he align with someone?"


    Xiaochuan couldn''t help but ask, "What realm is Sage Bi Luo in? Is he also an immortal?"


    "Hmm, he is an immortal. As for his specific cultivation level, I''m not sure. He''s beyond my reach. I just heard rumors," You Yingying replied.


    Meanwhile, a figure appeared within the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, prompting countless people to look up. Through the array light screens, they saw the figure.


    Clad in a green robe, the figure stood tall, holding a long staff. His white hair was coiled under a jade crown, his face old and stern, with green flames burning atop the staff, resembling coiling dragons and serpents, emitting a mysterious aura.


    Sage Bi Luo!


    An overwhelming ancient aura descends upon him, causing every cultivator who witnessed his true form to feel an innate sense of awe, akin to mortals gazing at the vast sky, instinctively revering heaven.


    In the Outer Gate City, on the Heavenly Repair Platform, Supreme Sect''s high-ranking officials gathered. Lv Baitian, Ji Hantian, and Xuan Quan were all present.


    Zuo Yijian stood beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, frowning, his gaze towards Sage Bi Luo filled with hostility.


    For such a grand occasion, someone jumped out to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao, appearing to harbor ill intentions.


    However, he wasn''t worried, even somewhat excited.


    Sword Venerable Fudao had not taken action for many years. Although his legend remained, overseas cultivators were unclear about his actual strength.


    Lv Baitian looked up at the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, frowning and snorting coldly, "As expected, someone is looking for trouble. I just don''t know which force sent him."


    If Sword Venerable Fudao were defeated or refused to fight, Supreme Sect''s control over the Grand Tournament would weaken sharply, potentially leading to the tournament''s collapse and a crisis of annihilation for Supreme Sect.


    Gu Zong looked at Lv Baitian, whispering, "Sect Leader, this person isn''t on the participant list."


    Lv Baitian nodded, replying calmly, "Then let''s wait and see. It''s time for the overseas cultivators to witness his power."


    Other high-ranking officials in Supreme Sect also showed anticipation.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was not only invincible in the hearts of Supreme Sect''s disciples, but also to these high-ranking cultivators.


    He quelled internal strife, slew demon ancestors, killed immortals, vanquished evil demons, and more.


    Sword Venerable Fudao''s might wasn''t just talk, it was established through battles witnessed by Supreme Sect''s disciples.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Just by listening to the disciples'' discussions, Gu An realized he couldn''t avoid taking action.


    So be it, it had been a long time since he showcased his swordsmanship.


    Gu An leaned against the stone table, swirling his wine cup with one hand, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth.


    Yang Jian, who had been observing his master, noticed the change in his master''s expression and felt a shock in his heart.


    Could it be that Sword Venerable Fudao was his master?


    Having learned about Sword Venerable Fudao''s legendary tales over the years, Yang Jian had often speculated about this. Could a sect hide two mysterious powerhouses surpassing all disciples?


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, could it be that you dare not show yourself? Or do you look down upon someone from a remote island like me?"


    Sage Bi Luo''s voice rang out again, majestic and resounding.


    Hearing his mocking words, Supreme Sect''s disciples were enraged, their anger surpassing their innate reverence.


    They began hoping that Sword Venerable Fudao would take action and teach this oceanic rogue a good lesson!


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    Suddenly, the sky''s weather changed, clouds churned, white clouds turned black, and the world darkened, prompting countless people to look up.


    Inside the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, Sage Bi Luo also looked up, seeing the rolling thunderclouds. He snorted, shaking his long staff, and his vast mana erupted, forming two azure dragons coiling within the array palace. Their bodies spanned a hundred miles, enough to silence all beings.


    The two azure dragons slowly lifted their heads, roaring towards the sky, their dragon cries echoing endlessly.


    "It is said that Sword Venerable Fudao''s swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world. Today, let''s see if you can break my array!"


    Sage Bi Luo''s voice echoed again. He waved his sleeve, sending countless magic artifacts into the air between the two azure dragons. Wind and fire swirled, entangling the dragons, causing them to grow rapidly, their heads piercing the top of the Luotian Floating City Battle Array.


    At that moment!


    The thunderclouds suddenly parted, revealing a vast starry sea in the sky. All creatures'' eyes reflected the resplendent starry sea, magnificent and fantastical.

 Chapter 242: Chapter 242: The Sword Intent That Silences Heaven and Earth!

    The moment the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword was unleashed, a majestic panorama of the starry sea unfolded above the sky, occupying the vision of all cultivators within the Supreme Sect.


    When the Demon Ancestor had previously attacked the Northern Territory, this sword array had also appeared, but only the frontline cultivators had seen it. Now, ninety percent of the cultivators within the Supreme Sect were seeing this sword array for the first time, and they were all astounded.


    Especially the disciples who had joined the Supreme Sect in the past few decades; they were utterly stupefied.


    A sword array capable of changing the heavens, how many years of cultivation would it take to reach such a level?


    Within the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, Sage Bi Luo was locked in by the Sword Intent of the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword. The moment the infinite starry sea appeared, he felt his mana solidify within him, a suppression so intense that it made his heart pound.


    Sage Bi Luo''s face paled, regret creeping into his heart.


    He had thought that Sword Venerable Fudao was merely a Wandering Immortal. After all, Sword Venerable Fudao had previously only slain Loose Immortals. Despite knowing he might not be a match for Fudao, he believed he could at least gauge his opponent''s strength.


    Now, feeling the Sword Intent of Fudao, he was reminded of the insignificance he felt a million years ago.


    The gap between them was immense, at least a full major realm apart!


    He was a Wandering Immortal, so Sword Venerable Fudao must be¡­


    "Heaven and Earth¡­" Sage Bi Luo muttered through gritted teeth. This time, he did not call out to Heaven and Earth, knowing he couldn''t escape and had no choice but to fight to the bitter end.


    After a brief moment of silence, the Supreme Sect exploded in an uproar.


    Countless disciples of the Supreme Sect raised their arms and cheered; the high-level cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform were equally excited, with Zuo Yijian beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe even kneeling down in a posture of devout worship.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Over nine hundred disciples were similarly excited, shouting the name of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    You Yingying saw Sword Venerable Fudao in action for the first time, her small mouth agape with an expression of incredulity.


    Yang Jian was also frightened. What kind of sword array was this?


    Too exaggerated!


    He couldn''t help but look at Gu An, who also wore a shocked expression.


    Could Sword Venerable Fudao not be his master?


    Indeed, he had not sensed his master''s mana dissipating.


    "Pay close attention and see how much you can comprehend," Gu An''s voice suddenly reached Yang Jian''s ears, making him widen his eyes in astonishment.


    Was his master really Sword Venerable Fudao?


    This sword array¡­


    How did he accomplish it?


    He didn''t see him make a move!


    Already having formed his core, Yang Jian felt he had a deep understanding of immortal cultivation, but today, his master''s technique overturned his comprehension.


    The Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword was high above, far from the Third Medicine Valley. No one would have thought that Sword Venerable Fudao was hiding here.


    Yang Jian had thought that Sword Venerable Fudao was up in that vast starry sea, overlooking all beings.


    At that moment, the stars in the vast sea burst into light, and one by one, stars began to fall, more and more, densely packed, with a momentum that suggested the sky was collapsing, bringing the clamor of Heaven and Earth to a sudden halt.


    All beings looked up, their eyes wide and silent, as if witnessing an immortal phenomenon!


    Countless stars fell, bursting with sword qi, causing the trees of the mountains and rivers to sway violently, and dust to be swept away into the distance.


    Within the Inner Sect City, Li Ya stayed in a courtyard, looking up at the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, secretly alarmed.


    Could the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword reach such a degree?


    He turned his head to look at the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on his shoulder and asked, "Could Divine Exotic City withstand this sword with its power?"


    Withstand?


    I almost got killed by him and you''re asking me that?


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, feeling the Sword Intent from the sky, could confirm that Sword Venerable Fudao was indeed his master.


    He replied, "Not sure."


    His voice, full of childishness, contrasted sharply with his inner thoughts.


    Li Ya continued watching the light screen in the sky, wanting to see if Sage Bi Luo could withstand a single strike from Sword Venerable Fudao.


    ...


    Facing the endless stream of Star Sword Energy, Sage Bi Luo shouted angrily, raising his staff as surging mana flowed into two Azure Dragons, which were wreathed in fierce flames and strong winds as they soared into the sky.


    The dragon''s roar exploded!


    Countless people held their breath!


    Numerous streams of Star Sword Energy fell, colliding with the dragons in midair!


    The gigantic Azure Dragons, ridge-like, were blocked abruptly. Starting from the dragon''s head, they were shattered one after another, dissolving into azure winds sweeping across the world.


    In an instant, the two Azure Dragons were obliterated by the Star Sword Energy, the power of the sword qi was unstoppable!


    Sage Bi Luo was illuminated by the sword light, his eyes widened, filled with fear.


    As the relentless Star Sword Energy poured into the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, a resplendent sword light erupted, causing Heaven and Earth to lose color, and countless beings to close their eyes.


    Blinded, only the sound of the wind could be heard!


    Several breaths later, cultivators gradually regained their vision.


    As more and more people opened their eyes, when they saw the scene within the light screen in the sky, their hearts raced.


    The Luotian Floating City Battle Array remained, but its golden light at the base fluctuated violently, on the verge of dispersing, while Sage Bi Luo, kneeling inside, maintained a raised staff stance. The staff in his hands was only half remaining, smoldering, and he was covered in blood, his hair disheveled and utterly battered.


    Sage Bi Luo trembled all over, his bulging eyes bloodshot.


    The infinite starry panorama was slowly dissipating, signaling the end of the battle.


    Sage Bi Luo''s heart filled with endless fear.


    Luckily, he had sought battle before the Heavenly Ranking Tournament; otherwise, at any other time, he might have perished.


    He couldn''t even withstand a single move from Sword Venerable Fudao¡­


    Gritting his teeth, he wobbled to his feet, turning and flying towards the horizon, rapidly escaping the Luotian Floating City Battle Array and disappearing to the edge of the sky.


    When he came, he was wildly boastful, but when he left, he was a defeated silence.


    Heaven and Earth erupted in thunderous cheers.


    "So strong! This is the strength of Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    "That Sage Bi Luo was so arrogant before; who would have thought he''d be defeated so completely."


    "If the sect leader hadn''t set the rules, I bet he''d be dead." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No kidding, once Sword Venerable Fudao makes a move, who can survive?"


    "It''s said the Vice Sect Leader survived; could he also be an Immortal?"


    Disciples of the Supreme Sect jeered at Sage Bi Luo and praised the overwhelming power of Sword Venerable Fudao. Even disciples from other sects were excited, though the great cultivators preparing for the Heavenly Ranking Tournament grew tense. Read latest chapters on m_v l-NovelFire.net


    After this battle, they dared not act recklessly. The Sword Intent just now had snuffed out any fighting spirit.


    The morale of the Supreme Sect soared, the sect bustling as if celebrating the New Year.


    Once the Sword Intent illusion above the sky completely disappeared, the Luotian Floating City Battle Array also returned to its full state.


    "The first match of the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, Zhou Zu of Heaven Sect versus Gu Xuan of the Supreme Sect!"


    Lv Baitian''s voice rang out again, this time brimming with dominance, as if he were Sword Venerable Fudao himself.


    Following his words, Zhou Zu and Gu Xuan flew into the array. Zhou Zu''s face was complicated, while Gu Xuan looked spirited. They exchanged a few words, judging by the mouth movements, it seemed Gu Xuan was mocking the Zhou Family''s choice.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An stood up and said, "You all keep watching, I''ll go fetch something from inside."


    An Xin and Xiaochuan nodded, while You Yingying remained immersed in the grandeur of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Yang Jian watched Gu An''s departing figure, his mind speculating.


    He didn''t bother thinking about the fate of Sage Bi Luo; instead, he began to recall the magnificence of the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword.


    He had thought that executing Sword Dao required a sword, but his master had neither drawn a sword nor moved an inch earlier, yet a sword array was created by mere thought?


    Unbelievable!


    Yang Jian felt a surge of hot blood in his chest.


    One day, he too would create such divine skills!


    ...


    Covered in blood, Sage Bi Luo swiftly flew off the continent, unable to calm his heart, fearing that Sword Venerable Fudao might pursue him.


    At the same time, his eyes were filled with rage.


    "Damn the Seven Stars Spirit Realm for such inaccurate intelligence, no wonder they sent me as cannon fodder, despicable!"


    Sage Bi Luo thought hatefully as he cursed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    He took out an elixir and quickly swallowed it, speeding up his flight.


    As he passed an island, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, his face changed dramatically, and before he could react, an immense force he had never felt before pressed down, causing his body to plummet rapidly.


    Boom!


    Dust erupted from the forest in the depths of the island, causing the entire island to quake, with waves surging on the surrounding sea.


    The dust cleared, trees lay toppled, and a massive crater appeared.


    Under the sunlight, Sage Bi Luo knelt within the crater, a dark purple demonic hand on his shoulder. Looking back, it was Gu An in the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body state.


    Sage Bi Luo was terrified, struggling to look back, his pupils dilated in shock.


    He couldn''t stand up, nor could his Primordial Spirit emerge; at that moment, he was like a mere mortal, powerless to resist.


    His terror peaked, and despair cloaked his heart.


    "Sword Venerable¡­ I¡­" Sage Bi Luo stuttered, but before he could finish, a terrifying Divine Sense surged into his mind, causing his eyes to lose their luster.


    The sea breeze blew, scattering the nearby dust and fluttering Sage Bi Luo''s tattered robes.


    Gu An used the Soul Capturing Skill to search Sage Bi Luo''s memories.


    Not long after, he retracted his Divine Sense, his right palm igniting with Three Pure Ones True Fire, swiftly enveloping Sage Bi Luo.


    Even though Sage Bi Luo was just a tool, daring to provoke him meant death.


    If Gu An had not been a match for Sage Bi Luo today, he would have been the one to die.


    In a saying from his past life, showing mercy to one''s enemy is being cruel to oneself.


    Gu An conveniently took Sage Bi Luo''s storage ring, but his mind dwelled on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The force behind Sage Bi Luo''s probing of Sword Venerable Fudao was indeed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    However, in Sage Bi Luo''s memories, there was no encounter with an actual cultivator of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, only a ghost meeting him for the discussion.


    As long as Sage Bi Luo agreed, after the mission, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would offer him an opportunity to listen to Dao lectures.


    What specific Dao, the memories didn''t specify, but judging by Sage Bi Luo''s excitement, it must be extraordinary.


    Could it be the lectures of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal?


    Could there be a Carefree Primordial Immortal in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    Gu An fell into contemplation. Regardless, after today, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would be fully targeting Sword Venerable Fudao.


    It was necessary to probe the depths of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    If there was no Carefree Primordial Immortal, it must be eradicated!


    Gu An''s heart harbored killing intent; without exterminating the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he wouldn''t feel at peace.

 Chapter 243: Chapter 243 The Pressure from Sword Venerable Fudao

    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An went downstairs and returned to the stone table, where he watched the grand battle of the Tian Bang Tournament with the disciples.


    Killing Sage Bi Luo earned Gu An a lifespan of more than seven thousand years, which wasn''t too bad.


    Sage Bi Luo was over seventy thousand years old. He hadn''t broken through a minor realm in over ten thousand years, so he had been searching for immortality opportunities for many years. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm targeted his needs to lure him into action.


    Gu An did not sympathize with Sage Bi Luo; people always have to take responsibility for their choices.


    What he was considering now was how to deal with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    If the Seven Stars Spirit Realm hadn''t plotted against him, he might not have confronted them. After all, delaying time was more beneficial to him.


    The first match of the Tian Bang Tournament had not yet ended. It was difficult for Great Cultivators of the same realm to determine a winner. Gu Xuan and Zhou Zu both had Mystic Heart Realm cultivation and evidently had a real grudge, using all their skills to the fullest, providing a feast for the spectators'' eyes.


    "It is said that the Zhou Family has withdrawn all its disciples from the Supreme Sect, while the Gu Family has done the opposite, fully supporting the Supreme Sect. Both sides are clashing, likely hiding a battle of pride."


    "With Sword Venerable Fudao around, how could the Zhou Family be so short-sighted?"


    "Who knows what kind of bewitching potion the Cangtian Sect gave the Zhou Family."


    "It is said that until now, Sword Venerable Fudao has not attacked other sects, so those sects might hold onto illusions, thinking they have a chance to win him over."


    "The combat between Mystic Heart Realm cultivators is already so fierce; I cannot imagine what the battle between Mahayana Realm cultivators would be like."


    The Supreme Sect was abuzz with discussions about the Tian Bang combats, and the grudges between the Zhou Family and the Supreme Sect spread throughout cities and towns.


    An Xin and Xiaochuan, who were beside Gu An, were discussing this matter. You Yingying from the Star Sea Congregations ridiculed the Zhou Family for their stupidity in believing the Cangtian Sect''s nonsense.


    In her view, the only reason Sword Venerable Fudao stayed at the Supreme Sect was due to a sense of affinity. The combined resources of the Three-Morning Land couldn''t possibly entice him.


    Yang Jian was also pondering what charm the Supreme Sect had to keep his master there.


    The first match of the Tian Bang Tournament concluded with Gu Xuan''s victory. As the host, the Supreme Sect gained considerable prestige, even the overseas cultivators had to change their views on them.


    Though the foundations of the Supreme Sect were still weak, the sect''s momentum was now unstoppable.


    The second match was between overseas cultivators. Gu An suspected that Lv Baitian manipulated it again, but it didn''t matter much, as the Tian Bang Tournament was a knockout competition. When they lose, they are eliminated. For those aiming to win first place, they only cared about the final victory. Even if other cultivators had opinions about the rankings, they could not afford to lose face in front of the world.


    This match, a combat between Mahayana Realm cultivators, was magnificent, with spells and divine skills displayed in grandeur, causing the bottom of the Luotian Floating City Battle Array to glow with a rainbow of light.


    The Mahayana Realm cultivators'' battle lasted nearly two ancient hours before a winner emerged. Most spectators did not find it tedious and remained excited.


    The Tian Bang Tournament continued day and night; even at night, there were combats.


    On the third day, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came to find Gu An to watch the battle together. They had learned that there was a match involving Li Ya today, so they wanted to witness Li Ya''s divine skills together.


    Ye Lan sat beside Gu An, reminiscing about their days in the Mystic Valley.


    Recalling the past, neither she nor Zhen Qin could have imagined reaching today. Whether it was Ye Lan or Zhen Qin, they had thought reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm in their lifetime would be good enough. But now, with their opportunities, both had achieved Divinity Transformation.


    Considering only their age, they were undoubtedly rare geniuses, but they knew they were not true geniuses, so they remained humble and filled with reverence for immortal cultivation.


    Gu An also fell into memories. Being able to help those around him live better lives gave him a great sense of accomplishment.


    Immortal cultivation should not be pursued without emotion, at least that was how he felt.


    As noon approached, it was finally Li Ya''s turn.


    When the ancient sect called out Li Ya''s name, a deafening cheer erupted throughout the Supreme Sect. The name of Divine Exotic City had long resounded across the world. Although Li Ya''s talent wasn''t as great as An Hao''s, no one underestimated him because of his Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Li Ya''s return clearly meant to help the Supreme Sect contend for the first place in the Tian Bang Tournament. How could the disciples not cheer for him?


    Listening to the cheers from all around, a smile appeared on Gu An''s face.


    A hundred years ago, before leaving the Mystic Valley, Li Ya had boasted that he would one day be famous worldwide. Today, he achieved his ambition.


    "I hope a thousand years from now, you will stand at an even higher place and have more people cheering for you," Gu An thought as he looked at Li Ya in the sky display.


    People''s characters and pursuits differ, leading them to choose different paths. Gu An desired longevity, and before reaching the other shore of longevity, he couldn''t comfortably enjoy fame.


    Li Ya was different. He yearned for freedom and fame, walking a path completely different from Gu An''s. Gu An did not think his path was wrong; after all, not everyone had the ability to steal lifespans like him.


    If he didn''t have that ability, Gu An would also have to go on the run, risking everything for opportunities.


    Gu An eagerly anticipated seeing how far Li Ya could go, whether he could transcend Heavenly Destiny and achieve Nirvana.


    Li Ya''s ultimate lifespan had not increased until now.


    Within the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, Li Ya stood proudly with a Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit perched on his shoulder. The small, pitch-black creature bared its teeth and claws at Li Ya''s opponent, looking very cute.


    Li Ya''s opponent was an old man in a Taoist robe with third-layer Nirvana Realm cultivation. At this moment, facing Li Ya, the man''s expression was solemn.


    He silently cursed the Supreme Sect for their shamelessness.


    Dealing with Li Ya, even if he won, it would not be a fair victory due to the significant gap in their cultivation levels. But if he lost, he would be utterly embarrassed.


    Why didn''t they arrange a Loose Immortal opponent for Li Ya, who had an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?


    Were they using him as a whetstone?


    The Taoist-robed old man took a deep breath, drew out his Dharma Treasure, and prepared for battle.


    Li Ya said nothing and directly summoned the Divine Exotic City. The Divine Exotic City flew out of his body, rapidly expanding and transforming into a phantom that enveloped his figure, continuously occupying space inside the array.


    The appearance of the Divine Exotic City caused a clamor throughout the Supreme Sect.


    Most cultivators were seeing the Divine Exotic City for the first time, and they were very excited.


    With the Divine Exotic City visible, the battle''s outcome was already predictable.


    Although it was a duel between Li Ya and the Taoist-robed old man, in reality, it was the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit fighting on behalf of Li Ya.


    However, inside the Divine Exotic City, Li Ya would also bear some pressure. If he faced a Wandering Immortal in a prolonged battle, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit might be undefeated, but Li Ya could be shaken to death.


    Of course, there were no Wandering Immortals in the Tian Bang Tournament; the only Wandering Immortal had already been slain by Gu An.


    The following battle had the spectators entirely appreciating the power of the Divine Exotic City. The endless swarms of Divine Soul Demons surged out, their combined aura both awe-inspiring and terrifying.


    After Li Ya''s victory, the atmosphere of the Tian Bang Tournament reached its peak.


    Gu An saw Shen Zhen still sketching the Divine Exotic City in front of his cave residence.


    ...


    A month passed quickly, and the participants in the Tian Bang Tournament had been reduced from five hundred to thirty. Some had a bye in between, and the remaining thirty, besides Li Ya, were at least in the Mahayana Realm.


    Besides Li Ya, the most prominent were Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord and Yan Qitian of the Star Sea Congregations.


    Yan Qitian was at the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm. Only Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord could match his true cultivation level.


    Late at night.


    In an estate within the Inner Sect City.


    Yan Qitian was sitting cross-legged inside, cultivating energy to recover his mana.


    He wore a close-fitting black robe embroidered with dragon and tiger patterns, looking very imposing.


    Suddenly, he heard footsteps and immediately opened his eyes to see a dark purple demonic shadow appear inside the room, startling him to his feet. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who goes there?" Yan Qitian asked in a deep voice.


    The other party had managed to reach him without detection. The footsteps were clearly an intentional alert; someone of such cultivation wouldn''t make footsteps while walking.


    He carefully scrutinized the figure, suddenly realizing something, his expression changed slightly, and he said, "Could it be that you are Sword Venerable Fudao?" Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net


    Gu An''s divine sense had already enveloped the estate; no one could spy on them.


    He spoke, "What is the Star Sea Congregations'' actual stance toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    Hearing this, Yan Qitian secretly relaxed as the other party had spoken, meaning they could talk.


    Having witnessed the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, he didn''t consider himself a match for Sword Venerable Fudao. Even Wandering Immortals couldn''t take a single move from him; how could he resist?


    He didn''t answer immediately, instead, falling into deep thought.


    Gu An cast a life span detection on him.


    [Yan Qitian (Loose Immortal Realm Ninth Layer): 14590/25000/50000]


    With a maximum lifespan of fifty thousand years, he seemed to have the potential of a Wandering Immortal.


    Gu An thought silently and wasn''t in a hurry, waiting for Yan Qitian''s response.


    In fact, he didn''t need to ask. The Star Sea Congregations had long been at war with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. He was merely following protocol, examining the attitude of the Star Sea Congregations'' cultivators toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Yan Qitian took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, our grudge with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has lasted for hundreds of thousands of years, reaching an irreconcilable stage. It won''t be long before the Star Sea Congregations launch a full-scale attack on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."


    He organized his thoughts about the happenings on this continent, feeling that Sword Venerable Fudao was against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    When Xuan Tianyi of the Supreme Sect returned to the Star Sea Congregations, he had spoken ill of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm everywhere.


    Gu An said, "After the Tian Bang Tournament ends, return to the Star Sea Congregations and collect all information on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm for me, especially regarding the cultivation realms of their cultivators. I only want the information. You won''t be short-changed. This is a personal deal between you and me, without involving the Star Sea Congregations. You must not mention this to anyone."


    Hearing this, Yan Qitian was delighted.


    Was Sword Venerable Fudao going to deal with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    He quickly agreed, "No problem. There''s no need for a deal, senior. I''ll collect the information for you for free. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is not only your enemy but ours as well."


    "Hmm, but it''s best not to inform the Star Sea Congregations about this, at least not for now."


    "Understood, senior!"


    Gu An immediately disappeared from the spot.


    Yan Qitian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling immense pressure facing Sword Venerable Fudao. It felt like walking on a knife''s edge.


    "Could it be that Sage Bi Luo was invited by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Yan Qitian pondered. He had heard of Sage Bi Luo''s deeds; this person rarely provoked others. His challenge to Sword Venerable Fudao before the Tian Bang Tournament was clearly out of enmity.

 Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Are You Really in the Energy Cultivation Realm?

    The struggle for the top thirty in the Heavenly List Tournament became even more intense than before. At this stage, opponents of the same realm required a long time to secure victory, unless there was a significant disparity in their minor realms.


    Days passed by.


    The number of cultivators coming to the Supreme Sect to watch the tournament grew, and the entire Immortal Cultivation World was discussing the Heavenly List Tournament. Cultivators who displayed their talents in the tournament became famous worldwide and were revered by countless cultivators.


    After half a month, fifteen cultivators remained in the Heavenly List Tournament. Qiao Dai from the Supreme Sect advanced again without contest, successfully entering the top fifteen, causing much discussion among the cultivators.


    Everyone could see that the Supreme Sect was protecting Qiao Dai, but his Qiao Family came from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, which made many hesitate to openly question him.


    Li Ya also successfully entered the top fifteen, but his condition was worrisome. The high-intensity combat had continuously inflicted internal injuries on his physical body, and fighting between Mortal Spirits and Immortal Spirits also harmed the soul.


    Everything has its pros and cons. Gu An didn''t help Li Ya too much, as he needed Li Ya to respect the power far beyond his own.


    Nevertheless, the Supreme Sect had succeeded, as there were no cultivators from the Cangtian Sect in the top fifteen. Apart from the Supreme Sect, the best rank among the three dynasties'' sects was twenty-ninth, held by a Daoist Lord of the Cangtian Sect.


    With two cultivators from the Supreme Sect in the top fifteen, it solidified their position in the Immortal Cultivation World of the three dynasties.


    Another ten days passed, and only eight cultivators remained vying for the top spot in the Heavenly List. The Supreme Sect held two places, represented by Li Ya and Qiao Dai, who advanced by default.


    In the battle of the top eight, Qiao Dai fell in the first match, stopping at the eighth position.


    Li Ya, relying on Divine Exotic City, advanced to the top four but ultimately stopped at fourth place. His Qi was exhausted, and he fainted on the battlefield after just summoning the army of Divine Soul Demons.


    The disciples of the Supreme Sect weren''t disappointed but rather admired Li Ya.


    Li Ya, barely over a hundred years old, shouldered the honor and mission of the entire sect. Reaching fourth place in the Heavenly List Tournament was already commendable.


    In the previous Golden List Tournament, Li Ya encountered An Hao early and didn''t even make the top five hundred. This time, winning third place, Gu An thought he should have no regrets.


    As Gu An had speculated, the final contenders for the top spot in the Heavenly List were the Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord and Yan Qitian.


    Their grand battle lasted three days and three nights, finally ending with Yan Qitian conceding defeat.


    The Supreme Sect remained bustling, and the tax revenue from various resource transactions delighted the sect leaders. The first Heavenly List Tournament was highly successful; other sects couldn''t easily imitate such grandeur.


    Only until autumn did the Supreme Sect regain its peace.


    Before leaving, Li Ya visited Gu An. They chatted for two ancient hours before Li Ya departed with grace.


    This time, he truly became a hero, gaining great renown. In the Immortal Cultivation World of the three dynasties, his fame overshadowed both the Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord and Yan Qitian, because he was one of their own and due to his age and legendary experiences.


    These matters had little to do with Gu An. The Heavenly List Tournament was just a minor episode for him. What truly pleased him was that the Supreme Sect had obtained the storage bag before the Heaven-Cutting Axe. It was the highest-grade storage bag, containing an immense amount of Spirit Stones. After calculating, he felt that the Supreme Sect had not deceived him, showing great sincerity.


    The disappearance of that storage bag also thrilled the higher-ups of the Supreme Sect, as they believed it signaled an even closer relationship with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The Supreme Sect acted swiftly, and the roster of the Heavenly List Tournament quickly spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World, distributed freely. Through the roster, they learned about the origins and formidable cultivation levels of the Heavenly List great cultivators. Unconsciously, the Supreme Sect''s image became even grander in their minds.


    To summon so many immortals for combat, the Supreme Sect was undoubtedly the premier sect in the Immortal Cultivation World!


    In the Taicang Dynasty, Cangzhou, in the palace garden.


    Li Xuandao, clad in a dragon robe, sat at a table, perusing the Heavenly List, and softly praised: "The Supreme Sect is ruthless with this move. With this roster, the world will believe the Supreme Sect has the power to summon immortals."


    Sitting across from him was a woman, Jiang Qiong.


    Behind Jiang Qiong stood two figures, two ghost cultivators from the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil, while behind Li Xuandao stood two great cultivators, one of whom was Yi Liuyun, who had once cultivated in Tianya Valley.


    Jiang Qiong chuckled: "Isn''t Your Majesty the one who truly benefits? Prince Li Ya''s name is renowned worldwide now; who doesn''t know he is your son?"


    Speaking of Li Ya, her feelings were complex.


    She and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had wandered Divine Exotic City, nearly dying, only for a younger generation to obtain it. How could they not feel envious and dejected?


    The most important factor was, when she served as the Great Elder of the Supreme Sect''s Outer Sect, she learned about Gu An''s connections. The person Gu An was closest to was Li Ya.


    This boy was truly fortunate to have such a master with great Qi Fortune.


    Moreover, with her around, Gu An could live peacefully even without leaving the valley.


    Thinking of this, Jiang Qiong''s lips curled up.


    Li Xuandao set the Heavenly List aside, looked at Jiang Qiong, and said, "I have thoroughly understood the strength of the Juhua Sect. However, even if I unify the world, the Juhua Sect would find it very difficult to overthrow the Supreme Sect''s status."


    Jiang Qiong responded: "There''s no need to overthrow, just standing firm is enough."


    She had no intention of contending with the Supreme Sect.


    The true owner of the Juhua Sect was Sword Venerable Fudao; why compete?


    Besides, Gu An was still in the Supreme Sect.


    Li Xuandao nodded and said, "Tianwei can no longer pose a threat. If you can help us conquer the Great Jiang Dynasty, I will definitely support the Juhua Sect during my reign and shape it into a picture of the Righteous Path."


    Li Xuandao still held the Juhua Sect in high regard. The strength of this sect was quite extraordinary.


    Jiang Qiong nodded and then continued to voice the needs of the Juhua Sect. Li Xuandao patiently listened.


    The autumn breeze blew, scattering leaves that rose from the garden and drifted into the distance.


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    Time flew by.


    A leaf fell, descending into Gu An''s hand.


    Another autumn had come. Gu An stood by the wooden railing, enjoying the scenery of Medicine Valley.


    Two years had passed since the end of the Heavenly List Tournament, and Yan Qitian had yet to return, causing Gu An to wonder.


    Yang Jian suddenly approached, holding a long weapon¡ªa Three-pointed Two-edged Blade modeled after Yang Jian''s weapon in Investiture of the Gods.


    Over two years, his aura had grown stronger. Even when hiding his cultivation, he appeared formidable and not to be trifled with.


    "Master, a cultivator named Zhou Tongyou has come to the valley entrance, claiming to be your old acquaintance," Yang Jian said, glancing towards the distance.


    Zhou Tongyou was watching two servant disciples play Go, his curiosity piqued.


    Gu An turned and looked at Zhou Tongyou, reflecting.


    He had killed Zhou Yu. How could he feel indifferent meeting Zhou Tongyou again?


    Luckily, Zhou Tongyou was unaware of this matter.


    He stepped towards Zhou Tongyou, with Yang Jian following closely behind.


    Recalling their first encounter decades ago, Zhou Tongyou had visited the Supreme Sect, sweeping through all disciples under a hundred years old. Noticing Gu An''s disciple Ye Yan practicing spear techniques, he offered guidance, injuring Ye Yan severely. Gu An had to step in.


    They didn''t know each other until they fought. Later, Gu An wrote Supreme Immortal Venerable, basing the secondary male character on Zhou Tongyou.


    He didn''t expect Zhou Tongyou to remember him after so many years.


    Soon, Gu An reached Zhou Tongyou, smiled, and said: "Daoist Friend Zhou, long time no see."


    Zhou Tongyou turned to look at him, smiling.


    As arrogant as ever, Zhou Tongyou''s unparalleled pride couldn''t be hidden. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Coming to the Supreme Sect, how could I not visit you? Your Medicine Valley''s scale truly impresses me¡ªremarkable," Zhou Tongyou laughed.


    The two began exchanging pleasantries.


    Zhou Tongyou came as a representative of the Jueshan Sect for an exchange. He wasn''t alone; a group of talented disciples accompanied him, though he acted independently.


    The reason he thought of Gu An was due to an encounter with Gu An''s disciple Ye Yan years ago.


    "Your disciple''s cultivation level may not be high, but his comprehension of spear techniques is remarkable. He has already grasped Spear Intent," Zhou Tongyou praised Ye Yan.


    Yang Jian was curious¡ªwas Ye Yan his senior brother?


    As he listened, he realized Ye Yan was merely a servant disciple from the valley and had not received genuine guidance from his master. He was a senior brother in name but not the one his master always mentioned.


    The master was truly impressive, nurturing a genius with just a few tips.


    In the end, Zhou Tongyou''s gaze fixed on Gu An, eyes burning: "It''s been years; shall we spar again? I will still suppress my cultivation to match yours, how about it?"


    Among his peers, Zhou Tongyou had only lost to two people: Lv Xian and Gu An, the latter due to suppressed cultivation.


    Gu An feigned hesitation.


    "Suppressed cultivation? Then why not let me fight on behalf of my master!" Yang Jian suddenly spoke up.


    Zhou Tongyou frowned, looking at Yang Jian. Just as he was about to refuse, his heart inexplicably trembled meeting Yang Jian''s gaze.


    For some reason, he thought of Lv Xian, that peerless genius of the past.


    "Well, let''s see your power then, and whether you can match your master," Zhou Tongyou laughed, his eyes turning aggressive.


    The two disciples playing Go looked up in anticipation.


    Gu An said, "Let''s find an empty place."


    He patted the heads of the two disciples, refocusing their attention on the game.


    Zhou Tongyou and Yang Jian followed Gu An. Walking along, Zhou Tongyou inquired about Yang Jian like an elder. Knowing Yang Jian was selected as a servant disciple, he felt relieved.


    He truly feared this one was a genius Gu An recruited from a noble family.


    Ordinary servant disciples couldn''t be geniuses, as the Spirit Root testing in great sects was reliable.


    Thirty minutes later, outside Medicine Valley in a forest.


    Zhou Tongyou clutched his chest, his face full of shock, staring at Yang Jian, who remained in a kicking stance as if looking at a monster.


    "Are you really in the Energy Cultivation Realm?" Zhou Tongyou couldn''t help but ask.


    Yang Jian retracted his leg and said, "We both didn''t use Spiritual Power, so what realm doesn''t matter, does it?"


    Zhou Tongyou nearly spat blood at his words. He felt his chest bones were about to break.


    How could this guy''s Qi be so strong?


    Zhou Tongyou himself was a physical cultivator and had even cultivated the Evil Suppressing Golden Body...


    To him, Yang Jian seemed even more terrifying than Lv Xian!

 Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, Is It Very Powerful?

    "Again!"


    Zhou Tongyou gritted his teeth. He couldn''t believe it; he couldn''t be defeated by a mere Servant Disciple!


    It was said that the Supreme Sect''s Qi Fortune had been soaring in recent years. He didn''t believe Qi Fortune could defy the heavens to such an extent that even a randomly picked Servant Disciple could defeat him.


    What a joke!


    He was the number one genius of the Zhou Family!


    Yang Jian waved at him, and this gesture made him even angrier.


    The two quickly tangled again. Gu An could see that Zhou Tongyou''s physique was special, but unfortunately, he met Yang Jian. Yang Jian''s physique was comparable to an Ancient Treasure Body. According to the Immortal Seeking Taoist, as long as an Ancient Treasure Body grew smoothly, it would undoubtedly become an Immortal King of an era.


    No matter how strong Zhou Tongyou''s aptitude was, it was still below the Immortal Path. Two hundred years ago, there were no legends of the Mahayana Realm on this continent, and even the Mystic Heart Realm was known to only a few cultivators.


    Zhou Tongyou''s Evil Suppressing Golden Body, compared to Yang Jian''s physique, was as different as heaven and earth and posed no threat.


    Their bodies clashed, fists and kicks met, and their attacks were fierce and as fast as a gale.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was attracted over. He stood at the edge of the forest and slowly approached.


    In the end, Zhou Tongyou, in his desperation, accidentally used Spiritual Power, forcing Yang Jian back.


    Yang Jian steadied himself, shook his right hand, and frowned.


    Facing his gaze, Zhou Tongyou''s face turned red instantly, and he said, "I admit defeat!"


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian''s frown immediately relaxed. This was his first sparring match since following Gu An in immortal cultivation. He cared deeply about the outcome; if he lost, wouldn''t he be letting his master down?


    Gu An laughed and said, "This kid has brute strength. How can a cultivator rely solely on Qi? It was an advantage for him. Winning or losing doesn''t matter. Jian''er, quickly thank the senior for his guidance."


    Yang Jian quickly cupped his hands in salute, sincerely expressing his thanks.


    The more sincere he was, the worse Zhou Tongyou''s expression became.


    Zhou Tongyou noticed a sneaky demon bull wandering in the distance and couldn''t help but ask, "Is that bull yours?"


    Gu An thought, "You don''t want to spar with the bull, do you?"


    "Yes, how about it? What do you think of its appearance?" Gu An asked with a proud tone, intending to skip over the sparring incident and save Zhou Tongyou some face.


    Zhou Tongyou pouted and said, "It looks decent, but its shape is a bit awkward."


    In the distance, the Blood Prison Great Saint widened his eyes. Just as he was about to curse, he was stopped by Gu An''s glare and had to give up.


    Then, Gu An invited Zhou Tongyou to enter the valley for a chat, but he refused, saying he had other matters and had to leave after the spar.


    Gu An didn''t insist, watching him leave.


    Yang Jian scratched his head and asked, "Master, did I offend him?"


    Gu An looked at Zhou Tongyou''s back and said, "It''s alright. Letting him know early that there''s always someone better is not a bad thing."


    Gu An still had a good impression of Zhou Tongyou.


    This guy''s actions may be harsh, but his ability to guide those casual cultivators shows a kind heart. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The conflict with the Zhou Family was hidden and shouldn''t affect his relationship with Zhou Tongyou.


    Zhou Tongyou''s visit to the Supreme Sect this time was likely an attempt by the Zhou Family to mend their relationship with the sect. There was no deep hatred between them; perhaps they could let things go in the future.


    "Master, do you think my battle just now had any problems?" Yang Jian humbly asked for advice.


    Gu An didn''t hold back and began to critique.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint approached, looking pitifully at Gu An.


    Only after Gu An patted his ox head did his mood improve.


    "He''s just a mortal; what are you fussing about?" Gu An''s words made the Blood Prison Great Saint smile widely.


    ...


    The Jueshan Sect was a Righteous Path Sect within the Taicang Dynasty. During the previous demon disaster, they had also given their all, maintaining a good relationship with the Supreme Sect. This time, the genius disciples of the Jueshan Sect came to spar with those of the Supreme Sect, causing quite a stir.


    Pan An''s Supreme Immortal Venerable was still very famous within the Supreme Sect. It was no secret that Zhou Tongyou in the book was the same Zhou Tongyou from the Jueshan Sect, so many people paid attention to his performance.


    Zhou Tongyou swept through the Supreme Sect''s disciples, showcasing the brilliance of decades past until he met Wu Jue.


    Without suppressing their cultivation levels, relying on their skills alone, Zhou Tongyou couldn''t defeat Wu Jue, solidifying Wu Jue''s reputation as a genius.


    Wu Jue was a genius nurtured by the Supreme Sect after An Hao, with extremely fast cultivation speed. He had once been a Golden List Genius. Now, having defeated Zhou Tongyou, he dispelled any remaining doubts and made the Supreme Sect''s disciples more hopeful for him.


    On the night of the full moon.


    Lv Baitian and Gu An were drinking together in a room.


    "Wu Jue sees you as his only brother, Li Ya considers you the most important person, Zhang Buku regards you as his only elder, and An Hao''s sister apprentices under you. Ji Xiaoyu, from the Ji Family, grew up with you. Even Gu Yu, the son of the Gu Zong, has a good relationship with you. You little brat, and you still say you don''t have the ambition to be the next Sect Leader?" Lv Baitian glared as he spoke.


    He truly admired Gu An, who could always make friends with geniuses and form excellent relationships.


    Of course, he could understand why. Gu An''s genuine nature allowed him to form such good connections. Because of this, he admired Gu An, as it wasn''t easy to treat everyone genuinely.


    People tend to favor the promising. As for him, even if he often reminded himself to treat all disciples equally, he wouldn''t give a second glance to an average disciple passing by.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Heaven has been kind to me. I honestly don''t want to be the Sect Leader. Nowadays, the Supreme Sect is full of geniuses; do we still lack a leader?"


    "No matter how many geniuses, we can''t choose recklessly. The Sect Leader must command respect."


    "Can my current cultivation level command respect?"


    "Before I die, I''ll transfer my cultivation to you. Then, you''ll directly achieve the Mystic Heart Realm."


    "By the time you''re dying, I''ll have reincarnated ten times already."


    "Oh? So you are retreating to advance, wanting me to transfer my cultivation to you sooner?"


    The two began to banter, and Gu An wasn''t interested in his cultivation.


    Would I, a Carefree Primordial Immortal, need your Unification Realm cultivation level?


    Just one breath of Spiritual Energy is stronger than all your life''s cultivation!


    That night, after Lv Baitian left, Gu An quietly departed as well.


    Yan Qitian had finally arrived!


    Underneath the night sky, Yan Qitian rode a cloud, gliding past the full moon, looking like an immortal.


    He was pondering how to face Sword Venerable Fudao. Though he was working for him, the thought of facing the Sword Venerable brought him immense pressure.


    At that moment, a hand suddenly pressed on Yan Qitian''s shoulder, causing his heart to stop.


    With a roar, the cloud beneath his feet dispersed, and he fell into the forest below. When his feet touched the ground, his heart was in his throat.


    His Mana was surprisingly restrained, leaving him unable to move.


    What terrifying suppression! Stay connected through m-v l|e''-NovelFire.net


    For the first time, he felt such pressure, and fear began to grow in his heart.


    Fortunately, the hand on his shoulder released him, and he quickly turned to see Sword Venerable Fudao, immediately bowing in respect.


    "Senior, wasn''t that a bit too..." Yan Qitian couldn''t help but say, trying to calm himself.


    He suddenly recalled a recent book circulating in the Star Sea Congregations about Sword Venerable Fudao. It mentioned that the Sword Venerable would press on someone''s shoulder before killing them. He thought it was just Xuan Tianyi''s whimsicality, but it turned out to be true.


    Wait!


    Could Sword Venerable Fudao be planning to kill him?


    Dispose of him after use?


    Yan Qitian''s expression changed drastically as he trembled, completely losing the demeanor of a Loose Immortal and second rank on the Heavenly List.


    As the saying goes: The higher you stand, the more you fear. Being suppressed so easily by Sword Venerable Fudao, he shuddered at the thought of Fudao''s unimaginable cultivation level. How could he not be terrified?


    Gu An spoke, "Where is it?"


    Yan Qitian hurriedly took out a scroll from his storage ring, offering it with both hands, nervously replying, "This is collected through the power of my family and master. Though not entirely clear, it should give a general understanding of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s strength."


    Gu An made a gesture, and the scroll entered his hand. His Divine Sense penetrated it, dispelling all the restrictions within.


    Yan Qitian nervously stood aside, fearing that Sword Venerable Fudao might suddenly decide to kill him.


    He didn''t dare to flee, as it would be useless. It was better to try to make a good impression.


    After a while, Gu An looked at him and said, "You did well. Our transaction hasn''t been leaked, right?"


    Yan Qitian quickly replied, "Only my master knows. I mentioned a mysterious senior with a grudge against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wanting information. My master didn''t press further. Except for me, no one knows it''s you."


    Gu An nodded.


    Yan Qitian added, "Senior, dealing with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm can''t be done rashly. If you are willing, why not join forces with our Star Sea Congregations? From the information I''ve gathered, the Cave Master of One Star Cave is a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who achieved it fifty thousand years ago. Even our Sect Hierarch isn''t confident in defeating him."


    "Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, are they strong?"


    Gu An''s question left Yan Qitian speechless.


    Are they strong?


    Yan Qitian opened his mouth, suddenly realizing something.


    Could it be that the other party wasn''t unaware of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm but simply didn''t fear any Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal?


    His gaze changed instantly. Looking at Gu An, he felt an urge to kneel on the spot.


    "You did well. Tonight''s conversation must not be mentioned to anyone. If you dare to speak of it, no matter where you hide, I will find you, and no one can stop me."


    Gu An suddenly spoke, scaring Yan Qitian, who immediately bent over and promised.


    After he finished speaking, Gu An stepped up to him and placed two fingers on his forehead, making him stiffen and his eyes go vacant.


    ...


    Under the moonlit night, in a courtyard.


    Ji Xiaoyu was meditating in a pavilion, continuously casting spells, and cultivating some sort of cultivation technique.


    A figure walked in from the yard, a middle-aged man in a large robe with a stern countenance.


    He stopped before the pavilion, gazing at Ji Xiaoyu and sighing, "Xiaoyu, have you still not made up your mind?"


    Ji Xiaoyu did not respond.


    "The Primordial Daoist Talisman truly is extraordinary, but our Ji Family can''t protect it. Moreover, now that the Ji Family has allied with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, we can only choose to trust them," the middle-aged man said earnestly.


    Ji Xiaoyu opened her eyes and looked at him calmly, her gaze making him feel uneasy.

 Chapter 246: Chapter 246 Heavenly Eye Prophecy

    Ji Qiankun felt uneasy under Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze. Ever since a certain point, he began to feel like he couldn''t see through his own daughter. Despite his higher cultivation level, he always felt that his daughter was dangerous. He even suspected that she had been possessed, but after examining her, there were no signs of possession.


    Ji Xiaoyu slowly spoke: "Father, do you know the origin of the Primordial Daoist Talisman?"


    Ji Qiankun frowned and said: "The Primordial Daoist Talisman is a legacy left by ancient immortals. They choose their master through reincarnation. Those who possess the Primordial Daoist Talisman have extraordinary talent. With every major breakthrough, they will receive a legacy."


    "Xiaoyu, it was I who introduced you to the Primordial Daoist Talisman back then. I naturally understand its importance. However, the Primordial Daoist Talisman is not unique in this world. The development of the Ji Family has already hit a bottleneck. We need a force like the Seven Stars Spirit Realm to open a path overseas. Sacrificing for the family, the family will not treat you unfairly."


    Ji Xiaoyu stood up and looked at Ji Qiankun from within the pavilion. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The moonlit night was like water, and the cold wind was bleak.


    Ji Qiankun felt irritated by Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Ji Xiaoyu say:


    "The Primordial Daoist Talisman in my body gave me a Heavenly Eye. Do you know what my Heavenly Eye sees?"


    Looking at Ji Xiaoyu''s extremely cold face, Ji Qiankun felt inexplicably uneasy. He pressed on: "What did you see?"


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped forward, circled around the stone table, and walked outside the pavilion. As she moved closer to Ji Qiankun, her momentum surged with each step. Her expression was as cold as an immortal in the skies, and her eyes were fixed on Ji Qiankun.


    "I saw the Seven Stars Spirit Realm shatter, with countless corpses lying around, blood flowing like a river."


    "I saw the Ji Family reaching its end, with the Qilin wailing in sorrow."


    "I saw you, Father, your head separated from your body, dying with unfulfilled wishes."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s voice was not loud, nor did her tone drop, but every word shook Ji Qiankun to his core.


    The Primordial Daoist Talisman, a result of ancient immortals'' cultivation, contained an unknown power.


    The Ji Family was also unaware of the power held by Ji Xiaoyu''s Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    Ji Xiaoyu stopped on the steps and looked at Ji Qiankun: "If the Ji Family only wanted me to offer the Primordial Daoist Talisman, I might not refuse. But you all want me dead. How do you expect me to agree?"


    Ji Qiankun remained silent. He wanted to say something, but looking into Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes, he felt that any words would be futile.


    "No matter how you ramble, this matter is settled. You do not have much time left!"


    Ji Qiankun left, flicking his sleeves.


    Watching his back, Ji Xiaoyu did not get angry; instead, a look of disdain appeared on her face.


    ...


    Dawn.


    Yan Qitian opened his eyes and found himself still in the woods. The figure of Sword Venerable Fudao was nowhere to be seen.


    He recalled the inherited memories in his mind, his expression complex.


    "Breaking Path Divine Light..."


    He hadn''t expected Sword Venerable Fudao to bestow an inheritance of divine skills upon him. Although he had previously stated he needed no reward, for Sword Venerable Fudao to do this demonstrated a conduct that he greatly respected.


    At the same time, he understood that if he publicized this matter, Sword Venerable Fudao would not let him off lightly.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was a cultivator who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grievances, always keeping his promises.


    He sensed that the Breaking Path Divine Light was highly unusual; it was undoubtedly a rare and great opportunity!


    After much contemplation, he decided to visit the Supreme Sect.


    After all, Sword Venerable Fudao was in seclusion within the Supreme Sect. Building a good relationship with the Supreme Sect was also a way to show his respect to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Moreover, he felt this might be an opportunity for him.


    Perhaps, with the help of the Supreme Sect, his path of immortal cultivation could proceed more smoothly.


    With that thought, he flew toward the Supreme Sect.


    On the other side, in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An was leading the disciples in exercises. The sight of over nine hundred disciples practicing together was quite impressive; even Yang Jian was practicing earnestly.


    The autumn air was crisp, and the spiritual energy was abundant.


    Gu An was in a great mood, a smile beaming on his face. Seeing his sunny disposition, the disciples'' spirits also lifted.


    After the exercises, Gu An didn''t leave but instead dragged Xiaochuan to play chess. The other disciples wanted to watch, but he refused.


    Once seated, Xiaochuan eagerly said: "Senior brother, I won''t go easy on you. Recently, I''ve had seventeen consecutive wins in chess."


    He arranged the black and white pieces on the board and made the first move.


    Gu An followed with a move of his own and asked with a smile: "How is your practice going recently? Have you been taking the elixirs I gave you on time?"


    Xiaochuan was only three years younger than him and was nearing his lifespan limit. Gu An planned to help him release his cultivation level in the next two years.


    Xiaochuan, unlike Li Ya or Zhen Qin, who ventured into the immortal cultivation world, had little ambition and only helped Gu An manage medicinal herbs. Yet in Gu An''s heart, he held considerable significance.


    In this lifetime, the one who had accompanied him the longest was Xiaochuan. Their relationship had long since become like family.


    Xiaochuan casually replied: "It''s alright; I''ve been taking all the elixirs."


    His focus was on winning the chess game to impress his senior brother.


    Each time he moved, Gu An would make his move quickly, initially not paying much attention. But as time went on, Gu An''s speed in playing brought him immense pressure.


    What made it worse was that Gu An kept expressing concern for him, forcing him to respond, which left him increasingly agitated and frustrated.


    Of course, Gu An noticed Xiaochuan''s frustration; it was intentional on his part.


    Watching Xiaochuan become frazzled, Gu An found it highly amusing.


    Suddenly, Gu An asked: "Xiaochuan, would you like to leave the mountain to marry and have children?"


    Startled by this, Xiaochuan immediately looked up in panic: "Senior brother, do you want to get rid of me?"


    Gu An rolled his eyes at him and said: "Experiencing various pleasures in life is a must. I''m just suggesting you marry and have children. If you want to come back later, you''re welcome anytime. Of course, if you don''t like women, that''s fine too."


    Xiaochuan was already 138 years old and had never experienced romantic relationships before. As his senior brother, Gu An felt it was his duty to help him.


    Although Gu An himself had not experienced romantic relationships in this lifetime, he had tasted it in his previous one, so it wasn''t intriguing for him. But for Xiaochuan, it was different.


    Xiaochuan didn''t even read Green Hero Travelogue, so Gu An was somewhat worried about him.


    Xiaochuan''s face turned crimson: "Isn''t this inappropriate?"


    "What''s inappropriate about it? When the time comes, I''ll give you money. You can buy a house deed when you leave the mountain, and matchmakers will naturally come knocking. Experiencing a couple of decades in a normal life might not be a bad thing," Gu An said softly, placing another chess piece. This move made Xiaochuan''s face turn green.


    Shameless!


    Playing chess was just playing chess. What was with these underhanded tactics?


    Xiaochuan''s thoughts were disrupted, but he was moved by Gu An''s words.


    In fact, Gu An had a deeper consideration for suggesting he leave the mountain, which was to see if experiencing worldly life could lead Xiaochuan to Path Enlightenment.


    Path Enlightenment was very mysterious. Even a Carefree Primordial Immortal couldn''t force someone to achieve it at will.


    The reason Path Enlightenment could alter one''s lifespan was because it gained the essence of heaven and earth. Human life was inherently determined by heavenly destiny.


    Thus, with Gu An''s relentless persuasion, Xiaochuan was defeated utterly in chess, ending in frustration.


    Gu An stood up and said with a smile: "Think it over carefully. Whenever you make up your mind, come to me. Don''t worry; we will always be brothers. As long as I''m here, I''ll protect you for life."


    Hearing these words, Xiaochuan''s spirits lifted. He turned to look, and Gu An had already walked away.


    For some reason, he felt that his senior brother''s arrangement was like preparing for his own impending end.


    It seemed his senior brother still cared about him a lot.


    A smile appeared on Xiaochuan''s face.


    Gu An also smiled, secretly thinking: "This little one still wants to beat me? Come back after practicing for another eight hundred years."


    That day, Yan Qitian visited the Supreme Sect, causing a stir among its top leaders. Lv Baitian personally received him, and they had extensive discussions.


    Three days later, Yan Qitian left. The Supreme Sect announced that Yan Qitian, second on the Heavenly Rankings, had become a guest elder of the Supreme Sect. This news excited everyone in the Supreme Sect.


    It''s said that Yan Qitian left behind many cultivation techniques and spells, promising that should the Supreme Sect face difficulties, they could summon him with a magic artifact. To show their gratitude, the Supreme Sect began to publicize Yan Qitian''s deeds, aiming to make him the top cultivator of the Supreme Sect.


    Yan Qitian''s involvement shook the immortal cultivation world, putting pressure on various sects and congregations to engage in diplomacy with the Supreme Sect. However, the Cangtian Sect remained silent, with low morale.


    Autumn passed into winter, the snow blanketing everything. Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelFire.net


    Mystic Valley.


    Gu An stood by the window, appreciating the snowy view.


    His divine sense enveloped the continent.


    Dealing with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm couldn''t be done forcefully, mainly because the realm was too vast. With five other caves overseas, he wanted to capture them all, but it was challenging. It was easy to alert other overseas factions or great cultivators.


    So he planned to first eliminate the Six Stars Cave and Seven Stars Cave on the continent.


    Gu An could detect their minor heaven and earth, waiting for a disturbance in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm before making his move.


    Since the appearance of Divine Exotic City, many oceanic cultivators had been traveling on the continent, including the Star Sea congregations, frequently clashing with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Gu An intended to strike the Seven Stars Spirit Realm during a major upheaval caused by the Star Sea congregations, eradicating their key cultivators, ending the realm''s presence on the continent.


    By then, the Star Sea congregations would likely advance north, pressuring the Seven Stars Spirit Realm to focus away from the continent.


    Today, Gu An suddenly sensed a peculiar power brewing in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, piquing his curiosity.


    He saw the essence of that power, further heightening his anticipation for the upcoming developments.


    "Indeed, this world is full of hidden talents, so many secret forces,"


    Gu An thought to himself as he turned and sat back at his desk, picking up the Supreme Secret Records.


    Reading many books eventually reveals what is classic.


    Classics are those that never grow tiresome.


    He turned page after page, like witnessing the rings of a tree.


    Three years quickly passed by.


    Gu An''s lifespan once again surpassed tens of millions of years. On this day, he closed the Supreme Secret Records, stored it in his storage bag, then stood up and walked out of the attic.


    The summer sun was scorching, insects incessantly buzzing, the sunlight shining on Gu An, reminding him of the scene when he first entered Mystic Valley at fifteen.


    He fixed his gaze, seeing Lu Jiujia instructing newly arrived servant disciples.


    In Gu An''s eyes, Lu Jiujia''s back gradually merged with Zhang Chunqiu''s.


    A hundred years had passed, and though things had changed, some marks remained.


    Gu An smiled and began contemplating which magic artifact to use in the upcoming war. Simply crushing with mana seemed too dull.

 Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Reincarnation Does Not Permit You Either

    Thinking it over, Gu An decided to use the Heavenly Residence Sword.


    The Heavenly Residence Sword was a divine sword gifted to him by Li Ya, one of the three Emperor Swords of the Taicang Dynasty. Although the Emperor Sword was not very useful to him now, the elegant form of the Heavenly Residence Sword made it worth using.


    Gu An also thought of Lu Lingjun, who wielded two swords in battle, and felt that he could try using a two-handed sword as well.


    He had no pressure dealing with the Six Stars Cave and Seven Stars Cave of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Gu An went downstairs and made his way to Lu Jiujia, who quickly saluted him and introduced two new disciples.


    The two servant disciples were very nervous in front of Gu An, not like Li Ya and Meng Lang who were impatient with Cheng Xuandan and Zhang Chunqiu back in the day. The current status of the Supreme Sect in the Taicang Dynasty was far beyond what it was a hundred years ago, now being the top sect in the continent''s immortal cultivation world, second only to the legendary Holy Land.


    Gu An did not adhere strictly to the rules but instead gently encouraged the two new disciples, leaving them pleasantly surprised.


    After he left, the two disciples were filled with anticipation for their upcoming life in the Mystic Valley.


    Gu An did not head to the Third Medicine Valley but walked towards the mountains and forests outside the valley.


    He appreciated the scenery along the way and realized it had been many years since he last experienced the surroundings of the Mystic Valley on foot.


    Back then, he raced around the mountains with Xiaochuan, and life was carefree.


    "To feel such nostalgia after just over a hundred years, imagine what it will be like in ten thousand years."


    Gu An suddenly thought, then adjusted his emotions, preparing to invade the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Explore stories on m,v l''e-NovelFire.net


    Today, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was about to undergo a significant change, presenting the perfect opportunity for him.


    ...


    Sunlight poured into the courtyard where Ji Qiankun and numerous members of the Ji Family stood, chatting and laughing.


    A number of cultivators floated in the distant sky, each like an immortal, showcasing their unique styles.


    This Ji Mansion, located atop a solitary mountain, covered an area of over ten miles. Thick fog swirled below the mountain, resembling a vast ocean, with peaks emerging from the sea of clouds, akin to immortal Taoist practice grounds.


    The sea of clouds stretched endlessly, as if this place truly was above the Nine Heavens, with the sun directly overhead.


    Ji Hantian leaned against the courtyard door with his arms crossed in front of his chest and eyes closed. Judging by his furrowed brows, his mood was not good.


    Ji Qiankun came to Ji Hantian''s side, smiling, "Grandpa, the auspicious hour is near. Why don''t you go outside to greet the Luo Family?"


    Ji Hantian opened his eyes, snorted coldly, and left with a flick of his sleeve.


    Ji Qiankun did not get angry. He knew Ji Hantian had objections regarding the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, but since it concerned the family''s prosperity, Ji Hantian would choose to endure.


    Now that the Supreme Sect was thriving, the Ji Family had stopped insisting on Ji Hantian leaving the sect. In fact, they started to support him again, seeing another avenue as beneficial.


    Ji Qiankun turned back to see Ji Xiaoyu''s door adorned with joyous decorations. The sight eased his uneasy heart slightly.


    Every time he thought of Ji Xiaoyu''s words that night, he felt restless and upset.


    Dong¡ª¡ª


    The loud sound of a gong echoed through the heavens and the earth. A beam of golden light swept in from the horizon, rapidly landing in front of the Ji Mansion''s gate. The sounds of hooves and roars came from afar as nine white horses drew a golden carriage along the golden path. Two female cultivators, resembling fairies, leaned out of the carriage windows, holding baskets of flowers, and scattered petals continuously.


    The petals drifted with the wind, quickly dissipating into magpies that circled in the sky.


    The cultivators from nearby mountains flew out of their mansions, and some jumped out of the fog below, all wanting to watch the excitement.


    "What a grand spectacle. As expected of the Luo Family."


    "I heard Luo Yetian has broken through to the Mahayana Realm. Is it true?"


    "It should be true. Entering the Mahayana Realm after just over five hundred years is indeed terrifying talent."


    "Ji Xiaoyu of the Ji Family is not simple either. It''s said she was born with a Primordial Daoist Talisman and great fortunes. She is a perfect match for Luo Yetian."


    "With the Ji Family allied with the Luo Family, they are set to rise. If they produce an immortal, it would be even more remarkable. They might even cultivate in the Five Stars Cave in the future."


    Each mountain belonged to a different family, but these families were at the lower end of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, incomparable to the Luo Family, hence their envy of the Ji Family''s fortune.


    At the end of the golden path, numerous cultivators rode on magic artifacts, flying in a grand procession that stirred the clouds. They swiftly landed by the golden path, stretching all the way to the Ji Mansion''s gate. Glancing around, there were at least a thousand cultivators, all with imposing auras and dressed in golden robes. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The nine-horse-drawn carriage halted at the gate. The curtain opened, and an imposing man in a red robe stepped out. He was tall and handsome, with long hair tied in a Lotus Jade Crown, resembling a star lord descended from the heavens. His eyes shone brightly as if they contained the universe.


    Seeing him disembark, the Ji Family cultivators hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.


    Luo Yetian smiled and asked, "Sister Yu, are you ready?"


    He had been busy in seclusion, only meeting Ji Xiaoyu once. Sensing the innate aura of the Primordial Daoist Talisman within her and admiring her exceptional beauty, he had his family propose the marriage. He barely needed to lift a finger, just one word from him was enough.


    And as he expected, the Ji Family agreed without hesitation.


    He chose this year precisely because he had just reached the Mahayana Realm. In previous years, his mind was solely focused on advancing to the Mahayana Realm, and Ji Xiaoyu was merely a thought, not worth occupying his entire mind.


    An elder of the Ji Family smiled and said, "She is ready and can depart anytime."


    Luo Yetian nodded, "Our Luo Family has already invited all the major families from the Six Stars Cave and the Seven Stars Cave, and even some seniors from the Five Stars Cave to attend. This wedding will surely be grand. Rest assured; we are one family now."


    He spoke appropriately without arrogance, making the Ji Family cultivators smile and thank him repeatedly.


    He looked up at the Ji Mansion, anticipation showing in his eyes.


    He could already sense the aura of the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    Meanwhile, in the courtyard where Ji Xiaoyu resided, Ji Qiankun urged her from outside the door.


    "The auspicious hour has arrived. Don''t keep the Luo Family waiting." Ji Qiankun said, knocking on the door.


    The door opened at that moment.


    Ji Xiaoyu, clad in a phoenix crown and cloud robe, stepped out accompanied by two female cultivators. The veil covered her face, revealing only a snow-white chin, and her hands were clasped before her stomach, comporting herself with grace.


    Seeing she was already in her wedding attire, Ji Qiankun heaved a sigh of relief and smiled.


    "Xiaoyu, what you worry about might not happen. There may be a turnaround. The Luo Family has even invited great cultivators from the Five Stars Cave; they might be able to help you." Ji Qiankun said softly.


    Ji Xiaoyu passed by him, stopping suddenly, "Crossing this door, our father-daughter bond ends."


    Ji Qiankun frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about? I will always be your father, and the Ji Family will always be your home."


    Ji Xiaoyu said nothing more, stepping forward.


    Accompanied by the two female disciples of the Ji Family, she left the courtyard.


    Ji Qiankun watched her back and exhaled deeply.


    Over the past three years, he had feared any mishap in this marriage, so he had been guarding Ji Xiaoyu closely.


    He quickly followed, not resting assured until he delivered Ji Xiaoyu to the Luo Family himself.


    Outside the mansion gate, a disciple hurriedly came out to inform the Ji Family''s higher-ups that Ji Xiaoyu was coming, causing smiles to bloom on everyone''s faces.


    They had long heard of Ji Xiaoyu''s dissatisfaction, but such was the fate of noble families, where marriages served the family''s interests.


    During the wait, a cultivator of the Ji Family asked Luo Yetian about the rumored World-Destroying Sea Tide''s validity.


    Luo Yetian pondered and said, "I heard it upon emerging from seclusion as well. Such rumors have spread across the seas, but the truth is uncertain. At least a hundred years from now, it seems unlikely, beyond that, no one can say."


    The surrounding cultivators began to murmur, discussing the matter.


    After a while, many cultivators from the Ji Family walked out of the gate, with Ji Xiaoyu in the center, surrounded like the moon among stars.


    Upon seeing her, Luo Yetian smiled.


    Just then, Ji Xiaoyu stopped and tore off the red veil from her head, igniting it in her palm until it quickly turned to ashes.


    Her expression was icy cold, eyes fixed on Luo Yetian, with a faint smile on her lips.


    Luo Yetian felt uncomfortable under her gaze and frowned, "What do you mean by this?"


    The surrounding Luo Family cultivators also frowned. Was Ji Xiaoyu about to oppose this marriage?


    "Quickly bring another red veil," the clan leader of the Ji Family ordered, looking at Ji Qiankun with a dissatisfied expression.


    Before Ji Qiankun could speak, Ji Xiaoyu soared into the sky, hovering a hundred meters above. The Luo Family cultivators didn''t stop her, curious about her intentions.


    Did she plan to cancel the marriage in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?


    A red pattern appeared on Ji Xiaoyu''s forehead, the runes of the Primordial Daoist Talisman. As the power of the talisman surged out, her aura transformed drastically.


    "You mortals disturb my rebirth process, how utterly vexing," Ji Xiaoyu said, frowning slightly. Her voice resonated through the skies, her tone coldly indifferent, making the Ji Family cultivators find her unrecognizable.


    Luo Yetian, sensing something, ascended to her level and asked suspiciously, "Who exactly are you?"


    One by one, the Luo Family cultivators appeared in the air, surrounding Ji Xiaoyu.


    The sky and sea of clouds churned, forming thunderclouds. A towering figure appeared within those clouds, like a giant god standing in outer heaven, overlooking the world.


    Ji Xiaoyu did not look up but calmly gazed at Luo Yetian, "Some karmic entanglements are beyond your reach. Disturbing my cultivation, even reincarnation will not pardon you."


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    An immense pressure erupted from Ji Xiaoyu, and golden flames emanated from her forehead, rapidly forming a hundred-meter-tall silhouette behind her. The figure looked exactly like her but radiated an aura surpassing the Mahayana Realm.


    Ji Xiaoyu raised her hand, grasping at the sky. The phantom behind her mirrored her movements, shattering the thunderclouds with one hand. Within her palm, an awe-inspiring figure appeared, the same one from earlier, now filled with fear.


    Before he could speak, golden flames engulfed him. In an instant, he was incinerated, leaving no trace behind.

 Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, One Sword to Sever!

    "Impudent!"


    Seeing Ji Xiaoyu summon a phantom that directly annihilated the Great Cultivator of the Luo Family, the other Luo Family cultivators were instantly enraged. They each brought out their own Dharma Treasures, prepared to kill her on the spot.


    Luo Yetian was about to speak when the phantom behind Ji Xiaoyu suddenly erupted with golden flames, sweeping in all directions. The cultivators from all directions were too late to dodge and could only instinctively use Spiritual Power and Mana to resist.


    As the golden flames swept past, the entire world suddenly changed.


    The sky turned crimson, and countless meteors fell from the distance. Each meteor stirred up a shockwave, creating a breathtaking spectacle.


    Ji Xiaoyu stood high above, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, but her brows did not knit together, remaining indifferent.


    The phantom behind her ignited with golden flames, and the Dao Patterns on its forehead flickered with a strange light. She raised her right hand to her mouth, muttering something, and layers of golden glyphs burst forth from her body, expanding rapidly to dominate the entire sky in less than three breaths.


    "I didn''t expect the Primordial Daoist Talisman to contain will! I wonder which ancient predecessor it is that we have disturbed?"


    An elderly voice rang out as an old man in a grey robe appeared, blocking in front of Luo Yetian.


    Luo Yetian quickly raised his hand to salute him, his demeanor respectful.


    The old man in the grey robe did not turn around, his gaze fixed intently on the golden phantom behind Ji Xiaoyu.


    "A Loose Immortal is not enough," Ji Xiaoyu''s voice rang out once more.


    The grey-robed old man''s face changed dramatically, and he immediately took out a jade staff.


    Boom¡ª


    A horrifying wave of golden flames rushed towards him. The grey-robed old man used his Mana to resist, but Luo Yetian behind him still felt the searing pain. This pain was not just on the surface; even his soul felt the agony.


    "How is this possible...Who exactly is she?" Luo Yetian thought in disbelief.


    The Ji Family members below were equally astonished.


    Was Ji Xiaoyu''s Primordial Daoist Talisman really containing such terrifying power?


    Ji Qiankun suddenly remembered what Ji Xiaoyu had told him three years ago, and a chill ran down his spine.


    The grey-robed old man, possessing Loose Immortal cultivation, couldn''t withstand the vast golden flames. Blood spots appeared on his skin, as did on Luo Yetian''s behind him.


    The other Luo Family Great Cultivators attacked from different directions, but their Mana quickly dissolved as it approached the golden flames, unable to harm Ji Xiaoyu.


    The mountains trembled as if they were about to collapse, startling the cultivators in their caves. More and more people flew into the sky, looking at Ji Xiaoyu in disbelief.


    Under their gaze, the golden phantom behind Ji Xiaoyu raised its right hand, drawing cracks across the sky with its fingertips. When her hand stopped, the space along the path shattered instantly, golden flames coiling around the edges of the space rift, forming a gigantic halo.


    The blood spilling from Ji Xiaoyu''s mouth increased, but her eyes remained calm. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The golden phantom behind her drew a giant golden fan from the halo, its surface shaped like maple leaves, covered with glyphs, as if hiding numerous worlds.


    As the giant golden fan descended, the world began to collapse, space twisted and shattered, clouds dispersed, and giant peaks crumbled.


    The cultivators residing in this land scattered like headless flies, in extreme panic.


    "Retreat with the people!"


    The grey-robed old man''s voice was low and solemn as he resisted the golden flames, having transformed into a man of blood; Luo Yetian behind him was slightly better, but his skin also began to ulcerate.


    Luo Yetian gritted his teeth, just about to turn and leave.


    At that moment, the golden phantom behind Ji Xiaoyu suddenly swung the fan. A wave of burning flames swept across half of the sky, vaporizing all the cultivators along the way. Grey-robed old man and Luo Yetian couldn''t escape; as the flame wave passed, both of them turned into Light Stars, their bodies and souls annihilated, scattering like falling sparks.


    This scene left the Ji Family cultivators and other clan cultivators stunned and terrified.


    Ji Xiaoyu tilted her head, looking down at Ji Qiankun.


    The Ji Family cultivators were extremely tense, not daring to meet her gaze.


    Everyone within the Ji Family knew that the family had planned to sacrifice her; she didn''t truly wish to marry.


    "With so many dead from the Luo Family, how will the Ji Family live in the future?" Ji Xiaoyu''s icy voice reached the ears of the Ji Family members.


    Ji Qiankun, Ji Hantian, and the others felt a chill rise from their hearts, spreading throughout their bodies.


    Stay connected through m_v l-NovelFire.net


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes began to fill with blood, quickly turning blood-red.


    "Xiaoyu, what exactly do you want to do?" Ji Hantian quickly asked. Apart from the Luo Family, no other families had suffered from the golden flames, making other clan cultivators silently sigh in relief.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes, now blood-red, raised to look towards the horizon.


    At the end of the world appeared a massive black rift from which silhouettes flew out, rapidly approaching.


    These figures all had an aura stronger than the previous grey-robed old man!


    A horrifying killing intent locked onto Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu raised her right hand, and the golden phantom behind her mirrored the motion with its giant golden fan.


    At that moment, a figure appeared before her. Her eyes widened in surprise, showing clear shock despite the blood covering them.


    Gu An, wielding the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, stood before Ji Xiaoyu. He held a sword in each hand, one being the Heavenly Residence Sword, the other the Qinghong Sword, both shrouded in dark purple Demonic Qi, hiding their true forms.


    Facing the approaching Great Cultivators from afar, Gu An casually swung his swords.


    The sword light illuminated the world!


    A streak of Sword Qi, like a white rainbow, swept across the sky. The Great Cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm attacking Ji Xiaoyu were swallowed by the Sword Qi before they could even see Gu An''s form, turned to ash and vanished.


    [You have successfully taken 590 years of lifespan from Luo Ku (Seventh Level of Loose Immortal Realm)]


    [You have successfully taken 387 years of lifespan from Daoist Zhenlan (Ninth Level of Loose Immortal Realm)]


    [You have successfully taken 1032 years of lifespan from Lu Changfeng (Seventh Level of Loose Immortal Realm)]


    ...


    One by one, notifications appeared before Gu An''s eyes.


    Gu An turned to look at the devastated Ji Xiaoyu, deeply alarmed. The power of this Primordial Daoist Talisman was astonishing.


    It was already comparable to the Wandering Immortal Realm!


    However, Ji Xiaoyu was struggling to withstand it; her life force was fading rapidly.


    He spoke, "Withdraw your divine skill."


    He used the voice of Sword Venerable Fudao, hoarse and steady.


    Ji Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Reincarnation has begun, and it cannot be reversed."


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to the golden phantom behind her. He could see that the soul aura of the golden phantom was identical to Ji Xiaoyu''s. This power must have originated from somewhere else, summoned rather than hidden within her.


    He tried a Life Span Detection on the golden phantom but found nothing.


    "Sword Venerable, have you come specifically to assist me?" Ji Xiaoyu suddenly asked.


    Gu An replied, "I came to annihilate the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes bled as she smiled, "This life was too short, Sword Venerable. If we are fated, we shall meet again in the future."


    Her body suddenly burst forth with golden light and then scattered. A golden talisman appeared, absorbing the surrounding golden light into itself, and then quickly merged into the golden phantom.


    Gu An''s gaze fell on the giant fan in the hands of the golden phantom, feeling the terrifying power within it.


    This treasure was no weaker than the Divine Exotic City, and it wasn''t even a physical object, just manifested power.


    The golden phantom swung its fan, and an overwhelming wave of golden flames soared overhead, breaking through the heavens. The terrifying spiritual energy surged in from the Minor Heaven and Earth outside.


    A burst of intense light erupted from the distant darkness, a presence beyond a Wandering Immortal Realm approaching, extremely fast.


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!


    This Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal raised his palm to strike, intending to annihilate the golden phantom with one blow. The golden phantom immediately raised its fan to defend.


    Rumble¡ª


    The heavens trembled, and space collapsed and twisted.


    Gu An stood beneath the fan, looking up at the giant golden fan, filled with curiosity about this treasure.


    "Sword Venerable, my power won''t hold for long." Ji Xiaoyu''s voice sounded, tired.


    The golden phantom''s arm trembled, the fan moving closer to Gu An, unable to withstand the power of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    Gu An focused, using Life Span Detection on the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    [Earth Gang Divine Lord (First Layer of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm): 129080/230000/250000]


    A Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who had lived for twelve thousand years!


    Gu An took a step, crossing the distance of two formidable powers, appearing in front of the Earth Gang Divine Lord.


    The Earth Gang Divine Lord''s face changed dramatically, disbelief showing on his face.


    Sword light flashed, Sword Qi burst forth!


    With one slash, Gu An annihilated the Earth Gang Divine Lord, body and soul, in an instant. The terrifying force even pushed back the golden phantom.


    The golden phantom, holding the giant fan, looked at Gu An''s back, its features changing, clearly startled by Gu An''s power.


    "I underestimated you, Sword Venerable. I look forward to meeting you again," Ji Xiaoyu''s voice sounded. Immediately after, the golden phantom scattered, merging into the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    The Primordial Daoist Talisman tore through space and quickly disappeared.


    Gu An turned to see the Ji Family cultivators retreating. Amid the crowd, Ji Hantian seemed to sense something and looked back, meeting his gaze.


    At that moment, Ji Hantian felt a mix of shock and guilt.


    He was shocked at Sword Venerable Fudao''s invincible presence in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and guilt-ridden for seemingly disappointing the elder.


    He had always thought that the "Righteous Path" inscribed on the Heavenly Repair Platform was left by Sword Venerable Fudao, hoping he could lead the Supreme Sect onto the righteous path.


    The fiery aura in the sky surged like tidal waves. A blink of an eye later, Ji Hantian could no longer see Sword Venerable Fudao''s figure.


    Gu An took one step across space, arriving at a vast White Jade Square where thousands of disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm were meditating, all facing a grand palace ahead.


    No one noticed Gu An''s arrival!


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to the palace, feeling the presence of another Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal hidden within.

 Chapter 249: Chapter 249: If the Heavens Dont Take You, I Will

    In the palace, the sound of preaching continuously echoed, immersing the cultivators in the plaza, making it difficult for them to extricate themselves.


    Gu An, holding his twin swords, stepped forward. Against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he did not intend to reach the level of exterminating everyone; he only wanted to slaughter the high-ranking members to disperse the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on this continent.


    If he were to annihilate the entire Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the surrounding major forces would undoubtedly become more wary of him, possibly drawing even stronger entities.


    Gu An walked among the disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. With each step, he resisted the preaching sound from the palace. The disciples behind him awakened one by one, seeing Gu An, they were startled, hurriedly got up, took out their magic artifacts and divine weapons, and prepared for battle.


    Gu An continued to walk without looking back or pausing his steps.


    "Who is he?"


    "What does he intend to do?"


    "I can''t see through his cultivation level; we shouldn''t act rashly after all, there''s a Divine Lord stationed here."


    "Could he be someone from the Star Sea Congregations?"


    "No, this seems like the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, a cultivation technique from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion of the Taicang Dynasty. I have seen it before, the one who mastered it fully is the Sword Venerable Fudao residing in the Supreme Sect..."


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    These four words made the disciples in the plaza tremble with fear.


    How could they not have heard of Sword Venerable Fudao, who even forced the Cave Master Divine Soul True Lord of the Six Stars Cave to retreat?


    It was said that after that battle, the Divine Soul True Lord disappeared and no one knew where he went. There were also speculations within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm that the Divine Soul True Lord was killed by Sword Venerable Fudao.


    No matter the claim, the strength of Sword Venerable Fudao was something the Seven Stars Spirit Realm dreaded.


    The disciples in this plaza were either geniuses or nobles of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. They knew some inside information; for example, Startling Immortal Lin from the Lin Family died at the hands of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Instantly, more and more disciples in the plaza woke up. Regardless of their high cultivation levels, none dared to approach Gu An, let alone stop him.


    Before long, Gu An arrived in front of the palace steps.


    Being closer, he could better appreciate the majesty of the palace, exuding a Daoist Intent Gu An had never felt before. This Daoist Intent could make it easier for one to comprehend Daoist Sorcery, indicating that the materials of this palace were not simple and might contain some powerful formation.


    There was only one person inside the palace, a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!


    Stronger by a few degrees than the previous Earth Gang Divine Lord!


    It had to be known that the strongest beings in the Six Stars Cave and the Seven Stars Cave were only in the Wandering Immortal Realm. Now, two Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals had emerged, indicating that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had long been prepared.


    Fortunately, Gu An had not rashly come before; he dared to come now because he was certain that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm did not have a Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    The Star Sea Congregations were unlikely to deceive him. After all, if the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had a Carefree Primordial Immortal, how could they allow the Star Sea Congregations to oppress them so?


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, what kind of irreconcilable enmity do you have with my Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"


    An elderly voice echoed from within the palace, resounding in this Heaven and Earth. Hearing his voice, the agitated disciples in the plaza calmed down one by one.


    This was a senior from the Five Stars Cave, renowned overseas, surely capable of subduing Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Since the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had many Minor Heaven and Earths, and they existed separately without being connected, the battle in the Minor Heaven and Earth where the Ji Family resided could not be felt. They were unaware that a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal had already fallen at Gu An''s hands.


    They did not know, but the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal inside the palace was very clear about it!


    "Raising the Demon Ancestor, creating Evil Demons, and toying with mortals, do you still wonder if there''s a grudge?"


    Gu An''s voice rang out, changing the expressions of all the cultivators in the plaza.


    Although they had vaguely heard of it, it was still hard to accept when Sword Venerable Fudao tore away the disguise of this sin.


    After all, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm prided itself as following the Righteous Path!


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The palace doors swung open, a strong wind howled out, blowing the demonic qi on Gu An and forcing back all the disciples in the plaza.


    A figure walked out from the depths of the palace, a man in a feathered robe with a valiant face, a white crane''s shadow swirling behind him, his whole being exuding Immortal aura. He walked to the steps, looking down at Gu An from above.


    "You, covered in demonic qi, have come to seek justice in a Holy Land. Don''t you find it laughable?"


    The feathered robe man asked indifferently.


    [Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord (Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, third layer): 158082/260000/310000]


    Gu An looked at the prompt in front of him, unmoved.


    He could feel that Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord was stalling for time; several Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were rushing over. This was precisely what Gu An wanted.


    Gu An responded: "Demon is not demon, Immortal is not Immortal; if the heavens won''t judge you, I will."


    Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord laughed aloud as if he had heard a grand joke.


    "That Demon Ancestor is formed from the Qi Fortune of Heaven and Earth, it can only be killed, not abolished forever. To suppress it, how many disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm have guarded here for generations? The Evil Demons are vile beyond measure. To seal it, how many lives has the Seven Stars Spirit Realm lost?"


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, do you know how many enemies the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has repelled to protect the environment of this continent, how many disciples have been buried in the ocean?"


    "You only see the suffering of the mortals on the continent, but have you considered how much the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has sacrificed?"


    Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord spoke vehemently, his words stirring the emotions of all the cultivators in the plaza.


    Indeed, others might not know, but being disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, how could they be unaware of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s long-term defense of the continent?


    Each of them had close relatives or friends who had died in battles with ocean forces and demons.


    They looked at Gu An with expressions full of anger, as if Gu An was the sinner.


    Gu An stood in place, quietly watching Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord. When Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord finished speaking, he suddenly asked: "The Evil Demons on the continent have been eliminated by me; why, then, are there other Evil Demons in your hall?" Stay tuned for updates on m-v l|-NovelFire.net


    The plaza fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord.


    Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord coldly replied: "Nonsense, must I let you enter the hall to check?"


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    Rolling thunderclouds swiftly covered the sky, vast auras descended. Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord visibly relaxed a bit.


    "My Seven Stars Spirit Realm is the Holy Land established by the Immortal Path Holy Court in the mortal world, how could you, an evil demon, slander it!"


    "Laughable, one who dares not reveal his true self, yet dreams of toppling the Seven Stars Spirit Realm singlehandedly?"


    "Killing our Divine Lord of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, today will see you eradicated without reincarnation!"


    "For hundreds of thousands of years, how many beings have been saved by my Seven Stars Spirit Realm; do you think you can shake it?"


    "Whether one is righteous or demonic, it''s not for you to judge!"


    One after another, majestic and imposing voices resounded like thunder, startling the disciples in the plaza. They all looked up, their faces full of shock.


    Strong lights emerged from the swirling thunderclouds, piercing through the sea of clouds and illuminating the sky and earth.


    At the same time.


    Snow began to fall over the continent.


    In the height of summer, snowflakes drifted down from the sky, causing all beings on earth to wonder.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    The disciples stopped what they were doing and looked up at the snowflakes filling the sky.


    Yang Jian stood in front of the wooden railing, reaching out to catch a snowflake. It quickly melted, turning not into water, but a wisp of white gas.


    "This is..." Yang Jian frowned, sensing an elusive aura from the snowflake. This aura intrigued him, and he immediately reached out to grab more snowflakes.


    You Yingying, who was playing chess with An Xin, looked up.


    "Snow in summer, what kind of omen is this? I''ve never seen it before," An Xin muttered.


    You Yingying reached out, catching a snowflake. It turned into a wisp of white gas and dissipated. Her expression changed slightly, and she whispered, "Heavenly snowfall, snow turning to gas, this is abnormal; could it be the legendary sign of an Immortal''s fall?"


    An Xin asked curiously, "What is the sign of an Immortal''s fall?"


    You Yingying replied, "I''ve heard that when a high Dao Level Immortal falls, Heaven and Earth would produce an anomaly, as a testament to their life''s cultivation achievements."


    "An Immortal''s fall? Is it on this continent or overseas?" An Xin asked curiously.


    You Yingying looked up, her eyes complex, and answered, "Probably on this continent."


    Throughout the Supreme Sect, any cultivator exposed to sunlight was discussing this sudden anomaly in Heaven and Earth. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Lan also stepped out of her room and into the courtyard. She looked up with furrowed brows.


    Miles away, Wu Jue was similarly affected. Yet, he seemed to attain an almost mystical state, as if comprehending something.


    In the Great Jiang Dynasty, in the Juhua Sect.


    Jiang Qiong and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera stood on the cliff''s edge, reaching out to catch snowflakes.


    "A sign of an Immortal''s fall. It appears the conflict between the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Congregations has reached an irreconcilable point. A high Dao Level Immortal has fallen," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera said, frowning with worry.


    Jiang Qiong smiled, "The more fiercely they fight, the better it is for us."


    Despite her words, she felt an inexplicable unease, as if something bad was about to happen.


    ...


    In the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    The thunderclouds spread, forming a giant vortex. A golden mirror floated in the vortex, its edges carved with patterns of various divine beasts, the mirror surface a deep blue, surrounded by crimson flames.


    Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, the Seven Stars Mirror!


    In front of the Seven Stars Mirror, a figure floated. He wore a long purple robe, with two fiery red orbs hovering over his shoulders like suns. Behind him was a crescent moon, from which wisps of spiritual energy emanated, forming colorful clouds around him.


    He looked down at Gu An from above.


    [Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning (Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, seventh layer): 187034/420000/490000]


    Gu An looked at this man''s life span with slight satisfaction.


    In this Heaven and Earth, a total of seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals had appeared. Besides the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning, the cultivation levels of the others were all below the sixth layer, except for one who had reached the fifth layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    With the appearance of the Seven Stars Mirror, the entire Minor Heaven and Earth was sealed. Creatures outside could not enter, and those inside could not escape.


    The disciples in the plaza bore unimaginable pressure, falling to their knees and painfully gazing at the sky.


    The high-standing six Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals remained indifferent to the disciples'' suffering.


    So did Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord in front of the palace doors. He took out a Divine Weapon, a silver spear about ten feet long, with a black flag just below the spearhead, depicting a demonic shadow.


    All seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals focused their gazes on Gu An.


    At this moment, Gu An seemed to be resisting the entire Heaven and Earth!

 Chapter 250: Chapter 250 Arrogant Sword Venerable, do you still have reinforcements?

    The divine light of the Seven Stars Mirror was so brilliant, illuminating the expressions of all the disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the square. At this moment, the disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm also realized that something was wrong. The high and mighty Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals seemed to be preparing to abandon them.


    For a while, cries, pleas for mercy, sobs, and curses kept ringing out.


    But Gu An, who was being stared at by the seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, was looking at the two treasure swords in his hand.


    The Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning looked down at Gu An and asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"


    Sword Venerable Fudao''s origins were mysterious and he could even slay Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, so the Realm Master couldn''t help but feel some dread. He feared that there might be even more terrifying beings standing behind Sword Venerable Fudao, so he didn''t act immediately.


    If he had no backing, he would not let Sword Venerable Fudao go today!


    Gu An raised his head, looked up at the six Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals in the sky, and asked, "Are your people all here, or do you still have reinforcements?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals all changed dramatically.


    Arrogant!


    They had lived for hundreds of thousands of years and had never seen such an arrogant person.


    With the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure overhead and seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals working together, could he dare to be so arrogant?


    The Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning thought of many possibilities in an instant. He even thought that Sword Venerable Fudao might be at a higher realm than the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, but then he dismissed the idea, thinking how could such an ethereal existence be hiding in a small corner of this continent?


    Shouldn''t he go to Outer Heaven to seek the opportunity for the Great Dao?


    Feeling the power of the Seven Stars Mirror, the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning''s eyes flashed with fierceness.


    Even if someone surpassed the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and killed so many Great Cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, this matter could not be let go!


    He immediately raised his hand; the Seven Stars Mirror, as high as ten thousand feet, trembled violently, bursting out with even more terrifying pressure!


    The voices of all the disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the square came to an abrupt end, and they desperately felt their skin ulcerate and their flesh dissolve.


    At this moment, a vast power enveloped them, removing the torture they were enduring. They couldn''t help but widen their eyes, looking subconsciously for the source of this power, and their gaze fell on Gu An.


    "Have you recognized it now? Is this the Holy Land you think it is?"


    Gu An''s voice rang out, making the faces of the disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm look complicated.


    They were all the talented disciples of the Six Stars Cave and Seven Stars Cave, believing they had a great role and bearing the future of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Yet now, they were being abandoned by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm without any fault of their own. How could they accept this?


    The Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord also flew under the Seven Stars Mirror. The seven immortals worked together, their bodies bursting into light, resembling the Big Dipper, suspended under the Seven Stars Mirror. Their mana merged with the aura of the Seven Stars Mirror, making the pressure of the Seven Stars Mirror even more formidable.


    Gu An looked up at them, feeling emotional.


    So this was the power of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?


    He felt that the power displayed by the Seven Stars Mirror at this moment had already surpassed that of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals. Even a Great Cultivator of the first three layers of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm would find it difficult to resist.


    Of course, even if a Carefree Primordial Immortal couldn''t match it, escaping would still be easy!


    Gu An suddenly had a new idea. He asked aloud, "Gentlemen, if I shatter this dark sky, can you bring brightness to this land?"


    Upon hearing this, the seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals frowned.


    The disciples of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the square were all stunned. Before they could react, Gu An slashed his sword.


    His right hand held the Heavenly Residence Sword. His wrist rotated, with the tiger''s mouth facing downwards, and the blade slashed upwards.


    His posture was so casual. This sword seemed to have no powerful momentum, yet as the sword slashed the sky, flames and air blasts dissipated. The seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals in front of the Seven Stars Mirror could not evade and were directly turned to ashes.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The Seven Stars Mirror was struck by sword qi, shaking violently. The thunderclouds above were directly cleaved, and sunlight poured down!


    The tens of thousands of geniuses of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on the square were all dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.


    They had already felt the power of the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning and the Seven Stars Mirror. That was a power they couldn''t even imagine or resist.


    Even though Sword Venerable Fudao''s mana protected them, they still thought a fierce battle would occur. But that wasn''t the case.


    One sword to annihilate!


    Crushing and devastating!


    It seemed as if they hadn''t killed the strongest of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm but rather the cloud waves in the sky!


    The storm swept across the world, and the fierce wind crashed through the spirit mist enveloping the mountains and rivers. One after another, the mountain forests appeared, pressed by the violent gale like turbulent waves, spectacular beyond compare.


    Only the Seven Stars Mirror remained in the sky!


    The ten-thousand-foot-high Seven Stars Mirror quickly withdrew its aura. The mirror body trembled for a while and then began to fall.


    ["You have successfully taken 25,709 years of life from the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning (Seventh Layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm)."]


    ["You have successfully taken 10,041 years of life from the Ten Thousand Miles Divine Lord (Third Layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm)."]


    ["You have successfully taken 18,116 years of life from the Divine Lord Xiaolang (Fifth Layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm)."]


    ...


    A total of six messages appeared in front of Gu An, making Gu An secretly puzzled.


    Why was one person missing?


    Gu An remembered that person, named Thousand-Faced Divine Lord, with a cultivation level of the fourth layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    He clearly felt that the seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals all turned to ashes, and it was impossible for anyone to escape.


    Could it be that this person had other avatars?


    If so, why could he still sense their lifespan?


    Gu An''s divine sense quickly enveloped the continent and kept expanding but couldn''t find any trace of the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord.


    This opened his eyes.


    The Thousand-Faced Divine Lord was quite a character, able to escape from his hands, even more capable than the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning at the Seventh Layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!


    Gu An suddenly gained more than 80,000 years of life. Previously, when he killed the cultivators of the Luo Family, he had also gained more than 50,000 years of life. This time, he gained nearly 130,000 years of life, which was quite good, saving him months of effort.


    The most important thing was to eliminate potential threats!


    Gu An raised his hand, storing the now-shrunken Seven Stars Mirror in his hand. He probed it with his divine sense, overbearingly destroying layers of restrictions, quickly finding the Immortal Spirit, and forcibly making it acknowledge him as its master.


    The storm in the world was still surging. The cultivators on the square looked up, remaining silent for a while before accepting the fact that they had survived.


    Thump!


    A cultivator suddenly knelt down, facing Gu An, and began to kowtow.


    With someone taking the lead, others followed suit and kowtowed.


    Over ten thousand people bowed to Gu An, making a rather magnificent scene.


    "It is up to you to change the Seven Stars Spirit Realm on this land. If it continues to be like before, named as a Holy Land but practicing evil, I will return. Then, it won''t be just the high-ranking members who will die."


    Gu An''s voice rang out, and he slashed towards the palace with the Qinghong Sword in his left hand.


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    Boom!


    A sword qi swept out, forcefully splitting the palace into two, immediately turning it into ashes.


    Such overwhelming power at his fingertips made the kneeling cultivators tremble in fear, and at the same time, they felt a fervent admiration for Gu An.


    Sword Venerable Fudao was not only powerful but also saved them. How could they harbor resentment?


    If they were to hate anyone, it would be those high-ranking members who wanted to kill them!


    At this moment, they all widened their eyes. As the palace turned to ashes, demons flew out. Their aura was all that of Evil Demons, with male, female, and even demon forms. They wailed and were ultimately obliterated by the wind.


    Exterminating a group of Evil Demons did not bring Gu An any life span, but it gave the geniuses of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm a tremendous mental shock.


    How could the Holy Land nurture so many Evil Demons?


    When they came back to their senses, Gu An''s figure was already gone.


    A teleportation array appeared in the distant sky, and countless cultivators surged in. The genius disciples on the square were still in shock, recalling everything that had happened earlier, feeling like they were in a dream.


    ...


    In a dim palace, a woman in a purple dress watched as the six oil lamps at the highest point of the wall went out simultaneously. Her eyebrows immediately furrowed.


    The young ghost boy on her shoulder widened his eyes and exclaimed in shock, "Have the Realm Masters fallen? How is that possible!"


    The highest oil lamps represented the pinnacle of power in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. The oil lamp of the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning was particularly large, like a moon surrounded by stars.


    At this moment, a figure appeared out of thin air beside the woman in the purple dress.


    As soon as this person appeared, he couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of blood. He immediately sat down to cultivate energy, suppressing the chaotic qi and blood in his body.


    The woman in the purple dress turned to look at him, her eyebrows furrowing even more tightly.


    "Thousand-Faced Divine Lord, what on earth happened? Why did the Realm Masters all fall?" the woman in the purple dress asked.


    The person cultivating energy was none other than the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord who had escaped from Gu An''s hands. He was wearing a blue robe, with long hair draped over his shoulders, and his face was as delicate as a woman''s. At this moment, his complexion was extremely pale, and his lips were still trembling.


    "The Six Stars Cave was attacked, and the Realm Masters thought the Star Sea Congregations were attacking, so they went to support. We encountered Sword Venerable Fudao from the continent. He annihilated us with a single sword¡­ The power of the Seven Stars Mirror couldn''t withstand his sword qi. The Seven Stars Mirror has now fallen into his hands¡­"


    The Thousand-Faced Divine Lord said tremulously. He opened his eyes, filled with despair, and said, "He was too strong¡­ The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were like dust before him. If I hadn''t detected something wrong and used my divine skills to switch my main soul and avatar, I would have died too. Even so, the fall of my avatar brought me enormous backlash, and I will need to recover for the next ten thousand years¡­"


    Thinking about Sword Venerable Fudao''s figure, his body couldn''t help but tremble.


    He then looked at the woman in the purple dress and said, "Second Cave Master, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm is finished. The seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals are dead, leaving only you and me. With the Seven Stars Mirror in Sword Venerable Fudao''s hands, we are powerless to resist the Star Sea Congregations. We need to make plans early!"


    The woman in the purple dress was the Second Cave Master of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. After listening to the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord, she fell into silence.


    Recently, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had been repeatedly suppressed by the Star Sea Congregations. She had considered the possibility of their demise but didn''t expect it to come so quickly. In just one day, seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals had fallen!


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were the foundation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Plans? What plans can we have? Moreover, the gate to the Divine Exotic Realm has already opened. Once the catastrophe descends, entangled by karma, escaping to Outer Heaven would be useless." The Second Cave Master said, her gaze eerie, as if thinking about something.


    The Thousand-Faced Divine Lord used his power to suppress his injuries and said, "I don''t care. I must leave the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. I have cultivated for tens of thousands of years and don''t want my path to end abruptly. If there is something I can do to help in the future, feel free to ask. But I do not want to fight Sword Venerable Fudao again!"


    He stood up, bowing to the Second Cave Master, then disappeared from the spot.


    In the dim great hall, only the Second Cave Master and the young ghost boy on her shoulder were left. The flickering candlelight made their shadows look like ferocious demons.

 Chapter 251: Chapter 251 The World Changes Drastically, A Huge Trouble

    In the forest, Gu An sat in meditation under a tree, leaning against the trunk, playing with the Seven Stars Mirror.


    The Seven Stars Mirror, which emitted an aura rivaling that of a Carefree Primordial Immortal, became small and exquisite in his hands, looking nothing like an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Snowflakes fell through the gaps in the leaves, landing on him and melting into vapor.


    Seven Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals had suddenly fallen, causing the heavens and the earth to mourn, and snowflakes continued to fall.


    While holding the Seven Stars Mirror, Gu An also used his divine sense to trace the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    He was very curious about Ji Xiaoyu''s ancestry and divine skills.


    When the Primordial Daoist Talisman fled, he specifically used his divine sense to follow it. Although the Primordial Daoist Talisman crossed the rules of heaven and earth, hiding in places unreachable by living beings, he could still track it.


    He noticed that the Primordial Daoist Talisman did not leave the continent but returned to the Ji Family. However, it was not to the branch family where Ji Xiaoyu was born, but to a branch family located in the Great Jiang Dynasty.


    Gu An thought of Ji Xiaoyu''s decisive appearance earlier and felt a little sentimental.


    He did not expect Ji Xiaoyu to go all out directly. That mysterious shadow should be her past life. Ji Xiaoyu seemed to be practicing a method similar to the Primordial Reincarnation Skill. The difference was that while the Primordial Reincarnation Skill accumulated qi fortune and talent through reincarnation, Ji Xiaoyu already possessed great power herself, and she could even summon this power, crossing ages and reincarnations.


    What would Ji Xiaoyu be like at her peak?


    He did not know.


    He just felt it was a pity for Ji Xiaoyu to fall in this life.


    "Third Miss, I hope you have good fortune in your next life and are no longer coerced by your family," Gu An thought.


    Seeing that the Primordial Daoist Talisman still remained in the Ji Family, he was very puzzled about the relationship between Ji Xiaoyu and the Ji Family. If it was only a relationship in this life, why not reincarnate into a different family?


    Perhaps he could ask the soul of the branch family, Ji Zhan.


    But after thinking about it, he decided against it.


    That was Ji Xiaoyu and the Ji Family''s destiny. Why should he interfere, and what reason did he have to investigate?


    Gu An treated everyone around him like this, not prying into their pasts, but cherishing their current companionship.


    After this battle, he looked forward to meeting Ji Xiaoyu again in the future.


    By then, would Ji Xiaoyu be another person, or still the Third Miss of this life?


    The mirror of the Seven Stars Mirror reflected Gu An''s handsome face. His eyes seemed to cross the vast ocean of time, reaching the other side of destiny.


    Gu An focused on the Seven Stars Mirror. This was a truly well-preserved Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, even stronger than Divine Exotic City.


    Even after being attacked by his mana, the Seven Stars Mirror did not develop a single crack. Instinct told him that the Seven Stars Mirror could become even stronger, it was just that the Realm Master of Heavenly Meaning and others could only unleash it to that level.


    He connected his mind with the Seven Stars Immortal Spirit. Immediately, the Seven Stars Mirror began to change, its edges transforming from the shape of a divine beast to floral patterns, and its overall color turned dim.


    At first glance, it was just an ancient and plain mirror, nothing resembling a supreme treasure.


    He revealed a satisfied smile, then placed the Seven Stars Mirror into his bosom.


    He stood up, looking at the still falling heavy snow, but feeling that the sky had become brighter than before.


    "It''s time to go home."


    ...


    The summer snowfall lasted for seven days. When the heavenly phenomena dissipated, news about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had not yet spread, but the Supreme Sect had already been alarmed. To be precise, the entire Immortal Cultivation world of the Three Dynasties was sending people to investigate, and there were even continuous streams of overseas cultivators arriving, heading for the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    But this time, no Great Cultivator dared to fly over the Supreme Sect.


    A great storm was brewing.


    After Gu An returned to the Supreme Sect, he acted as if nothing had happened, occasionally checking the Primordial Daoist Talisman to see if Ji Xiaoyu had reincarnated.


    Life remained leisurely, but Gu An felt more relaxed than before, at least the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was no more!


    That''s right, it was going to be gone!


    Gu An''s divine sense surveyed the ocean, seeing the cultivators from the Star Sea Congregations chasing down the Seven Stars Spirit Realm cultivators everywhere. It wasn''t just the Star Sea Congregations, other major forces were also following to devour the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s territory and qi fortune, showing him the scene of survival of the fittest.


    One day, someone came to visit Gu An.


    It was none other than the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who served as a guest elder of the Supreme Sect. Although this man was of the Second Level of the Wandering Immortal Realm, his maximum lifespan reached 800,000 years, and his current lifespan was 180,000 years. He suspected the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had once fallen from a higher realm.


    When the Nine-Finger Divine Lord first joined the Supreme Sect, it was Gu An who had shown him around, leading to their friendship. Chu Jingfeng was still following him for training.


    Under the tree, Gu An and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord sat face to face, with An Xin helping to pour tea.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord smiled and nodded at An Xin, then chatted with Gu An, praising him for managing the Medicine Valley in an orderly manner.


    Since meeting Gu An, his heart had become calm.


    Overseas, no matter where he went, the air was filled with scheming and power struggles, but Gu An''s Medicine Valley had a sense of tranquility, and he felt this atmosphere was related to Gu An himself. He had also inquired about Gu An from Chu Jingfeng, and Chu Jingfeng''s evaluation of Gu An was the same as his own.


    "He definitely wouldn''t imagine that I have the cultivation level of the Second Level of the Wandering Immortal Realm, also it''s probable he hasn''t heard of the term Wandering Immortal in this short life."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord held the tea bowl, looking at Gu An with a smile.


    Gu An raised his bowl as well and smiled back at him.


    "If this old fellow knew I was at the Ninth Layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal, could he remain this calm?" Gu An thought, finding it very amusing.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord suddenly said, "Lately the world has been unstable, you need to be careful, try to stay out of the valley as much as possible."


    Hearing this, Gu An frowned and asked, "Senior, has something major happened?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "To be honest, the holy land of this continent, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, is about to collapse. This will inevitably affect the balance of both the continent and the ocean. Without the pressure of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, it''s inevitable that more Great Cultivators will invade this continent."


    Gu An asked in surprise, "How could that be possible? That''s a holy land!"


    The disadvantages of destroying the Seven Stars Spirit Realm hadn''t escaped Gu An''s consideration.


    But there were pros and cons to everything. Even if the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wasn''t destroyed, who knew what calamity it planned next?


    If it weren''t for him, the Immortal Cultivation World of the Three Dynasties and the beings of the continent would have long perished in the demon calamity. Gu An had a clear conscience.


    Considering his own safety, he only thought about being a savior!


    He never shouldered the world''s safety. He was first a man, then an immortal.


    "It''s indeed incredible. That was a colossus standing for hundreds of thousands of years. I don''t know who did it..." the Nine-Finger Divine Lord sighed.


    Gu An asked, "Since the world is about to fall into chaos, why doesn''t senior stay in the Supreme Sect? The ocean is surely more dangerous than the continent, isn''t it?"


    He hoped to fully bring the Nine-Finger Divine Lord into the Supreme Sect''s camp, so he wouldn''t have to deal with some minor threats.


    Truth be told, killing didn''t have that much appeal to him, compared to the longevity offered by medicinal herbs.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord nodded and said, "I''m planning to stay for a while, because I have a suspicion in my mind."


    "What suspicion?"


    "Haha, that I cannot tell you, lest you get entangled in karma."


    "Really? Then please don''t say it. Though I''m unaware of your realm, your world is definitely not one I can tread."


    "Hahaha!"


    Hearing Gu An''s words, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord laughed heartily.


    Throughout his life, he had met many people, but few were as calm and open-minded as Gu An.


    Although he hadn''t revealed his true cultivation level, even his superficial level was enough to make most Core Formation Realm cultivators go out of their way to please him. Gu An was different. Their friendship was one of a gentleman''s, without any interests involved, making him feel very comfortable.


    Gu An didn''t listen to him much. From time to time, he would talk about amusing things in his valley. Though plain, they had a unique flavor to the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Having stood atop the clouds for so long, occasionally looking at the lives of mortals was quite nice.


    Later, Gu An invited the Nine-Finger Divine Lord to play a game of Go. After explaining the rules just once, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord understood.


    At first, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s moves were messy, but after about forty moves, he started to develop his own strategy. From blind defense to strategic preparation, he improved rapidly.


    Gu An became interested and started playing seriously.


    In the end, he won.


    The defeated Nine-Finger Divine Lord was not angry. Instead, he looked at the board with interest, savoring Gu An''s strategies.


    "Interesting, let''s play again," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord said, looking up.


    Gu An then called out to Xiaochuan, who was passing by, asking him to play, stating that Xiaochuan was better than him, making Xiaochuan raise his chin.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord didn''t care who his opponent was as long as they knew how to play.


    Thus, the two began to battle on the Go board, attracting other disciples to watch the excitement.


    Yang Jian stood by Gu An, watching the game. He wasn''t interested in Go; he preferred Chinese chess with its more straightforward and intense battles.


    However, he could sense the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s profound aura, indicating that this person was very powerful, prompting him to watch the excitement.


    They played until dusk, and Xiaochuan was dazed.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood up contentedly, looked at Gu An, and said, "Alright, I need to go to the main city of the sect. I''ll come back later for another game. I think this Go contains the true meaning of Dao. Good game!"


    His gaze fell involuntarily on Yang Jian.


    "Oh?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s eyes changed immediately.


    Although Yang Jian had concealed his cultivation, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could tell at a glance that Yang Jian''s physique was special.


    Gu An quickly said, "You already took away Chu Jingfeng, don''t even think about taking my disciple. He is with me for life."


    The surrounding disciples looked at Yang Jian with complex expressions.


    Could Yang Jian really be a genius?


    Yang Jian echoed, "That''s right. I will serve my master for life and will never acknowledge another master." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Next to him, An Xin showed a look of envy, thinking of her own master in her youth.


    If she had extraordinary talent, would her master have been willing to keep her by his side? Enjoy new chapters from m-v l''-NovelFire.net


    But then she let it go, thinking her senior An Hao had exceptional talent but still couldn''t stay with the master.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord gave Yang Jian a deep look, then turned his gaze to Gu An and said, "Your disciple is indeed extraordinary. Make sure he stays in the Medicine Valley and doesn''t descend the mountain. Otherwise, he might cause you trouble."


    After speaking, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord leaped into the air, like a white crane flying toward the horizon.


    His words made the surrounding disciples look at Yang Jian with even more curiosity, but Yang Jian remained calm and indifferent.


    Cause my master trouble?


    Provoking my master, that would be the real trouble!

 Chapter 252: Chapter 252 The Influence of Sword Venerable Fudao!

    For the Medicine Valley, the matter of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was just a small episode, which did not affect the daily life of the valley. Instead, Yang Jian''s status grew higher, and other disciples began to show him respect.


    If Yang Jian becoming Gu An''s disciple might have been due to Gu An''s favoritism, now even the Nine-Finger Divine Lord favored him, indicating that Yang Jian was truly a genius, merely unrecognizable to the ordinary eye.


    Early the next morning, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Tianya Valley. In the coming month, all the medicine valleys would enter a period of harvest, which he looked forward to greatly.


    Time quickly reached the end of summer.


    A piece of news suddenly stirred the entire Immortal Cultivation World, sweeping through the Supreme Sect like a storm. The news came extremely abruptly.


    Gu An had just returned to the Mystic Valley when he heard disciples within the valley discussing.


    This morning, a cultivator swept across the sky above the Mystic Valley, announcing a grand event that shocked the world! S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The demonic tribulation originated in the Holy Land of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, where Sword Venerable Fudao descended to the realm, slaying demons and reconstructing the Holy Land!


    The amount of information contained in this event was immense. Even the servant disciples at the bottom of the Immortal Cultivation World were intensely discussing it.


    Seeing Gu An return, Lu Jiujia immediately approached him to inform him of this matter.


    "I never thought the demonic tribulation was secretly orchestrated by the Holy Land. No wonder they did not intervene in previous calamities..." Lu Jiujia said angrily.


    The scandal of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm reminded him of his previous experiences within the Supreme Sect.


    Could it be that there is no absolutely pure righteous path in the world?


    Gu An listened attentively, and when he heard Lu Jiujia praise Sword Venerable Fudao as invincible in the world, he smiled and echoed the sentiment, appearing as a worshiper of the Sword Venerable.


    After chatting for a long time, he hurried to Outer Gate City. Because he had gone to Nianchu Cave Mansion last night, he did not bring the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    On his way to Outer Gate City, Gu An saw the figures of many disciples.


    Recalling a hundred years ago, seeing disciples outside the outer gate was a rare sight, testifying to the current strength of the Supreme Sect.


    Upon reaching Outer Gate City, it was bustling with people. The noise filled Gu An''s ears, and almost everyone was excited, with the name Sword Venerable Fudao on everyone''s lips.


    Gu An made his way to the Heavenly Repair Platform, where there were even more people. However, this time, disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Supreme Sect were stationed at the edges of the platform, temporarily forbidding anyone from stepping on it, with even Di Xie being driven off.


    Gu An saw circles of people surrounding the Heaven-Cutting Axe, including Ji Hantian and Gu Zong, with Zuo Yijian, the guardian of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, forced to the back, looking dissatisfied.


    He sensed several familiar auras that he had encountered in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    They were the geniuses he had saved from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, now kneeling before the Heaven-Cutting Axe, accompanied by loose immortals who were explaining the transformation of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Their sincerity was apparent!


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm had a profound heritage. Destroying the higher echelons was not enough to completely dissolve it, but if the remaining members could rebuild a new Seven Stars Spirit Realm for the benefit of all beings, it would be a good thing.


    Gu An''s gaze involuntarily turned to Di Xie.


    The son of the Demon Emperor had now fully integrated into the Supreme Sect and even became a high-ranking member.


    Sensing his gaze, Di Xie glanced back at him, nodding to acknowledge him.


    Gu An nodded in return, feeling somewhat nostalgic, as the two had grown distant over time.


    He wasn''t angry or sad. Some people naturally drifted apart over time, not always from disdain but simply because they had no common topics after a long period without contact.


    He did not approach further and instead walked away.


    Besides Di Xie, he had many friends in Outer Gate City. Though most were drinking buddies, drinking buddies who could chat, drink, and enjoy an afternoon together were indeed friends.


    Gu An wanted to hear their praises for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    It wasn''t just the Supreme Sect; all sects under heaven were fervently spreading the news.


    Sword Venerable Fudao single-handedly ventured into the Holy Land of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, slaying immortals within, a feat that was thrilling and awe-inspiring.


    After this battle, no one dared to question Sword Venerable Fudao anymore. People marveled at his strength, overshadowing discussions of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s sins.


    Most cultivators, upon hearing about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm''s crimes, at most cursed a few times without feeling disillusioned, as they were accustomed to such events. It was merely that the Spirit Realm''s sins were grander.


    But Sword Venerable Fudao was different. Each of his actions shook the cultivators. Every time they thought they had overestimated him, he would achieve another earth-shattering feat.


    Sweeping through a holy land alone, how exaggerated was that?


    Immortal cultivation was not like martial arts; the higher the realm, the harder it was to take on many opponents at the same level. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm, a holy land hiding immortals, could be swept through by one person?


    In the following days, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, Shen Zhen, Gu Yu, Zuo Lin, Wu Jue, and others came to talk to Gu An about this event, each extremely excited. Shen Zhen, unable to contain her excitement, wanted to write a book about Sword Venerable Fudao but was stopped by Gu An, fearing she might offend the Sword Venerable!


    Though he had heard different people praise Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An still enjoyed it each time, never growing tired of it.


    After the first wave of excitement passed, the Immortal Cultivation World began to discuss the character of Sword Venerable Fudao. Despite annihilating the high-ranking members of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, he offered them a chance, showing the true nature of an immortal to the world.


    Mighty and reckless, that was a demon.


    Strong yet benevolent, caring for all beings, that was an immortal!


    As the entire Immortal Cultivation World started worshiping Sword Venerable Fudao, many imitators emerged, some copying his name, others his style.


    One thing was certain, Sword Venerable Fudao was influencing the Immortal Cultivation World with his actions.


    One day, Gu An arrived at the Mountain God Temple on the North Sea Mountains.


    Besides Sage Xuan Miao, there were three other cultivators in the temple, seemingly resting there by chance.


    The four were discussing Sword Venerable Fudao. Sage Xuan Miao, who mostly stayed there and seldom interacted with people, was shocked upon hearing that Sword Venerable Fudao had forced the Seven Stars Spirit Realm to reform.


    That was the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, a behemoth never dared to be provoked or even inquired about by their ancestors of the Three Pure Ones Mountain, almost obliterated by Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Since the event was confirmed by cultivators of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm themselves, many details were revealed, solidifying Sword Venerable Fudao''s strength.


    It was said that Sword Venerable Fudao didn''t even use spells or divine skills, but with one sword, he slew seven immortals of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, even the Seven Stars Mirror, the Spirit Realm''s supreme treasure, couldn''t withstand one of his swords!


    Sage Xuan Miao felt like he was listening to a story.


    Why did he feel that Sword Venerable Fudao was stronger than the Mountain God?


    No, both the Mountain God and Sword Venerable Fudao were mighty beings above all others. Perhaps they even knew each other.


    Sage Xuan Miao''s mind was filled with fantasies.


    Seeing that the three cultivators had no intention of leaving soon, Gu An moved to the edge of the North Sea.


    He stood by the lake, gazing at the vast expanse of water, his divine sense probing the lakebed.


    Buried at the bottom was the Immortal King Crown, untouched to this day.


    Back then, deeming it dangerous, he buried it. Now, having dealt with the Divine Exotic City and the Seven Stars Mirror, he felt he could understand the Immortal King Crown.


    With a wave of his hand, the lake''s surface rippled.


    The Immortal King Crown and the short flute capable of summoning the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil immediately flew out, landing in his hand.


    He put the short flute into his storage bag and held the Immortal King Crown with both hands.


    Under the sunlight, the dark-gold Immortal King Crown shimmered, the grooves on it giving it an ominous appearance.


    Gu An immediately sent his divine sense into the Immortal King Crown.


    Boom!


    A powerful aura burst forth, ruffling Gu An''s robes and stirring waves on the lake. It was quite a spectacle.


    Just as expected!


    The internal restrictions of the Immortal King Crown were similar to those of the Seven Stars Mirror, but not as complete. Many restrictions were still recovering, indicating that it was a damaged Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, more damaged than the Divine Exotic City, lacking even the formation of a new Immortal Spirit.


    While probing the restrictions, Gu An also learned about the Immortal King Crown.


    Besides containing immense power, the Immortal King Crown could also devour qi-blood, accelerating its recovery. The Evil Emperor was drained of qi-blood by the Immortal King Crown, leaving only his soul.


    The Evil Emperor was only at the Mahayana Realm, unable to withstand the Immortal King Crown, but now, Gu An at the Ninth Layer of Carefree Primordial Immortal could easily endure it.


    Gu An began to refine the crown''s master recognition restrictions, making it his own dharma treasure.


    The process was complex, but having dealt with the Divine Exotic City and the Seven Stars Mirror, it was no longer difficult for Gu An.


    An hour later, Gu An successfully made the Immortal King Crown recognize him as its master.


    He removed the hairband from his head and wore the Immortal King Crown, tying his hair beneath it.


    With a thought, the crown transformed from an emperor''s crown to a Taoist''s crown. Despite having many grooves, its reduced size made it less eerie, enhancing his ethereal aura.


    Gu An took out the Seven Stars Mirror and began to groom his hair.


    The more he looked, the more satisfied he felt.


    As expected, clothes do make the man, and adornments enhance even a Buddha''s appearance. Even with his outstanding looks, fine decorations added to his charm.


    "In the future, pairing it with exquisite robes will enhance my charisma," Gu An thought to himself.


    After all, he was a Core Formation Realm cultivator. Looking good did no harm. Although he aimed to cultivate discreetly, there was no need to live too restrained.


    If anyone targeted him for his refined appearance and refused to reason, Gu An could only reason with them from a Ninth Layer Carefree Primordial Immortal''s perspective!


    He wandered by the lakeside, admiring the North Sea scenery until dusk. Read new adventures at m_v-l''e|-NovelFire.net


    At dusk, a cultivator flew from the horizon, landing beside him, and asked, "Daoist Friend, may I ask which sect you are from?"


    Gu An cast a life span detection at the other person.


    [Guo Guhong (Core Formation Realm Eighth Layer): 373/500/950]


    A very ordinary cultivator.


    However, a hundred and thirty years ago, such a person would have been a significant figure to Gu An.


    Gu An replied, "I am from the Ancient Sky Sect. What does Daoist Friend require?"


    Guo Guhong, clad in gray, wearing a hat and carrying a long box, looked travel-worn. He glanced at the lake and said, "I heard that the North Sea has shown anomalies lately, with a supreme treasure about to emerge. I wonder if Daoist Friend has heard anything about it."


    Just as Gu An was about to respond, Guo Guhong suddenly raised his hand, forming a claw with his right hand, aiming at Gu An''s heart.

 Chapter 253: Chapter 253 The Same Person

    [Guo Guhong developed animosity towards you and harbored killing intent; do you wish to perform life span detection on him?]


    Seeing Guo Guhong make a move against him, Gu An only wanted to laugh.


    This fellow was truly vicious, striking as soon as the thought of killing arose, indicating that Guo Guhong frequently engaged in such actions.


    Unfortunately, this time he chose the wrong opponent.


    Boom!


    As Guo Guhong''s claw touched Gu An''s chest, a force exploded, causing dust and stones to fly under Gu An''s feet and stirring up ripples on the lake, while Guo Guhong instantly turned to ashes.


    Gu An raised his hand, brushed his temples, and continued forward, dispersing the ashes that had been Guo Guhong with a step.


    The prompt to seize life span was directly ignored by him because the life span was too short.


    The North Sea shimmered with the light of a setting sun, and a large fish leaped at the end of the lake, resembling a crescent moon in midair.


    The sun set and the moon rose.


    Two days later, Gu An, in the form of a mountain god, arrived at the Mountain God Temple.


    The small figure jumped down from the eaves, and Sage Xuan Miao, upon hearing the movement, opened his eyes. Seeing it was Gu An, he quickly stood up and saluted.


    "How is the cultivation of medicinal herbs going? I need more herbs for my alchemy." Gu An landed on the ground and walked towards the courtyard gate, asking.


    Sage Xuan Miao stood behind him, like a mountain, but the posture was very respectful.


    "Not bad. But I wonder how much you need," Sage Xuan Miao replied.


    Then they left the Mountain God Temple and began to gather medicinal herbs.


    During this time, Sage Xuan Miao narrated the events that had occurred recently, even mentioning who had passed by the Mountain God Temple.


    He indeed did not lie. As the Carefree Primordial Immortal, Gu An could see the past events here, and Sage Xuan Miao did not hide anything.


    Gu An was not interested in the matters he talked about, but he was satisfied with his attitude.


    Having guarded this place for decades, Sage Xuan Miao''s attitude remained devout, and Gu An felt it necessary to reward him.


    After Gu An finished gathering herbal materials, the two arrived at an open space. He still left half of the herbs for Sage Xuan Miao.


    Sage Xuan Miao wanted to discuss Sword Venerable Fudao with the mountain god, but he did not know how to start, so he remained silent for a moment.


    "You have been diligent over the years. I am very pleased. Would you like to learn a sword technique?" Gu An stood on a rock, looked at Sage Xuan Miao, and asked with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao was stupefied for a moment and instinctively replied, "Of course, I would."


    Gu An raised his hand and pointed his index finger at him remotely. In an instant, Sage Xuan Miao fell into a daze.


    He did not know how much time passed.


    Sage Xuan Miao gradually woke up. When he opened his eyes, he no longer saw the mountain god''s figure. The sunset cast dappled shadows of leaves on his face in the forest.


    "Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword..."


    Sage Xuan Miao was shocked. Could such a profound sword technique exist in the world?


    Moreover¡­


    Why did this sword technique seem somewhat similar to his Li Family''s sword technique?


    However, he had been cultivating at Three Pure Ones Mountain since childhood. Although he was related to the Taicang Imperial Family by blood, he had not delved into the Li Family''s heritage.


    "The mountain god also knows the Sword Dao. I wonder how his swordsmanship compares to Sword Venerable Fudao''s,"


    Sage Xuan Miao couldn''t help but think. After hearing about Sword Venerable Fudao''s prowess, he always speculated about Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation level unconsciously.


    He had to admit that Sword Venerable Fudao''s personal charm was indeed compelling, making his heart yearn.


    Remorseful, remorseful!


    How could I be disloyal to the mountain god?


    Sage Xuan Miao struggled to suppress his inner turmoil, but another thought arose within him, a thought even he could hardly believe.


    Could the mountain god and Sword Venerable Fudao be the same person?


    Before the overseas cultivators invaded, how could there have been two super-existences above the Seven Stars Spirit Realm simultaneously on the continent?


    ... S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The news of Sword Venerable Fudao vanquishing the immortals of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm continued to spread.


    In the following days, the Supreme Sect and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm announced their friendship, pledging to protect the people of the mainland together henceforth, setting an example for the righteous path, which established the Supreme Sect as the foremost sect in the Immortal Cultivation World of the three dynasties.


    This event greatly enhanced the Supreme Sect''s influence, attracting an increasing number of people to join.


    The autumn wind blew through the Supreme Sect yet failed to bring desolation there.


    In the mountains and forests.


    Gu An sat on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, turning his head to look at the group of young boys and girls that had just brushed past them, feeling nostalgic.


    This group of youngsters was led by two adult men, one a village chief and the other a teacher, on their way to the Supreme Sect to seek the Immortal Path.


    Such a scene was rare, especially in the mountains between Mystic Valley and Tianya Valley.


    Gu An looked forward again, asked casually, "What do you think of the Supreme Sect nowadays?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint thought for a while, then said, "Pretty good. It seems to be improving, and it indeed qualifies as the righteous path. Whether it be Medicine Valley or the Outer Gate City, the atmosphere is great." Find your next read on m_v l|e-NovelFire.net


    He knew that the Supreme Sect''s current prosperity was all due to the one on his back.


    If the Supreme Sect ever displeased Gu An, today''s glory could turn into an illusion at any moment.


    Having been a steed for a long time, the Blood Prison Great Saint developed some feelings for the Supreme Sect. Although there were some unsavory characters in Medicine Valley, most were not bad overall.


    Compared to the Lower Realm sect he came from, the Supreme Sect was more harmonious. Apart from not being strong enough, it matched his ideal place for immortals.


    He could also feel the Supreme Sect''s rising fortune lately and believed that in a thousand years, its strength would be immeasurable.


    "Qualifying as the righteous path is good enough," Gu An said with a soft laugh.


    One man and one ox walked through the mountains, gradually disappearing into the depths of the forest.


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint leisurely into Tianya Valley.


    He sensed the presence of others in the valley.


    Li Xuandao had arrived!


    Gu An remained unhurried, leisurely progressing forward.


    Li Xuandao was in a courtyard, drinking tea, with a young boy practicing swordsmanship behind him. The boy seemed to be only seven or eight, yet his sword movements were fluid and very nimble.


    Luo Hun stood nearby, his eyes fixed on the boy with the sword, worried he might hurt himself.


    When Li Xuandao saw Gu An from afar, a smile appeared on his face.


    "This kid has become quite ostentatious, but he knows how to enjoy life," Li Xuandao said with amused disbelief.


    Gu An rode a majestic demon pet, wearing a luxurious and exquisite blue robe with an extravagant dark gold crown that made him look very much like an Immortal Lord of the mortal world.


    Lv Xian, who was meditating at the mountain peak, also saw Gu An and was dazzled by his attire.


    For some reason, there was an aura about Gu An that made him uneasy, an instinctual unease he couldn''t quite explain.


    Seeing Li Xuandao''s gaze, Gu An patted the bull''s back, making Blood Prison Great Saint quicken its pace.


    Soon, Blood Prison Great Saint reached the courtyard. Gu An dismounted and quickly walked into the yard.


    "Uncle, long time no see." Gu An raised his hand in a salute.


    Out of habit, he cast a life span detection on the young boy.


    [Li Lingtian (Energy Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer): 8/110/8999]


    Hmm?


    A life span limit of 8,999 years?


    That was something!


    Gu An was curious, but his face remained calm.


    "Indeed, it''s been a long time. I''ve been here for two days, waiting specifically to see you before I leave," Li Xuandao said with a laugh.


    Nowadays, he was in high spirits. The Three Dynasties'' contention continued, but everyone could feel the Taicang Dynasty''s dominance.


    In the coming years, Li Xuandao was likely to unify the land, a feat no one had accomplished for thousands of years.


    Li Xuandao''s cultivation level also advanced rapidly, nearing the ninth layer of the Unification Realm. This guy could catch up with Lv Baitian within a century.


    The two started to chat. Gu An talked about his Medicine Valley in response to Li Xuandao''s concern, mentioning trivial matters, which Li Xuandao listened to intently.


    Aside from Gu An''s relationship with Li Ya, Li Xuandao was very satisfied with how Gu An managed Tianya Valley over the years.


    After chatting for a while, Li Xuandao started to tease Gu An about his current appearance, which was vastly different from before.


    "One must enjoy life when it''s going well. Unlike you and Senior Brother Li, who can stir the world''s affairs, I can also live a glamorous life in my small world, can''t I?" Gu An laughed, touching the Immortal King Crown on his head as he spoke.


    Li Xuandao laughed, "It seems your crown lacks gems. Need my help? Or shall I send you a better one?"


    A better one?


    I doubt you can afford it.


    Gu An shook his head to decline courteously, and Li Xuandao did not insist. He waved to Li Lingtian, who immediately ran over, curiously watching Gu An.


    Looking at his small face, Gu An couldn''t help but think of fifteen-year-old Li Ya; their brows and eyes were somewhat similar.


    "This is Senior Brother Gu, who has the best relationship with your brother Li Ya," Li Xuandao introduced to Li Lingtian.


    Li Lingtian immediately saluted Gu An, in a very mature and adorable manner.


    Gu An was about to think of what to give as a meeting gift when Li Lingtian asked, "Senior Brother Gu, I heard you wrote Journey to the West. Have you met Sun Wukong?"


    Gu An was stunned, glancing at Luo Hun, who looked away.


    Li Xuandao kept his smile, obviously knowing this all along.


    It reminded him of the time he had asked Gu An about Investiture of the Gods.


    Gu An suddenly thought, had Li Xuandao known he was Pan An all along and tried to probe him intentionally?


    But that no longer mattered.


    "Yes, in my dream. In reality, I accepted an apprentice named Yang Jian," Gu An replied, patting Li Lingtian''s head with a smile.


    "True Lord Erlang Yang Jian? Is he powerful? Can I spar with him?" Li Lingtian became excited, clenching his little fists.


    Gu An laughed, "Of course, but you''ll have to grow up first."


    Li Lingtian nodded obediently, then, like a little adult, said, "Senior Brother Gu, you must ensure your apprentice trains hard. My uncle says I have the best life grid in the world, and I fear your apprentice might not be a match for me."


    Li Xuandao gave him a stern look, "Your father always taught you to be modest!"


    Li Lingtian complained, "Uncle said so, and mother said everything in this world was created for me, so I can be confident."


    Li Xuandao''s face turned visibly displeased.


    Gu An found it amusing and said, "Alright, Senior Brother Gu will make sure he trains hard. Promise me you''ll train well and not fight with others before sparring with my apprentice. Can you do that?"

 Chapter 254: Chapter 254 True Yang Jian, False Sun Wukong

    Hearing Gu An''s words, Li Lingtian didn''t think too much and directly agreed. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xuandao was very unhappy, and scolded Li Lingtian. As a result, Li Lingtian got angry and started to talk back.


    Next came the lesson with a slap. Li Lingtian was picked up by Li Xuandao, hung over his leg, and his butt was spanked harshly.


    This scene reminded Gu An of scenes from his childhood in his past life. The memories of his past life were hazy, as if they were distant recollections.


    Gu An didn''t expect Li Xuandao to have this side. He wondered whether Li Ya had been educated in this way when he was a child.


    However, he could see that Li Lingtian''s mother seemed very unusual, and Li Xuandao''s words about his mother showed considerable helplessness.


    Gu An looked at Li Lingtian''s karma and peered into his past.


    Soon, Gu An understood some information.


    Li Lingtian''s mother came from the ocean, with the surname Yang, from a great family. For her, Li Xuandao had deposed the former queen and made her the new queen. He also decided to cultivate Li Lingtian as the crown prince.


    After peering into Li Lingtian''s past, Gu An sighed to himself.


    Having a strong background as a mother indeed allowed for recklessness.


    However, Li Lingtian''s life grid was also extraordinary. He was born overseas, and during his birth, there were thunderstorms that attracted the protection of great cultivators in the family.


    After his birth, Li Xuandao officially married Empress Yang, and the Yang family even dispatched special guards to protect Li Lingtian''s growth.


    Currently, there were already two Mahayana cultivators guarding from afar.


    Previously, Mahayana cultivators were rare, but now they continuously flowed into the Immortal Cultivation World of the Three Dynasties.


    Perhaps the Yang family also saw the potential of this continent and made an advance bet, with Li Xuandao, who was about to unify the Three Dynasties, being a good candidate.


    Li Lingtian was indeed extraordinary. No matter how much Li Xuandao hit him, he didn''t cry. Instead, he stubbornly glared at Li Xuandao.


    This boy was simply a little demon king, and in the future, Li Xuandao and Li Ya would probably suffer.


    "Uncle, that''s enough. The child can be taught slowly in the future. Right now, he didn''t actually do anything wrong; it was just his way of speaking. I didn''t feel offended." Gu An spoke up, giving Li Xuandao a way out.


    After hearing this, Li Xuandao looked embarrassed. He looked at Gu An and said, "This boy is naturally strong and has a small mind. It''s better not to let him compete with your disciple, lest he really remembers it."


    Li Lingtian climbed down from his father''s leg and hid beside Gu An, grabbing Gu An''s arm and sticking his tongue out at Li Xuandao.


    Gu An could feel Li Lingtian''s strength. This boy was only eight years old, yet it seemed he could easily crush a stone.


    "It''s okay. My disciple is also very strong." Gu An said with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao could only shake his head and not persuade further.


    He thought that in this world, only An Hao could be compared to his youngest son. Even Lv Xian was not as talented as Li Lingtian.


    After that, Li Xuandao changed the topic to talk about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    At the mention of this topic, Gu An became excited and discussed it eagerly with him.


    Li Xuandao thought he was also an admirer of Sword Venerable Fudao, which was quite normal. Even he, the Emperor of Taicang, felt his blood surge upon hearing about Sword Venerable Fudao''s deeds, much less ordinary cultivators with low cultivation levels?


    After chatting for an ancient hour, Li Xuandao left with Li Lingtian.


    Before leaving, Li Lingtian waved at Gu An and said, "Senior Brother Gu, don''t let Yang Jian forget this matter. When I grow up, I will come to duel with him." Find your next read at m_v l|e-NovelFire.net


    Gu An nodded with a smile, secretly looking forward to Li Lingtian''s defeat.


    In terms of ultimate life span, Yang Jian''s was higher. In terms of age, Yang Jian was older. And in terms of teachers, could Li Lingtian find a master like the Carefree Primordial Immortal?


    Given that Li Xuandao treated him well, he would properly guide Li Lingtian to prevent him from straying onto the wrong path.


    After collecting the medicinal herbs, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to leave.


    After traveling a hundred miles away from Tianya Valley, the Blood Prison Great Saint said, "Master, that boy''s qi-blood is not simple."


    He could tell at a glance that Li Lingtian''s bones were extraordinary and his qi fortune was special.


    "Indeed, not simple. But do you think he can compare to Jian''er?" Gu An asked casually.


    "Definitely not. There is no one more monstrous than that boy!"


    Mentioning Yang Jian, the Blood Prison Great Saint sighed deeply.


    He watched Yang Jian transcend the mundane, which made him revere Gu An even more.


    It was Gu An who discovered Yang Jian. Otherwise, Yang Jian might have been as mediocre as other disciples in the valley for a lifetime.


    "The cultivation technique I taught you must be diligently practiced. A thousand years later, this world might be a completely different place. Even if Mahayana remains powerful, its status will surely be lower than now."


    "Master, rest assured, I will not disgrace you."


    "It''s not about disgracing me. You cultivate for yourself."


    "Hehe, I plan to follow you for life."


    "You, ox-head, are you planning on sticking with me?"


    "I hope Master will show mercy!"


    ...


    The collapse of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm caused greater turmoil over the ocean. When Gu An went to Immortal Seeking Island, many people were discussing it.


    At the private gathering of Sage Tang Hai that he attended, those cultivators were also amazed by Sword Venerable Fudao''s strength.


    After this battle, the name of Sword Venerable Fudao spread across the sea, gaining wider fame than on the continent.


    The turmoil at sea didn''t affect the continent. The Star Sea Congregations and the surrounding major forces did not dare touch the continent where Sword Venerable Fudao resided. Instead, many cultivators rushed to the continent seeking opportunities.


    In this context, the continent welcomed peace.


    Gu An''s life also became more stable. He focused on planting medicinal herbs, waiting for the Outer World Cave to yield a harvest.


    During the waiting period, he continuously expanded the cave, planting more medicinal herbs.


    Nowadays, he could move the Outer World Cave, so he felt more secure in planting.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai helped Tian Yao''er with many affairs, and there had been no incidents in the Outer World Cave and Nianchu Cave.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Time flew by.


    Ten years passed.


    This year, Xiaochuan released his Primordial Reincarnation Skill, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. His ultimate lifespan reached two hundred and eighty-six years, far less than Ye Lan''s. This was related to his attitude towards cultivation; he was not as diligent as Ye Lan.


    No matter what, Xiaochuan could at least live another hundred years.


    After releasing his cultivation level, Xiaochuan bade farewell to Gu An. He planned to return to his hometown and experience the life of an ordinary person again. If possible, he would have children.


    Although Gu An did not see him off, he protected Xiaochuan along the way with his divine sense, fearing any mishap.


    Half a month later, when Xiaochuan returned to his hometown, Gu An temporarily shifted his attention away from him.


    In the middle of summer, the Third Medicine Valley welcomed visitors.


    Gu An personally greeted them, and saw a man and woman walking from the valley entrance.


    [Yang Ni (Divinity Transformation Stage Fifth Level): 318/1200/1360]


    [Li Lingtian (Foundation Establishment Realm Ninth Layer): 18/350/8999]


    Gu An''s gaze fell on Yang Ni. She was Li Ya''s mother''s younger sister. When the Ephemera Sect caused trouble back then, she was involved. After protecting Gu An for a while, she left.


    Over the years, Gu An would occasionally catch glimpses of her with his divine sense. She wandered all over, cultivating in various places. She occasionally encountered trouble, but on the whole lived fairly well.


    Yang Ni was dressed in red, with a treasure sword at her waist. Her face was still as delicate. She seemed a bit dazed seeing Gu An from afar.


    The boy she once needed to protect had now become a Core Formation Realm cultivator, and his appearance had also greatly changed.


    Following Yang Ni, Li Lingtian glanced around, seemingly looking for someone.


    The eighteen-year-old Li Lingtian wore white clothes with gold patterns and a Golden Dragon Pearl Crown on his head. He had an elegant demeanor. Honestly, Gu An thought he was more handsome than Li Ya.


    The arrival of these two attracted many disciples'' attention, but seeing Gu An personally step up to greet them, they did not approach.


    "Yang Ni, long time no see." Gu An said with a smile as he approached the two.


    Yang Ni eyed Gu An and said, "It''s been years, you boy. Your aura has changed greatly; you finally look like a cultivator."


    Gu An smiled and said, "Not too bad."


    He looked at Li Lingtian, pretended to hesitate, and asked, "You are?"


    Li Lingtian also eyed Gu An, then laughed and said, "Senior Brother Gu, it''s me, Li Lingtian! I have come to fulfill my appointment!"


    After saying this, his gaze drifted into the distance, searching for Yang Jian.


    Gu An shook his head and chuckled, then invited Yang Ni and Li Lingtian to sit down and chat. However, Li Lingtian insisted on a duel first.


    Gu An had no choice but to call Yang Jian, then he took them out of the valley to find a secluded place for the duel.


    Li Lingtian thought Gu An was worried about losing face, so he did not refuse.


    Along the way, Li Lingtian kept staring at Yang Jian with eager eyes, making Yang Jian uncomfortable.


    Ten years had passed, and Yang Jian''s cultivation level had reached the Eighth Layer of the Core Formation Realm, his apparent cultivation level brought up to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Gu An walked in front, chatting with Yang Ni, catching up on old times.


    She had many things to say upon seeing Gu An again.


    She didn''t come with Li Lingtian. Li Lingtian had insisted on coming when he overheard Li Xuandao arrange for her to come to the Supreme Sect.


    "Empress Yang also has the surname Yang, I wonder..." Gu An suddenly asked.


    Yang Ni glared at him and said, "Don''t ask. We can''t compare to the Empress''s Yang family."


    Clearly, although they shared the same surname, they were not related.


    Li Ya''s mother, Ms. Yang, was the woman Li Xuandao once loved most. He even gave her the Heavenly Residence Sword.


    Now Li Lingtian''s mother also had the surname Yang, making Gu An speculate a lot.


    Could it be that Li Xuandao was drawn to Empress Yang because of her last name rather than her background?


    "By the way, that boy Li Lingtian has no sense of control. If he hurts your disciple, don''t mind. Don''t worry, I will be watching carefully and intervene promptly to prevent serious injury." Yang Ni reminded.


    Gu An smiled and said, "It''s fine. They are both in the Foundation Establishment Realm. It''s normal to get hurt during a duel."


    If Li Lingtian was about to be beaten to death, he would also intervene!


    Behind them, Li Lingtian looked at Yang Jian and finally spoke, "You are called Yang Jian? Why this name?"


    Yang Jian replied, "Because I liked reading Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West when I was young."


    "Coincidentally, I also like it. But I prefer Sun Wukong. Is it Yang Jian versus Sun Wukong today? I just don''t know if you are the real Yang Jian." Li Lingtian said with a grin.


    Yang Jian glanced at him and said, "I also like Sun Wukong. Whether I''m the real Yang Jian, this fake Sun Wukong will soon know."

 Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Vulnerable

    Gu An and Yang Ni, walking in front, could hear the tension in the voices of Yang Jian and Li Lingtian.


    Gu An didn''t mind; after all, it was Li Lingtian who first provoked Yang Jian. While he taught Yang Jian to be humble, he couldn''t allow him to develop a meek personality that got bullied.


    Yang Ni, on the other hand, didn''t expect Gu An''s disciple to have such a tough character. From what she remembered, Gu An had always had a gentle disposition.


    However, against Li Lingtian, being too tough could be a disadvantage.


    Although Yang Ni didn''t like Li Lingtian, she had to admit that his talent was extraordinarily strong, almost like an Immortal descended to the mortal realm.


    After a while, the four of them reached the woods.


    Without waiting for Gu An and Yang Ni to speak, Yang Jian and Li Lingtian had already squared off.


    Li Lingtian asked, "What rules do you need?"


    He could see that Yang Jian''s cultivation level was lower than his, so he wanted Yang Jian to set the rules.


    Li Lingtian never liked bullying others!


    Yang Jian looked at him calmly and said, "Let''s just fight directly. I''ll show mercy."


    Although Yang Jian didn''t know Li Lingtian''s identity, he had to show Gu An respect since Yang Ni and Gu An seemed to be on cordial terms.


    Hearing Yang Jian''s words, Li Lingtian was momentarily stunned.


    This guy really didn''t give in!


    Li Lingtian didn''t think much of it; after all, this was his first battle since he started cultivating, something he had anticipated for ten years.


    "Then let''s fight!"


    Li Lingtian let out a loud laugh, moved his feet, and a fierce wind scattered the surrounding leaves. He dashed towards Yang Jian like lightning, his leg sweeping out like a long whip, exceedingly fierce.


    Yang Jian reacted just as quickly, almost instantly lifting his knee to block Li Lingtian''s sweeping leg.


    Li Lingtian''s eyes widened, and his smile became ferocious; Yang Jian''s strength excited him greatly.


    "Such fast reactions," Yang Ni said, standing next to Gu An. Yang Jian surprised her.


    Both Li Lingtian and Yang Jian, with merely their speed and reactions, had already surpassed Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Yang Ni even thought she wasn''t this strong when she was in the Core Formation Realm.


    It turned out Gu An really had confidence!


    Li Lingtian leveraged the force to jump back, his body stretching in mid-air. He punched out, and spiritual power formed a golden dragon shadow that charged at Yang Jian.


    A dragon''s roar exploded, echoing through the woods.


    Yang Jian didn''t retreat; instead, he advanced, dispersing the dragon''s shadow with a wave of his hand and stepping up to Li Lingtian.


    Li Lingtian''s pupils contracted suddenly.


    Bang!


    Yang Jian struck Li Lingtian''s abdomen with his elbow, causing Li Lingtian''s eyes to widen and his mouth to open, spitting out blood. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Immediately, Yang Jian''s fists and kicks followed like a storm, beating Li Lingtian''s body severely, making him feel like a sandbag, unable to stay grounded.


    "This is impossible!"


    Yang Ni''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    She knew Li Lingtian''s strength well; although he hadn''t sparred with others, Li Xuandao had prepared many puppets as grindstones for him.


    In her view, Li Lingtian had already surpassed the Foundation Establishment Realm; if he had not spent so much time practicing spells and divine skills, his cultivation would have reached the Core Formation Realm by now.


    Such a monstrous talent being beaten so completely? It was unbelievable.


    Yang Jian''s fist and kick speed even made this Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator quite shocked.


    As Yang Jian engaged in battle, she could sense an extremely dangerous aura from him, something she had never felt before. Although Yang Jian''s cultivation level couldn''t threaten her, she felt an inexplicable reverence.


    Seeing that Li Lingtian was about to be beaten to death, Yang Ni was about to intervene but was stopped by Gu An.


    "Don''t worry, Jian''er knows his limits. This is a good opportunity to temper this prince''s character; otherwise, he''ll create too many enemies in the Immortal Cultivation World with his arrogance," Gu An said with a smile.


    Yang Ni glanced at him, looking at his profile, and felt somewhat dazed.


    Why was he so calm?


    She suddenly felt that Gu An must have gone through a lot over the years she was away.


    The key question was how such a talented individual could have taken Gu An as his master?


    Yang Ni turned her gaze to Yang Jian. She had to admit, at this moment, Yang Jian looked like the true genius, and Li Lingtian appeared so incapable, completely unable to display his talent.


    Soon, Yang Jian landed, raising his right leg to use his foot to catch Li Lingtian''s body.


    At this moment, Li Lingtian''s clothes were torn, his hair disheveled, his face covered in blood, and his body appeared extremely feeble.


    Yang Jian slowly placed Li Lingtian down with one foot. Throughout, his expression didn''t change, as if this battle hadn''t given him any sense of achievement.


    Li Lingtian lay on the ground, barely opening his eyes.


    Yang Jian stood in front of him, looking down at him.


    For the first time, Li Lingtian saw someone from this angle, feeling almost crushed inside.


    He hadn''t expected the battle to turn out this way...


    Yang Jian was faster, his fists and feet heavier, and his cultivation level was lower...


    He could feel that Yang Jian didn''t even use spiritual power, relying solely on speed and qi to beat him...


    Why was it like this?


    Could it be that I am not the most talented in the world?


    Li Lingtian''s eyes lost their sparkle, and he buried his face in the ground, his shoulders trembling.


    He cried.


    He couldn''t accept his defeat.


    Gu An walked over, and Yang Jian quickly saluted him.


    Seeing Yang Jian''s respect towards Gu An, Yang Ni''s expression became more peculiar.


    Gu An squatted beside Li Lingtian and said softly, "Your talent is indeed rare, but you must always maintain a reverence for the world. Remember, there are always people stronger than you; if your opponent today had been your enemy, you would be dead."


    Li Lingtian clenched his fists, his body trembling even more violently.


    Yang Ni said nothing. After the initial shock, she even felt somewhat gloating.


    The whole journey, Li Lingtian''s arrogance was unbearable for her, and seeing someone put him in his place was rather satisfying.


    She didn''t like Li Lingtian, and had even less fondness for Empress Yang.


    Yang Jian remained silent. He felt he wasn''t qualified to teach Li Lingtian; the only reason he was stronger was that he had a master that others didn''t have.


    Gu An took out an elixir and fed it to Li Lingtian.


    Li Lingtian slowly got up, turned towards Yang Jian, and even though his face was bloody, his expression was still stubborn.


    "I won''t accept this. I will win next time," Li Lingtian said through gritted teeth.


    Yang Jian raised his hand, scaring Li Lingtian into retreating behind Gu An. But on closer inspection, Yang Jian was simply saluting him.


    Li Lingtian, both relieved and embarrassed, wished he could find a hole to crawl into.


    Yang Ni laughed, "With your current state, you still dare to challenge him again? Perhaps you should focus on becoming stronger first."


    Li Lingtian took a deep breath and looked at Gu An, "Senior Brother Gu, can I stay in your Medicine Valley?"


    He wanted to see how Yang Jian usually trained.


    All his life, he hadn''t been lazy, and he even had no friends, dedicating himself entirely to cultivation. But this complete defeat was difficult to accept.


    "No problem, if you have any issues in the valley, go to Jian''er. After all, he''s technically your junior," Gu An said with a smile, causing Li Lingtian to brighten up.


    Yang Jian felt a headache coming on.


    Ten years ago, he had heard Gu An mention Li Lingtian, which gave him pressure. Now, it seemed, Li Lingtian was just like this.


    His real opponent was still that senior brother he had never met.


    So, the four of them left the woods and returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    The disciples in the valley were curious about what had happened when they saw the previously high-spirited Li Lingtian looking so pitiful.


    Yang Ni didn''t stay long. After chatting with Gu An for a while, she flew off to the Inner Sect, seemingly carrying out a mission.


    After handing Li Lingtian over to Yang Jian, Gu An went upstairs to read.


    Until evening.


    Li Lingtian, now dressed in clean clothes, walked out of his courtyard, not seeing Yang Jian, so he wandered around.


    Soon, he was attracted by some disciples playing chess and went over to watch.


    Unfortunately, neither Go nor Chinese chess interested him.


    His eyes were caught by the passing Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Blood Prison Great Saint was cursing, frustrated after failing to catch a White Spirit Rat.


    Li Lingtian approached and asked, "You, ox-head, you seem pretty unique. What''s your name?"


    Blood Prison Great Saint glared at him and replied, "Bull Demon King, ever heard of it?" Experience new stories on m v|l e''-NovelFire.net


    After speaking, Blood Prison Great Saint continued on, ignoring Li Lingtian.


    He remembered Li Lingtian; ten years ago, he thought Li Lingtian might be a remarkable figure. Who knew he''d be helpless in front of Yang Jian?


    Useless!


    Li Lingtian stood there, mumbling, "There''s Yang Jian and Bull Demon King. Is Master Puti also here?"


    If there was no Master Puti, how could Yang Jian be so strong?


    But he didn''t think of Gu An as Master Puti because Gu An didn''t seem that strong.


    ...


    On a hot summer day, inside the Imperial Study.


    Li Xuandao sat at the desk, frowning as he read the letters on the desk.


    After a while, a figure walked quickly in, came to the desk, and bowed deeply. This person was clad in intricate armor, exuding charisma, with a stern face and fierce eyes.


    This was Ye Yan, a disciple taken by Gu An in the Mystic Valley.


    After a century, Ye Yan was no longer the ordinary youth he once was but a general with a formidable presence.


    Li Xuandao asked, "How much do you know about your master?"


    Ye Yan frowned and asked, "My master? What happened to him?"


    He didn''t answer immediately; although he hadn''t seen Gu An for a long time, he remembered the grace given to him and wanted to protect his master even against Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao waved his hand, sending the letters on the desk to Ye Yan. Ye Yan took them and read carefully.


    His expression changed dramatically, showing shock.


    "How is this possible... The Crown Prince''s prowess is by no means simple, yet he was utterly defeated by a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator? Yang Jian... my master''s disciple?" Ye Yan muttered to himself.


    He had met Li Lingtian and even taught him spear techniques.


    Li Lingtian''s talent once made him lament the unfairness of the heavens; he even suspected Li Lingtian was an Immortal reincarnate.


    Last year, Li Lingtian had shown power comparable to the Core Formation Realm.


    How could such a talent lose to a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator?


    Li Xuandao pondered, "With Gu An''s abilities, he couldn''t have taught such a disciple alone. Do you think someone more powerful is behind him?"


    Though often troubled by Li Lingtian''s arrogance, Li Xuandao hadn''t expected such a crushing defeat. It left him feeling uneasy.

 Chapter 256: Chapter 256 Former Lord of Divine Exotic City

    In the Imperial Study, upon hearing Li Xuandao''s words, Ye Yan replied, "I am not sure either. When I left that year, I hadn''t seen Master make acquaintances with any Great Cultivator."He was also puzzled in his heart.


    He felt that Mystic Valley had extraordinary qi fortune. Su Han, who had disturbed the Taicang Dynasty''s immortal cultivation world decades ago, was his senior brother.


    To this day, whenever he thought of Su Han, he couldn''t help but feel emotional.


    Back then, he, Zhen Qin, and Su Han followed Gu An to the Third Medicine Valley to cultivate. Who could have imagined that they would each achieve such accomplishments?


    Although Su Han''s life or death was unknown, the commotion he caused had already proven his strength. They were no longer the insignificant minor cultivators they once were.


    After hearing his words, Li Xuandao did not speak further but fell into deep thought.


    For a while, the Imperial Study was engulfed in silence. Each harbored their own thoughts, wondering if there was a powerful figure behind Gu An.


    After a long time.


    Li Xuandao spoke, "You may leave now. The negotiations with the Great Jiang Dynasty are nearing conclusion. You need to prepare to go to sea. This matter concerns the thousand-year plan of Taicang, and it must not be taken lightly."


    "Yes!"


    Ye Yan accepted the order, then saluted and left.


    Li Xuandao gazed out the window, his eyes wandering.


    "I must advance to Mystic Heart soon, or many things cannot proceed." Li Xuandao thought silently.


    Compared to Li Lingtian''s achievements, he cared more about his own. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To this day, only Lv Xian knew that he had hidden his cultivation level, and now even Lv Xian was unsure of his true level.


    Li Xuandao''s ambitions were grand. He wanted to be an immortal emperor, eternally in power. For this, he needed strength to protect himself.


    Li Lingtian suffering this setback was also good. It would make him more diligent in his cultivation, ensuring he didn''t create trouble for his imperial authority.


    Thinking of this, Li Xuandao smiled.


    "Yang Jian, not bad, I will look forward to your future."


    ...


    Under the blue sky and white clouds.


    Among the mountains, Li Ya was meditating on the lake. He was bare-chested, surrounded by mist. His hair floated continuously, and his whole body exuded a powerful aura, causing the lake''s surface to shimmer like a sword''s light.


    A figure leaped over the towering mountains, descending from the sky and landing on the lake, causing a flurry of ripples. His feet did not touch the lake''s surface.


    It was Zhang Buku!


    Zhang Buku wore a robe made of animal pelts, his long hair reaching his waist. His entire demeanor was wild.


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    Hands on his hips, he laughed and said, "Brother Li, An Hao has caused another big commotion recently. Do you want to know?"


    Li Ya did not open his eyes, answering, "Go ahead, what has he done now?"


    The three of them joined the Star Sea Congregations together. Although Li Ya held the Divine Exotic City and was renowned within the sect, his growth speed could not compare to An Hao.


    An Hao was the greatest genius in the history of the Supreme Sect, and it was the same in the Star Sea Congregations. He made all other geniuses pale in comparison.


    "He has mastered the Flame Primordial Treasure Body. It is said that this physique could dominate the mortal world in ancient times. Although the Star Sea Congregations have the method of cultivation, he is the first person to succeed in tens of thousands of years."


    Zhang Buku sighed. Since ingesting a demon core, his talent had also transformed, making him a genius. But compared to An Hao, he still fell short.


    When they met, it was always awkward since they both came from the Supreme Sect. They had to be polite, but Zhang Buku disliked An Hao.


    This dislike had no reason. For some reason, looking at An Hao''s face always made him feel annoyed, as if he had seen An Hao somewhere before.


    Li Ya opened his eyes, frowning.


    He had always regarded An Hao as his goal, but the more he chased, the more powerless he felt.


    An Hao seemed to be the protagonist of this world, making everyone else fade into insignificance.


    The Flame Primordial Treasure Body¡ªhe had heard of it. Once mastered, the person would transform into a radiant sun, invincible in the world.


    Zhang Buku continued, "The sect is planning to explore the Sea Breaking Rift today. I have signed up. Are you going?"


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "I still need to improve my cultivation level, I don''t want to go. Of course, if you want me to accompany you, it''s not impossible."


    Zhang Buku snorted, "I don''t want you to come with me. Being with you is too unlucky. I mainly came to tell you this so you wouldn''t be looking for me."


    Li Ya glared at him and replied irritably, "Hurry up and go, you''re the unlucky one!"


    The two started bickering again. When Zhang Buku mentioned Gu An, Li Ya conceded.


    Zhang Buku left satisfied.


    Li Ya watched Zhang Buku''s departing figure, cursing silently that when Zhang Buku returned, he would give him a good lesson.


    ...


    Another year of the Spring Festival had arrived.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples were busy hanging lanterns and decorations. Li Lingtian was also bustling with the disciples, mainly following Yang Jian. Seeing Yang Jian busy, he had no choice but to follow.


    In the pavilion.


    Gu An was discussing a peculiar book with Shen Zhen. The two were expressing their views, arguing vehemently, neither convincing the other.


    Suddenly.


    It seemed Gu An sensed something, frowning.


    Shen Zhen noticed the change in his expression, waved her hand in front of him, and asked, "What? Are you angry?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "No, I just thought of something and got distracted."


    "Thinking about something? You don''t respect me!" Shen Zhen glared, angry.


    She stood up, put the book on the table into her storage bag, and then left.


    Gu An did not stop her; he couldn''t be bothered to cater to her whims.


    He sat back in the treasured chair that Shen Zhen had occupied earlier, communicating with the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit in his heart.


    "Are you sure?" he asked in his heart.


    The voice of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sounded, "Sure, it''s definitely his aura. Although I have never seen him, the city retains his aura. I cannot be mistaken. The former master of Divine Exotic City is in that rift!"


    The rift it mentioned was the one that spanned the ocean. Its appearance had even led to rumors of a world-destroying sea tide.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit had just sensed the aura of the former master of Divine Exotic City from that rift.


    Gu An wanted to know the former master''s cultivation level from it, but unfortunately, it did not know.


    In its words, the Divine Exotic City had been born after it left that person''s hands.


    This was true for all immortal spirit treasures; they could only serve one master. Once the master perished, the immortal spirit would also vanish.


    At this moment, Li Ya was still in the Star Sea Congregations, far from the ocean rift. Only the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sensed that aura.


    When Gu An looked at the rift, he saw many cultivators fleeing from it, as if something terrifying was chasing them.


    When his divine sense approached the rift, he felt a powerful aura that deterred him from recklessly probing further.


    The presence that he could feel was strong. There might be a Carefree Primordial Immortal hidden in the rift.


    Gu An withdrew his divine sense, no longer paying attention to it.


    The world had countless major forces, and there were numerous Great Cultivators. As long as they didn''t threaten him, he was too lazy to meddle. After all, that rift was extremely remote from the mainland, separated by two continents and countless islands.


    Gu An chatted with the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit for a while longer. Once he was sure that the former master could no longer control Divine Exotic City, he felt relieved.


    He got up and went downstairs. As he walked down the stairs, he saw the busy disciples in the valley, and a smile appeared on his face.


    "The calamities in this world never cease, but if they can be delayed by a few decades, it can grant a generation a stable life."


    Gu An thought this and then walked towards the place where the most disciples were gathered.


    Under an old tree, dozens of disciples were gathered, discussing fervently. Among them were two people playing go, one of whom was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    The other was the best go player in the valley, one of the senior disciples in the valley, respectfully addressed as Elder Lu. He had stayed in the Third Medicine Valley for a hundred years, from youth to old age. Because of his modest cultivation talent, he never thought of leaving the valley.


    At this moment, Elder Lu was frowning deeply, with his right hand holding the go piece trembling, hesitant to play.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s expression was calm, but he was internally sighing in relief.


    This old man''s go skills were too formidable; he almost lost!


    Since playing go in the Third Medicine Valley, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had become fascinated with the game, feeling that it contained infinite mysteries similar to the essence of the heavenly Dao. Therefore, he frequently came to the Third Medicine Valley to play.


    Go was invented by Gu An and had yet to be widely promoted. Currently, it was only popular in the Medicine Valley.


    Gu An created go merely out of boredom. He did not intend to promote it. Even in his past life, he was simply an enthusiast of the game.


    At this moment, Gu An squeezed through the crowd and saw Elder Lu sweating profusely. He couldn''t help but say, "Xiao Lu, why don''t I play for you?"


    Shameless wandering immortal, bullying my Medicine Valley mortals?


    Intolerable!


    Elder Lu looked up and saw it was Gu An, then quickly stepped aside. The other disciples were excited.


    In their minds, Gu An was the best go player since he invented the game.


    As Gu An sat down, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord smiled and said, "Little friend, do you think there is still a chance in this game?"


    Gu An laughed, "If you came three moves later, there would indeed be no hope."


    The smile on the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face froze instantly.


    A wandering immortal''s prowess in go lay in their ability to simulate countless possibilities in an instant, choosing the best moves. From the first move Elder Lu made, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had already seen the outcome.


    Knowing the rules of go, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could surely win against ordinary folks. However, it was precisely because he could simulate countless possibilities that he appreciated the subtleties of the game.


    He did not play go to win but to experience the process and comprehend his own Daoist sorcery within the game.


    He did not expect Gu An to see through his strategy.


    Under his gaze, Gu An placed a piece on the board, turning the tides instantly, making him frown.


    He immediately placed a piece, and Gu An followed suit.


    Unlike others who played slowly, these two played at lightning speed.


    They were competing in their ability to simulate!


    The disciples around them watched, barely daring to breathe.


    Li Lingtian also squeezed in to join the excitement. Seeing the aura of the two playing, he was interested in go for the first time.


    One piece after another, the sound of pieces being placed formed a melody, exuding a sharp aura.


    Suddenly.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord paused, withdrew his hand hanging in the air, placed the piece down, and said, "I lost."


    As soon as he said this, cheers erupted around them. Elder Lu wiped the sweat off his forehead, revealing a broad smile.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stared at Gu An, as if trying to see through him.


    Though this boy had an extraordinary aura, his cultivation and physique were not impressive. How did he manage to win?

 Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Variables

    Night fell, and fireworks rose in the Third Medicine Valley, brilliant and beautiful.The pavilion area was filled with dining tables, with over a thousand people toasting and drinking, making for a spectacular scene.


    Gu An ignored the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s gaze and chatted with You Yingying next to him, inquiring about Lu Lingjun''s situation.


    He had actually always been following up on Lu Lingjun. Lu Lingjun''s Ascension Sect had already been established and had joined forces with the Supreme Sect to occupy an island. They were currently busy mining spirit mines. Overall, things were going smoothly.


    You Yingying had always been in correspondence with Lu Lingjun. In the Immortal Cultivation World, letters were either exchanged using spells or dharma treasures or delivered by demon pets. You Yingying came from the Star Sea Congregations and had communication means connected with the ocean.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An took the opportunity to leave and went to the Mystic Valley to visit the disciples there.


    It wasn''t until late at night when the disciples returned to their rooms that he went to the Nianchu Cave to celebrate the festival with Tian Yao''er and the other two girls.


    Unlike others, Tian Yao''er and the two girls no longer had family. They would follow him for their whole lives, so every year during festivals, Gu An would never forget them.


    While enjoying the delicacies, Gu An was also concerned about Tian Yao''er''s cultivation.


    Tian Yao''er had now reached the sixth level of the Divinity Transformation Realm. It was not slow progress at all. She was already talented, and with the continuous consumption of medicinal herbs and elixirs, her cultivation progressed rapidly.


    More than her cultivation level, Gu An was more concerned about her achievements in the Primordial Earth Immortal Skill and the Limitless Freedom Step.


    Cultivation level is the main trunk of the tree, but spells and divine skills are the branches and leaves; both are indispensable.


    Tian Yao''er was very proud of her cultivation achievements, holding her delicate nose high, looking quite complacent.


    Gu An was worried she might slack off, so he spoke about the cultivation progress of An Hao and Yang Jian, though he didn''t mention their names, only referring to them as two disciples. Continue reading at mvl


    As she listened, Tian Yao''er''s head gradually lowered.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai, sitting on either side of Gu An, listened as if they were hearing a story, occasionally exclaiming, making Tian Yao''er feel even worse.


    When Gu An finished, Tian Yao''er pouted and said, "What''s so great about them? Sooner or later, I''ll surpass them."


    Gu An laughed and said, "You are also considered my disciple. Why don''t you formally acknowledge me as your master?"


    "No way! Absolutely not!" Tian Yao''er stood up immediately, excitedly speaking with her eyes wide open and her teeth gritting, looking somewhat demonic rather than her usual cute self.


    Gu An helplessly said, "Why are you so agitated? If not, then not. I am unwilling to accept anyway!"


    Tian Yao''er sat down and turned her head away.


    Tianqing chuckled and said, "The young lady doesn''t want to be a disciple. She wants to be the mistress!"


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er''s pretty face turned a bright red. She wasn''t angry, and Gu An noticed that she stealthily gave a thumbs-up to Tianqing, a very concealed action hiding under her sleeves.


    Tian Bai joined in the fun, teasing Tian Yao''er. Tian Yao''er tried to clear it up, but the more she explained, the worse it got.


    Gu An watched their staged performance and secretly sighed.


    Looks like I need to help them improve their acting skills in the future, it''s too clumsy. It won''t be reliable to let them handle tasks.


    That night, at their persistent request, Gu An chose to stay overnight.


    Under the tree, Gu An leaned against the trunk, holding a book in his hands.


    Tian Yao''er was reading Journey to the West, but her mind was entirely on him.


    She looked at the mask on Gu An''s face, wanting to take it off but afraid Gu An would get angry.


    Though their relationship was already close, she always feared losing everything. Even when acting spoiled, she gauged Gu An''s tone, afraid of his displeasure.


    "You want to take off my mask?"


    Gu An suddenly asked. Tian Yao''er instinctively wanted to deny it but couldn''t help nodding upon hearing his gentle tone.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An took off his mask and placed it on Tian Yao''er''s face.


    Tian Yao''er hurriedly pulled off the mask, thinking Gu An was teasing her, only to realize that Gu An hadn''t put on another mask.


    Seeing Gu An''s handsome face, she was stunned.


    Because Gu An always wore a mask, she always thought the worst, imagining he had an ugly or frightening face. She didn''t expect such good looks.


    The reason Gu An was willing to remove his mask was that after so many years of interaction, Tian Yao''er was already completely isolated from external causes and effects. Even if she knew his true face, it wouldn''t matter.


    Of course, the most important reason was that he was strong enough. Though not unmatched in the world, he could at least face all causes and effects on this land.


    "I know you''ve always wanted to see my face. Tonight, I''m letting you be happy. From tonight onwards, you must work harder in your cultivation. Stop overthinking. Since I''ve accepted you, I will not abandon you. You are destined to be the longest companion with me. Look to the long term. One day, I will take you out to travel and see the world. Like the Green Bull Spirit under Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad in Journey to the West, it could trouble Sun Wukong. I hope you can also stand alone in the future. Your strength is my honor."


    Gu An spoke sincerely. These words were from his heart.


    Be it An Hao or Yang Jian, one day they would eventually leave him.


    Ye Lan also had her own cultivation journey. Regardless of how many years she had left, Tian Yao''er, with a maximum lifespan of eighteen thousand years, was the one who could accompany him the longest.


    Tian Yao''er was deeply moved after hearing this. She nodded heavily and said, "Master, don''t worry. I won''t let you down. I will also train Tianqing and Tian Bai well. I am your honor. They are my honor. If they can become top experts in the world, it will make you even prouder."


    Gu An laughed and said, "Just like what''s written in the Supreme Immortal Venerable? In the future, if they offend others and need you to step in, which forces me to step in?"


    Tian Yao''er giggled and said, "Yes, beat the small ones first, then the big ones. You are the older one."


    "Nonsense, your master will always be young."


    "You do look young."


    They started chatting, envisioning the future.


    Gu An also enjoyed talking. He could only talk about the future with Tian Yao''er. It was impossible with others around him because they didn''t know his cultivation level. Even if they knew, how could mortals talk about the future with immortals?


    It''s not that he didn''t want to, but it was hard to connect on the same level.


    ...


    The next morning, Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.


    As soon as he stepped off the transmission array platform, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord greeted him, trying to pull him, but he quickly withdrew and asked in a deep voice, "Senior, what do you want to do?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord withdrew his hand, coughed, and said, "I want to have another game with you, no, a best of three."


    He also realized he was a bit presumptuous but felt Gu An''s reaction was too excessive.


    If he intended to harm Gu An, Gu An wouldn''t be able to escape.


    Little did he know, Gu An wasn''t afraid of being harmed by him but was afraid of accidentally shocking him to death.


    In the face of Daoist Gang Primal Energy, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Guo Guhong made no difference!


    "Alright, let''s play!"


    Gu An said with a stern face. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord didn''t mind and turned to lead the way.


    Today, I''ll defeat you utterly!


    Gu An thought to himself. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had almost cost him a Wandering Immortal''s life and must be properly punished!


    Half an incense stick''s time later.


    Gu An stood up and stretched. The disciples around noticed the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s grim face and dispersed, leaving only the two of them under the tree.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stared at the chessboard, his eyes vacant.


    He couldn''t accept this reality.


    In the distance, Li Lingtian stood beside Yang Jian, curiously asking, "Who is that Daoist? He seems quite extraordinary."


    Yang Jian replied, "He is an elder of the Supreme Sect. Do you think his background is significant or not?"


    After speaking, he turned around and continued sweeping the grounds.


    Li Lingtian observed the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and thought to himself that the elders of the Supreme Sect should be quite powerful, shouldn''t they?


    Why not find an opportunity to spar with him?


    Li Lingtian urgently needed a victory to build his confidence. The cultivation of other disciples in the valley was too weak to mention. He couldn''t bypass Yang Jian to challenge Gu An, so he set his sights on the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    This old man liked playing chess with mortals. Maybe he could also spar with him, a junior.


    Hmm, he could ask him to suppress his cultivation realm to the Core Formation Realm. He wanted to see if he could fight across realms.


    Although losing to Yang Jian deeply frustrated him, he didn''t think he lacked talent.


    He just chose the wrong opponent!


    He didn''t believe he could choose wrong twice?


    If he couldn''t even beat Senior Brother Gu in chess, then he surely wouldn''t be better in combat!


    Thinking of this, Li Lingtian showed a silly smile on his face.


    Under the tree, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord lifted his head and looked at Gu An, asking in a deep voice, "Impossible. I shouldn''t have lost to you. Who exactly are you?"


    He was a Wandering Immortal. Why did he lose?


    Gu An looked up and smiled smugly, saying, "I am an immortal. What do you say to that?"


    "An immortal?"


    "Exactly, you can call me the Chess Immortal."


    "Get lost!"


    "Tch!"


    Gu An turned and left, his sleeves brushing away.


    Watching his back, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord revealed a bitter smile.


    No matter how he looked at it, Gu An didn''t seem like a disguised great cultivator. Though his cultivation was at the level of a Wandering Immortal, his vision far surpassed that realm.


    He couldn''t help but shift his gaze back to the chessboard.


    Could it be that he hadn''t truly understood the game of Go?


    Even after deducing countless possibilities, so what?


    Go was all about variability.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord furrowed his brows, falling into deep thought.


    ...


    Spring passed and summer came, and the temperature of the world continued to rise.


    On this day, Gu An brought Yang Jian and Li Lingtian to Tianya Valley. He rode on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint''s bull, slowly moving forward.


    Li Lingtian followed behind, dispirited.


    Obviously, they could fly, but instead, they had to walk. Was Senior Brother Gu intentionally tormenting him?


    But seeing Yang Jian walk calmly, he could only endure. He couldn''t lose to Yang Jian in this regard.


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    Thunder roared in the distance, and Li Lingtian turned back to see storm clouds churning on the horizon.


    Yang Jian seemed to sense something, stopped, turned back to look, and frowned deeply.


    Li Lingtian walked over and asked in confusion, "What''s wrong?"


    Yang Jian ignored him, turned, and followed the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Li Lingtian felt hurt. Yang Jian''s indifference always made him frustrated. He understood that in Yang Jian''s eyes, he wasn''t worth mentioning.


    Yes, if he were Yang Jian, he wouldn''t talk much with someone significantly weaker either.


    Yang Jian came up to Gu An and asked, "Master, I have an uneasy feeling, as if something big is going to happen."


    Gu An replied, "Perhaps indeed a disaster is looming."


    Yang Jian asked in confusion, "Could it be that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm hasn''t given up?"


    Gu An didn''t answer but instructed, "Carefully sense it. I want to know what you can feel."

 Chapter 258: Chapter 258 Immortal Kings True Blood

    After hearing the master''s instructions, Yang Jian calmed his mind and carefully sensed the surroundings. His steps didn''t stop as he followed the Blood Prison Great Saint.Li Lingtian followed behind, secretly curious. He frequently looked back at the thunder clouds in the sky, but he couldn''t feel anything, which made him very frustrated.


    Could it be that he didn''t even have as much insight as Yang Jian?


    The speed at which the thunder clouds swept across the sky was fast. Before Gu An and the others reached Tianya Valley, the thunder clouds had already swept over their heads, with torrential rain about to pour down.


    Yang Jian looked up at Gu An and said, "Master, I feel the breath of destruction; everything in heaven and earth might be annihilated."


    These words made Li Lingtian''s expression strange.


    Is it really that mystical?


    He suddenly thought that Gu An was not simple, profound and unfathomable. Could Gu An be hiding even greater secrets?


    Was it because the emperor and the crown prince knew something that they favored Senior Brother Gu?


    Li Lingtian pondered.


    Gu An didn''t continue the conversation but patted the Blood Prison Great Saint''s ox back, urging him to sprint.


    "Let''s see who gets to Tianya Valley first."


    Gu An left these words, and the Blood Prison Great Saint leapt forward, with the ox hooves creating wind, moving majestically, quickly rushing out of the forest.


    Yang Jian and Li Lingtian hurried to catch up.


    At the mention of a competition, Li Lingtian got excited, but to his dismay, he found himself indeed the slowest!


    Yang Jian was one thing, but what was the background of this uncouth ox-head, and why was it so fast?


    ...


    Inside Tianya Valley, Gu An dismounted from the Blood Prison Great Saint''s back and led Yang Jian towards the cluster of pavilions.


    Li Lingtian didn''t follow; his gaze was fixed on the Blood Prison Great Saint, his eyes bloodshot.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint raised his ox-head, glanced at him disdainfully, and spat out a word that nearly drove him mad.


    "Trash!"


    Li Lingtian was livid, watching the Blood Prison Great Saint''s back, wanting to curse back, but the words were stuck in his throat and wouldn''t come out.


    He suddenly started doubting his life.


    Was he really trash?


    Sure, he was stronger than many, surpassing disciples of Medicine Valley and the royal palace, but in the grand scheme of the world, how big were those places?


    He remembered Gu An''s words: "There is always someone better out there."


    The more Li Lingtian thought about it, the more bewildered he became, standing dazedly in place. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time, Gu An brought Yang Jian because Li Xuandao wanted to meet him.


    He wasn''t afraid of Li Xuandao scheming, having gotten to know him over the years. He respected Li Xuandao''s character, and since they were like-minded individuals, they always believed themselves to be the strongest.


    When Li Xuandao saw Yang Jian, he was amazed by his talent and growing fond of him.


    He was very enthusiastic in his questioning, showing extreme concern, which Gu An thought surpassed his previous treatment of himself.


    When Li Lingtian entered the courtyard and saw this scene, he felt even worse.


    After chatting for over an ancient hour, Li Xuandao decided to give Yang Jian a gift, asking what he wanted.


    Yang Jian instinctively looked at Gu An, which intrigued Li Xuandao.


    What had Gu An done to enamor Yang Jian like this?


    He had always believed that someone more formidable was behind Gu An, and that Gu An was just a guise.


    He had suspected Gu An of hiding his strength, but having known him since the age of fifteen, nothing could have been faked.


    Knowing Li Xuandao''s identity, Yang Jian said, "I would like a weapon I can wield comfortably, heavier but not too large."


    Li Xuandao laughed, "Are you serious, Yang Jian?"


    Yang Jian, showing an embarrassed look for the first time, nodded in agreement.


    Li Xuandao immediately agreed, promising to give him a satisfactory weapon within three years.


    In the end, Li Xuandao didn''t extend any invitations or try to recruit Yang Jian.


    Gu An, who had earlier considered recruiting Yang Jian for the military, realized he had been overthinking.


    As Gu An prepared to leave, Li Xuandao instructed Li Lingtian to continue following him.


    Gu An didn''t refuse, thinking that in the Third Medicine Valley with so many people, one more mouth wouldn''t matter. Li Xuandao likely didn''t expect him to guide Li Lingtian in anything specific.


    ...


    Cranes flew across the sky in rows, and the sea breeze blew into the Immortal Seeking Island.


    Gu An walked through the streets with Yang Jian, and Hu Xiaojian led them beside Gu An.


    Today marked Gu An''s first time bringing Yang Jian to Immortal Seeking Island, where Yang Jian looked around in amazement, finding everything novel.


    He was curious about how far this island was from the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An instructed Hu Xiaojian to introduce Immortal Seeking Island to Yang Jian. Hu Xiaojian enthusiastically complied, leaving a good impression on Yang Jian.


    The more Yang Jian learned about Immortal Seeking Island, the more astonished he became.


    Compared to the Supreme Sect, Immortal Seeking Island seemed like a place of true immortals, with so many immortals coming and going frequently.


    As Hu Xiaojian introduced the island, he also guided Gu An to purchase high-rank medicinal herb seeds.


    Two ancient hours later, Gu An brought them to Sage Tang Hai''s residence.


    Over the years, Hu Xiaojian had become one of Gu An''s people. During Gu An''s absences, Sage Tang Hai had taken good care of him, so he was familiar with the residence.


    Today, many immortal path cultivators were in the residence, with more than ten loose immortals and over forty in the Nirvana Realm.


    These cultivators were Sage Tang Hai''s friends, who were all familiar with Gu An. Not only was Gu An a loose immortal, but his wealth was also astonishing. When discussing medicinal herb transactions on Immortal Seeking Island, Meng Lang''s name often came up, making many speculate he had a powerful force behind him. Otherwise, why would he need such a vast amount of medicinal herbs?


    The great cultivators were very enthusiastic toward Gu An''s disciple, offering various meeting gifts.


    Gu An had Yang Jian accept them all, as he was equally generous when these cultivators brought their disciples to visit, reciprocating the gesture.


    Soon, the three of them sat down at their own table.


    Hu Xiaojian whispered, "The Sea Breaking Rift has brought calamity; it is said that a peerless evil demon is hidden within. Countless cultivators have perished in the seabed, and its true identity remains unknown."


    Gu An asked, "Have the great sects taken any action?"


    He could see the situation at the Sea Breaking Rift, where many cultivators and demons were heading right now.


    The Sea Breaking Rift, known as the sign of the World-Destroying Sea Tide, is also believed by many to hold opportunities since heaven and earth had been submerged by the ocean numerous times. Each time, an era''s immortal cultivation civilization sank to the seabed.


    "Yes, there''s action from the Star Sea Congregations and other great sects, but there''s been no success. Instead, more people are dying..." Hu Xiaojian continued.


    Yang Jian sat on the side, listening attentively.


    After chatting for a while, Hu Xiaojian began discussing the sea''s happenings.


    To Yang Jian''s surprise, he heard a familiar name from his mouth.


    An Hao!


    Having cultivated the Flame Primordial Treasure Body, An Hao''s reputation soared, with everyone in awe of his incredible talent.


    Yang Jian had heard that An Hao had gone to the Star Sea Congregations to cultivate; he didn''t expect him to become so renowned at sea.


    As a servant disciple of the Third Medicine Valley, Yang Jian knew little about An Hao, only that he was the strongest talent in the Supreme Sect''s history and the Sect Leader''s disciple.


    To Yang Jian, An Hao was always a legendary figure.


    He wondered what An Hao''s elegance was like.


    Yang Jian suddenly felt curious; could it be that his master knew An Hao?


    An Hao was so powerful; it didn''t seem like someone the Supreme Sect could cultivate.


    He had researched the Supreme Sect, and before Sword Venerable Fudao''s rise, there wasn''t even one Mystic Heart Realm member.


    There were rumors about An Hao being Sword Venerable Fudao''s disciple, but they were mostly speculations. Such rumors weren''t uncommon; the immortal cultivation world was full of those suspected to be the sword venerable''s disciples.


    If An Hao was indeed his unseen senior brother, he would be convinced because An Hao was the most brilliant talent he had heard of.


    The master must be extremely fond of the senior brother!


    Yang Jian thought silently as he looked at Gu An .


    Although he had been transformed now, deep down, he still harbored an inferiority complex. He wasn''t born a genius; his talent was crafted by his master changing his fate against heaven, so he always feared that everything he had could disappear.


    His mentality was quite similar to Tian Yao''er.


    Noticing Yang Jian''s gaze, Gu An didn''t respond.


    After a while, Sage Tang Hai appeared, greeted everyone, and began explaining the purpose of the gathering.


    It concerned the Sea Breaking Rift!


    Upon hearing these five words, the cultivators began discussing fervently.


    Sage Tang Hai scanned the room and said in a low voice, "I received information that at the bottom of the Sea Breaking Rift lies a hidden world, dangerous yet containing the cave of an ancient immortal king. In the Deep Sea Spirit Palace, someone obtained the immortal king''s true blood, transforming their body and comprehending divine skills, and it was by these skills they fought their way out."


    The cultivators couldn''t help but be moved.


    No one knew the realm of an immortal king, but throughout history, they were always the zenith of the immortal path, with only the greatest of each era qualifying to become immortal kings.


    Such an opportunity, how could they not be tempted?


    The higher the cultivation, the more one needed such opportunities. The loose immortals present may be high and mighty on Immortal Seeking Island, but when it came to higher realms, they had no direction. Not just breaking major realms, even breaking a minor realm depended on fortune and opportunity.


    "I plan to explore it, and those willing to join may sign up. I will share the information when we depart. This is extremely dangerous, and I can''t guarantee safety. Think it over carefully; there is no obligation based on our relationships." Sage Tang Hai spoke sincerely.


    Over the years, besides holding auctions, he had occasionally organized such expeditions. Though not always successful, there were no bad rumors about him, and his character was trustworthy.


    The cultivators began discussing among themselves.


    Sage Tang Hai did not specifically invite Gu An, as every attendee was personally invited. Once inside, Gu An wasn''t particularly significant; in fact, everyone was equally important.


    Ultimately, Gu An didn''t sign up, while a third of the attendees did, while more chose to avoid the risks due to their long life spans.


    After the gathering concluded, Gu An led Yang Jian back.


    Returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Yang Jian still felt like it was a dream.


    This journey had been too surreal, broadening his horizons. This world was vast, and the Supreme Sect was just a drop in the ocean.


    Gu An began to patrol the Medicine Valley, picking the matured herbs.


    He wondered if he could accumulate one hundred million years of life span before the calamity struck.


    From his current perspective, the Sea Breaking Rift wasn''t enough to shake the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, which harbored many terrifying forces.

 Chapter 259: Chapter 259 Reincarnation

    What Gu An saw and heard on Immortal Seeking Island was just a microcosm of the great forces at sea. Although the Sea Breaking Rift had the appearance of fierce demons, it also contained opportunities that countless cultivators and demons pursued eagerly.However, as long as this matter didn''t affect Gu An, he was too lazy to care.


    Even if people he knew ventured into the Sea Breaking Rift, he would not stop them. Everyone had their own choices, and during the previous calamities on the continent, many people he knew were also involved.


    Opportunities were always obtained through struggle and adventure.


    When the ocean raised storms, the 155-year-old Gu An was still living a farming life.


    Occasionally, he used his divine sense to look at the Sea Breaking Rift and then at Outer Heaven.


    The influence of this Sea Breaking Rift was great. Gu An saw that recently more and more Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals had returned from Outer Heaven.


    There were also increasing conflicts on the ocean. When someone brought out treasures from the Sea Breaking Rift, the bloodshed had already begun.


    Moreover, Gu An noticed a special situation that added more variables to this catastrophe and made him more wary of the Sea Breaking Rift.


    The time came to late autumn.


    Gu An was chatting with Ye Lan. The two of them stood in front of a wooden fence, watching the disciples sweep away the fallen leaves.


    "Unifying the world is a good thing. As for whether to follow the dynasty northward, that''s up to you," Gu An said.


    The Taicang Dynasty was about to unify the world. Li Xuandao invited the Supreme Sect to send people north to discuss with the Great Jiang Dynasty, firstly to show support, and secondly to go north together and establish a base in the former demon lands.


    Before the Heavenly Ranking Conference, the Supreme Sect''s northern plans were always delayed, with someone secretly sabotaging them. Because of this, the Supreme Sect had sacrificed some disciples. Now no force dared to oppose the Supreme Sect, and the Supreme Sect was also preparing to establish a sub-sect in the north.


    Ye Lan was talking about going to the sub-sect. If she went to the sub-sect, her status and position would be promoted, and she was very tempted.


    If she didn''t go, with her current cultivation level, she could only be an elder in the Inner Sect, but the power she would obtain would be small.


    Ye Lan hesitated: "I really want to go, but I''m afraid I won''t see you as often in the future."


    Gu An laughed and said: "That''s just the early stage. Once the Teleportation Array is built, you''ll be able to see me whenever you want."


    Although Ye Lan liked him, her life was not only about Gu An. She couldn''t revolve around him, and he also hoped that Ye Lan could live more wonderfully.


    The splendor of life, romantic love was just a part of it. Especially after cultivating immortality, the weight of love was even smaller.


    So-called love itself began with desire. Cultivating immortality and cultivating the mind naturally could control physical desires, but spiritual desires would become greater.


    In the early years, Ye Lan had thrived in the Outer Disciple Deacon Hall, and she still had a desire for power in her heart. However, this desire was less important compared to her regard for Gu An, which made her very hesitant.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Ye Lan felt reasonable, nodded, and said teasingly: "If I leave, won''t you, senior brother, feel more at ease?"


    Gu An said indignantly: "What are you talking about? I feel at ease whether you are here or not."


    Ye Lan couldn''t help but lightly hit him.


    Gu An reminded her not to slack off in her practice after going to the sub-sect.


    The senior brother and sister chatted and began to reminisce about the past.


    As dusk approached, Ye Lan left.


    Gu An had just sat down at his desk and was about to flip through a book when he suddenly sensed something. He directed his divine sense towards the Great Jiang Dynasty.


    The long-hidden Primordial Daoist Talisman had finally made a move!


    It merged into the abdomen of a woman from a Ji Family branch, which surprised Gu An.


    Was this considered reincarnation?


    After reaching the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, Gu An could already spy on the Yin Yang rules of the world, but he still couldn''t see where reincarnation was. Those souls would rise into the sky within seven days after death, disappear after reaching a certain height, and those that did not rise within seven days would turn into vengeful spirits, repelled by the Heaven and Earth Rules. To survive, they had to harm living spirits and absorb their essence energy to enhance their ghostly energy, growing stronger step by step.


    After Ji Xiaoyu''s death, her soul had been hiding in the Primordial Daoist Talisman, unlike other ghosts who persecuted living beings.


    Under Gu An''s watch, the Primordial Daoist Talisman completely merged with the woman''s aura, as if it had disappeared out of thin air.


    Who knew if this Ji Xiaoyu would have the memories of her past life?


    Gu An remembered that Ji Xiaoyu had seemed mature beyond her years as a child, unlike normal children. Perhaps she had always retained her past life memories but had hidden them well.


    After watching for a while, Gu An withdrew his gaze.


    The moonlight was slightly cool, and the evening breeze blew in through the window, moving Gu An''s sideburns.


    This breeze lasted another ten years.


    Ten years passed, the world changed greatly, and the territories of the three dynasties were unified. Only the Taicang Dynasty remained, and for the people, it was truly peace under heaven.


    Taicang focused on development, exploring the world by sea and mining resources in the north. With the increase in resources, all industries within the dynasty flourished.


    The same was true for the Immortal Cultivation World, with new sects constantly emerging. For example, the Juhua Sect was the most rapidly developing sect in these ten years and was already one of the top nine sects in Taicang, with the Supreme Sect ranked first and the Cangtian Sect second.


    The sub-sect of the Supreme Sect had already been established, and various news kept flowing into the Supreme Sect, making all disciples feel the sect''s rise.


    The treatment of disciples from the Medicine Valley also improved, and the time disciples stayed in the Medicine Valley began to shorten, proving that the Supreme Sect was investing more resources into their cultivation, reducing the time for servant disciples to reach Foundation Establishment.


    One day.


    Gu An had just arrived at the Third Medicine Valley from Mystic Valley. He turned his head and saw a crowd in front of the nearby pavilions, all gathered to watch a Go game.


    He didn''t know when it started, but Go had begun to be popular in the Supreme Sect, and Go masters always came to the Third Medicine Valley. Gu An knew it was because the Nine-Finger Divine Lord liked to play Go here. He had become the biggest promoter of Go. Moreover, with his current cultivation level at the Mahayana Realm, the Hall of Elders couldn''t help but flatter him.


    Last month, Lv Baitian had even asked him if he wanted to organize a Go tournament, but he refused.


    Currently, Go was only popular within the Supreme Sect, and it was too early to hold a tournament.


    The most important reason was that the Nine-Finger Divine Lord wanted to hold the tournament in the Third Medicine Valley. How could he agree to that?


    Wouldn''t that affect him planting medicinal herbs?


    Gu An only watched for a while before heading towards his pavilion.


    Now the Nine-Finger Divine Lord seldom asked Gu An to play Go, probably focusing on improving his Go skills.


    The person playing Go with the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was a cultivator at the Unification Realm and also an elder of the sect. Those old cultivators whose cultivation levels had stagnated easily became addicted to Go.


    Gu An suddenly sensed something, piquing his interest. He immediately called for the Blood Prison Great Saint and rode him towards the Outer Gate City.


    Foundation Establishment Realm mounts were not uncommon in the current Supreme Sect. If one stayed at the Third Medicine Valley for half a day, one would surely see disciples riding mounts flying over the Medicine Valley.


    "Master, why did you suddenly want to go to the Outer Gate City?" the Blood Prison Great Saint asked curiously.


    "Lu Lingjun has returned and is taking people to the Heavenly Repair Platform. She probably wants to try the Heaven-Cutting Axe," Gu An replied casually.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was immediately interested.


    He knew Lu Lingjun had founded the Ascension Sect, and those she brought might be ascenders.


    As ascenders, they would naturally want to learn more about each other.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s speed was very fast, and they soon arrived in front of the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Compared to ten years ago, the Heavenly Repair Platform was even more bustling, with cultivators of varying cultivation levels, from the Qi Cultivation Realm to Loose Immortal Realm, on the platform.


    Yes, there were Loose Immortals, and not just one.


    They all came from overseas. They first expressed their respect to the Sword Venerable Fudao and then openly ascended to the Heavenly Repair Platform to comprehend the sword intent of the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Years ago, Gu An had secretly enhanced the sword intent contained within the words "Righteous Path."


    Gu An dismounted and walked up to the Heavenly Repair Platform. The Bull Demon King did not ascend the platform, as mounts and demon pets were not permitted to ascend, for fear of offending the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    At this moment, more and more people were gathering around the Heaven-Cutting Axe. The news had spread that an overseas Loose Immortal had come to challenge the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Over the years, Loose Immortals were no longer a mysterious term within the Supreme Sect. Many people knew that Loose Immortals represented a realm, signifying immortals and the highest realm they currently recognized.


    Why "currently"?


    Because the Immortal Cultivation World''s development speed was too fast, who knew if a higher realm name might emerge in ten years?


    Of course, the Mahayana Realm was still a revered existence.


    Zuo Yijian stood beside the Heaven-Cutting Axe, holding the Investiture of the Gods. Although his eyes were on the book, he was clearly distracted.


    This overseas Loose Immortal was the person Lu Lingjun had brought, her master whom she had worshipped at sea.


    Gu An joined the crowd and used Life Span Detection on that person.


    [Holy Mother of Western Spirit (Loose Immortal Realm Eighth Floor): 18907/24000/150000]


    A maximum life span of 150,000 years meant that the Holy Mother of Western Spirit could reach the Wandering Immortal Realm!


    Even in the sea area where Immortal Seeking Island was located, Wandering Immortals were exalted beings, rarely seen.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit wore a purple robe, with long white hair tied up under a bejeweled golden crown. A green scarf coiled around her elbow. Standing there, she exuded a vast pressure, inspiring awe. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although she had white hair, her appearance was youthful and beautiful, though her imposing presence made it easy to overlook this.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit approached the Heaven-Cutting Axe and examined it closely.


    She came to this continent specifically for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    This was one of the reasons she took Lu Lingjun as her disciple.


    Overseas great cultivators had a deeper understanding of the destruction of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Sword Venerable Fudao was undoubtedly the most powerful cultivator she had heard of so far. How could she not be interested?


    Zuo Yijian, seeing her hesitation, said impatiently: "Hurry up. There are people waiting. When the ancient hour arrives, not even the lord of a Holy Land can make an exception."


    Loose Immortal or whatever immortal, in the Supreme Sect, everyone had to follow the rules!


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit was not angered. She raised her right hand, her snow-white palm reaching out to grasp the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    She could feel that the weight was not from the Heaven-Cutting Axe itself, but from the vast mana within it.


    After two attempts, she gave up and turned to leave.


    This disappointed the spectators. There was little commotion; they didn''t expect the Holy Mother of Western Spirit to succeed, just wanted to see the lofty immortal in a moment of embarrassment.


    Lu Lingjun exchanged a few words with the Holy Mother of Western Spirit and then was about to leave when her eyes suddenly caught Gu An.


    "Gu An, why are you here?" Lu Lingjun transmitted her voice to Gu An while waving to him.

 Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Astonishing Heaven and Sea Waves, Terrifying Treasure Body

    Seeing Lu Lingjun wave her hand, Gu An could only walk up to her. He cupped his fists and saluted the Holy Mother of Western Spirit, as basic courtesies should at least be observed with a Loose Immortal. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.The Holy Mother of Western Spirit slightly nodded, without saying anything.


    Lu Lingjun then pulled Gu An along, and after descending from the Heavenly Repair Platform, she took a storage bag from her waistbelt and handed it to him.


    "I won''t be returning to Medicine Valley. This is something I brought for you from overseas," Lu Lingjun said softly.


    Gu An nodded and did not question what she planned to do next. He simply told her if she ever needed his help, she could always find him in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Lu Lingjun smiled, then left with the Holy Mother of Western Spirit.


    Watching Lu Lingjun''s departing figure, Gu An thought that it seemed she was gradually distancing herself from the Third Medicine Valley.


    After all, she was now the Sect Leader, and how could she possibly reside long-term in Medicine Valley, let alone have her Loose Immortal master live with servant disciples?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint walked over, secretly surprised.


    His master claimed to be a Loose Immortal, but a Loose Immortal could not possibly lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    He asked no more questions, thinking it was better for Gu An to be stronger, as it meant his current situation was a blessing rather than a curse.


    Gu An turned and left, planning to wander around the Outer Gate City.


    He could feel that the Holy Mother of Western Spirit''s arrival was aimed at Sword Venerable Fudao, and earlier she had tried to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe, intending to connect with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    But he had no desire to meet the Holy Mother of Western Spirit.


    It was easy to guess that it probably had to do with the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Ten years had passed, and the disaster caused by the Sea Breaking Rift had only grown worse. Besides mysterious fierce demons, these years had also seen the appearance of beings called Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts from the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts were immortal and could only be sealed. There were sects that had been massacred by these beings.


    The most fearsome thing was that a Wandering Immortal Great Cultivator from the Star Sea Congregations had ventured into the Sea Breaking Rift, turned into a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, returned to the sea, acted recklessly, and slaughtered countless souls, forcing the Star Sea Congregations to use Immortal Path Supreme Treasures to suppress him.


    Various rumors about the Sea Breaking Rift began to spread. Li Ya, who owned Divine Exotic City, was also being pressured, with many wanting to take his Divine Exotic City, but fortunately, the Star Sea Congregations were strong enough to protect him. However, he had lost his freedom and was unable to leave the Star Sea Congregations without permission.


    While the sea was a scene of bloody turmoil, the mainland remained tranquil, with everything harmonious, at least within the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An sought out his friends in the Outer Sect for a drink, discussing upcoming interesting events or the romantic tales of the sect''s aristocracy.


    The Supreme Sect was now very open, unlike the tense atmosphere of the past, and lower-level disciples discussing the Great Cultivators would not face retribution as a result.


    The noble families now cherished their reputations, fearing any scandal that would get them expelled from the Supreme Sect.


    With Sword Venerable Fudao present, the Supreme Sect had to abide by the rules of the Righteous Path.


    Of course, this was only within the Supreme Sect. If one offended a sect aristocrat, they might not act within the sect, but outside it, anything could happen.


    Until the night, Gu An finally rode back to the valley on the Blood Prison Great Saint. He held a wine gourd, reciting poetry, which the Blood Prison Great Saint praised as fine verse.


    Gu An thought he had good judgment, daring to praise any lousy poem, which was its own kind of realm.


    ...


    The arrival of the Holy Mother of Western Spirit did not shock the Supreme Sect, whose foundations were also quickly growing. Unless the Holy Mother of Western Spirit was coming to join the Supreme Sect, they would not mobilize for her.


    Another summer arrived.


    Gu An lay under the Mystic Pure Tree, staring at his attribute panel.


    His lifespan had reached twenty-five million years. Although it was still far from one hundred million years, the number already gave him a sense of security.


    Nearby, the White Spirit Rat and the Blood Prison Great Saint were playing. Although the White Spirit Rat could not yet speak, its maximum lifespan was continually increasing, and its reflex speed was beyond what the Blood Prison Great Saint of the Foundation Establishment Realm could match.


    Boom!


    A thunderous sound came from afar, alarming everyone in Medicine Valley.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint and the White Spirit Rat stopped and looked toward the horizon, their expressions tense.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who had been playing chess, frowned and turned to look, extending his divine sense. His face quickly grew grim.


    Gu An was rather calm; the reason he was checking his attribute panel was that he sensed something significant was happening.


    Before the loud noise, a powerful force had erupted from the bottom of the Sea Breaking Rift, causing immense waves on either side. The waves continued to escalate and were now reaching a height of three hundred zhang as they surged toward the mainland, growing larger all the time.


    A large number of cultivators were rushing to the scene, trying to prevent the catastrophe.


    Gu An sensed a massive amount of eerie energy rising from the depths of the Sea Breaking Rift, predicting the emergence of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts were different from the Divine Soul Demons of Divine Exotic City. They had their own spiritual wisdom and even retained memories of their former selves, but their personalities had drastically changed. They killed any living spirits they encountered, which caused the turmoil in the sea-based immortal cultivation world.


    The strength of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts was not the frightening part. The terror lay in their retained spiritual wisdom and memories, all of which had now turned against living spirits, hence the widespread fear.


    Having spiritual wisdom meant they could establish rules and even posed the possibility of overturning the Mortal World!


    Gu An rose, realizing he could not appear too indifferent, as the entire valley was in shock and he had to cooperate with the rest.


    He wondered whether slaying the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts could extend his lifespan.


    If so, it might be worth intervening early.


    Yang Jian ran over, standing next to him, and whispered: "Master, I just had an illusion of being attacked by many demons and ghosts."


    Fear flashed in his eyes. It was not simply an illusion; he had felt as though he had experienced a near-death event.


    Somewhere in the unseen, it seemed as if something terrifying was approaching him.


    Gu An looked at Yang Jian and suddenly noticed that his karma had become blurred. He could no longer glimpse Yang Jian''s past through their karmic connection.


    "Don''t worry; just stay by my side. What could happen? Focus on your cultivation," Gu An reassured him.


    Actually, he himself was unsure of the reason behind it.


    Although he was a Carefree Primordial Immortal, he had only lived for one hundred sixty-six years and did not know much about the world.


    He could see through the Heaven and Earth Rules, but he had not yet reached the point of omniscience.


    He guessed that the visions Yang Jian saw might be related to his physique. After all, the Immortal Seeking Taoist had said Yang Jian had some kind of ancient treasure body.


    Hearing Gu An''s reassurance, Yang Jian immediately felt at ease.


    Right, with Master around, nothing could happen to him.


    Gu An then walked toward where his disciples were gathered, intending to discuss the matter with everyone and maintain his image as a Core Formation Realm cultivator.


    ...


    At noon.


    Immortal Seeking Island.


    In a courtyard, the Immortal Seeking Taoist looked at Gu An with a peculiar expression.


    He poured a cup of wine for Gu An and asked: "How did Daoist Friend Meng know I was here?"


    He had been back at Immortal Seeking Island for many years but had stayed in his residence without going out.


    Gu An replied: "I knew when you first returned. Back then, a lot of people were aware. I came to see you today because my disciple encountered a problem."


    Upon hearing it concerned Yang Jian, the Immortal Seeking Taoist lost interest in questioning how Gu An knew he was on the island and asked about the issue instead.


    Gu An did not hold anything back.


    After listening, the Immortal Seeking Taoist''s expression became complicated. He sighed and said: "Ancient treasure bodies have a self-protection instinct. His treasure body must have sensed danger, likely related to the Sea Breaking Rift. There may be another treasure body hidden there. I have heard that ancient treasure bodies have a competitive and perceptive nature among themselves, especially innate ancient treasure bodies which can sense each other''s existence and will attempt to devour one another."


    "If that treasure body does come from the Sea Breaking Rift, it might be a deceased ancient strongman who has turned into a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost. In that case, it will be a big problem."


    He had returned to Immortal Seeking Island to avoid catastrophe.


    At this moment, he even considered fleeing Immortal Seeking Island because he feared Gu An might bring Yang Jian along.


    Admiration aside, the Immortal Seeking Taoist would not die for Yang Jian.


    Not his disciple!


    Even if it were his disciple, he would abandon them!


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist looked at Gu An, hesitating to speak, wanting to persuade Gu An to give up on Yang Jian, but he felt that saying so would be pointless. Gu An would weigh the situation himself, and saying more would only make him unhappy.


    Gu An became thoughtful.


    The tsunami that had erupted yesterday continued to rise. Cultivators tried to stop it but had no success. The waves contained some powerful force that neutralized all spiritual power and mana along the way.


    One day passed, and the wave''s crest had already surpassed a thousand zhang.


    A thousand-zhang-high wave was incredibly imposing, swallowing countless sea islands along its path.


    Currently, Wandering Immortals of the Star Sea Congregations were still attempting to hold back the waves but without success.


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist saw Gu An was deep in thought and did not disturb him, leisurely playing with his wine cup.


    After a while, Gu An thanked the Immortal Seeking Taoist and then stood up to leave.


    The Immortal Seeking Taoist did not try to keep him, realizing that Gu An''s visit had provided more information.


    The thought of an ancient treasure body reaching completion and emerging filled him with dread.


    No, he had to escape!

 Chapter 261: Chapter 261: The Unstoppable Catastrophe

    After returning from Immortal Seeking Island, Gu An did not tell Yang Jian about the mutual devouring of the Ancient Treasure Bodies to avoid worrying him.If an Ancient Treasure Body had truly transformed into a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, it would not be something Yang Jian could handle. As his master, Gu An naturally had to step in.


    Since he had to take action, he saw no need to make his disciple worry.


    The Supreme Sect dispatched a Great Cultivator to fly towards the direction of the Sea Breaking Rift, and news of the terrifying sea tide quickly spread.


    Gu An continued his regular routine, pretending to be unaware of this matter.


    While the disciples of the Medicine Valley were busy working and cultivating, the ocean had already entered a cataclysm. If viewed from above, one could see that with the sea tide at the center, cultivators were continuously flocking from all directions, creating a spectacular scene.


    While inspecting the Medicine Garden, Gu An saw several Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals flying by, not just one.


    The sea waves continued to surge. On the boundless ocean, the waves swept across like a mountain range. In front of this mountain range, countless cultivators formed a line, continuously casting spells to block the waves. Unfortunately, their spell and divine skills only caused splashes and could not disperse the waves.


    The number of cultivators continued to increase, but no matter how many there were, they could not shake the momentum of the waves.


    Chi Jiuxiao of the Star Sea Congregations also came with his master Chi Bei to assist. Despite giving his all, he couldn''t resist the wave''s power.


    "Damn it, who on earth is stirring up trouble within these waves?"


    Chi Jiuxiao cursed angrily, but none of the Star Sea Congregations cultivators nearby answered him. They were all very nervous.


    Only those who truly cast spells to block the waves could feel the terrifying power contained within.


    Chi Bei''s voice came from a distance: "It doesn''t matter who is causing trouble. We must stop this. Countless beings with low cultivation levels are on the continent behind us. The Star Sea Congregations must protect them!"


    Chi Jiuxiao understood this principle. He was merely complaining, but his hands did not stop moving.


    Suddenly!


    Chi Jiuxiao felt a vast aura coming from behind, causing his mana to pause for a moment.


    Whooosh¡ª¡ª


    A gust of fierce wind howled, startling the cultivators to instinctively turn their heads to look.


    Chi Jiuxiao did the same, widening his eyes. He saw thunderclouds unfold in the sky, and at the end of the clouds stood a massive flag, ten thousand feet high, as if its top had touched the sky. Any living being appeared insignificant before this flag.


    Chi Jiuxiao recognized the origin of this flag with just one glance. It was the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure of the Star Sea Congregations.


    The Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner!


    The black flag seemed to contain a vast star sea, with starlight twinkling, making anyone who looked at it become deeply immersed, unable to extricate themselves.


    With the appearance of this flag, the morale of the Star Sea Congregations'' cultivators soared. Cultivators from other sects also inquired about it. Upon learning that it was the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, every cultivator felt excited.


    "Now we are secure! This is an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!"


    "The legendary Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, just the sight of it strikes fear."


    "With the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure out, we can certainly block these waves!"


    "After the Seven Stars Spirit Realm disbanded, only the Star Sea Congregations are the true rulers of this sea area. Their ability to directly bring out the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure proves their determination to protect the ocean, worthy of the Righteous Path''s reputation."


    The cultivators discussed, their gazes fixated on the towering Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, their eyes filled with hope.


    The Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner suddenly unleashed a terrifying wave of energy, sweeping through the clouds. The sea of stars on its surface lit up with countless streams of celestial light, as if rain of stars crossed the sky, crashing towards the majestic and magnificent sea waves.


    Far away in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An looked up, noticing the appearance of scattered rays in the sky.


    With a glance, he could tell that it was an anomaly caused by the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    As expected of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure on par with the Seven Stars Mirror!


    Under Gu An''s gaze, the unstoppable waves were dispersed by the power of the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner. Countless cultivators were thrown off, the splashes reaching the sky, and the sea surface was pressed into a spectacular hollow, a stunning sight.


    At this moment, Gu An felt a strange force emerging from the Sea Breaking Rift, surging along the sea, raising waves even higher than before, as if it would drown the celestial Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner.


    Cultivators from all directions were stunned and quickly mobilized their mana to resist.


    Gu An''s divine sense looked farther away. The Sea Breaking Rift raised two wave masses, moving in opposite directions. The waves on the other side were also met with countless cultivators joining forces to block them, but to no avail.


    As the waves advanced, their length continued to grow, forming what indeed could be a world-destroying sea tide.


    Gu An watched for a while before withdrawing his divine sense. The dual waves attracted more and more Great Cultivators, giving him a chance to observe the foundation of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    When he returned to the pavilion, he saw Nine-Finger Divine Lord standing by the wooden railing, staring north in silence.


    Gu An approached and asked what he was thinking about. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Your next chapter is on mvl


    "Nothing much."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord shook his head. He was naturally focused on the ocean''s calamity.


    Seeing that Nine-Finger Divine Lord did not wish to elaborate, Gu An did not press further. He simply nodded and walked away.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord suddenly turned to him and asked: "Valley Master, if your loved ones turned into monsters that harm all beings, what would you choose to do?"


    Gu An halted, turned to look at him, and thought for a moment: "If they were truly my loved ones, I wouldn''t shield them, but neither would I become their enemy. If they insist on killing me, I would fight to the death."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord chuckled after hearing this and said: "It''s not that simple. Your answer lacks struggle."


    "Indeed, it''s not that simple, but why ponder over it? The only thing one can truly control is oneself, right?" Gu An retorted.


    Did Nine-Finger Divine Lord have loved ones that had turned into Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts?


    Judging by Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s lifespan, he certainly had a story.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord sighed: "Yes, one can only control oneself. Even cultivators are the same. The more one tries to control, the more one deviates from the path of immortal cultivation."


    The two chatted casually, with Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s words filled with sorrow yet lacking specifics. Soon, they turned their conversation to the game of Go.


    Meanwhile.


    In a residence in the main city of the sect.


    Lu Lingjun and the Holy Mother of Western Spirit sat across from each other in the courtyard. At this moment, the Holy Mother of Western Spirit looked at a copper mirror on the table, frowning deeply.


    In the mirror was a blurry figure, seemingly saying something.


    After the figure in the mirror disappeared, the Holy Mother of Western Spirit put the copper mirror into her sleeve.


    Although Lu Lingjun sat next to her, she did not hear the figure''s words. She couldn''t help asking: "Master, who were you speaking to just now?"


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit took a deep breath and said: "An elder of mine. I asked him about the path of this catastrophe. He advised me to leave early to avoid it."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun''s brows furrowed.


    In her heart, the Holy Mother of Western Spirit held an exceptional position and cultivation level. Even if she was not as powerful as Sword Venerable Fudao, she was still one of the top Great Cultivators she had ever seen.


    For even the being behind the Holy Mother of Western Spirit to advise them to avoid this calamity, it must be extraordinary.


    "The cause and effect hidden within the Sea Breaking Rift are such that even my elders dare not involve themselves. Perhaps we truly should leave. The world is vast, there will be somewhere to escape the disaster," the Holy Mother of Western Spirit said with a sigh.


    Lu Lingjun replied: "The Supreme Sect has Sword Venerable Fudao. He may be able to overcome this crisis."


    Ever since she joined the Supreme Sect, she had experienced the demon calamity and heard of Sword Venerable Fudao sweeping through the Seven Stars Spirit Realm single-handedly. She had great confidence in Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit, however, was still worried: "It''s hard to say."


    She came to the Supreme Sect intending to rely on the power of Sword Venerable Fudao to avoid the calamity, but she had just learned that the scope of the disaster had changed, with even more powerful variables appearing. Even her sect dared not involve itself rashly.


    Not all sects in this world followed the Righteous Path. More sects aimed only to preserve their own Daoist traditions.


    Not just them, at this moment within the Supreme Sect, those Great Cultivators from the ocean were also discussing this matter. With their cultivation levels surpassing the native disciples of the Supreme Sect, they also had superior intelligence capabilities, understanding more about the approaching threat of the waves directed at their continent. Naturally, they were anxious.


    Their first thought was Sword Venerable Fudao!


    If the ocean cultivators could not block the waves, could Sword Venerable Fudao withstand them when they reached the continent''s edge?


    Some had already chosen to flee the continent, unwilling to gamble on Sword Venerable Fudao''s strength.


    ...


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The sky thunder cracked, thunderclouds tumbling, interwoven with boundless lightning. A sea wave over fifteen hundred feet high advanced with the momentum to engulf everything under heaven. It seemed as if the entire sea had risen, unstoppable and imposing. Under this wave, all cultivators and demons appeared small.


    Chi Jiuxiao endured the storm with his armor drenched. He continually retreated, his face full of anxiety.


    Subconsciously, he looked back and could see the outline of the continent.


    At this rate, countless lives would be buried in the sea tides.


    This water was not ordinary seawater. It contained some strange and powerful force. Some cultivators who had been swept into it had already transformed into Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    Thinking that the entire continent''s beings might turn into Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts made Chi Jiuxiao''s scalp tingle.


    He looked ahead, seeing twelve figures in front of the wave. They emitted an aura far surpassing all cultivators behind them. Yet, despite their vast mana, they were being pushed back by the wave.


    All twelve were Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, either the founders of sects or elders of the Star Sea Congregations. Facing the wave, they were all powerless. They could only slow the wave''s advance but could not suppress it.


    The previous dispersal of the wave by the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner had only been temporary. Another wave had formed, and the banner itself had been tainted by the force within the wave, forcing the Star Sea Congregations to retract this Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    At this moment, Chi Jiuxiao''s pupils suddenly dilated, his face showing a look of terror.


    In the dim sea wave, he saw a figure, a thousand meters tall, only faintly visible when lightning flashed.


    It was not just him; more and more people saw that figure. Anyone who beheld it felt a suffocating pressure in their chest.


    For over a hundred thousand cultivators had gathered to block this wave, with the lowest cultivation level being Mystic Heart Realm, and over ten thousand Immortal Path cultivators. Even such power could not shake the wave''s momentum, how could they not despair?


    More and more cultivators felt beaten down, their will to fight waning. Seeing the mysterious thousand-foot-tall figure in the wave made them even more eager to escape immediately.

 Chapter 262: Chapter 262: It is Sword Venerable Fudao!

    As noon approached, Gu An arrived at Mystic Valley. It had been two days since the Sea Breaking Rift had erupted with waves, and now it was the third day.Gu An was about to gather medicinal herbs when he suddenly sensed something. He sighed softly, then continued harvesting.


    He had already felt a powerful force approaching from afar!


    Originally, Gu An didn''t want to concern himself with the survival of the two distant continents. The waves would have to pass through these two continents before reaching his own, and they were still very far away.


    But now, a dangerous aura had emerged from within the waves, forcing him to change his strategy.


    He couldn''t wait until the force behind the catastrophe neared his continent before acting; if that happened, it would easily lead to unexpected changes.


    The farther the catastrophe remained from the Supreme Sect, the more room he would have to operate.


    He couldn''t fight on the continent itself, where he would have to consider the well-being of all living things.


    As the catastrophe progressed, the entire ocean had become aware of the existence of the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost. The Sea Breaking Rift was definitely not a natural calamity; deep within it lay a force poised to overturn the mortal world. Whether Gu An intervened or not, this would be a disaster the entire ocean needed to face together.


    Gu An continued gathering medicinal herbs while pondering how to act.


    Lu Jiujia, the chief disciple of Mystic Valley, approached and softly asked, "Senior Brother, I''ve heard there is a disaster at sea that could potentially affect our continent. What should Mystic Valley do?"


    From his words, it was clear how much the Supreme Sect had progressed over the years. The disaster at sea had only been ongoing for three days, yet word of it had already spread within the sect. In the past, let alone three days, as long as the disaster didn''t make landfall, inner sect disciples could go their entire lives without knowing.


    "Naturally, we should adhere to our duties, cultivate diligently, and provide the best medicinal herbs. That is the greatest responsibility we can bear," Gu An replied nonchalantly.


    Lu Jiujia nodded. In truth, he just wanted to gauge his senior brother''s attitude. After all, his senior brother had connections within the inner sect and would certainly know more than they did.


    Since his senior brother was unperturbed, he saw no reason to worry and could reassure the valley''s disciples.


    After Lu Jiujia left, Gu An continued picking herbs.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An arrived at the eastern cliff of Mystic Valley, with the Blood Prison Great Saint following behind.


    "Master, what brings us here?" the Blood Prison Great Saint asked curiously, noticing Gu An playing with a leaf.


    Gu An stood at the edge of the cliff, looking toward the horizon. "To stop the disaster at sea," he replied.


    Upon hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes widened. He took a step forward and asked, "How will you stop it? Didn''t you say the catastrophe was far from us?"


    Gu An grasped the leaf with his left hand and pressed his right hand against the Blood Prison Great Saint''s ox-head. In an instant, the Great Saint''s expression changed drastically, his eyes widening in shock as the image of a terrifying wave appeared in his pupil reflection.


    He saw the scene that Gu An''s divine sense had captured.


    At that moment, in front of the massive waves, countless great cultivators were besieging a terrifying figure a thousand feet tall.


    It was a humanoid monster, wearing only pants and bare-chested. Its entire body was dark, covered with blood-red scars, as if it might split apart at any moment. Its hair was wild, with a fierce and ghostly face full of fangs, holding a bone knife, exuding dominance and arrogance.


    The myriad spells and divine skills cast upon it failed to shake its massive form.


    Its roar drowned out the thunder, turning the sea and sky into a hellish landscape.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint trembled at the sight of the thousand-foot figure.


    The aura alone was terrifying to behold.


    The spells and divine skills of the cultivators were immense, resembling the power of immortals, creating a spectacle rivaling the sun and moon.


    The more powerful the cultivators, the more terrifying the thousand-foot figure seemed.


    Gu An raised his right hand, breaking the Great Saint''s vision, who instinctively looked at Gu An, wanting to see more. However, he saw Gu An lift his left hand and wave it toward the horizon.


    With a casual wave, the leaf in his hand shot out like a flying sword, emitting a cold light before disappearing into the horizon.


    Gu An then turned to leave.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stood stunned for a moment before hurriedly following him.


    "Master, is that all?"


    "What else?"


    "You just threw a leaf?"


    "Stop fussing."


    "But...what realm have you reached?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint wasn''t doubting Gu An''s success; he was just in shock.


    To slay such a terrifying being that many cultivators couldn''t handle, with just a leaf from such a distance?


    What level of cultivation would one have to reach to achieve such a feat?


    Gu An didn''t answer the Great Saint''s question, leaving him to ponder endlessly.


    Meanwhile.


    Far over the ocean, the sky was dark, thunder roared, rain poured, and winds howled in all directions.


    Chi Jiuxiao held the Dragon-Slaying Spear, flames burning around him. The rain evaporated into steam as it approached him. He bit his lip, glaring at the terrifying figure in the distance, his eyes full of struggle.


    "Where did that thing come from..." Chi Jiuxiao thought angrily.


    The great cultivators ahead displayed energies far beyond his reach, twelve of whom reminded him of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    So many great cultivators gathered, yet they couldn''t harm the thousand-foot figure one bit.


    How could he not be afraid?


    Some cultivators had already fled in terror, and he too hesitated whether to retreat.


    If the great cultivators ahead retreated, their speed would surely outpace his. Whoever was the slowest would die.


    But he also feared others might choose to fight to the end. If he fled, how could he maintain his standing in the immortal cultivation world later?


    At that moment, Chi Jiuxiao vaguely heard a whistling sound. He barely had time to react before his vision suddenly brightened, his pupils moving instinctively.


    Time seemed to stand still, everything in the world frozen, the casting cultivators still, the roaring thousand-foot figure halted, its terrifying stance fixed.


    The rain hung suspended in the air, each droplet reflecting a gleam of sword light.


    The churning waves presented the image of countless white flowers, strangely beautiful.


    A streak of sword light swiftly traversed this nearly frozen world, passing by the cultivators, dashing toward the thousand-foot figure.


    The crimson eyes of the figure reflected the sword light.


    Boom¡ª


    The head of the thousand-foot figure was instantly blasted apart by the sword light, and the rolling giant wave behind it was dispersed, creating a huge gap, leaving all the cultivators in awe.


    Sunlight streamed down, revealing that the storm clouds had also been torn apart!


    Upon closer inspection, the sea of thunderclouds before them had been split in two, extending to the horizon where the sea met the sky!


    Everything happened so quickly. Not only did Chi Jiuxiao have no time to react, but even the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were stunned in mid-air, maintaining their casting poses.


    Under their gaze, the headless thousand-foot figure turned to ashes, scattering with the wind.


    The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals immediately turned to look in the direction from which the sword light had come, their expressions astounded but not panicked.


    Given the speed of that sword light, even if they had tried to defend, it would have been useless if the attacker had wanted to kill them.


    "Who made that move?"


    "Such speed, such domineering sword intent!"


    "Could it be someone at the ninth level of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm?" sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Even a ninth-level cultivator would find it hard to be so overpowering." Explore more at mvl


    "Which major force''s domain is in that direction?"


    The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals communicated through divine sense, while other cultivators, after a brief silence, erupted in thunderous cheers.


    Chi Jiuxiao saw the unstoppable giant wave now reduced to a broken bridge, crumbling at both ends, and his expression was exceedingly complex.


    It was Sword Venerable Fudao!


    No mistake about it!


    Not only had he felt the Sword Intent from the Heavenly Repair Platform, but Sword Venerable Fudao had also saved him. And the direction behind him was exactly that of the Supreme Sect.


    But how far was this place from the Supreme Sect?


    Could it be that Sword Venerable Fudao had already arrived nearby?


    For some reason, an absurd idea suddenly formed in Chi Jiuxiao''s mind.


    Maybe Sword Venerable Fudao never left the Supreme Sect, otherwise, why use a long-distance means to kill the enemy?


    At this moment, someone shouted, "It''s Sword Venerable Fudao! That direction is toward the Supreme Sect. I visited the Supreme Sect a few years ago and felt Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Intent!"


    The mention of Sword Venerable Fudao startled all the cultivators.


    After the Seven Stars Spirit Realm broke apart, Sword Venerable Fudao''s name shook the ocean. Though not universally known, most cultivators who came to aid had high-level cultivation and somewhat knew the truth behind the disbanding of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    If it was Sword Venerable Fudao, they could understand.


    With understanding came shock and excitement.


    Was Sword Venerable Fudao truly this powerful?


    A Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal raised a hand, catching a leaf. He looked at the leaf, his expression complicated.


    The other Flying Immortals also turned their gaze toward the leaf, feeling the residual Sword Intent from it.


    Before they could speak, the leaf suddenly turned to ashes, as if it had never existed.


    ...


    Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley with the Blood Prison Great Saint, wandering around as the Great Saint''s gaze followed him, eyes full of complex emotions. The waves within his heart were difficult to calm.


    As Gu An walked, he was puzzled.


    It didn''t yield any life span!


    Could it be that slaying the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts provided no life span?


    Did immortality mean having no life span in the first place?


    Though Gu An felt regret, at least he had stopped a catastrophe.


    However, he had a feeling this was only the beginning. Stronger calamities were likely to emerge from the Sea Breaking Rift. What kind of being would come next?


    At this moment, You Yingying suddenly approached him and said, "Gu An, I''m preparing to return to the Star Sea Congregations."


    Gu An asked, "Why?"


    "With the great catastrophe approaching, it''s definitely safer back with the Star Sea Congregations. I find you pretty agreeable, so are you coming with me? No one else can come," You Yingying said, glaring at him.


    Gu An shook his head, "I won''t go. My cultivation level is too low to survive in the Star Sea Congregations. If the Supreme Sect were to fall tomorrow, I would rather disappear with it."


    In the distance, the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but roll his eyes.


    The master fooling a simpleton again!


    You Yingying opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing. She patted Gu An''s shoulder and turned to pack her things.


    Gu An had no intention of stopping her. It was a good thing for You Yingying to return to the Star Sea Congregations early, as it prevented her from causing him trouble.


    You Yingying had a strange cause and effect within her, suppressing her talent and life span. Gu An couldn''t see through this cause and effect for the time being, so he didn''t want to get too involved with her.


    If he got too emotionally attached, he would have to help her eventually, which would be too troublesome!

 Chapter 263: Chapter 263 Million Years Rarely Seen

    Gu An did not put all his strength into it, but it was enough to disperse the power within the giant wave and restore calm to the sea around the Sea Breaking Rift.As for the calamity on the other side of the tidal wave, Gu An was too lazy to care. He did not believe that no one over there could stop the waves.


    Even if Gu An did not intervene, he thought that there were powerful beings in the ocean capable of acting. It was just the timing was hard to gauge, perhaps after the Supreme Sect was submerged.


    The facts turned out just as he had guessed.


    Two days later, Gu An saw a mysterious Great Cultivator cast a spell to scatter the waves on the other side of the Sea Breaking Rift. Although it was not enough to make him apprehensive, he could confirm that person was the Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    After dispersing the waves, that Carefree Primordial Immortal disappeared.


    This land indeed hid many powerful figures. The higher the realm, the more mysterious they were, some like Gu An who had hidden in the city, while others secluded themselves in caves, ignoring worldly affairs.


    Previously, Gu An had explored this land, and there were quite a few places he could not see through at a glance.


    Three days later, news from the sea reached the Supreme Sect.


    Sword Venerable Fudao acted and killed a powerful Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, resolving the calamity!


    Supreme Sect was instantly in an uproar, the news spreading quickly!


    Gu An was still reading in the pavilion when he heard the disciples discussing it. He did not go downstairs but continued reading.


    This intervention did not give him a sense of accomplishment. He thought he could be happy when the Sea Breaking Rift disappeared.


    However, near dusk, an event occurred that left Gu An helpless.


    It was that You Yingying, who had left a few days ago, had returned.


    Upon her return, she immediately found Gu An and eagerly shared the situation she had learned, her tone full of admiration and respect for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    She understood the situation more clearly. It was said that the Sea Breaking Rift erupted with waves that could sweep through Heaven and Earth, hiding a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost that even the Star Sea Congregations could not deal with.


    She also made a point of explaining the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, fearful that Gu An did not know how terrifying this thing was. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An cooperated with her, showing nervousness when talking about the calamity and Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost. When she mentioned Sword Venerable Fudao, he became excited, greatly satisfying her emotional needs.


    This event had a huge impact on You Yingying, and she had to find someone to talk to, preferably a Supreme Sect disciple.


    She wanted the Supreme Sect disciples to be grateful and to know how strong Sword Venerable Fudao was!


    Receiving Sword Venerable Fudao''s favor, it seemed that Heaven favored the Supreme Sect!


    If such a strong person lived in the Star Sea Congregations, how great would that be?


    As Gu An listened, he felt something was amiss.


    Why was she telling him this?


    Could she have guessed that he was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    For a moment, Gu An felt apprehensive towards You Yingying.


    You Yingying had no idea of Gu An''s thoughts. She just said whatever came to mind and never considered whether Gu An might be Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After a long while, You Yingying, having fully vented her desire to share, left with a pleased heart.


    Gu An watched her back, thinking it a pity he could not use this opportunity to shake her off.


    Considering her great admiration for Sword Venerable Fudao, he decided to let her stay a bit longer.


    In the following days, the entire Supreme Sect revolved around discussions of Sword Venerable Fudao, and with many Ocean Cultivators in the sect, news of the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost also spread.


    Indestructible and immortal, devouring Living Spirits!


    Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts were transformed from Living Spirits!


    Just hearing this was terrifying!


    It is worth mentioning that You Yingying went to the Outer Gate City every day to preach the might of Sword Venerable Fudao. She felt that some things needed to be clearly stated so that the Supreme Sect could more greatly revere Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Every time Sword Venerable Fudao acted, the number of cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform increased dramatically.


    This made Zuo Yijian, who guarded the Heaven-Cutting Axe, even busier, but he was not tired, rather he became more energetic and proud.


    He now considered himself one of Sword Venerable Fudao''s people.


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    After all, Sword Venerable Fudao had patted him on the shoulder!


    Who could have such an honor?


    Gu An observed numerous sects gathering above the Sea Breaking Rift, and from a glance, the number of cultivators already exceeded five million and was still growing. It seemed the Sea Breaking Rift had caused widespread panic in the ocean.


    His gaze shifted upward, noticing more and more Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals arriving in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Clearly, the major oceanic powers were calling in reinforcements.


    This was a good thing!


    However, Gu An recalled something: would the increasing number of cultivators providing support lead to a rise in Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts?


    He could only pray those sects could resolve the deep-seated trouble in the Sea Breaking Rift on their own.


    He was not the protagonist of this Heavenly Destiny; he could not be relied upon to solve everything, right?


    He thought it should not come to that; this land was filled with Immortal Spirit Dynasties, and there was a mysterious continent capable of resisting his Divine Sense with its Qi Fortune.


    Furthermore, Gu An had also seen many transcendent powers before, none of which Star Sea Congregations or Seven Stars Spirit Realm could compare to.


    Star Sea Congregations were rulers of the ocean, but there were many rulers.


    With Gu An''s realm, he could already glimpse the Qi Fortune of sects and forces, and from the strength of the Qi Fortune, the Supreme Sect was less than one ten-thousandth of the Star Sea Congregations, and the Star Sea Congregations were likewise less than one ten-thousandth of that Immortal Spirit Dynasty.


    Gu An guessed those true first-rate powers of the world also had deployments in Outer Heaven; they could access more resources, nothing the Star Sea Congregations could compare to.


    The commotion caused by Sword Venerable Fudao did not affect Gu An.


    However, he began spending more time teaching Yang Jian.


    Ever since he dispersed the waves, Yang Jian had been experiencing more frequent visions, seriously affecting his cultivation.


    Once, while Gu An was instructing Yang Jian in his cultivation, Yang Jian suddenly fell into a daze. Gu An had to shake him awake, drenched in cold sweat. Yang Jian had seen himself being devoured, utterly powerless to resist, and the intense pain was not an illusion but a real sensation to his flesh.


    Unfortunately, Gu An could not deduce the source of the visions through cause and effect.


    Time passed day by day.


    The year-end arrived, winter snow covered the land and mountains.


    In the forest a hundred miles outside Mystic Valley, Gu An was instructing Yang Jian in the Limitless Freedom Step.


    Yang Jian possessed high talent and comprehension, but Limitless Freedom Step was equally profound. Mastering it was challenging even for him.


    After a maneuver, Yang Jian almost crashed into a tree, but he stabilized himself just in time.


    He turned to look at Gu An, about to speak, but suddenly frowned.


    He clutched his head with both hands and unexpectedly knelt in the snow.


    Gu An sensed something was wrong and immediately used his mana to isolate this section of the forest, preventing any unusual occurrences from alarming the Supreme Sect.


    He approached Yang Jian and placed his right hand on Yang Jian''s shoulder, using his own mana to assist him.


    In an instant, Gu An felt an unknown force of cause and effect attacking. He could resist, but he hesitated for a moment and pretended to be affected.


    His mind was drawn into a mysterious Illusion Realm, with Yang Jian''s consciousness present as well.


    Yang Jian sighed in relief upon seeing his master''s figure beside him.


    He was about to speak but suddenly felt something and turned his head. Ahead, a pitch-black shadow appeared, walking out from the expansive snow, seemingly wearing some kind of armor based on its shape.


    "Mystic Gang Dominator Body, a rare sight in a million years."


    A cold voice echoed from the front, filled with greed. Listening closely, it seemed to swallow something, chilling those who heard it to their bones.

 Chapter 264: Chapter 264: You Die, or I Perish

    Mystic Gang Dominator Body!This was the first time Gu An had heard of Yang Jian''s physique by name, which made him even more interested in the mysterious shadow.


    This person must be the Great Achievement Ancient Treasure Body mentioned by the Immortal Seeking Taoist!


    The illusion was still a world of ice and snow, and the shadow ahead appeared even more terrifying amidst the swirling snowflakes.


    Yang Jian gritted his teeth and asked, "Who are you, and why do you keep entangling me?"


    Obviously, he had seen this figure in illusions before.


    Normally, he would be afraid, but with his master by his side, his courage swelled, leaving him only with anger.


    The shadow stopped, opened a pair of cold eyes, and their gaze landed on Yang Jian, making his heart tremble.


    "You and I are both Treasure Bodies, nurtured by the Qi fortune of heaven and earth. Your Dominator Body is stronger than ordinary Treasure Bodies, which makes this seat quite fond of you. A million years ago, this seat also consumed a Mystic Gang Dominator Body, greatly boosting my Qi-blood, leaving a lingering taste until now," the shadow lamented, as if reminiscing about the past.


    His words made Yang Jian shudder with fear.


    Did this guy want to eat him?


    Gu An took a step forward and said, "State your name, and let''s see if your reputation has left any mark in this mortal world."


    The shadow''s gaze shifted to Gu An, smiling, "This seat is named Impermanence Tian, have you ever heard of it?"


    Impermanence Tian?


    Gu An fell into deep thought, having never heard this name before.


    Impermanence Tian continued to stare at Yang Jian and said, "This seat will soon descend upon this mortal world. I will put you last; after I consume the other Treasure Bodies, I will come for you. You have nowhere to run, even if you escape to Outer Heaven, this seat will find you. Your only chance is to cultivate diligently and unleash the mysteries of the Mystic Gang Dominator Body to become stronger."


    "You die, or I perish!"


    Yang Jian gritted his teeth, though panicked inside. With his master nearby, he didn''t want to show fear. He said in a deep voice, "Then come, let me see what you can do!"


    Impermanence Tian laughed out loud, turned, and disappeared into the vast snow.


    This illusion created by the Power of Cause and Effect shattered along with it.


    Yang Jian opened his eyes to find his master standing before him.


    Gu An helped him up and said, "He has declared battle upon you, and will likely no longer interfere with you. You can cultivate in peace now."


    In the illusion realm, Gu An couldn''t perform life span detection on Impermanence Tian.


    But the Power of Cause and Effect from the other side didn''t seem unbeatable, so he remained calm.


    Yang Jian asked worriedly, "Master, should I leave Medicine Valley, so as to..."


    "Nonsense! Focus on cultivating. If you say such rubbish again, I will cripple your Dao level!" Gu An said sternly, interrupting him.


    Yang Jian opened his mouth, but eventually held back what he wanted to say.


    He had the deepest feeling of Impermanence Tian''s power, which he couldn''t describe. Though he believed his master wouldn''t lose, he didn''t want his master hurt or caught in bigger troubles, something he never wished to see.


    Gu An didn''t say he could easily handle Impermanence Tian, for he wasn''t sure of Impermanence Tian''s strength either. It was just an opportunity to apply pressure on Yang Jian, hoping to help him grow faster.


    "He said he would first find other Treasure Bodies. Those Treasure Bodies must be guarded by great forces, giving you plenty of time to grow," Gu An consoled.


    "Everyone has their calamities and fates. Only by constantly overcoming them can you break the shackles. The path of Immortal Cultivation is inherently against the heavens. You need a heart that is resilient and fearless of anything."


    Yang Jian took a deep breath, his expression firming up.


    Yes, why think so much?


    Soldiers come, fight them off; water comes, build barriers!


    As long as he cultivated with all his might, even if he died, what regrets would he have?


    Then, he resumed cultivating the Limitless Freedom Step.


    In the snowy winter, the world became a single color, with Gu An and Yang Jian in the forest appearing very small.


    Days unfolded as Gu An had foreseen; Impermanence Tian didn''t come for Yang Jian again, and Yang Jian was no longer tormented by illusions.


    The New Year''s festival arrived, and the Supreme Sect remained lively, unaffected by the ocean calamity.


    This year, the Supreme Sect began preparing for a new convention.


    After the New Year, Lv Baitian came to discuss with Gu An about the upcoming convention.


    This time, the Supreme Sect intended to hold a Physical Cultivation convention where participants would not use Spiritual Power or Dharma Treasures, relying solely on their bodies and techniques.


    After their discussion, Lv Baitian started complaining about the sub-sects.


    The power of the sub-sects was growing, and Lv Baitian could no longer intervene in their matters. This was the decision of the Hall of Elders and the Venerable Pavilion, clearly aimed at weakening his power.


    To this, Gu An simply listened without commenting.


    There had always been internal strife in Supreme Sect at every stage, and in fact, it''s the same for any sect or place. As long as it didn''t jeopardize the entirety of Supreme Sect, Gu An didn''t care.


    If Lv Baitian couldn''t compete with others within the rules, it was merely a testament to his lack of skill, and nothing more needed to be said.


    Speaking of sub-sects, Lv Baitian brought up the Ji Family. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since Sword Venerable Fudao ventured into the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the realm still existed, but it wasn''t as dominant as before. Moreover, it had established friendly relations with the Supreme Sect, forcing the Ji Family to rebuild ties with the Supreme Sect.


    Lv Baitian remained indifferent to the Ji Family, but Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian still held a position. Therefore, Ji Hantian arranged for the Ji Family to stay in the sub-sects, aiding in their construction. The rapid development of the sub-sects could not disregard the contributions of the Ji Family.


    "Do you remember the Third Miss of the Ji Family, Ji Xiaoyu?" Lv Baitian suddenly asked.


    Gu An nodded, but Lv Baitian''s next words caused his face to change drastically.


    "Ji Xiaoyu had died within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, precisely on the day Sword Venerable Fudao swept through the realm," Lv Baitian sighed, observing Gu An''s reaction.


    Gu An displayed a range of emotions from shock and sorrow to anger, finally turning into a somber expression.


    He fell into silence and began pouring himself a drink.


    Could it be that this lad liked Ji Xiaoyu?


    Indeed, Gu An''s entry into the Supreme Sect was arranged by Ji Xiaoyu, and in terms of appearance, Ji Xiaoyu was undoubtedly a rare beauty.


    Lv Baitian thought as he watched Gu An.


    Gu An secretly praised himself for his acting skills, capable of conveying emotions that could influence others.


    The room fell silent.


    For a long while.


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    Lv Baitian broke the silence, "Old acquaintances have gone; on the path to immortality, you''re bound to experience these matters. By the way, there''s another matter, quite intriguing actually."


    "What is it?" Gu An raised his eyes to look at him and asked.


    Lv Baitian replied, "Another Girl of Heavenly Pride has appeared in the Ji Family, also named Ji Xiaoyu. If I hadn''t seen this girl, I would have thought it was the previous Ji Xiaoyu, but they were born in different branches of the Ji Family, and her talent surpasses that of the former Ji Xiaoyu."


    Curious, Gu An asked, "Both called Ji Xiaoyu and both highly talented, could it be the same person through possession or reincarnation?"


    Lv Baitian shook his head, "I don''t think so. She''s named Ji Xiaoyu because she also possesses a Primordial Daoist Talisman. The Ji Family named her in memory of the former Ji Xiaoyu. Judging by the aura of the talisman, it''s not the same."


    "A Primordial Daoist Talisman is formed by the cultivation level of an Ancient Great Cultivator before they died. It seems an Immortal once emerged from the Ji Family. The Ji Family doesn''t receive the talisman. Instead, they created the Primordial Daoist Talisman."


    Lv Baitian''s tone was filled with emotion, his eyes wandering as if contemplating something.


    Gu An sighed without responding.


    Seeing his disinterest in further conversation, Lv Baitian decided not to disturb him any longer and took his leave.


    After Lv Baitian left the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An revealed a smile.


    He hummed a tune and began to read.


    Although Xuan Tianyi was no longer in Supreme Sect, his books were occasionally sent back.


    Green Hero Travelogue was still being updated!


    Gu An loved authors like this who stayed true to their roots.


    If Xuan Tianyi wrote for a thousand years, he would read for a thousand years!


    Notably, Green Hero Travelogue was now about overseas lands, which had rapidly boosted its sales. Presently, Supreme Sect disciples increasingly longed for the ocean.


    ...


    Spring faded into summer, bringing another year of splendid scenery.


    Underneath the Mystic Pure Tree, Gu An leaned against its trunk, tenderly stroking the White Spirit Rat napping beside him. He closed his eyes, appearing to doze, but in fact, he was observing Xiaochuan''s life.


    Xiaochuan had established a family and a career, settled in a city, living a relatively happy life, vastly different from his personality and image in Medicine Valley.


    He already had the air of a head of the household.


    Xiaochuan had a son and a daughter, and they''d hired many servants. Seeing that Xiaochuan was doing well, Gu An felt at ease.


    After that, Gu An turned his gaze toward the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Looking into the distance, the Sea Breaking Rift stretched long, spanning the ocean. Around the rift, one could always spot cultivators and demons venturing in and out, as well as living spirits or divine exotic resentful ghosts escaping, presenting a magnificent sight.


    It seemed calm but this peace felt oppressive, like the onset of a storm.


    After watching for a while, Gu An stood up, sensing someone approaching.


    Someone rode the clouds swiftly into Medicine Valley.


    It was Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian, followed by a finely dressed little girl.


    Gu An hurried to greet them, casting a life span detection.


    [Ji Xiaoyu (Energy Cultivation Realm Ninth Layer): 11/240/9999]


    Goodness, the extreme life span reached 9,999 years!


    The previous Ji Xiaoyu had an extreme life span of 8,900 years; reborn into a new life, her extreme life span had increased. Could this be considered reincarnation cultivation?


    Ji Hantian saw Gu An and smiled. When Gu An approached, he spoke, "I want you to look after her. She is Ji Xiaoyu, from a branch of the Ji Family."


    Hearing this, Gu An feigned a dazed look, gazing at the young Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu was only eleven years old, not yet reaching Ji Hantian''s elbow. Her expression was calm, with eyes carrying a hint of age, reminding Gu An of the previous Ji Xiaoyu''s precocious maturity.


    Seeing Gu An lost in thought, Ji Hantian explained, "She just happens to have this name. Lv Baitian should have mentioned it. Let her cultivate in your Medicine Valley, and I will take her away later."


    Saying so, Ji Hantian turned and swiftly disappeared into the horizon.


    Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu stood on the grass, speechless, a subtle atmosphere prevailing.


    Just then, a figure appeared in front of Ji Xiaoyu. He squatted down to scrutinize her¡ªit was none other than Nine-Finger Divine Lord.

 Chapter 265: Chapter 265 Supreme Treasure Body, Dream of the Previous Life

    "Such a foundation, rare, rare."The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked at Ji Xiaoyu and marveled, clicking his tongue.


    Ji Xiaoyu slightly frowned, circled past the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and came to Gu An''s side, leaning against him, watching the Nine-Finger Divine Lord with vigilance.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Senior, don''t scare the child."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood up, turned to look at Gu An, and sighed, "Gu An, this girl has extraordinary talent, you must draw her in while she is still young and build a good relationship. She might save your life in the future."


    Gu An nonchalantly said, "I never leave the Supreme Sect, what danger could I encounter?"


    "True."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord smiled and took another glance at Ji Xiaoyu before turning and leaving.


    Gu An looked at Ji Xiaoyu and laughed, "I am called Gu An, you can call me Valley Master from now on."


    Ji Xiaoyu gently nodded, her gaze towards Gu An remained calm, as if she really did not remember Gu An.


    This made Gu An slightly regretful; in this life, Ji Xiaoyu was ultimately not the same person as in the past.


    Gu An took Ji Xiaoyu''s little hand and walked towards the group of pavilions.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s expression was slightly uneasy, but she did not break free.


    Afterward, Gu An arranged for Ji Xiaoyu to live with An Xin, asking An Xin to take care of her.


    He had his own motives; Ji Xiaoyu would sooner or later soar to great heights. If she formed a deep bond with An Xin, she could become a significant support for An Xin in the future.


    After all, An Xin was his disciple, and naturally, he would consider her well-being.


    It wasn''t long before Gu An''s door was knocked on, and a childish voice came from outside:


    "Valley Master, can I come in?"


    Gu An replied, "Come in."


    The door was pushed open, and the young Ji Xiaoyu walked in.


    She wore a white lotus dress, her hair neatly combed, resembling a little celestial maiden who had descended to earth.


    She came to the table, staring at Gu An, and said, "Valley Master, can I live alone?"


    Despite her childish voice, her tone and manner were mature and steady.


    "Why?" Gu An looked at her, smilingly asking.


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "I like living alone, and I don''t want to be disturbed while cultivating."


    Gu An thought for a moment, then said, "How about you live downstairs in my pavilion?"


    The pavilion he resided in had two floors; the first floor was for living quarters, and only he could live there. However, he usually stayed in the study on the second floor.


    Ji Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, then slightly nodded.


    Gu An kindly smiled, "If you need anything, just let me know. Although my surname is Gu, I was also born into the Ji Family."


    Ji Xiaoyu, curious, asked, "You were born into the Ji Family?"


    "Yes, I used to be a house servant of the Ji Family..." Gu An began to recount his background and how he entered the Supreme Sect.


    However, he did not mention Ji Xiaoyu''s name, only referring to her as the Third Miss of the family.


    He wanted to test if Ji Xiaoyu remembered anything.


    Ji Xiaoyu listened earnestly. When Gu An finished speaking, she asked, "Did you investigate who your parents are? The house servants of the Ji Family are all recorded."


    Gu An was stunned.


    When he reached the Carefree Primordial Immortal level, he returned to the Ji Family to see the past causes and effects and to see what his parents looked like. Unfortunately, he could not see them.


    He didn''t know if it was because too much time had passed or for some other reason, but Gu An couldn''t see the causes and effects of his childhood.


    "No, regardless of their identity, if they missed me, they would naturally come looking for me, wouldn''t they?" Gu An replied.


    To say he had never fantasized about this life''s parents would be a lie, but having lived two lifetimes, he wouldn''t be melancholy over it. Though he had no parents in this life, he had them in his last one and had already experienced the joy of family.


    Ji Xiaoyu moved a chair in front of the table and sat down. Placing her hands on the table, she looked at Gu An and said, "It''s strange, I have very little emotion towards my parents. The other children in the family have a close relationship with their parents, but every time my mother approaches me, I feel very uncomfortable..."


    She began to share her inner feelings, and Gu An listened attentively.


    In his childhood, Gu An also heard from other house servants and slaves about the Third Miss''s distant relationship with her parents. It often made her mother sad. However, because the Third Miss was extraordinarily talented, everyone had to flatter her, including her parents, who didn''t dare to fuss too much.


    Gu An guessed that although Ji Xiaoyu had no memories of her past life, her disposition remained. Her spiritual wisdom and mind didn''t need to grow; she just needed an adjustment period.


    Listening to Ji Xiaoyu recount her childhood experiences and inner thoughts, Gu An occasionally chimed in and analyzed from an outsider''s perspective. Despite the age gap, they enjoyed talking to each other.


    As they chatted, a smile gradually appeared on Ji Xiaoyu''s face, replacing her usual cold demeanor.


    They talked until evening, when Ji Xiaoyu stood up and said, "It''s getting dark. I must go cultivate."


    Gu An nodded, smiling.


    This little girl was even chattier than in her past life.


    However, having an occasional chat with a child wasn''t bad.


    Ji Xiaoyu suddenly said, "Valley Master, I don''t know why, but the moment I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity as if I had known you for a long time."


    Gu An replied, "It shows that we are fated. Welcome to my Medicine Valley."


    Ji Xiaoyu smiled, then formally bowed to him like a little adult.


    After she closed the door, Gu An picked up the book on the table and continued reading.


    When night fell, he felt the presence of Ji Xiaoyu downstairs starting her Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    He sensed the existence of a Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    The Primordial Daoist Talisman was still filled with incredible power, aiding Ji Xiaoyu in her cultivation.


    Gu An did not continuously observe Ji Xiaoyu and soon focused back on reading.


    ...


    Blue sea and sky, islands floating in the air, birds flying together, cultivators coming and going.


    On a floating island, palaces were situated, the interior bright with light, the ground as blue as the sea, glistening with light.


    An Hao sat cross-legged in the water pool, surrounded by mist, his black hair floating slightly, and a faint light emanated from his body, resembling a fire glow.


    A figure appeared out of thin air by the poolside, a man in a long robe, with an immortal aura, holding a horsetail whisk, his white hair tied beneath a lotus crown, with three flying swords of different shapes floating behind him.


    "Disciple, in the coming period, you must not leave the Star Sea Congregations. I will be heading to the Sea Breaking Rift and do not know when I will return," the man in the long robe said.


    He had the title of Sage Fuchen, known as Sage Fuchen, An Hao''s master in the Star Sea Congregations.


    An Hao opened his eyes, looked at him, and frowned, "Why can''t I leave? I don''t even have Divine Exotic City."


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    Clearly, he was quite displeased with Li Ya being restricted. After all, he and Li Ya came from the Supreme Sect, practically old acquaintances, and seeing an acquaintance suffer, how could he be happy?


    Sage Fuchen shook his head and said, "Your situation is different; your trouble is greater. There is a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost with an Ancient Treasure Body in the Sea Breaking Rift. It was once a Transcendent Immortal and could traverse Outer Heaven, named Impermanence Tian. Impermanence Tian plans to devour all Treasure Bodies in the world. He will inevitably target you, and his Dao Level is stronger than a Wandering Immortal."


    Stronger than a Wandering Immortal!


    An Hao''s face shifted slightly. Although he now understood the levels of the Immortal Path Realm, the highest he could reach was the Wandering Immortal. Beyond that, it was a sect taboo not to be explored lightly.


    Sage Fuchen comforted, "If you stay within the Star Sea Congregations, he can''t do anything to you, so do not venture out. Wait until all congregations eliminate the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost at the bottom of the Sea Breaking Rift."


    An Hao nodded. He wouldn''t tempt fate by trying to challenge Impermanence Tian''s might.


    Though he might have great talent, in terms of strength on this ocean, he knew he was still very weak, even considered a bottom-tier cultivator.


    Then, Sage Fuchen gave a few more reminders before leaving.


    An Hao raised his right hand, a wisp of flame emerging from his palm, condensing into a small sun. The firelight illuminated his face, which remained indifferent.


    "Impermanence Tian, Supreme Treasure Body, why do I feel like I want to devour you?"


    ...


    The summer heat was intense.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint down from the Transmission Array Platform. Today, he had gone to Tianya Valley, harvested some medicinal herbs, and spent nearly an hour in the Mystic Valley.


    Gu An looked up and gazed at the distant Mystic Pure Tree.


    Under the Mystic Pure Tree, Ji Xiaoyu was staring at it, with Li Lingtian standing nearby, saying something.


    Gu An patted the Blood Prison Great Saint, signaling it to head towards the Mystic Pure Tree.


    "Little girl, my swordsmanship is really amazing, are you sure you don''t want to learn?"


    "You should learn it. I see you have extraordinary talent and need an Ultimate Skill to protect yourself."


    "Why don''t you answer me? I am the Crown Prince of the present dynasty!"


    No matter how much Li Lingtian persuaded, Ji Xiaoyu ignored him, making him stomp his feet in frustration.


    At this moment, Gu An''s voice floated over, "First, defeat Jian''er with your swordsmanship before you brag."


    Li Lingtian quickly turned around and awkwardly grinned.


    Gu An dismounted and walked towards Ji Xiaoyu, then said, "Don''t disturb her, or I''ll have Jian''er train you."


    Li Lingtian''s face changed slightly, and he immediately left. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Gu An reached Ji Xiaoyu, she was still staring dazedly at the Mystic Pure Tree.


    Behind them, the banter of the Blood Prison Great Saint and Li Lingtian could be heard, with the Blood Prison Great Saint always managing to irritate Li Lingtian.


    Gu An looked at Ji Xiaoyu, secretly amazed.


    Had she begun Path Enlightenment just one month after entering the valley?


    This was too incredible!


    He did not disturb Ji Xiaoyu, just stood beside her to protect her from being bothered by other disciples.


    It wasn''t until twilight that Ji Xiaoyu finally came back to her senses.


    Gu An guessed it was her body''s natural reaction; as night fell, she had to cultivate.


    Ji Xiaoyu turned and saw Gu An, smiling, "Valley Master Brother, why are you here? Finished with your work today?"


    Gu An rubbed her head and said, "I finished long ago. What were you thinking about just now?"


    Ji Xiaoyu called him brother because he arranged it so; initially, she found it awkward, but she got used to it after half a month.


    Recalling, Ji Xiaoyu said, "I seem to have seen some memories, they belong to me, but I have not experienced them."


    "Oh? What exactly did you see?"


    "I saw myself standing in the sky, with many demons and people kneeling before me."


    As she said this, Ji Xiaoyu''s face turned unnatural. She felt like she was dreaming, but she did indeed see it.

 Chapter 266: Chapter 266 Divine Exotic Ghost King, Bitter Sea Buddha Sect

    Gu An asked, "What else did you see?"Seeing that Gu An did not doubt her, Ji Xiaoyu continued to recount.


    She saw herself being chased by many people, saw herself diving to the seabed and discovering a palace, and even saw herself flying into the sky to pick stars, among other things.


    After listening, Gu An said, "You can come here often if you''re free."


    But Ji Xiaoyu shook her head and said, "Forget it, my intuition tells me not to touch those memories."


    After speaking, Ji Xiaoyu turned and left.


    Gu An watched her back and suddenly felt that her reincarnation was not just for improving her aptitude.


    Thinking carefully, it''s true, the power contained in Ji Xiaoyu''s Primordial Daoist Talisman was so strong that she did not need to improve her aptitude before Nirvana.


    Could there be another hidden reason, and Ji Xiaoyu''s soul had been wary of awakening her previous life memories?


    Gu An shook his head, not wanting to think too much. After all, Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t stay in the Third Medicine Valley forever.


    ...


    At the end of summer, Gu An arrived at Immortal Seeking Island.


    His divine sense swept around, but the figure of the Immortal Seeking Taoist was nowhere to be seen. Did he really escape?


    He shook his head, then walked into the streets and began to wander around. This time, he did not call Hu Xiaojian.


    Besides buying seeds, he also wanted to inquire about Impermanence Tian''s whereabouts.


    Now there were battles everywhere on the ocean, even Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal conflicts. More and more Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts were escaping from the Sea Breaking Rift, some in groups and some alone.


    Those Divine Soul Demons acting alone were very strong. Gu An didn''t keep watching the Sea Breaking Rift, so he came to listen for news.


    Sure enough, cultivators all over the streets were discussing the Sea Breaking Rift and the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    It was said that there were nine Divine Exotic Ghost Kings in the Sea Breaking Rift, each having the power to rival a Great Sect, and some even holding Immortal Path Supreme Treasures.


    The main forces of the Star Sea Congregations once encountered one Divine Exotic Ghost King, suffering heavy losses and failing to capture it.


    The known Divine Exotic Ghost Kings were three: Impermanence Tian, Defying Jiuyou, and Yin Yang Chaos.


    All three had three-word names, and each had heaven-shaking abilities.


    Impermanence Tian stormed into a force comparable to the Star Sea Congregations, swallowing a great talent alive and leaving leisurely, making a name in battle.


    Defying Jiuyou created the Jiuyou Sea Fog, wreaking havoc on the ocean, turning all marine life into white bones wherever it passed.


    Yin Yang Chaos was even scarier, capturing souls and turning them into ghostly soldiers.


    The three Divine Exotic Ghost Kings did not fight together; each could bring disaster to the ocean.


    There was also good news: it was said that an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure appeared in the Sea Breaking Rift and was seized by a divine monk from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    Bitter Sea Buddha Sect came from a far-off place, not known to the cultivators on Immortal Seeking Island, only that it was very powerful.


    Gu An wandered around for an hour and then began purchasing medicinal herbs.


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    Before he finished his shopping, dark clouds rolled in, covering Immortal Seeking Island and darkening the entire island.


    Although Gu An had detected the crisis on Immortal Seeking Island, he did not panic and calmly continued buying medicinal herbs.


    When he walked out of the mansion''s gate, Immortal Seeking Island was already like night.


    His gaze turned to the alleyway corner, where a claw emerged from the pitch-black wall, followed by a hideous ghost crawling out.


    It was entirely black, with blood-red cracks all over its body, resembling the thousand-foot figure in the previous terrifying sea waves.


    After landing, it looked around, its face bearing six eyes, and soon locked its gaze on Gu An.


    With a thunderous roar, the whole city echoed with a nerve-wracking howl, as if hundreds of thousands of monsters were howling together.


    The Six-Eyed Resentful Ghost also howled, leaping like lightning and appearing before Gu An in the blink of an eye.


    Boom!


    The Six-Eyed Resentful Ghost instantly turned into ghostly mist, scattering around.


    Gu An walked toward the steps, and the entire city erupted in battle. Numerous cultivators and demons flew into the sky, countless Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts rising like a rain of arrows to chase them.


    Gu An did not receive any life span prompt and abandoned the idea of gaining life span by capturing Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    Since there was no profit, there was no need to stay long.


    Gu An used the Limitless Freedom Step to leave Immortal Seeking Island.


    After returning to the Supreme Sect, he leisurely walked into Mystic Valley.


    In the summer heat, the disciples were all cultivating inside their rooms. Gu An went upstairs to rest and only came to the Third Medicine Valley in the evening.


    Now he liked wandering around, seeming very busy but actually doing nothing, just enjoying such a lifestyle.


    Upon his return, Gu An saw the Nine-Finger Divine Lord playing chess with none other than Lu Lingjun''s master, the Holy Mother of Western Spirit.


    Lu Lingjun stood by watching the game, which piqued Gu An''s interest, and he walked over to join.


    As he arrived beside Lu Lingjun, he heard the Nine-Finger Divine Lord say with a smile, "Much obliged."


    The disciples all praised him for his skill.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit was calm. She looked at the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and asked, "May I ask your name, senior, and what sect you are from?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord waved his hand, saying, "It''s just a game of chess, no need to pry so much. Has the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect not taught you manners?"


    Upon hearing this, the Holy Mother of Western Spirit''s expression changed slightly, but she said no more. She stood up, saluted the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and then turned to leave.


    Lu Lingjun did not follow but looked at Gu An beside her, asking curiously, "How did you beat this senior?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face turned ashen, and he began to call others to sit down and start another game.


    Gu An replied with a smug smile, "I wanted to interact with you as a mortal, but since you asked, I have to reveal it. I am a chess immortal in the world, using black and white Tai Chi to inquire about the Dao, experiencing worldly tribulations."


    Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but roll her eyes.


    Beside them, Elder Lu widened his eyes and couldn''t help but ask, "Valley Master, are you really a chess immortal?"


    The other disciples also looked at Gu An excitedly. Whether true or not, their expressions made Gu An feel very satisfied.


    "You are teachable!"


    Gu An said with a laugh, "Just teasing you all. If I were a chess immortal, would I still be here doing chores?"


    The disciples laughed along, continuously flattering him.


    Seeing Gu An enjoying the disciples'' adulation, Lu Lingjun shook her head and smiled.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord found Gu An very contradictory. Sometimes he was very worldly, sometimes he saw through the mundane. Perhaps it was this contradiction in his character that made his chess moves unpredictable and hard to capture.


    Afterward, Lu Lingjun pulled Gu An away, and they came to a secluded place.


    "Can you let the girl downstairs come to me? I want to take her as my disciple," Lu Lingjun asked eagerly.


    Gu An, hearing this, shook his head and said, "She is the Girl of Heavenly Pride from the Ji Family, only temporarily staying with me. If you want to take her as a disciple, you must ask the vice sect leader."


    Lu Lingjun pouted and said, "Ji Hantian? He definitely won''t agree. He opposed my founding of the Ascension Sect before, fearing I would undermine the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An laughed and said, "So what are you doing now?"


    "I just can''t bear to see good talents buried."


    "So if you can''t bear to see good talents from the Supreme Sect being buried, do you want to take all the good talents away?"


    "You brat, do you think of me like that?"


    As they bickered, Lu Lingjun started hitting Gu An, who was really afraid of hurting her.


    Sigh.


    He suddenly missed the days when Lu Lingjun used to bribe him.


    Back then, Lu Lingjun''s attitude was as good as could be.


    Women are indeed changeable.


    Gu An suddenly asked, "Your master is from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect? What kind of sect is that, and where is it?"


    He was curious because he had also heard this name mentioned today on Immortal Seeking Island.


    Lu Lingjun replied, "Yes, the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect is very far from the Supreme Sect. Not even Ji Hantian could find it in a lifetime."


    "So far away, you won''t become a nun at the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, will you?"


    "Don''t talk nonsense, let''s not discuss this."


    Lu Lingjun gave Gu An a stern look and then changed the topic, seemingly afraid of offending the Holy Mother of Western Spirit.


    After chatting for a while, Lu Lingjun left.


    Gu An then walked towards his loft.


    Upon reaching the loft, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly ran out of the house, saying she had something to tell him.


    So, they went upstairs together.


    After sitting down, Gu An looked at Ji Xiaoyu sitting opposite and asked, "What''s the matter?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "Wait a moment, Valley Master Brother, read a book first."


    Seeing her nervousness, Gu An found it amusing and didn''t press for an answer, instead picking up Investiture of the Gods to read.


    "Valley Master Brother, why are you reading Investiture of the Gods? They all say you like reading Green Hero Travelogue," Ji Xiaoyu asked curiously.


    Gu An''s face changed instantly, and he sternly asked, "Who said that?"


    "Tang Yu, Peng Chang, Chen Jie, they all said so." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t listen to their nonsense. Tomorrow I''ll educate them properly. How dare they slander their master!"


    "Slander? Isn''t Green Hero Travelogue a good book?"


    "Don''t ask, just read a book yourself."


    Gu An threw Journey to the West on the table to Ji Xiaoyu and then focused on reading.


    An hour later, Ji Xiaoyu put down Journey to the West, let out a sigh of relief, and said, "They finally left. Two people came to the valley today, making me feel very uncomfortable. One of them even wanted to take me as a disciple, but I refused."


    Gu An sensed that the Holy Mother of Western Spirit and Lu Lingjun had already flown away and was secretly surprised.


    Ji Xiaoyu, who was only at the ninth layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, could sense the Holy Mother of Western Spirit''s presence?


    She could even judge when the Holy Mother of Western Spirit left, extraordinary indeed.


    Gu An asked, "Why did they make you feel uncomfortable? Have you seen them before?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "No, but when I was in a trance under the Mystic Pure Tree, I saw some images of people with similar auras to them, and those people wanted to capture me."


    Hmm?


    Could it be that Ji Xiaoyu was an enemy of the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect in her previous life?


    It seemed that he needed to pay more attention to the Holy Mother of Western Spirit. If she recognized Ji Xiaoyu, he had to be cautious to avoid implicating the disciples in the valley.


    "Valley Master Brother, you''d better stay away from them. I feel that nothing good will come from getting close to them," Ji Xiaoyu said seriously.


    Gu An nodded and said, "Don''t mention this to anyone else to avoid trouble."


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "Don''t worry, I''ll only tell you. Besides you, I feel that no one else in this world would harm me. It''s a strange feeling, but that''s truly how I feel."

 Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Stronger Physique

    Hearing Ji Xiaoyu''s words, Gu An couldn''t help but feel curious. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Why did she have such thoughts?


    In her past life, before her death, Gu An did indeed help her, but that was in the guise of the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Could it be that Ji Xiaoyu had already seen through his true identity at that time?


    That was impossible. The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body could shield against probing and causal deduction. To see through his identity, the other party''s cultivation level would have to be far higher than his.


    Could it be because of Gu An''s identity?


    Gu An suddenly recalled when they were children, Ji Xiaoyu once spoke up to save him. Thinking carefully, it seemed Ji Xiaoyu had only saved him and not shown such kindness to other house servants, or perhaps she didn''t meddle in their affairs.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Since you trust me so much, I must treat you well. As long as you''re in Medicine Valley, you can cultivate at ease. No one can harm you."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, then started talking about Journey to the West again.


    Recently, in addition to her cultivation, she had also begun reading like Gu An, becoming more and more fascinated with Journey to the West as she read.


    The two chatted for an hour before Ji Xiaoyu left.


    ...


    Autumn arrived.


    Gu An returned to Immortal Seeking Island. After the attack by the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, the island had become somewhat desolate, but overall it had not declined.


    The strength of Immortal Seeking Island was still formidable. Without an attack from a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost that surpassed the Loose Immortal Realm, it was difficult to shake the foundation of Immortal Seeking Island.


    Gu An sent a message to Hu Xiaojian, who quickly appeared before him.


    After the salute, Hu Xiaojian began recounting the attack on Immortal Seeking Island. When he mentioned the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, his face was full of fear and dread.


    "Those fellas reformed in less than five breaths after being scattered. They were too troublesome. Fortunately, the Island Master used divine skills to move them all away. Unable to break through, they eventually dispersed..."


    Hu Xiaojian shivered as he spoke.


    Gu An comforted him after hearing, "It''s okay, it''s over now. Don''t worry. Immortal Seeking Island has stood here for so many years; it won''t be easily destroyed."


    "Just afraid of a Divine Exotic Ghost King descending..." Hu Xiaojian sighed.


    "What does Immortal Seeking Island have that would attract a Divine Exotic Ghost King?"


    "Indeed, the Divine Exotic Ghost King doesn''t seek heavenly treasures, only wishing to slaughter the strong and use them for their own purposes."


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    Hu Xiaojian nodded, his mood lifting.


    Afterward, he led Gu An to continue their procurement, while also talking about the Sea Breaking Rift and the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts'' news.


    Gu An listened. Currently, various parts of the ocean were under attack from the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Their numbers were increasing, causing the maritime sects to take action. Many sects that Hu Xiaojian had never even heard of before displayed their power, astounding him.


    Deep Sea Spirit Palace, Mortal World Peak, Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, Purple Pill Palace, Immortal Fall Gorge, Vast Energy Daoist Sect, Time Divine Pavilion...


    This vast world left Hu Xiaojian deeply moved.


    Gu An, however, wasn''t much affected. He had previously used his divine sense to probe and found that this world was on par with the Star Sea Congregations, with over a hundred sects at the same level, demonstrating the world''s immense strength.


    Some sects could already travel to Outer Heaven, yet they remained here. Perhaps there were unimaginable dangers in Outer Heaven for mortal spirits.


    Gu An was curious about the power that enveloped the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, forbidding beings below the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm from leaving. What exactly was it?


    Was it the constraints of the world or the work of some higher force?


    In any case, Gu An didn''t plan to venture to Outer Heaven lightly.


    Since only Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals could leave the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he needed to surpass that level by at least two major realms before exploring. It would be too frustrating to die out there.


    When Hu Xiaojian mentioned medicinal herbs, Gu An''s thoughts returned to reality.


    Compared to the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, he was more concerned with extending his lifespan.


    The years flowed on; since ancient times, the mortal world had been full of hardships, but those who could live long lives were few.


    Longevity and immortality, that was what Gu An cared about most.


    ...


    In the blink of an eye, five years passed.


    Gu An''s life span had already exceeded twenty-eight million years, nearing thirty million years.


    In these five years, the ocean faced endless calamities, and Immortal Seeking Island experienced two more attacks. However, the mainland where Supreme Sect resided remained peaceful, unaffected by the ocean''s tribulations.


    In the forest.


    Gu An sat on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, watching with a smile as Yang Jian and Li Lingtian sparred.


    Though Li Lingtian had reached the second layer of the Core Formation Realm, he was still suppressed by Yang Jian, who appeared to be only in the Foundation Establishment Realm. In reality, Yang Jian had already formed his Nascent Soul. Even if he suppressed his cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Realm, his physical strength was not something a Core Formation Realm cultivator could withstand.


    Bang!


    Li Lingtian crashed into a tree trunk, causing the thousand-year-old tree to tremble, leaves falling.


    Ten zhang away, Yang Jian retracted his leg, patting his robe. His sharp aura subsided, and the oppressive feeling he exuded disappeared.


    Li Lingtian sat on the ground, clutching his chest in pain.


    The voice of the Blood Prison Great Saint came, "Li Lingtian, your cultivation results are too weak. Like this, you still dare to call yourself Lingtian?"


    Hearing this, Li Lingtian grew anxious, but with Gu An and Yang Jian there, he could only suppress it.


    "Damn it... What kind of monster is this guy..."


    Li Lingtian struggled to stand, looking at Yang Jian with fear.


    Fortunately, it was just a spar. If it were a life-and-death fight, he wouldn''t just die; he would die horribly.


    He felt that over the years, Yang Jian''s ferocity had grown, and even someone as fearless as him was terrified, afraid of provoking him.


    "Jian''er, you were too heavy-handed. Apologize." Gu An''s voice came, and Yang Jian looked at Li Lingtian, noticing his serious internal injuries, he immediately felt guilty and hurried forward.


    "Sorry, I was distracted just now." Yang Jian stood before Li Lingtian, his face full of regret.


    Seeing his expression, Li Lingtian didn''t feel better; in fact, he felt worse.


    He forced a smile, saying, "It''s fine, I''m just not skilled enough."


    He suddenly wanted to leave the Third Medicine Valley.


    He thought staying by Yang Jian would help him learn more, but why did the gap feel like it was widening?


    He almost forgot what it felt like to win. To be precise, he had never won.


    Since becoming an adult, he only sparred with Yang Jian and wouldn''t bully other disciples in the valley.


    Gu An called them back to the valley, simultaneously scanning the ocean with his divine sense.


    Five years had passed, and the seas around the continent had started to show signs of the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Though few in number, it was not a good omen.


    For having once struck down a thousand-zhang tall figure and dispersed giant waves, he surely left a profound impression on the mysterious existence within the Sea Breaking Rift. But all these years, no danger had arrived, which was definitely not a stroke of luck. The mysterious entity under the Sea Breaking Rift must be plotting something.


    The desire for a breakthrough grew stronger in Gu An''s heart.


    With a cultivation level of the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, he would remain unafraid of calamities. Even if he couldn''t win, he could escape. But if he could escape, what about Medicine Valley and those he cared about?


    Escaping with them all would be inconvenient and could expose his true cultivation level.


    "Damn Heavenly Dao, obstructing my pursuit of one hundred million years of life span," Gu An thought to himself, frustrated.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint beneath him couldn''t fathom his thoughts; it was busy teasing Li Lingtian, making Li Lingtian''s face turn completely red, feeling like exploding.


    As they approached the valley entrance of the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An noticed a figure. He lightly patted the ox''s back, signaling the Blood Prison Great Saint to speed up.


    In the end, Li Lingtian ran faster, rushing over like a gust of wind.


    "Sister Yu, why are you here?" Li Lingtian asked with a flattering smile.


    Sixteen-year-old Ji Xiaoyu stood at the valley entrance, tall and slender, dressed in a belted blue dress, with beautiful makeup, her long hair coiled under a purple crown, looking like a fairy in a painting. Even some passing disciples from the valley couldn''t help but frequently glance at her.


    Compared to her past life, she had grown more beautiful and not as cold in temperament.


    Originally smiling, Ji Xiaoyu''s smile faded as soon as Li Lingtian appeared, and she took a step to the side.


    This step made the already hurt Li Lingtian feel even worse.


    When the Blood Prison Great Saint got closer, Ji Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Brother Valley Master, are you done?"


    Gu An nodded and asked, "Do you have something to discuss?"


    "Let''s talk inside." Ji Xiaoyu said, heading toward Gu An''s pavilion.


    Li Lingtian looked at her back, hesitating to speak.


    Riding the Blood Prison Great Saint, Gu An followed her back. Yang Jian also left alone to continue his cultivation. He still wasn''t strong enough to contend with Impermanence Tian.


    Only Li Lingtian remained at the valley entrance, looking around, feeling very depressed.


    "You beat up Laozi, and you''re all happy and dispersed?"


    On the other hand.


    Gu An led Ji Xiaoyu to the second floor of the pavilion. After sitting down, he stretched lazily and asked, "What''s the matter?"


    Ji Xiaoyu sat down and took the paper and pen beside her, beginning to write.


    Gu An picked up a book, reading while waiting.


    He pondered whether to enhance his physique and cultivation technique if he broke through early.


    His Mystic Holy Body was stronger than the Treasure Body, having upgraded from the Five Elements Treasure Body to the Innate Taoist Body, then transformed into the Mystic Holy Body.


    But the Mystic Holy Body could still improve. After all, the path to becoming stronger was endless.


    After a long time.


    Ji Xiaoyu stopped writing. She looked up at Gu An and pouted, "Why don''t you care at all about what I''m writing?"


    Gu An put down his book and smiled, "Aren''t I waiting for you to finish? I''ve lived one hundred fifty years longer than you; it''s not easy to get curious so quickly."


    Ji Xiaoyu pushed the dozen sheets of paper she had written toward Gu An. "This is a cultivation technique I comprehended last night. Have a look."


    Gu An picked them up and read them one by one.


    After he finished, he was astonished and said, "What a marvelous technique. Did you really comprehend this?"


    This technique was indeed excellent, though not as good as his own. However, within the Supreme Sect, it would definitely be highly valuable, not something an Inner Sect Disciple could buy.


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "Yes, sort of. This technique can cleanse the muscles and marrow. You always complain about your poor aptitude. You can try this technique. It doesn''t affect your Energy Absorption Skill, so you can cultivate it with peace of mind."


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can I teach it to others?"


    Ji Xiaoyu furrowed her brows slightly at that.


    Gu An chuckled, "If it''s not allowed, then forget it. Thank you very much."

 Chapter 268: Chapter 268: The Catastrophe of the Star Sea Congregations

    "You can teach it to others too, but whether they can master it is hard to say. This cultivation technique requires a large amount of medicinal herbs to temper the body. I only taught it to you because you happen to have the Medicine Valley."Ji Xiaoyu spoke, then she stood up and turned to leave.


    "Just leaving like that?" Gu An couldn''t help but ask.


    "Got to go cultivate."


    Ji Xiaoyu replied without turning her head. This time, after walking out of the room, she didn''t close the door.


    Gu An smiled to himself, muttering, "Still has the heart of a girl."


    He didn''t mind and put away the cultivation technique Ji Xiaoyu had written.


    In fact, he had similar cultivation techniques. He had just asked casually just now.


    The techniques that change one''s physique often require a large accumulation of rare and precious items; having just the method isn''t enough.


    Gu An began to scan the entire Mortal World with his Divine Sense, looking for a suitable place to break through.


    He couldn''t imagine how much disturbance the upcoming breakthrough would cause, so he wanted to choose a place far away from living beings.


    Referring to the commotion caused by his last breakthrough, Gu An was troubled.


    He felt that wherever he chose to break through, it would alarm the surrounding forces and affect living beings.


    His gaze suddenly fell on the Sea Breaking Rift, sensing the vast and dense spiritual energy within.


    How about breaking through inside the Sea Breaking Rift?


    This idea grew on him, and Gu An felt it might be worth trying.


    Once I reach a lifespan of thirty million years, I''ll go for the breakthrough!


    ...


    In the grand hall, An Hao was meditating in a pool, his brows furrowed, feeling restless.


    Suddenly, he opened his eyes, his vision filled with blood vessels, and everything around him was shaking violently, causing his mind to become hazy.


    He vaguely saw a mass of black air rushing into the hall, quickly approaching him.


    The black air landed by the pool and condensed into a human figure. An Hao wanted to stand up but found himself unable to.


    "Flame Primordial Treasure Body, although cultivated later, surpasses the innate, remarkable."


    A voice rang out. If Gu An and Yang Jian were here, they would surely recognize it as the voice of Impermanence Tian.


    An Hao stared intently at Impermanence Tian. Despite being immobile, he showed no trace of fear.


    The black air surged, revealing Impermanence Tian''s handsome yet sinister face. He looked down at An Hao with a greedy smile.


    "Supreme Treasure Body, you too were cultivated later," An Hao said calmly.


    Impermanence Tian''s pupils suddenly contracted. His eyes were filled with meaning as he coldly laughed, "It seems you are not simple. Perfect, I''ll consume you, then go after the Mystic Gang Dominator Body."


    An Hao sat in the pool, staring at him without making a sound.


    "Make sure the Star Sea Congregations are ready. I want to see if today''s Star Sea Congregations still have the might of their former days."


    Impermanence Tian said this and then vanished like smoke.


    An Hao suddenly awoke, gasping for air, his body regaining its senses.


    He braced himself on the edge of the pool, his face drenched in cold sweat, but his eyes were full of ferocity.


    "Supreme Treasure Body, why..."


    An Hao muttered softly, his voice like the growl of a beast.


    ...


    Two years passed by swiftly.


    Gu An returned to the pavilion with freshly picked medicinal herbs. He checked his Attribute Panel and saw that he was just a hundred thousand years away from reaching a lifespan of thirty million years. He smiled.


    Once I reach thirty million years, I''ll break through!


    Gu An sat down at his desk, starting to imagine what realm lay beyond Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    After a while, a figure walked in briskly, and a fragrance filled Gu An''s nose, pulling his Divine Sense back.


    Shen Zhen approached the desk, took out a book, and placed it on the desk with a proud smile, "Take a look!"


    Gu An immediately picked up the book on the desk and began to read through it.


    The more he read, the more his brows furrowed.


    Seeing this, Shen Zhen became nervous and asked, "Is it very bad?"


    This book was a novel, clearly imitating **Journey to the West**. The protagonist was also a demon, needing to take risks and travel far to find the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure that could fulfill wishes.


    Objectively, it was pretty good.


    Gu An just felt regretful.


    Shen Zhen had reformed!


    Gu An suddenly felt that he was being unreasonable. When Shen Zhen was writing, he found it annoying; now that she wasn''t, he felt regretful.


    "It''s pretty good, keep it up." Gu An closed the book and returned it to Shen Zhen, speaking casually.


    Shen Zhen, seeing his dismissive attitude, clenched the book tightly in her hand.


    At this moment, the sound of footsteps came.


    Ji Xiaoyu, dressed in white, walked up. At eighteen, her temperament was even more outstanding. Her features had fully matured, her eyes captivating, and a red thin line on her forehead made her even more stunning.


    Shen Zhen looked back and was also captivated by Ji Xiaoyu''s appearance. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Ji Xiaoyu had been in the Third Medicine Valley for years, the two women had never met. Shen Zhen had not come back for many years.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze fell on Shen Zhen, appraising her carefully.


    Suddenly, Shen Zhen laughed, turned to Gu An, and asked, "Gu An, do you not like this kind of book and only like to read the Supreme Secret Records?"


    Gu An''s expression changed drastically, he quickly said, "How could that be? I like this kind of book. What Supreme Secret Records, I haven''t read those!"


    He shot Shen Zhen a meaningful look.


    Shen Zhen immediately placed the book in her hand on the desk, saying, "Then can you read it carefully? I''ll quiz you next time."


    "Of course, I like it a lot. I''ll definitely be able to recite it backward," Gu An said seriously.


    Shen Zhen gave Gu An a look that said "smart move" and then left.


    As she passed Ji Xiaoyu, she nodded with a smile, making Ji Xiaoyu frown.


    Ji Xiaoyu walked to the desk and softly asked, "Is she threatening you? Tell me, I can help you settle it."


    At eighteen, she had already reached the eighth floor of the Foundation Establishment Realm. She was very confident in her abilities.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Not at all. I''ve known her for over a hundred years. She just likes to bicker with me. Let''s not talk about her. Why are you here?"


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An and said, "I''m planning to leave for a while. I have some matters to attend to back at the Ji Family."


    "Go ahead. Do you need me to take you to see the Vice Sect Leader?"


    "Yes."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, and Gu An immediately stood up.


    He had been to the main city of the sect and knew where Ji Hantian lived.


    Now he could go anywhere in the Supreme Sect, but he preferred to wander around the Outer Gate City.


    The disciples of the Outer Gate City were easier to get along with. Inner Sect disciples had a bit of a distance, and the disciples of the main city were all filled with arrogance. As a Core Formation Realm disciple, most people in the main city looked at him with a strange gaze.


    Along the way, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu chatted casually. Although their words were not very frequent, they said whatever came to mind. Even if there was silence, it didn''t feel awkward.


    An hour later.


    Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived at the gate of the Ji Mansion. Gu An stopped and said, "Go ahead."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded and walked toward the gate.


    Gu An turned and left. Ji Xiaoyu stopped and watched him leave, her brows furrowed, lost in thought.


    Gu An could naturally feel her gaze. He didn''t dare to look back, fearing she would inquire about the Supreme Secret Records.


    In this life, Ji Xiaoyu was more suspicious than in his previous life, especially after their relationship grew closer. Whatever she was curious about, she would find a way to understand.


    After arriving at the Inner Sect City via the Transmission Array Platform from the main city of the sect, Gu An suddenly sensed strong battle energy to the south, with an aura surpassing most Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    Near Carefree Primordial Immortal, but still a bit short!


    His Divine Sense quickly probed, his expression becoming peculiar.


    Why is it him?


    Gu An suddenly thought of something and instantly understood. He didn''t stop and continued walking.


    He walked along the street, looking at the disciples coming and going.


    Many years had passed, and there were now quite a few demons among the Inner Sect disciples, marking the initial integration of the Human Race and the Demon Clan.


    Gu An continuously performed life span detection, incidentally checking the disciples'' karma along the way. This was his habit, and also his enjoyment.


    ...


    Boom¡ª¡ª Experience new stories on §Þ??


    Deafening explosions sounded outside the hall. An Hao was meditating in the pool, his brows furrowed.


    There were more than a dozen great cultivators standing in the hall, both men and women, each with an extraordinary presence. Chi Bei, who brought An Hao into the Star Sea Congregations, and Chi Jiuxiao were also there.


    "How is this guy so strong? Can he really break into the Star Sea Congregations?"


    "After all, he is the Divine Exotic Ghost King. If he had no true ability, he would have been killed long ago."


    "It''s really outrageous, daring to come to our Star Sea Congregations to capture someone!"


    "Hmph, fortunately, the Sect Hierarch is here. We don''t need to worry."


    "Even so, his momentum is a bit exaggerated..."


    Listening to the discussions of the sect''s elders, An Hao''s face looked grim.


    He didn''t expect Impermanence Tian to be so arrogant, actually daring to forcefully break into the Star Sea Congregations!


    He could feel the pressure from Impermanence Tian growing stronger, indicating that the enemy was getting closer and had already locked onto him.


    At the same time, outside the palace.


    The blue sky whipped up a strong wind, stirring the sea of clouds into a massive vortex in the sky. The floating islands below seemed insignificant like specks of dust.


    The cultivators of each floating island flew out, bringing out their magic artifacts, ready for battle.


    The doors of An Hao''s palace opened, and everyone walked out, including An Hao.


    "The Sect Hierarch is here!" A female cultivator said excitedly.


    The other great cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.


    From the swirling clouds in the sky emerged glimpses of a flag. A streak of light fell from it, swiftly landing at the cliff''s edge in front of An Hao''s palace.


    As the light dispersed, a man in a wide white robe appeared, draped in flowing clouds, with various jade pendants of different shapes hanging from his belt that swayed in the wind. His broad back exuded an imposing aura, even though he had his back to An Hao and the others, his aura that reached the sky astounded them.


    Great Mingtian, the Sect Hierarch of the Star Sea Congregations, Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!


    His countenance was stern, his long beard fluttering, and his eyes carried a fierce light. His long hair was tied under a crown adorned with small flags. He raised his right hand, and one of the flags flew out, quickly enlarging as it landed in his hand.


    This flag was none other than the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner!


    Stars glimmered on the banner, emanating a vast and majestic aura.


    "Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, it has been a long time!"


    Impermanence Tian''s cold laughter filled the air. As his voice echoed, a massive black rift suddenly tore through the sky, stretching hundreds of miles as if the sky had been cleaved by a sword, spectacular yet terrifying.

 Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Waiting for Death? Who Said That?

    All the cultivators in the Minor Heaven and Earth looked towards the black rift hanging on the horizon; everyone was tense, as if confronting a formidable enemy.These people hid in the deepest part of the Star Sea Congregations'' Minor Heaven and Earth, and the fact that Impermanence Tian could force his way in proved that many Star Sea Congregations'' cultivators had already perished at his hands.


    A figure flew out from the black rift; it was Impermanence Tian!


    Impermanence Tian was bare-chested, his hair was disheveled, and a giant python coiled around his waist, its body covered in black scales, the snake''s head wrapped around his back, emerging from behind his left shoulder to look forward with him, constantly flicking its tongue.


    His upper body displayed a bizarre black pattern, as if some kind of emblem, making him look even more terrifying.


    From afar, his gaze locked onto An Hao.


    An Hao couldn''t help but frown.


    Impermanence Tian''s mouth corner lifted in a fearsome smile.


    "Hurry up and form your formation; let me see if today''s Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner is as formidable as it was back then."


    Impermanence Tian''s voice echoed as he swung his palm, unleashing a terrifying gale that ravaged thousands of miles.


    One floating island after another activated their protective formations, forming circles of light, yet all the islands trembled.


    Great Mingtian stood at the edge of a cliff, holding the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner in one hand, facing the wind.


    He snorted coldly, raised the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner in his hand, and the black flag soared upward, quickly growing larger, reaching a height of ten thousand feet in the blink of an eye, casting the entire floating island into darkness.


    Moreover, the small flags on Great Mingtian''s headband also soared into the sky, standing alongside the ten-thousand-foot black flag, rapidly enlarging.


    There were actually twelve Star Sea Primordial Unity Banners!


    "Twelve banners, your capabilities are decent, but this is far from enough."


    Impermanence Tian sneered, swinging his hand once again. This time, a dreadful blood wind surged out from the black rift behind him like a flood, unstoppable.


    In an instant, the terrifying blood wind collided with the twelve Star Sea Primordial Unity Banners!


    The twelve ten-thousand-foot banners trembled, countless stars on the flag surfaces burst into light, and the ocean below surged, forming a gigantic hand reaching towards Impermanence Tian.


    Impermanence Tian stepped forward, his right foot landing with such force that it shattered the oceanic giant hand below.


    Great Mingtian''s brow furrowed, his eyes filled with dread.


    "Eighth Level of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. Your cultivation level is very high, but it seems you''ve spent most of your time on improving your cultivation level; your mana is a bit weak."


    Impermanence Tian''s laughter echoed through the heavens and earth, causing the faces of all Star Sea Congregations'' cultivators to change dramatically.


    Could this Divine Exotic Ghost King be stronger than their Sect Hierarch?


    "Hmph! Defeat me first, then talk!"


    Great Mingtian''s voice rang out as he leaped up, spreading his arms and casting spells swiftly. The twelve Star Sea Primordial Unity Banners whipped up fierce winds, the flag surfaces flapping loudly, and countless meteorites flew out, their momentum immense and endless, all crashing towards Impermanence Tian.


    In a blink, the entire ocean darkened, countless meteorites covered the sky, some crushing towards Impermanence Tian head-on, others encircling, seemingly forming a formation.


    Impermanence Tian stepped forward, his momentum dispersing all the incoming meteorites.


    With each step he took, his presence grew stronger, the strengthed energy swirling visible around him.


    His gaze fixed once more on An Hao, even sending his voice transmission:


    "Flame Primordial Treasure Body, are you ready to be devoured by me? You better resist; the stronger you are, the happier I will be. The happier I am, the less pain you will endure."


    Hearing his voice, An Hao clenched his fists.


    Even though An Hao was unafraid of Impermanence Tian, he knew he was no match for him. Continue your adventure at §Þ??


    He feared that he might drag the Star Sea Congregations into this.


    Since he embarked on the path of immortal cultivation, though everyone acknowledged his talent, he always needed assistance from others, just like at the Supreme Sect before and now at the Star Sea Congregations.


    He felt full of unwillingness.


    Why wouldn''t the heavens give him time?


    As long as he had a thousand years, no, just another five hundred years, he was confident he could become an immortal, no longer needing anyone''s protection!


    Having the best talent, yet needing others'' protection; to him, it was such an ironic matter.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A strong wind swept towards An Hao; the intense light reflected in his eyes, as the Sect Hierarch Great Mingtian and Impermanence Tian had already begun their fierce battle, with all kinds of terrifying spells and divine skills shaking the floating island.


    Impermanence Tian fought without using a dharma treasure, relying solely on the might of his physical body to combat the spells and divine skills of the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, breaking them with sheer power.


    Chi Jiuxiao looked back at An Hao, saying, "Hurry back, don''t come out!"


    An Hao bit his teeth, not turning around.


    Chi Bei spoke up, "The enemy has already come here; hiding in the hall is useless for him. Let him watch the battle."


    He turned his head, glancing at An Hao with the corner of his eye.


    "An Hao, watch carefully and remember the power of the Ancient Treasure Body. Today, although many disciples died because of you, we don''t regret it. We''ll wait for you to grow strong. You have the talent to dominate an era, and our Star Sea Congregations are willing to assist you along your path."


    Hearing this, An Hao felt even more guilt.


    He was willing to repay the Star Sea Congregations in the future, but he feared he wouldn''t have the chance.


    At this moment, he thought of his master.


    Impermanence Tian could break into the Star Sea Congregations, invincible; in his understanding, only his master could match him.


    His master had once swept across the Seven Stars Spirit Realm; even if unable to kill Impermanence Tian, he could certainly block his assault.


    But he couldn''t summon his master; he didn''t have the face to.


    His master hated trouble, yet he had already troubled his master more than once...


    An Hao stared intently at Impermanence Tian, flames igniting on his body; his hair also transformed into flames, his entire being radiating divinity like the Deity of the Sun.


    Meanwhile.


    In another part of the Minor Heaven and Earth of the Star Sea Congregations.


    Li Ya, clad in black, stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing intently at the heavens, where the sky displayed a myriad of hues, ever-changing.


    He frowned, mumbling, "An Hao."


    The news of Impermanence Tian coming to seize the Flame Primordial Treasure Body had spread long ago, and he had heard it too, so he could immediately guess that today''s commotion was directed at An Hao.


    Although he always lost to An Hao, he didn''t want An Hao to die.


    Such a genius as An Hao, if he couldn''t grow up, it would be a great pity; at least, that was how Li Ya thought.


    He could lose, but he couldn''t live without a goal to chase.


    A figure appeared beside Li Ya, it was Xuan Tianyi.


    Xuan Tianyi, seeing Li Ya still there, sighed in relief, and said seriously: "Don''t think about helping An Hao. Though your Divine Exotic City is powerful, you can''t yet utilize its full potential. The Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost is not only targeting An Hao but also you."


    Li Ya gazed at the horizon and asked, "Senior, how do you think the calamity brought by the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost should be resolved? It''s more terrifying than the demon catastrophe we faced on the mainland; any one Ghost King can force through our Star Sea Congregations..." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xuan Tianyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Great powers will intervene; this is not for you and me to worry about."


    "Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost... Divine Exotic City..."


    Li Ya''s eyes shimmered, making it hard to fathom what he was thinking.


    He suddenly asked, "Senior Xuan, is there still no news of Zhang Buku?"


    Xuan Tianyi shook his head, then also looked towards the horizon, his heart equally filled with worry.


    But what was the use of worrying?


    This wasn''t the mainland; his status as a Mahayana Cultivator meant nothing here.


    ...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Ocean waves surged to heights of ten thousand feet, floating islands shattered, the sky filled with thunder and flames, black holes constantly appeared in all directions, and Star Sea Congregations'' great cultivators continuously arrived to aid Great Mingtian.


    Great Mingtian held the flags with both hands; his body was covered in blood, still fighting fiercely with Impermanence Tian.


    Impermanence Tian punched, and Great Mingtian crossed the flags to block, but the overpowering force still sent him retreating hundreds of miles, his hands trembling as he held the Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, bleeding from the palms.


    The ten Star Sea Primordial Unity Banners in the sky burst into countless lightning bolts, intertwining around Impermanence Tian.


    "Hahaha! What joy! What joy!"


    Impermanence Tian laughed wildly, the pain from his physical body only making him more frenzied, even boosting his momentum continuously.


    The ferocity in his eyes almost became tangible!


    His gaze once again fixed on the wrathful An Hao, taunting, "Be furious, be hopeless, you can only watch as I tear them apart!"


    His laughter echoed across the heavens and earth, drowning out all other noises.


    An Hao was utterly enraged, wanting to rush up, but the surrounding cultivators stopped him.


    "You going up would only inconvenience the Sect Hierarch!" Chi Jiuxiao said sternly, holding the Dragon-Slaying Spear, the spearhead blocking An Hao''s chest.


    He was secretly shocked; was this kid''s life fire really so intense?


    An Hao grabbed the Dragon-Slaying Spear with both hands, his gaze fixed on Impermanence Tian, gritting his teeth, "But..."


    "But what! If death is coming, let us die first!" an old cultivator snorted coldly.


    Other great cultivators around also spoke harshly, fearless of death; no one blamed An Hao, making him feel even worse.


    "Are we really just waiting to die..." An Hao''s face showed intense unwillingness, anger boiling in his heart, causing the flames on his body to burn more vigorously.


    "Waiting to die? Who said that?"


    A voice reached An Hao''s ears, making him instinctively feel irritated.


    Before he could respond, the surrounding cultivators turned around, as if all were startled.


    Chi Jiuxiao looked behind An Hao, exclaiming in surprise, "Fu... Senior! Why are you here?"


    An Hao''s body trembled upon hearing this, the flames on his body rapidly dimming.


    He turned his head cautiously, seeing a familiar figure walking past him and stopping ahead of him.


    It was none other than Gu An, who had cast the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body!


    The dark purple demonic shadow struck the cultivators'' eyes, except Chi Jiuxiao and Chi Bei; others were secretly frightened.


    Where did this person come from?


    Why had they not noticed at all!


    An Hao came back to his senses, hurriedly said, "Master, he is one of the nine Divine Exotic Ghost Kings, possessing the Supreme Treasure Body of Impermanence Tian, he..."


    "Enough. Just an ant; why bother introducing it to your master?" Gu An said, causing all the surrounding faces to change drastically.


    An Hao was stunned, then relieved, a smile appearing on his face.


    "An ant? Such arrogant words, and who might you be?" Impermanence Tian''s icy voice came, full of killing intent.


    Clearly, Gu An had angered him!

 Chapter 270: Chapter 270 Desperate Impermanence Tian!

    Impermanence Tian''s voice made the entire world feel as if it were in an icy wasteland, and all the cultivators of the Star Sea Congregations felt chills down their spines.Gu An ignored Impermanence Tian and stepped forward. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under the towering Star Sea Primordial Unity Banner, the blood-soaked Great Mingtian turned his head, eyes full of shock.


    Who is this person?


    Impermanence Tian also stopped. Gu An''s dismissive attitude irritated him, and he roared angrily, suddenly transforming into a blood wind, sweeping toward Gu An.


    In the horrifying blood wind, the head of a sea dragon emerged, giant as a mountain, seemingly capable of swallowing Gu An, An Hao, and the others on the floating island in one bite.


    Everyone on the island''s hearts pounded wildly, not daring to blink.


    Boom!


    The moment the blood wind and sea dragon collided with Gu An, it dissipated instantly, and Impermanence Tian was shaken still, losing his balance, disbelief on his face.


    "This... no..."


    Impermanence Tian said, his voice trembling. Before he could finish his words, a hand suddenly pressed on his shoulder, causing the giant python on his body to turn into blood mist with a slap.


    With that slap, Impermanence Tian''s heart jumped fiercely, unprecedented panic engulfing him.


    He was horrified to find that his mana could not be mobilized, and he had lost his combat strength.


    "No matter where you are, I will find you and crush you to death again."


    Gu An''s voice entered Impermanence Tian''s ears. As his words fell, his right hand squeezed, directly crushing Impermanence Tian''s physical body.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    A sudden gale arose, raging across the world, blowing numerous cultivators away into the distance.


    Gu An was not just of higher cultivation; his physique was also stronger. His whole body''s qi power was far beyond that of Impermanence Tian''s Supreme Treasure Body.


    In the instant he crushed Impermanence Tian, Gu An could feel the bizarre power belonging to the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost quickly retreating from the Star Sea Congregations.


    It was this elusive power that continuously helped the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost to resurrect.


    It retreated in a manner beyond the rules, quickly shrinking back into the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Gu An followed and disappeared from where he was.


    The small Minor Heaven and Earth fell into silence, even the wind sounded oppressive.


    Great Mingtian floated in the air, a look of astonishment on his face, unable to recover for a long time.


    If even he was like this, let alone everyone else.


    "Impermanence Tian is dead!"


    Chi Jiuxiao exclaimed excitedly, his hand shaking as he held the Dragon-Slaying Spear.


    As he opened his mouth, other cultivators began to exclaim.


    "How is this possible? What just happened?"


    "Who was that person? To easily crush the Divine Exotic Ghost King..."


    "He seemed to come for An Hao."


    "With such strength, how high must his cultivation level be?"


    "His aura completely disappeared. The restrictions and formations of our Star Sea Congregations were like nothing to him..."


    More and more cultivators flew toward An Hao, including the Hierarch Great Mingtian.


    Great Mingtian disregarded his own disheveled state. He stared at An Hao and asked, "What is your relationship with that person just now?"


    Under everyone''s gaze, An Hao took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, he was my first master. When I was a child, he saved me from the claws of a demon and taught me immortal cultivation, leading me into the Supreme Sect. He is revered as Sword Venerable Fudao by the Supreme Sect."


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Everyone''s faces changed once again. They had heard of the name Sword Venerable Fudao, a presence that swept through the Seven Stars Spirit Realm Cave Masters.


    If it was him, then it made sense...


    But who would have thought An Hao had such a significant background?


    Seeing the prowess of Sword Venerable Fudao today, they realized the destruction of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was not unjust. If Sword Venerable Fudao wanted, it was not just those Cave Masters who would die but also the billions of congregants of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    On the other side, Gu An had already returned to the Supreme Sect, wandering within the Outer Gate City, pondering the power behind Impermanence Tian.


    Earlier, when he used Life Span Detection on Impermanence Tian, he could only see the cultivation level, Nine Layers of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, with the remaining three values being zero.


    The Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, seeming immortal, was not truly so. At least, the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost was not.


    Gu An had already slain two Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts and could sense the same power within them. If he could cut off the source of this power, these entities would no longer be able to resurrect.


    He was prepared to go to the Sea Breaking Rift and thoroughly resolve Impermanence Tian.


    Gu An brought up the Attribute Panel, looking at his life span, feeling a surge of confidence.


    Although the Sea Breaking Rift was dangerous, it was not an impassable place!


    Gu An began to anticipate the realm above Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    ...


    Under the blood-colored firmament, the world dimmed. Seawater continually washed over the wasteland, as if some kind of demon was reaching out its hand.


    On the wasteland stood a stele, occasionally splashed by waves, which then turned into steam and dissipated.


    A figure appeared out of thin air in front of the stele, then fell to the ground. It was Impermanence Tian, who lay gasping for breath with terror and panic on his face.


    "What happened to you?" A cold voice came from within the stele, indistinguishable in gender and emotion.


    Impermanence Tian struggled to calm himself and gritted his teeth: "I encountered someone... his realm is definitely higher than the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. He also said he would come find me... he wants to kill me..."


    At the thought of what Gu An had said, he shivered uncontrollably.


    He was arrogant to others because he was not only strong but also seemingly immortal.


    He felt that man could really find him. How could he not panic? How could he not be afraid?


    "Higher than the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal?" The voice inside the stele sounded again, as if in thought.


    Impermanence Tian stood up, gritting his teeth: "What should I do? That guy will definitely come!"


    At this moment, he was more frantic than An Hao had been.


    The longer you live, the less you want to die.


    "First, calm down and recover. I will summon the other Ghost Kings. Then we''ll see what he can do to eliminate you under my watchful eye."


    Upon hearing these words, Impermanence Tian''s heart calmed slightly.


    But just thinking of Gu An''s figure made him tremble.


    The sensation of Gu An pressing his shoulder was so despairing that he couldn''t even muster the slightest anger. He only wanted to rid himself of this karma soon.


    ...


    News of Sword Venerable Fudao annihilating Impermanence Tian, the Divine Exotic Ghost King, spread quickly. It was deliberately done by the Star Sea Congregations, partly to make people think there was a connection between them and Sword Venerable Fudao, and partly to dampen the spirits of the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, giving hope to the ocean.


    Though the calamity caused by the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts was terrifying, there were always powerful beings on the ocean who could resolve it!


    When Gu An arrived at Immortal Seeking Island, it had been only half a month since that battle.


    The cultivators on the island were all discussing Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The vast majority of cultivators were unclear about realms above Loose Immortal. It was precisely because they didn''t understand that they worshiped Sword Venerable Fudao even more. Your next read awaits at M V L


    First annihilating the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, then the Divine Exotic Ghost King. From their understanding, Sword Venerable Fudao already had the strongest record.


    Gu An didn''t expect his fame to spread so fast, feeling secretly pleased as he listened.


    Because of this, he even stayed an extra ancient hour that day.


    Returning to Mystic Valley, he was in a very good mood. In these seven days, he had gathered another batch of medicinal herbs, getting closer to a thirty million year life span.


    Estimating that he would reach it in no more than three months, and that was without deliberately harvesting in advance.


    He wasn''t worried about Impermanence Tian making preparations early, as he would break through before heading to the Sea Breaking Rift.


    He planned to eliminate Impermanence Tian with an even higher realm.


    Gu An walked into the valley in high spirits. When he encountered disciples, he would chat with them with a smile, allowing them to feel his good mood.


    Time passed quickly.


    Two months flew by.


    The deeds of Sword Venerable Fudao on the sea eventually reached the Supreme Sect, sparking intense discussions among the disciples.


    The disciples felt honored yet worried. Why had Sword Venerable Fudao gone to the sea?


    Gu An also heard similar discussions, but he didn''t mind. Putting some pressure on the Supreme Sect was a good thing. If any presumptuous individuals tried to probe, he could only accept their unexpected lives.


    That day at noon, Gu An was playing Go with Nine-Finger Divine Lord, surrounded by dozens of disciples and senior cultivators of the Supreme Sect.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s forehead began to sweat.


    Gu An held the Seven Stars Mirror, fanning himself. No one recognized that this mirror was the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    The Seven Stars Mirror appeared slightly different from before in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and its power aura was completely suppressed by Gu An''s Path of Returning Primordial Spirit, even Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s divine sense couldn''t detect anything unusual.


    Standing behind Gu An, You Yingying couldn''t help but say: "Stop fanning, it''s like a woman playing with a mirror. What is a big man doing with a mirror?"


    Hearing this, Gu An immediately raised the mirror and smoothed his sideburns. You Yingying was so angry that she wanted to grab him.


    While the two were fooling around, Nine-Finger Divine Lord felt immense pressure.


    Having played Go for many years, he still couldn''t surpass the mountain that was Gu An!


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord began to be dazed, doubting himself.


    He had checked Gu An''s cultivation level several times and investigated his background secretly. Because he couldn''t find out how Gu An concealed great cultivation, he could only doubt himself.


    A figure approached, gently tapping a female disciple on the shoulder. The disciple turned and hurriedly saluted, then gave way.


    The visitor was Ji Xiaoyu.


    She wore a white dress, holding a treasure sword, exuding the demeanor of a female sword fairy.


    She stepped into the crowd, looking at Gu An''s playful behavior, and couldn''t help but smile slightly.


    Seeing her arrival, Gu An lowered the Seven Stars Mirror and greeted, "Xiaoyu, why are you back so soon?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "I came home to fetch something, so naturally, I returned quickly."


    Gu An nodded without asking further questions.


    He stood up, saying: "Elder, you ponder on it slowly."


    He pushed away You Yingying and walked out.


    You Yingying, fuming, wanted to kick him, but he skillfully dodged.


    How could a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator compete with a Core Formation Realm cultivator?


    Ji Xiaoyu followed Gu An''s pace, chatting as they walked.


    An elder smilingly stroked his beard: "Elder, how do you feel? You seem helpless."


    He often lost to Nine-Finger Divine Lord, so seeing him defeated today, he was naturally pleased. At the same time, he was secretly amazed, wondering how his valley master''s Go skill could be so high.


    No wonder, it was the creator of Go!


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord remained silent, staring intently at the board, continuously analyzing and studying Gu An''s strategy.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An glanced at Ji Xiaoyu walking beside him and asked: "Do you have something on your mind?"


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu''s faint smile disappeared, becoming calm. She said: "I brought back a treasure from my family. It can detect the soul of living beings, and can also discern demons. Do you want to see what your soul looks like?"

 Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Primordial Karmic Body, Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill

    Hearing Ji Xiaoyu''s words, Gu An was stunned for a moment, then asked, "You came back just for this thing?"Want to inspect my soul?


    Do you think I''m a demon?


    Gu An felt strange inside, not knowing how to evaluate Ji Xiaoyu''s idea.


    Ji Xiaoyu seemed to understand his expression. She explained, "Of course, it''s not just this capability. If a cultivator can glimpse their own soul, they might enhance their comprehension."


    "I don''t believe it, so I won''t try," Gu An waved his hand.


    Ji Xiaoyu moved closer and whispered, "Just try it, it won''t hurt."


    "I''m not afraid of pain, but asking me to inspect my own soul feels invasive. You don''t think I''m a demon, right?"


    "How could that be? Even if you were a demon, it wouldn''t matter, after all¡­ "


    "Still saying you''re not?"


    Gu An feigned anger and left with a flick of his sleeve.


    Although he didn''t understand the origin of that treasure, Gu An decided to stay away, just in case his soul turned out to be something extraordinary.


    Of course, rationally speaking, there shouldn''t be such a powerful treasure.


    Ji Xiaoyu stood where she was, watching him leave thoughtfully.


    Back in his room, Gu An closed the door and took out a strange book he had just acquired from the Outer Gate City and started reading it.


    In this life, although Ji Xiaoyu was stubborn, she wasn''t the type to pester, so after being refused by Gu An, she just went back to her room to cultivate.


    In the following days, Gu An avoided Ji Xiaoyu.


    As autumn approached, Gu An returned from Tianya Valley, and his life span finally broke through to thirty million years today.


    He walked through the mountains and forests, his divine sense extending to the sea, locking onto the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Looking at the entire line of the Sea Breaking Rift, the number of cultivators and demons gathered around exceeded ten million, not to mention how many creatures had gathered at the bottom of the rift.


    Soon, Gu An decided where to enter the bottom of the Sea Breaking Rift.


    As his right foot took another step, his entire aura suddenly changed, and he directly entered the special state of the Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    He stepped into the Limitless Freedom Step, quickly leaping out of the continent. After a few steps, he dove into the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Upon entering the Sea Breaking Rift, he felt as if he had entered an abyss. The surroundings were dark, with only the deafening sound of water falling on either side.


    During his descent, he encountered cultivators, demons, and Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts flying out. Some brushed past him, and some passed directly through his body, none of them noticing his presence.


    The Sea Breaking Rift was deeper than Gu An had anticipated, seemingly leading to another world.


    After descending tens of millions of miles, a dim blue light appeared below, shimmering. He felt a unique aura, like the power of some Heaven and Earth rule.


    He passed through this layer of dim blue light, clearly feeling like he had entered another world.


    The aura of this world felt familiar to him, giving him a sense of being inside Divine Exotic City.


    This place also contained many heavens and earths. He flew towards the world with the richest spiritual energy, which was also the most vast, several hundred times the size of the Supreme Sect''s continent.


    During his flight, Gu An saw many cultivators and demons traversing, the lowest cultivation level being the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Only those who had reached the Wandering Immortal Realm could freely traverse these heavens and earths.


    Creatures with lower cultivation levels needed to use different heavens'' and earths'' teleportation arrays or space rifts for traversal.


    He also saw the figures of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, wandering in the void, watching the passing creatures and ready to pounce at any moment.


    Gu An did not look much, his right foot stepping out again, arriving at a cliff.


    The sky here was blood-red, with dark clouds, and faintly visible outlines of several moons.


    Gu An sat down cross-legged, directly activating the Life Span Barrier.


    The spiritual energy here was incredibly abundant, even denser than the Third Medicine Valley filled with medicinal herbs, no wonder so many cultivators and demons rushed in recklessly.


    Gu An did not immediately break through, instead admiring the scenery in all directions.


    The vastness of heaven and earth made it hard to see flowers or plants. Tornadoes roamed the mountains in the distance, stirring up many resentful souls that wailed and howled like ghosts.


    Desolate, bleak.


    That was Gu An''s feeling, hard to imagine what had happened to this land to end up in such a state.


    If everything in this world were flourishing, what level of spiritual energy could be reached?


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and then called up the attribute panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 174/30004901]


    [Physique: Mystic Holy Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Ninth Layer of Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm]


    ...


    Looking at his life span, Gu An''s face showed a smile.


    He rubbed his hands together as if about to do something big.


    He decided to enhance his physique first and invest a million years of life span to see the effect.


    From the Innate Taoist Body to Mystic Holy Body, he had spent five hundred twenty thousand years of life span back then; he wondered if a million years would be enough for a transformation.


    Investing life span!


    Rows of prompts continued to pop up, all indicating that his bones were getting stronger.


    Ultimately, a million years were not enough for a successful promotion.


    Gu An felt a bit distressed and changed his mind, deciding to try again.


    So he began to invest his life span year by year, a thousand years at a time.


    The prompts came continuously, making his expression increasingly unnatural.


    Finally!


    [You have comprehended the true meaning of heaven and earth for ten thousand years, subjected your body to the tempering of the true meaning of heaven and earth, and your bones have transformed; your Mystic Holy Body has upgraded to Primordial Karmic Body]


    Boom¡ª


    Heaven and earth''s spiritual energy suddenly surged toward his body, and a sea of spiritual energy mist appeared on the ground, magnificent and beautiful.


    Gu An''s face showed a smile.


    Breaking through his physique cost one million six hundred seventy thousand years!


    Who could bear that cost!


    Gu An hesitated, wondering whether to enhance his cultivation technique.


    He feared that enhancing both would leave insufficient life span to break through his realm.


    As his realm advanced, the difficulty of breaking through kept increasing. If his next breakthrough consumed as much life span as the last time, it would indicate that his power was leaping forward. Reducing the required life span would be almost impossible. He could only try to minimize the life span consumed in breakthrough without causing the number to multiply.


    The ground kept shaking, and the spiritual energy in heaven and earth kept sinking, startling countless Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    On the other side of the world, by the sea, Impermanence Tian suddenly stood up, looking around in panic.


    The beach under his feet trembled, causing the waves to surge, and the sinking of spiritual energy stirred up strong winds.


    "Could it be him?" Impermanence Tian gritted his teeth.


    Although more than two months had passed, he had been on edge, fearing that person would come to kill him any moment.


    "The sinking of spiritual energy might be related to the riot of this world''s rules, not related to any person."


    The cold voice from the tablet emerged, and upon hearing it, Impermanence Tian breathed a sigh of relief and sat down again.


    Impermanence Tian complained, "Realm Master, when will you regain your cultivation level and control the order of the Divine Exotic Realm? More and more cultivators are breaking in; this will cause trouble sooner or later."


    The voice in the tablet did not answer him.


    Impermanence Tian waited a while, but he could only close his eyes and continue practicing.


    ...


    On the cliff, within the Life Span Barrier.


    Gu An endured the pain of his body''s transformation, feeling conflicted.


    Back then, it took seven hundred thousand years of life span for the Five Elements Taoist Skill to transform into Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill.


    Enhancing it again would probably consume at least two million years of life span!


    Do it!


    He should enhance his cultivation technique since he had already passed Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill onto Yang Jian and An Hao.


    As a master, one must hold back something, how could he practice the same level cultivation technique as his disciples?


    Gu An immediately invested one million years of life span!


    As expected, it was not successful.


    He invested another one million years of life span!


    Failed!


    Five hundred thousand years of life span!


    Failed!


    Two hundred thousand years of life span!


    Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill successfully promoted to Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill, but the cultivation technique level just reached a slight achievement.


    Two million seven hundred thousand years of life span!


    Gu An felt heartache, and not only that, the Life Span Barrier consumed life span quickly. In this short time, it had already consumed several thousand years of life span.


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    If he didn''t leave himself a million years of life span, Gu An feared either the Life Span Barrier would consume him to death, or he would have to shut it down before the breakthrough ended, exposing himself.


    Gu An had intended to enhance the All Things Form and Energy Art, which was crucial for hiding his cultivation level and was a body cultivation method. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, it seemed to have to be set aside.


    He thought to himself that after breaking through his cultivation level, he would save five million years of life span to enhance the All Things Form and Energy Art.


    Gu An silently thought about it. The memory of the cultivation technique did not flood into his mind. It seemed the Primordial Karmic Body contained mysterious memories that needed to be passed on first before the cultivation technique memories.


    He waited patiently.


    An ancient hour later, his physique completely transformed into the Primordial Karmic Body.


    The Primordial Karmic Body was extremely powerful, capable of isolating all power of cause and effect, even using the power of cause and effect to harm enemies.


    Everything was tied to cause and effect; an enemy''s cultivation technique and divine skills all had cause and effect. He could peer into the cause and effect of their cultivation technique and divine skills to find weaknesses. If his cultivation level were strong enough, he could even directly destroy their Dao level.


    The Primordial Karmic Body would also generate the Primordial Divine Eye, containing numerous mysteries he would need time to study.


    Next was receiving the memory inheritance of Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill!


    The continuous influx of earth spirit energy into Gu An''s body gave him only a few seconds of clear consciousness before he was plunged into the vast memory.


    Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill contained five-element attributes, evolving into a chaotic spirit sea, refining stronger mana, Origin Dharma Power!


    Origin Dharma Power was a robust and vast power!


    With the cultivation technique''s enhancement, the speed of generating spiritual energy within his body was swift, almost reaching the point of a continuous mana supply. Of course, this would require heaven and earth''s spiritual energy and elixirs to match his mana consumption speed.


    Simultaneously, this cultivation technique included a divine skill, known as the Origin Heaven-Capturing Hand!


    As its name suggested, the Origin Heaven-Capturing Hand could capture the sky, act both offensively and defensively, and even had sealing effects!


    Another ancient hour passed, and Gu An slowly opened his eyes.


    A golden thread appeared between his eyebrows, glowing with a golden rainbow, making him appear illusory.


    Gu An raised his right hand, condensing Origin Dharma Power in his palm, transforming his hand into the Origin Heaven-Capturing Hand.


    He could capture the sky, quell the earth, and even massacre all living beings!


    Gu An restrained his urge to strike, dissipating the Origin Dharma Power in his hand, then called up the attribute panel again.


    Seeing his rapidly declining life span, he instantly became alert.


    He patted his face with both hands and thought, "The next step is the most crucial moment!"


    Breaking through his cultivation level!


    Attempting to surpass the Carefree Primordial Immortal!

 Chapter 277: Chapter 277 Reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, Shen Xinzis Terror

    As Shen Xinzi finished speaking, his eyes sharpened, and he actually stepped towards You Yingying.The Nine-Finger Divine Lord quickly grabbed him, scolding: "Do you really dare to act recklessly? This girl is from the Star Sea Congregations, and besides, this place belongs to Sword Venerable Fudao, you better not cause trouble!"


    Shen Xinzi sternly said: "Exorcising demons is the duty of us disciples of the Buddhism Sect, how can we neglect it out of fear of the strong?"


    He immediately shook off the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s hand, trying to break free.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord said in a deep voice: "There are countless demons in the world, this demon has not yet done any evil, how can you act directly? Don''t forget your mission, there are greater calamities that require your intervention."


    He felt a headache coming on, how could this lad be even more stubborn than ten thousand years ago?


    Although he knew that You Yingying had no relation to Sword Venerable Fudao, causing trouble here would inevitably break the peace of Medicine Valley, something he did not wish to see happen.


    Shen Xinzi frowned, his gaze fixed on You Yingying.


    You Yingying seemed to sense something and turned her head to look at Shen Xinzi.


    Their gazes pierced through the endless white snow, colliding in midair.


    For some reason, upon seeing him, You Yingying inexplicably felt uncomfortable and a bit scared.


    She instinctively avoided Shen Xinzi''s gaze and ran away.


    After walking some distance, her panic did not subside, and she looked back instinctively, only to find Shen Xinzi still staring at her, scaring her into quickening her pace.


    She hurriedly walked away, in a daze, until she bumped into someone, waking her up.


    She took a closer look and found that she had bumped into Gu An.


    Amidst the falling snow, Gu An stood in his blue robe, drifting with the wind; he held a mirror in his hand, like a folding fan. The hair crown on his head reflected the light, and along with the gold pattern on his forehead, it made You Yingying stare in awe.


    For the first time, You Yingying felt that Gu An had such an air of elegance. If there were truly Immortals in this world, they would probably look like this.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Gu An asked. Of course, he knew what was going on, but he had to pretend to be oblivious.


    You Yingying snapped out of her daze and, for some reason, felt calmer in front of Gu An.


    "Just now, a monk kept staring at me..." You Yingying said aggrievedly.


    Gu An laughed: "Aren''t you the one who''s fearless, how can you be afraid of a mere monk?"


    You Yingying glared: "I don''t know why, I just felt uneasy under his gaze."


    "Uneasy? Did you do something guilty, stealing his cassock?"


    "Pah, do you take me for a black bear spirit?"


    With Gu An''s teasing, You Yingying completely relaxed.


    Gu An walked towards his pavilion, followed closely by the Blood Prison Great Saint, who threw a disdainful glance at You Yingying.


    You Yingying instantly became furious and started cursing the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The man and the ox began to argue, while Gu An, used to it, couldn''t be bothered to intervene.


    In the following days, Shen Xinzi stayed at the Supreme Sect, investigating the disciples'' impressions of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Three days passed quickly.


    Shen Xinzi returned to Medicine Valley, having understood that Sword Venerable Fudao was righteous and cared for the common people, and would not prevent him from exorcising demons.


    Upon arriving at Medicine Valley, he encountered Yang Jian and Li Lingtian.


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    Yang Jian was pulling Li Lingtian out, looking for a place to spar. Li Lingtian was very reluctant, but did not back down verbally.


    Seeing the two, Shen Xinzi''s gaze was fixed.


    He moved to block Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian looked at him, his brows slightly furrowed. Even now, suppressing his cultivation level, Yang Jian couldn''t hide his extraordinary presence, showing the demeanor of a prodigy.


    Standing beside him, Li Lingtian appeared completely overshadowed.


    Glaring at Shen Xinzi, Li Lingtian said disgruntledly: "Monk, what do you want?"


    Shen Xinzi spoke: "Amitabha, this poor monk sees that you both have remarkable auras and unique bones. Why not join our Bitter Sea Buddha Sect and cultivate the Great Dao?"


    Bitter Sea Buddha Sect?


    Before Yang Jian could speak, Li Lingtian was already flustered: "You want us to become monks? Impossible!"


    He was the Crown Prince; how could he become a monk?


    "Monk is just a worldly term; becoming a Buddha is the Great Dao, which is eternal." Shen Xinzi said calmly.


    Scratching his head, Li Lingtian thought that this guy was either crazy or genuinely capable of something. Suddenly, he didn''t dare to provoke him.


    In Medicine Valley, he always encountered Great Cultivators, so he couldn''t remain arrogant.


    Yang Jian said softly: "Thank you for your kind offer, but I already have a master, and I don''t wish to take another. Farewell."


    He bypassed Shen Xinzi and walked out of the valley.


    Li Lingtian quickly followed.


    Shen Xinzi watched their departing figures, contemplating something.


    Meanwhile.


    In the distance, beneath a pavilion, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu stood side by side, appreciating the snowy scenery.


    Ji Xiaoyu noticed Shen Xinzi and said: "That monk seems unusual. I wonder if he will cause trouble for Yang Jian."


    Although she had never sparred with Yang Jian, she felt he was extraordinary. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Curious about how Gu An had made Yang Jian so loyal, she learned that Yang Jian had been nurtured by Gu An''s elixir, gradually unlocking his talent, which made her admire Gu An even more.


    Perhaps Gu An''s cultivation talent was ordinary, but his character deeply impressed her.


    Gu An turned back: "He is a high monk; how could he trouble Jian''er? If anything, he would bring blessings, wouldn''t he?"


    Ji Xiaoyu glanced at him, seeing the genuine smile on his face, she believed his words.


    They continued chatting casually.


    Eventually, Shen Xinzi still found You Yingying. At first, she was very afraid of him, but he only asked her about some matters, which gradually made her lower her guard.


    Although Gu An''s gaze wasn''t fixed on Shen Xinzi, his attention was always on him.


    If You Yingying were outside and got caught by Shen Xinzi, he wouldn''t intervene, but not in Medicine Valley.


    Gu An thought Shen Xinzi wouldn''t harm You Yingying, but he was wrong.


    Late at night.


    You Yingying was meditating and cultivating in her room. The candlelight reflected her shadow on the wall, swaying slightly.


    Suddenly sensing something, she opened her eyes to see a figure entering her sight, startling her so much she instinctively crawled backward, hitting the wall.


    "What do you want?" You Yingying asked nervously, her voice loud, clearly trying to alert others.


    Standing by the bed, Shen Xinzi looked down at You Yingying with a serious expression.


    "Don''t waste your efforts. I have set up a barrier; no one can hear your cries, nor can you escape." Shen Xinzi''s gaze was oppressive, and his tone was cold.


    You Yingying gritted her teeth and asked: "Who are you? What grudge do you have with me?"


    "Amitabha, we have no personal grudge. This poor monk can let you die knowing the reason; you are the reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon. Once your cultivation reaches the Primordial Spirit stage, you will regain memories of your past life and bring calamity to the world." Shen Xinzi replied.


    Upon hearing this, You Yingying''s expression changed dramatically, but instead of arguing, she sat dazedly on the bed, looking desolate.


    "I see..."


    She murmured, a bitter smile appearing on her face.


    She closed her eyes, preparing to accept her fate.


    Shen Xinzi closed his eyes and raised his right hand, ready to end You Yingying''s life.


    Thud!


    Suddenly, a hand pressed on Shen Xinzi''s shoulder, causing his eyes to snap open, his Buddha heart trembling.


    This indescribable feeling made him inexplicably fearful.


    Having faced countless formidable demons, even in defeat, he had never felt this way.


    He was shocked to find himself unable to move, his mana suppressed and inactive.


    He immediately thought of someone.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Legend had it that in a book, it was written that Sword Venerable Fudao would lightly tap the shoulder before killing someone...


    He had thought it was just a tale, but it turned out to be true.


    "Outsiders are not permitted to kill within the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An''s voice reached Shen Xinzi''s ears, hoarse and indifferent, carrying an undeniable authority.


    Next, Shen Xinzi felt the hand on his shoulder disappear, an immense relief flooding over him.


    He exhaled deeply, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, unable to remain calm.


    In that brief moment, he truly thought he would die.


    Looking again at You Yingying, his eyes were complex.


    "Amitabha..."


    Shen Xinzi''s voice rang out, followed by the sound of the door opening.


    You Yingying opened her eyes to see that Shen Xinzi had vanished.


    Thinking about his earlier tone, it seemed he was sighing?


    However...


    You Yingying felt no relief from the brush with death; instead, she remained despondent.


    The reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon...


    Having grown up in the Star Sea Congregations, she had heard tales of the Heavenly Demon. No wonder her father was reluctant to teach her cultivation. When he heard she was coming to the Supreme Sect, he was pleased, fearing she might implicate him.


    That night, You Yingying leaned against the wall, lost in thought.


    The next morning, she tidied herself up before leaving the house.


    Seeing the disciples of Medicine Valley exercising, their faces brimming with smiles, she felt as though she were in a different world, suddenly somewhat envious.


    These people might not have natural talent or prominent origins, but at least they could look forward to their future.


    And what about her?


    Born unlucky, unloved by her father, shunned by her mother, everyone saw her as a curse.


    She spotted Shen Xinzi. He stood under a tree, watching the disciples exercise, deep in thought. He didn''t turn his head despite her gaze.


    "Does he pity me, or is he afraid of dirtying his hands?" You Yingying stood there, stunned.


    After the morning exercises ended and the disciples dispersed, she still stood at the entrance.


    Time passed unknowingly.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint past her yard and shouted: "Ms. You, what are you daydreaming about? If you have nothing to do, go shovel the snow with them. Since you live in my Medicine Valley, you should at least help out, right?"


    You Yingying snapped out of it, and seeing Gu An''s slightly displeased face, she instinctively nodded in agreement.


    Gu An showed a satisfied expression, tossed her a look that said "good thinking," and continued on his way with the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    At that moment, You Yingying came to her senses, recalling Gu An''s arrogant expression, she couldn''t help but stomp her feet, muttering: "Making me do the chores!"


    Although she cursed, her heart wasn''t angry.


    She suddenly thought, there''s no place for her in the world, but this Medicine Valley accepted her, she''s not that miserable after all.


    The worst-case scenario, she would never cultivate, live a few hundred years like Gu An, and then die. As for where she''d go in the next life, she didn''t care anymore.


    In the next life, she wouldn''t be her.

 Chapter 273: Chapter 273 Please Forgive Me, Senior!

    Gu An saw visions of all manner of life, witnessing infants being born, witnessing common folk marrying and starting families, watching demon creatures kill for survival, and seeing people weeping in front of altars.And so on.


    There were joys, and there were sorrows.


    It was as if he were observing the lives of all beings, countless images passing before his eyes, an overwhelming sea of scenes that would drive an ordinary immortal to insanity.


    Gu An was different; he was undergoing a transformation into a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma. At first, he felt some discomfort, but gradually he adapted, even beginning to catch glimpses of destiny within the endless visions.


    The Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma could perceive destiny, and destiny could form fate, which meant the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma could see the fate of most beings.


    Destiny was based on cause and effect, yet it independently formed rules.


    A person''s life intersected with their surrounding environment; different choices created different life paths. Choices were cause and effect, and the paths they formed were destiny. However, unlike cause and effect, destiny also involved factors beyond cause and effect, such as natural disasters.


    Destiny was based on the rules of heaven and earth, the choices of cause and effect in a person''s life. Find more to read at M V L


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal and Carefree Primordial Immortal delved into the Way of Cause and Effect, while Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma studied the Dao of Destiny.


    Observing the fate of all beings, comprehending the true essence of destiny!


    Gu An''s consciousness immersed itself in this, his soul constantly transforming, his cultivation level continuously increasing.


    Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm Second Layer!


    Third Layer!


    Fourth Layer!


    The cliff beneath Gu An collapsed, and he fell along with it, disappearing into the swirling dust.


    Under the blood-colored sky, the figures of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts flitted by, thunderclouds roiling, and in the clouds, faintly visible, were the massive forms of evil ghosts as large as mountain ranges.


    After a full two ancient hours, the area finally calmed down, but the spiritual energy between heaven and earth had also become thin.


    By the sea, the nine Divine Exotic Ghost Kings around the stele all breathed a sigh of relief.


    The anomalies were finally over, and during this process, they had not encountered any attacks.


    Perhaps it was truly a disturbance in the rules of heaven and earth, rather than an attack from a strong enemy.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm meditated in mid-air, eyes closed, brow furrowed.


    His divine sense continually scanned the various parts of the Divine Exotic Realm, inspecting every inch of land, but he could not detect any anomalies, and even he, the Realm Master, did not know where the spiritual energy had descended.


    This made him very uneasy, feeling he was losing control over the Divine Exotic Realm.


    Even if it was just a disturbance in the rules of heaven and earth, there must be a reason behind it, and he did not know what it was.


    He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the nine Divine Exotic Ghost Kings below, his eyes flickering.


    Could it be that these fellows had offended someone, and the other party was warning him?


    ...


    Amidst the vast dust, Gu An sat cross-legged on the ground, the Life Span Barrier did not isolate the dust, but the dust could not approach him. His entire being emitted seven-colored radiance, and the golden pattern on his forehead shone with golden light, like an eye floating before his forehead.


    His cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm!


    The reason he did not open his eyes was because he was carefully comprehending the mysteries of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    His soul had already transformed into the Immortal Soul of Wondrous Dharma; as long as the soul existed, the physical body could perish and still be restored. This was the powerful aspect of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    However, the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma still had a Heavenly Destiny, meaning its life span had limits, something he could clearly sense through his insights into the Dao of Destiny.


    After a long time.


    He slowly opened his eyes, and the golden pattern on his forehead flickered, then absorbed the illusory Primordial Divine Eye into the golden pattern.


    This golden pattern made him appear more divine.


    He could not yet absorb it into his body unless he used a spell to conceal it.


    After some thought, he decided to leave it as it was. After all, with the All Things Form and Energy Art, no one would be able to see through his Primordial Divine Eye.


    Gu An called up the attribute panel, and his life span was only a little more than two million two hundred thousand years left.


    The Life Span Barrier consumed too much!


    Gu An took a deep breath, stood up, and turned his head to look.


    He had already spotted Impermanence Tian, so he immediately used the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, transforming into a dark purple shadow. He canceled the Life Span Barrier.


    With one step, he appeared behind Impermanence Tian.


    At this moment, Impermanence Tian was still discussing the recent anomalies with the other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings, when the Ghost Kings in front of him suddenly widened their eyes.


    He had just noticed this, and a hand fell upon his shoulder.


    Smack!


    This slap sent his heart plummeting into an abyss, an unstoppable feeling of terror surging through him.


    The other eight Divine Exotic Ghost Kings immediately jumped aside, keeping their distance from Gu An.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm also looked at Gu An, frowning, his divine sense unable to penetrate the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, increasing his wariness of Gu An to the peak.


    Gu An cast a Life Span Detection at the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, only able to see his realm.


    Carefree Immortal Realm Fifth Layer!


    This realm was already very strong!


    Before breaking through, Gu An matched against him would have only a ninety percent chance of instant kill, very dangerous.


    Fortunately, he had broken through!


    Gu An secretly rejoiced, his peripheral vision glancing at the nearby stele.


    All Divine Soul Demons had connections of cause and effect with this stele; their power would converge within it.


    "Who are you? What do you want?" A Divine Exotic Ghost King asked in a deep voice, his tone tense.


    Gu An appeared too suddenly, they had no prior notice, and they could not see through Gu An''s cultivation level, so how could they not be afraid?


    The most important thing was that Gu An seemed to be looking at the Divine Exotic Life Tablet!


    Gu An did not answer him, instead opening his mouth to ask, "Extract Impermanence Tian''s power, or you will all be utterly annihilated together."


    As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings changed drastically, looking at him with expressions full of shock and anger.


    But no one dared to refute, much less make a move, they could only turn their gazes to the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    Impermanence Tian trembled all over, unable to speak, only looking up at the Master of Divine Exotic Realm with pleading eyes.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s face was grim, staring intently at Gu An.


    Gu An was not in a hurry, waiting for him to make a decision, letting Impermanence Tian feel the despair.


    This guy had oppressed two of Gu An''s disciples so greatly before, killing him directly would be too easy on him.


    After reaching the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, Gu An became more certain there was a transcendent presence behind the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, as the stele contained the aura of several Carefree Primordial Immortals, suggesting there might be a faction behind the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    For now, he did not want to alert this presence unless the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts threatened the continent where the Supreme Sect resided.


    Moreover, within this land, he had sensed a familiar aura, so he could not simply destroy the stele.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm took a deep breath, raised his right hand, and made a grabbing motion toward the Divine Exotic Life Tablet from afar. A soul flew out, unexpectedly, it was the soul of Impermanence Tian, but this soul was curled up, lifeless, like a soul shell.


    Impermanence Tian''s eyes were filled with despair and even a hint of resentment, not toward Gu An, but toward the Master of Divine Exotic Realm!


    If he could speak now, he would certainly curse the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    The other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings could understand the look in his eyes, feeling equally distressed, sharing the feeling of the death of a kindred spirit.


    Gu An squeezed his right hand, and Impermanence Tian in his hand instantly turned to ash. He waved his sleeve, dispersing Impermanence Tian''s true soul.


    No prompt for gaining life span, but Impermanence Tian was no more.


    Gu An sent a voice transmission to the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, said a sentence, and then turned to leave.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm squinted his eyes, then called out, "Wait!"


    Gu An stopped, his back still facing him.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm looked down at him, saying, "In front of many Ghost Kings, I let you eliminate one of my Ghost Kings, the other Ghost Kings do not understand. Why not take my palm, and let them feel your power."


    As soon as he said this, the wind between heaven and earth ceased, and the waves of the sea stood still.


    The eight Divine Exotic Ghost Kings looked at Gu An, hardly daring to breathe.


    They cursed inwardly, they did not want to feel anything.


    They had already seen the display of power, how could they doubt it?


    They understood the Master of Divine Exotic Realm was unwilling, using them as an excuse.


    "Feel my power?" Gu An''s voice rang out.


    He slowly turned around, and in an instant, his entire being grew enormously, standing between heaven and earth.


    Divine Skill, Great and Minor Ruyi!


    The eight Divine Exotic Ghost Kings looked up, dumbfounded.


    Gu An grew to a towering height of ten thousand zhang, his head against the blood-colored sky, his feet on the ground, with dark purple demonic qi surging around him like an ocean, magnificent and unparalleled.


    In front of Gu An, the Ghost Kings could not help but feel a sense of fear.


    A vast pressure enveloped them, rendering them motionless.


    The face of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm also changed dramatically. As a Carefree Primordial Immortal, he could more acutely sense Gu An''s terrifying power.


    Gu An raised his right hand, and in the palm as large as a mountain, threads of rainbow light burst forth.


    Origin Heaven-Capturing Hand!


    As the Divine Skill condensed, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm and the Ghost Kings felt as if the sky were falling!


    "Once my palm is raised, it must fall. Master of Divine Exotic Realm, how will you have me withdraw my palm now?"


    Gu An''s voice echoed throughout heaven and earth, his tone indifferent, as if imbued with celestial might.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm abruptly fell, crashing into the ground, causing countless cracks to spread across the barren land by the sea.


    He trembled all over, struggling to resist Gu An''s pressure.


    The other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings were similarly pressed to the ground, unable to stand, looking at the Master of Divine Exotic Realm in despair.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm gritted his teeth, his legs bending until he kneeled on the ground.


    He supported himself with both hands on the ground, speaking slowly, "Please forgive me, senior!"


    His voice echoed through the heavens, heard by countless Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    The Ghost Kings looked at him lowering his proud head, feeling both relieved and distressed.


    They were strong, capable of stirring the seas, but before the mightiest of the heavens, they were still like ants.


    ...


    Supreme Sect, Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An stepped off the Transmission Array Platform, humming a little tune.


    "Hey, why so happy?" Passing by, You Yingying couldn''t help teasing.


    Gu An glanced at her and said, "It''s alright."


    You Yingying giggled, "If you were born overseas, you wouldn''t be in such a good mood now."


    Gu An replied, "There are no ifs, are there? Cherish the present, enjoy life, junior."


    As he finished, he walked towards the chess area in the distance, ready to defeat Nine-Finger Divine Lord in three more games.


    Let Nine-Finger Divine Lord feel the terrifying deductive abilities of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma! S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You Yingying watched Gu An''s back, pouting slightly, reflecting that sometimes being in the lower ranks might not be a bad thing, at least you don''t have to worry about world-ending catastrophes.

 Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Outer Heaven, Energy Movement Treasure Position

    As dusk approached, the sun set in the west.Gu An sat on the stone bench, playing with the Seven Stars Mirror in his hand, his face full of impatience.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord who sat opposite him wore a gloomy expression, and the onlookers around them also frowned deeply, their eyes fixed on the chessboard.


    "Still haven''t figured it out? Admit defeat!"


    Gu An couldn''t help but speak out, which sounded absurd. He had been playing chess with the Nine-Finger Divine Lord all afternoon, and this was still the first game, with the Nine-Finger Divine Lord having only placed thirty-seven pieces.


    This guy couldn''t beat him, so he wanted to wear him down?


    Gu An saw through the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s intention, so he placed each chess piece in the position the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was thinking of playing, causing him great torment.


    Being seen through felt extremely uncomfortable!


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord couldn''t understand it. He had simulated countless scenarios and thought his chess strategies were varied, yet Gu An always managed to play where he intended, interrupting his thoughts.


    Little did he know, Gu An could see through his strategies by using his ability to peer into fate.


    Gu An could foresee what the Nine-Finger Divine Lord would do next. Although the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s cultivation level was high, preventing Gu An from seeing too far into his future, he could easily see through the next hour.


    The slower the Nine-Finger Divine Lord played, the faster Gu An played¡ªquick, precise, and ruthless, constantly attacking his psychological defenses.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord cursed inwardly.


    If they were at sea, who would dare treat him like this?


    The key issue was that he indeed had a scheme, so he was both angry and embarrassed.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord took a deep breath and made another move.


    Click!


    The sound of the chess piece landing was as loud as a thunderclap, startling the onlookers to shrink their necks.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord was also startled and couldn''t help but touch the chess piece.


    Gu An''s lips curved upward, and he used the Seven Stars Mirror as a fan, pretending to be profound and mysterious.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked at him and suddenly felt like hitting someone.


    "No more! No more!"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord shouted angrily. Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately stood up and left.


    Watching his back, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord opened his mouth but only felt a heavy weight on his chest.


    Gu An decided to take a walk and personally see every inch of the Third Medicine Valley.


    He wanted to use his perception as the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma to feel the place he had lived in for so many years.


    Just as he hadn''t walked far, Yang Jian came up to him and told Gu An that he didn''t know why, but he suddenly felt enlightened and relieved today.


    Gu An smiled and comforted him, saying it was because his cultivation had shown results.


    Receiving praise from his master, Yang Jian was instantly invigorated and left happily, prepared to spar with Li Lingtian. He knew Li Lingtian had always wanted to spar with him.


    As soon as Yang Jian left, An Xin came and said the White Spirit Rat was missing again.


    Gu An began to comfort her.


    After sending An Xin away, Tang Yu came.


    There were quite a few trivial matters today, unlike usual. Gu An did not feel irritated but rather found it amusing.


    What about being the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?


    He still cared about these low-level old friends around him and wanted to maintain his life.


    The path to immortality was long, and the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma was merely the Sixth Layer Heaven!


    What kind of realm lay beyond the Nine Heavens?


    He was very much looking forward to it and was full of fighting spirit.


    An hour later.


    Night fell, and Gu An leisurely walked back to the pavilion.


    From afar, he saw a graceful figure standing under the pavilion¡ªit was Ji Xiaoyu.


    Gu An saw that Ji Xiaoyu was holding an object in her hand. He did not mind, as he had already seen through the causes and effects of that treasure.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lying on the ground saw Gu An, and his ox-like eyes lit up. He felt that his master had changed a bit again.


    Could it be that his master had become stronger again?


    This was definitely a good thing for him¡ªthe stronger the master, the greater his face, and he could also gain more benefits.


    Gu An came to Ji Xiaoyu and asked with a smile, "Isn''t this your time for cultivation at night? Why are you waiting here?"


    Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes fell on Gu An''s forehead, where a golden pattern faintly glowed under the night sky.


    She couldn''t help but raise her hand and touch her own forehead. There was a red pattern on her forehead, finer than Gu An''s Dao pattern.


    She smiled and said softly, "Nothing, just came out to look at the moonlight."


    The item she was holding in her other hand disappeared.


    Gu An turned around and stood shoulder to shoulder with her, looking at the bright moon in the night sky. He smiled and said, "Xiaoyu, what do you think the scene beyond the sky is like?"


    Ji Xiaoyu, hearing this, looked up at the night sky and replied, "Perhaps there are many other worlds. I have heard the elders in my clan say that every star in the sky is a world. The Dao is simple, and all things follow the same principles. Life on earth is as tiny as dust, and the heavens and earth in the Dao are as small as stars."


    Gu An couldn''t help but turn his head to look at her, surprised she could speak such profound words.


    Unknowingly, this girl had already grown so tall.


    "If one cultivates to immortality, they can eventually fly beyond the sky." Ji Xiaoyu finished speaking and looked at Gu An.


    Gu An met her gaze and found that her eyes were still very beautiful.


    The two of them started chatting about the world beyond the sky, imagining various scenarios. Find adventures at M V L


    They spoke slowly, feeling like a gently flowing stream.


    Half an hour later, Gu An bid farewell to her and went to his room on the second floor.


    Sitting at the desk, Gu An looked at the starry sky outside the window and murmured, "Cultivating to immortality and flying beyond the sky?"


    Why not go and see the world beyond tonight!


    When he reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, he went to Immortal Seeking Island. Now, having reached the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, he could once again explore a broader world.


    Gu An''s lips curved upward, and his Immortal Soul of Wonderous Dharma directly jumped out of his body, out of this world.


    In an instant, he was in the starry sky, overlooking the Great Heavenly Spirit Land below.


    Gu An suppressed his aura to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, and the seven-colored glow belonging to the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma was concealed into his Primordial Spirit.


    From the cosmos, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land appeared as a vast continent, covered in a layer of golden light, with seven suns beyond the gold, floating in the sky and operating in some ever-changing and mystical pattern.


    The mysterious beings within the seven suns still existed. Observing them from the cosmos, one could sense their immense aura even more.


    They were all Carefree Primordial Immortals!


    In this sense, they seemed more like the guardians of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Gu An turned around and headed deeper into the cosmos.


    The stars in the cosmos were indeed worlds, some were planets, while others were continents¡ªnot all worlds contained life, and some worlds were inhabited only by wandering spirits.


    These worlds were also covered in a layer of golden light, isolating beings below the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    Gu An''s flying speed was swift, but he stayed within the speed range of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    The cosmos was vast. Even at the speed of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, it would be difficult to encounter other Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal beings in a short time, let alone stronger existences.


    However, during his flight, Gu An sensed several unusual auras from various directions, far away.


    The outer heavens also held dangers!


    Eventually, Gu An locked his Divine Sense onto a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal and quickly flew towards him.


    Besides the worlds constrained by mysterious forces, there were also some meteorites of various sizes roaming aimlessly in the cosmos.


    On one of these meteorites, which was as large as a continent, hid a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    It was a cultivator of the Human Race!


    This person was meditating in front of a mountain wall, his Daoist robe as white as feathers, and his face handsome, looking no more than twenty years old, with an otherworldly aura. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Gu An approached him, he used his Life Span Detection on him.


    [Bai Ziya (Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, third layer): 124,902/350,000/400,000]


    Bai Ziya sensed Gu An''s aura and opened his eyes, his pupils a clear blue, like two crystal stones.


    He stood up and watched Gu An approach.


    As Gu An landed, he cupped his fists in greeting and said, "I am Meng Lang, new to the outer heavens. It must be fate to meet a Daoist friend. Would you like to be friends?"


    After hearing this, Bai Ziya smiled and said, "So it is your first time in the outer heavens. No wonder you are so reckless. Consider yourself lucky to have met me. My name is Bai Ziya. In the future, you should be more careful; encountering a cultivator here is more dangerous than encountering a demon."


    Feigning puzzlement, Gu An asked, "Is the outer heavens so dangerous?"


    Bai Ziya resumed his meditative position and rolled up his sleeve, motioning for Gu An to sit down as well.


    Gu An sat down, and Bai Ziya first introduced himself before telling him about the situation in the outer heavens.


    Bai Ziya also came from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and was one of the peak masters of Mortal World Peak. He had been in the outer heavens for twenty thousand years and was recently preparing to return to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land for a visit.


    According to him, within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, the Immortal Path Holy Court restrained the Great Cultivators, but there were no rules in the outer heavens. If you died here, the cause and effect were hard to trace back to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, so the Great Cultivators were even more reckless in the outer heavens.


    There were many worlds in the outer heavens, but the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was the main one, while the other worlds were minor.


    As for whether there were worlds comparable to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, Bai Ziya didn''t say much. In any case, this starry sky was dominated by the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Aside from the struggles among cultivators, the cosmos was also home to Heavenly Demons. These demons had existed since ancient times, were endless, and had formed their own forces. They were very hostile towards cultivators and demons, killing them on sight.


    Bai Ziya had encountered the most terrifying Heavenly Demon, one that swallowed a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal in one gulp. He only escaped because he was faster than the other Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals. To this day, thinking about it still gave him chills.


    "If you are curious about the outer heavens, don''t go too deep into the cosmos. Once you step into the Silent Destruction Domain, it is swarming with Heavenly Demons, and also filled with various terrifying and strange curses. Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals who enter have a slim chance of survival. Of course, if you see no hope for a breakthrough, you may as well try your luck. Some have managed to defy fate in the Silent Destruction Domain. It''s said that the Silent Destruction Domain was once a prosperous large world, more glorious than the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. In fact, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land is just a fragment of that world."


    Bai Ziya spoke at length, and Gu An listened carefully.


    He didn''t feel any hostility from Bai Ziya, which indicated this person was enthusiastic and kind-hearted.


    Of course, Gu An was not afraid of a sneak attack.


    Bai Ziya looked at Gu An and asked, "Daoist friend Meng Lang, which sect are you from?"


    The Great Heavenly Spirit Land was vast, but for Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, it wasn''t very big.


    Gu An replied, "To be honest, I am just a loose cultivator with no sect. Years ago, my sect caused trouble and was exterminated. I escaped and have been cultivating in seclusion ever since."


    Intrigued, Bai Ziya asked, "You managed to reach the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm just by cultivating on your own? Daoist friend, it seems you have great talent. Why not join our Mortal World Peak? I can make you a peak master, and you can also gain an Energy Movement Treasure Position in the Holy Court. With the Holy Court''s Qi Fortune, perceiving the Heaven and Earth Rules will become easier."

 Chapter 275: Chapter 275 The Status of Mortal World Peak

    "Daoist Friend, can you introduce me to the Holy Court?" Gu An didn''t immediately accept Bai Ziya''s invitation but instead asked this question.Is there an entire dynasty of Immortal Spirits within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land? Could it be the Holy Court?


    No, that dynasty, though powerful, was definitely not the most powerful in the world. In the Mortal World, there was an incredibly vast continent, and even the divine sense of the Carefree Primordial Immortal faced resistance just by nearing its edge.


    That continent should be the location of the Holy Court!


    Bai Ziya gave Gu An a suspicious look. How could this person not know about the Holy Court? How long has he been in seclusion?


    Although puzzled, Bai Ziya still introduced it as was appropriate.


    The Holy Court is the absolute ruler of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and the origin of the Immortal Path, located in the Daoist Divine Continent of Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The Daoist Divine Continent is the largest continent within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and the Human Race also originated from the Daoist Divine Continent, eventually spreading throughout the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The Holy Court does not interfere with affairs across the land but ensures the safety of the Great Heaven and Earth. If there is a world-ending catastrophe or an invasion by Outer Heaven Demons, they would take action. They also oversee various Qi Fortune sects across the world. If any sect brings disaster to the world, the Holy Court would send someone to punish them.


    Within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, the cultivators of the Holy Court represent immortals.


    Not all Qi Fortune sects can obtain the Qi Fortune Treasure Position of the Holy Court. The Qi Fortune Treasure Position enhances one''s understanding of Heaven and Earth Rules and extends lifespan, making it a pursuit for countless cultivators.


    "Mortal World Peak may not be as powerful as it was in ancient times, but it has a profound foundation. Many of our ancestors are venturing in the Outer Heaven. If they encounter each other, they can offer mutual assistance. The Peak Master''s authority is vast, not only holding office in the Holy Court but also overseeing tens of thousands of disciples on the peak." Bai Ziya''s tone was filled with pride, as if Mortal World Peak was the most formidable Qi Fortune sect in the world.


    Gu An curiously asked, "How does Mortal World Peak compare to the Star Sea Congregations, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Deep Sea Spirit Palace, and the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect?"


    Bai Ziya glared and said, "How can Star Sea Congregations, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace compare to our Mortal World Peak? The founder of Star Sea Congregations once cultivated at our Mortal World Peak and generations of their disciples remember our kindness. As for Seven Stars Spirit Realm and Deep Sea Spirit Palace, they are just third-rate sects. Bitter Sea Buddha Sect is somewhat formidable but that''s only because Shengtian has been interested in Buddhism for the last million years."


    "Once Shengtian''s favor passes, who knows if they can even stand their ground?"


    Shengtian is the lord of the Holy Court, named after Heaven, and whose true name cannot be spoken.


    Bai Ziya''s tone was filled with disdain, which fueled Gu An''s imagination about Mortal World Peak.


    He stared at Gu An and said, "What do you think, Daoist Friend Meng? Join Mortal World Peak. Although there is no restriction from the Holy Court in the Outer Heaven, background still matters. Mortal World Peak has a significant reputation."


    Gu An hesitated and said, "To be honest, I have some reservations about going to the Holy Court for the Qi Fortune Treasure Position."


    The Qi Fortune Treasure Position sounded great, but there were too many intricacies involved. The Holy Court could potentially control all Qi Fortune Treasure Positions through Qi Fortune, which concerned his principles.


    "What kind of nonsense is that? If you don''t want it, I won''t force you. I can leave the spot for someone else. Many people would fight tooth and nail for a Qi Fortune Treasure Position. If you possess a Qi Fortune Treasure Position, any sect in the world would have to respect you. As long as you don''t exploit others, you''ll be a welcomed guest anywhere. Not every cultivator in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm can obtain a Qi Fortune Treasure Position." Bai Ziya shook his head, laughing.


    Gu An curiously asked, "It''s so rare. Why would you give it to me? We''ve just met, and you''re inviting me..."


    Bai Ziya coughed and said, "It''s precisely because I see your exceptional talent and lack of background. Within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, unaligned cultivators in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm are extremely rare. Mortal World Peak is powerful, but not invincible. Of course, after joining Mortal World Peak, if you misbehave, Mortal World Peak won''t go easy on you. Our Mortal World Peak has beings that surpass those in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm."


    Reaching the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm meant breaking through minor realms was incredibly difficult. It had been ten thousand years since he had a breakthrough in a minor realm.


    Gu An wasn''t surprised; he had long guessed that the Mortal World Peak hid some Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    He continued to ask, "Why don''t you try to recruit Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals from other sects? For example, there are Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals in the Star Sea Congregations."


    Bai Ziya shook his head and said, "How could it be so easy to recruit them? Not speaking of karma and relationships, those Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals wield great power within their sects and regions, monopolizing cultivation resources. Even if you join Mortal World Peak and hold a higher status than them, obtaining the same level of resources as them is difficult. Of course, joining their sects now would make it hard to surpass them since they have been established for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years."


    Gu An found it reasonable.


    After thinking for a moment, he said, "If that''s the case, I''ll join Mortal World Peak. However, I can''t go to Mortal World Peak right now."


    "No problem. Mortal World Peak won''t confine you. In fact, your disciples would be more than happy if you''re not at the peak, allowing them to be carefree. My disciples and grandchildren probably have already forgotten me." Bai Ziya laughed self-deprecatingly.


    He then took out a piece of green jade, carved with a mountain peak.


    "This is Mortal Jade, symbolizing the identity of the Peak Master. When you encounter disciples or affiliated sects of Mortal World Peak, you can show it. Of course, with your cultivation level, you can stand boldly in the mortal world." Bai Ziya laughed.


    Gu An accepted the Mortal Jade, examining it closely.


    He asked, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll act recklessly after receiving the jade and then escape?"


    Bai Ziya laughed, "If you misbehave, the Holy Court will deal with you. As long as it''s investigated that you didn''t stay at Mortal World Peak, the Holy Court won''t blame Mortal World Peak. In fact, when you show the Mortal Jade, you also add strength to Mortal World Peak, making the world know Mortal World Peak has another Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal."


    This made Gu An more cautious of the Holy Court.


    No wonder the Seven Stars Spirit Realm didn''t openly harm the continent''s beings; they were afraid of the Holy Court.


    At that time, the Star Sea Congregations also sent many disciples to gather evidence against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, seemingly to accuse them.


    The Holy Court protected the beings of the world but not the sects. The world was vast, and the Holy Court couldn''t care for every being, so there would always be places where beings suffered.


    Gu An continued to inquire about the power dynamics of Mortal World Peak, and Bai Ziya didn''t hold back, informing him of the allies and affiliated sects of Mortal World Peak, as well as their enemies.


    Overall, Mortal World Peak had more allies than enemies, which was why it could stand strong in the mortal world.


    As they continued talking, the conversation shifted to the Outer Heaven. Gu An intentionally hinted at his desire to explore the Outer Heaven to prevent Bai Ziya from investigating him in the mortal world.


    After chatting for a long time, Gu An finally took his leave. He didn''t head towards the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, but instead flew into the depths of the universe.


    Bai Ziya watched Gu An''s departure direction, deep in thought.


    "He mentioned the Star Sea Congregations, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace. These three forces are adjacent to each other. Could he come from that region? I need to check it out. How could such a place produce a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal without a sect background? Strange, strange."


    ...


    After parting ways with Bai Ziya, Gu An only pretended to head towards the Silent Destruction Domain. Once he escaped the divine sense range of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, he used the Limitless Freedom Step to return to the mortal world. Explore hidden tales at M V L


    Gu An''s soul re-entered his body, and he stretched with a yawn. It was still not yet dawn.


    He could sense Ji Xiaoyu''s Energy Absorption aura downstairs.


    "The Outer Heaven is vast, but the mortal world gives me more peace." Gu An smiled as he thought this. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had no need for adventures; he would not wander the Silent Destruction Domain, battling with Heavenly Demons.


    One step at a time!


    With the annual lifespan income, he couldn''t imagine how powerful he would be in ten thousand years.


    Ten thousand years was not long for a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, let alone for a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    Gu An picked up a travelogue and started reading.


    The moon set, and the sun rose.


    Another morning dawned over the Medicine Valley.


    Gu An got up to organize his clothes, then went downstairs to lead the disciples in their exercises.


    Nearly a thousand people exercising together was quite a sight.


    Ji Xiaoyu walked out of the house. She didn''t join the exercises, merely watching the disciples practice. It had become her habit.


    After the exercises, Li Lingtian ran over excitedly and said, "Sister Yu, I recently learned a spell that''s quite powerful. Do you want to see it?"


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t even look at him, her eyes fixed on Gu An.


    Li Lingtian noticed her gaze and felt a pang of jealousy. He said softly, "Sister Yu, my Senior Brother Gu is quite the charmer. He has a junior sister and the Daotian Sect''s Holy Daughter has feelings for him. Also, Senior Lu, who left earlier, wants him as her Daoist Friend as well."


    Ji Xiaoyu slightly frowned and glanced at him, asking, "Why are you telling me this?"


    Li Lingtian fake-coughed and said, "I was afraid you didn''t know."


    Ji Xiaoyu responded coldly, "Do you know why you''re not as good as Yang Jian?"


    "Why?"


    "Because your mind is impure. As a cultivator, you''re thinking about romantic affairs. It''s ridiculous and unworthy. I do have feelings for him, but I haven''t thought of becoming Daoist Friends. My goal is to pursue the Immortal Path, and so is his. That''s why, despite having many romantic interests, he has no Daoist Friend."


    Ji Xiaoyu said calmly. After speaking, she walked past Li Lingtian towards Gu An.


    Li Lingtian stood there, his face awkward, but he wasn''t angry. Instead, he reflected on Ji Xiaoyu''s words.


    Indeed.


    He was still swayed by emotions. What kind of cultivator was he?


    Thinking closely, Yang Jian was practically a cultivation fanatic. Besides cultivation and chores, he did nothing else.


    Li Lingtian rubbed his chest, still sore from sparring with Yang Jian last night.


    Gu An didn''t pay attention to the conversation between Li Lingtian and Ji Xiaoyu. After chatting briefly with Ji Xiaoyu, he rode off on the Blood Prison Great Saint, accompanied by Yang Jian.


    Today was another day to harvest!


    And so it went.


    A month passed quickly.


    On this day, Gu An arrived at Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, Nianchu Cave.


    Tian Yao''er saw him and excitedly rushed forward, saying, "Master, there''s activity in the Outer World Cave. Some Immortal Herbs have matured!"


    Gu An''s interest piqued, and he called for Tianqing and Tian Bai to head to the Outer World Cave.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai immediately clung to his arms, making it difficult for Tian Yao''er to get close to Gu An.

 Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Ji Number Life Span, Wandering Immortals Arrival

    After arriving at the Outer World Cave, Gu An indeed saw a Seventh-Order Medicinal Grass maturing. However, he felt it could still be left to grow, as the roots at the bottom of the plant kept growing, generating more seeds in the surrounding soil.Gu An watched for a while. He didn''t pick it, looking forward to it producing more seeds for better sustainable development.


    Having already reached the Ninth Layer of the Mystic Law Spirit Immortal Realm, Gu An no longer needed to rush to harvest thousands or even tens of thousands of years of life span.


    His goal was a hundred million years of life span!


    As long as the overall time taken was shorter, that was fine.


    If the high-rank medicinal herbs in the Outer World Cave reached maturity, he might be able to harvest tens of millions of years of life span in one go. Just thinking about it made him a little excited.


    "I''m planning to expand this cave. Later, you can move in. If you get bored, you can also raise some demons, but they must know the rules and not damage my medicinal herbs."


    Gu An looked at the boundless medicinal garden and smiled softly.


    Hearing his words, Tian Yao''er and the other two women were very excited and began to imagine things together.


    Compared to raising demons, they were more eager to go out and explore.


    Gu An promised them that once they reached the Mahayana Realm, they could go out and play, which was also for their own good.


    Upon hearing about the Mahayana Realm, the three women''s faces all fell.


    How long would they have to cultivate to reach that level?


    "The world outside is dangerous. If you get caught, being bullied would be the least of your worries. You might be skinned alive, have your flesh turned into elixirs, and your bones made into ornaments..." Gu An shook his head, scaring the three women in just a few sentences, making them not dare to think about going out anymore.


    Before meeting Gu An, they had all faced hardships. Tian Yao''er had been kept in captivity by the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother, while Tianqing and Tian Bai were orphans who roamed everywhere after their parents died. During that time, their wounds had never healed.


    Tianqing sighed, "It''s better to focus on cultivation and not raise any more demons to avoid distractions."


    Tian Bai hugged Gu An''s arm and nodded, swaying her body. Seeing this, Tian Yao''er quickly pushed her away and then took Gu An''s arm herself.


    "There''s a calamity brewing outside right now." Gu An''s heart fluttered, but his face remained serious as he began to talk about the calamity on the ocean. The three women were quickly intrigued and listened attentively.


    The Sea Breaking Rift, Divine Exotic Realm, Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, and other details made them tremble with fear.


    Immortal and indestructible ghosts, they didn''t know how to deal with them.


    "Master, will this calamity affect you? Should you hide in the cave?"


    "If the forces on the sea can''t handle it, it will eventually spread to the continent where we are."


    "How could there be such terrifying ghosts in the world?"


    The three women started chattering again.


    After staying in the Outer World Cave for an hour, Gu An finally returned to the Supreme Sect.


    He went to the Third Medicine Valley, habitually going to watch Nine-Finger Divine Lord play Go, but was stopped by You Yingying on the way.


    "Why do you smell so fragrant? And it''s not just one type. You didn''t visit a brothel, did you?" You Yingying looked at him, perplexed.


    Gu An''s mouth twitched. He said irritably, "Nonsense. Can''t you talk more decently?"


    "Fine, did you go to the Pleasant Fragrance Pavilion?"


    "That would be cleaner than you."


    You Yingying wasn''t angry at his retort and instead smiled, "Indeed, no man is any good."


    Gu An couldn''t be bothered with her and walked past her.


    "Wait, the Star Sea Congregations are giving the Supreme Sect a thousand cultivation spots for five years. If you want to go, I can help you get one." You Yingying caught up and said.


    Gu An didn''t turn his head, "With my relationship with the sect leader, do I need your help?"


    You Yingying responded, "The Supreme Sect will surely choose the thousand most talented disciples. Even if you go, considering your cultivation level, you''ll only feel pressured. If I put in a word for you, you''ll have a better experience and greater gains. You might even go into closed-door cultivation upon returning and break through to the Nascent Soul Realm."


    Gu An stopped and looked at her.


    This girl only had a Foundation Establishment cultivation level, but her tone was so grand, indicating her high status within the Star Sea Congregations.


    Gu An suddenly became interested and began probing the mysterious power of cause and effect within You Yingying''s body.


    He had long noticed that You Yingying''s cultivation level was suppressed by this mysterious power of cause and effect, but he didn''t want to cause trouble before, so he had been too lazy to investigate.


    Now, with his higher cultivation level, he could take a look.


    Because of this power of cause and effect, Gu An couldn''t directly deduce her fate.


    Suddenly!


    Gu An saw a grotesque face bursting out from You Yingying''s body, lunging at him, then dissipating into smoke.


    This was just an illusion, without any real destructive power.


    Seeing through this illusion, Gu An felt puzzled.


    "What''s wrong? Why aren''t you saying anything? Are you thinking about how to thank me? It''s simple. Just write another Journey to the West, focusing on the story after Sun Wukong becomes the Victorious Fighting Buddha. Stop wandering around aimlessly without any proper work," You Yingying said with her hands on her hips.


    Gu An laughed, "No way, this stops here. Some stories don''t need to be written to the end. Leaving space for imagination makes them continually intriguing."


    You Yingying gave him a glare and asked, "Are you going or not?"


    "I''m not going. Thanks for your goodwill, but I''d rather spend my life peacefully in the Medicine Valley. If I go and your Star Sea Holy Daughter falls for me, what then?"


    "Pah, shameless. Our Star Sea Congregations don''t have any Holy Daughter."


    "Being entangled by a female genius is also quite stressful, just like now."


    "You..."


    You Yingying started to make a move, and Gu An quickly jumped away and slipped away.


    This guy really didn''t know what was good for him!


    Gu An was afraid he might kill her with a single shock.


    Life continued quietly. After going to Outer Heaven once, Gu An didn''t go back. Having roughly understood the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he felt no need to go again.


    The first snow of winter quietly arrived, and the Third Medicine Valley gradually turned white.


    Gu An went downstairs and stood in front of the pavilion, raising his right hand to touch the falling snow.


    Feeling the slight chill in his palm, Gu An''s mood became joyful.


    His gaze turned to the entrance of the valley, where a vague figure was walking through the white, snowy landscape.


    A Wandering Immortal, and at the Ninth Layer.


    It was because of this person''s arrival that Gu An had come downstairs.


    Why would a Wandering Immortal arrive for no apparent reason?


    Gu An watched quietly as that person entered the valley.


    The person was a handsome monk draped in a cassock, holding prayer beads, advancing with his eyes closed. The falling snow formed a white cape on his shoulders.


    [Shen Xinzi (Wandering Immortal Realm Ninth Layer): 45865/190000/999999]


    Hmm?


    A lifespan of nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years?


    Gu An had never seen such an extreme lifespan before.


    This was definitely the highest lifespan beyond Nirvana he had ever seen.


    Nine was the highest number. He wondered if An Hao and Yang Jian, after their Nirvana, could reach such a lifespan.


    Gu An pondered thoughtfully, watching as Shen Xinzi walked toward the Go area in the Medicine Valley, evidently heading for Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Many disciples in the valley noticed Shen Xinzi''s arrival. So not only was Gu An watching him, Shen Xinzi did not draw much of his attention, and he did not even open his eyes.


    After arriving among the crowd, Shen Xinzi heard Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s urging voice.


    "Can you play faster? Your slow pace makes you an indecisive player!"


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked impatient, with his arms crossed.


    Across from him, Elder Lu muttered, "You were even slower than me when you played against my master."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord glared and replied, "I wanted to drag it out and win against your master. Do you think you can drag it out and win against me? Even if you lay in a coffin, I could leisurely sit here and wait for your next move. Does it have any meaning?"


    Hearing this, Elder Lu''s face turned green. The surrounding disciples, displeased, began to criticize Nine-Finger Divine Lord for speaking excessively.


    Of course, they dared to speak out because they knew Nine-Finger Divine Lord well and knew he wouldn''t be genuinely angry.


    Unbeknownst to when, Nine-Finger Divine Lord, within the Third Medicine Valley, could show his true self without pretenses, and he enjoyed this feeling.


    Even in the midst of verbally jousting with everyone, Nine-Finger Divine Lord glanced at Shen Xinzi in the crowd.


    He only took a look before withdrawing his gaze.


    Shen Xinzi opened his eyes and began observing the game.


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    After an hour, Elder Lu conceded the match. Others took turns playing, while Shen Xinzi stood by and watched. Although they were curious about him, no one questioned him further. By now, they were used to Great Cultivators coming to the Medicine Valley to observe Go games, all for Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Gu An did not continue to watch Shen Xinzi. He rode the Blood Prison Great Saint and began to patrol the Medicine Valley.


    After noon, Nine-Finger Divine Lord won another game. He looked at Shen Xinzi and said, "Little monk, want to play a round?"


    Shen Xinzi responded, "Amitabha, then I humbly seek your guidance."


    The disciples, seeing his exceptional aura, made way.


    After taking a seat, Shen Xinzi made the first move.


    Having observed three games, he already knew the rules.


    With a smirk, Nine-Finger Divine Lord adopted Gu An''s aura and played each move faster than the last.


    In just thirty minutes, Shen Xinzi lost.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord asked proudly, "How was it? How do you find this game?"


    Shen Xinzi pondered, "It truly contains profound principles. The small board encompasses myriad phenomena. Black and white swallowing each other resembles the competition of all things in heaven and earth, ever-changing. It can turn despair into hope and hide traps to kill, very intriguing."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood up, "Let''s go somewhere else to chat. We shouldn''t disturb the others playing Go."


    Shen Xinzi nodded and stood up.


    The disciples sighed in relief. With Nine-Finger Divine Lord gone, they could enjoy the fun of Go without his constant guidance.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord wasn''t only formidable at playing but also loved to instruct them, making their game experience quite torturous.


    The two walked along the path in the Medicine Valley. Nine-Finger Divine Lord, gazing at the boundless sky, asked, "Little monk, why are you here? Just passing by, or directed by the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect?"


    With hands pressed together, Shen Xinzi replied, "I am commanded to go to the Sea Breaking Rift. Passing by here, I sensed your presence, so I came to visit. I didn''t expect to find other disciples of my sect in this Supreme Sect. Observing the Qi fortune of this sect, perhaps you intend to support it?"


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord laughed, "Supporting them? You haven''t heard of Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    As Shen Xinzi was about to inquire, his attention suddenly shifted to You Yingying, who was passing by at a distance. His brows immediately furrowed.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord noticed his gaze and asked, "You saw her too. What will you do about it?"


    His tone was intriguing, as if eager for a spectacle.


    Taking a deep breath, Shen Xinzi replied, "A demon should naturally be eradicated."

 Chapter 277: Chapter 277 Reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, Shen Xinzis Terror

    As Shen Xinzi finished speaking, his eyes sharpened, and he actually stepped towards You Yingying.The Nine-Finger Divine Lord quickly grabbed him, scolding: "Do you really dare to act recklessly? This girl is from the Star Sea Congregations, and besides, this place belongs to Sword Venerable Fudao, you better not cause trouble!"


    Shen Xinzi sternly said: "Exorcising demons is the duty of us disciples of the Buddhism Sect, how can we neglect it out of fear of the strong?"


    He immediately shook off the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s hand, trying to break free.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord said in a deep voice: "There are countless demons in the world, this demon has not yet done any evil, how can you act directly? Don''t forget your mission, there are greater calamities that require your intervention."


    He felt a headache coming on, how could this lad be even more stubborn than ten thousand years ago?


    Although he knew that You Yingying had no relation to Sword Venerable Fudao, causing trouble here would inevitably break the peace of Medicine Valley, something he did not wish to see happen.


    Shen Xinzi frowned, his gaze fixed on You Yingying.


    You Yingying seemed to sense something and turned her head to look at Shen Xinzi.


    Their gazes pierced through the endless white snow, colliding in midair.


    For some reason, upon seeing him, You Yingying inexplicably felt uncomfortable and a bit scared.


    She instinctively avoided Shen Xinzi''s gaze and ran away.


    After walking some distance, her panic did not subside, and she looked back instinctively, only to find Shen Xinzi still staring at her, scaring her into quickening her pace.


    She hurriedly walked away, in a daze, until she bumped into someone, waking her up.


    She took a closer look and found that she had bumped into Gu An.


    Amidst the falling snow, Gu An stood in his blue robe, drifting with the wind; he held a mirror in his hand, like a folding fan. The hair crown on his head reflected the light, and along with the gold pattern on his forehead, it made You Yingying stare in awe.


    For the first time, You Yingying felt that Gu An had such an air of elegance. If there were truly Immortals in this world, they would probably look like this.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Gu An asked. Of course, he knew what was going on, but he had to pretend to be oblivious.


    You Yingying snapped out of her daze and, for some reason, felt calmer in front of Gu An.


    "Just now, a monk kept staring at me..." You Yingying said aggrievedly.


    Gu An laughed: "Aren''t you the one who''s fearless, how can you be afraid of a mere monk?"


    You Yingying glared: "I don''t know why, I just felt uneasy under his gaze."


    "Uneasy? Did you do something guilty, stealing his cassock?"


    "Pah, do you take me for a black bear spirit?"


    With Gu An''s teasing, You Yingying completely relaxed.


    Gu An walked towards his pavilion, followed closely by the Blood Prison Great Saint, who threw a disdainful glance at You Yingying.


    You Yingying instantly became furious and started cursing the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The man and the ox began to argue, while Gu An, used to it, couldn''t be bothered to intervene.


    In the following days, Shen Xinzi stayed at the Supreme Sect, investigating the disciples'' impressions of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Three days passed quickly.


    Shen Xinzi returned to Medicine Valley, having understood that Sword Venerable Fudao was righteous and cared for the common people, and would not prevent him from exorcising demons.


    Upon arriving at Medicine Valley, he encountered Yang Jian and Li Lingtian.


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    Yang Jian was pulling Li Lingtian out, looking for a place to spar. Li Lingtian was very reluctant, but did not back down verbally.


    Seeing the two, Shen Xinzi''s gaze was fixed.


    He moved to block Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian looked at him, his brows slightly furrowed. Even now, suppressing his cultivation level, Yang Jian couldn''t hide his extraordinary presence, showing the demeanor of a prodigy.


    Standing beside him, Li Lingtian appeared completely overshadowed.


    Glaring at Shen Xinzi, Li Lingtian said disgruntledly: "Monk, what do you want?"


    Shen Xinzi spoke: "Amitabha, this poor monk sees that you both have remarkable auras and unique bones. Why not join our Bitter Sea Buddha Sect and cultivate the Great Dao?"


    Bitter Sea Buddha Sect?


    Before Yang Jian could speak, Li Lingtian was already flustered: "You want us to become monks? Impossible!"


    He was the Crown Prince; how could he become a monk?


    "Monk is just a worldly term; becoming a Buddha is the Great Dao, which is eternal." Shen Xinzi said calmly.


    Scratching his head, Li Lingtian thought that this guy was either crazy or genuinely capable of something. Suddenly, he didn''t dare to provoke him.


    In Medicine Valley, he always encountered Great Cultivators, so he couldn''t remain arrogant.


    Yang Jian said softly: "Thank you for your kind offer, but I already have a master, and I don''t wish to take another. Farewell."


    He bypassed Shen Xinzi and walked out of the valley.


    Li Lingtian quickly followed.


    Shen Xinzi watched their departing figures, contemplating something.


    Meanwhile.


    In the distance, beneath a pavilion, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu stood side by side, appreciating the snowy scenery.


    Ji Xiaoyu noticed Shen Xinzi and said: "That monk seems unusual. I wonder if he will cause trouble for Yang Jian."


    Although she had never sparred with Yang Jian, she felt he was extraordinary. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Curious about how Gu An had made Yang Jian so loyal, she learned that Yang Jian had been nurtured by Gu An''s elixir, gradually unlocking his talent, which made her admire Gu An even more.


    Perhaps Gu An''s cultivation talent was ordinary, but his character deeply impressed her.


    Gu An turned back: "He is a high monk; how could he trouble Jian''er? If anything, he would bring blessings, wouldn''t he?"


    Ji Xiaoyu glanced at him, seeing the genuine smile on his face, she believed his words.


    They continued chatting casually.


    Eventually, Shen Xinzi still found You Yingying. At first, she was very afraid of him, but he only asked her about some matters, which gradually made her lower her guard.


    Although Gu An''s gaze wasn''t fixed on Shen Xinzi, his attention was always on him.


    If You Yingying were outside and got caught by Shen Xinzi, he wouldn''t intervene, but not in Medicine Valley.


    Gu An thought Shen Xinzi wouldn''t harm You Yingying, but he was wrong.


    Late at night.


    You Yingying was meditating and cultivating in her room. The candlelight reflected her shadow on the wall, swaying slightly.


    Suddenly sensing something, she opened her eyes to see a figure entering her sight, startling her so much she instinctively crawled backward, hitting the wall.


    "What do you want?" You Yingying asked nervously, her voice loud, clearly trying to alert others.


    Standing by the bed, Shen Xinzi looked down at You Yingying with a serious expression.


    "Don''t waste your efforts. I have set up a barrier; no one can hear your cries, nor can you escape." Shen Xinzi''s gaze was oppressive, and his tone was cold.


    You Yingying gritted her teeth and asked: "Who are you? What grudge do you have with me?"


    "Amitabha, we have no personal grudge. This poor monk can let you die knowing the reason; you are the reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon. Once your cultivation reaches the Primordial Spirit stage, you will regain memories of your past life and bring calamity to the world." Shen Xinzi replied.


    Upon hearing this, You Yingying''s expression changed dramatically, but instead of arguing, she sat dazedly on the bed, looking desolate.


    "I see..."


    She murmured, a bitter smile appearing on her face.


    She closed her eyes, preparing to accept her fate.


    Shen Xinzi closed his eyes and raised his right hand, ready to end You Yingying''s life.


    Thud!


    Suddenly, a hand pressed on Shen Xinzi''s shoulder, causing his eyes to snap open, his Buddha heart trembling.


    This indescribable feeling made him inexplicably fearful.


    Having faced countless formidable demons, even in defeat, he had never felt this way.


    He was shocked to find himself unable to move, his mana suppressed and inactive.


    He immediately thought of someone.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Legend had it that in a book, it was written that Sword Venerable Fudao would lightly tap the shoulder before killing someone...


    He had thought it was just a tale, but it turned out to be true.


    "Outsiders are not permitted to kill within the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An''s voice reached Shen Xinzi''s ears, hoarse and indifferent, carrying an undeniable authority.


    Next, Shen Xinzi felt the hand on his shoulder disappear, an immense relief flooding over him.


    He exhaled deeply, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, unable to remain calm.


    In that brief moment, he truly thought he would die.


    Looking again at You Yingying, his eyes were complex.


    "Amitabha..."


    Shen Xinzi''s voice rang out, followed by the sound of the door opening.


    You Yingying opened her eyes to see that Shen Xinzi had vanished.


    Thinking about his earlier tone, it seemed he was sighing?


    However...


    You Yingying felt no relief from the brush with death; instead, she remained despondent.


    The reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon...


    Having grown up in the Star Sea Congregations, she had heard tales of the Heavenly Demon. No wonder her father was reluctant to teach her cultivation. When he heard she was coming to the Supreme Sect, he was pleased, fearing she might implicate him.


    That night, You Yingying leaned against the wall, lost in thought.


    The next morning, she tidied herself up before leaving the house.


    Seeing the disciples of Medicine Valley exercising, their faces brimming with smiles, she felt as though she were in a different world, suddenly somewhat envious.


    These people might not have natural talent or prominent origins, but at least they could look forward to their future.


    And what about her?


    Born unlucky, unloved by her father, shunned by her mother, everyone saw her as a curse.


    She spotted Shen Xinzi. He stood under a tree, watching the disciples exercise, deep in thought. He didn''t turn his head despite her gaze.


    "Does he pity me, or is he afraid of dirtying his hands?" You Yingying stood there, stunned.


    After the morning exercises ended and the disciples dispersed, she still stood at the entrance.


    Time passed unknowingly.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint past her yard and shouted: "Ms. You, what are you daydreaming about? If you have nothing to do, go shovel the snow with them. Since you live in my Medicine Valley, you should at least help out, right?"


    You Yingying snapped out of it, and seeing Gu An''s slightly displeased face, she instinctively nodded in agreement.


    Gu An showed a satisfied expression, tossed her a look that said "good thinking," and continued on his way with the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    At that moment, You Yingying came to her senses, recalling Gu An''s arrogant expression, she couldn''t help but stomp her feet, muttering: "Making me do the chores!"


    Although she cursed, her heart wasn''t angry.


    She suddenly thought, there''s no place for her in the world, but this Medicine Valley accepted her, she''s not that miserable after all.


    The worst-case scenario, she would never cultivate, live a few hundred years like Gu An, and then die. As for where she''d go in the next life, she didn''t care anymore.


    In the next life, she wouldn''t be her.

 Chapter 278: Chapter 278 Lord of All Realms, Head of Immortals

    Shen Xinzi stood under the tree, also lost in thought.Unlike You Yingying who had already come to terms with things, he was still puzzled.


    He was shocked by Sword Venerable Fudao''s power, and doubted his own thoughts.


    Based on his investigation these past few days, Sword Venerable Fudao absolutely was a great power who cared for the common people, capable of correcting a sect''s behavior and reaching out to save the world.


    With Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation level, he surely could see through You Yingying''s karmic ties.


    Did he really not want anyone causing slaughter in the Supreme Sect, or did he think You Yingying shouldn''t be killed? sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Xinzi''s mind was in turmoil until Nine-Finger Divine Lord came to Medicine Valley to play Go, and only then was he awakened by him.


    "Why are you in such a state? Did you encounter Sword Venerable Fudao?" Nine-Finger Divine Lord asked with a smile, standing before Shen Xinzi.


    Shen Xinzi closed his eyes and uttered a "Amitabha".


    The smile faded from Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face. He frowned, his expression serious, and said in a deep voice, "You really dared to act? Are you courting death? I''ve heard that Divine Strange Ghost King Heaven Unpredictable was directly crushed by Sword Venerable Fudao, and it is said that Heaven Unpredictable had already reached the pinnacle of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal realm!"


    Shen Xinzi still kept his eyes closed, seemingly indifferent.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord noticed his left hand trembling within his sleeve.


    This kid wasn''t scared half to death, was he?


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord thought to himself, and suddenly found it amusing.


    It was rare to see him this frightened.


    "Come, let''s play Go. There is wisdom in black and white that can help you understand."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord pulled Shen Xinzi along, chattering as they walked.


    "I have to say, Gu An does have a certain divine nature. To create such a profound game of Go, either he has an extraordinary master behind him, or he was guided in his dreams by an immortal."


    Shen Xinzi, in a daze, did not really listen.


    However, in the following days, through playing Go, the anxiety and confusion in his mind began to dissipate, and he also came to understand Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s words.


    This game of Go was indeed extraordinary!


    ...


    The cold winter finally passed, and the Spring Festival of the Supreme Sect came around once more.


    It was worth mentioning that, through the promotion of Li Xuandao, people across the world had begun to celebrate the Spring Festival.


    In the Third Medicine Valley,


    Li Lingtian stood beside Yang Jian, his hands on his hips, as he looked at Shen Xinzi under the distant tree, frowning, "Why hasn''t that monk left yet? Is he planning to stay here?"


    Yang Jian was making lanterns beside him and replied nonchalantly, "He can stay if he wants, it''s none of your business. My master hasn''t chased you away either."


    Li Lingtian glared and said, "I''m different. I am your master''s junior brother, and your master has the best relationship with my brother, the emperor."


    Yang Jian suddenly looked at him and asked, "By the way, have you heard from your emperor brother? He is cultivating among the Star Sea Congregations and should be acquainted with An Hao, right?"


    "No contact yet, but he does have a good relationship with An Hao. Both are already legendary geniuses in the Supreme Sect. Speaking of which, I haven''t seen them in person. Perhaps my emperor brother doesn''t even know of my existence." Li Lingtian replied.


    When he mentioned Li Ya, a trace of envy entered his tone.


    "You could follow in your emperor brother''s footsteps. I''ve heard that the Taicang Dynasty and the Star Sea Congregations have also established a friendly cooperation. Your father, the emperor, must have some way."


    "Forget it, it''s better to cultivate with you. To be honest, I think you are the strongest genius in the world. My emperor brother and An Hao are nothing compared to you."


    Li Lingtian looked at Yang Jian seriously and said, expressing his genuine thoughts.


    In this lifetime, he admired Yang Jian the most.


    Not only was his talent unparalleled, but he also had the patience to cultivate diligently, avoiding the pursuit of empty fame.


    "There''s no way I''m the strongest, and I also have a goal to pursue." Yang Jian shook his head and laughed.


    A goal to pursue?


    Li Lingtian was immediately intrigued and began to ask, but unfortunately, Yang Jian would not say.


    Elsewhere,


    Gu An approached Shen Xinzi. At this moment, Shen Xinzi was sitting on the ground, engrossed in "Journey to the West".


    "Daoist Friend, the festival is approaching. Would you like to join us?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Shen Xinzi came to his senses, quickly got up, and saluted Gu An, saying, "Amitabha, thank you for the invitation. As a humble monk, I dare not refuse. What can I do to help?"


    Gu An waved his hand with a smile, "You are a guest, there''s no need for you to do anything. Of course, if you are in the mood and have time to guide the disciples in the valley, I would be grateful."


    Shen Xinzi couldn''t help but ask out of curiosity, "Benefactor, what do you wish to learn?"


    "Not for me, but for the disciples in the valley."


    "Doesn''t the benefactor seek the Mahayana Buddhist teachings and the immortal destiny?"


    "Me? Forget it. My current life is pretty good. I don''t want to go out fighting and killing. I have a senior brother named Li Ya, who holds an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. He''s incredibly powerful, but unfortunately, only I know the hardships he faces behind the glory. I''m timid by nature and dare not kill people, so it''s best for me to stay in Medicine Valley."


    Gu An laughed freely, causing Shen Xinzi to look at him with admiration.


    They chatted for a while before Gu An took his leave.


    Shen Xinzi watched his departing figure, filled with deep emotions.


    This Medicine Valley, though small, was truly fascinating.


    There were great cultivators who had achieved unparalleled heights, extraordinarily talented juniors, ill-fated disaster stars, and a valley master who had seen through life.


    If he were to cultivate Buddhist teachings here, it might bring him greater enlightenment.


    However, unfortunately, he still had to head to the Sea Breaking Rift.


    If he could survive and return, he could cultivate here for hundreds of years.


    Shen Xinzi silently thought, no longer caring about eliminating You Yingying.


    With a great power like Sword Venerable Fudao watching over her, she shouldn''t cause any trouble.


    ...


    In the palace, An Hao stood up and saluted his master, Sage Fuchen.


    Sage Fuchen looked at An Hao with a sigh, "Hao''er, I didn''t expect you to have such a formidable master. As your teacher, I am basking in your glory."


    He had already learned about the incident where Heaven Unpredictable attacked the Star Sea Congregations, and he was shocked. He didn''t expect An Hao to have such a significant background.


    "Master, you have taught me to cultivate and taken care of me. I will always remember your kindness." An Hao replied seriously.


    Ever since Sword Venerable Fudao intervened, An Hao''s status within the Star Sea Congregations had completely changed. Often, great cultivators visited him, showing care and concern, and even some noble families sought to introduce female disciples to him as Daoist friends, though he politely declined.


    An Hao already had someone in his heart, but to him, nothing compared to the immortal cultivation path, so he had severed that relationship.


    His master saved him from the jaws of a monster, not to let him indulge in love. He must reach the pinnacle of the immortal path and not let his master down!


    Sage Fuchen smiled with satisfaction and then began to talk about the Sea Breaking Rift.


    In the Sea Breaking Rift, more Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts were appearing, and the nine Divine Exotic Ghost Kings were gathering. The great sects were preparing to launch a joint attack on the Divine Exotic Realm, and he had returned for this reason.


    As he listened to his master describe the various bizarre and wonderful sights within the Divine Exotic Realm, An Hao became interested, wanting to explore it himself.


    However, he ultimately suppressed the urge, knowing that time was precious and he had to devote all his time to cultivation to become capable as soon as possible.


    "If this great battle goes smoothly, the World-Destroying Sea Tide will not erupt, which is an immense achievement!" Sage Fuchen said with burning eyes.


    Achievement? But what use was that?


    Sage Fuchen began to introduce the Holy Court, which broadened An Hao''s horizons, as he learned there was a ruling power in the mortal world.


    The Land of Ten Thousand Immortals, it sounded imposing.


    When Sage Fuchen spoke of the Lord of the Holy Court, Shengtian, An Hao fell into endless imagination.


    The Lord of the Holy Court, ruling the mortal world, how powerful must that be.


    Wouldn''t that be akin to the Heavenly Emperor in the "Investiture of the Gods" or the Jade Emperor in "Journey to the West"?


    An Hao''s name also had "Hao" in it. Could he not become the Lord of All Realms, the Head of Immortals one day?


    A flame of unparalleled ambition ignited in An Hao''s heart.


    Since he was on the path of immortal cultivation, how could he not strive for the supreme throne?


    ...


    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, twelve years had passed.


    In the summer,


    In a city, Gu An walked on the street in a green robe, accompanied by a woman clad in white, with a hat and veil concealing her face.


    This woman was Ji Xiaoyu.


    "Why come to this city?" Ji Xiaoyu curiously asked.


    At the beginning of the year, she had told Gu An she wanted to go out and see the mortal world and comprehend the Dao, hoping Gu An could accompany her. Initially, Gu An did not agree, but she kept bringing it up, and he eventually gave in.


    "One of my junior brothers lives in this city." Gu An answered, then recounted his acquaintance with Xiaochuan.


    Ji Xiaoyu listened attentively, her heart touched.


    Indeed.


    Not everyone had her extraordinary talent. Most people''s spirit root qualifications were average, just like those in the Third Medicine Valley. Enjoy new chapters from M V L


    Xiaochuan''s decision to give up the immortal path deeply moved her.


    Of course, she only admired Xiaochuan''s determination. She would never give up on immortal cultivation.


    They chatted as they walked.


    They entered an inn and went to a window seat on the second floor.


    Ji Xiaoyu asked, "If Xiaochuan passes away first, will you be sad?"


    Gu An was already a Core Formation Realm cultivator, certain to outlive Xiaochuan.


    Gu An smiled, "If he leaves without regret, I won''t be sad. Even if he passes, I will always hold a place for him in my heart."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded.


    Gu An teased, "If I pass away, will you be sad?"


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t console him but thought through the question seriously and replied, "I will feel sad, but it won''t affect my emotions. I too will eventually reach the end. We will both enter reincarnation, it''s just a matter of who goes first."


    "You have a clear perspective, not disappointing my teachings over the years."


    "What have you taught me?"


    "My words, my actions, they influence you."


    "True."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded in agreement, making Gu An smile more broadly.


    This girl was so easily tricked; she was even more fun than in their past lives.


    Just as Gu An was about to speak, a sound of breaking through the air came from the sky.


    "Make way! Make way!"


    A rude voice echoed above the city, drawing Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu''s attention. They turned to see a sea dragon flying low, stirring up debris along its path.


    On the sea dragon''s head stood a young boy!

 Chapter 279: Chapter 279: The Remarkable Pan An

    Looking at the Sea Dragon, Gu An felt that its aura was somewhat familiar, so he paid closer attention."Ah?"


    "Isn''t this the same aura as that of Sky Dragon?"


    "But it certainly isn''t Sky Dragon."


    Sky Dragon is currently serving as the Holy Beast of Ancient Sky Sect, and according to Gu An''s Divine Sense, that fellow is still snoozing.


    Gu An began to probe the Sea Dragon''s causality and quickly understood its origins.


    It turned out to be a Snake Demon that had acquired the True Blood of Sky Dragon and had just shed its old skin to transform into a Sea Dragon, leaping forward in talent.


    Gu An''s eyes shifted to the youth sitting atop the Sea Dragon''s head and executed a Life Span Detection.


    [Xu Jin (Foundation Establishment Realm, Nine Layers): 32/350/3080]


    A life span limited to three thousand and eighty years, in the past, would surely be considered a rare talent, but in the present world, it could only be said to be talented, though not top-tier.


    Xu Jin, dressed in white robes, splendid and regal, donning an intricate hair crown, looked vibrant and energetic, appearing to be only sixteen or seventeen years old.


    The Sea Dragon beneath his feet, ten Zhang long, stirred up a strong wind as it flew low, lifting tiles off buildings, palaces, and even lanterns and sunshades off the streets, causing much chaos wherever it passed.


    Ji Xiaoyu frowned as she watched, raising her cup, preparing to take action.


    Enjoy exclusive content from M V L


    Gu An held her hand, smiling, "Don''t be hasty."


    Ji Xiaoyu turned to him and said, "This is a city of mortals, though there are some Cultivators, they are few and far between, how could they stop that..."


    Before she could finish, the sound of a sword being drawn echoed throughout the city. Immediately after, the Sea Dragon let out a piercing scream as blood gushed from its spine, plummeting towards the street.


    The commoners on the street scurried away in panic, while Xu Jin, atop the Sea Dragon''s head, was flustered. He quickly leaped off, landing on a nearby rooftop.


    He had just landed when a sword was placed against his neck, causing his pupils to dilate in terror, and beads of cold sweat to stream down his face.


    "Who... are you? What do you want?"


    Xu Jin asked tremulously, followed by a voice behind him, "So brazen and reckless, are you trying to disregard Taicang''s laws?"


    Inside the inn.


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and looked at Ji Xiaoyu, smiling, "See?"


    The one who had taken action was a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator who practiced the art of concealing their aura, which is why Ji Xiaoyu had not noticed.


    Ji Xiaoyu took a deep look at the Sword Cultivator and then turned to Gu An, "Today''s emperor truly acts decisively. I thought his laws aimed at Cultivators were just for show, but I was wrong; they are indeed enforced. That Sword Cultivator''s aura is not simple; the moment he drew his sword, the Sword Intent was strong."


    Gu An said, "Nowadays, the Taicang Dynasty could be described as a place where dragons hide and tigers lie dormant; anywhere you could find a Great Cultivator."


    "But we both have Core Formation Realm cultivation, why could you sense his presence and I could not?"


    "How could you ask that? Shall I tell you that you are not as good as me? Please, I am at least a hundred and fifty-six years older than you."


    "I heard you used to be a Golden List Genius but always said your talents were lacking. It seems now that you might have been playing the fool."


    "You''re right about that, I truly am, in fact, an Immortal living incognito in the mortal world."


    "Hehe." S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu gave Gu An a glance but she was also amused by him.


    The two continued to drink and chat, no longer paying attention to Xu Jin and the Sea Dragon.


    In the end, both Xu Jin and the Sea Dragon were taken away by the Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator, to the cheers of the commoners.


    Over the following days, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu strolled through the city. They even visited Xiaochuan''s residence but only stood on the rooftop to look without disturbing Xiaochuan.


    Now that Xiaochuan had settled down with a family and children, his life was complete.


    After two days in the city, they left to visit other places.


    Because Gu An was concerned about medicinal herbs, this journey only lasted half a month, which was quite fulfilling for Ji Xiaoyu.


    With Gu An''s company, she witnessed the vicissitudes of life. Gu An shared his life experiences to resolve her doubts, benefiting her greatly.


    Time flew by.


    At the end of summer.


    Gu An brought Yang Jian to Immortal Seeking Island.


    Ever since his visit to the Divine Exotic Realm, Immortal Seeking Island was no longer invaded by Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. There were still many at sea, but not as numerous as before, and mostly acted alone.


    Just on entering the city, Gu An and Yang Jian heard the Cultivators discussing the battle at the Sea Breaking Rift.


    This battle had been raging for more than a year; Shen Xinzi, who sought to kill You Yingying before, also joined the battle, representing the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    "Those Divine Exotic Ghost Kings are truly troublesome, immortal and indestructible."


    "Indeed, it''s said that more than a thousand Loose Immortals have fallen in the Sea Breaking Rift over the years, and heaven knows how many Cultivators below the Loose Immortal Realm have perished."


    "Falling is not to be feared, but to become a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost after falling and then turn against us, that''s the true horror."


    "Who knows how we''ll ever resolve this cataclysm."


    "The Bitter Sea Buddha Sect is indeed capable of delivering the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, but they are too few in number. The most formidable Divine Monk is Shen Xinzi, who has encountered a curse and is fate is unknown."


    Upon hearing Shen Xinzi''s name, Yang Jian looked towards Gu An.


    Gu An conveyed through psychic transmission, "Yes, that''s the Monk who visited Medicine Valley before."


    Yang Jian had sensed that Shen Xinzi was extraordinary, but he did not expect the Monk to be so well-known.


    Soon, Hu Xiaojian arrived and greeted them as usual, leading them to purchase medicinal herbs.


    "Predecessor, I heard that Tang Hai and others encountered danger in the Sea Breaking Rift and their fate is unclear¡­" Hu Xiaojian said cautiously.


    Gu An replied calmly, "Everyone has their own destiny. Different choices lead to different fates. As Immortal Cultivators, they would have been prepared."


    Hu Xiaojian nodded, contemplating the might of the Divine Exotic Ghost King.


    Currently, aside from Sword Venerable Fudao, no second individual or demon has been able to suppress a Divine Exotic Ghost King alone.


    The longer the disaster caused by the Sea Breaking Rift lasts, the more it confirms the strength of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Although Sword Venerable Fudao has not joined in the battle within the Sea Breaking Rift, many believe that the reduction in the number of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts at sea and the retreat of Divine Exotic Ghost Kings back into the rift is related to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An remained silent while Yang Jian engaged in brisk conversation with Hu Xiaojian.


    "By the way, there''s a popular book at sea called Journey to the West. Have you read it?" Hu Xiaojian suddenly recalled and asked.


    Yang Jian nodded, "I have, what about it?"


    He was moved, feeling proud that his Master was not only profound in cultivation but also preeminent in talent, for his book to spread so far.


    Gu An was also surprised as he secretly calculated. It turned out that the Star Sea Congregations played a significant role, and another person was also helping to promote Journey to the West, who was none other than Shen Xinzi.


    Interesting.


    Gu An wasn''t afraid of trouble; now, he had the power to protect himself.


    Of course, it would be better if no one disturbed him.


    As Hu Xiaojian brought up Journey to the West, he began to enthusiastically explain that the book had spread throughout the seas, praised by many Sects.


    Besides those Cultivators who were always in seclusion, most of those active at sea had read it.


    Some felt that the Immortal Divine World depicted in the book was fascinating, others thought the book reflected reality, and some even considered it a history book.


    Investiture of the Gods wasn''t as popular as Journey to the West, but some, like Hu Xiaojian, would read Investiture of the Gods after learning about Journey to the West.


    Through Journey to the West, Hu Xiaojian also mentioned the great sects and Cultivators of the seas, leaving Yang Jian in awe.


    How vast was this world, really?


    Two Ancient Hours later, the Master and disciple duo returned to the Supreme Sect.


    Walking through the woods, Yang Jian became more talkative.


    "Master, between Impermanence Tian and the Divine Exotic Ghost King, who is stronger?" Yang Jian curiously asked.


    He had heard from Hu Xiaojian about Sword Venerable Fudao appearing within the Star Sea Congregations to confront a Divine Exotic Ghost King, so he was intrigued.


    Hu Xiaojian didn''t know the details due to his lower status. He did not know the name of that Divine Exotic Ghost King nor why Sword Venerable Fudao acted, but he was aware of the event.


    Although Yang Jian was no longer disturbed by Impermanence Tian, he still felt an inherent pressure, thinking that he would inevitably face him one day.


    Gu An casually replied, "As your Master, I am also unclear. When you face him in the future, you will know."


    "I hope he comes later rather than sooner."


    "With his level of cultivation, what he calls soon might be in hundreds or thousands of years, so don''t worry too much."


    "Right, I will definitely not slack off."


    Yang Jian was full of fighting spirit, and he actually had another question he wanted to ask.


    That was, what realm had his Master reached?


    His Master claimed to be a Loose Immortal, but from what Hu Xiaojian said, Sword Venerable Fudao obviously seemed much stronger than a Loose Immortal.


    He also wanted to ask about the cultivation realm of that fellow Senior Brother.


    But he dared not ask; if the Master did not say it, there must be a reason.


    ...


    Inside the palace, An Hao slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath of foul air.


    A figure suddenly appeared beside the pool, none other than Chi Jiuxiao.


    Chi Jiuxiao looked at An Hao and marveled, "Void Crossing Realm, Nine Layers. Impressive, young man. To have such cultivation at just over a hundred years old is indeed terrifying. Although my Sect has invested a lot in you, you have absorbed it all so quickly, truly proving your talent is unmatched in the world."


    An Hao looked at him and said, "Above the Void Crossing Realm are the Unification and Mystic Heart. To reach the Mahayana Realm by five hundred would not be considered quick."


    Chi Jiuxiao rolled his eyes and said, "With your current pace, reaching the Mahayana Realm by five hundred would be a breeze. I even suspect that you could achieve Nirvana before five hundred. Your innate talent is unimaginable."


    As he said this, his tone also revealed a hint of envy.


    An Hao shook his head, "My Master has taken another disciple. He says his talent is not inferior to mine, and honestly, I fear he might catch up with me."


    Mentioning Sword Venerable Fudao, Chi Jiuxiao immediately sat cross-legged, curious, "Who exactly is your Master, and which Sect is he from? Don''t tell me he''s from the Supreme Sect. With such cultivation, if he''s not from the Holy Court, he must be from one of the Mortal World''s leading Qi Fortune Sects."


    "I truly don''t know," An Hao admitted helplessly.


    Even if he did know, he wouldn''t reveal it.


    Chi Jiuxiao glanced at him and then pulled out several books from within his robes, offering, "Take a look at Journey to the West, it''s also from the Supreme Sect. This book has become wildly popular at sea, and it''s even made me consider another trip to the Supreme Sect."


    Journey to the West?


    An Hao looked at the book in Chi Jiuxiao''s hands. He had already heard about the book, written by Pan An of the Supreme Sect.


    He knew who Pan An was, his junior sister was even under Pan An''s mentorship.


    An Hao couldn''t help but recall his first encounter with Gu An when they witnessed Lv Baitian returning to peak form, exhibiting a formidable cultivation level.


    But Gu An''s cultivation and talents seemed so ordinary, and such an ordinary person had managed to spread his fame all the way to the seas. Truly remarkable.

 Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Destiny

    After returning to the Third Medicine Valley with Yang Jian, Gu An did not immediately go upstairs but instead found An Xin to inquire after her health with particular concern for her cultivation practice.An Xin''s maximum lifespan was two hundred and thirty years; she could still wait for several decades before lifting the restrictions on her cultivation level.


    Over the years, Gu An had also given her a number of elixirs; she might even surpass Ye Lan.


    "Master, have you heard any news of my elder disciple brother An Hao recently?" An Xin suddenly asked. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although it had been a long time since she had last seen An Hao, their relationship had not become estranged, after all, they had grown up together since childhood and even experienced life and death.


    She knew that she and An Hao belonged to two different worlds in the future, but occasionally she could not help but be concerned for him; knowing he was safe was enough.


    Gu An picked up a teacup from the table and replied, "He''s doing quite well; he has now become the foremost talent of the Star Sea Congregations and has cultivated the awe-inspiring Flame Primordial Treasure Body..."


    This intelligence had been mentioned to him by Lv Baitian before, so now when he spoke of it, he wouldn''t reveal his true cultivation level.


    An Xin listened intently, her face brimming with smiles.


    She didn''t feel the slightest envy for An Hao''s achievements, even though both had started immortal cultivation on the same day; the gap in their talents was simply too large. Sometimes she even doubted whether she truly knew An Hao, and so she would not mention knowing An Hao in her daily interactions with others.


    Now things were going well; she lived carefree within Medicine Valley. Though there was no hope of pursuing the Immortal Path, at least her days were fulfilling and interesting.


    After Gu An finished speaking, An Xin propped her cheeks with both hands and laughed, "My elder disciple brother is truly impressive; it''s hard to imagine what kind of great figure he will become in the future."


    Gu An smiled and said, "Then practice hard and strive to see a further future."


    An Xin nodded and then brought up the White Spirit Rat, her face filled with indignation.


    As the White Spirit Rat grew stronger in cultivation, it became increasingly difficult for her to control, and now it would only listen to Gu An. Inside Medicine Valley, it was practically a tyrant, often playing tricks on the disciples.


    Of course, the White Spirit Rat was just mischievous and wouldn''t harm the disciples, which was also the reason Gu An couldn''t be bothered to discipline it.


    There was one time when the White Spirit Rat accidentally injured An Xin and was severely beaten by Gu An; it never dared to hurt people again.


    Gu An chatted with An Xin about the trivial matters of Medicine Valley; after spending the first half of the day concerned with the significant affairs of the world, he now talked about the small matters of the valley, a contrast he found quite amusing.


    Days passed one by one.


    Autumn winds blew into Medicine Valley.


    Inside the house.


    Gu An leaned on a chair, holding a book in his hands. It was about Talismans. Now and then, he would read some books on Daoist sorcery; with his current state, most of the Daoist sorcery techniques of the Mortal World seemed simple to him.


    The reason geniuses enjoy reading is that being able to understand brings enjoyment.


    Suddenly, Gu An''s brow furrowed.


    Li Ya was tapping into the power of Divine Exotic City!


    Wasn''t Li Ya in retreat, cultivating with the Star Sea Congregations?


    Immediately, Gu An closed his eyes, discovering that Li Ya was in fact in the Sea Breaking Rift, currently being suppressed by a Divine Exotic Ghost King.


    Li Ya was not alone; surrounding him were many cultivators from diverse sects.


    Even if Li Ya possessed the power of Divine Exotic City, he could not possibly defeat the Divine Exotic Ghost King. The power of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was indeed formidable but correlated with the cultivation level of the user. The stronger the realm, the more prominently the Supreme Treasure''s power would display.


    Gu An had no intention of intervening; as long as Li Ya did not die, it was normal for him to suffer a bit. Traversing the Immortal Cultivation World, who could expect smooth sailing?


    Yet, he sensed another presence and could not help but lament the terrifying power of fate.


    ...


    In the Divine Exotic Realm, within a realm of Minor Heaven and Earth.


    Beneath a crimson sky, dust flew across the land like dragons and phoenixes contorting while innumerable Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts swirled like moths, densely packed, enough to make one''s scalp tingle.


    A Divine Exotic Ghost King stood proudly in the sky, his countenance fierce with symmetrical bloodstains on his cheeks and his long white hair fluttering like flames. With six arms brandishing different weapons, he stood atop a thousand-meter-high Ghost Beast, suspended in mid-air.


    This beast too floated in the air, its lion-tiger body, leopard-like head, and three tails stirring clouds and mist with every sway.


    Looking along the direction of the Divine Exotic Ghost King''s gaze, one could see beneath the swirling dust a massive city¡ªit was Divine Exotic City. The city spanned a hundred miles, standing against the relentless tide of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Inside, thousands of cultivators gazed up at the sky with expressions of anger, fear, and hatred.


    Atop the tallest spire in the city, Li Ya in black stood on the summit, with a pitch-black figure atop his shoulder¡ªthe Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit.


    Li Ya had furrowed brows, his expression stern.


    "Divine Exotic City has actually fallen into the hands of a minor Immortal cultivation of the Divinity Transformation Realm. Boy, aren''t you feeling overwhelmed? Strong as Divine Exotic City is, how can your frail body exert its divine power?"


    The Divine Exotic Ghost King sneered. His name was Zhen Liudao, and with his cultivation of the Nine Layers of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, he viewed Li Ya as no different from an ant.


    Hearing his words, Li Ya remained silent. Arguing was meaningless; how to survive this calamity was his concern.


    His hands hidden within his sleeves clenched tightly, and he began to bleed from his nose.


    Several cultivators in the city noticed this scene, as did Shen Xinzi, who was meditating on a street. His brows furrowed at the sight.


    Shen Xinzi looked off into the distance at Zhen Liudao, struggle flickering in his eyes.


    After taunting for a while and receiving no response from Li Ya, Zhen Liudao became annoyed. Lifting an arm, in his hand he held a black mirror which swirled with dark mist.


    A figure leapt from the mirror, quickly growing to nearly Zhen Liudao''s size.


    It was a white-haired man!


    Li Ya''s pupils dilated at the sight, his face shifting with various emotions, ultimately contorting in rage, eyes filled with fury.


    "You dare to turn him into..."


    Li Ya said through gritted teeth. His aura erupted suddenly, with wisps of blood seeping from his pores.


    "Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, mobilize the mightiest power of Divine Exotic City; I will kill him!"


    Li Ya roared inwardly, unable to contain his rage.


    The white-haired man was none other than Zhang Buku!


    At this moment, Zhang Buku had transformed into a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost. His clothes tattered, his expression cold; he looked down upon Li Ya, without the slightest emotional fluctuation in his eyes.


    As Zhen Liudao watched Li Ya rage, he burst into laughter, saying, "I merely caught a snippet of karma from you all. I hadn''t realized he meant so much to you. How about it, care to keep him company? This is the chance of immortality!"


    Li Ya didn''t answer. Instead, he turned to look at the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on his shoulder and shouted, "Didn''t you hear me? I want you to kill him!"


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit shuddered with fright and hastily invoked even stronger power.


    A thunderous rumbling¡ª


    Divine Exotic City trembled; the protective light that enveloped the entire city burst forth with countless rainbows of light, all aimed at Zhen Liudao.


    The Three-tailed Ghost Beast let out a ferocious roar, the very firmament shook, and it forcibly blocked the power from Divine Exotic City.


    Li Ya spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes bleeding. He clenched his teeth and said, "Continue!"


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit hesitated for a moment and then gestured, the power of those light rainbows surged, overbearing the howls of the Three-tailed Ghost Beast, drawing ever closer to it.


    Zhen Liudao was taken aback and became interested.


    Li Ya bled from his seven orifices, his spine began to bend, but his gaze remained fixated above, wishing he could tear Zhen Liudao to pieces.


    "Omitofo! Layman Li, there''s no need for further effort, striving in vain is useless!"


    The voice of Shen Xinzi suddenly rang through the heavens, serious in tone.


    A golden light rose from within the city, piercing through the protective light and going straight through the neck of the Three-tailed Ghost Beast, which, despite struggling instinctively, could not dissipate the golden light.


    Shen Xinzi looked at Zhen Liudao, his eyes flickering with interest.


    The golden light unveiled a long golden staircase with Shen Xinzi ascending from the bottom. His body radiated with Buddhist light, and the prayer beads in his hand were aflame.


    Li Ya couldn''t help but look at him, surprised.


    "Layman Li, you are still young; let this humble monk be the one to sacrifice. As the saying goes in the Journey to the West by the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, ''If I don''t enter hell, who will?'' Do not lose your sanity over the passing of an old friend; keep this rage in your heart and let it fuel your fighting spirit."


    Shen Xinzi spoke firmly.


    As his words fell, he stepped out from the light of Divine Exotic City.


    His Buddhist light surged wildly, engulfing Zhen Liudao and the Three-tailed Ghost Beast like a tidal wave.


    In the eyes of Li Ya and the cultivators in the city, a giant golden prayer bead phantom appeared in the sky, trapping Zhen Liudao and his mount within with an inconceivable method.


    The giant prayer bead phantom suddenly vanished, and with it the figures of Zhen Liudao and the Three-tailed Ghost Beast.


    Around the world, the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts came to a halt, and after a moment of silence, they quickly dispersed, like fish scattering invisibly into the void.


    Li Ya then knelt on the summit, slowly bowing his head, murmuring: "Zhang... no..."


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    Before he could finish, he collapsed.


    ...


    The world grew dim; by the seashore.


    Zhen Liudao dragged Shen Xinzi''s head, pulling his body across the sand. He journeyed to the Divine Exotic Life Tablet and tossed Shen Xinzi to the ground.


    He complained, "Realm Master, why won''t you let me eat him? Just because he''s from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect? Do you really need to be so cautious?"


    The voice of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm came out from the Divine Exotic Life Tablet: "He has significant karma; you must not kill him. Also, you may not kill anyone with close karma to Zhang Buku."


    Zhen Liudao''s demeanor changed, a sudden flare of anger emerging as he glared, "Why?"


    "The being called Destroyer of Heavens has personally requested that I protect Zhang Buku."


    Hearing this, Zhen Liudao paused, then sank into silence.


    Taking a deep breath, he said no more and turned to leave.


    Once he disappeared, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm emerged from the Life Tablet, approached Shen Xinzi, and looked down, murmuring, "A reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon? What exactly is the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect scheming?"


    He lifted his right hand and began healing Shen Xinzi with his own divine power.


    Meanwhile.


    Back in Medicine Valley, Gu An withdrew his attention. The Master of Divine Exotic Realm was sensible; if he dared to cause trouble, risk or not, Gu An would have had to intervene.


    But the thought of Zhang Buku becoming a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost made Gu An sigh.


    He couldn''t constantly watch over Zhang Buku; the last time he detected Zhang Buku in the Divine Exotic Realm, Zhang Buku had already transformed into a Resentful Ghost, fortunately retaining a sliver of will.


    If the Master of Divine Exotic Realm were to be obliterated, then all the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts would vanish as well. That meant Zhang Buku was now tied to the fate of the Realm Master.

 Chapter 281: Chapter 281: The Enlightened Master, Gu An

    Two years had passed since Li Ya and Zhang Buku had met.In those two years, the seas continued to surge with activity, countless cultivators and demons rushed into the Sea Breaking Rift. Such strife never ceased; some found their fateful breakthroughs while others fell with regret.


    The Supreme Sect had been peaceful, with the majority of its disciples diligently pursuing their cultivation.


    Days in Medicine Valley were even more serene.


    On this day, Gu An arrived early in Mystic Valley, waiting for someone who was soon to appear.


    Near noontime, dressed in black, Li Ya descended from the sky, landing below the pavilion. This time, he didn''t enter through the window but stood beneath it, gazing at Gu An''s windowsill, silent for a long time without taking a step forward.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, lying on the ground, watched him with a peculiar look in its eyes.


    It could feel that his mood was very low, and his entire being seemed dispirited and lost.


    "Senior Brother Li, why have you come?" Lu Jiujia hurried over, asking excitedly.


    Li Ya snapped out of his trance and looked towards him, managing a strained smile, "I came to see your Senior Brother Gu."


    "He''s upstairs. Usually, he doesn''t spend much time in Mystic Valley, but today he''s been here all morning. So he was waiting for you, after all," Lu Jiujia remarked with a sigh.


    He could obviously tell something was off with Li Ya, hence his words.


    Li Ya nodded at him, then ascended the stairs.


    Upon reaching the second floor, he pushed open the door and entered.


    Gu An, who was seated in a chair, put down the Supreme Secret Records book he had been reading and looked at Li Ya, exclaiming with surprise, "Senior Brother Li, what brings you here?"


    Looking at Gu An, Li Ya''s eyes suddenly reddened. He closed the door behind him, then walked over to the desk, clenching his fists tightly and gritting his teeth.


    Gu An''s smile faded as he asked anxiously, "What''s wrong? What happened?"


    Li Ya dared not meet Gu An''s gaze because Zhang Buku had once said that Gu An was his only senior relative.


    "Zhang Buku..." Li Ya started with difficulty.


    "What happened to him?" Gu An stood up abruptly. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Ya took a deep breath and recounted what had happened to Zhang Buku.


    After listening, Gu An collapsed in his chair, looking just as dispirited, deepening Li Ya''s distress.


    "Wait, you said he became a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, which means he''s still here, isn''t he?" Gu An asked urgently, as if grasping at a thought.


    Li Ya turned his head and replied, "He''s still here, but becoming a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost means he''s no longer who he was. He''s become a monster that devours living spirits, never to know freedom..."


    Gu An countered, "Did you see him do that?"


    Li Ya froze for a moment, then looked at him.


    Gu An''s expression became calm as he said, "Buku has always had a tough life, carrying the burden of half of the Demon Clan''s bloodline, but he has managed to survive till now. Why can''t he turn misfortune into safety this time?"


    "But..." Li Ya stammered.


    "Senior Brother, this incident isn''t your fault. He chose to venture into the Sea Breaking Rift himself. Don''t carry too much burden. Besides, I truly believe he can turn danger into safety."


    "Junior Brother Gu, I..." Li Ya began.


    "Look at you. If Buku saw you like this, he would surely laugh at you. Aren''t you brothers who have gone through life and death together? Do you intend to join him in death? You must have faith in him. He will definitely be able to turn danger into safety. If you don''t cultivate diligently, you might even fall behind him. After every great adversity comes great fortune. Don''t underestimate him."


    Gu An said with a smile, a look of anticipation on his face.


    Li Ya knew Gu An was comforting him, but he couldn''t help but think, what if Zhang Buku truly could overcome this peril?


    Gu An invited him to sit down and inquired about his experiences over the years.


    Li Ya began to share his life in the past years, and Gu An interjected with questions from time to time. The more he did so, the more ashamed Li Ya felt.


    Zhang Buku was gone. The pain in Junior Brother Gu''s heart must have been no less intense than his, considering Junior Brother Gu also carried the emotional weight of Zhang Chunqiu.


    And yet, Junior Brother Gu still comforted him.


    A Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared on Li Ya''s shoulder without him noticing. It looked at Gu An, blinked slyly, but Li Ya missed this moment.


    The two brothers talked for a long time.


    Until dusk, Li Ya stood up. He looked at Gu An and said, "I''ve come back this time just to tell you about this. Thank you, Junior Brother Gu. I won''t give up hope. I''ll cultivate even harder and will save Zhang Buku sooner or later!"


    Determination colored his face, and his eyes blazed with fighting spirit.


    Gu An naturally encouraged him.


    And so, Li Ya left. He didn''t exit through the window but walked down the stairs. Gu An did not accompany him.


    Li Ya stopped in front of the Blood Prison Great Saint, turned to look at it, and said, "Ox-Head, I swear I won''t let anyone I care about end up in danger again. And your master, I will protect him too!"


    With those words, he leaped into the sky and vanished into the horizon.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint rolled its eyes and muttered, "Crazy in the head. Who''s protecting who? And why are you telling me? Am I your father?"


    ...


    A month after Li Ya''s departure, another person returned.


    It was the monk Shen Xinzi. He made his way to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He paused at the entrance to the valley, somewhat dazed by the sight of its inhabitants sweeping, watering the soil, playing Go, painting, and playfully chasing each other.


    Everything seemed so harmonious.


    For some reason, the moment he returned here, Shen Xinzi inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief; the gloom in his heart began to dissipate.


    Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the valley.


    Soon after, he saw You Yingying. She saw him too and instinctively wanted to avoid him, but he sent her a message asking her to halt.


    Shen Xinzi approached her with a serious expression.


    You Yingying nervously asked, "What do you want? I haven''t harmed anyone!"


    Shen Xinzi closed his eyes and said, "Amitabha, benefactor, the monk has come to apologize. I was indeed rash and overly stubborn and judgmental before. It''s true that everyone in the world may accuse you, but this monk cannot. I apologize. Henceforth, I will not bother you again."


    He put his palms together and bowed in apology.


    You Yingying was stunned and rather perplexed.


    Before she could ask any questions, Shen Xinzi turned and left.


    Watching his retreating figure, You Yingying muttered to herself, "What has he been through these years? It feels like he''s been struck down."


    She had always been quite afraid of Shen Xinzi, but after hearing his words just now, she strangely felt sympathy for him, rather than joy for her own sake.


    Shaking her head, she decided not to dwell on it any further.


    Whatever the case, she had to stay away from that monk; what if he went crazy again one day?


    Shen Xinzi arrived at the Go-playing area, where still dozens of people gathered. He saw the Valley Master Gu An approaching and nodded to each other as a greeting.


    Then they stood behind the crowd to watch the game.


    Suddenly, Shen Xinzi had a notion and looked towards Gu An. Stepping towards him, he whispered, "Valley Master, might I have a word in private?"


    Gu An glanced at him, then nodded.


    "Let''s talk in my room," Gu An said.


    Shen Xinzi had sacrificed himself to save Li Ya and the whole town, which improved Gu An''s opinion of him.


    Although the monk was stubborn, when it came to action, he dared to face danger, genuinely caring for the lives of others, not just paying lip service.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was playing Go, noticed their figures. He smirked, withdrew his gaze, and continued his game, exclaiming, "You really play a lousy game of Go. Even the country children outside the Supreme Sect could outplay this mess. No, let that cow play; it would do better than you!"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, who heard this from afar, was infuriated, but he held back.


    After all, Gu An had once said the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was an Immortal who had just concealed his cultivation level.


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    "Just keep playing. Better you don''t cultivate anymore. Once I release my cultivation level, I''ll make you my mount and turn you into a toad!" The Blood Prison Great Saint thought to himself, and this brought him pleasure. He immediately cheered up.


    Elsewhere, Gu An led Shen Xinzi upstairs.


    Shen Xinzi took the initiative to close the door.


    After inviting him to sit down, Gu An began making tea.


    While waiting, Shen Xinzi looked around at the multitude of books in the room, even noticing his favorite "Journey to the West."


    Having "Journey to the West" there made him feel even more favorably towards Gu An.


    Gu An placed the hot tea in front of him, then sat down, smiling and asked, "What brings Daoist Friend to seek a discussion?"


    Shen Xinzi took a deep breath and said, "Benefactor, it''s like this. I have a good friend who has spent his life detesting evil and seeking to vanquish demons to save the suffering masses. However, he suddenly discovered he was a reincarnation of a demon. What should he do?"


    Classic "I have a friend" scenario.


    Gu An pondered and said, "Is the relationship between past and present lives so important? What sin cannot be washed away even through reincarnation? Why should he fret, why not just continue walking the path he believes in?"


    "But he truly is a demon..." Shen Xinzi began.


    "So what? Are demons absolutely bad, and are humans definitely good? Do you really think you should distance yourself from this friend? Daoist Friend, if that''s the case, then I have to speak up. It''s disappointing that monks who have supposedly transcended worldly matters are so caught up in appearances."


    Gu An began an impassioned critique of Shen Xinzi.


    His inclination to give advice had been thoroughly roused!


    Shen Xinzi did not get angry and listened intently.


    Gu An, who had invented the game of Go, must have extraordinary insight, and Shen Xinzi had previously felt that Gu An''s perspective on life was truly open-minded; his moral standing was undoubtedly higher than his own.


    Cultivation isn''t all about increasing one''s cultivation level!


    Gu An talked for a while, feeling refreshed once he had finished. It didn''t matter to him whether Shen Xinzi took the advice to heart, he simply felt good about having aired his views.


    Shen Xinzi, deep in thought, asked, "If one lays down the butcher''s knife, can they truly become a Buddha on the spot?"


    Gu An replied, not without irritation, "How can that be possible? That''s just being unreasonable. Sins need to be washed away by good deeds. Besides, your friend has not done anything evil in this life and has even saved many people, right?"


    Shen Xinzi nodded, his previously furrowed brows finally relaxing.


    He began to ponder.


    Gu An did not disturb him and simply picked up a book to read.


    The room fell into silence.


    After a full half of an ancient hour, Shen Xinzi stood up, bowed to Gu An, and said, "Amitabha. Thank you, benefactor, for resolving my doubts."


    Gu An waved his hand and said, "What''s there to thank for? If you really want to express gratitude, find time to guide the disciples of my valley in their cultivation."


    Shen Xinzi did not refuse, and inwardly he felt moved. Gu An was truly a profound being, always considering others.


    He asked, "Benefactor, I see you have many books in your room. May I take a look at one?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An began looking around.


    Shen Xinzi suggested, "How about the book in your hands lend it to this monk to study?"


    Gu An''s expression changed instantly, and he closed the Supreme Secret Records and said, "Not this one!"

 Chapter 282: Chapter 282 Reincarnation of the Great Fortune of Energy Movement

    Out of respect for social interaction, Shen Xinzi had refrained from using his divine sense, so he was unaware of the content of the book in Gu An''s hands. Even when Gu An refused him, he did not entertain any impolite thoughts.He inquired why, and Gu An replied that Buddhism Sect did not deem it suitable to read secular books, and then he handed Shen Xinzi a copy of "Righteous Path and Demon Path."


    "Righteous Path and Demon Path" told the story of how Sword Venerable Fudao inscribed the characters for ''righteous path'' at the Heavenly Repair Platform, revealing the dark secrets of the Supreme Sect. Instead of tarnishing the Supreme Sect''s reputation, the book made more people aware of the Sect''s pursuit of righteousness, encouraging them to actively correct their errors.


    Although the book was not as popular as "Journey to the West" or "Investiture of the Gods," many within the sects still favored it, studying it repeatedly.


    Shen Xinzi took the book, and upon seeing the title on the cover, his interest was piqued. He thanked Gu An and left.


    After he left, Gu An finally took out the "Supreme Secret Records" and continued reading.


    He found it difficult to concern himself with the troubles of others'' lives. When asked, he would speak his true thoughts without imposing.


    He had his own life to live; why worry more than necessary?


    Gu An liked to consider himself an observer in others'' lives, acting as he pleased, but without becoming overly fixated, lest it turn into regret.


    ...


    After arriving at the Third Medicine Valley, Shen Xinzi decided not to leave, and Gu An did not turn away this Nine Layers Wandering Immortal Realm Great Cultivator.


    Today''s Third Medicine Valley was undoubtedly the strongest place in the Supreme Sect, even on the continent, with Shen Xinzi and Nine-Finger Divine Lord there, Gu An was not concerned for the safety of Medicine Valley and was more at ease when venturing out.


    Five years passed quickly.


    That year''s summer was not as hot as previous ones. Gu An descended the stairs and saw many cultivators flying across the sky.


    This year, the Supreme Sect was preparing to host another Alchemy Conference, and it promised to be lively.


    Gu An also planned to go and enjoy the bustle. After descending the stairs, he rode off on the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Just as the Blood Prison Great Saint stood up, Ji Xiaoyu caught up.


    Seeing this, Gu An had no choice but to dismount and pat the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, saying, "You''re free to roam around today."


    With Ji Xiaoyu present, it wasn''t appropriate for Gu An to ride a mount. Both of them riding together? What would that look like?


    Gu An valued his reputation and integrity.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint left with a joyful expression, and Ji Xiaoyu asked, "Why not continue to ride?"


    Gu An rolled his eyes at her and said, "I was already riding it, and you came to find me, obviously wanting to follow. If that''s the case, I can only bring you along."


    This girl was playing coy, just trying to gauge his thoughts.


    Sure enough, upon hearing his words, Ji Xiaoyu''s lips curved into a slight smile, and a charming smile brightened her face.


    "Let''s go. Let''s take a stroll around the Outer Gate City."


    "Okay."


    The two of them leapt up and flew towards the Outer Gate City.


    30 minutes later, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived below the Heavenly Repair Platform. Looking up, the platform was swarming with people, a magnificent sight.


    Gu An felt the presence of many in the Immortal Path Realm, and although his days passed year by year in sameness, the Supreme Sect was growing stronger each year.


    It was said that the Hall of Elders in the Sect had changed a lot of members, and the overall Cultivation Realm had elevated.


    Clan families within the gate would recruit cultivators from overseas, so those who stepped down were not suppressed. Instead, they became stronger and gained greater benefits.


    As Gu An surveyed the scene, he employed Life Span Detection; he liked to see the maximum life spans of people, something even Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma could not detect.


    Ji Xiaoyu initiated, "I heard you know another Ji Xiaoyu?"


    Gu An responded, "Yes, the Third Miss I mentioned before."


    "Is she me?" Ji Xiaoyu suddenly asked.


    Gu An looked at her in surprise. Had the girl already awakened past life memories?


    Ji Xiaoyu explained, "I''ve had my name since birth, and I feel a strong identification with it, unlike a habit acquired later in life. Plus, not long after that Ji Xiaoyu died, I was born."


    "The first time I met you, I felt a closeness to you, and coincidentally, you knew the other Ji Xiaoyu. I don''t think it''s a coincidence."


    With a steady gaze, she looked at Gu An, waiting for his answer.


    Gu An couldn''t help but raise his hand to touch her forehead, then retracted it and spoke softly, "You don''t have a fever, do you?"


    Ji Xiaoyu glared at him and said, "I''m serious!"


    Gu An spread his hands helplessly, "Why are you asking me? I''m just a Core Formation Realm Cultivator. Can I see through reincarnation?"


    "But since I''ve known you, you don''t seem curious about my name."


    "That''s because I was shocked before you arrived. You can ask the Vice Sect Leader."


    "Is that so?"


    "What else, Miss? Even if it''s true, I don''t want to delve into it. If you truly are the same person as her, just thinking about it is frightening. What kind of conspiracies and vortices lie behind it? Me, with my Core Formation Cultivation Level dabbling in it, am likely to turn to dust."


    Gu An spoke with a face full of fear, and as he did, he even stepped to the side.


    After listening, Ji Xiaoyu found his reasoning sound, but seeing his expressions and gestures, she couldn''t help but feel both aggravated and amused.


    "Brother Gu, you''ve arrived."


    A figure descended from the Heavenly Repair Platform, it was Wu Jue.


    Wu Jue, now at the second layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm, was a renowned prodigy of the Supreme Sect, cultivated with vast resources from the Sect, exuding an air of confidence and vigor, a far cry from his timid past.


    Gu An greeted him with a smile.


    Wu Jue looked at Ji Xiaoyu with a puzzled expression.


    Why has Brother Gu changed his female companion again?


    That''s a bit too...


    Gu An immediately introduced Ji Xiaoyu to Wu Jue, who suddenly realized, "You are the Ji Xiaoyu with the strongest talent from the Ji Family in recent years?"


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded slightly, and once Gu An finished introducing him, she wasn''t too surprised.


    Wu Jue was merely a famous prodigy, but the Third Medicine Valley hid many Great Cultivators, and even the Sect Leader occasionally visited.


    Afterwards, Wu Jue exchanged pleasantries with Gu An and then left. They had made previous plans to drink together after some time.


    But Gu An knew they would probably miss that appointment.


    He indeed had time, but Wu Jue did not; he was either busy cultivating or on missions.


    For a talent like Wu Jue, cultivation could last for years.


    Gu An watched Wu Jue''s departing figure, reflecting inwardly that too much leisure was not a good thing.


    Wu Jue''s maximum life span remained unchanged, just as it had been decades ago.


    Of course, with his current maximum life span of 7,600 years, surpassing the Mahayana Realm shouldn''t be a problem. Gu An simply felt a bit regretful because he initially believed Wu Jue could compete with An Hao.


    Ji Xiaoyu noticed the regret in his eyes and couldn''t help asking, "What''s wrong?"


    Gu An replied with a smile, "I feel a bit sorry for him. I think his achievements could have been even higher."


    "His achievements are not high enough? Without An Hao returning, he is already the Supreme Sect''s number one prodigy," Ji Xiaoyu said, confused.


    "Hahaha, indeed."


    Gu An said no more, leading Ji Xiaoyu to the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    "Miss Third once attempted to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe; you can also try when your Cultivation Level is higher," Gu An casually mentioned.


    Ji Xiaoyu became interested in the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    They made their way through the crowds, arriving near the Axe.


    Zuo Yijian was reprimanding someone at the moment due to the crowd; someone had stepped into the Axe''s ceremonial area.


    The so-called ceremonial area was marked by Zuo Yijian. Aside from challengers, no one was allowed to enter a certain range to show respect towards Sword Venerable Fudao, and his proposal was acknowledged by the Supreme Sect, necessitating careful consideration in their treatment of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An''s gaze landed on someone in the crowd.


    [Stealing the Five Elements (Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm Nine Layers): 0/0/0]


    Divine Exotic Ghost King!


    This guy was something else, with a very mysterious method of concealing his aura. Had Gu An not used his divine sense to scan the Outer Gate City upon arriving, he would not have noticed him.


    Stealing the Five Elements appeared as a scholar, wearing a scholar''s hat, holding a folding fan, indistinct among the crowd, displaying curiosity while watching others challenge the Heaven-Cutting Axe, without stepping forward himself.


    Gu An only glanced at him before passing by, so as not to draw his attention.


    Back in the Divine Exotic Realm, he had seen Stealing the Five Elements, who certainly did not have the subdued aura he had now. This fellow daring to come to his turf, Gu An wondered about his motives.


    Was he here to investigate him?


    Gu An was curious to see what he would do next.


    Before long, the Alchemy Conference was about to begin in the city, prompting many to descend from the Heavenly Repair Platform and head for the excitement.


    The Alchemy Conference was held in various cities, like a regional contest, with the final competition being held elsewhere, using formations to display the event to disciples and cultivators in all cities.


    Seeing Gu An, Zuo Yijian cheerfully greeted him; his son Zuo Lin was a good friend of Gu An''s. Gu An was known for his thoughtful conduct, leaving a good impression.


    "Care to try? Test how your cultivation has progressed recently," Zuo Yijian invited with a jovial tone.


    Gu An looked at Ji Xiaoyu and said, "Any day is as good as today, and it''s not a one-time opportunity. You go ahead."


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    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, stepping forward toward the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Stealing the Five Elements'' gaze fell on Ji Xiaoyu, and all of a sudden, his expression changed, revealing some excitement, which he quickly suppressed.


    His fluctuating demeanor didn''t escape Gu An''s divine sense, but Gu An pretended not to notice. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the end, Ji Xiaoyu failed, but no one laughed at her; after all, over the many years, no one had ever succeeded with the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    After exchanging a few words with Zuo Yijian, Gu An left.


    As they stepped out of the crowd and into a more open space, Stealing the Five Elements approached them rapidly.


    "Wait, both of you!"


    Stealing the Five Elements called out, prompting Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu to stop and turn to look at him, their eyes questioning.


    He stopped in front of them and greeted them with a salute, saying, "My name is Wu Xing, and I have traveled here from overseas; I''ve seen quite a bit and can say I''m rather worldly. I noticed that this young lady carries exceptional qi fortune, no doubt the incarnation of someone with Great Fortune of Energy Movement. If you''re interested, perhaps we could find a place to talk further."


    Hearing the word incarnation, Ji Xiaoyu frowned.


    She instinctively looked at Gu An, eager to hear what Stealing the Five Elements had to say, but wary of displeasing Gu An.

 Chapter 283: Chapter 283 Reincarnation Path Emperor

    Facing Ji Xiaoyu''s questioning gaze, Gu An naturally agreed.Then, the three of them found an inn and sat down, with Gu An choosing a spot on the second floor by the window. He liked to chat in this spot while watching the bustle of the streets below.


    Stealing the Five Elements glanced at Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu, then pinched his teacup, looked at the surface of the tea, and said, "Although we are meeting for the first time, this young lady must have an Innate Daoist Talisman hidden within her. Speaking of which, you and I are old acquaintances; in one of your past lives, you had formed ties with me."


    After he finished speaking, he first glanced at Gu An and then at Ji Xiaoyu. He was uncertain of the relationship between the two, so he spoke very cautiously.


    Gu An understood his concerns and said, "Daoist Friend, feel free to speak; she is very curious about her past life."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded and asked, "How long ago was that?"


    Stealing the Five Elements revealed a smile and said with feeling, "It must have been nearly twenty thousand years ago."


    Twenty thousand years?


    The faces of both Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu changed drastically, Gu An''s expression was feigned while Ji Xiaoyu was genuinely shocked since the known history of the Ji Family didn''t even span twenty thousand years.


    "Who were you twenty thousand years ago, and why did you come to the Supreme Sect?" Ji Xiaoyu asked cautiously.


    Gu An could feel that Stealing the Five Elements had already imposed a restriction, making it impossible for other diners to hear their conversation.


    Stealing the Five Elements answered, "To be honest, this trip to the Supreme Sect was specifically for you; I can sense that you have reincarnated again. In terms of status, I should respectfully call you a senior. If not for your intervention back then, I would have ceased to exist long ago."


    Talking about the past, his face was full of nostalgia, his gaze unfocused as if his thoughts had drifted back to the distant past.


    Ji Xiaoyu furrowed her brows and asked, "Why did I reincarnate?"


    Stealing the Five Elements said, "I only know you experienced calamities. You weren''t forced into reincarnation due to hatred, and you can rest assured about this. No one in this world can do anything to you; I even consider you the strongest person I have ever seen."


    This genuinely surprised Gu An because he had been to Divine Exotic City and seen Stealing the Five Elements demonstrate his power. Knowing this, Stealing the Five Elements still believed that one of Ji Xiaoyu''s past lives was stronger.


    It seemed like the last time, in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the Innate Daoist Talisman had not yet displayed its true power, but at that time, it had already been enough for Ji Xiaoyu to seek revenge.


    Stealing the Five Elements continued to speak about Ji Xiaoyu''s strength at the time.


    In that lifetime, Ji Xiaoyu had called herself Reincarnation Path Emperor. The two had met only once, but due to Reincarnation Path Emperor''s kindness, Stealing the Five Elements had always wanted to repay her, only to find his freedom in recent years.


    He did not reveal his real identity, and the name Divine Exotic Ghost King was already known throughout the world; he also knew his reputation was not good.


    From Stealing the Five Elements''s story, Ji Xiaoyu could only understand how strong her previous self was, and it didn''t unravel the secrets of reincarnation.


    She looked at Stealing the Five Elements and asked, "What exactly do you need from me now? I can''t help you with anything in my current state."


    She was very cautious, worried that Stealing the Five Elements might want to kill her and force her previous life to emerge.


    Gu An had been listening silently, noting down the name Reincarnation Path Emperor, planning to investigate further the next time he visited Immortal Seeking Island.


    Twenty thousand years might seem an eternity to mortals, but for Great Cultivators such as Wandering Immortals and Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, it wasn''t much, having lived through epochs preceding the fall of the Reincarnation Path Emperor.


    After a moment of hesitation, Stealing the Five Elements said, "A catastrophe that will affect all beings is soon to erupt. When it does, many seas and continents will be destroyed, including the continent you are currently on, and I too am deeply trapped, unable to escape. The Reincarnation Path Emperor had a divine skill that could free me, even if it meant undergoing reincarnation, I would be willing."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An was somewhat surprised.


    From what Stealing the Five Elements said, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm was likely to die. Why would an adversary of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm want to annihilate all living beings?


    He had previously felt that the appearance of the Divine Exotic Realm was not a coincidence, and clearly, the Master was wary of something. Otherwise, with the Master''s strength, he could have swept away any invaders.


    "But I am not the Reincarnation Path Emperor..." Ji Xiaoyu hesitated.


    Stealing the Five Elements waved his hand and said, "You needn''t worry. I am not here to force you to help me now. When the catastrophe falls, no one will be able to save themselves. At that time, you will undoubtedly awaken your primal consciousness, just remember me then."


    After hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu''s brows furrowed even tighter.


    Stealing the Five Elements looked at Gu An and said, "It is best not to spread the word about this, not even the Supreme Sect or any major powers overseas can prepare for it in advance; it''s better if the cultivators here enjoy their current lives unaware, lest the spreading news precipitate the catastrophe."


    Gu An nodded and said, "I understand that principle. I just want to know how long until the catastrophe erupts? If it''s a few hundred years later, then I am relieved."


    Stealing the Five Elements laughed, suddenly finding this Core Formation Realm Minor Cultivator quite amusing.


    Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t help but shoot Gu An a look, but she had to admit, after Gu An asked that question, a lot of her tension was relieved.


    "It could be as soon as a few decades or as long as a few centuries. There are unimaginable powers at play behind the scenes. I can only say, when the oceans begin to rise, that will represent the arrival of calamity."


    Stealing the Five Elements''s answer caused Ji Xiaoyu to frown again. Discover hidden tales at M-V-L


    After speaking, he stood up and said, "Well, that''s all I have to say. I won''t disturb you any further."


    He raised his hand in a salutation and then left.


    Once he left the floor, the invisible restriction vanished.


    Gu An turned to Ji Xiaoyu and chuckled, "You certainly have an impressive background. I might have to think twice before joking with you in the future."


    Ji Xiaoyu huffed, "Aren''t you joking now?"


    "After hearing his words, what do you think?"


    "I am not pleased. Although I had already guessed that I and the Third Miss you spoke of are the same person, I actually hoped my guess would be incorrect. Now, learning even more identities has only increased my displeasure." Ji Xiaoyu spoke calmly, her tone devoid of any emotional fluctuation.


    Gu An looked at her, his gaze turning thoughtful.


    Normally, he subconsciously considered this life''s Ji Xiaoyu and her previous life as the same person, even if their characters differed. In his heart, they were the same.


    However, different memories and experiences had shaped a different person, even though the soul remained the same.


    The essence of being human is more than just the soul.


    Gu An tried to comfort her, "If you are unhappy, then focus on cultivating, making your life in this incarnation last longer, or perhaps even achieving enlightenment."


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, "I can''t achieve enlightenment. I will eventually die. The reason I cultivate is merely to make this life last longer and experience more. I often bother you just to enrich this life''s experiences."


    She paused, then smiled and added, "Besides, you can only live for a few hundred years yourself, so why comfort me? Don''t worry, even if I am unhappy, I am willing to accept this reality."


    Acceptance, huh?


    Gu An chose not to probe further. He then called for the waiter and ordered a table full of exquisite food and drinks, shifting the conversation to the alchemy conference.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s attention shifted as well, and it was as if the conversation with Stealing the Five Elements had never happened. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    The Alchemy Conference eventually ended, and the cultivator who won first place was from overseas, a disciple of the Purple Pill Palace. It was the first time the disciples of the Supreme Sect had learned about Purple Pill Palace, an ancient Alchemy Sect that brought many alchemy techniques through this conference.


    Purple Pill Palace also offered to take a group of Supreme Sect disciples to their palace to cultivate the Alchemy Dao, stirring excitement throughout the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An was mainly concerned about Stealing the Five Elements, who remained at the Supreme Sect and even formally became an Inner Sect Disciple.


    Except for Gu An, no one knew his true cultivation level.


    Even Shen Xinzi and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could not see through him. By the end of summer, Stealing the Five Elements had become a regular at the chess area of the Third Medicine Valley.


    One day.


    Gu An had just returned from the North Sea Mountain and was discussing the affairs of Mystic Valley with Lu Jiujia.


    He suddenly felt a strong aura of battle coming from afar.


    From within the Sea Breaking Rift!


    This pressure had surpassed that of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!


    That meant the Master of Divine Exotic Realm might have made a move.


    It seemed that Stealing the Five Elements''s words might indeed be true.


    "Alright, I agree. I''ll discuss with the Sect next time to expand Mystic Valley," Gu An nodded.


    Lu Jiujia immediately showed a smile. Gu An shared the profits of Mystic Valley with him every year. The bigger the Mystic Valley, the more he would gain.


    Since he had begun cultivating the Daoist Expansion Skill, Lu Jiujia had rekindled his fighting spirit. For this skill, he needed a lot of medicinal herbs.


    Gu An suddenly remembered something and said, "Let''s release your cultivation level by the end of this year. Take all the elixirs you have."


    Lu Jiujia frowned and asked, "Why? Can''t we wait a bit longer?"


    Why?


    Because you only live to be 190 years old!


    Gu An did not reveal this fact; instead, he said, "I have obtained a higher-level mental method. I will pass it on to you later, and then you can release your cultivation level multiple times."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia was instantly overjoyed and quickly agreed.


    Gu An patted his shoulder and then left.


    Lu Jiujia had begun to fantasize about what kind of transformation he would undergo after lifting the restrictions on his cultivation.


    Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley and went to the chess area.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had encountered an opponent again: it was Stealing the Five Elements.


    Stealing the Five Elements mastered the rules of Go and swiftly dominated the chess scene of the Supreme Sect. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, unable to see through his hidden cultivation, was quite frustrated.


    Of course, in the heart of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Stealing the Five Elements was definitely not an ordinary person. Gu An''s background was easier to investigate, having entered the Supreme Sect at the age of fifteen and being a house servant of the Ji Family when he was young; his age could not be hidden. But Stealing the Five Elements was different; he came from overseas.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked up at Stealing the Five Elements, feeling annoyed.


    Who exactly is this guy?


    Stealing the Five Elements, smiling, waved his fan. He was not afraid of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s suspicions. With his cultivation level, it was impossible for the Divine Lord to see through him.


    In the entire Supreme Sect, there was only one person he feared: Sword Venerable Fudao, who seemed to have accepted him as long as he did not cause trouble.


    "I lost," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord inhaled deeply and declared gravely.


    He had lost to Stealing the Five Elements six times and felt utterly humiliated.


    The surrounding crowd cheered, exacerbating his depression.


    Stealing the Five Elements stood up and laughed, "To celebrate this victory, how about I teach everyone a spell for close combat?"


    The disciples were even more delighted, their cheers drawing the attention of other disciples from afar.

 Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Zhang Buku Becomes a Disciple

    Seeing that Stealing the Five Elements was willing to teach the disciples sorcery, Gu An was secretly pleased. This guy knew his way around people, far more so than the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.As the number of Medicine Valley disciples increased, Gu An''s distance from them grew ever larger. Despite being called master and disciple in name, they didn''t share that true relationship. Even so, Gu An still hoped they would have a better life and come across more opportunities for Immortal Cultivation.


    Stealing the Five Elements immediately took action, and seeing Gu An on the way, he greeted him.


    After they left, Gu An went to the chess table and looked at the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, smiling, "Shall we play a game?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord snorted, "No, find him to play if you dare."


    "Then forget it. He seems very powerful; I''m not sure I''d win, so I can''t start a game so carelessly."


    "What do you mean, you are sure with me?"


    "Have I ever lost to you?"


    "You¡­"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord was so angry he wanted to slam the table and stand up. Seeing the smile on Gu An''s face, he understood that Gu An was deliberately provoking him.


    Gu An then asked, "By the way, it''s been a while since you returned, where is Chu Jingfeng? Aren''t you taking care of him?"


    "Don''t worry, he''s doing well. He''s in seclusion. When he returns, you''ll have to look up to him."


    The thought of Gu An being surpassed by his own disciple, even becoming a figure from another world, made him quite cheerful again.


    Gu An sighed, "If that''s true, that would be wonderful. I have no hope of becoming an Immortal. If he can achieve immortality, then I would also know an Immortal, and my life would be without regrets."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord really wanted to say that he himself was an Immortal, but looking at Gu An''s expression, he felt ashamed.


    What was wrong with himself?


    Why was he being so petty?


    Gu An noticed the change in his expression and cursed inwardly: the old man still wants to rile me up, watch me retreat to advance.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord began speaking about the sect where Chu Jingfeng was located. He had sent Chu Jingfeng to an overseas branch of a sect, which, although not as powerful as the Star Sea Congregations, was still stronger than the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An listened intently to his tale of the overseas realm.


    It was nearly evening when Gu An returned to his attic.


    In recent days, he had seen more and more Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals return, mostly near the Sea Breaking Rift. Clearly, a great battle was brewing.


    He sat in his chair, concentrated his mind, and his Primordial Spirit Emerged.


    The Carefree Primordial Immortal could remain undetected and untouchable by all beings, and even the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma could not perceive it.


    Gu An quickly snuck into the Sea Breaking Rift, where he saw more fighting figures along the way than before, with nearly every heaven and earth engaged in battle. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He stepped into the largest heaven and earth, which was where the Master of Divine Exotic Realm resided.


    At the moment, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm wasn''t fighting, but there was still the aura of another Carefree Primordial Immortal lingering, a sign that someone else had recently left the area.


    Gu An landed in front of a cave, dark with a faint sound of wind.


    He stepped into the cave silently, the wind passing through his Immortal Soul of Wonderous Dharma without any obstacle.


    Walking through the winding cave, he arrived at a chamber where Zhang Buku, now a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost, was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Lying across his legs was an axe, formed not from a Dharma Treasure but from condensed divine exotic force.


    Zhang Buku''s eyes were closed, his brow furrowed as if he was enduring torment. Stay tuned to M-V-L


    Although he retained his Original Soul Consciousness, he was constantly enduring the erosion of divine exotic force, as it autonomously devoured the soul. This was a process that even the Master of Divine Exotic Realm could not reverse.


    Gu An sighed at the sight of his painful demeanor.


    How distressed would Senior Brother Zhang be if he saw this?


    Gu An transformed into a sparrow and perched on a nearby rock.


    He chirped softly, and Zhang Buku opened his eyes instinctively. Upon seeing the sparrow, he was stunned.


    "Is that¡­"


    Zhang Buku''s face lit up with joy. Just as he was about to speak, the sparrow flapped its wings humanly, signaling him to keep silent.


    Zhang Buku immediately understood but remained excited.


    Though unclear about the origin of the sparrow, he was grateful to it.


    When he had been close to death, it led him to a cave where he found a Demon Core and learned a World-Dominating Axe Method.


    He had always harbored dreams about the sparrow, but never did he imagine he would see it here.


    At this moment, Zhang Buku felt incredibly fortunate. No matter the origin of the sparrow, there was someone looking out for him in the dark ¨C how could he not be happy?


    The sparrow suddenly flew toward him, but he didn''t dodge.


    Then he felt a peck on his forehead, and a flood of memories poured into his mind, leaving him in a daze.


    Time was lost to him.


    When Zhang Buku regained consciousness, his mind was filled with the memory of cultivating a Divine Skill.


    "Limitless Freedom Step¡­"


    Murmuring to himself, even reflecting on the Divine Skill let him sense its profound and inscrutable nature.


    Perfect, now he could practice the Divine Skill to divert the pain in his body.


    To use the words of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, he had to get used to the erosion of divine exotic force, or he would truly become a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost.


    Perhaps, the sparrow wanted to help him in this way.


    Warmth filled Zhang Buku''s heart, and he suddenly felt that his pain was bearable.


    How many perished in the Divine Exotic Realm, turning directly into Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, while he still had a chance ¨C how could he not be joyous?


    "I must practice diligently, get out of here early, so Li Ya won''t worry. And Martial Uncle Gu... if I were to stay here for hundreds or even thousands of years, wouldn''t I lose the chance to ever see Martial Uncle Gu again?" Zhang Buku felt a sense of urgency at the thought.


    He always felt that Martial Uncle Gu wasn''t simple, possibly concealing Cultivation Level. But no matter how much Gu concealed, he was younger than Li Ya and couldn''t possibly be much stronger, especially since Li Ya had an opportunity like Divine Exotic City.


    Zhang Buku stood up and started practicing the Limitless Freedom Step.


    He moved around the chamber, changing his Step Technique, gradually losing track of time and forgetting his pain. However, because he was in cultivation, his will became exceptionally clear.


    In the blink of an eye, two years went by rapidly.


    Zhang Buku was still in the cave, practicing the Limitless Freedom Step without rest. For him, practicing the Divine Skill was not exhausting; he even began to find a way to resist the divine exotic force.


    Footsteps echoed from the tunnel, jolting him from his focus.


    He turned to see the Master of Divine Exotic Realm slowly entering the chamber.


    Zhang Buku had seen him before, so he wasn''t afraid, just vigilant.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm looked at him and said, "The Divine Skill you''re practicing is exceptional, with great potential. Practice well, for your future achievements will certainly be extraordinary."


    Hearing this, Zhang Buku was surprised.


    Knowing the nature of his Divine Skill, the other didn''t inquire further about it.


    Did that guy recognize the sparrow?


    Zhang Buku was about to ask when the Master of Divine Exotic Realm said, "Although your friend obtained Divine Exotic City, he has not truly mastered its power; another is its master. Would you like to take me as your teacher and inherit my mantle? In the future, you could claim Divine Exotic City as your own. Of course, if you are unwilling, you''ve received my teachings; conquering an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in the future would not be difficult."


    Take him as a teacher?


    Zhang Buku was a bit slow to process this. He could feel the suppressive force from the Master of Divine Exotic Realm; he was utterly incapable of resisting him, even unable to lie.


    In such a situation, if the Master of Divine Exotic Realm wanted to calculate against him, why would he need to beat around the bush?


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm saw through his thoughts and explained, "What interests me is not you, but the entity behind you. Now your fate is linked with mine; if I perish, you must die. At least we are now on the same side. If I can be on good terms with your backing, it''s all benefits and no harm."


    "My backing? Who is it?" Zhang Buku asked in surprise.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm showed no astonishment; he had already delved into Zhang Buku''s memories, but some parts were not clear, obscured by a force preventing his probing. He dared not investigate further, as he had already witnessed the power behind Zhang Buku.


    "If you don''t know, then don''t ask too much. Knowing too much isn''t always good. You just need to understand that whether it''s him or me, if we wanted to harm you, we wouldn''t need such methods. Your worth isn''t that high," the Master of Divine Exotic Realm said slowly.


    After listening, Zhang Buku fell silent. He wasn''t angered; in fact, he was even more grateful to the sparrow.


    Even if it was manipulation, he accepted it ¨C he would definitely repay the sparrow in the future.


    As for the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, strictly speaking, they had no direct enmity. If he died in the Divine Exotic Realm, he couldn''t blame anyone; after all, it was his own path that he had chosen, and nobody had forced him to come.


    Zhang Buku took a deep breath and said, "Alright!"


    He then knelt halfway and saluted with a fist, "Honorable master above, please accept your disciple''s bow!"


    And with that, he bowed his head.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s face revealed a smile, "It''s been many years since anyone called me master. My last disciple is now high above, seemingly afraid of any association with me."


    His tone was full of self-derision.


    Zhang Buku looked up and asked, "Who is your disciple?"


    The smile on the Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s face faded, and he scoffed, "Him? Just a dog of the Holy Court!"

 Chapter 285: Chapter 285 Life-Seizing Immortal, Calming the Seas Fury

    [Name: Gu An][Life Span: 195/12708862]


    [Physique: Primordial Karmic Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm Nine Layers]


    ...


    Under the tree, Gu An was lying back to rest, he pulled up his attribute panel to check, and seeing his life span, he smiled.


    Twenty-one years had passed since his last breakthrough, he had already accumulated over twelve million years of life span. Gu An was very satisfied, it proved he had not been neglecting his efforts.


    As long as he maintained this pace, a billion years of life span would not be too far off.


    After viewing, Gu An sent his divine sense towards the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Recently, Zhang Buku had become a disciple of the Divine Exotic Realm Master, and Gu An could feel the goodwill released by the Divine Exotic Realm Master. Moreover, the Realm Master was not just talk; he had already begun earnestly imparting knowledge to Zhang Buku and had not left the cave where Zhang resided since.


    However, from this development, it was clear that the Divine Exotic Realm Master felt an urgency, it seemed that the catastrophe predicted by Stealing the Five Elements was drawing closer.


    Gu An, however, was not in a hurry. Surely the Realm Master had other powers; otherwise, why would he dare create such a huge rift in the sea?


    Let them fight first, he would consider intervening if Zhang Buku got involved.


    After all, Gu An would not directly involve himself in the conflict unless he was certain he could eliminate the source of trouble.


    Zhang Buku seemed to be in a good condition, and Gu An was relieved.


    "Everything is quite good, everyone is busy, being busy is good."


    Gu An scanned everyone he was on good terms with his divine sense, and seeing everyone was safe, he smiled.


    He sat up, stretched lazily, and then got up to leave the place.


    Along the way, the disciples he encountered greeted him, and he smiled and nodded back warmly, showing no airs.


    He arrived under the turret and saw Yang Jian discussing physical cultivation issues with the Blood Prison Great Saint. The Blood Prison Great Saint was also a Physique Cultivator, otherwise, he would not have obtained the Divine Beast True Blood.


    Seeing Gu An approaching, Yang Jian hurriedly got up to pay respects.


    Gu An thought for a moment and said, "Rest well, in a while, I''ll take you to someone to spar and test your real strength."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian''s eyes immediately lit up. Normally, he could only spar with Li Lingtian, which was truly boring. Hearing that he could actually engage in a real battle, how could he not be pleased?


    Without waiting for his response, Gu An stepped upstairs.


    At a distance, Stealing the Five Elements, who was playing Go with someone, stared at Yang Jian thoughtfully. He could tell Yang Jian was of some Ancient Treasure Body, making him more curious about Gu An. No wonder this person could establish a close relationship with the Reincarnation Path Emperor''s reincarnation; his background must be extraordinary.


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    He did not plan to investigate Gu An but instead prepared to form a good relationship with Yang Jian afterward.


    After all, if Yang Jian could survive to ten thousand years, he would surely become a world-renowned figure. It was naturally good to establish ties with such beings.


    Stealing the Five Elements began pondering what spells and divine skills to teach Yang Jian.


    Gu An did not mind him instructing other disciples in their cultivation, and certainly, he would not stop him from teaching Yang Jian.


    That evening, Stealing the Five Elements found Yang Jian.


    "Young friend, I''ve observed you for a long time, and you possess exceptional talent and comprehension. I have a hand technique, would you like to learn?" Stealing the Five Elements asked with a smile.


    Yang Jian knew he was a Great Cultivator, after all, he could win against the Nine-Finger Divine Lord in Go.


    "Thank you for your kind offer, senior, but no need," Yang Jian bowed politely in refusal.


    Stealing the Five Elements was taken aback and asked, "Do you think I''m not formidable enough?"


    Yang Jian shook his head and said, "To tell the truth, I''m not interested in hand techniques, and physical spells and divine skills are not as powerful as enhancing physical strength."


    Stealing the Five Elements became intrigued and curiously asked, "Then what do you want to learn?"


    Since he was persistent, Yang Jian asked, "Senior, have you ever read Investiture of the Gods or Journey to the West?"


    Stealing the Five Elements nodded, saying, "Of course I have. You are named Yang Jian, do you wish to become a being like that? But those are fictional books; the techniques and divine skills described are not real."


    Hearing this, Yang Jian could only shake his head and turn away.


    "Wait, what if I teach you a set of Spear Techniques? This is the most formidable long weapon technique I possess; mastering it can dominate the world and is hard to find an enemy. It suits your physique very well," Stealing the Five Elements quickly called out to Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian stopped, looked at him, his eyes filled with slight expectation.


    Stealing the Five Elements smiled and said, "This spear technique is called Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques. It''s very difficult to practice this spear technique. Nobody in the current world has inherited it."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian said, "Is that so? Then I want to try it. Thanks in advance, senior."


    "Find a secluded place to practice."


    "Okay!"


    The two headed deep into Medicine Valley, the Blood Prison Great Saint became interested and followed them. Stealing the Five Elements did not shoo him away because he felt he could not master it.


    Yang Jian, however, was of the Ancient Treasure Body, a physique rare in this world.


    In the turret, Gu An also noticed this scene; he was not concerned, assuming Stealing the Five Elements would not act recklessly, for doing so would be courting death.


    He was also very interested in the Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques and wondered if they were really that powerful.


    Night passed.


    At dawn, the disciples gathered together to practice drills.


    Gu An watched as Yang Jian walked briskly over, followed by Stealing the Five Elements.


    Stealing the Five Elements looked dazed, no longer as composed as usual, as if he had been frightened.


    Gu An found it amusing; Stealing the Five Elements'' reaction was due to being startled by Yang Jian''s comprehension and physique.


    In just one night, Yang Jian had preliminarily mastered the Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques. Although he had not yet unleashed the true power of this spear technique, it was already enough to shock Stealing the Five Elements.


    He suspected Yang Jian''s physique was among the strongest in the Ancient Treasure Bodies. It was a pity that Impermanence Tian had already perished; otherwise, he could have asked him, as that guy knew the most about Ancient Treasure Bodies.


    "What have you been doing?" Li Lingtian looked at Yang Jian in surprise.


    Yang Jian''s breath was disordered, clearly not having rested the previous night.


    Yang Jian perfunctorily said, "Just cultivating, do not ask more." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Lingtian''s gaze involuntarily shifted to the distant Stealing the Five Elements, understanding what might have happened.


    After the practice ended, Li Lingtian approached Stealing the Five Elements, asking if he had taught Yang Jian any Daoist sorcery. Stealing the Five Elements did not hide it and nodded in response.


    "Can you teach me too? My talent isn''t bad either!" Li Lingtian immediately inquired.


    Stealing the Five Elements sized him up and said, "Your talent is indeed good, but not enough to motivate me. Just improve your cultivation level for now, and when I find you pleasing to the eye one day, I shall teach you."


    "Pleasing to the eye?"


    Li Lingtian was infuriated. He had always been held in high regard by others, rarely ever rejected.


    Even coming to Third Medicine Valley, Gu An had not refused him!


    Li Lingtian clenched his teeth and left in a huff.


    Stealing the Five Elements did not care at all. The karma surrounding Li Lingtian was not complicated, and his background posed no threat to him.


    He was even somewhat looking forward to the forces behind Li Lingtian causing him trouble, adding a bit of fun to his life.


    As Stealing the Five Elements was about to go play Go, he was stopped by Shen Xinzi.


    "Amitabha, benefactor, may we talk?" Shen Xinzi stared at Stealing the Five Elements with a serious expression.


    Stealing the Five Elements smiled and nodded, then the two left Third Medicine Valley.


    ...


    Autumn arrived, and the Third Medicine Valley gradually adopted shades of russet; disciples could be seen clearing fallen leaves everywhere.


    In the turret, Ms. Shen was excitedly talking to Gu An about her new creation.


    Gu An was not interested in her written "Journey South", his divine sense was looking towards the sea.


    Above the Sea Breaking Rift, a momentous battle was taking place, one man against three Divine Exotic Ghost Kings, ÌرðÊÇ_heads prevailing.


    Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!


    The Divine Exotic Ghost Kings were already of the Nine Layers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, yet there were other beings of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who could suppress them alone, which intrigued Gu An immensely.


    "Are you listening seriously?" Ms. Shen asked discontentedly.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Of course, I''m listening. I''m more curious about your cultivation than your book."


    [Ms. Shen (Nascent Soul Realm Seven Layers): 231/880/4400]


    Ms. Shen''s maximal life span had actually increased!


    This surprised Gu An, as her maximal life span had previously been just over twenty-five hundred years.


    Poor him, his fellow disciples had been tirelessly cultivating, unable to find the opportunity for enlightenment, yet Ms. Shen spent her days writing and painting, lazy in her cultivation, but her maximal life span just kept increasing¡ªhow could one reason with that?


    Perhaps writing and painting were also paths of cultivation.


    Ms. Shen coughed subtly, her countenance slightly unnatural, and she responded, "It''s alright, I''ve been working hard."


    Gu An could not bring himself to burst her bubble, as over the years, every time he used his divine sense to check on her, she was either reading, writing, painting, or playing music in the cave dwelling alone, never seeming tired.


    Of course, as it appeared now, her actions were not without meaning.


    From the look on Ms. Shen''s face, she seemed unaware that her talent and comprehension had increased.


    Gu An did not remind her. After all, she was still young and need not rush her cultivation. If he mentioned it, perhaps she would never find that feeling again.


    "How about you? Why does it feel like your cultivation has not progressed?" Ms. Shen raised her eyebrows.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An''s expression dimmed, and he sighed deeply.


    Ms. Shen frowned and asked, "What''s wrong? Something troubling you?"


    "It''s nothing, just increasingly feeling the Heavenly Destiny. Even with medicinal herbs and alchemy, I find it difficult to break through. You wouldn''t understand this feeling. I can''t see the future of cultivating immortality; perhaps this is already my future," Gu An sighed.


    Hearing this, Ms. Shen opened her mouth to offer some comfort but did not know how to start.


    Talent was reality. Gu An''s friend Wu Jue had already soared to great heights, and Li Ya, even more so, had become the face of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An forced a smile and said, "Ms. Shen, my life may be short, but not yours..."


    He was about to continue when suddenly, an immense oppressive force enveloped the earth and heaven, interrupting him, followed by an overbearingly powerful voice echoing through the heavens and earth:


    "I am the Life-Seizing Immortal of the Great Cold Demon Sect. Today, I descend in the Sea Breaking Rift; within a hundred years, if no one can defeat me, I will exterminate all beings who have heard my words, to quell the sea''s wrath!"


    Great Cold Demon Sect!


    Gu An had heard of this sect; it was a Demon Sect comparable to the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect and, according to Bai Ziya, was one of the few demon sects recognized by the Holy Court. Although it was a demon sect, all the places they slaughtered had been abandoned by the Holy Court.


    Could it be that their continent and surrounding seas had already been abandoned by the Holy Court?

 Chapter 286: Chapter 286: The Background of Connecting to Heaven

    "Great Cold Demon Sect? Life-Seizing Immortal? Where did they spring from?"Shen Zhen furrowed his brows, muttering to himself, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes.


    Gu An replied, "I''m not sure, but judging from that voice, it must be some enormous creature from the sea. Alas, just when things had quieted down for several decades, another major event occurs."


    Shen Zhen offered some consolation, "Don''t worry too much, the Sea Breaking Rift is so enormously far from us. There are many capable people in this world; evil will never prevail over good, and we''ll eventually get through this."


    Gu An nodded, but in his heart, he held a contrary opinion.


    The forces behind the Great Cold Demon Sect already reached to the heavens. Explore more at M-V-L


    According to Bai Ziya''s words, since ancient times, the Great Cold Demon Sect and other major Demon Path sects with similar Qi Fortune have always acted as the Holy Court''s knife, dealing with matters the Holy Court couldn''t handle directly.


    Of course, the Holy Court wasn''t inherently malevolent, but they looked at the bigger picture of the entire Great Heaven and Earth, and sometimes they had to sacrifice certain creatures or wipe out an entire region''s populace.


    If the Holy Court truly had abandoned this place, what could be the reason?


    Surely it couldn''t be because of the Divine Exotic Realm?


    The Divine Exotic Realm was irrelevant to them; it was something they could eradicate separately.


    Gu An suspected there were deeper reasons that he was unaware of.


    His Divine Sense reached out, and the Life-Seizing Immortal was not the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who fought alone against those three Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts; rather, it was a Carefree Primordial Immortal. The arrival of this individual had interrupted that great battle.


    Gu An watched as the Life-Seizing Immortal placed down a pagoda at the edge of the Sea Breaking Rift. The pagoda kept rising, breaking through the clouds, reaching a magnificent height of at least a hundred thousand zhang. Meanwhile, the Life-Seizing Immortal flew into the pagoda, and the three Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts fled into the Sea Breaking Rift, with the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who had fought them also entering the pagoda, clearly in league with the Life-Seizing Immortal.


    Gu An was curious to see if any other Carefree Primordial Immortals would take action within the next hundred years.


    He continued discussing worldly matters with Shen Zhen; both of them were Minor Cultivators in the Immortal Cultivation World, and their talks about the world''s major events were mostly filled with envy.


    After not too long, Shen Zhen bid farewell. Gu An also rose to leave the building, preparing to discuss the Great Cold Demon Sect with the other disciples and cultivators in Medicine Valley.


    The proclamation of the Life-Seizing Immortal had set the world abuzz, and everywhere that living beings congregated was abuzz with discussion of this matter.


    When Gu An reached the chess playing area, Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Stealing the Five Elements were discussing the Great Cold Demon Sect with Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect. The other disciples were looking on with tense interest.


    Shen Xinzi was also sitting among the crowd; although he was often silent, he listened intently.


    Ever since Shen Xinzi had spoken with Stealing the Five Elements, no conflict had arisen between them; they seemed to have reached some sort of agreement. At the time, Gu An had not listened in, as he did not think these two individuals capable of causing any significant ripples.


    "The Great Cold Demon Sect has a history of a million years, and that Life-Seizing Immortal is a figure of legend; I never expected he would still be alive. We''re in big trouble now," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord exclaimed. He didn''t mention the Holy Court, clearly very wary of it.


    A million years!


    The gathered disciples'' eyelids twitched at the thought; they could hardly imagine how long a million years was.


    The younger disciples, however, harbored dreams of grandeur. They had not yet resigned themselves to their fates, feeling that there was still hope. The Third Medicine Valley was only the first stage on their path into the world of Immortal Cultivation.


    There were countless tales within the Immortal Cultivation World of those with mediocre talent encountering great opportunities and defying fate to alter their destinies.


    Gu An listened intently as if hearing a story, occasionally exclaiming with the surrounding disciples or displaying an incredulous expression.


    Meanwhile, within the Main City of Sect.


    In a residence, Lu Lingjun visited the courtyard of the Holy Mother of Western Spirit for a chat between master and disciple.


    "The Great Cold Demon Sect rivals the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect in stature, and in terms of heritage, they''re potentially even stronger. If the Great Cold Demon Sect''s shadow looms behind the Sea Breaking Rift, we''re in trouble¡­" the Holy Mother of Western Spirit sighed, revealing the existence of the Holy Court.


    Lu Lingjun was hearing about the Holy Court for the first time, and she was astounded.


    How vast was this world, after all?


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit also doubted that the region had been forsaken by the Holy Court; otherwise, the Great Cold Demon Sect would not dare to be so brazen, even giving a hundred years'' notice, a clear sign they wanted other major sects to promptly evacuate.


    Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but ask, "A hundred years... Only the Immortal Cultivation Sects can evacuate in that time, but will all the myriad living beings who remain truly perish?"


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit spoke somberly, "The Great Cold Demon Sect has slaughtered countless beings. Adding up all the continents and maritime areas affected by the Sea Breaking Rift comprises but a small region of the entire Great Heaven and Earth. To the Great Cold Demon Sect, it''s nothing significant, and the Holy Court will care even less. The fall of the life within this region wouldn''t cause ripples across the world."


    Lu Lingjun frowned deeply.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit continued, "I have to return and ascertain the true reason behind the Great Cold Demon Sect''s actions."


    Lu Lingjun nodded, her thoughts drifting to the worst-case scenario.


    As an Ascender, fleeing presented no issue for her, but having stayed in the Supreme Sect for so long, she had many concerns. She pondered how she might help those with whom she had relationships.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit began to lament the complexity of the world''s affairs.


    Initially, she truly believed the Divine Exotic Realm meant to harm this region, but now it seemed the emergence of the Divine Exotic Realm was not so simple, surely backed by unimaginable forces in contention.


    ¡­


    Dark clouds hung heavy, and a fine drizzle fell over Immortal Seeking Island.


    In a courtyard, Gu An, Yang Jian, and Hu Xiaojian sat together, with Gu An listening to Hu Xiaojian relay information about the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    Three days had passed since the Life-Seizing Immortal''s declaration. During these three days, various sects across the seas revealed information about the Great Cold Demon Sect, with all sorts of messages reaching Immortal Seeking Island.


    Yang Jian listened intently, his expression changing as the discourse progressed. The Great Cold Demon Sect described by Hu Xiaojian seemed even more terrifying, a veritable number one Demon Path in the world. Its innumerable Demon Immortals made it seem invincible, stirring a sense of dread within anyone who heard of it.


    A real catastrophe had descended.


    After a while, once Hu Xiaojian had finished speaking and moistened his throat with a sip of tea, Gu An asked, "Regarding the Reincarnation Path Emperor, have you managed to delve into that?"


    The Reincarnation Path Emperor was a past life of Ji Xiaoyu, and Gu An always remembered this.


    Hu Xiaojian shook his head and said, "I''ve found nothing. I even wonder if such a person exists at all. But since you''ve asked, there surely must be one. It''s just that I''m of too humble a station to know of such high matters. At least, there''s not a trace of information on Immortal Seeking Island."


    Gu An was not upset, lightly glossing over the subject.


    Hu Xiaojian put down his teacup, glanced at Gu An, and hesitated.


    After a moment''s pause, he rose and knelt to the side, bowing his head to Gu An.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Gu An asked, a frown etching his face.


    Hu Xiaojian looked up with a pleading expression, "I beg you to take me with you. The Great Cold Demon Sect is too powerful, and the higher-ups of Immortal Seeking Island are preparing to evacuate. As a mere Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, I won''t be able to escape the area the Great Cold Demon Sect intends to destroy within a hundred years. Even if by some fluke I do escape, who knows if I''ll be able to survive elsewhere. Senior, you are a Loose Immortal, able to come and go as you please... Could you take me with you? I''m willing to work like an ox or horse for you!"


    Yang Jian sat to the side, his feelings complex.


    A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, nonetheless!


    Such a presence would be admired by Servant Disciples within the Supreme Sect, yet here he was bereft of even the confidence to survive at sea. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An pondered for a moment and said, "Don''t be hasty. Stay calm and remain on Immortal Seeking Island for the time being. If the sea''s forces truly can''t withstand the Great Cold Demon Sect, I''ll take you with me. But until then, keep an eye on Sea Protection Mansion for me. If they''re really prepared to abandon Immortal Seeking Island, I''ll take over."


    Hu Xiaojian was taken aback, not expecting Gu An to still be concerned about Immortal Seeking Island at such a critical juncture.


    Yang Jian looked at his master.


    Why did his master not fear the Great Cold Demon Sect?


    His master claimed to be a Loose Immortal; could it be that Loose Immortal was not his realm, but his identity?


    Hu Xiaojian wanted to persuade Gu An but feared offending him, so he simply agreed.


    Gu An saw his hesitation and reassured him, "Don''t underestimate this world, otherwise, the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts from within the Sea Breaking Rift would have already swept across the oceans, wouldn''t they?"


    Consoled by these words, Hu Xiaojian nodded his gratitude to Gu An.


    Gu An waved his hand, helping him to rise, and invited him to sit and talk.


    Hu Xiaojian continued to describe the Great Cold Demon Sect. He knew much about the sect, but when it came to the Life-Seizing Immortal, he knew nothing at all.


    Gu An, however, began contemplating how to take control of Immortal Seeking Island.


    First and foremost, he needed to place a puppet in power; he had to remain behind the scenes.


    Leveraging the various channels of Immortal Seeking Island, he would be able to collect more medicinal herbs, and the prospect seemed quite interesting.


    He felt as if he was about to play a management game and was quite looking forward to it.


    To suppress Immortal Seeking Island, he would need at least a Wandering Immortal.


    This choice required careful consideration.


    As time swiftly passed, the rain grew heavier.


    Two Ancient Hours later, Gu An left with Yang Jian, returning to the forested hills of the Supreme Sect.


    This was not the first time Yang Jian had experienced the marvel of the Limitless Freedom Step, but as his Cultivation Level grew, the more in awe he became of his master''s Divine Skills.


    "Master, is there really anyone who can stand against the Great Cold Demon Sect?" Yang Jian ventured, his inquiry laced with careful thought.


    He dared not directly question his master''s prowess, so he opted for an indirect approach.


    Gu An replied as they moved forward, "Who can be certain? At any rate, your master, I, am not confident."


    Just not confident?


    Yang Jian was secretly shocked. What was the true stature of his master?


    Gu An was unaware of Yang Jian''s thoughts. His intentional modesty only served to deepen Yang Jian''s astonishment.


    After listening to Hu Xiaojian, the Great Cold Demon Sect loomed as a nearly invincible and evil entity in Yang Jian''s mind, the sort of final antagonist one would encounter in stories. Knowing that Gu An had the confidence to challenge the Great Cold Demon Sect, how could he not be amazed?


    "Jian''er, cultivate diligently. Even if we survive this calamity, the trials to come will not be few. Since ancient times, every Great Cultivator has emerged through countless ordeals. The more peril there is, the more we must strive in our cultivation," Gu An spoke with heartfelt gravity.


    Yang Jian nodded, replying, "Disciple always remembers your words, and I will cultivate as diligently as you."


    He silently wondered how many years it had taken his master to reach his current height. Likely tens of thousands of years, or perhaps his master had existed even longer than the Great Cold Demon Sect, merely playing amongst mortals for amusement.


    He trusted that his master would not deceive him, that his master too had persevered through countless hardships and dedicated cultivation to attain his present Cultivation Level.


    Gu An continued to instruct Yang Jian. After all, part of the fun in having a disciple was the occasional lesson.


    Unaware of his master''s inner thoughts, Yang Jian nonetheless sensed his master''s earnest intentions.

 Chapter 287: Chapter 287 The Longevity Pact

    As the year ended, snowflakes danced in the air.Inside the attic, Gu An was pouring tea for Ye Lan, who was recounting her experiences in the sub-sect.


    Having not seen each other for many years, Ye Lan now more than ever exhibited the demeanor of a Great Cultivator. Cultivators at the Divinity Transformation Realm could become leaders everywhere on the continent, and naturally, her aura grew stronger with each passing day.


    This made Gu An find her even more charming.


    Back then, she was always hanging around him, the little girl who always followed him around. Now, she had become an existence that stood above tens of thousands, which made him feel not only nostalgic but also immensely proud.


    Her experiences in the sub-sect mainly involved power struggles and gaining profit. With Lv Baitian having paved the way, she always managed to secure victories in various conflicts, and overall, she had a smooth journey.


    After discussing her own experiences, she asked Gu An how he had been over the years.


    "Growing various plants, playing chess, and occasionally teasing the disciples for fun. I''m quite content," Gu An said, looking at Ye Lan with a smile.


    Ye Lan raised her eyebrows and asked, "Who is the girl downstairs?"


    You''ve been wanting to ask that, haven''t you?


    That''s what Gu An thought to himself, but he said aloud, "Her identity is not simple. I will only tell you, and you mustn''t let it slip!"


    The attic had a protective restriction, strong enough to ward off the probing of any Cultivator below the Divinity Transformation Realm, so Gu An was not afraid of being overheard by Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ye Lan nodded expressionlessly.


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "Her name is Ji Xiaoyu. You understand, right?"


    Ye Lan frowned and asked, "Isn''t Ji Xiaoyu already deceased?"


    Ji Xiaoyu had once been a renowned genius, famed for her beauty across the world. Her death had sparked much discussion within the Supreme Sect, and Ye Lan too had heard about it.


    "She did die, but she has also reincarnated..." Gu An shared the information he got from Stealing the Five Elements, his face full of emotion.


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan too was taken aback. Such oddities existed in the world, and the background of Ji Xiaoyu was far beyond her expectations, even shattering her previous perceptions.


    Gu An cautiously said, "Junior Sister, this matter must not be disclosed. Otherwise, it might bring us great trouble involving reincarnation, and the enemies we would attract are extremely formidable. Faced with such entities, the Supreme Sect would have to either submit or be annihilated."


    Ye Lan nodded, then exclaimed with emotion, "Honestly, I was just feeling jealous of her, but not anymore. The gap between her and us is too vast, not to mention whether she would take a fancy to you, Senior Brother. Even if she did, I think it would be a good thing. Haven''t you always said that your talents are mediocre? And since your relationship with that senior has been severed, you must cherish her. Perhaps she could change your destiny."


    As she spoke, her expression grew very serious.


    Gu An was moved by her attitude.


    Truth be told, due to his experiences in his previous life, Gu An felt that it was impossible for someone to consider others completely selflessly¡ªeven love started from individual needs.


    He had rejected Ye Lan many times, but she had remained consistent, and he didn''t want her to suffer losses. Thus, he had always helped her. Of course, he was moved by this; at least Ye Lan had an irreplaceable position in his heart.


    But he hadn''t expected Ye Lan to hope for his future to the extent of wanting him to cozy up to another woman.


    This silly girl...


    Gu An glared at Ye Lan and said irritably, "Cherish what? She and I don''t have that kind of relationship. At most, we are just Daoist friends, and in her heart, there isn''t a place for romantic feelings¡ªonly the Immortal Path."


    That was the truth; he could feel Ji Xiaoyu''s ambition.


    Whether in her past life or now, Ji Xiaoyu was not a woman obsessed with romantic love; otherwise, she wouldn''t have chosen death to resist a marriage arranged by her family in her previous life.


    Ye Lan rolled her eyes at Gu An and said, "Senior Brother, a woman staying in your building must have a significant background. How could she not have feelings for you? Even if you can''t really pursue her, establishing a better relationship with her would still be beneficial for you."


    Although she had reached the Divinity Transformation Cultivation Level, she still felt that her path to immortality had come to an end. At least she no longer dared to hope for longevity, but she hoped Gu An could have that chance.


    The reason? She couldn''t really say; she just hoped for Gu An to have a better life, and she felt he deserved it.


    From a young age, she always believed that her Senior Brother was worthy of all the good fortune in the world. Even when Gu An rejected her, she wasn''t angry. She liked her Senior Brother¡ªwhy should he have to comply with her wishes?


    "Forget it, Senior Brother. I rather prefer a peaceful life. If she wishes to stay in the Third Medicine Valley, I will not treat her badly, and if she wants to leave, I won''t keep her. She and I are ultimately not people of the same world; we should not hinder each other''s paths," Gu An shook his head and said.


    This too was his heartfelt truth.


    His goal was longevity, not marriage and children.


    Ye Lan blinked, unsure whether to feel happy or to sigh.


    "Senior Brother, if you don''t achieve longevity in this lifetime, would you accept me?" Ye Lan asked.


    Gu An thought for a moment, then said, "If neither you nor I achieve longevity, then let''s just live out a mortal''s life in the last hundred years. A mortal''s life spans only a century, and before that, let both of us strive for the Immortal Path¡ªwho knows what might be possible? Although I seek a stable life, I have not given up on cultivation." Your next chapter is on M-V-L


    Ye Lan smiled upon hearing this, gazing at Gu An and said dreamily, "Senior Brother, with you saying this, I suddenly feel like the life limit isn''t so scary."


    Gu An raised his hand to ruffle her hair, messing it up under her scolding gaze before he finally stopped.


    Later, Ye Lan brought up the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    She had also learned quite a lot about the Great Cold Demon Sect, which made her very anxious.


    She feared that the continent might not survive this calamity, so she had come back early to see Gu An, to avoid regrets.


    Of course, she still held hope, that being Sword Venerable Fudao.


    This was also the reason why most disciples of the Supreme Sect hadn''t panicked. Over the years, the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao gave them faith and confidence to fantasize about and tackle all adversities.


    As long as Sword Venerable Fudao didn''t abandon them, or be defeated, they would surely be able to overcome the calamity.


    In the end, Gu An invited Ye Lan to stay, and naturally, she did not refuse.


    After night fell, Gu An took Ye Lan around the valley and even took her to watch others play chess. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He also called Yang Jian over and had Yang Jian pay respects to Ye Lan.


    Yang Jian''s attitude was very respectful, sensing that his Master treated Ye Lan differently. His Master calling him over must have a profound meaning.


    Could she be not a Martial Aunt but the Mistress?


    Thinking this, Yang Jian also felt joyful, suddenly sensing that his Master wasn''t as unapproachable and even had a human side.


    That night, Ye Lan stayed at the Third Medicine Valley, occupying Gu An''s room. While Gu An read, she practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    By late night, when Ye Lan opened her eyes, she saw Gu An still engrossed in his book, the candlelight illuminating his face, and a blissful smile appeared on her face.


    Actually, this was quite nice.


    Ye Lan watched Gu An for a while before closing her eyes.


    As dawn neared, the situation changed.


    "Senior Brother, you must be tired, let me give you a shoulder rub."


    "Why would I be tired? You''re the one who''s been cultivating all this time."


    "It''s fine; I''m at a higher cultivation level, I''m not tired."


    "Is this a shoulder rub?"


    "I''m just checking your body, afraid you might''ve developed some problems from your usual routines."


    "Wait, don''t touch any lower!"


    "Senior Brother! How could your Junior Sister harbour any inappropriate thoughts towards you! I have a unique sorcery that can nurture your Qi-Blood."


    "That''s not okay, not there¡­"


    ¡­


    At dawn, Gu An descended the stairs with a complex expression, and Ye Lan followed behind, her face radiant with a brilliant smile.


    Ji Xiaoyu emerged from the room, her gaze shifting toward the two, her brows slightly knitted.


    After descending, Gu An introduced the two women to each other but didn''t talk much. Ye Lan then followed Gu An to practice exercises.


    Ji Xiaoyu stood still, watching. After a while, her brows relaxed.


    Ye Lan planned to leave after the Spring Festival. Gu An would take her with him to the Outer Gate City and the Mystic Valley, but not to Tianya Valley or other places. She didn''t ask much, thinking that it was good for her Senior Brother to have secrets, indicating that he still concealed his identity.


    Naturally, she hoped her Senior Brother would become even more formidable.

 Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Nine Profound True Fire, Calamity from the Sky

    This year''s Spring Festival felt warmer than in previous years for Gu An, thanks to the company of Ye Lan. The day after the festival ended, Ye Lan left. She did not wish to become lost in the presence of her senior brother, as cultivating her immortal path was a major life event for her. At this stage, her main task was to diligently practice her cultivation.Despite the declarations of the Life-Seizing Immortal from the Great Cold Demon Sect casting a shadow over the lands, it had not impacted the overall structure of the world. By the following year, the Immortal Cultivation World had returned to its former state, though various sects had begun dispatching more disciples to explore overseas.


    Years passed one after another, sunsets followed by moonrises, Third Medicine Valley saw disciples advancing each year, with new disciples joining, constantly increasing in number. This was because the Supreme Sect itself was growing stronger, which led to an increase in the number of servant disciples. These servant disciples needed positions to earn Spirit Stones.


    In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed.


    Gu An stood by the window, using his Divine Sense to survey a distant great battle.


    A Great Cultivator had gone to challenge the Life-Seizing Immortal, even a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, alas, he did not even get to see the face of the Life-Seizing Immortal, being suppressed by his disciple.


    This battle was watched by countless cultivators and demons. Not all beings wished to flee this region of the Mortal World, especially sects that followed the Righteous Path, shouldering the responsibility to protect all living beings.


    Over the past decade, more than once had Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals challenged the Life-Seizing Immortal, each time without exception being overwhelmed by the Life-Seizing Immortal''s disciple. Advancing to the tower had become a mere wishful thinking.


    The name of Life-Seizing Immortal''s pagoda spread far and wide, known as the Soul Calming Pagoda, it was also an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Gu An shook his head as he watched, the defeat of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal obvious, proving that he was not the Savior of this region of the Mortal World.


    He turned and went downstairs, feeling a presence entering the valley.


    It was the Holy Mother of Western Spirit from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    The Holy Mother had found Shen Xinzi, taking him to a secluded corner to speak, for which Shen Xinzi had even set up a Restriction.


    Inside the Supreme Sect, no one''s Divine Sense could penetrate the Barrier created by Shen Xinzi''s Restriction, except for Gu An.


    "Did you get that clear?" Shen Xinzi asked, referring to matters concerning the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    The Holy Mother of Western Spirit took a deep breath and said, "This matter involves a Holy King from the Holy Court, and though he cannot represent the entire decision of the Holy Court, this Holy King has far-reaching connections and even the Buddhism Sect does not wish to offend. After all, no one knows when Shengtian will emerge from seclusion."


    Holy King!


    Shen Xinzi frowned and then asked, "What in this region of the Mortal World could be of interest to a being like the Holy King?"


    The Holy Mother responded, "I am not entirely sure myself; I only found out that it has something to do with the reincarnation of a Great Power from the Holy Court, that Great Power might be a rival of the Holy King, reincarnated here in this region of the Mortal World."


    Shen Xinzi''s frown deepened.


    Looking at him, the Holy Mother continued, "The situation has gone beyond redeeming. The Buddhism Sect does not wish to risk involvement. Let''s head back soon."


    Shen Xinzi scoffed, "The Buddhism Sect doesn''t want to risk involvement? What a joke, whatever happened to universal salvation?"


    The Holy Mother was taken aback by Shen Xinzi''s tone, clearly detecting the sarcasm in it.


    Something was off.


    Shen Xinzi, who used to take pride in being part of the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, had never spoken this way before.


    "You go back, I am staying at the Supreme Sect," Shen Xinzi stated seriously.


    The Holy Mother wanted to persuade him otherwise, but Shen Xinzi took his leave with determined steps.


    "What as actually happened?" The Holy Mother stared at Shen Xinzi''s departing figure, filled with confusion.


    Her cultivation level was lower than Shen Xinzi''s, and her status was not as prominent, so she couldn''t forcefully take Shen Xinzi back. Thus, she refrained from further persuasion and could only take the news back to the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An, walking towards a certain garden area, was also pondering the intelligence brought by the Holy Mother of Western Spirit.


    Holy King, reincarnation of a Great Power...


    Upon hearing about the reincarnation of a Great Power, his first thought was Ji Xiaoyu.


    However, upon reflection, it might not be Ji Xiaoyu; Ji Xiaoyu had reincarnated countless times, and if it truly were the rival of that Holy King, why hadn''t the Holy King acted sooner?


    Moreover, he was curious about which role the Master of Divine Exotic Realm played in this feud.


    Perhaps he needed to seek an opportunity to discuss this with the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    ...


    Inside a dimly lit chamber, Zhang Buku put down his great axe. The Strength Energy around him began to dissipate, and his constantly swirling white hair gradually settled.


    He exhaled deeply, eyeing the great axe in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed.


    At that moment, footsteps approached. Zhang Buku clenched the axe tightly, causing it to vanish as he turned to look toward the entrance of the cave.


    He saw the Master of Divine Exotic Realm approaching slowly, and perhaps it was Zhang Buku''s illusion, but he felt the Master seemed weaker than before.


    "Master!" Zhang Buku raised his hand in greeting and spoke.


    Throughout these years, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm had been conscientious in teaching him. At least Zhang Buku believed the Master truly treated him like a Direct Disciple, not only instructing him in cultivation but occasionally also bringing him heavenly materials and treasures to enhance his Ghost Body and resist the backlash of exotic forces.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm stopped before him, sizing him up, and nodded slightly, saying, "Not bad, you are mastering the exotic powers."


    Zhang Buku couldn''t help but ask, "Master, are you alright?"


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm revealed a smile, though it was a chilling one, as he said, "Master is naturally fine, but there is something I need to ask of you, may I?"


    "What is it?" Zhang Buku did not agree immediately but asked instead, his mind alert as he feared the Master of Divine Exotic Realm might be plotting against the mysterious being that had been helping him in secret.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm lifted his right hand, within which a golden flame appeared, the light brightening the chamber.


    Zhang Buku''s expression shifted slightly as he stared at the golden flame, unable to look away.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm spoke, "This is the Nine Profound True Fire, a flame of an extraordinary being. After inheriting it, you will possess a Divine Skill that will help you survive better. When you encounter the reincarnation of that being, the Nine Profound True Fire will act uniquely, letting you know at that time."


    "Who is that being?" Zhang Buku couldn''t help but ask.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm responded, "He is a being whose cultivation far surpasses mine, and his status in the Mortal World is beyond your imagination. I am passing this flame to you, hoping that you will find him in the future and protect him as much as possible. He will be the chance for us to overturn our fate."


    Zhang Buku was stunned.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm looked at the flame in his hand, his gaze wandering, then said, "The truth is, my existence is also for dealing with this being. But now that my backing is prepared to forsake me, I have no choice but to turn against it."


    Zhang Buku frowned and asked, "Master, who is your backing?"


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm sighed, "It is an existence that can manipulate beings at will, akin to an Immortal God in the hearts of the masses. Not only me but many forces serve him, including the continent you come from. The Holy Land of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm also serves him and helped me break the heaven and earth barriers, opening up the Sea Breaking Rift."


    The Seven Stars Spirit Realm!


    Zhang Buku naturally knew of this power; he hadn''t imagined that the long-destroyed Seven Stars Spirit Realm was still connected to the Sea Breaking Rift.


    "Well, I can''t tell you too much, lest you invoke temporarily insurmountable karma. Just remember, when you encounter someone that causes the Nine Profound True Fire to act unusually, you must support him. He will be the greatest opportunity you will ever encounter, and the only hope for you to be free of exotic forces," the Master of Divine Exotic Realm said, squinting at Zhang Buku with a serious look.


    Zhang Buku frowned and asked, "And what about you, Master?"


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm placed his palm on Zhang Buku''s chest, injecting the Nine Profound True Fire into his body.


    The true fire wafted, numerous sparks flashing across the Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s face, making his expression look even more terrifying. He spoke in a sinister tone, "I have become a discarded piece, and fate has already presented itself before my eyes."


    Zhang Buku opened his mouth to say something, but the raging Nine Profound True Fire surged through his body, rendering him speechless. Soon, his consciousness drifted into confusion.


    ...


    In a grand hall flickering with firelight, an old man in a black robe sat on a lotus pedestal, which was a black lotus swirling with dark red flames. He had a powerful presence, his unbound hair adding to his imposing aura.


    Looking up at the ceiling of the grand hall, one could see dark red flames churning like an inverted ocean, constantly surging.


    This was inside the Soul Calming Pagoda!


    And this black-robed old man was the Life-Seizing Immortal of the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    Suddenly, the Life-Seizing Immortal spoke, "Disciple, put some pressure on them."


    His voice echoed within the hall, as if many people were shouting in unison.


    Soon a voice came from outside the hall, "Yes!"


    Simultaneously.


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    At the top of the Soul Calming Pagoda, a white-robed Daoist who had been meditating slowly stood up. Holding a horsetail whisk, he was tall and emaciated with white hair arranged under a Daoist hat.


    He looked down at the vast sea, his expression indifferent.


    The Soul Calming Pagoda was located directly above the Sea Breaking Rift, a massive rift that stretched dozens of miles wide, with no visible ends.


    The white-robed Daoist looked into the distance, raised his left hand to his mouth, and began to chant softly. As he chanted, visible ripples spread out in the space around him.


    Seconds later, his right hand suddenly waved the whisk.


    With this motion, the seas on either side of the Sea Breaking Rift abruptly rose, forming towering waves with the potential to engulf the heavens.


    He waved the whisk again, and the terrifying waves on both sides swept uncontrollably toward the distance.


    After doing all of this, the white-robed Daoist paused, then looked up at the sky and waved his whisk toward the heavens three times.


    ...


    At dusk.


    Gu An rode on the Blood Prison Great Saint into the entrance of the Third Medicine Valley, followed by Yang Jian and Li Lingtian, who walked behind with a bruised face, resembling a defeated rooster.


    "Master, won''t this lad be ruined?" the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help but ask. His tone was not one of concern, but rather filled with mockery.


    Li Lingtian, hearing this, glared at him.


    Gu An spoke, "If he can''t endure, he can leave on his own." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Years ago, when he had visited Tianya Valley, Luo Hun had even asked him to bring a message, hoping Li Lingtian would return to the palace. However, Li Lingtian did not wish to go back.


    Although he often got beaten, he was indeed getting stronger.


    Defeating Yang Jian had become his obsession.


    Just as Li Lingtian was about to speak, he suddenly sensed something and looked up, his eyes widening in shock.


    Gu An, Yang Jian, and the Blood Prison Great Saint all looked up, and the disciples in the valley did the same, their expressions increasingly changing, as if they were witnessing something terrifying.

 Chapter 289: Chapter 289: Unbelievable Methods

    At dusk, the sky was a fiery red as meteors from outer space streaked across, creating a magnificent scene. As these meteors fell, a vast heavenly fire descended, giving all beings the feeling that the sky was collapsing."What is that?"


    "How can there be such a huge fire in the sky?"


    "Will it affect us?"


    "Don''t worry, we are within the Supreme Sect, protected by the Sect Protecting Formation."


    "Could it be the demon cultivators from the Great Cold Demon Sect causing trouble?"


    The disciples within the Third Medicine Valley engaged in a heated discussion, and the Great Cultivators, who had been playing chess, stood up and vanished from their spots.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked up, frowning.


    Sitting opposite him, Stealing the Five Elements remarked, "This divine power is no ordinary feat."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked at Stealing the Five Elements and asked, "You''ve been traveling a lot these years, what exactly have you been searching for?"


    Facing his inquiry, Stealing the Five Elements did not respond but simply pointed upwards towards the sky.


    Meanwhile, at the entrance of the valley...


    Gu An was riding on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, also looking at the sky. He could feel that the meteors and the sea of fire in the sky were transformations of mana, deployed by someone possessing Great Divine Power at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal level, affecting a vast area.


    It seemed that the century-old agreement was merely an ultimatum; during this period, the Great Cold Demon Sect would continue to attack, forcing the common people to flee.


    Of course, there was another possibility that they sought to force out a specific individual they were searching for.


    Due to personal vengeance, the commoners suffered, giving Gu An a different understanding of the Holy Court.


    The Holy Court overall had good intentions, but inevitably had its corrupt members.


    Perhaps their way of thinking differed from Gu An''s.


    They could protect the common people but also ignore them.


    Yang Jian glanced at Gu An, and seeing his calm demeanor, he felt reassured.


    With his master around, even if the sky fell, he wouldn''t be afraid!


    Li Lingtian approached Yang Jian and discussed the strange phenomenon in the sky with him.


    Gu An patted the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, signaling him to move forward.


    As the Blood Prison Great Saint took a step, a light curtain rose in the horizon, visible in all directions; it was the Supreme Sect''s Sect Protecting Great Formation.


    That was quick!


    Gu An was secretly pleased; the Supreme Sect had not faced tribulations in many years, yet remaining vigilant indicated that the high ranks weren''t overly dependent on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Soon, the entire Supreme Sect was enveloped by the light curtain of the Sect Protecting Great Formation, providing relief to all the cultivators within.


    Various sects and cities across the world activated their large formations, but inevitably, there were places that remained unprotected, and many beings in those places were vulnerable.


    In the North Sea Mountains...


    At the Mountain God Temple...


    Sage Xuan Miao sat on the ground, gazing at the strange phenomenon in the sky, furrowing his brows.


    His concern was not for his safety, but rather for the well-being of the common people across the world.


    How could mere mortals withstand this sweeping blaze?


    Sage Xuan Miao turned to look at a stone statue in the courtyard, one he had carved himself depicting the Mountain God. Although he saw the Mountain God once a month, in his heart, he always felt a great distance from the divine.


    He turned back and began to kowtow to the Divine Statue of the Mountain God.


    As meteorites continued plunging towards the earth, the fire enveloping the sky drew closer, intensifying the fiery hue between heaven and earth. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then...


    All the flowers, plants, and trees across the continent emitted flickers of green light, swiftly rising upward like sparks growing stronger rapidly.


    A farmer clutching a hoe in the mountains was surrounded by the green light coming from all directions, causing him to panic.


    In the cities, terrified civilians saw trees within their courtyards trembling and releasing green light orbs that floated up towards the sky.


    Within the palace...


    Li Xuandao stood at the entrance of the Imperial Study, observing the unusual appearance of the flora, his expression subtle.


    At that moment, beings across the continent, including demons, were startled by the surrounding phenomena, as flowers, plants, and trees were ubiquitous.


    In the Third Medicine Valley... Continue your journey at M-V-L


    Gu An dismounted and looked around; the vegetation within the Supreme Sect hadn''t emitted green light, so the disciples were all puzzled by the phenomenon in the sky, unaware of another spectacular sight beyond the Supreme Sect.


    However, as the green light from plants everywhere rose to a certain height, even the cultivators inside the Supreme Sect could see it.


    Various discussions erupted among them.


    Gu An stood under a pavilion, watching this scenario unfold; Xiaoyu also emerged from the house and joined him.


    "It seems someone is protecting this continent," Xiaoyu said, her eyes reflecting the green light rising to meet the massive inferno falling from the sky, as if two worlds were about to collide in a mesmerizing display.


    The upper half of Gu An''s face was illuminated by the fire, while the lower half was tinged with green. He asked in astonishment, "You mean to say a cultivator is behind this? How high must their cultivation level be?"


    Xiaoyu gave Gu An a look, although she didn''t think Gu An had a vast cultivation. But this guy couldn''t be this clueless.


    Gu An often brought Yang Jian out, who was growing rapidly, showing that Gu An was not simple. Regardless of what Gu An concealed, his knowledge was not something ordinary cultivators could match.


    "Perhaps it was Sword Venerable Fudao who made a move," Xiaoyu said softly, her gaze returning to the horizon.


    Good guess!


    Gu An mentally gave Xiaoyu a thumbs up, his eyes still fixed on the sky.


    Under the gaze of all beings on the continent, the vast green light collided with the sea of fire, and following a brief somber moment, the sky radiated intensely bright light, like endless fireworks exploding.


    After the brief silence, the earth trembled, and strong winds fell from the sky, though not enough to threaten the land and mountains.


    The creatures across the land all sighed in relief, now understanding that the mysterious green light was there to protect them, to block the descending heavenly fire.


    However, they didn''t know that not all continents and islands had protectors.


    Gu An protected only the continent he was on, and while the beings there were excited and grateful, countless others perished in despair.


    At the Soul Calming Pagoda, atop the pagoda...


    A white-robed Daoist suddenly opened his eyes, expressing surprise with a grunt; he attempted to divine the situation but couldn''t make any accurate predictions, his expression growing increasingly bizarre.


    He suddenly became interested and then vanished from the spot.


    Far away in the Supreme Sect, Gu An was chatting with Xiaoyu when he suddenly sensed a rapidly approaching presence, sighing involuntarily.


    Why must someone always be looking for death?


    "I''m going to check on Mystic Valley, we''ll talk later," Gu An said, heading towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    Xiaoyu was not puzzled and looked up at the sky alone, admiring the powerful divine skills of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Underneath a nearby tree, Stealing the Five Elements and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, sitting opposite each other at a chessboard, also looked up at the sky, paying no attention to Gu An.


    Stealing the Five Elements spoke, "The trouble has ultimately been drawn here; the guy has arrived."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord turned to him, asking, "Who is this guy?"


    "A pupil of Life-Seizing Immortal, the real person Bai Hong, a renowned genius from the Great Cold Demon Sect, with unfathomable cultivation," Stealing the Five Elements responded.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face subtly changed, clearly, he had heard of Bai Hong''s name.


    Stealing the Five Elements chuckled, "There''s going to be a show to watch. Geniuses all have one flaw: excess Confidence!"


    Not far off, Shen Xinzi, while staring at the sky, was also listening to Stealing the Five Elements'' conversation.


    He couldn''t help but think of the hand that had been placed on his shoulder that night and began to sympathize with Bai Hong.


    There were many hidden great powers in the world, no matter the cultivation level, one should never underestimate this world!


    This was the greatest realization Shen Xinzi had after leaving the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    In another place...


    Under the Red Dawn Sky, Bai Hong rapidly flew through, unfazed by the sweeping fire, as he passed over vast expanses of water without looking down.


    His gaze had fixed on a distant continent.


    Within his divine range, many Great Cultivators were resisting his divine power to protect various beings. Yet, that particular continent was special, its methods piqued his interest, and moreover, he was unable to deduce the cause and effect of its mana.


    Perhaps the individual behind it was related to the person his master sought.


    Thinking of this, Bai Hong''s eyes gleamed with anticipation.


    He was acting not only on behalf of his master but also to seize an opportunity for himself.


    Snap!


    A hand suddenly pressed onto his shoulder, bringing his full-speed flight to an immediate halt, causing his mana and Qi-blood to surge chaotically, and he even felt a strong discomfort as if his primordial spirit was about to leave his body.


    When he tried to break free, he was horrified to discover that he had lost control over his body and soul.


    He couldn''t even achieve Primordial Spirit Emergence, which made him widen his eyes and instinctively panic.


    In an instant, Bai Hong theorized many possibilities.


    Bai Hong, a 150,908-year-old Nine Layers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, is lamentable to die here!


    Gu An looked at Bai Hong''s life span and thought so.


    Gu An didn''t employ his Soul Capturing Skill but prepared to directly annihilate Bai Hong.


    He intentionally allowed Bai Hong to wait for a few moments to fully experience this despair, which also served as a punishment for his crimes.


    Bai Hong felt the pressure on his shoulder lessen and was about to speak when the hand suddenly tightened.


    With a squeeze from Gu An, Bai Hong instantly turned to ash, his soul dispersing without a sound.


    He then disappeared from the spot.


    Back in the forest around Mystic Valley, Gu An pretended to inspect medicinal herbs, and a notification popped up before his eyes.


    He successfully seized 38,000 years of lifespan!


    Not too bad!


    Gu An wasn''t worried about Life-Seizing Immortal coming for revenge, if he came, Gu An would kill him.


    Could the Carefree Primordial Immortal threaten the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?


    If a stronger presence appeared and he was uncertain of his chances, he would flee.


    So far, it seemed unlikely that the Holy King would make a move, as it would hurt his image; otherwise, why wouldn''t he personally search for his enemy''s reincarnation?


    Being able to summon the Great Cold Demon Sect showed that the Holy King had his reservations.


    The sea of fire in the sky lasted for 30 minutes before completely dissipating. The green light enveloping the continent transformed into a sea of clouds, dispersing with the wind, and night fell.


    Although the world had darkened, the spirits of all beings remained unsettled for a long time.


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, Xiaoyu had already returned to her house. He could only join a group of disciples gathered in the chess-playing area, who were discussing the earlier phenomena. With Stealing the Five Elements and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord present, the disciples could greatly expand their knowledge and also learn about the incredible methods of Sword Venerable Fudao.

 Chapter 290: Chapter 290: The Identity of the Senior

    Inside the Soul Calming Pagoda.Life-Seizing Immortal opened his eyes, a frown creasing his brow, his eyes filled with doubt and suspicion.


    "Why has his aura ceased?"


    Life-Seizing Immortal began to cast spells and calculate¡ªhe did not consider the possibility that Bai Hong had really died; after all, he knew how high his disciple''s Cultivation Level was. Within the same realm, Bai Hong had the power to suppress three Divine Exotic Ghost Kings single-handedly, which showed how terrifying his strength was; even if he encountered a Carefree Primordial Immortal, he would not die without a trace.


    However, no matter how he calculated, he could not deduce Bai Hong''s whereabouts.


    Bai Hong''s karmic ties were still fading away.


    This indicated that Bai Hong had most likely fallen, and moreover, had been scattered to the winds, with the Heaven and Earth Rules erasing the marks of his existence.


    Life-Seizing Immortal''s eyebrows knitted tightly together, his heart filled with shock and anger.


    Had a Carefree Primordial Immortal made a move?


    To achieve such a feat, it would certainly not be a low-level Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    The first thing Life-Seizing Immortal thought of was a being from the Holy Court; how could such a formidable existence hide in this Mortal World region?


    In Life-Seizing Immortal''s mind, the strongest beings in this Mortal World region were at most in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm; the sects here merely touched upon powers from Outer Heaven.


    A Master of Divine Exotic Realm was sufficient to suppress this Mortal World region for so many years; how could a Carefree Primordial Immortal possibly be lurking here?


    Wait.


    Life-Seizing Immortal suddenly thought of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Although his impression of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was mediocre, he had some recollection; the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had always curried favor with the Holy King he supported. The Holy King disdained the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, but some under the Holy King had received benefits from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm; to some extent, one could say the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was a force on the same side as him.


    He remembered a Daoist Friend mentioning that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had sought help before; however, the Daoist Friend thought the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was not significant enough to warrant his intervention, so he assigned them a task. Consequently, just as the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had assisted the Divine Exotic Realm''s emergence, it was dismantled because some residual forces still existed, so his Daoist Friend didn''t think much of it, assuming it was just a local power struggle.


    Now it occurred to him¡ªcould it be that this Mortal World region was hiding something?


    Could it have something to do with that reincarnated being?


    Life-Seizing Immortal''s eyes flickered, not with fear, but with a hint of delight.


    The massacre of the common people was not his main goal; all of this was to force out the reincarnated being. Now that signs had begun to show, how could he not be pleased?


    Immediately, he took out an ancient bronze oil lamp and cast spells towards the wick.


    It''s time to call the old fogeys together!


    ...


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    The catastrophe triggered by Bai Hong had consequences far and wide, its extent immeasurable. The continent where the Supreme Sect resided was spared from catastrophe, leading many sects to speculate that it was Sword Venerable Fudao''s doing, causing his name to spread like wildfire across the continent once again.


    When the beings of the continent were excited and in awe, the sea was deadly silent; numerous islands and landmasses had been turned into seas of fire.


    Could ordinary Immortal Cultivation Sects withstand divine powers unleashed by Bai Hong? S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if the sects formed their formations in time, they could not hold back the sky-high flames; this was one of the reasons Gu An had taken action.


    This heavenly fire caused a third of all creatures in the Mortal World region to die¡ªa staggeringly large number.


    After the disaster had passed, on the seventh day.


    Gu An came alone to Immortal Seeking Island, where the atmosphere within was grave, with significantly fewer Cultivators coming and going, and a tense mood pervading the streets.


    Judging by the buildings within the city, it had not suffered from the heavenly fire''s onslaught, but the surrounding seascape was littered with countless dead fish and demonic creatures, showing that Immortal Seeking Island was within the reach of the heavenly fire as well.


    The divine skills of a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal were enough to obliterate all beings!


    Gu An called over Hu Xiaojian, who heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing him.


    "Elder, I''m so glad you''ve come!"


    Hu Xiaojian''s tone held a hint of resentment; seven days earlier, he truly thought he was going to die on Immortal Seeking Island. Though he had a narrow escape, he trembled with fear every day, dreading the sudden arrival of another catastrophe.


    Gu An teased, "That scared?"


    Hu Xiaojian nodded, "How could I not be? Did you see that great fire? It was terrifying, blotting out the sky¡ªjust imagining the Cultivation Level of the person behind it scares me."


    He wanted to say it might far surpass that of a Loose Immortal¡ªfor there were many Loose Immortals on Immortal Seeking Island, and he had occasionally witnessed Loose Immortals in Combat, which allowed him to make comparisons.


    But then he thought of Gu An being a Loose Immortal and immediately held his tongue.


    "Don''t worry," Gu An consoled, "evil has never triumphed over good; the person behind the scenes will definitely face retribution."


    In fact, the orchestrator of this catastrophe, Bai Hong, was already dead.


    The reason Gu An had come so late was to guard against a sudden assault from Life-Seizing Immortal on the Supreme Sect.


    Life-Seizing Immortal had not shown up, and, given his capabilities, he must have known of Bai Hong''s demise. His absence likely meant he was plotting something.


    Gu An felt there was a good chance he was shaking the tree to see what falls.


    The Great Cold Demon Sect, after all, was a colossal force in the world, with countless Cultivators whose numbers were difficult to estimate.


    Later, Gu An followed Hu Xiaojian around to learn the situation on Immortal Seeking Island.


    According to Hu Xiaojian, after experiencing this calamity, the Island Master was clearly planning to abandon Immortal Seeking Island; he had already instructed people to transport part of his property and disciples away, and within the Sea Protection Mansion, everyone was in a state of panic, with Cultivators like Hu Xiaojian unsure of where to go.


    Previously, Immortal Seeking Island was their home and their greatest support. The Sea Protection Mansion would not take them with them.


    After hearing this, Gu An did not offer an opinion but asked Hu Xiaojian to take him to purchase medicinal herbs, which made Hu Xiaojian even more nervous.


    He feared this was Gu An''s last visit to Immortal Seeking Island.


    An hour later.


    The two arrived at Hu Xiaojian''s courtyard, and after Gu An sat down, Hu Xiaojian immediately poured wine for him.


    Gu An did not refuse, and his attitude made Hu Xiaojian feel somewhat more at ease.


    Only after Hu Xiaojian had poured the wine did Gu An speak, "Rest assured, I truly wish to obtain Immortal Seeking Island. Soon, I will send a Wandering Immortal to take over Immortal Seeking Island, and then your standing within the Sea Protection Mansion will rise. You, on the other hand, should diligently cultivate, so in the future you can be worthy of a high position."


    Wandering Immortal?


    Hu Xiaojian trembled slightly, tentatively asking, "Elder, might I know who you truly are?"


    Gu An being only with a Loose Immortal Cultivation Level but able to invite a Wandering Immortal suggested that Gu An had the backing of a great power.


    This was a pleasant surprise for Hu Xiaojian.


    No matter how strong one person was, they could not compete with a vast force!


    Gu An replied, "It''s better for you not to inquire about my identity. Knowing too much is of no benefit to you. Even if we truly can''t withstand an attack from Life-Seizing Immortal in the future, I will take you away. I have a place where you can live in peace. However, before that happens, I want to take a gamble. What if a Great Power manifests from the sea to crush that Life-Seizing Immortal?"


    Hu Xiaojian nodded vigorously; whatever the case, his job was to cling to Gu An''s coattails.


    Of course, deep down, he believed Life-Seizing Immortal was unbeatable.


    The previous heavenly fire had left too deep of a scar on his psyche, and thinking about it still frightened him.


    "Elder, what do you need me to do now?" Hu Xiaojian asked respectfully.

 Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Do You Want to Join the Great Cold Demon Sect?

    Gu An had stayed in Hu Xiaojian''s residence for an ancient hour. After he left, Hu Xiaojian was brimming with excitement, and his face was a bouquet of smiles.The predecessor had entrusted him with so many matters, which assuredly meant he wouldn''t easily forsake Immortal Seeking Island. He hadn''t deceived him.


    Moreover, what need had the predecessor to deceive him?


    He was just a Minor Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm. If the predecessor wished not to take him, a single stern glance would have sufficed to silence any further pleas from him.


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An had returned to the premises of the Supreme Sect, pondering, as he walked into the Third Medicine Valley, which Wandering Immortal should assist him.


    Wandering Immortals were not Minor Cultivators; how could one easily control them?


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord was not an option, for Gu An feared exposing himself, given that the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had been to Immortal Seeking Island.


    Neither Shen Xinzi nor "Stealing the Five Elements" were reliable.


    Gu An was not in a rush. There was still time. If need be, he could use the Mortal Jade to sway someone, asking Mortal World Peak to dispatch a Wandering Immortal to Immortal Seeking Island to assist him.


    Now as the Peak Master of Mortal World Peak, which was rivaled only by Great Cold Demon Sect in strength, and surpassed it in heritage, he felt Mortal World Peak would not fear the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    The Great Cold Demon Sect needed to do the Holy Court''s dirty work to survive, whereas Mortal World Peak was different; it could hold office in the Holy Court. Over the long years, Mortal World Peak had sent how many Immortals to the Holy Court? Gu An believed Mortal World Peak would not fear the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    Of course, Mortal World Peak would not oppose Great Cold Demon Sect unless sufficient benefits tempted them to dare offend both the sect and its backing, the Holy King.


    Reflecting on this, Gu An suddenly felt sentimental. No matter how high one''s Cultivation Realm, one could not escape the web of relationships and favors.


    Only those strong enough to disregard the entire Immortal Path could act recklessly and willfully.


    The karmic ties of the world were too complex, with the karma of all beings interlinked in a tangled mesh. Even the weakest beings, when followed through their karmic associations, were connected to immensely powerful entities.


    Gu An surveyed Medicine Valley and did not spot Nine-Finger Divine Lord or "Stealing the Five Elements," but found Shen Xinzi, who was engrossed in studying "Journey to the West."


    He could not understand Shen Xinzi''s fascination with "Journey to the West" and felt that he had grown increasingly distant from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, barely mentioning Buddhism these days.


    Gu An did not disturb Shen Xinzi but instead headed towards his loft.


    Compared to worrying about the affairs of the world, what to read next concerned him more.


    With strange occurrences being commonplace in books through the ages.


    Recently, Gu An took pleasure in reading histories.


    ...


    Five years later.


    Two hundred and ten-year-old Gu An practiced his exercises in Mystic Valley and glanced at his Attribute Panel, realizing he was short just under six hundred thousand years from a two billion-year Life Span.


    Compared to others'' understanding of their own Cultivation Level, Gu An felt a greater sense of achievement watching those numbers of Life Span.


    But was it really just Life Span? These numbers were clearly his Cultivation!


    After morning practice, Lu Jiujia approached Gu An, seeking guidance on the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    Since lifting his cultivation restriction, his maximum Life Span had broken through to four hundred and ten years. Consequently, Gu An taught him a more potent Primordial Reincarnation Skill. Despite his diligent practice over the many years, he still had much to learn about the technique.


    Gu An listened and then patiently guided him, enlightening Lu Jiujia with a few words, which left him thrilled.


    Through the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, he was sure his senior brother was no ordinary person and clearly also practiced this Cultivation Technique. With the access to Medicinal Herbs his senior brother had, he was bound to far surpass him.


    After imparting his advice, Gu An turned and departed. Lu Jiujia didn''t follow, instead standing still and savoring his words.


    Gu An walked into the forest and followed the path leading to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    By now, the Eight Scenic Caves were no longer a secret needing concealment, with Lu Jiujia aware of his secret abode beneath Mystic Valley. Given the chance, Lu Jiujia would watch over the disciples entering the forest, anxious lest any covet his senior brother''s cave.


    Mystic Valley was never short of spies!


    Gu An arrived within the Eight Scenic Caves, first picking ripe Medicinal Herbs, then directing the Poison Corpse to plant anew.


    The origins of Myriad Poison Mystic Skill left by Jiang Qiong had started to bear fruit. Although he couldn''t exploit the Poison Corpse to seize life from the herbs, sowing was straightforward without too much concern.


    He lay down under a Green Vine Tree, and quickly two tendrils stretched over his shoulders and began massaging them.


    The Green Vine Tree possessed Spiritual Wisdom but on ordinary days, it preferred silence. Gu An didn''t press it, rather he relished the tranquility of life in the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Accustomed to life in Medicine Valley, taking the time to be alone in the Eight Scenic Caves was also enjoyable.


    He planned to stay overnight, as someone would visit him that evening.


    After finding a comfortable position, he pulled out a history book purchased from Immortal Seeking Island, recording the rise and fall of a powerful force.


    Time swiftly passed.


    Until late at night, footsteps echoed in the corridor. Gu An remained seated and did not even cast a glance that way.


    Soon,


    A figure approached him, accompanied by a faint fragrance.


    The visitor stood with her hands on her hips, clad in an exquisite purple robe, ornate with jade beads on her belt. Her long hair casually tied and two wooden hairpins inserted, her celestial beauty cloaked behind errant strands of black hair, a subtle smile adorning her face, and her eyes sparkling with mischievous delight.


    Gu An lifted his head to look at her, appraising her, then chuckled, "Long time no see. How is it you seem younger? Did you practice some forbidden art?"


    The person standing before him was none other than Jiang Qiong, the creator of the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Juhua Sect, founded by Jiang Qiong, was now a top Sect in the Immortal Cultivation World, even collaborating with the Supreme Sect. Of course, Juhua Sect''s overall strength didn''t yet match the Supreme Sect.


    "What nonsense, your Martial Master already appears youthful,"


    Jiang Qiong glared at Gu An, then slid off her shoes, placing her bare feet on the grass.


    She stretched languidly and sighed, "This place still feels comfortable after so many years. Just like home."


    Gu An stood up and chuckled, "I''ve kept that coffin of yours. Want to lie inside for a while?"


    "Looking for a beating?"


    Jiang Qiong raised her hand to strike Gu An, who promptly dodged.


    She huffed and then inquired, "Little brat, feeling anxious lately?"


    Gu An asked curiously, "Why would you think so?"


    "The Life-Seizing Immortal from the Great Cold Demon Sect declared he would wipe out all life; how can you not be anxious? You''re the one who fears death the most."


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    "Well, sure, it is worrying, but what use is angst? When the sky falls, there are tall ones like you to hold it up."


    Gu An spread his hands and spoke, eliciting a chuckle from Jiang Qiong, seeing him still as lighthearted as ever.


    Jiang Qiong took a step closer and whispered, "Would you like to join the Great Cold Demon Sect?"


    Gu An gave her a peculiar look.


    He didn''t always keep an eye on Jiang Qiong, only sending his Divine Sense her way occasionally when she came to mind. Upon sensing no danger, he would swiftly retract his focus.


    He hadn''t expected Jiang Qiong to establish ties with the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    How did she manage that?


    Gu An began to explore Jiang Qiong''s karmic ties while asking, "You know someone from the Great Cold Demon Sect?"


    A flood of karmic images entered Gu An''s vision as he saw her past.


    It turned out, the continent from which the Ephemera Sect hailed was under the thumb of the Great Cold Demon Sect, which was why the Seven Stars Spirit Realm dared not use Nine Nether Road to reach the other worlds.


    There, the Great Cold Demon Sect was sovereign while the Ephemera Sect was merely a regional sect¡ªno comparison between the two could be made.


    According to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s words to Jiang Qiong, the decline of the Ephemera Sect was influenced by the Great Cold Demon Sect. Long ago, that continent did not belong to the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    Following the unification, Juhua Sect, like other sects, shared access to the Nine Nether Road, which allowed the Ghost Mother to return to her roots, with Jiang Qiong bridging connections through her to the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    The Ghost Mother knew a Great Cultivator within the Great Cold Demon Sect¡ªa Great Cultivator with only Mahayana Realm cultivation, likely a lowly figure within the sect.


    "Although Sword Venerable Fudao has recently protected the continent, how can his sole strength contend with the Great Cold Demon Sect? He did not charge me with any tasks, so I deliberately returned to take you to the Great Cold Demon Sect. What harm in cultivating Medicinal Herbs there? By joining the Great Cold Demon Sect, that too could be arranged," Jiang Qiong earnestly suggested.


    Gu An felt moved yet amused.


    Why did she always flip sides so easily?


    Gu An shook his head, "No, thanks. How comfortable could I be, tending herbs in the powerful Great Cold Demon Sect? Perhaps no sooner than joining would I be refined into an Elixir¡ªthat''s a Demon Sect!"


    Jiang Qiong glared at him, annoyed, "With me around, who could dare to bully you?"


    "Are you highly cultivated?"


    "Surely not among the highest in the Great Cold Demon Sect. But to protect you? More than enough. Just calmly stay with me then."


    "So I''d have to wait on you, curry favor with you?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Exactly, how about that? Right now, my feet are a bit sore, come give me a rub."


    "Spit, shameless!"


    Gu An would never agree. A man might be slain, but not insulted.


    Looking down, his face betraying disgust, he noted that Jiang Qiong''s feet, which she had only bared moments ago, were already stained with mud and grass.


    Jiang Qiong watched Gu An''s stubborn reaction, amused and keen to tease further, but she first needed to address serious matters.


    She spoke gravely, "Gu An, this time it''s different. The Great Cold Demon Sect has sent vast numbers of Cultivators here, their might unmatched by Seven Stars Spirit Realm or Star Sea Congregations. Even Star Sea Congregations contemplates retreat. Not to mention them, do you know about Nine Nether Road? Almost every sect on this continent has members desiring to flee through Nine Nether Road, including your Supreme Sect!"


    Gu An fell silent.


    Jiang Qiong continued, "Actually, joining the Great Cold Demon Sect might not be ill-fated; perhaps you''d even discover great opportunities. While innate aptitude is fated, there are plenty in this world who turned their lives around with later-day fortunes. Don''t you desire the pursuit of eternal life?"


    Gu An gazed at her, replying, "Thanks for your kindness, but I truly don''t want to go. There are too many things and people here that I cannot abandon. As for fortunes you mentioned, when has this world ever offered fortune free from danger? Even venturing into the Eight Scenic Caves once nearly brought me peril."


    Hearing this, Jiang Qiong grew frustrated. Why was this boy so stubborn?


    Gu An added, "Moreover, I feel this catastrophe might not be insurmountable. I believe in Sword Venerable Fudao, believe in the triumph of good over evil. Surely, there are many Great Powers in this world who can stand against the Great Cold Demon Sect."


    "I often read books, and don''t they all say, ''If man will strive, then heaven will thrive''? The Great Cold Demon Sect, which treats life so wantonly, no matter how powerful, will eventually meet its reckoning. Aligning with them is not a righteous path."


    With that, he raised the book in his hand with a determined expression.

 Chapter 292: Chapter 292 The World Has Changed

    Hearing Gu An''s words, Jiang Qiong fell into silence.She felt somewhat lost inside. She had always been faced with choices: she had escaped from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion to the Supreme Sect, then from the Supreme Sect to the Nine Nether Road, and even after establishing the Juhua Sect, she still had to flee to the Great Cold Demon Sect?


    Could it be that all her choices had been wrong?


    It seemed that no matter when she returned, Gu An never changed.


    Gu An saw the mood she was in; he was afraid of saying too much, after all, she didn''t have the confidence he did - how could he judge everyone by his own standards?


    "My nature dictates that I cannot travel far and wide; you are much stronger than I am. You can go on adventures, but you must never fully trust anyone, especially the Demon Sect," Gu An said.


    Jiang Qiong snapped to attention upon hearing this.


    What was she thinking?


    If she hadn''t fled, she''d already be dead!


    Even compared with Gu An, her cultivation level was rising rapidly. Although the path seemed difficult and bitter, her cultivation was her achievement.


    She was now at the seventh floor of the Divinity Transformation Realm!


    Thinking of this, Jiang Qiong smiled. She glared at Gu An and said, "You''ve refused me time and again. Be careful, or I might stop caring about you. When you run into trouble and think of me, it will be too late."


    Gu An solemnly said, "As long as you are safe, it doesn''t matter if you forget about me. Meeting and knowing each other in this life is a destiny forged over a hundred lifetimes."


    Touched by his words, Jiang Qiong thought to herself, this brat knows how to talk. If his cultivation were higher, how many girls of heavenly pride would he lead astray?


    Of course, she believed that Gu An truly thought this way and wasn''t just trying to please her.


    After knowing him for so many years, she never heard Gu An ask her for anything.


    Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An, wanting to tease him, but no words could pass her throat.


    That''s because this time, the situation was truly different!


    She felt that Gu An had underestimated the power of the Great Cold Demon Sect. Indeed, in the past few years, when the Heavenly Fire calamity that covered the skies was blocked by Sword Venerable Fudao, the common beings on the mainland did not see the tragic scenes over the seas, where many creatures died in agony.


    The one who had acted was only a Cultivator from the Great Cold Demon Sect, and now, a large group of Cultivators from the Great Cold Demon Sect was on their way. Just the thought filled her with despair, seeing no glimmer of hope for victory.


    Who in the world could stand against the colossal presence of the Great Cold Demon Sect like this?


    Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An''s gentle smiling face and suddenly felt a pang of heartache.


    Silly boy, what is written in books is not necessarily true.


    Indeed, since ancient times, good has triumphed over evil, but if evil wins, it can become the new good.


    ...


    Jiang Qiong did not immediately leave after returning but stayed within the Eight Scenic Caves. Gu An would visit her every other day, each time trying various ways to persuade him, whether by tempting him with legends of the Great Cold Demon Sect or by teaching him spells.


    Gu An steadfastly refused, but since he didn''t want to confront her directly, they were at a stalemate.


    Half a month passed.


    The weather was still scorching hot.


    As Gu An came down from the loft, he was confronted by Ji Xiaoyu at the foot of the stairs.


    "Who is that woman?" Ji Xiaoyu asked, staring at Gu An. Her expression was calm, but her eyes seemed rather sharp.


    Gu An was surprised and asked, "What woman?"


    "There''s a scent of another woman on you."


    "So what if there is? What about it?"


    Gu An didn''t seem to care, chuckling. After all, in this world, it''s the explanations that are suspect; the less you care, the less significant it seems.


    In fact, nothing had happened between him and Jiang Qiong, but he couldn''t betray her by revealing her plan to defect to the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    Gu An hadn''t urged Jiang Qiong to give up on joining the Great Cold Demon Sect because he wasn''t sure of the sect''s strength himself. If the Great Cold Demon Sect turned out to be powerful enough that even he couldn''t deal with it, he''d have to flee too.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An and said, "Haven''t you noticed a change in the atmosphere of the Mortal World?"


    Gu An looked around and said, "How has it changed? Those who should be sweeping are sweeping, those who want to play chess are still playing chess. Look, there''s even a rat leading an ox."


    Ji Xiaoyu followed his gaze and couldn''t help but shake her head and chuckle.


    "Nevermind, it''s just as well. In life, cherishing the present is enough," she said softly before turning back to her room to continue her cultivation.


    Gu An didn''t try to retain her. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Medicine Valley.


    He saw much more than Ji Xiaoyu did, and much clearer too!


    Ever since the Real Bai Hong displayed Heavenly Fire, the entire sea had been engulfed by a frenzy of escape, which gradually affected the mainland. Many noble families began to venture across the seas or rush to the Nine Nether Road.


    Moreover, many were spreading rumors that the Great Cold Demon Sect was about to launch a massive invasion, all of which Gu An knew were minions hastily recruited by the Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators, intended to sow panic in this part of the Mortal World.


    At the Sea-Breaking Rift, the Soul Calming Pagoda was already crammed with countless Cultivators from the Great Cold Demon Sect, the least of whom were at the Nirvana Realm, with the number of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals surpassing a hundred. Besides the Life-Seizing Immortal, there were even three Carefree Primordial Immortals!


    A total of four Carefree Primordial Immortals!


    This force was absolutely overwhelming in this part of the Mortal World, unstoppable.


    The key was that the Great Cold Demon Sect was still sending reinforcements!


    Gu An hadn''t made a move yet because he didn''t know the full extent of the Great Cold Demon Sect''s resources. However, he wasn''t just waiting idly; he had already used his Divine Sense to scan the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, looking for a safe place far from this part of the Mortal World. If he really couldn''t stand against them, he would take everyone he cared about with him and leave, ready to start life anew.


    Of course, this was a last resort.


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    It all depended on whether the Great Cold Demon Sect had a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    So far, the highest level among the Carefree Primordial Immortals was only the fifth floor.


    Before a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma appeared, Gu An, who was at the ninth floor of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, wouldn''t panic.


    After watching for a while, Gu An turned and left.


    An ancient hour later.


    Riding on the Blood Prison Great Saint, he arrived at Tianya Valley with Yang Jian and Li Lingtian following behind. Li Lingtian wore an impatient expression; it was clear he was not keen on coming to Tianya Valley.


    Li Xuandao was waiting inside the valley.


    Gu An, accompanied by the two men, entered the courtyard where Li Xuandao was.


    By now, Li Lingtian''s cultivation had reached the eighth floor of the Core Formation Realm, pleasing Li Xuandao, who complimented him for not neglecting his cultivation.


    "Let''s get one thing straight; I don''t want to go back. Besides, Father Emperor, you''re still in good spirits, so there''s no need for me to act as the Crown Prince!" Li Lingtian said immediately.


    Li Xuandao shook his head with a smile, while Gu An actually found this quite amusing.


    Li Xuandao planned to reign as Emperor for eternity. Naturally, the Crown Prince was the most feared threat; the only reason Li Lingtian became the Crown Prince was on behalf of Empress Yang and the Yang Family.


    Li Lingtian''s words made Gu An look at him with newfound respect.


    This youngster seemed to have the wisdom of playing the fool.


    Li Xuandao became serious, "It''s not about you returning to the palace, but to your mother''s family to sail with them. There''s no room for discussion; your mother has given a strict order."


    Li Lingtian was taken aback; he instinctively wanted to ask why, but he quickly understood.


    For a time, the atmosphere in the courtyard fell silent.


    Li Xuandao turned to Gu An and asked, "The Supreme Sect has yet to formulate a strategy, do you want to join Lingtian in leaving?"


    The reason the Supreme Sect had no strategy was something Gu An had heard from Lv Baitian; the Hall of Elders had debated multiple times about whether to evacuate, fearing that it might offend Sword Venerable Fudao, who had been willing to protect them. How could they run away now?


    Sword Venerable Fudao took action not for himself, but to save them, the Mortal Spirits.


    Lv Baitian also consulted Gu An, asking his opinion on whether they should evacuate.


    This time, Gu An offered no advice.


    He wanted the Supreme Sect to make their own decision.


    If the Supreme Sect chose to flee, he certainly wouldn''t follow them but would find a place to hide instead. From then on, his connection with the Supreme Sect would be severed.


    Gu An had no burdens regarding the Supreme Sect; he owed them nothing, quite the contrary, the sect owed him a lot.


    "I''ll pass. Let the Supreme Sect decide. I can''t leave the Supreme Sect," Gu An answered.


    Upon hearing this, Li Lingtian quickly said, "Father Emperor, I can also..."


    "Shut up!"


    Li Xuandao barked, his eyes sharply intimidating.


    For a moment, Li Lingtian felt afraid.


    Yang Jian and the Blood Prison Great Saint looked at Li Xuandao in shock.


    Why did this Emperor seem no ordinary man?


    "This situation is different from before. If you follow the Supreme Sect to evacuate, chances are you will never see your mother again in this life. You must go back!" Li Xuandao took a deep breath and said coldly.


    His mood had been bad all this time; he''d merely been suppressing it.


    He had worked hard for many years to secure his empire, and now a calamity threatened to destroy it. How could he not feel indignant?


    Yet, compared to the immense depth of the Great Cold Demon Sect, Taicang Dynasty had no intention to resist.


    Gu An looked at Li Xuandao and asked, "Uncle, what about you?"


    Li Lingtian turned his gaze angrily to Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao looked at his own teacup on the table and said softly, "Everyone can escape, except me. Even if I have to die, let me die alongside my subjects."


    With so many people in the Taicang Dynasty, not all could escape; if he thought of leaving, the Dynasty would surely descend into chaos.


    Li Lingtian froze, his eyes softening as he looked at Li Xuandao.


    Yang Jian also grew solemn out of respect for the Emperor who had gifted him a divine weapon.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint hadn''t expected Li Xuandao to be so resolute, and he rose from his crouch in surprise.


    Gu An addressed Li Xuandao, "Uncle, have you forgotten the goal you once sought?"


    Li Xuandao replied, "Without my subjects, what is an Emperor''s throne worth? An Emperor who cannot protect his empire is bound to fail. Even if the empire were to be rebuilt, it would be meaningless."


    His words inspired admiration in everyone present. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Hun even knelt down, expressing with a heavy voice, "Your Highness, I am willing to follow and serve you unto death without regret."


    Li Xuandao merely waved his hand, not saying much more.


    Sure, he spoke sincerely, but he hadn''t resigned himself to fate.


    He was gambling!


    He was betting on the Sword Venerable Fudao to overturn the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    He couldn''t forget the shock Sword Venerable Fudao had brought him during past calamities.


    He couldn''t forget that day when the skies were filled with fierce flames pressuring the living beings, and countless green lights rose up, giving him hope.


    He felt Sword Venerable Fudao was different, a difference that perhaps even transcended cultivation levels. Despite many Great Cultivators in the world, he just felt that Sword Venerable Fudao was the most special.


    From Sword Venerable Fudao, he sensed an aura.


    That was the aura of invincibility!


    Should Sword Venerable Fudao''s heart be kind, then peace would reign throughout the land!

 Chapter 293: Chapter 293: How About I Slice That Continent in Half with One Sword?

    After staying in Tianya Valley for an ancient hour, Gu An left with Blood Prison Great Saint and Yang Jian, while Li Lingtian stayed behind in Tianya Valley, as he was about to head south and venture out to sea.If nothing unexpected happened, at least in Li Lingtian''s view, it would be very difficult for him to see Gu An and Yang Jian again in his lifetime.


    When they parted, Li Lingtian asked Gu An to convey a message to Ji Xiaoyu, speaking words of blessings.


    "Master, is there really no power in the world willing to come out and stop the Great Cold Demon Sect?"


    Blood Prison Great Saint asked with a tone full of emotion.


    In his world, there existed no force as formidable.


    Yang Jian also looked towards Gu An, unworried as long as his martial master was calm.


    Gu An responded, "How can there not be? Many led the charge towards the Soul Calming Pagoda, only to fall due to lack of strength."


    He spoke the truth; every now and then, a group of cultivators and demons would assault the Soul Calming Pagoda, and even if they perished, others would follow their will.


    Whether the world was good or evil, it was hard to say, but one thing was certain¡ªthere existed real justice, and some cultivators deemed it more important than eternal life.


    Gu An looked into the distance.


    Great Cold Demon Sect, you''d better have something worth my fear, or even the Holy King can''t protect you.


    What would the Holy Court do if angered? Kill if necessary, or simply flee to Outer Heaven!


    If no trouble came knocking, Gu An naturally preferred to stay low in the Supreme Sect.


    But when trouble came knocking uninvited, he wouldn''t swallow his pride!


    Along the way, having killed numerous madmen, Gu An was always aware of how terrifying his ability to seize life was; in anyone else''s hands, it would have caused catastrophe across the world.


    He managed restraint because that was who he was; everyone had their path, and he only wished to walk his without guilt.


    However, the more chaotic the world became, the more he desired to unleash slaughter.


    He wanted to kill the people of the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    ¡­


    Across the tumultuous seas lay the Sea Breaking Rift, splitting the ocean in two, beside which stood the towering Soul Calming Pagoda, its top seeming to touch the sky.


    The sky brimmed with stifling thunderclouds, with occasional muffled thunder.


    At the first level of the Soul Calming Pagoda,


    the Life-Seizing Immortal sat on a lotus throne, flanked by three individuals, none inferior in presence, while hundreds of Great Cold Demon Sect cultivators stood in the hall, creating a cheerful ambiance with laughter, looking nothing like demon cultivators, adorned in splendid garments and dignified demeanors, some even appearing ethereal and wise.


    A woman in red next to the Life-Seizing Immortal opened her eyes, turned to him, and asked, "Brother, how much longer must we wait? Are there still beings in this mortal region that the four of us cannot subdue?"


    The other two Carefree Primordial Immortals opened their eyes, their expressions indifferent, eyes fixed on the Life-Seizing Immortal.


    Life-Seizing Immortal slowly opened his eyes, saying, "Caution is the parent of safety. Bai Hong''s death was too peculiar, we must not be careless, remember what this land hides."


    The three Carefree Primordial Immortals fell silent; having lived for hundreds of thousands of years and weathered many storms, they shed their arrogance upon hearing Life-Seizing Immortal''s words.


    Indeed, the greater the power, the greater the caution required.


    At this moment, someone in the hall stepped forward and loudly said, "Venerable Masters, why not ignite another disaster to test the limits of that mysterious being and drive more people away, lest they hinder us?"


    With these words, the hall erupted with agreement and cries for revenge for Bai Hong.


    Life-Seizing Immortal''s gaze turned to the first speaker, a blue-robed Daoist with a treasure sword at his waist and a folding fan in hand, his inherent sword intent formidable even just standing there.


    "Qingxin, what would you like to do?" asked the Life-Seizing Immortal.


    Silence followed in the hall.


    With a smirk, Qingxin the Daoist replied, "I wield a sword capable of slicing oceans and moons alike. How about I cleave that continent in half with a single strike?"


    After speaking, he raised his arms, turned to face the crowd, prompting applause and cheers in the hall.


    The majority of cultivators present felt no pressure but rather a playful curiosity to see who would dare oppose the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    Were it another mortal region, they might have worried, but here, like tigers among chickens, where was the reason to fear?


    Watching Qingxin display such vigor, the other three Carefree Primordial Immortals smiled, having watched him grow up and master Daoist sorcery, now capable of standing on his own, they were naturally pleased.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Life-Seizing Immortal slowly nodded.


    Seeing this, Qingxin''s smile grew larger, declaring, "In that case, I will go now. Fellow disciples, come and enjoy the spectacle with me." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Life-Seizing Immortal added, "Do not stray far."


    "Master, rest assured!"


    Qingxin saluted with his hands, turned, and left, followed by a throng.


    The woman in red turned to the Life-Seizing Immortal, saying, "Now''s a good time for you to speak up and accelerate the process, after all, delay could lead to problems."


    Life-Seizing Immortal hesitated again, then slowly nodded.


    ¡­


    In Supreme Sect, within a bright hall,


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    all Elders gathered, including Lu Lingjun and Nine-Finger Divine Lord, most frowning in concern.


    Lv Baitian, sitting in the Sect Leader''s seat and flanked by five Supreme Elders, appeared equally at a loss.


    Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian spoke out, "Sect Leader, just say what you''re thinking so we can prepare in advance. We can''t possibly wait until a catastrophe is upon us to start considering our response."


    At this, other Elders also spoke up, urging Lv Baitian.


    Lv Baitian took a deep breath and said, "I fear that once we retreat, our connection with Sword Venerable Fudao will be irreversibly severed."


    A few agreed with him.


    An Elder stood up and argued, "Survival is the most important thing. So far, none of us have even seen Sword Venerable Fudao, let alone understand his views on the matter. Moreover, we simply cannot compare ourselves to Sword Venerable Fudao¡ªif he wants to flee, he can, his Dao level is beyond ours."


    This sentiment was echoed by others, considering not only themselves but also their disciples and descendants, each backed by influential families or intricate networks.


    The current Supreme Sect comprised millions of disciples, and the number scattered across various places was immeasurable!


    Gu Zong also sighed, unusually not supporting Lv Baitian this time.


    Lu Lingjun also wished for the Supreme Sect to evacuate; her reluctance to leave Supreme Sect stemmed from concern for the people of the Third Medicine Valley, hoping they wouldn''t perish in this impending catastrophe.


    Lv Baitian''s expression turned extremely grim as he took another deep breath and declared, "If so, those who want to leave may do so. However, Supreme Sect must remain on this continent, empty or not. This is our stance, without Sword Venerable Fudao, there would be no Supreme Sect today!"


    As he spoke these words, he relaxed.


    A smile appeared on his face, the decision lifting the burden from his shoulders.


    It would be death at worst.


    His statement caused an uproar in the hall.


    "Sect Leader, think again!"


    "If it really comes to it, why not ask the elder in front of the Heaven-Cutting Axe for advice? You can''t make such arbitrary decisions."


    "Yes, what does it mean to say the Sect can be empty but not leave? Where does that leave our dignity?"


    "The Sect is a whole; we must advance or retreat together!"


    "Sect Leader, let''s leave together. We can ask Sword Venerable Fudao to join us."


    Lv Baitian, listening to their words, felt their hypocrisy.


    A bunch of cowards afraid to take responsibility and scared to die!


    As he was about to speak, a voice suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth:


    "From today, my disciple, Qingxin the Daoist, will annihilate one region each day. Worldly beings, your time is running out. Today, let''s see which region''s creatures are most pitiable, unfortunate enough to be the first annihilated."


    As the Life-Seizing Immortal''s voice faded, a chill ran through everyone in the hall.


    They were not frightened by his words, but felt a terrifying sword intent targeting them.


    More precisely, every sentient being on the continent was terrified by this sword intent.

 Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Deadline of Death

    Inside the Third Medicine Valley.Gu An and An Xin stood in a garden area, with Gu An instructing what to plant next. An Xin listened attentively.


    Just then, the voice of the Life-Seizing Immortal suddenly echoed.


    He was actually planning to exterminate one region of Heaven and Earth every day!


    An Xin had no time to think further when a terrifying Sword Intent descended, causing a drastic change in her complexion.


    The previously bustling Medicine Valley fell silent in an instant.


    An Xin felt as if she were being crushed by a mountain, almost unable to breathe, which turned her complexion even paler.


    Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder, making her heart tremble. Before she could think further, the pressure on her body abruptly vanished.


    She turned her head instinctively and, seeing it was her master''s hand, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Master, could it be that they''ve chosen the continent we''re on?" An Xin asked cautiously.


    Even though she was carefree on normal days, she feared death when faced with it.


    The words of the Life-Seizing Immortal, coupled with the sudden Sword Intent, made it clear that the first chosen continent was the one they were on.


    Gu An took a deep breath and feigned composure, "Unclear, let''s go back inside first. Within the confines of the Supreme Sect, such calamities are not our concern. Whether we live or die, we leave it to fate."


    An Xin wanted to speak again, but Gu An pulled her away.


    Another voice rang out in Medicine Valley:


    "Amitabha!"


    With Shen Xinzi''s words, everyone in Medicine Valley felt relieved, and disciples ran towards the pavilions.


    Rumble¡ª


    The earth trembled as the Supreme Sect activated its great protective Formation. Golden barriers rose up from all directions.


    By the time Gu An and his companion reached the pavilion, Ji Xiaoyu had already stepped outside. She gazed at the sky, the red Dao Patterns on her forehead starting to flicker with tiny flames.


    Seeing this, Gu An quickly approached her and asked, "You weren''t frightened just now, were you?"


    Ji Xiaoyu''s Dao Patterns returned to normal as Gu An blocked her view. Her expression calmed down, and she nodded, "No, it seems the Life-Seizing Immortal is targeting the continent. It''s probably related to the actions of Sword Venerable Fudao years ago."


    Gu An comforted her, "Don''t overthink it. If the enemy is acting this way, it means Sword Venerable Fudao is still around. Take care of the valley for me, I need to make a trip to Mystic Valley."


    With that, Gu An quickly headed towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at his receding figure, wanting to say something, but she couldn''t find the words. Somehow, this scene felt familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere.


    Gu An swiftly arrived in Mystic Valley and saw Lu Jiujia already calling disciples to take cover. He nodded to himself in approval.


    Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he quickly walked into the woods pretending to inspect medicinal herbs.


    "Are you courting death? Caring about your flowers and plants at a time like this, you must be insane."


    The voice of Jiang Qiong came from behind, and Gu An turned to look, seeing her with an ugly expression walking towards him.


    She looked at Gu An and said with resentment, "Now I can''t even escape if I want to. Let''s wait for death together."


    She could feel the Sword Intent approaching rapidly. Even if she tried to escape now, she was afraid it would be too late to reach the Nine Nether Road.


    Gu An, squatting on the ground, couldn''t help but punch the grass, picking up a handful of fallen leaves before standing up, his face filled with unwillingness.


    Jiang Qiong looked at his expression and suddenly laughed, teasing, "What''s wrong? Scared?"


    Gu An tossed the leaves in his hand forward as if venting his anger. He then turned to look at Jiang Qiong and said, "I''m not afraid. I just find this disdain for life detestable."


    Jiang Qiong fell silent, then said, "Come with me to the Eight Scenic Caves."


    Gu An nodded and followed her up the mountain.


    Jiang Qiong didn''t notice the leaves that Gu An had thrown floated up again, each leaf trembling.


    Only after they entered the entrance of the Eight Scenic Caves did the leaves disappear into the forest.


    ...


    In front of the Soul Calming Pagoda, tens of thousands of Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators floated in the air, their eyes focused on Qingxin Zhenren, who was holding a sword.


    "Such exquisite Sword Intent, Elder Brother Qingxin''s Supreme Mysterious Sword Dao has reached the Transformation Realm."


    "Indeed powerful, enough to sweep across the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm."


    "I heard that Elder Brother Bai Hong was defeated by Elder Brother Qingxin a thousand years ago."


    "The founder of the Supreme Mysterious Sword Dao, the Supreme Mysterious Ancestor, went to the Holy Land long ago. In ten thousand years, the only one who has reached such a level with the Supreme Mysterious Sword Dao is Elder Qingxin."


    "This sword strike, everyone should watch carefully, it is a rare sight."


    The Great Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect discussed animatedly, mostly in a lighthearted tone.


    Even though they already knew about the fall of Bai Hong, they were not panicked. They had the numerical advantage this time, and with four Carefree Primordial Immortals as their support, how could they possibly die?


    Qingxin Zhenren positioned his treasure sword in front of him, the blade perfectly aligning with his eyes.


    Suddenly, he opened his eyes, which astonishingly turned green.


    As soon as he opened his eyes, his Sword Intent fully erupted, silencing the surrounding noise.


    All eyes fell on Qingxin Zhenren, and with a stern look, he immediately slashed with his sword.


    Sword light gleamed, chilling the Heaven and Sea, and even the rolling thunderclouds above were illuminated.


    As Qingxin Zhenren swung his sword, his Sword Intent transformed into terrifying Sword Qi, shooting forward as his pupils suddenly contracted.


    In the reflection of his pupils, numerous green dots grew rapidly.


    From the onlookers'' perspective, Qingxin Zhenren''s sword slashed out a terrifying Sword Qi tens of thousands of miles long, like a crescent moon sweeping across the sky.


    At that moment, a series of green light beams shot from the edge of the sky with even greater speed, too fast for anyone to react.


    Boom!


    The Sword Qi scattered, and Qingxin Zhenren''s eyes widened in disbelief as a green light reached him in a blink of an eye.


    As if time stood still, he saw a falling leaf amidst the green light!


    The leaf, carrying terrifying Sword Qi, directly shattered Qingxin Zhenren''s physical body and extinguished his soul.


    It wasn''t just one leaf. Dozens more did the same, annihilating Great Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect, the Soul Calming Pagoda trembling violently.


    The Life-Seizing Immortal and his four Carefree Primordial Immortal companions appeared out of thin air, casting spells swiftly to form a vast Barrier, protecting all the disciples around them.


    Silence!


    The world rapidly fell into quietness, and all the disciples of the Great Cold Demon Sect trembled, displaying fear no longer masked by their previous nonchalant demeanor.


    The Life-Seizing Immortal turned his head, noticing the leaves embedded all over the surface of the Soul Calming Pagoda, his pupils narrowing.


    It was leaves...


    The attack was too fast, so fast that by the time they realized it, more than a dozen disciples had died, all Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    Even the red-clothed woman who had been urging the Life-Seizing Immortal to speed up the process couldn''t speak now. As powerful as the Carefree Primordial Immortals were, they were filled with dread.


    The enemy had struck too fast, killing disciples right under their noses! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was as if someone had slapped them across the face, leaving a burning sensation.


    ...


    Gu An followed Jiang Qiong into the Eight Scenic Caves, with prompts of Life Span continuously appearing before him.


    This strike seized forty-three hundred thousand years of Life Span!


    Gu An hadn''t used his full strength, but it was enough to terrify the Life-Seizing Immortal and his associates. If they could summon even stronger beings, then they should call them sooner. If not, even if they gave up on exterminating this region of the Mortal World, Gu An would not let them go.


    The one hundred-year mandate set by the Life-Seizing Immortal had already become his death sentence in Gu An''s mind.


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Qiong let out a sound of surprise, feeling the terrifying Sword Intent suddenly disappear.


    Gu An then asked, "Could it be that we''ve escaped this disaster?"


    Without looking back, Jiang Qiong replied, "Can''t say for sure."


    The two made their way to the Green Vine Tree, with Jiang Qiong starting to set up the Formation. Gu An asked her what she was doing.


    "The smaller the range of the Formation, the stronger its protection. I want to see if we can escape this disaster. Let''s take a gamble. If it doesn''t work, we''re dead anyway, so worrying then would be pointless," Jiang Qiong casually answered, making Gu An want to cry and laugh at the same time.


    Meanwhile, the entire continent was in a state of tension.


    Even though the Sword Intent had vanished, the tightly wound nerves of all beings on the continent could not immediately relax.


    Many beings began to flee, and Gu An even felt many presences flying out of the Supreme Sect, all in groups, which were noble families in flight.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley.


    Ji Hantian landed swiftly and found Ji Xiaoyu. The two conversed inside the house.


    "I''m not leaving," Ji Xiaoyu stated, expressionless.


    Upon hearing this, Ji Hantian became angry but, for some reason, looking at Ji Xiaoyu, he thought of a fellow descendant with the same name and surname.


    Although they looked different, their expressions at this moment made them seem like the same person.


    Ji Hantian''s anger dissipated somewhat, and he said solemnly, "Regardless of whether the Life-Seizing Immortal has chosen this continent, there will only be more dangers ahead. The Ji Family must preserve its lineage. Why do you insist on staying?"


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at him, "Someone must stay. I can give my spot to someone else. Besides, where can we flee to?"


    Ji Hantian felt suffocated with frustration. Years ago, he had tried to forcibly keep another Ji Xiaoyu, without success. Now he wanted this Ji Xiaoyu to leave, but it was still not possible.


    He couldn''t understand why these descendants always opposed him.


    He was always looking out for their best interest.


    "There''s no time left. You''d better go and persuade the other clan members," Ji Xiaoyu reminded.


    Ji Hantian glared at her and left immediately.


    Ji Xiaoyu was not his direct descendant, so he could only advise, without the right to forcibly take her away.


    Once Ji Hantian had departed, Ji Xiaoyu thought for a moment and then walked out of her house.


    She went outside the courtyard, looking up at the sky, only to see numerous Cultivators flying over Medicine Valley. It was unclear whether they were fleeing or preparing for battle.


    "The Great Cold Demon Sect..."


    Ji Xiaoyu murmured to herself, the Dao Patterns between her eyebrows once more emitting thin flames.


    Time passed amidst the panic of beings below.


    The people were trapped in agony and anxiety.


    Until an Ancient Hour later, the atmosphere began to ease.


    Elder Lu looked at Shen Xinzi and asked, "Senior, were we not chosen?"


    The other disciples looked at Shen Xinzi as well. Shen Xinzi''s background was very mysterious, but the higher-ups of the Supreme Sect held him in high regard. Such an existence would certainly see further than they could.


    Shen Xinzi frowned deeply, looking towards the sky, and said, "Indeed, we were not chosen..."


    At his words, all the disciples rejoiced.

 Chapter 295: Chapter 295: The Great Cold Demon Sect Attacks!

    Upon hearing Shen Xinzi''s words, the disciples of Medicine Valley all cheered, yet Shen Xinzi hesitated as if he wanted to say more.He intended to say one thing, that it seemed no continent had been chosen.


    To obliterate a continent, what immense power it must require, he, being from the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, could surely sense it.


    However, he could not openly mention this, for fear that these mortals would be terrified.


    Even if they knew what would happen next, what could they do?


    Better to enjoy this surprise and live the remaining days as carefree as possible.


    Time continued to pass.


    With the moon setting and the sun rising, only when the next day''s sunlight swept across the Great Heaven and Earth did the creatures of the continent finally breathe a sigh of relief, for the Life-Seizing Immortal had said that each day, one continent would be chosen, and they had survived the first day.


    The situation at the Supreme Sect also settled down; although many noble families began to retreat, the core foundation remained unshaken.


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, normalcy had returned to Medicine Valley. After Xiaochuan left and An Xin began to manage Medicine Valley, and because of her gentle nature, most disciples liked her, so there had been no issues under her management.


    Shen Zhen found him soon after he returned.


    "Do you want a place to hide?" Shen Zhen asked with a smug smile, her eyes gleaming behind her veil.


    While walking toward a distant garden, Gu An casually asked, "How would we hide?"


    Following his steps, Shen Zhen explained, "I can hide you inside a painting or scroll, and then keep it hidden. Wouldn''t that be a refuge?"


    "People are trying to obliterate continents; where could you hide?"


    "Underground, of course. He said he would obliterate continents, sure he meant to demolish the mortals and shatter the land, not obliterate the earth completely."


    "That makes sense. Are you a genius by any chance?"


    Gu An suddenly realized, looking at Shen Zhen with amazed eyes.


    A twitch appeared at the corner of Shen Zhen''s veiled mouth, clearly perceiving the sarcasm in Gu An''s tone.


    Gu An continued, "Don''t overthink it. I always feel that yesterday our continent was not excluded. That mysterious pressure was no lie. Also, haven''t you noticed how calm today has been?"


    Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen narrowed her eyes, "Are you suggesting that the Great Cold Demon Sect''s offensive was thwarted?"


    "Very likely. After all, I trust that the heavens are just. There must be Great Cultivators out there with a heart for the mortals. A heretical path like the Great Cold Demon Sect cannot last forever!"


    Gu An declared with conviction, his face full of determination.


    Shen Zhen suddenly found it hard to judge him; calling him foolish wouldn''t explain his current stature, and calling him naive wouldn''t explain how he could write something as unique as ''Journey to the West.''


    "You say the heavens are just. Tell me, do you believe that real Immortals exist, beyond those with great cultivation levels?" Shen Zhen suddenly asked, curious.


    She had always believed that ''Investiture of the Gods'' and ''Journey to the West'' were not fabricated but were inspired by something Gu An had seen, elaborated with decorative imagination and fantasy.


    Perhaps, as Gu An claimed, an Immortal guided him in his dreams.


    Gu An and Shen Zhen chatted casually, a microcosm of the wider world, where everywhere people discussed the Life-Seizing Immortal.


    Without his demise, the catastrophe would not end.


    Two days later.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Stealing the Five Elements returned to the Third Medicine Valley, almost as if they had planned it.


    Sitting before a chessboard, they exchanged a look, their eyes heavy with gravity.


    "Did you feel it too?" Stealing the Five Elements asked.


    The Divine Lord made his move, saying, "A net of heaven and earth, no escape."


    Stealing the Five Elements then played his piece, "How come you have no escape? I''m the one who''s bound by fate."


    Continuing to glance towards a distant pavilion.


    Ji Xiaoyu was his hope.


    The Divine Lord fell silent, sighing deeply.


    Stealing the Five Elements looked at him, curiously asking, "Speaking of which, I''ve always wondered, what exactly are you looking for?"


    The Divine Lord didn''t respond, leaving Stealing the Five Elements contemplative, a subtle look crossing his face.


    ...


    In the Divine Exotic Realm.


    By the sea.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm stood before the Divine Exotic Life Tablet, surrounded by seven Divine Exotic Ghost Kings, all of them looking up into the sky.


    Beneath the blood-red sky hung a swirling horsetail whisk.


    Compared to the calm demeanor of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, the other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings looked uneasy, knowing whom they faced.


    "Master of Divine Exotic Realm, prepare to join us in an expedition."


    A cold voice resounded, echoing through the entire Great Heaven and Earth.


    In a distant cave, Zhang Buku also heard this voice and inadvertently opened his eyes, his brow furrowed in worry for the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    With an expressionless face, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm asked, "An expedition to where?"


    "To avenge Divine Exotic Impermanence."


    The cold voice spoke again, causing the faces of the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings and the Realm Master to shift.


    The Great Cold Demon Sect and that entity were indeed going to clash!


    This battle might determine the fate of this Mortal World region! S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    In the Star Sea Congregations, a small Heaven and Earth.


    An Hao stood before the palace gates, observing disciples constantly entering and exiting the floating islands, his brows deeply furrowed.


    A figure appeared beside him, his Master, Sage Fuchen.


    An Hao quickly said, "Master, it''s good you''re here, I need to speak with you..."


    "Let''s talk while on the way. Prepare for retreat, we must withdraw today!" Sage Fuchen said in a grave tone.


    "Why?" An Hao couldn''t help but ask.


    "The Great Cold Demon Sect is making a major descent, targeting the continent where the Sword Venerable Fudao resides. They appear to be intent on sieging your master," Sage Fuchen explained.


    On hearing this, An Hao became anxious.


    Before he could reply, Sage Fuchen continued, "Your cultivation level won''t assist your master. It''s best to leave early. Your master, although strong, can''t withstand the full assault of the Great Cold Demon Sect, otherwise, he wouldn''t be on the defensive."


    An Hao gritted his teeth, "My concern isn''t for my master. I must go back!"


    An Xin was still within the Supreme Sect; how could he abandon her?


    He immediately leaped up, intending to forcefully break out of the Star Sea Congregation''s realm. Suddenly, long hair wrapped around him, surprisingly Sage Fuchen''s horsetail whisk.


    "Master!" An Hao cried out in anguish, startling the other disciples.


    Sage Fuchen held the horsetail whisk, chanting incantations. The whisk''s hairs quickly extended, gagging An Hao.


    "I''m sorry, disciple!"


    Sage Fuchen''s eyes became resolute.


    This scene left the other disciples silent; without discussion, they all understood and felt the heaviness in their hearts, likewise having people they couldn''t leave behind.


    The Star Sea Congregations were about to flee!


    In another realm.


    Li Ya, leveraging Divine Exotic City, forcefully broke free, unobstructed by anyone.


    He quickly flew out over the Star Sea, heading towards the horizon.


    "Disciple, think carefully, once you go, there is no turning back."


    An old voice sounded, and as Li Ya turned his head, he didn''t see his master''s figure.


    He did not answer but instructed the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on his shoulder to move forward.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit howled, and the Divine Exotic City immediately displayed extraordinary speed, streaking towards the horizon.


    After flying for a while and seeing no one pursued, Li Ya relaxed, his gaze hardened.


    "Junior Brother Gu, wait for me!"


    "And the old ancestor, I wonder if you''re still thinking of me!"


    Li Ya thought silently, his face heavy.


    Initially, his emotions weren''t profoundly impacted, fueled only by fury as Zhang Buku became a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost. However, the moment the Star Sea Congregations announced their departure, he panicked.


    The Star Sea Congregations were a major force at sea; if there was any chance of victory, they wouldn''t be abandoning their domain.


    Hearing that the Great Cold Demon Sect aimed to target the Sword Venerable Fudao, he couldn''t contain himself.


    The Sword Venerable Fudao was his Primordial Ancestor; he was less worried about him, as the ancestor could escape if he couldn''t fight, but he feared for the others who might not escape.


    He had to be quick.


    Li Ya clenched his teeth, fearing the continent had already fallen.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, however, was not panicked, leaping joyfully in the air, which both irritated and envied Li Ya.


    This creature seemed to fear nothing, its confidence was unknown.


    Time rapidly passed.


    Two Ancient Hours later.


    Li Ya, sitting atop the tower meditating, suddenly sensed something, opening his eyes to find the Divine Exotic City enveloped in darkness. Instinctively, he looked up, then his eyes widened in disbelief.


    "How... how... possible..."


    Li Ya murmured to himself, his voice trembling, his eyes full of despair.


    ...


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    At the garden fence, Gu An was stretching his muscles.


    Passing by, You Yingying curiously asked, "What are you doing? Isn''t there exercise in the morning?"


    Gu An replied, "Just felt like moving. Is that not allowed?"


    What followed was sure to be a great battle!


    It must be said, the Great Cold Demon Sect was indeed frightening!


    The dense auras attacking from all directions were overwhelmingly oppressive, and once they arrived, if seen by the denizens of the continent, it would surely cause legs to tremble.


    You Yingying looked at him, unable to resist asking, "Everyone is worried about the calamity, why aren''t you afraid?"


    "Because I''m not afraid, so I''m not frightened," Gu An responded casually, his words leading You Yingying to glare, feeling the urge to punch him.


    She couldn''t understand Gu An at all; out for experience, he feared death, yet, with calamity impending, he seemed not to fear it.


    Truly a baffling person.


    Yet, somehow, the more anxious she felt, the more she wanted to talk to Gu An, perhaps it was his fearless demeanor.


    Gu An guessed her thoughts and smiled, "Whether you worry or fear, it won''t change anything, will it?"


    You Yingying opened her mouth, unsure how to respond.


    Gu An drew his Heavenly Residence Sword, suddenly unsheathing it.


    The sword''s light gleamed in You Yingying''s face, snapping her out of her trance.


    Looking at Gu An holding the sword, You Yingying''s earlier illusion reemerged, his forehead marked with golden patterns, appearing extraordinary as if an Immortal Lord on Earth.


    She had to admit, although Gu An''s cultivation level wasn''t impressive, his appearance and bearing were truly out of this world, unlike a mortal.


    Gu An raised his sword towards You Yingying, the blade''s tip reflecting in her pupils, causing her to shiver.


    "If only this sword could slash away the fear in your hearts, how wonderful would that be?" Gu An said wistfully.


    You Yingying was left in a daze.

 Chapter 296: Chapter 296: The Strongest Sword!

    Sunlight shone on Gu An, and You Yingying felt as if he were draped in a layer of rosy clouds, his whole being radiating with splendor.She actually believed that Gu An was speaking the truth.


    Gu An''s gaze fell on her, and he raised an eyebrow asking, "What? Are you intimidated by my aura of righteousness?"


    You Yingying snapped back to reality and glared, "Who can''t say things like that? If your sword is really that powerful, would you still be holed up here?"


    "Heh heh, what do you know! Hurry up and leave, don''t disturb my cultivation!"


    Gu An smiled, then sheathed his sword smoothly, believing himself to look quite dashing, sadly You Yingying was blind to it.


    You Yingying snorted and turned to leave.


    As she turned around, a smile appeared on her face.


    Talking with this silly boy had indeed had an effect; her heart felt much better.


    At the same moment, under the tree, Shen Xinzi opened his eyes, his gaze profound. His hand clutching the prayer beads moved faster, clearly anxious.


    Next to him, Wu Xing and Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who were playing chess, stood up.


    "Let''s call this game a draw," declared Nine-Finger Divine Lord without room for doubt.


    Wu Xing''s eyes widened in disbelief, "You''re almost wiped out by me, and you dare call it a draw?"


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord said nonchalantly with a straight face and unwavering confidence, "The outcome is uncertain until the end!"


    Wu Xing shook his head with a smile but said nothing more, disappearing into thin air.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s gaze swept over Medicine Valley, landing on the distant figure of Gu An.


    "What a pity, I haven''t won a single game against you yet."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord muttered to himself before he, too, disappeared on the spot.


    Gu An, who was stretching his limbs, felt numerous cultivators and demons taking flight across the continent, rushing towards its edges.


    Before the cataclysm, some wished to flee while others wished to fight.


    Those wishing to fight were driven by courage, righteousness, or compulsion, but at this moment, they had all made their decision.


    The question was whether they could maintain that courage once they witnessed the true might of the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    Gu An turned and walked toward the Transmission Array Platform. Along the way, the number of disciples who greeted him diminished, everyone preoccupied with their thoughts.


    After reaching Mystic Valley, Gu An made his way toward the outskirts of Medicine Valley.


    Entering the woods, he drew out the Heavenly Residence Sword in one hand while unsheathing the Qinghong Sword with the other.


    The Qinghong Sword buzzed faintly as Gu An used his own mana to sever its connection with the White Spirit Sword.


    He could sense his junior sister''s unease.


    "Do not fear, junior sister; it will soon pass," Gu An murmured to himself, and as his words dropped, he was shrouded in a dark purple Demonic Qi that quickly engulfed his body, blazing furiously. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His figure vanished into the depths of the forest, leaving no trace behind.


    ...


    At the edge of the continent, towering waves crashed against the shore.


    Above the mountains, Great Cultivators hovered in the air, with the vast landscape behind them and the endless ocean ahead.


    They hailed from different sects¡ªSupreme Sect, Three Pure Ones Mountain, Cangtian Sect, Daotian Sect, Sword Sect, Candle Sky Peak, Flame Sect, Juhua Sect, and more.


    Sects across the world continuously dispatched cultivators to different edges of the continent. They were just one group gathering rapidly beyond a hundred, with more cultivators on their way.


    As their numbers grew, a newfound confidence began to swell inside them.


    Qiao Dai, a cultivator from Supreme Sect with a Cultivation Level of the Ninth Layer of the Mahayana Realm, became the leader, calming the surrounding cultivators and beginning to give battle instructions.


    Just then, an overwhelmingly terrifying pressure descended, prompting them to turn their heads in shock. In the next second, their faces paled, and even the ever-confident Qiao Dai gaped in despair.


    A vast black fog rolled in from the horizon like a wave of darkness, unstoppable and devouring the skies and earth.


    Before the black fog, islands and demon beasts appeared insignificantly small, like dust. Even flying beasts were engulfed by the fog from behind, their fates uncertain.


    Looking up, shadows of different figures hovered above the black fog¡ªclothed distinctly, wielding different Dharma Treasures. Some had glowing artifacts floating behind them, some rode fierce mounts, and others stood proudly atop Sword Qi with their hands behind their backs. Each one was shadowed by a towering phantom a thousand feet high, appearing like Demon Gods, their silhouettes a mirror of themselves.


    At first glance, there were endless towering demon phantoms of a thousand feet high that could not be counted, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.


    At this moment, the Continent Cultivators were plunged into dead silence, everyone stunned as if struck by lightning, frozen in midair.


    Qiao Dai saw behind these thousand-foot demon phantoms an even more terrifying presence, with legs walking forward, the phantoms unable to reach even the ankles of this mysterious existence. It was impossible to imagine the true size.


    Some tried to look sideways¡ªwherever the ocean spread, there stood demon phantoms, casting them into despair not only by the disparity in Cultivation Levels but also the sheer numerical difference between friends and foes.


    "How can we win..." someone said with a bitter laugh.


    No one responded; their courage faltered.


    Above the clouds, Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Wu Xing stood shoulder to shoulder, witnessing the entire continent surrounded by the Great Cold Demon Sect cultivators from all directions.


    "There are so many; even the Divine Exotic Realm is here..."


    Wu Xing clicked his tongue, sensing that the number of Demon Sect cultivators was no less than the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Most importantly, these demon cultivators'' combined aura was astonishing, with many individual auras strong enough to make him wary.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord took a deep breath and scanned the continent as if searching for something.


    "With such commotion, could the Saint World Holy King truly have reincarnated in this land?" Wu Xing couldn''t help but ask.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked into the distance and replied, "If the Holy Heart awakens, with the Holy King''s capabilities, rising to power won''t be difficult. But the Great Cold Demon Sect fears that the Holy Court might detect the aura of the Saint World Holy King."


    After hearing this, Wu Xing found it to make sense, and he stepped forward.


    "What are you planning to do?" inquired Nine-Finger Divine Lord hastily.


    Without turning back, Wu Xing strode forward through the air, raising his hand with a laugh, "Forgot to tell you, I am the Divine Exotic Ghost King Wu Xing; ''Wu Xing'' is just a pseudonym!"


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord frowned but didn''t get angry, just watched as Wu Xing advanced.


    "Wu Xing, return to your place at once!"


    The voice of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm rang out, loud and clear.


    Wu Xing accelerated immediately, but suddenly, his face darkened. He looked up only to see an immensely large hand reaching out from behind the demon army, covering the sky and aiming to seize him.


    The size of this hand was beyond what words could describe.


    Wu Xing was horrified to discover that he was frozen in place!


    This is bad!


    Despair filled Wu Xing''s eyes.


    At that moment, a powerful sword light forcefully entered his field of vision, and immediately after, the terrifying giant hand disintegrated before him.


    Subconsciously glancing over, his eyes widened in shock.


    He saw a figure, a figure he would never forget for all eternity.


    It was Gu An, who had utilized the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body back in the Divine Exotic Realm!


    Gu An, holding two swords covered in dark purple Demonic Qi, brushed past Wu Xing. As his words hung in the air, Gu An turned into a fleeting shadow, and in a flash, a streak of sword light appeared, boldly piercing through the distant black fog.


    Before Wu Xing could react, a terrifying wave of energy struck.


    His mouth agape, he looked on in disbelief.


    As he watched, a streak of Sword Qi burst from within the demon army, cutting a swath through the thousand-foot demon phantoms at the waist. The light of the Sword Qi stripped the entire world of color in an instant.


    The Continent Cultivators were dazzled into closing their eyes, the Mortal Spirits unable to glimpse this sword light.


    Above the clouds, Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s face also transformed, his soul shaken by the impact.


    In his eyes, the demon phantoms perished, the black fog churned, and a sword light rapidly stretched, as if intent on splitting the very heavens and earth in two.


    In that moment, Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who had lived for a hundred and seventy thousand years, witnessed the strongest sword strike of his life!


    "Who... are you?"


    A voice full of both shock and rage erupted, the tone laced with fear.

 Chapter 297: Chapter 297: Gu An Takes Action

    The sword light between heaven and earth began to fade, and the voice of the mysterious Great Cultivator from the Great Cold Demon Sect still echoed over the ocean, awakening the Continent Cultivators who had not seen Gu An''s figure just now, only Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Stealing the Five Elements had seen clearly.But the immense Sword Intent made them think of one person.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    "It''s Sword Venerable Fudao! There''s no mistake! It must be him!"


    A Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator from the Supreme Sect exclaimed excitedly, he had also been to the Heavenly Repair Platform and had experienced the Sword Intent within the words "Righteous Path."


    Qiao Dai was equally excited, his eyes filled with frenzied anticipation.


    At this moment, he remembered the scene when Sword Venerable Fudao descended upon the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.


    Stealing the Five Elements, who had narrowly escaped calamity, let out a sigh of relief, immediately retreated, and dared not approach the encroaching army of demonic shadows again.


    Gu An stood atop the demon mist, sword in hand, with thousand-zhang demonic shadows dissipating in all directions, but even more demonic shadows approached, encircling him; he even saw some demonic shadows standing tens of thousands of zhang tall and giant demons of indeterminate size.


    [You have successfully seized 10,298 years of Life Span from Meng Chenglang (Wandering Immortal Realm Seventh Floor)]


    [You have successfully seized 1,459 years of Life Span from Xu Linxin (Loose Immortal Realm Second Floor)]


    [You have successfully seized 12,080 years of Life Span from True Man Wuyun (Wandering Immortal Realm Sixth Floor)]


    ...


    Notification after notification continuously popped up before Gu An''s eyes, but Gu An didn''t rush to make another move; instead, he looked around.


    One had to say, the Great Cold Demon Sect''s response was truly swift. As soon as he made a move, the remaining Cultivators did not panic but instead immediately arranged a Formation. Their Formation was highly profound, not only capable of being formed in an extremely short amount of time but also containing powerful and mysterious forces.


    After the sword light vanished, in less than three breaths'' time, the world suddenly changed, and in an instant, Gu An found himself in the cosmic starscape, with rolling black mist under his feet, and still encircled by demonic shadows, the demonic shadows'' feet held the Dharma Treasures of the Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators.


    Accompanied by Gu An''s arrival in the cosmic starscape, those titanic figures and even larger beings revealed their true forms.


    There were beasts as mighty as creation''s god mountains, female Cultivators who resembled fairies constantly scattering strange petals, and enormous birds with wingspans of ten thousand li circling overhead.


    The demon mist under Gu An''s feet churned violently, like surging waves.


    "Who are you exactly? If you do not reveal your identity, do not blame us for showing no mercy!"


    The previous voice sounded again; this time, its tone was incomparably cold. After the Formation was set up, he seemed to have regained his confidence.


    Gu An looked up and saw, within the layers of encirclement above, in absolute darkness, a pair of gigantic eyes lurked, as if an unimaginable existence outside the universe was peering at him, filled with an oppressive feeling.


    [Sword Venerable Jiezun (Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm Eighth Floor): 780,450/830,000/880,000]


    An old monster who had lived for seven hundred and eighty thousand years!


    However, killing this individual would only yield a little over five thousand years of Life Span, which was too disappointing for Gu An.


    As Sword Venerable Jiezun opened his eyes, four Life-Seizing Immortals from the Carefree Primordial Immortal concurrently appeared, fortunately, they had abundant Life Span, which improved Gu An''s mood.


    "This is the Great Cold Demon Sect''s Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation. Once this Formation is completed, no matter how great your Divine Skills, it will be impossible for you to escape!"


    The voice of Sword Venerable Jiezun rang out, majestic to the extreme.


    The other four Carefree Primordial Immortals took out their supreme treasures and dispersed in all directions. Once they stopped, the entire cosmic starscape rippled, numerous rainbow lights emerged, these lights were not mere illusions, but were also condensing a mysterious force.


    Gu An looked up at Sword Venerable Jiezun and asked, "Does the Great Cold Demon Sect have anyone stronger?"


    As these words were spoken, Sword Venerable Jiezun''s gaze immediately changed, and all the Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect were scared, their eyes filled with fear when they looked at him.


    Someone stronger?


    How could this person be so arrogant?


    However, due to Gu An''s previous sword strike, no one dared to challenge him at this moment, all of them were on high alert.


    The face of Life-Seizing Immortal turned extremely ugly, intuition telling him that the other party was not being arrogantly presumptuous.


    At this moment, he was filled with dread.


    Luckily he wasn''t rash but instead gathered the strength of the Great Cold Demon Sect, otherwise he might have ended up with his soul scattered like his disciple Bai Hong.


    For a time, silence fell within the Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation.


    "It seems there''s no one stronger? Truly disappointing. You''re acting so recklessly; I thought you''d have more to back it up."


    Gu An spoke again, and suddenly, he threw the Heavenly Residence Sword out.


    Boom!


    With this sword strike, he swept above the black mist, annihilating the Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators one by one, and when the sword blade arrived in front of them, a layer of light burst forth around their bodies, but it was shattered as soon as it appeared, utterly failing to protect them.


    One sword pierced thousands of li, directly penetrating the Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation and returning to reality.


    The Continent Cultivators hovering in the air only saw a sword light cutting through the vast expanse of black mist in front of them, making them even more nervous, unclear about the state of the battle within that black mist.


    After Gu An made his strike, Sword Venerable Jiezun immediately gave the command: "Kill!"


    The Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators from all directions cast their spells; various spells and Divine Skills formed a stream of rainbow colors charging towards Gu An.


    Gu An raised his hand to grab, then retracted it, revealing an individual in his palm.


    Origin Heaven-Capturing Hand!


    This was the inherent Divine Skill of the Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill!


    Today was the first time Gu An had used it!


    The person in his hand was Sword Venerable Jiezun, a white-robed elder. At this moment, Sword Venerable Jiezun''s face was filled with fear and despair.


    Gu An directly crushed him to dust; then, taking up the Qinghong Sword, he began the slaughter!


    ...


    Within the Continent, an endless stream of Cultivators rushed to the edge. When they saw the ocean, they all changed color.


    The fearsome black mist seemed as if it could devour everything between heaven and earth, giving one the feeling of an impending disaster. Anyone who saw it would be afraid.


    The black mist surged violently, as if countless demons were raging within.


    The morale on the side of the Continent collapsed completely, with no one willing to fight.


    What they didn''t know was that within the black mist, a large number of Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators were rushing in the same direction.


    The Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect had received the message¡ªsomeone had launched an assault on one side. All warriors were to immediately reinforce the Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation!


    Rolling thunderclouds covered the sky, enveloping the entire Continent; the sound of thunder was oppressively heavy.


    In the Demon Land, within a sub-sect of the Supreme Sect.


    Ye Lan stood on a pavilion, looking up at the sky, tightly clutching the White Spirit Sword in her hand, she felt no anomaly from within the White Spirit Sword, but her heart would not be at peace.


    "I hope we can safely get through this calamity¡­"


    Ye Lan muttered to herself, praying secretly.


    Although she saw no hope of longevity, she didn''t want life to end like this; she had so many things unfinished, so many places unvisited, she had yet to fulfil her promise with her senior brother; how could she be resigned to death?


    ...


    Beneath the thunderclouds, Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Stealing the Five Elements stood shoulder to shoulder, unable to maintain composure, both unconsciously agape with faces full of shock.


    Not just them, but the Continent Cultivators felt the same; newcomers slowed their flight speed due to the sights before them.


    Within the vast black mist, countless enormous demonic shadows were snuffed out, leaping out, and countless Cultivators hovered, all attacking in the same direction, which glinted with sword light.


    Even though separated by a great distance, unable to see the specifics of the battle, everyone could sense a powerful Sword Intent.


    This was not a battle of evenly matched strength, but a massacre with a great disparity in power!


    The number of Cultivators from the Great Cold Demon Sect was vast, forming an ocean of people, and within their encirclement, Gu An wielded dual swords casually, yet each sword could kill a large number of Cultivators and demons.


    His strength deeply struck the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    "No good! We are not his match!"


    "Damn! He''s doing it on purpose, deliberately not using Divine Skills, and relying solely on Sword Qi to slaughter us¡­"


    "Even the Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation has been broken by him, how could we have any chance of winning?"


    "Be careful! His sword is swinging this way!"


    "Retreat! Quick, retreat!"


    The world plunged into clamor and chaos, each of Gu An''s sword strikes took not just life but also the overall morale of the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    Life-Seizing Immortal dared not approach Gu An, only able to use long-range Divine Skills, giant hands resembling the clasping of fingers descended from the sky, pressing towards Gu An, but were instantly shattered upon contact with him, having no effect.


    Gu An strolled leisurely, walking above the black mist, each step followed by a sword swing as casually as if taking a walk, with no swordsmanship to speak of.


    Every time the Great Cold Demon Sect tried to form the Luo Tian Stars Immortal-Capturing Formation, it would be dispersed by Gu An''s Sword Qi.


    Gu An looked at the notifications before him, struggling to contain the emotions in his heart; he was not killing for the sake of killing, he was enacting justice on behalf of the heavens!


    Suddenly!


    Gu An stopped in his tracks, and as he did, all the Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivators retreated, leaving a hundred-li radius around Gu An where no one dared to tread.


    The Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect fell silent, all staring dead ahead at Gu An.


    Life-Seizing Immortal gritted his teeth and said, "The Sect Leader will arrive soon, don''t panic, everyone!"


    His voice reached the ears of every Great Cold Demon Sect Cultivator, yet these words did not boost their morale.


    "Don''t panic?"


    Gu An''s voice rose, filled with sarcasm, as if he had heard the world''s biggest joke.


    Before Life-Seizing Immortal could speak, Gu An suddenly vanished from the spot, frightening the Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    "Up there¡­"


    A voice rose, laden with despair. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless Cultivators and demons all looked up, their eyes wide with astonishment.


    What they saw was a colossal figure whose height could not be judged by the naked eye, standing proudly above the clouds, showing only its upper body, an almost illusory sight; even the ten-thousand-zhang demonic shadows appeared tiny in front of this figure, who was none other than Gu An himself.


    At that moment, all the Cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect felt an overpowering suppression that rendered them immobile.


    Some of the highly Cultivated Cultivators of the Demon Sect unconsciously looked down, only to see the billowing black mist below give rise to a land ablaze with dark purple flames, rushing towards them.


    Life-Seizing Immortal lowered his gaze and his complexion drastically changed.


    What was that? A land on fire?


    No, it was unmistakably a hand!


    A hand large enough to grasp all of them!


    In the distance, Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Stealing the Five Elements, and the Continent Cultivators were all dumbfounded.


    At the edge of the ocean, a city was rapidly approaching, and it was none other than Divine Exotic City.


    Li Ya, standing atop a tower in the city, had his eyes wide open, trembling all over, as he watched an immensely huge hand rise from within the infinite expanse of black mist. Even with his eyesight, he couldn''t take in the entire hand.


    He had never imagined such a large hand could exist in this world; if there were hands of heaven and earth, surely it would be this one!

 Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Breaking Through a Life Span of 100 Million Years!

    "I''m not dreaming, am I?"Li Ya muttered to himself, questioning the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit perched on his shoulder.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit also widened its eyes in shock, its mouth agape.


    From their perspective, the huge hand at the horizon of the sea seemed as large as the ocean itself. If not for the curved fingers, they could hardly tell it was a hand.


    It felt like it could grab an entire continent with ease!


    Li Ya recognized the Demonic Qi emanating from the gigantic hand as somewhat familiar.


    Wait!


    Wasn''t this the hand of the Primordial Ancestor?


    At that thought, a surge of blood rushed through Li Ya''s body uncontrollably, exciting him to the extreme.


    At the same time,


    the entire continent''s populace could see Gu An''s figure, whose massive presence shook mountains and clouds on his path, a sight that overturned their understanding and imagination.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, thousands of disciples watched with their mouths agape.


    Ji Xiaoyu also stepped out of his house, completely dumbfounded when he saw Gu An''s towering figure.


    It was as if they were beholding the descent of a deity!


    "What is that?"


    "It''s Sword Venerable Fudao! It''s the silhouette of Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    "Really? How can it be so large? Is it not an illusion?"


    "Many texts record that Sword Venerable Fudao perceives others using the Demon Shadow Divine Skill."


    "I knew Sword Venerable Fudao wouldn''t abandon us!"


    A roar of cheers erupted across the continent. Though the Demon Shadow Divine Skill was terrifying, the thought of it representing Sword Venerable Fudao uplifted their spirits rather than causing fear.


    Since the fame of Sword Venerable Fudao, which righteous deed hadn''t he done, and which person he killed wasn''t among the evil?


    If it were a normal competition among Sects, Sword Venerable Fudao wouldn''t have intervened, otherwise, Supreme Sect would have long become the foremost under heaven.


    Because of this, other Sects respected Sword Venerable Fudao, acknowledging Supreme Sect''s luck. In confrontations with Supreme Sect, they were wary of Sword Venerable Fudao, but they weren''t afraid he''d harm them, as long as they didn''t commit heinous acts.


    Since Sword Venerable Fudao appeared, many disciples had perished during Supreme Sect''s expansion, yet Sword Venerable Fudao hadn''t sought vengeance. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Sects and clans that decided to stay were bustling with excitement, as if the Spring Festival had come early.


    While the continent was invigorated, the cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect fell into despair.


    They watched as Gu An''s fingers slowly rose, appearing like ancient colossal peaks ascending, creating an overwhelmingly impactful scene, even Immortal Path Realm cultivators watched in awe.


    The Life-Seizing Immortal desperately mobilized his mana, but he couldn''t move an inch, feeling as insignificant as an ant.


    How many years had it been?


    Ever since he entered the Nirvana Realm, not to mention the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, he hadn''t been so embarrassed.


    The other three Carefree Primordial Immortals were in the same state, utterly immobile despite their full efforts, despair beyond common understanding.


    If they were so affected, not to mention cultivators of other realms, despair shrouded every heart.


    This hand had captured millions of the Great Cold Demon Sect''s cultivators and demons. Those arriving cultivators from the Great Cold Demon Sect, upon seeing this gigantic hand, fled in panic, throwing aside all their rules and consequences.


    Gu An looked down at the Great Cold Demon Sect cultivators and the demons they brought within his palm.


    He also hesitated.


    Killing too many would weigh on his conscience and he worried it might bring greater troubles.


    But remembering the countless lives Bai Hong had slaughtered, his heart hardened.


    Such a wicked Sect, if it''s to be extinguished, so be it. If even this act brought divine retribution, then Gu An would question what heaven really stood for.


    Once Gu An''s thoughts cleared, he suddenly clenched his hand.


    His palm was so huge that a simple clench stirred up a terrifying storm, unleashing waves sweeping toward the horizon.


    The fierce winds assaulted Divine Exotic City, forcing it to activate its City Protection Array immediately.


    Li Ya watched as the protective barrier around Divine Exotic City violently distorted; he couldn''t concern himself with the safety of the city as he looked into the distance, trembling.


    The sight of that mighty clenched fist was simply too magnificent!


    He even doubted whether Immortal Cultivation could really reach such a mighty level.


    He wondered whether the Primordial Ancestor was born an Immortal, a true Immortal, not merely a mortal who had cultivated into one.


    As Gu An clenched, the heaven and earth fell silent, the terrifying oppression that had engulfed the continent and the surrounding seas was gone.


    Despite the rolling thunderclouds above, the masses felt as though they had emerged from the clouds into clear skies.


    [You successfully seized 1,228 years of lifespan from Bi Lie (Loose Immortal Realm, Seventh Layer)]


    [You successfully seized 493 years of lifespan from Qin Suxin (Nirvana Realm, Ninth Layer)]


    [You successfully seized 58 years of lifespan from the Sea-Crossing Old Immortal (Nirvana Realm, Eighth Layer)]


    [You successfully seized 2,780 years of lifespan from Yunhai Tianjun (Wandering Immortal Realm, Fifth Layer)]


    ...


    Alerts continuously popped up before Gu An''s eyes, and then he vanished, but his remaining image in the sky left the beings in awe.


    The black fog enveloping the sea swiftly dissipated, signifying the end of a massive calamity.


    Li Ya recovered his senses and quickly urged the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit to head towards the mainland.


    In the distance, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm stood atop the thunderclouds, infinite Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts behind him, all displaying faces of fear, many visibly trembling.


    Even degraded to Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, they still felt terror from the formidable being they had just witnessed.


    How could such an existence be defeated?


    Their fear was palpable, dreading the Realm Master might order an attack.


    Fortunately, as the formidable presence disappeared, the Realm Master did not issue the command.


    The Realm Master turned and said, "Back to the Divine Exotic Realm."


    Gu An''s strength filled him with ecstatic relief, though he restrained his emotions vigorously.


    Aligning with Zhang Buku was a move well played!


    As he turned, an unprecedented hope filled his heart.


    ...


    Gu An returned to Mystic Valley, feeling Jiang Qiong''s restless presence in the Eight Scenic Caves; her steps were brisk. He immediately headed towards the Eight Scenic Caves.


    As Gu An entered the cave pathway, Jiang Qiong''s footsteps abruptly stopped.


    Meanwhile, the lifespan alerts continued to appear before Gu An''s eyes.


    Not yet reaching the cave entrance, Gu An halted, his attention captured by two alerts.


    [For the first time, your lifespan has breached one billion years, unlocking the Lifespan Samsara feature]


    [Lifespan Samsara: Every hundred years, execute once, undergoing Reincarnation Evolution, the evolution will reflect into reality, each use consuming ten million years of lifespan, all memories acquired during the reincarnation will be transferred into your mind as if you experienced them personally, the duration of the Reincarnation Evolution is limitless, entirely dependent on your karmic choices during the evolution, integration of real-world memories requires only an Ancient Hour]


    [You successfully seized 487 years of lifespan from Zhu Changming (Mahayana Realm, Ninth Layer)]


    ...


    Lifespan Samsara!


    Seeing the ten million-year lifespan cost made Gu An feel it was a rip-off.


    But after reading the explanation, he suddenly thought it might not be so bad.


    If during the Reincarnation Evolution he lived long enough, the Daoist Sorcery, Divine Skills, and understanding of the Dao achieved in one lifetime could potentially be worth more than ten million years of lifespan.


    Of course, he might also not survive past a hundred years, a huge loss of ten million years of lifespan.


    This was a massive gamble!


    As Gu An pondered, Jiang Qiong''s voice floated over, "What are you standing there for? Come in already!"


    On hearing this, Gu An immediately strode forward.


    Tips indicating lifespan seizures continued; this series was a massive win!


    Gu An had originally planned to use high-rank medical herbs from an Outer World Cave to push his lifespan over a billion years, but inevitably, some would push their luck too far.


    Folks get cocky, but if the heavens don''t act, then he would!


    As Gu An reached the base of the Green Vine Tree, he couldn''t help but laugh and cry.


    Jiang Qiong had dug a hole and placed a coffin inside.


    What was this, planning to bury himself?


    Jiang Qiong pointed at the coffin, "Lie down here with me, it might help us avoid disaster."


    Gu An pretended to be reluctant, "Is this really necessary?"


    Jiang Qiong glared, swiftly came forward, and pushed him, if he hadn''t suppressed his Daoist Gang Primal Energy, Jiang Qiong might have been obliterated.


    Gu An had no choice but to lie down in the coffin, Jiang Qiong jumped in after him, forcibly pressing him down. Lying in the coffin, she swung her right hand, and the lid immediately covered them, plunging their vision into darkness.


    From the outside, the coffin began sinking into the earth, soon vanishing from sight.


    Confined in the cramped space of the coffin, Gu An and Jiang Qiong squeezed together.


    In that moment, Gu An''s heart calmed.


    Massacring so many, even if all evil, his heart couldn''t stay tranquil easily; excessive killing bred malevolent energy, even a thrilling emotion of breaking free from moral shackles. He needed time to adjust.


    Now, lying in this darkness, his mood inexplicably steadied.


    Despite being in the dark, Gu An could still see his lifespan alerts.


    Jiang Qiong''s body began to squirm; her arm was soft, she seemed to feel too squeezed, constantly pressing against Gu An.


    Gu An couldn''t help asking, "If the calamity doesn''t strike, how long must we hide here before we can leave?"


    Being squeezed in the coffin with Jiang Qiong, he actually found it quite amusing, a completely novel experience for him.


    "Hide for a few decades, at least until we get past the Life-Seizing Immortal''s hundred-year mark."


    "That long? No, I need to go back, there are disciples in the valley, I can''t abandon them."


    "Humph, don''t even think about it. Now that you''ve already lain down, don''t think about leaving!"


    As her words fell, Gu An felt his left hand grasped by hers.


    Her hand was cold, like a corpse''s.


    Gu An tried to break free, but she held on tightly.


    Only after all the lifespan alerts had settled did Gu An come back to his senses. He hadn''t checked his lifespan yet, planning to later enjoy the moment of unveiling his lifespan.


    He spoke up, "It''s a bit uncomfortable squeezing like this, don''t you think? Squeezing like this for decades, I''m afraid I might die."


    Jiang Qiong didn''t respond but began to shift her body.


    Gu An stiffened instantly.


    Jiang Qiong actually lay on top of him, face to face.


    In the darkness, Gu An distinctly felt her breath was a bit agitated, though faint, not escaping his senses.


    Suddenly, Jiang Qiong''s face pressed against Gu An''s chest, and he could feel one of her legs rubbing against his shin.


    This is bad!


    Things have gone too far!


    Gu An fake coughed, "Why are you so heavy?"


    Jiang Qiong''s breathing hitched, then Gu An felt a hand land on his waist, fingers pinching his flesh.

 Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Terrifying Life Span!

    "Kid, do you truly not know how to speak, or are you purposely trying to irritate me?"In the darkness, Jiang Qiong''s voice resounded, somewhat grinding her teeth in frustration, but her hand did not forcefully pinch Gu An, it was merely a warning.


    Gu An, of course, had intentionally disrupted the atmosphere. He feigned a cough and began asking Jiang Qiong what she would like to do after the disaster was over.


    Jiang Qiong fell into silence, her limbs ceasing to move as she started to contemplate the question seriously.


    In truth, she had always been unclear about what she really wanted to do. She had done many things to become stronger, but when the apocalyptic disaster arrived, she felt that her actions were meaningless.


    Gu An did not disturb her, allowing her to think it over.


    However, the moment the silence settled, his mind began to wander.


    Pinned down by Jiang Qiong, Gu An could feel every part of her body pressing against him. How could he remain calm?


    At that moment, the plots of "Green Hero Travelogue", "Supreme Secret Records", "Black Hero''s Travelogue", and many others flashed through his mind.


    Suddenly, he felt Jiang Qiong tremble slightly. He hurriedly shifted his thoughts to ponder what exactly Lifespan Samsara was.


    As his thoughts shifted, Jiang Qiong calmed down.


    She spoke up, "If we truly can survive this catastrophe, then I''ll focus on developing the Juhua Sect. I won''t wander around anymore. I feel like all these years of running about haven''t really counted for much."


    "That''s good," Gu An replied, "to avoid any dangers."


    Jiang Qiong suddenly stretched out her hand, hugged Gu An tightly, and whispered softly, "The calamity of the Ephemera Sect left me without any relatives. You are now the only person I care about. Back when you first entered the Eight Scenic Caves, I was considering whether to kill you or not. Who would have thought that after so many years, you would become so important to me?"


    Hearing this, Gu An stiffened slightly and replied helplessly, "Is it that serious? I haven''t been all that good to you. On the contrary, you''ve taught me quite a few spells."


    Setting aside the matter of Sword Venerable Fudao supporting Jiang Qiong, Gu An genuinely felt that his outward contributions to Jiang Qiong paled in comparison to what she had offered him.


    Many spells Jiang Qiong taught him, he still used to this day. She had also given him magic artifacts and heavenly treasures.


    "How can you say you haven''t been good to me? You''ve managed the Eight Scenic Caves very well, and you''ve never betrayed me. Every time I''ve come back, you''ve taken good care of me. Affection isn''t entirely about contributions. If you were stronger, you would definitely treat me even better, I understand that. And I felt right from our first meeting that you had the ability to kill me. You hid it well, but I knew not only that you didn''t kill me, but also that you were obedient to me..."


    Listening to Jiang Qiong, Gu An suddenly didn''t know what to say.


    "Of course, you rascal, you are good to everyone. Everyone in the valley praises you," Jiang Qiong suddenly snorted.


    Hearing this, Gu An immediately said, "That''s what makes me a scary talent, being good to everybody, making it hard to interpret my thoughts."


    "Yes, but you never ask others for returns, which means you genuinely care for those around you and aren''t aiming for anything. Stop undermining yourself. I can feel whether you are genuine or not. Pretense cannot last long," Jiang Qiong said softly.


    Gu An, seemingly startled, said, "You''re not thinking of exchanging vows, are you? That won''t work! My junior sister and I plan to get married in the last hundred years of our lives."


    Jiang Qiong laughed and said, "The last hundred years? What if one of you lives longer?"


    "Whoever lives longer, it''s still the same path to go down. The pursuit of immortal cultivation isn''t about enduring love, but about eternal life."


    "You certainly see it clearly."


    "Yes, so don''t harbor any improper thoughts about me."


    "Why can''t I? At the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, it''s common for one person to have multiple daoist friends, and female cultivators can have many daoist friends too, as long as she is strong enough. Now I am stronger than you, and you can''t escape my grasp unless one day your cultivation surpasses mine."


    Jiang Qiong said proudly, her hand catching Gu An''s face as she spoke.


    She suddenly began her offensive.


    "You demon cultivator, faking refuge from the calamity and actually abusing me?"


    "You can scream all you want now, it''s useless!"


    "Be careful, I won''t be nice!"


    "Come on, seeing your cultivation, I''m too lazy to immobilize you. I just like seeing you struggle. Don''t worry, I''ll be gentle."


    Jiang Qiong laughed very proudly, grabbing Gu An''s wrists with her hands, pinning him down. Then, Gu An felt something soft press on his face, beginning to explore around.


    Not good!


    This guy''s gone wild!


    A thought crossed Gu An''s mind, and the earth suddenly trembled.


    Jiang Qiong immediately stopped, not daring to move.


    Gu An breathed a sigh of relief, but just then, Jiang Qiong suddenly launched a sneak attack, catching him off guard.


    "Wait, it seems the disaster is over!" Gu An suddenly said.


    "How can you be sure?" Jiang Qiong questioned.


    "Before finding you, I saw Sword Venerable Fudao make a move."


    "Oh? Then you still came, it seems you also expected something to happen between us."


    "I just saw you were prepared and didn''t want to waste our time, let''s go out and see."


    "Is that so?"


    "Really, let''s go up."


    "I''ll think about it."


    ...


    Boom!


    Beneath the Green Vine Tree, the earth stirred, and a coffin rose, its lid popping open, and Gu An immediately leaped out, then straightened his clothes.


    Nearly lost my virginity!


    I can''t let the over two hundred years'' worth of my preserved virginity be breached!


    Gu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Mouth is okay, but can''t leak vital energy!


    Jiang Qiong slowly climbed out of the coffin; her hair slightly disheveled, her clothes not neat. She raised her eyes to look at Gu An, giving him a seductive smile that caused him to quickly turn his head.


    "We should stop calling me Martial Master. After all, I forcefully took Cheng Xuandan as a disciple, and Cheng Xuandan took you with ulterior motives, so it''s not a real lineage. No, you brat never even called me Martial Master, really, all men are the same, it''s just that you, kid, are reluctant yet compliant, guarding against something," Jiang Qiong said, glaring at Gu An.


    Gu An dropped a sentence and left: "I''m going to check the situation."


    He immediately slipped away.


    Jiang Qiong went to the edge of the pit, watching his retreating back, she licked her lips as if savoring something.


    ...


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, the valley was still bustling with activity. Stealing the Five Elements and Nine-Finger Divine Lord had also come back, standing together with Shen Xinzi, separated by a restriction, discussing the formidable power of Sword Venerable Fudao, unable to contain their emotions.


    To suppress the entire Great Cold Demon Sect with one hand was too exaggerated!


    It subverted everyone''s understanding!


    For decades, the power of the Great Cold Demon Sect had been deeply rooted in people''s hearts; only because of understanding the terror of the Great Cold Demon Sect did everyone realize how incredibly powerful Sword Venerable Fudao was.


    Gu An looked up and saw a figure hovering above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, watching the continent where Gu An was.


    The ninth layer of the Carefree Immortal Realm!


    Although only one small realm higher than the Sword Venerable, the presence far surpassed the Sword Venerable, the gap enormous.


    Presumably, he was the master of the Great Cold Demon Sect!


    At this moment, this master only dared to watch from a distance, not daring to come down.


    Gu An also saw those fleeing cultivators of the Great Cold Demon Sect disperse like monkeys scattering from a fallen tree, already completely devoid of will to fight.


    He did not continue to pursue the kill, one reason being that the remaining cultivators were not as powerful as those he had suppressed, and another being he felt many presences approaching, even the presence of Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    Yes, definitely the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    However, the person did not come with malice, and the direction was exactly where the Holy Land of Holy Court was located.


    Now that the Holy Court had appeared, it would not be appropriate for him to continue the chase.


    Next, it would be seen what stance the Holy Court took.


    Gu An brought up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Lifespan: 210/790, 407, 832]


    [Physique: Primordial Karmic Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, ninth layer]


    ... Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven hundred ninety million years of lifespan!


    Gu An suddenly felt like cursing.


    That was too awesome!


    The guilt from the killing faded instantly. Besides, he had not killed indiscriminately; he was executing justice on heaven''s behalf, ultimately for the people!


    Finally, he could fully upgrade!


    Gu An grinned.


    Very close to a billion now, should he wait a bit longer?


    Forget it, damn it, just one hundred million years, he had to wait a long time, how much longer for the remaining two hundred million years?


    Look for a chance to break through!


    And it was a comprehensive upgrade!


    Heart surging with excitement, Gu An even felt like trying out a ten-million-year Lifespan Samsara just to see what it was.


    He walked towards the pavilion clusters, shouting with mana: "Today, to thank Sword Venerable Fudao for resolving the calamity, let''s celebrate tonight, consider it a holiday, Deacons get moving!"


    His voice spread throughout Medicine Valley, achieving this feat with Core Formation Realm cultivation was not difficult, and soon, various cheers rose within the valley.


    When Gu An reached his own pavilion, Ji Xiaoyu came up to him indicating with her eyes.


    They both went upstairs and closed the door.


    "I think Sword Venerable Fudao''s silhouette seemed familiar!" Ji Xiaoyu said seriously, causing Gu An''s heart to tremble.


    What did that mean?


    Could she have linked it to me?


    Gu An immediately became uneasy, a Supreme Power who suppressed the Great Cold Demon Sect spooked by a Core Formation Realm cultivator.


    He asked with a frown, "Could it be that Sword Venerable Fudao originates from the Ji Family?"


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, "No, I saw him in a dream, it must have been a scene from a past life."


    Hearing this, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows furrowed even deeper.


    "Today''s battle was an eye-opener, I suddenly feel that I can''t die too early in this life, I need to follow in the footsteps of Sword Venerable Fudao," Ji Xiaoyu spoke again, her face full of admiration.


    Chase after Sword Venerable Fudao?


    He was Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, ninth layer!


    Gu An didn''t discourage Ji Xiaoyu; what if she really could achieve it?


    He started motivating Ji Xiaoyu.


    They chatted for a while before Ji Xiaoyu finally left, but when she reached the door, she stopped, turned back to look at Gu An, and said, "The scent of a woman on you is stronger now. It''s still the same woman as last time. You two must have entangled a bit, although you don''t seem to have leaked any essence."


    After that, she pushed the door open and left without closing it.


    Gu An stood there puzzled.


    How did she figure that out?


    What kind of divine skill was that, or was it a talent?


    Gu An didn''t dwell on it, living another life, he planned to be carefree and at ease, why worry too much, just follow his heart.


    He started waiting for that Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma to leave, as long as the person didn''t mess around, and once they left, he would find a place to break through.

 Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Seven Divine Golden Bodies, Primordial Ultimate Body

    The mysterious Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma wandered in this Mortal World region, never stepping onto the continent where Gu An was located.A day and a night later, he left.


    Starting from the second day, rumors about the Great Cold Demon Sect being annihilated single-handedly by Sword Venerable Fudao spread like a hurricane across the seas, shocking the countless beings that were fleeing. Their first reaction was disbelief, as the news sounded too preposterous!


    The world was in an uproar, and within the Supreme Sect, it was a time of celebration, with dazzling lights and decoration everywhere. Everyone was singing praises of Sword Venerable Fudao''s magnificent feats and mighty power.


    This time, Sword Venerable Fudao''s rescue efforts had a wider reach than ever before. How could they not be proud?


    They were unclear if there truly were Immortals who cared for the common folk in this world, but at least in their hearts, Sword Venerable Fudao was an Immortal who brought salvation to all living beings.


    The day after the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma left, Gu An quietly departed from the continent.


    He headed south, moving away from the Mortal World region where the Supreme Sect was located.


    Eventually, he arrived at a desolate sea, where the number of beings was extremely sparse. Whether deep within the sea or above its surface, numerous lost souls and Wild Ghosts floated about. The sky above this place was covered with dense, oppressive clouds, but the Spiritual Energy here was quite abundant.


    After surveying the area with his Divine Sense, Gu An discovered an island deep within the ocean guarded by powerful Restrictions. If he were to break through forcefully, he would undoubtedly alert the entity within.


    He speculated that a Carefree Primordial Immortal might be hiding inside because, although the Restrictions were strong, he felt it wouldn''t be difficult to break through if he wanted.


    No wonder the Spiritual Energy was so abundant here, yet there were so few beings. It turns out a malevolent deity was hidden within.


    Gu An landed on an uninhabited isolated island and immediately activated the Life Span Barrier.


    Seven hundred and ninety million years of life span, the more he looked at it, the more invigorating it felt!


    He had never been so affluent before!


    Gu An sat cross-legged in front of a withered tree, looking at his Attribute Panel, chuckling to himself.


    First, he would enjoy the moment for a while longer!


    After a good while, Gu An then reigned in his emotions and decided to give Lifespan Samsara a try.


    He would test the waters with ten million years. If this function turned out to be ineffective, he would dismiss it forever, just like the Life Span Deduction he had initiated before.


    [You have spent ten million years of life span to trigger one Reincarnation Evolution]


    [Beginning connection to Tao Rules]


    [Searching for Reincarnation Heaven and Earth]


    [You have the following Heaven and Earth options, choose any one]


    [One, Great Heavenly Spirit Land]


    [Two, Dark Great Heaven and Earth]


    [Three, the Great Multiverse]


    Hm?


    There''s even a Great Heavenly Spirit Land?


    Gu An thought if the Reincarnation Evolution reflected reality, could it be that it''s not just memory fusion, but it could also affect reality itself?


    He wasn''t sure, so after some thought, he decided not to choose the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, to avoid any potential issues.


    He was drawn to the Dark Great Heaven and Earth. The name sounded well suited for his Life Stealing Ability. Since it was Reincarnation Evolution, perhaps he would still possess his current Golden Finger.


    That''s the one!


    Dark Great Heaven and Earth!


    [You choose to reincarnate into the Dark Great Heaven and Earth]


    [Considering that the Tao Rules of this world cannot conceal your Talent, you will retain the Life Stealing Ability, but cannot unlock stage-specific functions]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins]


    [In the first year, you were born in a village in the East Profound Domain, and your parents named you Chu Lu]


    [At the age of seven, you accidentally pulled up a Spirit Grass in the mountains, stealing eight years of lifespan, marking a turning point in your destiny]


    [At the age of eight, you took an Immortal Cultivator as a master and traveled the world with him]


    [At fifteen, you encountered a Cultivator robbery. To protect you, your master died. You harbored a grudge, hid in the mountains, and began to accumulate life span]


    [By eighteen, you evolved your Cultivation Level to the Nascent Soul Realm through Lifespan Evolution, and you began your revenge]


    [At nineteen, you infiltrated the residence of your enemies, killing everyone until only one person remained¡ªa girl. Seeing her fearful demeanor, you felt some reluctance and struggled internally]


    [Do you choose to execute her?]


    The prompt stopped here. Gu An paused for a moment, choosing not to execute her¡ªjoking aside, with his Life Stealing Ability, he certainly wouldn''t be hunted by this girl.


    [You spared the girl, Cheng Jialan, and resumed your path of Immortal Cultivation]


    Seeing this prompt, Gu An smiled. This girl, like his junior sister, also had "Lan" in her name.


    The previous prompts had no names; it seemed the deceased don''t get named unless they survive.


    Hold on, his parents and master were initially alive as well, but they were not named.


    He suddenly had a bad feeling. Could it be that this Cheng Jialan would live a long time?


    [At twenty, you joined the Taiyi Sect, and with your exceptional Cultivation Level and Talent, you became a Direct Disciple, making a name for yourself within the Sect]


    [At twenty-one, you utilized the Life Span Deduction Cultivation Technique to master the Seven Hearts Technique]


    [At twenty-two, jealous of you, the Sect Leader''s son ambushed you while you were on a mission, surrounding you with his people. You executed all his followers, leaving only the Sect Leader''s son alive. He knelt before you, begging for mercy, and you hesitated]


    [Do you choose to execute him?]


    Kill!


    Gu An didn''t hesitate, and the prompt continued to appear.


    Killing men and sparing women? Seems like there''s something wrong with the standard, huh?


    Gu An criticized himself internally.


    Subsequently, the him in the reincarnation returned to the Taiyi Sect, faced continuous strife and enmity, and he always chose to kill, since it was others who provoked him.


    Killing led to the unveiling of secrets, and he was pursued by the Taiyi Sect and even placed on a wanted list.


    After that, almost every year, he was embroiled in battles; sometimes several times within a year.


    Once, Gu An chose to save a wounded Cultivator he encountered by chance, only for that person to summon a large group of Cultivators to ambush him, intending to seize the Magic Artifact in his possession.


    Angered, Gu An''s killing intent intensified.


    One betrayal after another, jealousy, and feuds kept unfolding.


    What an impressive turn of events!


    Indeed, this was the Dark Great Heaven and Earth, and the world seemed excessively grim.


    Over the first fifty years, Gu An encountered not a single kind-hearted Cultivator; he was fighting alone the entire time.


    The most distressing part for him was that, in order to get back at him, his enemies extracted the souls of his family still in the mountain village and refined them into Resentful Ghosts to be embedded in Ghost Devices.


    Furious, Gu An became even more ruthless in his subsequent choices, always responding to killing with killing.


    His life span accumulated rapidly, and by fifty, he had reached the Cultivation Level of Loose Immortal Realm, becoming the East Profound Domain''s killing god.


    [At the age of sixty-five, you encountered the girl you once spared, Cheng Jialan. She had now become a disciple of the Blue Sky Holy Sect, a renowned genius. She recognized you and was very grateful. You were moved by her attitude]


    [At sixty-six, pursued by Cheng Jialan, you both became Daoist Friends]


    [At sixty-seven, Cheng Jialan gave birth to a son and a daughter for you, and you cherished her even more]


    [At sixty-eight, while you were cultivating, a wandering Carefree Primordial Immortal from the Blue Sky Holy Sect descended. He was known as the Black Profound Emperor and crushed you to death]


    [Reincarnation ends]


    What?


    It''s over already?


    Gu An nearly spit blood¡ªfor ten million years of life span, he only got sixty-eight years of life?


    Black Profound Emperor!


    Okay, very good!


    Without giving Gu An time to ponder more, a vast array of memories flooded his mind, the life of Chu Lu, as if he had experienced it himself.


    However, since it was Reincarnation Evolution, he didn''t feel the length during the assimilation process. It was like recalling past memories, recalling some experiences, a rather peculiar sensation.


    Although he only lived for sixty-eight years in this life, Chu Lu improved a Cultivation Technique over his lifetime, and even evolved it into a Divine Skill that caused a sensation in both the past and the present.


    Developed from the Seven Hearts Technique after numerous enhancements, it is now known as the Seven Divine Gold Bodies!


    Seven Divine Gold Bodies, with an inherent Cultivation Technique. Once mastered, it forms seven souls, each equipped with Divine Skills, allowing him to resurrect even if killed.


    In memory, getting crushed by the Black Profound Emperor wasn''t as straightforward; he resurrected six times in the Black Profound Emperor''s hands, but the result was the same¡­


    The gap in Cultivation Level was too vast; his Teleportation Divine Power was unable to let him escape.


    After assimilating the Seven Divine Gold Bodies, Gu An felt somewhat placated. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It is hard to say if the value of the Seven Divine Gold Bodies could match ten million years of life span, but it certainly was not something to be gained with just one or two million years of life span. The skill was extremely powerful, allowing Nascent Soul Realm Chu Lu to severely injure enemies of the second level of Wandering Immortal Realm, proving its strength.


    Sigh, it was not enough perseverance.


    Gu An realized that in Reincarnation Evolution, he could only make decisions at destiny''s turning points and couldn''t control his reincarnated self.


    Thinking about it, didn''t this mean that all other worlds of Reincarnation also had their own thought processes?


    Isn''t this also the case with Reincarnation in reality?


    Ji Xiaoyu in this life was completely different from her previous life.


    Gu An withdrew his thoughts, noticing that the ground was full of Spiritual Energy. This showed that Reincarnation Evolution also consumed real-world Spiritual Energy. Fortunately, he had changed locations to avoid affecting the Supreme Sect and the continent.


    Time to get down to real business!


    Today, he would break through a major realm!


    Gu An accessed the Attribute Panel and poured twenty million years of life span into Physique.


    Primordial Karmic Body advanced to Primordial Chaos Body, then ascended to Primordial Ultimate Body!


    Awakening the Great Divine Power, the Primordial Chaos Grand Disc!


    This Divine Skill was an amalgamation of attack, defense, and sealing abilities, larger and more formidable than regular Heaven and Earth Rules, possessing the might to crush Heaven and Earth Rules!


    Gu An immediately trained this Divine Skill to Mastery Realm.


    Vast Spiritual Energy surged into Gu An''s mind, and his consciousness entered a state of sudden enlightenment.


    Primordial Ultimate Body and Primordial Karmic Body, although both named after ''Primordial,'' had a huge disparity. By reaching Ultimate Body, one could easily see through Heaven and Earth Rules as well as cause and effect, exerting absolute suppression over the Primordial body type.


    Although Gu An had not yet encountered a Primordial body type, he felt that Primordial must exist. After all, it was achieved through the elevation of his own body type, indicating that if the mortals of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land traced back their ancestry, they might very well be linked to ''Primordial.''


    He just did not know where Primordial was located.


    As Gu An devoured the Spiritual Energy, the silent and gloomy sea stirred into a tempest, as a powerful Divine Sense swept across the sea.


    Unfortunately, no matter how much it searched, it could not find Gu An.


    An Ancient Hour later, Gu An finally opened his eyes, and his physique was completely transformed into a Primordial Ultimate Body.


    His current strength had reached a terrifying level, and the sensation of power was exceedingly delightful.


    He even wanted to find someone to test his newfound strength against.


    Fortunately, he resisted the urge.


    Cannot drift away!


    Chu Lu was too overconfident, killing throughout his path, only to be crushed to death by a Cultivator several major realms above...


    Gu An looked at the Cultivation Technique section.


    Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill and All Things Form and Energy Art were each worth twenty million years of life span.


    The reason he only used twenty million years of life span was that he started to covet the function that would unlock with a billion years of life span.

 Chapter 301: Chapter 301: Breakthrough to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm!

    In the next ancient hour, Gu An enhanced the Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill to the Great Accomplishment of Infinite Primordial Creation, and yet, twenty million years of life span only advanced him by one level, luckily reaching the peak of perfection.At the same time, he awakened the Divine Skill, Unlimited Avatars!


    Every element of the Five Elements Spiritual Energy could turn into an avatar. This Divine Skill''s combat power wasn''t particularly outstanding as it manifested in quantity, since the Five Elements Spiritual Energy existed everywhere.


    He continued to advance!


    The All Things Form and Energy Art was elevated to the Chaotic Myriad Forms Freedom Technique and then further to the Dao Void Mysterious Divine Thought Skill.


    Similarly costing twenty million years of life span, no new Divine Skills were awakened, but the technique itself was a Divine Skill.


    The Dao Void Mysterious Divine Thought Skill, once mastered, would not be restricted by rules. With a mere thought, he could suppress cultivation level, breath, appearance, and everything else, making them unperceivable to others.


    With this technique, there was no need for Gu An to use transformation techniques.


    Of course, what he valued most was its marvelous effect in hiding cultivation level and breath.


    In the Reincarnation Evolution, Chu Lu died quickly exactly because he lacked this technique. Of course, trusting Cheng Jialan also played a part.


    After Gu An passed on the Dao Void Mysterious Divine Thought Skill, another ancient hour had passed.


    Next was the promotion of the Boundless Heaven-Constricting Sword to the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword.


    The Limitless Freedom Step was finally elevated to the Stepping Path of Ages Step, a technique that allowed time reversal within a specific range of each footstep, transforming all things from death to life, from life to null.


    Of course, this stepping technique couldn''t aid in achieving immortality since it had limitations and was primarily used for combat.


    The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body was finally advanced to the Dao of Transcending Void Body.


    Gu An also enhanced the Soul Capturing Skill, promoting it to the Great Imprison Soul Immortal Technique, consuming five million years of life span.


    The previous three ultimate skills and Divine Skills each consumed twenty million years of life span, totaling sixty-five million years of life span!


    Adding the physique and cultivation technique, Gu An had already spent a hundred and five million years of life span!


    The consumption from the Life Span Barrier was also a significant figure.


    Even without breaking through, he felt invincible at this moment.


    But he needed to be cautious.


    He must break through!


    Gu An reopened the Attribute Panel, focusing his gaze on the cultivation level column.


    At this moment, the entire ocean was experiencing a violent storm, with endless towering waves, as the Divine Sense of a Carefree Primordial Immortal frantically scanned the area.


    Gu An didn''t mind since the area was mostly inhabited by lost souls and wild ghosts who wandered the Mortal World, suffering from the rejection of the Heaven and Earth Rules.


    He hesitated for a moment, then decided to invest five million years of his life span. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was uncertain whether the early investment of a hundred million years of life span could erase the gap in the difficulty of cultivation between the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma and higher realms.


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for thirty thousand years, forcefully attempting to assault the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm with the Great Accomplishment of Infinite Primordial Creation, starting the Tribulation Crossing. You didn''t endure the Six Realms Destiny Ultimate Void Tribulation, failing the Tribulation]


    Thirty thousand years for one Tribulation Crossing!


    Gu An was thrilled, knowing that previously, when he attempted to reach the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, it took sixty thousand years for one chance to cross the tribulation!


    However, even more surprising events occurred.


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for three hundred thousand years, you endured the Six Realms Destiny Ultimate Void Tribulation with the forceful use of the Great Accomplishment of Infinite Primordial Creation, and succeeded in the Tribulation Crossing, advancing your cultivation level to the first layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for five hundred thousand years, advancing your cultivation level to the second layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm]


    Ten successful crossings!


    I''m really fucking strong!


    Gu An was ecstatic, but as he looked further, his smile gradually faded.


    The time required for each level in the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm kept increasing.


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for four million years, advancing your cultivation level to the eighth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for four point seven million years, advancing your cultivation level to the ninth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for five million years, forcefully assailing the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm with the Great Accomplishment of Infinite Primordial Creation, starting the Tribulation Crossing. You didn''t endure the Heavenly Dao Forty-Nine Mysterious Void Tribulation, failing the Tribulation]


    That''s good!


    Reaching the ninth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm in five million years was an unexpectedly pleasant surprise.


    But what''s after was shocking¡ªan attempt of tribulation every three hundred thousand years. If following the old pattern, failing a hundred times would mean thirty million years of life span?


    Failing two hundred times would mean sixty million years of life span.


    That''s ridiculously exaggerated.


    Is the Divine Thought True Immortal that mighty?


    It''s a big leap!


    Gu An didn''t question it much, given he hadn''t even heard of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, let alone the higher Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Once again, nature''s spiritual energy surged towards him, the entire ocean''s spiritual energy abruptly sank, and its range rapidly expanded.


    Damn!


    This commotion is a bit excessive!


    Gu An was secretly alarmed, feeling he might once again bring about a calamity to the Mortal World!


    The vast amounts of spiritual energy required to transition from the ninth layer of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma to the ninth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal far exceeded Gu An''s imagination. However, he could judge the resources of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land through this disturbance.


    If his breakthrough affected the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land, it would indicate that the Dao Void Mysterious Realm cultivators in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land were few and far between.


    While feeling the transformation within himself, Gu An observed the surroundings.


    The range of spiritual energy extraction grew larger, and in less than 30 minutes, it exceeded the size of the area the Great Cold Demon Sect planned to annihilate and was still rapidly increasing.


    Time swiftly passed.


    An hour later, Gu An forcefully achieved the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    Regardless of the realm, the evolutionary cultivation would always compress the breakthrough into one hour.


    The mysteries of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal flooded into his mind.


    A Dao Void Mysterious Immortal could transcend universal rules and travel through the Great Thousand World.


    The so-called Great Thousand World consists of countless realms like the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and only reaching this level would one touch the barriers of the universe. Of course, not all universes can be easily traversed, as there are also differences in strength among them.


    The power of a Mysterious Immortal is even greater, capable of transforming all things into living beings.


    Reaching this level means starting to condense one''s own Dao. The so-called Dao is the condensation of the overall path of Immortal Cultivation, manifesting as will, capable of condensing a Dao Form and using it to battle and suppress everything.


    Gu An was immersed in the transformation brought by the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, unable to extricate himself.


    Only when his cultivation level broke through to the second layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm did his consciousness awaken.


    He looked up, the universe no longer looked so distant to him. His gaze and Divine Sense reached perfect unity, allowing him even to peer into the ends of the universe.


    He saw the Silent Destruction Domain described by Bai Ziya, a place of utter darkness emitting a terrifying aura that made it difficult for him to infiltrate lightly.


    For he sensed auras within that made him wary, not just one, but several.


    Time continued to move forward.


    Gu An began to detect the approach of various cultivators'' aura. Looking up, he saw a massive number of cultivators flying out of the Holy Land where the Holy Court was located, quickly approaching, the numbers even surpassing those of the Great Cold Demon Sect.


    His breakthrough had indeed alarmed the Holy Court!


    It must be said, compared to the Holy Court, the Great Cold Demon Sect was utterly incomparable.


    The cultivators who flew out were of Loose Immortal Realm at the lowest, numbering over five million and still increasing.


    More than five million Loose Immortals, what an exaggeration!


    He even sensed the aura of Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma and Carefree Primordial Immortals, with more than ten Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma among them.


    The cultivators of the Holy Court dispersed to protect various continents and islands.


    The ocean stirred up world-shocking waves, the speed of the sinking spiritual energy causing many continents to shatter.


    Seeing the Holy Court coming out to protect the common people, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief, holding the Holy Court in much higher regard.


    He didn''t want his breakthrough to result in the extinction of countless beings.


    It seems the support of the Great Cold Demon Sect by the Holy Court was only the will of that Holy King.


    If the Holy Court became his enemy in the future, regardless of the animosity, simply for today''s actions of the Holy Court, he wouldn''t thoroughly exterminate them.


    Of course, it would be even better if he could establish friendly relations with the Holy Court.


    Cultivation doesn''t have to be all about fighting and killing.


    The benefits derived from slaughtering the Great Cold Demon Sect were indeed massive, but it also attracted much wariness. Look now, the battle just ended, and Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma have shown up, a realm previously unheard of.


    If he became too arrogant and a more terrifying existence than the Divine Thought True Immortal appeared and slapped him to death with one palm, what could he do?


    The experience of Chu Lu was a lesson!


    Of course, more of Chu Lu''s death was due to trusting the wrong person.


    Gu An couldn''t help but curse at him, how dare you marry into the family of someone you killed?


    Although initially, Chu Lu was the victim, he should have stayed away from Cheng Jialan.


    With the Holy Court taking action, Gu An felt even more at ease.


    He began to focus on enjoying the transformation of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    Reaching the ninth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm, what could the Holy King behind the Great Cold Demon Sect do to him?


    If that Holy King was also a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, then Gu An would fight with all his might to achieve another breakthrough!

 Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Absolutely Not Intoxicating!

    Under the cloak of night, the vast ocean was riddled with shadows of Great Cultivators flitting by, and many sea monsters leaped out of the water, making the night all the more terrifying.The isolated island where Gu An was situated was surrounded by terrifying waves, which could engulf it at any moment.


    Yet, he was still waiting for the breakthrough to conclude. The amount of Spiritual Energy needed for each minor realm within the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal realm far exceeded that for breakthroughs in previous major realms.


    Gu An had been observing the outside world, for he wanted to know the impact of this breakthrough on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    By now, the range of the descending Spiritual Energy had become enormously exaggerated. However, in comparison to the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land, it was still not sufficient to shake the whole.


    The Great Heavenly Spirit Land was far too vast!


    Even though Gu An could now see beyond the heavens, he could not overlook the vastness within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    As time elapsed, more and more Great Cultivators arrived to protect the oceans from all corners, and even sects that Gu An previously dared not spy upon sent out Great Cultivators. Even the dynasty populated entirely by Heavenly Spirit life forms had sent people out.


    Gu An suddenly discovered an interesting point: the Immortal Spirit Dynasty and the Holy Court were situated on opposite sides of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, as distant from each other as possible, giving a clear demarcation.


    He would have to find an opportunity to learn about the Immortal Spirit Dynasty from Bai Ziya next time.


    Gu An saw that apart from this stretch of the ocean, the continents and islands in other seas were all protected by Great Cultivators, even floating in the air near the continent where the Supreme Sect was located, holding back the waves.


    The Holy Court''s efficiency was truly formidable; it could offer swift protection to the common people within a short period of time, truly worthy of its name.


    It is worth mentioning that the Carefree Primordial Immortal of this ocean region had been the target of a manhunt. He was besieged by several other Carefree Primordial Immortals and had already fled to Outer Heaven.


    Gu An couldn''t help but mourn him silently.


    My sin, my sin.


    Although the other party became involved because of him, Gu An had no choice¡ªhe had to break through. Going anywhere would attract attention; going to Outer Heaven would attract at least those at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, which would be far too dangerous.


    However, considering the current commotion, Gu An''s next breakthrough would have to take place outside of heaven.


    Although Outer Heaven was dangerous, Dao Void Mysterious Immortal was not weak.


    Gu An had already seen the words "Divine Thought True Immortal" and had a vast Life Span. He couldn''t feel at ease without reaching the ninth layer of Divine Thought True Immortal.


    He would have to control his next breakthrough a bit more; reaching the ninth layer, he would have to restrain himself and not prematurely peer into the name of the next realm, lest his heart itch with curiosity.


    Gu An thought silently to himself.


    The anomalies above the ocean had not affected Outer Heaven.


    The moon set and the sun rose.


    When morning arrived, the turmoil of Spiritual Energy over the ocean gradually returned to calm.


    Gu An had finally reached the ninth level of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal!


    He slowly opened his eyes, and the golden patterns on his forehead shone with an illusory vertical golden eye.


    The pupil of the Primordial Divine Eye was gradually turning black, then deep gray, making this vertical eye all the more terrifying and oppressive.


    With a thought, Gu An caused the Primordial Divine Eye to disappear.


    He slowly stood up. Without taking a step, his figure vanished on the spot from the island.


    Almost instantaneously, he arrived within the Nianchu Cave of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain.


    Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai were all immersed in cultivation. The cave was quiet, save for the sound of dripping water, exuding a profound serenity.


    Gu An clapped his hands, and the three demons awoke. They quickly came out of the house and upon seeing Gu An, were overjoyed and rushed to meet him.


    "Master, what exactly happened outside these past two days?"


    "Yes indeed, such a terrifying aura came through."


    "Master, are you alright?"


    The three demons chattered excitedly, their questions buzzing with enthusiasm.


    Gu An felt a pang of guilt. He should have visited sooner; instead, he had let them worry for so long.


    "Come on, let''s go to the Outer World Cave," Gu An called out, then took the three demons away with him.


    Along the way, the three demons talked incessantly, and Gu An did not hide anything from them, recounting the calamities they encountered outside.


    Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, Divine Exotic Ghost Kings, the Great Cold Demon Sect, the Heavenly Fire Catastrophe, and more¡ªall of these stories made them tremble with fear.


    But hearing from Gu An that the calamity had passed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    They began to wonder who had resolved the calamity; Gu An said even he wasn''t sure.


    When they arrived at the Outer World Cave, Gu An raised his hand. Countless Storage Bags, Storage Rings, and Storage Dharma Artifacts flew out of his sleeves and piled up on the open ground.


    The three demons were stunned.


    Tian Yao''er couldn''t help but ask, "Why are there so many?"


    Gu An didn''t answer. After piling the collected Storage Dharma Artifacts into a mountain, he swept over them with his Divine Sense, dispelling all Restrictions. In an instant, he obliterated anything that might be harmful.


    "I entrust these to you. On ordinary days, refrain from touching them to avoid attracting powerful beings," Gu An warned them.


    In truth, no matter how much they handled them, they wouldn''t attract other Cultivators. He was only worried they might accidentally harm themselves.


    The three demons nodded blankly, still not fully grasping the situation.


    Gu An didn''t explain further and disappeared on the spot.


    Tian Bai came to her senses and tentatively asked, "Could the mysterious Great Power who saved us from the calamity be our master?"


    Tian Yao''er had a strange expression. Long suspecting that Gu An downplayed his own strength when he said he was no match for the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother, she became even more certain now.


    She just didn''t understand why Gu An would hide his true Cultivation Level.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An returned to the Supreme Sect.


    The continent where the Supreme Sect resided had not been affected by the disturbances of the previous night, though the winds between the heavens and the earth were a bit stronger.


    He first returned to the Eight Scenic Caves to inform Jiang Qiong that the Great Cold Demon Sect had been eradicated. Jiang Qiong was shocked and immediately left.


    Gu An didn''t follow her; instead, he used the Teleportation Array in the valley to return to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Even after two days had passed, the atmosphere in the valley was still lively. Most people were discussing the Great Cold Demon Sect. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Stealing the Five Elements and Nine-Finger Divine Lord resumed their chess game, occasionally shouting, drawing laughter from the surrounding Disciples.


    The Servant Disciples, who were laboring, were also spirited, and even the White Spirit Rat under the Mystic Pure Tree was unusually awake, lying at An Xin''s feet, enjoying her petting.


    Everything seemed so harmonious, bringing a smile to Gu An''s face.


    He had taken the risk to intervene so that he could see such a scene every day.


    Gu An walked towards his own loft; his Divine Sense turned towards Outer Heaven.


    His next breakthrough had to take place in Outer Heaven.


    He wondered if it was because of last night''s anomaly, but there were many Great Cultivators patrolling above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Although their Cultivation Levels were not as high as his, he still didn''t want to appear at this critical juncture.


    He would wait for those Great Cultivators to disperse before he went to Outer Heaven for the breakthrough.


    With his remaining Life Span, breaking through to Divine Thought True Immortal should not be difficult.


    Thinking of this, Gu An''s mood became even more pleasant.


    He hummed a tune as he ascended to his loft, where the Blood Prison Great Saint, lying in wait, watched his master, deep in thought.


    After Gu An entered and closed the door, Blood Prison Great Saint finally thought: "The master seems to have become stronger again. How high is his realm?"


    On the day the Great Cold Demon Sect attacked, the colossal figure that stood taller than heaven and earth fell into the eyes of Blood Prison Great Saint, and he immediately knew that it was his master.


    He felt more than ever that ending up in Gu An''s hands was an incredible stroke of fate.


    Others couldn''t get such a chance even if they wanted it!


    Thinking this, he wore a proud smile.


    Considering the millennium term, it now seemed like nothing in comparison!


    When the millennium came, he would choose to stay and continue to serve Gu An, whether as an ox or a horse.


    He had already set his sights on the position of the head Disciple of the Third Medicine Valley. Considering An Xin''s talent, he was sure she would be buried by then, so who could compete with him?


    As for Yang Jian, he would definitely want to venture out. The boy also had such ambition.


    At the same time.


    Inside the loft, Gu An sat in a chair and lay down in the position he found most comfortable.


    Looking at his remaining Life Span of over six hundred million years, the corners of his mouth just couldn''t help but turn up.


    He must not become complacent!


    He would have to continue cultivating Medicinal herbs in the future. Dao Void Mysterious Immortal was not his final destination, nor would Divine Thought True Immortal be. He had to keep growing stronger.


    Right now, he was indeed powerful, but there were still things in the world he could not see through, and thus needed to keep cultivating diligently.


    For the next few days, Gu An began moving between the various Medicine Valleys, returning to his usual life.


    During this time, Sage Xuan Miao of the North Sea Mountain inquired about his opinion of Sword Venerable Fudao. Gu An casually praised him without elaborating much.


    Five days later.


    Gu An noticed a group of Cultivators with strong Cultivation Levels sneaking into the continent, investigating the public opinion about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    These Cultivators were all from the Holy Court!


    It was not just this continent; Cultivators from the Holy Court were also investigating the Great Cold Demon Sect and the surrounding seas.


    Gu An did not intervene. The Holy Court beginning to investigate the Great Cold Demon Sect suggested that the matter had alarmed the upper echelons of the Holy Court, and the Holy King could no longer act unilaterally.


    After harvesting all the mature Medicinal herbs in the various Medicine Valleys, Gu An began to relax and rest.


    He found Nine-Finger Divine Lord and played a game of chess, winning three rounds in a row.


    Stealing the Five Elements became interested and wanted to play as well.


    Starting from Gu An''s first move, an hour later, Gu An stood up, holding the Seven Stars Mirror as a fan, strutting off in a superior manner.


    Stealing the Five Elements sat stunned on the stone stool, gazing at the chessboard, utterly lost in thought.


    The surrounding Disciples were thrilled, all praising Gu An.


    Stealing the Five Elements had always been winning, quite arrogantly at that. Seeing their master defeat him, how could the Disciples not be exhilarated?


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord was amused. It turned out it wasn''t that he was inadequate; rather, Gu An truly possessed extraordinary comprehension in the ways of chess.


    Gu An left amid the cheers of the Disciples, his face wearing a smug smile.


    Play against me?


    You''ll need another hundred million years of practice!


    Gu An admitted that those at the ninth layer of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm were powerful, just twenty-seven small realms below him.


    Returning to the loft, Gu An sat down and opened his Attribute Panel.


    He felt regret over the previous Lifespan Samsara and wished to start another game. After all, there were still plenty of Holy Court Great Cultivators patrolling outside heaven, so there was no rush to break through.


    Just one game, and definitely not getting carried away!


    "You consume ten million years of Life Span to initiate one Reincarnation Evolution."


    "Connecting with Tao Rules."


    "Searching for Reincarnation Worlds."


    "You can choose one of the following worlds:"


    "One, Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    "Two, Nine Extreme Great Heaven and Earth."


    "Three, Dark Great Heaven and Earth."


    Gu An hesitated for a moment before deciding he would still choose the Dark Great Heaven and Earth. Where one falls, there one shall rise.


    This time, he would not repeat the same mistakes!


    "You have chosen to reincarnate into the Dark Great Heaven and Earth."


    "Considering that the Tao Rules of this world cannot conceal your Talent, you shall retain your ability to seize lifespan, but you will not be able to unlock stage-wise functions."


    "Reincarnation Evolution begins."


    "In the first year, you are born into a noble household within the Beiqian Domain''s Great Xia Holy Dynasty, blessed by your parents with the name Xiao Shengtian."


    "At the age of five, while you are fast asleep, you fall victim to poisoning by a concubine of your father''s third wife. Before you lose consciousness, you glimpse her figure. Fortunately, your mother discovers you in time, allowing for your rescue. Once your strength returns, your grandfather gathers the family in the great hall. Faced with your grandfather''s query, will you choose to expose that you were poisoned by the third wife''s concubine?"

 Chapter 303: Chapter 303 Fighting Will, Gu Ans Hostility

    Seeing the prompt of Reincarnation Evolution, Gu An hesitated.If it had been earlier, he would have definitely chosen to expose the crimes of the third concubine to seek justice for himself, but Chu Lu''s short life had left him with a psychological shadow.


    Although Lifespan Samsara was just an evolution and would not harm his original self, he was toying with ten million years of lifespan.


    Moreover, the prompt was brief, and he couldn''t analyze the specifics of the situation or understand the background of the third concubine; what if exposing her would bring about a deadly disaster?


    Forget it, he should endure it for now. Although it was aggrieving, it wasn''t something he personally experienced.


    [You choose to reveal you were poisoned by the third concubine, a turmoil in the Xiao Kingdom''s mansion thus resolved.]


    [At the age of eight, you began to practice swordsmanship, and accidentally cut a spirit grass during the process, claiming eight years of lifespan and marking a turning point in your life of immortal cultivation.]


    [At twelve, thanks to lifespan evolution, your cultivation level broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm.]


    [At seventeen, the Great Ming Dynasty was besieged by three dynasties, the lands shattered, and you followed the Xiao family''s southward migration, continuously encountering attacks and fierce battles, and your lifespan grew quickly.]


    [At eighteen, during the escape, you encountered two severely injured cultivators, one male and one female, each begging you to save them and kill the other, plunging you into hesitation.]


    [You choose to save the male or the female, to kill the male or the female.]


    Neither save nor kill!


    Gu An made his choice without hesitation.


    [You didn''t make a move, you watched the two die, and after their death, you took their storage bags.]


    Seeing this line of prompt, Gu An almost cursed loudly.


    Why so impulsive?


    The following years were filled with various escapes and battles.


    Until¡­


    [At twenty-seven, an elder of the Great Dayan Sect from the Mahayana Realm suspected you of slaughtering his descendants since you possessed their descendant''s storage bag, you vehemently denied it, yet he still tried to kill you, and finally, both of you were heavily injured, and you got separated from your family.]


    Fighting a Mahayan realm cultivator at the age of 27, Xiao Shengtian indeed had some substance.


    It seems his path was quite wild.


    Gu An lamented in his heart, he could only see a general description and didn''t know how many enemies Xiao Shengtian had killed during this process.


    [At thirty, you entered the Luoqing Sect to focus on cultivation.]


    [At forty-five, the Xiao family was slaughtered, deeply grieving upon learning this, you began to investigate who the enemy was.]


    [At fifty, after five years of investigation, you found that the power that slaughtered the Xiao family was the Li Family from the East Profound Domain, you left the Luoqing Sect alone to rush to the East Profound Domain.]


    Seeing the words East Profound Domain, Gu An secretly felt that something was amiss.


    Why, out of nowhere, was his family destroyed again?


    Speaking of which, Gu An in this life also had no relatives, living alone in the Ji Family mansion; could this be fate?


    [At sixty, you stormed the secret realm assessment of the East Profound Saint Mansion, swept through the geniuses of East Profound Domain, and became renowned throughout the world.]


    [At seventy, you cultivated the Heavenly Gang Holy Body in the East Profound Saint Mansion, the mansion master favored you greatly, wishing to betroth his youngest daughter to you, whether you accept.]


    Do not accept!


    [You refused the mansion master''s goodwill, he then took you as a disciple, and you received great cultivation resources from the East Profound Saint Mansion.]


    Gu An smiled when he saw this.


    That''s more like it!


    The following life was filled with various cultivations, Xiao Shengtian continually enhanced his physique, cultivation technique, and divine skills, his choices were limited, focusing on only one method of each type.


    Years swiftly passed.


    [At one hundred and thirty-seven, you participated in the Holy Competitions of the Five Domains, with an overwhelmingly dominant appearance, you claimed the title of the strongest prodigy of the era, and the name of the Heavenly Gang Holy Body spread across the Great Heaven and Earth.]


    [At one hundred and thirty-eight, you encountered a cultivator from the Li Family during an externship, due to a deep-seated hatred, you erupted into conflict with the Li Family, encountering a mysterious Carefree Primordial Immortal who intervened and nearly killed you, fortunately, a cultivator named Hanging Pot saved you when you were severely injured.]


    [At one hundred and thirty-nine, before your injuries fully healed, the Li Family attacked again, vowing to annihilate you, Hanging Pot consumed his True Yuan, using a Great Divine Power to shift you and his children into a space-time rift, the three of you fell into the Dark Continent.]


    [At one hundred and forty, Hanging Pot''s son couldn''t withstand the invasion of dark powers, ultimately perishing, his soul turning into a Dark Undead and disappearing, and you took his sister to search for him.]


    [At one hundred and forty-two, the two of you failed to escape the Dark Continent, Hanging Pot''s daughter also turned into a Dark Undead, you enraged, began slaughtering the Dark Undead of the Dark Continent.]


    [At one hundred and forty-three, you encountered the Black Profound Emperor from the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm, who extinguished your soul.]


    [Reincarnation ends.]


    What?


    Damn Black Profound Emperor again!


    How did he reach the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm this time?


    Gu An''s eyes widened, his anger uncontainable.


    If the Black Profound Emperor had the ability to anticipate life span, he would have already sensed the intense hostility from Gu An.


    This guy had been squatting on him for two lifetimes, how could he bear it?


    Gu An immediately vanished inside the room and teleported to the ocean floor of another world, then he activated the Lifespan Barrier.


    A surge of vast memories rushed into his mind.


    An hour later.


    Gu An opened his eyes, his face showing complex emotions.


    Xiao Shengtian''s life was more splendid than Chu Lu''s, advancing triumphantly, enjoying life fiercely with gratitude and resentment, possessing the fame of the strongest talent of the contemporary era, and he also encountered many beautiful women. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Regrettably, he still died.


    In his memories, Gu An learned about the horrors of the Dark Continent, which was even larger than the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land, impossible to fly to the Outer Heaven, the world dim and vast, as if never able to escape, and a mysterious power called dark force devouring him.


    If not for the sufficiently powerful Heavenly Gang Holy Body, Xiao Shengtian might not have lasted until the day he met the Black Profound Emperor.


    It must be said, the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Black Profound Emperor was truly terrifying, Gu An not only possessed memories but could also deeply experience the feelings of the time.


    When the Black Profound Emperor killed him, he seemed to deliberately preserve his flesh.


    The thought of his body being used by the Black Profound Emperor really irked Gu An.


    He also did not know where the Dark Continent was, whether the timing could match up, and if they met, if the opponent''s cultivation was not as good as his, he must make the Black Profound Emperor truly feel despair.


    The second reincarnation evolution ended at only one hundred and forty-three years old, which was quite annoying.


    However, the gain was greater than last time, although the Heavenly Gang Holy Body was not as good as his Primordial Ultimate Body, he could pass it on to his disciples in the future.


    The real gain was Xiao Shengtian''s will.


    Xiao Shengtian cultivated a kind of Fighting Will; the more severe the injury, the stronger the burst of strength, capable of sweeping all opponents of the same realm, and even had a chance to counterkill higher realm opponents.


    Of course, for Gu An, the main use of the Fighting Will was manifested in crossing the tribulation.


    With this will, would his evolutionary practice in crossing the tribulation be easier?


    Gu An felt deeply and pondered whether he in the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm was stronger than the Black Profound Emperor.


    With his whole body''s ultimate skills, he really wanted to try challenging the Black Profound Emperor.


    He then disappeared from the seabed, returning to the attic of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Although merging memories caused some disturbance, it wasn''t as significant as his previous breakthrough.


    Gu An sat on a chair, suddenly feeling like trying again.


    He couldn''t pick the Dark Continent next time; there was no need to stubbornly confront the Black Profound Emperor.


    Forget it.


    Bad luck!


    In the reincarnation evolution, Gu An could only make significant choices; he couldn''t control how his evolving self specifically acted, meaning, reincarnation evolution was unknown.


    Since it was unknown, it needed to be mystical!


    Moreover, Gu An still needed to break through; he couldn''t get overexcited and delay his breakthrough.


    Gu An took out the Green Hero Travelogue and flipped through a few pages, completely shifting his thoughts.


    This book is truly incredible!


    Even if Xuan Tianyi died now, with this book, in Gu An''s heart, he was a saint.


    ¡­


    The news of the Great Cold Demon Sect being wiped out by Sword Venerable Fudao spread wildly for a long time, making Sword Venerable Fudao''s fame spread even wider.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year passed, and time came to the end of the year.


    Winter snow covered the vast heaven and earth.


    Gu An was writing a book in the attic, recording all the Daoist sorcery and ultimate skills practiced by Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian in his lifetime into a secret book, not wishing to immediately disseminate it but just writing for fun. If it could prove useful later, he could directly bring it out.


    He suddenly sensed something, raised an eyebrow, then put down his pen and vanished inside the room.


    Far away on the ocean.


    Bai Ziya lay on a large gourd, the gourd soaring among the clouds, his legs crossed, looking very stylish.


    He sensed an aura and immediately opened his eyes, leaping up.


    Then, he saw a figure swiftly approaching, his face breaking into a surprised smile.


    It was Meng Lang, whom he wanted to see!


    Gu An quickly flew in front of Bai Ziya and greeted with a fist and palm salute, "Daoist Friend Bai, didn''t expect to meet you here."


    Bai Ziya frankly stated his purpose, then greeted him back, smiling, "Daoist Friend Meng, long time no see, are you well? Have you been affected by the Great Cold Demon Sect?"


    He had already flown into the area endangered by the Great Cold Demon Sect, of course, this was just the peripheral region, so Gu An dared to meet him.


    "No, I wasn''t here at the time, I only came back after hearing that the Great Cold Demon Sect was extinguished," Gu An shook his head.


    Doing well?


    Quite good, just broke through to the ninth layer of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm!


    Bai Ziya invited Gu An onto the gourd, and he unceremoniously joined, the two began discussing the Great Cold Demon Sect and Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Bai Ziya was shocked by this matter; he didn''t expect such a big event to occur within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Although the Great Cold Demon Sect wasn''t comparable to Mortal World Peak, it wouldn''t be far off; to wipe out the Great Cold Demon Sect with one''s own power, its Daoist level was unimaginable.


    There were still survivors from the Great Cold Demon Sect, but they were like scattered monkeys after a tree falls, many enemies kicking them while down.


    Bai Ziya was very curious about Sword Venerable Fudao, asking Gu An when this person had emerged, Gu An then said he was in seclusion before, also unsure when Sword Venerable Fudao appeared.


    The two talked for a long time, and the conversation was mostly Gu An asking questions and Bai Ziya patiently answering.


    An hour later.


    Gu An suddenly asked, "Daoist Friend Bai, have you ever heard of the Dark Continent?"


    Bai Ziya frowned, surprised he asked, "The Dark Continent? Never heard of it, is it powerful? Where is it?"


    Hearing this, Gu An could only say, "I''m not clear either, just heard a senior mention this name, so I was curious."


    Afterward, he bid farewell to Bai Ziya.


    Bai Ziya hurriedly said, "Mortal World Peak will soon hold a ten thousand year summit, you must come, officially taking over as Peak Master."


    Gu An nodded, then flew toward the direction away from the Supreme Sect.


    As he flew far away, Bai Ziya muttered, "Dark Continent... why does it feel like I''ve heard it somewhere..."

 Chapter 304: Chapter 304: Breakthrough to the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm Nine Layers!

    After bidding farewell to Bai Ziya, Gu An took a detour, only then returning to the Third Medicine Valley.He finished writing the current secret book, then went downstairs to join the disciples in shoveling snow.


    During the process of shoveling snow, his thoughts were constantly in Outer Heaven.


    When would those wandering cultivators of the Holy Court disperse?


    They couldn''t stop Gu An, he was just worried that the noise from his breakthrough would be too loud and attract them near the Life Span Barrier. What if someone intruded?


    Gu An didn''t want to make unnecessary enemies with the Holy Court, nor did he want anyone to discover his true cultivation level.


    He could only wait.


    As winter passed and spring arrived, the years went by. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The news of Sword Venerable Fudao''s world-saving feats spread widely across this region of the Mortal World, earning more and more praises, and his fame spread throughout the Great Heaven and Earth.


    Relative to the tumultuous seas, the continent quickly calmed down since they had heard of Sword Venerable Fudao''s feats not for the first time.


    However, a change in the dynamics occurred in the Human Race''s world. The forces that had fled returned but could no longer maintain their former dominance, while those who stayed behind gained more support and developed rapidly.


    The other continent on the Nine Nether Road was even more dangerous. The sects and families of the Taicang Dynasty couldn''t secure a footing there, and the fleeing forces returned in disgrace within a few years.


    Jiang Qiong also returned to the Juhua Sect, beginning to develop the sect peacefully.


    Gu An''s days returned to being leisurely.


    Before he knew it, ten years had passed.


    The wandering cultivators of the Holy Court outside heaven finally dispersed, and Gu An was waiting for this day.


    He immediately set off, leaving quietly.


    In just one step, he reached the depths of the universe, flying towards a location he had chosen long ago.


    It was a gigantic meteorite, even larger than the continent where the Supreme Sect was located.


    Gu An landed on the meteorite. Looking around, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land seemed very distant. Reckoned for a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, it would also be impossible to spy with the naked eye.


    Turning around, the universe''s depths behind him were extremely dark. From here to the Silent Destruction Domain was closer than to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    This was also intentional on his part, to make the Holy Court think that the anomalies were caused by a Heavenly Demon.


    He sat down on the spot, activating the Life Span Barrier.


    He then pulled up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 220/639,660,342]


    [Physique: Primordial Ultimate Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm Ninth Layer]


    ...


    This life span was truly a delight to behold.


    He had to be more careful about this breakthrough; the last time he crossed the Life Span Barrier he had consumed tens of millions of years of life span, a figure that could not be ignored.


    Gu An took a deep breath, deciding to directly aim for a breakthrough in cultivation level.


    Tribulation every three hundred thousand years, still quite frightening.


    One billion, get on board!


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for three hundred thousand years. With the Great Accomplishment of the Infinitive Creation Dharma, you forcefully struck at the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, began facing the tribulation. You failed to endure forty-nine Heavenly Dao Mysterious Void Tribulations, and the tribulation failed]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for six hundred thousand years. With the Great Accomplishment of the Infinitive Creation Dharma, you forcefully struck at the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, began facing the tribulation. You failed to endure forty-nine Heavenly Dao Mysterious Void Tribulations, and the tribulation failed]


    ...


    Gu An remained expressionless, already used to failure.


    No matter, he still had five billion years; he didn''t believe they could drain him completely!


    However, something terrible happened.


    When his tribulation failures exceeded a hundred times, his expression became grave.


    When his tribulation failures exceeded two hundred times, his expression became ugly.


    When one billion years were all used up, he was on the verge of a breakdown.


    What was this Heavenly Dao forty-nine Mysterious Void Tribulation?


    Was it this absurd?


    Once Gu An successfully broke through, he must investigate the origin of this heavenly tribulation.


    Even within the same realm, heavenly tribulations are not fixed. Taking Mortal World Peak, for instance, their recorded types of heavenly tribulations exceeded ten thousand.


    The rule summarized by the Immortal Cultivation World is that the more powerful you are within the same realm, the more terrifying the heavenly tribulation. However, those cultivators, despite an increased difficulty in their tribulation, could rely on formations, Dharma treasures, and Sect teachings for support.


    Gu An could only rely on himself, owning no Dharma treasures.


    After a full aspect promotion, he himself was terrifyingly strong; how could such a him fail more than three hundred times?


    Gu An gritted his teeth, choosing to commit thirty million years of life span!


    From one billion to thirty million, it wasn''t that he was frightened; he just felt he was close to succeeding and didn''t want to waste life span.


    However...


    All failed again!


    Gu An''s eyes began to redden; he couldn''t believe it!


    Another thirty million years!


    Dare to consume five hundred million years!


    When Gu An''s thoughts settled, he still failed.


    Another thirty million years!


    Failed!


    Failed!


    Failed!


    Just as Gu An was preparing to continue investing, the prompt finally changed its length.


    He succeeded!


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for two billion three hundred thirty million years, with the Great Accomplishment of the Infinitive Creation Dharma you forcefully struck at the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, began facing the tribulation, and you endured the forty-nine Heavenly Dao Mysterious Void Tribulations, tribulation succeeded, and your cultivation level broke through to the first layer of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for two hundred sixty million years, your cultivation level rose to the second layer of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for three hundred million years, your cultivation level was enhanced]


    Four million years to not break through a minor realm?


    Is Divine Thought True Immortal that exaggerated?


    Feeling spiritual energy flowing into his body, Gu An hurriedly continued to invest life span.


    Third layer!


    Fourth layer!


    He must reach the ninth layer to feel at ease!


    Eventually, he spent another fifty-four million years of life span and finally reached the ninth layer of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm.


    The mighty spiritual energy surged into his body, its scale far surpassing that when breaking through the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm. Not only that, he found himself also absorbing the universal laws pervading the cosmos!


    He immediately closed his eyes to meticulously experience it.


    As he closed his eyes, the universal laws became clear, those laws falling and then vanishing into thin air, finally appearing imperceptibly inside the Life Span Barrier.


    Soon, Gu An noticed a divine sense sweeping over from the Silent Destruction Domain.


    It was the Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    As time passed, the noise from the breakthrough grew louder, attracting more and more divine senses, with the lowest being at the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    After 30 minutes, Gu An sensed the divine sense of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    Fortunately, those guys didn''t dare show themselves yet, only daring to hide and use divine sense to spy!


    About half an Ancient Hour passed.


    Gu An suddenly sensed something, subconsciously opened his eyes, and then his eyes widened.


    He saw a pair of eyes appearing in the cosmic darkness, ordinary human race eyes, just like a mortal''s, except the gaze was very detached.


    These eyes were large, with the stars and continents of the universe completely tiny like dust before them.


    Gu An felt as though he was being watched by the other, which made him feel uneasy.


    Could the Life Span Barrier have been seen through?


    After a while, the pupils of those eyes finally shifted away.


    Gu An breathed a sigh of relief, daring to play such a dirty trick?


    Thinking I would be scared to jump out and beg for mercy?


    Unbearable!


    Just then, he finally succeeded in his breakthrough, and a stream of memories began flowing into his mind, all about Divine Thought True Immortal!


    Divine Thought True Immortal, divine sense transformed into divine thought, with immensely powerful thoughts that could kill enemies or cast spells through thought alone!


    True Immortal, then, is a true Immortal!


    His flesh and spirit underwent another transformation, and once completed, he would be an Immortal conforming to the heavenly creation, not one just enhanced through cultivation.


    Gu An''s consciousness immersed in the legacy memories, he saw many images.


    He could peer into the past lives of any beings that had a karmic connection with him, a very peculiar feeling.


    However, he couldn''t see Ji Xiaoyu''s past life; he could only start from where Ji Xiaoyu was born in this life.


    The most surprising thing for him was that he could even peek into the lives of beings with karmic ties established with Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian.


    If so, doesn''t this prove that Reincarnation Evolution could really turn into reality?


    This led Gu An into endless conjecture.


    He was immersed in the karmic images, unable to extricate himself, not feeling the slightest discomfort but rather a kind of indescribable ease.


    Peering into karma, his mind was filled with countless images, yet it felt as exhilarating as Qi Absorption Cultivation, making him even more invigorated.


    By the time Gu An successfully broke through to the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, he was still in those images.


    Cultivation continued to break through!


    From the first layer to the second layer!


    From the second layer to the third layer!


    Gradually, powerful beings began passing by this area, sweeping over the meteorite where he was located!

 Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Absolute Order

    After Gu An reached the ninth layer of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, the spiritual energy and rules within the universe that had been violently disturbed returned to tranquility.Looking around, powerful figures were darting in all directions, while the pair of eyes that had been spying on the universe had already disappeared.


    Gu An slowly opened his eyes, his gaze indifferent.


    Having seen so many lives, his Daoist Heart had been elevated, and in the unknown reaches, he had even touched upon a Dao that belonged to himself.


    The Dao is long and profound, necessitating accumulation over lengthy eons.


    Currently, Gu An possessed only cultivation level, wishing to strengthen his Dao, he needed to traverse real time in reality.


    Of course, this did not mean Gu An was weaker compared to others at the same realm. The Dao was merely the direction for his future cultivation.


    Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, Divine Thought True Immortal was already the eighth heaven!


    Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Crossing, Unification, Mystic Heart, Mahayana, Nirvana, Loose Immortal, Wandering Immortal, Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, Carefree Primordial Immortal, Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, Divine Thought True Immortal!


    Unknowingly, Gu An had transcended so many major realms.


    He was only two hundred and twenty years old now; his future achievements were limitless.


    What realm lies above the Nine Heavens?


    Gu An fell into endless reverie, uncaring about the figures moving in various directions.


    Let alone other Divine Thought True Immortals, currently no Dao Void Mysterious Immortal had appeared, likely hidden in the shadows.


    Considering the mysterious giant eye he had encountered before, he now recalled and still could not see through the opponent''s cultivation level.


    Gu An looked at the consumption of the Life Span Barrier and frowned.


    This breakthrough alone had consumed over fifty million years of life span.


    Now he had only three hundred forty million years left, this breakthrough exhausting nearly three hundred million years made it hard to imagine how many years the next breakthrough would require.


    Nevertheless, the cultivation of the ninth layer of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm was enough for him to protect himself!


    Gu An stood up, thinking of the scene inside the Third Medicine Valley Pavilion.


    Just as the thought arose, he returned indoors.


    This was the prowess of a Divine Thought True Immortal!


    Thinking of a place, moving at will, he had already achieved the ability to be omnipresent to an initial extent.


    The whole heaven and earth appeared different to Gu An; he saw more rules, and the universe became clearer.


    He once again spied on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, his Divine Sense far surpassing his previous Divine Perception, allowing him to penetrate the formations and restrictions of those great powers without being noticed.


    This Great Heaven and Earth indeed harbored Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma, though few in number, all were in seclusion, detached from worldly affairs.


    Gu An''s gaze turned to the Immortal Spirit Dynasty, which was located on a continent much larger than the one beneath his feet, with newborns starting at the Nirvana Realm. There, too, were Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma, even Dao Void Mysterious Immortals as well as places too profound to probe.


    In his eyes, the standard for being unprovable was silence.


    His Divine Thought could forcefully intrude, but it would surely disturb the beings inside.


    This Immortal Spirit Dynasty is strong!


    If it weren''t for the Holy Court, it would not be difficult for this dynasty to unify the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. However, they seemed not to desire hegemony but were isolated from the world. Gu An saw no Immortals coming in and out.


    He then turned his Divine Thoughts towards the Holy Court at the other end of heaven and earth.


    The baseline of the Holy Court was not as high as that of the Immortal Spirit Dynasty, but the number of beings in the Holy Court was extremely large, incomparable to the Immortal Spirit Dynasty, and the number of beings at the same realm was also greater than that of the Immortal Spirit Dynasty.


    If the Immortal Spirit Dynasty was taking an elite route, the Holy Court was developing in all aspects, and it held absolute control over the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    There were also places in the Holy Court that Gu An would not offend lightly, but after roughly spying around, Gu An felt that the Holy Court was still stronger than the Immortal Spirit Dynasty.


    During his observation, Gu An saw the Carefree Primordial Immortals moving in and out of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land in ways that beings could not perceive.


    He secretly rejoiced.


    Fortunately, after reaching the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, he had not acted recklessly; otherwise, when the Carefree Primordial Immortal arrived in front of him, he would not even have been aware.


    After reaching the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, Gu An was better able to sense the foundation of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and of course, he also had his own confidence, not so fearful of the Holy Court.


    Gu An vaguely saw the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court forming an invisible passage, leading deep into the universe, entering the Annihilation Zone.


    His gaze involuntarily turned towards the Annihilation Zone.


    The universe was vast and boundless, and the Annihilation Zone was not just in one direction but surrounded the cosmic region where the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was located, although the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was closer to one side. Thus, the beings of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land who flew out mistook that the Silent Destruction Domain was only in one direction.


    Even for a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, flying to the Annihilation Zone from another direction would take many years, enough to see how vast the universe is.


    Gu An retracted his Divine Thoughts, filled with emotion.


    This world was different from what he had anticipated.


    Due to the influence of past life culture, he felt that if there was the Immortal Path, there would be order, with Immortals governing all things under heaven and reincarnation constraining Yin Yang. Yet, in reality, there was none.


    There were realms of Immortal Path but no Immortals governing the Heavenly Dao.


    There were reincarnation and Yin Yang, yet no order like that of the underworld.


    Now, having observed the universe, Gu An had only one feeling.


    It was chaos.


    There was no absolute order!


    Gu An thought that there might be an even vaster world on the other end of the universe, with the Silent Destruction Domain impeding the steps of the beings of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, especially since he had learned through Reincarnation Evolution about the existence of other Great Lands.


    Speaking of the Dark Great Land alone, he felt that the Dark Great Land was stronger and larger than the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    This was normal; Bai Ziya had mentioned that the current Great Heavenly Spirit Land was just a fragment¡ªhow vast the true Great Heavenly Spirit Land was hard to imagine.


    Gu An couldn''t help but think of his juniors, his disciples.


    His pride faded along.


    Though a Divine Thought True Immortal was indeed powerful, he had not yet reached a stage where he could command reincarnation, at least he could not make those around him immortal.


    He was planning to visit Ye Lan after some time to see if he could help extend her ultimate life span.


    Gu An raised his hand, tapping the desktop with a finger.


    This action was transmitting mana; he was enhancing the mana within the Heaven-Cutting Axe while also strengthening the words "Righteous Path" on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Since the prestige of Sword Venerable Fudao had already been established, he would just have to maintain it!


    ¡­


    At the end of summer.


    The weather was gradually cooling.


    In the woods, Gu An was guiding Yang Jian in his cultivation.


    Yang Jian wielded a trident and blade, his attacks swift and powerful, yet unable to harm Gu An, who with just two fingers could block all his attacks.


    This trident and blade were forged by order of Li Xuandao and had already been given to Yang Jian, but typically, inside Medicine Valley, Yang Jian would not bring out this divine weapon.


    The making of this divine weapon was similar to that of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, weighing a million jin, and it contained special restrictions inside that enhanced its strike force.


    Yang Jian grew more and more astonished in battle; he had gone all out, not to threaten his master, but under his master''s suppression, even the force he swung could not damage the woods.


    At first glance, he seemed like a martial artist who was just faster and more forceful in his movements.


    Blood Prison Great Saint lay on the side watching; he was not surprised, feeling that it should be so.


    What he cared about was Yang Jian''s state.


    This young man''s aura was getting stronger, and he could not imagine what posture Yang Jian would have once he reached the Mahayana Realm.


    Yang Jian leaped up, slashing down furiously. Gu An raised his right hand, pinning the blade between his fingers, preventing it from pressing downward, which made Yang Jian tremble.


    "Alright, let''s stop for today."


    Gu An spoke, his tone calm, thereafter setting Yang Jian down.


    Yang Jian sheathed his blade and hurriedly bowed, his heart uneasy, unsure if he had satisfied his master.


    His actual cultivation had reached the seventh layer of Divinity Transformation Realm, other than his own efforts, he received many elixirs from Gu An. As for cultivation speed, it quite satisfied Gu An.


    "Let''s go back, a major figure is visiting today."


    Gu An revealed a smile, softly speaking.


    Yang Jian couldn''t help but be curious. What major figure?


    They walked towards the outside of the woods, along the way, Blood Prison Great Saint started to evaluate Yang Jian''s battle, imparting practical fighting experience, and Yang Jian, knowing his true cultivation, listened very attentively.


    An ancient hour later.


    Gu An was playing chess with Stealing the Five Elements, watched by Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Shen Xinzi, and a crowd of cultivators.


    Stealing the Five Elements was frowning deeply, hesitating to make a move.


    Just then, a sonorous voice echoed through Supreme Sect, reverberating across the continent.


    "Holy Minister decrees, Sword Venerable Fudao''s merit in saving beings is notable, and he may enter the Holy Court to receive the Qi Fortune fruit position!"


    Upon these words, everyone in Medicine Valley looked up, and Gu An also pretended to look.


    After a brief silence, uproars broke out in Medicine Valley.


    "The Holy Court?"


    "A reward for Sword Venerable Fudao?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What''s the matter? What power is this Holy Court?"


    "What is Qi Fortune fruit position, it sounds quite powerful."


    "Who is this Holy Minister, daring to recruit Sword Venerable Fudao? Too arrogant!"


    Most disciples felt dissatisfied with the Holy Court after hearing this, feeling that the Holy Court did not respect Sword Venerable Fudao, at least from these words, it seemed the Holy Court considered itself stronger than Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An could not help but shake his head in amusement.


    Recruit me?


    But this plot point somewhat resembles Journey to the West.


    Luckily, it''s not recruiting me to be Horses'' Fortune.


    A disciple couldn''t help but inquire about the background of the Holy Court from Nine-Finger Divine Lord who did not conceal anything and began to introduce the Holy Court.


    Hearing that the Holy Court was the overlord of the entire world, the disciples'' dissatisfaction quickly dissipated, immediately after, they started to worry about Sword Venerable Fudao leaving.


    Without Sword Venerable Fudao, what would they do in case of another crisis in the future?


    Meanwhile, Gu An sensed that the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who had transmitted the message had already stepped onto the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    He immediately stood up to go watch the excitement.


    Inside the Outer Gate City, the crowd was buzzing.


    People on the Heavenly Repair Platform were discussing the Holy Court, many also believing that the Holy Court was undervaluing Sword Venerable Fudao.


    A man in white walked among the crowd, his pace not quick, his long sleeves fluttering, his appearance handsome, holding a folding fan in his hand.


    He wore a smile on his face, his heart scornful.


    "A group of mortals dares to question the Holy Court?"


    The man in white was not angry, he would not bother with mortals over this, and since this was Sword Venerable Fudao''s territory, it would not be good to offend Sword Venerable Fudao.


    A Great Power capable of eradicating the Great Cold Demon Sect was not someone he could provoke.


    After delivering the Holy Minister''s message, he did not care whether Sword Venerable Fudao agreed or not; he now wanted to try out that Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Before coming to Supreme Sect, he had heard about the legend of the Heaven-Cutting Axe while traveling in the Taicang Dynasty.

 Chapter 306: Chapter 306: I am Sword Venerable Fudao

    The man in white walked for a while, slowly arriving in front of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.Zuo Yijian saw his extraordinary bearing and couldn''t help but scrutinize him with curiosity.


    The man in white asked with a smile, "I am Lu Xianyi, may I try my hand at the Heaven-Cutting Axe?"


    The creatures of this continent are too weak; naturally, it would be impossible for them to receive the inheritance of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    If he could achieve that, it would also be a fortuitous opportunity for him.


    Leaving aside his identity, for him as a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, Great Cold Demon Sect is certainly an immovable behemoth that he could easily sweep away. The man in white speculated that Sword Venerable Fudao might possess abilities comparable to a Holy King.


    "Go ahead, but you can only pull once per day," said Zuo Yijian, neither haughty nor humble. Over the years, he had seen too many Great Cultivators, and the pride in his heart had also been growing. In his eyes, the honor of Sword Venerable Fudao was even higher than the prosperity of the Supreme Sect.


    The man in white nodded and turned his gaze to the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    At the same time, Gu An stood among the crowd, watching the man in white from afar and sending out a Life Span Detection.


    [Lu Xianyi (Nine Layers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm): 67980/500000/890000]


    An extreme life span of eight hundred and ninety thousand years!


    It was unknown what realm he could reach in his lifetime.


    Gu An suspected that a certain realm might once again bring a transformation of extreme life span, but since his breakthroughs did not increase his life span, he was not clear about which realm would bring about such a transformation.


    Furthermore, in his view, the previous great realms all had the feeling of being reborn from the ashes.


    Under Gu An''s watchful gaze, Lu Xianyi grasped the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe and his expression changed slightly.


    The gaze of more and more onlookers fell upon them¡ªanyone looking at Lu Xianyi would think that he came from an extraordinary background.


    Lu Xianyi began to exert force, and for a moment, the Heavenly Repair Platform trembled slightly, but the Heaven-Cutting Axe did not budge an inch.


    Zuo Yijian''s look changed when he saw Lu Xianyi shake the Heavenly Repair Platform. It indicated that Lu Xianyi''s cultivation level was extremely profound; it was too normal to not be able to lift the Heaven-Cutting Axe, after all, Sword Venerable Fudao was unmatched in the world.


    At least, in Zuo Yijian''s heart, Sword Venerable Fudao was invincible!


    Wait a minute!


    This guy''s voice is very similar to the one who shouted just now!


    It''s not just similar¡ªit''s the exact same voice, just quieter, and the oppressive feeling is also restrained.


    Having realized this, Zuo Yijian''s gaze towards Lu Xianyi was filled with hostility.


    How dare this scoundrel try to poach the Sword Venerable? Outrageous!


    The commotion caused by Lu Xianyi attracted the attention of everyone on the Heavenly Repair Platform, but he didn''t pull for too long. After a few breaths, he released his hand.


    He let out a long sigh, stepped back, and said with a smile, "Sword Venerable Fudao is indeed as reputed, I am impressed!"


    After that, he raised his hand in salute to the Heaven-Cutting Axe, then turned and left.


    The cultivators along the way made way for him, afraid of offending him¡ªjust from the commotion earlier, they felt they were not in a position to provoke him.


    Gu An stood among the crowd and also gazed at Lu Xianyi.


    Soon, Lu Xianyi disappeared from the platform, prompting discussion among the cultivators there.


    Gu An then headed down the platform. Since he was here, he might as well take a stroll; otherwise, Stealing the Five Elements and Nine-Finger Divine Lord would suspect why he specifically came to watch Lu Xianyi.


    Of course, the most important reason was that Gu An did not want to play Go with Stealing the Five Elements.


    These guys were playing slower and slower games; Gu An certainly understood their malicious intentions.


    Indeed, at this moment, Stealing the Five Elements was still claiming the last game was a draw. Although the others didn''t believe it, Stealing the Five Elements was dead set on it, and no one else wanted to pursue the matter further, as the cultivation levels were quite deterring.


    Gu An paid a visit to the Elixir Hall, where almost everyone recognized him, except for the disciples who had just started this year. His income from Medicine Valley was one of the highest in the entire Supreme Sect, not to mention he was also a Core Formation realm cultivator.


    Even having reached the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, Gu An still liked to chat with others.


    As for the invitation from the Holy Court, he didn''t want to pay it any mind.


    Going to the Holy Court was likely to cause trouble, and he certainly didn''t want any of that. What if, in the process, he ended up making enemies with the Holy Court?


    Although Gu An had wiped out the Ephemera Sect, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and the Great Cold Demon Sect, he was inherently kind-hearted and peace-loving.


    Well, if it''s possible to avoid making enemies, then it''s better not to.


    Not until dusk did Gu An return to his valley, and by then, Stealing the Five Elements had long since disappeared.


    In the days that followed, Gu An noticed that Lu Xianyi had no intention of leaving the Supreme Sect. Gu An couldn''t help praying, hoping the man wouldn''t enter his Medicine Valley.


    The Third Medicine Valley had already hidden too many monsters and devils¡ªit couldn''t house any more.


    ...


    Summer passed, and autumn arrived.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, under an old tree, Gu An held the Seven Stars Mirror, using it like a fan, relaxing blissfully.


    Sitting opposite him, Lu Xianyi''s complexion was ugly, his hand holding the Go stones unable to make a move for a long time.


    Stealing the Five Elements and Nine-Finger Divine Lord sat aside, both revealing sincere smiles.


    A being in the Nine Layers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and still less than seventy thousand years old was definitely a top-notch genius of the current era. Even Stealing the Five Elements, who was also in the Nine Layers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, felt a dangerous aura from Lu Xianyi. After learning to play Go, Lu Xianyi was able to beat Stealing the Five Elements on the same day.


    After losing the position of the second-best Go player in the world, Stealing the Five Elements had always been displeased with Lu Xianyi.


    Today, he finally got to see Lu Xianyi get put in his place!


    Suddenly, Lu Xianyi raised his eyes to look at Gu An and asked in a deep voice, "Impossible! Who exactly are you?"


    While Go is indeed exquisite, he felt that the reason the other party could win was because they anticipated his next move. This suggests what? That the opponent''s deductive abilities were stronger than his own!


    His talent and comprehension might not be considered top-notch in the Holy Court, but he still believed he was a genius.


    He refused to believe that Gu An''s comprehension exceeded his own.


    There''s only one possibility!


    This person is hiding their true cultivation level!


    After hearing this, Gu An said with a proud smile, "I''ll tell you, I am Sword Venerable Fudao, do you believe that?"


    Kid, you can''t even recognize the Immortal Path Supreme Treasures in my hand and on my head, yet you aim to see through my cultivation level?


    On hearing Gu An''s words, Lu Xianyi suddenly stood up, and quickly bowed with clasped hands towards Gu An.


    Stealing the Five Elements, Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and those around them, were taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.


    Lu Xianyi looked up, confused. What was so funny about that?


    Weren''t these people afraid of offending Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord could not help but laugh and say, "Young brother, you can inquire around if you wish. This lad is only in his two hundreds, how could he possibly be Sword Venerable Fudao? Sword Venerable Fudao became famous over a hundred years ago."


    On hearing this, Lu Xianyi looked at Gu An in disbelief.


    Now he naturally didn''t believe that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao. What can be accomplished in two hundred years?


    With talent like his, he could at most cultivate to the Mystic Heart Realm.


    What is a realm before Nirvana worth?


    No different from ants!


    Even if they said Sword Venerable Fudao was two hundred years old, he wouldn''t believe it.


    Sword Venerable Fudao must definitely be an existence that transcends the Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    "You¡­" Lu Xianyi stared at Gu An, quite angry.


    Gu An stood up and said, "Someone is looking for me, you guys continue playing."


    Having said that, he slipped away.


    Lu Xianyi watched his retreating figure, unable to let go for a long time.


    Luckily, this guy didn''t harbor enmity toward Gu An, otherwise, he would''ve been extinguished this evening.


    Stealing the Five Elements immediately took the seat that Gu An had vacated and said, "Let''s continue, I think I have figured out your game!"


    Lu Xianyi took a deep breath and could only sit down.


    He knew that Gu An, being the Valley Master, couldn''t escape, and he refused to believe that he couldn''t beat a mere mortal in a game!


    Gu An was not using an excuse; someone was indeed looking for him.


    He waited at the base of his own attic.


    After a while, a figure flew into the valley¡ªit was Xuan Tianyi.


    "Big brother, long time no see!" Gu An exclaimed with joy.


    Xuan Tianyi was as spirited as ever. He patted Gu An on the shoulder and observed him closely, praising, "You learned to dress up, you have a bit of my aura. But your cultivation hasn''t increased, you''re disgracing me."


    Lu Xianyi, who was playing Go downstairs, heard this and immediately dismissed his doubts.


    Someone who could greet a junior cultivator of the Mahayana Realm as a brother, could that be some profound master?


    It seems this lad''s invention of Go really is based on unique insights.


    Gu An took Xuan Tianyi upstairs to catch up.


    Once inside, Xuan Tianyi began to recount his experiences over the years¡ªhe too had dealt with Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts and had a wealth of experiences.


    Gu An listened intently, sometimes shocked, which pleased Xuan Tianyi.


    He liked chatting with this younger brother¡ªso invigorating!


    Xuan Tianyi mentioned Li Ya and An Hao, especially An Hao, whose tone was filled with envy.


    He truly understood what an unmatched genius was. Compared to An Hao, his own talent seemed mediocre.


    And he had also learned that An Hao''s master was Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "What? His master is... no wonder, no wonder!" Gu An marveled. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The attic was protected by Xuan Tianyi''s restrictions, so they didn''t worry about the disciples overhearing. As for the likes of Stealing the Five Elements, even if they did hear, what of it? If they dared to plot against An Hao, Gu An wouldn''t consider their friendship over Go.


    "After Great Cold Demon Sect withdrew, the sea became chaotic since quite a number of forces had escaped previously, freeing up a lot of maritime and land resources, and the Star Sea Congregations are also vying with others over them," Xuan Tianyi reflected.


    Although many years had passed, bringing up that event still excited him.


    Sword Venerable Fudao truly gave the Supreme Sect glory!


    While Xuan Tianyi''s heart lay with the Supreme Sect, he belonged to the Star Sea Congregations.


    The two thus chatted passionately.


    Meanwhile, after beating Stealing the Five Elements, Lu Xianyi stood up and left, ignoring Stealing the Five Elements'' requests for another match.


    He wandered around the valley, and his attention was captured by Shen Xinzi.


    "The Bitter Sea Buddha Sect huh..." Lu Xianyi seemed to have an idea, but he quickly shifted his gaze, with no intention of approaching Shen Xinzi.


    He observed everyone in the valley.


    This Medicine Valley was too peculiar; the inhabitants were either terrifyingly weak or concealed Immortals, with an enormous disparity.


    Suddenly.


    His gaze was again drawn to one person, and this time, his eyes latched on.


    Following his line of sight, it was Yang Jian who was weeding.


    Due to the vast gulf in their cultivation, Yang Jian, who had his back to Lu Xianyi, did not detect anything unusual.


    Until a voice came from behind him:


    "What is your name?"


    Yang Jian subconsciously stood up and turned around.


    He had seen Lu Xianyi from a distance before and knew that the other party had an important status and was not a simple cultivator.


    "My name is Yang Jian. May I know what matter brings you here, senior?" Yang Jian bowed with clasped hands, striking a balance between respect and not coming across as obsequious.


    "Yang Jian?" Lu Xianyi mused, recalling having heard this name before.


    It was mentioned by two Supreme Sect disciples in conversation, with one claiming that True Lord Erlang, Yang Jian, was more formidable than the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. The two even quarreled about it in the end.

 Chapter 307 Chapter 307 Millennium Summit

    Yang Jian knew from Lu Xianyi''s expression that he had heard of "Journey to the West" but hadn''t read it, plus his demeanor suggested he most likely came from overseas.He immediately took out a book from his pocket and handed it to Lu Xianyi.


    "This is my favorite book, the most extraordinary book ever, a gift for you, my elder."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Xianyi quickly reached out to accept it, even bowing gratefully, which made Yang Jian feel vigilant.


    What''s going on?


    Did this fellow realize he was concealing his cultivation level?


    Seeing the change in Yang Jian''s eyes, Lu Xianyi spoke, "Thanks, I''ll go read this book now since I have nothing else to do."


    With that, he turned and left.


    Yang Jian watched him walk away, thought for a moment, and continued weeding.


    It wasn''t until the evening that Xuan Tianyi finally left.


    Gu An looked at the book on the table, his face full of anticipation.


    The latest Green Hero Travelogue!


    Xuan Tianyi truly was a saint in his eyes; despite the chaos in recent years, that youngster still managed to write a book.


    You should know the Green Hero Travelogue is adapted from real experiences and focuses on romantic plots, implying that these years Xuan Tianyi had incurred more romantic debts.


    Gu An took a deep breath and then picked up the Green Hero Travelogue with both hands.


    The moon outside the window was full, and the valley was filled with the continuous sound of insects, making the atmosphere more enjoyable for reading.


    It wasn''t just him reading in the valley, Lu Xianyi was also in his guest room reading.


    Lu Xianyi held "Journey to the West" in one hand, his brow furrowed, and his other hand was calculating something.


    ... S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven days later.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Tianya Valley to pick medicinal herbs, only Luo Hun, Lv Xian, and three monkey demons were there, Yi Liuyun, Ji Ruolai, and Li Lingtian hadn''t returned.


    Above the clouds, Lu Xianyi looked down at Tianya Valley, his brow tightly knit.


    Listening to the exchange between Gu An and Luo Hun, he finally let down his guard.


    This youngster providing the Supreme Sect with grass and serving the dynasty as a laborer, with hardly a grand background, was exactly why he was so humble.


    Lu Xianyi turned and left, planning to visit the Supreme Sect. He had heard that Investiture of the Gods could be linked with "Journey to the West", and he wanted to see what Investiture of the Gods was about.


    As Gu An continued weeding, the corner of his mouth curled upward.


    Beside him, Luo Hun continued asking, "What have you considered?" Read new chapters at empire


    "Let''s not, I really don''t want to leave the Supreme Sect. Thank the Emperor and the Crown Prince for their kindness on my behalf, but I won''t be going to the Imperial City," Gu An replied.


    Luo Hun smiled and said, "The Crown Prince always talks about defeating Yang Jian, he''s been cultivating hard these years. He even received pointers from a Great Cultivator from the ocean. You better prepare Yang Jian."


    Gu An nodded, "Sure, Old Luo, you''ve aged."


    "Aged? Why would you say that?"


    "You''ve become more and more long-winded, you used to talk less when you borrowed the Green Hero Travelogue."


    "You dare mention that, without a new volume of Green Hero Travelogue, the Supreme Secret Records you asked me to find still haven''t appeared."


    "Read more of the ''Journey to the West'' and cultivate your mind."


    Gu An kept weeding while bantering with Luo Hun.


    Days continued to pass.


    Autumn left, and winter arrived, snow began to fly.


    One day, while reading in the Eight Scenic Caves, Gu An suddenly sensed something and immediately took out a green jade, the Mortal Jade of the Mortal World Peak, a symbol of a Peak Master and also a magic artifact.


    He sent his divine thought into it and soon learned that the Millennium Peak Meeting was about to start.


    He thought for a moment, stood up, and disappeared from the spot.


    The Mortal Jade had a directional guide inside, but Gu An didn''t need it; he had already found the location of Mortal World Peak.


    Mortal World Peak was very distant from the Supreme Sect, situated over an ocean covered in thick fog. There were no islands or continents, only towering peaks rising straight from the ocean floor into the clouds.


    Gu An appeared at the edge of Mortal World Peak and then proceeded forward through the clouds.


    It wasn''t long before he saw the figures of cultivators, more and more of them all heading in the same direction.


    Gu An didn''t speed up, flying at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery along the way.


    He was considering, now as a Peak Master, whether to plant medicinal herbs on his own peak.


    Arriving at Mortal World Peak, he couldn''t rely entirely on picking his own herbs, as that would be too suspicious, after all, here, he was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    "Daoist Friend, please wait!"


    A voice came from behind, and Gu An stopped and turned to look.


    He saw two cultivators approaching on swords, a man and a woman, both at the Nirvana Realm.


    Gu An performed a Life Span Detection; the man was named Xu Ruohai and the woman Xu Xi, their ultimate life spans were not outstanding, but also not mediocre.


    The two approached Gu An, and Xu Ruohai took the initiative to raise his hand in greeting, "I am Xu Ruohai, this is my sister, Xu Xi. May I ask for your honored name, Daoist Friend?"


    Gu An returned the greeting, "I am Meng Lang. May I know what brings the two of you here?"


    Xu Ruohai smiled, "Daoist Friend, are you also here to pay respects at Mortal World Peak? We are siblings too, why don''t we keep each other company?"


    Although he couldn''t see through Gu An''s cultivation level, Gu An didn''t appear dangerous to him and he observed Gu An flying leisurely, looking around as if it were his first visit.


    Xu Xi, examining Gu An, quickly averted her gaze when Gu An looked at her, her earlobes turning slightly red.


    Interesting, embarrassed after living over eight thousand years?


    Gu An thought to himself and then nodded.


    Xu Ruohai became even more enthusiastic, and the three chatted as they flew.


    Gu An asked them about their understanding of Mortal World Peak, reassuring Xu Ruohai that it was indeed Gu An''s first visit.


    Xu Xi didn''t talk much, mostly Xu Ruohai spoke, with her occasionally interjecting.


    Through them, Gu An gained a clearer understanding of Mortal World Peak.


    At the same time, he thought about the siblings he had met towards the end of Xiao Shengtian''s life, recalling their adventures, which made him feel somewhat regretful and endearing Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi to him.


    An hour later.


    The three passed through dense fog, and their eyes were drawn to a gigantic peak ahead, an incredibly majestic peak even larger than any they had encountered along the way, its diameter at the base was at least a thousand miles, shooting straight into the sky, its top invisible.


    The surface of this mountain was densely wooded, full of vitality, and cultivators from all directions were flying toward this mountain.


    Upon arriving here, the surroundings became noisy, with roars of demon pets and mounts in the distance.


    Xu Ruohai looked up, feeling moved, "Truly worthy of Mortal World Peak, one of the oldest schools in the world. I''ve wanted to join Mortal World Peak since I was young, I wonder if I''ll pass smoothly."


    Gu An laughed, "With your cultivation level, you should be fine, no need to worry."


    Xu Ruohai laughed bitterly, "Brother Meng, you don''t understand, the requirements of Mortal World Peak for aptitude..."


    "Ha ha ha, Daoist Friend Meng, you finally arrived!"


    A hearty, hearty laugh interrupted Xu Ruohai.


    Gu An knew without looking up that it was Bai Ziya who had come; he had intentionally leaked a hint of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal aura earlier. Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi might not have noticed, but Bai Ziya, who had been waiting for him, picked it up quickly.


    Bai Ziya descended from the sky, grabbing Gu An''s hand, eager to move on.


    "If you hadn''t come, your position as Peak Master would have been taken!" Bai Ziya huffed.


    Gu An quickly said, "I''d like to bring them along."


    Bai Ziya glanced at Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi, nodding slightly.


    Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi were stunned.


    Peak Master''s position?


    Had they heard right?

 Chapter 308 Chapter 308 Unable to Contact

    Gu An saw that Xu Ruohai and his sibling were still in a daze, so he immediately rolled up his sleeves, took them into his palm, and followed Bai Ziya to fly upwards.That scene caused Bai Ziya to raise an eyebrow and laugh, "Daoist Friend Meng, you have impressive divine skills!"


    In the eyes of Xu Ruohai and his sibling, it was not that they had become smaller, but Gu An and Xu Ruohai had become gigantic, a visual impact so shocking that it left the siblings speechless and wide-eyed.


    Listening to Gu An and Bai Ziya chatting and laughing, Xu Xi came back to her senses and looked at Xu Ruohai, asking carefully, "Brother, just now the senior mentioned Meng Dao... is he a Peak Master?"


    She naturally knew what being a Peak Master meant. In Mortal World Peak, a Peak Master wielded immense power and symbolized the status of a strong individual, someone of legendary status.


    Turbulent waves rose in Xu Ruohai''s heart as he tried to maintain his composure, slightly nodding his head without making a sound.


    He carefully recalled the previous interactions and realized he hadn''t offended the other party, who had even comforted him about successfully entering Mortal World Peak.


    A light shone in Xu Ruohai''s eyes, his heart beginning to race with excitement, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves.


    At the same time, Bai Ziya began to explain the situation of the millennium summit.


    Although it was called the millennium summit, it was not actually fixed at an interval of ten thousand years. It had been twenty thousand years since the last summit, and Bai Ziya, having returned rarely, discussed holding it with the other Peak Masters.


    The opening of the millennium summit would not only recruit new disciples but also invite other friendly forces.


    Before the opening of the millennium summit, Bai Ziya would take Gu An to choose an unclaimed Divine Peak.


    Mortal World Peak had many peaks, divided by rank from low to high: Sea Peak, Immortal Peak, Divine Peak, and Main Peak, the latter being the highest level with only one. There were twenty-five Divine Peaks, and the hard standard for a Master of a Divine Peak was the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    Gu An was curious, how could there be a shortage of Divine Peak Masters?


    Bai Ziya replied that many Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals wanted to adventure beyond the Outer Heaven, so they would make room if they wanted to leave.


    After hearing this, Gu An didn''t react too strongly, making Bai Ziya sigh in relief.


    It looked like he had successfully bluffed Gu An.


    He had made Outer Heaven seem so dangerous because he wanted Gu An to stay in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Besides, someone like Gu An, who had no powerful backing and could cultivate to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm in solitude, was undoubtedly an unimaginable talent. Even without going to Outer Heaven, he could still advance.


    The two kept flying upwards until the azure sky vanished, replaced by the dazzling starry sky.


    Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi, standing in the palm of Gu An''s hand, looked up, immersed in the vastness of the universe.


    Gu An followed Bai Ziya into a grand hall, placing Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi on the ground, asking them to follow behind him.


    The grand hall was spacious, with giant, majestic statues lined up on both sides, and the ceiling was engraved with various grand scenes. Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi proceeded cautiously, not daring to make a sound, staying close behind Gu An.


    Moving forward, Gu An saw twenty-five bluish-purple crystal columns, with the power of rules surging within, containing countless restrictions. It seemed that Mortal World Peak might be hiding a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    Even a Carefree Primordial Immortal would find it difficult to construct such crystal columns.


    Bai Ziya stopped walking and pointed to two adjacent crystal columns, "These two Divine Peaks are open for choice, known as Chengtian Peak and Dingtian Peak..."


    He began to introduce Chengtian Peak and Dingtian Peak.


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    Chengtian Peak had over a million disciples, and its height was moderate since it had a long history, so the disciples'' cultivation levels were generally strong.


    The height of Dingtian Peak was second among the Divine Peaks. Because it had experienced internal strife, there was a gap in the disciples'' cultivation, with most of them below the level of Loose Immortals, and resources were also scarce, with many areas left idle.


    Currently, the number of disciples on Dingtian Peak was just over two hundred thousand.


    Gu An immediately spoke up, "Then Dingtian Peak it shall be; I will see to its improvement and contribute to Mortal World Peak."


    Upon hearing this, Bai Ziya looked at Gu An with newfound respect.


    Afterward, Bai Ziya asked Gu An to bring out the Mortal Jade and place it on the crystal column.


    Having done all this, they proceeded to other palaces for a tedious process to unlock Gu An''s rights on Dingtian Peak.


    Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi also registered in the process, becoming disciples of Dingtian Peak.


    An hour later, Bai Ziya took Gu An and the siblings to Dingtian Peak, then left.


    He didn''t support Gu An''s position; jokingly, did a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal even need someone to stand up for them?


    Who would dare to stir up trouble? That would be courting death!


    In Mortal World Peak, disciples were not allowed to defile the Peak Master!


    Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi looked with excitement at the majestic Dingtian Peak.


    Gu An looked at them and asked with a smile, "From now on, how should you address me?"


    Xu Ruohai quickly bowed and offered his respects, "This disciple, Xu Ruohai, greets Master!"


    Xu Xi recovered her senses and followed suit, greeting him as Master.


    Gu An smiled, then revealed the aura of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, enveloping Dingtian Peak.


    Only at this moment did Xu Ruohai and his sibling truly feel the strength of Gu An.


    The three flew to the summit; shortly after, nine Wandering Immortals came to greet them. Gu An, without a second word, displayed his Mortal Jade.


    The nine Wandering Immortals showed delight and paid their respects, referring to Gu An as Master respectfully.


    Gu An threw a Life Span Detection at them; their life spans were healthy, able to work for him for many years.


    The eldest disciple of Dingtian Peak was named Zhu Xinglan, possessing the ninth layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm cultivation, seemingly only a step away from the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, but it was an insurmountable gap for most Wandering Immortals.


    Gu An dismissed the other disciples and had Zhu Xinglan accompany him alone, while he already had someone arrange the Xu siblings.


    Zhu Xinglan was refined in appearance, looking to be in his forties, dressed in a green robe, with a black-and-white beard, his demeanor calm and imposing as he stroked his beard.


    Gu An asked him to give him a tour around Dingtian Peak.


    Before long, two hours had passed.


    After settling into his new residence, Gu An prepared to leave. Before departing, he gave Zhu Xinglan a large amount of Crystal Stones to buy medicinal herbs to cultivate on Dingtian Peak, making Zhu Xinglan extremely excited, feeling the arrival of a magnificent Peak Master.


    Returning to Third Medicine Valley, Gu An transformed from the high and mighty Peak Master of Mortal World Peak to an ordinary Valley Master of Supreme Sect.


    In the evening, Gu An found Stealing the Five Elements and Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who were still playing chess, truly a waste of time.


    Gu An curiously asked, "Where did Shen Xinzi go?"


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord casually responded, "I heard he went to the millennium summit of Mortal World Peak, he just left not long ago."


    "Mortal World Peak?"


    "Mhm, an ancient Qi Fortune Sect. Don''t bother poking your nose into it. You won''t encounter it in this lifetime; it''s a Sect much more powerful than the Great Cold Demon Sect."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord casually replied, prompting Gu An to stare at him, then he turned and walked away.


    Stealing the Five Elements then said with a smile, "That''s not necessarily true; if he could invent this game, I think he might encounter great opportunities in the future."


    "Who knows? You''re so powerful, yet I haven''t seen you help him."


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord replied, and although he had grown familiar with Gu An, he had no intention of changing Gu An''s destiny.


    With Gu An''s talent, even if he was taken to a Great Sect, it might not be for the best.


    At least here, Gu An could live effortlessly, live happily.


    Gu An, hearing their conversation, thought to himself with a hint of amusement.


    If I revealed my realm, you might have never even heard of it!


    Gu An hummed and went to chat with Ji Xiaoyu.


    With some time left before the millennium summit, Gu An was in no rush to head there.


    Days later.


    Gu An came to Immortal Seeking Island and made his final deal with the Island Master; henceforth, Immortal Seeking Island would belong to him.


    Due to the calamity brought by the Great Cold Demon Sect, the forces behind the Island Master had already withdrawn, not willing to look back, and could only sell it off to gain as much as possible.


    Before leaving, the Island Master said to Gu An, "You had better have your backing force send a Wandering Immortal here; otherwise, you won''t be able to keep order."


    Gu An nodded with a smile.


    After the Island Master and his people had left, Gu An turned to Hu Xiaojian and said with a smile, "From now on, Immortal Seeking Island is mine, and I won''t treat you unfairly."


    Hu Xiaojian immediately knelt down, banging his head on the ground in excitement.


    Afterward, Gu An summoned the elders of Sea Protection Mansion, briefly instructed them, and upon hearing that Gu An would arrange for a Wandering Immortal to come later, all the elders'' expressions became respectful, no longer daring to underestimate him.


    Gu An wasn''t just boasting; there were Wandering Immortals on Dingtian Peak, and he could easily arrange for one.


    After all, he was using the identity of Meng Lang on Immortal Seeking Island.


    Time flew swiftly by.


    Until the spring festival had passed, the millennium summit of Mortal World Peak was finally about to begin.


    Above the sea of clouds, Holy Mother of Western Spirit stood on a lotus throne, moving swiftly, with Lu Lingjun standing beside her, and a small snake lying on her shoulder, the White Spirit Demon Emperor who had ascended with her.


    Lu Lingjun''s beautiful eyes widened as she saw the peaks through the clouds, feeling as though she was witnessing the Immortal Realm of mortals.


    The White Spirit Demon Emperor flicked its tongue curiously and asked, "How does Mortal World Peak compare to the Great Cold Demon Sect in terms of strength?"


    Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but look toward Holy Mother of Western Spirit, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She could not forget the sight of the Great Cold Demon Sect surrounding the continent.


    At that time, it felt like the Great Cold Demon Sect was invincible.


    "In terms of historical heritage, Mortal World Peak is stronger, and Mortal World Peak also has considerable power within the Holy Court. Even we, the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, cannot compare," Holy Mother of Western Spirit replied, her face calm.


    Lu Lingjun and the White Spirit Demon Emperor could feel the might of Mortal World Peak even more.


    Holy Mother of Western Spirit continued speaking of Mortal World Peak''s past.


    While listening, Lu Lingjun gazed into the distance, her anticipation for the upcoming millennium summit growing.


    Passing through layers of clouds, they observed the peaks along the way, their eyes never resting.


    Gradually, more figures of cultivators appeared in their view, all invited monks or demons from Great Sects, each with extraordinary presence.


    Neither Lu Lingjun nor the White Spirit Demon Emperor had reached the Mahayana Realm, yet the cultivators and demons they encountered along the way were much stronger than them, causing an instinctive feeling of nervousness and discomfort.


    But they were Ascenders, certainly not cowards!


    Ambition grew within them; one day, they too would arrive invited, rather than relying on others.


    Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but think of Gu An. The young man who had written the Immortal God Book, if he could see this spectacle, would certainly be inspired even more.


    Too bad, with Gu An''s talent and temperament, he probably would never reach such a place in his lifetime.

 Chapter 309 The Invincible Heavenly Demon Great Emperor

    At the summit of Mortal World Peak, in a courtyard at the mountain''s top, Gu An gathered with a group of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals. Everyone present was either a Peak Master or Main Peak Elder of Mortal World Peak.The courtyard was simple and not very expansive, filled with various flowers and trees, and the faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air. Gu An was exchanging pleasantries with everyone.


    No matter how high one''s realm might be, social interaction is inevitable.


    Gu An did not resist it. After all, he intended to stay at Mortal World Peak for the long term; this place was destined to become an important source of life span for him.


    Overall, the atmosphere was harmonious, with no apparent scheming or rivalry in sight.


    The Master of the Main Peak, just as Gu An had guessed, was none other than a Carefree Primordial Immortal, and not of a low realm at that.


    [Eternal Daoist Lord (Carefree Primordial Immortal Level 6): 267907/780000/1500000]


    A maximum life span of one million five hundred thousand years!


    Exceeding Shen Xinzi''s 999999 years suggested reaching the Carefree Primordial Immortal realm heralded a transformation in the limit of one''s life span.


    With just Level 6 of Carefree Immortal achieving seven hundred eighty thousand years of life span, the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma must certainly surpass one million years, and the higher Dao Void Mysterious Immortals would have life spans of several million years, or even more.


    Gu An was unable to even estimate how long the Divine Thought True Immortals had lived; they were ancient beings to him.


    Compared with them, Gu An was like an infant.


    After rotating through interactions with each person, Gu An became a listener.


    The Millennial Peak Meeting would host a banquet to exchange insights with the higher echelons of various sects and also conduct peak combat competitions. The first aim was to promote healthy internal competition, and the second was to demonstrate Mortal World Peak''s strength to the world. As for recruiting disciples, that was just a side matter; with Mortal World Peak''s current foundations, they hardly cared about the number of new disciples.


    After a while, the high-level meeting of Mortal World Peak adjourned, and Gu An flew off alone toward Dingtian Peak.


    He spread his divine thought and already caught sight of Lu Lingjun and Shen Xinzi.


    Shen Xinzi was not a concern, for with his Ninth Layer Wandering Immortal realm cultivation, he was treated well wherever he went. However, Lu Lingjun, who was only at the Mystic Heart Realm, couldn''t enjoy the same treatment. Without the Holy Mother of Western Spirit accompanying her, Lu Lingjun had to stay inside her temporary residence.


    She was living atop a mountain peak with a broad view. Many cultivators and demons who passed by cast surprised glances at her, which made the color of her cheeks unpleasant.


    Gu An glanced at the situation briefly before taking his gaze back, not taking much interest in it.


    Upon returning to Dingtian Peak, Gu An wandered around leisurely as no disciples recognized him along the way.


    There were many winding mountain paths on Dingtian Peak. Along the way, he saw courtyards of disciples¡ªsome growing flowers and plants, some with empty yards, and others raising demon beasts and insects, providing an entertaining stroll for him.


    Dingtian Peak had several mountain cities, akin to the fortresses of the Supreme Sect, where nearly anything one wished for could be purchased, except that these cities weren''t as crowded as those of the Supreme Sect.


    As Gu An passed by a mountain city, a voice reached him, its tone filled with surprise.


    "Master!"


    Gu An turned his head to see Xu Xi approaching briskly.


    Upon seeing Gu An, her ears reddened and she shyly lowered her head, reminding Gu An of An Xin.


    But An Xin was not shy, she was gentle.


    Gu An smiled and asked, "Where''s your brother? Why are you here alone?"


    Xu Xi, still keeping her head down and holding her sleeves, softly answered, "He went to Debating Peak. He wants to see if he can meet any acquaintances or clansmen."


    Debating Peak was specially prepared for receiving Mortal World Peak''s guests, and the current Millennial Peak Meeting had brought the quiet Debating Peak to life.


    Gu An, seeing her in this state, smiled broader. He then took out a secret book and handed it to Xu Xi, saying, "Meeting is destiny; consider this spell book a welcome gift. You may pass it on to Xu Ruohai as well."


    Xu Xi looked up, instinctively stepping back and waved her hand, saying, "If not for master, we might not have been able to join Mortal World Peak. How can we accept another spell book? We will train diligently and earn spell books with our efforts."


    Gu An gave her a stern look and said, "Then what kind of master am I? Take it!"


    Xu Xi had no choice but to accept.


    Seeing her at a loss, Gu An then chuckled and said, "If you feel bad, how about doing me a favor? Have you been busy lately?"


    Xu Xi quickly shook her head, replying, "Not busy, not busy at all."


    "Go to Debating Peak, to the dwelling of the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect. Look for a person named Lu Lingjun. Keep her company wherever she wants to go these days. If she asks, just say it''s arranged by your master. Do not reveal my name. If she has any requests that you can fulfill, help her out. Your master won''t let you suffer for it," Gu An instructed, then raised his hand to project the image of Lu Lingjun into Xu Xi''s mind.


    Xu Xi hesitated for a moment before accepting the task.


    With a wave from Gu An, she bowed respectfully and took her leave.


    Watching Xu Xi leave, Gu An smiled to himself.


    Arranging this was partly to help Lu Lingjun broaden her horizons, and also to train Xu Xi a bit¡ªthis had been a spur-of-the-moment decision for him.


    Gu An continued his descent down the mountain, enjoying the scenery along the way.


    ...


    In the courtyard,


    Lu Lingjun sat in front of a stone table, idly flipping through a book. Beside her, the White Spirit Demon Emperor lay sprawled across the table.


    A figure descended from the sky, and Lu Lingjun instinctively looked up, then rose to her feet.


    "Lu Lingjun?" Xu Xi asked.


    Lu Lingjun subconsciously nodded, feeling somewhat uneasy.


    Xu Xi was wearing the daoist robe of Mortal World Peak, her face beautiful, her posture dignified, and exuding an aura of immortality. In her presence, Lu Lingjun couldn''t help but feel intimidated.


    The difference between them was like that between immortals and mortals!


    Although Xu Xi was shy in front of Gu An, she was at ease facing Lu Lingjun. Precisely because of this serenity, the aura of Nirvana Realm manifested, overwhelming Lu Lingjun of the Mystic Realm with pressure.


    Lu Lingjun''s mind raced, wondering if she had offended someone.


    "My master sent me to you. Do you have any places you''d like to go? I can accompany you. If you have any needs, you can ask me, until the end of the Millennial Peak Meeting," Xu Xi continued.


    She was puzzled inwardly about why her master would take care of such a minor cultivator.


    She then thought, weren''t she and her brother similar to this girl in her master''s eyes?


    Perhaps this girl had also met her master on the road and caught his eye.


    "May I ask who is the master of senior?" Lu Lingjun asked cautiously.


    Xu Xi responded, "My master is the Peak Master of Dingtian Peak."


    The Peak Master of Dingtian Peak!


    As an Ascender, Lu Lingjun couldn''t keep her composure at this revelation, and the White Spirit Demon Emperor''s eyes widened as well.


    Having been told by the Holy Mother of Western Spirit that the Peak Masters of Mortal World Peak were extraordinary beings, especially those of divine peaks, of which Dingtian Peak was one, Lu Lingjun couldn''t fathom how such an exalted being would know of her.


    For a moment, Lu Lingjun felt nervous and unsettled.


    ...


    At dusk, Gu An returned to Third Medicine Valley. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu came to greet him, curiously asking, "Where have you been these past two days?"


    Gu An replied, "A Daoist friend of mine is hosting a banquet, and I have to attend as a guest."


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded, then said, "I had another dream while cultivating today. Shall we talk about it?"


    I don''t want to get involved with your great karma! Gu An thought helplessly, but he immediately said aloud, "Of course, no problem."


    They both ascended to the upper floor.


    After Ji Xiaoyu set up restrictions, only then did she sit down at the desk, frowning slightly as she said, "I dreamed that I was in a dimly lit space surrounded by stars, some of them immensely vast. I was surrounded by many demons and fighting..."


    Outer Heaven?


    Having never been to Outer Heaven, the mortal spirits of this world couldn''t imagine what it looked like, so Ji Xiaoyu could only describe it as a dimly lit space.


    Listening attentively, Gu An quickly determined that Ji Xiaoyu''s dream involved Heavenly Demons.


    Had she been to the Silent Destruction Domain in a past life?


    He wasn''t surprised; he had known for a long time that Ji Xiaoyu was no ordinary person. What puzzled him was not only that Ji Xiaoyu''s previous lifetimes had battled with the Heavenly Demon Army, but she also mentioned a terrifying being.


    This being commanded the Heavenly Demons.


    "He said that no matter how many times I reincarnate, he would be waiting for me to challenge him..." Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath and said, the memory of the fierce battles in her dreams causing her to grip the teacup in her hands tightly.


    After a moment of thought, Gu An comforted her, "Don''t worry, you won''t be able to challenge him for many years, maybe not even in this lifetime. Anyway, I can''t imagine how to slash a star so large with a single sword stroke."


    Although his words were a bit harsh, they indeed comforted Ji Xiaoyu.


    Just then, a voice came:


    "That is the Heavenly Demon Emperor, who once single-handedly suppressed the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    The voice of Stealing the Five Elements!


    As he spoke, he appeared out of nowhere inside the room.


    Ji Xiaoyu frowned but did not speak out.


    The identity of Reincarnation Path Emperor was revealed to them by Stealing the Five Elements, so Gu An did not stop him from entering.


    "Suppressed the Great Heavenly Spirit Land? How strong must that be?" Gu An cautiously asked.


    With a grave expression, Stealing the Five Elements replied, "Very strong, unimaginably so. Even the Reincarnation Path Emperor once mentioned to me that her destiny was to challenge the Heavenly Demon Emperor, but she soon reincarnated, and her fate entered the cycle of reincarnation."


    Gu An pressed on, "You mean the Heavenly Demon Emperor won''t attack our realm actively?"


    "Correct, the establishment of the Holy Court has kept the Heavenly Demons'' ravages at bay. As long as the Dao Level of Shengtian remains intact, there''s no way for the Heavenly Demon Emperor to reach us. The being behind me has also been to the land of the Heavenly Demons and was cursed as a result. It''s a place of utter horror, beyond my comprehension. However, seeing her growth rate in this life, it will be hard to encounter Heavenly Demons without thirty thousand years," said Stealing the Five Elements, casting a glance at Ji Xiaoyu.


    Gu An did not speak further, but adopted a shocked expression.


    It was entirely normal for a mortal to be shocked upon hearing of the existence of Heavenly Demons, or so Stealing the Five Elements thought Gu An should seem.


    After hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu returned to calm.


    Stealing the Five Elements continued to describe the might of the Heavenly Demons.


    A good while later, he left.


    The room fell silent.


    Gu An sighed and said, "He said that not even the Sword Venerable Fudao could defeat the Heavenly Demon Emperor. This is a good thing; at least you don''t have to worry for now."


    Looking at him, Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze was serene as she said, "I had hoped to lead a peaceful life and pass away peacefully, but after what he said, I suddenly don''t want to die. I want to cultivate to the level where I can meet that Heavenly Demon Emperor."


    Taken aback, Gu An replied, "Having a larger goal is certainly a good thing."


    Ji Xiaoyu rose from her seat and turned to leave.


    Just as she reached the door, she turned her head back and said, "Why don''t you give up either? I''ve dreamed of many people. Some started from nothing and ended up shining brilliantly. If you could be by my side to fight the Heavenly Demon Emperor, wouldn''t that be wonderful?"


    With that, she turned her head and pushed the door to leave.

 Chapter 310 Chapter 310 Why Dont You Give Your Place to Me

    Heavenly Demon Great Emperor?Gu An looked at the moon outside the window, his lips curving into a smile.


    If Ji Xiaoyu really could achieve it, according to Stealing the Five Elements, she would need to cultivate for thirty thousand years.


    Thirty thousand years.


    I wouldn''t even know how terrifying I would become by then.


    The mere Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, easily squashed!


    By then, I''ll pretend to be weaker than Ji Xiaoyu, let her fight strenuously, and step in when she almost can''t hold on.


    Hmm?


    The thought is quite exhilarating!


    Gu An even laughed at the thought, choosing not to get up and close the door but instead pulling out a book to read.


    The millennium peak conference had begun with cultivators of various ranks competing near the Debating Peak, making it a lively place.


    During these days, with Xu Xi''s company, Lu Lingjun explored Mortal World Peak, greatly broadening his horizons, and their relationship had also grown closer, though Lu Lingjun still addressed Xu Xi as his senior.


    The competitions between peaks continued for half a month, with Gu An''s Dingtian Peak ranking third from last among the Divine Peaks, which he didn''t feel too strongly about since the disciples of Dingtian Peak were used to it.


    That day, the grand banquet of the millennium peak conference began, with tables set up all around the Debating Peak.


    Gu An then attended the banquet under the starlit sky, the banquet located above a sea of clouds equipped with a powerful formation, only accessible to those at least in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    Shen Xinzi of the Wandering Immortal Realm couldn''t participate, which actually relieved Gu An.


    If Shen Xinzi had come, he wouldn''t have attended.


    There were hundreds of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals and over ten Carefree Primordial Immortals at the Cloud Banquet, with Gu An standing beside Bai Ziya listening to him introduce the guests.


    The participating forces numbered over twenty, including even cultivators from the Holy Court.


    The atmosphere was harmonious, and Gu An was enjoying the feast.


    The exquisite delicacies here were truly exceptional, with just one bite enough to save mortals decades of hard cultivation.


    With Bai Ziya''s help, Gu An got acquainted with quite a few Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    An ancient hour later.


    A Carefree Primordial Immortal suddenly walked to the middle of the Cloud Banquet, laughing as he spoke, "Daoist Lord, I wish to join Mortal World Peak, may I ask if that''s permissible?"


    Upon these words, everyone turned to look at him.


    The peak master of Mortal World Peak''s Main Peak, Everlasting Daoist Lord, looked towards him and laughed, "Mo Hen, although you''ve left the Great Cold Demon Sect for tens of thousands of years, can you really sever all ties given your sect''s current crisis?"


    Other Carefree Primordial Immortals followed with light jabs at Mo Hen.


    Mentioning the Great Cold Demon Sect invariably brought up Sword Venerable Fudao, but Mo Hen wasn''t upset, he looked at Everlasting Daoist Lord and cheerfully said, "I''ve long severed those ties; it''s normal for that group of useless people to be annihilated. Don''t provoke me, Sword Venerable Fudao isn''t someone I can afford to antagonize. I advise you all to speak well and avoid substantial karmic retribution."


    Hearing this, other Carefree Primordial Immortals stopped making fun of him.


    Even they did so, not to mention the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    Though all were present at the banquet, the division of hierarchy was clear, and Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were definitely not the protagonists.


    Everlasting Daoist Lord pondered and said, "The position of the Peak Master of Chengtian Peak is still vacant, would you accept that?"


    Mo Hen shook his head and said, "I set my sights on Dingtian Peak."


    He then turned and looked towards Gu An in the crowd, smiling, "Dingtian Peak''s Peak Master, how about you cede your position to me?"


    All eyes were now on Gu An.


    Before Gu An could speak, Bai Ziya angrily said, "What do you mean by this? Bullying the weak?"


    Gu An looked at Bai Ziya, not expecting him to be so aggressive.


    He''s got quite the backing!


    Mo Hen wasn''t upset, and chuckled, "There was internal strife on Dingtian Peak back then, and a good friend of mine died there; I''m just being nostalgic."


    Yet his tone obviously left no room for negotiation.


    Suddenly, the banquet fell silent.


    Bai Ziya looked towards Everlasting Daoist Lord, Carefree Primordial Immortals seemed amused by the situation, while the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals looked at Gu An sympathetically.


    They all knew Gu An had just become the Peak Master of Dingtian Peak, and now, just days later, he was being asked to vacate his position, which must be hard to accept.


    Gu An remained silent, while everyone thought he was weighing his options; in reality, he was feeling sentimental.


    My ties with the Great Cold Demon Sect are truly cursed!


    Is this to continue the karma?


    To make me completely annihilate the Great Cold Demon Sect?


    Gu An felt no pressure, being the strongest person present with a cultivation level two major realms higher than anyone else, what was there to fear?


    He wanted to see the attitude of Everlasting Daoist Lord; if Everlasting Daoist Lord didn''t defend him, then there was no reason to stay in Mortal World Peak.


    As for Mo Hen, a bad ending was inevitable.


    Everlasting Daoist Lord slowly said, "That won''t do, choose another one."


    His tone was unquestionable and very firm, giving the great cultivators of Mortal World Peak a sense of backbone.


    Regardless, Mo Hen was an outsider, and although the combat power of a Carefree Primordial Immortal was important, it didn''t give him the right to do whatever he pleased.


    If Meng Lang were kicked out today, tomorrow it could be any of them!


    Mo Hen shook his head, "Don''t be hasty, what if this young friend agrees?"


    The term ''young friend'' was filled with disdain.


    His gaze turned to Gu An, "Young friend, if you cede your position to me, I won''t let you suffer losses. You can ask for anything."


    Gu An replied, "Thanks for your kind offer, senior, but no need. I''m not the type who likes to change nests."


    Everyone''s expression changed slightly, none expecting Gu An to defy Mo Hen, Everlasting Daoist Lord included.


    At this level of cultivation, recklessness was impossible unless facing a lower-level cultivator.


    Mo Hen''s smile disappeared instantly, his face darkening as he said, "I can give Daoist Lord face, but have you considered the consequences of offending me?"


    Everlasting Daoist Lord frowned, appearing suddenly in front of Gu An, looked at Mo Hen, and said coldly, "Daoist Friend, you are going too far!" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mo Hen stared at Gu An with a cruel smile, blatantly threatening him.


    [Mo Hen harbors hostility towards you, despising you deeply, would you like to conduct a Life Span Detection on him?]


    This constitutes deep hatred?


    Typical of a demon cultivator, heartless and ruthless!


    "Sigh."


    Gu An sighed deeply, attracting everyone''s attention, he walked past Everlasting Daoist Lord towards Mo Hen.


    "What are you doing?" Bai Ziya hastily grabbed Gu An.


    Since Bai Ziya had brought Gu An into Mortal World Peak, he felt dishonored and angry over Gu An being bullied.


    Everlasting Daoist Lord spoke, "Meng Lang, in Mortal World Peak, no one can harm you, and should anyone cause you harm outside, Mortal World Peak will not simply let it go."


    Gu An smiled at Bai Ziya, then broke free from his grip, turning towards Everlasting Daoist Lord to bow respectfully, before continuing towards Mo Hen.


    Mo Hen laughed, not expecting this young man to actually walk towards him.


    "You called me Mo Hen, right? Why must you force me?"


    Gu An shrugged and spread his hands, his expression one of helplessness.


    His steps didn''t stop, suddenly erupting with a terrifying aura, causing everyone''s complexion to change drastically, including Mo Hen''s.


    With each step Gu An took, his aura surged, quickly surpassing the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and continuing to rise.


    "How is this possible¡­" a Carefree Primordial Immortal widened his eyes in disbelief.


    Others were similarly shocked, and Bai Ziya was dumbfounded.


    When Gu An reached Mo Hen, his aura had reached the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, with the strongest present only at the sixth layer, and Mo Hen himself only at the fourth layer.


    Gu An lifted his chin, looking down at Mo Hen, asking, "How did you address me just now?"


    Mo Hen''s face looked extremely unpleasant as Gu An''s aura completely overwhelmed him.


    The banquet fell into silence, you could hear a pin drop!


    The most alarming incident then occurred¡ªGu An actually reached out and patted Mo Hen''s wrinkled face. Though the gesture was gentle, to everyone watching, this was the making of a deadly feud!

 Chapter 311 A Million Years is Far from Enough

    After Gu An slapped him, Mo Hen''s face showed disbelief; he had not expected Gu An to be so audacious.Despite the gap in their cultivation levels, they both existed as Carefree Primordial Immortals!


    Mo Hen clenched his teeth and asked, "Who exactly are you, and from which sect do you come?"


    Everyone else stared at Gu An, waiting for his response.


    A Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who had just joined Mortal World Peak was a Carefree Primordial Immortal?


    Everyone felt it was absurd and even suspected Gu An had ulterior motives.


    At this moment, Bai Ziya could not help but entertain doubts, but upon rethinking, he recalled that it was he who had persuaded the individual to join Mortal World Peak, and it did not seem like a setup at that time.


    Gu An fixed his gaze on Mo Hen and said, "Does that really matter? If I were merely an ordinary Peak Master of Mortal World Peak, how would you seek revenge on me?"


    As soon as Mo Hen exhibited hostility toward him, Gu An had already marked him as a dead man in his heart.


    Gu An''s statement made Daoist Lord Yongnian narrow his eyes.


    After hearing this, Mo Hen''s expression grew uglier, and for a moment, he did not know how to respond.


    "Could he also be aiming for Dingtian Peak?"


    Mo Hen thought angrily in his heart, not considering it a coincidence.


    How could it be that a randomly chosen person turned out to be a Great Cultivator concealing his power?


    Now, he found himself in a dilemma; bowing his head in submission would not erase the karma, but refusing to do so would only worsen his situation.


    Suddenly, Mo Hen revealed a smile and said with a clasped fist, "If that''s the case, I am even more convinced to join Mortal World Peak. As for Dingtian Peak, I no longer want it; Chengtian Peak is also fine."


    Upon hearing these words, most of the people present heaved a sigh of relief.


    Daoist Lord Yongnian spoke, "Forget it, Daoist Friend, please go to another sect."


    Everyone was taken aback by his rapid change in attitude, and Mo Hen''s face turned even uglier.


    Gu An turned around to look at Daoist Lord Yongnian, saw him slightly nodding, and he couldn''t help but smile.


    Very sensible, huh.


    "Hmph!"


    Mo Hen let out a cold snort and left with a flick of his sleeves.


    Everyone urged him to stop, fearing he would stay and escalate the conflict.


    Gu An raised his right hand, causing everyone to look at him, not understanding what he intended to do.


    Three breaths later, Gu An suddenly clenched his hand, then quickly put whatever it was into his sleeve, the movement so swift that no one saw what he had in his hand.


    [You have successfully seized 8709 years of life span from Mo Hen (Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, fourth layer)].


    Looking at the prompt before him, Gu An remained indifferent, feeling no sense of accomplishment.


    The surrounding Carefree Primordial Immortals suddenly changed their demeanor; they looked at Gu An with fear, realizing that Mo Hen''s aura had suddenly vanished.


    The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were curious about what Gu An had just grabbed.


    Gu An moved next to Bai Ziya, and Daoist Lord Yongnian looked deeply at Gu An and then signalled for the Cloud Banquet to continue.


    Bai Ziya looked at Gu An, wanting to say something but hesitated.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Bai Daoist Friend, shall things remain as they were before?"


    Bai Ziya subconsciously nodded, his demeanor becoming reserved.


    How could things be the same?


    Damn, that was frightening!


    Bai Ziya felt somewhat apprehensive in his heart, wondering if he would have been killed had he acted arrogantly in the beginning.


    He couldn''t voice this question, but the answer was quite clear.


    At the subsequent banquet, Gu An became the focus, with everyone enthusiastically interacting with him, a stark contrast to the earlier scene, even the Carefree Primordial Immortals addressing him as a senior.


    ...


    At Debating Peak, a yard filled with tables where Lu Lingjun, the Holy Mother of the Western Spirit, and Xu Xi sat together, Shen Xinzi was at another table, engaging in a discussion on the principles of Buddhism.


    The Holy Mother of the Western Spirit looked at Xu Xi, curiously asking, "Ms. Xu, I wonder if we might have the honor of visiting your master? I would like to thank him in person for taking care of Spirit Lord Lu."


    Lu Lingjun also looked toward Xu Xi. In the past few days, Xu Xi had shown her around, enriching her understanding of many Immortal Cultivation concepts.


    Whenever she wanted something, Xu Xi had purchased it before she even asked, and despite some reservations about the motives of the Dingtian Peak Master, she still held a good impression of Xu Xi. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xu Xi shook her head and said, "My master hasn''t mentioned wanting to meet you, nor has he said he is keeping Ms. Lu. After the peak conference, you may return without any burden."


    This statement caused the Holy Mother of the Western Spirit and Lu Lingjun to exchange puzzled glances.


    Just then, a cultivator landed in the yard.


    "The Elder from the Great Cold Demon Sect offended the Dingtian Peak Master and perished just after leaving Mortal World Peak!"


    The person spoke excitedly, capturing everyone''s attention.


    Upon hearing it concerned the Dingtian Peak Master, the trio showed curious expressions.


    The person began to recount the events at the Cloud Banquet, a scenario that was spreading quickly among all peaks of the Mortal World Peak.


    Mo Hen had once been an Elder of the Great Cold Demon Sect, which was nearly dissolved, so Mortal World Peak had no hesitation in making his demise known to demonstrate its strength.


    From Mo Hen forcing the Dingtian Peak Master to relinquish his position to the Dingtian Peak Master showing stronger cultivation than Mo Hen and publicly slapping him, forcing Mo Hen to leave disgracefully¡ªthe whole process fired up everyone who heard it.


    Mo Hen had just flown out of Mortal World Peak when he fell, making the Dingtian Peak Master seem even more formidable in the eyes of the listeners.


    The news spread within Dingtian Peak, motivating all disciples and clearing the gloom of their low ranking.


    After understanding this, Lu Lingjun felt even more uneasy.


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    Such a strong-willed Dingtian Peak Master!


    To have such a person assisting her was a mixed blessing.


    Due to the conflict between the Dingtian Peak Master and Mo Hen, this Wanli Peak Conference became much more discussive. As Mo Hen''s identity and deeds were unearthed, all guests could feel the strength of Mortal World Peak.


    After the Cloud Banquet ended, Gu An returned to the Supreme Sect.


    He had also heard the noise from Mortal World Peak; how could news spread so fast? In reality, it was Mortal World Peak deliberately promoting it, thankfully without mentioning Meng Lang''s name, showing him respect.


    Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley and happened to meet An Xin, and they chatted for a bit.


    Master §Ú disciple discussed ordinary matters in the valley, and Gu An found talking about life''s minor details more interesting than discussing major worldly affairs.


    Those Carefree Primordial Immortals always talked of grand principles and the world''s populace, floating aloft.


    ...


    In the Divine Exotic Realm under the blood-red firmament, Zhang Buku stood by the seashore practicing his Divine Skills.


    Behind him, the Divine Exotic Realm Master sat before the Divine Exotic Life Tablet, looking up at the heavens, lost in thought with a vacant gaze.


    Zhang Buku finished his maneuver and turned to face his master, asking, "Master, the great calamity has ended, and you have reached agreements with various sects across the sea; why do you still look so troubled?"


    Thinking about how Sword_exempt_TITLE_converted the Great Cold Demon Sect stirred his blood.


    Since he began walking the path of Immortal Cultivation, he had often heard of the deeds of Sword Venerable Fudao; he never imagined that wherever he went, Sword Venerable Fudao would still be revered by all as a supreme Great Power.


    Divine Exotic Realm Master slowly retracted his gaze and said, "Just like Master, the Great Cold Demon Sect is but a pawn. This matter cannot end so quickly. The commotion is too large, and the Holy Court will surely investigate. When the storm settles, more trouble will come."


    Zhang Buku disagreed and said, "If there were an existence behind the Great Cold Demon Sect capable of contending with Sword Venerable Fudao, wouldn''t they have acted long ago?"


    "Perhaps they are investigating Sword Venerable Fudao''s identity and cultivation level."


    "Master, don''t worry. Wouldn''t it be better for you to focus on cultivating and strive to break free from destiny on your own?"


    Zhang Buku advised. Since his father''s death, he had faced continuous tribulations and developed a firm heart; he knew worrying about the future was futile, and seizing the moment to cultivate diligently was key.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master shook his head, smiling, "Master is not like you; I cannot strengthen through cultivation. The more Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts there are, the stronger Master becomes."


    Zhang Buku frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Now that the world is at peace, won''t you be unable to expand the number of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts?"


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master nodded, then looked up again and said, "It just means I can''t grow stronger in this realm. My disciple, would you like to venture to other Great Heaven and Earths?"


    "Where?"


    "A very dark realm."


    The words of the Divine Exotic Realm Master puzzled Zhang Buku; what did ''very dark'' mean?


    Was there a place darker than the Divine Exotic Realm?


    ...


    Time flew by, and seven years passed in the blink of an eye.


    On this day, Lu Lingjun returned.


    She saw Gu An playing Go with someone and couldn''t help but shake her head and laugh. Was Go really that engaging?


    Her gaze fell on Shen Xinzi. Why had this prominent figure from the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect stayed here all this time?


    She couldn''t figure out what charm the Third Medicine Valley held to attract such a Great Cultivator.


    She communicated with Gu An telepathically. Upon hearing her, he immediately asked Yang Jian, who was standing beside him, to help with the game.


    Seeing Yang Jian prepare to play, Lu Xianyi from the Holy Court approached; over the years, he always tried to flatter Yang Jian, a demeanor that led Gu An to speculate, but Gu An had kept his thoughts to himself, pretending not to know.


    Gu An squeezed through the crowd to greet Lu Lingjun.


    "Let''s talk in your room," Lu Lingjun nodded.


    Gu An had no objections, and the two made small talk as they walked toward the building.


    Once inside, Lu Lingjun casually sat down, scanning the surroundings. When her eyes landed on certain books on the shelf, she couldn''t help but grimace.


    Some things never change.


    Gu An brewed tea for her as she began recounting her experiences over the years.


    "I attended the Wanli Peak Meeting at Mortal World Peak. It was an eye-opener. Are you aware of Mortal World Peak?" Lu Lingjun asked.


    Gu An nodded and replied, "I''ve heard of it. Shen Xinzi was there too, but I don''t understand much about it. Those Great Cultivators said I''m not qualified to know."


    Lu Lingjun smiled and said, "Indeed, you''re not qualified. But I was fortunate to attend, and I can tell you about it. Want to hear?"


    Gu An, carrying the hot tea, placed the cup in front of her and said, "Of course, I want to hear. Go on."


    Let''s see if you will try to impress me!


    Lu Lingjun began from where she first learned about the Wanli Peak Meeting, and Gu An sat down to listen attentively.


    She didn''t hide the Dingtian Peak Master''s protectiveness toward her, even her language seemed to steer, seemingly eager to see Gu An''s reaction.


    Gu An kept a normal expression, silently criticizing in his mind.


    Are all women like this?


    Previously, Jiang Qiong also used Sword Venerable Fudao to pressure him.


    After some time.


    Lu Lingjun remarked reflectively, "The strength of the Dingtian Peak Master is unimaginable. The Elder from the Great Cold Demon Sect was killed just like that; I wonder when I could reach such a realm."


    Gu An joked, "Practice cultivation for a hundred and eighty thousand years."


    Lu Lingjun glared at him and retorted, "Easy for you to say? A million years might not be enough; you have no idea about the vastness of the Immortal Path Realm!"

 Chapter 312 The Shock of Hu Xiaojian

    Appreciation flickered in Gu An''s eyes; he hadn''t expected Lu Lingjun to have such a keen self-awareness.Lu Lingjun, seeing Gu An''s expression, felt rather helpless. Was this guy always so calm?


    She glared at Gu An and said unenthusiastically, "Don''t you long for it after hearing all that?"


    Gu An replied, "Of course I yearn for it, but over the years I''ve heard too many tales of immortals. At best, I take them as entertainment. Could a great man like myself even dream of such things?"


    Lu Lingjun felt his words were somewhat odd, but she was too lazy to argue and continued to talk about her observations from Mortal World Peak.


    Although Gu An had been there at the time, hearing it from Lu Lingjun''s perspective offered a different view of the scene.


    The two chatted for over an ancient hour, and Lu Lingjun expressed her desire to stay temporarily in the Third Medicine Valley, to which Gu An agreed.


    Gu An stretched in a languid manner as he looked out the window.


    Tomorrow he could go to Dingtian Peak to pick medicinal herbs.


    He had ordered Zhu Xinglan to establish a medicine garden, and the first batch of medicinal herbs was already ripe.


    Regarding the Medicine Garden on Dingtian Peak, Gu An had no intention of prohibiting other disciples from picking the herbs so as not to arouse suspicion; after all, Mortal World Peak was now a first-class sect with close ties to the Holy Court, and he had to be careful.


    And after all, Dingtian Peak was vast; even with disciples helping, he could collect many herbs himself.


    Thinking of this, a look of anticipation appeared in Gu An''s eyes.


    ¡­


    The following afternoon.


    On Dingtian Peak, Gu An walked up the mountain path to the summit, followed by Zhu Xinglan, who displayed great respect as the Peak''s foremost disciple.


    He now knew that Gu An was a Great Power who surpassed the Carefree Primordial Immortal. Such a major figure was critical to cling to, and so he was eager to assist in any way possible.


    "I need a Wandering Immortal disciple to take charge of an island for me," Gu An said casually. "Ask around for me. I won''t treat him unfairly."


    Today had brought him over three hundred thousand years of lifespan, a decent haul.


    Zhu Xinglan immediately responded, "Master, if you wish to leave today, I will arrange it now."


    "Go ahead."


    With Gu An''s consent, Zhu Xinglan vanished on the spot.


    Gu An walked to the courtyard and sat on a bench, looking up. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ever since his last breakthrough, cosmic wars had erupted from time to time outside, with increasing numbers of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals coming and going.


    Gu An also caught sight of the visage of a Heavenly Demon.


    The Heavenly Demons appeared no different from living beings, and included many of the Human Race. The most distinct feature of the Heavenly Demons was their Demonic Qi, which was different from that of the Demon Cultivators and demons within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land¡ªit was more sinister and instinctively repelling.


    At the periphery of the Silent Destruction Domain, two Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were engaged in combat, fighting over a treasure. Carefree Primordial Immortals were observing in the shadows.


    Half an incense stick of time later.


    Zhu Xinglan returned, bringing someone with him.


    [Xun Hanfeng (Wandering Immortal Realm, Fourth Layer): 89034/140000/280000]


    Gu An sized up Xun Hanfeng, who wore a black robe with a slightly sinister face, unkempt hair, and an aura that gave off an impression of great scheming.


    Feeling Gu An''s gaze, Xun Hanfeng lowered his head, not daring to make eye contact.


    He was nervous because he''d heard how powerful and domineering this new master was, but he didn''t want to miss such an opportunity.


    "Disciple Xun Hanfeng, greets Master!" Xun Hanfeng said respectfully with a bow.


    Zhu Xinglan followed with an introduction of his background: Xun Hanfeng had been born on Mortal World Peak and had a very good relationship with Zhu Xinglan.


    "Let''s be off then."


    Gu An stood up and, with a sweep of his sleeve, whisked Xun Hanfeng away.


    Zhu Xinglan was momentarily stunned, admiring how impressive the Master''s Divine Skills were.


    Many privately discussed just how powerful the Master of Dingtian Peak really was. Zhu Xinglan received an important piece of information: Sect Leader Yongnian Daojun believed that the Master of Dingtian Peak possessed a higher cultivation level than he did.


    Such an assessment left him with boundless imagination.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An arrived at Immortal Seeking Island with Xun Hanfeng in tow.


    As they alighted, Xun Hanfeng stumbled, nearly falling, but Gu An caught his arm in time.


    "Are you all right?" Gu An asked.


    Xun Hanfeng, his face flushed with embarrassment, quickly replied, "I''m fine, Master. Sorry for the laugh."


    Gu An nodded and began walking towards the buildings ahead, with Xun Hanfeng hastily following.


    Gu An started to brief him on Immortal Seeking Island. After understanding the strength of the island, Xun Hanfeng breathed a sigh of relief.


    A place where a Wandering Immortal alone could be a deterrent? What pressure could there possibly be?


    "You and the island both share the ''Xun'' surname; that''s quite a coincidence," Gu An joked, with Xun Hanfeng offering only an embarrassed smile and not the least bit of dissatisfaction.


    Soon, Hu Xiaojian and several Elders of the Sea Protection Mansion were introduced, and Gu An had Xun Hanfeng introduce himself.


    "From Mortal World Peak, I am Xun Hanfeng. I look forward to working with all of you and hope for your fullest support," Xun Hanfeng said and then exhibited the aura of a Wandering Immortal, which caused everyone in the hall to breathe rapidly.


    Having spent years doubting whether Gu An''s claims were true, they were all shocked to finally witness a Wandering Immortal.


    Hu Xiaojian was especially excited, looking at Gu An with eyes full of admiration.


    "That''s settled then. From now on, Xun Hanfeng is in charge of Immortal Seeking Island. You all talk."


    With those words, Gu An left.


    Everyone turned their attention to Xun Hanfeng, all quite nervous since he didn''t seem easy to approach.


    After Gu An left, Xun Hanfeng sat down with an assertive posture, no longer as restrained as before.


    "May I ask, Elder, does the Island Master also hail from Mortal World Peak?" one of the Loose Immortals asked cautiously.


    The reputation of Mortal World Peak was significant, and even if they were unfamiliar with it, they had heard of it.


    "Naturally," Xun Hanfeng said.


    Everyone smiled, now believing Xun Hanfeng had a favorable relationship with the Island Master, or at least that he was not an outsider.


    "The Island Master is my Master. You can rest assured. What''s most important is that we all work together to run Immortal Seeking Island well. We cannot disappoint him. Moreover, I can tell you, his Cultivation Level is exceedingly high, stronger than anything you have heard of. Serving him is the greatest fortune of your lives."


    Xun Hanfeng''s words widened everyone''s eyes.


    Hu Xiaojian was bewildered.


    The Elder was of such a grand origin?


    Was he not a Loose Immortal?


    Wait, Loose Immortal was what he had claimed himself...


    Hu Xiaojian felt overwhelmed by immense joy, his mind buzzing, failing to pay attention to the ensuing discussions from the Elders.


    Xun Hanfeng also noticed his distraction but did not mind, as Gu An had instructed to take good care of the lad.


    ¡­


    Seasons changed, and another year passed.


    After the new spring, Gu An visited the branch of the Supreme Sect.


    It was his first time at the branch, which he reached through the Teleportation Array in the Main City of Sect. The Supreme Sect grew stronger every year, and its ties with the branch became tighter.


    Gu An observed the branch''s city, feeling the spiritual energy there, which was almost on par with the Main City of Sect. No wonder so many disciples wished to come here.


    Not only was the spiritual energy abundant here, but disciples could also go out to train at any time, hunting demons and searching for heavenly and earthly treasures.


    The Taicang Dynasty had yet to claim the whole continent, and the same was true for the Immortal Cultivation Sects, as they had not yet traversed every mountain and river on the continent.


    Gu An didn''t rush to find Ye Lan and began to wander around.


    As he wandered, he came across an acquaintance, a friend he had made in the Outer Gate City, with whom he exchanged pleasantries for quite some time.


    Moving on to the next street, he encountered a disciple from the Third Medicine Valley who had achieved Foundation Establishment.


    This was the sediment of a 227-year life.


    Gu An enjoyed chatting with old friends, feeling no distance had grown between them.


    In the next ancient hour, he encountered two more old acquaintances, indicating that the branch had become the preferred destination for many average disciples, all in search of opportunities in the Demon Land.


    Gu An was briefly contemplative but did not interfere with others'' lives, unless he cared deeply for them.


    Like his junior sister, Ye Lan.


    By the time Gu An arrived at Ye Lan''s residence, she appeared out of nowhere with a joyful cry, "Big brother, what brings you here?"


    As she spoke, she rushed over to hug Gu An.


    "In public, you must behave yourself!" Gu An quickly raised his hand and protested.


    Ye Lan reluctantly stopped, then pulled him toward the residence, all the while giving him a rundown of the current state of the branch.


    Inside the residence were numerous female disciples looking after the estate, and as they saw Ye Lan with Gu An, curious eyes followed.


    After they walked away, Gu An could hear the maids start to gossip about them.


    Eventually, Ye Lan led Gu An into her room, then closed the door.


    As the two sat down to chat, Ye Lan finished sharing her experiences and began to inquire about how Gu An had spent his years.


    Gu An recounted his life, and although it was mundane, Ye Lan''s face remained lit with a smile.


    Who would have thought, they thought back then, that two hundred years later, they would be able to sit together once more.


    Gradually, Ye Lan''s mind wandered as she fell into a strange state.


    She experienced this because Gu An was guiding her toward enlightenment.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought covered the room, helping Ye Lan perceive the Heaven and Earth Rules, a method beyond the imagination of mortal spirits. Even facing Gu An herself, Ye Lan didn''t notice anything amiss.


    It was as though Ye Lan had entered a dream state, her eyes distant and unfocused.


    Gu An stood up, carried her to the bed, and guided her into meditation.


    Then he retreated to the table, sitting down to watch her practice.


    And so he watched Ye Lan meditate, his heart full of expectation.


    If he could help Ye Lan extend her maximum lifespan, he would arrange for her to train at Mortal World Peak.


    If not, sending Ye Lan with her few centuries of life to Mortal World Peak would only add to her troubles.


    Once one''s horizons expand, it''s easy to develop more expectations, leading to anxiety and pressure.


    Even Divine Skills from a True Immortal cannot grant eternal life; there seems to be a force in the shadows resisting life''s expansion.


    What that could be, Gu An was also curious to know.


    Time flew swiftly by.


    Gu An suddenly felt a bit bored and whimsically considered another option.


    Why not open another round of Reincarnation Evolution?


    This time, he would not select the Dark Great Heaven and Earth. He was curious to see how long he could survive; perhaps if he lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years and mastered formidable Divine Skills, it might increase his chances of surviving the next Tribulation Crossing.


    Moreover, the memories passed down from Reincarnation Evolution could benefit his Daoist Heart cultivation.


    Gu An felt reaching a certain level might require Reincarnation Cultivation; otherwise, he wouldn''t have unlocked this feature.


    Let''s give it a shot then! Discover hidden content at empire


    Just one shot, no greediness!


    After all, it would cost ten million years of lifespan, and even if he wanted to play more, it was not possible!


    Gu An looked at Ye Lan, thinking to himself: "Little sister, please bless me with a good birth!"

 Chapter 313 Battle Court, Emperor of Heavenly Dragon

    ```[You spent ten million years of life span to initiate a Reincarnation Evolution.]


    [Beginning to connect with the Tao Rules.]


    [Searching for a Reincarnation destination.]


    [You have the following destinations to choose from, select one.]


    [1. Da Hong Realm.]


    [2. Dark Great Heaven and Earth.]


    [3. Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth.]


    Hmm?


    There''s a Dark Great Heaven and Earth again?


    Gu An looked at the prompt before his eyes, immediately feeling aggravated.


    Black Profound Emperor, you wait for me, our blood feud from two lifetimes cannot be resolved!


    Gu An hummed in his heart and then chose Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth.


    He always felt that Great Heaven and Earth seemed more advanced, something like a realm, similar to where Lu Lingjun and Blood Prison Great Saint came from, the Lower Realm.


    As Gu An was thinking, prompts began to appear in front of him.


    [You''ve chosen to reincarnate into the Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth.]


    [Due to the strength of the Tao Rules in this realm, you temporarily can''t initiate the Life Stealing Ability, nor can you activate phased features.]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins.]


    [In the first year, you were born into the Dragon Family of the Divine Continent, and your parents bestowed upon you the name Long Zhan.]


    [At the age of three, you awakened the true bloodline of the Dragon Family and, with the help of your clan, you tempered the Dragon Blood true body.]


    [At the age of eight, your family arranged for an Immortal Master for you, and you officially stepped onto the path of Immortal Cultivation.]


    [At the age of nine, your father took you to court to meet the Emperor of Divine Dynasty, who wished to betroth the Seventh Princess to you. Your father thought to let you decide; do you accept?] S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The prompt stopped there. Gu An had just been wondering how he had turned into a dragon¡ªhe preferred being a human.


    The appearance of Divine Dynasty signified that Dragon was only a surname.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment and decided to accept, wanting to tread carefully in this life.


    [You accepted the arrangement of the Emperor of Divine Dynasty, and you shall marry the Seventh Princess, Han Jiao''er, when you turn sixteen. The Emperor of Divine Dynasty was overjoyed, generously rewarding you and making a decree to announce this to the world.]


    [At the age of thirteen, while accompanied by your clan for training outside, you tore apart a fourth-order Demon King with your bare hands, shocking your clan.]


    [At the age of sixteen, you and Han Jiao''er got married in a ceremony, officially becoming the Prince Consort of the Divine Dynasty. The Emperor of Divine Dynasty conferred upon you the title of Mighty Holy Duke, granting you the Divine Dynasty''s Qi Fortune. You became famous throughout the world, entering the ranks of the top-tier talents.]


    [At the age of eighteen, you decided to venture into the world to grow stronger. You left with Han Jiao''er''s reluctant farewell, and in the same year, she gave birth to your son, named Long Xin.]


    [At the age of twenty, you reached the edge of the Divine Continent and saw an Evil Dragon ravaging the city. You stepped in, subdued it, and unexpectedly discovered you could absorb Dragon Blood, making your Qi-Blood even stronger.]


    [At the age of twenty-one, you encountered an old Daoist who wanted to read your fate; do you accept?]


    It stopped again, suggesting the old Daoist was no ordinary person.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment and chose to accept.


    [You agreed to let the old Daoist read your fate. He pinched your muscles and bones and began to calculate. He was soon shocked, proclaiming you possess an innate Divine Emperor fate, destined to dominate all creatures of heaven and earth, becoming the Lord of Great Heaven and Earth. Immediately afterward, the old Daoist exploded into a burst of blood, covering you.]


    [At twenty-five, you accidentally entered the Grotto Heaven of an Ancient Great Cultivator and learned the Ancient Strange Skill ¨C Divine Desolation Technique.]


    ...


    Gu An''s lips twitched when he saw the part about the old Daoist''s explosive demise.


    After that, he picked the more cautious options whenever possible.


    Year after year passed!


    Gu An was on tenterhooks, fearing an early death.


    When he made it past two hundred years, he smiled, finally setting a new record.


    However, without the Life Stealing Ability, Long Zhan''s growth was surely not as fast as Chu Lu, Xiao Shengtian, and without a displayed realm in the prompts.


    Take it slow!


    Gu An then became even more earnest, determined to strive to survive this life.


    As time ticked by, Ye Lan was meditating on the bed while Gu An sat at the desk, the room engulfed in silence.


    Birdsong occasionally rang out from outside the window, adding a serene atmosphere of passing years.


    After an Ancient Hour.


    Gu An let out a sigh, his expression grave, mired in struggle.


    [At the age of 187,632, you met with the Dragon Family Ancestor, who said he could fully awaken your bloodline, allowing it to fuse with your Qi Fortune and create an unprecedented Physique. Do you accept his help?]


    Gu An had achieved the status of War God of the Divine Continent and was now venturing through the cosmos when he encountered the Ancestor.


    He always felt the Ancestor was up to no good. Discover hidden content at empire


    He did not want to die after coming this far.


    If the Ancestor was benevolent, he wouldn''t make things difficult for a descendant who refused him; if malevolent, not trusting him might lead to disaster, but trusting him could lead to plummeting into the Abyss.


    Do not accept!


    [You refused the help of the Dragon Family Ancestor. The Ancestor was enraged and attacked you, intending to suppress you. After a great battle, you escaped with severe injuries.]


    [At the age of 187,633, you met with Fairy Zi Yuan, who fortunately saved you. Your injuries were healed thanks to her.]


    Next came adventure!


    Fairy Zi Yuan began to follow him on adventures, making him less lonely.


    As for his wife, Han Jiao''er, he had gone to bid her farewell when he was one hundred thousand years old. They had been parted by Yin and Yang. It was because of this that he left his descendants behind and ventured alone into the cosmos.


    Gu An became more relaxed in his subsequent choices, as Long Zhan grew stronger and always managed to escape from death.


    Half an Ancient Hour later.


    [At the age of 350,896, you unified a small universe, established the Battle Court, and married Fairy Zi Yuan. You self-proclaimed as the Emperor of Heavenly Dragon and crowned Fairy Zi Yuan as the Heavenly Empress.]


    Quite impressive!


    Gu An suddenly felt a sense of achievement, as if unlocking an epic achievement in a game.


    He could persevere further!


    Gu An rubbed his hands together and continued to read on.


    One ten-thousand-year span followed another.


    After tens of thousands of years.


    [At the age of 360,000, you broke through your own shackles, achieving the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm, shocking the cosmos. You regained your Life Grid; do you activate the Life Stealing Ability?]


    Here it comes!


    It''s here!


    Gu An chose to seize without hesitation!


    [You activated the Life Stealing Ability. You sacrificed a universe of living beings, resulting in a massive surge in life span.]


    Sacrificed?


    Gu An''s face turned pale.


    How could he be so reckless?


    [At the age of 360,001, just as you transcended the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path and became one with the Immortals and Gods, a terrifying hand reached across the river of time and snuffed you out.]


    [You were executed by the Annihilation God Emperor.]


    [Reincarnation ends.]


    What the hell!


    It ended so abruptly?


    After he activated the Life Stealing Ability, Gu An hadn''t even made a choice.


    Gu An immediately vanished from the room and appeared on an island overseas, initiating the Life Span Barrier.


    He then sat down and looked at the last few prompts, grinding his teeth.


    Good!


    Very good!


    Annihilation God Emperor!


    Another name was added to Gu An''s list of grievances.


    Following that, a huge influx of memories flooded into his mind!


    It was the entire life of the Emperor of Heavenly Dragon, Long Zhan!


    It was only after truly receiving the memories that Gu An realized how extraordinary Long Zhan''s talent was, being unique from birth, inspiring great expectations from his family.


    The love between him and Han Jiao''er also left Gu An deeply moved.


    Once Long Zhan ventured into the cosmos, his life became even more extraordinary, his story deeply touching!


    Within the memories, Gu An also saw Fairy Zi Yuan, incomparably beautiful and with a grace none in the world could match.


    ```

 Chapter 314 Heavenly Dragon and the Ji Family

    As Gu An continued to assimilate Long Zhan''s memories, his hostility towards the Annihilation God Emperor also began to weaken."This Long Zhan is too arrogant!"


    Before his wife Han Jiao''er''s death, he still exercised some restraint in his actions, but since he went to Outer Heaven, he completely unleashed himself and acted recklessly.


    The Battle Court he established was also tyrannical, rewarding those who followed him and annihilating those who opposed!


    The piece of heaven and earth sacrificed by Long Zhan was completely innocent and involved, and the creatures of that realm didn''t even have time to react before they died; the whole world turned to dust in an instant.


    Before, Gu An felt that Xiao Shengtian was already arrogant enough, but compared to Long Zhan, he was nothing.


    If Gu An had been in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and also possessed the ability to slay Long Zhan, he would definitely have made a move. Your journey continues at empire


    After Gu An finished integrating the memories, it was as if he had lived through Long Zhan''s life himself, becoming the Emperor of Heavenly Dragon¡ªyet when he looked back, he was filled with regret and remorse.


    Before Long Zhan transcended the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, Fairy Zi Yuan had advised him not to pursue enlightenment at the expense of harming other beings. Long Zhan didn''t listen, and the two even broke ties over this.


    After the inheritance of memories ended, Gu An was still immersed in them.


    He was Gu An, but also Long Zhan.


    This feeling left Gu An with an indescribable sense.


    Perhaps this is what it felt like to remember a past life in one''s current life.


    Clearly the same person, but with different personalities.


    After inheriting the memories of Long Zhan''s life, Gu An also gained a lot, including insights into the Daoist Heart and the ability to inherit Long Zhan''s most powerful Divine Skills.


    Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect!


    This Divine Skill could condense the ultimate Dharma Aspect of one''s Daoist Sorcery, and could even condense the Dharma Aspect of a past life to fight alongside oneself.


    After creating this Divine Skill, Long Zhan had intended to cultivate through Reincarnation Evolution to create Dharma Aspects for tens of thousands of generations, but an accident unlocked the Life Stealing Ability, and he no longer researched this Divine Skill, instead continually using life span evolution to enhance his Divine Skill.


    Gu An slowly opened his eyes and then disappeared inside the island retreat, returning to Ye Lan''s estate.


    At this moment, Ye Lan was still in a state of Path Enlightenment.


    Gu An sat down and continued to reflect on Long Zhan''s life.


    The Long Zhan who had transcended the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path was truly powerful; the feeling of controlling life and casually manipulating rules fascinated Gu An even now.


    At the same time, he was also filled with dread at the power of the Annihilation God Emperor.


    He had truly been crushed to death by the Annihilation God Emperor with a single hand; he hadn''t even seen the true form of the Annihilation God Emperor.


    It was a means that transcended time and space and was superior to the cosmic rules.


    After understanding Long Zhan''s life, Gu An no longer harbored intense hostility towards the Annihilation God Emperor. Unlike Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian, Long Zhan had brought death upon himself.


    Gu An felt somewhat confused.


    If Reincarnation Evolution could be realized, he might also create a peerless evil being.


    Fundamentally, he did not want to, but he couldn''t control the personality in the cycle of Reincarnation.


    Yet Reincarnation Evolution had many benefits, allowing him to remember countless Spells and Divine Skills, adding to his combat experience, and even enhancing his understanding of Reincarnation, making it very difficult for him to give up.


    After much thought, Gu An felt he was trapping himself in his own web of thoughts. Why overthink so much?


    The path to becoming stronger couldn''t possibly be achieved without harming the innocent; many moral judgments are based on perspective, just like in war¡ªare not the civilians of the enemy''s country innocent?


    At most, the next time he encounters a situation like Long Zhan''s, he could choose not to activate the Life Stealing Ability and rely on his own efforts to Cultivate.


    In fact, even without the Life Stealing Ability, Long Zhan''s talent was very strong.


    Gu An began to review the Cultivation Technique of the Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect.


    He felt this Dharma Aspect seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.


    He soon remembered.


    The Ji Family''s Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form had some similarities.


    He planned to ask Ji Xiaoyu about it later. Ji Xiaoyu had already inherited Divine Skills when she returned to the Ji Family and might be able to perform the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form.


    The sun set, and the moon rose.


    A night passed.


    Ye Lan gradually woke up and felt as if she had had a dream, one she couldn''t remember clearly after waking up.


    When she opened her eyes, she felt the entire world had changed.


    Her gaze fell on the table, and she saw Gu An reading a book.


    Gu An turned his head to look at her and smiled, asking, "Awake?"


    [Ye Lan (Divinity Transformation Realm Level 5): 222/600/800]


    Her Life Span limit had increased by two hundred years!


    Gu An let out a sigh of relief, his face showing a smile.


    As long as there were results!


    But the effect was somewhat weak; he was, after all, a Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Gu An carefully examined Ye Lan and noticed a subtle breath dissipating from her body, like the Heaven and Earth Rules, but even more difficult to detect.


    "How did I fall asleep?" Ye Lan asked, puzzled.


    Gu An rolled his eyes and said, "You''re asking me? It''s not like I drugged you, is it? I''m not even blaming you¡ªI came all this way, and while we were talking, you fell asleep, leaving me hanging."


    Ye Lan showed an embarrassed expression and couldn''t help asking, "Then why didn''t you wake me up?"


    "You were cultivating even in your sleep; it was clearly not ordinary sleep, so how could I dare to interrupt you?" Gu An replied, standing up.


    "I''m leaving, I''ll come to see you again next time."


    "Sister, why not stay a couple more days?"


    "No can do, Medicine Valley can''t do without me." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Really? How come I heard you''re always hands-off as a manager?"


    "How could that be?"


    The two bickered for a while, but in the end, Gu An firmly decided to leave.


    Ye Lan walked him to the estate''s front door.


    Gu An suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to look at her, and asked, "In your heart, which is more important, good and evil or affection?"


    He asked this because he was reminded of the scene where Long Zhan and Fairy Zi Yuan broke ties; although Long Zhan brought it upon himself, the end result of his loneliness still left him sighing.


    Long Zhan might have been overbearing, but towards the people by his side, he was quite good; he just didn''t tolerate any dissent from them.


    Ye Lan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled gracefully and said, "If you were evil, I myself would not be evil, but I would always follow you, as long as you don''t abandon me."


    Gu An showed a smile and said, "Don''t overthink it; I was just thinking about the plot in a book. I don''t have the courage to do evil."


    With that, he waved his hand and walked away.


    Ye Lan watched his retreating figure, thoughtful.


    ...


    As summer approached, the weather cooled.


    In the woods.


    Gu An watched Ji Xiaoyu step onto the clearing with anticipation in his eyes.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s forehead was etched with a red Dao Pattern that burst into light. Her whole aura suddenly changed; she raised her right hand, and the Spiritual Power inside her activated in a sophisticated manner, quickly coalescing behind her into a golden wheel that resembled a round glowing door with intricate and profound patterns.


    As the golden wheel opened, golden dragons surged out from the intense light.


    Her Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form differed from her past life, but Gu An saw through it at a glance. The essence of the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form shared the same origin as the Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect but was weaker and far less sophisticated than the latter.


    This discovery made Gu An''s heart tremble.


    The Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect was created by Long Zhan himself; could the Ji Family be related to Long Zhan?


    In Long Zhan''s memories, he only passed the Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect onto his son Long Xin, which implies that Long Xin passed it down?


    From the life experiences of Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian, their timelines might differ from Gu An''s.


    Could it be that Reincarnation Evolution might project into the past?


    Ji Xiaoyu dismissed the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, then approached Gu An and asked, "How was it?"


    Although she wasn''t sure why Gu An wanted to see the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form, it was renowned throughout the world, and showing it to outsiders did not violate clan rules.


    "Truly formidable, it fills me with awe. The person who created this Divine Skill must truly be a godly being. Does the Ji Family have a record of who created it?" Gu An exclaimed.


    Ji Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "This Divine Skill has an ancient origin, created by an ancestor. Who exactly created it, I am unsure, but if you care, I can look into it when I return."


    Gu An nodded, "I''m indeed curious; I want to write a book, inspired by the Ji Family''s history."


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu smiled and said, "The Vice Sect Leader is looking forward to you writing about the Ji Family."


    The two continued their conversation, with Ji Xiaoyu planning to introduce other Divine Skills, but Gu An showed no interest, so she gave up.


    Both of them headed towards Medicine Valley.


    "The Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form was created by the Reincarnation Path Emperor, or perhaps, I have seen her perform it."


    A voice came from the forest ahead, and Stealing the Five Elements appeared.


    Ji Xiaoyu frowned, her expression full of displeasure.


    Gu An had already noticed Stealing the Five Elements eavesdropping, and he too was speculating whether it was related to the Reincarnation Path Emperor, so he didn''t mind Stealing the Five Elements'' presence.


    Currently, only the Reincarnation Path Emperor in the Ji Family could travel to Outer Heaven.


    Stealing the Five Elements, seeing the look in Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes, laughed and said, "She once said that at the other end of the universe, there exists a more vast expanse of heaven and earth that I can''t even fathom."


    After hearing this, Gu An suddenly suspected that the dragon race or the Battle Court might still exist.


    Of course, it was just a guess.


    Although he integrated Long Zhan''s memories and became Long Zhan, he had no intention of seeking out the dragon race or the Battle Court.


    Staying honestly in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was the Righteous Path!


    Even the strong could be crushed by others.


    "Why do you always eavesdrop on our conversation?" Ji Xiaoyu said discontentedly, the Dao Patterns on her forehead emitting strange radiance once again.


    Stealing the Five Elements raised his hand, "I mean no harm. Am I not helping you clear up your doubts? If you could transform into the Reincarnation Path Emperor, I would only be pleased."


    With that, he vanished on the spot.


    Gu An consoled, "Don''t worry about him, watch how I''ll crush him on the chessboard in the future."


    Ji Xiaoyu retracted her Dao Patterns and nodded slightly.


    For Gu An, this was just a minor interlude, understanding was enough; he didn''t need to investigate thoroughly.


    Long Zhan''s karma was too significant; he didn''t want to get involved.


    But this incident stirred his imagination.


    If Reincarnation Evolution projected into the past, how strong would the Black Profound Emperor be now?


    What about that Annihilation God Emperor and Great Heavenly Spirit Land, would they also be in his field of view?


    Gu An felt he needed to be even more cautious in the future and must not let others know he could steal life span.


    A flock of birds flew out from the forest, heading toward the distance, their figures obscured by the sunlight.


    Five years quickly passed.


    This year, news spread throughout the world, causing a sensation.


    The establishment of the Broken Sea Domain!


    Created by the Holy Court, covering the region that the Great Cold Demon Sect previously sought to slaughter in the Mortal World, with the Sea Breaking Rift at the center.


    The news spread rapidly, penetrating the continent, with the Emperor Li Xuandao following with an edict to the world, declaring the continent be renamed Taicang Continent!

 Chapter 315 Destined Fate

    Broken Sea Domain!Inside An Xin''s house, Gu An sat at the table, lost in thought.


    Why hadn''t they set up the domain before?


    If it was for the sake of guarding against the Great Cold Demon Sect, it was hardly necessary¡ªafter all, the Great Cold Demon Sect was no different from being disbanded.


    Gu An felt that the other party had come specifically for him, especially since the Great Cold Demon Sect had a Holy King standing behind them.


    He could see a large number of cultivators building a floating island in the sky at the edge of the Sea Breaking Rift.


    He watched for a while before withdrawing his gaze and looking back at An Xin.


    At the moment, An Xin was immersed in Path Enlightenment, and with Gu An''s help, she had also entered that state and had been there for several ancient hours.


    Gu An kept checking An Xin''s life span limit.


    Finally, An Xin''s life span limit began to grow, albeit weakly, but it was indeed increasing.


    Gu An stared intently at An Xin, probing everything within her body.


    Soon, he caught a glimpse of that mysterious force more complicated than causality, just like the situation with Ye Lan before.


    As the life span limit increased, this mysterious force began to separate from her body.


    It seemed likely that all beings were bound by this force, and increasing the life span limit would weaken it.


    Could this be fate?


    Gu An fell into contemplation.


    Even Divine Monarchs with powerful divine thoughts could not see through the force that manipulated the lives of all beings.


    Regardless, having started to be able to catch it was a good beginning.


    Afterward, Gu An got up and left.


    After all, this was the Third Medicine Valley, and it wasn''t appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in the same room, especially with their mentor-disciple relationship.


    Moreover, in Medicine Valley, with him around, no one could disturb An Xin''s Path Enlightenment.


    The night passed.


    The next morning, An Xin walked out of her house and followed the disciples in their exercises. She felt somewhat dazed, looking around her; she could feel that the world had changed.


    From afar, Gu An saw her life span limit had grown to three hundred years; she hadn''t yet released her cultivation level suppression, and the Primordial Reincarnation Skill could still increase her life span limit.


    Gu An didn''t greet An Xin, pretending to know nothing about it.


    In the following days, the establishment of the Broken Sea Domain and the renaming of the continent became hot topics among all.


    As summer approached,


    Gu An was teaching Yang Jian cultivation in the woods, aware of Lu Xianyi watching in secret, but unconcerned.


    As long as Lu Xianyi didn''t become hostile to him.


    Lu Xianyi, sitting above the clouds, looked down thoughtfully.


    "This person''s cultivation isn''t very impressive, but he''s very talented at teaching disciples. Could it be that he really encountered an Immortal in a dream?" Lu Xianyi wondered curiously.


    He had joined the Supreme Sect and even entered the Hall of Elders, aware of Gu An''s identity as an author. Beyond that, he could only confirm Gu An was indeed only over two hundred years old, as many could attest, so he didn''t feel wary of Gu An.


    Even if Gu An was the reincarnation of a great power, he posed no threat to a divinity of the Nine Layers of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!


    Because of this, Lu Xianyi''s curiosity about Gu An was even greater than his expectations for Yang Jian.


    "That''s enough for today,"


    Gu An said. Hearing this, Yang Jian stopped his movements and saluted Gu An with a fist.


    Today, Gu An imparted a great deal of combat experience; with memories of Long Zhan''s battles, Gu An''s combat experience had surpassed most in the world. A single afternoon had benefitted Yang Jian immensely.


    On the way back to the valley, Yang Jian was very excited; he had not expected his master''s close combat abilities to be so extraordinary.


    "A genius has returned today. I''ll take you to see him later."


    Gu An mentioned casually, noting Lu Xianyi, seeing their training conclude, left¡ªnot to leave the Supreme Sect, but to play chess.


    "A genius? Who? That Wu Jue, Uncle-Master?" Yang Jian asked curiously.


    Wu Jue had visited Gu An years before, and Yang Jian had only seen him from afar, learning afterward of Wu Jue''s famed reputation.


    "Not him; you''ll know later," Gu An said mysteriously, piquing Yang Jian''s curiosity further.


    When the master and disciple returned to Medicine Valley, they heard other disciples discussing.


    "An Hao is here? Really?"


    "True, An Xin, our Sister Apprentice, is actually An Hao''s sister! They both have the same last name; could they be blood siblings?"


    Continue reading on empire


    "No, they''re just from the same village and once had the same master, who later renamed them."


    "My goodness! An Hao is so handsome, almost like an Immortal."


    "Haha, always the romantic, aren''t you? The Supreme Sect has seen so many geniuses over the years, yet those great figures still think An Hao is the greatest genius the Supreme Sect has ever had."


    Yang Jian''s expression changed slightly, his fists clenched unconsciously.


    It was An Hao!


    He glanced at Gu An covertly, noticing no reaction, and so he suppressed the excitement in his heart.


    His current cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm, a result of focusing on his physical cultivation.


    He wanted to be acknowledged as the number one genius too!


    He had also suspected that An Hao was that mysterious senior disciple; today, he hoped to unravel the mystery.


    Gu An led him to An Xin''s courtyard.


    Gu An noticed Stealing the Five Elements and Lu Xianyi observing An Hao with their divine senses. An Hao, with the vast gulf in their realms, was unaware.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord didn''t come today, and Shen Xinzi was immersed in studying the Journey to the West under a tree, much like Zuo Yijian in his absorption.


    Gu An looked at the imposing An Hao and was very pleased; the current An Hao had already reached the Eighth Layer of the Unification Realm, still cultivating at an impressive speed.


    Yang Jian was a major realm behind him, not yet comparable, but once they entered the Immortal Path Realm, the gap would be trivial.


    When master and disciple arrived outside An Xin''s courtyard, she turned around, smiling, and then pulled An Hao out of the house.


    An Hao stood tall, head crowned with an imposing Golden Dragon Crown, dressed in a waist-bound white robe with sleeves long like flowing clouds. His handsome face bore sharp, proud brows, and just standing there, he possessed a lofty spirit that commanded the world, without losing the transcendent demeanor of a cultivator.


    Compared to him, Yang Jian seemed ordinary. Usually, Yang Jian stood out among his fellow disciples, but next to An Hao, he was easily overlooked.


    "Sister, over the years, Master has been extremely kind to me. I haven''t suffered at all," An Xin said happily.


    An Hao stood in front of Gu An and suddenly didn''t know how to address him.


    "Brother An Hao, have you forgotten me?" Gu An asked with a smile, his demeanor warm as the spring breeze, instantly easing An Hao''s awkwardness.


    "How could I forget? We''ve been through life and death together. Thank you for taking care of my Sister over the years, which has eased many of my worries."


    An Hao smiled, then took out a brocade box to present to Gu An.


    Gu An quickly declined, but under the joint persuasion of An Xin and An Hao, he could only reluctantly accept it¡ªthe box contained Eighth Rank medicinal herbs.


    The young man was thoughtful.


    An Hao''s gaze inevitably landed on Yang Jian, who had been unabashedly staring at him since earlier. How could he not have noticed?


    Intuition told him Yang Jian was not simple.


    He felt like he was facing Impermanence Tian; of course, while Yang Jian was far from as strong, An Hao suspected he might also possess an Ancient Treasure Body.


    "Who is this?" An Hao asked proactively.


    "My disciple, Yang Jian," Gu An replied with a smile, finding the rivalry between the two disciples interesting.


    "Yang Jian? True Lord Erlang?" An Hao laughed.


    Yang Jian, serious, said, "I want to spar with you."


    He could see now that An Hao was definitely not the mysterious senior disciple, which diminished his awe for An Hao somewhat.


    In his mind, only that senior brother could surpass him, as the master said his talent was stronger at the moment.


    An Hao''s smile vanished as he began to size up Yang Jian.


    An Xin wanted to interject but hesitated, looking at Gu An to find him smiling without interruption.


    An Hao spoke, "You''re not strong enough, but I acknowledge your talent and courage. How about we agree to settle it at the Heaven List Tournament in the future? What do you think?"


    Hearing this, Yang Jian felt it was reasonable. A duel like this should be witnessed by the world, so he nodded in agreement.


    "Don''t forget to thank him; he''s been cultivating for many more years than you. He could easily pick on you, but instead, he''s willing to give you time to grow," Gu An said.


    At those words, Yang Jian immediately bowed to express his gratitude.


    An Hao looked at Gu An in astonishment. That such a talent was so obedient?


    Intuition told him that not even among the Star Sea Congregations could one find such a genius.


    "You two keep talking; I won''t disturb you any longer."


    Gu An dropped these words and left with Yang Jian.


    An Hao didn''t ponder any further and took An Xin back into the house.


    Not far away, the Blood Prison Great Saint watched An Hao and inwardly marveled. This youth shouldn''t be underestimated¡ªhe seemed even stronger than Yang Jian.


    Gu An returned alone to his loft and opened the brocade box, examining the medicinal herbs gifted by An Hao.


    Not long after,


    Ji Xiaoyu came to find him.


    "That An Hao is rather remarkable; I''ve seen such a presence in my dreams, always dominating an entire realm," Ji Xiaoyu remarked.


    "You''re not bad yourself!" Gu An replied with a smile.


    Among those he had encountered, below the state of Nirvana, those with a life span reaching nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years were few: currently, only An Hao, Yang Jian, Blood Prison Great Saint, and Ji Xiaoyu. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Lingtian was short by a thousand years.


    Ji Xiaoyu had not only great talent but also a significant background. For now, Gu An felt that An Hao''s foundation fell short of hers.


    Of course, when it came to cultivation speed, An Hao was unrivaled.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat down and asked, "Why is it that your Medicine Valley always attracts so many peerless geniuses and powerful cultivators?"


    Gu An helplessly replied, "You''re asking me? But who am I to ask? Besides, they''re not coming for me."


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, "Even if not for you, you''ve established good karma with each one. You''re not simple, like the Great Fortune of Energy Movement I''ve seen in my dreams¡ªnot necessarily the strongest in talent, but always breaking through and stirring the winds of change in the world."


    Gu An blinked and asked, "What are you trying to say?"


    Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath, "I''m planning to go somewhere¡ªa place with a great opportunity. Come with me!"


    Hearing this, Gu An felt a headache. Many had said similar things to him.


    "You go ahead; the Supreme Sect can''t be without me," Gu An declined, to Ji Xiaoyu''s astonishment at his resolute refusal.

 Chapter 316 Mysterious Heavenly Demon

    "You think you''re Sword Venerable Fudao? The Sect can''t go on without you?" Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t help but say, her angry glare was actually quite charming.Gu An thought as much, but said, "Making contributions, does it really have to be divided by Cultivation Levels? Guarding the Sect outside is merit, as is guarding Medicine Valley. I cultivate medicinal herbs for the Supreme Sect with all my might, isn''t that also a laborious and meritorious deed?"


    Ji Xiaoyu tried to calm her emotions and began to speak of the great advantage of that opportunity. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite Ji Xiaoyu''s persuasion, Gu An just wouldn''t agree, which infuriated her.


    Another person was just as infuriated, and that was An Hao. No matter how he persuaded, An Xin simply refused to follow him to the Star Sea Congregations.


    That day, Ji Xiaoyu left the Third Medicine Valley.


    Less than an hour after her departure, An Hao also stormed off, though he was not leaving the Supreme Sect; he still needed to return to the Main City of Sect to have a talk with the higher-ups.


    Dusk descended.


    Gu An and An Xin stood in front of the wooden railings, their shadows elongating with the setting sun.


    Gu An, admiring the desolate beauty of the sunset, softly asked, "Don''t you regret it?"


    An Xin turned her head, looked at Gu An''s profile, and asked, "Master, do you have any regrets?"


    "Ha-ha, we''re different. Ji Xiaoyu has the Ji Family behind her, but An Hao only has you," Gu An shook his head with a bitter smile.


    An Xin looked to the horizon and said, "He has more than just me, and his heart holds the entire Mortal World. He''s long since not the senior brother I knew. I can''t be the stumbling block in his path."


    For some reason, Gu An suddenly felt the impulse to focus on cultivating An Xin.


    It would be interesting to have An Xin surpass An Hao.


    Unfortunately, for now he could only contemplate it, as reversing the gap between the two was not so easy.


    The master and disciple began to discuss matters overseas, imagining how powerful the Star Sea Congregations were and how awe-inspiring the Sea Breaking Rift would be.


    In life, one always wishes to see the whole world, to measure mountains and rivers.


    ¡­


    Above the Sea of Clouds, Blood Prison Great Saint carried Gu An as they flew, feeling the vibrant Spiritual Energy of the region, and couldn''t help but take a deep breath.


    "Master, where exactly is this place?" Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t resist asking.


    Gu An replied, "Another sect I''ve joined; you must not reveal this to anyone, including Jian''er."


    Upon hearing this, Blood Prison Great Saint''s body shivered, feeling a surge of excitement rush to the top of his skull, unable to contain his exhilaration.


    A secret only he knew?


    Perfect!


    Didn''t this mean he had surpassed Yang Jian in the heart of his master?


    Serves that kid right for wanting to go out and make a name for himself.


    Blood Prison Great Saint thought gleefully. Since meeting An Hao, Yang Jian had been practicing even harder, saying that in the future he wanted to go out and make a name even more renowned than An Hao''s.


    That kid really didn''t understand the heart of the master.


    The master with his unfathomable Dao Level was a hermit in the bustling world, clearly disliking the high-profile life!


    Yang Jian was truly drifting away.


    Gu An could feel Blood Prison Great Saint''s excitement, his bovine body trembling as if this fellow was simply overwhelmed by the rare opportunity to travel far.


    This place was none other than Mortal World Peak.


    Gu An disliked the slow pace of Blood Prison Great Saint and used his Divine Thought to help speed him up.


    After they entered the peaks of the Mortal World Peak, Blood Prison Great Saint looked around curiously, his bovine eyes wide open, as if a countryman had entered the city for the first time.


    And so, they arrived at Dingtian Peak.


    Ever since Gu An extinguished Mo Hen the old man, Dingtian Peak had seen a surge in popularity, with an increase in the number of disciples, and students coming and going from all directions.


    Blood Prison Great Saint could feel the aura of those along the way and was secretly shocked¡ªhow did it feel like any random person was stronger than he was before the seal?


    Gu An, leading him, went all the way to the mountain top.


    Your journey continues at empire


    As soon as they landed, Zhu Xinglan appeared, bowing respectfully towards Gu An.


    Blood Prison Great Saint sized up Zhu Xinglan with curious eyes.


    "Master, a mysterious cave was discovered within Dingtian Peak, containing powerful Restrictions. Would you like to take a look?" Zhu Xinglan asked.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An nodded and asked him to lead the way.


    Along the way, Zhu Xinglan briefed him on the cave at the foot of the mountain, nearly submerged under the sea surface, discovered by two disciples during a Combat practice.


    Zhu Xinglan suspected it was related to the previous insurrection, which had been a while ago, but according to him, terrible demons had emerged at that time, nearly destroying Dingtian Peak to the ground, to the extent that the Peak Master had fallen.


    Gu An couldn''t help but think of Mo Hen the old man.


    Considering Chengtian Peak was a better choice, but Mo Hen the old man chose Dingtian Peak¡ªcould it be because of that cave?


    Blood Prison Great Saint was even more excited, not expecting to encounter something so thrilling upon arrival.


    They flew downward and quickly reached the entrance of the cave, where two Wandering Immortals stood guard. Upon seeing Gu An, they quickly stood up and saluted.


    Gu An nodded, then asked Blood Prison Great Saint to follow Zhu Xinglan into the cave.


    With Zhu Xinglan leading the way, he could not help but wonder why his master was riding a mere mortal ox.


    Such a fortunate ox head!


    Gu An had just entered the cave and felt a subtle aura.


    Hmm?


    The aura of a Heavenly Demon?


    He asked, "Has this been reported to the Main Peak?"


    Zhu Xinglan shook his head, "No, the Main Peak''s master has been in seclusion, and Mortal World Peak has always managed its own affairs."


    He paused, then added, "You are the Peak Master. As long as you do not abdicate, everything about Dingtian Peak is yours."


    These words made Gu An feel comfortable in his heart, and he became increasingly satisfied with Zhu Xinglan.


    The guy was simply the perfect Hu Xiaojian, so easy to use.


    Bypassing the long cave tunnel, they arrived at a spacious chamber. Gu An could sense the thick space Restriction here, almost like an Exotic World''s dimension, making the place look extremely vast.


    The chamber wasn''t too dark, floating with countless bright lights, like fireflies, which were actually Spiritual Energy condensed into form.


    They stood on an Array Platform, where a Stone Pillar stood erect, pitch-black, with a rough surface, reflecting a cold light.


    Gu An got off Blood Prison Great Saint''s back and approached the stone pillar.


    With his hand on the Stone Pillar, a powerful force erupted, startling Zhu Xinglan into immediately deploying his Mana to defend, not forgetting to protect Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Zhu Xinglan''s eyes widened as he saw Gu An''s hand actually penetrate the Stone Pillar, the point of contact glowing eerily as if it were the mouth of an Exotic World.


    A gale followed from that mysterious mouth, the wind black as midnight, like countless sinister Dao Patterns, sending shivers down the spine of both Zhu Xinglan and Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Gu An withdrew his hand, holding a Soul in his grasp¡ªa Soul Body of an old man, about as large as a baby. He was held by Gu An, unable to break free, his face full of fear.


    [Dark Soul Ancestor (Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm Level Three): 1209894/1300000/1900000]


    Gu An looked at the other''s age and raised an eyebrow.


    Zhu Xinglan couldn''t help but caution, "Master, be careful!"


    Gu An''s right hand clenched, and the Dark Soul Ancestor disintegrated.


    Zhu Xinglan, seeing this, sighed in relief and asked, "Master, what realm was he at?"


    He could feel that the Dark Soul Ancestor was very sinister, but what realm he was from, he couldn''t tell.

 Chapter 317 Demon Fetus

    [You have successfully acquired 9,670 years of life span from the Dark Soul Ancestor (Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, third level)]Looking at the prompt before him, Gu An remained indifferent. If it were not for the other party charging at him directly, he would not have bothered to kill him.


    The reason he did not perform the Soul Search was because the space within the stone pillar still concealed other Heavenly Demons!


    Gu An casually responded, "It''s just a demon soul. Its realm, high or low, doesn''t matter."


    Doesn''t matter?


    Zhu Xinglan opened his mouth but didn''t know what to say.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought locked onto the space inside the stone pillar, where, within that pitch-black space, there existed yet another aura of a Heavenly Demon that was even more terrifying.


    His Divine Thought captured the location of that Heavenly Demon.


    It turned out to be a demon egg!


    The demon egg, formed from Demonic Qi and about a zhang tall, emitted a faint glow, like the weak starlight in the dark universe.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought penetrated the demon egg and saw a Demon Infant.


    He saw the Demon Infant entwined with heavy and complex karma, even making him feel uneasy, his intuition telling him that eradicating the Demon Infant would bring greater trouble.


    He withdrew his Divine Thought and also stopped his actions, restoring the Restriction on the stone pillar.


    He turned and said to Zhu Xinglan, "From now on, no one must enter this place, and you must not disturb this stone pillar. There is a fearsome Heavenly Demon inside, difficult to handle, and it has yet to awaken."


    Hearing this, Zhu Xinglan immediately became nervous and muttered, "Heavenly Demon... Sure enough, the previous problem has not been completely resolved."


    Gu An couldn''t help but ask, "Did the previous internal upheaval on Dingtian Peak have to do with the Heavenly Demon?"


    "That''s right, that terrible evil demon was a Heavenly Demon. It''s said that the former Peak Master was transformed by the Heavenly Demon. The Sect feared that spreading the word would stir up greater turmoil, so they concealed the fact¡­" Zhu Xinglan nodded, his face full of worry.


    The greater turmoil he referred to was the Holy Court, which has the deepest apprehension for Heavenly Demons.


    Gu An suddenly thought of You Yingying and Shen Xinzi. Could there be other Heavenly Demon reincarnations in the world?


    He felt it was very likely.


    He sensed he had triggered an extraordinary side plot.


    He did not want to get involved, so he prepared to seal this place, especially since the Demon Fetus was still in slumber.


    "As such, it''s even more crucial not to speak of this, understood?" Gu An cautioned.


    As for informing the Holy Court, he had considered it, but the matter of him casually killing a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma could likely be exposed due to that, and Mortal World Peak does not trust the Holy Court either, otherwise they would not have concealed the matter of the Heavenly Demon.


    After all, he came here to plant herbs; the well-being of Mortal World Peak has nothing to do with him.


    Of course, when he becomes strong enough to ignore the karma of the Demon Fetus, he could then erase the being, giving himself greater peace of mind.


    Zhu Xinglan nodded, but the deep furrows in his brow did not smooth out.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint looked thoughtfully at the stone pillar.


    Afterward, they left the cave, Zhu Xinglan began to seal the entrance and Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint back to the mountaintop.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had many questions he wanted to ask, but he was afraid of being overheard by the Great Cultivator, so he had to swallow his words.


    In the following time, Gu An began picking medicinal herbs at Mortal World Peak. Zhu Xinglan had already set up a large Medicine Garden, which was guarded by disciples on regular days.


    When Gu An personally came to pick herbs, the disciples were initially taken aback by the honor but later got used to it. Of course, no matter how approachable Gu An seemed to be, they always remained reserved.


    After half a day''s stay on Dingtian Peak, Gu An left with several hundreds of thousands of years of life span.


    He came to pick herbs once a month, and the life span income from Dingtian Peak last year had already broken a million years, surpassing his foundation on the Taicang Continent.


    After returning to the Supreme Sect, just as the Blood Prison Great Saint was about to speak, Gu An stopped him.


    "Remember what I said when we left, don''t ask, you will see through everything eventually," Gu An''s words made the Blood Prison Great Saint grow respectful.


    He felt that his master was instructing him.


    His nature was too impulsive, which is why he ended up like this, indeed needing to cultivate his Daoist Heart.


    In Mortal World Peak, Gu An was the revered Peak Master, and in the Supreme Sect, he was just an ordinary Valley Master.


    Watching Gu An chatting and laughing with the Servant Disciples, the Blood Prison Great Saint was incredibly impressed. He felt the master wasn''t pretending; in the master''s heart, all sentient beings truly are equal.


    The distinction of strength lies in one''s Cultivation Level, but the life of every creature is equal.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint increasingly felt there was much to learn from his master, such as this way of interacting with others which surely would lead to many good connections. If someone could defy the heavens and change their fate, these tales might spread far and wide in the future.


    However, his realization was quickly shattered.


    Because that detestable fat mouse came to harass him again.


    What made him most exasperated was that the fat mouse became even faster!


    How could he feel that this mouse also possessed peerless talent?


    This was too absurd!


    Gu An then started to inspect the different sectors within Medicine Valley. Although the Third Medicine Valley seldom had trouble, he still had to perform his duties on the surface, to prevent the disciples from slacking.


    Summer passed, and autumn arrived.


    In the early autumn season, within the Outer World Cave...


    Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai were attacking Gu An together. The three demons constantly changed their movement techniques, their Demon Energy rolling like a dragon, surrounding Gu An.


    Facing their offensive, Gu An seemed quite at ease, with just a wave of his hand, he could resolve their Spells.


    Tian Yao''er stepped on the Nine Extremes Freedom Steps and appeared behind Gu An. She struck with her palm, from which fire surged, rapidly expanding into the shape of a Phoenix and swallowing him whole.


    The next second, the fire Phoenix immediately scattered, causing Tian Yao''er to be shaken and fly backward.


    Gu An then raised his leg, and countless shadows burst forth, causing Tianqing and Tian Bai to lose their composure, unable to defend in time. They were hit by the leg shadows one after another and were knocked flying, landing clumsily far away.


    The three demons struggled to get up, looking at Gu An with aggrieved expressions on their faces.


    "If this were a real fight to the death, you would be dead by now. There aren''t many people out there who will indulge you like I do," Gu An commented nonchalantly while withdrawing his leg.


    Tian Yao''er widened her eyes and asked, "Is every creature out there as powerful as you?"


    "There are always people beyond you, heavens beyond heavens," Gu An casually answered. He had already restrained himself enough not to injure them.


    "Is that so?" Tian Yao''er was skeptical; she always felt that whenever Gu An mentioned fearing this and that, it was all to scare them, while he himself seemed forever calm and composed.


    Gu An snorted, "Anyway, you still need more practice."


    Tianqing and Tian Bai immediately approached, clinging to Gu An''s arms and sweetly agreeing with master.


    This made Tian Yao''er grit her teeth with irritation. Why did it seem as though the other two had been spoiled rotten?


    After Gu An gave a few more pieces of advice, he took his leave.


    Tian Yao''er immediately pounced on Tianqing and Tian Bai, and the second battle commenced.


    Explore new worlds at empire


    ...


    The autumn wind swept through, blowing a leaf into the courtyard where an elderly man in rich attire was sweeping the floor.


    It was none other than the aged Xiaochuan.


    Xiaochuan held the broom with both hands and swept slowly, as if his sweeping was not just cleaning the ground, but also a gesture of refinement.


    A young boy ran into the yard, spotting Xiaochuan and couldn''t help but exclaim, "Grandfather, why are you sweeping again? Is sweeping that fun? It''s not like we have no servants in the house."


    The young man wore blue clothes, had a fair face, and appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, with his hair tied up high, exuding youthful vigor.


    Xiaochuan didn''t stop his sweeping but replied with a kindly smile, "It''s not about fun; it''s a habit. Sweeping helps me reminisce about the past. When you get old like me, you too will love to look back. You''re young and don''t understand."


    The boy stepped forward, hands on his hips, discontentedly saying, "Grandpa, I heard you once practiced in the Immortal Sect. Why don''t you recommend us to enter the Supreme Sect and cultivate? Cultivation is not forbidden to ordinary people. Over the years, cultivators have appeared in the city from time to time, and the Magistrate''s grandson has even gone for cultivation."


    "Grandpa, although our family has money, it''s not enough. We must think long-term."


    He rambled continuously, while Xiaochuan watched him complain without getting angry.


    Once he finished, Xiaochuan suddenly asked, "What if you go to the Immortal Sect and discover your cultivation talent to be very ordinary, inferior to anyone around you, being left behind by them continuously, what would you do?"


    The boy glanced with disbelief, "How could I be that bad?"


    "Your Grandfather I was just that bad."


    "But people are different, right? If someone with exceptional talent emerged from our family, wouldn''t that be a blessing for generations, and even you would benefit."


    "Heh, your uncle once went to an Immortal Cultivation Sect. His talent was mediocre, and he nearly died in a conflict with cultivators. Whether someone is extraordinarily talented or not, these eyes of mine can see," Xiaochuan shook his head and said, as each descendant grew up, they would come and ask him these questions. He had also sent children to practice, but the results were always unsatisfying.


    Of course, he didn''t send them to the Supreme Sect; he didn''t want to cause more trouble for his senior brother.


    If they couldn''t succeed in other sects, how could they go to the Supreme Sect?


    "But can you really see that clearly?" the boy asked with wide eyes, his face turning red with urgency.


    Just as Xiaochuan was about to respond, his eyes suddenly widened.


    Gu An walked into the courtyard, looking around as if searching for something. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Gu An spotted Xiaochuan, he too broke into a smile.


    Noticing his grandfather''s expression, the boy turned his head to look and then frowned, sizing up Gu An and asking, "Who are you? I haven''t seen you before?"


    Thwack!


    Xiaochuan smacked the back of his head, not too harshly, and scolded with a smile, "Do you remember everyone in the house, apart from the maids? Beat it!"


    The boy pouted but had to leave, sizing up Gu An as he went.


    [Chuanyue (Qi Cultivation Realm, first level): 15/80/180]


    Gu An gestured playfully at Chuanyue, causing Chuanyue to glare at him.


    Once the boy left, Xiaochuan stepped forward and hugged Gu An excitedly.


    "Senior Brother, how come you''re here?" Xiaochuan was ecstatic.


    Gu An was slightly annoyed, "When your grandson was here, why didn''t you call me Senior Brother?"


    Xiaochuan grinned, "That was to prevent him from clinging to you once he realized your identity. You are a high cultivator of the Supreme Sect, at least in his eyes."


    Looking at the signs of aging on Xiaochuan''s face, Gu An felt a sense of nostalgia.


    "Why stop the children from seeking the Immortal path?"


    "I''m not stopping them; they just want to use my connections to get in. If they truly possess the talent, they will rise even without my intervention," Xiaochuan shook his head. His words seemed to make sense to Gu An.


    Decades had passed, and Xiaochuan had become more mature, with the sediment of years evident on him, no longer the silent youth who once followed Gu An.

 Chapter 318 Peering into Life, the So-Called Will of Heaven

    Gu An and Xiaochuan sat in the courtyard chatting with great enthusiasm about the past.When they spoke of those olden times, they both harbored many sighs, and when it came to those long-departed friends, they would fall into brief silences.


    "I sent you out of the valley, these many decades, have you been satisfied with your life?" Gu An asked.


    Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Of course, I''m satisfied. At least I have no regrets in life. I''ve even glimpsed the Immortal Path. How can a mortal who achieves my level not be content? Those who aren''t satisfied are probably oppressed their whole life. With that state of mind, no matter how high their cultivation level is, they''ll never be content."


    Gu An couldn''t help but raise his teacup to toast him; such openness was truly rare.


    Gu An had harbored resentments towards Xiaochuan before for not cultivating diligently. Now he thought about it; even if Xiaochuan didn''t achieve much in immortal cultivation, he has at least lived a life more joyous than worrisome.


    However, the thought that Xiaochuan wouldn''t live for many more years made Gu An somewhat reluctant to part.


    He had experienced this feeling many times during the Reincarnation Evolution, especially in the life of Long Zhan. Long Zhan''s drastic change in temperament was because he had lived through too many such events, particularly the death of his beloved wife, which deeply traumatized him.


    The powerful Long Zhan realized that even with his strength, he would have regrets, which was why he ventured alone into the universe.


    Xiaochuan seemed to understand Gu An''s mood and said to comfort him, "Senior brother, although you haven''t started a family, there are many who care about you. You won''t be alone."


    Gu An suddenly asked, "What if they were all like you, what should I do then?"


    Xiaochuan was stunned, he looked deep into Gu An''s eyes and said, "Senior brother, anyone else might worry about this question, but you needn''t. You treat people kindly, always making friends. Besides, solitude isn''t necessarily torture; isn''t the choice of what life you want to lead based on your heart?" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I can be so open-minded because I learned it from you. Ever since I was little, I''ve admired you the most. No matter how powerful Li Ya senior brother is, in my eyes, he doesn''t compare to you, because you live freely and can protect the people you want to care for."


    Upon saying this, Xiaochuan smiled again.


    Gu An suddenly felt an impulse.


    This time he wouldn''t just go along with Xiaochuan''s wishes!


    Gu An took out a secret book and threw it on the table; Xiaochuan instinctively looked at it, surprised he asked, "What is this?"


    "This records a kind of spell¡­" Gu An began to introduce, and with just a sentence, Xiaochuan became entranced.


    Gu An took this chance to enlighten Xiaochuan, immersing his thoughts in the Heaven and Earth Rules, allowing him to momentarily forget about outside matters.


    Autumn winds swept up the fallen leaves in the courtyard, as if fate refused to let them settle on the ground.


    ...


    Above the sea, dressed in black, Li Ya stood on a black eagle''s back, his gaze fixed on the distance. Above the Sea Breaking Rift, hung a majestic and mighty Floating Island, on which stood a city emanating an awe-inspiring aura that commanded respect from all living beings.


    "Broken Sea Domain Master City..."


    Li Ya muttered to himself, frowning.


    A Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared on his shoulder and said softly, "There are terrifying things hidden there, that will eat me, don''t go near."


    Hearing this, Li Ya''s frown deepened as it was the first time he heard the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit say such a thing.


    He took a deep breath, then stamped his foot, and the black eagle flapped its wings harder, speeding up like an arrow, quickly diving into the Sea Breaking Rift.


    Once inside the dark rift, Li Ya breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze looking down with determination.


    "Zhang Buku, wait for me, I haven''t given up on you!"


    Li Ya''s hands tightened into fists within his sleeves, and he drew his Heavy Sword, ready for battle.


    Meanwhile.


    Far away in Mystic Valley, Gu An was picking medicinal herbs. He couldn''t help but stand up and look into the distance.


    It had been ten years since he had lectured Xiaochuan. Over those years, he hadn''t seen Xiaochuan again and had immersed himself back into his life.


    In those ten years, he had extended his lifespan by more than eighteen million years, and so he''d been happy every year.


    It was not until today that the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit told him, it sensed a dangerous presence.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit claimed to feel the presence of a natural enemy within the Broken Sea Domain Master City¡ªan extremely sinister presence.


    Gu An probed with Divine Thought and discovered a Heavenly Demon within the Broken Sea Domain Master City.


    Another Heavenly Demon!


    This Heavenly Demon also possessed the cultivation level of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, unlike the Dark Soul Ancestor before; this one was a Living Spirit.


    There he was, hidden in a dark palace, separated by many Restrictions. No matter how Gu An saw it, he didn''t look like a prisoner.


    Could it be that the Holy King behind the Great Cold Demon Sect had a connection with the Heavenly Demon?


    Gu An didn''t alarm them; exterminating demons was easy, but severing causality was difficult. It was better for both sides to wait, even though he did not know what the other side was waiting for, but he knew he was growing stronger every year.


    Nirvana, Loose Immortal, Wandering Immortal, Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, Carefree Primordial Immortal, Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, and Divine Thought True Immortal!


    In this world where even Carefree Primordial Immortals were rare, Gu An, in the realm of Divine Thought True Immortal, had the confidence to face all trials.


    Gu An watched for a while longer, then withdrew his Divine Thought.


    He wasn''t panicked by the calculations of that Holy King; he felt that the Holy King might be a pawn of the Heavenly Demon.


    Inviting the hostility of the Heavenly Demon for personal grievances, though not afraid, was unnecessary.


    Gu An continued picking medicinal herbs, humming a little tune.


    Once he finished picking the medicinal herbs, he left Mystic Valley.


    He arrived on the eaves of a building at the Chuan residence, his gaze on Xiaochuan, who was cultivating in the courtyard.


    After that enlightenment, Xiaochuan devoted more time to cultivation, a subject he had mentioned to no one.


    Gu An saw that Xiaochuan''s ultimate lifespan had increased to four hundred fifteen years.


    Not too bad!


    He then peeked into Xiaochuan''s causality.


    On a typical day, Gu An wouldn''t only be playing around; he cultivated too. What he studied the most was the causality of life.


    He could now probe the entire lives of mortals. Even if a three-year-old child stood before him, he could see the end of their life in an instant.


    As expected, Xiaochuan''s life had changed.


    Previously, Gu An saw Xiaochuan passing away with a peaceful and regret-free departure. This time he saw Xiaochuan surviving past his original lifespan''s end, with the Chuan house also producing a generation with stronger talent for cultivation.


    But as he watched, Gu An''s brows furrowed.


    Xiaochuan died at age four hundred thirteen, not living out his full ultimate lifespan because his descendants offended a powerful Cultivation Family. Worn out from too much exertion, he died of depression in the end.


    Gu An suddenly felt that his enlightenment of Xiaochuan might not have been such a good thing.


    But on second thought, he''d simply take action when the time came.


    He was the biggest variable in Xiaochuan''s life causality.


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    With that in mind, Gu An looked towards the other members of the Chuan family, peering into their lives.


    A mortal''s life seems long to them but is short in his eyes. Their decades of experience would just flash by him, causing no burden and not affecting him in the slightest. That was the strength of a Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Not to say Divine Thought True Immortal, even a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal could reach this degree.


    It wasn''t long before Gu An''s gaze landed on a boy called Chuan Qi.


    [Chuan Qi (Untrained in Qi Cultivation): 3/120/1050]


    Such talent was definitely the strongest among Xiaochuan''s descendants.


    Gu An began to probe into Chuan Qi''s life.


    It wasn''t Chuan Qi who offended the Cultivation Family, but another member of the Chuan house. After Xiaochuan''s death, Chuan Qi left the family and ventured alone into the Immortal Cultivation World.


    This youngster actually lived past the years of his ultimate lifespan, meaning he would encounter great fortunes in the future, the specifics of which, Gu An could not determine from causality.


    Until Chuan Qi met a girl. After that, the causality broke, and his future became unfathomable.


    When Gu An saw the girl, he could instantly tell she harbored a Heavenly Demon''s soul.


    Another Heavenly Demon!


    Exactly how many Heavenly Demons had infiltrated the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?


    Gu An frowned and continued to scan the others.


    He stood proudly on the eaves, unseen by those passing through the courtyard below.


    After thirty minutes, Gu An finally returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform, pondering over causality and fate.


    "Gu An, come over for a game of Go!"


    A voice called out, and as Gu An turned his head, the caller was none other than the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    In recent years, Lu Xianyi and Stealing the Five Elements had left. There were only two Great Cultivators left in the valley¡ªShen Xinzi and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord. Shen Xinzi was not very interested in Go, preferring to study Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods.


    Gu An didn''t understand why Shen Xinzi could keep on reading those two books over and over, but he chose to respect his choices.


    Gu An walked towards the Nine-Finger Divine Lord while simultaneously probing his causality and fate.


    The higher the opponent''s cultivation level, the shorter the lifespan Gu An could see.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s lifespan and causality were extremely complex, staying consistent for decades, but Gu An could no longer see beyond fifty years into the future.


    Gu An settled down before the Go board as he opened the Go box, he asked, "Predecessor, you have lived for a long time. Tell me, should cultivators intervene in the lives of mortals, even with good intentions?"


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked at him in surprise upon hearing this question, never expecting him to ask such a thing.


    "You''ve asked the right person. I think one shouldn''t. Cultivation itself is a path against nature. Intervening in a mortal''s life will only bring them calamity. There is a will of heaven inherent within the universe. Once, I faced a trial; that ordeal left me gravely injured, losing a finger, but it also confirmed for me the existence of the will of heaven."


    "There is certainly a force beyond the reach and touch of cultivators that may lack consciousness, but it controls the fate of all beings. The higher my cultivation, the more I feel its vastness."


    As he spoke, a hint of fear even appeared in the eyes of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Gu An curiously asked, "Is it from Holy Court?"


    Ever since the establishment of the Broken Sea Domain, Holy Court had entered the collective consciousness of the beings on the continent, becoming an institution representing the divine forces amidst mortal beings.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord shook his head and said, "No, Holy Court is also at the mercy of this force. From what I know, between this world and the universe lies a barrier of power that prevents Mortal Spirits from flying out. It is like a set of rules, and even the Holy Court must obey."


    Gu An looked up, indeed aware of such rules. It was a layer of light enveloping the Great Heavenly Spirit Land that forced living beings to reach the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm before they could fly to the universe.


    Even as a Divine Thought True Immortal, Gu An could not see through these rules.


    The Divine Origin realm where Long Zhan was, was not restricted by such rules.


    Gu An looked up at the sky and placed a stone onto the center of the Go board, making the Nine-Finger Divine Lord''s mouth twitch as if he felt humiliated.

 Chapter 319 Fighting Against the Heavens

    After a fierce and exhilarating battle, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked extremely displeased.He lifted his eyes to look at Gu An and asked through gritted teeth, "Where exactly is the problem?"


    Gu An shrugged and said, "I don''t know."


    "Why can you always guess my next move?"


    "Intuition tells me where you''ll play next, and as long as I guess right, you seem to get flustered and keep changing your strategy, eventually exposing your weaknesses."


    Gu An''s response infuriated the Nine-Finger Divine Lord so much that he nearly coughed up blood.


    Gu An''s smile faded as he said, "However, this game of chess has indeed made me understand that change can indeed bring disaster. Thank you for your teachings, senior."


    With that, he stood up, gave a formal bow, and took his leave.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord watched Gu An''s retreating figure and opened his mouth, but ultimately, his gaze fell back on the chessboard.


    Gu An walked towards his loft with a smile on his face. In fact, there was one more thing he didn''t say.


    Change can indeed lead to disaster, but whether it''s for better or worse depends on the player himself.


    Life is like a game of chess, and Gu An intends to be a player who always wins!


    Even if his opponent is what they call "fate!"


    To struggle against destiny is a joy, isn''t it?


    Having come to this realization, Gu An no longer felt burdened. He didn''t intend to casually change others'' lives, only the lives of those he cared about.


    Xiaochuan was indeed open-minded, but his wish to be reborn into a good life in the next life also showed his longing for Immortal Cultivation, just lacking in innate talent.


    Gu An also realized that as long as he kept getting stronger, he could keep pushing the limits of those around him.


    What cannot be achieved now does not mean it cannot be done in the future!


    Reincarnation might exist, but he only wished to strive for the present.


    This Ji Xiaoyu was not the same person from his past life, and Gu An was not Long Zhan, Xiao Shengtian, or Chu Lu!


    ...


    In the Divine Exotic Realm, beneath the blood-red sky and above the sea of clouds, Zhang Buku stood shoulder to shoulder with the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, overlooking the battle below.


    Endless waves of Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts besieged Li Ya, coming at him like relentless waves, never ceasing.


    Without the Divine Exotic City, Li Ya was embroiled in a difficult fight.


    "The Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts are undying. With his capabilities, at most he can hold on for one Ancient Hour," said the Master of Divine Exotic Realm, expressionless.


    Zhang Buku turned to him and asked, "Why won''t you let me meet him? I can make things clear."


    "What things clear? Say that someone is backing you, forcing me to not restrict you? And even taking you as a disciple?" The Master of Divine Exotic Realm glanced at him coldly and asked.


    Zhang Buku frowned, not understanding his meaning.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm scoffed, "Do you think the city in the sky was built to suppress us? If so, why don''t they invade?"


    "If not for you, then for whom was it established?" asked Zhang Buku in confusion, his eyes widening with surprise.


    "Could it be for Sword Venerable Fudao? Wait, could the person who saved me be Sword Venerable Fudao?" Zhang Buku was utterly shocked.


    So the sparrow had Sword Venerable Fudao backing it...


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm gazed down at Li Ya and said, "After all these years, he''s the only one to have broken in. Might this person have some karmic connection with Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Zhang Buku hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "He received the legacy of Sword Venerable Fudao and learned his swordsmanship." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He left unsaid the claim that Li Ya had made, that Sword Venerable Fudao was his Primordial Ancestor.


    He now understood that it must have been arranged by Sword Venerable Fudao for them to meet.


    But he still couldn''t figure out why Sword Venerable Fudao had taken an interest in him.


    "So that''s how it is. It seems they have reached far and wide," the Master of Divine Exotic Realm said somberly.


    Zhang Buku couldn''t help but ask, "Master, isn''t Holy Court supposed to be good? You''ve said before that the Holy King doesn''t represent Holy Court."


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm took a deep breath and said, "He didn''t represent it before, but now it''s not certain. The Holy Court tried to recruit Sword Venerable Fudao, but he didn''t accept the Qi Fortune outcome. That''s enough for the Holy Court to be wary."


    "In fact, there is a certain power in this world that the Holy Court fears. We are the evolution of that power. It''s precisely because of this that the Holy King has kept me, wanting to use me to identify that power."


    Zhang Buku quickly asked about the nature of that power.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm uttered two words: "Heavenly Demon!"


    Zhang Buku frowned; this was the first time he had heard of the Heavenly Demon.


    "Can you spare him?" Zhang Buku asked through gritted teeth.


    He didn''t understand what a Heavenly Demon was; all he wanted was for his brother to live.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm said somberly, "I''ve already delayed the time, but if Sword Venerable Fudao doesn''t appear and I let him go, then it''s you and me who will die."


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku looked around.


    He increasingly felt as if there were eyes watching him from the shadows.


    He noticed the Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s hand on his waist casting a spell.


    He looked back down and his eyes hardened; he was about to rush to help, but as he leaned forward, a hand pressed down on him.


    He turned to look, and the person holding his shoulder was the Master of Divine Exotic Realm.


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm''s expression was indifferent; at this moment, his look made Zhang Buku feel alienated and cold.


    The thought of Li Ya possibly dying was the thing Zhang Buku couldn''t accept the most.


    He wanted to speak, but he couldn''t utter a sound.


    In the vast sea of ghosts, Li Ya wielded his Heavy Sword, sweeping powerfully in all directions, but no matter how many Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts he vanquished, more swarmed in.


    "Damn it! Do you really acknowledge me as your master, why won''t you listen to me?"


    Li Ya cursed in his heart; he was unable to harness the power of the Divine Exotic City, which frustrated him greatly.


    "No! It will devour me!"


    The voice of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit rang out, filled with fear.


    Li Ya was infuriated by this¡ªhow had this creature become so gutless?


    Damn it!


    Was he to die here before even seeing Zhang Buku?


    If Junior Brother Gu knew of his death, would he grieve?


    No, that''s wrong. Having been gone for so long and so far away, would Junior Brother Gu reach the end of his life still thinking I''m out conquering the world?


    Perhaps that''s for the best...


    Li Ya''s sword swings began to slow; flashes of memories from his youth passed before his eyes.


    When he and Meng Lang and Li Ya had all entered the Mystic Valley, with Meng Lang gone missing, and now him about to die here, who would have thought the least talented Gu An would be the last one alive?


    What a twist of fate!


    A Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost suddenly lunged at Li Ya, holding a Soul Sword whose cold light shattered all the visions before his eyes and filled his pupils.


    Am I going to die?


    Li Ya''s pupils dilated.


    Just then, his body burst into golden light, like unstoppable waves wiping out all the surrounding Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts.


    Li Ya was taken aback by the sudden change in the scenery as a golden city''s phantom emerged from within him, rapidly enlarging to envelope him.


    The Divine Exotic City!


    Li Ya was overjoyed, ready to ask why the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit had suddenly chosen to defy, when a terrifying and unmatched pressure descended, enveloping the whole world.


    "Have you finally decided to come forth, Sword Venerable Fudao? To entrust such an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure to a mere mortal child for amusement, what a grand gesture!"


    An ancient and majestic voice sounded, causing Li Ya to become stunned.


    The Primordial Ancestor?


    Was the Divine Exotic City belonging to the Primordial Ancestor?

 Chapter 320 Great Nether Saint King

    Divine Exotic City appeared, and the entire dim world was illuminated by dazzling golden light; among it, Li Ya stared dumbfoundedly at his surroundings.He could feel that the power of Divine Exotic City was stronger than when he had used it, and it was incomparable.


    This meant that the voice from earlier was telling the truth!


    Thinking about it, he had never truly mastered the power of Divine Exotic City; it was always commanded by Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit.


    Above the clouds, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm looked at the ever-expanding Divine Exotic City, his eyes flickering, unsure of his thoughts.


    Zhang Buku, however, felt a surge of relief¡ªshould Sword Venerable Fudao truly arrive, then Li Ya would be saved.


    In his heart, Sword Venerable Fudao was an invincible existence, a belief shared by all creatures from the Taicang Continent.


    A figure materialized next to Li Ya; he glanced over, his pupils suddenly dilating.


    It was that familiar demonic shadow!


    The dark purple Demonic Qi did not seem evil in his eyes but rather appeared endearing.


    Gu An tilted his head, glancing towards Li Ya.


    Li Ya quickly raised his hand in salute and said, "Primordial Ancestor¡­"


    Words jammed in his throat, unable to be spoken.


    Boom¡ª


    Rolling thunderclouds quickly covered the blood-red heavens, countless thunderbolts twirling like dragons and snakes, immensely spectacular, plunging the land into oppression.


    The sea of clouds formed a giant face, occupying most of the sky, making everything between heaven and earth seem insignificant.


    Zhang Buku looked up at this giant face, speechless with shock, feeling an extremely terrifying pressure that he had never experienced before.


    Even the Master of Divine Exotic Realm looked solemn.


    The strength of the Master of Divine Exotic Realm was comparable to that of a Carefree Primordial Immortal, yet he did not possess the comfort of a Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    This giant face was truly the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    An existence surpassing the Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm couldn''t help but turn his gaze towards Gu An inside Divine Exotic City, thinking expectantly, "Sword Venerable Fudao, how will you face this?"


    Even the powerful Great Cold Demon Sect that besieged the continent in the past couldn''t achieve such a presence!


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, why have you not accepted the rewards from the Holy Court?"


    An aged voice sounded again, stern in tone.


    Gu An slightly lifted his head, his voice reverberating across the heaven and earth, "Why must I accept? Am I considered a demon if I do not join the Holy Court?"


    If the Holy Court truly thought this way, Gu An couldn''t help but be more wary of the Qi Fortune.


    Is Qi Fortune not a form of bondage?


    "None of such, but refusing to join the Holy Court surely has some dubious reason. Sword Venerable Fudao, why do you refuse to show yourself? What exactly are you apprehensive about?" The aged voice boomed like thunder, echoing unceasingly.


    Gu An, hearing this, lost all interest in conversing.


    "Three breaths'' time; if you don''t leave, don''t blame me for lacking respect for the Holy Court," Gu An''s voice was chilling, putting the entire heaven and earth on edge for a killing spree.


    The giant face above clearly changed, but it did not respond.


    Three breaths'' time seemed so prolonged at this moment.


    Zhang Buku and Li Ya dared not even breathe, and the Master of Divine Exotic Realm likewise awaited the decision of that mysterious existence.


    Such a formidable being, and even Sword Venerable Fudao could disregard it; the Master of Divine Exotic Realm was profoundly moved, believing his choice was right.


    He could easily kill Li Ya, but the reason he hadn''t was purely out of respect for Sword Venerable Fudao!


    After three breaths.


    Gu An raised his right hand, his palm facing the giant face in the sky.


    "Sword Venerable¡­"


    As he began to speak, the giant face in the sky suddenly vanished, and Gu An withdrew his hand.


    The world instantly fell into silence.


    Li Ya''s eyes widened; he saw the rolling thunderclouds silently torn open, creating a giant hole exactly where the mysterious giant face had been.


    He instinctively looked towards Gu An, seeing an old man enveloped in mist in Gu An''s palm, the elder full of panic, unable to struggle or escape.


    Even though the old man was speaking, Li Ya couldn''t hear a word.


    Gu An then disappeared from the spot.


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared on Li Ya''s shoulder, tiny hands patting her small chest, looking extremely relieved.


    Zhang Buku and the Master of Divine Exotic Realm were also stunned. What they had thought would be an unprecedented great war, the Master of Divine Exotic Realm had even prepared for the world to shatter, yet the mysterious Great Power from the Holy Court was just taken away like this?


    How high could Sword Venerable Fudao''s realm be?


    The Master of Divine Exotic Realm was filled with fear, a terrifying thought suddenly occurring to him.


    Could it be that Sword Venerable Fudao was truly a Heavenly Demon, and from the beginning, he stood in opposition to the Holy Court?


    ¡­


    The waves crashed against the shore, Gu An sat on the rock, having already activated the Life Span Barrier, his right hand opened, containing the old man sitting cross-legged inside, who was indeed the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma stationed at the Domain Master city of the Broken Sea Domain.


    Gu An was performing the Great Imprison Soul Immortal Technique, searching the other''s memories.


    This person, named Luo Xuzi, was a reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, holding a Third Grade Heavenly Position in the Holy Court, one of the confidants of the Great Nether Saint King.


    Luo Xuzi''s many memories were protected by a mystery spell, which would shatter and dissipate automatically if invaded, all related to the Great Nether Saint King.


    Unfortunately, such methods were akin to child''s play before Gu An''s Divine Sense; he easily deciphered them and glimpsed into Luo Xuzi''s dealings with the Great Nether Saint King.


    The creation of the Broken Sea Domain was indeed set by the Great Nether Saint King, within it was his arch-nemesis, the Candle World Saint King. Initially, the Great Nether Saint King merely wanted to exterminate the Candle World Saint King, keeping him eternally in Reincarnation; many under his command took this opportunity for their gain, leading to the calamity in the Broken Sea Domain.


    After Gu An made his move, the Great Nether Saint King regarded him as an enemy. Now, the Great Nether Saint King suspected Gu An might also be a reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, hence he sent Luo Xuzi over.


    According to Luo Xuzi''s memories, the Great Nether Saint King was not a Heavenly Demon, but he was fervently searching for the reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, his intentions unknown to anyone.


    It appears it wasn''t the Holy Court aiming for Sword Venerable Fudao but the Great Nether Saint King''s intent.


    The Holy Court had profound depth and numerous factions; viewing the Broken Sea Domain, it seemed vast, but in the eyes of the Greater Heavenly Spirit Land, it was but trivial, not even reaching the eyes of the Standard First Rank Heavenly Position.


    The Third Grade Heavenly Position, also known as the Holy King, was not short of position holders in the Holy Court; ascending further were the Second Grade Heavenly Position''s Holy Minister and the First Grade Heavenly Position''s Holy God.


    After searching Luo Xuzi''s soul, Gu An extinguished his soul.


    He wasn''t concerned about further tricks from the Great Nether Saint King; in fact, he was looking forward to seeing what the Great Nether Saint King would do next.


    Facing an unknown adversary, regardless of how powerful his minions were, they would fall discreetly; wouldn''t the Great Nether Saint King feel pressured?


    Although the Holy Court didn''t care about the Broken Sea Domain, the epic battle between Gu An and the Great Cold Demon Sect from years ago did reach the Holy Court. The Holy Court''s ability to recruit Sword Venerable Fudao also showed that most of the upper echelons in the Holy Court were favorable towards Sword Venerable Fudao''s actions, which is why the Great Nether Saint King only dared to operate from the shadows.


    A prompt appeared before Gu An; he had seized over twenty thousand years of Luo Xuzi''s life span.


    Tsk tsk, these Great Powers really are brash, acting so recklessly.


    Of course, facing an existence like Gu An, even if they hide their true forms, Gu An would find a way to locate them.


    Back in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord who escaped from Gu An''s clutches could also be located by him now; but seeing him behave, Gu An didn''t pursue him.


    Immortal cultivation was never easy; if one could recognize the situation and act accordingly, Gu An would still admire that.


    To date, regarding the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord escaping from his hands, frankly, he was somewhat looking forward to seeing how far the Thousand-Faced Divine Lord could go.


    Gu An stood up and vanished from the rock.


    ¡­


    In the main city of the Broken Sea Domain, inside a dim grand hall. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Domain Master Qing Songzi stood on the steps, hands clasped behind his back, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.


    "How come it suddenly went quiet? Could it be that even Elder Luo Xuzi is not a match for Sword Venerable Fudao? Even if he is not, there shouldn''t be silence¡­" Qing Songzi thought, frowning.


    Dressed in a green robe, he exuded a calm demeanor, appearing in his forties, with the oppressive aura of someone in power.


    He possessed the cultivation level of the seventh layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm and was recognized by the Holy Court as the Domain Master of Broken Sea Domain. He had never felt as anxious as he did today.


    The Sea Breaking Rift was just below; if there were any battles, he would definitely detect them immediately.


    He now dared not extend his Divine Sense into the Rift for fear of provoking trouble.


    Even if Luo Xuzi failed, Sword Venerable Fudao likely wouldn''t dare confront the Holy Court directly; he just needed to pretend ignorance.


    Just then, a series of footsteps approached.


    Lu Xianyi came walking briskly, leaving a trail of afterimages.


    He stopped before the steps, raising his hand in salute to Qing Songzi and smiling, "I wonder why the elder has summoned me; what is the matter?"


    Qing Songzi turned to look at him, revealing a smile as he said, "I and your father are fellow disciples; what elder are you speaking to? That''s too formal; call me your teacher-uncle from now on."


    "Teacher-uncle."


    Lu Xianyi responded, his mind already calculating¡ªthe other clearly needed him, which was why he showed such an attitude.


    As for the Great Nether Saint King behind Qing Songzi, he was also aware.


    Could it be that the main city of the Broken Sea Domain was thwarted by Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Lu Xianyi inwardly chuckled, knowing that over the years, many of the Holy Court''s pieces infiltrated the Taicang Continent and even the Supreme Sect to investigate Sword Venerable Fudao; he could guess that the Great Nether Saint King was somewhat unrelenting.


    The Great Cold Demon Sect was a powerful weapon in the hands of the Great Nether Saint King, gaining considerable power and authority by performing numerous dirty tasks for the Holy Court; hence, his power continued to grow, and the errors he made weren''t likely to shake his position.


    Indeed, the calamity in the Broken Sea Domain was seen as a mistake by the Great Nether Saint King by the Holy Court, but such a mistake wasn''t considered significant. Even several could deduce the Great Nether Saint King''s plans against the Candle World Saint King, many choosing to turn a blind eye.


    Weighing the ruling Holy King against the Reincarnated Holy King was an easy choice.


    Qing Songzi looked at Lu Xianyi and asked with a smile, "Sword Venerable Fudao refuses to accept the Qi Fortune from the Holy Court; having stayed in the Supreme Sect for so many years, what do you think should be done? Should he be left to his own devices, or should his background be investigated?"


    Lu Xianyi thought to himself, as expected, and after pondering, he said, "Teacher-uncle, do you think Sword Venerable Fudao is formidable?"


    "Of course, he''s formidable, beyond my comparison," Qing Songzi answered without hesitation.


    Lu Xianyi continued, "Since that is the case, why bother to offend him? Wouldn''t it be sufficient to just manage the Broken Sea Domain well?"


    Qing Songzi frowned.


    Lu Xianyi meaningfully said, "Sword Venerable Fudao appeared in the land of the reincarnation of the Candle World Saint King; these two very likely have a connection. Why Sword Venerable Fudao hides his identity is worth considering. Teacher-uncle, my father once said, surviving in the Holy Court is like walking on thin ice, no matter how high one''s cultivation level is; staying alive is the most important."

 Chapter 321 Evil Tree

    The events that took place within the Sea Breaking Rift did not spread, and just like that, a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma disappeared without a trace.Since then, Gu An distinctly felt that the number of people on the continent probing for the Sword Venerable Fudao had sharply decreased; it seemed that the master of the Broken Sea Domain had already made a choice.


    If the Holy Court truly stopped scheming against Gu An, he naturally didn''t bother to hold a grudge.


    Living in peace was what he hoped for!


    A period of peace came to the Broken Sea Domain, and despite great talents and powers continuously emerging in the world, Gu An hid within the Supreme Sect and observed the world''s vicissitudes with a smile.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Fifty years swiftly passed.


    Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, and looking at his Attribute Panel, a smile spread across his face.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 293/470,569,402]


    ...


    Today''s harvest from the Outer World Cave had allowed him to gain nearly forty million years of life span in one go!


    It was so exhilarating!


    This was still the first large-scale herbal harvest from the Outer World Cave. Every year, he would plant high-rank medicinal herbs in the Outer World Cave, and the income from life span would only increase more and more!


    Fifty years had gone by, and the Supreme Sect was flourishing. Nowadays, in terms of paper strength, it was one of the top Great Sects on the continent, with only the Seven Stars Spirit Realm comparable.


    The Servant Disciples within the Third Medicine Valley had also been largely replaced; some left, and others came. The scene in the Medicine Valley was much the same as it was fifty years ago.


    Along the way, Gu An greeted his disciples non-stop.


    This scene left Ji Xiaoyu standing before the pavilion feeling somewhat dazed.


    After being away for so many years, the fact that the valley remained unchanged made her feel incredibly moved.


    Gu An made his way to the pavilion, sizing up Ji Xiaoyu, and smiled, "Many years have passed, yet your aura is even more impressive."


    Ji Xiaoyu, dressed in green garments, still had an elegant charm. Her flowing clothes resembled a skirt, creating illusions of drifting clouds as they billowed in the wind.


    She fixed Gu An with her gaze and said, "So many years have passed, and you are still at the Core Formation Realm, while I have become a Divinity Transformation Cultivator. Do you regret it?"


    Regret?


    How could that be possible!


    Following you out, always encountering danger?


    Gu An mentally complained. Over the years, he had often used his Divine Thought to keep watch over Ji Xiaoyu, and he even acted a few times to ensure she always escaped danger by a hair''s breadth. He knew all too well what she had been through.


    "I don''t regret it at all. I''ve had a good time these years. As for cultivation level, slow and steady wins the race. I will condense the Nascent Soul sooner or later," Gu An replied casually.


    Ji Xiaoyu scrutinized him closely, and upon confirming that he wasn''t lying, a smile appeared on her face.


    What she admired most was Gu An''s temperament; she had never seen him angry or envious, as he always seemed to be smiling.


    "Shall we talk upstairs?" Gu An asked with a smile, knowing Ji Xiaoyu had a lot to say.


    For Gu An, the journeys Ji Xiaoyu had embarked upon these past years couldn''t compare to the distance of a single step for him, but for her, these decades were lengthy, and he would occasionally hear her murmuring to a campfire when alone.


    The Stealing the Five Elements, who had been tailing Ji Xiaoyu, had never shown up, merely escorting her in secret for a part of her journey.


    Once they were upstairs in the house, Ji Xiaoyu began recounting her experiences throughout the years. Her stories were rich, with demon-slaying, thrilling adventures, and even encounters with old grudges.


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    Gu An listened intently, chiming in from time to time, keeping Ji Xiaoyu''s desire to share stories high.


    After more than an ancient hour, Ji Xiaoyu finally finished telling her tales.


    Gu An exclaimed, "How exciting, just like the stories narrated by storytellers."


    Ji Xiaoyu laughed, "I obtained the inheritance left by someone from a previous life; the journey was worthwhile, but it''s unknown how far I can go."


    It should be the second layer of the Immortal Path.


    Gu An had seen that secret realm, created by a Loose Immortal, which meant that Ji Xiaoyu''s predecessor''s highest cultivation realm reached the Loose Immortal Realm.


    For the current Ji Xiaoyu, how formidable a Loose Immortal was, practically out of reach.


    Gu An asked with a smile, "What are your plans going forward?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "Settle for a few decades before considering another journey."


    "The ranking competition is about to begin, which is a good opportunity to enjoy the excitement. The Supreme Sect is not what it used to be, and this ranking competition will surely be lively. It''s said that a Loose Immortal joined the Supreme Sect in the last couple of years; have you heard about the Loose Immortal?" As Gu An spoke of the competition, he became more talkative.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched him with a slight smile on her lips.


    This guy still loved to see the world bustling.


    Listening to Gu An talk about the highlights of the ranking competition, along with the sounds of insects and voices from outside the window, Ji Xiaoyu''s heart fell into tranquility.


    Having witnessed the world''s turmoil, she now felt a sense of peace inside, free of any pressure or concern.


    After spending the afternoon with Ji Xiaoyu, Gu An finally left the Third Medicine Valley and headed to the Mystic Valley''s Eight Scenic Caves underground.


    He arrived in front of the Green Vine Tree, where a large cauldron was set up, surrounded by various instruments.


    Over the past thirty years, he had been studying the art of Artifact Refining. He wasn''t after creating any phenomenal Dharma Treasures, but rather, sought realizations through the process of forging.


    The Dharma Treasures he had forged by now were coveted by the Supreme Sect, but he didn''t hand them over to the sect, instead tossing them to the Immortal Seeking Island for sale, exchanging the Spirit Stones received for seeds and refining materials.


    With a cultivation of Divine Thought Immortal status, it wasn''t difficult for Gu An to forge Immortal Treasures, but creating Supreme Immortal Path Treasures was still out of reach.


    Supreme Immortal Path Treasures could only be created by immensely powerful beings standing at the peak of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, the crystallization of a lifetime''s Dao from a major Immortal Path power.


    In the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land, forces that owned Supreme Immortal Path Treasures were territorial overlords, and those who could fully wield the power of such treasures were few and far between ¨C at least Gu An had yet to see such individuals.


    Long Zhan had one such treasure; when he reached the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, he could suppress an entire universe with just one treasure, incredibly formidable.


    Gu An had just approached the cauldron when it, along with the surrounding instruments, began to blaze with fire.


    Two vines stretched from behind, beginning to massage Gu An''s shoulders.


    "Master, that guy, are you really not going to intervene?" The voice of the Green Vine Tree sounded, still similar to Jiang Qiong, but weaker.


    Gu An replied, "It''s fine; it''s impossible for the other party to step foot here."


    Because of the influence of Sword Venerable Fudao, the reputation of the Supreme Sect had far outshone its actual strength; thus, the upcoming ranking competition also attracted a multitude of Overseas Cultivators and Demons.


    Among them was a presence that made the Green Vine Tree afraid, and Gu An had already located that presence.


    It was a Shape-Shifting Tree Demon, its cultivation having reached the Wandering Immortal stage, who was currently hiding its cultivation level and joining the ranking competition as a Mahayana Cultivator.


    A Wandering Immortal posed no threat to Gu An, and therefore, he didn''t care.


    What he did care about was another individual ¨C someone from the Immortal Spirit Dynasty had arrived at the Supreme Sect, whose cultivation level was that of a Carefree Primordial Immortal, but had hidden it, presenting themselves merely as an ordinary Loose Immortal.


    Of course, even a Loose Immortal was enough to be treated as an honored guest by the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An was curious about the purpose of the Immortal Spirit Dynasty''s visit.


    There would be quite a show at this ranking competition.


    "Master, can you subdue him?" The Green Vine Tree cautiously asked.


    Gu An, thinking it was worried, grunted in affirmation.


    He felt the vines on his shoulders tremble, followed by the voice of Green Vine Tree, "Then can you capture him and let me eat him?"


    Gu An was taken aback and turned to look at the Green Vine Tree in surprise. It had been so afraid moments ago, and now it wanted to eat someone?


    He had almost forgotten that the Green Vine Tree came from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, a Demon Path sect, so naturally, it could be an Evil Tree.


    "Don''t get any funny ideas, or watch out, I might eat you instead!" Gu An said, in no good mood.


    The Green Vine Tree used to love eating lamb; if its murderous nature wasn''t restrained, Gu An feared for his disciples'' safety.


    He kept the Green Vine Tree mainly for the production of the Green Vine Fruit; to him now, the Green Vine Tree was not indispensable.


    Seemingly sensing Gu An''s displeasure, the Green Vine Tree fell silent, and the two vines massaging his shoulders became even more careful.


    The next day at noon, Gu An arrived at the Outer Gate City riding the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The city was overcrowded, and even the air was bustling with a multitude of Cultivators and Demons.


    Fifty years had passed, and Gu An had even more acquaintances in the city; wherever he went, people greeted him.


    He also encountered the son of Zuo Yijian, Zuo Lin, who was also Li Ya''s childhood friend. Not practicing the Sword Dao, he was a genuine prodigy.


    Now, Zuo Lin had completely abandoned the Sword Dao and become a modestly famous talent. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two would meet every year, and their relationship remained strong. Zuo Lin began to complain about his father straight away.


    It was once again because of Sword Venerable Fudao that he''d offended a Great Cultivator.


    Day and night, he guarded the Heaven-Cutting Axe; despite this, Zuo Yijian had offended quite a few, resulting in frequent intrusions and investigations into the Zuo Family. Luckily with Sword Venerable Fudao around, no one dared make a move. Still, the Zuo Family lived in constant fear of a catastrophe befalling them.


    Suddenly, Gu An thought he should probably give Zuo Yijian some advice. To be honest, he clearly saw the devotion in Zuo Yijian''s attitude and felt it deserved recognition.


    Hmm, he should take the opportunity to guide him, not letting Zuo Yijian''s efforts go to waste.


    After chatting for a while, they parted ways. Gu An, using his mind, communicated with the Blood Prison Great Saint, who changed direction.


    The crowd surged, vendors on both sides shouted continuously, and Gu An rode on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, looking curiously at everything along the way.


    This feeling was much like attending a fair.


    Unlike other meetings, the ranking competition was held every hundred years, making it the most important event for the Supreme Sect and even the entire Taicang Continent, with a liveliness that couldn''t be compared to any other time. The arrival of many sects also brought many new items.


    After 30 minutes, the Blood Prison Great Saint stopped in front of a pavilion, and Gu An dismounted, entering a store named the Pavilion of Wonders.


    Once inside the hall, his vision was filled with numerous treasures, and his gaze fell upon an individual.


    [Zhang Xianwang (Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, Level 7): 359098/700000/2500000]


    Two and a half million years of ultimate life span!


    Gu An estimated he had the potential to reach the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal level.


    This person was the Carefree Primordial Immortal from the Immortal Spirit Dynasty, standing in front of a shelf, toying with a broken flute.


    Gu An stepped forward, passing by his side.


    Zhang Xianwang didn''t pay him any mind, and both stood in front of the same shelf, admiring treasures.


    After a while, Zhang Xianwang glanced at Gu An, and at that glance, his eyebrows suddenly raised.


    "Young man, where do those gold patterns on your forehead come from?" Zhang Xianwang asked, his tone gentle and devoid of any Great Cultivator''s assertiveness.


    Gu An touched his forehead and smiled, "One night, when I woke up, this gold pattern had appeared. Does Daoist Friend know its origin?"

 Chapter 322 The Guidance of the Dao

    "This is a Dao Pattern, representing the initial manifestation of the Dao. Some are born with it, while others acquire it later in life through cultivation. Sudden gains like yours are not unheard of. Regardless, possessing a Dao Pattern means that you will eventually transcend the mortal realm and become an Immortal. I offer you my early congratulations."Zhang Xianwang said with a smile, admiration apparent in his eyes.


    Gu An immediately clasped his fists, saying, "My name is Gu An. May I ask for your esteemed name, Daoist Friend?"


    He could feel Zhang Xianwang deducing his karma. He was unconcerned, for he had already altered the appearance of his karma. Unless someone was of a higher realm than his, looking at his true self would only reveal a life typical of a servant disciple, mundane and unremarkable.


    "I am Zhang Xianwang, from a distant place. Meeting you is fate. Why not show me around? I would like to learn about the Supreme Sect and the Heavenly Ranking Conference."


    Faced with Zhang Xianwang''s proposal, Gu An naturally wouldn''t refuse, as he had specifically come for him.


    The two walked out of the Treasure Pavilion. Upon seeing Gu An''s mount, Zhang Xianwang did not think much of it as he could not see through the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit.


    Along the way, Gu An introduced the details of the Supreme Sect. When he mentioned Sword Venerable Fudao, Zhang Xianwang immediately inquired about the specifics regarding him.


    Talking about Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An showed a fervent look, praising him extravagantly.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint kept his composure but inwardly felt moved.


    He admired this demeanor of his master.


    If he had been Zhang Xianwang, he couldn''t have associated Gu An with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Not only did Zhang Xianwang find the Blood Prison Great Saint plain, the Great Saint thought little of Zhang Xianwang as well. Both were great cultivators concealing their cultivation levels, naturally carrying some arrogance in their hearts.


    Unknowingly, the two arrived near the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Gu An, with a smile, asked, "The Heaven-Cutting Axe is up there. Do you want to try challenging it?"


    Zhang Xianwang looked towards the distance, shook his head slightly, and said, "I surely can''t pull it out; no need."


    He turned back to Gu An and said, "I will be staying at the Supreme Sect for a long time. Next time we meet, I''ll treat you to a drink. If someone tries to persuade you to leave the Supreme Sect, you had better refuse. Possessing a Dao Pattern is innate fortune, but it can also attract calamities. Within the Supreme Sect, at least you have the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao, and others will not dare to meddle."


    With these words, he turned and left.


    Gu An watched his figure receding, thinking to himself that this man was quite pleasant.


    He had thought the people of the Immortal Spirit Dynasty were all arrogantly detached since they rarely interacted with the outside world, but meeting him today changed Gu An''s opinion about the Immortal Spirit Dynasty.


    From afar, Gu An looked towards the Heaven-Cutting Axe, where Zuo Yijian stood beside it, vigilantly guarding it day in, day out.


    Now when discussing the Heaven-Cutting Axe, it was hard to avoid mentioning Zuo Yijian.


    Gu An''s mind stirred, and his divine thought, mixed with powerful sword intent, aggressively entered Zuo Yijian''s eyes, causing him to become dazed.


    Immediately thereafter, Gu An rode off on the Blood Prison Great Saint in another direction, not ascending the platform.


    Zhang Xianwang, not yet far away, stopped walking, turned around, and stared in astonishment.


    At the same time, a soaring sword intent erupted from Zuo Yijian, prompting the nearby cultivators to retreat as figures suddenly appeared around the Heaven-Cutting Axe, isolating Zuo Yijian.


    Zuo Yijian''s eyes became void of spirit, his whole person in a daze, the sword intent moving from below upwards, fluttering his long hair and robes.


    Feeling the sword intent belonging to Sword Venerable Fudao, the great cultivators of the Supreme Sect breathed a sigh of relief.


    "What happened to him?"


    "It''s Sword Venerable Fudao''s sword intent. Feel it carefully; Zuo Yijian''s sword qi is growing stronger."


    "Is Sword Venerable Fudao guiding him?"


    "If it''s him, I can understand, since he has guarded here for so many years."


    "So he wasn''t lying. Did Sword Venerable Fudao really pat his shoulder back then?"


    The cultivators discussed animatedly, while Zuo Yijian was engrossed in the sword intent, unable to extricate himself.


    Far below the Heavenly Repair Platform, Zhang Xianwang felt the sword intent emanating from Zuo Yijian, and his mind was shocked.


    He was, after all, a Carefree Primordial Immortal, yet he hadn''t noticed Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention; he couldn''t even comprehend how Sword Venerable Fudao''s sword intent could induce Zuo Yijian into a state of enlightenment.


    At that moment, he realized his own insignificance.


    The Carefree Primordial Immortal was only carefree, not yet at the stage of comprehending the great Dao!


    In the corner of his vision remained the retreating figure of Gu An, yet he did not attract his attention.


    He could not fathom that Gu An, who had walked in the opposite direction, was the Sword Venerable Fudao who had just shocked him.


    Gu An did not look back, deeply concealing both his abilities and fame.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint heard the hustle in the distance and also did not turn back, for he knew the legendary Sword Venerable Fudao was right on his back.


    When Immortals act, mortals always react with alarm, how dull!


    After meeting Zhang Xianwang, Gu An continued wandering around the city, buying many things and then headed back to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An found An Xin and handed over his purchases to him.


    The valley also stored a variety of medicinal herbs, elixirs, secret books, and magic artifacts that the servant disciples could buy directly at prices even lower than in the city, a benefit provided by Gu An; after comparing it, the disciples felt even more gratitude towards him. Because of such actions, even after the servant disciples reached Foundation Establishment and later met Gu An, they would still call him Master.


    After arranging all this, Gu An prepared to go upstairs to read.


    Coincidentally, Shen Zhen flew in.


    Gu An had no choice but to wait for her.


    Over the years, Shen Zhen had not been idle, sharing her insights with the Supreme Sect and helping to create many Transmission Jade Slips. These allowed the disciples to cultivate not only by understanding the words but by seeing the cultivation scenarios, earning her real respect from the Supreme Sect.


    "Hurry upstairs; there''s something good!"


    Shen Zhen eagerly said before taking the lead upstairs, leaving Gu An to follow.


    After entering the room and closing the door, Gu An sensed a weak presence downstairs, clearly Ji Xiaoyu trying to eavesdrop again.


    Shen Zhen went to the table and pulled out a set of scrolls, swiftly spreading one out.


    Gu An walked over and saw that it depicted an ancient scene where many unclothed people knelt on the ground, waving at the sky where a group of cloud-riding figures, dressed magnificently like Immortals, hovered.


    "I acquired an incomplete ancient tome previously, and I''ve been studying it daily, then visualizing its complete scene. Perhaps, the Dao is guiding me," Shen Zhen boasted proudly.


    Was it really visualized?


    With Gu An''s keen vision, he noticed the environmental contours of the drawing held the subtleties of the Heaven and Earth rules. Your next chapter awaits on empire


    Could the Dao really be guiding Shen Zhen?


    Something wasn''t right.


    Why Shen Zhen?


    Gu An suddenly doubted whether Shen Zhen could truly attain the Dao through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    He had previously shocked Zhang Xianwang, and now it was Shen Zhen''s turn to shock him.


    Could one comprehend the Heaven and Earth rules without reaching the Immortal Path Realm?


    That was too absurd! sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could she be an Immortal reincarnated?


    That shouldn''t be, either. If she were the reincarnation of a Great Power, Gu An could have noticed some hints, just like with Ji Xiaoyu, Yang Jian.


    However Shen Zhen appeared, she lacked any significant background.

 Chapter 323 The Path of Destiny

    Gu An couldn''t help but use Life Span Detection on Shen Zhen.[Shen Zhen (Divinity Transformation Realm, second layer): 329/1200/5800]


    Her maximum life span had increased by more than a thousand years!


    Could it be that she also possessed an Innate Enlightenment Saint Body?


    Filled with curiosity, Gu An decided to observe Shen Zhen more in the future.


    As Shen Zhen began to narrate the process of her painting, Gu An carefully looked at the scroll before him.


    It seemed to depict a mortal pleading for the compassion of an Immortal, but the execution was quite strange; the person kneeling on the ground was smiling, while the high and mighty Immortal had a frown.


    The outline of the clouds, the lines of the mountains, the currents in the rivers, etc.¡ªall were manifestations of the rules of Heaven and Earth. Once this scroll was unfurled, the actual rules of Heaven and Earth subtly drew closer to it. In the eyes of a Divine Thought True Immortal, the world became both bizarre and splendid.


    Shen Zhen, immersed in it, couldn''t feel the changes in the rules of Heaven and Earth and continued to excitedly share her creative process.


    Gu An began to probe into the causality surrounding Shen Zhen and saw all of the experiences of her life.


    He suddenly realized that, without being aware of it, he had become the person most closely tied to the causality of Shen Zhen''s life.


    The relationship between Shen Zhen and the Daotian Sect grew increasingly distant. Although she was the daughter of the Sect Hierarch, her father had many children. Without regular contact, the bond between father and daughter became ever more distant, with her mother having passed away long ago.


    Gu An suddenly had a bold thought.


    Could it be that Shen Zhen was influenced by him?


    After all, he was a Divine Thought True Immortal. Even though he concealed his Cultivation Level, his essence of life was still different from the surrounding disciples.


    Over the years, the time it took for disciples to enter Medicine Valley and complete their apprenticeship had become increasingly short, which could also be due to his influence.


    The degree to which Shen Zhen had reached was not to be underestimated; her innate comprehension was remarkable. But without Gu An, it might have been very difficult for her to achieve this step.


    Gradually, Gu An''s understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect deepened.


    On reflection, Gu An had influenced the entire Supreme Sect. Regardless of the reason, the Supreme Sect indeed had entered an unprecedented phase of rapid development.


    After a while.


    Shen Zhen''s voice brought Gu An''s thoughts back to the present, "Hey, are you listening?"


    Gu An turned to look at Shen Zhen, who had a gritted teeth expression that didn''t look fierce, but rather made Gu An want to reach out and pinch her.


    "I''m listening, you are really incredible. I can''t understand how you did it. If what you say is true, you might really have the talent for enlightenment," Gu An praised.


    Upon hearing this, a broad smile broke across Shen Zhen''s face. She chuckled proudly and said, "This painting is for you then. I''ll continue to meditate!"


    With that, she turned and left.


    Gu An didn''t see her off, but instead turned his gaze back to the scroll on the table.


    He felt the energy from below returning to normal, Ji Xiaoyu was once again immersed in her cultivation, but he didn''t care.


    He sat on the chair, looking at the scroll, lost in thought.


    The influence he had on his surroundings wasn''t just active from his side but also aided by the momentum of Heaven and Earth, which gave him a deeper understanding of the ways of Heaven and Earth.


    He had this inexplicable feeling that he wanted to hide, but the way of Heaven and Earth did not want him to hide, hence it influenced the environment around him.


    The great momentum of Heaven and Earth was like a surging tide, the nets of Cause and Effect were like heaven-trapping webs; all beings could neither resist them nor escape.


    Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. While helping the environment around him, he would also be drawn into more webs of causality.


    In that moment, Gu An suddenly understood why many Great Powers retreated into seclusion indefinitely¡ªit might not be merely because enlightenment took so much time.


    Just like the Great Cold Demon Sect, there must be many Great Cultivators hidden away in seclusion, who had evaded disaster precisely because they withdrew from the world. Is this not a way of surviving?


    Gu An was not fearful because of this revelation; rather, he was contemplating how Heaven and Earth operated the laws of causality and destiny, creating a set of rules that most beings fear.


    Destiny!


    Gu An never believed in an irresistible destiny; that which is irresistible is only so because it still lies within the rules. If one''s strength surpasses the rules, how can one be manipulated?


    As for how to transcend destiny and surpass the ways of Heaven and Earth, that was the real direction Gu An needed to think about.


    He sat in his room without moving all night, and early the next day, he rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City to watch the excitement.


    A night had passed, and Zuo Yijian was still in deep enlightenment, with over a hundred Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect protecting him and temporarily suspending the inheritance assessment of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, not allowing anyone to approach Zuo Yijian.


    Zuo Yijian''s Cultivation Level was not worth mentioning in the current Supreme Sect, but as he received the Sword Intent inheritance of the Sword Venerable Fudao, it had a completely different significance. The Supreme Sect placed great importance on it, as a way to show respect to the Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As Gu An arrived at the Outer Gate City not long after, he encountered a man¡ªa middle-aged man accompanied by several young men and women. They were walking among the crowd, looking around curiously, finding everything new and amazing.


    "Chuanyue, long time no see."


    A voice reached Chuanyue''s ears, prompting him to turn his head instinctively, only to see the Blood Prison Great Saint standing next to Gu An.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was as tall as an adult and had a domineering presence, but Chuanyue had seen larger demon pets and mounts, so he was not flustered.


    Chuanyue looked at Gu An with doubt and asked, "You are...?"


    The fact that the other person was riding a mount meant he must be a Cultivator, and Chuanyue had to approach him cautiously.


    The descendants of the Chuanyue family following behind were just as curious, sizing up Gu An, surprised to find that someone in the Supreme Sect knew their grandfather.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Have you forgotten? I met you in your home, when you were only fifteen years old. You kept nagging your grandfather to take you on the path of Immortal Cultivation."


    Chuanyue was stunned, then his eyes widened in astonishment and he asked, "You''re the person who visited my grandfather back then, how come you..."


    So young!


    Gu An asked, "How is your grandfather?"


    Chuanyue hurriedly replied, "He''s quite well, spends his days cultivating and drinking tea, with no need to worry about anything..."


    The descendants of the Chuanyue family looked at one another in confusion. Their grandfather''s grandfather was the Primordial Ancestor of their family, wasn''t he?


    They had only seen Xiaochuan once or twice, and in their minds, Xiaochuan was amiable, but with a status far beyond theirs, they could only feel reverence.


    After a conversation, Gu An learned that Chuanyue had come to bring his descendants to broaden their horizons, while also seeking opportunities.


    Gu An took out a Token from his sleeve and tossed it to Chuanyue, "If their aptitude is not exceptionally outstanding and there are no other connections, they can seek to become Servant Disciples at the Chores Hall. With this Token of mine, you can enter the Third Medicine Valley."


    Chuanyue instinctively caught the Token and was about to inquire further when the Blood Prison Great Saint took a step forward and brushed past him.


    Chuanyue turned to look at Gu An''s retreating figure and asked, "Senior, how should I address you?"


    Gu An simply raised his hand and made no sound.


    Chuanyue couldn''t help but stare at the Token in his hand, deeply puzzled.


    At that moment, another male Cultivator came over and laughed, "Brother, you''re in luck to be connected to the Third Medicine Valley. With such good fortune, Foundation Establishment is as good as certain, making a solid foundation for your path of Immortal Cultivation."


    Foundation Establishment!


    The descendants of the Chuanyue family immediately brightened up, their breathing quickening.


    Chuanyue quickly saluted the male Cultivator and inquired about the situation in the Third Medicine Valley.


    The male Cultivator gave a rough introduction, mentioning thousands of Servant Disciples, countless medicinal herbs, and the high-ranking members of the Supreme Sect that could be seen in the valley every day, among others. The information left Chuanyue dumbstruck.


    Just who was the person they had just met to have such influence!


    Unable to contain himself, Chuanyue asked, "Do you know the person we just met?"


    The male Cultivator shook his head with a smile, clapped Chuanyue on the shoulder, and walked away, leaving Chuanyue even more curious and in awe of Gu An.


    The now distant Gu An couldn''t help but smile wryly to himself. That kid has always loved playing these little tricks back in Medicine Valley. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Cultivator who had introduced Chuanyue to the Third Medicine Valley was precisely a disciple who had graduated from there.


    By now, the number of disciples who had graduated from the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley had reached tens of thousands, which is why Gu An often encountered familiar faces.


    Gu An''s reputation had also spread far and wide, and considering the number of Foundation Establishment Pills needed by these disciples, who else within the Inner and Outer Sects could supply them?


    Moreover, over the years, Gu An had indeed made no additional demands of the Servant Disciples, which is what made him admirable.


    Gu An soon arrived at the Book Collection Hall, ready to chat with the book enthusiasts there for a while.


    Seven days later.


    The Golden List Grand Tournament officially commenced!


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord also represented the Supreme Sect in the battle. With Li Ya unable to return, the Supreme Sect needed the combat strength of a Wandering Immortal. How the Supreme Sect persuaded the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Gu An did not know; he had not watched at that time and wasn''t interested in finding out now.


    That day, Lv Baitian came to find Gu An, pulling him who was watching the Golden List Combat into the attic. Aside from the new disciples who were curious, many people ignored it as commonplace.


    Once seated inside the house, Lv Baitian, unusually, did not discuss official matters but instead talked about his son, Lv Xian.


    "That kid really is blindly loyal to Li Xuandao. I have no idea what he''s thinking. No matter how the Taicang Dynasty develops, it remains the world of the Li Family. What could he possibly gain?" Lv Baitian complained indignantly.


    Gu An was reluctant to comment on their father-son matters.


    It must be said that Lv Baitian and Li Xuandao were similar, both in their actions and their relationships with their sons.


    Originally, Li Ya also despised Li Xuandao, while Lv Xian still seeks the life of Lv Baitian to this day.


    Gu An had no interest in untangling their causality; an outsider''s clarity was useless on family matters.


    "Recently, Li Xuandao arranged for him to go to the Domain Master City of Broken Sea Domain. I''m not sure if it''s a blessing or a curse. The establishment of the Broken Sea Domain Master City makes me feel like it''s targeted against the Sword Venerable Fudao," Lv Baitian said with concern.


    Gu An inquired, "Why do you think so?"


    "The Great Cold Demon Sect appeared long before this Domain was established, which means that even though the Holy Court sets the order, it does not manage specific locales. When I put myself in the place of the Holy Court, no matter how I speculate, establishing the Broken Sea Domain seems to be a means of defense, while also investigating the Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "In that case, why don''t you go to the Heaven-Cutting Axe and ask the Sword Venerable Fudao to leave?"


    "Nonsense! Don''t spout such things in the future!"


    Lv Baitian glared and spoke sternly.


    Gu An smiled helplessly; this man was prone to irritation.


    Lv Baitian, following that, brought up Li Lingtian. Over the years, Li Lingtian had gained a great reputation, having previously participated in and topped the Golden List Grand Tournament and the Hundred Clans Grand Meeting, creating a bigger sensation than An Hao and Lv Xian of years past.


    To this, Gu An had no particular stance. With Li Lingtian''s return to the Taicang Continent, it was obvious he was targeting Yang Jian. Gu An found it hard to take an interest in the squabbles of the younger generations.


    What he cared more about was the identity of the mysterious Great Cultivator who had arrived at the Supreme Sect that day.

 Chapter 324 Heaven Sect, Immortal King Legend

    After Lv Baitian left, Gu An followed down the staircase, continuing to watch the excitement.Now, the Mystic Heart Realm Combat was underway; its spectacle reflected upon the sky, inciting copious discussions among the disciples in the valley.


    "How formidable! Is this what the Mystic Heart Realm is like?"


    "What''s this? Just wait until you see the Mahayana Realm Combat. That is truly thrilling, not to mention the Immortal Combat. Even here within the valley, you can feel a sense of oppression."


    "It''s an eye-opener. I wonder if we''ll ever reach this stage?"


    "How could we not? Cultivate diligently, enter the Third Medicine Valley, and your starting point will already be higher than ninety percent of the disciples."


    "That''s right. Even if one is a scion of a noble family, without sufficient aptitude, they start as Servant Disciples too. Do you know about Li Ya from Divine Exotic City? He''s my master''s junior brother, and they entered the Medicine Valley on the same day."


    "I know. My master once said that Li Ya often used to cry, feeling hopeless about his future. It was my master who inspired him."


    As the disciples conversed, their topics began to digress. The Third Medicine Valley''s replacement of old and new was rapid, with many new disciples joining each year.


    The number of disciples registered in the valley had already surpassed one thousand eight hundred.


    Gu An naturally mingled among the groups of disciples without causing a disturbance. They didn''t need to stand to greet each other or harbor suspicions, a mood that arose from Gu An''s amiable manner, which also shaped the disciples'' approach to interaction and life.


    Gu An sat beside An Xin and inquired about the previous battles.


    Before An Xin could reply, You Yingying came and sat down on Gu An''s other side, eagerly jumping into the conversation and briefing him on the situation.


    Her excitement stemmed from the Great Cultivators of the Star Sea Congregations who also came to participate, including a senior she admired.


    She believed that this senior could capture first place on the Immortal List.


    To this, Gu An merely smiled.


    This Immortal List tournament was a gathering of sleeping dragons and crouching tigers, with many who concealed their true Cultivation Level and identities. Aspiring to the first place was very difficult.


    The arrival of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma to participate baffled Gu An¡ªwhat was their reasoning?


    No matter how you looked at it, the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma''s participation in the Immortal List tournament seemed to devalue their status, and they might even provoke the Sword Venerable Fudao, leading to a deadly disaster.


    Gu An couldn''t understand.


    The Immortal Spirit Dynasty sent people, the Holy Court also sent delegates, and now, the mysterious Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma appeared as well.


    But what comes is to be accepted.


    Currently, the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma still remained a mysterious presence, seen but never met. The Carefree Primordial Immortal stood as the highest entity the Immortal Cultivation Sects could reach. As for the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, who existed one realm higher, Gu An had not yet encountered any.


    An Xin thought that the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could win first place, sparking a debate with You Yingying. Given An Xin''s temperament, she naturally could not outargue You Yingying.


    Gu An couldn''t just watch his precious disciple get pushed around, so he joined the debate, quickly causing You Yingying''s face to flush red.


    Two days swiftly passed by.


    On this day, in the early morning hours.


    Although dawn had just broken, many figures were already bustling about in the city.


    Within a narrow alley, Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Spirit Dynasty stopped in his tracks. Tilting his head slightly, he glanced askew at the person behind him.


    "Why do you follow me?" Zhang Xianwang asked calmly.


    Standing behind him was a white-haired old man, exuding an air of Immortality; his mere presence compelled the passing Cultivators at the alleyway entrance to take another look.


    The white-haired elder stared at Zhang Xianwang and inquired, "Why has one from the Immortal Dynasty come to this place?"


    Zhang Xianwang turned to face the elder, his expression indifferent, as he countered, "If you do not answer, how shall I?"


    The elder replied, "You may call me Heaven Sect."


    Heaven Sect!


    Zhang Xianwang''s face paled, a look of incredulity spreading across it as he exclaimed, "Heaven Sect? How is that possible? Fifty thousand years ago, had you not already..."


    Heaven Sect interrupted, "It''s your turn to answer now."


    Zhang Xianwang''s gaze flickered; he remained silent for a moment.


    "You probably don''t want to cause a conflict here; surely there are Holy Court Cultivators within the Supreme Sect." The emotionless tone of Heaven Sect sent chills down one''s spine.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xianwang said, "I''m here to recruit Sword Venerable Fudao. And you?"


    Heaven Sect replied, "I come for an old acquaintance."


    "An old acquaintance? Who?"


    "Since our purposes do not conflict, let''s not disturb each other any further."


    Having said that, Heaven Sect turned to leave.


    Just then, a voice called out, "Daoist Friend Zhang, what brings you here?"


    The speaker was none other than Gu An, approaching Heaven Sect head-on, the two passing each other.


    [Heaven Sect (Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm Seventh Layer): 789023/1700000/1750000]


    A formidable old monster who has lived for seven hundred eighty-eight thousand years!


    On the seventh layer of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, that''s frightening, almost catching up to me.


    Gu An thought to himself as he looked at Zhang Xianwang, his face breaking into a surprised smile.


    Seeing Gu An, Zhang Xianwang couldn''t help but smile.


    After Heaven Sect left the alley, Gu An then asked, "Who was that person just now? Were they troubling you? Do you need me to contact the Deacon Hall?"


    Hearing this made Zhang Xianwang smile even more. He laughingly said, "No trouble at all. But do you know what his Cultivation Level is?"


    "What Cultivation Level? Divinity Transformation Realm? Void Crossing Realm? Or Unification?"


    As he continued, Gu An''s voice rose several notches in apprehension.


    Zhang Xianwang, bemused, changed the subject, "What brings you here?" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An responded, "I came to purchase seeds for medicinal herbs. And you?"


    The two began to chat, and Zhang Xianwang, favorably impressed by Gu An, did not fuss about their disparity in Cultivation Level and conversed as equals.


    After a while, Gu An asked, "You seem quite impressive. Did you sign up for the Immortal List tournament?"


    "No, I''m here for a different matter."


    "May I help you with it?"


    "There''s no need for that."


    "Alright then, I won''t disturb you any further."


    Gu An bowed in farewell, then departed.


    Zhang Xianwang watched him go, a hint of hesitation in his heart.


    Gu An pondered why Zhang Xianwang sought to recruit him. He had previously thought the Immortal Spirit Dynasty was rather xenophobic and unlikely to be recruiting him into their ranks, meaning it must be some other scheming.


    After leaving the alley, Gu An continued wandering about the city, planning to buy some interesting trinkets for Tian Yao''er to lift her spirits.


    Managing the Outer World Cave was quite taxing; Gu An had to show favor to keep her from feeling disheartened.


    Just after passing two streets, Gu An spotted Heaven Sect.


    As they were about to pass by each other, Heaven Sect suddenly raised a hand and held onto Gu An''s shoulder.


    Gu An quirked an eyebrow, feeling uneasy about being touched on the shoulder.


    He turned his head toward Heaven Sect, asking in surprise, "You... huh? Are you the same person from before?"


    Heaven Sect''s eyes were fixed on the Immortal King Crown on Gu An''s forehead, his gaze piercing.


    Gu An felt his heart drop. Could it be that this person saw through the disguise of the Immortal King Crown?


    "Leave the Supreme Sect tonight, and I will find you, offering you a chance for rebirth anew."


    With these words, Heaven Sect turned and walked away.


    Gu An was confused.


    From Heaven Sect''s statement, it seemed that he hadn''t guessed that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao.


    But what was the reason then?


    As Gu An watched him leave, continuing on his way, he pondered the matter.


    Not far away, within the crowd, Zhang Xianwang frowned and ultimately sighed, heading in the opposite direction from Heaven Sect.


    The afternoon''s Combat had reached its pinnacle with two Nirvana Realm Great Cultivators clashing, one of whom was from the Supreme Sect. Naturally, both hailed from the Ocean Cultivators.


    The two Nirvana Realm Great Cultivators employed Spells, Divine Skills, Demon Pets, Formations, and various other arts, comprehensively displaying to the spectators what it meant to be an Immortal Cultivator.


    Within the same realm, the higher one''s level, the harder it was to slay the opponent, easily leading to a prolonged fierce battle.


    Gu An found it highly entertaining; these individuals'' Cultivation Levels were average, but their variety in battle was impressive.


    Gu An, who could only defeat enemies instantly, couldn''t experience this kind of thrill and could only feel envious.


    Until the night descended.


    Gu An left Mystic Valley alone, flying towards the distance.


    His furrowed brow and tense demeanor were acted out deliberately.


    To demonstrate resolve, he sped up his flight.


    An hour later.


    Gu An felt a surge of Mana approaching and immediately prepared himself, yielding to the other''s intention.


    At first glance, he seemed to plummet suddenly, landing in a forest.


    Once on the ground, he quickly stood up, pretending to be panicked. When he saw Heaven Sect''s figure, he finally calmed down.


    Heaven Sect emerged from the darkness, speaking admiringly, "You are courageous indeed. It''s no wonder you dared to accept the Immortal King Crown. Though I do not know why it has not devoured you, regardless, you have received the recognition of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. Do you have a master?"


    Gu An shook his head, "I don''t. Is the Immortal King Crown the diadem on my head? I just stumbled upon it somewhere."


    He had already altered his own causality, so even Heaven Sect would be misled.


    Certainly, Heaven Sect had deduced through causality that Gu An bought the Immortal King Crown at a bargain price from a treasure pavilion. At that time, the crown seemed freshly unearthed and antiquated.


    How could a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma see through the trickeries of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal?


    "Do you wish to learn about the origins of the Immortal King Crown? Once you know, you will not be able to maintain a life of tranquility," Heaven Sect said to Gu An, his voice soft.


    Gu An replied with a wry smile, "Can I go back now?"


    "No, once you have come, there is no turning back."


    "Then why do you ask?"


    "The way of Heaven Sect is the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao must comply with the will of the people."


    "Does this count?"


    "You came, so it counts."


    Gu An felt that this person was being unreasonable, but since he sensed no hostility from Heaven Sect, he decided to listen to what was to be said.


    Tending to plants and occasionally craving some excitement wasn''t too bad.


    He dared to face thrills also because Heaven Sect posed no threat to him.


    "The Immortal King Crown was forged by the first Immortal King of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, who existed during the distant primordial times, when the heavens and earth first parted. Back then, there was no Holy Court, no Heavenly Dao Rules in the Outer Heaven..."


    Heaven Sect''s voice filled with a mysterious aura, causing Gu An to glimpse ancient scenes.


    The vast earth stretched out, and colossal beasts roamed freely; there were no systems, no sects, no dynasties.


    He saw the silhouette of the Immortal King, blurred yet emanating a terrifying presence that reminded him of Long Zhan.


    This indicated that the Immortal King stood on the same level as Long Zhan.


    The Ninth Level of Immortal Path!


    When the Immortal King declared "I am the Immortal King," thunder roared, and the land was stricken by various natural disasters.


    "Thinking too highly of himself, the Immortal King sought to challenge the Heavenly Dao, striving to unify all creation, to venture into the Outer Heaven, and in doing so, offended the will of the heavens. He was ultimately afflicted by the curse of the Heavenly Dao and, upon his impending death, sealed his own Dao within the Immortal King Crown. The Immortal King Crown is also the first-ever Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in recorded history; at the very least, it is the first within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land," Heaven Sect''s tone remained emotionless.

 Chapter 325 Heavenly Dao Inheritance

    The first Immortal King, the first Immortal Path Supreme Treasure¡­Gu An had felt a power from the Immortal King that transcended the epochs, a mighty will that challenged the Heavenly Dao.


    Heaven Sect continued to watch over Gu An, and spoke further, "Ever since the fall of the Immortal King, the world was submerged by the oceans, ushering in an era of decline, but from destruction comes creation, and even in the most perilous environments, new beings are nurtured. Over the long epochs, many have emulated the Immortal King. The title he bestowed upon himself also became a glory pursued by later generations of cultivators, continually producing new Immortal Kings who challenged the authority of heavens and gradually increased the heavenly restraints imposed on this world."


    "Epochs change, and seas turn into mulberry fields. It wasn''t until the birth of the Holy Court that beings finally had the chance to set foot in Outer Heaven. I inherited the legacy of Heaven Sect and took on its name. Heaven Sect can only be transmitted singularly, and I want to take you as my disciple, to make you the next Heaven Sect."


    By the end of this statement, the sound of the wind in the forest abruptly stopped, and the flora ceased their swaying.


    Gu An widened his eyes and asked incredulously, "Me? Can I really do it? I''m just a mediocre talent!"


    "What does talent matter? Heaven Sect has its own legacy that can help you break free from your shackles. You have been recognized by the Immortal King Crown; there must be something extraordinary about you, either an Ancient Treasure Body or your soul harboring greater power. The Dao Patterns on your forehead are the best proof," Heaven Sect stated, his eyes blazing as he gazed at Gu An.


    Gu An hesitated, "But I don''t understand what being Heaven Sect entails, what are your ideals?"


    "Heaven Sect is about complying with the Heavenly Dao. What you need to do is to follow the Heavenly Dao. As long as you adhere to this, you will constantly surpass your limits and might even achieve immortality."


    "If immortality is attainable, why do you want to pass it on to me?"


    "Because I have regrets and no longer wish to comply with the Heavenly Dao."


    These words from Heaven Sect only added to Gu An''s confusion. Are you trying to trap me, or just deceive me?


    Seeing through Gu An''s doubts, Heaven Sect looked up at the bright moon and explained, "I have lived for 780,000 years. In my life, every choice made was in compliance with the Heavenly Dao. For the Heavenly Dao, I have forsaken my family and dear friends. I have attained immortality and earned a revered holy name; but over time, I also grew regretful. I no longer yearn for immortality, but you probably still desire it."


    After hearing this, Gu An''s first thought was to pass on the legacy to those close to him.


    Heaven Sect continued, "My time is limited. After this Heavenly List Conference concludes, I will relinquish the position of Heaven Sect. You have no choice, but you need to spend the remaining time adjusting your Daoist Heart."


    With that, he vanished into the forest.


    Gu An frowned, staying in his spot.


    "Don''t tell anyone else, lest you reveal the fate and bring misfortune upon them."


    Muttering to himself.


    Gu An scoffed internally, but he indeed felt a mysterious and familiar aura from Heaven Sect, similar to the light layer enveloping the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Could the Heavenly Dao really exist?


    Gu An pondered awhile in his place before finally leaving.


    In the following days, several Great Cultivators made their names known at the Heavenly List Conference, with the most dominant being Heaven Sect, who self-proclaimed the title. Besides that, nobody knew much about his origins.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord also performed strongly, but he lacked the aura of being the foremost.


    Read exclusive content at empire


    Time flew swiftly.


    Two months passed rapidly, and the Heavenly List Conference continued. During this time, Supreme Sect was as lively as a festival every day. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On this day.


    Sensing something while reading under a tree, Shen Xinzi looked up and saw an old man with white hair approaching from the valley entrance.


    "Hm? That presence¡­"


    Shen Xinzi frowned thoughtfully.


    Heaven Sect felt his gaze and glanced at him.


    Their eyes met and in an instant, Shen Xinzi felt an immense terror, instinctively bowing his head.


    Heaven Sect withdrew his gaze and proceeded forward.


    His eyes swept Medicine Valley and soon locked onto Yang Jian, who was interacting with a disciple.


    Yang Jian, sensing something, turned his head and instinctively frowned when he saw Heaven Sect.


    This newcomer was no ordinary figure!


    Yang Jian, already at the Void Crossing Realm, had sharper senses than others at his level.


    From the first glance at Heaven Sect, he knew he was no match for the other.


    He wasn''t panicked, for his master was still within Medicine Valley.


    Heaven Sect approached Yang Jian, with Shen Xinzi watching him closely, debating whether to intervene.


    "Mystic Gang Dominator Body, have you felt the thickness of your soul?" Heaven Sect''s first question startled Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian instinctively looked around.


    "The others can''t hear our conversation, nor can they see me, except for that Heavenly Demon from Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, whom I intentionally allowed to see," Heaven Sect stated emotionlessly.


    The term "Heavenly Demon" alarmed Shen Xinzi, who immediately bowed his head.


    Yang Jian, however, was not distracted by the mention of the Heavenly Demon; suppressing his nervousness, he asked, "What exactly do you want?"


    Heaven Sect raised his right hand, revealing a golden jade stone in his palm, and said, "This object is for you. Just crush it, and you will recall past life memories, regaining your true identity. You have reincarnated a hundred times¡ªit''s rare for someone to help you awaken the Mystic Gang Dominator Body. You might not get such a chance in future reincarnations."


    Yang Jian instinctively caught the golden jade stone, pressing further, "Who are you really? What do you want?"


    "We fought side by side before; I was severely injured, and you perished along with your path. I would never harm you. Once you awaken your past memories, I will appear," said Heaven Sect before turning to leave.


    Yang Jian looked at the golden jade stone in his hand, his mind in turmoil.


    Past life?


    Having read Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, he naturally believed in reincarnation, but now that it directly affected him, he couldn''t help but feel unsettled.


    He took a deep breath, looked up, and saw Heaven Sect heading towards his master''s attic.


    He wondered if his master had noticed this person''s approach.


    Previously, he believed his master was invincible, but Heaven Sect''s methods were beyond his comprehension. Except for him and Shen Xinzi, no one in the valley could see his movements.


    What kind of Divine Skill was this?


    Yang Jian couldn''t understand and his wariness of Heaven Sect peaked.


    He hesitated whether to warn his master, fearing he might ruin his master''s plans if he had already noticed.


    After considering, he used his Divine Sense to follow.


    When his Divine Sense reached the attic, Gu An showed no reaction, which reassured him, and he withdrew his Divine Sense.


    Heaven Sect reached the attic. Stepping into the first-floor room, he muttered to himself, "Reincarnation Path Emperor? Great karmic bonds, untouchable. I didn''t expect this place to have so many significant karmic bonds. Could Sword Venerable Fudao be nearby?"


    He then ascended the stairs.


    Walking through the door, Heaven Sect appeared before Gu An, who was at his desk, and then revealed his true form. His gaze fell on the Supreme Secret Records in Gu An''s hand.


    A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.


    He suddenly regretted choosing Gu An.


    But by now, he had no other options.


    "Ahem," Heaven Sect feigned a cough, causing Gu An to instinctively look up, and then he stood up abruptly as though he had seen a ghost.


    "You¡­ how did you appear¡­" Gu An asked fearfully.


    Heaven Sect replied irritably, "You are soon to be the next Heaven Sect, destined to wield the Heavenly Will. Stop reading books that corrupt the mind."


    Gu An closed the Supreme Secret Records, explaining, "This book is different¡­"


    "Enough," Heaven Sect cut him off, his gaze returning to the Immortal King Crown, "You roam around wearing the Immortal King Crown all day, aren''t you afraid of trouble? Not everyone is like me, without greed for Immortal Path Supreme Treasures, especially since the Immortal King Crown is special, being one of the rare treasures not bound by the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court."


    "The Holy Court manipulates? What do you mean?" Gu An asked, puzzled.


    Considering that nearly all Immortal Path Supreme Treasures were presented by the Holy Court to help various congregations better manage the populace, Gu An had obtained the Seven Stars Mirror from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and the Star Sea Congregations also had their own Supreme Treasure.


    Yet almost no one attempted to steal their Supreme Treasures, indicating that some powerful force was balancing the greed of the Great Powers.


    Heaven Sect explained, "The vast majority of Supreme Treasures in the world are dispatched by the Holy Court, aiding the various sects in governing the populace. Of course, some treasures aren''t under their control, and your Immortal King Crown is one such example."


    "The Holy Court can trace all Supreme Treasures linked to Qi Fortune, which is why they are more wary of those they can''t control. If someone discovers your Immortal King Crown, you''re in major trouble, and even the Qi Fortune of Heaven Sect can''t protect you."


    Gu An thought, I have another Supreme Treasure in my possession, and you haven''t recognized it either!

 Chapter 326 Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court

    Heaven Sect lectured Gu An at length, telling him how to act in the future and what pitfalls to avoid, as if imparting his last words.Despite thinking to himself, ''I, a Divine Thought True Immortal, will not acknowledge you as my master,'' Gu An considered retaining Heaven Sect''s legacy since Heaven Sect was determined to abdicate his position and had decided to search for a successor on his behalf.


    Before leaving, Heaven Sect said, "Though there are many secrets about you that puzzle me, I have no desire to understand them anymore. Your disciple named Yang Jian, let him leave when he wishes to; do not stop him, for he will bring you great trouble."


    Gu An nodded, planning to dismiss him first.


    Heaven Sect raised his right hand, a qi sphere formed in his palm and he threw it at Gu An.


    With no time to dodge, Gu An could only watch as the qi sphere entered his body, causing him to stiffen.


    Heaven Sect looked at Gu An, a smile appearing as he said, "It''s a pity I didn''t formally accept you as my disciple. It''s better this way, to avoid my karma affecting you."


    With that, he turned and left, his figure passing directly through the door.


    Feeling his presence disappear, the color of panic finally vanished from Gu An''s face.


    Accept me as a disciple?


    Sorry, I am more afraid of getting involved in your karma!


    Gu An touched his chest, extracting the qi sphere; he could feel the powerful force inside, no weaker than Heaven Sect''s and its Qi Fortune was something he currently couldn''t fathom. Precisely because of this, he couldn''t merge with the qi sphere.


    Let''s call it Heaven Sect''s Qi Fortune!


    Gu An took out the Seven Stars Mirror and channeled the Heaven Sect''s Qi Fortune into it.


    When he first obtained the Seven Stars Mirror, Gu An had erased all the Qi Fortune, karma, and related Restriction inside it. He treated not only Immortal Path Supreme Treasures with such thoroughness but also any Magic Artifact.


    To avoid any accidents, he checked it again. Once sure there were no issues, he tucked the Seven Stars Mirror into his pocket and then sat down to continue reading.


    The grand ranking competition was still ongoing. As of today, the combatants were all Immortal beings, unlike Li Ya who relied on Immortal Path Supreme Treasures from lower realms, thus each Combat was a testament to Cultivation Levels.


    When Heaven Sect broke into the top ten, he announced his withdrawal from the competition and then left.


    His departure destined to leave a lingering question in the grand ranking competition. No matter who won first place, they could not be considered the true victor of the competition in the minds of the people below.


    Heaven Sect was the most dominant presence in this grand ranking competition¡ªunequivocally!


    Gu An and Yang Jian tacitly did not mention Heaven Sect and continued their cultivation as usual. Your next chapter is on empire


    Gu An trained Yang Jian, not hoping he would serve him for life. When he saw through the karma of Yang Jian''s past life, he was already prepared to let Yang Jian go.


    He even looked forward to seeing what impact Yang Jian would make on the world after he emerged magnificently.


    By the end of summer, the grand ranking competition concluded, and Nine-Finger Divine Lord representing the Supreme Sect won the first-place seat.


    Carefree Primordial Immortal Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Spirit Dynasty did not participate. He lingered in the Supreme Sect, searching for Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Clearly wary of Holy Court, he acted very cautiously and dared not reveal his identity.


    After the grand ranking competition ended, Zhang Xianwang still did not leave.


    Until one night in early autumn.


    Zhang Xianwang was reading in his inn room, with more than a dozen books about Sword Venerable Fudao spread out on the table.


    A cold breeze stirred the oil lamp on the table, Zhang Xianwang''s eyes flickered, instinctively looking to the side. Immediately after, his pupils contracted sharply as he abruptly stood up.


    He saw a figure shrouded in purple Demonic Qi, his face''s shock quickly turning to joy.


    The newcomer was Gu An!


    His Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body had advanced to the extreme path transforming form, allowing him to change into various forms, and even without transformation, he could avoid karma calculation by using the extreme path transforming form. However, the image of Sword Venerable Fudao was too deeply ingrained, and he had to meet people in this guise.


    "Why are you looking for me?" Gu An spoke, his voice hoarse, prompting Zhang Xianwang to imagine a face weathered by the vicissitudes of life.


    Zhang Xianwang promptly bowed, then introduced himself.


    He came from the Immortal Dynasty, sent by the master of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Xian Emperor, to request Sword Venerable Fudao to take action on a matter.


    He did not immediately mention what it was but instead asked Gu An''s impression of the Holy Court.


    "It upholds the great righteousness of protecting the mortals, yet shows disdain for Mortal Spirits with its pride¡ªit has its good and bad sides. Are the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court at odds?" Gu An asked nonchalantly.


    Zhang Xianwang took a deep breath and said, "It''s not that we are at odds with the Holy Court, but rather that the Holy Court has always wanted to eliminate us, to make the Great Heavenly Spirit Land entirely theirs."


    "The master of Holy Court, Shengtian, comes from Outer Heaven and established the Holy Court in this land. The top hierarchy of the Holy Court mostly shares a similar origin with him, while the Immortal Dynasty is a gathering of native Immortal beings from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, evolving over generations to form the Immortal Dynasty."


    This was the first Gu An had heard of such matters.


    "If that''s the case, wouldn''t I who don''t belong to the Immortal Dynasty be deemed an enemy?" Gu An asked.


    It was important to consider right and wrong based on one''s stance. If the stances were different, he didn''t understand why the Immortal Dynasty would still seek him out.


    Zhang Xianwang hurriedly explained, "It''s not just the Immortal Dynasty that belongs to native beings of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land¡ªall beings below heaven are so; it''s just that the current beings only recognize the Holy Court."


    "So, what then? You guys wouldn''t want me to go against Holy Court, right?" Gu An countered.


    "Senior, you refuse to accept Qi Fortune and status, and you conceal your real identity. The only thing you could fear is the Holy Court. If you cooperate with the Immortal Dynasty, we will fulfill any needs you have. However, before that, we hope you can infiltrate Holy Court to rescue someone for us, someone who is not from the Immortal Dynasty but has been beneficial to us," Zhang Xianwang earnestly said.


    He was about to introduce this person when Gu An suddenly interrupted, "No need to continue, I refuse. It does not matter who rules the world, nor do I wish to get involved in your grievances. If that''s the matter, then please leave."


    He''d have to be full to do the Immortal Dynasty''s bidding.


    Not to mention whether Zhang Xianwang''s words were true, even if they were, he wouldn''t agree.


    Currently, only the Great Nether Saint King from Holy Court bore a grudge against him; he had no reason to position himself against Holy Court.


    Moreover, the Immortal Dynasty clearly felt inferior and thought they couldn''t overcome Holy Court; he had no desire to be their pawn.


    "Senior..." Zhang Xianwang still wanted to persuade, but a terrifying force enveloped him, making him fall silent and tremble.


    This Carefree Primordial Immortal appeared quite embarrassed now.


    "Leave the Supreme Sect, do not disturb my secluded cultivation. I do not wish to be an enemy of any force, but if someone forces me, I won''t hesitate to visit their Daoist Tradition."


    Before his words fully faded, Gu An disappeared from the spot, leaving Zhang Xianwang in the room, his face changing expressions.


    He originally thought Sword Venerable Fudao was concealing his name because he feared Holy Court; he didn''t expect that what Sword Venerable Fudao feared was the entire world.


    Are there really such ascetic cultivators in the world with such a temperament?


    Meanwhile, Gu An returned to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    Had he not been favorably impressed by Zhang Xianwang, Gu An wouldn''t have met him at all; had Zhang persisted unreasoningly and kept pushing, Gu An wouldn''t hesitate to annihilate him.


    He continued his Artifact Refining, which had been delayed for several months due to the grand ranking competition. Now, he needed to pick it back up.


    His goal was to create his own Immortal Path Supreme Treasure when he reached the Ninth Level of Immortal.


    What kind of Immortal Path Supreme Treasure would be worthy of him?


    He constantly pondered this question.


    As dawn broke, Gu An felt Zhang Xianwang''s presence departing, bringing a smile to his face.


    He hoped Zhang Xianwang could convey the signal that Gu An had released to the Immortal Dynasty.


    He didn''t want further conflicts with the Immortal Dynasty.


    Standing up, he tidied up before leaving the Eight Scenic Caves.


    ...


    After the grand ranking competition ended, new Disciple numbers in the Supreme Sect surged, even attracting high Cultivation Level Cultivators to join.


    The Supreme Sect once again began expanding the Sect: it recruited many Servant Disciples to labor, offering generous compensation. Gu An''s Third Medicine Valley remained unaffected because he offered even higher treatment to the Servant Disciples.


    Ten years passed, and the number of Disciples in Third Medicine Valley broke two thousand.


    This year, the Supreme Sect agreed to expand Third Medicine Valley. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An stood on a mountaintop, watching his busy Disciples, his face filled with a smile.


    The expansion of Medicine Valley helped increase his Life Span income; naturally, his mood was excellent.


    A figure approached from behind him¡ªit was Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian had grown more composed and his brow bore a vigorous look.


    "Master," Yang Jian approached Gu An and respectfully bowed.


    Gu An did not turn around but gazed into the distance, asking, "Have you decided?"


    Taking a deep breath, Yang Jian replied, "I have decided. I carry too much karma. First it was Impermanence Tian, and now Heaven Sect. As my Cultivation Level continues to rise, the problems will only increase in the future. I don''t want to cause trouble for you and Medicine Valley. Also, I wish to venture out alone to cultivate my heart and seek Dao."


    Gu An turned around, looked at him, and softly laughed, "You truly have grown up; go then, it''s time for you to be on your own."


    Hearing Gu An consenting, Yang Jian sighed with relief, his face showing happiness as he solemnly nodded.


    "Leave today, and don''t say goodbye to anyone else," Gu An waved his hand.


    Stunned, Yang Jian could only nod.


    As he turned to leave, he couldn''t help but ask, "Master, who exactly is my senior brother?"


    "You''ve already chosen another path, don''t ask further. After leaving Third Medicine Valley, do not mention my name or reveal my existence, or else..."


    Gu An''s back faced Yang Jian as he spoke in a calm tone.


    He didn''t complete his sentence, but he believed Yang Jian understood.


    Yang Jian took a deep breath, knelt again, and bowed deeply to Gu An.


    Then, Yang Jian left.


    Gu An watched the sky, his gaze profound.


    He was not afraid of Yang Jian exposing him. Currently, as Sword Venerable, he displayed the Cultivation Level of Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma¡ªwho could guess his Cultivation had reached Divine Thought True Immortal?


    Moreover, Yang Jian himself had a significant background; it was better that he left to follow his own path.


    "The child has grown up and ultimately wants to soar high," Gu An sighed, then shook his head with a wry smile, turning to walk down the mountain.


    When he reached the base, he saw An Xin chasing the White Spirit Rat.


    The corners of his mouth curved upwards.


    At least this disciple was still here.


    Now that Yang Jian had left, it was time to focus on training An Xin!


    Although An Xin''s talents were ordinary, if he diligently cultivated, he might surpass An Hao and Yang Jian, for Gu An himself was growing at a much faster rate.

 Chapter 327 An Xins Surprise

    Late at night, An Xin knocked on Gu An''s room door, and with a wave of his sleeve, the door opened directly.An Xin stepped inside and closed the door behind her.


    She approached Gu An''s desk, curiously looking at her master.


    Gu An seldom called for her at this time alone, and she couldn''t help but be curious.


    Gu An caught the disrupted cultivation aura from downstairs and spoke, "Yang Jian has left to gain experience. How about I teach you cultivation techniques myself from now on?"


    An Xin was taken aback and asked, "Haven''t you always been teaching me?"


    Gu An chuckled, "Previously, I only assisted you in energy absorption, but now I will truly help you become stronger."


    After hearing this, An Xin smiled brightly, "If Master is willing to teach, naturally I have no objections, as long as you don''t despise me for my lack of insight."


    "Don''t worry."


    Gu An offered reassurance, then began to talk about affairs within Medicine Valley.


    The cultivation aura downstairs returned to normal and remained undisturbed throughout.


    After chit-chatting for a while, Gu An let An Xin leave.


    Then, he left the Third Medicine Valley, heading towards Mystic Valley.


    Arriving in Mystic Valley, he stepped into the Nianchu Cave, preparing to spend the night with Tian Yao''er and her three demons.


    ...


    In a bright and magnificent hall, rows of figures stood, forming four long lines, neat and orderly, with the two middle rows spaced wide apart to create a broad aisle.


    A rainbow light flew into the hall, swiftly condensing into the form of Zhang Xianwang.


    Zhang Xianwang quickly strode forward, reaching the steps, where he bowed in greeting and looked up to see a towering figure seated on a golden throne, the back of which was made of overlapping golden weapons, like an unfurled fan.


    The towering figure donned a red dragon robe and a dragon crown with hanging beads, surrounded by whirling blood-colored dragon qi, as if encircled by dragons. His visage was majestic, eyes seemingly containing a sea of stars, piercing and profound.


    This person was none other than the ruler of the Immortal Dynasty, the Yang Xian Emperor!


    After Zhang Xianwang recounted his mission''s details, the hall erupted with discussion among the Immortal Spirits.


    "This Sword Venerable Fudao dares to show no respect to us, arrogant!"


    "He indeed has that right, after all, he dared to refuse the divine position offered by the Holy Court." Enjoy more content from empire


    "It seems he is one of those Ascetics who wishes to stay away from conflicts."


    "The world is complex, and one can''t simply hide whenever they wish. The Holy Court will certainly be suspicious of him."


    "Now that the Holy Minister dominates the court, we need not lift a finger; he alone can provoke Sword Venerable Fudao into action, considering that the Great Nether Saint King is his lackey."


    Once Zhang Xianwang concluded his report, the discussions in the hall turned raucous.


    Ignoring the surrounding noise, Zhang Xianwang''s gaze was fixed on the Yang Xian Emperor, awaiting his judgment.


    The Yang Xian Emperor slowly asked, "From what you''ve seen, is what he spoke the truth?"


    Silence fell over the hall upon his words.


    Hesitating for a moment, Zhang Xianwang replied, "Based on what I know of the Supreme Sect, his actions are indeed consistent with his character. He only strikes to defend against external threats to the Supreme Sect, never due to personal vendettas¡ªat least, no one knows of any, and even the Hall of Elders seems unaware of Sword Venerable Fudao''s true identity."


    The Yang Xian Emperor listened and narrowed his eyes.


    No one dared interrupt his contemplation.


    After a while.


    The Yang Xian Emperor spoke, "In that case, let''s not disturb him any further."


    "Yes!" Zhang Xianwang replied, relieved.


    Although the actual realm of Sword Venerable Fudao was unclear, the mere fact that he could effortlessly crush the Great Cold Demon Sect meant he was at least at the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm. If his realm exceeded that, he would be even more dangerous to provoke.


    Unable to ally, it was also needless to make an enemy.


    Zhang Xianwang then added, "During this mission, I also encountered someone from Heaven Sect, who went to the Supreme Sect looking for someone. It''s likely that the reincarnation of the Great Nether Saint King is hidden within the Supreme Sect."


    "Heaven Sect? Seems like the Holy Court is in for more trouble," commented the Yang Xian Emperor, his tone playful.


    Zhang Xianwang shared this sentiment. He asked, "If trouble does break out, do we need to intervene?"


    The Yang Xian Emperor snorted, "Intervene in what? With the arrogant nature of Heaven Sect and the Great Nether Saint King, they didn''t need our help in the past; naturally, we should not offer it now. They underestimated Shengtian''s benevolence. Without Shengtian, the Holy Court would only become the greatest terror in the world."


    Zhang Xianwang fell silent, reflecting on the majesty of Heaven Sect and sighed.


    The other Immortal Spirits in the hall began reminiscing about the past, and regarding the fortunes of Heaven Sect and the Great Nether Saint King, they were mostly schadenfreude.


    ...


    The autumn wind blew through the woods as the Blood Prison Great Saint lay on the ground, pondering deeply as he watched An Xin practice.


    Gu An sat nearby, reading a book, occasionally shifting his position.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint turned to Gu An and asked, "Master, she has been meditating for five Ancient Hours; does she have a talent that I am unable to see through?"


    Back then, he could not see through Yang Jian, and now, faced with An Xin''s transformation, he began to doubt himself.


    As Gu An turned the page, he responded, "There aren''t so many extraordinary geniuses in the world; I merely wanted her to achieve Path Enlightenment."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes widened, shocked.


    He had not given it much thought when Gu An asked Zuo Yijian to seek Path Enlightenment, as Zuo Yijian already had remarkable Achievement in the Sword Dao.


    But An Xin was different.


    She was just an inexperienced girl, lacking the demeanor and potential of a powerful being.


    Could someone so ordinary really be transformed? S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly felt that Yang Jian''s current fate was perhaps truly shaped by his master''s defiance of the heavens.


    His heart ignited with excitement; how could one not achieve greatness following such an entity?


    "If Yang Jian comes back and sees An Xin surpassing him, that would be interesting."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint entertained this thought, suddenly feeling that Gu An might actually have nurtured An Xin intensively for this very reason.


    Poor Yang Jian!


    Nevertheless, it proved that the Blood Prison Great Saint''s choice was correct, and his mood became even more joyful.


    Unbeknownst to Gu An, the Blood Prison Great Saint had conjured up so much in his mind.


    While he appeared to be reading, he was actually watching over Yang Jian as he ventured to the sea.


    He saw Heaven Sect tracking Yang Jian, and apart from them, no one else was watching him, which meant that the Great Nether Saint King had not yet realized Yang Jian''s identity.


    This indicated that no trouble would come his way for the time being.


    After a while.


    Gu An''s Divine Sense traveled to Outer Heaven, where a Carefree Primordial Immortal was engaged in Combat¡ªquite a rare sight.


    The adversaries were clearly mortal enemies, striking fiercely, shaking the void.


    Gu An sensed many Great Cultivators secretly watching the battle, with various Divine Senses weaving through each other, making him muse that Great Heaven and Earth was indeed full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.


    As evening approached, Gu An finally withdrew the Divine Sense that had been focused on An Xin, bringing her back to awareness.


    An Xin slowly opened her eyes to find two new Cultivation Techniques in her mind!


    Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill and All Things Form and Energy Art!


    Though these techniques were already enhanced by Gu An, they were enough for An Xin to ponder for a lifetime.


    Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill was the foundation of her cultivation, while All Things Form and Energy Art could conceal her Cultivation Level, both complementing the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    Once she regained her composure, a look of shock flashed across her face.


    "So... so profound..."


    Instinctively, An Xin looked towards Gu An, her eyes filled with surprise, confusion, unease, and joy.


    She cautiously asked, "Master, was it because of you last time too?"


    Gu An, with a book in hand, nodded lightly, "How does it feel?"


    "Good, but..."


    An Xin stopped mid-sentence, hesitant to ask a lingering question, afraid of offending Gu An.


    How could Master be so powerful?


    Could Master be an Immortal?


    Gu An calmly said, "From now on, I will teach you cultivation in private, and you mustn''t tell anyone."


    For some reason, upon hearing these words, An Xin''s heart quivered.


    It sounded so familiar...


    A figure from deep within her memory emerged, coincidentally overlapping with Gu An at this moment.


    Could it be...


    Impossible...


    Wasn''t Master just a little over three hundred years old?


    How could he be so formidable?


    Gu An put away his book, looking at An Xin, "The identity of Supreme Sect''s Gu An is indeed my disguise. You guessed it right, I am him. From the very beginning, you''ve only had me as your master."


    With these words, An Xin immediately stood up, her eyes welling up and her body trembling uncontrollably.


    "Master..."


    Overwhelmed by emotions, An Xin burst into Gu An''s arms and began to sob uncontrollably.


    Gu An, helpless, said, "Why are you crying? You''re making it seem like we haven''t seen each other in ages, and I haven''t mistreated you these years, have I?"


    An Xin buried her head in his chest, sobbing, "I haven''t been mistreated¡­ It''s just¡­ I never expected that, after all these years, what I''ve wanted most is actually happening¡­ I''m so foolish, how could there be two people in this world who are so good to me¡­ Master, I''ve missed you so much¡­"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was utterly confused. Weren''t these two just master and disciple?


    Why the emotional reunion?


    Gu An patted An Xin''s back, "Let go of your master, you''re grown-up now. Don''t let others see this."


    An Xin released Gu An and then knelt on the ground to wipe her tears, her face radiating with a smile.


    "So, Master, you tricked us. If my senior brother knew you were our Master, he would probably be devastated. Wait, does that mean you knew him because you were looking out for him back then?"


    An Xin asked wide-eyed, her shift from formality to familiarity not out of disrespect, but because the master who saved her and led her on the Immortal Cultivation Path was like a father to her.


    In front of her father, she had no apprehensions.


    Gu An said, "You could say that. However, our relationship should stay as it appears on the surface, and don''t tell your senior brother."


    An Xin immediately nodded, her eyes still red, but now she was excited.


    Suddenly, she glanced at the Blood Prison Great Saint, hesitated, and said, "Master, but he heard us..."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint bristled, what do you mean, behind my back?


    I am the master''s most trusted mount, even closer than you disciples!


    Gu An smiled, "Don''t underestimate him. Bull Demon King, feel free to share your story with her."


    With that, the Blood Prison Great Saint stood tall, filled with pride, and began to reveal his true identity.


    Ascender!


    Mahayana Realm!


    Just those two aspects were enough to shock An Xin; her mouth agape, and as for the long list of titles that followed, she had already tuned out.


    She turned back to Gu An and asked, "Master, does that mean Yang Jian is really my junior brother? What is his Cultivation Level now?"

 Chapter 328 Master, What Realm Are You Exactly?

    "He has already reached the Void Crossing Realm in terms of cultivation level,"Gu An replied offhandedly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter of no importance.


    An Xin was shocked once again, her mouth agape and hands involuntarily covering her face, seemingly unable to accept this reality.


    She and An Hao had started cultivating on the same day and knew all too well how extraordinary An Hao''s pace of cultivation was. Precisely because of this, she was very clear that Yang Jian''s progress was no less sensational than An Hao''s.


    She had watched Yang Jian enter the valley, watched him grow up.


    In the beginning, how mediocre Yang Jian had been, yet he had grown so rapidly right under her nose!


    It was simply outrageous!


    Suddenly, An Xin didn''t know what to say.


    Gu An looked at her and smiled, "Keep cultivating well, strive to surpass those who came before you."


    An Xin hesitated, "But my talent..."


    After all, she had trained under Gu An and, seeing the vast gap between her and An Hao, her confidence had long since been worn away.


    "What was in the past was in the past. Had I not let you settle in, how could you have today''s temperament? Do you think your senior brother could have had it all smooth sailing? I''ve intervened for him countless times over the years; he always loves to cause me trouble," Gu An huffed.


    An Xin was astonished. The master had helped the senior brother before?


    Why hadn''t the senior brother mentioned it?


    Damn it, he actually kept it hidden from me!


    An Xin gritted her teeth. She looked at Gu An and asked, "Then, do I have a chance to surpass my senior brother?"


    Gu An spoke earnestly, "That depends on how much determination you''re willing to put forth. No one is predestined to be stronger than another."


    These words completely ignited An Xin''s aspirations, as if flames were blazing in her eyes.


    Blood Prison Great Saint was somewhat displeased.


    I haven''t finished bragging yet!


    ...


    After returning to Third Medicine Valley, An Xin was in an exceptionally good mood, wandering around and greeting everyone she saw. For this senior disciple of the Medicine Valley, all the disciples held great respect.


    Passing by, Chuanyue asked with a cheerful smile, "Senior Sister, why are you so happy?"


    An Xin replied with a smile, "Because the moonlight is beautiful tonight."


    Chuanyue looked puzzled, but An Xin did not explain, instead brushing past him.


    On the other side, in a loft.


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    Gu An picked up ''Green Hero Travelogue'' and had only been reading for a short while when Ji Xiaoyu came up the stairs and entered the room.


    "Where did you two go during the day?" Ji Xiaoyu stared at Gu An and asked.


    Gu An answered, "We went out for cultivation."


    "Really? What can you teach her?"


    "Well, I managed to teach Yang Jian, didn''t I? Just wait, maybe he''ll make a name for himself and shake the world someday."


    Ji Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow. After a moment of silence, she asked, "You wouldn''t happen to know Sword Venerable Fudao, would you?"


    Gu An''s face changed dramatically, and he exclaimed with shock, "How did you know?"


    "Really?"


    "Truth be told, I am actually a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    "Heh."


    "What, you don''t believe me? Okay then, I am Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Ji Xiaoyu rolled her eyes at Gu An and said, "You''re always talking nonsense. Every time I ask about your secrets, you always dodge the question, yet I''ve shared everything with you."


    At this point, her tone carried a hint of melancholy.


    Gu An replied helplessly, "My dear sister, I do want to know. Every time you just tell me outright, I listen with trepidation, fearing that your enemy from a former life will come knocking at our door. It''s not death I fear, but if the enemy tortures me severely, even if I confess, they might not believe me..."


    As he spoke, Gu An rambled on, causing Ji Xiaoyu to show a look of remorse.


    From Gu An''s perspective, it indeed seemed like a lot of pressure.


    After Gu An finished speaking, Ji Xiaoyu asked, "Should I stop telling you from now on?"


    "Really?" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "False. I''m still going to tell you. You only live once. I speak to you not because I want to talk about these things."


    Having said that, Ji Xiaoyu turned and left, leaving behind her solitary silhouette.


    Gu An laughed to himself; this girl''s nature was indeed amusing.


    Then, he picked up the ''Green Hero Travelogue'' from the table and continued reading.


    Xuan Tianyi hadn''t published a new book recently, which had allowed some laziness to set in, causing Gu An some dissatisfaction.


    Find a moment to tap him on the shoulder?


    Forget it, that''s beneath my dignity!


    Having Shen Zhen come back to the jianghu wouldn''t be bad either, she has the talent to surpass Xuan Tianyi.


    ...


    High up under the blue sky, above the white clouds, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint with An Xin standing beside him.


    An Xin, dressed all in white and wearing a white jade mask, was at that moment caressing her mask.


    "Master, where are we going?" An Xin turned her head and asked, feeling a powerful force whisking her away, immense and vast.


    "To another branch of your master''s sect," Gu An replied.


    Upon hearing this, An Xin immediately became excited and asked, "Master, what realm are you really in? Even Senior Nine Fingers and the others can''t see through your disguise."


    "I am slightly higher in cultivation level than the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Wu Xing, and Shen Xinzi," Gu An answered ambiguously.


    Seeing that he was unwilling to reveal more, An Xin didn''t press the matter and started to get curious about their destination.


    A gust of sea breeze blew from the front, prompting An Xin to turn her head. Immediately, her complexion changed drastically.


    One by one, towering and majestic peaks entered her vision, shocking her very eyes.


    Gu An glanced at her, feeling a sense of emotion.


    Since they had recognized each other, An Xin seemed to have become a different person, lively as if returning to her youthful days.


    This indicated that she truly saw Gu An as family.


    With parents present, a child can afford to be willful; without parents to accompany, one must learn to behave properly.


    An Xin was like this, which made Gu An quite happy; after all, he had watched An Xin grow up, and she had been with him for so many years. In his heart, wasn''t An Xin like a daughter?


    "Look at you, acting like you''ve never seen anything, this is Mortal World Peak, and the master here is the Peak Master of Dingtian Peak!" Blood Prison Great Saint said proudly, as if he himself were the Peak Master of Dingtian Peak.


    An Xin exclaimed in astonishment, "Dingtian Peak? I''ve heard of it, Senior Lu came to attend the Millennial Peak Conference before... So that''s how it is, no wonder. Master, if Senior Lu knew it was you taking care of her in secret, with her affection for you, she would probably wish to pledge herself to you right there and then."


    Gu An''s handsome face turned red, and he fake-coughed, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting? How could a girl speak such words; your master would never become daoist friends with her."


    "Just so, she isn''t worthy?" Blood Prison Great Saint chimed in, feeling annoyed with Lu Lingjun, also an Ascender, ever since she had called him a stupid cow.


    An Xin giggled behind her hand and said, "I finally understand why the master refuses to accept those female companions; indeed, there''s no need. They would only drag you down."


    She admired Gu An greatly; the master truly gave without expecting anything in return. What woman could resist his charisma?


    And who would have thought that Sword Venerable Fudao would be a Valley Master at the Supreme Sect? Such a waste of talent!


    The master really has patience!


    An Xin silently vowed to herself to become a Great Cultivator like her master, hidden amidst the mortal coil, watching over the swirling winds of the world with a smile.


    If she could truly surpass her senior brother and junior brothers, she would also conceal her cultivation level, watching the two of them vie against each other with a smile.


    Just by thinking about it, An Xin felt a surge of excitement.


    At that moment, a vast aura descended, dispersing the sea of clouds and fluttering An Xin''s long hair and gown. She looked up, and her eyes instinctively widened.


    There before her was a green mountain reflection stretching across the sky, larger than all the massive peaks in front of them.


    Gu An remained expressionless; his reason for coming today was for this very item.


    It was an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure belonging to Mortal World Peak!

 Chapter 329 Fu Shenxiu, Qingtian Peak

    When the azure mountain shadows hung suspended in the sky, disciples from various peaks flew out, looking up at this magnificent scene.Gu An did not stop, taking Blood Prison Great Saint and An Xin toward Dingtian Peak.


    An Xin, feeling the aura of the mountains and Cultivators along the way, was secretly astonished, realizing that Mortal World Peak truly was unfathomable, seeing that Senior Lu hadn''t spoken falsely.


    The oppressive force of the azure mountain shadows lingered for a long time, enveloping the entire domain of Mortal World Peak, prompting discussions among the disciples from all peaks.


    Upon reaching Dingtian Peak, Gu An flew toward the mountaintop.


    Only then did An Xin truly feel the immense size and height of these mountains.


    Thinking that such a vast mountain belonged to her master, An Xin''s gaze toward Gu An was filled with admiration.


    Soon, they arrived at the top of the mountain, and as soon as they landed, Zhu Xinglan, the leading disciple of Dingtian Peak, appeared and came forward to greet Gu An with a salute.


    "What''s the situation?" Gu An asked.


    Zhu Xinglan replied, "It''s Main Peak''s Fu Shenxiu subduing an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure; he is the future master of the Main Peak and the disciple with the strongest talent in a million years in Mortal World Peak."


    There was a complex tone in his voice when he mentioned Fu Shenxiu.


    Gu An looked up at the azure mountain shadow in the sky and laughed, "That''s quite a commotion."


    For such a Carefree Primordial Immortal to subdue an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, it seemed to be quite strenuous?


    It seemed that this Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was somewhat special.


    Zhu Xinglan answered, "This Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was found beyond Outer Heaven by the Peak Master, without the suppression of Qi Fortune from the Holy Court, truly subduing its Immortal Spirit would raise quite a ruckus, and there have been those who failed before."


    Gu An nodded and then asked about Dingtian Peak''s recent situation, learning that there was nothing requiring his intervention. Only then did Gu An start walking toward the Medicine Garden.


    An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint followed behind him, with Zhu Xinglan accompanying them, yet his gaze occasionally shifted toward the sky, admiring the vast azure mountain shadow.


    Who wouldn''t want to possess an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, it''s just that their numbers were limited, and it wasn''t something one could have just by wishing for it.


    While picking medicinal herbs, Gu An introduced them to An Xin. The majority of the medicinal herbs here were unheard of by An Xin, so she listened intently and wasn''t distracted by the phenomenon in the sky.


    Zhu Xinglan was inwardly curious about the origins of this girl, feeling that their master treated her differently compared to others.


    An Xin''s mask, crafted by Gu An, was inscrutable for Zhu Xinglan, who was at the ninth layer of Wandering Immortal Realm, and he didn''t dare probe with his Divine Sense.


    An hour later, the vast oppressive force enveloping Mortal World Peak began to dissolve, and the azure mountain shadow in the sky remained, even becoming more detailed, revealing trees that swayed with the wind, as if they were truly real.


    "You can go on with your duties; there''s no need to follow us."


    Gu An, just stepping out from a section of the Medicine Garden, turned his head and spoke to Zhu Xinglan, who immediately saluted and then disappeared into thin air.


    Attracted by the sudden disappearance, An Xin looked at Gu An and asked, "Master, what''s his Cultivation Level?"


    Gu An casually replied, "Wandering Immortal Realm, Nine Layers."


    An Xin''s pupils, hidden beneath the mask, involuntarily widened. She had heard of Wandering Immortals; the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who took first place in the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, was a Wandering Immortal.


    To reach the ninth layer of Wandering Immortal Realm, didn''t that mean the person just now might be even stronger than the Nine-Finger Divine Lord?


    Feeling the pressure, An Xin thought of the multitude of disciples at Dingtian Peak, each seemingly an Immortal, commanding such formidable power. How could she not feel the pressure, when her master was training her with such focus?


    At the very least, she couldn''t disappoint her master!


    Master and disciple walked and chatted along the mountain path, with Blood Prison Great Saint trailing behind. As the sea breeze blew and they looked out over the entire world, they seemed so insignificant.


    The azure mountain shadow in the sky began to scatter, and not long after, the sky returned to its original state, resplendently blue.


    "Master, if you compared that Immortal Path Supreme Treasure to Martial Uncle Li Ya''s Divine Exotic City, which would be stronger?" An Xin couldn''t help but ask.


    The strength of Divine Exotic City left a deep impression on her when Li Ya participated in the Heavenly Ranking Tournament.


    "The strength of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure is related to the user''s Cultivation Level; Li Ya is not yet able to fully unleash Divine Exotic City''s power," Gu An answered.


    The mightiest feature of an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure is its eternal indestructibility. Currently, there are many Immortal Path Supreme Treasures in the world, all passed down from generation to generation, each symbolizing the lifetime of a Nine Heavens of Immortal Path being.


    After hearing this, An Xin became even more curious about Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Gu An brought her here today to broaden her horizons, to understand the world structure, and to comprehend what an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure is.


    "What''s that?"


    Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly spoke up, and An Xin turned her head to look, seeing a streak of azure light racing from the distant horizon of the sea, stirring up huge waves.


    A smile appeared on Gu An''s face; he thought to himself, as expected.


    The Immortal Spirit of that Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was not simple, which was also the reason Gu An came to watch the excitement today.


    An Immortal Path Supreme Treasure from beyond Outer Heaven implied there was a scheme behind it.


    That treasure heading straight for Dingtian Peak was probably related to the Demon Fetus within.


    As the azure light drew closer, An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint''s expressions drastically changed, a feeling of indescribable panic born in their hearts.


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    This panic emerged but vanished in an instant because Gu An stepped forward.


    An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint subconsciously looked toward Gu An.


    Gu An raised his hand to grasp, then clenched his fist, and the distant azure light immediately disappeared.


    An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint turned to look but could no longer see the azure light; it was as if the previous sight was just an illusion.


    Both looked toward Gu An''s outstretched hand; unfortunately, Gu An''s fist remained closed, shielding from their view whatever lay within his palm.


    A figure descended from the sky and landed at the edge of a cliff, maintaining a distance of ten steps from Gu An.


    He frowned as he looked at Gu An.


    [Fu Shenxiu (Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, Five Layers): 168487/750000/2500000]


    Seeing the other''s Life Span, Gu An felt he indeed deserved the reputation of the number one talent of Mortal World Peak.


    In the future, he might even surpass the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    Fu Shenxiu asked, "Could it be Senior Meng Lang?"


    Meng Lang?


    An Xin''s gaze turned curious.


    Gu An, on the other hand, laughed and said, "This treasure headed straight for my Dingtian Peak; could it be considered fated for me?"


    Fu Shenxiu''s face drastically changed; after all his troubles, was the treasure taken by someone else?


    Although he did not attend the Millennium Summit, how could Fu Shenxiu not know that a Great Cultivator had been added to Mortal World Peak?


    One capable of eradicating the Elder of Mo Hen, such a Great Power was definitely beyond his contend.


    Moreover, the fact that the other party could easily seize the treasure demonstrated a vast gap between them.


    For a moment, Fu Shenxiu was unsure what to do. His master, Daoist Lord Yongnian, had instructed him to try his best to recruit Meng Lang.


    That was an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!


    Furthermore, one with intact restrictions, uncontrolled by the Holy Court, an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!


    "Senior..." Fu Shenxiu gritted his teeth, wanting to test Gu An''s attitude.


    Gu An suddenly opened his hand, revealing a tiny azure mountain that glistened faintly with light within his palm.


    Upon seeing the mountain, Fu Shenxiu''s gaze was fixed and could not be moved. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint, although unclear about the newcomer''s realm, could tell that his nature and temperament were extraordinary.


    Could the little azure mountain in their master''s hand be the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?


    He could seize an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure with a mere wave of his hand?


    An Xin''s heart filled with admiration.


    "If I let go, are you sure you can catch it?" Gu An asked with a chuckle.


    Fu Shenxiu hurriedly replied, "I will do my utmost."


    Immediately, Gu An threw the tiny azure mountain into the distance, casually launching it a million miles away.


    Fu Shenxiu appeared out of thin air beside the little mountain, his Mana swirling around his hand as he reached out to grasp it.


    Boom!


    A terrifying momentum suddenly exploded, tossing Fu Shenxiu away, and his face grew extremely unsightly.


    The little mountain turned into an azure beam, once again streaking toward Dingtian Peak.


    As Fu Shenxiu turned around, he saw that the light had vanished.


    He flew swiftly toward Dingtian Peak, landing again on the edge of the cliff with a complex expression as he looked at Gu An.


    The little mountain once again floated above Gu An''s palm.


    That moment, several figures appeared out of nowhere in the air behind Fu Shenxiu, all of whom were the authorities of Mortal World Peak, even the master of the Main Peak, Daoist Lord Yongnian, had come.


    Bai Ziya''s gaze fell on the little mountain in Gu An''s hand and then shifted to Fu Shenxiu, revealing a mocking expression.


    Gu An turned to Daoist Lord Yongnian and laughed, "Peak Master, this treasure kept smashing into my Dingtian Peak¡ªI had no choice but to claim it."


    Daoist Lord Yongnian seemed to realize something, a hint of understanding crossing his eyes, and then he laughed, "This is Qingtian Peak, sought by one of my juniors in Outer Heaven. If Daoist Friend likes it, I am willing to bestow it upon Daoist Friend."


    Upon hearing this, Fu Shenxiu immediately became anxious and looked at Daoist Lord Yongnian, saying, "Master..."


    "Well then, I will find you another Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in the future. You have no fate with this one; it''s not reasonable to blame others," Daoist Lord Yongnian said with finality.


    Although he was only one minor realm higher than Fu Shenxiu, Fu Shenxiu was raised by him, so facing his decision, Fu Shenxiu had no choice but to give up.


    He took a deep breath, gave Gu An a salute, and then turned and left.


    The other Peak Masters looked at each other in dismay, each harboring their own thoughts.


    Daoist Lord Yongnian, looking back at Gu An, said, "The treasure indeed has a destiny with Dingtian Peak; I hope Daoist Friend can protect Dingtian Peak well."


    Gu An nodded and said, "If Mortal World Peak needs me, I will also take action."


    Daoist Lord Yongnian''s face revealed a smile, and then he took his leave.


    The other Peak Masters successively saluted and dispersed.


    Gu An felt a hint of regret; Bai Ziya didn''t seek him out for a chat, their relationship seemed to have grown distant.


    After everyone left, An Xin couldn''t help but ask, "Just like that, you obtained an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    It was her first time seeing her master so assertive.


    And of course, Sword Venerable Fudao had always been domineering in his actions; Gu An was just gentle toward Cultivators of lower realms.


    Blood Prison Great Saint stared intently at Qingtian Peak in Gu An''s hand, suddenly feeling that he too might one day possess such a treasure.


    As long as he performed well!


    Gu An proceeded to walk toward the top of the mountain, while he used his Divine Thought to probe Qingtian Peak in his hand.


    Qingtian Peak had already fostered an Immortal Spirit, apparently alive for many years, far more powerful than Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit. After all, it was able to break free from the suppression of a Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    Soon, his Divine Thought captured a Heavenly Demon, hidden within the walls of a dilapidated temple within Qingtian Peak, extremely concealed and probably difficult to detect even for the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    "Practice diligently. Once you are strong enough, I will give this treasure for you to use," Gu An said to An Xin beside him, who was full of curiosity, smiling gently.

 Chapter 330 Awakening

    "Really?"When An Xin heard Gu An''s words, she was instantly excited, and the eyes of the Blood Prison Great Saint also turned fiery.


    Indeed, the master would not be stingy with the treasures of the Immortal Path!


    After returning to the mountaintop, Gu An had An Xin start cultivating while he went back to the house alone.


    Sitting on his bed, Gu An''s gaze fell on Qingtian Peak. He first used his Divine Thought to erase any marks and restrictions within Qingtian Peak that made him wary.


    The Immortal Spirit of Qingtian Peak was very submissive and did not resist Gu An; instead, it was quite jubilant.


    After taking safety precautions, Gu An began to make Qingtian Peak recognize him as its master.


    With the compliance of the Qingtian Immortal Spirit, it took Gu An less than an hour to refine the restrictions of Qingtian Peak and take control of the soul of the Qingtian Immortal Spirit, making it completely serve him.


    With the Qingtian Immortal Spirit in hand, this would be the combat power of a Carefree Primordial Immortal!


    Moreover, Gu An felt that the power contained in Qingtian Peak was greater than the Seven Stars Mirror, the Immortal King Crown, and the Divine Exotic City. The Immortal King Crown and Divine Exotic City had been damaged and needed a long time to recover.


    The Seven Stars Mirror hadn''t suffered much damage but was slightly weaker than Qingtian Peak, however, the difference was limited.


    After all this, the corners of Gu An''s mouth curved upward.


    Next, it was like capturing a turtle in a jar!


    Forget it, let me leave him hanging for a while. After all, he can''t escape or pass any messages outside.


    He pretended not to know that a Heavenly Demon was hidden inside Qingtian Peak, and the Qingtian Immortal Spirit was completely unaware.


    During the process of making Qingtian Peak his own, Gu An peeked into the memory of the Qingtian Immortal Spirit. It spent most of its time either asleep or sealed by a strong force, unaware of the filth inside it.


    Although unaware of the filth inside, the Qingtian Immortal Spirit was influenced by it. It inexplicably felt something attracting it at Dingtian Peak, thus it crashed towards Dingtian Peak.


    If Gu An had not intervened, it planned to directly smash Dingtian Peak to force the alluring thing to reveal itself.


    "From this perspective, the identity of the demon fetus below is not simple."


    Gu An thought silently. He pondered whether or not to move the demon fetus elsewhere, but where could he move it to?


    Moving it, if awakened prematurely, wouldn''t that accelerate the catastrophe?


    No matter, let it stay here. As for whether another Heavenly Demon will come later, he didn''t care.


    He would destroy any Heavenly Demon with lesser cultivation than his.


    As for those with higher cultivation than his, if they could infiltrate the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, wouldn''t the Holy Court have been penetrated long ago?


    Gu An shrank Qingtian Peak into an accessory and hung it on his belt.


    His ultimate elusive body was evolved from the practice of the Demon Shadow Divine Skill. Its main use now was to block all causality deduction, which also protected Qingtian Peak when it was attached to his body, making it indeducible.


    It wasn''t necessary to activate the ultimate elusive body to block causality deduction; after mastering it, he could block it permanently. In such a case, releasing some causality on the surface could easily misguide others'' deductions.


    The ultimate elusive body also had combat capabilities, allowing his physical soul to become elusive, dodging spells and Divine Skills, providing infinite uses in battle.


    Gu An stood up, stretched lazily, and loosened his body.


    Heavenly Demons, the Holy Court¡­


    It''s really hard to achieve true peace in this world.


    Gu An reflected internally, yet he faced no pressure.


    There''s still much time ahead; take it slow. The conflicts of the moment mean little; who laughs last is what truly matters.


    ...


    As the seasons changed, a new year arrived.


    Just after the New Year, Gu An was in the forest instructing An Xin on Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    The Stepping Path of Ages Step was too profound and enigmatic; even with Gu An''s personal guidance, An Xin still found it difficult to master. The current goal for An Xin was to discover the patterns of the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    An Xin moved swiftly, appearing five steps away in an instant before stumbling and falling to the ground.


    She sat on the ground, feeling dizzy and shaky, her eyes closed and mouth slightly open, which made Gu An want to laugh.


    He didn''t help An Xin regain her composure; this was a necessary path for her.


    She stayed in that spot for nearly half an hour before fully regaining her senses.


    Turning to Gu An, she gave a bitter smile and said, "Master, this technique is incredibly profound. Do I really need to learn it?"


    Gu An, holding the Seven Stars Mirror like a fan, chuckled and said, "You must learn it. Just absorbing Qi is not enough, and besides, cultivating Divine Skills will enhance your understanding too."


    An Xin made a mournful face but didn''t give up. Instead, she stood up again, ready to continue practicing the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    The thought of the previous dizzy sensation made An Xin want to vomit.


    She raised her hands, patted her face, and tried not to think about the discomfort.


    At that moment, she turned her head and saw a golden glow in the sky outside the forest, rapidly stretching out and magnificent like the sunset.


    Gu An also looked up, his expression calm.


    Is it finally coming?


    Meanwhile, overseas, on an island, Yang Jian and Heaven Sect stood side by side.


    Yang Jian gazed at his right hand, having just crushed a golden jade stone given by Heaven Sect, with his palm covered by a golden sphere and tiny golden stars scattering into the air.


    He appeared expressionless, yet he was extremely nervous inside.


    Merging with his past memories, was he still himself?


    Heaven Sect looked at him and comfortingly said, "Don''t worry, this process won''t be painful. I''ve already set up formations, and no one will disturb you."


    Yang Jian looked up at the sky where the golden glow covered the sky, so beautiful.


    "But this phenomenon¡­" Yang Jian hesitated.


    Heaven Sect stroked his beard and said, "Don''t worry, this phenomenon covers a vast area, and you don''t have to worry."


    Yang Jian took a deep breath and refocused on his palm.


    Then, the golden stars rising from his palm began to fly toward his face, eventually entering his eyes.


    The wind picked up on the island as the world''s spiritual energy surged towards Yang Jian.


    The golden light in his palm brightened, illuminating his face while his eyes flickered with different scenes.


    Seeing this, Heaven Sect smiled, slowly backing away to give Yang Jian space.


    Elsewhere.


    Inside Supreme Sect, Gu An could see the Heaven and Earth Rules enveloping Yang Jian, with Yin Yang Rules being the most intense. He couldn''t understand the process, but he felt that Yang Jian wouldn''t encounter any mishap. There was no other soul in that golden jade stone, so there was no risk of soul snatching.


    "Master, why has the sky changed color?" An Xin curiously asked.


    "Your fellow disciple is awakening his past memories," Gu An said nonchalantly as he gazed at the sky.


    Past memories?


    An Xin immediately became interested, and Gu An did not hide the truth, revealing Yang Jian''s causality.


    Hearing that Yang Jian was the reincarnation of a Holy King from the Holy Court, An Xin was even more shocked. Stay connected through empire


    "No wonder he''s so powerful, Master. Could my fellow senior brother also be the reincarnation of a great power?" An Xin asked, staring intently at Gu An, her eyes apprehensive.


    "Probably not."


    Gu An''s answer left An Xin feeling disappointed.


    If An Hao was a reincarnation of a great figure, that would mean she was not too bad; the problem was her comparison to An Hao.


    "However, everyone might have a past life. Once you reach a certain realm, you will understand," Gu An said and then looked away.


    He stood up and said, "Let''s stop here for today."


    Upon hearing this, An Xin''s face revealed a relieved smile.


    She followed Gu An''s steps.


    "Master, if Yang Jian awakens his past memories, does that mean he will become the Holy King again? Is the Holy King powerful?"


    "What he becomes is up to him to decide. As for the power of a Holy King, let me tell you something. The Great Cold Demon Sect previously served a Holy King."


    "Ah? A Holy King could command a sect like the Great Cold Demon Sect?"


    "Don''t be overly dramatic."


    "Thinking about it now, having such a powerful Holy King as my junior brother feels like a dream."


    "I''m telling you this, not for you to marvel, but for you to clearly know your own goals." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hehe, Master, I will practice diligently. With your teachings, what is a Holy King?"


    The master and disciple continued chatting as they returned to the valley. Gu An used the power of causality to alter their conversation, so he wasn''t worried about exposure.


    After reaching the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, Gu An studied causality and destiny the most and controlled his own power of causality more and more skillfully.


    Meanwhile, every being in the Broken Sea Domain looked up at the heavenly phenomenon.


    Gu An even saw some powerful figures flying out from the Holy Land where the Holy Court was located, rushing towards the Broken Sea Domain.


    Fortunately, Yang Jian was not awakening in the Taicang Continent, otherwise the continent would face trouble again.


    The golden phenomenon lasted a day and a night and by noon the next day...


    Shen Zhen came to visit Gu An. After closing the door, she started setting up a formation and busied herself for a while before coming to sit at the table.


    "Yo, still reading Green Hero Travel? Why not read my Supreme Secret Records?" Shen Zhen teased.


    Gu An replied, "Supreme Secret Records is too short."


    The implication was, when will you write something new?


    Shen Zhen seemed not to understand. She took out a scroll from her storage bag and spread it out on the table.


    She had actually drawn the golden phenomenon from yesterday. The golden sky enveloped the land and mountains, showcasing the majestic atmosphere of the immense landscape.


    Gu An noticed that as the scroll was unrolled, the Heaven and Earth Rules gradually drew near.


    Once again, she used her painting to move the Heaven and Earth Rules.


    "Yesterday''s phenomenon was no simple matter; it gave me an indescribable feeling..." Shen Zhen began to share her thoughts on her painting process.


    However, Gu An caught a special power emerging from the depths of the Heaven and Earth Rules.


    This power somewhat resembled the inheritance left by Heaven Sect.


    Could it be that Yang Jian''s past life was also related to the Heavenly Dao represented by Heaven Sect?


    Besides this power, Gu An was interested in the Reincarnation Rules.


    This painting also attracted the Reincarnation Rules.


    Heaven and Earth Rules are omnipresent, only elusive to mortal spirits. In the eyes of a Divine Thought True Immortal, Heaven and Earth comprise many layers. Beneath the Heaven and Earth Rules lies even deeper forces of order.


    After Shen Zhen introduced her painting process, she proudly asked, "What do you think? It seems you''ve sensed my painting intent; won''t you comment?"


    Gu An focused on the scroll and replied, "It indeed makes one easily lose their mind. You are very impressive."


    "That''s right!"


    Shen Zhen raised her jaw, extremely proud.


    Just as Gu An was about to speak, the scroll suddenly burst into flames, startling Shen Zhen as she tried to extinguish it.


    "Don''t approach! This fire is not right!" Gu An said sternly, stopping Shen Zhen from acting rashly.

 Chapter 331 The Great Emperor from the Silent Destruction Domain

    Gu An''s gaze remained fixed on the burning scroll on the table while his divine sense locked onto Outer Heaven.Above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land hung seven suns; from within one of those suns, the eyes of a mysterious colossal creature opened and stared directly at Gu An''s attic.


    It was this creature that caused the scroll to burn!


    Gu An was not perturbed. The beings in those seven days all possessed the Cultivation Level of the Carefree Primordial Immortal, posing no threat to him, but he could feel that they bore great karmic debts and were backed by a mighty presence.


    Thinking about it, it was normal¡ªafter all, if the Holy Court could contain them, either their patron was the Holy Court or their patron was feared by the Holy Court.


    Regardless of the situation, Gu An did not want to stir trouble unnecessarily.


    Soon, the scroll on the table turned to ash, yet it miraculously did not affect the table''s surface.


    Shen Zhen asked, somewhat shaken, "What was that just now?"


    Even with her Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivation Level, she could not understand how the flames appeared and vanished.


    At this moment, she felt as if she had incurred the wrath of the heavens.


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "I''m not sure, it seems like you shouldn''t have painted yesterday''s vision."


    Shen Zhen frowned and asked, "Only yesterday?"


    "It seems so, since you''ve painted other pictures before without such events occurring," Gu An replied.


    Thinking about it, the karmic debt hidden by Yang Jian seemed to be related to those seven days.


    Shen Zhen took a deep breath and said, "Forget it; my cultivation is too weak, and I certainly cannot provoke them."


    With her words, Gu An saw the mysterious creature within the sun close its eyes.


    Shen Zhen had managed to escape this ordeal; it was merely a warning, indicating that the mysterious beings of the seven days were not so murderous or domineering.


    Gu An sat back down and teased, "You''re quite something, managing to draw a picture that provokes the wrath of the heavens."


    Shen Zhen did not take pride in that but earnestly said, "Indeed, I felt I was capturing an obscure and mysterious state while painting, and each time after I finished painting, it became easier for me to cultivate. Many confusions in cultivation would also become clearer."


    "It seems you''re also about to undergo a profound transformation," Gu An said enviously.


    Only then did Shen Zhen smile, snorting, "Be nicer to me from now on; perhaps I''ll become an Immortal someday."


    "Alright, Immortal Shen."


    "Good boy."


    "How shameless!"


    "Hmm? Daring to offend a future Immortal?"


    The two began to bicker, and the fear in Shen Zhen''s heart was swept away. She felt that she needed to be more cautious about her future paintings.


    She had to discern clearly, what should be painted and what should not.


    An hour later, Shen Zhen left.


    Gu An then lay back in his chair and watched Yang Jian and Heaven Sect.


    After awakening his past life memories, Yang Jian''s cultivation had not experienced substantial transformation, but his whole demeanor indeed had changed.


    Gu An watched for a while and, confirming that Yang Jian was unharmed, withdrew his gaze.


    In the days that followed, Yang Jian and Heaven Sect stayed on that island, protected by Heaven Sect''s formation; many Great Cultivators passed by, unable to detect their existence.


    Until the summer came.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint down from the Transmission Array Platform, feeling cheerful.


    Just as he was about to leave, Nine-Finger Divine Lord approached him curiously and asked, "Gu An, your disciple An Xin has changed significantly lately; what did you teach her?"


    Because Gu An had previously mentored Yang Jian, he believed An Xin''s changes were related to Gu An, which made him more curious about the being behind Gu An.


    The most mysterious and powerful entity in the Supreme Sect was Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord had always felt that Gu An was connected to Sword Venerable Fudao; perhaps Gu An''s achievement in Go was related to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As for the possibility that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao, after learning Gu An''s age, he ceased to think in that direction.


    "Unique Daoist sorcery, indescribable and unutterable, unless you become my disciple," Gu An looked down at Nine-Finger Divine Lord and said with a proud smile, causing Nine-Finger Divine Lord to roll his eyes.


    "You know my Cultivation Level is quite high, and yet you dare take me as a disciple?" Nine-Finger Divine Lord said with irritation.


    Gu An shrugged and replied, "The accomplished can be teachers; you surely have aspects where you lag behind me. Could it be that in your life you only pursue Cultivation Levels? Could it be that in this world, only Energy Absorption can lead to the Dao?"


    Upon hearing this, Nine-Finger Divine Lord did not counter but fell into thought.


    Gu An patted the head of the Blood Prison Great Saint, urging him to move forward.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had been cultivating the Primordial Reincarnation Skill for years. Though his Cultivation Level was still sealed, he was hopeful about the future.


    A thousand years from now, he would surely become an Immortal!


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord turned his head and asked, "Can one also achieve the Dao through playing Go?"


    "Who can say for sure? No matter what you do, as long as you put your heart into it, everything is possible," Gu An replied casually.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord had clearly been seriously injured; his Cultivation Level was certainly not just that of a Wandering Immortal, but Gu An was not interested in his past.


    Watching Gu An''s retreating figure, Nine-Finger Divine Lord sensed a transcendental aura from this young man; he seemed to have seen through the mundane secular world, appearing more like an Immortal than actual Immortals.


    Thus, it seemed that Sword Venerable Fudao remained in the Supreme Sect perhaps for this young man?


    This speculation made Nine-Finger Divine Lord increasingly convinced.


    It appeared staying in the Supreme Sect was the right choice.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord looked toward Divine Heart Son, who was reading under a tree; previously, he thought Divine Heart Son was possessed, but now upon seeing him again, he suddenly felt that Divine Heart Son might also achieve the Dao.


    Then looking at the Third Medicine Valley, he had a strong feeling.


    In the years to come, this Medicine Valley would spawn many beings who would stir the winds and clouds of the world.


    This intrigued him, and anticipation bubbled up in his heart.


    He would wait and see what kind of person Sword Venerable Fudao''s chosen land could nurture.


    Elsewhere, Gu An went upstairs.


    He closed the door of his room, sat down in the chair, and took the miniature Qingtian Peak that had become a piece of ornament at his waist, placing it on the table.


    Today, he felt a slight anomaly within Qingtian Peak, related to that mysterious Heavenly Demon.


    That fellow couldn''t restrain himself anymore!


    Gu An''s divine sense probed into Qingtian Peak, which also concealed a realm within it. Although not as extensive as the realms within Divine Exotic City, this realm was broader than the Taicang Continent.


    At that moment, inside a dilapidated temple, Gu An''s divine sense avatar walked in.


    Sunlight pierced through the worn temple walls, elongating Gu An''s shadow.


    Gu An approached a wall crowded with ancient paintings, pitted and aged, their history unknown.


    "Come out, let''s talk; give me a reason, and I won''t erase you."


    Gu An stated emotionlessly, his gaze fixed on the wall.


    As the words fell, wisps of Demonic Qi seeped from the surface of the dilapidated wall. Even in broad daylight, they appeared haunting and horrifying.


    Shortly after, a gaunt, black-clad old man crawled out from the Demonic Qi as if transcending time.


    His eyes brimming with bloodshot veins, he locked his gaze on Gu An the moment he emerged.


    Upon standing up, he asked in a deep voice, "Who exactly are you, and what do you want?"


    Gu An answered, "You impact Qingtian Peak toward my mountain; you ask me what I want?"


    Upon hearing this, the old man''s expression grew even grimmer, and he fell silent, his eyes flickering.


    "Are you here because of the Demon Fetus?" Gu An asked.


    Upon hearing this, the old man''s face changed drastically, and his body began to tremble.


    He stared intently at Gu An and asked, "What have you done to him?"


    "I haven''t touched him yet, but the trouble he has caused me seems to be growing," Gu An''s tone remained indifferent, making it hard for the old man to gauge his thoughts.


    The old man hesitated before speaking, "You and us bear no enmity?"


    Gu An remained silent.


    Emboldened, the old man continued, "If you do not wish to be entangled in this great karma, it would be wise to leave this place. The Demon Fetus is a reincarnation of the Great Emperor from the Silent Destruction Domain, gestated for tens of thousands of years and immovable, with more Heavenly Demons yet to descend."


    Gu An pondered internally but asked aloud, "So, you have already established contacts with some of the upper echelons of the Holy Court?"


    The old man answered, "If you truly don''t wish to involve yourself in this karma, it''s best not to inquire further. Inquiring more will inevitably alert certain beings."


    When Gu An put forward this question, it indicated to the old man that Gu An was not connected to the Holy Court, so he did not wish to make an enemy of Gu An.


    Given Gu An''s methods in suppressing Qingtian Peak, he knew he was no match.


    "What is the purpose of your infiltration into the Great Heavenly Spirit Land? It wouldn''t be to target the beings of this realm, would it? If so, where could I possibly flee to?" Gu An asked slowly. Experience more on empire


    He was also making a decision.


    Whether to leave Mortal World Peak.


    Logically, if he wanted to avoid trouble, he should leave.


    "The universe is vast; there are always places to hide. Besides, our plans cannot commence in the short term," the old man replied, sensing Gu An''s intention to withdraw, he felt more confident.


    "What was the Cultivation Level of the Demon Fetus in his previous life?" Gu An inquired.


    "The Great Emperor, in his previous life, was an entity of the Immortal Eighth Layer Heaven. It won''t be difficult for him to reach the Immortal Seventh Layer Heaven in this life," the old man replied.


    Even though the old man was a Carefree Primordial Immortal, to him, reaching the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm was challenging, not to mention higher realms.


    The Immortal Seventh Layer Heaven was already an existence that could traverse the universe in his mind, unless those eternal beings took action.


    "Immortal Eighth Layer Heaven¡­"


    Gu An''s expression turned ugly, but he was slightly relieved internally.


    The Seventh Layer was the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, and the Eighth Layer was the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm where he belonged!


    He was at the ninth level of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm!


    The old man, thinking Gu An had been frightened, continued, "As long as you leave this place, even if I find the Demon Fetus, it will take thousands of years to fully form him; you have plenty of time to find a new place for cultivation."


    Thousands of years?


    The pressure in Gu An''s heart sharply decreased; if it took the old man thousands of years with his help, wouldn''t it take tens of thousands of years without him?


    Gu An spoke, "Allow me a few more years to think, I should have that much time, right?"


    The old man did not develop hostility toward him, so he wanted to give the old man a chance.


    Upon hearing this, the old man''s expression relaxed considerably, and he raised his hand in salute, saying, "Of course, I hope you can see reason and not delay your future prospects."


    He could not escape Qingtian Peak, nor could he send out a message; he could only try to maintain good relations with Gu An by blending softness with firmness.


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 Chapter 332 Earth Element Spirit

    Gu An set down the Qingtian Peak and, after his conversation with the man in black came to an end, his heart grew calm.In situations where the threat was not that great, he naturally wouldn''t run away; he would only preserve himself when utterly powerless.


    Moreover, there was a time difference between higher and lower realms; ten or a hundred years might be lengthy for beings of lower realms, but for Immortal Path Life, it was but a fleeting moment.


    Anyway, the man in black couldn''t run away. Gu An decided to keep him for the time being to see what sort of realization he would come to.


    Gu An raised his hand and beckoned, attracting a piece of paper from across the space; he was ready to write another secret book.


    The sun set, and the moon rose.


    Time turned its pages day by day.


    Winter snow inevitably arrived. Before the world fell into a blanket of white, Gu An went to the wooden fence to enjoy the snowscape.


    He hadn''t stood there long before Ji Xiaoyu walked over, standing side by side with him.


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t look up at the sky but fixed her gaze on a distant An Xin.


    An Xin was carrying a plump White Spirit Rat, constantly moving her little mouth, clearly saying something to the White Spirit Rat.


    "She''s progressing so fast," Ji Xiaoyu whispered.


    Could she not?


    Whenever Gu An had time, he would assist An Xin in entering the Way. Although her lifespan didn''t increase rapidly, it made her cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.


    He genuinely intended to cultivate An Xin to surpass An Hao and Yang Jian.


    "It''s alright. Her cultivation level is growing very slowly," Gu An spoke. Due to the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, An Xin''s cultivation level was always suppressed. Even if she were to release her cultivation level in the future, it would be concealed, with her apparent cultivation level controlled at the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    It seemed that Gu An would have to tell An Xin to restrain herself a bit more, since more and more people had started to notice the changes in her.


    "The Ji Family recently discovered an Undersea Secret Realm and invited me to go. I could take your disciple along, what do you think?" Ji Xiaoyu asked.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An hurriedly shook his head, "An Xin is timid; there''s no need to take her."


    "I''ll be there; she won''t encounter any mishaps."


    "It''s unnecessary. It''s not something I wish to see, to burden you."


    "Is that so?"


    "Yes."


    "I just feel that her aptitude is improving. Staying in Medicine Valley might bury her talent."


    "I don''t like to hear that. Would I delay her?"


    Gu An glared at Ji Xiaoyu. He had intentionally said this to make Ji Xiaoyu believe that the high-level cultivator guiding An Xin was someone else.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s mouth lifted into a smile, "Alright then, I won''t invite her. I want to see what you can make of her."


    Gu An smiled, "Then when are you leaving? And for how long?"


    This was not the first time Ji Xiaoyu had set out, but Gu An felt that the Undersea Secret Realm would again cause trouble.


    Perhaps this was what it meant to be a Great Fortune of Energy Movement: continuous trials and tribulations, always narrowly escaping disaster and turning peril into safety.


    "I leave tomorrow morning. The competition for sea resources among the noble families is quite fierce¡­" Ji Xiaoyu started talking about the situation at sea.


    Despite the vastness of the ocean and the richness of its resources, the coveted areas had long been divided by the major powers, making it difficult to gain a foothold at sea. The Ji Family, wanting to occupy a region of their own and lay down roots for development, eyed the Secret Realm.


    That oceanic Secret Realm was the source of abundant spiritual energy nearby. Immortal Path beings didn''t care about such a realm, but those in the Mystic Heart Realm would fight tooth and nail over it.


    She shifted the conversation from the Ji Family to other significant happenings at sea as Gu An listened with keen interest.


    During their conversation, a powerful Divine Sense swept across the Taicang Continent.


    Gu An was used to this; the other party was probably searching for Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian, having awakened memories from past lives, shocked many cultivators of the Holy Court, who were still searching for him.


    Yang Jian didn''t run around but focused on cultivating on that island.


    "At sea, only those in the Immortal Path Realm have the power to protect themselves. Even if one achieves Nirvana, walking the seas still requires great caution," Ji Xiaoyu remarked, her cultivation having grown higher and allowing her to perceive more. The experiences from her past life''s dreams only deepened her reverence.


    Gu An smiled, "With your talent, you''ll achieve Nirvana sooner or later."


    Let alone at sea, right now there was a Divine Sense of a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal sweeping the continent.


    Most beings were completely unaware of this.


    "What about you?" Ji Xiaoyu turned to look at Gu An, asking with a calm tone.


    "Nirvana? I''m afraid I won''t have the chance."


    Gu An shook his head and chuckled freely, devoid of any constraints.


    Ji Xiaoyu offered no consolation, knowing that Nirvana was a threshold for Mortal Spirits to break through fate, a challenge that no one else could assist with.


    She followed Gu An as they both looked up at the snow falling from the sky.


    The snowflakes began to fall more heavily.


    ...


    On the sprawling seas, Li Ya sat on the back of a black eagle that sped along, flapping its wings. The sea breeze tousled Li Ya''s long hair, but his eyes remained fixed on the horizon, unblinking.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit perched on Li Ya''s shoulder, head tilted, asked, "Have you really thought this through? Without using my power, it will be difficult for you to cross the waters ahead. I can sense a dense demon energy there, hiding a Great Demon of the Immortal Path."


    Li Ya''s expression was stoic as he answered softly, "Save me when I''m close to death."


    Ever since his last visit to the Divine Exotic Realm and learning about the origins of Divine Exotic City, Li Ya''s pride had shattered.


    He didn''t blame the Primordial Ancestor but was rather more grateful. However, he was filled with resentment towards himself.


    Li Ya, oh Li Ya, what have you been raging about all these years?


    All this time, he had always needed the Primordial Ancestor, needed others'' help¡ªwithout Divine Exotic City, what was he?


    Upon returning to the Star Sea Congregations, Li Ya secluded himself for cultivation and pondered over this question.


    This seclusion lasted for many years.


    He had now made up his mind: what he needed to do was improve his physical constitution and insight. If An Hao could cultivate the Ancient Treasure Body, why couldn''t he?


    So, he embarked on the journey to pursue the Treasure Body.


    He learned from an elder that a Treasure Body had once fallen in a certain sea region, possibly leaving behind an opportunity related to the Treasure Body.


    "Li Ya, actually, you''re still young, and you''re already quite formidable," the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit consoled, scratching its head. Having spent many years with Li Ya, it had grown fond of him and didn''t want him to take extreme measures.


    "Don''t worry, I will measure my abilities and refrain from making the Primordial Ancestor take action again," Li Ya said calmly, his eyes resolute.


    Following his gaze, dark clouds appeared at the far end of the sea horizon, small but clearly an ominous sign.


    Meanwhile, on the path of Dingtian Peak on Mortal World Peak.


    Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint while An Xin walked in front of the Blood Prison Great Saint, occasionally looking back and sharing a laugh.


    The sea breeze blew, stirring Gu An''s hair by the temples. He withdrew his gaze from spying on Li Ya and looked towards An Xin, "How many of the medicinal herbs did you memorize today?"


    It had been eight years since Ji Xiaoyu left for the Undersea Secret Realm.


    She had not returned for eight years, but as Gu An saw she wasn''t in mortal peril, he allowed her to face the ordeal alone. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During these eight years, Gu An taught An Xin no other spells or Divine Skills. Aside from Qi Absorption Cultivation, she only practiced the Stepping Path of Ages Step daily.


    Wearing a mask, An Xin turned back and said, "Master, rest assured, I remember them all."


    "Good, go back and write them into a book, so other disciples can increase their knowledge in the future," Gu An nodded.


    An Xin was about to reply when two figures descended from the sky and landed on the stone steps ahead.


    Upon seeing these two people, An Xin immediately tensed up.


    They were Daoist Lord Yongnian and Fu Shenxiu from the Main Peak.


    An Xin thought they were there to demand the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Daoist Lord Yongnian raised his hand in salute, saying, "May I inquire if Daoist Friend has time? My disciple and I have a matter to request."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An responded, "Speak directly, what''s the matter?"


    Daoist Lord Yongnian glanced at Fu Shenxiu and said, "Since Qingtian Peak has no affinity with my disciple, I have found another great opportunity for him, located within the Sea Demon Thunder Domain. It is a treasure left by an Ancient Great Power named Earth Element Spirit. Every hundred thousand years it congeals one spirit, and its appearance is not fixed, but it can be confirmed to only appear within the Sea Demon Thunder Domain..."


    Earth Element Spirit!


    It was the first time Gu An had heard of this, and he also became interested.


    According to Daoist Lord Yongnian, that Ancient Great Power was unfathomable in his cultivation. Before passing away, he used some Great Divine Power to refine his Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, submerging it into the Sea Demon Thunder Domain, merging it with the ocean, rendering it unfindable.


    It was only when someone accidentally acquired the Earth Element Spirit that the veil of this opportunity was lifted.


    The Earth Element Spirit could strengthen the soul of a cultivator, and even demons were eager to obtain it.


    Later on, the Holy Court took charge of the Sea Demon Thunder Domain and a Holy God decreed that the Thunder Domain was land without an owner. No sect was allowed to occupy it, and regarding the Earth Element Spirit, it all relied on one''s power.


    Mortal World Peak had also sought the Earth Element Spirit, either fate was there but the affinity was not, or they found the Earth Element Spirit but lacked the power to fight for it.


    Hearing about the anomaly in the Sea Demon Thunder Domain, which might signal the birth of an Earth Element Spirit, Daoist Lord Yongnian thought of Gu An.


    "Daoist Friend Meng, if you could take action, I would be deeply grateful," Daoist Lord Yongnian sincerely said, convinced that Gu An had surpassed the Carefree Immortal Realm. Such a Great Cultivator aiding them would surely clinch the Earth Element Spirit without difficulty.


    Gu An feigned hesitation, "Will this offend other sects?"


    Daoist Lord Yongnian replied, "The worthy receive treasures, don''t they? I''ve heard that Daoist Friend enjoys cultivating medicinal herbs, so I''m willing to transplant a batch of Immortal Path medicinal herbs to Dingtian Peak from the Main Peak. How about that?"


    "Daoist Friend is too kind. I''ve already said that if Mortal World Peak encounters an issue, I''ll take action. When do we set out?"


    Gu An spoke earnestly, bringing a smile to Daoist Lord Yongnian''s face.


    Fu Shenxiu''s mouth twitched, but he said nothing. Having had Qingtian Peak taken by Gu An, it was impossible for him not to feel resentment, yet now he could only maintain courtesy.


    "How about in three days?" Daoist Lord Yongnian asked. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire


    "No problem, we''ll set out after three days then," Gu An nodded.


    Daoist Lord Yongnian thanked him again then left with Fu Shenxiu.


    An Xin turned back and looked at Gu An, wanting but hesitating to speak.


    Gu An glanced at her, asking casually, "Want to go and see?"


    An Xin instinctively wanted to nod but after thinking it through, she shook her head, "Better not, I might cause you trouble. I won''t go."


    "I could take you there..."


    "Really?"


    Surprise sparkled in An Xin''s eyes.


    Gu An replied, "If you go, you must diligently practice the step technique I taught you. No slacking off."


    Upon hearing this, An Xin hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded.


    The Stepping Path of Ages Step was indeed exquisite, and even after so many years of practice, she still found it very uncomfortable each time she performed it. So, whenever Gu An wasn''t prompting her, she preferred Qi Absorption.

 Chapter 333 Predecessor

    Three days passed by quickly.On that clear morning, Gu An took An Xin to Mortal World Peak early without bringing the Blood Prison Great Saint, which was, to say the least, rather disappointing for him.


    The reason he didn''t bring the Blood Prison Great Saint was because Gu An had acquaintances in the Sea Demon domain, and he feared it would be inconvenient.


    As for An Xin, wearing his specially made mask, it was very difficult for anyone to recognize him.


    An Xin, who cultivated the All Things Form and Energy Art, could also conceal his aura. High-level cultivators did not guess one''s identity by appearance.


    After arriving at Dingtian Peak, Gu An read books inside the house, and so did An Xin, though her gaze drifted outside the window from time to time, waiting for the two from Daoist Lord Yongnian to arrive.


    Close to noon, Daoist Lord Yongnian finally arrived, bringing not only Fu Shenxiu but also a female cultivator.


    This female cultivator was at the second level of the Carefree Immortal Realm, not as advanced as Fu Shenxiu, but she was older and probably sent by Daoist Lord Yongnian to lead the way.


    And indeed!


    All they heard was Daoist Lord Yongnian introduce, "This is my younger martial sister, Dao name Yongxin, known as Fairy Yongxin. She will lead the way to the Sea Demon domain this time, as I need to stay at Mortal World Peak to avoid any mishaps."


    Fairy Yongxin followed with a salute to Gu An, who returned the gesture.


    "Let''s get going, then," said Gu An directly.


    If they could resolve the issue today, it would be great; a portion of the medicinal herbs in the Outer World Cave had ripened, waiting for him to harvest.


    Fairy Yongxin had no objections. The group went to the courtyard, where she summoned a small red mansion. The mansion rapidly expanded, taking Gu An, Fu Shenxiu, and An Xin inside before turning into a red light disappearing into the sky.


    Daoist Lord Yongnian stood in the courtyard, looking in the direction where the mansion disappeared, concern in his eyes.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the grand hall of the red mansion, Fairy Yongxin invited Gu An to sit and talk, while An Xin looked around curiously.


    "You''re free to wander around, there''s nothing dangerous here," Fairy Yongxin said to An Xin with a gentle smile.


    She might not have been stunningly beautiful, but her smile was generous and tender, easily engendering goodwill.


    An Xin glanced at Gu An, and only after seeing him nod did she dare to leave.


    Fu Shenxiu sat opposite Gu An, his expression calm.


    "The Sea Demon domain has already seen the appearance of a Carefree Primordial Immortal. It''s said that in these hundred thousand years, a Great Demon has been born there, cultivating for a hundred thousand years, entering the realm of the Carefree Primordial Immortal, commanding countless demon soldiers, a force not to be underestimated," said Fairy Yongxin.


    Gu An had long ago used his Divine Sense to probe the Sea Demon domain. Indeed, it was dangerous and the existence of Immortal Path entities within was incalculable. But for him, it counted for little.


    While Fairy Yongxin updated him about the current powers within the Sea Demon domain, she observed Gu An''s expressions.


    Noticing that Gu An remained composed, she felt somewhat relieved.


    He must indeed be a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    Throughout the history of Mortal World Peak, Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma had arisen. After reaching this level, most would head to Outer Heaven or seek Qi Fortune in the Holy Court; few remained on Mortal World Peak.


    They had extensively discussed Meng Lang''s purpose for coming to Mortal World Peak and eventually decided to try to win him over.


    If this venture went smoothly, Meng Lang would then stand completely together with them at Mortal World Peak.


    Fairy Yongxin mentioned several names of Carefree Primordial Immortals. In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, those who cultivated to this realm usually had a reputation and had dealt with each other a lot.


    Fairy Yongxin had only encountered this Great Cultivator, Meng Lang, appearing out of nowhere. She suspected Meng Lang was a pseudonym but did not point it out.


    After she finished speaking, Gu An looked at the silent Fu Shenxiu and said, "Don''t worry, as long as the Earth Element Spirit is still there, it will surely belong to you."


    Upon hearing this, Fu Shenxiu hastened to thank him.


    He felt a mix of emotions.


    He had been sullen ever since Gu An took Qingtian Peak away from him, but hearing Gu An''s words, he inexplicably admired Gu An.


    Those of us in Immortal Cultivation should indeed have such a spirit!


    Thinking of Gu An seizing Qingtian Peak with a wave of his hand, Fu Shenxiu''s eyes flashed with ardent desire.


    In fact, he anticipated the Earth Element Spirit even more than Qingtian Peak.


    All Immortal Path Supreme Treasures are external; it''s said that the strongest among the Immortal Path will eventually create their own treasures, and he had always believed he could reach the summit of the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path.


    More than external wealth, he valued the improvement of his own strength!


    In the subsequent conversation, Fu Shenxiu also started speaking, providing specific information about some Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    Fairy Yongxin felt somewhat relieved. She was aware of the conflict between the two, and she hadn''t expected Gu An to give Fu Shenxiu a way out so readily.


    It seemed he was not that difficult to get along with after all.


    When An Xin returned to Gu An''s side, she felt the atmosphere was very harmonious, which was not surprising to her; in her eyes, her master always managed to get along well with others and have enjoyable interactions.


    "Let me help the Fairy to speed up a bit," Gu An said with a smile. Immediately after, Fairy Yongxin''s face changed, as she sensed Gu An''s vast, ocean-like mana.


    The flight speed of the red mansion surged!


    Fairy Yongxin suppressed the shock in her heart and asked, "Daoist Friend, have you been to the Sea Demon domain?"


    "No, but I have captured it with Divine Sense before. This Sea Demon domain is not simple. You only know the surface, but inside lies a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma who will be our greatest obstruction," Gu An replied with a shake of his head, smiling. As he spoke, he picked up the teacup next to him and began to sip tea.


    Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    Fairy Yongxin couldn''t maintain her composure, and her eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.


    Fu Shenxiu was inwardly shocked. How profound must this person''s Dao Level be to mention the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma so casually? S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Read exclusive adventures at empire


    An Xin was filled with curiosity.


    What realm was the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?


    A realm above the Wandering Immortal?


    Without mentioning the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, Fairy Yongxin and Fu Shenxiu led her to mistakenly think the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm lay immediately after the Wandering Immortal.


    "He fears those above the fifth level of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm¡­" Fairy Yongxin thought to herself and gazed at Gu An with a mix of reverence and anticipation.


    In the following conversation, Fairy Yongxin dared not address Gu An merely as a Daoist Friend but referred to him as a senior. Gu An did not shy away from this title, graciously accepting it.


    This made An Xin proud, and she sat up straighter.


    ...


    Boom¡ª


    The deafening thunder echoed above the ocean, with torrents of waves rising and crashing down. A black hawk skimmed through the tempest.


    Li Ya stood on the back of the hawk, his brows furrowed, murmuring, "I run into such a fierce demon aura just after entering, that old guy wouldn''t have tricked me, would he?"


    On his shoulder, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit nodded frantically, saying, "I''ve had a bad feeling about him for a while now. He also calls himself the Immortal Seeking Taoist, which sounds like a bluff to me."


    Li Ya''s brows relaxed, and he whispered, "Since I''m already here, I can''t leave empty-handed. If I don''t find the Cultivation Technique for the Treasure Body, looking for a Demon Treasure to enhance Qi-Blood isn''t a bad idea either."


    He drew the treasure sword from his waist, a slender blade that reflected a cold light amidst the downpour.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, far out at sea, an explosion erupted, and a terrifying black shadow leapt from the water, immense and imposing as if Mount Tai itself had risen from the ocean floor and swiftly entered the clouds.


    The hawk beneath Li Ya immediately slowed down, not daring to approach rashly.

 Chapter 334 Is This It?

    Discover hidden stories at empireA flash of red light zipped across the sea covered by storm clouds, fast as lightning.


    Gu An, An Xin, Fairy Yongxin, and Fu Shenxiu stood on the edge of the terrace, gazing over the spectacular vista of the Sea Demon Thunder Domain.


    Demon energy permeated the area, but it could not obscure the fearsome waves and countless lightning bolts weaving through Heaven and Sea like monstrous dragons and serpents, fearsomely twisting. Every so often, a giant Demon Beast as large as mountains would burst from the sea surface and roar unrestrained, reminiscent of the primeval chaos.


    "The Earth Element Spirit appears in a place engulfed by a unique radiance, making it quite easy to locate. However, the Earth Element Spirit may attempt to escape. If it is not captured quickly, it will dive into the sea and vanish without a trace, only reappearing the next time," Fairy Yongxin spoke.


    Gu An nodded slightly. He could feel a strong divine thought pervading this ocean, dissipating within the waters, unable to condense. It seemed that the Ancient Great Cultivator Fairy Yongxin mentioned had at least the Cultivation Level of a Divine Soul True Immortal.


    Divine Soul True Immortals could also perish; who knew what calamity he had faced.


    While pondering, Gu An''s divine thought enveloped the Sea Demon Thunder Domain. The domain was immense, larger even than the entirety of the Broken Sea Domain, teeming with countless Demon Creatures from every possible realm, ranging from the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma down to those in the Energy Cultivation Realm.


    There were many areas within the domain that his divine thought could not penetrate directly; they were guarded by powerful restrictions. Though Gu An could forcefully break through with focused divine thought and succeed, it would inevitably destroy the restrictions and cause the internal Minor Heaven and Earth to shatter.


    Gu An''s divine thought locked onto that Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    This person was hidden within an island, surrounded by seas infested with demons each as large as the island itself, comparable to Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    He just caught sight of a Wandering Immortal passing nearby, then watched as the Immortal was swallowed whole by a black giant whale, so fast that its Primordial Spirit couldn''t even escape.


    It was a female cultivator, almost like a fairy. Such a pity.


    Gu An thought to himself while he responded to Fairy Yongxin.


    His divine thought quickly caught sight of a place glowing with an unusual light, and he directed Fairy Yongxin to fly in that direction.


    Standing beside Gu An, An Xin observed everything around with intense curiosity.


    Such dense demon energy, all condensed into black mist!


    If she fell into the Sea Demon Thunder Domain alone, she felt it would be better just to end her life rather than try to navigate and survive in such a place.


    Boom¡ª


    In the distance, the sea surface exploded as a ten-mile-long giant deep red fish leaped out. Looking closely, its body was entangled by two terrifying tentacles. An Xin''s gaze had just reached the scene when she saw the deep red fish being crushed, its flesh and blood scattering, which made her shudder all over.


    Gu An, Fairy Yongxin, and Fu Shenxiu seemed quite accustomed to this.


    Gu An noticed that along the fringes of the Sea Demon Thunder Domain stood city forts similar to those in the main city of the Broken Sea Domain, indicating that the Holy Court had taken control of this sea area.


    Not allowing other sects to occupy it implied they made the rules.


    No wonder there were many cultivators fighting in groups, led by Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, staying far from where the Earth Element Spirit was located. Clearly, they were not here for the Earth Element Spirit.


    Upon closer inspection, Gu An felt an aura similar to Lu Xianyi''s Qi Fortune on them.


    After a while, they reached a sea area enveloped in blue light, stretching ten thousand miles, making even the clouded sky appear transparent.


    Within the blue light sea, two Carefree Primordial Immortals were engaged in fierce combat. Their Divine Skills were immensely powerful, yet the force of their battle did not exceed the range of the blue light.


    Gu An''s gaze locked onto a man named Zhao Qizhen who was dressed in Battle Armor, wielding a Divine Weapon, surrounded by a Fire Phoenix, casting spells with a majestic and domineering aura.


    He was holding a blue Crystal Stone in his other hand.


    Surely, that was the Earth Element Spirit!


    Gu An could feel a wisp of divine thought within the blue Crystal Stone, similar to the divine thought in the sea.


    "Zhao Family''s Zhao Qizhen," Fu Shenxiu declared coldly as he stared at Zhao Qizhen.


    Fairy Yongxin smiled and said, "Zhao Qizhen and Shenxiu are fated rivals, clashing at every major Cultivation Level."


    An Xin looked toward Fu Shenxiu, curious about who had won but afraid to ask.


    Fu Shenxiu huffed, "I lost the last Combat, but next time, I will win."


    Gu An was curious, was there a family powerful enough to rival Mortal World Peak?


    The fact that Fairy Yongxin highlighted Zhao Qizhen''s family, instead of his sect, was enough to demonstrate the Zhao Family''s strength.


    An Xin was eager to ask, why next time, not now?


    Fairy Yongxin continued to introduce Zhao Qizhen''s opponent, a Supreme Elder of a sect.


    A Supreme Elder losing to a family genius already reflected the disparity in their strengths.


    Their presence also put pressure on the two Carefree Primordial Immortals, particularly on Zhao Qizhen, who felt Fu Shenxiu''s aura.


    For a moment, the two combatants tacitly slowed the rhythm of their battle, keeping an eye out for the arrival of a third-party force.


    Fairy Yongxin and Fu Shenxiu also turned to Gu An, curious to see how he would make his move.


    An Xin watched nervously ahead. After arriving in the blue light area, she could truly sense the power of the Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    It was terrifying; such overwhelming battle pressure had never appeared even at the Heaven-Tier Tournament.


    Gu An raised his right hand and made a grabbing gesture at the engaged Zhao Qizhen, who vanished into thin air. The Carefree Primordial Immortal he was fighting immediately retreated, his gaze swiftly turning toward the distant building.


    Fairy Yongxin and Fu Shenxiu did the same, their eyes falling on Gu An''s hand, and the two Carefree Primordial Immortals suddenly looked alarmed.


    Coming to her senses, An Xin instinctively turned her head and stared wide-eyed.


    The previously dominant Zhao Qizhen was now in Gu An''s hand, tiny as an insect.


    Zhao Qizhen looked up, shock and dread filling his face, most terrified by his inability to escape, bound by an invisible, intangible force.


    Gu An raised his left hand, extending his forefinger and middle finger. Zhao Qizhen felt something slip from his hand, and looking down, saw the Earth Element Spirit gone, now between Gu An''s fingers.


    Gu An casually tossed it, and the Earth Element Spirit fell into Fu Shenxiu''s hands.


    Fu Shenxiu stood dumbfounded, and Fairy Yongxin''s eyes also widened.


    It was successful just like that?


    Gu An threw Zhao Qizhen from the palm of his right hand.


    Zhao Qizhen regained his freedom, returning to his original size.


    Stabilizing himself, he looked at Gu An, his eyes filled with dread.


    Gu An, expressionless, couldn''t be bothered to say anything and instead turned to Fairy Yongxin, "Let''s go."


    Fairy Yongxin, coming to her senses, instinctively cast a spell, propelling the building.


    Gu An simply revealed himself and did not earn the hostility of Zhao and his companion, so he spared their lives.


    Watching the building recede, Zhao Qizhen''s handsome face flushed with embarrassment.


    He tried to calm his emotions; just from the other''s display of power, he knew he was no match.


    If it were him, he probably would not have spared a life.


    Now all he had was confusion; since when did Mortal World Peak have such a powerful figure?


    His capabilities must certainly be that of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    Taking a deep breath, he turned to face the Carefree Primordial Immortal he had been fighting, raised a hand in salute, leaving the latter quite stunned. Before the Immortal could return the gesture, Zhao had already turned and left.


    On the building, Fu Shenxiu held the Earth Element Spirit, a complex look on his face.


    Fairy Yongxin was the first to thank Gu An, and Fu Shenxiu hurriedly followed suit.


    "Is that it?" An Xin couldn''t help asking.


    That made the expressions of Fairy Yongxin and Fu Shenxiu even more complex.


    Gu An just smiled, "Isn''t it good when things go smoothly?"


    An Xin quickly said, "Of course it''s good, I mean¡­"


    Seeing her struggle to explain, Gu An merely chuckled, "Let''s head back first."


    Fairy Yongxin, smiling, felt this smooth operation was absolutely a surprise for her.


    Even if a Carefree Primordial Immortal were to come to the Sea Demon Thunder Domain, they would face life-and-death risks.


    As they reached outside the Sea Demon Thunder Domain, Gu An suddenly grabbed An Xin''s shoulder, causing her heart to skip a beat, and she soon found herself flying out of the building.


    Gu An, holding her shoulder with one hand and waving the other, sent the building into the distance.


    Fairy Yongxin and Fu Shenxiu were taken aback; before they could react, Gu An''s voice reached their ears, "You two go ahead."


    The building sped away, the two feeling the rules of Heaven and Earth retreating along the way, allowing unimpeded passage¡ªan intricate technique beyond their comprehension.


    "It seems he has another purpose," Fairy Yongxin remarked.


    Fu Shenxiu added, "I think it''s because his disciple still wants to see more."


    Fairy Yongxin looked at him in surprise, asking, "Is he so capricious?"


    "With his Cultivation Level, how can that be considered capricious?" Fu Shenxiu responded, his gaze on the Earth Element Spirit in his hand, his perception of Gu An completely transformed.


    Meanwhile,


    Gu An and An Xin soared on clouds, his divine thought covering An Xin, entering a special state where only those who reached the state of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal could see them.


    "Master, you don''t have to do this for me; it''s so dangerous here," An Xin cautiously spoke, deeply touched.


    Gu An smiled, "Don''t overthink it; it''s not for you."


    "For whom then?"


    "You''ll know soon."


    Hearing Gu An say this, An Xin grew even more curious about what lay ahead.


    The storm clouds churned quickly along the way, and An Xin felt no discomfort despite their swift pace.


    Before long, Gu An stopped.


    Lightning flashed through the clouds ahead, with demon mist swirling below.


    Suddenly, numerous Evil Ghosts burst out from the sea of clouds, startling An Xin, who instinctively moved closer to Gu An.


    Booming sounds continuously came from below, drawing An Xin''s attention.


    Moved by Gu An''s intent, they descended below the cloud sea, where An Xin was captivated by the massive battle occurring over the sea.


    A vast city phantom stood above the sea surface, from which endless Divine Souls and strange ghosts flew out, attacking the demons around Divine Exotic City.


    This was a chaotic war! S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Divine Exotic City? Is Martial Uncle Li Ya here?" An Xin asked excitedly.


    Li Ya had participated in the Heaven-Tier Tournament, displaying Divine Exotic City''s power, leaving a deep impression on An Xin.


    When she thought of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, Li Ya came to mind.


    "That''s an incredible Immortal Path Supreme Treasure; Master, is your Qingtian Peak this strong?" An Xin curiously asked.


    Gu An snorted, "Divine Exotic City is a broken Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, merely a Pseudo-Immortal Path Supreme Treasure. In terms of true power, it cannot compare to Qingtian Peak. Let me show you later."

 Chapter 335 Masters Wife

    Li Ya stood atop the tower, longsword in hand, his expression grave.Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on Li Ya''s shoulder, full of vigor, continuously waving its arms. Ever since Li Ya had learned the truth, it had ceased its act.


    At first, Li Ya felt somewhat awkward, but now, his feelings were overtaken by worry.


    The battle had progressed to a point where Divine Exotic City could barely advance; the demons were too strong and even understood Formation techniques, effectively halting the advance of Divine Exotic City, with more demons continually joining the battlefield.


    If things continued this way, Divine Exotic City might well be breached.


    What Li Ya worried about most was attracting even more terrifying demon creatures.


    He felt a desire to retreat, fearing that the troubles would only grow and force the Primordial Ancestor to intervene.


    Li Ya gritted his teeth, ready to call for a retreat, when suddenly, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on his shoulder started yowling loudly.


    "I am going to unleash my divine might!"


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit raised its right arm, its youthful voice filled with excitement.


    Li Ya was stunned. He immediately looked up, scanning the surroundings. The distant thunderclouds were heavily interconnected, with no end in sight. The more he saw, the faster his gaze moved, as if searching for something.


    Gu An noticed Li Ya''s actions and a smile appeared on his face.


    He was already aware of Li Ya''s burden because the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit had told him, but he hadn''t said anything. Some things had to be overcome by oneself.


    Like Long Zhan, a powerful figure, who never hesitated and was always decisive.


    Gu An immediately took Qingtian Peak from his waist. The peak, smaller than a palm, refracted the thunderlight, emitting an ancient aura, unsettling An Xin profoundly.


    Under An Xin''s watch, Gu An raised his hand and tossed Qingtian Peak upward into the sea of clouds.


    The next second, a vast momentum descended, enveloping the entire ocean.


    Li Ya and Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit both felt something and looked up simultaneously.


    The previously excited Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit widened its eyes, a stunned expression on its face. Li Ya was similarly dumbstruck.


    The rolling sea of clouds dispersed, and a tremendously large mountain suddenly emerged. In comparison, everything else seemed minuscule. It was tens of thousands of feet from the sea surface; even the trees on the mountain appeared gigantic, resembling divine soldiers exerting a daunting presence.


    In this moment, Divine Exotic City seemed like a mere pebble, demonstrating the grandeur of Qingtian Peak.


    Gu An led An Xin to the summit; An Xin looked up to see a brilliant starry sky and also witnessed seven dazzling suns, all reflecting in her eyes.


    As soon as Qingtian Peak appeared, it grabbed the attention of all the demons. The demons, upon seeing Qingtian Peak, were equally scared.


    "What is that?"


    "It''s a huge mountain¡ªno, an Immortal Treasure!"


    "Damn it, why is there another supreme treasure appearing?"


    "This aura¡­ no good, it''s dangerous!"


    "Retreat! Hurry, retreat!"


    Panicked cries came from the demons as they scattered like monkeys when a tree falls, fleeing at tremendous speed.


    Qingtian Peak remained suspended in the air without touching down.


    Gu An turned to An Xin and chuckled, "It seems we can''t show the full might of Qingtian Peak."


    An Xin wasn''t foolish and shook her head, "That''s because Master, you are merciful; otherwise, they wouldn''t think of escaping."


    Gu An just laughed and shook his head.


    In that moment, he thought of Long Zhan and Xiao Shengtian, and thus decided to adhere to his principles. His target for elimination should at least be beings with whom he had grievances. This would prevent others from speculating other reasons.


    Moreover, his annual gain in life span had already reached 1.5 million years, and he had no reason to needlessly kill innocents and accumulate karma. After all, he could play it safe and slowly become stronger.


    Gu An''s greatest cruelty was against plants and trees, as all beings must eat; which cultivator doesn''t use medicinal herbs for Alchemy?


    What he could do was choose the path that best suited his own growth. Find your next adventure on empire


    That''s why, to An Xin''s comment about mercy, Gu An only smiled. He didn''t consider himself merciful; his choices were also governed by a mindset of seeking benefits and avoiding harm.


    As the demons dispersed, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit heaved a sigh of relief.


    Li Ya, meanwhile, looked up at the majestic Qingtian Peak, feeling a sense of relief at that moment.


    "So that''s how it is¡­"


    Li Ya had always felt unworthy of owning Divine Exotic City, but now, seeing the grandeur of Qingtian Peak, he realized the Primordial Ancestor possessed even stronger treasures.


    What was there to worry about?


    He didn''t even know how high the Primordial Ancestor''s Dao Level was.


    Rather than being burdened, he would rather strive to become stronger and repay the Primordial Ancestor later!


    No matter how much he tried to think for the Primordial Ancestor''s sake now, he couldn''t possibly help the Primordial Ancestor, who was gambling on his future, not the present.


    As Qingtian Peak rose higher and rapidly shrank, it gave Li Ya a sensation of flying beyond the heavens.


    After Qingtian Peak disappeared, Li Ya didn''t see the figure he hoped to see.


    He took a deep breath and said, "Let''s go."


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit turned its head and asked with surprise, "Where to?"


    "To a place where we can compete. Clearly, this is not suitable for us, otherwise the Primordial Ancestor wouldn''t have used another supreme treasure to save us," Li Ya said calmly.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit scratched its head, found the reasoning sound, and nodded in agreement.


    Divine Exotic City transformed into a rainbow of light and streaked back the way they had come.


    This scene caught An Xin''s eye, and she asked with surprise, "Why are they leaving?"


    Gu An didn''t expect his intervention to actually persuade Li Ya to leave, which left him with mixed feelings.


    "Let them go. We''ll make another round for an ancient hour before heading back," Gu An said.


    An Xin had no objections and began to inquire about Divine Exotic City and Li Ya. Gu An told her everything he knew.


    ...


    After the voyage through the Thunder Sea Demon Domain, An Xin pursued her cultivation more diligently, becoming more reserved, just like before.


    Having seen a stronger world, a fighting spirit was ignited within her, and thereafter, she needed no urging from Gu An; whenever she had time, she would actively practice the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Shen Xinzi had also covertly observed her Step Technique. Unfamiliar and slightly embarrassed to keep spying, after watching two or three times, they completely lost interest in paying attention to An Xin.


    But in their hearts, both Gu An and An Xin had become different.


    Years passed by.


    Five years went by in the blink of an eye.


    This year, Ji Xiaoyu returned.


    "How come you have another woman''s aura on you?" Ji Xiaoyu stood at the table, frowning as she asked.


    Gu An put down the book in his hands and replied, "I went to see my junior sister two days ago."


    Ji Xiaoyu pressed on, "Why has her aura changed?"


    Gu An looked at her, surprised. She actually remembered Ye Lan''s aura?


    "She has made a breakthrough in her cultivation recently, so her aura has changed," Gu An casually responded.


    In fact, that was indeed the case. In his heart, An Xin''s status could not surpass Ye Lan''s, so whenever he visited Ye Lan, he would preach to her, and the Elixirs he invested in her were more than those for An Xin.


    Watching the junior sister''s maximum life span increase little by little gave Gu An a sense of achievement.


    He relished the feeling of contending with the heavens.


    "Is that so?" Ji Xiaoyu asked skeptically.


    Gu An rolled his eyes at her, saying, "I am upstanding and straightforward. Why would I deceive you? Don''t I often meet other women in front of you? Besides, why do you care about these matters? Don''t harbor any improper thoughts about me. The karma associated with you is too great; I''m afraid Reincarnation Path Emperor''s enemies might capture me to threaten you."


    Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t help but glare at Gu An.


    Gu An crossed his arms and said, "Honestly, other than Ye Lan, Shen Zhen, and Lu Lingjun, whom you have seen, there is another woman who likes me. I''m still considering it, mainly because I''m raising three adorable female demons, so I don''t have much need for romance."


    Ji Xiaoyu laughed, saying, "It wouldn''t be those three monkey demons, would it?"


    More and more Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect were appearing, and Tianya Valley could no longer be hidden, but Lv Baitian and Li Xuandao had reached an agreement, so Tianya Valley remained unscathed. Ji Xiaoyu had learned about the situation inside Tianya Valley through the Ji Family.


    "How could it be!" Gu An retorted with a glare.


    Ji Xiaoyu pulled out a chair to sit down and began to recount her experiences over the years.


    Gu An listened intently.


    After talking for two ancient hours, Ji Xiaoyu finally left.


    After Ji Xiaoyu went downstairs, she saw An Xin speaking with five female disciples. Thus, she waited on the spot.


    Once the five female disciples had left, she approached An Xin.


    At this moment, the sun began to set.


    An Xin turned around, saw Ji Xiaoyu approaching, and quickly stepped forward to greet her.


    In her heart, Ji Xiaoyu was one of the potential Sect Mothers, a very strong contender, capable of living under the Sect Leader''s floor; she had to be treated with respect.


    "Your talent is commendable. If you need help, just let me know. My Ji Family has some resources, and we can assist you," Ji Xiaoyu said, staring at An Xin.


    Upon hearing this, An Xin hurriedly thanked her, then added, "Thank you for the kind offer from the Ji Family, but it''s not necessary, after all, I have my master¡­"


    Ji Xiaoyu interrupted her, "Don''t mind his attitude. I''m helping you for his sake. The stronger you are, the better you can protect him."


    With that, she turned and walked away.


    Watching her retreating figure, An Xin felt moved; Ji Xiaoyu truly had a domineering aura!


    An Xin silently compared herself; despite her rapid progress, she was not yet a match for Ji Xiaoyu.


    She decided to set Ji Xiaoyu as her target; surpassing Ji Xiaoyu would enable her to chase after An Hao and Yang Jian.


    She refused to believe that Ji Xiaoyu''s talent could surpass An Hao and Yang Jian!


    Inside the house, Gu An was reading a book, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. The evening sunlight burst through the window, bathing him in a layer of rosy light, as if he were clad in a robe of twilight.


    The sun set, and the moon rose.


    The following morning, Gu An left the Supreme Sect alone, controlling his sword as he flew into the distance.


    Once he was no longer locked onto by Divine Sense, his figure vanished instantly.


    An hour later.


    Gu An arrived in front of the gate of Juhua Sect, surrounded by undulating mountains. From the cliff, each mountain boasted a sea of flowers, a magnificent sight.


    When he took out the Sect Leader-level token from the Supreme Sect, the disciples of Juhua Sect halted their hostility and even warmly escorted him inside. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing that Gu An was seeking the Sect Leader, the disciples dared not delay and immediately guided him, as the token Gu An showed was of Sect Leader-level from the Supreme Sect.


    An hour later, Gu An was situated in a separate courtyard; he sensed that Jiang Qiong was in closed-door cultivation, with disciples guarding outside.


    Sure enough, not much later, the guiding disciple hurried back, asking him to wait a few days since the Sect Leader was in seclusion.


    Gu An wasn''t in a hurry; with Jiang Qiong in seclusion, he''d discreetly help her with her Path Enlightenment and leave. Once she found out Gu An had been looking for her but hadn''t waited, she''d definitely feel embarrassed.


    Just thinking about it, Gu An was a little excited.

 Chapter 336 Reincarnation to Earth

    After the disciples of Juhua Sect left, Gu An sat inside the house and suddenly found himself feeling a bit bored."Do I need a round of Reincarnation Evolution?"


    If he changed locations for the evolution this time, maybe he would have different luck! Read latest chapters at empire


    His life span had already surpassed five hundred million years. In a few years, the Outer World Cave would experience another surge in life span.


    It might be fun to try.


    Mainly because Lifespan Samsara could enhance Gu An''s comprehension of the Tao Rules, especially the Way of Cause and Effect.


    He wasn''t doing it for fun but for cultivation.


    Let''s start one round!


    After convincing himself, Gu An sat down and drank a cup of tea. While pouring another, he initiated Lifespan Samsara.


    The tense and thrilling Reincarnation Evolution began!


    [You have expended ten million years of your life span to initiate Reincarnation Evolution]


    [Beginning connection with Tao Rules]


    [Searching for Reincarnation realm...]


    [You have the following realm choices, choose any one of them]


    [One, Dark Great Heaven and Earth]


    [Two, Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth]


    [Three, Primordial Great Heaven and Earth]


    Seeing these three options, Gu An was immediately attracted to the Primordial Great Heaven and Earth.


    His physique was the Primordial Ultimate Body, and he had always suspected that Primordial pointed to a certain realm or world. How could he not be curious upon seeing the word Primordial?


    He chose it, after all, he had already experienced the first two Great Heaven and Earth.


    Gu An immediately made his choice.


    [You have chosen to reincarnate into Primordial Great Heaven and Earth]


    [Given that the Tao Rules of this realm are too powerful, you temporarily cannot activate the ability to seize life span, nor can you activate phase-based functions]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins]


    Good, it''s yet another world comparable to Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth, which means there exist beings here who transcend the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path!


    Gu An felt even more anticipatory in his heart.


    [In your first year, you were born on planet Earth in Jiang City, Huaxia, and your parents named you Lu Han]


    Earth!


    Gu An''s gaze underwent a subtle change. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [At six years old, you started first grade in elementary school. Because you were too naughty and injured a classmate, you were severely punished by your father]


    [At twelve, you entered the first year of junior high school, where you displayed extraordinary intelligence and ranked at the top of your class]


    [At fifteen, you were admitted to Jiang City''s top high school. There, through a classmate''s introduction, you began reading online novels. Due to excessive indulgence, your academic performance began to decline]


    [At eighteen, just after the Spring Festival, you turned over a new leaf, put down your phone, and vowed to reclaim your dignity as a top student. However, on the eve of the college entrance examination, the world changed drastically¡ªthere were earthquakes, tsunamis, and humanity faced apocalyptic challenges. Seven days of chaos later, nations stabilized their order, but mysterious and enormous black gates appeared in cities. Seeing the black gate from a distance, you hesitated, unsure whether to approach it]


    Seeing the previous prompts, Gu An thought he would live a lackluster life.


    Fortunately, the apocalypse arrived!


    It wasn''t that he found an ordinary life unsatisfactory, but he had spent ten million years of life span for a few decades of human life¡ªhow could he accept that?


    Gu An took a deep breath and made his choice.


    [You choose to approach the black gate. As you reached it, the gate suddenly shook, causing all nearby people to flee instinctively. Before you could escape, you were sucked into the gate, and your consciousness plunged into darkness. When you awoke, you found yourself in a wild mountainous area with only a dozen other people, some of whom were already awake. You started exploring and fighting for survival]


    [At nineteen, after half a year, you finally made your way out of the wilderness and saw the silhouette of a city. Of your original group, only four remained. You entered the city and discovered it was an ancient township with everyone dressed in traditional attire. To survive, you began working in the city and ultimately realized you had traveled back in time]


    [At twenty, an Immortal in the city started accepting disciples. Many people gathered to watch, and you too went and were discovered to have a Spirit Root. Thus, you followed the Immortal to the Outer Sect of the Tao Court for training. Your three companions, discovered to have Spirit Roots as well, joined you, and together you wept, believing a wonderful life was about to start. But upon reaching the Outer Sect, you learned you would start as Servant Disciples]


    [At twenty-one, you found out your girlfriend, Cheng Qianqian, had attached herself to an Outer Disciple. After a quarrel, the two of you had a falling out, and your two companions chose to side with Cheng Qianqian, leaving you isolated and alone]


    [At twenty-four, hearing of Cheng Qianqian''s horrible death, you enquired from a former companion and learned she had died during an Outer Disciple mission, pushed into the jaws of a Demon Beast by an Outer Disciple named Zhou Xuankun. It was the very man Cheng Qianqian had clung to. You erected a gravestone for her and swore in your heart to become an immortal]


    [At twenty-five, while gathering herbs on a mountain, you fell into a ravine and landed by the riverside, your bones broken. In agony, you waited for death to come. Then you heard a voice saying it could save you, but you would have to serve as its servant thereafter. Do you accept its terms?]


    What''s there to hesitate about!


    Accept!


    Gu An immediately made his choice. This life seemed rather tough.


    [You chose to accept and soon fell into a coma. When you woke up, you found yourself in a cave. The person who saved you claimed to be the Mad Demon Lord, and from then on, you began to follow him in cultivation]


    [At twenty-seven, your Cultivation Level reached the fifth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. One day, the Mad Demon Lord forced you to ingest an Elixir he had concocted, and your cultivation surged to the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm]


    [At twenty-eight, the Mad Demon Lord found you again for a drug test. Your body ulcerated and bled uncontrollably, and you fell into a coma. When you awoke, you found your face scarred and your right leg incapacitated]


    [At twenty-nine, with the Mad Demon Lord''s assistance, you successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, but the scars on your face remained unchanged. The Mad Demon Lord sent you back to the Outer Sect, but you couldn''t bear the mockery and ridicule you faced and ultimately returned to serve the Mad Demon Lord]


    [At thirty, the Mad Demon Lord''s tests for you concluded, and he imparted to you the Demon Skill¡ªSwallowing Heaven Technique]


    [At forty, you mastered the Swallowing Heaven Technique and also learned a set of Hand Techniques]


    [At forty-two, the Mad Demon Lord left, leaving you to cultivate alone]


    [At forty-four, enemies of the Mad Demon Lord came seeking the Elixir of Immortality he had created. You narrowly escaped death and fell into a river, fleeing downstream]


    [At forty-five, wearing a mask, you saved a distressed young lady whose house servants had all been slaughtered by Demons. Only she remained. Out of gratitude, she wanted to marry you and asked to see your true face. Do you remove the mask?]


    Take it off!


    Women disrupt my cultivation. Better to scare her off quickly!


    Gu An was impatient to see Lu Han''s life take a turn for the better.


    [You removed the mask, expecting to frighten Yuan Ling''er away, but to your surprise, after a brief moment of shock, she resolutely embraced you, and you lifted your arms to embrace her in return]


    [At forty-six, you followed Yuan Ling''er back to the Yuan Family estate. Her father hesitated about the marriage due to your appearance, but under Yuan Ling''er''s insistence, you were eventually married]


    [At forty-seven, Yuan Ling''er bore you a son named Lu Qiuxian. Because your son did not take the surname of the Yuan Family, her father grew even more displeased with you]


    [At fifty-six, Demons invaded the city, slaughtering the inhabitants. You barely managed to keep your wife and child safe but couldn''t save others, forcing your family of three to begin a nomadic life]


    [At fifty-eight, you returned to the Outer Sect with Yuan Ling''er and your eleven-year-old son Lu Qiuxian. Your son was discovered to have the rare Heavenly Spirit Root and was taken as a disciple by a Mahayana Realm Elder. Your family stayed up all night, unable to sleep]


    Upon reaching this point, Gu An''s face broke into a smile.


    He was on the verge of feeling despondent. He hadn''t even had the chance to make choices and felt like Lu Han could die at any moment.


    Too bitter!

 Chapter 337 River of Destiny

    [At the age of fifty-nine, your son Lu Qiuxian succeeded in Foundation Establishment, making a name for himself in the Outer Sect of the Tao Court. Consequently, you received widespread pursuit and admiration. Even the two companions who had traveled through time with you came to congratulate you, making you reflect on how life and fate are elusive.][At sixty, you successfully reached Core Formation.]


    [At sixty-three, your son Lu Qiuxian awakened the Supreme Treasure Body, shocking the Tao Court. He was exceptionally accepted into the Tao Court, and from then on, you and your son parted ways.]


    Supreme Treasure Body?


    Isn''t that the Treasure Body once possessed by the Divine Exotic Ghost King, Impermanence Tian?


    Gu An was even more hopeful for this cycle of Reincarnation Evolution.


    This lifetime, will he rise against the heavens through his son?


    What followed in the cycle of reincarnation was all about cultivation, waiting until a hundred years later.


    [At one hundred seventy-two, you successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm. You had just shared the news with your wife, Yuan Ling''er when suddenly you received the terrible news that your son Lu Qiuxian had fallen, his essence blood consumed by another. Upon hearing this, your wife Yuan Ling''er fainted on the spot.]


    [At one hundred seventy-three, you finally uncovered the truth behind Lu Qiuxian''s death. He died at the hands of the Crown Prince of the strongest Divine Dynasty of the era, who was also a Direct Disciple of the Tao Court and had already stepped into the Immortal Path Realm. The gap between your statuses was vast. Lu Qiuxian''s master sighed and hoped you could let go of this matter.]


    [At one hundred seventy-four, your wife Yuan Ling''er died of sorrow. After burying her, you left the Outer Sect of the Tao Court.]


    [At one hundred seventy-six, you couldn''t abide the injustice you witnessed, saving a group of mortals. Before you left, an old man stopped you, declaring that your Qi Fortune was extraordinary and that there was a turn of fate in store for you. He offered to cast a divination for you, to help you find this turning point. Do you accept his divination for you?]


    Yes!


    Let alone Lu Han, even just observing made Gu An feel desperate. With such poor aptitude and cultivation techniques, when would Lu Han ever seek revenge?


    [You accepted the old man''s divination. During the process, his Qi-Blood ran amok, and he spat out reverse-flowing blood. Before collapsing, he told you that your turn of fate lay within Burial Immortal Ridge. After you confirmed that the old man was unharmed, you headed for Burial Immortal Ridge.]


    [At one hundred eighty-five, you finally reached Burial Immortal Ridge. You learned it was a death zone for mortals; even creatures of the Immortal Path struggled to survive there. Yet you resolutely entered Burial Immortal Ridge.]


    ...


    What followed were various perilous encounters. Gu An was on edge, fearing that Lu Han might suddenly die young.


    [At one hundred ninety-two, you stumbled upon an abandoned cave and unexpectedly discovered a stele inscribed with bizarre and complex characters. As you wandered about, you accidentally triggered a mechanism. In a panic, your blood splashed onto the stele as you collided with it, and soon after, a mysterious force drew you inside the stele.]


    [You arrived within the Miniature World of the Qiankun Saint Emperor and met the remnant soul of the Qiankun Saint Emperor. After some negotiation, you ultimately became a disciple of the Qiankun Saint Emperor.]


    [At two hundred, under the guidance of the Qiankun Saint Emperor, you cultivated the Supreme Treasure Body. Your physical body was reborn, and you regained the appearance of a twenty-year-old with no scars on your face. Only your hair turned white.]


    [At two hundred ten, you broke through the Divinity Transformation Realm.]


    Things are looking up!


    Qiankun Saint Emperor?


    Just by the sound of it, he must be powerful!


    Gu An was also excited, for he would feel Lu Han''s experiences as the memories of the cycle of reincarnation flowed into his mind. Naturally, he hoped the memories would not be so filled with hardship.


    What came next were constant breakthroughs, practicing spells and Divine Skills.


    At two hundred fifty, you broke through the Void Crossing Realm!


    Find adventures at empire


    At three hundred seventeen, you broke through the Unification Realm!


    At four hundred thirty, you broke through the Mystic Heart Realm!


    [At four hundred thirty-one, the Qiankun Saint Emperor called you forth, saying his remnant soul had little time left. He wanted to help his Supreme Treasure Body step into the Supreme Dao Body before his soul dissipated, but it required enduring unimaginable pain. Do you accept?]


    Accept!


    Gu An made his choice without hesitation.


    [You accepted the help of the Qiankun Saint Emperor. After several months of tempering, you successfully cultivated the Supreme Dao Body, causing a phenomenon that alarmed the Tao Rules of Great Heaven and Earth. You gained the Divine Aspect of the Supreme Immortal.]


    [At four hundred forty, you left the Miniature World of the Qiankun Saint Emperor and returned to the Mortal World. Upon reaching Burial Immortal Ridge, you were attacked by a Mahayana Realm cultivator with an Ancient Treasure Body. You slew the assailant, breaching the realm gap, and inadvertently consumed their essence blood, further strengthening your physique.] Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the next fifty years, Lu Han left Burial Immortal Ridge, seeking out cultivators with Ancient Treasure Bodies. Some were successful hunts, some were not, but in any case, he always managed to escape.


    Gu An saw traces of Impermanence Tian in him, perhaps this was the destiny of the Supreme Treasure Body.


    Until the age of six hundred, Lu Han, under attack from several Nirvana Realm Great Cultivators, forcefully underwent Tribulation Crossing. He used the Heavenly Tribulation to obliterate his foes and stepped into the Immortal Path Realm.


    After that, Lu Han entered the path of the unbeatable.


    At seven hundred twenty, he found the Divine Dynasty''s Crown Prince, executed him, and consumed his essence blood. His Cultivation Level skyrocketed. Concurrently, the Emperor of the Divine Dynasty, enraged, issued a kill order against him.


    Lu Han fled while killing his enemies. Gu An had few chances to choose, mostly deciding whether to save or kill.


    After numerous prompts,


    Lu Han finally reached the age of ten thousand. His Cultivation Level reached the Wandering Immortal realm, making him the number one prodigy of the era. However, he was attacked by the Carefree Primordial Immortal and was in critical condition. Fortunately, a Great Power from the Tao Court intervened, and he returned to the Tao Court.


    The two companions who had accompanied him through time had long since turned to dust. Revisiting the old places, he entered a state of Path Enlightenment, perceiving the power of time.


    The Master of the Tao Court wished to take Lu Han as his disciple. Lu Han hesitated, and Gu An helped him choose to accept.


    From then on, Lu Han became the top disciple of the Tao Court, sweeping through his peers and standing out amongst his fellow Heaven''s prodigies. Gu An helped him reject numerous proposals from daughters of heaven. Outside the Tao Court, Lu Han vanquished demons and evildoers, rescued those in pain and suffering, and established a holy name.


    At the age of twenty thousand, Lu Han stepped into the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, becoming the youngest Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal in the history of the Tao Court.


    At fifty thousand, Lu Han once again broke the records of the Tao Court by becoming the youngest Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    At sixty thousand, Lu Han ventured alone into the Divine Dynasty, executed the Emperor of the Divine Dynasty in front of all the powerhouses, and in the Emperor''s Treasure Body''s bone palace, he found the remains of his son, Lu Qiuxian.


    Gu An was immersed in Lu Han''s legendary life, with Lu Han living more and more splendidly. Compared to the domineering ways of Long Zhan, he was reckless and unfettered, yet he didn''t lose his sense of righteousness.


    At one hundred thousand, Lu Han consumed the essence blood of thousands of Treasure Bodies and cultivated the awe-inspiring Supreme Saint Body.


    At two hundred thousand, Lu Han swept across the Great Heaven and Earth, becoming a living myth.


    At two hundred fifty thousand, Lu Han encountered the Taoist Tide in the cosmos. Amidst the waves of the Tao, he perceived the True Meaning of Dao and shaped the Primordial Karmic Body!


    At three hundred thousand, Lu Han reached the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, traversed the cosmos, and returned to Earth, only to find it already desolate. He cut ties with his past, and his Taoist Heart underwent transformation.


    [At four hundred thirty thousand, you broke through your own shackles and reached the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm, astonishing the universe. You retrieved your Life Grid. Do you unlock the Life Stealing Ability?]


    Considering Long Zhan''s precedent, Gu An hesitated for a moment and chose not to.


    Don''t unlock!


    It seems Lu Han doesn''t need the Life Stealing Ability!


    Since he didn''t unlock the Life Stealing Ability, Lu Han didn''t undergo a drastic change in personality.


    He was domineering against his enemies, but he also aided the suffering worlds, continually spreading his holy name throughout various lands.


    At five hundred thousand, Lu Han met the Saint Ancestor of the Ninth Level of Immortal Path, who appreciated him. The Saint Ancestor imparted a Taoist title to him, naming him the Primordial Divine Emperor.


    Until Lu Han reached the Ninth Level of the Immortal Path, Gu An faced another choice.


    [At eight hundred thirty thousand, you stepped into the Ninth Level of the Immortal Path. After the breakthrough, you immersed yourself in Path Enlightenment. You unexpectedly sensed the existence of the River of Destiny. You hesitated. Do you choose to step into the River of Destiny?]


    Gu An also hesitated.


    The River of Destiny sounds extraordinary, and stepping into it could allow for the understanding of the Dao of Destiny.


    To Gu An, Lu Han''s Divine Skills and cultivation techniques weren''t very important. Comprehending the Tao Rules mattered more.


    But the unknown represented danger.


    Even Long Zhan, surpassing the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, had not encountered the River of Destiny.


    After much hesitation, Gu An chose yes.


    [You chose to step into the River of Destiny. After entering the river, you entered a state of Path Enlightenment.]


    [You comprehended the Dao of Destiny. With your own creation, you revived your son Lu Qiuxian, aiding him in cultivating the Primordial Karmic Body.]


    [You wished to revive your wife, but Yuan Ling''er, with her low Dao Level, had already reincarnated.]


    [You were attacked by the Black Profound Emperor. In the face of danger, you sent your son Lu Qiuxian to the end of the River of Destiny.]


    [You died by the hands of the Black Profound Emperor.]


    [Reincarnation ends.]


    Dammit!


    It''s the Black Profound Emperor again!


    Angered, Gu An took a step and arrived at an island overseas, then opened the Life Span Barrier.


    He sat cross-legged on the ground, vast memories subsequently flooding his mind.


    Textual description and real feelings are two entirely different matters.


    After closing his eyes, it didn''t take long for Gu An to frown.


    A moment later, Gu An''s frown relaxed, and a smile spread across his face as he experienced the beautiful process of a family depending on one another.


    Time passed rapidly.


    An Ancient Hour later.


    Gu An returned to the Juhua Sect, sitting at a table with cold tea.


    He placed a hand on the table and closed his eyes again, carefully feeling Lu Han''s life experience.


    Facing the Black Profound Emperor was like making the wrong bet, but stepping into the River of Destiny was not. He gained a profound understanding of the Dao of Destiny, and he also shared the feelings of Lu Han when he sent his son away.


    Lu Han lived for more than eight hundred thousand years and experienced everything. Before his death, he was able to revive his son, dying without regrets.


    In the final battle, Lu Han still demonstrated his strength, leaving an indelible wound on the Black Profound Emperor, with the injury mark landing above the emperor''s left brow.


    Between the memories of two lives, Gu An couldn''t determine whether the Black Profound Emperor faced by Long Zhan was stronger or the one faced by Lu Han was.


    Both were far inferior to the Black Profound Emperor in strength. Lu Han managed to injure the Black Profound Emperor primarily because of his special Divine Skills. But right after injuring the emperor, he was instantly killed.


    For now, Gu An set aside his anger towards the Black Profound Emperor, immersing himself in the understanding of the Dao of Destiny.


    As day turned to night and the moon rose,


    he sat there, unmoving.


    Three days later, a figure pushed open the door, bringing a wave of fragrance that altered Gu An''s gaze.


    "Why are you here?" Jiang Qiong asked with joy, swiftly taking a seat at the table. As she looked at Gu An, the happiness on her face couldn''t be concealed.


    Gu An looked at her, his eyes regaining their clarity, yet that one glance made her heart involuntarily tremble.


    Somehow, Jiang Qiong felt he was in low spirits, and her smile vanished accordingly.

 Chapter 338 Destruction Dao Seal

    "What''s wrong with you?" Jiang Qiong asked with a furrowed brow, her expression growing colder as she continued, "Is someone giving you a hard time?"Hearing this, Gu An revealed a smile and said, "It''s nothing, I was just thinking about the story of a book."


    "Really?" asked Jiang Qiong, looking doubtful.


    "Truly," Gu An laughed. "Actually, I was thinking of leaving before you finished your seclusion. That way, you might feel guilty for missing me. But you came so quickly, it caught me a little off guard."


    After all, he was a Divine Thought True Immortal. Even though Lu Han''s memories were heavy and vast, he could quickly detach from them.


    To him, Lu Han was just a past life.


    Lu Han was him, but he was Gu An!


    With Gu An''s words, the worry in Jiang Qiong''s heart dissipated. She rolled her eyes at him and said in an irritated tone, "You sure have quite the imagination. I wouldn''t feel the slightest bit guilty."


    "Is that so? It seems I''ve overestimated our relationship."


    "Hmph, but I''m still quite happy that you came looking for me. It''s rare to see you leave the Supreme Sect."


    "It''s just that I suddenly thought of you. Every time, it''s you who comes to find me. It''s about time I came to you, especially since the Supreme Sect and the Juhua Sect have established a good relationship."


    The two chatted away. As Gu An spoke, he observed Jiang Qiong''s fate, peering into her destiny.


    Without undergoing nirvana, all mortals are just spirits. Gu An could see the end of Jiang Qiong''s life with one glance.


    Jiang Qiong''s fate was remarkably intricate, with innumerable variations¡ªessentially a multitude of possible trajectories.


    Within her destiny, Gu An could not see himself, but he knew the reason there were so many branches in Jiang Qiong''s future was because of him; his choices could change her destiny. However, all branches of destiny flowed toward the same conclusion¡ªdeath.


    Some led to peaceful passing, others to death in battle, and some to deviation during cultivation, resembling a tree of fate spreading its branches.


    Fate seemed so cruel!


    Having fused with Lu Han''s life experiences, Gu An had a deeper insight into the workings of fate, understanding the mysterious forces that could, at any moment, disperse predestined paths.


    Gu An conjectured that these were perhaps the slivers of opportunity left by the Three Thousand Great Dao, the slim chance for sentient beings to transcend mortal limits.


    As long as Jiang Qiong could achieve nirvana, her destiny would be toppled and reshaped.


    Gu An thought of his own fate¡ªwhat was it like?


    Being part of it, he could not peer into his own destiny. Fate was the confluence of all causality in life. Although those who could peer into fate could not see their own destinies, they could deduce the causality related to themselves and make predictions.


    If Gu An could observe Jiang Qiong''s fate, then surely more powerful beings could perceive the destiny of a Divine Thought True Immortal. Fate was not set in stone; the masses lacked the power to change their choices, merely swept along by the grandeur of the mortal world.


    Beings above the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path could certainly see the great currents enveloping the Divine Thought True Immortal. How, then, could one transcend fate? Discover stories at empire


    During his conversation with Jiang Qiong, Gu An continued to ponder this question.


    Two ancient hours later.


    Gu An stood up to take his leave.


    "Can''t you stay a couple more days?" Jiang Qiong asked, trying to persuade him to stay.


    "I''ve been out for four days already; it''s time to go back. There are several Medicine Valleys waiting for my management," Gu An replied.


    Jiang Qiong glared at him. "What''s the point of having so many disciples? By that reasoning, as the leader of a sect, shouldn''t I be even busier?"


    "We''re different," Gu An said, shaking his head. "Besides, now that I''ve come once, it will definitely be more convenient in the future. We are both cultivators; there will be plenty of opportunities to meet."


    Jiang Qiong huffed, unable to persuade him, and could only send him off.


    She escorted Gu An all the way to the gate of the Juhua Sect. After he flew away, she remained standing there, gazing in the direction he departed.


    The Juhua Sect disciples guarding the gate curiously wondered about the relationship between that man and their sect leader, who had personally seen him off.


    On the way back, Gu An was targeted by some people, which Jiang Qiong secretly took care of from the shadows.


    Because of Jiang Qiong''s follow-up, Gu An''s speed back to the valley slowed down.


    Once Jiang Qiong was no longer following him, he was still ten thousand miles away from the Supreme Sect when he stepped into it.


    Next, he planned to spend time comprehending the Way of Fate.


    ...


    As time trickled by, twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.


    For Gu An, those twenty years flew by quickly. Aside from gathering medicinal herbs, he spent most of his time confined in his room.


    Many new disciples completed their Foundation Establishment without ever having the chance to interact with him. An Xin became the leading disciple of the Third Medicine Valley, with the power to distribute Foundation Establishment Pills. She had twenty deacons under her command, and the Medicine Valley was managed in an orderly fashion.


    This year, at the beginning of summer.


    Gu An stepped out of his door and strolled downstairs. He looked up at the azure sky and felt an immense sense of freedom and joy, a contented smile spreading across his face.


    His meditation on the Way of Fate could be put on hold for now; he planned to relax for a few years.


    In these twenty years, he had mastered Lu Han''s strongest Divine Skill, named the Destruction Dao Seal!


    The Destruction Dao Seal was gained from Lu Han''s comprehension of the River of Fate. This Divine Skill could strip away an enemy''s causality, causing them to be repelled by the Rules of Heaven and Earth and leaving indelible scars; this damage would become an eternal flaw in his opponent.


    Lu Han had used this Divine Skill to injure the Black Profound Emperor.


    If Gu An encountered the Black Profound Emperor in the future, he would be able to identify him through the scars left by the Destruction Dao Seal. No matter which Divine Skills the opponent used, they could not hide the wounds caused by the Destruction Dao Seal.


    Of course, without knowing the full strength of the Black Profound Emperor, Gu An would try to avoid using the abilities of Lu Han, Xiao Shengtian, and Chu Lu.


    Being slain thrice by the Black Profound Emperor was no coincidence; surely the emperor was seeking him.


    As Gu An pondered the Black Profound Emperor, Ji Xiaoyu approached him, examining him closely, "You seem to have changed somehow, but I can''t quite put my finger on it."


    Gu An glanced at her, and said with a soft laugh, "Perhaps I''ve become more handsome."


    Ji Xiaoyu appeared thoughtful.


    Gu An could sense the aura of fate on her. Her Cultivation Technique had clearly delved into the Way of Fate. Perhaps it was for this reason that she was able to sense the change in Gu An.


    Fortunately, the disparity in their cultivations was so great that Ji Xiaoyu could never discern Gu An''s true Cultivation Level.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An found An Xin and left the Supreme Sect with her.


    After confirming no one was tailing them, he took An Xin towards Mortal World Peak.


    An Xin closed her eyes, and when she opened them next, they had arrived at Mortal World Peak.


    So fast!


    An Xin now felt what Yang Jian had once experienced.


    The higher her cultivation, the more she marveled at her master''s strength.


    "Master, what Divine Skill is that? It''s so fast," An Xin couldn''t help but ask.


    As Gu An led her across the clouds, looking ahead, he replied, "You guessed right; it''s the Stepping Path of Ages Step that you''ve been practicing."


    An Xin''s eyes widened in surprise.


    No wonder that Step Technique was so difficult to master. When perfected, could it traverse the Mortal World?


    An Xin developed an unprecedented expectation for the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    Soon, the master and disciple arrived at Dingtian Peak.


    Gu An first went to gather medicinal herbs, greeting disciples along the way. News of his return spread rapidly across Dingtian Peak.


    With Gu An''s joining, Mortal World Peak grew more tolerant towards Dingtian Peak. The Direct Disciples managed to secure greater benefits for Dingtian Peak, benefiting the entire peak. All the disciples privately mythologized Gu An, knowing their Peak Master''s exceptional strength.


    Strolling along, Gu An nonchalantly picked herbs, appearing to deliberately enter the lives of his disciples. Everyone he spoke to along the way was more excited.


    Occasionally, Gu An would even help the disciples gather medicinal herbs, picking but not taking, leaving those disciples feeling honored and shocked.


    Gradually, Gu An heard some news.


    The Immortal Dynasty was about to emerge!


    On Mortal World Peak, one could learn about various major events in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Gu An also heard about the longstanding feud between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court.


    The two forces had been warring for many years until Shengtian ascended the throne, and the Mortal World basked in peace at last.


    Shengtian was certainly the strongest in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, but no one knew how powerful he truly was.


    The emergence of the Immortal Dynasty would inevitably provoke oppression from the Holy Court. Once friction sparked between the two, the tranquil days in Mortal World would end.


    Despite experiencing several calamities, the Broken Sea Domain''s influence was too small to affect the whole world. Broadly speaking, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land had maintained peace for hundreds of thousands of years.


    An Xin was also very interested in these events. It was her first time hearing about the Immortal Dynasty, and she didn''t realize that the Mortal World harbored a force capable of contending with the Holy Court. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while.


    Gu An took An Xin to a courtyard on the mountain''s peak. An Xin began cultivating, and Gu An wrote in the yard to relax.


    His main purpose for coming today was to take a breather.


    A moment later, he suddenly felt something and looked up.


    His gaze pierced through the sky and shot out into the depths of the universe.


    He sensed a strange aura coming from the Silent Destruction Domain.


    This sensation was distinctly uncomfortable.


    Before long, he saw a redwood coffin flying out from the darkness; it was a deep red coffin that seemed to have blood plasma sticking to it, surrounded by wisps of black vapor visible to the naked eye.


    There was something inside the coffin!


    Could it be another entity targeting the Heavenly Demon Fetus?


    Gu An thought to himself, with no intention of intervening. The presence and absence of concealment of the deep red coffin must have alerted the Holy Court.


    Indeed, Gu An saw many figures flying out from the Holy Land where the Holy Court was based, the weakest among them being Carefree Primordial Immortals!


    What a powerful foundation!


    Gu An was again shocked by the strength of the Holy Court. This was just the first-response team they''d sent out, and it was hard to imagine the terrifying power the Holy Court could unleash if they went all out.


    However, Gu An saw a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma confront the deep red coffin, resisting with his immense mana. He displayed an expression of agony as his flesh rapidly dissolved into blood, spilling onto the coffin and quickly congealing.


    His Immortal Soul of Wondrous Dharma, however, managed to escape by a hair''s breadth.


    Such frightening power!


    Gu An couldn''t see how the deep red coffin had devoured the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma; it was a force he had never seen before.


    One could surmise that the entity within the deep red coffin was not a Heavenly Demon, or at least not one he had encountered before.


    The deep red coffin approached the Great Heavenly Spirit Land swiftly and irresistibly.


    It seemed as though the cultivators flying out from the Holy Court had received orders¡ªthey all stopped and even made way.


    What did this mean?


    Gu An frowned slightly.


    Could it be that the deep red coffin was related to the Holy Court?


    While pondering, Gu An lowered his head and continued to write.


    "Let the tall ones handle it when the sky falls," as the saying goes. Since the Holy Court was also part of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he was curious to see what would happen next.

 Chapter 339 The Dark Emperor from the Battle Court

    As evening approached, Gu An stood up and stretched languidly, his gaze turning towards Outer Heaven. Explore more at empireThe dark red coffin had already reached Outer Heaven and was about to crash into Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    An Xin walked over and asked, "Are we going back?"


    Gu An nodded slightly, and An Xin immediately went to pack their things.


    She had bought some trinkets on Dingtian Peak, planning to bring them back to Third Medicine Valley. As long as it didn''t reveal her relationship with Gu An on Mortal World Peak, he would not stop her.


    An Xin was quick with her tasks, and after she was done, she hurried back to where Gu An was standing, seeing her master looking up, she instinctively looked up as well.


    She saw a shooting star streak across the night sky, falling toward the distant land.


    "What is that¡­" An Xin muttered.


    Gu An didn''t answer her; he watched the meteor disappear into the distance and then, with a wave of his sleeve, disappeared into the air with her.


    After returning to Third Medicine Valley, the master and disciple each returned to their own rooms.


    Gu An sat in his chair, seemingly admiring the night scene outside the window, but in reality, his Divine Thought was directed towards the dark red coffin far away.


    The coffin landed on a continent ten times larger than the Taicang Continent, bringing an apocalyptic disaster to all the living beings there.


    In an extremely short amount of time, that continent turned into a sea of fire, ninety percent of the life wiped out, with the rest fleeing into the ocean.


    The impact force from the dark red coffin hitting the ground was still expanding, affecting even more oceans and land.


    It was far from the Taicang Continent, but even farther from Mortal World Peak, eliminating the possibility that it was targeting the Demon Fetus.


    After landing, the dark red coffin stuck at the bottom of a giant pit, motionless, with no sign of the lid opening.


    Night passed and day rose.


    Before descending the stairs, Gu An saw that the dark red coffin still hadn''t opened, so he stopped thinking about it and went downstairs to follow his disciples in their morning exercise.


    The morning exercise was a tradition of Third Medicine Valley, and occasionally Great Cultivators who came to play chess would join in.


    The discipline during the exercise wasn''t strict; disciples could interact with each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.


    After the morning exercise, You Yingying approached Shen Xinzi hesitantly.


    Shen Xinzi was sitting under a tree, with a copy of Journey to the West in his hands.


    "Have you been feeling inexplicably anxious since last night, feeling very unsettled?" Shen Xinzi asked calmly without looking up at her.


    You Yingying nodded hastily and said, "I''ve never felt like this before, I won''t have to... If I have to become that, you can kill me in advance."


    Shen Xinzi looked up at her in surprise.


    You Yingying thought he was questioning her and explained in a low voice, "The Heavenly Demon should not be so easy to perish, my suicide definitely wouldn''t work, you are an enlightened monk, you know how to eliminate demons, I don''t want to hurt others."


    Shen Xinzi looked deeply at her and said, "Don''t worry, in this lifetime, it is very hard for you to turn into a Heavenly Demon. The reason you''re feeling this is probably because the natural enemy of the Heavenly Demons has arrived."


    He had also sensed the commotion from the night before. His Cultivation Realm was high, and his unease far surpassed You Yingying''s, which was why he picked up Journey to the West, to try and distract himself.


    "Really? What is the natural enemy of the Heavenly Demons? What should I do?" You Yingying asked eagerly.


    Shen Xinzi lowered his head and said, "Do nothing, continue with your cultivation practice, and get used to it."


    You Yingying was stunned and could only walk away full of thoughts.


    On the other hand, Gu An who was patrolling Medicine Valley on Blood Prison Great Saint heard the conversation between You Yingying and Shen Xinzi.


    The natural enemy of Heavenly Demons?


    Gu An took off Qingtian Peak from his waist, then lifted it up, and sent his Divine Thought into it.


    Immediately after, he arrived inside an old temple.


    He was about to speak when a man in black appeared and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"


    Gu An shook his head, changing the subject to ask, "Do your Heavenly Demons have a natural enemy?"


    The man in black frowned upon hearing this and asked warily, "What do you mean? Since when do Heavenly Demons have a natural enemy?"


    Gu An then waved his sleeve, and an illusion appeared between them. The man in black''s expression dramatically changed when he saw the dark red coffin.


    Seeing his reaction, Gu An was not in a hurry, he waited for him to speak.


    The man in black''s hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves. Taking a deep breath, he said through gritted teeth, "He is coming for the Great Emperor, but his arrival will also bring disaster to Great Heaven and Earth; the fact that he can enter indicates that Holy Court also plans to use him to eradicate the Heavenly Demons within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    "Who is he?" Gu An asked.


    "His name is the Dark War Emperor, no one knows his origins, he once wreaked havoc in the Silent Destruction Domain, I only know he comes from the ancient Battle Court," the man in black answered. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Battle Court?


    The forces established by Long Zhan?


    Gu An kept his composure and further inquired, "What is the origin of the Battle Court?"


    The man in black looked at him before saying, "The Battle Court is a legend of the Silent Destruction Domain, legend has it that there once was a force that ruled the Great Thousand World, standing at the peak of the Immortal Path. Whether it was destroyed or left is unknown; that''s all I know."


    "What is the Dao Level of the Dark War Emperor?"


    "I don''t know, but definitely very high," the man in black responded, shaking his head at the thought of the Dark War Emperor, making his scalp tingle.


    All of a sudden, Gu An said, "It seems now that I don''t need to leave. I''ll just wait for the Dark War Emperor to eliminate the Heavenly Demons, and the Holy Court will naturally ask him to leave, right?"


    Upon hearing this, the man in black became panicked and said, "The Dark War Emperor is unpredictable, extremely violent, and will surely bring calamity to Mortal World Peak. If he devours the Great Emperor''s Demon Fetus, he might even start a war with the Holy Court. You won''t be able to avoid trouble either!"


    Hearing this, Gu An wasn''t alarmed, just stared at him steadily.


    The man in black gritted his teeth, suddenly knelt down, and said solemnly, "Please, elder, help the Great Emperor. As long as you can help with the birthing of the Great Emperor, our tribe will owe you a favor. Afterward, I will convey this matter back to my tribe, and you will gain our friendship. In the future, walking in the Silent Destruction Domain will also mean having an ally!"


    "You''re joking, what if he decides to attack me?" Gu An said coldly.


    The man in black looked up and explained, "Don''t worry, he has forgotten his past life memories, he is undergoing his own Reincarnation stage, which is when he is the weakest. Once he is born, he will be a new being. You can even take him as a Disciple, and when he achieves the Dao in the future, he will definitely not forget your kindness!"


    After listening, Gu An fell into hesitation.


    "If you don''t do this, once the Dark War Emperor emerges, he will surely come after you. The moment the Great Emperor is born, he will undergo Reincarnation Baptism, hiding the causality of the Heavenly Demon, making it impossible for the Dark War Emperor to find him," the man in black urged urgently.


    As if the Dark War Emperor might come to kill at any second.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How can I assist him?"


    The man in black was elated and immediately imparted a Miracle Technique.


    Gu An listened intently, memorizing it in one go.


    The man in black urged, "Act quickly, if the Dark War Emperor finds him, he can obstruct the Great Emperor''s path to achieving the Dao. We must not let him succeed!"

 Chapter 340 Projecting Into the Past, the Birth of Long Qing

    Gu An placed Qingtian Peak down and hung it back on his belt. He didn''t fully believe what the man in black had said, but he could judge that the miracle technique the man had imparted to him was free of hidden dangers.Taking advantage of the Blood Prison Great Saint carrying him on a patrol around Medicine Valley, he began to weigh the pros and cons.


    Upon careful consideration, he felt it was worth a try.


    The Dark Battle Emperor had just arrived and slaughtered the beings of one area; his cruelty and ferocity had to be guarded against.


    Even if he was related to the Holy Land, he couldn''t be trusted.


    He would first see how the Demon Fetus would react once born. If worse came to worst, he would simply destroy it¡ªeven if it meant offending the Heavenly Demon!


    Gu An made his decision. He did not set out right away; the Dark Battle Emperor had not yet emerged from his coffin, and Gu An could sense that the presence within the coffin was growing stronger. He estimated that it wouldn''t emerge for a little while.


    An hour later, Gu An arrived at a cave at the foot of Dingtian Peak, undetected by gods or ghosts alike.


    He stood in front of the Stone Pillar, extending his Divine Thought into it, and saw that the Demon Fetus was still curled up, unchanged since decades ago. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An immediately activated the Life Span Barrier, enveloping the entire cave, and then applied the miracle technique taught by the man in black to the Demon Fetus.


    More and more black Qi began to emerge from the surface of the Stone Pillar, and the heartbeat of the Demon Fetus within grew strong and powerful.


    Time passed, second by second.


    The birth of the Demon Fetus would not absorb nature''s spiritual energy, which meant that the consumption of the Life Span Barrier wasn''t rapid, providing Gu An with a bit of relief.


    Half an hour later, Gu An moved the Demon Fetus out; it had shrunk to the size of an ordinary baby, still surrounded by Demonic Qi, but its form could not be completely concealed.


    Gu An performed a Life Span Detection on it.


    [Long Qing (Energy Cultivation Realm Nine Layers): 0/1000/9999]


    Huh?


    Why does it have the surname Long?


    With the Dark Battle Emperor, who inherited the Battle Court''s lineage, having just appeared, and now one with the surname Long, Gu An couldn''t help but wonder.


    He stared intently at the still-unconscious Long Qing, probing the cause and effect within him.


    The cause and effect of Long Qing were complex, but Gu An had inherited all memories of Long Zhan, who had also delved into the Way of Cause and Effect.


    After a long while, Gu An felt that Long Qing''s soul had a deep connection with the soul of Long Xin, the son of Long Zhan, which meant it was very likely that Long Qing was a descendant of Long Xin.


    Long Zhan was born into the Long family, but the name Battle Court was chosen by Long Zhan himself; the ancestors of the Long family had not established the Battle Court. This confirmed that Long Qing was definitely a descendant of Long Zhan, who lived in the past, not the future.


    Reincarnation Evolution could indeed project into the past!


    Was this predestined to happen, or did his decision change the past?


    Before his Reincarnation Evolution, the Demon Fetus was already hidden within Dingtian Peak.


    But it was only after his Reincarnation Evolution ended that he discovered the Demon Fetus, unclear if its identity had changed.


    Gu An considered this a problem worth contemplating.


    Long Qing continued to absorb the innate Demonic Qi, rapidly reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    This kid couldn''t possibly have been born with a cultivation level of the Immortal Path like the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty, could he?


    Gu An guessed to himself, and in the time that followed, Long Qing''s cultivation level quickly intensified, relying solely on the surrounding innate Demonic Qi and not consuming any spiritual energy.


    Time sped away.


    Three ancient hours later.


    Long Qing''s cultivation level surpassed the Mahayana Realm, reaching the first layer of Nirvana Realm, with his maximum lifespan metamorphosing to nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years.


    Gu An felt that if he were to come into the world, he would be sure to attract Heavenly Tribulation, and that would be troublesome.


    Once Long Qing''s increase in cultivation ceased, Gu An used the Divine Skills of Path of Returning Primordial Spirit to suppress Long Qing''s cultivation, changing his aura to that of an ordinary person. For now, using the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit, he could also suppress the opposing party''s cause and effect. Before the seal was lifted, not even the Heavenly Demon would be able to locate Long Qing.


    The Demonic Qi surrounding Long Qing completely dissipated, vanishing in an unfathomable manner.


    Long Qing slowly opened his eyes. They were big and sparkling, and his small hands remained clenched into fists. Upon seeing Gu An, he broke into a smile, his little mouth opened, and he let out a giggling sound.


    For some reason, seeing the newly born Long Qing made Gu An suddenly think of Long Xin''s appearance when he was born; they were exactly alike.


    A smile appeared on Gu An''s face as he began to play with Long Qing.


    During this process, Gu An once again experienced the feeling Long Zhan had when he faced his son for the first time.


    But¡­


    The descendants of the Battle Court and the Long family arriving in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land seemed a little too coincidental.


    Gu An silently stayed on guard, vowing to never reveal his true cultivation level to anyone around him, not now nor in the future. He had to keep up the act.


    In life, one must always keep something in reserve!


    Gu An performed the Stepping Path of Ages Step and stepped outside the Supreme Sect, then lifted the Life Span Barrier.


    He took robes from his Storage Bag and wrapped the little Long Qing in them.


    Sunlight poured down, causing little Long Qing to become even more excited, laughing nonstop, his small hands reaching around in a futile attempt to grab at things, for his arms were too short to reach anything.


    Luckily, the little fellow was not an ordinary baby, or else Gu An would have had to consider feeding him milk.


    Gu An, cradling him, walked to a nearby tree and sat down, continuing to amuse him.


    Bringing a child back all of a sudden was bound to attract attention, so Gu An decided to wait until evening to return, so he could fabricate a reason.


    The woods were filled with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers, and Gu An listened to little Long Qing''s laughter as his thoughts drifted away.


    Visions from his Reincarnation Evolution surfaced before his eyes.


    It was in the great hall of the Battle Court, with Long Zhan standing with his back to Long Xin atop the hall. Long Xin questioned him about why he had become so ruthless, but Long Zhan did not answer.


    "Father Emperor, I preferred you back when you took me hunting in the mountains. Though you were not invincible, you were more like a father."


    Long Xin left after uttering those words, and from that point on, father and son never saw each other again, until Long Zhan''s downfall.


    Deep in thought, Gu An couldn''t help but be moved.


    He would take it as a lesson not to obsessively seek power. His current state was just fine, constantly increasing his strength while maintaining good relationships with those around him.


    Gu An looked up at the sky beyond the woods.


    From here, the sky seemed truly high.


    ...


    At dawn.


    The disciples of the Third Medicine Valley had just finished their morning exercises, and An Xin turned her head and saw Gu An walking down from the Transmission Array Platform, carrying something in his arms.


    An Xin immediately approached, and some disciples who were close to Gu An followed suit. When they saw that Gu An was holding a baby, they exclaimed in surprise.


    "Master, where did this child come from?"


    "Wow, so cute, can I hold him?"


    "A boy or a girl?"


    "Master, what''s his name?"


    "He''s smiling at me!"


    Faced with the disciples'' inquiries, Gu An said that the male infant was one he had found in the forest and that he was unable to find its parents, so he had no choice but to bring him back to raise. The disciples didn''t question it because their master indeed had such kindness.


    An Xin in particular thought of herself, her eyes reddening slightly, her gaze towards Long Qing growing even closer.


    However, Gu An did not let them hold him but carried Long Qing back to his own attic.


    Arriving in front of the attic, Ji Xiaoyu came out of her room to his side, curiously looking at the child in his arms.


    "He looks quite a bit like you," Ji Xiaoyu blurted out inexplicably, her eyes full of insinuation.


    Gu An replied, displeased, "You don''t think this is a child someone secretly bore for me, do you?"


    Ji Xiaoyu smiled and did not continue the conversation.


    Gu An couldn''t be bothered with her any longer and carried Long Qing upstairs.


    In the distance.


    Shen Xinzi calculated Long Qing''s fate with his fingers and found that it was consistent with what Gu An had said, so he did not take it to heart.


    Though the disciples were curious about Long Qing, they did not pay too much attention, but they noticed that, in the following days, Gu An carried Long Qing wherever he went, prompting them to wonder.


    Months passed.


    Autumn arrived.


    The deep red coffin harboring the Dark Battle Emperor had still not opened, but many cultivators had gathered on the desolate continent, even setting up a large array near the coffin.


    One day, Ye Lan brought Zhen Qin to visit Gu An.


    Upon seeing a baby in Gu An''s arms, the two women were shocked, and Ye Lan breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that the baby was not Gu An''s child.


    "It''s rare to see a child with such fate, so I brought him back. I''ll accept him as a disciple from now on," Gu An said cheerfully.


    Zhen Qin held Long Qing, finding the little one adorable, and asked, "Master, have you named him?"


    Gu An replied, "Yes, his name is Long Qing. There was a clear stream beside him when I found him, and his eyes are clear like it, hence the name Qing."


    "And the surname Long?" Zhen Qin inquired further.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Take a look at his back."


    Zhen Qin instinctively opened the swaddling clothes around Long Qing, seeing mysterious black patterns on his back that, at a glance, resembled a black dragon.


    "It seems this little fellow''s background is not simple," Zhen Qin remarked with amazement.


    Ye Lan also saw it and completely relaxed, smiling as she took Long Qing in her arms.


    "This matter should not be spread. Since he has been abandoned, let him stay away from strife and live peacefully in Medicine Valley. The mark on his back can be considered my doing," Gu An instructed.


    The two women nodded, agreeing and praising him for his thorough consideration.


    After staying in the Third Medicine Valley for three days, the women left. Their sub-sect was busy with tasks that required them to be away, and they would not meet again for several years.


    By the age of half a year, Long Qing could walk; by one year, he began to babble. Dressed in fine clothes, he became the joy of Medicine Valley.


    A year had passed since the deep red coffin arrived in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and there was still no movement, but its presence had become widely known. The various sects labeled it an evil object from Outer Heaven, and even the Mortal World Peak was abuzz with discussions.


    This year, during the summer.


    Gu An sat in the attic and picked up Qingtian Peak, extending his Divine Thought into it to enter the ruined temple.


    As soon as he entered the temple, the man in black appeared, anxiously asking, "Why did you only come now? Where''s the Emperor?"


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "It failed. I was just about to use the miracle technique you taught me when he escaped. I couldn''t catch up, and now I have no idea where he''s gone."


    The man in black''s face changed dramatically, his body trembling uncontrollably.


    "The good news is that the Dark Battle Emperor hasn''t emerged from his coffin, it''s been a year, why no movement?" Gu An asked with a frown.


    Hearing this, the man in black''s face relaxed slightly. After pondering, he said, "He might be preparing for something. Ancestor, could you release me? I must go in search of the Emperor!"


    Gu An shook his head. "Sorry, I can''t fully trust you. I''ll release you after ten thousand years, once we get through this calamity."


    Ten thousand years?


    The man in black nearly burst into curses, but thinking of the profound and inscrutable Dao Level of the other party, he could only suppress his emotions.


    What good was the whereabouts of the Emperor if his own life was at stake?

 Chapter 341 Reincarnation Tribulation

    The man in black ultimately chose to compromise, for he believed that Gu An should be trustworthy. After all, he was completely powerless to resist, and there was no point in Gu An deceiving him.After dealing with the man in black, Gu An set down Qingtian Peak.


    He lifted his gaze and saw through the walls that one-year-old Long Qing was chasing after the White Spirit Rat, which slowed down for fear that the child couldn''t keep up.


    It was rare to see the White Spirit Rat so gentle, which brought a smile to Gu An''s face.


    No longer contemplating what the Reincarnation Evolution truly entailed, Gu An''s focus was solely on becoming stronger.


    These reincarnated identities wouldn''t help him survive better. In this world, there were Holy Courts and Immortal Dynasties. Outside the world, there were realms like the Silent Destruction Domain and beings like the Annihilation God Emperor and the Black Profound Emperor watching him, not to mention countless Great Heaven and Earth. His journey was still long.


    Long Zhan had been too arrogant and was crushed to death by the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Gu An planned to quietly surpass the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path in the universe where the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was located.


    He deliberately overestimated the capabilities of the Black Profound Emperor and the Annihilation God Emperor to better confront and potentially defeat them if they became enemies in the future.


    Gu An collected himself, even eliminating the animosity towards the Black Profound Emperor and keeping the past hidden deep within his heart.


    He was Gu An¡ªGu An was the true him!


    Gu An picked up a brush, intending to write and express his emotions.


    ...


    Miles of clear skies stretched overhead, and a large gathering of cultivators crowded a barren plain. They surrounded a massive pit over a hundred miles in diameter, atop whose edge they constructed towering stages, each brandishing an imposing iron tower.


    Bai Ziya stood on the edge of the massive pit, gazing at a deep red coffin from afar, a worried expression filling his eyes.


    "Have you seen it in the Silent Destruction Domain?" a voice called out, and Fu Shenxiu stepped beside Bai Ziya.


    After paying his respects, Bai Ziya turned and said, "I haven''t seen it, but its aura feels very dangerous."


    "I have seen it," Fu Shenxiu said calmly, his gaze fixed on the deep red coffin.


    Bai Ziya looked at him in surprise, only to hear him continue, "Wherever this Evil Coffin appears, Heavenly Demons retreat, leaving nothing but remains. Even the Heavenly Demons fear whatever resides within it. I''ve heard that beings surpassing the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm would turn to ash just by approaching it."


    Beyond the Carefree Primordial Immortal?


    This filled Bai Ziya with even more fear. As a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, he already regarded the Carefree Primordial Immortal as a symbol of freedom. How could beings even stronger than Carefree Primordials succumb to this Evil Coffin?


    He instinctively thought of Meng Lang and shuddered at the thought of him turning to dust upon nearing the Evil Coffin.


    As Fu Shenxiu continued his story, Bai Ziya listened intently, and they were not the only ones. Other sects had people recounting their experiences in the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Atop a grand pavilion, a man in white robes stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze quietly fixed on the deep red coffin, his eyes deep with thought.


    Suddenly, a man clad in golden armor appeared beside him, bowing and whispering, "Holy King, the higher-ups have instructed you not to take action and to wait for the Dark War Emperor to awaken."


    Hearing this, the man in white robes narrowed his eyes, lost in thought and not replying.


    The man in golden armor spoke again in a low tone, "Holy King, something about this doesn''t feel right. While the Heavenly Demons bring trouble to the Mortal World from time to time, Shengtian never acted like this when he was here. Didn''t Shengtian always say that anything from Outer Heaven is an enemy? Since when do we ask enemies for help?"


    He wasn''t concerned about being overheard¡ªthe many Restrictions within the pavilion would prevent high-level eavesdropping.


    Remaining expressionless, the man in white replied, "It is now the era of the Holy Minister, and it will be for a long time. If you wish to have a foothold in the Holy Court, you must learn to feign ignorance."


    The man in golden armor appeared angry as he clenched his teeth and asked, "Where has Shengtian gone to, and why does he trust the Holy Minister so much?"


    The man in white robes spoke calmly, "Reincarnation Tribulation is a path every mighty individual must tread. Shengtian has already delayed it for far too long. What might happen if we wait any longer, nobody knows."


    "Reincarnation Tribulation? Has Shengtian reincarnated?" The man in golden armor furrowed his brows.


    Shaking his head, the man in white robes replied, "Your realm is not high enough to understand. Don''t ask too much. All you need to know is this: if the Holy Court truly faces an existential crisis, Shengtian will surely return. Until then, let the Holy Minister make a fuss. The greater the uproar, the better it might be for us. Don''t forget that the Holy God is also unsatisfied with the Holy Minister."


    The man in golden armor''s expression fluctuated before he bowed and took his leave.


    The long hair of the man in white robes fluttered gently in the breeze as he continued to watch the deep red coffin silently.


    ...


    The summer day was blisteringly hot.


    Gu An, riding on the Blood Prison Great Saint, was heading towards the Third Medicine Valley, looking into the distance.


    A Dao Void Mysterious Immortal had appeared near the deep red coffin!


    This was the first time Gu An had sensed the aura of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    He guessed the individual was from the Holy Court.


    With so many forces converging but taking no action, Gu An didn''t know how to discern good from evil.


    Regardless, the appearance of the deep red coffin caused the deaths of all beings on a continent. In his previous life, it would have been equivalent to destroying all life on Earth. Even so, the Holy Court remained motionless.


    Perhaps to the Holy Court, the threat of the Heavenly Demon was greater, a consideration for the long term. But for the innocents involved, wasn''t it also a tragedy?


    "Master, what do you think of that kid Long Qing? He seems pretty clever to me," inquired the Blood Prison Great Saint, drawing Gu An''s thoughts back to reality.


    It wasn''t foolish to think so. Why would the master casually take in an orphan unless the child was no ordinary one? Perhaps even more exceptional than Yang Jian.


    Gu An replied, "Quite ordinary. He''ll hardly achieve anything significant in his lifetime."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint paused, then laughed, "Master, you''re kidding with me, right?"


    "You''ll see in time," Gu An said with a soft laugh.


    Unable to resist, the Blood Prison Great Saint asked further, "Then why did you take him in?"


    "Because I liked him. Do you think I need Yang Jian to repay me for anything?" Gu An said casually.


    It made sense to the Blood Prison Great Saint. After all, Gu An wasn''t only good to Yang Jian; all the disciples in the valley received favorable treatment from him.


    In Gu An''s own words: "Do good deeds without asking about the future."


    "That too. Leading a plain life isn''t necessarily bad," agreed the Blood Prison Great Saint, though he secretly believed Long Qing would certainly make something of himself¡ªit was only a matter of time.


    As Gu An walked into the valley, he saw a group of female disciples surrounding Long Qing, passing him around happily until the atmosphere became even more cheerful.


    When someone spotted the Blood Prison Great Saint, they exchanged a few words and quickly dispersed, leaving Long Qing in the arms of one of the girls, who hurried towards An Xin, looking lost.


    "Gu An, come for a game of Go!"


    The voice of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord suddenly rang out, and Gu An sent the Blood Prison Great Saint over.


    After a while, when Gu An sat at the Go board, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, with a chuckle, asked, "Gu An, what''s the backstory of that little guy called Long Qing?"


    He had tried to discern Long Qing''s fate but came up with nothing. Considering what had happened with Yang Jian, he couldn''t help but feel that Long Qing had some significant background.


    Gu An picked up a Go stone and replied with a smile, "How should I know? I truly found him in the mountains. Do you like him? Why don''t you take him as a disciple?"


    After hearing this, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord laughed and said, "Let''s not. I''ve already taken away one of your disciples; I can''t be that greedy."


    Seeing him reluctant to make a move, Gu An played first, causing the Nine-Finger Divine Lord to twitch at the corner of his mouth and quickly pick up the white stones from the table, saying, "Our rules here, Black plays first. Don''t you know the rules?"


    With that, he made his move.


    Gu An smiled and followed suit, then asked about Chu Jingfeng''s situation.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had settled Chu Jingfeng overseas while staying at the Supreme Sect himself, making Gu An unsure of what to make of his actions. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Half an hour later, Gu An stood and departed.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stared at the Go board, frowning.


    "Where exactly is the problem..." he muttered to himself.


    No one offered him an answer. His loss didn''t surprise the surrounding players; his winning would have been the real shock.


    Gu An was in a good mood, looking forward to harvesting high-rank medicinal herbs in the Outer World Cave the next day¡ªa move that could increase his lifespan by tens of millions of years!


    He decided not to initiate Lifespan Samsara before his next breakthrough.


    Forget that¡ªbefore filling up a lifespan of one billion years!


    Otherwise, descendants might appear before his eyes again, and he couldn''t bear to ignore them.


    The sun set, and the moon rose.


    The next morning, Gu An left Long Qing with You Yingying and departed Medicine Valley alone.


    You Yingying adored Long Qing, though she couldn''t explain why since she usually despised children.


    By evening, Gu An returned.


    He hummed a tune along the way, clearly delighted.


    Today, he had harvested over sixty-five million years of lifespan¡ªit was exhilarating!


    The Outer World Cave was his key investment project. Periodically, he would inject more high-rank medicinal herbs into the grotto.


    Along the path, Gu An greeted every passing disciple, leaving them pleasantly surprised.


    He made his way to You Yingying''s courtyard and took away Long Qing.


    "Hey, I want to ask you something," You Yingying stopped Gu An.


    He gave her a look, "I''m not ''hey.''"


    Rolling her eyes, she said, "Lately, I''ve been feeling restless, like I might bring trouble to Medicine Valley. Should I leave?"


    Gu An looked at her, astonished, "If you want to leave, leave. Why ask me?"


    You Yingying was livid, ready to pinch him, but he deftly dodged.


    "I''m leaving tomorrow!"


    She turned and walked toward her house.


    Gu An called out, "Hey, if you''re really worried about causing trouble, why fret? Don''t forget who holds the fort at the Supreme Sect."


    You Yingying turned to look at Gu An, the anger in her eyes gradually fading. Hesitantly, she said, "Wouldn''t that be inappropriate?"


    Gu An spoke righteously, "The entire Supreme Sect is under the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao. There''s nothing wrong with that. If you feel bad about it, later you can take care of Qing for me. He really likes you."


    Caught in hesitation, You Yingying lingered in thought, while Gu An said no more and turned to leave.


    Taking advantage of Long Qing''s youth, he wanted to hold him more, as the child would be less cuddly when older.


    As for You Yingying''s concerns, he paid them no mind.


    Many Heavenly Demons roamed the world. They would deal with the Dark War Emperor when he emerged from the coffin.


    From the current aura, the Dark War Emperor was still very distant from becoming a Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Considering this rate of improvement, it would take him thousands of years to reach the level of a Divine Thought True Immortal, right?

 Chapter 342 Shelter from the Wind and the Rain, Eradicate the Heavenly Demon

    Time flew like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, Long Qing was already five years old.Gu An stood in front of the window, looking at Long Qing riding the Blood Prison Great Saint in pursuit of a White Spirit Rat, his lips lifting slightly into a smile.


    Such days were truly wonderful.


    Regrettably, peace was about to be shattered soon.


    Gu An could feel the deep red coffin trembling, alarming the nearby sects, which promptly arranged their defenses.


    The Dark War Emperor was about to emerge!


    The Dark War Emperor, inheritor of the Battle Court legacy, was set on hunting the descendants of the Battle Court''s creator. This sparked many speculations in Gu An.


    After all, he had no fondness for the Dark War Emperor, who, from the very start, slaughtered everything in his path. Should he dare come to the Taicang Continent, he would find no courtesy from Gu An.


    As the reputation of Sword Venerable Fudao grew ever more resounding, certainly the Holy Court would not dare to confront him directly.


    The Great Nether Saint King had been rather restrained lately, as if putting aside past grievances, not daring to plot against Gu An any longer.


    Gu An watched the distance for a while before heading downstairs.


    Just as he descended the stairs, streaks of blood-like light manifested in the sky, a chilling sight.


    The disciples in the valley also noticed this scene, discussing among themselves; however, they were not panicked. In their hearts, the Supreme Sect was the safest place.


    Ji Xiaoyu approached Gu An and whispered, "I''ve seen such a sight in my dreams."


    Gu An was not surprised, given that the Reincarnation Path Emperor had ventured into the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Following her lead, Gu An asked, "For what reason? What is going to happen?"


    Ji Xiaoyu looked up at the sky and said, "I''m not sure, but after such an omen appears, a massacre will follow."


    Gu An shivered, anxiously asking, "There isn''t going to be another catastrophe, is there? I''ve only lived for a little over three hundred years, and I''ve already encountered so many once-in-a-millennium disasters. Is the almighty picking on me?"


    Ji Xiaoyu glanced at him and said, "What catastrophes have you experienced? I''ve never seen you fight. With Sword Venerable Fudao and the Supreme Sect shielding you, what do you have to fear? You just need to sit back and enjoy the show."


    Ha, who''s really shielding whom?


    If I told you, it would scare you to death!


    That''s what Gu An thought, but he relaxed his expression and, patting his chest, said, "You have a point. Why should I worry? When immortals clash, what concern is it of mere mortals?"


    Ji Xiaoyu was amused by his actions and asked with a smile, "I could teach you some spells, would you like to learn?"


    "Forget it, you know I don''t like to engage in combat."


    "Really? Then why do you enjoy sparring with disciples?"


    "That''s mentoring, okay? How could there be any danger when a higher realm battles a lower realm."


    "Be careful, someday you might encounter an unparalleled genius who will make you lose face."


    "An unparalleled genius in Medicine Valley?"


    "What about Yang Jian?"


    "His cultivation level isn''t increasing that fast."


    As they talked, their conversation turned into bickering.


    As Ji Xiaoyu''s worry dissipated during the chat, she spoke of the omen because she felt uneasy and needed to express her feelings.


    Talking with Gu An always helped her to relax.


    While the two were laughing and talking, on the other side of the distant land, a terrifying Demonic Qi burst into the sky, originating from the deep red coffin beyond the Outer Heaven.


    The deep red coffin stood upright, the body shaking violently; the formations at the edge of the pit had been activated, forming a semi-transparent barrier enclosing the pit.


    Even with the formations in place, the Cultivators outside were terrified.


    The weakest among them was a Loose Immortal, and facing the aura seeping from the red coffin, they felt like they were facing their doom, wishing they could flee immediately.


    Crack¡ª


    Suddenly, the lid of the coffin flew open, and a pale, rotting hand reached out, grabbing onto the edge of the coffin.


    With a bang, the lid sprang open, black gas surged out, quickly spreading and forming a thick fog. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Heavy breaths could be heard from within the black mist, sending chills down the spines of most Cultivators.


    "Is this the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?"


    A hoarse voice emerged; each word fell heavy on the hearts of the Cultivators.


    A white-robed man from Holy Court said, "Yes, we ask that you eradicate the Heavenly Demons of Mortal World and not harm innocent beings!"


    His voice was loud, clear for everyone to hear.


    Sects from all sides were shocked. A Holy King from Holy Court knew the creature inside the coffin?


    Eradicate the Heavenly Demons of Mortal World?


    Many Cultivators'' expressions changed, such as those from Mortal World Peak, whose sect had dealt with Heavenly Demons before; they worried about the Holy Court using this as an excuse to suppress them.


    The actions of Holy Court always needed the backing of the common people. Anyone or any power that became an enemy of the populace would find no mercy from Holy Court.


    "Eradicate the Heavenly Demons? Heh."


    The hoarse voice laughed, sending shivers up everyone''s spine.


    Boom!


    A terrifying force exploded from within the pit in an instant, forcefully dispersing the formations and sending Cultivators flying in all directions.


    The white-robed man stood in mid-air, unmoved, while Carefree Primordial Immortals used their mana to resist in every direction. Further away were Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, with the weakest Loose Immortals blown clear off the continent.


    "I''ll help you clear out the Heavenly Demons, but after that, I must feast to my heart''s content."


    The hoarse voice was filled with a will to kill.


    The white-robed man remained impassive. The Great Cultivators from various sects were frightened and turned to look at him, wondering about Holy Court''s stance.


    However, after a moment of silence, the white-robed man uttered just one word.


    "Good!"


    That word caused all Great Cultivators'' faces to drastically change, looking at him in disbelief.


    ...


    In Supreme Sect, the Third Medicine Valley.


    "Truly terrifying."


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    Gu An, sensing the aura of the Dark War Emperor, thought this to himself.


    The Dark War Emperor had already reached the aura of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, and the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land could feel his terrifying presence.


    The Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court remained unmoved, while sects throughout the world began to stir, with many directly activating their defenses in anticipation.


    Gu An''s gaze turned to Immortal Seeking Island. The movements on the island were swift; they had already started forming their defenses.


    "This aura..."


    Ji Xiaoyu, standing beside Gu An, furrowed her brows, her face revealing concern.


    Gu An kept silent and walked towards Long Qing.


    Suddenly, the dreadful pressure that had descended caused Long Qing to cry out in fear, with You Yingying unable to console him.


    Under a tree, Shen Xinzi put down his book, his gaze towards the horizon where the sky was filled with blood-red light, causing his mind to race even more.


    He felt like disaster was imminent.


    "What in the world is it..." Shen Xinzi murmured, frowning.


    As Gu An approached Long Qing, he felt the aura of the Dark War Emperor shift to another location, followed by the complete disappearance of the vibrant life force of that land.


    With the Dark War Emperor''s aura enhanced, though the increase was not significant, his actions still caused Gu An to frown.


    What infuriated him most was that Holy Court actually allowed such recklessness.


    He was very disappointed in Holy Court!


    "Master!"


    Upon seeing Gu An, Long Qing immediately threw himself into Gu An''s embrace.


    Gu An patted his back and picked him up, whispering comfortingly, "Don''t be afraid, your master is here."


    For some reason, as Gu An drew near, You Yingying''s panic unexpectedly lessened, prompting her to instinctively lean towards Gu An.


    Gu An looked at the pale-faced You Yingying and asked, "Are you okay?"


    You Yingying stood beside him, gripping his sleeves tightly and shaking her head slightly.


    At that moment, Gu An sensed a great influx of forces entering the Taicang Continent, their cultivation levels uneven, with the strongest being merely of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    Such cultivation was not worthy of his concern, yet it coincided with this critical juncture.

 Chapter 343 Darkness Strikes! The Moment of Despair!

    On the edge of the Taicang Continent, dozens of ragged people were heading toward the forest on a beach.A young girl was supporting her elderly grandfather, her eyes filled with terror as she looked up at the blood light phenomenon in the sky. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Grandpa, they let us come here, could there be any scheme?" the girl asked cautiously, her face smeared with dirt, but it couldn''t hide her bright eyes.


    Her grandfather shuffled forward weakly and said breathlessly, "Things will get better..."


    Not only them, but other people nearby were also worried and hopeful.


    Across the edge of the continent, many such people were moving toward the interior of the continent.


    Those with higher cultivation levels disappeared quickly, while those with lower cultivation levels could only proceed on foot.


    Gu An took in these scenes, with his divine sense he could tell these people were all reincarnated demons, their soul origins shared the same karma as You Yingying and Shen Xinzi.


    These people all came through teleportation arrays, and as soon as they arrived, the arrays quickly disappeared.


    Gu An probed their karma, gaining some information.


    Heavenly Prison!


    These people were from Heavenly Prison, they also didn''t know why they were driven here by the authorities of Heavenly Prison.


    Although the karma and qi fortune of Heavenly Prison weren''t connected to the Holy Court, Gu An knew without thinking that it had something to do with the Great Nether Saint King.


    After all, his enemies were few, and only the Great Nether Saint King had the means to do such a thing.


    Sending so many reincarnated demons, wasn''t it just to attract the Dark Emperor of War?


    Gu An disdained such tactics, but it was good in a way, if it could lure the Dark Emperor of War to come earlier, it would reduce the loss of life, and Sword Venerable Fudao would have a legitimate reason to act.


    "Master, what exactly is that in the sky?"


    Long Qing looked up, his little face filled with fear.


    Anyone seeing him would have a hard time associating him with the Great Emperor of the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Gu An patted his head and comforted softly, "It''s nothing, maybe it''s going to rain. Didn''t you say you''d be a man after turning five, how can you still cry?"


    Hearing this, Long Qing quickly wiped away his tears, clenched his little fists, and said, "I''m not crying! I just got sand in my eyes!"


    You Yingying next to them was also amused by his words, lightening the tense atmosphere.


    Gu An put Long Qing down and then looked at You Yingying with a smile and asked, "You''re not going to keep holding on to me, are you?"


    At this, You Yingying promptly let go of her hands and blushed, scoffing, "Pah, who wants to hold on to you?"


    "Really? Just now, someone almost ripped off my sleeve."


    "Hmph, that was an accident."


    While the two were bantering, the protective formation of the Supreme Sect was activated, a majestic light rose in the distance, and figures of cultivators flew over the Third Medicine Valley. Stay connected with empire


    The Supreme Sect quickly entered a state of readiness for battle!


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood up, looked into the distance and said, "Trouble again, it seems we can''t finish this game of chess today."


    The old cultivator sitting opposite him took a deep breath, about to say something, when the Nine-Finger Divine Lord suddenly disappeared.


    Shen Xinzi under a distant tree also stood up and vanished in place.


    ...


    Below the rolling thunderclouds, the land was engulfed in blazing flames, akin to a mortal world hell.


    A figure strode through the fire, dressed in worn black battle armor, with curly black hair, his hands and feet festering and bubbling with blood, his slightly hunched back visible under his disheveled hair, and his terrifying face revealed beneath the tangled locks.


    His face was festering too, only his eyes intact, his lips were gone, revealing a frightening mouthful of teeth.


    He was the Dark Emperor of War!


    He advanced while exhaling turbid breath.


    His gaze turned to the distance, only to see a man in white robes suspended in the sky looking at him.


    He glanced and then withdrew his gaze.


    He stopped, straightened his body, as if sniffing at something.


    Then, he suddenly turned his head toward a direction and vanished from the spot.


    The next second, he appeared under the blue sky and dove down through layers of cloud sea, scattering clouds for thousands of miles with an unstoppable force, crashing toward the ground.


    Boom!


    Terrifying flashes of fire lit up the world, with a destructive force erupting from a point on the continent, sweeping in all directions, the green mountains and rivers turned charred black in its wake.


    Countless lives were extinguished in an instant.


    "That''s enough."


    The voice of the man in white echoed, laden with an oppressive tone.


    Following that, the evil laughter of the Dark Emperor of War rang out, adding a layer of horror to the shattered world.


    Simultaneously.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An felt a divine sense sweep over, surpassing the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, it must be the divine sense of the Dark Emperor of War.


    As expected, the Dark Emperor of War was still attracted by the karma of the demons on this land.


    Gu An walked toward the Transmission Array Platform.


    "Where are you going?" Ji Xiaoyu''s voice reached Gu An''s ears as he turned around to see her watching him from a distance.


    He replied using the Sound Transmission Skill, "I''m going to Mystic Valley to take a look, there''s no need to worry about me with so many people here."


    After hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu could only nod, then watched him leave.


    Gu An passed through the Teleportation Array to Mystic Valley, where Lu Jiujia gathered his disciples, all discussing the sudden terrible phenomenon.


    "Master has arrived!"


    A disciple exclaimed in surprise, everyone turned, showing faces of relief. The Dark Emperor of War''s oppression was bone-chilling, and the disciples couldn''t help worrying about what would come next. Seeing Gu An gave them more peace of mind.


    Gu An walked toward his disciples, and, at the same time, he felt Nine-Finger Divine Lord locking his divine sense on him.


    It seems the Nine-Finger Divine Lord suspected him to be related to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Interesting!


    Just then, living beings across the Taicang Continent suddenly felt suffocated, regardless of their cultivation level, they all had this sensation.


    But this feeling was momentary, gone in a flash!


    "What''s going on?"


    Zuo Yijian was standing by the Heaven-Cutting Axe, looking at the sky with furrowed brows.


    Not only him, but everyone at the Heavenly Repair Platform was taken aback, unsure what had happened, yet the sensation they felt was undoubtedly real.


    The entire Taicang Continent was enveloped in panic!


    Beneath the sky, the Dark Emperor of War appeared in the air, with the vast ocean below, he looked toward the distant continent, frowning.


    The continent before him was Taicang Continent!


    As he approached Taicang Continent, he felt a powerful force blocking his momentum, forcing him to stop.


    That land hid individuals with great power!


    With so many Heavenly Demon auras, the beings on this continent should have nothing to do with the Holy Court.


    The Dark Emperor of War''s eyes flickered, he raised his right hand, and waves of Demonic Qi surged out, quickly covering the sky and rolling toward Taicang Continent.


    People of the continent saw dark clouds approaching from the horizon, and before they could ponder further, daylight turned to night.


    "What''s happening? Why has the day suddenly turned dark?"


    "Did you guys feel your hearts stop beating just now?"


    "What in the world is going on? Could the Great Cold Demon Sect be attacking again?"


    "Could it be that some terrifying demon has appeared?"


    Disciples of Mystic Valley were abuzz with speculation. Gu An''s face was stern, unable to tell the disciples the reason, he could only ask them to have faith in the Supreme Sect.


    After the continent was covered by dark clouds, the pressure of the Dark Emperor of War intensified, leaving the living beings full of fear and unease.


    Standing in front of a wooden railing, Ji Xiaoyu was somewhat dazed. She seemed to see a dark figure approaching her, each step filled with oppressive might, stepping on her heart.


    Not just her, but all beings on the continent were pulled into this eerie state.


    Inside the palace.


    Li Xuandao sat on the throne, also in a daze, the courtiers around him lost their color, and he saw a figure approaching from outside the hall, like the grim reaper drawing near.


    The courtiers all went pale, falling into an eerie silence.


    Whether in temples, buildings, grand halls, caves, forests, no matter the location, whether they could see the sky or not, all living beings were dragged into an indescribable eerie state.


    Those who were reincarnated demons felt it more deeply, like You Yingying. She saw the true face of the Dark Emperor of War, the grotesque and terrifying visage assaulting her eyes. She wanted to scream for help, but no sound emerged, she wasn''t even able to move.


    She seemed to be waiting for death.


    Even Shen Xinzi, a Wandering Immortal of the Nine Layers, found himself in the same predicament.


    Facing the advancing Dark Emperor of War, Shen Xinzi gritted his teeth, his heart filled with both panic and unease.


    He couldn''t understand the opponent''s Divine Skills, nor accept his fate.


    In reality, the Dark Emperor of War, with his right arm raised, showed a maniacal and cruel smile. Gushing Demonic Qi flowed from his palm, forming a cloud cover that blotted out the heavens. Then, he condensed a black spear in his palm, its surface swirled with mysterious Dao Patterns which exuded a repressive and ominous aura.


    "Let this emperor test your capabilities!"


    The Dark Emperor of War licked his teeth, his hoarse voice permeated with boundless murderous intent.


    Suddenly!


    He looked up sharply, as bright light swelled among the rolling dark clouds, his face changed slightly, and gripping the spear tightly, he burst with momentum that shook heaven and earth.


    The sea below suddenly collapsed, a magnificent sight!


    He channeled all his mana into the spear in his hand, which burst forth with black flames, countless wronged souls emerging, desperately trying to climb out and break free, but utterly unable to do so.


    From Outer Heaven, the eyes of mysterious beings in each of the seven suns opened, all looking toward the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Viewed from Outer Heaven, a radiant and beautiful Great Heaven and Earth showed a black dot that was swiftly growing.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley.


    Ji Xiaoyu suddenly fell into the eerie state of a reincarnated demon as well, clearly seeing the true face of the Dark Emperor of War as he stepped over the Medicine Garden and approached her.


    This scene, she had seen it in her dreams numerous times, but facing it in person, the feelings were completely different.


    Irrepressible fear and despair enveloped her heart; she struggled to drive away these emotions but to no avail.


    "Damn it..."


    Ji Xiaoyu gritted her teeth; a red Dao Pattern between her brows quickly stretched, swirling flames.


    She was invoking the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman!


    Just then, a brilliant light burst behind her, dispelling the darkness in her vision. She instinctively looked back, catching a glimpse of a figure in the corner of her eye, and her pupils dilated.


    It was a sword shadow!


    A sword shadow gleaming with silver light!


    Countless lightning bolts intertwined upon the sword, molding its form!


    Ji Xiaoyu had never seen such a sword, as if it had traversed the river of time from ancient epochs, wherever the sword edge passed, darkness shattered.


    At this moment, not only her but all the desperate beings on the continent saw such a sword.

 Chapter 344 Eternal Boundless Divine Sword!

    When the sentient beings of the continent trapped in terrible illusions saw a mysterious sword shadow, in reality, the Dark Emperor also spotted that sword shadow.The sword shadow faced by the Dark Emperor was even more majestic and overwhelming!


    The dark clouds that obscured the sun were filled with sword light; the thunder clouds parted, and a massive silver blade pierced through the clouds, as if an unimaginably colossal deity was swinging a sword from beyond the heavens, the part of the blade exceeding the clouds was larger than mountains.


    Faced with such a gigantic sword, the Dark Emperor, with a rifle in both hands, seemed so insignificant. Read exclusive adventures at empire


    After a brief moment of astonishment, a crazed expression appeared on his face.


    "How domineering the sword intent is! I didn''t expect someone in this world to achieve such a level in the Sword Dao!"


    The Dark Emperor said with a laugh, his voice as loud as thunder, his momentum skyrocketed, and his rifle burst out with terrifying black flames.


    As soon as his words ended, he gripped the rifle with both hands and thrust forward violently.


    With that thrust, the clouds in the sky instantly burst apart, and the gigantic and mysterious sword shadow was completely revealed.


    It was a sword shadow larger than any mountain range in the world, its hilt seeming to be housed in the outer universe, delivering a strong visual impact.


    Boom¡ª


    The violent black flame, like a sea dragon, collided with the shocking sword shadow, and almost instantly, the sentient beings on the continent awoke, before their eyes was a mysterious sword shadow tearing apart illusions, pulling them back to reality.


    They instinctively looked up, and then saw a scene they would never forget in their lifetimes!


    A silver sword shadow floated in the sky, of unimaginable vastness, indescribably colossal!


    In Mystic Valley, Gu An and his disciples looked up at the sword shadow in the sky together.


    The Eternal Boundless Divine Sword!


    This was the enhancement from the Boundless Sword of Suppressing the Stars!


    This was also the first time Gu An used this swordsmanship!


    Standing among his disciples, his face showed a shocked expression, making it difficult to associate him with the sword shadow in the sky.


    The Divine Sense of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had disappeared, evidently also diverted by the scene above.


    With a focused gaze, Gu An caused the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword to burst out with dazzling light, overshadowing all things under heaven and earth, then, with an unstoppable force, it dispelled the black flames and attacked the Dark Emperor.


    The Dark Emperor''s face drastically changed, he used his divine skills at that moment, his body transformed into black mist, the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword rolled over, the black mist dissipating, gone in an exceedingly short time.


    Outer Heaven.


    Within the dim starry sky, the Dark Emperor appeared out of thin air, he turned to look toward the distant Great Heavenly Spirit Land, his face showing an expression of fright.


    "This sword intent actually contains powerful causality forces¡­"


    The Dark Emperor was secretly shocked, thankfully he possessed profound divine skills, breaking free from the suppression of the sword intent in an instant, escaping to the universe.


    He suddenly realized something, and instinctively looked up, his eyes bulging.


    He saw the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword appearing right above him, rapidly descending toward him.


    In fear, he hurriedly used his divine skills again, but wherever he went, as long as he looked up, he could see the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword, each teleportation bringing it closer to him.


    The Dark Emperor felt the despair that the sentient beings of Taicang Continent had felt earlier, but even more intensely.


    It was like an inescapable destiny!


    Meanwhile, in the eyes of the continent''s sentient beings, the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword mysteriously disappeared, but fierce winds kicked up, the forests swayed like waves, and the Mortal Spirits raised their hands to cover their faces.


    After the tumult subsided, the sentient beings looked up, only to see the phenomenon of blood light in the sky dispersing, at first glance, it appeared as if dusk was setting.


    After a brief silence in Mystic Valley, the disciples cheered in unison, the entire Supreme Sect was like a pot exploding, the roaring noise trembled the heavens.


    "Was that sword just now... wasn''t I dreaming?"


    "How vast was that sword intent, the Sword Dao can actually reach such levels?"


    "Did you see a black shadow? I seemed to have been dragged into the Illusion Realm just now, then I saw a sword save me."


    "I saw that too; I felt the same way."


    "It must be Sword Venerable Fudao! Only he could possess such sword intent, he has saved us once again!"


    Disciples from various cities of the Supreme Sect were all greatly exhilarated, the divine skills of the Dark Emperor made everyone feel his terror, and because of this, they were amazed and surprised by the power of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Just the spectacular sword shadow that appeared earlier was enough to overturn the sentient beings'' understanding of the Sword Dao.


    Just how strong was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    How far does the end of the Sword Dao reach?


    Gu An also excitedly discussed with his disciples until a prompt appeared before him:


    [You have successfully seized 207,632 years of lifespan from the Dark Emperor (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Second Layer)]


    Gu An could seize one to two percent of an enemy''s lifespan, signifying the Dark Emperor still had over two million years of lifespan.


    How long could a Void Mysterious Immortal live his maximum?


    Gu An felt pleased, the first time he deployed the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword, the effect was satisfactory.


    This also proved the results of Reincarnation Evolution; he comprehended the rule forces, then condensed his own rule forces, injecting them into his divine skills, making them more mysterious.


    Once the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword was unleashed, it locked onto the Dark Emperor''s causal aura, wherever he fled, the Eternal Boundless Divine Sword would follow, unless the Dark Emperor could dissipate the causality.


    Unfortunately, in such a short period, even if the Dark Emperor had means to dissipate causality, it was too late to discern the reasons.


    Gu An could sense that there was another Dao Void Mysterious Immortal watching from afar; he chose not to direct his gaze there.


    Soon, that Mysterious Immortal left.


    After instructing the disciples of Mystic Valley with a few words, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, where it was bustling with excitement as everyone excitedly discussed the recent spectacle.


    Gu An stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform and saw Shen Xinzi in the distance, gazing blankly at the sky, lost in thought.


    You Yingying, holding Long Qing, walked over quickly. She approached Gu An, excitedly saying, "Did you see just now? Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Dao is unbelievable, that sword felt like it flew in from beyond the heavens¡­"


    She grew more excited as she spoke, becoming even incoherent toward the end.


    Long Qing spread his arms, gesturing how immense the heavenly sword was earlier.


    Gu An also acted very excited, even describing the sensations he experienced while in the Illusion Realm.


    However, he was pondering another matter in his mind.


    That was about Heavenly Prison!


    The reason the Dark Emperor came here was because the people of Heavenly Prison released Heavenly Demons into Taicang Continent.


    This matter was unlikely to end here.


    "I wonder what the origin of that dark shadow just now was¡­ will he come again? I hope Sword Venerable Fudao has already annihilated him¡­"


    You Yingying spoke anxiously, and Gu An could only comfort her by trusting Sword Venerable Fudao.


    He was also unclear about the origins of the Dark Emperor, but could be sure that the Dark Emperor had no blood relations with the Long family, no causal connections whatsoever, and importantly, the Dark Emperor''s true form was not of the Human Race.


    After chatting for a while with You Yingying, Gu An finally excused himself, then went on to talk briefly with An Xin, Ji Xiaoyu, and others.


    The impact of this battle was bound to last a long time.


    In unseen distant places, many Great Cultivators peeked at this battle, the power of Sword Venerable Fudao shocked countless people.


    Wiping out the Great Cold Demon Sect had already spread the name of Sword Venerable Fudao into the sight of the Great Sects, but for the Great Sects, Sword Venerable Fudao was at most a formidable figure.


    Now it was different, the aura of the Dark Emperor shocked the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land, his terrifying aura was incomparable even to the entire Great Cold Demon Sect combined.


    Every being that had reached the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm witnessed the process of the Dark Emperor''s demise.


    Being able to slay an existence of the seventh layer of the Immortal Path, Sword Venerable Fudao''s Dao level was immeasurably deep!


    Outer Heaven, hidden within the sun, seven mysterious beings also closed their eyes, as if nothing had happened.


    ...


    In a palace bathed in flickering firelight, two figures stood beside a small pool, silent.


    The pool reflected the universe scenes, with faint wisps of swirling black mist visible.


    One of them, a man in a black robe wearing a dragon bone crown, looked upset, gritting his teeth and said, "This is troublesome¡­ Sword Venerable Fudao is so formidable, it''s impossible to hide Heavenly Prison''s actions from him, he will trouble me sooner or later!"


    He turned to look at the person beside him, his eyes filled with anger.


    Qing Songzi took a deep breath and said, "The Holy King is surely aware of this matter, let us choose to protect ourselves wisely."


    He was the Domain Master of the main city of Broken Sea Domain, and the Taicang Continent was also under his jurisdiction.


    At this moment, Qing Songzi, who controlled the lives of his entire domain, had a pale face, his hands clenched within his sleeves, he tried to appear composed.


    Seeing the Dark Emperor being exterminated, he felt like the sky was falling.


    He turned and left.


    The man in the black robe said sternly, "If Sword Venerable Fudao comes looking, I can only reveal the existence of the Holy King, I couldn''t possibly hide this matter with my Dao level."


    "You''d better pray that Sword Venerable Fudao does not come looking!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qing Songzi left those words and disappeared on the spot.


    The man in the black robe watched the direction he left, unable to contain his anger, causing the entire palace to tremble.


    ...


    Under the dazzling starry sea, an island quietly suspended, small in size, featuring a centre area cleared of vegetation, paved with white jade.


    One after another, figures appeared on White Jade Square, all radiating strong light in various colors, barely able to discern their shapes, their faces blurry, only their eyes clearly visible.


    They gathered together, no one spoke, the atmosphere somber.


    "Holy Minister, was it your idea to let the dark beings in?" a large figure asked coldly.


    The others turned their gazes toward the Holy Minister, who radiated golden light, appearing like an Immortal, his aura vast.


    Facing the questioning, Holy Minister calmly said, "There are too many Heavenly Demons within the realms, they use Reincarnation to hide their identities, you should be aware of the looming calamities accumulating within the Silent Destruction Domain, I was planning for the future which led to this regrettable decision."


    The others also spoke up.


    "The intention was good, but the dark beings are too violent, indeed difficult to control."


    "That guy must be the Dark Emperor, his Escape Technique is extremely refined, hard to capture, didn''t expect him to still die."


    "Broken Sea Domain, Sword Venerable Fudao¡­ the Great Heavenly Spirit Land is so large, yet he unexpectedly found the place where Sword Venerable Fudao was, quite strange."


    "Indeed, each time Sword Venerable Fudao strikes, it seems as if he is protecting himself, if the Dark Emperor specifically came for him, why involve two continents?"


    "Holy Minister, it seems someone is using you to scheme against Sword Venerable Fudao."


    The Holy Minister, glittering in golden light, had a glint in his eyes, radiating coldness.

 Chapter 345 The Holy Minister Appears

    Mortal World Peak, atop a mountain''s summit.Fu Shenxiu stood alongside Eternal Daoist Lord at the cliff''s edge, gazing silently up at the sky for a long time.


    "Master, to which level of the Immortal Path has Sword Venerable Fudao ascended?" Fu Shenxiu couldn''t help but ask.


    The Eternal Daoist Lord gave a wry smile, "I have merely lived a few more years than you. I only know about the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma; the names of the three higher realms are beyond my reach."


    Fu Shenxiu sighed, "That Heavenly Demon from Outer Heaven felt even more formidable than Senior Meng before perishing in an instant. It is indeed true that beyond the skies there are higher skies, and beyond people there are higher people."


    The Eternal Daoist Lord frowned slightly and sighed, "I always have the feeling that something troublesome is coming to the Holy Court. To think they would even dare to let in such a demon; turmoil that hasn''t been seen in a million years will soon come upon this world."


    Fu Shenxiu nodded; he felt the same way.


    "Regardless, it''s a good thing that Sword Venerable Fudao destroyed that demon. But before he could cleanse the world of the Heavenly Demons, they began slaughtering innocents. The Holy Court is truly confused to cooperate with such beings!" declared Fu Shenxiu with righteous indignation, finding the dialogue between the Holy King of the Holy Court and the Dark Emperor to be absurd.


    When did the Holy Court become like this?


    The Eternal Daoist Lord said no more; there were things he couldn''t speak aloud.


    At this moment, not only was Mortal World Peak discussing this matter, Great Cultivators from Qi Fortune sects and Dynasties across the land, and even within the Immortal Dynasty, were engaging in debates about it.


    The influence of this event was fermenting swiftly.


    ...


    As summer turned to autumn.


    Inside Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An sat at a table while Shen Zhen sat across from him, excitedly discussing something.


    Months had passed, and the great battle between Sword Venerable Fudao and the Dark Emperor had not been forgotten by time; rather, it had become increasingly significant.


    "It''s said that the Heavenly Demon from Outer Heaven was invited by the Holy Court. Tsk tsk, indeed, this world''s a dark place where no fresh news can be found. Whether it''s the Daotian Sect, Supreme Sect, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, or the Holy Court, they all have their dark secrets," said Shen Zhen, dripping with sarcasm.


    Gu An responded helplessly, "My dear grandmother, can you please not say these things out loud? Those Cultivators are as powerful as Immortals; aren''t you afraid of being overheard?"


    "What''s the difference if they hear? Now everyone''s spreading that the Heavenly Demon was invited by the Holy Court. They say eight continents'' creatures have been devoured by the Dark Emperor. What a sin!" exclaimed Shen Zhen indignantly.


    Gu An reminded, "Criticize all you want but make sure you don''t write this down or illustrate it."


    Shen Zhen rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Do you think I''m that foolish? Plus, I don''t possess that strong a sense of righteousness. I just can''t stand the Holy Court claiming to be just and using the holy name, only to do such things."


    At this moment, chess players in the valley below were also cursing the Holy Court.


    Gu An sensed the whiff of conspiracy. How could the Holy Court, with all its capabilities, allow public opinion to swell to such an extent? S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if the Holy Court wouldn''t care about face ¨C that was even less possible!


    From the attitude of the Great Nether Saint King, one could see that what the Holy Court cared most about was their reputation.


    Reputation might seem ethereal, but when it reached a certain level, it could influence the Qi Fortune of a person or a faction, and one could even predict the public opinion of a power based on the rules of Heaven and Earth.


    Of course, whether the Holy Court was good or bad depended on what kind of existence Shengtian was.


    As Gu An reflected, he decided to make a trip to Heavenly Prison.


    Regardless of whether the external rumors were a conspiracy or not, he had some vengeance to claim.


    An Ancient Hour later, after Shen Zhen had left, having vented her feelings, Gu An saw her downstairs. After she departed, he headed towards the Teleportation Array.


    ...


    Atop the grand hall, flames flickered.


    A man in a black robe sat on a throne with a furrowed brow and an uneasy mind, as two small dragon souls emerged from the dragon bone crown on his head, entwining each other.


    Months had passed since the fall of the Dark Emperor, yet Sword Venerable Fudao hadn''t come to kill his way into Heavenly Prison, not bringing him any relief but instead increasing his anxiety, giving him an ominous feeling of impending disaster.


    Heavenly Prison was a Minor Heaven and Earth, well concealed, but for a Great Power like Sword Venerable Fudao, no hiding place would suffice.


    Snap!


    Suddenly, the man in the black robe felt his shoulder being clutched, his heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively opened his eyes.


    In the corner of his eye, his pupils dilated, and he felt as if he had tumbled into an abyss, his limbs icy cold.


    Beside him stood a figure enshrouded in dark purple Demonic Qi, whose real form he could not discern despite his high Cultivation Level.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Gu An looked down upon him and cast a Life Span Detection.


    [Demon Soul Master (Eighth Floor of Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm): 590,328/800,000/1,500,000]


    Gu An spoke slowly, "Having lived for more than five hundred thousand years, you''ve not had it easy. Will you confess willingly, or must I do it myself?"


    His voice, altered, was harsh and carried a chill that terrified the Demon Soul Master.


    "The Domain Master of Broken Sea Domain, Qing Songzi, came to me. He claimed it was arranged by the Great Nether Saint King, to allow a batch of Heavenly Demons into Taicang Continent... It''s the Holy King; I could not decline. I am merely a pawn; I bear no grudges against you, senior. Please, spare me..." The Demon Soul Master bit his teeth and spoke, filled with fear.


    Gu An looked up, his gaze towards the top of the hall. His left hand still pressed on the Demon Soul Master''s shoulder.


    Following Gu An''s vision, a streak of golden light appeared atop the grand hall, as if space had split open. The light quickly expanded, and a figure stepped out from it.


    The person was bathed in golden light, so even Gu An couldn''t see the true form.


    Gu An threw another Life Span Detection at the newcomer.


    [Holy Minister (Nine Layers of Divine Thought True Immortal): 0/0/0]


    No life span?


    It''s not the true form!


    The Demon Soul Master also saw the figure of the Holy Minister, his eyes filled with panic. He had never seen the Holy Minister before, but such an emergence was not favorable for him at this time.


    The Holy Minister spoke, "I can depose the Great Nether Saint King."


    His first statement caused the Demon Soul Master''s complexion to shift drastically.


    Such audacity! Explore hidden tales at empire


    Within the Holy Court, only two entities had the power to depose a Saint King...


    No matter which it was, the Demon Soul Master dared not provoke.


    Gu An asked, "Who might you be?"


    The Holy Minister replied, "I am the Holy Minister of the Holy Court, overseeing the entire court. The coming of the Dark Emperor was my idea, originally intended to eradicate the Heavenly Demons of the Mortal World. However, I did not anticipate such a preposterous outcome."


    Gu An didn''t expect the Holy Minister to admit to this so readily; for a moment, he couldn''t discern the Holy Minister''s true intentions.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, you have refused the destined Qi Fortune of the Holy Court, and I do not wish to delve into your reasons. I only seek to understand your stance towards the Holy Court to prevent any misunderstandings between us. From your actions, it''s clear you are neither of the Demon Path nor the wicked," said the Holy Minister calmly, his tone devoid of any emotional fluctuation.


    Gu An fell silent for a moment and then said, "I have no intention of making enemies with anyone. I seek only to cultivate in peace. My previous intervention was merely because I resided in that land, benefiting from nature''s spiritual energy, and felt an obligation to act on behalf of that land."


    Upon hearing this, the Holy Minister immediately said, "I see. I can understand. Through the ages, indeed, there have been ascetics like you who are solely dedicated to the Immortal Path. You have shielded those people, and they are fortunate for that. From this point on, the Holy Court shall not disturb your cultivation."


    This time, there was a hint of mirth in his tone.


    "May I make a request?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    "Please, speak."


    "Bring the Great Nether Saint King to me. I want to kill him myself."

 Chapter 346 Holy Sword, Third Grade Heavenly Position

    "I must kill him myself!"The words of Gu An echoed in the great hall, the flickering flames growing more intense, as if startled by his declaration.


    The Punisher of Demon Souls, held by the shoulder with one hand by Gu An, listened with secret alarm. Despite the overtures of goodwill from the Holy Minister, Sword Venerable Fudao was still so overbearing¡ªa clear sign of a character that brooked no defiance.


    The Holy Minister fell silent upon hearing these words.


    Gu An was not in a hurry, waiting for the response from the Holy Minister.


    He was not blinded by hatred; he wanted to use this opportunity to show the Holy Court his boundaries and to prove that his target was solely the Great Nether Saint King.


    "The Saint King of the Holy Court is held in high esteem. Even in death, it should come at the hands of the Holy Court personally," the Holy Minister said without a trace of mirth.


    The Punisher of Demon Souls grew tense at once¡ªif these two were to fight, both he and the Heavenly Prison would suffer the consequences.


    Amassing his thoughts, the Holy Minister''s tone shifted, "If Daoist Friend is willing to join the Holy Court, I will personally offer up the Great Nether Saint King. You need not accept the Qi Fortune Fruit Position. Simply joining the Holy Court in name will suffice. Normally, the Holy Court will not assign you any tasks. When the Great Heavenly Spirit Land faces an existential threat, only then you would need to act."


    Simply join in name?


    Gu An first thought of the Immortal Dynasty which had also reached out to recruit him.


    With the Immortal Dynasty as a potential rival, the Holy Court indeed found it hard to trust an unidentified existence.


    Even if the Holy Court was unaware of Sword Venerable Fudao''s true identity, it was not important. What mattered was letting all beings know that the recently renowned Sword Venerable Fudao had joined the Holy Court.


    Gu An actually did not object to joining the Holy Court. Lacking a stance, one only gathers more enemies. What he opposed was merely the Qi Fortune Fruit Position.


    "Good," Gu An uttered a single word.


    The Holy Minister immediately raised his hand, sending a golden token flying towards Gu An, who lifted his right hand to catch it.


    Not heavy, lighter than a feather, nearly twenty centimeters in length, and about four fingers wide. Its edges were carved with dragon figures, and at the top were two fire phoenixes, their claws intertwined, symmetrical, and exquisitely done, possessing an aesthetically pleasing look.


    Three words were inscribed on the token.


    Holy Sword Three!


    "The Holy Sword is the title I bestow upon you," the Holy Minister explained. "The three below signifies your Heavenly Position. The Saint King too holds a Third Grade Heavenly Position. It is indeed beneath your talents to be at the Third Grade Heavenly Position as a Divine Thought True Immortal. However, since you are unwilling to accept the Qi Fortune Fruit Position, the Holy Court cannot fully trust you. I hope you can understand."


    "This token is made of the same material as other Holy Orders, but I have not imposed any other Restrictions on it, lest it provokes your apprehension. Its only purpose is to display your identity to others. Its unique material ensures it cannot be replicated by other powers."


    After listening, Gu An thought to himself, had this fellow decided upon this before even coming here?


    But he had to admit, with the deep foundation of the Holy Court, they indeed had such confidence!


    Above the Saint King was the Holy God, and it was not impossible for the Saint King to reach Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, or the Holy God to reach Divine Thought True Immortal. Add to that the exalted Shengtian, and the Holy Court''s strength was formidable to even contemplate.


    Most crucially, the Holy Court not only possessed high-level combatants, but the number at each realm was beyond measure.


    As a Divine Thought True Immortal, Gu An could now observe Qi Fortune, and the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court was more terrifying than all other powers in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land combined, including the Immortal Dynasty.


    "From today onwards, you are the Holy Sword of the Holy Dynasty. This is a title created especially for you. I will announce it to the world in the future; I will have someone send your treatment to the Taicang Continent. You need not visit the Holy Court for audience. Are you satisfied?" the Holy Minister asked.


    Gu An replied, "Of course, satisfied. Thank you, Holy Minister."


    The Holy Minister chuckled, "From now on, we shall address each other as Daoist Friends. Although the Heavenly Prison does not enjoy the Holy Court''s Qi Fortune, it serves the Holy Court. If you are dissatisfied with this Prison Master, you may kill him. I will arrange someone else to take over."


    At these words, the despair was clear on the Punisher of Demon Souls'' face. Begging for mercy, he implored, "Please spare me, Senior... Senior¡­"


    Gu An released his left hand, and the Punisher of Demon Souls regained his freedom. He promptly knelt down, incessantly kowtowing to Gu An.


    The Carefree Primordial Immortal was in such a wretched state, lacking any of the demeanor expected of him.


    "Let him continue as he was," Gu An stated.


    The Holy Minister smiled and transformed into a golden light that contracted and disappeared into thin air.


    The Punisher of Demon Souls, overjoyed, continued to bow and thank Gu An.


    "Do as you see fit."


    With that parting remark, Gu An vanished.


    Lifting his head to find Gu An gone, the Punisher of Demon Souls sighed in relief.


    "Great Nether Saint King, even you have met your day!"


    The Punisher of Demon Souls thought of the fate awaiting the Great Nether Saint King and couldn''t help but feel secretly thrilled.


    He was deeply grateful to Gu An. The words of the Holy Minister had clearly been an abandonment, and under such circumstances, Sword Venerable Fudao had still spared his life. How could he be anything but thankful?


    He vowed to please Sword Venerable Fudao from now on.


    This might be an opportunity!


    ...


    Gu An returned to Mystic Valley, settling beneath the Green Vine Tree in the Eight Scenic Caves. He took out the Holy Order, musing thoughtfully.


    He had checked the Holy Order¡ªit truly held no traps, not even qualifying as a Magic Artifact.


    He had to say, the Holy Minister was quite sincere.


    Even though Gu An didn''t fully agree with the Holy Minister''s methods before, he had now been successfully recruited. That the Holy Minister had climbed to his position was no coincidence.


    But Gu An didn''t want to get too close to the Holy Minister; agreeing to join the Holy Court was merely to reduce trouble.


    The Holy Minister''s Ninth Level Divine Thought True Immortal realm also pressured Gu An.


    Gu An didn''t want to test his combative abilities at the same realm; he preferred to fight from a higher realm against a lower one.


    Next, he had to vigorously accumulate Life Span and break through to the Ninth Level of the Immortal Path!


    Being weaker than others made Gu An insecure.


    With the actions of the Holy Court, they could become foes at any moment. Under this premise, Gu An had to strive to strengthen himself even more.


    The Green Vine Tree seemed to sense Gu An''s mood, extending two vines to gently massage his shoulders.


    Gu An closed his eyes and began to relax.


    Now, he just needed to wait for when the Holy Minister would send the Great Nether Saint King.


    If the Holy Minister truly intended to forsake the Great Nether Saint King, he likely wouldn''t go down without a fight. There was an interesting show to look forward to.


    It was only when night fell that Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    The autumn night sky was strewn with stars, dazzling like a painted scroll.


    Gu An stood below the tower, appreciating the moonlight.


    Long Qing ran to him, arms wide, asking to be held.


    Gu An picked up Long Qing, laughing, "How big you are now, still asking to be held, are you still a little man?"


    Five-year-old Long Qing, wearing a refined blue robe and with a lovely face bright with playful eyes, heard Gu An''s words and pulled at his eyelids and stuck out his tongue, saying, "I don''t care, I want Master to hold me!"


    Gu An couldn''t help but squeeze his little nose, feeling that An Xin was raising him with a hint of femininity.


    "Master, have you ever been to the stars?" Long Qing suddenly pointed to the night sky and asked.


    Gu An casually replied, "No, do you want to go?"


    "I do! Just a few nights ago, I dreamt that I was flying among the stars," Long Qing said, his face full of longing.


    Gu An patiently chatted with him, but his thoughts drifted to Long Xin and Lu Qiuxian when they were young.


    Chu Lu had children too, but alas, just a year after the child was born, Chu Lu was crushed by the Black Profound Emperor.


    Gu An possessed these memories and felt the emotions within them, but he didn''t get caught up in those attachments; after all, those memories from three lifetimes ago were far removed from his current life.


    Gu An always believed that his present self was truly him, and Reincarnation Evolution was just a way to become stronger.


    He was the original, and the others were merely his projections.


    Maybe at a certain realm, he would need to go through reincarnation as a form of practice, like Ji Xiaoyu.


    As Gu An was lost in thought, he suddenly sensed the presence of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal erupting from afar.


    Focusing his gaze, he saw a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal flying out from the Holy Court and swiftly headed into the universe.


    However, an immense void hand emerged from the darkness above the universe, capturing the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal at a lightning-fast speed.


    The Dao Void Mysterious Immortal had almost reached the edge of the Silent Destruction Domain, just shy of escaping into it.


    Gu An could tell that the void hand was transformed from Divine Thought.


    The Holy Minister!


    This void hand''s aura was precisely that of the Holy Minister he had seen before, only stronger.


    After capturing the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, the void hand vanished along with the trace of the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    Gu An noticed many powerful Divine Senses probing from within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, including Divine Thought True Immortal''s Divine Senses, originating only from two locations¡ªthe Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty.


    Indeed, the world still hid many Great Powers.


    Gu An mused silently, fortunate that he had not offended too many, as every breakthrough was shielded by a Life Span Barrier, otherwise, he would have been crushed long ago.


    A Dao Void Mysterious Immortal publicly captured, Gu An seriously suspected it was an intentional display by the Holy Minister.


    Wishing to showcase his own strength!


    Otherwise, that Dao Void Mysterious Immortal would have had no chance to escape the Holy Court.


    Gu An felt apprehension and refrained from further thought; let alone powers without a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal realm old monster at the helm. Experience exclusive tales on empire


    Of course, those who were aware of this battle were at least Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma.


    Carefree Primordial Immortal could sense the earlier aura, but definitely couldn''t keep pace with the speed of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, probably oblivious to what had occurred.


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and carried Long Qing upstairs.


    Listening to the little guy recount his dreams, Gu An found it abstract and amusing.


    Talk of An Xin rolling on the stars and Bull Demon King fighting with the stars seemed utterly absurd.


    ...


    Five days later.


    Gu An returned from Nianchu Cave to the Third Medicine Valley, in high spirits, he started discussing Journey to the West with Shen Xinzi.


    Shen Xinzi already knew that Journey to the West was written by Gu An, although Gu An claimed that he heard it from others, combined with his own dreams, which made Shen Xinzi more reverent towards Journey to the West.


    Therefore, Shen Xinzi steadfastly held on to his interpretation, even attempting to persuade Gu An.


    They debated for a long time.


    "Do you understand Journey to the West better than Pan An?" Gu An couldn''t help but say.


    Shen Xinzi said nonchalantly, "What is Pan An in comparison? He''s just a writer. What does he know about Journey to the West?"


    Gu An, amused and frustrated, gave him a thumbs up, exclaiming, "You''re amazing!"


    With that, Gu An left. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Xinzi was undisturbed and continued reading.


    Gu An flew towards the Outer Gate City, sensing two powerful auras emerging on the edge of the continent. Both were Dao Void Mysterious Immortal realm cultivators.


    One of them was the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal captured by the Holy Minister five days ago. His aura was now weak, clearly having suffered serious injuries.


    Gu An had not anticipated the Holy Minister to act so swiftly, having already sent the Great Nether Saint King.

 Chapter 347 Are You Higher Than the Unification Realm?

    Atop a cliff stood two figures, one of whom was the white-robed man who had previously conversed with the Dark Emperor. The other person, disheveled and with torn red garments, had his hands bound with iron chains. His back was plastered with talisman papers that fluttered as the sea breeze blew, unsettling his long and messy hair."Wandering Holy King, what thoughts cross your mind upon witnessing my plight?" asked the man in chains, his expression indifferent and his gaze as deep as a secluded well.


    The white-robed man acknowledged as the Wandering Holy King replied without a trace of emotion, "I am even more grateful. Dao Void Mysterious Immortal is extremely powerful, and your position is high, Holy King. However, the higher you stand, the more careful you must be in your actions, because you have more enemies."


    Upon hearing this, the Great Nether Holy King closed his eyes and a smile appeared on his face.


    The Great Nether Holy King raised his arm slightly, causing the chains to shake with a crisp sound.


    "How do you know that your circumspect choices are correct? Watch, the Holy Minister surely harbors even bigger schemes," laughed the Great Nether Holy King with a carefree demeanor, having come to terms with life and death.


    The Wandering Holy King sensed something and instinctively turned his head, his expression suddenly unnatural.


    They saw a figure shrouded in dark purple Demonic Qi appear behind them.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    The Wandering Holy King felt an immense pressure rushing towards him, reminiscent of facing the Holy Minister or Holy God.


    At that moment, he understood why the Holy Minister held Sword Venerable Fudao in such high esteem.


    He immediately clasped his hands in a formal salute and said, "I have seen the Holy Sword!"


    Upon hearing these words, the Great Nether Holy King''s figure trembled slightly. He appeared composed, but how could he not be tense when facing life and death?


    [Wandering Holy King (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Level 4): 1740982/6000000/7500000]


    [Great Nether Holy King (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Level 2): 1580442/4000000/5000000]


    Gu An looked at the life spans of the two and was inwardly pleased.


    The life span of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal could reach several million years. Observing the difference in life spans between Level 4 and Level 2, Gu An speculated that life spans of Divine Thought True Immortals might very well exceed ten million years.


    Your journey continues on empire S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An nodded slightly to the Wandering Holy King. His gaze was fixed on the Great Nether Holy King, sensing his tension.


    Boom!


    A brilliant golden light suddenly burst forth from Gu An''s forehead, engulfing the Great Nether Holy King in an instant, and then dashed towards the sea surface, dissipating before reaching a thousand zhang away.


    When the golden light faded, the Great Nether Holy King was nowhere to be seen.


    Gu An had no desire to interact with the Great Nether Holy King, nor did he wish to hear any defenses.


    Even if there were misunderstandings between them, it was the fault of the Great Nether Holy King. When so many pointed at the Great Nether Holy King, it was unlikely to be false.


    The Wandering Holy King watched with alarm.


    This was a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, and even if his cultivation was sealed, he should not have been so easily eradicated.


    How high was Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation level?


    [You have successfully seized 370963 years of life span from the Great Nether Holy King (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Level 2)]


    Upon seeing the prompt before him, Gu An felt slightly pleased. Of course, what brought him the most relief was eliminating a thorn in his side.


    Gu An then vanished from the spot, leaving the Wandering Holy King behind.


    The Wandering Holy King stood on the cliff, silent for a long time, before finally departing.


    A Holy King who had stood above all fell just like that, causing a significant psychological impact on the Wandering Holy King, who was also a Holy King.


    The Great Heavenly Spirit Land seemed even more complicated and dangerous in the eyes of the Wandering Holy King.


    ¡­


    At Mortal World Peak, Dingtian Peak.


    Inside the Peak Master''s courtyard, Gu An was savoring tea, An Xin stood behind him, and in front of him stood a line of Wandering Immortals, disciples of Dingtian Peak, including Zhu Xinglan.


    They were discussing the Holy Court''s declaration of Sword Venerable Fudao as the Holy Sword.


    "The Holy Sword, the number one sword under the heavens, seems like the Holy Court highly values Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "The presence of that demon from Outer Heaven was terrifying, yet against Sword Venerable Fudao, it was unable to withstand a single blow. With such power, how could the Holy Court not seek to ally with him?"


    "I heard that the reason the Heavenly Demon from Outer Heaven made a move against Sword Venerable Fudao was that a Holy King schemed against him, sending a great number of reincarnated Heavenly Demons to the Taicang Continent. Truly malevolent."


    "I''ve heard that as well, it was the Great Nether Holy King. He underestimated the strength of Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "To be honest, who could have anticipated that? Such a tiny place actually harbors such a terrifying Great Cultivator."


    The Wandering Immortal disciples of Dingtian Peak were excited, only so uninhibited in the presence of Gu An. In front of their disciples, they all maintained a high and dignified posture, as if they were lofty and saintly figures.


    Zhu Xinglan looked at Gu An. He had heard that his master also emerged suddenly and wondered if his master knew Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As for the possibility that his master was Sword Venerable Fudao himself, that had not crossed his mind.


    The world was full of ascetics who suffered in silence, and perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao was simply concealing his identity. Maybe his real identity once shook the heavens, but who could be certain?


    An Xin quietly chuckled as she listened to their discussion.


    The one they admired was right before them. If they knew, what would their reaction be?


    She did not know how high the Dark Emperor''s cultivation realm was, so she could not understand the excitement of the Wandering Immortals.


    In her eyes, there was no difference between Wandering Immortals and Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals; they were all terrifyingly powerful beings.


    After they had spoken for a while, Gu An spoke up, "Then you must cultivate diligently. I always feel that the world is becoming increasingly unstable."


    His Divine Thought was focused on Yang Jian.


    Heaven Sect had received news of the Great Nether Holy King''s fall and was preparing to bring Yang Jian into the world.


    Over the years, Yang Jian had grown stronger while Heaven Sect had become increasingly aged. Although his Cultivation Realm had not declined, his aura was not as strong as before.


    Heaven Sect''s life span was quickly diminishing without the Qi Fortune of Heaven Sect, and it seemed he did not have many years left to live.


    Upon hearing Gu An''s words, the disciples echoed in agreement, all sharing a premonition that such a major event had not occurred in many years. Word of it would make anyone feel the tense world situation.


    After a long while.


    The disciples bid their farewell and left.


    An Xin sat down, unable to resist stretching herself. She did not remove her mask but looked at Gu An and asked, "Master, what kind of entity is the Holy Court, really?"


    She knew Sword Venerable Fudao was Gu An, but being in Mortal World Peak, she had to measure her words carefully.


    Gu An replied, "It is the governing power of the Mortal World, the strongest of our times. As for good or bad, that depends on the circumstances."


    In this world, there was no absolute good in a person or power. Even the current Supreme Sect hid untoward secrets.


    Even though he had joined the Holy Court, Gu An felt no fondness for it.


    Once he surpassed the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, he would no longer need to hold any fear towards the Holy Court.


    Right now, he was more curious about the Silent Destruction Domain.


    The Annihilation God Emperor could easily annihilate Long Zhan, who surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, but now it seemed Shengtian was capable of countering the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Could it be a different Silent Destruction Domain?


    Or perhaps, the Annihilation God Emperor had long since departed?


    An Xin was curious about the strength of the Holy Court, but unfortunately, Gu An was also unclear, leaving his answer ambiguous.


    Today''s conversation with the disciples from Dingtian Peak proved the Holy Minister''s methods. Although Gu An had not assimilated into the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court, within a few short years, every power throughout the world knew he had joined the Holy Court.


    No matter his personal feelings, from now on, he was openly aligned with the Holy Court.


    The enemies of the Holy Court might also target him!


    Did the Holy Court have enemies?


    Of course, there were. The Immortal Dynasty covetously eyed the realm from within, and infinite Heavenly Demons from beyond watched intently.


    He only hoped none would disturb his tranquil life.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An stood up and said, "It''s time to test the results of your cultivation. Don''t let yourself be surpassed by Long Qing later on."


    Upon hearing this, An Xin quickly rose to her feet.


    Long Qing had been taken care of by her until he was four, but after that, the boy constantly followed You Yingying, leaving her with a sour taste.


    She couldn''t let that child surpass her!


    Today, after hearing of many significant events in the world, An Xin''s fighting spirit was kindled. With such a master guiding her, why couldn''t she carve her own place in the world?


    She did not realize her mindset was beginning to shift towards An Hao''s.


    ¡­


    Seasons changed, and eight years passed.


    The thirteen-year-old Long Qing was running through Medicine Valley, swift as a cheetah, chasing a corpulent white-furred rat that resembled a pig.


    His gaze was sharp, his features handsome, and his long hair tied like a girl''s, eliciting laughter and teasing from the disciples along the way.


    After running for a long time, he stopped in a secluded spot, propping his hands on his knees, panting heavily.


    "Stupid rat, why are you so fast? Did I never push you to your limit before?" Long Qing muttered, frustration evident on his sweat-drenched face.


    Just then, footsteps approached, and Long Qing turned to look, quickly standing up in respect.


    He brought his hands together and bowed deeply to the newcomer.


    Seeing his gesture, Shen Xinzi couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "You want to catch up with it? How about taking me as your master?" Shen Xinzi approached and asked with a smile.


    Long Qing scratched his head, "Senior, I have a master already."


    Shen Xinzi continued with a smile, "Of course I know you have a master. Who said you could only have one master? Have you read Journey to the West?"


    Long Qing nodded, but he didn''t enjoy reading text as much as he liked listening to others.


    "You''re like Sun Wukong, and I''m Master Puti. How about I secretly teach you cultivation?" Shen Xinzi asked, smiling knowingly.


    Like You Yingying, he had an inexplicable fondness for Long Qing. He had observed the boy and confirmed that Long Qing was not a reincarnated Heavenly Demon.


    To elicit a sense of closeness from an Immortal Venerable like himself, Long Qing must have extraordinary Innate Qi Fortune and a Life Grid beyond ordinary people.


    "Can you really be Master Puti?" Long Qing asked doubtfully.


    Shen Xinzi laughed, "I''m well aware you have a master, but who says you can''t have multiple masters? Do you know what Realm I am in?"


    "Unification?"


    "Haha, you even know about Unification. Do you know what lies beyond the Unification Realm?"


    "What? You''re higher than the Unification Realm?" Long Qing was shocked. Having been raised in the Third Medicine Valley, he had some understanding of Immortal Cultivation realms. The Unification Realm was, in his perception, a god-like realm.


    Observing the disciples'' attitudes toward Shen Xinzi in the valley, he had guessed Shen Xinzi was extraordinarily capable, but he had not expected him to be so powerful.


    Proudly lifting his chin, Shen Xinzi declared, "Above Unification lies the Mystic Heart Realm. Above that, there are Mahayana, Nirvana, Loose Immortal, Wandering Immortal, and Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal. I am but one step away from Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal."


    With each Realm name Shen Xinzi uttered, Long Qing''s mouth opened wider, and by the end of the list, he was agape with amazement.


    The expression on Long Qing''s face greatly satisfied Shen Xinzi.


    In that moment, he suddenly understood Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    Because he liked Journey to the West, he had read all the books written by Pan An. He didn''t understand why Pan An''s works were so popular; the characters lacked common sense, often mocking the protagonist, and the protagonist would purposely reveal his holiness, all of which seemed unrealistic to him.


    Today, he had played the part, and at last, he understood the appeal.

 Chapter 348 Studying the Deification

    As Shen Xinzi secretly admired Pan An''s understanding of the human heart, Long Qing couldn''t help but ask, "If you are so powerful, why do you stay in Medicine Valley?"Shen Xinzi smiled gently and said, "I am not from the Supreme Sect, I just like the atmosphere here and want to stay for a few centuries to clear up the confusion in my heart."


    A few centuries...


    Long Qing''s look at Shen Xinzi changed, and he began to believe Shen Xinzi''s words.


    "You say you are a Wandering Immortal, how can you prove it? I am not a child!" the thirteen-year-old Long Qing, claiming he was not a child, made Shen Xinzi smile even more broadly.


    Shen Xinzi grabbed Long Qing''s shoulders, and without waiting for Long Qing to react, he leaped into the air.


    The world blurred before Long Qing''s eyes, he instinctively closed them, and when he opened them again, he was stunned by the sight before him.


    He had actually come to the heavens!


    Below was an endless sea of clouds, and above, the sky was filled with stars, as though nested in the night, except these stars shone brighter and were more numerous.


    Densely packed, more so than the flowers and plants in the valley!


    Long Qing opened his mouth wide, his bright eyes sparkling with an unusual gleam.


    With a sky full of stars overhead, Long Qing''s view of the world seemed infinitely larger. He twirled around on the spot, not even realizing there was no ground beneath his feet.


    Shen Xinzi stood by, smiling.


    Suddenly, he understood Master Puti''s feelings.


    No wonder Gu An said Master Puti was very fond of Sun Wukong.


    Long Qing turned several times, then suddenly realized he was suspended in midair, and quickly grabbed onto Shen Xinzi''s robe sleeve in fright.


    "Is this the heavens?" he asked Shen Xinzi, full of anticipation.


    Seeing the boy''s fearlessness, Shen Xinzi held him in even higher regard.


    Shen Xinzi replied, "Correct, we are extremely far from the ground. With the speed you chased the White Spirit Rat before, it would take at least twenty years to reach here."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing widened his eyes. He instinctively looked down, seeing only a thick sea of clouds, but when he looked into the distance, he saw a shade of blue, unclear what it precisely was.


    He looked up again and pointed at a shooting star, asking, "What is that?"


    Shen Xinzi looked up and answered, "That is a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal returning, very far from us."


    "Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal... can I go to the stars?"


    "You cannot, one must reach the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm to cross the invisible sky wall."


    "Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal... I want to cultivate, I want you to be my master, teach me how to reach the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!"


    Long Qing clenched his fists, his voice filled with excitement.


    He hadn''t even started Qi Absorption Cultivation yet, Gu An said he would teach him when he turned sixteen, and forbade other disciples from teaching him privately.


    That''s why Long Qing hadn''t yet shown his talent.


    Shen Xinzi saw his extraordinary physique and felt that even if he wasn''t supremely talented, he would not be mediocre. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He also marveled, how did Gu An always manage to find geniuses?


    Like the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, he suspected that Gu An had a powerful backer.


    What sort of powerful figure that even he couldn''t detect?


    It could be Sword Venerable Fudao or possibly other Great Cultivators, as the current Supreme Sect was full of hidden Great Cultivators, even beyond his understanding.


    In any case, hearing Long Qing''s words, Shen Xinzi was very pleased. He smiled kindly and said, "Reaching the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm is very difficult, are you willing to dedicate yourself to cultivation?"


    Long Qing immediately nodded, assuring, "I will definitely not disappoint you, Master!"


    "Then why don''t you kneel and kowtow to accept me as your master?" Shen Xinzi said with a smile.


    He wanted to emulate Master Puti to see if taking a disciple could lead to divine enlightenment.


    Long Qing immediately knelt and performed a ceremonial bow, then looking up at Shen Xinzi, he asked, "Master, I heard that Medicine Valley once had a genius named Yang Jian. Can I surpass him?"


    Shen Xinzi helped him to his feet and said, "Yang Jian''s talent is indeed exceptional, but your master is more formidable than his. In the future, you will surely surpass him."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing''s face lit up with an enthusiastic smile.


    Meanwhile.


    In the loft, Gu An, who had been reading, smirked.


    "Surpass Yang Jian? It''s certainly not impossible, but in the coming century..."


    Gu An thought to himself, looking forward to the expression on Shen Xinzi''s face after he starts teaching Long Qing cultivation.


    With Shen Xinzi''s Dao level, how could he help Long Qing unlock the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit?


    An hour later.


    The door opened, Long Qing walked in, approaching the table and looking at Gu An with a complex expression.


    Gu An looked up at him and asked with a smile, "What''s wrong? Bullied by the Bull Demon King again?"


    Long Qing shook his head, then said, "Master, you are the most important to me in my heart, do you believe that?"


    This statement amused Gu An; was the boy feeling guilty?


    "Really? We''ll see how you honor me in the future," Gu An said leisurely, his eyes returning to the book in his hands.


    Long Qing earnestly responded, "I will definitely honor you in the future!"


    Once I become an immortal, I will make the Supreme Sect respect you!


    Long Qing''s fighting spirit grew even stronger.


    Seeing that Gu An did not continue the conversation, he curiously asked, "Master, what are you reading? May I take a look?"


    Gu An closed the Green Hero Travelogue, glared at him, and said, "If you have nothing else to do, go chop some wood."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing immediately scooted away.


    "Immortals don''t have time to chop wood!"


    He left with that spirited remark, and Gu An, smiling, continued reading.


    Two days later.


    In an uninhabited part of Medicine Valley, within a bamboo grove, Shen Xinzi and Long Qing sat side by side in meditation.


    "Master, why haven''t I cultivated any Spiritual Power yet?" Long Qing couldn''t help opening his eyes and asking.


    Shen Xinzi, with his eyes closed, replied, "It''s rare for someone to develop Spiritual Power within two days; don''t be impatient."


    He also wondered internally why it was taking so long. However, considering Yang Jian''s early experiences with slow Qi Absorption, perhaps Long Qing had a unique physique.


    He decided not to dwell on it. He was very patient and would not become agitated over this.


    A figure swept across the bamboo grove from above, causing Shen Xinzi to look up.


    "It''s him..." Shen Xinzi murmured to himself.


    "Who?"


    Long Qing asked curiously, having caught a glimpse of the figure as well.


    Shen Xinzi shook his head and didn''t continue.


    Long Qing quickly stood and ran towards the edge of the bamboo grove.


    Shen Xinzi got up as well, not angry at Long Qing''s actions. After all, the boy was only thirteen.


    In the loft.


    Gu An replaced the book he had been reading with Investiture of the Gods and studied it carefully.


    Clang¡ª


    The window was suddenly pushed open, startling Gu An as he turned his head, his face then breaking into a delighted smile.


    "Li Ya! How did you come back?" Gu An asked excitedly.


    Li Ya landed, adjusting his clothes while grumbling, "What? Aren''t you happy to see me?"


    "How could that be, please sit! Sit down!"


    Gu An put down Investiture of the Gods, then stood up to brew tea for Li Ya.


    Li Ya took a seat at the table, noticing the book he had been holding, and laughed, "After all these years, you''re still reading Investiture of the Gods? You don''t think to discover some Dao in it like others, do you?"


    Gu An brewed the tea and replied, "Just browsing, the stories in this book surely can''t compare to your experiences. Tell me, how have you been these years? Have you been injured?"


    Li Ya''s expression turned serious as he said, "With my current skills, how could I be injured? Besides, I have Divine Exotic City. Since you want to hear, I''ll tell you all about it, and later you can take notes."


    Gu An brought over hot tea, placed the cup in front of him, sat down, and said with a laugh, "Indeed, owning Divine Exotic City, even my disciple Long Qing couldn''t possibly get injured."

 Chapter 349 Heading to the Primordial

    Hearing Gu An''s words, Li Ya didn''t think too much and didn''t ask who Long Qing was. He began to recount his experiences over the years.Gu An listened attentively. He occasionally looked at Li Ya but didn''t stare constantly. With Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit around, Gu An could be at ease, confident that if there were any danger not even Divine Exotic City could stop, Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit would inform him right away.


    After leaving the Sea Demon Domain, Li Ya wandered everywhere. Occasionally, he encountered Great Cultivators coveting Divine Exotic City, but he always managed to escape unscathed. Unless a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal took action, it was very difficult to take Divine Exotic City from him.


    Those who had reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and saw Li Ya brazenly deploying the Pseudo-Immortal Path Supreme Treasure didn''t dare to make a move easily. In every aspect, Li Ya seemed to have a significant backing. Who would dare to offend such a person?


    The higher one''s Cultivation Level, the further one could see. Even if they couldn''t deduce Gu An''s karma from Divine Exotic City, they could infer that Li Ya had an extraordinary background.


    To control such a supreme treasure before Nirvana, one couldn''t do so without a powerful backing, and perhaps Li Ya''s backing was hidden within Divine Exotic City.


    Over the years, Li Ya had encountered many opportunities, and his Cultivation Level had grown rapidly. He had now reached the third floor of the Unification Realm.


    A Unification Realm Cultivator over three hundred years old was definitely a top-tier genius in the Broken Sea Domain.


    Gu An thus marveled at how amazing Xuan Tianyi truly was.


    Comparing the pace of breakthroughs, Li Ya still fell short of Xuan Tianyi, and moreover, Xuan Tianyi didn''t have the Pseudo-Immortal Path Supreme Treasure by his side.


    Setting aside An Hao, Xuan Tianyi was indeed the number one genius in the history of the Supreme Sect.


    What was most crucial was that Xuan Tianyi also wrote books!


    Judging from the Green Hero Travelogue, Xuan Tianyi often went on adventures and didn''t spend all his time on Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    Could it be that Xuan Tianyi had also achieved enlightenment?


    Gu An suddenly felt that perhaps Qi Absorption Cultivation was the most common and low-level form of Cultivation, and that there might be higher forms of Cultivation.


    Of course, it was just a thought. In Reincarnation Evolution, he could only undergo Qi Absorption Cultivation to consume his Life Span.


    Gu An thus listened to Li Ya''s experiences while contemplating Cultivation.


    Suddenly.


    The door was pushed open and Long Qing tumbled in, startling himself. He quickly got up, but before he could turn around, Gu An called out to him.


    "Come in, and take the opportunity to meet your Martial Uncle."


    At Gu An''s words, Long Qing was overjoyed. He immediately approached Li Ya, saluted, and called him Martial Uncle.


    Li Ya sized him up, a smile forming on his face, then he turned back and asked, "Who is this kid¡­"


    Gu An introduced, "I brought him back from outside; he had just been born at that time."


    Hearing this, Li Ya understood that this child was different from the disciples outside.


    Li Ya took out a dagger from his Storage Bag and handed it to Long Qing, saying with a smile, "Take this dagger as a meeting gift. It''s a Magic Artifact, so don''t use it recklessly before you start Cultivating."


    "Thank you, Martial Uncle!"


    Long Qing said excitedly, clearly very fond of the dagger as he played with it.


    Li Ya looked at Gu An, laughed, and said, "Actually, this kid looks a bit like you."


    "Nonsense."


    "Really, if you hadn''t said anything, I would have thought he was your son."


    Seeing that Li Ya was serious, Gu An suddenly thought of something.


    Was his appearance in Reincarnation Evolution the same as now?


    He thought carefully; after Lu Han had restored his appearance, he did indeed resemble him a bit. As for the previous three lives, he rarely looked in the mirror and didn''t pay attention.


    "It might be because I raised him that he looks a bit like me," Gu An casually remarked.


    Long Qing''s expression dimmed; deep down, he was also hoping that Gu An was his biological father.


    Gu An beckoned him over to join in and listen to Li Ya''s experiences.


    After Long Qing joined, the atmosphere became even livelier.


    It wasn''t until evening that Li Ya said his goodbyes and left, leaving behind a large pile of medicinal herb seeds.


    Gu An didn''t see Li Ya off but instead asked Long Qing about his activities over the past two days, wondering why he''d suddenly been so quiet.


    Long Qing began to hem and haw in his explanations.


    Elsewhere.


    After descending the stairs, Li Ya made his way to where Shen Xinzi was standing. He bowed with cupped hands, curious, and asked, "Senior, why are you here?"


    On his return this time, he felt that the Supreme Sect had changed a lot. Wherever he went, he encountered Cultivators whose Cultivation Levels he couldn''t fathom.


    Even in Medicine Valley, there were many whose Cultivation Levels were a mystery to him.


    He felt that the Supreme Sect''s growth was even faster than his own. Of course, he was just marveling, not shocked, because his Primordial Ancestor was still with the Supreme Sect.


    Compared to his Primordial Ancestor, his achievements over the years were trivial.


    Holding the "Supreme Immortal Venerable" scripture, Shen Xinzi looked up at him and said, "I have a connection with this place, planning to stay here for hundreds of years to quietly contemplate the Path."


    Back in the Divine Exotic Realm, Shen Xinzi''s strength had left a lasting impression on Li Ya. With such a powerful Great Cultivator taking residence, Gu An was naturally safer.


    He smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries with Shen Xinzi, then he took his leave.


    Shen Xinzi watched his leaving figure and suddenly said, "Your Qi Fortune is off, and you will face a fated calamity later on."


    Li Ya turned back to Shen Xinzi and nodded with a smile. He didn''t continue the conversation but instead leaped up and flew away on his sword.


    Thirty minutes later.


    Gu An followed Long Qing downstairs, where Long Qing ran off towards the distance, while Gu An saw Ji Xiaoyu stepping out of a room.


    "The person earlier, you''d better keep your distance from him. I can sense that he is approaching a fated calamity," said Ji Xiaoyu.


    Gu An frowned and asked, "What calamity?"


    He had actually noticed it earlier.


    There was Qi Fortune from the Holy Court on Li Ya, and it wasn''t just a smattering but an integration.


    He guessed that Li Ya had already obtained the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court. He peered into Li Ya''s past but could not see how Li Ya had obtained the Qi Fortune. The Holy Court''s Qi Fortune was something even he, as a Divine Thought True Immortal, couldn''t fully understand.


    "I''m not sure either, but the Cultivation Technique I practice allows me to sense others'' Qi Fortune and destiny," said Ji Xiaoyu as she shook her head.


    She had had so many dreams, not only seeing experiences from past lives but also continuously inheriting past life''s Cultivation Techniques, Divine Skills, and Spells.


    Now her Cultivation Level had reached the Divinity Transformation Realm Eighth Floor, and her progress was astonishing!


    "It''ll be fine. He''s sure to have a charmed life," Gu An said earnestly, causing Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze to shift subtly as she looked at him. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The moonlight might be lovely tonight. How about keeping me company to enjoy the moon?" Gu An suddenly suggested.


    Ji Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment and then nodded slightly.


    ...


    Divine Exotic Realm.


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm and a group of Divine Exotic Ghost Kings stood on the shore, looking at the terrifying waves crashing on the sea.


    Among the surging waves, a figure stood tall above the water, bare-chested with fists tightly clenched, his white hair disheveled and soaked, gasping deeply for air.


    Zhang Buku!


    "It''s done... it''s done..."


    Excitement flashed across Zhang Buku''s face.


    He turned to look at the distance, locking eyes with the Master of the Divine Exotic Realm from afar.


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm showed a smile, nodding slightly toward him.


    Boom!


    The waves exploded, and in almost an instant, Zhang Buku appeared in front of the Master of the Divine Exotic Realm, causing the surrounding Divine Exotic Ghost Kings to be taken aback.


    Such incredible speed!


    Stealing the Five Elements was secretly shocked. He had watched Zhang Buku grow over the years. The kid''s talent was getting stronger.


    With time, he was sure to become a name that echoed across the heavens.


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm looked at Zhang Buku and said, "You have now perfected the most powerful Ancient Treasure Body. It''s time to set off."


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku quickly asked, "Master, where exactly do you want me to go?"


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm said profoundly, "Go to another Great Heaven and Earth."


    "Great Heaven and Earth?"


    Zhang Buku was even more puzzled, while the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings had various expressions, each lost in recollection.


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm said in a deep voice, "The Heaven and Earth you were in before is known as the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and Broken Sea Domain is just a small part of the vast Heaven and Earth. Beyond that, there are many Great Heaven and Earth realms as vast as the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, existing in ways beyond your imagination. The Divine Exotic Realm is a power that drifts among these various Great Heaven and Earth realms, originating from the Silent Destruction Domain beyond the heavens."


    "As for the Silent Destruction Domain, you will have to understand it for yourself in time. However, know this: the Divine Exotic Realm can lead to different Great Heaven and Earth realms, but those realms are dangerous, and we have limited choices of Great Heaven and Earth to choose from."


    After listening, Zhang Buku''s brow furrowed. He thought of Martial Uncle Gu and Li Ya; he found it hard to let go.


    Gritting his teeth, he asked, "If I leave, can I still come back later?"


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm smiled and answered, "Of course you can return. The clouds pressing down upon us have dispersed. It''s just that the Great Heaven and Earth are controlled by the Holy Court, and it''s not suitable for us to develop there. We can only send you to other, more chaotic places."


    Relieved, Zhang Buku pursued the question of which Great Heaven and Earth he would go to.


    "Go to Primordial. There is no absolute order there. It''s a place more suited to beings like you to grow. Once you''re there, you must be even more careful. That place has the Immortal Clan, countless opportunities, but also many dangers," said the Master of the Divine Exotic Realm profoundly.


    Zhang Buku nodded, his eyes filled with anticipation.


    A Divine Exotic Ghost King spoke up, "Do we have to go too?"


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm nodded, "Just leave one Ghost King to maintain contact with the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    "I wish to stay behind!"


    Stealing the Five Elements immediately volunteered, drawing the gaze of the other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings.


    The Master of the Divine Exotic Realm looked deeply at Stealing the Five Elements, who lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.


    "Then you shall stay behind," decided the Master of the Divine Exotic Realm.


    Stealing the Five Elements grinned and thanked him profusely.


    ...


    The winter snow flurried. A figure headed towards the entrance of the Third Medicine Valley. Continue your saga on empire


    He was clad in armor, covered in snow, moving not swiftly through the heavy snowfall but with a steady pace.


    Underneath the helmet was an aged face, his eyes cloudy. As he looked at the entrance to the Third Medicine Valley, his gaze softened slightly.


    "Who are you?"


    A female voice sounded as An Xin approached with a bamboo basket in hand.


    The armored man turned to look, struck by An Xin''s grace. She wore a white dress, stepping on the snow-covered ground without leaving any footprints, her entire being emanating an ethereal quality, like a celestial maiden who could ascend at any moment.


    He bowed and said, "I''m Ye Yan. May I ask if the Valley Master of the Third Medicine Valley is still Gu An?"


    An Xin nodded slightly, replying, "You know my master? If so, I can take you to see him."


    Ye Yan smiled, his expression pensive, "I remember him; he is also my master, but I wonder if he still remembers me."

 Chapter 350 Reincarnation Order

    An Xin brought Ye Yan to Gu An''s attic and then went upstairs to inquire.Gu An had already sensed Ye Yan''s presence, but he couldn''t show it; only after An Xin knocked did he allow her to bring Ye Yan up.


    Looking at the aged Ye Yan, Gu An smiled and said, "It''s been a long time, please have a seat quickly."


    An Xin, curiously, didn''t stay, but honestly closed the door and left.


    Sitting across the table from Gu An, Ye Yan felt a surge of emotions.


    After many years, the master still looked so young, even more distinguished.


    Gu An, wearing the Immortal King Crown, had a golden pattern emerging on his forehead, giving off the feeling of a Heavenly Divine Monarch sitting there.


    Ye Yan could feel that, like him, his master was also at the Core Formation Realm; both at the same realm, yet their Essence Energy could not have been more opposite.


    "Why are you¡­" Gu An frowned, hesitatingly asked.


    Fifty years ago, Ye Yan was in his prime, youthful, and one of Li Xuandao''s most capable generals.


    Now, Ye Yan looked so old.


    Gu An could see that Ye Yan had reached the end of his life span, but he couldn''t state this outright, he could only inquire.


    In reality, Ye Yan''s maximal life span had grown a bit over the years, though only slightly.


    Ye Yan smiled and said, "Everyone has their time, mine is almost due, I wanted to come back to see this place before the end."


    Hearing this, Gu An couldn''t help but sigh and then stood up to pour tea for him.


    Ye Yan''s gaze followed him and said, "Master, there''s no need for you to sigh for me. I''ve accomplished everything in life without regrets."


    He had fought alongside Li Xuandao to unify the Taicang Dynasty, and Li Xuandao had granted him nobility. For decades, he enjoyed wealth and even marital bliss, and truly had no regrets.


    "It reassures me that you could come back to see your teacher," Gu An said after serving the tea, turning around to speak.


    Even if he taught Ye Yan now, it would only extend his life by a few more years.


    Moreover, he wasn''t keen on teaching just anyone¡ªit risked revealing his Cultivation Level.


    Every year, dozens of disciples graduate from Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley; he couldn''t possibly teach each one.


    "If not for the master''s help, I couldn''t have had such a splendid life. If I hadn''t heard from His Majesty that you were well, I would have come back sooner to repay you," Ye Yan, taking the tea bowl, replied with a smile.


    He had shed his habitual martial fierceness, now as gentle as a small stream.


    Gu An sat down and began inquiring about his experiences over the years.


    Ye Yan didn''t hide anything and started from when he left the valley, with Gu An listening intently.


    The night passed as they spoke.


    At dawn''s approach, Ye Yan made a request¡ªhe wanted to be buried in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An remained silent for a while, then nodded in agreement.


    Thus, Ye Yan stayed.


    Gu An sent An Xin to find Zhen Qin, and by evening, Zhen Qin had returned, her mood somber at the sight of Ye Yan''s graying hair.


    They stood by the wooden railing, watching the snow while reminiscing about the past.


    When Third Medicine Valley was first established, it was just Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan. Back then, Zhen Qin had the least talent and was less powerful than the other two.


    Three hundred years had passed, Su Han had long perished, and now Zhen Qin was about to bid farewell to Ye Yan, how could she not be sad?


    Mentioning Su Han, Zhen Qin didn''t hide the truth, and, hearing that Su Han had died early, Ye Yan also fell silent.


    Su Han, known throughout the Taicang Dynasty for wielding the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, Ye Yan knew of his exploits but was unaware of his fate.


    "The journey of life is indeed unpredictable," Ye Yan reflected.


    He was close to death already, naturally not excessively sorrowful.


    He turned to Zhen Qin and smiled, "Don''t be sad, when I go down there, I''ll greet him for you."


    His words left Zhen Qin''s eyes red with emotion.


    Gu An stood by the window, watching their silhouettes, lost in thought.


    Long Qing came downstairs, grabbing a handful of snow, intending to throw it at Gu An, but seeing his solemn expression, Long Qing held it for a long while before ultimately lowering his hand and turned to throw it at Blood Prison Great Saint instead.


    Fast asleep, Blood Prison Great Saint was jolted awake, looking up to see Long Qing disappearing.


    "You little rabbit!"


    Blood Prison Great Saint, furious, immediately got up to chase Long Qing, his massive bovine body kicking up snow mist in pursuit.


    The winter snowfall grew heavier, as if to fill the Third Medicine Valley completely.


    Time moved to the end of the year.


    At the edge of Third Medicine Valley, on a mountain peak, Gu An stood in front of Ye Yan''s grave, the falling snow melting before it even touched him.


    Gu An''s eyes were not sad but tranquil.


    He wasn''t too distressed, merely standing there pondering the past.


    Ye Yan wasn''t the first disciple he had sent off; he was merely looking back on his earlier life, reliving past emotions anew.


    Gu An thought about a question.


    In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, what exactly happens after death?


    How does "Reincarnation" actually operate according to what rules?


    Why do so many high-level Great Cultivators choose Reincarnation? Is its purpose just to experience karma, destiny?


    Gradually, he entered a state of mystical understanding.


    Path Enlightenment.


    ¡­


    During the blazing summer days, at the Supreme Sect Sub-sect.


    Stay updated through empire


    Ye Mansion.


    Gu An and Ye Lan sat inside drinking wine, Ye Lan listening calmly to Gu An''s recount.


    "Everyone dies someday; it''s just a matter of how long one lives. I, too, will face it eventually, and when that time comes, dear brother, don''t be too saddened," Ye Lan said softly, looking at Gu An.


    Gu An put down his wineglass and asked, "If I gave you a chance for eternal youth, but it required many sacrifices and adherence to certain rules, would you take it?"


    Having witnessed Ye Yan''s death, Gu An felt uneasy, fearing that his teachings couldn''t keep up with the passing of time.


    He had taught Ye Lan and Xiaochuan among others, truly improving their maximal life span, but each time was less than before, only adding two hundred years for Ye Lan through teaching, and the last two sessions combined added just a single year.


    The mysterious designs of fate were terrifying, merciless.


    Ye Lan asked, "Would those rules distance me from you?"


    Gu An replied, "It''s hard to say."


    He remembered Heaven Sect mentioning that becoming a part of it involved forsaking many, including a spouse and children.


    "Then forget it. Such immortality might be more of a curse. I am not interested," Ye Lan shook her head.


    Gu An remained silent.


    Ye Lan seemed to sense Gu An''s mood. She reached out to hold the back of Gu An''s hand and smiled, "Brother, don''t forget our last century pact. If I could spend the rest of my days with you, that would be enough. A hundred years is actually quite long."


    "Is a hundred years really enough?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    "Maybe it is. Over the years, I''ve chased power, gotten bored with it over time, and recently I''ve been focusing on cultivation. I''ve been thinking about doing something else, like your writing¡­"


    Ye Lan started to share her experiences from these years.


    Now over three hundred years old, she had her own views and insights on life.


    She was now at the Divinity Transformation Realm and held a high position within the Supreme Sect; her pursuits were evolving.


    Listening to her, a smile unconsciously spread across Gu An''s face, feeling happy for her.


    Life shouldn''t be about just one thing; that Ye Lan was considering enriching her life was an enlightenment in itself.


    "Brother, if you really have that kind of opportunity, save it for someone who truly craves Immortal Cultivation. Right now, I don''t think the level of cultivation is that important," Ye Lan laughed.


    Gu An smiled and said, "What if you leave this world, and I pursue immortality alone? Wouldn''t that be lonely?"


    Ye Lan blinked and laughed, "I haven''t given up, I''m just talking. Some things can''t be fought for; if you can''t have them, let it be. Don''t let them become a burden to you, including me, and even Zhen Qin and your disciples. If we die before you, don''t be foolish or let it weigh on your heart."


    Gu An, unable to resist, reached out to pinch her cheek, and she didn''t dodge.


    "What about our last century; what would you want to do? Where would you go?" Gu An asked.


    "Can I dream big?" Ye Lan raised an eyebrow.


    "Of course, daytime is the best for dreaming."


    "Then I want to see how large this world really is. I''ve heard that beyond the sea there are other continents. I also want to go to the heavens, to see how high it really is, and what lies beyond Outer Heaven¡­"


    Ye Lan spoke enthusiastically, Gu An listening intently, his thoughts drifting far with her words.


    Two days later.


    Gu An first went to the North Sea Mountains to gather medicinal herbs, then spent an Ancient Hour in Mystic Valley.


    Upon returning to the Third Medicine Valley, he was in good spirits and played two games of chess with Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Near evening.


    Shen Xinzi and Long Qing walked along the path between the Medicine Garden, Long Qing dejected, occasionally casting timid glances at his master walking ahead.


    Although Shen Xinzi appeared composed, he was quite perplexed inside.


    Having taught Long Qing for so long, yet Long Qing had still not manifested any Spiritual Power.


    Even the most mediocre talents shouldn''t be like this¡­


    Could it be his teaching methods were flawed?


    "Master, do I still have hope?" Long Qing couldn''t help but ask, having lost the fighting spirit he initially had, even developing a slight fear of cultivation, frightened by the disappointment he might see in his master.


    Without turning, Shen Xinzi said, "Maybe you have a special physique. From tomorrow, I''ll teach you Body Refinement."


    "Body Refinement?"


    "Yes, the path of Immortal Cultivation isn''t only about Energy Absorption; maybe your physique needs long-term honing, to accumulate slowly and release suddenly¡­"


    As Shen Xinzi spoke, his tone grew increasingly determined.


    Whether Long Qing believed it or not, he believed first.


    Exactly! That must be it!


    Yang Jian was also physically strong; perhaps Gu An chose Long Qing because they were similar. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Long Qing immediately cheered up and began to jump for joy.


    When they reached the attic area, An Xin came up to them, smiling and asked, "Senior, why have you been bringing this boy around every day?"


    Shen Xinzi pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha, this child and I have a connection, so I''m taking him around to play."


    After all, since Long Qing had no cultivation, no one could discover he was simplifying things secretly.


    "Hey, Sister, why are you fussing so much?" Long Qing grumbled.


    Hmph, once I succeed in Body Refinement, you won''t be able to boss me around!


    An Xin grinned at Long Qing, thinking to herself, "You cheeky boy, your feathers have grown firm; I''d like to see what you can learn from him."


    She verbally said, "Alright, I''ll leave you be."


    With that, she bowed to Shen Xinzi and then took her leave.


    Shen Xinzi watched her departing silhouette thoughtfully; her cultivation hadn''t improved, but she gave off a very subtle feeling, which he couldn''t quite explain.

 Chapter 351 Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, Old Monster

    End of Summer.Mortal World Peak, Dingtian Peak.


    Gu An was writing with his sleeves rolled up in the courtyard, and An Xin, wearing a mask, was cultivating beside him. A gentle breeze blew by, creating a picturesque scene.


    An Xin suddenly opened her eyes and curiously asked, "Master, what cultivation levels have my fellow disciples attained now?"


    Gu An casually replied, "Your senior brother has reached the fifth floor of the Mystic Heart Realm, and your junior brother is at the first level of the Unification Realm."


    "That high?" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin couldn''t help but widen her eyes.


    "Look at Dingtian Peak, do their cultivation levels seem high here?" Gu An''s words rendered An Xin silent.


    An Xin cautiously asked, "Master, do you really think I can become an immortal?"


    Her current actual cultivation level was only at the eighth floor of the Core Formation Realm, far behind An Hao and Yang Jian.


    "Don''t think about that, but rather think about how you can achieve it. If even you don''t believe in yourself, then you''re truly finished."


    Gu An''s words seemed reasonable to An Xin, and she endeavored to adjust her mindset.


    "By the way, Master, is Senior Shen Xinzi teaching Long Qing cultivation?"


    "Yes."


    "Has Long Qing also practiced Energy Concealing Sorcery? I can''t even sense his Spiritual Power."


    "You''re overthinking it. He hasn''t yet cultivated any Spiritual Power."


    "What?"


    An Xin was astonished and pressed on, "With the Dao Level of Senior Shen Xinzi, how could Long Qing possibly fail to cultivate Spiritual Power?"


    "Some people are less talented than you." Gu An offhandedly said.


    He did not reveal Long Qing''s Nirvana Realm cultivation level, fearing it would demoralize Long Qing.


    Moreover, Long Qing had a special identity. Both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court might pursue him, and until Gu An was confident he could protect him, he was not prepared to unlock the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit within him.


    After all, Long Qing now had a lifespan of over ten thousand years.


    It was good to let the young lad first cultivate his Daoist Heart, to avoid treading the same path as Long Qing''s ancestral Great Ancestor Long Zhan.


    An Xin fell silent, suddenly feeling sorry for Long Qing. Given that lad''s character, once he realized his limited talent, he would definitely be deeply affected.


    Gu An didn''t say more and concentrated on practicing his calligraphy.


    An Xin watched him, wanting to speak but hesitating.


    On reflection, since the Master had already shown great kindness in sheltering Long Qing, how could she demand that the Master change his fate?


    Moreover, the Master surely had his plans.


    Realizing this, An Xin composed herself and continued cultivating.


    ¡­


    Six years later.


    The weather was clear, with white clouds adorning the blue sky, each assuming its unique posture.


    In the mountain woods.


    Twenty-year-old Long Qing had fully matured, dressed in tight green clothing, squatting in a horse stance, and continuously punching despite being drenched in sweat. His eyes remained determined, exhaling consistently.


    His skin was flushed red, emitting steam, and his legs were trembling, ready to collapse at any moment.


    Shen Xinzi stood beside him, holding a copy of Journey to the West, reading it and said, "Persist for another Ancient Hour to activate the medicinal effects."


    Long Qing gritted his teeth and asked, "Master, my strength has increased quite a bit. How many levels of Qi Cultivation cultivators can I now defeat?"


    "You could defeat those at the third level of Qi Cultivation."


    "What? Only the third level?"


    Long Qing showed a look of despair, but Shen Xinzi offered no comfort.


    After mumbling a few words, Long Qing revitalized his spirits, his eyes regaining their firmness.


    Shen Xinzi, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the change in Long Qing''s demeanour, was privately satisfied, "This lad has poor talent, but his temperament is decent."


    In his view, temperament was even more cultivable than cultivation, so he still held hope for Long Qing.


    He was teaching Long Qing on a whim and naturally was not in a hurry.


    Just then, Shen Xinzi suddenly sensed something and abruptly looked up.


    Elsewhere.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was playing chess with Gu An, also looked up.


    Gu An looked up, urging, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and make your move."


    As he spoke, Gu An''s Divine Thought also locked onto Outer Heaven.


    In the starry sky of Outer Heaven, a vast space rift appeared out of nowhere, hanging right above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, startling the mysterious beings in the sun into opening their eyes.


    "In a moment, there''s something going on in Outer Heaven. I need to watch for a while," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord said impatiently.


    Gu An looked up, feigning confusion.


    Under the scrutiny of his Divine Thought, a figure appeared within the mysterious rift¡ªa man in a black robe, tall and broad-shouldered, with a stern face wearing a long silver jade crown. Two brightly shining Magic Artifacts floated behind his head, resembling the sun and the moon, casting light on him, making him seem to radiate a brilliant glow.


    The moment this person appeared, the surface of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land''s light layer fluctuated.


    Upon seeing him, Gu An felt apprehensive.


    Unfortunately, his Divine Thought could not perform a Life Span Detection.


    The robed man suddenly disappeared.


    The next second, Gu An''s Divine Thought shifted to the Holy Land where the Holy Court was located, its Qi Fortune was impacted, gathering there, and he felt strong fighting emanations coming from the direction of the Holy Court.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord followed his gaze towards the direction of the Holy Land, frowning.


    He stood up and said, "Today counts as a draw. We shall continue another day."


    With that, he disappeared in thin air.


    Gu An couldn''t help muttering, "Always in a rush but still doesn''t forget to hedge his bets, really an animal."


    While collecting the chess pieces, he kept an eye towards the direction of the Holy Court.


    Soon, the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court reassembled, making it difficult for him to forcefully probe, which piqued his curiosity about what was happening inside the Holy Court.


    He waited until nightfall. The robed man did not appear, and the Holy Domain remained unusually calm, but Gu An saw many Great Cultivators heading toward the Holy Court like a shower of arrows.


    Clearly, something had occurred within the Holy Court.


    In the following days, there was still no activity in the Holy Court, and the space rifts in Outer Heaven had disappeared, nor was the robed man seen.


    Gu An visited Immortal Seeking Island and Mortal World Peak and couldn''t gather any intelligence, but the Great Cultivators at Mortal World Peak also noticed the activities at the Holy Court. Their numerous speculations left Gu An feeling they were absurd.


    Until a month later.


    Gu An, who was alchemizing inside the building, suddenly sensed something and slightly raised his brow.


    "Why has he come here..."


    Gu An did not stand up, cautious not to startle the quarry.


    A person entered the Third Medicine Valley, precisely the robed man who forcefully entered the Holy Court before.


    His appearance made Gu An uneasy¡ªregardless of whether he was a friend or foe of the Holy Court, his arrival could potentially attract the Holy Court''s attention.


    Gu An did not wish to reveal himself.


    After carefully sensing, Gu An''s mood slightly eased. The guy''s aura was very weak, suppressed to the Core Formation Realm level, completely different from when he stormed the Holy Court, almost like two different people.


    After hesitating for a moment, Gu An stood up and walked downstairs.


    As he walked down the stairs, he casually looked out, and when his gaze swept over the robed man, he quickly performed a Life Span Detection without lingering.


    [Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor (Divine Thought True Immortal Realm Eighth Floor): 15876308/40000000/60000000]


    Divine Thought True Immortal Realm Eighth Floor!


    Over fifteen million years old!


    A maximum life span of sixty million years!


    Gu An was astonished, looking at a true old monster!


    What is this guy doing in the Third Medicine Valley?


    Is he targeting him?


    As Gu An continued downstairs, he puzzled over this.


    At that moment, Ji Xiaoyu walked out of her room. She did not look towards Gu An but towards the approaching Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.

 Chapter 352 Yin Yang Immortal Domain

    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor proceeded, glancing around Medicine Valley without much curiosity. Having lived for over fifteen million years, nothing much about his surroundings intrigued him; he was merely browsing.He felt Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze and couldn''t help but turn to look. As their eyes met, a smile appeared on his face.


    As for Gu An behind Ji Xiaoyu, he was ignored.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor quickened his steps and came before Ji Xiaoyu, bowing with his fists, "Your Majesty, it has been a long time."


    Your Majesty?


    Gu An was curious, yet he sighed in relief at the same time.


    He was here for Ji Xiaoyu!


    As long as it wasn''t for him, it was alright!


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded slightly, "Let''s talk inside the house."


    She turned to Gu An and asked, "Do you want to listen?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An hurriedly shook his head and then went downstairs, bowing with his fists when he passed by the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor just gave him a brief nod.


    Ji Xiaoyu pouted and then said, "Bring him in too."


    After speaking, she turned and entered the house.


    While Gu An was walking, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor grabbed his shoulder.


    "Come in with us," the Emperor said in an undeniable tone.


    Gu An had no choice but to turn around.


    The two of them entered Ji Xiaoyu''s house, one after the other. Following them, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor waved his sleeve, casting a mysterious restriction.


    Gu An sat down on a stool to one side.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor sat down at the table and looked towards Ji Xiaoyu, smiling, "Your Majesty, have you remembered?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "I have recovered some memories, but not all. Why have you come to find me ahead of time?"


    Gu An eyed Ji Xiaoyu, uncertain how much of her memory was restored and how far she was from her true self.


    He felt a twinge of melancholy thinking of the little girl who used to cling to him, who aspired to be the lofty Reincarnation Path Emperor.


    The identity of the Reincarnation Path Emperor involved numerous major destinies. Once she regained her true form, she would certainly not remain in the Third Medicine Valley.


    The arrival of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor signified that Ji Xiaoyu''s departure was imminent.


    Anyone with a little ability wouldn''t stay in Medicine Valley. Gu An had seen off many people; each time, it was somewhat poignant.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor glanced at Gu An, then responded, "A major change occurred in the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, so I came earlier to find you. I recently retrieved your Soul Jade from the Holy Court."


    After saying this, he flipped his right hand, revealing a purple Crystal Stone glowing with a dim light, floating above his palm.


    As soon as this purple Crystal Stone appeared, it burrowed into Ji Xiaoyu''s forehead, and she closed her eyes.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor looked again at Gu An and asked, "Do you know her identity?"


    Gu An feigned hesitation, "I knew her in a former life, heard she was once the Reincarnation Path Emperor in one lifetime, but I''m not clear about what that entails."


    With so many years lived by the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, Ji Xiaoyu''s original age must be even greater. Could the Ji Family have such a long history?


    Could it be that the initial Ji Xiaoyu didn''t belong to the Ji Family? Then why was she birthed into the Ji Family for two consecutive lifetimes?


    What is hidden within the Ji Family that fascinates her so?


    "The status of the Reincarnation Path Emperor is even higher than you think, she has lived for over twenty million years, and the current reincarnation cycle is merely her way of gaining experience," said the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor calmly.


    Gu An''s face drastically changed, his mouth opened, but he couldn''t speak.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor smiled, thinking he had struck a blow to Gu An.


    Silence fell in the room.


    After a while, Ji Xiaoyu opened her eyes. The change in her gaze reminded Gu An of the Ji Xiaoyu who once caused a stir in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, exuding a cold demeanor.


    A few moments later, Ji Xiaoyu''s gaze and demeanor returned to how they were before. She looked towards the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor and asked, "Snatching the Soul Jade from the Holy Court must not have been easy, right?"


    "It cost me some injuries, but ten thousand years of recovery should suffice," the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor replied.


    Ten thousand years seemed like just a day to him.


    "I don''t want to leave just yet," Ji Xiaoyu mused.


    "No worries, no rush, staying a few hundred years is fine. I''ll heal my wounds, and those fools in the Holy Court definitely won''t guess that I''m still within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He sized up Gu An''s entire karma in a glance, aware of Gu An''s age, and felt that given Gu An''s Dao Level, he wouldn''t live past a thousand years. Once Gu An died, Ji Xiaoyu''s current cycle of reincarnation should also end, and then he could welcome the real Reincarnation Path Emperor.


    Gu An really wanted to say that they could leave now, but seeing Ji Xiaoyu''s expression, he held back.


    "Alright, I''ll go out for a walk," the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor said, standing up and walking towards the door.


    He did not remove the restriction inside the house; he guessed that Ji Xiaoyu still had many things to reveal to Gu An, things that the Immortal Path beings in Medicine Valley should not overhear.


    After the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor closed the door, Ji Xiaoyu sighed.


    Gu An asked, "Why such tension? Isn''t he one of your people?"


    Those capable of subordinating a Divine Thought True Immortal, the Dao Level of the Reincarnation Path Emperor must be incalculable.


    "He respects my past life. I''ve dreamt of his battles; he is terrifying, maybe even stronger than Sword Venerable Fudao," Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath and answered.


    Stronger than me?


    How could that be!


    I''m a whole minor realm above him, and he can''t see through my Cultivation Level. If I sneak attack, he surely won''t be prepared!


    Such were Gu An''s thoughts, which, of course, were just thoughts.


    He had no grievances or quarrels with the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, so naturally, he could not make a move.


    "Where is the Yin Yang Immortal Domain located?" Gu An curiously asked.


    Beyond the outer reaches, there is the Silent Destruction Domain, which surrounds the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and he always suspected that beyond the Silent Destruction Domain lay more vast worlds.


    Dark Great Heaven and Earth, Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth, Primordial Great Heaven and Earth...


    Now having heard of the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, Gu An grew increasingly curious about the outer reaches.


    How high is the pinnacle of the Immortal Path?


    "The Yin Yang Immortal Domain is very far from here, and one must traverse a region rife with Demons. It''s extremely dangerous. I''ve dreamt that it took me many years of battle to arrive here. I have not recalled much about the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, only that it is very dark, devoid of the sun."


    Ji Xiaoyu immersed herself in reminiscences, her tone tinged with subtle melancholy.


    Unable to help himself, Gu An asked, "I''ve always been curious, what exactly is your relationship with the Ji Family, and why were you born into it again this lifetime?"


    Ji Xiaoyu frowned upon hearing this.


    Gu An waited for her response.


    After a moment, Ji Xiaoyu finally spoke, "The Ji Family was founded by a sworn son of mine. I only remember that he died for me. On his deathbed, he asked me to look after his children. That happened over twenty thousand years ago, and thus the Ji Family came to be."


    Gu An suddenly understood and pursued the topic, "So, the Ji Family shares your surname?"


    "Yes, the Ji surname seems quite significant, though I haven''t recalled all the details yet," Ji Xiaoyu said, looking at Gu An, then asked, "Anything else you''d like to ask?"


    Gu An quickly shook his head, "No, I have nothing more to ask."


    Asking too much only leads to more trouble!


    "It''s fine, who are we but to each other? Ask away and broaden your horizons. Know that even the high-levels of the Supreme Sect don''t have access to these things," Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An, her expression a half-mocking smile.


    Gu An always felt she was scheming something; he immediately stood up, bid his farewell, and left.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched Gu An''s departing back, and only after he had closed the door did the smile on her face fade.


    She furrowed her brows and sank into deep thought.


    ¡­


    The addition of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor didn''t change the environment of the Third Medicine Valley. Unlike Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Shen Xinzi, he disdained interacting with mortals. Once Gu An arranged his residence, he began his reclusion.


    Ten years blinked by and the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor remained within his own room, sparking much speculation among the disciples in the valley.


    One day.


    Gu An went to visit Xiaochuan.


    Just as Xiaochuan was receiving Gu An, an incident occurred in the residence that required his attention, leaving Gu An waiting in the courtyard.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 367/638,909,402]


    [Physique: Primordial Ultimate Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Divine Thought True Immortal Realm Nine Layers]


    Looking at his Attribute Panel, Gu An started calculating how long it would take to reach one billion years of life span.


    Currently, his lifespan income per year ranged between 1.5 and 1.8 million years, which was quite considerable.


    He planned to aim for a comprehensive upgrade after reaching one billion years, then break through to the next realm.


    The next step would be the ninth level Cultivation Level of the Ninth Heavens of the Immortal Path.


    He wondered how many more years of lifespan would be required to surpass the Ninth Heavens of the Immortal Path.


    Gu An poured himself some wine, his thoughts returning to the present; he heard Xiaochuan''s descendants arguing. It was about a marriage alliance; the current family head wanted to ally with a certain noble family. The chosen girl was unwilling, and her parents could not bear to force her, but the family head intended to compel her, leading to the quarrel.


    Gu An just listened, without any intention to intervene. After all, what place did he have to interfere in such matters?


    An hour later, Xiaochuan finally returned.


    As he sat down and poured himself some wine, he sighed, "These good-for-nothing things. If the day comes when I''m gone, the family will surely be ruined by them."


    Gu An chuckled, "Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; don''t worry about it. You cannot solve all of life''s challenges for them."


    Xiaochuan looked at Gu An and said, "Brother, you advised me to establish a family and career, yet you haven''t done so yourself. Did you foresee this situation and intentionally torment me?"


    Gu An glanced at him and said, "If you find it painful, then just abandon them. The world is vast; if it comes to it, come back to the Third Medicine Valley."


    Xiaochuan shook his head with a wry smile, his words were in jest. Although life was full of annoyances, he didn''t regret his choices and cherished what he had.


    The two continued drinking, their conversation shifting to the Supreme Sect. Xiaochuan had more than a dozen descendants in the Supreme Sect, some of whom had returned to the Xiaochuan household. They brought back various news about the sect, making Xiaochuan nostalgic for it.


    The Supreme Sect was where he had spent most of his life; how could he remain indifferent?


    As they talked, Xiaochuan suddenly said, "Brother, could I perhaps choose someone from the Xiaochuan household to be your disciple in the future?"


    He had always been hesitant to bother Gu An, but Gu An kept visiting him, even bonding well with the Xiaochuan descendants. He thought he was being overly cautious and decided to establish a closer relationship, giving his descendants a source of support.


    "Of course, but I''ll make the choice," Gu An said with a smile.


    He already had a target in mind, after all, he could see Xiaochuan''s fate.

 Chapter 353 Earth-Shattering, Immortal Dynasty Banquet

    "Of course you can, who do you want to choose? Do you want to go take a look now?" Xiaochuan readily agreed, even rising to his feet.Gu An hurriedly said, "Don''t rush, not now."


    Xiaochuan replied, "Just to take a look, what if someone catches your eye right now?"


    "No rush, the disciple I want to take in hasn''t been born yet."


    Gu An waved his hand, and every time he expounded the Dao to Xiaochuan, Xiaochuan''s fate kept changing, which also caused the fate of the Xiaochuan residence to change.


    "I see."


    Xiaochuan sat back down, thoughtfully.


    In recent years, he often entered a mysterious state, and in that state, his cultivation perplexities that he couldn''t figure out would be easily resolved, giving him a feeling of enlightenment.


    Now that he thought about it, could it have something to do with his senior brother?


    He was so ordinary; his only blessing was his senior brother. If not for his senior brother''s Primordial Reincarnation Skill, he might already have been buried in the ground.


    Gu An began to talk about significant events in the Immortal Cultivation World, quickly drawing Xiaochuan''s interest.


    It wasn''t until nightfall that Gu An left.


    He headed to the Eight Scenic Caves, prepared to spend the night alone.


    He lay under the Green Vine Tree, his Divine Thought piercing through the mountains, spying beyond the heavens.


    Ever since the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor had suddenly descended, the Holy Court had dispatched a bunch of Great Cultivators to patrol the outer realms. These individuals, with their cultivation levels at the very least in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, also made the traversing Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals feel nervous.


    The news of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s attack on the Holy Court also spread, and no one knew what had exactly happened. Nonetheless, someone being able to burst into the Holy Court was enough to shock all sects in the world.


    Gu An could feel a tense atmosphere pervading the Great Heaven and Earth, but what it was specifically due to, he could not say for sure.


    Anyway, as his Divine Thought swept across, the world was still peaceful.


    It''s worth mentioning, after the Heaven Sect''s leader passed away, Yang Jian returned to the Holy Court; how he is faring now is unknown.


    Without the Great Nether Saint King, Yang Jian should be able to regain his identity as the Holy King.


    Gu An was curious: how does a reincarnated being like him recover his previous cultivation? Does it involve re-cultivating?


    Currently, it seems Ji Xiaoyu doesn''t need to re-cultivate. The Primordial Daoist Talisman contains vast mana and can restore her to her peak state at any time.


    Thinking this, Gu An considered experiencing Lifespan Samsara once more.


    But he held back.


    He couldn''t keep wasting his lifespan; he needed to gather a billion years of lifespan as soon as possible and then make a breakthrough.


    Two Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma had already appeared, making him feel uneasy just thinking about it.


    He must be the highest realm in his environment; otherwise, he felt no sense of security.


    A billion years, he thought, I need to step it up!


    ...


    Having decided to sprint towards a billion years of lifespan, Gu An began to keep busy. He used Immortal Seeking Island to collect more high-rank medical herbs and expanded the medicinal herb production at Dingtian Peak.


    The Holy salary from the Holy Court had also been delivered by a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, who handed it over to Gu An, incarnated as Sword Venerable Fudao, at the edge of the continent.


    It''s undeniable that the benefits of a Third Grade Heavenly Position were terrifying: a million Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones, a hundred vials of extremely high-grade Spirit Pills, as well as a large batch of medicinal herb seeds. This also advanced the process of accumulating lifespan for Gu An.


    Every day of Gu An''s life became busy, either running around or teaching An Xin cultivation, expounding the Dao for Ye Lan, Xiaochuan, and Zhen Qin.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Thirty years had swiftly passed by.


    In the early autumn of this year, Outer World Cave welcomed a significant harvest, and Gu An successfully reaped fifty million years of lifespan.


    Currently, he could only harvest up to Eighth Rank medicinal herbs. Ninth Rank medicinal herbs would need even more time to grow.


    Feeling elated, Gu An walked into Medicine Valley, humming a tune under his breath. Gazing at the nearly seven hundred and fifty million years of lifespan, he couldn''t help but smile.


    From a distance, he spotted the figures of Shen Xinzi and Long Qing.


    Their master-disciple relationship had long been made public. No matter how Shen Xinzi taught, Long Qing just couldn''t muster a speck of Spiritual Power. Presently, Long Qing was on the path of Physical Cultivation. One had to admit, an innate Innate Immortal Spirit truly was formidable; even at sixty, Long Qing''s strength was terrifying, capable of contending with a Core Formation Realm Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Gu An had raised the cultivation level of Blood Prison Great Saint to the Core Formation Realm, and An Xin''s cultivation had similarly risen to the Core Formation Realm, while his own was at the Nascent Soul Realm.


    An Xin''s actual cultivation level had already reached the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul Realm. Previously, the restrictions of the Primordial Reincarnation Skill were lifted, and coupled with Gu An''s regular Dao explications, her maximum lifespan had increased to five hundred and seventy years.


    Gu An saw Long Qing''s face full of excitement; it seemed that today he had made progress on the Physical Cultivation path.


    "Master!"


    Upon seeing Gu An, Long Qing immediately called out and waved at him.


    Shen Xinzi also nodded in greeting toward Gu An.


    Gu An walked towards them, prepared to chat and inquire about Long Qing''s cultivation progress.


    Just at that moment, the earth trembled violently, causing panic among everyone in the valley.


    Shen Xinzi frowned and immediately stamped his foot, a golden light burst from his body, rapidly expanding and covering the entire Third Medicine Valley. With that, peace returned to the valley and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    This was the first time Long Qing felt the mana of Shen Xinzi. He turned his head to look at Shen Xinzi, full of admiration.


    A golden-glowing Shen Xinzi, like a sage Buddha present on Earth, radiated a domineering divine might.


    Gu An acted out his part while his Divine Thought peered into the distance; the entire Taicang Continent was trembling, and even the surrounding oceans were brewing towering waves.


    The source of all this was a distant continent, where lightning flashed, and fierce winds raged.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought quickly locked onto a figure.


    The person hovered midair; below him, thousands of miles of mountains lay in ruins, the sky permeated with billowing dust, churning like fog.


    This was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal!


    His Qi-blood was soaring wildly!


    He seemed to have cultivated a formidable physique, in Gu An''s judgment no less formidable than Yang Jian''s Mystic Gang Dominator Body.


    Gu An saw that many Great Cultivators were rushing towards this Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal.


    He didn''t look any further and quickly withdrew his Divine Thought. Striding toward Shen Xinzi, he asked anxiously, "What happened?"


    Shen Xinzi looked into the distance, his expression grave.


    Long Qing spoke up, "Master, don''t be afraid. With my second master here, even if the sky falls, there''s nothing to fear!"


    He now had a blind worship for Shen Xinzi, and was so excited that when he said this, he had a bragging tone, which made Gu An want to laugh.


    Gu An showed a smile, a look of relief on his face, then inquired about Long Qing''s cultivation progress.


    Once the topic turned to this, Long Qing immediately became energized, claiming that he had just mastered a powerful Fist Technique that could punch and shatter a thirty-foot-high hill.


    Shen Xinzi didn''t pay attention to the master and disciple; he vanished into thin air.


    Elsewhere.


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped out of her house, looking towards the horizon.


    "A Defying Blood Treasure Body, a rare sight indeed. The Great Heavenly Spirit Land sure still holds its roots deep. Perhaps when the day comes for the Holy Court to fall, this land may soar instead."


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor appeared beside Ji Xiaoyu, chuckling teasingly. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu turned her head to look at him and asked, "The Holy Court is so strong, how could it possibly fall?"


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, arms crossed in front of his chest, replied with a closed-eye smile, "That''s not a given. The most powerful forces also have their times of demise. The Holy Court has existed for too long and is approaching its calamity; this is also one of the reasons for Shengtian''s reincarnations."


    Without waiting for a reply, Ji Xiaoyu glanced at the distant figure of Gu An then asked, "Can you predict when the Holy Court''s calamity will come?"


    "That I cannot do; the secrets of heaven must not be revealed. Though my cultivation is high, I still stand no different than Mortal Spirits when facing the Heavenly Dao," said the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor with a shake of his head.


    "Wait and see; a good show is about to begin soon."


    As soon as the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor finished speaking, he vanished from the spot.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s brows furrowed; she did not believe in any ''good show.'' The ''good show'' the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor spoke of was surely some kind of catastrophe, involving the Holy Court¡ªdefinitely no trivial matter.


    An ancient hour later, the trembling of the Taicang Continent finally stopped. The shaking had caused many commoners to lose homes and lives, and even the creatures within the forests were affected.


    All the major sects were sending disciples down the mountain to save the distressed.


    This had nothing to do with Gu An; if an enemy that common beings couldn''t withstand attacked the continent, he might still lend a hand, but he wouldn''t intervene in disasters akin to natural calamities.


    Intervening too much would only lead to expectations, and if Gu An chose not to intervene in the future, it would be seen as wrongdoing. He couldn''t let the common beings believe that he was obligated to protect everything.


    In the lives of mortals, calamities are unavoidable, and their magnitude varies.


    By evening, Gu An saw the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal do battle with the Great Cultivators of various sects, even startling the main city of the Broken Sea Domain and forcing the Carefree Primordial Immortal to take action.


    This individual''s physique was indeed strong. Even besieged by a group of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, he held his ground until the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma intervened, at which point he was subdued.


    Captured by the Holy Court, his fate was uncertain.


    Gu An didn''t pay it much mind. Beings that shook heaven and earth popped up from time to time in this world; it''s just that in the past, the Broken Sea Domain was too far away to be affected.


    As years passed by.


    Another five years went by.


    On Mortal World Peak, Dingtian Peak.


    Within the courtyard, Gu An listened to Zhu Xinglan''s report while An Xin cultivated at his side.


    "The Immortal Dynasty rarely invites all sects of the world to a gathering, and the Main Peak hopes you could join them, Master, to avoid any deceit," said Zhu Xinglan, his brows furrowed as he mentioned the concern.


    Gu An held a book in his hand and nonchalantly asked, "What gathering?"


    "It''s a banquet. The Immortal Dynasty''s Yang Xian Emperor wishes to discuss the Dao with all the sects of the world and has even brought out Immortal Fruits, which, it''s said, can be harvested once every million years. Consuming one could enhance one''s insight and refine sinews and bones; whether it''s true or not, I don''t know."


    "Is that so? Well, I won''t be going."


    "Alright, I''ll inform the Main Peak," Zhu Xinglan replied without further persuasion. He wasn''t worried about Gu An getting into trouble; the Dingtian Peak was finally rising, thanks in large part to Gu An, and naturally, Zhu Xinglan didn''t want him to stumble into misfortune.


    Hearing about the Immortal Fruits, Gu An did want to go, but on second thought, with so many sects gathered, trouble was likely to occur.


    The Holy Court might intervene.


    By not going, he might miss out on the fruits, but going could invite trouble.


    Gu An spoke up, instructing Zhu Xinglan to expand the medicinal herb cultivation on Dingtian Peak, claiming it was for the disciples'' cultivation resources, which touched Zhu Xinglan deeply.


    To have such a master was truly their fortune.


    After Zhu Xinglan left, Gu An finally put down his book.


    He suddenly felt a presence.


    Lu Lingjun!


    She had come to Mortal World Peak again with the Holy Mother of Western Spirit, leading a group that included a Carefree Primordial Immortal. The Bitter Sea Buddha Sect had also sent many people, likely to discuss something significant.


    Gu An paid no heed and stood up, saying, "An Xin, it''s time to go back."


    At his words, An Xin immediately stood up and walked towards Gu An.

 Chapter 354 The True Immortal

    The next morning, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Gate City, having not visited for several months. Today, he sensed the presence of an old friend and decided to take a stroll.He didn''t seek out that old friend, instead wandering around the city.


    Nowadays, more and more people greeted him as he walked, and he couldn''t help but wonder if, in a thousand years, the Supreme Sect would be filled with his disciples.


    Tsk tsk, and who knows how many more years he would need to become a Supreme Elder.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, having reached the Core Formation Realm, was even more imposing, standing two meters tall with its blood-red fur fluttering as they walked, causing disciples along the way to frequently look back.


    "Master, why can''t Long Qing cultivate Spiritual Power? Yet, his Qi-Blood is increasing so quickly," the Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly asked.


    Gu An was not worried about people on the street overhearing, and he casually replied, "Perhaps there''s some hidden reason."


    Upon hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint felt more certain of his conjecture and asked cautiously, "Is he the same as me?"


    "Mm."


    Gu An answered, and the Blood Prison Great Saint thought to himself that it must be true.


    No wonder Shen Xinzi couldn''t see through it, it was the Master''s doing all along!


    But why did the Master seal Long Qing''s powers?


    This kid is really outrageous, his physique growing rapidly even with his cultivation sealed, could his talent be even more terrifying than Yang Jian''s?


    The Master always finds peerless talents.


    On second thought, perhaps it''s through the Master''s intervention that these people become peerless talents, like An Xin, whose insight and talent grow stronger day by day.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint reflected silently, marveling at the unfathomable depth of his Master''s Dao Level.


    After a while, he carried Gu An to the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    The Heavenly Repair Platform was bustling as usual, crowded with people.


    Gu An''s eyes landed on someone concealing a seventh-layer cultivation level of the Carefree Immortal Realm.


    It was Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Dynasty!


    During a previous conference at the Heavenly Rankings, Zhang Xianwang had represented the Immortal Dynasty to win over Sword Venerable Fudao, meeting Gu An then.


    Zhang Xianwang had also met with the Heaven Sect, and many years had passed, with the Heaven Sect having died. Gu An wondered what Zhang Xianwang would think upon hearing this.


    Gu An got off and walked up to the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    "Hey, kid, long time no see."


    A figure suddenly bumped into Gu An''s shoulder, it was Gu Yu.


    Back in the day, using the names Gu Yu and Gu Zong as father and son, Gu An had written his first invigorating novel "Supreme Immortal Venerable," making Gu Yu famous across the world. Their friendship was excellent; after Li Ya and Wu Jue became prodigies, the best relationship Gu An had was with Gu Yu and Zuo Lin.


    Gu An rolled his eyes at him and said unenthusiastically, "Didn''t we just see each other the year before last?"


    Gu Yu still looked young, he widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Have we drifted apart? Not seeing each other for two years, don''t you miss me?"


    "Definitely not, I''m afraid you''ll pester me to write a book again."


    "Go away, am I that shallow? By the way, have you heard about Li Ya recently? He inherited the legacy of Three Pure Ones Mountain, it''s unbelievable, they say he is now a Great Cultivator of Mystic Heart Realm¡­"


    Gu Yu mentioned Li Ya, then became extremely emotional.


    He had become the surprised bystander character in the Supreme Immortal Venerable.


    That''s the difference between reality and fiction; he was the brilliant protagonist in the novel, but in reality, he could only marvel at the achievements of his peers.


    Gu An also felt emotional, admiring and respecting Li Ya.


    While they were chatting, Zhang Xianwang suddenly approached.


    Zhang Xianwang, dressed in a white robe, exuded an aura of immortality, drawing attention even on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    "Gu An, little brother, long time no see," Zhang Xianwang''s voice came first, radiating cheerfulness.


    Gu An turned to look, surprised, and said, "Daoist Friend Zhang, what brings you here? When did you arrive?"


    He immediately bypassed Gu Yu and walked quickly toward Zhang Xianwang.


    Having not seen each other for many years, Zhang Xianwang was very pleased to see Gu An. He had been thinking about the little friend with the Dao Pattern on his forehead and wondering how he was doing.


    Gu Yu sized up Zhang Xianwang, sensing that this person''s cultivation was definitely not simple.


    Now at the Nascent Soul Realm himself, his insight was far beyond what it once was.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu An introduced Gu Yu to Zhang Xianwang, but unfortunately, Zhang Xianwang showed little interest and merely nodded lightly.


    "Why don''t we find a place to talk," Zhang Xianwang suggested, looking at Gu An.


    After hearing this, Gu An could only say goodbye to Gu Yu and then followed Zhang Xianwang away.


    Gu Yu watched Gu An''s retreating back and couldn''t help muttering, "What kind of physique does this kid have? Or is it special Qi Fortune? How does he always attract high-level individuals?"


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley, many Great Cultivators gathered, some to play chess, others drawn by the Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Shen Xinzi, making the Hall of Elders very curious about Gu An. However, with Lv Baitian''s support, no one dared to disturb Gu An. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while.


    Gu An followed Zhang Xianwang to an inn, choosing a window-side seat on the third floor, where they were the only diners at that moment.


    Zhang Xianwang inquired about how Gu An had been these past years, and Gu An started recounting his everyday life.


    Though it was simple, Zhang Xianwang listened intently.


    He had long told Gu An that having Dao Patterns, he would certainly be approached by others, but he hadn''t expected Gu An to still lead such an ordinary life.


    The mundane things spoken from Gu An''s mouth somehow became interesting to Zhang Xianwang.


    Hearing that the Bull Demon King could never catch up to the White Spirit Rat, Zhang Xianwang couldn''t help but laugh.


    It was not until the server had brought all the food and drinks that Zhang Xianwang began to speak seriously, "Not to hide, I come from the Immortal Dynasty."


    Gu An stared, asking, "Which Immortal Dynasty?"


    "In a far-off place, there is a continent that you call the Ends of the Earth. The beings there are born with cultivation of the Nirvana Realm, starting with a life span of at least ten thousand years¡­" Zhang Xianwang began to describe the Immortal Dynasty, leaving Gu An dumbfounded.


    After outlining the basics of the Immortal Dynasty, Zhang Xianwang gazed at Gu An and asked, "Would you like to join the Immortal Dynasty? I can help you reach the Nirvana Realm."


    Gu An swallowed and asked, "Can I definitely reach it? Can I bring others along?"


    Zhang Xianwang glared at him and said, "I only have my eyes on you, and you want to bring others? Forget it, the Immortal Dynasty doesn''t just casually accept beings from the outside."


    Hearing this, Gu An was immediately disappointed.


    Zhang Xianwang felt both amused and annoyed, looking at Gu An with even greater admiration.


    "Do you believe there are real immortals in the world?" Zhang Xianwang asked.


    Gu An answered, "Of course, there are Mountain Gods on our continent, and I''ve heard there''s a Heavenly Court overseas."


    Zhang Xianwang scoffed, "The Heavenly Court is not the Court of Immortal Gods. I''m talking about real immortals, like the Heavenly Court in ''Journey to the West.'' Our Immortal Dynasty is always seeking the true immortals, and I''ll tell you the truth, we''ve found them. We will clear the obstacles for the immortals, winning their favor for this world."


    As he spoke, his face showed longing.


    Real immortals?


    Gu An asked nervously, "Where are they?"


    Zhang Xianwang raised his hand and pointed upward, then said, "Join us, or you will disappear along with the dirt of this mortal world."


    Outer Heaven?


    Gu An suddenly believed it. Even if it wasn''t a true immortal, it must be an extremely powerful existence, powerful enough for the Immortal Dynasty to contend with the Heavenly Court.


    But he was already a Third Grade Heavenly Position Holy Sword of the Heavenly Court, how could he join the Immortal Dynasty?


    Although he had always been assigned various identities, from what Zhang Xianwang implied, did the Immortal Dynasty intend to end the world?

 Chapter 355 The Power of Destiny

    Seeing Gu An remain silent, Zhang Xianwang continued to speak of the great strength of the Immortal Dynasty, whose history was even more ancient than the Holy Court, spanning countless epochs."The first Immortal King of the Mortal World was the founder of the Immortal Dynasty. He once contended against the heavens; although he failed and caused the Mortal World to be submerged by the sea, his power was undeniable. To this day, the Holy Court has not produced a being of his equal."


    Zhang Xianwang revealed a look of longing, surprising Gu An.


    The Immortal King was actually the founder of the Immortal Dynasty.


    If that was the case, why didn''t they pursue the Immortal King Crown?


    Was it because the Immortal King Crown would devour vitality?


    Gu An pondered, suddenly feeling that the Immortal King Crown might hold secrets.


    Thinking carefully, the Immortal King Crown had weakened so much that even the souls of the Mahayana Realm could not fully suppress it; many changes must have occurred over the long years.


    After a while.


    When Zhang Xianwang paused, Gu An took a deep breath and asked, "Did you come to the Supreme Sect specifically for me? It should not be, right?"


    To rally Sword Venerable Fudao?


    But Sword Venerable Fudao had already declined.


    Zhang Xianwang smiled, his gaze turning towards the window, "Of course not, but I cannot tell you my purpose for the time being."


    Gu An seemed to think of something, his divine thought probing out, quickly covering the Broken Sea Domain.


    He discovered that in other continents and oceans, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty hid their qi fortune deeply, but they could not escape the eyes of a True Immortal''s divine thought.


    He elevated his divine thought further, covering a broader expanse of heaven and earth, looking from a macroscopic perspective, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty were scattered all over the world, spying on qi fortunes, their fortunes as numerous as the stars in the universe.


    What was the Immortal Dynasty planning?


    While thinking, Gu An responded, "Thank you for your kindness, Daoist friend, but I cannot abandon the Supreme Sect, I apologize."


    Zhang Xianwang turned his gaze towards Gu An, smiling, "No rush, you still have time to consider. I will stay at the Supreme Sect for a few years."


    Gu An nodded, and then Zhang Xianwang changed the subject, and the two began to drink together.


    The wind outside the window suddenly became stronger, blowing the grasses on the windowsill.


    Zhang Xianwang''s arrival did not stir up any storm at the Supreme Sect, which remained calm, but, of course, that was only on the surface. Each disciple was still experiencing their own rivers and lakes and struggles.


    Seven days later.


    Gu An took An Xin again to the Mortal World Peak, where they first roamed around, picking medicinal herbs along the way.


    Along the way, Gu An ran into Xu Xi. After paying respects, Xu Xi hooked arms with An Xin, and the two whispered aside.


    Because Xu Xi had once helped Gu An receive Spirit Lord Lu, he would occasionally give some pointers for Xu Xi''s cultivation, and over time, Xu Xi and An Xin had become familiar.


    After they chatted for a while, Gu An suddenly said, "Xu Xi, take An Xin to find Spirit Lord Lu, she has come again. Just do as before."


    Spirit Lord Lu?


    An Xin''s eyes widened beneath her mask, and right after, she heard Gu An''s transmitted message, her expression turning odd.


    She seemed to think of something, her eyes becoming excited.


    Then, the two women flew towards Debating Peak.


    Gu An roamed alone, wandering aimlessly, occasionally chatting with disciples from Dingtian Peak.


    He noticed that the Immortal Dynasty also had Immortal Spirits at the Mortal World Peak, hidden in Debating Peak without revealing any trace of the Immortal Dynasty''s qi fortune, their presence unnoticed by everyone on the Mortal World Peak.


    Gu An did not intend to intervene. The Immortal Dynasty was plotting, certainly against the Holy Court; he could not afford to be the spearhead.


    The Immortal Dynasty invited various sects while arranging for Immortal Spirits to go to each sect. What exactly were they calculating?


    Gu An felt that even if the Immortal Dynasty wished to destroy the world, it seemed unlikely; in his view, the Immortal Dynasty was no match for the Holy Court.


    Time swiftly passed.


    In the evening, An Xin returned, and Gu An took her back to the Supreme Sect.


    As the teacher and disciple walked through the forest, An Xin removed her mask, speaking excitedly, "Master, I suddenly understand the feeling of hiding one''s identity. Senior Lu did not recognize me, even mistaking me for a senior."


    In the past, she was very respectful towards Spirit Lord Lu, never imagining that one day their positions would be reversed.


    She suddenly understood why her master hid his cultivation level and looked after acquaintances under a different identity. The feeling was quite wonderful.


    "Master, if Senior Lu knew your true identity, she would definitely regret, after all the years wandering around outside, her distance from you has only increased. At the Third Medicine Valley, she could spar with you. At Mortal World Peak, even her master does not have the qualifications to meet with you."


    Saying this, An Xin couldn''t help but feel moved, filled with gratitude.


    Seeing Spirit Lord Lu today, she realized once again how lucky she was.


    Compared to Spirit Lord Lu, she had not sacrificed much, yet she had achieved a status Spirit Lord Lu could not even dream of.


    "Think no more of it, your teacher just wants to cultivate quietly, not getting involved in too many troubles. You too, no matter what achievements you attain, always maintain a humble heart," Gu An casually replied.


    An Xin nodded, "I understand, Master. You care so much for Senior Lu, her future achievements will surely be great. I''m just reflecting on how different choices lead to different paths."


    "By the way, Master, is the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect powerful? Compared to Mortal World Peak, which is stronger? Those high monks seem very strong, their presence even more formidable than Shen Xinzi''s. I wonder what they are doing at Mortal World Peak..."


    She began to ask endlessly. In reality, she wasn''t looking for answers but merely wanted to express her feelings.


    Gu An listened to her speak, not continuing the conversation.


    He also felt emotional. The emotion was about how different realms perceive different worlds.


    Spirit Lord Lu was pursuing her path of immortal cultivation, An Xin was carefree under his protection, each living their own life, but how could they know that a catastrophe was about to unfold across the world?


    If the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court went to war, it would surely affect the entire world!


    In front of these two colossal entities, the lives of beings seemed so fragile.


    "Focus on your cultivation; regardless, Spirit Lord Lu is still the goal you strive for," Gu An said, looking ahead.


    "Yes, I will work hard, not to let down the favor you show me now, Master!"


    An Xin stated resolutely, her eyes determined, her heart full of anticipation.


    Under the blue sky.


    Imposing mountains stood tall; the breeze blowing, birds soared freely. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Hao, dressed in blue and white, stood halfway up the mountain, his head tilted upward, observing a figure at the summit. The figure was tall, his entire body emitting a red glow. Looking closely, flames surged within the red glow.


    This man, wrapped in flames, had an imposing bearing and an indifferent expression. His luxurious clothing gave off an otherworldly vibe.


    He looked down at An Hao, saying, "Innate immense qi fortune, your Life Grid emits an imperial aura. Join the Immortal Dynasty, you have a destiny with us."


    An Hao squinted, responding, "The Immortal Dynasty? Claiming to be Immortal, quite arrogant."


    He twisted his neck as flames rose on his body.


    The Flame Primordial Treasure Body!


    His aura soared, causing the mountain beneath him to shatter, dust rising like smoke, rocks flying chaotically.


    Seeing this, the man at the summit smiled, appreciation shining in his eyes.


    "You seem yet to uncover your true Physique," the man in the red glow spoke.


    "What do you mean?" An Hao asked, sensing no hostility from the other, he did not rush to attack.


    "If you can cultivate the Flame Primordial Treasure Body, it means your innate physique is incredibly strong. You possess a Physique surpassing the Ancient Treasure Body, unfortunately, no one has helped you uncover this point. Join the Immortal Dynasty, with such qi fortune, you are naturally the darling of heaven and earth, only the Immortal Dynasty can help you grow better."


    The red-glow man paused, then continued, "In the Immortal Dynasty, our citizens are born in the Nirvana Realm, our Emperor has reached the eighth realm of the Immortal Path. Don''t you want to know why your talent is so strong? Perhaps you were born an Immortal Spirit! Why not join us in pursuing the true Immortal?"


    An Hao listened, his expression changing.


    Born in the Nirvana Realm?


    The eighth realm of the Immortal Path?


    An Hao, having adventured across the seas for many years, was encountering such a powerful force for the first time.


    He became interested in the Immortal Dynasty, yet he did not easily believe the other''s words.


    "If the Immortal Dynasty is indeed so powerful, I indeed could join, but before that, you must first defeat me."


    An Hao leaped up, flying to the sky, his flames intensifying, as if a bright sun had suddenly appeared in the sky, illuminating the land.


    The red-glow man looked up, a smile on his face, he spoke, "Then are you ready to face the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?"


    Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?


    An Hao instinctively frowned, his expression suddenly changing.


    As the year drew to a close,


    Gu An was discussing paintings with Shen Zhen in his house. As they chatted, he suddenly lost interest, feigning attention to Shen Zhen while using his Divine Thought to explore what his old acquaintances were doing.


    Li Ya was still at Three Pure Ones Mountain, seeking Path Enlightenment, cultivating some Divine Skill.


    Jiang Qiong was negotiating tensely with senior members of other sects.


    Wu Jue was training in Demon Land, accompanied by a woman; Gu An caught them being intimate, startling him enough to quickly move his Divine Thought away.


    "Broad daylight, with grass as their mat, unexpectedly bold."


    Gu An remarked internally, then looked towards others.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were investigating a mysterious case regarding a Sub-sect, quite troubled.


    Hold on!


    Where was An Hao?


    Gu An immediately pursued An Hao''s qi, finding that the young man had already left the Broken Sea Domain, flying towards the ends of the earth.


    An Hao was accompanied by the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.


    Hmm?


    An Immortal Spirit from the Immortal Dynasty?


    Gu An eavesdropped on their conversation, soon learning that An Hao intended to join the Immortal Dynasty.


    He suddenly felt the power of destiny.


    Yang Jian went to the Holy Court, An Hao to the Immortal Dynasty; the two had previously agreed to spar at the Heavenly List convention. Could it really be that when they meet, it would be on the battlefield?


    Gu An merely contemplated, not stopping An Hao.


    Though he felt the Immortal Dynasty had slim chances, since the Dynasty had existed for so many years, it certainly had some depth.


    If An Hao were unwilling, he would have called out for his teacher in his mind.


    After a while, Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought.


    "Recently, when painting, I thought of a scene I want to capture, yet I fear it might provoke heavenly wrath. Should I paint it?" Shen Zhen suddenly asked.


    Gu An shook his head, "Don''t paint it, just tell me."


    Shen Zhen inhaled deeply, his voice mysterious, "I envisioned a scene with two figures confronting each other. One like the brilliant sun, the other sovereign of all under heaven. They stand above the nine heavens, blades clashing."

 Chapter 356 Yuan Xu, the Immortal Ancestor, Initiates Reincarnation

    Hearing Shen Zhen''s words, Gu Anle laughed and asked, "What do you think it is? A prophecy?"Shen Zhen rolled her eyes at him, saying, "It just popped into my mind out of nowhere. That vision was so shocking that I still get goosebumps thinking about it. Whether it''s a prophecy or not, I''m not sure."


    "If you think of anything else in the future, keep me updated," Gu An continued with a smile, "I''m quite curious about what will happen to the two figures you spoke of." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An thought of An Hao and Yang Jian. However, their cultivation levels weren''t that high yet. To reach full maturity, who knows how many years it would take.


    Could it be the ruler of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Xian Emperor, and Shengtian?


    That''s not right either. Where could Shen Zhen''s Dao level reach to predict the confrontation of the Eighth or Ninth Heavens of Immortal Path?


    Shen Zhen nodded, suddenly getting excited, "Gu An, do you think I could be the reincarnation of an Immortal? I''m so unique. Nowhere in the world is there a second person who can achieve Path Enlightenment through writing and painting, and I can even foresee visions that seem to hint at the secrets of heaven..."


    The more she spoke, the more excited she became, her eyes shining. By the end, she even stood up, hitting the table with her hand.


    She looked down at Gu An, who was still seated, and asked eagerly, "Gu An, do you think I can be considered the protagonist in your novel?"


    Gu An''s face twitched as he asked, "Are you trying to be awkward?"


    Shen Zhen often heard him use some baffling terms, but now she understood his meaning. Shooting Gu An a glare, she sat back down and drifted into wild flights of fancy, a dazed smile on her face.


    Gu An couldn''t be bothered to respond again. He picked up his writing brush and started writing.


    Nowadays, he spent most of his time on medicinal herbs. Having some rare leisure, he was ready to write a book just for fun.


    Perhaps in the future, he could release the other three of the Four Great Classics, rewritten as Immortal Cultivation versions.


    Zhang Fei''s roar at Changban Slope, scaring to death a million Heavenly Demons.


    Lu Zhishen uprooting the World Tree, Wu Song fighting the Demon Emperor...


    Lin Daiyu''s tears, a downpour of bitter rain across the heavens...


    The thought was exhilarating!


    Gu Anle laughed, a touch of melancholy inevitably rising in his heart.


    Where on Earth could his previous life be?


    In this life, he had no parents, no family, leaving his heart forever empty, with a feeling of not knowing where he came from.


    Perhaps it was because of this loneliness that he cherished every person close to him so dearly.


    For a time, the room fell into silence, with both people lost in their own thoughts.


    ¡­


    The Immortal Spirit of the Immortal Dynasty spread throughout the Mortal World without causing chaos, and the Great Sects did not perceive any clues.


    Just like that, another ten years passed.


    In the summer of that year, at four hundred and twelve years old, Gu An had just returned from Tianya Valley. He sat down on a chair and stretched lazily.


    He was about to take out "Green Hero Travelogue" when he felt something and had to pick up the "Array Formation Record" to flip through.


    Before long, there were hurried footsteps outside the door.


    The door was pushed open and You Yingying rushed in. She came to the table, slammed a book down on it, and glared at Gu An with unrestrained anger, "How could you dare to write the Prime Minister''s death?!"


    Nine years earlier, Gu An published "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," set against an Immortal Cultivation backdrop. Heroes, scholars, and warriors were all cultivators. It swept through the Immortal Cultivation World in just a few months after its release.


    Pan An, long silent, rose to fame with his new writing, and the influence of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" continued to expand, having spread overseas.


    The Taoyuan Oath of Brotherhood became a beautiful tale in the world, and the Immortal Cultivation World even started a trend of sworn brotherhood.


    The tales of the Demon God L¨¹ Bu fighting three Great Immortals of Liu Guanzhang at Tiger Prison Pass also spread far and wide.


    To this day, the Supreme Sect released the latest volume of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," with the Prime Minister of the Shu Immortal Country, Zhuge Liang, dying due to the failure of the Seven Star Lamp.


    You Yingying had been so saddened reading this volume at the Book Collection Hall, as the deaths of Liu Guanzhang had already grieved her. Now Zhuge Liang''s death made her lose interest in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" entirely, and she wanted to hammer Gu An in frustration.


    Gu An responded helplessly, "There are always regrets, aren''t there? Whether an early or late death, it''s all death in the end."


    "It''s not the same. He''s Zhuge Liang, capable of divination and fortune-telling, able to use the power of heaven and earth to set up the Eight Trigrams Array. With a wave of his feather fan, he could even summon an east wind that sweeps across the Great Thousand World!" You Yingying grew more agitated as she spoke, unable to resist the urge to circle around the table and lay hands on Gu An.


    Gu An quickly stood up, trying to evade her "claws."


    As they scuffled playfully, Gu An was scared downstairs.


    Not far downstairs, Gu Yu and Zuo Lin also arrived in a rush. Seeing their angry faces, Gu An muttered to himself that this was no good and hastened into Ji Xiaoyu''s room.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s reputation as a prodigy had spread, and with the Ji Family''s support behind her, You Yingying, Gu Yu, and Zuo Lin dared not recklessly burst in.


    Inside the room.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat cross-legged on the bed in meditation, looking curiously at Gu An, "What Zhuge Liang? You''ve written another book?"


    She often cultivated in seclusion and had no time to read books.


    Gu An didn''t mind that she eavesdropped, saying with resignation, "Yes, I wrote a book. How can people trouble the author over the content of the book? Ridiculous!"


    "Can I take a look?" Ji Xiaoyu showed an interest, immediately getting off the bed.


    Gu An nodded and approached the desk. With a wave of his right hand, stacks of books piled up on the table.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat down and began to flip through them.


    Gu An paced around the room, which was filled with a faint fragrance.


    Following the scent, his gaze landed on Ji Xiaoyu''s bed, where he saw a red kerchief. The fragrance emanated from this kerchief.


    Eh?


    This was actually an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure!


    Had Gu An not explored it with his Divine Thought, he wouldn''t have sensed it.


    Where did this Immortal Path Supreme Treasure come from?


    Gu An felt that the Restriction within the kerchief bore a resemblance to Ji Xiaoyu, and it didn''t seem like it was a result of a latter recognition of a master.


    Could it be that this Supreme Treasure was refined by Ji Xiaoyu in her past life?


    In that case, Ji Xiaoyu''s past life must have been at least at the level of the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path.


    That made sense. Without such a cultivation level, how could she make the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor of the Eighth Floor of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm obey her every command?


    Now, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor still resided within the Third Medicine Valley, seldom leaving.


    Once You Yingying and the others dispersed, Gu An planned to leave.


    Ji Xiaoyu had already been captivated by "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and did not hold Gu An back.


    After leaving the room, Gu An didn''t go upstairs but rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to inspect Medicine Valley.


    An Xin was absorbing Qi and cultivating below the Mystic Pure Tree; Long Qing and Shen Xinzi were refining their bodies in the forest, and the other disciples were also busy with their tasks. Looking around, the entire Medicine Valley thrived, satisfying Gu An.


    Not long after the Blood Prison Great Saint had walked away, a vast aura enveloped the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Gu An looked up and saw a figure appear above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, located just beneath the light layer of Outer Heaven, yet within the confines of the sky of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    A Divine Thought True Immortal!


    "I am Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor from the Immortal Dynasty, facing the end of my life. I wish to descend a grand vow for all beings with my thirty million years of Dao cultivation. My Great Dao will transform into Immortal Rain to help beings achieve enlightenment. My physical body will open the path of Reincarnation, where Mortal souls can have a destination!"


    A majestic voice echoed throughout the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Everyone inside the Third Medicine Valley looked up in amazement.


    Following that, Gu An saw Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor spread his arms wide, bursting with bright light, instantly overshadowing the luminance of the seven suns outside heaven.


    Countless figures soared out toward the Holy Court in an attempt to reach Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor, but it was too late.


    Looking up, Gu An saw the brilliant light in the sky overpower all else, drowning both him and the Blood Prison Great Saint beneath.


    "Thirty million years of Dao cultivation? Can that be true?" the Blood Prison Great Saint asked in shock.


    He couldn''t fathom living thirty million years, let alone attaining such a level of cultivation.


    And then there were the words "Immortal Dynasty," which sounded extraordinary in themselves!


    Could there be any force stronger than the Holy Court in the Great Heaven and Earth?


    Before the bright light had faded, heavy rain started to fall. As everyone''s vision was restored, they saw golden clouds above, shedding golden rain.


    As the golden rain washed over them, all creatures felt refreshed, and sensed their own Cultivation Levels slightly increasing.


    The world was astir, Supreme Sect buzzed with earth-shaking noise.


    "Is this rain real?"


    "Immortal Dynasty... Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor... am I dreaming?"


    "Quickly sit and cultivate energy, it really can increase your cultivation!"


    "Immortal Dynasty? Could it be the Heavenly Court from ''Journey to the West''?"


    "Pan An wasn''t just making it up, there really is a force where immortals and gods gather."


    The disciples in the Third Medicine Valley also excitedly discussed, some immediately sat down to cultivate their energy, while others hesitated, fearing it could be a plot.


    Gu An''s gaze pierced through the golden clouds, looking towards Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor. In that dazzling light, Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor''s body exploded and, following that, transformed into a stream of air, swirling into a vortex that gradually solidified.


    Indistinctly, Gu An felt a certain rule of heaven and earth moving closer to that vortex.


    This rule was connected to the soul, prompting him to think of two words.


    Reincarnation!


    To think there was a Divine Thought True Immortal who would sacrifice himself to open the path of Reincarnation!


    Even in the "Reincarnation Evolution," Gu An had not seen such an event.


    After this event, the name of Immortal Dynasty became renowned throughout the world, informing all beings of their existence, and moreover, ensuring they would remember their favor.


    Should the Holy Court attack the Immortal Dynasty now, it might shake their image in the hearts of all beings.


    Gu An raised his right hand to feel the golden rain.


    Suddenly.


    He saw Zhang Xianwang soaring into the sky, flying to the airspace of the Taicang Continent. Hovering in the air, Zhang Xianwang began to expound the Dao.


    At the sound of his celestial voice, everywhere on the continent, regardless of what people were doing, all stopped in their tracks, immersed in a mystical state.


    It wasn''t only the Taicang Continent; Gu An saw Immortals spread throughout the world beginning to expound the Dao, which also alarmed the main cities of the Holy Court in every domain. The Great Cultivators of Holy Court rapidly surrounded those expounding Immortals, but no one dared to act rashly.


    As the thoughts of the masses were linked by the sound of the Immortal''s voice, the Immortals need only a thought to implant voices and images into the minds of all beings.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint beneath Gu An also entered a Path Enlightenment state, lying down unconsciously.


    "There''s even this kind of method..." Gu An mused inwardly. He stayed on the back of the beast, pretending to be in a state of enlightenment with a vacant look in his eyes.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor walked out from inside the house, looking towards Zhang Xianwang with a slight frown.


    "The Immortal Dynasty... to think they would sacrifice a Divine Thought True Immortal..." The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was also stunned by the magnanimity of Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor.


    Having lived more than fifteen million years himself, he had never seen such an event.


    Regardless of whatever Yuanxu Celestial Ancestor''s ulterior motives might be, this act truly benefited the masses.


    Copious golden rain fell through, penetrating rooftops and mountains. No matter where one was, every being could receive the blessings of the golden rain and hear the expounding voice of the Immortals.

 Chapter 357 Great Merit, Decree from an Immortal Lord

    Golden rain that enveloped the whole world persisted for an entire ancient hour before it ceased and all creatures awakened.Meng Lang''s divine thoughts swept across the area and discovered that the Supreme Sect''s disciples'' cultivation levels had all increased. However, the extent of growth varied, possibly relating to their innate talents. The one with the most significant increase in cultivation had merely broken through a minor realm, not enough to trigger a breakthrough in a major realm.


    He patted the groggy Blood Prison Great Saint, then turned and walked towards the loft buildings.


    Along the way, he continually cast life span detection towards his disciples and found that after the baptism of the golden rain, their maximum life spans had increased as well; some by only a year or two, others by several decades, though he saw no one whose life span increased by more than a century.


    Even without anyone gaining a century of life span, it was still remarkable, considering the Communal Spirit of Great Heavenly Spirit Land were countless in number. What an immense act of merit!


    Meng Lang couldn''t help but admire the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal while simultaneously puzzled about how he managed to achieve this.


    Meng Lang directed his divine thoughts towards the Immortal Dynasty and felt its Qi Fortune plummet dangerously.


    Could it be that the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal had managed to accomplish this by borrowing the Immortal Dynasty''s Qi Fortune?


    Wouldn''t such an act leave them vulnerable to the Holy Court taking advantage?


    Meng Lang was secretly astonished. Soon after, he felt the Qi Fortune of the Immortal Dynasty surge enormously, surpassing its previous levels in a very short time.


    Light from Outer Heaven followed, showering down golden radiance upon the Immortal Dynasty, forming a massive and magnificent rainbow in the sky.


    Meng Lang could sense a particular force within that golden radiance¡ªit was like the Heaven and Earth Rules, yet there was something unique about it, it felt more like Qi Fortune.


    Qi Fortune is utterly mysterious; those with strong Qi Fortune often enjoy good luck, while those with weak Qi Fortune may encounter disasters even in their daily walk, or easily run into inner demons during cultivation.


    Today, Meng Lang had truly broadened his horizons.


    Even as a divine thought True Immortal, he could not see through the techniques displayed by Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, who had lived for thirty million years.


    What a pity that such a person had perished, for Meng Lang lost the chance to make his acquaintance.


    "Master, what just happened? I only remember Dao Void Mysterious Immortal''s words, and then it seemed I fell asleep..." Blood Prison Great Saint caught up and anxiously asked.


    "You just need to know that this was indeed a blessing." Meng Lang replied.


    Blood Prison Great Saint understood that his master did not wish to elaborate further.


    With his master''s Dao Level, he surely knew what was going on.


    He committed the names Immortal Dynasty and Dao Void Mysterious Immortal to memory.


    When Meng Lang arrived in front of the lofts, the disciples who were inside walked out one by one, gathering together to discuss the recent event.


    Shen Xinzi and a few Great Cultivators were surrounded by the others, but unfortunately, they were also unclear about what had actually taken place.


    Long Qing was shouting excitedly, causing Meng Lang to shake his head and smile wryly.


    "This indeed was a massive opportunity. The Heavenly Dao has noticed it and will surely boost the Immortal Dynasty''s Qi Fortune. When that happens, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty will find it easier to comprehend the nature of heaven and earth during their cultivation. The Immortal Dynasty is quite extraordinary and is full of ambition."


    Ji Xiaoyu approached Meng Lang and murmured thoughtfully.


    Meng Lang, driven by curiosity, asked, "Then in your opinion, wouldn''t the Immortal Dynasty become stronger than the Holy Court? Does the Holy Court have anyone who can achieve such a feat?"


    "It''s hard to say, but as the saying goes, ''Two tigers cannot share one mountain.'' It''s likely that a conflict will break out between them. As for whether the Holy Court has someone capable of this, even if it does, it''s doubtful anyone would be willing. The higher the cultivation, the more tenacious the individual. Who would want to give up their Dao Level to benefit all creatures?" Ji Xiaoyu shook her head.


    The Immortal Dynasty had clearly stated this point, making it known to all creatures their sacrifice and hinting at how the Holy Court should act. It would be difficult for the Holy Court to do the same without seeming to fall short by comparison.


    Divine thought True Immortals!


    Those were beings comparable to Holy Ministers; such existences would not be coerced, nor would they willingly self-destruct.


    Meng Lang also internally marveled at the Immortal Dynasty''s overt scheming.


    However, the battle between the two would ultimately depend on their own strength. The Immortal Dynasty''s blessings to all beings, as generous as they were, could not be quickly converted into combat power for the Immortal Dynasty.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked up at the sky, her eyes sparkling, and she said in a special tone, "There''s going to be great chaos in this world!"


    Meng Lang could hear a hint of excitement in her voice.


    She seemed to be looking forward to the turmoil.


    Meng Lang followed her gaze into the sky. Dao Void Mysterious Immortal''s physical body had turned into a huge qi-shaped vortex, toward which the lonely spirits and Wild Ghosts of the world were flying.


    The Reincarnation Vortex!


    Many Holy Court Cultivators appeared beside the Reincarnation Vortex; they didn''t destroy it but simply stood guard around it.


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t linger long to chat with Meng Lang, quickly returning to her abode; she couldn''t wait to cultivate and grow stronger.


    Meng Lang joined the crowd of disciples, sharing in their awe and discussion.


    Shen Xinzi left the group and stood alone under a tree, looking up at the sky and calculating with his fingers, his expression complex as he muttered to himself, "The heaven''s will has become murky; what on earth is going to happen next?"


    In the days that followed, the discussions around the Immortal Dynasty and Dao Void Mysterious Immortal did not subside. Meng Lang even saw the citizens throughout Taicang Continent starting to build monuments and viewing platforms in honor of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    The golden rain had granted many Mortal Spirits the opportunity for Immortal Cultivation, and many chronically ill mortals were healed. It was a jubilation for the whole world.


    Five days later.


    Meng Lang visited Immortal Seeking Island alone.


    Island Master Xun Hanfeng, Hu Xiaojian, and the Elders gathered to meet him. More than twenty people were assembled in the hall, eager to recount the blessings from five days prior.


    Meng Lang sat in his chair, watching their excited expressions, and felt even more profoundly the boundless merit of Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    It wasn''t just Mortal Spirits who were grateful to Dao Void Mysterious Immortal; even beings of the Immortal Path also appreciated him. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The creatures didn''t care what motives Dao Void Mysterious Immortal had; having received kindness and benefits, they naturally felt thankful.


    After listening for a while and confirming that nothing had gone amiss on Immortal Seeking Island, Meng Lang was relieved. He briefly spoke a few words and then took Hu Xiaojian and left.


    He would always roam around Immortal Seeking Island whenever he visited, and Hu Xiaojian would accompany him.


    After leaving the Island Master''s residence, Hu Xiaojian brought up the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Meng Lang had allowed Immortal Seeking Island to also start selling his books, and the effect was surprisingly good. Once released, Romance of the Three Kingdoms was greatly loved by many Cultivators.


    Before Dao Void Mysterious Immortal''s blessing, Romance of the Three Kingdoms was the most talked about topic on the island.


    The Romance of the Three Kingdoms on Immortal Seeking Island had only reached the point in the story where Lv Meng crossed the river in white clothing, and Guan Yu met his demise, which infuriated many Cultivators.


    After Hu Xiaojian finished discussing the profits from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he couldn''t help but inquire about the upcoming plot, but alas, Meng Lang refused to divulge it, so he could only give up.


    As they walked, Meng Lang suddenly spotted someone and immediately cast a Life Span Detection spell towards the individual.


    [Imperial Edict Immortal Lord (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Third Layer): 3653007/4500000/11000000]


    Dao Void Mysterious Immortal!


    And he was even imbued with the Immortal Dynasty''s Qi Fortune!


    Meng Lang inwardly marveled; it used to be difficult to encounter spirits of the Immortal Dynasty, but now it seemed they could be met everywhere.


    Dao Void Mysterious Immortals were a rare sight!


    Meng Lang watched as the figure approached him directly.


    The Imperial Edict Immortal Lord, clad in a deep purple robe, held one hand behind his waist, his long hair secured beneath a Green Jade Crown, his countenance full of authority, his gaze even more so oppressively piercing.


    He came to a halt in front of Meng Lang and spoke, "Might you be the Island Master Meng Lang?"

 Chapter 358 Desperate Straits

    "I am the Island Master," Gu An asked with a puzzled face, while Hu Xiaojian next to him became anxious.The Immortal Lord, at first glance, was no simple character, his aura clearly stronger than Gu An''s.


    The Immortal Lord looked at Gu An and said, "Serve me, I require your island."


    After hearing this, Hu Xiaojian couldn''t help but open his mouth in shock, finding the person quite arrogant.


    He subconsciously looked around, his face changing drastically as he discovered that everyone nearby had stopped moving, even the flowers and grass at the side of the street no longer swayed.


    It was as if everything had fallen into stillness.


    Gu An''s face turned ugly, warily watching the Immortal Lord.


    The Immortal Lord calmly said, "It''s just a little trick to prevent others from knowing our agreement. Work for me, and I will become your support. Do you know what the highest realm is?"


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal."


    The Immortal Lord replied, "Above the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm is the Carefree Immortal Realm, and above that is the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm. My realm is even higher than the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm."


    As these words came out, both Gu An and Hu Xiaojian''s faces turned pale, with Hu Xiaojian trembling all over.


    The Immortal Lord stopped speaking, waiting for Gu An''s decision.


    Gu An pretended to grit his teeth and asked, "Do I have any other choice?"


    The Immortal Lord frowned, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.


    [The Immortal Lord harbors enmity towards you and intends to kill you. Will you perform Life Span Detection on him?]


    This quickly led to murderous intent?


    Gu An pondered internally, feeling that this Dao Void Mysterious Immortal was too petty.


    He was already on the path to his own death!


    The Immortal Lord coldly said, "You can naturally refuse. But from this day on, when you encounter insurmountable calamities, you will regret today''s choice."


    His words dropped, and he turned to leave. The stillness around them returned to normal; cultivators and demons continued on their way, the street''s flowers and trees swaying in the wind, and birds flew in the sky.


    Watching the Immortal Lord''s departing figure, Hu Xiaojian''s eyes filled with fear.


    After the Immortal Lord disappeared into the crowd, Hu Xiaojian turned to Gu An and asked, "Island Master, what should we do now?"


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and said, "When soldiers come, block them, when the water comes, cover them with earth. At worst, we will take this matter to the main city of the Broken Sea Domain. Don''t worry."


    Seeing him still composed, Hu Xiaojian''s nervousness and unease began to ease.


    Gu An let Hu Xiaojian continue to lead the way. Compared to the Immortal Lord, he cared more about medicinal herb seeds.


    With the constant clashes between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court, more supreme beings like the Immortal Lord would appear, which gave Gu An a sense of urgency.


    He must reach a lifespan of ten billion years and breakthrough to a major realm as soon as possible!


    ...


    At dusk.


    The Immortal Lord flew out of Immortal Seeking Island. His flying speed was not fast, his Divine Sense covering the Broken Sea Domain as he searched for islands similar to Immortal Seeking Island.


    In his mind, Immortal Seeking Island already belonged to him, but he needed more arrangements.


    The thought of Gu An''s rejection made him scoff.


    "Let''s see how you deal with demon creatures above the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm," the corner of the Immortal Lord''s mouth curled in anticipation.


    He began to look forward to Gu An kneeling on the ground, begging him to act.


    Snap!


    Suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder, forcibly making him stop, which tremored his Daoist Heart fiercely, his face changing greatly. He instinctively tried to avoid it, only to discover that the mana inside his body was suppressed by an extremely domineering force.


    A Divine Immortal!


    The Immortal Lord guessed the other''s cultivation level in an instant.


    His vision blurred and then he found himself in a forest. He quickly realized he''d been taken far away from Broken Sea Domain.


    He wanted to turn back, but he just couldn''t.


    Boom!


    A domineering Divine Thought broke into his mind, causing his eyes to lose their luster, his entire being falling into a daze.


    After a while, Gu An, using the supreme art of Transformation into Nothingness, executed the Immortal Lord, leaving not a trace of his soul, obliterating his body.


    [You have successfully acquired 98,641 years of lifespan from the Immortal Lord (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Third Layer)]


    That''ll do!


    Holding the Immortal Lord''s Storage Bracelet, Gu An vanished into the woods.


    ...


    The demise of the Immortal Lord did not cause any ripples. Gu An frequently used Divine Thought to observe the world in the days that followed.


    He saw battles erupting constantly across all sea domains, all between the Immortal spirits of the Immortal Dynasty and the people of the Holy Court. Though the Holy Court had more people, the Immortal spirits of the Immortal Dynasty had stronger fighting power in equal realms.


    As the number of battles increased, the tense atmosphere began to spread, overshadowing the joy people felt from the Blessing of the Primordial Immortal Ancestor.


    Five years later, news of the clash between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court had spread throughout the world, and even the lowest-ranking cultivators of the Taicang Continent knew that two colossal forces were warring, and should their battlefield fall upon Taicang Continent, it would be catastrophic.


    Perhaps because the Holy Court drew the attention of the Immortal Dynasty, the death of the Immortal Lord never triggered an investigation by the Immortal Dynasty. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven years had passed since the fall of the Immortal Lord.


    That day, Gu An returned from the Outer Gate City, having just submitted the last volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.


    Over the years, he had been suppressing his unease with Romance of the Three Kingdoms.


    In his opinion, the battle between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court should not target him, and he could continue to survive quietly.


    But deep down, he was worried that an accident might be triggered by the great war between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court. If the Primordial Immortal Ancestor could bestow blessings upon all beings, then might these two colossal entities, if they went to full-scale war, destroy the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?


    Each time he thought this, it made him uneasy.


    On his way back to the valley, Gu An decided to continue to push forward.


    It was time to take a risk!


    Gu An''s Divine Thought swept across the world, searching for a sect rich in medicinal herbs.


    He found it difficult to kill beings with whom he had no enmity, deciding instead to help other sects harvest their herbs, taking without stealing, doing good deeds without leaving a trace.


    Alright, no matter the self-promotion, Gu An still felt a bit ashamed.


    A Divine Immortal was engaging in such activities.


    But in order to survive, just this once!


    No one would know anyway!


    Soon, Gu An''s gaze focused on a sea-based sect.


    Purple Pill Palace, a sect that specialized in Alchemy Technique, where a great number of medicinal herbs were cultivated for the purpose of alchemy.


    Purple Pill Palace''s strength was not very strong, but because of their Alchemy Technique, the nearby sects would all protect them.


    Let alone the nearby sects of Purple Pill Palace, looking across the world, Gu An could go wherever he wanted without being detected, apart from Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court.


    After returning to the valley, Gu An did not act immediately but waited for nightfall.


    As night fell, Gu An first went to Mystic Valley and then quietly left.


    With a single step, he directly entered Purple Pill Palace.


    Purple Pill Palace, sitting deep in the ocean, was a sizable continent with many mountain peaks, the tallest of which exceeded twenty thousand feet.


    Under the dark night, there were lights on the peaks of Purple Pill Palace. Gu An landed in a forest. His Divine Thought swept over, and at that moment, at least four hundred thousand disciples of Purple Pill Palace were engaged in alchemy.


    He walked towards the nearest Medicine Garden.


    At the edge of the Medicine Garden, in front of a building, an old cultivator sat in front of a Pill Furnace, his eyes closed, holding a fan and gently waving it, controlling the flames beneath the furnace.


    Gu An walked past him without him noticing Gu An''s presence.


    Even if he were to open his eyes, he would not see Gu An.


    This was the skill of the Carefree Primordial Immortal, employed by Gu An with the power of a Divine Immortal. Not even Divine Immortals could see him unless their cultivation level reached Dao Void Mysterious Immortal.


    He entered the garden, not picking herbs at random, only harvesting the ones close to maturation.


    After a while, Gu An moved on to the next Medicine Garden without taking a single herb, simply helping with the harvesting.


    Purple Pill Palace was vast and to avoid causing disturbance, Gu An moved gently, which slowed down his harvesting speed.


    He was not in a hurry; taking his time, he would visit each night.


    Fifteen days later, Gu An had harvested all the mature medicinal herbs within Purple Pill Palace, gaining one hundred and fifty million years of lifespan.


    He had harvested so many herbs that Purple Pill Palace eventually noticed something was wrong, falling into panic and even inviting other sects to provide protection.


    All of this was irrelevant to Gu An.


    He had now set his sights on other sects, this time choosing one far away from Broken Sea Domain.


    On the first night, after just an ancient hour, someone detected the disturbance. This person quickly alerted the entire sect, causing all the disciples to start patrolling. Gu An had to withdraw.


    In reality, even if discovered, Gu An could have forcefully harvested, but he feared making too big a scene.


    Great Powers were capable of divining the past of a sect, and Gu An certainly did not want to draw the attention of existences like the Black Profound Emperor or the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Although the Great Heavenly Spirit Land seemed to be dominated by the Holy Court, who could guarantee that there were no entities hiding that were above the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path?


    It is always better to be cautious. Life is precious, and if faced with an insurmountable foe, no amount of lifespan would matter.


    That night.


    Among the mountains, there was a large lake with sparkling waves. Closer inspection revealed many Spirit Flowers floating on its surface. Gu An descended from the sky and began harvesting the Spirit Flowers.


    He transferred the harvested Spirit Flowers to the lakeshore.


    Just as he finished and began to fly away, he suddenly saw a figure rushing out of the woods.


    It was a yellow-clad young girl who ran to the lakeside. Seeing the pile of Spirit Flowers on the shore, she was struck as if by lightning.


    She stood stunned for a few breaths, then hurried over to inspect them, relieved when she saw that the Spiritual Energy within the flowers had not yet dissipated.


    She turned to look around, seeing no sign of the culprit, then crouched down and buried her head in her arms.


    Gu An, witnessing this, was taken aback. Was this...


    Crying?


    Gu An threw a Life Span Detection towards the yellow-clad young girl.


    [Zhu Xi (Foundation Establishment Realm Third Layer): 17/350/9999]


    Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years of lifespan!


    When visiting other sects before, Gu An would cast Life Span Detection on any cultivator he passed by. Below Nirvana Realm, the longest lifespan he had seen was eight thousand years.


    Gu An took interest in Zhu Xi and didn''t leave but decided to observe her further.


    Zhu Xi crouched for a long while before standing up. Gu An expected her to seek her master or elders to deal with the situation.


    However...


    Under Gu An''s gaze, Zhu Xi used a spell and began directly absorbing the Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Flowers.


    "Little flowers, although I don''t know who harvested you, I will avenge you..." Zhu Xi murmured to herself.

 Chapter 359 One Billion Years Life Span!

    Hearing Zhu Xi''s words, Gu An felt quite uncomfortable.Could this fellow be planning to take this opportunity to monopolize the medicinal herbs and then slander him?


    Gu An simply decided to continue waiting; he wanted to see what Zhu Xi would do.


    He watched Zhu Xi and noticed that no matter how much spiritual energy she absorbed, her cultivation level did not change at all; her small body seemed to harbor a black hole that could devour everything.


    Interesting.


    This girl''s physique is not simple, no wonder she has a life span of 9999 years.


    After about half an hour, all the spirit flowers by the lake were drained and withered.


    Zhu Xi took a deep breath, then with a terrified expression, she turned and left.


    Gu An hovered in the night sky, lost in thought.


    The spiritual energy and medicinal effects Zhu Xi had just devoured were enough for an ordinary cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. Of course, in reality, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm could not have absorbed so much spiritual energy from the spirit flowers at once.


    Not only had Zhu Xi succeeded, but her cultivation level had not increased at all. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What exactly was this physique?


    Gu An began to recall the memories of Long Zhan and Lu Han; they had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, fought countless battles, and perhaps had seen similar physiques.


    Soon, Gu An''s brow furrowed.


    Could it be...


    An unusual glint flashed in Gu An''s eyes as he grew more intrigued by Zhu Xi.


    After a while, a large group of cultivators flew in, and when they saw the large number of withered spirit flowers by the lake, they all looked alarmed.


    "Has there been a thief?"


    "Who dares to steal the treasures of heaven and earth from Moonfall Divine Lake, that''s simply courting death!"


    "If someone could sneak into Moonfall Divine Lake and absorb the energy and medicinal effects of the Purple Orchid flowers all at once, their cultivation must be high."


    "Could it be a spirit beast from the lake?"


    "Could it be the act of an Immortal Spirit from the Immortal Dynasty? Recently, they''ve been making a lot of noise."


    Listening to the seniors'' discussions, Zhu Xi stood by, looking fearfully apprehensive, and nobody imagined she was the one who had absorbed the spirit of the Purple Orchid flowers.


    After a long discussion, the cultivators of Moonfall Divine Lake couldn''t come to a conclusion and prepared to report the matter to the higher-ups. Before leaving, they comforted Zhu Xi not to be afraid anymore.


    Zhu Xi returned to her quarters by herself. Along the way, she was deep in thought, her brow tightly furrowed, occasionally looking around with vigilance, making Gu An admire her acting skills and strong conviction.


    After entering her house, Gu An saw Zhu Xi reveal a smile.


    From worry to contentment, the speed of her change in demeanor impressed even Gu An.


    Seeing that Zhu Xi was about to change clothes, Gu An stopped observing her, turned, and left to continue his own herb gathering journey.


    That evening, Gu An picked many more medicinal herbs in Moonfall Divine Lake, which added to the already tense atmosphere within.


    After that night, Gu An did not return to Moonfall Divine Lake to gather herbs.


    With so many sects in the world, gathering everywhere, he could quickly accumulate a life span.


    ...


    As summer passed and autumn arrived, the Third Medicine Valley was covered in a panorama of withered scenery.


    Gu An looked at his attribute panel, a smile forming on his face, only one million years away from reaching a life span of one billion years.


    Indeed, not taking the righteous path increases life span more rapidly.


    But the sects from which Gu An had gathered herbs all thought a great calamity was imminent, all on high alert.


    Gu An purposefully chose sects far apart to prevent them from connecting and making a big fuss.


    Although he didn''t steal those medicinal herbs, his behavior of gathering was still suspicious.


    Now some sects thought it was the work of demon beasts or spirit beasts, others thought it was an enemy warning them. It must be said, these sects were quite perceptive; after each of Gu An''s harvests, they quickly started guarding.


    Gu An turned off the attribute panel and stood up.


    He flexed his muscles as his divine sense looked towards the distance.


    He was watching Zhu Xi from Moonfall Divine Lake.


    Gu An was very interested in this girl whose actions were so different, feeling a sense of kinship with her.


    Zhu Xi''s talent was extraordinary, but for now, within Moonfall Divine Lake, she was just an ordinary disciple, which is why she was responsible for guarding a lake.


    Gu An guessed that her reason for wanting to guard the lake was to facilitate her own theft.


    Boom¡ª


    Suddenly, a thunderous roar came from outside the window, but Gu An was not startled because the source of the noise was extremely distant from the Taicang Continent.


    The disciples within the Third Medicine Valley were startled but did not panic; instead, they started to wonder what kind of great power was clashing.


    The friction between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court was increasing, almost to the point of declaring war.


    In Gu An''s view, both sides were still testing each other.


    Last year, Gu An had seen two Dao Void Mysterious Immortals battle in Outer Heaven, generating a great commotion that caught the attention of the Great Cultivators of the Mortal World.


    Gu An walked downstairs.


    As he descended the stairs, his gaze turned towards the valley entrance where someone was coming.


    It was Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Dynasty.


    After entering the valley, Zhang Xianwang scrutinized everything along the path.


    The Third Medicine Valley was quite famous within the Supreme Sect, and those cultivators visiting the Supreme Sect often came to stroll through the Third Medicine Valley. Gu An rarely greeted them personally, given the large number of disciples within the Medicine Valley.


    Zhang Xianwang''s gaze swept over Shen Xinzi, then glanced at the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who was playing chess, thinking to himself that their reputations were indeed well-deserved.


    The two Wandering Immortals were not enough to shock him, a Carefree Primordial Immortal; he was just curious how Gu An, currently at the Nascent Soul Realm, had managed to attract so many beings of the Immortal Path to gather here.


    From a distance, Zhang Xianwang saw Gu An and immediately walked towards him.


    Gu An stood downstairs, pretending not to see him, walked towards the Medicine Garden in front, and then stopped in front of a wooden railing to check the medicinal herbs in the garden.


    As Zhang Xianwang approached, Gu An turned his head, his face showing a surprised expression.


    "Daoist Zhang, what brings you here?"


    Faced with Gu An''s question, Zhang Xianwang smiled and said, "I''ve come to take you to the Immortal Dynasty."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An hesitated and said, "After much deliberation, I don''t really want to go to the Immortal Dynasty, Daoist Zhang, thank you for your kindness."


    Zhang Xianwang frowned and said, "After experiencing the previous blessing of the Immortal Dynasty, do you still not believe the power of the Immortal Dynasty is real?"


    "I do believe, but I can''t part with everything I have now," Gu An said helplessly.


    Zhang Xianwang stared at him and said, "If you go to the Immortal Dynasty, you can establish everything you currently have. You should understand that the most important thing in cultivation is your own future prospects."


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "Everyone has their own aspirations; my pursuit is not just about future prospects."


    Zhang Xianwang''s brows furrowed tighter, just as he was about to say more, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly came over.


    "Going to the Immortal Dynasty might not necessarily lead to a better future," Ji Xiaoyu said to Zhang Xianwang, her tone indifferent, her words blunt, clearly showing no fondness for Zhang Xianwang.


    Zhang Xianwang saw the Dao Patterns on Ji Xiaoyu''s forehead and looked perplexed.


    His eyes shifted back and forth between Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu''s foreheads.


    Ji Xiaoyu came to stand beside Gu An, turned to face Zhang Xianwang.


    "What do you mean by that?" Zhang Xianwang asked, curious about her identity, but her previous words had displeased him.


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "The opponent of the Immortal Dynasty is the Holy Court. By pulling him to the Immortal Dynasty, you''re not leading him to a better future but to a path of swords and fires. You probably can''t be sure that the Immortal Dynasty will definitely defeat the Holy Court."


    Zhang Xianwang''s face turned ugly, and he said in a deep voice, "I naturally believe that the Immortal Dynasty will have the last laugh; I''m not trying to harm him."


    Ji Xiaoyu continued, "You may have good intentions, but at this critical juncture, joining the Immortal Dynasty is really not a good thing. At the very least, we should wait until this conflict is over, right?"


    Gu An felt the divine sense of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor locking onto Zhang Xianwang; if Zhang Xianwang made any wrong moves, he might be annihilated in an instant.


    He quickly spoke up, "Daoist Zhang, thank you for your kindness; she is also considering my well-being. I apologize on her behalf; her words are indeed somewhat harsh."


    As he spoke, Gu An raised his hand in respect towards Zhang Xianwang, causing Ji Xiaoyu to pout.


    Zhang Xianwang took a deep breath and smiled, "No matter, she does make sense, and I wasn''t thoughtful enough. Let''s leave it at that."


    Gu An, worried that Zhang Xianwang might feel uncomfortable, then invited him for a drink, which Ji Xiaoyu did not join, merely watching Zhang Xianwang''s retreating figure.


    Zhang Xianwang stayed in the Third Medicine Valley for an ancient hour before departing. He planned to return to the Immortal Dynasty, and it was uncertain if he would come back in the future.


    Although Gu An had turned him down, Zhang Xianwang still hoped he could live a peaceful life and, before leaving, even gifted him a magic artifact.


    Gu An tried to refuse, but Zhang Xianwang solemnly said, "Our meeting was a form of fate. The world is about to fall into great chaos; having an extra magic artifact by your side is a good thing. I hope we can still have a drink together in the future."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An no longer refused, merely expressing his gratitude and wishing him well in the future.


    After bidding farewell to Zhang Xianwang, Gu An went to a hillside at the edge of the Medicine Valley and sat on the grass, beginning to enjoy the sunset.


    His eyes held the entire world, capturing the myriad states of all beings.


    Watching those battles, Gu An''s determination to make a breakthrough only grew stronger.


    After reaching a life span of one billion years, he must make a breakthrough immediately!


    Gu An looked up, searching the heavens for an appropriate place to make his breakthrough.


    ...


    Late at night.


    Gu An took action again, this time heading to the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect.


    Despite being located in a barren land, the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect cultivated numerous heavenly and earthly treasures, its legacy by no means inferior to that of Purple Pill Palace or Moonfall Divine Lake.


    The Bitter Sea Buddha Sect had several Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma; fortunately, there were no Dao Void Mysterious Immortals, so no one could detect Gu An''s movements.


    It is worth mentioning that Gu An saw Lu Lingjun again.


    Lu Lingjun was meditating quietly under an old tree.


    Gu An went to her medicine garden and helped her gather medicinal herbs without her noticing.


    Tonight, Gu An was going to strive for a life span of one billion years!


    The Bitter Sea Buddha Sect''s mountain peak was vast, with countless medicine gardens on its slopes. Even though he only picked mature medicinal herbs, Gu An had only walked one-third of the way and had already successfully gathered a life span of several hundred million years.


    Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks because two notifications emerged before his eyes:


    [Your life span has broken through one billion years for the first time, initiating the life span simulation function]


    [Life Span Simulation: Consume life span to conduct simulations; you can simulate everything in reality as well as imagine and create. The life span consumed during the simulation will be determined based on the matter being simulated.]


    A smile spread across Gu An''s face; finally, a new function had appeared, and now he could conduct his breakthrough with peace of mind.


    Simulating everything sounded very powerful.


    Gu An immediately had numerous ideas, such as simulating tribulation crossing, combat, and acting.


    However, whether the simulations would be identical to reality remained to be observed; if they were, that would be quite interesting.


    Gu An continued walking forward.


    Since he was already here, he would finish gathering before considering those possibilities.

 Chapter 360 Promoted to Mixed Yuan Refining Virtual Body! Eternal Infinity!

    In the early morning,Gu An stepped out from the loft in Mystic Valley and, after descending the stairs, he joined the disciples in practice drills.


    Lu Jiujia, exceptionally joining the drill this time, chatted with his fellow disciples while they practiced.


    "Senior brother, when do you think I can unlock the Cultivation Technique?" Lu Jiujia suddenly asked, his tone filled with anticipation.


    He was currently cultivating the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, and he felt that the Primordial Reincarnation Skill was more profound than the Daoist Expansion Skill, which made him even more hopeful about his future.


    Gu An glanced at his Life Span, saying, "Wait a few more decades, don''t rush it."


    Lu Jiujia nodded; he trusted Gu An completely, especially since Gu An was already a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.


    In his eyes, although Gu An possessed a very mediocre Spirit Root Qualification, the fact that Gu An had reached the Nascent Soul Realm by the age of four hundred showed that he had extraordinary comprehension.


    He guessed that behind the Primordial Reincarnation Skill lay unimaginable great karmic connections, and listening to Gu An was his only chance for enlightenment in this lifetime.


    They talked until the practice drills ended, and then Gu An left.


    He returned to the Third Medicine Valley and, as usual, he spoke a few words with the disciples he met along the way; today he was in an even better mood.


    Having reached a Life Span of ten billion years, it was time for a breakthrough!


    He projected his Divine Sense into the cosmos. Although he had already chosen a location, he feared that living beings might intrude nearby, so he needed to observe it again.


    Suddenly, he came up with a bold idea.


    Should he attempt to break through in the Silent Destruction Domain?


    The Silent Destruction Domain was even more vast, and it also contained abundant Spiritual Energy.


    Judging by the commotion caused by his last breakthrough to the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, this time it could possibly alarm the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Gu An did not want the Holy Court or the Immortal Dynasty to discover the birth of a new Ninth Level of Immortal Path.


    The Ninth Level of the Immortal Path, known as the Free Immortal!


    Thinking of how powerful Long Zhan and Lu Han were when they reached this level, Gu An felt an intense surge of excitement.


    After making a round in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An returned to his loft. He then projected his Divine Sense into the Silent Destruction Domain.


    The cosmic space within the Silent Destruction Domain was even darker, stars unseen, permeated with a murky Taoist aura, giving one a sense of oppression.


    In the Silent Destruction Domain, many enormous fierce beasts roamed, some even as large as the Taicang Continent.


    After a long while,


    Gu An found the location for his breakthrough and decided to make his breakthrough tonight.


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and suddenly thought of the Life Span Simulation.


    Should he simulate crossing the Tribulation?


    Immediately, he activated the Life Span Simulation, thinking of the Tribulation Crossing.


    [Simulating the evolution of your current realm to cross the tribulation will consume 1,000,000 years of Life Span. Continue?]


    One million years?


    What a scam!


    How could Gu An dare to continue when there was a high probability of failing the Tribulation Crossing? After all, he could only rely on his physique to survive the simulated tribulation.


    Gu An turned his head, his gaze falling on the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was at the eighth level of Divine Thought True Immortal Cultivation. Should he try to battle him to see whose actual combat strength was superior?


    Gu An immediately started simulating the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    [Locking onto the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, beginning deduction simulation value]


    [Simulating a battle with the current Tao Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor will consume 1,000 years of Life Span. Continue?]


    Only a thousand years?


    Gu An was pleasantly surprised, then instantly realized the trap.


    If he won, all was well, but if he lost, he would definitely dwell on it, and ten times that would be ten thousand years of Life Span; a total consumer trap.


    Oh well, let''s try it just once!


    Gu An chose to continue, then closed his eyes, his thoughts entering the Simulation Space. The environment was still the Supreme Sect, enormously vast. Other than him and the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, no one else was visible.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor rose from behind a distant peak, looking down from high above at the standing area in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Watching the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, Gu An suddenly had a nostalgic feeling of playing one-on-one battle games from a past life, finding it quite amusing.


    Start the battle!


    Boom!


    In an instant, the entire Supreme Sect turned to flying ash. From high above, the vast Taicang Continent also shattered, with nearby oceans stirring up terrifying waves.


    After the duration of 30 minutes...


    Gu An opened his eyes, his expression peculiar.


    "Why is he so weak?"


    Gu An felt helpless; if it wasn''t for the fact that he''d spent a thousand years of Life Span, he could have easily killed the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor. Thus, during the simulated battle, he let the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor attack most of the time, who had great difficulty breaking through the defenses of the Daoist Gang Primal Energy and the Primordial Ultimate Body.


    Gu An built confidence in himself.


    Indeed, he was very strong within his own realm, not to be misled by his failure in crossing the Tribulation.


    High-level cultivators all have significant backgrounds, and crossing the Tribulation certainly isn''t reliant on one''s own power alone.


    Moreover, the Heavenly Tribulations Gu An faced were stronger than those of his peers, evident just from the name of the tribulations.


    Gu An calmed his feelings, closed his eyes, and dozed off in his chair, waiting for nightfall.


    ...


    In the evening, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley, his departure done openly, and also through the Teleportation Array, leaving the Valley''s disciples without doubts since he often visited other Medicine Valleys.


    After arriving at Mystic Valley, Gu An stayed for a while before leaving.


    He walked through the forest for an hour before vanishing into thin air. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He performed the Ultimate Taoist Invisibility, turning himself into nothingness, and left the cosmos at full speed.


    Upon entering the Silent Destruction Domain, he flew towards the location he had previously chosen.


    Soon, he landed on a meteor, with other various-sized meteorites in the distance; the meteor he was on was situated at the edge of the meteor cluster, quite inconspicuous.


    The moment he landed, Gu An activated the Life Span Barrier.


    Then he finally breathed a sigh of relief and comfortably sat in meditation.


    He did not start upgrading immediately, but instead looked into the distance, sensing the surrounding rule forces.


    He found that the rule forces here were very similar to those around the Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth and the Primordial Great Heaven and Earth.


    Could all Great Heavens and Earths be encircled by the Silent Destruction Domain?


    Or was the universe initially a Silent Destruction Domain scene, with the Great Heavens and Earth being born later?


    Gu An delved into deep thought, and after a while, he finally pulled up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 419/1,030,812,376]


    [Physique: Primordial Ultimate Body]


    [Cultivation: Ninth Layer of Divine Thought True Immortal Realm]


    ...


    Ten billion years of Life Span, the more he looked, the more exciting it was!


    First, let''s upgrade the physique.


    Previously, he had used twenty million years of Life Span to upgrade the Primordial Karmic Body to the Primordial Chaos Body and then upgraded to the Primordial Ultimate Body.


    This time, upgrading the Primordial Ultimate Body would require at least another twenty million years of Life Span, right?


    Forget it, let''s go bold: throw in fifty million years of Life Span! Physique not only affects qualification but also impacts actual combat abilities. The stronger the strength, the higher the success rate of crossing the Tribulation.


    Gu An immediately infused fifty million years of Life Span into the Primordial Ultimate Body!


    His Life Span abruptly dropped by a digit, falling to over nine hundred and eighty million years.


    A whirl of prompts crazily popped before Gu An''s eyes.


    For the first thirty million years, the Primordial Ultimate Body did not undergo transformation but continued to strengthen.


    Until thirty-five million years, the Primordial Ultimate Body transformed into the Chaos-refined Illusory Body.


    Then, the Chaos-refined Illusory Body continued to sense the Tao Rules, constantly enhancing its Perception Power of the Tao Rules.


    Ultimately, the Chaos-refined Illusory Body could not advance further, but Gu An was already satisfied.


    Boom¡ª


    The surrounding Spiritual Energy frenziedly surged towards Gu An.


    The Spiritual Energy within the Silent Destruction Domain was of a higher grade than the nature''s Spiritual Energy, mixed with an essence of Tao Rules, and was known as Tao Spiritual Energy. Absorbing Tao Spiritual Energy could not only enhance Cultivation but also amplify the Perception Power of Tao.


    Of course, if the Cultivation Realm was insufficient, absorbing Tao Spiritual Energy would only damage the physique and harm the Soul.


    It seemed, thus, that the mysterious light covering the Great Heavenly Spirit Land might be a protective measure; reaching the level of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal would ensure safe absorption of Tao Spiritual Energy.


    Gu An closed his eyes, fully immersing himself in enlightenment, feeling the creation of the Chaos-refined Illusory Body.


    After transforming the Primordial Ultimate Body into the Chaos-refined Illusory Body, its Great Divine Power, the Ultimate Tao Chaos Pan, although not qualitatively changed, was fully unleashed, reaching a pinnacle state.


    The Ultimate Tao Chaos Pan was a type of Great Divine Power; Gu An had used it before in simulated battles, able to effortlessly crush the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    If deployed at full power, it could even engulf the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    If Gu An''s Cultivation was more robust, he could unleash even more terrifying might.


    As Tao Spiritual Energy furiously entered Gu An''s body, the cosmic space around him stirred up Tao winds, whimsical and wanton, shaking the distant meteor cluster.


    Just as this commotion started, Gu An sensed many powerful Divine Senses and Divine Thoughts sweeping over.


    The weakest was from the realm of Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma!


    Sure enough, the Silent Destruction Domain harbored numerous fearsome beings.


    As time passed, more and more Divine Thoughts appeared, signifying that he had alarmed the Divine Thought True Immortals.


    Fortunately, those beings only used Divine Thoughts for observation and did not personally patrol.


    An hour later,


    Gu An successfully cultivated the Chaos-refined Illusory Body. He opened his eyes to see that the Life Span Barrier had consumed five million years of Life Span.


    Such a huge consumption!


    Gu An again pulled up his Attribute Panel, looking at his main Cultivation Technique, the Myriad Creation Limitless Skill.


    Upgrading from the Primordial Chaos Supreme Holy Skill to the Myriad Creation Limitless Skill had earlier cost twenty million years of Life Span; Gu An now planned to throw in another fifty million years of Life Span.


    Cultivation Techniques and physiques were the most crucial; other Divine Skills and Ultimate Skills were just embellishments. Currently, he had too many Daoist Sorceries; it wasn''t feasible to upgrade them all.


    Fifty million years of Life Span, throw!


    One digital prompt after another jumped before his eyes, and he carefully observed.


    Eventually, the Myriad Creation Limitless Skill was upgraded to the Eternal Infinite Skill!


    An overwhelming legacy memory surged into Gu An''s mind.


    The function of the Eternal Infinite Skill allowed Gu An''s Mana to exist indefinitely unless erased by a stronger force.


    Besides this characteristic, the strength of Gu An''s Mana also increased severally; deploying the same amount of Mana, his destructive power was now several times stronger than before.


    The Divine Skill awakening from the Myriad Creation Limitless Skill, the Unlimited Avatars, was also enhanced; his avatars could now exist indefinitely as well, but the avatars could not have separate Spiritual Wisdom. The existences of the Unlimited Avatars meant that Gu An had additional eyes and bodies. The avatars were only made from Mana, hence not as strong as the original.


    Who knew who could force Gu An to deploy the Unlimited Avatars?


    He possessed many Divine Skills, but he rarely used any; of course, he hoped not to encounter a situation where he had to use all his skills to survive a crisis.


    The Tao Spiritual Energy erupted again, and this time, it finally alarmed a powerful being to appear.


    Gu An lifted his eyes to see a massive figure emerging from the darkness, just an outline, resembling some Demon Creature. This was also the largest being Gu An had ever seen in his life, larger than the Great Heaven and Earth; merely looking at its form was enough to feel the oppressiveness exuded by the other party.

 Chapter 361 Breakthrough to the Free Immortal Realm Nine Layers!

    Gu An gazed upon that mysterious and colossal entity, feeling a deep sense of wariness in his heart.He could sense that this being was immensely powerful, far surpassing the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, likely having reached the Ninth Level of the Immortal Path!


    Thanks to the protection of the Life Span Barrier, the other side did not detect Gu An''s presence and quickly left the area.


    The Tao Spiritual Energy within the universe was in turmoil, expanding its influence increasingly vast. It did not spread out in the manner of a vortex but expanded irregularly, making it impossible for passing beings to trace its origin, which was quite bizarre.


    While Gu An was wary of them, those hidden beings were also wary of this region¡ªthe universe space within the Silent Destruction Domain was filled with a tense atmosphere.


    As inherited memories continued to delve deeper, Gu An closed his eyes, immersed in them, perceiving the mysteries of the Eternal Infinite Skill.


    Time moved swiftly.


    Another ancient hour passed, and Gu An had completely mastered the intricacies of the Eternal Infinite Skill.


    Gu An couldn''t help but marvel at the power of evolutionary cultivation.


    Even though he possessed the memories of Long Zhan and Lu Han, mastering their cultivation techniques and divine skills still required cultivation because simply remembering was not enough; one needed to transform both body and soul.


    Evolutionary cultivation could accomplish this, and even compress the time to about an ancient hour, which, for his level, was almost the same as direct mastery.


    Inheriting cultivation techniques cost another four million years of life span.


    Gu An looked at his remaining life span of nine billion and over twenty million years, feeling quite composed.


    An idea suddenly struck him. He needn''t only enhance his own divine skills and ultimate techniques to a higher realm; he could also elevate Xiao Shengtian''s, Long Zhan''s, and Lu Han''s proudest divine skills to the Returning to the Truth Realm, potentially increasing all aspects of his strength and possibly consuming less life span.


    Having thought this, Gu An began to act.


    He brought up his Attribute Panel and started investing life span.


    In the end, he elevated Seven Divine Bodies, Fighting Will, Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect, and Destruction Dao Seal to the Returning to the Truth Realm, consuming a total of ninety million years of life span.


    These four transformations each had their prowess, involving different forces of rules. While Seven Divine Bodies was slightly weaker, Xiao Shengtian''s Fighting Will was surprisingly on par with Long Zhan''s Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect and Lu Han''s Destruction Dao Seal, which came as a surprise to Gu An.


    In the Attribute Panel, Fighting Will was not categorized as a divine skill, spell, or ultimate technique but created its separate entry known as Daoist Intent.


    Xiao Shengtian lived only 143 years but could fathom such transformations; his talent was certainly terrifying.


    Unfortunately, he had encountered the Black Profound Emperor.


    Perhaps this was why the Black Profound Emperor sought him out.


    Of course, the fact that Xiao Shengtian had the ability to seize lifespan from a young age did not prove his talent was stronger than that of Long Zhan or Lu Han.


    Another eight million years of life span was consumed by the Life Span Barrier, so Gu An turned his focus onto his cultivation level.


    Cultivation was the paramount concern!


    Let''s try with one hundred million years of life span to test the waters!


    Gu An remembered that when he was assaulting the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, it required three hundred thousand years for each tribulation crossing, but he wondered how much it would need this time.


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for four hundred thousand years, forcibly assaulting the Free Immortal Realm with the great accomplishment of the Eternal Infinite Skill, started the tribulation, but failed to withstand the Heavenly Dao Punishing Immortal Nine Severe Array, tribulation failed.]


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for eight hundred thousand years, forcibly assaulting the Free Immortal Realm with the great accomplishment of the Eternal Infinite Skill, started the tribulation, but failed to withstand the Heavenly Dao Punishing Immortal Nine Severe Array, tribulation failed.]


    ¡­


    Four hundred thousand years per tribulation crossing!


    Fortunately, the difficulty had only increased by one hundred thousand years. The enhancements to his physique and cultivation technique had worked. According to the memories of Long Zhan and Lu Han, the gap between the Free Immortal and Divine Thought True Immortal was enormous.


    A first-level Free Immortal could easily crush a ninth-level Divine Thought True Immortal!


    This was also why Shengtian dominated the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and intimidated the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Gu An guessed that, had he not been enhanced, he would need more than eight hundred thousand years to wait for the next breakthrough after failing the tribulation.


    Just as Gu An was pondering, multiple prompts started to flash rapidly.


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for twenty-four million eight hundred thousand years, forcibly assaulting the Free Immortal Realm with the great accomplishment of the Eternal Infinite Skill, started the tribulation, endured the Heavenly Dao Punishing Immortal Nine Severe Array, tribulation succeeded, your cultivation level advanced to the first layer of the Free Immortal Realm.]


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for thirty-one million years, your cultivation level advanced to the second layer of the Free Immortal Realm.]


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for thirty-nine million years, your cultivation level advanced to the third layer of the Free Immortal Realm.]


    ¡­


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for eighty-five million years, your cultivation level advanced to the seventh layer of the Free Immortal Realm.]


    [You performed Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred million years, your cultivation level advanced to the eighth layer of the Free Immortal Realm.]


    It actually succeeded!


    Gu An''s face lit up with joy. He had been prepared to lose one hundred million years without gain, but as long as the breakthrough consumed less than three hundred million years of life span, he could accept it.


    Once reaching the Free Immortal Realm, each level required millions of years of life span to advance. Gu An didn''t find this excessive as evolutionary cultivation naturally required more life span than real life. Moreover, once attaining the Free Immortal Realm, increasing cultivation was as much about understanding the rules as it was about Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    Long Zhan had encountered several Free Immortals who had struggled to break through for tens of millions of years.


    Could it be that the previous Reincarnation Evolution had played a part?


    Gu An did not dwell on the thought, his mood cheerful as he continued to invest life span, spending another twenty million years to elevate his cultivation level to the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm.


    Tao Spiritual Energy began to surge around him, stirring upheaval throughout the universe once more.


    This disturbance was far greater than the previous one!


    ¡­


    In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, within the Immortal Dynasty.


    Beneath the dazzling starry sky stood a majestic peak with a vast and sprawling square at the summit, dotted with stone pillars emitting golden light.


    The lord of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Xian Emperor, was meditating on a white jade dais. He suddenly opened his eyes, looked up, and furrowed his brow.


    "It''s an disturbance from the Silent Destruction Domain..."


    Yang Xian Emperor murmured to himself, his eyes filled with concern.


    The Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court refrained from waging all-out war partly because the Silent Destruction Domain served as a check, fearing mutual destruction would provide an opportunity for the Heavenly Demon.


    The disturbance from the Silent Destruction Domain had already affected the cosmic spiritual energy beyond the Outer Heaven, and this influence continued to expand, possibly reaching the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even someone as powerful as Yang Xian Emperor could not determine what this signal meant.


    He recalled a similar disturbance near the Silent Destruction Domain in the universe area beyond the Outer Heaven years ago, but it was nowhere near the scale of the current disturbance.


    Could these two incidents be related?


    He knitted his brow, lost in thought.


    At the same time.


    On the other side of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, in the Holy Land where the Holy Court resided, several figures flew out and swiftly reached the outer light layer, looking towards the distance.


    "It''s an disturbance from the Silent Destruction Domain!"


    "Could someone be breaking through? This disturbance is too exaggerated, isn''t it?"


    "It''s hard to say; it could also be the Heavenly Demon plotting something."


    "We should still be careful, and not forget the person from beyond the Outer Heaven who stole treasures from the Holy Court."


    "Could it be related to the Immortal Dynasty? They could very well be colluding with the Heavenly Demon."


    The Great Cultivators of the Holy Court discussed heatedly, most of them bearing serious expressions, occasionally glancing towards the direction of the Immortal Dynasty.


    As time passed, the Great Sects within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land also became aware of the anomaly beyond the Outer Heaven, and more and more Great Cultivators flew out of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land reaching the outer light layer.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Within the Life Span Barrier, Gu An''s aura rose sharply, his entire body glowing with the brilliance of the Eternal Infinite Skill.


    He had officially stepped into the Free Immortal Realm, becoming a Free Immortal!


    Upon reaching the Free Immortal Realm, the Golden Core within his body began to transform!


    When he had reached the Carefree Immortal Realm previously, his Golden Core could accumulate the force of Heaven and Earth rules, forming his own path.


    Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma molded the Immortal Soul of Wondrous Dharma, Dao Void Mysterious Immortal solidified the path within the Golden Core, and Divine Thought True Immortal allowed his soul to temper out Divine Thought.


    The Golden Core and soul continuously alternated in elevation, achieving a certain balance.


    This time, it was his Golden Core''s turn. His Golden Core was transforming into another existence, within which the Dao bloated and annihilated, condensing anew his own path.


    Gu An knew what his Golden Core was about to transform into.


    Tao Seed!


    Owning the memory of Long Zhan, Gu An knew what realm lay beyond the Nine Layers of the Immortal Path; the key to reaching that realm lay in the Tao Seed.


    The Tao Seed would condense Tao Fruit, and once it bore fruit, one could reach a whole new level.


    The Free Immortal Realm was the process of nurturing a Tao Seed!


    Once the Golden Core completely evolved into a Tao Seed, Gu An''s cultivation continued to rise, and his Tao Seed grew rapidly.


    When he reached the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm, his Tao Seed would be in its most perfect state!


    The birth of the Tao Seed brought many benefits, enhancing his mana, physique, and soul; if the Tao Seed was indestructible, the person would not die, even if his flesh and soul were annihilated, the Tao Seed could regenerate flesh and soul.


    This was because the soul''s origin had already merged into the Tao Seed.


    The Tao Seed was more flexible than the flesh and soul and could merge with the laws of the Great Dao without being repelled. In other words, the Tao Seed was like a nascent Dao, making it easier to exist within the universe. This is the true meaning of being "free."


    Upon reaching this realm, Gu An could better sense the subtle intentions of the universe.


    An entirely different force from the rules of the Great Dao was restraining everything!


    Enveloped in the transformations of the Free Immortal Realm, Gu An was utterly captivated.


    As he closed his eyes, another pair of eyes appeared in the distant darkness, spying on the void, and soon vanished.


    Shadowy figures swept past meteor clusters, like illusions, fleeting in an instant.


    ¡­


    The moon set, and the sun rose.


    Sunlight swept across the Taicang Continent, dispersing the darkness.


    A new day dawned, and the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley began their usual training, a magnificent sight.


    Wu Jue came early in the morning to visit Gu An but did not see him. He did not leave but stood at a distance watching the Medicine Valley disciples train.


    After the disciples had finished their training, An Xin approached Wu Jue, asking if he had come looking for Gu An.


    Wu Jue nodded, and An Xin informed him that their master had gone out the day before and would likely return today. Wu Jue then decided to wait.


    He walked over to the Go area and watched others play.


    He preferred watching Chinese Chess over Go. Hearing some discuss the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he couldn''t help but join the conversation.


    The argument was whether Liu Bei was truly virtuous, engaging in an endless debate with a Great Cultivator from the sect, red-faced with anger.


    Just then, the Transmission Array Platform lit up, and Gu An walked out.

 Chapter 362 The 419-Year-Old Free Immortal of the Nine Layers Realm

    Returning to Third Medicine Valley, Gu An''s face blossomed into a smile.In just one night, he had transformed from the ninth layer of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm to the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm, a groundbreaking change of strength.


    Had it not already been daylight, he would have wanted to continue breaking through.


    The breakthrough in cultivation level consumed nearly fifty million years of his life span barrier, leaving Gu An with over sixty-seven million years of life remaining.


    He felt there was still hope for a successful breakthrough.


    After reaching the Free Immortal Realm, his perception of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land became clearer. He could confirm that both the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court were harboring Free Immortals. Once the Free Immortals go to war, it could very well involve the entire world. If he could transcend the Free Immortal Realm, Gu An would feel even more at ease.


    Gu An stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform and looked up. In the vast cosmos above, he saw a gray river. Not being within the cosmos, he couldn''t reach it by flying upwards; he had to traverse it through the Tao Rules.


    The River of Destiny!


    The place where Lu Han perished!


    Gu An just watched from a distance, with no immediate intention to step into the River of Destiny.


    His gaze then shifted to Wu Jue, who rarely took the trouble to visit him, so he naturally went to greet him.


    You Yingying was holding a rabbit as she saw the figure of Gu An. She subconsciously looked over and was taken aback for a moment, rubbing her eyes with one hand.


    Gu An was dressed the same as the day before, with no change in his make-up or hairstyle, yet You Yingying felt a significant change in him.


    This change was indescribable for her; looking at Gu An made her want to approach him, but after a longer gaze, she felt an urge to submit.


    It was a complex emotion, difficult for her to describe.


    Not only her, but other disciples also couldn''t help but take a second look at Gu An after seeing him.


    Gu An arrived behind Wu Jue just in time to hear him listing the benevolent deeds of Liu Bei.


    Wu Jue seemed to sense something and turned his head. Seeing Gu An, the anger on his face instantly vanished.


    "You''re finally back! Come on, let''s go have a drink!" Wu Jue immediately pulled Gu An''s arm and walked to the side.


    Gu An naturally wouldn''t refuse. He called out for An Xin to prepare wine and dishes.


    The two settled in Gu An''s loft, sitting opposite each other.


    "Gu An, I''ve reached the Unification Realm!" Wu Jue excitedly declared, his face brimming with pride.


    Gu An was amused. You''re in the Unification Realm? I couldn''t even sense it until I approached you from behind.


    He had suppressed his aura to Nascent Soul Realm levels without completely hiding it.


    This showed that Wu Jue really got carried away easily. Gu An wondered if this would cause him trouble in the future.


    "Really? That''s too..." Gu An feigned surprise, his eyes widening.


    Wu Jue became even more smug at his expression, boastfully asking, "A Unification Realm at four hundred twenty-one years old, do you understand what kind of strength that represents?"


    Gu An opened his mouth, then found himself at a loss for words.


    He knew very well what strength a Unification Realm cultivator at four hundred twenty-one years old represented; isn''t it just the Unification Realm?


    What he wanted to ask Wu Jue was whether he knew what the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm at four hundred nineteen years old constituted in terms of power.


    An Xin, who had come upstairs to deliver the wine and dishes, found Wu Jue''s statement amusing. Showing off in front of my master?


    She placed the wine and dishes on the table, then left.


    Wu Jue had been speaking loudly on purpose and wondered why An Xin didn''t react.


    Gu An noticed this and chided An Xin mentally for not maintaining the composure of an actor, too quick to relax!


    "Never thought you''d make it this far, although I''ve always felt you were extraordinary, it turns out I still underestimated you..." Gu An said with feeling, immediately drawing Wu Jue''s attention back.


    Wu Jue laughed and said, "If it weren''t for your constant encouragement in the past, I couldn''t have reached this point today. You too can comprehend the path. It''s not impossible for you to reach the Unification Realm in the future."


    Gu An shook his head, "That''s impossible."


    "How could it be? You have to believe in yourself."


    Yeah, it''s because of belief there''s no chance.


    Gu An then asked, "You should be able to compare with An Hao and my Brother Li now, right?"


    Upon hearing this, Wu Jue''s eyes shone, "I''m not sure, but I''ve always aimed to match them. Sadly, I don''t know how strong they really are. I''ll challenge them once I surpass their realms."


    Goodness!


    You like to fight across realms as well?


    Gu An was happy, but he was quite satisfied with Wu Jue''s mentality.


    One can''t be arrogant, and one mustn''t act rashly!


    Even the strongest can be vanquished!


    The two began to talk about the future, mainly about Wu Jue''s future. Gu An was extremely supportive, hitting all the right notes for Wu Jue.


    Third Medicine Valley was harmonious and lively, and the Supreme Sect was just the same. Everyone was unaware of the changes outside the heavens.


    At the moment, the layer of light outside the heavens gathered many Great Cultivators, with the least of their realms being Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, all gazing at the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Fu Shenxiu and Bai Ziya from Mortal World Peak had also arrived, accompanied by more than a dozen Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.


    "The relationship between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court is really tense," Bai Ziya couldn''t help but mutter.


    Immortal spirits from the Immortal Dynasty and cultivators from the Holy Court stood on opposite sides, the farthest apart, and the tension between them was palpable to all factions.


    Fu Shenxiu looked into the distance and said, "I hope this phenomenon allows both sides to temporarily set aside their disputes."


    Bai Ziya looked up and commented with a sigh, "The Great Heavenly Spirit Land might be strong, but compared to the Silent Destruction Domain, it''s still too insignificant. If not for Shengtian, Heavenly Demons would have trampled the Great Heavenly Spirit Land long ago."


    Fu Shenxiu turned to him and asked, "You''ve been to the Silent Destruction Domain; is it really all Heavenly Demons there?"


    "How could it be? The so-called Heavenly Demons are just our name for them. The Silent Destruction Domain does have a race of Heavenly Demons, but we consider all the beings born there as Heavenly Demons. The domain is boundless, and I don''t know just how vast it is. Perhaps there are other Great Heavens and Earths hidden there?"


    Bai Ziya spoke wistfully, as if recalling something, his eyes growing dim.


    While the two discussed the Silent Destruction Domain, other factions were doing the same, sharing their experiences within the domain.


    Meanwhile, Gu An, the instigator behind the phenomena, was in the valley enjoying wine and good times with a friend.


    This continued until late at night when Gu An began to act again.


    The gap between the Free Immortal Realm and higher realms was immense, a significant leap in stages. Fearing that six hundred million years of life might not suffice, he wanted to surreptitiously gather ten billion years'' worth.


    Yes, the last time!


    This time, once he gathered ten billion years, he absolutely wouldn''t steal again. The act itself made him feel ashamed.


    To avoid drawing connections to himself, he first went to Mortal World Peak to steal medicinal herbs, making it appear as if they too were victims.


    To his surprise, he sensed a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma cultivating in the main peak, encircled by the qi fortune of Mortal World Peak, likely an elder returned from Outer Heaven. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An only stole from the main peak''s herbs and then quickly departed, ultimately alerting Mortal World Peak.


    By dawn.


    The Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma stood in front of a pile of harvested mature medicinal herbs, silent for a long time.


    Only when the sunlight bathed him did he take a deep breath.


    "This world remains unfathomably deep..." he sincerely remarked.


    ...


    Ten days later, Gu An successfully accumulated a lifespan of ten billion years.


    Next was the breakthrough!


    Gu An looked towards Outer Heaven. The proximity of the Silent Destruction Domain had many powerful beings roaming it, which meant he couldn''t rashly choose a place for his breakthrough. He certainly couldn''t delve deep into the Silent Destruction Domain; what if an existence like the Black Profound Emperor was waiting?


    Autumn winds whistled through the forest where Gu An sat on a rock, gazing at the sky through the gaps in the leaves.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lay beside him, while An Xin practiced the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    Her movements were smoother than before, each step full of grace, catching even the Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint also wanted to learn, but simply watching An Xin couldn''t unravel the technique for him.


    He guessed that to learn such divine skills, personal guidance from the master was necessary.


    He didn''t ask, understanding his current form was unsuited for divine skill cultivation. If he behaved well, he would eventually learn once a thousand years passed.


    Gu An''s eyes turned to the sea.


    His covert action had still caused disturbances, with the factions from which he had stolen unable to find the true culprit, resorting to seeking help from the Holy Court. The Holy Court gathered the information and dispatched many of its cultivators for investigation.


    Gu An heard some saying the affair might be related to the phenomena outside the heavens, even discussing the Heavenly Demons'' conspiracies.


    It made him laugh and cry; the initial guesses were accurate, but later they veered off course.


    Nevertheless, he wasn''t worried about being exposed. After all, he would no longer steal after this breakthrough, resuming his usual state to watch the world''s changes with a smile.


    The only downside to a peaceful world is that with stable order, it''s hard for those at the bottom to climb, and breaking the rules would easily invite trouble.


    The resources of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land had been divided among various factions. Any land nurturing heaven and earth treasures was always near a sect, with very few ownerless treasures left. Either they were guarded by a sect, or a Great Demon was watching them.


    Of course, compared to the turmoil of unrest, Gu An preferred peace.


    Peace may have less opportunity, but it''s not as dangerous.


    If not for the Holy Court establishing order, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would have trampled the Supreme Sect before Gu An could rise.


    It was the world''s rules that kept the Seven Stars Spirit Realm from acting recklessly, their vile acts only able to be performed in the shadows.


    Gu An''s divine thought suddenly fell on Zhu Xi of Moonfall Divine Lake.


    In the vast world, only a handful of people he had physically seen could reach the peak longevity of 9999 years before the Nirvana Realm: An Hao, the Evil Emperor, Yang Jian, the Blood Prison Great Saint, Ji Xiaoyu, and Zhu Xi.


    Among them, the Evil Emperor, the Sect Hierarch of the Ephemera Sect, was trapped under the Immortal King Crown and crushed by Gu An.


    There surely were other individuals with the maximum longevity of 9999 years in this world; they just hadn''t appeared before Gu An yet.


    Perception could not be used for life span detection.


    Gu An saw Zhu Xi cultivating, her cultivation level the same as the last time he saw her, with no hint of change.


    "What heights will the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body reach here?" Gu An was filled with curiosity.


    Within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, Ancient Treasure Bodies were rare; above them were Taoist Bodies, and higher still were Holy Bodies. The Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body was comparable to the Primordial Karmic Body, exceeding even the Holy Bodies.


    In terms of physique alone, Zhu Xi was much stronger than An Hao and Yang Jian.


    Of course, physique was just one aspect of talent. Like An Hao, his intellect was equally remarkable.


    9999 years is the limit of longevity for the Human Race beneath the Nirvana Realm, but it doesn''t necessarily mean the limit of their gifts.

 Chapter 363 Peeking into the Future

    "Master, I can''t train anymore..."An Xin approached Gu An, speaking feebly.


    Gu An came back to his senses, nodded slightly, then stood up and took An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint away. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master, do you think the Immortal Dynasty will fight with the Holy Court? Everyone outside is saying that great changes are coming," An Xin asked curiously as she walked beside Gu An.


    The ancestor of Void Illusions blessed all beings, causing the status of the Immortal Dynasty in the hearts of all beings to soar. Now, in the eyes of most beings, the Immortal Dynasty was even stronger than the Holy Court.


    Once the Immortal Dynasty defeated the Holy Court, a new era would begin!


    "Perhaps," Gu An answered, "but it has nothing to do with us. The Taicang Continent can''t participate in such a struggle yet."


    Looking at the lights in Outer Heaven, Gu An suddenly felt that he delayed the conflict between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court.


    Now the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land feared the Silent Destruction Domain and dared not rashly go to war.


    Gu An suddenly felt very great, thinking that his breakthrough could help maintain peace in the world.


    Perhaps such peace could only last a few decades, a hundred or two hundred years, but mortal spirits could only live that long.


    An Xin continued to inquire; she was very curious about who was stronger between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court. Gu An didn''t make a judgment, his answers were equivocal, but this didn''t hinder her imagination. Seeing that her master didn''t want to speak more, she started chatting with the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    In the following days, Gu An''s divine thought explored the Silent Destruction Domain daily, looking for the right time to breakthrough.


    The commotion he had previously caused was too great, making powerful beings linger near the Silent Destruction Domain. Not only was the Great Heavenly Spirit Land tense, but the forces within the Silent Destruction Domain were also nervous, thinking that the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was going to invade them.


    As autumn passed and winter came, the year''s flying snow arrived on schedule.


    In the early winter.


    Gu An took An Xin to Mortal World Peak, and An Xin walked to one side to cultivate on her own.


    It wasn''t long before Zhu Xinglan came to visit Gu An.


    "Master, there have been thieves on Mortal World Peak lately," Zhu Xinglan said with a solemn expression.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, asking in surprise, "What kind of thieves? Were there any casualties?"


    "No, but many garden areas had medicinal herbs harvested, including our Mortal World Peak''s Medicine Garden. Fortunately, only harvesting was done, and there was no damage. Even the Supreme Elder of the Main Peak couldn''t find the real culprit. Also, I heard that there were strange phenomena beyond Outer Heaven recently. Do you think it could be the work of the Heavenly Demon?" Zhu Xinglan said anxiously.


    The higher you stand, the more dangers you see. With external threats from the Heavenly Demons and internal tensions between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court at knifepoint, how could he not think more?


    Moreover, a Heavenly Demon was hidden beneath Mortal World Peak!


    Gu An frowned and pretended to calculate with his fingers.


    Zhu Xinglan seemed to think of something, adding, "Moreover, other sects have encountered similar situations to Mortal World Peak, with medicinal herbs mysteriously harvested without anyone knowing who the perpetrator is."


    Gu An asked, "How many times has this happened on Mortal World Peak?"


    "Just once."


    "Then let''s wait and see, it might just be a false alarm."


    "Perhaps."


    Zhu Xinglan felt it made sense and then began to speak about the situation of Dingtian Peak.


    Not long after, Zhu Xinglan left, and Gu An began to enjoy some leisure time, not in a rush to harvest herbs since the recent situation was tense.


    A life span of ten billion years should be enough for him to breakthrough.


    After reading for a while, Gu An''s gaze turned towards Outer Heaven.


    He saw a great battle unfolding within the Silent Destruction Domain, the combatants were divine thought True Immortals, and they were not beings from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Beings born in the Silent Destruction Domain differ distinctly from those of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land in terms of aura, so the Heavenly Demon was easy to identify.


    Gu An watched the battle, curious to see how the divine thought True Immortals of the Silent Destruction Domain compared to the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor in strength.


    The True Immortals fighting resembled the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor in the simulation, each strike deadly, showing no mercy, clearly bearing deep hatred.


    After watching for a while, Gu An felt they were not as strong as the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor; it was unlikely that even both together could defeat the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    No wonder the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor could travel from the Yin Yang Domain and even penetrate the Holy Court and leave triumphantly.


    Gu An speculated that the Reincarnation Path Emperor and the Holy Court had some causal connection, otherwise, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor wouldn''t have been able to steal the Reincarnation Path Emperor''s Soul Jade from within the Holy Court.


    He waited until he took An Xin back to the Supreme Sect, and those two divine thought True Immortals were still undecided in their battle.


    As night fell.


    Gu An read in the attic, a stove nearby with a pot of wine brewing on it, this atmosphere in the cold winter felt very warm.


    The door was pushed open, and Ji Xiaoyu walked straight in.


    "Why didn''t you knock?"


    Gu An didn''t look up as he responded, already having an idea in his mind.


    That was to capture Xuan Tianyi, lock him in a small black room, and make him write books every day, what great potential for writing, cultivating immortality was wasting him.


    Ji Xiaoyu closed the door and then sat down at the table, starting by saying, "Your temperament has changed somewhat recently, are you cultivating some miracle skill?"


    Gu An glanced at her and said, "Because I love to read, books nourish the spirit."


    Ji Xiaoyu smiled and looked at Green Hero Travelogue, then said, "Such books can nourish the spirit? It''s a good thing your cultivation level isn''t high, otherwise, you''d surely become a disaster for the world."


    Gu An put away Green Hero Travelogue, coughed, and asked, "Is there something you need?"


    Since Ji Xiaoyu absorbed the Soul Jade brought by the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, her cultivation level had been rising faster and faster, and now she was at the ninth layer of the Void Crossing Realm.


    Be aware she was only two hundred and sixty-three years old!


    "I''m planning to leave for a few years and will leave tomorrow morning," Ji Xiaoyu said as she looked around the room.


    "What are you going to do?"


    "Breakthrough."


    "Another breakthrough? What realm are you at now?"


    Seeing Gu An''s shocked expression, the corners of Ji Xiaoyu''s mouth lifted, and with a soft voice, she said, "Void Crossing Realm, ninth layer, ready to break through to the Unification Realm."


    Gu An''s eyes widened, muttering, "To catch up to Wu Jue."


    "Who told you not to cultivate diligently? Our gap will only widen further," Ji Xiaoyu said with a faint grievance.


    She had thought Gu An''s change in temperament was due to cultivation, only to be disappointed.


    Hearing this, Gu An argued, "I am still Nascent Soul Realm, a Nascent Soul Realm at four hundred years old, how can I not be considered a genius? I was just born in the wrong era, if I had lived a few hundred years earlier, the Supreme Sect would have made much of me."


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, laughing, and said, "Have you ever thought that the reason you have the achievements you do today is because the Supreme Sect has grown stronger? When comparing talent, you should compare with those around you, not just yourself."


    Gu An grinned awkwardly, unable to reply.


    Seeing his expression, Ji Xiaoyu''s heart softened, and she didn''t pursue the topic further but instead asked, "Is there anything you need? I can bring it back for you."


    "That won''t be necessary; I don''t need anything."


    The two began to chat leisurely, discussing whatever came to mind, neither feeling awkward.


    This feeling was like that of an old married couple...


    Ahem!


    What am I thinking about!


    Gu An cursed in his mind, then started to probe Ji Xiaoyu''s karma. After reaching the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm, his karmic and life path cultivation became even stronger. He could see the development of Ji Xiaoyu''s life path for the next thousand years.


    Although Ji Xiaoyu''s fate had many variables, there were also overlaps with others.


    That was, she would be involved in the great war between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court!


    In the future, the whole world, including the Supreme Sect, would get swept up in this conflict. The Supreme Sect supported the Holy Court because Sword Venerable Fudao had joined the Holy Court, and the Holy Court continuously tried to tie the Supreme Sect to their chariot.


    Gu An could see the future through the beings of the Supreme Sect, and he had no thoughts of preventing or changing it; rather, he felt a sense of detachment.


    At first glance, all beings lived according to a heavenly-scripted drama, but he could foresee everything and had the power to change it, a feeling wonderfully sublime.


    After chatting for an hour, Ji Xiaoyu finally left.


    Gu An then stood up and went to the stove, lifting the wine jug to pour himself some wine.


    Ji Xiaoyu was preparing for a breakthrough, and he was also ready for his own; it was truly a double celebration, tonight deserved celebration.


    The next morning, Ji Xiaoyu left Third Medicine Valley.


    After joining his disciples for training, Gu An also left on his own. He stayed at Mystic Valley for a while before departing.


    Using his ultimate art to turn his body into illusion, he concealed his form, and combining the cosmic path divine skill to hide his own aura and karma, he directly crossed through the light layer of Outer Heaven, unnoticed by any Great Cultivator, and flew towards the Silent Destruction Domain.


    This time, Gu An headed in another direction.


    Soon, he entered the Silent Destruction Domain and landed in a nebula.


    He could sense beings roving in all directions, those two divine thought True Immortals still locked in battle.


    He couldn''t manage that much anymore; he had to breakthrough as soon as possible.


    Settling into a meditative pose, he activated his Life Span Barrier, then accessed his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 419/1,004,613,224]


    [Physique: Mixed Origin Refining Void Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Free Immortal Realm, Ninth Layer]


    ¡­


    A life span of ten billion years should be enough for a successful breakthrough, right?


    Gu An suddenly felt worried; he had decided this time to not enhance his divine skills or cultivation techniques any further but to directly attempt the breakthrough.


    After all, there''s no limit to enhancement in various aspects, and he was more concerned with ascending realms. There was no need to wait any longer.


    Never mind!


    A direct breakthrough; if ten billion years of life span isn''t enough, then he''ll just have to wait more!


    Gu An''s expression hardened, his gaze lingering on his cultivation level section.


    Invest one billion years of life span!


    [You undergo energy absorption cultivation for two million years, using the Eternal Infinite Skill''s great accomplishment to forcefully attack the Tao Fruit Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, you couldn''t endure the Heavenly Dao Taiyi Divine Element Grand Tribulation, the Tribulation Crossing failed]


    [You undergo energy absorption cultivation for four million years, using the Eternal Infinite Skill''s great accomplishment to forcefully attack the Tao Fruit Realm, begin Tribulation Crossing, you couldn''t endure the Heavenly Dao Taiyi Divine Element Grand Tribulation, the Tribulation Crossing failed]


    Well, well!


    Two million years for one Tribulation Crossing?


    That''s a huge gap!


    Gu An''s eyelids twitched, but thinking of Long Zhan''s tremendous strength after his successful breakthrough, he felt slightly relieved.


    What are two million years? He had a ten billion-year life span and could afford the gamble!


    One prompt after another jumped out, Gu An deliberately only looked at the length of the prompts.


    No changes at all!


    Until one billion years were exhausted, he still hadn''t broken through.


    Gu An took a deep breath and invested another billion years of life span!

 Chapter 364 Breakthrough to the Perfect Completion of the Taoist Repository Free Immortal Realm!

    The second hundred million years!Gu An made his decision and stared intently at the prompts.


    One after another, the prompts emerged¡ªall of them failures!


    Facing tribulation every two million years, he could only attempt it fifty times in a hundred million years. The experience of failing two or three hundred times before had made Gu An increasingly tense.


    In the end, they were all failures!


    Two hundred million years of life span, one hundred failures!


    Gu An remembered the Heavenly Dao Taiyi Divine Origin Tribulation. Although he hadn''t enhanced his cultivation technique or divine skills, he felt all aspects of himself were already sufficiently powerful.


    This Heavenly Dao Taiyi Divine Origin Tribulation really has some substance!


    Gu An reflected emotionally, then once again committed a hundred million years of life span.


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An saw that the Life Span Barrier had barely consumed any life span and felt as if the barrier was silently mocking him.


    Another hundred million years!


    It should be a success now, right?


    Gu An gritted his teeth, no longer able to maintain his composure.


    The prompt came out again, faster than before.


    Another failure!


    Gu An had now squandered four hundred million years of his life span, failing two hundred times.


    He couldn''t help but think of Long Zhan; he didn''t know how many years of life span it had taken Long Zhan to succeed in his breakthrough.


    He had inherited Long Zhan''s memories, but he couldn''t see Long Zhan''s life-stealing prompts, nor could he hear Long Zhan''s inner monologue at that time. He could only experience Long Zhan''s life through his own eyes, which was how he was certain he himself was the true incarnation; he wouldn''t get lost because of it.


    Long Zhan had never revealed his life-stealing ability to anyone, nor did he ever talk about his life span, so Gu An didn''t know how many years of life span Long Zhan had.


    However, recalling Long Zhan''s memories, he realized that Long Zhan did indeed feel frustrated in the early stages of charging into the Tao Fruit Realm, presumably Long Zhan had also failed many times.


    Gu An took another deep breath, cast aside all distractions, and continued with the breakthrough.


    He still had six hundred million years of life span left; it would be fine as long as he succeeded. After all, the life span is just a number, which can be slowly accumulated!


    Besides, he was more fortunate than Long Zhan, who only unlocked the life stealing ability in the late stages of his life, while he was just four hundred and nineteen years old.


    There were endless possibilities in life!


    As long as he didn''t act as arrogantly as Long Zhan had!


    Another hundred million years!


    Gu An decided in his heart, and as soon as all prompts had settled, he immediately invested another hundred million years of life span.


    He didn''t overlook his Attribute Panel, which still showed four hundred million years of life span.


    Another failure!


    Gu An had to stop, he needed to calm down.


    Two more tries, if he still wasn''t successful after two hundred million years, he would have to stop this time. After all, attempting to breakthrough would consume life span in the Life Span Barrier.


    The last breakthrough consumed fifty million years of life span, and this time it would definitely double.


    Here we go again!


    One hundred million years!


    Gu An''s eyes turned icy cold, but they soon shifted.


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for forty-eight million years, forcefully charged into the Tao Fruit Realm with the great accomplishment of Eternal Infinite Skill, and began tribulation crossing. You have endured the Heavenly Dao Taiyi Divine Origin Tribulation and succeeded, stepping into the Tao Fruit Realm. Your cultivation level has broken through to the early stage of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for eighty-five million years, and your cultivation level has improved to the mid-stage of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred million years, and your cultivation level has improved]


    Breakthrough success!


    The division of minor cultivation levels was no longer nine layers but was now early and middle stages!


    It seems that the Tao Fruit Realm is a major realm, comparable to major stages like the Mortal Realm and the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path.


    Taoist Storage Free Immortal!


    This was the realm that Long Zhan had reached. Just when he reached this realm, he was executed by the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Tao Spiritual Energy began to surge towards Gu An, and he saw the life span numbers on the Life Span Barrier start to jump quickly.


    Gu An still had three hundred million years of life span, and he continued to spend.


    One prompt after another kept jumping out, and this time, he invested slowly, no longer splurging a hundred million years at a time.


    The late stage of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm!


    The completion of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm!


    Stop!


    Just two minor realms cost Gu An one hundred and twenty million years of life span.


    He had one hundred and eighty million years of life span left!


    The Life Span Barrier shouldn''t dry him out completely, would it?


    Gu An''s mood was a bit apprehensive, if really pushed to the limit, he could only cancel the Life Span Barrier; he certainly couldn''t just wait for death.


    As vast amounts of Tao Spiritual Energy entered his body, there was another upheaval in the Silent Destruction Domain, not only Tao Spiritual Energy but even the Tao Rules of the universe were in upheaval.


    Almost instantly, those beings who were fighting or exploring in the area were scared into immediate retreat.


    This upheaval far exceeded the disturbance Gu An had made during his last breakthrough, even True Immortals with Divine Thoughts were frightened into running away.


    Gu An soon closed his eyes, immersing himself in the metamorphosis of his being.


    His Tao Seed began to absorb Tao Spiritual Energy, even Tao Rules integrated into his body, with cause and effect, destiny rules in the majority, followed by soul and Reincarnation Rules.


    Although Reincarnation Rules have always existed, they were not as perfected as his previous life''s mythology portrayed.


    The Reincarnation Rules absorb souls, then let them reincarnate anew. This process is elusive and unstoppable.


    Gu An focused on his Tao Seed, which continued to store Tao unique to himself.


    The path of a cultivator is similar to that of Tao Rules, yet different.


    It''s more like a special form of mana, its execution is also similar to divine skills.


    Once the Tao Seed blossoms into Tao Fruit, Gu An would be able to fight using his own Tao, entering a higher level of combat with even richer methods.


    The Taoist Storage Realm would nurture the first Lifebound Great Divine Power!


    Lifebound Great Divine Powers cannot be passed on to others, only to be exercised by oneself!


    As Gu An contemplated his first Lifebound Great Divine Power, he also thought about his Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, wondering if he could combine them, that would be even better.


    He enjoyed writing books, so decided to create a pen, the Lifebound Great Divine Power would have to be related to the pen.


    He quickly had an idea, and as his thoughts flowed, the rate at which Tao Spiritual Energy and Tao Rules powers entered his body accelerated. The influence caused by this also expanded rapidly, soon alarming the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The Great Cultivators guarding the Outer Heaven light layer were all startled, standing up one after another.


    "Here it comes again, this time even stronger than before!"


    "What exactly is this commotion? Why are even the Spiritual Energy and Rules of the universe in uproar?"


    "Unable to capture the source of the anomaly."


    "Everyone be careful. This surely has to do with the Heavenly Demon!"


    "Trouble has piled up one after the other. Could it be the fabled epochal tribulation?"


    While the Great Cultivators were discussing, two figures appeared above them, unnoticed by anyone. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These were two Free Immortals, one from the Immortal Dynasty, the other from the Holy Court.


    The Free Immortal from the Immortal Dynasty was known as the Ancient Immortal Emperor, the Holy Court''s Free Immortal was addressed as Saint Ancestor.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor had youthful features with white hair, wearing a white robe, his whole being gleamed with white Tao light, looking out of place amidst the cosmic stars.


    "Is this a breakthrough, or a formation being set up?" the Ancient Immortal Emperor asked with a slight furrow in his brows.


    The Saint Ancestor, dressed in dark Tao robes with black and white hair fluttering slightly, emitted a very strong sense of oppression, his eyes also peered into the depths of the cosmos.


    "It doesn''t seem to be either, it''s more like some Tao Rules are affecting the universe," Saint Ancestor said with a complex tone.


    Both Free Immortals lapsed into silence.


    After a long time.


    Saint Ancestor looked towards the Ancient Immortal Emperor, "You wouldn''t interfere in the disputes of the younger generations, would you?"


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor turned to look at him, "As long as you don''t break our agreement, I naturally won''t either."


    At those words, the Saint Ancestor showed a smile and nodded, "Let the younger ones fight. Comprehending Tao is what we should be doing. If the Heavenly Demon really attacks and the Great Heavenly Spirit Land faces the threat of destruction, that''s when we''ll step in."


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor had no objections, he turned to glance at the Great Heavenly Spirit Land with a meaningful look in his eyes.


    "How many lifetimes does Shengtian still have?" the Ancient Immortal Emperor asked.


    Saint Ancestor shook his head, "I have no idea. In the early years, he ceased to trust me and began contemplating the Heavenly Dao, setting himself on a solitary and strong path."


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor fell silent, no more questions asked, his gaze returned to the Silent Destruction Domain.


    ...


    Boom!


    Gu An''s Tao Seed completely solidified into a Tao Fruit, officially achieving the Taoist Storage Realm!


    At the same time, his Tao Fruit manifested Dao Patterns, the form of his Lifebound Great Divine Power!


    Gu An named his self-created Lifebound Great Divine Power as the Longevity True Words, a divine power primarily based on cause and effect, fate, deciding the life, death, and destiny of beings with words.


    There was a profound mystery of laws following speech!


    Gu An continued the charge into the mid-stage of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm!


    He opened his eyes and looked toward the Attribute Panel, seeing he had one hundred and thirty million years of life span left, his heart somewhat relieved.


    From this perspective, the Life Span Barrier would not exhaust all his life span.


    Time moved swiftly.


    An Ancient Hour later, his cultivation level had reached the late stage of the Taoist Storage Free Immortal Realm!


    Just one more minor realm to go!


    The mana of the late stage of Taoist Storage Free Immortal far exceeded the early stage, in both quantity and quality, incomparable to the early stage.


    An unprecedented sense of power made Gu An extremely gratified.


    He even felt as if the universe couldn''t confine him, that he could easily leap out of it.


    He restrained himself; he felt that terrifying existences were wandering outside the cosmos; perhaps the Annihilation God Emperor, Black Profound Emperor, were waiting for him.


    He looked into the distance.


    His Divine Thought turned invisible, probing far away.


    Traversing within the Silent Destruction Domain, his Divine Thought spied many powerful beings; the Silent Destruction Domain still hosted quite a few True Immortals and Free Immortals, though they were very scattered, equivalent to a realm as large as the Great Heavenly Spirit Land hardly housing a single Free Immortal.


    Crossing vast distances, he saw another Great Heaven and Earth.


    He didn''t linger, continuing onward.


    Over the following period, he encountered three other Great Heaven and Earths, all enveloped by the Silent Destruction Domain.


    As his Divine Thought neared its limit, he quickly retracted it and concentrated on breaking through.


    The nearest Great Heaven and Earth to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was extremely distant. It would take True Immortals years just to travel there, passing through many areas of spatial distortion along the way, which cannot be crossed by mere flight.


    Gu An''s focus returned to his body, observing his own Tao Fruit.


    He had an intuition that once the Tao Fruit bloomed, a new realm would open up.


    He looked forward to that day.


    At that moment, Gu An seemed to sense something and looked up.


    In the deep darkness, a pair of gigantic eyes appeared, the same eyes he had seen during his previous breakthrough; unexpectedly, they had appeared again.


    They were larger than the Great Heavenly Spirit Land eyeballs, showing how immense those eyes truly were!


    Gu An fixed his gaze on these giant eyes, wishing to see through them.

 Chapter 365 Mysterious Reincarnation, Fate Determining Pen

    Gu An compared his memory with the eyes before him and determined they were not the eyes of the Black Profound Emperor. As for whether they were the eyes of the Annihilation God Emperor, he couldn''t decide.Long Zhan had never actually seen the true body of the Annihilation God Emperor and was pinched to death by a hand that the Annihilation God Emperor had reached out.


    For the time being, he could not see through the cultivation level of this pair of huge eyes, but they indeed gave people an uneasy and oppressive feeling.


    Relying on the Life Span Barrier, Gu An wasn''t afraid of being detected by the other party.


    He had originally thought that the eyes would disappear after watching for a while, but that was not the case.


    He suddenly saw two figures flying out from the midst of those giant eyes, and they swept past above Gu An at an extremely fast speed, heading towards the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Although they passed above Gu An, they were actually very distant from him.


    Gu An turned his head to look, his eyebrows furrowing and a worried expression in his eyes.


    He could sense that these two figures were just from the Free Immortal Realm, but Free Immortals could easily obliterate the lives in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    He still needed to make a breakthrough and didn''t want to act rashly.


    Moreover, those giant eyes were still there. If he made a move, would he expose himself?


    Gu An saw that Free Immortals from both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court had appeared and could only hope that they would be able to stop this mysterious enemy.


    However, the moment those two figures that emerged from the giant eyes reached the edge of the Silent Destruction Domain, they suddenly disappeared.


    Gu An keenly caught that they had entered into the Reincarnation Rules, and then they entered the light layer of Outer Heaven in a manner incomprehensible to cultivators before their presence completely vanished.


    During the entire process, even those two Free Immortals were unable to detect them.


    Is this...


    Reincarnation?


    Gu An turned his head back and saw the pair of giant eyes slowly disappearing into the darkness as if they had never appeared.


    Forget it; first, make a breakthrough!


    Gu An raised his right hand, using his powerful mana to condense the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure he desired.


    Free Immortals could create Immortal Path Supreme Treasures; naturally, it was even easier for Free Immortals in a higher realm.


    While his cultivation level rose continuously, Gu An quickly shaped the form of the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, then infused his own Tao into it, forming a restriction structure that stabilized the Dharma Treasure.


    Time continued to move on.


    After a little half an Ancient Hour had passed, Gu An finally reached the Perfect Realm of the Free Immortals!


    At this moment, he felt a great sense of power, as if he could reach to the heavens and pierce through the earth!


    His right hand was still shaping the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, divine light shining upon his face, and the golden patterns on his forehead gleamed, making his face appear even more majestic.


    He seemed to be beholding a piece of heaven and earth, his gaze profound.


    He glanced at the Attribute Panel and saw he still had seventy million years of life span. He did not rush to lift the Life Span Barrier but continued to fashion the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    With the breakthrough completed, the rate at which the Life Span Barrier consumed his life span abruptly decreased.


    The turmoil in the Silent Destruction Domain also began to slow, bringing relief to the creatures hiding all around.


    It wasn''t just the creatures of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land who were afraid¡ªthe Heavenly Demons in the Silent Destruction Domain also trembled, as there were tales of calamity everywhere, which is the creatures'' worry about the unknown. Faced with unknown dangers, it was easy for them to associate these fears with the Heavenly Will and calamity.


    Waiting for the Tao Spiritual Energy''s turbulence to subside and Tao Rules'' surges to cease, the Silent Destruction Domain sank into deathly silence, extremely oppressive.


    Another two Ancient Hours passed.


    The Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in Gu An''s hand finally took shape, but to become a true Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, one last step was required: to infuse it with his soul''s essence.


    The Immortal Path Supreme Treasure was not just a powerful Dharma Treasure but also unique. The reason it could endure eternally was that the essence of the Free Immortal''s power maintained this characteristic.


    Gu An suddenly felt a very special force manifesting in the cosmos, a force similar to that in the layer of light outside of heaven.


    His Immortal Path Supreme Treasure seemed to want to be recognized by this force, yearning for it to be branded upon itself.


    Could this be the Heavenly Dao Rules?


    Gu An was secretly alarmed; the Heavenly Dao Rules always seemed more threatening to him than the Tao Rules, mainly because the Heavenly Dao Rules were too perfect, almost as if they had a will of their own.


    No!


    He couldn''t let the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure make contact with the Heavenly Dao Rules!


    Gu An forcibly suppressed the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure in his hand.


    After a good while, the Immortal Path Supreme Treasure no longer had the desire to approach the Heavenly Dao Rules. The divine light dissipated.


    A white brush with black bristles appeared in his hand, looking quite ordinary.


    Golden characters gradually emerged on the shaft of the brush.


    The Fate Determining Pen!


    Gu An''s mouth curved upward, very pleased with himself.


    He still had over sixty million years of life span!


    This breakthrough had been perilous, but fortunately, he had succeeded!


    He stood up and disappeared on the spot in an instant.


    With a single step, he arrived at the edges of Mystic Valley. Following that, he stepped out of the woods into a world where snow fluttered all around¡ªthe snow melted rapidly wherever he went.


    He stopped moving, concealing the aura of his Tao Fruit before continuing on his way.


    Snowflakes fell on him, and his figure gradually was obscured, as if returning to the mundane.


    30 minutes later, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He stepped down from the Transmission Array Platform and then headed towards the chess-playing area. This day, Nine-Finger Divine Lord was once again trouncing the less skilled; his opponent was still Shen Xinzi.


    Shen Xinzi held the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in one hand and a chess piece in the other, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, indecisive about his move.


    There were more than a dozen people surrounding them, including Medicine Valley Disciples and Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect, all of whom were discussing in low voices.


    Gu An approached them, playing with the Fate Determining Pen in his hand.


    You Yingying nudged closer, asking curiously, "Did you just buy that brush?"


    This brush was larger than ordinary, the size of a flute, which piqued You Yingying''s curiosity even more.


    "Yeah, bought it this morning, from an old senior. He said it''s an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure," Gu An replied with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, You Yingying rolled her eyes with disbelief, asking, "Since it''s an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, how many spirit stones did it cost you?"


    "Ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones, pretty expensive, right?"


    "Heh." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You Yingying''s gaze was like one looking at a fool¡ªthe scorn clear in her laughter.


    Gu An extended the Fate Determining Pen towards her, saying, "One hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones, I''ll sell it to you, taking a little loss."


    You Yingying slapped his hand away with a huff, retorting, "I''m not as foolish as you, I won''t buy it! But if you gift it to me, I could consider it."


    Quite the character, wanting something for nothing?


    Gu An rolled his eyes at You Yingying, then continued his walk towards Nine-Finger Divine Lord and the others.


    You Yingying followed, eyeing Gu An closely.


    She had sensed changes in Gu An''s temperament multiple times; she always felt that Gu An was hiding a secret.


    Could this guy really have taken Sword Venerable Fudao as his teacher?


    Gu An made his way through the crowd to stand behind Shen Xinzi, with You Yingying following close behind.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord, sitting opposite, lifted his gaze towards Gu An, also noticing the pen in his hand, and smiled, "That''s a decent-looking pen you have there, may I take a look?"


    Gu An twirled the Fate Determining Pen in his hand and said, "One hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones, I''ll sell it to you. This might actually be an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure."


    An Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord found this amusing, having just overheard Gu An''s conversation with You Yingying and initially thought Gu An was simply teasing her. He did not expect the kid actually believed it.


    Pretending to be serious, he looked at the Fate Determining Pen and said, "Oh? It really seems like it."


    Gu An''s expression immediately became awkward.


    Did he recognize it?


    No, he would have to pat him on the shoulder tonight and use the Great Imprison Soul Immortal Technique to erase this memory!

 Chapter 366 Heavenly Demon Turbulence

    Nine-Finger Divine Lord wasn''t sure what Gu An was thinking. Seeing the change in Gu An''s expression, he feared the young man might actually believe it, so he said, "I was just kidding. With your cultivation level, if it really were an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, you would be reduced to ashes upon contact."Gu An, upon hearing this, relaxed inwardly, but his face contorted as if he couldn''t bear to accept this fact.


    He looked down, Shen Xinzi had already fallen into a dead end and was struggling in vain.


    "Let me do it," Gu An patted Shen Xinzi on the shoulder and said.


    Shen Xinzi took a deep breath and then stood up.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord began to pick up pieces, picking up the black pieces, He stared at Gu An with a smile, "My chess skills have improved. You need to be careful this time."


    Gu An sat down, twirling the Fate Determining Pen in his hand, and said, "In chess, I cannot lose."


    You Yingying, standing by, had a peculiar look on her face. For some reason, she felt Gu An''s statement was very imposing.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord made the first move, and the chess game began.


    The spectators were engrossed in watching, and Shen Xinzi also wanted to learn from Gu An''s moves.


    Confident, Nine-Finger Divine Lord played quickly, not using his usual tactic of wearing down the old timers.


    Half an ancient hour later, Gu An stood up. Under the admiring gaze of the onlookers, he left, followed quickly by You Yingying.


    Shen Xinzi looked at the chessboard, his face showing admiration.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord, however, had a dark expression, staring intently at the chessboard.


    For some reason, he felt the gap between him and Gu An widening, and he couldn''t understand why.


    Gu An was planning to go see Long Qing, but You Yingying was following him.


    He could feel that You Yingying sensed his change, but he wasn''t panicked; now in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, no one could see through his cultivation level.


    Even if his demeanor had changed drastically, he was still in the Nascent Soul Realm, so neither Nine-Finger Divine Lord nor Shen Xinzi paid attention to his change.


    The two started chatting casually. Gu An brought up the Star Sea Congregations. Xuan Tianyi had already returned to the Supreme Sect, and An Hao and Li Ya had also left the Star Sea Congregations. Although there was still cooperation between the Supreme Sect and the Star Sea Congregations, the latter was rarely mentioned within the Supreme Sect.


    You Yingying came from the Star Sea Congregations, but since coming to the Supreme Sect, she had never gone back.


    In the past, Gu An was wary her Heavenly Demon identity would cause trouble, but now it didn''t matter.


    The Silent Destruction Domain was full of Heavenly Demons, and You Yingying''s karma was not as significant as Long Qing''s.


    "Do you want to cultivate?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    The reason You Yingying couldn''t break through was due to the suppression from her Heavenly Demon karma, her past life might have been afraid of being discovered, so her reincarnation couldn''t break through to a higher realm.


    With Gu An''s current capabilities, he could erase the karmic restrictions within her.


    You Yingying glanced at Gu An and said, "Of course I want to, but my identity is special, I cannot cultivate."


    "What if I could help you?"


    When You Yingying heard this, her eyes filled with depth, she shook her head and said, "No need, I will just live out this life honestly and reincarnate sooner. I don''t want to become a disaster."


    After hearing this, Gu An fell into silence, no longer speaking.


    "Why don''t you ask me why I think I am a disaster?" You Yingying said discontentedly.


    This guy is quite good at talking to others, so why is it always awkward with her?


    Gu An turned his head to look at her, asking, "Is there a need to ask?"


    This rhetorical question annoyed You Yingying so much that she lunged at him, arms flailing.


    The two playfully scuffled all the way to a forest, where the grass was covered in snow. Long Qing was practicing his Fist Technique in the snow.


    Long Qing, eighty-two years old, looked very young and robust, each punch he threw carried great force.


    Seeing Gu An and You Yingying arrive, Long Qing revealed a smile and greeted them.


    Before he was four years old, An Xin had taken care of him, and after that, it was You Yingying who raised him. In his heart, You Yingying was like a mother to him, whom he respected deeply, and Gu An even felt that in his heart, You Yingying held the highest esteem.


    "Master, godmother, how is this set of Fist Techniques?"


    Long Qing said, then began throwing punches.


    Gu An and You Yingying stood side by side, watching his technique, the whistling of his robes swishing filled the forest.


    You Yingying watched Long Qing''s form, her face filled with pride.


    In her heart, Long Qing was also her child. Since Long Qing''s arrival, she was no longer melancholic and lived every day fully, looking forward to the day Long Qing would make a name for himself.


    Gu An, on the other hand, compared Long Qing with others of his age, such as Yang Jian. In terms of physical strength, Long Qing was a notch above, but his reaction speed was slower than Yang Jian''s, perhaps related to cultivation level.


    For Long Qing to have such strength without Spiritual Power was already remarkable.


    After Long Qing finished demonstrating his Fist Technique, he turned around and approached Gu An and You Yingying, raising his fist, "I feel like I can already spar with those in the Nascent Soul Realm, Master, how about I spar with you?"


    Seeing his spirited appearance, Gu An couldn''t help but laugh.


    You Yingying glared at Long Qing, "Don''t be disrespectful. Are you challenging your master? Is it because I haven''t hit you for a long while, and you''ve forgotten my teachings?"


    Hearing this, Long Qing quickly explained, "It''s just a spar, stopping as soon as contact is made. Mainly because there are no other cultivators in the Nascent Soul Realm in the Medicine Valley, and it wouldn''t be appropriate for me to stir up trouble in the Inner Sect..."


    "It''s fine, come on."


    Gu An smiled, hearing this made Long Qing beam, and he quickly thanked him.


    You Yingying looked at Gu An, nervously saying, "This kid doesn''t know his own strength, you need to be careful."


    Gu An shrugged, "Please, I was once a Golden List Genius."


    The Golden List and Celestial List established by the Supreme Sect were still authoritative. Each generation of Golden List geniuses attracted geniuses from all over the continent to compete, although Gu An never participated again.


    Hearing this, You Yingying immediately stepped aside.


    Long Qing stood about ten paces away, warming up. He was very excited; he had long wanted to test Gu An''s capabilities.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, there had always been a legend that Gu An was formidable!


    Although he couldn''t compare to Immortal Path Great Cultivators like the Nine-Finger Divine Lord or Shen Xinzi, in his own realm, Gu An was undoubtedly strong.


    Gu An held the Fate Determining Pen, waving Long Qing over.


    Long Qing immediately advanced, lunging toward Gu An in one swift step.


    So fast!


    You Yingying couldn''t keep up with Long Qing''s speed, and her pupils dilated dramatically.


    Long Qing threw a punch, like a Sea Dragon emerging from the abyss, with an explosive sonic boom. Gu An reached out with his hand, using the Fate Determining Pen to block Long Qing''s fist so it couldn''t reach his chest.


    Long Qing''s face changed dramatically; his right arm couldn''t push any further. At that moment, he felt Gu An''s formidable presence, as unshakeable as a mountain.


    His biggest reliance was his physical strength, and when his strength was far inferior to his opponent''s, how could he not panic?


    Gu An''s mouth curved into a smile, his right hand holding the Fate Determining Pen suddenly lifted, lifting Long Qing into the mid-air. He then swiftly raised his leg and kicked.


    Bang!


    Long Qing''s chest was struck. His eyes bulged, his consciousness briefly blank.


    Everything happened very quickly, and throughout the process, You Yingying didn''t see how Gu An had made his move.


    She only saw Long Qing lunging at Gu An, then being kicked away.


    By the time she reacted, Long Qing had crashed into a large tree, shaking the accumulated snow off the branches, nearly burying him.


    You Yingying glared at Gu An and said, "Why did you hit so hard?"


    With that, she quickly ran toward Long Qing.


    Gu An, feeling helpless, thought to himself, ''You were worried I''d get hurt by him earlier, so why do you get to play the good person now?''


    With You Yingying''s help, Long Qing sat up. He opened his eyes, looking ahead at Gu An. For some reason, he suddenly felt awe. Gu An''s figure in his eyes seemed invincible. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even his second master, Shen Xinzi, couldn''t evoke this feeling in him.


    "You still need more practice, Qing''er. I''m waiting for your next challenge," Gu An''s laughter reached Long Qing''s ears, pulling him out of his reverent mood.


    He took a deep breath and nodded vigorously, his arrogance completely dissipated.


    The winter snow continued to fall.


    As Long Qing dwelled on his defeat, the Great Cultivators from Outer Heaven were deeply worried.


    With the cessation of the anomalies in the Silent Destruction Domain, the Heavenly Demons could no longer hold back and began to approach the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    They speculated that the disturbances in the Silent Destruction Domain were caused by the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, while the Great Heavenly Spirit Land suspected they were plotting something.


    In the days that followed, more and more Heavenly Demons flew out of the Silent Destruction Domain, reaching the cosmic region near the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, confronting the Great Cultivators on the outer layer of light, clearly demarcated.


    Time quickly advanced to the end of the year.


    On this day.


    Gu An was sparring with Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai in the Outer World Cave.


    The three demons attacked him together. Although they couldn''t gain the upper hand, each was agile and their spells were impressive.


    Gu An, holding the Fate Determining Pen, easily blocked and dodged their every spell.


    He was secretly pleased; although the three demons were always in the Nianchu Cave and Outer World Cave, their strength had been steadily improving.


    Any one of them could easily defeat Long Qing alone. Together, they could even withstand the Unification Realm.


    The strongest, Tian Yao''er, had already reached the seventh level of the Void Crossing Realm. Apart from her exceptional talent, this was also due to Gu An''s investment in elixirs.


    Tian Yao''er stopped and said, "Let''s stop here for today."


    Tianqing and Tian Bai followed suit, panting and sweating, their foreheads and hair damp.


    They looked at Gu An with adoration, immediately rushing to him, each hugging an arm, and began to praise how amazing their master was.


    Gu An was already accustomed to their actions. These were the demons he had raised, there was no helping it, he had to indulge them.


    Tian Yao''er approached Gu An and said, "Master, lately I have been feeling restless. Can you help me take a look?"


    Gu An asked in surprise, "How should I check?"


    Tian Yao''er raised her hands, grasping the front of her robe, preparing to disrobe.


    "Stop, don''t joke around. Tell me more about your feelings," Gu An quickly said.


    He suspected these three demons were plotting something against him.


    Tian Yao''er pouted, then talked about her recent feelings. During cultivation, her Qi-Blood was easily agitated, making it difficult for her to calm down and cultivate.


    She even felt something calling her, which made her uneasy.


    After listening, Gu An looked up, his pupils reflecting a sun, within which a Phoenix was hidden.


    As the Heavenly Demons approached in large numbers, the seven suns outside were also disturbed, the mysterious creatures within each awakened, watching the Heavenly Demons, ready for battle.

 Chapter 367 I Want to Become an Immortal, I Want to Establish the Heavenly Court

    Heavenly Phoenix Mountain had always been associated with legends of the Phoenix, and Tian Yao''er''s original form was a special bird, harboring a mysterious flame within her body, which led Gu An to speculate about her connection with the legendary Phoenix."Master, what are you looking at?" Tian Yao''er asked nervously.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai looked up at the sky and saw nothing, which made them anxious.


    Could there be something invisible to them that had infiltrated the Outer World Cave?


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to Tian Yao''er. He saw the causal links related to the Phoenix on her, which, while faint, were indeed there, proving that Tian Yao''er was a descendant of the Phoenix.


    He was not afraid of the Phoenix coming after them because the causal connection was too weak; Gu An had been unable to detect it even in the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm before, indicating that Tian Yao''er was separated from the Phoenix by a vast expanse of time.


    That Phoenix was just a Carefree Primordial Immortal in terms of cultivation.


    Gu An spoke, "Do not worry, I was just looking at your ancestor. The reason for your unease is because your ancestor is restless, and it''s affecting you through your bloodline."


    Ancestor?


    With both her parents deceased, Tian Yao''er had long regarded Gu An as her only support. Hearing now of the existence of an ancestor, how could she remain indifferent?


    She opened her mouth but eventually fell silent.


    Curious, Tianqing asked, "Master, who is her ancestor, and what is their cultivation level?"


    Tian Bai also looked at Gu An, her large eyes filled with anticipation.


    Gu An counter-asked, "Do you still remember the legend of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain?"


    At this remark, Tian Yao''er''s expression changed¡ªanticipation, nervousness, resentment, various emotions flashed through her eyes. For this moment, she seemed unlike her usual naive and romantic self.


    "Could the Miss be a descendant of the Phoenix?" Tian Bai gasped, eyes wide.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, saying, "However, the bloodline has been diluted over who knows how many generations, and the descendants of that Phoenix are beyond count."


    He wasn''t joking. Following the causal thread of the Phoenix, he saw the myriad causalities throughout the world related to it, with countless descendants like Tian Yao''er, even the ones in the sea.


    After hearing these words, Tian Yao''er seemed to shed a burden, visibly relieved, and a smile appeared on her face.


    Gu An looked at her and asked with a smile, "Were you afraid just now?"


    Tian Yao''er nodded, "I don''t want any ancestor; I just want to be with you, Master. When I was imprisoned by the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother, when I was hunted, no ancestor showed up."


    Knowing about the existence of an ancestor, her heart was more filled with worry and fear; she was afraid that Gu An might send her to that ancestor.


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    Gu An moved forward, rubbed her head, and laughed, "What are you thinking? How could I possibly abandon you? Even if the Phoenix came for you, I wouldn''t agree. I''ve raised you for so many years; how could it be for nothing?"


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er''s smile brightened.


    In reality, if she wanted to leave, Gu An wouldn''t stop her; now he was powerful enough not to fear exposing the Outer World Cave. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But he feared that saying he was willing to let Tian Yao''er go would instead make her anxious.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai didn''t think too much. They were more curious about how powerful the Phoenix was.


    "Don''t ask anymore. The Phoenix is definitely powerful. Be careful, or it might invade your dreams and devour you."


    Gu An hummed, frightening the two, and they dared not ask further questions.


    It wasn''t until noon that Gu An left.


    He went to the North Sea Mountain, where, as the Mountain God, he met with Sage Xuan Miao.


    Sage Xuan Miao had grown accustomed to a life away from worldly affairs, spending his days tending flowers and herbs, content and at peace, occasionally discussing the Paths with passing cultivators¡ªa life he found pleasant enough.


    When Gu An, transformed into a small Mountain God figure, approached him, he was no longer as constrained as he had been hundreds of years ago.


    He stood up and bowed.


    Gu An sat on the eaves and asked, "Have you encountered any confusion in your recent cultivation?"


    Though the life span offerings from the Mountain God Temple weren''t much, Sage Xuan Miao''s sincerity touched him, so he was willing to give guidance on cultivation.


    Sage Xuan Miao shook his head and smiled, "Not at the moment."


    He looked up at the Mountain God on the eaves, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "In your view, do the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court qualify as immortals?"


    This question he had long wanted to ask but feared offending.


    The methods by which the founder of the Immortal Dynasty bestowed blessings on all beings had shocked him, overturning his imagination.


    In his view, not even a Mountain God could achieve that.


    Now that he heard the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court were about to go to war, it left him with complex feelings.


    How could immortals quarrel over power and profit like mortals?


    If the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court were not truly immortals but merely powerful beings, why should humans be stronger than immortals?


    Various confusions took root in Sage Xuan Miao''s mind, making him even more eager for answers.


    Gu An, legs crossed, looked down at Sage Xuan Miao. His eyes, hidden beneath the mask, were so profound as he asked, "What do you think an immortal should be like?"


    "Like you, protecting the common folk without being swayed by worldly interests."


    "If that''s the case, why ask a question to which you already know the answer?"


    "I just..."


    Sage Xuan Miao frowned, unsure how to express himself.


    Gu An asked, "Do you think they are stronger than me, making you unsure of who the true immortal is?"


    Sage Xuan Miao nodded, watching Gu An nervously, fearful of offending the Mountain God.


    "Have you considered what it means to cultivate with me? If you are so fixated on immortals, why not think about becoming one yourself?"


    Faced with the Mountain God''s inquiry, Sage Xuan Miao''s eyes widened, and he asked in astonishment, "How could I possibly become an immortal?"


    "Your confusion is the confusion of the entire world. What you see might not be correct. The world is waiting for the true immortal to appear. Why couldn''t you be that immortal?" Gu An said meaningfully.


    In fact, he was bluffing, wanting to keep Sage Xuan Miao focused on cultivation.


    Over the years, whenever someone came by, Sage Xuan Miao would zealously preach about the Mountain God''s power and compassion, leading to more and more people calling mentally for the Mountain God''s help when in distress.


    Though Gu An paid no attention, those people''s hopes formed a source of power similar to Qi Fortune, which he called Desire Power.


    Perhaps the true path for an immortal required walking the way of Desire Power, to truly feel the suffering of all beings.


    However, Gu An''s pursuit wasn''t immortality; he sought longevity.


    If Sage Xuan Miao so desired to be an immortal, Gu An wouldn''t mind nurturing him to become a true immortal.


    To become an immortal, the most crucial aspect is the ability to save the common folk; simply having a good heart isn''t enough.


    After listening to Gu An, Sage Xuan Miao fell silent, his heartbeat accelerating.


    Gu An leaped down from the eaves, walked out of the courtyard, and went to pick medicinal herbs, with Sage Xuan Miao hurriedly following.


    "I... can someone like me really become an immortal?" Sage Xuan Miao asked cautiously.


    Without turning his head, Gu An replied, "Immortality isn''t about high status. With the right intention, it can be achieved."


    Sage Xuan Miao''s expression changed, deeply moved by these words.


    After a long time.


    The two returned to the courtyard.


    Gu An was about to leave when Sage Xuan Miao suddenly looked up at him on the eaves and said, "Mountain God, I''ve figured it out. I want to become an immortal, I want to establish the Heavenly Court!"


    Gu An stopped walking, turned his head to look at him, and asked in surprise, "The Heavenly Court?"


    "That''s the celestial authority from Journey to the West. In the book, the celestial beings fight demons and control the weather for the sake of the common folk. Although the Heavenly Court in the story has its flaws, at least they care about the common folk."


    Sage Xuan Miao spoke earnestly, and by the end, his facial expression turned determined, his eyes gleaming brightly.


    Gu An smiled and said nothing more, then disappeared from the eaves.


    Sage Xuan Miao, filled with grand ambitions, sat cross-legged, deciding to cultivate diligently from now on, not to disappoint the Mountain God''s faith in him!


    ...


    Spring arrived.


    This New Year was livelier than usual because the Supreme Sect invited many schools to join the Spring Festival celebration.


    The Third Medicine Valley was festively decorated and noisy, all disciples wearing smiles.


    As night fell, on a temporary stage, disciples took turns performing, keeping the festive atmosphere lively and ebullient.


    Gu An swayed his bowl of wine, his gaze inevitably drifting towards the night sky.


    Stars filled the sky, glittering and beautiful, as if even the heavens were celebrating.


    Meanwhile, in Outer Heaven, the tension between the sects of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and the Heavenly Demons was escalating.


    Gu An scanned the area; there were more than a million Heavenly Demons, the weakest of them in the Loose Immortal Realm, including two Divine Thought True Immortals. This was why the Great Heavenly Spirit Land dared not make a move rashly.


    He saw cultivators from the Holy Court negotiating with a Divine Thought True Immortal realm Heavenly Demon. It seemed that the Heavenly Demons were the stronger side.


    The current Holy Court was not as formidable as the legends suggested.


    The Heavenly Demons were also testing the stance of Shengtian, while the Holy Court side was evasive, clearly hiding something.


    According to Gu An''s judgment, a great battle between the two sides would soon erupt.


    Gu An had no intention of getting involved, given the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court were handling things.


    Having just made a breakthrough, he wasn''t eager to collect life spans and preferred to lay low.


    Long Qing came over, clamoring to have a drinking contest with his master. How could Gu An indulge him? He welcomed all challengers.


    The wine in Medicine Valley was Spiritual Wine, and even cultivators could get drunk if they had too much.


    It wasn''t until late into the night that the Third Medicine Valley finally quieted down.


    The next morning, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley. He arrived at Mystic Valley and after chatting with the disciples for 30 minutes, he entered the Eight Scenic Caves.


    From a distance, he saw a huge creature lying under the Green Vine Tree.


    It was a black Sea Dragon!


    [Sky Dragon (Void Crossing Realm fifth level): 387/8000/18000]


    Gu An looked at the Sky Dragon''s maximum life span and felt slightly disappointed.


    It seemed the Sky Dragon had not encountered much fortune over the years.


    The Sea Dragon lying under the tree sensed something, opened its eyes, and upon seeing Gu An, rapidly raised its head.


    "Master!"


    The Sea Dragon cried excitedly and then rushed towards Gu An, stirring up a gust of wind that shook the surrounding flora.


    Its body quickly shrank to only two meters in length, trying to jump into Gu An''s arms, but Gu An pressed down its dragon head with the Fate Determining Pen, keeping it at bay.


    "Why are you here?" Gu An asked.


    The Sea Dragon chuckled, "Ancient Sky Sect came to participate in the Supreme Sect''s Spring Festival, and I sneaked along, wanting to come see you."


    Gu An, unamused, said, "You are the Holy Beast of the Ancient Sky Sect. Do you think you could really sneak along without notice?"


    He had already sensed someone approaching the Eight Scenic Caves!


    He wasn''t angry, even somewhat excited.

 Chapter 368 Eliminating the Backer

    "I am now at the Void Crossing Realm level; they won''t be able to detect me!"Sky Dragon said proudly, despite being over three hundred years old, its voice had not lost its youthful tone, sounding like a young boy.


    Gu An did not argue, nor did he mention that someone was sneaking into the Eight Scenic Caves. He sized up Sky Dragon and said, "Are you accustomed to staying with the Ancient Sky Sect? If you want to come back, I can talk to the Supreme Sect."


    With the current power of the Supreme Sect, wanting to take the Holy Beast from the Ancient Sky Sect would be no difficult task.


    Sky Dragon replied, "It''s quite good, I won''t come back. The Supreme Sect is much stronger than the Ancient Sky Sect, the status I would have upon my return would certainly not compare to my former one."


    Gu An smiled to himself, silently thinking what a foolish dragon it was, and thought to himself, "Then just stay in the Ancient Sky Sect."


    He would not go out of his way to reveal his strength to Sky Dragon. This was also his attitude toward his disciples: only those who sincerely and insistently wished to stay by his side would he cultivate seriously.


    Just at that moment, footsteps were heard from the distant cave entrance, startling both Gu An and Sky Dragon as they turned to look.


    They saw a figure emerge from the cave mouth, a man in black with handsome features, holding a folding fan in his hand and with a palm-sized black spider perched on his shoulder.


    He looked at Gu An and Sky Dragon from afar, a mocking smile on his face, and his gaze then shifted to the Green Vine Tree, his eyes betraying a greedy light.


    Although Gu An could see through his cultivation level, he still could not help but send out a Life Span Detection towards him.


    [Demon Chaser (Mystic Heart Realm, second layer): 2107/4600/7500]


    A two thousand-year-old monster!


    Gu An looked forward to his next move while maintaining a vigilant expression on his face.


    "Is it you... How did you..." Sky Dragon''s eyes widened in astonishment.


    Gu An saw through cause and effect, destiny, and noted the intersection between Sky Dragon and Demon Chaser. Demon Chaser had hidden his identity and joined the Ancient Sky Sect, had visited Sky Dragon, and at that time, Demon Chaser had disguised himself as a Nascent Soul level cultivator, treating Sky Dragon with utmost respect.


    "If it weren''t for me, do you think you could have come here?" Demon Chaser sneered disparagingly.


    He stepped forward, the aura of the Mystic Heart Realm erupting, startling Sky Dragon who quickly revealed its true form to stand in front of Gu An.


    "You are no match for me, and if we start fighting, this place will be exposed."


    Demon Chaser said coldly, his gaze fixated on the Green Vine Tree, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter.


    "Who exactly are you? How can you possess such a cultivation level?" Sky Dragon asked through gritted teeth. The Void Crossing Realm and the Mystic Heart Realm were separated by the Unification Realm, and facing Demon Chaser, Sky Dragon felt immense pressure.


    Gu An then began to probe Demon Chaser''s cause and effect.


    Demon Chaser''s background was rather profound, with a Mahayana Realm master who was seriously injured, hiding in a cave. His master came from a Demon Sect at sea, with the highest cultivator within reaching the Loose Immortal Realm, incidentally Demon Chaser''s Martial Master.


    His Loose Immortal Martial Master was a traitor from an ancient family lineage. Although a traitor, his brother was still present, and the two shared a close relationship; Demon Chaser''s Martial Master often sought his brother''s help when encountering insurmountable troubles.


    And the strongest person from this ancient family line reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. It''s worth mentioning that this family''s Qi Fortune was related to another Great Heaven and Earth that Gu An detected during his previous breakthrough.


    That is to say, the origin of this family line came from another Great Heaven and Earth. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An was not fearful; that Great Heaven and Earth was not substantially stronger than the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, moreover, they were far apart.


    He merely marveled at the complexity of Demon Chaser''s cause and effect.


    Becoming enemies with Demon Chaser could easily entangle one in a series of cause and effect grievances.


    Defeat the underling, then the superior, and after the superior, the elder.


    Not long after.


    Demon Chaser approached Sky Dragon and said, "Kneel down, submit to me, this is your only way to live."


    His tone was incredibly domineering, brooking no dissent.


    Gu An stepped to the side to let Demon Chaser see him, playing with the Fate Determining Pen in his right hand, and inquired with an almost smiling tone, "What about me? Do I have a way to live?"


    Demon Chaser looked at Gu An, and Gu An''s smile annoyed him; he felt provoked.


    [Demon Chaser has developed hostility towards you, seeks to kill you. Do you wish to perform Life Span Detection on him?]


    Seeing the prompt before him, Gu An couldn''t help but shake his head with a chuckle.


    His movement caused a chill to flash in Demon Chaser''s eyes, who then coldly said, "You? You must die, perfect to feed the Green Vine Tree."


    Gu An asked, "How do you know the Green Vine Tree feeds on flesh and blood? What is your relationship with the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?"


    He knew the truth, of course, but wanted to ask one more question¡ªafter all, there was no hurry at the moment.


    Demon Chaser suddenly transformed into a wisp of Demonic Qi and dissipated, startling Sky Dragon greatly. It looked around instinctively and then saw Demon Chaser appear beside Gu An.


    Demon Chaser''s eyes widened in disbelief, his right hand trembling as it was blocked by the Fate Determining Pen. He was not only unable to harm Gu An but also unable to retreat, as an invisible force had rooted him to the spot.


    "How... how is this possible... who exactly are you?" Demon Chaser asked, his voice quivering with fear.


    Gu An looked down on him and asked, "Since I can''t grant you a way to live, do you have any last words?"


    The sentence sent shivers down Demon Chaser''s spine.


    "If you dare kill me, my master will not let you go!" Demon Chaser gritted his teeth.


    Gu An curiously asked, "Your master is just at the Mahayana Realm, and he''s gravely wounded too, how can he not let me go?"


    As soon as he spoke, Demonic Chaser''s pupils shook violently, and fear and despair enveloped his heart.


    He seemed to remember something, hastily saying, "My master comes from an Immortal Path Sect... spare me, and we''ll call it quits."


    [Demon Chaser harbors deep-seated hatred toward you, do you wish to perform Life Span Detection on him?]


    The hostility has even increased!


    Your next read is at empire


    Gu An looked at the prompt in front of him, completely unmoved, as he had no intention of sparing Demon Chaser.


    Now, so be it, more deaths to come!


    Gu An withdrew his arm, a terrifying force pressing Demon Chaser to kneel before him with a thud.


    Sky Dragon gaped, staring blankly at Gu An.


    Memories from a long time ago surfaced in its mind.


    Gu An was holding the Fate Determining Pen, waving it through the air, and with one stroke, a golden trail appeared before him, floating in the air.


    The golden light shone on Demon Chaser''s face, leaving it completely pale.


    Gu An wrote unhurriedly, forming the character for "death."


    As the final stroke completed, Demon Chaser''s heart skipped a beat, he looked at Gu An with a mixture of shock and fear, and asked through clenched teeth, "What have you done to me?"


    [You have successfully taken 67 years of life span from Lingchuan Zhenren (Mahayana Realm, Nine Layers)]


    [You have successfully taken 380 years of life span from Zhang Lu (Loose Immortal Realm, Fourth Layer)]


    [You have successfully taken 512 years of life span from Xu Tianxing (Loose Immortal Realm, Seventh Layer)]


    ...


    One prompt after another appeared before Gu An, and he glanced at Demon Chaser and said indifferently, "I haven''t done anything to you; I''ve simply erased all the backing you could call upon."


    Demon Chaser''s eyes bulged, and he yelled almost manically, "What kind of joke is this..."


    Before he could finish speaking, an indescribable panic enveloped Demon Chaser''s heart.


    For some reason, he suddenly felt as though he was abandoned by the entire world, a panic unlike any other, an unspeakable palpitation that agitated his thoughts.

 Chapter 369 Descending into the World

    Watching the Demon Chaser about to crumble, Gu An couldn''t be bothered to explain. With a wave of the Fate Determining Pen, he turned the Demon Chaser to ashes that rapidly vanished.Throughout the process, the Sky Dragon didn''t speak a word, just staring blankly at Gu An until the Demon Chaser disappeared, only then did it snap back to reality.


    Swallowing hard, it looked at Gu An with eyes filled with fear.


    Gu An''s strength had exceeded its imagination, and it hadn''t been in Gu An''s company for many years. Reuniting after a long separation and witnessing such methods, how could it not be afraid?


    Seeing its expression, Gu An found it amusing. He suddenly became interested and stared expressionlessly at the Sky Dragon.


    The look in his eyes made the Sky Dragon even more afraid, causing it to back away subconsciously.


    "About today''s affair..." Gu An said hauntingly, deliberately suspending his tone.


    The Sky Dragon hurriedly said, "I definitely won''t speak of it! Please trust me, Master!"


    Gu An twirled the Fate Determining Pen in his hand, his lips turning up into a smile, "This pen of mine can kill people from a very, very far distance. If you break our agreement, you understand what I mean."


    The Sky Dragon, terrified, its dragon body trembling, kept giving assurances.


    Gu An turned and walked toward the Green Vine Tree, his main purpose for taking action today being to confirm whether the Fate Determining Pen could indeed seize life span.


    The result was very satisfying, just as he had wished.


    The Fate Determining Pen was his own creation, not employing any external object. In the future, seizing life spans with the Fate Determining Pen would be even easier for him.


    Dealing with the Demon Chaser this time, Gu An had slain over a hundred, all directly related to the Demon Chaser. Sooner or later, they would be entangled in this web of cause and effect. Gu An essentially allowed them to meet their end early.


    This was the Way of Cause and Effect.


    To be able to glimpse into the process of the evolution of all things was also the foundation of participating in the Way of Destiny.


    The Way of Cause and Effect was profound and unfathomable. Gu An had just begun to delve into it and already possessed the power that not even gods or demons could predict.


    This action had earned him over forty thousand years of life span, which, to him at this moment, wasn''t significant.


    The Sky Dragon shrank in size, cautiously approaching Gu An.


    "Master, you are the Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect, right?" the Sky Dragon asked cautiously.


    Without turning back, Gu An said, "The less you know, the safer you''ll be, understand?"


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    Startled by these words, the Sky Dragon nodded hastily.


    Together, the man and the dragon reached the Green Vine Tree. The tree extended two vines that began to knead Gu An''s shoulders, causing the Sky Dragon to stare in bewilderment.


    Two ancient hours later, Gu An and the Sky Dragon left the Eight Scenic Caves. Gu An headed toward Tianya Valley while the Sky Dragon went to look for the cultivators of the Ancient Sky Sect.


    Within the bustling Supreme Sect, no one knew that a Mystic Heart Realm cultivator had been reduced to dust and smoke.


    After the Spring Festival, Gu An''s life returned to peace. He traveled between various Medicine Valleys, occasionally bringing An Xin to Mortal World Peak, or visiting Ye Lan and Zhen Qin on his own.


    The sects that had their medicinal herbs mysteriously harvested gradually returned to calmness. Even the Holy Court, unable to find the cause, had to give up, especially since such incidents hadn''t reoccurred lately.


    Although he had reached the level of a Taoist Hidden Immortal, Gu An never ceased his pursuit of development. He kept expanding the collection of high-rank medicinal herbs inside his Outer World Cave.


    Time flew swiftly.


    In the blink of an eye, five years passed.


    The number of Heavenly Demons outside had exceeded five million. They prowled the universe as if they wanted to tear the Great Heavenly Spirit Land to shreds.


    The Holy Court, Immortal Dynasty, and various other sects were all on high alert, positioned everywhere, not giving the Heavenly Demons a chance to infiltrate.


    On a massive meteor, two men ensnared in a dark aura stood shoulder to shoulder. They looked very similar, both dressed in black scale armor, though one stood taller.


    "The Holy Court remains silent, it appears our information is true."


    "Could the previous disturbance have been the reincarnation of Saint Heaven?"


    "Highly likely. Within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, only Saint Heaven would have such capacity."


    "If that''s the case, then this is a rare opportunity."


    "Our goal is that Great Emperor, we mustn''t forget."


    The two men in black armor spoke in hushed tones, their eyes fixed on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, brimming with hostility.


    As they were talking, they suddenly noticed something and turned their heads in unison to see a thick fog rolling in from the depths of darkness.


    The complexions of the men in black armor changed slightly, and they vanished from their spot.


    ...


    It was the season when spring turned to summer.


    Gu An sat under a tree, sharing drinks with Xuan Tianyi, exchanging insights on writing.


    Xuan Tianyi was very fond of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, believing it was not inferior to the Journey to the West.


    "Once I thought Investiture of the Gods was the pinnacle, but then you wrote Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. You truly are amazing. Why can''t I write books like these?" Xuan Tianyi looked at Gu An and exclaimed.


    Shaking his head, Gu An said, "Your Green Hero Travelogue isn''t bad either. Don''t write anything else in the future. Just focus on Green Hero Travelogue. If this book grows longer, it will certainly become a classic."


    Xuan Tianyi felt that writing serious books was rather uninteresting. Over the years, he had written many without much success.


    "Really? But many people are embarrassed to say they like Green Hero Travelogue, you know?" Xuan Tianyi asked doubtfully.


    "Do you want to write a book that many people have read but seldom mention, or a book that becomes a masterpiece in the hearts of a few, something they can relish for a lifetime?" asked Gu An.


    Hearing this question, Xuan Tianyi fell into silence.


    As the two were talking, a loud boom descended from the sky, startling both to look up, and not just them¡ªothers in the valley did the same.


    They saw a spectacular scene of a meteor shower falling from the sky; countless meteors with long trails of smoke descended, piercing through the clouds, resembling an apocalypse that made people uneasy from afar.


    "What''s that?" Gu An asked with a frown, thinking to himself that it had finally come.


    The Heavenly Demons began their invasion, effortlessly breaking through Outer Heaven''s defenses under the lead of a Free Immortal; those meteors concealed many Heavenly Demons.


    "I''m not sure, I''ll check it out."


    With those words, Xuan Tianyi disappeared from where he stood.


    Gu An stood up and walked towards his loft.


    An Xin ran all the way to him, anxiously asking, "Master, what exactly is that?"


    "I''m not sure either, but we''re safe inside the Supreme Sect," Gu An reassured her.


    Relieved by his words, An Xin could hear the unspoken message from her master¡ªthose mysterious beings from Outer Heaven couldn''t threaten him!


    As Gu An moved forward, he glanced up and saw that one meteor was heading straight for the Taicang Continent.


    Shen Xinzi had already gone to meet it, preparing to protect the Taicang Continent.


    Gu An did not intend to take action. After his breakthrough, with the invasion of the Heavenly Demons, perhaps there was some scheme behind it.


    As long as the continent could withstand this disaster, there was no need for him to intervene. It would be a good opportunity for others to get some practice.


    In fact, Sword Venerable Fudao had not acted for a long time and there were daily conflicts of varying sizes within the Supreme Sect, which Gu An did not meddle in.


    This also let the people of the world understand the stance of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As long as the core foundation of the Supreme Sect and the safety of the continent were not threatened, Sword Venerable Fudao would not act.


    After Gu An entered his room upstairs, Shen Xinzi had already shattered the meteor, from which a horde of Heavenly Demons surged out, the strongest reaching the Wandering Immortal Realm. They besieged Shen Xinzi, plunging him into a hard battle.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord quickly went to provide support, and cultivators from all over the continent also rushed to the scene.


    The Taicang Continent was just a microcosm; a grand defensive battle had begun in every part of the world.


    The great battle outside was even more imposing; Ancient Immortal Emperor of the Immortal Dynasty and the Saint Ancestor of the Holy Court joined forces against the Free Immortal Heavenly Demons, deadlocked in combat. Divine Thought True Immortals showcased their Divine Skills, and even the seven beings hidden inside the sun came out to join the battle.


    Phoenix, True Dragon, Qilin, White Tiger, Xuan Turtle, Green Bird, Kun!


    Their opponents were also colossal creatures, fierce beasts from the Silent Destruction Domain.


    The scope of the battle quickly expanded, with the Great Heavenly Spirit Land at the center, fighting figures filled every direction.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor stepped out from his house, his gaze calm as he looked up at the sky.


    At that moment, Long Qing passed right by him, his eyes fixated on the distance, brows tightly furrowed.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s gaze fell upon him and he suddenly furrowed his brow.


    After the descent of the Heavenly Demons, Long Qing was overcome with uncontrollable irritation, which was why he kept moving around, trying to dispel the emotions in his heart.


    "Why is the cause and effect on his body changing..." wondered the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor with surprise.


    And at this time of all times!


    This child must definitely be related to the Heavenly Demons!


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor developed an even greater interest in Long Qing, feeling previously that Long Qing had an unusual physique.


    Before long, a fierce wind blew from afar, a tempest stirred up by the great battle.


    Gu An sat at his desk, holding the Green Hero Travelogue while using his Divine Thought to observe the entire world.


    The foundation of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was truly strong; in such a short time, many Divine Thought True Immortals, Dao Void Mysterious Immortals, and Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma had emerged.


    From the current perspective, the Heavenly Demons couldn''t shake the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The battle would end following the outcome of the fierce conflict of the Free Immortals in Outer Heaven.


    However, Gu An noticed many Heavenly Demons that descended chose not to fight but to sneak into the Mortal World; some seized living beings, some disintegrated, merging into the Reincarnation Rules, and were then sucked into the Reincarnation Vortex above.


    Gu An suddenly felt that this batch of Heavenly Demons was not a united front, those who had not fought were entangled in a multitude of cause and effect with Long Qing, and were very likely here to find him.


    His Divine Thought then landed on the Moonfall Divine Lake.


    Moonfall Divine Lake was also experiencing an attack by the Heavenly Demons, their situation even more dire because a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm level Heavenly Demon was lurking around.


    The reason Gu An was paying attention to the Moonfall Divine Lake was mainly because of Zhu Xi with the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body.


    Under his gaze, Zhu Xi escaped alone from the Moonfall Divine Lake; she stepped on a Flying Sword, holding a lantern that made her invisible.


    Only when the crisis on the Taicang Continent was resolved by evening did Zhu Xi seek refuge on an island, where she hid in the forest, the lantern still burning.


    Unbeknownst to her, a Heavenly Demon was hidden on this very island. Although its cultivation was only at the Loose Immortal Realm, it was far more than she could contend with.


    Her lantern could not escape the eyes of the Heavenly Demon.


    The Heavenly Demon was closing in on her.


    Zhu Xi, who was seated in meditation, frowned. Opening her eyes, she looked around, feeling panic. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She had a foreboding sense of impending doom and trusted her instincts. That''s why she felt so frantic, realizing she was surrounded by danger with no chance to escape.

 Chapter 370 The Great Emperor of Calamity, Jiuyuan World

    Nightfall descended, and the woods fell into complete silence, devoid of any insect song.Zhu Xi stood up, holding a lantern in her left hand and clenching a sword in her right, her gaze nervously sweeping the surroundings.


    Suddenly.


    She heard the sound of the wind and instinctively turned her head to look, then sounds of the wind came from another direction before she could turn again, and soon wind noises erupted from all directions.


    A gust carrying leaves assaulted her face, causing her eyes to widen in alarm.


    Far in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An watched this scene unfold without intervening.


    Zhu Xi was no match for the Loose Immortal Realm, losing consciousness immediately upon the other''s attack.


    The attacker was a female Heavenly Demon seeking to possess her body, but just as its soul began to infiltrate, the demon sensed a terrifying devouring force.


    The Heavenly Demon instinctively tried to escape, but only part of its Soul Body flew out; the lower half was sucked in, unable to withdraw.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow as he observed, how much Spiritual Energy had Zhu Xi consumed?


    At twenty-three, even with copious quantities of Spiritual Energy consumed, she shouldn''t be able to shake a Loose Immortal.


    Could it be she harbored an even greater secret?


    No matter how the female Heavenly Demon struggled, she could not break free from the devouring force inside Zhu Xi, and soon, she was devoured.


    Zhu Xi then collapsed to the ground, and the woods returned to tranquility.


    It wasn''t until an Ancient Hour later that Zhu Xi opened her eyes with a confused gaze. Upon regaining her consciousness, she swiftly scrambled to her feet and warily surveyed her surroundings.


    Seeing this, Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought.


    This woman was no simple character; she might become a renowned figure in the future!


    Gu An had no intention of inviting or accepting her as a disciple; mere curiosity prevailed. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the future, it would be worthwhile to observe Zhu Xi''s life trajectory, reminiscent of binge-watching a drama in his previous life.


    Gu An smiled and then turned his attention to reading the Green Hero Travelogue seriously.


    The moon set and the sun rose.


    A new day arrived, and the Taicang Continent resumed its regular serenity.


    As the disciples gathered for morning exercises, they all discussed the distant battle of the previous day, curious about what had happened.


    When Gu An was practicing, he used his Divine Thought to survey the world.


    Many regions were still heavily afflicted by Heavenly Demons, but fortunately, the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty were quicker to act, constantly exorcising demons and providing rescue.


    In this calamity afflicting all beings, the Immortal Dynasty showed formidable prowess, quickly catching up to the Holy Court. As they saved more and more lives, Gu An distinctly felt the Qi Fortune of the Immortal Dynasty growing.


    This catastrophe actually presented an opportunity for the Immortal Dynasty.


    Gu An spotted An Hao''s figure; he was observing the battle, for the weakest of the Heavenly Demons also had Immortal Path cultivation, far beyond his current capability.


    While observing the world, Shen Xinzi returned. Many disciples looked towards him, feeling that he must know what happened the previous day.


    Not until the morning exercises concluded did Long Qing eagerly rush to Shen Xinzi, asking why he had left.


    "Yesterday, Heavenly Demons descended. Fortunately, the crisis on this continent has been resolved," Shen Xinzi replied, though his complexion appeared unnatural.


    The battle from the day before triggered some foreign memories, leading him to suspect they were from his past life.


    He had long been aware of his identity as a reincarnated Heavenly Demon, but through the years, he had resolved to embrace this fact. He believed that with a determined will, he would not become a demon; he even entertained the delusion of using his identity to convert Heavenly Demons.


    "Heavenly Demon?" Long Qing''s eyes widened.


    Shen Xinzi began to describe the terror of the Heavenly Demons, leaving Long Qing trembling with fear.


    From afar, Gu An watched the scene with amusement; two reincarnated Heavenly Demons discussing the threats of their kin, neither aware of the other''s true identity.


    He gestured to the Blood Prison Great Saint and then walked towards the Outer Gate City.


    Although the battle in Outer Heaven hadn''t ended, he had lost interest in it for the time being, as it seemed inevitable that the Heavenly Demons would be repelled. He decided to visit the Outer Gate City for a change of scenery.


    Elsewhere.


    Three Pure Ones Mountain.


    Li Ya sat meditating at the edge of a cliff, gazing up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.


    A soul approached, the Ancestor of Li Family who had once been hidden within Li Ya''s body.


    "What are you thinking about?" The Ancestor of Li Family asked as he came beside Li Ya.


    "Ancestor, what is like beyond the heavens? And how many levels are there in the Immortal Path?" Li Ya asked softly.


    The Ancestor of Li Family replied, somewhat annoyed, "How would I know? You have already surpassed me in your lifetime. I am waiting for you to show me a broader world."


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya cracked a smile and then stood up, stretching languidly.


    "Well, get ready, as I will soon leave the mountain to seek fortune. I''ve realized that traveling is necessary; secluded cultivation alone makes for slow progress in raising Cultivation Level. At this rate, I''m afraid I''ll fall further behind An Hao."


    Hearing Li Ya''s words, the Ancestor of Li Family showed a smile, saying, "I am indeed curious to see how formidable the Divine Exotic City is."


    The corners of Li Ya''s mouth lifted, his eyes filled with spirit.


    "The Saint Ancestor said that an era of prodigy competition is nigh; I cannot be absent."


    As he spoke, he lifted his right hand, where a white flame blazed in his palm.


    The Ancestor of Li Family looked at Li Ya, stroking his beard and smiling, filled with emotion.


    In just four hundred years, this young man had achieved so much; it was hard to imagine the heights he would reach in the future.


    Ancestor of Li Family recalled the scene of meeting Li Ya, his smile deepened.


    ...


    In the cosmos, scorching heatwaves devastated the starry space.


    Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor paused, their gazes focused on a distant silhouette.


    Enshrouded in black fog, the figure seemed like a Demon Lord emerging from the Abyss, a terrifying visage.


    His white hair flowed freely, crowned with a pair of forward-curving horns, his face pallid, with pupil-less eyes. He wore a black-feathered great robe, beneath which gleamed a chainmail shimmering with cold light.


    He was none other than the Great Emperor of calamity, a Free Immortal among the Heavenly Demons.


    Gazing at the calamitous Great Emperor, both the Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor had eyes filled with wariness.


    The two sides had been clashing for months. The Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor, two against one, couldn''t gain the upper hand, managing only to halt the Great Emperor of calamity''s advancement and prevent him from stepping into the great expanse of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    "The Heavenly Demon''s essence has dwindled to a mere tenth, yet you persist with your purpose?" the Ancient Immortal Emperor asked with an icy tone.


    The corners of the calamitous Great Emperor''s mouth curled up, revealing a sinister and odd smile. He said, "Do you really think I allowed the Heavenly Demons to invade the Great Heavenly Spirit Land just to kill some inconsequential Mortal Spirits?"


    At these words, both the Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor''s expressions changed dramatically.


    Before they could interrogate him further, the calamitous Great Emperor was engulfed by the surrounding black fog, which churned violently and began to expand rapidly.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor immediately responded, casting their mighty Mana upon the black fog, but they could not dissipate it.


    During the surging process, the black fog coalesced into a huge black sphere that, from a distance, resembled a black hole.


    "What kind of Divine Skill is this?" the Ancient Immortal Emperor asked with a grim look on his face.


    The Saint Ancestor gave no answer; he too couldn''t see through it, but a strong sense of unease welled up in his heart.


    Meanwhile,


    In the Taicang Continent, within a sub-sect of the Supreme Sect.


    In a courtyard.


    Gu An was drinking with Ye Lan and Zhen Qin. Zhen Qin was discussing recent major events in the sub-sect; an Elder oppressed a Disciple, leading to the Elder''s sudden and gruesome death, causing a stir throughout the sect.


    Zhen Qin had the makings of a storyteller, with a tone that could emotionally engage listeners. Gu An was quite cooperative, showing a nervous expression at critical moments of the tale.


    Ye Lan, on the other hand, watched Gu An and was occasionally amused by his expressions.


    Suddenly, Zhen Qin stood up, drew her sword, and pointed it to one side, her eyes wide as she said, "That''s exactly what I did, holding my sword to that man''s neck, questioning him why he would harm his own master. Despite the evidence in front of him, he was still defiant, refusing to admit anything."


    Gu An was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something, his eyes subtly shifting.


    Zhen Qin was about to continue her story when her expression changed abruptly.


    Not only her, but Ye Lan''s expression also changed dramatically.


    "What''s going on... why do I feel like something is grabbing me?" exclaimed Zhen Qin in horror, instinctively looking at Ye Lan.


    Ye Lan''s body trembled as she spoke through gritted teeth, "Me too, I can''t break free."


    In Gu An''s eyes, a mysterious causality force intertwined around Ye Lan and Zhen Qin. It wasn''t just the two of them; within the sub-sect, many others were entangled by this force of causality.


    He looked up to see the sky, which appeared a magnificent blue, but through his eyes, there appeared an intricate black net across the sky, beyond the reach of mortal beings. This black net seemed to connect with countless souls in the world.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought followed the black net and saw the enormous black sphere in the universe. In that instant, he understood the calamitous Great Emperor''s Divine Skill.


    No wonder there were so many Heavenly Demons reincarnating and seizing bodies; it was to merge into the rules of Heaven and Earth within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Watching the trend of causality force exerted by the calamitous Great Emperor, it seemed he intended to pull many beings of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land into that black sphere.


    Gu An saw that Long Qing was also entwined by this force of causality.


    He immediately stood up and, feigning panic, grabbed Ye Lan''s shoulder to ask her what was wrong.


    "Elder Brother... get away quickly..." Ye Lan said through clenched teeth, unable to shake his grip nor stand up.


    "What''s happening? How could I possibly abandon you!"


    Gu An exclaimed anxiously. Ye Lan was about to reply when suddenly the world spun around them.


    The same sensation hit Zhen Qin.


    Then, Gu An and the two women vanished into thin air.


    At this moment, countless beings disappeared without a trace, causing an earth-shattering uproar within the Supreme Sect sub-sect.


    Ye Lan clenched her eyes shut, feeling as if she was falling¡ªa sensation even she, in the Divinity Transformation Realm, found extremely unbearable.


    As she continued to fall, she gradually regained control of her body.


    Soon, she felt her feet touch the ground.


    A hand grasped her right hand, immediately calming her heart.


    This was her Elder Brother''s hand!


    She knew every line on his palms, there could be no mistake.


    She then felt her eyes could open and immediately did so. What appeared before her was a sky shrouded in crimson, with countless figures descending from above like a torrential downpour.


    Gu An and Zhen Qin stood beside her, atop a mountain peak, all looking at the sky in shock.


    "Where is this place..." Zhen Qin asked with trembling voice, her beautiful eyes wide.


    She followed the direction the figures were falling and saw a series of peaks stretching endlessly into the gloom.


    Once all the figures landed, the crimson sky revealed a pair of immense eyes - those of the calamitous Great Emperor, looking down upon all beings within the world, as if searching for something.


    "Mortal Spirits of Great Heavenly Spirit Land, this realm created by this Emperor is Jiuyuan World. No one can save you here. However, this Emperor is merciful and will offer you a sliver of hope."


    The voice of the calamitous Great Emperor resonated, like a dull thunder, echoing through the heavens and earth.

 Chapter 371 Heavenly Dao and Heavenly Demon

    Long Qing stood on the hillside, gazing up at the huge eye in the sky, his face full of fear. Other people were also on the hillside, all of them were disciples of the Supreme Sect, and An Xin was among them.Every person listening to the words of the Great Demon Emperor felt a chill down their spine, their hearts filled with fear.


    They had never heard of the Jiuyuan World, and it was even the first time they had heard the name of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    "Within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, there are many Heavenly Demons reincarnated. They may be your kin or your dear friends. If you want to survive, then kill all the reincarnated Heavenly Demons. The Heavenly Demons must do the same; kill off all the creatures of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and you will regain your freedom," said the Great Demon Emperor, his voice ringing out, tone frosty, filled with a murderous intent.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin frowned upon hearing this, and they instinctively looked around, fearing an attack by a Heavenly Demon.


    Gu An speculated that the Great Demon Emperor was looking for Long Qing.


    But why didn''t he directly wipe out all the beings that fell into the Jiuyuan World?


    Soon, Gu An understood.


    It was the protection of the Heavenly Dao!


    As the voice of the Great Demon Emperor ceased, Gu An felt the presence of many Heavenly Demons. Those reincarnated began to awaken their Heavenly Demon Origin. As the Demonic Qi grew, the aura of the Heavenly Dao began to emerge from the bodies of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land creatures.


    This so-called Heavenly Dao Aura was the same as the aura of the layer of light outside the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, which prevented beings below Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal from flying to Outer Heaven.


    In fact, everything in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was infused with Heavenly Dao Aura, including the other Great Heaven and Earth realms that Gu An glimpsed during his breakthrough.


    The Heavenly Dao is omnipresent!


    This is a force distinct from the Dao, and within it, implicitly lies the will of heaven, referring to the Heavenly Dao Rules!


    The creatures from the Silent Destruction Domain are easily distinguishable because they don''t have the aura of the Heavenly Dao. Their presence is discomforting to beings born under the Heavenly Dao, and thus the two factions have been incompatible since ancient times.


    The Great Demon Emperor was obviously studying the Way of Cause and Effect, fearful of slaughtering too many creatures of the Heavenly Dao and suffering a Karma Rebound.


    Killing a few creatures of the Heavenly Dao, however, was no issue. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the memories of Long Zhan and Lu Han, they had heard mentions of the Heavenly Dao, which for cultivators, was a vague and elusive legend.


    Of course, if pushed to the brink, the Great Demon Emperor wouldn''t care so much. After all, he came from the Silent Destruction Domain and couldn''t possibly suffer a Karma Rebound so severe that his body and dao perished.


    If the Heavenly Dao were so powerful, there wouldn''t be the existence of the Silent Destruction Domain.


    The Great Demon Emperor stopped speaking, and the pair of eyes also vanished, plunging the entire world into silence.


    Gu An noticed that Ji Xiaoyu, An Hao, Li Ya, Wu Jue, Xuan Tianyi, Jiang Qiong, Long Qing, An Xin, and other people had also been pulled into the Jiuyuan World. It seemed that the beings dragged into the Jiuyuan World, apart from the reincarnated Heavenly Demons, were almost all but ordinary; at least their fates were extraordinary.


    He suddenly thought of a question: could the Great Demon Emperor''s action be related to the commotion of his breakthrough?


    Very likely.


    On reflection, if it were not for him, Long Qing would not have been born early. According to the man in black on Qingtian Peak, Long Qing needed to be nurtured for at least a few thousand years.


    Gu An''s actions advanced many things by thousands of years.


    "What should we do?" Zhen Qin looked at Ye Lan and asked, accustomed to Ye Lan taking the lead.


    Ye Lan took a deep breath and said, "We''ll have to play it by ear. According to his words, we can unite with many people. This is not a matter of individual survival but a competition between two camps."


    Over the past few months, news about the Heavenly Demons had already spread within the Supreme Sect, and many legends of Heavenly Demons circulated. They knew that the Heavenly Demons came from beyond the heavens and because of this, they were very wary of them, not overly confident.


    Ye Lan continued, "I sense the presence of some of our fellow sect members. Let''s meet up with the people of the Supreme Sect first."


    Zhen Qin nodded, and Gu An had no objection. He wanted to see how Ye Lan and the others would perform in the face of such a catastrophe.


    The three of them began to descend the hill.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought swept the area; there were quite a few Heavenly Demons, numbering over a million. Although they were not as numerous as the creatures of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, the Heavenly Demons'' Cultivation Levels were higher.


    A fierce battle would follow soon.


    Gu An would make his move when the Great Heavenly Spirit Land side was on the brink of collapse.


    To him, the Great Emperor of Calamity wasn''t that strong.


    Both well-studied in the Way of Cause and Effect, Gu An''s causal power was a step ahead of the Great Emperor of Calamity.


    The Jiuyuan World was formed by the forces of causality, and for Gu An to break it was hardly a difficult task.


    "Master, who would have thought that the three of us would have the chance to adventure together?"


    Zhen Qin suddenly turned her head to look at Gu An, saying with a grin, no longer as tense as before.


    Ye Lan couldn''t help but look towards Gu An as well, though her eyes held more worry.


    In her mind, Gu An was protected by Sword Venerable Fudao, but whether Sword Venerable Fudao could find the Jiuyuan World was not certain, hence, she worried that she wouldn''t be able to protect Gu An.


    She would rather die alone than let Gu An die before her.


    Intuition told her that the Heavenly Demon was absolutely terrifying; she had to go into battle prepared to die, without a trace of carelessness.


    "Rest assured, I am very strong, I won''t hold you back," Gu An said seriously, taking out the Fate Determining Pen.


    Zhen Qin couldn''t help but tease, "Being in the Nascent Soul Realm is indeed impressive."


    "Got wings and now looking down on your Master''s cultivation level?"


    "Dare not, dare not."


    The master and disciple began to banter.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought had already spread out, watching over Ji Xiaoyu, An Hao, and others, to prevent them from encountering an unbeatable foe.


    30 minutes later, Gu An and the others from the Supreme Sect gathered, deciding to look for disciples from their own sect.


    The Jiuyuan World was large, but not as incomparably vast as the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, so An Xin and the others were not far from them.


    The disciples of the Supreme Sect pulled into the Jiuyuan World numbered only a few dozen¡ªeither with extraordinary fates or geniuses.


    Long Qing''s body contained the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit strengthened by Gu An, and thus he did not awaken to become a Heavenly Demon.


    Facing the imminent battle with the Heavenly Demon, Long Qing was excited; he had long wanted to take on the world, but his Master had not allowed it.


    During flight, a thunderous roar came from afar, startling the disciples of the Supreme Sect into immediately accelerating away from the battle.


    Gu An stood behind Ye Lan, sharing a sword with her, when he spotted a familiar face engaged in the distant battle.


    Li Ya!


    The kid was directly using the power of Divine Exotic City to suppress the Heavenly Demon, drawing in more of them for a siege.


    Gu An began to watch the battle, wanting to see how much Li Ya had improved.


    Time rushed by quickly.


    An hour later, the Supreme Sect''s side finally met up; the forces of causality hadn''t scattered their position.


    "Master!"


    An Xin, seeing Gu An, immediately showed a joyously surprised expression. She swiftly flew by Gu An''s side, her anxious look swept away, replaced with excitement.


    Long Qing too flew over, chattering nonstop in excitement, he couldn''t wait to fight the Heavenly Demon.


    Ye Lan started negotiating with other disciples of the Supreme Sect.


    Zhen Qin looked at An Xin and Long Qing, her expression odd, why weren''t these two scared at all?


    It was one thing for Long Qing to be fearless, the young and rash type, but why was An Xin, that girl, getting all excited too?

 Chapter 372 Who Are You, Exactly?

    Supreme Sect disciples discussed for quite some time and ultimately decided to join the battle. In their view, hiding and waiting for others to fight, hoping for a slim chance of survival, was very foolish.Gu An much appreciated the courage and insight of the Supreme Sect disciples. In such a situation, choosing to lay low could indeed result in a complete loss. Unity was surely the best approach.


    Dozens of people banded together and flew towards the nearest battlefield.


    Li Ya had already finished his battle. Relying on the powerful force of Divine Exotic City, his victory came easily. He didn''t even have to lift a finger; it was entirely the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit fighting on his behalf.


    30 minutes later, Gu An and the others joined the encirclement against the Heavenly Demon. Under Ye Lan''s arrangement, Gu An was positioned on the outermost layer, responsible for casting long-range spells.


    With the Fate Determining Pen in hand, Gu An pretended to exert himself earnestly. His Divine Thought also looked towards the distance, enveloping the entire Jiuyuan World, spying on the battlefield from a macro perspective.


    More and more beings began to engage in battle with the Heavenly Demon, all becoming embroiled in fierce combat.


    Gu An started to snatch kills; when the Heavenly Demon was on the verge of death, his Divine Thought would strike at the Heavenly Demon.


    A series of prompts popped up before his eyes, bringing him increasing pleasure.


    Suddenly, he captured a whiff of the presence of a Free Immortal. The other party was well-hidden but could not escape his Divine Thought.


    It must be the creator of the Jiuyuan World!


    This person was masquerading as part of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land''s side and was still opposing the Heavenly Demon.


    What did this mean?


    Gu An couldn''t figure it out, so he couldn''t be bothered to think about it.


    He continued to balance the battlefield; if the Heavenly Demons had an overwhelming advantage over the beings, he would help suppress them, giving those of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land a chance to train.


    The beings who were drawn into the Jiuyuan World were not mediocre; one day, they would become the backbone of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    What Gu An needed to do was ensure not too many talents from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land perished while allowing this experience to provide them with opportunities for transformation.


    ...


    In the cosmos, more and more Cultivators flew to the vicinity of the black sphere, looking nervously at the black sphere created by the Demon Great Emperor.


    "Dammit, are we just going to watch this happen?"


    "My Sect has hundreds of disciples caught up in this; they are all the future of my Sect!"


    "Isn''t our Sect the same? What exactly is this method?"


    "Move aside, I refuse to believe it!"


    "Is the Holy Court truly helpless?"


    Great Cultivators of various factions discussed among themselves. Some even attacked the giant black sphere, trying to shatter it, but no spells or Divine Skills that struck the black sphere could move it.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor and Saint Ancestor stood on high ground, frowning at this scene.


    A figure appeared behind them; a middle-aged man dressed in golden garments, holding a jade ruler, with a dignified face.


    "Holy Minister, is there truly no way to resolve this?" the man in golden garments asked.


    He was indeed the Holy Minister of the Holy Court. At this moment, his brow was furrowed, and his eyes were full of worry.


    The Saint Ancestor, with his back to him, answered, "I can sense that the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court has not weakened, which means that those juniors involved have not suffered significant casualties. Let''s seal off this space first."


    The Holy Minister hesitated for a moment then turned to give the order.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor took a deep breath and said, "I feel that his purpose is not the slaughter of the young generation of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. It seems he is searching for something."


    The Saint Ancestor replied, "I think so as well, but throughout history, there have been too many beings from Outer Heaven that have infiltrated the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. It is temporarily impossible for me to deduce what the Demon Great Emperor is searching for."


    The two Free Immortals fell into confusion, their gaze never leaving the black sphere.


    Time moved quickly.


    Half a day after entering the Jiuyuan World, all the beings within began to fight, with the sounds of battle everywhere.


    With Gu An''s hidden help, the morale of those from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land continued to rise. The more the Heavenly Demons perished, the greater the advantage for the Great Heavenly Spirit Land side.


    In just half a day, Gu An had already reaped more than thirty million years of Life Span, successfully surpassing one hundred million in total. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not a single Supreme Sect disciple had died, everyone''s confidence was growing, and even Ye Lan no longer constrained Gu An as before, also looking for opportunities for Gu An to gain experience.


    The Jiuyuan World seemed to have no day or night; the blood-colored sky only showed shifting clouds.


    Gu An, holding the Fate Determining Pen and standing on the Heavenly Residence Sword, followed the steps of the main force. An Xin was beside him, discussing the previous battle with Long Qing.


    Gu An''s eyes looked towards the front lines at Wu Jue.


    As the mainstay of the Supreme Sect disciples, Wu Jue was capable of standing on his own. Seeing his independence, Gu An couldn''t help but think of his own timid demeanor in the past, filled with emotion.


    If possible, Gu An would rather the ordeal last a few more days, but the Heavenly Demon Free Immortal was becoming harder to restrain.


    It had only been half a day, and a third of the Heavenly Demons had died.


    Tens of thousands of miles away.


    On a mountain cliff stood a man in black, furrowing his brow; he was the incarnation of the Demon Great Emperor.


    "What''s going on? The beings of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land can''t possibly be this formidable..." The Demon Great Emperor was filled with confusion.


    In his view, although the Great Heavenly Spirit Land''s side had a numerical advantage, it should not be showing its current strength since the Heavenly Demon side was clearly stronger.


    The more the Demon Great Emperor thought about it, the more panicked he became. He felt that an unknown entity might have infiltrated the Jiuyuan World.


    Even he, a Free Immortal, couldn''t see through it?


    The first he thought of was Shengtian of the Holy Court. He had previously obtained the Saint Heaven Reincarnation; perhaps Shengtian had also been pulled in and was secretly making a move?


    The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.


    He immediately disappeared from the spot.


    ...


    Wu Jue flew to Gu An''s side and said, "According to the intelligence we''ve gathered, the other battlefields are also gaining an advantage, so you don''t need to worry too much."


    Gu An replied reluctantly, "What do I have to worry about? It''s you guys who are charging into battle; I''m in no danger at all."


    Wu Jue laughed and said, "This is still your first time leaving the Supreme Sect for an adventure; I''m just afraid you might be anxious."


    An Xin covered her mouth and snickered nearby. Wu Jue thought she was laughing at Gu An, so he didn''t think much of it.


    Standing behind Gu An, Long Qing leaned forward and excitedly asked, "Elder Wu, when will the next battle begin?"


    During the previous fight, he had also participated, and his formidable physique surprised many disciples of the Supreme Sect. It was truly inconceivable that this lad had not an ounce of Spiritual Power but could still display such domineering performance.


    Wu Jue looked at him and smiled, "It should be soon."


    Having successively slain Heavenly Demons, Wu Jue began to underestimate them, feeling that they were not as terrifying as he had imagined.


    Just as Wu Jue was about to speak further, he saw Long Qing''s eyes widen in nervous anticipation, looking towards the sky. Instinctively, he turned his head and saw a pair of gigantic eyes appear in the blood-colored sky¡ªeyes that belonged to the Great Emperor of Disaster.


    The Great Emperor of Disaster seemed to be searching for something. His gaze moved rapidly, and, except for Gu An, whose heart would flutter at the sight of it, anyone else who locked gazes with the Great Emperor felt their hearts race.


    In the presence of these eyes, any creature, no matter how talented, would feel an instinctual terror.


    The entire Jiuyuan World fell into silence, all lifeforms gazing up at the eyes of the Great Emperor of Disaster.


    On the edge of a forest, Zhu Xi looked up at the Great Emperor, her eyes filled with worry, while the cultivators and demons above the forest were just as tense.


    "Dear heavens, please let me survive this calamity..." Zhu Xi prayed silently in her heart. In the earlier part of the day, although she had been part of the battle, she never approached the Heavenly Demons closely and only played a supporting role.


    As the eyes of the Great Emperor of Disaster appeared, people''s excitement was extinguished.


    What did it matter if they could defeat the Heavenly Demons?


    To leave alive, the demonic eyes in the heavens were an unavoidable presence.


    Suddenly!


    The Great Emperor of Disaster''s eyes burst open, his pupil-less gaze emitting a strange red light, and all creatures changed in expression, falling into a stupefied state.


    Those creatures in the air began to descend, landing on the mountains and lands below, while the Heavenly Demons retreated, seemingly under orders not to strike when the enemy was vulnerable.


    Gu An felt the consciousness of those around him fall into some kind of illusion.


    Everyone was confronting the deepest fears in their hearts.


    Gu An pretended to go along, enduring the spread of the Illusion Realm. He led Long Qing down onto a hillside.


    The gaze of the Great Emperor of Disaster landed on Ji Xiaoyu, with a strange look in his eyes, but then he moved it away and fell upon Long Qing.


    All creatures were in pain, yet Long Qing remained calm.


    The giant eyes in the sky then disappeared.


    The Great Emperor of Disaster appeared out of nowhere beside Long Qing, looking him over.


    Surprisingly, Long Qing felt no fear at all, and his illusion was of a bright Great Heaven and Earth where he was running around, calling out for Gu An and An Xin.


    "Could he be the reincarnation of Long Qing?" he wondered.


    The gaze of the Great Emperor of Disaster flickered, then, raising a hand, he attempted to touch Long Qing''s forehead.


    Snap!


    Suddenly!


    A hand grabbed the wrist of the Great Emperor''s right hand, causing an unexpected change of expression on his face as he looked in astonishment at Gu An standing beside Long Qing.


    "Saint Heaven?"


    The Great Emperor of Disaster frowned and said, "You should be able to tell that I don''t intend to exterminate everyone. I''m just looking for Long Qing. Don''t you bear a grudge against the Long Family of the Battle Court?"


    It turns out that what the Great Emperor of Disaster feared was not just the Heavenly Dao Destiny but Saint Heaven as well.


    [The Great Emperor of Disaster (Level 5 Free Immortal Realm): 37,902,765 / 100,000,000 / 200,000,000]


    What a long Life Span!


    It would be a pity not to slay!


    Gu An asked, "How can you be sure that I am Saint Heaven?"


    As soon as these words came out, the complexion of the Great Emperor of Disaster changed drastically, and he instinctively tried to teleport away, only to discover to his horror that he could not move at all.


    How is this possible!


    The Great Emperor of Disaster tried to use the power of cause and effect, but he couldn''t shake Gu An, which terrified him even more.


    "Who are you really?"


    The Great Emperor of Disaster stared at Gu An, asking with a trembling voice that could not hide his fear.


    Gu An asked, "Why are you looking for Long Qing?"


    Upon hearing this, the face of the Great Emperor of Disaster filled with a look of despair as he murmured to himself, "The Long Family still has a Great Power hidden away..."


    Seeing that he was unwilling to answer, Gu An lost his patience and directly assailed the soul of the Great Emperor of Disaster with Divine Thought.


    Great Imprison Soul Immortal Technique!


    Search memories!


    After a dozen or so breaths, Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought, and with a squeeze of his right hand, the Great Emperor of Disaster instantly disintegrated into ash. A blood-red Tao Seed hovered in front of him.


    Gu An''s gaze sharpened as the terrifying force of causality immediately ground the Tao Seed into dust, vanishing in a flash.


    [You have successfully seized 6,230,567 years of Life Span from the Great Emperor of Disaster (Level 5 Free Immortal Realm)]


    Over six hundred twenty thousand years of Life Span!


    A look of pleasure crossed Gu An''s face. Truly worthy of a Free Immortal!

 Chapter 373 Reincarnation Tribulation

    After slaying the Evil Emperor, the Jiuyuan World did not dissipate and maintained its heaven and earth form; the beings trapped in the Illusion Realm awakened one after another.Ye Lan, upon waking, instinctively turned around, and when she saw Gu An was unharmed, she immediately sighed in relief.


    An Xin opened her eyes, spotted Gu An''s figure, and drew closer to him, while patting her chest with a frightened expression on her face.


    When all the disciples of the Supreme Sect had woken up, everyone gathered to discuss the recent events, all with tensed minds, guarding against the Evil Emperor striking again.


    Little did they know, the master of the Jiuyuan World had already turned to ashes and smoke.


    Gu An, having searched through the Evil Emperor''s soul, had a subtle look in his eyes as he glanced at Long Qing and heaved a slight sigh in his heart.


    Long Qing turned out to be the sole survivor of the Dragon Lineage, and the Evil Emperor had been sent to eradicate the Dragon family bloodline completely.


    The man in black at Qingtian Peak was Long Qing''s subordinate; Long Qing''s reincarnation was to avoid the pursuit of the forces behind the Evil Emperor.


    Battle Court!


    The Battle Court of today was no longer a force led by descendants of the Dragon family; it was exactly for this reason that the master of the Battle Court had wanted to eradicate Long Qing, fearing that a powerful member of the Dragon family could be resurrected through their bloodline.


    Years ago, the reincarnated Long Qing hid very well. To avoid the pursuit of the Battle Court, Long Qing''s subordinates sneaked into Qingtian Peak, unnoticed by gods or ghosts, and came to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    But the turmoil in the Silent Destruction Domain years ago had caught the attention of the Evil Emperor.


    The Dark War Emperor was sent by the Evil Emperor; to be precise, the Dark War Emperor was cultivated by the Evil Emperor, and the inheritance of the Dark War Emperor''s Battle Court originated from the Evil Emperor. It was through the Dark War Emperor''s reckless actions that the Evil Emperor speculated that Shengtian had reincarnated.


    To ascend beyond the nine-layered realm of the Free Immortal, one must undergo reincarnation tribulations; only after a hundred lifetimes is there a chance to strike at the Tao Fruit Realm!


    This is the Reincarnation Tribulation!


    In the memory of the Evil Emperor, he had been defeated by Shengtian and nearly perished.


    This was also why the Evil Emperor had previously dared not personally come to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land; the Dark War Emperor was merely one of his pawns, and not even the Holy Court''s Holy Ministers knew there was someone behind the Dark War Emperor.


    Just the thought that Long Zhan''s descendants were reduced only to Long Qing made Gu An feel a tinge of melancholy.


    Gu An, however, was not afraid of an attack from the Battle Court, for from the Evil Emperor''s memories, it was clear that stronger existences from the Battle Court could not reach this universe, and only the Free Immortal could. Therefore, the Battle Court had dispatched the Evil Emperor, but the specific reasons for that were unclear even to the Evil Emperor himself.


    The Evil Emperor had been in this universe for countless years; at that time, Long Qing''s parents were still alive, and they had perished at his hands.


    After countless years, the bloodline of the Dragon family in various universes had been exterminated, leaving only Long Qing.


    While the disciples were discussing the schemes of the Evil Emperor, Gu An was silent; with a thought, the blood-red sky began to collapse silently.


    "Look at the sky quickly!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Someone exclaimed, causing others to look up.


    Seeing the sky twist, everyone panicked, not having time to think further, as the dizziness they felt before entering the Jiuyuan World reemerged, causing them to promptly close their eyes.


    Unable to move or peek at their surroundings, this feeling made everyone''s heart race.


    Only Gu An kept his eyes open; under his Divine Thought''s impact, the Jiuyuan World began to collapse, and he divided its karmic forces into the power of rules, distributing it to everyone, bestowing them a fortune.


    Utilizing karmic causation, Gu An sent everyone back to their respective places in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Meanwhile.


    The Great Cultivators in the universe saw a giant black orb begin to tremble and dissolve into black mist, making them even more nervous, fearing that something might have happened to their juniors inside.


    As the black mist dispersed, they sensed something and turned their heads, their faces revealing joy.


    They felt the presence of their juniors; no matter what the Evil Emperor had planned, at least their juniors were alive.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor and the Saint Ancestors furrowed their brows, exchanging glances, both seeing confusion in each other''s eyes.


    What''s happening?


    On the other side.


    Taicang Continent, Supreme Sect''s Sub-sect.


    Ye Lan abruptly opened her eyes, saw Gu An sitting across from her with eyes still firmly closed, breathed a sigh of relief, then looked around with a look of surprise on her face.


    Zhen Qin then awoke, followed by Gu An.


    "Are we back? Could it be that all the Heavenly Demons have been wiped out?" Zhen Qin asked cautiously.


    Gu An took a deep breath and said, "I''m not sure; did you feel anything extra in your minds?"


    He had used the karmic power of the Evil Emperor to enhance the beings'' insight into the Way of Cause and Effect, which had nothing to do with him, so he wasn''t concerned that someone could infer anything about himself through this.


    Besides, his own method of Divine Thought naturally shielded him from karmic deductions.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin nodded, then began to share their insights. It wasn''t just them; all the beings who had returned from the Jiuyuan World were curious about the Karma Dao they found in their minds.


    After a long discussion, Gu An stood up and said, "I''ve been delayed long enough; I must go back."


    Ye Lan wanted to say something, but Gu An turned and walked away, deeply concealing his abilities and his renown.


    "It''s fine, we''re back now; listen to the noises outside," Zhen Qin comforted her, saying that with their level of cultivation, they could hear the sounds outside the estate, confirming that they were indeed back.


    Ye Lan frowned, worrying about being pulled into the Jiuyuan World again.


    Yet upon second thought, if that mysterious existence wanted to do so, what would be the point in releasing them?


    ...


    Having just returned to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An was stopped by An Xin and Long Qing, who excitedly spoke of their newfound enlightenments, drawing more and more people to gather around.


    Hearing about their half-day ordeal, the disciples were astonished.


    Long Qing looked toward Shen Xinzi, who was approaching, and asked, "Master, what exactly is the Jiuyuan World?"


    Shen Xinzi furrowed his brows, he was not chosen, and he replied, "I do not know either. Tell me in detail about your experiences."


    Long Qing nodded and then began to recount to Shen Xinzi about their journey to the Jiuyuan World. When he reached the part about battling the Heavenly Demons, he became visibly excited.


    While Long Qing captured everyone''s attention, Gu An slipped back into the house.


    With the fall of the Great Emperor of Evil, this disaster brought by the Heavenly Demons seemed to be drawing to a close. There should be peace for a while, as long as the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court do not fight among themselves.


    Gu An saw a large number of Great Cultivators returning to the Outer Heaven, and all the sects were inquiring about their disciples'' experiences.


    It was unknown what changes this cycle of karma and fortune would bring to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The beings chosen for the Jiuyuan World were all geniuses, those with extraordinary Qi Fortune. In tens of thousands of years, they would be the ones dictating the fate of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Tens of thousands of years, it still seemed so distant.


    Gu An, now four hundred and twenty-five years old, felt such sentiments in his heart.


    Above the sea of clouds, a woman in yellow robes flew along, it was Zhu Xi with the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body.


    She gazed at the majestic mountains towering into the clouds in the distance, a look of anticipation in her eyes.


    "Mortal World Peak, I have finally arrived," Zhu Xi murmured to herself.


    Fifty years had passed since their journey to the Jiuyuan World. In those fifty years, she traveled the world. Some years ago, when she heard that Mortal World Peak was recruiting Mortal Spirits, she decided to try her luck.


    Mortal World Peak was one of the top Immortal Sects in the world. If she could take root here, she would not need to wander anymore.


    At the same time.


    Atop Dingtian Peak, Gu An, who was reading in the mountaintop courtyard, sensed Zhu Xi''s presence and felt a touch of surprise. Was this a coincidence?


    He had no intention of looking after Zhu Xi; he wanted to see how she would fare after joining Mortal World Peak.


    Beside him, An Xin, who was practicing Daoist Gang Primal Energy, turned her head to Gu An and said, "Master, the Gang Qi inside my body is going haywire, I can''t control it!"


    Her tone was anxious, clearly in panic.


    Gu An, lying in his chair, did not get up but just lifted his left hand and flicked his index finger towards her.


    A jet of Strength Energy shot out, entered An Xin''s body, and instantly calmed the rampaging Gang Qi, restoring its normal flow.


    An Xin breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Gu An with admiration she asked, "Master, how are you so powerful? When will I be able to cultivate to your level?"


    "Cultivate for one hundred million years," Gu An replied offhandedly, flipping the page with his left hand.


    "One hundred million years? How long is that? Who can live that long?" An Xin complained, feeling like her master was teasing her.


    Gu An ignored her and continued reading.


    This book was not the Green Hero Travelogue, but a rare book he found at Mortal World Peak, which recounted an extraordinary tale from Mortal World Peak¡ªa story of a disciple who fell in love with a female demon. This book was a banned one, quite hard to come by.


    Based on Gu An''s experience, the writing in this book was not as delicate as that by Xuan Tianyi, but it had its charms in the bizarre. The demoness reincarnated several times to find the protagonist, which was quite touching.


    As dusk approached, Gu An finally got up, stretched, and then left with An Xin.


    After returning to the Supreme Sect, the pair landed in a grove and made their way toward Mystic Valley.


    An Xin was talking animatedly about her cultivation progress for the day, very lively.


    Gu An was not bothered by her enthusiasm and listened attentively, offering occasional guidance.


    Arriving at Mystic Valley, Gu An spotted a familiar face.


    Jiang Qiong!


    Jiang Qiong was standing in front of a garden railing, admiring the flowers in full bloom.


    Gu An asked An Xin to head back to the Third Medicine Valley on her own, and he approached Jiang Qiong.


    Looking at Jiang Qiong''s back skeptically, An Xin didn''t stop but headed towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    "How long have you been here?"


    Gu An''s voice reached Jiang Qiong''s ears. Without turning around, she focused on a flower and responded, "About two Ancient Hours, I''d say."


    Only when Gu An came to her side did she turn to face him and size him up.


    "So many years have passed, how come you are still at the Nascent Soul Realm? When I was in the Jiuyuan World, I felt your presence. You must have gained some opportunities," Jiang Qiong asked with a frown.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, "What realm are you in that you look down on the Nascent Soul Realm?"


    Jiang Qiong huffed, "I am preparing to challenge the Unification Realm, I came to see you before attempting Tribulation Crossing."


    "Unification Realm?"


    Gu An''s eyes widened, showing a look of surprise.


    Jiang Qiong''s lips curved up in a smile, "Unification Realm, that''s all. I actually find it rather slow. In today''s world, what is the Unification Realm even worth?"


    Gu An fell silent.


    Thinking she had demoralized him, Jiang Qiong changed the subject, "You should talk some sense into your disciple. That girl Zhen Qin wants to take revenge on the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. If I hadn''t intervened, she would have already died at the hands of the Ghost Mother."

 Chapter 374 The Book of the Reincarnation Path Emperor

    Upon hearing Jiang Qiong''s words, Gu An frowned and then sighed, "How can I persuade you? It''s true that Su Han was indeed forced to death by the Ghost Mother of Ephemera."That year, when Su Han was pursued and had no choice but to follow the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, she taught him the Defying Fate Divine Skill. Before his death, he transferred his cultivation level to Zhen Qin, helping Zhen Qin to be reborn. After so many years, Zhen Qin always remembered the hatred in her heart.


    Gu An had long severed the master-disciple relationship with Su Han and had even saved him, owing Su Han nothing, so he did not plan to take revenge for Su Han.


    Moreover, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had already pledged allegiance to him. If not for his arrangement, how could the Ghost Mother of Ephemera have helped Jiang Qiong establish the Juhua Sect?


    Gu An would not help Zhen Qin kill the Ghost Mother of Ephemera but would ensure her survival.


    Perhaps it was unfair to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, but there was no helping it. In Gu An''s heart, Zhen Qin was definitely more important than the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    Out of his first batch of Medicine Valley Disciples, only Zhen Qin was still alive, and since she was very filial to him, how could he not favor her?


    Jiang Qiong frowned and said, "The Ghost Mother of Ephemera is now the Deputy Sect Master of the Juhua Sect; it''s impossible for me to confront her."


    "There''s no need. Everyone has their own grudges. Your protection of Zhen Qin''s life is enough; thank you."


    Gu An spoke earnestly and then raised his hand to salute Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong snorted and said, "What thanks? Your business is my business. I quite like that girl Zhen Qin too. Once I''m strong enough, I''ll help her slaughter the Ghost Mother of Ephemera."


    Gu An was taken aback and asked, "Do you have a grudge against her?"


    "No grudge, but if I had to choose between you and her, I would definitely choose you. However, these are all things for later, once I have the ability," Jiang Qiong shook her head.


    Afterwards, she talked about the insights she gained in the Jiuyuan World.


    Since her journey in the Jiuyuan World, she had many revelations during her cultivation, particularly about divination.


    She could now peer into the cause and effect of mortals to deduce their fate.


    She was curious if Gu An had gained anything.


    Gu An replied that he had, but his fortunes were not as great as hers, which left her slightly disappointed.


    After night had fallen, Jiang Qiong took Gu An to the Eight Scenic Caves.


    "Why insist on going to the Eight Scenic Caves? Just stay at my Third Medicine Valley. Now that you''re a giant of the Righteous Path, having formed an alliance with Supreme Sect, they won''t stop you from entering Supreme Sect."


    Walking through the forest, Gu An couldn''t help asking.


    Jiang Qiong, holding his right wrist, didn''t look back and said, "The Eight Scenic Caves are our home."


    "What home? You want to live in a coffin?"


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but turn around and glare at him.


    In the end, Gu An couldn''t resist Jiang Qiong and was pulled into the Eight Scenic Caves with her.


    It wasn''t until noon the next day that Gu An finally returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    As he arrived at his own loft, Ji Xiaoyu stepped out of the door.


    Forty years ago, Ji Xiaoyu had returned. Her understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect far surpassed that of An Xin, Long Qing, Ye Lan, and others. Gu An could feel the force of cause and effect growing stronger within her.


    "Who did you fool around with last night?" Ji Xiaoyu stared at Gu An, asking with a somewhat cold voice.


    Gu An looked at her and replied, "With an old friend. When I knew her, you weren''t even born yet. If not for her guidance, where would I be today?"


    His words were no joke; Jiang Qiong had taught him so much.


    Among them, the Demon Shadow Divine Skill was the most important. Under Gu An''s enhancement, this skill could now isolate cause and effect.


    Reaching the Immortal Path Realm, many would start to delve into divination techniques, and to rise to the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm was to study the Way of Cause and Effect. Without Jiang Qiong''s Demon Shadow Divine Skill, perhaps Gu An''s true cultivation level would have been discovered long ago.


    Hearing his words, Ji Xiaoyu''s expression softened, and she was about to continue speaking but was preempted by him.


    "Focus on your immortal cultivation, and don''t bother with the affairs of mortal romance."


    Having said that, Gu An quickly ascended the stairs.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched him go up, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.


    As Gu An entered the room, ready to close the door, Ji Xiaoyu appeared out of nowhere, pressing her hand against the door.


    "What are you doing?" Gu An frowned at Ji Xiaoyu, a look of fear on his face.


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped forward expressionlessly, startling him into stepping back.


    Bang!


    After Ji Xiaoyu entered the room, the door closed heavily behind her. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An kept retreating until he reached the table, looking at Ji Xiaoyu''s expressionless face with trepidation.


    What did this woman want to do?


    Was she going to hit him or was she trying to learn from Jiang Qiong?


    Just thinking about last night''s chaos gave Gu An a headache.


    Sigh!


    Why were so many women interested in him?


    Even if he refused, it wouldn''t work.


    Ji Xiaoyu walked up to him and said, "Over these years, I''ve been delving into the Way of Cause and Effect and have discovered that your disciple Long Qing has extraordinary karma. Where exactly did you find him? Do you know his true identity?"


    Hearing this, Gu An asked in astonishment, "Extraordinary karma? What do you mean? What''s wrong with him? Could he be the reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon?"


    Ji Xiaoyu scrutinized Gu An''s expression, feeling that he did not seem to be lying.


    Her expression softened as she said, "Whether he is a Heavenly Demon or not is yet to be determined. You keeping him by your side is sure to bring you disaster. Otherwise, hand him over to me, or let Shen Xinzi take him to the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect."


    "That doesn''t seem right. He''s grown up in the Third Medicine Valley since he was a child. How could I possibly drive him away?" Gu An frowned.


    Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath and said, "His lineage is not simple; I can feel that my Primordial Daoist Talisman is very wary of his karma and unwilling to intervene. I''m not joking. Don''t you want to live in peace forever?"


    Gu An thought to himself, of course his lineage isn''t simple; he''s my descendant from a past life!


    Gu An asked, "Does that elder also know about this?"


    He was referring to the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    That rascal was still inside the house recuperating and did not eavesdrop on their conversation.


    "Perhaps," Ji Xiaoyu replied, her face showing some impatience, unsure if it was because of Long Qing or Jiang Qiong.


    Gu An clenched the Fate Determining Pen in his hand and, after hesitating for a moment, said, "No, I can''t abandon him. He sees me as a father; how could I banish him? So what if there''s a great karma? Maybe by the day I die, he will not have faced his karmic retribution yet."


    Looking at Gu An''s determined face, Ji Xiaoyu felt frustrated. Why was this man so stubborn?


    "What if he brings catastrophe to the entire Medicine Valley, or even to the Supreme Sect?" Ji Xiaoyu asked with suppressed anger.


    Gu An said sternly, "Your karma is not simple, either. If you encountered trouble, would I have to avoid you to prevent misunderstandings?"


    "Impossible! I can''t do it! I, Gu An, am not that kind of person!"


    His words rang with conviction, causing Ji Xiaoyu''s expression to soften.


    Indeed, women will be women, always finding an excuse to get going.


    Gu An was sure that Ji Xiaoyu was simply jealous of Jiang Qiong.


    Ji Xiaoyu huffed, "You always say nice things. If that day really comes, I bet you''ll run faster than anyone."


    Gu An clutched his chest, feigning heartache, and said, "You actually think that of me..."


    Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t help but smother a laugh, giving him a look. She walked beside Gu An, a book appearing in her hand, which she placed on the table.


    Gu An fixed his eyes on it.


    It only had one character.


    Dragon!


    Ji Xiaoyu explained, "This is a book I dreamed of in my past life. The Reincarnation Path Emperor was even holding it. It records the evolution of a family clan. You like this kind of book, don''t you? Take a look, but do not spread it around."


    Gu An couldn''t help asking, "Dragon? It wouldn''t be related to Long Qing, would it?"


    Ji Xiaoyu did not elaborate and turned to leave.


    When she closed the door this time, she wasn''t as forceful, gently shutting it.

 Chapter 375 Reincarnation, The Mysterious Senior Brother

    Ji Xiaoyu left, and Gu An sat down, picked up the book she had left behind, and began to read. Soon he became immersed in it.This book mainly recorded the legend of Long Xin, the old ancestor of the Dragon family, who was known as the Dragon Emperor, the strongest in the universe. He established the Battle Court, swept through Great Heaven and Earth, and traversed Reincarnation.


    There was no mention of Long Zhan in the book, as if Long Xin was the Primordial Ancestor of the Dragon family.


    Starting from Long Xin, generation by generation, the Dragon family produced many glorious individuals. One of the masters of the Reincarnation Path Emperor was from the Dragon family, which was also the origin of Ji Family''s Heavenly Dragon Demon-Suppressing Form.


    In the end, during its prime, the Dragon family encountered oppression from a mysterious existence. The book speculated it might be a curse, or maybe a punishment from Heavenly Dao because the Dragon family acted recklessly and arrogantly in their strength ¨C they had merits, but also sins. The Dragon family declined rapidly, the clan dissolved, and the descendants fled to different universes.


    From the establishment of the Dragon family, to their prosperity, and then to their downfall, the story was poignant and stirring, leaving an endless aftertaste.


    The author did not comment on the Dragon family, but continued to narrate the rise and fall of the Dragon family from an objective perspective. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After finishing the book, Gu An also felt quite emotional.


    Before Long Xin, the Dragon family had also experienced such cycles of reincarnation under the leadership of Long Zhan.


    From the content of the book, Long Xin reestablished the Dragon family and rebuilt the Battle Court after Long Zhan''s death, for Long Xin was very strong from the beginning.


    Gu An thought of the last meeting between Long Zhan and Long Xin, where the father and son parted ways. Long Xin did not understand Long Zhan''s actions, but in the end, Long Xin chose to inherit Long Zhan''s legacy and reestablish the Dragon family and the Battle Court, which made him feel the longing Long Xin had for Long Zhan.


    Eons passed, and whether it was Long Xin or the Dragon family, all had become a thing of the past and were being erased.


    On the path of Immortal Cultivation, how high must one reach to truly achieve immortality, to exist eternally?


    Gu An turned his head to look out the window at the sky, his thoughts drifting.


    It wasn''t until the evening that he put the book away and then got up to go downstairs.


    Just as he went downstairs, he heard Long Qing shouting at a distance ¨C that kid was over a hundred years old, yet still acted like a child.


    Gu An smiled and then approached the Blood Prison Great Saint, letting him carry him to patrol the Third Medicine Valley.


    "Master, that kid Long Qing is becoming more and more presumptuous. Can you raise my cultivation level? Otherwise, I''ll be bullied to death by him. And what about the White Spirit Rat? That fat rat is getting faster and faster, but its cultivation level hasn''t improved much, and it can''t even speak human words..."


    Blood Prison Great Saint spoke with a tone of grievance. He was of the Mahayana Realm, how could he be bullied by Long Qing?


    Gu An wanted to say that it was normal for you to not win against Long Qing, who was born in the Nirvana Realm.


    "Do not compare yourself with others; everyone has their own path. You should look to the future," Gu An said earnestly.


    Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes lit up, and he was immediately invigorated.


    Did his master''s words mean he would be a focus of cultivation in the future?


    The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He stopped thinking about being bullied by Long Qing and the White Spirit Rat and started to fantasize about dominating the world.


    He wanted to become the strongest Great Saint under the heavens, sweeping across the Land!


    If outsiders from Outer Heaven attacked and he was not an opponent, then the master would take action, shocking all beings ¨C just thinking about it was thrilling!


    On the surface, he would be the strongest, and enemies would conspire against him. Who would have thought that there would be an even more terrifying existence behind him!


    ...


    On a resplendent golden palace, the Holy Minister was sitting on a chair, with steps behind him leading up to an empty throne.


    A row of figures stood in the hall, among them was the Candle World Saint King, who had once been responsible for negotiating with the Dark Battle Emperor.


    Yang Jian stood beside the Candle World Saint King, dressed in silver battle armor, with a three-pointed two-bladed knife floating behind him. Even though his realm was not as high as those around him, his aura was substantial.


    All the figures in the hall were Holy Kings of the Holy Court, and they were not too restrained in front of the Holy Minister.


    The Holy Minister''s gaze swept over the seventeen Holy Kings, paused on Yang Jian for two breaths, and then moved away.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I''m sure you haven''t forgotten the calamity of the Heavenly Demon from fifty years ago," the Holy Minister said nonchalantly.


    A burly Holy King immediately replied, "It wasn''t long ago, how could we forget? Whatever it is, Holy Minister, just give the order. His Majesty once said, in his absence, we were to listen to you!"


    The other Holy Kings voiced their concurrence.


    Yang Jian remained silent, but his gaze was on the Holy Minister.


    The Holy Minister showed a smile and said, "That chaos was certainly just a precursor. Yuanxu Ancestor from the Immortal Dynasty opened the Reincarnation Vortex, which still hangs high in the sky. I wish to dispatch you into the vortex to find His Majesty. Who knows what year you will return when you leave. Take time to consider it."


    Upon hearing these words, the Holy Kings'' expressions shifted slightly.


    That Reincarnation Vortex was not under the control of the Holy Court, and no one knew what lay within.


    The hall fell silent, with no one immediately agreeing.


    The Holy Minister was not in a hurry, patiently waiting. He raised his right hand, and a golden light orb condensed in his palm. He stared at the golden orb, as if peeking into something.


    "I will go!"


    A voice rang out, not loud but firm in tone, causing the Holy Kings to turn their heads to look.


    The speaker was Yang Jian!


    A Holy King taunted, "That makes sense, the Candle World Saint King just went through Reincarnation. Who could be more suitable?"


    The Candle World Saint King glanced at Yang Jian, deep in thought.


    The Holy Minister, still staring at the golden light orb in his hand, asked indifferently, "Anyone else?"


    "I will go," the Candle World Saint King said.


    "These Holy Kings were astonished, having not expected him to agree¡ªit wasn''t his usual style of conduct."


    Yang Jian also glanced at the Candle World Saint King.


    The Holy Minister nodded and continued waiting.


    Realizing the Holy Minister was still waiting, the Holy Kings sensed something and their faces turned unsightly.


    One of the Holy Kings asked, "Holy Minister, must we agree?"


    "It''s entirely voluntary."


    The words of the Holy Minister allowed the Holy Kings to breathe a sigh of relief, but then the Holy Minister''s voice rose again, "I assume you are all voluntarily going? I haven''t misjudged you, have I?"


    The Holy Kings were shocked and looked at the Holy Minister in disbelief.


    As for Yang Jian, his expression remained calm, as if he had already foreseen this turn of events.


    The Holy Minister raised his right hand, and the golden orb in his hand burst into a dazzling light, making his expression seem even colder.


    "You must go to Reincarnation. For you, it is an opportunity, your chance to strike at higher realms. Of course, the premise is that you survive. In Reincarnation, there are countless Great Powers experiencing Reincarnation Tribulations. Act with extra caution and do not disturb those unrelated to the Holy Court."


    The Holy Minister''s indifferent tone set this matter in stone, leaving the Holy Kings'' faces extremely unsightly.


    ...


    In the depths of autumn.


    Inside the mansion courtyard, Gu An was drinking wine, while Xiaochuan swept the grounds nearby.


    "With so many servants in the house, and you being able to cast spells, why bother to sweep the grounds yourself?" Gu An asked, his divine thought gazing skyward.


    He saw seventeen figures from the Holy Court flying toward the Reincarnation Vortex, among them Yang Jian.


    These people threw themselves into the Reincarnation Vortex without hesitation, and immediately after, their presences completely vanished, which piqued Gu An''s interest in the Reincarnation Vortex.


    What exactly is Reincarnation like inside there?


    As Xiaochuan swept, he laughed and said, "Isn''t this just a habit I''ve picked up? It''s what you taught me, brother."


    Gu An turned to Xiaochuan and asked, "Have you not cultivated these years?"


    Xiaochuan''s cultivation level had stagnated for decades, and his life span had shown no sign of increasing.


    "Old age makes it hard to persist. Besides, my children and grandchildren often bring me troublesome matters," Xiaochuan said with a shake of his head and a wry smile.


    He added, "I''m four hundred seventy-two years old this year. I''m content; I never imagined I would live for so many years."


    He began to recount tales from his childhood.


    Each time Gu An visited, Xiaochuan would reminisce about the past. On this occasion, however, Gu An wasn''t listening attentively¡ªhis thoughts were wandering.


    Seeing Yang Jian and the others enter Reincarnation, a bold idea suddenly came to him.


    If he sealed Xiaochuan''s memories and then implanted a Destruction Dao Seal into his body, no matter what kind of Reincarnation he underwent, Gu An would be able to find him. When the time came, he could help him recover his memories. Wouldn''t they be able to reunite?


    He had tried his best to impart the Traditions of Immortal Cultivation to Xiaochuan, but alas, Xiaochuan''s maximum life span still increased very slowly. Even though he could elevate Xiaochuan''s cultivation level, it didn''t affect his maximum life span.


    The higher he reached in realm, the more acutely Gu An felt the terrifying decree of the ineffable destiny.


    "Xiaochuan, if there is an afterlife, would you still want me to find you?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    Xiaochuan stopped his sweeping, turned his head to look at Gu An, and cheerfully said, "Brother, if you could find me, you must have become an Immortal, right? If you don''t mind, I would indeed hope to see you again. But don''t worry about it too much; everyone has their destiny. I''m truly only grateful to you."


    Without Gu An, what would his life be like today? His only regret in this life was that he failed to repay his mentor.


    "I''m just speaking hypothetically. If I become that powerful one day, I would need to consider whether or not to help you escape the suffering of Reincarnation," Gu An said with a laugh.


    Xiaochuan responded with laughter, "If there''s a chance for that, I would definitely want it. So, let me thank you in advance for taking care of me, brother."


    Becoming an Immortal?


    How distant a dream!


    Xiaochuan had heard of the existence of the Immortal Path Realm, but he had not heard of those who possessed eternal life, nor had he heard of the true Immortal Gods.


    Those who were comparable to Immortals were nothing more than powerful cultivators.


    "If you undergo Reincarnation, in what kind of family would you wish to be born in the next life?" Gu An continued to ask, as he poured himself another drink.


    Xiaochuan took interest, set aside the broom, walked over, and sat down, starting to ponder as he sank into reverie.


    His requirements were not high¡ªborn to parents that could accompany him, and hopefully with better aptitude for cultivation.


    Sunset gave way to moonrise.


    The two talked into the night, and at Xiaochuan''s invitation, Gu An stayed at the estate. He left at dawn.


    Xiaochuan, assisted by a young girl, watched Gu An depart.


    The girl, filled with curiosity, watched Gu An''s retreating figure. She turned her head to Xiaochuan and asked, "Great-grandfather, who exactly is he? Is he really your mentor? He looks so young!"


    Xiaochuan stroked his beard and laughed, "Yes, he''s my mentor. But as to who he really is, I''m not sure myself. My mentor is very mysterious, maybe..."


    The girl pressed, "Maybe what?"


    Xiaochuan shook his head and walked away.


    As Gu An disappeared at the end of the street, the girl hurriedly followed her great-grandfather, pressing him with questions.

 Chapter 376 The Smallness of Heaven and Earth

    Noon.Tianya Valley.


    Gu An rode upon the Blood Prison Great Saint toward the mouth of the valley, with An Xin following close by.


    This was not the first time Gu An had brought An Xin to Tianya Valley, but every time she came, she was very happy, primarily because the three monkey demons of Tianya Valley had a good relationship with her, and she had specially brought along many pastries.


    From a distance, Luo Hun caught sight of Gu An and a smile spread across his face as he went to greet him.


    "Gu An, His Majesty brought someone back with him, someone who came especially to find you. Guess who it is?" Luo Hun arrived beside the Blood Prison Great Saint and asked with a smile.


    Gu An already knew of the person''s arrival, but since the other party practiced a certain Energy Concealing Sorcery, he did not want to point it out directly, so he asked with a puzzled look, "Who? Am I familiar with them?"


    Luo Hun smiled mysteriously and said, "Since you can''t guess, let''s go have a look."


    Gu An nodded.


    With Luo Hun leading the way, they made their way to a courtyard.


    Before even entering the courtyard, Gu An heard the laughter of Li Xuandao.


    As soon as the Blood Prison Great Saint stepped into the courtyard, Gu An''s gaze fell on the person beside Li Xuandao.


    [Wuxin (Void Crossing Realm, third layer): 469/1800/4200]


    After many years apart, Wuxin had reached the Void Crossing Realm. Such progress at his age could indeed be considered incredibly swift.


    The current Wuxin still looked like a monk, but he was not wearing a kasaya; instead, he donned a brocaded robe that restrained his body, and there was a certain commanding presence about him that the young monk of the past didn''t possess.


    Upon seeing Gu An, Wuxin''s face showed excitement. He stood up, somewhat at a loss for what to do.


    Gu An dismounted and approached the table to salute Li Xuandao, followed by An Xin, whose eyes were filled with curiosity.


    "Senior Brother, I¡­" Wuxin looked at Gu An, suddenly at a loss for words.


    Gu An looked at him, eyes widening in astonishment as he asked, "You''re Wuxin?"


    Wuxin hurriedly nodded, just as he was about to say something, Li Xuandao interrupted with a smile, "Let''s sit down and talk."


    He motioned to An Xin with his hand, indicating for her to sit down as well.


    Luo Hun didn''t stay in the courtyard, leading the Blood Prison Great Saint away to not disturb the four of them.


    "I really didn''t recognize you just now, you''ve changed so much. How have these years treated you? I heard before that you''ve achieved miracle after miracle under His Majesty''s command¡­" Gu An asked warmly, easing Wuxin''s awkwardness as the master and disciple caught up with each other.


    Wuxin was originally a spy planted by the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion inside the Supreme Sect; the Daoist Expansion Skill, the precursor to the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, was transmitted to Gu An by him.


    Centuries had gone by, and with the power of the Daoist Expansion Skill, Wuxin''s maximum life span had reached four thousand two hundred years. It seemed that Wuxin''s own talent was not lacking, but it was only because he practiced the Daoist Expansion Skill that it had not been revealed.


    In the past, the Taicang Continent was so backward that even the Mystic Heart Realm was rarely seen. The fact that Wuxin encountered an Immortal Seeking Taoist of the Nirvana Realm at a young age proved his exceptional qi fortune.


    An Xin sat obediently to the side, listening attentively to her master and grandmaster catching up, curious about Wuxin.


    Li Xuandao did not interrupt, listening to their conversation with a smile.


    Gu An silently reflected on Li Xuandao''s talent.


    Li Xuandao now had reached the fifth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm, surpassing Lv Baitian, yet his public cultivation level, like Gu An''s, only appeared as that of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    After a while, Wuxin turned to look at Li Xuandao, who spoke with a smile, "I''m planning to send him to an Immortal Mansion for cultivation, Gu An, would you like to go?"


    Gu An shook his head, "I''d rather not, thank you for the gracious offer, Uncle."


    That so-called Immortal Mansion was, after all, similar to the factions like the Star Sea Congregations. He was not interested in it.


    Li Xuandao was not surprised; over the years, he had offered many opportunities to Gu An, all of which were rejected. He understood that this young man had no desire to seek immortality.


    "Senior Brother, let''s go together, it''s a rare opportunity. Now that I''ve achieved the cultivation level of the Void Crossing Realm, I can surely protect you," Wuxin urged.


    An Xin wanted to laugh upon hearing this. Was the Void Crossing Realm really that strong?


    She did not show it on her face, as Gu An had reminded her many times to control her facial expressions.


    Gu An laughed, "I really don''t want to go; I''m quite comfortable now. Going to the Immortal Mansion would surely be stressful, and it''s not certain that I would undergo a transformation. You go ahead, I''ll be here waiting for you to tell me about your experiences in the Immortal Mansion when you return."


    Despite Wuxin''s continued persuasion, it was to no avail; no matter how much he insisted, Gu An remained unmoved.


    "If you don''t want to go, then don''t. It''s fine, staying in the Supreme Sect also offers plenty of opportunities," Li Xuandao said, putting an end to Wuxin''s urging.


    Li Xuandao then looked at Gu An and asked, "Gu An, what do you think the Taicang Dynasty should do next for its development?"


    Gu An asked in surprise, "Isn''t everything fine now? Why do you ask?"


    Li Xuandao shook his head, "It only seems fine on the surface. The internal class structure is solidifying. Life may be better than before, but the opportunities for commoners to knock on the doors of the Immortal Sects have not increased."


    Gu An fell silent.


    Each year, the number of cultivators in the Immortal Cultivation World grows, but the vast majority are from families of cultivators; it''s highly likely that a farmer''s offspring will remain a farmer.


    Wuxin also fell into deep thought, as he served Li Xuandao, he saw even more issues.


    The current families were able to establish contacts overseas, and through various means such as intermarriage, sworn brotherhood, and exchange of interests, they were quickly growing stronger with unfathomable depths, making it difficult for Li Xuandao to suppress them. Who knows how powerful the entities backing those families could be.


    "I do admire the Immortal Dynasty; if only all of the Taicang Dynasty''s citizens could become immortals, that would be wonderful. I wonder if I''ll live to see that day," Li Xuandao said cheerfully.


    He was just being precautious; for now, his imperial power was quite stable.


    Gu An continued the conversation, "If that day really comes, who knows how long it will take."


    His tone was filled with emotion.


    He began to talk with Li Xuandao about the future visions, while Wuxin occasionally interjected, and An Xin listened throughout.


    Gradually, the topic shifted to Li Ya. After discussing Li Ya for a while, Li Xuandao asked, "What about Yang Jian? It''s been a while since we''ve seen him. Lingtian often talks to me about him."


    "I''m not sure where he''s gone, but with his talent, he probably won''t encounter any trouble," Gu An said, shaking his head.


    Wuxin asked curiously, "Brother, I heard from His Majesty that Yang Jian''s talent is no less than An Hao''s?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "I''m not sure about that. They are both stronger than me anyway. You can ask An Xin; she grew up with An Hao."


    As he spoke, he gestured towards An Xin beside him, which made Wuxin take a new look at her. Could it be that this woman had such a connection?


    An Xin hurriedly said, "I''m not in a position to judge, but my brother once said he looks forward to a battle with Yang Jian."


    Wuxin sighed, "My cultivation speed is considered fast, but compared to those favored by heaven, it''s still far behind. I wonder what their cultivation levels are now."


    Li Xuandao looked at An Xin, then glanced at Gu An, contemplative.


    The four of them chatted for an ancient hour before Gu An, accompanied by An Xin, stood up to pick herbs. Once they finished, they said their farewells and left.


    Wuxin watched Gu An''s retreating back, his eyes brimming with melancholy.


    Li Xuandao smiled and asked, "What''s the matter? Do you feel the relationship has become distant?"


    Wuxin replied, "A little, but it''s more about regret. With brother''s temperament, I''m afraid he won''t rise to become an immortal, alas."


    In years past, Gu An had seemed so formidable in his eyes. Now, he himself had a cultivation level of the Void Crossing Realm, while Gu An had only reached the Nascent Soul Realm, which left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    He wished for his brother''s cultivation level to always be higher than his so that they could travel the path of immortal cultivation together.


    How many years could one live in the Nascent Soul Realm?


    "Don''t underestimate him; perhaps he''s hiding something," Li Xuandao said with a meaningful tone.


    Wuxin, surprised, asked, "Hiding? What do you mean?"


    Li Xuandao said slowly, "The last time I saw An Xin was twenty years ago. In these twenty years, her cultivation has increased very slowly, but my intuition tells me that her progress has been significant. Perhaps they are also practicing your Daoist Expansion Skill."


    "But the Daoist Expansion Skill can only lift restrictions once in a lifetime. If brother has reached the Nascent Soul Realm, it must mean he has already lifted his restriction," Wuxin frowned.


    Li Xuandao did not continue the conversation. He was reminiscing about the golden Dao Patterns on Gu An''s forehead.


    He had once seen another person with similar Dao Patterns whose Dao Level was unfathomably deep.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An had overheard Li Xuandao and the other''s conversation, but he did not mind since his apparent cultivation level was only at the Nascent Soul Realm, and others could speculate as they wished.


    ...


    Time flies swiftly by.


    Twenty years blinked past.


    The Xiaochuan family was in mourning, and Gu An stood on the roof eaves, invisible to anyone.


    He watched Xiaochuan''s soul rise from the memorial hall, drifting toward the sky. Today was just the seventh day since Xiaochuan''s death.


    Xiaochuan kept ascending, looking down at the people inside the Xiaochuan residence. His face held no sorrow, instead, it bore a smile.


    "Is this what it feels like to be reincarnated?"


    Xiaochuan pondered silently. Over the past seven days, his soul had been unable to stray too far from his body, causing him to wander within the Xiaochuan residence the entire time.


    Now losing control over his Soul Body, he could feel an invisible force pulling at him from the ether.


    He wasn''t afraid, but rather looked forward to his next life.


    He gazed far into the distance but did not see Gu An, a flash of regret passing through his eyes.


    Gradually, he drifted higher and higher from the ground. Once he could see the entire Taicang Continent, he saw countless other souls rising alongside him¡ªa spectacular scene that broadened his horizons. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So the Taicang Continent is this tiny, I wonder where the Supreme Sect is located."


    Xiaochuan muttered to himself. From his current vantage point, the Taicang Continent was just a small piece of land in the boundless ocean, insignificant.


    "What, you still wish to visit the Supreme Sect once?" a voice entered Xiaochuan''s ear.


    Xiaochuan''s eyes widened as he instinctively turned to look, his expression turning to astonishment.


    There was Gu An, appearing beside him and ascending alongside.


    "Brother... you..." Xiaochuan started in shock, unable to complete his sentence.


    Gu An turned to him and asked, "Now, do you have any regrets about not striving harder in cultivation before?"


    After hearing this, Xiaochuan calmed down and smiled, "Regrets? Seeing this scene sooner has only shown me how minute I really am."


    He looked at Gu An, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Brother, what is your relationship with Sword Venerable Fudao? Could it be that you are Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    In Xiaochuan''s eyes, Gu An seemed so mystical at that moment, with golden Dao Patterns on his forehead flickering like flames and the Immortal King Crown shining peculiarly, making Gu An look akin to an Immortal Lord descending.

 Chapter 377 Promise of the Next Life

    Facing Xiaochuan''s questioning, Gu An counter-questioned, "Is this matter very important to you?"Xiaochuan caught the implied meaning in Gu An''s words and lamented, "Yes, it''s no longer important. In fact, three hundred years ago, I felt my life was drawing close to its end. Over the years, I have often fallen into an indescribable state of sudden enlightenment. It must have been you, Elder Brother, secretly helping me."


    "Thank you, elder brother."


    He looked at Gu An, his expression solemn.


    Gu An''s mouth twitched upwards as he asked, "Just verbal thanks?"


    Xiaochuan replied helplessly, "That''s all I can do. What else could I do for you now? If elder brother needs my soul, just take it."


    Gu An glanced at him and said dryly, "Making it sound like elder brother is some demon cultivator."


    "Wasn''t Sword Venerable Fudao initially considered a demon cultivator?"


    "Coincidentally, I do have a soul device here. I could use you as the main soul, condemning you to never transcend."


    "Sure, sure, I would love that!"


    Although Xiaochuan still looked elderly, his soul body was spirited, as if he had returned to his younger days.


    The two bickered in this way as they drew closer to the Reincarnation Vortex.


    The reason Xiaochuan could see Gu An was because Gu An had utilized the power of cause and effect; even a Free Immortal could not see Gu An if they were here.


    After a long time.


    Xiaochuan looked up at the imposing Reincarnation Vortex and curiously asked, "Does entering there mean I will be reincarnated?"


    "Yes, that''s correct. I can only escort you here," Gu An replied softly, also looking up.


    Xiaochuan turned to Gu An and said, "Elder brother, go back now. I''m already satisfied that you could escort me here."


    Gu An gazed at him and with a smile said, "We''ll meet in the next life."


    "The next life?" Xiaochuan blinked his eyes. He didn''t question Gu An''s words but internally marveled, "How profound must Sword Venerable Fudao''s dao be to see through reincarnation?"


    After pondering for a moment, he said, "If I remain mediocre in my next life, elder brother, don''t find me. Let me lead an ordinary life. However, if one day I possess exceptional cultivation talents, then come find me and I''ll still manage Medicine Valley for you."


    Gu An smiled and nodded, then raised his right hand and pointed two fingers toward Xiaochuan.


    Xiaochuan was instantly immobilized, his eyes losing their sparkle.


    Gu An used his own power of cause and effect to seal Xiaochuan''s memories, to prevent them from being erased by reincarnation, then left a Destruction Dao Seal within his soul body.


    The Destruction Dao Seal would leave an eternal mark, making it easier for Gu An to find Xiaochuan''s reincarnated body later.


    Having done all this, Gu An paused and watched as Xiaochuan headed towards the Reincarnation Vortex.


    He also had a basic understanding of the Reincarnation Rules. Long Zhan''s Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma touched upon these rules, but it mainly relied on establishing connections through cause and effect with past lives; he still couldn''t fathom the essence of reincarnation.


    In the Divine Origin Great Heaven and Earth, there also wasn''t a complete order of reincarnation. After death, a soul would ascend and fly to Outer Heaven, being devoured by Reincarnation Rules at a certain height, disappearing without a trace ¡ª how one naturally reincarnated was unknown to anyone and was difficult to trace. However, great beings of fortune would cause unusual phenomena in heaven and earth when reincarnated.


    After Xiaochuan had disappeared into the Reincarnation Vortex, Gu An finally returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Several days later.


    Near midday, as Gu An was reading a book inside his house, An Xin came to find him.


    "Master, Uncle Xiaochuan has passed away. He didn''t want to trouble you, so he had his descendants deliver this letter later," An Xin handed over a letter to Gu An while carefully observing his expression.


    In front of An Xin, Gu An did not need to pretend. He took the letter directly and opened it to read.


    The content of the letter wasn''t much different from what Xiaochuan had said before he entered reincarnation, but after reading it, Gu An still felt somewhat melancholic.


    He had tried his best to help Xiaochuan, but unfortunately, Xiaochuan did not possess the fighting spirit like Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, or An Xin.


    To put it accurately, Xiaochuan''s talents were inferior and no different from most ordinary people, which was why it was hard for him to maintain his drive.


    Gu An, however, wasn''t too saddened. After learning about the existence of Reincarnation Tribulation, his aversion to reincarnation wasn''t as strong.


    When Cultivators reached the Free Immortal Realm, they ultimately had to face reincarnation. Not everyone could breakthrough by evolving their lifespan like Gu An, and he couldn''t use his lifespan to help others skip their Reincarnation Tribulation.


    He was curious about Reincarnation Tribulation, wondering if it only counted after reaching the Free Immortal Realm or if previous reincarnations counted as well.


    It was said that Reincarnation Tribulation had no pattern; reincarnation might not necessarily occur in the current era or world, which was why it was hard to trace Shengtian''s whereabouts. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An put the letter down and looked at An Xin, asking, "Is there anything else?"


    An Xin inquired, "Master, are you doing alright?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "What, do I really need to drown my sorrows in alcohol? Hurry back to your cultivation; I don''t want to receive your last letter."


    Hearing this, An Xin stuck out her tongue and immediately bowed to take her leave.


    Gu An thought for a moment, stood up, and walked over to a bookshelf to take down a brocade box, placing Xiaochuan''s last letter inside it.


    Xiaochuan''s death hadn''t affected Gu An''s life, even though his descendants were still in the Third Medicine Valley.


    His descendants weren''t too saddened, after all, there was a vast generational gap.


    As autumn gave way to winter, the temperature between heaven and earth began to drop.


    On this day, Gu An had finished picking the most recently matured medicinal herbs in the Third Medicine Valley.


    He was in good spirits; nowadays, his average annual lifespan income exceeded three million five hundred thousand years. He wasn''t in a hurry to unlock the feature associated with a ten billion year lifespan; he wouldn''t wait anymore if his lifespan was sufficient for a breakthrough later.


    After all, the figure of ten billion was really massive; he surely couldn''t start stealing medicinal herbs again, could he?


    Returning under the attic, Gu An gave a few instructions to his disciple before heading towards the chess area.


    More and more people were taking up chess, and as the birthplace of chess and Go, the Third Medicine Valley naturally attracted many enthusiasts.


    Playing chess in the Third Medicine Valley always felt special for Cultivators.


    At this moment, Nine-Finger Divine Lord was demolishing opponents left and right. Gu An approached from the back of the crowd and watched from a distance.


    His attention was drawn to a man nearby. The man, who had only reached the Nascent Soul Realm, wore a blue Daoist robe and was not particularly handsome.


    [Zhang Shi (Nascent Soul Realm Level 3): 681/1100/1800]


    His maximum lifespan wasn''t high, yet for some reason, Gu An was inexplicably drawn to him from the first glance.


    Zhang Shi felt Gu An''s gaze and turned his head, nodding slightly.


    Gu An approached and asked with a smile, "Daoist Friend, you seem unfamiliar, is this your first time here?"


    Zhang Shi answered, "I just arrived at Supreme Sect a few days ago. I came specifically for Go. This trip was worthwhile; the level of skill here is very high."


    While speaking, he turned his head to look forward fervently and said, "I estimate I only have a 30% chance of winning against this senior."


    His gaze was fixed on Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and his words irritated Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord turned back to look at Zhang Shi and said, "30%? You cheeky boy, so arrogant. Take the next game, I''ll make sure you don''t leave a single piece on the board."


    Faced with the challenge from Nine-Finger Divine Lord, Zhang Shi was not intimidated but instead showed an eager expression.


    Gu An watched Zhang Shi fervently, seemingly deep in thought, his eyes revealing a hint of fascination.

 Chapter 378 The Talent of a Heavenly Pride

    Gu An sensed an extraordinary Reincarnation aura emanating from Zhang Shi. He speculated that Zhang Shi had reincarnated and wasn''t just any ordinary reincarnation but bore some similarity to Ji Xiaoyu.Could it be that Zhang Shi was a Great Power currently undergoing a Reincarnation Tribulation?


    Gu An pondered this in his mind but did not continuously stare at Zhang Shi.


    After a while, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord successfully defeated his opponent and immediately waved to Zhang Shi.


    This fellow actually claimed to have a 30% chance of winning against him. To him, this was an outright provocation.


    A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator daring to fantasize about winning against him?


    Did he think he was Gu An?


    Under the encouragement of a group of cultivators, Zhang Shi walked to the chess table, sat down, and started to play chess with the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who allowed him the first move. A fierce battle thus began.


    Gu An watched for a while before moving to the side to find others to play chess with.


    Whether Zhang Shi could win against the Nine-Finger Divine Lord or not, Gu An didn''t care; he just wanted to relax for a while.


    Half an hour later, Gu An had won two consecutive games of chess and stood up to leave.


    Zhang Shi and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord were still playing. At that moment, Zhang Shi furrowed his eyebrows, hesitating over his moves, while the Nine-Finger Divine Lord wore a smug smile, mockingly criticizing his slow play, accusing him of trying to wear out his opponent.


    Gu An smiled and walked toward the distant Mystic Pure Tree.


    The White Spirit Rat was napping under the tree, while An Xin was practicing Qi Absorption Cultivation. This tree had become their fixed cultivation spot, which other disciples couldn''t enjoy unless they performed exceptionally well.


    Approximately 30 minutes passed.


    Zhang Shi put down his chess piece and said, "I lost."


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, smiling smugly, said, "To beat me, you''d need another hundred thousand years."


    Zhang Shi stood up, bowed to him, and then took his leave.


    Losing interest, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord stood up, making room for others. The audience wasn''t too shocked, after all, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord was the second-best chess player in the Medicine Valley, second only to the founder, Gu An.


    Zhang Shi began wandering around the valley, moving along the wooden railing, admiring the orderly, splendid Medicine Gardens.


    A figure brushed past him, causing a slight change in his expression.


    He turned his head to look; Long Qing was walking briskly towards Shen Xinzi, not noticing him.


    "This aura... the Dragon Clan..."


    Zhang Shi murmured softly, though his voice was quite faint, Gu An, who was nearby playing with the White Spirit Rat, heard it.


    Gu An kept his composure, but his curiosity about Zhang Shi''s true identity grew.


    Zhang Shi watched Long Qing leave. He did not linger for too long but chose to continue his stroll.


    Gradually, he passed by the Venerable Pavilion of Gu An.


    The door opened, and a figure suddenly blocked his path¡ªSun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    Seeing the suddenly appearing Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, Zhang Shi was not frightened but instead studied him.


    With a cold expression on his face and a shift in his Divine Thought, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor formed a barrier around them, ensuring no one but Gu An could hear their conversation.


    "Who are you?" the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor asked sternly.


    Smiling, Zhang Shi responded, "Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, since you are here, I presume one of the Yin Yang Four Emperors, the Reincarnation Path Emperor, has also reincarnated here?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, a murderous intent flashed in the eyes of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    Zhang Shi continued, "There''s no need to be tense. The Reincarnation Path Emperor''s undergoing of the Reincarnation Tribulation is already public knowledge, and the Holy Court will not intervene."


    Hearing this, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s expression softened.


    He inhaled deeply and asked, "May I know the elder''s name?"


    Shaking his head, Zhang Shi replied, "I will not tell you my background to avoid bringing trouble to you and the Reincarnation Path Emperor. Today, I came here merely for chess."


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor fell silent for a moment, then stepped aside, no longer blocking Zhang Shi.


    Zhang Shi stepped forward, walking past him.


    "The Qi Fortune of this Medicine Valley is on the verge of erupting. Tell the Reincarnation Path Emperor, since he has entered the Reincarnation Tribulation, not to cling to the mortal dust, as the biggest taboo in the Reincarnation Tribulation is trying to be a Savior."


    Leaving these words behind, Zhang Shi walked away without turning back.


    Gu An, hearing this, reduced his interest in Zhang Shi by a notch.


    Zhang Shi actually mistook Ji Xiaoyu for Sword Venerable Fudao!


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor didn''t argue for Ji Xiaoyu and quickly disappeared from the spot.


    In the time that followed, Zhang Shi toured the Third Medicine Valley and then flew toward the Outer Gate City.


    Seeing that Zhang Shi had no intention of causing trouble, Gu An stopped paying attention to him.


    Most days in the Third Medicine Valley were uneventful. Occasionally encountering a being of extraordinary origin was just a minor episode in Gu An''s life.


    ...


    Twelve years later.


    Boom!


    A figure descended from the sky, crashing into the forest, creating a terrifying wind that uprooted several trees, sending grass and debris flying.


    Dressed in white, An Xin landed on a tree trunk. She held a treasure sword, looking up with furrowed brows, her hand trembling as she gripped the sword.


    In the distance, the Blood Prison Great Saint crawled on the cliff, enduring the fierce wind, his gaze fixed on a distant battle.


    Gu An stood in the air, holding the Qinghong Sword, looking down at An Xin with a smile, "Is this all you''ve got?"


    On hearing this, a cold light flashed in An Xin''s eyes. She took a step forth, appearing behind Gu An like a blink, her treasure sword cleaving horizontally, the strong Sword Intent materializing tangibly.


    Gu An drew his sword with a backhanded grip, blocking An Xin''s Sword Intent and following the blade''s direction, scattering the distant sea of clouds.


    Seeing that An Xin, from the ninth level of the Divinity Transformation Realm, could manifest such Sword Intent, Gu An was secretly pleased.


    The girl had cultivated diligently and it was not in vain; just her Sword Intent alone was comparable to the Void Crossing Realm. Combined with her Stepping Path of Ages Step, her strength far surpassed the Divinity Transformation Realm and she was starting to show the makings of a prodigy.


    When An Xin found that her Sword Intent couldn''t shake Gu An, she stepped again and appeared above the forest several kilometers away, her treasure sword no longer in hand.


    Her eyes narrowed and she pointed at Gu An with her right hand''s finger, turned into a sword.


    Boom¡ª


    A dominant, vast Sword Intent descended from the sky. Gu An looked up and saw a beam of light that seemed to slash down from Outer Heaven. The beam erupted with Sword Qi, forming a brilliant sword shadow a hundred meters long. It was a magnificent sight.


    Gu An''s lips curved up; the girl had finally mastered it.


    His repeated preachings over the years were not in vain.


    The brilliant sword shadow fell with incredible speed, engulfing Gu An''s figure and then crashing into the mountains and rivers. The ground shook, clouds of dust rose rapidly, and fierce winds ravaged everything in all directions. It was like the apocalypse, shaking the entire vast island.


    Blood Prison Great Saint watched, his heart secretly startled; he too recognized that An Xin''s Sword Intent had surpassed the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    The master had really raised this girl well!


    In that moment, Blood Prison Great Saint became even more convinced that the Ancient Treasure Body possessed by Yang Jian was bestowed by his master!


    An Xin gasped for breath, the winds tossing her hair. She kept her gaze fixed ahead, not believing her swordsmanship could hurt her mentor. She was on the alert for her mentor''s sudden reappearance.


    Snap!


    Suddenly, a hand landed on An Xin''s shoulder, making her heart leap and her formidable presence scatter.


    Gu An withdrew his hand and smiled, "Not bad, today''s performance finally satisfied me. You are worthy to chase after Hao''er and Jian''er."


    An Xin turned her head and saw her mentor''s smiling face. Suppressing her palpitations, she forced a smile and said, "It''s all thanks to your excellent teaching, Mentor. They never received such devoted guidance from you."


    She suddenly remembered a legend from the Supreme Sect.


    It was said that before Sword Venerable Fudao killed someone, he liked to pat their shoulder.


    She had thought it a mere rumor before, but now it seemed otherwise...


    Too terrifying!


    Just being patted like that made her feel suffocated.


    The terror of feeling her soul scatter was beyond comparison!


    Gu An sheathed the Qinghong Sword and turned to An Xin, saying, "You lack a suitable sword, but I will not help you find one. Use your Sword Intent to temper your own sword."


    An Xin wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked, "Sword Intent can also temper a sword?"


    "Of course. When you become powerful enough, your sword can become an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure."


    "Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?"


    An Xin''s eyes lit up, her breathing became hurried.


    With the Taicang Continent gradually catching up to the Immortal Cultivation World, the strength of Immortal Path Supreme Treasures sank deep into people''s hearts. Such treasures were considered Church Treasures even overseas, and Li Ya''s Divine Exotic City possessed only a Pseudo-Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Thinking about one day tempering her own Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, An Xin felt extremely excited.


    What level of Dao would she have then?


    She began to look forward to that day.


    What would An Hao''s reaction be when he saw her then?


    "Let''s go, it''s time to head home."


    Gu An flew toward Blood Prison Great Saint, and An Xin hurriedly followed.


    "Mentor, you know so much about Immortal Path Supreme Treasures, you couldn''t be the legendary Immortal King, could you? At least you''re at the same realm as the Immortal King. I guess you are at least at the seventh layer of Immortal Dao¡ªno, the eighth!"


    An Xin excitedly asked. The existence of the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path had also been known in the continent''s Immortal Cultivation World. She had heard that the most powerful individuals had only reached the fourth layer of Immortal Dao. She estimated her mentor''s cultivation level as seventh layer, which was already a high estimate.


    Gu An laughed, "Not that impressive, I am just a Loose Immortal."


    "I understand, a Loose Immortal without a fixed power, right?"


    An Xin giggled. The Holy Court had named Sword Venerable Fudao as the Holy Sword, Mortal World Peak named the mentor as Peak Master, the Supreme Sect even reserved a position in the Venerable Pavilion for the mentor, and there was also Immortal Seeking Island overseas. She guessed her mentor had even more backgrounds that hadn''t been revealed. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An smiled and remained silent, not bothering to explain.


    In An Xin''s eyes, Nine Heavens of Immortal Path was the limit of Immortal Path; how could he, someone who had surpassed the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, explain that to her?


    Summer insects cannot speak of ice!


    Thirty minutes later, Gu An rode on Blood Prison Great Saint and returned to Third Medicine Valley, with An Xin following close behind.


    Just arrived, Gu An sensed a familiar presence.


    It had been a long time since he had seen this person.


    Zhou Tongyou!


    Gu An had once written him into Supreme Immortal Venerable as the second protagonist; this man was also one of the foremost geniuses of the Taicang Dynasty. After suppressing his power level and losing to Gu An, they had formed a friendship.


    The last time Zhou Tongyou came, hoping to defeat Gu An, he instead lost to Yang Jian.


    After losing to Yang Jian, at the subsequent Golden List conference, he lost to Wu Jue, helping Wu Jue thoroughly embark on the path of a genius.


    Since then, Gu An hadn''t seen him.


    Centuries had passed; back then, Gu An was just at the Carefree Primordial Immortal realm. Time truly flies.


    Gu An had not yet seen Zhou Tongyou, but he was already feeling nostalgic.


    He dismounted and took An Xin to find Zhou Tongyou.


    Zhou Tongyou was watching people play chess, not noticing Gu An''s approach.

 Chapter 379 Cultivation in the Tao Realm

    ```[Zhou Tongyou (Unification Realm Level 1): 534/3000/3100]


    He had actually reached the Unification Realm, it seems he had had some significant opportunities these past years!


    Unfortunately, his maximum life span has not improved.


    Gu An thought to himself as he looked at Zhou Tongyou''s life span.


    Although Zhou Tongyou''s maximum life span had not improved, if he could reach the Nirvana Realm before the age of three thousand one hundred, he could achieve Nirvana and prolong his life.


    Gu An made his way to Zhou Tongyou''s side and raised his hand to pat his shoulder, only to be grasped by his right hand.


    Zhou Tongyou tilted his head to look at Gu An, then his stern face showed a look of surprise.


    He turned around, released Gu An''s hand, and looked him over carefully.


    Gu An thought to himself that allowing Zhou Tongyou to catch his hand was to compensate for his regret, knowing that there were few who could interrupt Sword Venerable Fudao''s shoulder-patting motion.


    "Brother Gu, it''s been a long time since we''ve seen each other, you look much better than before!" Zhou Tongyou said joyfully.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, "Indeed, it''s been a long time, shall we find a place to drink?"


    "Sure!"


    Gu An, hearing his agreement, raised his hand to signal him to walk in a different direction.


    An Xin had met Zhou Tongyou and had also heard about his loss to Yang Jian; she could feel that Zhou Tongyou''s aura was very strong.


    If she wanted to surpass Yang Jian, she would have to defeat Zhou Tongyou first.


    Zhou Tongyou, unaware of what the woman behind him was thinking, had not come to find Gu An for the sake of a challenge.


    He was now over five hundred years old, not as petty or stubborn as before, his vision was higher, and he was now pursuing something higher.


    They sat down in a courtyard, and An Xin started to arrange the food and drinks.


    Gu An and Zhou Tongyou made small talk, each speaking about their own general situation over the past years.


    After chatting for quite a while, the two laughed and raised their glasses, asking, "Where is Yang Jian? Why don''t we see him around, I heard he''s been gone for a long time?"


    Gu An replied, "When children grow up, they must spread their wings and fly. This Medicine Valley of mine can''t keep him here."


    After Yang Jian, there were several servant disciples in the Third Medicine Valley who had a maximum life span of more than four thousand years, but Gu An did not take on a disciple specially; instead, he let those disciples with hidden talent go with the flow of the Medicine Valley.


    Within the Third Medicine Valley, as long as one performed well, they would inevitably establish their foundation, especially those disciples whose talent had not been unearthed who could benefit even more.


    Gu An was worried about taking on disciples who were reincarnations of great powers or had great fortune of energy movement, which was too troublesome, so he did not take in any more disciples, focusing instead on developing An Xin.


    "That''s right, such a genius like him must have a more vast world awaiting his explorations. What about Ye Yan, has he ever come back?" Zhou Tongyou nodded in agreement.


    He had become acquainted with Gu An because Ye Yan practiced the spear, attracting him, and he always remembered Ye Yan.


    Gu An paused for a moment and said, "He has already passed away."


    Zhou Tongyou was stunned, he did not comfort Gu An but poured him a drink, and after clinking their bowls together, they both drained their drinks in one gulp.


    "In the blink of an eye, we are both over five hundred years old. Looking back, so many old friends have gone to the Netherworld, and how much further can you and I walk on this Immortal Cultivation Path?"


    Zhou Tongyou expressed his heartfelt feelings; over the years, he had experienced a lot, and he had come to find Gu An because his old friends were few.


    Gu An smiled and said, "With Brother Zhou''s talent and capabilities, you will surely enter the Immortal Path Realm and have an immeasurable future. Why such sentimentality?"


    After listening to this, Zhou Tongyou shook his head and laughed.


    The two continued to drink.


    An Xin, seeing that there was nothing concerning her, sensibly left.


    It was not until the evening that Zhou Tongyou finally bid farewell and left.


    Gu An watched his receding figure, feeling a slight regret in his heart.


    Why not have a contest?


    Gu An was still thinking about letting An Xin defeat Zhou Tongyou; that would certainly be interesting.


    But he had calculated that Zhou Tongyou was going to challenge Wu Jue next and it would attract a lot of attention, then he could go and enjoy the spectacle.


    ...


    In the Immortal Dynasty, within a bright hall where clouds and mist surged.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor sat on the imperial throne, overlooking everyone in the hall, with An Hao among them.


    An Hao was seeing the lord of the Immortal Dynasty for the first time, and the regal bearing of the other left him inwardly stunned.


    How high could this person''s Dao level be?


    An Hao felt invincible just by glancing at him.


    Without exaggeration, this person definitely had the strongest aura he had ever seen, even better than his master''s.


    He was truly the top of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    The other people in the hall looked at the Ancient Immortal Emperor with fervent expressions, as if they could not wait to kneel and worship.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor slowly spoke, "I have summoned you today, and you should understand why. Due to the chaos of the Heavenly Demons, the Immortal Dynasty has discussed with the Holy Court. No matter how we fight, we must not waste the overall power of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, so we have organized this conference, allowing cultivators of both sides in each realm to have Combat, and your victories or losses are related to the future development of the Immortal Dynasty."


    Everyone''s breathing hastened; they had known about this matter before coming. This conference was not only about the prosperity of the Immortal Dynasty but also a great opportunity for themselves.


    An Hao''s eyes sparkled, and his fists tightened. Confident in a contest of the same realm, he was determined not to lose!


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor was very pleased with the expressions of everyone in the hall; he saw their confidence.


    "The top three in each realm can enter the Holy Court''s Tao Realm for cultivation, and the first place will even obtain an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure that is unaffected by Qi fortune¡­"


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor began to talk about the rewards for the conference, exciting everyone present. Having the Ancient Immortal Emperor announce the rewards publicly dispelled the last of their doubts.


    ```


    They had to give it their all!


    Instead of the rewards, An Hao looked forward to having a sufficiently strong opponent.


    He, An Hao, didn''t need any supreme treasures¡ªwhen his realm was high enough, he could dominate the world barehanded! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The stronger his opponents, the happier he was.


    What he pursued was fame!


    He wanted to make a name for himself in the world, he wanted to make everyone in the Supreme Sect proud of him!


    Having reached this point, he felt that he was already capable of representing the Supreme Sect, even the entire Taicang Continent!


    He wanted those who had lost to him to take pride in their defeat!


    "Controlling the world''s Holy Court, huh... I hope you won''t disappoint me."


    An Hao thought to himself, ignoring the latter part of what the Ancient Immortal Emperor had said, not listening attentively.


    After a while,


    The crowd dispersed, and An Hao followed them out of the grand hall.


    Outside the hall was a spectacular sight above the sea of clouds; just as An Hao was about to fly away, a voice called out to him:


    "An Hao, the geniuses of the Holy Court are very strong. I''ve heard that there''s an unprecedented talent in the Mystic Heart Realm, hailed as having talent surpassing that of the Holy God. Take this time to cultivate with me!"


    An Hao turned to look; the speaker was a white-dressed woman as beautiful as a fairy, with a dignified posture, and her eyes looking towards him were like autumn waters, bright and moving.


    An Hao frowned and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but there''s no need."


    Having said this, he turned and left.


    The woman in white stood there, stunned, seemingly not expecting such a decisive rejection from An Hao.


    Whispers from the surrounding Immortal Spirits arose, curious about An Hao''s background, to dare to refuse a fairy''s request.


    In the Immortal Dynasty, those who could be called fairies not only had to have a background but also a strong cultivation level.


    An Hao had not even reached the Nirvana Realm, which was worse than the lowest ranks of the Immortal Dynasty.


    "Some attitude, move forward two hundred years and with such cultivation level, he wouldn''t even qualify to step into the Immortal Dynasty," someone muttered, earning the agreement of those around.


    The woman in white said nothing and turned to leave alone, completely indifferent to the gazes of others.


    ...


    On his way to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint, with An Xin following on the right, excitedly recounting the recent battle between Zhou Tongyou and Wu Jue.


    "That Zhou Tongyou is incredible, his Evil Suppressing Golden Body could actually withstand Wu Jue''s fist technique; I thought he had no chance against Wu Jue."


    "Master, is the Evil Suppressing Golden Body considered an Ancient Treasure Body?"


    "How could Yang Jian defeat Zhou Tongyou of the same realm, you aren''t deceiving me, are you?"


    Listening to An Xin''s words, Gu An also had many feelings.


    Zhou Tongyou had won, and he won very dominantly, avenging the shame of his defeat to Wu Jue many years ago; now it was Wu Jue''s turn to taste the fall from the peak of the clouds.


    Gu An did not go to comfort Wu Jue, since the elder of the sect had taken him away to heal after the battle, and he had returned to the Third Medicine Valley after watching the fight.


    "The outcome of a single battle doesn''t prove anything. If you don''t work hard, you will eventually be surpassed by someone you''ve defeated. Right now, you have an advantage that others aren''t aware of¡ªyou know the true cultivation level of no one else while you can find out theirs," Gu An said, seizing the moment to teach An Xin.


    An Xin nodded and replied, "Master, don''t worry, I definitely won''t become arrogant and complacent."


    "Actually, the Evil Suppressing Golden Body has its shortcomings too. There is a spot at the base of the neck; if it is struck hard, all the qi energy will be dislodged," Gu An began to explain the techniques of the recent combat, and An Xin listened attentively.


    Knowing more was always good. If she ever encountered an enemy with the Evil Suppressing Golden Body in the future, it could come in handy.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was also listening seriously; more worried than An Xin''s excitement.


    These guys were growing so fast; the strength exhibited by Zhou Tongyou, as well as Wu Jue, was surprising.


    Deserving to be the geniuses of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was even more looking forward to the coming of the millennium. Gu An had said that he would personally teach him how to cultivate at that time.


    What he needed to do now was to diligently cultivate the Innate Reincarnation Skill, accumulate his cultivation, and build up momentum.


    Although he was a mount, Gu An had not treated him harshly; he received just as many elixirs as An Xin.


    After returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An went upstairs alone.


    Someone was already waiting in the room.


    Shen Zhen!


    Seeing Shen Zhen sitting in his spot, Gu An closed the door and asked, "What paintings are you going to show me this time?"


    He could feel that the atmosphere downstairs had once again become unnatural, although the change was very subtle, it did not escape his senses.


    Shen Zhen put down the Supreme Secret Records in her hand and said, "I have comprehended a Secret Technique that can help improve one''s talent. Would you like to learn it?"


    Gu An walked over to the table, took back his own copy of the Supreme Secret Records, and then asked, "What Secret Technique? Is it that powerful?"


    Shen Zhen spoke mysteriously, "It''s really powerful. I''ve already practiced it, and it truly works. After training with this Secret Technique, I''m finding that practicing other skills yields twice the result with half the effort."


    Gu An couldn''t help but cast a Life Span Detection on her.


    [Shen Zhen (Void Crossing Realm Level 1): 543/2200/7200]


    Good lord, her maximum life span had increased to seven thousand two hundred years!


    Gu An was surprised. This girl really could gain enlightenment from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    And her cultivation level was also growing fast!

 Chapter 380 Disaster

    Judging by Shen Zhen''s limit life span increase, it couldn''t be aimed at 9,999 years, could it?As a veteran actor, Gu An''s face also involuntarily revealed a strange expression at this moment.


    He lectured Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and An Xin, putting in much effort, yet it paled in comparison to Shen Zhen''s limit life span increase.


    It didn''t make sense.


    Could there really be existences favored by the Heavenly Dao in this world?


    Wu Jue was one, and so was Shen Zhen¡ªboth didn''t need the help of others, and their limit life spans increased repeatedly on their own.


    Wait a minute!


    Gu An suddenly realized something and spoke, "Is that so? Then relay it to me."


    Shen Zhen promptly narrated the secret technique she comprehended, and Gu An listened attentively.


    After a period equivalent to 30 minutes, Shen Zhen finished her narration and then looked at Gu An with pride, awaiting his astonishment.


    Gu An frowned and said, "I don''t understand, it feels profound. Is it Qi Cultivation first, or cultivating acupoints?"


    Though he said this, in fact, he had already seen through this secret technique.


    This secret technique bore some resemblance to the Primordial Reincarnation Skill.


    Both touched upon the Reincarnation Technique.


    However, for lower realm beings, the Reincarnation Technique was extremely complex and hard to comprehend.


    With Gu An''s perspective, even letting top-tier geniuses cultivate this technique, it would be difficult for them to succeed in a short amount of time.


    He inferred that Shen Zhen first practiced this secret technique seven years ago.


    Mastered it in just seven years?


    Something was off unless she already knew it from before.


    Gu An combined this with the changes in Shen Zhen''s aura, and his speculation grew ever firmer. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Previously such beings were utterly inconspicuous, and now how could multiple appear?


    Gu An thought for a moment; if he were merely a Taoist Hidden Immortal, it would be hard to see through Reincarnation Tribulation unless someone like Ji Xiaoyu, bearing an Innate Daoist Talisman and continuously awakening memories, made her Reincarnation aura increasingly evident.


    Currently, it seemed Shen Zhen hadn''t awakened any memories; she could only comprehend the cultivation technique.


    Looking across the world, there were very few beings immersed in Reincarnation Tribulation. Why did two appear by his side?


    Excluding Yang Jian as his cultivation level wasn''t sufficient, and adding the previously passing Zhang Shi, Gu An always felt there was an unseen mighty hand scheming against him.


    It couldn''t just be a coincidence!


    "You don''t understand this? You''re really dumb!" Shen Zhen retorted with a glare, clearly displeased¡ªit wasn''t the response she wanted.


    Gu An indignantly said, "Who could understand this? Maybe I should have Ji Xiaoyu come and listen?"


    As soon as Shen Zhen heard this, she hastily rejected, "That won''t do. I am only imparting this secret technique to you; you must not teach it to anyone else!"


    "Why?"


    "There''s no why. I''m teaching you because we have a good relationship. I don''t care for anyone else. Did you hear me? If you spread it around, I will definitely trouble you!"


    Shen Zhen raised her fist, threatening him.


    Gu An could only agree, then with a sigh said, "If this secret technique is true, then you are indeed amazing, always enlightening the Path. Could you be an Immortal reincarnated?"


    He deliberately pointed this out, wanting to see Ji Xiaoyu''s reaction downstairs.


    Shen Zhen bragged with a smile, "I''ve said before that I am definitely the protagonist. The possibility that I am an Immortal reincarnated cannot be ruled out. If you want to become Immortal in the future, you''ll need to cling to my coattails."


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and asked, "Really let me cling?"


    No sooner had he asked the question than he regretted it, as the aura from down below underwent a more pronounced change.


    Shen Zhen lifted her right leg, placed it on the table, and slid her hand along it, from the back of her foot to her thigh. Though clothed in long pants, the action was suggestive enough, and she even provocatively looked at Gu An.


    For the first time, Gu An noticed Shen Zhen''s legs were really long.


    No wonder the women in the Supreme Secret Records were all long-legged beauties.


    "Come on, it''s not like you haven''t clung before!" Shen Zhen spoke coyly.


    Gu An''s fur bristled upon hearing this, and he quickly retorted, "Nonsense, when have I ever clung to your thighs?"


    "You deny it? Be bold enough to own up to your actions¡ªit should have been about four hundred years ago when you visited my cave and clung to me with all that mushy talk. Thinking about it now, it''s downright embarrassing!"


    Shen Zhen said with feigned annoyance, causing Gu An to feel the urge to hit someone.


    Four hundred years ago, as if calculating Ji Xiaoyu''s age?


    He could be sure that Shen Zhen had said this for the benefit of Ji Xiaoyu downstairs, as the event she mentioned had never occurred.


    "Oh really? Then how about we do it again now?" Gu An retorted with a humph.


    He stood up and walked towards Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen looked at him provocatively, and just as he really reached out to touch her leg, she quickly drew back her leg and said, "Forget it, let''s talk about serious matters."


    "No, you''ve uttered the words; you must follow through!"


    Seeing that Gu An was indeed about to pounce, Shen Zhen quickly said, "Alright, alright, I was only joking. You''re so serious, can''t take a tease. Afraid that someone downstairs will hear? Wait a minute, are you worried about the person below? I almost forgot; I was talking nonsense. Our past interactions were nothing but pure."


    Listening to her insinuating remarks, Gu An was about to pat her on the shoulder.


    Shen Zhen continued, "Really, I apologize, I was just joking earlier. Don''t be mad at me. I was just testing to see if the person below would eavesdrop. I won''t make such jokes in the future."


    Looking at her smile, Gu An guessed she had also sensed Ji Xiaoyu''s change of energy.


    In recent years, Ji Xiaoyu had achieved a breakthrough to the Unification Realm in the Supreme Sect''s Tribulation Crossing Field, but Shen Zhen had only the first level of the Void Crossing Realm cultivation level¡ªhow could she have noticed Ji Xiaoyu''s energy change?


    Gu An felt more and more that something was off about Shen Zhen.


    He would have to be careful in the future not to show too much in front of her.


    "She wouldn''t eavesdrop, and besides, there are restrictions inside the room," Gu An replied, sitting back down at the table and shaking his head.


    "You seem to trust her a lot."


    "Nonsense, I watched her grow up. She is destined to become a powerful figure renowned across the world, not some small-minded girl caught up in her emotions. You should learn from her and stop reading those indecent books all day, won''t you?"


    "Indecent? I wrote a new volume of the Supreme Secret Records especially for you, and this is how you repay me. You''ve broken my heart. I won''t give it to you now. Goodbye!"


    Shen Zhen stood up, flicked her sleeve, and walked away.


    Gu An stood up to stop her and asked, "For real?"


    Shen Zhen turned away, pretending to be angry.


    "Alright, I was just joking with you. I apologize," Gu An sighed.


    This woman really had her ways, had me apologizing, and then turns it right back around!


    Gu An could deduce that her new book was just made up, but he would have preferred to see the original.


    Flipping through the real pages provides such a sense of experience!


    Shen Zhen gave a triumphant smile, pulled a book from her sleeve, and tossed it into Gu An''s arms before she continued on her way.


    This creature doesn''t close the door when she leaves; how impolite!


    Holding the latest volume of the Supreme Secret Records, Gu An cursed in his mind and then waved his sleeve to close the door.


    He returned to his seat, placing the book on the table with all solemnity.


    That the Taoist Hidden Immortal of his stature should be reading such a book was fortunate that no one knew of his realm.


    Gu An thought himself lucky.


    It wasn''t that he was vulgar; he was cultivating!


    This was tempering the heart!


    Reading extensively prevents one from being tied down by women and losing their Daoist Heart!


    After mentally preparing himself, Gu An began to flip through the book.


    Meanwhile, downstairs, Ji Xiaoyu could not contain her curiosity and used her Divine Sense to peek at Gu An''s book, immediately blushing and filled with indignation.


    "This guy..."


    "Never mind, I won''t bring him along for cultivation, lest he truly becomes a menace someday!"


    Ji Xiaoyu thought to herself and strived to cast aside her distractions, returning to her cultivation.

 Chapter 381 Variables, Hidden Spirit Palace

    Ever since Shen Zhen had left, every time Gu An saw Ji Xiaoyu, she would ignore him, feigning ignorance.In the days that followed, rumors began to spread in Medicine Valley, suggesting that there was a falling out between the master and Elder Ji.


    This led An Xin to inevitably inquire about this matter when she accompanied Gu An to Mortal World Peak.


    "Don''t gossip, I haven''t had any conflict with her."


    Gu An gave An Xin a stern look and spoke without mincing his words.


    An Xin giggled and did not press further, instead, she went to the side to begin her cultivation. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At Mortal World Peak, she did not need to hide her cultivation level, so she cherished the opportunity to cultivate there.


    Gu An descended the mountain alone, wandering aimlessly on the mountain.


    Because of the previous controversy over stealing herbs, Gu An deliberately slowed down the pace of harvesting on Mortal World Peak. However, even so, with the constantly increasing production from the Outer World Cave, he was already able to amass nearly four million years of lifespan every year.


    His total lifespan had exceeded four hundred million years!


    At this rate, Gu An could also become rapidly stronger.


    Therefore, he now tried to keep a low profile, taking fewer disciples and intervening less, to avoid accelerating the pace of the major changes in Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Walking along the mountain path, Gu An''s divine thought reached out to Zhu Xi.


    Zhu Xi was at the lowest-ranked Sea Peak, where Mortal World Peak had purposely allocated a sea area for disciples below the Immortal Path Realm, and only those who had reached the Nirvana Realm could pay tribute to divine peaks like Dingtian Peak.


    Years had passed, and Zhu Xi had become integrated into Mortal World Peak, with a low presence and her talents unknown to others, her life following the same routine as her previous days by Moonfall Divine Lake.


    Recently, she had reached Core Formation, and within Mortal World Peak, she was essentially like a servant disciple, tending to the Medicine Garden, much like Gu An had once been.


    Gu An could sense the immense Spiritual Power contained within her; the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body was like a black hole, quite challenging for even a Free Immortal to discern her physique.


    Once she fully released it, her cultivation level would skyrocket.


    In terms of physique, she was definitely the strongest Gu An had ever seen in his time, with the Ancient Treasure Body paling in comparison by several levels.


    At this moment, Zhu Xi was planting medicinal herbs. Even though she was alone in the garden, she conducted herself with utmost caution, appearing no different from an ordinary disciple.


    Gu An watched for a while, then lost interest and retracted his gaze.


    He made some calculations; it was inevitable that Zhu Xi would eventually have a falling out with Mortal World Peak. Once her theft of the medicinal herbs came to light and led to a conflict with the disciples of Mortal World Peak, she would be expelled from the peak and might even be pursued and hunted.


    But that node was still very far away.


    Gu An had no intention of stopping it; along the way, he foresaw that many disciples'' fates would turn against Mortal World Peak. The reason for this was that there were simply too many disciples in Mortal World Peak, and it was implausible that all of them would remain from beginning to end. Even if he intervened early, as long as Mortal World Peak continued to take on disciples, such troubles would still arise.


    The deeper Gu An delved into the research of cause and effect, fate, and destiny, the more he could feel how terrifying destiny could be.


    Knowing and possessing the ability to change one''s destiny is not necessarily a good thing. Because once changed, destiny introduces unpredictable variables, and those variables were beyond the control of the one who initiated the change. Only when a cause is present can one speculate the outcome; without a beginning, it is impossible to calculate the result.


    Throughout the herb-gathering process that followed, Gu An kept observing the cause and effect of Dingtian Peak disciples, enhancing his understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect.


    Night fell.


    Gu An did not return to the Supreme Sect, choosing instead to stay on Dingtian Peak.


    He lay on a chair, with the bright moon above and a book in his hands, thoroughly enjoying himself.


    An Xin was still cultivating nearby, her body emanating specks of Light Star, ethereal and otherworldly, as if she could ascend to immortality at any moment.


    The courtyard resounded with the chirping of insects, adding a touch of vitality to the garden.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An looked up, only to see a shooting star streak across the night sky at an incredible speed.


    Usually, such a shooting star signifies the arrival of a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal. However, this time was different; Gu An could feel that the other party''s cultivation was far above that of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, likely a Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Could it be that the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court are about to go to war again?


    Gu An thought this to himself. The Qi Fortune of these two powers was too grand, capable of blocking cause and effect deductions. At least he was not yet able to comprehend it completely.


    He hoped for peace in the Great Heaven and Earth, hoping the battle would wait a thousand years or ten thousand years. By then, he would be more confident in handling any catastrophe.


    "It''s time to establish a new Medicine Valley."


    Gu An quietly contemplated, as he had entertained such a thought for a while.


    He chose an underwater location for the next Medicine Valley.


    Eggs must not all be put in one basket.


    As the moon set and the sun rose, the next morning Gu An sent An Xin back, then went alone to Immortal Seeking Island to exchange his own share of the Island Master''s profits for a large quantity of medicinal herb seeds.


    He left this task to Island Master Xun Hanfeng.


    Xun Hanfeng did not question why Gu An needed so many medicinal herbs. In the Immortal Cultivation World, the demand for medicinal herbs was no less than that for Spirit Stones; no one would complain about having too few herbs. The higher the realm, the greater the need for herbs; he only envied Gu An''s capability.


    It was not until the evening that Xun Hanfeng handed over a high-level Storage Bag to Gu An, filled with medicinal herbs.


    Night descended once again, and Gu An arrived at the largest sea area in Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Under the night sky, the waves rolled furiously, creating an oppressive atmosphere.


    The demon energy here was extremely dense, with only rare traces of the breath of Cultivators of the Human Race.


    Gu An flew into the sea, which was extremely deep. The deepest point lay more than a hundred thousand miles from the surface, and it concealed numerous demon creatures as terrifying as Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, and there were even traces of the aura of the Carefree Primordial Immortal.


    Since the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was controlled by the Human Race, the powerful demon creatures had no choice but to band together. They formed their own world within this sea, isolated from the rest of the world.


    As Gu An descended some distance, the surroundings became pitch-black and oppressive.


    Upon reaching ten thousand miles beneath the surface, a green light appeared below, resembling a boundless green ocean. He saw numerous tiny sea creatures that, although not yet possessing Spiritual Wisdom, were incredibly fast, comparable to Cultivators in the Core Formation Realm.


    After passing through this green sea, darkness returned. Continuing downward, from time to time he saw various lights, all emitted by demon creatures. Gu An even saw several Cave Abodes situated on the mountainous bodies of the ocean.


    Further down, he even saw a Demon City, radiating dazzling light, with countless demon creatures coming and going.


    In this way, Gu An arrived at the depths of the sea floor without any demons noticing.


    He found a region with no demon activity and used his mana to demarcate a hundred-mile radius on the sandy bottom. Then he created a clone. With the clone''s Great Mana, he formed a Barrier so that beings outside could not see inside it.


    His original self then began casting spells to create an environment suitable for the growth of medicinal herbs. The Spiritual Energy at the bottom of the sea was immense, enough for the herbs to thrive.


    After altering the environment, he began to construct an array.


    An Ancient Hour later.


    This undersea Medicine Valley had been sown with medicinal herb seeds. He didn''t intend to keep demon creatures to guard this Medicine Valley; his clone would suffice in the future.


    Although the clone did not have independent thought, if there were any movement, it could still alert Gu An in a timely manner. When the time came, Gu An would project his consciousness onto the clone, which could use the clone''s power to resolve any trouble.


    Even a Free Immortal would be no match for his clone!


    After making all preparations, Gu An went to the edge of the Medicine Valley, took out a stele, and planted it in the sand. Then, using the Fate Determining Pen, he wrote on the stele.


    Hidden Spirit Palace!


    He called it a ''palace'' because he planned to build one there later, which could even serve as a dojo.


    Gu An admired his own handwriting; it was truly becoming more elegant.


    He then vanished from the spot, returning to the Supreme Sect.


    The sea floor was silent; outside the Hidden Spirit Palace was darkness, like an abyss. Occasionally, enormous figures like mountain ranges swam above the Hidden Spirit Palace, while Gu An''s clone meditated without opening its eyes.


    ...


    Fifteen years later.


    In early summer, Gu An sat in the pavilion of Mystic Valley, admiring his Attribute Panel. He was very close to his five hundred million year Life Span mark.


    The high-rank medical herbs of Outer World Cave would bring him a substantial increase in Life Span in the coming years, delighting his mood.


    Life was monotonous, but Gu An did not find it dull. Watching his Life Span grow, he felt like he was leveling up in a game, a very fulfilling feeling.


    A knock came at the door, and Gu An said casually, "Come in."


    At his words, the door opened and Lu Jiujia entered.


    At five hundred and eighteen, Lu Jiujia appeared to be just over forty, with a long beard that added to his imposing presence.


    He approached and gave a formal bow to Gu An, saying, "Brother Gu, the Chen family''s Medicine Valley has refused my terms. They continue to encroach on Mystic Valley''s territory¡ªwhat should be done?"


    Years had passed, and as the Supreme Sect grew stronger and remained uninvaded, more and more Medicine Valleys appeared outside the Outer Sect. Some were Medicine Valleys managed by the Supreme Sect, while others were cultivated by families to accumulate resources for their descendants.


    A Medicine Valley had sprung up around Mystic Valley, even larger in territory than Mystic Valley itself.


    The Chen family, a family that had risen to prominence in the last millennium, had elders in the Supreme Sect''s Inner Sect City who held high status and great power.


    Having heard this, Gu An responded, "No worries, I''ll have An Xin go there tomorrow. In no more than three days, their Medicine Valley will vanish."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia''s face broke into a smile. He had no doubts about his brother''s words. Brother Gu''s influence was not small, after all, and the Chen family was merely testing his bottom line; otherwise, they would have already tried to seize Mystic Valley.


    Gu An looked up at Lu Jiujia and asked, "How goes your Cultivation lately?"


    Decades ago, Lu Jiujia had broken the Cultivation Level restrictions of the Innate Reincarnation Skill. With Gu An''s secret guidance in the Path Enlightenment, his maximum Life Span had reached seven hundred years.


    But seven hundred years was not long. Lu Jiujia''s Cultivation Level had grown too slowly, currently only at the ninth layer of the Core Formation Realm. Even if he released his Cultivation again, it seemed unlikely he''d reach the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    By all appearances, Lu Jiujia had no hope of achieving Nirvana in this life.


    Hearing the question, Lu Jiujia scratched his head and said, "Honestly, brother, I feel increasingly powerless. When Cultivating, I find my heart weary and my thoughts wandering."


    Gu An replied, "There''s nothing to be done then; you must find a way to overcome it."


    Lu Jiujia could only nod.


    He felt helpless and ashamed.


    His brother had looked after him so much over the years, and he felt he had let his brother down.


    Changing the subject, he said, "Speaking of which, brother, a prodigy has appeared in the Medicine Valley recently. Would you like to meet him?"


    As he brought up the prodigy, his excitement surged.


    After managing the affairs of Mystic Valley for hundreds of years, this was the first time he had encountered such a genius. It made him proud to be associated.

 Chapter 382 Jiang Shis Past

    "Do you want me to meet him?"Gu An picked up a book from the table and smiled warmly at Lu Jiujia.


    He no longer cared about mere talent.


    But humans are not emotionless plants¡ªLu Jiujia and that disciple shared a deep bond, almost like father and son, and he wished to secure a better future for the disciple, which prompted him to speak to Gu An.


    Seeing his fellow disciple''s smile, Lu Jiujia gave an awkward smile and a false cough, saying, "I do hope you can meet him; not only is his talent outstanding, but he is also very diligent."


    "If that''s the case, bring him up."


    Gu An shook his head with a chuckle, dismissing the brotherly relationship. Lu Jiujia had been so dedicated for many years without complaint¡ªwho was he to refuse him this small favor?


    Even without revealing his true cultivation level, Gu An could change someone''s life with just a word, thanks to his five hundred years of networking in the Supreme Sect.


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia''s eyebrows shot up in joy, and he quickly thanked Gu An before hurrying off.


    Gu An began to read. Although he spent most of his time away from Mystic Valley, Lu Jiujia often stocked the place with books, ensuring that he always had something different to read.


    It wasn''t long before Lu Jiujia returned.


    A young man followed him, dressed in modest cloth garments. His features were not particularly handsome, but he had a fair complexion and a somewhat slender frame.


    The young man was extremely nervous and looked at Gu An only briefly before lowering his gaze, daring not to look again.


    Lu Jiujia stepped forward to introduce the young man, while Gu An sent a Life Span Detection towards him.


    [Jiang Shi (Foundation Establishment Realm second layer): 23/350/4800]


    A life span of four thousand eight hundred years¡ªtruly, a rarely seen talent.


    "Disciple Jiang Shi pays respects to Master!"


    Jiang Shi knelt down, bowing reverently.


    Gu An habitually peered into Jiang Shi''s karma, deducing his past and future before showing a gentle smile and saying, "Rise. There''s no need for such formalities here in Mystic Valley."


    Jiang Shi looked up, saw his smile, and relaxed significantly before standing up to speak.


    Gu An kept deducing while casually talking with Jiang Shi, taking interest in his cultivation practice.


    This was Jiang Shi''s first encounter with a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. Although nervous inside, he spoke naturally, neither servile nor overbearing.


    Seeing Jiang Shi''s demeanor, Lu Jiujia smiled in satisfaction, feeling that Jiang Shi was not embarrassing him.


    In his view, his brother had met countless talents¡ªif Jiang Shi had been daunted, he would surely be looked down upon by Gu An.


    Not to mention Li Ya or An Hao, let alone someone like Wu Jue in their sect, who was so spirited he had to address Gu An as "Brother Gu."


    Suddenly, Gu An deduced something, his expression turned unnatural, but his tone did not change.


    After a while, Gu An said, "Hmm, I am aware of your situation; you may go down and continue your cultivation."


    Jiang Shi paused momentarily, then bowed and left.


    When he was downstairs, Lu Jiujia finally asked Gu An, "Brother, what do you think? Can this boy meet your standards?"


    Gu An pondered, "His talent is indeed good; I can introduce him to a master."


    Lu Jiujia pressed, "Can''t he follow you for cultivation?"


    With Jiang Shi''s aptitude, finding a master should be easy, but in Lu Jiujia''s eyes, having Gu An as his master would be the greatest path for Jiang Shi.


    For several hundred years, though he never asked, he felt that his brother shared an inseparable bond with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The precursor, Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, always made moves around Mystic Valley, and Sword Venerable Fudao''s renowned battle had coincidentally saved him and Ye Lan, Zhen Qin¡ªa multitude of factors were too coincidental to ignore.


    And the Innate Reincarnation Skill, such a miraculous skill is unmatched in the Supreme Sect!


    He was wise enough not to question Gu An, nor dare to discuss this matter with anyone else.


    If Jiang Shi could follow Gu An for cultivation, he might later gain the favor of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "Jiujia, you like him that much?" Gu An stared at Lu Jiujia and asked.


    Lu Jiujia replied, "When he was seven, I brought him to Mystic Valley and watched him grow up, just like a son to me."


    Gu An sighed, "If I personally take him in, he would be bound to Mystic Valley, and you might die because of him, and he will also cause great trouble."


    According to his calculations, Jiang Shi appeared to have a good character but was unscrupulous in his pursuit of immortal cultivation.


    After hundreds of years, gaining a position even as a Servant Disciple in Mystic Valley was challenging; the Chores Hall would select suitable disciples for Mystic Valley for profit, leading to current disciples being either rich or noble.


    At the age of seven, in order to enter Mystic Valley, he had found out in advance the list arranged by Chores Hall for Mystic Valley and drugged those he viewed as threats to miss their chance.


    No one suspected a seven-year-old child, so he succeeded.


    After entering Mystic Valley, even if some doubted him, no one dared to trouble him.


    After that, Jiang Shi behaved very cautiously, concealing his true nature well.


    Gu An predicted that in the future, he would steal the Ultimate Skill from the Supreme Sect, causing their cultivators to hunt him down, and Lu Jiujia, in an attempt to protect him, would mistakenly be killed by a cultivator from the Supreme Sect.


    Even though this was a future without Gu An''s intervention, it at least showed that Jiang Shi was not simple; as long as he maintained his current relationship with Lu Jiujia, trouble would inevitably come.


    Gu An had calculated thousands of possible deaths for Lu Jiujia, most of them related to Jiang Shi.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Lu Jiujia''s expression changed drastically. He didn''t reflexively rebut, but carefully reminisced.


    Had it been someone else who said this, he would certainly have been annoyed, but coming from his Senior Brother, he couldn''t help but seriously ponder. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although he valued Jiang Shi, how could Jiang Shi compare to his Senior Brother in his heart?


    Even as he held Jiang Shi in high esteem, he did not take it upon himself to teach the Innate Reincarnation Skill to Jiang Shi.


    "I understand!"


    Lu Jiujia took a deep breath, dropped these words, raised his hand in salute, and turned to leave.


    Gu An didn''t say more and continued reading.


    Jiang Shi still didn''t pose a threat to him.


    By evening, Gu An left Mystic Valley and reached the Third Medicine Valley.


    He first found An Xin, revealed everything about the Chen family, and arranged for An Xin to visit the Inner Sect City tomorrow.


    The Great Elder of the Inner Sect City was from the Lv Family, and, which the relationship between Gu An and Lv Baitian, the Lv Family would definitely take action.


    ...


    Summer passed and autumn arrived, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.


    That night.


    Lu Jiujia was cultivating in his house when he heard a knock on the door and, without opening his eyes, said, "Come in."


    The door was pushed open, and Jiang Shi walked in, approaching Lu Jiujia to salute.


    "What is it?" Lu Jiujia asked, his tone indifferent.


    Jiang Shi could sense the distance in his tone.


    "Eldest Senior Brother, I was wrong!"


    Jiang Shi suddenly knelt down, his tone somber.


    In Mystic Valley, there was only one master, which was Gu An. Even though they were like father and son, Jiang Shi could only call Lu Jiujia ''Eldest Senior Brother.''


    Lu Jiujia opened his eyes and furrowed his brows.


    Jiang Shi pressed his forehead to the ground and, gritting his teeth, said, "Although I''m not clear what exactly Master told you that day, I can feel your attitude. I admit that as a child, I did wrong, but I had no choice¡ªbefore my family was annihilated by the Emperor, they secretly sent me to Supreme Sect, and I had to find a way to preserve my life. At the age of seven, Mystic Valley was the most formidable place I had heard of, so I..."


    He confessed all his childhood actions.


    Lu Jiujia was quite shocked after hearing this. He hadn''t expected him to have done such things, no wonder Senior Brother had an issue with him.


    But as he listened, Lu Jiujia''s feelings became complex.


    He saw his own reflection in Jiang Shi; he too had made mistakes, and if not for his Senior Brother''s care, he would have died long ago.


    Although Jiang Shi''s mistakes weren''t as severe as his, he couldn''t let Jiang Shi cling to his Senior Brother.


    After Jiang Shi finished speaking, Lu Jiujia sighed.


    Jiang Shi looked at Lu Jiujia, his eyes red, and did not stand up for a long time.


    Lu Jiujia, with a complex expression, said, "Don''t blame your Master. It''s me not wanting you to cause trouble in Mystic Valley."


    Jiang Shi hurriedly replied, "How could I possibly blame him? Over the years, I''ve received so many elixirs in Mystic Valley. Without Master''s protection, how could I possibly have reached Foundation Establishment so quickly? It was my fault after all. If I were Master, I would have expelled a disciple like me from Medicine Valley long ago."


    Thinking of Gu An, Jiang Shi truly had no complaints, only more awe.


    He had thought that no one knew of his childhood actions, but it turned out his master knew. Knowing this, yet still not abandoning him, how could he repay kindness with resentment?


    In previous years, he had also seen his master. Each time, his master would nod at him with a smile. Before, he merely thought his master was kind and didn''t remember him, but now, knowing that his master had long understood his past, he felt his master was truly magnanimous, with the bearing of a sage.


    In fact, he was disgusted with his own past actions, but he had been driven to a dead end.


    At that time, his family was about to be executed, and he heard that the Valley Master of Mystic Valley had a very good relationship with the Great Cultivator, Li Ya, who was also the most favored son of the current Emperor, so Mystic Valley became his only path to life.


    Lu Jiujia looked at him with many things he wanted to say, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn''t utter them.


    "There are two paths for you, either go to a Sub-sect, where Master will arrange a way out for you, and he will certainly not mistreat you, or stay in Mystic Valley and cultivate earnestly and temper your nature," Lu Jiujia said softly.


    Jiang Shi quickly said, "I choose to stay in Mystic Valley! I definitely won''t let you and Master down!"


    "Do you want to hear my story?" Lu Jiujia stared at Jiang Shi, his expression turning somber.


    Jiang Shi naturally wanted to listen, so Lu Jiujia began to recount his own past, starting from when he joined Supreme Sect.


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An was in the Hidden Spirit Palace at the bottom of the sea.


    He looked at the palace he had crafted, very satisfied. In the dim seabed, Hidden Spirit Palace glowed a ghostly blue, its walls reflecting the wave light, with two phoenix-shaped statues standing at the main gate.


    He was about to walk toward Hidden Spirit Palace when he suddenly sensed something and turned his head.


    In the eastern direction, a massive creature was approaching¡ªa giant fish with a large head and small body, stretching a thousand feet long, resembling a mountain range. It was chasing a small fish, like Mount Tai chasing a pebble.


    The small fish was extremely fast, darting like lightning. No matter how the giant fish chased, it just couldn''t catch up.


    Gu An''s eyes narrowed, the surrounding seawater churned, luring the little fish to change direction and escape towards the Hidden Spirit Palace.

 Chapter 383 Li Ya Struck

    After spending half the night in the Hidden Spirit Palace, deep into the night, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.Most of the buildings in the valley had turned off their lights, and the disciples were practicing in the darkness. Gu An turned his head towards the forests at the edge of Mystic Valley.


    He saw a figure practicing swordsmanship.


    Jiang Shi!


    For some reason, Gu An suddenly felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu; he seemed to see a figure from hundreds of years ago.


    Back then, he had a disciple who also loved to practice swordsmanship in the forest, similarly burdened by a vendetta.


    Gu An watched for a while, then walked towards his own loft.


    Back inside his room, he did not watch Jiang Shi practice swordsmanship again. He recalled the prior conversation between Jiang Shi and Lu Jiujia and had no intention of intervening.


    The most important aspect of being human is that everyone has their own choices to make. Gu An had already warned them, and Lu Jiujia just needed to make a choice following that warning. Whatever the choice, Lu Jiujia would have to face the consequences.


    If Lu Jiujia insisted on suffering, then so be it.


    The greatest care Gu An could offer to those around him was to ensure they would not die before their life span ended.


    Of course, nothing was absolute. Perhaps Jiang Shi could change for the better. When Gu An pointed out Jiang Shi''s past, he had already altered their destinies¡ªa change for better or worse, time would tell.


    Only in the early hours of the morning did Jiang Shi return from the woods, joining the disciples for morning drills, with Gu An joining in, chatting and laughing with the disciples during the drills, even jovially talking with Jiang Shi without dwelling on his past.


    Upon learning that Gu An was not willing to accept him, Jiang Shi did not harbor any animosity towards Gu An, indicating that his nature was not beyond redemption. Naturally, Gu An would not deliberately shut him out.


    Of course, by doing this, Gu An also hoped to encourage Jiang Shi to improve, and to reduce the chances of him causing trouble for Lu Jiujia.


    The day passed, and Jiang Shi became very compliant, no longer pleading for anything.


    ¡­


    Time flew like an arrow; thirty years passed in the blink of an eye.


    That day, Gu An came back early from Heavenly Phoenix Mountain and stood downstairs, waiting for someone''s return.


    Ji Xiaoyu walked out from inside the house and stood beside him, her gaze on him, yet she remained silent with a cold expression.


    Gu An felt uneasy under her stare and glanced at her, asking, "What''s wrong?"


    Ji Xiaoyu said softly, "Gu An, you''re really heartless, not talking to me for so many years?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An quickly turned around, helplessly saying, "I didn''t talk to you? It''s just because of your icy demeanor; I didn''t dare to disturb you, and how often do you even leave the house in a year?"


    Ji Xiaoyu huffed, "Don''t give me that. If it were your junior sister ignoring you, you''d definitely rush to appease her."


    "Impossible!"


    "Oh, really?"


    Ji Xiaoyu wore an incredulous look.


    Gu An earnestly said, "My junior sister couldn''t possibly ignore me."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s pupils dilated slightly, and she was tempted to leave but restrained herself.


    Gu An asked, "How has your cultivation been these years? I''ve already reached the sixth floor of the Nascent Soul Realm. Impressive, right?"


    Ji Xiaoyu, initially annoyed, couldn''t help but chuckle upon hearing this.


    "Indeed impressive, almost catching up to me," Ji Xiaoyu said crisply as she contained her smile and responded coldly.


    Gu An followed up, "What realm are you at now?"


    "Eighth floor of the Unification Realm."


    "What?"


    Gu An widened his eyes in astonishment and asked, "How could you advance so quickly? Is cultivating to the Unification Realm that easy?" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu glanced at him and said, "You think it''s quick because you don''t take cultivation seriously. Regardless of the era, my cultivation speed is never considered top-tier."


    "That''s true."


    "Hmm?"


    "I mean, in my eyes, you''ve always had an elite talent."


    Gu An declared seriously, inwardly thinking women are really hard to please; praise you and you mock me, don''t praise you and you get upset.


    The two continued to chat, with Ji Xiaoyu intentionally easing their tense relationship, and Gu An naturally went along with it.


    Before long, a figure flew in from the horizon¡ªit was the person Gu An was waiting for.


    The person flew swiftly and landed behind Gu An, extending a hand towards him. Ji Xiaoyu quickly pulled Gu An towards herself, causing the hand to miss.


    Gu An took hold of Ji Xiaoyu''s hand and turned to look.


    "Senior Brother Li!" Gu An exclaimed excitedly.


    Li Ya''s hand hovered in the air as he looked confusedly towards Ji Xiaoyu, not expecting her to react so quickly.


    Ji Xiaoyu felt Gu An squeezing her wrist but did not pull her hand away, and she calmly looked at Li Ya.


    Gu An let go, stepping forward to enthusiastically greet Li Ya.


    The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, with Li Ya guiding Gu An towards his loft, and Ji Xiaoyu followed closely.


    As they ascended the stairs, Ji Xiaoyu was still behind them, which made Li Ya puzzled as he looked at Ji Xiaoyu.


    "Let her come along; she''s one of us," Gu An said with a smile.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s lips slightly curved upon hearing this.


    Li Ya felt awkward but didn''t refuse.


    After the three entered the house, Gu An began making tea for Li Ya and inquired about his experiences over the years.


    Ji Xiaoyu sat on Gu An''s chair, and Li Ya didn''t sit down immediately, narrating his experiences while scanning the furnishings in the room.


    Years had passed, yet there was little change in Junior Brother Gu''s residence, evoking a rush of emotions in him.


    After Gu An poured him a good tea, he brought over a chair and sat beside Ji Xiaoyu, listening to him recount his experiences.


    Hearing that he had entered the Holy Court, Gu An couldn''t help but exclaim, giving him ample face.


    Li Ya then spoke of the Magic Battle Conference between the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty, piquing Ji Xiaoyu''s interest.


    "Guess who I saw in the camp of the Immortal Dynasty? An Hao! Surprising, isn''t it? He actually joined the Immortal Dynasty!" Li Ya remarked with emotion.


    Gu An thought to himself that he was well aware, and he also knew that Li Ya had been defeated by him again.


    Li Ya, through fortuitous opportunities, had reached the Mystic Heart Realm, and encountered An Hao in the Magic Battle Conference. An Hao, stubborn as always, refused to use the power of Divine Exotic City and, unsurprisingly, was thoroughly defeated.


    It must be said that Li Ya was both fortunate and tragic.


    He could always keep up with An Hao''s pace, but he just couldn''t defeat him.


    Time and again, he was utterly crushed. Despite being in the same realm, he was no match for An Hao.


    Compared to Yang Jian, Li Ya seemed more like An Hao''s destined rival.


    "Did you two face off?" asked Gu An.


    Li Ya shook his head and said, "Sadly, no. Almost out of luck, I wanted to test his sharpness."


    Puff! A laugh echoed in his heart, the laugh of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit.


    He pretended not to hear it, continuing with his lamentations, unaware that Gu An could hear the inner voice of Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, who was debunking his boast to Gu An.


    How intriguing!


    Li Ya began talking about the exceptional talents from both factions, and Gu An would exclaim from time to time, keeping the atmosphere lively.


    Ji Xiaoyu didn''t utter a word, listening quietly all the while.


    "You might not believe this, but the Immortal Dynasty actually won the Magic Battle Conference; they won one more match than expected. Who knows what changes this will bring about now? If the Holy Court can''t suppress the Immortal Dynasty, war might be inevitable," Li Ya sighed.


    He even doubted if he had chosen the wrong path.


    Why does An Hao always have such smooth sailing?


    Ji Xiaoyu spoke up, "The talents of the Immortal Dynasty are naturally superior to ordinary people. Such competitions are advantageous for the Immortal Dynasty; the Holy Court probably let them win deliberately, aiming for a peaceful situation. If it came to a direct war, the Holy Court would win, but it would be a Pyrrhic victory, severely damaging the Holy Court."


    Li Ya looked at Ji Xiaoyu with surprise, not expecting her to make such an astute judgment.


    He knew Ji Xiaoyu''s identity, and had initially thought Gu An kept her nearby to remember the third young miss of the Ji Family; now, it seemed, this Ji Xiaoyu was not so simple.


    Sensing Li Ya''s amazement, Gu An introduced her, "This lady is no ordinary person; not yet four hundred years old, she has already attained the eighth floor of the Unification Realm, possessing a talent not inferior to An Hao."


    More than being not inferior¡ªJi Xiaoyu''s true self was a Free Immortal. It would take An Hao and Li Ya at least a million years, maybe even longer, to cultivate to a Free Immortal.


    "That impressive?" Li Ya''s expression changed; he was genuinely shocked.


    Despite being a cultivator of the Mystic Heart Realm, only he knew the sacrifices he''d made. His rapid increase in cultivation level wasn''t due to innate talent.


    How has the Supreme Sect produced another remarkable genius?


    Li Ya resignedly said, "Indeed on par with An Hao. An Hao had just achieved the Mahayana Realm a few years ago¡ªreaching it at the age of five hundred. It''s monstrous. Miss Ji might be able to achieve Mahayana Realm at the same age."


    He felt incredibly bitter inside.


    He could accept An Hao''s achievements since An Hao, like him, had traveled far and faced life-threatening dangers.


    What about Ji Xiaoyu?


    Staying by Gu An''s side and she could cultivate so quickly?


    Li Ya could hardly stay any longer; he took out two brocade boxes from his Storage Ring, saying, "These are gifts I''ve prepared for you. Luckily, I brought an extra one, as a gift for meeting your younger sister. I have matters to discuss with the Supreme Sect, and I''ll come back another time for a drink."


    With that, he stood up and walked towards the window.


    Suddenly remembering Ji Xiaoyu was still there, he turned and headed for the door.


    "That much in a hurry?"


    "Almost forgot something important, it''s urgent."


    "Alright then."


    Gu An escorted Li Ya to the door and watched him fly away.


    He felt regretful; how had he managed to drive Li Ya away?


    Li Ya was actually his first true friend in this lifetime, and he quite missed him. If Li Ya didn''t seek him out, he would have to go find Li Ya.


    Perhaps it was the presence of a lady that made it awkward between brothers.


    Gu An closed the door, returned to the table, and saw Ji Xiaoyu already opening the brocade boxes. There were two jade pendants inside.


    "I want this one," Ji Xiaoyu said undebatably, her cheerfulness undisguised.


    Without waiting for Gu An''s response, she began casting spells on the two jade pendants.


    Gu An sat down on the chair Li Ya had just vacated, feeling a bit helpless.


    Li Ya really was speaking recklessly!


    He, Gu An, was meant to be an ascetic cultivator who walked unscathed through a myriad of flowers; how could he possibly tie the knot with a lady?


    Thinking of An Hao, Gu An immediately extended his Divine Thought towards him.


    An Hao was still inside the Holy Court, in a mysterious secret realm. With Gu An''s current Dao Level, no formation or restriction within the Holy Court could obstruct him; he could even stealthily probe inside without a sound.


    Soon, he located An Hao.


    Eh?


    What''s going on?


    Gu An was surprised; what great opportunity had An Hao encountered inside the Holy Court?

 Chapter 384 Great Fortune of Energy Movement, Deep Sea Dragon Carp

    Gu An saw An Hao receiving guidance from a Free Immortal, who was none other than the Saint Ancestor of the Holy Court!He explored An Hao''s karma and understood the interactions between the two.


    To Gu An''s amazement, the Saint Ancestor wished to groom An Hao into the next Shengtian. An Hao had refused, but the Saint Ancestor insisted on imparting his teachings, even if An Hao would not become the Shengtian.


    Gu An couldn''t help but marvel at An Hao''s unparalleled Qi Fortune.


    The first time he met An Hao, he couldn''t resist lending a hand and for some inexplicable reason, he took a liking to the young man.


    Since embarking on the path of immortality, An Hao had made more friends than enemies, which was key to his smooth progression.


    After joining the Immortal Dynasty, to receive the highest inheritance from the arch-enemy of the dynasty, the Holy Court, if that''s not being a favored child of Heaven, Gu An didn''t believe it.


    While he was reflective, this was Gu An''s prized disciple, and he could not let An Hao come to harm.


    He carefully predicted and made sure the Saint Ancestor wouldn''t harm An Hao before he could be at peace.


    He withdrew his Divine Thought and continued chatting with Ji Xiaoyu.


    After decades of a cold war, Ji Xiaoyu had a lot to say, as if she wanted to express all her accumulated words, and Gu An, being a great conversationalist, kept her spirits high, quickly drawing out her continuous laughter.


    Meanwhile,


    In the Holy Court, within the Tao Realm.


    Beside a misty lake, the Saint Ancestor sat on a round rock, eyes opening to glimpse the occasionally visible An Hao on the lake surface, his brow furrowing.


    "Strange, why am I suddenly feeling uneasy..."


    The Saint Ancestor thought in surprise; since becoming a Free Immortal, he hadn''t had such a feeling.


    He could see the past and future of all things, and even if he faced an unbeatable opponent, he was confident in his escape.


    To say bluntly, unless his time was near, it was impossible for him to die.


    With such power, how could he feel such inexplicable unease?


    While pondering, the Saint Ancestor kept his eyes on An Hao, his gaze filled with expectation.


    "This world is becoming more dangerous, with more and more unpredictable people and events emerging between heaven and earth, with Heavenly Demons lurking from the Outer Heaven. How long can a Free Immortal maintain peace?"


    "This young man''s talent is rarely seen, comparable to a Shengtian. Looking at his past, he always encounters mentors, even has the mysterious Holy Sword as a master. Only he could resolve the ancient irreconcilable grievances of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land..."


    The Saint Ancestor''s eyes gleamed brighter.


    From the first glance at An Hao, he was attracted.


    This attraction was inherent, and even as a Free Immortal, he felt drawn to it; of course, this ''attraction'' was just a favorable impression and would not influence his major decisions. If An Hao offended him, he would not be lenient.


    He valued An Hao because he saw him as a bearer of a Great Fortune of Energy Movement.


    He had encountered such a Great Fortune holder two million years ago, someone he revered and aspired to emulate, sadly, he didn''t know whether they were dead or alive now.


    The Saint Ancestor''s thoughts gradually drifted to the distant past, and a blurry figure appeared in his eyes.


    ...


    Days later, Gu An went to the Main City of the Sect to find Li Ya, and the two drank heartily for a day and a night.


    Indeed, with Ji Xiaoyu around, Li Ya found it hard to speak his mind. Only when he was alone with Gu An could he let his guard down and talk about the hardships of these years.


    Something recently troubled him¡ªit was his relationship with Li Xuandao.


    From childhood, he felt that his father, the Emperor, did not like him, with this feeling intensifying after his mother''s death.


    Now over five hundred years old, he suddenly discovered Li Xuandao actually loved him deeply, even sending someone to invite him back to the Imperial City. How could his feelings not be complex?


    "Now that he knows I''m successful, he wants to win me over, not a chance. He has a genius child, let that genius inherit his throne. What''s he want with me?" Li Ya spoke dejectedly.


    Gu An didn''t know what comfort to offer.


    In fact, Li Xuandao''s cultivation level was stronger than Li Ya''s, and Li Xuandao had no intention of passing the throne to his descendants. He wanted to remain Emperor forever.


    For this reason, Gu An thought that Li Xuandao''s invitation for Li Ya to return might be genuine.


    However, he couldn''t intervene in other people''s father-son relationships.


    Lv Baitian''s relationship with his son, Lv Xian, was even worse. Over the years, Lv Baitian would often tell Gu An about his helplessness and regret when dealing with Lv Xian.


    Looking at Li Ya, Gu An thought he definitely should not have children; it would be too troublesome.


    Just thinking about the break between Long Zhan and Long Xin in the Lifespan Samsara gave him a headache.


    Even with a high cultivation level, one couldn''t please everyone, especially when conflicts arose among close relatives¡ªit only added to the emotional burden.


    At least Gu An felt his current life was quite good, treating his disciple like a child. If the disciple courted death, he would help if possible, and if not, then so be it, with no pressure and at most heartache.


    "Senior brother, do you know how Xiaochuan spent his last hundred years?" Gu An suddenly asked.


    Li Ya was startled, naturally remembering Xiaochuan. He frowned and asked, "Xiaochuan died?"


    Gu An nodded and said, "Yes, it happened many years ago. In his final years, he was entangled by his descendants'' troubles, affecting his cultivation, but he had no regrets, even enjoying it."


    Li Ya frowned.


    Gu An reflected, "Blood is thicker than water, it''s not just a saying. Think about it, did your father ever mistreat you? Suppressed you? At most, he was just not that caring. It''s not so atrociously evil requiring a severance of father-son relations, right?"


    "You''re a well-known cultivator, and each time you leave, many, many years pass before you return. Sometimes, I''m not even sure when will be the last time I see you. Maybe your father thinks similarly, fearing to leave regrets."


    Listening to Gu An''s words, Li Ya opened his mouth but finally just sighed.


    He knew Li Xuandao had limited talent, now only at the Nascent Soul Realm, and Gu An''s words made sense.


    "When I leave next time, I might not return for hundreds of years."


    At that moment, Li Ya felt loneliness as well as fear.


    He feared that many years later, he would be left alone in the world, without family or friends.


    Li Ya looked at Gu An and asked, "Junior Brother Gu, how about you come with me to the Holy Court to cultivate? I''ll find a way for you to stay there."


    His tone was resolute since, in his life, he had made many acquaintances, but most of them had been relationships of convenience.


    Gu An was his first true friend. There had been another person before, Zhang Buku, but his whereabouts were unknown, with his life or death uncertain.


    Li Ya thought of the scene where Gu An would die, and he felt terrible even if it were a peaceful death. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''d rather not. Isn''t going to the Holy Court just asking for trouble? Oh, brother, don''t overthink it. Maybe I have a natural destiny to live a long life of ten thousand years?" Gu An shook his head, and his easy smile made Li Ya feel even more distressed.


    Why should someone as good as Junior Brother Gu be limited by his talent, while someone as arrogant as An Hao can always laugh last?


    Li Ya felt that the heavens were so unfair.


    "Forget it, let''s just drink."


    Gu An urged and started looking forward to the scene thousands of years later, when Li Ya would find that he still wasn''t dead.


    Sorry, brother, but your junior is bound to live longer than anyone.


    ...


    Li Ya only stayed at the Supreme Sect for a month before leaving. Gu An, with a spectator''s amusement, spied on Li Ya''s return to the Imperial City.


    As he expected, the meeting between Li Ya and Li Xuandao was extremely awkward. Even though Li Xuandao tried hard to force a smile, he couldn''t dissolve the awkwardness between father and son.


    However, the fact that the two could sit down and talk was a good start.


    It''s worth mentioning that Li Ya''s first encounter with his younger brother Li Lingtian was unpleasant.


    The brothers fought, and henceforth, Li Lingtian had one more opponent he wanted to defeat.


    Royal family affairs are really complicated!


    Gu An felt this way at the moment.


    Until the end of the year, Gu An saw another family matter. The Ji Family came to find Ji Xiaoyu, wanting her to return to the family, but she refused, causing a stiff conflict.


    Unlike in her previous life, Ji Xiaoyu had grown up this time and had become even tougher, beyond the control of the Ji Family.


    Li Ya''s and Ji Xiaoyu''s situations further solidified Gu An''s resolve not to start a family.


    At least not for now.


    Gu An hadn''t yet achieved longevity and had many enemies to surpass. How could he be hindered by familial ties?


    If he already had family, he would naturally take great care of them, but since he didn''t, there was no need to deliberately create familial bonds to satisfy emotional needs.


    Another new year arrived, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.


    After several days of festivity, Gu An visited the Hidden Spirit Palace alone.


    Over the years, this place continuously produced Low-Rank Medical Herbs, allowing Gu An to harvest them each time he visited.


    He had just started collecting when he furrowed his brows.


    "Why has it come again?"


    He talked to himself. Only he and his clone were in the dojo of the Hidden Spirit Palace, and his clone couldn''t communicate with him.


    He was referring to a very fast little fish that approached the dojo every now and then. Even though his clone cast spells to drive it away, it never gave up.


    It seemed that the more he drove it away, the more it was attracted to this place.


    Gu An decided to teach the little fish a lesson.


    He stood up and walked to an open area nearby. With a thought, a one-meter-long fish appeared in front of him, and he stepped on it to pin it down.


    It was a goldfish resembling a carp, with scales brighter than gold and quite handsome. Its eyes were like gems.


    The goldfish widened its eyes, looking completely bewildered.


    [Deep Sea Dragon Carp (Unification Realm, Second Layer): 8504/12000/15000]


    To have lived eight thousand five hundred years and still be so small!


    Gu An found it curious, as most demons grew larger as their Cultivation Level increased.


    Heavenly demons like Tian Yao''er, Tianqing, and Tian Bai had very large true forms.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp started to struggle violently, but no matter how it thrashed, it couldn''t free itself from Gu An''s foot.


    Under Gu An''s suppression, it seemed to have no cultivation, making little noise and not posing any threat to nearby medicinal herbs.


    Gu An took out the Qinghong Sword, looking like he was about to kill it.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp shut its eyes in terror and trembled incessantly.


    To Gu An''s amusement, he saw tears streaming from its eyes, resembling pearls as they squeezed out.


    "Scared now? Will you dare to swim here again?" Gu An asked.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp opened its eyes and hurriedly shook its head.


    Gu An suddenly frowned, hesitating, "But you''ve already discovered my dojo. Letting you escape might bring me trouble later. Never mind, I''d better eat you. Should I steam you, or should I grill you?"


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp''s eyes widened in extreme fear, and its tears streamed down.

 Chapter 385 Fated Destiny

    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp did not understand what "steaming" meant, nor did it grasp the concept of "char-grilling," but its cultivation level was not low, and it could sense the hostility in Gu An''s voice, which filled it with extreme panic.Gu An watched it cry incessantly, and he felt amused.


    Such a coward, and yet it deliberately sought out danger¡ªhow peculiar.


    Wait a minute!


    Could this fellow be like Zhu Xi, who also loved to act?


    Gu An decided to teach it a harsh lesson, so he cast an illusion on it.


    Immediately afterward, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp saw a fish that looked exactly like itself being steamed, then char-grilled. When it saw the char-grilling, its fish skin was scorched black, crisped up, and oozed oil; it could not take it anymore.


    Accompanied by a spasm, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp at Gu An''s feet fainted dead away.


    "It''s this weak?"


    Gu An used his foot to flip the Deep Sea Dragon Carp''s body, and seeing that it remained motionless, he felt even more exasperated.


    After hesitating for a moment, Gu An moved the Deep Sea Dragon Carp to a distant part of the sea. Discover stories at empire


    "If you come back, you''re certainly dead. If you dare to reveal my location, your end will be even more miserable than what you''ve seen."


    Gu An transmitted his words into the Deep Sea Dragon Carp''s mind. Given the realm of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, when it awoke, even if it did not understand the language of the human race, it would still understand what Gu An meant to express.


    ¡­


    As the clouds dispersed, beside the great lake, An Hao stood with his back to the Saint Ancestor, gazing up at the sky.


    The Saint Ancestor looked at An Hao with increasing satisfaction in his eyes, as if viewing a rare treasure.


    "I never thought you could master the Heavenly Dao Divine Record so quickly. Given time, there will be no one in this world who can rival you," the Saint Ancestor praised.


    An Hao turned his head and glanced at the Saint Ancestor from the corner of his eye, asking, "Has Shengtian managed to master this skill?"


    The Saint Ancestor replied, "Of course, but you will surpass him sooner or later."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao fell into contemplation.


    Having mastered the Heavenly Dao Divine Record, he deeply understood the strength of this skill, which gave him a greater appreciation for Shengtian''s might.


    Even in the Immortal Dynasty, all immortals deemed the Holy Court''s Shengtian the strongest in the world. How powerful must one be to win the respect even from rival forces regarding one''s strength?


    "I must leave now. Thank you, senior, for your teachings. I will never forget this kindness," An Hao said.


    He turned around and bowed to the Saint Ancestor.


    The Saint Ancestor asked, "Will you make an enemy of the Holy Court in the future?"


    An Hao looked at him and answered, "I am not sure; no one can predict the future. However, I can assure you, I will not make enemies with the Holy Court on behalf of the Immortal Dynasty. My joining was solely for the pursuit of greater strength."


    The Saint Ancestor nodded, smiling, and said, "Junior, may you attain Nirvana early. Once you do, you will awaken your true power and feel the force of the Heavenly Dao, the supreme way in this world."


    An Hao acknowledged, then turned and leaped, transforming into a white light that sped away, disappearing into the distant clouds in the blink of an eye.


    The Saint Ancestor watched his departure with a sense of wonder, musing, "I thought this was a declining epoch, but now it seems to be the sign of a prosperous era. Who knows, looking back in a million years, what myths will have emerged..."


    While the Saint Ancestor was ruminating, Gu An was also reflecting.


    Inside the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Standing on the path between the medicine gardens, Gu An looked into the distance, murmuring, "This guy really is persistent."


    He was referring to the Deep Sea Dragon Carp.


    Since their last encounter, sixty years had passed. After several days of silence, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp began its search for the Hidden Spirit Palace¡ªa quest that lasted for sixty years.


    Over those sixty years, most of the disciples from the Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley had changed, and in the mundane world, several generations had passed on.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, having traversed many seas and faced countless dangers, finally arrived in the sea area of the Hidden Spirit Palace. Now, it was covered in wounds, its scales no longer the resplendent sheen of old; here a few were missing, there some were gone, presenting a very pitiful sight.


    Its will moved Gu An; he could discern that throughout those years, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp had not divulged his or the Hidden Spirit Palace''s existence to other demon creatures.


    Without probing for information, the creature had managed to find its way here. It seemed to possess hidden talents unknown to all.


    Under normal circumstances, given the distance, even a Mahayana Realm might have difficulty finding the Hidden Spirit Palace in sixty years.


    Ah, well.


    Gu An shook his head and continued to pick medicinal herbs.


    He opened his attribute panel while gathering the herbs.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 612/958,702,371]


    [Physique: Mixed Yuan Refined Void Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Taoist Hidden Immortal Realm Perfect]


    ¡­


    Almost ten billion years of life span!


    Awesome!


    Gu An was in high spirits. This was life span he had earned through hard work, not through theft or slaughter, and he felt a great sense of accomplishment.


    The world was stirring with excitement. Great powers and geniuses were emerging one after another, while he quietly developed his strength, watching the struggles of the world. He was racing toward longevity at an even faster pace, and the feeling was exhilarating.


    The more he thought about it, the happier Gu An became, and he couldn''t help but hum a tune.


    After he finished gathering the medicinal herbs, he returned to the Supreme Sect.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp had just entered the region; it would take another month or two to get near the Hidden Spirit Palace, so he was not in a hurry to meet it.


    If the Deep Sea Dragon Carp were to die on this last stretch of road, it would indicate that such fortune was not in its destiny, and no one could be blamed for that.


    Returning to the Third Medicine Valley just after midday, the hot summer breeze blew into the valley, and sunlight shone on the Seven Stars Mirror in Gu An''s hand, refracting a dazzling light.


    Gu An used the Seven Stars Mirror as a fan, leisurely strolling forward while waving it to cool down.


    An Xin suddenly ran over, stopping in front of him, and said, "Master, Wu Jue is in trouble!"


    Gu An asked, "What happened?"


    "Today I went to the Inner Sect City and heard that he has been thrown into the dungeon of the Supreme Sect, apparently for harming a fellow sect member," An Xin replied quickly.


    Upon hearing this, Gu An furrowed his brow and said, "I''ll go to the Inner Sect."


    After speaking, he turned and left.


    An Xin breathed a sigh of relief. Telling his master about the situation was enough; with his master''s capabilities, resolving it wouldn''t be difficult.


    Less than half an hour later, Gu An, following the guidance of a dungeon disciple, reached the seventh floor underground.


    Having been with the Supreme Sect for six hundred years, this was his first visit to this place. As the Supreme Sect grew stronger, the restrictions of the dungeon steadily increased; it was said that the eighteenth underground floor imprisoned an Immortal.


    The dungeon disciple halted in front of a cell, briefly explained a few things, and then turned and left.


    Moving beyond the fifth floor underground was not something just anyone could decide to do; Gu An had pulled some strings, so the dungeon disciple was quite courteous to him.


    The cell was made from special redwood, its surface carved with talismans and containing multiple layers of restrictions.


    Gu An looked inside the cell door; it was dim inside, and Wu Jue, with his hair disheveled, leaned against the wall, sleeping.


    Inside the dungeon, cultivation was not possible; spiritual energy was cut off, and Wu Jue had become noticeably thinner.


    Gu An had known when Wu Jue had been caught, but he was not worried about Wu Jue''s death given the protections within the Supreme Sect, so he didn''t come earlier.


    When An Xin found Gu An, from the standpoint of causality logic, Gu An should visit Wu Jue, too.


    Gu An, who studied the Way of Cause and Effect, began to see the causality in the world as a game. He was willing to abide by the rules of the game unless the game annoyed him, at which point he would change it.


    "Brother Wu, I''ve come to see you," Gu An said, simultaneously casting a Life Span Detection on Wu Jue.


    [Wu Jue (Unification Realm fifth floor): 614/4500/8300]


    Eh?


    His maximum life span finally increased!


    This kid really needed to experience hardship to reach Path Enlightenment. Everything coming too easily was not good.


    The Wu Jue in the dark slowly opened his eyes, his vision was blurred, only able to make out a silhouette outside the cell door.


    After Gu An called out to him again, Wu Jue''s vision suddenly became clear.


    "Brother Gu¡­"


    Wu Jue looked at Gu An, his face full of shame, not knowing what to say.


    He was still very touched; the crime he had committed was serious, and the Fang family had formidable influence, leading the Supreme Sect to abandon him.


    Those friends of his had been avoiding him like the plague. Having been imprisoned for so long, Gu An was the first to visit him. How could he not be moved?


    "Why aren''t you speaking? Do you not recognize me?"


    Gu An feigned seriousness as he asked. He had already deduced the incident regarding Wu Jue killing a fellow member.


    The incident couldn''t be entirely blamed on Wu Jue. The fellow member was also a genius of the Supreme Sect, who had borne a grudge against Wu Jue for a previous defeat and disliked him.


    After Wu Jue was defeated by Zhou Tongyou, he went out to gain experience and encountered the genius. Taking advantage of his numbers, he mocked Wu Jue as inferior to Zhou Tongyou, wasting the Sect''s investment. Wu Jue was not one to be bullied easily.


    An argument broke out between them, which escalated into a fight. The other party bore the intent to kill, leading Wu Jue to retaliate with full force and eventually, a tragedy occurred.


    Since there were other sect members present, Wu Jue chose to return to the sect and report the incident, but those sect members turned against him, claiming Wu Jue struck first.


    And so, Wu Jue was thrown into the dungeon, tarnishing his reputation.


    Regardless, Wu Jue indeed had killed a fellow sect member, and as a Righteous Path Sect, such a crime was truly unforgivable in the eyes of the Supreme Sect.


    Wu Jue felt he had made a mistake and was too ashamed to face Gu An.


    "I don''t disown you, it''s just that I''m too ashamed to face you," said Wu Jue, taking a deep breath and attempting to stay calm.


    Ever since he became known as a genius, too many people flocked around him, all of whom were nice to him. Along with being at different stages, Wu Jue met with Gu An less and less; sometimes, he would even forget Gu An was his most important brother.


    Now that he had fallen, all those close friends refused to see him, yet it was Gu An who came.


    In that moment, Wu Jue was filled with self-mockery. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What exactly happened?"


    Gu An asked, pulling Wu Jue out from his dejection.


    Wu Jue calmed himself and began to recount the events and the reasons behind them.


    After a while.


    When Wu Jue finished speaking, Gu An stayed silent for a moment, then said, "It cannot all be blamed on you. Didn''t anyone upstairs believe you?"


    Wu Jue replied helplessly, "How could they believe it? It''s not like they can use Soul Searching Skill on those people, and even if they did it to me, how many would be willing to believe?"


    Gu An said, "No problem, I will speak to the Sect Leader about it."


    Wu Jue responded, "The Sect Leader has already spoken with me, asking me to bide my time until the controversy settles somewhat, and then he will find a way."


    As the Supreme Sect grew stronger, Lv Baitian, being the Sect Leader, found his authority diminishing.


    Gu An comforted him, "No problem, I will speak with him again. If that doesn''t work, I will ask others to speak up as well. I refuse to believe that the so-called Sheng Family can have their way all alone within the Supreme Sect!"

 Chapter 386 The Sect with Ten Million Disciples

    Upon hearing Gu An''s words of comfort, Wu Jue could only offer a bitter smile.An amused chuckle came from a nearby cell.


    "Covering the sky with one hand? The Sheng Family really has such capability!"


    Gu An turned his head to look and saw an old man with white hair approaching the edge of the prison cell, his hands bony and clutching the mahogany bars. He looked at Gu An with a face full of scorn.


    Gu An feigned a frown and asked, "Could it be that you are also from the Sheng Family?"


    The old man laughed and said, "If I were from the Sheng Family, how would I have ended up like this? Like your friend, I offended the Sheng Family, and even the Hall of Elders told me to lay low for a while. I''ve been locked up for a century now, and I fear I will spend the rest of my days here, waiting for the day the Sheng Family sheaths their butcher''s blade."


    After listening, Wu Jue slightly lowered his head.


    Gu An angrily said, "I refuse to believe it, is the Sheng Family really so tyrannical? I am going to find the Sect Leader now!"


    With those words, he left with a swish of his sleeve.


    Wu Jue opened his mouth but in the end said nothing. Deep down, he too harbored a glimmer of hope.


    The Third Medicine Valley was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; the socially adept Gu An might indeed find a way.


    After Gu An''s presence faded from the dungeon level, Wu Jue began to worry.


    He suddenly feared that if this did not succeed, it might instead implicate Gu An.


    "Wu Jue, isn''t it? I didn''t expect you to have such a naive friend. Shouldn''t the side of a genius be surrounded by hypocrisy?"


    The old man said in a mocking tone. Wu Jue didn''t respond, too weary to engage with him.


    Wu Jue was already familiar with the man''s toxic tongue, and he disdained to argue with such people.


    He seemed dejected, yet deep down, he held a confidence.


    He was still capable of enlightenment!


    If no one stood up for him, one day, he would uphold justice for himself!


    Meanwhile, after leaving the dungeon, Gu An did not go directly to find Lv Baitian.


    Considering Wu Jue could find enlightenment, it was better to let him reflect for more time.


    Gu An wandered around the Inner Sect City, meeting disciples who had graduated two hundred years ago and probing information about the Sheng Family.


    He could divine outcomes, but he preferred to immerse himself in this grudge and investigate in an ordinary capacity. If that failed, then he could only win by virtue.


    Gu An''s disciples were spread throughout the Supreme Sect. While it was said he was discerning about the Sheng Family, in reality, he was enjoying free meals and drinks.


    Having wandered all day, he felt satisfied body and soul.


    From today''s findings, the Sheng Family indeed held significant power. There were many clans within the Supreme Sect, but few could stand out and incite fear as they did.


    The disciples were fearful that Gu An would offend the Sheng Family. Upon understanding why he was investigating the Sheng Family, they all advised him to stay out of it.


    When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, it was already night.


    Lights shone brightly in the valley, and from a distance, Gu An could hear the laughter and cheer of the disciples.


    Gu An felt relieved; thankfully, the powerful clans within the Supreme Sect had not jeopardized his Medicine Valley.


    If they had, blood would have flown like rivers.


    Gu An stopped at the base of his own building but didn''t go up immediately. Instead, he knocked on Ji Xiaoyu''s door.


    "Come in."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s pleasant voice echoed from inside, and Gu An pushed the door open, then closed it behind him.


    As he approached Ji Xiaoyu, she curiously asked, "It''s rare for you to seek me out proactively, is something the matter?"


    "What kind of question is that? Can''t I visit you without a reason? Weren''t you the one who blamed me for not taking the initiative to see you for decades?" Gu An said dissatisfiedly, about to turn around and leave.


    Sitting on the bed, Ji Xiaoyu quickly grabbed his wrist.


    "Of course you can visit. Come, sit down," Ji Xiaoyu said gently with a smile, pulling Gu An to sit next to her.


    Gu An grunted, "I saw your place was bright and lively, and something just drove me to come have a chat with you, but your first words angered me quite a bit."


    "Oh my, can''t I admit my mistake?" Ji Xiaoyu replied helplessly.


    How could he suddenly become so childish?


    But it was quite amusing.


    Such were Ji Xiaoyu''s thoughts as her lips curved upward involuntarily.


    Gu An then smiled and said, "That''s more like it. Today, I saw Wu Jue, you know, and he..."


    He began to recount Wu Jue''s trials, with Ji Xiaoyu listening attentively because she remembered Wu Jue well.


    After Gu An finished talking about Wu Jue''s situation, he continued with his interactions with other disciples.


    For the first half-hour, Gu An did all the talking.


    Ji Xiaoyu then figured out his intention; surely, he wasn''t seeking her help, was he?


    In the end, Gu An lamented, "Even within the Supreme Sect, injustice exists. Fortunately, our Medicine Valley keeps a low profile and serves the Supreme Sect undisturbed. Why are these clans so overbearing, and might they one day surpass the Supreme Sect?"


    Ji Xiaoyu responded, "It''s possible, but difficult. If it comes to that, the Supreme Sect might just become one of their subordinate forces."


    "The stronger the Supreme Sect, the more hopeless it becomes for those disciples caught in dire straits," Gu An sighed.


    He then stood up and said, "We''ve talked for so long, you should continue cultivating now. Your future is not limited by the Supreme Sect."


    After speaking, he walked away.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched his departing figure, wanting to say something but hesitated.


    Once the door was closed, she couldn''t help but mutter, "He only visits when he needs something, and he even expects me to apologize while seeking my help?"


    She shook her head and chuckled, then took out a piece of talisman paper and began to write.


    As soon as Gu An sat down, he saw a white dove''s phantom flying away through the window, disappearing into the night sky in the blink of an eye.


    Gu An''s mouth curved up, he thought to himself, ''Not bad, quite sensible.''


    ...


    Several days later, Lv Baitian came to Gu An, accompanied by an old acquaintance, Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian.


    The three sat down in the room.


    Bang!


    Ji Hantian suddenly slammed the table and cursed, "The Sheng Family truly goes too far, those overseas families really haven''t integrated the principles of the righteous path of the Supreme Sect into their ideology!"


    Lv Baitian''s eyelids twitched, and he said in a deep voice, "Why are you yelling?"


    "I''m outraged! You give the order to suppress the Sheng Family, and I''ll absolutely support you."


    "Why don''t you give the order?"


    "The Ji Family has good relations with the Sheng Family; I''m caught in the middle, it''s difficult for me."


    "It sounds as if the Lv Family hasn''t benefited from the Sheng Family either; we are both in tough positions."


    Watching them pass the buck, Gu An found it amusing but also felt that the Supreme Sect had become somewhat superficial.


    Indeed, with the rapid expansion of the Supreme Sect, the cultivation levels of native high-ranking members couldn''t keep up with the pace of the sect, naturally diluting their power.


    Gu An spoke up, "Suddenly, I feel like writing a book."


    Ji Hantian''s eyes lit up, "That''s a good idea, Pan An''s influence is still considerable."


    Gu An glanced at him and said, "Hmm, I''ll write that the Sheng Family is a powerful clan that the Ji Family and Lv Family fear."


    Ji Hantian glared and said, "Gu An, don''t joke around!"


    Gu An asked, "I understand why the Sect Leader is here, but Elder Ji, why have you come?"


    Ji Hantian huffed, "It''s all because of you. That girl Ji Xiaoyu is actually helping you, so I had no choice but to come myself."


    Gu An immediately felt somewhat annoyed, "When the third Miss was forced to go to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, you couldn''t stop it; now Ji Xiaoyu asks you for help, and you face difficulties again. The Ji Family is strong, but it feels like it''s all about making compromises?"


    At this remark, Ji Hantian''s expression instantly darkened.


    Gu An then opened a drawer, took out the Fate Determining Pen, and from a stack of papers beside him, he pulled out a sheet of white paper.


    Seeing the two argue, Lv Baitian intervened, "I also trust in Wu Jue, but the Sheng Family lost a disciple, one considered among the top three talents of this generation; we must provide an explanation to the Sheng Family, and I assure you I won''t let anything happen to Wu Jue."


    Regardless of his relationship with Gu An, in the years where Gu An had strategized, he truly felt that the strength of the Supreme Sect today could not be separated from Gu An''s contributions.


    Gu An remained silent, writing down names on the paper ¡ª all individuals related to the Wu Jue incident, including those from the Sheng Family and others. They knew the truth but were pushing Wu Jue towards an abyss.


    If they were compelled, that would be one thing, but the conflict began with them following the Sheng Family genius in insulting Wu Jue and even attacking him. Their lies were to protect themselves.


    Choosing to be lapdogs and bullying others, they should prepare for the backlash. Read latest chapters on empire


    "What are you doing?" Lv Baitian frowned and asked, Gu An continued writing without speaking, making him genuinely afraid that Gu An might do something foolish.


    He solemnly said, "The Sheng Family has a Loose Immortal; do you know how high a Loose Immortal''s cultivation level is? If the path of immortality were smooth, you''d have to cultivate for tens of thousands of years, the Supreme Sect hasn''t had an Immortal live that long." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tens of thousands of years!


    This phrase weighed heavily, making Lv Baitian and Ji Hantian feel immense pressure just thinking about the age of the Sheng Family''s Loose Immortal.


    Gu An lifted his pen, gazing down at the names on the paper, and said with discontent, "I hate my own powerlessness. If I were an Immortal, how could I stand by and watch my close friend suffer?"


    After saying this, he gripped the Fate Determining Pen and made two strokes on the paper, drawing a large ''X'' as if to vent his frustration.


    Lv Baitian tried to comfort him, "Don''t think like that, and besides, the Sheng Family is just angry but hasn''t pressed me any further."


    Gu An looked at him, "Do you remember what I told you hundreds of years ago, when you were still Elder Tian?"


    Upon hearing this, Lv Baitian immediately fell silent.


    Ji Hantian spoke earnestly, "Gu An, don''t act impulsively. If we mess up, all three of us could be in trouble. We could be abandoned by our families, you could be abandoned by the Supreme Sect. All these are possible."


    Gu An said, "Fine, I understand, I''ll pretend I don''t know about this matter."


    Seeing his indifferent expression, Lv Baitian was somewhat uneasy and asked, "Really?"


    "I am but a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator; I can''t break into dungeons or step through the Sheng Family''s gate. What can I do?" Gu An replied.


    Lv Baitian, after hearing this, could only sigh.


    "I won''t see you out, but I''ll remember what you''ve said."


    While speaking, Gu An pulled out a book from beside him.


    Lv Baitian wanted to say more, but Ji Hantian tugged at him, and after exchanging glances, they stood up and left.


    Although Gu An felt somewhat disappointed, he could also understand; not everyone had the same confidence as him.


    Nonetheless, he had already taken action; what happened next depended on how these two responded. If they didn''t handle it well, they too should consider moving aside.


    This had nothing to do with personal connections; the Supreme Sect''s Sect Leader and Vice Sect Leader needed people with greater breadth of spirit to take on these roles, for the Supreme Sect was not just any clan''s sect, but a sect of millions of disciples.

 Chapter 387 The Final Road

    Lv Baitian and another left, and after about half a month, rumors suddenly spread throughout the Supreme Sect.A group of crazed disciples were proclaiming throughout the Inner Sect City the incident of Sheng Family''s genius bullying Wu Jue, and consequently being killed in retaliation.


    The matter of Wu Jue killing a fellow sect member had already caused a huge uproar, and now these disciples were telling a different story, so how could it not provoke controversy?


    Even though those disciples were quickly controlled, the news still spread rapidly.


    Through the investigation of curious disciples, it turned out that the crazed group was originally the witness of Wu Jue''s fratricide. Now having seemingly lost their minds, they presented a different testimony from before, forcing people to consider the possibility of a conspiracy.


    Some suspected that someone behind Wu Jue had acted, others speculated that these individuals could no longer bear the psychological pressure and feigned insanity to reveal the truth, while some even believed that they had initially been poisoned by the Sheng Family and were compelled to lie, but now that the effects of the poison were manifesting, they had lost their sanity and were revealing the truth with their last bit of lucidity.


    Opinions were varied, and Wu Jue once again became a center of attention within the Supreme Sect.


    The incident grew so significant that even members of the Sub-sect such as Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came to find Gu An, fearing he might get dragged into it.


    "The Sheng Family is truly ruthless, to actually poison someone. Tsk tsk, even the Sub-sect is discussing this now. Wu Jue is regarded as a top genius of the Supreme Sect, yet he lacks a family background. If this matter isn''t handled well, those disciples without a family background will feel disheartened," Zhen Qin remarked astonishingly.


    Ye Lan was rather calm, saying, "Which sect could maintain peace over hundreds of years? There''s always some troublemaker. Sword Venerable Fudao hasn''t appeared for many years, it might be that the nobles are testing his attitude."


    Holding a book, Gu An focused his Divine Thought on the distant ocean.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp was being pursued by a group of demon creatures, in grave danger.


    This guy too had gone through eighty-one difficulties, just one short of completion.


    Zhen Qin tossed her hair casually and said, "Let them create chaos, it''s about time."


    Gu An looked at her and asked, "How about you? Have you been dealing with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera lately?"


    Upon hearing the name Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Zhen Qin''s smile vanished, and she snorted, "I''m no match for her; I can''t trouble Senior Jiang anymore, I can only cultivate first."


    Fueled by her hatred for Su Han, Zhen Qin''s zeal in cultivation remained high, which also made her Innate Reincarnation skills quite effective.


    "That''s good; it''s not easy for Jiang Qiong either. After saving you, she must be feeling quite awkward facing her own Deputy Sect Master," Gu An continued her thoughts.


    Zhen Qin nodded, then changed the subject, "I heard from a master that the Yuanxu Ancestor truly opened up a Reincarnation realm right in the heavens, but who really knows what Reincarnation is like?"


    Speaking of Reincarnation, Gu An thought of Xiaochuan, who had been in the Reincarnation Vortex for a long time without reincarnating, at least within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, Gu An temporarily couldn''t track his Destruction Dao Seal.


    Could he have reincarnated into another Great Heaven and Earth?


    Is a Divine Thought True Immortal that powerful?


    "If there really is a Reincarnation, I''m quite looking forward to it, just afraid that in reality, there is no Reincarnation. If every person is reincarnated, then where did the original souls come from?" Ye Lan raised a question.


    The two women began to explore the subject of Reincarnation, intentionally avoiding the topic of Wu Jue.


    Gu An chimed in occasionally, and time passed quickly.


    As evening approached, the two women left.


    Gu An then departed from the Third Medicine Valley, first heading to Mystic Valley, planning to stay for an Ancient Hour before heading to Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Upon arriving in Mystic Valley, he saw disciples gathered together, listening to an older disciple talking about the Sheng Family, with Jiang Shi standing in front of a tree, also listening intently.


    The issue with the Sheng Family had become so explosive that disciples from every tier were discussing it.


    The reason those disciples went mad was not actually related to the Sheng Family; it was Gu An who used the power of cause and effect to torment those disciples, continually making them witness the tragedy of that Sheng Family genius. Over time, unable to escape the Illusion Realm, they had collapsed.


    As for revealing the truth about the Wu Jue, it was also guided by Gu An using the power of cause and effect.


    At this very moment, the Sheng Family was in turmoil, the higher-ups were overwhelmed, discussing how to handle the situation.


    Gu An walked towards his disciples and joined them to watch the excitement and discuss.


    Upon seeing Gu An, Jiang Shi immediately sat down, behaving very cautiously.


    Decades had passed, and he still looked forward to cultivating with Gu An, even though he had reached the Core Formation Realm, he had no thought of leaving Mystic Valley.


    The more this was the case, the less Gu An wanted to accept him.


    He had deduced Jiang Shi''s karma and found no Great Cultivator plotting, which made Gu An even more uneasy.


    Why had Jiang Shi set his sights on him?


    Could it be the workings of the Heavenly Dao setting him up for a calamity?


    Jiang Shi didn''t know what Gu An was thinking. He stayed in Mystic Valley because he feared being pursued by the Imperial Family and the Li Family. Without the strength to protect himself, he didn''t want to leave Mystic Valley.


    As for Gu An, although he felt that this master was no ordinary person, he didn''t think in the direction of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    To him, Sword Venerable Fudao was just a vague legend. Except for Lu Jiujia, all Mystic Valley disciples in their lifetime had never seen Sword Venerable Fudao act. They harbored doubts, suspecting that Sword Venerable Fudao might not even exist.


    After a long chat, Gu An finally stood up and left, and the disciples dispersed.


    Watching Gu An disappear into the forest, Jiang Shi turned his head and quickly went to Lu Jiujia''s side, whispering, "Senior Brother, where is Master going so late? Why is he always going out?"


    He had been puzzled by this for a hundred years and had long wanted to ask. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lu Jiujia glanced at him and said, "Mind less about where your Master goes."


    Jiang Shi hastily apologized.


    Lu Jiujia paid him no more attention and walked towards his own house.


    Once seated cross-legged on his bed, he gazed out at the bright moon, a look of melancholy in his eyes.


    Lately, he had been increasingly feeling weak, a tiredness beyond words, always feeling that once he closed his eyes, his life would be over.


    He began to understand that the so-called imminent end could indeed be perceived.


    His days might be numbered, and he needed to think about how to settle his affairs.


    If he were to die, who should he leave the position of eldest disciple to, who could serve his Senior Brothers as well as he did?


    He immediately ruled out Jiang Shi; he wouldn''t choose a disciple his Senior Brother disliked for his position.


    On the other hand.


    Gu An arrived at the Hidden Spirit Palace and saw that the Deep Sea Dragon Carp had finally escaped danger, hiding in a cave under the sea. After confirming it was safe, it fainted.


    "You escaped a calamity; let your final journey be easy,"


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    Gu An murmured to himself then flicked his hand, sending a spell through the sea in a way incomprehensible to Mortal Spirits, entering the body of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp to help it recover from its injuries and regain its demonic power.


    Afterward, he began picking medicinal herbs.


    After picking the medicinal herbs, he didn''t leave. Instead, he stayed in the Hidden Spirit Palace and read.


    The Hidden Spirit Palace housed a great collection of books, all of which were his prized possessions. When he wanted to be alone, he would come here.

 Chapter 388 The Strongest Immortal Dynasty

    The night deepened, and the Hidden Spirit Palace, located at the depths of the sea floor, fell into tranquility.Gu An lay on a chair, holding a book in one hand, while occasionally the sound of the ocean''s tides and the cries of mysterious demon beasts echoed in his ears, like a symphony that brought peace to his mind.


    Time rapidly slipped away in such an atmosphere.


    Gu An set his book aside, stood up, stretched lazily, and looked outside the Hidden Spirit Palace, where he saw the Deep Sea Dragon Carp again embarking on the journey to find the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    There should be no problem with the journey ahead, as there were no formidable demon creatures blocking the path.


    Gu An watched for a while, then left the Hidden Spirit Palace and returned to the Supreme Sect.


    The case of Wu Jue was still the most prominent concern within the Supreme Sect, with many righteous hearts demanding that the Sect thoroughly investigate the reasons behind the madness of those disciples, and if their claims were true, Wu Jue must be granted justice.


    How could other disciples not panic when even a talent like Wu Jue could be slandered, suppressed, or even potentially killed?


    This was happening right beside them!


    There were even disciples who publicly called out in the Inner Sect City, seeking to rally the sense of justice in other disciples, holding the "Righteousness and Demons" written by Pan An, a book that documented the Sword Venerable Fudao''s efforts to quell internal strife within the Supreme Sect. With this book in hand, even the disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall dared not apprehend him.


    While Gu An used his Divine Thought to observe the disciple''s public address, he walked into the Third Medicine Valley.


    Some disciples had already introduced the issue to the Medicine Valley, prompting other disciples to join in discussions.


    The storm was growing bigger!


    This pleased Gu An.


    Perhaps the higher-ups were worried that this matter would bring unrest to the Supreme Sect, but Gu An was not afraid. He had feelings for the Supreme Sect and did not wish to see it become the sect of a single family, especially since this family was a newcomer from overseas.


    Wasn''t this like a dove taking over a magpie''s nest?


    Now it remained to be seen how the Supreme Sect would confront the pressure from the disciples.


    Gu An did not join in the discussions of the disciples and returned to his attic alone.


    On the other side.


    Within a dimly lit hall, Lv Baitian, Ji Hantian, and three Great Cultivators sat around a long table, looking very grim.


    These three Great Cultivators were from the Venerable Pavilion of the Supreme Sect, which towered above the Hall of Elders.


    Despite years of development and foreign forces diluting the power of various halls within the Supreme Sect, the Venerable Pavilion remained under the control of the original families, which was their bottom line.


    Gu Gua took a deep breath and said, "The situation has escalated beyond concealment, it''s time to put pressure on the Sheng Family."


    The aged Ji Hengshi stroked his beard and said, "Indeed, pressure must be applied, but the question is how. Sheng Tianzong is already furious and even hopes that we defend the image of the Sheng Family."


    The Venerable who replaced Zhou Yu, coming from the Lv Family and named Lv Lie, had a gloomy face and remained silent.


    Lv Baitian glanced at Lv Lie with a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.


    Ji Hantian, known for his explosive temper and inability to hold back, glared at the three Venerables and said, "At this point, we should stop passing the buck around. We are all in this together, and if the Supreme Sect does nothing, we will be the first to suffer. If we don''t suppress the Sheng Family now, other families will certainly trample over us!"


    His attitude was starkly different from when he faced Gu An, fearing at that time that Gu An would be exposed to the Sheng Family.


    "If only Sword Venerable Fudao could take action, how wonderful that would be?" Lv Lie suddenly spoke up.


    Lv Baitian glared at him and said, "What, should we disturb him over such a trivial matter? Have you forgotten his current status? He is now the Holy Sword of the Holy Court; even the colossal Star Sea Congregations appear insignificant before him."


    Lv Lie shook his head and remained silent.


    Gu Gua pondered, "Investigate the Sheng Family thoroughly. This is a good opportunity. It''s rare for the Sheng Family to make a mistake, and we can use this to suppress the influence of other overseas families. Think carefully¡ªhow could those disciples be driven mad by the Sheng Family? Even if it were true, the Sheng Family would never let them out."


    "The talent of Wu Jue is no small matter, and he rose from humble beginnings. Throughout history, where have there been so many strokes of luck? Anyone who rises from obscurity has surely the backing of a Great Power behind them."


    Ji Hantian looked at Gu Gua with brightened eyes and asked, "Do you mean that Wu Jue has the support of Sword Venerable Fudao behind him?"


    Gu Gua replied, "It''s not impossible. Think about it, the Supreme Sect is not some geomantic treasure land. Who among the past geniuses wasn''t related to him? He wouldn''t care about the small affairs of the Supreme Sect, but he would definitely step in if it involved the overall spirit of the sect. This group of disciples who inexplicably went mad is the best proof."


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    Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.


    The shadows on their faces gradually dispersed.


    If they had the support of Sword Venerable Fudao, what was there to fear?


    "Perhaps he is also watching our actions. If we..." Gu Gua continued, leaving his sentence unfinished, but everyone understood his implication.


    Following his train of thought, the others were shocked and felt a chill run down their spines.


    Ji Hantian slammed the table and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s do it now! I''ll take the lead!"


    With that, he disappeared from the room in an instant.


    The rest looked at each other, and Ji Hengshi gave a wry smile, "Will his temperament ever change?"


    "Change? Maybe in the next lifetime. I''m off as well."


    Lv Baitian laughed and stood up to leave, vanishing as well.


    The three Venerable Pavilion members did not linger long, vanishing from their seats simultaneously.


    An hour later, a piece of news shook the Supreme Sect. The Venerable Pavilion ordered a thorough investigation of the Sheng Family and deployed a large number of disciples to surround the Sheng Family''s residence. As soon as this news came out, cheers erupted in the cities of the Supreme Sect.


    The truth had yet to be verified, but the Sheng Family''s reputation had already soured. This was because other disciples who had been oppressed by the Sheng Family were also exerting their influence, spreading word of their high-handed behavior.


    In the evening, Gu An sensed the breath of battle emanating from the Main City of Sect, but it quickly faded. The one who had made a move was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.


    Lv Baitian personally went to invite the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who himself held the position of an Elder and thus was not afraid of the Sheng Family.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had intervened, moved by what Lv Baitian had said, for Lv Baitian hinted that Sword Venerable Fudao was secretly observing this farce.


    Gu An did not mind the Venerable Pavilion using his influence as leverage; after all, it was the truth. Moreover, without giving them some confidence to forcefully confront the Sheng Family, it would have been difficult.


    What Gu An wanted was their stance!


    That night was destined to be restless.


    When the sunlight of the following day streaked across the entire Supreme Sect, many legends had already spread among the populace.


    Two days later, the Supreme Sect posted a declaration, revealing the cause and consequences of Wu Jue''s case, clearing his name. It also informed the disciples that the Sheng Family too was unaware of the truth, deeming it all a misunderstanding.


    Although many disciples were dissatisfied, wanting to directly topple the Sheng Family, the Supreme Sect would not abandon a noble family over this affair, especially since the deceased was a genius of the Sheng Family.


    Wu Jue came to find Gu An as soon as he was released, expressing his gratitude.


    "Me? I had nothing to do with it. I spoke up for you and ended up getting lectured by the Sect Leader and the Vice Sect Leader," said Gu An, shaking his head while he poured Wu Jue some tea.


    Wu Jue showed a smile and said, "They''re only scolding you because they''re worried you might get into trouble. They''re probably just trying to stabilize you first while they prepare the evidence."


    He felt that the frenzy among the disciples was stirred up by the likes of Lv Baitian and others, who dared not openly claim it was the intention of Sword Venerable Fudao. Faced with numerous speculations, they neither denied nor acknowledged.


    Gu An huffed, "Who knows what they''re thinking. But as long as you''re cleared of the charges, I''m happy. We must drink joyously all day and night today; you can''t run away!"


    Wu Jue laughed, "With your cultivation level and mine, you think you can outdrink me?"


    After this ordeal, he had gained clarity about many people and events. He did not harbor resentment but swore to become stronger and to repay Gu An.


    A noble family, huh?


    If that was the case, then I too must become a noble family!


    Holding his bowl of wine, Wu Jue thought to himself as he looked at Gu An''s smiling face.


    He also wanted to become Gu An''s support, as a way to repay him!


    Gu An didn''t know what he was thinking, but regardless, it didn''t matter to him.


    The issue with the Sheng Family was, in his eyes, no issue at all. Helping Wu Jue had many methods; choosing this way simply added a bit of fun and anticipation to life.


    Gu An turned his gaze towards the window. A gale had begun to blow outside, as if the world was on the brink of great upheaval.


    Compared to the grand trend of the world, the Supreme Sect''s minor incidents were insignificant.


    The Immortal Dynasty was poised to make new moves!


    Lately, Gu An had sensed the return of many existences above the Immortal Dao Fifth Layer Heaven to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, all of them spirits from the Immortal Dynasty.


    Although the Holy Court had not welcomed a large influx of powerful individuals, they were clearly strengthening their positions in every domain.


    It seemed that the Magic Battle Conference had not brought long-term peace but had given the Immortal Dynasty greater hope.


    ...


    Beneath a night sky sprinkled with dazzling stars, atop a colossal palace with no ceiling, the Yang Xian Emperor was meditating below a golden light sphere, eyes closed, hands continually casting spells.


    A figure appeared above the grand hall¡ªthe Ancient Immortal Emperor.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor, frowning slightly, asked, "Do you truly intend to break through by force? With your talent, you would surely surpass me. Why can''t you be a bit more patient?"


    Without opening his eyes, the Yang Xian Emperor replied, "It''s not that this Emperor lacks patience, but Shengtian isn''t giving this Emperor a chance. If we let him succeed in his Tribulation Crossing, the Immortal Dynasty will no longer exist. His talent, as you know, is clear. The realm you could not traverse, he will surely reach; it''s just a matter of when."


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor said, "The Reincarnation Tribulation is not that simple."


    "Do you want to gamble the fate of the Immortal Dynasty on his failure? Or bet that it will take him a million...ten million years?" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor fell silent at Yang Xian Emperor''s retort.


    Soon after, the Yang Xian Emperor opened his eyes and looked toward the distant cosmos, saying, "Moreover, the Yuanxu Ancestor did not open the paths of Reincarnation without merit. What comes next will be the most potent period in the history of the Immortal Dynasty. All those supreme beings will return to fight alongside this Emperor."


    Excitement appeared on his face, unable to wait for a battle with the Holy Court.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor watched him and said, "Then how do you plan to break through? You don''t think the Holy Court would be so arrogant as to allow you to break through, do you? If the Saint Ancestor does not make a move, I too must refrain, or else the situation will spin even further out of control."


    The Yang Xian Emperor shook his head and said, "You need not worry, for this Emperor has his own plans. I would even hope for them to try to stop my Tribulation Crossing. It would give me a justified cause to gain the upper hand."

 Chapter 389 Do You Know What My Cultivation Level Is?

    As autumn gave way to winter, the snow gradually blanketed the vast Taicang Continent.Gu An, wearing a mask, sat on the eaves, gazing up at the sky while Sage Xuan Miao, in the courtyard below, engaged in alchemy and curiously watched Gu An.


    The Mountain God seemed engrossed in something, having been watching for quite some time. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sage Xuan Miao silently thought, yearning for the perspective of the Mountain God. The scenery before the Mountain God''s eyes surely transcended imagination.


    Could something be happening beyond the heavens?


    Sage Xuan Miao guessed right; indeed, something was happening outside the heaven, and it was an event of great importance to the world.


    Gu An saw a host of Immortal Spirits arranging a grand formation in the cosmos. The scale was so immense that even the silhouettes of two Divine Thought True Immortals could be discerned, sitting cross-legged above the formation, their auras completely unhidden.


    Someone was about to breakthrough!


    With such an array, it seemed likely that a Divine Thought True Immortal was attempting to advance to a Free Immortal!


    Gu An could not calculate precisely who it was. The Immortal Dynasty was protected by Qi Fortune that obscured cause and effect, of course, given time he could figure it out, yet to know or not held little significance because Divine Thought True Immortals were scarce, and as for Free Immortals, currently, there was only one in each domain.


    There were only two acknowledged Free Immortals in the entire visible Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Gu An stood up, looking down at Sage Xuan Miao, and said, "Great changes are coming to the world. Cultivate diligently and do not be lazy."


    Having said that, he vanished into thin air from the eaves.


    The world is about to change?


    Sage Xuan Miao frowned. What kind of calamity would it take for the Mountain God to speak of a great change?


    Elsewhere.


    In one step, Gu An arrived inside the Hidden Spirit Palace, his gaze directed outside the barrier, where the Deep Sea Dragon Carp lingered nearby.


    After previously bumping into the barrier and confirming the location of the Hidden Spirit Palace, it did not seem in a hurry. Instead, it idly circled the barrier''s vicinity, making not a single sound.


    Gu An stepped onto the open space in front of the Hidden Spirit Palace gate, raising his right foot, and immediately after, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp appeared right under his foot.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp was stunned, its fish-eyed gaze widening. This time, it did not struggle but instead watched Gu An calmly and steadily.


    "Do you have a death wish? Speak, steamed or grilled?" Gu An asked expressionlessly, looking down at it.


    The fish eyes of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp turned teary once again. None of the hardships and dangers it had encountered on its journey had humiliated it as much as being before Gu An, where it had cried twice.


    Gu An''s heart remained unsoftened. After a moment''s thought, the Primordial Divine Eye appeared on his forehead, shooting out a beam of golden light into the body of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp shivered as its body stiffened.


    After a few breaths, as if sensing something, it cautiously asked, "Are you... an Immortal?"


    It spoke with a human voice, sounding like a young boy, full of childishness.


    Gu An did not move his foot, asking, "Whether I am or not, what does it have to do with you?"


    "Immortal... will you take me in? I will submit to you as my master, just teach me Divine Skills, and I will obey you forever..." the Deep Sea Dragon Carp pleaded with tears, its tone brimming with misery that would tug at one''s heartstrings.


    "Why should I take you in?"


    "I... please, I beg you..."


    "How did you hear of Immortals'' legends at the bottom of the sea?"


    "Since I was little, I''ve had many memories that are not my own, likely passed down by my ancestors. I have seen the descent of Immortals, and they look just like you..."


    "I am human, and the Human Race exists in this world."


    "No, you are different from the Human Race. You give me the same feeling as those Immortals..."


    Hearing this, Gu An narrowed his eyes, directly employing the Great Imprison Soul Immortal Technique to search through its memories.


    The eyes of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp lost their luster, appearing as if dead, and it even began to blow bubbles from its mouth.


    After a long while.


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought, his expression peculiar.


    There actually were Immortals! In the memories of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, that was a very ancient time, and Gu An could not determine how long ago it was through its memories because its bloodline memories were intermittent.


    The Immortals in its memory were undoubtedly beings beyond the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path. There were five in total, descending from the heavens, casting mysterious Crystal Stones into the Canghai.


    That was the only fragment, yet the vision was clear. It demonstrated that the ancestor of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp cherished this memory deep in their bones, unwilling to forget.


    Gu An recalculated, verifying that the Deep Sea Dragon Carp indeed had no other significant karma, before he felt at ease.


    He gently kicked the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, jolting it awake.


    Without Gu An''s suppression, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp suddenly soared upward, floating midair.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp looked at Gu An timidly, very nervous.


    "I can take you in, but are you sure you are willing to give up your freedom for eternity?" Gu An asked.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, overwhelmed with joy, eagerly nodded and said, "I am willing! As long as I can cultivate with you, as long as I can become an Immortal, I am willing!"


    "Become an Immortal? You''ll have to prove your worth first!"


    Gu An cast a disparaging glance at the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, then began to introduce it to the situation at Hidden Spirit Palace.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp listened intently, fearful of disappointing Gu An.


    After finishing his instructions, Gu An told it to stay put for the time being and that he would teach it Cultivation Technique later, then he went back to the Supreme Sect.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp turned its head to look at Hidden Spirit Palace, its fish eyes shining brightly, filled with exuberant excitement.


    After decades of hardship, the sweet payoff had finally arrived.


    ...


    Thirteen years later.


    In the dead of night,


    Gu An stood atop a peak at the edge of Mystic Valley, toying with the Fate Determining Pen in his hand while gazing at the night sky.


    The lord of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Xian Emperor, was about to undergo tribulation!


    The cosmos had gathered tens of thousands of mighty Immortal Spirits; even the weakest among them was of the Wandering Immortal realm, and that was not the entirety of the Immortal Dynasty''s power. Merely witnessing it was enough to make anyone marvel at the dynasty''s strength.


    Above the outer layers of light, cultivators of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land from various Great Sects stood, discussing the unparalleled might of the Immortal Dynasty.


    They knew the Immortal Dynasty was formidable, but only today did they truly understand the extent of its strength!


    Most pivotal was that the Holy Court showed no reaction, as if indifferent to the tribulation of the Immortal Dynasty lord.


    "What kind of terrifying Heavenly Tribulation is this?"


    "Such a dreadful aura, the number of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals of the Immortal Dynasty seems to surpass the combined forces here."


    "What do you think allows the Immortal Dynasty to stand against the Holy Court?"


    "The Immortal Dynasty is quite ambitious. Why does it seem like the Holy Court is wary of them?"


    The disciples from the various sects, including those from Mortal World Peak, discussed such matters, and Gu An listened in.


    The Holy Court was not wary of the Immortal Dynasty; they were clearly waiting for the right moment.


    Gu An could sense that within one of the Holy Court cities, a vast number of Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma and Carefree Primordial Immortals were gathering, evidently preparing for something.


    He had predicted a great battle where some of the cultivators from the layers above would fail to escape in time and be obliterated on the spot.


    This calamity would also impact the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, causing earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other disasters across various domains. For many years to come, Taicang Continent would suffer its influence, and countless living beings would face challenging times.


    Gu An had no intention of intervening; such tribulation would not affect his Medicine Valley. As for the common folk, they would attribute these hard times to natural disasters, unaware of the high-level conflict. Continue your journey with empire


    While the Immortal Cultivation World could understand what was happening, they too would be swept up in the turmoil of conflict.


    If the Holy Court''s control was shaken, the world order would encounter an upheaval not seen in a million years.


    "Yang Xian Emperor... interesting indeed, quite a remarkable figure."


    Gu An mused to himself, envisioning Yang Xian Emperor''s imposing dominance in the years to come, casting a shadow of dark times over the Holy Court until the emergence of Shengtian.


    However, he could not predict where Shengtian would be.


    There were many like Ji Xiaoyu in this world, burdened with the karma of reincarnation, making it difficult to deduce past lives through such karma, thus challenging to discern which one might be the Saint Heaven Reincarnation.


    Perhaps Shengtian wasn''t even in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Just as Gu An was contemplating the future, a set of footsteps approached from behind.


    The newcomer was Jiang Shi.


    He cautiously approached Gu An, and seeing that his master''s eyes were not closed, he mustered the courage to ask, "Master, you''ve been here for such a long time, is there anything you need? Let me prepare it for you."


    Gu An, without looking at him, answered softly, "Then prepare some wine and dishes."


    Jiang Shi, elated upon hearing this, quickly bowed and turned to make the arrangements.


    Gu An wasn''t too repelled by Jiang Shi''s eagerness; after all, the boy had performed well over the years, truly focusing on his practice.


    The lad had already reached the Core Formation Realm, only one realm below him, the Valley Master. With his talent, becoming the disciple of a Great Cultivator in the Unification Realm would not be difficult.


    Before long, Jiang Shi returned with wine and dishes, along with a small table.


    Gu An accepted the wine Jiang Shi poured and, in a seemingly indifferent tone, asked, "Jiang Shi, do you know what my cultivation level is?"


    Jiang Shi paused for a moment, deliberating, then answered, "The senior brothers mentioned that you had reached the Nascent Soul Realm many years ago."


    "Actually, I am a Loose Immortal."


    Gu An suddenly declared, leaving Jiang Shi with widened eyes filled with disbelief.


    Under Jiang Shi''s stunned gaze, Gu An raised his hand and the clouds above swiftly churned, forming a majestic dragon coiling through the sky.


    After a few breaths, Gu An withdrew his hand, and the spectacle in the night sky vanished, returning to its original state.


    Jiang Shi was dumbfounded, doubting what he had just seen.


    When Gu An lifted his hand again, Jiang Shi felt the world spin. Upon opening his eyes once more, he trembled with fright; Gu An had become gigantic like a mountain, and he realized he was standing in the palm of Gu An''s hand.


    At that moment, Jiang Shi suddenly understood how Sun Wukong felt in the palm of The Buddha.


    Gu An looked down at him expressionlessly and asked, "Do you now regret staying in Mystic Valley? No one knows of my cultivation level; those who did are no longer alive."


    Jiang Shi immediately knelt down, head bowed, not daring to look directly at Gu An. Clenching his teeth, he declared, "No regrets. To be your disciple is the fortune of three lifetimes!"


    His mind was in turmoil, and he had never anticipated Gu An to be so formidable. All he could do was to desperately try to please Gu An.


    And he was extremely fearful.


    After all, Gu An had previously taken a dislike to him; would he simply kill him now?


    He suddenly regretted coming up to the mountain to ingratiate himself with his master.


    But wait!


    If his master wanted to kill him, why go through such an elaborate display?


    As Jiang Shi pondered this, his uneasy heart slowly calmed down.


    An approving glint passed through the eyes of Gu An observing him.


    Even though the lad had made mistakes, he was not unforgivable. Lu Jiujia''s time was drawing near, and it might well be time to cultivate him.


    The reason for Gu An''s change of heart toward Jiang Shi was the latter''s unwavering dedication over decades to stay in Mystic Valley. He knew what Jiang Shi feared, but that was not important. What mattered was Jiang Shi''s ability to remain seated in meditation, unlike Yang Jian, who sought to venture out upon gaining strength.

 Chapter 390 Displaying Divine Skills

    At dawn, Gu An emerged from the forest, followed by Jiang Shi, whose expression was somewhat bewildered.Lu Jiujia, who was organizing the disciples for training, turned his head and noticed Jiang Shi following Gu An, which sparked surprise within him.


    "This young man actually dares to seek out his senior brother?"


    In his heart, Lu Jiujia lamented, seeing that Jiang Shi clearly looked defeated.


    Gu An continued on, joining the ranks of the disciples in preparation for training.


    Lu Jiujia did not ask Jiang Shi for details but urged him to join the queue quickly as the training was about to start.


    An hour later, Gu An left Mystic Valley, and only then did Lu Jiujia dare to pull Jiang Shi back to the house to ask about what had happened the night before.


    Under the control of Gu An''s Divine Thought, the disciples in the valley were unable to perceive the disturbances of the previous night and even failed to sense the approach of Gu An and Jiang Shi''s energies.


    Facing Lu Jiujia''s inquiry, Jiang Shi shook his head and said, "Senior brother, don''t ask. Rest assured, I am fine. I will devote myself to building up Mystic Valley and won''t let you or Master down."


    After hearing this, Lu Jiujia felt uneasy.


    Why did it seem that this young man had grown closer to his senior brother?


    Even closer than him!


    Lu Jiujia thought it over and figured, since he didn''t have many years left to live, wasn''t this situation what he had hoped for?


    He respected Gu An and treated Jiang Shi like a son, naturally hoping for a closer relationship between the two.


    "Perform well, your master will take note," Lu Jiujia said solemnly as he patted Jiang Shi on the shoulder.


    Jiang Shi nodded, his eyes blazing with a fire named combativeness.


    ...


    After the summer had passed, the Yang Xian Emperor officially began his Tribulation Crossing.


    Gu An stayed in the attic of the Third Medicine Valley, beginning to watch the Divine Thought True Immortal''s Tribulation Crossing. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He wanted to see if the Heavenly Tribulation of the Yang Xian Emperor could match his own.


    As soon as the Heavenly Tribulation began, he was disappointed.


    It seemed not very strong; as a Divine Thought True Immortal Realm being, he could have easily crossed it.


    While he was disappointed, the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals in the exterior layers of sky shuddered with fear. Even from a great distance, they could feel the terror of the Heavenly Tribulation.


    "What kind of Heavenly Tribulation is this? So far away and yet the pressure is still so terrifying?"


    "Which level of the Immortal Path''s Heavenly Tribulation could this be?"


    "All I know is that from the fifth to the sixth level, the Heavenly Tribulation is nowhere near as frightening, and this is just the beginning."


    "Could this tribulation affect the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?"


    "The Immortal Dynasty is truly formidable. The pressure we feel is just the residual effect, look at their formations, how profound."


    The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals discussed among themselves. Then, the Carefree Primordial Immortal and the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma began to arrive.


    As time passed, the Heavenly Tribulation of the Yang Xian Emperor grew increasingly terrifying.


    From the beginning of the Heavenly Tribulation, Gu An could foresee the result. Even at its strongest, the tribulation could not shake his physique from when he was in the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm. If he were to undergo the Yang Xian Emperor''s Heavenly Tribulation, he would surely succeed on his first try.


    This Heavenly Tribulation would last a total of seven days.


    The next day, the sky emitted a red glow, akin to a burning cloud; the cultivators of the Supreme Sect merely thought it beautiful, without giving it much thought. The same was true for ninety percent of the beings under the sky.


    On the third day, the temperature of heaven and earth suddenly rose, and the spiritual energy became violent, forcing many cultivators who were in seclusion to emerge, with some even being invaded by inner demons.


    On the fourth day, earthquakes and tsunamis began to occur all around the world, which the Supreme Sect couldn''t ignore.


    On the fifth day, the Holy Court took action!


    Gu An saw a multitude of Holy Court powerhouses shot towards the cosmos like a rain of arrows; their mana converged together, forming a formidable force that struck the Great Immortal Dynasty''s formation with an unstoppable momentum.


    The tremendous aftermath shattered many stars and meteorites in the cosmos, and then surged towards the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The scenario Gu An had deduced occurred; some Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals turned to ash on the spot, and the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land was shaken.


    The Great Immortal Dynasty''s formation was broken in an instant; however, dazzling flames burst forth from Yang Xian Emperor''s body, brighter and more massive than even the seven outer days, radiating endless scorching heat!


    Yang Xian Emperor raised his hand and astonishingly repelled tens of thousands of Holy Court powerhouses with a single move, including five Divine Thought True Immortals!


    Not only that, Gu An saw divine spirits with powerful auras flying out from the Reincarnation Vortex, all of whom were Divine Thought True Immortals and Dao Void Mysterious Immortals.


    The origins of these divine spirits were extremely bizarre, untraceable, almost as if they weren''t Living Spirits but came from the Nine Nether World; they did not go to aid Yang Xian Emperor but instead headed toward the Holy Dynasty.


    A world-shaking war thus erupted!


    In the ensuing time, Gu An saw Divine Thought True Immortals battling in the cosmos, Dao Void Mysterious Immortals fighting within the Tao Realm, and Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma and Carefree Primordial Immortals dueling in states unobservable by ordinary beings.


    The Holy Gods joined the fight!


    All the Holy Gods of the Holy Court were Divine Thought True Immortals; each of their arrivals resembled Immortals descending to the mortal world, majestic and awe-inspiring.


    Gu An was indeed riveted by what he saw, but of course, he didn''t forget his own identity, and he would also pretend to be worried when around others.


    On the seventh day, Yang Xian Emperor had advanced to the Free Immortal Realm, in full splendor.


    A violent storm approached.


    Under the pavilion, Ji Xiaoyu looked up at the rolling thunderclouds, her brow tightly furrowed.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor suddenly appeared beside her, sighing, "This is the Six Realms Destiny Ultimate Void Tribulation; this Yang Xian Emperor is truly a rare genius in history, not inferior to Shengtian. Having two prodigies from the same era in a single great heaven and earth is terrifying. It''s fortunate that they are adversaries."


    Upstairs, Gu An heard this and his expression turned odd.


    The Six Realms Destiny Ultimate Void Tribulation?


    When he had broken through to the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm previously, his heavenly tribulation was called the Six Realms Destiny Ultimate Void Tribulation, three realms more than what Yang Xian Emperor is facing now. Did this represent a higher level of difficulty?


    Ji Xiaoyu spoke, "Indeed, if there were stronger beings in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land to guide them to unite, then this land could soar. Sadly, there are no such supreme beings here, destined to have only one prodigy survive. From what we see now, I believe Shengtian will have the last laugh."


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor showed a smile, saying, "I, on the other hand, think Yang Xian Emperor has more hope. The Holy Court entered the Reincarnation Tribulation later than Your Majesty, and by the time Yang Xian Emperor unifies the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he might not be able to escape from his tribulation."


    After hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu did not continue the conversation, her gaze firmly fixed on the sky.


    With a loud bang!


    A bolt of thunder appeared in the sky, resembling a giant dragon, spectacular to behold.


    "I, Yang Xian Emperor, ruler of the Immortal Dynasty, proclaim my ascension to the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path. How dare the Holy Court obstruct my Tribulation Crossing? From this day forth, the Immortal Dynasty declares total war on the Holy Court. In this war, only one shall remain!"


    The voice of Yang Xian Emperor resounded, his tone mixed with towering rage, and the most profound part was that only beings of the Immortal Path Realm could hear it, inaudible to Mortal Spirits. Experience more content on empire


    Gu An couldn''t help but admire; this guy''s acting was also very strong.


    Clearly, he had been deliberately waiting for the Holy Court to make a move.


    The Holy Court had no choice but to act, unable to watch the birth of a Free Immortal in the Immortal Dynasty.


    Their failure to act this time meant that the Holy Court was defeated by the Immortal Dynasty twice!


    Gu An was full of anticipation for the future; as the great chaos commenced worldwide, continuously more suicidal attackers would invade the Taicang Continent, and he hadn''t taken action in a long while, eager to display his Divine Skills!

 Chapter 391 Acceptance

    After the Yang Xian Emperor''s furious proclamation resonated throughout the world, the epoch of great strife was officially unveiled.The successful breakthrough of the Yang Xian Emperor led to his arrival at Holy Court, followed closely by other powerhouses of the Immortal Dynasty, who launched an unprecedented offensive against the Holy Court.


    However, with its robust Qi Fortune, Holy Court managed to form a formation out of Qi Fortune, blocking the offensive of the Free Immortals, which amazed Gu An greatly.


    The Way of Qi Fortune was extremely versatile, no less than the Way of Cause and Effect. To be precise, each of the Three Thousand Great Dao had its unique excellence, without an absolute strength or weakness, depending on the practitioner''s achievement in their respective Dao.


    Ultimately, Holy Court withstood the Yang Xian Emperor''s assault, forcing him to retreat and return to the Immortal Dynasty to begin a seclusion.


    Although Holy Court survived, this battle came with severe losses, causing powers scattered across the world to start contracting.


    When sects throughout the world saw that Holy Court was not as invincible as imagined, many began to stir.


    Who didn''t want to become the Holy Court?


    They were only submitting to the overwhelming might of Holy Court, not genuinely loyal from the heart!


    In the coming autumn, the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land plunged into turbulence.


    In the late autumn, Gu An, accompanied by An Xin, arrived at Mortal World Peak, quickly sensing the tense atmosphere enveloping the peak.


    The world was in chaos, with sects and dynasties watching, choosing sides was necessary even without ambition. This was an unprecedented major upheaval in millions of years, making all forces quite cautious.


    After picking medicinal herbs on Dingtian Peak, Zhu Xinglan found Gu An and informed him that the Main Peak had summoned him to attend a Peak Master meeting. Gu An did not refuse and set off.


    All Divine Peak masters were present, and upon Gu An''s arrival, he received goodwill from many Peak Masters. After all, in their eyes, Gu An was a being that even surpassed the Carefree Primordial Immortal, so naturally, they wanted to forge an affiliation.


    Once all Divine Peak Lords were assembled, Lord Yongnian began to elaborate on the situation of Mortal World Peak, with Holy Court hoping for their support to jointly attack the territories affiliated with the Immortal Dynasty.


    The Immortal Dynasty pressed their victory and rapidly expanded after suppressing Holy Court, showing a ferocious momentum of swallowing the celestial sphere.


    Now, Lord Yongnian wanted to discuss whether to support Holy Court, and if so, how?


    Gu An did not participate in the discussion, merely listening quietly.


    The vast majority of Peak Masters believed they should not rashly support Holy Court, their perception shaken by the formidable power of the Immortal Dynasty, especially the Yang Xian Emperor, who demonstrated the world''s top prowess amidst the mysterious disappearance of Shengtian.


    "How dare they support Holy Court when the world''s foremost stands with the Immortal Dynasty?"


    Gu An did not look down on them. In fact, their conjecture was correct. Without Shengtian, it was impossible for the two Free Immortals of the Immortal Dynasty to be defeated.


    The Peak Master meeting lasted an Ancient Hour, and in the end, they decided to agree to Holy Court''s request, but to discuss later when to take action.


    Gu An returned to Dingtian Peak and guided An Xin in her cultivation.


    Only when evening fell did the two return to the Supreme Sect.


    Walking in the woods outside Mystic Valley, Gu An observed Zhu Xi while moving forward.


    "Master, who do you think will have the last laugh between the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court?" An Xin excitedly asked, following closely by Gu An''s side. She wasn''t afraid of a major conflict between the two great powers; she believed her master could protect her.


    "It''s hard to say, but one thing is certain, this calamity will last a long time."


    Gu An responded casually, his tone calm, as if he placed no importance on the matter.


    An Xin then asked how powerful the Yang Xian Emperor truly was, having heard many disciples of Mortal World Peak discussing him today, calling him the strongest of this era, the pinnacle of the Immortal Path.


    "Very powerful, very powerful. Even with Hao''er''s talent, reaching that level would need hundreds of thousands of years," Gu An''s response astounded An Xin.


    Hundreds of thousands of years...


    After the shock, An Xin fell into boundless speculation.


    Would she still be alive after hundreds of thousands of years?


    Her gaze involuntarily turned towards her master.


    For her master to mention hundreds of thousands of years so casually, to him, would hundreds of thousands of years be like ten years, or even one year to ordinary people?


    Anyway, she felt that no matter how strong the Yang Xian Emperor was, he couldn''t be as formidable as her master.


    Gu An didn''t know what she was thinking, but when he saw Zhu Xi pretending innocence after stealing medicinal herbs and sobbing in front of her master, he almost laughed.


    Given time, the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body would surely become a supreme warrior of the world, perhaps even surpassing the Yang Xian Emperor.


    Unfortunately, she was born too late and caught in such turbulent times, truly bad luck.


    Wait!


    Could it be...


    Born to meet the calamity?


    Gu An showed a look of interest and began to deduce Zhu Xi''s fate.


    The Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body''s fate was hard to predict, but as a Taoist Hidden Immortal, Gu An could deduce some traces of cause and effect.


    ...


    As the years gently passed, with the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court entering full-scale war, the whole world burned in warfare, with far more shooting stars visible at night than ever before.


    Continuously, Overseas Cultivators fled to the Taicang Continent to seek refuge, also bringing many grievances and conflicts which kept spreading.


    Twenty years swiftly passed.


    At the end of summer, Gu An stood shoulder to shoulder with Lu Jiujia on a cliff, gazing into the distance.


    Lu Jiujia had a full head of white hair, and the twilight air around him grew heavier with each passing year, the effects of the Youth-Preserving Pill had already faded.


    "These years, the atmosphere within the Supreme Sect has truly become more tense, and even the sky above doesn''t look as blue as before, always appearing gloomy," Lu Jiujia remarked with a sigh.


    Clouds scattered across the sky, not covering the entire sky, nor showing signs of wind or rain.


    Gu An replied, "Yes, it really is a season full of incidents. What do you think, are we lucky or unlucky in this life? We always encounter various calamities, although we have passed through them safely under the protection of the Supreme Sect..."


    Lu Jiujia chuckled, "Naturally, we are lucky. Those seniors also thought their lives were filled with hardships, everyone feels they weren''t born in the best of times."


    "I''m surprised you understand it so well," Gu An said to Lu Jiujia, relieved.


    Watching as Lu Jiujia''s days were numbered, he couldn''t help but think of Xiaochuan.


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    Why hasn''t Xiaochuan reincarnated yet?


    Could it be that he reincarnated in another world?


    Gu An thought of the Immortal Dynasty summoning back so many powerful Immortal Spirits from the Reincarnation Vortex, and felt that the Reincarnation Vortex was not so simple.


    "That''s thanks to the good teachings of my senior brother. Besides, I won''t live too many more years, and the calamities in my life are all made by myself, no one else to blame. Anyway, I am quite satisfied with this life," Lu Jiujia said, shaking his head with a wry smile.


    Gu An snorted, "How come you all have no regrets when it''s time to die? Are you afraid of burdening me?"


    He had already seen many pass away, each one departing with a smile, leaving him not too sentimental, only occasionally feeling nostalgic.


    "Hahaha, senior brother, don''t think too much, is it possible that under your care, we really had a good life? We have all ventured out and experienced the dangers of the world, which is why we cherish our current lives and are content with the lives we have led. You really don''t need to think too much, no one should be responsible for another''s life," Lu Jiujia laughed heartily then spoke earnestly.


    He could tell that senior brother cared about the cultivation of those around him; he knew senior brother did not seek wealth or honor for his close ones, but rather hoped that they would live long.


    Gu An smiled, "Where am I overthinking? Actually, I am also selfish, I just don''t want to end up lonely."


    Lu Jiujia laughed, "Everyone must die eventually, it''s inevitable."


    "True, let''s talk about the Great Sun Divine Sect instead, who knows when they might attack."


    "Really? The Broken Sea Domain is under the protection of the Holy Court; could the Great Sun Divine Sect really be stronger than the Great Cold Demon Sect of yore?"


    Lu Jiujia frowned, speaking of the Great Sun Divine Sect which had been a hot topic recently, even the realm of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal had strongly entered into the consciousness of Supreme Sect''s disciples.


    Various rumors all pointed to one thing, the Broken Sea Domain was about to face an unprecedented threat, and the Taicang Dynasty situated there would find it hard to escape unscathed!


    Gu An smiled, "How about we make a bet, guess whether the Great Sun Divine Sect can defeat Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia instantly raised his eyebrows, "I bet they are no match for Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    Gu An''s smile stiffened, "No, let''s draw lots, decide the order of choice."


    "I won''t."


    "You itching for a spanking? Don''t think just because you''re old, senior brother won''t dare to thrash you!"


    "Oh come on, the disciples are watching, what kind of example would that set? The prestige of the first disciple must be maintained, don''t make it difficult for the next generation''s first disciple."


    The two began to bicker, laughter echoing endlessly.


    ...


    Mountains ranged in succession, and in one forested mountain, numerous pavilions nestled.


    A young man knelt in the courtyard, his face stubborn, his gaze fixed on the main gate.


    "No matter how long you kneel, I will not hand over your ancestor''s brocade bag to you," a woman''s voice came from the gate.


    "Why not?" The young man gritted his teeth. "My father and my grandfather''s deep-seated vendetta, are you really going to ignore it? They are also your descendants!"


    "Exactly for that reason, I cannot let you continue to risk your life. What''s wrong with being a mortal? Once you step into the world of Immortal Cultivation, no one ends well."


    "Being a mortal, when facing power, when encountering cultivators, we are just meat on the chopping block, at the mercy of others!"


    The young man''s voice nearly broke at the end.


    The mysterious woman inside the gate fell silent.


    After a long while.


    The mysterious woman spoke softly, "The bloodline of the An family is deeply cursed. None of your ancestors had a good ending, not even my son, who did not live past thirty. The deeper you cultivate, the worse the outcome, yet still, you persist?"


    "Perhaps the brocade bag left by our ancestor is meant to resolve this issue."


    "It''s useless."


    "I don''t believe it! Just give it to me, let me decide for myself, someone has to try!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The young man said sternly, his body trembling because he had been kneeling for too long. Emotions stirred, his qi-blood was somewhat deficient.


    Clang¡ª


    The gate suddenly opened, a brocade bag flew out, landing in front of the young man.


    Overjoyed, the young man immediately picked up the brocade bag, tore it open, and took out a piece of paper, tremblingly examining it. The paper bore two large characters.


    Resign!


    The young man felt as if struck by lightning, his eyes widened, and he was dumbstruck.


    "Why... why..."


    The young man murmured to himself, his hands involuntarily clenched into fists, and the paper was crumpled with them. His fingernails dug into his own flesh, blood seeping out, staining the paper in his hands.

 Chapter 392 The Sense of Intimacy of An Yuan

    "Why resign oneself to fate... why..."The youth trembled all over, his eyes filled with despair.


    Dark clouds blanketed the sky, as if destiny obscured the sunshine of his life, leaving no sight of hope.


    The mysterious woman in the building did not answer, nor did she offer any comfort. She had once felt the same despair when she came across those two characters.


    She did not resent that man either; after all, he warned her before he left. Yet, she couldn''t withstand her family''s persuasion and got caught up in the disputes, leading to her descendants having to hide in the mountains, humbly lamenting the unfairness of fate.


    Just then, the youth suddenly felt a sharp pain in his palm, which frightened him into reflexively letting go, throwing the crumpled paper away.


    He instinctively looked at his palm and saw many blood-red lines appear, quite ghastly. He seemed to realize something, raised his head, and fixed his gaze on the blood-stained paper ball before scrambling over to it.


    He picked up the paper, unfolded it, and to his surprise, found that the words "resign to fate" had disappeared, replaced by three large characters.


    Supreme Sect!


    "Supreme Sect... what does this mean..." the youth murmured, frowning.


    He had certainly heard of the Supreme Sect, the legendary number one sect above all dynasties.


    With his talent, how difficult it would be to enter the Supreme Sect. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared beside him; a woman wearing a black Daoist robe with white hair, yet a face that was young and comely.


    She was none other than the Princess of Tianwei, Si Yan''er, who had once been engaged to An Hao.


    She snatched the paper from the youth''s hand and scrutinized the characters. Her brows furrowed tightly, her eyes filled with complex emotions.


    "Weren''t you the one who told me not to try to ingratiate myself with that elder... Why then leave a secret message for your descendants to go to the Supreme Sect? Did you know this day would come, or were you worried about the safety of your progeny?"


    Si Yan''er mumbled to herself, her tone complex¡ªa mix of surprise, reluctance, anger, and resentment.


    The youth stood up, his legs weak; it took him a while to steady his stance.


    "Grandmother... what does the ancestor mean? That I should go to the Supreme Sect?" He asked nervously, his eyes full of anticipation.


    Si Yan''er took a deep breath and said, "Yes, go to the Supreme Sect."


    The youth, overjoyed, turned to leave immediately.


    "Wait, do you even know where the Supreme Sect is located? How far away it is?" Si Yan''er suddenly called out to him.


    The youth turned his head and said, "The Supreme Sect is so famous, I should be able to find out by asking around."


    "With your pace, it will take ten years to get there, by which time you might already be dead."


    Si Yan''er stared at him, saying emotionlessly.


    Upon hearing this, the youth''s face turned pale.


    Si Yan''er turned her back and walked towards the attic, leaving behind a sentence: "Just wait, I''ll take you to the Supreme Sect."


    The youth, with a look of delight, quickly knelt to thank Si Yan''er.


    Meanwhile.


    An Hao was cultivating in the Immortal Dynasty, unaware of what his descendants were going through.


    He meditated on a cliff, facing a vast and magnificent waterfall, its thunderous roar deafening, below was a lake as vast as the ocean, covered with a mist that made the place seem like a paradise on Earth.


    A figure appeared behind An Hao, a woman in a white dress, gazing at him with eyes full of admiration.


    "An Hao, the Immortal Dynasty has issued a Qi Fortune bounty, why don''t you take part? With the support of the dynasty''s Qi Fortune, your cultivation level will grow faster, much better than painstakingly meditating," said the woman in the white dress, her voice gentle and tender.


    An Hao, with his back to her, did not open his eyes, replying, "To seek the path of immortality solely through Qi Fortune might not be right. I believe more in the mana that I cultivate myself."


    The woman in the white dress smiled and said, "That''s true. With your extraordinary talent, you can reach the pinnacle of the Immortal Path on your own. It''s just a matter of time."


    An Hao did not respond; the only sound was the clamor of the waterfall striking the lake''s surface.


    The woman in the white dress continued to watch An Hao, not finding it dull.


    After a long while.


    "Please return, Fairy. Perhaps I misunderstood your intentions. In any case, I will never remarry in this lifetime. I once had a wife, but in pursuit of immortal cultivation, I''ve cut off our relationship, and I do not wish to become involved with another woman in more than just friendship."


    An Hao finally spoke, his tone calm but resolute.


    Upon hearing this, the woman''s face subtly changed. She wanted to say something but couldn''t as she looked at An Hao''s back.


    She watched his silhouette for a while, eventually turning to leave.


    Only after she''d gone did An Hao open his eyes, a look of melancholy in his gaze.


    "So many years have passed, are you still well?"


    An Hao murmured to himself, an image of a bright and playful girl appeared before him, her smile and glance, even after hundreds of years, unforgettable to him.


    ...


    A year later, near the Supreme Sect, in the forests.


    Si Yan''er and the young man were on their way, with the young man carrying a large bundle that bent his back.


    He looked at his grandmother walking ahead and couldn''t help asking, "Grandmother, why not teach me to cultivate instead? Otherwise, I truly might die of exhaustion."


    When the grandmother took out a flying artifact, he was stunned, never imagining she was so powerful.


    He had also questioned his grandmother why she hadn''t stepped in to save his grandfather, his father, to which Si Yan''er replied that she was too far away to intervene in time.


    Regarding why she didn''t seek revenge, it was for his sake too.


    The enemy was a powerful family with an immortal in their ranks, certainly not someone she could contend with.


    Learning the reasons, the youth''s desire to cultivate and become an immortal grew stronger.


    He must become powerful!


    "We''re almost there; what need is there to cultivate now?" Si Yan''er''s voice came from ahead.


    Upon hearing this, the youth was instantly overjoyed and quickly hastened his pace.


    He began to inquire about his ancestor''s relationship with the Supreme Sect.


    This time, Si Yan''er did not hide the truth.


    "Your ancestor, named An Hao, was the foremost talent in the world, and now he is venturing in an even more distant realm; he is the pride of the Supreme Sect..."


    As Si Yan''er spoke, a wistful expression crossed her face.


    She remembered An Hao''s spirited visage.


    She harbored no resentment for An Hao''s decision, after all, it was her own heart that had stirred first, not to mention that before leaving, An Hao had left behind several treasures. It was for this reason that the Si Family, following their downfall, could survive with her descendants.


    When the youth heard the name An Hao, it seemed somewhat familiar. But as he listened to his grandmother praising him, the youth did not feel excited; instead, his expression grew even more somber.


    The stronger An Hao was, the more the youth despised him.


    What of it if he was the world''s most talented?


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    In his eyes, he was just a negligent forebear, probably not all that impressive!


    The two continued their conversation as they moved forward, with most of the speaking done by Si Yan''er, while the youth said very little.


    As they walked, figures appeared in front of them; the first to enter their sight was a man riding a demon bull, followed by a woman.


    Si Yan''er had long since sensed their presence, with one of them being a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator, undoubtedly a disciple of the Supreme Sect. Therefore, she wanted to approach these two to lead them into the Supreme Sect.


    She quickened her pace, with the youth following closely behind, his gaze fixed on the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    What a magnificent bull!


    Gu An patted the head of the Blood Prison Great Saint, signaling it to stop.


    An Xin turned her head to look and quickly set her sights on the youth, her brows furrowing soon after.


    [An Yuan (Energy Cultivation Realm, level one): 17/25/5000]


    Gu An looked at the youth''s lifespan without a change in expression, but internally he felt puzzled¡ªwhy was his lifespan so short?


    He came here with An Xin because he had calculated the arrival of Si Yan''er and the other person; he also predicted the plight of An Hao''s descendants, but upon truly encountering An Yuan, he was still surprised.


    His lifespan was unreasonably short, especially considering that there was no sign of illness.


    Si Yan''er approached An Xin and, with a salute of her hand, said, "My name is Si Yan''er, from the former land of Tianwei. May I ask if you two are disciples of the Supreme Sect?"


    "You''re called Si Yan''er?"


    An Xin''s eyes widened in shock as she asked.


    Si Yan''er inquired with suspicion, "Have you heard of my name, Miss?"


    "Of course, I''ve heard. My senior brother mentioned you to me!"


    "Your brother is..."


    Si Yan''er, too, became excited, hearing An Hao mention his sister.


    An Xin did not conceal her identity, and upon revealing it, the two women embraced each other as if reuniting after a long parting.


    An Yuan stared blankly at An Xin, not expecting this woman with the grace of an immortal to be his ancestor''s junior sister.


    So young, she looked about his age!


    "Who is this?"


    Si Yan''er turned her attention to Gu An, asking with curiosity.


    An Xin hastily introduced, "This is my master, although not the same as the one shared with my senior brother; he is my second master."


    Si Yan''er suddenly understood: she, of course, knew who An Hao''s master was¡ªthe renowned Sword Venerable Fudao!


    This fact, she had not mentioned to An Yuan.


    Gu An smiled and asked, "You aren''t here looking for An Hao, are you? He has already joined the Immortal Dynasty, and even a Mahayana Cultivator would need decades, even a hundred years to reach the Immortal Dynasty from the ends of the earth."


    The Immortal Dynasty!


    Si Yan''er immediately lapsed into a daze; she had naturally heard this name, as the Yuanxu Ancestor who opened Reincarnation came from the Immortal Dynasty.


    Has he already reached such a state...


    Si Yan''er suddenly felt fortunate: fortune that she had not been overbearing in the past¡ªhad she clung to him in the Taicang Continent, would An Hao have achieved such greatness?


    "Come back to the valley with us first; we can talk more after a few days'' rest."


    Gu An''s words matched Si Yan''er''s intentions. She swiftly bowed in thanks and gestured for An Yuan to speak.


    An Yuan, just coming to his senses, quickly bowed in salute.


    The group headed towards Mystic Valley.


    An Xin and Si Yan''er walked arm in arm at the front, while An Yuan cautiously followed behind the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint turned its head to glance at An Yuan, a strange look in its eyes.


    An Yuan felt uneasy all over, watched by the demon¡ªcould it be wanting to eat him?


    "He indeed looks quite a bit like An Hao; it''s just that the talent is far inferior. I didn''t expect the offspring of such a genius to be so disappointing," the Blood Prison Great Saint remarked.


    Upon hearing this, an irate An Yuan glared, but he dared not retort.


    Gu An slapped the Blood Prison Great Saint on the back and said crossly, "Why speak so of the younger generation? Do you believe I could make you worse off than him?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, shivering all over, did not dare to speak further.


    An Yuan curiously looked at Gu An, feeling a newfound fondness for him.


    For some reason, from that first glimpse of Gu An, he felt a great liking for him, sensing that his smile was so gentle, bringing him a feeling of kinship.


    Gu An waved An Yuan over, beckoning him to stand beside the Blood Prison Great Saint.

 Chapter 393 Shengtian! Terror Descends!

    "Do you want to know how I met your ancestor An Hao?" Gu An looked at An Yuan with a smile and asked.An Yuan felt uncomfortable, knowing his ancestor was still alive and very powerful. He was full of hostility towards An Hao and did not want to listen to anything about An Hao.


    However, he could not afford to defy Gu An and had to nod in agreement.


    "It was an internal strife within the Supreme Sect..."


    Gu An looked ahead, his tone full of emotion; his voice had a compelling power, letting An Yuan vaguely see a certain scene.


    It was a grand hall where Gu An met An Hao.


    The one walking ahead, Si Yan''er, was also listening attentively, curious about An Hao''s experiences in the Supreme Sect.


    An hour later, the group arrived at Mystic Valley, and Gu An asked Jiang Shi to help settle them.


    At present, Lu Jiujia had already begun to delegate authority to Jiang Shi increasingly, among the disciples in the valley, Jiang Shi had the highest Cultivation Level and deepest seniority. The disciples all respected him.


    In the depths of the night.


    Inside the house, Si Yan''er sat opposite An Xin, taking out a blood-stained piece of paper left by An Hao, looking at it made An Xin''s heart ache for An Yuan.


    On the way back, she had already learned about the plight of An Hao''s descendants and was quite indignant.


    "I don''t know what this paper means, can you help me understand?" Si Yan''er asked nervously, also unclear about what she should do after arriving at the Supreme Sect.


    An Xin saw the words "Supreme Sect" and knew that An Hao wanted his descendants to seek Gu An''s help in desperate times.


    She pondered and asked, "What is your request?"


    Hearing this, Si Yan''er felt hopeful and said, "I don''t expect much, I only hope to change the destiny of that boy An Yuan."


    An Xin thought for a moment and suggested, "Let''s keep An Yuan in Medicine Valley then. I will take care of him, and you can also stay and join the Supreme Sect, but you must not meet him."


    She knew Gu An''s character; being able to keep An Yuan was already good enough, she couldn''t keep the whole family in Medicine Valley, especially since the Supreme Sect was vast, and for someone of Si Yan''er''s Cultivation Level, joining was not difficult.


    Upon hearing this, Si Yan''er immediately grabbed An Xin''s hand in gratitude.


    She didn''t doubt An Xin''s words; An Xin was also a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao and naturally could meet Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "About my relationship with my master, do not speak to others about it," An Xin said earnestly. "He does not wish to be disturbed, and I am just a disciple of Medicine Valley and do not want to be involved in troubles."


    After speaking, she suddenly realized why Gu An liked to say these words.


    Not bad, quite a feeling!


    Si Yan''er immediately promised not to divulge it.


    For Si Yan''er, that night was one of relief, and for An Yuan, it was filled with hope.


    ...


    As the moon set and the sun rose, in the early morning, An Yuan was drawn by the commotion in Medicine Valley. He stepped outside the house and saw nearly three hundred disciples practicing drills together; it was quite spectacular.


    Si Yan''er was also watching from the side.


    When the drills finished, she bid farewell to Gu An, preparing to leave since she had more than just An Yuan as a descendant.


    "If life gets tough, bring your offspring and return," Gu An said gently. "I still have some influence in the Supreme Sect and can help you sort things out."


    He would not deliberately aid those with whom he did not have a close karmic connection, but if someone came to him for help, he wouldn''t refuse.


    Moreover, he foresaw that the family offended by the An Family would have further entanglements of gratitude and resentment, a long line of fate.


    Si Yan''er hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement and thanked Gu An. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Watching her departing figure, Gu An thought about seeing her in the past as Sword Venerable Fudao, at that time she did not have this weathered air about her, lively and playful like Zhen Qin, and seemed like a joyous nemesis with An Hao.


    Times and circumstances change.


    Gu An mused, his gaze then shifting to An Yuan.


    He probably understood why An Yuan had a short life span.


    An Yuan''s ancestors had all died due to misfortune, especially in recent generations, dying ever so prematurely.


    Everything was related to the heritage An Hao had received at the Holy Court.


    Heavenly Dao heritage!


    This made Gu An think of the Heaven Sect, which had also received the Heavenly Dao''s heritage and then had to abandon all emotions after gaining great power.


    Could it be that the descendants and close friends of the Heaven Sect had all died due to misfortune?


    Such a Heavenly Dao heritage was too malicious¡ªwhy was it so?


    Could it be that it intended to make the Heavenly Dao cultivators desireless and without emotional weaknesses?


    Gu An did have a method to try, which was to sever the cause and effect between An Yuan and An Hao, making the two unrelated.


    Looking at extremes in life span, An Yuan was also talented, just not as much as An Hao.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to change An Yuan''s fate just yet, hoping to let the boy settle for two years first. His intention for revenge was too strong, highly resembling the early days of Su Han.


    Days passed by one after another.


    After joining the Mystic Valley, An Yuan received the cultivation techniques from Jiang Shi. Although he could not become strong quickly, he finally saw some hope.


    One night, An Yuan had a heart-to-heart talk with Jiang Shi. The two had similar fates, both carrying deep-seated hatreds. The difference was that An Yuan was also trapped in destiny, which made Jiang Shi feel very sympathetic and decided to give him a hand.


    Jiang Shi took An Yuan as his disciple and taught him all he knew. Gu An did not stop them, hoping they could redeem each other.


    Until one afternoon at the end of autumn.


    "I''ve decided!"


    An Yuan suddenly stood up, his face firm as he looked towards the distant sky.


    Sitting by his side, Jiang Shi looked at him in surprise, not knowing why the boy was so agitated.


    The master and disciple were on a mountaintop, overlooking the magnificent landscape afar. An Yuan, with great ambition, shouted loudly, "I want to surpass An Hao! From now on, I''m not called An Yuan; my name is An Shengtian!"


    Boom¡ª


    Thunder rumbled in the distant clouds as if the heavens were responding to him.


    Jiang Shi looked at An Shengtian, feeling a shiver in his spirit from an unprecedented aura radiating from him.


    He had never met An Hao, but had heard of his legend. That was a cultivator said to have the highest talent!


    This boy''s ambition...


    A smile appeared on Jiang Shi''s face. He was about to speak when a loud voice echoed between heaven and earth:


    "The strongest man in the Broken Sea Domain, Holy Sword of the Holy Court, show yourself. If you do not appear, I will suppress all living beings in Broken Sea Domain with one palm!"


    The voice was immensely domineering and filled with oppression, startling An Shengtian and Jiang Shi as they looked up, both opening their mouths in disbelief.


    Above, the dark clouds churned, and an immensely majestic figure appeared on the horizon, full-body obscured, only a golden breastplate visible, which was larger than any mountain between heaven and earth.


    It was as if a demon god from beyond the world was peering at the mortal spirits within!


    The sense of oppression chilled An Shengtian and Jiang Shi down to their spines.


    Not just them¡ªthe entire Taicang Continent, the entire Broken Sea Domain, all living beings who saw that majestic figure felt fear.


    What kind of existence was this?


    Could it be an immortal?


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    At the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An walked downstairs, and Ji Xiaoyu also stepped outside, looking at the figure on the horizon, her brows furrowed.


    "Where are you going?" Ji Xiaoyu called out to Gu An.


    "I''m going to see Mystic Valley, worried about the disciples!" Gu An replied over his shoulder, then quickly walked toward the Transmission Array Platform.

 Chapter 394 How Can He Be So Strong

    Above the sea of clouds, a man clad in golden battle armor stood proudly. He had a strapping figure and exuded an aura of domination. Clutching a long spear, his golden armor radiated a brilliance that reached thousands of meters.Looking above his helmet, the stars scattered across, and the universe dazzled; he appeared as if he was amidst the universe itself. Looking downward, he could see the vast ocean with continents appearing as mere pebbles under his feet, so insignificant. Experience exclusive tales on empire


    His gaze locked onto the Taicang Continent, filled with a fighting spirit.


    He hailed from the Immortal Dynasty, known as Autumn Evening Immortal Lord.


    Upon closer inspection, his left hand was held aloft, and within the palm was a city with numerous cultivators above it, tinier than specks of dust.


    Broken Sea Domain City!


    Qing Songzi, whose cultivation level had reached the seventh layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, looked up at Autumn Evening Immortal Lord with eyes filled with fear.


    This Domain Master of the Broken Sea had never felt so weak; he who ruled over all beings in his domain now felt only panic, unable to maintain the demeanor of a Domain Master.


    "What do we do? We can''t escape at all!"


    "What realm is this guy in that he can suppress us all with a single palm?"


    "Autumn Evening Immortal Lord, I''ve heard of his legends; he surpassed the Carefree Primordial Immortal centuries ago. In his youth, he was unrivaled among his peers¡­"


    "The Immortal Dynasty is too presumptuous. Aren''t they afraid of Shengtian coming back?"


    "We should have eradicated the Immortal Dynasty long ago, the successive Shengtians were too benevolent!"


    Cultivators in Broken Sea Domain City discussed anxiously as despair spread throughout the city.


    Autumn Evening Immortal Lord did not glance at the city in his palm; his focus remained steadfast on Taicang Continent, waiting for the Holy Court Holy Sword to make a move.


    If he could slay the Holy Sword, he would gain immense Qi Fortune! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had investigated; the Holy Court Holy Sword had not received the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court, making him an easier target without the protection of the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court.


    He patiently waited as he had set a deadline in his mind.


    If the Holy Court Holy Sword did not appear by the time, he would have no choice but to annihilate the Broken Sea Domain!


    For him, a born Immortal Spirit, slaying numerous beings did not evoke any guilt, just as humans may feel disgust but rarely guilt when stepping on a horde of insects.


    All beings within the Broken Sea Domain could look up and see his immense projection. This was a Divine Skill with immense oppressive force, aimed to crush the spirits of the masses and kill any intent of resistance.


    Facing his figure that seemingly dwarfed the heavens and the earth, most beings felt intense fear. Even if they thought of fleeing, they didn''t know where to go; it seemed wherever they flew, they couldn''t escape from beneath the feet of Autumn Evening Immortal Lord.


    This was a sensation of despair like facing the vast heavens.


    In the Supreme Sect, within Mystic Valley,


    Jiang Shi and An Shengtian returned to the valley, and the disciples surrounded Gu An, extremely tense.


    In such times, they could only rely on Gu An, hoping he could comfort them.


    "Don''t worry, the Supreme Sect is full of experts; moreover, Sword Venerable Fudao is here. If someone provokes Sword Venerable Fudao, how could he tolerate it?" Gu An spoke, alleviating some of the disciples'' tension, but some still harbored concerns.


    "Master, is Sword Venerable Fudao really still here? Although there is indeed a vast Sword Intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform, he hasn''t made a move in many years."


    A disciple said worriedly, immediately causing other disciples to echo his sentiment, and panic spread once again.


    Gu An continued to comfort them verbally while considering in his heart how to deal with this Dao Void Mysterious Immortal!


    How dare this guy show such a form and openly challenge him in front of everyone? Then Gu An must also defeat this man assertively in front of all beings!


    It''s been too long since he last acted; it''s about time to remind the disciples of his existence.


    This time he wouldn''t use swordsmanship, opting for something more spectacular!


    After calming the disciples, Gu An turned and walked toward the Transmission Array Platform.


    When he teleported to the Third Medicine Valley, as soon as his right foot touched the ground, he began to unleash his Divine Skills.


    Ji Xiaoyu first turned her gaze towards him, but a moment later, she was captivated by the anomaly in the sky.


    Rolling dark clouds spun violently, and a massive wind surged between heaven and earth as an immense oppressive force descended.


    Countless beings instinctively looked up only to witness a moment they would never forget.


    The sea of clouds in the sky formed a cyclone that kept rising as if intending to sweep into Outer Heaven. As the remaining clouds ascended, more of Autumn Evening Immortal Lord''s majestic figure was revealed. However, this time, the beings did not fear his figure because a yet larger presence appeared.


    That was the sky''s zenith!


    A huge disc, swirling with gray mist, expanded while rotating, quickly overshadowing the top of Autumn Evening Immortal Lord''s head.


    Autumn Evening Immortal Lord''s true form looked up as his immense projection did likewise, his face showing fear.


    The Ultimate Primordial Disc!


    This was a Great Divine Power inherently possessed by the Primordial Ultimate Body, supremely overbearing!


    Gu An had never used this Great Divine Power in reality before!


    As the Ultimate Primordial Disc began to coalesce, the vast oppressive force engulfed Autumn Evening Immortal Lord, leaving him unable to escape.


    "How is this possible¡­ What is his Cultivation Level?"


    Autumn Evening Immortal Lord thought with a pounding heart; he was a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, and the Holy Court Holy Sword had never demonstrated the power of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal in the reports from the Immortal Dynasty. The Holy Sword''s strength was regarded as between the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma and a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, even if it reached the level of a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal, it shouldn''t surpass his own.


    He was a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal of the seventh layer!


    But right now, he finally realized how terrifying the Cultivation Level of the Holy Court Holy Sword was!


    Not even a Divine Thought True Immortal could possess such exaggerated oppressive power!


    He could not escape, nor could he speak, and even his Divine Sense and Primordial Spirit could not leave his body. Fear and despair swiftly occupied his heart, and his eyes were full of terror.


    Under his gaze, the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman successfully condensed, and the gray disk was covered in dense patterns, as if it hid a vast world, awe-inspiring to behold.


    The projection of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was immensely large, towering over everything, making all else seem insignificant, yet under the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman, he appeared less so.


    The Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman seemed to cover the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    In truth, it only covered the sky of the Broken Sea Domain. Gu An had used a small trick. In the eyes of the beings in the Broken Sea Domain, the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman indeed seemed as vast as the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, creating a terrifying visual impact.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor appeared from thin air next to Ji Xiaoyu, looking up in amazement.


    "What kind of Divine Power is this?"


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was filled with fear. He had heard of Sword Venerable Fudao''s existence, but his divine sense had swept through the Supreme Sect without finding him. He thought Sword Venerable Fudao had been scared off.


    Now, it seemed that their Cultivation Levels were too different, and he simply couldn''t detect where Sword Venerable Fudao was, or who he was!


    Perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao had appeared before him and he had failed to see through him. The thought made him shiver with dread.


    Standing beside him, Ji Xiaoyu did not respond; she too had never witnessed this Divine Power, and her heart was filled with shock.


    Just how powerful was Sword Venerable Fudao?


    She had already recalled memories from her past life, where in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Sword Venerable Fudao''s demonstrated strength was far less than it was now.


    She had then looked forward to Sword Venerable Fudao''s future, but now, it seemed she had underestimated him.


    Back then, she had unleashed the power of a Primordial Daoist Talisman, with her true self''s consciousness returning. If her true self had misjudged, didn''t that imply that Sword Venerable Fudao''s Dao Level was stronger than her true self''s?


    Her feelings became complicated.


    If they felt this way, what about all living beings?


    "What is that? My heavens, am I dreaming?"


    "Could it be that Heaven is angry?"


    "It''s Sword Venerable Fudao! It must be him! He''s still in the Supreme Sect!"


    "Why isn''t Sword Venerable Fudao displaying Sword Dao Divine Skills?"


    "Isn''t this Divine Power stronger than the Sword Dao? Look at that guy, he''s scared stiff!"


    "Ha ha ha, daring to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao is truly seeking death!"


    The Supreme Sect was abuzz, everyone revitalized, and the beings of the Taicang Continent were also excited, shouting the name of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    For the countless beings of the Broken Sea Domain, it was merely a shock.


    Is this the capability of the Holy Sword of the Holy Court?


    If Heaven had power, would it not be like this?


    "It''s been many years since anyone dared to challenge me, this is the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman; feel the power of the Dao."


    A hoarse voice echoed through the world, laden with oppression.


    Hearing this voice, all beings were electrified.


    You Yingying looked towards Gu An from afar, seeing his shocked expression, and she was filled with confusion.


    An Xin was also looking at Gu An, and her heart was full of admiration.


    Compared to her master, her acting was still too poor!


    At the same time, she was overwhelmed, was this truly her master''s power?


    Little did she know, Gu An hadn''t even used his full strength; he had even suppressed his aura to the ninth layer of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, giving others a glimmer of hope to continue sending people to their doom.


    Yet even so, Ji Xiaoyu felt he was beyond a Divine Thought True Immortal, and perhaps even a usual Free Immortal could not match him.


    Boom¡ª


    A deafening roar erupted, rendering the beings temporarily deaf, which didn''t pain them but merely left them unable to hear.


    Countless creatures watched the vast Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman descend, as if witnessing a divine spectacle.


    Gu An opened his mouth in disbelief, staring at the sky as the strong wind swirled his robes. With a thought, he allowed the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor to speak, nothing more.


    "No... Elder! I was wrong! Give me a chance to atone!"


    Once the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor realized he could speak, like grasping a lifeline in water, he yelled hoarsely, his voice echoing throughout the Broken Sea Domain.


    Under Gu An''s suppression, beings outside the Broken Sea Domain couldn''t hear, but the already deaf beings of the Broken Sea Domain distinctly heard the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s hoarse scream.


    Gu An was establishing his authority among the beings of the Broken Sea Domain, yet he also wanted the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court to underestimate him!


    No matter how much the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor begged for mercy, the descent speed of the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman suddenly decreased.


    Eventually, the Ultimate Body of the Primordial Talisman landed above the head of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    Almost instantly, the projection of the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was annihilated, and his true self felt an incredibly terrifying suction force.


    The main city of the Broken Sea Domain he held was yanked out, crashing into the ocean, leaving the cultivators there wide-eyed; they would never forget this scene in their lifetimes.


    "How could he be so powerful¡­"


    Qing Songzi muttered to himself, suddenly realizing why Sword Venerable Fudao had declined the offer of the Qi Fortune fruit position, and why the Holy Minister had agreed.


    With such power, who wouldn''t seek to ally with him?

 Chapter 395 Fame Shakes the World! The Apex Talent!

    The Supreme Primordial Great Disk hung high above, much like the highest and supreme Dao suspended above all living beings.The true form of Immortal Lord Qiuxi was drawn into the Supreme Primordial Great Disk, so filled with despair and helplessness, devoid of any means of resistance.


    As he disappeared into the Supreme Primordial Great Disk, the rumbling of heaven and earth continued unabated, causing the entire Broken Sea Domain to tremble as if the apocalypse had arrived.


    Moments later, a prompt appeared before Gu An''s eyes:


    [You have successfully slain Immortal Lord Qiuxi (Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm Level 7) 340,876 years of life span]


    Not bad, it saves half a month''s labor.


    Although Gu An thought this, the look of shock remained on his face, that was his belief, the acting had to be thorough!


    The Supreme Primordial Great Disk did not vanish immediately but continued to hang in the sky for the adoration of all beings.


    Because the Supreme Primordial Great Disk was so immense, the patterns on it were so clear to all beings, those images seemed to record ancient myths, which left the beings in awe.


    After a long while.


    The wind between heaven and earth began to calm, and a majestic grey fog emerged around the Supreme Primordial Great Disk, drowning it in splendor, and the sky darkened.


    Only then did the beings regain their senses, instantly stirring with excitement.


    The oppressive might of Immortal Lord Qiuxi had completely vanished, did this not mean that Sword Venerable Fudao had slain him?


    Unbelievable!


    Immortal Lord Qiuxi had appeared daunting and formidable, like the wrath of the vast heavens, and the Mortal Spirits could only tremble.


    Even with Sword Venerable Fudao''s intervention, they had expected an earth-shattering great battle, yet it ended with one-sided suppression.


    Tyrannical!


    Invincible!


    Even though they could not see Sword Venerable Fudao in person, this was the impression that the beings formed of Sword Venerable Fudao from witnessing the battle.


    The sky gradually brightened, and the dark clouds began to disperse, leaving no trace of the Supreme Primordial Great Disk as if it had never appeared.


    The Third Medicine Valley was abuzz with noise, all disciples were excited.


    Gu An briskly approached Ji Xiaoyu and eagerly asked, "With your abilities, can you tell what realm Sword Venerable Fudao is in?"


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at him, offering no reply.


    Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor then took a deep breath and said, "His realm is not something you should conjecture, boy, just be your mortal self, and do not involve yourself in great causes!"


    Having said that, he vanished into thin air.


    Gu An pretended to be astonished but felt secretly thrilled inside.


    Yes!


    This is the feeling!


    Though you look down on me, I shall wait for you on the Immortal Path, but whether you can make me see you, that''s still to be seen!


    Gu An turned to Ji Xiaoyu and asked, "Was he unsettled by Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Ji Xiaoyu nodded and said, "Indeed, Sword Venerable Fudao is powerful. I never expected there to be such a Great Cultivator hidden within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, I even suspect..."


    "Suspect what?"


    "Nothing, I''m going back to cultivate."


    As Ji Xiaoyu turned away and left, Gu An cocked his head, feeling as though she too was provoked.


    Gu An chuckled inwardly and then waited in place, feeling Shen Zhen''s presence, eager to hear how Shen Zhen would boast about Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After 30 minutes, Supreme Sect remained noisy, and there were even many disciples kneeling at the Heavenly Repair Platform in worship of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.


    Inside the loft.


    Gu An had a strange look on his face as he watched Shen Zhen sketch the Supreme Primordial Great Disk on paper.


    He had a very subtle feeling that someone was spying on his path, and that person was Shen Zhen.


    That is to say, Shen Zhen''s drawing concealed mysteries.


    He also pondered another question, if he could feel Shen Zhen spying, then could the ancient beings depicted in her previous drawings sense her too?


    There was a time before when a drawing suddenly destroyed itself, was that perhaps a warning?


    "How about it? Impressive, right?" Shen Zhen saw Gu An silent and proudly asked.


    Gu An looked up at her and asked, "Aren''t you afraid of displeasing Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Shen Zhen waved her hand and said, "How could that be? Sword Venerable Fudao guards the Supreme Sect, and now I too am a disciple of the Supreme Sect, he is practically my Martial Master, how could he mind such things? Don''t forget the existence of the Heavenly Repair Platform, no one in this world has a broader heart than Sword Venerable Fudao."


    Well spoken, I like it!


    Gu An then joined in the praises for Sword Venerable Fudao, catching Shen Zhen in the act, who had long admired Sword Venerable Fudao, and today''s battle had awakened the fervor hidden deep in her heart.


    It was not just them, throughout the various oceans, continents, and islands of the Broken Sea Domain, wherever there were living beings, they were discussing Sword Venerable Fudao.


    They preferred the name Sword Venerable Fudao over the Holy Court''s Holy Sword.


    Moreover, the title of Holy Sword had been unilaterally announced by the Holy Court, and they had not heard of Sword Venerable Fudao accepting this title.


    The commotion at the Broken Sea Domain was great, and even though Gu An tried to contain it, the prior activities of the Autumn Evening Immortal Lord had already spread, causing various sects to start sending people to investigate.


    The impact of this battle was far from over; it continued to spread over the following years. The Autumn Evening Immortal Lord was no ordinary being¡ªhe was the highest realm-faller of the Immortal Dynasty!


    When the news reached the Holy Court, the Holy Minister was greatly pleased.


    "Hahaha, do you see? This is why I agreed to him not accepting the Qi Fortune. When I met him, I felt he was extraordinary. Now it seems, he might very well be a Free Immortal!" The Holy Minister stood on the high steps, laughing heartily with great passion.


    In the hall stood Holy Gods, Holy Kings, and other beings of the Third Grade Heavenly Position; they were all immensely shocked.


    The Autumn Evening Immortal Lord was an age-old being with unquestioned power, yet he was easily slain.


    "How can you tell he''s a Free Immortal? The Divine Thought True Immortal could also kill the Autumn Evening Immortal."


    "Hehe, the key is you couldn''t predict, couldn''t see how he killed the Autumn Evening Immortal."


    "Yang Xian Emperor must be furious now; I heard the Immortal Dynasty had previously also sent people to woo Sword Venerable Fudao."


    "A Free Immortal? Who exactly is this divine personage? If he truly is a Free Immortal, his name must resonate through the ages."


    "Could he be from Outside Heaven? But we need not investigate him. It would only push him towards the Immortal Dynasty. From his actions, this person has a compassionate heart for all living beings; befriending him would pose no threat."


    The high ranks of the Holy Court discussed fervently, admiring Sword Venerable Fudao, which made the Holy Minister smile even more broadly.


    Their previous attempt to woo Sword Venerable Fudao had already caused discontent within the Holy Court, and with the court being suppressed by the Immortal Dynasty over the years, the Holy Minister felt deeply stifled.


    "No, I must make another trip," the Holy Minister thought, his eyes twinkling.


    The Immortal Dynasty received the news just as fast. Because a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal from their ranks had died, the Autumn Evening Immortal Lord held a revered position in the Holy Court. His death thoroughly enraged the immortals, making Sword Venerable Fudao the most hated figure among them.


    An Hao was also oppressed because of this, but his life was not in danger. Before dealing with Sword Venerable Fudao, he was grounded and couldn''t leave the Immortal Dynasty.


    The deterrent power of slaying a Dao Void Mysterious Immortal was indeed too strong, which prevented the Immortal Dynasty from retaliating immediately, instead sinking into a strange silence.


    When Gu An and An Xin went to the Mortal World Peak, all the peaks were discussing this battle.


    The name of Sword Venerable Fudao resounded across the world once more, earning the admiration of countless beings. After all, though Sword Venerable Fudao was a Holy Sword of the Holy Court, he had not received the reward of Qi Fortune. Without being under the Holy Court or the Immortal Dynasty, his capability to exhibit his own mighty prowess was truly awe-inspiring!


    Time flew swiftly.


    Three years passed, and the end of the year arrived.


    Gu An arrived in Mystic Valley and saw his disciples clearing the snow.


    His gaze landed on the mountain beside him where An Shengtian was following Jiang Shi in cultivation, all disciples feeling Jiang Shi''s preference for An Shengtian.


    Lu Jiujia walked over and laughed, "That kid, like me back in the day, truly spares no effort in teaching his disciples, holding nothing back."


    In his view, Jiang Shi did quite well. After all, An Shengtian was a descendant of An Hao. Regardless of An Shengtian''s achievements, he was at least forming a good bond with An Hao.


    Gu An nodded and said, "Call them both to my cabin in a while."


    With that, he walked toward his own pavilion.


    Soon, he arrived inside his house, rubbed his hands together, and then from his sleeves, he took out a book.


    A radiant smile appeared on his face as he muttered, "Xuan Tianyi, Xuan Tianyi, could you write a bit faster? You''re really slowing down."


    It had been decades since the last volume of Green Hero Travelogue was released, and over those years, Gu An had been eagerly waiting.


    He could have divined the contents of Green Hero Travelogue by divining Xuan Tianyi, but he had chosen not to. After all, life should have some expectations¡ªotherwise, time would pass very quickly.


    He sat in a chair and began reading the book.


    About 30 minutes later, Jiang Shi brought An Shengtian to Gu An''s house.


    Twenty-year-old An Shengtian had even more of An Hao''s demeanor; their facial features were nearly identical, which was probably why Si Yan''er had relented. There had been other descendants of the An Family asking her, but she had refused them all.


    Both of them bowed to Gu An.


    An Shengtian curiously looked at Gu An; since entering the valley, this was the first time Gu An had summoned him.


    Although he didn''t think the Nascent Soul Realm was very impressive, Jiang Shi always mentioned Gu An was no ordinary man, which made him quite curious about Gu An.


    Jiang Shi looked at Gu An, his eyes concealing none of his admiration.


    Thinking back to that majestic scene three years ago, his heart surged with emotion.


    What Loose Immortal!


    Master must be Sword Venerable Fudao!


    No one in the entire Supreme Sect knew about Sword Venerable Fudao''s hidden identity, yet Gu An hid his cultivation; it was too coincidental.


    "Shengtian, have you felt any discomfort lately?" Gu An asked, his face wearing a gentle smile.


    He had laughed aloud when he first heard the name An Shengtian.


    This young man wanting to surpass An Hao? How could that be possible!


    Not to mention the talent, Gu An would never allow his proud disciple to be surpassed by a junior.


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    No matter how many strong and talented individuals he had seen, An Hao still remained his proudest disciple in Gu An''s heart, even compared to the absolute geniuses in Lu Han and Long Zhan''s memories; An Hao lost to no one.


    He calculated the days; An Hao was getting closer and closer to the Nirvana Realm. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After receiving the Heavenly Dao inheritance in the Holy Court, An Hao''s cultivation had surged like floodwaters through a broken dam, unstoppable in its growth.


    "No discomfort, Master. Have you noticed anything?" An Shengtian asked nervously; the curse of the An Family was still a shadow over his heart.


    He also feared suddenly dropping dead.

 Chapter 396 The Origin of the Surname An, Figures upon the River of Destiny

    Watching the utterly nervous An Shengtian, Gu An reined in his smile and said, "You can only live to twenty-five."At these words, An Shengtian''s face drastically changed.


    Over the years, his cultivation level had risen rapidly, giving him hope, only to be told that he could only live to twenty-five. How could he accept that?


    Jiang Shi was equally frightened. He couldn''t see any issues with An Shengtian, but he wouldn''t question Gu An''s judgment.


    He quickly asked, "Master, is there really no solution? Can''t immortal cultivation change fate?"


    Gu An answered, "There is, and it''s to sever your karmic ties and bloodline with An Hao. By doing so, from now on, the An family will forget you as if you were never born into their world, though those unrelated to the An family could still remember you."


    An Shengtian was stunned, and Jiang Shi was also scared. What kind of method was this?


    Jiang Shi, recalling that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao, immediately calmed down, while An Shengtian grew curious about the real identity of Gu An.


    "Sever them, then sever them, I am willing!" An Shengtian gritted his teeth.


    Although, over the years, under Jiang Shi''s guidance, his hostility towards An Hao had waned, he still didn''t acknowledge An Hao in his heart.


    In his view, An Hao''s bloodline was far from a glory but a shame instead.


    Gu An said, "Think about your deceased father, your grandfather, and also your mother, your sister; they will all forget you."


    An Shengtian opened his mouth but couldn''t be as resolute as before.


    Gu An had Jiang Shi make tea for him; he wanted to see what decision An Shengtian would make.


    Although Jiang Shi wanted to interject, he understood the meaning behind Gu An''s instruction to pour tea: he was to stay out of it.


    An Shengtian clenched his fists, his mind filled with memories of time spent with his family.


    Unwilling!


    Why should he!


    Suddenly, An Shengtian decided to accept his fate, just like the two words left by An Hao.


    Resigned!


    But when he thought of the deep hatred borne from his father''s and grandfather''s blood, he couldn''t convince himself.


    How could he protect his living family members without strong cultivation?


    Just as Gu An was about to lift the tea that Jiang Shi had brewed, An Shengtian said solemnly, "Sever! I must sever! I need to become stronger; even if they forget me, I must have the strength to protect them. They may not remember me, but as long as I remember them, that is enough!"


    A look of gratification flashed in Gu An''s eyes; at least for now, An Shengtian thought more about protecting his family rather than revenge.


    He didn''t oppose An Shengtian''s desire for revenge, but he hoped that revenge wouldn''t be the sole purpose of An Shengtian''s life.


    Gu An drank the tea in one go and then stood up, his gaze falling upon An Shengtian.


    The gold pattern on his forehead began to emit a golden light, as if an eye had appeared on his forehead, leaving An Shengtian and Jiang Shi wide-eyed.


    Boom!


    The scene around them abruptly changed, removing the pavilion''s furnishings from their view, and they found themselves in a space that was surreal and eerie.


    The two instinctively turned their heads but could see nothing; they just felt an inexplicable panic.


    Gu An picked up the Fate Determining Pen, pointing it at An Shengtian.


    An Shengtian had seen the Fate Determining Pen before and hadn''t thought much of it, but at this moment, it seemed so terrifying.


    Jiang Shi felt the same, and looking again at the crown on Gu An''s head, he also felt its extraordinary nature.


    Could it be that his master was a treasure all over?


    His eyes were full of awe and fervor, wishing he could prostrate himself to his master right there.


    To cultivate under such a powerful figure, he felt so fortunate!


    "Are you ready, An Shengtian?"


    Gu An asked emotionlessly, causing An Shengtian''s throat to bob.


    "I forgot to tell you," Gu An said, "the An in your An Family is taken from my name. Even if the An Family forgets you, as long as you follow me, you will never be separated from the An Family." These words made An Shengtian''s eyes widen in disbelief.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    An Shengtian felt like he had been hit by a pleasant surprise. Just as he was about to speak, Gu An suddenly brandished his pen, and with a single stroke, An Shengtian felt as though he had been struck by lightning, his entire body frozen in place.


    His complexion drastically changed; he wanted to speak, but found himself incapable.


    He could feel something being shed from him¡ªno, being abandoned!


    An endless tide of loneliness overwhelmed him, and he fell into an unprecedented fear, his eyes unexpectedly brimming over with tears.


    At that moment, he was like a lost child, wanting to crouch down and hold himself. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Your talent may not equal Hao''s, but can your will surpass his?"


    Continue reading on empire


    Gu An''s voice reached him, like dawn''s light chasing away the darkness from An Shengtian''s inner world.


    An Shengtian looked up to see Gu An and Jiang Shi standing before him, Jiang Shi looking anxious and seemingly trying to say something, but An Shengtian couldn''t hear a thing.


    His gaze rested on Gu An, who was looking back at him calmly.


    For some reason, he didn''t feel distanced; instead, he sensed a kind of power.


    I cannot let down my master''s expectations!


    An Shengtian gritted his teeth and forcefully suppressed the negative emotions in his heart, his body trembling as if he were in a chilly cellar.


    At that moment, Gu An''s brow furrowed, and he shifted his right foot¡ªsuddenly, an explosive burst of Demonic Qi enveloped the surrounding space.


    Jiang Shi turned his head, looking towards Gu An with astonishment.


    Gu An remained silent, waiting for the threads of An Shengtian''s fate to be stripped away.


    "Aren''t you afraid of the Heavenly Dao''s backlash, Daoist Friend, for changing the fate of a person entangled with the karma of the Heavenly Dao?"


    An indifferent voice came from outside the Demonic Qi, startling Jiang Shi into hastily turning around.


    How could there be someone else?


    Gu An lifted his head, his gaze piercing through the Demonic Qi, crossing the void, to peer into another mysterious and dark space. Within it flowed a magnificent river, emanating radiant auroras, neither its source nor endpoint visible.


    The River of Destiny!


    A figure stood atop the River of Destiny.


    The figure shone with a silvery light, with only their silhouette discernible.


    Gu An couldn''t see through to their true form, but he could sense the other had locked onto his position.


    He had already employed the Supreme Concealing Void technique, rendering the space around him impenetrable to peering eyes; thus, he wasn''t worried.


    Moreover, the River of Destiny was incredibly distant from him; the other party was merely communicating, with no intention of descending into the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    "Do you wish to warn or stop me?" Gu An asked.


    The voice of the silvery figure carried through. "I intend to warn. I drift within the River of Destiny and cannot descend upon the world, you need not worry. I can see that you, Daoist Friend, have stepped onto the Way of Cause and Effect. One day, we shall meet. I will await you by the River of Destiny."


    Gu An seemed to think of something; his expression turned strange as he continued to ask, "May I know the name of my Daoist Friend?"


    "I have no Daoist title, only a common name, which is likely unknown; my name is Lu Qiuxian."


    Hearing the name, Gu An fell silent.


    Jiang Shi didn''t even dare to breathe too heavily.


    The River of Destiny!


    The Way of Cause and Effect!


    And Lu Qiuxian!


    Just the sound of it was terrifying¡ªis this the world of the Immortal Path Realm?


    While shocked, Jiang Shi felt an unprecedented ambition and resolve stirring within him.


    One day, he too would visit the River of Destiny!

 Chapter 397 The Escaper of the Heavenly Dao

    Lu Qiuxian...Gu An fell into silence, his thoughts drifting to Lu Han within the Reincarnation Evolution. The turning point in Lu Han''s life was the birth of Lu Qiuxian. With a talent that surpassed all others, the only thing Lu Han did before his death was to resurrect Lu Qiuxian in the River of Destiny.


    Listening to Lu Qiuxian''s words, Gu An could feel his vicissitudes; it was hard to imagine the long and desolate years he had endured alone.


    Having all of Lu Han''s memories, Gu An naturally felt differently about Lu Qiuxian; in his eyes, Lu Qiuxian was his son.


    Gu An even speculated that the reason why Reincarnation Evolution came to be might simply be that it was originally real, just as the Free Immortal had to experience the Reincarnation Tribulation.


    The Reincarnation Tribulation of the Free Immortal would also lead to rebirth in different times and spaces, and the time span of Reincarnation Evolution was even larger, indicating a higher level of Reincarnation Tribulation.


    Gu An reined in his thoughts and spoke, "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Friend. My name is Meng Lang. Should I have the chance to visit the River of Destiny in the future, we can discuss and exchange Daoist Sorcery."


    Above the River of Destiny, Lu Qiuxian, emitting a silver glow, did not immediately respond. He stood there, like an afterimage, about to vanish into the torrent of destiny.


    After a while,


    "Alright."


    Lu Qiuxian agreed and then disappeared into thin air above the River of Destiny.


    Gu An''s gaze shifted to An Shengtian, watching as he detached from the causality of the An Family.


    Jiang Shi''s mind wandered, curious about Lu Qiuxian''s cultivation level.


    "Do not mention what just occurred to anyone, including Shengtian," Gu An suddenly said.


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi hurriedly promised to keep the matter to himself.


    In fact, even without Gu An''s instruction, he had no intention of sharing it with others. Witnessing such great power was his own fortune; how could he share it with others?


    Time continued to pass.


    An Shengtian was immersed in his own pain, unaware of what had just transpired; he could only make out the vague figures of Gu An and another. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He gritted his teeth and persisted as the memories of the An Family in his mind became increasingly blurred, which frightened him.


    He could accept the An Family forgetting him, but he could not forget them. If both sides forgot each other, they would truly become unconnected, which was not the outcome he desired.


    "Master... Martial Master..."


    An Shengtian gritted his teeth, his cry not for the Valley Master of Mystic Valley but for An Hao''s master, Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "Focus your mind. As long as you miss them enough, you won''t forget."


    Gu An''s voice followed.


    He had his own motives, deliberately tempering An Shengtian, hoping An Shengtian would hold family ties in the highest regard to prevent him from opposing An Hao in the future.


    In his heart, An Hao was definitely more important.


    Without An Hao, there would be no An Shengtian.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, An Shengtian persisted.


    Suddenly, with a boom!


    Blood Flame abruptly ignited on him. His body curled up and trembled incessantly.


    Gu An raised his right hand, and a dark purple medicinal herb appeared, promptly turning into powder that hovered in his palm, forming a whirlwind.


    Jiang Shi couldn''t help but fix his gaze on the whirlwind in Gu An''s palm, curious about what Gu An was about to do.


    Gu An then swung his palm toward An Shengtian.


    As the palm struck out, An Shengtian''s flesh instantly dispersed, leaving only a skeleton behind, which startled Jiang Shi. Before he could utter a word, a dark purple mist surrounded An Shengtian, quickly enveloping him and covering the skeleton.


    Jiang Shi looked intently, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves, his heart in turmoil.


    Fearful that An Shengtian would die right there.


    The scene was too frightening; flesh had dispersed in an instant¡ªcould a person still live?


    The dark purple mist soon submerged the skeleton, billowing and slowly forming the outline of flesh.


    "That is..." Jiang Shi''s eyes widened, his expression one of astonishment.


    Gu An remained expressionless. This was a ninth-tier medicinal herb, which he had acquired at great cost; it contained vast spiritual energy, making the molding of a flesh body not challenging, as long as An Shengtian''s life force was controlled. If his soul had not left the body, it would be manageable.


    "A new life and destiny, what path will you take from here?"


    Gu An wondered to himself, also contemplating whether An Shengtian''s maximum life span would increase.


    If it could, this act would also be a method of defying the heavens and changing one''s fate.


    ...


    Inside the attic, Gu An sat in a chair, his eyes filled with disappointment.


    [An Shengtian (Foundation Establishment Realm Eighth Floor): 20/350/5000]


    His cultivation level had increased, as had his life span, but his maximum life span had not!


    That is to say, replacing bloodlines was not a way to change maximum life span!


    The concept of maximum life span became even more complex in Gu An''s eyes. Luckily, An Shengtian was considered as having defied fate, breaking free from the destiny of the An Family.


    "Master, may I take him down?" Jiang Shi, holding An Shengtian and wearing an anxious expression, asked. An Shengtian was covered in a robe for modesty and had not yet awakened.


    Continue your saga on empire


    Gu An nodded, and Jiang Shi sighed with relief, signaling that An Shengtian was already out of danger. He immediately carried An Shengtian away.


    After leaving the house, he also closed the door behind him.


    Gu An then began to ponder about Lu Qiuxian.


    After Lu Han was executed by the Black Profound Emperor, how did Lu Qiuxian survive?


    There must have been many stories behind it.


    Meanwhile, thousands of miles away from the Supreme Sect, carriages progressed across the mountains. Si Yan''er was meditating on the floor of a carriage when she suddenly opened her eyes, frowning.


    "What''s going on... this feeling... what exactly is it, why can''t I remember?"


    Si Yan''er mumbled to herself, experiencing an inexplicable sense of emptiness within her.


    In the carriage behind her, a mother and daughter felt the same, clutching their chests in silence, sinking into an indescribable sadness, without understanding what was causing their grief.


    An Hao, who was far away in the Immortal Dynasty, sensed it too.


    He abruptly opened his eyes, his brows furrowed in concern. He looked towards the setting sun in the distance, his gaze filled with confusion.


    He sat meditating on a cliff, his body entwined with chains of golden light, unable to stand up.


    "Who is trying to sever the karma with me..." An Hao wondered in surprise, having delved into the Way of Cause and Effect since he had received the legacy of the Heavenly Dao.


    However, his understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect was still weak, lacking the power to deduce its mysteries.


    As he couldn''t figure it out, he attributed the penalization to the Immortal Dynasty, deciding not to dwell on it and continued his Path Enlightenment.


    Opressed by the Immortal Dynasty, he did not panic, knowing that as long as his Martial Master was there, the Immortal Dynasty would dare not act rashly.


    He was also astonished when he heard that his Martial Master had slain Autumn Equinox Immortal Lord, having met the man whose formidable aura had made a substantial impression. It was unimaginable to An Hao that such a powerful being would be powerless before his Martial Master.


    He found that no matter how powerful an entity he encountered, how profound a force''s heritage was, those seemingly invincible and unconquerable beings were like nothing before his Martial Master.


    He could not fathom just how strong his Martial Master truly was.


    He even looked forward to how the encounter would unfold if Yang Xian Emperor, the current publicly acknowledged number one under the heavens, were to face his Martial Master. He believed his Martial Master could also be the first under the heavens!


    Thinking of his Martial Master''s strength, An Hao cast aside his distractions, feeling a surge of fervor.


    He wanted to catch up to his Martial Master as soon as possible!


    ...


    As the days went by, New Year''s Day arrived in the blink of an eye. At dawn, Mystic Valley began preparing for the festival.


    An Shengtian was chopping wood in the forest, his hair tied high at the back of his head, revealing his stern features.


    A female disciple approached holding a teapot, looking at An Shengtian hesitantly, "Senior Brother, are you tired? Would you like some Spiritual Tea?"


    She observed An Shengtian, her expression turning timidly coy.


    An Shengtian turned his head with a smile, like ice melting away, he said with a laugh, "As a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, how could I be tired? However, I cannot refuse Junior Sister''s kindness. Just leave it there, and I will bring the teapot back for you."


    The female disciple was about to say something when the bushes rustled, and a white deer darted past them. A male disciple chased after it, not daring to glance at An Shengtian and the female disciple, fearful of interrupting them.


    An Shengtian looked up and couldn''t help but smile.


    Somewhat vexed but not wanting to bother her Senior Brother further, the female disciple resignedly placed the teapot down and left.


    Inside Mystic Valley,


    Gu An stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Zhen, admiring the landscape of the Medicine Garden.


    "Now that we''re here, tell me, why did you want to come and see this place?" Gu An turned his head towards Shen Zhen and asked.


    Shen Zhen''s gaze wandered, as if searching for someone, she murmured, "No, this isn''t right."


    "What''s not right?"


    Gu An asked, puzzled. Ever since he had met her that day, he felt something was off about her, as though she was always in a daze.


    Recently, the Presence of Reincarnation around Shen Zhen had been growing stronger ¡ª a sensation Gu An had only ever felt around Ji Xiaoyu, which meant that Ji Xiaoyu was awakening memories of her past life.


    Shen Zhen did not answer Gu An, but instead, she began to walk away.


    In the direction of the woods where An Shengtian was.


    Gu An followed her, curious about what Shen Zhen was searching for.


    Could it have something to do with An Shengtian?


    Gu An was perplexed, sensing that something strange was happening.


    When Shen Zhen reached the forest, she coincidentally passed by the female disciple, who instinctively looked towards Shen Zhen. Attracted by her extraordinary aura and veiled face, the disciple was so mesmerized it was as if she had seen an immortal, leaving her in a daze.


    Only when Gu An walked past her did she snap out of it.


    Though curious about Shen Zhen''s identity, she dared not follow; to the new disciples, Gu An''s authority in Mystic Valley was paramount.


    Upon seeing An Shengtian, Shen Zhen''s expression subtly changed.


    An Shengtian seemed to sense something and involuntarily turned his head. When his eyes met Shen Zhen''s, he frowned, feeling an uncomfortable sensation.


    Shen Zhen''s pupils twinkled peculiarly, the corners of her mouth rising beneath her veil.


    "What''s wrong?" Gu An came up and asked.


    Seeing him, An Shengtian immediately raised his hand in salute.


    Ignoring Gu An, Shen Zhen said in a strange tone, "Those who evade the Heavenly Dao, variables..."


    An Shengtian''s frown deepened, suddenly feeling a chill that made him instinctively fear.


    Gu An stood in front of Shen Zhen and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"


    He reached out to touch Shen Zhen''s shoulder.


    Snap!


    Shen Zhen suddenly grabbed Gu An''s wrist, her gaze turned sinister, and she spoke coldly, "I''m fine, don''t touch me."


    [Demon Shore has developed hostility towards you, seeking to annihilate you. Do you wish to use Life Span Detection on it?]

 Chapter 398 The Life Span of the Free Immortal!

    Demon Shore?Gu An had never heard this name before, so he immediately chose to perform a Life Span Detection on it.


    [Demon Shore (Free Immortal Realm Nine Layers): 58,027,612/500,000,000/1,000,000,000]


    Five hundred million years of life span!


    With a maximum life span of one billion years!


    Why did this person harbor animosity toward him?


    Could it be that Shen Zhen was so bizarre because he was being manipulated by this person?


    Gu An looked at Shen Zhen standing before him, feigning astonishment.


    Shen Zhen slightly tilted his head to look at Gu An and asked, "Is there a problem?"


    Although the voice was Shen Zhen''s, the tone was definitely not.


    Gu An pretended to be tense and replied, "No."


    Shen Zhen let go, then took a step to the side, casting a deep glance at An Shengtian that made his heart unease.


    Shen Zhen smiled and then turned away.


    An Shengtian took a deep breath, moved to Gu An''s side, and seemed about to say something, but Gu An raised his hand, signaling him to hold his words.


    Once Shen Zhen had walked out of the grove, Gu An''s expression turned ice-cold.


    "Martial Master, she¡­" An Shengtian cautiously began, the look in Shen Zhen''s eyes just now filling him with dread, as if a natural predator had set its sights on him, even making him feel a major disaster was imminent.


    "It doesn''t matter."


    Gu An uttered two words, and upon hearing them, An Shengtian immediately relaxed.


    The phrase "Martial Master" was enough! S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Shengtian knew well that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao. Thinking back to the shocking Great Mixed Yuan Plate from a few years ago, his spirit was immediately uplifted.


    With the Martial Master backing him, what was there to fear?


    His task was to diligently cultivate, striving to surpass An Hao and make his Martial Master proud of him.


    Gu An patted An Shengtian on the shoulder, encouraging him to continue.


    An Shengtian looked at Gu An''s departing figure and raised a hand to his own shoulder, chuckling softly.


    The upcoming Spring Festival remained lively. Although Gu An was thinking about Demon Shore, he still acted naturally, actively celebrating with his disciples.


    Because of the intervention a few years ago by Sword Venerable Fudao, which greatly lessened the chaos in Taicang Continent, the recent Spring Festivals had been lively, especially for the disciples of the Supreme Sect, who on such days would rid their minds of worries and start harboring hopes for the future.


    Until late into the night.


    Third Medicine Valley, in the attic.


    Gu An sat at the desk, eyes closed, his Divine Thought frenziedly scanning the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Unable to find a cause-and-effect similar to Shen Zhen, he extended his Divine Thought into the universe.


    Though Demon Shore''s cultivation level was inferior to his, being hated by someone was intolerable.


    Especially since the opponent hated his original self!


    He must die, to prevent future troubles!


    That night, the person with the worst mood within the Supreme Sect was none other than the strongest among them!


    Until the early hours, Gu An finally located Demon Shore!


    The bastard was actually hiding within the Silent Destruction Domain!


    And he was harboring a large number of evil demons under his command, clearly having some sort of plan.


    Gu An stood up, left the house, and walked downstairs.


    Just as he was downstairs, Ji Xiaoyu emerged from the house and called out to him.


    "What''s up?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Ji Xiaoyu approached him, sizing him up.


    Gu An touched his own face and asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"


    Ji Xiaoyu stared into his eyes and said, "There''s a sense of death about you, have you been marked by something corrupt?"


    Gu An feigned nervousness as he asked, "Really? Don''t frighten me!"


    He knew Ji Xiaoyu was not wrong in her feeling; ever since being targeted by Demon Shore the day before, a causal bond had latched onto him and was growing stronger.


    Gu An had not dispelled the cause and effect on him, instead using it to trace Demon Shore.


    "Perhaps it''s just my imagination," Ji Xiaoyu suggested, seeing his panicked reaction. She was puzzled inside.


    What on earth had happened to Gu An?


    Although she had regained some of her memories, she was not the original self, able to only sense the cause and effect on Gu An but not fully see through it.


    "Always scaring me, later when I go out, I''ll be worried the whole way," Gu An complained sullenly.


    "Then don''t go out. I''m puzzled, with your current resources inexhaustible, why do you still take charge of so many Medicine Valleys?"


    "You don''t understand, this is life. To be human, one needs to do things to feel grounded."


    "Humph, you''re definitely hiding secrets."


    "Don''t you follow me. If I catch you, we are through, this is called privacy rights, understand?"


    "Who gave you privacy rights?"


    "Granted by the heavens, do you dare to question it?"


    The two began to bicker again, and after Ji Xiaoyu twisted his arm a few times, Gu An finally fled.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowed deeply, her heart filled with worry, sensing that Gu An was heading for great trouble.


    Gu An headed toward the Transmission Array Platform, along the way seeing Long Qing heading out of the valley.


    "Going out to box again?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Long Qing, who had been practicing with Shen Xinzi for years, had reached a horrifying level of physical strength; his Qi-Blood was so powerful it even surpassed the Void Crossing Realm, sadly, his body contained not a trace of Spiritual Power.


    Long Qing stopped in his tracks, faced Gu An, and nodded slightly. He revealed a proud expression and said, "In half a year, my second martial master will take me out to hunt demons. I will be able to fight to my heart''s content!"


    Gu An did not admonish him, merely nodding before expressing a few words of concern and letting him go.


    Watching Long Qing walk away, Gu An thought of An Shengtian. The number of juniors in Medicine Valley had been increasing. He wondered what the scene would look like in a thousand years.


    He smiled and continued towards the Transmission Array Platform.


    Upon reaching Mystic Valley, he glanced at Lu Jiujia and then left alone.


    He walked through the forest and gradually, a figure emerged from his body¡ªa split of his Divine Skills. He allowed his split form to replace his original self, while his true form entered a state difficult for immortals to divine.


    The split form continued forward leisurely, while the original form leapt out of Great Heavenly Spirit Land and descended into the Silent Destruction Domain in an incomprehensible manner to living beings.


    In the depths of the Silent Destruction Domain, where it was incredibly dark without stars, just swells of dense fog as if from the primordial chaos, suffocatingly oppressive.


    In the darkness stood a city, silent and hanging, resembling a giant armored beast. The surface of the buildings had sharp, towering columns, frighteningly ominous.


    Inside a grand hall within the city, demonic Qi swirled like mist. At the center sat a pool over thirty feet in diameter, the surface a bright red. A figure was meditating in the pool.


    She was a white-haired woman, her body bare, with long hair cascading down her front into the waters. Her back was as white and smooth as jade, perfectly contoured.


    This was Demon Shore.


    She sat with her eyes closed, her face stunningly beautiful, except for a trace of wicked aura between her brows.


    Suddenly, she opened her eyes, exclaiming in surprise, "How did that boy''s cause and effect get severed?"


    Lifting her right hand, she began to deduce.


    Just then, a hand landed on her fair shoulder.


    The touch made her Daoist Heart tremble and her face drastically change.


    "Why are you looking for someone?"


    A raspy voice entered her ears, chilling her to the bone.


    How could this be...


    Demon Shore was terrified to find herself completely immobile, her Mana almost frozen.


    She was a Free Immortal of Nine Layers, how could she be so utterly suppressed?


    Could it be that the other party...


    Thinking of the legends, she resisted her fear and asked through gritted teeth, "Who... who are you?"


    "If you can see Great Heavenly Spirit Land with her eyes, could you also hear certain things with her ears?" Find more chapters on empire


    Gu An stood behind Demon Shore, leaning slightly forward.


    Enshrouded with a gray aura, his true appearance concealed, he looked mysteriously formidable.


    Hearing his words, Demon Shore carefully recalled. She quickly thought of Shen Zhen, who often mentioned a person.


    Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Her impression of this person was very deep, deeming him a possible Free Immortal. But she had not calculated against Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Though Free Immortals differed, she was one who had stepped into Reincarnation Tribulation, even if not yet successfully, but at least she was trying.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, why..."


    The longer Gu An''s hand pressed down, the more frantic she became.


    In her perception, Gu An''s Dao Level was unfathomable, and compared to his, her way of Cause and Effect was insignificant.


    Gu An could feel her fear. He deliberately gave her time to experience panic, fear, and regret.


    After all, Gu An had been worried about her hostility all night; killing her directly would be too lenient.


    He gazed down at Demon Shore, taking in her entire form.


    Nice skin, too bad she provoked him!


    Die!


    Gu An''s gaze intensified, as he furiously infused his Divine Thought into her body, impacting her soul, probing her memory.


    Demon Shore''s body trembled, quickly settling into calmness.


    The grand hall fell silent, even the swirling demonic Qi halted.


    After a long while...


    Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought, exerting a slight force with his right hand. Demon Shore instantly turned into ash, a shockwave spreading that caused countless tiny stars to appear in the demonic mist.


    Those were the shattered remnants of Demon Shore''s Dao!


    Gu An pondered over Demon Shore''s memories, filled with emotion.


    So the Reincarnation Tribulation held such mysteries!


    Demon Shore was not only reborn herself but also could choose a mortal for rebirth. Shen Zhen was her choice, and she chose him after he had grown up.


    The reason for choosing Shen Zhen was his innate talent for the Way of Cause and Effect and the uncertainties surrounding him.


    Demon Shore couldn''t see why the uncertainties around Shen Zhen originated, initially not even considering Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Until years ago, during the Supreme Chaos Disc, she confirmed that Sword Venerable Fudao was the uncertainty surrounding Shen Zhen. She was surprised but not shocked.


    Until An Shengtian appeared, using Shen Zhen''s body, she sensed its cause and effect and was instantly moved.


    She even wanted to usurp An Shengtian''s body!


    Thinking of the seductive she-demon becoming a man, Gu An felt somewhat awkward.


    Fortunately, in Demon Shore''s memories, she was always a woman; otherwise, he would feel awkward seeing Shen Zhen in the future.


    [You have successfully seized 61,098,203 years of lifespan from Demon Shore (Free Immortal Realm, Nine Layers).]


    A prompt appeared before Gu An, seizing over sixty million years of lifespan in one go.


    Not bad!


    Worthy of a Free Immortal. Would killing Taoist Hidden Immortals in the future bring in hundreds of millions of years of lifespan?


    Gu An looked forward with anticipation, but for now, he did not want to confront Taoist Hidden Immortals.


    He would rather accumulate lifespan through medicinal herbs. It was safer to grow stronger unnoticed and avoid much hatred.

 Chapter 399 Supreme Demon Realm

    The memories from Demon Shore were vast, and the greatest help to Gu An was in her understanding of Reincarnation Tribulation.Reincarnation Tribulation indeed allows one to be reborn into different times and spaces, even into the past, but whether it''s the past or the future, the main body''s power cannot intervene. When the reincarnated being dies or exerts the power of the main body, it will be forcibly expelled back by the Heavenly Dao.


    This reminded Gu An of the time when Ji Xiaoyu in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had used the power of a Primordial Daoist Talisman and then quickly disappeared ¨C it seemed she was expelled by the Reincarnation Tribulation.


    This deepened Gu An''s understanding of the Heavenly Dao.


    Heavenly Dao more closely resembles a collection of rules and the Grand Dao, meticulous and domineering.


    Gu An stopped pondering and turned her gaze toward the interior of the great hall. The hall was vast, yet there were many stark differences hidden within. Those huge stone pillars were also inlaid with numerous special spirit stones.


    This city was none other than Demon City. According to the memories of Demon Shore, there were many such cities in the Silent Destruction Domain. Although there was no stronger existence above Demon Shore, all the demon cities were remnants of power left by the Supreme Demon Realm. The Supreme Demon Realm had once been extremely powerful, aiming to devour the Great Heaven and Earth, but was later struck down by a mysterious entity that slayed the Realm Master, causing it to shatter. At that time, Demon Shore was not yet fully grown.


    A million demons hid within the Demon City. Although these demons seemed no different from the Heavenly Demons to the creatures of the Great Heaven and Earth, there were also many powers standing within the Silent Destruction Domain, and they did not trespass into the territories of the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Gu An decided to eradicate the root of the problem and eliminate all these demons.


    Whenever creatures from the Great Heaven and Earth passed near the Demon City, they never met a good fate. Demon Shore even dared to attack passing Free Immortals, though the Free Immortals had their own means to escape.


    The attacked Free Immortal was actually the Ancient Immortal Emperor from the Immortal Dynasty.


    ...


    Approaching noon, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    He called up his attribute panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 650/1,954,210,604]


    [Physique: Mixed Yuan Refined Void Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfect Daoist Hidden Immortal Realm]


    ...


    By slaying the million evil demons in the Demon City, he gained nearly five hundred million years of life span, making this trip an enormous harvest.


    Looking at his life span approaching two billion years, Gu An felt wonderfully good.


    Of course, the most important thing was that he had removed a source of worry.


    As Gu An encountered disciples along the way, he would smile and ask them a few questions, leaving the disciples surprised and honored.


    Now the number of disciples in the Third Medicine Valley exceeded three thousand, and many, even those who had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, were willing to stay. As the Supreme Sect grew stronger, the treatment in the Third Medicine Valley also continued to rise, even higher than that of many Inner Sect halls.


    The disciples all respected Gu An, not for his status or cultivation level, but because he treated each disciple without pretense. Even when they heard Gu An enjoyed reading common books, they found him all the more approachable since Gu An did not coerce the female disciples, and he was well-regarded.


    When Gu An arrived at his pavilion, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly came out, her expression strange.


    "What''s wrong now?" Gu An asked in feigned dejection.


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "The death energy around you has disappeared. Who did you go see this morning?"


    Gu An looked around, then took two steps forward and mysteriously said, "You scared me, so I had to ask Sword Venerable Fudao for help. He cast a spell to keep me safe, at the cost of three hundred years of my life span."


    Ji Xiaoyu believed the first part of his statement, but she couldn''t help but roll her eyes at the last sentence.


    "Mortals will be mortals. With Sword Venerable Fudao''s cultivation, how could he covet your three hundred years of life span? Such a narrow view, it''s laughable even when you boast."


    Ji Xiaoyu''s words were venomous, unaware that this was exactly the effect Gu An wanted.


    "You look down on me? In thirty years the east river may flow west, do not belittle the poor!"


    "Change ''thirty'' to ''thousands''."


    "Get inside, I need to sort you out!"


    Gu An pushed Ji Xiaoyu into the house, and she did not resist, her face even breaking into a smile.


    An hour later, Gu An came out of her house.


    Passing by, An Xin winked and teased Gu An, causing him to glare at her.


    Blood Prison Great Saint watched from under a distant tree, sighing sentimentally, "The master indeed leads a charming life. Once a thousand years pass, I too must enjoy the local customs of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    The spring breeze was caressing, the weather cool, and all living things were awakening their vitality, even the clouds that shrouded the continent''s sky had dissipated some.


    The Supreme Sect, basking in the prestige of Sword Venerable Fudao, continued to develop, but the struggles of the world grew more intense.


    Every moment, cultivators from the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court were fighting, with more and more territories and powers being drawn into the fray.


    Half a year sped by swiftly.


    Gu An stood by the window, watching Long Qing follow Shen Xinzi out of the valley. Apart from his previous experiences in the Jiuyuan World, this was Long Qing''s first time leaving the Supreme Sect. Although he was just practicing on the Taicang Continent, the sight of the young man''s excitement gave Gu An a distinct feeling.


    "Feeling reluctant to let him go?"


    Ji Xiaoyu''s teasing voice came from downstairs.


    Gu An replied, "How could that be, it just reminded me of some old friends."


    "Do you wish for the people by your side to accompany you forever?"


    "No, not really, if they leave, they leave. There will always be newcomers. I just feel nostalgic about how quickly they grow up; they become capable of standing on their own in the blink of an eye." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hm? What do you mean by newcomers, when I''m gone, there will be new ones?"


    "What are you talking about, you haven''t even outlasted the old ones yet."


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The attic began to tremble slightly. Outside the courtyard, the Blood Prison Great Saint, who was lying down asleep, turned his head. Such noise couldn''t affect him; he was already used to it.


    An hour later, Gu An, accompanied by An Xin and the Blood Prison Great Saint, left the Third Medicine Valley. Today, they were heading to Tianya Valley.


    On the way, An Xin spoke of the rising talents on the continent. From time to time, a peerless genius would emerge, and individuals like An Hao, Li Ya, and Wu Jue had already been forgotten by many, just as Gu An had once been unaware of Xuan Tianyi.


    Gu An rode on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, holding a book in his hand, occasionally echoing An Xin.


    He also paid attention to the recent happenings in the world.


    Compared to the world hundreds of years ago, the standard for genius had risen. The cultivators An Xin referred to as geniuses had cultivation levels at the very least within the Void Crossing Realm.


    Hundreds of years ago, those of the Void Crossing Realm were considered Great Cultivators, old monsters.


    Nowadays, the Nirvana Realm was no longer a secret known to just a few.


    An Xin spoke of the affairs of the world with no longing in her tone, only anticipation.


    She didn''t want to go out, she just wanted to become more formidable than those people, to prove that staying by her master''s side was the best choice.


    They chatted and laughed along the way, making the journey seem less tedious.


    When they arrived at Tianya Valley, they saw a group of young and proud cultivators.


    When Gu An and his companions appeared, they attracted the attention of most.


    Gu An saw Lv Xian among them.


    It had been quite a while since he had seen Lv Xian because every time Lv Baitian met him, he would mention Lv Xian, making Gu An occasionally keep track of Lv Xian''s progress.


    Lv Xian had always been highly talented, and coupled with favorable circumstances, he now possessed the cultivation level of the Mystic Heart Realm.


    He looked from afar at Gu An with a joyous expression on his face.


    Gu An nodded slightly towards him, then dismounted and walked toward Li Xuandao''s courtyard.


    An Xin went with the Blood Prison Great Saint to meet the three Monkey Demons.


    Gu An proceeded into the courtyard, walked up to the table, and saluted Li Xuandao with a cupped fist. Following Li Xuandao''s gesture, he sat down.


    Li Xuandao appraised Gu An and asked with a smile, "Why do I feel you''ve changed again?"


    Gu An replied, "Perhaps I''ve aged a bit more?"


    As Gu An grew older, his relationship with Li Xuandao became less about seniority and more like that of equals.


    It wasn''t that Gu An''s outward cultivation was particularly strong, but both were several centuries old. Their life journeys were continually advancing. For those who lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years, people aged five hundred to a thousand years were considered peers, and this concept subtly influenced them as well.


    The two exchanged pleasantries, having not seen each other for many years.


    Lv Xian was a supreme talent, and so was Li Xuandao, whose cultivation had reached the Mahayana Realm!


    His Mahayana Realm cultivation had outstripped Lv Baitian, who used to have a higher cultivation level than Li Xuandao but had failed his Tribulation Crossing and remained at the ninth layer of the Unification Realm.


    Seeing Li Xuandao''s growth rate, Gu An felt gratified. After all, they were comrades in the Dao, and how could he not be delighted to see his Daoist Friend''s progress?


    How many of his old companions would still be alive in ten thousand years, Gu An was not sure, but he felt that Li Xuandao had a strong chance.


    Ancient emperors of tens of thousands of years were not unheard of. Just look at the Yang Xian Emperor of the Immortal Dynasty, or Shengtian of the Holy Court, all of whom ruled for more than a million years.


    After chatting for a while, Li Xuandao suddenly sighed, "How many years will it take for the Taicang Dynasty to become an existence like the Immortal Dynasty? The current chaos in the world is the best opportunity, but it''s a pity we are not strong enough and might miss such a chance."


    The dynamic of the world changed day by day, but a dynasty''s accumulation could not speed up as quickly, which made Li Xuandao anxious.


    If they missed this chance and a new ruler emerged, the Taicang Dynasty would never have its day, at best dominating only a single region.


    Gu An hadn''t expected that Li Xuandao would actually harbor ambitions to replace Yang Xian Emperor and Shengtian. That was quite daring.


    Given Li Xuandao''s position of power, he surely understood the strength of the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court. For others, faced with such a gap, they would only feel envious or awed. As for replacing them, how could one even think of that?


    "What if this chaos lasts for many years? This is a chaos that affects the entire world. Compared to the world at large, isn''t the Taicang Continent minuscule?" Gu An consoled.


    Li Xuandao looked at Gu An and suddenly asked, "If there were a very powerful force that could aid me, but accepting their help could be a hidden danger in the future, what would you choose if you were the Emperor?"


    A very powerful force?


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    Gu An silently reasoned, instantly realizing that the force Li Xuandao mentioned was a Great Sect, one of the leading sects in the Mortal World. They chose the Taicang Dynasty with the aim of establishing a relationship with Sword Venerable Fudao.


    If they could control the Taicang Dynasty, they would have better grounds and opportunities to contact Sword Venerable Fudao.


    In their eyes, Sword Venerable Fudao had the qualifications to contend against the Yang Xian Emperor. This was an indispensable force for them, aspiring to surpass both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court.


    Without Free Immortals, how could one dream of unifying the world?


    After Gu An had calculated the variables, he responded, "It all depends on what you truly want¡ªwhether you wish for peace for the people of the world or if you desire to realize your own ambitions more."

 Chapter 400 Immortal Legacy

    All Living Beings.Aspirations.


    Li Xuandao fell into deep thought, and Gu An did not offer his own opinion, since both choices had pros and cons for the common folk.


    To remain content with the status quo would invite future crises; to be discontent would make life harder for the current and future generations.


    Gu An''s protection of the continent''s beings already showed his benevolence, but he would not worry about the daily lives of all living beings every day.


    In any case, when asked about worldly affairs, Gu An''s role was simply to provide options; the ultimate decision was up to Li Xuandao, with whom the consequences lay.


    Li Xuandao was lost in contemplation, and Gu An did not disturb him; his gaze drifted outside the courtyard.


    Lv Xian, who was instructing someone in their cultivation, glanced towards Gu An from time to time. When their eyes met, Gu An could tell he was excited.


    Gu An was suspicious, but he was not in a hurry; he would discuss it with Li Xuandao later.


    Usually, he did not need to spend much time on cultivation, so his pace of life was slow. He was not in a rush about most things; he could handle them one by one.


    Li Xuandao was not forever lost in his own world; he came back to reality and started chatting with Gu An about Li Ya.


    Li Ya was the link between the two, and speaking of him prompted more conversation.


    After an hour, Li Xuandao suddenly said, "Lv Xian has been talking about you nonstop. He specifically came back from overseas to see you, but insisted I come along. He wants to meet you but also fears you; what''s that about?"


    Gu An pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Why does he want to meet me? And why would he fear me? That shouldn''t be; have I treated him poorly?"


    While speaking, he looked curiously at Lv Xian, who immediately smiled back at him.


    Li Xuandao stared at Gu An meaningfully and said, "Gu An, what kind of relationship do we have? There''s no need to hide things from each other."


    Gu An''s expression alternated between clouds and sunshine; he took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, there are indeed hidden relationships behind me. If I reveal them, I will be punished, and those who know will die."


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    After saying this, he patted his shoulder.


    Li Xuandao immediately squinted his eyes and chuckled, "Then let''s not talk about it anymore."


    Inside, however, his mind was in turmoil.


    This boy¡­


    Upon reflecting, Li Xuandao had an epiphany.


    After Gu An joined the Supreme Sect, Sword Venerable Fudao appeared, primarily active around areas close to Gu An.


    He recalled Li Ya''s sudden surge in strength over the years which he could never explain.


    Now it all made sense; it seemed Gu An had arranged for Sword Venerable Fudao to look after Li Ya.


    Li Xuandao''s gaze towards Gu An heated up, making Gu An quite uncomfortable.


    Without guessing, Gu An knew what Li Xuandao might be planning.


    He did not clarify; if Li Xuandao wanted to act under the name of Sword Venerable Fudao, he did not mind giving Li a pat on the shoulder.


    It depended on whether Li Xuandao knew his limits.


    "You go meet Lv Xian; I don''t have other matters here," Li Xuandao said, waving his hand with a smile.


    Gu An stood up, bowed to him, and then walked towards the courtyard gate.


    Seeing him leave, Lv Xian immediately greeted him and pulled Gu An towards a corner of Tianya Valley.


    "What''s so secretive?" asked Gu An.


    Lv Xian whispered, "I have something great, and it won''t disappoint you!"


    "Something great?"


    Gu An''s interest was piqued, and he followed Lv Xian away.


    Lv Xian led Gu An into a cave, his personal Cave; he had crafted it here in Tianya Valley for fear of being seen by others, setting up very advanced Restrictions.


    After entering the Cave, Lv Xian activated the Restrictions, isolating it completely.


    Gu An, feeling irritated, asked, "All this secrecy? Do we even have to hide it from His Majesty?"


    "Of course we do. If he knew, he''d go mad!" Lv Xian replied, his face displaying excitement.


    He then pulled Gu An into the deepest chamber of the cave, walked up to a stone table, and took out an irregularly shaped stone slab that seemed like a large fragment. At first glance, it appeared plain with no inscriptions or runes.


    As he set down the slab, Gu An suddenly understood something significant; his expression turned peculiar.


    The stone slab actually contained Heavenly Dao Destiny!


    Moreover, it was purer and more unsettling than the Heavenly Dao inheritance obtained by An Hao from the Heaven Sect; its destiny emitted an indescribable oppressive force.


    Even Gu An, the Taoist Hidden Immortal, felt an instinctive wariness and a glimmer of desire.


    He wanted to possess this Heavenly Dao Destiny!


    Yet, as this desire emerged, his wariness grew.


    Something was off!


    Gu An looked at Lv Xian and asked, "What is this?"


    He couldn''t discern the cause and effect of this stone slab!


    This indicated that the origin of the slab was even stronger than the Taoist Hidden Immortal himself!


    At this realization, Gu An almost wished Lv Xian would take this item away and keep it far from him.


    What kind of thing was this?


    Trying to harm him?


    Lv Xian, with an excited smile, said, "This is an inheritance I stumbled upon. You might not believe it, but this contains the legacy of a true Immortal, a real godlike Immortal, not something any Immortal Dynasty or Holy Court could compare to!"


    Immortal legacy?


    Gu An frowned. Neither Lu Han nor Long Zhan had encountered a real Immortal through the ages, although they''d met many who claimed to belong to the Immortal or Divine Race.


    This had led Gu An to always believe that the so-called Immortals were merely more powerful beings.


    Lv Xian continued, "The inheritance here only cares about talent, not cultivation level. I failed, but I think you should give it a try."


    "Why should it be me? There are so many geniuses," Gu An hesitated to ask.


    Lv Xian glared at him and said impatiently, "There are many geniuses, but the only one I have a good relationship with is you. I wouldn''t give it to An Hao. You have supreme talent, yet you can restrain your competitive spirit and live in seclusion here. I think you becoming an Immortal would be better, at least you wouldn''t threaten me, and you are indeed very good to your friends."


    Although Gu An was curious, he felt that this matter was very dangerous, so he said, "Actually, His Majesty''s talent is also very strong."


    After hearing this, Lv Xian''s eyes brightened as he said, "You noticed it too? I thought I was the only one who knew."


    "Um, but don''t tell him I know."


    "Hahaha, don''t worry. He still thinks he''s hidden himself well enough, not realizing that you are the deepest enigma. Think about it, it makes sense that Sword Venerable Fudao has always stayed at Supreme Sect, certainly to cultivate you. An Hao claims to be a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao, but he left and Sword Venerable Fudao is still here. That must mean he''s just riding on your coattails."


    Lv Xian chuckled, truly believing that Gu An was stronger than An Hao.


    He had sparred with both of them, and Gu An had given him the greatest sense of oppression and psychological shadow.


    He even believed that Gu An was the number one genius under the heavens!


    Hearing this, Gu An fell into silence, his gaze fixed on a stone slab.


    Wait!


    Should he use his lifespan to simulate this?


    Gu An thought it feasible as touching the stone slab directly seemed too dangerous.


    His mind made up, he immediately began to simulate.


    [Simulating the inheritance, will consume 1,000,000 years of lifespan. Do you wish to continue?]


    That much?


    Gu An hesitated, but looking at the stone slab, he was really tempted.


    Forget it!


    Take the plunge!


    While Lv Xian continued his incessant chatter, Gu An chose to continue, and then his consciousness entered a vast white space.


    Everything was blank, and below his feet, grass first emerged, rapidly expanding, and mountains appeared in the distance in all directions.


    The world was vast and the sky magnificent.


    Gu An looked ahead and saw atop the mountains a dazzling orb of light, immensely gigantic, much larger than any mountain on earth.


    Within the light orb, there stood a towering figure; ten thousand zhang in height, adorned in armor, wielding a divine weapon, exuding a domineering aura that overwhelmed all living beings!


    Upon seeing this figure, Gu An felt threatened, and he couldn''t help but think of Black Profound Emperor, whom Lu Han encountered, and Annihilation God Emperor, whom Long Zhan encountered.


    Their auras were similar!


    What realms were they actually in?


    "Mortal Spirit, having seen the Heavenly Dao, why not kneel?"


    A majestic voice rang out, but Gu An did not kneel since it was just a simulation, and he asked, "What inheritance is this?"


    "This is the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position inheritance. To gain my approval, you must defeat me."


    Defeat?


    Gu An was surprised internally; facing this entity, Lv Xian surely had no chance at all, let alone even the desire to fight.


    Wait, Lv Xian said that the inheritance only looked at talent¡ªcould it be that facing different inheritors, this entity''s cultivation level might also change?


    Lv Xian failed against an existence a Great Realm higher than his own.


    He was now facing an existence a realm higher than Taoist Hidden Immortal!


    No wonder it felt dangerous, yet not hopeless.


    "What is Heavenly Dao Immortal Position?" Gu An pressed on.


    The other did not respond.


    Gu An asked other questions, but no matter what he asked, there was no response.


    Forget it!


    Then fight to see if he had the strength to pass the inheritance test! sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Inside the cave, Lv Xian gestured to Gu An, whose eyes suddenly became clear.


    "What were you thinking about? I asked you several times, and you didn''t respond," Lv Xian said with dissatisfaction.


    Gu An smiled and replied, "Nothing much, I was just wondering whether there really are Immortals and Gods."


    He had passed the test.


    It had to be said, that entity was indeed formidable; Gu An had to use dozens of moves to completely vanquish it.


    Yet even after the victory, Gu An still hadn''t figured out what the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position was.


    But one thing was certain; the stone slab inheritance could see through his true cultivation level. If there was an Immortal God power behind it, that power could also understand his true strength through this stone slab.


    The last thing Gu An wanted was for his true cultivation level to be seen through.


    "Forget it, I can''t accept it. But don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone," Gu An shook his head.


    Lv Xian''s eyes widened as he said, "This is an Immortal God inheritance; if you succeed, you will soar to great heights!"


    Gu An replied, "I only trust the mana that I have cultivated myself, not that given by others. If so, I would certainly be controlled by others at the risk of my life and freedom."


    Hearing this, Lv Xian furrowed his brows.


    He had to admit, Gu An made a good point.


    With that statement from Gu An, the excitement in his heart began to subside.


    He looked at the stone slab on the table and said in a low voice, "Well said, perhaps failing the inheritance was a blessing in disguise."

 Chapter 401 Shape-Shifting

    "You can keep it and accept the inheritance when you are strong enough."Gu An stared at Lv Xian, speaking earnestly, fearing that Lv Xian would forsake his greatest opportunity.


    At the moment, the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position proved stronger than the Holy Court, the Immortal Dynasty, and even the Silent Destruction Domain; as a mortal, if Lv Xian missed it, finding a stronger chance in the future would be almost impossible.


    Lv Xian couldn''t rely on stealing life span to become stronger like him.


    Lv Xian raised an eyebrow and said, "What do you mean, you think I can''t rely on myself?"


    "You can''t, at least not beyond this inheritance."


    "Bullshit!"


    Lv Xian erupted in fury, his terrifying aura exploding like a volcano, startling the entire Tianya Valley.


    Suddenly, Gu An raised his hand and pressed it on his shoulder, instantly dispersing his aura.


    Lv Xian''s eyes widened; he knew Gu An was definitely stronger than himself, but to be suppressed so easily, rendered unable to move...


    In that moment, he recalled a duel between them hundreds of years ago.


    This moment was exactly like that one.


    Gu An looked at him calmly and asked, "Can you keep this stone tablet now?"


    Lv Xian couldn''t answer; he was unable to speak.


    "Just blink if you agree."


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Lv Xian blinked frantically.


    Gu An withdrew his hand, and Lv Xian breathed a sigh of relief, gasping for air.


    He looked at Gu An with fear; he had learned from Li Xuandao that Gu An was younger than him, yet how had he cultivated to such a level? S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Compared to Gu An, he was practically useless!


    Gu An smiled and said, "Quickly put it away. When you become an immortal, if I can''t catch up to you or have troubles, you''ll be my backup."


    Upon hearing this, pride replaced the awkwardness on Lv Xian''s face; he patted his chest and said, "Naturally, I''m not your equal now, but I will surpass you one day, and then I''ll have your back."


    Despite Gu An not always being nice to him and often scaring him, wasn''t that a form of care?


    In the past, when he initiated provocations towards Gu An, Gu An didn''t mind, but if someone else treated him that way, he wouldn''t be so merciful.


    And for Gu An to return such an important inheritance to him, he was truly a man worth respecting!


    Lv Xian stored the stone tablet and Gu An put his arm around his shoulder as they walked toward the cave entrance.


    "By the way, your father misses you. When are you going to visit him?"


    "Him? That old undying man, if I visit him, I won''t be able to help but kill him."


    "Nonsense, blood is thicker than water. He hasn''t tortured or mistreated you. Why talk of killing? If you really wanted to kill him, could he even stand up to you? He''s hundreds of years old; why act like a child?"


    "You don''t understand!"


    "Of course, I don''t understand; I have no parents."


    "Well, I envy you for that."


    "Hey, you brat, are you looking for a spanking? Just go back to the Supreme Sect and see your father. He treats me well and is always talking about you; my ears are almost calloused. If you go, I''ll teach you a Divine Skill that will definitely enhance your strength."


    "Really?"


    "I, Gu An, never lie."


    And so, the two chatted and walked out of the cave.


    Back in the valley, Gu An reverted to being an ordinary Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, while Lv Xian continued to exude the arrogance of a supreme youth.


    ...


    A month later, Lv Baitian came to find Gu An, extremely happy, pulling him to drink because Lv Xian had come to see him.


    Although the father and son were still not on the best of terms, their relationship had begun to improve.


    He was touched to learn from Lv Xian that it was Gu An who had asked Lv Xian to see him.


    This youngster always seemed impatient with his ramblings, but in his heart, he remembered his father''s love.


    Lv Baitian looked at Gu An with eyes full of fondness, as if looking at another son.


    Gu An didn''t refuse, as he was just in the mood for a drink.


    Perhaps this was what meant by "with great power comes great responsibility."


    He not only had to save the world, he also had to help people handle domestic affairs.


    How fortunate the Immortal Cultivation World was to have me!


    Filled with self-emotion, Gu An then competed with Lv Baitian in a drinking contest and finally Lv Baitian was defeated.


    They were drinking high-level Spiritual Wine. It was alright for Gu An to show off his strength a bit, especially since Lv Baitian was not considered strong in the Supreme Sect.


    Taking advantage of Lv Baitian''s drunken stupor, Gu An went downstairs.


    Just as he descended, Ji Xiaoyu walked out of the room and said to him, "Come in!"


    Gu An shook his head, "No thanks, your strength isn''t enough. Practice some more."


    Last time, to teach Ji Xiaoyu a lesson, Gu An had played Go with her in her room for an hour and beat her decisively, which left her quite unconvinced, and now she would think about game strategies even during her practice.


    "Just one more game and you''ll see if it''s enough."


    "Ha!"


    Gu An couldn''t be bothered with her and continued walking toward the distance.


    Ji Xiaoyu watched his back, took a deep breath, and thought about the cost of losing the game last time, it made her teeth itch with frustration.


    Before the game, they had made a deal that if she won, Gu An would focus more on his own practice, and if Gu An won, he would pinch her face.


    Well, pinch it as it may be, he really dared to do it strongly!


    She looked at Gu An''s back, her mind full of confusion.


    Why in the world was his Go skill so strong?


    She finally understood why Nine-Finger Divine Lord couldn''t maintain his composure in the Immortal Path Realm when facing Gu An.


    After walking some distance, Gu An leaped up, aiming for the Outer Gate City.


    It had been ages since he last strolled in the city!


    Today, he might as well reinforce the Sword Intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    Too many people had been comprehending his Sword Intent, causing it to continuously weaken; recently even a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma had come to study it.


    ¡­


    Time flies.


    In the blink of an eye, another decade passed.


    That day.


    In the deep sea, Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Gu An lay on a chair on the open ground, holding the Supreme Secret Records.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp was beside him practicing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill.


    This skill had been upgraded, but being too complex was in fact not beneficial, and his disciples were all practicing it, how could he allow the Deep Sea Dragon Carp''s treatment to exceed theirs?


    Even among his underlings, Tian Yao''er was the most important.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp opened its eyes, flew next to Gu An, and asked cautiously, "Master, I think I can Shape-Shift, what do you think I should turn into?"


    Gu An turned over, his back facing it, and said, "Whatever you want."


    He didn''t care if a male demon wanted to Shape-Shift, it didn''t matter even if it didn''t.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp caught a glimpse of a picture on the Supreme Secret Records, pondered for a while, then turned and left.


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    Two ancient hours later, Gu An left.


    By the time he returned, it was already half a month later.


    Upon return, he was taken aback.


    He saw a figure at the entrance of the Hidden Spirit Palace, for a moment, he thought he saw a naked creature from the Demon Shore.


    But this fellow was not a female demon!


    When the Deep Sea Dragon Carp turned to look at Gu An, its stunningly beautiful face flashed a captivating smile, its long hair reaching its waist, and its skin as white as snow, shimmeringly. He swayed his body as he walked towards Gu An.


    Gu An immediately threw a robe at him.


    "Put this on immediately!"


    Gu An really wanted to scold him. A male demon turning into a female form, what was this nonsense!


    Absolutely disgusting!


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, hearing the dissatisfaction in his voice, hurriedly put on the robe, looking at Gu An nervously like he had done something wrong, his exceptionally beautiful face filled with a look of grievance.

 Chapter 402 Future

    After a bit of tossing and turning, Gu An looked at the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, robed in white, and still felt awkward about it.The Deep Sea Dragon Carp had tied up its hair, giving off the impression of a woman disguised as a man, because since it had shape-shifted, it could not change its appearance again; it could only be like this.


    The more Gu An looked at him, the more familiar he seemed.


    Wait, wasn''t this the same woman that Gu An had encountered in the "Supreme Secret Records"?


    Gu An spoke up, "From now on, don''t dress as a woman anymore. There''s no need to please me that way; I don''t like it."


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp quickly nodded, although internally, he was puzzled¡ªif Gu An did not like it, why did he read such books?


    Seeing how wronged the creature looked, Gu An began to instruct him on the practice of spells.


    Hearing that there were spells to practice, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp immediately perked up, sweeping away his feelings of aggrievement and simultaneously gaining some insight.


    Although the shape-shifting of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp was absurd, it didn''t affect Gu An''s life; he already had three female demons, and no matter what form the Deep Sea Dragon Carp took, it couldn''t pique his interest.


    After spending half a day in the Hidden Spirit Palace, Gu An then went to the Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, where he could harvest a batch of high-rank medicinal herbs from the Outer World Cave, which should grant him tens of millions of years to his lifespan.


    There was no distinction between day and night in the Outer World Cave.


    After harvesting the herbs, Gu An began to instruct the three female Tian Yao''er on their cultivation.


    Years had passed, and Tian Yao''er''s cultivation level had reached the ninth layer of the Mystic Heart Realm, and she was soon to assault the Mahayana Realm. Your next read is at empire


    Her talent was exceptional, and with the abundance of high-rank medicinal herbs shared by Gu An, her progress in cultivation naturally soared.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai were less gifted than her and had just broken through to the Unification Realm.


    Their pace of cultivation was already fast, at least faster than that of demons, whose cultivation was not as quick as that of Cultivators of Human Race. The demon''s advantage lay in their long lifespans, but under Gu An''s care, the three demons'' cultivation speed was comparable to that of top human prodigies.


    After sparring for an ancient hour, the three demons were depleted of their demonic power.


    Their demonic power was considered abundant within their respective realms, but facing Gu An, they had to go all out.


    Watching them exhausted, lying on the ground, drenched in sweat, Gu An hovered midair, pointing out their weaknesses.


    After a while, the three demons gathered around him, inquiring about the outside world.


    They still vividly remembered the recent attack by the Immortal Lord during the Mid-Autumn festival¡ªhis booming voice and imposing pressure. They were curious about the types of changes unfolding in the outside world.


    "The Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court are fighting fiercely. Not long ago, I heard that an Immortal Spirit effortlessly moved an entire sea area with one hand, with billions of creatures at his mercy. He fought against the Great Cultivator of the Holy Court with the ocean in his grasp; it was earth-shattering," Gu An casually picked an event to recount, listening intently as the three demons did.


    What he spoke of were actual events. As time passed, casualties of the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court escalated, deepening the hate between them.


    If this continued, a battle that would sweep across the Great Heaven and Earth was inevitable.


    Gu An had calculated somewhat, fearing that the fight might cause heaven and earth to split apart, but with so many variables, he couldn''t clearly discern all the choices of the Free Immortal or predict what was within the Reincarnation Tribulation of Shengtian.


    For the time being, it was impossible to see who would win or lose.


    Gu An wasn''t too worried, though, as Taicang Continent, where he resided, hadn''t suffered much from the disturbances. For him, that was enough.


    As they listened to the tales of the world''s vicissitudes, Tian Yao''er''s heart yearned, but she did not propose to venture out. Her strength was still insufficient; it was mere curiosity.


    Seeing their interest, Gu An spoke of a few more events.


    If it could strengthen their will to pursue Immortal Cultivation, Gu An was naturally pleased.


    ...


    Snowflakes fell, marking the end of the year.


    The end of Lu Jiujia''s destined life had come.


    Gu An and Lu Jiujia sat at the edge of a cliff, overlooking Mystic Valley.


    "Big brother, six hundred years ago, did you ever think that Mystic Valley could ever achieve such prosperity?" Lu Jiujia asked with a chuckle while stroking his beard, eyes filled with many distant images that transitioned from hazy to clear.


    From here, one could see disciples in the forests outside Mystic Valley, cultivated demon beasts, various brightly colored groves, all within a dozen miles of Mystic Valley''s domain, thriving and booming.


    Gu An replied, "Actually, I feel there isn''t much difference between now and the past because some people are still here¡ªprecisely, you''re still here."


    The original acquaintances of Mystic Valley had dwindled to Lu Jiujia alone; once he passed on, Mystic Valley would become a closed chapter to Gu An¡ªor at least not as significant in his heart.


    Lu Jiujia turned to look at Gu An, feeling that his big brother''s profile was still so youthful, as if time had left no trace on him.


    "Big brother, do you remember Su Han?" Lu Jiujia suddenly asked.


    Gu An glanced at him, replying, "How could I forget? Until now, no other disciple has taken a more crooked path than him."


    Mentioning Su Han stirred even more emotions in Gu An.


    As the brothers talked about Su Han, Gu An began to recognize the Su Han described by Lu Jiujia.


    The snow grew heavier, and fog rose around Mystic Valley, gradually swallowing the sight of mortals.


    Lu Jiujia''s head sank lower, and his voice weakened.


    Jiang Shi stood in front of the wooden railing in the precinct, his gaze fixed on Lu Jiujia atop the cliff, eyes brimming with reluctance.


    Last night, Lu Jiujia had already talked with him; he knew that today Lu Jiujia was going to depart.


    Though they called each other martial brothers in Medicine Valley, in Jiang Shi''s heart, Lu Jiujia was like his second father.


    The pain in Jiang Shi''s heart was overwhelming as his hands clenched the wooden railing tightly.


    An Shengtian emerged from the forest and was about to greet Jiang Shi when he caught the expression on Jiang''s face, so An Shengtian followed his gaze.


    Seeing the figures of Lu Jiujia and Gu An, An Shengtian fell silent.


    He was quite fond of Lu Jiujia as well, who had taken good care of him over the years. The thought of Lu Jiujia''s impending death weighed heavily on him.


    He even thought of his own father and grandfather.


    A somber and oppressive atmosphere permeated Mystic Valley. All the disciples guessed what was happening¡ªthey dared not speak of it, choosing instead to bury themselves in their own tasks.


    As dusk approached.


    Gu An carried Lu Jiujia down the mountain on his back, with the disciples gathering around in silence, watching Gu An.


    Then, Gu An began to bury Lu Jiujia as all the disciples in the valley stood vigil. After the tombstone was erected, the disciples together bowed in homage to Lu Jiujia.


    Under the veil of night, the accumulated snow on Gu An''s attic suddenly slid off, crushing a wild herb by the staircase.


    ...


    Forty years later, the beginning of summer.


    In the Outer Gate City, the seven-hundred-year-old Gu An was at an inn, drinking with Wu Jue, who was seven hundred and two.


    Wu Jue had just entered the Mystic Heart Realm and was in high spirits, endlessly recounting his breakthrough experience. With the assistance of the Supreme Sect, he breezed through his advancement.


    "You have no idea how terrifying that Heavenly Tribulation was. If not for the Sect''s aid, I would have been reduced to ashes. The Sect exhausted countless Spirit Stones for me, and my own Spirit Energy Elixirs were completely used up..." Wu Jue was animated, eliciting occasional gasps of amazement from Gu An.


    Mystic Heart Realm, a bit slow!


    That was even after Wu Jue was cultivated with care following his exoneration from a miscarriage of justice.


    Gu An felt that Wu Jue was still far behind Li Xuandao, Lv Xian, and Li Ya, and none of these three had a life span as long as his.


    After a while.


    Wu Jue set down his bowl of wine and asked with a smile, "What about you? How have you been these years? Any troubles?"


    Gu An did not conceal the truth, sharing about the death of Lu Jiujia. Since that event, he spent less and less time in Mystic Valley.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were out making their own way in the world. For him, Mystic Valley was filled with juniors. Interacting with them, the disciples were inevitably reserved, making him feel it was pointless to stay there.


    Hearing this, Wu Jue fell silent, thinking how similarly devastated he would be if Gu An died.


    He looked at Gu An and said, "Brother Gu, you need to cultivate well. Given your age and cultivation level, Nirvana is not beyond hope for you."


    Gu An gave him a look and said irritably, "You talk as if you''ve already achieved Nirvana yourself."


    "Hehe, with my talent, is reaching the Nirvana Realm difficult?"


    "What if you get into trouble again? Inside the Supreme Sect, I might be able to figure something out, but outside, who could help you?"


    Gu An shook his head, making Wu Jue feel awkward. He couldn''t outtalk Gu An, so he simply poured more wine.


    This brat dares to mock me; today I must get you drunk!


    Wu Jue thought so to himself.


    He then ordered the inn to serve their most expensive Spiritual Wine!


    Two hours later.


    Gu An settled the drunken Wu Jue into a guest room and then descended the stairs himself, mounting the Blood Prison Great Saint and continuing his stroll.


    "Master, what does that wine taste like? Even someone in the Mystic Heart Realm can be knocked out by it?" The Blood Prison Great Saint asked curiously. Ever since he started on the path of immortal cultivation in the Lower Realm, he had never been drunk again, and so he found it quite intriguing.


    "From overseas, it''s Spiritual Wine. We can order some from the tavern later."


    Gu An replied offhandedly, his gaze turning to the street ahead.


    Each year, the Outer Gate City would see the emergence of many new things. This also meant that the influence of the Supreme Sect was constantly expanding.


    Since the Sheng Family was dealt with, the pace of growth for the Supreme Sect accelerated further, and more powers engaged in trade with them¡ªespecially after the Sword Venerable Fudao vanquished the Immortal Lord Qiuxi, driving this trend to its peak.


    Along the way, Gu An greeted people with a smile that never left his face.


    Suddenly, Gu An spotted someone and quickly called out, "Jiang Qiong, what brings you here?"


    He naturally knew the reason for her visit, but had to pretend otherwise.


    Jiang Qiong, dressed in a red gown with a light veil covering her face, had just stepped out from a building.


    Looking at Gu An, her eyes curved into two smiling crescents. She approached the Blood Prison Great Saint and joked, "If I say I came looking for you, would you believe me?"


    "I don''t," Gu An shook his head. "I don''t live here."


    Seeing that Jiang Qiong''s cultivation level had reached the eighth floor of the Unification Realm, Gu An was pleased. With a life span of over five thousand years, she was sure to achieve Nirvana.


    That meant she could accompany him for tens of thousands of years.


    Although many old acquaintances had passed away, there were still many who were alive, keeping Gu An from feeling too lonely. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He got down from his mount and walked shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Qiong.


    Jiang Qiong did not hide the purpose of her visit. Some disciples from the Juhua Sect had a conflict with those from the Supreme Sect and ended up being captured. She was here to demand their release.


    But the situation was complicated: the Supreme Sect claimed that it was the Ji Family who captured the Juhua Sect disciples, due to a death feud, and they were reluctant to interfere.


    Gu An was unconcerned, "It''s a trivial matter. When it comes to connections, I still have some clout. The guy who just got drunk was saved by me once."

 Chapter 403 Heavenly Dao Merit

    "Is that so? Then I''ll wait for you to help me," Jiang Qiong said to Gu An, her smile all crinkles.Gu An glanced at her and said, "Hold on, your real purpose isn''t targeting the Ji Family again, is it?"


    "Hmph, with all the people coming and going, aren''t you afraid of being overheard by the Ji Family?" Jiang Qiong sneered.


    There were indeed many people on the street, but there were just as many who talked big like Gu An, so he was not afraid at all. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Within the Supreme Sect, who would dare to make things difficult for me?" Gu An declared with feigned arrogance, then immediately flashed a smile and greeted someone who was approaching.


    Watching the adaptable Gu An, Jiang Qiong couldn''t help but want to laugh.


    After Gu An''s acquaintance had moved on, Jiang Qiong teased, "You know, I''ve heard that Sect Master Lv wants to groom you as the next sect leader. I thought he was joking before, but now it seems you really might have a shot."


    Gu An shook his head and said, "Forget about it, he hasn''t mentioned this for many years."


    Since the integration of the overseas cultivators, Lv Baitian rarely brought up the position of sect leader. It wasn''t that he was reluctant to let go, but rather, he increasingly found himself not his own master, with the power of the sect leader being diluted. Moreover, appointing Gu An as sect leader would only bring trouble to Gu An.


    "You''re just not diligent in your cultivation," Jiang Qiong said irritably.


    Over six hundred years ago, she had noticed Gu An''s extraordinary talent. Unfortunately, no matter how much she persuaded him, the lad was content to linger in the Medicine Garden, idly while away his days, fond of reading leisurely books, unwilling to cultivate diligently.


    "What do you know? My approach is also a form of cultivation. You''ll understand sooner or later; Qi Absorption Cultivation is the most foolish method."


    "Should I look forward to that?"


    "Don''t pretend to forget when the time comes."


    "You seem to understand women quite well."


    "I have no choice, I''ve gained many of my connections thanks to this face of mine. Naturally, I understand women after interacting with so many of them."


    "I really want to seal you in a coffin for a lifetime."


    The two chatted and strolled through the streets.


    Jiang Qiong''s mind quickly wandered elsewhere.


    Coming for help was true, but it wasn''t her main purpose.


    She had come to find Sword Venerable Fudao!


    ...


    As night fell, in the woods outside the Supreme Sect.


    Jiang Qiong stood under a tree, frowning, the breeze stirring her robes, not feeling the cold at all.


    Her heart was in tumult.


    Centuries ago, when Sword Venerable Fudao had endowed her with the authority over the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, she used it to establish the Juhua Sect, rising from a helpless, solitary figure to a formidable force in the Immortal Cultivation World. Without Sword Venerable Fudao, she wouldn''t have achieved what she had today. How could she not be nervous in front of Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Her greatest concern was not knowing what Sword Venerable Fudao really wanted in helping her.


    Born into a Demon Sect, she didn''t believe in absolute perfection. Despite Sword Venerable Fudao''s reputation for justice, he must have another side.


    She had foreseen many possibilities and was devising ways to cope.


    Crack¡ª


    The sound of someone stepping on tree leaves came from not far away, startling her to turn and look, only to see a demonic figure emerging from the darkness.


    The Demon Shadow Divine Skill of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion!


    Jiang Qiong immediately bowed to Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "What''s the matter?" Sword Venerable Fudao asked in a hoarse voice.


    Jiang Qiong remembered that voice; it was the same one that had sounded during the attack by the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    Taking a deep breath, she immediately stated the reason for her visit.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera had been captured!


    Her disciples had been possessed by a spirit thought of the captor all the way back to the Juhua Sect. It was only in front of Jiang Qiong did the spirit thought reveal itself, belonging to the Spirit Seize Demon Palace, wanting to use the Ghost Mother of Ephemera to force the Juhua Sect to serve them.


    Jiang Qiong had yet to agree when the spirit thought made its demands¡ªevery year, the Juhua Sect must deliver ten thousand cultivators under a thousand years old to the Spirit Seize Demon Palace.


    Before Jiang Qiong could react, the spirit thought wounded high-ranking members of the Juhua Sect and left arrogantly.


    Jiang Qiong had no other choice but to seek out Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "The Juhua Sect is a Sect of the Righteous Path, how could it commit such atrocities at the behest of overseas demons from the Demon Path?" Jiang Qiong said emphatically.


    Watching her serious demeanor, Gu An wanted to laugh.


    Such an act.


    Gu An turned away, dropping a sentence before moving into the darkness, "I understand now; they will not trouble you again, and as for the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, she will return on her own."


    Hearing this, Jiang Qiong breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the retreating back of Sword Venerable Fudao and asked through clenched teeth, "Senior, why did you choose me?"


    With that question, the dark cloud hanging over her finally dispersed.


    Some things had to be faced!


    After witnessing Sword Venerable Fudao''s Divine Skills suppress the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, she felt she would never surpass Sword Venerable Fudao in this lifetime, so there was no need to wait.


    Without turning back, Gu An kept walking, and his voice floated back to her:


    "I helped you because of a request from my disciple. As for his identity, you need not worry. Isn''t he the only person you care about in this world?"


    With those words, Gu An vanished into thin air.


    He knew Jiang Qiong had always been worried about this matter, so he took this opportunity to ease her concerns.


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong''s eyes widened, and she froze on the spot.


    After a long while.


    She burst into laughter, whispering, "You really do have connections at the Supreme Sect."


    She didn''t mind that Gu An had deliberately concealed this from her. After all, her life had changed because of him¡ªit was she who was indebted to him. What right did she have to complain?


    In her heart, she felt more of a pleasant surprise.


    With the guidance of Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An''s future would certainly surpass hers.


    Thinking back to what Gu An had said, that Qi Absorption Cultivation was the dumbest method, might actually be true. Sword Venerable Fudao had imparted to him a more profound method of cultivation.


    Jiang Qiong lifted her head and gazed at the bright moon peeking through the leaves, finding it as beautiful as her current mood.


    Elsewhere, Gu An returned to the loft in the Third Medicine Valley. His main body switched places with the clone, completely unbeknownst to Ji Xiaoyu below, and even the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor would be unable to see through it.


    Gu An picked up the Fate Determining Pen on the table.


    Before Jiang Qiong had arrived, he had already deduced the nature of the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings: a purely Demon Path power. Its sect leader was a reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon with awakened memories, choosing the Taicang Continent to investigate Sword Venerable Fudao, preparing for the Heavenly Demon''s invasion of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Every single member of the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings was undoubtedly sinful to the extreme.


    Killing them was, in essence, ridding the world of a scourge!


    Gu An began to write in the air with the pen, scribing the characters for "Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings," then determined their life or death with the Longevity True Word.


    Any linked to the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings'' Qi Fortune would be reduced to ashes!


    The sect leader of the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings was a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma. Below him, the sect''s influence was roughly comparable to the Star Sea Congregations, although they did not have as many members.


    When Gu An placed the Fate Determining Pen back on the table, several notifications appeared before him:


    [You have successfully seized 709 years of life span from the True Man of Yin Calamity (Loose Immortal Realm 7th Floor).]


    [You have successfully seized 2171 years of life span from Lin Gexuan (Wandering Immortal Realm 2nd Floor).]


    [You have successfully seized 624 years of life span from Yang Fu (Nirvana Realm 8th Floor).]


    ...


    Gu An looked at these notifications, his face expressionless.


    The Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings, which had brought despair to Jiang Qiong, was as insignificant as dust on a table in his eyes.


    However, as more notifications kept coming, Gu An felt a special Qi Fortune approaching him through the depths. He felt a familiar attachment to it, instinctively wanting to accept it, but he restrained himself.


    This was the Heavenly Dao''s reward for him - slaying those with heavy sins would grant him this Qi Fortune.


    To be precise, it was not exactly Qi Fortune, as it was both invisible and intangible.


    Merit!


    Gu An suddenly had an epiphany.


    The concept of merit was long rumored among the Mortal World; it was not without foundation. Indeed, as humans acted, the heavens did watch.


    Unlike the Great Cold Demon Sect, the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings bore greater sin. While the Great Cold Demon Sect could wash away much of its sins with the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court, the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings did not rely on the Holy Court, acted recklessly, and had sins rarely seen in this age.


    The Heavenly Dao Merit Gu An would receive for eradicating the Demon Sect of Ghostly Bindings was immense. If he mentally accepted it, it would rush toward him.


    Gu An did not accept the Heavenly Dao Merit; he decided to keep a distance from the Heavenly Dao.


    Finally, the notifications ceased.


    In one go, he had obtained seven billion years of life span!


    Still, earning life span through killing was the fastest method!


    At that moment, Gu An even felt the impulse to eradicate all the forces of the Demon Path in the world, but then he remembered the fate of Long Zhan, and he held back.


    No matter how he persuaded himself, he was acting out of self-interest. The more people he killed, the greater the impact would be ¨C he could not act rashly.


    Gu An opened his Attribute Panel and saw that his life span had reached over 29 billion years. His Daoist Heart calmed down.


    With more years accumulated, he would be ready for a breakthrough!


    Although he had no concerns about the passage of time, he knew he must continue to grow stronger lest any insurmountable enemies appeared.


    The moon set and the sun rose.


    At noon the next day, Ji Xiaoyu came to find Gu An.


    "The Juhua Sect disciples have been released," Ji Xiaoyu said, looking intently at Gu An.


    Gu An put down the book in his hands and looked up with a smile, "Thank you."


    "What is your relationship with the Juhua Sect Leader?" she asked.


    Hearing her query, Gu An did not conceal the truth and roughly explained the process of his acquaintance with Jiang Qiong.


    "She offered me considerable help in the early stages of my immortal cultivation. Without her guidance, I wouldn''t have achieved what I have today," Gu An said earnestly.


    "What else?" Ji Xiaoyu inquired.


    Gu An asked in surprise, "What do you mean by ''what else''? What else do you want to know?"


    Ji Xiaoyu was about to speak but then her expression shifted, and she said, "Never mind, I have my destiny in this life, and cannot obtain longevity. The fact that you have so many women who treat you well means that even if I return to my original self, I would have lived a content life this time around."


    "You speak as if you''re a different person. You are you, and the soul doesn''t change. You have no need to worry," Gu An said, trying to comfort her.


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, "You don''t understand this feeling."


    With that, she turned and left.


    Watching her go, Gu An couldn''t help but think of her previous incarnation as the Third Miss.


    He suddenly felt some regret.


    Perhaps it was from experiences in his youth, but he held complex feelings for the Third Miss ¨C gratitude, and perhaps affection as well.


    Maybe Ji Xiaoyu was right - at least in this life, she seemed like a different person compared to the Third Miss.


    In that case, he had yet to see the Third Miss for the last time.


    Perhaps at the end of her life, the Third Miss never even thought of him. Find exclusive content at empire


    Gu An shook his head and chastised himself for being sentimental. He picked up the Green Hero Travelogue and began to cultivate his mind.


    It was Xuan Tianyi''s free-spirited literary style that influenced Gu An, helping him dispel the meaningless sorrows in his heart multiple times.


    Those who were gone had passed away; it was important to cherish those who were alive. Life must go on!


    Such were Gu An''s thoughts as he soon became engrossed in a story of an isolated island.

 Chapter 404 The Descent of a Deity

    "I''m preparing to leave now, thank you for making a move," said Jiang Qiong to Gu An, speaking earnestly outside of Mystic Valley.Not far from them, in the nearby woods, several Juhua Sect disciples were resting and healing, awaiting Jiang Qiong.


    Gu An waved his hand, "If you wish to thank someone, thank Ji Xiaoyu."


    Jiang Qiong knew of Ji Xiaoyu, and she also understood that this Ji Xiaoyu was not the Ji Xiaoyu she knew.


    She did not dwell on Ji Xiaoyu, but instead, pondering on the words of Sword Venerable Fudao, asked softly, "Why do you help me so much from behind the scenes and yet always choose to remain patient and silent?"


    Gu An understood what she was referring to. He blinked and said, "What would it change if I said anything? To make you more grateful? That would be so dull. You should just focus on growing the Juhua Sect, life''s journey is long. I hope that thousands of years from now, we can still share drinks and converse cheerfully."


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong smiled and said, "Then you better live for thousands of years."


    "I''ll try my best."


    After hearing Gu An''s words, Jiang Qiong smiled, then turned and left.


    As Gu An watched her leave, he felt none of the sadness one might feel when parting with someone from the past because he knew he and Jiang Qiong would meet many more times, and to him, the Juhua Sect was not far away.


    Some distances are not measured by steps, but rather by the rolling mortal world pushing the wheel of fate.


    Even though some people will continue to live, there will come a moment when Gu An might feel this parting is a final farewell.


    After Jiang Qiong and the others flew away on their swords, Gu An couldn''t help but stretch lazily.


    "I still have to face the new life ahead. Just seven hundred years old and already feeling melancholic. What will I do when I''m a million, ten million, or even a hundred million years old?"


    Gu An thought to himself with a smile on his face.


    Birth, aging, sickness, and death cannot be stopped, so why cling to them?


    Cherishing a lifetime of fate is enough!


    Gu An turned and walked back into Mystic Valley, his thoughts turning to Xiaochuan.


    How has the rascal not reincarnated yet?


    With others, Gu An might only desire a lifetime''s fate, but with Xiaochuan, he was much greedier!


    Five years later.


    Inside a courtyard of the Juhua Sect, Jiang Qiong sat opposite the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. After listening to the Ghost Mother''s words, Jiang Qiong wore a strange expression and asked, "Are you sure it was five years ago?"


    "Yes, it was a very quiet night. No one came looking for me until dawn, so I went out to look around, only to find that all the people from the Demon Disciple Palace were dead¡ªa very peculiar death, with no signs of battle, as if their souls had been extracted. Not a single demon disciple was left alive throughout the whole palace, but we who were imprisoned all survived," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera recalled, her face unable to hide the fear.


    Jiang Qiong was inwardly shocked. She knew Sword Venerable Fudao was powerful, but the Ghost Mother''s description was still frightening.


    Taking a deep breath, Jiang Qiong revealed that she had asked for Sword Venerable Fudao''s help.


    Upon hearing this, the Ghost Mother actually relaxed and revealed an ecstatic expression, "Allying with Sword Venerable Fudao is the best decision I''ve made in my life."


    Jiang Qiong looked at her and thought silently, "You will regret it."


    By seeking Sword Venerable Fudao''s help, she considered herself having repaid the help that the Ghost Mother had provided over the years.


    However, the Ghost Mother was hated by Zhen Qin. Given the relationship, Zhen Qin could be considered a grand-disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao. By any measure, the Ghost Mother would sooner or later face her death.


    It was also obvious that Sword Venerable Fudao didn''t care much for the Ghost Mother.


    "The destruction of the Demon Disciple Palace is an opportunity for us. I found many good things there, which can help the Juhua Sect to soar!" The Ghost Mother of Ephemera suddenly said excitedly.


    Jiang Qiong''s eyes shone, and the two began to discuss taking over the Soul-Binding Demon Palace.


    ...


    In the Holy Court, on a glittering golden hall, the Holy Minister sat on his throne, listening to the reports from the ministers in the hall.


    Behind him, the imperial seat of Shengtian emitted a faint golden glow, as if a figure was sitting upon it.


    "Currently, our control over the world is shrinking, and there have even been consecutive occurrences of sects and dynasties being wiped out within our controlled territory without any trace of the true culprits," an old man said with a voice full of age.


    The Holy Minister spoke, "In these extraordinary times, there is no need to expend energy investigating. The Holy Court''s goal is the Immortal Dynasty. Once the Immortal Dynasty is destroyed, regaining control over the world will be as easy as flipping one''s hand. It''s just the right time to let all living beings feel the darkness of the years without the Holy Court''s protection. Having held power for too long, those who were born in times of peace do not know the terrors of the dark years." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His words received approval from many in the hall, as the Yuanxu Ancestor had blessed all living beings and even opened up Reincarnation, resulting in the Immortal Dynasty having a better reputation. This could be glimpsed from the difference in the growth of their respective Qi Fortunes.


    The hearts of all living beings were leaning towards the Immortal Dynasty!


    A man clad in battle armor stepped forward and said, "The urgent matter at hand is to cultivate a Free Immortal. Holy Minister, gather the strength of the entire court to boost your cultivation level!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, many echoed in agreement, even beseeching the Holy Minister.


    The Holy Minister was already at the ninth layer of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, just one step away from becoming a Free Immortal.


    Find adventures at empire


    "Why must it be the Holy Minister, and not the Holy God?" someone questioned, casting the great hall into silence.


    The Holy Minister glanced at him, not in anger but instead inquired, "Does anyone else have a differing opinion?"


    The cultivators of the Holy Court within the hall exchanged glances, but no one else made a sound.


    With a thunderous boom!


    A bolt of heavenly lightning struck from nowhere, hitting the person who had just raised the objection, reducing him instantly to ashes.


    The Holy Minister stood up and declared, "Since you all wish for me to attain the status of a Free Immortal, let us then prepare the plan. I will amass the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court to verify the path of the Free Immortal. Let the citizens of the Holy Court witness my process of Tribulation Crossing, to broaden their horizons."


    Many in the hall wore ugly expressions. Even if they feared the Holy Minister''s power and dared not object, how could they not be angry in their hearts at the sight of the Holy Minister executing a court official at will?


    In the end, led by someone taking the initiative, everyone began to thank the Holy Minister on behalf of the citizens of the Holy Court.


    The Holy Minister looked up, and the vision of a starry sky emerged above him.


    "That fellow should be returning soon. When he comes back, that will be my opportunity for a breakthrough," the Holy Minister murmured to himself.


    Elsewhere.


    In the Mystic Valley of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An read a book in the forest while An Xin sat nearby practicing her martial arts, glancing towards An Shengtian not far away, practicing with his sword, while Jiang Shi watched him closely.


    "Why choose to practice with a sword? It doesn''t seem impressive enough," mused An Xin, her gaze following to Gu An.


    Gu An turned a page and said, "Everyone makes their own choices; let him be."


    "Master, what weapon suits me?" she asked.


    "Are you not practicing the sword?"


    "I feel the sword doesn''t suit me. I like magic artifacts like the brush in your hand; they''re more novel."


    "Then you should think about it yourself; don''t ask me."


    Gu An replied dismissively, then stood up and tucked the Green Hero Travelogue into his chest.


    An Xin followed him to her feet, her voice filled with grievance, "How could I possibly come up with one? I follow your guidance in my training; help me think of something."


    Gu An did not respond but looked up instead.


    The sky was a brilliant blue, and a streak of white light flashed across rapidly, disappearing in an instant.


    "Another has arrived; it seems things will get even more chaotic," Gu An thought to himself.


    That streak of white light just now was unmistakably a Free Immortal!

 Chapter 405 Zhu Xis Prudence, a Mortal World Deity

    "Master, what are you looking at?"An Xin curiously asked as she too looked up, but there was nothing in the sky.


    She would not believe that Gu An was just looking at nothing; he must have seen something. Continue your saga on empire


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and said with a light smile, "Another formidable fellow has descended to the Mortal World."


    "How formidable?"


    "So formidable that not even the heavens can stop him."


    Listening to his words, An Xin contemplated in silence.


    Gu An then looked at An Shengtian. Perhaps it was because there were too many peerless talents around him that An Shengtian''s talent seemed mediocre in his eyes.


    However, it didn''t matter. Gu An had taken him in merely wanting to give him a hand, not expecting anything in return.


    The younger generations had their own lives to live, he was there to provide help, where they chose to go was not his concern.


    Gu An shifted his attention and walked towards the valley, An Xin hurriedly followed.


    Jiang Shi turned his head, feeling anxious.


    He knew that Gu An was the Sword Venerable Fudao, who had a disciple that was a legend of the Supreme Sect.


    It was clear that An Shengtian was far behind An Hao, and Jiang Shi, having heard of An Hao''s deeds, knew how astonishing An Hao''s speed was.


    An Hao had that incredible speed because Gu An had personally guided him, which was not a treatment An Shengtian received.


    Gu An had watched An Shengtian practice many times, merely observing, which made Jiang Shi anxious.


    Without solid fundamentals, the gap with those peerless talents would only grow wider.


    "Master, how is my knife technique?"


    An Shengtian suddenly turned his head and asked Jiang Shi, his voice excited.


    Jiang Shi answered in a perfunctory manner, "You still need to practice more."


    Having said that, he left with a sweep of his sleeve.


    An Shengtian was puzzled, why did it seem like his master was in a bad mood?


    On the other hand, Gu An took An Xin to Mortal World Peak, where he taught her cultivation.


    Gu An spared no effort in nurturing An Xin; she was, after all, his treasured disciple.


    He truly planned to train An Xin to surpass An Hao and Yang Jian.


    At present, An Xin''s talent was indeed far from those two, but Gu An had resources and could impart teachings, so there was hope to bridge the gap in talent.


    An Hao and Yang Jian did not have the guidance of the Taoist Hidden Immortal!


    Two ancient hours later.


    Gu An was walking down the mountain trail while An Xin stayed on the peak.


    As Mortal World Peak changed its criteria for accepting disciples, there were now many below the Nirvana Realm.


    Along the way, Gu An encountered disciples greeting him, and he would nod his head with a smile, unlike the ever-changing Supreme Sect, Dingtian Peak hadn''t changed much. Even the flora along the path had stayed largely the same for many years.


    After a long time.


    Gu An reached the base of Dingtian Peak, where there were more and more disciples, and the noise grew louder.


    Here, no disciples recognized Gu An, so no one greeted him.


    Gu An made his way to a Medicine Garden. He turned his head and saw a woman sprinkling Spirit Water in the garden.


    It was Zhu Xi with the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body!


    Recently, Zhu Xi faced a predicament, having offended a disciple of Dingtian Peak, and had been suppressed here for nearly ten years.


    In those ten years, Zhu Xi had been very obedient, gradually making the disciple forget about her.


    While sprinkling water, Zhu Xi sensed something and looked up, then saw Gu An watching her.


    She pretended to be flustered and timidly asked, "Senior, can I help you with anything?"


    Such an act! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This individual seemed to be at the Nascent Soul Stage Fifth Level, but in reality, she had once consumed the Spiritual Power of a Unification Realm cultivator, even destroying their soul.


    The strength of the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body far exceeded all the physiques of the current age, not even An Hao or Yang Jian could match her.


    Zhu Xi''s strength could not be measured by the surface realm, in a sense, she and Gu An were alike; she could consume Spiritual Power and Mana, while Gu An could take Life Span.


    "It''s nothing, I just happened to pass by. Why are you the only one in this Medicine Garden?" Gu An asked with a chuckle, his demeanor gentle, easing Zhu Xi''s nervousness.


    Zhu Xi replied, "The garden owner has gone to visit a Daoist Friend and I don''t know when he''ll return. Once he''s back, I can leave."


    Gu An beckoned Zhu Xi to come over.


    After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Xi still stepped out of the Medicine Garden and approached Gu An, stopping about five steps away, she asked anxiously, "Senior, is there something specific you need me to do?"


    Gu An raised his right hand, pinched his fingers, and five secret books appeared in his hands, fanning out to reveal their titles.


    "Meeting by chance is fate; you caught my eye, pick one."


    Gu An had calculated that if things continued this way, Zhu Xi would inevitably take a path hostile to Mortal World Peak. After all, he was the Peak Master of Dingtian Peak, and should do something for Mortal World Peak. Besides, he was very much looking forward to Zhu Xi''s future.


    Zhu Xi glanced at them, a strange look on her face.


    Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill, Stepping Path of Ages Step, Daoist Gang Primal Energy, Primordial Reincarnation Skill, Universe in the Palm!


    They all seemed impressive but unreliable!


    Since when were peerless secret books inscribed on paper? Immortal Cultivation Sects used Jade Scrolls, read by Divine Sense.


    Gu An was not in a hurry, leaving the choice to her.


    If she did not fancy any, then so be it.


    Gu An didn''t have to resort to this method to resolve potential resentment. If Zhu Xi dared to cause trouble in Dingtian Peak, he could suppress her with a flip of his hand.


    Could the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body consume the immense mana of a Great Cultivator who cultivates the Mixed Yuan Refining Void Physique?


    Zhu Xi, though skeptical, had a second thought - choosing a book wouldn''t be a loss, and what if the person became furious if she declined?


    Having cultivated for many years, Zhu Xi had encountered various troubles and had experience in dealing with them.


    She pulled a secret book and then bowed in thanks to Gu An.


    Stepping Path of Ages Step!


    Gu An gazed deeply at her for a moment, then smiled, turned, and left.


    Zhu Xi didn''t expect him to just walk away. She watched as Gu An''s figure vanished around the bend of the mountain path before returning to the garden.


    She didn''t continue sprinkling water but sat down at the wooden table to read the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    Before long, her expression grew solemn, her hands clutching the secret book even trembled.


    "This Divine Skill..."


    Zhu Xi looked up, no longer sensing Gu An''s presence.


    But she remembered Gu An''s face, her heart full of complex emotions.


    After reading the secret book, she confirmed the Divine Skill was authentic and extremely powerful, and that he had not deceived her, which made her wildly speculate.


    Why had he taken a liking to her?


    It certainly wasn''t because she was easy on the eyes.


    Could he have seen through to her physique?


    Zhu Xi might not understand the origin of her physique, but she knew that once news of it spread, she would become everyone''s enemy.


    No!


    She must leave Mortal World Peak!


    This thought cemented in Zhu Xi''s mind with resolve.


    ...


    Days later.


    Third Medicine Valley, inside an attic.


    Gu An was chatting with Shen Zhen, his Divine Sense locked onto Zhu Xi.


    He hadn''t anticipated his well-intentioned action would scare Zhu Xi away, which made him even more curious about her.


    She was too cautious, eerily reminiscent of his own self!


    He wasn''t upset; on the contrary, he looked forward to Zhu Xi''s future even more, considering her disposition made her more likely to survive.


    "I dream less frequently now, do you think I''ve lost my talent?" Shen Zhen said, worried.


    Her consciousness had dwelled in dreams while Demon Shore possessed her body, so she was utterly unaware of its existence, let alone its death.


    Gu An laughed, "The way you used to dream was already extraordinary - akin to Path Enlightenment. You can''t be expecting that to happen all the time. What you should do now is reflect on your past insights, consolidate your Daoist Heart. Sooner or later, there''ll be a next time. Do you know of Wu Jue?"


    He began telling her about Wu Jue''s experiences with Path Enlightenment, omitting the part about life span limits, but Wu Jue indeed had multiple bouts of enlightenment.


    Shen Zhen had not expected Wu Jue to have such a background, which explained his sudden rise.


    "Eh? Now that I think about it, why does everyone associated with you seem to encounter all sorts of fortunes?" Shen Zhen suddenly asked.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, "Could it be my doing? Shouldn''t you be kneeling and thanking me?"


    Shen Zhen rolled her eyes in response, "How could that be? You wish. I just think it''s a bit coincidental, maybe there''s something common among us - perhaps it''s Qi Fortune. There was a Great Cultivator who came to the Supreme Sect to teach, I listened to his lecture about Qi Fortune..."


    Gu An had not attended the lecture because the speaker was just a Loose Immortal.


    Now, hearing Shen Zhen, he listened attentively.


    A person with Great Fortune of Energy Movement would always turn danger into safety and break through limits, and they also seemed to attract each other.


    Given this explanation, it indeed seemed reasonable to attribute it to Qi Fortune.


    After chatting with Gu An, Shen Zhen''s worries dissipated. She felt that Gu An was right. There was no need for overthinking; the gains she had already made were plenty.


    As long as she maintained equanimity, she would eventually find enlightenment through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.


    "I am a Mortal World Immortal. All beings speak my name with devout faith and shall receive the protection of my Divine Power!"


    A loud and authoritative voice rang out, startling the entire world and interrupting Shen Zhen''s speech.


    Shen Zhen, struck with astonishment, said, "I coined the name ''Mortal World Immortal'' when I was writing and even came up with a scenario. After I drew it, the picture somehow disappeared."


    Gu An immediately knew it had been destroyed by Demon Shore, fearing it would alarm the Mortal World Immortal.


    This Mortal World Immortal was also of the Ninth Level in the Free Immortal Realm!


    He lacked the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court but was entangled in intricate karma with it. His arrival was likely at the Holy Court''s behest.


    "Should I redraw it for you?" Shen Zhen offered, standing to grab pen and paper.


    "Wait, with him now descended to the Mortal World, you dare to draw? Aren''t you afraid he might suddenly appear before us right now?"


    Gu An glared at her, irritated.


    Shen Zhen realized the logic and opted to sit back down.


    "He claims divinity; could he be an actual Immortal?" Shen Zhen asked, curious.


    Before the conflict between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court, people thought they were Immortals. But as the world plunged into chaos, the fantasy shattered, and they came to be seen simply as powerful forces.


    Gu An shook his head, "How would I know?"


    Shen Zhen''s eyes widened, "But you wrote ''Investiture of the Gods,'' ''Journey to the West,'' ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' - surely in dreams, an Immortal graced you. You must know more than I do."


    She was convinced those three books weren''t fabrications; they must represent some part of immortal history.


    Not just her, many people believed the same, which is why Pan An was still remembered.

 Chapter 406 Lifespan Samsara, The Ultimate

    The proclamation of the Mortal World God startled all living beings under heaven, but the reaction within the Supreme Sect was minor.This kind of proclamation had occurred several times before, and given that the Taicang Continent hadn''t been impacted by the chaos that plagued the greater world, the majority of cultivators who heard the Mortal World God''s words were merely curious and did not believe.


    The beings of Taicang Continent had their own faith, and that was in Sword Venerable Fudao!


    Could the Mortal World God possibly be as formidable as Sword Venerable Fudao?


    Shen Zhen also expressed such sentiment, looking down on the Mortal World God.


    "I''ve drawn him, and I''ve drawn the divine skills of Sword Venerable Fudao, and I truly feel that Sword Venerable Fudao is stronger," Shen Zhen earnestly said.


    Gu An helplessly said, "Regardless, the fact that he can shout to the whole world means his cultivation level is beyond our imagination. We should discuss this less."


    Shen Zhen glared at Gu An and said, "Look at how timid you are, what''s there to be afraid of? Would he dare to come to Sword Venerable Fudao''s territory?"


    "Sword Venerable Fudao only protects all living beings, he doesn''t intervene in personal grievances."


    "That depends on the cultivation level of the visitor. With an existence like the Mortal World God, it''s impossible that he came for just any individual. Sword Venerable Fudao certainly won''t give him the chance."


    "You speak as if you understand Sword Venerable Fudao the best."


    "Nonsense, I definitely understand him better than you do!"


    Watching Shen Zhen''s vehement demeanor, Gu An realized he couldn''t out-argue her; it seemed like no one understood Sword Venerable Fudao better than she did.


    Gu An, not wishing to argue further, changed the subject and talked about other matters while his divine thought reached out to the Mortal World God.


    The Mortal World God had established a dojo on a straight and majestic mountain peak, and had taken a hundred Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals as Land Immortals, seemingly preparing to promote the Divine Dao.


    These hundred Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals came from different sects, each sought out by the Mortal World God.


    It is worth mentioning that Bai Ziya of Mortal World Peak was also among them.


    If not for Bai Ziya''s invitation, Gu An would not have joined Mortal World Peak, but since demonstrating his superior strength, their relationship had become distant, with Bai Ziya intentionally keeping his distance.


    Gu An didn''t know his state of mind; all he could do was to oblige him. Being a Land Immortal under the Mortal World God was in Bai Ziya''s view the greatest opportunity of his life.


    However, after Gu An''s deduction, this path was more perilous than fortunate, as the Mortal World God was destined to confront the Immortal Dynasty.


    Nearly an hour later, Shen Zhen left.


    Gu An then continued to deduce Bai Ziya''s destiny to enhance his own understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect.


    Although the Mortal World God''s proclamation had no impact on the Taicang Continent, it sparked wild thoughts among the beings overseas, especially those who suffered greatly, who clung to it as if it were a lifesaving straw, knelt to worship the heavens, and prayed for the Mortal World God''s divine protection.


    In the years that followed, the Divine Dao of the Mortal World God grew rapidly, and Gu An could see his qi fortune soaring.


    Once the Mortal World God''s qi fortune reached a point where he could contend with the Immortal Dynasty, he would launch his attack.


    Time flowed gently, and twenty years swiftly passed.


    North Sea Mountain.


    Gu An, donning a mask, casually sat on the eaves with his legs crossed.


    He pulled up his attribute panel to have a look.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 725/3,169,008,271]


    [Physique: Mixed Yuan Refined Void Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Taoist Hidden Immortal Realm Perfect]


    ...


    Three billion one hundred sixty-nine million years of lifespan!


    He wondered if it would suffice for breakthroughs.


    Gu An thought cheerfully, suddenly feeling inspired to open a Lifespan Samsara.


    Through Reincarnation Evolution, he could also deepen his grasp on cause and effect, and destiny. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t used it in many years, always restraining himself. In recent years, he had been paying close attention to the Mortal World God, able to sense the intense reincarnation cause and effect surrounding him, indicating that the Mortal World God had experienced many cycles of reincarnation.


    This meant that for Great Cultivators, reincarnation was also a method of cultivation.


    Gu An could also undergo reincarnation, and it would be risk-free at that.


    But upon thinking of Lu Qiuxian and Long Qing, Gu An feared reflecting the reality.


    After much deliberation, he felt he was being too cautious.


    Regardless of how many variables arose, as long as he was growing stronger, that was what mattered.


    He shouldn''t be weighed down by so many burdens; even if he had descendants, how would that be an issue? If he met them, he would help; if he created karma, he would suppress it when necessary; and as for more formidable foes, no matter his choice, enemies on the path of Immortal Cultivation would keep emerging endlessly.


    Everything must prioritize the Tao!


    Bring it on!


    After persuading himself, the eyes beneath the mask grew excited.


    Start a game!


    [You have spent ten million years of lifespan to initiate a Reincarnation Evolution]


    [Beginning connection to Tao Rules]


    [Searching for a world of reincarnation]


    [You have the following options, please choose one]


    [One, Great Heavenly Spirit Land]


    [Two, Great Primordial Land]


    [Three, Dark Heaven and Earth]


    Hmm?


    Why are these the three options?


    Gu An frowned, annoyed by the lack of refresh options, making him somewhat uncomfortable.


    The Great Primordial Land was where Lu Han had been. He too had completed the trial, ultimately being slain by the Black Profound Emperor in the River of Destiny.


    No need to mention the Dark Heaven and Earth, as it was where Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian had been, both killed by the Black Profound Emperor.


    Both choices likely meant confronting the Black Profound Emperor again!


    Whenever Gu An mentioned the Black Profound Emperor, he would bristle with annoyance.


    The Annihilation God Emperor had suppressed Long Zhan, and could at least be considered to have eradicated a scourge for all living beings, but what about the Black Profound Emperor?


    This bastard was motivated entirely by personal vendetta, and moreover, he was a higher realm bullying a lower one!


    No, he couldn''t allow himself to become hostile towards him. He needed to treat him with indifference.


    Gu An adjusted his mindset and turned his gaze to the first option.


    Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    What would happen if he chose the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?


    In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he wouldn''t panic, after all, there was no one in this Great Heaven and Earth who could threaten him for the time being.


    Let''s try it.


    [You have chosen to reincarnate into the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.]


    [Given that the Tao Rules of this land cannot conceal your talent, you will retain your ability to seize lifespans, but you won''t be able to unlock stage-based functions.]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins.]


    [In the first year, you were born into a Yan Clan tribe in the Desolate Ancient Continent and you were named Extreme by your father.]


    [At age three, you crushed a rabbit to death, seizing six years of its lifespan¡ªyour destiny reached a turning point.] Read new adventures at empire


    [At age seven, your Qi-Blood reached the level of a wilderness beast, and you were proclaimed the number one Divine Son of the tribe.]


    [At age twelve, you defeated all challengers within the Yan Clan tribe, becoming the champion warrior crowned by the Yan ancestors.]


    Looking at the prompts before him, Gu An''s expression became strange.


    Tribes?


    Yan Clan?


    He calculated and realized that the Great Heavenly Spirit Land had no Yan Clan tribe, which meant that this Lifespan Samsara was not set in his own time point.


    He continued reading.


    [At age fifteen, an old man came to the Yan Clan tribe, calling himself a Land Immortal, claiming knowledge of five thousand years before and after. He saw through you at a glance and wanted to tell your fortune, will you accept?]


    Hmm?


    Was this a necessary NPC encounter at the start of Reincarnation Evolution?


    Gu An silently chose no.


    [You refused his offer to tell your fortune, however, he didn''t give up but insisted on doing so, resulting in your Qi-Blood boiling in rage and you dying on the spot.]


    [At age eighteen, in pursuit of greater strength, you left the Yan Clan tribe on your own.]


    [At age twenty, you condensed your Primordial Spirit, gaining a might capable of shaking gods.]


    [At age twenty-one, you encountered an injured Dragon Girl by the seashore, lying on death''s door, begging for your help. Will you choose to save her?]


    No!


    [You chose not to save her. The Dragon Girl died of a broken heart upon your refusal. Her clan brother, the Azure Dragon, leapt out from the depths of the sea and upon seeing the scene, suspected you of killing the Dragon Girl. He attacked you, and after a fierce battle, you tore the Azure Dragon to shreds.]


    Gu An suddenly felt some regret.


    Why did rejecting to save her lead to even bigger trouble?


    [At age twenty-two, you faced a massive pursuit by an army of shrimp soldiers and crab generals, trapped on an island and cornered. Using your lifespan evolution ability, you enhanced your path of Physical Cultivation, and after days of fighting, you broke through the encirclement and condensed your Mystic Heart.]


    Mystic Heart Realm at twenty-two years old?


    Just how many creatures had this person killed?


    Gu An couldn''t see the specifics of each year, but judging by Extreme''s growth rate, his killer instinct must have been tremendous.


    In the years that followed, Extreme was constantly haunted by the Dragon Palace from where the Dragon Girl had come. He battled ferociously, slaying dragons and demons, with astonishing progress each year that left Gu An both thrilled and terrified.


    Strength can be brittle!


    It wasn''t until he was forty that Gu An finally saw a chance to make a choice.


    [At age forty, having stepped into the Immortal Path, you stormed into the astonishing Dragon Palace and slaughtered widely. Carrying the severed head of the Dragon Crown Prince, you confronted the grievously wounded Dragon King who knelt before you begging for mercy. Will you choose to spare the Dragon King?]


    To have come this far, it was natural to eliminate the roots as well.


    Moreover, the long-standing grudge between Extreme and the Dragon Palace wasn''t his fault. How could he be blamed when the Palace insisted on holding Extreme responsible for the Dragon Girl''s death, leading to an ever-growing hatred?


    Gu An chose no.


    [You executed the Dragon King and started to cultivate and heal in the Dragon Palace.]


    [At age fifty, you learned the strongest legacy of the Dragon Palace, the Dragon''s Divine Heaven-reaching Record.]


    [At age fifty-one, you arrived at the Fallen Star Continent and made the acquaintance of a Cultivator, who invited you to join Mortal World Peak. Do you choose to join?]


    Mortal World Peak?


    Finally, something familiar!


    Gu An immediately chose to join.


    [You joined Mortal World Peak, astonishing the high ranks of Mortal World Peak in the assessment, and the Peak Master sought to take you as a disciple. Do you choose to accept?]


    Accept!


    [You became a disciple of Bai Qidao, the Daoist Lord of Mortal World Peak, and started to focus on your cultivation.]


    [At age sixty, Bai Qidao took you to a grand conference of all sects, representing Mortal World Peak in combat, constantly slaying powerful enemies, alarming various sects with your killer instinct.]


    [At age sixty-one, you won first place in the grand conference and were conferred the title of Heaven Killing Extreme Star by the Immortals.]


    [At age sixty-two, you left Mortal World Peak on your own to temper yourself. Upon setting out to sea, you were ambushed and annihilated the enemy.]


    [At age sixty-three, you stormed the Qi Sea Cliffs, captured the mastermind behind the ambush, but the Qi Sea Cliffs threatened you. If you dared to kill that person, they would be at endless war with you. Will you choose to stay your hand?]


    The ruthless Heaven Killing Extreme Star seemed even more powerful than Long Zhan.


    The key was that his aggression was not unrestrained but targeted at his enemies.


    Gu An felt that even if he stayed his hand, Qi Sea Cliffs wouldn''t let him go. What did endless war matter?


    Had it been any other situation, he might have capitulated, but Extreme had stormed the Qi Sea Cliffs instead of sneaking in, suggesting he was capable of fighting his way out.


    No!


    [Ignoring the threats of Qi Sea Cliffs, you crushed that person into a mist of blood. Qi Sea Cliffs launched an onslaught against you. You didn''t flee but chose to fight. After a bloody battle, you broke the morale of Qi Sea Cliffs, with no one daring to challenge you again. You left the remains of the Qi Sea Cliffs under the fearful gazes of its Cultivators.]

 Chapter 407 Battling Through Life, Dominating the Ancient and Modern Times

    How fierce!Gu An admired the extreme performance he witnessed. He couldn''t help but say that the manipulation of Lifespan Samsara had been pushed to the limit¡ªaccumulate lifespan crazily, evolve crazily, and even evolve during battles, truly like a madman.


    Moreover, no matter the choices this person made, as long as anyone dared to make a move on him, he would show no mercy.


    Gu An looked forward to seeing more of Extreme, just unsure if Extreme had existed in the past or was from the future.


    "At the age of sixty-five, your understanding of the ''Divine Skills Heavenly Record'' has deepened, and your soul has transformed."


    "At the age of sixty-seven, you broke into the cave of an Ancient Immortal, endured many hardships, and seized the inheritance of the Ancient Holy Court. You have obtained the Heavenly Dao Inheritance and can claim the Heavenly Dao Destiny. Do you choose to accept it?"


    Ancient Holy Court?


    These four words made Gu An imagine many things.


    But the Holy Court had existed for countless years, and it still needed to be seen whether the Holy Court existed in the time and space where Extreme was.


    As for the Heavenly Dao Destiny, he could not accept it!


    No!


    "You refuse to accept the Heavenly Dao inheritance. You return the inheritance to its original place, waiting for the next fated person to arrive."


    "At the age of sixty-eight, as you prepare to leave the Ancient Immortal''s cave, you suddenly encounter the spirit of a Holy God from the Ancient Holy Court. Seeing that you are fated, he wishes to pass on a Divine Skill to you. Do you choose to accept?"


    Holy God?


    Gu An''s expression turned strange. He hesitated for a moment, then chose to accept.


    "You accept the inheritance of Holy God Yang Jian, learning the Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques."


    Yang Jian!


    Now Gu An could completely confirm that Extreme existed in a far distant future. Holy God is a level of Divine Thought True Immortal. After reaching this realm and then dying, how many years later must it be?


    There''s no such thing as a duplicate name, because the Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques were taught to Yang Jian by Divine Exotic Ghost King Stealing the Five Elements, and Gu An had seen it.


    Does Yang Jian''s death not mean that the Holy Court will also perish?


    As Gu An pondered, notifications continued to pop up in front of him, quickly drawing his attention.


    After learning the Heaven-Extinguishing Dao-Annihilating Thirty-Six Spear Techniques, Extreme continued to battle across the world.


    In the next fifty years, he made a formidable name for himself on the Fallen Star Continent then proceeded to the next continent.


    Battles, slaughter, and exploring caves¡ªthat was Extreme''s life. He remained unattached to any emotions, unlike his previous reincarnations, even if Gu An helped him to refuse them.


    Extreme reached the Free Immortal Realm by the age of eight hundred, astonishingly radiant.


    "At twelve hundred thirty-three years old, you defeat the strongest contemporary of Daluo Heaven, understanding your own Daoist Intent during the battle and creating the Ultimate Battle Technique."


    "At one thousand one hundred fifty years old, you declare yourself the Extreme Saint, ancient and brilliant, and you begin closed-door cultivation."


    "At one thousand two hundred years old, you step into the River of Time, journeying to the past seeking rivals."


    "At one thousand three hundred years old, you arrive in the Post-Ancient Period and begin a new campaign."


    Journeying to the past?


    Gu An felt odd inside.


    The subsequent experiences were still battles; each time Gu An had a choice, it was either threats or pleas from enemies asking Extreme for forgiveness.


    In the end, Extreme spent two hundred years sweeping through the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven and Earth of the Post-Ancient Period, seizing the Qi Fortune of Heaven and Earth, and his cultivation level skyrocketed. However, he did not surpass the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path as he used his lifespan evolution to enhance his Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills.


    Then, he stepped into the River of Time again, heading for a more distant past.


    The Middle Ages!


    Unparalleled and capturing the Qi Fortune of Heaven and Earth again!


    Continue through time!


    The Taoist Period, still waging wars across the universe!


    During the Wilderness Ancient Period and the Ancient Period, Extreme maintained absolute dominance, killing his way into the most remote eras.


    He came to the Taichu Period.


    "At three thousand two hundred thirty-six years old, you encounter the senior disciple of the Taicang Sword Sect; you initiate a battle, defeat your opponent decisively, and choose not to kill him, letting him go."


    "At three thousand two hundred thirty-seven years old, the Sect Master of the Taicang Sword Sect descends, wishing to test his strength against you. Ultimately, he cannot withstand a punch from you, and the Sect Master of the Taicang Sword Sect meets a crushing defeat."


    "At three thousand two hundred thirty-eight years old, a river formed from concentrated Sword Qi descends from the sky, blocking your path. An ancient founder of the Taicang Sword Sect appears; his Sword Intent shakes the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven and Earth, and you engage in a monumental battle. Ultimately, you scatter his Sword Intent using the Ultimate Battle Technique, and as the battle takes a tragic turn and he is on the brink of death, you feel an unusual hesitation in your heart. Do you choose to save him?"


    Taicang Sword Sect...


    The words ''Taicang'' also made Gu An''s heart waver.


    After a moment''s thought, he decided to save him.


    "You choose to save the founder of the Taicang Sword Sect, Li Ya, sacrificing your own True Yuan to successfully save Li Ya. After gaining a hint of battle intent from your Ultimate Battle Technique, Li Ya inquires about your name as you bid him farewell, to which you reveal only the name ''Extreme''."


    What a story!


    Li Ya!


    No wonder Gu An and Extreme hesitated.


    According to the prompts, Li Ya was already at the cultivation level of a Free Immortal. How many years later must that be?


    This cycle of lifespan projection has gone too far.


    Wait, would he perhaps slaughter his way to the era I''m in?


    Gu An felt uneasy at the thought.


    His conquest continued, and within the Primordial period, he met numerous Free Immortals including Li Xuandao and Blood Prison Great Saint¡ªall of whom he defeated. Li Xuandao even tried to win him over, offering his daughter in marriage, but his offer was rejected.


    Along this journey, the Girl of Heavenly Pride also confessed her true feelings to him, unfortunately, Gu An had to refuse for him.


    Let him be a pure warrior and cultivator!


    [At the age of 3,700 years, you defeated the most powerful Lv Xian of the era and seized the Qi Fortune of Heaven and Earth, elevating your Ultimate Battle Technique to a new realm.]


    [At the age of 3,800 years, you returned to the River of Time, where you were attacked by a mysterious entity, severely injured, and flung back to your era.]


    Mysterious entity?


    Gu An''s heart tightened¡ªalthough he had caught up with Lu Han, to have died at just over three thousand years old seemed far too regrettable.


    The following prompts were all about recovery.


    He hid on a deserted island to heal, a process that took a millennium.


    Gu An felt that his lifespan must be immense, but couldn''t understand why he refused the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path.


    Perhaps, although he appeared strong, he was actually cautious at heart, only undertaking actions he was certain of.


    Discover more stories at empire


    Once he achieved the Free Immortal Realm, he continued to fight, improving the power of his Daoist Sorcery. His prowess within the Free Immortal Realm had reached a stage where he could traverse ancient and modern times. Gu An wondered how strong he was now, and whether he could compete with the Free Immortal Realm''s Gu An.


    After the Reincarnation Evolution ended, he could use a lifespan simulation.


    Fighting himself?


    Gu An found it intriguing and was filled with anticipation.


    In the years that followed, once he had healed, he began adventuring through the universe.


    From the prompts, it seemed like the universe at this time was vast with intricate powers, far more exciting than Gu An''s current era.


    [At the age of 5,306 years, you unexpectedly met the fairy of Nine Nether Underworld, Youquan. You enjoyed each other''s company, and she invited you to discuss Daoist ideas in the Nine Nether Underworld. Would you accept?]


    Nine Nether Underworld?


    That sounded very dangerous!


    Gu An chose no.


    [You refused Youquan fairy''s invitation, leaving her regretful. As you watched her leave, you erased the turmoil in your heart, dissolved the karma between you, and roamed the universe alone.]


    [At the age of 5,400 years, you enter the Canglan Immortal Domain. You are attacked by a Heavenly Demon, slaying millions of them and earning the enmity of their entire race, but also the admiration of all beings in the Canglan Immortal Domain.]


    [At the age of 5,402 years, you are titled the Immortal Domain War God by the Domain Master of the Canglan Immortal Domain.]


    [At the age of 5,413 years, you enter an Ancient Forbidden Land within the Canglan Immortal Domain, where you are attacked by the spirits of the Battle Court. You annihilate all the spirits in the Forbidden Land, and you arrive at the Canglan Immortal King''s Dao Palace.]


    [At the age of 5,414 years, you comprehend the Canglan Immortal Technique, triggering the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position examination. You defeat the immortals in the exam. Would you choose to accept the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position?]


    Heavenly Dao Immortal Position?


    It was unexpected that he also had a heritage similar to Lv Xian''s. It was within expectations that he could progress through such a heritage.


    Gu An immediately chose no.


    If the immortals knew that he could seize lifespans, what then?


    [You refuse to accept the Heavenly Dao Immortal Position. The immortals are furious, claiming you have offended the Heavenly Might. Within a hundred years, they will definitely capture you.]


    Absurd!


    Gu An suddenly felt fortunate that he had not accepted the heritage examination before. If he had tried it, big trouble would have surely come his way.


    [At the age of 5,480 years, you evolve through lifespan and condense a Tao Fruit, becoming a Taoist Hidden Immortal.]


    [At the age of 5,485 years, a group of immortals descended into the universe, starting to hunt you down. You fought tens of thousands of immortals alone and struggled to cope.]


    [At the age of 5,486 years, you arrive at the edge of the universe and encounter the Heavenly Spirit God guarding the Boundary Gate. You are annihilated by a single strike of his axe.]


    [You have died and your path has extinguished.]


    [Reincarnation ends.]


    As the last prompt fell, Gu An vanished from the porch and moved to a deserted island on the ocean, swiftly activating a Life Span Barrier.


    He sat in meditation, beginning to absorb the life memories of Ji.


    Although Ji had only lived for just over five thousand years, his experiences were in no way inferior to those of Lu Han or Long Zhan, and perhaps even more splendid.


    Through Ji''s eyes, Gu An saw the environment where the Yan Clan tribe lived, with a broader heaven and earth and more abundant spiritual energy. The rabbits Ji killed in his childhood were as large as small hills.


    From a young age, Ji, who had exhibited exceptional strength, was the treasure of his entire tribe, dearly loved by everyone.


    Before he left the Yan Clan tribe, he had never suffered any hardships, with everything going smoothly for him as he hunted year-round, accumulating a substantial lifespan.


    Afterward, Gu An saw the desperately endangered Dragon Girl, extraordinarily beautiful with a pitiable look. If it were him, he might not be able to resist helping in such a situation.


    Yet the dealings of the Dragon Palace were overbearing, and no matter what, conflicts might be unavoidable.


    Ji''s grudges with the Dragon Palace lasted many years. Gu An found that Ji was fighting almost every day, and with this speed, his lifespan growth was definitely fast.


    He was immersed in Ji''s memories; through Ji''s actions and words, he could feel that Ji was different from his other past lives. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji had an inherent arrogance that emanated from his bones, directed only against strong opponents. When facing the weak, he could show a gentle side.


    Gu An also saw the spirit of Yang Jian. Although its disposition differed greatly from the Yang Jian Gu An knew, it was indeed Yang Jian.


    And there was Li Ya. During the Taichu period, Li Ya, with his white hair and powerful presence, had almost reached the current Gu An''s Taicang Sword Intent.

 Chapter 408 Whose Past Life is Stronger

    gu an was immersed in the extreme memories, experiencing his heart-wrenching life.at the same time, gu an''s understanding of the ultimate battle technique deepened. although it was called a combat skill, it was actually the way of extremes. he combined all his cultivation techniques, divine skills, and spells into the ultimate battle technique, forming a combat system unique to himself.


    through this memory, gu an could confirm that the taichu period was immeasurably distant from the present, perhaps impossible to measure in millions or tens of millions of years.


    taichu period, ancient times, middle ages, taoist period...


    each period was separated by countless years, and in the taichu period, one could still encounter li ya, li xuandao, and lv xian, but in the later ancient times, their legends were no longer to be found.


    yang jian didn''t even survive until the taichu period.


    gu an thought of many things, but he didn''t feel that the future was already set, nor did he worry about those friends who did not appear in the extremities of his life.


    rather, he experienced the life of the extreme.


    in the same realm, the combat power of the extreme was incredibly fearsome. apart from fighting, all his time was spent cultivating, and judging by the rapid strengthening of his ultimate battle technique, he had devoted most of his life span to it.


    after gu an inherited all the memories, he felt that the ultimate battle technique might be stronger than any method he currently possessed.


    having reached the free immortal realm, he did not become arrogant but instead felt a strong unease, which was also why he chose to become stronger by battling through the river of time.


    the river of time was different from the river of destiny; it allowed one to traverse the past and future. the reason for choosing the past was because the extreme felt that what was past had already gone, and he would not feel as much guilt when killing.


    in fact, the extreme did not kill indiscriminately and even admired some opponents. because he let many enemies go, his life span was not as long as gu an had anticipated.


    both were belligerent, but the extreme led a life without shame, never killing innocents or those without enmity, at most leaving them to their fate.


    thinking about the extreme''s battles, gu an felt that in terms of combat talent, the extreme was stronger. he could even say that he had never seen a stronger being than the extreme.


    if the extreme hadn''t been hunted by immortals, his potential would be unimaginable.


    after entering the tao fruit realm, the extreme''s combat talent was clearly stronger. none of the ten thousand immortals he faced was of a lower realm than him, and each possessed outstanding divine skills. every one of them brought a sense of pressure that surpassed any opponent he had faced in his earlier life.


    yet even so, the extreme was able to break out of the encirclement of ten thousand enemies who were of a higher realm than himself.


    as for the heavenly spirit god he faced last, that guy was indeed terrifyingly powerful, decidedly many levels above the extreme.


    gu an opened his eyes, and instead of immediately returning to the north sea mountain, he had another idea.


    he wanted to fight with the extreme!


    even though the extreme was him, he just wanted to spar with another self.


    the aura of the extreme was too strong; even in death before the heavenly spirit god, he had not felt fear or dread.


    just do it!


    gu an''s mind stirred.


    [simulating a battle with the extreme will consume 1,000,000 years of life span. do you wish to continue?]


    continue!


    gu an''s eyes hardened, and his consciousness plunged into the simulation.


    both were taoist hidden immortals, but gu an was still in the perfect realm.


    gu an liked battling lower realms from a higher one, but that didn''t mean he had no demands for his own combat strength.


    the battle lasted for several ancient hours until night fell.


    gu an opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.


    he had actually lost!


    he couldn''t beat the extreme!


    the combat power of the extreme''s ultimate battle technique was simply too strong. no matter what combat skill he used, the extreme could find a way to counter it in an extremely short time.


    gu an felt somewhat depressed. he had never tried so hard, yet he still lost.


    losing to himself was not a big deal, but it still irked him.


    he had to look into the ultimate battle technique later!


    gu an stood up, looking towards the north sea mountain, where he saw sage xuan miao cultivating and not rushed by his disappearance.


    seeing this, he decided to return to the supreme sect first.


    he vanished on the spot.


    thirty minutes later, gu an sat in the attic of the third medicine valley, reviewing the previous fight, repeatedly reassessing, and looking for ways to defeat the extreme.


    his mana was a bit stronger than the extreme''s, but clearly, the extreme had invested far more life span into the ultimate battle technique than he had into daoist sorcery. moreover, the extreme''s combat talent was truly exaggerated, the whole process filled with pressure, and without any flaw.


    he sat from night until morning.


    only when the sounds of disciples practicing came from outside the window did he finally wake up.


    he couldn''t help but smile wryly.


    was he really influenced by the extreme? why did he care so much about winning and losing?


    wasn''t he pursuing the joy of high realms battling lower ones?


    if he ever reached the extreme''s period of the tianyuan, it was unimaginable how terrifying he would be then, and the extreme wouldn''t be worth mentioning in his eyes.


    gu an found that the reincarnation evolution absorbed character traits from the evolution, fortunately only the good ones, at least he had not inherited long zhan''s brutality.


    "i have a goal now¡­"


    gu an silently thought. he wanted to comprehend the ultimate battle technique, and he also thought of long zhan''s divine skill.


    heavenly dragon reincarnation dharma aspect!


    this divine skill could condense the self of a past life to fight alongside oneself, perfectly fitting for lifespan samsara.


    gu an had realized that all his reincarnations were battle maniacs: the more numerous they became, the stronger the heavenly dragon reincarnation dharma aspect would grow.


    in a sense, the more times one reincarnated, the stronger the heavenly dragon reincarnation dharma aspect became.


    the dharma aspect conjured by the heavenly dragon reincarnation could retain the main body''s battle will, but lacked independent thought, only capable of battle, not of serving as doubles.


    imagining the future, gu an raised his hand as myriad past lives stood behind him¡ªhow spectacular was that vision?


    the divine skills created by long zhan, like the ultimate battle technique, had immeasurable potential.


    gu an took a deep breath and ceased to dwell on the comparison of strengths and weaknesses with the polar extreme.


    even if he failed, so be it¡ªthen he would just continue to grow stronger!


    it was precisely the right time to temper pride and complacency.


    gu an stood up, then went downstairs, ready to practice drills with his disciples.


    just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, ji xiaoyu also came out, saying she wanted to join him in practice. he did not refuse.


    during the drill practice, gu an could feel ji xiaoyu observing him.


    after blending the polar extreme''s life memories, there came about a certain change in gu an''s demeanor, one he couldn''t completely revert to as it was before merging those memories. he wasn''t afraid of ji xiaoyu seeing through him¡ªafter all, if he simply refused to admit it, what could she do?


    after the practice was over, ji xiaoyu invited gu an to her room, and he did not refuse.


    once inside, they sat down opposite each other at the table.


    ji xiaoyu stared at gu an, saying, "you''ve acquired some aura of reincarnation about you. where did you go yesterday?"


    gu an replied, "off to save the world¡ªwhy do you ask? can you see who i was in my past life?" sea??h th§× nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a mere reincarnation path emperor, could he measure up to the polar extreme?


    speaking of which, the polar extreme had once visited the yin yang domain in later generations, sweeping through all the strong beings there, even compelling the yin yang domain to erect an imperial stele in his honor.


    "i can''t see through it; i suddenly suspect that you are just like me¡ªwe both may be reincarnations of some great power." ji xiaoyu said, her face unexpectedly breaking into a smile.


    gu an raised his eyebrows, "how could that be? i''ve not received memories of a past life, i haven''t even dreamt anything."


    "that''s because the karma of your reincarnation is still dormant, and your cultivation speed is too slow."


    ji xiaoyu laughed, but then suddenly remembered something and her brow furrowed again.


    if gu an was like her, didn''t that mean their future was already destined?


    both of them would eventually become just a memory for someone else, all their experiences belonging not to the ones who truly lived them but to their original selves.


    at that thought, ji xiaoyu looked at gu an with a different gleam in her eyes.


    at this moment, she sensed the force of destiny.


    was it fate that led her to meet gu an?


    seeing her spirits somewhat dampened, gu an changed the subject, "so, who do you think was stronger in our past lives, you or me?"


    ji xiaoyu''s soul was that of the reincarnation path emperor, and they were one and the same. even gu an couldn''t extricate her from the reincarnation path emperor''s being.


    without a soul and only having memories, she wouldn''t be the real her.


    it was an unsolvable issue, only time could soothe the regret.


    "of course, i was stronger. judging from the karma of reincarnation, the number of my reincarnations far exceeds yours, and for beings of that realm, the number of reincarnations indicates the height of their dao level."


    ji xiaoyu stated as matter-of-factly, prompting gu an to want to laugh.


    the reincarnation path emperor hadn''t even transcended the reincarnation tribulation, how could he be compared to gu an''s past life?


    let alone outmatching the polar extreme and long zhan, it seemed doubtful that the reincarnation path emperor could even defeat lu han.


    the two of them continued to chat, and ji xiaoyu began to speak of the battles she had dreamed about¡ªthe epic battles of the reincarnation path emperor against formidable enemies, which excited gu an greatly.


    of course, the emotion was feigned; he had to put on a show for ji xiaoyu.


    while chatting with ji xiaoyu, gu an was reflecting upon more.


    he thought about incorporating the polar extreme''s cultivation methods into his teachings for his disciples, which might make them stronger.


    he would start with an xin!


    nobody could possibly possess the polar extreme''s battle talent, but if an xin could achieve a mere one ten-thousandth of the polar extreme''s combat achievement, even she could sweep through her peers.


    regrettably, the polar extreme''s life had not intersected with an hao''s, leaving the future of an hao an unwritten story.


    as it stood, though an hao could not compare to the polar extreme, both had different growing environments, and the future remained uncertain.


    ¡­


    late at night.


    hidden spirit palace.


    gu an was instructing the deep sea dragon carp in cultivation; after shape-shifting, the deep sea dragon carp, clad in white, looked even more feminine with her black hair neatly pinned up.


    he intended to reprimand the deep sea dragon carp, but found her transformed appearance quite pleasing to the eye, so he held back the critique.


    the deep sea dragon carp, receiving direct guidance from gu an, was very joyful, speaking even more tenderly than an xin and ye lan, sometimes drawing gu an''s gaze to linger.


    once gu an finished instructing, he lay back in the chair to read.


    the deep sea dragon carp, practicing her step technique beside him, inquired, "master, i''ve been reading the book you gave me. do you think i might have a chance to turn into a dragon someday?"


    she was named long li because she carried the blood of ancient true dragons.


    deep in her bones, she yearned for the stature of an ancient true dragon.


    gu an, flipping through the pages of green hero travelogue, casually responded, "keep cultivating well, and in the future, whatever you wish to do or become, you might have the chance."


    hearing this, the deep sea dragon carp felt greatly inspired and practiced the stepping path of ages step with even more diligence.

 Chapter 409 The Darkest Years

    above the vast ocean, clouds surged like a scene from an immortal realm, and a towering peak stood in the sea with immortal birds circling around.atop the mountain shone a dazzling golden light from a gigantic golden mirror, spinning and sweeping beams of light in all directions.


    below the golden mirror lay a spacious and bright dojo, paved with white jade. tens of thousands sat in meditation, all from the heaven and earth flying immortal realm.


    the majority meditated with closed eyes, while a few looked towards the front where a majestic figure sat in meditation before the golden mirror, his presence alone stretching a hundred yards high.


    mortal world god!


    clad in a black daoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk, his half-white hair bundled behind his head with jade pins, his face weathered as if worn by the ages, he emitted an immense and boundless aura of daoist sorcery simply by sitting there.


    "mortal god, now that the world is in chaos, when will we, the followers of divine dao, descend the mountain to save the world?"


    an elder suddenly spoke out, prompting everyone to open their eyes and collectively gaze at the mortal world god.


    even bai ziya, from mortal world peak, opened his eyes to look. s~ea??h the novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    they had pledged allegiance to the mortal world god not merely to seek greater strength but also to fulfill their own aspirations.


    in their eyes, both the immortal dynasty and the holy court were preoccupied with their own power, not prioritizing all living beings. neither deserved to rule the great heavenly spirit land. they believed that salvation required a third-party force, and the divine dao founded by mortal world god represented their hope.


    before joining the divine dao, they had experienced its formidable power, a force they believed to surpass the immortal path.


    with the qi fortune of divine dao, their strength continued to grow. though newly joined, many were already eager to take action.


    without opening his eyes, the mortal world god responded slowly, "the time is not yet ripe. we aim to save the entire world, not merely a portion of beings. acting now might accumulate virtue, but it won''t shake the immortal dynasty or the holy court. once we are strong enough, we will crush the immortal dynasty in one fell swoop, swallow the holy court, and quickly restore peace to the world, which will truly benefit all beings."


    many nodded in agreement with his words.


    a female cultivator asked, "mortal god, in your eyes, is the threat from shengtian greater, or is it the yang xian emperor?"


    the free immortal might not decide the fate of the world¡ªafter all, even the yang xian emperor couldn''t breach the holy court¡ªbut they all knew that to crush the immortal dynasty and the holy court, they must defeat both the yang xian emperor and shengtian.


    a monumental battle awaited the mortal world god!


    upon hearing this, the mortal world god slowly opened his eyes, peering into the distance with a profound look, he said meaningfully, "besides those two, there are greater threats in this world, and not just one. it is a time of unprecedented chaos. the future changes of the world will far exceed your imaginations, and what you currently see are merely premonitions. the true calamity has yet to descend."


    "day and night confused, your sin and virtue mixed, where immortals and mortals coexist, you will witness the darkest of times."


    hearing the words of the mortal world god, the faces of the cultivators in the heaven and earth flying immortal realm changed drastically, and they began whispering among themselves.


    bai ziya also furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with worry.


    what really awaited them in the future?


    ...


    three years later.


    in a forest, gu an sat on a tree reading, while blood prison great saint lay beneath, watching an xin cultivate with a curious look in his eyes.


    "master, what exactly is she cultivating? it feels different from the previous cultivation techniques and divine skills, yet it contains those mysteries," blood prison great saint couldn''t help but look up and ask.


    gu an responded nonchalantly, "it is my dao."


    over the past three years, he had integrated the ultimate battle technique and infused his own enlightenment, which he was now beginning to teach to an xin.


    however, even if the level of achievement in the ultimate battle technique was the same, the strength and combat style of gu an remained distinct. he had to admit that the original user was the most suited for the ultimate battle technique; with the same level of achievement, the original user could unleash greater power, which related to will and nature.


    since the simulated battle three years ago, gu an hadn''t simulated again, feeling that he was still not ready.


    it was good this way, having another version of himself as a target, made life more expectant.


    "dao?" blood prison great saint pondered thoughtfully.


    the forest quickly fell silent.


    blood prison great saint was momentarily dazed as he looked up and saw an xin had stopped. she was standing still, seemingly lost in thought.


    "master, she..." blood prison great saint looked up and cautiously asked.


    gu an flipped through the pages of the book and replied, "she is merely embracing the path enlightenment, pay it no mind."


    path enlightenment?


    blood prison great saint was not the naive youth he once was. he understood what path enlightenment meant¡ªan opportunity seldom encountered in life.


    he looked at an xin with envy, filled with expectation.


    indeed, following his master, experiencing path enlightenment and changing one''s essence were not difficult.


    yang jian was unfortunate not to continue staying on. had his heart settled, his growth would have accelerated.


    that foolish boy was short-sighted, thinking he had learned all the skills his master had, not realizing that his master''s dao level was profound and immeasurable.


    blood prison great saint''s gaze returned to an xin and noticed a new aura about her.


    this presence instinctively made him wary.


    "this girl is growing so fast. always smiling, but once she begins to cultivate, her aura is even stronger than yang jian''s," blood prison great saint thought to himself, astonished.


    he tried to recall when an xin had developed such an aura.


    he could not pinpoint the exact moment.


    he looked again towards gu an in the tree, his eyes full of admiration.


    if such a frail woman could be nurtured to this extent, how powerful could he become if properly trained?


    blood prison great saint silently vowed to become the strongest under gu an''s command.


    time swiftly passed.


    as dusk approached, an xin suddenly woke up. her eyes widened as she gasped for air, her forehead covered with cold sweat.


    "hey, hey, hey, what''s wrong with you? why does path enlightenment seem like you''re having a nightmare?" blood prison great saint asked with a hint of jealousy in his tone.


    he wanted to experience path enlightenment too, just like that fat rat!


    he suspected that the rat''s rapid growth was due to continuously embracing path enlightenment even while sleeping.


    an xin managed to calm herself, then turned to look at gu an and said, "master, i just saw a figure."


    no sooner had she spoken than she froze.


    the invincible figure in her mind overlaid with gu an sitting on the tree.


    "what figure?" gu an casually asked without looking at an xin.


    an xin smiled and said, "nothing, master. thank you for your teachings. master, what is this miracle skill? it''s so powerful!"


    gu an did not hide anything and replied, "this is the ultimate battle technique. you must not mention it to anyone, including hao''er. even if you use it, you must never reveal its name."


    "why?" an xin asked, puzzled.


    blood prison great saint was also curious.


    gu an, with an expressionless face, staring at the book in his hands, said, "because this technique originated in the future, a distant future."


    upon hearing this, both an xin and blood prison great saint froze, their thoughts wandering into an endless reverie.

 Chapter 410 Past Life Background

    in the distant future!an xin and blood prison great saint were deeply shocked by gu an''s words; they harbored no doubts, only boundless longing.


    how advanced must gu an''s dao level be to obtain daoist sorcery from the future?


    an xin let her imagination run wild for a moment before she couldn''t help but ask, "master, you can see the future, what is it like? how long into the future will i live?"


    blood prison great saint also looked toward gu an, eager to ask the same question¡ªwho wouldn''t be curious about their own future?


    gu an replied indifferently, "the future is not fixed. if you knew it, it would change."


    upon hearing this, an xin was not satisfied and pressed on, "then, is our fate good or bad?"


    gu an glanced at her and said, "with me, could it be bad?" s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a smile blossomed on an xin''s face as she began to flatter gu an.


    blood prison great saint was also excited, secretly admiring gu an''s way of speaking; he thought it supremely domineering and decided he needed to learn it as well.


    "continue training, we''ll return later."


    gu an continued reading, giving instructions aloofly.


    elated, an xin turned around and began to reflect on her previous enlightenment.


    although training with ultimate battle techniques had slightly extended an xin''s maximum lifespan, it was not substantial.


    the lifespans of an xin, ye lan, and zhen qin were all increasing slowly; gu an could only try to get them to reach the nirvana realm as soon as possible for a chance at a breakthrough.


    currently, they primarily relied on the primordial reincarnation skill and gu an''s elixirs to extend their lives. gu an was only reassured by their high cultivation spirit and their refusal to give up on training.


    as night fell.


    gu an descended from a tree and began to guide an xin''s cultivation.


    only the next morning did they travel to tianya valley where, after gathering medicinal herbs, they returned to mystic valley.


    regardless of what they were cultivating, harvesting medicinal herbs and accumulating lifespan were gu an''s highest priorities; nothing could delay this.


    recently, gu an was contemplating another matter.


    where should he break through next?


    he felt that breaking through in the silent destruction domain would sooner or later bring great trouble to the great heavenly spirit land.


    the thought of facing immortals still pressured gu an.


    a more distant place for the breakthrough was necessary!


    the universe was vast, after all, hiding other great heaven and earths; it might bring trouble to other lands, but sacrifices had to be made to preserve his own land.


    ...


    two years later, at the age of 730, gu an was visiting ye mansion within the sub-sect where he and ye lan sat listening to zhen qin recount thrilling battles from years past. energetic, she occasionally stepped on a stool, her emotions fluctuating with the dramatic shifts of the events.


    gu an was very supportive, not only listening intently but also expressing various emotions.


    ye lan did not intervene. she watched zhen qin boast to gu an with a smile. as the spring breeze swept through the courtyard, she felt nothing could be better than this day, having all the people she cared about around her¡ªwasn''t this the luckiest thing in life?


    after zhen qin finished, she sat down, hands on the table, and looked at gu an, asking, "master, is the divine dao that''s been widely discussed recently real or fake? the mortal world''s deity speaks greatly, but for many years there hasn''t been any real movement, just rampant rumors."


    the rumors of the divine dao had reached the supreme sect; it was said that believing in the divine dao could grant divine power and help one survive the upcoming darkest years, quite miraculous indeed.


    gu an had also heard such statements in the third medicine valley, but he hadn''t taken them seriously.


    the future was becoming more chaotic, and the deity of mortal world''s divine dao was merely one part of the grand torrent of the world and hardly decisive in the future''s direction.


    the deities'' proclamations were loud, but essentially, he was just a pawn of the holy court. how could a pawn compare to the holy court?


    more free immortals would appear; during gu an''s previous breakthrough, two free immortals had sneaked into the reincarnation vortex, the purpose of which was still unclear.


    "who can really know what''s true or false? but i''ve heard it''s quite chaotic overseas. if the divine dao can relieve suffering and difficulty, even if it''s false, i''m willing to believe it''s true," gu an responded, his words sincere. in his view, the might of an immortal wasn''t key; since one is deemed an immortal, they should prioritize aiding all living beings.


    whether in his past or present life, stories about immortals were always about righteousness and great benevolence, signifying that the meaning of immortals wasn''t merely human fantasy but rather a notion once conveyed by the immortals themselves.


    since it had been conveyed, that was the role these immortals granted themselves.


    zhen qin nodded and said, "exactly, what difference is there between an immortal that doesn''t help others and the immortal dynasty or holy court?"


    the world certainly did not need another immortal dynasty or holy court.


    ye lan spoke up, "these matters are too distant for us; why think too much about them? it might be better to contemplate how to achieve nirvana."


    hearing this, zhen qin frowned slightly and asked, "nirvana, is there really hope for us?


    despite already being a great cultivator of the void crossing realm, she still felt nirvana realm was unattainably distant.


    she could hardly imagine how others had reached the nirvana realm.


    "of course, there is. if you keep hope alive, anything can be realized. i believe you can do it," gu an said cheerfully.


    both women had reached the void crossing realm, and a century ago, they had unleashed their cultivation levels, their maximum lifespans extending beyond twelve hundred years.


    ye lan looked at gu an, her gaze falling on his forehead.


    gu an''s apparent cultivation level remained at the nascent soul realm, but both she and zhen qin knew he must be concealing a stronger cultivation level, especially since the primordial reincarnation skill was passed to them by gu an.


    over the years, gu an''s bearing had grown increasingly strong, nothing about him indicating mediocrity.


    "master, if you release your cultivation level, could you reach nirvana realm in one go?" zhen qin asked curiously.


    gu an said, "nirvana realm? you underestimate me. i could directly advance to the nine heavens of immortal path."


    "master, how many drinks have you had?"


    "do you think i''m bragging?"


    "so, are you saying you''re even more formidable than yang xian emperor?"


    "let''s say it''s fifty-fifty."


    "what does that mean? that you have a fifty percent chance?"


    "pfft!"


    zhen qin burst into laughter at gu an''s jests, and started boasting along with him.


    ye lan watched them amusedly, though she didn''t think gu an was as powerful; after all, she had grown up with gu an, and knew the beings of immortal path realms were ancient creatures thousands of years old.


    it was said that yang xian emperor had lived an indeterminate number of years, an evident age gap existing there.


    however, ye lan thought of sword venerable fudao backing gu an.


    that old man probably did have a fifty percent chance against yang xian emperor.


    gu an''s bragging might also have been backed by inquiries to sword venerable fudao, getting such an answer.


    after a long chat, gu an saw that the conversation had run its course and rose to take leave.


    ye lan tried to keep him, but gu an, wishing to explore the sub-sect, politely refused.


    gu an left ye mansion alone and then strolled around the city.


    compared to supreme sect, the order in sub-sect seemed even more chaotic, with many stalls on the streets selling practical items; all disciples coming to sub-sect aimed to train in the lands of demons.


    many disciples bore wounds.


    as the world descended into chaos, numerous demon and ghostly creatures infiltrated taicang continent, coming for survival. gu an didn''t stop them; their arrival also helped the human race cultivators to grow stronger. of course, it was more dangerous, but ultimately, everything depended on individual strength.


    great demon creatures brought not only competitiveness but also demon treasures, providing more resources for cultivators.


    the current gu an didn''t hunt; merely harvesting medicinal herbs sufficed to significantly increase his life span.


    as he walked, gu an saw someone.


    zhang shi!


    the entity bound by the causality of reincarnation, whose true self was a free immortal undergoing reincarnation tribulation; he was also well-versed about reincarnation path emperor, clearly no ordinary figure.


    gu an even suspected he might be the reincarnation of saint heaven.


    gu an approached and stopped zhang shi, hesitantly saying, "brother zhang?"


    zhang shi recognized gu an too; he was deeply impressed with the valley master who invented go. he smiled, saying, "daoist friend gu, it''s been a long time. i didn''t expect you to remember me."


    seeing that his cultivation and life span hadn''t changed much, gu an warmly said, "indeed, it''s been a while; how about we find a pavilion and have a chat?"


    zhang shi didn''t understand gu an''s enthusiasm, given they had only exchanged a few words initially, but he didn''t refuse.


    the two made their way to the inn, laughing and talking.


    thirty minutes later.


    gu an sat opposite zhang shi; seeing the pleasantries were over, he picked up the wine jug, poured wine for zhang shi, and smilingly asked, "daoist friend, why have you come to the sub-sect?"


    zhang shi answered, "i''m investigating an enemy who has concealed his identity and potentially hidden himself in supreme sect."


    upon hearing this, gu an frowned and asked, "do you need any help?"


    "you''re not even asking about our enmity? what if i was the one at fault?"


    "if that were the case, he wouldn''t need to conceal his identity. supreme sect, as a sect of the righteous path, would assure justice if he joined them," gu an seriously stated.


    zhang shi shook his head with a wry smile, seemingly trusting supreme sect excessively.


    "thank you for your kindness, but i can handle it myself. i mustn''t trouble others or involve the innocent."


    while talking, zhang shi kept his eyes on gu an''s forehead, asking, "brother gu, do you understand the golden dao patterns on your forehead?"


    gu an touched his forehead and said, "a friend from the immortal dynasty mentioned they were dao patterns, something that forms with path enlightenment."


    zhang shi smiled, "impressive that you know. these indeed are dao patterns formed from path enlightenment, and not just any common enlightenment."


    he appraised gu an, pondering, "your past life must have had a significant background."


    gu an, wide-eyed, asked in surprise, "my past life?"


    "that''s right, your past life definitely belonged to one of the top powers of heaven and earth, but who exactly, i can''t see through yet," zhang shi said, his gaze on gu an deepening.


    gotcha!


    gu an frowned, asking, "then what should i do? does my reincarnation mean i have some sort of mission?"


    shaking his head, zhang shi replied, "don''t think too much about it. your task is simply to live this life with your heart, and knowing your past life is to help you live with more confidence."


    his fondness for gu an grew¡ªupon learning about his past life, gu an didn''t boast about his greatness but pondered the purpose of his reincarnation.


    isn''t that a form of enlightenment itself?


    gu an sighed in relief, smiling, "that''s a relief. i''m used to living a peaceful life; honestly, i''d be scared if suddenly burdened with some mission."

 Chapter 411 The Strongest Person

    "what do you want to do in this life?" zhang shi looked curiously at gu an.he had gone through many reincarnations, in pursuit of a unique experience in each one, which left him somewhat lost in this life, unsure of what to strive for.


    he had been a savior, worshipped as an immortal by all beings, had played the role of a world-destroying demon king, and even lived as a mortal.


    with the increase in the number of his reincarnations, his confusion grew; this was why his original memories had awakened prematurely¡ªhe was searching for direction.


    gu an answered, "tend to flowers, grow plants, chat and play chess with friends and disciples daily. if i could live my whole life like this, i would be completely content."


    zhang shi asked in surprise, "then what is your pursuit in immortal cultivation?"


    upon hearing the question, gu an looked back at him with confusion and asked, "isn''t the purpose of immortal cultivation to satisfy the life one desires? i already have what i want, so why should i pursue cultivation further? my cultivation now is not about becoming stronger, but about living longer to enjoy more of this kind of life."


    zhang shi''s expression changed subtly as he pondered gu an''s words.


    which is more important¡ªlife or cultivation?


    he knew all too well how difficult it was to attain longevity. many people appeared to live for thousands of years, but they spent their entire lives desperately pursuing cultivation, and the total time of genuine happiness they experienced might not even surpass that of a mortal.


    at the same time, gu an offered him a new way of thinking.


    reincarnation didn''t necessarily require one to be a certain type of person; it could also be about experiencing life in different ways.


    seeing gu an again, zhang shi felt that gu an possessed a transcendental quality, one that not even some free immortals had.


    this aura, combined with the philosophical impact of gu an''s ideas, suddenly elevated gu an''s image in zhang shi''s heart.


    zhang shi''s gaze towards gu an turned different, and he began to inquire about the joys in gu an''s life.


    gu an didn''t hide anything and talked on and on.


    the topics were all everyday matters, but when recounted by him, they carried an unusual significance.


    even the bickering between the bull demon king and the white spirit rat brought laughter to zhang shi.


    in the ensuing conversation, it was mostly gu an speaking, and zhang shi listening intently.


    as gu an narrated, he also calculated zhang shi''s karma.


    the more he interacted with zhang shi, the more he could deduce, allowing him to glimpse into zhang shi''s past.


    he saw many scenes.


    zhang shi was unaware that gu an was deducing his fate; in fact, he was doing the same with gu an.


    after a while,


    when gu an finished speaking, zhang shi remarked, "meaning can be found in the ordinary life¡ªno, everything that exists has meaning, and cultivation''s pursuit of daoist sorcery and nature should indeed be about experiencing all aspects of the world."


    gu an seized the opportunity to ask, "you know about my past life, does that mean you have one too? after all..."


    after all, both of them were nascent soul realm cultivators!


    zhang shi nodded, "indeed, i also have a past life."


    a male cultivator at the neighboring table couldn''t help but roll his eyes, winking at the female cultivator opposite him.


    gu an and zhang shi were bragging so impressively, it made everyone around increasingly curious to hear what else the two could boast about.


    gu an asked, "why do we reincarnate? according to what you''ve said, we must be very strong, did we get injured?"


    "no, quite the opposite. we reincarnated to challenge even higher realms. it''s the reincarnation tribulation. in those cycles, one forges their tao, and upon full realization, one can transcend the nine heavens of immortal path, embarking on the true path of cultivation," zhang shi replied. he didn''t lower his voice deliberately, nor did he fear others overhearing.


    gu an, intrigued, asked, "how many times must one undergo the reincarnation tribulation?"


    "it varies from person to person. the reincarnation tribulation has no limit. i once met someone who was also undergoing it, but he seemed to have long surpassed the nine heavens of immortal path."


    zhang shi said this with a vision of a figure appearing before his eyes, his gaze revealing fascination.


    after hearing this, gu an was interested.


    could it be that even those in the tao fruit realm must still endure the reincarnation tribulations?


    zhang shi continued, "truthfully, the enemy i seek is also using the reincarnation tribulation to conceal his identity, probably to investigate sword venerable fudao."


    at the mention of sword venerable fudao, the surrounding disciples started to become restless.


    "you can''t be serious? that''s way too audacious."


    "sword venerable fudao is not someone you can just call out."


    "ridiculous, do you truly believe you''ve reached the nine heavens of immortal path?"


    "hahaha, truly delusional."


    as the mockery from all around increased, gu an said with resignation, "shall we change our location to talk?"


    zhang shi nodded.


    gu an rose to pay the bill and then left the inn with zhang shi, but the laughter inside the inn continued for a long time.


    the two walked on the bustling streets, continuing their discussion about the reincarnation tribulation.


    gu an was very curious about it, and zhang shi didn''t hide anything.


    "the rules of the reincarnation tribulation are hard to define; sometimes, you may go to the past, sometimes to the future, or even to other great heaven and earths, but one thing is certain, wherever you are, your reincarnated self will never meet your original self, as if bound by some cosmic law that restrains the cultivators within the reincarnation tribulation..."


    zhang shi''s face showed a look of nostalgia.


    gu an couldn''t help but ask, "what would happen if one reincarnation tribulationist met another?"


    "that depends on personal choice; even if they fight to the death, it won''t affect their reincarnation tribulation. however, i prefer to exchange knowledge with others, like now. it''s a pity that you haven''t awakened the memories of your original self, otherwise we could share much more."


    zhang shi revealed a smile. he paused and then said, "reincarnation is like this crowd, seemingly chaotic yet orderly, with a beginning and an end, even if you meet along the way, ultimately everyone will reach their own destination."


    "then do you have memories of your past life?"


    "of course, i am the consciousness of my original self, only unable to wield the powers of the original."


    upon hearing zhang shi''s words, gu an feigned courage and asked, "then may i ask you about your..."


    "that, i am afraid, is not possible. it would bring you tremendous trouble," zhang shi immediately refused.


    tremendous trouble?


    you couldn''t possibly be from shengtian, could you?


    gu an inwardly sneered, thinking even if it were shengtian, he would not be daunted.


    "have you ever met anyone during your reincarnation tribulation who left a deep impression on you? someone who is also undergoing the reincarnation tribulation," gu an shifted the subject and asked.


    that zhang shi was willing to converse so much was quite unexpected to gu an.


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    he didn''t think zhang shi was foolish; clearly, zhang shi was confident, unafraid that speaking of these things could cause him trouble.


    "indeed, there have been such individuals, from both the past and the future. let me mention one from each," zhang shi mused.


    neither stopped walking as they spoke, their figures seemingly on the verge of being swallowed by the sea of people.


    "in the past, i encountered a being known as the cold emperor, born with immense qi fortune, as if all things under heaven and earth paved the road for him. when i met him, he had already become the supreme under heaven, which is unimaginable. a reincarnated body reaching the ninth level of the immortal path, he was just one step away from ending his reincarnation tribulation."


    when mentioning the cold emperor, zhang shi''s face was full of respect.


    gu an asked, "what do you mean by just one step? did he fail?"


    "correct, he failed. i watched him fall, eradicated by a powerful being beyond my understanding. i too received a warning from that being, with eyes that seemed to peer into the universe."


    zhang shi''s face showed a hint of fear.


    gu an thought of the mysterious giant eye he saw in the depths of the universe during his breakthrough.


    could it be the same entity?


    gu an couldn''t help but think of the heavenly spirit god, suspected to be synonymous with the eyes. at present, the heavenly spirit god is definitely the strongest being he knows of, residing at the edge of the universe, extremely formidable.


    "during later reincarnation tribulations, i never saw that powerful being again. perhaps it''s because my reincarnated body wasn''t strong enough. but in the future, i met another reincarnated body, even more unimaginable, because he actually managed to traverse the river of time within the reincarnation."


    "he came from a far distant future; we are not from the same epoch, but somehow we met. his spirit is absolutely the strongest i''ve ever seen. this spirit has nothing to do with cultivation level; it is a kind of will, as if no existence could ever crush his fighting spirit."


    zhang shi looked intensely, while gu an''s expression became odd.


    could it be ji?


    gu an pondered carefully but couldn''t recall if ji had ever met zhang shi.


    who knows what zhang shi from the past looked like.


    "what was his name?" gu an couldn''t help but ask.


    zhang shi smiled and said, "he has but one character to his name: ji. he defeated all the strong throughout every epoch in the great heavenly spirit land, pursuing battle throughout his life. embarrassingly, i never got to fight him; he didn''t even know me. i just watched from a distance as he faced the world''s mightiest, even against the entire world, and he still won. i will never forget that sight."


    "if there is truly a strongest being, i believe he could become the strongest. with his capabilities and fighting spirit, he is certain to transcend the nine heavens of the immortal path and challenge even higher realms."


    just as expected, ji!


    gu an secretly felt triumphant; ji was himself, impressing zhang shi within the reincarnation, a rather satisfying notion.


    he pressed on asking, "you have no idea about his ending?"


    "i don''t. after single-handedly sweeping away all powerful beings, he broke through the void and continued his journey. but as of now, his journey has not reached our epoch. perhaps his original self was born in the future, so i am quite looking forward to meeting him later and having a fair and square decisive battle," zhang shi said, clenching his fists with a gleam of fighting intent in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual refined self.


    gu an really wanted to say you wouldn''t stand a chance.


    just then, a voice came from ahead, "aren''t you afraid of being backlashed by the reincarnation for revealing its secrets?"


    gu an looked over to see a monk approaching, his appearance handsome and dressed in a simple monk''s robe. his gaze was sharp as knives, focusing intently on zhang shi.


    when zhang shi saw him, his expression did not change; rather, he stared back at the monk and said, "if you are not afraid, why should i be?"


    they faced off without any display of aura, causing passersby to look at them in confusion. sear?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    gu an whispered, "who is he? he couldn''t be..."


    "hmm, he is the enemy i was looking for. he does not belong to the great heavenly spirit land; he comes from outer heaven," zhang shi replied.


    the monk then said, "we are all in the reincarnation; why differentiate between inner heaven and outer heaven? do you think you can stop me in reincarnation?"


    "are you afraid of sword venerable fudao?" zhang shi stared at the monk, asking with a cold voice.

 Chapter 412 Supreme Demon Realm, Apocalypse

    ```[yu chan (divinity transformation realm, third layer): 762/1500/1600]


    gu an performed a life span detection on the monk, but unfortunately, he could not discern anything significant.


    however, he could sense that the monk named yu chan was connected to the heavenly demon through karma.


    free immortals from the great heavenly spirit land could reincarnate into other great heaven and earths, so naturally there might be outsiders reincarnating here.


    gu an was curious about what grudge existed between yu chan and zhang shi.


    currently, they didn''t seem to be the two mysterious free immortals who had infiltrated the reincarnation vortex.


    "sword venerable fudao? what is there to fear? i have no feud with him, i didn''t come here for him. shouldn''t free immortals avoid making enemies with one another so easily, right?"


    while yu chan spoke, his gaze remained sharp.


    zhang shi responded, "indeed, we shouldn''t make enemies easily, but when encountering a dao stealer, our daoist paths differ and cannot conspire together."


    although their cultivation levels were not high, as they spoke and looked at each other, gu an could feel the clash of their daoist intents.


    ultimately, the essence of their souls were that of free immortals; reincarnation merely temporarily suppressed their power.


    gu an feigned a cough and said, "how about we talk somewhere else?"


    he could tell that neither yu chan nor zhang shi really wanted to fight; they were merely talking without engaging in combat, clearly wary of sword venerable fudao.


    zhang shi coldly said, "let''s go outside."


    yu chan''s expression was also cold; he agreed and both turned to leave.


    just as gu an was about to follow, zhang shi turned back and said, "this is my grudge with him; you don''t need to get involved."


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    "no worries, we are all reincarnators; let''s speak kindly."


    gu an continued the conversation, then walked past zhang shi, catching up with yu chan and started making small talk.


    yu chan was not someone incapable of communication; faced with gu an''s questions, he too would respond.


    zhang shi followed, frowning.


    after about half an incense stick''s time, the three of them arrived at a forest outside the sub-sect.


    zhang shi and yu chan stood opposite each other with stern expressions, and in this place, they no longer restrained their murderous intent.


    "both having reincarnation bodies, it doesn''t truly matter who dies; the hatred won''t dissipate either. why not sit down and talk, exchange insights?" gu an suggested.


    zhang shi spoke, "he and the force behind him cultivate by devouring heaven and earth, daoist sorcery. their stance is naturally opposed to ours; there''s no need to talk."


    yu chan looked at gu an, showing a smile and asked, "may i know under what name does daoist friend''s true self go?"


    free immortals, standing above all creatures and traveling the universe with ease, lived for tens of millions, maybe even hundreds of millions of years. they had likely heard of each other''s names.


    no free immortal remained unknown.


    sword venerable fudao''s true identity must also be renowned, at least that was what yu chan thought.


    upon hearing zhang shi''s words, gu an pretended to be surprised and looked towards yu chan, while yu chan let out a cold laugh. in the daylight, his laughter was terrifying.


    "the path of the great dao is one of strife. isn''t the reason we possess spiritual wisdom to fight? this is the heavenly dao!"


    yu chan said with a sneer, raising his right hand and summoning golden flames in his palm, within which he formed a small tower.


    zhang shi also raised his hand, with red dragon strength energy rising from his feet, encircling him, all heads of the dragons focusing on yu chan.


    the wind in the forest also halted.


    gu an grew even more curious about the origins of the two, zhang shi seemed to be a person from great heavenly spirit land, but apparently had no ties with holy court or immortal dynasty, while yu chan came from silent destruction domain; a dao stealer seemed similar to the battle court, not exactly benevolent.


    gu an had no intention of intervening, for he had foreseen what would happen next between the two.


    yu chan and zhang shi faced each other with escalating aura.


    after a while, yu chan mocked, "it seems your reincarnation tribulation has reached a bottleneck."


    zhang shi maintained an expressionless face and said, "seems you too have come with a certain mission and can''t afford to die easily."


    truly ridiculous.


    no courage to fight, yet making all this fuss!


    yu chan followed up, "the beings in this realm have forgotten you. this is the era of yang xian emperor and shengtian. be at peace with your tribulation crossing, pursue your own dao, why go against the heavenly trend? you know well the grand trends of the heavenly dao."


    zhang shi calmly said, "indeed, i can''t manage too much, but don''t even think about harming the beings of this land."


    "heh, with sword venerable fudao here, would i be so foolish?"


    yu chan answered dismissively, then looked toward gu an, "daoist friend gu, if you awaken the memory, consider joining us at the supreme demon realm. i might even be able to secure a demon city for you."


    supreme demon realm?


    so he was part of the same group as the demon shore!


    gu an, having eradicated the demon shore, was destined not to ally with the supreme demon realm.


    however, in the demon shore''s memories, the supreme demon realm had already fragmented; how could yu chan still try to recruit people under the name of the supreme demon realm? perhaps the force behind yu chan wished to rebuild it?


    no wonder the future trends of the great heavenly spirit land became increasingly complex, involving many intricate karmic ties.


    not to mention the immortal dynasty, holy court, there were also heavenly demon, battle court, and now the emergence of the supreme demon realm.


    "in this life, i merely seek peace. when i die, speak to my original self." gu an responded.


    yu chan paused, then shook his head and laughed, finding gu an to be a peculiar individual.


    zhang shi also showed a smile, pleased that gu an had refused.


    yu chan looked back at zhang shi and said, "let it be. when the great calamity descends and heaven and earth reshuffle, if you haven''t completed your reincarnation tribulation, you''ll perish along with the great heavenly spirit land. your time is running out."


    as soon as he finished speaking, yu chan vanished on the spot.


    ```


    zhang shi, after hearing, muttered to himself, "indeed, his target is the holy court."


    gu an couldn''t help asking, "what do his words mean, will the great heavenly spirit land be destroyed?" s§×arch* the nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    zhang shi looked at him and said, "because he has predicted the calamity of the great heavenly spirit land. this is an inevitable path of heavenly and earthly evolution and also the time when the rules of heaven and earth are weakest. at that time, all beings in the great heavenly spirit land will be affected, and the free immortals undergoing reincarnation tribulation will return. if other free immortals from outer heaven descend, the heaven and earth could indeed be destroyed."


    gu an pressed further, "how far off is that day?"


    "that is unknown."


    with those words, zhang shi walked towards the forest.


    gu an asked, "where are you going?"


    "i''m going to try out your life, but not in the supreme sect," zhang shi said without turning back.


    gu an watched him leave, looking as the red dragon strength energy dispersed from him.


    for ordinary people, reincarnation is an insurmountable chasm, yet for great cultivators, it seems to be a chance and fortune.


    after watching his figure disappear, gu an too turned and left.


    ...


    late at night.


    shen zhen was painting in her cave, holding a brush in her right hand and rolling up her sleeve with the left, her beautiful face furrowed in frustration as if she had encountered a problem.


    her right hand, holding the brush, trembled, never managing to make a stroke.


    after struggling for a long while, she suddenly put down the brush, let out a long sigh, and seemed to relieve a burden.


    "why can''t i paint the city from my dreams?" shen zhen muttered to herself.


    for some time now, she had found it difficult to paint the scenes she dreamt of or imagined, which distressed her greatly.


    "because your dao level is not high enough."


    a cold voice suddenly sounded, startling shen zhen into looking up.


    a figure emerged from the wall of the cave, revealing itself to be yu chan.


    shen zhen straightened up, her expression cold, and asked in a stern voice, "who are you? intruding into another''s cave is a grave offense!"


    yu chan surveyed shen zhen and smiled, "it seems you haven''t completely recovered your memory. however, you have her karmic aura; i can''t be wrong. since that''s the case, i''ll help you. i need your power, demon shore."


    he stepped towards shen zhen.


    shen zhen had never heard of the demon shore, but the intruder''s actions were provocative in her eyes.


    a nascent soul realm daring to trouble her?


    she immediately grabbed a wooden zither nearby and plucked the strings.


    the harsh sound of the zither resonated, and visible sound waves rushed towards yu chan.


    his monk robes fluttered violently, his gaze sharpened, and he uttered one word, "stop!"


    a burst of golden light shot from his eyes, transforming into a golden ''stop'' character, striking shen zhen at tremendous speed, immobilizing her.


    shen zhen''s eyes widened, filled with disbelief.


    she was of the void crossing realm, yet she had been easily immobilized?


    yu chan''s mouth curved up, "your temperament is exactly like that of the demon shore, truly worthy of being the reincarnation body she chose."


    as he continued to approach, shen zhen said sternly, "i am not the demon shore. within the supreme sect, do you dare to mess around? are you seeking death?"


    she was anxious in her heart, wondering why the great cultivators from the third medicine valley hadn''t yet arrived.


    instead of thinking of gu an, her thoughts turned to the chess-loving great cultivators of the third medicine valley, which was less than two hundred miles from her cave. she had always believed her cave to be safe, never anticipating such an incident.


    "i did not mess around, and i will bestow a great opportunity upon the supreme sect."


    yu chan smiled as he reached her, his right hand raised, about to grab shen zhen''s head.


    her pupils trembled, panic overwhelming her.


    suddenly!


    a hand pressed on her shoulder from behind, startling her, and her heart skipped a beat. she glanced back instinctively with her peripheral vision.


    the hand on her shoulder pulled her back, causing her to fall uncontrollably backward as she saw a figure.


    the man had an exceptionally handsome face, with lifelike golden patterns on his forehead. at that moment, shen zhen thought she was seeing an immortal lord from the heavens.


    it was gu an!


    shen zhen was dazed for a moment, then snapped back to reality.


    gu an pulled shen zhen behind him, then looked at yu chan.


    "is it you? what are you trying to do?"


    now it was yu chan''s turn to frown; he completely hadn''t seen how gu an had come in.


    this man was also a reincarnated free immortal; if he were to interfere, that would be unfortunate.


    the look yu chan gave gu an was filled with chilliness, a stark contrast to his warmth from earlier this afternoon.


    "breaking into a female disciple''s cave late at night is hardly the behavior of a monk," said gu an expressionlessly, his tone lacking the warmth of the afternoon.


    yu chan squinted his eyes and asked, "do you know each other?"


    shen zhen felt a warm flow from gu an''s palm enter her shoulder, restoring her bodily freedom, which relaxed her.


    she quickly spoke, "gu an, this person''s cultivation is not simple; we must be cautious!"


    she was incredibly shocked.


    the sealing technique that she couldn''t break free from, gu an had managed to unlock it easily?

 Chapter 413 Tower of Limitless Heaven and Earth

    hearing shen zhen''s words, gu an didn''t respond; his gaze was fixed on yu chan, his expression indifferent to the extreme.yu chan could tell from his look that he was resolute. it seemed impossible to take shen zhen away by bypassing him. find adventures at empire


    yu chan sighed and said, "we were having such a pleasant conversation, i didn''t expect you would still stand in my way. well, if you could walk together with him, how could you possibly share the same path as me? i was foolish."


    he took a step back.


    shen zhen was curious upon hearing this. did these two know each other?


    and from the other''s intention, he was trying to win over gu an.


    that was quite normal. gu an was strangely charismatic, able to make connections with all sorts of demons and spirits, even forming friendships with great cultivators that transcended age.


    however, she didn''t know who this person was or why he wanted to win over gu an.


    lost in her wild guesses, yu chan lifted his right hand, and a golden flame surged in his palm, the small tower reappeared.


    the first glimpse of the small tower made shen zhen feel a chilling dread.


    danger!


    she instinctively looked at gu an and saw no fear on his face; her own heart gradually settled down.


    although she didn''t understand the confidence underpinning gu an, she subconsciously believed in him.


    gu an''s gaze also fell on the small tower, but before his eyes, another notification also appeared.


    hostility from yu chan!


    once triggered, it is deep-seated hatred!


    truly befitting of someone from the supreme demon realm!


    gu an sighed, "why bother?"


    "why bother?"


    yu chan seemed to have heard a great joke. the golden light burst forth from the small tower in his hand, and his expression became hideously fierce as he roared in a low voice, "do you realize who you are..."


    suddenly, gu an swung his sleeve, and a gust of wind rose from the ground, instantly dispersing yu chan''s corporal body, even his monk robe turned to ash.


    the golden small tower fell to the ground with a clear sound.


    the cave quickly fell into silence.


    shen zhen seemed to have been struck by an immobilization technique, standing frozen in her spot, unable to snap out of it for a long time.


    [you have successfully seized 85 years of life span from yu chan (divinity transformation realm, third layer)]


    looking at the notification before him, gu an felt a pang of regret.


    although a reincarnation of the free immortal, this body''s life span was pitifully short.


    gu an turned his head and looked at shen zhen, asking with a smile, "aren''t you usually very brave? fearless of the heavens, fearless of the earth, why are you so frightened tonight? i really want to sketch this moment for you to see yourself."


    shen zhen snapped back to reality and couldn''t help asking, "what exactly is your cultivation level?"


    gu an slightly raised his chin, looking down upon her with a smile, "when you are strong enough, you will naturally know my cultivation level."


    shen zhen wanted to keep talking, but the golden small tower suddenly emitted a burst of golden light, causing the environment in the cave to change abruptly.


    it was as if they had been transported to the starry sky of the universe, standing on a meteor.


    shocked, shen zhen turned around subconsciously and looked up. it was her first time in the universe, even though she had dreamt of such a scene before.


    gu an, on the other hand, was not surprised and calmly gazed into the depths of space.


    the golden small tower was rising, set deep in the universe. the windows of the tower opened and a golden flame gushed out like a stream turning into an ocean, magical and unstoppable.


    when shen zhen noticed this scene, the golden flame rapidly coalesced into a giant face, larger than both heaven and earth, looking down upon them.


    yu chan''s face!


    but the aura was entirely different!


    especially his eyes, filled with a commanding brilliance, making it impossible to clearly see his pupils.


    in front of yu chan''s colossal face, gu an and shen zhen were smaller than dust particles.


    this shock was greater than when the immortal lord of autumn evening had appeared!


    because now she wasn''t in the heavens or on earth, but situated in the boundless universe. within this vast cosmos, yu chan''s face still dominated her field of vision, how could she not feel overwhelmed?


    she subconsciously drew closer to gu an, grabbing the sleeve of his robe.


    gu an looked at her and smiled reassuringly, "what''s there to fear? i am right beside you."


    looking at his smile, shen zhen felt an indescribable mix of emotions¡ªfear, despair, curiosity, and anticipation.


    "who exactly are you?"


    shen zhen stared at gu an and asked. she wasn''t foolish; she knew gu an was definitely not as simple as just a valley master from medicine valley.


    no wonder the sect leader always came running to him.


    wait a minute!


    could he be... s§×ar?h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a wild guess crossed shen zhen''s mind, causing her to widen her eyes in astonishment.


    "you are not a reincarnation body!"


    yu chan''s voice rang out, filled with wariness.


    gu an looked back at him and laughed, "your divine skills are not bad, mixing the false with the real, but can you escape my five-finger mountain?"


    as he spoke, he lifted his right hand.


    yu chan seemed to sense something, his eyes suddenly widened, a terrifying power welling up within them.


    gu an''s right hand moved swiftly, as if he was grabbing at the starry sky. when he drew back his hand, his right fist clenched.


    the starry universe vanished accordingly, and shen zhen only felt a blur before her eyes. when her vision cleared, she was back in her own cave.


    gu an stretched languidly and said, "it''s late at night, time to sleep."


    he walked toward the entrance of the cave dwelling.


    shen zhen stepped forward and asked, "what''s wrong with him?"


    "he won''t come back again. i hope only you and i know about what happened tonight."


    gu an left those words behind and disappeared around the corner of the tunnel.


    shen zhen stood in place, recalling what she had seen and heard earlier. she felt as if she were in a dream.


    "have i soul transmigrated into another world?"


    shen zhen muttered to herself, then followed and sat down at the desk. she raised her hand and, with a wave, the wine pot flew over through the air, yet her hand trembled.


    ...


    inside the third medicine valley, gu an sat in the loft, holding a golden miniature tower in his right hand.


    the commotion from shen zhen''s cave dwelling had been deliberately isolated by him; even the sun and moon netherworld emperor hadn''t sensed any disturbances or anomalies.


    the divine thought true immortal was very strong, but in the eyes of a free immortal, it was nothing significant, and for the daoist hidden immortal, even less different from a mortal spirit.


    gu an was using his divine thought to search for yu chan''s soul, which was encapsulated within the tower itself.


    as he had guessed, yu chan and the entity behind him wanted to rebuild the supreme demon realm. he had invited demon shore many times and been rejected, until hundreds of years ago when his reincarnation body sensed the karma of demon shore. he then saw hope to win over demon shore.


    yu chan''s reincarnation tribulation was on its last step, which was why he could retain the memories of his past life.


    the closer to successful tribulation crossing, the more memories from past lives the reincarnation body retained.


    zhang shi was just one step away as well.


    ji xiaoyu probably had a bit more distance to cover.


    the more reincarnations there were, the stronger the control of the original being over the reincarnation body became. during the early stages of the reincarnation tribulation, it was like reincarnation; until death, one couldn''t recover the memories of past lives.


    the current supreme demon realm was very strong, with more than ten free immortals. leading them was the supreme demon emperor, with an unfathomably deep dao level. even yu chan did not know how extensive his cultivation level was.


    the supreme demon realm had many targets, and the great heavenly spirit land was just one of them. they wandered deep within the silent destruction domain.


    gu an retracted his divine thought, and with a clench of his right hand, the golden sand drifted out from between his fingers, then turned into fly ash.


    this golden tiny tower was also an immortal path supreme treasure, built by yu chan over millions of years, stronger than the immortal path supreme treasures controlled by the holy court because it had never left its master.


    [you have successfully seized the life span of the sun and moon netherworld emperor (free immortal realm nine layers) for 2,580,928 years]


    the prompt that popped up did not surprise gu an.


    it seemed the reincarnation tribulation allowed the original being''s life span to temporarily pause, and crossing the reincarnation tribulation did not consume the life span of the original being.


    gu an was contemplating this when the golden sand in front of him reassembled into the golden tiny tower.


    this tower was named the boundless heaven and earth tower, capable of creating domains, much like the cosmic starscape that gu an and the other had previously entered.


    within that domain, its master could suppress enemies, even create limitless illusions to stupefy them.


    gu an looked at the boundless heaven and earth tower with a smile curling the corners of his mouth. he began to erase all karma within the boundless heaven and earth tower ¨C a difficult task for a free immortal, but trivial for the current him.


    the moon set and the sun rose.


    with the arrival of the early morning, not a single shred of karma from the supreme demon realm remained in the boundless heaven and earth tower. it was like a blank sheet, heavy with boundless power.


    gu an hung the palm-size boundless heaven and earth tower on his belt alongside qingtian peak as another ornament.


    after finishing all this, he stood up and went downstairs to go through his exercises.


    approaching noon, shen zhen came looking for gu an, just in time to see him playing chess with long qing.


    after going out to practice with shen xinzi for a while, long qing returned, studied even harder, and began delving into chess. much like the nine-finger divine lord, he felt that there was a great dao hidden in the black and white, and even his master shen xinzi did not refute such a guess.


    gu an was using the seven stars mirror as a fan, gently waving it.


    shen zhen approached the crowd and saw him like this, dying to scold him.


    but then she thought of last night and her feelings complicated once again.


    faced with gu an''s mysterious and terrifyingly powerful means, she felt an innate awe and could no longer regard him as she used to.


    gu an turned his head to look at shen zhen and threw her a challenging gaze.


    as if to say, dare to play a game?


    shen zhen glared at gu an, muttering to herself, "how could i possibly win against you? no wonder no one else can beat you either."


    a breeze blew past, stirring the strands of hair by shen zhen''s ears.


    she watched gu an quietly, feeling him to be so distant, unreachable through the ages, yet so real, like an illusory reflection in water.


    with an immense universe, she unexpectedly had such a great cultivator hidden by her side.


    she couldn''t understand why gu an chose to conceal his cultivation level.


    but she began to review gu an''s life, and looking back now, every move he made, every action seemed to hide a profound truth.


    what was his world like?


    shen zhen thought absentmindedly.


    leaves flew up behind her, rapidly turned yellow as they ascended to the sky, and ultimately fell to the ground, becoming part of earth''s greenery.


    leaves grew and fell, year after year, ten years had passed.


    in the deep autumn.


    gu an stood up, leaving the chessboard.


    the man he had been playing with, a white-haired elder, agonized over the game board.


    gu an walked toward his loft, his gaze lifting to the sky.


    "it''s time for a breakthrough."


    he thought to himself, a smile involuntarily forming on his lips.


    what realm lay beyond that of the daoist hidden immortal?


    he arrived at the front of the loft, just as ji xiaoyu was stepping out.


    "i have to leave medicine valley for a bit, i''ll talk about it when i get back," gu an declared first, then hurried upstairs.

 Chapter 414 Reincarnation Tribulation Crossing!

    ji xiaoyu stood in front of the attic, looking up at the window on the second floor.she was curious, where was gu an going this time?


    she waited for a while, and gu an came downstairs again.


    she immediately stopped gu an and said, "first agree, you must spar with me when you return."


    gu an looked at her and nodded, "alright, i want to see the progress of your cultivation over the years."


    seeing that he had agreed, ji xiaoyu finally smiled and shifted to the side.


    gu an raised his hand, ruffled her hair, and then quickly walked away.


    ji xiaoyu turned around, watching him leave. she raised her hand to touch her head, her thoughts drifting back to her childhood.


    it had been a long time since he had touched her head.


    "time really flies," ji xiaoyu murmured to herself, her tone revealing a sense of reluctance.


    on the other side,


    gu an arrived at mystic valley. he didn''t leave immediately; instead, he went to observe the cultivation of an shengtian and jiang shi.


    the master and disciple liked to cultivate in the woods. now, jiang shi had nothing left to teach an shengtian; they mostly discussed and helped each other with their cultivation.


    seeing gu an''s arrival, the master and disciple were excited, which made gu an reflect.


    had he been too indifferent toward them?


    gu an was already aware of their feelings; he just had been too lazy to teach them and had decided to let them temper their own characters.


    gu an raised his right hand, and five secret books appeared, letting them each choose one.


    the master and disciple were not fools; they chose different secret books, specifically heaven and earth primordial skill and daoist gang primal energy.


    after encouraging them a few words, gu an turned and left.


    holding the secret books, the master and disciple felt a surge of excitement. they looked at each other, both sensing a promising future.


    "cultivate well; do not disappoint master. also, don''t think about leaving. guarding mystic valley is our lifelong duty," jiang shi sternly advised.


    an shengtian nodded. he felt the same way.


    in the future, he would only leave for revenge; once the revenge was done, he would return to show his gratitude.


    practicing under sword venerable fudao for thousands of years wasn''t much, as long as they could continue to live and cultivate under fudao''s guidance indefinitely.


    after leaving mystic valley, gu an walked towards the distance on foot.


    his gaze fixed on the reincarnation vortex in outer heaven.


    he decided to go into the reincarnation vortex to cultivate. he had previously sent an incarnation to infiltrate it. the reincarnation vortex wasn''t another world; aside from the dense reincarnation rules, it served more as a transmission channel, accessing countless realms.


    this was also why xiaochuan had not reappeared since entering; he had been reborn in another realm.


    after many years of consideration, gu an still felt that breaking through in the silent destruction domain was too dangerous. would the heavenly spirit god carry out a thorough search if alarmed?


    or perhaps invite more mysterious immortals.


    though not sure from where the relentless immortals pursuing him hailed, gu an was full of apprehension regarding their backing forces and did not want to disturb them.


    as gu an reflected, he strolled forward leisurely as if touring beautiful mountains and waters, not walking quickly.


    an ancient hour later.


    gu an emerged from the great heavenly spirit land. beneath his feet seemed to be an invisible staircase; he ascended step by step.


    along the way, divine thought true immortals were engaged in a grand battle, the battlefield covering the sky, yet gu an walked between the two divine thought true immortals, invisible to their senses.


    their mana passed through gu an without causing any harm or even encountering any obstruction.


    as gu an walked upward, he looked down upon the world.


    above him was the cosmic starry sky, and from there, scenes of battle were visible everywhere in heaven and earth, making great heavenly spirit land seem like a grain of sand in the vast ocean, rendering no corner of this universe unblemished.


    the struggle between the immortal dynasty and the holy court seemed endless, continuing for countless years, with numerous sects and dynasties seizing this opportunity to wage war and plunder resources.


    out of the mystical depths, a malicious energy enveloped the vast expanse of the heavenly spirit land.


    as gu an was about to approach the reincarnation vortex, he withdrew his gaze and looked up.


    the reincarnation vortex, transformed by the yuanxu ancestor, had become stronger.


    a continuous stream of lost souls flew towards the reincarnation vortex, their spectral forms equally mysterious, invisible and untouchable to even living spirits.


    gu an did not stop, quickly stepping into the reincarnation vortex.


    once inside the vortex, he found himself in darkness, unable to see the souls, only feeling the taoist aura of causality, reincarnation, fate, and souls from all directions intertwining and complicating the rules of the tao in this place.


    having previously experienced this path through an avatar, gu an was not curious.


    he continued onward! s~ea??h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after taking a long journey, gu an saw twinkling stars appear ahead, and with each step, the number of stars increased significantly.


    these stars represented different dimensions; some were like the great heavenly spirit land, while others were from lower realms like those of the blood prison great saint and lu lingjun.


    needing a vast amount of spiritual energy, gu an naturally headed for a great heaven and earth.


    since the road was endless, he did not always make a choice but, upon seeing a great heaven and earth comparable to the heavenly spirit land, he walked directly towards it, quickening his pace.


    soon, gu an emerged from the darkness and arrived in the cosmic starry sky.


    stepping out of the vortex, his vision still lingered on the reincarnation causality, where he saw continuous souls flying towards the vast great heaven and earth ahead. as they barely approached the heavenly barrier of the great heaven and earth, the souls vanished into thin air.


    reincarnation!


    this scene was quite beautiful.


    such were gu an''s thoughts as he turned and walked deeper into the void.


    this great heaven and earth was still enveloped by the silent destruction domain, but it was extremely far from the heavenly spirit land, and even with gu an''s divine thoughts, he could not see the heavenly spirit land from here.


    it was as if he had come to another universe.


    half an ancient hour later.


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    gu an was meditating on a desolate continent drifting in the silent destruction domain, as vast as the taicang continent but devoid of flora and fauna, everything appearing dead.


    he activated the life span barrier; he didn''t strive to break through immediately but rather gazed into the distance.


    luck wasn''t very good.


    he had just arrived and saw free immortals fighting!


    gu an was captivated by their battle, watching intently.


    these two free immortals were not as strong as the divine cicada demon lord, but being free immortals, the commotion was huge, causing the tao spiritual energy to surge immensely.


    after watching for a while.


    gu an turned his head towards another direction, his expression turning peculiar.


    he saw a skull that looked humanoid, floating in the depths of the darkness, observing the battle from afar, just like him.


    this skull exuded an ominous aura, something gu an had never felt before, not even during reincarnation evolution.


    "what is this aura?"


    gu an frowned, increasingly eager to understand it clearly.


    this aura made him want to destroy the other party immediately, an inexplicable hostility.


    under gu an''s gaze, the skull began to move forward, entering a strange state, and gu an deduced that the free immortals could no longer sense its presence.


    was it planning to strike at the two free immortals?

 Chapter 415 Breakthrough to the Perfect Xuan Yuan Zi Zai Immortal Realm!

    gu an watched as the skull moved forward. because the distance was too far, he was unable to use life span detection and could only follow with his divine thought.the two free immortals continued their fierce battle, not sensing the greater danger that was approaching.


    gu an could feel that the skull had not reached the perfect realm of the taoist hidden immortal, yet it was even more dangerous than a free immortal. he had no idea what kind of divine power it was using that made it undetectable to free immortals.


    time continued to pass.


    half an hour later, while the two free immortals were locked in a stalemate using their mana, the skull suddenly appeared, growing immensely large, and devoured both free immortals in one bite. then, turning into a rainbow light, it vanished into the depths of darkness.


    the cosmic void fell silent afterward.


    the great battle seemed as if it had never occurred. although surprised, gu an had no intention of pursuing the skull.


    it just so happened that its appearance coincided with his breakthrough, a noise that would allow the blame to fall on it.


    gu an pulled up his attribute panel.


    [name: gu an]


    [life span: 740/3,329,223,602]


    [physique: hun yuan refined void body]


    [cultivation level: perfect state of taoist free immortal]


    ...


    thirty-three billion years of life span!


    advancing one great realm was not difficult!


    a smile spread across gu an''s face as he decided to start by enhancing his physique!


    he immediately invested one billion years of life span into his physique, and a steady stream of notifications appeared.


    initially, he did not succeed in advancing.


    without hesitation, gu an invested another billion years of life span, and the hun yuan refined void body successfully advanced to the hun yuan taoist golden body!


    tao spiritual energy surged towards him, and the life span barrier''s display of life span consumption began to change wildly.


    closing his eyes, gu an delved into the transformation of the hun yuan taoist golden body.


    golden patterns on his forehead began to wrap around flames, and his skin started to shine with a golden light, his entire being exuding an indescribable divinity.


    the hun yuan taoist golden body enabled his flesh to compare with the power of rules and be compatible with the tao, allowing for a perfect embrace of all tao rules. this meant that from here on, gu an could study any kind of tao.


    not only that, but the hun yuan taoist golden body could also bring about a metamorphosis for his mana, with his soul receiving a tempering by the tao.


    it was an incredibly wonderful process, devoid of any pain.


    the silent destruction domain also began to resonate with the changes, as tao spiritual energy roared and tao rules quaked, the area of influence expanding. creatures hidden within the silent destruction domain emerged one after another, some frantically fleeing, others investigating the cause.


    in front of gu an, a black sea dragon with nine dragon heads flew on clouds. the continent beneath gu an was only half the size of one dragon head. this was a landmass comparable to the taicang continent in size, indicating just how enormous the sea dragon was.


    none of the beings detected gu an''s presence; the formidable strength of the life span barrier remained undetected by all.


    after half an hour had passed, gu an opened his eyes and began to invest his life span into the eternal infinite skill.


    one billion years of life span advanced the eternal infinite skill to the great tao unlimited skill, achieving mastery realm!


    another half an hour went by, and gu an started to upgrade his ability, the dao representation divine thought skill¡ªcritical for hiding his cultivation level and needing to be upgraded in sync.


    similarly investing one billion years, the dao representation divine thought skill was elevated to the great thousand xuan void skill, reaching the realm of complete understanding and integration!


    next, he worked on upgrading his stepping path of ages step and the ultimate path formless body. the stepping path of ages step was the only movement technique he was researching with combat significance, while the ultimate path formless body could prevent causal inference, hiding his true identity¡ªboth equally important.


    he invested one billion years of life span into each!


    the stepping path of ages step advanced to the eternal measuring heaven dao step, achieving mastery realm!


    the ultimate path formless body advanced to the formless and invisible freedom body, reaching the pinnacle of achievement!


    once all his inheritances were complete, he checked his attribute panel and saw he still had over twenty-seven billion years of life span left, with more than eighty million years already consumed by the life span barrier.


    he decided not to upgrade the divine skills and ultimate skills of his past life incarnations like long zhan and lu han since these skills were the culmination of his past life''s achievements, of extremely high grade and rank, and he intended to comprehend his own path.


    after some thought, gu an invested another billion years of life span into the daoist gang primal energy¡ªhis protective technique, which should also aid in tribulation crossing.


    eventually, the daoist gang primal energy advanced to the protecting tao divine essence, achieving a realm of seamless proficiency.


    the silent destruction domain had descended into total chaos, with countless divine thoughts and divine senses sweeping through and numerous forces wandering about. centered around gu an, entities were active in every direction.


    even from the distant great heaven and earth, various creatures flew out to investigate the situation.


    the extraction of tao spiritual energy was now affecting the heaven and earth rules of the great heaven and earth.


    panic was spreading!


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    after gu an completed the inheritance of the protecting tao divine essence, he was clad in golden light with a white halo swirling around him. the white halo abruptly shrank and merged into his body, blending with the hun yuan taoist golden body. it was as if a layer of flowing light spread over his skin, covering every inch of his body.


    his skin returned to its original state, but his demeanor now far surpassed what it had been before; he seemed like a supreme deity that commanded all things, his gaze indifferent, exuding a commanding presence that looked down upon all living beings.


    gu an pulled up his attribute panel and saw he had over twenty-five billion years of life span left. he began to compose himself.


    the next moment was of utmost importance!


    breaking through the realm!


    one billion years underway!


    "you have been practicing qi absorption cultivation for five million years, forcibly attempting to break through to the xuan yuan zizai xian realm with the great accomplishment of the great tao unlimited skill, beginning your tribulation crossing, but you have not survived the mysterious reincarnation great heavenly dao tribulation, tribulation crossing has failed."


    "you have been practicing qi absorption cultivation for ten million years, forcibly attempting to break through to the xuan yuan zizai xian realm with the great accomplishment of the great tao unlimited skill, beginning your tribulation crossing, but you have not survived the mysterious reincarnation great heavenly dao tribulation, tribulation crossing has failed."


    ...


    a tribulation crossing every five million years?


    that''s quite harsh, the last time it was only once every two million years.


    gu an merely sighed inwardly, but in fact, he had long been mentally prepared.


    as long as the breakthrough succeeded, any amount of life span spent along the way was just a number!


    ultimately, one hundred million years of life span did not bring success, he had failed twenty times.


    he continued to invest his life span.


    one hundred million after one hundred million, gu an''s expression remained unchanged, as if he was undisturbed by the waves.


    when ten billion years had passed and all had resulted in failure, he slightly opened his mouth.


    there were still 1.6 billion years of life span left!


    no need to panic!


    gu an continued to invest in increments of one hundred million years, and his countenance grew more solemn because of it.


    after another five hundred million years, the sixth one hundred million year investment!


    finally, gu an saw the notification text lengthen suddenly.


    "you have been practicing qi absorption cultivation for forty-five million years, forcibly attempting to break through to the xuan yuan zi zai xian realm with the great accomplishment of the great tao unlimited skill, beginning your tribulation crossing, and you have survived the mysterious reincarnation great heavenly dao tribulation, tribulation crossing successful, your cultivation level has broken through to the early stage of the xuan yuan zi zai xian realm."


    "you have been practicing qi absorption cultivation for one hundred million years, your cultivation level has increased."


    fifty-five million years could not advance even a minor grade and rank.


    gu an felt the tao spiritual energy vibrate again and continued to invest life span.


    striving to reach the perfect realm in one breath!


    finally, after spending more than six hundred million years of life span, he broke through to the perfect realm of the xuan yuan zi zai xian realm!


    gu an looked at the speed of life span depletion within the life span barrier, and his heart settled down, with the remaining four hundred million years of life span, he should not be drained dry.


    he closed his eyes, immersing himself in the fortune he had cultivated for himself.


    from the distant void came the roaring flames of battle, where a great cultivator was fighting.


    the disturbances in the silent destruction domain had persisted for a while now, and various powers, unaware of the truth, were growing uneasy and began to suspect one another, leading to friction.


    the continent beneath gu an began to tremble as if it were about to shatter.


    as time went on, more figures joined the battle, and eventually, two of them came above the continent to fight, each wielding a divine weapon like heavenly gods in combat, locked in fierce battle.


    they did not know that a terrifying existence surpassing the free immortal level was breaking through below them.


    gu an''s tao fruit began to evolve, adorned with xuan yuan dao patterns; the lifebound great divine power, the longevity true word born from the tao fruit, also started to strengthen, merging more extensively with more tao rules and heaven and earth rules, which allowed the scope and depth of the longevity true word to become broader and deeper.


    when gu an''s cultivation level stepped into the realm of xuan yuan zizai xian, endless memories surged into his mind¡ªhis past, his future, and even illusory alternative destinies.


    at the crossroads of life, each choice he could make would generate different lines of fate, and these lines would continue to branch out in the future. only the path he truly took remained his reality; though the others were illusory possibilities, with sufficient strength, they could also be realized.


    to make them real, one would need to create the same heaven and earth.


    the xuan yuan zizai xian stage is a process of comprehending fate, being able to see all the possible destinies that one''s former life could have generated, as well as the future directions of these destinies, thereby making one''s future path firmer.


    the myriad states of all living beings ebb and flow; gu an saw the vision of the destruction of the great heavenly spirit land.


    that grand continent would be ground into dust at a certain moment, not only the great heavenly spirit land but all the great heavens and earths would move towards obliteration, just as living beings ultimately face a day of death.


    the destruction of the great heavenly spirit land was irreversible because this was a part of the heavenly dao and the evolution of the great dao. unless gu an could transcend them, but if he could, the eternal and undying great heavenly spirit land might then bring variables to other cosmic lands.


    gu an saw that after he fiercely protected the great heavenly spirit land, the supreme sect and the taicang dynasty became the rulers of heaven and earth, becoming the next holy court, the immortal dynasty, ruling high above all living beings. they went to the outer heaven, plundering far and wide.


    in the end, they became the new hegemony, the enemy of all living beings.


    in the dim mystery of the cosmos, everything is predetermined, merely a cycle of new replacing the old.


    cultivators can calculate heaven and earth, the natural way, but the only thing they cannot fully predict is the human heart.


    any person, any sentient being with spiritual wisdom, could be a variable. one variable can generate countless others, just as it says in the tao te ching:


    the tao produces the one; the one produces two; the two produce three; the three produce all things.


    all events and all things are like this!


    looking from the present is very much the same as looking from the future.


    reaching the realm of xuan tian zizai xian means not only that the tao fruit has become stronger, but it is also a pursuit of one''s own position.


    through this, gu an sorted out his daoist heart.


    if he saw through fate, then how should he treat those who were closely related to him?


    emotions tie him down, but should he allow himself to be constrained by emotions? sea??h th§× n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the so-called following one''s true nature, but what is this true nature?


    living in the world, with each additional day, the true nature is influenced by other things, and emotions are also established over time.

 Chapter 416 Longer than Heaven and Earth, Greater than the Great Dao!

    xuan yuan zizai xian.what is xuan yuan, and what is to be free?


    gu an seemed to be surrounded by myriad scenes, violently clashing against his will at times, with images from the past, images from the future, growing more chaotic, more frenzied.


    he didn''t know how much time had passed.


    suddenly, he opened his eyes, his consciousness arriving in a vast and glittering starry sky, no longer surrounded by those intricate and tangled scenes. discover hidden stories at empire


    his world appeared to become quiet all at once.


    his eyes regained their clarity, and one by one, figures walked out from within him, standing before him and turning to face him.


    a total of five figures!


    they were chu lu, xiao shengtian, long zhan, lu han, and ji!


    his five reincarnated selves!


    gu an watched them, his eyes gradually firming.


    behind these five reincarnated selves, in the depths of the starry sky, more figures emerged, their identities indiscernible to gu an, but he could sense they were also his reincarnated selves.


    once he truly began to reincarnate, these selves would obtain their own identities.


    their appearance signified that gu an had yet to sever his attachment to the cycle of reincarnation.


    although they dressed differently, their figures resembled gu an; with each step they took, they flashed forward a great distance, rapidly closing in on him.


    hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, their numbers surged, and soon, the starry sky before gu an was occupied by these countless figures, densely packed.


    gu an continued to sit cross-legged, gazing at his reincarnated selves before him, his expression unchanging.


    he was observing his reincarnated selves, and all his reincarnated selves were watching him, as if he were facing his true self.


    at this moment, gu an''s daoist heart gradually became enlightened.


    the original heart was not necessarily the true heart, nor were later gains necessarily obstacles.


    his current thoughts represented his true heart; any moment he acted upon his own wishes was an expression of that heart.


    as long as his true heart did not conflict with his principles, it signified the right course of action for him.


    even if the outcome of some matters was unfavorable, what of it?


    all he could pursue was his own life; at most, he could assist others, but he could not control their wills.


    even if the outcome was destruction, wouldn''t a period of pleasure before that destruction also count as a gain?


    setting aside karma and fate, gu an needed to consider his own pursuits.


    longevity?


    too vacant!


    through his cultivation so far, gu an increasingly understood the principle that the tao is endless; how high must one''s realm be to achieve longevity?


    if faced with a stronger being, could he maintain that longevity?


    gu an reviewed all his memories, including those of his reincarnations.


    his eyes gradually emitted brilliance.


    with a boom!


    the whole universe shattered, and gu an''s consciousness returned to the present; he was still sitting cross-legged on the broken continent, protected by the life span barrier.


    xuan yuan zi zai xian realm, early stage!


    the breakthrough was still ongoing!


    gu an''s perception of the tao became clearer; his comprehension of cause and effect, fate, and reincarnation deepened.


    these were mere transformations in the essence of his life; if one spoke of power, his mana far surpassed that of the taoist hidden immortal realm!


    while the tao spiritual energy continued to flood his body, gu an began to probe this universe.


    his divine thought could see farther away.


    first, he saw a colossal gate deep in the universe, very similar to the land of extreme fall, where the heavenly spirit god who executed ji was guarding such a gate.


    boundary gate!


    when executing ji, the heavenly spirit god had mentioned the gate''s name, adding that anyone who approached the boundary gate was defying the heavenly dao and deserved to be utterly annihilated!


    could every universe have a boundary gate?


    gu an saw that there was no one beneath the boundary gate, a silent and eerie void.


    intuition told him that drawing near to the boundary gate would lead to trouble.


    he withdrew his gaze and looked in the direction of another great heaven and earth; his divine thought captured all creatures within it, even overhearing their interactions.


    this great heaven and earth was named the great vacuous heaven and earth and was home to three free immortals, also in a state of chaos.


    the disturbances in outer heaven had already caused unrest within the great vacuous heaven and earth; factions of all kinds were striving to appease the creatures.


    gu an muttered an apology in his heart, but at that moment, he had no way to change his position and could only wait.


    he needed to advance; it was just unfortunate for the great vacuous heaven and earth.


    suddenly hit by an idea, gu an lifted his right hand, and mana converged into seeds within his palm; he scattered them toward the great vacuous heaven and earth, where they disappeared into thin air as soon as they were released.


    "consider this my recompense," thought gu an. as he acted, he looked again towards the great vacuous heaven and earth and saw changes in its future.


    the fate of the heaven and earth developed branches; some branches dissipated, leaving others to extend, to grow and spread.


    gu an even saw that in the distant future, the great vacuous heaven and earth would collide with the great heavenly spirit land.


    indeed, any variable could bring both fortune and calamity.


    gu an felt this way inside but held no regrets.


    even without him, the great vacuous heaven and earth would eventually face variables.


    what are variables?


    they are forces that the rules of this heaven and earth cannot restrain; anything from beyond this realm could become a variable.


    time continued to flow; gu an''s mana soared, and he did not neglect the life span barrier, the digits representing his life span flickered rapidly, but the numbers did not decrease significantly.


    an hour later.


    gu an''s mana had finally soared to perfect completion within the xuan yuan zizai immortal realm, leaving him with over a billion years of life span.


    he stood up, twisted his neck, his body shimmering with a golden light, enchanting and mysterious¡ªthe radiance of a mixed yuan daoist golden body.


    he then vanished on the spot, directly burrowing into the reincarnation vortex and then heading toward the great heavenly spirit land.


    with one step into the reincarnation vortex and another step out, and yet another step, he had already arrived near the supreme sect.


    this was none other than the eternal measuring heaven dao step!


    the vast expanse that lay between the great void heaven and earth and the great heavenly spirit land was immense, such a distant place that even for a free immortal, it was hard to reach, and even with the existence of the reincarnation vortex at present, how vast the reincarnation was. how many could find their way home in such a short time inside it?


    gu an inhaled the scent of flowers and grass in the mountains and his face revealed a smile.


    this place still made him feel at ease.


    now approaching noon, just a night had passed, and gu an had already surpassed the taoist hidden immortal, reaching the higher xuan yuan zizai immortal.


    and within the great heavenly spirit land, within this universe, he had yet to encounter the taoist hidden immortal.


    of course, the heavenly spirit god guarding the boundary gate did not count.


    gu an looked up and could already make out the figure of the heavenly spirit god. the fact that the heavenly spirit god could live to the utmost epoch was enough to prove his power.


    in the eyes of numerous cultivators, doesn''t he represent immortality, eternal life?


    gu an did not take any more glances at the heavenly spirit god, for fear of being noticed by him.


    with his strength, confronting the heavenly spirit god was still very dangerous; moreover, he had no enmity with the heavenly spirit god, so why provoke him?


    within the great heavenly spirit land, he already had the confidence to deal with anything.


    there was no need to be so cautious next, but he still had to keep one hand hidden.


    gu an could let people know he was the sword venerable fudao, but he could not let them know how strong he really was.


    what he contested for was not the transient strength but the future of countless eons.


    no matter how the world changed, how the sun, moon, and stars shifted, he wanted to witness all the changes forever!


    he intended to live longer than the great heaven and earth, longer than the great dao itself!


    he aimed to become a symbol of eternity!


    he wanted to enjoy the solitude of immortality!


    gu an''s lips curved upward, his right hand touching the passing flowers and grass, and after being brushed by his fingers, those flowers and plants all burst with vitality, slightly quivering as if about to become sentient.


    after another hour, gu an leisurely set foot into mystic valley.


    inside the valley, there were disciples weeding, others sowing seeds, and some cultivating spells, resembling a small sect bustling with life.


    seeing gu an return, the disciples immediately greeted him.


    after spending 30 minutes in mystic valley, gu an returned to the third medicine valley.


    the third medicine valley was now the center of his life; the place that mystic valley occupied in his heart was no longer so important.


    as he arrived at the third medicine valley, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of gu an.


    it was ji xiaoyu!


    ji xiaoyu was about to speak when her gaze suddenly fixed; she stared at gu an, her brows furrowing.


    gu an was dressed the same as the day before, but there was a significant change in his demeanor that even made ji xiaoyu pause.


    "shall we go, to play chess, to your abode, or to the dojo?" gu an asked with a smile.


    the so-called dojo was the area for playing chess, where dozens of chess tables were set up. every day, people would come to play.


    ji xiaoyu gathered her thoughts and said, "let''s go to the dojo. i''ve also been wanting to really feel life lately."


    gu an heard the implication in her words but did not say much more and immediately led her to the dojo.


    "last night¡­" ji xiaoyu couldn''t help but ask as she turned to look at gu an, full of confusion.


    gu an, looking forward, laughed and said, "i went to practice last night and had a bit of an epiphany."


    "it seems you''ve had quite the realization."


    "that''s right, you should see who i am."


    gu an said proudly, and ji xiaoyu felt like punching his smug smile, but as he laughed in such a way, she felt their relationship return to normal, with the distance she felt a moment ago completely vanished.


    ji xiaoyu studied gu an and said, "you wouldn''t be hiding your cultivation level, would you?"


    although gu an''s cultivation level had not increased, she thought carefully and realized that his aura was constantly changing, and this was definitely not an illusion.


    "you guessed it right. in fact, i''m very strong now. even if your true form awakens, you might not be my match. master puti actually wrote about me," gu an glanced at her seriously.


    ji xiaoyu rolled her eyes at him.


    all of the dojo''s chess tables were occupied, but when gu an arrived, two disciples voluntarily gave up their seats, and the cultivators playing chess had their eyes drawn to gu an.


    as gu an and ji xiaoyu sat down, a good number of people gathered around.


    the nine-finger divine lord also arrived, looking at gu an with a strange expression; he likewise felt that gu an''s demeanor had changed dramatically. s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    what was the story with this boy?


    could he be related to sword venerable fudao?


    the nine-finger divine lord had always been baffled by how gu an managed to win against him and suddenly had a bold thought.


    could it be that sword venerable fudao was advising gu an on his chess play?


    maybe!


    yes!


    that must be it!


    the nine-finger divine lord''s gaze toward gu an was filled with anger. the boy had no sense of martial morality!


    gu an let ji xiaoyu make the first move, and she did not hold back.


    after seven moves, gu an sensed that ji xiaoyu was mobilizing the power of the primordial daoist talisman.


    she indeed came prepared!


    the nine-finger divine lord, shocked, looked towards ji xiaoyu and marveled inwardly. what kind of power was this?

 Chapter 417 Why Dont You Just Say You Are the Divine Thought True Immortal?

    the primordial daoist talisman continuously unleashed the power belonging to the reincarnation path emperor, causing ji xiaoyu''s divine sense to rapidly strengthen.whether it was ji xiaoyu or the nine-finger divine lord, both understood that the competition in go was about the power of calculation. precisely because of this, they felt unwilling to accept that gu an, with his lower cultivation level, could continually win against them.


    the nine-finger divine lord, sensing ji xiaoyu''s aura quickly strengthening, secretly felt shocked.


    more and more great cultivators were attracted to the scene, and even shen xinzi and long qing came over.


    gu an and ji xiaoyu played speedily, full of murderous intent, causing the surrounding people to hardly dare breathe.


    a figure appeared out of thin air beside ji xiaoyu; it was the sun and moon netherworld emperor, who looked at the go board, frowning, wanting to speak but stopping himself.


    an xin and you yingying also walked over, watching the go match from within the crowd. experience more tales on empire


    even those with lower cultivation levels could feel ji xiaoyu''s increasingly strong momentum.


    you yingying looked at ji xiaoyu, secretly surprised, her curiosity about ji xiaoyu''s background deepened; she had only heard that ji xiaoyu came from the ji family.


    ji xiaoyu was definitely the most mysterious existence in the third medicine valley; she was always in seclusion and only had a good relationship with gu an.


    an xin was equally curious about ji xiaoyu''s strength. knowing ji xiaoyu was powerful, and gu an had said she had talent not inferior to an hao, how could she not be curious?


    as ji xiaoyu''s momentum continued to soar, thunderclouds surged over from the horizon, violently churning, darkening the sky rapidly, with the sound of thunder echoing.


    disciples in the valley looked up one after another, abuzz with alarm, and even disciples from other cities of the supreme sect and medicine valley were drawn by the anomaly.


    "what''s going on?"


    "is someone undergoing tribulation crossing?"


    "it seems the commotion comes from the dojo, feel it carefully; there is a momentum that is quickly strengthening."


    "indeed, many people are running there; shall we go have a look too?"


    "what''s there to be afraid of? in the supreme sect, we wouldn''t even fear if the sky fell!"


    the valley disciples discussed among themselves, many rushing toward the dojo, wanting to see exactly what was happening.


    holding a white stone, gu an looked at ji xiaoyu and asked, "is it necessary to go to this extent?"


    once the power of the primordial daoist talismans was used too much, it would trigger expulsion by the reincarnation rules; gu an could see ji xiaoyu''s life span was decreasing.


    ji xiaoyu lifted her eyes to look at him and said, "i must defeat you at least once to have no regrets; fighting it out on the go board is pretty good."


    gu an stared at her and laughed, "even so, i will not admit defeat. in my life, i''ve never truly lost, and if i ever lost, it could only be to myself."


    unable to restrain himself, the nine-finger divine lord spoke, "you really like to put on an act; anyone who doesn''t know might think you''re sword venerable fudao."


    gu an glanced at him and said, "how can a defeated dog bark so boldly? i''ll crush you shortly."


    the nine-finger divine lord''s face turned red with anger, yet he didn''t know how to retort.


    the other spectators found it amusing but didn''t dare to offend the nine-finger divine lord.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor, looking at gu an''s play, had an increasingly odd expression.


    he didn''t stop ji xiaoyu''s thinking. for him, he served the reincarnation path emperor, not ji xiaoyu.


    he couldn''t wait for ji xiaoyu to recover into the reincarnation path emperor!


    the two continued playing go. ji xiaoyu''s style was sharp and fierce, making frequent killing moves, but gu an always managed to counter them.


    the onlooking crowd secretly marveled; they too enjoyed go and had their own studies, able to recognize the high level of ji xiaoyu''s play, and each move''s attack and strategy surprised them.


    yet, despite that, gu an always managed to resolve ji xiaoyu''s every aggressive move. his play was not as overpowering as ji xiaoyu''s, but it gave off an undefeatable momentum.


    boom!


    a clap of thunder resounded beneath the storm clouds, startling many.


    looking at the go board, ji xiaoyu''s face was cold, her eyes filled with a compelling force, and the momentum of her moves continued to strengthen.


    in contrast, gu an looked composed, his speed of play neither hurried nor slow.


    time quickly passed.


    as time went on, ji xiaoyu''s moves became slower and slower.


    with the strengthening power of the primordial daoist talisman, her calculation speed increased. however, no matter how much she sped up, she couldn''t turn the tide of attack, and the pressure mounted with each move made, even giving her the feeling that she could not defeat gu an.


    ji xiaoyu lifted her eyes to gu an and saw the smile on his face, out of place compared to the furrowed brows and intense tension of the onlookers; the player seemed as calm as the gentle wind and clouds.


    the more confident he was, the less sure ji xiaoyu felt inside.


    could it really be that she would be forced to reveal her true self?


    ji xiaoyu frowned, a shade of hesitation flickering in her eyes.


    suddenly, gu an made his move, his voice clear, "let''s stop here, you''ve lost."


    ji xiaoyu''s frown deepened, and as she was about to speak, gu an raised his hand and drew the go containers toward him.


    before ji xiaoyu could react, gu an waved his right hand, and the go stones from both containers sprang out, black and white stones successively landing on the board.


    everyone was taken aback, not understanding what he was doing.


    ji xiaoyu looked at the go board, her expression rapidly changing.


    the expressions of the nine-finger divine lord and the sun and moon netherworld emperor also turned odd.


    as the black and white stones continued to fall, with other stones rising, the path played by the black stones appeared no different from when ji xiaoyu personally played.


    after ten breaths, no more stones fell, and the situation on the board was decided, with white winning.


    the others also realized: had gu an simulated ji xiaoyu''s play?


    they were all cultivators with extraordinary memories, unlike ordinary people, recalling the situation of the previous moves. the higher the cultivation level, the quicker their expressions changed.


    their gazes toward gu an were filled with disbelief.


    could he really calculate that?


    sun and moon netherworld emperor had the highest cultivation level, and he covertly compared them. the go strategy simulated by ji xiaoyu was very strong; if it were him, it wouldn''t have been easy to win.


    nine-finger divine lord looked at gu an, opened his mouth, but ultimately, he couldn''t utter a word.


    gu an looked toward nine-finger divine lord and asked with a smile, "fancy a game?"


    nine-finger divine lord''s expression turned serious, "forget it, another day maybe. today''s game was very impressive, it gave me a lot to ponder, i need to comprehend it well."


    gu an laughed; this senior''s tone was perfectly captured.


    he looked toward ji xiaoyu and asked with a smile, "what''s the matter? can''t handle losing?"


    ji xiaoyu took a deep breath and turned to gu an, "i lost."


    the innate daoist talisman within her began to stabilize and her imposing aura dissipated.


    she stood up and walked to the side.


    sun and moon netherworld emperor took the chance to sit down, "let''s play a game!"


    gu an looked at him and asked, "do you even know how to play?"


    "how could i not? i''ve played here a few times before," sun and moon netherworld emperor glared at gu an, annoyed, feeling that the kid was too arrogant.


    ji xiaoyu came to gu an''s side, her eyes complex, wondering about something.


    nine-finger divine lord, having seen sun and moon netherworld emperor once before, always thought him to have profound and unfathomable cultivation. he became interested, wanting to see if sun and moon netherworld emperor could beat gu an.


    faced with the challenge from sun and moon netherworld emperor, gu an naturally wouldn''t refuse.


    the two quickly got down to the fight.


    the others continued to watch the battle.


    an hour later.


    gu an stood up, looking down at sun and moon netherworld emperor under ji xiaoyu''s shocked gaze, "go is not as simple as you think."


    the surrounding disciples immediately cheered. they were unclear about sun and moon netherworld emperor''s identity, but inside the third medicine valley, they definitely supported gu an.


    nine-finger divine lord, shen xinzi, and several other immortal dao great cultivators looked at the go board, finding it hard to snap back to reality for a long time.


    sun and moon netherworld emperor trembled all over, his face full of disbelief.


    "how is this possible..."


    sun and moon netherworld emperor muttered to himself, unable to believe that he lost.


    seeing gu an turn around, he immediately stood up and asked sternly, "stop right there, who are you really? you''re not gu an!"


    when he said this, everyone followed suit in looking toward gu an, including shen xinzi and nine-finger divine lord.


    long qing couldn''t help but say, "what do you mean? losing to my master and throwing a fit out of anger?"


    sun and moon netherworld emperor stared intently at gu an''s back, "my cultivation is above the immortal dao fourth layer heaven. do you think he can beat me just like that? the go strategies i can calculate are beyond what a mortal spirit can imagine!"


    above immortal dao fourth layer heaven?


    above heaven and earth flying immortal?


    even nine-finger divine lord and shen xinzi were startled, their gazes at sun and moon netherworld emperor turning to fear.


    gu an turned to the side, looking contemptuously at sun and moon netherworld emperor, "immortal dao fourth layer heaven? why don''t you just claim you''re a divine thought true immortal?"


    sun and moon netherworld emperor''s face changed drastically, and ji xiaoyu''s expression also shifted. she looked at gu an, feeling he was very unfamiliar.


    gu an stared at sun and moon netherworld emperor, "since you''re aware i''m stronger than you, how dare you speak to me like that while hiding in my residence?"


    his tone was indifferent, yet it exuded an immense pressure.


    the disciples discovered for the first time that their master could be this intimidating.


    however, they had never heard of divine thought true immortal. even nine-finger divine lord and shen xinzi were pondering what realm divine thought true immortal was.


    sun and moon netherworld emperor''s face turned extremely ugly, his heart beating wildly as he faced gu an''s gaze, feeling even more nervous than if he were causing trouble in the holy court.


    "you are..." sun and moon netherworld emperor said through gritted teeth, but the words ''sword venerable fudao'' were impossible to pronounce.


    gu an turned around and said to ji xiaoyu with a smile, "let''s go, back to the room to talk."


    ji xiaoyu nodded subconsciously and then followed him away.


    sun and moon netherworld emperor stood in place, staring as they left.


    the others exchanged glances, all filled with confusion.


    long qing approached shen xinzi, asking in a low voice, "master, what realm is divine thought true immortal?"


    shen xinzi did not answer. he too wanted to know the answer to this question. s~ea??h the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    nevertheless, one thing was clear to him: divine thought true immortal was above heaven and earth flying immortal, and gu an was most likely even stronger than a divine thought true immortal; otherwise, how could he have frightened sun and moon netherworld emperor into such a state?


    an xin was the only one not surprised, only excited.


    she too wanted to display her powers in front of others like her master had. her motivation for immortal cultivation grew stronger, and she immediately turned and left to practice diligently.


    on the way to the loft, ji xiaoyu looked at gu an, her heart filled with a thousand words to say.


    "have you awakened your memories from a past life?" ji xiaoyu couldn''t help but ask.


    she had previously speculated that it could be a reincarnation of the free immortal, and now she was even more certain of this, otherwise how could gu an suppress sun and moon netherworld emperor?


    as for whether gu an could be sword venerable fudao, she didn''t think it was likely.


    sword venerable fudao had taken action more than once; reincarnators who utilized their true form''s power would be expelled by the reincarnation rules.

 Chapter 418 Invincible across the Supreme Sect

    "awoken past life memories? i suppose that''s one way to put it."gu an turned to ji xiaoyu with a smile and answered, having indeed recalled many memories from his past life.


    ji xiaoyu, upon hearing this, had a complex look in her eyes.


    she could sense that gu an had chosen to end the chess game early because he feared she was expending too much vitality. as a result, gu an had also been forced to reveal his cultivation level. her mood was a mix of various emotions.


    surprise, astonishment, reluctance, concern, regret, and more swirled within her.


    gu an saw through her thoughts, raised his shoulders with a smile, and said, "don''t be dissatisfied; we can play chess again in the future, and you''ll have more opportunities."


    "i fear i may not have much time left¡­" ji xiaoyu murmured in a low voice.


    gu an turned his head to look at her and asked, "so, what do you want to do with the remaining time?"


    ji xiaoyu was the reincarnation path emperor, and the reincarnation path emperor was ji xiaoyu; it was only the differing memories that caused her fleeting emotional turmoil.


    gu an could transfer the memories of this life of ji xiaoyu to another person, but that wouldn''t separate ji xiaoyu from the reincarnation path emperor.


    because there is only one soul.


    moreover, memories and experiences can influence one''s character, but one''s true nature is determined at birth.


    ji xiaoyu understood this as well, so she never thought about breaking away from the reincarnation path emperor. her disquiet stemmed from her inability to imagine how her will would return to her original self after this life ended, as she couldn''t feel the emotions from her past life memories when recalling them.


    "what do i want to do? indeed, i need to give it some thought," ji xiaoyu mused.


    gu an offered no suggestions, letting her think for herself.


    the two returned to the house, while back in the dojo, the sun and moon netherworld emperor disappeared from sight, and the onlookers gathered to discuss the chess game that had just ended.


    shen xinzi looked toward gu an''s loft from a distance, took a deep breath, and said, "your master is no ordinary person."


    long qing, who stood nearby, couldn''t help but roll his eyes at the remark. as if i couldn''t see it for myself!


    long qing''s feelings were equally complicated.


    he was close to gu an, always regarding him as a father, but in his heart, shen xinzi was stronger.


    to cultivate with shen xinzi, he had spent a significant amount of time with him, which resulted in less and less time spent with gu an.


    yet, the scene just now showed gu an''s aura even overpowering that mysterious great cultivator.


    that was someone even more formidable than immortal dao fourth layer heaven!


    did this mean that gu an could be stronger than his master, shen xinzi?


    long qing suddenly felt this to be absurd, even hard to accept.


    if this were true, why didn''t he cultivate with gu an from the beginning?


    long qing''s gaze shifted to an xin, who was walking away in the distance. suddenly, he thought that an xin might know something.


    he must ask!


    how could someone so close to him hide such a cultivation level? what did it all mean?


    the altercation between gu an and the sun and moon netherworld emperor became known in the days that followed, and the words divine thought true immortal remained in people''s memories.


    three days later.


    lv baitian and ji hantian came to find gu an; he received them, asking them to sit while he went to pour tea.


    "is it true that a being with a cultivation level above the immortal dao fourth layer heaven has appeared in medicine valley? and that you managed to suppress them?" lv baitian couldn''t help but ask, his expression tense.


    his first reaction to the news was disbelief, but when his subordinates claimed to have witnessed it, he had to take it seriously.


    currently, the supreme sect did not have a great cultivator of the immortal dao fourth layer heaven to rely on. sword venerable fudao did not count, for no one knew his cultivation level.


    now, not only had the heaven and earth flying immortal phenomenon occurred, but his most promising, gu an, allegedly could suppress such an existence?


    impossible!


    lv baitian found the notion ludicrous, even suspecting that his own training had gone wrong, trapping him in an illusion realm.


    ji hantian''s feelings were similar ¡ª with ji xiaoyu originating from a ji family house servant, no matter what kind of fortuitous encounters he''d had, it was impossible for him to be so powerful.


    "since you''re already aware, why ask me?" gu an responded casually. when he had attained the xuan yuan zizai xian, he decided he no longer needed to disguise himself as before, as long as he did not reveal his true strength.


    even the immortal dynasty and holy court wouldn''t suspect that sword venerable fudao surpassed the zizai xian, and by two whole great realms at that.


    the strongest of them, shengtian, was still striving to reach the taoist hidden immortal.


    hearing gu an''s words, lv baitian and ji hantian''s eyes widened as they instinctively looked at each other.


    ji hantian signaled lv baitian with a glance, and after hesitating for a moment, lv baitian subtly nodded. your next chapter is on empire


    immediately after, ji hantian suddenly stood up and swung his palm towards gu an, who had his back to him.


    but as soon as he moved, he was immobilized, unable to take a step, and he couldn''t help but widen his eyes in shock.


    gu an turned around, holding two cups of tea and walked toward ji hantian.


    as their eyes met, ji hantian''s were filled with disbelief.


    as gu an approached him, he sensed an incredibly terrifying presence, as if gu an''s aura could crush him.


    "if there''s a next time, you''ll die even if i don''t lift a finger," gu an stated flatly, looking at ji hantian without emotion.


    ji hantian was drenched in cold sweat.


    lv baitian hurriedly stood and said, "he only wanted to test you; he had no intention of harming you."


    he too was terrified, looking at gu an with fear in his eyes.


    with such momentum, it was absolutely an immortal dao existence!


    without any exaggeration, lv baitian had never in his life felt such a powerful aura. as for the terrifying beings like sword venerable fudao and immortal lord qiu xi, their presence was directed towards heaven and earth, far from lv baitian. this time, it was a face-to-face feeling.


    gu an retracted his aura and placed two cups of tea on the table.


    he sat down casually, then leaned back in the chair, looking at lv baitian and the other person, asking, "now that it''s confirmed, what are you going to do next?"


    his tone was casual and he didn''t emit an overwhelming aura, but it paradoxically brought an almost suffocating pressure to lv baitian and his companion.


    they had never imagined this young man could possess such spirit.


    at the same time, they pondered over gu an''s words, unable to determine his attitude.


    was gu an hiding his strength, or did he not mind revealing it?


    should they help gu an with the aftermath?


    gu an was not in a hurry, waiting for them to think.


    seeing gu an not rushing them, the pressure on the two men increased, and they even began to sweat profusely on their foreheads.


    lv baitian looked up at gu an, somewhat dazed.


    the gu an that he had tried to take care of and favored over the years turned out to be so powerful.


    he suddenly thought of something.


    could it be that gu an was very strong from the beginning?


    the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. since he had met gu an, he had never seen him panic. the young man seemed to fear nothing, no matter how tough or treacherous the path.


    a pursuit of a simple life could be because he was strong enough to have seen the splendor of the world.


    could he be sword venerable fudao?


    once this thought occurred to him, lv baitian startled himself.


    he looked at gu an, meeting gu an''s seemingly smiling gaze.


    lv baitian broke into a cold sweat as he thought about his actions over the years and the suggestions gu an had made. many things finally clicked together.


    no wonder he said that he would never reach the unification realm in this lifetime...


    it turned out that he simply held the unification realm in contempt...


    ji hantian didn''t think that much; he was just puzzled as to why gu an was so strong.


    after all, gu an was a house servant of the ji family. ji hantian had investigated gu an early on and was certain of gu an''s true identity.


    could it be that the current gu an was not the same person he knew and had been replaced by a great cultivator?


    that was the only possibility!


    how could a junior of over seven hundred years old be so powerful?


    even an hao had not necessarily stepped into the nirvana realm to this day!


    lv baitian took a deep breath and said, "regarding your cultivation level, we won''t disclose it and won''t disturb your life."


    ji hantian came back to reality and quickly echoed him. no longer did he bear his usual haughtiness; in front of gu an, he appeared scared and apprehensive.


    gu an thought to himself that even if they had said something, it wouldn''t matter, but the quietness was welcome. he spoke, "drink the tea. this tea is a long-treasured favorite of mine."


    the two men nodded hastily, following up by picking up their tea, but their hands were trembling.


    thirty minutes later, the two men walked out of the attic, with gu an coming out to see them off.


    long qing, who was chatting with the blood prison great saint, turned his head to look and saw the sect leader and vice sect leader bowing and scraping to his master, which caused him to frown.


    gu an watched as the two left and then turned to long qing with a smile. without waiting for long qing to speak, he went straight back into his room and slammed the door shut with a bang.


    long qing opened his mouth, realizing that his master was intentionally avoiding him.


    it was understandable; remembering how he used to boast about how strong his second master was in front of his master made his face burn with embarrassment.


    elsewhere. s§×ar?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    lv baitian and ji hantian were traveling on clouds, conversing in low voices.


    "what should we do from now on?" ji hantian asked, his expression complex. he truly didn''t know what to do with gu an; they could no longer treat him as a subordinate, but given their past relationship, he felt awkward about trying to flatter gu an directly.


    lv baitian looked towards the horizon and replied, "pretend as if we know nothing of this, and from now on, treat well those who have a good relationship with him. after all, he has worked diligently for the supreme sect, and those who are on good terms with him must also have made significant contributions to the supreme sect. the supreme sect cannot let them go unrewarded."


    after hearing this, ji hantian''s eyes lit up; he couldn''t help but admire lv baitian.


    indeed, there is a difference between the sect leader and the vice sect leader!


    in the days that followed, the rumors about the third medicine valley were suppressed, but in the hearts of the disciples in the valley, gu an had become a mysterious great cultivator; they worked even harder, hoping to gain gu an''s favor.


    time flew by.


    during the autumn.


    ye lan and zhen qin came to find gu an; the two women climbed upstairs and entered the room.


    "master, we''re now elders in the hall of elders of the sub-sect. nowadays, in the sub-sect, we''re second only to one and above ten thousand!" zhen qin said excitedly. although this had been decided for several months, every time she brought it up, she was ecstatic.


    gu an raised his eyebrows, surprised, "that impressive?"


    ye lan, on the other hand, stared at gu an and asked, "this must have something to do with you, right? no matter how great our achievements are, with our cultivation levels as they are, it''s nearly impossible to enter the hall of elders."


    upon hearing this, zhen qin turned to look at gu an, thinking he would either be modest or deny it. instead, gu an answered, "perhaps someone wants to curry favor with me."


    at that, zhen qin''s eyes widened, and she asked in astonishment, "who could use two seats in the hall of elders to curry favor with you?"


    gu an proudly said, "i''ll be honest with you, i''m very strong now. without any exaggeration, i could defeat anyone in the supreme sect; from now on, you can walk sideways if you like."

 Chapter 419 The Power of Tens of Millions of Years

    "for real, you think you can still beat sword venerable fudao?"zhen qin chuckled, teasingly responding to gu an''s claim.


    gu an raised his right fist and declared, "my punch carries the power of tens of thousands of years. could sword venerable fudao withstand it?"


    "ptui, ptui, ptui! don''t talk nonsense, be careful lest the old master hears you!" zhen qin suddenly became anxious. after saying that, she stood up, bowed towards the window with her hands pressed together, apologizing on behalf of gu an.


    gu an watched with a desire to laugh but did not stop her, simply observing zhen qin''s performance with amusement.


    ye lan, on the other hand, was not afraid. she had always felt that there was a connection between gu an and sword venerable fudao. gu an''s words implied that his relationship with sword venerable fudao was extremely good, so good that he could even joke with his superior. this made her quite happy.


    the better gu an''s relationship with sword venerable fudao, the safer she would be in the days to come.


    after zhen qin apologized for quite some time, under gu an''s urging, she sat down again.


    gu an inquired about their experiences in the hall of elders, and the two women did not hide anything.


    when they first joined the hall of elders, they faced much ostracism, and some even publicly humiliated them. however, the next morning, those people came to visit and apologized. after that, the hall of elders changed its attitude towards them, treating them very well.


    ye lan took this opportunity to grow her influence, and to her surprise, rather than being suppressed, the hall of elders even paved the way for them. so, ye lan concluded that someone must be helping them from behind.


    after much consideration, the only person they could think of who was capable of doing this was gu an.


    in the supreme sect, there were numerous women with more outstanding looks and higher cultivation levels than them; none of the great cultivators on the immortal path were interested in them, so it was easy to figure out the answer.


    "from now on, perform your duties in the elder seats without worry, and don''t feel too much pressure. if you encounter something you can''t solve, come to me."


    gu an spoke earnestly. this was something the old him would never have said; not because he had become more powerful, but because ji xiaoyu''s situation had made him realize that the time left for those around him was not long.


    he had billions of years, even more, of lifespan, but others were different. a hundred years flew by in an instant, and how many centuries could a person live?


    in times of great chaos, it was possible that while he was distracted, the people he cared about might be enduring hardship. why not be more open-hearted?


    ye lan responded, "don''t worry, we''ll come to you."


    zhen qin nodded in agreement as well.


    they began to talk about interesting stories from their sub-sect. gu an listened intently, occasionally laughing genuinely.


    as dusk approached, zhen qin left, while ye lan decided to stay one more night before leaving.


    night fell.


    while watching gu an read, ye lan casually asked, "brother, what do you think of miss ji?"


    gu an''s gaze remained fixed on the green hero travelogue he was holding as he countered, "why ask so suddenly?"


    the atmosphere downstairs had become unnatural again¡ªji xiaoyu was eavesdropping!


    "actually, i think you two are quite a match. with her talent, instead of enjoying fame and fortune, she stays in medicine valley, which is clearly for you." ye lan spoke softly, her eyes fixed on gu an, seemingly observing any change in his expression.


    gu an replied, "i know."


    upon hearing his answer, ye lan''s gaze flickered.


    gu an looked up at her and said, "her reasons for staying include me, but there are other reasons as well. in life, especially for a cultivator, there are more important things to pursue, right?"


    ye lan smiled at his words, saying, "yeah, in my forties all i was concerned about was you, enchained by emotions. now i have more to pursue. rather than some nominal reputation, what matters more to me is that we are both alive and can keep each other company."


    she paused, then added, "actually, i brought her up because i hope you, brother, would seriously consider her feelings. i can''t accompany you forever. it''s best if you don''t cling to the past and keep forming new relationships, whatever those may be. at the very least, this will make you less lonely in the future."


    having caught the eye of sword venerable fudao and possessing the primordial reincarnation skill, ye lan believed gu an would live a very long time, and she was destined to be just a passerby in his life. rather than claiming possession, she hoped he would live freely in the future.


    in her view, her brother deserved all the world''s beauty.


    gu an looked at her without offering comfort, instead smiling and asking, "what''s wrong with being alone? the terrible thing is being perpetually alone. don''t worry, i have many friends, and have you ever seen me feeling down?"


    "as for ji xiaoyu, she too can''t accompany me for long. don''t think about how long you can be with me, but what i can do with you and for how long."


    ye lan instinctively wanted to ask what was wrong with ji xiaoyu, but she refrained, realizing that if even gu an couldn''t solve the problem with ji xiaoyu, what could she do?


    there was no need to spoil her brother''s mood.


    "that''s true, i''m just a mortal whose life is blessed by association with you, brother." ye lan covered her mouth and laughed, her comment seemed jesting, but it was earnest.


    without gu an, she would not have her current status and power, and might well have died hundreds of years earlier.


    every additional day she lived, she owed a bit more to gu an¡ªat least, that''s how she saw it.


    gu an gave her a glaring look and said, "what nonsensical talk. since when has fate been hierarchical? meeting you is my good fortune as well."


    "really?"


    ye lan''s eyes crinkled with laughter, making her look quite charming.


    gu an raised his hand, placing it on the table with his palm up.


    ye lan hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand, which gu an took hold of readily.


    "focus on your cultivation, don''t worry about what might be or might not be. i will accompany you on the journey of immortal cultivation. if we don''t reach the immortal realm in this lifetime, i will find you in the next. even if you''ve forgotten me, it''s enough that i remember you." gu an stared into ye lan''s eyes, speaking earnestly.


    ye lan''s eyes widened; it was the first time she had heard gu an make such a pledge.


    "brother..."


    ye lan said emotionally, her gaze filled with tender affection for gu an.


    gu an casually drew out a book, asking, "this is a book i''ve been working on recently, want to take a look?"


    ye lan''s attention shifted to the book''s cover, and she saw three characters.


    dream of the red chamber.


    ...


    as autumn was drawing to a close, one day, gu an rode down from the transmission array platform on the back of the blood prison great saint, with an xin following by his side.


    suddenly, a figure charged over and blocked the way of the blood prison great saint.


    it was long qing.


    he looked at gu an with a face full of anger, and in his eyes, there was also a sense of grievance.


    gu an sat on the blood prison great saint''s back, his gaze lazy, and said, "what do you really want?"


    an xin looked at long qing and found it amusing but held back her laughter. your journey continues on empire


    if it had been before, she might have spoken for long qing; however, she had experienced long qing''s swagger too, feeling that this youngster''s temperament indeed needed tempering.


    look how honest an shengtian from mystic valley is!


    "i¡­"


    facing gu an''s gaze, long qing opened his mouth but didn''t know how to express his feelings.


    the blood prison great saint wouldn''t indulge him and said, "don''t get in the way. someone has already taught you cultivation, yet you still want the master to teach you?"


    long qing''s face turned entirely red, and he was at a loss for what to do.


    after all, gu an had raised him himself, and he didn''t make things difficult for him but said, "in fact, you harbor a starting point that others do not have, and one could even say that you are already strong; it''s just that you haven''t discovered it yet. rather than blindly striving to get stronger, what you should do is take a deep breath and understand yourself."


    from a distance, shen xinzi was eavesdropping and pondered upon hearing these words.


    he had long noticed that long qing was no ordinary individual. without a trace of spiritual power, long qing''s physical strength and qi-blood surged rapidly. in terms of spiritual power, long qing was worthless, but when it came to the growth rate of true strength, he was definitely a rare talent in the world.


    could it be that long qing truly harbored a power even he hadn''t noticed?


    after hearing gu an''s words, long qing was shocked, unable to tell if what gu an said was true or false.


    an xin and the blood prison great saint both looked at long qing with astonishment; they wouldn''t believe gu an would lie.


    "do i really still have potential?" long qing couldn''t help but ask, his face showing both nervousness and anticipation.


    gu an dismounted and walked up to long qing, resting his right hand on long qing''s shoulder.


    instantly, long qing''s face turned pale, and his body began to tremble.


    "how does it feel?" gu an asked.


    long qing clenched his teeth and said, "it hurts a bit¡­" s§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    it was more than a bit; he felt like his body was about to fall apart, but he couldn''t show weakness in front of his master.


    he was puzzled in his heart and didn''t know what his master was doing.


    testing him?


    a smile appeared on gu an''s face; as soon as he smiled, long qing''s complexion turned deathly pale, and his body trembled even more violently, even his lips quivering.


    large beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. at that moment, he felt his body no longer belonged to him.


    he even felt his body had decayed, as he lost sensation, and his mind went blank, devoid of all thoughts.


    an xin saw something was amiss with him and took two steps forward, but she still restrained her concern. how could the master possibly harm long qing?


    gu an withdrew his hand, and long qing immediately collapsed to the ground like a lump of mud.


    he instinctively looked up at gu an, his eyes filled with fear.


    passing disciples gave them curious or puzzled looks, thinking that gu an was disciplining long qing, unaware of what offense long qing had committed.


    gu an looked down at long qing and asked, "what did you just feel?"


    long qing took deep breaths, struggling to raise his head, and said with an afraid look, "i¡­ felt like i was about to die¡­"


    "but you didn''t die."


    gu an stared at him with an indifferent gaze that made him feel afraid, causing him to subconsciously lower his head.


    "just now if it were a mahayana cultivator, they''d have been reduced to ash."


    gu an left these words behind and then walked past long qing.


    long qing widened his eyes and twisted his head to look at gu an''s retreating figure, his expression one of disbelief.


    an xin and the blood prison great saint were also stunned; for an xin, the mahayana realm was still a far-off dream, while the blood prison great saint was itself a mahayana cultivator.


    was this youngster long qing already more formidable than a mahayana cultivator?


    they both felt it was absurd in their hearts.


    shen xinzi appeared out of thin air in front of long qing, crouching down to check his body, his face quickly revealing a look of shock.


    "impossible¡­"


    shen xinzi murmured to himself, sensing his worldview collapsing.


    long qing didn''t know what his master was thinking; his mind was echoing gu an''s words.


    if it had been a mahayana cultivator, they would have been reduced to ash¡­


    he recalled the terrifying sensation from before and suddenly felt it may not have been so scary after all.


    meanwhile, gu an''s image in his heart soared immensely.

 Chapter 420 The Power of the Past

    since being informed of his potential by gu an, long qing stopped cultivating his physical body, instead he began to settle his mind and feel the foundation of his own being. shen xinzi had no objections to this.shen xinzi felt that he was not worthy to teach long qing. he appeared calm on the outside but was very lost at heart.


    having stayed in the third medicine valley for hundreds of years, he had seen through nothing and learned nothing.


    autumn gave way to winter.


    snow fell from the sky, plunging the great heaven and earth into an expanse of whiteness.


    that day, after the morning exercises were over, gu an stood by the wooden rail admiring the snowscape. the snowflakes landing on his body turned into mist, swirling around him.


    his eyes were fixed on the garden, but his divine thought was cast towards outer heaven.


    an anomaly had appeared in the reincarnation vortex!


    after gu an''s breakthrough, the reincarnation rules within the vortex had been constantly changing. he couldn''t tell whether it was because of him or simply a coincidence.


    it was likely due to his traveling back and forth through the reincarnation vortex. he had caused a great upheaval in a universe''s path, which in turn affected the reincarnation vortex.


    he wasn''t worried, though. even the greatest anomaly in the reincarnation vortex would hardly pose a threat to the xuan yuan zizai xian.


    he speculated that beings from other universes would come to the great heavenly spirit land, which was undoubtedly a disaster for the great heaven and earth.


    while he was contemplating, an xin arrived at his side. she mentioned long qing ¨C the boy had been sitting still under the mystic pure tree for a month, and she was afraid he might go mad.


    "it''s fine, it''s not been that long. sometimes it''s good to think things through," gu an said casually. long qing was born in the nirvana realm; gu an had merely sealed his cultivation level. now, it seemed that long qing was rapidly growing stronger when, in fact, he was merely recovering his original strength.


    after hearing this, an xin couldn''t help but ask, "master, how high is his potential, really? how does it compare to my senior and junior brothers?"


    gu an replied, "in terms of innate talent, he is stronger, but your senior brother has a sharper intuition."


    in gu an''s eyes, what was truly terrifying about an hao was his intuition. not only did he cultivate quickly, but he also had an astonishing understanding of spells and divine skills.


    he had been imprisoned by the immortal dynasty but had not delayed his cultivation at all, and he was not far from reaching the nirvana realm.


    he even anticipated the commotion an hao would cause in the immortal dynasty once he reached the nirvana realm and looked forward to it.


    "that amazing?" an xin widened her eyes in astonishment.


    before gu an had revealed long qing''s potential, she had always had sympathy for him.


    what use was physical strength without spiritual power?


    "then why..." an xin asked cautiously.


    gu an glanced at her and chuckled, "you''re right, i''m intentionally forging him."


    just as she thought!


    an xin knew that gu an was an expert in the sealing technique. the blood prison great saint was an example ¨C a mighty mahayana being suppressed to such a state, and others were completely unaware of gu an''s sealing methods.


    suddenly, she felt relieved and said with a laugh, "this kid is already arrogant enough. without restrictions, he could make a huge mess indeed."


    gu an looked up, noticing that the reincarnation vortex was changing, expanding rapidly. your next read awaits at empire


    while an xin was still pondering long qing''s temperament, figures emerged from the reincarnation vortex, all humanoid but with demonic qi, ghostly energy, and demon energy.


    they quickly lined up, turning their gaze towards the great heavenly spirit land.


    their cultivation levels were high. although none were free immortals, the weakest among them were dao void mysterious immortals.


    gu an could sense that free immortals were rushing here from the reincarnation vortex.


    he couldn''t help but calculate the major trends of the world, and the images of the future came into his vision.


    he saw some troubling scenes.


    "destiny, huh..."


    gu an thought to himself but outwardly nodded along with an xin, talking about long qing.


    after a long while.


    an xin bid her farewell and did not disturb gu an any further.


    gu an continued to watch outer heaven. he saw the holy court and the immortal dynasty dispatch a large number of cultivators to investigate.


    the three forces coexisted under the outer layer of light without clashing, at least for the time being; further probing would be needed later on.


    gu an turned and flew towards the outer gate city.


    he was preparing to release the immortal cultivation version of "dream of the red chamber," following the "romance of the three kingdoms." many in the immortal cultivation world awaited pan an''s fine work with anticipation.


    writing was no longer a source of profit for gu an. instead, he was more interested in sharing and reminiscing, passing down the works of earth literature to the immortal cultivation world to have beings remember for him.


    an ancient hour later, gu an left the book collection hall under the respectful farewell of its disciples.


    he decided not to leave the city immediately, choosing instead to continue wandering the streets.


    strolling through the streets was also his hobby; by glimpsing the cause and effect of passersby, he could further enhance his understanding of fate and destiny.


    as always, gu an would encounter acquaintances.


    although his mindset had changed, his attitude towards others had not; he remained friendly and enthusiastic.


    gradually, gu an arrived near the heavenly repair platform. from a distance, he saw many people gathered around the heaven-cutting axe. even on the platform, there was a heaven and earth flying immortal, who concealed his cultivation and appeared very ordinary, unable to draw attention, at least on the heavenly repair platform.


    zuo yijian stood steadfast beside the heaven-cutting axe, straight as a rod. like a faithful devotee, he had not brought any benefit to gu an, but his dedication and perseverance moved him.


    after all, the stronger zuo yijian became, the more he underscored the might of the sword venerable fudao.


    gu an stepped onto the heavenly repair platform, making his way through the crowd towards the heaven-cutting axe.


    even on the platform, gu an would encounter acquaintances, necessitating some small talk. by the time he reached the heaven-cutting axe, half an incense stick''s time had passed.


    zuo yijian saw gu an and smiled; a rare sight on his stern face. he greeted gu an proactively, asking, "what brings you here today?"


    gu an replied, "i''ve been to the book collection hall."


    zuo yijian''s eyes lit up as he asked, "could it be a new book?"


    he knew that gu an was the author of investiture of the gods, of which he was a dedicated reader. it was the work he read the most, but he also greatly enjoyed journey to the west and romance of the three kingdoms.


    gu an did not conceal anything and nodded in response, which thrilled zuo yijian.


    at that moment, a cultivator who had been trying to pull out the heaven-cutting axe failed. he released his grip, stepped back three paces, and remarked with emotion, "the legacy of sword venerable fudao truly is not easy to obtain, even i, a wandering immortal, could not succeed."


    wandering immortal!


    a stir went through the crowd, and someone complained in a low voice, "can this legacy really be obtained by someone?"


    as soon as these words were spoken, he faced criticism from those around him.


    "couldn''t you feel the sword intent of sword venerable fudao when you were on the platform?"


    "that''s right, even if you can''t obtain sword venerable fudao''s legacy, at least you can experience his sword intent, which is a great honor."


    "sword venerable fudao is so formidable; if his legacy were obtained within a few hundred years, it wouldn''t seem as precious."


    "that just means the fated person hasn''t arrived yet. i really look forward to that day. when it comes, the commotion caused by the heaven-cutting axe will surely shake heaven and earth."


    gu an listened to the discussions around him and reflected inwardly. was he being too harsh?


    without speaking of someone''s talent, to pull up the heaven-cutting axe, one must at least possess the cultivation level of a free immortal...


    due to the appearance of the sun and moon netherworld emperor, gu an had quietly strengthened the mana within the heaven-cutting axe, so none but a free immortal could shake the heaven-cutting axe.


    he had originally planned to ease the conditions when the destined one arrived, but as it stood, finding someone who met his criteria seemed difficult.


    nevermind, it was just as well if no one obtained it. a legacy that stands for ten thousand years, a million years¡ªthat would become legend, embodying even deeper foundations.


    "do you want to give it a try?" zuo yijian asked gu an.


    in the meantime, someone else approached and grabbed the axe handle of the heaven-cutting axe, but just like the person before, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn''t move the heaven-cutting axe one bit.


    most people who came to the heavenly repair platform were there to feel the power of sword venerable fudao, and even if they failed, they had no regrets. as such, those who failed to obtain the legacy left with excitement.


    "forget it, what i really want to ask is, what are you seeking by staying here so long?"


    gu an looked at zuo yijian and asked with a smile on his face, as if making small talk.


    after hearing the question, zuo yijian shook his head and said, "what can i seek? being here allows me to comprehend the sword dao, and i am already content."


    "sword dao, huh?"


    gu an murmured then cupped his hands and turned to leave.


    zuo yijian saw gu an walk away in confusion and was about to speak when...


    boom!


    a majestic sword intent rose from beneath his feet, engulfing his entire body and lifting his robes upwards, fluttering as if they would burst at any moment.


    zuo yijian''s face changed dramatically, his eyes filled with surprise and joy.


    his gaze followed gu an, who was walking away with his back toward him.


    all around, there was a sound of astonishment as everyone watched him in shock; only gu an, turning his back on the crowd and not turning around, seemed out of place¡ªas if he were in another dimension.


    could it be...


    zuo yijian''s eyes widened; gu an had just inquired about his aspirations, and now he had received the sword intent of sword venerable fudao. it couldn''t be a coincidence.


    at that moment, zuo yijian felt a familiar sword intent emanating from gu an.


    the sword intent of sword venerable fudao! s§×arch* the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    and it was even stronger than his own...


    it could only be...


    zuo yijian was shocked and excited. he felt no anger at being deceived by a junior; instead, he was pleasantly surprised.


    because he liked investiture of the gods, he had always held a wonderful fantasy about pan an, and he had been saddened for a long time upon learning that gu an was pan an.


    now, knowing pan an was sword venerable fudao, how could he not be thrilled?


    he didn''t believe gu an was a few hundred years old. he must be some old monster in disguise.


    the thought of how well he had treated gu an over the years filled him with a sense of excitement.


    perhaps he had the chance to take sword venerable fudao as his master.


    as he watched gu an walk in the opposite direction of the crowd, zuo yijian was filled with infinite longing.


    such capability, yet content to cultivate here¡ªwhat an extraordinary state of mind!


    the cultivators from all sides marveled at zuo yijian''s fortune, as the vast sword intent of sword venerable fudao was directed only at him, clearly a reward.


    more and more disciples of the supreme sect appeared as if from nowhere, gathering atop the heavenly repair platform. they saw zuo yijian enveloped in sword intent and couldn''t help but feel delighted.


    whoever received the guidance of sword venerable fudao was a treasured asset for the supreme sect, and as a community of shared interests, how could they not rejoice?


    rumbling¡ª


    a suppressive roar echoed through the sky, causing all the creatures of heaven and earth to look up, but the cultivators on the heavenly repair platform were not concerned, assuming it was an anomaly caused by the sword intent of sword venerable fudao.


    walking through the crowd, gu an paused and looked up, his brow lifting.


    "is this power from the past?"


    gu an thought curiously. his divine thought pierced through the sky, peering into the reincarnation vortex beyond.


    a powerful entity was descending, one that could directly threaten the safety of the great heavenly spirit land!

 Chapter 421 Primordial Immortal King

    as the cultivator on the heavenly repair platform marveled at zuo yijian''s fortune, the supreme sect sensed something amiss, for the oppressive might enveloping the heavens and the earth grew stronger.the snow filling the sky was becoming sparse, as if the harsh winter was about to end.


    in the third medicine valley, shen xinzi, sitting under a tree, looked up with furrowed brows, beginning to calculate by counting on his fingers.


    ji xiaoyu stepped out from the house, looking up at the snowy heavens, her eyes reflecting the figure of a majestic stature.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor appeared out of nowhere beside her, his expression solemn, and said, "the breath of an immortal king!"


    ji xiaoyu turned to look at him, asking, "what is an immortal king?"


    she had regained many memories from her past life, but there were always gaps; hence, she could maintain the will of this life.


    "an immortal king is a free immortal who has gathered the qi fortune of heaven and earth in oneself, having undergone reincarnation tribulation. their mana is said to penetrate the heavens and be unmeasurable," said the sun and moon netherworld emperor, looking up with a serious expression on his face.


    he continued, "the aura of this immortal king is off, there''s a strong scent of death."


    "what does that mean?" ji xiaoyu asked, her brows knitted.


    "i''m not sure, but one thing is certain, the great heavenly spirit land is facing a great disaster..." the sun and moon netherworld emperor took a deep breath, his eyes flickering, seemingly deep in thought.


    after hearing this, ji xiaoyu shifted her gaze back to the sky, observing the strange phenomena above.


    the snow melted, the clouds churned, and the sky gradually darkened, the oppressive atmosphere between heaven and earth intensifying, making more and more beings feel uneasy.


    gu an watched for a while, then walked toward the edge of the heavenly repair platform.


    zuo yijian was still absorbing the sword intent refinement from sword venerable fudao, his thoughts being drawn into a state of path enlightenment, forgetting about external matters.


    when gu an descended from the heavenly repair platform, the disciples of the outer gate city finally noticed the anomalies in the sky.


    at the same time.


    in outer heaven, in the void, figures knelt, facing the reincarnation vortex, which had grown larger than ever, with a majestic figure radiating light appearing faintly visible in the darkness at the center of the vortex.


    before this figure, all the powerful figures under the reincarnation vortex seemed insignificant.


    the cultivators from the immortal dynasty and holy court who rushed here changed their expressions drastically at the sight of the figure in the reincarnation vortex.


    "what is that?"


    "such a terrifying aura, how high must his cultivation level be?"


    "be careful, everyone, that figure is neither human nor demon, it must be an evil spirit!"


    "could it be a heavenly demon? but why wouldn''t they come from the silent destruction domain?"


    "why do i feel this figure looks somewhat familiar, as if i''ve seen it somewhere before?"


    as the two factions of beings discussed, they held their dharma treasures, ready for battle.


    the figures kneeling under the reincarnation vortex all looked up, their eyes intently fixed on the figure within the vortex, their expressions filled with fervor.


    suddenly, an immortal spirit from the immortal dynasty burst out shouting, "the primordial immortal king!"


    at this utterance, the side of the immortal dynasty was in uproar, the immortal spirits greatly shocked, their gazes towards the reincarnation vortex filled with disbelief.


    on the side of the holy court, a few strong cultivators who had heard of the name of the primordial immortal king also showed a look of horror.


    "all celestial ranks return to the holy land!"


    a commanding voice echoed in the void, and upon hearing it, the cultivators of the holy court turned around and left. within three breaths, all the cultivators of the holy court had returned to the great heavenly spirit land.


    seeing this, the immortal spirits became increasingly agitated.


    "is it truly the primordial immortal king? he''s still alive!"


    "so yuanxu ancestor created the reincarnation vortex to welcome the primordial immortal king."


    "no, don''t you feel that something is off about his aura?"


    "but that is the primordial immortal king, no matter what form he takes, he is forever the immortal king of our immortal dynasty!"


    "how many years has it been since the birth of the holy court? the immortal dynasty has not seen a true unifier of the world."


    the immortal spirits were overtaken with excitement, though a few showed worried expressions on their faces.


    just then, the primordial immortal king within the reincarnation vortex began to move. he slowly emerged from the darkness, a terrifying aura reminiscent of an ancient demon god surging from the vortex, unstoppable like a river bursting its banks.


    the immortal spirits within the void fell silent, merely staring at him in shock.


    ...


    holy court, on a grand hall.


    the holy minister stood before the holy throne, looking up at the starry sky, his brow furrowed, and his gaze stern.


    around him stood numerous figures¡ªall second-rank celestial beings of the holy court, the holy gods!


    each one a divine thought true immortal!


    an old woman dressed in a white-lit feathery robe spoke up, "holy minister, the arrival of the primordial immortal king is surely directed at us. regardless of why he has resurrected, we must devise a strategy."


    the other holy gods agreed, their demeanor calm but their words clearly filled with apprehension towards the primordial immortal king.


    with the primordial immortal king, the immortal dynasty now had three free immortals!


    in terms of top-tier strength, the holy court was now completely outclassed by the immortal dynasty. how could they not feel alarmed?


    over the years, although the holy court had withstood the onslaughts of the immortal dynasty, anyone with clear sight could see that the holy court could not turn the tide and decisively defeat the immortal dynasty within a short period.


    now with the emergence of the primordial immortal king, what would happen next was foreseeable!


    the holy minister, with a stern face, said, "what strategies do you propose, my lords?"


    upon hearing this, the holy gods suddenly fell silent.


    facing a free immortal, any plan was meaningless; only a free immortal could confront another free immortal!


    one of the holy gods looked at the holy minister and asked, "when will you begin your breakthrough?"


    the holy minister had been preparing to break through to a free immortal status, but such a matter could not be rushed. it required ample preparation, and for the holy minister, this tribulation crossing was a life-or-death challenge, naturally not to be undertaken lightly.


    the holy minister looked at him and said, "if not for some people shirking their responsibilities, i might have already succeeded in my tribulation crossing. we are all contributing to the holy court. i don''t know why some clutch onto their qi fortune so tightly, either in seclusion unable to act rashly, or having just released it, unable to retrieve it immediately."


    he wanted to leverage the entire qi fortune of the holy court for his breakthrough, but once qi fortune was linked with a person, it could not be withdrawn easily. losing qi fortune would disturb the mind and bring ominous luck; this could not be forced and must be discussed thoroughly with the higher and lower echelons of the holy court, to draw out some of the qi fortune without causing the collapse of the holy court.


    moreover, the holy court was still contending with the immortal dynasty. s§×ar?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    faced with the holy minister''s interrogation, that holy god turned pale and did not make a sound.


    another holy god spoke up, "it''s too late even for the holy minister to make a breakthrough now. what we need is a free immortal who can join the fight immediately."


    an old man with a wooden staff stroked his beard and asked, "are you referring to sword venerable fudao?"


    silence descended upon the great hall, the holy gods then turning their gaze towards the holy minister, causing him to furrow his brow.


    stay tuned to empire


    the holy minister cursed inwardly. if sword venerable fudao had been so easy to convince, he would have joined the holy court long ago!


    knowing that sword venerable fudao might possess the cultivation of a free immortal, while the holy minister was pleased and relieved, he was also wary.


    a free immortal who would not reveal his true identity¡ªwho wouldn''t rethink their assumptions?

 Chapter 422 I Give You a Chance with a Knife

    as the holy minister hesitated, the primordial immortal king stepped out of the reincarnation vortex and presented his image before the immortal spirits.the primordial immortal king had a towering figure, his clothes worn and tattered, and the upper body was left with only strips of cloth drifting slightly. his long hair was spread over his shoulders, emitting a wild and fierce aura.


    his strands of hair, like the gray rivers of the wilderness, fluttered, stirring the clouds like dragons churning the river, causing the tao spiritual energy around him to twist, forming a visual impact that could be seen with the naked eye. s§×ar?h the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    he seemed to come from ancient times, as if he had traveled from the source of the river of time, arriving at the great heavenly spirit land with an oppressive aura that stifled all creatures.


    the immortal spirits looked at him, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation.


    beneath the reincarnation vortex, figures radiated an aura similar to that of the primordial immortal king, silent and chilly.


    seeing the primordial immortal king, they were not shocked but rather excited. they seemed to know what was about to happen and were ready to participate.


    "whew..."


    the primordial immortal king slightly opened his mouth and exhaled a scorching breath, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins as his pupils gradually regained their luster. your next chapter awaits on empire


    his gaze first fell upon the figures beneath the reincarnation vortex before shifting to the many immortal spirits in the distance.


    facing his gaze, the immortal spirits still felt fear, with some instinctively stepping backward.


    different from the primordial immortal king they imagined, this one radiated a dangerous presence, making them feel weird and horrified.


    "now..."


    the primordial immortal king began to speak, his voice hoarse, making the void of outer heaven even more oppressive.


    he had not finished speaking when he suddenly opened his mouth and let out an enraged roar.


    this roar was earth-shattering; every creature in the great heavenly spirit land heard it, even tian yao''er, tianqing, tian bai in the hidden spirit palace, and the deep sea dragon carps in the nianchu cave were frightened.


    it felt as if they were suddenly awakened from a dream, the roar of the primordial immortal king not just a sound wave but a soul impact.


    hearing his roar, all beings felt fear, unable to calm themselves.


    creatures on land saw the afterimage of the primordial immortal king in the sky, akin to a mirage, his enormous roaring figure casting an oppressive presence that made their hearts skip.


    at this moment, gu an stood on the streets of the outer gate city, the surrounding cultivators all looking up at the sky with expressions of dread.


    in front of gu an, the son of the demon emperor, di xie, was also looking at the sky, his brows furrowed.


    "what''s that..." di xie murmured to himself.


    gu an remarked, "it looks like big trouble is coming."


    the two came across each other rarely, exchanging a few pleasantries before the roar of the primordial immortal king interrupted them.


    originally, when the demon land invaded the land of the human race, di xie, the son of the demon emperor, sneaked into the supreme sect and had stayed for hundreds of years. now, he had become one of the high-ranking individuals of the supreme sect, helping the cultivators of human race establish connections with the demons.


    at first, he and gu an got along very well. as time went by and their statuses diverged, they drifted apart.


    taking a deep breath, di xie said, "indeed."


    then he looked down at gu an with a smile and said, "don''t worry. the supreme sect is now the safest place in the world."


    gu an nodded and continued their casual conversation.


    perhaps because of the appearance of the primordial immortal king, di xie had the rare patience and started talking about the current strength of the supreme sect.


    meanwhile.


    in the outer heaven.


    before the reincarnation vortex, the primordial immortal king stood suspended; he was no longer roaring, his arms hanging loosely. he suddenly looked in the direction of the immortal dynasty.


    when his gaze suddenly fell upon them, the immortal spirits couldn''t help but tremble with fear.


    the primordial immortal king showed a fierce smile, his eyes narrowed, and in an instant, the entire void was filled with countless eyes of varying sizes, all belonging to the primordial immortal king.


    each immortal spirit felt the horror of being watched by countless enemies. before they could escape, the eyes in the void exploded open, and the immortal spirits'' faces drastically changed; they were unable to speak, to run away, as their souls uncontrollably flew out of their bodies towards those eyes.


    this scene was incredibly eerie, causing the powerful beings who were using divine thought and divine sense to peek into the great heavenly spirit land to shudder in fear.


    the immortal dynasty did not send reinforcements and let these immortal spirits have their souls snatched away.


    quickly, all those souls were absorbed by the eyes of the primordial immortal king, who then closed his eyes; the eyes spread throughout the void vanished all at once.


    when the primordial immortal king opened his eyes again, the blood in his eyes had disappeared, and the deathly aura around him had dissipated a lot; he looked more like a living spirit.


    he smiled again and blew a breath towards the corpses of those immortal spirits, and thousands of them turned into ash in an instant.


    "welcome back, immortal king, from your exile in xuan you!"


    a mysterious man who flew out of the reincarnation vortex raised his head and shouted loudly.


    at his call, the other figures of the reincarnation repeated his words, and the name of the immortal king echoed through the cosmos.


    the primordial immortal king raised his right hand, and the great heavenly spirit land trembled slightly, the sea of clouds churned, as a patch of ocean suddenly exploded, with terrifying waves shooting up to the sky. a mysterious black object like a mountain surged from the seabed, scattering the clouds and swiftly flying towards the primordial immortal king.


    boom!


    the primordial immortal king caught the incoming object with his right hand¡ªa massive black saber with a handle as long as a mountain ridge, carved with mysterious patterns, the blade thick, seemingly unsharpened, completely black, emanating no aura.


    viewed from this position toward the great heavenly spirit land, in the direction from which the black saber had come, the sea of clouds was spreading open to reveal a massive hole. beneath the hole, a blue expanse was faintly visible, a crack appearing and widening.


    the gaze of the primordial immortal king fell upon the black saber in his hand, and he murmured to himself, "it''s been a long time since i held you; i truly miss the days we fought side by side."

 Chapter 422 Giving You a Chance with a Knife_2

    he lifted the black broadsword and swung it gently, stirring up the mana that shook the outer layers of the sky, and also caused the reincarnation vortex behind him to twist and ripple.this spectacle made the figures within the reincarnation even more excited, continuously shouting the name of the immortal king.


    there was a tumult in the sky, while the great heaven and earth was dead silent, as if all living beings were afraid of disturbing them, no one dared to come out, and even less dared to shout.


    the primordial immortal king raised the black broadsword high, completely releasing his own momentum!


    it was the momentum of someone standing at the pinnacle of the nine heavens of the immortal path!


    even the yang xian emperor had never shown such momentum!


    far away in the immortal dynasty, the yang xian emperor stood atop the golden palace, gazing up at this scene, while the ancient immortal emperor appeared out of nowhere beside him, his face ashen.


    "was this also part of your plan?" the ancient immortal emperor asked in a deep voice.


    the yang xian emperor, with an expressionless face, countered, "would i resurrect another emperor of the immortal dynasty to replace myself?"


    after hearing this, the ancient immortal emperor furrowed his brows and asked in astonishment, "then, who could it be?"


    the yang xian emperor said softly, "it seems that yuanxu ancestor had another reason for opening reincarnation, and perhaps this was all part of the primordial immortal king''s calculations. the immortal dynasty and the holy court were in turmoil, creating chaos in the heavenly secrets. his resurrection now might not be impossible."


    upon hearing this, the ancient immortal emperor''s eyes showed a hint of worry.


    the momentum of the primordial immortal king was indeed too strong, so powerful that even he, as a free immortal, felt a chill in his heart. how could he not worry?


    the most critical point was that following the resurrection of the primordial immortal king, it was not the holy court but their immortal dynasty''s immortal spirits who were the first to suffer. this was a very dangerous signal.


    "could it be a plot by the holy court? but that shouldn''t be... how could they achieve such a feat?" the ancient immortal emperor muttered to himself.


    the yang xian emperor did not reply, but in his eyes, there was no sign of worry, instead, there was a will to fight.


    ever since he took the throne of the immortal dynasty, people have often compared him to previous immortal emperors, with the primordial immortal king, the founder of the immortal dynasty, being an existence he could never surpass.


    he had more than once imagined, if he and the primordial immortal king existed in the same era, who would have the last laugh?


    he was full of confidence in himself, even when facing the long unbeatable shengtian, he was confident, for he was much younger than shengtian.


    even though the primordial immortal king''s current momentum was strong, the yang xian emperor did not fear, his heart burning with fighting spirit.


    on another side.


    the holy court, currently discussing strategies, the holy ministers and holy gods were astonished that the primordial immortal king had actually annihilated that group of immortal spirits!


    what was going on?


    one of the holy gods looked towards the holy minister and couldn''t help but ask, "was this your arrangement?"


    the holy minister looked towards the sky, shook his head slightly, and said, "it has nothing to do with me. i fear that changes are about to arise."


    upon hearing this, the holy gods became even more puzzled. they did not feel the delight but rather a sense of unease.


    who, after all, was behind all this?


    ...


    in front of the reincarnation vortex, after the primordial immortal king felt the power of the black broadsword, his left hand reached towards his head.


    "there is still something missing."


    the primordial immortal king muttered to himself, his gaze following to the great heavenly spirit land, his eyes fixing there, the corners of his mouth lifting, and then he vanished into thin air.


    the supreme sect, within the outer gate city.


    gu an was listening with great interest, ??with the information obtained from di xie''s mouth, the supreme sect had indeed become powerful, even extending a vast network of relationships overseas.


    it all revolved around one person.


    sword venerable fudao!


    overseas powers, out of respect for sword venerable fudao, responded very enthusiastically to the supreme sect''s attempts at forging alliances, especially after sword venerable fudao took action, this enthusiasm rose to a whole new level.


    di xie was about to recount last year''s battle on golden scorpion island, where the supreme sect had established no small reputation, proving that, even without sword venerable fudao''s intervention, their strength was formidable.


    boom!


    a figure descended from the sky, crashing down onto the street behind gu an, sending stones flying, and cultivators nearby were blown away. gu an''s robe, too, was fluttered by the blast.


    di xie''s pupils suddenly dilated. he immediately flashed behind gu an, shielding him.


    but the next second, he regretted it because he saw the true face of the comer.


    it was the primordial immortal king!


    the roaring figure of the primordial immortal king was still imprinted in the sky, and the surrounding cultivators instinctively looked up and then back at the primordial immortal king.


    whoosh¡ª


    the cultivators scattered like a receding tide, with some even leaping up, flying towards the distance.


    di xie, however, stood rooted to the spot, his legs as if they were filled with lead, unable to move. he was afraid, but for some unfathomable reason, he did not run away; all he could hear were his heartbeat.


    the primordial immortal king looked emotionless as he stared at gu an. in front of him, both di xie and gu an seemed so insignificant, the disparity between their auras vast.


    "junior, do you know the origin of the crown you wear?"


    hearing the primordial immortal king''s inquiry, gu an turned and looked at him, then pointed to his own immortal king crown and asked, "could it be that this crown belongs to you?"


    the primordial immortal king''s lips curled up as he said, "that''s right, it''s mine. this treasure was crafted by me when i stepped into the ninth level of the immortal path. it is called the immortal king crown, and it is capable of swallowing the qi-blood of living beings, storing mana."


    ninth level of the immortal path!


    immortal path supreme treasure!


    upon hearing this, di xie nearly died of fright, with large beads of cold sweat covering his face.


    such an entity, he had no power to resist it!


    not just him, the entire supreme sect might face the danger of annihilation.


    he even began to resent gu an. how could you pick up such a crown with such a history?


    he had already been puzzled before, noticing that gu an''s immortal king crown had many notches, obviously meant for setting jewels, yet the fool hadn''t done so because they simply wouldn''t fit.


    gu an looked at the primordial immortal king and asked, "so? you want it back?"


    cultivators in all directions watched tensely, and although the primordial immortal king was fearsome, this was the supreme sect, where many disciples bore the responsibility of protecting their sect.


    hearing gu an''s words, they cursed inwardly. has this kid gone mad?


    to actually provoke such a terrifying entity!


    the primordial immortal king narrowed his eyes, sizing up gu an.


    [the primordial immortal king has become hostile toward you, wanting to grind you to dust. would you like to use life span detection on him?] s~ea??h the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    gu an chose to probe conveniently.


    [primordial immortal king (nine layers of the free immortal realm): 0/0/0]


    all zeros!


    not a living thing!


    gu an felt a pang of regret in his heart; the primordial immortal king was worth less to him than a qi cultivation realm cultivator right before his eyes.


    the primordial immortal king took a step forward, coming before di xie, whose pupils trembled violently, his body shaking as he was engulfed by shadow.


    looking down at di xie, the primordial immortal king said coldly, "mortal, you seek to block my path?"


    in the distance, figures appeared, all great cultivators of the supreme sect, including the nine-finger divine lord and shen xinzi. they looked at the primordial immortal king, their hearts pounding with fear.


    such a terrifying aura!


    who exactly is this person?


    di xie was unrecognizable compared to his usual self, appearing so bedraggled. he wished to speak, even if just to beg for mercy, yet he couldn''t muster the strength to do so.


    and it wasn''t just him!


    cultivators from the supreme sect all around remained silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a move. the fact that they chose not to flee already showcased their utmost courage.


    "kneel!"


    the primordial immortal king''s gaze turned stern, his voice thunderous like a roaring explosion, startling everyone to tremble.


    di xie turned pale with fright, his legs went weak, and he collapsed. but just as his knees were about to touch the ground, a hand from behind grabbed his arm, pulling him back up.


    it was gu an!


    while holding di xie, gu an looked towards the primordial immortal king.


    the nine-finger divine lord, perched on a rooftop afar, was secretly shocked. who in the world was this kid?


    having a vivid memory of gu an''s recent standoff with the sun and moon netherworld emperor, he became curious about gu an, though he dared not inquire.


    di xie, gripped by gu an, inexplicably felt a sense of relief wash over him. he turned to look at gu an, wanting to say something, but upon seeing gu an''s stern face, he found himself speechless.


    he was overwhelmed by gu an''s demeanor.


    he couldn''t help but feel an involuntary awe in his heart.


    the primordial immortal king looked at gu an, his eyes flashing with a strange light. he raised the black greatsword in his hand, holding it high above his head, ready to strike gu an.


    "be careful!"


    a supreme sect disciple shouted out loud, having once been a disciple of the third medicine valley, and forever grateful to gu an. seeing gu an in danger, he instinctively warned him.


    that was all he could do.


    gu an slightly tilted his head, staring at the primordial immortal king, and said, "i''ll give you one chance to strike, just one."


    upon hearing this, a chill shot through the primordial immortal king''s eyes. he twisted his wrist and savagely brought the sword down.


    half-kneeling, di xie looked up, his eyes obscured by the black sword, his face filled with despair.


    discover hidden tales at empire


    boom!


    the sword struck down!


    the black greatsword instantly dissipated, and along with the primordial immortal king, it turned into ash. the terrifying surge of energy crushed the surrounding buildings, and even the clouds in the sky scattered.


    gu an stood his ground, expression unchanged, only his hair and robes fluttered ceaselessly, as if fierce flames were raging around him!

 Chapter 423 I Am Sword Venerable Fudao

    with the primordial immortal king turning to dust, the whole world seemed to suddenly quiet down.supreme sect''s cultivators were all left staring at gu an, their eyes brimming with shock, while di xie, standing before gu an, was dumbfounded, his body rigid.


    the nine-finger divine lord and shen xinzi were also as still as wooden chickens, unable to believe their own eyes.


    gu an''s face was expressionless, and there was a slight sense of regret in his heart.


    could even a powerful free immortal not break through his protecting tao divine essence?


    he did not strike back just now. the primordial immortal king was destroyed by his own power and the protecting tao divine essence, both body and soul, completely obliterated.


    regrettably, since the primordial immortal king was not a living being, gu an was unable to seize any life span.


    more and more figures appeared out of thin air, all of them great cultivators from the supreme sect. looking at the street where gu an was standing, they all frowned as the strong presence of the primordial immortal king still lingered in the air; looking at the mess on the street, they couldn''t help imagining the recent tumult.


    gu an raised his right hand, streaks of black air appeared out of nowhere, burrowing into the center of his palm. he then casually put his hand into his sleeve, and nobody saw what it truly was.


    he looked down at di xie and asked, "brother di, are you alright?"


    di xie came back to his senses. with gu an''s help, he shakily stood up. looking at gu an, awe was difficult to hide in his eyes.


    "you..."


    di xie''s lips quivered as he wanted to ask about gu an''s identity but feared giving offense.


    "sword venerable fudao!"


    a cry of shock came from afar. as the words were spoken, the quiet was broken, and noise rose from all around, rapidly turning into an uproar.


    di xie also guessed this.


    the primordial immortal king claimed to possess the nine heavens of immortal path cultivation level. who else could slay an entity with such mastery within the supreme sect, if not sword venerable fudao?


    he turned out to be sword venerable fudao...


    di xie looked at gu an, whose smile was mild. his daoist heart could not calm down.


    recalling the years of interaction with gu an, he felt ashamed and frightened. thankfully, he had never looked down on gu an, as he had never been disrespectful in their exchanges.


    gu an couldn''t hear his inner voice but could probably guess it.


    for gu an, it was just amusing; there was no feeling of being slapped in the face. he always enjoyed socializing and never demanded too much. a smile from others was already nice; there was no need to ask for more.


    "is he sword venerable fudao?"


    "no, it''s more likely that sword venerable fudao protected him."


    "indeed, we didn''t see him take action; it must have been sword venerable fudao who acted."


    "that man is gu an, the valley master of the third medicine valley. go, chess, and gomoku were all invented by him. i know him; he definitely isn''t sword venerable fudao."


    "i''ve also known him for hundreds of years. he is extremely kind-hearted. perhaps he has met sword venerable fudao, who is incognito, so sword venerable fudao came to his aid."


    "i wonder if that guy just now is dead."


    as more and more disciples began to talk, the tone quickly changed. with the voices of people familiar with gu an speaking up, many believed that it was sword venerable fudao who had protected gu an, not that he was sword venerable fudao himself.


    of course, some still thought that gu an was sword venerable fudao, because he was too composed in the face of the primordial immortal king.


    even if he was not sword venerable fudao, he must have a close relationship with him; otherwise, he could not be so fearless.


    lv baitian, ji hantian, gu zong, and other high-ranking members also appeared one after another. upon seeing gu an, lv baitian breathed a sigh of relief. he gave ji hantian an instruction and then appeared beside gu an.


    "let''s talk somewhere else," lv baitian said in a low voice, glancing at di xie with a look full of mystery.


    gu an nodded slightly, then followed lv baitian away.


    as di xie watched gu an''s retreating figure, he was about to speak when two figures appeared out of nowhere in front of him.


    "come with us," one of them said coldly. the oppressive feeling of the immortal path realm enveloped di xie, leaving him no choice but to comply.


    the street was quickly sealed off, the spectators were dispersed, the celestial phenomenon above and the remaining clouds gradually disappeared, and the snow continued to fall.


    streams of shooting stars lit up the sky, figures emerging from the reincarnation vortex. they were descending into the great heavenly spirit land everywhere.


    "is it over? what happened?"


    the ancient immortal emperor asked, furrowing his brows, still alone with the yang xian emperor in the great hall.


    yang xian emperor also sensed that the presence of the primordial immortal king had abruptly ceased. he pondered and said, "probably sword venerable fudao made a move."


    the place of the primordial immortal king''s descent, yang xian emperor would not forget.


    that was a place that brought shame to the immortal dynasty!


    slain by sword venerable fudao, a powerful heavenly spirit; the immortal dynasty dared not seek revenge, a situation that naturally caused extreme dissatisfaction within its ranks, towards the higher-ups, and towards yang xian emperor.


    although yang xian emperor was wary of sword venerable fudao, he did not expect sword venerable fudao to cause the momentum of the primordial immortal king to vanish so quickly.


    taicang continent...


    what exactly happened there?


    yang xian emperor suddenly wanted to take a trip there.


    at this moment, not only he but even the holy minister of the holy court wished to visit the supreme sect.


    such a domineering primordial immortal king; it was not likely that he would have subdued his presence upon arrival. it was highly possible he had been suppressed.


    "sword venerable fudao, who exactly are you, a sacred being, and what is the purpose of hiding your identity?"


    the holy minister sat on his sacred chair, his gaze deep in thought.


    the holy gods in the hall were also discussing the matter. the sudden disappearance of the aura of the primordial immortal king made them uneasy, regardless of the outcome.


    an hour later, gu an leisurely returned to the third medicine valley. just as he got back, he was surrounded by a throng of disciples.


    news about what had happened in the outer gate city spread rapidly; gu an''s name and that of sword venerable fudao were widely circulated, though stories varied. however, one thing was certain, gu an was very likely related to sword venerable fudao.


    the disciples had heard before that their master''s cultivation level was extraordinary. now hearing this, how could they not be excited?


    facing their inquiries, gu an said helplessly, "i must confess, i am sword venerable fudao. i have always interacted with you in the guise of an ordinary valley master of medicine valley, but in return, you have not shown enough reverence for me; this intervention was unexpected."


    as soon as these words were uttered, they immediately provoked exclamations from the disciples.


    you yingying in the crowd couldn''t help but snort, "what an act."


    she also harbored doubts in her heart. previously, shen xinzi had wanted to kill her, but then suddenly stopped. could it be related to gu an?


    is gu an truly sword venerable fudao?


    that should not be the case; she had heard from xuan tianyi about his life story, and he was just over seven hundred years old now.


    at such an age, how could he be sword venerable fudao?


    his flippant tone made it impossible for her to speculate wildly.


    not just her, the other disciples also felt that way, always feeling that gu an seemed to be joking.


    gu an did not elaborate further, letting them guess. was it true or false? letting a bit of suspense remain in life was rather interesting.


    it''s worth mentioning that previously, lv baitian had assured him that he would find a way to suppress this incident.


    lv baitian thought that gu an''s intervention was to protect the supreme sect.


    of course, he had more reasons hidden in his heart.


    he feared the exposure of sword venerable fudao''s true identity, which was also the thought of the supreme sect''s core leadership.


    if other powers learned of sword venerable fudao''s true identity, that would not be good. they were not afraid of sword venerable fudao getting into trouble, but rather someone enticing him away.


    the holy court was the best example!


    gu an freed himself from the disciples'' entanglement and went to his own loft, and then was properly blocked by ji xiaoyu.


    "was that commotion caused by you?" ji xiaoyu asked.


    gu an shook his head and said, "somebody fell from the sky, wanted to steal my crown, he was about to chop at me, then suddenly, he vanished."


    as he spoke, he patted his chest, showing a scared expression.


    ji xiaoyu, pensive, couldn''t help but feel a sense of familiarity with gu an''s description.


    seeing her distracted, gu an didn''t continue talking and entered alone.


    when gu an closed the door, ji xiaoyu was startled awake. she turned her head to look at the second-floor door, her eyes filled with disbelief.


    "could it be the heaven and earth path gang? even so, to think of extinguishing such an existence..."


    ji xiaoyu was filled with shock, gu an becoming incredibly mysterious in her mind.


    as time passed, the incident at the outer gate city quickly spread, and even with the efforts of the supreme sect to suppress it, the name couldn''t be stopped; various powers heard of one name.


    gu an!


    after returning to his room, gu an took up the green hero travelogue. stay tuned for updates on empire


    he could feel that the followers of the primordial immortal king had all descended to the mortal world, and they were going to bring disaster. he had no interventionist ideas.


    because this disaster would cause the immortal dynasty and the holy court to temporarily cease hostilities, which was actually a good thing.


    the immortal dynasty and holy court''s war affected even more creatures.


    moreover, with gu an''s current insight into the laws of fate and karma, he could see farther calamities. no matter how he intervened, the fate of the great heavenly spirit land would never disappear permanently. there is birth and death, fortune and misfortune; these are the laws of all things in great heaven and earth. sear?h the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after the extinguishing of the primordial immortal king, the winter snow fell even heavier.


    in the following days, more and more people came to the third medicine valley for go games and visits to see gu an. gu an didn''t meet with strangers; he continued to linger in his various medicine valleys, harvesting medicinal herbs.


    when he went to the nianchu cave, tian yao''er and the other two girls inquired about the roaring of the primordial immortal king. he comforted them briefly and then began to give them guidance in their cultivation.


    life was quite busy. apart from picking medicinal herbs, gu an also had to teach tian yao''er, tianqing, tian bai, and an xin. aside from that, he had to take time to cultivate and nurture his body.


    in the blink of an eye.


    the spring festival arrived.


    on the morning of the spring festival, gu an made a trip to the inner sect city, drinking with wu jue at an inn while listening to a storyteller talk about overseas matters.


    "that immortal lord qin is said to be an ancient great power from ten million years ago, resurrected from reincarnation, needing to devour the souls of countless immortal cultivators to reconstruct his body..."


    the storyteller''s tone was filled with emotional provocation; even gu an and wu jue were captivated by his words.


    wu jue turned his head to look at gu an, curiously asking, "what exactly is your relationship with sword venerable fudao?"


    gu an glanced at him and said, "i am sword venerable fudao. what do you mean by what relation?"


    "how could that be, i''ve watched you grow from the foundation establishment realm to today. if you are sword venerable fudao, then i must be the yang xian emperor." wu jue exclaimed with wide eyes.


    gu an''s gaze followed to the stairway entrance; someone was coming up.


    [yang xian emperor (free immortal realm level 1): 6,908,922/50,000,000/100,000,000]

 Chapter 424 Giving Face to Seniors

    over six million years old, a free immortal!a life span of fifty million years!


    the ultimate life span of one hundred million years! s§×ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    truly worthy of being the current lord of the immortal dynasty!


    gu an looked at yang xian emperor and felt deeply moved as these numbers demonstrated the emperor''s formidable power.


    wu jue continued to refer to himself as the yang xian emperor, oblivious to the true yang xian emperor approaching.


    the yang xian emperor, dressed in a purple robe with a handsome face, exuded a transcendent aura even without donning the golden robe and crown of an immortal emperor. his eyes were particularly bright and piercing, his brows hardly concealing his pride.


    the arrogance nurtured over millions of years made him unforgettable at a glance.


    the yang xian emperor did not glance around the second floor, his gaze fixed directly on gu an.


    he walked towards gu an, reaching wu jue''s side, and upon hearing the name "yang xian emperor" mentioned, he remained unperturbed. looking at gu an, he extended his hand in greeting and said, "daoist friend, may i sit and chat with you?"


    gu an glanced at him and nodded slightly, following which the yang xian emperor sat down.


    wu jue observed the yang xian emperor, sensing an extraordinary poise in him.


    "do you know each other?" wu jue curiously asked, aware of gu an''s strong networking skills and friendships across the supreme sect, which he greatly admired.


    before displaying his talent, he had not one friend.


    gu an replied, "we do not know each other, but to meet is fate, is it not?"


    upon hearing this, the yang xian emperor smiled and nodded in agreement.


    gu an waved his right hand, and a jug of wine rose up, settling gently in front of the yang xian emperor.


    "drink this jug of wine, and see if you would like to be friends with us," gu an said nonchalantly.


    previously when qiu xi immortal lord had come to trouble him, even if not arranged by the yang xian emperor, as the lord of the immortal dynasty, he couldn''t disassociate from the causal relations.


    the yang xian emperor narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.


    naturally, he wasn''t going to drink the wine, but gu an''s intention was to constrain him.


    facing gu an, he could only discern that gu an''s cultivation level was in the nascent soul realm, unable to spot any loopholes.


    if gu an truly was sword venerable fudao, their gap in cultivation level was undoubtedly enormous.


    he hesitated for a moment before opening the jug and lifting it, beginning to drink heartily.


    wu jue looked skeptically between gu an and the yang xian emperor, witnessing for the first time gu an putting someone in a difficult position.


    who is this person?


    could he be a scion of a family that had offended gu an?


    the yang xian emperor drank swiftly, and once he set down the jug, gu an picked up a new one and began drinking alone.


    seeing this, any trace of discomfort in the yang xian emperor''s heart instantly dissipated, a smile appearing on his face.


    adversaries should resolve and not agitate conflicts.


    he and sword venerable fudao had no direct enmity; qiu xi immortal lord had acted rashly. although this incident had cost him face, sword venerable''s power was enough for him to concede some face.


    though he was proud and considered his talent unparalleled in the world, he was only several million years old, and beings like sword venerable fudao had likely lived tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of years; he should yield some respect to his predecessor.


    after finishing his drink, gu an put down the jug and started making casual conversation with the yang xian emperor. the two tactfully avoided revealing their true identities, acting as if genuinely curious about each other.


    wu jue joined in, guided by gu an, and they returned to discussing the yang xian emperor. find adventures on empire


    wu jue admired the yang xian emperor, who had faced interventions from the holy court during his tribulation crossing and had boldly initiated war. perhaps it was a calculated move, but it was done openly, which he liked about the yang xian emperor.


    for some reason, gu an felt like he was being scolded.


    little bastard, who says he isn''t straightforward and honorable?


    the yang xian emperor, however, was all smiles, finding wu jue more and more agreeable.


    the three drank and chatted, growing familiar with one another, when gu an sighed, "i feel like we were born in the wrong era. why does it seem like our generation always faces endless tribulations?"


    wu jue nodded, sharing the sentiment.


    the yang xian emperor said, "every generation feels like this, remembering only the hardships. but such is life, continuously experiencing trials."


    he thought sword venerable fudao was hinting at him and felt compelled to explain.


    "with the immortal dynasty and holy court vying for power, the world seems embroiled in great turmoil, but in fact, friction between the two powers had always existed. to the major sects, the past might have seemed peaceful, but for the common people, every century brought various hardships. it is said ''when immortals fight, mortals suffer,'' and the battles between immortal path cultivators also bring disasters to mortals. our very reason for pursuing immortal cultivation is to withstand the incessant trials that follow," the yang xian emperor earnestly stated, clearly implying that the turmoil between the immortal dynasty and holy court affected the world''s structure, yet for ordinary beings, it''s just a change in who causes their sufferings.


    life is always filled with suffering, a common worldly norm.


    wu jue felt this made sense, and remarked thoughtfully, "who knows how long this tribulation will last? it always feels like it will be difficult to end within a hundred or even a thousand years."


    "of course, because this great heaven and earth is too vast, far beyond your imagination. in ancient times, when the primordial immortal king unified the great heaven and earth, it took a million years. when the holy court rose and swept across the world, pushing back the immortal dynasty, it took three million years. the battles of heaven and earth are beyond mortal comprehension," the yang xian emperor replied, nodding.


    this response made wu jue look at him quizzically.


    this person seems very knowledgeable; what is his origin?


    suddenly, gu an asked, "do you think in the struggle between the immortal dynasty and holy court, they might both end up weakened, leading to a new ruling power in the great heaven and earth?"


    yang xian emperor''s expression suddenly turned unnatural, and his gaze toward gu an became complex.


    wu jue frowned and said, "that''s not possible, right? is there any other sect that can compare with them?"


    "now there isn''t, but what about in ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or a million years?" gu an shook his head.


    he paused, then added, "besides, i''ve heard that strong beings always descend from outer heaven, and even heavenly demons reincarnate in the mortal world. couldn''t they be preparing their own forces?"


    wu jue frowned, thinking there was reason in gu an''s words.


    yang xian emperor''s complexion returned to normal; it turned out sword venerable fudao was reminding him of threats from outer heaven. he was actually worried that sword venerable fudao was going to support supreme sect.


    in fact, without gu an''s mention, he had always been worried ¡ª the primordial immortal king was the best example. though a fallen spirit of the immortal dynasty, he knew nothing about it.


    he even felt that there were unknown forces stirring within the immortal dynasty.


    he couldn''t help but think back to those immortal spirits who had supported him in starting the war, each one of them seeming suspicious.


    the storyteller''s voice continued to spread, but the trio''s conversation didn''t attract anyone else''s attention because the inn was filled with people boasting.


    however, after drinking for nearly an hour, new guests arrived, recognized gu an, and enthusiastically engaged him in conversation.


    since the battle initiated by the primordial immortal king, many knew of the close relationship between gu an and sword venerable fudao.


    yang xian emperor watched gu an interacting with the lowly cultivators and suddenly had a realization.


    this man was terrifyingly strong, yet he could lower himself to mingle with mortals without them noticing a thing. his daoist heart was unfathomable.


    of course, he didn''t think much of this approach since he believed more in the supremacy of the strong.


    the weak should merely serve as foils to the strong!


    an hour later, gu an and his companions left the inn, and gu an invited yang xian emperor to spend the spring festival in third medicine valley. yang xian emperor did not refuse; he also had more to discuss with gu an.


    both returned to the third medicine valley.


    upon arriving, yang xian emperor''s gaze became complicated.


    divine thought true immortal!


    reincarnation tribulation aura!


    and mortals with strong qi-blood and not a trace of spiritual power!


    he even saw two reincarnated heavenly demons!


    something was off about this valley!


    the third medicine valley was festively decorated; even ji xiaoyu and the sun and moon netherworld emperor, who rarely shunned cultivation, were playing chess with disciples everywhere.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor turned his head toward gu an; his pupils contracted sharply on seeing yang xian emperor.


    his first instinct was to flee, but then remembering gu an''s strength, he reassured himself.


    gu an would protect him; there was no need to be afraid here!


    would yang xian emperor dare oppose sword venerable fudao?


    that day, the aura of the primordial immortal king was overwhelmingly strong, yet he was reduced to ashes before sword venerable fudao. from that day on, gu an was regarded by the sun and moon netherworld emperor as the most powerful being in the great heavenly spirit land.


    he even suspected gu an was shengtian!


    apart from shengtian, who else in the great heavenly spirit land could be so powerful?


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor diverted his gaze and continued to play chess with the nine-finger divine lord, who was visibly upset and indecisive in his moves.


    gu an walked further into medicine valley, introducing the situation of the third medicine valley to yang xian emperor.


    yang xian emperor grew interested in the third medicine valley. subsequently, gu an asked long qing to entertain yang xian emperor. he had himself to meet shen zhen.


    shen zhen was messing around in his bookshelf again!


    ever since learning about gu an''s strength, long qing had taken very seriously any tasks given by gu an¡ªthis was his chance to perform!


    he was very enthusiastic with yang xian emperor, who found him quite interesting as well.


    not sure why, yang xian emperor felt that long qing seemed familiar, as if he had met him in a previous life. he guessed that he might have encountered long qing''s past life.


    however, this was sword venerable fudao''s territory, and long qing addressed him as master, so yang xian emperor wouldn''t dare act recklessly.


    as dusk approached, all disciples gathered in the loft area. some sat drinking, others stood arm in arm, and yet others were sparring to enhance the festive mood, keeping the atmosphere lively.


    yang xian emperor''s attention was on gu an. he saw gu an surrounded by shen zhen, zhen qin, ye lan, ji xiaoyu, and an xin, with shen zhen and zhen qin directly beside him, sparring verbally. zhen qin was nearly putting her feet on the table.


    this gave yang xian emperor a deeper understanding of sword venerable fudao.


    this man truly was a hidden hermit!


    ye lan watched zhen qin verbally sparring with shen zhen, a smile on her face. not that she found zhen qin''s actions appropriate, she simply enjoyed the atmosphere; it was different from the sub-sect where people revered her, making her feel as though she had returned to mystic valley seven hundred years ago.


    after so many years, how could recalling the original intentions not be wonderful?


    ji xiaoyu watched gu an intently; he could see the displeasure in her eyes.


    what could he do?


    everyone insisted on coming to third medicine valley to celebrate the festival with him; it was unstoppable!


    at least jiang qiong was better, waiting for him in the eight scenic caves, how good it was to interact privately?


    more crowds always lead to trouble.

 Chapter 425 Xuanyou Divine Dynasty, Sky Demon Great Sect

    after the festival, gu an went to mystic valley on his own. he wasn''t worried about yang xian emperor causing trouble in the third medicine valley; if yang xian emperor dared to entertain such thoughts, gu an could make him disappear in an instant, even erasing all his karma, making all beings forget the yang xian emperor ever existed.when an shengtian and jiang shi saw gu an, they were extremely excited. gu an had initially planned to just go through the motions, but he didn''t expect them to be so thrilled.


    thus, gu an let the two of them demonstrate their recent cultivation results, then gave them guidance one by one, to their immense surprise and delight.


    after fussing around for an ancient hour, gu an finally entered the eight scenic caves.


    he emerged from the grotto and in the distance, he saw the immense green vine tree, with a young woman in green, swinging under it.


    it was jiang qiong! s§×arch* the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    she was barefoot, with no jewelry on her hands, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, exuding an aura of pure innocence, unlike her past demeanor as the demon cultivator of the thousand-autumn pavilion.


    she turned her head, and upon seeing gu an approaching, she couldn''t help but snort coldly.


    as gu an drew near, jiang qiong couldn''t resist mocking, "where were you indulging yourself last night?"


    gu an didn''t indulge her, and replied gruffly, "do you need something from me? aren''t you the sect master of juhua sect? i heard your sect also celebrates the spring festival, shouldn''t you be overseeing everything?"


    "what''s there to oversee? i''ve raised so many people; it''s time i took a break," huffed jiang qiong. she stood up, her feet pressing into the grass.


    her eyes gleaming, she suddenly lifted her right foot, trying to brush the grass off onto gu an, but he dodged it.


    "so i''ve heard you calling yourself sword venerable fudao?"


    jiang qiong watched gu an closely, her eyes sparkling.


    she had intended to catch him off guard, yet gu an had still avoided it.


    this kid really was no ordinary person!


    gu an kept his distance and countered, "indeed, what about it?"


    jiang qiong obviously didn''t believe it, because sword venerable fudao had personally told her that gu an was his disciple. she only felt their master-disciple relationship was quite strong.


    "it seems sword venerable fudao is ready to take action; putting you in front, you should be careful. even with him backing you up, beware of hidden attacks. when dealing with others, try not to be too impulsive," jiang qiong cautioned.


    gu an helplessly responded, "please, do i need you to teach me in this area? who was it that got kicked out of the taicang dynasty on the spot?"


    jiang qiong was immediately displeased and started chasing after gu an, but no matter how she tried, she couldn''t catch up.


    she got serious, chasing gu an at full speed, while he continued to evade her.


    as the chase went on, jiang qiong fell into a profound state, seeing gu an as a series of shadows in her eyes. his figure and step technique seemed so agile and enticing.


    who knows how much time had passed.


    jiang qiong suddenly snapped awake to find herself under the green vine tree, while gu an was in front of her, practicing alchemy.


    she took a deep breath and asked, "what was that just now?"


    "a step technique. once mastered, you could be unrivaled in the world," gu an answered casually without turning around.


    what he had taught was the eternal measuring heaven dao step, an advanced version of the stepping path of ages step. aside from himself, no one else had learned it yet.


    towards ye lan and zhen qin, gu an could only encourage them to pursue their cultivation level as far as possible, and to cultivate other daoist sorceries only after reaching nirvana.


    jiang qiong was different. her maximum life span was over five thousand years, she would certainly achieve nirvana, so learning divine skills in advance wouldn''t delay her cultivation.


    "what''s it called?" jiang qiong asked curiously, certain such a precise step technique had to be an inheritance from sword venerable fudao.


    gu an glanced at her and said, "eternal measuring heaven dao step. don''t spread it around, or it''ll bring big trouble, and i mean trouble from beyond this world."


    upon hearing this, jiang qiong became both nervous and excited. she eagerly pounced towards gu an.


    she hugged gu an tightly, wanting to plant a kiss on his face, but was blocked by his palm. instead, she ended up kissing his palm, tickling him.


    "i haven''t loved you for nothing, rest assured, i will definitely succeed!" jiang qiong said joyfully.


    gu an pushed her away and said, "then you''d better start practicing now! to master this divine skill, i''m afraid it might take a thousand or even ten thousand years."


    jiang qiong didn''t believe it and immediately got up to begin her cultivation.


    gu an turned his gaze back to the pill furnace.


    below the pill furnace, the flames flickered, burning out only to reignite, continuously cycling through a state of reincarnation. enjoy exclusive adventures from empire


    with time flying like an arrow, gu an once again seated himself in front of the pill furnace, kindled the fire, and turned his head to look.


    jiang qiong''s figure shifted about, resembling a white swan, elusive and difficult to track.


    she suddenly appeared beside gu an, her right hand to her forehead, followed by a fall, her hands clasping gu an''s upper body, resting her head on his shoulder.


    "why, after a hundred years of practice, can i still not even enter the threshold?" jiang qiong said in anguish.


    it had been a century since she had received the eternal measuring heaven dao step, and over the years, she diligently cultivated but failed to grasp it, so she came to gu an for advice.


    she had just demonstrated it, and with her mystic heart realm cultivation level, she couldn''t even take twenty steps.


    gu an remained leaned upon and said, "i''ve told you before, this divine skill isn''t so simple to master. the fact that you can take so many steps already proves your diligence."


    jiang qiong sighed, dispirited.


    after resting for a while, she brought up worldly affairs.


    the reincarnation shadows brought by the primordial immortal king wreaked havoc everywhere in the mortal world, and they were given a unified name: xuanyou wraiths.


    a century had passed, and rather than being eradicated, the xuanyou wraiths had grown stronger and had even established the xuanyou divine dynasty.


    apart from the xuanyou divine dynasty, a sect named the sky demon great sect appeared in the mortal world, supposedly all reincarnations of heavenly demons.


    while the immortal dynasty and holy court were struggling against each other, they spared efforts to confront the xuanyou divine dynasty and the sky demon great sect. not only did they not succeed, but they also suffered repeated defeats, allowing the enemies to gain tremendous momentum.


    now, the immortal dynasty and holy court had begun to cease their wars, turning their spears towards the xuanyou divine dynasty and the sky demon great sect, and the mortal world faced new uncertainties.


    the taicang continent remained unaffected, but its sects saw this as an opportunity to vie for resources. outside their realm, sword venerable fudao would not protect them, nor would overseas powers indulge them.


    the juhua sect was one among these, constantly expanding their reach. last year, they encountered a demon of the sky demon great sect and lost tens of thousands of disciples in the fray. this incident enraged the juhua sect, but the power gap made them wary of seeking revenge.


    jiang qiong was telling gu an all this not to seek help, but just to discuss the outside situation, and gu an had no intention of intervening.


    over the years, the reincarnation vortex continually spawned xuanyou wraiths, bolstering the strength of the xuanyou divine dynasty. certainly, there were great karmic forces at play behind this.


    "who knows if the immortal dynasty and holy court have really reconciled. they would do well to join forces and expel these two powers, otherwise, the consequences are unthinkable," jiang qiong said worriedly.


    gu an, while refining an elixir, replied, "don''t worry, i will talk to the yang xian emperor."


    jiang qiong blinked in surprise and asked, "are you talking about the sovereign of the immortal dynasty?"


    "yes, what about it?"


    "you''re bluffing, making it sound as if you can meet him just like that."


    "you think i can''t?"


    "even if you have sword venerable fudao as your mentor, he''s far away in the immortal dynasty."


    "heh, i''ll take you to meet him today. why don''t you ask him yourself, okay?"


    gu an rolled his eyes at jiang qiong, speaking in a mocking tone.


    she dared to look down on him!


    he was no longer the ji family house servant of yesteryear; he had to show this woman some of his true power!

 Chapter 426 The Orthodox of Heaven and Earth

    gu an brought jiang qiong to the third medicine valley, and they made their way to the dojo. along the way, jiang qiong looked around curiously, intrigued by the current state of the third medicine valley. enjoy exclusive chapters from empiresince the news about gu an''s connection with sword venerable fudao had spread, more people had been coming to the third medicine valley, and the supreme sect had expanded it, continuously increasing the number of disciples in the valley. now, the number of medicine valley disciples had surpassed four thousand.


    at first glance, the third medicine valley seemed like a sect.


    jiang qiong sensed many cultivators with a stronger presence than herself, which made her even more curious about gu an''s current status.


    gu an approached a senior disciple from behind and tapped him on the shoulder, signaling him to leave.


    the senior disciple, upon seeing him, immediately felt relieved, quickly stood up to salute, then hurried away.


    gu an sat down and looked across at the yang xian emperor, asking, "you''ve been here for a hundred years, aren''t you going back?"


    jiang qiong stood next to gu an, casting a strange look towards yang xian emperor.


    could it be that the emperor of the immortal dynasty was him?


    although the yang xian emperor had concealed his cultivation level, the sheer grandeur he emanated was extraordinary.


    yang xian emperor looked at gu an and smilingly asked, "go back for what? comprehending the great dao here is quite good."


    he had been in third medicine valley for a hundred years. initially, he was curious why sword venerable fudao would choose to stay hidden in such a modest place, but gradually, he was attracted to the lifestyle here.


    the disciples working, cultivating, falling in love¡ªtheir every action symbolized the laws of the great heaven and earth. everything in this medicine valley seemed to contain some aspect of the daoist intent.


    his feelings were not a mere illusion but were influenced by gu an''s tao fruit in the surroundings.


    the so-called tao fruit is also a pathway of dao, representing the fruits of chasing the dao by living beings.


    even though gu an had concealed his cultivation level, the aura of xuanyuan zizai xian still prevailed, and his xuanyuan tao fruit also influenced everything around him. this was why the medicine valley disciples'' cultivation speed was increasing, with geniuses emerging almost every year. these geniuses might not stand out in today''s supreme sect but would have been famous eight hundred years ago and heavily nurtured by the sect.


    gu an was also aware of his own impact on the surroundings, unable to control it; he only opted to feign ignorance, kind of a care towards the people around.


    "now that the xuanyou divine dynasty and the sky demon great sect have emerged, the threat to the immortal dynasty, the holy court, and even the whole world is not small," gu an stated, then glanced at jiang qiong.


    you are normally quite talkative, why the silence now?


    jiang qiong was skeptical and didn''t just blurt out anything, plus she never really intended to seek out the yang xian emperor¡ªshe just wanted a topic to discuss with gu an.


    yang xian emperor replied, "the world is in chaos, it''s normal for variables to emerge, let them be."


    he watched gu an make his move on the board, his gaze subtly changing.


    he was about to win this game, but with gu an''s move, the situation on the board shifted. though it wasn''t a resurrection from death, it made him sense danger.


    "it seems the immortal dynasty is not shouldering the mission of all living beings, rather pursuing the victory of the major trends," gu an muttered with a slight smile.


    yang xian emperor perceived the implications in his words. he didn''t avoid them but rather said, "in different periods, the targets pursued will vary. whether it''s the immortal dynasty or the holy court, when they first rose, they surely won the hearts of the people and shouldered the mission of protecting all living beings. but once you unify the world and become the lord of all, you will become the common enemy of all beings in misery."


    "there''s no power in this world that can satisfy all living beings. from my perspective, the immortal dynasty should pursue other things, like the legitimacy of the great heavenly spirit land."


    gu an remembered the immortal dynasty''s spirits once said that the holy court was established by beings from outer heaven. for the immortal dynasty, no matter how well the holy court did, they wanted to overturn it, as it concerned the honor and disgrace of the immortal dynasty.


    some things are more important than peace.


    after hearing this, gu an made no comment.


    different stances naturally lead to different perspectives on matters.


    since yang xian emperor was already aware of the chaos in the outside world, that was sufficient.


    in gu an''s eyes, both the immortal dynasty and the holy court were headed towards destruction.


    he could see far into the future; everything has its destiny, including the current supreme sect he was in.


    gu an had no intention of making the supreme sect last forever, knowing that one day, as old friends departed, the sect would lose its significance to him.


    without the supreme sect, he could still flourish elsewhere. he wasn''t worried at all.


    the deeper he delved into causality and fate, the fewer burdens gu an felt.


    of course, gu an did not resist this change in mentality. to live in this world, one should not be entangled by too many emotions and unnecessary worries.


    jiang qiong also pondered the words of yang xian emperor, curious about what he meant by the legitimacy of heaven and earth.


    gu an didn''t linger; the current game couldn''t be saved¡ªhis moves were just for play.


    he stood up and took jiang qiong to leave. s§×arch* the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    yang xian emperor watched the few ingenious moves made by gu an, contemplative.


    a breeze swept into the medicine valley, lifting leaves that swirled towards the sky.


    spring had departed and summer arrived, warming the lands of great heaven and earth.


    on this day, gu an rode the blood prison great saint, bringing an xin to immortal seeking island.


    the island master, xun hanfeng, personally greeted him, and soon, hu xiaojian arrived too.


    with gu an''s support, hu xiaojian, now a cultivator of the void crossing realm, despite years having passed and their relationship deepening, struggled to hide his excitement and joy in front of gu an, making it difficult for gu an to discern if it was an act.


    gu an asked hu xiaojian to take an xin and the blood prison great saint for a stroll, while he discussed matters privately with xun hanfeng.


    with them gone, xun hanfeng finally said, "master, demon cultivators from the sky demon great sect have been infiltrating immortal seeking island frequently lately, i sense trouble brewing."


    only places like the taicang continent, protected by mighty beings, were relatively safe; immortal seeking island, despite its strong foundations, inevitably attracted covetous eyes.


    gu an had foreseen a tribulation awaiting immortal seeking island, which was why he had chosen to come.


    "do not worry, just manage the island calmly, no one will disturb immortal seeking island," gu an, holding his teacup, replied softly while blowing on the steam.


    hearing this, xun hanfeng smiled; he was a disciple of mortal world peak, arranged by gu an to oversee immortal seeking island, and treated well by gu an. the benefits he reaped each year were not small, and now he truly valued immortal seeking island, not wanting mishaps to befall it.


    shortly after, xun hanfeng brought up various other issues, mostly regarding internal disputes or power struggles on the island.


    gu an spent most of the time listening, and when xun hanfeng asked for advice, he did not hold back his opinions.


    when xun hanfeng finished, gu an gestured for him to leave.


    after xun hanfeng departed, gu an remained seated, looking out toward the blue sky, his gaze reaching beyond the heavens and earth.


    he was looking at an old friend!


    ¡­


    tattered clouds hung like torn fabric across the sky, and figures exuding demonic qi hovered in midair. among them, one with the most intense demonic qi had a giant red fireball and deep red chains wriggling like snakes behind him.


    their eyes were all fixated on a ruined and solitary island below, where trees were toppled and the ground upheaved, creating a pockmarked landscape.


    dressed in black, li ya stood atop a pile of rubble, with a sword in his right hand and divine exotic city in his left, while divine exotic immortal spirit perched on his shoulder.


    "zhao xuehe, is that all the capacity you have? capturing me won''t be that easy," li ya taunted loudly, a cold expression between his brows.


    zhao xuehe stood in front of the red fireball, toying with the chains around him, an indifferent expression on his face, as he looked down at li ya, "li ya, how long can you last relying on the power of divine exotic city? join the sky demon great sect. holy court is not for you. you must sense the weariness of holy court; without shengtian, the chaos in holy court holds no merit for nurturing you."


    li ya frowned slightly upon hearing this.


    he had been in the holy position within holy court for many years but had not reaped significant benefits. recently, the qi fortune of his position was extracted, making his cultivation unstable; he had no choice but to venture out, partly to clear his mind.


    as zhao xuehe raised his right hand towards the sky, he said, "the sect hierarch of sky demon great sect has yet to arrive here. when he does, he will transform this realm. there''s not much time left for you. if you don''t leave holy court soon, you''ll perish along with it."


    li ya, frustrated, retorted, "so? is living a lowly life really better than death?"


    at this, a fierce light flashed in zhao xuehe''s eyes.


    li ya said no more and tossed divine exotic city upwards. quickly enlarging, it enveloped the whole island, emitting black mist from which divine souls and peculiar ghosts emerged, even revealing a colossal figure wielding an axe, instantly suppressing the momentum of the sky demon great sect''s side.


    divine exotic immortal spirit stood on li ya''s shoulder, howling as if taunting the enemy.


    zhao xuehe huffed coldly, placing his right hand to his mouth, beginning to chant a spell.


    as he chanted, his own mana surged out, entering the red fireball behind him, which spouted explosions of intense flames and weird black spots wriggling on its surface.


    just as the ghostly army burst forth from divine exotic city, the red fireball suddenly opened a chilling eye, freezing the whole realm as everything came to a standstill.


    ¡­


    while sipping tea, gu an observed that the sky demon great sect indeed possessed something powerful, utilizing the power of the silent destruction domain.


    he secretly passed mana to divine exotic immortal spirit, the stronger it became, the stronger divine exotic city would be, leading both parties into a stalemate.


    he had noticed some mighty beings stirring within the silent destruction domain, eyeing the great heavenly spirit land.


    these entities only dared to peer and feared to step into great heaven and earth; this disappointed gu an.


    the sky demon great sect borrowed the power of the silent destruction domain, while xuanyou divine dynasty tapped into the power of the reincarnation vortex.


    both forces still tested the waters, uncertain whether they feared him or shengtian.


    gu an indeed looked forward to their descent; if they provoked him, it would be the perfect time to harvest life spans.


    time swiftly passed.


    after battling for two ancient hours, li ya had escaped the encirclement, barely surviving this tribulation.


    however, gu an foresaw that li ya would be entangled in vendettas for many years to come.


    "senior brother li, the next millennium won''t be easy for you," gu an murmured to himself, then stood up and walked outside the hall.

 Chapter 427 Divine Emperors Descent

    autumn breezes wafted through mystic valley.gu an sat on a tree branch, looking down at the sparring in the forest below. jiang shi and an shengtian were engaged in a close contest of martial moves and movement techniques, the master and disciple evenly matched.


    jiang shi possessed a maximum life span of four thousand eight hundred years, while an shengtian''s life span could reach five thousand years. talent-wise, there wasn''t a large gap between the two.


    after many years of cultivation, an shengtian had grown significantly. when it came to hand-to-hand combat, he could fight jiang shi to a standstill.


    however, their sparring didn''t interest gu an much. despite watching them, his thoughts were actually on li ya.


    since escaping from a desperate situation, li ya had been chased by the sky demon great sect. fortunately, no particularly strong entities had set their sights on him yet, and the strongest among his pursuers were only at the wandering immortal realm.


    li ya was currently engaged in battle.


    most followers within the sky demon great sect were reincarnations of heavenly demons, awakening their original souls, but there were also some infiltrators from outer heaven who had descended as demons, nearly all of whom had cultivation levels above the immortal dao fourth layer heaven.


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    after years of warfare with the immortal dynasty, the holy court''s control over outer heaven was weakening. gu an lifted his gaze and saw figures coming and going from the great heavenly spirit land without anyone daring to block them.


    in such circumstances, the sky demon great sect was rising swiftly, spreading across the world like a wildfire.


    gu an''s immortal seeking island would be affected in the future as well.


    watching li ya battling fiercely, gu an''s thoughts drifted to the future, contemplating an appropriate time to reap the growth of the sky demon great sect.


    gu an had no intention of blindly playing the savior, but if threatened, or if those he cared about were threatened, he would show no mercy.


    he lived in seclusion, but that didn''t mean he would stand idly by.


    after observing li ya for a while longer, gu an''s gaze shifted toward an hao.


    an hao was about to undergo nirvana. he was still imprisoned, waiting for the yang xian emperor to return. once released, after his nirvana, an hao would re-emerge into the world, embarking on the path of the heaven-favored.


    compared to li ya, an hao''s journey would be smooth, continuing his past grace.


    gu an then turned his attention to other old acquaintances, and as he did, his thoughts suddenly turned to xiaochuan and yang jian. both had entered the reincarnation vortex, yet there had been no word from them, and gu an could no longer feel the destruction dao seal on xiaochuan''s soul, indicating a great distance between them.


    after a long while.


    jiang shi came to the base of the tree, looking up to ask, "master, how did we perform just now?"


    an shengtian also walked over, expectantly looking up at gu an.


    gu an withdrew his divine thought, glanced at them, and said thoughtfully, "in truth, both of your growth rates are rapid, you can be considered geniuses. you don''t need to be so tense. there''s no need to prove anything to me. strong or weak, as long as you don''t betray me, i naturally won''t abandon you."


    these two disciples had many merits, but every time they saw him, they became nervous, and they were eager to demonstrate their abilities, which made him feel uncomfortable.


    upon hearing this, an shengtian smiled.


    jiang shi also let out a sigh of relief.


    unlike an xin and long qing, they had sought gu an for their own gain, so they could never be at ease in front of him, always maintaining a deep reverence for him.


    gu an then added, "in a while, i''ll arrange for a disciple to spar with you. the two of you will take him on together, to broaden your horizons."


    on hearing this, an shengtian''s eyes brightened as he asked, "is it a disciple from the third medicine valley?"


    they had naturally heard of the third medicine valley, but had never been there. even though mystic valley had a transmission array platform, the disciples from the two valleys were not permitted to use it for visits, a rule set by gu an himself. anyone who violated this rule was expelled from medicine valley.


    "yes, unlike the others, he''s a direct disciple like you. this lad is combative, so don''t underestimate him," gu an replied, and with that, he descended from the tree.


    upon hearing this, jiang shi and an shengtian tensed up again.


    gu an, somewhat helplessly, said, "don''t be nervous. even if you lose, it''s normal. my aim is just to enhance your practical experience."


    the two exchanged a glance, then forced a smile, clearly strained.


    gu an found it dull and shook his head, then turned and walked away, refusing their offer to follow.


    "continue your cultivation. the tribulations of the world are increasing. who knows, they might reach mystic valley one day, and then we''ll need you two to guard mystic valley."


    upon hearing gu an''s words, the pair stopped in their tracks, their fighting spirit suddenly ignited.


    they didn''t believe mystic valley could be in danger; clearly, this was gu an''s test for them!


    gu an made his way back to the third medicine valley.


    as soon as he stepped from the transmission array platform, someone blocked his path.


    "i am lu changying. i wish to have a word with the valley master, if you may¡­" said a middle-aged man standing before gu an, bowing respectfully.


    but before he could finish, gu an interrupted him, "immortal fall gorge doesn''t qualify!"


    gu an walked past lu changying, heading towards his loft.


    immortal fall gorge was lu changying''s sect, a great sect on the seas. gu an knew of it through the causal threads he saw surrounding lu changying.


    the strongest within immortal fall gorge had attained the divine immortal of wondrous dharma realm, which, in gu an''s eyes, indeed did not qualify.


    upon hearing gu an''s words, lu changying''s face flushed. he turned around, wanting to speak, but seeing gu an''s retreating figure, he dared not show anger or figure out how to retain him.


    for gu an to speak directly of immortal fall gorge indicated he truly did not regard it highly.


    "is he sword venerable fudao himself, or a disciple of sword venerable fudao?" lu changying frowned in thought. being rejected was regrettable, but the thought that the other party might indeed be sword venerable fudao filled him with excitement.


    the sword venerable fudao was an existence comparable to the yang xian emperor!


    lu changying took a deep breath and turned to visit the main city of sect of the supreme sect.


    as he turned around, a figure barred his way. he looked up and involuntarily furrowed his brows.


    "this emperor has some connections with immortal fall gorge. take me there," the yang xian emperor said indifferently to lu changying.


    overwhelmed by the yang xian emperor''s imposing aura, lu changying cautiously asked, "may i inquire who daoist friend is¡­"


    "yang xian emperor, have you ever heard of him?"


    "what?"


    lu changying''s face changed dramatically, a look of terror etched on his features.


    passing disciples who heard the three words "yang xian emperor" instinctively turned their heads to look, as the yang xian emperor with a wave of his sleeve, disappeared into thin air along with lu changying.


    far away, shen xinzi, who was meditating under a tree, furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with a look of shock.


    that man was actually the lord of the immortal dynasty, the yang xian emperor!


    over the past hundred years, he had played many games of chess with yang xian emperor and always found him inscrutable. he hadn''t realized his origin was so extraordinary.


    if even the yang xian emperor would come to spend a century in the third medicine valley, what kind of legendary figures might appear in the future?


    shen xinzi turned his head towards where gu an stood, feeling that gu an''s silhouette was so majestic as if he could bear the weight of the heavens collapsing.


    ...


    thirty years later.


    at the sub-sect of supreme sect, ye mansion.


    gu an and ye lan were enjoying tea in the courtyard. the fragrance of the tea pervaded the air, attracting several spirit birds to perch on the branches.


    it was a rare occasion without zhen qin causing a nuisance. gu an and ye lan were both enjoying the moment.


    with one hand propping her chin, ye lan looked at gu an and asked with a smile, "recently, xu jie from your third medicine valley has become quite famous, even the news has reached our sub-sect, hasn''t it?"


    "that kid''s talent is indeed outstanding; he''s really brought honor to the third medicine valley," gu an responded with a smile.


    xu jie had become a master disciple after only five years in the third medicine valley. gu an did not give him personal guidance; he received the same treatment as the other disciples. this resulted in xu jie not having a strong sense of belonging to the third medicine valley, treating it merely as a stepping stone in his journey of cultivation.


    xu jie was not particularly enthusiastic about sword venerable fudao, and gu an even heard him privately telling other disciples that he would surpass sword venerable fudao one day.


    ye lan chuckled, "more and more geniuses have emerged from the third medicine valley over the years, and your disciples all show up under my command."


    her eyes held admiration as she looked at gu an. even setting aside the fact that gu an was a disciple of sword venerable fudao, she had always respected his own capabilities.


    ever since they were young, it seemed there was nothing that her senior brother couldn''t do.


    "then i''ll have to trouble you to look out for them more," gu an replied with a smile and picked up a piece of pastry from the table, which was made by ye lan herself. although the taste was not particularly delicious, the sentiment behind it meant the most.


    ye lan curiously asked, "would you say xu jie is your most outstanding disciple?"


    xu jie, with his life span limit of nine thousand years and dazzling talent, was someone ye lan also wished to recruit.


    gu an shook his head and said, "how could that be? my most talented disciple is currently making a breakthrough."


    "oh? breaking through to which realm?"


    "the nirvana realm."


    "the nirvana realm? impossible. you''re joking, right? isn''t this disciple much older than you?"


    "not at all, he''s thirty-four years younger than me."


    "someone over eight hundred years old breaking through to the nirvana realm? i don''t believe it ¨C you''re teasing me again," ye lan exclaimed with skepticism. she had never heard of anyone succeeding in reaching the nirvana realm before a thousand years of age.


    gu an laughed, offering no further explanation.


    he was talking about an hao, who was undergoing tribulation with the help of immortal spirits from the immortal dynasty, and even the yang xian emperor himself was present to witness his tribulation.


    boom¡ª


    the sound of thunder rolled in from the skies; ye lan looked up to see dark clouds rushing in, carrying the potential to envelop the heavens.


    ye lan teasingly asked, "that wouldn''t be the celestial phenomena triggered by the breakthrough of that disciple of yours, would it?"


    gu an also looked up and said, "of course not. however, this commotion is indeed caused by a breakthrough."


    the holy minister was making a breakthrough!


    advancing to the free immortal realm!


    gu an sensed it was going to be an interesting event. with the eruption of this phenomenon, many powerful existences quickly flew towards the holy court.


    the immortal dynasty, the xuanyou divine dynasty, and the sky demon great sect certainly wouldn''t let the holy minister have a peaceful tribulation. s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after a quick calculation, gu an realized that the future held new variables.


    a free immortal could change the fate of the world!


    ye lan''s eyes sparkled with curiosity upon hearing gu an''s words.


    what kind of realm was capable of causing such a breakthrough phenomenon?


    it was at that moment that gu an saw a powerful aura coming from the depths of the cosmos.


    a meteorite wrapped in demonic qi was hurtling out of the silent destruction domain, bearing down on the great heavenly spirit land with unstoppable force.


    such momentum suggested it had the cultivation level of the ninth layer of the free immortal realm!


    gu an hadn''t been particularly concerned, for in recent years, there had been more than a handful of free immortals arriving in the great heavenly spirit land.


    but suddenly, he felt a familiar presence.


    this aura was...


    the annihilation god emperor!


    with memories of long zhan, gu an vividly remembered the aura of the annihilation god emperor. indeed, this aura belonged to him, albeit not as powerful as what long zhan remembered.

 Chapter 428 Long Qings Fear

    holy minister broke through, annihilation god emperor descended!gu an recalculated the momentum of great heavenly spirit land and found that the future became blurred, many things could not be thoroughly predicted.


    most critically, gu an was unclear about the purpose of the annihilation god emperor''s visit to the great heavenly spirit land.


    long zhan was from an era far distant from his own, with the battle court he established becoming ancient legend, making the annihilation god emperor only stronger than before; how could he not be wary?


    even if this presence of the annihilation god emperor was just the aura of the free immortal, gu an believed that his true form would be an incredibly tricky existence.


    under gu an''s watch, the meteorite carrying the aura of the annihilation god emperor rapidly approached the great heavenly spirit land.


    the powerful beings within the great heavenly spirit land were also alarmed by the annihilation god emperor, all using divine thought and divine sense to probe, but no one dared to obstruct the annihilation god emperor.


    within the holy land of the holy court, vast heavenly thunder covered tens of thousands of miles of sky, the holy minister amidst the tribulation looked up, his eyes revealing a wary expression.


    he knew his crossing of tribulation would bring trouble, but he had not expected such a powerful being to come!


    the aura of the annihilation god emperor reminded him of the primordial immortal king from before, he cursed the heavens for being unfair, but at this point, he could only grit his teeth and break through.


    once the heavenly tribulation began, there was no turning back, either die or succeed in crossing!


    he leveraged the qi fortune of the holy court to breakthrough, he could not afford to lose, because if he failed, the entire holy court would suffer greatly, qi fortune connecting every living being of the court.


    rings upon rings of grand formations guarded the holy minister, dazzling and emitting vast and infinite pressure, countering the heavenly might, stirring chaos in the heaven and earth rules, which also caused the surrounding mountains and oceans of the holy court to trigger cataclysms.


    under the holy minister''s gaze, a meteor streaked across the sky, the celestial thunder unable to obscure the meteor''s brilliance.


    at this moment, not only the holy minister saw the meteor, great cultivators and demons from various powers across the land also saw it.


    inside ye mansion.


    ye lan also saw the meteor crossing the horizon, and for some reason, she felt an unexplained palpitation.


    she couldn''t help but look towards gu an and asked, "did you see that meteor just now?"


    gu an nodded, said, "did you make a wish?"


    ye lan gave him a glance, a worried expression across her brow, said, "at that moment just now, i was inexplicably scared. could it be another demon from outer heaven descending?"


    gu an chuckled and said, "what''s there to fear, when has the supreme sect ever encountered such calamity? i''ve always felt quite at peace; the danger lies in the overseas realms."


    "that''s not the right way to think, we can''t always rely on others, the sword venerable fudao will leave eventually," ye lan shook her head.


    gu an offered comfort, said, "i am the sword venerable fudao, don''t worry."


    she laughed upon hearing this, said, "really? then can senior teach me divine skills?"


    "it''s not impossible, say something nice."


    "want to hear something nice?"


    ye lan gave gu an a flirtatious smile, then stood up and walked towards him.


    gu an hurriedly raised his hand and said, "i was joking."


    "humph, i took it seriously!"


    ¡­


    boom¡ª


    the meteor, enshrouded in blazing flames, shattered the sea of clouds, crashing down upon the mountains with terrifying momentum, instantly crushing miles of mountains and forests, bright light bursting forth, rolling dust rose into the air, like a massive wall of dust pushing towards the distance, destroying everything in its path.


    the earth shook and trembled, as if it were the apocalypse.


    as this force spread to the horizon, terrifying waves of flame emerged at the center of the explosion, seeming to burst through the sky.


    this power from beyond wreaked havoc on all upon the land, merciless and brutally cruel.


    after an unknown period.


    the roaring between heaven and earth ceased, but the rolling dust continued to churn, just without its former intensity.


    a figure stepped out from the dust, clad in a black robe overlaid with black scale armor shimmering with a cold light, he wore a fierce helmet with two horn-like blades pointing to the sky, below the helmet there was no face, only pitch blackness, akin to a lifeless black hole.


    with each step, the gravel beneath his feet turned to dust, the surface revealed magma patterns, terribly fearsome.


    he stopped walking, looked up, still pitch black under the helmet, without eyes, it was unclear what he was looking at, or perhaps what he was sensing.


    he shifted his left foot to the side, instantly dispersing the dust between heaven and earth, revealing the wounded land, shocking to behold, he stood within a massive crater, over a hundred miles wide, outside the crater, the land was littered with rocks and crevices, barren and desolate.


    not just the dust on the land, even the sky suddenly cleared.


    the annihilation god emperor turned his head towards the distance, after looking for several moments, he turned and walked away, with one step, his figure shifted millions of miles.


    the land was boundlessly vast, he took five continuous steps and still had not reached the edge of the continent.


    he arrived at a cliff, where the area was still trembling. following his gaze downward, a city below the cliff was collapsing, and the mortals were wailing and crying, their misery extreme.


    the annihilation god emperor remained silent for a while, then suddenly waved his sleeve, and the earth regained its calm. pieces of rubble and wooden pillars rose and flew toward the distance. discover more content at empire


    after doing all this, he disappeared on the cliff.


    the cries beneath the cliff abruptly ceased, and the whole world fell into silence.


    ...


    in the evening, gu an entered the third medicine valley, watching the annihilation god emperor travel the other side of the world, temporarily unable to discern his purpose.


    the annihilation god emperor did not head toward the holy court, indicating that he was not attracted by the holy minister''s tribulation. he seemed more like he was searching for something.


    perhaps it was no coincidence, fearing the holy minister''s tribulation might affect what he was seeking.


    as soon as gu an entered the valley, long qing hurried over, his face eager to please, expressing concern and warmth.


    "get lost. if you can''t comprehend, it means the time isn''t right, and your mindset is still not stable,"


    gu an glared at long qing and said thus.


    within the supreme sect, many believed gu an was a disciple of sword venerable fudao, but many disciples within the third medicine valley, including long qing, thought gu an was sword venerable fudao himself.


    this was also confirmed by shen xinzi, who now showed extreme respect for gu an, entirely in the manner of a junior.


    "how long must i wait? why do i have to wait?" long qing asked indignantly.


    gu an suddenly thought of something.


    could it be that the annihilation god emperor was here for long qing?


    it was very likely!


    gu an said sternly, "you already know your physique is special, can''t you guess that you might be carrying a significant cause and effect? if you don''t settle down, you''ll face great trouble, and even i won''t be able to protect you, possibly not even the whole world."


    his tone was severe, causing long qing to be stunned.


    as long qing reflected on gu an''s words, he couldn''t help feeling uneasy and panicked. s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    gu an was influencing his emotions with his daoist intent.


    he had to scare the young man!


    without absolute certainty, gu an dared not let long qing reveal his true identity.


    the cause and effect of the dragon clan were too significant, likely to draw the real body of the annihilation god emperor and the current battle court.


    long qing''s expression shifted uncertainly, but gu an did not continue to frighten him and instead walked past him.


    just a few steps away, an xin arrived, reporting that some disciples were fighting and needed his intervention.


    hearing the names of the fighters, gu an understood why an xin had to seek him out.


    two geniuses!


    ranked among the top in talent within the valley, they had not yet completed their training, but already great cultivators and notable families were trying to recruit them.


    it''s typical of geniuses; they tend to be arrogant, and when arrogant individuals meet, conflicts are inevitable.


    gu an followed an xin, not feeling troubled, his thoughts still on the annihilation god emperor.


    the setting sun was like blood, but it didn''t add a touch of tragedy over third medicine valley; it was still full of vitality.


    ...


    the holy minister''s tribulation eventually led to a great battle, with the immortal dynasty, xuanyou divine dynasty, sky demon great sect, and a few forces bearing grudges against the holy court all attacking together.


    the battle was spectacular, prompting even gu an to watch.


    despite the perilous process and countless casualties, the holy court survived the ordeal, and in the end, the holy minister made a breakthrough and even fought a great battle with yang xian emperor.


    although the holy minister was a civilian official, his combat strength was formidable, able to hold his ground against the yang xian emperor, which surprised gu an.


    the yang xian emperor did not entangle further, otherwise, his alliance with the xuanyou divine dynasty and the sky demon great sect''s free immortal might have been able to eliminate the holy minister.


    this battle passed, but it also laid down a greater cause of trouble for the future.


    thus, great heavenly spirit land welcomed a brief period of peace.


    eight years quickly passed.


    one day, gu an, accompanied by an xin and blood prison great saint, arrived at tianya valley; lv xian had unexpectedly returned, specifically to seek out gu an.


    before meeting with lv xian, gu an collected medicinal herbs first.


    lv xian took him into his cave and, after activating the cave''s restrictions, asked nervously, "are you sword venerable fudao?"

 Chapter 429 Heavenly Dao has its Own Fixed Number

    facing lv xian''s inquiry, gu an raised an eyebrow and said, "so the news has reached your ears?"lv xian crossed his arms in front of his chest, chuckling proudly, "of course!"


    "that''s really slow."


    "what?"


    lv xian''s smile froze, uncertain of what to say. if it were anyone else, he would have responded with a kick, but facing gu an, what could he do?


    endure, that''s what!


    gu an found his expression amusing, so he pretended to be mysterious and said, "that''s right, i am sword venerable fudao. however, many people don''t believe it and think that i am just a disciple of sword venerable fudao. you must keep this matter between us; heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and i know."


    upon hearing this, lv xian became excited. his body trembled as he asked carefully, "is it true? why let me know?"


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    gu an''s gaze deepened as he said, "even though you are no match for me, in my eyes, you are the only one who poses a threat to my talent. an hao doesn''t have what it takes; he''s too compliant and will stumble eventually. only those prodigies who survive can be considered strong."


    lv xian was deeply moved, his fists clenched and blood boiling with excitement.


    gu an was satisfied with his reaction. winning people over with just a few words¡ªwhy not?


    then, gu an went and sat down at a stone table to the side. lv xian snapped back to reality and hurried to follow.


    sitting across from gu an, lv xian asked nervously, "is it your talent, or are you the reincarnation of a great power, or have you concealed your age?"


    gu an looked at him and replied, "when you reach the immortal path realm, you''ll understand a stage called reincarnation tribulation."


    reincarnation tribulation?


    lv xian was captivated just by the name.


    gu an asked, "you didn''t come to find me just to confirm this, did you?"


    he could guess lv xian''s purpose, but he preferred to hear lv xian say it himself.


    lv xian took a deep breath and said, "the xuanyou divine dynasty has invited me to join. lately, i''ve been thinking about breaking away from his majesty. what''s your view on the xuanyou divine dynasty?"


    gu an knew about the rift between lv xian and li xuandao. as li xuandao was becoming stronger, he began to reveal his true nature, like gu an, and became increasingly domineering, which added to the pressure on those around him.


    gu an replied, "if you want it as a stepping stone, then it indeed is a good place. but if you plan to stay with the xuanyou divine dynasty, they will all go up in smoke."


    lv xian''s eyes widened as he asked, "the xuanyou divine dynasty will be destroyed?"


    gu an chuckled, "to be more precise, all the powers of this world will go up in smoke; the old forces will turn to dust."


    "including the supreme sect, taicang dynasty?"


    "yes."


    "why?"


    "because the world has its cycles, and the heavenly dao has its set parameters."


    "this¡­ doesn''t that mean all my efforts are meaningless?"


    lv xian turned pale, completely disheartened.


    gu an shook his head, his words laden with profound meaning, "someone always survives. but think about it¡ªif all the powers of the world disappear and ninety-nine percent of beings turn to dust, and you survive, then after weathering that period, what will your status be in this world?"


    excitement shone on lv xian''s face as he thought more about it. he was so elated at the idea of being one of the supreme beings of the world that he even ignored how he would survive to that point.


    his gaze towards gu an changed, filled with admiration.


    what level of cultivation was needed to foresee such an outcome?


    he didn''t doubt gu an''s words because he had also heard legends about the evolution of the world. many cataclysms had swept through the world since ancient times.


    from what he could see, the world was far from destruction; at least, there were no signs in sight.


    indeed, sword venerable fudao was the most formidable; even the yang xian emperor couldn''t compare.


    lv xian became exhilarated and started pressing for more information.


    gu an did not reveal more about the fortune of heaven and earth, but regarding some trivial information that he could disclose, he considered it taking care of lv baitian''s son.


    half an ancient hour later.


    gu an, accompanied by lv xian, walked out of the cave. luo hun watched lv xian''s respectful demeanor and couldn''t help but laugh.


    this lv xian was so proud by nature that even the emperor had never been shown such reverence.


    it was unknown what abilities this young gu an possessed to make a proud figure like lv xian submit.


    luo hun watched from a distance, then approached them.


    "gu an, where is the book?" asked luo hun as he reached gu an.


    gu an casually took out dream of the red chamber and handed it to him, saying, "green hero travel will be after a while, the author went out to make a breakthrough."


    luo hun''s old face turned red as he said, "what green hero travel? i just like dream of the red chamber!"


    lv xian asked curiously, "what is green hero travel?"


    dream of the red chamber, he knew of it because being interested in gu an, he had read all of gu an''s writings. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    an xin walked over and, hearing their conversation, couldn''t help but look at luo hun with an odd expression, causing luo hun extreme embarrassment, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.


    after gu an left tianya valley with an xin and blood prison great saint, an xin began disparaging luo hun, saying she hadn''t expected the esteemed luo hun to read such vulgar books.


    gu an looked ahead, filled with dissatisfaction.


    stinking girl, daring to scold indirectly!


    he''d have to make her suffer a bit when guiding her cultivation later.


    ...


    in the wilderness, a gentle breeze blew.


    an hao, dressed like a wandering swordsman, strolled along a mountain path with his hands raised, his sword scabbard resting on his shoulders through the crook of his arm, his head tilted back, looking carefree.


    after attaining the nirvana realm, he had completely shed his youthful naivety, and now exuded an inscrutable aura, embodying the elegance of a high-level practitioner.


    hoo¡ª


    a gust of wind blew towards him from upfront, rustling an hao''s hair. his half-closed eyes suddenly opened wide.


    he looked towards the top of the hill in front of him, where a towering figure stood, its black robe fluttering in the wind.


    annihilation god emperor!


    an hao found that he couldn''t see the stranger''s true face, which meant that the stranger either possessed an extremely high cultivation level or had some kind of treasure on him.


    he believed the former was more likely.


    an hao, who had traveled far and wide for many years, had encountered many powerful beings, yet none were as mysterious and formidable as the person before him.


    he was not afraid and continued walking forward.


    the annihilation god emperor stood still on the hilltop.


    as an hao passed by him, the god emperor suddenly said, "your life grid is extraordinary, you are destined not to belong to this world."


    an hao stopped in his tracks, didn''t turn his head, and instead gazed at the distant rugged mountains, asking, "oh? to which world do i belong, then?"


    "to a higher realm, once you transcend the nine heavens of the immortal path, you''ll be able to go there."


    "is that so? may i ask if your excellency comes from that realm?"


    an hao did not sound surprised, his tone as calm as ever.


    the annihilation god emperor turned around. an hao turned to face him, only five steps apart.


    looking under the god emperor''s helmet at the pitch darkness, an hao felt wary but not intimidated.


    even before nirvana, an hao often faced beings far surpassing his own realm. no matter where he was, he had never been afraid; he had long regarded life and death indifferently.


    suddenly, a purple vortex appeared under the annihilation god emperor''s helmet. an hao unconsciously looked at it, his gaze changing and losing its brightness.

 Chapter 430 The Strongest Loneliness

    an hao had a dream in which he found himself seated upon an immensely grand chair, with a qilin crawling at his feet and true dragons swirling around his hands. below him was a radiant starry sky, and figures exuding powerful auras floated beneath him like a series of steps.the sensation was incredibly wonderful; he felt as if he had control over everything and even experienced a sense of loneliness.


    immersed in this feeling, he lost track of time.


    he did not know how much time had passed when suddenly, a dazzling golden light burst from the depth of the universe below and rushed towards him, turning the powerful figures along its path into ash.


    the golden light shone on an hao''s face, making it feel scorching hot to the point of burning.


    an hao suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for breath with sweat covering his forehead and his pupils still trembling.


    what met his gaze was the twilight sky, and his eyes instinctively caught the sight of the figure of the annihilation god emperor.


    the annihilation god emperor stood nearby, gazing up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.


    an hao sat up and was about to stand when the annihilation god emperor''s finger pressed on his forehead, rendering him immobile.


    at that moment, an hao felt his mana and qi-blood freeze, making him extremely uncomfortable.


    having reached the nirvana realm, he had felt so powerful, confident to handle anything. but at that moment, he felt as if he had returned to the mortal realm, feeling his own insignificance once again.


    he looked up at the annihilation god emperor, his expression of shock rapidly turning into one of resentment.


    "you have the same look in your eyes as he did, possessing the same life grid, but you are still far from his level," the annihilation god emperor said, looking down at an hao.


    an hao gritted his teeth and asked, "who is he?"


    "his name cannot be mentioned. this entire great heaven and earth cannot bear its consequences. if mentioned, this great heaven and earth would instantaneously turn into nothingness."


    an hao''s eyes widened.


    it was the first time he heard of such power. s§×ar?h the n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    neither the yang xian emperor nor holy heaven could achieve such feats!


    "having traversed so many great heaven and earths, it is rare to encounter someone with such a grand life grid as yours. i grant you a divine skill, now it remains to be seen how high you can reach."


    as he spoke, the annihilation god emperor''s index finger emitted demonic qi, which burrowed into an hao''s forehead.


    an hao, unable to move, was extremely nervous. as the demonic qi entered his body, he did not feel any discomfort, which made him even more uneasy.


    the annihilation god emperor withdrew his hand and said, "what you saw earlier were the memories of that being. remember that sensation; it is the power you must strive with all your might to pursue."


    with those words, the annihilation god emperor vanished from the spot.


    an hao then freed from constraint, swiftly got up. he could no longer sense the presence of the annihilation god emperor, not a trace was left, as if everything he had experienced was just an illusion.


    "who exactly is he¡­"


    an hao furrowed his brows, touching his forehead subconsciously, feeling that he had gotten himself into big trouble.


    meanwhile.


    far away in the third medicine valley, gu an withdrew his gaze. when the annihilation god emperor approached an hao, he had been paying attention.


    this annihilation god emperor was merely a free immortal in terms of cultivation level. if he dared to harm an hao, gu an could eradicate him even faster, but it seemed as though the annihilation god emperor intended to bring an opportunity to an hao.


    after the annihilation god emperor left, gu an checked an hao''s fate once more and found that his future had changed.


    an hao was already on the path of the chosen, but after receiving the legacy from the annihilation god emperor, an hao grew even stronger, which reminded gu an of long zhan and lu han, who could just barely surpass him.


    what exactly is the origin of the annihilation god emperor?


    what does a higher realm refer to? your next read is at empire


    gu an looked up, and beyond the outer heaven was the universe, surrounded by the silent destruction domain. the entire universe seemed infinitely vast, with no end to be seen in any direction.


    his gaze involuntarily fell upon the boundary gate, guarded by the heavenly spirit god.


    perhaps to reach beyond the universe, one must pass through that gate.


    but, approaching the boundary gate would mean destruction by the heavenly spirit god, a terrifying existence capable of effortlessly annihilating the taoist hidden immortal.


    gu an then thought of the immortals he had encountered, it seemed that there were even more terrifying and vast beings above the immortal path.


    "master, the sect leader is here to see you."


    a disciple ran up to gu an and whispered.


    gu an, standing in front of a wooden railing, withdrew his gaze and nodded to the disciple, then walked towards his loft.


    returning to the room, gu an saw lv baitian, who immediately rose to greet him.


    "i''ve told you so many times, there''s no need for such formality, it feels so alienating," gu an complained.


    as lv baitian watched him walk over and sit down, he finally spoke, "i was ignorant before. knowing your true identity now, proper courtesy must be observed."


    gu an''s face remained unchanged, but he was pleased inside. old lv really understood people''s hearts.


    he invited lv baitian to sit and asked why he had come.


    "your disciple, xu jie, had a conflict with a family. it was a misunderstanding, and i have had the family release him and have tried hard to ease the relationship. however, xu jie is still unhappy," lv baitian began, his face showing helplessness as he spoke.


    due to the prior incident with the wu jue, lv baitian dared not be careless.


    with such extraordinary talent, xu jie likely had gu an''s guidance behind him; he had to handle the situation carefully.


    gu an replied nonchalantly, "if he''s unhappy, so be it. the supreme sect must not indulge him."


    lv baitian pondered the underlying meaning of gu an''s words and responded, "he''s still young after all, and his talent is indeed rare. he reminds me of an hao in his earlier years."


    mentioning an hao made him think of an xin, and his expression turned strange.


    when many things were connected, they seemed so absurd.


    he also wondered what an hao''s feelings would be if he knew all this.


    an hao didn''t know who his own master was, only knowing that his master had transformed into sword venerable fudao.


    "are there a shortage of geniuses in this world now? just treat him normally, no need to consider me. he is just a passerby from the third medicine valley and has not truly become my disciple," gu an said carelessly.


    hearing this, lv baitian became even more interested in xu jie.


    without the guidance of sword venerable fudao, xu jie had still shown such talent; such a genius must be properly cultivated.


    the key was to bring him under his command, to become his strength!


    seeing gu an truly uninterested in xu jie, lv baitian started discussing other matters, hoping gu an would provide guidance for the future development of the supreme sect.


    a full ancient hour passed before lv baitian finally left.


    gu an personally saw him down the stairs. before parting, the two kept bowing to each other, causing nearby disciples to talk.


    gu an looked at lv baitian''s departing figure and noticed that lv baitian''s karma had changed.


    killer calamity!


    he immediately calculated lv baitian''s life grid and his expression became strange.


    due to his words today, lv baitian would face calamity.


    lv baitian would find death due to xu jie.

 Chapter 431 Involuntarily

    in gu an''s projections, lv baitian would focus on nurturing xu jie in the future, treating him as the next sect leader to be groomed, and even betroth the daughter of the lv family''s patriarch to xu jie, as if she were his own child.xu jie did not disappoint lv baitian, his growth rate was not inferior to an hao''s, and he, too, took an hao as his target.


    five hundred years later, when an hao returned, xu jie, overrating his own ability, challenged an hao. even though an hao suppressed his cultivation level, he still easily defeated xu jie. after that, xu jie''s personality drastically changed, becoming paranoid.


    he practiced cultivation even more diligently, treating getting stronger as the most important thing.


    he even schemed for lv baitian''s defying fate divine skill and eventually succeeded in persuading lv baitian to pass on the skill to him.


    after the transmission of the skill, lv baitian became a cripple and returned to the lv family, only to have the lv family attacked by xu jie''s enemies. in that chaos, lv baitian died.


    although gu an could see the future, he was not panicked, because he knew these events would occur only if he did not intervene.


    to deduce cause and effect one must set oneself aside, an approach that allows for more accurate foresight. this is why many who are aware of their heavenly destiny refuse to engage in worldly affairs¡ªbecause they cannot predict the choices they would make in the future, and thus they try not to change the course of the world.


    gu an was not displeased with xu jie because of this; he was more reflective on both of their fates.


    lv baitian''s choice to choose xu jie brought disaster upon himself, and it wasn''t that xu jie intended to harm him¡ªit could only be said that fate was playing tricks on people.


    "one thought can turn one into a demon or make one an immortal, but who really knows whether their own thought is right or wrong?"


    gu an muttered to himself, truly moved.


    downstairs, the blood prison great saint looked up, pondering the words of his master.


    could it be that lv baitian was about to become a demon?


    that would be just great!


    the blood prison great saint had no fondness for lv baitian at all. knowing that lv baitian might be in trouble, he only felt schadenfreude, even looking forward to lv baitian disappointing gu an.


    after watching for a while, gu an turned and walked back inside the house.


    night fell, and the lights of the third medicine valley lit up one after another, revealing the mortal world''s charms.


    ...


    twenty years later.


    in the third medicine valley, the sunlight was bright, birds circled above, and the shapes of disciples practicing cultivation could be seen everywhere, with supreme sect disciples riding demon birds flying across the sky.


    gu an lay underneath the mystic pure tree with his hands behind his head, looking at his attribute panel.


    [name: gu an]


    [life span: 899/1,393,608,114]


    [physique: mixed yuan dao golden body]


    [cultivation level: perfect xuan yuan zi zai immortal realm]


    ...


    almost 1.4 billion years of life span and close to 900 years old.


    gu an, looking at his age, felt the passage of time, unaware of how old he had grown.


    yet his mentality remained young, and he was still able to converse with some of the younger disciples. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the fat as a buffalo white spirit rat came over and nuzzled his waist with its head, in a flattering manner.


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    gu an paid it no attention; it followed and circled to his front and said in a low voice, "master."


    it spoke in a childlike voice, indistinguishable between male or female.


    last year, the white spirit rat had just learned to speak the human language. its growth also brought liveliness to the third medicine valley; almost every disciple who entered the valley had been bullied by it. it had a strong presence in the third medicine valley, and the disciples respectfully kept their distance, after all, it was the master''s demon pet; they couldn''t fight back even if bullied by it.


    "spit it out if you have something to say."


    gu an said impatiently, looking at the white spirit rat with annoyance.


    the creature had recently been pestering him to raise a batch of female rabbit demons, which he found quite disgraceful.


    how could he, so esteemed and virtuous, have raised such a demon pet?


    gu an thought of the three tian yao''er sisters and the deep sea dragon carp, seeming somewhat abnormal as well.


    in contrast, the blood prison great saint was quite steady.


    hmm, he would focus on nurturing the blood prison great saint from now on!


    "master, i had a dream earlier, where i was cultivating, and i still remember¡ªit was a fist technique. would you take a look?"


    the white spirit rat said softly, its beady eyes filled with excitement. because of its obesity, it lacked the cunning look of a rat demon, appearing rather foolish instead.


    gu an sat up and said, "i want to see what fist technique you can comprehend."


    the white spirit rat spent years meditating under the mystic pure tree, consuming heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and its maximum life span kept increasing.


    in a way, this was also a talent, as not everyone could increase their life span just by being under the mystic pure tree.


    the white spirit rat jumped aside and then stood up, supporting its body on its fatty hind legs.


    under gu an''s gaze, the white spirit rat started to perform fists.


    as it threw its punches, gusts of wind kicked up the grass, drawing the attention of nearby disciples.


    gu an''s expression was odd, the white spirit rat''s fist technique was not impressive, clearly mimicking long qing''s moves, yet a mountain of flesh throwing punches was very bizarre.


    to say it was comical, but its body moved rhythmically, each punch was executed with precision.


    after the white spirit rat had demonstrated a set of fist techniques, it turned to look at gu an with a hopeful expression.


    gu an pondered for a moment and said seriously, "not bad, you can challenge qing''er now."


    upon hearing this, the white spirit rat was overjoyed and immediately bade farewell to gu an.


    it was off to challenge long qing!


    after sending off the white spirit rat, gu an continued to lie down, enjoying his leisure time.


    doing nothing but lying there was quite interesting too.


    however, this peaceful life was about to be shattered.


    the annihilation god emperor, who had been traveling the mortal world, had already arrived at the supreme sect. judging by his pace, it would only be a matter of time before he entered the third medicine valley.


    wherever the annihilation god emperor went among crowds, he would disguise himself as a cultivator, and so he did at the supreme sect. with a thousand faces for a thousand people, no one could remember the visage he had transformed into.


    time continued to pass.


    an ancient hour later,


    a figure entered the third medicine valley, a man in blue clothes with an ordinary face and no eye-catching magic artifacts adorning him.


    it was the annihilation god emperor!


    as he stepped into the third medicine valley, he looked around, as if in search of something.


    a disciple approached to greet him and inquired about his business. the medicine valley disciple was very polite and did not posture.


    the annihilation god emperor said, "i''m looking for ji xiaoyu."


    ji xiaoyu?


    the medicine valley disciple paused, thought for a while, and then remembered, saying, "elder ji has been in seclusion for many years and has not seen anyone. i have been here at medicine valley for many years without having seen her, i..."


    "it''s fine, i''ll just look around. your medicine valley allows that, right?"


    "of course, you''re free to do as you wish. if you have any needs, feel free to ask me."


    "ah, much appreciated."


    the annihilation god emperor responded, and the medicine valley disciple followed up with a bow before leaving.


    afterwards, the annihilation god emperor continued forward. when he passed by the dojo, he turned his head to look, but after a mere glance, he withdrew his gaze and did not pause in his footsteps.


    two female disciples walked towards him, one of whom was you yingying.


    "i told you before that the heavenly colored evergreen grass needs constant attention. you didn''t listen. do you know how many top-grade spirit stones are lost with one plant?"


    you yingying complained, while the woman beside her was almost crying, her lips quivering.


    as the annihilation god emperor was about to pass by you yingying, he suddenly said, "for one facing imminent death, you''ve managed to live quite tenaciously."


    upon hearing this, you yingying stopped in her tracks, looking suspiciously at the annihilation god emperor.


    she knew that she was a reincarnation of a heavenly demon, and with gu an''s help over the years, her cultivation level had been continuously growing. although not a genius, at least she was far from her life span''s limit.


    hearing the words of the annihilation god emperor, you yingying instinctively panicked.


    "are you talking to me?" you yingying stared at the annihilation god emperor and asked.


    the annihilation god emperor did not stop, continuing on his way, leaving behind a perplexing comment for you yingying, "cherish the present, there will come a time when you are powerless to control your fate."


    a time when she is powerless to control her fate?


    you yingying furrowed her brows, immediately feeling uneasy.


    the annihilation god emperor eventually reached gu an''s pavilion, where the blood prison great saint looked up at him, his eyes filled with curiosity.


    "reincarnation path emperor, aren''t you going to show yourself?"


    the annihilation god emperor spoke, saying words that shen xinzi, who was eavesdropping from afar, could not hear.


    after hearing what the annihilation god emperor had said to you yingying, shen xinzi became curious and puzzled about him, but unfortunately, the annihilation god emperor did not allow his eavesdropping to continue.


    reincarnation path emperor?


    the blood prison great saint promptly stood up, watching the annihilation god emperor warily.


    the annihilation god emperor glanced at him and said, "future great saint, sit down. pretend you saw nothing, heard nothing."


    my future identity has been seen through by him?


    he is a real master!


    how extraordinary!


    blood prison great saint''s heart raced with excitement, as he began to fantasize about his own future greatness.


    he was not afraid of the annihilation god emperor causing trouble; his master was inside the valley, probably enjoying the show.

 Chapter 432 Ten Million Incarnations

    while the blood prison great saint was still lost in his vivid fantasies, ji xiaoyu''s room door opened.dressed in black, ji xiaoyu stepped out of the house, her gaze settling on the annihilation god emperor, filled with doubt.


    the annihilation god emperor''s gaze rested on ji xiaoyu, his expression remaining calm.


    at this moment, the sun and moon netherworld emperor appeared beside ji xiaoyu, vigilantly staring at the annihilation god emperor.


    "who might you be?" the sun and moon netherworld emperor asked in a deep voice, his eyes betraying a strong sense of wariness.


    he, strong as a divine thought true immortal, couldn''t see through the annihilation god emperor''s cultivation level at all, which gave him the same feeling he got when facing gu an.


    the annihilation god emperor spoke up, "reincarnation path emperor, you should remember me."


    he completely ignored the sun and moon netherworld emperor, feeling like the sun and moon netherworld emperor wasn''t worthy of conversation.


    upon hearing this, ji xiaoyu''s face changed dramatically, her expression one of disbelief, her body trembling as she struggled to compose herself.


    seeing her like this made the sun and moon netherworld emperor even more nervous, while the blood prison great saint curiously looked at ji xiaoyu, seeing her in such a state for the first time.


    taking a deep breath, ji xiaoyu raised her hand in salute and said, "the junior has seen the divine emperor, may i ask why the divine emperor has personally come to the great heaven and earth?"


    the divine emperor?


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor appeared to realize something, his look towards the annihilation god emperor filled with reverence; he stepped back, half-kneeling, bowing his proud head.


    the blood prison great saint was even more curious about the identity of the annihilation god emperor, his blood beginning to boil.


    the stronger the annihilation god emperor, the more likely his words would come true.


    he might yet become a great saint of the great heavenly spirit land!


    the annihilation god emperor said, "i am here to find someone, a remnant of the ancient evil demons."


    "ancient evil demons?" ji xiaoyu asked in surprise.


    "descendant from the long family of the battle court."


    the answer from the annihilation god emperor made ji xiaoyu''s pupils widen sharply.


    ji xiaoyu asked with a frown, "that clan still has descendants? weren''t they already extinct?" sea??h th§× n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the annihilation god emperor stared at her and queried, "do you really not know?"


    ji xiaoyu fell silent.


    the annihilation god emperor continued, "i am aware your master is from the dragon clan, but you must have seen their malice. should a living person carry such hatred, the catastrophe he could cause is beyond what you or i could foresee."


    "that would not be a catastrophe for one great heaven and earth, but a crisis for the entire universe."


    ji xiaoyu replied, "i really don''t know, and currently i am undergoing the reincarnation tribulation; i have memories, but not the genuine feelings of my true self."


    the annihilation god emperor turned around, his gaze sweeping over the third medicine valley.


    ji xiaoyu followed his gaze, her heart suddenly trembling as she realized his gaze had fallen on gu an.


    gu an lay beneath the mystic pure tree, his eyes covered by leaves, as if he were sleeping.


    the annihilation god emperor looked at gu an, pausing for a while before shifting his gaze elsewhere.


    ji xiaoyu didn''t dare disturb him, waiting for him to speak.


    if she felt this way, the sun and moon netherworld emperor was no different.


    after a long time.


    the annihilation god emperor turned his head towards ji xiaoyu and said, "indeed, his aura and causality are nowhere in this land, but i will draw him out. once you conclude this lifetime, you may come to assist me, and i will not leave you unrewarded."


    having said this, the annihilation god emperor transformed into his true form, his black robe fluttering, his scale armor glinting with a chilly light, and the darkness beneath his helmet startled the blood prison great saint enough to widen his eyes.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor glanced over subconsciously, equally intimidated by the annihilation god emperor''s appearance.


    the annihilation god emperor vanished into thin air.


    far away, shen xinzi, though unable to hear their conversation, saw the true figure of the annihilation god emperor and was startled, rising involuntarily.


    not just him, some curious disciples also witnessed the transformation of the annihilation god emperor.


    however, the sudden disappearance of the annihilation god emperor gave them the illusion that they were seeing things.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor stood up, took a step forward, and asked in a low voice, "could it be that one from the legends of the silent destruction domain?"


    ji xiaoyu looked up towards the sky and softly said, "yes, that''s the one."


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor appeared to be in a trance, and he couldn''t help but ask, "wasn''t that just a legend? it actually exists... your majesty, what is your relationship with him?"


    ji xiaoyu replied, "i have once received the inheritance he left behind and communicated with his divine thoughts. he could be considered one of my mentors, and this was also the first time i truly saw him. the one just now must have been only an avatar."


    "avatar?" the sun and moon netherworld emperor exclaimed.


    "yes, an avatar. he has countless avatars, spread across different worlds, all searching for his own way."


    ji xiaoyu''s gaze became distant, as if filled with longing.


    the sun and moon netherworld emperor fell silent, equally shaken.


    the blood prison great saint, on the other hand, contemptuously thought to himself, why doesn''t such a powerful being dare to take a walk in front of the master?


    in his view, the annihilation god emperor was wary of gu an.


    time continued to pass.


    as dusk approached, gu an sat up. he stretched lazily, having had a very comfortable sleep.


    he even had a dream, as if he had experienced lifespan samsara.


    but it was not as real as the memories left by lifespan samsara.


    this made gu an want to start another round of lifespan samsara.


    he stood up and walked towards the attic, spotting the white spirit rat on the way, which was looking at him with a plaintive gaze.


    gu an noticed that one of its legs was twitching, clearly injured.


    it had been at a disadvantage at long qing''s place.


    "fortunately, the breakthrough deepened their path of returning primordial spirit," gu an said with a smile, a smug look on his face.


    being cautious was always right!


    when he arrived at the front of his attic, ji xiaoyu walked out from inside.


    "let''s go up to talk."


    ji xiaoyu came up to gu an and suggested in a low voice.


    after that, she went up the stairs first, with gu an following behind.


    once upstairs and in the room, ji xiaoyu began to cast spells, setting up restrictions around the room to prevent others from spying, even utilizing the power of the primordial daoist talisman.


    "is it that serious?" gu an feigned surprise.


    ji xiaoyu fixed her gaze on gu an, her eyes complex.


    gu an touched his face and asked, "what''s the matter?"


    "have you awakened memories of your past life? or rather, have you not gone through reincarnation tribulation at all? who exactly are you?" ji xiaoyu asked softly.


    gu an laughed and inquired, "who do you think i am?"


    ji xiaoyu looked at him and said, "you take in orphans and give them the long surname. could it be that your real surname is long?"


    suspecting i''m long qing?


    gu an couldn''t help but smile wryly.


    wrong guess, i''m actually the ancestor of the dragon clan!


    gu an shook his head and said, "how could that be? my surname is gu. giving long qing the long surname is because he has it on his back; you''ve known that all along, haven''t you?"


    ji xiaoyu responded, "i have known for a long time, but i''ve also always had my suspicions. it''s okay if you don''t admit it, and it''s best if you never do because there are beings out there to kill you that have come here. that being is from the ancient legends of the silent destruction domain and may have existed even longer than the great heavenly spirit land. he is convinced that you are hiding in the great heavenly spirit land and he will not rest until he finds you."


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    gu an, resigned, said, "i''m truly not the person you think i am, but i am quite curious about this being you mentioned. is he very strong?"

 Chapter 433 Chivalrous Reincarnation, Yang Xian

    "he is naturally very strong, perhaps the most powerful being i remember, and i don''t even know how high his dao level is, but one thing is certain¡ªif he discovers your true identity, or if you offend him, you won''t stand a chance."ji xiaoyu looked at gu an and spoke seriously, her tone somewhat cold.


    gu an didn''t get angry but was surprised as he asked, "that impressive? do you admire him?"


    ji xiaoyu frowned and said, "how could that be possible? i am just worried about your safety. he will take action next, and you must practice restraint, avoid revealing yourself, and try not to make a move if possible."


    "what kind of move could i make? i''m just an ordinary farming cultivator," said gu an with a shrug.


    the more he acted like this, the more vexed ji xiaoyu became, thinking him too arrogant.


    seeing her about to erupt, gu an continued, "don''t worry, i know what i''m doing, and i''m really not who you think i am."


    ji xiaoyu calmed her emotions and said, "it''s good as long as you understand."


    after that, she released the power of the primordial daoist talisman and walked past gu an.


    gu an turned to look at her and asked, "are you leaving just like that?"


    "yes, i need to continue my cultivation," ji xiaoyu said without turning back.


    gu an didn''t try to persuade her further, feeling helpless inside, i really am not a descendant of the dragon clan.


    as for the annihilation god emperor, he did indeed feel wary, but not towards this annihilation god emperor¡ªit was the original one he was cautious of.


    gu an sat in his own chair and took out a leisure book to distract himself.


    regardless, it was a good thing that the annihilation god emperor hadn''t recognized him as long qing, nor had he seen through long qing''s real identity. it proved that gu an still had time to grow.


    in this life, he wasn''t going to be as reckless as long zhan!


    ...


    a year later, the nine hundred-year-old an xin came to the hidden spirit palace where first he gathered medicinal herbs, with the deep sea dragon carp following closely behind, carrying the basket for him.


    "this herb, my junior sister should like it."


    "this one for jiang qiong, it hasn''t been easy for her."


    "these are for tian yao''er, she has a big appetite."


    gu an mumbled to himself while picking the herbs.


    the deep sea dragon carp had grown accustomed to this. he didn''t speak. with his long hair reaching his feet, wearing white clothes and an elegant demeanor, like a gentle woman. his eyes seemed to hold tenderness, a face full of feminine charm, making it difficult to guess that he was a male demon.


    when gu an finished gathering, he took the basket and handed a bag of seeds to the deep sea dragon carp.


    as the deep sea dragon carp began to plant the seeds, gu an walked to the entrance of the hidden spirit palace and sat on his rocking chair, taking out a book.


    the water above shimmered, and the whole dojo was quiet, a perfect atmosphere for reading, occasionally complemented by the sound of whale calls, which struck the soul.


    an hour later, gu an finished savoring the book in his hand, pressed it to his chest, and started to reflect.


    "the spirit of chivalry is precious. who says immortal cultivation is only about benefits and lacks chivalry?"


    gu an talked to himself, his tone full of emotion.


    having finished reading the swordman book, he wished to wander the mortal world, live the life of a chivalrous swordsman. s§×ar?h the novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    however, he had to maintain his schedule of gathering medicinal herbs. if he had his clone do it or squeezed in the time, the experience wouldn''t be the same.


    forget about it.


    it''s nice to think about.


    wait, why not live a chivalrous life in the lifespan samsara?


    gu an opened his eyes, sprang up, and tucked the book into his chest.


    it was time to start a new journey!


    and this wouldn''t be a waste of lifespan¡ªlifespan samsara could enhance his understanding of the tao rules.


    his character for this reincarnation shouldn''t be so stubborn; he must have a compassionate heart.


    so gu an thought, and with a thought, a series of prompts appeared before his eyes:


    [you will spend ten million years of lifespan to initiate a reincarnation evolution]


    [beginning to connect with the tao rules]


    [searching for a reincarnation world]


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    "you have the following great heaven and earth choices, pick any one."


    "first, the dark heaven and earth."


    "second, the da hong realm."


    "third, xuan qing great heaven and earth."


    it''s the dark heaven and earth again!


    gu an really wanted to try his luck with the black profound emperor, but his intuition told him that if he chose black profound emperor this time, the black profound emperor would surely be even more terrifying.


    forget it.


    there''s no need to mess around!


    since he had chosen a life of chivalry, he should choose a world of lesser strength.


    gu an thought that the da hong realm should be weaker than the great heaven and earth.


    let it be the da hong realm!


    "you choose to reincarnate in the da hong realm."


    "given that the tao rules of this world cannot conceal your talent, you will retain the ability to seize lifespan, but you cannot activate the phased functions."


    "reincarnation evolution begins."


    "in the first year, you were born inside the purple micro immortal mansion, and you were named yang xian by your parents."


    "at the age of five, your father began to teach you the ways of immortal cultivation. that day, you demonstrated exceptional insight, stunning the purple micro immortal mansion."


    "at the age of eight, you mastered your family''s swordsmanship to great success and comprehended sword intent."


    "at the age of twelve, when the purple micro immortal mansion hosted a banquet for cultivators from various sects, you met an old man who said you had an extraordinary life grid and wanted to tell your fortune. will you choose to agree?"


    wow!


    why is there another person trying to tell fortunes?


    gu an could hardly bear to let the other party suffer a loss, so he chose no.


    "you refuse to let the other party tell your fortune. the person feels somewhat disappointed and bids you farewell."


    "at the age of fifteen, you condensed a golden core with sword intent within, becoming an unmatched prodigy the purple micro immortal mansion hadn''t encountered in ten thousand years."


    "at the age of seventeen, you were sent by the purple micro immortal mansion to the ten thousand sword immortal ridge. on the way, you encountered someone being attacked by a demon cultivator, whose wife and children had already been slain. you felt compassionate, but the elder accompanying you advised you not to interfere too much. will you choose to intervene and save them?"


    here it comes!


    time to kick off the immortal chivalrous life!


    save them!


    "ignoring the elder''s advice, you forcefully step in. the attackers are relentless and even start to besiege you. out of desperation, you execute your swordsmanship, slaying the demon cultivator leader and accidentally seize eighty-seven years of lifespan, marking a turning point in your destiny."


    here it comes!


    gu an had been wondering why there had been no prompt about seizing lifespan, it turns out this kid had never taken a life.


    only at the age of seventeen did he discover the ability to seize lifespan, indicating he truly had a heart of great kindness.


    gu an also grew curious: could it be that before starting the lifespan samsara, what he had in mind could determine the nature within the reincarnation?


    that''s quite possible. in his previous reincarnation evolution, he had thought about surviving as much as possible, so his character in the reincarnation was more paranoid.


    "at the age of eighteen, you arrive at the ten thousand sword immortal ridge, where you stand out among the thousands of trialists, and you obtain your first immortal sword in this life¡ªjinghong."


    "at the age of nineteen, after contemplating the sword intent of ten thousand sword immortal ridge, you gain the appreciation of the ancestor of ten thousand sword immortal dao, who wishes to take you as his disciple. will you choose to agree?"


    definitely agree!


    what''s there to hesitate about!


    start getting stronger!


    gu an thought this and made his decision immediately.


    "you choose to be apprenticed to the ancestor of ten thousand sword immortal dao, you receive his instruction, and you begin to delve into the ten thousand sword immortal dao."


    "at twenty-one, you finally step into the ten thousand sword immortal dao. all of the swords in the ten thousand sword immortal ridge tremble for you. the ancestor is very satisfied with you and starts to personally train you in swordsmanship."


    wait a minute!


    this lifetime''s talent seems exceptionally strong.

 Chapter 434 Sword Dao Life

    although it was impossible to determine yang xian''s realm from the hints, he seemed very strong, most importantly, he was only twenty-one years old.gu an contemplated as he read the information.


    he even felt that the da hong realm was stronger than the usual great heaven and earth, casually decorated with the word ''immortal.''


    "at twenty-five, your master, the founder of the thousand swords immortal, summoned you alone," the message read. "when you went to see him, he claimed he wanted to pass on the position of head of the thousand swords immortal peaks to you. if you accept the qi fortune of the thousand swords immortal peaks, you will be able to command all the immortal swords, divine swords, and treasure swords there, and even gain longevity, but the price is the loss of your freedom. do you choose to accept the position?"


    lose my freedom?


    no way!


    no!


    gu an immediately refused; in this life, he intended to experience the life of a chivalrous hero, not to pursue longevity.


    and what about the reincarnation body''s original self if it obtained longevity?


    "you refuse the position of head of the thousand swords immortal peaks. the founder does not coerce you but assigns you an experience task to track down the eldest senior brother who has betrayed the sect."


    "at thirty, you arrive at blood deer city where the eldest senior brother was last seen. you meet fang meng, the city lord''s daughter, and after a stream of fateful encounters, feelings blossom between you. under her lead, you sneak into the underground city and come across a heritage, learning the killing sword technique."


    "at thirty-one, a mysterious cultivator attempts to sacrifice the entire city''s population. you discover that he is the eldest senior brother you have been looking for. after a violent battle, he captures fang meng and threatens your life unless you destroy your sword intent. do you choose to accept?"


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    upon reading this, gu an mused that love was indeed a stumbling block for swordsmen.


    but as an aspiring swordman, how could he not save fang meng?


    if he listened to this eldest senior brother, he would be willingly surrendering.


    a dilemma!


    after a moment of struggle, gu an decided to trust yang xian. if the eldest senior brother felt threatened by yang xian, it indicated that he was wary of yang xian, who must also have an ace up his sleeve.


    if he died just like that, then it meant the path of chivalry was not viable; he would just read books in the future and give no further thought to it.


    gu an silently chose to agree.


    "you agree to destroy your sword intent. you dissipate the sword intent within you and sustain serious injuries. your eldest senior brother laughs wildly, mocking your foolishness and threatening to execute fang meng. at the critical moment, your master, the founder of the thousand swords immortal, acts. using his finger as a sword from millions of miles away, he instantly kills your eldest senior brother. enduring the pain, you catch fang meng as she falls from the sky."


    "at thirty-two, as you''re contemplating the sword dao in the courtyard, fang meng visits you. she confesses her true feelings, wishing to marry you and for you to inherit her father''s legacy and walk the path of immortal cultivation again. do you choose to accept her?"


    no!


    never marry!


    without hesitation, gu an made the decision on behalf of yang xian.


    if the original self has not married, what right do you have?


    "you reject fang meng''s heartfelt proposal, leaving her deeply hurt. that night, you secretly leave blood deer city and pursue your own sword dao."


    the subsequent hints were all about traveling and performing chivalrous deeds. yang xian did not return to the thousand swords immortal peaks, nor did he go back to the purple micro immortal mansion.


    seeing yang xian walk the path he wished to, gu an felt gratified.


    yang xian was more obedient than the previous reincarnation bodies.


    "at forty, based on your years of acting heroically, you earn a good reputation, but you still cannot re-condense sword intent, nor can your dao level grow. you find yourself in a quandary, uncertain whether to engage in a killing tribulation, executing those extremely vicious to seize their lifespan and thereby restore your sword dao. do you choose to undertake the killing tribulation?"


    kill extremely vicious people, what''s there to hesitate about?


    gu an felt that taking lifespan did not conflict with being heroic; being a hero didn''t mean killing no one.


    what he had to do was to punish evil and promote good!


    "you choose to undertake the killing tribulation, but another voice within cautions you, placing you in another dilemma. voices urge you to take up the butcher''s knife, warn you of the demon king''s initial intentions, and in the end, you choose not to engage in the killing tribulation, remaining true to your daoist heart. in the esoteric process, you sense a wisp of sword intent close to you, yet invisible and intangible."


    hmm?


    it actually resists my choice?


    for the first time, gu an encountered such a situation; fortunately, yang xian had his own realizations, which made gu an even more hopeful.


    "at forty-one, while saving someone, you are severely injured by a great cultivator. you flee into the river and drift down into an isolated island, where you find an abandoned bamboo tower to recover."


    "at forty-three, having observed the mist in the forest for a long time and contemplating the natural world, you begin to create your own swordsmanship."


    [at forty-five, you founded a thousand forms of swordsmanship, reconvened your sword intent, and you welcomed the path enlightenment.]


    [at forty-eight, your achievement in the sword dao surpassed what came before, every blade of grass and tree seemed alive with intent, as did the mountains and rivers, and you embarked on a path of the sword dao that belonged only to you.]


    [at the age of fifty, a youth stumbled upon your island, mistaking you for an immortal and wishing to take you as his master. as soon as he arrived, the bamboo swords you crafted quivered, and you sensed a sword intent from him, realizing he was the innate sword intent the sword immortal ancestor spoke of, a person naturally suited for sword practice. did you choose to take him as a disciple?]


    innate sword intent?


    is it that formidable?


    without much thought, gu an chose to agree.


    taking a disciple was not a bad thing; after all, he himself had taken disciples.


    every choice brings both fortune and misfortune. as long as he did not resist in his heart, willingness was sufficient.


    [you chose to take the youth as a disciple, hearing that he was raised by bandits and had no real name, thus you named him yang ping''an.]


    [at fifty-two, yang ping''an had mastered all your sword techniques, but he could not yet perceive sword intent nor could he refine his own.]


    moving on, yang ping''an''s name appeared in every prompt. yang xian advanced his own understanding of the sword dao while observing yang ping''an''s cultivation.


    gu an was astonished; the natural talent of yang ping''an in the sword dao was truly exceptional, even exceeding yang xian''s by some measure.


    [at sixty, your sword dao reached even greater heights. that year, yang ping''an desired to leave the island to gain experience. did you choose to allow him to leave?]


    no!


    having only practiced for a few years?


    with such little skill going out, is he seeking death?


    [you disagreed with yang ping''an''s departure. dissatisfied, yang ping''an thus agreed to the rule you set: he could leave to gain experience only after he defeated you. he dedicated himself to intensive cultivation.]


    reading this prompt, a bad premonition suddenly arose in gu an''s heart.


    could it be that master and disciple will turn on each other later?


    as gu an pondered, he watched the incessant flow of prompts before him.


    it was still about cultivation, yet now included the challenges from yang ping''an.


    every five years, yang ping''an would challenge yang xian, and according to the prompts, both master and disciple were growing rapidly.


    [at one hundred, you once again ascended a step in your sword dao, and your consciousness peered into the sword dao river. you saw figures standing upon the river, and yearning for it, you drew closer only to encounter one of the figures swinging a sword at you, damaging your sword dao. your consciousness retreated back to your body, and you found your sword intent temporarily dispersed, with your internal spiritual power also depleted. at this moment, your disciple yang ping''an came to challenge you. did you choose to consent to his challenge?]


    such terrible timing!


    gu an wanted to refuse, but on second thought, refusing meant showing weakness; yang ping''an likely harbored no intent to kill him. it would be a good test of yang xian''s true strength.


    without sword intent and spiritual power, could yang xian still defeat yang ping''an?


    [you agreed to yang ping''an''s challenge, and after a fierce battle, both of you were injured, with yang ping''an winning by a narrow margin. he shouted out excitedly, venting out years of repressed frustration, and you could only let him travel the world. before parting, yang ping''an gave you three deep kowtows, saying he would never forget the kindness of your teachings.]


    [at one hundred and one, your wounds healed, you reconvened your sword intent and gained new insights.]


    seeing yang xian actually lose, gu an felt helplessly resigned, but thankfully yang ping''an still had some conscience.


    the path of practice continued.


    yang xian gave up the ability to seize life span, yet his growth rate remained swift. he secluded himself in the deep mountains without wandering out, delving into the sword dao, his cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds.


    yang ping''an, however, did not return again.


    one prompt followed another.


    quickly, time brought yang xian to the age of five hundred.


    [at five hundred and seven, you attained the accomplishment of perceiving everything in heaven and earth as a sword, and you buried all your swords at the bottom of a lake outside your island.]


    [at five hundred and eight, a masked woman arrived at your island, claiming to be fang meng''s daughter. fang meng was near death and wished to see you one last time. did you choose to agree?]


    fang meng?


    she actually had a daughter, but that was normal, not all women can wait forever, especially since she was rejected by yang xian. s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    with a sense of reminiscence in his heart, gu an then fell into hesitation.

 Chapter 435 Sword Saint, Great Hong Dao Sky

    After much hesitation, Gu An still chose to agree.After all, it was Yang Xian''s life, and considering the affection between Yang Xian and Fang Meng, even in the absence of love and with old acquaintances departing, a farewell was appropriate.


    "You chose to agree to meet Fang Meng; you packed up and left that same day."


    "In the same year, you arrived in Blood Deer City and saw Fang Meng. She lay on her bed, her face devoid of any color, and you noticed an energy within her similar to Sword Intent but more complex and eerie. Upon investigation, you learned that Fang Meng had never married; the masked woman was a descendant of the Fang family. With her impending death, Fang Meng sought to test your feelings for her. Understanding the truth, you felt a mix of emotions."


    "At the age of five hundred and nine, no matter how much you helped, Fang Meng still succumbed to her illness. You stood before her grave in contemplation, standing for months as your hair turned from black to white. Suddenly, you felt a faint energy emanating from Fang Meng''s grave, moving towards the distance. Believing this related to her death, you decided to investigate. Before leaving, you engraved ''Wife of Yang Xian'' on her tombstone."


    Seeing this, Gu An suddenly felt ashamed.


    Had he originally agreed to marry Fang Meng, would the outcome have been different?


    The reminder for Reincarnation continued.


    The mysterious energy moved slowly, and along the way, Yang Xian avenged evil and promoted good, his reputation as a virtuous Swordman began to spread.


    He also gradually realized that the people of the world were suffering under the oppression of the Dynasty while the Immortal Cultivation Sects sat idly on their pedestals, not helping the people in misery but only extracting benefits from the secular world.


    Thus, Yang Xian continued his charitable journey; though his enemies grew more numerous, his mastery of the Sword Dao was unmatched and unstoppable.


    Years later, following the mysterious force, he reached the outskirts of the Imperial City, discovering bodies of commoners and Cultivators piled up outside the city walls, discarded haphazardly into mountains of corpses, a horrifying sight.


    Seeing that the energy had entered the Imperial Palace, Yang Xian faced another moment of decision, as the Imperial City was closed for a ritual, forbidding entry. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An chose to forcefully enter; this was not a moment in Yang Xian''s life to shrink back.


    The reminder continued!


    Forced entry into the Imperial City put Yang Xian in a difficult position, but wielding the heavens and the earth as his sword, he managed to enter the palace unharmed.


    He discovered the source of that energy, the National Master of the Dynasty, who devoured others'' life energy with a Miracle Skill, including that of Fang Meng, whom he had met briefly; this life energy was then pumped into the Emperor to prolong his Longevity.


    Yang Xian slew the National Master, avenging countless victims, but discovered that the Emperor was even more terrifying. A heart-stopping battle erupted.


    In the end, with no one to aid him, Yang Xian killed the Emperor, sustaining severe injuries himself.


    As he departed, the city''s populace knelt to thank him. A young girl asked his name, and he did not hide it, choosing to bear the greatest hatred for this matter.


    Murderer of the Emperor, Yang Xian!


    The following year, Yang Ping''an returned to a small island in the mountains to recover and continue his understanding of the Sword Dao.


    But every few years, people would seek his help, and if their suffering was indeed irredeemable, he would intervene.


    Time reached Yang Xian''s one-thousandth year, and Gu An still could not discern Yang Xian''s realm, as the prompts did not specify.


    However, between the lines, it appeared that Yang Xian had reached the Immortal Path Realm.


    Yang Xian''s opportunities were not many, far less than other Reincarnation Bodies, and he had never resorted to usurping others'' life span; his understanding of the Dao came entirely from his own revelations of nature.


    Gu An felt an even stronger sense of enlightenment from him.


    Of course, his greatest asset was still his talent for combat, as if born solely for warfare.


    "At the age of one thousand two hundred and thirty-four, a Cultivator came to your mountain island, claiming to be a disciple of the Sword God, delivering an invitation; opening the letter, you discovered that the Sword God turned out to be your disciple, Yang Ping''an, who was about to become the Sword Master of the Heavenly Sword Sanctuary, and was inviting you to a festival. Do you choose to go?"


    What''s the point in going?


    After so many years of not coming back to see him, now that he is flourishing, he wants to show off his power?


    Gu An directly refused on behalf of Yang Xian.


    After Yang Xian refused, the Cultivator had no choice but to leave.


    Afterward, another long period of cultivation years ensued; although there were hardships, Yang Xian always managed to handle them with ease.


    More and more place names and power names appeared in the hints, which also indicated that Yang Xian''s fame was constantly rising.


    During this period, there were also women who admired Yang Xian, all of whom were refused by Gu An.


    Five thousand years later, someone came to visit Yang Xian, pronouncing his current title.


    Sword Saint!


    This title not only praised his strength but also celebrated his deeds and spirit. No matter how high his cultivation level, Yang Xian preserved his original intentions. When those in suffering sought him out, he would help without asking for anything in return.


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    He had slain a Great Demon that shocked the world, exposed the evil plans of a reputable sect, and even stopped the Demon Path from massacring the people of the Dynasty¡ªhis deeds were widely known and had become legendary.


    [At the age of 9,999, after meditating for ten years, you finally attained enlightenment, transformed your Golden Core into a Primordial Elixir, and achieved the Carefree Taoist Skill.]


    Wow!


    A Carefree Primordial Immortal not even a thousand years old?


    What kind of talent is this?


    Yang Xian didn''t possess vast Immortal Cultivation resources and didn''t even have a Great Power often giving him guidance, yet he cultivated so quickly?


    After becoming a Carefree Primordial Immortal, Yang Xian could do even more. He even came into contact with the greatest evil of the Da Hong Realm.


    Da Hong Dao Heaven!


    This was the strongest force in the Da Hong Realm, located above Heaven and Earth, like an Immortal overseeing all living beings. They took Mortal Spirits as food, indiscriminately plundered the Dao Level of Cultivators, all while remaining excellently concealed. Even if someone knew, those with knowledge dared not speak out.


    Yang Xian was approached by a Cultivator, whose family had been slaughtered by the Da Hong Dao Heaven for help. Thus, he learned of their heinous acts. Although Da Hong Dao Heaven possessed a power surpassing the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path and he could not shake them, he still chose to help the seeker of revenge and executed the Carefree Primordial Immortal of Da Hong Dao Heaven.


    Decades later, the Da Hong Dao Heaven sent people to recruit him. Knowing his character, Gu An helped him decline the invitation from the Da Hong Dao Heaven.


    After that, Great Cultivators occasionally attacked Yang Xian. He repelled them one by one, until he finally faced suppression by a mysterious Great Power.


    Due to the vast difference in cultivation levels, Yang Xian was struck into the mountains by a single hand of his opponent. At the critical moment, a sword light cut through heaven and earth and saved Yang Xian.


    It was none other than his first mentor, the Sword Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords.


    The Sword Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords rescued Yang Xian and took him out of the Da Hong Realm, to hide in a secluded Minor Heaven and Earth.


    The Sword Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords warned Yang Xian never to oppose the Da Hong Dao Heaven again, as he could not protect Yang Xian if he truly angered the Da Hong Dao Heaven. Faced with the choice, Gu An decided to endure in silence for the time being.


    Once Yang Xian''s injuries healed, the Sword Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords began to instruct him in cultivation, and after ten years of personal teaching, the Sword Ancestor left.


    Yang Xian resumed his cultivation and leveling up.


    He no longer sought to rescue individuals from suffering; he wanted to help all the living beings of the Da Hong Realm.


    This cultivation lasted tens of thousands of years.


    At the age of 70,000, Yang Xian reached the Free Immortal Realm of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path!

 Chapter 436 Achieving Sword Dao Saint Ancestor

    A Free Immortal of seventy thousand years achieved his realm through meditation and cultivation!Impressive indeed!


    Gu An was even more excited about Yang Xian''s future, wondering if he could surpass the Free Immortal Realm and overcome the death tribulation that awaited according to past experiences.


    After reaching the Free Immortal Realm, Yang Xian returned to the Da Hong Realm. Along his journey, he met several cultivators from the Da Hong Realm and learned about the situation there. For thousands of years, every millennium, the Da Hong Dao Heaven would cleanse a region with blood. There were less than a hundred regions in the Da Hong Realm, and now, its cultivators were wary of the Da Hong Dao Heaven and started to establish their dojos in Outer Heaven.


    After parting ways with those cultivators, Yang Xian returned to the Da Hong Realm alone. He first visited his birthplace, the Ziwei Immortal Mansion, only to find it annihilated by the Da Hong Dao Heaven long ago. The once-familiar land was desolate, with just a few broken walls remaining of the Immortal Mansion.


    Hatred for all living beings combined with personal vengeance; even Gu An was concerned for the Da Hong Dao Heaven, questioning whether Yang Xian would embark on a slaughter.


    Although the Da Hong Dao Heaven had beings that transcended the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path, Yang Xian also had the ability to evolve his life span, yet he chose not to use it.


    The following year, Yang Xian went to the site of the former Blood Deer City. He could no longer find Fang Meng''s bones, and the city had vanished over time, leaving no trace behind, as though that memory was a figment of his imagination.


    Yang Xian decided to draw his sword against the Da Hong Dao Heaven!


    Two years later, Yang Xian descended upon the Hongtian Realm of the Da Hong Dao Heaven, intending to destroy its Qi Fortune and dissolve it. For this, he faced an ambush by the Da Hong Dao Heaven.


    During the fierce battle, Yang Xian continuously improved his Sword Dao Achievement, making Gu An suspect that he had used his life span evolution ability.


    The Free Immortals of the Da Hong Dao Heaven were alarmed. Ten Free Immortals besieged Yang Xian, but he held his ground, wielding the world''s essence as his sword, casting a brilliance that shook the ancient and modern world, even harnessing the power of the Sword Dao River.


    The Sword Dao River, like the River of Destiny and the River of Time, was a manifestation of the Dao. Mortal Spirits could not fathom it; it represented the condensed power of the Sword Dao.


    Boosted by the Sword Dao River, Yang Xian eliminated the physical bodies of the ten Free Immortals in one strike, forcing their Divine Souls to flee in disarray.


    Just as Yang Xian was about to destroy the foundation of the Da Hong Dao Heaven, an ancient being from it descended, a being who surpassed the Free Immortals, leaving Yang Xian to fend off the attacks as best as he could.


    When Yang Xian was nearly overwhelmed, the Sword Saint ancestor arrived to aid him and ultimately fell.


    Yang Xian, in utter fury, awakened his Sword Heart to a divine level, making heaven and earth tremble.


    Gu An, looking at the prompt before him, could already imagine how dire the situation had been.


    A battle of Free Immortals against a Taoist Hidden Immortal; without the protection of the Sword Dao River, Yang Xian, no matter how strong, would have met his demise.


    But this time was different from the past. Yang Xian had an ally. After tens of thousands of years, his disciple Yang Ping''an appeared to help. Remarkably, Yang Ping''an had also become a Free Immortal. Together, teacher and student united in their Sword Dao, critically wounded the old ancestor of the Da Hong Dao Heaven, and forced him to flee beyond the heavens.


    In the end, Yang Xian and Yang Ping''an together destroyed the foundation of the Da Hong Dao Heaven. The Heavenly Dao sensed their action, and grand Heavenly Dao Merit fell upon them. Their cultivation levels skyrocketed, and they both condensed Tao Fruits.


    Taoist Hidden Immortal!


    A Taoist Hidden Immortal of less than a hundred thousand years, and moreover, a teacher and student duo!


    Gu An was deeply moved. If he had not taken Yang Ping''an as his disciple back then, Yang Xian would likely have died at the hands of the Da Hong Dao Heaven.


    The Qi Fortune of the Da Hong Dao Heaven dissipated; its followers scattered and fled. The news spread far and wide; the names of the Sword Saint and Sword God resonated across the world, becoming legends of the Da Hong Realm.


    Afterward, Yang Xian chose to leave the Da Hong Realm. Yang Ping''an declared his intention to create a new world order, pledging to protect all living beings personally. Yang Xian gave him a deep, meaningful look, then set out to roam the cosmos beyond the heavens alone.


    Yang Xian arrived at a fragmented world beyond the heavens to engage in Path Enlightenment. His battle with the Da Hong Dao Heaven had given him much insight.


    Gu An saw multiple prompts of him comprehending the Karma Dao, Qi Fortune Dao, Fate Dao, and Creation Dao.


    [At the age of one hundred thousand and thirty-four, a mysterious figure invaded your dojo, claiming to be the Black Profound Emperor and challenging you to a Combat. Do you choose to accept?]


    Hmm?


    Black Profound Emperor!


    Gu An''s spirits lifted at the sight of these three words.


    However, he was unsure whether Yang Xian''s time was in the past or future, thus unable to judge the Black Profound Emperor''s Cultivation Level.


    For now, better refuse.


    I''ll take care of him myself later!


    Such were Gu An''s thoughts.


    [You choose to refuse the Black Profound Emperor''s request for a Combat; however, he unexpectedly made a move. You countered with a single sword strike, annihilating the Black Profound Emperor''s physical body. His Divine Soul manifested in shock and fear, leaving behind a harsh threat before escaping with an Xuan Miao method beyond your pursuit, leaving you sinking into contemplation, watching the direction he fled.]


    Huh?


    Won?


    Victory with a single strike!


    Gu An was filled with surprise and delight; Yang Xian was more formidable than Lu Han, Xiao Shengtian, and Chu Lu.


    However, it was regrettable that the Black Profound Emperor had escaped.


    From this life, it was clear that the Black Profound Emperor had been relentlessly pursuing his reincarnation.


    Why was that so?


    What grievance did they have that warranted the Black Profound Emperor to persistently hunt down his reincarnation body?


    Gu An couldn''t figure out why, but he began to look forward to Yang Xian encountering the Black Profound Emperor again.


    After surviving the attack of the Black Profound Emperor, surely Yang Xian should be able to reach an even higher realm?


    After the Black Profound Emperor fled, Yang Xian reflected on the Path Enlightenment for a thousand years, and then he ventured deep into the cosmos, entering the Silent Destruction Domain, and made the acquaintance of people whose mere titles were extraordinary. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There were still female cultivators at the Tao Fruit Realm who wished to become his Daoist Friend, and Gu An still helped him refuse.


    At three hundred thousand years old, Yang Xian achieved the status of Xuan Yuan Free Immortal. He continued to uphold the chivalrous spirit of relieving suffering in the cosmos, spreading his name even further, and he gained a new title.


    Sword Dao Saint Ancestor!


    "At 332,7134 years old, while you were teaching sword dao to the juniors of various dojos in the universe, the Black Profound Emperor suddenly attacked, wishing to annihilate your entire dojo. You used the stars as your sword, with the Sword Intent of billions of stars converging into a Sword Dao Holy Net that enveloped the Black Profound Emperor and fiercely vanquished him. However, you did not receive a prompt about seizing life span, hence you concluded the Black Profound Emperor was still alive."


    This bastard was really hard to kill!


    Gu An began to grind his teeth.


    The prompt continued!


    After 350,000 years, Yang Xian wanted to see just how vast the universe was and continued his travels.


    In the end, he arrived at the Boundary Gate!


    Gu An inwardly cursed his luck, but had no choice in the matter.


    "At 350,008 years old, upon arriving at the Boundary Gate, as you were immersed in the profound Dao of the Boundary Gate, a figure stepped out from within the gate and attacked you, causing your physical body to perish. Your Sword Intent barely protected your Divine Soul, but the assailant struck again, annihilating your Divine Soul."


    "You died at the hands of the Heavenly Spirit God."


    "Reincarnation cycle has ended."


    Gu An''s face darkened.


    He knew it would be this way!


    Previously, the Black Profound Emperor was an insurmountable barrier he had finally overcome, and now the Heavenly Spirit God had become his new obstacle.


    How foolish, Yang Xian, why did you have to be curious?


    If you hadn''t gone, wouldn''t you have avoided death?


    Gu An vanished into thin air from the chair and arrived in the midst of the cosmos, settling on a meteorite. He activated the Life Span Barrier and then received Yang Xian''s life memories.


    Feeling Yang Xian''s life truly was even more poignant.


    During his life, he had never used life span evolution, and although he could not see Yang Xian''s prompts directly, Yang Xian''s Sword Dao and cultivation level didn''t skyrocket within a single ancient hour, except for the time he received the Heavenly Dao Merit.


    Moreover, throughout his life, Yang Xian had slain fewer than a hundred living beings.


    What a terrifying will!


    The death of Fang Meng grieved Yang Xian deeply, and Gu An felt the same sorrow.


    The obliteration of the Purple Micro Immortal Mansion and the fall of the Wan Sword Immortal Ancestor also caused Gu An distress but did not dampen his spirits.


    Gu An focused on understanding Yang Xian''s two encounters with the Black Profound Emperor. The Black Profound Emperor was very mysterious, each appearance shrouded in black mist around his body, preventing any glimpse of his true face.


    From the battles, it was evident that the Black Profound Emperor was no match for Yang Xian.


    But Yang Xian was no match for the Heavenly Spirit God either. Discover more stories at empire


    It''s worth noting that, moments before his death, Yang Xian left behind some items, sparking some expectation within Gu An.


    He wondered if he would ever come into contact with those remnants.

 Chapter 437 Holy Heart Sword Dao, The Change in Gu An

    After inheriting the memories of Yang Xian, Gu An had received Yang Xian''s Sword Dao inheritance, which was the essence of his life''s cultivation.Holy Heart Sword Dao!


    This Sword Dao uses the heart as its foundation; whatever the heart conceives can be transformed into one''s own sword.


    Flowers, grass, trees, and woods can become swords, mountains, rivers, seas can become swords, all living beings can become swords, the sun, the moon, and the stars can become swords!


    Yang Xian even wanted to turn the Three Thousand Great Dao into his swords, but his Sword Dao had not yet truly reached the level of the Great Dao, so it was only a conceptual idea for now.


    By the time Gu An had fully accepted Yang Xian''s memories, he opened his eyes, and a day had gone by.


    It seemed like only a day, but he had experienced a reincarnation; those memories were so intense that they felt as if he had lived them firsthand.


    He was Yang Xian, but he was not entirely Yang Xian¡ªto put it precisely, Yang Xian was just a part of him, Gu An, and this feeling was very mystical.


    Yang Xian brought Gu An not only the Holy Heart Sword Dao but also a profound understanding of the many Great Dao.


    Even Gu An was amazed by Yang Xian''s perceptiveness; without utilizing the evolution of life span, Yang Xian''s understanding of the Great Dao was deep, stronger than other Reincarnation Bodies.


    Gu An checked the life span consumed by the Life Span Barrier, which wasn''t too much, stood up, and in one step, returned to the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Deep Sea Dragon Carp was cultivating; upon hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes, saw Gu An return, and was pleasantly surprised, promptly rising to ask, "Master, why have you returned?"


    Gu An looked at him and said, "Didn''t you want some combat techniques? How about I pass on a set of swordsmanship to you?"


    "Of course, thank you, Master!"


    Deep Sea Dragon Carp immediately thanked Gu An and excitedly approached him, full of expectation.


    Gu An didn''t say much and began to impart the swordsmanship to him, guiding him to practice the Holy Heart Sword Dao from some simple techniques.


    Deep Sea Dragon Carp felt a change in Gu An''s aura, but he couldn''t quite pinpoint what had changed, instead feeling an even greater respect for Gu An.


    This was the influence of Yang Xian''s memories on Gu An.


    Yang Xian, often referred to as the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor, who regularly lectured, couldn''t hide the refined dignity about him, and it had already begun to affect Gu An.


    Integrating reincarnation memories inevitably affected Gu An to some extent.


    An Ancient Hour later, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley and, after stepping off the Transmission Array Platform, was greeted by disciples.


    "Do you feel any changes in our teacher?" Your next chapter is on empire


    "You all noticed, too?"


    "Indeed, there is a change. Has the old man made another breakthrough?"


    "Our teacher''s understanding of the Dao is beyond our imagination, remember who''s backing him."


    The disciples watched Gu An''s retreating figure, whispering among themselves; some even deliberately flattered him, guessing he could overhear.


    When Gu An arrived in front of the pavilion, Blood Prison Great Saint was also startled by the change in his aura.


    Had his master''s cultivation level improved?


    He admired Gu An, and the stronger Gu An became, the happier he was, because he had decided to follow Gu An for life.


    "It doesn''t necessarily have to be a millennium, be prepared."


    Gu An stopped and said that to Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Upon hearing this, Blood Prison Great Saint was taken aback, his bovine fur fluttering as if Blood Flame was burning.


    Gu An continued upstairs, returned to his room, sat at his desk, took out paper and ink, and began writing down the sword techniques and cultivation techniques from Yang Xian''s memories.


    He wasn''t afraid of forgetting them; he just wanted to write them down to spread fortune in the future.


    He could even create a pavilion in the future dedicated to these secret books, not for profit but to display¡­


    Cough cough!


    To show off!


    Half an Ancient Hour later, there was a knock on the door, Gu An responded, and An Xin pushed the door open and entered.


    She closed the door behind her, then came to the desk, not saying anything, but simply observed Gu An.


    Gu An did not stop writing, and without lifting his head, he asked, "Is something the matter?"


    An Xin giggled, "I heard that Master''s temperament has undergone some changes, and everyone is speculating that you''ve had a breakthrough, so I came to see for myself. Indeed, you''ve changed, seeming even more like a Great Power than before."


    Gu An smiled but did not respond.


    Suddenly, he thought of Yang Xian''s experiences and asked, "Do you ever harbor affection?"


    An Xin paused, puzzled, she asked, "Harbor what affection? There is no one in Medicine Valley who could stir mundane desires in me, and I will never fall into a calamity of emotions in my life. My senior brother once told me that his biggest regret was getting emotionally involved with someone, which hindered his progress, yet it would pain him to abandon it. I will never allow myself to fall into that situation." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Shengtian and the later generations of the An Family were still harboring grievances against An Hao, making An Xin even less inclined to marry and have children.


    Moreover, she was cultivating immortality and would not be swayed by the instincts of flesh and blood; she was happy as she was and truly did not crave love.


    Gu An looked up at her and seeing that she was not just giving lip service, he smiled, "Is that so? Affection is not as simple as you think. When fate arrives, you might forget your words today."


    An Xin tilted her chin defiantly, "I won''t forget. Master, you aren''t trying to send me away, are you?"


    "How could that be? I''ve just been reading a book these past two days and felt some emotions about the love story within," Gu An explained while once again feeling that complex emotion well up within him.


    Yang Xian''s biggest regret in life was rejecting Fang Meng. He had never had a woman because the memory of Fang Meng''s feelings for him was satisfaction enough.


    Hearing this, An Xin breathed a sigh of relief and reminded him, "Master, you should read fewer miscellaneous and idle books."


    Gu An couldn''t help but glare at her, "Get out, get out, get out! You have no respect for your elders!"


    An Xin grinned triumphantly, bowed, and then left.


    Gu An continued writing the secret book as the sun outside the window gradually set.


    Time kept flowing by.


    Three years later, all who knew Gu An had grown accustomed to the changes in his temperament. Through integrating the Holy Heart Sword Dao, his Sword Intent had also improved, making Swordsmanship once again his strongest technique.


    On this day.


    Gu An stood on the cliffs at the edge of the Third Medicine Valley, gazing up at the sky.


    He saw in the depths of the universe, near the Silent Destruction Domain, a massive city appeared, pitch black in color, as big as the sun above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The Annihilation God Emperor was hiding within that Black City.


    Holy Courts, Immortal Dynasties, Xuanyou Divine Dynasty, and the Sky Demon Great Sect from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land had all sent people to investigate, but anyone who came close to Black City would turn to stone. Looking around, the void was suspended with hundreds of stone statues, the strongest among them reaching the Dao Void Mysterious Immortal Realm, which was a pity.


    "What exactly are you planning to use to attract Long Qing?" Gu An wondered to himself, noting that the Annihilation God Emperor was shrouded in a causal force stronger than even the Free Immortal, indecipherable, surely the true body of the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Just then, a figure descended from the sky and landed beside Gu An, it was Wu Jue.


    In recent years, Wu Jue had just broken through to the Mahayana Realm, making a name for himself in the Supreme Sect, and had drunk day and night with Gu An.


    Gu An looked at him and smiled, asking, "What brings you here?"


    Wu Jue, with excitement, said, "I have news about An Hao. He has now attained Nirvana and has arranged a time for a decisive battle at sea. The Supreme Sect plans to send a group of cultivators to the Array Platform to support him, and I will go too."


    An Hao!


    This was the most talented genius in the history of the Supreme Sect, still a legend to this day, constantly spoken of by many disciples.


    Gu An pretended to be surprised, raising his eyebrows, "He''s advanced so quickly? Is his opponent formidable?"


    "The opponent is a Loose Immortal. He''s challenging a Loose Immortal beyond his realm, so this has caused quite a stir overseas. Your disciple An Xin has a good relationship with him, do you want me to pass on a message?" Wu Jue said with a smile, unable to wait to watch the battle.


    After a moment''s thought, Gu An said, "Never mind, don''t tell her, so she doesn''t worry."


    "That makes sense," Wu Jue nodded and continued, "You know, just how powerful is An Hao now? He dares to challenge a Loose Immortal at the Nirvana Realm. It''s said that it gets increasingly difficult to surpass others in the higher realms of the Immortal Path, and even within the same realm, defeating one another is as hard as reaching the heavens."


    An Hao was younger than Wu Jue, who had just reached the Mahayana Realm, yet An Hao was already challenging Loose Immortals. How could he not admire An Hao?


    For a long time, he had been the number one talent of the Supreme Sect, but both he and everyone in the sect felt he was not the strongest talent in the sect''s history, because someone else was firmly holding that position.


    Gu An pointed to his own face feigning astonishment, "You''re asking me?"


    Wu Jue laughed, "Aren''t you the self-proclaimed Sword Venerable Fudao? After all, An Hao is your disciple. Do you want me to tell him about this?"


    Gu An gave him a sidelong glance, "You don''t believe me anyway. Say what you want; I''m not afraid."


    Wu Jue got excited, "Since you''re not afraid, I''ll tell him. I''m looking forward to the scene when you two meet."

 Chapter 438 Da Hong Sword Heaven

    Wu Jue argued with Gu An for a while before leaving in a hurry. Today, the Supreme Sect had just received news, and because the journey was long, he had to leave immediately.The Hall of Elders of the Supreme Sect was also anticipating An Hao''s strength, so the arrangements were made urgently.


    In the following three days, the news of An Hao challenging a Loose Immortal spread to the Third Medicine Valley, sparking discussions among the disciples. As An Hao''s junior sister, An Xin naturally received a lot of attention.


    Gu An went downstairs and looked afar, seeing An Xin surrounded by dozens of female disciples chirping incessantly, their voices merging into a noisy chorus.


    He had just descended the stairs when Ji Xiaoyu stepped out of the door.


    Gu An initially thought she was looking for him, but she merely glanced at him before leaping up and swiftly flying out of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An subconsciously deduced Ji Xiaoyu''s fate, and knowing what she was about to do next, he felt relieved.


    He walked towards the dojo; this time, he was not interested in playing chess.


    Upon reaching the dojo, Gu An did not step in but instead watched from the periphery as disciples and cultivators played chess.


    It was unusual not to see the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and Gu An felt somewhat unaccustomed.


    Long Qing approached from the entrance of the valley; spotting Gu An, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over.


    He came beside Gu An and curiously asked, "Master, would you like to play chess? Shall I keep you company?"


    Gu An glanced at him and said, "You, a lousy chessplayer, play with me? Didn''t I ask you to cultivate your Daoist Heart? Why are you fooling around with the White Spirit Rat again?"


    Hearing this, Long Qing scratched his head awkwardly and said, "It claimed it had found a treasure and wanted me to accompany it."


    Gu An asked, "And then?"


    Long Qing clenched his fists in frustration and gritted his teeth, "It tricked me into a cave and then filled the entrance with dung. It infuriated me! I must settle the score later, Master. It''s really despicable!"


    Upon hearing this, Gu An silently stepped back.


    Long Qing continued to curse the White Spirit Rat. In the entire Third Medicine Valley, except for An Xin, everyone detested the White Spirit Rat. Though it was merely mischievous without truly harming anyone, and occasionally even gifted treasures to the disciples it had bullied, they could only endure its antics.


    Listening to Long Qing''s complaints, Gu An just listened without comment.


    Although the White Spirit Rat was nasty to others, it was very submissive to him, often trying to please him. How could he punish it?


    After Long Qing had finished venting, Gu An suddenly asked, "I''m planning to establish a Sword Mountain. Where do you think it should be located?"


    "Sword Mountain?"


    Long Qing was stunned, his face showing surprise.


    Wait!


    The master is Sword Venerable Fudao; could this Sword Mountain, like the Heavenly Repair Platform, contain his Sword Intent?


    It must be so!


    Long Qing immediately became excited, turning his head to select an appropriate location.


    The reason for creating Sword Mountain was to commemorate the Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Swords.


    The Ten Thousand Sword Peaks of the Ancestor left a vivid memory¡ªhillsides covered in swords, each of exceptional grade and rank, each containing different Sword Intents.


    All the Sword Intents together were like the Heaven and Earth Rules converging, forming a unique realm of their own¡ªa realm of the Sword Dao, and it was the Ten Thousand Sword Peaks that had inspired Yang Xian to create the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    Long Qing eagerly began to suggest ideas, and Gu An had him follow to look around.


    Having the rare opportunity to roam the hills alone with Gu An, Long Qing felt delighted, and the master and disciple walked toward the edges of the Medicine Valley.


    Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on An Xin''s face surrounded by people.


    Long Qing was someone she had watched grow up, always considering him like her own child. Over the years, Long Qing often confided in her privately. He felt that his master could help him but insisted on tempering his Daoist Heart. He suspected that his master did not like him.


    Naturally, An Xin hoped that there would be no rift between Gu An and Long Qing, seeing Gu An willing to spend time alone with Long Qing, she thought Gu An wanted to help Long Qing.


    An hour later.


    Gu An and Long Qing reached the top of the mountain. Side by side, they looked out over the forests outside the Medicine Valley, a sight so magnificent it was breathtaking.


    "Do you still think I''m singling you out?" Gu An suddenly asked, his gaze following up to the sky.


    The Reincarnation Vortex was fluctuating again; a massive amount of spiritual energy was emanating from it, clearly indicating that a force was arriving on the scene, likely with hostile intentions.


    Long Qing quickly waved his hands, saying, "How could that be? Master, why would you single me out? If not for you bringing me back to the Medicine Valley, I would probably have been devoured by demon beasts."


    He had indeed once thought that his master disliked him, but after Gu An had made it clear last time¡ªthat he carried significant karma and revealing it would invite catastrophe¡ªhe no longer indulged in wild thoughts. Now, he was more eager for Gu An to teach him cultivation.


    "Master is Sword Venerable Fudao, even teaching him just a couple of moves is enough for him."


    Gu An heard Long Qing''s words and smiled with satisfaction, "If you truly think that way, I''m relieved. Rest assured, I do look forward to nurturing you, but not now. Do you know who the Bull Demon King is?"


    "The Bull Demon King? He has a background?"


    Long Qing was astonished, to him, the Blood Prison Great Saint was the second most lowly existence in the Third Medicine Valley, only inferior to the White Spirit Rat.


    Such a guy has a background?


    Gu An proceeded to tell the origin of the Blood Prison Great Saint, leaving Long Qing dumbstruck.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint is this formidable?


    And he''s an Ascender from the Lower Realm?


    The most crucial thing was that the Blood Prison Great Saint was actually a human, who only turned into a bull after devouring Divine Beast True Blood?


    Long Qing felt as if the sky had fallen. It was one thing for his master to hide his cultivation level, but even the Bull Demon King had an extraordinary background?


    He then thought of An Xin, You Yingying, and other acquaintances in the valley. Could they all have backgrounds or hidden strengths?


    "The Blood Prison Great Saint has to be a bull for a thousand years, and he has already endured most of that time," Gu An said profoundly.


    Long Qing''s expression kept changing. After pondering for a while, he took a deep breath and said, "Master, I understand now. I am indeed very lucky. I really should settle down; I''ve been too impatient."


    "Your second master treats you well. When you have time, you can sit in meditation with him to calm your mind," Gu An continued, his gaze shifting towards Outer Heaven.


    Along with a large number of figures flying out of the Reincarnation Vortex, both the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty could no longer sit idly by and began to join forces to block them.


    Over the years, they had been fighting the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty and the Sky Demon Great Sect. The Xuanyou Divine Dynasty and the Sky Demon Great Sect had become increasingly strong, making it difficult for the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty to defeat them. This made the world situation more chaotic.


    Although the world is difficult, it is only the lowly beings who suffer. Yet for prodigies like An Hao, it is actually a rare opportunity to rise. They could gain fame and fortune more easily.


    "Master, what are you looking at? Is there another movement in Outer Heaven?" Long Qing suddenly asked curiously.


    Although he had never left the Taicang Continent, he knew that Outer Heaven was much bigger and even had Heavenly Demons descending to the Mortal World.


    With his master''s ability, he must be able to see what''s happening in Outer Heaven.


    Gu An replied, "The Reincarnation opened by Yuanxu Ancestor is connected to many places similar to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Now, forces from other lands have arrived, and the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty are blocking them. A great battle is likely to erupt."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing''s eyes widened, "There are many places like the Great Heavenly Spirit Land? Why do they have to come here?"


    "Who knows?" Gu An casually answered.


    His eyes showed a slight change.


    This mysterious force from the Reincarnation Vortex actually had a connection with him.


    More precisely, it was connected to Yang Xian.


    Because he felt the Sword Intent of the Holy Heart Sword Dao in many people of this force, although it was nowhere close to Yang Xian''s, it indeed originated from the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    Before Yang Xian perished, he entrusted his Sword Intent to the Sword Dao River. The Sword Intent lived on, hence, anyone who practiced the Holy Heart Sword Dao would strengthen this Sword Intent, helping Yang Xian''s Sword Intent to become a great Dao.


    Sword Dao eternal!


    This was the terrifying aspect of Yang Xian; even before he encountered the Heavenly Spirit God, he was considering his own death, so he left his Sword Intent in the Sword Dao River.


    His plan wasn''t resurrection but to keep his Sword Dao eternal, to prove he had lived.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    Gu An couldn''t help speculating if Yang Xian had guessed that he was a Reincarnation Body.


    Although he had Yang Xian''s memories, he couldn''t hear Yang Xian''s thoughts at every moment. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An began to deduce this force.


    Da Hong Sword Heaven!


    Only one word differed from the Da Hong Dao Heaven that was annihilated by Yang Xian and his disciples, but it was certain that Da Hong Sword Heaven came from the Da Hong Realm.


    "Master, have you been to other worlds? Is our world considered powerful in Outer Heaven?" Long Qing kept asking.


    Just then,


    A vast Sword Intent suddenly burst forth from the horizon, shooting up to the sky, startling Long Qing to turn and look. He saw a sword light rising in the sky, as if wanting to split the heavens in two, rapidly stretching to the zenith.


    "What is that?" Long Qing asked in astonishment, feeling the Sword Intent, which made him want to submit.


    Gu An did not respond, but he had already seen the master of the Sword Intent.


    From the Immortal Dynasty, it was a Divine Thought True Immortal!

 Chapter 439 Jue Luo Sword Monarch

    Sword cultivators of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm were formidable, their sword intent stirring the entire world, but to harbor illusions to obstruct Da Hong Sword Heaven was undeniably a fool''s dream.Gu An''s gaze returned to Da Hong Sword Heaven, where continuous figures flew out of the Reincarnation Vortex, each emitting a formidable sword intent, led by two Free Immortals.


    These people''s faces were unfamiliar to Gu An, never having been seen in Yang Xian''s memories.


    However, he was certain that Da Hong Sword Heaven was founded by Yang Xian''s disciple, Yang Ping''an.


    Previously, Da Hong Sword Heaven had not appeared, but now it did¡ªcould it be because its followers were being taught the Holy Heart Sword Dao?


    Gu An felt this was only part of the reason¡ªtheir imposing manner suggested they harbored designs on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    After a brief negotiation, the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty commenced their siege on Da Hong Sword Heaven, the battle fierce.


    Long Qing could not view the fight from Outer Heaven, but he was lost in boundless imagination.


    The Supreme Sect, disturbed by the Immortal Dynasty''s sword intent, debated where this sword intent originated.


    After watching for a while, Gu An turned and left, with Long Qing quickly following, inquiring about the situation in Outer Heaven.


    Gu An did not conceal the facts, briefly describing the battle in Outer Heaven; Long Qing listened excitedly, his longing for the Immortal Path Realm intensifying. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon returning to Medicine Valley, Long Qing hurried to his room to meditate, determined to make his master proud and to become a powerful figure who could stir the winds and clouds of the world.


    Gu An returned to his room, untroubled by Da Hong Sword Heaven bringing calamity, as this group was not potent enough to threaten the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Sitting at his desk, Gu An turned to look out the window, his thoughts drifting to distant memories.


    There, on that island, only Yang Ping''an accompanied him, always challenging him¡ªthinking of it, he felt quite nostalgic.


    Seeing the robust Qi Fortune of Da Hong Sword Heaven, it was clear that a lengthy time had passed since Yang Ping''an had established it.


    How strong was Yang Ping''an now?


    Gu An looked forward to finding out, though he also felt a sense of urgency.


    Times had changed, and it was essential to guard against others; guessing Yang Ping''an''s intentions in seeking the Holy Heart Sword Dao was challenging.


    Setting aside Yang Ping''an, he also had to consider the Annihilation God Emperor as a hypothetical enemy, striving to grow stronger.


    Moreover, the depths of the universe still had the Heavenly Spirit God as an obstacle!


    What a long and heavy responsibility!


    With these thoughts in mind, Gu An took out the latest volume of the Supreme Secret Records and began to consolidate his Daoist Heart.


    The Supreme Secret Records were still being written but were no longer sold in the market¡ªonly Gu An had access, as a form of repayment from Shen Zhen.


    ...


    At dawn, the waves crashed against the shore.


    On the cliff, streams of sword qi appeared out of nowhere, circling and coiling to form a vortex that rapidly expanded, followed by a figure stepping out from it, landing on the cliff.


    Bathed in sunlight, this was a man in black armor and a white cloak, his long hair tied under a white jade crown, and a treasure sword hanging at his waist. His handsome face emanated a commanding arrogance.


    After landing, he looked around; the sword qi vortex behind him quickly contracted.


    After looking around, he smiled then raised his right hand, sword qi emerging in his palm to condense into a silver mirror, the mirror reflecting a gentle woman.


    "Sword Lord, the fate of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land is in chaos. It is for this reason that I could help you infiltrate it, but this also implies unpredictable dangers. You must be very careful," the woman in the mirror spoke, her face filled with worry.


    The man with the mirror hailed from Da Hong Sword Heaven, revered as Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Hearing the woman''s words, Jue Luo Sword Monarch responded dismissively, "The Great Heavenly Spirit Land is not what it used to be. After that great battle, it''s just a fragment of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land now; no one can threaten me, rest assured."


    The woman in the mirror frowned, then asked, "Can you tell me now why you want to infiltrate the Great Heavenly Spirit Land?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch looked into the distance and said, "The Holy Heart Sword Dao has reappeared. Those above wish to find the reincarnation or inheritor of the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor to serve him, but I disagree. I will defeat him and prove that Da Hong Sword Heaven does not need to pursue the Holy Heart Sword Dao. I will create an even stronger Sword Dao."


    Upon hearing this, the woman in the mirror''s expression drastically changed, just about to speak when Jue Luo Sword Monarch crushed the silver mirror, dissipating it into sword qi.


    He then identified a direction, stepped forward, transforming into a streak of sword light soaring toward the end of Heaven and Sea, leaving behind a trail of sword qi mirages, like a mirage hanging above the vast ocean.


    At the same time,


    North Sea Mountain,


    Gu An, wearing a mask, sat on the eaves reading a book, his Divine Thought locked onto Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    The ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm was intensely replete with the cause and effect of Reincarnation, it was estimated that the Reincarnation Tribulation was about to end, only half a step away from the Tao Fruit Realm.


    When the other party descended onto the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, Gu An had detected him immediately and also heard what he had said.


    He didn''t consider Jue Luo Sword Monarch a threat; rather, the implications behind the words of the Sword Monarch gave him pause.


    Did Da Hong Sword Heaven intend to serve the Inheritor of the Holy Heart Sword Dao?


    Gu An remembered that although Yang Xian had imparted the Holy Heart Sword Dao to Yang Ping''an, Yang Ping''an at the time showed no surprise but instead smiled, saying his own sword dao was not inferior to the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    At that time, Yang Xian''s Holy Heart Sword Dao was merely rudimentary, nowhere near as strong as it was when contending with the Heavenly Spirit God, and countless years had passed since then, with the Holy Heart Sword Dao having reached unimaginable levels through the Sword Dao River¡ªcould it be that Yang Ping''an had faced setbacks in his sword dao and come to believe his own was inferior to the Holy Heart Sword Dao?


    Gu An speculated about what might have transpired after Yang Xian''s death to make Da Hong Sword Heaven so highly esteem the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    As for Jue Luo Sword Monarch seeking to trouble him, he wasn''t too concerned; what waves could a mere Free Immortal stir up?


    If he dared to act against him, Gu An wouldn''t hesitate due to past feelings; he would kill if necessary.


    He wasn''t Yang Xian; he didn''t confine his actions within so many strictures.


    In the courtyard, Sage Xuan Miao, holding a secret book, looked up at Gu An and anxiously said, "Mountain God, this secret book is too profound; I can''t understand it at all."


    Back at Three Pure Ones Mountain, he had been considered a prodigy, able to grasp any Daoist Sorcery with just a glance; yet, when faced with the secret book bestowed by the Mountain God, he couldn''t comprehend it at all.


    Gu An nonchalantly replied, "If it were that easy to fathom, becoming an Immortal wouldn''t be so difficult."


    Centuries had passed, and Sage Xuan Miao had already achieved the Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator status; his talent was not lacking¡ªit was just that Gu An hadn''t prioritized nurturing him.


    Upon hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao could only manage an awkward smile and continued to delve into the secret book in his hands.


    Boom¡ª


    A deafening boom suddenly came from the sky, startling Sage Xuan Miao to look up and see a huge ball of light appearing and rapidly expanding, with strong winds soon descending upon the mountains and forests.


    Sage Xuan Miao quickly stood up, frowning deeply; with the Mountain God still there, he was not panicked.


    "Mountain God, a Sword Intent ascended to the heavens a few months ago, and now this bizarre phenomenon has occurred; what could be the reason?" Sage Xuan Miao asked, turning to Gu An as the tempest tousled his long hair.


    Gu An answered, "Obviously, someone is fighting."


    Hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao fell into silence.


    Though he was secluded from the world, people still passed by this place, allowing him to keep abreast of the major happenings overseas, which was currently in the midst of rare chaos.


    He wanted to ask the Mountain God why he didn''t put an end to such turbulent times but feared it would be presumptuous.


    He always believed that the Mountain God was a true Immortal, different from those powerful Cultivators and Demons.


    But he figured that the Mountain God had his own considerations, perhaps everything had its own natural laws of evolution, and even Immortals could not disrupt them.


    Gu An stood up and tucked the book into his chest, looking down at Sage Xuan Miao, "Cultivate well; these days are long, and when you are strong enough, I can let you leave the mountain to alleviate suffering."


    As his words fell, he vanished into thin air from the eaves.


    Sage Xuan Miao, rather than being ecstatic, looked down at the secret book in his hands, his eyes revealing a glimmer of hope.


    ...


    Above the boundless mountains and rivers, dust swirled as An Hao stood proudly in the air, his knight''s robe fluttered wildly; he looked downward, with nine bright suns floating behind him tracing circular paths, the firelight illuminating his form, making him look like a deity.


    From all directions, Cultivators and Demons watched the battle; they stood outside the Formation, each gaze towards An Hao filled with disbelief.


    Those from the Supreme Sect watched with surging emotions, excited beyond measure.


    Wu Jue watched An Hao from afar, his eyes unable to hide his stunned expression as he subconsciously looked at his own right fist.


    An Hao could overpower a Loose Immortal, but could his fist defeat a Nirvana Realm Cultivator?


    At this moment, he truly felt the vast disparity between himself and An Hao, as if it were the difference between an Immortal and a mortal.

 Chapter 440 The Origin of Sword Venerable Fudao

    "It seems I have won."An Hao''s voice resonated between heaven and earth, silencing all the noise, allowing sects from all directions to feel his pride.


    A Nirvana victor over a Loose Immortal, such a record was a marvel and shock throughout ancient and modern times!


    Looking at the peerless An Hao, Wu Jue felt that he still shouldn''t test him; if An Hao learned that Gu An was impersonating his master, Gu An would probably be in big trouble.


    "Such a domineering Divine Flame, the Flame Primordial Treasure Body is truly powerful."


    "How do I feel that he is even stronger than the Treasure Body?"


    "Our Vast Energy Daoist Sect also has geniuses with Treasure Bodies, but none as dominant as him."


    "His Divine Skills just now were no small matter, he could actually mobilize the Heaven and Earth Rules, which is also why he was able to defeat the Loose Immortal."


    "No wonder the Immortal Dynasty could recruit him, such talent truly surpasses the Immortal Spirit."


    Cultivators from all sects talked amongst themselves, but An Hao did not pay attention; he raised his right hand, threw an Elixir, and it plummeted into the rolling dust below.


    Immediately after, he turned and flew in a certain direction.


    Great Cultivators, led by the Supreme Sect, immediately ordered a pursuit of An Hao.


    Wu Jue, having no time to ponder, hurriedly caught up with the group.


    Half an hour later.


    In the mountains and fields, An Hao and the high-ranking members of the Supreme Sect stood beside a stream, talking and laughing heartily, while Wu Jue stood not far away, envying the scene before him.


    Without An Hao, he would be the one everyone looked up to, the future of the Supreme Sect, but with An Hao present, he was no different from the other ordinary disciples; no one paid him any attention anymore.


    Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian looked at An Hao and said with a smile, "We are most comforted by your achievement today, you carry the hope for the rise of the Supreme Sect. Even when you''re away, the disciples in the sect will inquire about your whereabouts, you have become the hope that the juniors chase."


    Hearing this, An Hao smiled even more, and faced with such words, he chose to be humble. He had quite a fondness for the Supreme Sect, as in the early stage of his Immortal Cultivation life, the Supreme Sect had given him considerable help.


    Most importantly, his master and junior sister were in the Supreme Sect, and just by that fact alone, it was impossible for him to leave the Supreme Sect.


    Just as they were exchanging pleasantries, an immense Sword Intent descended, making everyone feel as if their throats were being choked, cutting off all speech.


    An Hao looked up, his eyebrows furrowed, a wariness apparent in his eyes.


    A whooshing sound descended from the sky.


    Clang¡ªA sword fell from the sky, landing in front of An Hao; stones shattered and flew off, and the cultivators from the Supreme Sect retreated in shock, while An Hao remained as steady as Mount Tai, unmoved.


    The sword that was planted in the ground trembled non-stop, the blade vibrating to form afterimages.


    Before the cultivators of the Supreme Sect could speak, a figure descended from the sky, landing precisely on the hilt of the sword.


    It was Jue Luo Sword Monarch!


    An Hao looked up at Jue Luo Sword Monarch before him, his eyes filled with confusion, but no fear.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch ignored everyone else, his gaze fixed on An Hao, burning with intensity as if he were looking at a rare treasure.


    "Who are you? What do you want?"


    The highest Cultivation Level Elder of the Supreme Sect asked in a deep voice, clutching the Dharma Treasure in his hand, clearly very nervous.


    Just one glance at Jue Luo Sword Monarch was enough for everyone present to realize that they were no match for him.


    "Boy, what''s your name?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch stared at An Hao and coldly asked, the breeze blowing his robe as he stood on the hilt, emanating an overwhelming pressure.


    An Hao responded, "An Hao, do you have a matter to attend to, Daoist Friend?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s mouth curved upwards, "I am Jue Luo Sword Monarch. Your Life Grid is quite decent; no matter which part of the Great Heaven and Earth you are in, you will rise. Serve me, and I can help you grow faster and raise your limits."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao wasn''t surprised; on his journey, too many people had already said such things to him.


    An Hao remained composed, "Thank you for your kindness, Daoist Friend. I have a master, a sect, and a power I serve; I cannot pledge allegiance to you."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch narrowed his eyes, "Do you know how high my Cultivation Level is?"


    An Hao shook his head slightly while the others were extremely nervous, sensing that the situation was far from over. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch raised his right hand, and Sword Qi surged from his palm; even though it was just a thread, the implied Sword Intent left everyone feeling cold.


    "I am a Free Immortal, which is what you call the Ninth Level of the Immortal Path. The strongest of your Great Heaven and Earth, the Shengtian, is also a Free Immortal, just stepping into the Reincarnation Tribulation, while I have reached the end of the Reincarnation Tribulation, just one step away from breaking through to a higher realm. At that time, with just a thought, I could obliterate the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    While declaring this, Jue Luo Sword Monarch wore a defiant smile; he seemed eager to see An Hao''s reaction upon knowing his power.


    An Hao''s expression indeed changed unnaturally.


    He knew of the Free Immortal, that was the realm of the Yang Xian Emperor, but from Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s words, the Yang Xian Emperor had only entered the threshold of the Free Immortal Realm, whereas Jue Luo Sword Monarch had reached the pinnacle of the Free Immortal Realm.


    The cultivators from Supreme Sect were all showing expressions of disbelief.


    How could they have come across a being more powerful than Shengtian?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s arrogance was overflowing, making people feel that he wasn''t spouting empty words.


    "What about it, will you take back what you said just now?" Jue Luo Sword Monarch stared at An Hao with a mocking smile.


    An Hao replied, "Senior is indeed formidable, but if I were to serve you just because you are stronger, and then tomorrow I meet someone stronger than you, wouldn''t I have to betray you too?"


    Addressing the other as "Senior" was already the limit of respect An Hao was willing to give.


    He was indeed shocked by Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s cultivation level, but did not believe that Jue Luo Sword Monarch was the strongest in the world.


    The strongest person could only be his teacher!


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch, upon hearing An Hao''s refusal, showed a displeased look, but he also felt that what An Hao said was reasonable, and his appreciation for An Hao grew stronger.


    "Who is your teacher? If I ask him to give you to me, will you no longer refuse?" Jue Luo Sword Monarch asked.


    At these words, the expressions of the cultivators from Supreme Sect became strange.


    Although they were shocked by Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s power, they also believed in their hearts that Sword Venerable Fudao was the strongest.


    Otherwise, how could the Immortal Dynasty lay aside their hatred, and why would the Holy Court come forward with flattery to win over Sword Venerable Fudao?


    An Hao frowned. He did not believe that Jue Luo Sword Monarch could threaten his teacher, but he feared causing trouble for his master.


    "If you don''t tell me, I can calculate it myself." Jue Luo Sword Monarch huffed and then started to calculate by using his fingers.


    He can calculate it?


    An Hao''s expression clearly changed, and the cultivators of Supreme Sect were also frightened by such means.


    Wu Jue had been silent, but hearing this, he suddenly grew worried for Gu An.


    If that kid impersonates Sword Venerable Fudao, could he be found out by Jue Luo Sword Monarch and bring trouble upon himself?


    Thinking this, Wu Jue grew anxious.


    All was silent in the Great Heaven and Earth.


    Everyone was watching Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s calculation.


    However, after more than a dozen breaths of time had passed, Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s brows furrowed.


    "Strange..."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was surprised in his heart but did not dare to show weakness.


    He could not calculate An Hao''s teacher. He did manage to calculate Lv Baitian and An Hao''s teachers from the Star Sea Congregations and Immortal Dynasty, but these people''s cultivation levels were too low, and the karmic ties of teacher and student with An Hao were not strong, indicating that An Hao didn''t acknowledge them in his heart.


    He could feel there was a mysterious existence behind An Hao, but no matter what, he could not figure it out.


    What''s going on?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was filled with vigilance.


    Was there still an existence in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land that he couldn''t calculate?


    Even for Shengtian who had entered the Reincarnation Tribulation, he could still calculate some traces left by Shengtian before his death.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s gaze flickered, looking at An Hao with a somewhat odd look.


    Could it be that An Hao''s teacher was the Inheritor of the Holy Heart Sword Dao, or a reincarnation of the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor?


    The more Jue Luo Sword Monarch thought about it, the more possible he felt it was. He had come to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land for some time now, but could not find anyone or anything related to the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    He even doubted whether the Holy Heart Sword Dao had appeared in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land at all.


    With thoughts as swift as lightning, Jue Luo Sword Monarch put on a smile and said, "An Hao, how about you take me to see your teacher? We can put aside your matters, I won''t insist on them any longer."


    An Hao asked in confusion, "Why do you want to see my teacher?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch smiled and said, "To be honest, I come from another world, and I am here to find your teacher. Your teacher is the existence our Daoist Tradition has been searching for. As long as we find him, we will acknowledge him as our leader."


    Another world!


    Everyone was shocked; so Sword Venerable Fudao had such an origin?


    Upon further thought, they realized Sword Venerable Fudao''s mysteriousness and unfathomable strength seemed to indicate that he could only come from another world; any other origin would seem illogical.


    After hearing this, An Hao furrowed his brows tighter, falling into hesitation.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s face turned solemn, while his heart stirred with excitement.


    Holy Heart Sword Dao!


    Finally, I have found you. Do not let me down; my Sword Dao will certainly be stronger than yours!

 Chapter 441 Ten Thousand Sword Mountain

    In front of a mountain on the north side of the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stood shoulder-to-shoulder with An Xin, as they watched the disciples embed treasure swords into the mountain.This mountain bore no flora at all; it was barren, with rocks of a red hue. The mountain was not naturally formed but was constructed from special stone materials Gu An had acquired¡ªmaterials often used to build Array Platforms and Magic Artifacts.


    An Xin turned her head to look at Gu An and asked with curiosity, "Master, are you creating this Sword Mountain to leave a legacy?"


    Gu An smiled and said, "You will find out later."


    Seeing him speak so mysteriously, An Xin grew even more curious about the Sword Mountain before them.


    Gu An raised his hand, and a stele flew out, landing in front of Sword Mountain and embedding itself into the soil. He followed by waving his hand in the air, using his finger as a brush to carve characters onto the stele.


    An Xin focused her gaze and could feel a force from Gu An''s strokes, a force she could not describe with words. For some reason, she felt a sense of loneliness.


    Ten Thousand Sword Mountain!


    Gu An avoided inscribing the full "Ten Thousand Sword Mountain Ridge" for fear of directly impacting fate. Omitting one character seemed excessive, but it actually made a world of difference.


    There were many "Ten Thousand Sword Mountain Ridges" and "Ten Thousand Sword Mountains" across different lands.


    As soon as the three characters for Ten Thousand Sword Mountain were carved, An Xin suddenly felt that this Sword Mountain possessed a spirit.


    Although many disciples were still embedding swords into the mountain, it somehow felt exceptionally distinct to her.


    "Once they are done, disciples are not to set foot here in the future."


    With that, Gu An turned and walked away.


    An Xin remained standing there, continuing to admire Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, always sensing that the mountain hid mysteries.


    In the following days, Ten Thousand Sword Mountain became a frequent topic among the Valley''s disciples and visiting cultivators. The very name Ten Thousand Sword Mountain carried immense force, and since Valley Master Gu An was associated with Sword Venerable Fudao, they couldn''t help but pay close attention.


    The news also spread to the Supreme Sect.


    Since Gu An had claimed he was Sword Venerable Fudao, his fame had skyrocketed, and the major families had even investigated him. Pan An''s true identity could no longer be concealed; since Pan An was him, it led the major families to encourage their disciples to study "Investiture of the Gods," "Journey to the West," and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." They felt Sword Venerable Fudao must have wanted to convey something through Pan An.


    Even if they overthought it, being familiar with Pan An''s books would give them something to talk about when facing Sword Venerable Fudao in the future¡ªit could do no harm.


    One day, at noon.


    Outside the Supreme Sect.


    An Hao, accompanied by Jue Luo Sword Monarch, emerged from the forest. He turned his head to Jue Luo Sword Monarch and said, "I only know my master is in the Supreme Sect, but I don''t know exactly who he is. If he wants to meet you, he will seek you out. Remember, do not harm the disciples within the sect."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch snorted, "As the Sword Lord of Da Hong Sword Heaven, would I harm Mortal Spirits?"


    He transformed into a streak of sword light and soared towards the Supreme Sect.


    An Hao followed to catch up but had already lost track of Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s presence.


    Thus, An Hao decided to first visit An Xin at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Half a column of incense later, An Hao landed on a mountain peak, from where he could oversee the entire Third Medicine Valley.


    Compared to many years ago, the Third Medicine Valley had become more prosperous and impressive. Each surrounding mountain was equipped with formations, and he could see the figures of Valley disciples laboring and practicing.


    "Things truly change, but people pass away."


    An Hao murmured to himself, his tone filled with lamentation.


    He suddenly felt anxious, fearing that An Xin was no longer there.


    He was about to jump down when a noise from beside him caught his attention. Glancing over, he saw a man and a mouse running toward him.


    He remembered that mouse¡ªit was Gu An''s White Spirit Rat. The Supreme Sect had many, but he had never seen any as plump as Gu An''s, which is why he remembered it.


    Behind the White Spirit Rat came a strapping young man.


    Upon seeing the newcomer, An Hao couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows.


    This fellow looked a bit like Gu An, which made him slightly bewildered.


    Most importantly, this youth had not a trace of Spiritual Power, but his physical prowess was astonishingly strong; An Hao even felt that the youth possessed the physical prowess of the Nirvana Realm.


    An Hao became interested in Long Qing. He didn''t mind the White Spirit Rat running past him, his gaze fixed on Long Qing.


    Suddenly, the White Spirit Rat stopped, turned its head to look at An Hao, its eyes filled with suspicion.


    It felt as if it had seen this person somewhere before.


    Notice taken of An Hao''s gaze, Long Qing involuntarily slowed his steps. In the presence of others, he needed to maintain dignity and couldn''t disgrace the Third Medicine Valley.


    When he reached An Hao, Long Qing bowed with a clasped fist and said with a smile, "I am Long Qing, a disciple of the Third Medicine Valley. May I know your respected name, and are you seeking entry into the Third Medicine Valley?"


    Nowadays, the Third Medicine Valley held a high reputation within the Supreme Sect, and even as a Servant Disciple, one could face anyone confidently.


    An Hao sized up Long Qing and asked, "What is your relationship with Gu An?"


    Hearing the direct mention of his master''s name and recognizing the extraordinary demeanor, Long Qing guessed that An Hao''s relationship with his master was not shallow, so he replied, "He is my master. Are you looking for him? He just left today and should be back by evening. Shall I lead you into the valley?"


    "Master? Why do I feel like you''re his descendant?" An Hao chuckled.


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing wasn''t angry, since many people had said the same, and he had doubted it himself. However, Gu An had refuted any blood relation between them, and ultimately, Long Qing attributed it to being heavily influenced by his master in manner and temperament over time.


    Long Qing shook his head and said, "I am not, though I wish it were so."


    An Hao did not press further, nor did he mind the trace of melancholy in his tone. An Hao smiled and said, "Throw a punch at me. If you manage to hurt me, I will pass you divine skills that require no Spiritual Power to wield."


    "Is that really a good idea?" Long Qing frowned.


    Divine skills? S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Do you take me for just another master?


    He had already learned divine skills from Shen Xinzi, but in his opinion, they weren''t all that impressive.


    An Hao raised a hand, his face challenging as he taunted, "Aren''t you afraid? With such a strong physique but too scared to strike, aren''t you failing to appreciate the gift given to you by the heavens?"


    At these words, Long Qing''s temper flared.


    He lifted his right hand, slowly clenched it into a fist, a visible force enveloping his fist, his robe billowing and hair dancing as his aura abruptly transformed.


    His expression turned stern, making An Hao feel he resembled Gu An even more.


    Long Qing said coldly, "If I end up crippling you, you''d better not regret it!"


    An Hao proudly laughed, "Thinking of crippling me? Even if you trained for another hundred thousand years, you couldn''t!" Find more to read at empire


    A cold glint flashed in Long Qing''s eyes as he suddenly stepped forward, his right fist held back while his body poised as though drawing a bow, unleashing the punch from his waist with all his bodily strength channeled into his fist.


    He could sense An Hao''s strength. Not wanting to lose face, he naturally gave it his all.


    His punch sounded out like a rumble of thunder, startling the Medicine Valley Disciples in the distance. Whether on the mountain or in the valley, they turned their heads towards the source of the noise.


    Also, beneath the Mystic Pure Tree, An Xin was practicing when she opened her eyes and looked towards the sound, her brows tightly furrowed.

 Chapter 442 The So-Called Fellow Disciples

    On the mountaintop, the strong wind spilled over, causing flowers and grass to sway like green waves.Long Qing maintained his punching stance, his face showing disbelief.


    "How could this be..."


    His eyes widened, a tempest of shock surged within him. Following his gaze, he saw his right fist being blocked by a single finger from An Hao.


    His fist, being resisted by An Hao''s index finger, gave him the sensation of pushing against a mountain.


    No!


    Mountains aren''t this hard!


    An Hao''s hair fluttered in the wind as he stared at Long Qing, his lips curling into a smile, "Not a bad reaction, but it seems you haven''t fully mastered your power, or rather, you don''t really know the kind of power you possess at the moment."


    With a gentle push of his right index finger, Long Qing felt a force overwhelming like a mountain collapsing over him, throwing him backwards. His complexion drastically changed, and while he instinctively stabilized his body, he still staggered backward several steps before stopping.


    He looked at An Hao with fear in his eyes, swallowing hard before asking, "Who exactly are you?"


    "My name is An Hao, have you heard of me?" An Hao asked with a smile, his dominance and pride momentarily receding, now his smile seeming warm as a spring breeze.


    "An Hao?"


    Long Qing''s eyes widened, excitedly asking, "Are you Elder Sister An Xin''s senior brother?"


    Hearing this name, An Hao''s expression turned gentler as he asked, "Is your teacher sister doing well?"


    He hadn''t used his Divine Sense to probe the Third Medicine Valley, partly for fear of being rude and partly because he was somewhat nervous inside.


    "Of course, she is the leading disciple of the Third Medicine Valley, how could she not be doing well!" Long Qing, knowing An Hao''s identity, suddenly felt a sense of closeness.


    Although An Xin was his teacher sister, she was like a mother to him in his heart, since he had been raised by An Xin and You Yingying since he was young. He often heard An Xin mention An Hao, naturally forming a close and curious impression of him.


    Hearing this, An Hao completely relaxed and then asked Long Qing to take him to see An Xin.


    Long Qing was very curious about him. As the two walked towards the valley, they chatted, mostly with Long Qing asking and An Hao answering.


    An Hao quite liked Long Qing; he couldn''t quite say why, perhaps it was Long Qing''s strong physique that sparked anticipation.


    "Why does your Medicine Valley have so many Great Cultivators?" An Hao suddenly asked.


    He even sensed the presence of those from the Immortal Path Realm, which piqued his curiosity.


    Long Qing mysteriously said, "Haven''t you heard? My master is Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    Hearing this, An Hao was taken aback, asking in surprise, "You have two masters?"


    "No, it''s my master Gu An, he is Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    Long Qing hurriedly explained, knowing what he should say and what he shouldn''t. Anything publicly said by Gu An, he could repeat.


    "Gu An is Sword Venerable Fudao? How is that possible!" An Hao frowned.


    He couldn''t forget his first encounter with Gu An; both were very young back then. How could Gu An possibly be his master?


    His first reaction was that there must be some misunderstanding, given that no one in the Supreme Sect would dare impersonate Sword Venerable Fudao.


    "My master admitted it himself, and Sword Venerable Fudao hasn''t challenged him, so isn''t he Sword Venerable Fudao?" Long Qing explained.


    He was unaware of the relationship between An Hao and Sword Venerable Fudao; too much time had passed, and only a few knew of their relationship. Long Qing, having spent years in the Third Medicine Valley and An Xin deliberately not mentioning it, those Great Cultivators had no interest in gossip, so he was also none the wiser.


    "Admitted it himself?"


    An Hao''s brows furrowed tighter, feeling quite uneasy.


    What did Gu An mean by this?


    Trying to take advantage of him?


    An Hao decided he needed to have a good talk with Gu An, as some matters must not be carelessly touched.


    Half a stick of incense later.


    An Xin led An Hao into the house, shut the door, and asked him to have a seat, then she began to brew tea.


    "Elder brother, I thought you had forgotten about me," An Xin said jokingly as she walked to the table with the teapot.


    An Hao, who was looking around the room, replied awkwardly, "How could I forget you? Whenever I have time, I come back to see you."


    An Xin laughed heartily, "You can even forget your own wife and children; forgetting me wouldn''t be strange."


    Gu An became more embarrassed, he coughed lightly and said, "My aspiration is to travel the world, I cannot stay with them, if I maintain relations, it would only bring them trouble."


    An Xin did not speak of the An Family''s encounters, reasoning that if Gu An cared, he would visit on his own, and if he did not, speaking of it held no meaning.


    Moreover, as long as Gu An remained, the An Family had already received his care, and they would no longer face significant troubles.


    Thinking of this, An Xin suddenly felt that although Gu An was strong, there was still much he could learn about being a person from his master.


    Just like romantic attachments, the master would not decide lightly, but he would take care of those who had good relations with him.


    Gu An didn''t know what she was thinking; after expressing concern for a few moments, he asked the question he most wanted to ask, "I heard that Gu An calls himself Sword Venerable Fudao? What''s that about? How dare he?"


    An Xin heard this, widened her beautiful eyes, and huffed, "What? He''s not worthy?"


    "It''s not that... Sword Venerable Fudao is our master!" Gu An grew anxious, a side of him that only showed in front of An Xin.


    An Xin followed saying, "He is my master too, I have two masters."


    "It''s not the same!" Gu An frowned, unsure how to explain.


    An Xin said, "Perhaps Sword Venerable Fudao truly is him, and our original master isn''t him. Has the master, as Sword Venerable Fudao, ever met you? Could it be he also received guidance from our first master? Or maybe they have a common master, that''s why they both can perform the Demon Shadow Divine Skill."


    Having been with Gu An for a long time, she too had become crafty, thinking of continuing to confound Gu An.


    So fun!


    Gu An hesitated and said, "You mean we might actually be fellow disciples?"


    "Who knows, he calls himself Sword Venerable Fudao and hasn''t run into trouble," An Xin shrugged.


    More than that, she was curious about how strong Gu An was; she felt a competitive spirit rising within her now.


    Gu An, after hearing this, pondered thoughtfully.


    Thinking that Gu An might truly be Sword Venerable Fudao, and his master hadn''t clarified this matter, he felt uneasy.


    No way, he had to find Gu An personally!


    If the master wasn''t Sword Venerable Fudao, why wouldn''t he explain?


    Could it be he was helping Sword Venerable Fudao pose?


    Could this mean that in the master''s eyes, Gu An was more important?


    Gu An''s thoughts were in turmoil; he hadn''t felt so perturbed for a long time.


    Previously, no matter how tough the situation, he had never felt such anxiety because his master was his ultimate pursuit, and he was so determined to become stronger because he didn''t want to disappoint his master.


    An Xin changed the subject, starting to ask about Gu An''s experiences over the years, and Gu An didn''t hide anything, beginning from the time he left the Star Sea Congregations.


    Gu An too wanted to impress his junior sister by sharing his legendary experiences, speaking emotionally, but unfortunately, An Xin hadn''t yet learned Gu An''s emotional intelligence to provide timely emotional feedback to him.


    Time flew by quickly.


    As evening approached, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint back to the valley leisurely. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Jue Luo Sword Monarch had arrived, he didn''t pay much attention to it¡ªgoing about his usual activities.


    Having spent the afternoon investigating, Jue Luo Sword Monarch had already set his sights on Sword Venerable Fudao.


    He would soon arrive at the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An could sense a strong intent to battle hidden within Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s Sword Intent, an indication that Jue Luo Sword Monarch was harboring ill intentions.


    He was curious to see how strong this prodigy descendant of Da Hong Sword Heaven was.


    Upon entering the valley, Gu An dismounted and walked alone towards Ten Thousand Sword Mountain.


    Simultaneously, Jue Luo Sword Monarch appeared out of nowhere in front of the stele at Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, gazing at the mountain, lost in thought.


    This mountain harbored a faint Sword Intent that was difficult to capture; although he felt no threat, he couldn''t see through this Sword Intent.


    It didn''t resemble the Holy Heart Sword Dao; he had been to the Sword Dao River and knew what the Holy Heart Sword Dao was like.


    Some disciples passing by on the trail behind him cast surprised glances his way, but seeing he didn''t step onto Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, they didn''t come forward to stop him.


    From a distance, Gu An spotted Jue Luo Sword Monarch and conducted a Life Span Detection on him.


    [Jue Luo Sword Monarch (Free Immortal Realm Nine Layers): 29,769,870/500,000,000/500,000,000]


    Could killing him yield forty million years of life span?


    Gu An thought to himself, his steps neither fast nor slow, leisurely as if wandering through a garden, occasionally greeting disciples he encountered along the way.

 Chapter 443 You Dare Challenge Holy Heart Sword Dao?

    "Daoist Friend, you seem unfamiliar. Is there something you need help with?"Gu An''s voice came from behind, interrupting Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s thoughts.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch half-turned, glancing at Gu An with the corner of his eye.


    Looking at Gu An, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.


    Logically, such a mortal shouldn''t merit his attention, but somehow, as soon as Gu An spoke, he had turned around involuntarily, drawn to him.


    He had only ever felt this way in the presence of those stronger than himself.


    While sizing up Gu An, he deduced that Gu An had some karma with An Hao¡ªthough not closely connected, it indeed existed.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch asked, "Are you the Valley Master of this Medicine Valley?"


    Gu An smiled and replied, "I am Gu An. May I know your esteemed name?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch answered, "I am Jue Luo Sword Monarch, from Da Hong Sword Heaven."


    "Da Hong Sword Heaven? I have not heard of it, but it sounds grand and powerful¡ªcertainly the force of a Holy Land, and it must be far from the Taicang Continent," Gu An feigned surprise.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was not in the mood for probes, and directly asked, "Are you a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao? Call out your master."


    As he spoke, he also emitted a trace of Sword Intent, instantly enveloping the entire Third Medicine Valley.


    Ji Xiaoyu appeared out of nowhere in front of Gu An, staring warily at Jue Luo Sword Monarch, the Dao Patterns on her forehead igniting into fierce flames.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor appeared as well, frowning at Jue Luo Sword Monarch. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Hao, Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and Shen Xinzi also quickly appeared; those Great Cultivators, who had been playing chess in the dojo, promptly arrived as well.


    Gu An could feel that Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s Sword Intent was to isolate the Third Medicine Valley from the outside world¡ªwas he intending to create a battlefield?


    An Hao stared at Jue Luo Sword Monarch, asking in a deep voice, "Senior, what are you trying to do?"


    An Xin swiftly ran over, curiously looking at Jue Luo Sword Monarch, her eyes filled only with anticipation.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch ignored An Hao, his gaze settling on Ji Xiaoyu; he squinted and said, "Yin Yang Four Emperors, long time no see, Reincarnation Path Emperor, I didn''t expect you to undergo Reincarnation Tribulation here."


    Ji Xiaoyu, with a composed expression, replied, "Jue Luo Sword Monarch, it seems Da Hong Sword Heaven has no intentions of invading the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, are you acting alone?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch laughed, "Among the Yin Yang Four Emperors, I only fear the Sixth Tao Dust Emperor. Has his Reincarnation Tribulation ended?"


    Yin Yang Four Emperors!


    Reincarnation Path Emperor!


    Sixth Tao Dust Emperor!


    The surrounding cultivators listened in astonishment¡ªthese names sounded impressive.


    "You can go find him; he indeed mentioned you," Ji Xiaoyu coldly replied.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch shook his head with a rueful laugh, ignoring the stares of others. He said, "Enough of this, I''m here to find Sword Venerable Fudao and challenge him to a battle."


    Hearing the name Sword Venerable Fudao made everyone tense.


    Daring to challenge Sword Venerable Fudao, he must be extraordinary!


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor couldn''t help but ask, "Did Da Hong Sword Heaven come for Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    He had also witnessed the great battle outside of heaven before; Da Hong Sword Heaven''s might had alarmed him¡ªthey managed to fight simultaneously against the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court, and Jue Luo Sword Monarch hadn''t even participated in that battle.


    Just how many Free Immortals did Da Hong Sword Heaven possess?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch did not answer the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor; despite being only a single Great Realm apart, he simply looked down on the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor.


    The scene suddenly quieted down, turning the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s face an iron-blue.


    Gu An gave a cough and said, "So, it seems you want to challenge me?"


    At these words, everyone turned to look at him.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s expression changed; he stared intently at Gu An and asked, "Are you Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    So that was it!


    No wonder he had such an unusual reaction!


    In his eyes, no matter how one looked at it, Gu An seemed like a cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm with no trace of the Immortal Path Realm.


    An Hao heard Gu An''s words and wanted to speak but stopped himself.


    He had a suspicion in his heart.


    Could it be that Martial Master was secretly watching, which is why Gu An dared to be so reckless?


    He also hadn''t noticed Gu An concealing his cultivation level, so he didn''t think Gu An had the ability to fight.


    More and more disciples watched from a distance, not daring to get closer, only able to discuss from afar.


    Gu An walked around Ji Xiaoyu and approached the Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Ji Xiaoyu grabbed his wrist, trying to persuade him, but Gu An just smiled at her and gently pulled his hand away.


    "Well, I am. How do you want to challenge me?" Gu An looked at the Jue Luo Sword Monarch and asked with a smile.


    He was giving the Jue Luo Sword Monarch a chance, if he answered poorly, he would perish along with his cultivation.


    After all, Da Hong Sword Heaven was Yang Ping''an''s Daoist tradition, and by seniority, the Jue Luo Sword Monarch was also his disciple. As a Martial Master, how could he kill a fellow sect member upon meeting?


    The Jue Luo Sword Monarch raised his right hand, condensing Sword Intent in his palm, resembling a thread of lightning, neither dazzling nor enormous, yet it made everyone terrified.


    This thread of Sword Intent contained extremely terrifying power, making people shudder!


    Ji Xiaoyu, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, and others didn''t even dare to move, feeling a terrifying sensation that any movement could lead to death.


    An Hao clenched his fists inside his sleeves, ready to make a move.


    Long Qing stood at a distance, on tiptoe, watching. He couldn''t feel the Sword Intent of the Jue Luo Sword Monarch, but with so many people gathered, how could he not be curious?


    "Naturally, we''ll compare the Sword Dao to see whose Sword Dao is stronger. Show your Holy Heart Sword Dao!" the Jue Luo Sword Monarch coldly stated.


    Holy Heart Sword Dao!


    Ji Xiaoyu and the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor both drastically changed their expressions, looking at Gu An in astonishment.


    They had heard of the great fame of the Holy Heart Sword Dao, a supreme inheritance of Da Hong Sword Heaven, able to dominate across three thousand worlds and be invincible.


    Gu An had actually inherited the Holy Heart Sword Dao?


    No wonder Sword Venerable Fudao refused to show his true self; it turns out he was a Great Cultivator from Da Hong Sword Heaven.


    In any Great Heaven and Earth, there was no one who could silently reach the Free Immortal Realm; just the Heavenly Tribulation from Divine Thought True Immortal to Free Immortal would shake the universe. How could one hide?


    Hearing the words of the Jue Luo Sword Monarch, Gu An showed a faint smile.


    His smile, however, appeared as a provocation in the eyes of the Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Just then!


    Gu An suddenly shifted, appearing instantly in front of the Jue Luo Sword Monarch, the gust of air lifted the Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s cloak, and he widened his eyes.


    "Challenge the Holy Heart Sword Dao?"


    Gu An slightly raised his chin, looking at the Jue Luo Sword Monarch with indifferent eyes, as if he were looking down on an ant.


    With his left hand, he then grabbed the Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s wrist.


    The entire process went unchallenged by the Jue Luo Sword Monarch; it wasn''t that he couldn''t react, but he was unable to resist.


    With Gu An holding him, the Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s pupils dilated, and his heart was struck with shock.


    Gu An looked at him and slowly said, "Let''s not first discuss whether I possess the Holy Heart Sword Dao; to you all, what status does the Holy Heart Sword Dao even have?"


    "Are you even qualified to challenge the Holy Heart Sword Dao?"


    These words struck the Jue Luo Sword Monarch like a hammer, causing his body to tremble, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.


    Everyone else could feel Gu An''s dominance, and what surprised them most was how the usually arrogant Jue Luo Sword Monarch had suddenly become mute.


    An Hao was the most shocked and unable to stay composed.


    He knew too well how strong the Jue Luo Sword Monarch was; a mere breath from him could annihilate a cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Although he hadn''t felt Gu An''s aura now, he knew something must have happened that made the Jue Luo Sword Monarch dare not retaliate.


    Or rather, the Jue Luo Sword Monarch simply couldn''t retaliate!

 Chapter 444 Master, I Want to Be the Heavenly Emperor

    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jue Luo Sword Monarch trembled all over, unable to speak. All gazes fell on Gu An''s hand, which held the wrist of Jue Luo Sword Monarch. At that moment, Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s aura was not a match for Gu An, almost as if he was about to kneel at any moment.Gu An''s face was so cold, and his gaze, falling into the eyes of Jue Luo Sword Monarch, was terrifying.


    "How can this be..." the thought of utter disbelief crossed the mind of Jue Luo Sword Monarch. Held by Gu An, his Sword Intent dissipated instantly, and the mana within him was suppressed, rendering him unable to mobilize it.


    He was like a mortal, incapable of resistance, let alone freeing himself of Gu An''s grasp.


    Tao Fruit Realm!


    This person must have surpassed the Free Immortal Realm and reached an even higher level!


    Despite Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s claim to have reached the end of the Reincarnation Tribulation, in reality, he had yet to find his breakthrough opportunity; this was also why he wanted to challenge the Holy Heart Sword Dao.


    He hoped to break his own limits through the swordsmanship exchange.


    The stronger the inheritor of the Holy Heart Sword Dao, the more he looked forward to it.


    Only tremendous pressure could break his shackles!


    Gu An stared at him and asked, "Now tell me, do you still want to challenge me?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch clenched his teeth, attempting to speak, but he lacked the courage to voice his words.


    For him to bow his head was harder than death!


    Damn it!


    Why was the gap so vast?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch harbored a secret hatred; not towards Gu An, but at his own weakness. With such a vast difference in strength, his challenge to Gu An seemed absurd.


    He despised those who were weak yet acted arrogantly, and now he was the very person he loathed the most.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was extremely frustrated; he roared inwardly, wanting his Sword Dao to break free.


    But Gu An''s power was like a wall of the Tao Fruit Realm, crushing him mercilessly. No matter how furious, he couldn''t shake it.


    For a moment, the atmosphere was tense.


    The pressure on everyone vanished, replaced by shock.


    Experience new stories on empire


    Could it be that Gu An was truly Sword Venerable Fudao?


    They couldn''t sense how strong Gu An''s aura was, still seeming like he was in the Nascent Soul Realm. However, Gu An was clearly suppressing Jue Luo Sword Monarch, and Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s earlier arrogance and haughtiness could not have been an act.


    An Hao was shocked; he looked at Gu An''s retreating figure with complex emotions: astonishment, delight, apprehension.


    Just then, Gu An suddenly let go, smiling and saying, "Since you''re not speaking, I''ll take it you''ve given up the challenge. Guests should be treated well; stay at the Third Medicine Valley for a few days."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch felt the suffocating pressure lift instantly. His first instinct was to flee, but he resisted.


    If the other party didn''t kill him, would fleeing not bring shame to the Da Hong Sword Heaven?


    "I..."


    Looking at Gu An''s gentle smile, Jue Luo Sword Monarch didn''t know how to respond and wished he could vanish into thin air.


    Gu An turned around and beckoned to An Xin, who immediately ran over.


    "Accommodate this Daoist Friend," said Gu An, then turned and left.


    Ji Xiaoyu stared at Gu An in a daze, once again astonished by his strength.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was stronger than her true body, and such a being was completely suppressed by Gu An to the point that he couldn''t even speak.


    How high was his cultivation level, really?


    Others too were shocked by Gu An''s cultivation level and conceived speculations about his realm.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch watched Gu An''s departing figure, his face flushed with humiliation. When An Xin invited him into the valley, he could only nod and follow her.


    Although he was suppressed by Gu An, no one dared to mock him. As he walked by, the Great Cultivators made way, fearing they might provoke his anger.


    An Hao kept pace with Gu An''s steps without catching up immediately, maintaining a distance instead.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor stood by Ji Xiaoyu''s side and pondered, "Who exactly is this deity?"


    Ji Xiaoyu did not answer him, and no one else could either.


    The Nine-Finger Divine Lord was relieved that he hadn''t underestimated Gu An due to his cultivation level.


    Shen Xinzi thought even further ahead. Faced with the provocation of Jue Luo Sword Monarch, Gu An had the power to kill him yet chose to give him a way out. Such magnanimity was beyond the capacity of ordinary individuals.


    This was the very path Shen Xinzi himself should pursue!


    On another side.


    Long Qing ran over to Gu An''s side, walking shoulder to shoulder with him, occasionally glancing back at An Hao. He could tell An Hao seemed to want to talk to Gu An and was adopting a very humble posture.


    "Master, what just happened?" Long Qing asked curiously.


    His gaze followed and fixed on Jue Luo Sword Monarch, whose presence was so powerful. Just walking down the road, he exuded an air of invincibility, as if even the heavens couldn''t contain him.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Nothing much, just chatted with someone. You can go talk to him directly; he is a senior after all. Remember not to forget your manners."


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Long Qing really did want to go meet with Jue Luo Sword Monarch. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while.


    Gu An went upstairs alone, and An Hao stayed at the bottom of the loft, hesitating for a moment before he also went upstairs.


    He had just reached the door when he heard Gu An''s voice: "Remember to close the door behind you."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao instantly felt calm.


    All his doubts were washed away.


    This was definitely his master!


    Suppressing his excitement, he closed the door.


    He strode to the table and then knelt down, kowtowing to Gu An.


    Gu An did not stop him, graciously accepting his gesture of respect.


    An Hao looked up at Gu An and exclaimed excitedly, "Master, you¡­ you''ve kept me in the dark for so long! No wonder you took An Xin as a disciple. You''ve been looking after her all along, hasn''t she known all this time?"


    Gu An smiled and replied, "She didn''t know at the beginning. She was just as excited as you when she found out. Stand up and speak."


    An Hao hurriedly stood up; he had too many things to tell his master.


    Gu An invited him to sit down and then inquired about his experiences over the years. An Hao did not dare to hide anything; he did not overly embellish his narrative, sharing both his hardships and achievements.


    After a long time.


    Gu An asked, "What are your goals for the future?"


    Unlike An Xin, An Hao had been wandering outside for years, and his ambition only grew higher and higher, so Gu An had no intention of keeping him.


    Taking a deep breath, An Hao said, "Master, I want to become the Heavenly Emperor, just like the Jade Emperor you''ve written about!"


    Gu An smiled and said, "Those two words should not be uttered carelessly because real Immortals do exist."


    Indeed, to be besieged by Immortals, real Immortals are far more terrifying than mortals can imagine.


    If there is order, there must be a ruler, and the leader of the Immortals might be known as the Heavenly Emperor.


    Upon hearing this, An Hao was startled and cautiously asked, "Immortal Dynasty?"


    "They are far from it."


    Gu An''s response let An Hao breathe a sigh of relief and also filled him with surprise.


    If the Immortal Dynasty was not considered a group of Immortals, how powerful were the true Immortals?


    Gu An looked at An Hao and also discerned his Life Grid.


    Life Grid, the combination of fate and Qi Fortune, indicates that the stronger the Life Grid, the better the Qi Fortune and longer Life Span.


    An Hao had a continuous stretch of Qi Fortune, and his life seemed to have no visible end, which Gu An saw for the first time in such a Life Grid.


    Indeed, the limit of 9,999 years was simply the upper limit of Mortal Realm, not the limit for An Hao.


    After reaching the Nirvana Realm, An Hao''s life span limit became six nines, and Gu An estimated that breaking through further Great Realms would continue to extend it.

 Chapter 445 Want to Become a Disciple

    "Do you aspire to be the Heavenly Emperor because you want power and influence?" Gu An asked curiously.The Jade Emperor in ''Journey to the West'' wasn''t described as particularly strong, at least not the strongest, and An Hao had always wanted to be the strongest. Could it be that his mindset had changed now that he was considering becoming the Heavenly Emperor?


    An Hao answered, "I want strength, and I want power and influence. Along the way, I''ve been to many places, left behind many people, but I feel that this path is not right. However, to become stronger, even if it''s not right, I still have to continue on. By becoming the Heavenly Emperor, I can protect those I wish to protect and shelter all living beings from suffering."


    "I didn''t expect you to still have such a benevolent heart," Gu An remarked.


    An Hao''s face turned red, and he said, "Master, what do you mean? Do you see me as someone ruthless, without bottom lines? After all, I have inherited the righteousness of the Supreme Sect. No matter where I go, when I encounter people in suffering, as long as I can help, I will take action."


    Gu An smiled. He indeed had seen such behavior from An Hao, though it wasn''t frequent.


    Compared to Yang Xian, An Hao still had a long way to go.


    However, Gu An never had specific expectations for what An Hao should become. He imparted the Technique of Immortal Cultivation to An Hao due to fate. As long as An Hao didn''t do evil, he was loath to nitpick. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An continued to chat with An Hao, which gave An Hao a deeper understanding of his master.


    It seemed no different from their previous interactions, but An Hao felt his master''s vastness, like the Canghai Sea. With the ability to conquer the world yet able to recluse here, laughing and chatting with anyone.


    Every word Gu An said seemed sincere in An Hao''s eyes. When Gu An''s image merged with the image of the master in his heart, it was both sincere and contained wisdom, as if every word from his master taught him and held expectations for his growth.


    Suddenly, An Hao thought of something and asked, "Is Yang Jian your Direct Disciple?"


    Gu An smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, he knows I am Sword Venerable Fudao. I even told him he has an impressive senior brother, just didn''t say it was you."


    Upon hearing this, An Hao''s face broke into a smile. He had a profound memory of Yang Jian, and they had even agreed to a duel at the Sky Ranking Tournament. He had never forgotten it.


    "Where did he go? Why haven''t I seen him?" An Hao asked curiously.


    Gu An recounted Yang Jian''s background and current whereabouts, leaving An Hao silent.


    The Holy King of the Holy Court!


    He had visited the Holy Court, witnessed the demeanor of the Holy King, and suddenly felt pressure.


    Yang Jian''s talent had already won his approval. Coupled with the background of the Holy King, he might indeed surpass him.


    Gu An continued, "Besides Yang Jian, I have taught others, including demons. Don''t underestimate them."


    His tone seemed joking, but his eyes were sharp.


    An Hao felt his fighting spirit ignited after hearing this. Full of confidence, he said, "Master, rest assured, I will always be your most outstanding disciple!"


    Gu An smiled and nodded, but his heart disagreed.


    If that were the case, wouldn''t it mean that my teaching ability is inferior to your talent?


    He had to cultivate a disciple stronger than An Hao!


    An Hao thought of the Annihilation God Emperor and began to say, "Master, previously I encountered..."


    "Don''t speak."


    Gu An interrupted him, causing him to look puzzled.


    Gu An continued, "Your realm is still low. When you delve into the Way of Cause and Effect, you''ll understand that even when you speak of certain beings in secret, even without naming them, merely describing their likeness and deeds can alert them. I''ll keep an eye on that existence. His help for you was casual, without any ulterior motives. You can rest assured."


    Longing was evident in An Hao''s eyes.


    What kind of realm must one reach to be so powerful?


    He adjusted his emotions and stopped thinking about the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Moonlight streamed through the window as the master and disciple continued their chat. The atmosphere was pleasant, with An Hao occasionally standing up, using actions to describe the scene he was talking about, while Gu An looked on with a smile, as if enjoying a storytelling session.


    An Hao was excited because he could finally sit and talk with his master.


    Gu An too was content. Watching the vigorous An Hao, he thought of the resolute youth who, in order to protect his sister from the village, had boldly faced an invincible Wolf Demon.


    In the blink of an eye, over eight hundred years had passed.


    The young ones had begun to stand on their own, while many of Gu An''s contemporaries had passed away. Read the latest on empire


    Considering this, Gu An was not sad; he still wore a smile on his face.


    The old friends had passed, but the younger generation was still there. Such was life.


    The moon set, and the sun rose.


    In the early morning, An Hao stepped out the door, looking towards the vast ranks of disciples in the distance, watching them practice. His gaze drifted.


    Previously, he too had watched the Medicine Valley Disciples'' morning practice, but he had never felt quite like he did today.


    He realized that the movements of the Medicine Valley Disciples carried a profound mystery, truly worthy of being the body-strengthening method created by his master, embodying the simplicity of the great path.


    Gu An stepped out of the house, standing behind him and looking towards the distant spectacle of the practice. Over four thousand people practicing together was stirring the Spiritual Energy in the valley, a magnificent sight.


    "Hurry up, what are you looking at," Gu An urged.


    Coming to his senses, An Hao turned back with a smile and then started walking down the stairs.


    Reaching the corner of the staircase, he turned his head toward Gu An and asked, "What kind of person do you hope I will become?"


    Gu An glanced at him and then looked up to the east, saying, "I hope you become like that proud sun, radiant and shining. Even if you fall into the lowest valleys, you always rise up, climbing to a height that all living beings find unreachable."


    After hearing this, An Hao unconsciously looked towards the rising sun on the horizon. His smile faded, his expression turning serious.

 Chapter 445 Want to Become a Disciple_2

    "I will, I definitely will."An Hao said determinedly, then turned his head and continued down the stairs.


    Gu An didn''t see him off. Instead, he kept looking toward the east.


    The morning sun rose, streaking across the sky, only to be chased down by darkness again. When the world fell into darkness, new sunlight broke through the earth''s surface, illuminating all things and banishing the darkness.


    After daylight, Gu An stepped out of his room again.


    He faced the blazing sun and stretched languidly.


    "The first day after a thousand years seems no different than the rest," Gu An said with a smile, talking to himself.


    Today, he turned a thousand years old. In his eyes, this marked a brand-new page in his life.


    He followed the stairs down and, just as he reached the bottom, Ji Xiaoyu walked out from inside the house.


    "Will you intervene in An Hao''s conflict with the Sky Demon Great Sect?" Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An and asked.


    Ninety-seven years had passed since An Hao left.


    While the world''s events changed each year, Gu An''s life in the Third Medicine Valley remained the same, and he was content with that.


    Gu An casually replied, "Why intervene? I''m just an ordinary cultivator who loves to garden. I have no wish to get entangled in trouble."


    Having said that, he moved forward with his steps.


    Since Ji Xiaoyu had learned of his strength, she no longer behaved like a petulant girl, which actually made him find her rather dull.


    As Ji Xiaoyu watched him walk away, she followed up with, "But as he continues like this, the Sky Demon Great Sect surely will not let him go. You will definitely save him. According to my investigation over these years, behind the Sky Demon Great Sect stands the Heavenly Demon, who is also at the peak of the Free Immortals."


    Gu An stopped his steps and turned his head to look at her, asking, "What if you surpass the Free Immortal in this life? What will you do?"


    Ji Xiaoyu paused, then said, "I am just a Reincarnation Body; it''s impossible for me to reach the realm of my true self."


    With more of her memories reviving, her reluctance was fading; she was gradually becoming her true self, or rather, reverting to her original temperament.


    After listening, Gu An appeared thoughtful, then continued on his way.


    Ji Xiaoyu started to ponder Gu An''s words.


    Must a Reincarnation Body truly not surpass the original self?


    Thinking it through, she didn''t know how to reach a higher realm beyond the Reincarnation Tribulation; she had received no guidance.


    Ji Xiaoyu felt as though she had grasped at something, but it wasn''t clear what it really was.


    She looked at Gu An''s retreating figure, feeling that somehow he was reminding her of something.


    Gu An was also in deep thought.


    Within the Lifespan Samsara, Long Zhan had once surpassed him, and he believed that a Reincarnation Body could possibly surpass the original self.


    His curiosity aroused: if his Reincarnation Body continued to grow, what would happen?


    Gu An was merely curious and felt no urge to experiment.


    For the time being, he had no desire to open another Lifespan Samsara because he was saving up his lifespan for the next breakthrough.


    Although no existence threatened him at the moment, he couldn''t relax. He had to maintain his progression in strength, not wait for an unbeatable foe to arrive before starting to regret.


    With these thoughts in mind, he made his way towards Ten Thousand Sword Mountain.


    A meteor streaked across the sky, caught perfectly by his gaze.


    Another Free Immortal has descended!


    It seemed it wouldn''t take many years for another earth-shattering war to erupt.


    But there had been many such wars in recent years, with high-level beings fighting outside of heaven, clearly all fearing they might shatter the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Gu An''s gaze then shifted towards the depths of the cosmos.


    The Black City, created by the Annihilation God Emperor, was still devouring Tao Spiritual Energy, and Gu An could sense a faint power gathering inside it.


    The Annihilation God Emperor seemed to be refining some kind of supreme treasure, but it was unknown whether it was an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.


    Was he trying to force Long Qing out by using this treasure?


    Gu An pondered curiously in his heart. He wasn''t in a hurry at all; as long as the true form of the Annihilation God Emperor didn''t appear, he felt no fear. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For Gu An, time was even more important.


    He made his way to Sword Mountain, where treasure swords covered the mountain, reflecting sharp sword lights under the sunlight.


    Stepping up the mountain, he touched every sword hilt along his path, infusing each with the sword intent of different swordsmanship.


    The swords he touched would instantly lose their luster, seeming to lose their spirit, but in reality, they were being nurtured by the sword intent, with the underground spiritual energy altering the essence of the swords.


    After a while,


    Gu An reached the mountain peak. Looking down upon all the swords, his figure was noticed by Jue Luo Sword Monarch, who was under a distant tree.


    Since coming to Third Medicine Valley, Jue Luo Sword Monarch had not left.


    He acted properly, no longer arrogant and imposing. He wanted to understand Gu An.


    Although Gu An didn''t acknowledge that he had inherited the Holy Heart Sword Dao, instinct told the sword monarch that Gu An must be connected to it.


    Perhaps it was because of the relationship between the Holy Heart Sword Dao and Da Hong Sword Heaven that Gu An had spared him.


    Putting himself in Gu An''s shoes, the way he had previously addressed Gu An was enough to warrant death ten thousand times over. It was precisely because he understood this that he acted so properly and would occasionally give pointers to the disciples in the valley.


    A figure rode a sword through the air, landing beside Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    This was a man in blue attire, holding a treasure sword. He saluted Jue Luo Sword Monarch, saying, "Senior, I have learned the swordsmanship you taught me."


    The standoff between Gu An and Jue Luo Sword Monarch had not spread. Firstly, because the sword monarch had isolated Third Medicine Valley with his sword intent at the time, and secondly, since the Supreme Sect saw that Gu An didn''t kill Jue Luo Sword Monarch, they thought to win him over.


    This was a being of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, and if they could successfully win him over, the Supreme Sect could leap to become a powerful force under heaven.


    The blue-attired man was Xu Jie, the disciple with the strongest talent in the history of Third Medicine Valley.


    Xu Jie had heard from Lv Baitian that a powerful sword cultivator had appeared in Third Medicine Valley. He loved using swords, so he took the initiative to visit Jue Luo Sword Monarch. Considering Gu An''s face, the sword monarch gave pointers to many valley disciples. Faced with Xu Jie, he was not stingy.


    "Just learned it then," Jue Luo Sword Monarch said indifferently, his gaze fixed on the silhouette of Gu An.


    Xu Jie indeed had exceptional talent, but he was not the strongest he had seen, certainly not compared to An Hao he had met before. Thus, he had no intention of taking a disciple.


    He was now focused on becoming a disciple of Gu An; how could he have the time to take on his own disciple?


    Xu Jie followed Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s gaze and saw Gu An.


    His feelings towards Gu An were complicated.


    He even felt a bit defiant.


    He believed his own talent was strong, even comparable to An Hao, but during his time in Third Medicine Valley, he didn''t receive special attention from Gu An. He felt overlooked.


    Of course, he still had fond feelings for Third Medicine Valley. Although Gu An hadn''t given him special treatment, he was kind to him. He didn''t dislike Gu An; he just wanted to prove himself to Gu An.


    More than ninety years ago, he had witnessed An Hao''s strength. This was why he was so eager to seek out Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Catching up to An Hao was not going to be easy!


    Xu Jie turned back to Jue Luo Sword Monarch, asking, "Senior, wouldn''t you like to see my swordsmanship?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch replied impatiently, "Not interested."


    Upon hearing this, Xu Jie''s expression became unnatural.


    Suddenly, the sword monarch remembered the valley disciples'' assessment of Xu Jie. He was the pride of Third Medicine Valley; Gu An must be paying attention to him too.


    No, he couldn''t offend Gu An!


    He still wished to become his disciple!


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch looked at Xu Jie and began to scrutinize him.

 Chapter 446 Pure Land Under Heaven

    Xu Jie had been feeling quite stifled, but seeing the Jue Luo Sword Monarch reassessing him, hope rekindled in his heart."Do you want to learn the most superior swordsmanship?" the Jue Luo Sword Monarch asked seriously.


    Upon hearing this, Xu Jie quickly responded, "Of course, I do. Would the senior be willing to teach me?"


    The Jue Luo Sword Monarch raised his right hand, and a piece of silvery-white jade appeared between his fingers. He tossed the jade to Xu Jie, who caught it instinctively.


    "If you can comprehend the swordsmanship contained within this, I will pass on my Sword Dao to you. After that, dominating the Great Heavenly Spirit Land will certainly not be difficult," the Jue Luo Sword Monarch said calmly.


    Upon hearing these words, Xu Jie immediately bent at the waist to bow and thank the Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    The Jue Luo Sword Monarch waved his hand, indicating that Xu Jie could leave.


    Xu Jie didn''t dare to linger and turned to leave.


    Yet, he couldn''t help but glance toward Gu An; he wasn''t foolish. The Jue Luo Sword Monarch had clearly been impatient just moments ago, but after looking at Gu An his attitude changed completely, indicating that it was only because of Gu An''s face that he agreed to impart his swordsmanship to Xu Jie.


    This made Xu Jie''s feelings even more complex.


    He was very grateful to Gu An and even wanted to thank him, but he felt like there was an invisible wall between himself and Gu An that was very difficult to cross.


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An was still standing on Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, deducing fates and cause and effect. He saw many people coming and going at the foot of the mountain ¨C these were visions of the future.


    Inheriting the memories of Yang Xian, his understanding of the Sword Dao and fate was profound. Using the Sword Intent of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain to deduce the future, he could see the shadows of times far away.


    Suddenly.


    He spotted a figure standing still at the foot of the mountain, looking up at him.


    Gu An slightly raised his eyebrows, focusing on the figure, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise.


    He deduced that this figure and Ten Thousand Sword Mountain had the closest connection of fate; this individual would inherit all the Sword Intent of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain and even boost its Qi Fortune.


    He could even deduce the person''s name and identity.


    "A talent like this in the new epoch," Gu An thought to himself, feeling somewhat emotional.


    The talent of this individual in the Sword Dao was extremely terrifying, almost like he was seeing another Yang Xian.


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that this individual''s talent was even stronger than An Hao''s.


    Regrettably, he wasn''t born in the same epoch as An Hao; by the time he came into this world, An Hao had already become the most dazzling sun in the heavens.


    Gu An didn''t keep his focus on this future talent, continuing to deduce the future, not to probe for something, but to increase his own understanding of cause and effect and the way of destiny.


    He stood there the entire day. Although the disciples in the valley were curious about what he was pondering, no one dared to disturb him.


    No matter how Gu An was viewed by the outside world, within Medicine Valley, all the disciples believed he was formidable, and many had even concluded that he was Sword Venerable Fudao. This led to more and more disciples choosing to stay in Medicine Valley after their Foundation Establishment, and those who became masters often returned to visit.


    For this reason, Gu An had established several positions within Medicine Valley to help manage the disciples.


    And An Xin also delineated several other positions, causing Third Medicine Valley to unavoidably form a hierarchy of power, much like a mini Immortal Cultivation World.


    The next morning, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Tianya Valley.


    Over the years, Tianya Valley had expanded, providing a steady income to Gu An''s lifespan. The valley also fostered many talented individuals cultivated by Li Xuandao, who had established good relations with Gu An.


    Gu An loved to mingle with the talented, and no matter what they played, they would not give up easily after losing, always coming back to challenge Gu An.


    While Gu An''s outward Cultivation Level was at the Divinity Transformation Realm, the disciples of Tianya Valley all knew he was very strong.


    The change in demeanor and appearance enabled Gu An to no longer deliberately conceal his strength, though at most he didn''t appear overly strong.


    Currently, his undefeated record in the battles of combat at Tianya Valley made him want to laugh whenever he thought of that prince consort challenging him again.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, too, was looking forward to the upcoming battle of Tianya Valley. He also wanted to see those arrogant individuals suffer setbacks. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An, admiring the scenery along the way, said with a light laugh, "Next Spring Festival I will unseal you. Are you ready?"


    Blood Prison Great Saint didn''t react with too much surprise, as he had long been prepared. In a low voice, he said, "Master, I have been ready. Even if I regain my cultivation level, I will never betray you and will always follow you!"


    He had already begun cultivating the Primordial Reincarnation Skill, and once unsealed, his cultivation level would soar, perhaps achieving Nirvana in one fell swoop!


    Gu An laughed, "Cultivate well in the future; your strength also represents my face."


    These words instantly excited Blood Prison Great Saint¡ªhe had been waiting for this!


    He wished to always be by Gu An''s side; he had come to realize that those who left, despite their wandering, could hardly compare to those who stayed with Gu An.


    An Hao was an exception. If An Hao had stayed by Gu An''s side, his achievements would have only been greater.


    And he felt that, in the future, there would definitely be individuals who would appear with even greater talent than An Hao.


    "Master, rest assured, I will cultivate hard. I''ll first set An Hao as my goal!" Blood Prison Great Saint said excitedly, trembling all over.


    Gu An said no more, letting him continue on.


    In the following journey, Blood Prison Great Saint felt as if he was floating, his thoughts lost in boundless imagination.


    ...


    Autumn arrived.


    At the Supreme Sect''s sub-sect, within Ye Mansion.


    Gu An sat at a table sipping tea, watching Ye Lan instruct a young girl in the ways of spellcraft. The autumn breeze blew into the courtyard, making everything seem perfect.


    Ye Lan turned to Gu An and asked, "Senior brother, do you have anything to say?"


    The practicing girl cast a doubtful glance at Gu An. She had always been skeptical about this senior uncle.


    Her master said that her senior uncle was very strong, but she couldn''t help feeling that he only seemed handsome rather than formidable.


    Gu An responded with a smile, "You''re teaching quite well. I''ve nothing to say."


    "I''m nowhere near your level. The constant emergence of geniuses from the Third Medicine Valley is widely known. Your ability to instruct disciples is incomparable to ordinary people," Ye Lan said, shaking her head. She was sincere; there was no need for her to flatter given the relationship she had with Gu An.


    Gu An replied, "It''s all due to the disciple''s hard work; it doesn''t have much to do with me."


    He wasn''t interested in the disciple Ye Lan had recently taken on. The girl''s maximum life span was around three thousand years¡ªconsidered a prodigy, indeed¡ªbut now, a true talent was approaching the Supreme Sect''s sub-sect.


    Zhu Xi!


    That ultra-talented individual with the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body!


    Gu An had been keeping an eye on her, witnessing her crossing the ocean to reach the Taicang Continent.


    She came to the Taicang Continent because she had heard it was one of the few pure lands left in the world, and she wanted to cultivate in peace under the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    She had previously received the Stepping Path of Ages Step from Gu An, and now she had made some progress, being able to use it in battle. Although in Gu An''s view, her Stepping Path of Ages Step was rather unrefined, this Divine Skill was difficult to cultivate. To be able to master it and employ it in combat at less than six hundred years of age, her aptitude was definitely terrifying.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Ye Lan couldn''t help but pout. She could see that Gu An was not interested in her disciple, Ye Qingxue.


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    Indeed, compared with a talent like Xu Jie, Ye Qingxue did indeed seem mediocre.

 Chapter 447 Immortal Creation

    Ye Qingxue felt quite disgruntled as she listened to her master heap praise upon Gu An; despite having only met Gu An a few times, she spent all day and night with her master.In her eyes, her master was strict and decisive, wielding tremendous power, the strongest woman she had ever seen.


    She too wanted to become a female cultivator like Ye Lan.


    It was precisely because of this that it was particularly unpleasant for her to watch Ye Lan ingratiate herself with Gu An, but she dared not show her anger in front of her master.


    [Ye Qingxue feels hostility towards you and wants to beat you up. Do you wish to perform a Life Span Detection on her?]


    A notification appeared before Gu An''s eyes, causing him to pause. He couldn''t help but glance at Ye Qingxue.


    Ye Qingxue was staring at Gu An, but as soon as she met his gaze, she quickly turned her head away, her face and even her ear tips flushed red as though they were about to bleed.


    Gu An shook his head with a smile, not taking her seriously.


    What would be the point of taking issue with a fourteen-year-old child?


    If it wasn''t murderous intent, he was too lazy to care about it.


    He dealt with people daily; naturally, some would be dissatisfied with him. It didn''t mean he should kill anyone who harbored dissatisfaction towards him.


    Ye Lan had no idea what Ye Qingxue was thinking. After giving her a few words of advice, she walked over to Gu An.


    Considering it was rare for Gu An to visit, Ye Lan was preoccupied with him, even thinking that Ye Qingxue was somewhat in the way.


    Seeing her come over, Gu An stopped paying attention to Zhu Xi and focused on chatting with Ye Lan.


    An hour later, Ye Qingxue took her leave.


    Once her presence had faded, Ye Lan could no longer contain herself and pounced on Gu An.


    "Be careful about the impression you''re making. What if your disciple comes back?"


    "What about it? I''m not afraid of anyone knowing."


    "You''re a Law Enforcement Elder now; you should be mindful of the impact!"


    "If it means losing my position as a Law Enforcement Elder, then so be it. I miss you so much, Elder Brother..."


    "You can''t touch there..."


    "Elder Brother, you smell so good!"


    The autumn wind swept away the dead leaves from the trees; the leaves, once they fell to the ground, seemed unwilling to give up and fluttered in the air, struggling for a long time before finally landing helplessly in the corner of the wall.


    ...


    In a dimly lit grand hall, countless figures were scattered around, humans and demons alike, all wrapped in Demonic Qi, making for a terrifying sight.


    All their gazes were fixed forward, on a stone platform suspended a red and purple orb of light, displaying a silhouette. This figure seemed to sit lazily on a throne made of bones, as if in another world.


    He too was surrounded by Demonic Qi, covered in thick armor, and at his feet lay a black lion with a ferocious face, three tails, each tail ending in a snake''s head, hissing with tongues flickering.


    He was the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, the ruler of the Heavenly Demon clan, and the mastermind behind the Sky Demon Great Sect.


    "So you''re saying, you''re also unclear about who''s pulling the strings behind the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty?"


    The voice of the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor emanated from within the orb; his tone was icy cold, quieting every Heavenly Demon in the hall.


    The black-robed elder at the forefront spoke up, "Your Majesty, the opponent hails from Xuan You, the Reincarnation Land, and indeed we cannot discern any concrete information from the mortal world."


    The others concurred; over the years, they had sent many spies and even turned some people from the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty, yet they were constantly unable to gather useful intelligence.


    The Heavenly Demon Great Emperor fell silent for a while before speaking, "What is the stance of the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty then?"


    A woman in red responded, "They wish to gather the souls of the dead. They want all beings in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land to perish, which, in a sense, aligns with our intentions because we too wish to destroy the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    The fingers of the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor began to tap on the armrest, adorned with skulls¡ªthe tapping sounds chiiling everyone in the hall into silence.


    After a long while.


    The Heavenly Demon Great Emperor finally spoke, "If that''s the case, then let us fully unleash the great calamity upon the world, and let the Great Heavenly Spirit Land feel despair ahead of time."


    As his words fell, the three-tailed black lion at his feet howled upwards, its roar deafening.


    The Heavenly Demons in the hall kneeled, silent, all staring fervently at the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor.


    ...


    As the year came to a close, with snow covering the Great Heaven and Earth, soon to melt, the Supreme Sect began preparations for the Spring festival.


    The Third Medicine Valley was also in the midst of preparing for the Spring festival. Unlike previous years, it was said that Gu An was planning a grand celebration, much to the anticipation of the disciples.


    "Come on, tell me, what are you up to?" Shen Zhen urged Gu An, looking quite beautiful today in a white dress and a silver jade phoenix crown, embodying elegance and nobility.


    As Gu An was writing, he casually responded, "You''ll know when the time comes."


    This made Shen Zhen even more curious, but no matter how much she pressed him, Gu An simply wouldn''t spill the beans.


    Feeling it futile, Shen Zhen stood up to leave.


    It wasn''t long after her departure that Wu Jue arrived, also inquiring about Gu An''s preparations.


    Now that Gu An was linked with Sword Venerable Fudao, every word and action of his was the center of attention. Rumors of his preparing a grand celebration had the higher echelons of the sect abuzz.


    More and more of the upper-level members were convinced that Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao; if Sword Venerable Fudao was planning a celebration, how could they not be concerned?


    Nevertheless, Gu An still did not reveal the truth, leaving Wu Jue to depart in frustration.


    In the following time, a stream of visitors came to see Gu An.


    Down at the pavilion.


    Long Qing, holding a wooden stick, looked up at the second floor and asked Blood Prison Great Saint, "You''re guarding master every day, do you have any insider news?"


    Blood Prison Great Saint lay on the ground and glanced at him, ignoring the question.


    Long Qing squatted down, pulling out a White Jade Bottle from his storage bag, whispering in a mysterious tone, "This is Heart-Cleansing Jade Honey, exceedingly rare. I have only two bottles, and I''m sharing one with you."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint opened his eyes and revealed a smile, saying, "You''ve put in some thought, kid, so I''ll give you a hint. The Master wants to create an Immortal Realm existence, right here in the valley, in the Third Medicine Valley."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing''s eyes widened, and his heartbeat quickened. He carefully asked, "Master, whom will you choose?"


    "I have no idea," replied the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Using his Divine Sense to open the bottle, the Blood Prison Great Saint drew out the liquid and swallowed it in one gulp. His bovine eyes then bent into a smile, clearly pleased.


    Long Qing stood up and turned to look towards the second floor, his imagination beginning to run wild.


    As the Spring Festival drew near, the grapevine buzzed with news that Sword Venerable Fudao of the Supreme Sect was about to create an Immortal Path Realm existence.


    The higher ranks of the Supreme Sect kept the news from the ears of the disciples of various departments within the sect, suppressing the information. Once they had finished arranging the Spring Festival affairs for the Supreme Sect, they hurried over, eager to join the excitement.


    As noon approached,


    Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian entered the valley and was taken aback by the bustling scene. Find exclusive stories on empire


    So many people!


    He even noticed that the big shots from the families had arrived faster than him.


    While pondering this, he went up to greet them. Even as Vice Sect Leader, he still needed to greet those Great Cultivators proactively.


    At the entrance of the valley,


    several Cultivators arrived, including Zhu Xi.


    Dressed in azure garments, Zhu Xi was curiously looking over the Third Medicine Valley.


    Having first visited the Supreme Sect''s sub-sect to learn about the relationship between the Supreme Sect and Sword Venerable Fudao, she wanted to establish herself there. Thus, she came to the main sect. After some inquiries, the Third Medicine Valley became her first choice; to be precise, it was the first choice for most new disciples entering the sect.


    However, entering the Third Medicine Valley wasn''t so easy now. Zhu Xi had barely managed to get the opportunity to visit the Third Medicine Valley for the festival by giving gifts.


    Walking ahead of her was an Elder from the Book Collection Hall, brimming with excitement as if he were introducing his own domain. He was introducing the Third Medicine Valley.


    He was on good terms with Gu An, making him feel sort of at home here.


    Zhu Xi was curious about the Valley Master Gu An. She had heard that this Valley Master was a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao, who didn''t compete or fight over matters, was amiable with others, and was more than willing to train disciples. Inside the Supreme Sect, Gu An had an excellent reputation; Zhu Xi hadn''t heard a bad word about him.


    Traveling the world for hundreds of years, it was the first time she heard of such a remarkable person. Coupled with the earth-shattering exploits of Sword Venerable Fudao, she was looking forward to meeting Gu An.


    Zhu Xi looked around, curious about everything inside the Third Medicine Valley.


    As they approached the dojo, An Xin suddenly approached.


    The Elder from the Book Collection Hall greeted An Xin warmly. Gu An had introduced An Xin to all his contacts within the Supreme Sect, and they were all aware of Gu An''s attitude towards An Xin, so everyone treated An Xin warmly.


    "Today, Elder Li, we must have a good drink, not returning until we''re drunk. My master often talks about you," said An Xin with a bow and a hearty laugh.


    These words made Elder Li feel quite comfortable, his spine straightening up. He pinched his beard and glanced at the disciples beside him, who looked up to him in admiration.


    An Xin turned her gaze to Zhu Xi and asked with a smile, "May I ask if you are Zhu Xi, Miss Zhu?"


    Stunned, Zhu Xi and the others, including Elder Li, looked at her in surprise.


    "I am, what about it?" Zhu Xi asked cautiously. While she was a Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm and hid even greater strength, she was very cautious within the Supreme Sect. It was her survival instinct.


    "Don''t be nervous," An Xin said with a smile. "My master told me to take good care of you; he knew you would come."


    "Your master?"


    Zhu Xi grew even more nervous. She had encountered many Great Cultivators who could divine destiny, and she always kept her distance from such entities to avoid trouble.


    An Xin nodded and said, "My master is the Valley Master. Come on, I''ll take you to settle in."


    After saying this, she bowed to Elder Li, excusing herself.


    Under everyone''s watchful gaze, Zhu Xi didn''t dare to flee and had no choice but to follow An Xin reluctantly.


    Elder Li and his disciples were astonished. Zhu Xi had such a connection?


    Suddenly, Elder Li felt the medicinal herbs he had collected for Gu An were a bit hot to handle. But thinking of Gu An''s smiling face, he calmed down again. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An wasn''t a petty person; at worst, he would return the herbs.


    Yes, that''s it. He could also prepare a gift for Zhu Xi and take the opportunity to apologize to Gu An, thereby increasing his chances for more interaction.


    A smile spread across Elder Li''s face as he suddenly found Zhu Xi rather agreeable.


    On the other side,


    Zhu Xi couldn''t help but ask why Gu An was looking for her, but An Xin said she didn''t know either.


    "You don''t have to worry. If my master has noticed you, it must mean he has a good impression of you. Maybe he will even take you as his disciple. Just settle in comfortably as if it was your own home, and if you encounter any problems in the future, you can come to me. I forgot to tell you, I am the head disciple of the valley and in charge of everything," An Xin said, turning her head towards Zhu Xi with a gentle smile.


    Zhu Xi was touched by her smile, warming up to her and feeling her stress dissipate.


    With such a kind personality, the Valley Master might indeed be a rare good person.


    Zhu Xi thought to herself. Although An Xin''s Cultivation Level was only at the Nascent Soul Realm, she didn''t look down on her. Instead, Zhu Xi wanted to deepen their friendship.


    An Xin thought to herself, "She doesn''t seem to recognize my master. Could she be the offspring of one of my master''s old friends?"


    She did not think of Zhu Xi as a genius. When she said Gu An might take Zhu Xi as a disciple, it was just a habit of making big promises, something she learned from Gu An. A few kind words didn''t cost anything, and maybe she could forge a closer relationship.


    The two women chatted warmly as they proceeded.


    Underneath an old tree, Jue Luo Sword Monarch stood up, looking at the commotion in the distance, and muttered, "Such clamor!"


    Suddenly, he caught sight of someone, causing him to exclaim in surprise.


    It was a white-haired old man, leaning on a cane in one hand and resting the other on his waist, just entering the valley and looking around.


    "The Free Immortal... Reincarnation Tribulation... This aura feels so familiar, as if I''ve seen it somewhere." Jue Luo Sword Monarch pondered to himself, his eyes fixed on the white-haired old man.


    The white-haired old man seemed to sense something, turned his head to look, and when he saw Jue Luo Sword Monarch, his white eyebrows furrowed.

 Chapter 448 The Strongest Sword Dao

    Stay tuned with empire"Da Hong Sword Heaven''s Sword Intent¡­"


    The white-robed elder gazed at Jue Luo Sword Monarch, contemplating with astonishment.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch also fixed his eyes on him, their gazes locked, and both could see the wariness in each other''s eyes.


    The white-robed elder quickly shifted his gaze away and continued onward.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch had no intention of picking a fight either, after all, they bore no grudges against each other.


    During the Reincarnation Tribulation, he would often encounter other Free Immortals; if he were to confront each one, even Da Hong Sword Heaven might not be able to protect him.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch headed toward Ten Thousand Sword Mountain.


    The number of visitors to the Third Medicine Valley was increasing, and Ten Thousand Sword Mountain had also become a spectacle that many people came to observe. An Xin had already arranged for hundreds of disciples to guard the perimeter of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, to prevent outsiders from trespassing.


    "There can be no mistake about the Sword Intent on this mountain, it''s definitely Sword Venerable Fudao''s!"


    "With such an abundance of Sword Intent and each one distinct upon careful observation, what could the old Sword Venerable be trying to do?"


    "Perhaps he''s creating a land of inheritance."


    "This mountain is too lowly for someone like him. The Sect Leader should assist in building a taller one."


    "That makes sense. Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Dao deserves the tallest mountain in the world."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch arrived and heard the discussions, his lips twitching involuntarily.


    He wasn''t angry that people said Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Dao was the strongest; he was merely amazed at the shamelessness of these mortals. Trying to attract the attention of Sword Venerable Fudao with such tactics?


    Ridiculous!


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch came to the back of the crowd and spoke up, "It''s not about the height of the mountain. Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Dao is indeed the strongest. But precisely because he is so powerful, even if he were to place just one sword anywhere, it would suppress all Sword Dao in the world and command respect from all beings."


    Upon these words, everybody looked his way, while those who had just been flattering Sword Venerable Fudao inwardly gasped in surprise.


    Another expert?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch stood tall and proud, continuing to describe just how powerful Sword Venerable Fudao''s Sword Dao was.


    Inside the house, Gu An couldn''t help but smirk, finding the man''s words quite pleasing to the ear.


    He also understood Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s intentions, but he would not take him as a disciple.


    It would mess up the seniority!


    However, giving pointers on Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s Sword Dao was an option.


    Gu An put down his pen, stood up, and prepared to meet people. With so many important figures present, he couldn''t stay cooped up and risk being impolite. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, the most important thing was he couldn''t miss such an excellent opportunity to make a grand appearance!


    Gu An quickly tidied up the desk and then descended the stairs.


    He threw a glance at Blood Prison Great Saint, who immediately rose and scuttled after him.


    Along the way, numerous cultivators and disciples greeted Gu An, and he responded with a smile to each one.


    Elsewhere.


    Zhu Xi stepped out of the courtyard arranged for her by An Xin, wanting to stroll around.


    Even from a great distance, she could see the star-like crowd around Gu An, extremely conspicuous. When she recognized his true face, she was taken aback.


    "How could it be him¡­"


    Zhu Xi couldn''t forget the enigmatic senior she had met on Mortal World Peak, initially thinking he had been toying with her. However, after she began cultivating the Stepping Path of Ages Step, she came to understand the formidable power of this Divine Skill.


    Even after hundreds of years, she had not encountered a more potent skill than the Stepping Path of Ages Step.


    At that moment, she suddenly relaxed.


    If it were this senior, perhaps he truly intended to take her as a disciple.


    Previously, she thought that Gu An wanted to scheme against her, but now that she knew he was Sword Venerable Fudao, her worries evaporated like smoke and clouds.


    She saw Gu An nodding to her with a smile, which flattered and startled her, so she hurriedly lifted her hand in salute.


    Gu An did not approach but was escorted by the crowd toward the dojo, which made Zhu Xi breathe a sigh of relief. Facing Gu An in public still put a lot of pressure on her.


    Now, she began to look forward to the upcoming life in Medicine Valley and the grand ceremony mentioned by the disciples of the valley.


    "Gu An, up to this point, are you still unwilling to reveal who you are making an Immortal?" Lv Baitian asked with a smile as he walked beside Gu An.


    The others followed with teasing comments. Although they were jesting with Gu An, they all maintained proper decorum, not daring to offend him.


    Gu An pretended to be astonished and asked, "How did you all find out?"


    "The news has already spread. Come on, tell me, who are you helping to become an immortal? Is it your disciple?" Lv Baitian urged.


    Even the current Supreme Sect, when faced with the Immortal Path Realm, must make every effort to win them over.


    The most crucial point was that Gu An was creating an Immortal, which holds a fatal attraction for a Sect.


    If they could create one Immortal, they could create a second and third.


    Moreover, they all felt that Gu An was about to elevate someone to Immortality in one go, not just giving them an opportunity to grow gradually.


    Gu An laughed and said, "The ancient hour is nearly upon us, don''t worry."


    Lv Baitian was not content, but alas, no matter how much he pressed, Gu An refused to give an answer.


    A figure flew from the horizon and swiftly landed in front of Gu An. It was none other than Lv Xian.


    Wearing a vestment robe crafted by Li Xuandao, Lv Xian had an impressive demeanor, like an Immortal Lord descending to the Mortal World, causing the surrounding cultivators to subconsciously make way.


    When Lv Baitian saw him, his eyes lit up, wondering if Gu An was about to elevate his son.


    That would be fantastic!


    "Gu An, come with me. Let''s talk. What''s there to discuss with these old geezers?" Lv Xian spoke disrespectfully, immediately causing quite a few people to frown.


    Lv Baitian frowned and said sternly, "Presumptuous! Have you not learned any manners following Li Xuandao?"


    As the crowd used sound transmission to communicate, their displeasure dissipated upon learning that Lv Xian was Lv Baitian''s son.


    Lv Xian''s fame was no small matter, and he was among the top talents of the Supreme Sect.


    Lv Xian, who had already reached the Mahayana Realm, had a presence even stronger than that of an ordinary Mahayana cultivator.


    Lv Xian ignored Lv Baitian, grabbed Gu An, and started walking outside. Gu An could only apologize to the others before following Lv Xian away.


    After they left, the crowd began to congratulate Lv Baitian. Although he gestured for them not to speculate wildly, the smile on his face could hardly be concealed.


    An ancient hour later.


    Everyone gathered in the bustling loft area of the Third Medicine Valley. Gu An stood on a hastily built platform, addressing the crowd.


    Looking down from the platform, the place was bursting with people.


    Zhu Xi, Xu Jie, Wu Jue, Shen Zhen, and others were also among the crowd, curious to see how Gu An would create an Immortal.


    "I have prepared a grand ceremony for this Spring Festival. I thought I had hidden it well, but the news somehow spread. Yes, I am creating an Immortal," Gu An said with a smile, followed by good-natured laughter from below. Long Qing maintained a solemn face, pretending not to know who leaked the news.


    "Today, I want you all to witness the process of Transcendence and hope it helps with your future cultivation," Gu An stated earnestly as he scanned the crowd.


    He saw Ji Xiaoyu staring at him and even deliberately winked at her. Unfortunately, she did not respond.


    At this moment, Ji Xiaoyu was simply curious about how Gu An was going to create an Immortal. She even wished he would just start and spare them the idle chat.


    Gu An spoke at length before finally getting to the point. He simply said, "Bull Demon King."


    As soon as his words ended, the Blood Prison Great Saint immediately leaped onto the stage from the side, proudly stepping towards Gu An, enjoying everyone''s gaze.


    The crowd below paid no attention to the Blood Prison Great Saint, assuming Gu An had called him up for something unrelated to Immortal Creation. After all, what did a Core Formation Realm demon creature have to do with becoming an Immortal?

 Chapter 449 Is There a Second Person in the World?

    Blood Prison Great Saint arrived before Gu An and reverently knelt down, as if he were about to prostrate himself.Seeing him maintaining such an attitude at this time warmed Gu An''s heart.


    His efforts in raising him had not been in vain!


    "His name is Bull Demon King, huh? Don''t tell me there''s also a Sun Wukong?"


    "Ha-ha-ha! Don''t underestimate him; he''s quite cunning."


    "Indeed, when I first touched his horns, he wanted to retaliate against me!"


    "Shush, you can''t speak about such things."


    "Why would you send a bull to do it, to kill him as a part of the celebration for Immortal Creation?"


    The cultivators and disciples below spectated and speculated, some comments stirring the Blood Prison Great Saint''s fur to stand on end in anger.


    Gu An didn''t mind it, for the Blood Prison Great Saint''s attitude was inseparable from his own harsh words; aside from Gu An, nobody liked them, much like the White Spirit Rat.


    It was time to begin!


    That''s what Gu An thought, his eyes turning fierce.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Gu An took out the Fate Determining Pen, allowing it to spin in his hand before gripping it firmly, the tip pointed at Blood Prison Great Saint. Everyone''s gaze followed suit, falling upon Blood Prison Great Saint, unsure of what Gu An was about to do. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Today, I shall let my mount transform into the Immortal Realm, everyone, watch closely."


    Gu An''s voice sounded, echoing through the Third Medicine Valley.


    Upon hearing this, everyone''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    He intends to elevate this demon bull to the Immortal Realm?


    Impossible!


    In that moment, even Jue Luo Sword Monarch and the white-robed elder furrowed their brows. Ji Xiaoyu and Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor likewise found it unbelievable. Their higher realms of existence made them acutely aware of how difficult it was to leap from the Core Formation Realm to the Nirvana Realm; even with great powers pouring in their essence or imparting cultivation levels, it was impossible!


    No matter how they looked at it, Blood Prison Great Saint didn''t seem like a Great Power reincarnated; there were no traces of Reincarnation Tribulation''s cause and effect, nor any signs of a hidden stronger cultivation level.


    Lv Baitian was stunned, even found it ridiculous.


    Could this uncultured bull also achieve immortality?


    The crowd below fell silent, and before anyone could react, Gu An wielded his pen, sprinkling ink onto the Body of Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Instantly, the seal of Path of Returning Primordial Spirit within Blood Prison Great Saint dissipated, and he felt that long-lost power surge through him.


    His entire bovine body ignited!


    Primordial Reincarnation Skill, release!


    Blood Prison Great Saint roared inwardly; as he just released his Mahayana Realm aura, his cultivation level skyrocketed, causing his presence to burst forth like a flood breaking free, reaching the heavens.


    Boom¡ª


    A terrifying aura erupted from within him, forming a pillar of flames that shot into the clouds, dispersing the accumulating mists and spreading fiery waves across the sky, plunging the Third Medicine Valley quickly into crimson.


    Everyone looked up, even Jue Luo Sword Monarch unable to remain composed.


    "How is this possible¡­"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s pupils quivered, a storm raging in his heart.


    Judging by Blood Prison Great Saint''s surging aura, this demon was likely to surpass the Nirvana Realm!


    From the Core Formation Realm to a Loose Immortal in one go?


    How could this be?


    The path of cultivation could allow this?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch glanced again at Blood Prison Great Saint atop the platform; still, he detected no hint of Reincarnation causality.


    Could this rascal have concealed his cultivation level?


    But that shouldn''t be possible either!


    How could he not see even the slightest clue?


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s mind was in turmoil. The white-robed elder still trapped within the Reincarnation Tribulation also watched Blood Prison Great Saint in astonishment.


    "Your Majesty, this is¡­" Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor turned to Ji Xiaoyu beside him, hoping she could provide an explanation.


    Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath, slowly exhaling a phrase, "Baffling indeed; such fortuity is beyond our comprehension."


    Xu Jie, who also had encountered Blood Prison Great Saint, stood dumbfounded.


    He, too, had dealt with Blood Prison Great Saint. Gu An had wanted to prove himself because Blood Prison Great Saint scoffed at his genius demeanor, telling him that for all his talent, there were countless others far more formidable than him.


    So, Xu Jie thought Gu An looked down upon him and had Blood Prison Great Saint convey that attitude.


    Now as he looked at Blood Prison Great Saint again, it suddenly dawned on him that Blood Prison Great Saint hadn''t lied¡ªthe Nirvana Realm seemed an eternity away for him, no matter how talented he was.


    Gu An had easily created an Immortal Realm entity, plunging him into a sea of boundless confusion.


    Was he truly not a genius? Was he just better than the disciples of the Supreme Sect, amounting to nothing in reality?


    Another genius remained stunned¡ªZhu Xi.


    She considered herself well-informed, yet she had never heard of such a feat.


    How did he do it?


    How profound was his Dao Level?


    Lv Xian, after a brief shock, became excited, clenching his fists as though he were the one making a breakthrough.


    He was amazed by Gu An''s methods, but the thought of being the only talent Gu An acknowledged made him glow with pride.


    Even with the capability to create immortals at will, Gu An still recognized his talent¡ªwhat did that mean?


    Lv Xian''s self-confidence soared; he puffed out his chest and began to look down on others with laughter.


    "Could he truly be Sword Venerable Fudao?"


    Wu Jue''s eyes widened, his body stiffened to rigidity.


    He had worked so hard for his Dao Level, only to have it surpassed by the Blood Prison Great Saint in an instant, which made him question his life.


    Shen Zhen''s gaze shone brightly as she stared at Gu An, her eyes filled with infatuation.


    She most admired the Sword Venerable Fudao, and her favorite peer and friend was Gu An. Even without the identity of Sword Venerable Fudao, she sincerely admired Gu An''s talent.


    When Gu An''s identity coincided with that of Sword Venerable Fudao, Shen Zhen''s admiration and fondness for Gu An reached its peak.


    The imposing aura of the Blood Prison Great Saint whipped up a gale that fluttered Gu An''s robe and hair; he turned his head to look at the Blood Prison Great Saint, the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.


    This scene, witnessed by the crowd below, made him seem so vigorous and high-spirited.


    Could there be a second person in the world capable of ''scribing immortals''?


    Everyone was shocked by Gu An''s methods, and the aura of the Blood Prison Great Saint disturbed the entire Supreme Sect, as more and more cultivators flew toward the Third Medicine Valley.


    Ji Hantian came back to his senses and immediately went to stop other disciples from coming.


    Gu An''s methods were too unfathomable, and he felt they should not be exposed.


    Not only did he think this, but Lv Baitian and the other higher-ups shared the same view.


    If news of this were to spread, could the disciples continue to cultivate peacefully? Continue your journey on empire


    Surely a large number of disciples would come seeking Gu An''s favor upon hearing the news, and other sects would go crazy trying to please Gu An.


    Lv Baitian also flew into the sky to take charge of the situation.


    He turned his head in the air and looked toward Gu An standing on the platform, whose presence could not be overshadowed by the Blood Prison Great Saint''s imposing aura.


    Lv Baitian suddenly felt a bit dazed.


    He felt that the Supreme Sect could not retain Gu An, nor were they worthy of him.


    Without Sword Venerable Fudao, how many times would the Supreme Sect have been destroyed by now?


    Thinking this, Lv Baitian suddenly felt relieved.


    Why continue to suppress?


    Such an extraordinary event surely could not be hidden.


    "Gu An, do you disdain the position of Sect Leader because you will live longer than the Supreme Sect?" Lv Baitian looked at Gu An and sighed softly, his voice so low as if only he could hear it.


    Thunderous clouds rolled in from the horizon, gathering above his head, accumulating Heavenly Might, and casting a quick darkness over the land and sky.


    Amid the vast and mighty aura, the Blood Prison Great Saint slowly stood up, his fur bursting apart, his form changing; a blood-red robe appeared out of nowhere, wrapping around the bull''s body before it had fully shape-shifted, aiding its transformation into human form.


    The bull''s head shrank rapidly, revealing a handsome and unruly face, his arrogance even more pronounced than that of An Hao and Lv Xian.


    The once invincible Blood Prison Great Saint, who had dominated his own Great Heaven and Earth, had returned!


    Underneath the Mystic Pure Tree, a plump White Spirit Rat held a fruit, staring blankly at the figure of the Blood Prison Great Saint; the fruit fell to the ground unnoticed.


    An Xin stood at the edge of the platform, looking at the true form of the Blood Prison Great Saint and secretly marveled, "So this is what he looks like? Or is he imitating Master?"


    "But no matter how I look at it, Master is more handsome. Even with that bull''s head donning a handsome appearance, it still seems punchable."


    Feeling the quickly intensifying aura of the Blood Prison Great Saint, An Xin''s competitive spirit was spurred.


    One day, she would become stronger than the Blood Prison Great Saint, and she would even surpass her senior brother, An Hao!


    The Heavenly Tribulation was about to arrive, and all the people in the valley were not frightened by its might; they all stared blankly at the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    It was unclear who spoke first, but the Third Medicine Valley instantly became like a pot boiling over, the clamor bursting forth, threatening to overturn the heavens.


    "How is that possible? Has the demon bull really become an immortal?"


    "He is not just a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao; he is Sword Venerable Fudao!"


    "My heavens! How did he do it? Could it be that this bull was always an immortal?"


    "Immortal my ass, I''ve known the Bull Demon King for five hundred years, watching him nap every day; can an immortal do that?"


    "That''s right, this bull has indeed been around for a long time, not just a recent appearance."


    Everyone was immensely excited, fervently discussing the Blood Prison Great Saint and Gu An.


    Gu An''s gaze turned towards the heavens, sensing a powerful presence rushing from the Silent Destruction Domain.


    It was the aura of the Heavenly Demon, stronger than the Jue Luo Sword Monarch, truly half a step into the Tao Fruit Realm!


    "The Heavenly Demon Emperor... interesting."


    Gu An''s eyes sparkled, his thoughts playful.


    ...


    In the dim great hall, the sickly green candlelight flickered as if demons were baring their fangs and brandishing their claws.


    The Annihilation God Emperor sat cross-legged on a large cauldron, surrounded by a misty fog that faintly revealed swirling ghosts.


    His face remained pitch black as if a black hole, his true features unseen.


    "Come in."


    The Annihilation God Emperor spoke, his tone indifferent.


    As his words fell, a surge of demonic Qi bubbled from the darkness ahead, quickly approaching him.


    It was the Heavenly Demon Emperor!


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor stood in front of the cauldron, looking up at the Annihilation God Emperor perched above, and asked, "Divine Emperor, are you waiting for a descendant of the Dragon Clan?"


    "Um."


    The Annihilation God Emperor responded with a hum, his seated posture revealing nothing of his emotions.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor asked, "If you suspect that person is in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, why not eradicate the Great Heaven and Earth directly? Wouldn''t trading the lives of all its beings for the peace of the vast cosmos be worthwhile?"


    The Annihilation God Emperor''s head tilted slightly, as if he were looking at the Heavenly Demon Emperor.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor was not afraid and continued, "You are not a paragon of virtue, you have destroyed numerous Great Heavens and Earth; could it be that you do not actually wish to kill that person, perhaps even to protect him?"


    "It is said that the Primordial Ancestor of the Dragon Clan was not Emperor Long Xin but his father, who was known as the Emperor of Heavenly Dragon. He founded the Battle Court but swiftly fell. Emperor Long Xin was merely heir to his legacy. Moreover, I heard that Emperor Long Xin was your disciple, is that so?"


    The Annihilation God Emperor fixed his gaze on the Heavenly Demon Emperor and said, "Heavenly Demon Emperor, though you have become an emperor, are you sure you want to provoke me?"

 Chapter 450 Chaos Heavenly Dao, Demon God Xuanhuang

    Facing the threat of the Annihilation God Emperor, the Heavenly Demon Emperor showed a smile and said, "Divine Emperor, you should understand my meaning¡ªif not for your promotion, how could I have today? It is because of this kindness that I wish to remind you of the cost of doing this."The Annihilation God Emperor looked down at him and asked, "Have you already defected to the Battle Court?"


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor replied, "The Disaster Demon Emperor did indeed seek me out, but the Battle Court cannot cross the Boundary Gate, and I have no need to defect. However, you are different; you don''t belong to this universe and will leave sooner or later."


    The Annihilation God Emperor fell silent.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor''s eyes flickered as he said, "Why don''t I help you eliminate that person, so you won''t be seen as having failed Emperor Long Xin?"


    Boom! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A terrifying aura burst forth from the Annihilation God Emperor''s body, continuously impacting the Heavenly Demon Emperor and causing the Demonic Qi around him to disintegrate and reconvene.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor slightly bowed his head, his face cast into darkness.


    Discover stories at empire


    "It seems you are not sure you can eradicate the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and you want to rely on my strength," the Annihilation God Emperor''s voice sounded.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor took a deep breath and said, "Our Sky Demon Clan''s existence is to eradicate the Great Heaven and Earth of the Heavenly Dao; it is our clan''s mission. If I do not do it, sooner or later I will turn to dust, and my path will be in vain. Nowadays, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land has the power of Xuan You, the Sword Dao of Da Hong Sword Heaven, and the unknown origin of the Free Immortal. I indeed do not have absolute confidence. Divine Emperor, although you have transcended, you still belong to the chaos; such a stance destines you to be incompatible with the creatures of the Heavenly Dao. The descendants of the Dragon Clan, by leveraging Reincarnation and entering the Heavenly Dao, have already stood against you."


    The Annihilation God Emperor retracted his aura, thought for a moment, and raised his right hand, gesturing slightly. A towering figure appeared from the darkness behind him, shrouded in flickering flames, its true face impossible to see.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor''s expression changed at the sight of this figure; he couldn''t help but exclaim, "Demon God Xuanhuang, how is it possible... How did you bring him..."


    The Annihilation God Emperor did not reply, but gently waved his hand. The Demon God Xuanhuang opened a pair of eyes that resembled two suns of divine might, filled with an oppressing presence.


    In front of these eyes, the Heavenly Demon Emperor seemed as insignificant as dust.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor took a deep breath, and a crazed and fierce expression spread across his face.


    "With this power, the Great Heavenly Spirit Land will surely be eradicated!"


    ...


    The Supreme Sect was basking in the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival, while the Third Medicine Valley had been isolated by a Formation. Within the great formation, the Blood Prison Great Saint was undergoing his Tribulation, with violent heavenly lightning incessantly striking him. He hovered high in the air, twisting his neck without feeling any pain; on the contrary, he felt quite comfortable.


    Gu An stood on a high platform, using his own Daoist Intent to accelerate the Blood Prison Great Saint''s Heavenly Tribulation.


    At this moment, the Blood Prison Great Saint had already stepped into the Loose Immortal Realm, adapting to the changes within his body.


    Everyone in the valley watched this scene, conversing among themselves.


    Invisibly, they each had their own realizations; this was because Gu An''s Daoist Intent enveloped the entire Medicine Valley, letting everyone enjoy it.


    A grand celebration, naturally, couldn''t just be to watch the Blood Prison Great Saint''s breakthrough. Those who came to Medicine Valley were either friends with him or honored guests of the sect, considering it a gift for the Spring Festival.


    Many people believed that the Supreme Sect relied on Sword Venerable Fudao, but Gu An felt that the Supreme Sect also helped him cover up a lot and indeed respected him at the higher levels. Even if there were calculations, they were outside the Third Medicine Valley and did not disturb his quiet cultivation.


    Over a thousand years, the Supreme Sect had experienced bumps and turbulence, but it had always been able to correct its mistakes. Overall, Gu An was quite satisfied with the Supreme Sect, which was why he was willing to offer such a grand gift.


    "The pursuit of Immortal Cultivation and enlightenment are equally important. Many of you are busy with Qi Absorption Cultivation, focusing on becoming stronger, which may become an obsession and lead to inner demons. My mount has been sitting in meditation for years, perceiving the natural world, and that is why he has become an immortal..."


    Gu An''s voice rose, his words clearly reaching every person''s ears, sinking them into contemplation.


    Gu An wasn''t just talking; although the Blood Prison Great Saint''s strength had nothing to do with enlightening the path, perceiving the natural world was also a route, and its potential was higher than that of Qi Absorption Cultivation.


    "If one can attain the Dao, mana will come naturally."


    The majority of cultivators busied themselves with Qi Absorption Cultivation, neglecting the comprehension of nature. Their utilitarian mindset also made them restless, leading to extreme paths.


    What Gu An spoke of was not enlightenment like Wu Jue''s, but rather the comprehension of the Great Dao. The Great Dao is omnipresent, and even a trace of realization is worth more than a thousand years of arduous cultivation.


    Even without enlightenment, occasional meditation could soothe the restlessness in one''s heart, making the journey ahead more stable.


    There is an old Chinese saying that haste makes waste, which also applies to the pursuit of immortality.


    Gu An spoke gently, guiding all the guests with his Dao. Even the strong figures like Jue Luo Sword Monarch and the man in white robe fell into deep thought.


    Xu Jie stood among the crowd, feeling profoundly enlightened.


    In fact, over the years, he felt very impatient, with anger brewing in his heart. If not dispersed, it could become a heart demon in the future.


    Right now, listening to his master''s voice, his heart fell into an unprecedented calm. It was a very comfortable sensation.


    Time flew swiftly.


    With Gu An''s help, the Blood Prison Great Saint''s Tribulation Crossing process was extremely fast.


    As dusk arrived, the Heavenly Tribulation dissipated.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint successfully crossed the Tribulation and became a Loose Immortal Realm first layer being!


    He was able to leap directly over the Nirvana Realm, thanks in large part to the medicinal herbs and elixirs that Gu An had invested in him over the years.


    Feeling the powerful cultivation level of the Loose Immortal Realm, the Blood Prison Great Saint had an urge to let out a long howl, but he restrained himself.


    He descended from the sky and landed in front of Gu An, knelt on one knee, and with a fist in palm, saluted, "Thank you, master, for your grace. I will forever serve by your side!"


    His voice was loud and clear, causing many people to awaken. This public declaration also confirmed that his becoming an immortal was a gift from Gu An.


    The thunderclouds in the sky hadn''t yet dispersed, and the edges of the clouds were tinged with a reddish glow as nightfall approached.


    Gu An helped the Blood Prison Great Saint up and then turned to look at the audience below. Seeing that most of them had already awakened, he raised his hand and smiled, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is the New Year festival, time to drink and be merry!"


    As his words fell, An Xin gestured with a wave of her hand, and a large number of Medicine Valley Disciples started to move.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    Fireworks rose from the mountains at the edge of Medicine Valley, their thunderous sounds awakening everyone still immersed in the contemplation of the heavens and the earth.


    Suddenly awakened, they felt a sense of loss and even wished to recapture their previous experience.


    They started to seriously consider Gu An''s words about comprehending nature.


    The New Year celebration at the Third Medicine Valley officially began, and Gu An, accompanied by the Blood Prison Great Saint, stepped off the stage. He immediately found himself in the spotlight, while many surrounded the Blood Prison Great Saint, lavishing praises and asking him about his experience of becoming immortal.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stood with hands on hips, full of vigor. He spoke openly about the power of a Loose Immortal.


    His gaze turned to the distance, where he fixed his eyes on the White Spirit Rat beneath the Mystic Pure Tree, frightening it so much that it immediately burrowed underground, vanishing from sight.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint cracked a grin, his horned and blood-red hair making him look like an Asura in this world, his smile eerily thrilling.

 Chapter 451 Heavenly Dao Theory

    The Spring Festival at the Third Medicine Valley was a great success, with everyone drinking through the night, sharing stories, and growing closer.Gu An was quite busy that evening, and even though he appeared enthusiastic, he could sense that everyone was acting reserved around him, except for An Xin and Shen Zhen.


    Even Wu Jue had changed from before.


    Perhaps this was the downside of being too powerful.


    Gu An stood by the window, watching his friends leave one after the other.


    The morning sunlight glowed, making his departing friends seem as if they were leaving wrapped in a rosy dawn.


    After a while, Gu An turned back, went to his desk, and began to write about mind-cultivation because last night, Lv Baitian had expressed a desire to establish a method of heart cultivation and disseminate it throughout the Supreme Sect to help its disciples have a firmer path ahead.


    Gu An hence offered many suggestions, such as uniform teaching of cultivation by the master to avoid neglecting any disciples due to a lack of close relations.


    The Supreme Sect no longer needed to intentionally cultivate geniuses; a strong foundation was more important, which required the effort of all disciples.


    A sect with geniuses might not be strong, but a sect where most disciples are outstanding was surely not weak.


    Gu An created a hundred-year cultivation education plan for the Supreme Sect¡ªevery disciple upon entry would unconditionally receive a hundred years of cultivation techniques and spell guidance from the sect unless they violated the rules, ensuring each disciple would possess notable strength and become eligible cultivators.


    Lv Baitian was moved by the plan. Although the investment would be substantial, if successful, the Supreme Sect would undoubtedly become a true Holy Land.


    Of course, the most crucial aspect was that the suggestion came from Sword Venerable Fudao; he believed that no one would dare to obstruct it. If resources were lacking, those families would surely rush to donate, meaning the plan would certainly succeed if they desired it.


    "I wonder how long the Supreme Sect will last, but taking care of the majority of the disciples'' lives is also amassing good karma," Gu An murmured to himself, feeling content.


    He now cared more about intangible things than benefits.


    Having inherited many Reincarnation lives and gained many insights, he wanted to distill insights from his own life.


    The path to the Great Dao is long and full of obstacles, and understanding the Great Dao isn''t something that can be directly enhanced by lifespan, but with the ability to evolve through life, he had more time to comprehend the Great Dao.


    A spring breeze blew in from the window, swaying a green flower on the small altar on the table.


    The green flower trembled, as if years were beckoning, reminding all living beings that youth, once gone, never returns.


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    ...


    Time flies, and a century passed.


    One day, Gu An strolled through the streets of the Outer Gate City, followed by the Blood Prison Great Saint, whose shape-shifted form was tall and imposing, his fierce gaze capturing attention. Yet, many people looked not at him, but at Gu An.


    People greeted Gu An warmly along the way, and he nodded in response, while the disciples who had never met him asked others about him.


    "That''s the Valley Master of the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An. It''s suspected that he''s Swords Venerable Fudao."


    "What? He is the rumored Swords Venerable Fudao?"


    "It''s unclear, but I remember he is supposed to be the disciple of Swords Venerable Fudao; anyhow, he represents him."


    "The hundred-year mentorship was his proposal. You younger generations should thank him. Otherwise, entering the sect without talent would have made pursuing Daoist Sorcery dependent on connections or fighting it out."


    "The hundred-year mentorship was his idea? Then he indeed deserves such treatment; we''ve all benefitted from his grace."


    Wherever Gu An went, nearby people discussed the hundred-year mentorship. The Supreme Sect implemented this initiative swiftly, spreading it throughout the land and overseas. Even disciples from other sects praised the Supreme Sect for the great sect spirit, with some wanting to learn from it, but facing internal resistance. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within the same sect, not all those in power wanted their disciples to prosper, valuing their own interests more. The hundred-year mentorship touched on these interests¡ªhow could they agree?


    For a time, the conflict between families and sects played out everywhere, some resulting in bloodshed, while others had undercurrents.


    The world was still in chaos, but Gu An could not be concerned with the whole world; managing the Supreme Sect was impressive enough.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Lifespan: 1,100/3,391,514,220]


    [Physique: Mixed Yuan Dao Golden Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfect Xuan Yuan Zi Zai Immortal Realm]


    ...


    ```


    Thirty-three billion years of life span!


    Gu An felt very satisfied. Time seemed to be passing faster for him. He did not go to develop or expand Medicine Valley, or to seize more life spans. It had to be done by his original self; puppets and avatars would not suffice. In the absence of hatred, there was no need for him to focus all his energy on seizing life spans.


    Moreover, the bigger his movements, the more likely he would draw greater crises. At present, the increase in his life span satisfied him. He could steadily acquire life span and still have time to enjoy life. Such an immortal cultivation life could not be more wonderful.


    Since the Blood Prison Great Saint had recovered his cultivation level, he began to understand the pleasures Gu An indulged in.


    A mundane life was not necessarily dull, and fighting and killing should not encompass all that immortal cultivation entailed.


    Seeing Gu An enter the Book Collection Hall, the Blood Prison Great Saint didn''t follow him in but instead wandered around in front of the hall''s entrance.


    With long horns on his head and draped in blood-colored hair, his presence attracted attention wherever he went. Though the Supreme Sect had many Demon Clan disciples, few demons possessed such an outstanding and sharp demeanor.


    He unabashedly displayed his Loose Immortal aura, leaving others curious about his cultivation level.


    Within the Supreme Sect, even if one encountered someone from the Immortal Path Realm, disciples would not panic because they believed that no Immortal Path powerhouse would dare cause trouble at the Supreme Sect. They were protected by true Immortal Path supremes.


    This time, Gu An came to the Book Collection Hall not to donate books, but to buy them. The Book Collection Hall was helping him collect rare books from across the world, and he did not refuse.


    With his Dao Level, he could predict outcomes, but he had not done so. He preferred the feeling of flipping through the pages of a book. Even with power surpassing that of Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he kept as many mundane habits as possible.


    Over the years, in addition to the growth of his life span, he had gained a deeper understanding of fate and karma. He could wield two kinds of Heavenly Dao and Great Dao divine skills with even greater might. This was also the benefit of remaining a part of the secular world.


    Compared to deduction, interacting and living among people allowed for a better understanding of others'' emotions and the realization of life.


    When the elders from the Book Collection Hall knew of Gu An''s arrival, they flocked to him, eagerly recommending the rare books each had found. Gu An asked them to present their findings one by one without rush, as he planned to stay for an ancient hour.


    Hearing that Gu An would stay for an ancient hour, everyone calmed down, and the smiles on their faces never faded.


    They began to recommend books in order of their seniority. Gu An listened attentively, but the first few books did not attract him.


    "Brother Gu, this book I have is extraordinary. Its origin is unknown to anyone. It suddenly appeared overseas and has been praised by many. Some say this book can predict the future," said an elder while presenting a blue-covered book mysteriously.


    Gu An looked at the book''s cover and saw three words.


    Heavenly Dao Theory!


    Gu An raised his hand and drew the book into his grasp. The elder was not surprised, accustomed to his methods, and continued to introduce the commotion that Heavenly Dao Theory had caused.


    Gu An was captivated from the first page.


    "Heavenly Dao, all living beings perish for the Heavenly Dao. The Great Dao perishes for the Heavenly Dao!"


    Was this a book criticizing the Heavenly Dao?


    Gu An grew even more curious and continued to flip through, wanting to see how this book could predict the future.


    More than one elder had heard of Heavenly Dao Theory, and according to them, there were only nine true copies of Heavenly Dao Theory. The rest were imitations. To possess Heavenly Dao Theory was to gain extraordinary power, but it could also bring misfortune, leading to death and the annihilation of one''s Dao ¨C an unpredictable revival.


    After a long time.


    Gu An closed the book and smiled, "This book is good. I''ll take it. In the future, if there is more Heavenly Dao Theory, you can keep it for me."


    The elder beamed upon hearing this, patting his chest and readily agreeing.


    He did not request any compensation. To be on good terms with Gu An was the greatest reward.


    To call oneself a friend of Gu An, within the Supreme Sect, who would dare to disrespect him?


    If someone dared to impersonate, cultivators would come knocking on their door. It was said that the Supreme Sect had established a Dark Hall, which included oversight of such matters to prevent anyone from tarnishing the reputations of Gu An or Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An asked them to bring out all the books they had prepared for him. He couldn''t waste their kindness.


    Finally, Gu An left the Book Collection Hall with everyone accompanying him.


    Seeing Gu An emerge, the Blood Prison Great Saint immediately hurried over.


    Gu An glanced at him and said, "You are already a Loose Immortal. Don''t bother with him."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, who had just purchased a curious treasure, gave an awkward smile and coughed, "I was just playing with him. I see him as a kid. Why would I bully him?"


    The ''child'' he referred to was the White Spirit Rat.


    ```

 Chapter 452 Surpassing the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path

    After Gu An spoke up, the Blood Prison Great Saint abandoned his plan to scare the White Spirit Rat. He wasn''t upset; if Gu An cared so much for the White Spirit Rat, he would naturally do the same for him.Gu An continued wandering around the Outer Gate City until dusk, and before leaving, the Blood Prison Great Saint voluntarily transformed into a Bull Demon to carry him away.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had not forgotten his duty as a mount, and although Gu An told him it wasn''t necessary, he insisted on doing it.


    He wasn''t foolish; if Gu An said he didn''t need him to be a bull, and he actually believed it, Gu An could easily find another bull to replace him the next day.


    Gu An was very pleased with the Blood Prison Great Saint''s attitude; he could guess what the Blood Prison Great Saint was thinking.


    Indeed, with Gu An''s current capabilities, finding a mount was easy, and he wouldn''t even have to look for one himself; people would rush to offer one if they saw he needed it.


    Gu An wouldn''t force the Blood Prison Great Saint, but if the Blood Prison Great Saint wanted to stick by him, he wouldn''t reject him either. At least by following him, his efforts wouldn''t be in vain.


    Sitting on the back of the bull, with the breeze on his face, Gu An took out the "Heavenly Dao Theory" again and continued to read.


    Although the book was a copy, through its words, Gu An could feel a special Daoist Intent.


    If it possessed Daoist Intent, it likely meant its creator was in the Tao Fruit Realm.


    There were many Great Heaven and Earth realms beyond the Outer Heaven, and Gu An had even sensed the presence of the Taoist Hidden Immortal, though it was deeply hidden and fleeting. He hadn''t yet encountered the Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The "Heavenly Dao Theory" didn''t just appear by chance. After deducing, Gu An found that it descended around the world in the same year, indicating that some powerful entity had set its sights on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Now there were more than ten Free Immortals within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. They fought subtly in the shadows, and though they occasionally met, they moved their combat to the Outer Heaven without disturbing the world''s situation.


    The emergence of another Taoist Hidden Immortal didn''t worry Gu An; it posed no threat.


    Besides, he had already started planning his next breakthrough.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint wasn''t flying fast. By the time they reached the Third Medicine Valley, the moon had already risen.


    Upon landing, Gu An didn''t go inside; instead, he walked towards a distant courtyard.


    The number of disciples in the Third Medicine Valley exceeding five thousand had forced An Xin to establish a set of criteria for those who wished to stay; thus, nowadays, the real challenge wasn''t finishing one''s training but managing to remain.


    Of course, this set of rules was for new disciples after its implementation, although the older disciples could choose to stay as well, and Gu An still treated them the same as before.


    Along the way, Gu An continuously responded to the disciples'' salutations.


    He arrived at that quiet courtyard, sensing Zhu Xi was cultivating inside.


    He surveyed the courtyard, then walked to the door and raised his hand.


    The door was knocked, and soon Zhu Xi opened it. Seeing Gu An, she immediately bowed.


    "May I come in to chat with you?" Gu An asked with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Zhu Xi hurriedly stepped aside, inviting Gu An inside.


    Having known him for a hundred years, she respected Gu An deeply and wasn''t worried he might harm her.


    She thought that if Gu An were hypocritical, he couldn''t possibly maintain it for so long, especially not a Great Power cultivator interacting with others daily, could he continue to behave with such equality?


    Moreover, from Gu An''s perspective, there was no need to pretend; he could now make the whole world submit to him¡ªwho could stop him?


    Compared to reckless strongmen, Zhu Xi admired Gu An more, a man who could restrain his emotions and desires.


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    Gu An entered the room and noticed Zhu Xi''s room was clean and simple, with no excessive furnishings, and a refreshing fragrance wafted through the air, refreshing the senses.


    Gu An took a seat at the table, and Zhu Xi closed the door and began to pour him tea.


    After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhu Xi sat opposite Gu An and asked, "Master, is there something you need?"


    She was now a disciple of the Third Medicine Valley, and it was only proper to address Gu An as her master.


    Gu An smiled and asked, "Did you recently acquire a book?"


    Zhu Xi, puzzled, inquired, "What book?"


    "Heavenly Dao Theory."


    Upon hearing this, Zhu Xi''s expression changed slightly. She immediately took out a copied version of the "Heavenly Dao Theory" and asked, "Is it this book? Master, do you want it?"


    Previously, when Gu An was calculating the "Heavenly Dao Theory," he deduced that one of the true copies was in Zhu Xi''s possession, which she had found by chance during an outing several months ago.


    But such coincidences were too many.


    Gu An did not take the "Heaveny Dao Theory" from her hands but rather said slowly, "Zhu Xi, I have actually known what kind of person you are for a long time. I noticed you back when you were still at the Moonfall Divine Lake¡ªyou liked to steal medicinal herbs."


    Zhu Xi widened her eyes and instinctively stood up and stepped back.


    Gu An stared at her and said, "You are wary of everyone, so I did not expose you. The reasons I accepted you as a disciple were firstly because of your talent, secondly because you had not committed grave evils and there was still hope for you, and I can provide you with endless medicinal herbs. However, I also need you to trust me. The reason I focused on your early on was only because of your unique physique. Have you always wanted to know the origins of your bloodline?"


    Hearing this, most of Zhu Xi''s panic dissipated. She cautiously approached the table and said, "Master, I have not stolen any medicinal herbs within the Third Medicine Valley."


    What she said was true because the treatments in the Third Medicine Valley were good. The words An Xin had previously spoken to her alone had spread, and many families were trying to win her over, thinking she might become the direct disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An said, "I know, so I never questioned you. Today, I sought you out because this book, ''Heavenly Dao Theory'', is extraordinary and could bring trouble to both you and the Third Medicine Valley."


    Upon hearing this, Zhu Xi immediately took the "Heavenly Dao Theory" out.


    The real "Heavenly Dao Theory" was a red-covered book, almost as if it was stained with blood, emanating a sinister aura upon its appearance.


    Gu An flicked his finger and the "Heavenly Dao Theory" in Zhu Xi''s hands flew out, landing on the table close to Gu An''s arm.


    Zhu Xi thought to herself, "What an impressive skill."


    Her cultivation level wasn''t low as she had only concealed her true strength, but in front of Gu An, she felt her Spiritual Power was fragile and couldn''t react in time.


    Gu An said, "This book probably comes from beyond the Outer Heaven and is the work of someone who surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path. It will continuously integrate with your causation and Qi Fortune. The more you use it, the more dependent you become, eventually becoming manipulated by it. To be unaffected, you need to surpass the Free Immortal, even surpass its creator."


    Surpass the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path?


    Zhu Xi, frightened to pallor, cautiously asked, "Master, what should I do?"


    Gu An smiled and asked, "Do you like this book?"


    "I do, no, I just like its power," Zhu Xi honestly replied. She had mistakenly thought it was an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure, which is why she had hidden it so carefully.


    Gu An smiled and said, "I can let you keep it, but you mustn''t use it. I''ll teach you how to control its power, and if any entity tries to contact you, you must tell me."


    Zhu Xi agreed without hesitation; she had no reason to side with the entity behind the "Heavenly Dao Theory."

 Chapter 453 Demon God Descends to the World

    Gu An saw that Zhu Xi agreed, then pushed the Heavenly Dao Theory towards her. She did not pick it up immediately but instead looked at Gu An and asked, "Master, do you truly know my lineage?"Gu An replied, "Actually, your background is quite ordinary, and there are no karmic entanglements entwined with you. Your talent is exceptional and occurs once in an era, blessed by Heaven and Earth, known as the Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body."


    Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body!


    Upon hearing these five words, Zhu Xi fell into a daze, inexplicably accepting this name as though awakening distant memories.


    Gu An encouraged, "Cultivate diligently. One day, you will stand at the pinnacle of the Immortal Path and become the person you currently admire, or even surpass them."


    Hearing this, Zhu Xi wanted to ask, ''Can I surpass you?''


    She was not ignorant of decorum to such an extent; she only dared to think it in her heart.


    Gu An began to inquire about Zhu Xi''s cultivation struggles. Lowering her guard, she started to discuss her cultivation woes. Meanwhile, Gu An was deducing the karma and truth of the Heavenly Dao Theory.


    The Heavenly Dao Theory possessed the ability to toggle between reality and illusion. In battle, it could make the injuries Zhu Xi received turn unreal, as if she were unharmed, delaying the damage, while also being able to wield nonexistent spells and divine skills to attack the enemy, making the enemy believe they sustained severe injuries when, in reality, they had not. This effect would persist for a while before disappearing.


    This power was different from karma; it was a very special power of the Dao. Currently, Gu An had not yet researched this type of Dao, and he was quite intrigued by it.


    An hour later, Gu An stood up to leave.


    "Master, keep the Heavenly Dao Theory for now. I will ask you for it when I need it, how does that sound?" Zhu Xi handed the Heavenly Dao Theory to Gu An, speaking seriously. She was also reluctant to part with it, but after knowing the origin of the Heavenly Dao Theory, she felt apprehensive about the book, as if it burned to the touch.


    Most crucially, could Gu An''s ability to discern the book''s origin suggest that he might be stronger than the entity behind the book?


    Moreover, she could sense Gu An''s interest in the Heavenly Dao Theory; otherwise, he wouldn''t have personally come to seek her out, and since Gu An said he would cultivate her, why shouldn''t she be generous?


    Gu An smiled as he accepted the Heavenly Dao Theory, considering her quite sensible.


    After Gu An had left, Zhu Xi closed her room door and finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Not just due to her cautious nature¡ªanyone would feel frightened knowing such a mighty figure was watching over them.


    She went over their conversation in her mind, ensuring that she had not misspoken before she could fully relax.


    She resettled into meditation on her bed, her eyes drifting toward the window, pondering deeply with a distant look in her eyes.


    Why was she always afraid?


    She felt that her nature wasn''t necessarily good, but she instinctively stayed alert around everyone, and her first reaction to potential troubles was to evade.


    But such is human nature; even knowing one''s flaws doesn''t make them easy to amend.


    After a while, she redirected her focus, continuing her cultivation.


    ¡­


    After chatting with Zhu Xi, Gu An would guide her in practicing the Stepping Path of Ages Step every few days, spending other times either picking flowers and herbs or studying the powers of Dao in the Heavenly Dao Theory.


    He didn''t absorb this power directly but perceived its existence, seeking similar ones within the universe''s unobservable Dao rules for enlightenment.


    By doing so, he could sense a purer power of the Dao, preventing any schemes from the entity behind the Heavenly Dao Theory.


    The universe was vast, with countless colorless and intangible types of Dao rules acting as its foundation, birthing the universe and all within it. Each Dao rule was vast and boundless. Although Gu An had studied the Karma Dao and the Fate Dao, compared to one of these rules, they were vastly inferior. He could hardly imagine what realm would be potent enough to rival the Dao.


    When Gu An began to comprehend the Great Dao and reduced his idle play, time began to flow more swiftly.


    In the blink of an eye, another forty-five years had passed.


    In the summer of this year, Gu An arrived at the Outer World Cave of Heavenly Phoenix Mountain. The three demons, Tian Yao''er, had already moved to the Outer World Cave, and the medicinal herbs from Nianchu Cave had also been transferred there.


    As the Minor Heaven and Earth that Gu An had opened up, the Heaven and Earth Rules of the Outer World Cave had become more complete. The Grotto Heaven was rich in Spiritual Energy, which steadily increased the Cultivation Level of Tian Yao''er and the others.


    Now, Tian Yao''er had reached the Ninth Layer of the Mahayana Realm and was ready to break through at any moment.


    Gu An prepared to take her out for the Tribulation Crossing to prevent any harm to the Outer World Cave.


    Upon hearing that they could go out, Tian Yao''er was thrilled; Tianqing and Tian Bai also clamored to join, clinging to Gu An''s arms and acting coquettishly.


    Tianqing was charming and full of grace, her mature demeanor making her seem like an older sister, while Tian Bai was more innocent but loved to act spoiled, always speaking in a whiny tone. The two sisters coordinated well, and Gu An, with a softened heart, could only agree to take them out.


    Seeing their wishes fulfilled, Tian Yao''er sent them away and alone clutched Gu An''s arm and asked, "Master, once I break through successfully, can I always stay with you?"


    She had been cultivating underground for nearly a thousand years, having been only seventeen when she arrived; now she was nine hundred eighty-nine years old. How could she not be curious about the vast world outside?


    Gu An replied, "That''s not possible. If you leave, who will help me guard this Grotto Heaven? I cannot trust Tianqing and Tian Bai with that."


    Hearing this, Tian Yao''er''s face fell immediately, clearly disheartened.


    Gu An changed his tone, "However, occasionally taking you out for a stroll isn''t out of the question."


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Tian Yao''er''s face lit up with a smile, promptly expressing her gratitude to Gu An.


    Gu An glanced at her; despite her nearly thousand years of age, she still looked like a young girl. Perhaps she should experience the mundane world sooner or later; otherwise, reaching a higher realm without life''s insights might make her journey arduous. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    He continued walking forward, Tian Yao''er by his side, while Tianqing and Tian Bai leapt around, retaining their cat-like nature.


    As Gu An chatted with Tian Yao''er, listening to her joyful laughter, his mood brightened as well.


    Boom, boom, boom¡ª


    Suddenly, the ground trembled; the Spiritual Energy of the Outer World Cave began to surge chaotically, as if the apocalypse was upon them.


    Horrified, Tianqing and Tian Bai quickly stopped, and Tian Yao''er frowned. She could sense an awful pressure coming from beyond the Grotto Heaven.


    This pressure was not fleeting but continuous and increasingly terrifying.


    "Master, what''s happening?" Tianqing looked at Gu An, asking anxiously.


    Gu An looked up at the sky, saying, "A Demon God has arrived; the true calamity of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land is about to commence."


    Gu An had already seen the Demon God standing before the Black City of the Outer Heaven, a city crafted by the Annihilation God Emperor.


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    Gu An recognized the origin of this Demon God at a glance; indeed, in the inherited memories of Long Zhan, there were legends of the Demon God Xuanhuang, exceedingly ancient. Long Zhan had only seen skeletal remains that emitted an endlessly vast aura.


    Beside the Demon God Xuanhuang stood a Demon with an extremely powerful aura.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor!

 Chapter 454 The Extreme Life Span of Heaven and Earth

    Gu An remembered the Sky Demon Great Emperor because of Ji Xiaoyu.The Sky Demon Great Emperor had a grudge with Ji Xiaoyu, and Ji Xiaoyu''s original self had lost to him several times.


    When the Sky Demon Great Emperor descended near the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, Gu An had divined the future and knew what would happen next.


    If he did not act, the Sky Demon Great Emperor would bring catastrophic disaster to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    If he did act, more calamities would emerge in the future, possibly hastening the demise of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    The fate of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was due to the fortunes of Great Heaven and Earth, which is to say, determined by Heavenly Dao.


    Heavenly Dao influences the will of all living beings, incites them towards aggression, and creates an environment for escalating conflict. Unless Gu An could manipulate the will of all living beings, only then could he truly save the people of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. But to do so would turn the people into puppets, resulting in a fate worse than death.


    Moreover, what Heavenly Dao annihilated was the people of this era, not leaving the Great Heavenly Spirit Land devoid of life.


    Over the years, Gu An''s prophecies had steadily improved, and he could even foresee the outcomes of his actions¡ªof course, he could not predict entities more powerful than himself.


    "A Demon God? What Demon God, is it an adversary of yours, Master?" Tian Bai instinctively asked upon hearing Gu An''s words.


    Outer World Cave was still trembling. Here, isolated by the powers of heaven and earth, it was still so much so; one could imagine the greater commotion in the Mortal World outside.


    Gu An replied, "I have the power to protect myself, but not the whole world. Invisible and intangible forces beyond our grasp manipulate everything. Immortal cultivation is about breaking free from such powers."


    Upon hearing this, the three demons fell into contemplation.


    Tian Yao''er cautiously asked, "Then, can I still go out to break through?"


    Gu An smiled. "Of course you can. In a few days, I''ll take you there."


    Worry vanished from Tian Yao''er''s face, replaced by excitement¡ªshe was too eager for her breakthrough into the Nirvana Realm.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai were equally anticipating the Nirvana Realm, yet with lesser talent than Tian Yao''er, their breakthrough would require hundreds more years of waiting.


    ...


    Boom¡ª


    The earth shook, and even the Supreme Sect was seized with panic.


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped out of her house and looked up at the sky. Billows of black qi cascaded down from the zenith, sweeping across the sky with overwhelming oppressiveness, as if the Demon World had descended.


    She sensed a presence and frowned.


    Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor appeared at her side, his expression solemn, and said, "He has come."


    He did not need to name the one he referred to; Ji Xiaoyu already knew.


    Inside Medicine Valley, everyone was discussing the strange phenomena in the sky. Disciples who had been meditating indoors came out, and chess players in the dojo lost interest in their game. Taking advantage of the situation, Nine-Finger Divine Lord altered the chessboard, then frowned at the sky.


    The surging black qi rolled tumultuously, like a sea pouring down from the sky, stunning all observers.


    The sound of a dragon''s chant rose sharply and incessantly. Before any could see the dragon''s shadow, other roars and piercing cries followed.


    In Outer Heaven, massive divine beasts had been battling for the Great Heavenly Spirit Land for seven days, supported by the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty in a vast effort.


    Above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, giant black whirlpools appeared one after another, with ceaseless Heavenly Demons flying out.


    In the distant beyond, a colossal and terrifying figure approached, wreathed in waves of fire akin to dragons coiling around him, each step capable of shaking the cosmos into void.


    He seemed like the most ancient Demon God from the dawn of the universe, exuding an endless and vast aura. The tremors beneath his feet were visible to the naked eye, as if the Dao itself was being shaken.


    His appearance immediately brought to mind obliteration, striking extreme dread in all.


    Whether it was Cultivators of the Holy Court or Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty, looking at his arrival, they all instinctively felt terror.


    He was the Demon God Xuanhuang!


    On his shoulder was yet another figure, appearing tiny as dust, indeed the Sky Demon Great Emperor.


    The Sky Demon Great Emperor stood with his arms folded across his chest, looking mockingly toward the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    A beam of golden light burst from within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land and came to a stop, revealing a figure¡ªit was Yang Xian Emperor, with a Golden Wheel floating behind him, emanating rays of brilliant golden light, more dazzling than the sun.


    Yang Xian Emperor looked towards the distant Demon God Xuanhuang, his eyes filled with wariness.


    He felt immense pressure.


    The Holy Minister, another Free Immortal, also made his appearance among the Holy Court''s ranks; he was rapidly calculating and the more he inferred, the grimmer his expression became.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, it''s been a while. Why do I not see Shengtian?"


    The voice of Sky Demon Great Emperor echoed through the void, reaching the ears of the Great Cultivators of the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty, Free Immortals and Divine Thought True Immortals all showing a sudden change in expression, making it clear they all knew of the Sky Demon Great Emperor.


    "Sky Demon Great Emperor..." a Holy God ground his teeth and spoke, his expression unsightly to the extreme.


    Boom!


    Another thunderous roar erupted, deafening, startling the Cultivators of the Holy Court and Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty to turn their heads.


    In the boundless and spectacular Great Heavenly Spirit Land, an explosion devastated a continent, scattering the sea of clouds, and terrible Demonic Qi surged like a fountain towards Outer Heaven.


    An Immortal Spirit of the Immortal Dynasty contorted his face hideously and gritted his teeth as he cursed, "Sky Demon Great Sect! I''ve said it before, we should have joined forces with the Holy Court back then to wipe them out!"


    With Demon God Xuanhuang and the Sky Demon Great Emperor pressing in from the outside and the Sky Demon Great Sect ravaging all living beings at the opportune moment, the Holy Court and the Immortal Dynasty both felt immense pressure.


    The countenance of Yang Xian Emperor also turned icy as his gaze fell upon the Holy Minister.


    The Holy Minister likewise looked at him. Their eyes met, and then both turned their attention to Demon God Xuanhuang.


    ...


    Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, walking towards the mouth of the valley. Looking up, it seemed as though dusk had arrived; dark clouds churned and crimson glows spread, countless meteors trailing fire as they smashed into the distance, a poignant yet spectacular scene.


    The Supreme Sect had already activated the protective formation of the sect, and at the edges of the Taicang Continent, a grand formation rose from the ground, a formation purchased from overseas by the Taicang Dynasty. It took two hundred years to succeed in its deployment, but once complete, it could protect the entire Taicang Continent. Thanks to this action, Li Xuandao won the hearts of the people.


    No sooner had Gu An entered Medicine Valley than he was surrounded by numerous disciples.


    "Master, what''s going on?"


    "Could it be that the conflicts between the Great Sects have reached our Taicang Continent?"


    "Foolishness, this commotion is clearly coming from Outer Heaven; it must be the Heavenly Demons attacking."


    "Nothing like this has happened for hundreds of years. This time, the Supreme Sect might be affected."


    "Master, your Dao Level is high, tell us!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Faced with the disciples'' barrage of questions, Gu An replied, "Indeed, it''s a great tribulation of heaven and earth. What came before were just minor scuffles; this is the real calamity. But the Supreme Sect shouldn''t be threatened in the short term. You should continue your cultivation; marveling here is in vain."


    Hearing his words, the disciples all felt awkward and dispersed.


    Gu An continued onwards, when Jue Luo Sword Monarch approached him and asked, "Senior, do you know the origin of the Demon God from Outer Heaven?"


    Gu An stopped in his tracks and looked at him, asking, "Do you know? Then tell me."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch took a deep breath and said, "That is the Demon God Xuanhuang. It is said that long ago, all the Great Heaven and Earth in the universe belonged to the same Great Heaven and Earth. Countless powerful beings existed back then, Treasure Bodies emerged one after another. There was a race known as the Divine Race, and merely reaching adulthood granted them the power to destroy heaven and earth. The Demon God Xuanhuang was a notable figure among the Divine Race. He is also one of the few whose corpse remained intact. From what I know, he fell under the control of the prohibited existence within the Silent Destruction Domain, which means there is even a stronger being behind the Sky Demon Great Emperor."


    After finishing, he looked at Gu An but did not see any change in his expression.


    As expected!


    This senior knows everything!


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s worries dissipated. He was not afraid of the Sky Demon Great Emperor, but after realizing the identity of the Demon God Xuanhuang, he became afraid.


    No matter how confident he was, he did not consider himself an invincible being.


    Gu An sighed and said, "Heaven and earth have welcomed a calamity. Some seek to fulfill their mission, others seek to profit from the chaos. Tell me, when will such cycles of reincarnation ever end?"


    After hearing this, Jue Luo Sword Monarch was stunned. He pondered deeply over Gu An''s words.


    Gu An was lamenting over the Heavenly Dao.


    Humans have a limit to their lifespan, and it seemed, so did heaven and earth.


    He had seen millions of scenarios of destruction for the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, with the outcome still rapidly increasing.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch had not considered the Heavenly Dao; he thought that Gu An was expressing dissatisfaction with the beings behind the Demon God Xuanhuang.


    "Beyond the game of chess, each chess player is also a chess piece. If your Sword Dao wishes to ascend to a higher level, you must forge your own path, independent of any Dao."


    Gu An left those words behind and continued towards his loft.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch furrowed his brows, considering how difficult it was to forge one''s own path. Not everyone was the Sword Saint Ancestor; his Holy Heart Sword Dao did indeed count as his own path. He had once visited the Sword Dao River, where the Holy Heart Sword Dao existed eternally, coexisting with the great Dao.


    Despite his constant claims of wanting to surpass the Holy Heart Sword Dao, he knew in his heart how far he was from it. He merely wanted to use the Holy Heart Sword Dao to break the shackles on his path of cultivation.


    He looked towards the retreating figure of Gu An, his eyes brimming with curiosity.


    The Great Heavenly Spirit Land was about to turn to dust. What would this being, who had surpassed the Free Immortal, do?


    Would he intervene to protect, or would he distance himself from the strife?


    Turning his head to look at the disciples in the valley, a premonition told him that Gu An would not forsake everything here.


    This was his observation from staying in the Third Medicine Valley for so many years.


    Gu An arrived at the base of the building, noticing Ji Xiaoyu and Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor still engaged in observation. He raised his hand to greet them.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Gu An and said, "It seems this life of mine is coming to an end."


    Gu An stopped and asked with surprise, "Why? You''re not from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, so you shouldn''t feel such a great sense of responsibility, right?"


    Ji Xiaoyu replied, "The Sky Demon Great Emperor is a sworn enemy of my original self. When he appears, the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman also stirs, eager for a confrontation."


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor stood by, silent. He had long hoped for Ji Xiaoyu to end this life, but the differences in seniority kept him from acting rashly. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Gu An narrowed his eyes, asking, "Do you have any regrets or wishes then?"


    There was no sadness in Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes, only calm. She looked at Gu An and asked, "In this life and the previous one, am I different to you?"

 Chapter 455 Saving the World

    "Of course, there are. Although it''s the same person, when interacting with him, I feel like they are two completely different people."Gu An seriously responded, which was indeed what he thought.


    However, each Ji Xiaoyu had the same soul; it was only due to the discrepancies caused by lost memories and new experiential memories that different emotions emerged, yet he couldn''t divide Ji Xiaoyu''s soul in two.


    Reincarnation Path Emperor would reincarnate with his own soul, rather than splitting his soul or reincarnating through an avatar.


    What Gu An spoke of were his feelings at the moment, his true feelings.


    Once Ji Xiaoyu''s memories fully merged, he would no longer be so conflicted, but the interactions during this time would occupy a place in Gu An''s memories, one that even the true Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t completely replace.


    Everyone, when existing in the world, definitely places great importance on their own feelings. The same person may induce different feelings during different periods, and many even reminisce about their former selves.


    When Ji Xiaoyu heard what Gu An said, a smile appeared on his face, and said, "If that''s the case, then I have no regrets in this life."


    Just as Gu An was about to reply, Ji Xiaoyu stared at him with a smile curving his lips, and asked, "Have you ever thought that from the beginning, I was always myself?"


    Gu An raised his eyebrows, not waiting for him to answer, Ji Xiaoyu turned around and went back inside.


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor''s expression drastically changed, and he looked at her excitedly, even his body couldn''t help but tremble.


    "Netherworld Emperor, fight against the Sky Demon Clan while I restore my cultivation level."


    Ji Xiaoyu spoke without turning his head, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was overjoyed and immediately gave a fist-and-palm salute and then vanished on the spot. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An watched Ji Xiaoyu''s retreating figure, his eyes filled with surprise.


    He suddenly recalled what Ji Xiaoyu had said to him in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm after using the power of the Innate Daoist Talisman.


    "I didn''t expect that I still underestimated you, Sword Venerable. I look forward to meeting you again."


    Could it be that Ji Xiaoyu chose to be reincarnated in the Ji Family again this life, continuing to use the name Ji Xiaoyu, was it to meet him?


    On further thought, it''s indeed probable. Ji Xiaoyu understood all her karmic ties, and when she was in peril, Sword Venerable Fudao appeared; it could not be coincidental.


    The strength Gu An had displayed should have been capable of anhilating the Seven Stars Spirit Realm at any moment in Ji Xiaoyu''s eyes. Possessing such power yet only intervening during her moments of crisis was indeed suspicious.


    Gu An thought of Ji Xiaoyu''s attitude towards him in this life; he couldn''t clearly tell if she was just acting superbly or if her feelings were genuine.


    He didn''t ponder further and turned towards the stairs.


    The sky continuously streaked with shooting stars, strong winds consistently approached from afar, and the whole Third Medicine Valley was inundated with noise, the atmosphere filled with a tense and frightening aura.


    Although the Taicang Continent had temporarily not been affected, the territories overseas were already enveloped in turmoil; the Sky Demon Great Sect swept across all lands, numerous transport barriers emerging, and hordes of Sky Demons directly descended upon the earth, killing every living spirit they encountered, be it human or demon.


    From above Outer Heaven observing the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, it was akin to a magnificent scroll upon which ink spots continuously emerged and expanded.


    Simultaneously¡ª


    Demon God Xuanhuang had already arrived near the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and up ahead, seven Free Immortals appeared: Yang Xian Emperor, Holy Minister, Ancient Immortal Emperor, Saint Ancestor, and three Free Immortals who had returned from Outer Heaven.


    Even though they were all in the same great realm, the seven Free Immortals felt immense pressure.


    The oppressive aura of Demon God Xuanhuang was simply too strong, so strong it made them feel as though they faced a being from a higher realm.


    "Daemon God Xuanhuang truly is a rarity across the ages, to die at his hand is not a meaningless cultivation life," Saint Ancestor exclaimed, stroking his beard and laughing heartily, fearless.


    But not all Free Immortals could sport such nonchalance; many were tense, each summoning their own Immortal Path Supreme Treasures with grand and shocking auras.


    Behind them, the cultivators of Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty were locked in battle with the Heavenly Demons, now fully united against the foreign enemy after countless years of strife.


    Some fled, but many chose to fight to the death, defending the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    ¡­


    Two days later.


    At midday, the sky remained dark and the black clouds rolled heavily.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch meditated under a tree, gazing into the distance, deep in thought.


    Xu Jie, dressed in blue, approached Jue Luo Sword Monarch, bowed respectfully, and said, "Senior, thank you for your guidance all these years. I am prepared to join my Sect in the campaign, unsure if I will return. I have not yet repaid you for your teachings; I can only come to pay my respects beforehand."


    "Indeed, go. A world in chaos is a golden age for true talents. With the natural order upturned, as long as you survive, you will be able to seize more opportunities for cultivation," replied Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Xu Jie smiled, thanked him once more, and without any fake sentiment, turned and left.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch was indifferent to his life or death; the words spoken were out of respect for Gu An.


    Xu Jie was just one example; although the Taicang Continent was far from the turmoils, leading the Righteous Path Sects like the Supreme Sect agreed in short order to launch an expedition overseas to battle demons and contribute to protecting the world.


    When Lv Baitian issued the recruitment edict, all members of the sect were excited, proud to be part of the Supreme Sect.


    Which disciple of the Righteous Path wouldn''t wish to save the world?


    Facing such a catastrophe, the Supreme Sect''s readiness to strike was enough to inspire nine-tenths of the disciples, even sparking in some the fervor to fight to the death for the cause.


    The Third Medicine Valley was not conscripted since it primarily cultivated medicinal herbs. Nevertheless, Gu An also offered his disciples the choice; they could join if they wished but must think it through themselves¡ªhe, for one, would not intervene unless the enemy reached the Taicang Continent.


    After Gu An spoke, more than five hundred disciples expressed their desire to join the Supreme Sect in the campaign, many others were observant, and only a few had no interest in leaving. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    That day, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley alone, refusing to let Blood Prison Great Saint accompany him.


    He arrived at the Outer World Cave, took the three girls Tian Yao''er and in a single step crossed overseas to a remote island far from the Taicang Continent.


    Standing on the island, Tian Yao''er and the two other girls could see the sky in all directions churning with Demonic Qi, as if they were in the middle of the Demon World.


    Having not come out for nearly a thousand years, they found everything novel.


    "In half an hour, the tribulation will begin, you may roam the island," said Gu An, his gaze then shifting toward the distant sky.


    It wasn''t Daemon God Xuanhuang who had made a move yet, but the Sky Demon Emperor, who, with his strength alone, was suppressing seven major Free Immortals, showing overwhelming power.


    It was deliberate of the Sky Demon Emperor; Gu An could feel the morale of the demon side continually rising, while the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty, after two days of bloody combat, were losing their will to fight and now struggled out of instinct.


    Gu An noticed that the layer of Heavenly Dao light in the outer sky was weakening, sparking his interest.


    Will the aura of the Silent Destruction Domain devour the Heavenly Dao Destiny?


    Could it be that the battle between the Great Heaven and Earth is a struggle between the Silent Destruction Domain and the Heavenly Dao?


    His gaze traveled through the boundless battlefield and landed on the remote universe''s Black City, curious about what the Annihilation God Emperor intended to do.

 Chapter 456 The Most Reliable Existence

    An hour quickly passed, and Tian Yao''er came back to Gu An''s side with her two companions."Master, how should I go through my tribulation? I feel nothing right now!" Tian Yao''er said coyly, not even daring to meet Gu An''s gaze.


    The master brought her here to break through, but she hadn''t caught the feeling of breakthrough¡ªhow embarrassing!


    The fact she hadn''t spoken earlier was that she wanted to take this opportunity to see the world outside.


    Gu An smiled and said, "No worries, just find a place to stand."


    Upon hearing this, Tian Yao''er was overjoyed, quickly thanked him, and then walked toward the empty ground in front.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai stood behind Gu An, not daring to disturb him, whispering quietly among themselves about Tian Yao''er''s impending breakthrough.


    Soon, Tian Yao''er chose her spot. She stood on the empty ground, looking at Gu An with nervousness and anticipation.


    Immediately, Gu An waved his sleeve, and a breeze rushed towards Tian Yao''er, making her skirt flutter, outlining her perfect body curves.


    The spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged abruptly, almost drowning Tian Yao''er.


    In that instant, Tian Yao''er felt a choking sensation, but it vanished in a flash. Right after, the demonic power within her started to flow into her demon core.


    Boom!


    A thunderbolt suddenly appeared, its booming sound tearing through all clamor in the world, startling Tianqing and Tian Bai, who looked up.


    The thunderbolt left an afterimage in the sky, with thunderclouds beginning to form around it. The clouds of the heavenly tribulation were denser and more oppressive than demonic clouds.


    Tian Yao''er looked up, her eyes revealing a trace of fear.


    This heavenly tribulation was clearly different from the ones she had crossed before, but she instinctively looked at Gu An. Seeing him standing in the distance, her heart immediately settled.


    The heavenly tribulation was about to begin!


    She must reach the Nirvana Realm and not disappoint her master!


    She looked at the sky again, her eyes no longer showing fear, only excitement.


    Once upon a time, the Heaven Phoenix Demon Mother of the Unification Realm had been the most terrifying being in her eyes, but now she had far surpassed her, continuing to chase higher realms.


    All this was bestowed by her master. For nearly a thousand years, the master had not mistreated her; she only needed to take care of medicinal herbs, which the master himself had collected.


    She had always wanted to repay Gu An, but her strength was not enough.


    Maybe when she reached the Nirvana Realm, she would be qualified to help her master?


    ¡­


    Over an endless ocean, waves crashed against a lone mountain, on top of which stood a figure in black clothes¡ªit was Li Ya.


    Li Ya looked up at the sky. Although he couldn''t see beyond it, he could feel a tremendous pressure descending from above, even oppressing him.


    "When will I be able to achieve the Nirvana Realm? Without entering the Immortal Path, I am merely an ant," Li Ya murmured, furrowing his brows.


    Recently, he heard the name An Hao. An Hao had entered the Nirvana Realm and even defeated Loose Immortals, now becoming a celebrated figure throughout the world.


    Li Ya, although at the Mahayana Cultivation Level, was still far from the Nirvana Realm. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    He increasingly felt the struggle; no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t catch up with An Hao, a sentiment that distressed him deeply.


    He then thought of Zhang Buku¡ªif Zhang Buku had stayed in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he might have also become famous worldwide.


    Li Ya''s thoughts drifted, his gaze becoming distant.


    Standing on his shoulder, Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit laughed and said, "You''re so young; what''s there to worry about?"


    Having been together so long, they had formed a bond, so Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit communicated with Gu An through her heart''s voice, revealing Li Ya''s desires.


    However, Gu An did not respond to it, and it felt it wasn''t appropriate to say more.


    After all, its master was Gu An, and Li Ya was just a junior it took care of.


    Li Ya took a deep breath and said, "Are you telling the truth? Can Divine Exotic City really transform a Heavenly Demon into a Divine Ghost with a strange soul?"


    The power of Divine Exotic City was still too sinister, causing him to hesitate to kill more people, but if it was a Heavenly Demon, then he would not feel burdened.


    Upon hearing this, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit quickly nodded and said, "Of course, by turning them into Divine Ghosts with strange souls, you are actually saving all living beings."


    After listening, Li Ya''s lips curled into a smile, and he laughed, "Since that is the case, I must go then. You''re right, I''m still young, being slightly behind temporarily means nothing. Who will be stronger or weaker after a thousand years or ten thousand years, who can tell!"


    He leaped up, transforming into a streak of sword light speeding towards the distance.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on Li Ya''s shoulder, gazing at his profile and suddenly felt he had an extraordinary aura.


    His talent did not seem dazzling, but there was a tenacity about him that made him appear remarkable.


    Perhaps after ten thousand years, this young man could truly become a renowned figure throughout the world.


    Thinking so, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit turned its thoughts to its own master.


    Where would the master be in ten thousand years?


    No!


    By that time, it must stay with the master, lest the master really does give it away to this young man!


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit shuddered, shook its head, and looked forward again, its little fist clenched, brimming with fighting spirit, yet appearing somewhat na?ve.


    ...


    Violent winds surged within the universe, an anomaly created by the rampant spiritual energy. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Heavenly Demon Great Emperor landed back on the shoulder of Demon God Xuanhuang, just like the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on Li Ya''s shoulder.


    He looked ahead at the seven Free Immortals and laughed, "Gentlemen, enough of the chaos, are you ready to die?"


    Upon hearing this, Yang Xian Emperor and the others prepared for battle, not daring to take it lightly.


    They had fought until now and could see no chance of victory, but they could not retreat; they could only keep defending, even if it was just for a moment longer.


    "Your Majesty, where exactly are you..."


    Holy Minister gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with unwillingness.


    At this moment, not only the people of the Holy Court were thinking of Shengtian, but also Yang Xian Emperor was thinking of Shengtian.


    Yang Xian Emperor had to admit that in defending against foreign enemies, Shengtian was the most reliable.


    He also thought of Gu An, but he knew Gu An would not intervene unless the enemy confronted Gu An directly. In his view, Gu An had come from Outer Heaven, was an otherworldly Great Power that had secluded himself here, and had no obligation to guard the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Just then, the aura of Demon God Xuanhuang changed, and he opened his mouth, a scorching breath emerging from it, his surrounding black aura dispersing, gradually revealing his true form.


    He was bare-chested, his body human-like, but his chest bore a mouth full of sharp teeth, his mouth''s darkness acting like a gateway to the Abyss, chilling to the bone, his face ferocious, eyes pitch-black with occasional glimmers of blood-red pupils, his skin appearing scorched, his hair flowing, and upon a closer look, each hair strand resembled a dragon-snake with black dragon heads at the tips, relentlessly emitting a fiery aura.


    His waist encircled by a Bone Dragon, his legs sturdy as pillars that could not be shaken, wrapped in flowing Demonic Qi till the knee, his feet unseen.


    When Demon God Xuanhuang opened his mouth, the pressure on the seven Free Immortals doubled.


    "Gentlemen, let''s all out fight!"


    Saint Ancestor spoke, his tone grave; the other Free Immortals could also feel the terrifying power accumulating in Demon God Xuanhuang.


    Demon God Xuanhuang was facing the Great Heavenly Spirit Land; if they moved aside, the beings of Great Heavenly Spirit Land would face annihilation.

 Chapter 457 Beyond the Free Immortal Realm

    Boom! Boom! Boom...Thunderstorms constantly struck down, assaulting Tian Yao''er who countered with her demonic power, her body trembling, barely holding on.


    "Give it your all, and if you can''t bear it, I''ll step in."


    Gu An''s voice reached her, slightly calming Tian Yao''er''s heart.


    After all, Tian Yao''er had accompanied him for a thousand years; he couldn''t bear to test her and thus spoke to comfort her directly.


    It would be different for An Hao and Yang Jian.


    Cough cough.


    Am I, as her master, somewhat biased?


    Gu An thought so, feeling a bit guilty; he instinctively looked toward the distant An Hao, who was battling fiercely with the warriors of the Sky Demon Great Sect, moving through the battlefield with awe-inspiring valor.


    Yes, that''s how a male disciple should be tempered!


    Gu An, noticing that the tribulation was still in its early stages, began to survey the world with his Divine Thought.


    Experience new stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    He didn''t want to interfere too much with this catastrophe; he just wanted to wait for the tribulation to end, protect those he cared about, and then step into a new epoch.


    Because even if he interfered, new calamities would arise, and continuous meddling would only lead to more brutal outcomes.


    However, seeing the suffering mortals in the world, Gu An felt somewhat reluctant.


    He was indifferent to the deaths of cultivators and demons, as those beings at least possessed the power to resist fate and simply failed. However, the common folk, those without cultivation levels, lacked even the power to resist.


    He saw two Nirvana Realm Great Cultivators in combat, their residual power too strong, a blazing fire falling to the Mortal World, directly burning alive hundreds of thousands in a town, their screams turning the area into a hell on earth.


    Gu An sighed, resigning himself.


    His gaze hardened, and the sea of fire instantly dispersed, the unburned survivors quickly freed from their burns.


    Gu An didn''t seek revenge for them; saving them was already fortunate.


    "Maybe it''s a good chance to grab some life span."


    Gu An thought, not out of saintly compassion but to take the Heavenly Demons'' life spans amidst the chaos.


    Yes, that was the plan.


    Gu An''s Divine Thought directly enveloped the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, and as those Heavenly Demons were about to be slain, his Divine Thought would immediately strike, severing their last thread of life.


    Various prompts appeared before his eyes.


    If he encountered mortals attacked by Heavenly Demons, he would also directly eliminate those demons, regardless of whether there were cultivators around.


    As the tribulation progressed to a certain stage, Tian Yao''er''s aura began to rise, and Gu An''s life span also rapidly increased.


    Every second, more mortals were saved by him, and even more Heavenly Demons died beneath his Divine Thought.


    In the midst of crossing the tribulation, Tian Yao''er suddenly sensed something, looked up, and her eyes widened in shock¡ªnot just her, but Tianqing and Tian Bai felt the same.


    They saw a wave of fire piercing through the rolling thunderclouds, unstoppable, descending with the power to annihilate, causing all three women to tremble with fear, feeling as if the sky were collapsing.


    Gu An suddenly swung his sleeve, dispersing the fire wave in the sky, then said, "Focus on breaking through and feel the transformation brought by Nirvana."


    Tian Yao''er came back to her senses and immediately closed her eyes to sense the changes in her body.


    Tian Bai muttered, "How strong was that flame just now?"


    "I''m not sure, but it was definitely beyond our imagination," Tianqing responded, her gaze fixed on Gu An''s back, her eyes filled with admiration.


    At the same time.


    Outer Heaven.


    Demon God Xuanhuang strode toward the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, unstoppable, flames continuously erupting from his mouth, his lower half enshrouded in rolling black mist, making him appear even more terrifying.


    In front of him, there was no longer any sign of the Free Immortals, and the cultivators of the Holy Court and immortals of the Immortal Dynasty were completely despairing, undergoing a massacre. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Great Heavenly Spirit Land seemed as if its fate had run out, the heavenly light layer that enveloped the world fluctuating between brightness and darkness, only three out of the seven divine beasts from the sun remaining, their presence barely detectable, clearly on their last legs.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor''s lips curved upwards, and he said, "Descend upon the Mortal World."


    As his words fell, Demon God Xuanhuang suddenly leapt up, like Mount Tai bearing down, plunging toward the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, scattering the sea of clouds along his path, forming an expansive ring of shockwaves.


    A thunderous roar resounded across heaven and earth!


    Demon God Xuanhuang crashed onto a continent, the earth instantly shattering, fierce winds sweeping rocks and trees in all directions.


    From high above, the expansive continent showed spider-web-like cracks, with firelight appearing within the depths of the cracks, as if magma was about to burst forth.


    Standing on the continent, Demon God Xuanhuang appeared as though standing on a small island, his towering figure visible from any corner of the continent.


    The Heavenly Demon Emperor stood on Demon God Xuanhuang''s shoulder, twisted his neck, soared away, and flew towards the distance, meanwhile commanding Demon God Xuanhuang, "Exterminate the creatures of this Great Heaven and Earth, try to preserve the world itself."


    Demon God Xuanhuang immediately looked up, emitting a sky-shaking roar.


    "Roar¡ª"


    This roar intensified the fear for beings trapped in dire straits.


    Even the disciples far in the Third Medicine Valley of the Supreme Sect were startled, all turning their heads to see where the sound came from, and what kind of entity had made it.


    An Xin, who was meditating under the Mystic Pure Tree, furrowed her brows, wondering if her master, who had gone out today, might be going to battle such a demon.


    The roar of Demon God Xuanhuang instilled fear in everyone. An Xin felt as though she were in a cold cellar, her whole body chilled, as if she were about to face the most terrifying existence in the world.


    The declaration of war from Demon God Xuanhuang unsettled all the powers in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    After leaving Demon God Xuanhuang, the Heavenly Demon Emperor flew in the high sky, holding a black mirror as if searching for something, his gaze sweeping across heaven and earth.


    Suddenly, he noticed something and turned his head, then vanished from the spot.


    The next second, he arrived on an island, following his gaze, which was fixed on Tian Yao''er, who was enveloped by intense thunder.


    Further away were three figures: Gu An, Tianqing, and Tian Bai.


    "Nirvana Tribulation, this cultivation technique is not simple," murmured the Heavenly Demon Emperor as he stood on a rock, quietly observing Tian Yao''er.


    Tianqing''s gaze suddenly caught sight of him. Her beautiful eyes widened at the sight of the Heavenly Demon Emperor. He looked menacing, exuding an extreme sense of danger.


    She instinctively grabbed Gu An''s arm and whispered, "Master, someone has come."


    Gu An glanced at the Heavenly Demon Emperor.


    [Heavenly Demon Emperor (Free Immortal Realm Nine Layers): 239,709,201/500,000,000/999,999,999]


    Pure ages¡ªall nines!


    It seemed this being truly was a rare fortunate existence blessed by heaven and earth!


    Feeling Gu An''s gaze, the Heavenly Demon Emperor''s lips curled into a smile. In an instant, he moved a hundred yards to appear right beside Gu An, startling Tianqing and Tian Bai, who instinctively shrank back.


    Just as the Heavenly Demon Emperor was about to speak, Gu An suddenly swung his sleeve.


    Boom!


    In an instant, the Heavenly Demon Emperor was reduced to ash, and a gust swept back, lifting a dust dragon into the air.


    The sound of thunder continued to echo, while Tianqing and Tian Bai stood stunned.


    Tian Yao''er, hearing the commotion, opened her eyes and looked toward the trio facing one side. She couldn''t help but ask, "Master, what happened?"


    Gu An turned to her and said, "Nothing much, just a mosquito trying to bite me."


    A mosquito?


    Tian Yao''er looked skeptical, feeling that Gu An was joking.


    At that moment, a prompt appeared in front of Gu An:


    [You have successfully seized 26,708,213 years of life span from the Heavenly Demon Emperor (Free Immortal Realm Nine Layers).]


    Over twenty million years of life span, not bad!


    Worthy of a Free Immortal!


    Gu An smiled satisfactorily. Eradicating the Heavenly Demon Emperor had little impact on the progression of heaven and earth. The real threat was Demon God Xuanhuang.


    Demon God Xuanhuang had already begun a massive slaughter.


    Gu An seized this opportunity to accelerate his harvesting of demons, making way for the forces of heaven and earth to combat Demon God Xuanhuang.


    Since Demon God Xuanhuang was not a Living Spirit, killing him would not release a life span, thus Gu An had no interest in him.


    Boom!


    A golden thunderbolt struck down, resembling a Golden Dragon, its majestic power formidable. Gu An''s gaze locked onto Tian Yao''er as a faint golden light burst from her, resisting the attack of the golden thunder.


    Tian Yao''er felt her heart skip a beat and looked up instinctively, not seeing the golden thunder anymore.


    "Master, about that guy just now¡­" Tianqing began cautiously.


    She didn''t know how to express it. The sudden appearance of the Heavenly Demon Emperor had almost scared her to death. Unexpectedly, with a wave of their master''s sleeve, the Heavenly Demon Emperor was obliterated.


    Tian Bai, more daring, directly asked, "Master, what realm was that man from?"


    Gu An responded nonchalantly, "Free Immortal."


    "What realm is Free Immortal? How many levels higher than Nirvana?" Tian Bai''s eyes shone with excitement as she asked.


    Gu An glanced at her and snorted, "You''ll have to figure that out yourself."


    Tian Bai was lost in infinite possibilities. She aspired to reach the Free Immortal Realm in the future, no, to surpass it, otherwise, she would seem insignificant before her master.

 Chapter 458 An Even More Terrifying Existence

    The words "Free Immortal" deeply embedded themselves in the hearts of Tianqing and Tian Bai, who both aspired to reach this goal. It was only many years later that they realized how unattainable the Free Immortal truly was.Although Tian Yao''er was curious about what had just happened, her current priority was to make a breakthrough.


    She closed her eyes, adjusted her mindset, and re-entered a state of enlightenment.


    The Heavenly Tribulation continued.


    The Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, who had suppressed the seven Free Immortals, died silently without anyone noticing, as if he had never been to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    As Gu An watched Tian Yao''er undergo her Tribulation Crossing, he extended his Divine Thought throughout the world, continuing to expel demons and, incidentally, to save Mortal Spirits.


    The roar of Demon God Xuanhuang constantly resounded, killing countless beings with his power every moment. More and more sects began rushing to where Demon God Xuanhuang was located.


    Despite the terrifying aura of Demon God Xuanhuang, they had to confront him to protect the Great Heavenly Spirit Land; it was their home, and they had no choice.


    Gu An noticed that the Free Immortals like the Yang Xian Emperor were not dead but had all gathered in one place, apparently discussing something.


    ...


    In a valley, seven Free Immortals were meditating on the grass, their auras weak, some even engulfed in flames, looking utterly bedraggled.


    The Saint Ancestor opened his eyes and looked at an elderly man in white robes standing with his back to them, and asked, "Who are you, sir, and why have you saved us? You likely do not belong to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land."


    He was the oldest among the seven Free Immortals and had never seen this white-robed elder before, which led him to this conclusion.


    This white-robed elder was indeed the Reincarnator who had once visited the Third Medicine Valley and had faced the Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Without turning around, the white-robed elder said leisurely, "The world is vast, and even Free Immortals cannot see everything clearly. I saved you because I have some connection with the Great Heavenly Spirit Land." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have deduced countless times and see no hope¡ªperhaps Heavenly Dao intends to cleanse the Mortal World, and the Silent Destruction Domain seeks to exploit the weakness. You had better leave early and seek other paths."


    At these words, the Free Immortals'' faces changed.


    The Ancient Immortal Emperor spoke with a heavy tone, "Senior can save us from the hands of Demon God Xuanhuang; your Divine Skills are surely beyond our imagination. If the Great Heavenly Spirit Land is destroyed, where can we go? Although there are many realms, they are all guarded by Great Powers. Can you point out a path of survival for us?"


    The other Free Immortals echoed his plea, as they were bound by the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court or the Immortal Dynasty. If the Great Heavenly Spirit Land were destroyed and Qi Fortune dissipated, their Cultivation Levels would severely drop, or worse, they would perish altogether.


    This was also why despite the Holy Court''s strength, they could not uproot the Immortal Dynasty as it was blessed by the Heavenly Qi Fortune.


    The white-robed elder, with his back still turned to them, shook his head and said, "You do not understand what you are facing. Whether the Sky Demon Clan or forces from Xuan You, they are not the main cause of the destruction of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land; they are merely opportunists."


    These words silenced the Free Immortals. Having lived for so many years, how could they not be aware of the existence of Heavenly Dao and the similar trials recounted in ancient legends?


    When Heavenly Dao wanted to reset the world, it would bring various calamities.


    After a long while.


    The Yang Xian Emperor stared at the white-robed elder, breaking the silence, and asked, "Then, senior, what are you plotting?"


    The white-robed elder turned around, looked at him, and said, "I am looking for someone."


    "Who?"


    "I cannot tell you."


    The white-robed elder''s response made the Yang Xian Emperor furrow his brows. He thought of Sword Venerable Fudao, as there had been many powerful beings from Outer Heaven in recent years; were they all searching for some specific entity?


    Roar¡ª


    The roar of Demon God Xuanhuang echoed from afar again, this time more strained, clearly attacked by someone.


    A smile appeared on the face of the white-robed elder as he said, "Stop trying to challenge Demon God Xuanhuang; none of you are his match, and he is backed by an even more transcendent existence. Even if you somehow manage to eliminate him, it will only provoke an even more terrifying calamity, and then I can only flee."


    An even more terrifying existence?


    Upon hearing this, all the Free Immortals turned pale.


    If Demon God Xuanhuang alone was enough to drive them to despair, what kind of being could possibly be orchestrating behind him?


    "Does senior recognize Sword Venerable Fudao?" One of the Free Immortals could not help but ask.


    Sword Venerable Fudao''s name had long resonated across the world, but because he seldom acted recklessly, he was rarely mentioned. Yet, for higher-level cultivators, it was difficult to ignore his presence.


    Upon hearing the name Sword Venerable Fudao, the white-robed elder''s expression subtly changed. He replied, "I do not know him, but I have once witnessed his elegance. He is also a being transcending the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path. It is best for you to mention him less to avoid getting involved in Great Cause and Effect. As for asking him to take action, that is even less advisable, as any adversary you face afterward would likely be almost as formidable as he is."


    The Free Immortals completely lost hope and looked up in bewilderment.


    The heavy black clouds in the sky were oppressive, obscuring the sun and leaving no hope in sight.


    ...


    Several ancient hours later, with the help of Gu An, Tian Yao''er successfully crossed her tribulation. In her overwhelming excitement, her clothes burst open, startling Gu An, who immediately used his mana to envelop her, preventing her true form from being exposed.


    Gu An suddenly noticed that the corners of Tian Yao''er''s mouth were slightly raised and thought to himself, "Could it be that she did this on purpose?"


    He was a true gentleman and would not look more than necessary.


    Moreover, with his cultivation level, a single glance was unforgettable.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai were also observing Gu An''s expression. Seeing that his face remained unchanged, the two women began to communicate through telepathy.


    "Do you think master likes it?"


    "He probably doesn''t like it; he didn''t even react."


    "The less reaction he shows, the more it means he is moved."


    "Really? Should we do the same when we break through next time?"


    "Then our figures should be different, so master will feel refreshed."


    Upon hearing their telepathic exchange, Gu An sighed inwardly.


    What kind of person do they take me for?


    Gu An couldn''t understand them, including Jiang Qiong, who were always coveting his body.


    Even his junior sister did the same, but he could understand her; after all, they were childhood sweethearts who had come this far together from the mortal world, their affection naturally developed.


    Each harboring their thoughts, they waited for Tian Yao''er to stabilize her cultivation level.


    It was also with Gu An''s help that Tian Yao''er managed to break through so quickly; normally, crossing tribulation taking several days wasn''t unusual.


    They waited until dusk before Tian Yao''er finally stabilized her aura.


    She stood up, wrapped in a loose white robe, and flung herself at Gu An who, upon being hugged by her, could feel her body.


    "Alright, from now on you are also a Nirvana Realm powerhouse, try to keep some dignity," Gu An said sternly.


    Tian Yao''er looked up, giggling, "I won''t. I just want to be like this, even if it means hanging on to my master forever, I am willing."


    "Hanging on forever? Aren''t you tired?" Gu An shook his head with a smile. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    Tian Yao''er blinked and asked, "What about trying for a hundred years?"


    A hundred years?


    Gu An''s face twitched, and he immediately pushed her away.


    Tianqing and Tian Bai came over and asked her how she felt now.


    Tian Yao''er was very excited and began talking about the transformations of the Nirvana Realm. Tianqing and Tian Bai listened attentively, while Gu An, not in a hurry to get back, continued to eliminate demons.


    During this half-day period, the lifespan he had harvested had almost reached a billion years; if he had to cultivate by conventional methods, it would take hundreds of years.


    With Gu An operating covertly, the Sky Demon Great Sect was temporarily unable to overturn the world, and the slaughter methods of Demon God Xuanhuang, in order to preserve heaven and earth, were not too wild.


    As night fell.


    After sending Tian Yao''er and the two women back to the Outer World Cave, Gu An finally returned to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Before going upstairs, he sensed Ji Xiaoyu''s presence.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s cultivation level had already climbed to the Immortal Path Realm, and the power accumulated in the Primordial Daoist Talisman could burst forth at any moment.


    He did not linger, but went straight upstairs and into the house, sat down at the desk, and picked up a book to read.


    Having eradicated many Heavenly Demons and saved many Mortal Spirits today, he felt content and thus was in the mood to read.


    Thirty minutes later, footsteps came from outside the door. Gu An waved his hand, and the door opened, with Ji Xiaoyu walking in.


    She stood at the doorway, without moonlight shining on her, appearing like a shadow.


    Gu An looked up at her and asked, "Are you ready?"


    Ji Xiaoyu''s face was calm as she said, "The battle with the Sky Demon Emperor is a promise between him and me. I must defeat him to overcome the demons of defeat in my heart."


    "But you are bound by the rules of reincarnation; you couldn''t possibly be his match," Gu An asked, feigning concern.


    He began calculating Ji Xiaoyu''s fate.


    Indeed, the future had changed again!

 Chapter 459 Just Want to Test the Edge of the Annihilation God Emperor

    Gu An calculated that Ji Xiaoyu, due to not encountering the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, would end up battling against the Demon God Xuanhuang, and furthermore, there would be even stronger beings targeting her, wishing to forcefully drag her from the Reincarnation Rules.Indeed, troublesome!


    He had helped Ji Xiaoyu handle the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, but in doing so, he had attracted the attention of an even more formidable existence.


    "It''s precisely because of the Reincarnation Rules that even if I''m not his match, there won''t be any trouble. At worst, I''ll just be expelled back to the Yin Yang Domain," Ji Xiaoyu calmly replied.


    Gu An couldn''t directly reveal the future, so he asked, "Aren''t you afraid there are other beings behind the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor?"


    Ji Xiaoyu closed the door and then walked over to the table. She looked at Gu An and said, "The appearance of the Demon God Xuanhuang indicates that there are stronger beings plotting from behind the scenes, but it''s none of my concern. I''m not burdened with the mission of saving all living beings."


    She leaned forward, raising her right hand toward Gu An.


    Gu An could have avoided it, but sensing a farewell atmosphere, he chose not to.


    Ji Xiaoyu reached across the table and grabbed his collar. Her eyes were complex as she said, "It''s strange. We haven''t gone through any heart-wrenching story nor faced adversity together. The days we spent together were so mundane, yet why am I moved by you, feeling emotions I never had before?"


    Gu An tilted his head and asked, "You''re asking me? I''m curious too¡ªis it because I''m too handsome?"


    Usually, Ji Xiaoyu would have glared at him, but she was not in the mood to care about such trivial matters now.


    Her right hand suddenly pulled with force, drawing Gu An toward her.


    In that moment, Gu An had plenty of time to react, and countless thoughts raced through his head, but inexplicably, he chose not to resist.


    The two quickly drew closer, and eventually, their lips met.


    Gu An''s eyes widened, but seeing Ji Xiaoyu''s somewhat resentful gaze, he lost the interest to pretend.


    The two just looked at each other, and the entire world seemed to fall silent; in their eyes, there was only each other.


    Gu An understood what she was thinking. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Ji Xiaoyu couldn''t figure out what was on his mind, but she wasn''t disappointed because she had already made her decision.


    After a while, Ji Xiaoyu let go, gently pushing Gu An back.


    Looking at Ji Xiaoyu''s expression returning to indifference, Gu An couldn''t help but sigh, "When I first saw you as a child, your gaze was just like it is now; I thought you were emotionless."


    Ji Xiaoyu stared at him and said, "You guessed right. After tonight, I will sever these feelings. Your cultivation level is higher than mine, so if we meet again later, let''s pretend this past never existed."


    Gu An asked, "Why? Are you afraid I''ll become your weakness?"


    Ji Xiaoyu shook her head, speaking in a very calm tone, "No, it''s just that I want to become the strongest, and you are also that kind of person. How can there be two ''strongest'' in this world?"


    With that, she turned and walked away.


    She walked to the door and glanced back at Gu An, saying, "You are the only man who has ever moved my heart, in all the reincarnations."


    Clang¡ª


    Ji Xiaoyu opened the door and left, closing it behind her.


    Gu An turned to look outside the window, where Demonic Qi obscured the moon. He raised his hand to touch his lips and let out a light chuckle.


    "Love in this world, what is it really? It commands people to pledge their lives to each other..."


    Gu An murmured to himself, not feeling sad, his tone even slightly cheerful.


    ...


    This morning at dawn, Ji Xiaoyu departed with the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor. They had few close friends in Medicine Valley, so their departure went largely unnoticed.


    As Gu An wandered through the valley, he found himself standing before Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, where Jue Luo Sword Monarch stood before a stele, lost in contemplation of the mountain.


    "The Great Heavenly Spirit Land is in peril; why do you not leave?" Gu An approached him and asked curiously.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch came back to his senses, turned, and gave Gu An a respectful bow, saying, "The seniors have not left; why should I? Moreover, this catastrophe is aimed at all living beings of Great Heaven and Earth. As a Free Immortal such as myself, as long as I do not become their enemy, I should not encounter any trouble."


    Gu An nodded, then followed with another question, "Has your Da Hong Sword Heaven ever experienced such a calamity?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch replied, "Yes, a very long time ago. It is said that Da Hong Sword Heaven was the only survivor of that era. Indeed, having endured such a calamity is what qualified Da Hong Sword Heaven to traverse the myriad universes."


    As he spoke of Da Hong Sword Heaven''s past, his face showed a trace of pride.


    "Who is the current ruler of Da Hong Sword Heaven?" Gu An asked curiously.


    The Daoist tradition of Da Hong Sword Heaven lay in the far-off Da Hong Realm, beyond his ability to deduce its causality.


    Yet he had an intuition that Yang Ping''an might be an ancient figure in relation to today''s Da Hong Sword Heaven.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch answered, "Currently, it is headed by the Supreme Sword Venerable, a descendant of Da Hong Sword Heaven''s ancestral master, and the inheritor of the master''s Sword Dao."


    Upon hearing this, Gu An fell silent.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch observed Gu An''s expression, speculating in his heart.


    He had always felt that Gu An possessed the Holy Heart Sword Dao; if Gu An had been of low cultivation level, he might simply have been an inheritor. But Gu An''s cultivation level was profound and unfathomable, which made him suspect that Gu An might very well be the Holy Heart Sword Dao itself.


    There was a legend within Da Hong Sword Heaven that the master of their ancestral master, the Saint Ancestor of Sword Dao, did not fall, but that with the Holy Heart Sword Dao, he became eternal and indestructible. The Saint Ancestor of Sword Dao dispersed into the cycle of reincarnation, impossible to find, only potentially revealing himself when the Holy Heart Sword Dao reappeared in the Mortal World.


    Over the years, some had come to understand the Holy Heart Sword Dao, but none were the true Saint Ancestor of Sword Dao. Nonetheless, Da Hong Sword Heaven continued to search for the Saint Ancestor, fulfilling the ancestral master''s will.


    As long as Da Hong Sword Heaven exists, so must the search for the Saint Ancestor continue.


    Boom¡ª


    A rumbling roar came from afar, and a tremendous oppressive force descended.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch turned his head, murmuring, "The Reincarnation Path Emperor truly is extraordinary; worthy of being one of the Four Emperors of Yin Yang. My master once said her talent was the strongest among the four; it''s just that she is the youngest." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An also looked towards the distance.


    Ji Xiaoyu did not seek out the Heavenly Demon Divine Emperor, but instead chose to make a move against Demon God Xuanhuang.


    "Speaking of which, she has a very good relationship with the Saintly lands of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. If she can find Shengtian, with Shengtian''s abilities, perhaps he could preserve the Holy Court. In that way, at least some living beings would survive, and this era might not be completely annihilated," Jue Luo Sword Monarch lamented.


    Gu An asked, "Have you ever heard of the Annihilation God Emperor?"


    Upon hearing this, Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s face changed drastically, and he looked at Gu An in astonishment.


    He struggled for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "The name of a God Emperor, I dare not utter casually; what do you wish to ask, senior?"


    Gu An looked up at the sky, speaking softly, "I didn''t mean to ask anything in particular; I merely wished to test the edge of the Annihilation God Emperor."


    At these words, Jue Luo Sword Monarch trembled with fear. He wanted to flee the place immediately, yet he feared offending Gu An.


    Although he was unsure of the extent of Gu An''s strength, the Annihilation God Emperor was certainly not someone he could provoke.


    Even if the Annihilation God Emperor was only a mythical legend, he held a deep wariness of him, a feeling common among cultivators who had ventured into the Silent Destruction Domain.

 Chapter 460 Demon God Approaches the Sky, Despair Descends

    "Just wanted to test the mettle of the Annihilation God Emperor?"Upon hearing these words, Jue Luo Sword Monarch felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He couldn''t imagine what kind of apocalyptic scenery would unfold if Gu An and the Annihilation God Emperor were to fight, fearing that even the Tao Rules of the universe would shudder.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch dared not continue the conversation and could only stare blankly at Gu An.


    Gu An looked back at him and smiled, "I was just talking nonsense, don''t overthink it."


    Practicing the Formless and Invisible Freedom Body, he was not affected by karma; even if he mentioned the Annihilation God Emperor''s name, he wasn''t afraid of being overheard by the Annihilation God Emperor, let alone, the Annihilation God Emperor of Outer Heaven was not the real body.


    Then, Gu An patted Jue Luo Sword Monarch on the shoulder, turned around, and walked along the foot of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, planning to wander around the valley.


    While it seemed he was inspecting Medicine Valley, his Divine Thought was constantly watching Ji Xiaoyu.


    Faced with the formidable Demon God Xuanhuang, Ji Xiaoyu completely unleashed the power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman. Although Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor did not join the battle, he was setting up a formation, channeling mysterious forces from other Great Heaven and Earth to aid Ji Xiaoyu.


    Gu An saw three towering figures in that formation, which he estimated were the other three from the group of Yin Yang Four Emperors.


    The intense power of the Reincarnation Path Emperor erupted, alarming various sects around the world and attracting more Great Cultivators and Great Demons to support.


    Gu An saw that Yang Xian Emperor and others also chose to join the fight, continuing to fiercely battle with the Demon God Xuanhuang.


    At the same time.


    At the edge of the Third Medicine Valley, atop a mountain peak by the cliff, Long Qing sat, his brows furrowed as he gazed at the sky, lost in thought.


    You Yingying approached from behind, standing beside him, and asked, "Do you feel something?"


    Long Qing turned to look at You Yingying and said, "Yes, Aunt You, do you feel it too?"


    You Yingying had raised him since he was a child; in his heart, she was like his mother, and despite his age, he still respected You Yingying deeply.


    You Yingying''s eyes were complex, she spoke softly, "Yes, I have recovered many memories and also felt the call of the origin, urging me to join that slaughter."


    Long Qing''s frown deepened, and he continued, "I haven''t recovered my memories, but I too feel a voice urging me to go out and join the battle."


    You Yingying turned to look at him, having sensed the aura of the same origin from him years ago, she knew Long Qing was also a reincarnated Heavenly Demon, but she had never mentioned it to anyone else, believing that Gu An also knew this, and thus, had always refrained from teaching him cultivation.


    "Think more about your master''s teachings; it might also be a tribulation for us," said You Yingying earnestly.


    Long Qing nodded, "Don''t worry, my teacher has already warned me, I won''t be reckless, and I know exactly who I am. I am Long Qing, and nothing from the past concerns me."


    He had lived for hundreds of years, cultivated for many years, and somewhat understood the matters of past life reincarnation. He speculated that if his past identity were revealed, it would bring great trouble, which was also why his master dared not teach him.


    The two turned their heads towards the horizon, continuing to share their feelings.


    They were just the tip of the iceberg. In various places around the world, reincarnated Heavenly Demons began to rampage and lose their senses until they reverted to their true demonic nature and started slaughtering all living beings.


    Gu An was not only focused on Ji Xiaoyu, his Divine Thought also covered various places around the world, continuing to exterminate Heavenly Demons and save the Mortal Spirits.


    He did not intend to change the larger situation in the world but wished to make the remaining lives of many Mortal Spirits somewhat better.


    ...


    Dark clouds churned, Demonic Qi roamed the Mortal World, and occasionally fierce winds roared across the land, shaking the mountains.


    An Hao and a group of cultivators stood on a mountain peak, staring at the battle ahead, all showing a look of shock, even the conceited An Hao could not remain composed.


    At the edge of the earth, the figure of Demon God Xuanhuang, taller than mountains, stood. His long hair transformed into a mass of dragons twisting and continuously spewing flames. His arms, bigger than mountain ranges, swung ceaselessly, and several huge Immortal Path Supreme Treasures surrounded him, various Divine Skills burst forth, shaking heaven and earth.


    An Hao''s gaze fixed on a figure, a female cultivator clad in a black robe with her face covered by a black and white mask resembling a Taiji diagram. Her long hair fluttered, and behind her, a majestic golden wheel hovered, from which golden dragons surged forth, vying to attack the Demon God Xuanhuang.


    It was Ji Xiaoyu!


    The power of the Primordial Daoist Talisman had been fully unleashed, and now she, in her original form, was contending against Demon God Xuanhuang.


    Her figure was only a hundred zhang tall, far smaller than Demon God Xuanhuang, but her aura was in no way inferior to Demon God Xuanhuang. At least from afar, An Hao and the others could not ignore her.


    An Hao even compared her to the Yang Xian Emperor and found that this woman was in no way inferior.


    Moreover, he felt as if he had seen her somewhere before.


    "Roar¡ª"


    Demon God Xuanhuang roared again, its voice strained to exhaustion, causing heaven and earth to tremble violently.


    Above its head, the dark clouds churned violently, forming a black vortex with thunder and lightning flashing inside, as if some terrifying being was about to be summoned.


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    Boom!


    A fearsome figure descended from the black vortex, landing on the ground and raising a dust cloud ten thousand zhang high.


    Another Demon God Xuanhuang!


    Upon closer inspection, this Demon God differed from Demon God Xuanhuang only slightly in skin tone, almost like an avatar, his aura not at all weaker than Demon God Xuanhuang''s.


    His appearance caused faces like the Yang Xian Emperor''s and others to change drastically.


    One Demon God Xuanhuang was enough to drive them to despair, let alone another one. How could they possibly stand against them?


    Transformed into the Reincarnation Path Emperor, Ji Xiaoyu did not show much reaction, at least the mask covered her expression.


    Two Demon God Xuanhuangs stood side by side, like the highest peaks in the world, exuding an aura that disdainfully overlooked all living beings.


    In their presence, everything in the world seemed to diminish.


    For a moment, the great battle paused, the forces of Great Heavenly Spirit Land dared not make any rash moves, while the two Demon God Xuanhuangs fell into a peculiar state of stillness.


    "What''s going on?"


    A cultivator beside An Hao frowned and asked, the other cultivators also becoming even more tense.


    Such a scenario was truly ominous, as if a great disaster was about to befall them.


    Suddenly sensing something, An Hao abruptly looked up, his expression changing dramatically, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "How is this possible!"


    The other cultivators also looked up, all of them turning pale with fright.


    In the sky, within the dark clouds, terrifying figures loomed, all immensely large, their forms identical to that of Demon God Xuanhuang.


    Yang Xian Emperor and Holy Minister also turned pale.


    In the distance, on the desolate land where the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor was forming formations, he too was dumbfounded, his body trembling, unable to believe his eyes.


    "How can there be so many..."


    The Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor said tremblingly. Behind him, three huge shadowy figures constantly supplied power to the Reincarnation Path Emperor, but these three figures seemed insignificant in front of the myriad Demon God figures, like ants looking up to a god.


    As far as the eye could see, the figures of Demon God Xuanhuang filled the whole firmament, each one already monstrous in size, now numbering over a hundred, forming a scene that drove all beings to despair.

 Chapter 461 Defying the Heavens, A Battle in Outer Heaven!

    Supreme Sect, Third Medicine Valley.All the disciples outside the houses gazed up, their pupils dilating, reflecting the terrifying visage in the sky, fear creeping across everyone''s faces.


    The black clouds in the sky surged endlessly, revealing only small parts of the horrific figures of the Demon Gods Xuanhuang, yet even the sight of their feet was enough to chill the spine.


    "What in the world is that?"


    "So many... could these really be Heavenly Demons?"


    "How... how can they be so massive?"


    "Are they coming for our Taicang Continent?"


    "Don''t panic, we have Sword Venerable Fudao, what''s there to fear?"


    Disciples in the valley discussed among themselves, trying to dispel the fear in their hearts, while those inside the houses also came out.


    An Xin looked up at the terrifying scene in the sky, her eyebrows knitted tightly. She looked towards Gu An''s loft, feeling the presence of her master, and her heart suddenly calmed.


    With the master here, even if the sky falls, there is no problem!


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the house.


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    Gu An held a book in one hand and twirled the Fate Determining Pen in the other, raising his eyebrows slightly as he muttered to himself, "Have you sensed it yet?"


    Before Ji Xiaoyu left, Gu An divined her future; she was meant to face a single Demon God Xuanhuang. After a fierce battle and securing victory, she would encounter the Annihilation God Emperor''s intervention.


    Now, the number of Demon Gods Xuanhuang had surged to one hundred and twenty, clearly the Annihilation God Emperor had foreseen something. His target was not Ji Xiaoyu, nor the Free Immortals of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, but Gu An.


    Gu An had eradicated many Heavenly Demons, the Annihilation God Emperor could not be unaware. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the Annihilation God Emperor could not foresee the hidden hand behind all this, so he dispatched more Demon Gods Xuanhuang. If he knew it was Gu An, he would have directly descended upon the Third Medicine Valley himself.


    Gu An was proficient in various sorceries to isolate causal divination, making him inscrutable to the Annihilation God Emperor.


    As Gu An looked at the life span notifications that kept popping up, a smile formed on his lips.


    In the last two days, by eliminating Heavenly Demons, he had already amassed two billion years of life span!


    Once this ordeal was over, he planned to prepare for his breakthrough, to reach higher realms sooner for peace of mind.


    At that moment, footsteps approached from outside the door.


    "Come in."


    Before Shen Zhen had even reached the door, Gu An''s voice had already reached her.


    The door was pushed open, and Shen Zhen stepped quickly inside, closing the door behind her, then walked over to Gu An''s desk and slammed a scroll onto the surface.


    "How is it? How well did I draw?"


    Shen Zhen asked proudly. Gu An looked intently and saw the figure of a Demon God Xuanhuang rendered lifelike on the scroll.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow, surprised, and asked, "How did you manage to draw this?"


    With Shen Zhen''s cultivation level, even if she could approach a Demon God Xuanhuang, it was impossible for her to clearly see their complete form. Could someone have visited her in a dream again?


    Gu An quietly divined, but did not sense anyone else''s causality in Shen Zhen.


    The fact that Demon Shore chose Shen Zhen was no coincidence; it was because of her talent.


    Gu An had thought it was his Daoist intent that influenced Shen Zhen, but now it seemed her own comprehension was also astonishing.


    Shen Zhen laughed proudly, "I listened to their roars and started imagining, what kind of existence they really are, and then I figured it out. Moreover, after drawing them, I feel that my Qi-Blood has also strengthened a lot. This feeling is too wonderful. I haven''t had such a sensation in many years. It seems my talent has returned."


    Gu An couldn''t help but praise her, which made her even more elated.


    Meanwhile.


    On the other side of the world, the battlefield was in extreme tension. Demon Gods Xuanhuang descended from the sky, causing the land to tremble; many fell into the ocean, yet somehow they remained close to each other. A continent several times the size of Taicang Continent could only accommodate ten Demon Gods Xuanhuang standing.


    An Hao and others were frightened into retreat, and it wasn''t just them; all cultivators below the level of Free Immortal were evacuating.


    Yang Xian Emperor, Holy Minister, and others were surrounded by Demon Gods Xuanhuang. They stood back to back, their faces grim as they surveyed the surroundings.


    As Ji Xiaoyu transformed into the Reincarnation Path Emperor, she found herself encircled as well. Her hundred-zhang stature seemed like a pebble at the foot of Mount Tai in front of over a hundred Demon Gods Xuanhuang.


    Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor stood in the middle of a formation, the three virtual shadows behind him dispersing with the wind, his body shaking continuously. He didn''t gaze at the Demon Gods Xuanhuang but kept his head down, eyes wide open.


    An indescribable killing intent targeted him, rendering him immobile.


    "How could this happen..."


    With great difficulty, the Sun and Moon Netherworld Emperor uttered a word, unable to say more. He wanted to warn Ji Xiaoyu but found himself unable to speak; he could only mutter fearfully in his heart.


    At that moment, an immense pressure enveloped the entire world.


    "The fate of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land has expired, your interference is against the heavens!"


    It was the voice of the Annihilation God Emperor, resonant and echoing throughout the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, heard clearly by all beings.


    The phrase "fate has expired" filled most living beings with despair, but hearing someone was intervening, a spark of hope ignited in their hearts.


    "The Holy Court, Shengtian? The Red Dust Immortal Emperor? Or perhaps the Reincarnator that hides within the Mortal World, no matter who it is, do you truly intend to withstand the grand Heavenly Might?"


    The voice of the Annihilation God Emperor rose again, and as his words ended, one hundred and twenty Demon Gods Xuanhuang unleashed devastating auras, shattering their continent, stirring up oceans into colossal waves that soared into the sky.


    The overwhelming pressure caused even the Free Immortals to fall, including Ji Xiaoyu.


    Although Ji Xiaoyu wore a mask, concealing her eyes, from her clenched jaw, it was clear she was unable to resist.

 Chapter 461 Defying the Heavens, A Battle in Outer Heaven!_2

    All over the world, cracks began to appear, and even the Taicang Continent began to tremble violently.The Supreme Sect immediately fell into chaos!


    Faced with such pressure, they could no longer afford to believe in Sword Venerable Fudao; they instinctively felt panic.


    Inside the loft, Shen Zhen was also frightened by this pressure, her face pale. She carefully looked at Gu An and asked, "Who was speaking just now? It wasn''t the Demon God from my painting, right?"


    Gu An glanced at her and said, "Indeed, it''s not the Demon God from the painting, it''s someone much more powerful."


    Each Demon God Xuanhuang possessed the pinnacle of strength in the Free Immortal Realm. Their combined momentum made it impossible for the Great Heavenly Spirit Land to endure.


    The Qi Fortune of schools all over the world began to disperse, mountains and rivers collapsed, and Grotto Heavens were torn; everything was moving towards destruction.


    Lava surged from crevices in the ground, driving away the Mortal Spirits, but the Mortal Spirits could not outrun natural disasters; like a flood sweeping over an ant nest, life at that moment became incredibly fragile.


    Ji Xiaoyu, Yang Xian Emperor, and other Free Immortals were pressed down by the overwhelming presence of the Demon Gods Xuanhuang as if plunged into the seabed. They seemed to have arrived in the Lower Realm. Looking up, the Demon Gods Xuanhuang stood above the sea, supremely confident, looking down upon them as if viewing ants.


    "Damn it..."


    The Holy Minister gritted his teeth; he was no longer afraid but angered by the words of the Annihilation God Emperor.


    Heavenly Will?


    They of the Holy Court were the heaven of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    The thoughts of the Yang Xian Emperor were similar to those of the Holy Minister; even in death, he did not want to acknowledge that the other party represented heaven.


    What saddened them most was that not just them, but all beings in the Great Heavenly Spirit Land at that moment didn''t even have the right to speak.


    In front of that voice earlier, were they any different from plants?


    "If it really is the Heavenly Will, then tell me why the Heavenly Will doesn''t let heaven and earth perish on their own, instead letting these undead puppets come out to slaughter?"


    Suddenly, a voice sounded; for some reason, at that moment, all beings in the world felt a sense of relief.


    All disasters on earth paused in an instant, only living beings could continue to move; the oppressive force of the Demon Gods Xuanhuang on them was quickly receding.


    This voice was Gu An''s!


    Upon hearing this, An Hao took a deep breath, turned around, and looked towards the figures of the Demon Gods Xuanhuang in the distance, his eyes filled with anticipation.


    He wanted to see how his master would eradicate these Demon Gods!


    Within the Third Medicine Valley, thousands of disciples turned their heads simultaneously toward Gu An''s loft.


    Atop the mountain, Long Qing, along with You Yingying, also turned around.


    Before Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, Jue Luo Sword Monarch turned, his face showing a tense yet excited expression.


    Such a matchless battle was a rare sight!


    The entire Supreme Sect suddenly quieted down.


    The sub-sect, Ye Lan, Zhen Qin were floating in the air, presiding over the Formation, but upon hearing Gu An''s words, they suddenly froze.


    "Senior brother."


    "Master!"


    The two women instinctively looked up at the sky; at that moment, the enormous shadows of the Demon Gods seemed not as terrifying as before.


    Far away in the Juhua Sect, Jiang Qiong was equally stunned. She felt fear from the words of the Annihilation God Emperor and was hesitating whether to abandon the Juhua Sect. Then the sound of Gu An''s voice arose.


    She could not have mistaken it; the voice just now definitely belonged to Gu An! Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire


    "So it''s you, Sword Venerable Fudao. I originally thought you were merely in hiding here, but it seems you have other plans." The voice of the Annihilation God Emperor resounded.


    Far in the cosmos, Black City shook violently, and the grand doors burst open.


    The Annihilation God Emperor stepped out from the immense black aura as if he had come from the chaotic void, exuding an ancient and vast aura.


    "I indeed do not desire to interfere in worldly affairs, but your self-righteous behavior and your words are unacceptable to me. The fate of this world should be determined by this land itself; even if its beings are to die, they should perish under the power of heaven and earth, not by the hands of an outsider like you."


    Gu An''s voice rang out again, conducting a remote conversation with the Annihilation God Emperor, fearless and even displaying a resolve that stirred the spirits of all beings.


    His words resonated deeply with the hearts of the beings.


    Indeed!


    Why should their life and death be determined by the Heavenly Demon?


    Third Medicine Valley, inside the loft.


    Shen Zhen looked at Gu An opposite her, extremely excited. Just separated by a table, watching Gu An sitting calmly, sizing her up while conversing with a mysterious enemy capable of destroying heaven and earth, she was so moved that she even wanted to kneel down and worship Gu An.


    The scene before her was not difficult to depict, but the impact Gu An had on her made it impossible for her to continue drawing.


    Gu An put down the scroll, lifted the Fate Determining Pen, and smiled at Shen Zhen, "Would you like me to write a couple of words for your painting?"


    Shen Zhen was still stunned and nodded subconsciously.


    Gu An then firmly held the Fate Determining Pen and wrote on the painting.


    "If you must interfere, then obliterate the Demon God and come to Outer Heaven to battle with us!"


    The tone of the Annihilation God Emperor suddenly changed, filled with oppression. He seemed to tear away his hypocritical facade, transforming from solemn and heavy to wickedly powerful.


    Battle in Outer Heaven!


    His challenge made all beings in the heaven and earth hold their breath and concentrate.


    The beings awaited the response from Sword Venerable Fudao.


    After a few moments,


    "Good!"


    Gu An''s voice suddenly rang out, uttering just one word, yet it brought boundless hope to all beings.


    At the same time, inside the house, as Gu An wrote down the last character, he swung the Fate Determining Pen forward, and ink flew out, soaring right in front of Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen subconsciously turned her head, trying to chase the flowing ink.


    With this stroke, Gu An utilized his causal power!


    The terrifying causal power of Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian swept unnoticed across mountains and lakes, vast oceans and islands, flying past countless birds and through fleeing cultivators and demons.


    Located underwater, Ji Xiaoyu, Yang Xian Emperor, and others looked upwards at the arrogant figures of the demon gods, their tension escalating as they awaited the intervention of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Suddenly!


    Every free immortal felt a shudder in their soul, overwhelmed by an indescribable fear, and then they witnessed a scene they would never forget.


    The figures of the Xuanhuang Demon Gods above seemed to be extinguished by an invisible hurricane, all disappearing in ashes together!


    Everything happened so quickly that the free immortals couldn''t even react in time.


    In an instant, a hundred and twenty Xuanhuang Demon Gods ceased to exist!


    Inside the house.


    Gu An stood up and walked around the table.


    Shen Zhen''s gaze subconsciously followed him, and she saw him approach her.


    Gu An pointed at the white paper that had appeared on the table without her noticing, smiled, and said, "Can you draw me next? Make sure to depict me handsomely."


    Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen instinctively grabbed Gu An''s arm, breaking from her fervent emotions. She looked at him and asked through gritted teeth, "Are you confident?"


    Somehow, seeing Gu An about to leave filled Shen Zhen with anxiety.


    She thought of those heroes in stories preparing for their final moments of glory.


    Although she was unclear about who the Annihilation God Emperor truly was or how powerful, it was obvious from his previous words that he did not fear Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Gu An smiled, "I''m not confident, but I still need to stand up; otherwise, who will champion this world? Don''t forget, you''re also part of this world." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He gently broke free from Shen Zhen''s hand and walked to the windowsill.


    Shen Zhen turned to look, and unexpectedly, sunlight appeared outside the previously dim window, shining directly on Gu An. Under the sunlight, Gu An gradually became ethereal and finally disappeared with the light.


    Shen Zhen couldn''t help but cover her chest, feeling an indescribable discomfort.


    Outside the attic, thousands of disciples who had been closely watching saw Gu An transform into light and leave, leaving them all stunned in place; they instinctively looked up.


    A hole appeared in the sea of dark clouds engulfing the sky, and sunlight poured down from there.


    Under the Mystic Pure Tree.


    An Xin looked up at the cloud hole in the sky, feeling infinite admiration rising within her.


    Master, is this the moment you spoke of, "turning the tide"?


    Gu An had taught her more than once to concentrate on cultivating, as the significance of diligent cultivation was to turn the tide when faced with crises others couldn''t handle; the rewards in that moment would exceed being powerful itself.


    Before, An Xin did not understand, what gains would helping others bring?


    But now, she understood.

 Chapter 462 The Power of the Taoist Hidden Immortal!

    Countless Heavenly Demons hovered above the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, guarding it from every direction, all their gazes fixated upon it.Looking along their line of sight, the magnificent and vast Great Heavenly Spirit Land presented a scene of destruction. Continents fractured like spiderwebs, tumultuous seas turned into terrifying waves, and all these scenes had come to a standstill.


    "The aura of Demon God Xuanhuang has disappeared, how is that possible..."


    "So many Demon God Xuanhuangs were annihilated in an instant, just how high is Sword Venerable Fudao''s Dao Level?"


    "Why hasn''t His Majesty appeared? He wouldn''t have..."


    "How could that be possible? He is the Heavenly Demon Great Emperor, the most powerful existence in our demon race. Nothing can have happened to him; he must be held up by something."


    "Will Sword Venerable Fudao come out?"


    The Heavenly Demons discussed heatedly, filled with fear towards Sword Venerable Fudao. They had experienced the formidable presence of Demon God Xuanhuang themselves; even a single one stood beyond their reach. And yet, so many Demon Gods Xuanhuang, standing together, were simply eradicated by Sword Venerable Fudao¡ªhow could they not fear him?


    Suddenly, a beam of golden light shot out from within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, piercing through the Heavenly Demons'' encirclement. The closest demons were so frightened that they hastily dodged.


    All the Heavenly Demons focused their gaze, and they saw a figure walking toward the source of the golden light. It was Gu An.


    Gu An, dressed in white, wielding the Fate Determining Pen, and wearing the Immortal King Crown, his aura that surpassed the Free Immortal held all the Heavenly Demons in awe.


    The Heavenly Demons did not feel an overwhelming presence from Gu An as they did from the Demon God Xuanhuang, but upon laying their eyes on Gu An, they could not muster a shred of fighting spirit.


    They didn''t feel discomfort in body or soul, but instinctively, a sense of reverence arose. Those of lower Cultivation Realm even knelt down, worshiping the figure of Gu An.


    Gu An looked ahead, moving within the golden light, his figure constantly shifting, leaving behind trails of afterimages, ethereal like an Immortal.


    Looking in the direction where the golden light extended, in the depths of the universe, thick black qi surged as the Annihilation God Emperor approached Gu An.


    Their eyes saw only each other, as if the demons and meteors they passed by on the way were nothing.


    The distance between them quickly closed, and the Annihilation God Emperor''s aura climbed relentlessly.


    The Heavenly Demons turned and watched, all knowing this battle would determine whether they could conquer the Great Heavenly Spirit Land or not.


    The people of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land also held their breath in anticipation; they couldn''t see the scene beyond the sky, but the natural disasters around them were still frozen, indicating Sword Venerable Fudao was still there and the calamity from beyond had not yet ended.


    Li Ya made his way through wall after wall of waves, gazing at the walls of waves around him that seemed like acts of gods, with nothing in his heart but awe.


    "How has the voice of the Primordial Ancestor changed, and why does it sound so familiar..."


    Li Ya muttered to himself, harboring an absurd guess in his mind.


    He secretly decided that, once this catastrophe was over, he would have to return to the Supreme Sect to find out.


    If it really was as he suspected, then his whole worldview would collapse.


    Impossible, right?


    Could I have misheard?


    Li Ya''s expression was complex. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, even thinking maybe he shouldn''t return at all.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on Li Ya''s shoulder, looking up at the sky with anticipation, awaiting its master''s performance. Though the pressure from the Annihilation God Emperor was overwhelming, it believed its master would not lose.


    The people were all emotionally invested in the battle beyond, while Gu An, the bearer of their hopes, was drawing ever closer to the Annihilation God Emperor.


    He watched the Annihilation God Emperor continuously elevating his own aura, even surpassing the Free Immortal Realm, and he was not surprised. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Summoning so many Demon Gods Xuanhuang, the fleshly body of the Annihilation God Emperor couldn''t possibly be as simple as a Free Immortal.


    Gu An could feel a faintly discernible aura of causality emanating from the Annihilation God Emperor, an aura that seemed to travel from another universe, its trajectory of causality unfathomable and inscrutable, only its unfathomable depth could be sensed.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao, who exactly are you, and what do you want?" the voice of the Annihilation God Emperor rang out, tone indifferent.


    Gu An walked in the midst of the golden light, replying, "That''s what I''d like to know as well."


    Whether he had surpassed the original self of the Annihilation God Emperor or not, he wouldn''t reveal the existence of Lifespan Samsara; the evolution of lifespan was his most crucial card, one he wouldn''t disclose to even the most important and closest beings to him¡ªit would remain a secret sealed forever in his heart.


    Without the experiences from Lifespan Samsara, it would be impossible for him to know about the original self of the Annihilation God Emperor, at least not now.


    "I am here to find someone. With your Tao Fruit Realm cultivation level, yet choosing to hide within the universe, it''s likely you are also searching for something." As the Annihilation God Emperor''s voice faded, the momentum of the Taoist Hidden Immortal erupted, startling the entire cosmos.


    The Tao Rules in the void began to rage, infinite Tao Spiritual Energy surged, raising waves of energy.


    The faces of the Free Immortals in the distant Great Heavenly Spirit Land dramatically changed colors.


    At this moment, they could confirm that the Annihilation God Emperor had indeed surpassed the Nine Heavens of Immortal Path. The difference of one realm was like the difference between immortals and mortals; they looked toward the Outer Heaven with anxiety for Gu An.


    Ji Xiaoyu also looked upward, but her face was hidden behind a mask, her expression unseen.


    "Do you wish to reach some kind of understanding with me? My demand is simple, let all beings within this heaven and earth live and die by their own devices."


    Gu An spoke assertively; having already revealed himself, there was no need to entertain the idea of retreat.


    He was prepared to make an enemy of the Annihilation God Emperor!


    Upon hearing these words, the Annihilation God Emperor''s gaze turned cold, he raised his right hand, palm up, and in an instant, the black aura around him surged and expanded tumultuously, coalescing behind him to form a massive dark-purple door, overwhelmingly large, adorned with various engravings¡ªsceneries of heaven and earth, Demon Beasts, and Fierce Beasts, all-encompassing. Anyone who saw this door would feel an overwhelming and vast presence wash over them.


    Gu An felt the Tao Rules around him suddenly solidify, Tao Spiritual Energy was squeezed out, as if an invisible domain unfolded, trapping him.


    "I have long since noticed that you have stepped into the Tao Fruit Realm. So be it, let us battle with our respective Dao." The voice of the Annihilation God Emperor rose again, and as his words ended, the Dao Gate behind him thunderously opened, brilliant light burst forth, and figures stepped out one after another.


    Gu An''s brow furrowed slightly.


    This was...


    His gaze immediately became icy cold, a killing intent blossoming in his heart. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire


    Without another word, Gu An raised the Fate Determining Pen and drew a large circle in front of him. The ink erupted with a terrifying force that shook the void, immediately after, a giant wheel appeared behind him.


    The Ultimate Mixed Yuan Wheel!


    Gu An then wielded the pen, and the grand and imposing Ultimate Mixed Yuan Wheel burst forth with a vast impulse, flying past him with formidable force, surging towards the Annihilation God Emperor.


    The Annihilation God Emperor lifted his hand, striking towards Gu An; the thousands of figures behind him mirrored the gesture, an endless parade of palm strikes bursting forth, each carrying different powers of rules, showcasing the formidable might of the Taoist Hidden Immortal to perfection.


    The two powers collided rapidly!


    The Ultimate Mixed Yuan Wheel crushed all the palm strikes in its path and sped towards the Annihilation God Emperor at an incredibly fast pace, smashing into the Dao Gate behind him!


    The Ultimate Mixed Yuan Wheel seemed to hitch for a moment, then shattered the Dao Gate, hovering behind the Annihilation God Emperor.


    The boundless cosmic void revealed a massive trail of energy that could not be seen to its ends, rapidly expanding as though a flood was laid across the cosmos, and Gu An and the Annihilation God Emperor were precisely in the midst of this torrential flow.

 Chapter 463 Rebirth of Heaven and Earth

    The Ultimate Chaos Disk hovered behind the Annihilation God Emperor, situated within the universe, as if it was the most ancient creation, vast and magnificent. It rotated slowly, as though the ancient hours were passing by, never to stop.Underneath the helm of the Annihilation God Emperor was nothing but darkness, like a black hole, preventing anyone from discerning his expression. However, from his shaking figure, it was apparent that his heart was far from calm.


    The noise from the collision of two Daoist paths gradually weakened until the universe fell into silence.


    Gu An looked at the Annihilation God Emperor, his heart still filled with the desire to kill.


    The Dao that the Annihilation God Emperor had just used was, in fact, Long Zhan''s Divine Skill, the Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Dharma. It was the creation of Long Zhan''s lifetime, able to summon a Reincarnation Body to fight for oneself.


    The Annihilation God Emperor, who assassinates Long Zhan, not only seized Long Zhan''s Divine Skills but also transmigrated into the body of a descendant of the Dragon Family to become his Reincarnation Body.


    Gu An''s judgment wasn''t made through prediction; Divine Skills could not reveal cause and effect, but he saw the figure of Long Xin.


    Long Xin had become the Reincarnation Body of the Annihilation God Emperor¡ªhow could he not be furious?


    "What a domineering Divine Skill, but you have not reached the Xuanyuan Realm," said the Annihilation God Emperor, his voice cold.


    He had hoped that Gu An would be of a higher realm to eliminate his current form, but from the Mana exhibited just now, Gu An was of the same realm as him.


    To be slain in seconds by someone of the same realm?


    Little did he know, Gu An was indeed a Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian, having intentionally suppressed his realm at the level of a Taoist Hidden Immortal.


    He was capable of battling Ji at the same realm; moreover, his own combat capabilities were extremely terrifying, having invested many years of his life span into his Daoist Sorcery.


    It wasn''t just his realm that was high, every aspect of his abilities, if taken individually, were oppressively strong!


    Moreover, Gu An had struck out in anger.


    Gu An did not lose his sanity and said, "It seems you still have your true body somewhere, but let me advise you, do not interfere with the destiny of all beings in the Great Heaven and Earth. The Heavenly Dao has its own rules."


    The figure of the Annihilation God Emperor began to dissipate, looking at Gu An in silence, wordless.


    Gu An waited until his figure had completely vanished; he received no notification of seizing life span. The body of the Annihilation God Emperor was so peculiar that Gu An couldn''t distinguish if it was an avatar or some special flesh and blood form.


    It deserves to be mentioned that the Annihilation God Emperor did not bear any animosity towards Gu An, which made him even more cautious.


    He turned around, looking towards the direction of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Countless Heavenly Demons watched the Ultimate Chaos Disk with wide eyes, all terrified.


    When the Annihilation God Emperor revealed his Dao Gate earlier, it was shocking enough, but they never expected that Sword Venerable Fudao would break his gate and destroy his body in one move.


    The stronger the demeanor the Annihilation God Emperor displayed, the more intense the shock Sword Venerable Fudao brought by killing him in an instant.


    On the side of the Heavenly Demons, all of them lost the will to fight, even forgetting to flee.


    It wasn''t until Gu An''s figure appeared within that golden light, heading back, that the Heavenly Demons snapped out of it and started to scatter.


    Gu An did not pursue the fleeing demons; after all, they were living beings too¡ªexcessive killing might attract major trouble. Moreover, he was now portraying himself as a reclusive Great Power. He had acted previously because he could not bear to see other beings suffer. If he were to massacre the Heavenly Demons indiscriminately, the nature of his actions would fundamentally change.


    He did not wish to reveal the slightest clue about the evolution of life span.


    Especially now that he was being watched by the Annihilation God Emperor.


    The Annihilation God Emperor might have sensed the ability of Long Zhan to take life spans, so he continually chose descendants of the Long Family to reincarnate.


    As Gu An walked within the golden light, ignoring the Heavenly Demons fleeing in disarray like a flurry of blossoms, he pondered on his own.


    He raised his eyes towards the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, deducing its cause and effect.


    After this battle, the Heavenly Demon retreated, the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty dissolved, and Great Heaven and Earth once again became a scene of struggle for supremacy between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court. But before the purge of all beings, the timeline was stretched long.


    Although an ultimate catastrophe would eventually cause the obliteration of all beings and the rebirth of heaven and earth, at least during this period, generation after generation of beings could live out their lives.


    For mortals, a thousand years were out of reach.


    For most demon creatures, ten thousand years were equally unattainable.


    For the beings before the old and new transitions of heaven and earth, Gu An was the Savior.


    And after the rebirth of heaven and earth, not all beings would die; ultimately a few would survive. When the new beginning started, they would become the trailblazers of the new epoch with their own Dao level, becoming the immortals in the hearts of the countless beings.


    Of course, the fate would keep changing, because enemies like the Silent Annihilation God Emperor and the Battle Court had their eyes on the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, as did other Free Immortals from different Great Heaven and Earth.


    It was not only the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, but any Great Heaven and Earth that had the same fate trajectory, with only a difference in time.


    As Gu An passed through the Heavenly Dao Light Layer, the natural disasters and calamities in the Mortal World began to subside, slowly, giving the mortal spirits plenty of time to evade.


    Looking down upon the Mortal World, a golden light shone on Gu An''s face, and he appeared indifferent like a Heavenly God, radiating an aura of absolute impartiality towards all beings.


    He saw Ji Xiaoyu.


    Ji Xiaoyu''s figure was also fading, and beneath her illusory form, a blazing Primordial Daoist Talisman emerged, absorbing her soul. The intangible Reincarnation Rules swept towards her like a tidal wave, ready at any moment to engulf her within the talisman.


    Ji Xiaoyu, too, was looking up at Gu An.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.


    A slight tremble crossed Ji Xiaoyu''s face, as if surprised, and then, she was taken into the Primordial Daoist Talisman.


    The talisman then contracted and disappeared into thin air at the bottom of the sea.


    The Free Immortals did not concern themselves with her disappearance, all still in shock at the power of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    As the surrounding seas poured in, they would soon be submerged, sinking to the ocean''s floor, yet they still did not move, staring blankly at the sky.


    Holy Minister took a deep breath, his expression complex, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves.


    He was filled with dread and did not even feel relieved.


    Gu An''s strength was beyond his imagination; he was now certain that even if Shengtian returned, he could not be Gu An''s opponent. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such a powerful being seemed ridiculous to even think of courting, and in the future, any decision the Holy Court made would have to consider the thoughts of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Otherwise¡­


    Sword Venerable Fudao could annihilate the Holy Court in an instant!


    Not just him, Yang Xian Emperor thought the same.


    The two exchanged a glance, reaching the same understanding.


    They needed to visit the Supreme Sect!


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples were still anxiously waiting.


    Shen Zhen stood by the window, basking in the golden light left by Gu An''s departure. She wanted to follow the golden light to catch a glimpse of Gu An''s figure. Her mind was a mess, unclear about what really happened in Outer Heaven.


    "Gu An, you''d better not run into trouble. Otherwise, who will I write my books for?" Shen Zhen bit her teeth and muttered to herself. No sooner had she spoken, she suddenly widened her eyes and rubbed them to make sure she wasn''t seeing things. After confirming she was right, a smile blossomed on her face.

 Chapter 464 Won by Luck

    Under Shen Zhen''s gaze, Gu An descended from the golden light as if there were an invisible staircase beneath his feet. He walked so steadily, resembling a Heavenly God descending to the Mortal World.More and more disciples noticed Gu An''s figure, and they all felt a surge of surprise and began to cheer.


    "Master has returned!"


    "It''s really Master! How come he''s back so soon?"


    "Did the other party flee?"


    "It''s unclear, but there was definitely a very terrifying pressure that came just now, I felt they had clashed."


    "Nonsense, our Master is Sword Venerable Fudao. Think about it, has Master ever not used an absolutely dominant stance to slay his enemies?"


    The disciples chatted among themselves, attracting even more disciples to join the crowd.


    An Xin saw Gu An''s figure, and her face bloomed with a smile. She immediately went over to take control of the situation to prevent the disciples from disturbing Gu An.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch, in front of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, had witnessed the previous battle and now wore a face of disbelief.


    That was the Annihilation God Emperor, the most terrifying legend of the Silent Destruction Domain. Such a terrifying being had no power to resist in the face of Gu An.


    Moreover, he heard what the Annihilation God Emperor said, these two supreme beings were of the same realm...


    Suddenly, Jue Luo Sword Monarch felt he couldn''t be considered a genius anymore. Facing a Free Immortal now, he would find it difficult to obliterate the opponent with one move. He could battle a dozen Free Immortals, but to kill a Free Immortal would be difficult, even to say, as long as the Free Immortal wanted to escape, he could not stop them.


    Shen Xinzi and Nine-Finger Divine Lord, two Great Cultivators of Medicine Valley, now revered Gu An like ordinary disciples.


    Nine-Finger Divine Lord was the most emotional.


    He had once thought he was lowering himself to befriend Gu An, but it turned out to be Gu An who had bent down.


    Thinking back on the chess games Gu An had played with him, he felt Gu An had been giving him guidance.


    For a moment, Nine-Finger Divine Lord was lost in reminiscence.


    Those who had been close to Gu An were also recalling the past, as Gu An''s demonstrated strength today shattered their previous perceptions.


    Shen Zhen stepped back, watching Gu An enter through the window. She stared dumbfounded at him, the golden light still not dispersed from his body.


    Gu An smiled, the golden sunlight behind him dissipated, and the room returned to its normal state.


    He raised his hand and waved in front of Shen Zhen, asking, "What are you thinking about?"


    Shen Zhen snapped back to reality and hurriedly asked, "Is it over?"


    "Otherwise, what? Do you think I just went to beg for mercy?" Gu An blinked and retorted.


    Shen Zhen''s beautiful eyes widened, and her breathing suddenly became hurried.


    "You won?"


    "Yeah, fortunately victorious."


    "Fortunate and so quick?"


    "When experts clash, the outcome often lies in an instant."


    "I don''t believe it."


    "Then nevermind. You were going to draw me, why haven''t you started? Can''t you manage?"


    "How could I not? I''ll draw you right now!"


    Although they were bantering, Shen Zhen was very excited. As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and went towards the desk.


    Gu An turned, looking out the window. The dark clouds in the sky were dispersing, making the outside world grow increasingly brighter.


    "Enjoy the years I have fought for you."


    Gu An murmured to himself, and next, he needed to prepare for his breakthrough.


    He extended his Divine Thought to cover the Mortal World, eliminating those Heavenly Demons that were still causing chaos. As for those that had fled, he couldn''t be bothered to chase them.


    Once he reached six billion years of Life Span, he would advance!


    News of Gu An''s return quickly spread to the Supreme Sect. As the natural disasters gradually subsided and the Heavenly Demons began to retreat, all beings across the lands understood that Sword Venerable Fudao had won.


    In the Mountain God Temple within the North Sea Mountains.


    Sage Xuan Miao sat on the stone steps, looking up at the dispersing dark clouds, filled with emotion.


    "Mountain God, Sword Venerable Fudao... so that''s how it is..."


    He suddenly gained insight. Identity wasn''t important, what mattered most was acting with the righteousness of the Heavenly Dao for all living beings.


    He closed his eyes and continued his cultivation.


    With Sword Venerable Fudao being so formidable, he absolutely couldn''t shame himself; after all, he was now somewhat like half a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The clamor in the world continued to rise. Against the lively backdrop of the world, Gu An chose to shut his door and not emerge. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the dark clouds that enveloped the world scattered, and the sun was also setting.


    Sunset and moonrise, when the morning sun rose, Gu An quietly left early in the day.


    First, he went to Hidden Spirit Palace to harvest the ripe Medicinal herbs, then had the Deep Sea Dragon Carp sow new seeds.


    Gu An lay on the rocking chair, admiring his Attribute Panel.


    Name: Gu An


    Life Span: 1,145/6,001,319,431


    Physique: Mixed Element Golden Body


    Cultivation Level: Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian Realm Perfect


    ¡­


    Six billion years of life span!


    I should be able to break through successfully, right? Experience new stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Last time I broke through, I only had a life span of three billion years.


    Gu An began to contemplate which Daoist Sorcery to enhance; he had experienced the thrill of annihilating enemies within the same realm in an instant, so he still needed to strengthen all aspects of his power.


    Of course, given a choice, he would still prefer to fight lower realms with a higher realm, trying to avoid confronting powerhouses of the same realm as much as possible.


    After a while, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, having finished its tasks, came before Gu An, looking at him hesitantly as if wanting to say something but stopping itself.


    "Speak if you have something to say," said Gu An with his eyes closed, his tone lazy.


    Taking a deep breath, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp cautiously asked, "Master, was that your voice yesterday?"


    "What, you couldn''t tell?"


    "No, no, it''s just that I¡­"


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp suddenly became excited, speaking incoherently, unable to express its emotions.


    It could feel the terrifying presences of Demon God Xuanhuang and Annihilation God Emperor even within the Hidden Spirit Palace. Yesterday, it had felt despair too, hesitating whether to leave the dojo or not but ultimately choosing to trust its master.


    It had hoped that the master would return to take it away, yet unexpectedly, the master directly confronted the world-ending Evil Demon on behalf of all living beings. Although it could not witness the battle, hearing the conversation between Annihilation God Emperor and its master made it profoundly stirred.


    Cultivation should indeed be so radiant and awe-inspiring, standing tall and proud against the sky!


    The gaze of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp toward Gu An was filled with fervor.


    Gu An opened one eye and looked at him, feeling almost goosebumps.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp seemed like a tender, pure-hearted beauty about to swallow him whole¡ªhow could he not be scared?


    "Go cultivate right away; your Cultivation Level is rising too slowly."


    Gu An said sternly, and the Deep Sea Dragon Carp snapped out of its trance, nodded subconsciously, then turned and left.


    But as it walked away, it kept looking back, while Gu An tried hard not to watch.


    Staring at the Deep Sea Dragon Carp for a long time, Gu An realized that it was indeed pleasant to look at.


    No sooner had the thought entered his mind than Gu An hastily dismissed it, continuing to ponder his plan to become stronger.


    An hour later, Gu An left the Hidden Spirit Palace and stepped into Outer Heaven.


    He was going to break through today!


    Having just slain a clone of the Annihilation God Emperor, the Annihilation God Emperor definitely could not arrive in a short time.


    Gu An was not going to wait for him to arrive before breaking through.


    Moreover, the universe was already turbulent these past few days; causing a commotion might not make others assume it was Sword Venerable Fudao at work.


    After all, Sword Venerable Fudao only wished to protect the Great Heavenly Spirit Land!


    Gu An concealed his form, and even a Taoist Hidden Immortal would not be able to see him; he quickly flew into the Silent Destruction Domain towards the spot he had previously selected for his breakthrough.


    This time, he planned to delve deep into the Silent Destruction Domain.


    Along the way, Gu An saw many Great Heaven and Earths, each encircled by a layer of Heavenly Dao Light, protecting them from the erosion of the Tao Spiritual Energy of the Silent Destruction Domain.


    How many heavens and earths are there in this universe?


    Gu An suddenly grew curious but didn''t rush to explore.


    Once he landed on a desolate continent, he immediately set up a Life Span Barrier. This continent was much larger than the Taicang Continent, with other similar desolate continents of various sizes floating around it, devoid of any greenery or elevation, dark and without daylight.


    Gu An speculated that this was what remained after a Great Heaven and Earth had been shattered, very distant from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, separated by eight vibrant Great Heaven and Earths along the way.


    He began to probe the universe with his Divine Thought, and the Divine Thought of a Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian spread out in an instant.


    The universe was boundless, and even the Divine Thought of a Xuan Yuan Zizai Xian could not reach the end in a short period, perhaps because there simply was no end.


    Gu An did, however, see a Boundary Gate, which in his eyes was a forbidden land. He did not want to disturb the Heavenly Spirit God, so he deliberately bypassed the Boundary Gate.


    Ten breaths later, Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought.


    He had explored thirty-seven Great Heaven and Earths that were in no way inferior to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, as well as thousands upon thousands of Minor Heaven and Earths.


    He remembered a legend that stated the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was merely a piece of what existed before; could it be that all the heavens and earths in the universe originated from the same source, and the Great Heavenly Spirit Land just happened to be the middle piece?


    He thought it was quite possible, especially since the entity guarding the Boundary Gate was also named after the Heavenly Spirit.


    Gu An was full of curiosity about the worlds within the Boundary Gate, but he knew now was not the time to explore the Boundary Gate, and he wouldn''t even seek out the legends about it.

 Chapter 465 The Breakthrough Begins!

    Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought and then sat cross-legged on the spot, summoning his Attribute Panel."First, enhance the physique!"


    The last enhancement had cost two hundred billion years of lifespan to succeed. How many billion years of lifespan would this time require?


    If it was too much, Gu An would have to give up a comprehensive enhancement and focus on improving his Cultivation Level first.


    Let''s start with one hundred billion years of lifespan!


    Invest!


    Gu An''s gaze fixed on the Mixed Element Golden Body in the Attribute Panel, silently making his decision.


    Series of prompts started to appear, and he was already prepared for failure.


    It wasn''t exactly failure, however, since it wasn''t a Tribulation Crossing. Even without enhancement, the evolution of lifespan would still strengthen his physique.


    Thinking this, Gu An felt quite relaxed.


    After all the prompts had appeared, the Mixed Element Golden Body did not advance.


    He continued to invest another hundred billion years of lifespan, watching the prompts quickly reappear.


    Still, there was no success in advancing.


    The third hundred billion years of lifespan was invested!


    After all the prompts had settled, Gu An could only continue to invest another hundred billion years of lifespan.


    He started to feel the pressure, realizing that at this stage, a full-range enhancement seemed out of reach with just sixty billion years of lifespan.


    Fortunately, on the fourth investment of a hundred billion years of lifespan, success was achieved, and the Mixed Element Golden Body advanced to the Primordial Chaos Body!


    As the successful prompts appeared, the Lifespan Barrier began to take effect, voraciously devouring the Tao Spiritual Energy from the void.


    The majestic Tao Spiritual Energy surged into Gu An''s body, causing his long hair to flutter.


    Gu An looked at the Lifespan Barrier, observing the changes in the consumed lifespan numbers.


    Very quickly!


    Thankfully, he had ample lifespan!


    After watching for a while, Gu An closed his eyes, immersing himself in the transformation of the Primordial Chaos Body.


    The void of the Silent Destruction Domain began to erupt, with terrifying figures surging in the darkness and vast Divine Thoughts sweeping through the void. The influence of the Lifespan Barrier continued to expand, not in a circular spread but by causing the void to be stripped of Tao Spiritual Energy. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The desolate continent where Gu An was located was just one of the affected areas. Although powerful presences flew over him, none had yet noticed the anomaly on this continent.


    After an Ancient Hour had passed, Gu An finally completed his transformation into the Primordial Chaos Body.


    During the transformation, he was not only absorbing Tao Spiritual Energy but also absorbing the Power of Dao. The Primordial Chaos Body had an affinity with all Tao Rules, allowing him from now on to comprehend any Tao much more easily.


    At the same time, he awakened the power of Ji.


    The power of Ji was not a transformation of Spiritual Energy but was a power of his own will, possessing an unfathomable capacity for metamorphosis and possessing unimaginable offensive might.


    After completing the sensation and understanding, Gu An felt he could wreak havoc everywhere purely with the power of Ji.


    It was indeed a physique that could only be forged with four hundred billion years of lifespan!


    And even before this, the Mixed Element Golden Body had also been built over many years of accumulated lifespan.


    Gu An recalled his previous physiques, ranging from low to high, as Five Elements Treasure Body, Innate Taoist Body, Mystic Holy Body, Primordial Karmic Body, Tai Chu Hun Yuan Body, Primordial Ultimate Body, Mixed Element Body, Mixed Element Golden Body, and Primordial Chaos Body.


    Before the Five Elements Treasure Body, he had spent a great deal of lifespan enhancing his Spirit Root.


    In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, a Treasure Body was already a first-class physique of the current age. Zhu Xi''s Tai Chu Swallowing Yuan Body was roughly equivalent to the Primordial Karmic Body, which was the most powerful physique Gu An had ever seen.


    Of course, it was only in this era that Gu An had seen many powerful physiques within the Lifespan Samsara.


    Next up was the enhancement of Cultivation Techniques, Ultimate Skills, and Divine Skills!


    First came the Great Tao Unlimited Skill!


    Gu An spent over three billion years of lifespan to elevate the Great Tao Unlimited Skill to the Tao Great Freedom Wishing Scripture!


    Then came the half an hour of legacy phase, where the Life Span Barrier had plunged the Silent Destruction Domain into chaos, with even some races fleeing.


    After inheriting the Cultivation Techniques, Gu An continued his lifespan evolution.


    The Great Thousand Follow Heart Void Skill ascended from the Great Thousand Xuan Void Skill, consuming nearly three billion years of lifespan.


    The Xuanhuang Eternal Dao Step ascended from the Eternal Measuring Heaven Dao Step, taking three hundred and fifty million years of lifespan.


    The Heavenly Purple Micro Saint Dao Body ascended from the Formless and Invisible Freedom Body, costing four billion years of lifespan.


    Time swiftly passed.


    The anomalies in the Silent Destruction Domain had already affected the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Both the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court dispatched Great Cultivators to defend it. The Heavenly Demons within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land had not completely dissipated, and now there was terrifying turbulence coming from beyond, alarming the cultivators from both sides.


    However, with the presence of Sword Venerable Fudao, they were not entirely hopeless.


    "What''s going on? Could there be an existence more terrifying than the Heavenly Demons?"


    "I''m not sure, maybe it''s related to that voice from yesterday."


    "Don''t be afraid. Despite the many terrifying aurae, if you feel carefully, they dare not approach the Great Heavenly Spirit Land." Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Exactly, Sword Venerable Fudao is an existence that transcends the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path. Have you ever heard of such an existence in the Silent Destruction Domain before?"


    Monks from the Holy Court and Immortal Spirits from the Immortal Dynasty discussed among themselves. Mentioning Sword Venerable Fudao excited them, especially when comparing him to the powerful beings from beyond, which filled them with pride.


    Their guesses weren''t wrong. Those terrifying aurae from the Silent Destruction Domain indeed dared not come close to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land. Many great powers secretly watched the battle between Gu An and the Annihilation God Emperor. When Gu An annihilated the Annihilation God Emperor with one move, they retreated very quickly and have yet to calm their emotions to this day.


    More and more Great Cultivators and Great Demons flew out from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, gathering above the Heavenly Dao Light Layer, readied for battle.


    While they discussed the anomalies from the beyond, they inevitably brought up Sword Venerable Fudao.


    Some even proposed that Sword Venerable Fudao should become the common lord of the world so that the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty need not compete anymore, and many agreed with this suggestion.


    Gu An, who was being discussed, had just finished inheriting the memory of the Heavenly Purple Micro Saint Dao Body. This was a Body Refinement Cultivation Technique, not a physique, and it still retained the trait of preventing deduction by others, while also awakening a Divine Skill.


    Gu An did not delve into the newly understood Divine Skill for the time being. He looked at his Attribute Panel and saw he had forty-one billion years of lifespan remaining.


    The consumption of lifespan by the Life Span Barrier was also a significant number not to be overlooked.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment and decided to directly invest in Cultivation Level!


    To avoid the risk of breakthrough failure!


    Good practice, one billion years at a time!


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for twenty million years, and with the Great Accomplishment of Tao Great Freedom Wishing Scripture, you forcibly attempted to break through to the Luotian Zizai Immortal Realm. You began Tribulation Crossing but could not endure the Cangxuan Great Dao Reincarnation Tribulation, and the crossing failed.]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for forty million years, and with Tao Great Freedom Wishing Scripture, you forcibly attempted to break through to the Luotian Zizai Immortal Realm. You began Tribulation Crossing but could not endure the Cangxuan Great Dao Reincarnation Tribulation, and the crossing failed.]


    ...


    Twenty million years for one Tribulation Crossing?


    Good grief!


    Gu An was shocked; the last time he broke through, it was only five million years per Tribulation Crossing.


    Is Luotian Zizai Immortal that tyrannical?


    And this was after Gu An had already enhanced his physique and Cultivation Techniques.


    Fortunately, he had kept forty-one billion years of lifespan, or else he truly might not have been confident in a successful breakthrough!

 Chapter 466 Breaking Through to the Late Stage of the Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm

    Twenty million years per tribulation crossing¡ªthat meant Gu An''s investment of one hundred million years of lifespan could only sustain five tribulations.Almost without any suspense, they ended in failure.


    He still had four billion years of lifespan left¡ªcould he cross tribulation two hundred times at most?


    This time, he must reserve at least five hundred million years for the Life Span Barrier, to avoid any mishap.


    Gu An took a deep breath and continued investing lifespan, still in increments of one hundred million years each.


    Above him, the Tao Spiritual Energy surged like fog, as if the sky was churning, oppressive and spectacular; great figures flitted by, visible one moment and gone the next.


    Gu An didn''t look up, focused on the investment of his lifespan.


    One hundred million followed by another hundred million!


    Soon ten billion years of lifespan disappeared, and Gu An''s complexion turned grim.


    Continue!


    Still in units of a hundred million years, he kept investing!


    Gu An''s mood was relatively steady; as long as he could break through successfully, what did it matter if he only had a hundred years of lifespan left?


    He could quickly accumulate lifespan!


    In the end, another ten billion years were spent.


    Gu An, seeing that he only had twenty-one billion years of lifespan left, felt some trepidation.


    Was he constantly reincarnating during the twenty million years following a failed Cangxuan Tao Tribulation Crossing?


    Engrossed in his chaotic thoughts, Gu An continued to invest one hundred million years of lifespan.


    One hundred million followed by another hundred million years!


    Gu An''s lifespan quickly dwindled to eleven billion years. He decided that if he still hadn''t achieved breakthrough success by five hundred million years, he would give up trying to break through.


    Having thought this, he once again invested one hundred million years.


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    The prompt length changed!


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for sixty million years, you forcefully attempted to break into the Early Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm with the help of the Tao Great Freedom Wishing Scripture, beginning your tribulation. You endured the Cangxuan Tao Reincarnation Tribulation and successfully crossed the tribulation, your cultivation level breaking through to the Early Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm.]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred million years, your cultivation level has improved.]


    Ten billion years of lifespan remaining, continue to ascend!


    Gu An invested another two hundred million-plus years of lifespan, finally advancing his cultivation level to the middle stage of the Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm.


    He suddenly felt uneasy, fearing that this time, he might be unable to reach the Perfect Realm in one go.


    No matter, it would be good enough to reach the late stage; the middle stage didn''t sound strong enough.


    Eventually, Gu An invested over three hundred million years of lifespan and successfully reached the late stage of the Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm. He had a bit over four hundred eighty million years of lifespan remaining, and the Life Span Barrier had already started extracting Tao Spiritual Energy. The disturbance this time would surpass all before.


    Gu An only hoped not to alarm the Heavenly Spirit God.


    He didn''t want to encounter the Heavenly Spirit God at this moment. He felt that even the true form of the Silent Annihilation Divine Emperor was not as strong as the Heavenly Spirit God otherwise, the Silent Annihilation Divine Emperor in his true form would have sought him out for trouble long before.


    Without absolute confidence, Gu An wouldn''t recklessly clash with the Heavenly Spirit God.


    Even if the cosmos where the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was located was a prison, as long as he could continue seizing lifespan, even if he always stayed within the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he wouldn''t find it dull.


    Gu An watched the Life Span Barrier, ensuring the speed of lifespan consumption wouldn''t threaten his life. After which, he relaxed and started to carefully sense the fortunes of his own body.


    From Xuanyuan to Luotian, there must be extraordinary aspects.


    As Gu An began his attempt to break into the realm of the Luotian Freedom Immortal, Tao Spiritual Energy was extracted from various places across the universe, with no traceable origin.


    Around the bounds of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, the void churned up a Tao storm, howling ceaselessly and terrifying, causing those strong presences atop the Heavenly Dao Light Layer to become incredibly nervous.


    The disturbances in the universe grew larger and larger, and while there wasn''t the terrifying pressure of the Silent Annihilation Divine Emperor, the abnormalities in the universe''s laws and spiritual energy were more unsettling, leading people to worry whether the universe was on the verge of collapse.


    Some speculated that it was the immense strength of Sword Venerable Fudao and that mysterious being that made the universe unable to withstand.


    However, no one dared to blame Sword Venerable Fudao, for without him, that mysterious being would have the power to annihilate the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Time continued to elapse.


    While all beings were restless and uneasy, Gu An was immersed in the fortunes of his being.


    Within the Great Heaven and Earth, Mortal Spirits were unaware of the disturbances beyond the sky. With the retreat of the Heavenly Demons, a sense of renewal and jubilation spread across the land. Those Mortal Spirits who survived the great calamity expressed their gratitude toward Sword Venerable Fudao, and some had even begun preparations to erect monuments in his honor.


    Within the Third Medicine Valley.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch sat meditating atop a cliff, gazing up at the sky with a deeply furrowed brow. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The location was very close to Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, and he had intended to meditate and gain enlightenment there. However, the increasingly frequent disturbances from beyond the sky made it impossible for him to calm his mind.


    "What will happen next?" Jue Luo Sword Monarch wondered with confusion. Even beings like the Annihilation God Emperor had been destroyed, and he had thought there would be a period of calm. Unexpectedly, new changes had arisen so soon.


    He couldn''t help but feel that the Great Heavenly Spirit Land was a place of constant disaster and turmoil. On second thought, he found it normal, considering it was the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, the center of the universe. Although it might not be the strongest land, its past made it clear that it would never be ordinary.


    After the battle had ended the day before, many people had arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, all wishing to visit Sword Venerable Fudao. Lv Baitian had specifically ordered the cultivators from the Lv and Ji Families to guard the surroundings of Medicine Valley to prevent Gu An from being disturbed.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, who had come to visit, were also stopped.


    "Sword Venerable Fudao is my master, how dare you block my way?" Zhen Qin exclaimed with wide eyes, annoyed.


    The middle-aged cultivator who had stopped her paled, saying solemnly, "Do not spout nonsense!"


    After speaking, he instinctively glanced around, clearly wary of something.


    At that moment, a figure clad in tight black clothes and wearing a theatrical mask appeared out of thin air. Upon seeing him, the expression of the middle-aged cultivator became even more unnatural.


    Immediately afterward, as if hearing something, the middle-aged cultivator bowed to Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, saying, "My apologies, I was blind to the truth. I am simply following orders. Please come in!"


    Zhen Qin gave a glance at the figure in black and couldn''t help but pout before pulling Ye Lan into the Third Medicine Valley.


    The figure in black vanished from the spot, and the nearby Lv Family cultivators crowded around the middle-aged cultivator, curious to know if the two women indeed were the disciples of Sword Venerable Fudao.


    The middle-aged cultivator took a deep breath and nodded slowly. This caused the others to turn and observe the retreating figures of Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, memorizing their faces so as not to act inappropriately if they met them again.


    After entering Medicine Valley, Ye Lan realized there were more people than the last time she visited, and many of them had cultivation levels she couldn''t fathom.


    "Junior Aunt, Senior Sister, you''re here," An Xin walked quickly toward them, greeting them warmly. Seeing Ye Lan, both ladies also smiled.


    Zhen Qin went up to join her, linking arms with An Xin, and the two women immediately began chattering away.


    After a while, seizing a moment, Ye Lan asked, "Isn''t Senior Brother here?"


    An Xin nodded and said, "He left early this morning, but he always returns quickly after leaving. Shall I show you where to stay first?"


    Ye Lan had no objections. Now that she knew Gu An was Sword Venerable Fudao, she was even less worried that he would be away for long.


    The three women walked toward a cluster of attics, and Ye Lan suddenly asked, "An Xin, did you know about your true identity a long time ago?"


    Zhen Qin followed suit, turning her gaze to An Xin.


    An Xin let out a bitter smile, "How could I? I only found out yesterday as well."


    Upon hearing this, Ye Lan''s face broke into a smile, and Zhen Qin followed, complaining about how well their master had kept the secret from her.


    With a sense of self-congratulation for having dodged the bullet, An Xin thought to herself, "Master, I have learned a tenth of your ways." She was no fool; Ye Lan was clearly probing her, and she didn''t want to start a conflict with her future mother-in-law.


    Although Ye Lan and Gu An were simply fellow disciples at this point, in An Xin''s eyes, the two were no different from Daoist partners.


    The three women began to recall the past, marveling that Gu An had kept such a deep secret. Zhen Qin was curious: Gu An had come to the Supreme Sect at a very young age, having been born into the Ji Family. Had he disguised himself as an infant?


    An Xin brought up the topic of Reincarnation Tribulation, saying she had heard from a senior that once one''s realm reached a certain level, they could enter reincarnation and be reborn, yet still be able to wield the power of their past life, which enlightened the two women.


    They began to discuss the concept of Reincarnation Tribulation.


    Elsewhere.


    Long Qing approached Blood Prison Great Saint, who had transformed into human shape. After transforming, Blood Prison Great Saint had not secluded himself in a room; instead, he continued his vigilant watch at the foot of Gu An''s building.


    At that moment, Blood Prison Great Saint was practicing a certain Divine Skill, his palms concentrating blood qi. Combined with his white hair and horns, he looked fierce and sinister.


    "Brother Niu, how about a match?" Long Qing chuckled.


    Now that the Heavenly Demons had started to disperse, the strange feelings that had plagued his heart had vanished, and he was free to live his life.


    Blood Prison Great Saint opened an eye, ready to refuse, when suddenly he saw something which made a proud smile spread across his face. "You want to challenge me? You might as well challenge your Senior Brother first."


    "My Senior Brother?" Long Qing was surprised and instinctively turned, following Blood Prison Great Saint''s gaze toward the entrance of Medicine Valley. There he saw a figure approaching: a handsome man dressed in silver chainmail and a white robe, whose sharp aura could not be concealed.

 Chapter 467 Luo Tian Representing Heaven!

    Yang Jian walked along the mountain path of the Third Medicine Valley, looking at the bustling Medicine Valley, his heart filled with emotion.Years had passed, and truly, things were no longer the same!


    After walking a distance, Yang Jian didn''t come across anyone familiar. He did not use his Divine Sense, returning to this place, he didn''t want to be too intrusive.


    "Yang Jian, Senior Brother?"


    A voice filled with surprise reached his ears, prompting Yang Jian to turn and look. He saw a female cultivator approaching, her features pleasing and appearing to be in her thirties. Her eyes shone with surprise as she looked at him, even mixed with tears.


    Yang Jian looked at her, finding her somewhat familiar, yet he couldn''t recall who she actually was.


    Countless years are so long, to say nothing of his journey into the Reincarnation Vortex, experiencing many lives. In his eyes, the time that had passed was far more than just a few hundred years.


    Yang Jian watched the female cultivator come before him, her joyous eyes making him feel compassion. After some thought, he asked, "Are you well?"


    The fact that she could call out his name meant she certainly knew him. Unable to explain the intricacies of reincarnation, it wasn''t kind to say he had forgotten her.


    The female cultivator became even more excited, starting to recount her life after Yang Jian had left. From her words, Yang Jian learned her identity and the changes in the Third Medicine Valley and the whole world after his departure.


    When he learned about Gu An''s cultivation being revealed, he wasn''t surprised, as he had already heard about the recent events on his way here.


    This return also involved the arrangement of the Holy Court. He was originally back to join the war effort, but now he was sent to find Gu An, and it was the Holy Minister who personally brought him here. At that moment, the Holy Minister was in the Outer Gate City, feeling the Sword Intent on the Heavenly Repair Platform.


    So many years had passed, not many people in the Third Medicine Valley knew of Yang Jian, but his name had always been circulated.


    The female cultivator was no longer a disciple of the Medicine Valley. Today, she had come back to visit her juniors, and upon seeing Yang Jian, she was beyond excited. She introduced Yang Jian to everyone she met. Those who had heard his name were surprised, and those who hadn''t showed warmth after learning he was Gu An''s disciple.


    This eased Yang Jian''s nervousness significantly.


    Carrying the mission of the Holy Court made him feel uncomfortable, but the Holy Minister had not required him to do anything outrageous¡ªjust to ask Gu An for his opinions on the future of the world. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, another person had arrived.


    Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Dynasty.


    He had initially represented the Immortal Dynasty to win over the Sword Venerable Fudao and had met Gu An during this process. Many years had gone by, and he had almost forgotten Gu An until the Yang Xian Emperor summoned him and said that Gu An was indeed the Sword Venerable Fudao, even personally bringing him to the Third Medicine Valley.


    It wasn''t until he stepped into the Third Medicine Valley that he, too, was stupefied.


    The vague memory of Gu An became clear in his mind. When he recalled their past interactions, he found mysteries at every turn. Gu An''s sunny smile seemed loaded with deeper meaning, leaving him feeling uneasy, unsure of how to face Gu An.


    His steps slowed. Suddenly, he was afraid to confront Gu An.


    What would he say to the one who had salvaged the entire Great Heavenly Spirit Land?


    What could he say?


    Zhang Xianwang was in turmoil, almost in a daze.


    Nobody greeted him along the way. It wasn''t that the people of the Third Medicine Valley had become arrogant, but they had just experienced a huge battle the day before. Everyone was still excited and emotional, which couldn''t settle down, plus Yang Jian was attracting a lot of attention.


    Suddenly.


    Slap!


    A hand landed on Zhang Xianwang''s shoulder, frightening the Carefree Primordial Immortal so much that his Three Souls and Seven Spirits nearly flew out.


    He instinctively turned around, and then, as if struck by lightning, he froze.


    "Brother Zhang, it''s been a long time."


    Gu An said with a smile on his face. He had just made a breakthrough and was in a good mood.


    He was now in the later stages of the Luo Tian Freedom Immortal Realm!


    He still had over thirty-one million years of life left. How could he not be happy?


    Beneath the happiness, he also felt some emotion.


    Just breaking through in cultivation level cost him 450 million years of his lifespan!


    The next time he broke through a great realm, he would need to prepare ten billion years of life and could unlock new abilities.


    As Gu An pondered these thoughts, he asked with a smile, "Brother Zhang, what''s wrong? Don''t remember me?"


    He could see through Zhang Xianwang''s purpose at a glance, and he could see all of the Carefree Primordial Immortal''s fate, even hearing Zhang Xianwang''s inner voice.


    This was the power of a Luo Tian Free Immortal, able to merge into the Heaven and Earth Rules, integrating will with heaven and earth, and thus knowing everything within heaven and earth.


    In a sense, Gu An could become the sky of the Great Heavenly Spirit Land.


    Zhang Xianwang came back to his senses, answering in a fluster, "How could I forget you, no, forget you..."


    "Huh? What''s the matter, don''t consider me a friend? What''s all this ''you, you''? I don''t like to hear it," Gu An said with a stern eye.


    He wasn''t pretending on purpose; he''d always had a good impression of Zhang Xianwang. When they first met, Zhang Xianwang didn''t know his cultivation realm. For the Carefree Primordial Immortal to be so high above and still be friendly with cultivators from the mortal realm proved that Zhang Xianwang wasn''t as arrogant as most in the Immortal Path.


    Even now, as the Luotian Zizai Immortal, Gu An still liked the life of ordinary people. He didn''t want to become an aloof and indifferent god; he wanted to continue being human.


    Of course, these were his current thoughts; he couldn''t say if they would change in the future, but he hoped to live his life freely.


    "I..." Zhang Xianwang suddenly didn''t know how to respond.


    Gu An grabbed his arm and started pulling him towards his attic.


    Zhang Xianwang dared not resist, but he was very pleasantly surprised; Gu An''s attitude relieved much of his pressure.


    He looked at Gu An''s profile and thought him truly remarkable. Possessing cultivation far exceeding that of His Majesty, yet he could lower his stature to befriend and discuss the Dao with those of lower realms.


    It seemed to Zhang Xianwang that what Gu An said to that mysterious being was true; he really possessed a heart that understood all beings.


    Suddenly, Medicine Valley erupted in thunderous cheers, for someone had spotted Gu An''s return. The disciples surged towards him like a tide.


    Quite presumptuous.


    That''s what Zhang Xianwang thought. He guessed Gu An would scold the disciples for their lack of manners.


    However, what happened next astounded him.


    Gu An didn''t scold them. Instead, he greeted them with a smile. As they were surrounded by the disciples, he greeted each one, answering their inquiries.


    Looking at the smile on Gu An''s face, Zhang Xianwang felt he was just a common man, yet there was something about him that was admirable.


    True strength wasn''t about domination; it was the ability to embrace everything.


    Zhang Xianwang suddenly felt this trip hadn''t been a waste. Although he hadn''t yet ascertained Gu An''s views on the world, he had already gained something.


    He had never been an arrogant person; it was the honor of the Immortal Dynasty that compelled him, often forcing him to adopt a haughty attitude.


    "Master..."


    Yang Jian squeezed through the crowd, looking at Gu An with excitement.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Jian''er, it''s been a long time. Come to my house and let''s talk."


    Upon hearing this, Yang Jian was even happier, as all his worries melted away.


    So, Gu An, along with Zhang Xianwang and Yang Jian, moved forward, greeting the disciples and friends along the way.


    Not only Zhang Xianwang was moved by Gu An''s style; Jue Luo Sword Monarch was too.


    He couldn''t understand why Gu An got along so well with these mortals, nor could he comprehend why these mortals lacked a sense of awe towards Gu An.


    "Master!"


    Zhen Qin''s voice suddenly came from behind the crowd; Gu An, surrounded by all like the moon by stars, smiled at her and Ye Lan, then pointed to his attic and said, "Let''s talk in my house."


    Ye Lan looked at Gu An like this, her face brimming with a smile.


    The senior brother was still the same senior brother; no matter how powerful, he was always so kind.


    It took a while before the five of them got back to the house.


    Gu An had them sit down and then asked Zhen Qin to pour tea.


    Although Zhen Qin had long left Medicine Valley, she was not angry but happy to be given a task by Gu An.


    The master still considered her one of his own.


    Gu An first made small talk with Zhang Xianwang, while also introducing Ye Lan and Yang Jian to him.


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    Upon learning that this person came from the Immortal Dynasty, Ye Lan was surprised but quickly accepted it.


    Who in the whole world wouldn''t want to make acquaintance with her senior brother now?


    But when Ye Lan learned that Yang Jian was actually the reincarnation of a Holy King of the Holy Dynasty, she was a bit astonished.


    At the same time, she became more convinced that Gu An was the reincarnation of a Great Power; her childhood memories were not false.


    Zhang Xianwang, however, was not surprised; he could sense the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court on Yang Jian and even the aura of an old acquaintance.


    Had he already left?


    Zhang Xianwang thought of Heaven Sect with a touch of regret.


    But he had already been tempered by the years and would not be saddened by this.


    "I am aware of your purpose," Gu An suddenly said, his smile gone from his face.


    In that moment, Zhang Xianwang and Yang Jian felt immense pressure.


    It was as if they were facing the Heavenly Dao!

 Chapter 468 Facing the Heavenly Dao

    Gu An finished speaking, and his gaze began to sweep over Yang Jian and Zhang Xianwang, causing the atmosphere in the room to drop to a freezing point.Just having taken a seat, Zhen Qin was also stunned silent, not daring to breathe too loudly.


    Now, she truly believed that her master was Sword Venerable Fudao, this aura was too terrifying!


    It was also the first time Yang Jian had felt his master display such an aura, and even though he had regained his memories from his previous life and possessed a wealth of experiences, he still felt a chill in the face of Gu An''s aura, feeling as though even the mana in his body had solidified.


    The nervousness that Zhang Xianwang had felt earlier surged back, and his entire body stiffened.


    Ye Lan, on the other hand, wasn''t nervous; she felt in the depths of her heart that Gu An would never hurt her.


    "Daoist Friend from before, you speak."


    Facing the pressure from Gu An, Zhang Xianwang gritted his teeth and asked.


    Gu An replied expressionlessly, "I don''t intervene in the conflicts of the Great Heaven and Earth, but do not provoke me, and do not involve the Mortal Spirits. Immortals are different from mortals, not in terms of status, but because the gap in power requires a safe distance to be maintained."


    After hearing this, Yang Jian and Zhang Xianwang immediately nodded in agreement.


    Gu An then revealed a smile, the terrifying pressure completely disappearing, leaving Yang Jian, Zhang Xianwang, and Zhen Qin somewhat in a daze.


    "Alright, I''ve said what you wanted to ask, now we should talk about something cheerful. How have you all been these years, Jian''er, you go first."


    Gu An looked towards Yang Jian with a smile and asked; Yang Jian came back to his senses and immediately began recounting his experiences. Even with Zhang Xianwang beside him, he did not hold back.


    Zhang Xianwang was very interested in his experiences.


    Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, upon hearing that Yang Jian had entered Reincarnation, became interested.


    Unlike the three individuals from Medicine Valley, the two of them were at the Mortal Spirit Realm. Even in their Sub-sect where they held authority, they were still at the bottom of the Immortal Cultivation World and could not touch upon the matters of Reincarnation.


    They had been to the Mortal World to deliver Wild Ghosts to salvation, but they could not fathom how Ghosts reincarnated.


    Gu An also listened attentively, occasionally asking for details, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.


    Meanwhile, the anomalies outside Outer Heaven finally began to slow down, and the creatures of the Silent Destruction Domain remained anxious. There had been pauses before, but soon after, the Tao Spiritual Energy would violently stir once more, so they did not dare to believe this peace would be the last.


    Time swiftly passed.


    Until dusk, Gu An asked An Xin to settle Zhen Qin, Yang Jian, and Zhang Xianwang, while he spent time alone with Ye Lan.


    Gu An looked at Ye Lan and said, "Ask what you want to ask."


    He had previously concealed his identity as Sword Venerable Fudao, and he could hear Ye Lan''s thoughts, so he encouraged her to speak her mind.


    Indeed, Ye Lan had many questions, but seeing that Gu An had kept her alone, willing to explain, her grievances melted away like mist before the sun.


    Who Gu An was, did it really matter?


    What was important should be that Gu An, no matter his identity, was protecting her.


    Furthermore, seeing the commotion outside, Ye Lan understood why the identity of Sword Venerable Fudao had to remain a secret.


    Ye Lan smiled brightly and said, "How does it feel to be so admired?"


    Gu An heard her question and knew she bore no grudge.


    Her junior sister was always so understanding.


    Gu An shook his head with a smile and said, "It''s all empty fame. In this world, a name might live longer than the person, but it cannot withstand the passage of time."


    "But that''s for ordinary people. With elder brother''s prowess, people will surely talk about you forever." Ye Lan spoke earnestly.


    Throughout history, how many had the power to save the world?


    As far as she knew, there was no one better, more accomplished than her elder brother.


    Gu An smiled helplessly and then picked up the teapot to pour some tea for Ye Lan.


    Ye Lan read his expression and thought about Gu An''s previous conversation with the Annihilation God Emperor, so she couldn''t help asking, "Could a world like ours really be destroyed?"


    Gu An nodded and said, "It was destroyed once long ago. The current Great Heaven and Earth is but a fragment of what once was, and there are many Great Heaven and Earths beyond our sky. Perhaps there are even multiple universes out there. There might be many, many universes. Even I feel very small in comparison."


    Hearing this, Ye Lan''s imagination took flight and she exclaimed earnestly, "There are people beyond our people, and skies beyond our sky. I really want to see what lies beyond Outer Heaven, but alas, I am not qualified."


    Gu An looked at her and said, "If you wish to go, I can take you."


    Ye Lan was somewhat tempted, but she still shook her head and said, "Let''s not, I am afraid that seeing it will only make me more discontent."


    She then looked steadily at Gu An and asked, "Elder brother, is there truly a chance in Reincarnation? Will the me in my next life still be me?"


    She had become intrigued by Reincarnation after hearing Yang Jian''s experiences.


    Moreover, the Primordial Reincarnation Skill could accumulate Cultivation Level across Reincarnations. Previously, she did not believe in it, but now she thought that perhaps embarking towards death was the beginning of Innate Reincarnation.


    Hearing her thoughts, Gu An answered, "Of course, there is. The path of Immortal Cultivation is to explore the Path of Tao, and Reincarnation is also a form of Tao. If you can recover your memories in your next life, then you are still you. But even if memories are not recovered, you are still you. Your Soul has not changed. Reincarnation might erase memories, but it can''t alter your nature, nor can it change the deep-seated desires that burst forth from your heart."


    He had always felt that one''s nature was determined by the heavens, that it''s the experiences of life that suppress nature and shape principles, thereby forming a new person.


    Like in his previous life, he understood many truths, but he found it hard to control his own will and desires.


    Even now, though he was strong, many thoughts sprouted in his mind, thoughts that sometimes conflicted with his understanding of the path.


    Cultivation is about cultivating the heart, for by cultivating the heart, one can control their nature.


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    Ye Lan revealed a smile and said, "I also want to reincarnate, and I don''t know whether in the next life my senior brother will still find me."


    Up to now, she no longer doubted Gu An''s abilities, she believed that to Gu An reincarnation was just an ordinary matter.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow and said, "Of course I''ll find you. I''ll tie you to my side, trap you lifetime after lifetime. Are you afraid?"


    "That''s great, I just fear you wouldn''t want me anymore," Ye Lan pretended to be pitiful.


    Gu An laughed and said, "I''m just afraid the subconscious you will be rebellious, don''t treat me like an enemy then."


    Ye Lan looked steadily at Gu An and said, "That''s impossible. Whether or not I have memories, as long as I see you, I will trust you completely. Even though I have never been through reincarnation, I firmly believe this."


    Gu An and her locked eyes, listening to the voice of her heart, and the room fell quiet alongside them.


    "Senior brother, what does it feel like to guard alone, to watch old acquaintances constantly reincarnate?" Ye Lan continued to ask.


    She was certain that Gu An had lived for countless years, she couldn''t even tell if her past life was closely related to Gu An, which is why he took such good care of her.


    Gu An looked out the window and said, "You see the leaves falling from that tree, and new shoots growing, what do you feel?"


    Ye Lan followed his gaze and looked outside the window, her thoughts drifting.


    Gu An''s Daoist intent enveloped her, helping her to comprehend the natural ways of Heaven and Earth.


    Both watched out the window, lost in thought.


    Before Gu An''s eyes, all the past resurfaced. When he had nothing else to do, he would recall the past, including his experiences on Earth from his former life, remembering always where he came from, and for what he pursued immortal cultivation.


    As Gu An''s thoughts drifted, a breeze rose outside the window, stirring the old tree beside the attic, just as he said, some leaves were blown away.


    That leaf seemed unwilling to hit the ground, fluttering and struggling in the wind, rising and falling with it.


    It flew across the scarlet sky, entering a blue sky dotted with white clouds, then gently landed in the palm of Gu An''s hand.


    This landing marked several centuries of time.


    Dressed in white, Gu An stood in front of a tombstone, gazing at the leaf in his hand with deep eyes.


    Beside him, a hand reached out, trying to grab the leaf in his palm, but passed right through it.


    "Is this what it feels like to be dead? It''s quite strange."


    Ye Lan''s Soul stood next to Gu An, excitedly speaking.


    Gu An glanced at her, helplessly saying, "You''re about to reincarnate, and still you''re this happy?"


    Ye Lan said proudly, "Naturally I''m happy, I get to start my life over, and I have no regrets from these four hundred years."


    Four hundred and twenty years had passed since Gu An broke through to the Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm. Since their talk four hundred years ago, Ye Lan had been eager to reincarnate early, feeling she had no hope for pursuing the Dao in this life.


    But Gu An had her wait, and during these four hundred and twenty years, she resigned from her position as an Elder of a sub-sect and stayed in the Third Medicine Valley, receiving Gu An''s guidance in cultivation.


    In Gu An''s words, accumulating an understanding of the Heaven and Earth Rules before reincarnation would make cultivation easier in the next life.


    Hearing her words, a smile appeared on Gu An''s face. He tossed the leaf from his hand and raised his hand to touch Ye Lan''s face.


    Ye Lan did not dodge, but when Gu An''s hand touched her cheek, she couldn''t help but widen her eyes in astonishment, then she understood. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her senior brother was so powerful, crossing the barrier between Yin and Yang was not difficult.


    Gu An touched her face, thinking of the girl that always clung to him in the past.


    Unbeknownst to him, she had accompanied him for more than fifteen hundred years.


    Gu An said with a smile, "Are you ready?"


    Ye Lan nodded and took a deep breath.


    Gu An withdrew his hand, then waved his sleeve, and an irresistible force swept up Ye Lan''s Soul, sending her flying toward the sky.


    Ye Lan watched Gu An on the ground getting further and further away, her excitement fading, replaced by a fear of the unknown.


    What if in the next life, senior brother couldn''t find her, or forgot about her?


    Her heart ached, only then realizing that no matter how open-minded or well-prepared one was, experiencing life and death personally was completely different.


    "Don''t worry, even if this world perishes, I will still be here. As long as I am, even if the seas dry and stones decay, as long as you are willing to stay by my side, I will come find you."


    Gu An''s gentle voice entered Ye Lan''s ears, immediately settling her heart.


    Yes, if senior brother wanted to abandon her, he could have long ago, what point would there be in deceiving her?


    She opened her mouth, wanting to talk to Gu An, but found herself unable to make any sound.


    Gu An, seeing Ye Lan in the sky, could hear her heart''s voice. He didn''t continue the conversation. His gaze shifted toward the Outer Heaven.


    That layer of light symbolized the Power of Heaven!


    He was curious if reincarnation had anything to do with Heavenly Dao.


    Who sat high above, decreeing the destinies for all things?


    He thought of the group of Immortals he would eventually face, perhaps the power behind Heavenly Dao was such extraordinary Immortals in control of everything.


    One day, he would confront these beings, face Heavenly Dao!

 Chapter 469 Perfect Realm, Sword Dao Saint Ancestor

    Gu An watched Ye Lan drift into the Reincarnation Vortex. His Divine Thought did not retract but instead followed all the way into the vortex, and only after Ye Lan was drawn into the Great Dao by the Reincarnation Rules did he pull back his Divine Thought.He stood still, continuing to gaze at Ye Lan''s stele.


    For a long while.


    An Xin came to his side and asked, "Master, are you alright?"


    Gu An turned around, stretched lazily, and smiled, "I was just thinking about the past. Let''s go, it''s time to return to the valley."


    An Xin nodded, accompanying him toward the valley.


    "Master, I have already arranged for everything, in the future there will be female disciples guarding Uncle-Master''s stele daily."


    "Mm, you are thoughtful, make sure she is not mistreated."


    "Of course, she will not be mistreated, and by the way, Master, there is a rumor circulating outside that Shengtian is about to return and the Immortal Dynasty will be defeated. Is it true?"


    An Xin changed the topic, fearing that Gu An would be saddened.


    Listening to her heartfelt words, Gu An wanted to laugh; after all, it wasn''t his first time dealing with separation and death, so how could he be sad?


    Moreover, he and Ye Lan were bound to meet sooner or later.


    Gu An replied, "Shengtian will indeed return, but when exactly is hard to say; the Reincarnation Rules obscure cause and effect, and no one can see through it, but one thing is certain, there''s still a long time until the Immortal Dynasty faces defeat."


    Four hundred and twenty years had passed, and there were no Heavenly Demons causing chaos in the Mortal World, the Sky Demon Great Sect no longer existed, but the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty was still around. However, the Xuanyou Divine Dynasty had now submitted to the Immortal Dynasty, and the world had once again formed a situation where the Holy Court rivaled the Immortal Dynasty.


    During these years, Sword Venerable Fudao had not taken action again, and Gu An''s life was very peaceful, either teaching the disciples around him Daoist Sorcery, or picking flowers and herbs.


    Now he was at the peak of his Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm Cultivation Level, from advanced stage to perfection, he had spent nearly five billion years of his lifespan.


    His remaining lifespan was thirty-seven billion years, and he was preparing to strive for a lifespan of one hundred billion years.


    "A long time until defeat? Does that not mean they are destined to lose? Should I warn my senior brother?" An Xin hesitated.


    An Hao was serving the Immortal Dynasty, very gloriously, and from time to time, his sensational achievements would spread back to the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An replied, "He understands that, rather than being concerned about him, you should think about your own cultivation; it''s time for you to advance to the Nirvana Realm."


    Originally, An Xin''s maximum lifespan had not been high, just like Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, rather ordinary, but as her realm continuously improved, cultivating the same Primordial Reincarnation Skill, the extreme lifespan brought about by her released cultivation level was increasing.


    Gu An could not see through her talent either, but she was indeed improving. As long as she stepped into the Nirvana Realm, she could break through her limits and not be suppressed by extreme lifespan for a long time.


    Now thinking about it, when An Hao and An Xin''s hometown was attacked by demons, and only the two of them survived, perhaps it wasn''t just An Hao''s strong Qi Fortune; An Xin''s Qi Fortune was also not simple, it''s just that she had not revealed her talent as quickly as An Hao.


    "Ah, I have already been trying hard, but increasing cultivation in Mahayana Realm, from the Eighth to the Ninth Floor, is very difficult. Give me some more time."


    An Xin shook Gu An''s arm, coquettishly.


    Gu An just tapped her lightly and did not scold her.


    "Keep up your current endeavor, perhaps you really could surpass Hao''er and Jian''er." Gu An whispered softly, laughing, which immediately excited An Xin.


    With the Master saying this, she really held hope of surpassing them!


    In fact, over these years, she had felt the changes in herself, and this transformation made her increasingly confident. Of course, she felt that all such transformations were gifts from her Master.


    The master and disciple continued chatting this way as they headed back to the valley.


    None of the disciples dared to disturb Gu An along the way, as they all knew of Ye Lan''s death.


    Four hundred and twenty years had passed, and seven to eight out of ten disciples in the valley had changed; the current disciples had initially entered the valley watching Ye Lan cultivate beside Gu An, and in their hearts, Ye Lan was not just an Uncle-Master but more like a Mistress.


    When Gu An passed by Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, he turned around and walked towards a figure at the foot of the mountain.


    Seeing this, An Xin did not follow but waited in place.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch stood in front of the stele, eyes closed, as if perceiving something.


    Gu An came beside him and asked, "Did you feel it too?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch opened his eyes and turned to pay his respects, his expression solemn, "I have seen that power before; they have invaded the universe many times."


    Gu An looked up at the sky, "Do you think their arrival is related to that Divine Emperor?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch frowned; he felt that Gu An was testing him.


    With Gu An''s cultivation level, his understanding of the universe definitely surpassed his own.


    Having spent several hundred years in the Third Medicine Valley, he had gained deep insights and felt that the shackles of a higher realm were loosening. He credited this to Gu An''s dojo, so he pondered every word from Gu An carefully.


    "Perhaps, after all, your battle with him was too shocking. Even the Dao mourned, and the Divine Emperor came specifically to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, seemingly in search of something," Jue Luo Sword Monarch responded thoughtfully.


    Gu An indeed knew who the mysterious forces infiltrating this universe were.


    Battle Court! Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire


    Founded by Long Zhan, but no longer dominated by the Dragon Clan!


    The Annihilation God Emperor specifically came looking for Long Qing; Gu An didn''t believe there was no connection to Battle Court.


    He had annihilated the Annihilation God Emperor''s incarnation, and naturally, the Annihilation God Emperor would react, which took more than four hundred years, a relatively slow response. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It is worth mentioning that Battle Court had crossed the Boundary Gate, and Gu An was curious why the Heavenly Spirit God did not stop them.


    This group from Battle Court had high cultivation levels; their leader was none other than the Taoist Hidden Immortal in his perfect form, and the weakest among them also possessed the cultivation of Divine Thought True Immortal.


    They were roaming the Silent Destruction Domain, far from the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, seemingly preparing to invade other Great Heaven and Earths first.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch took a deep breath, and cautiously said, "Senior, if you are the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor, please instruct us. I will summon Da Hong Sword Heaven to assist you in combating them!"


    Sword Dao Saint Ancestor ¨C that was Gu An''s identity within the Lifespan Samsara and also Yang Xian''s most prominent title.


    Gu An replied, "What Sword Dao Saint Ancestor? You''re thinking too much. I''ve just been to the Sword Dao River and mastered quite a few Sword Daos."


    "Is that so?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch didn''t believe it; he too had visited the Sword Dao River, yet why couldn''t he learn the Holy Heart Sword Dao?


    He always believed his talent was not lacking; it was just that the Holy Heart Sword Dao rejected him.


    Gu An patted his shoulder, "Once you surpass the Free Immortal Realm, you will see through everything."


    With that, Gu An turned and left.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch had stayed in the Third Medicine Valley for many years, occasionally mentoring disciples. He had helped produce numerous Sword Dao geniuses for the Third Medicine Valley, and it was for this reason that Gu An was willing to mentor him.


    He had already experienced the Reincarnation Tribulation and reached the ninth layer of the Free Immortal Realm, just one step away from a breakthrough.


    Every time he saw Jue Luo Sword Monarch, Gu An would be reminded of Yang Ping''an.


    That kid was equally arrogant, even daring to challenge his master.


    Gu An felt that Yang Ping''an was still alive; after reaching the Luotian Freedom Immortal Realm, his causality deduction abilities transformed, allowing him to glimpse the Qi Fortune of Da Hong Sword Heaven through Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s.


    In that vast Qi Fortune, a figure was meditating in the deepest part, his Dao Level unfathomable.


    Gu An couldn''t directly determine that person''s cultivation level, but from the figure, he felt it was very likely Yang Ping''an.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch paid his respects to Gu An''s departing figure, pondering thoughtfully. He always felt that Gu An didn''t take the Battle Court seriously.


    He wanted to express how terrible the Battle Court was, but then he thought again, he had no idea how strong Gu An actually was.


    The mighty Annihilation God Emperor was annihilated by him in one move; it was hard to say what would happen if Battle Court encountered him.


    Thinking that Gu An might be the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor, he felt a fiery enthusiasm in his heart.


    No!


    The Saint Ancestor might not admit his identity, but he, as a junior, must act!


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch raised his hand, a burst of green light erupted, followed by a blossoming ethereal green lotus.

 Chapter 470 Devouring Heaven and Earth

    After sending Ye Lan away, Gu An''s life continued. Though his heart harbored some melancholy, he did not stop his pursuit of becoming stronger.He would leave his home every other day to gather medicinal herbs from various Medicine Valleys and take the chance to guide the guardians of these valleys. His days were fulfilling.


    As summer gave way to autumn, withering yellow slowly blanketed the landscape of Great Heaven and Earth.


    On this day,


    a man dressed in black descended from the sky, landing on a mountain peak at the edge of the Third Medicine Valley. His long black hair fluttered, his robe billowed, and he exuded a vigorous spirit.


    It was Li Ya!


    After hundreds of years, he returned and looked upon the Third Medicine Valley with profound emotions.


    His gaze swept across every corner of the Third Medicine Valley, finding many places both familiar and unfamiliar. When his eyes landed on a certain pavilion, a complex expression appeared on his face.


    Even though he had reached the Nirvana Realm, facing old friends, he was still anxious.


    Every time he thought of calling Gu An the Primordial Ancestor, his face would burn with embarrassment. Despite preparing himself mentally for hundreds of years, his emotions still fluctuated with the memory.


    But then he thought, if not for Gu An''s care, how could he have achieved what he had today?


    Just the existence of Divine Exotic City within him gave him an unstoppable confidence.


    Li Ya took a deep breath, ready to descend the mountain when suddenly he noticed two people rushing up the side of the mountain, one after the other. Quickly, they came before Li Ya.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint eyed Li Ya, his gaze teasing. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The one who caught up from behind, Long Qing, stopped and looked at Li Ya thoughtfully. Suddenly realizing something, he asked, "Could you be Elder Li Ya?"


    Li Ya nodded slightly. He had some impression of Long Qing, though not a clear one, but judging from Long Qing''s form of address, the boy must be a disciple of Gu An.


    "Master often mentions you, saying that you became a Daughter of Heaven and got carried away, never coming back to visit him," Long Qing said with a smile. He wasn''t particularly interested in Li Ya, only having heard Gu An mention him occasionally.


    Hearing this, Li Ya''s expression darkened instantly as he coldly huffed, "Did he really say that?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint cut in before Li Ya could react, "You little brat, have you forgotten me?"


    His first battle in Celestial Spirit Great World was against Li Ya and Zhang Buku, after which he was suppressed for nearly a thousand years.


    Although he now considered it a blessing in disguise, he couldn''t help but feel annoyed at Li Ya, and Li Ya would ridicule him every time he came back to the valley and saw him transformed into an Ox Demon.


    In fact, when he was an ox, he felt like everyone was mocking him. In his eyes, even their smiles seemed detestable.


    Li Ya''s gaze fell on the Blood Prison Great Saint, examining him closely.


    Then, Li Ya''s face changed drastically. Without another word, he lifted his right hand and summoned Divine Exotic City, which rapidly grew in size, suspended high in the Celestial Vault.


    Long Qing looked up as well, his mouth agape, stunned by the sight of Divine Exotic City.


    His Qi Power was formidable, but having spent most of his time in the Supreme Sect, he rarely saw such ultimate treasures.


    Li Ya glared fiercely at the Blood Prison Great Saint and asked in a deep voice, "How come you''re here?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint used to be hideously violent, and though his appearance had not changed, his demeanor was now miles apart, which had initially prevented Li Ya from recognizing him.


    Remembering the battle from years ago, Li Ya couldn''t help but think of Zhang Buku, and his mood turned irritable.


    Zhang Buku had always been a thorn in his side; he felt that he had failed to take care of Zhang Buku, which led to Zhang''s current involuntary state and unknown fate.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint said scornfully, "I''ve been here for a thousand years, and you''re asking me? It should be I who asks you. Every time you return, I''m here, but you, with eyes but no pearls, fail to recognize me."


    Li Ya furrowed his brow, trying to recall.


    Long Qing looked left and right, thinking to himself, "Why aren''t they fighting yet?"


    He often sparred with the Blood Prison Great Saint and, never having won, he wanted to see the Great Saint get his comeuppance.


    Li Ya''s Cultivation Level might not match the Blood Prison Great Saint''s, but even Long Qing had heard of the notorious Divine Exotic City.


    It was said to be a Pseudo-Immortal Dao Ultimate Treasure capable of contending with a Wandering Immortal!


    The appearance of Divine Exotic City attracted more and more disciples to fly over. Li Ya calmed down and immediately withdrew Divine Exotic City into his palm.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint''s appearance here indicated he was no longer an enemy; at the very least, he had been taken in by Gu An.


    Speaking of which, he had no deep grudge against the Blood Prison Great Saint. It was only a fight for a chance encounter back in the day, and he had been defeated quite miserably.


    An Xin flew in, landing at the edge of the cliff. She glared at the Blood Prison Great Saint and Long Qing, then turned to Li Ya, performed a gesture of respect with her hand, and said, "Elder Li Ya, Master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come with me."


    Li Ya remembered An Xin and was somewhat astonished.


    After so many years, An Xin no longer looked like an ordinary woman; in every gesture, there was the demeanor of a high practitioner who had attained the Dao.


    He compared An Xin with the esteemed daughters from the major sects, and An Xin was hardly any less impressive¡ªindeed, she possessed a unique charm.


    It seemed Gu An was quite adept at teaching disciples.


    That''s what Li Ya thought, and then he was reminded that An Hao was also Gu An''s disciple, which made him feel even more distressed.


    His greatest opponent in life was a disciple of Gu An, the Primordial Ancestor he respected and appreciated most was Gu An¡ªno matter how he looked at it, his life seemed to be under Gu An''s shelter, although always getting hurt, he somehow always managed to escape death.


    While thinking, Li Ya followed An Xin and left.


    Long Qing looked towards the Blood Prison Great Saint and asked, "Did you two have any past grievances?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint sneered dismissively and said, "He was never a threat to me."


    After he explained what had happened back then, Long Qing was filled with emotion.


    The strongest in one realm, ascending, and then due to not looking where he was going, he bullied someone with a powerful backing and wound up being made a mount?


    That was utterly terrifying!


    Long Qing felt even more reverence for the world. He thought that if the Blood Prison Great Saint had encountered someone other than Master, he would probably already be dead.


    There weren''t many strong beings as kind and magnanimous as Master in this world.


    ...


    Boom, boom, boom¡ª


    The muffled sound of thunder rumbled incessantly, like barbaric fierce beasts growling in unison, making the entire world incredibly oppressive.


    Over the desolate land strewn with corpses, ravines and cracks crisscrossed, and splatters of blood decorated the ground. Countless cultivators and demons all stood there, most of them wounded, all looking despairingly at the dim celestial vault.


    Above the surging black clouds, a figure emitting a radiant golden light stood firmly. Clad in golden battle armor with a red sash around his waist, his breastplate adorned with a Qilin''s head, breathing flames from his mouth and nose. Above was a handsome yet indifferent face; this person wore a golden helmet exuding grandeur and power, with a golden great cauldron floating behind him, amidst which dragon tails fluttered.


    All living beings before him were no different from ants and insects.


    He looked down at the creatures below, seemingly searching for something.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere beside him, a woman in black with disheveled black hair and wearing a dark silver eye-mask, ghost-like in appearance.


    "Emperor, the destiny of this realm has been severed, and it is about to collapse. Shall we move on to the next world?" the woman in black asked, her voice pleasant to hear, albeit icy.


    The man in golden armor remained unmoved, his expression still detached, and said, "What do you think, where would the descendants of the Long Clan be hiding, and does the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable have any relation to the Long Clan?"


    The woman in black answered, "From what we can see so far, there seems to be no connection. The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is protecting the beings of a world, of course, the descendants of the Long Clan might also be hiding in the Celestial Spirit Great World, but that''s an existence even the incarnations of the Divine Emperor cannot defeat. We cannot act rashly."


    The man in golden armor narrowed his eyes and snorted, "Even the incarnation of the Silent Destruction God Emperor is nothing more than the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, and moreover his physical body has yet to reach the true state of the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal."


    The woman in black did not continue the conversation.


    The man in golden armor raised his hand, the great cauldron behind him trembled violently, emitting dragon roars. In a moment, the celestial vault twisted violently, the ground below started to shatter, rocks and corpses flew up, countless beings cried out, and the entire world plunged into noise and chaos.


    "When I have consumed a hundred worlds, I will open the path to war. Then, no matter where the descendants of the Long Clan are hiding, whether or not the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is involved with them is inconsequential. The Battle Court will crush all who stand in the way, leaving our foes destroyed beyond revival."


    The man in golden armor murmured to himself as if speaking to his own soul.


    Lightning clouds were drawn into the mouth of the cauldron, and the debris of the world¡ªrocks, corpses, and beings¡ªwere all swept towards the golden great cauldron. The scene was filled with despair and chaos.


    This great cauldron was devouring the Great Heaven and Earth!


    The man in golden armor and the woman in black stood unflinchingly amidst the cries and deaths of living beings, waiting for the world to break and vanish.


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    The man in golden armor suddenly sensed something, his eyes sharpening, his head tilted slightly as a streak of sword qi tore through space, zipping past him.


    He reached out to grab the sword qi, then frowned, scanning all around with a look of suspicion and surprise.

 Chapter 471 Celestial Dao Golden Core, The Strongest Destiny Pattern

    In the loft, Gu An and Li Ya clinked cups and exchanged drinks, Li Ya drinking swiftly with a look of deep resentment towards Gu An.Gu An held a stern face, "So disrespectful to the Primordial Ancestor?"


    At this, Li Ya''s eyes bulged, he slammed the table and jumped up, cursing, "Taking advantage of me again! Come on, let''s have a fight!"


    Gu An chuckled, "Are you sure?"


    Li Ya choked, his anger dissipated in an instant, and he sat down with a sullen face, but somehow, after Gu An''s intentional provocation, he felt no pressure at all.


    If Gu An had been acting like the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, given his care towards Li Ya, Li Ya really wouldn''t know how to face him. Now that Gu An had pulled him into a brotherly relationship, he naturally felt much more at ease.


    "Gu An, who exactly are you? Clearly, we entered the valley together back in the day..."


    Li Ya took a deep breath and couldn''t help asking, for this was his greatest confusion.


    When they first met, they were both youths, and he could never have imagined that his disciple brother he spent his days with could be so formidable.


    Looking back now, it seemed that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s reputation started with saving him...


    Back then, he and his sister Li Xuanyu were attacked by a cultivator of the Demon Sect, and it was the then-not-yet-crowned Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, known as the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, who saved them.


    When everything was pieced together, Li Ya had even less reason to blame Gu An, and he only felt curiosity.


    Gu An replied, "Past lives, this life, the cycle of reincarnation never ends. Who can truly understand their origins? Instead of dwelling on the past, why not accept the present, look forward to the future, right?"


    "Who I am is not important. What matters is the friendship between you and me, the help I''ve offered you. You needn''t feel burdened by it. I hope even more for you to think about what kind of person you''ll become in the future."


    He looked intently at Li Ya, his eyes as if piercing through Li Ya''s innermost thoughts.


    Li Ya was surprised, not expecting Gu An to understand what he was thinking right now, but upon reflecting on the power of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, he calmed down.


    A being that surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, their divine skills and foresight were beyond his imagination.


    Afterward, Li Ya began to dream about the future, and Gu An listened earnestly.


    Li Ya was his first true friend in this life, and even though there was now a vast disparity in their cultivation levels, that did not change the place he held in Gu An''s heart.


    Perhaps Gu An had indeed helped Li Ya a great deal, but all that was simply what came naturally to him, and he had not fallen into tough straits by aiding Li Ya.


    To others, Divine Exotic City might seem immensely powerful, but in the hands of Gu An, it hardly even had the chance to be utilized.


    Gu An didn''t just listen; he described each level of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path realm by realm, also elaborating on the opportunities each stage held, causing Li Ya to yearn for it more deeply.


    Until nightfall, the two were still chatting, and bursts of laughter were heard from time to time. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The moon shone brightly, the stars sparse.


    An Xin came to the base of the loft, looking up towards the window above, and reflected, "Master hasn''t been this happy for a long time."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint sitting in meditation nearby curled his lips; frankly, he just didn''t like Li Ya, but beneath his master''s loft, he dared not speak ill of him.


    An Xin watched for a while from below before finally turning to leave.


    Since Ye Lan''s death, she had been very worried about Gu An.


    In her eyes, the mood of her master was even more important than the whole world, as should the master turn to extremes, all living beings would suffer.


    Fortunately, the master was always cheerful and open-minded, as if nothing could lead him astray.


    Experiencing this, An Xin admired Gu An even more.


    The moon set and the sun rose. Early the next day, Li Ya left.


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    Before the Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords, Jue Luo Sword Monarch watched Li Ya''s retreating figure thoughtfully.


    "His destiny pattern has actually changed..."


    He turned to look towards Gu An''s loft, his heart swelling with curiosity.


    Just what realm is the Saint Ancestor at?


    He couldn''t understand it, but the thought of stepping into a higher realm made his mood flare with excitement.


    ...


    Beneath the dazzling starry sky, a huge stone bridge spanned the heavens, its edges shimmering with multicolored radiance.


    Two silhouettes walked on the bridge, the Yang Immortal Emperor and An Hao.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor led the way, draped in a long golden robe, his stride exuding dragon qi.


    An Hao followed behind, looking around with an astonished expression on his face.


    Finally, his gaze settled on something ahead, at the end of the stone bridge was a golden red light sphere, like the bright sun, symbolizing hope, and full of allure.


    An Hao''s pupils flickered with an unusual light; he felt a force.


    "An Hao, feel it carefully. This is the most powerful force in the world, a blessing from the Heavenly Dao, a sliver of the Celestial Sect''s legacy passed down in the world."


    The Yang Immortal Emperor continued to walk as he spoke, his tone quite mysterious, as though even he himself looked forward with anticipation.


    An Hao couldn''t help but ask, "What is the Heavenly Dao? How does it differ from the Great Dao?"


    After stepping into the Immortal Realm, he began to comprehend the Great Dao. The higher his cultivation level, the deeper his reverence for the Great Dao grew, meanwhile, he was unable to grasp the existence of the Heavenly Dao.


    The Heavenly Dao was everywhere, like the Great Dao, but it was not as clear-cut, as if it was the fusion of thousands of rules.


    "Heaven and earth themselves are the Heavenly Dao, all living beings are the Heavenly Dao, whereas the universe is the Great Dao. The Great Dao gives birth to the Heavenly Dao, the Heavenly Dao gives birth to all things. In my view, the Heavenly Dao should be a force born from the Great Dao''s response, it is more perfect, stronger."


    The Yang Immortal Emperor spoke languidly, not slowing his steps.


    An Hao listened and began to understand his words.


    After a long time, they finally reached the end of the long bridge and stood in front of the golden red light sphere. They seemed so insignificant in its presence, like grit before a mountain.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor looked up, gazing at the golden red light sphere, and said, "Every ruler of the Immortal Dynasty has contemplated the Heavenly Dao, believing that only by penetrating the Heavenly Dao can one be qualified to transcend, establish a dynasty. The Primordial Immortal King who founded the Immortal Dynasty claimed to be an Immortal King, desiring to rival Cangtian, and subsequently, disaster struck, leading to the dynasty''s destruction. Many years later, someone re-established the Immortal Dynasty."


    "That was the first time the Immortal Dynasty felt the force of the Heavenly Dao, understanding that there was an unseen, untouchable force controlling all living beings."


    An Hao listened intently, his vision piercing into the golden red light sphere, through the golden red flames, he saw darkness, darkness that could oppress even a cultivator of the Nirvana Realm.


    He couldn''t help but ask, "If it truly can''t be seen or touched, then what is this?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor answered, "This is a Golden Core left by a supremely powerful being who obtained the force of the Heavenly Dao."


    "What? Golden Core? How could that be!"


    An Hao widened his eyes, exclaiming in disbelief.


    How could this resemble a Golden Core at all!


    The Yang Immortal Emperor''s gaze grew complex as he said, "This was discovered by the Immortal Dynasty in its pursuit of the force of the Heavenly Dao. Located at the deepest part of the Celestial Spirit Great World, it is known as the Celestial Dao Golden Core. Every Era, the Celestial Dao Golden Core reveals some information to us. This is also why the Immortal Dynasty stands unshakable, even in the face of the Holy Court, it cannot be destroyed."


    "Through the Celestial Dao Golden Core, we came to know that the Celestial Spirit Great World had once been shattered. Today''s Celestial Spirit Great World is but one piece of it, albeit the most important piece."


    An Hao pursued the question, "Why did the supremely powerful one fall? Was it related to the battle that shattered the universe?"


    "We are not clear on the details, but the force of the Celestial Dao Golden Core is continuous, and it''s this force that causes the beings of the Immortal Dynasty to be born at the Immortal Dao Realm." The Yang Immortal Emperor responded, then turned to face An Hao.


    An Hao looked back at him, feeling the pressure under his gaze, furrowing his brows.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor said with intense eyes, "An Hao, you are the Child of Destiny, no one''s destiny pattern is stronger than yours. With Supporting Dao Sword Venerable as your mentor and the strongest legacy of the Immortal Dynasty, you will become the supreme under the Heavenly Dao. If you were to usher in a new Era, in the next era, the Immortal Dynasty will surely be stronger. You can achieve what we could not."


    An Hao was about to respond when he suddenly turned and looked at the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    "What sound?"


    An Hao asked in a deep voice, his gaze quickly shifting across the Celestial Dao Golden Core, as if searching for something.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor looked at him, surprise flashing across his eyes, his expression turning excited.


    "Has the Celestial Dao Golden Core chosen him too? What sort of destiny is this, as if everything in the world was tailor-made for him¡­"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor watched An Hao, touched in his heart, even he felt an involuntary pang of jealousy.


    An Hao quickly noticed the subtlety; he turned towards the Yang Immortal Emperor and asked, "Your Majesty, you can''t hear it?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor replied, "The rulers of the Immortal Dynasty can gain the legacy of the Celestial Dao Golden Core through destiny, but at the end of every Era, the Celestial Dao Golden Core autonomously selects an inheritor. Perhaps you have been chosen. What did you just hear?"


    An Hao hesitated for a moment, then said, "I heard a voice, telling me to run fast¡­"

 Chapter 472 Chosen One, Bearing Grudges and Favors

    "Escape quickly?"When Yang Immortal Emperor heard An Hao''s words, he couldn''t help but frown and asked, "Why escape? And to where?"


    An Hao was about to speak when suddenly, from within the Celestial Dao Golden Core, fierce golden flames erupted, rapidly burrowing into An Hao''s brow.


    In an instant, An Hao''s eyes widened. He then raised his hand, grabbing his head. He tilted his head back, and a golden, thread-like line appeared on his brow, resembling the slit of an eye.


    Yang Immortal Emperor was horrified and instinctively turned to look at the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core stood motionless in front of him, radiating an ancient aura as if it were the oldest existence in the world. It had witnessed changing seas into mulberry fields and the shifting of constellations. Endless experiences had shaped its now unfathomable presence.


    An Hao knelt on the ground, his body trembling and his face contorted in obvious, unimaginable pain.


    Yang Immortal Emperor flashed to his side, intending to help him but was repelled by a powerful force.


    He was thrown hundreds of yards away, stumbling several steps upon landing. He looked at his right hand to see it badly burnt and bleeding profusely.


    He looked up at An Hao, his brows furrowed deeply.


    An Hao kneeled, face downward, as wisps of aura leaked from between his fingers. His body shook, unable to make any sound.


    "Could he really be the Chosen One?"


    Yang Immortal Emperor murmured to himself, his eyes filled with complexity.


    He had chosen An Hao due to An Hao''s special Destiny Pattern, but there was another reason. He wanted to bind him with Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    An Hao was, after all, the only openly acknowledged True Disciple of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    But never had he imagined that upon An Hao''s arrival, without having yet done anything, he would receive the recognition of the Celestial Dao Golden Core. Throughout the ancient and modern times of the Immortal Dynasty, he had never heard of such an event.


    "An Hao, just who are you indeed?"


    An Hao couldn''t hear Yang Immortal Emperor''s words. At that moment, he was in a realm of pain unimaginable to ordinary people, enduring not only intense physical agony as if his body was tearing apart but also immense destruction to his soul.


    He saw many scenes, all of which were his greatest fears.


    He saw his wife and children brutally killed, his junior sister suffering terribly, even his master''s tombstone¨Call these things tormenting him.


    "If you do not escape, you will end up just like them."


    A cold, indifferent voice echoed persistently in his ears, provoking his spirits.


    ...


    Thirty-seven years later, just after the New Year.


    Gu An walked within Outer Sect City, with Blood Prison Great Saint and Long Qing following behind him.


    Three hundred years ago, Shen Xinzi returned to the Buddhist Sect of the Sea of Suffering, and since then, Long Qing had completely become Gu An''s follower. Wherever Gu An went, as long as he saw him, he would eagerly follow.


    Along the way, wherever Gu An went, people greeted him, mostly his close friends or graduated disciples.


    Over four hundred years had passed, the impact brought by Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had eventually calmed down. Under the suppression of the Dark Hall of Supreme Sect, people aware of Gu An''s identity no longer spoke carelessly, and Supporting Dao Sword Venerable once again became a legend.


    Even without the title of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, as the Valley Master of Third Medicine Valley, Gu An still held great renown.


    "Master, is there really a legacy with the Heaven-Splitting Axe? Or did you leave it there as a mere prank?" Long Qing quickened his pace to walk beside Gu An, curiously asking.


    He would occasionally visit the Heaven-Repairing Platform to try to pull out the Heaven-Splitting Axe, but unfortunately, he could never budge it.


    Nowadays, those who try the Heaven-Splitting Axe generally want to experience the power of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, not to actually acquire the legacy.


    Gu An looked ahead and responded, "There certainly is, you will feel it eventually."


    Long Qing was about to ask more when he suddenly looked up.


    Not just him, Blood Prison Great Saint did the same.


    Above in the cerulean Celestial Vault, numerous silver meteors appeared, countless, all moving in the same direction, creating a magnificent scene.


    The cultivators passing through the streets also started noticing the anomaly in the sky.


    "What is that?"


    "Is it Sword Qi?"


    "Not right, there''s someone inside, might be someone from a Major Sect passing overhead."


    "People? This doesn''t seem like they flew over our heads, more like they descended from the sky."


    "Don''t worry, this place is the Supreme Sect. Maybe the Supreme Sect isn''t the strongest, but it certainly is the safest. In these years, the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty have been fighting each other relentlessly, both attacking and defending, yet the flames of war have never reached the Supreme Sect."


    The cultivators were chattering, Gu An glanced then withdrew his gaze and continued forward.


    Blood Prison Great Saint and Long Qing caught up, and they began discussing the origins of those meteors.


    Blood Prison Great Saint''s Divine Sense captured that those meteors were indeed a group of people enveloped in Sword Qi and moreover, from Outer Heaven, which piqued Long Qing''s curiosity about Outer Heaven.


    Although Long Qing still hadn''t cultivated Spiritual Power, with age, he could feel that he originated from Outer Heaven and that some mission awaited him.


    He was no longer as anxious, but began to enjoy life, having a premonition that once he knew his mission, such life would be his luxury for the rest of his days.


    Gu An saw through the origin of that group of Sword Cultivators with one look.


    Great Hong Sword Heaven!


    Summoned by Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Great Hong Sword Heaven was ready to establish a Sect in the seas near the Tai Cang Continent and support Gu An at any time.


    Gu An didn''t care much about it, he was more concerned about another thing.


    That was, Xiaochuan''s Dao Destruction Destiny Seal had appeared!


    Meaning, Xiaochuan was soon to be born in the Celestial Spirit Great World!


    After many years, Gu An finally awaited Xiaochuan.


    The thought of soon reuniting with his junior made Gu An very happy, he even started humming a tune.


    Seeing his good mood, Long Qing boldly inquired about the origins of the Sword Cultivators they had just seen.


    "There will be many opportunities to interact in the future."


    Gu An casually answered, now even more so like an enlightened person, knowing everything but unwilling to say, letting others experience for themselves.


    Not to mention, this feeling of foreseeing the future and witnessing fate was pretty good.


    At the same time.


    Among the mountains, a wooden house was situated halfway up the slope, and a couple stood in front of a cliff, gazing at the green mountains and blue waters.


    The woman held a baby in her arms, looking down at her son with worry visibly covering her beautiful face.


    She turned to her husband next to her and said, "Husband, you haven''t named our child yet, you don''t want to go back, do you?"


    Her husband, dressed in black with slightly grayed temples beside his handsome face, looked mature yet had a sense of vicissitude.


    "It''s precisely because he was born that I must go back¡ªLing''er, you should understand. If we don''t return, our family of three will never have peace. Those enemies will not let me go," the man in black said gravely.


    His name was Chen Luo, and his wife''s name was Xu Ling. As they spoke, they moved closer to each other.


    Xu Ling rested her head on his shoulder, confusedly asking, "Is there truly no place for us within the Sacred Domain? What if we leave the Sacred Domain?"


    Chen Luo sighed, "It''s more chaotic and dangerous outside. Without a support, even with our Mahayana realm Cultivation Levels, it''s enormously difficult to protect our son. Let''s go back. At worst, I will kneel and apologize to my mother. You have given birth to a child for me; she surely won''t make things difficult for you." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But¡­" Xu Ling hesitated.


    Chen Luo turned around, grabbed her shoulders, and said, "Ling''er, trust me, I would rather die than not protect you and our son. I can''t stand to see you hurt, nor do I want our son to be born with resentments."


    The baby in Xu Ling''s arms opened his eyes¡ªhis bright eyes nearly melted her heart.


    "Yes, we can''t let him bear any resentments¡­" Xu Ling murmured to herself as if convincing herself.


    Chen Luo showed a smile, saying, "When I first saw this little guy, I felt he would bring good fortune. Don''t worry, I heard my father just returned from the Saint Minister''s side. With him presiding over the family, my mother certainly won''t dare to act rashly."


    Xu Ling took a deep breath and nodded slightly.


    Seeing her agree, Chen Luo finally breathed a sigh of relief, then embraced his wife tightly.


    "I swear, I will ensure you live a peaceful life, and I will also help you avenge the destruction of your family," Chen Luo said seriously as he stared at the horizon.


    Xu Ling trembled slightly without responding, but slowly closed her eyes.


    Across the mountains, cranes flew out from the forest, flapping their wings towards the horizon, forming a V-shape. The sunlight fell on them, and they seemed like celestial cranes, as if carrying hope flying towards the ends of the earth and sea.

 Chapter 473 The Power from Outer Space

    After wandering around the Outer Sect City for half a day, Gu An finally returned to the valley as dusk fell.The Blood Prison Great Saint and Long Qing were still discussing matters of the Great Hong Sword Heaven''s Sword Cultivators, and it just so happened that many disciples inside the valley were also discussing it, so they joined the conversation.


    Perhaps it was because Gu An enjoyed chatting, which led to everyone in the Third Medicine Valley loving to idle talk, even the Jue Luo Sword Monarch would occasionally go to the dojo to play chess and chat, gradually taking on a human flavor.


    Back in the loft, Gu An sat at the table, his mind, however, was on Xiaochuan.


    He looked and saw Xiaochuan''s future life.


    This life, Xiaochuan was born into better circumstances than the last, with parents and a distinguished family heritage, and his talent was quite good as well.


    However, the blemish on an otherwise beautiful situation was that Xiaochuan''s parents would die when he was young, casting a shadow over his childhood.


    After the death of his parents, his grandparents still cherished him, providing him with everything, but he always remembered his parents'' vengeance.


    As he grew up, he began investigating the true cause of his parents'' death. As a result, he went through many battles and ultimately found out that his grandparents had forced his mother to her death, and, following his father''s suicide, he collapsed.


    In the end, he severed ties with the Chen family and began a wandering life. Even after he became a famous powerhouse, his demeanor remained cold and devoid of smiles.


    Having waited centuries for Xiaochuan, Gu An naturally couldn''t bear to see him suffer.


    He immediately sent a message to Yang Jian, asking the Saint King to sort things out.


    Now, Yang Jian had restored his status as a Saint King, and his Cultivation Level was rapidly increasing, until he would recover to become a Dao Void Profound Immortal.


    Because of Gu An''s relationship, Yang Jian received great attention from the Holy Court, leading a battlefield, with his reputation spreading far and wide.


    With Yang Jian making a move, it was enough to smooth out all the troubles Xiaochuan''s parents were currently facing.


    "Life is like a game of chess; I hope you can walk out of the board on your own in this life."


    Gu An picked up the Fate Pen and began to write, scripting a life.


    Summer passed and autumn arrived.


    One day, Gu An lay on a branch, reading a book, while instructing Zhu Xi in her cultivation.


    Zhu Xi sat cross-legged under the tree, her hands constantly changing, executing the mental method, her green robe fluttering with her Qi Force.


    The book Gu An held was the Theory of Heaven.


    In recent years, the Theory of Heaven had first caused a stir, leading countless Cultivators to vie for it. The other eight true scriptures spread all over the world, creating many strong individuals.


    After obtaining the Theory of Heaven from Zhu Xi, Gu An would study it whenever he had spare time.


    For hundreds of years before, this Theory of Heaven hadn''t shown any abnormalities. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But in the past year, the Theory of Heaven emitted a strange aura of causality, vague but detectable. Gu An felt it carefully¡ªit was a sign, seemingly welcoming the arrival of a certain being.


    Could it be that the mysterious being who created the Theory of Heaven was about to come to the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    Very likely, for sure, the Theory of Heaven''s sudden appearance must have some arrangement within.


    Following the causality implied by the Theory of Heaven, the scenes Gu An saw kept changing, and he even saw other worlds.


    "Master, this Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill is truly powerful. I feel that to completely master it will take many years, and I even feel it''s more difficult than the Step on Dao Years Step."


    Zhu Xi raised her head to look at Gu An and remarked.


    She was already at the Mahayana Cultivation Level, but she had only started receiving Gu An''s true teaching since after this year. Before, Gu An had only pointed out the difficulties in her Cultivation.


    Gu An replied, "That''s natural. Should you master it, in the future you won''t be confined by this world."


    Hearing this made Zhu Xi''s smile grow even brighter.


    Just as she was about to continue flattering Gu An, she saw him suddenly look up into the distance, with a grave expression on his face. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Master, what''s wrong?" Zhu Xi asked in astonishment.


    She rarely saw Gu An reveal such an expression, not even when the Profound Desolate Demon God had ravaged the Human World. She had never seen Gu An frown.


    Gu An replied, "It''s nothing."


    He was looking at the Sacred Domain where Xiaochuan''s parents, Chen Luo and Xu Ling, returned to the Chen family and faced difficulties from them, because Xu Ling''s Xu Family had once been the Chen family''s nemesis.


    Gu An could see the cause and effect. The reason the Xu Family had been eradicated was that the Chen family had schemed in the shadows, plotting against the Xu family, branding them as spies for the Immortal Dynasty, ultimately leading to their annihilation by the Holy Court.


    Xu Ling had managed to escape death, all thanks to the protection of Chen Luo.


    Chen Luo was unaware of this matter, so he was very angry as to why his mother targeted his wife.


    The couple, holding Xiaochuan, had just returned to the Chen family and faced difficulties, but fortunately, Yang Jian was reliable and arrived in time to defuse the crisis.


    As a Saint King, all members of the Chen family had to bow to Yang Jian.


    Yang Jian stated that his reason for coming was due to the child in Xu Ling''s arms whose destiny was extraordinary. There was a transcendent being interested in him, hoping he could live a peaceful life in his early years until that transcendent being came for him.


    Yang Jian also made it clear to not let the child bear any grudges, to avoid affecting his Dao Heart.


    Hearing this, the face of Chen Luo''s mother turned unnatural, but in face of Yang Jian, she still had to force a smile.


    Gu An had foreseen this entire process earlier, but he suddenly looked up because Xiaochuan''s fate had changed.


    After Yang Jian appeared, Xiaochuan''s fate had been altered, and Gu An also detected a strange force of cause and effect descending on Xiaochuan.


    This force came from an unknown place, arriving suddenly, and if not for Gu An''s profound Cultivation Level, he wouldn''t have detected its existence.


    Even with the protection of the Holy Court''s destiny, the Great Cultivators of the Holy Court did not perceive such a force of cause and effect infiltrating the Sacred Domain.


    When he looked again at Xiaochuan''s fate, what Gu An saw was Chaos. In the obscure void, Xiaochuan walked alone, dense fog swirling and obscuring his figure.


    Whether looking back at the past or toward his future, the scenery was the same.


    Gu An had a bad feeling in his heart.


    His intervention seemed to offer Xiaochuan a beautiful childhood, but it also made his future uncertain and perplexing.


    Clearly, someone in the unseen was scheming against Gu An, therefore targeting Xiaochuan.


    Gu An guessed that the adversary must be beyond the World Gate, unable to cross the barriers set by the Celestial Spirit God to descend into this universe; hence, they resorted to using cause and effect to scheme.


    He fell into deep thought.


    Seeing that Gu An did not wish to say more, Zhu Xi could only hold back her confusion and continue meditating with closed eyes.


    Meanwhile.


    In the Chen family''s mansion, the great hall was lively and prosperous, everyone gathered around Xu Ling, all eyes on Xiaochuan in her arms.


    "This child is indeed exceptional, his features radiate a saintly aura."


    "Nonsense, otherwise why would the entity behind the Saint King take interest in him? Our Chen family is on the rise."


    "Yes, what is the child''s name? I could promise my daughter to him."


    "You wish, the child is destined for the Great Dao. Keep your little ideas to yourself, don''t displease that great being by offending the Chen family."


    The Chen family Cultivators kept praising Xiaochuan, and Xu Ling''s smile never ceased. She felt as if she were in a dream, this was completely different from what she had imagined before arriving, and she could only laugh foolishly.


    Chen Luo was also bemused, as he was complimenting Yang Jian along with his father and the elders of the house.


    Yang Jian sat in his chair, sipping tea while observing Xiaochuan, curious as to why his master had taken an interest in the boy.


    Just then.


    Xu Ling''s expression suddenly changed, her mouth opened, her pupils contracted, and her body stiffened.


    Before the people around her could react, she suddenly dissolved into a pool of blood and spilled to the floor, with Xiaochuan following, dropping towards the ground.


    Yang Jian appeared out of nowhere, catching Xiaochuan. He looked in horror at the blood beside him, and the great hall instantly fell silent.

 Chapter 474 Xu Lings Shock

    "Ling''er!"An hysterical roar broke out as Chen Luo pushed through the onlookers. He looked at the blood on the ground, his body trembling, his face filled with utter despair.


    People around snapped back to their senses and frightened, they retreated.


    "Be on guard!"


    A middle-aged Cultivator shouted sternly. He instinctively looked towards Yang Jian.


    Only a Saint King could have the means to execute Xu Ling directly in their presence.


    Yang Jian looked up, his Divine Sense rapidly extending, but failed to capture any suspicious presence.


    Chen Luo knelt in front of the blood, unable to accept the reality before him. Just a moment ago, he had felt like the happiest man in the world, but now he felt as though he had fallen into hell.


    Xiaochuan in Yang Jian''s arms seemed to feel something too and began to cry loudly, but Chen Luo could no longer pay attention to him.


    The patriarch of the Chen family approached Yang Jian and asked with a frown, "Saint King, what''s going on?"


    Although he did not like Xu Ling, she was, after all, a descendant of the Xu Family. Her death in front of them, if spread, would tarnish the Chen family''s reputation.


    "I''m not sure either, it''s truly strange..." Yang Jian answered, passing Xiaochuan to the patriarch of the Chen family before vanishing on the spot.


    The rest of the Chen family regained their senses and promptly stepped out of the hall to be on guard.


    Chen Luo suddenly looked up at the patriarch of the Chen family, pleading desperately, "Father, save Ling''er! Save her!"


    The patriarch took a deep breath and said, "Her soul has dispersed, it''s beyond salvation..."


    He was also filled with fear. If it wasn''t the Saint King, then what exactly had happened?


    Xu Ling''s death was too bizarre, shocking not only Chen Luo but also them.


    At this moment, what the patriarch of the Chen family feared the most was Chen Luo also meeting with an accident, but he was helpless. He didn''t even dare to approach Chen Luo, afraid that he too might suffer a calamity.


    Gu An, far away at the Supreme Sect, witnessed all this. Everything happened too quickly. In an instant, he captured Xu Ling''s soul, using his own power of Cause and Effect to protect her soul and prevent it from being ravaged by mysterious forces of cause and effect.


    If that mysterious existence could execute Xu Ling, couldn''t it also kill others?


    This was Gu An''s greatest concern, which is why he hid Xu Ling''s soul. He couldn''t always keep an eye on Xu Ling.


    Fortunately, nothing further happened, only Xu Ling died.


    Yang Jian returned to the Chen estate and gathered with the Chen family to discuss the death of Xu Ling. Suddenly, Chen Luo severed his own meridians, destroying his Golden Core, intending to disperse his soul. Yang Jian immediately intervened but Chen Luo was still left a cripple.


    Seeing this, Gu An also felt some emotion.


    His intervention saved Chen Luo and Xu Ling, but it brought them another kind of disaster.


    He suddenly felt confused. If the mastermind was targeting him, why go after Xu Ling and not those close to him?


    Many of those he cared about had a Cultivation Level below the Mahayana Realm.


    Could it be that the mastermind wanted Xiaochuan to tread an irredeemable path and lure Gu An away from this universe?


    While protecting Xu Ling''s soul, Gu An could feel the power of that Cause and Effect, not as strong as his, but certainly coming from another universe. Without crossing universes, it was difficult to assess which was stronger or weaker.


    Gu An stood up, descended from the tree, and looked toward Zhu Xi, "Continue your cultivation. I have some things to attend to."


    With those words, Gu An vanished on the spot.


    He stepped into the Hidden Spirit Palace located at the bottom of the sea.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, in the midst of cultivation, did not sense Gu An''s arrival.


    Gu An raised his right hand and released Xu Ling''s soul, then used nature''s spiritual energy to reconstruct her flesh.


    Xu Ling had a long life span ahead. As long as her allotted lifespan had not ended, she could regroup her flesh, an easy feat for Gu An; the challenge lay in transcending ordained fates.


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    Xu Ling''s flesh was reconstructed, along with her clothing, just as she appeared right before her death.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp sensed her breath, opened its eyes, and upon seeing its master, it stood up in surprise, hurrying over.


    Xu Ling, as if she had woken from a nightmare, sat on the ground, breathing heavily, her head covered in sweat. She looked up to see Gu An, looking as handsome as an Immortal God from paintings, her eyes full of fear.


    "You needn''t worry, I won''t harm you, but you can no longer return. A power beyond the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path wants to harm your son, thus they killed you. From now on, you''ll cultivate here. In time, I''ll bring your husband here. Later, you''ll manage Medicine Valley for me, and one day, you three will be reunited," Gu An said before disappearing, leaving Xu Ling, a Mahayana Cultivator, to rapidly come to terms with reality.


    A replacement had already been placed inside the Hidden Spirit Palace, now possessing the Cultivation Level of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal. Here, the power of Cause and Effect from outside the universe could hardly harm Xu Ling, and it would not even detect her whereabouts.


    Upon hearing Gu An''s words, Xu Ling was left stunned, her eyes vacant.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp stood to one side, touching its head, unsure of how to strike up a conversation. It was also pondering Gu An''s previous words.


    An existence surpassing the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path? And who is this woman''s son?


    Silence fell upon the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    After a while,


    Xu Ling took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed to the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, asking, "My name is Xu Ling. May I know how to address you, and could you introduce me to this place and the senior who was here just now?"


    Her heart was shocked. What level of cultivation would someone who can casually mention beings beyond the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path possess?


    Young lady?


    Upon hearing this, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp''s face revealed a gentle smile, which warmed Xu Ling''s heart and made her feel a sense of closeness to him.


    ...


    Late at night,


    Chen Luo, with his hair disheveled, sat in a chair, his eyes empty. His mother was holding Xiaochuan, trying to comfort him, hoping he could come to terms with his situation, but unfortunately, he was not at all receptive.


    It was then that Yang Jian walked into the room and said to Chen Luo, "There is still hope for your wife to be alive."


    Upon hearing this, Chen Luo''s head shot up. He immediately rushed toward Yang Jian, grabbed his arms, and asked urgently, "Really? What should I do? What do you need from me?"


    Yang Jian, with a serene expression, said, "Go to the Supreme Sect in the Tai Cang Continent, and you will know what to do."


    As soon as he heard this, Chen Luo let go and ran straight for the door.


    Chen Luo''s mother wanted to call out to him, but Yang Jian stopped her, suggesting with significant meaning, "He has now lost all his cultivation, which is a good opportunity to temper him. Let him go to the Supreme Sect on his own. Do not assist him."


    Chen Luo''s mother hesitated and asked, "Is it the Supreme Sect where the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is?"


    Yang Jian nodded slightly, and Chen Luo''s mother immediately breathed a sigh of relief, even showing a hint of surprise in her eyes.


    The name of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was one she had heard of¡ªthe saint who saved all living beings. Such an existence would not plot against her son.


    She couldn''t help but look down at her grandson in her arms, wondering to herself, "My dear grandson, who exactly are you reincarnated from, that even the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable would protect you?"


    Those who practice Immortal Cultivation always believe in past and present lives. Knowing that her grandson had a past life, she did not reject the idea. Instead, she liked him even more.


    Perhaps this grandson would bring a prosperous opportunity to the Chen family.


    ...


    It was winter, and snowflakes were fluttering down.


    Gu An stood on the tower, watching the snow. Since Xu Ling''s mishap, he had always been watching over Xiaochuan. Fortunately, that force of cause and effect hadn''t caused any trouble again.


    But in fact, the existence behind the scenes had succeeded¡ªhe had made Xiaochuan return to a state without his parents.


    This gave Gu An some inspiration.


    The power of cause and effect could actually transcend the universe.


    He decided that from now on, his main focus would be to research the power of cause and effect and strengthen his own Way of Cause and Effect.


    In the previous years, he had been perceiving different Dao Rules. Now, thinking about it, it seemed better to develop one particular Dao to its extreme first.


    He saw Chen Luo alone in a boat, in the boundless vast sea. The small boat that Chen Luo was on was like a fallen leaf in the Vast Sea, which could be submerged at any time.


    Although Gu An wanted to temper Chen Luo''s character, he hadn''t actually left Chen Luo to face the journey alone. After all, Chen Luo had no cultivation level.


    All along the way, Gu An had already helped Chen Luo deal with many troubles he could not contend with. The rest of the journey would have to rely on his willpower.


    Yang Jian had already left the Chen family. Before departing, the head of the Chen family hoped that Yang Jian would bestow a name. Yang Jian hesitated quite a bit, but fortunately, he received a transmission from his master.


    Chen Chuan!


    That was the name for Xiaochuan in this life. It was quite ordinary, but coming from the mouth of Yang Jian, it gave the Chen family even more hope.


    Did the Saint King hope for this child to be as unyielding and persistent as the mountains and rivers?


    Xu Ling stayed in the Hidden Spirit Palace, getting along very well with the Deep Sea Dragon Carp and proclaiming each other as sisters. She had not noticed that the Dragon Carp was a male demon, considering the Dragon Carp''s cultivation level was a bit higher than hers.


    Life returned to calm once again.


    The cause and effect of Xiaochuan did not trouble Gu An. Instead, it was like a game of strategy.


    When he became strong enough, he would certainly drag out the existence behind the scenes.


    He even considered using the power of cause and effect to annihilate the other party across the universe in the future. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 475 The Auspicious Celestial Horse, The Book That Governs Life and Death

    "Gu An!"A woman''s voice came from downstairs, interrupting Gu An''s train of thought. He looked down to see You Yingying standing below, waving at him.


    You Yingying''s maximum lifespan was five thousand years. Previously, because of the suppression by the Heavenly Demon''s karma, her cultivation level couldn''t grow. After Gu An helped her resolve the karma, she regained her inherent talent, and now her cultivation level had reached the 8th Floor of the Integration Realm.


    Gu An looked down at her and asked, "What''s up?"


    You Yingying looked at him and said, "I''m getting ready to go back to the Star Sea Congregations."


    "Just go, I''ve agreed," Gu An replied with a smile.


    Ever since Gu An''s identity had been exposed, various sects had been trying to curry favor with him, including the Star Sea Congregations, and particularly You Yingying''s family, who constantly sent her messages. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was quite irritated by this, so she decided to leave the Supreme Sect and go out on her own to experience the world.


    Returning to the Star Sea Congregations was just a pretext; she planned to wander the endless lands.


    Gu An certainly wouldn''t stop her.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, You Yingying hesitated.


    Looking up at Gu An from downstairs, she felt that he was out of reach, and her heart found some relief.


    Since she was already prepared, why hesitate now?


    Gu An could hear her heart''s voice but didn''t say anything, just smiling as he watched her.


    "When I attain the cultivation level of the Immortal Dao, I will come back!" You Yingying huffed, and with that, she bowed and left.


    Next to them, Blood Prison Great Saint, who was meditating under a tree, just glanced over before closing his eyes again to continue his cultivation.


    Gu An watched You Yingying leave, feeling somewhat sentimental.


    No matter how much he behaved like before, the disparity in cultivation level always created an insurmountable barrier between him and the others. They were still as close as they had been, but compared to before, something was missing.


    Perhaps that was the price of becoming strong.


    Gu An shifted his gaze back to appreciate the snowy landscape of Medicine Valley.


    It snowed every year, and if one observed carefully, they would realize that the snowscape was different every year, like the intricate, interwoven karma of all beings, constantly changing.


    Gu An recently had been contemplating creating his own Divine Power, a Karma Divine Power.


    To kill enemies across space and time, making them unable to deduce his actions!


    Just like this winter snow, that would eventually melt, leaving no trace.


    After saying farewell to An Xin, Long Qing, and the others, You Yingying left that very day. Her departure sparked some discussion among the disciples, but in the end, it didn''t cause much of a stir in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Nowadays, the Third Medicine Valley had seven thousand disciples, along with many chess and painting enthusiasts, almost like a miniature Immortal Cultivation Realm on its own. People were always coming and going, and You Yingying, even in this small realm, couldn''t shine brightly. Her departure was destined to be forgotten quickly.


    The winter snow fell heavier by the minute, as if aiming to bury the Vast Earth itself.


    After the winter snow passed, spring arrived.


    For this year''s Spring Festival, Gu An left the valley early. He went to the World-Excluding Cave Heaven to celebrate with the Celestial Demon Child and her companions. In the past, he hadn''t forgotten them, but celebrating with them had always happened after the Spring Festival.


    Gu An sat under a tree, drinking, with the Celestial Demon Child peeling fruit for him. They laughed together, watching Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai perform, reenacting the battle between Sun Wukong and Er Lang God, complete with dialogue.


    Watching their performance, Gu An felt they hadn''t changed at all, and now reflecting on it, perhaps not all experience was beneficial.


    Of course, whether to gain experience or not was up to their choice.


    After Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai finished their performance, the Celestial Demon Child took the stage, showing off her Divine Skills.


    Even without Gu An speaking, the three women could keep chattering nonstop, keeping the atmosphere warm and engaged.


    Gu An''s heart grew more serene as he watched the Celestial Demon Child, while contemplating his Way of Cause and Effect.


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    The Way of Cause and Effect was something all Cultivators were involved with. It was the simplest yet the hardest, which is why many practitioners, as their realms advanced, would research other Great Daos.


    The same Way of Cause and Effect, what made Gu An''s path different from other practitioners?


    After so many lifespans and rebirths, Gu An''s accumulation of knowledge on the Way of Cause and Effect was deep; what he lacked was creation.


    His Dao Fruit had nurtured a path unique to him, and he had created his own Great Divine Power exclusive to him, the Longevity True Words.


    Longevity True Words, using language to determine fate, made use of the Way of Cause and Effect.


    Gu An looked at the Fate Pen on the table.


    He had a pen that could utter the words of karma; did he really need a book too?


    Speaking of which, in his life, he had an inseparable destiny with writing books. He had written many books, some where he copied classical Huaxia texts, and some he created himself. If he could write the Way of Cause and Effect into the books, would it be feasible?


    Gu An suddenly thought of the Book of Life and Death from "Journey to the West." With one stroke in the Book of Life and Death, one could determine life and death.


    His ideas began to burst forth, slowly entering meditation.


    After a while, the merry Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, and Tian Bai suddenly sensed Gu An''s Dao Intent. They turned their heads to look at Gu An, their eyes filled with astonishment.


    Not daring to disturb Gu An, they exchanged glances and then sat down to meditate, feeling Gu An''s Dao Intent.


    The World-Excluding Cave Heaven followed suit and quieted down.


    ...


    Under the dazzling starry sky, on the barren land, wavering shadows were moving forward.


    Leading the group were two men, namely the Divine Exotic Realm Master and Zhang Buku.


    Zhang Buku was dressed in a set of worn black clothes, which loosely revealed his robust muscles, quite striking to the eye. His black hair was carelessly draped down his back.


    Looking up, his eyes bright and clear, he asked, "Master, how far are we from the Celestial Spirit Great World?"


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master replied, "Very far, so far that I can no longer sense the power of Divine Exotic City. To have come to this place is our fortune, perhaps we should let go of the past."


    After leaving the Celestial Spirit Great World, they had been traversing the Great Heaven and Earth nonstop until a few years ago when they were swept into the darkness by a river filled with the rules of space and time, completely severing their connection with the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Upon hearing this, a look of sadness crossed Zhang Buku''s face.


    He missed his Martial Uncle, longed for Li Ya.


    But he was no longer that weak self. Wherever he went, he had to fight to become stronger.


    Suddenly, he saw meteors streaking across the starry sky like torrential rain, sweeping across the entire starry sky, a magnificent sight. Immediately after, he was struck by an awe-inspiring scene¡ªa colossal Celestial Horse flashing brilliant light emerged behind the countless meteors, stepping on auspicious clouds, crossing the land they were on.


    Under this colossal Celestial Horse, no matter how high their Cultivation Level, all would feel extremely insignificant, and the dark land was lit up as if moving from nighttime to daylight.


    The Divine Exotic Ghost King and the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts behind them were also startled, causing an uproar.


    "What is that?" Zhang Buku couldn''t help asking the Divine Exotic Realm Master.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master, living the longest, could always solve his puzzles.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master looked at the cloud-striding, bright Celestial Horse with a complicated gaze and said, "That symbolizes the auspiciousness of the Heavenly Dao. You can call it a Celestial Horse. They are supreme, being able to cross Yin and Yang, across all Heavens and Myriad Realms. It is said that all beings who see the Celestial Horse will gain the blessing of destiny. It seems our luck isn''t bad."


    "Celestial Horse?"


    Zhang Buku murmured to himself. Although he had seen many and was well-informed about Divine Beasts and Fierce Beasts, he had never seen an auspicious being like the Celestial Horse.


    The Celestial Horse was so majestic that it seemed even larger than Heaven and Earth, radiating a holy light that made people yearn for it, as if it was the most perfect creation in the world.


    Even after the Celestial Horse following the meteor swarm had disappeared, and the land had fallen back into darkness, the graceful figure still lingered in Zhang Buku''s mind.


    What kind of existence could subdue such an auspicious being?


    Zhang Buku had this thought, and immediately after, he felt ashamed. How could one defile such an auspicious being?


    He shook his head and carried on.


    The Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts continued to discuss the Celestial Horse, feeling amazed and unforgettable.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master walked ahead, saying, "Perhaps there is an incredible fortune waiting for us ahead. The Celestial Horse is a sign."


    A smile appeared on his face; since coming to this universe, he had finally seen hope to shake off the role of a chess piece.


    Zhang Buku didn''t think so much; he just wanted to become stronger.


    "If Martial Uncle and Li Ya could see the Celestial Horse, how good that would be. Unfortunately, you''re not so lucky."


    Thinking to himself, Zhang Buku amused himself with the thought.


    The starry sky was brilliant, unable to illuminate the land, but they pressed on through the darkness towards the dawn.


    ...


    In the Third Medicine Valley, at the entrance of Medicine Valley,


    Gu An strolled forward, toying with a black leather book in his hand. He flung the black leather book into the air, caught it again, and continued to playfully advance.


    "Master!"


    A voice full of surprise called out, and An Xin appeared out of nowhere in front of him.


    Gu An smoothly caught the flying black leather book and tucked it into his bosom.


    This was a book that governed life and death; it was not something others could touch.

 Chapter 476 Legend of the Sword God

    "Master, where on earth did you go? How could you disappear for a year without a word?"An Xin glared at Gu An, complaining, yet her eyes were filled with delight.


    Gu An gave her a look and said, "It''s just one year. In our sect, when Great Cultivators go into seclusion or leave, isn''t it for decades or even centuries? Look at you¡ªwithout me around, can''t you manage Medicine Valley anymore?"


    He had been in a World-Excluding Cave Heaven, absorbed in Enlightenment, sitting for a year, worrying not only An Xin but also the Profound Mysterious Zhenren of the North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    The folks in End of the World Valley, on the other hand, didn''t show much reaction, after all, that Medicine Valley belonged to Li Xuandao, and Gu An was just overseeing it.


    Third Medicine Valley and Profound Valley were also not in disarray; most disciples believed that nothing would happen to their master after being away for only a year¡ªwho in this world could hurt their master?


    The reason for An Xin''s panic wasn''t fear that something had happened to Gu An, she was just afraid that Gu An might leave the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    She had heard that beyond the sky lay an even vaster world where many Great Cultivators never returned, pursuing their own Great Dao.


    For someone with cultivation like her master''s, staying in Celestial Spirit Great World was only good for tempering the heart; it offered no other benefits to him.


    Having followed her master for so long, An Xin certainly didn''t want to be abandoned.


    "People are only scared... It''s because you didn''t even mention it!" An Xin said with a hint of melancholy.


    Gu An, who held affection for his disciple as if she were his own daughter, didn''t continue to tease her but assured her, "Don''t worry. If master really were to leave, I would tell you, and if you wish to follow, I would take you with me."


    Upon hearing this, An Xin''s face lit up with joy. She clung to Gu An''s arm, pulling him toward the valley, and at the same time, she recounted the events that had taken place in Third Medicine Valley during the year.


    With so many people in Medicine Valley, conflicts and amusing incidents happened every day; An Xin spoke of nothing significant, and Gu An listened carefully.


    After listening, the only thing that really mattered to Gu An was that Profound Celestial Intent had returned and had brought a bunch of books he liked.


    When talking about this, An Xin looked at Gu An with scrutiny.


    If not for the fact that Gu An could hear her thoughts, he might have suspected she had used Divine Sense to peek.


    Along the way, every disciple and Cultivator who saw Gu An greeted him excitedly and paid their respects, causing quite a stir before Gu An finally returned to his loft.


    He sat at his desk, took out the black-covered book he had been holding, and placed it on the desk.


    The cover showed black scale armor patterns which felt textured, mysterious, and bizarre, quite unsettling to behold.


    Because it was a cause-and-effect treasure, Gu An had purposely fashioned an imposing appearance for it.


    Different from the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure, the Fate Pen, this treasure was shaped by the Dao Intent of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal. Its tier was higher, and having just taken shape, it could still grow. It needed Gu An to continuously nourish it with the Way of Cause and Effect.


    Now, what Gu An needed to do was to inscribe it with a name.


    "What name should I give it?"


    Gu An fell into deep thought, his right hand rested on the desk, fingers lightly tapping the surface.


    It wasn''t until the sunlight outside gradually reddened that he finally came up with an idea. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He picked up the Fate Pen and began to write on the black book.


    Infinite.


    Sword.


    Book.


    When the final stroke was drawn, the four characters burst into golden light and began to sear the cover, then sank in, forming golden letters.


    Infinite Sword Book!


    Gu An thought of his Primordial Infinite Body and the power of infinity, and he intended the book to embody limitless potential, omnipotence - the reason it included the word ''sword'' was that he did not want to forsake his Sword Dao. He wanted to combine his Sword Dao with the power of cause and effect to create a Sword Dao of cause and effect capable of slashing through universes.


    The Infinite Sword Book began to tremble, then floated in the air, absorbing the power of cause and effect from heaven and earth. In an instant, all the cause and effect within the Tai Cang Continent shone within it.


    Its range extended farther and wider until the entire Celestial Spirit Great World was reflected within it.


    Every being who had reached the realm of a Free Immortal felt a sudden palpitation, but when they opened their eyes, they saw nothing out of the ordinary, nor could they discern any cause and effect.


    Inside a hall shrouded in clouds and mist, the Saint Minister sat cross-legged on the steps, below which there was a pond, its surface a shimmering blue, fantastically beautiful, with faint starlight twinkling within.


    The Saint Minister opened his eyes, frowning. He started calculating with his fingers but could figure nothing out.


    "The end of the era, the rules recede, it truly becomes all the more dangerous¡­"


    The Saint Minister muttered to himself, feeling immense pressure just thinking about the situation now.


    Recently, many mysterious forces had appeared outside of heaven, attacking the Silent Extinction Domain, within heaven as well there were quite a few indeterminate Free Immortals, and then there was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable who could easily annihilate the entire Celestial Spirit Great World.


    As a Saint Minister of the Holy Court, he greatly disliked this feeling of being unable to control the situation, it left him feeling powerless and even unable to see hope.


    Could it be that the fate of Holy Court was running out, just like the dominators of the worlds in the vast stretches of time that had passed away?


    The Saint Minister sank into confusion. In a daze, he saw a figure approaching from the far end of the great hall.


    "Your Majesty¡­"


    The Saint Minister spoke to himself, as if in a dream.


    ...


    When the Free Immortals of the world felt panic, the common people did not notice anything unusual, the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty still fought as always, but compared to several hundred years ago, Mortal Spirits were seldom affected, so there were still many places of peace in the world.


    The next day at dawn. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Gu An descended the stairs, joining his disciples for a rare session of drill practice, having been gone for a year, he would be busy harvesting medicinal herbs for the next few days.


    Half an hour later, Gu An rode away on the Blood Prison Great Saint, preparing to head for the End of the World Valley. Just as he left the Supreme Sect, a figure appeared before them, it was Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch inhaled deeply as he looked at Gu An, saying, "Senior, there is something I must tell you, did you feel anything unusual yesterday?"


    Gu An feigned confusion and asked, "I did not, what is it you want to talk to me about?"


    "Years ago, a Sword Intent appeared briefly within the Silent Extinction Domain, I was just surprised at the time, but over the years, I''ve discussed this Sword Intent with my sect-mates, and we''ve learned something very frightening," said Jue Luo Sword Monarch with a solemn expression.


    Communicating through Sword Intent?


    Was it to avoid being traced?


    Great Hong Sword Heaven had something up its sleeve.


    Gu An pondered while pressing for more information, "What is it exactly?"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, who had taken on the form of a bull, also showed a curious expression. He knew Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s cultivation level was profound, so he never provoked him.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch hesitated for a moment before saying, "This matter involves the secrets of Great Hong Sword Heaven. The Primordial Ancestor who created the Great Hong Sword Heaven is hailed as the Sword God by the Great Hong Realm. He is also the only True Disciple of the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor, the only being who has ever defeated the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor. After the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor''s fall, his temperament changed drastically. To enhance the Sword Dao, he started to take extreme measures, madly devouring Sword Intent and Sword Dao, rapidly growing stronger and even at one point became a public enemy of the universe, provoking several Great Worlds to join forces against him."


    "He has disappeared for many years, his life and death unknown. The Sword Intent that flashed past years ago was very complex, it made me feel disorderly, terrifying, and agitated. Only his Sword Intent could match, and yesterday, I and my sect-mates, the Free Immortals, all felt a quiver in our hearts, suspecting that the Sword God might have reappeared in the world."


    "He might even be targeting you."


    With that, Jue Luo Sword Monarch looked at Gu An with a tense expression.


    This kid feared neither heaven nor earth, it was the first time Gu An had seen him so wary of someone, even more so than of the Battle Court.


    Gu An asked, "Compared to the Divine Emperor of the Silent Extinction Domain, how does the Sword God of your Great Hong Sword Heaven measure up?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch had mentioned the Sword Intent, which Gu An had also felt. It was very fierce and disappeared quickly, likely having entered into the River of Sword Dao.


    The River of Sword Dao is a manifestation of the rules, residing on another plane, independent of the universe.


    He had not expected that the master of that Sword Intent was the Sword God, Yang Ping''an.


    If what Jue Luo Sword Monarch said was true, then it was indeed a possibility because Gu An had also sensed that the Sword Intent was very complex, even carrying a hint of Demonic Possession.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch shook his head, saying, "How could I know such comparisons, it''s beyond my level."


    Gu An laughed, saying, "Alright, I am aware now, you may step aside."


    Hearing this, Jue Luo Sword Monarch hurriedly made way.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint lifted his hooves, marching forward.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch watched as Gu An''s figure receded into the distance, seeing his nonchalant demeanor, he became even more convinced that Gu An was the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor.


    "The legend says the Sword God defeated the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor, but how can the Saint Ancestor not take the Sword God seriously? Could the stories be fabricated?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch secretly contemplated, feeling it was very likely.


    After all, it was the Sword God who founded the Great Hong Sword Heaven, not the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor. The successive Sword Masters of Great Hong Sword Heaven naturally wished for it to be the strongest, so they would intentionally exalt their founding teacher.


    The thought that the Sword God and the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor might duel again dispelled Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s nervousness, replaced instead by excitement.

 Chapter 477 150 Billion Years Life Span

    Gu An heard Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s inner voice behind him, and his lips curled up.A decisive battle with Yang Ping''an?


    Had Yang Ping''an not taken advantage of his injury years ago, how could he have won a match against him?


    Throughout Yang Xian''s life, as long as the enemy was not two Great Realms higher than him, he had never been defeated.


    Only after they walked far away did Blood Prison Great Saint finally couldn''t help but inquire about the Sword God mentioned by Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    He felt sure his master knew everything and was omniscient, merely pretending not to reveal the secrets of heaven.


    His master was an existence that stood above the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path.


    "Being called a Sword God naturally means he is formidable. Look at our Celestial Spirit Great World; do we have a recognized Sword God?"


    Sitting on the back of Blood Prison Great Saint, Gu An casually responded, then he took out the Infinite Sword Book, ready to ponder the Divine Skills of Sword Dao.


    The Sword Dao is hidden in the book, with thoughts that kill the enemy!


    The targeted enemy will face a sword directly, unable to dodge, unable to endure, unable to deduce! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was Gu An''s concept for the Infinite Sword Book; the specific sword techniques still needed careful consideration.


    He was not in a hurry; he had plenty of time to think about Sword Dao.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Blood Prison Great Saint fell into endless reverie, feeling he needed to remake his Great Saint reputation.


    At the very least, he wanted all living beings to admire him, rather than proclaiming himself as the Great Saint!


    ...


    Ten years later.


    In the Sacred Domain, in the Chen family mansion, twelve-year-old Chen Chuan was practicing swordsmanship. Dressed in white robe and black trousers, his black hair tied high at the back of his head, he already possessed a handsome countenance despite his young age.


    The patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Xiong, stood on the stone steps, his left hand behind his back, his right hand in front, holding two jade stones. He watched Chen Chuan''s posture with a face full of relief and indulgence.


    Chen Chuan had shown extraordinary talent since he was a child. Without anyone teaching him the Cultivation Technique, he was able to cultivate Spiritual Power on his own, which had shocked the entire Chen family.


    Furthermore, with the existence backing the Saint King also supporting Chen Chuan, he had become the Chen family''s biggest pride and hope.


    Yang Jian had two great beings behind him; whether it was the Saint Minister or Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, they were beings the Chen family looked up to, unattainably high.


    "The kid is growing up fast."


    Chen Xiong stared at Chen Chuan, feeling emotional inside. The thought of Chen Chuan leaving the Chen family made him somewhat reluctant, especially thinking about the fate of Chen Chuan''s parents, which made him even more sympathetic towards the boy.


    Though he didn''t like Xu Ling, he didn''t want to see his grandson lack parents.


    Chen Chuan sheathed his sword and turned to face Chen Xiong, saying, "Grandfather."


    He didn''t have the liveliness of his peers, appearing very composed.


    He quickly walked up to Chen Xiong and looked at him, prompting Chen Xiong to reach out and touch his head.


    "My dear grandson is really amazing. In the future, you will definitely become the greatest in the world. I don''t know which Immortal is blessing you, giving you such incredible talent," Chen Xiong said with a chuckle.


    Chen Chuan smiled faintly and replied, "There''s no Immortal blessing me; if there were, my mother wouldn''t have died."


    Chen Xiong''s smile froze, and he quickly changed the subject, asking, "You''ve been practicing that sword technique for months now. You''ve mastered the moves, so why continue practicing?"


    Chen Chuan responded, "During the process of practicing, I have gained many insights. Although it''s the same sword techniques, I can perceive other sword techniques during the practice."


    Chen Xiong was secretly amazed, wondering about the mysterious depth of the sword technique left by the Saint King?


    He had also seen the sword technique left by Yang Jian and thought it was just an ordinary beginner''s sword technique, but he still listened to Yang Jian''s advice and let Chen Chuan practice it.


    "Really?" Chen Xiong asked, delighted.


    Could this be a test left by the Saint King, does this mean Chen Chuan has already passed the test?


    His eyes grew brighter, feeling that Chen Chuan was an unprecedented genius for the Chen family, capable of bringing transformation to the family.


    "Really, I saw the mountains, saw the flowing waters, saw the boundless oceans, saw the brilliant Milky Way, and I even saw a river..."


    Chen Chuan was recounting what he had seen and heard, and Chen Xiong listened intently, becoming increasingly excited, as if he were beholding a priceless treasure.


    The summer breeze rustled the leaves in the courtyard, and the sight of the grandfather and grandson standing on the steps was so beautiful. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire


    When Chen Chuan had finished speaking, Chen Xiong sincerely exclaimed, "My dear grandson, I can hardly wait to see your name celebrated across the world, you''re bound to become the most formidable Sword Cultivator in the Holy Court, perhaps even destined to end this chaotic era and crush the Immortal Dynasty."


    Chen Chuan''s cheeks flushed slightly as he scratched his head and said, "Grandpa, you''re exaggerating, how could I be that great?"


    Chen Xiong burst into hearty laughter and started to recount the legendary tales and mighty figures of the Holy Court, which left Chen Chuan with eyes full of admiration.


    He was, after all, still a youth.


    Admiring heroes was in the nature of youths.


    Unbeknownst to them, someone was perched on the eave of the nearby roof, watching them.


    It was Gu An.


    At that moment, even the Free Immortal standing in front of him wouldn''t have been able to detect his presence.


    Watching Chen Chuan''s life, Gu An thought about the time Xiaochuan was with his grandson, Xiaochuan was smiling then, saying how great it would be to be such a good grandfather.


    "Now you''ve fulfilled that dream," Gu An said with a smile on his face.


    He also heard Chen Chuan''s heartfelt ambition, this youngster was even more ambitious than in his previous life.


    In that case, as your senior brother, I will fulfill your wish, since you have also devoted a lifetime to me.


    Gu An raised his right hand and waved his sleeve toward Chen Chuan, in an instant, a stream of Dao Intent transformed into a gentle breeze that blew towards Chen Chuan, causing his black hair to flutter and his white robe to billow.


    Chen Chuan''s eyes widened, and he seemed somewhat dazed.


    Noticing his grandson''s unusual behavior, Chen Xiong couldn''t help but ask, "Grandson, what''s wrong?"


    Chen Chuan subconsciously replied, "Nothing, I just had a new insight."


    "Really? Then continue pondering, grandpa shouldn''t disturb your cultivation," Chen Xiong hastily moved aside.


    Seeing this, Chen Chuan immediately closed his eyes and immersed himself in his own insights.


    Chen Xiong stepped back ten paces, watching him, and he too seemed somewhat dazed.


    In Chen Xiong''s eyes, the sunlight on Chen Chuan''s body became even brighter, like the legendary immortals, on the brink of ascension at any moment.


    Gu An was still standing on the roof, looking down at Chen Chuan.


    Suddenly.


    [Sword Gu Ming harbors hostility towards you, filled with the intent to kill, would you like to employ Life Span Detection?]


    Gu An raised an eyebrow. Usually, he would trigger Life Expectancy Prediction since he met many people, but they were almost all merely displeased.


    It had been a long time since someone wanted to kill him.


    Interesting!


    He immediately chose to employ Life Span Detection.


    [Sword Gu Ming (Mid-stage in Zi Zai Immortal Realm): 318,726,309 / 15,000,000,000 / 15,000,000,000]


    Fifteen billion years Life Span?


    Xuan Tian Free Immortal!


    Gu An''s Divine Sense swept across the universe in an instant, not capturing this Xuan Tian Free Immortal. Silent Extinction Domain indeed had Free Immortals, but they could be counted on one hand, all secluded from the world.


    Could this person be from outside the universe?


    Gu An pondered briefly, then flash-stepped back to the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    The moment he landed, he pulled out the Infinite Sword Book from his bosom.

 Chapter 478 A Sword

    Gu An held the Infinite Sword Book and walked to his usual rocking chair.When he appeared, Xu Ling, who had been meditating next to the garden, immediately stood up and saluted him.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, more audacious, had grown familiar with Gu An and approached him curiously, asking, "The Infinite Sword Book? What is this book?"


    Gu An answered nonchalantly, "It''s a forbidden book, don''t look at it. Hurry up and go practice, and don''t delay me from reading."


    Seeing his master was not as gentle as usual, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp quickly scurried away.


    Gu An then took out the Fate Pen. With one hand, he flipped open the Infinite Sword Book, and with the other, he held the pen, its tip against the page.


    This was his first time utilizing the Infinite Sword Book, his heart filled with anticipation.


    The enemy might come from beyond the cosmos; he didn''t know if he could slay it.


    And if he did, could he gain lifespan?


    He stopped contemplating these thoughts and focused on channeling the power of karma into the Infinite Sword Book. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    ...


    In the cosmos, countless nebulae speckled the expanse¡ªsome like running giants, some like the palms of a creator; others resembled mysterious fierce beasts, colorful and bizarre, everything looking fantastically alien.


    A streak of sword light sped through the cosmos carrying two figures, one a vigorous man clad in purple and standing tall, the other an old, hunched man with a back bent by time.


    The man in purple had a crystal crown on his head, his brows emanating sharpness, and his eyes reflecting two swords, adding an oppressive air to his gaze.


    The old man beside him, shorter than his shoulder, held a wooden staff, his cheeks dotted with age spots, two antler-like tufts of white hair among his mane, reminiscent of deer antlers.


    "Master, are you really going to act on behalf of the Divine Emperor? A being the Divine Emperor cannot deal with is likely not so simple," the old man with antlers said, frowning with worry in his eyes.


    The man in purple was Sword Gu Ming. He replied, "If it were so simple, the Divine Emperor wouldn''t have sought me out. Indeed, his status does not permit him to pass through the World Gate. If I wish to step into higher realms, I must rely on him. I can already feel my own limits."


    "Though I can live many more years, nearly immortal, I feel I cannot reach higher realms."


    The old man with the antlers fell silent.


    He too wished for his master to grow stronger, yet the thought of venturing into that part of the cosmos filled him with unease.


    "As long as the opponent doesn''t surpass the Profound Yuan Free Immortal, it cannot be my match. If they were truly that formidable, the Celestial Spirit God would not allow such a being to continue growing," Sword Gu Ming continued, his voice calm.


    His gaze seemed to cross the cosmic space and time, landing on the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    "The Celestial Spirit God is indeed formidable. Even when the Great Dao trembles, he still stands guard there. It seems there is a great secret," the old man with antlers lamented.


    "That has nothing to do with us. The Divine Emperor would also not meddle with such karma."


    Sword Gu Ming''s words made the old man with antlers nod; he dared not discuss the Celestial Spirit God further, fearing taboo.


    At that moment,


    the sword light beneath their feet suddenly stopped and dissipated. Everything happened so abruptly that the old man with antlers quickly turned his head to look at Sword Gu Ming.


    He saw Sword Gu Ming trembling all over, his face showing terror.


    "Master, what''s happening?" the old man with antlers asked nervously.


    Sword Gu Ming''s forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and he managed to utter, "Quick... escape..."


    Escape?


    The old man with antlers turned pale with shock, instinctively scanning the surroundings, his Divine Sense spreading out, unable to detect any danger.


    He looked again at Sword Gu Ming, having never seen him so unnerved, not even during the Profound Yuan Celestial Tribulation.


    "Master..." the old man with antlers panicked, not knowing what to do, unclear about what had happened.


    "There''s... a sword... can''t you see it..."


    Sword Gu Ming said laboriously, his eyes bloodshot, staring fixedly ahead.


    The elder with antlers followed his gaze, but saw nothing.


    "Where is it? How far away from us?" the elder with antlers anxiously asked.


    "Right in.... front of us...."


    This response from Sword Gu Ming made the elder''s hair stand on end, as if he were in the depths of an abyss.


    He was a Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal in cultivation level, yet saw nothing. He believed his master wouldn''t lie or see illusions¡ªit must be that his realm wasn''t high enough to perceive the sword.


    "Let''s run away!" the elder with antlers gritted his teeth and said.


    Sword Gu Ming''s pupils trembled and couldn''t answer him anymore.


    At this moment, in front of Sword Gu Ming, an indescribable colossal sword hovered ahead, the tip not more than a hundred yards away. From afar, it seemed as if they were right next to the gargantuan sword, its length and size unknown. In front of this sword, they were smaller than dust particles.


    This sword was the image of the Cyan Hong Sword, not emitting any dazzling light, but exerting an endless and immense pressure on Sword Gu Ming.


    Sword Gu Ming felt the breath of death.


    From this sword, an overwhelmingly terrifying karma force emanated, submerging him like a tide. He was resisting with his own sword intent, but it was utterly useless; the sword tip was still advancing.


    Sword Gu Ming couldn''t escape or fight back. He could only resist with all his might, but the more he resisted, the stronger the pressure felt.


    By now, he couldn''t even speak. In his sensory world, the elder with antlers had disappeared.


    Seeing that Sword Gu Ming couldn''t respond, the elder with antlers''s body shook even more intensely, fueling his panic.


    What kind of power could push his master to such a state?


    He was caught in an inner struggle¡ªshould he flee or stay with his master? Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But even if he stayed, he could be of no help whatsoever.


    This Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal had never felt so powerless before.


    Suddenly!


    Sword Gu Ming''s eyes widened as he began to speak, "Quick...."


    But after uttering just one word, the entire cosmos fell silent in an instant. The elder with antlers widened his eyes; under his watch, Sword Gu Ming exploded into countless light stars.


    All these light stars were made of Sword Gu Ming''s sword intent, and they were also fading away.


    The elder with antlers''s eyes bugged out, and his mouth unconsciously hung open.


    A Profound Yuan Free Immortal just died like that?


    Impossible!


    ....


    [You have successfully snatched 1,440,090,872 years of life span from Sword Gu Ming (Mid-stage of Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm).]


    A prompt jumped out in front of Gu An''s eyes, startling him and causing his heart to surge with excitement.


    He had succeeded!


    He had snatched over 1.4 billion years of life span in one go!


    That was better than the fruits of a hundred years of farming!


    The key point was that Gu An had executed the kill with Karma Divine Power, without ever appearing before the enemy.


    Previously, neither clones nor puppets could help him snatch life spans, so he was hesitant about the power of karma.


    Doesn''t this mean that he could now hide in the shadows, wildly reaping the life spans of his enemies?


    Gu An''s heartbeat quickened, unable to calm down.


    In this instant, he envisioned many possibilities, even birthing sinister thoughts.


    Right then, Gu An sensed something, his complexion slightly changed, and he immediately stood up and walked toward the gate of the Hidden Spirit Palace.

 Chapter 479 Battling Against the Heavens

    After entering the Hidden Spirit Palace, Gu An flashed to the center of the grand hall and sat down to meditate, beginning to cultivate energy.He felt a strange power trying to harm him.


    It was somewhat like the Way of Cause and Effect, but more terrifying than that!


    Gu An used his own power of the Way of Cause and Effect to resist, but he couldn''t neutralize this eerie force quickly.


    As time passed, Gu An gradually understood this eerie force.


    It was Karma Retribution! S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It seemed that there was some power in the cosmos maintaining balance over those who used the Way of Cause and Effect, to prevent the collapse of order.


    Though the Way of Cause and Effect is one of the Three Thousand Great Dao, it has the ability to influence all Dao, involving time, Reincarnation, life and death, and so on¡ªa small change in cause and effect could overturn the past.


    Without suppression, the Way of Cause and Effect would be tantamount to the strongest Dao.


    But in fact, the Three Thousand Great Dao are all equal, with no distinctions of strong or weak, depending only on the cultivator''s Achievement in their respective Dao.


    The stronger the force of Cause and Effect used, the greater the Karma Retribution suffered.


    Gu An opened his eyes and pulled up his Attribute Panel to check; he found that his Life Span was decreasing, yet his Life Span had already been the number he had seized, which was now fifty-four billion years.


    While cultivating energy, he waited.


    Karma Retribution couldn''t possibly deduct his fourteen billion years of Life Span, could it?


    If so, then this was equivalent to no Life Span stolen at all.


    Worse, not only had he not gained Life Span, but he had also lost it...


    Gu An furrowed his brows, but fortunately, after a short while, the speed at which the Life Span numbers jumped began to slow.


    After the time of one stick of incense had passed, his Life Span no longer decreased; he had lost a total of two billion years of Life Span, which meant that he still gained twelve billion years of Life Span.


    That was a huge profit!


    Gu An exhaled in relief; he raised his right hand, looked at his palm, and saw black lines emerge, like the creepy wounds of poisoning.


    He had withstood the Karma Retribution, but these remaining traces still required time to erase.


    For the time being, his strength hadn''t been damaged, only leaving the short-term indelible marks of cause and effect, which was no significant trouble.


    But having just used the Infinite Sword Book and encountered such Retribution, what about the future?


    Gu An felt the need to continue improving the Infinite Sword Book, to enhance its power of Cause and Effect so that one day he could escape Karma Retribution.


    Regardless, this time not only had he eliminated a hidden danger, but he had also gained ten billion years of Life Span, making it a double blessing.


    Gu An adjusted his emotions and looked back at the Infinite Sword Book.


    In the process of using the Infinite Sword Book, Gu An also saw Sword Gu Ming and the antlered elder through the Sword of Cause and Effect, but he couldn''t deduce their causality through this perspective anymore.


    ...


    Under the starry sky, before the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    An Hao and the Yang Immortal Emperor sat side by side in meditation, each cultivating their energy.


    Suddenly.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor opened his eyes, furrowing his brow, and sharply turned to look at the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core was still burning fiercely, appearing mystical and powerful, with its surface flames resembling the laws of the operation of all things, continuously renewing, displaying various Great Dao on it.


    An Hao, sensing his movement, also opened his eyes to look at him, asking curiously, "What''s wrong?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor stared at the Celestial Dao Golden Core and said, "Suddenly, one great disaster lessened in the world. It''s strange, but indeed so."


    "One great disaster lessened? What did you see before?" An Hao grew more curious.


    "While contemplating the Celestial Dao Golden Core, I saw the future, where a river hung in the heavens for all living beings to see. This river, manifested by the Sword Dao, would bring a cataclysm to annihilate heaven and earth."


    The Yang Immortal Emperor replied, his thoughts drifting back, narrating with a tone filled with certain feelings that made An Hao visualize the scene depicted in his words.


    An Hao couldn''t help but ask, "So, such a calamity suddenly disappeared; could it be that a Great Power has changed the destiny of Great Heaven and Earth? Does that mean the Celestial Spirit Great World will be peaceful from now on and no longer chaotic?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor snorted, "Do you really think the tribulations of the world stem from the ambition of some powerful being? It''s not so. Whether it''s the Immortal Dynasty or the Holy Court, Destiny is shrinking. Only by devouring the Destiny of the other can one preserve the Daoist Lineage. This is the will of Great Heaven and Earth at play, continuously unleashing Cause and Effect, forcing catastrophe after catastrophe to come."


    He turned back, took a deep breath, and said, "When this great disaster ends, a new one will begin. There''s only one way to put a complete stop to it."


    "What way?" An Hao asked with a frown.


    He disliked this kind of predestined fate, as it made him feel that his Talent was a gift from heaven, and that the Dao Practice he cultivated was also chosen by the will of Great Heaven and Earth.


    Everything seemed to lose its meaning.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor replied, "That is for the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court to become one, with the victor annihilating ninety-nine percent of all living beings, reducing the vitality of Great Heaven and Earth to the extreme, reshaping the Rules of Heaven and Earth, whereafter the will of Heaven and Earth will naturally subside."


    An Hao''s face changed dramatically; ninety-nine percent of all living beings must die?


    Such a will of Heaven and Earth contradicted his fantasy.


    "At that time, such a situation would be against the Righteous Dao, and the victor would hardly be at ease. No one wants to slaughter all living beings, so the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court decided to fight to the death, also reducing the number of each other''s beings," said the Yang Immortal Emperor, his expression indifferent as if devoid of any emotion.


    An Hao''s brow furrowed deeper.


    He thought of another matter, asking, "Could the invasion from Outer Heaven become an unpredictable factor? Don''t let the Outer Heaven Power have the last laugh."


    The Yang Immortal Emperor scoffed, "They are mere bandits. If their ambition becomes too great, they will only perish along with their Dao."


    An Hao wished he could say that hundreds of years ago, if not for his master, we would all have died or been taken over by the Heavenly Demon.


    ```


    But then he thought again, perhaps his master''s intervention was a part of the will of Great Heaven and Earth, or if not his master, then some other powerful being would have intervened.


    Yes.


    His master was so powerful, why would he remain in the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    Could it be that his master represents the will of Great Heaven and Earth?


    An Hao reached this conclusion and suddenly felt an epiphany.


    Wandering the world for so many years, he had a good understanding of history, knowing that an era of peace had lasted countless years and the current upheaval was a rarity in a million years.


    The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had appeared only a little over a thousand years ago, after the disappearance of Shengtian.


    The more he thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense, as if he had seen through the truths of the world.


    Wait, if his master represented the Heavenly Dao, then his master choosing him...


    An Hao''s eyes changed as he entered a mysterious state.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor, sensing this change, could only lament inwardly that the Heavenly Dao was unjust.


    Rather than envy An Hao, he was more curious as to why the calamity had vanished.


    In his peering, that calamity was more desperate than any past disasters, and he could not forget the figure of Sword Gu Ming.


    That figure was even more terrifying than the Profound Desolate Demon God or the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    "What kind of being is contending from behind the scenes? Is this a battle against Heaven?"


    "Can one really win against Heaven?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor mused silently, then looked back at An Hao. If An Hao was the chosen of the Heavenly Dao, would he stand a chance against such beings in the future?


    He couldn''t imagine what An Hao would look like in the future.


    ...


    When autumn came, within Profound Valley.


    Gu An sat on a cliff, watching Jiang Shi and An Shengtian engaged in Combat in the sky before him.


    Both had reached the level of Profound Heart Realm. When An Shengtian first arrived, he was just a teenager, barely twenty years old, and now he was nearing a thousand.


    It was estimated that in another five hundred years, this master-disciple pair would attempt to break through to the Nirvana Realm.


    Gu An had cultivated them within Profound Valley and had not invested much effort; their reaching the Profound Heart Realm was inseparable from their own hard work.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint sat behind Gu An, remarking, "An Shengtian, this kid, really is increasingly showing the demeanor of his ancestor."


    An Shengtian, who bore a strong resemblance to An Hao, had a presence that grew even more pronounced after becoming powerful.


    "He''s still a far cry from it," Gu An said offhandedly.


    An Hao had already inherited the True Immortal Inheritance, and his cultivation level was advancing at an incredibly exaggerated pace. An Shengtian could never surpass An Hao in this lifetime; the gap would only widen.


    Not just An Shengtian, anyone of his generation could only look up to An Hao. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    Gu An suddenly thought of the Celestial Sect legacy in his own possession. The Celestial Sect legacy was also a kind of Celestial Dao Destiny, which could grant longevity but at the expense of one''s freedom, being manipulated by the Heavenly Dao.


    Should he let An Shengtian accept the Celestial Sect legacy?


    Never mind whether he could catch up or not; there was no need to trouble An Hao further.


    No matter how many disciples he had, An Hao was still the disciple Gu An valued and anticipated the most; An Shengtian could not compare to An Hao in his heart.


    An Hao was the first disciple he had truly cultivated with all his heart from a young age.


    Compared with An Shengtian, Gu An was more concerned about Jiang Shi.


    Since Jiang Shi had entered Profound Valley, he had been diligent and hardworking. Initially, his eagerness to join Profound Valley at all costs, even possibly causing the death of Lu Jiujia, had left a poor impression on Gu An.


    But over the years, Jiang Shi had proven his loyalty over a millennium, and Gu An had begun to place great importance on him.


    Unlike the visible strength of An Shengtian, Gu An felt Jiang Shi had more potential. This young man deliberately held back against opponents of the same realm, aiming to highlight An Shengtian''s strength.


    Gu An even sensed a trace of Dao Intent emanating from him.


    Not yet at the Nirvana Realm, Jiang Shi had already begun to comprehend the Way of Cause and Effect. Judging by his talent for Enlightenment, this young man was a prodigy of the millennium.


    Of course, this was also related to the cultivation of Dao Intent by Gu An.


    Ever since he discovered Jiang Shi had an extraordinary perception talent for the Way of Cause and Effect, Gu An had been intentionally and unintentionally exposing him to the power of cause and effect.


    "Indeed, it''s a far cry. Speaking of which, it''s been a long time since I''ve heard any news about An Hao. Is he in seclusion?" the Blood Prison Great Saint asked with curiosity, believing his master must know An Hao''s whereabouts.


    Gu An did not answer immediately, as someone was flying in.


    A figure emerged from Profound Valley, it was An Xin.


    An Xin landed beside Gu An, excitedly saying, "Master, there''s an Immortal God appearing in the Human World!"


    Immortal God?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint turned to look at An Xin, and both Jiang Shi and An Shengtian, who were engaged in Combat, also turned their attention.


    Without turning his head, Gu An asked, "What Immortal God? Tell me more."


    An Xin sat down beside him and said, "An Immortal has descended, claiming that by collecting nine true copies of the Theory of Heaven, one can comprehend the Celestial Dao Record, inherit the True Immortal legacy and one''s Destiny Pattern!"


    The Blood Prison Great Saint couldn''t help asking, "What Immortal has descended? And so quietly?"


    In the past, battles between Gu An and those powerhouses had been earth-shattering.


    In the Blood Prison Great Saint''s view, if a real Immortal came, the commotion wouldn''t be small.


    ```

 Chapter 480 Pillar of the Human World, The So-Called Immortal Cultivation

    True Immortal Inheritance?Gu An guessed it was very likely to be true. He thought about the inheritance that Lv Xian gave him, which included the inheritance of the Celestial Dao Immortal Position.


    And the ultimate extreme in one''s life was also due to the refusal of the position among the Immortal Gods, which led to the demise of one''s body and the extinguishment of their path.


    Is the Theory of Heaven influenced by the meddling of Immortal Gods?


    Even reaching the Dao Fruit Realm, it is hard to catch a glimpse of an Immortal God. They are ethereal, and seldom are there rumors of them in the cosmos.


    Blood Prison Great Saint and An Xin began discussing the Theory of Heaven and the True Immortal Inheritance; for cultivators, the Immortal Gods possessed an irresistible allure.


    Isn''t the purpose of Immortal Cultivation to Ascend to Immortality?


    Once, it was believed that the Immortal Dynasty was the ultimate goal, but later it was discovered that they were merely beings who had reached the Immortal Dao Realm.


    The true Immortal Gods are beyond imagination.


    Gu An was also curious about the nature of the force to which the Immortal Gods belonged ¨C what immense entity was it?


    However, he didn''t intend to delve into the True Immortal Inheritance for the time being. If he touched upon cause and effect, even if he refused to Ascend to Immortality, he would encounter endless troubles.


    This news had already spread to the Supreme Sect, causing a stir that could be imagined throughout the world.


    "There''s going to be more blood and carnage."


    Gu An silently thought, having an authentic copy of the Theory of Heaven in his hands, which made him somewhat anticipate what the future held.


    Not everything was he inclined to deduce; he now preferred to keep some mysteries for the future, for even with his intervention, new variables would arise.


    Jiang Shi and An Shengtian practiced against each other for a while until Gu An called a halt.


    Master and disciple approached Gu An, and after briefly pointing out a few things, he departed.


    Although Jiang Shi possessed extraordinary talents in perceiving fate, it didn''t mean Gu An had to cultivate him. With many geniuses by Gu An''s side, if everyone were to be given key development, how could one enjoy life?


    On the way back, An Xin inquired about Gu An''s opinion on the True Immortal Inheritance; Gu An said that to discern the true from the false, one must experience it firsthand.


    Blood Prison Great Saint wondered whether his master might be a True Immortal descended to the human realm.


    To this day, no one knew of the master''s origin. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood Prison Great Saint gazed at Gu An''s retreating figure with eyes full of reverence and anticipation.


    Whether this life would achieve the Dao rested on just how strong the master was!


    Gu An heard the thoughts of Blood Prison Great Saint and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.


    ...


    A hundred years passed in a flash.


    Chen Luo, with his white hair, stood on a cliff, gazing at the continuous mountains ahead. Above, there were more cultivators flying back and forth than birds, most of them heading in the same direction.


    "Supreme Sect..."


    Chen Luo''s face, aged with time, showed a nervous yet hopeful expression; after so many years, he had finally arrived at the Supreme Sect.


    From the Sacred Domain to the Supreme Sect, it took him over a hundred years, with quite a few benefactors helping him along the way; otherwise, he would have perished en route.


    A century of tempering had made him more composed, devoid of his previous impetuosity.


    "The Supreme Sect, the leading sect of the Tai Cang Continent, is also the pillar of this pure land in the Human World. It is said that the Supreme Sect harbors Immortals, who once saved all living beings. Some call him the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, others the Hidden Sage. Regardless of how one imagines him, it is undeniable that his existence has indeed brought peace to all living beings."


    A voice came from behind Chen Luo; he saw a Cyan-robed Daoist holding a horsetail whisk approaching. The Daoist appeared to be in his forties, his beard fluttering in the wind, with a small crane perched on his right shoulder.


    Chen Luo turned his head to see him approaching and asked, "Senior, now that we have arrived at the Supreme Sect, can you tell me why you have come?"


    Without this senior''s help, he feared it would take tens or even hundreds of years more to reach the Tai Cang Continent.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist looked into the distance and said, "I am here seeking the hope that will end an era of turmoil."


    "Are you speaking of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?" Chen Luo asked, puzzled.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist shook his head and said, "You''ve heard of the Theory of Heaven, right? There''s an authentic copy hidden within the Supreme Sect."


    Chen Luo revealed a look of surprise.


    Just as he was about to ask more, the Cyan-robed Daoist waved his horsetail whisk, whisking him into the breeze and toward the Outer Sect City in the distance.


    Chen Luo stood amid the wind, reining in his curiosity. He had not forgotten the purpose of his journey; all these years, his thoughts had constantly turned to his wife.


    The Saint King had sent him to the Supreme Sect without telling him what to do next, so he was quite at a loss.


    Without exchange of words,


    the two arrived at the Outer Sect City and queued to enter.


    Just after entering, a man approached Chen Luo and said, "Are you Chen Luo from the Sacred Domain?"


    The speaker was none other than Long Qing, who was curiously sizing up Chen Luo.


    Upon hearing this, Chen Luo became instantly excited and quickly raised his hand, asking, "I am Chen Luo, and I have met you, Fellow Daoist. May I ask if Fellow Daoist has been arranged by the Saint King?"


    "Saint King?"


    Long Qing shook his head with a smile, and then said, "Come with me."


    He was also curious about why his master wanted to meet this person, and he prepared to understand him properly on the way.


    Long Qing turned and left, with Chen Luo hastily following.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist watched Long Qing''s retreating back, his eyes flickering, as he pondered something unknown.


    Meanwhile.


    Outside the Third Medicine Valley, in a mountain forest, Gu An was sparring in swordsmanship with Chen Chuan, using fingers as his sword, he easily caught all of Chen Chuan''s sword techniques.


    At one hundred and eleven, Chen Chuan possessed the cultivation level of the sixth layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm, dressed in black, wielding a treasure sword, spirited and vigorous.


    At the age of fifty, he was taken away by Gu An, and after sixty-one years of comprehending the Sword Dao by Gu An''s side, his true strength was far more terrifying than his realm suggested.


    He had become a famously talented individual of the Third Medicine Valley, and although no one knew his background, the fact that Gu An had taken notice of him clearly marked him as an extraordinary genius.


    Lv Baitian also coveted Chen Chuan, occasionally coming to inquire about his wellbeing.


    At the moment, Chen Chuan felt powerless inside as he believed that his own grasp of the Sword Dao had reached the Transformation Realm. In a pure contest of swordsmanship, he could not find the slightest flaw in his master''s technique.


    Gu An was smiling as he watched the fierce attacks from Chen Chuan, feeling very satisfied in his heart.


    Isn''t this the person Xiaochuan wanted to become?


    After another hundred techniques, Gu An said, "Let''s stop here."


    Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Chen Chuan sheathed his sword and then raised his sword in salute to Gu An, his eyes brimming with admiration.


    Was this the strength of the world''s number one Sword Cultivator?


    Having been in the Third Medicine Valley for so long, he had come to realize that Gu An was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, who would save the world, making him feel lucky and gradually emerging from the shadows of his childhood.


    After offering a few pointers, Gu An led Chen Chuan back toward the valley.


    Along the way, they saw many disciples practicing, all saluting and greeting Gu An upon seeing him while looking at Chen Chuan with envy.


    With so many talents in Medicine Valley nowadays, few had the opportunity to be personally instructed by the master.


    Furthermore, Chen Chuan was someone the master had brought back from outside.


    Chen Chuan paid no mind to those gazes, humbly consulting his master on his doubts and discussing them one by one.


    They quickly returned to the valley.


    Long Qing and Chen Luo were waiting in front of the loft. Chen Luo looked very nervous, with the Blood Prison Great Saint scrutinizing him.


    From afar, Chen Chuan glanced at Chen Luo only once before withdrawing his mind, continuing to contemplate the Sword Dao.


    Having lost his father as an infant, he had no memories of him.


    Long Qing, upon seeing Gu An, hastily greeted, "Hello, Master!"


    Chen Luo then looked towards Gu An and Chen Chuan, his eyes lighting up¡ªnot because he recognized Chen Chuan, but because he was dazzled by Gu An''s appearance and demeanor.


    Such an Immortal existed in the world!


    Gu An arrived in front of Long Qing and asked him to take his younger Disciple away. Immediately, Long Qing left with Chen Chuan, arm in arm, leaving Chen Luo alone, nervously facing Gu An.


    "Let''s talk upstairs."


    Gu An said with a smile and then led the way upstairs.


    Chen Luo took a deep breath and followed Gu An''s steps.


    Once inside, he closed the door and walked to the desk, before suddenly kneeling down.


    "Please, Senior, save my wife."


    Chen Luo said through clenched teeth, without showing much excitement, as he was trying hard to control his emotions.


    Gu An looked at him and asked, "What have you gained from your experiences over these years, and have you come to any realizations?"


    Chen Luo looked up, confronting Gu An''s gaze, prepared for this moment, he replied, "Yes, people other than me suffer in this world, and I am not the most tormented among them. Besides my wife, I have parents and a son to care for. I shouldn''t be so selfish, so impulsive."


    Gu An shook his head slightly and said, "You''re wrong; there is one more thing you''ve overlooked."


    "Please enlighten me, Senior."


    Chen Luo spoke cautiously, while also wondering what he had missed.


    Gu An''s gaze turned indifferent, posing an immense pressure on Chen Luo who said, "You''re fortunate to be born in the Immortal Cultivation World. What is Immortal Cultivation? It is the pursuit of the power to overturn all tragedies. Faced with the death of your wife, you should transform your emotions into the drive for Immortal Cultivation. Should you Ascend to Immortality, you very well may save your wife."

 Chapter 481 The Destiny Pattern that Surpasses All Beings

    Listening to Gu An''s words, Chen Luo''s face flushed with both shame and a lack of confidence."But... even if I continue to cultivate now, will it be enough?" Chen Luo asked through gritted teeth.


    He had once been at the Mahayana Realm in his cultivation level, and he naturally understood the power of immortal cultivation., but his wife had died right before his eyes, and not even the Saint King could stop it.


    That was the Saint King, a powerful being the likes of which his Chen family had never seen since its establishment.


    Gu An stared at him and said, "I can save your wife from her tragedy, but future tragedies must be prevented by yourself. I''m telling you in advance, your son''s destiny is not simple; troubles will follow him endlessly, and it was because of him that your wife died."


    "You now have two choices. One is to sever the causal connection with your son, and I can make it so you have no relationship with him at all. The other is to continue being his father, but there will be no more opportunities to give up in the future. Whatever you choose, I will save your wife."


    Upon hearing this, Chen Luo''s expression changed drastically, and his hands clenched into fists on his thighs.


    Gu An could hear the struggle in Chen Luo''s heart, his many thoughts, some of which were dark, but Gu An paid them no mind.


    Humans are complex, and hearts have their dark places, but as long as the choice made is good, there''s no need to discuss the heart. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The room fell into silence.


    After a long while,


    Chen Luo let out a sigh and said, "Senior, I wish to protect him for life. The father-son bond is hard to cultivate in a hundred lifetimes. I should not escape my duty. I believe my wife would have thought the same. I will strive to cultivate, protect him, support him, even if it costs me my life."


    Gu An, expressionless, asked, "No regrets?"


    Chen Luo, no longer hesitating, smiled openly and said, "No regrets."


    Gu An showed a smile and said, "Then go and cultivate well."


    With that, he didn''t wait for Chen Luo to react and, waving his sleeve, whisked Chen Luo away.


    The furnishings in the room shook, but the door was not disturbed. In an instant, Chen Luo found himself at the dojo of the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Gu An did not watch the warm scene of the couple reuniting; letting the Deep Sea Dragon Carp suffer was enough.


    But with his experience, he probably only found it interesting.


    Gu An raised his hand, took out the Theory of Heaven, and placed it on the table, then he started perusing the book.


    The sunlight outside the window gradually dimmed, Gu An still did not put away the Theory of Heaven.


    ...


    Chen Luo''s arrival and disappearance did not attract attention in the Third Medicine Valley, only Long Qing asked Gu An about it curiously.


    A month later.


    Gu An, riding the Blood Prison Great Saint, returned to the Third Medicine Valley. Today, they had visited the End of the World Valley, and both were in good spirits.


    "Hahaha, that Lv Xian overestimated himself, thought he could compete with me! The moment I used my full strength, he was down!" the Blood Prison Great Saint, transformed into an ox, snorted, very proud.


    Within the barrier drawn by Gu An, the Blood Prison Great Saint and Lv Xian sparred with all their might. The Loose Immortal Realm Blood Prison Great Saint laughed last.


    Not to mention that the Blood Prison Great Saint''s cultivation level was higher, actually, his life span before reaching Nirvana was also greater.


    Fighting to such a degree, Gu An felt that Lv Xian hadn''t lost.


    Worthy of being the top person of the future Immortal Cultivation Realm.


    Gu An chatted nonchalantly with the Blood Prison Great Saint, while his Divine Sense watched over the world, observing how those old acquaintances struggled in life.


    Li Ya was being chased, in a critical situation, this youngster hanging by a thread, and yet he was with a mother and daughter.


    You Yingying was listening to teachings; the Island Master of that island claimed to be the Immortal of Eternal Life, willing to bestow the Longevity Technique to those fated, but in reality, he was an evil cultivator who did no good.


    An Hao was still sitting in front of that Celestial Dao Golden Core, cultivating heavenly divine skills, his power soaring.


    Lu Lingjun was still in the Buddhist Sect of the Sea of Suffering, recently given a tough problem by Buddha, she was still sitting in meditation, thinking hard.


    Jiang Qiong was undergoing solitary trials; this fellow, indeed from a Demon Dao background, wanted to steal another Sect''s divine skills.


    Gu An also saw Hao Long reigning supreme on a continent dominated by the Demon Race, though his second-in-command was secretly plotting to kill him and take his True Blood.


    Other old acquaintances were each living their eventful lives.


    Gu An would not intervene if he could avoid it; being an onlooker also felt quite good.


    At that moment, a Cyan-robed Daoist came before the Blood Prison Great Saint and raised his hand in greeting, saying, "I am He Qingsong, and I have seen the Sword Venerable."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly felt displeased and said, "Never heard of you, move aside, or I might just stomp you to death!"


    He had seen all of Gu An''s friends, and having never seen this person, he naturally would not show courtesy.


    He Qingsong, scolded by the Blood Prison Great Saint, did not get angry but instead looked calmly at Gu An, which only made the Blood Prison Great Saint even angrier.


    Gu An looked at He Qingsong and asked with a smile, "Is there something you need?"


    [He Qingsong (8th Floor of the Nirvana Realm): 6420/20000/20000]


    Ordinarily at his life span limit, he seemed unremarkable, but his body was enveloped with a strong Celestial Dao Destiny that made Gu An very interested.


    He was entwined with the Celestial Dao Destiny to the extent that Gu An couldn''t deduce his cause and effect or his destiny.


    He Qingsong, neither servile nor overbearing, said, "I wonder what Sword Venerable thinks of this world. Do you intend to become an Immortal God who protects all living beings?"


    After Gu An spoke, Blood Prison Great Saint fell silent, casting a suspicious glance towards He Qingsong. Could this person have an extraordinary origin?


    To him, He Qingsong was just a common cultivator of the Nirvana Realm.


    In the Supreme Sect nowadays, being at the Nirvana Realm was not uncommon.


    Years before, a Celestial and Earthly Immortal had become an elder of the Supreme Sect, and it had been quite the affair.


    Gu An shook his head and said, "I have no particular thoughts, nor do I wish to become an Immortal God. I merely wish to live peacefully here, savoring the passage of time."


    He Qingsong immediately followed up, "If that is so, why, then, would Sword Venerable keep the ''Theory of Heaven''?"


    Theory of Heaven?


    Blood Prison Great Saint was taken aback, unaware that their master had a piece of the Theory of Heaven.


    Far away, before the Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords where Jue Luo Sword Monarch was meditating and enlightenment on his sword skills, he opened his eyes and his gaze fell on He Qingsong.


    "This aura... could it be..." Jue Luo Sword Monarch frowned, a bad premonition rising in his heart.


    Gu An asked with a smile, "Do you want the Theory of Heaven?"


    He Qingsong replied, "I do not wish for it, merely that its presence in the hands of Sword Venerable means the Great Fortune Seekers of this world cannot obtain the True Immortal Inheritance. Your Dao practice should not intervene in the operations of the world."


    Gu An looked at him as if trying to see through him, but He Qingsong was not intimidated and met Gu An''s gaze.


    Blood Prison Great Saint''s eyes flashed coldly upon hearing He Qingsong not addressing Gu An with respect.


    An Xin, Long Qing, and Chen Chuan noticed this scene and approached, with other disciples noticing someone was obstructing their master and something seemed amiss, drawing more of them closer.


    Long Qing moved the fastest. He arrived in front of He Qingsong, sizing him up and saying, "It''s you. I''ve seen you before. What is your identity that you dare to be so disrespectful to my master?"


    He Qingsong did not answer, and just quietly stared at Gu An, waiting for his response. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    Gu An, evidently interested, asked, "Have you come for the sake of all living beings?"


    He Qingsong replied, "I have come for the operation of the world. This past month, living among the cultivators of the Supreme Sect, I have come to know your character and actions. If you truly have a compassionate and merciful heart, you should release the Theory of Heaven to allow this realm to welcome its savior sooner¡ªthis too is the will of the Heavenly Dao."


    Gu An raised his right hand, palm up, and the Theory of Heaven materialized in it.


    He looked towards the distance at Zhu Xi and waved her over.


    Zhu Xi hesitated for a moment but, steeling herself, approached.


    He Qingsong, following Gu An''s gaze, had a slight change of expression as his pupils dilated.


    "How could it be her..." He Qingsong wrinkled his brow, thinking in astonishment.


    Zhu Xi came to Blood Prison Great Saint''s side and raised her hand in greeting to Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and said, "Disciple, this person here wishes your master to hand over the Theory of Heaven, what do you think I should do?"


    Zhu Xi had heard the conversation, and although the Theory of Heaven was hers, she feared causing trouble.


    "It is entirely up to you, Master," Zhu Xi respectfully said.


    Gu An laughed and looked back at He Qingsong, asking with a smile, "Could my disciple possibly be the savior?"


    He Qingsong''s face turned awkward, and he didn''t directly answer, seemingly on guard against Zhu Xi.


    Everyone else could see it too and confusedly scrutinized Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi didn''t have much presence at the Third Medicine Valley, and the disciples hadn''t expected her to have another identity.


    Gu An continued, "It seems you too cannot see through the will of Heaven."


    He casually threw the Theory of Heaven to Zhu Xi, who instinctively caught it.


    Gu An patted Blood Prison Great Saint on the shoulder, signaling him to move forward.


    This time, He Qingsong no longer stopped Blood Prison Great Saint but looked at Zhu Xi with a complex expression, his face cycling through clouds and sunlight.


    The gazes of others shifted back and forth between Zhu Xi and He Qingsong, their minds filled with curiosity and confusion.


    Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Zhu Xi turned to leave.


    "Your Highness, would you like to restore your destiny that reigns above all beings?" He Qingsong suddenly called out, stopping Zhu Xi.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch, hearing these words, seemed to have a realization, his eyes displaying shock, and he muttered to himself, "So, it''s really her..."

 Chapter 482 Shengtian

    Your Highness?Gu An, Long Qing, Chen Chuan, and the others looked at Zhu Xi with puzzled expressions. Just how significant was this woman''s background?


    Especially Chen Chuan, who, despite having been in the Third Medicine Valley for decades, didn''t have an in-depth understanding of the valley because he was devoted to the Sword Dao, spending almost all his time cultivating.


    In his eyes, Third Medicine Valley was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers lay.


    He Qingsong, who always spoke of "all living beings" to appear detached and extraordinary, was calling Zhu Xi "Your Highness."


    Just who was Zhu Xi?


    Suddenly, Chen Chuan felt he had been too rash and perhaps should pay more attention to his surroundings.


    Zhu Xi, with her back to He Qingsong, bowed her head, tightly gripping The Theory of Heaven; it was clear she was struggling psychologically.


    After hesitating for a while, Zhu Xi still left holding The Theory of Heaven, leaving the onlookers even more confused.


    He Qingsong watched her departing figure and didn''t speak further to hold her back. Instead, he furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.


    "Disperse now, disperse!"


    An Xin spoke up, waving his hands at the disciples gathered around from all directions. Seeing this, the disciples could only scatter with confusion and curiosity still in their minds.


    Long Qing approached He Qingsong and curiously asked, "What is Zhu Xi''s background? Tell me about it."


    Although He Qingsong''s origins were unclear, he never feared danger within the Third Medicine Valley.


    He Qingsong glanced at Long Qing and said, "She has many backgrounds, and you should have heard of her title in one lifetime; she is known as the Shengtian."


    After saying that, He Qingsong turned and left.


    Shengtian?


    Long Qing was stunned, as were Gu An, Chen Chuan, and others, including some disciples who hadn''t walked far¡ªthey were shocked too.


    The name of Shengtian was known by all; who didn''t know it belonged to the strongest being in the Holy Court, the mightiest in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Whether Shengtian or Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was stronger was hard to judge for all living beings. After the disappearance of Shengtian, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable emerged, and the two never confronted each other.


    Of course, those of higher realms all knew that Supporting Dao Sword Venerable far surpassed Shengtian in cultivation level. Regardless, Shengtian made an indescribable impression on the beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Many lifeforms equated Shengtian with Cangtian.


    Blood Prison Great Saint looked up and couldn''t help asking, "Master, is Zhu Xi Shengtian?"


    Gu An sat on his back and said nonchalantly, "Who knows? In any case, it''s irrelevant to you and me."


    The one and only Primordial Swallowing Yuan Body!


    No wonder Shengtian was so powerful that she suppressed the entire Great Heaven and Earth, deterring the Celestial Demon Race.


    Gu An silently thought it was interesting. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    He could see that He Qingsong didn''t want him to interfere with the evolution of heaven and earth. He Qingsong must be controlled by some will, specifically coming to test him, but he hadn''t expected to encounter Zhu Xi.


    Gu An himself also didn''t want to frequently interfere with the transformation of heaven and earth. His previous intervention was only because the Silent Destruction God Emperor had targeted him and Long Qing.


    No matter how the battle continued, he wouldn''t care. He just needed to protect himself and those around him.


    "To extinguish ninety-nine percent of all living beings¡­"


    Gu An looked up at the vault of heaven, his thoughts drifting.


    Ninety-nine percent seemed like a lot, but in the grand scheme of the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, after ninety-nine percent were extinguished, the remaining beings would still be vast. From another perspective, the Heavenly Dao still left mercy and a sliver of hope, with the current strife providing a chance for beings to fight for a new lease on life.


    Compared to the transformation of heaven and earth, Gu An was now more looking forward to his own Dao Practice.


    Being Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal wasn''t enough!


    He needed to keep increasing his strength, to surpass the true form of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, surpass the Celestial Spirit God, surpass the Immortal Gods and the cosmic order hidden in the mist.


    ...


    The news about Zhu Xi being Shengtian didn''t spread. The Supreme Sect acted swiftly, but Zhu Xi''s life changed because of it. Every time she left her house, she encountered many people crowding around her. Even Great Cultivators from the Holy Court took residence in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An stood in front of the window, looking out at the bustling Medicine Valley, and remarked, "There are more and more people."


    Shen Zhen, who was preparing to paint, turned his head to look at him and asked, "Is the crowd good or bad for you?"


    "I used to think it was good, but recently, not so much."


    Gu An replied, his gaze deep, pondering something unknown.


    Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen appeared contemplative; the brush she had been hesitating to lay down finally made its mark.


    After observing the scenery of Medicine Valley for a while, Gu An turned around and walked to the desk to look at Shen Zhen''s painting.


    It was a landscape painting depicting mountains with waterfalls, buildings next to the waterfall, and a medicine garden below, where someone was sowing seeds. Not far away, a cow and a fat rat were chasing each other.


    "Are you painting me?" Gu An asked curiously.


    Shen Zhen replied, "Hmm, I don''t know why, but such a scene suddenly appeared in my mind, becoming increasingly clear. This could be where you''ll live in the future."


    Gu An didn''t respond, his gaze rested on the cliff above the waterfall. He saw a figure in white, seemingly a woman, looking down at the medicine garden from atop the cliff.


    He couldn''t help but wonder, who was this woman?


    He didn''t ask, nor did he try to calculate it.


    When Shen Zhen finished the painting, she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, how come I''ve painted a woman, who is this?"


    Gu An rolled his eyes and said, "You painted it, and you''re asking me?"


    Shen Zhen picked up the painting, remarking, "I always feel like this painting is from the far, far future."


    Gu An teased, "What? You can predict the future now?"


    "Don''t say that, it''s actually possible. Many of the images are things I haven''t experienced, and they don''t match the present or the past. Maybe I have begun to achieve enlightenment after you taught me, but what I''ve achieved is not the Way of Cause and Effect," Shen Zhen said seriously.


    Gu An smiled but did not argue.


    Shen Zhen indeed had already begun to step into the initial understanding of the Great Dao. What she contemplated was not the Way of Cause and Effect, but the Way of Fate.


    Having stepped into Enlightenment, Shen Zhen had surpassed all living beings. Many experts of the Immortal Dao spent their entire lives unable to achieve Enlightenment, including the Divine Thought True Immortal.


    Shen Zhen continued to share her dreams, revealing her insights into the Way of Fate. Gu An listened intently, understanding that even though his cultivation level was higher, he might still find inspiration in her insights.


    ...


    Outside the Supreme Sect, on a mountaintop, a man in a black robe stood with his sword in his arms, his white hair fluttering in the wind. Beside him stood a dozen cultivators, each exuding an extraordinary aura and holding various magical treasures.


    "My lord, the Supreme Sect is just ahead. Is the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable really not going to intervene in this opportunity?" a masked woman asked the man in the black robe, nervously.


    They had lived for many years, having experienced the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s struggles against the Profound Desolate Demon God and the Silent Destruction God Emperor and held a deep reverence for him from the bottom of their hearts.


    An elder spoke up, "The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has released the Theory of Heaven as a statement of intent. We just need to ensure that we don''t harm the innocent."


    The rest echoed his sentiments, their words filled with a longing for the Theory of Heaven. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The man in the black robe''s face was indifferent; he spoke calmly, "Once we arrive at the Supreme Sect, we must first visit someone. He should be aware of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s stance."


    As the words fell, a rainbow light swept across the celestial vault above him, quickly disappearing into the horizon.


    The masked woman frowned and asked, "Was that the Nine Extremes Saint God?"


    The man in the black robe replied, "Indeed it was. I didn''t expect such an arrogant man to also pursue the Theory of Heaven. It seems he now knows his Celestial Mandate."


    He leapt up, turning into a wisp of black mist, soaring towards the horizon, with the others quickly following suit.


    Meanwhile.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, within a forest,


    Zhu Xi stood face to face with Jue Luo Sword Monarch, who looked with interest at the Theory of Heaven in her hand, "Shengtian, do you really wish to yield this opportunity to me? The Sword Venerable has entrusted it to you, perhaps he sees potential in you."


    Zhu Xi shook her head, "I am not the Shengtian you speak of; all I know is that I can''t keep it safe now. Since the Sword Venerable does not wish to deal with the repercussions, I shall give it to you. You are strong enough, perhaps you can claim the True Immortal Inheritance."


    Hearing this, Jue Luo Sword Monarch sneered derisively, and with a wave of his right hand, the Theory of Heaven was drawn into his possession through the air.


    "Shengtian, why are you so cowardly in this life? Is it because you haven''t awakened your memory? But that shouldn''t be the reason, no matter how many times one reincarnates, one''s nature doesn''t change," Jue Luo Sword Monarch taunted.


    Zhu Xi didn''t answer, but instead, she exhaled deeply.


    Seeing her so meek, Jue Luo Sword Monarch found it dull. He followed with a leap, turning into a beam of sword light and vanishing.


    "I am Jue Luo Sword Monarch, holding the Theory of Heaven. Those who seek Immortal Fate shall challenge me!"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s domineering voice echoed between heaven and earth. At the same time, a vast Sword Intent erupted from afar.


    Zhu Xi turned her head to look, but Jue Luo Sword Monarch''s figure was nowhere to be seen. She thought to herself, "Luckily there are still fools. No, I must leave the Supreme Sect!"


    She glanced in the direction of Gu An''s pavilion hesitating for a moment before offering a salute to Gu An from across the distance.


    "Master, forgive me. I''m not only saving myself but also don''t want to cause you any trouble."


    With that, Zhu Xi didn''t look back as she ran towards the valley exit.

 Chapter 483 The True Immortal

    Inside the attic.Gu An was reading a book, his Divine Sense watching Zhu Xi leave the Third Medicine Valley.


    This girl''s temperament...


    Gu An didn''t quite know what to say about it. Could he really call her a fellow practitioner when he himself wasn''t this timid?


    He didn''t forcibly stop Zhu Xi''s decision. Perhaps he truly could protect her. But these past few years, Zhu Xi had clearly been uncomfortable, especially after her identity as Shengtian was revealed, her heart was tormented, and Gu An could hear the anxious voices within her.


    So be it.


    Let her go then.


    After all, she''s a Saint Heaven Reincarnation; she should be able to turn danger into safety.


    But does she think that I can''t resist the Heavenly Dao?


    Gu An thought to himself, not with a sense of regret but pondering. He wasn''t arrogant enough to think he was invincible. There was still so much he couldn''t do, and every time he encountered such things, he felt motivated.


    He could keep saving the Celestial Spirit Great World, but he couldn''t yet see through the Heavenly Dao behind the scenes.


    The Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal might be able to do as he pleased within the universe, but only within the universe.


    What lies beyond the universe?


    Gu An continued reading while pondering these questions.


    He didn''t attempt to divine Zhu Xi''s future fortunes. Ever since the incident with Xiaochuan''s Reincarnation, he''d tried not to predict the future as much as possible, to avoid knowing too much and wanting to change things, bringing about more variables.


    Actually, not knowing the future might be a good thing; at least it leaves room for anticipation.


    Gu An had sought too much foresight before, and it made him feel life was dull.


    "Perhaps in the next Era, I can consider staying somewhere else."


    Gu An silently thought, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.


    He, too, started looking forward to the future, to a completely new life.


    ...


    As autumn gave way to winter, the snow blanketed the land in white.


    In the Mountain God Temple within the North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren stood on the eaves, gazing at the distant battle in the sky.


    The fierce wind raged, the forest shook violently, wave after wave, a sight of magnificent grandeur. Yet Profound Mysterious Zhenren''s figure was immovable, his eyes shining brightly.


    Despite having stood guard here for over a thousand years, making his Dao Heart even more steadfast, deep down, he still harbored the blood of one who longed for power. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire


    He was the most talented individual in the history of Mount Sanqing!


    It was just too bad that Li Ya had stolen his thunder, becoming the most celebrated prodigy of the Li Family and Mount Sanqing.


    Nevertheless, staying here hadn''t halted his progress. With the help of the Mountain God, he had achieved Nirvana and stood on the eaves with the demeanor of an Immortal.


    Inside the courtyard, a Daoist Child around twelve or thirteen years old squatted in front of the Pill Furnace, fanning the flame; wisps of blue smoke drifted up. From time to time, he wiped sweat from his brow or looked up at Profound Mysterious Zhenren on the eaves.


    After a good while.


    The Daoist Child couldn''t help but ask, "Master, what are you watching? Isn''t this fierce wind just a natural wind of the world?"


    The forest was dense, and he could not see the situation at the horizon, thinking it might rain soon.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren replied, "It''s nothing, your teacher was just watching two sparrows fighting. As for this wind, there are plenty of strange winds in the North Sea Mountain Ridge. You''ll encounter them yourself later on."


    The Daoist child''s eyes widened, and he asked curiously, "Such a big wind, and there are still sparrows fighting? I''ve never seen sparrows fight before. I want to watch too."


    "Just focus on refining your pills and don''t forget why you came."


    Profound Mystery Zhenren answered offhandedly, and the Daoist child could only pout in response.


    The Daoist child followed up with a question, "Master, why hasn''t the Mountain God appeared yet?"


    "He will appear when it''s time. Perhaps your heart is not sincere enough."


    "Then, Master, is the True Immortal Inheritance those people talked about a few days ago real? Why don''t they believe in the Mountain God?"


    "You''ll understand when you grow up. Many people are not in pursuit of the responsibilities of Immortal Gods, they just seek the power of Immortal Gods. You should also think carefully about what kind of person you truly want to become."


    Profound Mystery Zhenren spoke calmly, his tone like a breeze that settled the Daoist child''s heart into tranquility.


    Even the persistent strong winds could not disrupt the tranquility within the courtyard.


    A figure entered the temple precinct, it was He Qingsong.


    He Qingsong first looked at Profound Mystery Zhenren on the eaves, then turned his gaze to the Daoist child.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren turned his head to look at He Qingsong, frowning. For some reason, he felt very uncomfortable the moment he saw He Qingsong.


    That feeling was strange even to him.


    "Do I give you a very uncomfortable sensation?" He Qingsong asked, his gaze then drifting towards Profound Mystery Zhenren.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren appeared out of nowhere in front of him, and the Daoist child looked nervously at He Qingsong, thinking to himself, could this person be a demon?


    "Who are you and what brings you here?" Profound Mystery Zhenren stared at He Qingsong and asked.


    He Qingsong answered, "My name is He Qingsong. The name isn''t important. The significance of this body is to act for Great Heaven and Earth. You''ve been too close to an existence that conflicts with Heavenly Dao, which is why you subconsciously feel hostility towards me. This is also the emotion you experience after facing the will of Heavenly Dao''s rejection."


    "What do you mean? Who is rejected by the Heavenly Dao?" Profound Mystery Zhenren frowned.


    He Qingsong, unchanging in expression, said, "You know very well who he is. I can only tell you that there truly are immortals in the world, but he is not one. Immortals, being high above, cannot be glimpsed by mortal spirits. You''ve already entered the Nirvana Realm and are on the path to pursue immortality. You should revere immortals." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren coldly said, "Aren''t immortals supposed to be the protectors of all beings? Why must they clearly delineate themselves from sentient beings?"


    "That''s just the thinking of mortals. Who said immortals have to protect sentient beings? Immortals create living beings, create heaven and earth, create everything. In the eyes of immortals, all things are equal. Your current resentment is misguided. The current suffering of sentient beings is due to their excessive pressure on heaven and earth, which is the self-protective consciousness of heaven and earth. The unending calamities are just because heaven and earth want to unload the burden; sentient beings are that burden. And immortals recognize and support heaven and earth in shedding that burden."


    The words of He Qingsong made Profound Mystery Zhenren''s face turn ugly, and they rocked his Dao Heart.


    Are immortals really like that?


    He Qingsong lifted his right hand, and a broken piece of white jade appeared in it. He spoke with sincere gravity, "You have a heart of great compassion, rare in this world. You are indeed destined for an Immortal Fate. This jade is called Celestial Dao Jade. It can avert all tragedies, but it also requires a price to be paid. I gift this jade to you, whether to use it, and how to use it, is up to you."


    As his words fell, the Celestial Dao Jade flew into the hands of Profound Mystery Zhenren.


    Seeing He Qingsong turn to leave, Profound Mystery Zhenren asked, "Did you choose me because of him?"


    Without stopping, He Qingsong said without looking back, "Your heart yearns for the Immortal, and actually, the Immortal can also feel it. To use your own words to your disciple just now, you can''t feel the Immortal, simply because the time has not yet come. If you want to become an Immortal, you must understand everything, must go through tribulations of the mortal world. Only when you are not swayed by emotions do you qualify to become an Immortal."


    After stepping out the door, he disappeared into thin air as if he had never been there.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren looked down at the Celestial Dao Jade in his hand, his brow deeply furrowed.


    The Daoist child came to his side, curiously looking at the Celestial Dao Jade, asking, "Master, is what he said the truth? Is the Mountain God not an Immortal?"


    Clutching the Celestial Dao Jade, Profound Mystery Zhenren took a deep breath and said, "Disciple, your teacher will teach you a lesson today. Do not listen to what others say; look at what they do. Your faith should not be defined by anyone else. Whatever you believe in, that is the truth."

 Chapter 484 Savior

    In the Hidden Spirit Palace, Gu An watched as Chen Luo sparred with the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, his mood lifted by the words of Profound Mysterious Zhenren.He hadn''t chosen the wrong person!


    As for He Qingsong, he didn''t pay much attention to him because he saw many people like He Qingsong spreading the concept of immortality everywhere, and their numbers were growing. It was as if they had suddenly come to a realization, their bodies entwined with the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    These individuals wanted to convince all living beings of the existence of immortals and to revere the Heavenly Dao.


    Because of this, they intended to topple everything, to knock down the images of Holy Court, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, and Yang Immortal Emperor as the strongest figures in the hearts of the people, making them understand that the Heavenly Dao decides everything.


    According to this trend, given enough time, all beings would believe in the Heavenly Dao, believe in destiny, and any powerful existence would also fall in the hearts of the people, planting a seed in their minds.


    Apart from the Heavenly Dao and immortals, nothing is eternal.


    There would no more be a ruling force as enduring as the Holy Court, because even those in the Holy Court would believe that it could be overturned, as long as the Celestial Mandate was with them.


    Bang¡ª


    Chen Luo hit the ground hard, causing the surface to cave in and form a web-like fissure. Drained of Spiritual Power and Qi Power, his long hair was disheveled as he let out a breath, unable to stand up again.


    Xu Ling appeared by his side. She did not pity Chen Luo but instead teased him, "See, debasing your own cultivation level, even if you''ve recovered now, your strength isn''t what it used to be. The hundred years you''ve missed might take even longer to make up for."


    Chen Luo gave a bitter smile, "I really was too impulsive before; after you died, all I could think about was chasing after you¡­"


    Hearing this, Xu Ling''s teasing mood dissolved. She squatted, helping him up.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp, clad in white, descended from the sky. Though he still appeared feminine, his temperament was no longer as fragile as before.


    The arrival of Chen Luo had deepened his understanding of gender differences, and he too was in search of his true self.


    "You are very capable; if our cultivation levels were equal, I might not be your match," the Deep Sea Dragon Carp said earnestly.


    Supported by Xu Ling, Chen Luo smiled bitterly, "Don''t comfort me, I know the gap between us is big. Don''t worry, I won''t be discouraged."


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp didn''t know what to say, as he indeed was comforting Chen Luo. During their previous sparring, he did not feel any pressure.


    Gu An lay in a rocking chair, beginning to close his eyes to rest.


    In every Medicine Valley and dojo, there were people cultivating, and he was anticipating the roles these individuals would play in the future.


    Being the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, even though he couldn''t directly extend the limit of others'' life spans, his influence would ensure that those around him were stronger than what their original destiny dictated.


    It wasn''t that geniuses were gravitating toward Gu An, but rather he was creating geniuses, and those who successfully approached him were Great Fortune Seekers.


    He was the strongest in the Celestial Spirit Great World, and no matter how much he remained hidden, he would influence the entire world.


    After chatting for a while, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, Chen Luo, and Xu Ling began discussing their aspirations.


    Chen Luo simply wanted to become stronger to protect his son, Chen Chuan.


    Xu Ling had greater ambitions¡ªshe sought revenge.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp wanted to unify the ocean and establish order to better protect the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    ...


    Beneath the blue sky, the ocean churned majestically.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch stood proudly above the clouds, a book of Theory of Heaven floating in front of him. With a smile lift at the corners of his mouth and an arrogant expression, he looked down disdainfully at the more than a dozen people below him.


    "Your Theories of Heaven now belong to me. Scram, you trash! Even if you cultivate for ten million more years, you''ll never be worthy of touching the Theory of Heaven."


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch spoke bluntly, his words filled with mockery.


    Despite his peaceful demeanor in the Third Medicine Valley, upon his arrival, he even dared to challenge Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The faces of the man in the black robe and his followers were extremely ugly. They all had injuries, and some were even reduced to just souls. Filled with anger and fear, they glared at Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    The overwhelming power of Jue Luo Sword Monarch left them in despair, and at that moment, none dared to speak. They could only look towards the man in the black robe, waiting for him to make a decision.


    The man in the black robe looked at the sword in his hand, its blade enveloped by a faint layer of Sword Qi.


    The Sword Qi was so heavy that he felt it was impossible for him in this lifetime to match Jue Luo Sword Monarch in the Sword Dao.


    He took a deep breath and said, "Retreat!"


    After he spoke, he turned and left, with the other cultivators hastily following him.


    In the distance, on an island, a group of cultivators and Great Demons gathered, discussing the recent great battle, and Yang Jian was also present.


    Yang Jian gazed at Jue Luo Sword Monarch from afar, filled with emotion.


    What a powerful Sword Dao! Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    He even felt that Jue Luo Sword Monarch was invincible. However, the thought that Jue Luo Sword Monarch had once stayed in the Third Medicine Valley for hundreds of years made him speculate just how high his master''s Dao Practice might be.


    It was said that the Saint Heaven Reincarnation also appeared in the Third Medicine Valley and apprenticed under his master...


    Yang Jian''s heart began to waver, suddenly doubting whether leaving the Third Medicine Valley had been a mistake. If he had stayed, might he have encountered greater opportunities?


    He could not be sure, but he could at least confirm one thing: the Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills his master had taught him were enough to let him surpass reincarnation.


    "Jue Luo Sword Monarch now holds six volumes of the Theory of Heaven, and he is not far from receiving the True Immortal Inheritance."


    "He doesn''t even seem to be looking for the Theory of Heaven, simply waiting for others to challenge him."


    "It is said that he has reached the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path."


    "I''ve heard that he comes from another Great Heaven and Earth, but was suppressed by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable as soon as he arrived."


    "Although Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is strong, he isn''t the divinely appointed Savior. It''s unclear if this person might be the Savior."


    Hearing the surrounding discussions, Yang Jian frowned. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He could feel the reverence the world held for his master weakening, as people began to hope for another Savior.


    Knowing his master, his master would welcome such a development, but he also felt that some force behind the scenes was driving this trend, which did not bode well.


    ¡­


    As seasons changed and time passed, two hundred years quickly went by.


    At the edge of the Third Medicine Valley, inside a small pavilion on a mountaintop, Gu An and Lv Baitian sat facing each other, drinking wine. Gu An listened to Lv Baitian''s complaints while silently calling up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 1,913/7,450,227,042]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Luotian Zizai Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Seven billion four hundred fifty million years Life Span!


    Getting closer and closer to ten billion years, it had been a long time since he had activated the Life Span feature, and he didn''t know what kind of feature would unlock this time.


    At the same time, Gu An was also contemplating when to break through and where to go for the breakthrough.


    He had an intuition that another breakthrough might alert the Celestial Spirit God or even the mysterious group of Immortal Gods.


    Although the Life Span Barrier could hide his presence, if he were the Celestial Spirit God and sensed a threat, he would certainly do everything possible to eliminate potential threats, and he now had a substantial reputation that required caution.


    Lv Baitian looked up at Gu An and asked, "Gu An, what do you think? Do you think they''re being too greedy?"

 Chapter 485 Land of Reincarnation

    Upon hearing Lv Baitian''s inquiry, Gu An withdrew his thoughts and replied, "Indeed, I was too greedy."Supreme Sect had its eye on the True Immortal Inheritance, wanting to win over Jue Luo Sword Monarch or to persuade Gu An to leave the True Immortal Inheritance within Supreme Sect, even if it was just for his disciples.


    Faced with Gu An''s answer, Lv Baitian''s face immediately showed a bit of embarrassment.


    He felt insecure, suspecting that nothing could escape Gu An''s all-seeing eye.


    Although he had rejected the Elder Hall''s proposal, he hadn''t been resolute¡ªif Gu An had been secretly observing, he might have seen right through his intentions.


    As Supreme Sect was rapidly strengthening, those who had experienced the entire process of its development inevitably became arrogant, and Lv Baitian was no exception. Even though he always reminded himself to be humble and to be grateful to Gu An, faced with greater temptations, he couldn''t help but fantasize.


    Would Supreme Sect not have hope to replace the Holy Court, the Immortal Dynasty, if they were to produce a True Immortal?


    It was evident to the discerning that both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court were going to collapse, with the Celestial Mandate belonging to other sects.


    In these two hundred years, the talk of Celestial Mandate had spread widely, even within Supreme Sect, leading many to believe without doubt, including Lv Baitian.


    Lv Baitian felt that the Celestial Mandate was upon Supreme Sect; he believed no other sects in the world could rival Supreme Sect''s rate of growth.


    Though the Profound Abyss Divine Dynasty and Celestial Demon Great Sect were strong, those were powers descended from Outer Heaven, not a product of normal development.


    Watching the changes in Lv Baitian''s expression, Gu An also felt a wave of emotion.


    Truly, times change and people with them.


    However, he could understand the thoughts of Supreme Sect''s upper echelons.


    For over a thousand years, after learning of Gu An''s true identity, Supreme Sect tried its best not to bother him and even helped him deal with many unnecessary trivialities. Perhaps Supreme Sect thought that seizing the True Immortal Inheritance was just a small effort for Gu An, not very time-consuming. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But...


    Gu An was tired of it.


    He owed Supreme Sect no favors; he had long since repaid the grace of their past protection.


    Gu An spoke up, "Life is like the tide, and people chase the waves, pursuing the destination of the Celestial Mandate. You wish for it too, and I don''t mind, but wanting the Celestial Mandate depends on yourselves, I am powerless to help."


    Upon hearing this, Lv Baitian involuntarily opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself unable to speak.


    Gu An raised his right hand, revealing startling black lines in his palm.


    "What is this?"


    Lv Baitian''s eyes widened as he asked nervously.


    Gu An was not just the faith of Supreme Sect, but also his backbone. If something happened to Gu An, how could he remain calm?


    Gu An said, "This is the consequence of intervening too much. If my cultivation dissipates and I become a cripple in the future, I wonder if Supreme Sect will still have a piece of Medicine Valley for me to live out my days?"


    Lv Baitian''s face paled dramatically; he had not expected Gu An to have such a hidden ailment.


    But on second thought, considering the powerful enemies Gu An had faced for Supreme Sect, for all living beings, it was not unthinkable that he would be injured.


    Only...


    Lv Baitian panicked, more than he had ever been in his life.


    He hadn''t panicked when ousted by the Vice Sect Leader or when forced into feigned death.


    He hadn''t panicked when misunderstood by his son, or even when his son spoke of killing him.


    But now, suddenly unsure of what to do, his heart was filled with shame and regret.


    He knew only to ask of Gu An, never once inquiring about the pressure Gu An faced¡ªif he had known sooner, maybe Gu An''s injury would not have been so severe?


    Gu An teased, "Sect Leader, if I were to be crippled, would you still be willing to transfer power to me?"


    Lv Baitian wanted to comfort him, but thinking of the gap between their realms, he felt he lacked the standing to offer consolation.


    "Of course, I would," he said laughing. "I am not in the Integration Realm now, but the Mahayana Realm, which is sufficient for you to live out the rest of your life in ease, though the position of Sect Leader might be uncertain, considering even I have to rely on you for my standing."


    With the resources of the Supreme Sect, he smoothly reached the Mahayana Realm, but his cultivation level was quite embarrassing for someone in the position of Sect Leader.


    Gu Anle laughed, "That''s true. A Sect Leader in the Mahayana Realm is rather disgraceful."


    "My cultivation speed isn''t slow, and it''s not like everyone can be like An Hao."


    "If I ever lose my cultivation, I''ll change my name and surname, and from then on, call me Elder Gu."


    "Sure, when the time comes, I''ll accompany you."


    The two laughed and talked as if they had returned to over a thousand years ago.


    Gu An was just trying to scare Lv Baitian, but he didn''t expect Lv Baitian to take it to heart.


    That was good, too. It was time for the entire Supreme Sect to have an awakening, relying on one person was not good for the sect.


    Two hours later, as twilight descended, Lv Baitian left with a resolute expression on his face, as if he was going to report something to the Elder Hall.


    Gu An then turned his head to look at the Third Medicine Valley. From the top of the mountain, the Third Medicine Valley was truly magnificent.


    Wherever he went in the future, he would have to take the Third Medicine Valley with him, after all, it was the fruit of his labor for one thousand and eight hundred years.


    After sitting alone in the pavilion for a while, Gu An stood up and walked down the mountain.


    The setting sun shone on him, and as he descended the mountain, he gradually became dim.


    Upon returning to the valley, Gu An stopped under the attic, looking into the distance, Chen Chuan was sparring with Long Qing, drawing crowds of disciples to watch and cheer.


    Chen Chuan had a strand of Celestial Dao Destiny about him, very faint, hard to detect, but it sure existed.


    Gu An glanced once and continued upstairs.


    "Master, Elder Li of the Inner Sect Refining Hall is about to host a birthday feast for his two thousandth year, and he has sent someone to invite you," the Blood Prison Great Saint spoke up.


    That Elder Li was an old friend of Gu An''s for a thousand years, and after living past two thousand years, he would face his mortality in not too many years.


    "I understand," replied Gu An. "Go and find An Xin, tell her to prepare a gift."


    "Okay!"


    Blood Prison Great Saint immediately rose and went off in pursuit of An Xin''s aura.


    After Gu An went upstairs, he sat down at the desk, turning his head to look out the window.


    After Elder Li''s passing, Gu An''s true friends would be very few. He was still popular now, but more people came to him for his power. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    When Gu An became friends with Elder Li, the Third Medicine Valley was not famous, and the apparent gap in their cultivation levels wasn''t significant. It started as a chance meeting at an inn, both fond of "Cyan Hero''s Travelogue," talking for a long time before forming a bond.


    "A new era really is coming."


    Gu An murmured to himself, feeling the old times and old friends fading away.


    He didn''t dwell on it, instead, he extended his Divine Sense across the universe.


    Choosing the place for his breakthrough was what he should care about the most at the moment.


    As his Divine Sense probed, he saw a powerful force emerging in the Silent Extinction Domain, even flying the flag of the Battle Court, having already ruled over a dozen Great Heaven and Earths.


    The strongest in the Battle Court was at the late stage of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, a minor level higher than Sword Gu Ming had been before.


    They were expanding towards the direction of the Celestial Spirit Great World, and it was only a matter of time before they would wage war.


    Looking around, Gu An felt that to make a breakthrough, he still needed to look for a place within the Reincarnation Vortex.


    The Reincarnation Vortex connected to many Great Heaven and Earths located in this universe, just that they were very far apart.


    However, the Reincarnation Vortex also led to the Land of Reincarnation, the destination of souls, unreachable even for Free Immortals. Nevertheless, the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal could capture traces of the Reincarnation.


    Otherwise¡­


    For the next breakthrough, go to the Land of Reincarnation?


    As this thought took hold, Gu An''s eyes brightened even more.

 Chapter 486 Behave Domineeringly, Ye Tianji

    Within the dim void, dense fog swirled, with nebulae faintly visible here and there; within the source of the light hung a grand hall, with nine suns suspended above it, arrayed in a fan shape.Beneath the nine suns, a black throne stood upon a high platform, upon which an imposing figure sat.


    He was clad in armor, with a broad physique, wearing a divine crown reminiscent of a Qilin''s head, from which emerged his cold and authoritative countenance.


    White hair fluttered at the sides of his face, as he supported his head with one hand in a languid pose, continually exhaling turbid breath like a true dragon taking a brief rest.


    A bolt of lightning struck from the depths of darkness, hitting the grand hall and transforming into a winged man; he was dressed in dark cyan Daoist robes, with a grim expression and long hair cascading freely, resembling a fierce ghost.


    In front of the seated figure, the winged man seemed so diminutive, like facing a towering mountain.


    "My lord, it appears that the power of the Immortal Gods is intervening in this universe," the winged man spoke with a grave tone, clearly wary of the Immortal Gods.


    The seated figure slowly opened his eyes, his pupils gold in color, which made him look even more majestic and overwhelming.


    "Immortal Gods? Ridiculous, in this Great Thousand World there is but one Immortal God; he would not interfere in internal strife. Besides, this Great Thousand World betrayed the Immortal God in the past. The dissatisfaction of the Immortal God with this world is not so easily dissipated."


    His gaze shifted to the depths of the universe, the scenery of the Celestial Spirit Great World reflecting in his pupils.


    Hearing this, the winged man frowned and asked, "Do you mean someone is masquerading in the name of the Immortal Gods?"


    The seated figure replied, "Both the Heavenly Dao and the Immortal Gods wield their power despotically; they would not engage in so many roundabout tactics. However, it is just as well, let them test the depth of the Celestial Spirit Great World. Our task is to capture the remnants of the Long Clan."


    The winged man pressed on, "But within the Celestial Spirit Great World lies the Celestial Dao Golden Core; why not take it for ourselves?"


    The seated figure did not respond again, and simply closed his eyes.


    The grand hall fell into silence, the nine suns still blazing fiercely, bringing endless light to the void.


    Suddenly.


    The winged man seemed to sense something, swiftly turning around to look, only to see in the deep darkness of the void a pair of vast eyes staring back at them.


    Those eyes were like the eyes of the universe, making the nebulae in their presence pale in comparison.


    "The descendant of the Long Clan is indeed in the Celestial Spirit Great World, and he will vie for the Celestial Mandate," a voice, ancient and strong, resounded.


    This voice was unmistakably He Qingsong''s, but it was stronger, as though a supreme deity proclaiming the laws of the world to all living beings.


    The seated figure opened his eyes and looked, mocking, "So it''s you; I hadn''t expected you to still not have given up the chase."


    The vast eyes in the void continued, "Ye Tianji, we could join forces. Perhaps the people of the Long Clan are hiding under the employ of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. If so, you cannot avoid dealing with him -- an entity even the Silent Destruction God Emperor suffered a setback from. I promote the Celestial Mandate, and you eradicate the enemy''s remnants. Our actions do not conflict."


    The figure referred to as Ye Tianji remained unflustered, merely staring calmly at those eyes, his thoughts inscrutable. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    The void returned to silence once more.


    "Unless you tell me exactly who the descendant of the Long Clan is, I shall not readily believe you," Ye Tianji finally spoke.


    The vast eyes in the void narrowed slightly, hearing Ye Tianji continue, "But you have another option; you could concede the Celestial Dao Golden Core to me. I might then consider assisting you."


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core!


    The expression in the eyes of the void suddenly turned cold, while Ye Tianji closed his eyes again.


    The winged man on the grand hall could not help but smile, looking mockingly at the vast eyes in the void, waiting for a decision.


    For a long time.


    The voice of the Void''s Great Eye spoke, "Not now. When the Celestial Dao Golden Core appears, I will not stop you but let you enter."


    Upon hearing this, Ye Tianji''s face revealed a defiant smile.


    ...


    Another thirty years had passed.


    At the age of one thousand nine hundred and forty-three, Gu An was playing chess with the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch, holding the Green Hero Travelogue in one hand and a chess piece in the other, his eyes on the book.


    The nearly defeated Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch raised his eyes to Gu An and said dissatisfied, "Do you need to treat our chess game so dismissively?"


    Gu An replied, "Please, you''re the one who insisted on playing with me."


    Although Profound Celestial Intent was a Nirvana Realm Great Cultivator, his reputation had been drowned out by the increasing number of Great Cultivators in the Supreme Sect. He seldom returned from his travels and would send Gu An books from time to time; Gu An was reading first-hand, new releases, and by the time he finished, the Green Hero Travelogue would only then start circulating in the market.


    This volume of the story was particularly brilliant. The hero encountered a woman with deep-seated enmity toward him. They chased each other at sea and ultimately encountered an attack from a Great Demon. Both were poisoned and temporarily lost their cultivation levels. They ended up stranded on a deserted island, entangled in love and hate. Even without other characters, watching their interactions with the island''s demons was also very intriguing.


    "Jue Luo Sword Monarch holds eight volumes of the Theory of Heaven and is just missing the last one. He waits inside his Zizai Sword City, saying that if he loses, he will surrender all eight volumes. Yet, even so, the final volume of the Theory of Heaven has not revealed itself."


    The Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch sighed and his face was filled with admiration when he mentioned Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    His realm was worlds apart from Jue Luo Sword Monarch, which is why he held such reverence. Furthermore, having played chess with him before, he felt a connection and especially paid attention to news about Jue Luo Sword Monarch.


    Gu An casually asked, "What? Are you very interested in the True Immortal Inheritance? You could challenge him too, what if you won?"


    "How could I possibly win? I''m just at the Wandering Immortal Realm, while he exists at the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path. I could cultivate for tens of thousands of years and still might not reach his level," said the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch, his eyes wide.


    Seeing that he did not want to continue the chess game and was changing the subject, Gu An said irritably, "Tens of thousands of years? Do you think you can live that long?"


    The Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch was so annoyed that he stood up and left with a flick of his sleeve.


    Gu An curled his lip and thought to himself that he really lacked sportsmanship in chess.


    He stood up and walked towards the outside of the dojo. Along the way, disciples and Cultivators who saw him all paid their respects.


    He walked toward the mouth of the valley, where a woman was pacing at this moment.


    This woman was Ye Lan''s disciple, Ye Qingxue.


    Nearly a thousand years old, she had reached the Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivation Level. Two thousand years ago, she could have roamed freely across the continent, but in today''s Supreme Sect, a Cultivation Level of Divinity Transformation Realm was not as prestigious as some exceptionally talented new disciples.


    Dressed in a yellow robe, Ye Qingxue saw Gu An''s figure from afar, and she was immediately filled with joy. Just as she was about to step forward, she hesitated again.


    As a child, she had been disrespectful and hostile towards Gu An. She felt that her master, being so powerful, shouldn''t have to curry favor with Gu An. But ever since she realized that Gu An was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, she understood how ridiculous she had been. Because of this, she dared not see Gu An anymore. Since her master''s death, she had kept this relationship secret and did not speak of it. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Apart from the Elder Hall, no one knew of her relation to Gu An.


    Seeing Gu An walking towards her, Ye Qingxue felt nervous and apprehensive.


    Could it be that her uncle-master had foreseen her coming and had specifically come to meet her?


    She thought it highly likely, given that her uncle-master was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. But she also feared that she might be overthinking it.


    With her relationship with her uncle-master not being particularly close, he certainly had many similar relationships. Surely he couldn''t take special care of every junior?


    Ye Qingxue stood there, extremely anxious, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place.

 Chapter 487 Changes in the World

    As Gu An approached, Ye Qingxue still didn''t dare to greet him, but the nearby disciples came over to pay their respects and greet him.Third Medicine Valley was now home to many disciples, all of them Cultivators who required space for practicing their Spells. Even Qi Absorption Cultivation needed space, hence, around Third Medicine Valley, one could always see people, especially near the entrance that represented the main gate of Medicine Valley.


    The closer Gu An got, the more nervous Ye Qingxue became, hearing nothing but her own breathing and heartbeat.


    She held power within her Sub-Sect as well, and she was considered a talent. Years of experience had rendered her calm in handling matters, so why was she so nervous at this moment?


    She didn''t understand; she could only secretly chide and blame herself.


    "Now that you are here, why not come in? Must your Master Uncle come out to fetch you personally? You''re making quite the entrance, even grander than the Sect Leader."


    Gu An''s light laughter reached her ears, startling her into looking up and meeting his gaze.


    She quickly raised her hand in salute, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Greetings, Master Uncle, I..."


    "Let''s go. I happen to be free today," Gu An said with a smile.


    Before Ye Lan passed away, the only thing she was worried about was Ye Qingxue, as she was the disciple Ye Lan had personally raised, which was evident from their shared surname.


    "Go? Where to?" Ye Qingxue asked nervously, her heart surprisingly lifted, not expecting her Master Uncle to still remember her and treating her with the same gentle attitude as before.


    She had thought that after her Master''s death, his brother would no longer show her kindness.


    "To resolve your troubles."


    Gu An answered and began walking out of Medicine Valley.


    Ye Qingxue was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed his pace.


    She caught up to Gu An''s side and asked, "But I haven''t mentioned my troubles¡­ How do you know?"


    Gu An glanced at her and laughed, "You are also a Cultivator, do you think the Immortals you look up to can''t predict the future?"


    Ye Qingxue was shocked.


    Gu An then took her flying toward the Sect''s Main City. Their flight wasn''t too fast, and along the way, he inquired about how she had been these past years, quickly easing the tension in her heart.


    After dropping her guard, Ye Qingxue began to discuss the difficulties she had encountered.


    Her disciple was exceptionally talented and caught the eye of a Great Cultivator who attempted to recruit her. Failing to persuade her, he kidnapped her. She wanted to seek Zhen Qin''s help, but Zhen Qin had been out on a journey for hundreds of years, leaving her no way to find her.


    After much deliberation, she decided to turn to Gu An.


    Gu An knew she was telling the truth, and he also marveled inwardly at the fearsome nature of Heavenly Dao.


    Hundreds of years ago, noble families within the Sect wouldn''t dare scheme against anyone linked to him by karma, but now, those in the upper echelons of these families believed he feared the Heavenly Dao and would no longer take action.


    Of course, they still acted cautiously, not harming Ye Qingxue.


    If Supporting Dao Sword Venerable really decided to act, they could pretend they were unaware of this connection.


    This family, surnamed Qin, held formidable power within the Supreme Sect; even the leader of the Sub-Sect bore the name Qin. They had mastered an Evil Skill, collecting ninety-nine gifted individuals destined for great fortunes and transferring all their Destiny and Talent to another individual, creating the strongest of the Qin Family to compete for the Celestial Mandate.


    The old ancestor of the Qin Family was a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, with inconspicuous Cultivation Level but well-known by many for their possession of Celestial and Earthly Immortals. The bustling scenes caused by the Qin Family allowing these Immortals into the Supreme Sect had greatly boosted their reputation.


    The Evil Skill of the Qin Family was naturally a secret, and they dared not practice such deeds within the Supreme Sect, therefore, Ye Qingxue''s disciple had been transferred to an isolated island overseas.


    After Ye Qingxue finished speaking, she looked at Gu An with pleading eyes.


    To her, the Qin Family was a colossal entity that could not be shaken. She had mobilized all her connections, even reporting to the Law Enforcement Hall, but all efforts vanished without a trace. She had also received warnings, but for some reason, the Qin Family hadn''t taken action against her.


    Gu An continued forward, his gaze fixed on the path ahead, the breeze fluttering his robe. He spoke, "Qingxue, do you feel that the changes within the Supreme Sect are significant? Are the changes in this world significant?"


    Ye Qingxue was perplexed and didn''t understand why Gu An suddenly asked such a question. After a moment of consideration, she said, "The changes are naturally significant, aren''t all things in the world changing? Every place has its dark corners, and my disciple''s experiences are just an exception, and won''t affect my sense of belonging to the Supreme Sect."


    Gu An glanced at her, a smile spreading across his face.


    Ye Qingxue thought Gu An was satisfied with her answer and a smile also appeared on her face.


    With a Senior Brother stepping forward, there would surely be hope for her disciple.


    The pressure that had enveloped her for several days dissipated, and she began to think about how to repay her Senior Brother.


    Half an hour later, Gu An and his companion finally arrived at the Elder Hall in the Sect''s Main City.


    This place was the power center of the Supreme Sect, and its influence was even greater than that of the Sect Master''s Mansion.


    In front of the grand doors of the Elder Hall stood two ten-meter-tall Qilin stone statues, life-like and imposing, giving an overwhelming sense of oppression.


    Looking at the three characters on the plaque, Ye Qingxue became nervous again. She had been here hundreds of years ago, accompanying Ye Lan on some errand, and the important figures in the hall had left a deep impression on her with their commanding aura.


    The disciple guarding the door, seeing Gu An walking straight towards it, subconsciously meant to ask questions.


    He had just taken a step when a voice reached his ears, causing his face to change dramatically, and with a thud, he knelt down.


    It wasn''t just him, the other gate-guarding disciples also knelt down, looking toward Gu An excitedly.


    Ye Qingxue, seeing them suddenly kneel, naturally guessed that they had recognized the identity of her Senior Brother.


    Gu An walked straight into the mansion, and along the way, every disciple and cultivator who saw him also knelt down in succession; some recognized him, but many were just alarmed or prompted.


    Even Ye Qingxue noticed something amiss, seeming to sense that someone was secretly watching Gu An along the way.


    She thought of one of the sect''s branches, the most mysterious one.


    Dark Hall!


    "Gu An, what brings you here?"


    A voice sounded, revealing Ancient Sect with a smiling face coming up to greet him.


    He was one of the few elders who had a very good relationship with Gu An. They had known each other for one thousand nine hundred years, back when Gu An''s identity as the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had not yet been revealed.


    Gu An spoke with a smile, "Arrange it, I need to see all the elders."


    Ancient Sect''s heart skipped a beat. Gu An had never made such a request before, and his first thought was that something serious had happened.


    And it was something major!


    He didn''t dare to ask further and immediately went to make arrangements.


    Ye Qingxue, watching Gu An''s commanding presence, looked at his back in admiration, not even realizing that her gaze was now the very one she had most despised in the past¡ªher master had looked at Gu An in the same way.


    One by one, elders appeared out of thin air, and upon showing themselves, they immediately saluted Gu An. Seeing that Gu An did not pay attention to them, they too became anxious.


    Gu An was known for his gentle demeanor and meticulous courtesy, and was well respected, but if he forwent these courtesies, the elders could feel the terrifying pressure from the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Many elders even thought about fleeing the place, yet they were afraid of offending Gu An.


    They wondered in their hearts. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What exactly had happened?


    Was it an invasion by external enemies, or did some reckless fool provoke the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?


    Their eyes inevitably fell on Ye Qingxue; with the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable bringing this woman, there had to be a reason.

 Chapter 488 Incomprehensible Methods

    Vice Sect Leader Ji Hantian also appeared, and he personally led Gu An and Ye Qingxue to the Conference Hall.In the end, Gu An sat in the seat of honor, with Ye Qingxue standing by his side, while the other Elders stood as well. Seeing Gu An with his eyes closed, they couldn''t help but communicate secretly through Sound Transmission Technique.


    Because everyone was using the Sound Transmission Technique, the Conference Hall fell silent, and Ye Qingxue was extremely nervous, her body taut with tension.


    At this moment, she also worried that the situation might blow up too big.


    Could it be that because of her and her disciple, the Supreme Sect would crumble and disperse?


    She couldn''t bear such an outcome.


    The Qin Family was merely interested in her disciple''s talent and didn''t intend to harm her disciple; if she didn''t approach Gu An, her disciple would just lose his freedom.


    But if the Supreme Sect lost Gu An, it would affect everyone in the Supreme Sect.


    Ye Qingxue began to blame herself, thinking she should have explained the situation clearly before coming.


    She looked at Gu An, wanting to speak but hesitated.


    Little did she know, what she understood was not the truth¡ªthe Qin Family not only wanted her disciple; they wanted his life.


    Time continued to pass.


    More and more Elders arrived, and some changed their expressions when they saw Ye Qingxue, presumably guessing the reason.


    Lv Baitian also arrived.


    He had the best relationship with Gu An and thus mustered the courage to ask why Gu An had come.


    "It''s nothing much, just want to say a personal farewell to everyone."


    Gu An said with closed eyes, and as soon as these words came out, everyone panicked and began to discourage him.


    "Sword Venerable, is there something we have failed to do?"


    "Yes, Sword Venerable, the Supreme Sect can do without anyone but you!"


    "Who has offended you? Just say the word, and the Supreme Sect will definitely give you an explanation!"


    "Sword Venerable, don''t scare us!"


    "Sword Venerable, where are you planning to go?"


    The Elders, no matter from which powerful family they came, even those from the Qin Family, were thrown into disarray.


    To this day, most of the Elder Hall''s members were newcomers¡ªthey had joined the Supreme Sect because of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Without Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, what was the Supreme Sect?


    Gu An opened his eyes and looked at the faces in the Hall; most were unfamiliar, just like the current state of the Supreme Sect, which made him feel increasingly alienated.


    It wasn''t just that old acquaintances were passing away; the Sect''s spirit was changing and seemed no different from other Sects.


    The law of the jungle, where the strong are revered.


    Chivalry was not often mentioned by most people; pursuing the Celestial Mandate had become everyone''s goal.


    This atmosphere had even spread to the Third Medicine Valley.


    Although this was the machination of those pursuing the Heavenly Dao, the fact that it was so easily shaken still made Gu An somewhat weary.


    With his current Divine Skills, he could go anywhere and take his Medicine Valley with him.


    Gu An was indeed planning to change locations, go into seclusion to Cross the Tribulation, and reach for a higher realm. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    The strife in this world was still long, with never-ending tribulations and continual unexpected twists; being in the spotlight would only bring incessant troubles to those around him.


    Lv Baitian fell silent; he was not as panicked as the others, thinking Gu An wanted to recover from injuries.


    If Gu An was truly weary, he would not stop him.


    In his eyes, Gu An had no obligation to always guard the Supreme Sect.


    He had heard about what He Qingsong had said previously in the Third Medicine Valley, and he was aware of the Heavenly Dao resisting Gu An.


    The Supreme Sect seemed stable, but who really knew the pressure Gu An faced?


    Gu An looked over everyone, making them lower their gaze as the discussions abruptly ceased.


    Suddenly, Gu An raised his right hand, and something appeared in his palm out of nowhere, covered with a faint silver light, and water surrounding it.


    Upon close inspection, it wasn''t just a rock; it turned out to be an island, but in Gu An''s palm, it looked like a rock.


    "What''s this?" Lv Baitian asked with a frown.


    The others also focused on the island in Gu An''s hand, their Divine Sense probing it, and soon some of them showed a change in expression.


    The Elders from the Qin Family looked even more panic-stricken, trembling all over with extreme fear.


    Ye Qingxue also looked at the small island in surprise. She used her Divine Sense to probe it and took in the entire island''s scenery; she saw her disciple.


    "Chang''Er..." Ye Qingxue''s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she called out.


    She saw her disciple bound to a stone pillar, barely clinging to life, surrounded by others also tied to various stone pillars, their bodies plastered with all sorts of talisman paper.


    As soon as she spoke, the Qin Family elders were so scared they immediately knelt down, each sweating profusely.


    Gu An had already taken control of the island. Although they couldn''t understand his methods, they knew Gu An was targeting them.


    Lv Baitian turned his head to look and asked with a frown, "What''s going on?"


    The other elders also frowned, just as clueless about what the Qin Family was really up to. But judging from the formation inside the island, it seemed to be a ritual sacrifice of the people on the pillars.


    Could all these people be disciples of the Supreme Sect?


    They weren''t sure, but one thing was certain: someone was related to Ye Qingxue, and Ye Qingxue had come following the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable...


    Big trouble was brewing!


    The many elders glanced at the Qin Family elders with a chilling gaze, wishing they could execute them on the spot.


    The Qin Family was strong, but it all depended on who they were compared to.


    If they opposed the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, the entire Supreme Sect would join forces to eradicate the Qin Family.


    With a thought from Gu An, figures flew out from the island one after the other, all of them imprisoned prodigies, who landed on the ground in a disheveled state.


    Ye Qingxue immediately rushed to one of them, and Gu An followed, casting Life Span Detection.


    [Ye Chang (Fifth-Layer Nascent Soul Realm): 129/700/9999]


    Huh?


    A lifespan limit of 9999 years!


    Such talented individuals were a rarity these days.


    Gu An admired silently, then with a squeeze of his right hand, prompts to seize life spans appeared continuously.


    This island had existed for a long time, engaged in utterly vile deeds. Before Ye Chang and the others were captured, the Qin Family had practiced their Evil Skill here, the hands of everyone on the island stained with blood. Killing them, Gu An felt no burden whatsoever.


    Upon seeing Gu An clench his fist, all the elders'' hearts pounded furiously. They couldn''t afford to look at the tormented talents; instead, they all fixed their eyes on Gu An, not even daring to breathe heavily.


    The Qin Family elders were ashen-faced, terrified.


    Under their watchful eyes, Gu An opened his right hand, and sand fell from his palm.


    From beginning to end, Gu An''s face was expressionless, causing everyone''s hearts to grow cold, sending chills down their spines.


    No one dared to speak, including Lv Baitian. They didn''t know what to say, only feeling fear in their hearts.


    They finally understood the terror of being an enemy to Gu An. They even believed that if Gu An exhales, they might die.


    "You can investigate the truth of the matter yourselves, and be wise from now on."


    Gu An stood up and walked towards the gate.


    Ye Qingxue, supporting Ye Chang, hurriedly followed him.


    Everyone watched Gu An leave, and the confused rescued prodigies looked at Gu An, not understanding what had happened. They weren''t even aware that they had been saved.


    Ji Hantian approached a Qin Family elder with a dark expression, gritting his teeth and said, "Speak, what exactly has your Qin Family done?"


    The Qin Family elder trembled under the murderous gazes directed at him and immediately confessed the evil practice of the Qin Family.


    After hearing the confession, Lv Baitian couldn''t help but sigh.


    Such incidents had occurred more than once. The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s emergence in the world was to help the Supreme Sect prevent such evil deeds. It had been over a thousand years, now nearing two thousand, and still, there were those who committed such foolish acts.


    Lv Baitian suddenly felt powerless.


    The Supreme Sect had indeed grown rapidly, but what did it really mean?


    What was he aiming for by remaining in the position of Sect Leader?


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An stepped out of the Elder Hall. He paused, turned to look at Ye Qingxue, and said, "Take him back to recover. No one will trouble you for what''s to come."


    With that, he walked off towards the streets, ready to stroll around the Sect''s Main City.


    Ye Qingxue hurriedly bowed towards Gu An''s retreating figure.


    Ye Chang, his face covered in blood, struggled to open his eyes and said weakly, "Master... who is he..." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Qingxue fought back her excitement and whispered, "He is your Ancestor''s senior brother, your teacher''s grand-uncle."


    Ye Chang''s eyes widened. He lifted his head, trying to catch a glimpse of Gu An''s fading figure but could no longer see him.


    Gu An disappeared into the crowd. Observing the bustling scenes along the way, he began to ponder the future of the Supreme Sect.


    This street would experience bustle and solitude, ebb and flow with the world''s changes. As of the decision he made today, this street would turn into wilderness many years later.

 Chapter 489 Celestial Dao Reincarnation, Ten Billion Years Life Span

    ```When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, it was dusk, and he called An Xin to return with him to his loft.


    "Master, is there something you needed?" An Xin asked, curious.


    Gu An seldom summoned her without a significant reason.


    Gu An asked with a smile, "If I were to prepare to leave, what would you think?"


    Upon hearing this, An Xin''s expression instantly turned serious. She knew her master was not joking; over the years, she too had felt something was amiss.


    It was widely proclaimed in the world that all must believe in the Heavenly Dao and pursue the Celestial Mandate. At first, she didn''t feel much, but when she heard the disciples declaring that the fate of the world was predetermined by heaven, she sensed trouble.


    She still remembered what He Qingsong had said, that the Heavenly Dao did not wish for her master to intervene.


    Although she wasn''t sure if He Qingsong could represent the Heavenly Dao, she couldn''t help but think more about it.


    "If Master wishes to leave, then we will leave. Where to and when?" An Xin asked, seemingly without any hesitation and even somewhat eagerly.


    Gu An shook his head with a wry smile and asked, "Don''t you have people or things you would hate to leave behind?"


    An Xin replied, "Although I am the major disciple of Medicine Valley and have close relationships with many disciples, I know where everything I have comes from. I only care about Master and my senior fellow disciple."


    She was gentle by nature, considerate in her interactions but that didn''t mean her heart was indecisive.


    Gu An could hear the sincerity in her voice.


    His lips curled up as he said, "Since that is the case, I entrust you with a task. Select a suitable disciple from the Third Medicine Valley to take over as the Valley Master in the future. Of course, do not reveal my intentions for now."


    An Xin immediately agreed. Then, she began to inquire where Gu An planned to go, but Gu An did not answer her.


    For he was also hesitating.


    The universe was vast, with many worlds. It was worth considering whether to head to Outer Heaven or stay in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    ...


    Under the mystical star-studded sky, the Celestial Dao Golden Core emitted endless light, illuminating the entire universe.


    Boom!


    A gust of wind rushed toward the Yang Immortal Emperor, causing his golden robe to billow intensely. He squinted, looking towards An Hao standing before him.


    Ten feet away, An Hao stood with his back to him, his body enveloped in golden flames, his long hair fluttering, radiating a soaring aura.


    "This aura is almost catching up to that of Celestial and Earthly Immortals. How has his strength increased so quickly? Something''s not right."


    The Yang Immortal Emperor''s eyes flickered with suspicion.


    An Hao slowly turned around, glancing sidelong at the Yang Immortal Emperor, his expression indifferent and totally unlike his usual self, causing the Yang Immortal Emperor to frown.


    "What''s wrong?" the Yang Immortal Emperor asked.


    An Hao said, "A powerful being is targeting the Celestial Dao Golden Core. They are already waiting for its emergence."


    "Did the Celestial Dao Golden Core tell you that?" the Yang Immortal Emperor asked.


    An Hao didn''t reply but instead fixed his gaze on the Yang Immortal Emperor and said, "The calamities of the Immortal Dynasty are approaching, the fierce battle you hope for is perhaps wishful thinking."


    "Calamities?"


    The Yang Immortal Emperor''s brows furrowed tighter, his doubts about An Hao''s state growing.


    An Hao said solemnly, "Your Majesty, if the Immortal Dynasty faces the danger of annihilation, would you sacrifice yourself to save it?"


    Whoosh¡ª


    The Yang Immortal Emperor heard a noise behind him, and as he turned, he saw a ring of light emerging on the surface of the Celestial Dao Golden Core, quickly expanding to display the thriving scenes of the Immortal Dynasty.


    As he watched, a hand descended from the sky, uprooting the continent where the Immortal Dynasty was located and moving it to Outer Heaven.


    Next, this hand crushed the entire Immortal Dynasty into dust, leaving nothing behind.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor''s face turned grim as the scene within the ring of light vanished, leaving only a vague figure standing inside, seemingly waiting for him.


    "The Celestial Spirit''s arch-enemy has targeted this realm. Destroying the Immortal Dynasty is just the beginning, next is the Holy Court. What will you do? This being surpasses even the Free Immortal," An Hao said, his tone indifferent, as if possessed by some supreme being.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor looked at him again and asked, "Who are you really?"


    An Hao''s expression didn''t change as he answered, "I am still An Hao, just that I have been tempered through the Celestial Dao Reincarnation over the years, making me different from before."


    "Heavenly Dao Reincarnation?"


    ```


    "Hmm, I kept experiencing the destruction of the Celestial Spirit Great World, where each time, all beings were annihilated, the world shattered, and the Heavenly Dao Golden Core was taken by a mysterious and powerful being. I kept changing the situation in the Reincarnation, but the outcome was always the same. As long as the world shattered and the light of the Heavenly Dao that enveloped the world dispersed, that mysterious being would make a move."


    An Hao said in a tone laced with inexplicable meaning, filled with sadness and resolution.


    Yang Immortal Emperor was not startled but looked deeply into his eyes and asked, "If that''s the case, what good does my sacrifice do?"


    An Hao looked toward the Heavenly Dao Golden Core and said, "The Heavenly Dao Golden Core will grant you strength that surpasses that of the Zi Zai Immortals, but from then on, you will become a puppet to the Heavenly Dao Golden Core. Your emotions will be erased; you will still be you, but there are many things you will no longer be able to do, and that is only if the transformation is successful."


    Yang Immortal Emperor, with a smile curling the corners of his mouth, responded, "That sounds a lot like the Celestial Sect wandering the Human World."


    He turned to look at the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, and the figure within the halo gradually became clearer¡ªit was another him, as though he were looking into a mirror.


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    Flames sparkled in Yang Immortal Emperor''s eyes, growing more intense.


    ...


    Years flew by; another two hundred years had passed.


    Third Medicine Valley.


    Ancient Sect stood in front of Gu An''s loft, his face filled with complex emotions.


    An Xin, standing beside him, said, "Elder Gu, go back. If master returns, I will inform you."


    Gu Yu, alongside Ancient Sect, couldn''t resist asking, "It''s been over a hundred and fifty years since he left, why hasn''t he returned? Could he truly be gone? The Qin Family has already been punished and even expelled; can''t he let go of his grudges?"


    An Xin shook her head and replied, "It''s unrelated to that. Master left because of something else; you''re overthinking it."


    Ancient Sect stopped Gu Yu from saying more.


    "Let''s go back. Perhaps we are overthinking it." Elder Gu sighed, then turned and left.


    Gu Yu could only follow in his footsteps.


    Under a nearby tree, where the Blood Prison Great Saint was meditating, he opened his eyes and watched them leave, his face showing a mocking smile.


    An Xin turned and left without lingering under the loft.


    At the same time.


    Inside the loft, Gu An had not left. He was lying on a chair reading a book.


    He had merely concealed his own aura and fate, thus misleading others into thinking he wasn''t there; even if someone were to enter now, they wouldn''t see him.


    After finishing the last page, Gu An pulled up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 2,143/9,999,605,001]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Luotian Zizai Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ...


    Ninety-nine billion years of life!


    So close to one hundred billion!


    Gu An was eagerly anticipating his new life abilities, hoping they wouldn''t disappoint.


    The reason he feigned departure early was to prepare for his breakthrough.


    The next breakthrough would surely shake heaven and earth, and he also wasn''t sure if his journey to the Land of Reincarnation would alarm the Celestial Spirit Great World, so he chose to hide himself in advance.


    Now, other than the Celestial Spirit God, no one should be aware that he was still there.


    He shifted and began to gaze into the distance.


    He sensed a formidable power approaching the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal!


    This being wasn''t seeking to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World, but was targeting a corner of it.


    That direction was the Immortal Dynasty!


    Gu An started to look forward to the so-called Heavenly Dao Golden Core and whether it could truly help Yang Immortal Emperor defeat an enemy greater than a Zi Zai Immortal.


    Because of An Hao, Gu An often kept an eye on the Heavenly Dao Golden Core.


    Located in a special space, Gu An was able to perceive it partly because he had secretly left a Dao Destruction Destiny Seal on An Hao.


    He could feel the changes in An Hao, his Celestial Dao Destiny far more intense than that of puppets like He Qingsong.

 Chapter 490 The Great Dao is Boundless

    Deep within the universe, amidst the darkness, a purple rainbow sped along at an inconceivable speed, its target being the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Many Great Cultivators and Demons roamed the void, and when they saw the purple rainbow, they were all frightened, hurriedly dodging out of the way, fearful of being struck.


    "What is that?"


    "Such a terrifying aura, could it be the existence of the eighth or ninth level of the Immortal Dao?"


    "The universe is indeed becoming more dangerous, it''s not only the Celestial Spirit Great World, but other Great Worlds are also continuously facing calamities, and there are even some that have been swallowed by mysterious forces."


    "I heard that too, it''s said that this power is called the Battle Court."


    "We better find our disciples and avoid the tribulation, survive to the next Era, and then we can turn our fortunes around."


    As Cultivators and Demons discussed, the purple rainbow drew closer and closer to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Inside the Celestial Spirit Great World, countless beings saw a purple meteor appear from the horizon, descending from the heavens towards the distance.


    Many Mortal Spirits even thought it was a lucky star descending, and they began to pray and make wishes.


    Before long, a thunderous roar reverberated through the world. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On a hillside, Long Qing and Chen Chuan, who were practicing their skills, stopped and turned their heads simultaneously, seeing a purple glow on the horizon, desolate yet magnificent.


    Feeling the strong aura from afar, Chen Chuan frowned and asked, "Senior brother, what''s happening?" Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire


    Long Qing felt a palpitation that he hadn''t felt in many years, inexplicably feeling as if a great disaster was about to strike.


    "I''m not sure, it could be another battle between Great Powers, we''ll get used to it. There are always some areas in the world that are restless, but it won''t affect us," Long Qing said, trying to reassure him.


    Chen Chuan hesitantly asked, "But our Master has been gone for many years... could it be..."


    Long Qing glared at him, saying irritably, "Sister and the Blood Prison Great Saint are still here, how could Master leave? He will come back."


    Chen Chuan fell silent, his understanding of Gu An was not deep, facing Gu An, he was always very constrained, so he was also worried that Gu An might leave.


    Gu An was the sky for the Third Medicine Valley, and even the Supreme Sect, without him, the Tai Cang Continent would surely be caught up in chaos.


    Chen Chuan wasn''t afraid of being involved in the conflict, but he was afraid of losing track of his Master, he still wanted to practice the Sword Dao under his Master.


    Even though he was known as a genius, faced with his Master''s Sword Dao, he felt an endless urge to learn.


    He needed time to become stronger; he was not yet ready to stand against the heroes of the world.


    The two brothers gazed into the distance, each harboring their own thoughts, no longer speaking.


    Not just them, in various places within the Third Medicine Valley, disciples were all looking in the same direction, worrying about the future of the Tai Cang Continent.


    Gu An had not left for over a century; his prolonged absence had inevitably led to rumors within the Supreme Sect, many people worrying that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had abandoned the Supreme Sect.


    The news even spread overseas, causing many spies from different Sects to infiltrate the Tai Cang Continent and the Supreme Sect.


    The Supreme Sect seemed still stable, yet it felt as if it was a building about to collapse.


    Inside the tower.


    Gu An watched the battle, observing the Immortal Dynasty resisting that Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal from Outer Heaven.


    In just an instant, the Immortal Dynasty''s Destiny was dispersed by that person, who crashed into the Immortal Dynasty''s land, shattering the ground and engulfing the mountains and lands with fierce fire, turning the continent of the Immortal Dynasty into a hell in a blink.


    Gu An could sense that this person was holding back, seemingly not wishing to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World itself, just wanting to crush the Immortal Dynasty.


    The Immortal Dynasty responded swiftly, quickly forming a great formation, the Ancient Immortal Emperor taking the lead to combat the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, with other Divine Thought True Immortals joining the battle.


    Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal was quite arrogant, continually provoking the Immortal Realm''s Immortals'' Dao Hearts, looking to grant them the greatest opportunity.


    Yet, Gu An knew he was waiting for the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core was hidden in a mysterious space, isolated by Celestial Dao Destiny, making it impossible for Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal to locate it directly.


    Gu An also saw that Yang Immortal Emperor had surpassed the Free Immortal. He was inside the Celestial Dao Golden Core, and surprisingly, he did not need to cross the tribulation. His Qi-Blood was merging with the Celestial Dao Golden Core in a bizarre manner.


    What a spectacle this will be!


    Gu An''s lips curved upward. With a thought, an avatar appeared at the table and then vanished from the spot.


    The impending attack of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal would undoubtedly bring a new round of calamities to the Celestial Spirit Great World. Gu An saw through his origin¡ªthis individual was connected to Battle Court, which meant Battle Court would eventually make a large-scale descent into the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    He needed to choose his breakthrough site in advance in order to face Battle Court with greater confidence.


    Currently, the Battle Court''s strongest cultivation level in the universe was the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm. Although it was still beyond the reach of Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Gu An, he wanted to conceal his stronger cultivation level to avoid unexpected incidents.


    In a single step, Gu An''s avatar entered the Reincarnation Vortex above, zooming into the Reincarnation area at a rapid pace.


    The rules of Reincarnation were special, invisible and colorless, but when a living being approached, they would be swept away and brought into the Land of Reincarnation.


    Gu An had previously explored the Land of Reincarnation. It was so vast that it was even larger than the universe, so he had not directly determined the breakthrough site.


    Indeed, the Land of Reincarnation was extremely mysterious and dark as night. Even as his avatar traversed this land, it felt uneasy, as if something terrifying might emerge from the darkness at any moment and rip him apart.


    The mystery and vastness of the Land of Reincarnation made Gu An realize that the Great Dao was unimaginably vast, not confined by the universe, and there were many other mysterious places with different rules from the universe.


    Gu An split his focus, keeping an eye on the great battle in the Immortal Dynasty while monitoring his avatar.


    About half an hour later, an overwhelming aura burst forth, covering everything in heaven and earth so that all living beings could feel it.


    Whether human, demon, or sea creatures, all looked toward the direction of the Immortal Dynasty.


    A gigantic sun appeared in the sky in that direction, spectacular in its brilliance. Its scorching heat reached every corner of the world.


    This heat did not cause discomfort but instead gave a warm feeling, and even the most anxious hearts inexplicably relaxed.


    In Gu An''s eyes, the figure of Yang Immortal Emperor was reflected. The suddenly appearing massive sun was transformed by him. This sun, emitting dense Celestial Dao Destiny, quickly healed the injuries of the Immortal spirits of Immortal Dynasty and also helped recover their Spiritual Power.


    How utterly domineering!


    Gu An began to look forward to Yang Immortal Emperor''s performance.


    "Celestial Dao Golden Core, such a magnificent creation, how dare you waste it?"


    A chilling voice rang out, bursting with killing intent, making all living beings feel fearful.


    As the voice fell, heaven and earth shook violently, and two Daoist Zang Zizai Immortals began a great battle!


    This meant that all life in heaven and earth would be affected, no matter the distance!


    Even though both Daoist Zang Zizai Immortals did not wish to damage the Celestial Spirit Great World, the power that surpassed the Free Immortals was more than enough to cause a destructive impact on all things.


    Sects around the world immediately formed formations, protecting continents, islands, and seas.


    Sects across the Tai Cang Continent also sensed trouble and hurriedly formed their own formations.


    Meanwhile.


    On top of a high mountain, Zhu Xi stood at the edge of a cliff, facing the wind. Her hair was blown about, her face expressing solemnity, her eyes flickering.


    Feeling this overwhelming pressure, images she had never seen before began to emerge in her mind.


    She saw a huge Golden Core burning with blazing flames. Inside the Golden Core stood a person, seemingly speaking to her. She strained to hear clearly but could not make out the words.


    "What exactly is it..."


    Zhu Xi frowned, muttering to herself.


    After leaving the Tai Cang Continent, she had traveled extensively, encountering many opportunities. As her cultivation level grew stronger, her memories of her previous life began to resurface, and she gradually learned of her past life''s identity, though she was still not fully adjusted to it.

 Chapter 491 Profound Star Immortal Monarch

    Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal''s great war left all living beings within Great Heaven and Earth enveloped in panic, even though the two Zang Zizai Immortals headed to Outer Heaven to battle, the shockwaves from their initial clash continued to wreak havoc upon the world.


    Great waves surged across the vast ocean, while the boundless plains were swept by raging winds, and atop the high mountains and snow-capped ridges, blizzards whirled.


    The common folk were fleeing, the Celestial Vault was roaring, and thunder echoed in waves.


    Inside the house, Gu An predicted that the Tai Cang Continent would also be affected.


    However, it would not be a catastrophic strike, so he did not plan to intervene, deeming it a good opportunity for the inhabitants of the continent to be vigilant.


    To let them understand that the so-called Heavenly Dao would not protect them, and if they wished to survive these turbulent years, they would have to rely on themselves.


    Gu An closed his eyes, no longer observing the scenes of turmoil throughout the lands.


    As for the battle between Yang Immortal Emperor and that Zang Zizai Immortal, Gu An had already foreseen the outcome.


    The Battle Court''s desire to obtain the Celestial Dao Golden Core was not so simple to achieve.


    Elsewhere.


    Within the Imperial Palace of the Tai Cang Dynasty,


    Li Xuandao, dressed in his dragon robe, sat upon the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on the sky outside the palace, filled with flames. His sword-like eyebrows were deeply furrowed, and his expression looked troubled.


    He had already reached the Nirvana Realm in his cultivation level, though his publicly known cultivation level was at the Void Crossing Realm. No one was aware of his true depth.


    "Your Majesty, even existences from Outer Heaven seek to vie for the Celestial Mandate. Do you truly remain unmoved?" asked a Daoist clad in a gray robe, standing in the hall, holding a horsetail whisk, and wearing a slight smile, seemingly confident he had seen through Li Xuandao''s heart.


    Li Xuandao''s gaze fell upon him and said, "Can you truly bestow upon me the Celestial Mandate?"


    The gray-robed Daoist shook his head, "In this world, the only key that can grant Your Majesty the Celestial Mandate is the Theory of Heaven. However, the Jue Luo Sword Monarch is far too powerful; no one can wrest the Celestial Mandate from his hands. Nevertheless, I can guide Your Majesty onto the Heavenly Dao, allowing the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty to become an existence blessed by the Heavenly Dao."


    Li Xuandao narrowed his eyes and asked, "Oh? How will you assist me, and what must I sacrifice in return?"


    The gray-robed Daoist smiled and said, "I can help Your Majesty establish destiny, harmonize the fate of the Imperial Dynasty, and all you need to do is make the people believe in the Heavenly Dao."


    "Believe in the Heavenly Dao? How so?"


    "Your Majesty only needs to have the people erect monuments and statues, and pay homage to the Profound Star Immortal Monarch."


    "Profound Star Immortal Monarch?"


    Li Xuandao raised an eyebrow, his expression turning playful as he asked with interest, "Is this Immortal Monarch one of the Celestial Dao Immortal Gods?"


    The gray-robed Daoist smiled and said, "Exactly, by believing in him, they will be under his divine protection, and may even receive his power."


    Li Xuandao sneered, "Is that so? To convince me of his existence and to wager the fate of an entire nation, don''t you think you should offer something more compelling?"


    The gray-robed Daoist did not panic; he stared at Li Xuandao and asked, "Your Majesty, do you wish for an Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao''s expression shifted slightly.


    An Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure was naturally very appealing to him; his son Li Ya had relied on a Pseudo-Immortal Dao Ultimate Treasure to massively conquer enemies, and he too had envied it.


    The gray-robed Daoist raised his right hand, and a Treasure Sword intertwined with a Golden Dragon flew out from his palm, rapidly enlarging.


    "This is the Profound Star Emperor Sword, even mightier than an Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure. With this sword, Your Majesty would possess the power to prevail across the world. However, you must venerate the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, for the Emperor Sword will sense your heart."


    After saying this, the gray-robed Daoist lifted his hand, sending the Profound Star Emperor Sword flying towards Li Xuandao.


    Snap!


    Li Xuandao grasped the Profound Star Emperor Sword, and in that instant, his complexion changed as he felt an incomparable power coursing through him.


    This power made him feel capable of accomplishing many things.


    He looked at the Daoist in the grey robe and asked, "There are so many imperial dynasties in the world, why choose me?"


    The grey-robed Daoist laughed and said, "It''s very simple, because of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. He doesn''t belong to the Heavenly Dao nor to the Celestial Spirit Great World. He leads those around him away from the Heavenly Dao, so I want to bring the Tai Cang Dynasty back to the Heavenly Dao. Your Majesty needn''t worry, the Heavenly Dao won''t make you confront the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, nor does it want to oppose him, as long as the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable doesn''t interfere with the affairs of the Heavenly Dao."


    Hearing him mention the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, Li Xuandao couldn''t help but have Gu An''s image appear before his eyes, and his gaze grew complicated.


    Knowing that Gu An was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, his emotions remained unsettled for a long time.


    He originally thought he was the best at concealing his identity, but Gu An had opened his eyes to a whole new level.


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    He had heard that Gu An had left the Third Medicine Valley more than a hundred years ago, and he couldn''t help but wonder, could it be related to the Heavenly Dao? Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the powerful Supporting Dao Sword Venerable didn''t want to oppose the Heavenly Dao?


    Li Xuandao fell into deep thought. He didn''t grow more longing for the Heavenly Dao but instead was filled with wariness towards it.


    Gu An had managed to hide his identity for so many years, which showed that they were cut from the same cloth, and with Gu An''s higher cultivation level, he would see more things. Gu An''s distance from the Heavenly Dao must surely have its reasons.


    The Profound Star Emperor Sword in his hand might just be too hot to handle!


    The grey-robed Daoist stood in the hall, quietly observing him, waiting for him to make a decision.


    "Your Majesty, don''t let me down."


    The Daoist thought emotionlessly, confident that Li Xuandao would not refuse him.


    If he were to refuse, then he would have to act on behalf of Profound Star Immortal Monarch.


    ¡­


    A year passed, and spring yielded to summer.


    Gu An stood at the window, peering out over the continents of the world.


    Last year''s cosmic calamity ended with the Yang Immortal Emperor''s victory, thereby earning him immense fame as the second mighty individual to successfully ward off a powerful enemy from Outer Heaven, his name resonating throughout the world.


    That calamity had brought a wave of destruction to the Tai Cang Continent, but in the end, Li Xuandao managed to quell it with a single sword stroke, saving all living beings on the continent.


    After that, the Tai Cang Continent fell into an odd, tranquil state, and no great changes came upon the world. The Yang Immortal Emperor, having reached the level of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, didn''t directly march on the Holy Court; instead, he chose to go into seclusion again.


    "Without my intervention, this continent can still remain peaceful. This shows that I can indeed let go."


    Gu An said with a smile, his voice light. Although Li Xuandao was somewhat compelled, the fact was that he truly protected the continent.


    Gu An believed that Li Xuandao would have the last laugh.


    Let the so-called Profound Star Immortal Monarch see that the power of mortals should not be underestimated, especially the ambition of mortals.


    Seeing that the weather was fine, Gu An turned around to his desk and reached for the Spirit Flower on it.


    He deliberately risked his life span, ready to embrace the new abilities of a hundred billion years.


    [You successfully acquired 68 years of life span from the Longevity Spirit Flower (Tier Six)]


    [Your life span has broken through a hundred billion years for the first time, unlocking the Life Span Dojo feature]


    [Life Span Dojo: You can consume life span to establish a dojo, which has some effects of the Life Span Barrier to prevent deductions and prying, but the dojo cannot gather nature''s spiritual energy from outside its bounds, and it has defensive power comparable to your current realm. The Life Span Dojo has no area limits, but the range will affect life span consumption. A special reminder that the dojo cannot move; every ten thousand years, you may choose to establish a new dojo]


    Life Span Dojo?


    Gu An''s eyes lit up, this was good!


    The Life Span Barrier had been a huge help, but he couldn''t always keep it up due to the enormous life span consumption. Luckily, now there was the Life Span Dojo.

 Chapter 492 Breakthrough to the Perfection of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm

    Gu An did not immediately establish the Life Span Dojo, but prepared to make a breakthrough first.


    This time, he did not plan to enhance his Physique or Cultivation Technique, as he felt that his improvement in all areas was already significant. In these turbulent times, he could completely focus on pursuing an increase in Cultivation Level.


    Once the new era arrived and everything returned to peace, he would use the long years to improve in all aspects.


    Moreover, over the years, he had contemplated the Dao Rules, continuously making progress, which might compensate for some gaps in life span evolution.


    Since his Life Span had reached ten billion years, it was time to set off!


    Gu An disappeared into thin air from inside the house, stepping directly into the Reincarnation Vortex and heading to the Land of Reincarnation.


    Because his avatar had explored many times, Gu An walked decisively without glancing left or right.


    After passing through a dark area, he traversed a distance far beyond what a Mortal Spirit could imagine. Even a Free Immortal would need time and might not be able to cross the dense Reincarnation Rules.


    Looking around, it was still darkness, without a glimmer of daylight, but the fog symbolizing the Yin and Yang Reincarnation appeared in front, indicating that Gu An had arrived at the Land of Reincarnation.


    The Land of Reincarnation had no land; looking down was an Abyss, and looking up, there was no ceiling. There were no directions here, no vitality; anyone here would feel only endless solitude.


    Even though Gu An''s avatar had been here many times, he had never seen any other living beings. Fortunately, there was a special type of Spiritual Energy that could help him break through.


    With Spiritual Energy, powerful beings would surely be nurtured, it''s just that Gu An had not yet encountered any.


    After a long time.


    Gu An landed on a gray lotus flower, which was a hundred Zhang tall. Looking around, these gray lotus flowers of varying sizes occupied the dark space, emanating a faint glow.


    These lotus flowers were not living things; rather, they were condensed from the Reincarnation Rules and their coverage was extremely wide, even comparable to the Silent Extinction Domain beyond the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Because the Lotus Sea was vast and boundless and had an even denser Reincarnation Spiritual Qi, Gu An chose this place for his breakthrough.


    The moment he landed, he activated the Life Span Barrier.


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    Although he didn''t feel any mighty presence, he remained vigilant, acting as if there was a powerful being lurking in the shadows; he couldn''t expose himself.


    Gu An sat cross-legged, pulling up his Attribute Panel and looking at his entire ten billion years of Life Span, his mood became pleasant.


    The last time the breakthrough took twenty million years per Crossing the Tribulation; this time, even if it reached fifty million years per Crossing the Tribulation, he could break through two hundred times.


    He hoped it wouldn''t be that exaggerated!


    Gu An adjusted his mentality and immediately invested ten billion years of Life Span into his Cultivation Level.


    He was even more generous than before!


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for fifty million years. You forcefully strike at the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit Realm with the Great Achievement of the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible and begin Crossing the Tribulation. You did not endure the Reincarnation Top Dao Ultimate Tribulation, Crossing the Tribulation failed.]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred million years. You forcefully strike at the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit Realm with the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible and begin Crossing the Tribulation. You did not endure the Reincarnation Top Dao Ultimate Tribulation, Crossing the Tribulation failed.]


    ...


    It really is fifty million years per Crossing the Tribulation!


    Although Gu An had mentally prepared himself, seeing such a great consumption made his heart sink.


    One prompt after another fell; the ten billion years of Life Span rapidly depleted.


    All failed!


    Gu An continued to invest Life Span.


    Since he had not achieved success in his breakthrough, the Life Span numbers consumed by the Life Span Barrier grew very slowly. Outside the Barrier, the void remained silent.


    The gray lotus flowers were so mysterious and eerie, like countless souls floating there.


    After a while.


    Gu An saw that he had only thirty billion years of Life Span left and could not help but take a deep breath.


    Something wasn''t quite right!


    Could it be that he was destined to fail this time?


    Gu An didn''t believe in bad luck; he planned to leave himself five billion years of Life Span. If he still couldn''t break through by then, he would have to give up.


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for fifty million years. You forcefully strike at the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit Realm with the Great Achievement of the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible and begin Crossing the Tribulation. You endured the Reincarnation Top Dao Ultimate Tribulation, Crossing the Tribulation succeeded, your Dao Fruit transformed into the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, your Cultivation Level broke through to the Early Stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm.]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred million years, your Cultivation Level grows.]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for five hundred million years, your Cultivation Level breaks through to the Middle Stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm.]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one billion years, your Cultivation Level breaks through to the Late Stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm.]


    Innate Golden Immortal Realm!


    Gu An''s face revealed joy, as he had finally broken through successfully.


    Continue to ascend!


    The Life Span Barrier began to vibrate, and terrifying, vast Reincarnation Spiritual Qi surged towards Gu An. In an instant, the lotus sea outside began to sway.


    Gu An used eight billion years of life span, and only then his Cultivation Level rose from the Late Stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm to Perfection.


    He still had twelve billion years of life span left, enough for the Life Span Barrier to consume!


    Billowing Reincarnation Spiritual Qi entered Gu An''s body, and he also felt the Reincarnation Rules drilling into his being. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As more and more Reincarnation Rules accumulated inside him, numerous images of Reincarnation appeared before his eyes, all of which pertained to karmic connections he had with others.


    He saw the Reincarnations of figures like Yang Jian, Xiaochuan, Lu Jiujia, and Ye Yan.


    He also saw the past lives of Ye Lan and Ji Xiaoyu.


    Too many images bombarded his vision, yet his expression remained unchanged, and it did not affect his Dao Heart; he even began to comprehend the Path of Reincarnation through this experience.


    Countless gray lotuses swayed, as if the entire void was about to collapse, possessing a kind of chaotic beauty.


    Far away, the Reincarnation mist churned more violently, as if unimaginable terrifying fierce beasts were about to devour everything.


    Gu An suddenly sensed something and glanced towards the darkness.


    "Indeed, there is a powerful presence. Is it a Living Spirit, or a lost soul? Or perhaps, does this place harbor a special existence beyond life and death?"


    Gu An wondered to himself, sensing an aura not inferior to that of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal. And to think, this was only the beginning of his breakthrough.


    Even more powerful entities might emerge later on!


    He dared not completely immerse himself in the breakthrough, keeping part of his mind outside the Barrier, ready to move at a moment''s notice.


    ...


    Under the mysterious starry sky, before the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor was sitting in meditation, his back to the Celestial Dao Golden Core, with a mini sun floating behind him, burning with golden flames that made him appear akin to a sun god.


    "The sun is the most perfect creation of the Heavenly Dao. Any place bathed by the sun is considered a blessed land favored by the Heavenly Dao, but there are also strong and weak suns,"


    An Hao stood not far away, looking at the Celestial Dao Golden Core and musing.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor did not open his eyes, but he asked, "How powerful is the sun the Heavenly Dao has blessed you with?"


    An Hao replied, "I don''t need the sun from the Heavenly Dao; I want to create my own sun."


    The corners of the Yang Immortal Emperor''s mouth curled up, and he no longer continued the conversation.


    After a while.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor suddenly felt something, his eyes snapped open suddenly, and even An Hao turned his head to look into the distance.


    The starry sky showed ripples, as if a lake''s surface was disturbed, making the entire cosmos seem so illusory, like the moon reflected in the water, ready to shatter at any moment.


    "What is this anomaly?" An Hao asked with a frown, although he had experienced the Celestial Dao Reincarnation, he had never seen such a phenomenon in this space before.


    This space consisted of the Power of the Heavenly Dao, independent of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor''s brows also furrowed. Ever since he first entered this Secret Realm, five million years had passed, and he had never seen such an anomaly.


    In his eyes, this Secret Realm was even the safest place in the world. Now seeing the distortion in the starry sky, he felt an inexplicable panic.


    Could it be that an even more terrifying existence was about to arrive?


    He began to calculate with his fingers, but even he, having reached the level of the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, could not discern anything.


    Not only in this Secret Realm, but distortions also began to appear in the Celestial Vault in various places throughout the Celestial Spirit Great World. The Silent Extinction Domain in Outer Heaven was even more turbulent with Spirit Mist, oppressively dense.


    More and more locations began to experience spatial anomalies, thereby affecting the entire universe.


    Deep within the Silent Extinction Domain, seated on a throne, Ye Tianji opened his eyes. He looked up and saw visible spatial distortions in the dark void.


    "Is this... disturbance in the Path of Reincarnation?"


    Ye Tianji murmured to himself and looked in another direction.


    That way lay the World Gate.


    He saw beneath the World Gate a towering figure appearing, a powerful form gleaming with white light, as if representing supreme authority.


    The Celestial Spirit God!

 Chapter 493 Dao Fruit Blossoms, Reincarnation Chaos

    "He has even been alerted..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Tianji withdrew his gaze, his eyes flickering, suddenly feeling that the waters of Celestial Spirit Great World were very deep.


    Whether it was to search for the Celestial Dao Golden Core or to pursue the descendants of the Long Clan, both had become difficult.


    Could it be that the descendants of the Long Clan escaping to this realm was not by chance?


    Was the mysterious Supporting Dao Sword Venerable merely a sign?


    What dark forces were hidden behind all this?


    Ye Tianji looked again at the twisted void, feeling that a mysterious and powerful being was manipulating everything behind the scenes.


    If he could feel this, not to mention all living beings within the various realms of existence.


    In a forest within Celestial Spirit Great World,


    Zhu Xi stood on a tree branch, looking at the twisted celestial vault, her brow furrowed.


    "Reincarnation in chaos, could it be the hidden danger from that entrance?"


    The Yuanxu Ancestor of the Immortal Dynasty opened the Reincarnation Vortex, allowing the Celestial Spirit Great World direct access to reincarnation, and many cultivators used the Reincarnation Vortex for reincarnation trials, or to flee to other realms.


    In Zhu Xi''s view, this was an act that disrupted the order of reincarnation.


    Indeed, chaotic anomalies had now appeared.


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    Zhu Xi suddenly thought about escaping from Celestial Spirit Great World, but her cultivation level simply could not break free from the Heavenly Dao''s limitations.


    "It seems I can only go to that place to fight for a chance of survival..."


    Zhu Xi thought this way and then leapt down from the tree branch, walking towards the depths of the forest.


    On the other side of the world, on a throne inlaid with treasure swords, Jue Luo Sword Monarch also gazed at the celestial vault.


    Around him was a large hall without a ceiling, with great swords standing along the edges, their tips pointing skyward, their edges sharp and exposed.


    Looking at the ceaselessly twisting celestial vault, Jue Luo Sword Monarch also sensed that the Reincarnation Rules were in flux, which made his gaze fall on the Reincarnation Vortex.


    "What exactly is happening there?"


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch felt puzzled; he then lowered his head, looking at the eight existing Treatises on Heavenly Dao floating before him.


    He was just one treatise away from obtaining the True Immortal Inheritance!


    Originally, he was not in a hurry and wanted to enjoy the process, but now with anomalies appearing in reincarnation, he worried that his cultivation level would not withstand future situations, especially since he had heard that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had left the Supreme Sect over a hundred years ago.


    If Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had indeed fled Celestial Spirit Great World, he could not afford to be careless.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch pondered for a moment and immediately stood up; with a wave of his right hand, he gathered the eight Treatises on Heavenly Dao into his sleeve, then vanished from the spot.


    While all living beings were anxious about the anomalies in the celestial vault, this was just the beginning; when the nature''s spiritual energy began to descend, the beings were about to face true panic.


    ...


    In the Land of Reincarnation, the grey Lotus Sea,


    Gu An was seated on a lotus, surrounded by grey mist, with golden light spilling out from within; his eyes closed, he was in the midst of the creation of Innate Golden Immortal.


    The top of his Dao Fruit had cracked open, and a bud was growing out, while the golden light around him was the light of a Golden Immortal, and the grey mist was the Innate Qi condensed from spiritual energy and the Dao Rules.


    Upon closer observation, one could see his entire person slowly shrinking.


    It was an indescribable state of Profound Mystery; his cultivation level was soaring, striking towards a higher realm.


    Above his head emerged a Qi Sea, continuously expanding and annihilating, that was the image of Luotian.


    Breaking through Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, returning to the Innate state, and sculpting a Golden Immortal Body!


    Although Gu An had not completely broken through yet, he had already acquired many memories about the Innate Golden Immortal.


    Upon reaching the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, the Dao Fruit transformed, and both body and soul were reshaped; from then on, the cosmic space could no longer restrain him, and moving through the cycles of Yin and Yang Reincarnation became effortless.


    As an Immortal, Golden Immortals were stronger than Free Immortals, and after the Dao Fruit of the Golden Immortal blossomed, it could even create a new world, establishing its own world rules, birthing all living beings, and continuously undergoing reincarnation, thereby allowing the Dao Fruit itself to grow continuously.


    So much fortune and Profound Mystery were produced by the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, aiding Gu An in better understanding the Three Thousand Great Dao.


    During this process, Gu An truly felt the vastness and unfathomableness of the Great Dao.


    The Great Dao was omnipresent; one could feel its presence upon stepping into the Immortal Dao Realm, existing quietly without posing any threat to cultivators, but the higher one''s realm, the more one could perceive the gap with the Great Dao.


    The eternal and indestructible Great Dao was even more stable than the heavens, Earth, and the universe.


    The so-called Rules of Heaven and Earth were also evolved from the Great Dao according to the heavens and Earth, but the gap between the rules and the Great Dao was vast, like the difference between the Flame Rules and the Path of Fire¡ªthough they seemed identical, they were fundamentally different.


    When Gu An was immersed in creation, a pair of dark red eyes appeared in the darkness swirling with Reincarnation Spirit Mist, followed by an immensely huge dragon head.


    This dragon head was pitch black, with blood-red horns and floating whiskers that dispersed the Spirit Mist, covering a million grey lotuses just by poking its head out.


    The hundred-meter lotus beneath Gu An appeared minuscule in front of this dragon head.


    He sensed the appearance of the dragon head, opened his eyes, and his eyes shot out golden light, which did not pass beyond the Life Span Barrier.


    The dragon head swept over the top of Gu An''s head, followed by an immensely shocking dragon body.


    This dragon body was actually a murky Yellow River, thousands of miles wide and with an immeasurable length.


    Looking at the Yellow River, Gu An could not help but think of the Netherworld from the Huaxia mythology.


    "Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal..."


    Gu An thought silently; he sensed that this dragon''s Cultivation Level was comparable to that of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, yet its aura was different.


    When he sent out Life Span Detection, he received no response.


    This indicated that this dragon was not a living creature and might even lack its own will, but merely possessed a powerful aura.


    Eventually, the Yellow River Black Dragon disappeared at the other end of the Lotus Sea.


    Gu An did not ponder deeply and continued to experience the mysteries of the Innate Golden Immortal.


    As he absorbed more and more Reincarnation Spiritual Qi and Reincarnation Rules, the anomalies in the Land of Reincarnation intensified.


    Gradually, Gu An condensed into a Golden Core, the Innate Qi around him dispersed, leaving only the light of the Golden Immortal.


    The Golden Core he transformed into was small and trembled slightly.


    Boom¡ª


    Suddenly, a huge booming sound appeared above, as rolling Spirit Mist surged past, flowing unstoppably.


    Within that Spirit Mist were countless departed souls, both human and demon; they moved so fast that without careful observation, one could not see the departed souls inside.


    Countless departed souls converged into a Vast Sea, sweeping away as if to split the entire Land of Reincarnation.


    A golden light drove away the darkness, and a Golden Buddha appeared, sitting on a Golden Lotus, advancing through the Sea of Departed Souls.


    He was so majestic, not inferior in momentum to the previous Yellow River Black Dragon, and even possessed an additional aura of sanctity.


    This Golden Buddha did not linger but followed the Sea of Souls into the darkness and disappeared.


    Afterward, continuously powerful existences swept across the Lotus Sea; fortunately, no one attacked the Lotus Sea.


    Time swiftly passed.


    The Golden Core transformed by Gu An trembled more violently until cracks appeared on its top, and a new sprout emerged, quickly growing and causing the cracks on the Golden Core to expand.

 Chapter 494 Dao Fruit World

    Golden Core sprouted!


    The cracks at its top continued to expand, and the newly born bud grew rapidly, as the Reincarnation Spiritual Qi around it began to pour into the fissures of the Golden Core, forming a vortex of airflow.


    Once the bud had grown to a certain stage, it began to bloom.


    At the same time, the Golden Core beneath it suddenly shattered, and Gu An''s body appeared, naked and pristine, resembling the most perfect creation in the world.


    His form began to grow larger as he transformed from his original physique.


    The Dao Fruit within him bloomed as well, evolving into a Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, signifying a successful breakthrough.


    From this point, he had become an early-stage being of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm. His mana transformed into Innate Magical Power, vast like the boundless primordial waters at the dawn of chaos.


    The phenomenon caused by the Life Span Barrier reached another stage, affecting all the heavens and myriad realms, with the Spiritual Energy of many worlds sinking and the Dao Rules of Outer Heaven twisting.


    The major forces of various worlds began to act, investigating the cause or preparing to flee.


    Chaos!


    This was the scene playing out in many parts of the Great Heaven and Earth.


    Even the Supreme Sect in the Celestial Spirit Great World was thrown into disarray, with Lv Baitian even leading people into the Third Medicine Valley, seeking to find Gu An''s whereabouts.


    They hoped An Xin could contact Gu An, and if not, at least reveal to them the truth behind the heavenly phenomenon to put them at ease.


    Regrettably, An Xin knew nothing, and after much maneuvering, Lv Baitian and the others could only leave with heavy hearts.


    Long Qing came to An Xin''s side, looking together in the direction of Lv Baitian and the others leaving, and asked, "Senior sister, is master really going to leave Supreme Sect?"


    This time Gu An''s departure had been so long that even the disciples within the Third Medicine Valley began to worry he would leave the Supreme Sect.


    An Xin looked toward Long Qing and asked with a smile, "If master were to leave, how would you choose?"


    "Of course, I would follow. What other choice could there be?" Long Qing answered without hesitation.


    An Xin followed up, "If you follow master, you will never be able to enter the mortal world for the rest of your life; you can only cultivate in a place isolated from the world. Would you be willing to do that?"


    Long Qing fell silent.


    An Xin said, "You can cultivate diligently now because you wish to achieve a higher Cultivation Level, but if you attain it, could you remain as focused? Don''t rush your answer. I''m talking about a lifetime, countless years."


    Long Qing opened his mouth, but no words came out.


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    To him, life meant integrating with society or with the Immortal Cultivation Realm.


    At this moment, other disciples in the valley were discussing their futures ¨C if their master truly left, what path should they take? It was a matter they had to consider.


    The Celestial Vault above was still distorting, occasionally showing unusual rainbows, and the Earth Spiritual Qi continued to sink, causing the ground to tremble slightly. The tense atmosphere between heaven and earth was still intensifying.


    ...


    It was unknown how much time had passed.


    Naked, Gu An slowly opened his eyes and instinctively pulled up the consumption page of the Life Span Barrier, only to find that he had expended five hundred million years of Life Span. His Cultivation Level had reached the middle stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm.


    He still had nearly seven hundred million years of Life Span left!


    The next breakthrough, wouldn''t the consumption of the Life Span Barrier amount to several billion years of Life Span? S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An felt a sense of awe in his heart, but he did not feel any regret, as he had already reached a very high Realm.


    How many beings spend their entire lives unable to reach the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, let alone cross the Dao Fruit Realm.


    Gu An continued to wait for his Cultivation Level to increase; he had gained a certain understanding of Innate Golden Immortal.


    As the Dao Fruit blossomed, the Great Divine Power nurtured in it, the Longevity True Words, underwent a transformation, and according to his plan, it engendered even more mysteries.


    As for the world cultivated by the Dao Fruit of the Golden Immortal, it must be studied further.


    And whether his own world planted with Medicinal Herbs could seize Life Span was unknown to him.


    The world nurtured by the Dao Fruit was intrinsically a part of him; there was no seizing Life Span from oneself for oneself. Moreover, this world could not directly bring external objects into it and required a lengthy evolution, not an instant formation.


    The world of a Golden Immortal could be illusory or real.


    If it could not increase his Life Span, he would not allow the Golden Immortal World to become reality but keep it for cultivation of the Great Dao.


    Gu An looked up and saw, in the depths of the darkness, another colossal entity, its aura on par with a Perfected Profound Yuan Free Immortal.


    Indeed, the Land of Reincarnation was more terrifying than the universe. During his breakthrough, he had already encountered many auras of Profound Yuan Free Immortals, and even those of Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortals.


    He hoped not to encounter an Innate Golden Immortal.


    Having just broken through to this Great Realm, Gu An did not wish to immediately encounter a being of the same realm.


    He found he still could not perform Life Span Detection on the formidable beings that appeared; it seemed the Land of Reincarnation had no living creatures.


    No, not just non-living.


    Wait!


    Gu An suddenly realized something and felt a chill run down his spine.


    Could it be that the Land of Reincarnation he entered was the Dao Fruit World of some powerful being? Hence, everything he saw was close to a real existence in an illusory world?


    He had previously detected beings without Life Span, at least managing to ascertain their Realm, but now, he could not even detect the Realm of those passing by.


    Gu An''s wariness of the Land of Reincarnation surged, but he was within a Life Span Barrier and not afraid.


    If there really was some kind of will behind this illusory world that he had alarmed, it would have acted already, not leaving him to speculate until now.


    "The universe has Celestial Spirit Gods, and the Land of Reincarnation harbors even more mysterious entities. All things considered, the Celestial Spirit Great World is safer."


    Gu An thought to himself, deciding that he would still establish his Life Span Dojo in the Celestial Spirit Great World, just not in the Supreme Sect.


    He planned to hide again in the secular world, waiting for an Era to pass.


    Given the current cosmic situation, a Battle Court invasion was inevitable, which might even alarm the Celestial Spirit Gods. Gu An didn''t want to expose himself or be seen as a thorn in the side of these powerful beings.


    Moreover, with his non-interference, the evolution of the cosmic situation wouldn''t progress so swiftly, giving him more time to grow stronger.


    "Perfect, they''ve long wanted to venture out into the world."


    Gu An''s lips curved into a smile, and his mood brightened at the thought of the three Celestial Demon Children.


    He closed his eyes and continued to wait for his Cultivation Level to increase.


    About an hour later, his Cultivation Level had reached the Perfection of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, with just over a hundred million years of Life Span remaining.


    He rose to his feet, and his robes materialized on his body, followed by a belt, Immortal King Crown, and other items. After dressing himself, while the Reincarnation Phenomenon was still present, he stepped forward and directly entered the Reincarnation Vortex. With another step, he landed within the mountains and rivers of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Standing on a cliff, he faced the wind, then raised his arms, basking in the Earth Spiritual Qi breeze.


    The Celestial Vault was still distorting, and the wind existed because of the sinking Spiritual Energy.


    Yet he, the one who caused all these phenomena, had finished his breakthrough as if it was all unrelated to him.


    Having become an Innate Golden Immortal, the Celestial Spirit Great World seemed small to him; he could pay attention to all things simultaneously, and if he willed it, the rate of all things'' evolution before his eyes could dramatically slow down.


    He exercised his limbs for a while, then turned to descend the mountain.


    The reason for coming to these mountains was their remoteness from the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court, lying on the edge of the Celestial Spirit Great World and comparatively peaceful relative to other areas.


    There was even a town not more than ten miles away, and within a radius of a million miles, the level of Immortal Cultivation was low, without a single being of the Immortal Dao Realm or Demon.


    Most importantly, a person from his past had reincarnated here.


    After entering the forest, the phenomena began to subside; the chirping of insects in the woods gradually resumed, and sunlight filtered through the leaves to the ground, forming patches of light.

 Chapter 495 Mountain Immortal, Battle Court Attack

    In an open area of the forest, five children were sitting by a stream, resting. Among them, the tallest boy sat on a rock, holding a vine in his hand, his gaze fixed deep into the mountain woods, his eyebrows tightly knit.


    A girl in tattered clothes turned her head to look at the boy on the rock and asked, "Big brother, how much farther do we have to go? Let''s not run into demons later."


    The other three boys chimed in agreement. They were all tired from walking and wanted to go home for a meal.


    The boy known as "big brother" was named Yi Xiaoliang. He glared at his companions and said, "What demons? We''re here to seek immortals. If you''re sincere in your heart, you''ll encounter spirits. What''s the rush? We''ve hardly walked any distance at all. Tang Monk had to travel eighty-one thousand li to retrieve the scriptures!"


    Upon hearing this, the three boys looked even more pitiable.


    "But even if you''re Tang Monk, we''re no Sun Wukong or Zhu Bajie."


    "Yeah, I''m so hungry."


    "Big brother, can you bring more cakes next time we go out?"


    Yi Xiaoliang was infuriated. He jumped off the rock, ready to chastise his companions, when the sight ahead caught his attention. He stared with wide eyes, completely petrified.


    The girl in rags turned her head to look as well, equally frozen in place.


    Seeing the two of them react like this, the other three turned to look, following their gaze. A handsome man in white emerged from under the shade of the trees, a treasure sword at his waist, a delicate crown on his head, together with his peerless handsome face, he appeared like an immortal descending to the mortal realm.


    "An immortal... truly an immortal!"


    One of the boys murmured to himself, unable to help but rub his eyes.


    The newcomer was, in fact, Gu An, who cast Life Span Detection at Yi Xiaoliang.


    [Yi Xiaoliang (Unrefined Qi):14/85/4999]


    His maximum life span is not bad. Lu Jiujia has been born into a good life this time.


    That''s what Gu An thought to himself, then he proceeded to deploy Life Span Detection at the other four children. He discovered that their maximum life spans were also quite impressive, with the shortest being three thousand years.


    A cluster of talents?


    Gu An stopped across the stream and, with a gentle smile, asked, "Little fellows, what are you doing here? Aren''t you afraid of running into bad people?"


    Yi Xiaoliang snapped out of his trance, asking excitedly, "Are you the immortal from the mountains?"


    The other four also looked at Gu An nervously and expectantly.


    Gu An, instead of answering, countered with a question, "Do you want to cultivate toward immortality?"


    At his question, the five kids, boys and girls alike, became even more excited, replying in a flurry.


    "Of course we do!"


    "Big brother, please teach us."


    "You must be an immortal. I''ve never seen anyone like you..."


    "Yeah, big brother, we really want to cultivate toward immortality."


    Seeing this group of lively, excited children, Gu An, who was already in a good mood, grew even more delighted. It was hard to see such vivacious kids in the Third Medicine Valley.


    Gu An cleared his throat with a cough and said with a hint of mystery, "I do know a bit about immortal cultivation. But if I teach you, can you promise not to tell anyone else, including your families?"


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    At his words, the children, without a second thought, immediately agreed.


    "Come here tomorrow, and I will impart to you the art of immortal cultivation," Gu An said with a smile, his gaze then drifting to the celestial vault.


    The Battle Court had begun to stir again!


    They were targeting Yang Immortal Emperor, with the provocation of worldly unusual phenomena also playing a part.


    The Battle Court feared an unprecedented catastrophic Reincarnation calamity was upon them, one that might overturn all heavens and myriad realms, so they wished to seize the Celestial Dao Golden Core before that and also to slay Long Qing.


    They were afraid Long Qing might escape into the Reincarnation, having previously evaded them that way.


    Long Qing''s ancestors had even utilized Reincarnation to flee all the way from outside the universe to this cosmos, using the Celestial Spirit God to foil their plans.


    This time, how would Yang Immortal Emperor withstand the Battle Court?


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core could not grant him greater power.


    Hearing Gu An''s words, Yi Xiaoliang and his friends suddenly got anxious, feeling as if Gu An was deceiving them.


    Despite Gu An''s persuasion, they could only suppress their anxieties and head back home.


    Yi Xiaoliang took a few steps, then couldn''t help but look back, seeing Gu An standing by the stream with a smile, watching him and his friends leave. He felt inexplicably dazed.


    For some reason, he felt a kinship with Gu An, an attachment so strong that it filled him with reluctance to leave right now.


    He feared that once he left, he might never see Gu An again.


    Yi Xiaoliang opened his mouth, wanting to say something.


    Gu An looked at him and smiled, "Hurry back home. Tomorrow I''m still waiting for you guys to tell me the story of ''Journey to the West''."


    At these words, Yi Xiaoliang''s heart settled down. He chuckled and quickly turned to catch up with his companions'' retreating figures.


    As Gu An watched them leave, he thought to himself, "The name Pan An sure has spread widely."


    Not just ''Journey to the West,'' but ''The Investiture of the Gods'' and ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' have also made their way to this land; Gu An saw the driving force behind this.


    Someone wanted to open up the aspiration for Immortal Cultivation among the Mortal Spirits of this land. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An didn''t care too much. A Cultivator of the Profound Heart Realm couldn''t influence his decision to open the Life Span Dojo.


    He didn''t return to the Supreme Sect, but instead, he walked in another direction.


    He was going to choose a suitable place to open the Life Span Dojo.


    When the time came, he would move the World-Excluding Cave Heaven and the Eight Scenic Cave Heaven there, hiding them underground, as for the Third Medicine Valley, Profound Valley, End of the World Valley, Mountain God Temple, he wouldn''t touch them. He would just occasionally go to harvest Medicinal Herbs.


    He wanted the people of the Supreme Sect to gradually get used to life without him, so that when he truly left, the Supreme Sect wouldn''t collapse.


    Once the dojo was established, he could let the Celestial Demon Child and the other two girls move around in the woods, no longer confined to the World-Excluding Cave Heaven.


    ...


    In the depths of the void, countless figures were flying, surrounding a colossal palace with nine suns floating above, radiating dazzling Heavenly Might. Ye Tianji, the master of the Battle Court, sat on his throne, with the image of the Celestial Spirit Great World reflected in his eyes.


    A man with wings stood on the palace, also looking towards the distance. He turned his head to speak to Ye Tianji, "That Yang Immortal Emperor is merely at the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal''s cultivation level. There''s no need for you to take action. Just send another person to join forces with me."


    The Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal who had invaded the Immortal Dynasty before was him, defeated by the Yang Immortal Emperor, which left him feeling humiliated and eager for revenge.


    Ye Tianji, expressionless, said, "No need. Make this operation quick. Kill those who should be killed, take what should be taken, then return."


    The Reincarnation Phenomenon of the past two days had unsettled him, and recalling the legends of the Celestial Spirit Great World from before, he felt he could delay no longer.


    The winged man held his tongue upon hearing this.


    His gaze was suddenly drawn to the nine suns above Ye Tianji''s head. He saw mysterious figures within the suns, flickering in and out of visibility as if they were in another dimension.


    "That is..."


    The winged man''s pupils suddenly constricted, his heart churning with shock. He hadn''t expected Ye Tianji to summon them.


    Could there be some terrifying existence hidden within the Celestial Spirit Great World that he didn''t know about?


    Was it the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?


    The winged man looked away, his gaze returning to the direction of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The mighty army of the Battle Court moved forward through the void, as if nothing could stop them.


    Meanwhile, in the Celestial Spirit Great World above, numerous figures suddenly appeared on the Celestial Dao Light Layer. Great Cultivators from every corner noticed the arrival of the Battle Court.


    An indescribable sense of oppression was enveloping the Celestial Spirit Great World; the higher one''s realm, the faster they felt it.


    This reminded many of the time when the Profound Desolate Demon God had attacked.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An was in the Third Medicine Valley, sitting in his chair, listening to An Xin recount the recent events within the Medicine Valley.


    After An Xin finished, she asked with a hint of grievance, "Master, when exactly are we leaving? If we''re not leaving now, it''s difficult for me to face them."


    Gu An smiled, "Why are you in more of a hurry than I am?"


    "You don''t have to face those people from the sect."


    "Have you chosen someone?"


    "Let''s go with Long Qing. I can see that he doesn''t want to retreat from the world with us."


    An Xin casually replied, unlike the others, she truly wished to put aside mundane affairs and enter prolonged cultivation.


    Gu An smiled, "Alright, then it shall be him."


    His prompt agreement surprised An Xin.


    "Master, didn''t you say he carries a Great Cause and Effect? Are you sure you can trust him to handle things on his own?" An Xin curiously asked.


    Exactly what Great Cause and Effect Long Qing carried, not to mention himself, An Xin was also very curious.


    Gu An answered, "It doesn''t matter. The Great Cause and Effect he''s carrying will dissipate soon."

 Chapter 496 The World Grows Dark

    "Disperse? What does that mean?" An Xin asked curiously. She had watched Long Qing grow up and considered him her own child, naturally wishing him a lifetime of peace. The so-called Great Cause and Effect sounded like a deep-seated vendetta, so how could she not worry?


    Gu An gave her a look and said, "Why so many questions? When your cultivation level is higher, you will naturally understand everything."


    An Xin pouted and said, "Isn''t that why I''m waiting for you to take me away? Once we find a quiet place, I''ll seclude myself for a thousand years, ten thousand years. When I emerge, I will surely be an enlightened master."


    In her perception, ten thousand years was an incredibly long time. She believed that if she cultivated for ten thousand years in the Human World, she would definitely be considered a powerful being.


    Gu An didn''t discourage her, but instead said, "Let Long Qing prepare."


    An Xin nodded, raised her hand in a salute, and then turned to leave.


    Although she was very close to Gu An and often bickered with him, she never forgot the proper courtesies when needed.


    An Xin left the house, closed the door behind her, and then walked down the stairs.


    A female disciple passing by asked curiously, "Big Sister, the master isn''t here, what are you doing going up there?"


    An Xin replied, "Even though Master isn''t here, I still have to manage things. We can''t let the Master return to find the house full of dust."


    The female disciple felt that made sense; she stepped forward, linked arms with An Xin, and began to sigh, wondering when the master would return.


    An Xin casually comforted her, and the two walked off into the distance.


    The Third Medicine Valley was still bustling, the disciples busy with their own tasks, unaware that a disaster was about to strike.


    As time passed, more and more beings felt the terrifying pressure from the Battle Court.


    When the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley felt the pressure from the Battle Court, chaos had already erupted across the world.


    Most living beings did not know where the pressure was coming from and felt only fear; they fled in panic, finding that no matter where they ran, the pressure only increased, amplifying their fear.


    Gu An saw that the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister hastened to Outer Heaven; they were preparing to negotiate with the Battle Court.


    The oppression from the Battle Court this time was even stronger than the Profound Desolate Demon God before, wearing down even the confident Yang Immortal Emperor and the ambitious Saint Minister.


    Especially the Yang Immortal Emperor, he felt that no matter how much he gave, he would always face an insurmountable enemy.


    For the Saint Minister, he could no longer care about his ambitions, focusing only on how to lead the Holy Court through the difficult times ahead.


    Shengtian had already abandoned them; what was the Holy Court''s next move?


    That night, all beings found it hard to sleep.


    The next morning.


    Gu An arrived early at the forest, waiting for Yi Xiaoliang and his four companions.


    He sat on a rock by a small stream, looking up at Outer Heaven, where the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister faced the Profound Yuan Free Immortal in a grand hall.


    The negotiation appeared to be going poorly.


    Gu An was not interested in the Profound Yuan Free Immortal seated above; he was curious about the nine suns.


    The nine suns hid nine Profound Yuan Free Immortals, the suns acting like some sort of gateway, the spaces connected originating from other universes.


    From the aura of the Great Dao emanating from within, Gu An could tell they did not come from this universe, and each originated from a different universe.


    What puzzled Gu An more was why the Celestial Spirit God wasn''t taking action?


    The Celestial Spirit God was meditating in front of the World Gate, previously absent, clearly drawn by the disturbance caused by Gu An''s breakthrough.


    Could it be that the Battle Court had reached some sort of agreement with the Celestial Spirit God?


    Gu An could determine that there was no direct connection between the Celestial Spirit God and the Battle Court because the Celestial Spirit God had a dense aura of Celestial Dao Destiny, which was not the kind of destiny that belonged to the Battle Court.


    Meanwhile.


    On the massive Battle Court, the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister stood side by side, looking up at the formidable Ye Tianji like they were gazing at a deity, the light from the nine suns illuminating their faces, highlighting their grim expressions.


    The grand hall was surrounded by floating figures, all sneering at the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister, as if they were looking down on reptiles.


    The Saint Minister took a deep breath and said, "We indeed do not know who the descendant of the Long Clan is, and there are countless incarnations of Heavenly Demons among the heaven and earth. As for the Celestial Dao Golden Core..."


    He glanced at the Yang Immortal Emperor, then turned to Ye Tianji and said, "If the Celestial Dao Golden Core were to leave the Celestial Spirit Great World, the Celestial Spirit Great World would shatter. How is that different from killing us directly?"


    Ye Tianji was expressionless and said, "The difference is you can live. At this point, do you still want to save others?"


    The Saint Minister furrowed his brow.


    If he really only cared about his own life, he could have escaped from the Celestial Spirit Great World long ago.


    At this moment, he could only place his hopes on the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    He was just trying his best to stall for time, waiting for the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable to make his move.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor spoke up, "Aren''t you afraid of the Heavenly Dao''s backlash?"


    Ye Tianji snorted, "Heavenly Dao''s backlash? It seems you don''t know what Heavenly Dao really is. Indeed, a mere mortal trying to reach for the Celestial Dao Immortal Position has deceived you all in the Great Heaven and Earth. It''s truly sad, but it''s also the fault of that being."


    Upon hearing this, the Yang Immortal Emperor wanted to ask more, but Ye Tianji continued, "Enough, no more stalling. It seems the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable you are hoping for has already left."


    While the Saint Minister was delaying, Ye Tianji was also waiting.


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    Before coming here, he knew about the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s feat in annihilating a split body of the Silent Destruction God Emperor. He was sure that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable must be the Profound Yuan Free Immortal. For this, he even specially invited nine fellows of the same realm to help.


    Although he didn''t say it out loud, he was actually very wary of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, so he didn''t make a move immediately, wanting to see what the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had to say.


    However, the night had passed, and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had made no move.


    Ye Tianji guessed that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable might have been scared away by the Reincarnation Phenomenon. It was normal, given that the phenomenon capable of causing such fear was unimaginable and certainly not something the Profound Yuan Free Immortal could match.


    As for whether it was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, he never even considered that possibility. He learned from the nine fellows above him that other universes also had such phenomena, with an unimaginably vast scope.


    The faces of the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister changed drastically¡ªthey hadn''t expected Ye Tianji to know what they were waiting for.


    Ye Tianji raised his right hand, and seeing this, the Yang Immortal Emperor immediately began cultivating energy. The powerful aura of the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal suddenly burst forth, and the Saint Minister of the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, standing next to the Yang Immortal Emperor, lacking the strength, was immediately pressured to retreat in a flash.


    The creatures surrounding the grand hall in the Battle Court all turned and faced the Yang Immortal Emperor, their auras likewise bursting forth. Even the Yang Immortal Emperor, a Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, changed color at their intensity.


    He had long felt that the surrounding creatures were powerful, but he hadn''t expected that many would have a cultivation level higher than his own.


    How were they supposed to fight now?


    The Yang Immortal Emperor looked towards Ye Tianji, his face intensely uneasy, his eyes filled with a chilling look as he tried hard not to show any signs of fear.


    Ye Tianji''s smile was wild and contemptuous as he directed the palm of his right hand towards the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    In an instant, the entire Celestial Spirit Great World shifted abruptly from daytime into nighttime, with neither the bright moon nor the stars visible.


    Walking through the forest, Yi Xiaoliang and his four companions screamed in fright, hurriedly hugging each other, no longer daring to move forward, with some even scared to tears.


    The cultivators and demons standing on the Celestial Dao Light Layer were utterly horrified. Under their watchful eyes, an indescribable giant hand descended from above the universe, stretching towards the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The vast and boundless Celestial Spirit Great World seemed like a small pebble in front of this giant hand, about the size of a finger.


    From far atop the grand hall, both the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister stared in shock. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The descendant of the Long Clan, it''s time to awaken."


    Ye Tianji''s voice resounded throughout the Celestial Spirit Great World. Under the darkness, his voice seemed like that of a Demon God from the Abyss, instilling endless terror into all living beings.


    In the Third Medicine Valley, Long Qing was looking up at the night sky when he suddenly sensed something and abruptly clutched his head as a flood of memories burst forth from the depths of his mind, assaulting his spirit.


    He had never felt such intense pain in his head before, as if it were going to explode. In pain, he then knelt on the ground.


    As the world had already darkened, everyone else was watching the night sky, and no one noticed his abnormality.


    "How could this be..."


    Long Qing gritted his teeth and murmured to himself, struggling as he saw himself fighting and slaughtering across a realm filled with the blood of all living beings, his world tinged with red.

 Chapter 497 Is This the Battle Court You Take Pride In?

    Gu An heard Ye Tianji''s words but did not take action; he watched Ye Tianji help Long Qing awaken his past life memories.


    "It''s time for this young man to face his own destiny."


    If Gu An had helped him recover his memories, Long Qing might still have entertained some hope. Now that Ye Tianji was helping him awaken the memories, Long Qing realized just how heavy the causality he bore was.


    Gu An couldn''t take care of Long Qing forever. Long Qing was already over a thousand years old; it was time to face his destiny.


    The fate of the Long Clan, though tragic, was also wrought with many evil deeds; their downfall was lamentable, yet seemed only natural.


    Of course, there were good people in the Long Clan, but because of Long Zhan, the clan was prone to producing violent individuals.


    Just like Long Qing, Gu An could see that in his past life, Long Qing had also committed evils.


    Gu An defended Long Qing from the Battle Court as a favor for Long Zhan. Moreover, since the Battle Court was no good either, destroying it would mean Gu An was thoroughly erasing the causality left by Long Zhan.


    The Battle Court was created by Long Zhan, and Long Qing was his only descendant. Gu An felt it necessary to reverse this bad karma.


    Besides, if he did not intervene, the Celestial Spirit Great World would probably not withstand the Battle Court''s assault, which was not something he wanted to see.


    Gu An looked up at the night sky, his divine sense locking onto Ye Tianji, as he examined the deeper causality of the Battle Court.


    The Battle Court that had descended upon the Celestial Spirit Great World was merely a branch, just as the Silent Destruction God Emperor before it¡ªthe real Battle Court was being blocked outside the World Gate.


    If Gu An were to destroy this branch of the Battle Court, then it would mean a fight to the death with the real Battle Court.


    To this, he was not afraid; what he dreaded was only the group of Immortal Gods, not the Battle Court.


    "The causes that arise from me shall be eradicated by me."


    Gu An looked at the night sky, thinking so, his face as calm as ever.


    ...


    In the void, atop a grand palace.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister trembled as they looked at the terrifying giant hand above the Celestial Spirit Great World. They had no will to fight in the face of such a hand, only a sense of despair.


    Even though the Yang Immortal Emperor had glimpsed such a vision in the Celestial Dao Golden Core, when he saw it for real, he was chilled to the bone.


    How vast was the Celestial Spirit Great World, yet it seemed insignificant before this colossal hand.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor turned his head, looking at Ye Tianji, and with gritted teeth asked, "Who exactly are you all, and from where have you come? If you want us dead, can you at least let us die in the know?"


    Ye Tianji''s right hand was half raised. Upon closer examination, his hand''s shape was identical to the giant hand above the Celestial Spirit Great World, intensifying the pressure on the Yang Immortal Emperor.


    Facing the Yang Immortal Emperor''s inquiry, Ye Tianji sneered, "Then I shall satisfy your curiosity. We come from the Battle Court; my name is Ye Tianji, and I possess the power to discern heavenly secrets. The destinies of both of you lay clear before my eyes; you are destined to die, without even the hope of reincarnation."


    The Battle Court!


    The Saint Minister seemed to remember something, his eyes revealing a horrified expression.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor, however, fell silent¡ªnot that he had chosen to surrender without a fight, but because a domineering power suppressed him, leaving him immobilized.


    All he could do now was wait for his death; he didn''t even dare to use the power of the Celestial Dao Golden Core, fearing Ye Tianji would detect its existence.


    "Hmm? Finally found it, it really was under the care of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable."


    Ye Tianji suddenly said, redirecting the thoughts of the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Saint Minister.


    The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable became the only hope in their minds; they clung to this lifeline like drowning individuals, their eyes lighting up.


    Ye Tianji then lifted his left hand, reaching toward the palm of his right.


    But at that moment, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, causing his heart to jolt violently, and his pupils to dilate. In his view, the Yang Immortal Emperor suddenly grew larger¡ªnot just the Yang Immortal Emperor but everything around became enlarged.


    No!


    It was he who had shrunk!


    His gaze drifted sideways unconsciously, and from the corner of his eye, he saw a figure shrouded in a dark purple Demonic Qi; it was this figure''s hand pressing down on his shoulder, shrinking him to the size of a mortal.


    The Battle Court beings around the grand palace turned their gaze to him, figures appearing out of thin air before Ye Tianji, surrounding Gu An who had performed the Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body.


    The Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body was a transformation of the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, possessing an even greater mystery and creation. Gu An had chosen to appear in this form, wishing to intervene under the identity of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    He was unconcerned about being surrounded by nine Profound Yuan Free Immortals.


    Even if he stood still, those nine Profound Yuan Free Immortals wouldn''t be able to breach the defense of the Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body!


    Gu An''s eyes settled on Ye Tianji.


    [Ye Tianji (Late Stage of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm): 1,209,827,298/30,000,000,000/50,000,000,000]


    A twelve-billion-year existence!


    A life span of thirty billion years!


    Not too bad, worth taking action for!


    Gu An''s gaze flickered towards the nine Venerable Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortals around him, only to discover that he could not conduct Life Span Detection on them. That indicated these nine were not their true forms; their auras seemed just like that of Living Spirits.


    No wonder those nine suns connected to other universes. They were merely some special power transmission channels. For their true bodies to come here, they probably needed to pass through a World Gate.


    Seeing Ye Tianji shrink, Yang Immortal Emperor was momentarily stunned and then saw Gu An''s figure.


    "Supporting Dao Sword Venerable!"


    Yang Immortal Emperor became excited, ecstatic with joy.


    The distant Saint Minister followed his gaze, equally surprised.


    His senior had indeed taken action!


    Ye Tianji glanced at Gu An with a taut heart that gradually calmed and coldly said, "Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, you truly have taken action. What exactly is your relationship with the Long Clan?"


    The nine Venerable Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortals all around emitted black gas, their true faces obscured, as mysterious as Gu An. They didn''t speak, but their mana had already formed a Barrier to prevent Gu An from escaping. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An could even feel their invisible power attempting to probe the surface of his Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body, but they simply could not achieve it.


    "I have said, do not involve All Living Beings. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from," Gu An''s voice sounded, hoarse and ice-cold, with utmost killing intent that brought Ye Tianji''s recently stabilized emotions of terror surging back.


    Ye Tianji felt the same as Yang Immortal Emperor.


    Unable to move!


    Mana nearly solidified inside!


    How could this be!


    Could it be that he has surpassed the Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortal Realm?


    Ye Tianji suddenly sensed danger. He had estimated Gu An to the highest degree, yet Gu An was even more powerful than he had anticipated.


    What brought Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortal to this shattered Great Thousand World?


    Ye Tianji couldn''t understand, and at the same time, he felt Gu An had no relation to the Long Clan. The Long Clan did not possess such a powerful being; if they did, how could they end up in such a plight?


    In an instant, he thought of many possibilities, even considering Gu An as an enemy of the Battle Court.


    "Fellow Daoist, do you truly wish to oppose the Battle Court?"


    "With such cultivation level, hidden in the shattered Great Thousand World, for what reason?"


    "The descendants of the Long Clan aren''t worth your concealment here, could it be that you came for the Celestial Dao Golden Core?"


    "Laughable, for the sake of All Living Beings? If All Living Beings aren''t here, why the pretense?"


    The surrounding nine Venerable Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortals spoke in succession, their tones full of hostility.


    In their view, Gu An did not come to protect All Living Beings but purely aimed to interfere with the actions of the Battle Court.


    Gu An slowly raised his head, looking down upon them.


    Boom!


    A golden light burst forth from within him, in an instant scattering the nine Venerable Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortals!


    Dao-Protecting Divine Essence!


    And he had unleashed it with the full force of the Perfected Profound Yuan Self-Free Immortal Realm ¨C enough to disperse these not-true-form beings!


    The black gas exploded, drifting in front of Ye Tianji, whose pupils suddenly shrank, his face revealing disbelief.


    The Battle Court powerhouses around the grand hall were also scared, retreating en masse, distancing themselves from the grand hall, including the man with double wings who had previously battled with Yang Immortal Emperor, not daring to get close.


    Gu An looked down, gazing at Ye Tianji, and said, "Is this what you''re proud of, your Battle Court?"


    Ye Tianji, enveloped by fear that penetrated his Dao Heart, opened his mouth to speak when a terrifying karmic force came from all around, instantly annihilating him.


    Physical form annihilated, soul and spirit scattered, even his karma wiped clean!


    The entire void fell silent at once.


    Yang Immortal Emperor, looking up at Gu An standing high, was dumbstruck, his body trembling nonstop.


    The Saint Minister was equally shaken. When Ye Tianji''s oppressive force suddenly vanished, he collapsed to the ground, his gaze fixed upon Gu An, as if a Mortal Spirit looked up to a God.

 Chapter 498 Sword Against Sword, the Time-Transcending Struggle of Sword Dao

    "You have successfully seized 2,809,837,622 years of lifespan from Ye Tianji (Profound Yuan Free Immortal, Late Stage)"


    Looking at the prompt before him, Gu An''s mood improved, and he looked up.


    The warriors from the Battle Court maintained their distance, staring incredulously at the grand temple.


    Ye Tianji had vanished directly under Gu An''s hand, making it feel surreal for them; in their minds, Ye Tianji was so powerful, how could he have died so easily?


    It wasn''t until the giant hand above the Celestial Spirit Great World suddenly dissipated that the warriors of the Battle Court snapped back to reality.


    "Our lord has fallen!"


    "How is that possible, who is he exactly?"


    "And those Divine Envoys too..."


    "Bad news! Run!"


    "It can''t be¡­ absolutely impossible¡­"


    The Battle Court exploded into chaos, with many warriors promptly fleeing.


    Gu An''s right foot shifted slightly, and in an instant, several warriors from the Battle Court burst apart, turning into mist of blood that spread across the void.


    Since he was taking action, how could he not earn some more lifespan?


    However, he wouldn''t kill all these creatures from the Battle Court; doing so would seem like a vendetta. He wanted to continue maintaining the image of someone acting on behalf of all beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Randomly selecting a few creatures from the Battle Court to eliminate was an unfortunate fate that befell them!


    One prompt after another appeared before Gu An, making his mood even more delightful.


    Protecting all living beings while profiting himself, how could he not be pleased?


    Yang Immortal Emperor and Saint Minister still stood in place¡ªdespondent as the warriors of their Battle Court were so easily defeated in front of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, they felt both excitement and despair.


    They thought about their own ambitions and previous schemes, and suddenly felt how ridiculous their past selves were.


    At the same time, they admired Supporting Dao Sword Venerable even more; possessing such strength yet still interacting gently with them demonstrated a powerful attitude of kindness towards the weaker.


    Soon, the void fell into silence again.


    Gu An felt many powerful Divine Senses sweep across but quickly withdraw; this battle eventually did alarm some beings of Great Power in the depths of the universe, yet no one dared provoke Gu An. They even regretted their curiosity, fearing being targeted by Gu An.


    Without interacting with Yang Immortal Emperor and the other, Gu An soared up, collecting nine suns into the palm of his hand, and then headed towards the depths of the universe.


    The creatures of the Celestial Spirit Great World returned to daylight, and as the oppressive terror enveloping the world vanished, they began to communicate, discussing what exactly had happened.


    Even without clear understanding of the events, they felt like they had narrowly escaped a disaster.


    Long Qing was still kneeling on the ground, holding his head with both hands, gasping heavily in extreme agony. Eventually, people noticed his condition and gathered around; even An Xin was drawn over.


    Watching Supporting Dao Sword Venerable disappear into the depths of the universe, Saint Minister approached Yang Immortal Emperor, frowning, "Has he left?"


    Yang Immortal Emperor glanced at him, asking, "Why do you say that?"


    "Supreme Sect is widely spreading that Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is leaving them. It''s been over a hundred years since he last returned, this time¡­" Saint Minister hesitated; he had spies within Supreme Sect and thoroughly knew their every affair.


    On hearing this, Yang Immortal Emperor frowned.


    Standing in Gu An''s place, he too felt that Gu An might grow weary.


    From his understanding, Gu An was indeed a Great Cultivator who lived in seclusion and coveted nothing.


    Just the thought of such a Great Power leaving the Celestial Spirit Great World made him feel uneasy inevitably.


    Could the Reincarnation Phenomenon from a few days ago portend an even more terrible calamity?


    Both Yang Immortal Emperor and Saint Minister fell into silence while the grand temple of the Battle Court completely submerged into darkness, losing all light.


    In the darkness, Saint Minister mournfully said, "Regardless of whether he leaves or not, his deeds today must be known to all. That so-called Heavenly Dao has never helped us; only he has shouldered everything."


    Even though Yang Immortal Emperor, endowed with the Celestial Dao Golden Core power, harbored no fondness for the so-called Heavenly Dao, he replied, "I think so too, even if he does not return, even if we eventually face the end, at least while we are alive, we should be grateful to him."


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    ...


    In the dark void, Gu An stepped forward, toying with nine Golden Pearls in his hand¡ªthese were the previous nine suns, encapsulated with an abundance of Power of the Great Dao.


    He was washing away the causality within them.


    His journey deep into the universe was not to deliberately mislead the two Yang Immortal Emperor, but for other reasons.


    He halted his stride and said, "You''ve been watching for a long time, isn''t it time to show yourself?"


    As his words fell, a silver-blue Sword Qi appeared through the thick Heavenly Dao mist ahead, swiftly transforming into a human figure.


    This was a man dressed in a blue Daoist robe, with hair white as frost, a crown atop his head resembling a sword scabbard, his back against the darkness, emitting an ancient and vicissitudinous aura; his gaze was exceedingly sharp, standing there like an eternal Divine Sword, immortal through the ages.


    [Sword God (Early Stage of Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm): 0/0/0]


    Hmm?


    Age, current Life Span, and maximum Life Span all zero.


    Either it''s a flesh-and-blood avatar or not a living being, similar in nature to Divine Exotic Ghost King, bereft of life span and freedom, bound to some formidable power in exchange for eternal life.


    Gu An stared at the Sword God, feeling somewhat sentimental.


    This Sword God was precisely Yang Xian''s disciple, Yang Ping''an.


    Compared to the Yang Ping''an of reincarnation memories, this Sword God was more vicissitudinous, radiating a twilight aura, yet his Sword Intent in his eyes was stronger than what Gu An remembered of him.


    In a sense, Yang Ping''an had surpassed Yang Xian, who died only as a Profound Yuan Free Immortal.


    Yang Xian, a three hundred thousand-year-old Profound Yuan Free Immortal, thinking back, his Talent was terrifying to the extreme, even without relying on evolved Life Span.


    Not to mention Celestial Spirit God, the Sword God Yang Ping''an was the first Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Gu An had encountered!


    Gu An had earlier sensed Yang Ping''an''s Sword Qi, albeit fleetingly.


    Reencountering his former disciple in a past life, Gu An''s feelings were complex.


    The Sword God raised his right hand, using his finger as a sword, Sword Qi spilling from the tip; he stared at Gu An and said, "Your Sword Dao is strong, the opponent I''ve been seeking."


    Gu An, maintaining his Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body, the Sword God unable to see his expression, confusedly asked, "Opponent?"


    "I traverse the Great Thousand World, seeking strong Sword Dao practitioners, all to achieve the strongest Sword Dao, and you, are qualified to be my opponent."


    The Sword God''s tone was devoid of emotion, but as his words concluded, a vast Sword Intent enveloped the void. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An distinctly felt the Celestial Spirit God beneath the World Gate open its eyes, staring at them.


    The previous commotion at the Battle Court failed to attract the Celestial Spirit God, but the Sword God''s Sword Intent did stir Yin Immortal, enough to prove the Sword God''s might.


    Such domineering Sword Intent!


    Gu An raised his right hand, and the Celestial Star Sword granted by Li Ya appeared in his grasp.


    This sword, regarded as a Divine Weapon in the Mortal World, was less sturdy here than a meteor, yet as Gu An''s Sword Qi covered the blade, this sword from the Mortal World became the sharpest sword in the universe.


    The Sword God''s expression subtly changed, and for some reason, he felt a sense of familiarity emanating from Gu An.


    He lowered his right hand, Sword Qi directed downward, as if holding a sword.


    The void dimmed, the Great Dao mist surged, their confrontation causing fluctuations in the space.


    "Let me see how strong you''ve become after enduring such long eras."


    That was what Gu An thought; Yang Xian''s only wish before death was to spar with his disciple to elevate his Sword Dao, unfortunately, the Celestial Spirit God hadn''t given him the chance.


    "You remind me of someone from the past, I will not hold back." The Sword God spoke, his Sword Intent suddenly erupting.


    The surrounding Great Dao mist was instantly obliterated, absolute darkness threatening to engulf them, yet unable to swallow their sword light.


    Sword against sword, this was a confrontation of Sword Dao across the ages!

 Chapter 499 Establishing a Dojo

    When the Sword God''s Sword Intent erupted, Gu An glimpsed into his past through it.


    During the lengthy ages, that series of peak sword battles continuously pushed the Sword God''s Sword Dao to even higher levels.


    After defeating an opponent, he would devour their Sword Dao, thereby enhancing his own Sword Dao.


    The Sword God raised his right hand, pointing his Sword Qi at Gu An from afar. In an instant, countless sword shadows appeared from the darkness behind him, radiating different Sword Intents like a starry sky suddenly alight. The vast sword light shone on Gu An, yet it could not expel the Demonic Qi emanating from his Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body.


    Gu An then raised his sword, pointing the Celestial Star Sword directly at the Sword God.


    As he lifted his sword, an incredibly grandiose silver sword shadow appeared behind him, rapidly solidifying, colossal as the heavens and the earth. If one were to move the Celestial Spirit Great World over, they would find it to be only half as long as this sword.


    Eternal Infinite Divine Sword!


    The ultimate Swordsmanship evolved from the Li Family Swordsmanship!


    Gu An did not use Yang Xian''s Sacred Heart Sword Dao, fearing the Sword God would recognize it.


    Even without the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, he was confident he could defeat the Sword God.


    Even if they were at the same realm!


    Having merged the memories of Long Zhan, Lu Han, Jue, and Yang Xian from past lives, Gu An had effectively become these individuals. Coupled with his own Lifespan Evolution investment, his strength was unfathomably profound.


    Apart from the unsolvable Jue, within the same realm, Gu An felt it very unlikely for him to lose, especially since he was not in the same realm as the Sword God.


    The imposing Sword Intent of the Eternal Infinite Divine Sword was like the universe''s sharpest will, causing the Sword God to furrow his brow slightly.


    The Sword God did not underestimate Gu An, but he was still frightened by Gu An''s Sword Intent.


    "What is the name of this Sword Dao?" the Sword God asked.


    "Eternal Infinite Divine Sword."


    Gu An pointed his sword at him, and the Eternal Infinite Divine Sword in its state of simplicity and truth burst forth with a dazzling bright light, illuminating half the universe''s void.


    After the Sword God muttered "Eternal Infinite Divine Sword," he promptly waved his hand, and his Sword Qi slashed out. The endless sword shadows behind him also erupted into vast Sword Qi, sweeping toward Gu An.


    Meanwhile,


    The Celestial Spirit Great World had just regained sunlight and began to tremble, and the beings who had survived the calamity were once again startled, particularly the Sword Cultivators of the world and the Jianghu Swordsmen, whose swords buzzed ceaselessly as if ready to unsheathe at any moment.


    Jue Luo Sword Monarch, who was pondering the Theory of Heaven, looked up in disbelief.


    "What a domineering Sword Dao... and there are actually two..." he murmured to himself. His Divine Sense quickly reached out into the universe, but his Divine Sense retracted soon after, and his right hand followed to clutch his chest.


    His Sword Dao had rebounded!


    Had his reaction not been fast enough, his Sword Dao might very well have disintegrated.


    Though he could not see the figures of Gu An and the Sword God, he could only see the two vast Sword Daos.


    Even without seeing the masters of the Sword Daos, Jue Luo Sword Monarch guessed.


    It must be the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable and the Sword God!


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    He had previously guessed that the Sword God had come to this universe, but now that the two were actually clashing, he was again astonished.


    What level of achievement in Sword Dao was needed to possess such vast momentum?


    The celestial phenomenon lasted for less than ten breaths, and the heavens and earth quickly returned to calm. However, the beings did not dare take it lightly and remained tense, fearing a greater catastrophe might descend.


    Elsewhere,


    In the woods,


    Gu An sat on a rock by the stream, pulling up his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 2,144/7,907,228,501]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Innate Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ...


    Seventy-nine billion years of life span!


    Before today, his life span had only been one billion years, and now it had soared by seventy-eight billion years in one breath.


    Thanks to the Battle Court!


    Gu An felt grateful in his heart. It was still through killing enemies that life span came quickly. Before, he had accumulated a life span of one hundred billion years, which had taken him so many years.


    However, he was just thinking about it and would not go on a killing spree as a result. The lessons from Lifespan Reincarnation were already abundant. The reason he could grow steadily to this day was that he had concealed his ability to seize life span.


    He even suspected that Silent Destruction God Emperor was so obsessed with the Long Clan precisely because Long Zhan grew stronger through slaughter. Perhaps the Silent Destruction God Emperor thought that members of the Long Clan could rapidly become stronger through killing, which was why he continuously possessed the descendants of the Long Clan.


    Gu An then thought of the Sword God he had just clashed with.


    To prevent his identity from being exposed, Gu An had severely injured the Sword God. After the Sword God escaped, he would probably need many years to recover, but at least he would not die.


    Whether it was the identity of Long Zhan or Yang Xian, Gu An did not want to expose any of them.


    Lifespan Reincarnation was much more advanced than any reincarnations he had come into contact with so far. Lifespan Reincarnation could project into the past, the future, and even alter destiny, which was terrifying.


    Should this matter be exposed, Gu An would undoubtedly attract the wariness of more powerful beings.


    He saw the Sword God enter the River of Sword Dao and disappear.


    The River of Sword Dao, the River of Destiny, the River of Time, and others were all existences independent of the universe, accessible only through the Great Dao. They were dangerous and mysterious, and whether they could lead to other universes was still hard to say. Perhaps the Sword God had come through the River of Sword Dao.


    But Gu An felt that the World Gates were not for show. To cross universes, one always had to get past the Celestial Spirit God.


    Time passed quickly in Gu An''s thoughts.


    An hour later, all the beings of heaven and earth finally relaxed. Although they did not know what had happened, the return of tranquility to the world was a good thing. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a little less than half an hour, Yi Xiaoliang and his four companions finally arrived at the agreed-upon location. When they saw Gu An, they were all pleasantly surprised and immediately rushed over.


    Three youths burst into tears on the spot, having been scared out of their wits by the sudden darkness that had fallen over the world.


    Gu An watched them with a smile and did not comfort them, letting them vent on their own.


    Yi Xiaoliang turned to Gu An and asked, "Immortal, do you know why the sky suddenly darkened earlier?"


    Gu An shook his head and said, "How would I know? I only know a little about the art of Immortal Cultivation. You really think I''m an Immortal? This world is much bigger than you think. It will be more interesting for you to explore on your own than to ask me."


    Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaoliang fell into endless daydreams.


    Once they had calmed down, Gu An began to teach them the method of Qi Refinement. The talents of these five were not bad; in less than half a day, all had cultivated a thread of Spiritual Power.


    It was not until evening that Gu An let them go back.


    Compared to their first farewell, the five felt more relaxed, believing that Gu An truly intended to teach them.


    After watching them disappear into the depths of the forest, Gu An headed in the opposite direction.


    With one step, he arrived thousands of miles away. This place was rarely tread by mortals, abundant in Spiritual Energy, with more plant demons than beast demons.


    Gu An arrived at the top of a high mountain. He stood on the edge of a cliff, his mind moved, and he began to create the Life Span Dojo.


    [Please choose the range of your Dojo]


    A prompt appeared, and Gu An instantly made a decision.


    He marked off an area with a radius of five thousand miles in one go.


    [You will need to consume 500,000,000 years of life span. Would you like to continue?]


    Five hundred million years of life span, not too bad, acceptable!


    Gu An was actually afraid that this thing would consume a huge amount of life span, even an endless amount.


    If that were the case, he could only give up on the Life Span Dojo.


    As his thoughts concluded, he distinctly felt the space fluctuating. At the same time, a vast amount of memories flooded into his mind; he could control everything in the Dojo as easily as he could his own hands.


    Moreover, he needed to store life spans in the Dojo to fend off powerful enemies. The maximum defensive strength of the Dojo equaled his Cultivation Level, and with each assault it encountered, a corresponding amount of life span would be deducted.


    Gu An hesitated for a moment before storing ten billion years of life span in the Dojo.


    In the Celestial Spirit Great World, there would be no one capable of attacking his Dojo. The reason he stored ten billion years of life span was just in case.

 Chapter 500 The Person Who Should Not Exist, Celestial Court

    After establishing the dojo, Gu An immediately teleported the World-Excluding Cave Heaven into place, setting it underground.


    The dojo was a spherical space, buried in the soil, reaching up to the sky. Gu An deliberately placed most of the space beneath the ground, so the underground area was larger than that above.


    After moving the World-Excluding Cave Heaven, he didn''t proceed to relocate the Eight Scenic Cave Heavens but instead called out the three Celestial Demon Child sisters.


    The three sisters passed through the ground, and as soon as they emerged, they were captivated by the surrounding mountainous scenery. Their eyes widened as they looked around.


    Standing at the edge of the cliff, overlooking them, Gu An said, "From now on, the land within a thousand miles is my dojo. You will all live with me here in the dojo from this day forward."


    Upon hearing this, the three sisters were overjoyed, as they could finally live with Gu An every day.


    "In a few days, others will come. You won''t be alone. If you wish to go out for a walk, I won''t stop you, just don''t go too far."


    Gu An''s next words piqued their curiosity even more. For over two thousand years, they hadn''t met any other beings, but now they eagerly anticipated meeting new people.


    The three sisters immediately flew to Gu An''s side, chirping away with endless questions.


    Gu An answered patiently, his face brimming with smiles. Seeing them so happy made him feel content as well.


    Fifteen billion years of lifespan had not been spent in vain!


    ...


    In the following days, Gu An moved the Eight Scenic Cave Heavens and Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords from the Third Medicine Valley, taking An Xin, Blood Prison Great Saint, and White Spirit Rat with him.


    Afterward, he went back to the Profound Valley alone, summoning Jiang Shi and An Shengtian to inform them of his departure and prepare to disperse the disciples of the Profound Valley.


    As soon as the teacher and disciple heard this, they immediately knelt down and begged Gu An to take them with him.


    Gu An feigned hesitation before asking if they were willing to give up their freedom; both agreed.


    Gu An deliberately waited a few days to allow the two to dismiss the disciples. After all the disciples had left, Gu An then teleported the entire Profound Valley away.


    Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had departed!


    This event eventually spread within the Supreme Sect, causing a significant stir.


    The Third Medicine Valley also experienced a brief tumult, with Long Qing taking over as Valley Master to prevent the disciples from feeling disheartened.


    The Supreme Sect''s higher-ups began to ingratiate themselves with Long Qing, believing that he would become a go-between with Gu An.


    Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was sure to return!


    Meanwhile, the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty announced the truth about the calamity from a few days prior to all the world''s people. The words "Battle Court" spread rapidly, and Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s merits were widely publicized.


    In this era where the Heavenly Dao was the ultimate truth, the name Supporting Dao Sword Venerable made beings feel it was even stronger and more trustworthy than the Heavenly Dao for the first time.


    One evening.


    Shen Zhen stood on the cliff, gazing at the still-bustling Third Medicine Valley with her eyebrows furrowed and eyes filled with grievances.


    Beneath her veil, she bit her lip, silent.


    "What are you thinking about?"


    A familiar voice came from behind, startling Shen Zhen as she swiftly turned around. Upon seeing Gu An, her eyes sparkled with surprise.


    "How... how are you here?" Shen Zhen began to express her joy, but she held back, asking with a scoffing tone instead.


    Gu An smiled inquisitively, "I feel my dojo lacks a scribe. Without her writing, the dojo would be quite dull. Would you like to come?"


    Shen Zhen''s eyes immediately crinkled in laughter. She put her hands on her hips and asked, "You still have a dojo? Aren''t you leaving this Great Heaven and Earth?"


    "Yes, I am leaving, far, far away. Would you like to come with me? If you''re unwilling, I won''t insist." Gu An was amused by her posture.


    He could hear her heart speaking. The girl felt greatly wronged internally¡ªshe even muttered some things that gave him goosebumps.


    "You came to invite me personally, so I have to go," Shen Zhen raised her chin in pride.


    "Do you need to say goodbye to your family?"


    "Forget it, I''ve been away for two thousand years; our bond has long since been severed. They haven''t written to me in a thousand years."


    Shen Zhen said nonchalantly. Hearing this, Gu An didn''t ask further and simply waved his sleeve, taking her away.


    A breeze blew past, leaving no trace of their footsteps.


    Shen Zhen only felt darkness before her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was still standing on a mountain, but the scenery in front had changed abruptly.


    She just happened to witness An Shengtian and Blood Prison Great Saint''s sparring figures, battling fiercely in the sky, casting various spells with ease, a truly spectacular sight.


    The wind stirred up by their combat blew her veil, causing her eyes to widen involuntarily.


    "Elder Shen, you came too?" A voice of surprise came through, only to see An Xin appear out of thin air beside Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen turned her head to look at An Xin and was secretly astonished.


    Such quick speed!


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    Suddenly, she found An Xin gave her an unfathomable feeling.


    She subconsciously looked back at Gu An, relieved to see that he was still there.


    It''s not an Illusion Realm!


    "An Xin, take care of her."


    Gu An dropped these words and then turned and left, preparing to make a trip to the North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    Shen Zhen just wanted to speak when Gu An disappeared on the spot.


    An Xin covered her mouth and laughed, "Stop staring, your eyes will fall out. In the future, you''ll see him day and night until you grow tired of it."


    Shen Zhen turned her head to look at her, unable to refrain from asking, "What place is this exactly?"


    The setting sun was desolate and beautiful, with strong winds rising. An Xin turned and looked toward the distant continuous mountains, her gaze becoming evasive.


    "This is master''s dojo; he calls it Wushi."


    ...


    Under the starry sky, the mountains undulated, the hills were covered with white bones, devoid of flowers, grass, or trees.


    A Sword Qi suddenly appeared on the hillside, followed by the figure of the Sword God, who sat cross-legged, surrounded by sword shadows; his face was deathly pale, with even golden cracks appearing, as if it were about to split open at any moment.


    "You failed?"


    An old voice sounded, echoing through the mountains, lingering for a long time.


    The Sword God remained silent, his eyes tightly shut, clearly enduring immense pain.


    "Eternal Infinite Divine Sword? Such a domineering Sword Intent. However, this Sword Dao still doesn''t compare to yours; it''s only that the man''s strength is greater than yours. This difference in Sword Dao is insurmountable."


    The old voice sounded again, filled with emotion.


    Not long after his words fell, an elder clad in a white robe with white hair appeared behind the Sword God. He was barefoot, emanating a faint white light as if he were an Immortal ready to ascend at any moment.


    He raised his right hand, extending two fingers, touching the back of the Sword God''s neck.


    The Sword God''s clothes began to flutter violently, as Sword Qi surged from the starry sky, like a tornado pouring into the Sword God''s body.


    "Eh?"


    The white-haired elder uttered in surprise, seemingly sensing something.


    The Sword God opened his eyes, asking, "What? Even you can''t drive it away?"


    The white-haired elder spoke, "Though I cannot see its form, I can confirm, this is Lu Qiuxian''s Dao Destruction Destiny Seal. That person must have a connection with Lu Qiuxian."


    The Sword God frowned, his eyes full of confusion.


    "Lu Qiuxian, like you, is attached to the River of the Great Dao. However, he is even older than you. Who knows how many destinies are intertwined in his long life? It''s normal that you can''t calculate it." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The white-haired elder spoke with a sense of loss, but then a smile appeared on his face, asking, "Encountering such a Sword Dao master is a good thing for you. You''ve won too many times; it''s about time you lost. At least this time your opponent didn''t finish you. From their Sword Intent, it would not be difficult to completely destroy you."


    The Sword God took a deep breath and said, "I know. I don''t hold a grudge against him; it''s just that he makes me feel like a person, like someone who shouldn''t exist."


    The white-haired elder couldn''t help but shake his head, speaking, "Your master died a long time ago, why be so obsessed with him still?"


    "No, you don''t understand. I have a feeling that although my master is dead, he still exists. The strengthening Sacred Heart Sword Dao in the River of Sword Dao is the best proof."


    The Sword God looked up at the starry sky, his gaze unwaveringly firm.


    The white-haired elder sighed, no longer speaking.


    After a while,


    The Sword God withdrew his gaze, asking, "A Celestial Dao Golden Core has appeared in the shattered Celestial Spirit Great World. It''s very likely left by the Celestial Spirit Ancestor. Don''t you wish to resurrect? This is an opportunity."


    The white-haired elder laughed softly, "The Celestial Spirit Ancestor''s Golden Core is not easy to take. Do you think the Celestial Spirit God stands guard there for nothing? The so-called Celestial Dao Golden Core is just bait. After so many eras, I didn''t expect the Celestial Court to still not give up."

 Chapter 501 Thousand Years, Ten Thousand Years

    The morning sun penetrated the mountain forest, shining on the stream, sparkling with light.


    Gu An still sat on that rock, a year had passed since he left the Supreme Sect, and the Daoist Field of the Beginningless was already filled with various grades of medicinal herbs. It wouldn''t take many years before his yearly income from life span would increase, surpassing the peak would not be difficult.


    An Xin, Shen Zhen, and others also began to cultivate in seclusion, and Gu An taught Yi Xiaoliang and the other four each day outside the dojo.


    Yi Xiaoliang and his group had to climb mountains and wade through waters back and forth every day. Initially, it was very tough, but after a year of cultivation, they had grown accustomed to it, even considering this journey as part of their cultivation.


    While waiting for them, Gu An was watching Zhen Qin.


    Since Ye Lan passed away, Zhen Qin had been continuously gaining experience and opportunities outside, yet, regrettably, she was still about to face her life''s limit.


    And she was still a long way from reaching the Nirvana Realm.


    Zhen Qin seemed to sense her Celestial Mandate, preparing to take revenge on the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    The death of Su Han had always been a thorn in Zhen Qin''s heart; her reason to cultivate was also to avenge her senior brother.


    "Su Han, oh Su Han, you thought you were being kind, but have you ever considered that due to your kindness, your junior sister would carry a millennium of vengeance until her death?"


    Gu An murmured to himself, lamenting human nature and fate.


    Su Han''s corpse had long been moved by him from the Nianchu Cave Mansion to the World-Excluding Cave Heaven, currently resting in a cave within the dojo.


    His soul had gone with the Reincarnation long ago, but since his corpse was well-preserved, Gu An could use causality to seek his reincarnated soul.


    He hadn''t wanted to do so, but seeing that Zhen Qin was about to reach her end, he was considering whether to fulfill his disciple''s regret.


    Just as Gu An was pondering this, a piercing sound came.


    Young Yi Xiaoliang, a year older, charged forward with a wooden sword, swooping like a bird through the forest.


    Gu An raised his hand, circled around his own neck, and caught the tip of the wooden sword between his fingers.


    Yi Xiaoliang was forcibly stopped, landed on his feet, and subconsciously fell backward.


    He looked up at Gu An and shook his numbing right hand, exclaiming, "Master, you are so powerful, are you a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator?"


    Gu An stood up, taking the wooden sword in hand, and chuckled, "You found out. With your little skill, you still think of ambushing your master?"


    Yi Xiaoliang straightened his neck and said, "What do you mean by ambush? I just wanted to show Master my cultivation progress."


    At that time, the other four also arrived, bowing to Gu An.


    Gu An taught them not only cultivation techniques but also proper etiquette and the principles of conducting oneself. In just one year, he had imbued these five with a spirit of chivalry.


    Even with their cultivation levels and spells, the five did not bully the common people. Instead, they supported the weak and opposed the strong; they had already gained a good reputation within a hundred miles of their hometown.


    Seeing that everyone had arrived, Gu An tossed the wooden sword to Yi Xiaoliang, saying, "Today I will teach you the Sword Control Technique."


    Upon hearing this, the five were not very excited, as the Sword Control Technique did not sound like a very formidable spell, especially since they practiced sword fighting regularly.


    Gu An saw their lack of interest but did not say much, instead just began teaching the mantra.


    ...


    Inside the Mysterious Space, Yang Immortal Emperor walked towards the Celestial Dao Golden Core, looking at the majestic and spectacular Celestial Dao Golden Core, his eyes not as fervent as before.


    After the disaster of the Battle Court, he felt that the Celestial Dao Golden Core could not grant him power to dominate everything, and Heaven had no intention of saving all living beings.


    Whether it was the Immortal Dynasty or the Holy Court, most people felt a sense of mission to bear the destiny of all living beings. From the moment they stepped onto the Path of Cultivation, they had done both good and evil, but all felt that as long as they were powerful, they had to protect all living beings.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor felt the same; he believed he was destined to be the Lord of Heaven and Earth and must protect all living beings.


    He approached An Hao, who was still meditating, comprehending the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    "Your master has left," Yang Immortal Emperor spoke.


    Upon hearing this, An Hao immediately opened his eyes and looked at the Yang Immortal Emperor, furrowing his brows.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor continued, "He took a few of his disciples and left the Celestial Spirit Great World, and your junior sister was also taken with him."


    Hearing this, An Hao''s tight brows relaxed, and he asked, "It''s good that he left. This world is becoming more chaotic. My master can save Heaven and Earth once or twice, but he can''t always interfere, or sooner or later, someone stronger than him will come. With junior sister following him, I can truly rest assured."


    Yang Immortal Emperor shifted his gaze to the Celestial Dao Golden Core and said, "An Hao, I suddenly feel that this Golden Core doesn''t represent the Heavenly Dao."


    An Hao looked at him, the firelight of the Celestial Dao Golden Light shining on his face, his expression complex.


    "So, what do you intend to do?" An Hao asked.


    He didn''t believe in the Heavenly Dao either¡ªhe pursued the Celestial Dao Golden Core just to rapidly become stronger. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The world''s situation was unpredictable, and despite his strong talent, he also felt a sense of urgency.


    If he were to die on the Path of Cultivation, in a thousand, ten thousand years, no one in the world would remember him. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Yang Immortal Emperor slowly said, "I want to contend for the Theory of Heaven."


    After hearing this, An Hao fell into silence.


    The mysterious space fell silent along with them, stretching their shadows long.


    ...


    Seasons changed from spring to autumn, and five years swiftly passed.


    The dojo was vast, but few lived there, and each day was quiet, which helped calm Gu An''s heart.


    Every day, teaching Yi Xiaoliang and the other four, planting flowers and picking herbs, writing books, practicing calligraphy¡ªGu An didn''t find it boring at all. Instead, he felt fulfilled.


    Five years passed, and Yi Xiaoliang and the four others had all reached adulthood and successfully reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    In the scorching summer, within the forest, beside a little stream.


    Gu An looked at the grown-up five and felt that time indeed flew by.


    "Master, I want to change my name and be called Yi Qingshan from now on," Yi Xiaoliang suddenly said, and the other four spoke as well.


    "I want to change too, my name will be Lin Chuan."


    "My name will be Cheng Meng."


    "I want to change my surname too, call me Gu Changsheng."


    "You shameless, well then, I also want the surname Gu, Gu Chengdao."


    Listening to their words, Gu An smiled helplessly and didn''t stop them.


    As the five changed their names, their fates too changed accordingly, Gu An saw their futures.


    Gu An cleared his throat and said, "You have all established your foundations. In a few years, you will surpass your teacher, and I do not wish to be surpassed. Don''t come here anymore; go and seek a broader path towards Immortality."


    Hearing this, Yi Qingshan and the others fell silent. They did not argue; in fact, they had wanted to leave for the last two years because they had come into contact with cultivators from the Immortal Cultivation Realm and knew how vast it was, making their hearts yearn for it.


    "Master, we..." Cheng Meng couldn''t help but speak.


    Before she could finish, Gu An raised his hand and said, "No need for filial gestures. I came here to isolate myself from the world to cultivate in peace. You have disturbed me for so many years, isn''t it time to let me go?"


    Yi Qingshan immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Gu An, the other four quickly following suit.


    Looking at Yi Qingshan, Gu An thought of Lu Jiujia.


    Lu Jiujia''s figure merged with Yi Xiaoliang''s, transforming into a new person.


    Gu An was not sad; he smiled and accepted their kowtows.


    Yi Qingshan stood up and said, "Once a teacher, forever a father. When we Ascend to Immortality and achieve the Dao, we will definitely come back to repay you."


    The others promised as well, and Gu An waved them off with feigned impatience. The five bowed and took their leave.


    A few steps later, Yi Qingshan could not help but look back, just as he did the first time he parted from Gu An. He saw Gu An under the shade of the trees, the feeling of reluctance from his youth resurfacing.


    Now, stronger than he was six years ago, he was not swayed by emotions, quickly turning back to disappear into the woods with his companions.


    Gu An stretched his arms and yawned. Twisting his neck, he said, "Finally sent them off. See you in a thousand years."


    He turned and walked in another direction through the forest.


    Just as he stepped over the stream, a plump White Spirit Rat dashed out. It quickly shrank in size and landed on Gu An''s shoulder.


    "Master, are those five your disciples?" the White Spirit Rat asked curiously, still with the voice of a young boy.


    Gu An laughed and said, "Of course they are, why do you ask?"


    "You only taught them for a few years before sending them away; I thought they were like the disciples from the Third Medicine Valley or Profound Valley."


    "They will come back. They will accompany us for a thousand, ten thousand years, and you will have to be their support."


    "Really?"


    The White Spirit Rat widened its eyes in surprise.

 Chapter 502 Once Yearned For

    Dark clouds cloaked the sky, and a drizzle fell unceasingly.


    Between the mountains, trees were toppled; pits and holes covered the landscape, reeking of the burnt aftermath that extended for a hundred miles¡ªa testament to the battle that had occurred.


    At this moment, three women stood in a standoff: Zhen Qin, Jiang Qiong, and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, each bearing injuries.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, with disheveled hair, stood amidst the wreckage, her face smeared with blood as she scanned her surroundings, trapped by an array of eight flags.


    Outside the formation, Jiang Qiong hovered in the air; her injuries were not as severe as the Ghost Mother''s, but her heaving chest betrayed her exhaustion.


    Zhen Qin stood atop a cliff, wielding a treasure sword, surrounded by spinning blades that glittered with golden light.


    She looked down at the Ghost Mother of Ephemera with a gaze cold as ice.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera turned to Jiang Qiong and gritted her teeth, "Sect Leader, after I have supported you for so many years, do you truly intend to help an outsider kill me?"


    Jiang Qiong sneered back, "How do you know that she is an outsider, and you are not?"


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera took a deep breath and said, "Aren''t you afraid of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s return?"


    "Don''t you know that she is the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s disciple?"


    Faced with Jiang Qiong''s mockery, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera fell silent.


    Zhen Qin raised her sword and declared, "Ghost Mother of Ephemera, today I shall avenge my senior brother Su Han!"


    Upon hearing the name Su Han, the face of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera did not change; she lowered her head, seemingly resigned to her fate.


    Immediately, Jiang Qiong cast a spell. The flags around the formation fluttered violently, whipping up a fierce wind that stirred chains of cyan to bind the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, who did not resist.


    Zhen Qin charged into the formation, her sword slashing through, its frosty light shattering the forest.


    With one slash, blood spurted and the head of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera floated into the air.


    Zhen Qin stood behind the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, slowly straightening up; she turned her head and saw not only blood spurting from her neck but also flames of a golden blaze.


    The soul of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera emerged, unable to escape from her severed neck.


    Zhen Qin, looking upon this, felt no joy, only a sense of relief followed by an overwhelming fatigue.


    Years had passed, and she no longer hated the Ghost Mother of Ephemera; avenging Su Han had become her obsession.


    Jiang Qiong descended from the sky, looking at the golden flames at the neck of the Ghost Mother, she clucked in wonder, "Are you trying to make her soul disperse? Where did you learn such an evil skill?"


    Zhen Qin, devoid of expression, replied, "To deal with an evil demon, one naturally uses evil methods."


    The soul of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera struggled in agony, silent, but her twisting form was horrifying to behold.


    A breeze passed, scattering the golden flames around her neck, which alarmed both Zhen Qin and Jiang Qiong, prompting them to instinctively look around. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Let''s end it here. This life''s grievances have been settled."


    A voice sounded, and upon hearing it, Zhen Qin stopped mid-sentence.


    This voice belonged to Gu An.


    Jiang Qiong showed surprise and looked around in search of Gu An.


    The soul of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera flew out from her corpse; Zhen Qin''s sword was no ordinary sword¡ªits slash severed all her lifelines, leaving her either to find a new vessel or wait for reincarnation.


    Her soul knelt beside her body, as if paying homage to Gu An.


    "You have two choices," Gu An''s voice spoke again, detached as if a god spoke, "Reincarnation, to let go of this life''s karma and start anew the next life, or redemption, to lose your freedom and continue living."


    The Ghost Mother hailed from the Ephemera Sect. Though not affiliated with the Ephemera Sect that caused chaos in the Tai Cang Continent, she had harmed many in her lifetime, Su Han being only one; even when she founded the Gathering Flower Sect, she resorted to wicked methods.


    The reason why Gu An offered her a choice was that, at her core, she believed she acted for the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, that she belonged to him.


    After following the Sword Venerable, she had indeed restrained her methods and attempted to incline towards goodness.


    Gu An did not wholly shield her, not just because of Su Han, as Su Han had long since severed ties with him, but because she genuinely had committed evils. Stopping evil actions did not erase past deeds like smoke.


    One must bear the consequences of their choices.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera immediately looked up and shouted loudly, "I am willing to follow you, even if I lose my freedom forever!"


    No sooner had her voice faded than her soul vanished into thin air.


    Peace then returned to all of Great Heaven and Earth.


    Jiang Qiong pursed her lips and looked toward Zhen Qin, offering comfort, "Regardless, she is considered dead and probably won''t be at ease in the future."


    Zhen Qin took a deep breath and said, "I know. Master said she wouldn''t let her be free, and she certainly won''t."


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was the perfect example; when Gu An said to make him a mount for a thousand years, he indeed suffered for an entire millennium.


    Seeing that Zhen Qin was not fixated on the matter, Jiang Qiong also felt relieved and then asked, "What are your plans now?"


    Zhen Qin looked into the distance and replied, "No plans."


    After her words fell, her body suddenly leaned backward.


    Jiang Qiong''s eyes widened as she instinctively reached out.


    However, a hand moved faster to catch Zhen Qin''s shoulder. Zhen Qin looked up and a smile appeared on her face involuntarily.


    "Master..." Zhen Qin said weakly.


    Gu An looked at her and sighed softly.


    Zhen Qin had reached the last year of her maximum lifespan; today''s battle had thoroughly drained her vitality.


    Jiang Qiong was pleased to see Gu An, but she didn''t speak, choosing to give the time to the master and disciple.


    Zhen Qin was too weak to speak and soon closed her eyes, her hand naturally falling. This made Jiang Qiong frown.


    Gu An looked toward Jiang Qiong and said, "The Ghost Mother of Ephemera is dead, and the Gathering Flower Sect must be personally managed by you."


    Jiang Qiong nodded and replied, "I know, I will go back soon."


    She stepped forward, sizing up Gu An, and said, "Everyone says you''ve left the Celestial Spirit Great World, but I didn''t think you were still here. I said to myself, how could you leave without telling me."


    Facing this woman who had greatly helped him in his early years, Gu An said with a smile, "If you ever run into trouble in the future, just call for me in your heart."


    He could hear Jiang Qiong''s heart''s voice and knew she was not one to leave the secular world, so he did not invite her to the dojo.


    Jiang Qiong stared at him and asked, "Can I summon you if I miss you?"


    Gu An rolled his eyes at her and replied, "I am very busy!"


    Jiang Qiong huffed coldly and said, "Take her away quickly, don''t let her die."


    She couldn''t see the end of Zhen Qin''s lifespan but she could feel her life force rapidly draining, a sure sign of ill.


    Gu An nodded slightly, then disappeared from the spot with Zhen Qin. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Qiong didn''t leave immediately but walked toward the corpse of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. After working together for over a thousand years, she didn''t want the Ghost Mother''s body to be left in the wilderness.


    ...


    Zhen Qin had a very long dream where she returned to her youth, a time when she, Su Han, and Ye Yan lived carefree in Profound Valley.


    Back then, they all aspired to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    When Zhen Qin awoke, she opened her eyes to the blue sky.


    She sat up instinctively and then saw Gu An sitting at a stone table not far away, with an ice coffin next to her.


    Seeing Gu An, her heart settled down instantly. She stood up immediately, ready to go and pay her respects.


    But as soon as she stood up, she saw the scene inside the ice coffin and froze completely. She couldn''t help but blink, but no matter how many times she blinked, the scene inside remained unchanged.


    "How can this be..."


    Zhen Qin became agitated, her body shaking slightly.


    Inside the ice coffin lay Su Han''s body, intact.


    She looked back at Gu An, who was sipping tea, not looking at her.


    In that moment, Zhen Qin''s heart was filled with emotion and shame, and a thousand words were stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.

 Chapter 503 A Life Span of 256 Billion Years!

    Gu An and Zhen Qin sat opposite each other and talked for a long time. After seeing Su Han''s corpse, the burden and obsession in Zhen Qin''s heart completely dissipated, and she returned to her usual lively and clever self.


    The mentor and disciple talked about the past, endlessly, finding it impossible to cover all the old times.


    However, everything has an end, including life.


    When dusk fell, Zhen Qin looked at Gu An and said earnestly, "Master, thank you for your care in this life. As a disciple, I''ve been incapable and have never repaid you. If there is an afterlife and I am worthy of repaying you, I surely will strive to do so."


    Unlike the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, who, though dead, was not at the end of her natural life and could still possess another body to be revived, Zhen Qin''s fate had run its course, without any technique to turn back time.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, saying, "There will be an afterlife."


    Hearing this, Zhen Qin showed a smile, her eyes filled with expectation.


    She then lay down on the table and whispered, "Master, I feel a bit sleepy. May I sleep here for a while?"


    Gu An nodded and replied, "Sleep, I will stay by your side."


    Zhen Qin closed her eyes, mumbling, "I suddenly miss Master Ye so much. It feels like she has been gone for a very long time..."


    Gu An''s hand, which was holding a teacup, paused. He said nothing and continued drinking his tea.


    After Zhen Qin fell asleep, Shen Zhen came over. She looked at Zhen Qin, about to speak, but her brow furrowed, and she approached Gu An, asking, "Are you okay?"


    She knew Zhen Qin''s place in Gu An''s heart and, thinking of how Ye Lan, Xiaochuan, and others'' deaths affected Gu An, she couldn''t help but worry.


    "I am naturally fine," Gu An said, looking at her with a smile and gesturing for her to sit down.


    Shen Zhen took a seat, her gaze constantly on Gu An.


    As Gu An poured her tea, he said, "Do you think it''s absurd? Someone with my cultivation level, yet unable to control life and death?"


    Shen Zhen was secretly surprised. How did Gu An see through what she was thinking?


    She spoke truthfully, "Indeed, you are the strongest being in my mind. It seems like life and death should be trivial matters to you, but..."


    Gu An laughed and said, "This means I am not the strongest being. There is a Celestial Mandate that governs all, and those I help already have good fates. I merely add a touch of splendor. You can glimpse the past and the future, but can you glimpse the Celestial Mandate?"


    "Glimpse the Celestial Mandate?"


    Shen Zhen fell into deep thought. In fact, she was also confused about her own path of cultivation.


    She didn''t enjoy sitting meditation and Qi Refinement. She preferred the arts and sought to improve her Cultivation Level through Enlightenment, but inspiration was scarce, and her Cultivation Level had been stagnant for many years.


    Seeing that she was seriously contemplating, Gu An did not disturb her. He looked towards the horizon, where the slanted sun was like blood, and the seas of clouds seemed ablaze.


    Looking at the Celestial Vault, Gu An suddenly felt that the future he saw wasn''t far enough.


    How high must one''s Cultivation Level be to see to the end of this universe?


    ...


    Time flies like an arrow, and the years pass like a shuttle, slipping away never to return.


    A millennium is like a cloud of smoke, with worldly affairs vast like waves.


    Without the support of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable''s millennium, the Celestial Spirit Great World faced no calamities from Outer Heaven, but internal strife remained intense. Ancient Secret Realms, Daoist Fields, and the Cave Mansions of Great Powers emerged one after another, causing widespread deadly conflict among the realm''s Cultivators.


    Gu An''s Daoist Field of the Beginningless was now filled with Medicinal Herbs, and to this day, the Life Span provided by these herbs each year had surpassed twenty million years.


    Located at the edges of the world, the Daoist Field of the Beginningless on the Nine Spirit Continent had not faced any disturbance for a thousand years.


    However, nearby Human Race cities were increasing and approaching the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    In that year, early summer.


    Gu An stood on the edge of a cliff, watching Chen Chuan spar with the Blood Prison Great Saint. Chen Chuan, now of the Nirvana Realm level, was able to hold his own against the Blood Prison Great Saint, who was at the level of the Loose Immortal Realm.


    The two combatants clashed in the sky, Gu An establishing a barrier that allowed them to fight to their hearts'' content without affecting the dojo.


    After watching for a while, Gu An lost interest and called up his Attribute Panel to take a look.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 3,155/25,660,408,118]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Innate Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ...


    A life span of two hundred fifty-six billion years!


    Gu An planned to break through after reaching a life span of one hundred billion years.


    After all, according to the trends of the Great Heaven and Earth, the Celestial Spirit Great World would be engulfed in slaughter for the next ten thousand years unless there was intervention from powers beyond the heavens.


    Such slaughter was not meaningless; Gu An could feel that the number of all living beings in the world had decreased by ten percent compared to a thousand years ago, but this also gave rise to more talents and great powers.


    The most famous battle in these thousand years was the one between the Yang Immortal Emperor and the Jue Luo Sword Monarch for the Theory of Heaven, which ended in a crushing defeat for the Sword Monarch, who fled back to the Great Hong Sword Heaven, while the Yang Immortal Emperor, after collecting nine volumes of the Theory of Heaven, went into seclusion.


    Gu An peered into the Yang Immortal Emperor''s fate through An Hao''s Dao Destruction Destiny Seal and found that the emperor''s destiny was transforming and his cultivation level was rising steadily.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor, being the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, meant that the Holy Court had almost no chance of victory, and Zhu Xi, the Saint Heaven Reincarnation, was still wandering in the mortal world.


    Even after regaining her past life memories, she had no intentions of returning to the Holy Court.


    A figure approached Gu An.


    It was the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.


    She looked just like she did in life, but in reality, her body was made of flowers and plants, no longer human.


    Now, she was responsible for managing the medicinal herbs in Gu An''s dojo, since the others were occupied with cultivation, and An Xin had long since lost interest in managing affairs.


    "Master, we are running out of seeds," the Ghost Mother of Ephemera said softly.


    Having experienced life and death, and after a thousand years of settling, her temperament had become much more stable, starkly different from her past as the Deputy Sect Master of the Gathering Flower Sect.


    Gu An glanced at Chen Chuan and said, "Hmm, there will be new seeds tomorrow.


    You should go and cultivate for now."


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera immediately bowed and took her leave.


    "Wait a moment."


    Gu An spoke, and upon hearing him, the Ghost Mother subconsciously turned around, only to have a secret manual fall into her embrace.


    She accepted the manual and saw at a glance that it was a cultivation technique.


    "Strive to reach Nirvana as soon as possible.


    That way, you can serve me for a longer time," Gu An said before turning and walking away.


    A ripple of emotion disturbed the tranquility of the Ghost Mother of Ephemera''s eyes.


    She watched Gu An''s retreating figure, her thoughts unknown.


    Gu An walked out toward the dojo. Five acquaintances were to arrive today, and he needed to see them. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    The five acquaintances were Yi Qingshan and the others, whom Gu An had taken as disciples because Yi Qingshan was the reincarnation of Lu Jiujia.


    After a thousand years of adventure and countless trials, fortunately, all five were still alive.


    They had encountered an invincible adversary and had to return to their homeland. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An could overhear their conversation.


    These friends were contemplating establishing a sect in their hometown to cultivate their own power and to benefit the locals.


    Although the relatives they remembered were no longer alive, the land had not changed.


    Gu An listened as these five discussed their past experiences of cultivating with him, and Gu Changsheng, that youngster, was actually sentimental, wondering if his master was still alive.


    All five believed that Gu An had passed away, for in their memory, Gu An was merely a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.


    Unless they faced a cultivation crisis or had stirred up enemies, why would anyone seek such a secluded place to hide?


    At the very least, it indicated that Gu An had no mighty background or extraordinary talent.


    Reflecting on their master, they felt regret, wishing they had had the chance to repay him.

 Chapter 504 Never Give Up

    In the woods, Yi Qingshan, Lin Chuan, Cheng Meng, Gu Changsheng, and Gu Chengdao moved forward while chatting, looking at the forest which felt both familiar and strange to them.


    They talked about the past millennium with deep emotion.


    Suddenly, Cheng Meng said, "Do you think it''s possible that Master is still alive?"


    At these words, the other four fell silent.


    Of course, they wished Gu An were alive, but when they had left, the Master was still a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Judging by the cultivation speed he described, it seemed highly unlikely he could survive a thousand years.


    Unless, of course, the Master had deceived them; after all, they had never truly understood his cultivation level.


    "Isn''t finding him one of the reasons for our return?" Gu Chengdao, the youngest yet most composed of the five, spoke up. He always felt that their Master was not like ordinary people.


    After roaming the Great Heaven and Earth for a thousand years and witnessing countless exceptional individuals, he still felt his Master was in no way inferior to any of them.


    Yi Qingshan spoke, "Now that we''re back, establishing a Sect can wait. Let''s first look for our Master."


    His words met with the agreement of the others. Even if their Master were no longer of this world, spending several years in search for him was worthwhile.


    Gradually, their conversation turned to their sworn enemies.


    Mentioning their enemies made their teeth itch. Their disciples and friends had been slaughtered by these foes, and they themselves had narrowly escaped death.


    Even with all the hatred, they had no means of revenge, as their enemies were Cultivators of the Immortal Dao Realm, backed by a Major Sect.


    As they talked, they came to a small stream and were struck dumb.


    Lin Chuan couldn''t help but ask, "Could this be the same stream from a thousand years ago? How is it still here?"


    Yi Qingshan was somewhat bewildered, responding, "A millennium isn''t enough for the Great Heaven and Earth to undergo massive change, especially since there hasn''t been Sect conflict or demon mischief around here. Naturally, there wouldn''t be much alteration."


    They looked around, recalling the past intricacies of their lives.


    After a while, the sound of footsteps came from deep within the woods across the stream, drawing the attention of Yi Qingshan and the others.


    They hadn''t sensed the presence of humans or demons, so the sound of footsteps was certainly startling.


    Looking intently, they saw a young woman in green clothes, carrying a bamboo basket, walking out from the depths of the forest. Her beautiful face and pure aura were like that of a Celestial Maiden descending to the Human World, leaving Yi Qingshan and the others stunned.


    The newcomer was An Xin.


    A thousand years had passed, and An Xin had entered the Nirvana Realm, her aura transcending the ordinary, while Yi Qingshan and the others were still stuck at the Mahayana Realm, unable to find the opportunity for Nirvana.


    An Xin stood before the stream, smiling at them, awakening them from their reverie as they hurriedly bowed and made a fist-in-palm salute.


    "Senior, I am Yi Qingshan. A thousand years ago, I cultivated here for several years. We have now returned in hopes of finding our Master. Have we perhaps offended you in any way?" Yi Qingshan spoke first.


    After all, if someone had claimed this area over the past millennium, they would have no choice but to leave.


    He couldn''t fathom An Xin''s cultivation level; thus, he was sure she was an entity of the Immortal Dao Realm. Even just being a Great Cultivator at the lowest Nirvana Realm would be far beyond their ability to provoke.


    An Xin laughed, "I have been cultivating here for a thousand years. Could your Master''s surname be Gu and his given name An?"


    At her words, the five displayed great surprise and answered affirmatively, eagerly inquiring about Gu An''s relationship with her.


    An Xin answered, "I have indeed met him. He is currently in closed-door cultivation. I have established a dojo in this area. I share a deep connection with him, so if you need assistance in the future, feel free to reach out to me."


    Hearing that their Master was in closed-door cultivation, the five were overjoyed, thanking An Xin for her kindness.


    Yi Qingshan wanted to ask more about Gu An''s situation, but An Xin shook her head, saying no more, and he could only let the matter rest.


    "Senior, we wish to establish a Sect nearby to aid mortals in their Immortal Cultivation. Will we be disturbing you?" Cheng Meng asked cautiously.


    An Xin lifted her hand, pointing to the stream before them, "As long as your Sect does not cross this stream, you won''t be causing a disturbance."


    Gu An had informed her that Yi Qingshan was the reincarnation of Lu Jiujia, so she also anticipated what kind of Sect Yi Qingshan would establish.


    Upon hearing An Xin''s response, all five felt completely relieved.


    An Xin turned and walked back the way she had come, leaving them with parting words, "The Great Dao is long; do not become blinded by hatred. Your own cultivation is what matters most."


    These words startled the five, and they remained shocked until An Xin vanished from their sight. Only then did they come back to their senses.


    Gu Changsheng asked carefully, "Did she overhear our conversation, or did she divine it?"


    It is said that a Great Power of the Immortal Dao can look at a person and know their past and future.


    Yi Qingshan took a deep breath and said, "She must have deduced it, perhaps our master came here originally in search of her."


    The other four also felt this made sense and held An Xin in even greater awe.


    They didn''t linger any longer and turned to leave.


    Now that they were certain their master was still alive, they could begin their own plans.


    On the other side.


    An Xin walked deeper into the woods, and when she saw Gu An''s figure, a smile appeared on her face; she quickened her pace, abandoning the demeanor of a Celestial Maiden and adopted the lively, joyful posture of a young girl.


    "Master, how did I do?" An Xin asked proudly as she arrived in front of Gu An.


    Gu An stood in front of the bushes, a butterfly perching on his right hand. He stared at the butterfly and said softly, "Not bad, you have a third of my charm." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin became even more proud and curiously asked, "Master, aren''t you afraid they might establish another Supreme Sect?"


    Gu An replied, "As long as we remain in the Celestial Spirit Great World and continue to interact with others, such things are inevitable. Let them be. At least for the Sects they create, we have no responsibility to protect them. The prosperity they create can also serve as entertainment for you when you are bored, and experiencing fate and encounters among the mortal realm is also a form of cultivation."


    He lifted his right hand, and the butterfly flew away.


    Then, he and An Xin headed toward the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    "That makes sense, being in seclusion for too long can indeed become dull. However, I''ve agreed to spar with Celestial Demon Child in a hundred years; I certainly don''t want to lose to her again," said An Xin as she followed beside Gu An.


    She got along very well with Celestial Demon Child; their rivalry was healthy, spurring each other on. No matter who won or lost, neither would take it lightly.


    "She told me the same thing," Gu An said with a smile.


    There weren''t many people in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, but none of them were the quiet type; he thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle there.


    When bored, he could visit Immortal Seeking Island or Human World Peak, or venture elsewhere¡ªthere was always a destination. Leaving the Supreme Sect didn''t mean he was cut off from the world.


    The master and disciple chatted casually as they walked back to the dojo.


    On the other side.


    Deep in the cosmos.


    A majestic World Gate stood in the void, as if at the center of the universe, radiating an endless ancient aura.


    A fluctuation emerged from within the gate, and a figure stepped out.


    This was a man in black, enveloped in a crimson aura, his head adorned with a crown resembling a mystical beast, and a belt embedded with dragon scales. He radiated a powerful presence.


    After stepping through the World Gate, his gaze fell upon a figure beside it. He turned and saluted, "Senior, it has been many years. Are you well?"


    The figure he addressed was none other than the Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God shone with intense brightness, its shape visible but its visage unseen. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire


    "It seems the Battle Court is determined to continue this conflict," the Celestial Spirit God said, its tone indifferent.


    The man in black cracked a smile and said, "There''s no choice. The karma between us and the Long Clan is too deep, irreconcilable."


    The Celestial Spirit God did not respond, and silence fell over the void.


    After a moment''s hesitation, the man in black asked, "Senior, if the Celestial Court were to reappear in the Human World, would You consider returning?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed drastically, and he trembled all over.


    The Celestial Spirit God did not stand, but a terrifying intent to kill locked onto the man in black, leaving him quaking with fear.


    "Do not attempt to test the will of a God, or else even the Battle Court cannot keep you safe."


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God rang out, and the man in black felt the world spin, his body as if plunging into an unfathomable abyss, his sight blurring, and his Divine Soul overturning.


    After a while.


    The man in black opened his eyes to find himself upon a Meteor. He stood up, peered into the distance, and could not see the World Gate. He was silently alarmed.


    "Such a terrifying power of the Heavenly Dao... Is this the force that suppresses a Great Thousand World?"

 Chapter 505 Long Family Destiny Pattern, Celestial Dao Merits

    Yi Qingshan and his four companions acted quickly. They first chose a mountain to construct buildings, and then began recruiting children with Spirit Roots.


    In just one year, they had gathered over three hundred young boys and girls, and then began to earnestly teach them cultivation.


    A hundred years later, after the first batch of disciples had grown up, they officially started to establish their sect, named Qiankun Sect.


    The Qiankun Sect. There were many sects with this name in the world, but Yi Qingshan wanted there to be only one Qiankun Sect. His ambitious declaration at the founding ceremony was overheard by Gu An at the dojo.


    Gu An just smiled lightly, not paying much attention.


    He didn''t even bother to calculate the destiny of the Qiankun Sect anymore, choosing to leave it as a mystery, as a bit of color in life.


    The seasonal patterns in the Celestial Spirit Great World were broadly the same. At the start of autumn this year, Gu An lay under a tree, hands pillowed behind his head, eyes closed. It seemed as though he was sleeping, but he was actually observing the Supreme Sect.


    After all, he had spent the earlier half of his life in the Supreme Sect, and even after a thousand years, Gu An still held some sentiment for it.


    He was currently paying attention to Long Qing.


    Before leaving the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An had begun to release the Guiyuan Divine Dao within Long Qing''s body, allowing him to gradually regain his Qi Refinement Talent.


    Long Qing, born in the Nirvana Realm, had completely recovered his true strength after a thousand years of cultivation. Under his leadership, the Third Medicine Valley had become a very powerful force within the Supreme Sect.


    Everyone knew that he was raised by Gu An. With him there, the bond between the Supreme Sect and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable would not break. Therefore, even those whose Cultivation Levels were several Greater Realms higher than his would still try to please him.


    Unlike Gu An''s style, Long Qing turned the Third Medicine Valley into a power-chasing valley, losing the leisurely and peaceful atmosphere of the past.


    At this moment, someone was persuading Long Qing.


    This person was a Profound Yuan Free Immortal who came from the World Gate. Gu An initially thought he was here to cause trouble, especially since he carried the thick aura of the Battle Court.


    However, this person had lingered outside Celestial Spirit Great World for decades and then infiltrated the Supreme Sect, where he stayed for several decades before finally approaching Long Qing.


    He was currently explaining to Long Qing about the strength of the Long Clan and their deep connections with the Battle Court.


    Previously, Ye Tianji had shown Long Qing many images from past lives, but those were only fragments of memories. When Long Qing truly understood his heritage, his feelings were incredibly complex.


    Inside Long Qing''s loft, he sat on a chair, silent for a long time.


    The Profound Yuan Free Immortal waited for him to accept his heritage.


    Long Qing remained silent for half an hour, then he looked up at the man in black and asked, "You''ve told me so much, but who are you?"


    The man in black smiled and said, "My name is Candle Star, from the Battle Court, a disciple of the Lord of the War Court. I have lived far beyond your imagination, and much of the history I''ve told you, I witnessed personally."


    Hearing this, Long Qing frowned. He was not frightened into standing up. Instead, he stared at Candle Star and asked, "If you come from the Battle Court, why awaken my hatred towards it?"


    Candle Star laughed and said, "The Battle Court has strayed, always trying to please the Immortal Gods. I am not satisfied with that. I prefer the Battle Court under Emperor Longxin''s rule. That was the true Battle Court worthy of battle''s name."


    As he spoke, his eyes revealed longing and excitement.


    Long Qing''s frown deepened; he could not see through Candle Star''s intentions, nor could he discern whether his words were true.


    Candle Star looked at Long Qing, raised his hands, and suddenly said excitedly, "Do you know why the Battle Court targets your Long Clan? It''s not because you are the legitimate one, but because they fear your bloodline! No, they want to obtain it!"


    Long Qing''s expression changed, but before he could speak, Candle Star continued,


    "The real founder of the Battle Court was Emperor Longxin''s father, Long Zhan, also known as Celestial Dragon Emperor. Without experiencing the Era''s tribulation of the Great Thousand World, he grew rapidly. In every battle, his strength surged substantially. It is said that once after slaughtering an entire Great Heaven and Earth, he managed to Cross the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path in a remarkably short time!"


    "Emperor Longxin''s Talent was also immense, but he turned against the Celestial Dragon Emperor and thereafter ceased creating slaughter."


    Candle Star grew more excited as he spoke, his eyes even gleaming.


    "He could not only grow stronger through slaughter but also resist heavenly might. Even crossing the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, he managed to Successfully Cross the Tribulation within a day. Such Talent, such Destiny Pattern, is enough to drive the three thousand Great Thousand Worlds mad." Candle Star''s intense gaze made Long Qing uncomfortable.


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    Long Qing couldn''t help but say, "Are you suggesting that the Long Clan inherited such Talent and Destiny Pattern?"


    "Exactly, The grandson of Emperor Longxin once inherited such Talent, and that was also why the Long Clan headed toward decline!"


    Candle Star replied, his gaze sizing up Long Qing with greed filling his eyes.


    Long Qing snorted, "So you want to possess me?"


    Candle Star quickly shook his head, "No, no, no, the talent of the Long Clan, and you who cannot be killed no matter what, obviously your clan hides a great cause and effect. The fools of the War Court can''t see this clearly. Of course, the most important thing is that I also believe in my own talent. I want you to retake control of the War Court, and together we can establish everlasting great Celestial Dao merits!"


    Long Qing furrowed his brows again, he muttered, "With my current cultivation level, how many years would it take to overthrow the War Court?"


    Candle Star answered, "If it''s fast, several tens of millions of years; if slow, several hundreds of millions of years. Of course, you have to survive and you cannot slack off."


    "Tens of millions of years?"


    Long Qing widened his eyes, unable to remain calm, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "Are you joking with me? Even if it really took that many years, could you wait that long?"


    Candle Star huffed, "Why can''t I wait? I also need time to cultivate. Don''t feel that it''s too long. To reach my current cultivation level, closing my eyes, a million years pass in an instant, not to mention those who are in seclusion seeking Enlightenment. For them, even ten million years are not worth mentioning. The reason you haven''t felt time passing so quickly is that this Great Thousand World is currently undergoing an era transition. The Heavenly Dao promotes the movement of heaven and earth, and living beings are continually fighting; you''ve experienced too many changes."


    Long Qing fell into silence.


    Candle Star then looked around, examining the furnishings within the room.


    Long Qing took a deep breath and asked, "Since that''s the case, how will you assist me?"


    Candle Star turned his head towards him, smiling, "You first become the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect. By then, let the Supreme Sect unify the world. After the era of tribulation ends, and the celestial merits fall onto the Supreme Sect, as its Sect Leader, and me as the Vice Sect Leader, we will receive vast Celestial Dao merits, aiding us in our Enlightenment."


    "In the Silent Extinction Domain, there is a World Gate that will limit the War Court, preventing them from invading in large numbers. Previously, your master killed Ye Tianji, which has already placed the War Court in a dilemma, causing internal divisions. Now is the best time for us to develop our sect."


    After hearing this, Long Qing''s brows gradually smoothed.


    Elsewhere.


    Far in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An listened to their conversation, and he was not too surprised because he had previously guessed why the War Court was hunting the Long Clan.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor used a person from the Long Clan to cultivate the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect, which was the best proof.


    He was more interested in the Celestial Dao merits mentioned by Candle Star.


    If Long Qing and Candle Star could indeed lead the Supreme Sect to become the ruler of the world, it would be a good thing, providing Gu An with a sense of presence as well.


    Of course, if Long Qing were to go astray, Gu An would not ignore it.


    He had protected Long Qing, so he had the responsibility to keep an eye on Long Qing, to prevent him from walking the path of slaughter followed by his previous life and ancestors.


    Gu An stood up and headed towards the mountain forests.


    With the establishment of the Qiankun Sect, the sect had been aggressively recruiting disciples, and the number of disciples had quickly surpassed ten thousand. With so many people, there were bound to be some who caused trouble. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, someone was heading towards the forbidden area designated by the Qiankun Sect, approaching the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An felt it necessary to arrange a guard, pretending to be a hermit in deep mountains. An Xin, who usually needed to focus on cultivation, didn''t have the time to watch continuously.


    He had just entered the mountain forest when a streak of white light sped over and landed on his shoulder, it was the White Spirit Rat.


    "Master, where are you going?" the White Spirit Rat curiously asked.


    Gu An laughed heartily, "You run around all day, full of energy, and you don''t cultivate. How about becoming the Demon King?"


    The White Spirit Rat''s eyes lit up at hearing this, it asked, "Really?"


    "Come, I''ll transform some demons, and you can choose from them. From now on, you''ll be in charge of guarding around the Daoist Field, and you will not allow anyone to trespass without permission."


    "That''s great, Master, I definitely won''t let you be disappointed!"


    The White Spirit Rat said excitedly, even though it had shrunk its rat body, it still looked chubby, laughing like a trembling white fur ball.


    Gu An began instructing the White Spirit Rat on what it could and couldn''t do.


    This guy was too mischievous, rules must be established to prevent it from becoming utterly lawless. He couldn''t allow it to become like the Cyan Bull Demon under Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad.

 Chapter 506 The Strongest Sword

    Time passed swiftly, and another two hundred years went by.


    Gu An enlightened a hundred demons, taught personally by the White Spirit Rat. An Xin introduced them to Yi Qingshan and others, enabling the White Spirit Rat to quickly establish a relationship with the Qiankun Sect. Under the guidance of Yi Qingshan and his peers, the Qiankun Sect occasionally presented gifts to the White Spirit Rat and its subordinate demons, making the relationship between the two parties increasingly close.


    After two hundred years, the Qiankun Sect had risen to power, becoming a first-class sect in the Nine Spirit Continent with aspirations of sweeping across the world.


    With nine Mahayana practitioners, the Qiankun Sect was truly invincible in this land, and unifying the continent was only a matter of time as long as no forces from Overseas intervened.


    Conflicts continued between heaven and earth, and the spiritual energy from nature surged towards the heart of the continent, prompting the strong practitioners to follow it. This weakened the Immortal Cultivation atmosphere in the peripheral regions.


    That was the case for the Nine Spirit Continent and neighboring continents; almost no creatures from the Immortal Dao Realm visited this area, though many lower realm beings wanted to spend their remaining life here.


    On this day,


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless,


    By a lake in the mountains, Gu An was fishing.


    Blood Prison Great Saint stood by, curiously watching the lake''s surface, and couldn''t help but ask, "Master, are these fish of a special kind?"


    In his mind, the master was the strongest; in his view, the master wouldn''t engage in meaningless activities. Even the leisurely ones would, upon reflection, hold significance, just like how the master enjoyed reading and writing, which Shen Zhen emulated and then attained Enlightenment.


    There were also the games of Go and chess created by the master, which could enhance one''s comprehension of the Dao.


    Even gardening held many subtleties, allowing for deeper contemplation.


    Even serving as a bullock, a thousand years of reflection had helped the Blood Prison Great Saint shed his impetuous and arrogant temperament.


    This lake was newly created by Gu An. Yesterday, when he went to the Hidden Spirit Palace to gather medicinal herbs, he brought back several small fish, all of which were released into the lake.


    Gu An replied, "Nothing special, they are just ordinary fish."


    Ordinary fish? S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was even more confused. He carefully observed the lake in front of him, convinced that it must hold some Profound Mystery, though he still couldn''t see through it.


    Little did he know, Gu An simply wanted to fish for the sake of fishing.


    His fishhook was formed from concentrated mana, and once it stuck to a fish''s mouth, the fish couldn''t escape but wouldn''t be hurt either; he merely wanted to experience the process of fishing.


    After leaving the Supreme Sect, although he had a broader dojo, Gu An still had idle moments.


    Although he didn''t practice Qi Absorption, he still wouldn''t do nothing when idle. He gained insights into the natural world through seemingly mundane activities.


    As long as he observed naturally occurring phenomena, he could sense the Great Dao. Having reached the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, Gu An didn''t feel invincible and continued to pursue the Great Dao.


    The evolution of his lifespan eliminated the need for Qi Absorption Cultivation, making him treasure the time for attaining Enlightenment even more.


    Gu An was sitting on a stone with the Blood Prison Great Saint standing beside him, both quietly observing the lake. Sunlight fell on them and blended with the landscape, creating a peaceful and beautiful picture.


    After a long while,


    A figure descended from the sky and landed beside Gu An; it was Chen Chuan.


    The thousand-year-old Chen Chuan had also reached the Nirvana Realm. From Nirvana to the Loose Immortal Realm, the time required was incomparable to that of the Mortal Realm, so those at Nirvana Realm around Gu An still hadn''t reached the Loose Immortal Realm.


    Not everyone''s talent compared to An Hao''s; An Hao''s opportunities could even be said to be unique, unrivalled in the world.


    "Master, I sense a sword," Chen Chuan spoke, his eyes filled with excitement.


    Before Gu An could respond, the Blood Prison Great Saint curiously asked, "What sword?"


    Since arriving at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, the Blood Prison Great Saint hadn''t sensed any dangerous aura. He hadn''t felt the formidable sword, but he knew Chen Chuan''s Destiny Pattern was extraordinary, so he was very curious.


    "I can''t explain clearly, but I feel a sword has descended upon this world, continuously emitting sword cries as if waiting for me to seek it," answered Chen Chuan, pondering and recalling his previous sensations as he spoke.


    His words made the Blood Prison Great Saint even more curious.


    When Gu An moved from the Supreme Sect to this place, he didn''t bring Long Qing or other close disciples but brought Chen Chuan. The Blood Prison Great Saint always felt that Chen Chun''s talent might match that of An Hao or Yang Jian.


    In fact, Chen Chuan had indeed shown dazzling comprehension in the Sword Dao, although the Blood Prison Great Saint felt it still wasn''t enough.


    "There is indeed such a sword, coming from Outer Heaven. It is the strongest sword in the world. Possessing it qualifies one to contend for the world. Not just you, but anyone who diligently practices the Sword Dao will sense it," Gu An responded, his gaze fixed on the lake surface, never wavering.


    Hearing this, Chen Chuan frowned.


    Blood Prison Great Saint widened his eyes and asked, "This is clearly a conspiracy. Is another power from Outer Heaven about to attack?"


    Throughout the previous cataclysms of heaven and earth, it was always the forces from Outer Heaven that initiated them; the conflicts between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court were never a threat to all living beings.


    "It''s the work of the Great Hong Sword Heaven behind Jue Luo Sword Monarch," Gu An answered.


    Hearing about Jue Luo Sword Monarch, both Blood Prison Great Saint and Chen Chuan exchanged glances.


    "Tsk tsk, could it be that guy lost to Yang Immortal Emperor and couldn''t accept it?" Blood Prison Great Saint guessed with schadenfreude.


    He disliked the way Jue Luo Sword Monarch carried himself¡ªa demeanor that screamed invincibility¡ªwhich he found repulsive.


    Chen Chuan, on the other hand, remained silent as he began to feel the sword again.


    For some reason, he always felt that the sword was of special significance to him, but his master''s words left him confused.


    If others felt the same way he did, then indeed, they shouldn''t go. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    But...


    Was it really the same?


    Gu An''s fishing rod began to move. He waited a few moments before suddenly yanking it, pulling a large yellow fish into his hands. He unhooked the fish and released it back into the lake.


    This action made Chen Chuan pause; he took a deep breath, then walked to a patch of grass and sat down.


    He took out his own sword, placed it on his lap, and quietly contemplated.


    Blood Prison Great Saint looked at him with a curious expression.


    Gu An remained silent, just the corners of his mouth lifted.


    In his eyes, that number one divine sword was nothing exceptional. Chen Chuan didn''t need to compete; by cultivating by his side, he would eventually surpass that sword.


    However...


    "Senior Brother Li, you''re not going to ask me to take action, are you?" Gu An looked up towards the horizon with a teasing gaze.


    Meanwhile.


    On the other side of the world.


    Above an endless ocean, dressed in black, Li Ya stood on a black eagle, soaring across the sea of clouds, with Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit perched on his shoulder, gripping his hair, shivering.


    "Do we really have to steal it? The aura of this sword is very powerful; it will definitely attract terrifyingly strong individuals. Don''t forget, my master has already left the Celestial Spirit Great World." Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit couldn''t help but ask.


    It had deliberately conveyed the news of Gu An''s departure to Li Ya, hoping that Li Ya would be less reckless in the future.


    Its method indeed worked: Li Ya had been peaceful for a thousand years, but today, he was embarking on an adventure again.


    Li Ya''s eyes were cold as he said, "How can I become stronger without striving for it? By meditating in seclusion? Don''t worry, if it really comes to dying, I''ll let you go. I won''t drag you down."


    His heart, though, was aflame.


    Because he felt that the sword was calling to him¡ªhe was the true master recognized by the sword!


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit couldn''t help but say, "Do you really think I could escape if it comes to that?"


    Li Ya glanced at it and said, "Then why don''t you leave now? I must go regardless. Perhaps this is my only chance to catch up to An Hao."


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit rolled its eyes, retorted irritably, "You''re always talking about An Hao. It''s been years without any news of him; he might already be dead. Don''t always fantasize about how strong your opponents are, and then force yourself."


    "That''s impossible. He can''t be dead. His cultivation level must be outrageous. With my current abilities, I doubt I could withstand even one of his moves," Li Ya shook his head.


    No matter how far the places he had visited or how strong the people he had met, he always believed that An Hao was the foremost talent in heaven and earth.


    He felt that fate had made him encounter An Hao, and that was a blessing to him.


    With An Hao there, he would never be complacent about his achievements. He would always feel not strong enough and thus continue to strive.


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit scratched its head, feeling that Li Ya was delusional and beyond persuasion, but it was not panicking.


    After all these years, it suddenly wanted to see its master, and Li Ya should be able to help it.

 Chapter 507 Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, Celestial Beings

    Gu An could hear the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit''s heartvoice, although he could maintain spiritual communication with it, he rarely paid attention to it.


    The main reason was that the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit was too annoying. Gu An had responded before, and as a result, it chattered constantly, bothering him without end.


    Gu An was neither worried about Li Ya going to seize the sword, nor was he afraid that Li Ya would cause any trouble for him.


    He would only save Li Ya''s life, but wouldn''t help him seize the sword.


    Saving a life was not difficult for Gu An, as simple as blowing out a breath.


    Gu An continued fishing until, after an hour, he finally stood up and left.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint hurriedly followed his pace, while Chen Chuan continued to stay by the lake, his eyes tightly closed, comprehending his own Sword Intent.


    He wanted to resist the attraction of that sword, feeling that if he could withstand it, his Sword Dao would ascend a level.


    Tens of miles away, An Shengtian was practicing Qi Absorption on a cliff, the breeze blowing through his hair.


    Another ten miles ahead, his master Jiang Shi was sowing seeds. Jiang Shi didn''t use spells, but planted them by hand, treating it as a form of cultivation.


    Looking to the east, the Celestial Demon Child was discussing the Dao with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, exchanging cultivation insights.


    Others were in seclusion within their respective Cave Mansions, all steadfastly advancing on their own paths of cultivation. Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire


    The winds rolling through the Daoist Field of the Beginningless swept toward the Celestial Vault, carrying away the seasons.


    By the next Late Summer, the battle over the Divine Sword inevitably erupted. The sword drew sword cultivators from all over, and Li Ya, at the Nirvana Realm, couldn''t even get involved.


    Let alone having Gu An save him, he didn''t even have the qualification to see the Divine Sword.


    The battle between two Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma prevented him and the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit from moving forward, forcing them to wait in the distance.


    Sadly, as time passed, Li Ya not only couldn''t advance but was also pushed back because higher-level sword cultivators joined the fray.


    ¡­


    The setting sun cast a pall over an opulent city where Zhu Xi, dressed in yellow robes, strolled along the street. She looked just as young as ever, like a girl of sixteen or seventeen, her eyes shining as she looked around with interest.


    No one could have imagined that this seemingly innocent girl was the Shengtian of the Holy Court, once the strongest being of Heaven and Earth.


    Just as Zhu Xi became engrossed with the sights on either side of the street, a figure approached her. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Young friend, please halt."


    A laugh came from ahead, and Zhu Xi fixed her gaze before stopping in her tracks.


    She saw a young monk draped in a kasaya blocking her path. This person was none other than the Immortal Seeker who had taught the Daoist Expansion Skill. It was because the Daoist Expansion Skill had advanced to the Innate Reincarnation Skill that Gu An was able to help the people he cared about extend their ultimate lifespan.


    Zhu Xi''s smile vanished, and she calmly looked at the Immortal Seeker.


    The Immortal Seeker chuckled, "The humble monk observes that you possess extraordinary destiny. Would you like to ascend to immortality? The humble monk can assist you!"


    Zhu Xi focused on him, saying, "You, a monk, refer to yourself as ''humble monk''? Do you think you''re credible?"


    "Of course the humble monk is credible. His Majesty Saint Heaven is nurtured by the celestial spirit and destiny. Even as a reincarnated being, a pair of eyes can see through everything, can''t they?" the Immortal Seeker said with a chuckle, causing Zhu Xi to furrow her brow.


    When he mentioned Saint Heaven, a passing cultivator threw a suspicious glance at him, but quickly disappeared with the flow of the crowd.


    Zhu Xi and the Immortal Seeker faced each other amidst the throng; they were out of place in this world and indifferent to the gazes of the people.


    Zhu Xi''s eyes gradually became piercing, as if she had transformed into someone else. She exuded the aura of someone who reigned supreme, looking down at the Immortal Seeker, asking, "A person from heaven?"


    The immortal seeker laughed, "Your Majesty is indeed formidable."


    Zhu Xi lifted her right foot and took a step forward. As her toes touched the ground, the world suddenly changed. The streets and the people coming and going all vanished, and they found themselves in a dim, desolate mountain wilderness, with dense clouds in the sky and faint thunder rumbling.


    Immortal Seeker did not panic and continued to smile at Zhu Xi.


    "Are you sure you have what I''m looking for?" Zhu Xi asked, and as she lifted her right hand, the earth around them split open, and roots emerged from all directions, swiftly intertwining in the sky to form a huge sword that pointed straight at Immortal Seeker.


    This wooden sword was more colossal than the mountains between heaven and earth; it seemed to occupy half of the sky upon its appearance.


    "You''re looking for the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit. What you want isn''t just to unify the current Celestial Spirit Great World, is it? What you desire is the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, right?" Immortal Seeker answered.


    Zhu Xi narrowed her eyes, but did not respond.


    Immortal Seeker continued, "The Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit is bound to appear sooner or later, but now there''s already a presence stronger than even the Free Immortal. Your Majesty, how will you snatch it then?"


    Zhu Xi huffed, "So you''re saying, you can''t give me anything and you''ve merely come to remind me?"


    "Not at all," Immortal Seeker said leisurely. "I have come to save your life. The Celestial Dao Golden Core is bait left by the person from the World Gate, and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit is even more taboo. If one''s realm is insufficient, merely touching the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit will lead to being devoured. It contains even more horrifying cause and effect, causes even the person from the World Gate does not know of."


    Zhu Xi squinted and asked, "Then tell me, how high must one''s realm be to touch it?"


    "To reach the pinnacle of what the Free Immortal can achieve," Immortal Seeker''s smile turned mischievous.


    Zhu Xi frowned and asked, "Above the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path, there''s still the level of Free Immortal?"


    "That''s right. There are three Free Immortal levels above it, and none of those strongest beings who appeared in the last few thousand years have reached that realm, not even the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable."


    Hearing Immortal Seeker mention the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, Zhu Xi''s face became grim.


    Even though she had fully recovered the memories of her previous life, she still kept the gratitude of this life''s mentor-disciple relationship in her heart and respected Gu An from her core.


    In her view, Gu An was an old predecessor from beyond the skies, with a cultivation level far surpassing hers, coupled with the fact that he had taught her, she naturally held respect for him.


    Even the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was not qualified to touch the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit?


    Zhu Xi fell into silence.


    Immortal Seeker quietly watched her. After a long while, he finally said, "I have a method that can help you avoid being devoured."


    Zhu Xi looked up at him with a skeptical face.


    Immortal Seeker continued, "What you need to do is surpass the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, possess the competence to traverse the world freely. Can you achieve that?"


    Zhu Xi replied coldly, "I have long been able to do so, but I''ve deliberately suppressed my realm. I can sense an almighty existence outside this world watching me; if I break through, I will encounter unexpected disasters. Some Free Immortals need thousands, tens of thousands of cycles of Reincarnation Tribulations, but I only need one life."


    Immortal Seeker was taken aback, clearly shocked by her words. He took a deep breath and said in admiration, "Worthy of being the Child of Heaven and Earth chosen by the destiny of Celestial Spirit. In that case, I will pass on a cultivation technique to you. Practice it first, then break through."


    Zhu Xi''s right hand dropped, and the huge wooden sword suspended in the dim celestial vault dissipated like smoke and clouds.


    "Who exactly are you, and why do you want to help me?" Zhu Xi stared intently at Immortal Seeker, hoping to get an answer.


    Immortal Seeker turned, looking towards the horizon, and said, "I indeed come from above, but I do not affiliate myself with those self-important folks. The reason I assist you is merely to fulfill a wish¡ªmy disciple died in this Great Thousand World."


    Zhu Xi asked in surprise, "The death of your disciple requires all this scheming? Do you need my help for revenge?"


    Immortal Seeker glanced at her and said, "Merging with the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit will be enough to fill the regret in my heart."


    Zhu Xi''s brows were tightly locked, still somewhat unclear.


    But Immortal Seeker no longer elaborated.


    Suddenly.


    Zhu Xi seemed to realize something, her expression changed drastically as she looked incredulously at Immortal Seeker.

 Chapter 508 Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, The Legend of Yang Xian

    Human World Peak, Heaven-Defining Peak above.


    "Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit... Celestials..."


    Within the courtyard at the mountain''s summit, Gu An sat in a rocking chair with his eyes closed, musing to himself.


    Meng Lang''s conversation with the Immortal Seeker had reached his ears. With his current Cultivation Level of Innate Golden Immortal Realm, no movement within the Celestial Spirit Great World could escape his notice, especially concerning Zhu Xi, whom he had always been keeping an eye on.


    Gu An had always had an impression of the Immortal Seeker but had not expected him to have such a background.


    What exactly was the world above like?


    The self-assured individuals mentioned by the Immortal Seeker, could they be the Immortal Gods pursuing him to the extreme?


    Celestial Dao Golden Core, Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit...


    Interesting, could it be that the previous Celestial Spirit Great World was transformed by some Great Power, and after the demise of that being, the world shattered, creating today''s vast universe?


    If that was the case, what level of Cultivation did that being have? Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon reaching the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, Gu An''s Dao Fruit could also create a world, confirming that the existence was at least of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm; however, just how high his power was, was difficult to gauge.


    Perhaps the growth of a world required time, but Gu An wanted to estimate as high as possible because he would regard any powerful existence as a hypothetical enemy.


    He would not hold enmity towards those with whom he had no grievances, but he needed the confidence to respond.


    The Celestial Spirit God was scheming with the Celestial Dao Golden Core, but what was being calculated by the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit that could devour all living beings?


    Suddenly, Gu An felt that the Celestial Spirit Great World, so clear and transparent in his eyes, became interesting and full of suspense.


    He was curious to see what storms the Celestial Dao Golden Core and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit would stir up in the years to come.


    Since he had decided to watch over the world''s changes from within the dojo, he would not make a move lightly.


    Gu An opened his eyes, raised his hand, and a book from inside the house flew into his hand. He had left many books in his various residences, occasionally revisiting them for new insights.


    He gently rocked in the rocking chair, undisturbed by anyone.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere in the courtyard, none other than Zhu Xinglan, the leading disciple of Heaven-Defining Peak.


    With his Cultivation of the Ninth Floor of the Wandering Immortal Realm, he saw his master''s chair swaying and took another look, then began to tend to the courtyard.


    He did not realize that his master was sitting in the chair.


    Gu An did not leave either, he was simply concealed by the huge gap in their realms, allowing him to remain completely invisible to Zhu Xinglan and undetected in any way.


    To those of Human World Peak, they did not know Gu An by name, only Meng Lang.


    As a Great Cultivator, being away for thousands or even tens of thousands of years was nothing out of the ordinary, so no one wondered about Gu An''s disappearance.


    After spending half a day on Human World Peak, Gu An stepped back into the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    ...


    Tai Cang Continent, upon a barren plain.


    Long Qing was meditating in the air, surrounded by black qi which violently tugged at his robes.


    Candle Star stood on the ground, staring at him and nodding slightly, his eyes full of admiration.


    At that moment, Long Qing opened his eyes, looking into the distance and furrowing his brow as he asked, "What sword is this exactly? It''s quite formidable."


    Candle Star turned to follow his gaze, looking toward the horizon, and said, "The Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword from Great Hong Sword Heaven, the first demonic sword of their Sect, formed from the entire Cultivation of a certain Sword Venerable. His soul was forged into a Sword Soul, which was then placed within the Sacred Heart Sword Dao in the River of Sword Dao, nurtured for countless years to take today''s form. To possess this sword is to gain the power to roam the worlds unopposed."


    Hearing this, Long Qing in surprise asked, "A demonic sword?"


    "Correct, to tame this sword, one must gain the recognition of its Sword Soul, but the Sword Soul is violent and often devours the souls of its masters, so naturally, it is considered a demonic sword," Candle Star said, a hint of playfulness on his face.


    Narrowing his eyes, Long Qing asked, "Could it be that Great Hong Sword Heaven wants to treat the living beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World as nourishment to feed this demonic sword?" Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    "That''s not it," Gu An guessed, "it might be related to the founding ancestor of Great Hong Sword Heaven, the Sword God."


    "Sword God?"


    Along with the roar, Candle Star recounted the feats of Sword God Yang Ping''an, and also mentioned Sword Dao Saint Ancestor Yang Xian.


    Long Qing listened with rapt attention, never having imagined that such formidable figures existed in other Great Heaven and Earths.


    After a brief pause, Candle Star said, "The Transcender who guards this Great Thousand World once declared that Sword Dao Saint Ancestor possessed the highest level of comprehension in this Great Thousand World and could even be considered an anomaly."


    Long Qing asked with curiosity, "Where is that Sword Dao Saint Ancestor now?"


    "I don''t know," Candle Star admitted. "Some say he has perished, while others believe he is hidden deep within the River of Sword Dao. Because the Sacred Heart Sword Dao has merged with the River of Sword Dao, other Sword Cultivators from the Great Thousand Worlds can also comprehend the Sacred Heart Sword Dao. Countless Sword Cultivators and Sword Dao Sects now look up to the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor. I too have sensed the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, and truly, it''s boundlessly vast."


    Candle Star shook his head as he spoke, his tone filled with longing for the Sword Dao Saint Ancestor.


    Long Qing too began to fantasize about the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    "Eh?"


    Candle Star suddenly exclaimed with suspicion, interrupting Long Qing''s thoughts.


    Long Qing couldn''t help but turn to him and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Candle Star narrowed his eyes and said, "The Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword is about to have a master. I never expected him to come. What exactly are these old creatures seeking after reincarnating?"


    Long Qing was even more confused, but no matter how he inquired afterward, Candle Star refused to reveal more, merely saying that he would know in time.


    Although he didn''t get an answer, Long Qing felt fired up.


    From what he''d heard from Candle Star, he learned about a vaster heaven and earth and became aware of more awe-inspiring legends and Great Powers. He too wanted to become an existence like them.


    He suddenly thought of his master.


    What exactly was his master''s name?


    Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was just a title given by the Supreme Sect, his master surely had his own Dao name.


    ...


    Mountains stretched endlessly, and within the forests on the ridges, Li Ya followed an elder. The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit on his shoulder intently watched the elder, as though fearing that the elder would stop.


    The elder wore white clothes under a black robe, a bright red belt wrapped around his clothing. His white hair was tied under a jade crown, and even with an aged face, he still had a noble aura.


    On the elder''s back was a sword case with a piece of Talisman Paper attached, its blood-red characters faintly glowing with a cold light.


    The elder suddenly stopped walking, startling Li Ya into halting as well.


    "You wouldn''t think of snatching the sword from me with your Nirvana Realm cultivation level, would you?" the elder asked Li Ya without turning around.


    Li Ya took a deep breath and said, "Of course not, but having witnessed your power, I wish to take you as my master to cultivate the most powerful Sword Dao!"


    His eyes burned with fervor. The astonishing great battle he had witnessed still echoed in his mind; the image of the elder suppressing the crowd with a single sword strike made a profound impression on him.


    He had heard from a senior observer that among the Great Cultivators vying for the Divine Sword was a powerful being who stood at the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path. But when he learned such a formidable figure had taken action, he completely abandoned the thought of seizing the sword, adopting more of a spectator''s mentality instead.


    However, the Great Power of the Ninth Heaven that he intended to observe ended up defeated, and the defeat was an utter disaster.


    After the elder left with the Divine Sword, Li Ya could still feel the Divine Sword''s guidance and so he followed.


    How could the elder not notice his pursuit?


    When Li Ya actually managed to keep up, he started to feel hopeful, thinking that perhaps the other party wanted to give him a chance.


    The elder turned to face Li Ya and said, "To take me as your master is not impossible. The karma on you is complex, as if someone has altered your fate. Precisely because of that, you should have better comprehension towards the Dao of Karma and Destiny. I might even pass on this Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword to you."


    "But..."


    Li Ya immediately asked, "But what?"


    Hearing that he could possess the sword, his breathing quickened.

 Chapter 509 Sword Annihilation Ancestor, Imperial Authority Mythology

    "However, to inherit my Daoist lineage and bear my karma means you will obtain unparalleled power, but you will have difficulty finding peace for the rest of your life."


    The old man stared at Li Ya, speaking slowly and deliberately, his gaze icy cold.


    Li Ya was frightened by his eyes. He didn''t answer right away but instead carefully reflected on his life.


    Although he had faced hardships, he always felt that his current status was entirely due to the aid of others. In the first half of his life, his imperial father had shielded and protected him. Later, Gu An, under another identity, had protected him and taught him swordsmanship.


    When would he be able to repay these people?


    Li Ya found himself caught in a difficult decision.


    He feared that he would mess things up and that, in the end, Gu An would have to rescue him.


    He couldn''t help but turn his head to look at the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit resting on his shoulder. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit remained silent, merely looking at him steadily, as if to say, this time it''s up to you to decide.


    Li Ya believed that the old man had no intention of deceiving him, for there was no need; the gulf between their Cultivation Levels was vast, and if the old man truly wished to force him to do something, he would have no power to resist.


    As Li Ya hesitated, the old man turned and walked away.


    Li Ya fell to his knees and kowtowed in the direction of the old man''s retreating figure, shouting loudly, "Master above, please accept your disciple''s bow!"


    The old man stopped in his tracks and then slowly turned around. He looked at Li Ya with an expressionless face and said, "Remember, my Daoist name is Sword Annihilation. Many refer to me as the Sword Annihilation Ancestor."


    Having said this, the Sword Annihilation Ancestor continued to walk away, and Li Ya quickly got up and followed his pace.


    Excitement was unmistakable on Li Ya''s face. He stared at the back of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, with many questions he wanted to ask, but he restrained himself.


    There is plenty of time ahead!


    Having seen the Sword Annihilation Ancestor''s actions, he felt that the Sword Annihilation Ancestor was a rare existence that could match up to Gu An. Of course, it was only his feeling because he thought the Sword Annihilation Ancestor didn''t use his full strength when he claimed the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword with such an ease and calmness.


    Such demeanor reminded him of Gu An when he transformed into the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Little did he know, Gu An was listening in on his thoughts secretly.


    "Comparing me to the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal?"


    Gu An, who was picking medicinal herbs in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, laughed, but this Sword Annihilation Ancestor had quite a reputation.


    He must have an even stronger true form.


    Gu An had encountered his true form before, back when he had broken through to become the Profound Yuan Free Immortal. At that time, the skull that devoured the Free Immortal had made a lasting impression on Gu An.


    The aura of that skull was identical to that of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, and from the perspective of karma, they originated from the same source.


    The mere fact that a clone possessed the Cultivation Level of a Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal made him wonder just how powerful the Sword Annihilation Ancestor''s true form was.


    Ever since Gu An defeated the Battle Court, the Celestial Spirit Great World seemed to be distancing itself from the catastrophe of Outer Heaven. In reality, more beings of the Dao Fruit Realm had infiltrated the Celestial Spirit Great World, behaving more covertly, probably out of fear of Gu An.


    Every choice has its pros and cons. His own Lifespan Reincarnation had left behind unfavorable karma, but within the life he could control, he had always done good deeds. He was satisfied with that and never tired of it.


    Gu An''s mood became increasingly cheerful, and he began to give pointers to the Ghost Mother of Ephemera following him.


    Although the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had lost her freedom, she did not slack off because she saw greater hope. She even felt that her current life was better and more meaningful than before.


    Pursuing longevity, that was far more meaningful than being a Vice Sect Hierarch!


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera made note of every word Gu An said and pondered them deeply.


    Gu An knew what she was thinking, but he never spelled it out. He let her muse wildly, thinking maybe she might stumble upon something significant.


    An hour later, Gu An finished picking herbs, and then he had the Ghost Mother of Ephemera sow the seeds while he walked to his own loft, ready to take a nap.


    Even Innate Golden Immortals can sleep, and Gu An occasionally enjoyed dreaming, finding enlightenment in his dreams a particularly interesting experience.


    The white clouds above drifted slowly, yet in the blink of an eye, one might feel they moved quickly.


    The passage of time in the Human World is the same.


    A thousand years, like those clouds, is both fast and slow; it seems quick to Cultivators but slow to mortals.


    On an early summer day, at high noon.


    In the Tai Cang Dynasty, within the Cangzhou Imperial City.


    In the Imperial Study, Li Xuandao held a petition, his face expressionless.


    He had been the Emperor for over four thousand years. His long-standing and domineering rule had become mythologized in the hearts of the people. The commoners were unfamiliar with the name Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, unaware of the Great Cultivators of the Immortal Cultivation Realm. In their eyes, he was a living Immortal.


    At this moment, two people were kneeling in the room, their heads bowed and bodies tense, one of them sweating profusely on the forehead.


    After a while,


    Li Xuandao looked up. He glanced at the two kneeling before him and asked, "What is the Crown Prince''s opinion on the Yang Family''s actions?"


    One of the elderly ministers raised his head to look at Li Xuandao, hesitated for a moment, and said, "His Highness did not respond to us, but one of my spies told me that the Crown Prince once said he found the position of Crown Prince rather dull, and he did not know..."


    "He did not know what?"


    "He did not know what it tastes like to sit on the Imperial throne..."


    After speaking, the old minister quickly bowed his head, pressing his forehead against the ground.


    Li Xuandao''s eyes flashed with a chill upon hearing this.


    He closed the petition he was holding and set it down gently.


    "Leave," Li Xuandao said with closed eyes. The two ministers immediately stood up, performed a salutary bow, and left quickly.


    Once they had left the Imperial Garden and the palace grounds, and only when they had passed through the gates of the Imperial City, did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    The other middle-aged minister turned to the old one and asked in a low voice, "Does His Highness truly intend to..."


    He looked around and withheld the word "rebel."


    "There have been signs for hundreds of years. It is said that ever since the Crown Prince returned from the Holy Land, his temperament has changed. He has already stepped into the Immortal Realm. I fear the Imperial Dynasty is about to face unprecedented turmoil. The Yang Family has courted no small number of factions..." the old minister sighed.


    His ancestors had served Li Xuandao for ten generations and he himself had been an academically honored champion designated by Li Xuandao. In his heart, Li Xuandao was the heavens.


    But faced with a Crown Prince who possessed the cultivation level of the Immortal Dao and had a formidable family background, how could he not think that the throne was on the cusp of changing hands?


    The middle-aged minister fell silent after hearing this, and they both hastened down the same street.


    Meanwhile, back in the Imperial Study.


    Li Xuandao slowly opened his eyes, gazing straight ahead, and suddenly said, "Gu An, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, you should be able to hear my words, right?"


    After his words, silence filled the room; no response came from outside. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire


    He took a deep breath, stood up, walked around the desk, and then, lifting the hem of his robe, knelt on the ground.


    "Gu An, if there is still any affection between us, please help me..." Li Xuandao said with a resolute expression. He then began to kowtow.


    However, just as his forehead was about to touch the ground, a hand caught his forehead, preventing it from touching the floor.


    Li Xuandao''s pupils contracted and his body trembled slightly. With great caution, he slowly lifted his head to see the person in front of him ¨C it was indeed Gu An!

 Chapter 510 The Number One Genius

    Gu An looked at Li Xuandao, who knelt before him, and felt quite moved.


    At the beginning of his cultivation, Li Xuandao had given him a lot of support. Although at that time, Gu An had already been able to fend for himself, Li Xuandao treated him as a junior without knowing his true cultivation level. Throughout their interactions, Li Xuandao had never bullied him and was always so kind to him.


    The End of the World Valley provided by Li Xuandao was also an important part of Gu An''s income in the first half of his life. The valley had been planted with high-tier cultivation herbs from the start, which were extremely significant for Gu An before he reached a hundred years old.


    Additionally, Li Xuandao had treated Ye Yan, Yang Jian, and Wuxin quite well, so Gu An had always had a good impression of Li Xuandao.


    He felt that there was a bond of sentiment between him and Li Xuandao; their conversations were always delightful. It''s just that Li Xuandao, as the emperor, was too busy, and they seldom met.


    The last time they had met was more than two thousand years ago.


    Li Xuandao had already achieved Nirvana, but he displayed a cultivation level of Integration Realm. He had his own network of connections, but compared to the Yang Family behind Li Lingtian and his mother, the forces he had gathered were not as strong. Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Rise,"


    Gu An said softly, looking at the stunned Li Xuandao, and then he lifted him up.


    After Li Xuandao stood up, he took a deep breath and said, "You really didn''t leave."


    Gu An smiled and responded, "It seems we truly are people of the same path. You know what I''m thinking."


    Hearing this, Li Xuandao knew that Gu An had seen through his hidden cultivation. He wasn''t too surprised, considering how high Gu An''s cultivation level was. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Let''s sit down and talk."


    Gu An gestured with his hand, and Li Xuandao nodded, then turned and walked to the table.


    Once they were both seated, Li Xuandao looked across at Gu An, who seemed like an Immortal Monarch in the flesh, and felt somewhat dazzled. A mix of emotions flooded him; he was surprised, relieved, and felt undeservingly favored.


    He hadn''t expected that he could actually summon Gu An.


    Gu An had abandoned the Supreme Sect but not him. How could he not be moved?


    "Tell me, how can I help you?" Gu An asked. Even though he could guess the answer, he wanted to hear it from Li Xuandao himself. This process would also help Li Xuandao ease his emotions.


    Li Xuandao took a deep breath and began to recount his predicament.


    As Li Lingtian grew older, he became restless with his position as Crown Prince, and the Yang Family behind the Empress became increasingly impatient, constantly inciting conflict.


    A talent had emerged from the Yang Family and had been taken into the Holy Court at the Human World Peak, a place far more formidable than all sects within the Broken Sea Domain. Li Xuandao''s hidden cultivation level was nothing compared to the Human World Peak.


    It wasn''t Li Lingtian that Li Xuandao feared but the Human World Peak!


    Gu An listened patiently. After Li Xuandao finished speaking, he remarked, "That kid Li Lingtian has never been a quiet one since he was young, but that''s normal. Being born into the Imperial Dynasty, how could he not aspire for imperial power?"


    Li Xuandao''s face turned slightly awkward as he admitted, "Indeed, I can''t blame him. But the struggle for imperial power relies on one''s own means. At least under my rule, the Tai Cang Dynasty has always been developing well."


    That was indeed true; the Tai Cang Dynasty had enjoyed thousands of years of peace, and while a prosperous age could harbor many internal conflicts, Li Xuandao always managed to resolve them well.


    Gu An didn''t feel that Li Xuandao should give up his throne; as long as the people of the Tai Cang Dynasty were doing well and Li Xuandao''s life span was long, he indeed could keep sitting on his throne.


    Li Xuandao looked at Gu An, his heart uneasy.


    In his eyes, the Human World Peak posed no threat to Gu An, yet there really was no need for Gu An to help him against the Human World Peak. Even if Li Xuandao offered everything he had, it probably wouldn''t catch Gu An''s interest.


    Gu An then spoke, "How about this, I''ll have Yang Jian come and help you, and from now on, serve you. How does that sound?"


    He arranged this because Yang Jian recently wanted to leave the Holy Court and, conveniently, Yang Jian was the first person to defeat Li Lingtian, so their fated rivalry could be prolonged.


    Even to this day, Li Lingtian was still using Yang Jian as a benchmark.


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao''s eyes brightened, and he asked, "Really? Can it be done?"


    He was very fond of Yang Jian. From the first sight of him, he wanted to win him over. That''s why he had previously gathered the Imperial Dynasty''s resources to forge an appropriate Divine Weapon for Yang Jian.


    "Of course, he''ll arrive in a few days," Gu An said with a smile. He believed Li Xuandao could go even further.


    No matter how the future evolved, for all beings, a situation with many strong contenders was better. If the whole world were to be ruled by a single power, it would be prone to troubles.


    Just like before, when the Holy Court ruled the world, demon cultivators could slaughter the people of an entire region, and the truth could be easily suppressed by the Saint King.


    Therefore, with such thoughts in mind, Gu An also hoped that the Tai Cang Dynasty could endure and prosper further.


    Of course, he would only facilitate and mediate, never intervene directly.


    In fact, Yang Jian had a good impression of Li Xuandao, and it could be beneficial for both if they teamed up.


    Li Xuandao, after hearing Gu An''s promise, felt extremely cheerful, as if all the frustrations in his heart had been swept away.


    He already knew that Yang Jian had regained his Saint King status, and the current Yang Jian could help him counter the Human World Peak, or at least, Human World Peak would give face to Yang Jian.


    "How have these years been for you?" Gu An continued, beginning to make small talk with Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao did not hide anything, sincerely sharing his experiences, and the two seemed to return to the times of four thousand years ago in the End of the World Valley, chatting with great joy.


    A full hour had passed before Gu An finally took his leave.


    Watching Gu An come and go like the wind, leaving not the slightest trace of his presence, Li Xuandao sincerely sighed, "He is a True Immortal."


    No sooner had his words fallen than Gu An had already arrived at Human World Peak.


    Gu An summoned Zhu Xinglan, instructing him to settle the matter, forbidding anyone from intervening in the internal strife of the Tai Cang Dynasty.


    Zhu Xinglan immediately set out to handle the task.


    Without needing to use his status as the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, Gu An could still easily have the matter resolved.


    The Yang Family was considered powerful in the Broken Sea Domain, but within Human World Peak, they couldn''t reach the top echelon.


    Having given his instructions, Gu An then rested in the courtyard. After a while, Zhu Xinglan came back, delighted to see his master had returned.


    Gu An was very satisfied with his dedication over the years and imparted Divine skills to him, making Zhu Xinglan even more overjoyed.


    ...


    In the Tai Cang Dynasty, within a mansion.


    Li Lingtian sat at the head of the room, his face full of impatience.


    There were over a dozen people standing in the hall, discussing how to instigate a coup, even arguing over it.


    Li Lingtian was truly fed up and couldn''t help but say, "Enough, no matter what, he is still my father, the Emperor. At most, I''ll seize power, but it''s impossible to harm him!"


    As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent and then looked towards him.


    Li Lingtian was incredibly talented and presently had the cultivation level of the Immortal Dao Realm. His presence was strong enough to command attention.


    "Do you not realize what imperial power means to your father, the Emperor? A struggle for the throne cannot be without casualties!"


    An imposing voice came from outside the hall as a man in white walked in with the sunlight behind him.


    People turned their heads to look, all showing expressions of joyful surprise.


    An elder, thrilled, said, "Yang An, you''ve finally returned!"


    Yang An, the top talent of the Yang Family and a disciple of Human World Peak!


    He was handsome and elegant, with an extraordinary demeanor. His mere entrance was enough to dissipate Li Lingtian''s aura.


    Li Lingtian frowned slightly as he looked at Yang An.


    He resented and was wary of Yang An.


    Everyone made way as Yang An approached Li Lingtian, slightly raising his chin, looking down upon him, and said, "The Yang Family wants to make you Emperor, this is your honor. You shouldn''t be indecisive. Li Xuandao, when he took the throne, had stained his hands with the blood of many of his brothers and sisters."

 Chapter 511 You Are Not Worthy of the Name An

    Yang An''s words won the approval of the other people in the hall, they spoke in turn, continuing to persuade Li Lingtian, hoping he could let go of a woman''s kindness, he must be ruthless in his actions, or else it would be easy to run into trouble.


    The more they agreed, the more irked Li Lingtian became.


    A bunch of Yang surnamed people forcing him, of the Li surname, to kill someone with the same surname?


    He wanted to curse loudly, but he was no longer the impulsive youth he once was; he had to maintain his relationship with the Yang Family. The Yang Family had provided him with too many cultivation resources -- too many for him to cut ties with.


    The reason he wanted to become Emperor was precisely because he could not gather the force of the Tai Cang Dynasty for his own gains.


    No matter how high his talent might be, he still needed heavenly materials and earthly treasures and opportunities to push his cultivation faster.


    There were as many geniuses in this world as there were innumerable stars; he was not the brightest among them.


    Li Lingtian''s complexion grew increasingly unsightly, and Yang An did not stop the others from admonishing him; instead, he watched Li Lingtian with great interest.


    His reason for coming was not merely to support Li Lingtian.


    In the eyes of the Yang Family, their seizing the throne was already a done deal; what they needed to do was suppress Li Lingtian and make the imperial authority a plaything in the hands of the Yang Family.


    "When did the Yang Family become the masters of the Tai Cang Dynasty? How is it that I, who am also surnamed Yang, do not know this?"


    A resounding voice echoed through heaven and earth, reaching the ears of everyone in the hall.


    Before they could react, a figure, glittering with silver light, appeared out of nowhere beside Yang An.


    Yang An glanced over and his pupils suddenly dilated; the blade''s edge was at his throat, making his body feel like it was in a cold cellar, chilled to the bone.


    Standing beside Yang An was a man clad in silver armor, his left hand gripping a three-pointed double-bladed saber, its blade horizontal in front of him, pressed against Yang An''s throat. His posture was so casual that it brought an indescribable shock to everyone present.


    Li Lingtian stared at Yang Jian, his eyes widening and his mouth opening involuntarily.


    "It''s you¡­"


    Li Lingtian could never forget Yang Jian; the two had spent many years together, and he had often sparred with Yang Jian, never winning once.


    How many years had it been?


    He had fantasized about the scene of meeting with Yang Jian again, but he had never imagined it would be under these circumstances.


    After a brief silence, a female cultivator of the Yang Family couldn''t help but ask, "Who are you?"


    The others hastily took out their magic artifacts; even though they were frightened by the Yang Family, they had no intention to run because this was the Yang Family''s ground, and their descendants were outside; they could not flee.


    Yang An looked at Yang Jian, sweating profusely, he was locked in by Yang Jian''s intent to kill, his mana frozen, unable to mobilize it. He couldn''t see through Yang Jian''s cultivation level at all. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But one thing was certain -- he was no match for this person!


    Yang Jian glanced at Yang An and said, "Given your connections with Li Lingtian, put away your delusions."


    His gaze then shifted to Li Lingtian, his eyes indifferent, "Kid, nobody can touch your father''s imperial seat, including you. Don''t forget the ambitions you told me about. How did you end up so vulgar?"


    On hearing this, Li Lingtian''s face turned red, but he had no rebuttal.


    Because he once told Yang Jian that he wanted to become the number one cultivator in the world, he wanted to pursue longevity and immortality, not to be some prince or crown prince.


    However, as his realm grew higher, he felt increasing resistance, and he couldn''t help but ponder worldly possessions.


    "Who are you really? The person you are holding is from the Human World Peak, you had better weigh your options!" another middle-aged cultivator said through gritted teeth.


    Yang Jian glanced at him, his eyes so cold that it terrified the man, who instinctively stepped back.


    "The Human World Peak is formidable, and their Peak Master, the Daoist Monarch of Eternal Years, is indeed a great power; I have discussed the Dao with him. Oh, that''s right, I am Yang Jian, the Candle World Saint King from the Holy Court¡ªhave any of you heard of me?"


    Yang Jian''s words made everyone''s complexion change dramatically.


    The Saint King of the Holy Court!


    The cultivators of the Yang Family were so frightened that they knelt down, foreheads to the ground, begging for Yang Jian''s forgiveness.


    Li Lingtian sat stunned in his chair, although he was puzzled as to why Yang Jian had become a Saint King, he was very clear about one thing¡ªin front of the Holy Court, the Human World Peak was nothing!


    Yang Jian''s gaze moved back to Yang An, making Yang An''s Dao Heart tremble.


    "You are not worthy of the name An, from today on, change your name." Yang Jian said with an unquestionable tone.


    Yang An''s throat bobbed as he involuntarily uttered a word, "Okay¡­"


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    Seeing Yang Jian easily suppress the Yang Family, Li Lingtian''s mouth opened slightly, a sense of overwhelming defeat welling up inside him.


    The gap between him and Yang Jian was getting bigger and bigger!


    ...


    The seasons of the Human World cycled, and early autumn had arrived once again.


    In the woods outside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless,


    Gu An lay on a tree branch, dappled sunlight speckling his face as he examined his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 4,458 / 50,802,675,392]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Innate Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ...


    Fifty billion years of life span!


    He had reached halfway to a hundred billion!


    This was the accumulation Gu An had achieved without massive slaughter or causing any upheaval, yet his life span had grown rapidly.


    Given such an advantage, he naturally did not have to struggle and risk his life like the common folks in the mortal coil.


    Because of this, he had to be more careful and cautious, never arrogant.


    Beneath the tree, Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai were practicing their swordsmanship, a dual-blade harmony technique created by Gu An for them. The two women were vigorously immersed in their practice, while the Celestial Demon Child was in the midst of a deep, extended cultivation retreat.


    "It''s been a while since I''ve initiated a Lifespan Reincarnation. Should I give it a go?"


    Suddenly feeling an urge, Gu An felt that his understanding of the Great Dao had slowed down recently, and he needed a new stimulus.


    Lifespan Reincarnation was the perfect way!


    Even with its risks, they wouldn''t immediately affect him in reality.


    A gamble!


    It had been many years since the last one!


    It was time!


    With a thought, Gu An immediately initiated the Lifespan Reincarnation.


    [You have expended ten million years of life span to commence a session of Reincarnation Evolution]


    [Starting to connect to Dao Rules]


    [Searching for Reincarnation Worlds]


    [You have the following worlds to choose from, select one]


    [One, Celestial Spirit Great World]


    [Two, Great World of the Heavenly Tome]


    [Three, Dark Great World]


    Great World?


    Heavenly Tome?


    Gu An was drawn to the second option, but why did he feel like this world existed within the pages of a book? If so, he might encounter terrifying beings akin to the Celestial Spirit God.


    Forget it, better not meddle with the Great Worlds for now, ten million years was not a small number to him; he''d have to work hard for half a year to attain it.


    Gu An''s gaze settled on the Dark Great World.


    Ever since Yang Xian defeated the Black Profound Emperor, Gu An was no longer so cautious of him; this time, he could attempt to confront the Black Profound Emperor again, to personally vanquish him!


    Having made his choice, a series of prompts appeared before his eyes:


    [You have chosen to reincarnate into the Dark Great World]


    [Considering the Dao Rules of this world cannot conceal your talent, you will retain the ability to seize life span but cannot activate stage-specific functions]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins]


    [In the first year, you are born in a town within the Western Extreme Domain. As a newborn, the town faces a demon beast attack, your parents are killed, and you are carried away by a demon beast, only to be fortuitously rescued by a cultivator. You are named by the cultivator as Black Profound]

 Chapter 512 Black Profound Ascension, Profound Clear Immortal Sect

    Black Profound?


    Gu An couldn''t help but frown when he saw the first hint.


    Could Black Profound Emperor be his Reincarnation Body?


    He thought back carefully about the encounter Yang Xian had with Black Profound Emperor, who never revealed his true face, making it hard to judge.


    But if Black Profound Emperor was him, why would he want to kill his own Reincarnation Body?


    Gu An continued to read, developing a strong curiosity about this lifetime.


    "At two years old, you were taken back to the Celestial Dark Demon Sect by a cultivator, and the cultivator Luo Abyss officially took you as his disciple."


    "At four years old, Luo Abyss began to teach you the Cultivation Technique, and you displayed extraordinary talent that shocked Luo Abyss."


    "At five years old, Luo Abyss left, leaving you alone in his Cave Mansion. A python he was keeping broke out of its cage, wanting to eat you. After a fierce battle, you killed the python and accidentally gained thirty years of life span, marking a turning point in your destiny."


    "At six years old, you built your Foundation Establishment successfully with the Demon Core of the python."


    "At seven years old, Luo Abyss returned. Knowing that you had killed the python, he didn''t say anything but handed you a Secret Manual. You took the manual and saw five words written on the cover, ''Yin Yang Reversal Skill.''"


    ...


    The following were years of cultivation. Black Profound showed strong talent, but whether he was the strongest among the Reincarnation Bodies was still hard to tell.


    Until the age of twenty, Black Profound was sent down the mountain by Luo Abyss to gain experience for a century.


    "At twenty-one years old, you met an elderly Daoist. He noticed your extraordinary demeanor and wanted to tell your fortune. Do you accept?"


    Why does every reincarnation involve such encounters?


    Could there be a scheme?


    Gu An didn''t believe in coincidences, and he chose to refuse.


    "You refused for the Daoist to tell your fortune. The Daoist shook his head with regret, saying that you would meet again one day. You watched his retreating back and remained silent for a long time."


    "At twenty-two years old, you encountered a Demon Race attacking the city. Without hesitating, you joined the battle along with a group of cultivators and successfully repelled the Demon Race. Because of your heavy killing aura, the city''s civilians kept their distance from you, and even other cultivators were wary of you; unable to integrate, you silently left."


    "At twenty-three years old, you encountered a Demon Cultivator committing evil acts; you eliminated the Demon Cultivator. The grateful mortal family from the city invited you to stay at their mansion for a few days. You agreed, and during the journey thereafter, you protected the family while defeating demons along the way. This caused the family to fear you even more. On the night before reaching the destination, you overheard them discussing how to send you away, and you left alone before dawn."


    "At twenty-four years old, you came to Hanji City and heard that the city was hosting a Magic Battle Conference. Only young talents under the age of one hundred could enroll, and you decided to sign up. In the end, you defeated all the competitors, claiming first place powerfully and becoming famous citywide. At the celebration banquet, the City Lord wanted to betroth his daughter to you. Do you accept?"


    No!


    Although Black Profound might be the Black Profound Emperor, now it''s Gu An''s Reincarnation Body, and he can''t allow his Reincarnation Body to have any weaknesses.


    "Finding a Dao Companion is alright, but not now!"


    "[You refused the City Lord''s goodwill, and he shook his head, chuckled, and did not persist. The very next day, you took the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures you had won at the Magic Battle Conference and left. When you were about a hundred miles from Hanji City, you encountered a group of mysterious Cultivators who ambushed you. After a fierce battle, only one of them was left alive. Through coercion, you learned that it was the City Lord''s arrangement, which infuriated you.]"


    "[At the age of twenty-five, you entered the Demon Race''s forest and began slaughtering demons extensively.]"


    "[At the age of twenty-six, you returned to Hanji City and made your way to the City Lord''s Mansion where you chose to force your way in. A great battle erupted, and in the end, you left the City Lord''s Mansion full of corpses. The exhausted City Lord knelt on the ground, begging for your forgiveness. His daughter also ran over, standing in front of you, hoping you would spare her father. Will you choose to forgive the City Lord?]"


    "Forgive what?"


    "Did the City Lord ever forgive me?"


    Gu An, identifying with the role of Black Profound, also felt angered and immediately chose no.


    "[You ignored the pleas of the City Lord''s daughter and beheaded the City Lord with a single sword strike. Then, you turned and left. Under the gloomy sky, the City Lord''s daughter knelt on the ground, cursing you hoarsely and vowing to seek revenge in the future. You were indifferent and walked away proudly.]"


    Gu An, seeing this, felt that Black Profound might have developed feelings for the girl.


    Through this journey, how intense Black Profound''s killing intent had been, almost catching up to Long Zhan. Could he actually have spared the City Lord''s daughter?


    The image of Black Profound in Gu An''s mind became even more nuanced, and as for the consequences of sparing the City Lord''s daughter, Gu An was not worried.


    With the life-controlling Black Profound Emperor evolving rapidly, his early life''s enemies would hardly impact his future.


    In the subsequent prompts, Black Profound clearly relied heavily on life evolution, killing relentlessly each year, even routinely slaughtering the Alien Race, making Gu An feel his growth rate would exceed his past lives.


    After a century, Black Profound returned to the Celestial Dark Demon Sect.


    "[At the age of one hundred twenty-one, you returned to Luo Abyss''s Cave Mansion and unexpectedly learned of Luo Abyss''s death, the cause being Demonic Possession that led him to harm his fellow sect members, and he was slain by a Great Cultivator from within the sect in time. You found the incident highly suspicious. While staying at the Celestial Dark Demon Sect to cultivate, you began investigating the truth behind your master''s death.]"


    "[At the age of one hundred twenty-two, you stumbled upon another disciple of Luo Abyss within the sect. After a discussion, you opened your heart, believing that your master could not have been possessed demonically. After hesitating, the other disciple suggested that the cause of the master''s death might have been offending the Vice Sect Hierarch, giving you a direction for your investigation.]"


    "[At the age of one hundred twenty-three, while you were cultivating in the Cave Mansion, you felt strong auras approaching. Before you could think further, the Restriction of the Cave Mansion was broken, and a group of Law Enforcement Disciples forcibly entered, accusing you of Demonic Possession and harming your fellow sect members. They attempted to execute you on the spot. After a fierce battle, you escaped but were met with more opponents. You kept killing as you fled, leaving the Celestial Dark Demon Sect and heading north.]"


    "[At the age of one hundred twenty-four, you arrived in the Land of the North Nether. Standing on a cliff, you were awestruck by the sight of Kun leaping from the boundless ocean, which led you into a state of Profound Mystery and Enlightenment.]"


    "[At the age of one hundred twenty-five, deep in the glacier, you discovered a mysterious Cave Mansion. After days of research, you successfully deciphered the clues of the Restrictions left on the Cave Mansion. You stepped inside and, after facing nine mechanisms, saw a Stele inscribed with the words ''Cause and Effect.'' Feeling the dense Spiritual Energy within the Cave Mansion, you decided to go into seclusion there, planning to seek revenge on the Celestial Dark Demon Sect later.]"


    "[At the age of one hundred thirty-five, you entered the Mahayana Realm, prepared to return to the Celestial Dark Demon Sect. Just as you were about to leave, the Cause and Effect Stele vibrated, and a powerful force absorbed you into it.]"


    "[You found yourself in a dimly lit cave. Turning around, you saw that the Stele behind you was different from the previous Cause and Effect Stele; it had no inscriptions and was covered in cracks and dust. No matter how you applied your powers, the Stele remained inert. You chose to walk out of the cave. Outside the cave wasn''t the glacier anymore but a world resembling the Immortal Realm, filled with abundant Spiritual Energy that astounded you.]"


    "[Just as you were immersed in the magnificent scenes of nature, a white-robed woman resembling a Fairy descended from the sky and landed beside you. You couldn''t discern her Cultivation Level, so you were very vigilant. The white-robed woman asked if you had ascended from the Lower Realm, which puzzled you further. She invited you to join the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, will you agree?]" Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    "Ascended?"


    Gu An had never heard of the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, but it seemed Black Profound had no other choice; if the other party harbored ill intentions, even if he refused, he would still face trouble. Why not join and see? S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 513 Celestial Court, God of Destruction

    Gu An chose to join the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, hoping that Black Profound could follow the right path within the Profound Clear Immortal Sect. Excessive killing was not a good practice.


    "You chose to join the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, and the lady in white was pleased. She then introduced you to the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, and during the conversation, you learned her name, Fairy Bai Xian. Under Fairy Bai Xian''s guidance, you successfully joined the Profound Clear Immortal Sect and officially entered the Profound Pure Great World."


    Profound Pure Great World?


    Gu An pondered; he knew that the Great Thousand World was considered a whole universe, and the Celestial Spirit Great World had been part of the Great Thousand World before it shattered.


    Not all Great Thousand Worlds were as fragmented as the Celestial Spirit Great World. How strong a complete Great Thousand World was, even Gu An could not judge now, for he had not witnessed it.


    Alerts kept popping up in front of him as Fairy Bai Xian introduced Black Profound to her mentor, making Black Profound her junior brother.


    In the years that followed, Black Profound no longer engaged in battles but practiced cultivation with his master and Fairy Bai Xian.


    The more this happened, the more uneasy Gu An felt.


    He had a feeling that something big would happen, something very significant! S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Black Profound practiced in the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, spending hundreds of years as if he had forgotten the vengeance for Luo Abyss.


    "At the age of one hundred and seventy-eight, the Profound Clear Immortal Sect welcomed a millennia Dao conference, with various teachings from all over the world coming to participate. You heard from Fairy Bai Xian that she admired a man known as Emperor Ziwei, a peerless prodigy. You secretly took note of this name, then inquired about Emperor Ziwei. When the millennia Dao conference began, you went above the Sea of Clouds and saw the elegance of Emperor Ziwei among many disciples. This sight made you lose interest in watching the spectacle, and you returned to your Cave Mansion to continue in seclusion."


    Then came various cultivation alerts.


    Gu An couldn''t help but wonder what kind of elegance Emperor Ziwei possessed, one glance at whom had deeply affected Black Profound.


    Emperor Ziwei used ''Emperor'' in his name, and Black Profound later became the Black Profound Emperor. Could it be because of him?


    "At the age of two hundred and fourteen, Fairy Bai Xian found you and said she was going out for training, expecting to be gone for at least a hundred years. You were worried about her and wanted to follow, but Fairy Bai Xian told you not to worry. Did you choose to insist on following Fairy Bai Xian?"


    If it had been before, Gu An would definitely have chosen no, to avoid falling into a romantic entanglement with his Reincarnation Body.


    But he remembered how Yang Xian had to bury his wife, and the two had never been together.


    Perhaps, constantly preventing it might not be a good thing either.


    And in this life, Black Profound also had a tough time with no family, no friends, and even his master had died.


    Setting aside his prejudice against the Black Profound Emperor, Gu An decided to truly treat Black Profound as himself, treating everyone equally.


    He chose to insist on following!


    "You chose to insist on following Fairy Bai Xian. She looked at you, staring until you felt uneasy. Suddenly, she smiled and said you better not hold her back. Hearing this, a smile also appeared on your face, looking at your senior sister smiling like the bright moon in the sky, you secretly swore to protect her completely for life."


    "At the age of two hundred and fifteen, you followed Fairy Bai Xian to a sea, where you stopped on a deserted island. Fairy Bai Xian was preparing to collect herbs on the island, while you meditated on the beach. Later, Fairy Bai Xian chose to stay on the island, where she began practicing alchemy, and she would let you taste any elixirs she made."


    "At the age of two hundred and seventeen, you left the island and ventured further into the sea, where you encountered a human race sea ship surrounded by demon beasts. You chose to help, rarely encountering ownerless demons, unable to resist the urge to kill. Afterwards, Fairy Bai Xian cautioned you not to create too much slaughter. The Profound Clear Immortal Sect was not just a sect of the human race but also of all living beings without discriminating between races. You promised it wouldn''t happen again."


    Seeing Fairy Bai Xian admonishing Black Profound, Gu An felt that his decision was the right one.


    Life Span could be considered as an aid and could be used in many ways, as long as one did not develop a killer instinct.


    He felt that Black Profound would not give up on Life Span, but as long as there was some restraint, it was also a good thing.


    Black Profound followed Fairy Bai Xian traveling around the world, treasure hunting, saving demons and people, exorcising ghosts, their journey brimming with excitement.


    The two also encountered dangers and had been seriously injured, but luckily, they took care of each other and always managed to turn peril into safety. Fairy Bai Xian had saved Black Profound, and Black Profound had also saved her. All in all, nobody truly held the other back.


    At 307 years old, you unexpectedly stumbled upon a battle for treasure where one party was none other than the Emperor Ziwei, whom Fairy Bai Xian admired. He fought alone against hundreds of strong Immortal Dao cultivators and ultimately defeated them. Fairy Bai Xian was amazed, and even you had to admit that Emperor Ziwei was truly powerful. After the battle ended, Emperor Ziwei approached you. He obviously recognized Fairy Bai Xian and wished to invite her to his dojo as a guest, but she politely declined. Emperor Ziwei then turned to you and extended the invitation. Would you choose to visit his dojo?


    No!


    Not going!


    Gu An made his choice directly. He was somewhat displeased with Emperor Ziwei. Hadn''t he seen Black Profound walking with Fairy Bai Xian? Why interfere?


    You chose to refuse the invitation to Emperor Ziwei''s dojo. Emperor Ziwei did not insist and soon left. You turned to Fairy Bai Xian, asking her why she did not go. Fairy Bai Xian looked at him and counter-questioned why they should go. You exchanged smiles, understanding each other without words.


    At 308 years old, you came to the most magnificent mountain in the land, rumored to house an Immortal. Deciding to seek the Immortal, you began the ascent but found that you could not use your mana. You had to proceed up the mountain as mere mortals.


    At 309 years old, after a year''s journey, you reached halfway up the mountain and saw a courtyard with an old man resting inside, holding a fan. Surprised, you recognized him as the old Daoist who had wanted to tell your fortune years ago. The Daoist also recognized you, and with a smile, he said it was finally time to meet, which intrigued Fairy Bai Xian. When she learned that you had met in the Lower Realm, it filled her with respect for the old Daoist. He did not say much more and threw two secret manuals onto the ground before returning alone to his house. You picked up the secret manuals from the ground and began to study them.


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    At 320 years old, after eleven years of cultivation, you finally perfected one of the Divine Skills. The old Daoist finally came out of his house, praising you for having a Destiny Pattern fit for an emperor''s path. However, you had suppressed your nature. This caused the still unskilled Fairy Bai Xian to be confused. Knowing the innate aggressiveness in your bones, Fairy Bai Xian fell silent, and you were also caught in a dilemma: whether to keep your promise not to kill or to follow the old Daoist''s advice and embark on the emperor''s path.


    The hint stopped there.


    Gu An did not hesitate, choosing to keep his promise and not kill.


    Who persuades someone to start killing?


    That old Daoist is fishy!


    You chose to keep your promise to Fairy Bai Xian not to kill and not to follow the emperor''s path, making Fairy Bai Xian very happy. The old Daoist said you would regret your decision one day. His gaze made you uncomfortable, so you made an excuse, took Fairy Bai Xian''s hand, and bid your goodbyes.


    At 321 years old, you and Fairy Bai Xian discovered the legendary Divine Beast, the Celestial Auspicious Deer, in the Forbidden Demon Forest. You received the blessing of the Celestial Auspicious Deer, enhancing your comprehension.


    ¡­


    After surreptitiously being cursed by the old Daoist, Gu An was cautious and closely watched the hints, fearing Black Profound and Fairy Bai Xian might encounter danger.


    Fortunately, they continued to encounter amazing adventures until they were over 500 years old, when both returned to the Profound Clear Immortal Sect and entered into seclusion.


    The next five hundred years passed even quicker.


    Yet, the event Gu An feared still occurred.


    At 1347 years old, while in seclusion, you felt a terrifying pressure. You immediately left your Cave Mansion and saw the sky darken, forming a majestic vortex of clouds, and felt an oppressive atmosphere. Soon after, you saw a pair of eyes and then heard an authoritative voice claiming he was the God of Destruction from the Celestial Court, stating that there were unusual intrusions in this Great World that must be cleansed. As his voice fell and the earth shook, you immediately went to find Fairy Bai Xian. You managed to find her and wanted to take her to flee, but she decided to stand or fall with the Profound Clear Immortal Sect. You were caught in an inner struggle, wondering whether to stay and protect the Profound Clear Immortal Sect.


    Celestial Court, God of Destruction!


    Gu An frowned tightly ¡ª this God of Destruction might be a terrifying being like the Celestial Spirit God, and it seemed the Celestial Spirit Great World had shattered because of the Celestial Spirit God. How could the Profound Clear Immortal Sect resist such a terrifying entity?


    But how could Black Profound flee and still face the Profound Clear Immortal Sect?


    Forget it!


    Might as well die together; consider the million-year lifespan wasted.


    To embrace death with a loved one, even if life is short, insights can still be obtained.


    You chose to stay and protect the Profound Clear Immortal Sect, which deeply touched Fairy Bai Xian. She seemed to think of something and pulled you flying to a place. On the way, you saw countless Great Cultivators from the Profound Clear Immortal Sect rushing toward the giant eye in the sky, only to be extinguished one after another. This sequence of events made you feel so insignificant.


    Following Fairy Bai Xian''s lead, you discovered that you had come to the cave where you had first crossed into the Profound Pure Great World. Fairy Bai Xian explained that the reason she had recruited you into the Immortal Sect at first sight was that her deceased father had claimed that this cave held an Immortal Fate. Someone who had once saved the Profound Clear Immortal Sect had emerged from this Cave Mansion. She hoped you could return to your original world. You said you didn''t know how to go back when you saw Fairy Bai Xian pulling out a Jade Pendant.


    You felt something was wrong and tried to snatch the Jade Pendant, but Fairy Bai Xian forcibly pushed you into the cave. She then threw the Jade Pendant after you into the cave. You felt a familiar and long-missed powerful force behind you. Looking back from afar, you saw Fairy Bai Xian at the cave entrance, her face filled with reluctance as she watched you.

 Chapter 514 Daoist Emperor, The Unprincipled Immortal

    "[You have returned to the Dark Great World]"


    Seeing this prompt, Gu An''s feelings became complex.


    He had originally thought that Black Profound would die because of Fairy Bai Xian, but he had not expected that in the end, it was Fairy Bai Xian who saved Black Profound.


    Fairy Bai Xian did not abandon everything for love, nor did she let Black Profound bear her responsibilities...


    Even Gu An was moved by Fairy Bai Xian and felt that she was worthy of the identity of an Immortal Sect Disciple.


    Since there was no choice to be made, the prompt continued.


    Having returned to the Dark Great World, Black Profound chose the path of extremity, beginning to slaughter demons and slay monsters wildly; in less than a century, he had fought his way back to the Celestial Dark Demon Sect.


    He headed straight for the Vice Sect Hierarch, seeking to avenge his master; everyone who tried to stop him was executed.


    In the end, he brought about the collapse of the Celestial Dark Demon Sect; no one dared to block his path, with the Sect Hierarch himself begging for mercy on behalf of the Vice Sect Hierarch, revealing that the Vice Sect Hierarch was his own younger brother.


    To this, Gu An chose not to show mercy, for Black Profound needed to avenge the Luo Abyss for his master.


    Besides, without the pursuit of the Celestial Dark Demon Sect, how could Black Profound have been forced into the Profound Pure Great World?


    Good and evil will eventually be repaid; the Celestial Dark Demon Sect had this tribulation coming!


    As for Black Profound, he too would face his karma. If there was cause and effect, even death would only mean his skills were inferior!


    Black Profound grew rapidly, but he never encountered the other two reincarnations of Gu An in the Dark Great World, Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian, which made him doubt whether Black Profound was indeed the Black Profound Emperor.


    Gu An sat up from the tree trunk; he was currently in the dojo. Even if inheriting memories of reincarnation drained spiritual energy, it was like the Life Span Barrier, drawing spiritual energy from all directions of Great Heaven and Earth and would not reveal the location of the dojo.


    In this world today, every day, there were Great Cultivators breaking through; the commotion was already significant, so the disturbance caused by inheriting memories would not cause panic among all beings.


    Down below, Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai were still practicing swordsmanship and did not notice Gu An sitting up.


    When the prompt regarding reincarnation reached two thousand years later, Black Profound finally encountered a catastrophe.


    "[At 2132 years of age, you reached the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path in cultivation level, alarming the whole world. The clouds of tribulation above your head had not yet dispersed when a giant hand reached out from within and grabbed you. Your consciousness fell into darkness.]"


    "[When you awoke, you found yourself lying on a grass field. Opening your eyes, the celestial vault was bright, majestic mountains surrounded you on all sides, and you were in a vast valley. There were other people in the valley, and you discovered that their cultivation levels were no weaker than your own, all at the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path and from different Great Worlds. Someone told you that you were inside a magical treasure and could not escape. Unconvinced, you tried and realized you indeed could not escape, forcing you to calm down.]"


    "[At 2240 years of age, you tried again to break free but were once more intercepted by the world''s restrictions.]"


    "[At 2302 years of age, a pair of eyes appeared in the sky, and you heard a voice. The voice belonged to the master of this piece of Great Heaven and Earth, who called himself the Evil Emperor. He stated that only one among you could live to see him. You hesitated for a moment before initiating a massacre. In the end, you slaughtered seven hundred and thirty-six Free Immortals and began to attempt breaking into a greater realm.]"


    "[Your breakthrough was successful, surpassing the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path. You shattered the world''s limits, arriving at a great hall where you met the Evil Emperor. Astounded by your talent, the Evil Emperor wanted to accept you as his disciple. Do you choose to agree to become the disciple of the Evil Emperor?]"


    Having witnessed Black Profound''s rapid breakthrough to the Dao Fruit Realm, and seeing the Evil Emperor remain so composed, Gu An realized this individual must be terrifying.


    After much hesitation, Gu An decided to wait. Having killed so many Free Immortals, Black Profound''s life span must be immense, it was just that he hadn''t had the time to keep improving.


    "[You choose to agree to become the disciple of the Evil Emperor. The Evil Emperor is gratified and presents you with a Golden Core to refine. You find that you can only cultivate on the hall and it''s clear that the Evil Emperor has no intention of letting you leave. You are hesitant. Do you choose to agree to refine the Golden Core?]"


    Gu An frowned, weighing his options carefully.


    If the Evil Emperor had calculations and the power, why would there be a need for roundabout schemes?


    If the heart of the Evil Emperor was good, even if Gu An refused, there shouldn''t be any trouble.


    No!


    Gu An made his choice.


    "[You refuse to refine the Golden Core. The Evil Emperor snorts coldly, saying it''s not up to you. You engage in a fierce battle, ultimately falling to the Evil Emperor, who forcibly stuffs the Golden Core into your body and compels you to refine it, plunging you into a state of chaos.]"


    "[You begin to integrate the Heaven-Encompassing Golden Pill.]"


    Good gravy!


    The Golden Pill of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal?


    What was the cultivation level of this Evil Emperor?


    "You''ve comprehended the Path of Cause and Effect,"


    "You''ve comprehended the Path of Destiny,"


    "You''ve comprehended the Path of Yin and Yang,"


    "An Evil Soul tried to possess you, but you eradicated it by forcibly evolving your lifespan,"


    "Your cultivation level has greatly increased,"


    "You opened your eyes, and the Evil Emperor was kneeling before you, calling you master and offering you the Emperor''s Weapon ¡ª the Karma Rebirth Moon. You pretended to accept, leading the Evil Emperor away and began your secluded cultivation,"


    "You successfully crossed the tribulation and reached the realm of Profound Yuan Free Immortal. The Evil Emperor returned to congratulate you. Suddenly, you attacked him. After a fierce battle, you slew the Evil Emperor and found the Emperor''s Destiny within the palace. You merged it with your own, changing your Destiny Pattern and becoming a Daoist Emperor, unconstrained by karma or fate. You named yourself Black Profound Emperor, and as if decreed by some cosmic fate, you felt recognized." Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the age of two thousand three hundred and three, you stepped out of the Evil Domain and into the cosmos. You discovered the vastness of the universe; the Dark Great World was just a fraction of it, and you began to traverse the cosmos.


    Black Profound Emperor!


    It was indeed him!


    Seeing this prompt, Gu An felt conflicted. He didn''t understand why the Black Profound Emperor would want to kill his reincarnation body.


    The prompts kept coming!


    More and more slaughter, but the Black Profound Emperor didn''t kill without purpose. He was also searching for a way to break free from the universe, seeking to return to the Profound Pure Great World.


    When the Black Profound Emperor arrived at the World Gate, he didn''t encounter the Celestial Spirit God, leading Gu An to speculate that the Dark Great World might not belong to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Eventually, the Black Profound Emperor successfully crossed the universe and arrived at the Path of the Great Dao. Along this path were entrances to different Great Worlds.


    The Black Profound Emperor could not discern which Great World was the Profound Pure Great World; he could only explore them one by one.


    The first two Great Worlds were fine; he could come and go as he pleased, but when he approached the third Great World, he encountered Karma Retribution just as he was about to enter. Even the Path of Destiny seemed to reject him, something he had never felt before, forcing him to retreat.


    This set Gu An''s mind racing. To encounter Karma Retribution, there must surely be some cause and effect involved.


    Could it be related to the other reincarnation bodies?


    In the end, the Black Profound Emperor returned to the Profound Pure Great World, now a wasteland. He wandered between heaven and earth, seeing no living spirits, and when he came to the once-thriving Profound Clear Immortal Sect, he could not find Fairy Bai Xian anywhere.


    The Black Profound Emperor lingered at the ruins of the Profound Clear Immortal Sect for a long time. He erected a monument for Fairy Bai Xian, and just as he was about to leave, an overwhelming oppressive force descended upon him, a presence he could never forget.


    The Celestial Court, the God of Destruction!


    Reading this, Gu An felt that things had gone awry. He didn''t think the Black Profound Emperor was a match for the God of Destruction, especially since the Black Profound Emperor was currently only a Profound Yuan Free Immortal.


    "At the age of two thousand seven hundred and two, you faced the God of Destruction, prepared to avenge Fairy Bai Xian. Yet, to your astonishment, you saw a figure appear behind the God of Destruction ¡ª it was Fairy Bai Xian. Her aura was completely different from the one in your memories, cold and detached, making you realize she was a reincarnation of a Celestial Court Immortal God. The Celestial Court discovered the anomaly of this Great World because of her. Now that she has regained her memories from her past life, her gaze towards you was cold and indifferent."


    "Just when you felt utterly hopeless, the old Daoist who had taught you divine skills appeared and repelled the God of Destruction with a single palm strike, then fled with you from the Profound Pure Great World. During the escape, you learned that the anomaly the God of Destruction spoke of wasn''t you, an Ascender, but the old Daoist himself, revealing that his Daoist name was the Free Immortal who exists without the Celestial Court''s acceptance, barely surviving within the Three Thousand Great Worlds."


    "At the age of two thousand seven hundred and three, you were taken by the Free Immortal to the Land of Reincarnation. He urged you again to walk the path of slaughter. Thinking of Fairy Bai Xian''s cold visage, this time you chose to forsake your vow. The Free Immortal passed on divine skills to you, allowing you to create Karma Avatars to slay your other reincarnation bodies and break free from the chains of reincarnation."


    Good heavens!


    So that''s what was happening!


    This Free Immortal was really stirring things up!


    The most crucial point was that Gu An had no choice in the matter; it meant that the Black Profound Emperor had not hesitated at all, greatly spurred by the shock from Fairy Bai Xian.


    Gu An felt it was absurd, but the prompts about reincarnation continued, indicating that escaping from the Lifespan Reincarnation was not so easy.


    If a reincarnation body could kill the original, then a lifespan of ten million years could be too much of a loss!


    "At the age of two thousand eight hundred and twenty, you created three thousand Karma Avatars, dispersing them into the Three Thousand Great Worlds, then manipulating them to enter the River of Destiny. A third of your Karma Avatars were exterminated within the year."


    "At three thousand and seven years of age, the Free Immortal passed the Cultivation Technique to you, the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill."

 Chapter 515 Nine Yin Divine Mansion, Terrifying Celestial God

    [At 3,116 years old, Gu An comprehended the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill and perceived the Three Thousand Great Dao, gaining enlightenment within his heart. In that same year, all the Karma Avatars he had sent out were annihilated. He did not inform Wudao Immortal of this event.]


    [At 3,320 years old, Gu An found Wudao Immortal and expressed a desire to engage in slaughter. Wudao Immortal did not let him leave but instead sent him into the Boundless Purgatory, a place of exile used by the Celestial Court. Anyone who fell into it could only engage in endless slaughter until they were killed.]


    [At 3,321 years old, Gu An condensed his own Daoist Emperor Divine Skills.]


    [By the age of 3,350, Gu An had leveraged Life Span Evolution to forcefully enter the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm. He met Emperor Guangyu, and through Emperor Guangyu, he gained a deeper understanding of the Boundless Purgatory.]


    [At age 3,362, a powerful being was exiled into the purgatory by the Celestial Court. Gu An witnessed this powerful being besieged, killing gods when gods stood in the way and demons when demons blocked the path. Feeling that he was no match, he stayed away from the battlefield.]


    [At 3,400 years old, Emperor Guangyu, with that powerful being, found Gu An. This person was known as the Emperor Zhenhai, also a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal. They prepared to go and slaughter the most terrifying existence in the Boundless Purgatory¡ªthe No Prison Demon Lord.]


    [At 3,401 years old, the three of you found the No Prison Demon Lord. However, you were no match for him. After being repeatedly heavily injured, Wudao Immortal suddenly appeared at the critical moment. Unexpectedly, he was acquainted with the No Prison Demon Lord. The No Prison Demon Lord looked at you and forced you to choose between Emperor Guangyu and Emperor Zhenhai, with only one of them being able to survive with you. You fell into a dilemma.]


    It was time for Gu An to make a choice, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    He still had a choice to make, which meant that the Reincarnation Body was still under the control of the Lifespan Reincarnation.


    Choosing between Emperor Guangyu and Emperor Zhenhai was easy. After all, he knew Emperor Guangyu better because of Black Profound.


    Gu An immediately chose Emperor Guangyu.]


    [You chose to let Emperor Guangyu live, yet the No Prison Demon Lord did not slay Emperor Zhenhai but instead took him as a subordinate. You and Emperor Zhenhai exchanged glances, feeling the hostility from the other. Afterwards, Wudao Immortal brought you back from the Boundless Purgatory to the Land of Reincarnation.] S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [At 3,500 years old, you took advantage of Wudao Immortal''s absence and stealthily left his dojo, embarking on your own adventure in the Land of Reincarnation.]


    [At 3,501 years old, you encountered a Ghost Immortal from the Nine Yin Divine Mansion, sustaining severe injuries and having no choice but to leap into the Netherworld.]


    [You began your Reincarnation.]


    Nine Yin Divine Mansion?


    A mere Ghost Immortal could heavily wound the Black Profound Emperor, a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal?


    Gu An grew even more wary of the Land of Reincarnation. During his previous breakthroughs in the Land of Reincarnation, he had always felt an eerie chill, as though something immensely terrifying was hidden in the dark.]


    After reincarnating, it was a new life, but the Black Profound Emperor still retained the ability of Life Span Evolution.


    However, the Reincarnation Body was distinctly different from Gu An. They lacked the various life span abilities and could only use Life Span Evolution to enhance their Cultivation Level and Daoist Techniques, not like Gu An who controlled Life Expectancy Prediction, Life Span Barrier, Life Span Simulation, and other abilities.]


    Every time the Black Profound Emperor made a breakthrough, he would suffer attacks, exactly because he lacked the Life Span Barrier.]


    In this life, the Black Profound Emperor achieved the Nirvana Realm before he turned a thousand years old. Then, he began to regain his memories and, after sweeping away his enemies in a single lifetime, he stepped out of the Path of Reincarnation at the age of two thousand and returned to the Land of Reincarnation, restoring his cultivation as a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal.]


    Free from the harassment of the Ghost Immortal, the Black Profound Emperor continued to advance.]


    In this way, the Black Profound Emperor began his own adventurous life. He no longer dwelled on Fairy Bai Xian, but he would go to explore the existence of the Celestial Court.]


    In future hints, he would meet women who moved his heart, but Gu An rejected them on his behalf. One profound experience was enough.]


    Gu An continually made choices on behalf of the Black Profound Emperor, and each choice reinforced his own confidence.]


    He had indeed been bluffed by Wudao Immortal before, as if the Reincarnation Body would devour its master.]


    Before he knew it, the Black Profound Emperor reached one million years of age. He had been holding off breaking through to the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, and Gu An felt he must be wary of something.]


    Finally, the Black Profound Emperor began his breakthrough.]


    [At one million and eight years old, you started your breakthrough and succeeded in surpassing the Free Immortal status to achieve the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit. You encountered an attack from Wudao Immortal, who wanted to take possession of your physical body. You employed your Divine Skills and leaped to another Great World, with Wudao Immortal in hot pursuit.]


    "You have come to the Celestial Spirit Great World," you realize this Great World has already shattered, and so you rush toward the World Gate, wanting to flee to a stronger Great World, as the Godless Immortal continuously attacks you.


    "You encounter an attack by the Celestial Spirit God," you are severed in two by a single axe blow from the Celestial Spirit God, you immediately resist, but the Celestial Spirit God swings the axe again and slays you, destroying both body and spirit.


    "You die at the hands of the Celestial Spirit God."


    "Reincarnation ends."


    Damn it!


    The Celestial Spirit God again!


    Even the Black Profound Emperor died by his hand?


    Celestial Spirit God, if you could also slay the Godless Immortal, then I would truly admire you!


    That''s what Gu An thought to himself as he got up, disappeared from his spot, and arrived at the highest peak in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless. He sat cross-legged on a cliff and began to inherit the memories of reincarnation.


    The Reincarnation prompts were just a summary; only by truly inheriting the memories of reincarnation could one feel them vividly.


    A continuous stream of reincarnation memories flooded into Gu An''s mind. Upon awakening in the body of reincarnation in the Dark Great World, the whole world was enshrouded in darkness.


    The world was dark, and human hearts, even darker.


    Although Luo Abyss had saved Black Profound, he hadn''t treated him all that well, but because he was Black Profound''s only kin, Black Profound could never forget him.


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    No matter how many years passed, Black Profound would always think of that dark Cave Mansion.


    Having become Black Profound, Gu An could understand these feelings.


    The more one lacks something, the more they yearn; he did not miss Luo Abyss, he yearned for kinship, that was all.


    In the Dark Great World, not a single day was happy for Black Profound; Gu An felt that he had it even worse than Chu Lu and Xiao Shengtian.


    It was only when Gu An stepped into the Profound Pure Great World that his entire world seemed to brighten and become radiant thanks to Fairy Bai Xian''s smile.


    At that moment, he was Black Profound, and he too wanted to protect Fairy Bai Xian for a lifetime.


    The life that followed, adventuring through the Great World with Fairy Bai Xian, was even more carefree and joyous, and also gave Gu An a deeper understanding of the power of the Great World.


    In the Profound Pure Great World, the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path were not a secret to sentient beings, and there were even transcendent beings who surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, active in the world, each an overlord and a Great Power of the world.


    When the God of Destruction appeared, the beauty finally shattered.


    Gu An stood in front of his Cave Mansion, looking up at the visage of the God of Destruction, truly a sight of awe-inspiring power. Even the skies of the Great Thousand World could not contain the God of Destruction. How powerful the Profound Clear Immortal Sect was, yet those who surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path fell one after another in their assaults on the God of Destruction, as futile as mantises trying to stop a chariot, moths to a flame, utterly powerless.


    Afterward, Gu An began to experience more peril.


    When the Godless Immortal brought him to the Land of Reincarnation and he started to cultivate his Karma Avatars, he caught a glimpse of the greed hidden deep in the Godless Immortal''s eyes which briefly exposed itself.


    When all three thousand of his Karma Avatars were annihilated, even without the memories of that moment, he could still feel something.


    There was no so-called transcendence; to annihilate one''s own reincarnation bodies in other spacetimes and Great Worlds only eliminated karma, and for each one destroyed, one would suffer from Karma Retribution, a pain that Gu An could feel.


    Life is vast; looking back, it seems like smoke and clouds.


    When Gu An reached the endpoint of this life, he once again felt the might of the Celestial Spirit God, whose power was extremely terrifying, much more than what it seemed on the surface.


    Before his death, as his divine soul was not yet completely dissipated, Gu An saw the Celestial Spirit God swing his axe at the Godless Immortal, successfully decapitating him.


    The Godless Immortal wore an expression of shock, as if he had not anticipated the Celestial Spirit God to be so powerful.

 Chapter 516 Daoist Unique Venerate Skill

    The Reincarnation inheritance had ended.


    When Gu An opened his eyes, the sky had darkened. He looked up to see the night sky sparkling with stars, making him feel as if a lifetime had passed.


    The memories from Black Profound Emperor''s million-year reincarnation had completely merged into his soul; it was as if he had truly lived through those million years.


    Dark Great World, Profound Pure Great World, Path of the Great Dao, Land of Reincarnation...


    He had truly become the Black Profound Emperor, the two merging into one.


    The so-called Reincarnation Body is actually just the same soul, merely manifesting under different Dao Rules. A Reincarnation Body can kill another Reincarnation Body, but it cannot kill the Primordial Soul. If the Primordial Soul perishes, all Reincarnation Bodies will cease to exist.


    It seemed that Black Profound Emperor realized this, which is why he stopped releasing Karma Avatars.


    As to whether Black Profound Emperor could differentiate if he was the Primordial Soul, Gu An couldn''t judge. But in fact, for a Reincarnation Body, it doesn''t matter whether it is the Primordial Soul or not, as it does not affect the Reincarnation Body''s ability to live. The Primordial Soul could even become a reliance for the Reincarnation Body.


    God of Destruction had Black Profound Emperor destroy all other Reincarnation Bodies just so he could escape all karmic ties and then possess a body to evade the Celestial Court''s pursuit.


    Regrettably, what God of Destruction didn''t understand was that Black Profound Emperor''s Reincarnation Body operated differently from what he perceived as reincarnation.


    Gu An''s Lifespan Reincarnation was not bound by the Dao Rules; no one could therefore infer his Reincarnation Body and Primordial Soul through Black Profound Emperor.


    This life, Black Profound Emperor had helped Gu An understand the Great Thousand World, Path of the Great Dao, and Land of Reincarnation, even revealing to him other paths of cultivation.


    Daoist Emperor!


    The Daoist Emperor is a branch in the Path of Cultivation, anchored in the Great Dao, obtaining the power of the Great Dao at an earlier realm, becoming an existence that realms cannot measure.


    To become a Daoist Emperor, one must gain the acknowledgment of the Great Dao, an exceedingly arduous task. Black Profound Emperor also became a Daoist Emperor through the inheritance left by the Evil Emperor.


    The world established by the Great Dao is truly boundless; even an Innate Golden Immortal is not enough to comprehend the true essence of the Great Dao.


    Footsteps approached from behind, interrupting Gu An''s thoughts.


    Shen Zhen came and sat in front of him, curiously asking, "What''s wrong? You''ve been here al day and night."


    She had watched for a long time and approached only after seeing Gu An slightly move.


    Gu An turned his head to look at her and smiled, "Naturally, I am comprehending the natural order of the universe."


    Seeing the smile on his face, Shen Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. She took out a painting scroll, then unfurled it. It depicted Gu An''s silhouette, looking so somber, radiating a morose and eerie aura of death.


    "This is a painting I made of you earlier. During the process, I saw some visions..." Shen Zhen said cautiously.


    This piqued Gu An''s interest. Could she have seen his Reincarnation memories?


    "What did you see?" Gu An asked with a smile, his smile also easing Shen Zhen''s nervousness.


    Previously, Gu An''s silhouette had brought immense pressure on Shen Zhen, instinctively terrifying her. If it weren''t for her relationship with Gu An, she really wouldn''t have dared to approach.


    Shen Zhen hesitated for a moment, then said, "I saw many visions, all fragments, but quite..."


    "Quite what?"


    "Quite shocking. The events and enemies you encountered are beyond what I could have ever imagined."


    Shen Zhen replied, thinking of the God of Destruction''s form and couldn''t help but shudder.


    Who wouldn''t despair when faced with such an existence?


    She thought again about Gu An''s parting with Fairy Bai Xian, and when she saw Fairy Bai Xian again, that aloof and lofty demeanor made her sympathize with Gu An.


    No wonder so many beauties threw themselves at Gu An, yet he remained indifferent. It turned out he had already experienced a deeply memorable love.


    Listening to her thoughts, Gu An guessed the scenes she had glimpsed. Although they were fragments, the fact that she could see them proved her talent for understanding the Way of Cause and Effect.


    It wasn''t just the Way of Cause and Effect; perhaps Shen Zhen could also glimpse into the Path of Reincarnation and the Way of Fate.


    Gu An pretended to be serious, "Those things you''ve seen, aside from those about me, don''t talk about them, and certainly don''t draw them, to avoid trouble."


    Shen Zhen nodded. She wasn''t foolish; how could she dare to draw the God of Destruction, whom even Gu An couldn''t defeat?


    Looking at Gu An''s face, Shen Zhen felt that he was also carrying a burden, facing enemies he couldn''t overcome.


    Perhaps Gu An had come to hide in the Celestial Spirit Great World just to avoid these formidable beings.


    For the first time, Shen Zhen felt a strong desire to become stronger.


    Although she was unclear about what exactly had transpired between Gu An and that woman, seeing her lofty look down on Gu An infuriated Shen Zhen.


    One day, she would accompany Gu An to take revenge! Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, she had no attachments in this life and was only following Gu An to cultivate; from now on, Gu An''s enemies were her own!


    Hearing her thoughts, Gu An couldn''t help but laugh and cry, but he was, of course, somewhat touched.


    It was not in vain that he had brought her to the dojo.


    "I will pass on to you a divine skill that will aid you in better understanding the Dao. Do you want to learn it?" Gu An looked at Shen Zhen with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen''s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly.


    "This skill is profound and mysterious; it won''t show effects in just a year or two. Be mentally prepared," Gu An cautioned.


    Shen Zhen replied, "In this dojo, I''m in no rush."


    Gu An was amused, then proceeded to impart the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill of the Black Profound Emperor to Shen Zhen.


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    The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill was originally taught by the Immortal without Dao to the Black Profound Emperor, but the Black Profound Emperor had enhanced it, making it even stronger. Gu An guessed that the Black Profound Emperor had utilized lifespan evolution, which was why the Immortal without Dao, despite pursuing him, couldn''t defeat him.


    The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill of the Black Profound Emperor had surpassed that of the Immortal without Dao.


    The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill was a complete Daoist Technique, including Divine Skills, Spells, Evasion Techniques, and Formations, among others. Once Shen Zhen inherited the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill, she could cease cultivating other Daoist Techniques.


    With so many Reincarnation memories merged, Gu An mastered countless Daoist Techniques, and the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill was definitely one of the top tier.


    Perhaps the Black Profound Emperor''s talent was not as great as that of Yang Xian, nor his combat ability, but his opportunities were quite extraordinary.


    Gu An didn''t pass it orally but raised his hand, his fingers pressing on Shen Zhen''s forehead.


    Shen Zhen''s eyes widened as she stared intently at Gu An, a strange light flickering in her eyes. Soon, she entered a state of Enlightenment.


    The moon set, and the sun rose.


    Morning sunlight spilled over Shen Zhen, who suddenly opened her eyes, staying frozen in place. Then, instinctively looking around, when she saw Gu An stretching near a cliff not far away, she finally sighed in relief.


    The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill was vast and boundless, and just the inheritance of cultivating memories made Shen Zhen feel as if she had traversed a vast sea, thus waking up with a feeling of panic as if facing a transformed world.


    She stood up and walked to Gu An''s side, about to speak, but then heard Gu An say, "This skill, I impart to you alone; you must not pass it on."


    Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Shen Zhen''s face, lifting her spirit completely.

 Chapter 517 5000 Years Old, The Cause of Transformation

    This cycle of reincarnation involving the Black Profound Emperor was just a minor episode in Gu An''s life, a warning he gave to Shen Zhen to keep secret before he returned to his usual rhythm of daily life.


    Gathering flowers and herbs, mentoring disciples, reading, writing, and so forth.


    Others in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless busied themselves with their own cultivation, and time passed quickly before them.


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    In the blink of an eye, Gu An celebrated his five thousandth birthday.


    He alone knew this fact, as everyone around him considered him an old monster who had lived untold years.


    That year, during the summer.


    Gu An sat on a boulder in the forest, checking his attribute panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 5,000/61,551,478,029]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfection in the Innate Golden Immortal Realm]


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    A life span of over six hundred fifteen billion years, not bad, steadily increasing.


    Gu An thought thus, a smile appearing on his face.


    Beside him was a stream, the very place where he had first met Yi Qingshan and others, now a boundary line of the forbidden land of the Qiankun Sect.


    He stayed here to wait for someone.


    While waiting, Gu An looked towards the distance, observing the current state of his old acquaintances.


    Martial Resolution had become a high-ranking member of the Supreme Sect, but power was corrupting his talent.


    Profound Celestial Intent was still traveling the world, having relinquished all responsibilities since the Supreme Sect had grown stronger and leading a carefree life.


    Jiang Qiong had become a Supreme Elder, currently in seclusion and cultivating.


    Li Xuandao, supported by Yang Jian, began to expand the boundaries of the Tai Cang Dynasty.


    The world remained a battleground between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court, with both sides losing numbers but their overall destiny improving as they birthed more powerful and outstanding individuals.


    Without the intervention of the Free Immortal, all was relatively peaceful.


    Gu An''s gaze landed on Li Ya, who had been quickly increasing in cultivation under the tutelage of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, especially in his Sword Intent, which was fiercely potent.


    Having instruction surpassing even the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path from a Sword Dao expert, Li Ya''s opportunity was among the top in the world, only An Hao surpassing him among their generation.


    With the vast world filled with talents like fish in a river, the Supreme Sect producing two pinnacle geniuses gave Gu An a great sense of achievement.


    With this feeling of accomplishment, Gu An began to predict Li Ya''s future.


    As he calculated, his expression grew peculiar.


    Such a possibility...


    Gu An thought of the Celestial Dao Golden Core and the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, feeling that such a future was indeed reasonable. Everything had its advantages and drawbacks, and as Li Ya grew stronger, he would also have to bear the karma that strength brought.


    After a long while.


    A figure approached from the depths of the woods, spotting Gu An from a distance and immediately growing excited, rushing over.


    It was Lv Xian!


    Once the top talent of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty and the son of the Sect Leader Lv Baitian.


    He reached Gu An''s side, looking at him, extremely agitated and somewhat at a loss.


    "Gu An... I..." Lv Xian was so excited, he didn''t know what to say.


    Gu An looked at him, sizing him up and down, and smiled, "No need to be nervous. Since you''ve crossed heaven and earth to get here, I naturally will fulfill my promise."


    Hundreds of years ago, Gu An heard Lv Xian calling out to him. It turned out that Lv Xian had challenged Yang Jian and suffered a devastating defeat, which hit him hard. Thus, he thought of seeking Gu An''s help, considering Yang Jian was Gu An''s disciple.


    He knelt in his own Cave Mansion, begging Gu An to teach him.


    After all, with a friendship spanning over four thousand years, Gu An couldn''t bear to refuse him, even if only out of respect for Lv Baitian, so Gu An allowed him to come on his own while strictly forbidding him from revealing the matter.


    Thus, Lv Xian crossed continents and oceans, and even with the cultivation level of the Nirvana Realm, it still took him hundreds of years to reach the Nine Spirit Continent. Along the way, he faced numerous hardships and experienced both resentment and affection.


    "Can I follow you and cultivate now?" Lv Xian asked, his eyes burning with eagerness.


    Gu An smiled and raised his hand towards a nearby stream, saying, "You must think carefully. Once you cross this stream, there will be no turning back. Until the catastrophe of heaven and earth ends, you cannot leave my Daoist Field. It''s an incredibly long period, long enough to turn anyone you care about into dust."


    Upon hearing this, Lv Xian''s brows furrowed tightly. Many faces flashed through his mind, but after only a moment''s hesitation, he stepped forward and crossed the stream.


    He turned his head to look back, gazing at the woods behind Gu An as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.


    Gu An stood up, crossed the stream as well, and passed him by, heading toward the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Lv Xian hurriedly followed, but he couldn''t help turning his head back again.


    In a daze, he saw a beautiful figure standing across the stream, her face bright with a radiant smile looking at him, causing a tremor in his pupils.


    Lv Xian took a deep breath, decisively turned his head away, and quickly caught up with Gu An''s pace.


    Gu An pretended not to notice his struggle and began to introduce him to the nearby mountains and forests.


    Lv Xian listened intently but couldn''t stop thinking about that woman. Had he truly said goodbye forever?


    Yet, compared to romantic attachments, he could not accept mediocrity even more.


    He was born to be an Immortal!


    Gu An walked slowly, and his voice gradually soothed the waves in Lv Xian''s heart.


    When they returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of them; it was the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The transformed Blood Prison Great Saint looked at Lv Xian and sneered, "Didn''t expect you to come. Let''s have a match."


    He had long wanted to fight Lv Xian!


    Lv Xian clearly remembered the Blood Prison Great Saint and immediately agreed to the challenge without hesitation, thus, completely pushing his worries aside.


    Gu An raised his hand to create a barrier, allowing the two to enter and fight to their heart''s content.


    Once they entered, they immediately unleashed their auras, which also alerted the others in the dojo since they were unfamiliar with Lv Xian''s aura and couldn''t help but overthink.


    One figure after another appeared beside Gu An, inquiring about Lv Xian''s identity. Gu An briefly introduced him, and when they heard that Gu An had personally brought Lv Xian in, they dismissed their concerns and began to look forward to his performance.


    Chen Chuan felt Lv Xian''s aura and secretly marveled; as they were both in the Nirvana Realm, he felt he was probably no match for Lv Xian.


    Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, and Ghost Mother of Ephemera also felt a sense of awe.


    Jiang Shi and An Shengtian watched the fight earnestly, hoping to learn.


    Shen Zhen came up to Gu An and whispered, "His karma and destiny are changing rapidly."


    Gu An glanced at her but did not respond.


    Indeed, there were changes. The changes were due to Gu An cleansing Lv Xian''s karma to prevent powerful beings from using him to predict the presence of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Better safe than sorry, even though Gu An was already an Innate Golden Immortal, he still acted cautiously.


    Gu An looked at Lv Xian, his eyes revealing a hint of expectation.


    Meanwhile.


    Far across the realms, Li Ya arrived in front of the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword.


    The area was an open forest, and the Sword Annihilation Ancestor stood nearby, watching Li Ya.


    In front of Li Ya, the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword was stuck in the soil, its blade etched with crimson flame patterns and about four fingers wide. The hilt was dark purple, resembling the scale armor of some exotic beast wrapped around it, and the guard was engraved with a lifelike, eerie eye.


    As Li Ya looked at the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, he tried to calm his emotions, while the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit leaped out of his body and perched on his shoulder, eyeing the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword.

 Chapter 518 Famous Throughout the World, Silent Extinction Aura

    "To have the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword submit to you, you must first be fearless. The greater your fear, the stronger its backlash will be, and then you will endure pain unimaginable to ordinary people. No matter how painful, you must not be afraid. If you are not confident that you can do this, it is still not too late to give up now."


    The voice of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor came from aside, and Li Ya''s expression flickered upon hearing this.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit turned its head to look at the Sword Annihilation Ancestor and asked, "What happens if one fails?"


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor responded, "At best, two-thirds of your Three Souls and Seven Spirits will be damaged, but at worst, your soul will scatter, leaving only an empty shell to be possessed by the Sword Soul."


    These words caused the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit to shudder; its gaze toward the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword was filled with dread.


    It whispered, "You''re not burdened by a deep-seated vendetta nor do you have anything urgent that you must do right away ¨C why risk this?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya''s eyes became resolute. He took a deep breath and said, "It''s precisely because there is no necessity that I must push myself. I don''t want to live a mediocre life."


    With that said, he grasped the hilt of the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword.


    Boom!


    A violent evil aura burst from inside the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, soaring into the sky and attempting to scatter the clouds above. The surrounding woods shook violently as if they were about to be uprooted.


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor raised his hand, pressed forward, and tranquility returned to heaven and earth; the nearby trees no longer trembled, and a ring of Qi Force appeared around Li Ya.


    Li Ya''s face was strained with popping veins, and his eyes wide, his gaze started to be veiled in bloodshot red, gradually losing their luster.


    "Young one, why do you wield the sword?"


    "What is the killing intent in your heart? Whom do you wish to kill?"


    "Why are you discontent, who do you resent?"


    "It seems you''re fearing something."


    A gloomy voice kept echoing in Li Ya''s ears, making the world in his eyes spin. He suddenly found himself on a desolate plain under a blood-red sky; he saw a figure in the distance on a hillside, only its silhouette visible, not its face.


    Just as Li Ya was about to speak, suddenly, a whooshing sound came. Pfft! A sword thrust through Li Ya''s throat, making his body lean back, his eyes widening; in his pupils was reflected the face of Gu An.


    Gu An, with disheveled hair and fierce eyes like a fierce ghost, pierced through his throat.


    ...


    Far away in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An was feeling the illusion that Li Ya was experiencing. The Sword Annihilation Ancestor was being crafty, actually trying to deduce the karma between Li Ya and him through the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword.


    It seemed that the Sword Annihilation Ancestor had other motives for coming to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Gu An was not too worried; the difference in their cultivation levels was vast ¨C the Sword Annihilation Ancestor couldn''t reach him.


    He felt the Sword Intent from the Sword Annihilation Ancestor entering Li Ya''s body, helping him withstand the backlash of the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, which reassured him.


    Perhaps the Sword Annihilation Ancestor had plans for the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but at least he wouldn''t let Li Ya die right now.


    Li Ya was only at the Nirvana Realm and couldn''t bear the power of the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword on his own. The fact that the Sword Annihilation Ancestor intervened showed that he truly wanted Li Ya to inherit this power, regardless of later schemes, and Gu An would act again if needed.


    Gu An then turned his attention to the battle between the Blood Prison Great Saint and Lv Xian, feeling expectant.


    He personally trained Lv Xian, who must become stronger as, after many years in the Primordial Era, Lv Xian was the strongest in heaven and earth.


    A smile involuntarily appeared on Gu An''s face as he thought of the delightful outcome.


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    Lv Xian was feeling immense pressure, shocked by the strength of the Blood Prison Great Saint, yet he was also thrilled. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To think a fierce bull could be so powerful, his training with Gu An would surely make him stronger!


    The Celestial Demon Child, An Xin, Chen Chuan, and others were also discussing the battle, equally astounded by Lv Xian''s displayed strength since the Blood Prison Great Saint was a Loose Immortal, and for a Nirvana Realm cultivator to fight a Loose Immortal to such an extent spoke volumes of his talent.


    ...


    At dusk.


    Supreme Sect, Third Medicine Valley.


    Long Qing came down from the pavilion, he saw Candle Star standing on a roof, gazing steadily into the distance.


    He immediately flashed to Candle Star''s side and asked, "What are you looking at?"


    Candle Star replied, "The Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword. The sword is recognizing its master, and it''s recognizing a cultivator from the Nirvana Realm."


    Nirvana Realm cultivator?


    Long Qing couldn''t help but frown, finding it absurd.


    Candle Star continued, "Speaking of which, this person has some connections with you. To be precise, he is connected through the cause and effect of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, and his name is Li Ya."


    "Elder Li?" Long Qing''s tightly furrowed brows relaxed.


    "If it''s him, it''s not surprising; perhaps my master is protecting him."


    Long Qing had grown up following Gu An and knew well the relationship between Gu An and Li Ya.


    Candle Star looked at Long Qing and asked with a smile, "Do you think your master has really left the Celestial Spirit Great World?"


    Although Long Qing had already reached an agreement with Candle Star, he still retained a bit of wariness towards him, given the vast difference in their cultivation levels.


    Long Qing shook his head, "How would I know? After all, I didn''t follow him."


    Candle Star smiled, deciding not to ask any further.


    "How powerful will Elder Li become after mastering the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword?" Long Qing asked curiously.


    The Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword had caused such a stir in the past, and he had longed for it too.


    Candle Star answered, "With this sword in hand, even the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path cannot kill him. However, the extent of the power he can wield reaches only as high as the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm."


    Long Qing fell silent, his eyes filled with envy and astonishment.


    This was akin to soaring to the skies!


    It seemed Elder Li was going to become famous throughout the world!


    ...


    As the years flew like an arrow, another millennium passed.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An lay on a tree reading a book, while below on the grassland, figures like An Xin, Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, Lv Xian, Blood Prison Great Saint, and Jiang Shi were meditating, all immersed in the Dao Intent imparted by Gu An.


    Sunlight sprinkled down, seeping through the gaps in the leaves and falling upon Gu An.


    He slowly raised his head and looked towards the Celestial Vault.


    Ever since he had arrived at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, time had passed much faster than before, but he did not feel uncomfortable. Instead, he enjoyed it, as his life span also increased rapidly.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World, which had known peace for over two thousand years, was going to face turmoil again. The Will of Heavenly Dao always remembered to destroy all living beings.


    This time, it was other Great Worlds within the universe that were invading, preparing to take over the Celestial Spirit Great World, with Dao Fruit Realm beings scheming in the background.


    Gu An had no intention of intervening. Nowadays, the Celestial Spirit Great World was a place where many powerful beings were interconnected with bound interests, and many strong beings would not allow the Celestial Spirit Great World to be destroyed at this critical juncture.


    He was more of a spectator.


    "Elder Brother Li, although you have already become famous throughout the world, this calamity might cause you to stumble again," Gu An murmured to himself, a smile appearing on his face.


    Five hundred years ago, Li Ya had emerged abruptly, wielding the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword and challenging sword cultivators across the world. Victorious in every battle, his fame was unparalleled for a time, and people had forgotten about An Hao, considering Li Ya the greatest talent in the world, even though he relied on the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An''s expression changed slightly as he looked towards Outer Heaven.


    "This aura¡­ are you still not giving up?"


    Gu An thought to himself, his gaze sharp.


    He felt the aura of the Silent Destruction God Emperor!


    Coming from the World Gate!


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor had possessed the Long Clan''s flesh, and in order to capture Long Qing, he even planned to harm all living beings. Such actions had already put him on Gu An''s kill list.

 Chapter 519 The Great Dao Tree, Divine Emperors Pawn

    In the depths of the universe.


    A World Gate stood tall, here it seemed as if there were no hours, the years could not taint this grand, towering gate.


    At this moment, a bright light shone from within the World Gate, a figure slowly stepped out from the strong light, clad in black armor, a mysterious presence, a helmet underneath which was as black as a black hole, making it impossible for anyone to see his true face.


    It was the Silent Destruction God Emperor!


    In his right hand, palm facing up, hovered a golden Token, long as a knife, intricately carved on its surface, emanating a brilliant golden radiance, dazzling beyond compare.


    As he walked out of the World Gate, he stopped, turned his head to look at the figure of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Another seven figures stepped out one after another from the World Gate, men and women alike, each with a celestial demeanor and magnificent bearing, their gazes also turning toward the Celestial Spirit God. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Whatever you all intend to do, you must not destroy this Great Thousand World, otherwise even your Celestial Orders won''t be able to save you."


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God rang out, indifferent in tone, with an unyielding firmness that allowed no rebuttal.


    Before the Silent Destruction God Emperor could speak, a man in a white robe behind him raised his hand in greeting and smiled, "Celestial God, rest assured, we have only come to capture one person and will not disrupt the rules of the Great Thousand World."


    The Celestial Spirit God did not respond, and the Silent Destruction God Emperor proceeded to step toward the depths of the universe, followed closely by the man in the white robe and others.


    Soon, this expanse of void fell into silence once more, the bright light inside the World Gate dissipated, and the surroundings of the World Gate dimmed, with only the light emanating from the Celestial Spirit God persisting.


    ...


    Although the arrival of the Silent Destruction God Emperor drew Gu An''s attention, he did not initiate an attack because he felt that the Silent Destruction God Emperor also possessed an Innate Golden Immortal''s Cultivation Level.


    Battling an opponent of the same realm wasn''t wise!


    Gu An, lying on a tree branch, sat up. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Forget it, let''s have a Life Span Simulation!


    [Requires 5,000,000,000 years of Life Span, continue?]


    Hmm?


    Five billion years of Life Span?


    That''s way too expensive!


    Gu An directly chose no, there was no need to waste Life Span, especially since the aura of the Silent Destruction God Emperor didn''t intimidate him.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor wouldn''t be able to discover the Daoist Field of the Beginningless unless he intended to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Although many have seen Gu An in this world, Gu An has already tampered with their cause and effect, no one would be able to trace back to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An lay back down, continuing to read his book.


    He would cross that bridge when he came to it!


    It must be said, in these years the Profound Celestial Intent''s penmanship had improved greatly, the depiction of emotion in the text was especially delicate, tugging at one''s heartstrings.


    Gu An read intently, through the words he could visualize the scenes of the past, the characters'' emotions as fervent as fire.


    The sun set and the moon rose, a full five days passed, An Xin and others finally woke up one after another, which was because Gu An had withdrawn his Dao Intent.


    Seeing Gu An sleeping on the tree, they all stood up and paid their respects before leaving in small groups, whispering their insights to each other.


    After they all left, only then did Gu An open his eyes.


    His gaze turned toward the Celestial Vault.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor had arrived at the Celestial Spirit Great World with his seven subordinates, they did not go to the Supreme Sect but joined the Holy Court instead.


    Could it be that their target was not to eliminate Long Qing?


    Long Qing''s identity had already been exposed, even that Candle Star knew clearly, the Silent Destruction God Emperor must also be aware.


    Perhaps the Silent Destruction God Emperor wanted to Possess Long Qing''s body.


    After watching for a while and confirming that the Silent Destruction God Emperor had no immediate intention to act, Gu An flipped off the tree, ready to gather Medicinal Herbs.


    No matter what sinister plots and schemes the Silent Destruction God Emperor had, his progression in strength could not stop.


    Once he reached a lifespan of a hundred billion years, Gu An could peer into higher realms.


    Getting stronger was always the right move.


    At the same time,


    In the Sacred Domain, within the grand council hall of the Holy Court, the Saint Minister sat at the head, looking down upon the Silent Destruction God Emperor and his seven subordinates.


    The Saint Minister remembered the battle fought between the Silent Destruction God Emperor and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. Although the god emperor was annihilated by a single move from the sword venerable, the aura he exuded at the time was still vivid in his memory.


    "Why have you come?" the Saint Minister asked.


    He didn''t know why the Silent Destruction God Emperor was still alive, but with the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable having left the Celestial Spirit Great World, he had to be cautious in facing these outsiders from beyond.


    Looking at the Silent Destruction God Emperor and the others, the Saint Minister felt bitter.


    He had tirelessly reached the state of a Free Immortal, but the opponents he faced were numerous and even stronger; it seemed as though the heavens were toying with him.


    A man in white robes stepped forward from behind the Silent Destruction God Emperor and said with a smile, "Now the Immortal Dynasty has an existence that surpasses the Free Immortal. Once he merges with the Immortal God Destiny Pattern, the end of the Holy Court won''t be far off."


    With those words, the Saint Minister''s expression turned ugly. He had always been troubled by this matter but was powerless to address it. How could he feel good having it pointed out by others?


    It was clear; these people wanted to use the Holy Court!


    The key issue was that the Holy Court was indeed on the path to doom¡ªthere seemed to be no imminent peril, but it was really just a matter of time.


    Since he couldn''t refuse these people''s manipulations, the Saint Minister struggled to keep his composure.


    The man in white continued to speak with a smile, "Even if the Yang Immortal Emperor merges with the Immortal God Destiny Pattern, he would not be a match for us. We can assist the Holy Court. You needn''t worry about the court becoming our puppet, for we shall leave sooner or later. We are in this world only to cultivate one person."


    The Saint Minister inquired, "May I ask who this person is? Is he within my Holy Court?"


    The man in white shook his head, "No, we only need the Holy Court to create obstacles for him, better tempering him and allowing him to grow stronger."


    After hearing this, the Saint Minister fell into silence.


    "We will not help you directly annihilate the Yang Immortal Emperor. You probably already realize the existence of the tribulations of heaven and earth and the will of the Heavenly Dao. If the Yang Immortal Emperor acts against the Holy Court, naturally we will intervene. Before that, we will stay in the Holy Court," the man in white said.


    These words did stir the Saint Minister''s heart.


    He could sense that this group was very strong, each one giving him the same feeling he got from facing the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The most crucial point was that he had no room to refuse. To do so would only make things uglier, perhaps disastrously so.


    As the Saint Minister sighed inwardly, the Silent Destruction God Emperor raised his hand and from his palm flew a wooden rod. It was a red wooden rod, with a curved top like a serpent. Apart from being brightly colored, it looked unremarkable.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor spoke, "This rod is made of Dao Wood and can grant you unparalleled strength, as well as assist you in comprehending the Great Dao. Consider it a gift for our first meeting."


    The Saint Minister started to speak, but the red rod suddenly flew in front of him. The immense pressure changed his complexion; he sensed the profound Dao Intent within the rod, and his eyes widened in shock.


    Such a treasure...


    The Saint Minister looked at the Silent Destruction God Emperor and asked, "Who... who exactly are you?"


    The face of the Silent Destruction God Emperor was shrouded in darkness, as if he were the most mysterious being in the world, and he responded, "The Silent Extinction Domain was my creation, and Silent Extinction is my name."


    The Saint Minister opened his mouth, his face etched with disbelief.


    ...


    In a valley,


    The Immortal Seeker sat beside a lake, gazing at the bright day sky, murmuring, "It seems that I still can''t let go. Whose chess piece are you?"


    Zhu Xi, who sat meditating in the middle of the lake, opened her eyes and glanced at him, asking, "Whom are you talking about?"


    "The one who created the Qi of Annihilation."


    "The Divine Emperor? Someone of his caliber is also a chess piece?"


    "Indeed, he''s been tirelessly working for the bloodline of the Long Clan; he''s either being driven by someone behind the scenes or pressured by an even greater force. The waters of this world are becoming muddier, and when the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit appears, your pressure will only increase."


    With that said, the Immortal Seeker''s face took on a teasing expression.


    Zhu Xi hummed, "The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill you passed onto me is so powerful, and with my talent, I''m not afraid."

 Chapter 523 - 520: Inheritance, The Thousand-Year Battle

    Chapter 523: Chapter 520: Inheritance, The Thousand-Year Battle


    ¡°The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill is indeed formidable. If one can grasp its essence, dominating a corner of the Great Thousand World would not be an issue. However, this skill is not so easy to cultivate.¡±


    The Immortal Seeker said nonchalantly as his thoughts lingered on the distant Holy Court.


    He knew very well how powerful the Silent Destruction God Emperor was, and for that reason, he felt the situation in the world was spiraling out of control.


    He was only a reincarnated being; he could not intervene in the workings of the Heavenly Dao. His role was to assist others.


    But no matter how great the opportunity he provided Zhu Xi, for her to possess the strength to contend with the Silent Destruction God Emperor before the change of the era was utterly impossible.


    After Zhu Xi mentioned the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill, her confusion resurfaced. She asked, ¡°What exactly is the origin of the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill? In the process of cultivating it, I saw many figures; if they all practiced this skill, do they belong to the same sect?¡±


    ...


    The Immortal Seeker looked at her and smiled, ¡°Not just anyone can cultivate the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill. This skill is passed down in a single lineage, and I too have only received its technique, never having cultivated it myself.¡±


    Zhu Xi pondered this after hearing his words.


    The Immortal Seeker stood up and said, ¡°Continue with your cultivation. I¡¯ll step out for a bit.¡±


    Zhu Xi did not inquire further but closed her eyes and continued to perceive the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill.


    Even though she had regained her memories of Shengtian, her interest in the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill remained. With her talent, comprehending the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill still proved to be a struggle, which was enough to indicate the unfathomable depth of this skill.


    ¡­


    The arrival of the Silent Destruction God Emperor and others did not change the overall situation of the world. Against the backdrop of strife between the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty, prodigies rose, and Great Cultivators who had been in seclusion for long periods broke through their limits, reaching higher realms, shaking heaven and earth.


    The number of living beings between heaven and earth dwindled, with cultivators moving toward the central region of the Celestial Spirit Great World and Mortal Spirits fleeing to the edges.


    The number of mortals on the Nine Spirit Continent was increasing, leading to sects springing up like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm, and even demons began staking out their territories.


    The Daoist Field of the Beginningless, situated near the Qiankun Sect, fortunately faced no trouble.


    On this day.


    Yi Qingshan and four others came into the forest to meet An Xin. All five had successively reached the Nirvana Realm in cultivation, but they still acted with restraint in front of An Xin.


    They could never ascertain An Xin¡¯s cultivation level, so they believed her realm to be far above theirs.


    ¡°A Sect¡¯s Main Technique inheritance is missing?¡± An Xin asked, frowning.


    Yi Qingshan¡¯s face showed a bit of awkwardness. He cleared his throat, braced himself, and said, ¡°Indeed, figures from the Sea Sects have appeared on the fringes of the mainland. They have deeper resources and are constantly recruiting Mainland Cultivators. Numerous families and prodigies in our Qiankun Sect have been poached. Ultimately, the Qiankun Sect lacks exceptional advantages.¡±


    He felt there was no reason to come to An Xin, but recalling the thousands of years they had known each other and the familiarity that had grown, coupled with the urging from the higher-ups in the sect, they had no choice but to approach her.


    The Qiankun Sect was no longer just their sect but belonged to a million disciples.


    For the future of the sect, what was the harm in losing face?


    After all, Yi Qingshan was prepared for the awkwardness of being rejected.


    Cheng Meng followed up, ¡°Senior, we dare not demand that you bestow upon us such an inheritance, but even just pointing us in the right direction would be appreciated.¡±


    The other three echoed in agreement.


    The five of them had ventured out for a thousand years, but within the entirety of heaven and earth, they were still at the bottom. Their Cultivation Techniques, spells, and Divine Skills were quite mediocre within the Immortal Dao Realm.


    An Xin quietly watched them, making them so ashamed that they wished they could shrink into the ground. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly.


    An Xin pursed her lips in a smile and said, ¡°I do indeed have an inheritance that suits you.¡±


    At these words, the five of them looked up at her with surprise.


    An Xin raised her right hand and with a flick of her finger, five Secret Manuals appeared in her hand.


    The covers of these five secret manuals bore no titles, and with An Xin¡¯s actions, Yi Qingshan and his four companions exchanged perplexed looks.


    The techniques and divine skills of the Immortal Dao Realm were vast and boundless, definitely not something that could be contained within just five books.


    They dared not offend An Xin, however, and could only grumble in their hearts.


    ¡°Choose one,¡± An Xin said with a smile, feeling secretly thrilled. Was this what it felt like to pass on one¡¯s teachings?


    Before coming here today, her master had handed her the five secret manuals. She had been puzzled at first, but after Yi Qingshan and his companions spoke up, she came to admire her master¡¯s foresight.


    ¡°This¡­¡± Yi Qingshan frowned, could a legacy be passed down in such a frivolous manner?


    An Xin raised an eyebrow, and Yi Qingshan immediately stepped forward to draw a manual from her hands.


    Seeing this, An Xin put the other four manuals into her sleeve and turned to leave, leaving behind a final remark, ¡°This cultivation technique will now be the main technique of your Qiankun Sect. I hope you will use it for good.¡±


    Hearing this, Yi Qingshan and the others hastily paid their respects and watched her figure disappear into the depths of the forest before they gathered to examine the manual.


    Yi Qingshan opened the first page and read aloud, ¡°Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill¡­¡±


    ¡°Qiankun? It does suit our sect¡¯s name, but¡­¡± Gu Changsheng hesitated.


    He wanted to say An Xin was playing a trick on them, but feared being overheard by her.


    Yi Qingshan turned to the second page, and instantly, a burst of golden light emanated from within, enveloping the five cultivators. Their expressions changed dramatically, and their gazes became distant and unfocused.


    ¡­


    By the lakeside, Gu An was sparring with Chen Chuan in swordsmanship. Having reached the Immortal Dao Realm, the actual moves were no longer important, but Gu An used them to guide Chen Chuan towards Sword Dao enlightenment.


    Chen Chuan had an extremely high comprehension of Sword Dao. Each year, he could feel himself growing stronger, but whenever he sparred with his master, he felt his own Sword Dao was childlike and posed no threat to his master.


    Gu An held the Cyan Hong Sword with the blade sheathed, countering Chen Chuan¡¯s sword techniques with just the scabbard, and leading him into other moves. At a glance, Chen Chuan seemed like a puppet effortlessly manipulated by him.


    Lv Xian sat under a tree not far away, intently watching, seeking to understand Gu An¡¯s Sword Dao.


    Though he did not specialize in Sword Dao, having seen the Three Thousand Great Dao, he believed he could gain insight by analogy.


    After a while.


    Gu An pressed the scabbard to Chen Chuan¡¯s forehead, immobilizing him, signaling the end of their sparring session.


    Chen Chuan let out a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face, ¡°Master, I understand now!¡±


    Gu An sheathed his sword and then beckoned to Lv Xian, who immediately ran over.


    ¡°What do you think about holding a contest in our dojo every thousand years, where except for me, all of you participate?¡± Gu An asked with a smile.


    Hearing this, both Lv Xian and Chen Chuan¡¯s eyes lit up. They both harbored competitive spirits and were naturally eager to prove themselves before their master.


    The two agreed without hesitation, even somewhat impatient to start.


    Gu An had suggested this because everyone in the dojo had already reached the Nirvana Realm, and there were no particularly weak practitioners. Moreover, each one had received his personal teachings, and the Daoist techniques and divine skills they possessed were distinct.


    Of course, besides applying pressure to his disciples, he also wanted to liven things up.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be a contest of who¡¯s strongest. Each time, I will personally select your opponents. You only have to fight one battle, and after ten thousand years, you all will inevitably have faced each other,¡± Gu An said, still smiling.


    Lv Xian and Chen Chuan naturally had no objections and were already looking forward to it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you in advance, you two will be each other¡¯s first opponents,¡± Gu An said with a chuckle.


    Upon hearing this, Lv Xian and Chen Chuan instinctively looked at each other, then after their initial shock, a fighting spirit and confidence ignited in their eyes, each believing they could win.

 Chapter 524 - 521: The Shock of Candle Star

    Chapter 524: Chapter 521: The Shock of Candle Star


    The arrangement for the once-in-a-millennium Combat spread quickly throughout the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, invigorating everyone.


    Staying within the dojo, they spent most of their time in cultivation, which inevitably could become monotonous, so having something to look forward to was naturally good. Plus, they wanted to test the results of their cultivation.


    Unlike casual sparring, a Combat hosted by Gu An was sure to be taken seriously.


    Even An Xin wanted to see how strong she could be when she went all out.


    At dusk, the forest swayed gently with the wind, quiet and exquisitely beautiful.


    ¡°Can I participate too?¡±


    ...


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera, dressed in black, stood beside Gu An and asked excitedly.


    Gu An was admiring a newly matured Spirit Flower. He replied, ¡°Would I really be playing a trick on you?¡±


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera¡¯s heart raced. She understood what participating in the Combat meant¡ªit meant that Gu An had accepted her.


    As she excitedly moved to kneel, an invisible force stopped her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve said before, within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, there is no need for such formalities,¡± Gu An said, his face showing satisfaction. The quality of this Spirit Flower was good; it could be transplanted to his study.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera nodded, her heart pounding fast. After the joy, she felt pressure; the people at the dojo were not simple.


    Gu An didn¡¯t pay attention to what she was thinking. Taking the Spirit Flower, he left, while the Ghost Mother of Ephemera still respectfully bowed to his retreating figure.


    ¡°This is an opportunity I cannot miss!¡±


    Her eyes sparkling, she felt a surge of power throughout her body.


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, there was no lack of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and with a Great Power like Gu An as a mentor, the so-called loss of freedom, she thought, was not permanent. As long as she performed well, there would come a day when Gu An would need her, send her on missions, and then she could return to the delights of the Human World.


    ¡­


    In the blink of an eye, another hundred years passed.


    The autumn wind blew into the Third Medicine Valley of the Supreme Sect where Lv Baitian, with his white hair, stood in front of a Medicine Garden. Looking at the Medicinal Herbs, he seemed to see a blurred figure; it was as if a scene from long ago overlapped before his eyes. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Long Qing came to his side and asked, ¡°Sect Leader, what are you thinking about? You¡¯re not reminiscing about my master again, are you? Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s definitely fine.¡±


    Lv Baitian came to his senses and looked at Long Qing, his face involuntarily forming a smile.


    He felt that Long Qing was very much like Gu An, not just in stature but also in appearance. Gu An had many disciples, but only Long Qing resembled him. He couldn¡¯t help but suspect that Long Qing might actually be a child Gu An had left in the outside world.


    Perhaps there was a story behind it, and that¡¯s why Gu An had not made clear his relationship with Long Qing.


    Because of such a suspicion, Lv Baitian felt close to Long Qing and had already started to consider him the successor as Sect Leader.


    With the connection of being a disciple of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, it would certainly not be difficult for Long Qing to take the position in the future.


    The Heaven-Splitting Axe was still on the Heaven-Repairing Platform. As long as the Sword Intent of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable remained, the Supreme Sect couldn¡¯t forget or overlook the Sword Venerable.


    ¡°Are you ready to be the Sect Leader?¡± Lv Baitian asked with a smile.


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing showed a confident smile and said, ¡°Of course I¡¯m ready. With Senior Candle Star supporting me, I believe I can handle any trouble that comes my way.¡±


    Hearing him mention Candle Star, Lv Baitian didn¡¯t pay too much attention.


    Strong as Candle Star might be, could he be as strong as Gu An?


    He was the Sect Leader who often leveraged the power of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable!


    Lv Baitian began to instruct him on what to pay attention to as Sect Leader. Long Qing listened earnestly. Many said that Lv Baitian wasn¡¯t formidable enough and that he only held his position because of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    But in Long Qing¡¯s eyes, that was precisely what made Lv Baitian remarkable.


    Pulling in a powerhouse with no blood or mentor-disciple ties as a stable supporter over the years, wasn¡¯t that impressive?


    Being a Sect Leader wasn¡¯t just about who had the highest cultivation level, but about such maneuvers!


    That¡¯s why Long Qing greatly respected Lv Baitian and also wanted to learn from him.


    While chatting, Lv Baitian started to talk about the past, how he once disguised himself as a Medicine Slave to serve as Gu An¡¯s assistant, when neither knew the other¡¯s identity, and that¡¯s how they formed a bond.


    Each time he talked about these past events, a smile would slip onto Lv Baitian¡¯s face.


    Unable to help himself, Long Qing spoke up, ¡°The words he said, maybe he was guiding you on how to be a better Sect Leader. After all, how could he not know your identity?¡±


    Lv Baitian paused momentarily, and then chuckled, shaking his head, ¡°Indeed. But he could¡¯ve chosen someone else, yet he chose me, who had made mistakes. His broad-mindedness is unimaginable. When I think about it, as long as one doesn¡¯t commit heinous crimes, he always provides an opportunity for redemption. This is also my principle for being a Sect Leader. Is this person beyond redemption? Must this person be expelled from the sect? I¡¯ll make a decision once I¡¯ve thought it through.¡±


    Long Qing found this reasonable and silently noted down these words.


    They hadn¡¯t noticed that a figure was approaching the entrance of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Ever since the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable left, the Supreme Sect had not sent disciples to guard the Medicine Valley. It used to be out of fear of disturbing the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, not to protect the valley¡¯s safety.


    Thousands of years had passed, and while disciples still remembered the legend of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, the vast majority knew nothing of his connection with the Third Medicine Valley.


    Now that disciples entered and exited the Third Medicine Valley, no one would stop them.


    The man in white who entered the Third Medicine Valley had a black cloth tied around his waist with a Treasure Sword at his side. His long hair was casually tied behind his head, with strands on either side of his face fluttering like willow catkins, reaching down to his chest.


    He was very handsome, and the female disciples he passed couldn¡¯t help but take extra glances.


    His expression indifferent, he observed his surroundings while walking deeper into the valley.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him; it was Candle Star from the Battle Court.


    Candle Star sized up the man in white and squinted, asking, ¡°Who might you be?¡±


    Candle Star was secretly shocked. He was the Profound Yuan Free Immortal, yet he couldn¡¯t discern this man¡¯s cultivation level.


    The man in white looked at Candle Star and asked in return, ¡°Are you Candle Star from the Battle Court?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Candle Star¡¯s brows furrowed deeply, surprised that the stranger recognized him.


    ¡°Just who are you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here for you, nor will I interfere with your plans.¡±


    The man in white interrupted Candle Star, his words cold. He then moved past Candle Star and continued on his way.


    His gaze quickly settled on Long Qing.


    Candle Star stepped in front of him again, his voice cold, ¡°Then who are you looking for? How can I be sure you won¡¯t mess with my plans if you don¡¯t explain yourself clearly?¡±


    The man in white answered, ¡°I¡¯m looking for Long Qing, your disciple. I won¡¯t harm him. I¡¯m just here to give him a warning, and what I have to say has nothing to do with your schemes.¡±


    Having said that, he moved forward again, this time shouldering past Candle Star.


    This shove made Candle Star even more wary of him.


    This man was very strong!


    Candle Star watched as the man in white headed toward Long Qing, hesitated for a moment, and decided to follow.


    Clang¡ª


    The sound of a sword being drawn suddenly echoed, and the tip of the blade was abruptly at Candle Star¡¯s throat, causing his pupils to dilate.


    So fast!


    He hadn¡¯t even seen how the man in white had drawn his sword, and this sword was no ordinary sword.

 Chapter 525 - 522: Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, Breaking Destiny

    Chapter 525: Chapter 522: Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, Breaking Destiny


    Feeling the sharpness at his throat, Candle Star asked in a deep voice, ¡°If you don¡¯t explain your origins, I can¡¯t possibly let you get close to him.¡±


    The man in white glanced at Candle Star, his sword-raising hand perfectly straight, like a bridge, making Candle Star feel he was hard to reach.


    Although wary of the man in white, Candle Star was not yet at the point of fear.


    For the sake of entering the World Gate, how much effort had he exerted to obtain such an opportunity? How could he give up now?


    ¡°My identity cannot be revealed, otherwise it will harm both him and you. You just need to know that the sword in my hand can diminish your Dao Fruit,¡± the man in white said with an indifferent look in his eyes.


    As his words fell, a terrifying Sword Intent instantly locked onto Candle Star, causing the gaze of Profound Yuan Free Immortal to lose its luster.


    ...


    The man in white turned and sheathed his sword, continuing to walk towards Long Qing. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Candle Star stood dumbfounded in place, his body trembling slightly.


    The clash between the two was not hidden; many disciples saw the man in white draw his sword against Candle Star, yet they did not act rashly, for they all knew that Candle Star was the strongest existence in Medicine Valley, even the Valley Master held great respect for him.


    The Third Medicine Valley of today did not possess the cohesion of a thousand years ago; most disciples were merely passing through, at least they would not risk their lives for Long Qing.


    Noticing the approach of the man in white while chatting with Lv Baitian, Long Qing¡¯s gaze fell upon Candle Star.


    He saw Candle Star rooted to the spot, body trembling, gaze vacant, clearly not in a proper state.


    Just as he was about to speak up, the man in white suddenly arrived in front of him, startling Long Qing into a reflexive step back.


    Snap!


    The scabbard pressed on Long Qing¡¯s shoulder, rendering him immobile.


    Long Qing¡¯s eyes widened, a look of disbelief crossing his face.


    Lv Baitian beside him also reacted, instinctively wanting to make a move against the man in white, but was subdued by a single glance from the man.


    Faced with the man in white¡¯s gaze, Lv Baitian felt as if he¡¯d entered another dimly lit world, surrounded by dense Treasure Swords pointing towards him, sending shivers down his spine. He felt as if moving even an inch would result in colliding with a sword, creating a suffocating and terrifying sensation of being unable to move at all.


    In reality, Long Qing did not fall into an Illusion Realm, but facing the man in white, he felt no less pressure. The scabbard on his shoulder felt like a majestic mountain, such that he couldn¡¯t muster his Mana.


    Long Qing stared at the man in white and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Who are you, and do we have a grudge?¡±


    After Gu An left, he didn¡¯t always stay in the Third Medicine Valley either; sometimes he would venture out for experience, having met countless people. But he could be certain he hadn¡¯t provoked such a formidable being. The only thing he could think of was his bloodline.


    If a strong being like Candle Star could not resist this person, then surely this being was not from the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The man in white studied Long Qing and after a long time, with no immediate response, his eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment.


    Such a look made Long Qing uncomfortable, a sense of inexplicable anger rising in him.


    The man in white spoke, ¡°You¡¯re more disappointing than I imagined. You need not be nervous, I won¡¯t harm you. There¡¯s no one in this world more trustworthy than me.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­¡± Long Qing gave a hollow, humorless laugh.


    The man in white continued, ¡°My surname is Long as well, you understand now, don¡¯t you?¡±


    At these words, Long Qing¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment.


    Suddenly, Candle Star appeared beside Long Qing, reaching out to grab the scabbard of the man in white.


    ¡°Wait! Let him finish!¡± Long Qing said in a low voice, his eyes fixed intensely on the man in white.


    Candle Star had just broken free from the Illusion Technique; he hadn¡¯t heard what the man in white had just said. He turned his head towards the man in white, his eyes full of shock and wariness.


    The man in white withdrew his hand, and Candle Star followed by releasing his grasp, watching as the man planted his Treasure Sword into the ground.


    As the scabbard struck the earth, the surrounding environment underwent a drastic change, and they found themselves in a dark world. Looking around, the ground was covered in sword shadows, all plunged into the earth.


    ¡°What a powerful domain¡­¡±


    Candle Star muttered to himself, his eyes sweeping around as a storm of amazement churned within him.


    The man in white stared at Long Qing and said, ¡°My name is Long Jun, son of Emperor Longxin, your ancestor. I have glimpsed your entire life in the past; although much is obscured, I can generally deduce your future path.¡±


    Candle Star¡¯s face drastically changed, his eyes brimming with shock.


    Long Qing was also greatly startled, silent, gazing dumbfounded at Long Jun.


    ¡°In the future, you will lead the Supreme Sect to unify the Celestial Spirit Great World, but you will ultimately die at the hands of the War Court.¡±


    Long Jun continued, his gaze shifting to Long Qing, ¡°You will be possessed by the Silent Destruction God Emperor.¡±


    Long Qing¡¯s heart pounded wildly.


    Long Jun then turned his eyes toward Candle Star and said, ¡°You will be forged into a Daoist Soldier by the Lord of the War Court, your will eternally subjected to torture.¡±


    Candle Star¡¯s face turned ghostly pale as if he had realized something.


    Long Qing gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°The Long Clan has been annihilated until only I remain, you say you¡¯re my ancestor, why didn¡¯t you take action?¡±


    Long Jun looked at him with a deep and distant gaze, ¡°Because my current fate is worse than death. What you see is not me from this moment, but from the past; this is a method I left before being captured, hoping to help the Long Clan escape its destiny.¡±


    Long Qing couldn¡¯t comprehend his words and involuntarily glanced at Candle Star.


    Candle Star furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Do you mean that you have traveled here from the past or projected yourself here?¡±


    Long Jun said, ¡°If it¡¯s too hard to understand, don¡¯t dwell on it. What¡¯s most important is how to resolve the impending calamity. If the Silent Destruction God Emperor succeeds in possessing you, he might indeed gain the powers of my grandfather.¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about Long Zhan?¡±


    ¡°Yes, although I inherited his Destiny Pattern, in comparison to his bloodline power, it¡¯s really nothing,¡± Long Jun answered.


    Long Qing recalled Candle Star mentioning before that Emperor Longxin¡¯s grandson had also inherited the talents of Celestial Dragon Emperor Long Zhan.


    He opened his mouth, intending to ask.


    Isn¡¯t Emperor Longxin¡¯s grandson Long Jun¡¯s son?


    As if seeing through his confusion, Long Jun replied, ¡°Yes, my child also inherited this bloodline power. It was precisely because of it that the Long Clan met with disaster. He is already dead, and I am still alive only because my father told me the stories of my grandfather. Since childhood, I have hidden my talents, but my child was born during the prime of the War Court, and he was reckless.¡±


    Long Qing felt dizzy from the information, and Candle Star was equally shocked, rapidly contemplating.


    Long Jun looked at Long Qing and said, ¡°To break the Long Clan¡¯s fate, you need to practice a Divine Skill.¡±


    Long Qing frowned and asked, ¡°Which Divine Skill?¡±


    ¡°The Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect. This skill will allow you to conjure the Dharma Aspect of people with whom you share a blood connection to fight alongside you.¡±


    ¡°Even if I master it, won¡¯t their strength depend on my Cultivation Level?¡± asked Long Qing, frowning. He instinctively resisted, feeling the Divine Skill came at great cost.


    ¡°No, the strength of the conjured Dharma Aspects will be solely based on their own Cultivation Levels when they were alive. The difficult part is to conjure them. This is a skill created by my father, reportedly inspired by my grandfather. He said my grandfather¡¯s skill was even more powerful, but unfortunately, I have never witnessed it,¡± Long Jun explained.


    ¡°What¡¯s the price to learn this skill?¡± asked Long Qing, taking a deep breath.


    Long Jun replied, ¡°It will cost you a lifetime. You may bear offspring before exercising this power and then sacrifice yourself to break the Long Clan¡¯s fate. That¡¯s the only way.¡±


    Only way?


    Long Qing¡¯s brow furrowed, and for some reason, his thoughts turned to his master.


    Did his master leave because of his fate?


    But if that were the case, why would Senior Sister Anxin ask on behalf of his master if he was willing to follow?


    Long Qing looked up at Long Jun and asked, ¡°Then do you know my master?¡±

 Chapter 526 - 523: The Strength of the Long Clan

    Chapter 526: Chapter 523: The Strength of the Long Clan


    ¡°Your master?¡± Long Jun frowned, his tone revealing confusion as his gaze shifted to Candle Star and he asked, ¡°Besides him, do you have any other masters?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing and Candle Star exchanged a glance.


    Long Jun actually didn¡¯t know about this!


    What did that imply?


    Did it mean that Gu An¡¯s Dao practice exceeded Long Jun¡¯s?


    It could also mean that Long Jun truly might be from the past, for if he were a man living in the present, it would be impossible for him not to know the name of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    ...


    Seeing their expressions, Long Jun immediately raised his hand and began to calculate with his fingers.


    Candle Star suddenly relaxed, thinking that if Long Jun couldn¡¯t deduce Long Qing¡¯s backer, didn¡¯t that suggest the future might not be as he had seen it?


    His choice of Long Qing was not just because of Long Qing¡¯s bloodline but also because of Long Qing¡¯s background.


    In his view, why would Supporting Dao Sword Venerable take action to shield all living beings from Silent Destruction God Emperor, if not to protect Long Qing?


    There were too many coincidences ¡ª Long Qing, pursued and hunted, receiving protection from a hidden Great Power, surely had unknown cause and effect!


    Long Qing broke the silence, asking, ¡°If you¡¯re truly my ancestor, can you deduce how many members of the Long Clan are still alive in the world?¡±


    As he grew older and more experienced, Long Qing wasn¡¯t foolish; he felt that his master had not just stumbled upon him by chance. Even if it was a coincidence, why would his master adopt him after seeing through his origins?


    No matter how he thought about it, he felt it was very likely that his master was also a member of the Long Clan.


    Unable to deduce anything about Gu An, Long Jun said, ¡°I have calculated. There are only you and I.¡±


    He furrowed his brows and hesitated before asking, ¡°Could it be that you have another master?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, if he hadn¡¯t taken action, I would have died long ago,¡± Long Qing replied.


    After hearing this, Long Jun¡¯s brow relaxed, and he mused to himself, ¡°No wonder there are so many unclear areas.¡±


    Long Qing no longer spoke further, instead beginning to weigh the divine skills Long Jun had mentioned.


    Even though he had another master to rely on, if that master was not from the Long Clan, how could he drag his master into this predestined karmic retribution?


    ¡°No matter who your master is, I can confirm that he has no blood relation to the Long Clan, and in the end, you must still bear the fate of our clan,¡± Long Jun said to Long Qing with seriousness.


    He did not further inquire about Long Qing¡¯s master because he comprehended how vast the Great Dao was due to his high realm. Recognizing that there is always someone stronger and that one can never be the strongest if they stop, being captivated by the War Court and not the strongest, it was normal for him to encounter people and matters he couldn¡¯t see through.


    He could at least be certain that Long Qing¡¯s master didn¡¯t harm Long Qing, and that was sufficient.


    Besides, he had met quite a few benefactors in his life.


    Long Qing fell into silence. Long Jun did not press further and instead looked towards the distance, his gaze wandering.


    Candle Star telepathically warned Long Qing not to agree, arguing that the War Court might be strong, but there was still a way out.


    In his view, the fact that Silent Destruction God Emperor and the War Court had not managed to capture Long Qing up to now was telling.


    Long Qing did not respond.


    Ever since Gu An left, Long Qing had vowed to only make use of Candle Star and not trouble his master anymore. However, facing Long Jun, who had overwhelming strength compared to Candle Star, and knowing Long Jun¡¯s true self was suppressed by the War Court, what could he rely on if he gave up the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect?


    Most critically¡­


    The Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect could summon the ancestors of the Long Family!


    Whether in a previous life or in this one, he had always longed for the Long Clan at the height of its power; he wanted to know just how strong the Long Clan had been to bring such suffering upon him for an entire life.


    The greater the hardships, the more he anticipated the capability of his own bloodline.


    If he could fight alongside the ancestors of the Long Family, even at the cost of his life, it would be worth it.


    He had lived long enough and tasted both the bitterness and the joy of the Human World; it was time to pursue what he had never attained before.


    Taking a deep breath, Long Qing¡¯s gaze fell upon Long Jun, and he declared, ¡°I am willing to cultivate the Celestial Dragon Technique!¡±


    Long Jun immediately revealed a smile, looking at him with a change in his eyes.


    Candle Star wanted to persuade further, but Long Jun waved his sleeve and sent him flying.


    At the same time, another person was watching them, it was Gu An, who was far away in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An could feel that Long Jun indeed had the bloodline of the Long Clan and that he had a strong, intricate karma. It was as if he did not belong to this world, he had forced his way in, and the Heavenly Dao wanted to expel him.


    From the Sword Domain displayed by Long Jun, his Cultivation Level should be at the Perfection Realm of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, this Sword Domain is the rudimentary form of the Dao Fruit world. When the Sword Domain is becoming a world, that will be the time Long Jun enters the Innate Golden Immortal stage.


    However, judging by what Long Jun said, his future had already been suppressed, so his current realm wasn¡¯t so important.


    Even if Gu An were to give him guidance now, it would likely be very difficult to change his fate.


    Of course, Gu An would not guide him, as his karma lies in the past. To interfere with the past would only court more trouble in the present.


    Gu An was puzzling over one thing now.


    How was Long Zhan¡¯s lifespan evolution ability passed on to the descendants?


    He suspected there was another cause, perhaps the Silent Destruction God Emperor and the War Court simply mistook the son of Long Jun to have inherited Long Zhan¡¯s capabilities, thereby asserting the bloodline of the Long Clan as special.


    Regardless, Long Jun was, after all, Gu An¡¯s grandson, though he was a Reincarnation Body, he could not simply ignore that.


    Very well.


    Now, he had one more reason to deal with the War Court.


    In fact, without initiating an attack, the War Court would continue to pester him, but now that he had an unavoidable reason to make a move, he was even more determined to confront the War Court.


    Under the tree, Gu An took out the Fate Pen and the Infinite Sword Book.


    There were many ways to kill an enemy!


    That was what he would do next, wait for Long Jun to reveal the Lord of the War Court¡¯s name.


    As for the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect mentioned by Long Jun, Gu An did not take it seriously. Long Zhan did discuss the creation of the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect in its early stages with Long Xin, but Long Xin did not actually learn the true Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect.


    Gu An would also occasionally cultivate this Divine Skill, and he had been able to summon the Reincarnation Body.


    Long Zhan, Yang Xian, Lu Han, J¨ª, Black Profound Emperor, and others, each had their own talent. Someday, when Gu An waved his hand grandly, and the Reincarnation Body appeared in front of him, that moment would be terrifying, and even he himself could not judge.


    In the future, he would continue to undergo Lifespan Reincarnation, which meant the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect could only become increasingly more powerful.


    Seeing Long Jun start to transmit Divine Skills, Gu An withdrew his Divine Sense and continued to sleep.


    He prepared to dream with the experiences of J¨ª, to roam the Great Dao worlds of the future.


    To comprehend the past, to pursue the origin of the Great Dao, to roam the future, was also to pursue the direction of the Great Dao.


    ¡­


    Long Jun took up residence in the Third Medicine Valley, hiding his real name. As he stayed longer in the Medicine Valley, the disciples began to call him the Senior in White.


    He would occasionally guide the Direct Disciples of Long Qing in their cultivation, but more often, he would play Go with others in the Dojo established by Gu An, contemplating the Dao in the game of Go.


    In a blink.


    Ten years quickly passed.


    One day, Long Jun came to the Heaven-Repairing Platform of the Outer Sect City. Having just arrived at Supreme Sect, he had heard of the legend of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but previously his attention had been focused on Long Qing.


    Now he understood that Long Qing¡¯s mentor was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, who had saved the Celestial Spirit Great World on many occasions, which piqued his curiosity about the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Today, he would experience the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s Sword Intent.


    He, too, was a Sword Cultivator! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he just stepped onto the Heaven-Repairing Platform, his face suddenly changed, he furrowed his brows, and then stepped forward.


    Thousands of years had passed, yet the Heaven-Repairing Platform was still crowded with people. Anyone who came to the Supreme Sect wanted to feel the mythical heritage of the sect.


    Passing through the crowd, Long Jun came to the Heaven-Splitting Axe.


    Standing beside the Heaven-Splitting Axe, Zuo Yijian glanced at Long Jun, seeing his extraordinary bearing, he assumed he must be a Great Cultivator. But even with such a guess, Zuo Yijian was not polite and with a wave of his hand, said, ¡°Go back and line up!¡±

 Chapter 527 - 524 Acceptance of Sword Dao

    Chapter 527: Chapter 524 Acceptance of Sword Dao


    ¡°Queueing?¡±


    Long Jun¡¯s gaze shifted toward Zuo Yijian, his eyes expressing indifference. He didn¡¯t speak but turned and walked toward the end of the long queue.


    This small interlude did not draw much attention; nowadays, encountering Great Cultivators with extraordinary bearings at Supreme Sect wasn¡¯t rare, let alone those who did not queue.


    However, with Zuo Yijian present, the order would not be disrupted!


    Zuo Yijian¡¯s impartial and strict way had earned him immense prestige.


    Of course, there were those who disapproved of him, but after inquiring privately, none dared to cause him trouble because he had inherited the legacy of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, making him almost a disciple.


    ...


    With such a status, Supreme Sect was more than willing to raise him to the heavens.


    It took barely an hour before Long Jun¡¯s turn arrived, which was considered quick since Zuo Yijian didn¡¯t waste words and allowed a quick go.


    Zuo Yijian stared at Long Jun; he always felt there was something extraordinary about this man. Although he didn¡¯t think the other could lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe, he was eager to see what the other could do.


    In the long years spent guarding the Heaven-Repairing Platform, how tedious it had been! Yet Zuo Yijian endured, believing that his actions would move the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. What he aspired to was far beyond ordinary people¡¯s imaginations.


    Even his descendants couldn¡¯t understand¡ªwhy keep guarding after the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had departed?


    Long Jun approached the Heaven-Splitting Axe, his right hand grasping the handle.


    He just wanted to feel the power of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable; he had no intention of actually pulling out the axe, nor did he want to ruin anyone else¡¯s opportunity.


    Although he heard that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was strong, he didn¡¯t think he was stronger than himself.


    Yet, as soon as he held the Heaven-Splitting Axe, his brow instantly furrowed.


    So heavy!


    It felt like he was not holding the axe, but the entire Celestial Spirit Great World.


    From the very first touch, he realized he couldn¡¯t lift the axe; the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s Cultivation Level was higher than his current level.


    Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!


    A storm surged in Long Jun¡¯s heart. Such a strong individual guarding Long Qing¡ªwhat could be his intention?


    Before, he didn¡¯t care, but now that he realized the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was stronger than he had imagined, he couldn¡¯t help but ponder more.


    Where there¡¯s a cause, there¡¯s an effect.


    If the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was merely optimistic about Long Qing or acted out of compassion, was there a need to protect Long Qing so vehemently?


    After offending the Battle Court, why didn¡¯t the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable sever all connections with Long Qing?


    Long Jun¡¯s brows furrowed tightly as he fell into deep thought.


    Zuo Yijian, on the other hand, grew impatient and said, ¡°If you can¡¯t pull it out, leave. Don¡¯t waste time.¡±


    Upon hearing this, a glint of cold light flickered in Long Jun¡¯s eyes, giving Zuo Yijian an inwardly startled feeling, as if he faced the horror of death for an instant.


    Fortunately, Long Jun didn¡¯t take it up with him and turned to leave.


    Zuo Yijian heaved a sigh of relief, looking at Long Jun¡¯s departing figure with fear, yet with increased curiosity.


    On the other hand.


    Far in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An was secretly pleased. Luckily, he had strengthened the power inside the Heaven-Splitting Axe in advance, for if this youngster had managed to lift it, there would have been chaos.


    Long Jun did not belong to this era. By obtaining the heritage of the Heaven-Splitting Axe, it was equivalent to seizing the opportunity meant for Gu An¡¯s descendants. Plus, if he took the power of the axe back to the past, it could cause trouble for Gu An.


    ¡°Everyone is striving to become stronger. I¡¯d like to see what kind of struggle you will all end up in.¡±


    Gu An, reading inside his house, had his mouth curled into a smile as he muttered to himself.


    Zhu Xi was practicing the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill under the guidance of the Immortal Seeker, Li Ya was learning Sword Dao from the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, Long Qing was following Long Jun in practicing the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    And there was An Hao, still comprehending the power of the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    One day, these four individuals would clash, possibly even impacting the power dynamics of the world.


    No, these four already represented different forces. Gu An also had to intervene, not for anything else, but to prove that following him was indeed the best path.


    Gu An, thinking of the delights, beamed even more brightly.


    ¡­


    Spring went and autumn came, thirty years flitted by in a flash.


    North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    Inside a valley.


    Sitting in meditation on the grass, Long Qing opened his eyes, and as he stopped practicing, the wind and waves in the valley ceased, with the floating flowers and plants gradually returning to tranquility.


    He frowned and looked up at Long Jun not far away.


    Long Jun was sitting on a grassheap, holding his treasure sword, his eyes revealing a faint sadness, seemingly lost in thought.


    ¡°Ancestor, why can¡¯t I ever fully comprehend it?¡±


    Long Qing spoke up, having practiced the Celestial Dragon Technique for decades without finding the key to its entry, which also delayed his Qi Absorption Cultivation for decades.


    He was thinking of giving up.


    Without lifting his eyes, Long Jun said, ¡°It¡¯s not so easy, don¡¯t be impatient. Once you master the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, your cultivation level will rise like the tide.¡±


    Just as Long Qing was about to speak again, suddenly, an immense aura surged from afar, shocking the entire Great Heaven and Earth¡ªso powerful that even Mortal Spirits could feel the terrifying pressure.


    Long Jun looked up, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.


    ¡°Unexpectedly, there is such Sword Intent in this world¡­¡± Long Jun pondered thoughtfully.


    Long Qing also looked in the direction the aura was coming from, but he was not surprised. Every few decades, or centuries, there would always be a powerful aura erupting, either from a Great Power battling or from someone coming out of seclusion.


    He looked back at Long Jun, hoping to gain some enlightenment from the ancestor; however, before he could speak, Long Jun vanished into thin air.


    Long Qing couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Long Jun always appeared and disappeared unpredictably, never instructing him on how to practice the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    For some reason, he suddenly thought of his master, who also disliked giving personal guidance.


    Could it be that his comprehension was not high enough?


    Thinking this, Long Qing¡¯s mood sank.


    ¡­


    On the boundless wasteland, Li Ya in black clothes was holding the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, his body surrounded by powerful Sword Qi, which caused his long hair to float and sway wildly.


    ¡°So powerful¡­¡±


    Li Ya¡¯s face showed surprise and delight. He had just reached the Loose Immortal Realm, and his Sword Intent had increased so much?


    He couldn¡¯t help but look toward the Sword Annihilation Ancestor standing in the distance.


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor was looking at him, stroking his beard and saying, ¡°This Sword Dao originates from the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, but it is still far from the true Sacred Heart Sword Dao. However, it is enough for you to dominate this shattered Great Thousand World.¡±


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor was satisfied, even pleasantly surprised with Li Ya¡¯s cultivation progress.


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    This lad seemed very ordinary at first glance, only with some fate connected to the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable enabling him to reach this point today.


    Why did he find it so easy to cultivate the Sacred Heart Sword Dao?


    It wasn¡¯t clear if it was a misconception of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, but he felt it wasn¡¯t that Li Ya¡¯s comprehension was outstanding, but rather that the Sacred Heart Sword Dao was willing to accept him.


    Li Ya was unaware of the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s thoughts, becoming immersed in his own strength, unable to extricate himself.


    Just then, a figure suddenly appeared beside him, startling the Sword Annihilation Ancestor enough to swiftly move in front of Li Ya.


    It was Long Jun!


    Long Jun stared at Li Ya, his gaze peculiar.


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor looked at Long Jun, his brows tightly furrowed, and asked in a deep voice, ¡°What does your excellency intend to do?¡±


    Long Jun¡¯s speed was too fast, so fast that the Sword Annihilation Ancestor could tell he was no match for him.


    Li Ya was also startled by Long Jun, instinctively raising his sword, but when he saw Long Jun, he was momentarily confused.


    For some reason, there was a slight resemblance to Gu An in Long Jun¡¯s features.


    Upon closer inspection, it wasn¡¯t similar.


    Li Ya cursed to himself, feeling that he was being absurd once more. He tried his best not to think about Gu An, fearing it would lead to laxity.


    ¡°Senior, may I ask what brings you here?¡± Li Ya asked neither servilely nor overbearingly.


    Long Jun asked, ¡°Where does this Sword Dao come from?¡±


    Li Ya replied, ¡°Sacred Heart Sword Dao. Has senior heard of it before?¡±


    Seeing how tense the Sword Annihilation Ancestor was, Li Ya felt panicked inside, but he had to maintain composure on the surface.


    If the other party wanted to kill him, with the speed displayed, he wouldn¡¯t even have time to react.


    Perhaps he wasn¡¯t an enemy.

 Chapter 528 - 525: The Matter of Creating the Universe

    Chapter 528: Chapter 525: The Matter of Creating the Universe


    ¡°Sacred Heart Sword Dao?¡±


    Long Jun pondered the name of this swordsmanship, his eyes flickering as if he had thought of something.


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor pulled Li Ya behind himself and then faced Long Jun, with a sword intent emanating from him that changed the color of the celestial vault.


    Thick clouds rolled in at great speed, swiftly darkening the skies.


    Long Jun came to his senses, looked at Sword Annihilation Ancestor, and said, ¡°Your Sword Dao is strong, but you don¡¯t seem to be here in your original body.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s face showed a subtle change.


    ...


    Clang¡ª


    Long Jun drew his sword, its blade hovering near the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s neck; he drew his sword so quickly that the Sword Annihilation Ancestor couldn¡¯t react in time.


    Li Ya was also frightened and immediately raised the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, standing alert.


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    Long Jun said indifferently, making the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s complexion even uglier.


    Li Ya clenched his teeth and asked, ¡°Who exactly are you, and what do you want? Could it be that you¡¯re after my Sword Dao?¡±


    Long Jun glanced at him and said, ¡°I am also a Sword Cultivator, merely attracted by your Sword Dao. However, it seems that you are merely Dao Thieves. Whatever your schemes, remember, do not commit acts of world slaughter, or you will never recover.¡±


    With that, Long Jun sheathed his sword, ready to leave.


    Li Ya wanted to ask more, but was stopped by the Sword Annihilation Ancestor.


    ¡°Tsk tsk, to think that the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal could act so oppressively.¡±


    A sneering laugh resounded, instantly dropping the temperature between heaven and earth.


    Long Jun narrowed his eyes and looked up, his gaze filled with murderous intent.


    ¡­


    Deep in the ocean, the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    Gu An lay on a rocking chair, holding a book in his hand. Deep Sea Dragon Carp, Chen Luo, and Xu Ling were meditating beside him, all practicing their Divine Skills.


    ¡°This kid¡­¡±


    Gu An saw Long Jun fighting with one of the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s subordinates and felt his actions were a bit over the top.


    Knowing that the Silent Destruction God Emperor was involved with the Battle Court, how could Long Jun still dare to expose himself?


    Gu An previously thought that he was just here to transmit Divine Skills until Long Qing was trained and would then leave. Unexpectedly, Long Jun was so impetuous.


    Wait.


    Could it be that this kid had other plans?


    Gu An became interested in this battle. He wanted to see how Long Jun would wrap things up.


    The subordinate of the Silent Destruction God Emperor also had the cultivation level of a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, considered the most formidable among the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s followers. He and Long Jun battled with the power of their realms and did not affect the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    In Li Ya¡¯s eyes, the two did not make a move, merely standing off against each other from afar. In reality, they clashed countless times in an instant, their power manifesting within their realms.


    Whether it was the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s subordinate or Long Jun, both were cautious in their actions. They weren¡¯t wary of each other but of the strongest being that suppressed the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    In the end, the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s subordinate left with his tail between his legs, and Long Jun disappeared as well.


    This battle would undoubtedly reach the ears of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and Gu An wanted to see how he would react.


    Gu An planned to break through after reaching a life span of one hundred billion years and then deal with the Silent Destruction God Emperor. Until then, he did not want the Silent Destruction God Emperor to act rashly.


    Clearly, the Silent Destruction God Emperor was also wary of him and had not taken action against Long Qing just yet.


    And so, Gu An maintained his wait-and-see attitude.


    Several months later, the Silent Destruction God Emperor began to make his move. He transformed into a Daoist and made contact with the Sword Annihilation Ancestor and Li Ya.


    He was actually interested in the Sacred Heart Sword Dao as well.


    Could it be that Long Jun did it on purpose, wanting to shift the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s attention to Li Ya?


    With Long Jun¡¯s Dao practice, he could certainly have foretold of Li Ya¡¯s past, even if he couldn¡¯t see through Gu An, he would likely be aware of Li Ya¡¯s experiences by deducing from what others said. To know that Li Ya received Gu An¡¯s inheritance would not be difficult.


    ¡°So, you want to use me to go up against the Silent Destruction God Emperor?¡± thought Gu An as he was quietly picking medicinal herbs. He wasn¡¯t angry, after all, Long Jun was his grandson, and Long Jun¡¯s scheming was also for the sake of protecting Long Qing.


    However, if Long Jun could see through the cause and effect of Li Ya¡¯s life, then the Silent Destruction God Emperor could do the same.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor did not force his hand against Li Ya. Instead, he offered Divine Skills in exchange. The Divine Skills he brought forth even tempted the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, and ultimately, the Silent Destruction God Emperor joined Li Ya in understanding the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    Gu An felt this was truly a twisted fate.


    He was irreconcilable with the Silent Destruction God Emperor, yet the God Emperor had good relations with both An Hao and Li Ya.


    The cause and effect of this world is truly complex. No matter how high one¡¯s realm is, they are always entangled with karma.


    ¡­


    Under the cosmic starry sky, the Celestial Dao Golden Core continues to burn, its radiance seeming eternal.


    In front of the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    Yang Immortal Emperor slowly stood up, with An Hao meditating beside him, also opening his eyes and looking up at him.


    ¡°We can¡¯t wait any longer, the destiny of Great Heaven and Earth is being divided. If this goes on, the destiny of the Immortal Dynasty will eventually be eroded.¡±


    Yang Immortal Emperor murmured to himself. The conflict between the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court continued to this day, with the destiny of both sides growing. However, in reality, Yang Immortal Emperor could feel the presence of an Outer Heaven being infiltrating both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court. With just one miracle, the destiny of both powers could be usurped.


    Indeed, this was the case. After his thousand-year seclusion, the Immortal Dynasty needed someone to take charge, which presented many opportunities for the forces beyond Heaven.


    He could sense that there was a presence within the Immortal Dynasty stronger than himself. This made him hesitant to reveal himself, for fear of exposing the location of the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    An Hao frowned at Yang Immortal Emperor and said, ¡°With your current cultivation level, to accomplish that task, I fear it might be¡­¡±


    Yang Immortal Emperor looked at the Celestial Dao Golden Core and said, ¡°Before the great calamity arrives, the highest realm in Great Heaven and Earth was the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, which indicates that Great Heaven and Earth could only create a Free Immortal. Now that I have surpassed the Free Immortal, it¡¯s not impossible for me to achieve it.¡±


    An Hao asked, ¡°If you fail, what then?¡±


    Yang Immortal Emperor glanced at him and said, ¡°Then it¡¯s up to you to do it.¡±


    An Hao¡¯s expression remained calm as he replied, ¡°If it¡¯s up to me, after my success, the Immortal Dynasty won¡¯t be the supreme power of Heaven and Earth.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m well aware, but my failure signifies that the destiny of the Immortal Dynasty has come to an end. What you must do is to protect the living beings of Great Heaven and Earth.¡±


    After saying this, Yang Immortal Emperor stepped toward the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    An Hao stood up and watched as Yang Immortal Emperor entered the Celestial Dao Golden Core, its raging flames quickly engulfing him.


    This scene filled An Hao with a sense of expectation.


    He was also curious whether Yang Immortal Emperor, with his realm, could accomplish such a feat of creating Heaven and Earth.


    As Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s figure completely vanished into the Celestial Dao Golden Core, the golden flames of the Celestial Dao Golden Core suddenly came to a halt.


    Elsewhere.


    Within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    In front of a waterfall, Gu An was painting with Shen Zhen when he suddenly felt something and looked up, frowning.


    Shen Zhen glanced at him, and seeing him looking up, she followed suit. Just as she was about to ask what was happening, her pupils dilated.


    Above the blue sky, a sun appeared out of nowhere, growing rapidly in size.


    Not just they, but creatures all over Great Heaven and Earth saw this spectacle, sparking discussions among all beings.


    A vast pressure enveloped Heaven and Earth, quieting it.


    Shen Zhen couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What is that?¡±


    Gu An replied softly, ¡°The ruler of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Immortal Emperor.¡±


    And the Celestial Dao Golden Core!


    Shen Zhen, surprised, asked, ¡°Yang Immortal Emperor? What does he intend to do?¡±


    Gu An didn¡¯t hide anything and answered, ¡°He wants to restore the Great Thousand World to its original state.¡±

 Chapter 529 - 526: The Existence Representing the Will of the Heavenly Dao

    Chapter 529: Chapter 526: The Existence Representing the Will of the Heavenly Dao


    Yang Immortal Emperor appeared above the Celestial Dao Light Layer, transforming into a radiant sun, allowing all living beings to witness his brilliance.


    His vast mana had already enveloped the entire Great Heaven and Earth and even extended into the depths of the universe. Behind him, fierce flames converged into the form of a Celestial Dao Golden Core, this Golden Core was even more enormous than the seven suns above the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth.


    Figures flew out from Heaven and Earth, looking at Yang Immortal Emperor with fear.


    Yet faced with Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s imposing presence, no one dared approach him.


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°The lord of the Immortal Dynasty, Yang Immortal Emperor. What is he trying to do?¡±


    ...


    ¡°Such a powerful aura. How high is his Dao Practice actually?¡±


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t gone into demonic possession, has he? It doesn¡¯t seem good!¡±


    ¡°Could it be that he is going to make a move against the Holy Court?¡±


    The Cultivators of the Immortal Dao discussed among themselves, unease swelling in their hearts. Facing the ever-increasing aura of Yang Immortal Emperor, no one dared to make a sound.


    Far away in the Supreme Sect, Long Qing also looked up at this scene. When Candle Star appeared beside him, he couldn¡¯t help but ask what this anomaly was.


    ¡°The lord of the Immortal Dynasty seeks to use the power of the Heavenly Dao to restore the shattered Great Thousand World to its original state, that is, to bring the various Great Heaven and Earth together,¡± Candle Star said with a serious face. Yang Immortal Emperor, who was merely at the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal Realm level, exhibited an aura that even made him, the Profound Yuan Free Immortal, tremble with fear.


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing felt shocked, and at the same time, a greater confusion arose in his heart. He further inquired, ¡°What good is it to bring the Great Heaven and Earth together?¡±


    Far away in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Shen Zhen also asked Gu An this question.


    Gu An replied, ¡°When the heavens and the earth merge, destinies will also merge, allowing those who contend for the destiny of heaven and earth to have more destiny. Also, from the perspective of the Heavenly Dao, this is indeed a good method. The current constant catastrophes are because the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth has reached its limit of endurance. The Heavenly Dao hopes to alleviate the pressure on Heaven and Earth. Moreover, other Heaven and Earths in the universe are successively encountering massacres, many of them are even devoid of life. At this time, all the Heaven and Earth combined, the new Heaven and Earth will have stronger endurance. Perhaps the beings of the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth can thus avoid a catastrophe and welcome a new era.¡±


    Having previously discussed the will of the Heavenly Dao with Shen Zhen, she couldn¡¯t help but admire Yang Immortal Emperor after hearing this.


    ¡°So, is he acting for the sake of all living beings?¡± Shen Zhen remarked.


    The endurance of Heaven and Earth was insufficient, and most people thought of reducing the number of beings to cross the tribulation, while Yang Immortal Emperor thought of expanding Heaven and Earth, enhancing their endurance.


    He not only dared to think but also dared to act.


    Gu An, looking at the bright sun in the sky, said softly, ¡°He indeed has the heart to protect all living beings, but more so, he is compelled to act.¡±


    He could see that the Immortal Dynasty had already been controlled by outsiders. Wasn¡¯t the Holy Court the same?


    On the surface, it was the Saint Minister holding power, but in reality, there were outsiders infiltrating it, not to mention people like Silent Destruction God Emperor who could overturn the Saint Minister¡¯s power at any moment.


    ¡°Compelled to act?¡±


    Shen Zhen grew more curious, though she wasn¡¯t worried. Staying by Gu An¡¯s side, she gradually adopted an attitude of watching the mortal world with a light heart.


    She knew that with Gu An by her side, she would not be swept into human conflicts. She was more curious about the Heavenly Dao and the causalities of the world, for Gu An had said that everything possessed the implications of the Great Dao.


    Gu An said no more; he was waiting for the outcome for Yang Immortal Emperor.


    As time passed, other Great Heaven and Earths in the universe also began to be shrouded by the oppressive force of Yang Immortal Emperor, and more and more Great Heaven and Earth began to tremble, with those closer to the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth moving towards it first.


    The movement of Heaven and Earth was a catastrophe for the beings within them¡ªmountains trembled, rivers churned, and more and more Mortal Spirits within those Great Heaven and Earth died.


    At the core, the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth did not face disaster but was under the pressure of the Heavenly Dao, which made beings feel suppressed.


    Gu An, seeing that the entities in the Dao Fruit Realm of the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth did not act, speculated in his mind.


    Yet, the native strong forces of other Great Heaven and Earth could not just sit back and watch¡ªFree Immortals came one after another, wanting to stop Yang Immortal Emperor.


    Unfortunately, before the Celestial Dao Golden Core, the power of the Free Immortals appeared so insignificant.


    Time rapidly moved forward.


    Eventually, even the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal made a move against Yang Immortal Emperor, but still, they couldn¡¯t shake Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s actions. From then on, the Great Powers from various Great Heaven and Earth fled in panic, no longer daring to obstruct Yang Immortal Emperor.


    One day, the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth lost its night. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the hour came, Heaven and Earth remained in daylight.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, everyone gathered to discuss Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s actions.


    Gu An lay on a chair, holding a book, seemingly unconcerned.


    He was not uninterested, he just knew the time hadn¡¯t yet come.


    Seven more hours had passed.


    Suddenly, the universe began to tremble as a sector of the Great Heaven and Earth collided with the Celestial Spirit Great World. The worlds began to converge, and the Celestial Dao Destiny was aiding in their fusion.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor, standing upon the Celestial Dao Light Layer, revealed a smile, ¡°The first step was successful!¡±


    He had thought the Dao Fruit Realm experts lurking within the Celestial Spirit Great World would stop him, but those people did not show up.


    If one world could merge, merging the remaining worlds was just a matter of time.


    His anxiety began to dissipate, the situation had been dangerous but there were no mishaps.


    However, he hadn¡¯t noticed that, in the cosmic darkness above his head, a pair of gigantic eyes had opened.


    These eyes were seen by all beings of the universe, and every viewer was utterly terrified.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°My God, am I seeing things?¡±


    ¡°Could it be another Heavenly Demon attack?¡±


    ¡°Those eyes are bigger than the sun, how high must their Cultivation Level be?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s over. I¡¯ve heard we were born during the era of transition for the universe. I never expected it to be true¡­¡±


    The beings were frightened, and even the people within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless were discussing those eyes.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor clearly heard the discussions of the universe¡¯s beings. He looked up and was greatly startled by those eyes.


    Confronted with these indifferent cosmic eyes, the Yang Immortal Emperor felt ice-cold; his Soul was trembling.


    An Hao, staying within the mysterious Little World, also saw those eyes through the Celestial Dao Golden Core. He too was frightened, harboring ominous thoughts.


    Just as the Yang Immortal Emperor was about to speak, a terrifying figure wielding a great axe swung at him from behind, shimmering with intense light.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor caught a glimpse of him from the corner of his eye, his pupils dilated.


    Boom!


    With one strike of the axe, the Yang Immortal Emperor was annihilated in an instant, and the sun, manifested by the Celestial Dao Golden Core, also evaporated.


    After executing the Yang Immortal Emperor, the Celestial Spirit God also disappeared.


    The giant eyes overseeing the universe slowly closed, as if they had never appeared.


    The entire universe suddenly became silent.


    The beings did not know what had happened, but seeing those eyes appear and the mysterious great sun disappear led them to various speculations, yet their anxiety lingered for a long time.


    Candle Star stood beside Long Qing, letting out a sigh.


    Long Qing, unaware of the events transpiring beyond the heavens, turned to look at Candle Star and asked, ¡°What did you see?¡±


    ¡°I saw the will of the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    Candle Star spoke solemnly, then turned and walked away.


    The intervention of the Celestial Spirit God shocked the Great Cultivators of the world. Had the mighty Yang Immortal Emperor really fallen just like that?


    Gu An also marveled at the power of the Celestial Spirit God¡ªhis Dao Practice was indeed profound and inscrutable, and his actions were supremely domineering, allowing no one to explain themselves.


    No wonder those Dao Fruit Realm beings from beyond the heavens didn¡¯t stop the Yang Immortal Emperor; perhaps they had long known of the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s principles.


    This Great Thousand World¡¯s fragmentation seemed to be directly related to the Celestial Spirit God.


    Now, Gu An was curious about something else.


    Having witnessed the death of the Yang Immortal Emperor, what would An Hao do next?

 Chapter 530 - 527: 100 Trillion Years Life Span, Life Span Breakthrough

    Chapter 530: Chapter 527: 100 Trillion Years Life Span, Life Span Breakthrough


    Before the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    An Hao stood still, his expression vacant as he continuously recalled the formidable figure of the Celestial Spirit God in his mind.


    He finally understood what kind of terrifying existence stood behind this cosmic catastrophe and also finally realized why the Celestial Dao Golden Core had urged him to flee.


    Facing such a powerful being, how many years would he have to cultivate before he could contend with it?


    He had spent thousands of years with the Yang Immortal Emperor, often exchanging insights about the Heavenly Dao, and the fall of the Yang Immortal Emperor had also deeply touched him, who had experienced the Celestial Dao Reincarnation.


    In the midst of the unknown, who exactly controlled everything?


    ...


    At the same time.


    Others felt as conflicted as An Hao.


    The Immortal Seeker and Zhu Xi stood on a cliff, looking up at the Celestial Vault.


    Zhu Xi had already recovered her past life¡¯s memory. Although her cultivation level had not yet returned to its peak, her Divine Sense was now capable of glimpsing beyond the Outer Heaven.


    ¡°It¡¯s him¡­¡± Zhu Xi murmured softly. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once, she had traversed the universe, pushing the Celestial Demon Race back to the Outer Heaven, and had also seen the figure of the Celestial Spirit God, transient as a flash, which had caused a tremendous impact on her then seemingly invincible self.


    It was precisely for this reason that she chose to hide in Reincarnation to comprehend the Great Dao.


    Being the strongest in one realm, yet not the strongest in the universe, she was well aware that such a status would inevitably lead to an end sooner or later.


    The Immortal Seeker said with emotion, ¡°He¡¯s become stronger than before.¡±


    Zhu Xi turned to look at the Immortal Seeker and asked, ¡°You know him?¡±


    The Immortal Seeker answered, ¡°There¡¯s some history.¡±


    Zhu Xi suddenly felt the Immortal Seeker was hiding something from her, and that obtaining the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit would be more difficult than she imagined.


    She might even face the mighty one she had just thought of.


    Thinking of this, she grew worried and wondered whether she should give up on the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit and stay away from the Immortal Seeker.


    ¡­


    The news of the Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s demise spread like the wind throughout the Celestial Spirit Great World, and the information about the adjoining of another Great World to the Celestial Spirit Great World caused a huge stir everywhere.


    An unprecedented change was coming to the Human World¡¯s situation!


    However, these changes did not affect Gu An¡¯s life, who continued to insist on gathering medicinal herbs to accumulate his Life Span.


    With the merging of the two Great Worlds, more and more cultivators started going to this new world for training, which, to some degree, lessened the fights.


    That Great World, not as strong as the Celestial Spirit Great World, with far fewer beings, could only submit in the face of invasion by various Sects from the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Against such a backdrop, over six hundred years swiftly passed.


    On this particular noon, Gu An was in the Mountain God Temple in the North Sea Mountain Ridge, gathering medicinal herbs, maintaining the form of the Mountain God with an opera mask covering his face.


    His actions suddenly froze.


    [Your Life Span has broken through one hundred billion years for the first time, activating the Lifespan Breakthrough Function]


    [Lifespan Breakthrough: You can consume Life Span to obtain options for breakthrough locations that pose no threat to you and are suitable for your current Realm; both traveling to and from these locations will consume a certain amount of Life Span]


    Huh?


    This function¡­


    Gu An felt this function would be very helpful to him. As his Realm continued to rise, the commotion caused by his breakthroughs would also increase. At the very least, it was no longer suitable to make them in the Celestial Spirit Great World, which could easily lead to trouble.


    He didn¡¯t want anyone to know his Realm, including those around him, so his breakthroughs had to be secretive.


    But¡­


    This is a real rip-off!


    From now on, selecting a breakthrough location will consume Life Span, activating a Life Span Barrier will consume Life Span, and even improving Daoist Technique will require Life Span¡­


    Gu An exhaled deeply, yet he felt quite happy inside.


    Although he was using up Life Span in more and more ways, it also made him more secure.


    Life Span, after all, could be accumulated through medicinal herbs.


    Although he could find a breakthrough location on his own, there would always be accidents.


    Gu An began to look forward to his next breakthrough.


    He didn¡¯t use it right away, preferring to finish gathering the medicinal herbs from the Mountain God Temple first.


    Once today¡¯s tasks were done, he could make his breakthrough!


    Gu An¡¯s mood became joyous, and he began to hasten his motions.


    After a while.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren walked down the mountain path and came to Gu An¡¯s side, with a teapot in hand.


    Gu An, transformed into the Mountain God, seemed like a porcelain figurine in his presence.


    ¡°Mountain God, the Great Heaven and Earth has become even vaster. Now, the achievements of Yang Immortal Emperor are widely celebrated. What do you make of it?¡± Profound Mysterious Zhenren asked softly.


    Although the Yang Immortal Emperor had fallen for hundreds of years, living in the deep mountains, Profound Mysterious Zhenren received news of the outside world very slowly and had only recently learned why the Yang Immortal Emperor had perished.


    The Yang Immortal Emperor had tried to aid all beings in the Great Heaven and Earth in overcoming a great calamity by trying to unite various heavens and earths, ultimately meeting Celestial Punishment.


    Such actions were worthy of admiration.


    Even though Profound Mysterious Zhenren didn¡¯t understand how the heavens and earths were to unite, in an age of power struggles, he deeply revered a ruler like the Yang Immortal Emperor who would make sacrifices for all beings.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren wanted to become such an unparalleled hero, to die for all beings, what a thrill it would be!


    Just thinking about it filled him with a fiery passion.


    Gu An replied, ¡°He indeed achieved great deeds, and it¡¯s a pity he died.¡±


    The Yang Immortal Emperor had once spent many years in the Third Medicine Valley, and Gu An had a good impression of him, but this impression was not enough for Gu An to take the risk of protecting him against the Celestial Spirit God.


    Not everyone can be a savior, but before the savior emerges, many precede them in sacrifice, their actions awakening the will of all living beings.


    The death of the Yang Immortal Emperor had incited the indignation of the beings of Great Heaven and Earth. With the major sects fanning the flames, the intervention of the Celestial Spirit God left the leaders of these sects in despair, unclear about the nature of the world they inhabited.


    What hidden schemes lay behind the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    More and more people felt that this world was a prison they couldn¡¯t escape, and the calamities seemed more like some powerful force compelling them to slaughter each other, making their lives seem laughable.


    If death was inescapable, what was the purpose of pursuing the Immortal Dao?


    Now that Profound Mysterious Zhenren had reached the cultivation level of the Nirvana Realm and after entering the Immortal Dao Realm, his confusion grew, and he knew that the so-called Immortal Dao Realm was still far from the omnipotence of the Immortal Gods.


    He looked at Gu An, yearning to ask, ¡°Have you repeatedly saved all living beings and yet avoid public attention because you know the hidden truths of Great Heaven and Earth?¡±


    He held his tongue.


    He was afraid of courting misfortune through careless speech.


    Gu An walked forward and said, ¡°Nothing in this world is ever permanent, not even the power that seems supreme at the moment.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren¡¯s eyes shifted upon hearing this.


    He sensed another meaning.


    The Mountain God was also dissatisfied with the forces behind Great Heaven and Earth, even possibly wanting to overthrow them!


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren felt a fire ignite within himself, deciding that he would practice harder from now on, to one day stand shoulder to shoulder in battle with the Mountain God!


    Gu An heard his heart¡¯s voice, feeling helpless and amused.


    I was just trying to comfort you!


    An hour later.


    Gu An left the Mountain God Temple but didn¡¯t head straight back to the North Sea Mountain Ridge. Instead, he stepped into the woods of another continent. Standing under the shade of the trees, he began to use the Lifespan Breakthrough Function.


    [You have activated the Lifespan Breakthrough Function. Based on your current realm, we have selected the following breakthrough locations for you:]


    [1. War Spirit Holy Mansion]


    [2. Netherworld Deep Sea]


    [3. Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens]


    [4. Path of the Great Dao]


    [5. Dao Source Ancestor Tree]


    ¡­


    Gu An initially thought there would only be three options since Lifespan Reincarnation had only three, but he didn¡¯t expect the Lifespan Breakthrough to present nine choices.


    The names of these places alone felt significant.


    Had it not been for the hints that these places held no danger for him, he wouldn¡¯t dare to venture there.


    Of course, there was no danger for him now, but that might change once he started the breakthrough, which meant that he would have to activate the Life Span Barrier.

 Chapter 531 - 528: Breakthrough to Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection

    Chapter 531: Chapter 528: Breakthrough to Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection


    Gu An looked at the nine options before him, sinking into contemplation.


    These names all seemed good, but some places were forbidden.


    The War Spirit Holy Mansion, wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with the Battle Court, right?


    Netherworld Deep Sea is out of the question; the Land of Reincarnation is also very dangerous; the Ghost Immortals of the Nine Yin Divine Mansion are terrifying, it would be troublesome if encountered.


    The Path of the Great Dao, that¡¯s the cosmic space beyond the World Gate, linking the different Great Thousand Worlds, who knows what one might run into.


    Gu An began to weigh his options, judging by the names was indeed difficult, his current Cultivation Level was not enough to deduce the origins of these place names.


    ...


    Clearly, these places were not part of the Celestial Spirit Great World, they were located beyond the World Gate.


    He pondered and pondered.


    Gu An decided to break through in the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens; with a thought, he immediately made his decision.


    ¡°Transferring to Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens will cost 10,000,000,000 years of Life Span. Continue?¡±


    Ten billion years?


    Wouldn¡¯t that be twenty billion years of Life Span back and forth?


    Gu An¡¯s brows furrowed; he had guessed that the Life Span Breakthrough would be costly, after all, it was a life span function that was enabled by a hundred billion years of life span; the consumption of life span would definitely be huge.


    But he had to break through.


    The remaining eighty billion years of life span should be enough for his breakthrough.


    Now he could only hope that this place of breakthrough was worthy of the life span he was about to spend.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Gu An chose to continue the transfer.


    As soon as the thought settled, he felt an irresistible force envelop him; he didn¡¯t feel uncomfortable but rather felt an indescribable sense of Profound Mystery.


    His eyes involuntarily closed, and his senses went numb.


    After a while.


    Gu An felt his feet touch the ground, his senses returned to normal in an instant, and he opened his eyes, his pupils dilating.


    What entered his sight was a boundless sea of clouds, the sky a deep blue, so high it made one feel the vastness of the Great Heaven and Earth, and one could only feel an infinite awe standing in it.


    Gu An opened his mouth, filled with shock.


    Such dense Dao Spiritual Qi!


    The Dao Spiritual Qi here was denser than that in the universe outside the Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth and purer too, without a hint of impurity.


    Gu An felt that the ten billion years of Life Span were well spent.


    He immediately activated the Life Span Barrier to prevent the passing of other powerful beings.


    The Life Span Breakthrough would take him to a safe place, but it didn¡¯t mean this place would always be safe.


    After the Life Span Barrier was activated, Gu An¡¯s heart finally settled.


    One must be cautious in an unknown land.


    Instead of breaking through immediately, he decided to meditate on the spot, soaking in the majestic sea of clouds.


    Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, could it be there were nine layers of the sky?


    Gu An thought as he spread his Divine Sense, rapidly expanding it.


    However, he found that the sea of clouds was much larger than he imagined; most importantly, his Divine Sense could not penetrate downward because the cloud sea beneath his feet was bottomless, with some sort of Great Dao power isolating all Divine Sense.


    He seemed to be in the sky, yet he was at the very bottom.


    After a good while, Gu An¡¯s Divine Sense still could not probe the end of the sea of clouds.


    Could this sea of clouds be more vast than the universe he came from?


    The thought was so preposterous that Gu An felt it was absurd, creating even more wariness towards the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens.


    Dao Spiritual Qi that was more dense and pure than in the universe; the space that was vaster than the universe; what kind of terrifying existence could such a place give birth to? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An took a deep breath and tried not to think about it.


    He called up his Attribute Panel.


    Name: Gu An


    Life Span: 6,815/90,000,000,075


    Physique: Primordial Infinite Body


    ¡°`


    [Cultivation Level: Innate Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Nine hundred billion years of life span, leave one hundred billion for transmission, leave fifty billion for the Life Span Barrier.


    That amounts to using seven hundred and fifty billion years of life span for the breakthrough.


    Should be doable, right?


    The last time Gu An tried to cross the tribulation, each failure cost him fifty million years of life span to attempt again.


    This time it won¡¯t take a hundred million years, will it?


    If it really does take a hundred million years of life span for one tribulation attempt, then Gu An has seven hundred and fifty chances.


    No big deal!


    It¡¯s just not good to go for an all-round improvement first.


    Well, let¡¯s widen the gap in realms first, there¡¯s plenty of time to improve Daoist Techniques later.


    No matter what Gu An chooses, there are pros and cons, but overall, he has been on a steady path to becoming stronger, and that¡¯s the right direction.


    Gu An looks at his cultivation level and directly invests one hundred billion years of life span.


    A series of prompts quickly pop up before his eyes:


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred billion years, you forcefully attempt to break through to the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm using the Great Achievement of the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible, you begin to cross the tribulation, you do not survive the Celestial Dao Three Flowers Void Great Tribulation, the tribulation has failed]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for two hundred billion years, you forcefully attempt to break through to the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm using the Great Achievement of the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible, you begin to cross the tribulation, you do not survive the Celestial Dao Three Flowers Void Great Tribulation, the tribulation has failed]


    ¡­


    Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal!


    As expected, it takes one hundred million years for one tribulation attempt!


    Gu An adjusts his mentality and starts to anticipate how strong the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal will be.


    Finally, all the prompts drop, and there¡¯s still no success in crossing the tribulation.


    Invest another hundred billion years!


    Gu An stares expressionlessly at the prompts.


    After failure, continue!


    One hundred billion years of life span!


    Another hundred billion years of life span!


    Finally, the prompts before Gu An start to change.


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for fifty-six billion years, you forcefully attempt to break through to the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm using the Great Achievement of the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible, you begin to cross the tribulation, you survive the Celestial Dao Three Flowers Void Great Tribulation, the tribulation has been successful, your cultivation level has broken through to the Early Stage of Hengtian Golden Immortal Realm]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred billion years, your cultivation level has increased]


    Finally, the breakthrough is successful!


    Gu An lets out a sigh of relief, no matter how many years of life span are spent, as long as the breakthrough is successful, it¡¯s worth it.


    He doesn¡¯t stop there but chooses to continue investing life span.


    One breath to rise to Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection!


    In the end, he still had over two hundred and eighty billion years of life span left, leaving one hundred billion for transmission back, the remaining over one hundred and eighty billion years of life span couldn¡¯t possibly get drained by the Life Span Barrier.


    Gu An¡¯s mood becomes joyful, his lips curl up in a smile.


    The mighty Dao Spiritual Qi floods into his body, as always, the Life Span Barrier extracts Dao Spiritual Qi and Dao Rules in an unpredictable manner, making it impossible for the outside world to discern where the source lies.


    The sea of clouds in Gu An¡¯s vision begins to churn more and more magnificently.


    As the Dao Spiritual Qi enters his body, Gu An feels an unprecedented comfort, his physique, from the outside in, everything is being purified.


    He gradually closes his eyes, immersed in this extreme pleasure, unable to extricate himself.


    The boundless sea of clouds becomes more turbulent, majestic and powerful, with no living creature¡¯s figure sweeping through, this world seems to have only the sea of clouds.


    Insights about the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal Realm begin to burst forth in the depths of Gu An¡¯s mind.


    His Golden Immortal Dao Fruit also undergoes changes.


    Within the Life Span Barrier, Gu An emits a colorful strong light all over, barely revealing his figure, Dao Spiritual Qi enwraps him like flood dragons, with faint streaks of flowing light, which are the Dao Rules in motion.


    A long while.


    Suddenly, the sea of clouds at the horizon lifts, like a huge wave wanting to envelop the sky, or as if some enormous creature is about to break out, instilling fear in all who see it.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 532 - 529 Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor

    Chapter 532: Chapter 529 Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor


    Giant waves of clouds surged unknown tens of thousands of feet high, creating a boundary across the endless sea of clouds that resembled an insurmountable heavenly wall, majestic and inviolable.


    Gu An, who was in the midst of a breakthrough, opened his eyes and felt an overwhelming aura.


    Indeed!


    The Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens surely harbored divine creatures, and they were beings incomparable to those of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    As the sea of clouds at the horizon dispersed, Gu An saw a giant eagle¡¯s head, a black eagle, the diameter of whose eyes alone exceeded tens of thousands of feet; it seemed like a divine spirit beyond the heavens, peering into the trivial matters of the lesser worlds.


    Safely within the Life Span Barrier, Gu An wasn¡¯t afraid; he sent his Divine Sense towards this eagle.


    ...


    [Celestial Extreme Divine Eagle (Late Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm): 38,009,982,763/5,000,000,000,000/5,000,000,000,000]


    Five trillion years of life span?


    An existence that had lived for thirty-eight billion years!


    Late Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm!


    Gu An was still shocked by the Celestial Extreme Divine Eagle despite his ongoing attempt to break into the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm.


    The first being he encountered in the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens was an Innate Golden Immortal; this sparked a ludicrous conjecture in his mind.


    Could it be that the lowest realm of beings residing here is also at least an Innate Golden Immortal?


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    He thought this to be quite likely since he could sense the eagle¡¯s terror.


    This colossal divine eagle emitted a powerful oppressive aura that could easily instill fear, yet Gu An could feel its fear.


    The reason it only popped its head out was also due to fright.


    Sure enough, after probing its head, the Celestial Extreme Divine Eagle retreated back into the sea of clouds, causing a tumult of fog and waves, magnificent and tempestuous.


    After the eagle disappeared, Gu An closed his eyes and continued to perceive the realm of Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal.


    As the Dao Fruit began its transformation, his Divine Sense also improved; even without extending his Divine Sense outwards, the scope of his Heart Eye¡¯s vision expanded.


    The so-called Heart Eye was the vision Gu An saw without deliberately thinking about the exterior when his eyes were closed.


    This Heart Eye was miraculous, not consuming his energy or attention, as if it were an innate talent.


    His vision within the Heart Eye was rapidly expanding, even surpassing the previous range of his Divine Sense.


    With the passage of time, Gu An finally stepped into the realm of Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal; his Dao Fruit became stronger, manifested not only in increased mana and senses but predominantly in the Dao Fruit World.


    Now, if he were to establish a Dao Fruit World, it would be more stable and refined, even enabling him to harness the power of the Dao Fruit World for combat.


    At will, he could create a world larger than the Celestial Spirit Great World; the spiritual energy of this world derived from his mana, he was essentially the Dao Fruit World itself.


    This further confirmed to him that the Celestial Spirit Great Thousand World was indeed the Dao Fruit World of some supremely powerful entity.


    If all the Great Heaven and Earth from the universe were to be gathered, it was unknown how vast they would be, but the potential size of Gu An¡¯s Dao Fruit World was also unknown; he hadn¡¯t established it yet, and his cultivation level was still increasing, making the Dao Fruit World he could establish ever larger.


    After reaching the early stage of Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, the speed at which he devoured Dao Spiritual Qi increased, and he continued to push towards a higher realm.


    As Gu An reached the middle stage of the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, the boundless sea of clouds churned tumultuously; he seemed to sense something and opened his eyes again. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He looked up and saw a figure appear in the sky, a woman in a white feathered dress, standing on a bed of Seven-Colored Clouds; her features were so delicate, seemingly the most perfect creation both within and beyond the heavens, her beautiful face exuding an indifferent aura that overlooked all living beings, her long hair coiled under the Silver Jade Phoenix Crown, which resembled a silver forest housing a proud phoenix spreading its wings and looking down upon everything.


    Such a beautiful woman¡­


    Even though Gu An had experienced many memories of reincarnations, he was still astounded by this woman¡¯s visage.


    He immediately sent out a Life Span Detection, but could detect nothing.


    That meant she was not her real body but a manifestation of some Divine Skill.


    The white-dressed woman stood on the cloud, watching the turbulent sea of clouds, her expression indifferent like water, inscrutable to anyone trying to discern her thoughts.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t see through her cultivation level, so he felt somewhat cautious.


    After about the time it takes one stick of incense to burn, the lady in the white dress suddenly vanished like smoke, and the seven-colored clouds under her feet dissipated as well.


    Gu An took a deep breath. As expected, the Life Span Barrier was reliable!


    He closed his eyes and continued to feel his own destiny.


    Unlike the Land of Reincarnation and Silent Extinction Domain, Gu An felt a clearer connection to the Dao Rules while making cultivation breakthroughs in this place.


    This came as a pleasant surprise to him.


    Five trillion years of lifespan had not been wasted!


    Even though he was also breaking through in the Land of Reincarnation, reaching the stage of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal here, the degree of improvement in Gu An¡¯s power would be different.


    The Dao Rules here were just so pure and rich!


    Moreover, by breaking through here, Gu An wouldn¡¯t affect the universe where the Celestial Spirit Great World was located, meaning that neither the Celestial Spirit God nor the powerful entities lurking in the shadows would notice anything unusual. This meant he could continue to survive more securely.


    Continuous breakthroughs!


    Late Stage of Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal Realm!


    Perfection of Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal Realm!


    When Gu An reached the Perfection Realm, he felt that his mana, physical body, senses, Heart Eye, soul, Dao Fruit and all else reached another level, making him feel that everything was different.


    Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked into the distance where a distant battle was occurring.


    The distance was as far as from the World Gate to the Celestial Spirit Great World, incredibly far, where the sea of clouds churned, still within the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens.


    He saw a man in silver armor fighting a Transformed Demon.


    That Transformed Demon, appearing like a Flood Dragon, retained its draconic horns and wielded dual blades¡ªeach move was full of dominance, and its demonic power was at the level of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal.


    The man in silver armor was also at the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, and because they possessed such cultivation levels, their fight wouldn¡¯t be disturbed by any tumult caused by Gu An.


    The two seemed to have a deadly feud, fighting fiercely.


    The man in silver armor exuded an aura that reminded Gu An of the Celestial Spirit God as well as Celestial Dao Immortal Gods.


    Could this person also be a Celestial Dao Immortal God?


    The man in silver armor wielded a long spear, each thrust containing the mystery of Divine Skills. If they were to battle within the Celestial Spirit Great World, any side¡¯s Great Heaven and Earth wouldn¡¯t withstand his Divine Power.


    With Gu An¡¯s current cultivation level, he couldn¡¯t determine who would win or lose.


    Because the distance was too great for the naked eye to reach, Gu An could only perceive using his Heart Eye or Divine Sense, unable to use Life Span Detection.


    As Gu An focused his Heart Eye on the divine figure and the demon, he could hear their conversation.


    Celestial Extreme God, do you truly wish to have a fight to the death with this emperor?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, eliminating demons and slaughtering devils is my duty!¡±


    ¡°The phenomena in the Nine Heavens have nothing to do with this emperor!¡±


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±


    ¡°This emperor simply wished to visit the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor.¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t someone you can meet. Enough talk, prepare to die!¡±


    The man in silver armor¡¯s attitude hardened, determined to slay the Great Demon.


    Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor?


    Gu An instinctively thought of the lady in the white dress he had encountered earlier, his intuition telling him that this was the title of the lady in the white dress.


    At his level, any intuition was not random guesswork. It must be due to a tight causality linking the name of the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor to the image of the lady in the white dress that he could make such a judgment.

 Chapter 533 - 530: Laws of the World

    Chapter 533: Chapter 530: Laws of the World


    Gu An watched the battle unfold while he waited for his cultivation level to become completely stable.


    During this process, the battle between the man in silver armor and the mysterious Great Demon in his eyes gradually slowed down.


    The Dao rules of the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens were indeed rich, providing great benefits for Gu An, and his aptitude in the Way of Cause and Effect also greatly improved.


    At that moment, he even considered relocating the Daoist Field of the Beginningless to the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens.


    Of course, he merely thought about it; while the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens were appealing, they were even more dangerous.


    So far, he hadn¡¯t seen any beings in the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens with a cultivation realm lower than that of an Innate Golden Immortal.


    ...


    The beings here could easily extinguish the inhabitants of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless with a single breath, and he suspected that those of lower realms could not survive in this world. They could easily be crushed by the power of the Great Dao unless they stayed inside the dojo.


    After a long time,


    Gu An¡¯s cultivation level finally stabilized. He looked at his remaining life span; he still had over one hundred ninety billion years left.


    It was not perilous, a steady breakthrough!


    [Would you like to expend 10,000,000,000 years of life span to teleport back to the previous location?]


    Gu An stood up, his gaze stretched far into the distance, where the distant battle seemed not to have yielded a winner. Looking in other directions, he saw no traces of other beings.


    He silently chose yes, and then his figure vanished from the spot.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    Once again, a familiar, peculiar sensation assailed him, and his senses plunged into darkness.


    After a while,


    his feet touched the ground again. He opened his eyes and found himself back in that forest, now under the veil of night.


    His Heart Eye instantly captured the entire world, spreading quickly, and his heart followed, settling down.


    He did not leave but continued to observe the universe, aiming to capture all the Great Heaven and Earth within it and imagining the combined size of them.


    In the universe, there were more than a thousand Great Heaven and Earth and many Little Worlds, but even so, all combined seemed quite small in Gu An¡¯s eyes.


    He felt that now he could create a Dao Fruit World that was larger than the Celestial Spirit Great World before it fractured, indicating that his cultivation level had already surpassed that of the former Master of the Great World.


    This was to be expected; after the fragmentation of the Celestial Spirit Great World, Free Immortals roamed the universe freely, making Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal exceptionally rare, indicating that the Celestial Spirit Great World wasn¡¯t as exaggerated as Gu An had thought before it broke apart.


    Gu An then looked towards the Celestial Spirit God under the World Gate, similar to the Celestial Extreme God he met at the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, with the cultivation of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, yet far from reaching the Perfection Realm.


    Finally, Gu An no longer felt pressure when facing the Celestial Spirit God.


    A smile appeared on his face, his mood becoming even more cheerful.


    Even though his cultivation level surpassed the Celestial Spirit God, Gu An did not immediately plan to act against the Celestial Spirit God since there wasn¡¯t deep enmity between them, and there was clearly a much larger force behind the Celestial Spirit God.


    He would deal with the Silent Destruction God Emperor first!


    That individual schemed against the Long Clan and him, creating an irreconcilable deadly feud.


    The Celestial Spirit God, at most, differed in stance, acting out of their duty, not because of Gu An, whereas the Silent Destruction God Emperor acted out of self-interest.


    Gu An stepped forward, enjoying the night scenery of the forest. The tiny insects in the dark appeared so vivid; their world was also vivid, bearing similarities to the world humans lived in.


    Busy with survival, entwined with cause and effect.


    Great Thousand World, Great Heaven and Earth, Little World, and the world of insects¡ªall these worlds had their strengths and weaknesses, but all followed a set of rules. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the darkness, a mantis slowly emerged from beneath a leaf, creeping closer to a cicada.


    ¡­


    At dawn, the sunlight broke through Heaven and Earth.


    Between the mountains lay a lake, enshrouded in fog, resembling a paradise from the Human World. Li Ya stood by the lake, holding the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword, his gaze fixed on a man in black robes in the distance, his hair disheveled, resembling an Evil Demon.


    The man in black robes was actually the transformation of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, who was pondering the ways of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    Li Ya had always been wary of this man, but the Sword Annihilation Ancestor dared not drive him away. This man even taught him Divine Skills, so he could only endure in silence.


    Watching the man in the black robe enthralled, Li Ya was very curious.


    What was this man¡¯s background?


    What was he scheming?


    Why did he want to study the Sacred Heart Sword Dao but not go to the River of Sword Dao?


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor had once taken Li Ya to the River of Sword Dao; the splendor and dazzle of it had left Li Ya with unforgettable memories.


    He really wanted to visit the River of Sword Dao again, but the Sword Annihilation Ancestor said that with his Cultivation Level, he could not stay long in the River of Sword Dao.


    He wondered if Junior Brother Gu had ever been there.


    Suddenly, Li Ya thought of Gu An. Although Gu An had revealed his true identity, in his heart, Gu An would always be his junior brother.


    It wasn¡¯t that he wanted to take advantage, but he felt that the title of Junior Brother Gu made him feel closer; the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable seemed too distant, and he only felt respect towards him.


    As soon as he thought of Gu An, Li Ya¡¯s lips involuntarily lifted in a smile.


    He and Gu An had grown up together, feeling that Gu An was not pretending¡ªperhaps Gu An in this life was just an identity of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s reincarnation. Because of this, he trusted that the Gu An in his memories was more real than the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Suddenly, the Sword Annihilation Ancestor appeared behind the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and the two seemed to be communicating telepathically. Li Ya could not hear them and soon, the two disappeared from the spot.


    Seeing this, Li Ya did not think further and continued practicing his swordsmanship.


    If he wanted to catch up to Junior Brother Gu, he¡¯d become the world¡¯s top swordsman first!


    He did not notice that behind him at the top of the trees, Gu An was standing on the leaves, silently watching him.


    Mountains behind and mist rising from the lake, the scene was so aesthetically peaceful and serene.


    Gu An, having just achieved a breakthrough, thought of Li Ya, so he came to see him.


    Looking at Li Ya, he recalled the feelings and ambitions of their youth.


    One must not forget one¡¯s original aspirations. Reminiscing about the past occasionally could also make his heart more resolute.


    Gu An decided to wait until the Silent Destruction God Emperor had completely passed down the Divine Skills to Li Ya, then he would take action against him.


    As for whether killing the Silent Destruction God Emperor would provoke a stronger existence, he did not care, since the World Gate separated them from other Great Thousand Worlds.


    His intuition told him that the strongest in the Battle Court would not be much stronger than the Silent Destruction God Emperor; otherwise, the pursuit of Long Qing would not have been delayed until today.


    A breeze lifted Gu An¡¯s garments, a leaf fluttered up from beside him, spiraling toward the Celestial Vault.


    Seasons came and went.


    Thirty years passed swiftly.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An watched Lv Xian practice martial arts, with An Xin by his side, discussing the recent troubles faced by the Qiankun Sect.


    The Qiankun Sect was already the overlord of the Nine Spirit Continent, but its development always met with troubles. Over the years, An Xin frequently aided people like Yi Qingshan. Now, with an Overseas Sect targeting the Nine Spirit Continent and supposedly an Old Monster from the Celestial and Earthly Immortals sitting within that sect¡­


    Celestial and Earthly Immortals were considered legendary to the Qiankun Sect, and even An Xin could not handle them; they could only rely on Gu An.


    Gu An, staring at Lv Xian, spoke softly, ¡°You can help the Qiankun Sect, but don¡¯t help them expand their territory. If a Great Cultivator breaks into the continent, then you can make your move.¡±


    An Xin pouted, helplessly saying, ¡°Master, is whether I intervene the point? I can¡¯t beat them!¡±

 Chapter 534 - 531: Legend, Extinguished by One Hand

    Chapter 534: Chapter 531: Legend, Extinguished by One Hand


    Upon hearing An Xin¡¯s words, Gu An pulled the Fate Pen that was tucked at his waist and handed it to An Xin.


    An Xin was stunned, holding the Fate Pen and looking at Gu An with confusion.


    She¡¯d seen Gu An carry this pen often and was accustomed to its presence, yet since she had not felt any fluctuations of Spiritual Power from the Fate Pen, she never thought of it as a Magical Treasure.


    ¡°You can use it for now, and I will refine a Magical Treasure for you later,¡± Gu An said, his gaze fixed on Lv Xian, his tone casual.


    Having been with Gu An for a long time, An Xin wouldn¡¯t hold back her questions, and she quickly asked, ¡°But how do I use this?¡±


    As she spoke, she lifted the Fate Pen in her hand and waved it through the air, but there wasn¡¯t even ink.


    ...


    ¡°When you encounter someone who must be killed, it will show its power,¡± Gu An answered, which made An Xin look forward to using the Fate Pen.


    She knew that Gu An wouldn¡¯t play tricks on her; this pen was surely powerful.


    She immediately bowed in respect and then left with the Fate Pen.


    Gu An turned his head to watch An Xin, his eyes filled with profound meaning.


    Having helped people like Yi Qingshan and others for so long, she had gradually become accustomed to it. Although it had not affected her own cultivation, in her heart, Yi Qingshan and the others were like her disciples. Not all relationships in the world were perfect. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Should there come a day when Yi Qingshan and the rest pass away, she hoped she wouldn¡¯t take it too hard.


    However, this was also an inevitable experience for those on the path of immortal cultivation; it couldn¡¯t be said to be good or bad, but experiencing all human emotions could shape one¡¯s Dao Heart.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    After An Xin had left, Lv Xian opened his eyes and asked, ¡°Master, what exactly is this Divine Skill? It doesn¡¯t seem like a Divine Skill, it¡¯s very mysterious, and even though I am cultivating, I can¡¯t clearly describe its profound mysteries.¡±


    After entering the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Lv Xian started to address Gu An as master, and Gu An did not refuse since their relationship hadn¡¯t reached the level of brotherhood before.


    Gu An looked up at the Celestial Vault and said, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s not a Divine Skill. Once you master it, you will understand what it is. It will help you dominate this part of the Human World.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lv Xian instinctively asked, ¡°Just this part of the Human World?¡±


    Gu An turned his head towards him, his smile ambiguous, and said, ¡°Can your eyes contain the entire Human World?¡±


    Lv Xian was taken aback and could only offer an awkward smile.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze drifted into the distance, his face revealing a look of anticipation.


    It was finally coming to an end!


    ¡­


    Under the vast sky, peaks were emerging from the sea of clouds, and atop one of these mountains stood Li Ya, Sword Annihilation Ancestor, and Silent Destruction God Emperor side by side.


    Li Ya looked towards the Silent Destruction God Emperor and asked, ¡°Senior, since you are about to leave, can you not reveal your true identity?¡±


    During the years of teachings from the Silent Destruction God Emperor, his reverence for him had only deepened.


    He even felt that the Silent Destruction God Emperor was not weaker than Gu An.


    With guidance from the Divine Emperor, he had not only mastered one Divine Skill but also gained a deeper understanding of the path to cultivation.


    Once, when the Silent Destruction God Emperor was away, he secretly asked Sword Annihilation Ancestor just how formidable the Divine Emperor was.


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor had said something that he couldn¡¯t forget.


    ¡°Apart from Heavenly Dao, he is the strongest.¡±


    He had asked at the time, how did he compare to the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor just shook his head and said nothing.


    Afterwards, Li Ya clearly felt that Sword Annihilation Ancestor had become even more respectful toward Silent Destruction God Emperor and he suspected the ancestor might have pledged allegiance to the Silent Destruction God Emperor as his master.


    He dared not ask too much; after all, before he became a disciple, Sword Annihilation Ancestor had mentioned that he bore a Great Cause and Effect, and he didn¡¯t want to bear this burden prematurely.


    ¡°When you become powerful enough to roam the world invincibly, and have set foot in Outer Heaven, living a carefree life, you will learn of my legend,¡± the Silent Destruction God Emperor said, looking into the distance, his tone completely calm without a trace of emotion.


    What a poser!


    Li Ya thought to himself, yet he longed for such an attitude.


    How many more years would he have to cultivate before he could speak such words with confidence?


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor followed, saying, ¡°I will do my best to train him to that level.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± the Silent Destruction God Emperor said. ¡°I don¡¯t care how high his achievements will be in the future. The Divine Skills have been imparted, and we are clear of debt and responsibility.¡±


    With those words, the Silent Destruction God Emperor stepped forward, his footsteps landing in the air as if an invisible path lay beneath his feet.


    Before Li Ya could even begin to marvel at the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s dominance, suddenly, a figure appeared before them.


    Slap!


    A hand pressed down on the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s shoulder, rendering him immobile.


    The pupils of the Silent Destruction God Emperor suddenly contracted, and in an instant, his face was shrouded in dark energy. Dark armor enshrouded him, as he transformed into his true form.


    Even so, he was horrified to discover that he couldn¡¯t break free.


    The mysterious palm on his shoulder suppressed his Dao Fruit, halting everything within his Dao Fruit World.


    Both Li Ya and the Sword Annihilation Ancestor were startled by the sudden appearance of the figure. The Sword Annihilation Ancestor wanted to speak, but an extreme terror pressed down upon him, leaving him unable to move or speak.


    Li Ya also experienced the suppression, but he wasn¡¯t panicked, because the figure of the newcomer was forever unforgettable to him.


    It was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable!


    No!


    It was Gu An, using the Demon Shadow Divine Skill!


    Wrapped in dark purple Demonic Qi, Gu An looked even more sinister than the Silent Destruction God Emperor. He stood at the edge of a cliff, a single hand pressing down the Silent Destruction God Emperor suspended in mid-air, preventing him from advancing further.


    All of heaven and earth seemed to quiet at once.


    ¡°Your legend?¡± Gu An¡¯s voice rose, and his right hand squeezed. The Silent Destruction God Emperor was annihilated in an instant, turning into a wisp of black Qi, which then condensed in Gu An¡¯s palm.


    The powerful Silent Destruction God Emperor was completely defenseless in Gu An¡¯s grasp.


    Seeing the Silent Destruction God Emperor being annihilated instantly, both Li Ya and the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s eyes widened.


    Gu An turned his head. Although they couldn¡¯t see his face clearly, Li Ya and the Sword Annihilation Ancestor felt as if they were being seen through, especially the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, who was extremely fearful.


    A voice echoed in the Sword Annihilation Ancestor¡¯s mind: ¡°You shall not utter a single word about today¡¯s events.¡±


    With the voice¡¯s fall, Gu An vanished into thin air.


    As he disappeared, the terrifying suppressive force also vanished.


    The Sword Annihilation Ancestor felt like a great weight had been lifted, but he was still shaking with residual fear.


    Li Ya stood still on the spot.


    The words of the Silent Destruction God Emperor still echoed in his ears.


    Go to Outer Heaven to hear his legend¡­


    The legend, could it be extinguished by Gu An¡­


    With a mere hand?


    Li Ya was caught in a shock. Only a moment ago, he had been inwardly convinced that the Silent Destruction God Emperor was the only one who could possibly be stronger than Gu An.


    And yet Gu An had appeared and extinguished the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡­


    At this moment, he even harbored a ridiculous suspicion.


    Could it be that Gu An had heard his inner thoughts, and that¡¯s why he appeared?


    Then, he dismissed this suspicion, thinking himself foolish to come up with such an absurd reason.


    He began to feel confused. What enmity did Gu An have with the Silent Destruction God Emperor?


    He turned his head to look at the Sword Annihilation Ancestor, and his expression changed accordingly. After so many years together, he had never seen the Sword Annihilation Ancestor show such a look.


    Fear, despair, relief, nervousness, and more¡­


    Seeing the Sword Annihilation Ancestor with such a complex and troubled expression, Li Ya felt as if something inside him had shattered.


    How could the master he revered be less formidable than Junior Brother Gu?


    He suddenly felt lost.

 Chapter 535 - 532: Ascending to Yellow Heaven, Emperor of Absolute Thought

    Chapter 535: Chapter 532: Ascending to Yellow Heaven, Emperor of Absolute Thought


    Li Ya struggled to adjust his emotions, he looked at Sword Annihilation Ancestor, cautiously asking, ¡°Master, are you alright?¡±


    Although the image of his master had collapsed in his heart, the many years of guidance were a kindness he could not forget.


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor came back to his senses, he took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯m alright, but you must forget today¡¯s events, or it will bring about great trouble.¡±


    He knew very well how terrifying the Silent Destruction God Emperor was, and this one was the original entity.


    Having the capability to suppress the Silent Destruction God Emperor so easily, the Dao Practice of that being just now¡­


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor couldn¡¯t help but tremble, he even dared not think deeper.


    ...


    The pressure Li Ya felt was far less than that of Sword Annihilation Ancestor; he didn¡¯t feel that Sword Annihilation Ancestor was too cowardly, after all, considering his relationship with Gu An, Gu An would definitely take care of him.


    Tsk tsk, Junior Brother Gu sure knows how to scare my master, truly not giving any face.


    Li Ya felt emotional, he also couldn¡¯t help but wonder, just how high was Junior Brother Gu¡¯s Cultivation Level.


    How could such an unrivaled powerful existence be so easily defeated by Junior Brother Gu?


    Li Ya couldn¡¯t figure it out, he just couldn¡¯t understand.


    How many years had Gu An cultivated, and how many hardships had he endured to become so powerful?


    Li Ya couldn¡¯t imagine.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor also couldn¡¯t imagine, even as a Profound Yuan Free Immortal, in his knowledge, apart from the Celestial Spirit God guarding the World Gate, the Silent Destruction God Emperor was the most powerful being.


    Previously, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had exterminated the incarnation of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and when the Silent Destruction God Emperor himself arrived, it frightened Supporting Dao Sword Venerable to leave the Celestial Spirit Great World, undeniably proving the power of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    But now¡­


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor could accept the defeat of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, but could not accept that the Silent Destruction God Emperor had no power to fight back¡­


    The Celestial Spirit Great World became a frightening place in the eyes of Sword Annihilation Ancestor, the once-center of the Great Thousand World indeed hid unfathomable and terrifying cause and effect.


    He dared not be curious about who that being was, only hoping he could forget.


    Having lived for so many years, he knew very well that even without speaking, remembering certain things could also bring boundless trouble.


    On the other side.


    Gu An had already returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, the reason he spared Sword Annihilation Ancestor was firstly due to Li Ya¡¯s face, and secondly because he had ways to eliminate the cause and effect, ensuring the incident wouldn¡¯t be spread.


    He arrived in his courtyard, lying on a chair, he raised his right hand and flipped it open, revealing a Black Pearl, which was transformed from the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    The Black Pearl was not the true body of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, but was suppressed by Gu An¡¯s power of cause and effect; within the Black Pearl, the Silent Destruction God Emperor was helpless, unable to escape, only to be handled by Gu An.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor had possessed so many of the Long Clan¡¯s juniors, Gu An couldn¡¯t just kill him, he needed to understand the reasons.


    He began to Soul Search the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    The flowers and grass in the courtyard slightly swayed, and sparrows chirped on the old trees, enhancing the liveliness of the courtyard.


    Shen Zhen came back carrying a bamboo basket, she was in a good mood, humming a little tune she had heard from the folk.


    When she saw Gu An admiring a black pearl, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What is the origin of the pearl in your hand?¡±


    She was just curious and didn¡¯t think much about it, usually, Gu An liked to fiddle with little gadgets, making others feel cultivation was easy for the highly skilled, with no need for daily practice.


    ¡°I picked it up in the river.¡±


    Gu An casually replied, his heart, however, was filled with murderous intent.


    Through Soul Searching, he saw the tragic conditions of generations of the Long Clan¡¯s talented members, the lighter cases were possession, the severe ones endured endless torment, being tortured to death alive.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor was not reincarnated into the Long Clan, but targeted the exceptionally talented disciples of the Long Clan for possession, thus seizing their lives. If the possession failed, he would find ways to take their bloodline, making the victims endure unimaginable pain.


    As Gu An had guessed, the Silent Destruction God Emperor had indeed targeted the Long Clan¡¯s bloodline because of Long Zhan. The Divine Emperor had noticed Long Zhan when he roamed the universe; he found Long Zhan¡¯s growth rate astounding, hence always kept him under covert observation.


    When Long Zhan crossed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, he felt threatened, thus making his move to execute him.


    Afterward, he took Long Xin as his disciple and assisted Long Xin in rebuilding the Battle Court, having a genuine mentor-disciple bond with Long Xin, without ever attempting possession.


    Later, Long Xin was killed by a supreme being, and the Silent Destruction God Emperor could not avenge him, which deeply provoked the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    Afterwards, Long Xin¡¯s grandson exhibited a talent no less impressive than Long Zhan¡¯s. He then became greedy, continuously searching and continually failing, making him more obstinate, eventually leading to a great disaster.


    The one who killed Long Xin came from Ascending to Yellow Heaven, known as Emperor of Absolute Thought.


    In the memory of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, at that time, he had yet to reach the middle stage of the Innate Golden Immortal Realm. Facing the Emperor of Absolute Thought, he was completely powerless and only managed to escape by using a secret technique.


    After that, he never encountered the Emperor of Absolute Thought again, and he dared not venture to Ascending to Yellow Heaven, which seemed to be a forbidden place to him.


    Besides, Gu An also learned about another existence.


    Immortal Emperor!


    This person was the Lord of the War Court, initiating the war that overthrew the power of the Long Clan. He was also the longest-ruling entity of the Battle Court, claiming he could be eternally immortal as long as a living being could chant his title, allowing him to resurrect.


    The Silent Destruction God Emperor was also wary of the Immortal Emperor; the two never clashed.


    It¡¯s worth mentioning that the Immortal Emperor was not interested in the Long Clan, spending years in seclusion; it was his offspring who, fearing the Long Clan¡¯s resurgence, began the extermination.


    As Gu An continuously extracted memories, Shen Zhen sat on a nearby stool, quietly watching him.


    For some reason, she felt the black pearl in Gu An¡¯s hands had a not-so-simple origin.


    Moreover, Gu An¡¯s current state gave her an indescribable feeling of profound mystery.


    She felt like painting.


    Hence, she took out a palette and set it up in front of her, then hung up a sheet of paper and took out her ink and brush.


    Gu An noticed her actions but said nothing.


    Time quickly passed.


    After a long while.


    After Gu An finished plundering the memories of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, he clenched his right hand, shattering the black pearl.


    [You have successfully seized the life span of the Silent Destruction God Emperor (Middle Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm) for 15,098,273,628 years]


    Fifteen billion years of life span!


    Upon seeing this prompt, dark thoughts of slaying Innate Golden Immortals arose in Gu An¡¯s heart.


    But he quickly suppressed them.


    To live to the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, one must surely not be ordinary!


    Like the Silent Destruction God Emperor, his master, close friends, and disciples were all extraordinary; just killing him was manageable, as Gu An could erase the cause and effect, but if he killed too many, it would always lead to major trouble.


    Regardless, eradicating the Silent Destruction God Emperor resolved a great concern for Gu An. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After that, he could fully enjoy life and watch his disciples grow.


    Gu An turned his head to look at Shen Zhen nearby, curious about the kind of painting she had created.


    He saw Shen Zhen holding the brush, her expression slightly blank, completely fixed in front of the palette, motionless.


    Gu An immediately stood up and walked over to her, making his way to her side, looking at the drawing paper with squinting eyes.


    The paper depicted a man with white hair and blood clothes, standing atop a mountain peak, gazing up at the sun, moon, and stars.


    Although Shen Zhen¡¯s drawing was not very clear, Gu An could recognize the person instantly.


    Long Xin¡¯s grandson, Long Jun¡¯s son, Long Mie.


    The character ¡®extinction¡¯ in Long Mie was derived from the Silent Destruction God Emperor, who had visited him when he was just born, at that time, the Silent Destruction God Emperor hadn¡¯t yet realized Long Mie¡¯s talent.


    This scene in the painting had not appeared in the memories of the Silent Destruction God Emperor. After the Silent Destruction God Emperor captured Long Mie, and before he had attempted possession, they encountered a Great Dao storm on the Path of the Great Dao, which obliterated Long Mie while severely injuring the Silent Destruction God Emperor.

 Chapter 536 - 533 Buddha Immortal

    Chapter 536: Chapter 533 Buddha Immortal


    Could Long Mie be alive?


    Gu An gazed at the painting by Shen Zhen and speculated thus in his heart.


    Indeed, in the memories of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, he and the Battle Court were doing their utmost to slaughter the Long Clan, yet descendants of the Long Clan always managed to escape.


    Only when Long Qing came into the picture did the Silent Destruction God Emperor seem to hold some trepidation, beginning to observe secretly.


    Could it be that Long Mie was protecting the descendants of the Long Clan from the shadows?


    As Gu An pondered this, he lifted his hand and gently patted Shen Zhen¡¯s shoulder.


    ...


    Shen Zhen suddenly snapped back to reality. Subconsciously, she turned her head to see Gu An, and upon recognizing him, she let out a sigh of relief.


    She spoke up, ¡°Just now, I felt as if I¡¯d fallen into some sort of magic barrier. I saw a person who kept staring at me, it was so frightening.¡±


    During the conversation, she glanced over at her own painting, fear showing in her eyes for the first time.


    Gu An asked, ¡°What else did you see?¡±


    Shen Zhen began to describe the magical barrier she had experienced.


    Below the mountains in the painting was a sea of blood with bones bobbing up and down, a sight so startling it was unbearable. The blood sea felt so oppressive to her that she couldn¡¯t bring herself to depict it.


    The man in blood clothes standing atop the mountain peak gave Shen Zhen an endless sense of desolation. Even though she couldn¡¯t see this man¡¯s past, she could feel the deep vengeance of the blood sea he bore and his lonely, unsupported existence.


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    Listening to Shen Zhen describe the feelings Long Mie incited in her, Gu An sighed internally.


    It appeared the karmic resolution for the Long Clan hadn¡¯t been completely settled yet.


    After Shen Zhen had finished speaking, Gu An said teasingly, ¡°It seems your enlightenment could also bring about a heart demon; you¡¯ll have to be careful in the future.¡±


    Shen Zhen nodded, but she was somewhat perplexed in her heart.


    She had been looking at Gu An when she painted this scroll, which meant the person in the painting likely had some kind of connection to Gu An.


    Seeing that Gu An didn¡¯t wish to speak, she refrained from asking more.


    Over the years, through Gu An¡¯s guidance, she had painted many pictures and was well aware that Gu An had an extraordinary background. Precisely because of this, she refrained from asking too much, so as not to cause trouble for Gu An.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An turned and went back inside.


    He still needed to reflect deeply on the memories of the Silent Destruction God Emperor and contemplate when to make a move against the Battle Court.


    The Battle Court was created by his reincarnation body. Now that it had been usurped and was used for evil, he had to resolve this karmic thread.


    After watching Gu An return to the house, Shen Zhen¡¯s gaze fell back on the painting, her expression turning curious.


    ¡°How strange, why does he resemble Gu An somewhat?¡±


    Shen Zhen mumbled to herself, suddenly forming a bold speculation.


    Could the man in the painting be one of Gu An¡¯s past lives?


    Thinking this, her heart suddenly felt uncomfortable.


    Gu An was always so kind to those around him, never losing his temper. He was always willing to shoulder the troubles of others, yet he himself had endured hardships unimaginable to ordinary people.


    Shen Zhen had always found Gu An to be great, able to treat people well, and even rescue all living beings. But as her realm grew higher, her admiration for Gu An only increased.


    Gu An always managed to refresh her view of him.


    Shen Zhen looked at the person in the painting, her gaze once again becoming unfocused.


    ¡­


    The yellow sand filled the sky, and the windstorm raged like raging floodwaters and ferocious beasts. An ancient temple lay amidst the sandstorm.


    Zhang Buku, his white hair tied behind his head, pushed open the main gate, entered the Buddha hall, and then proceeded to close the door.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master and Divine Exotic Ghost Kings were meditating around the room, each one pale and weak, with the Divine Exotic Realm Master¡¯s face covered in bloodstains, looking very frightening.


    The Divine Exotic Ghost King known as Zhen Liudao opened his eyes to look at Zhang Buku and asked feebly, ¡°Have you found anything?¡±


    Zhang Buku shook his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s endless and desolate, without a living soul. The sun overhead grows ever hotter, and at this rate, we will surely be refined away.¡±


    As these words were spoken, the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings all opened their eyes.


    ¡°Damn it, now we¡¯re really screwed.¡±


    ¡°I have been saying, we shouldn¡¯t chase after that ¡®Immortal Fate.¡¯ It¡¯s unreliable, and given our unique powers, we can¡¯t act together.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of saying this now?¡±


    ¡°Master, at least say something, we can¡¯t just sit here and accept our fate!¡±


    ¡°That bastard is definitely hiding in the shadows, waiting for us to be powerless to resist. If we fall into his hands, it will be worse than dying under the blazing sun.¡±


    The Buddha hall fell into noisy chaos, but Zhang Buku had grown accustomed to it. He looked up at the large Buddha statue behind him, which was covered in dust and appeared so ancient.


    Ever since he had entered this temple, Zhang Buku had felt there was something off with this Buddha statue. Although the Divine Exotic Realm Master and the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings had all checked it, he still felt uncomfortable.


    He had the feeling of being watched by a malicious gaze.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master noticed something wrong with Zhang Buku¡¯s expression and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Zhang Buku looked at him and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m fine, but I feel there must be a deeper intention for that person leading us into this realm. It¡¯s probably not just to wait for us to die because we¡¯re no match for him now.¡±


    As these words came out, the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings stopped their bickering and all turned to look at him.


    Zhang Buku took a deep breath and said, ¡°My friends, on the way here, you all saw those Buddha heads in the desert, as if left there on purpose by some being, guiding us to this temple. Maybe our chance of survival lies within this temple.¡±


    Hearing this, the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings all stood up, looking around.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master thought it made sense and turned his head to observe the surroundings.


    Slowly, a heavy silence fell upon the Buddha hall.


    After a while, everyone¡¯s gaze was drawn to the large Buddha statue.


    Defying the Nine Netherworlds, anxious, asked, ¡°Do any of you feel something is off?¡±


    His words broke the silence, prompting the other Divine Exotic Ghost Kings to speak up, sharing their feelings as if the liveliness could drive away the unease in their hearts.


    Zhang Buku¡¯s pupils suddenly dilated, his eyes fixed on the large Buddha statue¡¯s eyes.


    Nearly touching the ceiling, the statue¡¯s face was shrouded in darkness, making its features blurry. Zhang Buku saw that its eyes were smiling. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This sent a chill through his body, a fear arising instinctively in his heart.


    Soon, the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings quieted down too, as they also noticed the statue smiling a cold, evil grin, sensing a greed that seemed to emanate from it.


    They slowly gathered together, shoulder to shoulder.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master stared at the large Buddha statue, took a deep breath, and asked aloud, ¡°May I ask which senior rests here? If we have disturbed you, please show us a way out.¡±


    As his words trailed off, the eyes of the Buddha statue twisted into two sly slits, all the more eerie.


    ¡°Do you want the Immortal Fate? It lies right here.¡±


    An eerily cold laughter rang out, making Zhang Buku and the others grow even more wary, pressing even closer together.


    Despite his fear, the Divine Exotic Realm Master asked in a steady voice, ¡°We are willing to forsake the Immortal Fate. May I inquire if the senior will allow us to leave?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ not!¡±


    The voice drew out the last word before suddenly shouting loudly, startling the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings into constant trembling.


    The Buddha statue¡¯s gaze settled on Zhang Buku and sneered, ¡°I am a Buddha Immortal. I need much flesh and blood to revive, though I have no wish to resurrect. One of you will be chosen to inherit my legacy.¡±


    One of the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings asked bravely, ¡°And what of the others?¡±


    The Buddha Immortal turned to him and replied with a hideous laugh, ¡°Naturally, they will be devoured by my Inheritor.¡±


    The hall fell into silence again.


    Zhang Buku felt uneasy under the Buddha Immortal¡¯s gaze from before, intuitively sensing that they were being toyed with. He might well be selected as the Inheritor, only to be attacked by everyone else.


    ¡°The causality tied to Silent Destruction vanished unexpectedly; I have no idea who killed him. You¡¯ve come just in time for me to choose an Inheritor so I can be free.¡± The Buddha Immortal¡¯s voice sounded again, this time as if talking to himself.

 Chapter 537 - 534: The Realm of Eternal Indestructibility

    Chapter 537: Chapter 534: The Realm of Eternal Indestructibility


    The Buddha Immortal¡¯s muttering made Zhang Buku and the others even more nervous, for they could feel the Buddha Immortal¡¯s urgency, the more so, the more dangerous it was for them.


    The Buddha statue that the Buddha Immortal had transformed into was slightly trembling, as if it were about to crack.


    ¡°Escape!¡±


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master immediately gave the order, and almost instantly, the door was breached, Zhang Buku and the others shot out like lightning, darting into the overwhelming yellow sand.


    ¡°You think this is what kind of place? Escape? You will soon find that killing each other is easier than escaping, for I have already dissolved the causal bonds between you, from this moment onwards, you are all independent beings.¡±


    The voice of the Buddha Immortal resounded, and Zhang Buku as well as the Divine Exotic Ghost Kings could feel the restraints on themselves disappear, they had obtained the freedom they had longed for.


    ...


    However, they were not relieved, instead, they were more afraid.


    How terrifying must be the cultivation level of a Buddha Immortal who could easily dissolve Divine Exotic causality?


    Even Zhang Buku, who was afraid of neither heaven nor earth, felt despair.


    Having left the Celestial Spirit Great World for thousands of years, having endured so many hardships and dangers, is it really going to end today?


    In Zhang Buku¡¯s mind emerged the faces of Gu An and Li Ya, not knowing how those two were getting by now.


    Such thoughts came quickly and left quickly in his mind, he did not have the luxury to think about so much.


    ¡­


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    After killing the Silent Destruction God Emperor, Gu An¡¯s life resumed its tranquility, the Celestial Spirit God also made no move, still sitting under the World Gate.


    The seven subordinates of the Silent Destruction God Emperor had not noticed anything amiss, in their view, it was impossible for anything to happen to the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and since their cultivation level was far below that of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, they could not deduce the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s causality.


    The fall of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, capable of overturning the Celestial Spirit Great World, did not cause any impact on this world.


    The world¡¯s currents surge and ebb, there are always those who call the wind and summon the rain falling from power, and there are always new figures emerging, dominating the scene.


    Time flew by swiftly.


    Two thousand years passed in a blink of an eye, the Human World has entered a new chapter.


    This year, just after the New Year.


    Immortal Seeking Island.


    Gu An was strolling on the street, An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint following behind, with Hu Xiaojian walking in front, bending over, continuously introducing the situation along the way for the three of them.


    Hu Xiaojian, who was over eight thousand years old, had also reached Nirvana, and now held a very high status on Immortal Seeking Island, many people seeing him so respectfully guiding others, could not help casting curious glances at Gu An.


    However, as soon as they turned their heads, the image of Gu An was gone from their minds, leaving them puzzled, but it wasn¡¯t long before even that puzzlement disappeared.


    Gu An, looking at the bustling Immortal Seeking Island, had a smile on his face.


    After leaving the Supreme Sect, Gu An still maintained his relationship with Human World Peak and Immortal Seeking Island, both powers considered him a reclusive Great Cultivator, and no one associated him with Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The Great Heaven and Earth is too vast, how many Great Cultivators were there under the heavens, like carps crossing the river, the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had already been forgotten by the world.


    Hu Xiaojian kept talking, all the while observing Gu An¡¯s expression, seeing that Gu An was satisfied, he felt very excited.


    Although he often saw Gu An, today was different, Immortal Seeking Island was hosting its once-a-century grand event, he was personally in charge of handling it, the street was full of trading stalls, with cultivation treasures as far as the eye could see, everything that met the eye was his accomplishment, so naturally, he hoped Gu An would praise him.


    Actually, by now, he no longer needed to get anything from Gu An, but he knew why he could have all this, he cherished it, and was determined to cling to Gu An¡¯s coattails for a lifetime, serving him.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid that Gu An wouldn¡¯t command him to do things, he was afraid that Gu An would forget him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done very well, keep it up,¡± Gu An said with a smile.


    Immortal Seeking Island was also important to him, almost all of his medicinal herb seeds came from Immortal Seeking Island, as did the rewards he bestowed upon his disciples.


    Despite his high realm, he didn¡¯t want to revert to sneaky deeds.


    He wanted to speed up his path to gaining strength, and it wasn¡¯t difficult, but what he desired was to grow stronger steadily and without remorse¡ªif he could achieve that, it would be even better.


    ¡°I will definitely do better!¡± Hu Xiaojian was as excited as if he were on a chicken-blood stimulant.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze fell upon a stall where an old man sat on the ground, disheveled, with a young boy squatting beside him.


    This elder was familiar to Gu An; he had paid attention to him before.


    Chi Jiuxiao, a genius from the Star Sea Congregations, had once competed for Divine Exotic City on the Tai Cang Continent. Gu An had saved An Hao at the time, and also incidentally rescued Chi Jiuxiao and Chi Bei who were accompanying An Hao.


    This Chi Jiuxiao was no ordinary figure, stepping into the Nirvana Realm at the age of five hundred¡ªwhat an exaggeration. In terms of the speed of his early cultivation, he was even faster than An Hao, mainly due to the resources of the Star Sea Congregations at his disposal.


    If reaching the Nirvana Realm first were to determine talent, then the offspring of the Immortal Dynasty born in the Nirvana Realm could not all be said to possess more talent than An Hao, could they?


    Gu An could sense that Chi Jiuxiao was injured: while his realm remained, he was unable to gather mana within his body.


    The boy beside him was his progeny left in the Human World, now by his side.


    Thousands of years had passed, and the situation in the Human World had continually changed. The Star Sea Congregations had encountered upheaval, with many internal families being purged, including the Chi Family.


    The Star Sea Congregations were of no concern to Gu An, and he had no intention of caring.


    Had it not been for people like An Hao, Profound Celestial Intent, Li Ya, and Zhang Buku who had gone to the Star Sea Congregations to cultivate, he wouldn¡¯t even bother paying attention to the organization.


    Gu An simply glanced and then withdrew his gaze, continuing forward.


    Chi Jiuxiao didn¡¯t notice Gu An¡¯s attention, his mind preoccupied with concerns that the bustling streets could not dispel.


    ¡°Master, how long will we stay here?¡±


    The boy next to him asked, his eyes falling on Gu An and others, feeling that these people had an extraordinary status, their aura completely different from the passersby. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chi Jiuxiao, with his head lowered, softly said, ¡°Until the Immortal Seeking Conference ends.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the boy sighed, looking at the lively and bustling street, full of longing in his eyes.


    Since his birth, he had been alone, and it was only last year that he became Chi Jiuxiao¡¯s disciple. He cherished his current life, but also longed for a better path in immortal cultivation.


    After spending half a day at Immortal Seeking Island, Gu An took An Xin and Blood Prison Great Saint away; the two had purchased many items on the island, planning to bring them back for the others in the dojo.


    Back at the dojo, Gu An stood before the Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords and retrieved the treasured swords that he had selected at Immortal Seeking Island, embedding them into the mountain.


    The Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords now bristled with treasured swords, each containing its own unique Sword Intent.


    After placing the swords, Gu An began to admire his creation.


    Over the years, aside from comprehending the Great Dao, he had not neglected the Sword Dao.


    He could now connect with the Sacred Heart Sword Dao created by Yang Xian¡ªafter all, Yang Xian was him, so controlling the Sacred Heart Sword Dao was not difficult for him.


    The Sacred Heart Sword Dao, everlasting within the River of Sword Dao, sparked Gu An¡¯s interest in the River of Sword Dao.


    If the Dao could become a river, then it could be ever-lasting¡ªthis mystery fascinated him.


    He hoped that his Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords could reach the state of being eternal too.


    After watching for a while, Gu An suddenly felt something, his pupils reflecting a scene.


    There was a great battle upon the River of Sword Dao!


    Both combatants possessed the cultivation level of Profound Yuan Free Immortal, their Sword Dao prowess was incomparable, not even weaker than the Sword Annihilation Ancestor.


    Gu An observed their Sword Dao clash and understood their complex causality.


    Both hailed from different Great Thousand Worlds, both believers of the Sword Dao, and both looking up to the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    As the long years passed by, Yang Xian was no more, but his Sword Dao had become an eternal existence.

 Chapter 538 - 535: The Calamity of a Strange God

    Chapter 538: Chapter 535: The Calamity of a Strange God


    In the void of endless darkness, a sparkling river flowed quietly, with neither its source nor its end in sight.


    This was the River of Sword Dao, situated within the space of the Great Dao. There were no stars here, no worlds, only endless darkness, and it was the only light in that darkness.


    The River of Sword Dao was vast and boundless, radiating an ancient and eternal aura.


    Somewhere along the River of Sword Dao, two figures were engaging in battle, their forms weaving and sword qi crisscrossing. Their sword qi was incredibly powerful, but when it fell into the vast River of Sword Dao, not even a splash was raised.


    As the scene zoomed in, looking from behind the two men, the River of Sword Dao seemed like an immense ocean, endless from any direction one looked.


    The collision of two strands of sword qi, carrying the dominant might that could shatter heavens and earth, forced both figures to retreat in unison, creating a distance of ten thousand miles between them.


    ...


    One of them, dressed in a blue robe and holding a wooden sword, directed his gaze toward his distant opponent, squinting as he spoke, ¡°Such a nimble sword, do you hail from the Canglan Sword Domain?¡±


    The other sword cultivator, dressed in white robes, held a long, slender black sword in his hand, the blade glinting with flowing light as if water slid across it.


    In response to the inquiry, the white-robed sword cultivator snorted coldly, ¡°Your sword carries a fighting spirit. I didn¡¯t expect Battle Court to have people dedicated to the Sword Dao. I had thought Battle Court was all full of obsessive lunatics.¡±


    The blue-robed sword cultivator answered, ¡°Continuing our fight won¡¯t decide a victor.¡±


    The white-robed sword cultivator remained silent, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction.


    In the Canglan Sword Domain, his Sword Dao might not be the strongest, but he was invincible amongst his peers in the same realm, capable of sweeping through opposition even when entering a new Great Realm.


    But today, he had met his match, and to make matters feel worse, his opponent came from the very Battle Court he disdained.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co


    For a force like the Battle Court to produce a swordsmanship genius he could not defeat was incredibly frustrating for him.


    The blue-robed sword cultivator was about to speak again when he suddenly turned his head, and not just him, the white-robed sword cultivator also glanced in the same direction.


    They both looked towards the same direction, only to see sword qi surging out from within the River of Sword Dao, amassing into a figure on the surface of the river.


    Seeing this figure, both sword cultivators frowned simultaneously, a sense of unease filling their hearts.


    Far in front of Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords, Gu An also saw this figure. He was unable to deduce the figure¡¯s causality, signifying the person¡¯s high level of Cultivation.


    Under Gu An¡¯s gaze, the mysterious figure slew two Profound Yuan Free Immortals with a single slash, then turned and walked into the River of Sword Dao, disappearing from sight.


    Although he couldn¡¯t see through the figure¡¯s causal origins, he felt the use of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    Speaking of which, even the Silent Destruction God Emperor could not progress in his path upon seeing the Sacred Heart Sword Dao. Just how alluring was the draw of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao?


    Although Gu An could control the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, he merely borrowed its power and was unable to extract the Sacred Heart Sword Dao from the River of Sword Dao. He could allow others to cultivate the Sacred Heart Sword Dao or forbid it.


    However, before he integrated the memories of Yang Xian, someone had already begun cultivating the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, and he had no desire to cut off their progress.


    Gu An retracted his gaze and continued to stand still in place.


    After a long time,


    Chen Chuan arrived beside Gu An and said, ¡°Master, I have encountered a bottleneck.¡±


    Gu An spoke softly, ¡°The time has not come.¡±


    Chen Chuan was taken aback, he scratched his head and said awkwardly, ¡°Master, I haven¡¯t even said anything yet.¡±


    ¡°The hardest part of immortal cultivation is enduring the years. To resist loneliness and inner restlessness is even more difficult than breaking through realms,¡± Gu An said casually. After speaking, he turned and walked away.


    Chen Chuan followed his steps and said, ¡°I heard disciples from Qiankun Sect discussing someone named Li Ya, who wields the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword. Is the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword the one I wanted to obtain thousands of years ago?¡±


    With his current Dao practice, he didn¡¯t need to leave the Daoist Field of the Beginningless to peek into Qiankun Sect.


    Unable to leave the dojo, Qiankun Sect thus became his channel to understand the outside world, and not just for him, it was the same for others within the dojo.


    Apart from Shen Zhen, An Xin, the Blood Prison Great Saint, the White Spirit Rat, the others dared not leave the dojo, nor did they challenge Gu An¡¯s different treatment of certain individuals, because they knew these people would follow Gu An eternally, while they themselves did not have such firm resolve. Gu An¡¯s decision to keep them was also out of the hope that they would accumulate strength.


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Gu An responded, and after thousands of years had passed, Chen Chuan finally wanted to go out into the world, both to investigate the cause of his parents¡¯ deaths and to satisfy his curiosity about the world.


    He felt his sword should unsheath, to let the world witness his strength.


    Seeing Gu An¡¯s indifferent attitude, Chen Chuan didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Gu An stopped in his tracks and pointed a finger at Chen Chuan¡¯s forehead.


    Chen Chuan couldn¡¯t react in time and was instantly immobilized, completely frozen.


    Gu An then continued on his way.


    After a while,


    Chen Chuan awoke with a start, his back drenched in sweat, and he couldn¡¯t help but gasp for air.


    He genuinely felt the sword aura of two Sword Cultivators on the River of Sword Dao and saw how they died.


    At first, he had admired the figures of the two Sword Cultivators, but then a mysterious entity appeared and extinguished them with a single sword strike.


    Chen Chuan¡¯s pride was dampened, and he could appreciate the painstaking care of his master.


    ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough yet, the time hasn¡¯t come¡­¡± Chen Chuan muttered to himself, his eyes gradually becoming resolute.


    Night fell, and Gu An was reading in the study, the candlelight illuminating his face. At the table, there was another person reading¡ªit was Shen Zhen. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Zhen had idle time, disliking Qi Absorption Cultivation. Whatever book Gu An was reading, she would also read, and the two would often discuss; Gu An also enjoyed discussing with her.


    The two were initially connected by their love for books, the books that Gu An enjoyed reading, she would also read, and they would even write books for each other.


    Gu An was engrossed in his book when he suddenly heard the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit speak.


    At that moment, Shen Zhen looked up, her voice excited, ¡°This plot twist is great! In a rainy night, they start fighting over a blood feud, and when the male lead is gravely injured, they share an intimate moment to settle regrets, then kill him amid complex emotions!¡±


    Gu An gave her a look and said, ¡°Can you not read these chaotic books?¡±


    He put down the book in his hand and took the book Shen Zhen was holding, then studied it carefully.


    Shen Zhen chuckled and fetched another book from the shelf beside her.


    ¡°Master, please save him. I feel if he dies, I might die too!¡±


    The voice of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit rang out in Gu An¡¯s heart, anxious.


    It was speaking of the Divine Exotic Realm Master, the source of power of Divine Exotic City.


    Gu An, annoyed, replied in his heart, ¡°With me here, even if he dies, you won¡¯t die.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit was overjoyed, thanked him, and then dared not bother Gu An any further.


    Since entering the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, Gu An¡¯s sense of karma had reached new heights. Two thousand years ago, he had heard Zhang Buku¡¯s cry for help, but he wanted to use this crisis to make Zhang Buku stronger, so he had not intervened.


    When the time was right, he would naturally take action.


    After the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit calmed down, Gu An¡¯s thoughts drifted.


    He thought of Zhang Chunqiu, his first senior brother when he first joined the Supreme Sect.


    He remembered how Zhang Chunqiu used to train him and Meng Lang, as if it were a scene from the distant past.


    ¡°Senior brother, your son will eventually go to Reincarnation to find you. I look forward to the day we can reunite,¡± Gu An said with a slight smile, thinking to himself.


    In his pupils, a figure appeared: a lean monk that seemed ghostly.


    Buddha Immortal!


    If Zhang Buku could not deal with the Buddha Immortal, then Gu An, as his martial uncle, naturally had to stand up for him.


    It just so happened that the Buddha Immortal had a good relationship with the Silent Destruction God Emperor.

 Chapter 539 - 536: Celestial Court Immortal Gods, Immortal

    Chapter 539: Chapter 536: Celestial Court Immortal Gods, Immortal


    Yellow sands swirled into the sky, and within a valley where not a single blade of grass grew, there sat a small blood-red lake in the center, surrounded by cliffs so neatly cut that the valley resembled a gigantic pit, with yellow sand forming an overcast dome above it.


    In the blood-red lake, Zhang Buku sat bare-chested, with blood acting like long snakes wrapping around his body, constantly writhing.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master sat at the edge of the lake. Compared to two thousand years ago, he seemed like a different person, emaciated to the bone, his eyes lifeless, appearing like a skeleton sitting still.


    Looking around, one could see numerous corpses, all of which were those of the Divine Exotic Ghost King, each having met a horrific, fierce death. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, a yellow wind descended from the sky, forming a skull above the Blood Lake¡ªit was the head of a Buddha statue, ancient and timeworn.


    It was indeed the head of a Buddha Immortal!


    ...


    The Buddha Immortal looked down at Zhang Buku, a strange smile appearing on his face.


    Zhang Buku seemed to sense something and opened his eyes. He looked up at the Buddha Immortal, his expression calm, not panicked. He asked, ¡°What, you can¡¯t resist making a move against me?¡±


    The Buddha Immortal sneered in response, ¡°You are now considered my disciple, how should you speak to your master?¡±


    Zhang Buku didn¡¯t respond, just calmly staring at him.


    He had stayed here for two thousand years, enduring torturous pain. His heart had been tempered a thousand times, and even now, facing death, he would not be flustered.


    ¡°Indeed, I like your gaze. You are much stronger than these waste ones,¡± the Buddha Immortal disdainfully said.


    The Divine Exotic Realm Master at the edge of the lake trembled slightly, yet was unable to raise his head.


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    Zhang Buku merely glanced at him without caring.


    Zhang Buku knew that mere verbal concern would not help him.


    ¡°Why do you think I chose you?¡± the Buddha Immortal suddenly asked.


    Zhang Buku looked at him, waiting for his answer.


    The Buddha Immortal seemed not to mind Zhang Buku¡¯s attitude and smiled, ¡°You were meant to die, saved by others, your destiny changed. People like you are numerous, known as Life-Changers. The greater the change in your destiny, the more complex your karma. That means, the higher your Cultivation Level, you will gradually become an anomaly of the Heavenly Dao and even the Great Dao. Life-Changers are destined for a life of hardships. Cultivation is more challenging for you than for others, but you¡¯re also more likely to encounter fortuitous opportunities.¡±


    Meant to die?


    Zhang Buku immediately thought of Master Gu.


    Without Master Gu¡¯s rescue, he would have already died.


    ¡°So, I bear such karma, and you choose me, aren¡¯t you afraid of the trouble?¡± Zhang Buku asked, staring at the Buddha Immortal.


    The Buddha Immortal showed a sly smirk, ¡°Kid, do you aspire to be an Immortal God? Your Destiny Pattern suits well to ascend to the Celestial Court.¡±


    ¡°The Celestial Court?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, that is the domain of the Immortal Gods. They are the true Immortal Gods, protected by the Celestial Dao Destiny. As long as the Heavenly Dao remains unaltered, they do not perish. They wield the supreme power, ruling over all the Great Thousand World. The reason the Human World has Immortal Gods is also because of them. However, Mortal Spirits cannot see them, and they disdain letting Mortal Spirits behold their true forms.¡±


    The Buddha Immortal spoke in a beguiling tone, the appeal of immortality immense. Even the transformed Zhang Buku felt emotional turbulence within.


    Cultivating for Immortality, isn¡¯t it all for Longevity?


    Power does not always come from Cultivation Level, family background, or a Sect, but Longevity can only be achieved on one¡¯s own.


    Even though Zhang Buku had traversed many realms, he had never heard of anyone achieving eternal life.


    ¡°I too once belonged to the Celestial Court, but immortality for me turned into a shackle. Thus, I wish to leave. However, the Celestial Dao Immortal Position cannot be left vacant, otherwise the Celestial Court will not spare me. You are meant to replace me.¡±


    The Buddha Immortal looked at Zhang Buku seriously, his voice now devoid of mirth.


    Zhang Buku asked, ¡°Is it that easy to replace?¡±


    The Buddha Immortal replied, ¡°The Celestial Court isn¡¯t the Sect you imagine it to be. Immortal Gods do not often meet one another. Many Immortal Gods spend their lives confined to one place, never entering the Celestial Court, not meeting other Immortal Gods. To even glimpse the Celestial Precepts is already a great fortune in life.¡±


    Zhang Buku understood upon hearing this.


    The Buddha Immortal¡¯s status in the Celestial Court must be very low, so low that hardly anyone pays attention.


    This realization bittered his heart; even the lowest existence in the Celestial Court could bring him endless despair. Such a terrifying place it was, and he felt that stepping into it would lead to endless troubles.


    According to the Buddha Immortal, although the Celestial Dao Immortal Position grants immortality, it also strips one of their freedom.


    Perhaps the Buddha Immortal could only guard this realm.


    If he had to stay in this sandy world forever, he could not accept it.


    Seeing Zhang Buku fall into despair, the Buddha Immortal continued, ¡°Only by accepting the Celestial Dao Immortal Position will I give that fellow a chance to live; he can¡¯t hold on much longer.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku turned to look at the Divine Exotic Realm Master, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    The Buddha Immortal flew upwards, his voice following him down, ¡°Becoming an Immortal God, although you lose your freedom, you still have hope. If you die, there is no hope at all.¡±


    His voice gradually faded, and his figure soon disappeared into the sands.


    Zhang Buku stared at the Divine Exotic Realm Master, his heart tormented.


    He owed a debt of gratitude to the Divine Exotic Realm Master and could not ignore it.


    But if he lost his freedom, he could never see Master Gu, Li Ya again.


    How long could the non-immortal Master Gu, Li Ya live?


    Zhang Buku felt anguished, struggling to make a decision.


    Meanwhile,


    In the sands, the Buddha Immortal was still observing Zhang Buku¡¯s reaction. He showed a sinister and cold smile, murmuring softly, ¡°Want to become an immortal? Are you worthy? If I don¡¯t break your Dao Heart, how can I take possession of you¡­¡±


    Suddenly!


    He felt his head pressed by a palm, making his eyes widen in horror as he discovered he couldn¡¯t move, nor could he even project his Divine Sense.


    In that moment, his senses failed him; he couldn¡¯t see what was above him nor could he mobilize the mana within his body.


    ¡°Who is it¡­¡±


    The Buddha Immortal bit back his fear and asked through gritted teeth.


    He felt an extremely powerful force of karma around him, isolating him. Now, even if he roared exhaustingly, Zhang Buku wouldn¡¯t hear or even see him.


    Many speculations fluttered through the Buddha Immortal¡¯s mind; whoever was suppressing him was definitely above an Innate Golden Immortal.


    An existence above an Innate Golden Immortal was not someone he could afford to provoke.


    ¡°Since you know he is a Life-Changer, why didn¡¯t you think more about who changed his destiny for him?¡± A raspy voice reached the Buddha Immortal¡¯s ears, making his head tremble.


    It was for Zhang Buku!


    How could this child have such a significant backing?


    The Buddha Immortal immediately said, ¡°Senior, it is my mistake. I am blind to the truth and could not calculate this karma. I am willing to let him go.¡±


    ¡°Just let him go?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°Pass all your abilities to him, and do not let him know of my existence.¡±


    ¡°Alright! No problem!¡±


    The Buddha Immortal agreed without hesitation, feeling that if he said ¡®no¡¯, he would be obliterated instantly.


    ming soon ¡ª

 Chapter 540 - 537: Heavenly Dao Inheritor

    Chapter 540: Chapter 537: Heavenly Dao Inheritor


    After the Buddha Immortal left, Zhang Buku couldn¡¯t calm his heart any longer. He continued to cultivate in the Blood Lake, but his mind was constantly making a choice.


    Three days later.


    Zhang Buku made a decision. He could only apologize to Master Gu in his heart, unable to repay his kindness.


    ¡°Buddha Immortal, come out, I agree to your terms. Release him now!¡±


    Zhang Buku gritted his teeth as he spoke, feeling that repaying Master Gu¡¯s kindness was an eternity away, yet the chance to save the Divine Exotic Realm Master was right before his eyes.


    As his words fell, a gust of wind descended from the sky, and the Buddha Immortal immediately appeared before Zhang Buku. He hovered not as high as before, but Zhang Buku didn¡¯t notice that.


    ...


    The Buddha Immortal looked at Zhang Buku with a smile and said, ¡°Don¡¯t rush. I¡¯ve changed my mind. I won¡¯t kill him, nor will I force you to inherit the Celestial Dao Immortal Position. Truth be told, I don¡¯t have the Celestial Dao Immortal Position at all. The reason I¡¯m hiding here is that I abandoned the Celestial Dao Immortal Position. Heaven does not tolerate me. I intended to possess you and live on through your identity.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku¡¯s face turned furious. Anyone would be angry if they were played with, especially after enduring three days of inner struggle to come to this decision, and now¡­


    Facing the enraged Zhang Buku, the Buddha Immortal quickly said, ¡°Anyway, he can still be saved. I¡¯ve also changed my mind and am prepared to truly cultivate you. For you, this result is better than what you expected.¡±


    Zhang Buku looked coldly at the Buddha Immortal, clearly not trusting him. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Buddha Immortal inwardly groaned in distress but, thinking of that terrifying being, he had no choice but to continue explaining, ¡°Upon calculating, I discovered that possession might not yield a good outcome for me, but your Destiny Pattern is exceptional. I¡¯ve decided to teach you to the best of my abilities. If one day you achieve Enlightenment and possess power beyond my reach, I hope you can turn back and save me.¡±


    Zhang Buku frowned in doubt at these words, half-believing and very hesitant.


    The Buddha Immortal sighed and said, ¡°From my perspective, millions of years are like a single day. I can continue to wait, at least it¡¯s safer. If discovered by Celestial Court, then there¡¯s no salvation for me.¡±


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    Zhang Buku remained silent.


    The Buddha Immortal immediately turned around, opened his mouth, and spat out a beam of bloody light that fell upon the Divine Exotic Realm Master. The Realm Master¡¯s breath rapidly recovered, and their flesh began to look fuller.


    Seeing this, Zhang Buku believed him for the most part.


    However, another confusion arose.


    Did the Buddha Immortal really come to this realization on his own?


    Why did the whole situation seem so perplexing?


    ¡­


    Daoist Field of the Beginningless, inside a room.


    Nighttime still filled the view outside the window.


    Shen Zhen was still reading. Gu An¡¯s spirit retracted without drawing her attention.


    To warn the Buddha Immortal, it wasn¡¯t Gu An himself who went, but a manifestation created by the power of karma.


    With Zhang Buku and the Divine Exotic Realm Master there, Gu An could quickly locate them, their world¡¯s rules of Heaven and Earth couldn¡¯t restrict Gu An.


    To Zhang Buku, the Celestial Spirit Great World was very, very far away, so distant he didn¡¯t know if he could ever return in this lifetime.


    But in Gu An¡¯s eyes, Zhang Buku wasn¡¯t too far, even if he was in another Great Thousand World. Going there wouldn¡¯t be too difficult.


    The hardest part of crossing the Great Thousand Worlds is passing through the World Gate, guarded by the Celestial Spirit God.


    Gu An was different; he could traverse different Great Thousand Worlds using the River of Sword Dao.


    The River of the Great Dao exists outside the universe, an unfathomable concept. The Enlightened can use the River of the Great Dao to travel to different places. However, most who enter find themselves perplexed and unable to find an exit.


    Only the desperate Enlightened would flee into the River of the Great Dao.


    Contemplating different Great Daos allows entering the respective Rivers¡ªthose musing on the Path of Destiny may enter the River of Destiny, and those on the Sword Dao may enter the River of Sword Dao.


    To glimpse the Rivers of the Great Dao is incredibly challenging; not every Profound Yuan Free Immortal can do it¡ªit purely depends on one¡¯s Comprehension.


    Gu An closed the book and said, ¡°Dawn is nearly here; you can go back now.¡±


    Shen Zhen glanced at him and asked, ¡°Why the hurry tonight? The last time we discussed Green Hero Travelogue, we talked for a whole day and night.¡±


    ¡°I just went through a struggle and am somewhat tired.¡±


    ¡°What struggle?¡±


    ¡°My will went to grapple with an existence far beyond the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path,¡± Gu An said, feigning a sense of gravitas. Shen Zhen rolled her eyes at this.


    The night went by, and she never saw Gu An rise from his seat. The words sounded hollow to her, and naturally, she did not believe them.


    ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s rare that you hurry me along. I just hope you haven¡¯t gotten too engrossed in your books.¡±


    Shen Zhen stood up, placed the book she had in her hands on the table, and then turned to leave.


    As she reached the door, she looked back at Gu An and asked, ¡°Do I need to illustrate this book tonight?¡±


    Gu An glanced at her and said gravely, ¡°How many times must I tell you? There are three thousand paths to Enlightenment, but some paths should be taken less.¡±


    ¡°Then I won¡¯t draw it.¡±


    ¡°Wait, draw it. I¡¯ll help correct your thinking.¡±


    Gu An replied, causing Shen Zhen to cover her mouth and giggle. She didn¡¯t argue with Gu An, instead stepping out of the room.


    Once Shen Zhen had closed the door, Gu An took out pen and paper and began to write.


    ¡­


    In the tranquil cosmic starry sky, the Celestial Dao Golden Core still stood at the end of the long bridge, with An Hao sitting in meditation before it, looking so solitary.


    He faced the Celestial Dao Golden Core, brows tightly furrowed.


    A figure emerged within the Celestial Dao Golden Core, walking toward him, all the way to the edge of the Golden Core, and then stopped to look at him.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you still unwilling to let go?¡±


    A voice came from within the Celestial Dao Golden Core, seemingly belonging to the Yang Immortal Emperor.


    An Hao didn¡¯t open his eyes and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unwilling to let go; I have no choice. You tell me to run, but where can I flee?¡±


    ¡°The River of Great Dao is one way out.¡±


    ¡°I am still far from the River of Great Dao, and moreover, there are people here I cannot abandon.¡±


    ¡°How foolish. The destruction of Heaven and Earth is destined. It was long decided that the Celestial Spirit Great World should be destroyed. The only reason why these fragments remain is that the Celestial Spirit God is waiting for the return of the Master of the Great World. If you do not flee, you will surely perish along with the fragments of the world. You possess a Destiny Pattern that should not exist in the Great Thousand World; to die here would be such a pity.¡±


    The voice from the Celestial Dao Golden Core came again, urgent in its tone.


    An Hao did not answer.


    ¡°Your most revered master has already fled. Don¡¯t you understand? Staying here is meaningless!¡±


    The mysterious voice spoke with a tone of disappointment, prompting An Hao to open his eyes.


    An Hao said gravely, ¡°My master could not possibly flee. If he left, it was for other matters!¡±


    In his heart, his master was a fearless, transcendent being, one above reproach¡ªeven by the whim of Heaven.


    He now realized that the Celestial Dao Golden Core before him was of Heavenly Dao, but had betrayed it; the true aim of the Celestial Spirit God was the master of the Golden Core.


    The thought of all the Great Heaven and Earth perishing ignited a fighting spirit within him.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid, nor uneasy, nor even angry.


    What he had was anticipation.


    He wanted to make a move amid the destruction, to save the situation from disaster. He sought to be the Savior, just like the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable of old, who always managed to turn the tide at the critical moment and save all living beings.


    He, too, yearned for such a moment, even if it meant death, he felt it would be worth it.


    ¡°Enough, since that is the case, I shall give you a chance!¡±


    Other figures began to appear inside the Celestial Dao Golden Core, walking from the depths, more and more of them.


    As An Hao saw this scene unfold, his brows furrowed deeply. He did not rise but waited instead.


    ¡°They are all the Heavenly Dao Inheritors of past generations. Though they have died, their power can be bestowed upon you. You shall be our last chance.¡±


    Hearing these words, An Hao¡¯s pupils gradually turned gold, just like the Celestial Dao Golden Core, exuding the majesty of Heavenly Dao.

 Chapter 541 - 538 Imperial Dynasty and Sect

    F{h*F5.)LjChapter 538 Imperial Dynasty and Sect


    Ever since the Buddha Immortal began teaching Zhang Buku cultivation, two hundred years had passed.


    With the new spring just over, the Nine Spirit Continent was bathed in sunlight, its vast mountains and rivers brimming with life, while flocks of birds darted out of the forests.


    Atop a large tree, Gu An leaned against the trunk as he opened his Attribute Panel to check.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 9,045/77,189,605,409]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    ...


    [Cultivation Level: Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Unconsciously, I had reached the age of nine thousand.


    Gu An felt emotional in his heart, remembering how in ancient Huaxia, those who were second in power often claimed to be nine thousand years old¡ªa far and immortal age for ordinary people.


    When he reached the age of nine thousand, he still felt very young. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Compared to those old monsters, he was still a youngster.


    Ah, youth is wonderful!


    Gu An¡¯s gaze shifted below, where a small stream lay across the forest. On the other side of the stream, An Xin was instructing three young disciples of the Qiankun Sect, two males and one female, all appearing to be seventeen or eighteen. They faced An Xin with great respect, afraid of missing any of her words.


    Gu An could hear the thoughts of one young man who marveled at how beautiful An Xin was, his face even blushing slightly.


    This amused Gu An.


    An Xin¡¯s appearance was naturally striking, and coupled with her cultivation at the Loose Immortal Realm, her demeanor was extraordinary, almost like a Celestial Maiden descending to earth, something these young, newly love-struck juveniles could hardly resist.


    But with regulations and status differences in place, all they could do was think.


    After a while.


    An Xin stood up and said, ¡°Alright, you can return now.¡±


    The three Qiankun Sect disciples promptly got up and paid their respects.


    The young man, filled with admiration for An Xin, asked, ¡°Immortal Master, when can we see you again?¡±


    The other two also looked at An Xin expectantly.


    An Xin smiled softly, ¡°If fate allows, we will meet again. I only guide each disciple of the Qiankun Sect once; it¡¯s only fair to the others.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the three felt disappointed yet dared not plead, as before coming their masters and the sect¡¯s elders had strictly warned them never to offend the Immortal Master.


    An Xin waved her sleeve, sending them a hundred miles away, not wanting to waste more words.


    She turned around and looked from side to side, and only after Gu An appeared on a branch did she reveal a smile that would have stunned the three disciples had they seen it.


    During the previous instruction, An Xin had not shown a smile, leading the three to believe she didn¡¯t smile.


    ¡°Master, Yi Qingshan still claims these three have exceptional talent, yet I felt they were quite mediocre,¡± An Xin spoke up.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Perhaps you haven¡¯t discovered their unique strengths yet; everyone has virtues.¡±


    Reflecting on his words, An Xin thought about herself and found her master¡¯s words to be reasonable. After all, her Dao practice wasn¡¯t sufficient; if she were as powerful as her master, even a common White Spirit Rat could be trained into a Demon King.


    Gu An flipped down from the branch, leading An Xin towards the dojo.


    An Xin began to recount the major recent events within the Qiankun Sect.


    It was said that a genius had emerged within the Qiankun Sect¡ªthis disciple originally possessed mediocre talent, and his fianc¨¦e had been snatched away by a prodigy of the sect, while his family members were killed. Although many suspected the prodigy was responsible, there was no evidence; many pitied this disciple, but that was all they could do.


    After several hundred years of obscurity, this disciple surprisingly demonstrated extraordinary cultivation talent and formidable combat abilities. He challenged the prodigy to a life-and-death combat, and the prodigy had agreed.


    Life-and-death combat was a rule within the Qiankun Sect, necessitating both parties to verbally agree at the Law Enforcement Hall and sign a contract before the combat could proceed.


    Additionally, harming one¡¯s fellow sect members was considered a severe crime.


    This rule was established to provide an opportunity for those who sought to resolve their grudges.


    Gu An listened attentively; he didn¡¯t feel any sympathy, for such stories were too common in the Human World, and there were cases even more tragic than this.


    He did not even bother to speculate about the outcome.


    Currently, not everyone could capture his attention; just looking after people like Li Ya and An Hao, he felt already overwhelmed.


    Since he had relinquished his responsibilities of guarding the Supreme Sect and the Tai Cang Continent, Gu An¡¯s days had become more relaxed. Now was the time he enjoyed most in life, where he could accumulate Life Span and have endless time to do what he desired.


    Recently, he had been delving into pottery. He planned to build a small town at the edge of the Dojo for fun, not for any profit.


    As Gu An and An Xin were casually discussing the events within the Qiankun Sect, far away at the Supreme Sect, Long Qing was also troubled by matters within the sect.


    Now, Long Qing had become a candidate for Sect Leader, managing all affairs of the sect, while Lv Baitian had long retreated to pursue Daoist Techniques.


    In the Elder Hall, Long Qing sat at the primary seat with Long Jun and Candle Star standing on his sides; dozens of Elders gathered in front, incessantly debating.


    ¡°The Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty has always followed orders from the Supreme Sect. Li Xuandao actually allowed his generals to compete with our Direct Disciples for precious treasures. Clearly, he¡¯s testing us!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Li Xuandao has really gone too far in recent years!¡±


    ¡°The imperial power should not be controlled by one person. I think Li Xuandao wants to become a ruler like those of the Immortal Dynasty. Don¡¯t forget, the Immortal Dynasty was the one who started the war against the Holy Court!¡±


    ¡°With the Saint King of the Holy Court supporting Li Xuandao, he indeed has the capacity to be arrogant.¡±


    ¡°The most critical point is that this Saint King is a disciple of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. If Dragon Gate Master could persuade Yang Jian, would Li Xuandao still dare to be rampant?¡±


    The Elders discussed fervently, Ji Hantian looked at Long Qing seriously, ¡°Long Qing, do you have a way to contact your master?¡±


    Upon this statement, everyone fell silent.


    The reason Long Qing felt troubled was because it involved Yang Jian, who he heard was the favorite disciple of his master.


    He answered, ¡°I cannot, but with my master¡¯s Dao Practice, he is certainly watching every move of the Supreme Sect.¡±


    Ji Hantian remained silent, and the Elders exchanged glances.


    Many Elders had never met the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but they had heard many legends about him, especially after entering the Elder Hall, they understood more about his esteemed status within the Supreme Sect.


    As long as the Sword Intent on the Heaven-Repairing Platform remained undissipated, the revered status of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable within the Supreme Sect would not fade, nor would anyone dare to challenge his authority.


    An Ancient Sect Elder spoke up, ¡°The Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty has already dominated many seas, and although the Supreme Sect is growing stronger, its expansion is not as aggressive as that of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty. I think instead of suppressing the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, we should focus on developing the Supreme Sect. Once the Supreme Sect is strong enough, the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty will naturally come back to us.¡±


    Hearing this, a Female Elder couldn¡¯t help but retort, ¡°Develop, how do we develop? We are a sect, and our disciples¡¯ main duty is cultivation, not territorial expansion, plus we claim to adhere to the Righteous Dao and must not plunder.¡±


    Her words resonated with many.


    Suddenly, Candle Star chuckled, ¡°Looking to develop? Your opportunity has indeed arrived.¡±


    Everyone immediately looked at him, their faces filled with expectation.


    Candle Star was a highly accomplished Daoist, and his words might be true. Moreover, Candle Star had accompanied Long Qing for thousands of years, frequently aiding the Supreme Sect, thus holding immense prestige, which was also why Long Qing could swiftly wield great power.

 Chapter 542 - 539: Celestial Spirits End, Invincible Power

    F{h*F5.)LjChapter 539: Celestial Spirit¡¯s End, Invincible Power


    Ji Hantian looked at Candle Star and asked respectfully, ¡°I hope the senior can enlighten us, what exactly is the opportunity?¡±


    Candle Star smiled and said, ¡°The Immortal Dynasty will soon disperse, that is the opportunity.¡±


    The Immortal Dynasty will disperse?


    Whish¡ª


    The elders were shocked, to them, the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court were colossal entities within Great Heaven and Earth, Overlord Level forces, the chaos in the world was due to the struggle between these two powers.


    How could the Immortal Dynasty, which had stood through countless calamities, now fall?


    ...


    Long Qing also felt surprised and looked at Candle Star in astonishment.


    Candle Star smiled and said, ¡°Ever since the Yang Immortal Emperor perished, although the Immortal Dynasty has introduced a new Immortal Emperor, he simply cannot quell the internal turmoil. Thousands of years have passed, and this towering tree of Cangtian is finally going to fall. But with its fall comes vigorous life for all beings on the earth, be it Daoist Techniques, Magical Treasures, or fortunes of the land, the Supreme Sect could gain much, much more from the fall of the Immortal Dynasty.¡±


    These words made the elders¡¯ hearts surge with excitement.


    They began to inquire when the Immortal Dynasty would fall, to which Candle Star smiled mysteriously and said, ¡°Soon!¡±


    ¡­


    The news of the Immortal Dynasty¡¯s impending fall spread throughout the world like a whirlwind, causing great alarm.


    Without the Immortal Dynasty, wouldn¡¯t the Holy Court dominate the world, and wouldn¡¯t the world welcome an era of peace?


    Such thoughts arose in the hearts of ninety percent of those in Immortal Cultivation, and in time, more and more beings and powers started to anticipate the fall of the Immortal Dynasty, which forced the internal factions of the Immortal Dynasty to struggle even more fiercely.


    It seemed as if the dissolution of the Immortal Dynasty was the direction of the Celestial Mandate, and under such a major trend, the Holy Court, on the contrary, appeared very silent.


    Because the Yang Immortal Emperor had moved another Great World next to the Celestial Spirit Great World, powerful forces began to rise there as well. Hearing that the Immortal Dynasty would fall, the powers on the other side developed even more rapidly, as if afraid of missing their chance.


    Against this backdrop, another ten years passed.


    Deep in the universe, within the Silent Extinction Domain, fog from the Great Dao surged, making the universe seem so quiet.


    The World Gate, symbolizing the end of the universe, remained steadfast.


    The Celestial Spirit God, sitting in meditation beneath the World Gate, radiated strong Heavenly Dao light, dazzling and splendid. Beneath the strong light, the figure of the Celestial Spirit God seemed to have even more presence than the World Gate.


    Suddenly.


    The World Gate burst forth with a red light, flickering slightly, and in nearly an instant, the Celestial Spirit God opened his eyes, and two cold rays burst forth, scattering the Great Dao fog as if it had met its natural predator.


    The Celestial Spirit God stood up, and the space of the universe twisted around him.


    He raised his right hand and reached out across the distance. As he clenched his fist, the red light on the surface of the World Gate vanished abruptly, and all seemed to return to calm.


    At the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, by the lakeside.


    Gu An, who was fashioning clay pottery, looked up and saw the mighty destiny that had enveloped the continent of the Immortal Dynasty dissipate in an instant.


    Without destiny, the rules binding the Immortal Spirits suddenly vanished, as did the transcendent force uniting the Immortal Spirits.


    Next, the Immortal Dynasty would face unprecedented chaos.


    Slaughter, plunder, revenge, and so on¡ªeven Immortal Spirits born into the Nirvana Realm revealed the dark side of human nature.


    The continent of the Immortal Dynasty turned into the Human World¡¯s hell in a very short span of time.


    Those who wielded great power began to seek their own interests, tearing apart their usual facades to become entities that the common people of the Immortal Dynasty feared.


    Gu An continued to shape his pottery while watching this unfold.


    Having experienced so many lives through Reincarnation, Gu An¡¯s Dao Heart had entered a higher level. In the worlds created by the Great Dao, tragic scenes were everywhere. If one could not overcome the psychological impact and emotional pull of witnessing the tragedies of the Human World, how was one to achieve Enlightenment?


    With the Celestial Spirit God personally dissolving the destiny of the Immortal Dynasty, Gu An saw the endpoint of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, symbolizing the heart of heaven and earth, would emerge in the future, and the world¡¯s powerful would flock to it. When someone obtained the power of that Dao Fruit, the Celestial Spirit God would appear, and this time, he would destroy everything.


    Pieces of the Great World within the universe would cease to exist, one after another. In that vast and spectacular scene of destruction, the Celestial Spirit God turned and stepped toward the World Gate.


    As he entered the World Gate, it too turned into ash, indicating that this universe, this shattered Great Thousand World, would disappear.


    Watching this future, Gu An couldn¡¯t help thinking about An Hao, Li Ya, and others.


    With the Life Span Dojo and his own cultivation level present, even if the universe perished, he was able to keep the people he cared about alive.


    But An Hao, Li Ya, Long Qing, and Profound Celestial Intent were not the kind to quietly stay in the dojo, and they also had their own loved ones to think about.


    Human World was like a net, with each person intertwined in countless relationships that connected the whole of Great Heaven and Earth.


    A person could be insignificant, trivial, but a person could also be crucial, indispensable.


    Gu An was faced with only two choices.


    The first was to annihilate the Celestial Spirit God, offend the Celestial Court, the second was to play dead, give up the world he had lived in for a lifetime.


    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to decide, even if he chose to annihilate the Celestial Spirit God, he would still strive to delay as long as possible.


    The longer he could stall, the more life span he would accumulate, and the more confident he would be in dealing with the trouble from the Celestial Court that would follow.


    ¡°When faced with trouble, don¡¯t rush, don¡¯t panic, just one word, delay.¡±


    Gu An said leisurely, the pottery in his hands now taking the shape of a cauldron, its surface seemingly adorned with a dragon.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, standing by his side, curiously asked, ¡°Master, what are you referring to?¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint could sense the changes in heaven and earth but couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what was changing; he just felt that the world had become more tense, more dangerous.


    ¡°Any matter.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s answer made the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s eyes light up; he felt his master was guiding him.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint pressed on, ¡°Master, how many more years will it take for this great chaos under heaven to end?¡±


    Gu An looked at the pottery in his hands and said, ¡°It will be faster than you imagine but also worse than you can imagine.¡±


    He knew what An Hao was thinking, understood the young man¡¯s lofty ambitions.


    But no matter how great the opportunities An Hao had, even if he merged with the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, he wouldn¡¯t be a match for the Celestial Spirit God.


    Well, it was good for the young man to realize that the affairs of the world were far from as easy as he thought.


    He¡¯d wait for An Hao¡¯s despair, then he would make his move.


    Thinking this, Gu An began to look forward to An Hao¡¯s transformation.


    An Hao was good in every way, except he didn¡¯t value feelings enough; his heart was always filled with Gu An and An Xin, he always felt he was born alone, that he only needed to repay gratitude. As for the wife who didn¡¯t show him kindness, he could abandon her.


    With An Hao¡¯s cultivation level, he must have sensed that he still had blood relations alive, but he didn¡¯t acknowledge them. This displeased Gu An.


    Simply put, An Hao lacked a sense of responsibility. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, it was precisely because An Hao had flaws that Gu An felt more motivated to guide him.


    If the young man was perfect, it would be hard for him to give advice.


    ¡°Worse? How bad?¡± asked the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Gu An glanced at him, and gold light burst forth from his eyes, piercing into the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s forehead, freezing him in place.


    Afterward, Gu An continued to shape the pottery.


    For a long time.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint awoke with a gasp, then started breathing heavily, trembling all over, sweat pouring down his forehead like rain, and blood quickly filled his eyes.


    He looked at Gu An in fear and asked, ¡°Master, who exactly was that figure?¡±


    ¡°The Celestial Spirit God.¡±


    Because it was inside the dojo, which isolated cause and effect, Gu An wasn¡¯t afraid of being discovered by the Celestial Spirit God.


    After hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint memorized the name, looking at Gu An, wanting to say more but hesitating.


    The might of the Celestial Spirit God had deeply shaken him; he hadn¡¯t imagined someone could be so powerful.


    The vastness of the Celestial Spirit Great World was turned into dust by the Celestial Spirit God in an instant, not just the Celestial Spirit Great World, but countless other worlds too were destroyed.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint wanted to ask Gu An who was stronger between him and the Celestial Spirit God but was afraid of offending him.


    Although the Blood Prison Great Saint held Gu An in the utmost awe, after witnessing the strength of the Celestial Spirit God, it was hard to believe again that Gu An was invincible.

 Chapter 543 - 540: The Strongest of the Long Family

    F{h*F5.)LjChapter 540: The Strongest of the Long Family


    Gu An nearly laughed out loud when he heard the words of the Blood Prison Great Saint, but he restrained himself.


    He did not dispel the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s confusion, preferring to let the fellow continue his anxious trepidation.


    It served him right since the Blood Prison Great Saint had been somewhat negligent in recent years.


    Seeing that Gu An was unwilling to speak, the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s inner perplexity grew, but he dared not voice it. Instead, he pushed aside his inner fears and apprehension and shifted his focus.


    Even if his master was no match for that person, his master certainly had a strategy in place, or else he would not be so at ease on ordinary days.


    With this thought, the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s heart gradually calmed. He looked again at Gu An¡¯s clay molding, finding deep significance in every movement.


    ...


    Today, his master had shown him the fate of the world, surely not acting on a whim. Perhaps it was a warning to him.


    Under the serene and tranquil years, a catastrophe was always brewing.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt sorrow for this world. Major Sects and Imperial Dynasties were ceaselessly vying, chasing after the Celestial Mandate and Heavenly Dao. Yet, in the end, in the face of absolute power, as heaven and earth perish together, all their scheming would be rendered meaningless.


    Previously, the Blood Prison Great Saint wondered why, with such formidable power, his master chose to cultivate in seclusion. Now, he understood.


    His master had seen through everything.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint gazed at the clay in Gu An¡¯s hands and began to reflect, pondering his own past.


    After dispersing the destiny of the Immortal Dynasty, the Celestial Spirit God sat down to meditate once more, and Gu An no longer paid attention to external affairs, focusing solely on his current task.


    What followed would be the most chaotic period for the world.


    Facing such chaos, the Holy Court, contrary to its normal behavior, did not aggressively annex the territories left by the Immortal Dynasty but began to withdraw, pulling back to the Sacred Domain. This further fueled the madness of the world¡¯s forces, all eager to seize this opportunity to ascend.


    The Supreme Sect and the Tai Cang Dynasty were no different.


    From the highest echelons to the common folk, everyone knew that this was an unprecedented opportunity, a decisive moment for the pattern of the world. All internal conflicts were set aside, and those in power grew increasingly bold and ambitious as each day passed.


    While the Supreme Sect was frantically exploring the outer realms, Long Qing, on the other hand, was confined to the Third Medicine Valley by Long Jun. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On this evening.


    Seated in meditation on a cliff, Long Qing could not help but open his eyes and turn to look at Long Jun, who was reading nearby.


    Long Jun was holding The Investiture of the Gods, engrossed in the book, which greatly irritated Long Qing.


    He had read that book many times over, yet he was still reading it!


    Long Qing could not comprehend why Long Jun, after imparting the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect to him, did not take his teaching seriously and even forbade him from venturing out.


    Most importantly, in the face of Long Jun, even Candle Star dared not utter a word.


    Studying the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect was for the destiny of the Long Family. Long Qing was willing to accept this mission, but sometimes he wondered if living just to break the family¡¯s curse was truly meaningful.


    He thought of his master, who never rushed his cultivation when he was present. Now, he was being forced to cultivate by someone else.


    He finally understood his master¡¯s words, that bearing karma was not so easy.


    The time before recovering his Destiny Pattern was the happiest of his life. The longer he practiced the Celestial Dragon Technique, the more he yearned for the past.


    No matter how patient one is, there comes a day of eruption.


    Long Qing was about to burst, and he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°With the world in such turmoil, do you think the Battle Court will still come as you said?¡±


    Long Jun, without even lifting his head, said, ¡°It has already arrived. It¡¯s in the Holy Court.¡±


    Long Qing frowned and asked, ¡°Then why haven¡¯t they made their move?¡±


    ¡°Killing you would be acting on behalf of the Battle Court, but this world holds opportunities they cannot resist. That¡¯s also why I chose to come to this era. Right now, I can do a lot.¡±


    Long Jun¡¯s answer silenced Long Qing.


    Irresistible opportunities¡­


    He wanted them too!


    He wanted to become stronger, to be renowned across the world, to live a spirited life.


    Suddenly, Long Jun asked, ¡°Do you think the Daoist Hongjun in this book endured countless lonely years to achieve the Dao, or did he struggle through hardships and persevere to attain it?¡±


    Hearing this, Long Qing couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes.


    Could it be that Long Jun was so obsessed because he saw himself in Daoist Hongjun?


    He had once been obsessed with ¡°The Investiture of the Gods,¡± and naturally knew that Daoist Hongjun was the strongest and most mystic presence within it.


    ¡°At least Daoist Hongjun, when facing difficulties, didn¡¯t pin his hopes on future generations,¡± quipped Long Qing.


    Upon hearing this, Long Jun fell silent.


    Only the sound of the wind remained atop the cliff.


    The more Long Qing thought about it, the more he became frustrated. Why should he bear the burden of the Long Clan¡¯s mission?


    The debt of life was too great!


    Forcing him to cultivate his ancestors¡¯ Dharma Aspects to fight for him, why was he so rebellious?


    If the ancestors were so powerful, how could the Long Clan end up like this?


    Long Qing truly didn¡¯t believe that the Long Clan had the strength to defy the Battle Court.


    The more he thought, the angrier he became, and with anger came despair in the depths of his heart.


    Qi-Blood surged, causing him to feel dizzy.


    The world in his eyes shook unceasingly, the dusk-lit Celestial Vault so desolate and beautiful, it gave him a sense of facing the end.


    At that moment, he felt slightly relieved in his heart.


    If he were to fall now, it wouldn¡¯t be so bad.


    If life was for death, then why not die earlier?


    Long Qing gradually lost control of his body, beginning to topple to the side.


    A hand caught his head, preventing him from falling.


    In a daze, he saw a figure appear before him, standing on the edge of the cliff, back facing him.


    The figure was so majestic, exuding an earth-shattering presence, making Long Qing feel an unstoppable valor and indomitable spirit.


    Suddenly.


    Long Qing¡¯s world became clear again; he quickly regained his senses and control over his body, sitting up to find the figure before him gone, as if it were an illusion.


    The person supporting him was Long Jun.


    Long Qing hastened to his feet, looking around to find the figure he had just seen.


    For some unknown reason, he felt that the figure was very powerful, perhaps capable of solving the arch-enemy of the Long Clan.


    Standing beside him, Long Jun asked, ¡°What did you just see?¡±


    Without thinking, Long Qing replied, ¡°I saw someone¡­ his back was turned to me¡­ he¡­¡±


    Unable to find the figure, Long Qing turned to Long Jun and, seeing a look of relief on Long Jun¡¯s face, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Do you know who that person was?¡±


    Long Jun replied, ¡°When you cultivate the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, the first thing you¡¯ll see is Emperor Longxin, which is my father¡¯s image. Actually, to cultivate the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, you need intense emotional stimulation, so I didn¡¯t give you specific guidance. I wanted to wait for you to initiate it first.¡±


    ¡°Emperor Longxin¡­¡±


    Long Qing murmured to himself, the figure from before reflected in his eyes.


    Long Jun eyed him and said, ¡°Actually, the Long Clan is very strong. Many died from accidents or passed away prematurely. If the Long Clan were so weak against the Battle Court, they wouldn¡¯t have pressed us so relentlessly.¡±


    These words eased the resentment in Long Qing¡¯s heart significantly.


    Long Qing couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Is Emperor Longxin the strongest of our Long Clan?¡±


    Long Jun shook his head and said, ¡°The most powerful feature of the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect is that the ancestors you summon might reveal the limits of their strength because different people will summon ancestors of different strengths when they cultivate the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect. If you can summon my son, we will have even more hope.¡±


    ¡°Of course, if you could summon all of the Long Family members, that would be the most hopeful moment.¡±


    Long Qing frowned and asked, ¡°Are you sure your son is stronger than Emperor Longxin?¡±


    He could not forget the figure of Emperor Longxin, so unbeatable.


    He did not believe any other member of the Long Family could be stronger than Emperor Longxin.

 Chapter 544 - 541: Just Enough to Wipe Out the Celestial and Earthly Immortals

    Chapter 544: Chapter 541: Just Enough to Wipe Out the Celestial and Earthly Immortals


    ¡°Once you can cultivate his Dharma Aspect, you will understand that he can bear all hope.¡±


    Long Jun turned his head towards the distance, speaking softly, his eyes revealing a sense of nostalgia.


    Long Qing then continued to fantasize about Emperor Longxin; after a while, he began to inquire about the deeds of Emperor Longxin.


    Since Long Qing had already entered the threshold of the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, Long Jun¡¯s attitude had changed, and he began to recount the deeds of Emperor Longxin, with Long Qing listening intently.


    The more stories Long Qing heard, the calmer his heart became.


    Understanding the past of the Long Clan could help him deepen his understanding of the Long Clan and strengthen his sense of honor and disgrace.


    ...


    ¡°In my view, throughout the ages, the Long Clan deserve their fate today. When powerful, they oppressed all around, and also gave birth to many extreme prodigies. However, the Long Clan should not be oppressed by the Battle Court. Breaking the Long Clan¡¯s fate and destroying the Battle Court also counts as settling our karmic ties, since the Battle Court was created by us, but they committed sins in the name of the Battle Court. It began with the Long Clan and must end with the Long Clan.¡±


    Long Jun spoke earnestly, pausing before saying, ¡°Your descendants should no longer bear the surname Long.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing did not shake his head in denial; he was still immersed in the stories of Emperor Longxin.


    Though he had only seen the back of Emperor Longxin, Long Qing was instantly awed by him, developing a strong sense of adoration.


    He began to look forward to the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    At least once he had mastered the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, he could witness the elegance of Emperor Longxin.


    ¡­


    A hundred years later, the Human World was a new landscape.


    The Nine Spirit Continent was finally entangled in the maelstrom of great chaos, with more and more Great Cultivators fleeing into this continent, causing the winds and clouds of the continent to surge.


    On the edge of the continent.


    On a beach, two women descended from the sky and, upon landing, they quickly sat down to start cultivating energy.


    One of them, dressed in green with delicate makeup¡ªonly her hair was slightly messy¡ªwhile the other, dressed in white and even more beautiful, resembled a Fairy of the Human World, but her face was completely pale, clearly having sustained serious injuries.


    The green-clad woman opened her eyes and looked at the white-clad woman, asking, ¡°Sister, are we safe here?¡±


    The white-clad woman, named Li Xuanyu, slowly opened her eyes, turned her head towards the distance, and said faintly, ¡°Hard to say.¡±


    The green-clad woman, named Tang Cai, furrowed her brows upon hearing Li Xuanyu¡¯s words and sighed heavily.


    ¡°How much longer must we run, and how can Li Ya find us?¡± Tang Cai asked anxiously.


    Li Xuanyu did not answer; she closed her eyes again to continue healing.


    Seeing this, Tang Cai also closed her eyes to heal.


    Time quickly passed.


    About an hour later.


    Suddenly a strong wind blew from the end of the ocean, startling both women into opening their eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, it seems they don¡¯t plan to let us go,¡± Li Xuanyu said as she stood up, her figure trembling, almost falling, but Tang Cai promptly supported her.


    Without delay, Tang Cai summoned a Magical Treasure and helped Li Xuanyu to fly deeper into the continent.


    Shortly after they had left, countless black crows attacked from the sky, swarming and covering the heavens, their speed extremely fast as they quickly flew into the continent.


    Tang Cai, who was maneuvering the Magical Treasure, seemed to sense something, turning her head to look, her face changing drastically with panic filling her eyes.


    ¡°They¡¯re so fast, what should we do?¡±


    Tang Cai looked at Li Xuanyu next to her and asked in a low voice.


    Although Li Xuanyu had suffered severe injuries, she had always been Tang Cai¡¯s support. If it weren¡¯t for the need to protect her along the way, Li Xuanyu would not have sustained such serious injuries.


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s face remained calm as she said, ¡°Leave me behind, and you escape. They¡¯re mainly targeting me.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Tang Cai was immediately agitated and said, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? I promised Li Ya that I must keep you safe!¡±


    ¡°Either we die together or you live, and later, find Li Ya to avenge me,¡± Li Xuanyu said, her tone unflinching.


    Tang Cai fell silent.


    Li Xuanyu grabbed Tang Cai¡¯s wrist with one hand and stared at her steadfastly.


    Tang Cai clenched her teeth, manipulated her magical treasure, and flew downward.


    The two women landed in a forest, and Tang Cai helped Li Xuanyu to sit down in front of a tree.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry and get moving, stop dawdling,¡± Li Xuanyu said as she sat down, her face growing even paler, but she still urged.


    Tang Cai stood up, walked a few steps outward, then stopped in her tracks.


    She clenched her sleeves, unable to leave.


    Li Xuanyu looked at her, a trace of relief flashing in her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, a voice came from deep within the forest:


    ¡°Are you outsiders?¡±


    Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai both turned their heads to look, and saw a yellow-robed woman who looked like a fairy walking out from the forest with a bamboo basket in her hand, a gentle smile on her face.


    The newcomer was An Xin.


    Li Xuanyu frowned and examined An Xin closely.


    Tang Cai asked, ¡°Who are you? Why are you here?¡±


    After all, she possessed a Nirvana Realm cultivation level, and in her perception, there were no living beings within a thousand li. How could An Xin have approached them silently? How could she not be cautious?


    An Xin smiled and said, ¡°My name is An Xin. As I was passing by, I calculated that I have a connection with you two, so I wanted to come and help.¡±


    She was curious in her heart, not knowing which one was Elder Li¡¯s sister and which was Elder Li¡¯s beloved.


    Her gaze fell on Li Xuanyu, whose facial features slightly resembled Elder Li. She guessed that she must be Elder Li¡¯s sister.


    Li Xuanyu always felt the name An Xin sounded familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before, but she couldn¡¯t remember. Perhaps some cultivator had mentioned a similar-sounding name.


    ¡°How can you help us? Do you know what we are fleeing from?¡± Tang Cai asked cautiously.


    An Xin smiled and said, ¡°You have no choice, you can¡¯t abandon her, can you?¡±


    Tang Cai was silent.


    Just then, countless black crows attacked from the depths of the forest, like darkness swallowing everything, causing Tang Cai¡¯s face to change dramatically and Li Xuanyu to instinctively raise her hand.


    An Xin quickly turned around, a long pen appearing in her hand. With a swing, the crows turned into flying ash, forming a black mist that spread through the forest.


    Tang Cai¡¯s eyes widened, and even Li Xuanyu was startled by An Xin¡¯s action.


    The wind blew An Xin¡¯s long hair and dress. She slightly tilted her head, glanced at Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai from the corner of her eye, and smiled, ¡°Does this count as helping you?¡±


    Tang Cai said dazedly, ¡°It counts¡­ but the real pursuers are still behind us.¡±


    An Xin asked, ¡°What realm is he in?¡±


    ¡°Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a coincidence, the pen in my hand is just enough to extinguish a Celestial and Earthly Immortal.¡±


    An Xin raised the Fate Pen in her hand, smiling triumphantly.


    Sunlight poured through the gaps in the leaves, casting light on her, making her appear so exceptional in Tang Cai¡¯s eyes.


    Such a demeanor she had only seen in Li Ya before, which was an absolute confidence that any trouble could be solved.


    Even Li Xuanyu had to admit that An Xin truly possessed a convincing aura.


    She suddenly remembered, she had heard the name An Xin before, apparently from Li Ya; but why she brought up the name still wasn¡¯t clear, as it was a matter from long ago.


    If this woman knew Li Ya, then she could be trusted.


    An Xin put away her pen, then turned and smiled, ¡°Come with me. I¡¯ll take you to a place to heal. It¡¯s your first time on the Nine Spirit Continent, right? You can stay here for a while, perhaps you will find some serendipity.¡±


    Tang Cai hurriedly gave her thanks and asked, ¡°Senior, why do you want to help us?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t be at ease without asking.


    An Xin blinked and said, ¡°I know Li Ya, is that enough?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Tang Cai did not show joy, instead, suspicion appeared in her eyes.


    sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 545 - 542: This Will Be the Greatest Opportunity of Your Lives

    Chapter 545: Chapter 542: This Will Be the Greatest Opportunity of Your Lives


    Night fell.


    An Xin was temporarily staying in a monastery with Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai, where a fire blazed in the courtyard, its flickering light casting shadows on the walls.


    Tang Cai watched An Xin intently, her eyes filled with hostility, while An Xin admired the Fate Pen.


    Having used the Fate Pen more than once or twice, An Xin greatly enjoyed the vast power it contained.


    Unfortunately, after each use, her master would take it back, so she treasured the time she had with it and wanted to investigate why the pen was so formidable.


    As for Tang Cai¡¯s gaze, An Xin had noticed it long ago and could guess Tang Cai¡¯s thoughts, but she intentionally offered no explanation.


    ...


    Because it was fun!


    Tang Cai treasured Elder Li like a treasure, but An Xin felt that Elder Li was just so-so, and nowhere near as formidable as her own master.


    Every time her master mentioned Elder Li, he would describe how Elder Li got beaten up, using him as a negative example, so how could she possibly like Elder Li?


    Thinking of this, the corners of An Xin¡¯s mouth couldn¡¯t help but lift.


    Seeing An Xin smile, Tang Cai grew even angrier, but she couldn¡¯t lash out, after all, An Xin had saved their lives.


    While meditating and healing, Li Xuanyu kept thinking about the name An Xin.


    Finally, she remembered and opening her eyes, she looked towards An Xin and asked, ¡°Are you Gu An¡¯s disciple?¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï


    Mentioning Gu An, the blurry face in her memory gradually became clear.


    It had been over nine thousand years since she left the Tai Cang Continent and she had never returned. Her meeting with Li Ya was purely coincidental on an island, and Li Ya did not reveal that Gu An was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Li Xuanyu could not associate Gu An with the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable either, since when she knew Gu An, he was just a Medicine Boy, and she had even helped him manage an introduction to take care of a Cave Mansion; back then, Gu An had run around for a few Spirit Stones.


    Later, however, she had realized that Gu An was not simple and hid secrets, but she never thought of him in terms of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    An Xin turned her head towards her and smiled brightly, ¡°Yes, Elder Li, my master has mentioned you too. He said that when he was young, you helped him a lot.¡±


    Hearing this, Li Xuanyu was sure she hadn¡¯t misheard and a smile appeared on her face as she said reflectively, ¡°I didn¡¯t really help him much, just lending a hand. How has he been doing lately?¡±


    An Xin replied, ¡°He¡¯s doing well, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that he is also on this continent?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case, no one knows where he has gone.¡±


    An Xin shook her head, this wasn¡¯t her being secretive, but rather Gu An genuinely wanting to hide his whereabouts, not wanting to attract trouble, and she definitely couldn¡¯t cause trouble for Gu An.


    She was curious about the image of Gu An in Li Xuanyu¡¯s mind, so she started to share the stories Gu An had told her, and Li Xuanyu also fell into reminiscence.


    Tang Cai was also captivated by the stories An Xin told and gradually forgot her jealousy.


    Hearing that Gu An was Li Ya¡¯s junior brother, Tang Cai grew even more interested, as she was very curious about everything related to Li Ya, but unfortunately, before she could learn more about Li Ya, she had parted ways with him.


    The stories An Xin told were those Gu An had shared with her¡ªthey might have seemed mundane, but on such a night, they brought Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai a sense of warmth and a touch of happiness.


    In Li Xuanyu¡¯s mind, Gu An also gradually became clearer, and the old memories surfaced. Remembering how reserved Gu An had been in front of her, a smile also appeared on her face. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over nine thousand years had passed, and many old acquaintances were buried in the earth, but Gu An was still alive, and she was genuinely happy, and surprised that Gu An could teach such a disciple.


    A millennium passes just like a flicker in the Human World; nine thousand years brought about such great changes.


    When An Xin finished speaking, Tang Cai curiously asked, ¡°What is Gu An¡¯s Cultivation Level now?¡±


    An Xin glanced at her, smiling radiantly, ¡°How would I know? See this pen? This is his Magical Treasure.¡±


    While speaking, An Xin raised the Fate Pen in her hand.


    Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai both looked towards the Fate Pen in An Xin¡¯s hand, unable to forget the sight of An Xin wielding the pen to eradicate a group of demons. Those black crows were no ordinary creatures, even a Loose Immortal hit by them would be drained of all their blood essence.


    Just as An Xin was showing off the Fate Pen, Gu An, who was far away in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, lay reading a book while listening to their conversation.


    ¡°Senior Sister Li, it really has been many years.¡±


    Gu An lay on a chair, a book in his hands, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.


    That Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai were able to come to the Nine Spirit Continent was due to his guidance, using celestial signs to bring them to the Nine Spirit Continent coincidentally, and along the way, their survival from numerous brushes with death also had Gu An¡¯s secret assistance.


    Back then, Li Xuanyu indeed had helped Gu An, so if he could lend a hand with just a simple effort, he naturally would not be stingy.


    Helping Li Xuanyu was also for Li Ya¡¯s sake.


    With Li Ya¡¯s own sister and future wife in danger, how could he not rescue them?


    The reason he led the two women to the Nine Spirit Continent was because a great catastrophe was about to come outside, and only on the Nine Spirit Continent would they be completely safe.


    Gu An closed his book and shut his eyes, lazily saying, ¡°After you finish your act, I take the stage, and the heroes of the world take turns, but who can really see through how deep the waters of this world are?¡±


    ¡°Celestial Spirit God, I look forward to clashing with you.¡±


    His voice echoed only within the room, he was speaking to himself.


    ¡­


    Amidst the mountains, Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai stood on a slope, looking at the magnificent scene ahead, both women remained silent.


    Following their gaze, in front of the mountains appeared a gigantic chasm, stretching to the ends of heaven and earth, the mountains on either side, too, had been pierced, as if a dragon comparable in size to the mountains had rolled over them, leaving behind this broken landscape.


    An Xin descended from the sky, casually playing with the Fate Pen, she chuckled, ¡°Celestial and Earthly Immortals are just this, huh?¡±


    Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai had been on the Nine Spirit Continent for several months, and today, the mastermind who had been pursuing them had finally come to kill them, after a round of negotiations, An Xin, unable to stand the other side¡¯s ranting, chose to eradicate them.


    Tang Cai opened her mouth, but found herself unable to speak, the Supreme Great Power that was the cause of her despair, just like that, was dead?


    Li Xuanyu looked at the Fate Pen with a complex expression in her eyes.


    Is Gu An¡¯s cultivation level now at least higher than the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm?


    She couldn¡¯t understand.


    She felt that her own adventures were numerous, and in her view, only Li Ya¡¯s growth rate was faster than hers, in fact, she always believed she was second to none.


    But what she witnessed today overturned her understanding.


    She felt that her peers couldn¡¯t possibly possess such power, let alone slaughtering Celestial and Earthly Immortals, even killing Wandering Immortals seemed unbelievable.


    An Xin looked at them and smiled, ¡°Settle down in the Nine Spirit Continent, it will change your lives. I won¡¯t accompany you further.¡±


    With that, she turned and walked away, but after a few steps, she stopped again.


    ¡°Let me remind you once more, stay here. This will be the greatest opportunity of your lives. If you insist on leaving, you will regret it for the rest of your lives.¡±


    An Xin leaped up, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the horizon.


    Tang Cai couldn¡¯t help but look at Li Xuanyu and asked, ¡°What should we do? Listen to her?¡±


    Li Xuanyu looked in the direction An Xin had left and asked, ¡°Do you want to have cultivation like hers, to stand shoulder to shoulder with Li Ya in the future, rather than always chasing behind him?¡±


    These words stunned Tang Cai.

 Chapter 546 - 543 The Descent of the Supreme Demon Realm

    Chapter 546: Chapter 543 The Descent of the Supreme Demon Realm


    In the depths of the cosmos, countless meteorites, ablaze with fiery flames, tore through the Great Dao¡¯s mists, rushing unstoppably in the same direction, creating a sight of unparalleled grandeur.


    The appearance of this group of meteorites alarmed the mighty beings within the universe, as countless Divine Senses reached out toward them.


    Upon an unmoving meteorite, Bai Ziya from Human World Peak was meditating in this area. He suddenly opened his eyes and was immediately startled by the swarm of meteorites approaching from the depths of the universe.


    He could feel the powerful forces contained within those meteorites, which even instinctively made him feel fearful.


    He immediately cast a spell to form a Barrier, concealing himself.


    Soon, meteorites skimmed over him, their terrifying force causing the meteorite beneath him to tremble.


    ...


    ¡°Is that¡­¡±


    Bai Ziya¡¯s pupils suddenly narrowed, and he saw a figure standing on one of the meteorites.


    Could this be a force?


    Looking in the direction they were flying, Bai Ziya¡¯s expression darkened.


    That direction was precisely toward the Celestial Spirit Great World!


    Thinking about the changes in the Celestial Spirit Great World over the years, Bai Ziya¡¯s heart filled with worry.


    He always felt that the tribulation of the Celestial Spirit Great World was not due to internal factors. It seemed that some supremely powerful entity was manipulating everything. The death of Yang Immortal Emperor was the best proof.


    After all the meteorites disappeared into the darkness, Bai Ziya hesitated for a moment, then finally flew in the opposite direction.


    He chose to preserve himself!


    At the same time.


    In the Celestial Spirit Great World, beings of high realm also sensed the threat from beyond heaven.


    In the Third Medicine Valley.


    Long Jun stood on the cliff, gazing up at the Celestial Vault, his expression serene.


    Candle Star appeared beside him and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s the people from the Supreme Demon Realm; I sensed the aura of the Supreme Demon Emperor, their current leader.¡±


    ¡°Such a vast scheme,¡± Long Jun murmured. ¡°They want to eliminate every thorn in their side; the destiny of the Heavenly Dao has changed.¡±


    ¡°Changed, what do you mean?¡± Candle Star asked, confused.


    Long Jun answered, ¡°The future I saw has already altered; at the very least, the Supreme Demon Realm should not have appeared.¡±


    Hearing this, Candle Star furrowed his brows.


    In his eyes, Long Jun¡¯s cultivation level was profound. He could traverse from the past to the present, and his Dao practice might not be inferior to the Silent Destruction God Emperor ¡ª at least the Silent Destruction God Emperor did not possess such a capability to cross through antiquity and the present.


    ¡°Facing the anomalies in the Heavenly Dao, what should we do?¡± Candle Star asked.


    He had already bet everything on Long Qing, and there was no turning back, and since Long Jun was Long Qing¡¯s ancestor, the two stood on the same side ¡ª he now greatly trusted Long Jun.


    ¡°Continue to lie low, and wait for that young one to master the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect,¡± answered Long Jun, his voice calm.


    Candle Star then inquired, ¡°Should we start preparing a concubine for him?¡±


    ¡°It can begin now, after all, I cannot see the upcoming situation clearly either; it¡¯s better to be prepared earlier.¡±


    ¡°Good, I will start the selection process.¡±


    ¡­


    At the Boundless Mountain Range, Li Ya and Sword Annihilation Ancestor reached the edge of the forest, looking out over the magnificent mountains ahead.


    Li Ya turned and looked at Sword Annihilation Ancestor, asking, ¡°Master, did you feel it?¡±


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor furrowed his brows tightly and replied, ¡°It¡¯s the aura of the Supreme Demon Realm. Their goal is to devour Great Heaven and Earth, and now they dare set their sights on the Celestial Spirit Great World. There must be something fishy behind this.¡±


    ¡°The Supreme Demon Realm? Are they formidable?¡± Li Ya asked curiously.


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor began to describe the Supreme Demon Realm.


    The Supreme Demon Realm was born before the shattering of the Celestial Spirit Great World. They once were an Overlord Level power in a Great World. After the shattering of the Great World, they founded the Supreme Demon Realm, building various Demon Cities to invade the Great Heaven and Earth, refining Magical Treasures with the power of the Great World, and transforming the blood sacrifices of all living beings into their own Dao practice.


    Even the Heavenly Demon within the Silent Extinction Domain seems negligible compared to the Supreme Demon Realm.


    Listening to the power and style of the Supreme Demon Realm, Li Ya also felt worried.


    Such Demon Race forces descending upon the Celestial Spirit Great World were definitely not benevolent.


    Sword Annihilation Ancestor looked at Li Ya and said, ¡°I will pass on to you one last Divine Skill. After this, I truly have to leave.¡±


    The two had parted several times, and each time Li Ya faced peril, Sword Annihilation Ancestor always couldn¡¯t help but intervene.


    This time, Sword Annihilation Ancestor spoke earnestly, making Li Ya feel his determination.


    Li Ya couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Master, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To the place from whence I came,¡± Sword Annihilation Ancestor answered calmly.


    ¡°What about the cause and effect you spoke of earlier, how should I handle it?¡±


    Hearing Li Ya mention the conditions of their discipleship, Sword Annihilation Ancestor deeply gazed at him and said, ¡°Do not deliberately think about it. As you grow stronger, the cause and effect of your master will naturally involve you.¡±


    ¡°Remember, this Divine Skill must not be used unless it¡¯s a matter of life and death.¡±


    Seeing his master so serious, Li Ya could only nod, acknowledging his words.


    His heart, however, was filled with anticipation.


    The Supreme Demon Realm, huh?


    He wanted to see how powerful the Supreme Demon Realm was, what made it capable of frightening his master away!


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Heaven and Earth trembled, startling everyone within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless. They gathered in Gu An¡¯s courtyard to discuss the unusual disturbances in heaven and earth.


    They could see many meteors from Outer Heaven falling on the horizon, a magnificent sight, followed by a nearly world-ending terrifying pressure.


    ¡°Is this Demonic Qi?¡±


    ¡°Could it be another invasion by the Heavenly Demon?¡±


    ¡°It feels different from the aura of the Heavenly Demon, such a heavy scent of blood.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I wonder if there are others besides our master and Yang Immortal Emperor who can save this world from continuous trials.¡±


    ¡°There are countless strong beings in the world, but few who dare shoulder the safety of all living beings.¡±


    While they were discussing worldly affairs, the door opened and Gu An walked out from inside the house. Everyone immediately turned and greeted him.


    Gu An surveyed them and asked, ¡°How about you all go out and save the world?¡±


    As soon as he said this, everyone felt awkward. An Shengtian and Chen Chuan, who had been very vocal earlier, were blushing. Of course, Blood Prison Great Saint, who had been the loudest, just grinned shamelessly.


    Shen Zhen was also snickering; she hadn¡¯t joined the discussion, so she didn¡¯t feel embarrassed.


    ¡°Go back to your cultivations. The calamity outside won¡¯t affect the dojo.¡±


    With these words, Gu An walked towards the courtyard gate. Hearing this, everyone looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.


    The aura from the Supreme Demon Realm was indeed too strong. Even while staying inside the dojo, they instinctively felt fear, making it difficult to cultivate peacefully.


    Hearing Gu An¡¯s words, they completely let go of their worries.


    The oppression from the Supreme Demon Realm was far less than their trust in Gu An.


    Shen Zhen quickly caught up with Gu An¡¯s steps. After leaving the courtyard, they walked into the forest along the mountain path.


    Gu An¡¯s courtyard was located at the mountain¡¯s peak. The flowers and grass were lush, and the trees were tall. Walking among the trees, the speckled sunlight that fell looked so serene and mystical.


    ¡°If I paint the demons outside right now, will it cause trouble?¡± Shen Zhen stepped forward, walking shoulder to shoulder with Gu An, and asked softly.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re scared too? Just paint if you want to.¡±


    Hearing this, Shen Zhen¡¯s face lit up with a smile. She curiously asked, ¡°Such terrifying Demonic Qi doesn¡¯t intimidate you? What kind of being is worthy of being your opponent?¡±


    A breeze blew through the forest, cooling Gu An¡¯s face.


    ¡°My opponent has already appeared.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s statement spiked Shen Zhen¡¯s curiosity.


    Unfortunately, her cultivation level was too low. In the previous disasters of the Human World, she hadn¡¯t seen those world-shaking demonic figures.

 Chapter 547 - 544 Neither God Nor Demon

    Chapter 547: Chapter 544 Neither God Nor Demon


    Dark clouds churned, and thunder rumbled incessantly as the vast ocean rose in angry waves, and heavy rain scattered with the wind. Amid those alarming surges, one could vaguely make out the shocking sight of corpses.


    Looking into the distance, one could see a fierce battle unfolding between the Celestial Sea. Countless cultivators besieged a demon tens of thousands of feet tall. The demon, human in form, was covered in black fur, dressed in black armor, and wore a horned iron helmet, resembling a War God from the Demon Realm. Wielding a terrifying greatsword, it could cleave the sea and slash the heavens with absolute, tyrannical might.


    Cultivators¡¯ bodies continuously fell, crashing into the gloomy sea and quickly being dispersed by the churning water.


    Miles away at the edge of the Nine Spirit Continent, Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai stood on a cliff, watching the battle from afar. Waves splashed against the shore, wetting their dresses, but they paid it no mind.


    ¡°How terrifying, this demon. Are such demons rampant all over the world?¡± Tang Cai couldn¡¯t help but look at Li Xuanyu, exclaiming in awe.


    Several days ago, numerous meteors from Outer Heaven had descended, shaking the earth, and not long after, the Human World faced a catastrophe. Only a few days had passed, and demons from Outer Heaven threatened Nine Spirit Continent.


    ...


    Li Xuanyu replied, ¡°The demonic Qi from outside is indeed heavy, no wonder An Xin wanted us to stay.¡±


    Tang Cai couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Sister, you don¡¯t think Li Ya will get into trouble, do you? With his temperament, he¡¯s sure to dive right into the thick of it. I¡¯m really afraid he might get seriously injured again.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he has his own fortune. His life is much harder than either of ours.¡±


    Li Xuanyu shook her head slightly and, saying so, she turned to leave.


    Tang Cai took one more look at the distant battle at the edge of the sea, then followed Li Xuanyu¡¯s steps. She was curious about the demon¡¯s cultivation level, but unfortunately, Li Xuanyu couldn¡¯t see through it either.


    Their experiences were but a microcosm of the world.


    Every continent and sea was plagued by demons from the Supreme Demon Realm, with countless beings meeting tragic deaths every day.


    The skies of the Human World darkened, signaling a tribulation sweeping across the entire Great Heaven and Earth. The Supreme Demon Realm came only to slaughter.


    ¡­


    In the Sacred Domain, within a palace.


    Seven figures gathered, staring at the throne of the Silent Destruction God Emperor in silence for a long time.


    One of the women broke the silence, ¡°The Master hasn¡¯t come back yet. Could something have happened?¡±


    At these words, the faces of the other six turned grim. The Silent Destruction God Emperor had been missing for many years. They had not been worried at first, but now with the attack of the Supreme Demon Realm and the God Emperor¡¯s absence, they couldn¡¯t help but be concerned.


    ¡°The Supreme Demon Realm has always hidden in the shadows. Now that they have launched a large-scale invasion of the Celestial Spirit Great World, I fear someone has been guiding them from behind, and that person is likely that one¡­¡± A middle-aged man inhaled deeply and spoke gravely.


    He didn¡¯t specify who ¡®that one¡¯ was, but everyone understood.


    The Celestial Spirit God!


    The supreme existence of this Great Thousand World!


    Once again, the hall fell into silence. Even with the lowest among them being Profound Yuan Free Immortals, the mere thought of the Celestial Spirit God sent chills down their spines, quelling any thoughts of rebellion or scheming.


    Just then, the palace began to tremble, and the candles flickered violently, threatening to go out at any moment.


    All seven turned to look towards the doorway.


    ¡°Without the Holy Court, the Celestial Court appears stronger, yet it seems to have lost its former keen edge.¡±


    A cold voice came from outside the hall, like a muffled thunder that echoed throughout the Sacred Domain, audible to all beings within the Holy Court.


    The seven in the hall looked at one another again, none volunteering to speak first.


    More than the safety of the Holy Court, they wanted to know where the Silent Destruction God Emperor had gone.


    They didn¡¯t even consider the possibility of the Emperor being dead. In their minds, the Silent Destruction God Emperor was an immortal being.


    If a power such as the Holy Court could come under attack from the Supreme Demon Realm, what about other Sects?


    The Major Sects of the Tai Cang Continent also faced tribulations. The Supreme Sect, having lost the protection of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable for over nine thousand years, was once again drawn into the defense battle.


    ¡­


    Spring gave way to autumn, and three hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.


    The Human World entered a bizarre state where demons roamed freely, and it was difficult to distinguish between human and ghost; all living beings were living in constant fear.


    On the Tai Cang Continent, within the North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    Profound Mystery sat in front of the pill furnace in the courtyard, looking up at the overcast clouds, his face full of worry.


    He turned his head to look at the Mountain God on the eaves and asked, ¡°Mountain God, is there no one in this world who can drive out the Supreme Demon Realm?¡±


    Three hundred years had passed, and the name of the Supreme Demon Realm had spread far and wide; everyone knew that the evil demons ravaging the Human World came from the Supreme Demon Realm.


    The Immortal Dynasty had fallen, the Holy Court had been slaughtered by the Supreme Demon Realm, and the entire world was shrouded in their darkness, with clouds so dense that hope was obscured.


    Although Profound Mystery lived in seclusion in the North Sea Mountain Ridge, occasionally Cultivators and demons would pass by, which allowed him to stay informed of major events in the world.


    Now, even the Tai Cang Continent was plagued by minions of the Supreme Demon Realm.


    The powerful demons of the Supreme Demon Realm, once they descended into the Human World, recruited many minions; they were also able to nurture more demons, swiftly expanding the influence of the Supreme Demon Realm to cover the entire world.


    ¡°Of course there is,¡± Gu An casually replied while sitting on the eaves, whittling a bamboo stick. ¡°Otherwise, there would be no living creatures left in the Human World by now.¡±


    With the invasion of the Supreme Demon Realm, although the Human World suffered greatly, it also gave birth to numerous heroes. Now, many Great Cultivators were preparing to besiege the main city established by the Supreme Demon Realm in the Human World, forcing the Supreme Demon Realm on the defensive.


    Gu An was but a pawn to the Supreme Demon Realm; the Celestial Spirit God sought to use the power of the Supreme Demon Realm to force out the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    It seemed that the Celestial Spirit God could not personally annihilate all living beings.


    It was as though some force in the unseen depths was restraining the Celestial Spirit God, which made Gu An even more curious about the Celestial Court that lurked behind the Celestial Spirit God.


    What sort of order did the Celestial Court have, and how were its classes of strength and weakness divided?


    After hearing this, the worry in Profound Mystery¡¯s eyes faded.


    Having secluded himself in the mountains for over nine thousand years, he too had his own insights.


    He had felt compassion for the suffering of passersby, but as time went on, he realized that he couldn¡¯t change anything. Moreover, suffering would not vanish; people would always suffer, and the difference lay in whether or not he could see it.


    Hum¡ª


    A high-pitched dragon¡¯s roar echoed between heaven and earth; Profound Mystery looked up and saw a dragon tail appearing in the cloudy sky, twisting like a mountain range, a magnificent sight to behold.


    This dragon had green scales yet radiated golden light.


    Filled with curiosity, Profound Mystery asked, ¡°Is this being a god or a demon?¡±


    Since the descent of the Supreme Demon Realm, he had occasionally seen Celestial Beasts appearing, including dragons, but this particular dragon tail gave him a feeling there was an indescribable divinity present.


    Gu An, wearing a mask, looked up and said, ¡°Neither god nor demon, merely a lost soul.¡±


    That was not a True Dragon but someone¡¯s Dharma Aspect.


    Gu An was somewhat curious as well. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could there truly be such a prodigy within the Long Clan?


    This individual was neither Long Xin nor Long Mie.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze stretched out toward the Third Medicine Valley of the Supreme Sect.


    In Long Qing¡¯s practice of the Celestial Dragon Technique, there had been progress; within Long Jun¡¯s domain, he had condensed twelve Dharma Aspects, one of which was wrapped by a Golden Dragon, its aura towering.


    ¡°A lost soul?¡± Profound Mystery¡¯s curiosity grew, and he stared intently at that dragon tail.


    At that moment, not only he but creatures across the continent were looking up at that dragon tail. Mortal Spirits even thought a True Dragon had descended to exterminate demons for them. More and more Mortal Spirits knelt down, kowtowing towards the dragon tail, crying out and praying.


    Inside Long Jun¡¯s domain, it appeared no different from the surrounding cliffs of the Third Medicine Valley, but in reality, they were in an entirely separate space.


    Long Qing opened his eyes and turned his head to look, and he was suddenly taken aback.

 Chapter 548 - 545: Heavenly Dao Peak, Celestial Emperor

    Chapter 548: Chapter 545: Heavenly Dao Peak, Celestial Emperor


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    As he gazed at the Dharma Aspect that was enveloping the Golden Dragon, Long Qing asked Long Jun.


    Long Jun looked at the Golden Dragon Dharma Aspect, his expression quite complex, and said, ¡°He is the previous you ¡ª your ancestor. Like you, he¡¯s a remnant of the Long Clan. I crossed through the years to assist him. He failed, but not before leaving a lineage for the Long Clan, offering a glimmer of hope.¡±


    Long Qing hadn¡¯t expected that Long Jun had sought out other ancestors before; he realized he was not the most unique.


    ¡°Can you tell me his story?¡± Long Qing asked, curious to learn about the life of each Dharma Aspect he managed to manifest.


    Long Jun, although he lived in the distant past, had the ability to see the lives of all his descendants.


    ...


    This time, he didn¡¯t hold back and began to recount the life story of this member of the Long Clan.


    Long Mang, born without parents or even the protection of servants left by his family, was abandoned in the Great Thousand World and was taken in by a Cultivator from a Sect.


    The first half of his life was relatively stable until he awakened the bloodline of the Long Clan, which drew the attention of the Battle Court.


    His master was turned to ash, his wife and children were slaughtered, and his fellow Sect members were almost entirely massacred. Had Long Jun not intervened in time, the lineage of the Long Clan would have ended with Long Mang.


    After rescuing Long Mang, Long Jun began to teach him the Secret Techniques of the Long Clan. During his cultivation, Long Mang developed his own understanding of the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    The Golden Dragon showcased by the Long Mang Dharma Aspect was a manifestation of will, allowing him to be more focused and powerful in battle.


    Once, Long Mang had brought boundless hope to Long Jun. Unfortunately, Long Mang still met his end at the hands of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and his grandson even fell victim to the Emperor¡¯s Possession.


    ¡°The Silent Destruction God Emperor, always him. What exactly is his relation to the Battle Court? Why does he continuously possess us?¡±


    Long Qing asked indignantly, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.


    Long Jun replied, ¡°He has no direct connection to the Battle Court, but he covets the bloodline talent of the Long Clan. Perhaps he has reached his own limits and can ascend no further.¡±


    Long Qing took in a deep breath, his fists clenched tightly, and said, ¡°I hope I get the chance to kill him with my own hands in this life!¡±


    Long Jun remained silent, offering no further conversation.


    Then, Long Qing closed his eyes and continued to cultivate the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    Since the advent of the Supreme Demon Realm, he had felt a sense of crisis. Setting aside the vast power of the Supreme Sect, he began to dedicate himself entirely to mastering the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    Hearing of Long Mang¡¯s deeds, Long Qing¡¯s resolve grew even stronger.


    He had to master the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, he had to eradicate the Battle Court, he had to slay the Silent Destruction God Emperor, and he had to resolve the fate of the Long Clan!


    Far away at the Mountain God Temple, Gu An stood up after listening to Long Mang¡¯s story. He bid farewell to Profound Mysterious Zhenren and then vanished from the eaves.


    Afterward, Gu An spent half a day at Immortal Seeking Island before leisurely returning to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    The mischief of Demons had made the atmosphere on Immortal Seeking Island even tenser. The number of guards doubled, ready to fend off any attacks by Evil Demons at a moment¡¯s notice.


    As Gu An walked through the forest, he appeared to be leisurely strolling, but in reality, he was calculating the Destiny of Heaven and Earth.


    The final battle between him and the Celestial Spirit God was drawing closer.


    Once the Supreme Demon Realm lures out the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, an Era that had lasted nearly ten thousand years would come to an end.


    If Gu An didn¡¯t act, the Celestial Spirit Great World would certainly be obliterated.


    Regardless of how many Great Cultivators there were in the world, or how high the talent of the prodigies, none would matter in the face of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Gu An looked at his Attribute Panel; his Life Span had reached over 860 billion years¡ªhe was full of confidence.


    Compared to the Celestial Spirit Gods, he was now more curious about the existence that had created the Celestial Spirit Great World and where it was hiding.


    After the arrival of the Supreme Demon Realm, the Celestial Dao Destiny of the Great Heaven and Earth started to dissipate, gaining a void and ethereal destiny, similar to that of heaven and earth, yet with an added vitality belonging to living beings.


    Both the Celestial Dao Golden Core and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit still existed, proving that the existence which had pioneered the Celestial Spirit Great World had not completely perished; it was merely waiting for the opportunity to resurrect.


    Whether the Celestial Dao Light Layer that enveloped the Great Heaven and Earth was for protection or restraint would soon reveal its answer.


    ¡­


    Late at night, a demon cloud shrouded the sky, preventing living beings on earth from seeing a single star.


    Within a valley surrounded by mountains, Zhu Xi meditated by the lake, her gaze lost in the shimmering water surface.


    The Immortal Seeker approached her, gathered up his robe, and sat down on the ground.


    ¡°Are you afraid?¡± the Immortal Seeker asked softly, looking at the lake.


    Zhu Xi replied, ¡°Of course I¡¯m afraid. But if faced with the annihilation of heaven and earth, the collapse of the universe, I have no choice but to draw my sword against him.¡±


    The Immortal Seeker smiled and said, ¡°The situation in the world is becoming increasingly chaotic. The Battle Court, Profound Abyss, Supreme Demon Realm, River of Sword Dao¡ªtoo many powers are vying for advantage. The more chaotic it is, the better. He is too arrogant, believing that his abilities are sufficient to suppress everything in the Great Thousand World.¡±


    His tone carried a hint of mockery. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Zhu Xi turned to look at him and asked, ¡°Where exactly is the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit hidden, and when will it appear?¡±


    She had made all the preparations she could, just waiting for the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit to emerge.


    ¡°Its appearance depends on you,¡± the Immortal Seeker said leisurely.


    ¡°When this world gives birth to its own Profound Yuan Free Immortal, the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit will appear. You can enter the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal realm at any time. Plus with the Divine Skills I¡¯ve passed on to you, even if you only step into the role of Profound Yuan Free Immortal briefly, the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit will reveal itself.¡±


    ¡°Whether it is the Great World or a smaller one, they all have their own carrying limits. This shattered world can only sustain one Profound Yuan Free Immortal.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhu Xi furrowed her brows, falling into hesitation.


    The Immortal Seeker continued, ¡°Shengtian, do you know who the being at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dao, who commands the Immortal Gods, is?¡±


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°Such a being is known as the Celestial Emperor. To become the Celestial Emperor, one must endure 129,600 Red Dust Reincarnation Tribulations. The Red Dust Reincarnation Tribulation is different from the Reincarnation Tribulation you know of. No matter how many times you reincarnate, you must act as a Savior to truly overcome one Red Dust Reincarnation Tribulation. To become the Savior, you must wait for periods like the present.¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes widened upon hearing this.


    129,600 Red Dust Reincarnation Tribulations¡­


    She couldn¡¯t fathom the lengthy hardships one would have to endure for so long.


    The Immortal Seeker said in a thought-provoking tone, ¡°The predicament you are facing now may seem irreversible, but that exalted Celestial Emperor had to face 129,600 such crises to achieve enlightenment. Moreover, the crisis you face is far less severe because you have help and he did not. He had to start as a mortal, continuously breaking his own Celestial Mandate, only then capable of commanding the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    ¡°Your Destiny Pattern is unparalleled, and you have a heart aspiring to become the strongest, but you must realize that the path to being the mightiest is inevitably fraught with difficulties and requires unstoppable progress.¡±


    Zhu Xi took a deep breath, and her eyes gradually became resolute.


    She was unsure of how powerful the Celestial Emperor was, but she knew she first had to overcome the hurdle of the Celestial Spirit Gods.


    ¡°Even if it means death, I have to fight, especially when there¡¯s no way back,¡± the Immortal Seeker¡¯s tone was firm, as if he, too, was speaking to himself.

 Chapter 549 - 546: Master, What is the Profound Yuan Free Immortal?

    Chapter 549: Chapter 546: Master, What is the Profound Yuan Free Immortal?


    In the autumn season, the forests within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless gradually turned yellow and withered.


    Gu An was instructing An Xin in her cultivation by a small river. The Fairy, who appeared unfathomably profound in the eyes of Qiankun Sect disciples, was now wearing a face full of distress, unable to grasp Gu An¡¯s words.


    And all at once, An Xin felt ashamed.


    When she had been instructing the Qiankun Sect disciples, encountering those with dull Spiritual Root Qualifications, she couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat irritated.


    Yet looking at her master, facing the difficult task of teaching her, he remained composed, and even kept a smile on his face.


    She felt that her own path was still long.


    ...


    Little did she know, the reason why Gu An was smiling was that Li Ya was taking a beating again; while others teamed up to combat the Evil Demons from the Supreme Demon Realm, he alone was being pursued by a group of Evil Demons.


    Even though Li Ya was being chased, he did not lose his verbal edge. Every time he was about to be caught, he would burst forth with even stronger power to break out of the encirclement.


    He was excited, thinking that he had broken through the limit of his physical body, undergoing a transformation amidst the battle.


    Gu An heard his heart¡¯s voice and was even more amused.


    Oh, senior brother, your potential is my doing.


    As Gu An thought this, he turned to An Xin and said, ¡°If you can¡¯t figure it out, then take your time. It¡¯s meaningless to think about other useless matters instead of focusing on Enlightenment.¡±


    Upon hearing this, An Xin nodded earnestly. She stopped her wild thoughts and began to review the previous Dao teachings with concentration.


    Gu An noticed her refocused mind and felt satisfied with her attitude.


    Besides Li Ya, other old acquaintances were also more or less caught in trouble. In the current times, the scramble for opportunities inevitably involved Combat and killing.


    What Gu An was most concerned about, however, was Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi had already stepped into the realm of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, his body exuding the aura of Reincarnation, clearly having regained his Destiny Pattern from his previous life as a Saint of Shengtian.


    It¡¯s worth mentioning that Zhu Xi did not go to Outer Heaven for his breakthrough. They were hidden in an ancient Secret Realm, and his breakthrough had caused quite a stir, covering the entire Celestial Spirit Great World. However, since the Supreme Demon Realm was causing chaos, the various Sects did not fully mobilize to investigate the truth.


    Zhu Xi, who had reached the realm of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, was preparing to impact an even higher Realm.


    Profound Yuan Free Immortal!


    Gu An was curious about the Immortal Seeker, although he was a Reincarnated being, his Cultivation Level was not strong in this life. How was he using other forces to help Zhu Xi break through by force?


    This power reminded Gu An of the aura of the God of Destruction. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The God of Destruction was also a god of the Celestial Court. In Black Profound Emperor¡¯s memories, the aura of the God of Destruction was different from that of the Celestial Spirit God, but it was, nonetheless, related to the Celestial Dao Aura.


    The power that the Immortal Seeker borrowed was similar to that of the God of Destruction, though there were also differences.


    Gu An sensed carefully and felt that this power might be at the same level as the God of Destruction and the Celestial Spirit God.


    Compared with the three, none was significantly stronger than the others.


    Interesting, it seems that there¡¯s some cause and effect contradiction within the Celestial Court itself.


    While observing the world, Gu An repeated his teachings. The content An Xin had already memorized, but the reason he repeated it was that he infused his Dao Intent into his voice, allowing the Dao Listener to have new realizations with each listening of the same content.


    An Xin¡¯s Spiritual Root Qualification was mediocre, but her Comprehension was not bad. For her to have come this far, Gu An had expended quite a bit of effort just teaching the Dao.


    Thankfully, it looked to be worth it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of existence it is that has allowed the Celestial Spirit God to hold on until now.¡±


    Gu An looked at An Xin, thinking thus in his heart.


    In the following autumn, the Nine Spirit Continent remained relatively calm, but the Tai Cang Continent and other places around the world suffered even more intense shocks.


    The Supreme Demon Realm seemed to sense something and became increasingly manic.


    All over the world, the multitude of living beings felt a sense of oppression.


    ¡­


    ¡°The world isn¡¯t really about to end, is it?¡±


    At dusk, Lv Xian stood beside Gu An, looking into the distance with him.


    Lv Xian¡¯s face was full of worry, because he felt an oppressive aura emanating from outside the dojo, causing all things between heaven and earth to tremble, even the spiritual energy seemed restless and uneasy.


    The reason he could sense the situation outside the dojo was because Gu An specifically allowed him to feel it.


    To be precise, he allowed everyone inside the dojo to feel it.


    At such a time, it is necessary to make the people in the dojo aware, so they would cherish what they have.


    ¡°Perhaps it truly might be the end of the world.¡±


    Gu An said softly, alarming Lv Xian who looked at him in fear.


    Lv Xian asked, ¡°If that is so, what about us¡­¡±


    With Gu An¡¯s abilities, he could surely escape to Outer Heaven, so why choose to seclude in the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    ¡°This catastrophe will lead to the annihilation of all beings, followed by the shattering of heaven and earth, and even the universe will collapse¡­¡±


    Gu An began to describe the future, his voice painting one solemn scene after another in Lv Xian¡¯s mind, causing his pupils to constrict.


    After he finished speaking, Lv Xian dully asked, ¡°Why would this happen? Who caused all this? The nature of heaven and earth itself? Or the Heavenly Dao?¡±


    Thousands of years ago, the concept of the Heavenly Dao spread throughout the land, making all living beings aware of its existence.


    In the obscurity, it is the Heavenly Dao that controls everything.


    Destiny, reincarnation all lie within the Heavenly Dao!


    Study the Great Dao, follow the Heavenly Dao!


    ¡°Perhaps it is the Immortal Gods that people admire who are dissatisfied with our world, and soon you will see the truth for yourself,¡± Gu An said with profound meaning.


    Lv Xian subconsciously asked, ¡°How soon is ¡®soon¡¯?¡±


    As soon as the words fell, the ground trembled, and a vast oppressive force descended, enveloping all things between heaven and earth.


    Lv Xian was immediately intimidated by this force, his eyes widened, showing an expression of utter disbelief.


    At this moment, a series of figures appeared out of nowhere behind them.


    It was An Xin, Shen Zhen, and others.


    They looked toward Gu An nervously, the sudden oppressive force was truly frightening, prompting them to instinctively seek out Gu An.


    Gu An did not turn around; he looked into the distance and said, ¡°Take a good look, recognize the true nature of this world. One day, you will have to face such despair on your own.¡±


    Hearing this, An Xin was about to speak when a thunderous boom shook heaven and earth.


    Gu An waved his sleeve, and a light screen appeared in front of them, reflecting a vast continent. At this moment, the continent was splitting apart, dust rising, with grand momentum. If one looked closely, amidst the spectacular surging tide, tendrils appeared as if something, a Giant Demon, was about to break through the soil.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Shen Zhen couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    No one answered her, and Gu An did not explain, but let them continue to watch.


    As more and more dust arose on the continent, the view on the light screen zoomed out, showing more of the sea areas, while the continent was submerged by the surging waves.


    Soon, the expressions of An Xin and others began to change, some even with their mouths wide open in shock as if a mortal had seen a ghost.


    They saw a huge round fruit rising within the mighty surging tide, its surface covered in golden Dao patterns. It was larger than the continent, rising continuously, growing larger and larger.


    Chen Chuan turned his head to another direction, his eyes wide as he pointed and said in astonishment, ¡°Look over there, quickly!¡±


    Everyone turned to look, and saw a gigantic object appearing on the horizon, the same mysterious giant fruit from the light screen.


    ¡°That is the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, the essence of heaven and earth itself. Without it, there would be no heaven and earth, nor would there be all things within heaven and earth,¡± Gu An introduced.


    Without waiting for anyone to ask, he continued, ¡°Someone has reached the level of Profound Yuan Free Immortal, prompting the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit to appear.¡±


    Profound Yuan Free Immortal?


    Blood Prison Great Saint asked impatiently, ¡°Master, what is a Profound Yuan Free Immortal?¡±

 Chapter 550 - 547: The Sky is Falling

    Chapter 550: Chapter 547: The Sky is Falling


    ¡°After Nirvana, the stages are: Loose Immortal, Wandering Immortal, Celestial and Earthly Immortals, Carefree Primordial Immortal, Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, Dao Void Profound Immortal, Divine Thought True Immortal, and Free Immortal,¡± Gu An¡¯s voice floated towards everyone, their eyes widened in awe.


    Gu An, fearing they hadn¡¯t understood clearly enough, added, ¡°Although Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal and Profound Yuan Free Immortal are still considered Free Immortals, the gap between each level far surpasses the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path. Once one reaches Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, they will cultivate a Dao Fruit, the so-called Dao Fruit¡­¡±


    At this point, he stopped and turned his head to look towards the mysterious giant fruit on the horizon.


    Dao Fruit¡­


    Chen Chuan couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Master, could this Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit possibly be a Cultivator¡¯s Dao Fruit?¡±


    The others all looked at Gu An, extremely tense, awaiting his answer.


    ...


    Gu An replied, ¡°Yes, the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit is indeed a Cultivator¡¯s Dao Fruit, and the catastrophe of heaven and earth is brought by the enemies who slew him.¡±


    Everyone was shocked upon hearing this, turning to look at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit that was still growing, feeling more powerless than ever.


    How many years of cultivation would it take to reach such heights, yet such a being could still be killed¡­


    They couldn¡¯t fathom what the entity capable of slaying the creator of heaven and earth would be like.


    But they knew one thing.


    The sky was falling!


    Shen Zhen looked at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit with a strong urge to paint it down, and she instantly disappeared from the spot.


    An Xin looked at Gu An with a hesitant face and asked, ¡°Master, the pressure before the appearance of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit¡­ why do I feel like I¡¯ve encountered it before?¡±


    Upon her words, the others looked at An Xin in surprise.


    Had she also met a Profound Yuan Free Immortal?


    Gu An glanced at An Xin, his eyes showing a touch of satisfaction. He casually answered, ¡°Indeed you have; her name is Zhu Xi, who is also the Saint Heaven Reincarnation.¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Saint Heaven Reincarnation!


    Celestial Demon Child¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement as she asked, ¡°Is it the Lord of the Holy Court?¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Hearing Gu An affirm with a ¡®mm,¡¯ everyone grew even more excited and began to discuss the legend of Saint Heaven.


    Gu An said no more, vanishing into thin air, leaving the rest of the experience for them to feel for themselves.


    As the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit emerged, all Sects across the world were alarmed, and one Great Cultivator after another flew towards the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    Even Li Ya rode the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword there.


    From afar, he looked at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, incapable of reflecting the whole fruit in his pupils, while Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on his shoulder, equally showing a face of disbelief.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit asked with a trembling voice, witnessing the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit and instinctively feeling fear.


    The enormity of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit shook all living beings¡¯ sight, and in the face of such creation, beings only felt reverence, not daring any disrespect.


    Li Ya also felt the pressure, and his flying speed began to slow.


    Reason told him that this was not something he could snatch, but another voice in his heart urged him to seize this supreme opportunity.


    As Li Ya hesitated, figures swept overhead, moving with great speed.


    Seeing so many fearless individuals, Li Ya felt greater courage welling up inside him.


    There¡¯s strength in numbers¡ªmaybe he would be the one to seize it!


    Li Ya gritted his teeth and immediately accelerated forward.


    ¡­


    The enormous and spectacular Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit hovered above the land and vast sea, with Zhu Xi and Immortal Seeker standing at the top of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, looking up into the dazzling starry sky.


    The Celestial Dao Light Layer that enveloped the Celestial Spirit Great World had become thin, as if it would completely disappear at any moment.


    Zhu Xi changed into a golden robe that clung to her body, her long hair coiled under a phoenix crown, with two golden dragons on her shoulders, and a crimson halo floating behind her. At this moment, she exuded an air of supreme dominance, her brows revealing a chilling disdain for all living beings.


    Lord of the Holy Court, Shengtian!


    Profound Yuan Free Immortal!


    The Immortal Seeker looked up and sighed, ¡°There are just too many fools who can¡¯t see.¡±


    As his voice fell, a huge black hole appeared in the starry sky above, and blood-red waves of air surged out, writhing like tentacles, horrifying and terrible.


    ¡°Who would have thought that the Celestial Spirit Great World could give birth to the Profound Yuan Free Immortal during the Shattered Era.¡±


    An authoritative voice echoed between heaven and earth, so that all creatures could hear.


    Zhu Xi did not look up, but instead gazed down at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit below.


    Each golden rune glowed with a light unique to it, appearing mysterious.


    The Immortal Seeker whispered, ¡°The Supreme Demon Emperor from the Supreme Demon Realm has arrived, if you want to merge the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, you might have to deal with him first.¡±


    As his voice fell, black holes of various sizes appeared from all directions, terrible auras spilling out from them. Their converging might made heaven and earth tremble.


    Zhu Xi did not raise her eyes; she simply uttered one word.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡­


    Boom-ba-boom¡ª


    The palace trembled, and Jiang Qiong, sitting at the highest seat, furrowed her brows.


    Her gaze turned to the palace doors outside, where the sky was dark, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. Fierce winds ravaged the forests, and in the far distance, at the edge of the sky, one could vaguely see a terrifying behemoth.


    Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit!


    Looking at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, Jiang Qiong felt very uneasy. She always had the feeling of facing the apocalypse, as if it was the last day of heaven and earth.


    At that moment, a female cultivator swiftly flew into the hall, landing before the steps, and saluted Jiang Qiong.


    ¡°Master, the Evil Demon has left; it seems to be heading towards the distant mysterious giant fruit. Should we deactivate the sect protection formation?¡± the female cultivator asked. The mention of the mysterious giant fruit caused her voice to hesitate for a moment.


    Jiang Qiong glared at her and said, ¡°You feel the malevolence of this heaven and earth; do you think it should be deactivated?¡±


    The female cultivator replied helplessly, ¡°Master, the resources consumed by this formation are truly immense, and continuing like this could easily drag us down. Over the years, you have not allowed us to go out and compete¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off with a hint of resentment.


    Jiang Qiong responded, ¡°You must have seen other cultivators from sects that joined the struggle. Haven¡¯t you noticed a common trait amongst them?¡±


    The female cultivator asked in surprise, ¡°What trait?¡±


    ¡°They all become mad, bold, even obsessive. Once they set foot on this path, it seems they can never turn back. I¡¯m not sure if my current decision is right, but if the disciples of Gathering Flower Sect become like that, then sooner or later, the sect will perish.¡±


    Jiang Qiong¡¯s words plunged the female cultivator into silence. She thought carefully about the faces of those people¡ªthey did seem off, with a crazed posture.


    The palace continued to tremble violently, with hot or icy winds blowing in intermittently.


    Just as the female cultivator was about to leave, a voice full of oppression rang out:


    ¡°Shengtian! I did indeed underestimate you, but the path you¡¯ve chosen will surely lead to your doom!¡±


    The voice of the Supreme Demon Emperor, tinged with fear.


    Jiang Qiong didn¡¯t know who the voice belonged to, but she knew of Shengtian¡¯s legend.


    ¡°Demons rampage, and Immortal Gods fight amongst themselves. Even in the Nirvana Realm, facing such a cataclysm, are we any different from mortals?¡±


    Jiang Qiong¡¯s voice was intricate with emotion as she looked at her disciple and said somberly, ¡°In such turbulent times, the best we mortals can do is to hide, not like moths to a flame trying to fight for something. We can¡¯t compete for such an opportunity.¡±

 Chapter 551 - 548: The Strongest in the World

    Chapter 551: Chapter 548: The Strongest in the World


    The shout of the Supreme Demon Emperor made all beings realize the strength of Shengtian. Those ancient legends resurfaced in everyone¡¯s minds.


    Before the changing of the eras, Shengtian was the most powerful existence between heaven and earth and was the supreme ruler, the true sovereign of heaven and earth.


    Later on, she vanished, and many influential figures emerged in the world, causing her name to be seldom mentioned.


    What was Shengtian doing?


    Just how strong was she?


    Countless creatures gazed at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit suspended above the ground, speculating in their hearts.


    ...


    Shengtian had a very positive image, and in front of such terrifying celestial phenomena, the beings who knew of her began to hope that she could save everything.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An stayed in his own room, watching the battle. Zhu Xi was absorbing the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit while resisting the offensive from the Supreme Demon Realm, facing thousands alone, displaying immense strength.


    That Supreme Demon Emperor was also a Profound Yuan Free Immortal, and even at the same realm, with a group of powerful subordinates assisting him, he was still unable to gain the upper hand over Zhu Xi.


    At this rate, Zhu Xi would certainly merge with the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    Judging by Zhu Xi¡¯s performance, Gu An felt she was now invincible in the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, which was quite exaggerated since she had not only just entered the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm but had also just broken through from the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal Realm.


    Even with the borrowed power of the Immortal Seeker aiding Zhu Xi, her own battle talent was also very strong. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking across all beings in the Celestial Spirit Great World, judging solely by battle talent, Gu An felt that only An Hao could barely compare to Zhu Xi.


    Li Ya, Lv Xian, Yang Jian, Chen Chuan, and others were far behind.


    With Gu An¡¯s current Cultivation Level, he had the confidence to make such a judgment, for all beings in the world were within his sight.


    ¡°Disciple, what would you do?¡±


    Gu An muttered to himself, referring to An Hao.


    Under the guidance of the Celestial Dao Golden Core, An Hao also wanted to contend for the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    But even with the power of the Celestial Dao Golden Core, he couldn¡¯t possibly be Zhu Xi¡¯s opponent.


    The Celestial Dao Golden Core and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit both belonged to the same person, but the Dao Fruit itself was transformed from the Golden Core.


    How this being could retain both Dao Fruit and Golden Core, or what Daoist Technique they cultivated, was unknown.


    Could he possibly nurture two Golden Cores?


    Gu An began to look forward to this being¡¯s appearance.


    All the current struggles were a game between the Celestial Spirit God and the founder of the Celestial Spirit Great World; all beings were mere pawns.


    Apart from Gu An, the Immortal Seeker was the only variable. Long Jun from the past did not count; he was no threat to the Celestial Spirit God.


    As Gu An continued to deduce, the battle between the Supreme Demon Realm and Shengtian intensified, and the world began to feel the effects, with the range getting wider and wider.


    As the saying goes, when immortals fight, mortals suffer; even a hint of their unleashed pressure was enough to plunge a region into crisis.


    Time flew by rapidly.


    An Xin, Celestial Demon Child, Lv Xian, and others couldn¡¯t calm down to cultivate. They gathered together, discussing the earth-shaking battle. The screen Gu An left behind was reflecting the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, which was precisely the battlefield itself.


    Looking at the unstoppable Zhu Xi, those who had seen her before were all marveling: they had never imagined that the once timid female disciple would have such a domineering side.


    ¡°It looks like the Supreme Demon Realm can¡¯t stop her.¡±


    ¡°She seems to be absorbing the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.¡±


    ¡°Goodness, if she successfully absorbs it, will she continue to break through?¡±


    ¡°This Dao Fruit is heaven and earth itself¡ªcontrolling it would mean controlling the entire world. It¡¯s unimaginable.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t forget what Master said¡ªall of this is due to the machinations of Immortal Gods, who have yet to show themselves.¡±


    Disciples excitedly discussed among themselves, they were amazed by Zhu Xi and the strength of the Supreme Demon Realm, but they weren¡¯t panicked, although they didn¡¯t say it outright, everyone felt in their hearts that Gu An was the strongest.


    Even the Blood Prison Great Saint, who had seen the end of Great Heaven and Earth, was calm.


    In his view, even if his master couldn¡¯t defeat that being capable of destroying the universe, he had the power to protect himself; as long as his master dared to continue watching the chaos, he wouldn¡¯t panic.


    He even suspected that his master wanted to snatch the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    In the blink of an eye, two days passed.


    The battle for the Dao Fruit continued, the Supreme Demon Realm had already lost half of its forces, and much of the land had cracked, killing countless beings.


    Sea waves rolled endlessly into the distance, with many magical treasures and flying creatures following them.


    Various sects were migrating, and there were imperial dynasties taking their citizens to flee, but during the escape, there was both unity and shady deeds happening.


    Tai Cang Continent was far from the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, countless cultivators at the continent¡¯s edge were blocking tsunamis; there was no immediate catastrophe, but the hearts of everyone grew increasingly heavy.


    The longer time dragged on, the more disaster it brought to all beings.


    That day at noon.


    Another boundless and mighty pressure descended; this pressure didn¡¯t make the creatures of heaven and earth feel uncomfortable but instead brought a revitalizing sensation.


    ¡°Hmm? That Golden Core has actually found an inheritor, wait, could it be¡­¡±


    The Immortal Seeker, standing on the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, frowned and muttered to himself, not far away, Zhu Xi continued to absorb the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    Looking upward, Zhu Xi was condensing a Dharma Aspect even larger than the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, with a thousand arms, each holding different magical treasures; the Dharma Aspect was ever-changing and dazzling to behold.


    Zhu Xi turned her head to look at him and asked, ¡°Could it be what?¡±


    The Immortal Seeker had a complex look in his eyes but simply shook his head slightly, saying nothing.


    Seeing that he was hiding something from her, a chill flashed in Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes, but she said no more.


    At this point, she had no retreat.


    In fact, not seeing the Celestial Spirit God up to this point, Zhu Xi felt something was off.


    The absence of the Celestial Spirit God meant that even if her actions were successful, they wouldn¡¯t threaten him, which was a frightening prospect.


    Zhu Xi looked down at the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit beneath her feet, her gaze attempting to pierce through the golden Dao Patterns, to see through the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.


    A dazzling bright light struck from the side, hitting Zhu Xi¡¯s face; she glanced over to see a huge sun appearing in the sky, illuminating the entire Celestial Spirit Great World.


    In an instant, the whole world was enveloped in strong light; the nearby continents and oceans were stripped of colour.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    Out of the massive sun surged waves of fire, forming huge Golden Dragons larger than mountains, breathing scorching heat.


    ¡°The Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, I, An Hao also desire it!¡±


    A loud voice like thunder rang through heaven and earth, audible to all creatures.


    The name An Hao instantly embedded itself in the memory of all beings, those who knew him were incredulous, and those who didn¡¯t felt tense.


    Just hearing the voice made one want to submit; such a powerful being entering the battlefield would surely bring even greater catastrophe to heaven and earth.


    ¡°An Hao¡­¡±


    At Supreme Sect, within the Third Medicine Valley, the aged Lv Baitian sat by his garden, looking up at the bright sun in the sky, mumbling to himself.


    His turbid eyes gradually brightened.


    In a trance, it seemed he saw the spirited youth from nine thousand years ago standing in front of him again.


    ¡°I really am old¡­¡± Lv Baitian mumbled to himself.


    ¡°But you certainly aren¡¯t old yet, where are you, watching all this?¡±

 Chapter 552 - 549: Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, Supreme Demon Emperor

    Chapter 552: Chapter 549: Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, Supreme Demon Emperor


    Gu An appeared with the Celestial Dao Golden Core, and that magnificent celestial might made the situation in the Great Heaven and Earth even tenser.


    Zhu Xi did not respond to Gu An¡¯s forceful shouting, she directly controlled the Dharma Aspect to strike at Gu An, releasing the Profound Primordial Aura that made the Rules of Heaven and Earth tremble, causing the Celestial Vault¡¯s thunderclouds to churn and change color, with various anomalies emerging one after another.


    The clash between the Celestial Dao Golden Core and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit affected the entire Great Heaven and Earth. This time, there was no retreat for all beings, as the disaster was no longer centered around the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit spreading outwards, but instead causing the Great Heaven and Earth to crack everywhere, with no pattern to speak of.


    In front of these two powerful forces, any being wishing to participate in the struggle did not even have the qualification to approach.


    The seven subordinates of the Silent Destruction God Emperor were not attracted to the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, instead, they flew towards the Outer Heaven.


    After a long time.


    ...


    They flew to the World Gate, and in front of the seated Celestial Spirit God, they bowed respectfully, with a reverent attitude.


    One of them took out a long command token, and said carefully, ¡°Celestial God, we wish to return to our Great Thousand World.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God did not open his eyes, but the World Gate behind him began to tremble, and a strong light burst forth from within, which relieved the seven individuals, who immediately flew into the World Gate.


    After their figures disappeared, the World Gate quickly returned to calm, and the strong light inside faded away.


    A mass of black qi condensed out of thin air next to the Celestial Spirit God, gradually forming a sinister, cold face.


    ¡°Celestial God, in this battle, my Supreme Demon Realm has suffered heavy losses, why have you not taken action yet?¡±


    The mysterious face asked, its tone perplexed.


    The Celestial Spirit God slowly opened his eyes, which were brighter than the sun and the moon and also demonstrated celestial might. Seeing him open his eyes, the aura of the mysterious face visibly weakened.


    ¡°I have my own certainty, what you seek is for the Supreme Demon Realm to become an independent Great Heaven and Earth. Even if these demons die out, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s tone was categorically strong-willed, causing the mysterious face to frown.


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s gaze looked towards the Celestial Spirit Great World, his eyes indifferent, yet seeming to be anticipating something.


    ¡°May I ask, Celestial God, now that the Celestial Dao Destiny has dissipated, why don¡¯t you simply destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World? Your goal couldn¡¯t possibly be that Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit.¡±


    The mysterious face continued to ask, growing uneasy as the situation progressed.


    He couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint the source of his unease.


    He understood the Celestial Spirit God¡ªthis Celestial God disdained deception and would fulfill promises he made.


    But he didn¡¯t understand what the Celestial Spirit God was thinking.


    ¡°Do you know who created the Celestial Spirit Great World?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God asked, his voice devoid of any emotion.


    The mysterious face answered, ¡°I only know of such a Creator, unaware of their identity and name.¡±


    ¡°He is the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, surpassing the Free Immortal, condensing the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit. The Celestial Court¡¯s Immortal Official recruited him, offering him the Celestial Dao Immortal Position, life as long as Heavenly Dao.¡± The Celestial Spirit God explained.


    ¡°He refused?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, thus he met such a fate, and his Great Thousand World is also not blessed by the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    The mysterious face went silent, pondering the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s intent.


    Was it a warning?


    Or was it touting the dominance of the Celestial Court?


    The Celestial Spirit God turned his head towards the mysterious face, his gaze making the mysterious face¡¯s color unnaturally change.


    ¡°Supreme Demon Emperor, you have undergone reincarnation tens of thousands of times, always one step shy of the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit. The shortfall lies in your understanding of the world. Once you create a Great World, you will naturally break through. But you must always remember who created everything and who set the order. When the Heavenly Dao wishes you to do something, going against the Heavenly Dao will mark the beginning of your endless calamity.¡±


    The tone of the Celestial Spirit God made the one called Supreme Demon Emperor¡¯s expression fluctuate.


    Meanwhile, the great battle in the Human World was still ongoing.


    Gu An, who was manipulating the Celestial Dao Golden Core, had white hair and skin that even started to show bloodstains.


    Even so, he was still resolutely staring at Zhu Xi.


    Zhu Xi glanced at him, her eyes revealing a disdainful sneer.


    She didn¡¯t understand what An Hao was fighting for, but the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit was a trap in itself; countless beings went mad for it, reckless with their own lives.


    The Immortal Seeker looked at An Hao with a peculiar gaze, occasionally glancing back at Zhu Xi.


    Suddenly, Zhu Xi spoke up, ¡°It seems we both consider ourselves the Savior, but I am stronger.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, what we¡¯re facing is not just the Celestial Spirit God but also the existence who created the Celestial Spirit Great World, your disciple as well.¡±


    As her words ended, Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes turned cold as she looked toward the Immortal Seeker.


    The Immortal Seeker had sought her out under the pretext of helping his disciple seek revenge; now that his disciple was not entirely dead, their trust was naturally crumbling.


    The Immortal Seeker sighed, ¡°I failed to see through him; I didn¡¯t expect him to hide so deeply. However, what comes next is a good thing for you; you won¡¯t have to face the Celestial Spirit God alone.¡±


    Zhu Xi lifted her right hand, and the Thousand-Handed Dharma Aspect above her changed gestures, the various Magical Treasures blazing with dazzling light.


    An Hao, suspended in front of the Celestial Dao Golden Core, suddenly had his pupils constrict. The world in front of him changed abruptly, and he found himself in a barren land with no bounds. There was no sky above, only a brilliant starscape, and Zhu Xi¡¯s Dharma Aspect loomed even larger above him, looking down.


    An Hao frowned; behind him, more waves of fire surged from the Celestial Dao Golden Core, quickly pulling him into it.


    ¡°One of us will be possessed by him, and even though you are also a disciple of Master, his favorite disciple, I won¡¯t give up on myself.¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s voice echoed beneath the starry void, filled with an oppressive force.


    Within the Celestial Dao Golden Core, an eye appeared, occupying the entirety of it, bearing a resemblance to An Hao¡¯s eyes, yet different.


    Meanwhile.


    In reality, the Celestial Dao Golden Core collided with Zhu Xi¡¯s Dharma Aspect, scattering it before landing on the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, while Zhu Xi and the Immortal Seeker had vanished without a trace.


    From a cosmic perspective, the Celestial Spirit Great World burst into a wave of shock force, spreading extravagantly through the universe.


    The layers of Celestial Dao light completely dissipated, and the beings fleeing to Outer Heaven were eradicated by the shock, utterly annihilated.


    The Evil Demons assaulting the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit from the Supreme Demon Realm were wiped out; in contrast, the Cultivators from the Human World remained unharmed.


    Elsewhere.


    In front of the World Gate.


    The Celestial Spirit God slowly rose to his feet. Just as the Supreme Demon Emperor was about to speak, he sharply turned his head, showing a look of shock.


    ¡°This aura¡­ How is it possible? Is he really still alive?¡± exclaimed the Supreme Demon Emperor.


    The Celestial Spirit God raised his right hand, and a giant axe appeared in his grip, spiraling with Celestial Dao Flame; it was the white flame that symbolized absolute order.


    ¡°I have been looking forward to this battle for a long time, forgetting how many years it has been.¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God resounded, his tone becoming excited for the first time, tinged with a trace of fervor.


    Far away in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An suddenly sat up, his expression peculiar, and his eyes filled with surprise.


    ¡°Hao¡¯er and he actually¡­¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An noticed that An Hao¡¯s physical body had merged with the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, even evolving into a different aura.


    It felt like the awakening of a past life, yet different.


    An Hao was undoubtedly connected to the founder of the Celestial Spirit Great World, but likely not a Reincarnation.


    While surprised by An Hao¡¯s transformation, the strength of the Celestial Spirit God was something neither An Hao nor the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit could contend with.


    It would ultimately be up to him to make a move.


    Good.


    Gu An stood up and began to limber up inside the room, forming a stark contrast with the Celestial Spirit God before the World Gate.


    He was eager to try.


    The other, invincible to the world.

 Chapter 553 - 550: The Treasures of the Immortal Palace

    Chapter 553: Chapter 550: The Treasures of the Immortal Palace


    The collision of the forces between the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit and the Celestial Dao Golden Core not only made the world tremble but also affected the other Great Heaven and Earths within the universe, turning the disaster into a cosmic calamity.


    The Dao mist in the Silent Extinction Domain surged violently, with pieces of nebulae dispersing and new ones being born.


    The cosmic beasts hidden in darkness began to flee in all directions, presenting a chaotic scene in the vast, boundless universe.


    At Supreme Sect, on the mountains at the edge of the Third Medicine Valley.


    Long Qing, Long Jun, and Candle Star stood side by side, looking towards the bright light on the horizon, their faces barely concealing their shock.


    Candle Star couldn¡¯t help but look at Long Jun and asked, ¡°Senior, can you see through all this?¡±


    ...


    He could feel a powerful presence awakening in the distance, its momentum increasing at an unimaginable pace.


    ¡°I cannot see through it either, what is happening now is completely different from the future I foresaw,¡± Long Jun replied, his eyes complex.


    Long Qing caught a glimpse of Long Jun¡¯s expression with his peripheral vision and sensed the unrest and confusion of this elder.


    This was the first time he had seen such an expression on his ancestor¡¯s face.


    He looked back towards the horizon, his emotions mixed.


    ¡°Brother An Hao¡­ Zhu Xi¡­¡±


    Long Qing murmured these two names in his heart; both were fellow disciples, and although Zhu Xi was Saint Heaven reincarnated, they had this connection¡ªhow could he not be affected?


    He realized he truly wasn¡¯t the master¡¯s most favored disciple.


    An Hao and Zhu Xi had already been able to dominate the trends of heaven and earth, while he could only hide within Medicine Valley to cultivate his divine skills, which were profound and unfathomable, and how much longer it would take to master them was unknown. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All living beings were enveloped by the bright light, and everything lost its color. Even Mortal Spirits could feel the oppressive force swiftly strengthening, but, miraculously, this didn¡¯t extinguish the Mortal Spirits.


    From the view of the universe, at the center of the Celestial Spirit Great World, there was a mass of strong light, and this light was rising.


    Within the strong light, two figures were battling, Zhu Xi and An Hao.


    Zhu Xi¡¯s Dharma Aspect shrank to ten thousand zhang tall, completely suppressing An Hao, who had turned into a bloodied figure, his physical body occasionally exploding but quickly coalescing again.


    Both were utilizing the power of heaven and earth, but Zhu Xi¡¯s cultivation level was far superior to An Hao¡¯s, the gap in strength vast.


    ¡°You¡¯re no match for me, give up.¡±


    Zhu Xi looked down upon An Hao, her cold voice echoing, her Dharma Aspect not ceasing its spell casting.


    An Hao didn¡¯t utter a word, clenching his teeth and persevering, his blood-streaked white hair whipping about as if he were a mad demon.


    Patterns of gold slowly appeared on his chest, and soon an eye emerged¡ªit was the mysterious giant eye from within the Celestial Dao Golden Core.


    Seeing this eye, Zhu Xi frowned.


    At that moment, countless Light Stars burst forth from behind Zhu Xi, hurtling towards An Hao at high speed, and her expression drastically changed.


    She felt her own power being siphoned away, headed towards An Hao.


    The divine skills taught by the Immortal Seeker could prevent her from being devoured by the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, but they could not stop the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit from leaving.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Zhu Xi furrowed her brows tightly, staring intently at An Hao.


    As the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit surged into An Hao¡¯s body, he rapidly transformed into a Blood Silkworm, his curled-up body faintly visible.


    It wasn¡¯t just the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit but also the power of the Celestial Dao Golden Core no longer lent to An Hao, but merging inside him in an inexplicable manner.


    An Hao was transforming into someone else!


    Meanwhile, Gu An exercising his muscles in secret was startled by An Hao¡¯s fate turning murky, making him hesitant about whether to make a move prematurely.


    But if he struck prematurely, the Master of the Great World would still leave behind a hidden danger.


    If the will of the Master of the Celestial Spirit Great World remained and could observe all creatures, that posed a risk for Gu An as well.


    He couldn¡¯t let anyone know of his ability to steal life spans.


    So, he would wait!


    It was only fair that An Hao should pay a price for his choices, since no one had forced him on this path.


    Gu An saw the Celestial Spirit God move, holding that familiar massive axe and walking towards the Celestial Spirit Great World. Behind him followed a mass of Demonic Qi, whose essence was the same as the evil demons of the Supreme Demon Realm, especially similar to that of the Supreme Demon Emperor.


    With just one glance, Gu An saw through its cause and effect.


    The Supreme Demon Emperor, the ancient being who established the Supreme Demon Realm. The Supreme Demon Emperor was merely his disciple, managing the Supreme Demon Realm on his behalf while he had always hidden in the shadows, unknown to anyone in the Supreme Demon Realm except for the Supreme Demon Emperor.


    Feeling something, the Supreme Demon Emperor suddenly stopped.


    The Celestial Spirit God paid no mind and continued forward, his eyes only on the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    He didn¡¯t walk fast, still waiting for the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable to revive.


    Before long, having lost the power of the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, Zhu Xi¡¯s Cultivation Level fell sharply, suddenly dropping to the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal Realm. She couldn¡¯t help but spit out a mouthful of blood, her complexion instantly turning pallid.


    She looked ahead, and the Blood Silkworm transformed by An Hao had grown over a hundred thousand zhang tall, his figure had also become enormous, still curling up.


    A deep breathing sound came from inside the Blood Silkworm, as if the oldest Demon God was about to awaken.


    ¡°Are you still not leaving?¡±


    The voice of the Immortal Seeker entered Zhu Xi¡¯s ears; she turned her head to see the Immortal Seeker appearing beside her. His body emitted a faint silver light, his robe fluttering slightly, full of Immortal energy.


    Zhu Xi retorted, ¡°Leave? Where do I go? To the World Gate?¡±


    The Immortal Seeker sighed, ¡°I underestimated him, perhaps I was also calculated by him. I will help you leave, your talent should not be buried here.¡±


    Just as Zhu Xi was about to continue mocking, the Immortal Seeker¡¯s Soul emerged from his body and he turned, swinging his hand towards her.


    His palm was incredibly fast, so fast that even Zhu Xi in the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal Realm couldn¡¯t react in time.


    Struck by the palm wind from afar, Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes widened as she fell backward, a silver-white light gate appearing behind her; she fell straight into it, and the light gate abruptly vanished.


    The flesh of the Immortal Seeker perished, leaving only his Soul floating in the void, his face showing a weary expression.


    He turned to look at the massive Blood Silkworm, his gaze complex.


    ¡°My disciple, why must you also hide from your master, could it really have been your fault back then?¡± the Immortal Seeker muttered to himself.


    ¡°Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, you established the Celestial Spirit Great World, and were conferred the Celestial Dao Immortal Position by the Celestial Court, yet you refused and even harmed Immortal Officials, sacrificing all living beings. Now, do you still want to commit crimes?¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God came from the depths of the universe and reached the ears of all beings in the universe.


    The name Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable made all beings remember.


    Establish the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    Sacrifice all living beings?


    The information in these words struck fear into all beings.


    Then another voice arose, ¡°What about you, Celestial Spirit God, without my establishment of the Great Thousand World, where would your godly position come from? You forced me to sacrifice all living beings, you keep the Great Thousand World in its shattered state, unable to be repaired by the Heavenly Dao, your actions have already violated the Celestial Rules, what are you pursuing, do you think I don¡¯t know?¡±


    Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable!


    His voice was similar to An Hao¡¯s, but more imposing.


    Listening to their dialogue, the Immortal Seeker furrowed his brow tightly, seeming to think of something incredible, he looked up at the giant Blood Silkworm and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Back when you followed me to the Immortal Palace, could you really have stolen that ultimate treasure¡­¡±


    The giant Blood Silkworm did not make another sound, and the Celestial Spirit God did not continue the conversation.


    Though the dialogue had ended, the vast oppressive force of the Celestial Spirit God was drawing near.


    Inside the house, Gu An, listening to the conversation of the two, grew curious.


    What was the relationship between the Celestial Spirit God and Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, and what were the treasures they mentioned?


    Boom¡ª


    Accompanied by a heaven-shattering loud noise, the universe trembled as the giant Blood Silkworm exploded, blood winds raged in various directions of the universe, a towering figure appeared, it was An Hao, but more robust than before.


    His upper body bare, an eye growing on his chest, a black dragon wrapped around his waist, vicious black Qi surged below, encircling him, his white hair wildly flying, that face, identical to An Hao¡¯s, showed no emotion.


    He was An Hao, and he was also the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable!


    Reflected in his eyes was the approaching figure of the Celestial Spirit God, the two, separated across the universe, locked in a destined conflict with only each other in their sight.


    ¡°Master, you shouldn¡¯t have come; go back, pretend you know nothing of this. Whether it¡¯s him or me, whether alive or dead, do not pursue it further,¡± the voice of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable rang out again, seemingly unafraid of others hearing, his voice still resonant.

 Chapter 554 - 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!

    Chapter 554: Chapter 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!


    Hearing the words of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, the Immortal Seeker¡¯s expression turned ugly, anger apparent in his eyes.


    ¡°Why have you chosen to be born at this time?¡±


    The Immortal Seeker looked up at the figure of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and asked, suppressing his rage, knowing now was not the time for petty calculations.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable did not answer but instead turned to gaze toward the Celestial Spirit Great World, his eyes filled with profound meaning.


    At the same time,


    A brilliant light appeared from the depths of the universe¡ªit was the figure of the Celestial Spirit God holding the Celestial Dao Divine Axe, stepping on the Dao Rules¡ªevery step he took, ripples spread throughout the cosmic space.


    ...


    Under his steps, the universe seemed ephemeral, ready to vanish at any moment.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable turned back, refocusing his gaze on the Celestial Spirit God. He raised his right hand, palm facing upwards, and gold flames spontaneously appeared and rapidly coalesced into a Great Cauldron, growing larger continuously until it dwarfed his own form.


    Above the cauldron, a vortex with stars scattered within, breathtakingly beautiful, resembling the most mystical Secret Realm, brimming with allure.


    The moment the cauldron appeared, all beings felt as if their strength was being siphoned away, countless fell paralyzed to the ground, those flying cultivators and demons crashing into oceans and between mountains.


    All at once, the Celestial Spirit Great World fell silent.


    Inside the palace,


    Jiang Qiong lay weak on the staircase, looking toward the outside of the grand doors, her face revealing a look of despair.


    She felt her mana and Qi power being drawn out in an instant, even her Divine Sense disappearing without a trace¡ªher Dao Practice accumulated over nearly ten thousand years, how could this be?


    She couldn¡¯t fathom what she was experiencing, and what kind of being was behind this.


    Suddenly,


    Her peripheral vision caught another pair of feet beside her; her pupils dilated sharply as she was about to look up, a hand grasped her forearm¡ªendless mana poured into her, revitalizing her strength rapidly.


    Feeling this mana, Jiang Qiong didn¡¯t need to see the person to instantly let her guard down.


    She looked up with a smile on her face.


    ¡°It really is you,¡± Jiang Qiong said softly, her expression somewhat infatuated.


    Gu An pulled her to her feet and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you know why your mana disappeared?¡±


    Jiang Qiong leaned on him, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because the mana you cultivated and you yourself are creatures of Great Heaven and Earth. For Great Heaven and Earth to reclaim everything from you, it¡¯s as easy as turning over one¡¯s hand,¡± Gu An said with a helpless smile, feeling her body against his.


    At such a time, this guy was still making his moves!


    Hearing this, Jiang Qiong frowned, straightened up, and asked, ¡°Great Heaven and Earth? Is Great Heaven and Earth punishing us now? What did we do wrong?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, you did nothing wrong. But Great Heaven and Earth is not what you think it is¡ªit¡¯s actually a person, or rather a cultivator whose emotions cannot be swayed by those he created, like you.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An¡¯s answer shocked Jiang Qiong, her beautiful eyes widened, speechless.


    Because the words came from Gu An, she believed them.


    And because she believed, her perception was overthrown; she felt the world was preposterous.


    While Gu An was explaining the truth about Great Heaven and Earth to Jiang Qiong, the Celestial Spirit God had already arrived before the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, no longer smaller in stature than the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    Under the presence of the two mighty beings, the Celestial Spirit Great World seemed nothing more than a stepping stone, no longer holding the grandeur and magnificence of Great Heaven and Earth.


    The Celestial Spirit God, still holding the Celestial Dao Divine Axe and emitting a strong Heavenly light, dazzling to the extreme, looked at the Great Cauldron in the hands of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and spoke, ¡°Purple Qi Creation Cauldron, being with you has done it a disservice. Today, I hope you will let it show its true strength.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable fixated on the Celestial Spirit God, ¡°You have grown stronger.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God lifted the Celestial Dao Divine Axe, pointing at him, ¡°After I execute you and destroy your Great Thousand World, I will shed the identity of the Celestial Spirit and ascend to an even higher rank among the Immortal Gods.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, had you not ambushed me back then, the outcome would still be in question!¡±


    As the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s voice fell, the Purple Qi Creation Cauldron burst forth with a vast Qi Sea; the silvery stellar sea suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire universe.


    The aura of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable surged relentlessly¡ªhe was absorbing the power of all things in the universe, including the powers of those Great Worlds.


    The Celestial Spirit God still did not make a move.


    The soul of the Immortal Seeker floated in the distance, his gaze locked on the Celestial Spirit God.


    He could tell that the Celestial Spirit God had utter contempt for the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    ¡°Has he reached a higher Realm?¡± The Immortal Seeker frowned, feeling uneasy.


    It was not just him; even the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable could feel the disdain from the Celestial Spirit God.


    At that moment, within the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, inside a dark space, An Hao stood beside the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, both gazing ahead. A hundred yards away, a screen of light suspended, showing the figure of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Looking at the immovable Celestial Spirit God, the disheveled An Hao felt uneasy.


    He turned to the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and asked, ¡°Are you confident?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, dressed in a white robe, looked very similar to An Hao, though with a more weathered face.


    ¡°I can only do my best, and besides, I have no other choice, do I?¡± the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable replied, his answer darkening An Hao¡¯s expression.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable turned to An Hao with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. With my abilities, even if I cannot defeat him, helping you to escape to safety is hardly a difficult task.¡±


    An Hao was not pleased; he asked, ¡°Why¡­ do you treat me this way?¡±


    He had a suspicion in his heart but dared not voice it.


    ¡°You guessed right, but also not quite. You can indeed be considered my child, but not in the way you understand birth. You were conceived from my own Dao, and it was my choice to let you be born where you were. As long as you are within my Great Thousand World, I could even keep you immortal. I have always been watching over you,¡± the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable continued.

 Chapter 555 - 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!_2

    Chapter 555: Chapter 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!_2


    An Hao didn¡¯t feel shocked. In the thousands of years he had spent comprehending the Celestial Dao Golden Core, he had long sensed that his Destiny Pattern was extraordinary, which is why he could feel his own mission.


    He stared at the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and asked, ¡°The change of Era, was it your active choice, or was it the choice of the Heavenly Dao?¡±


    If there were no change of Era, the Celestial Dao Light Layer weakening, how would the Celestial Spirit God dare to make a move?


    In the process of his comprehension of the Heavenly Dao, he could feel the suppression of the so-called Immortal Gods by the Heavenly Dao.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it was my active choice,¡± replied the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, his gaze fixed on the Celestial Spirit God in the light screen.


    An Hao immediately became anxious and asked, ¡°Why? You know I need time to grow. Given time, I would surely be able to help you eradicate the Celestial Spirit God and aid in your resurrection!¡±


    ...


    He had absolute confidence in his talent.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable turned to look at him, his eyes complex, and said, ¡°Child, you truly are my most perfect creation, you make me prouder than the entire Great Thousand World, but it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t give you time, it¡¯s because there are existences in the world that are even more terrifying than the Celestial Spirit God.¡±


    ¡°What existences?¡± An Hao frowned and asked.


    Today, the number of powerful beings ravaging the Celestial Spirit Great World were countless, and many names flashed through his mind.


    At that moment, in reality, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s right hand raised, and the Purple Qi Creation Cauldron took flight, spinning, the mouth of the cauldron facing the Celestial Spirit God.


    Boom¡ª


    A majestic force that made the entire universe tremble erupted from the cauldron mouth, and a vast silver-blue Qi Sea burst forth, grand and unstoppable, illuminating the Celestial Vault of the Celestial Spirit Great World. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless creatures lying on the ground looked up to see the Celestial Vault disappear; they saw a silver-blue giant river, within which countless stars twinkled. The eyes of all beings were filled with dots of silver-blue light.


    They saw the figures of the Celestial Spirit God and the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, resembling two founding gods, making all creatures feel their own insignificance, even those in the Immortal Dao Realm felt nothing but infinite reverence in their hearts at this moment.


    The Divine Power of the Purple Qi Creation Cauldron fell onto the body of the Celestial Spirit God, blocked by a layer of white light.


    How domineering was this silver river, capable of destroying everything; the space it passed through was ripped apart into dark regions, yet even such a powerful force could not shake the figure of the Celestial Spirit God.


    ¡°Is this all you can do?¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God sounded, with a hint of disappointment.


    Inside the dark space, An Hao witnessed this scene, his brows deeply furrowed.


    ¡°As for what existence, I cannot tell you. Now, our opponent is him, the Celestial Spirit God, the real Immortal God.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable looked ahead as he spoke, his expression returning to indifference.


    As his voice fell, the Purple Qi Creation Cauldron trembled, and from within that silver river emerged numerous silver figures. They swiftly attacked the Celestial Spirit God and in the blink of an eye, the number of silver figures reached an exaggerated amount. They quickly surrounded the Celestial Spirit God, the disparity in their figures immense, like dust surrounding Mount Tai, yet somehow the dust was plentiful enough to completely surround it.


    Boom¡ª


    A terrifying Axe Qi erupted, dispersing millions of silver figures, chopping through the silver river, striking the Purple Qi Creation Cauldron, and the mightily Purple Qi Creation Cauldron was directly sent flying.


    The Purple Qi Creation Cauldron disappeared into the depths of the universe, and all was once again silent.


    With just one move, the Celestial Spirit God had defeated the Divine Skills of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, even sending his treasure flying.


    The Celestial Spirit God maintained the posture of swinging his axe, his right arm turning slightly, swinging his axe again.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable immediately raised his palm to defend, a powerful mana bursting forth containing the strength of thousands of Great Power of Heaven and Earth, wishing to contend against the Celestial Spirit God.


    Boom¡ª


    A deafening roar resounded in the ears of all beings, and they faintly heard something like the sound of shattering crystal.


    Facing the attack of the Celestial Spirit God, the great magical power of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable could not hold on, and was directly dispersed. His flesh bore densely packed wounds, gruesomely ghastly.


    ¡°Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal!¡±


    The Immortal Seeker floating in the void looked extremely ugly as he struggled to utter these four words.


    The heavily injured Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable furrowed his brows, his gaze towards the Celestial Spirit God complex.


    Inside the dark space, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable took a deep breath.


    An Hao¡¯s spirit was taut; he hadn¡¯t anticipated the disparity between the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and the Celestial Spirit God to be so great.


    ¡°You¡­¡± An Hao asked cautiously.


    He didn¡¯t know how to show his concern, because right then, there was nothing he could do.


    ¡°It seems I cannot stop him, I will send you away; once the Celestial Spirit Great World is extinguished, you and I will have no more karma. Live well, for me, and witness an even vaster heaven and earth.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable took a deep breath and spoke somberly.


    Upon hearing this, An Hao immediately became anxious. He was about to speak when the voice of the Celestial Spirit God resonated through the dark space.


    ¡°Hmph? Trying to escape? Do you really think it¡¯s like the old days?¡±


    Before the words even fell, the Celestial Spirit God in the light screen swung his axe again. This axe struck not only the immense body of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable but also shattered the light screen and the dark space. Intense light poured in, enveloping An Hao and the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    An Hao was horrified to find himself suppressed by an incredibly strong force, completely unable to move. He could only glance towards the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    However, what made him even more desperate was the look of panic that appeared on the face of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    ¡°What Realm are you exactly?¡± the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable bit out, equally unable to move.


    He knew that the Celestial Spirit God was strong, but he hadn¡¯t expected the gap to be so huge.


    Faced with the Celestial Spirit God, he had no power to resist.


    In the midst of the blinding light, the Celestial Spirit God, just like before, stepped forward, seemingly symbolizing a divine power of destruction, unstoppable.


    ¡°Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, mid-stage!¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God echoed through the space that was breaking apart, causing the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable to lose his composure.

 Chapter 556 - 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!_3

    Chapter 556: Chapter 551: Gu An versus the Celestial Spirit God!_3


    Even after creating the Celestial Spirit Great World, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had barely reached the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, and the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal seemed infinitely distant to him, almost an extravagant wish.


    However, the Celestial Spirit God had attained it, even surpassing the early stage.


    In a daze, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable thought back to when his master had taken him to the Immortal Palace and he saw the Celestial Spirit God. At that time, the Celestial Spirit God was merely his junior, who had appeared in the Immortal Palace because the Master of the Immortal Palace had taken notice of his talent.


    Rising from the Mortal World to become the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable didn¡¯t care about this. In his eyes, even if the talent of the Celestial Spirit God was extraordinary, it would never surpass his own.


    In the end, he died at the hands of the Celestial Spirit God.


    And now, the Celestial Spirit God had far surpassed him.


    ...


    Throughout the long years of death, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable could sense the presence of the Celestial Spirit God; the Celestial Spirit God had never left.


    Which means, the Celestial Spirit God had achieved the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal by meditating and attaining Enlightenment on his own.


    Thinking of this, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s pride was completely shattered; he totally lost his spirit.


    ¡°Senior¡­ Senior¡­¡±


    Faint voices reached the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s ears, but they could not awaken his fighting spirit.


    ¡°Father!¡±


    Suddenly, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable felt a jolt like thunder awakening him; he instinctively turned his head and saw An Hao looking at him, his face fierce.


    ¡°Father! Since you are my father, you cannot just surrender! Even if you die, you must die fighting!¡± An Hao gritted his teeth and roared, struggling to speak as he was unable to move.


    He could accept defeat, he could accept death, but he could not accept the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable losing confidence.


    Ever since his parents died in his childhood, he too had fantasized about them still being alive.


    Facing a Demon Beast back then, his father was just a mortal who, in order to protect him, fearlessly drew the beast away. It was his father¡¯s example that gave him the courage to fight to the death to protect An Xin from the same village.


    Later, he met Gu An, the most important mentor of his life, whose strength and fearlessness guided him.


    The fear of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable made An Hao angry; he would not allow the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable to display such loss of composure.


    What fear is there in death!


    Touched by An Hao¡¯s gaze, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable took a deep breath and looked back at the Celestial Spirit God with a determined expression.


    He struggled to raise his right hand, facing the aura of the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, his hand shaking uncontrollably, not from fear, but from being unable to bear the pressure.


    ¡°Even in death, I must protect him¡­¡± the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable bit his teeth, thinking thus in his heart.


    Suddenly!


    The Celestial Spirit God appeared abruptly in front of the two, raising the Celestial Dao Divine Axe high, ready to strike at An Hao.


    He intended to execute An Hao right in front of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable!


    The pupils of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable shrank, time seemed to freeze, and he felt so slow. Although An Hao was right beside him, his hand just couldn¡¯t reach him.


    An Hao¡¯s face was illuminated by a bright light, he remained fierce, his eyes filled with towering rage, staring fixedly at the Celestial Spirit God.


    He was ready to face death, but he did not wish to die without dignity!


    Boom!


    Darkness fell before An Hao¡¯s eyes, and then a wild wind arose, the pressure that bound him suddenly vanished, but another indescribable force enveloped him, forcing him to close his eyes.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The surprised voice of the Celestial Spirit God rang out, startling An Hao into hurriedly opening his eyes. When he saw the figure before him, his eyes widened, and his body trembled.


    Between the Celestial Spirit God and An Hao, a figure appeared, blocking the Celestial Dao Divine Axe in the hands of the Celestial Spirit God. The Divine Axe was suspended above the head of this person, unable to fall, the blade about ten centimeters from their forehead, but it was these ten centimeters that saved An Hao¡¯s life.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable also felt the binds on himself disappear and turned to look at the figure that had appeared. His brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with fear. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Master!¡± An Hao exclaimed excitedly.


    That person was none other than Gu An!


    Gu An, dressed in black, stood in front of An Hao, his robe fluttering, the Cyan Hong Sword hung at his waist, his right hand still resting on the hilt, as he calmly stared down the Celestial Spirit God.


    As their four eyes met, the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s gaze held a scrutinizing hint, while Gu An was as peaceful as still water.


    Gu An had imagined countless times standing in confrontation with the Celestial Spirit God; now that the moment had truly arrived, his heart settled into an unprecedented calm.


    At that moment, facing the Celestial Spirit God was not just Gu An.


    There was also the extremity, Yang Xian, and the Black Profound Emperor!

 Chapter 557 - 552: Celestial Eye Dao Skill, One Sword Slays God

    Chapter 557: Chapter 552: Celestial Eye Dao Skill, One Sword Slays God


    [Celestial Spirit God (Middle Stage of Hengtian Golden Immortal Realm): 0/0/0]


    Gu An looked at the Life Span Detection prompt before him, feeling puzzled.


    The fact that information could be detected indicated that this Celestial Spirit God was indeed in real flesh. A situation where all values were zero made him think of the Divine Exotic Ghost King.


    Was this so-called immortality dependent on sacrificing one¡¯s own life span to some power?


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s voice echoed in the fragmented dark space, his posture poised with the axe raised.


    ...


    Gu An stood before him, gazing calmly and said, ¡°As an Immortal God, yet you seek to annihilate all beings in the Great World, I really want to know, is this your own principle of action, or the will of the Celestial Court?¡±


    In his past life, while he was still on Earth City, he had heard of the myths of the Celestial Court, with both positive and negative aspects, the status of the Celestial Court in mythology was undeniably recognized by the Huaxia people.


    This life, whenever he heard of the Celestial Court, his feelings were complex, joyful yet anxious. He was joyful that the name of the Celestial Court could reach the Earth where he came from, was there hope for him to return?


    Anxious because, if the Celestial Court truly existed, would his writings of ¡°Journey to the West¡± and ¡°The Investiture of the Gods¡± alarm the Celestial Court?


    These emotions had been smoothed out as time passed.


    The Celestial Spirit God looked at Gu An and asked, ¡°Is it important?¡±


    ¡°Very important.¡±


    The answer made the Celestial Spirit God fall silent for a moment.


    The Celestial Spirit God solemnly said, ¡°The Heavenly Dao has its Celestial Rules, Celestial Gods have their own choices.¡±


    This response slightly changed Gu An¡¯s view of him.


    By this point, that the Celestial Spirit God could maintain the image of the Celestial Court was enough to prove his loyalty to it, and it also indicated that his attitude towards the Celestial Spirit Great World stemmed from personal feelings.


    A force more powerful than the Celestial Spirit God erupted, repelling him, and the collapsing dark space shattered as well, transporting them back into the cosmos.


    Dao-Protecting Divine Essence!


    The powerful Divine Power dispersed the Celestial Dao Divine Light surrounding the Celestial Spirit God, revealing his true form.


    He was dressed in heavy silver armor, his helmet adorned with a silver dragon, his breastplate resembled a Qilin, shoulder pads with Phoenixes spreading their wings, and a red belt emanating pieces of World Power. In his hand, the Celestial Dao Divine Axe contained vast Heavenly Power, blazing and imposing.


    An astonished expression appeared on the stern face of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Just one move, and he felt that the other¡¯s cultivation level was not weaker than his own.


    ¡°With such Dao practice, why intervene in the calamity of the Great World?¡± The Celestial Spirit God stared intently at Gu An and asked in a deep voice.


    He could feel boundless Way of Cause and Effect enveloping the cosmos, and there was no escape for him, even the connection to the Heavenly Dao was severed.


    The opponent was exceedingly adept in the Way of Cause and Effect!


    Gu An raised his right hand, the Celestial Star Sword appeared in his grasp, and the blade wrapped itself in dazzling sword light, intensely bright.


    An Hao looked at Gu An holding the sword, his emotions surging, feeling as if his blood was boiling, his face turning bright red.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable looked at Gu An with a complex look, especially noticing An Hao¡¯s expression, and felt even more mixed emotions.


    At this moment, the beings within the Celestial Spirit Great World could not see the confrontation outside; they could only see the cosmic starry sky, and the whole world silenced because of it.


    The beings were very nervous, unclear about what was to come.


    On a dilapidated island, Li Ya lay on the cliff, struggling to look up.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared on his shoulder, excitedly looking towards the universe.


    Li Ya could feel its excitement and immediately guessed the reason, his expression turned complex, but it was as though a burden had been lifted from his heart.


    ¡°Indeed, it still depends on you¡­ You are the true protector of this world, unparalleled¡­¡±


    Li Ya gazed at the cosmic starry sky, thinking thus, his eyes gradually filled with admiration.


    Just as this thought occurred, a sword light burst through the cosmic starry sky, illuminating the heavens and earth, making Li Ya instinctively close his eyes.


    In the cosmic void.


    The Celestial Spirit God froze in place, the darkness behind him cleaved in two by a streak of sword light, still gripping the Celestial Dao Divine Axe, trembling all over.


    He fixated on Gu An ahead, while Gu An maintained the sword-swinging posture.


    The body of the Celestial Spirit God developed cracks, Divine Blood seeping out, his condition greatly resembling An Hao¡¯s.


    ¡°So fast¡­¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable stared at Gu An, his expression grave. He hadn¡¯t seen clearly how Gu An had swung his sword.


    An Hao¡¯s sense of it wasn¡¯t as profound, but he could tell that his master had suppressed the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s momentum, which excited him.


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s gaze sharpened, suddenly leaping up, nearly instantly, he burst forth with an even stronger aura, a vast sea of light appearing above him in the universe, and the Celestial Spirit God plunged into it, vanishing from sight. Soon after, within the light sea, a massive eye appeared.


    As this colossal eye opened, eyes of all sizes appeared from every direction in the universe, densely surrounding Gu An and the two others, all these eyes fixated on them.


    Far away, the Immortal Seeker witnessed this scene, his expression changing once again.


    ¡°Celestial Eye Dao Skill, he actually mastered such a Great Divine Power¡­¡±


    The Immortal Seeker was no longer startled for the first time by the Celestial Spirit God. He hadn¡¯t expected that he was still underestimating the Celestial Spirit God.


    His gaze unintentionally switched to Gu An. For some reason, he could not see Gu An¡¯s true face, indicating that the other party was using some powerful method to isolate his senses.


    However, looking at Gu An¡¯s figure, it felt familiar, as if he had met him before.


    But no matter how much he thought, he just couldn¡¯t remember.


    He didn¡¯t think he had a poor memory; rather, the other had employed the power of cause and effect.


    The Celestial Spirit God had astonished him, and this suddenly appearing mysterious existence also filled him with curiosity and awe.


    ¡°All these years, in the Great Thousand World, you are the first one to force me to exert my full strength. Those who defy the Heavenly Dao should be reduced to ashes and smoke!¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God echoed, authoritative and domineering.


    In an instant, countless celestial eyes burst open in the starry sky, their pupils emanating multicolored lights. Almost instantly, Gu An¡¯s mana enveloped Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, An Hao, and the Celestial Spirit Great World below.


    The universe began to twist violently, distant meteors ignited into towering flames, while others were frozen solid.


    ¡°The Celestial Eye Dao Skill can invoke the power of the Heavenly Dao, allowing the Three Thousand Great Dao to aid him. This skill could destroy the Great Thousand World¡­¡± The face of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was solemn as he spoke.


    An Hao saw streams of nebulous starry seas appear in the distance, ravaging the cosmic void, everything before him seemed chaotic and even made him feel dizzy.


    An invisible force was invading him, an eerie sensation he had never experienced before.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable looked at Gu An and said, ¡°Once the Celestial Eye Dao Skill is employed, you are essentially making enemies with the Three Thousand Great Dao. You cannot¡­¡±


    He hadn¡¯t finished speaking when Gu An suddenly swung his sword, and a silver-blue sword shadow appeared out of nowhere, sweeping across the dazzling, illusionary universe.


    In front of this sword shadow, meteors, heaven and earth, star clouds, and sun and moon all seemed insignificant.


    With one slash, thousands of celestial eyes were completely extinguished. Above, the sea of celestial light was also slashed away, revealing the figure of the Celestial Spirit God, his silver armor shattered, exposing his bloody and mangled body, his helmet thrown aside, his black hair splayed out.


    The¡­


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s eyes widened, incredulously looking at Gu An.


    Gu An suddenly appeared before him, his left hand quickly grasping the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s long hair, then raising his sword to slash!


    The sword light shone across the universe, illuminating thousands of Great Worlds and countless Little Worlds.


    Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, An Hao, Immortal Seeker, and the observing Great Power Cultivators from afar all blinked their eyes, and when they opened them again, the omnipresent Celestial Dao pressure enveloping the universe began to dissipate.


    They all looked in the same direction and saw a blurred figure floating in the void, one hand wielding a sword, the other holding the decapitated head of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Behind that figure still lingered the magnificent blue sword shadow, scattered deep into the universe.


    The divine blood of the Celestial Spirit God spilled down, scorching the space, causing meteors to be penetrated by the droplets, much of the divine blood falling into the Celestial Spirit Great World, vanishing from the mortal world.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable watched, dumbfounded.


    An Hao, too, was shocked; he knew his master was strong, but the Celestial Spirit God had already demonstrated an invincible demeanor, and such a powerful being had no chance against his master¡­


    Even more hopeless than the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable facing the Celestial Spirit God!


    At that moment, the decapitated head of the Celestial Spirit God that Gu An held in his hand still had its eyes open, gazing up at Gu An, filled with fear.


    ¡°You¡­ it¡¯s impossible¡­ who are you, really?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God asked in a trembling voice, unable to accept that his Celestial Eye Dao Skill had been annihilated by a single sword strike. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even an image came to his mind.


    That person, whose Sword Dao talent had left a deep impression, if allowed to grow, could he reach the level of the man before him?


    Gu An looked down at him expressionlessly, his right hand performing the Universe in Hand Divine Power, drawing the head into his palm, disappearing from sight.


    After doing all this, Gu An turned around, looking at the universe.


    His Eternal Infinite Divine Sword had broken the Celestial Eye Dao Skill, yet the universe was still collapsing, this scene seemed to be moving towards the future he had predicted before.


    Although he was powerful, he could not manipulate the Dao rules of the Great Thousand World.


    Because this Great Thousand World did not belong to him.


    Gu An could feel that the reason for the universe¡¯s collapse was not just the Celestial Eye Dao Skill, but other factors as well.


    His gaze looked far towards the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was also looking back at him, his face calm like a deep lake.


    An Hao also snapped out of his excitement, realizing the universe was collapsing, the atmosphere everywhere dense with danger and tension.


    ¡°Could it be¡­¡±


    An Hao seemed to think of something, his expression turning unsightly.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable turned his head towards him and calmly said, ¡°Previously, I extracted all the heaven and earth¡¯s power, already causing this Great Thousand World to lose its stable Dao order, coupled with the disruption of the Celestial Eye Dao Skill, this Great Thousand World is on the verge of annihilation, ceasing to exist.¡±


    Upon hearing this, An Hao, surprisingly unalarmed, looked at the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and asked, ¡°What should we do then? Don¡¯t you have the slightest pity for all living beings?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable turned his head, looking far off at the figure of Gu An, and said, ¡°Previously, indeed I had none, however, when I saw him just now protecting the creatures of various heavens and earths from the oppression of the Celestial Eye Dao Skill, I suddenly felt that I really should do something.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also a good opportunity for me to repay him for his care and instruction towards you.¡±


    As his words fell, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable burst into a bright light, his Celestial Dao Golden Core and Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit flew out from his chest, hovering over his shoulders.


    ¡°I will let this Great Thousand World be reborn in a new way, wash away the past cause and effect, allowing Celestial Court to not pursue the death of the Celestial Spirit God, so he can stay here at ease.¡±

 Chapter 558 - 553: Reshaping the Great Thousand World

    Chapter 558: Chapter 553: Reshaping the Great Thousand World


    Hearing the words of Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, An Hao¡¯s expression darkened. He realized what the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable intended to do, and he could neither agree with it nor stop it.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable wanted to sacrifice himself to save all living beings. As a son, An Hao could not agree, yet he could not disregard the life and death of all beings to stop him either.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable took a deep look at Gu An. The Celestial Dao Golden Core on his shoulder burst forth with golden light, and the Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit rose up, quickly blossoming into expanding spiritual energy that symbolized vigorous life force.


    An Hao was baptized by the Celestial Dao Spiritual Qi, and his wounds recovered rapidly.


    He clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as he watched the gradually dissipating figure of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    Gu An watched this scene from afar, feeling somewhat conflicted.


    ...


    He guessed that the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had noticed him, which made him uneasy. However, due to the relationship between the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and An Hao, he could not make a move against the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    Now that the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had chosen to sacrifice himself to protect the beings of Great Heaven and Earth, it was also a good thing for Gu An.


    ¡°I was born in the Celestial Spirit Great World and owe you a debt of gratitude. If there is a chance in the future, I will assist you in being reborn.¡±


    That¡¯s what Gu An thought to himself. He didn¡¯t dwell on it any longer but chose to carefully sense the creation of Heaven and Earth.


    He too could create a Great Thousand World, but even if he did, he could not take a life span from his own Great Thousand World, so he did not do so.


    Taking a life span from within his own Great Thousand World would be like devouring his own Mana, which would not increase his Mana.


    However, even without doing so, he could comprehend the creation of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, thereby enhancing his understanding of the Dao.


    This was a rare opportunity, an opportunity brought by the self-sacrifice of an Innate Golden Immortal!


    As the spiritual energy of nature spread, the twisted space of the universe gradually calmed down. The beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World, being the first to be swept by the nature¡¯s spiritual energy, recovered their Qi Power. The Celestial Vault also quickly took shape, replacing the view of the cosmic starry sky.


    Everything was returning to normal!


    At that moment, the Immortal Seeker unexpectedly flew towards Gu An.


    If it weren¡¯t for their past acquaintance, Gu An wouldn¡¯t have let him approach.


    With the mystery of the Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body, even when the Immortal Seeker arrived in front of Gu An, he still couldn¡¯t see his true form.


    Looking at the blurred image of Gu An, the Immortal Seeker took a deep breath and said, ¡°Fellow Daoist, by slaying the Celestial Spirit God, you will bring immense troubles upon yourself. Each Immortal God holds a position in the Celestial Dao. Once they fall, the Celestial Court must be aware. Even if you use cause-and-effect to isolate this Great Thousand World, as long as the Celestial Court wants to investigate, finding you is only a matter of time. Among the Celestial Court, there are countless beings more powerful than the Celestial Spirit God. To the Immortal Gods of the Celestial Court, nothing is more important than its majesty.¡±


    Gu An looked down at the Immortal Seeker and asked, ¡°So, what are you trying to say?¡±


    The Immortal Seeker replied, ¡°If Fellow Daoist can secure a Celestial Dao Immortal Position before the Celestial Court becomes aware, with your Dao Practice, even if you¡¯re punished, the loss won¡¯t be significant.¡±


    ¡°Celestial Dao Immortal Positions are easy to come by?¡±


    ¡°I must be honest, I have an opportunity for a Celestial Dao Immortal Position in my possession.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. You may leave now. Your presence is a threat to me and to this Great Thousand World.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s response elicited a wry smile from the Immortal Seeker, who immediately bowed and took his leave. Before going far, his soul dispersed.


    The Immortal Seeker¡¯s method of fleeing this realm was self-demise.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t much affected; he turned his gaze toward An Hao.


    Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was remaking the Dao Rules of the Great World, harboring a personal interest in bestowing his Dao inheritance upon An Hao. Even though it couldn¡¯t make An Hao¡¯s Cultivation Level soar directly, it could help An Hao cultivate better.


    Gu An didn¡¯t interfere, nor did he fear any tricks from the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, because he could sense that the causality of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was dissipating, not an act.


    However¡­


    Gu An frowned lightly, his gaze shifting to the depths of the universe.


    As the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was reconstructing the rules of the Great Thousand World, Celestial Dao Destiny appeared out of thin air along with the Dao.


    This made Gu An very curious about the connection between the Heavenly Dao and the Great Dao.


    He had always thought that the Heavenly Dao was weaker than the Great Dao, or that the Heavenly Dao was born based on the Great Dao. Now it seemed that this Heavenly Dao was as dominant as the Great Dao.


    The figure of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable completely faded away, and An Hao had fully recovered from his injuries.


    An Hao looked around, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. He, too, felt the Destiny of the Heavenly Dao.


    ¡°Could it be that all of this was not the doing of the Celestial Spirit God, and he only chose to act at this juncture?¡± An Hao muttered to himself.


    His gaze then fell upon Gu An.


    Gu An felt his gaze and turned to look.


    Their eyes met, and Gu An understood what was in An Hao¡¯s eyes.


    An Hao couldn¡¯t make out Gu An¡¯s expression, but being watched by Gu An made him feel at peace, and a smile appeared on his face.


    Wasn¡¯t this the moment he had been looking forward to?


    ¡°You¡¯d better think it through. The beings you save will eventually die, and the Great Thousand World will return to normal in time,¡± Gu An¡¯s voice reached An Hao¡¯s ears.


    An Hao smiled and retorted, ¡°Master, how many of the beings you saved are still alive? They will eventually die, and you still took action, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Gu An asked, ¡°Are you willing to let go of An Xin? And your wife, your children, can you truly cut all ties?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you make arrangements for them? The only person I¡¯m sorry to is you. I¡¯ve lived for nearly ten thousand years and never repaid you, only caused you worries¡­¡±


    An Hao spoke to Gu An with a look of guilt. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An really wanted to say that it was actually quite a simple task and no trouble at all, but looking at An Hao¡¯s expression, he knew that nothing he said would change An Hao¡¯s choice.


    Now, Gu An was strong, but not strong enough¡ªat least not enough to free the Great Thousand World from the Heavenly Dao, at least not enough to develop the world he lived in according to his wishes.


    However, Gu An was quite relieved to see An Hao take on such responsibility.


    He couldn¡¯t change such an outcome, but he could leave An Hao a way out.


    Gu An turned and disappeared into the void.


    More and more Divine Senses swept across, able to lock onto An Hao, yet not daring to come close.


    The previous battle made them shudder; even though they hadn¡¯t seen clearly what had happened, the shadow of the Eternal Infinite Divine Sword and the grand and spectacular Celestial Eye Dao Skill still gave them chills.


    Even Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal and Profound Yuan Free Immortal would feel like they could be annihilated at any moment when facing the recent battle.


    An Hao looked toward the Celestial Spirit Great World, his gaze filled with affection, and slowly raised his arms, murmuring, ¡°Yang Immortal Emperor, I will carry out the task you left unfinished.¡±


    ¡­


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, An Xin, Celestial Demon Child, Chen Chuan, and others had not been stripped of their mana and Qi Power by the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable; they were always discussing the battle situation.


    Gu An appeared out of nowhere beside An Xin. As he appeared, the crowd immediately gathered around.


    ¡°Master, did you make a move?¡±


    ¡°Was that Sword Intent just now the Eternal Infinite Divine Sword?¡±


    ¡°Master, what¡¯s the situation in Outer Heaven now?¡±


    ¡°An Hao and Zhu Xi, who won and who lost?¡±


    ¡°Who was the person who spoke earlier, they sounded so arrogant, I wonder how high their Cultivation Level is.¡±


    Everyone kept asking, curious and excited, with the protection of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, they hadn¡¯t truly felt the oppression from the outside world.


    Gu An looked toward the Celestial Vault, ¡°From now on, you will never see those two again.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned, their excitement immediately extinguished, and they subconsciously looked at An Xin.


    They weren¡¯t familiar with Zhu Xi, they only knew that An Xin and An Hao were as close as siblings.


    An Xin too was stunned; she didn¡¯t have a breakdown of emotions, but looked at Gu An and asked, ¡°Master, have you seen him already?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then let it be.¡±


    An Xin was very calm, and Gu An did not say more. He turned to the others, ¡°A new Era is coming, the universe will become infinitely vast, from now on, you will no longer live in the Great Heaven and Earth, but in the Great Thousand World.¡±


    The Great Thousand World!


    Everyone was astounded; they believed Gu An¡¯s words, and so they began to fantasize about the vastness of the Great Thousand World.


    An Shengtian was also somewhat dazed; although he had cut off the cause and effect with An Hao, he had always hoped to meet An Hao.


    Would he really never be able to meet him from now on?


    ¡°Look!¡±


    Celestial Cyan suddenly pointed at the sky, exclaiming loudly. Everyone turned their heads to look and saw a sun appearing in the sky that was growing rapidly larger.


    Celestial Demon Child was about to ask Gu An when suddenly, an unimaginable shockwave descended from the sky, leaving everyone in a bewildered state.


    The scene seemed to freeze, everyone was fixed in place, only Gu An could still move.


    Gu An looked up and could see An Hao¡¯s figure, which was fading away.


    An Hao had chosen the same path as his father, the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had chosen to sacrifice himself to reshape the Dao Rules of the Great Thousand World, and An Hao had chosen to sacrifice himself to reassemble the shattered Great Thousand World.


    An Hao was able to do this because he had received the Dao of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, he had become the controller of the Great Thousand World, in order for all living beings to quickly survive the calamities set by the Heavenly Dao, he chose to sacrifice himself.


    In this catastrophe, Zhu Xi was sent out of the universe by Immortal Seeker, the Celestial Spirit God was captured, and both the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable and An Hao fell one after another.


    At first glance, it seemed there were no victors.


    Gu An sighed at the capriciousness of fate, but he was also looking forward to the brand-new Great Thousand World.


    Anyway, this calamity was just a node in his life; he needed to keep striving to become stronger, intuition telling him that one day he would no longer be able to conceal himself, and he would need to directly face the might of the Celestial Court.


    When that day comes, whether he would compromise and Ascend to Immortality or make other plans would depend on how high his Cultivation Level was.


    Gu An retracted his gaze and walked toward his own pavilion.


    As for the immobilized crowd, they wouldn¡¯t have any issues, Gu An deliberately allowed An Hao¡¯s power to enter the Dojo, letting them rapidly get through the upcoming drastic changes of heaven and earth like all living beings. When they awoke, they would only think they had a dream.


    Gu An suddenly looked in one direction, a trace of surprise in his voice.


    Everything in the universe was still under An Hao¡¯s power, yet Shen Zhen was unaffected, still fervently drawing in her house.


    Gu An felt a special aura from Shen Zhen, one that he couldn¡¯t deduce.


    This made him even more curious, what kind of Great Dao had Shen Zhen stepped into?


    As Gu An was pondering, a powerful light that drained all colors from everything descended from the sky, enveloping his figure and all of existence.

 Chapter 559 - 554 Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, Taiqing Golden Immortal

    Chapter 559: Chapter 554 Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, Taiqing Golden Immortal


    Sunlight was brilliant, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and leaving patches of light across the grass in the forest.


    An Xin sat on a rock beside a stream, delivering a sermon to a group of boys and girls. Her voice was mesmerizing, so much so that even the birds perched on the trees cocked their heads to listen attentively.


    She had been speaking for half a day now, her patience greater than before, as a gentle smile constantly graced her face.


    Seeing the Qiankun Sect disciples enraptured by her Daoist teachings, An Xin turned her head to look around but couldn¡¯t find Gu An; however, she believed her master was still there.


    Indeed, he was.


    Ten yards away, on an old tree, Gu An was lying on a branch, hesitating as he stared at his attribute list.


    ...


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 9,555 / 89,904,572,611]


    [Physique: Primordial Infinite Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    A hundred years had passed since the Great Thousand World¡¯s restructuring, a cataclysmic process, but under An Hao and the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s protection, all beings were unaffected, feeling only as if they had sunk into a profound dream.


    Upon awakening from the dream, every Major Sect realized that the world had become boundlessly vast, so much so that even beings above the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm who flew towards Outer Heaven were utterly astounded by the current world.


    The endless expanse of the world, a thicker Celestial Dao Light Layer, and the universe had become even more dim!


    An Hao had gathered all the worlds within the cosmos to create the entirely new Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World was more than ten thousand times larger than the Celestial Spirit Great World. In the previous ten millennia, not only the Celestial Spirit Great World had faced calamities of the Heavenly Dao, but other Great Worlds experienced the same; without the protection of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, many had long been eradicated of all life.


    Thus, after the restructuring of the Celestial Spirit Great World, the heavens and the earth became vast yet desolate.


    With the world so infinitely vast and the number of living beings not even close to the new world¡¯s capacity, the calamities of the Heavenly Dao receded. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With no impetuousness left in nature¡¯s spiritual energy, Yang Immortal Emperor¡¯s proposal had been implemented by An Hao, and everything was evolving for the better.


    Worth mentioning is that after An Hao¡¯s sacrifice, his wife and children received considerable cosmic destiny, and within just a hundred years, Gu An witnessed the birth of a genius in the An Family with a Potential Lifespan of eight thousand years.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t sure if it was the world¡¯s favor or An Hao¡¯s will that looked after his descendants, but according to his calculations, the An Family would rise in the next ten thousand years, eventually becoming one of the strong families in the world.


    Right now, Gu An¡¯s hesitation was not about the affairs of others, but his own concerns.


    He planned to first comprehensively enhance his own Daoist Techniques. Then, after accumulating another two hundred billion years of life span, he could strike for an even higher realm.


    A life span nearing nine hundred billion years seemed massive, but in truth, if he intended to enhance every aspect, it would probably be spent soon.


    No matter, he must improve!


    Even though the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had already reshaped the order of the Great Dao in the Great Thousand World, and the Celestial Spirit God had not fallen, temporarily avoiding the Celestial Court¡¯s notice, he had to maintain the pace of getting stronger.


    After this increase in strength, he would start dealing with the Celestial Spirit God.


    Gu An began to utilize his Lifespan Breakthrough.


    [You have activated the Lifespan Breakthrough Function. Based on your current realm, the following breakthrough locations have been selected for you:]


    [1. Ascending to Yellow Heaven]


    [2. Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens]


    [3. Abyss Dao Sea]


    [4. Path of the Great Dao]


    [5. Eastern Sea Celestial Palace]


    [6. Primordial Emperor Domain]


    [7. Profound Abyss Divine Pool]


    [8. Golden Immortal Ancestor Tree]


    [9. Ling Mountain]


    Looking at the choices that had popped up before him, many of which he was seeing for the first time, Gu An couldn¡¯t help but be moved by the infinite vastness of the Great Dao.


    The Path of the Great Dao connected the Three Thousand Great Worlds, and beyond the Great World were many more mysterious places.


    Gu An¡¯s previous breakthrough had taken him to the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, which left a deep impression on him.


    After some contemplation, he felt that returning to the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens was the best option.


    He was uncertain of the other locations, and although the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens had powerful beings, they were few in number.


    With his decision made, Gu An chose the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens for teleportation.


    [Teleporting to Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens will require the consumption of 10,000,000,000 years of Life Span, do you wish to proceed?]


    Continue!


    Gu An closed his eyes after making his choice, and that long-absent sensation of dizziness appeared.


    After a while,


    Gu An opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was an endless sea of clouds, majestic and vast. The sky was still so high, with no land in sight, and no matter which direction he looked, he saw nothing but the sea of clouds and the sky.


    He immediately activated his Life Span Barrier and sat down to meditate on the spot.


    Without saying a word, he began to evolve and improve.


    Starting with his physique!


    Each time, Gu An invested a billion years of life span, operating slowly.


    It took nearly four billion years to advance from the Primordial Dao Golden Body to the Primordial Infinite Body; this time would surely take even more.


    Billion after billion years, Gu An was collected and composed, not feeling the slightest bit of heartache.


    In the end, it took approximately fifty billion years for the Primordial Infinite Body to advance to the Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body.


    As the final prompt fell, an enormous surge of Dao Spiritual Qi flooded towards Gu An.


    The boundless sea of clouds began to churn in a very short time, luckily, not as dramatically as the previous breakthrough.


    Gu An closed his eyes and began to immerse himself.


    An hour later, his physique¡¯s transformation was successful.


    With the Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body, not only did his physique grow stronger, but the Power of the Great Dao could no longer control his flesh, and it was not worn down by Reincarnation. Even if his life span reached its limit, his body could exist forever. Now, he could enter Reincarnation in his physical form as smoothly as a fish takes to water.


    Gu An opened his eyes and his gaze fell on the Cultivation Technique column in his attribute list.


    Upgrade the main technique first, Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible!


    He began to invest life span for evolution.


    Investing thirty-six billion years of life span at once, the Great Dao Great Freedom As You Wish Bible was elevated to the Daoist Dominator Skill, reaching an in-depth level of understanding.


    Dao Spiritual Qi surged toward him once again, and an endless stream of Daoist Technique memories burst forth in his mind.


    The Daoist Dominator Skill, as the name implies, could dominate the Great Dao. Once mastered, Gu An could comprehend any kind of Great Dao, and in facing any kind of Great Dao, he could discern its weaknesses in an extremely short time. Most importantly, this technique could merge the Three Thousand Great Dao into one force, aptly named the Dominator¡¯s Power.


    Another half an hour passed, and Gu An successfully mastered the Daoist Dominator Skill. He didn¡¯t have time to experience it in depth and continued to enhance other Daoist Techniques.


    Regardless of the tier the Daoist Technique reached, life span evolution could always allow Gu An to master it within half an hour, which was also a significant advantage.


    The Great Thousand Following Heart to Void Skill was upgraded to the Sun and Moon Selfless Divine Dao, consuming nearly fifty billion years of life span.


    This technique helped Gu An to conceal his cultivation level and aura. Even those with a realm higher than his could not see through it¡ªthough, of course, if the disparity in cultivation was too vast, it might not remain hidden, which was why he continued to elevate this technique.


    The Sun and Moon Selfless Divine Dao was even more domineering, allowing Gu An to disappear into the order of the Great Dao. Even if he was still present, no one would detect him; he could even turn his aura into the sun, moon, and stars, perfectly concealing himself.


    Again, the inheritance took half an hour.


    After the inheritance ended, Gu An¡¯s eyes turned to the Secret Skills, preparing to upgrade his combat methods.


    Just then, a vast aura descended, one that far surpassed that of the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, causing a slight change in Gu An¡¯s expression. He looked up.


    He saw a gigantic cyan bird appear in the sky, its wings spread wide, eclipsing the sun. Its feathers shimmered with the colors of the rainbow, like a godly bird from creation, radiating an endless ancient and holy aura.


    This cyan bird was by far the most colossal creature Gu An had ever seen; even set against the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, the Celestial Vault seemed almost incapable of containing it.


    Gu An hurled a Life Span Detection at the cyan bird.


    [Nine Heavens Cyan Bird (Early Stage of Taiching Golden Immortal Realm): 218,726,929,702/50,000,000,000,000//50,000,000,000,000]


    More than two hundred billion years old!


    A life span of fifty trillion years!


    Truly terrifying.


    Killing it would direct unlock the ability for a trillion years of life span!


    But the words ¡°Taiching Golden Immortal¡± only allowed Gu An to contemplate the idea.


    Of course, even if Gu An had the ability to slay it, he would not take action; that was not his style.


    Moreover, he suspected that behind the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, there stood even more powerful immortals, like the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor.


    As Gu An marveled at the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird¡¯s life span, the bird suddenly descended, landing ten thousand miles away.


    Ten thousand miles is a long distance for mortals, but to the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, a single movement of its claws could reach Gu An¡¯s dojo. This made Gu An tense, ready to teleport away at any moment.


    The Nine Heavens Cyan Bird folded its wings and perched on the sea of clouds, its head reaching unscalable heights.


    Gu An then saw a figure emerge, the white-robed woman known as the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor, appearing atop the head of the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird.


    As before, Gu An was still unable to perform Life Span Detection on the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor, indicating that her true body was not present.


    Two powerful entities appeared beside her, causing Gu An to dare not continue his evolution. He decided to wait for the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor and the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird to leave before resuming.


    If they refused to leave, he would have no choice but to teleport back to the Celestial Spirit Great World.

 Chapter 560 - 555: Entering Reincarnation

    Chapter 560: Chapter 555: Entering Reincarnation


    Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor stood atop the head of the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, his gaze sweeping across the sea of clouds, which tightened Gu An¡¯s heart and made him constantly ready to teleport back.


    Each teleportation needed one-hundred-billion-year life span, making it two-hundred-billion-year life span for a round trip; naturally, Gu An was reluctant to return lightly.


    The Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor had not discovered the Life Span Barrier; the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird was also unaware.


    After a while, a slightly childish female voice rang out:


    ¡°Your Majesty, are you truly not going to the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals?¡±


    Gu An could feel that this voice originated from the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, even though the Cyan Bird had not spoken.


    ...


    The Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor, looking into the distance with a cold expression, replied, ¡°Boring. I¡¯ve attended several times; there¡¯s not much difference¡ªall superficial interactions, and I don¡¯t need the opportunities from the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, although the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens is uniquely endowed, discussing Dao with other Immortal Cultivation Great Powers could further aid your cultivation.¡±


    ¡°If you wish to go, you can go on my behalf.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t go, there¡¯s no point in me going. Forget it, let¡¯s not go. By the way, Your Majesty, what do you think caused this anomaly?¡±


    The Nine Heavens Cyan Bird changed the topic and looked around the boundless sea of clouds as it spoke.


    The Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor, expressionless, said, ¡°The Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, located above the Great Thousand World, is a juncture of the Great Dao. The anomaly here might have originated from the Lower Realm; even I cannot directly determine.¡±


    Hearing this, the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird fell into thought, its bird eyes flickering with strange light.


    Above the Great Thousand World?


    Gu An captured this information, growing more curious about the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens.


    Could it be that the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor has no connection to the Celestial Court?


    Gu An did not feel the Celestial Dao Destiny from the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, and as for the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor, since she was not the true body, he could not sense anything¡ªif he closed his eyes, he wouldn¡¯t even be aware of her presence.


    After a while, the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor leaped into the air and flew towards the distance. The Nine Heavens Cyan Bird followed closely behind, and they soon vanished at the end of the sea of clouds.


    Gu An relaxed and waited patiently.


    One hour later, no longer sensing the aura of Nine Heavens Cyan Bird, he reopened the Attribute Panel and continued to enhance.


    Next up was the Eternal Infinite Divine Sword!


    Although he had already mastered the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, which merged with the River of Sword Dao, deemed an independent existence, he felt he couldn¡¯t solely rely on the Sacred Heart Sword Dao; he needed stronger sword techniques as his trump card.


    The Eternal Infinite Divine Sword evolved into the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords, achieving the Mastery Realm, consuming eighty-billion-year life span!


    During the half-hour inheritance, neither the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor nor the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird returned; thus, Gu An continued to invest his life span in evolution.


    Profound Yellow Eternal Dao Step advanced into Daoless Celestial Net Step, consuming forty-two-billion-year life span and reaching the Realm of Integration.


    Celestial Dark Purple Micro Saint Dao Body evolved into Hongmeng Void Golden Body, also at the Realm of Integration, consuming seventy-six-billion-year life span.


    After upgrading the most core Daoist Techniques, Gu An turned his attention to the Great Soul Capturing Immortal Technique.


    This technique could perform Soul Search, but as the enemy¡¯s realm was higher, the difficulty of Soul Search increased; it needed enhancement.


    This was still the transformation of Soul Capturing Technique that Jiang Qiong had taught him years ago.


    Gu An spent one-hundred-thirty-billion-year life span in one breath, allowing the Great Soul Capturing Immortal Technique to advance several levels, finally evolving into Calamity Absolute Eye.


    Calamity Absolute Eye could not only perform Soul Search but also bring bad luck to the enemy, with the nature of the calamity shaped by the caster¡¯s imagination.


    A very domineering Divine Skill!


    That¡¯s it. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An dared not continue evolving because, accounting for the Life Span Barrier¡¯s consumption, he only had two-hundred-thirty-billion-year life span left and still needed one-hundred-billion-year life span to teleport back.


    After a series of evolutions and enhancements, Gu An felt a complete transformation even though his Cultivation Level had not increased; his strength had greatly changed.


    Now, handling Celestial Spirit God should be effortless.


    Thinking this, Gu An stood up; he gazed at the constantly churning sea of clouds, as if for one last look, since he definitely needed to change locations upon the next breakthrough.


    The recent appearance of the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor and Nine Heavens Cyan Bird was definitely not a coincidence; they must have intended to investigate his whereabouts. Even if their words didn¡¯t directly reflect it, he had to stay alert.


    Gu An chose to teleport back, and as he thought, he vanished on the spot.


    ¡­


    Gu An returned to the forests near the Qiankun Sect and could no longer see An Xin and the others.


    Unable to find him, An Xin returned to the dojo to cultivate.


    Gu An did not hurry back. He jumped down from a tree, crossed a creek, and sat down on a large stone by the creek.


    Lifting his right hand, palm facing upwards, a skull appeared in his palm, the size of a pebble, indeed that of the Celestial Spirit God.


    The disheveled Celestial Spirit God opened his eyes and looked up at Gu An, his expression becoming calm.


    After a century of suppression, he had adjusted his mindset and was prepared to face any outcome.


    Gu An¡¯s pupils suddenly turned deep red, and the pupils of the Celestial Spirit God facing him involuntarily widened, then his expression turned dull.


    Calamity Absolute Eye!


    He began to scour the memories of the Celestial Spirit God.


    The morning sun shone down, casting a long shadow of Gu An.


    After a long while,


    Gu An¡¯s eyes returned to their normal color, and his brows furrowed.


    The memories of the Celestial Spirit God were too simple. Spending years meditating under the World Gate, much of his memory was blank, presumably related to the Celestial Court.


    However, Gu An still obtained some useful information, such as why the Celestial Spirit God plotted against the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    Many years ago, the Celestial Spirit God could have obliterated the Celestial Spirit Great World, but he wanted to obtain the World Punishment Dao Pearl held by the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable.


    The World Punishment Dao Pearl, born from the Great Dao, was a supreme treasure that could be used in battle and for comprehending the Dao, with infinite marvelous uses.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable dared not readily use the Pearl, fearing its master would come searching.


    The owner of the World Punishment Dao Pearl was the Emperor Ziwei. Through the memory of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, Gu An saw the Emperor Ziwei.


    This Emperor Ziwei looked exactly like the unparalleled Emperor Ziwei that the Black Profound Emperor had encountered in his lifetime.


    Gu An guessed that the Emperor Ziwei was the Reincarnation Body of the Emperor Ziwei.


    Great Powers project across the heavens, manifesting reincarnation, which is common.


    How formidable was the Emperor Ziwei, able to fight against hundreds at the same Realm, and even force enemies to retreat. No wonder, being the reincarnation of the Emperor Ziwei.


    As Gu An reflected inwardly, the Celestial Spirit God regained his senses. Startled, he looked at Gu An and asked, ¡°What¡­ have you done to me?¡±


    Gu An looked down at him and inquired, ¡°Do you want to die, or do you want to live?¡±


    When Gu An questioned whether the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s apocalyptic acts were related to the Celestial Court, and the Celestial Spirit God admitted it was his own selfishness, Gu An actually felt a trace of respect for him.


    The Celestial Spirit God was bold and accountable. It seemed a pity to kill such a person directly.


    The destruction by the Celestial Spirit God was nefarious to living beings, but from a cosmic perspective, he protected the cosmic order.


    Of course, whether the Celestial Spirit God wanted to live depended on his attitude.


    Faced with Gu An¡¯s question, the Celestial Spirit God furrowed his brows. After a moment of silence, he said, ¡°I cannot possibly serve you. My fate today is merely reaping what I sowed. Had I not coveted the treasure and followed the Heavenly Dao earlier, it would not have come to this. Just kill me.¡±


    Having said so, the Celestial Spirit God closed his eyes.


    Suddenly, Gu An asked, ¡°Have you ever been a mortal?¡±


    Hearing this, the Celestial Spirit God opened his eyes, looking at Gu An in surprise.


    In the memory of the Celestial Spirit God, he was born a favored child of heaven and was taken as a disciple by the Emperor Ziwei early on; he stood above the masses from birth.


    Gu An looked down at him and said coldly, ¡°To kill you now would be too easy for you. Go to the Human World and experience the struggles of humanity. In the eyes of Immortal Gods, Mortal Spirits are no different from dust, but how would you know the effort Mortal Spirits make just to survive?¡±


    As his words fell, Gu An flipped his hand and threw the Celestial Spirit God into the creek.


    As the Celestial Spirit God fell, he looked at Gu An. In his view, Gu An was so magnificent. Indeed, he did not understand human suffering, but at that moment, he understood how mortals looked up to Immortal Gods.


    His vision quickly plunged into darkness.


    After Gu An flipped his hand to let him go, he used his own Divine Sense to cast him into the cycle of Reincarnation.


    After contemplating the Daoist Dominator Skill and the Sun and Moon Selfless Divine Dao, Gu An could simply manipulate the Path of Reincarnation and make the Celestial Spirit God reincarnate. It was not difficult for him.


    He made the Celestial Spirit God be born in the Celestial Spirit Great World to prevent him from escaping.


    The Celestial Spirit God was already bound by the Guiyuan Divine Dao and his Divine Soul sealed. Without Gu An¡¯s action, he would remain forever in the cycle of Reincarnation, unable to escape.

 Chapter 561 - 556: Gu Ans Story

    Chapter 561: Chapter 556: Gu An¡¯s Story


    Gu An entered the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, and from a distance, he saw two people engaged in Combat high up on the mountains. It was Lv Xian and Chen Chuan.


    These two were the most combative, even more so than the Blood Prison Great Saint, but they were merely sparring, not fighting out of anger, so Gu An never stopped them.


    Watching Chen Chuan¡¯s elegance in the sky, Gu An was very gratified.


    In his memories, he had never seen Xiaochuan so spirited and confident.


    He also pondered when to let Chen Chuan recover his memories from his past life, but he felt that such matters shouldn¡¯t be rushed, letting nature take its course was best.


    A figure suddenly appeared beside Gu An, it was An Xin, who looked at Gu An with a grievance and said, ¡°Master, why didn¡¯t you say a word to me when you left yesterday?¡±


    ...


    ¡°Hmm? You¡¯re the master, or am I the master?¡±


    ¡°Aww, I just wanted to go out with you for a bit.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re bored, you could go to the Qiankun Sect. Many new things will happen there, and I will also go to see the excitement.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really.¡±


    Gu An was not lying. With the reshaping of the Celestial Spirit Great World, various Great Heaven and Earth started to interconnect. Sects began to wander the world, and in the coming years, the entire Celestial Spirit Great World would embrace a thriving vitality.


    A new Era was beginning, Sects vied for supremacy. Different Great Heaven and Earth harbored different Immortal Cultivation philosophies, and these philosophies would clash, creating more sparks.


    The next era would be unprecedented!


    Those Great Powers who survived from the Old Era would rise to the pinnacle of authority, and the new Great World would be far stronger than before. The new Rules of Heaven and Earth would conceive more geniuses, even elevating the potential of these talents.


    Gu An felt the Destiny of Heaven and Earth, already foreseeing the birth of many geniuses with the ultimate Life Span of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years.


    He was very much looking forward to it. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the master and Disciple chatted, they walked along the mountain path. The gentle breeze made An Xin a bit distracted.


    Unconsciously, she was already nine thousand five hundred twenty-one years old. She felt her life experiences weren¡¯t rich, but this also meant she had lived a peaceful and comfortable life.


    She turned her head to look at her master beside her. His profile sent her heart into a state of tranquility.


    She, too, began to feel anticipation.


    Ten thousand years later, a million years later, or even ten million years later, would she still be able to follow by her master¡¯s side?


    If she followed, what kinds of views would she see?


    ¡­


    The Spring Festival of the Qiankun Sect had just ended, and the shadows of Cultivators could be seen everywhere between the mountains. Most of the Cultivators were flying in the same direction, towards a giant city surrounded by mountains on all sides, bursting with rays of light like a mirage, brimming with the grandeur of an Immortal city.


    This city was Qiankun Sect¡¯s Main City. A thousand years had passed since the Great World was reshaped. The Qiankun Sect seized the opportunity to develop quickly, not only becoming the leader of the Orthodox Daoist Sect on the Nine Spirit Continent but also establishing prestige in the surrounding seas.


    This year, Qiankun Sect planned to hold the Hundred Teachings Conference, inviting hundreds of Orthodox Daoist Sects from inside and outside the seas to discuss and exchange Daoist Techniques. This was the first time for Qiankun Sect to hold such an event, making Qiankun Sect¡¯s Main City extraordinarily lively.


    Within the Main City, the Library Pavilion was packed.


    Under An Xin¡¯s guidance, the structure of Qiankun Sect was almost identical to the Supreme Sect¡¯s. However, Qiankun Sect was far away from the Supreme Sect, so the two Sects had not intersected for the time being.


    ¡°Why is ¡®Qiankun Venerable¡¯ sold out again? With the foundation of the Qiankun Sect, why can¡¯t you print a few more copies?¡±


    A young male Disciple stood in front of the counter, glaring at the Library Pavilion Disciple and demanded.


    The Library Pavilion Disciple spread his hands helplessly and said, ¡°Brother, shouting at me is no use, I¡¯m just in charge of selling.¡±


    The young male Disciple glared at him and left with a flick of his sleeve.


    Then another Disciple approached the counter to inquire about the book ¡®Qiankun Venerable.¡¯


    At this moment, on the second floor of the Library Pavilion, Gu An, dressed in blue robes, stood in front of a row of bookshelves browsing books. Celestial Demon Child came over and saw the title of the book he was looking at, not helping but curl her lips in distaste.


    ¡°Young Master, even a book like this is worth your time?¡±


    Outside the Dojo, Gu An had instructed not to call him Master, but Young Master instead. Although Celestial Demon Child didn¡¯t understand, she thought calling him Young Master was quite nice, at least it made their relationship seem more equal, which often led her to wild fantasies.


    Gu An, holding ¡®Nine Spirits Hero Legend,¡¯ smiled softly and said, ¡°As long as it¡¯s a book, it¡¯s worth reading.¡±


    Since he started writing within the Qiankun Sect, a trend of novels had been set off, and ¡®Nine Spirits Hero Legend¡¯ was one such novel about the protagonist¡¯s adventures, clearly trying to imitate his style.


    Hearing Gu An¡¯s words, Celestial Demon Child pursed her lips and then turned to leave. She planned to take a walk in the city. With her Cultivation Level of the Loose Immortal Realm, she was considered a Great Cultivator within Qiankun Sect and wouldn¡¯t run into trouble, especially with Gu An there.


    After Celestial Demon Child left, Gu An continued reading.


    It wasn¡¯t long before two women ascended to the second floor, none other than Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai.


    Since being saved by An Xin, they had lived on the Nine Spirit Continent. Later, seeing the Qiankun Sect¡¯s rise to power, they voluntarily joined, and now they were also disciples of the Qiankun Sect.


    In reality, given their status, they could become Elders, but they didn¡¯t want to be too tied down to the Qiankun Sect, knowing that they would eventually leave.


    ¡°Sis, why did we come here?¡± Tang Cai asked in confusion. The Library Pavilion was full of miscellaneous books. If one sought the pursuit of Daoist Techniques, they would visit the Scripture Pavilion.


    Li Xuanyu answered, ¡°Just to look around. Your heart is too impatient; it¡¯s good to temper it.¡±


    Her gaze swept through the second floor, passing over each Disciple as if seeking something.


    However, after looking around, she did not find the person she was looking for, and a look of disappointment flashed in her eyes.


    Tang Cai, upon hearing Li Xuanyu¡¯s words, immediately felt dissatisfied. She had just completed a meditation retreat of eight hundred years and still she was considered impatient?


    She was about to retort when she saw Li Xuanyu walk toward the stairs leading to the third floor.


    ¡°I definitely am not impatient. These years¡­¡± Tang Cai caught up with Li Xuanyu and tried to defend herself.


    ¡°Senior Sister Li.¡±


    A voice came through, bringing Li Xuanyu¡¯s steps to a halt. She turned to look and saw Gu An, holding a book and walking between two rows of bookshelves.


    Li Xuanyu felt a little dazed, having not seen him for ten thousand years; Gu An seemed totally different from the person in her memories.


    The Gu An in her memory was cautious and reserved, but the Gu An before her now was handsome and extraordinary, seemingly an Immortal walking amongst mortals.


    Tang Cai glanced at Gu An, her expression one of suspicion.


    She was astounded at her first sight of Gu An; what a handsome man.


    This was only her personal judgment, and not a case of love at first sight. She had wandered the world and seen many people, but had never come across a Cultivator with a presence like Gu An¡¯s.


    Even her beloved Li Ya did not have an aura to match Gu An¡¯s; what attracted her more to Li Ya was his heroism and loyalty.


    Gu An walked over to Li Xuanyu and asked with a smile, ¡°Senior Sister Li, don¡¯t you recognize me?¡±


    Li Xuanyu came back to her senses and said with emotion, ¡°Of course, I recognize you. To be honest, the reason I¡¯ve come here is to look for you. After all, your disciple is also on this continent, and everything about the Qiankun Sect is a lot like the Supreme Sect. I guessed it had something to do with you.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know that Gu An was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but the strength of An Xin proved Gu An¡¯s Dao Practice had already surpassed hers.


    The reason she wanted to find Gu An was merely to express her gratitude in person.


    She was not foolish; An Xin¡¯s rescue surely must have been at Gu An¡¯s behest.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have such great capabilities. How about we find an inn to catch up on old times?¡± Gu An asked with a smile, and naturally, Li Xuanyu had no objections.


    Gu An did not neglect Tang Cai and introduced himself to her.


    After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them went downstairs.


    Noticing Gu An spending money to buy the ¡°Nine Spirits Hero Legend,¡± Tang Cai¡¯s expression became odd.


    Now aware that Gu An was An Xin¡¯s master, she held him in high esteem, but she hadn¡¯t imagined that such a Great Cultivator would read such trivial texts.


    Shouldn¡¯t a Great Cultivator be delving into the Great Dao?


    Li Xuanyu, however, didn¡¯t mind; she knew Gu An liked reading books.


    Seeing that Gu An still had the same hobby made her feel a sense of closeness, as though the distance between them had narrowed.


    Later on, the three of them sat down at the closest inn, and after inquiring about each other¡¯s experiences, Gu An turned the conversation to Li Ya, as Li Ya was the hub of their shared connections.


    Mention of Li Ya immediately excited Tang Cai, as his fame had already spread to the Nine Spirit Continent.


    Li Ya, with the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword in hand, might not yet be the world¡¯s preeminent Sword Cultivator, but his strength was already formidable. Coupled with his adventurous spirit, his fame was widespread.


    ¡°People say he¡¯s made enemies with the Shaking Light Saint Sect¡¯s Saint and is being hunted by them. I want to help him, but our sister said I¡¯d just be in the way. Gu An, since you are Li Ya¡¯s Junior Brother, can you help him?¡± Tang Cai looked at Gu An with a tone full of supplication.


    She had been through a lot with Li Ya and knew the hardships that lay behind his fame.


    He must be seriously injured again; otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have come to this point of enmity.


    Before Gu An could reply, Li Xuanyu spoke up coldly, ¡°Tang Cai, don¡¯t bother Junior Brother Gu with Li Ya¡¯s affairs. Those were his own choices. Junior Brother Gu has already saved us; we owe him a great debt of gratitude. How could we trouble him further?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°There are no buts!¡±


    Li Xuanyu said decisively, leaving Tang Cai with no choice but to nod in resignation.


    Gu An looked at Li Xuanyu, finding her solemnity a bit amusing, and replied, ¡°Shaking Light Saint Sect is indeed formidable and is said to have the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, who is of the Sixth Heaven of the Immortal Path. They¡¯re not easy to provoke.¡±


    Sixth Heaven of the Immortal Path!


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s complexion turned unnaturally pale, while Tang Cai grew tense.


    Gu An comforted them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure, Divine Exotic City, and the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword in his hands, Senior Brother Li is a man of great destiny. He will surmount the danger; that sword is the world¡¯s foremost Divine Sword.¡±


    Hearing his words, Li Xuanyu could only nod, while Tang Cai sank into deep worry.


    Afterward, Gu An brought up the Hundred Teachings Conference of the Qiankun Sect. Although Li Xuanyu was still engaging in the conversation, the mood had clearly grown colder.


    Half an hour later, Gu An said goodbye to the two women.


    Li Xuanyu and Tang Cai stood at the entrance of the inn, watching Gu An walk away.


    ¡°Sister, he¡¯s Li Ya¡¯s Junior Brother, and thus from the Supreme Sect. Why has he come alone to this faraway place?¡± Tang Cai asked curiously.


    Li Xuanyu, looking at Gu An¡¯s receding figure, said, ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s burdened with something, forcing him to leave his homeland. In life, we¡¯re often compelled by circumstances beyond our control.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Tang Cai felt there was a story behind Gu An¡¯s silhouette, much like Li Ya.


    Just then, they saw a stunningly beautiful woman swiftly emerge from the crowd, quickly wrap her arm around Gu An¡¯s, and move forward with laughter and conversation, their intimacy evident. They soon disappeared into the throng of people.


    Tang Cai opened her mouth as if to ask something but didn¡¯t manage to articulate her question.


    Li Xuanyu, too, remained silent.

 Chapter 562 - 557: Celestial Spirit Reincarnation, Borrowing Life

    Chapter 562: Chapter 557: Celestial Spirit Reincarnation, Borrowing Life


    Amid the scorching summer days, within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, beside a lake, Gu An was preaching the Great Dao to his disciples, who were listening as if intoxicated.


    Seeing that everyone had sunk into the enlightenment of the Dao, Gu An took out a jade flute from his bosom and admired it closely.


    ¡°Gu An, the Great Dao you speak of is truly profound and vast, conjuring in me numerous visions. However, I am very curious, have you actually seen those embodiments of the Great Dao?¡±


    Shen Zhen opened her eyes, looked at Gu An, and asked curiously.


    She was the closest to Gu An, and her voice was so soft that it did not disturb the others.


    Gu An glanced at Shen Zhen and said, ¡°The Great Dao is everywhere. What have you seen? Where do you wish to go?¡±


    ...


    With a troubled look, Shen Zhen said, ¡°I saw the universe and the stars, and a white staircase leading to a door.¡±


    ¡°What kind of door?¡±


    ¡°Indescribable, all I can remember now is vague, but I¡¯m sure it was a door.¡±


    Shen Zhen recounted while speaking; after a pause, she continued to ask, ¡°Gu An, do you think those visions I see could be some form of calculation?¡±


    Gu An smiled at her and said, ¡°That¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to feel and judge for yourself. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re thinking about this. Never lose your reverence for the unknown, always be vigilant, for it is often more beneficial than not.¡±


    Shen Zhen nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. If the Great Dao guides me somewhere, I¡¯m certain I won¡¯t go.¡±


    She had heard from Gu An about the experiences of An Hao and Zhu Xi, which made her even more vigilant about inexplicable opportunities.


    The visions she saw while seeking the Dao seemed like a lure, and she didn¡¯t want to be deceived.


    ¡°If you encounter things that are hard to judge, you can also talk to me about them,¡± Gu An said, then stood and turned to walk toward the nearby woods.


    Shen Zhen had no further questions to ask, and she didn¡¯t follow Gu An¡¯s steps. After so many years, she had grown less curious about where Gu An went.


    Now, she just wanted to comprehend the Great Dao. In its vastness, she could experience all the things she desired. She aspired to become a Great Cultivator like Gu An.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An stepped into the woods and in one step went to another place in the Human World.


    This was a mortal city, bustling streets, with no Cultivators seen among the throngs of people¡ªjust two or three Transformed Demons. However, they did not do any harm but instead were performing their talents in a pavilion known as the Apricot Flower Tower.


    Gu An appeared on the street without drawing the attention of the passersby, for no one could see him¡ªeven a boy passed through his body, feeling no physical collision.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze fell on the side of the street, where a group of beggars squatted in front of a courtyard wall. Among them, a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy sat with his head down. On closer examination, he had no legs, and only two fingers on his right hand, a sight that made it difficult to imagine what kind of torment he had endured.


    This boy was a Reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God; this was his thirty-ninth time being reincarnated.


    He was born in a village and before he was one year old, his family was raided by bandits, who killed everyone and sold him off. After a life of constant upheaval and numerous struggles, he ended up in such a tragic state.


    Despite the suffering of the Celestial Spirit God, Gu An had no intention of intervening. Nevertheless, in every life of the Celestial Spirit God, he would observe.


    It wasn¡¯t to ridicule the Celestial Spirit God but rather to help him recall some of his previous life¡¯s memories at the time of his death, to let him feel the disparity between Immortal Gods and mortals.


    Oddly enough.


    Gu An had not deliberately made the Celestial Spirit God experience a life of suffering, but most of his lives in the cycle of Reincarnation were miserable, and even if born in happiness, he tended to die young, living to a maximum of seventy years in the best-case scenario.


    On second thought, it was normal, as most mortals have difficulty living past seventy.


    In the scorching summer, this life of the Celestial Spirit God would end on the flourishing streets, with no one caring about his death. Not until a house servant from a wealthy nearby household dragged his body away, ultimately dumped in the wilderness, and devoured by scavenging wolves.


    And so, Gu An merely stood on the street watching the Celestial Spirit God, with people coming and going as if in a dream.


    This life¡¯s Celestial Spirit, named Little Five, had been adopted by an old beggar. He was the fifth child taken in by the old man, hence the name Little Five. At the beginning of the year, the old beggar passed away, and Little Five now followed the eldest child for survival, presently in the throes of illness.


    To seek medicinal herbs, the eldest was at that moment being beaten by the servants of a medicine shop on another street.


    This city bustled with such vibrancy: people were drinking and making merry, spilling wine and meat on their tables, some were reciting poetry and discussing romance under the trees, while others were barely breathing, lying on their beds as their family fought over money for medicine. There were people who went about their routines like zombies, thinking not of the future, but of ending the day¡¯s tasks sooner.


    The countless conditions of sentient beings unfolded before Gu An¡¯s eyes, his expression unchanging, just quietly watching Little Five.


    Little Five seemed to feel something and slowly lifted his head. The streets were noisy and busy before his eyes; the close proximity of prosperity felt unattainably distant.


    In a daze, he saw an additional figure on the street, with people passing right through it, which was very eerie.


    His hands trembling, he raised them and rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn¡¯t seeing things; indeed, there was a figure that no one else but he could see.


    ¡°Could that be an Immortal God¡­¡±


    Xiao Wu spoke weakly, while the two beggars beside him were asleep and didn¡¯t hear his murmur, and the other beggars didn¡¯t pay attention to him either, because everyone knew he was dying.


    Gu An was surprised that Xiao Wu could see him.


    He hadn¡¯t intended for Xiao Wu to be able to see him.


    With that thought, Gu An willed his presence to deepen, and he disappeared from Xiao Wu¡¯s sight in an instant.


    Seeing that he had disappeared, Xiao Wu instinctively looked in other directions, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t see Gu An again.


    ¡°It was just an illusion after all, I knew someone like me couldn¡¯t possibly encounter an Immortal God¡­¡±


    Xiao Wu hung his head low again, continuing to endure the suffering from his illness.


    Until dusk, a beggar walked over, quivering¡ªit was Xiao Wu¡¯s older brother, known as Lao Da.


    He squatted in front of Xiao Wu, placed the medicinal herb bag stained with blood on the ground, shook Xiao Wu, but there was no response from him.


    Lao Da¡¯s eyes widened with bloodshot eyes, and his right hand trembled as it moved toward Xiao Wu¡¯s nose. Soon, he got a fright. He didn¡¯t push Xiao Wu away; instead, he lifted Xiao Wu onto his back and, taking the medicinal herb bag, walked away.


    Following that, Lao Da carried Xiao Wu on his back and went to all the large and small pharmacies in the city, but no one was willing to treat Xiao Wu. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Out of desperation, Lao Da gritted his teeth and carried Xiao Wu out of the city.


    As night fell, Lao Da didn¡¯t look back amidst the fading hustle and bustle behind him and pressed forward with unwavering determination.


    Lao Da carried Xiao Wu aimlessly forward, not knowing where he should go, but he was unwilling to give up.


    It was only when he heard a wolf¡¯s howl that he finally snapped out of it, by which time he had already lost his way.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Xiao Wu, Big Brother will definitely save you, definitely¡­¡±


    Lao Da murmured to himself softly; he was trying to bolster his own courage.


    There were always legends in the countryside of Immortals living deep in the mountains. The physicians in the Human World were not willing to save his brother, so he had to seek out an Immortal.


    ¡°Hee hee, he¡¯s already dead. Where do you think you¡¯re going to take him?¡±


    ¡°Such deep brotherly love.¡±


    ¡°Well, we could save him, but you¡¯ll have to give something in return.¡±


    Three feminine voices rang out, coquettish and seductive, making one¡¯s imagination run wild, except in the darkness of the night, they seemed sinister and frightening.


    Fear gripped Lao Da internally, his filthy face unable to hide the terror as he swallowed and asked, ¡°What do I have to give to save my brother?¡±


    Could it be a Demon?


    Their voices didn¡¯t sound like those of Immortals.


    Lao Da thought so, and without any other options available, he braced himself and inquired further.


    Suddenly, a cold wind blew from the depths of the forest, forcing Lao Da to instinctively step back. On the trunk of the tree before him appeared three white foxes, smirking cunningly, their eyes glowing green in the dark night, which was quite terrifying.


    Lao Da¡¯s legs trembled with fear.


    The sight of a Demon directly drowned his heart in terror, yet he did not throw Xiao Wu down and flee.


    One of the white foxes chuckled, ¡°Become our servant, and we will save him.¡±


    Lao Da mustered his courage and asked, ¡°Just as a servant?¡±


    ¡°As a servant for life, until you die of old age. Oh, by the way, if your brother wants to live, he must borrow someone else¡¯s life. Before dawn, you must kill a person and bring them before us. Otherwise, once daylight comes, even if the Celestial Spirit God Himself appeared, there would be no reversing fate.¡±


    The white fox in the middle sneered coldly, her words sending a chill through Lao Da.


    Kill¡­ kill someone?

 Chapter 563 - 558 The Legend of Lu Qiuxian

    Chapter 563: Chapter 558 The Legend of Lu Qiuxian


    The night was like water, three white foxes teasingly stared at the boss, as if looking at prey.


    Faced with their gaze, the boss was engulfed in an inner struggle, and Little Five on his back had no breath left, his body growing stiffer, which made his heart even more anxious.


    Although he was a beggar, living at the lowest strata of society, many people humiliated him, but he had never thought about killing anyone, at most he just wanted to beat up those who bullied him.


    In his view, killing was an unforgivable act¡­


    But his younger brother, Little Five, was still waiting for him to rescue¡­


    The boss took a deep breath, he looked up at the three white foxes and gritted his teeth, ¡°This is it, take my life to save my brother, and let my brother serve you as a servant for a lifetime!¡±


    ...


    Little Five was disabled, and life was hard to manage by himself. If he could be tied to these three demons, perhaps he could find a better way out.


    Although demons were not as powerful as the Immortal Gods, they were still not comparable to ordinary people, what if the demons could make Little Five grow legs?


    Hearing what the boss said, the three white foxes were stunned for a moment and then they started giggling.


    ¡°Your brother is a cripple, is he supposed to serve us, or should we serve him?¡±


    ¡°Mortal, you think too much.¡±


    ¡°Such a coward doesn¡¯t even deserve to serve us.¡±


    Facing the demons¡¯ mockery, the boss was not angry, just more nervous and uneasy.


    He finally had a chance to save his brother, how could he give up?


    ¡°As long as you are willing to go into the city and kill, we can make your brother normal, repairing the physical defects, and there are plenty of Evil People in this city, it¡¯s not just your brother you¡¯d be saving¡­¡±


    One white fox said with a profound meaning, which made a new light shine in the boss¡¯s eyes.


    At the same time.


    Gu An stood under a nearby tree watching this scene.


    These three white foxes were Tier Two demons, comparable to the Foundation Establishment Realm, still unable to undergo Transformation, what they said was true, hoping the boss would kill the Evil People in the city.


    They dared not act personally, because there were Immortal Cultivation Sects nearby that would capture and kill misbehaving demons, thinking that using the boss as a proxy would be enough to deceive everyone.


    Gu An had no intention of interfering, even if people died because of this, he wouldn¡¯t care.


    He had rescued too many beings before, now he wouldn¡¯t hesitate over the life and death of one person, of course, if someone truly moved his heart, he would act as he wished.


    Eventually, the boss agreed, he put down Little Five and then returned to the city alone.


    As soon as he left, the three white foxes surrounded Little Five and began casting spells to protect his Soul.


    Little Five¡¯s Life Span and maximum Life Span were not merely fifteen years old, indeed they had ways to save his life, but from now on, it would be hard for him to sever ties with demons.


    Gu An watched for a while and then disappeared from the spot.


    Even though there were three white foxes altering his fate, Little Five¡¯s life was destined not to Ascend to Immortality, this was the punishment Gu An had in mind for the Celestial Spirit God.


    Gu An wouldn¡¯t deliberately manipulate the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s birth and life experiences, but would set a limit on his life.


    The summer night wind still carried a bit of cold.


    One white fox suddenly shivered and said in a low voice, ¡°Why am I a bit worried, feeling like this might cause trouble.¡±


    The fox next to her glared and scolded, ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? Are you going to be a concubine for that profligate young master from the City Lord¡¯s Mansion?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to, he looks so disgusting.¡±


    ¡°Mainly because he bullies too much, we must kill him, and once that guy comes back, we¡¯ll pass on his Martial Arts to him.¡±


    ¡°It can only be so.¡±


    The voices of the three white foxes gradually quieted down, and eventually, the woods fell into a silent, oppressive and terrifying stillness.


    ¡­


    Sand filled the sky, and on a cliff, Zhang Buku with all white hair stood at the edge, shirtless, looking down at the Blood Lake below.


    His upper body was muscular, full of power, with blood streaks twisting, making him look even more terrifying.


    A Buddha head flew out from the sand, it was the Buddha Immortal.


    Buddha Immortal looked at Zhang Buku, his stone face showing a complicated expression.


    He was forced to teach Zhang Buku to cultivate, but he hadn¡¯t expected Zhang Buku to be so suited to his Dao, far exceeding his expectations.


    If he could really possess Zhang Buku, maybe he could surpass this life in the next one, just thinking about it made him regret.


    Of course, even with several more courage, he wouldn¡¯t dare act recklessly, just the thought of how Gu An felt pressing down on his head made him shiver in fear.


    Zhang Buku turned to look at the Buddha Immortal and asked, ¡°Where is the Realm Master of the Divine Exotic Realm now?¡±


    Buddha Immortal replied, ¡°According to your wish, I have sent him to one Great Thousand World, and he is now very safe.¡±


    ¡°If I find out you¡¯ve deceived me, this favor will turn into hatred.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, since I¡¯ve already done this much, why would I kill him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in the Taize Great World. Once your cultivation ends, I will send you to that Great World. There, the opportunities are abundant, and the control of the Immortal Gods is weak¡ªit¡¯s a perfect place for your growth.¡±


    The Buddha Immortal didn¡¯t take offense to Zhang Buku¡¯s rudeness and replied calmly.


    Thousands of years had passed, and he had now shifted his mindset, beginning to look forward to Zhang Buku¡¯s future.


    Zhang Buku had such a powerful being behind him, yet they hoped he would mentor Zhang Buku, seeing it as an opportunity. No matter how high his realm might be, one always needed a backing. Should the Celestial Court discover him one day, perhaps he could rely on the existence behind Zhang Buku.


    Hearing the Buddha Immortal¡¯s answer, Zhang Buku asked no more.


    After cultivating in this realm for so many years, his heart had also calmed down.


    Rather than dwelling on calculations he couldn¡¯t resist, it was better to grasp the time and diligently cultivate.


    He raised his right hand, and a bloody wind emerged from his palm, forming a small vortex. In an instant, the yellow sand from the sky rushed over, and his right hand rose higher until a yellow sand tornado appeared on his palm, becoming increasingly spectacular. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Buddha Immortal asked in surprise, ¡°You can already feel the force of heaven and earth in this realm?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, it doesn¡¯t seem difficult. I¡¯m curious, can I use the control over the force of heaven and earth in other Great Worlds?¡± Zhang Buku replied.


    The Buddha Immortal smiled and said, ¡°Naturally, the Great World I opened is not weak. Moreover, this realm has existed for an incredibly long time. If you can control this realm, you could use the force of heaven and earth in other Great Worlds.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku¡¯s mouth curled into an almost arrogant smile.


    At that moment, he thought of Master Gu and Li Ya.


    During the long years of cultivation, he often thought of these two people, relying on the remembrance of old friends to recall where he came from and where he would go in the future.


    ¡°Master Gu, Li Ya, you can¡¯t imagine how strong I¡¯ve become now. I really hope to let you witness my growth.¡±


    Zhang Buku was surging with emotions, growing stronger, gaining more and more confidence.


    If Master Gu and Li Ya were already dead, Zhang Buku would also go to seek them through reincarnation!


    Isn¡¯t Immortal Cultivation all about pursuing one¡¯s desires?


    What he desired was to enjoy drinks and travel the universe with Master Gu and Li Ya.


    The Buddha Immortal looked at the tornado in Zhang Buku¡¯s hand and thought of another person, wondering if Zhang Buku would ever have the chance to compete with that individual.


    ¡°Buddha Immortal, how much longer until I can leave?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush. I have one more Divine Skill to teach you. Once you master it, you can leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What is this Divine Skill?¡±


    ¡°It will allow you to travel through the Three Thousand Great Worlds, wandering freely along the River of Great Dao.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s really possible, then I must visit the River of Destiny you mentioned.¡±


    Hearing Zhang Buku bring up the River of Destiny, the Buddha Immortal smiled and said, ¡°If you go to the River of Destiny, you must be wary of one person.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°That person¡¯s name is Lu Qiuxian. His Dao Practice is profound and unfathomable. He will find everyone who enters the River of Destiny and ask them some questions. You must not offend him.¡±


    Lu Qiuxian?


    Zhang Buku noted the name, recognizing that this was a presence that even the Buddha Immortal feared and not someone he could provoke.


    ¡­


    A hundred years had passed since Xiao Wu¡¯s resurrection. Gu An hadn¡¯t visited him, only occasionally glancing at him.


    This year, the name of Li Ya had once again spread within the Nine Spirit Continent.


    Li Ya and the Saint of the Shaking Light Saint Sect had arranged a life-and-death duel at the Human World Peak to settle their karma. The day of the duel had not yet arrived, but the news had spread wildly.


    In today¡¯s vast Celestial Spirit Great World, albeit within the domain formerly belonging to the Celestial Spirit Great Earth, both Li Ya and the Saint from Shaking Light Saint Sect were world-renowned prodigies.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Li Ya to gain such popularity. It seems the world is just so-so. Back in the day, Li Ya had no power to fight back against me.¡±


    Lv Xian was boasting about his past accomplishments, with An Shengtian, Jiang Shi, Chen Chuan, Celestial Cyan, and Tian Bai listening.


    Having cultivated in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless for so many years, their cultivation levels had reached Loose Immortal, and with the Divine Skills and spells they possessed, they were full of confidence, feeling that no peer cultivators from the outside world could match them.


    Tian Bai tilted his head and said, ¡°Li Ya has the number one Divine Sword in the world. Even if your cultivation level is higher than his, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯s not someone you can defeat.¡±


    Lv Xian glared and said, ¡°Relying on a Magical Treasure doesn¡¯t make a hero. I only believe in my physical body!¡±


    Just then, An Xin appeared out of nowhere and said, ¡°Think about what kind of Magical Treasure you all want. Master is preparing to craft Magical Treasures for everyone.¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Lv Xian.


    Lv Xian¡¯s face turned red, and he coughed falsely, ¡°Why are you looking at me? I¡¯ve already had ideas!¡±

 Chapter 564 - 559: Ten Thousand Years of Refining Treasure, Gu Ans Sect

    Chapter 564: Chapter 559: Ten Thousand Years of Refining Treasure, Gu An¡¯s Sect


    Hearing Lv Xian¡¯s words, Celestial Cyan, Jiang Shi, and others couldn¡¯t help but roll their eyes. They hadn¡¯t been clinging to Lv Xian; instead, they began to discuss the Magical Treasures they each desired.


    An Xin was in charge of taking notes. After recording their needs, she would then go to find others.


    An hour later, An Xin arrived at Gu An¡¯s courtyard. At the moment, Gu An was sitting in front of a Great Cauldron. His right hand was burning with the Three Pristine True Fire as he stared at the flame in his hand, his expression calm and contemplative.


    ¡°Master, I¡¯ve asked everyone,¡± An Xin said softly, standing next to Gu An, holding a stack of paper in her hands.


    She found it strange. Given her master and the others¡¯ abilities, why did she need to run around?


    Direct communication would do!


    ...


    She figured her master was messing with her, but as a disciple, what could she say?


    ¡°Put it to the side for now, and assist your teacher in what comes next.¡±


    Gu An tossed the Three Pristine True Fire beneath the cauldron and then began to speak. As his voice fell, a considerable number of exotic ores and medicinal herbs flew out from his sleeves.


    An Xin¡¯s eyes lit up; she had long wanted to learn artifact refining and yearned for a Magical Treasure suitable for her.


    Gu An remained seated, casting spells from a distance, transferring materials for Artifact Refining into the cauldron.


    An Xin approached the Great Cauldron, using her Divine Sense to peek into its contents.


    Gu An was preparing to refine a Magic Artifact with his own Dao Intent, creating a Magical Treasure unique to his path. It would be a drawn-out process.


    By the next day at noon, Gu An had left An Xin to keep watch while he went to gather medicinal herbs alone.


    This task was crucial. He had restrained his murderous impulses and greed, so he must not be negligent in harvesting.


    His annual Life Span income had stabilized around thirty million years. He could continue to improve, but he didn¡¯t want to overexert himself or attract too much trouble.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World had restored order and, for the time being, faced no attacks from forces beyond. For Gu An, that was the best kind of life. But destiny was unpredictable, and he couldn¡¯t draw the attention of beings from other Great Worlds to shatter this peace¡ªespecially from the Celestial Court.


    As long as the Heavenly Dao loomed over the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An couldn¡¯t ignore the threat of the Celestial Court.


    ¡­


    Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, a thousand years passed. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At noon, within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An lay on a rocking chair, pulling up his Attribute Panel to check.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 11,587/78,746,346,201]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Nearly eighty billion years of life span!


    Gu An pondered when to break through. He had already comprehensively improved himself. In theory, he could successfully break through with a hundred billion years of life span, but there was always the chance of failure.


    It was better to wait until he had two hundred billion years of life span to attempt the breakthrough.


    Gu An stood up and sent a message to the Celestial Demon Child. Shortly after, the Celestial Demon Child appeared in the courtyard, looking excitedly at Gu An and asking, ¡°Master, is my Magical Treasure ready?¡±


    Since Gu An mentioned a thousand years ago that he planned to refine Magical Treasures for everyone, they had all been eagerly waiting. The longer the wait, the higher their expectations.


    Refining a Magical Treasure with Gu An¡¯s Dao Practice was not a challenge; a lengthy process meant one thing:


    Their Magical Treasures would be powerful!


    Gu An nodded with a smile, then waved his sleeve, and a white ribbon flew out from the Great Cauldron. It was as nimble as flowing cloud, quickly landing into the hands of the Celestial Demon Child.


    The Celestial Demon Child¡¯s eyes sparkled, instantly falling in love with the ribbon.


    ¡°This is the ¡®Years Colorful Cloud Ribbon,¡¯ a Dao Treasure that I¡¯ve refined, imbued with the will of the Great Dao. You can meditate on it for your daily cultivation. Your current Dao Practice is insufficient to unleash its true power,¡± Gu An briefly explained.


    As his voice dropped, the Years Colorful Cloud Ribbon burst into a bright light, enveloping the Celestial Demon Child and leaving her rooted to the spot.


    She began to inherit memories¡ªanother of Gu An¡¯s touches¡ªlearning how to make the Dao Treasure recognize its master.


    An Xin sat to the side, looking bemused. Over the years, she hadn¡¯t seen how the Years Colorful Cloud Ribbon was formed, and for most of the time, Gu An was absent, with her being the one to watch over it.


    She even suspected that the Dao Treasure had been completed long ago.


    When in doubt, she would ask; when facing her master, she never held back.


    ¡°This is a Dao Treasure, a treasure of the Great Dao,¡± Gu An answered. ¡°You can¡¯t see its shaping process; it must be sensed with your Dao. The fact that you haven¡¯t discovered it yet means your Dao isn¡¯t strong enough.¡±


    Those words made An Xin feel ashamed.


    Gu An often lectured them on the Dao, and each lecture was a matter of creation, a grand opportunity that cultivators from the outside world couldn¡¯t hope to encounter in their lifetimes, yet she failed to grasp the Dao, which filled her heart with shame.


    Little did she know, their Dao Intent was already strong enough; many Divine Thought True Immortals, even though stronger than them, couldn¡¯t match their Dao Intent.


    Gu An could tell that everyone in the dojo possessed the ability to fight beyond their realms, but he chose not to elaborate.


    With a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal as a teacher, such achievements were to be expected.


    While the Celestial Demon Child was still assimilating memories, Gu An turned and looked into the distance, mumbling to himself, ¡°Still refusing to give up, huh?¡±


    Hearing his words, An Xin asked curiously, ¡°Master, who are you talking about? Tang Cai?¡±


    Hundreds of years ago, unable to resist, Tang Cai had gone to find Li Ya, even calling out to her in the woods outside the dojo and bidding her farewell before she departed.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Not her. I¡¯m talking about a little demon you¡¯ve never met.¡±


    Seeing that he was reluctant to elaborate, An Xin didn¡¯t press further.


    In her view, her master, who often went out, must have spread opportunities far and wide, wondering when the Daoist Field of the Beginningless would gain new people.


    Time continued to speed up with her thoughts.


    The news of the Celestial Demon Child receiving a Dao Treasure quickly stirred up the dojo; then, the Age-Colored Cloud Silk enveloped the entire sky of the dojo, suppressing all within, immobilizing them, which drove everyone, including An Xin, insane.


    An Xin even felt that the Age-Colored Cloud Silk was second only to her master¡¯s Fate Pen in power; how could she not be excited?


    Gu An maintained a Dao Treasure every thousand years.


    The second to receive a Dao Treasure was Shen Zhen, and her Dao Treasure was called the Void Rebirth Zither, whose strings could shake destiny, causality, and even Reincarnation, quite domineeringly.


    Next was the Blood Prison Great Saint, who received a saber named the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber, which contained the Great Dao of slaughter and hinted at ruling the laws of destruction.


    Jiang Shi received the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber, another Dao Treasure for slaying and fighting, reminding him of the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber from ¡®The Investiture of the Gods,¡¯ which he liked very much.


    Celestial Cyan received the Cyan Hong Linglong Tower, and Tian Bai received the White Spirit Exquisite Tower, both Dao Treasures not inferior to the others; together, their might was even greater, named after Ye Lan¡¯s White Spirit Sword and Gu An¡¯s Cyan Hong Sword.


    An Shengtian received the Shaking God Spear, its essence filled with Fighting Will, second only to the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber in terms of killing power.


    Chen Chuan got the Reincarnation Dao-slaying Sword, able to comprehend the Path of Reincarnation; Gu An hoped he could remember his past life on his own.


    Lv Xian received the Twelve Extreme Heaven Calming World Bead, twelve silver beads that could each create or devour worlds, encapsulating the Path of Devouring.


    An Xin got the Six Paths Mirror, which could reflect Reincarnation and send others into it.


    During the process of refining Dao Treasures, Gu An also pondered these Great Dao.


    The Three Thousand Great Dao are omnipresent, and the Daoist Dominator Skill could assist Gu An in his contemplation directly.


    These Dao Treasures all had the power to surpass Immortal Path Ultimate Treasures and would continue to grow stronger with their owners¡¯ achievements in the Great Dao, their limits unfathomable.


    At the very least, these Dao Treasures were stronger than the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword in Li Ya¡¯s hands!


    A Dao Treasure every thousand years; except for the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, everyone received a Dao Treasure, indicating nine thousand years had passed.


    Gu An, now over twenty thousand years old, possessed a lifespan of over three hundred and forty billion years!


    The sunlight spilled down as everyone surrounded An Xin, inquiring about her Six Paths Mirror, her face full of excited smiles.


    ¡°Finally done with work, it¡¯s time to make a breakthrough.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself silently.


    Looking back on the nine thousand years that had passed, even he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how swiftly time had flown.


    As there were no external threats, these nine thousand years were uneventful, a repetition of days.


    From refining the Age-Colored Cloud Silk, Gu An spent ten thousand years crafting Dao Treasures for his disciples, and through this process, he continued his cultivation; ten thousand years later, even without using Life Span Evolution, his power had significantly improved.


    ¡°Master, aside from you, is there anyone else who can refine Dao Treasures?¡± Chen Chuan looked at Gu An, asking curiously.


    Holding the Reincarnation Dao-slaying Sword, even after two thousand years, he was still enamored with it.


    The others followed suit, looking at Gu An.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Perhaps there are others, but your Dao Treasures were forged with my Great Dao. In the future, I could help strengthen your Dao Treasures and even use them to connect with you.¡±


    At those words, everyone became even more excited, which meant they could rely on Gu An any time, even if they went out in the future, couldn¡¯t they?


    ¡°Master, why not establish a sect? There¡¯s no need to recruit many disciples, but at least we could set a banner. In the future, when we introduce ourselves, we can declare which Immortal Sect we belong to and also add luster to your reputation!¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint suddenly suggested, with the others echoing him; this was a plan they had long discussed and were waiting for the right moment to propose.


    Gu An had already heard their discussions over the years and had also been contemplating this matter.

 Chapter 565 - 560: The Primordial Era, Primordial Chaos Body

    Chapter 565: Chapter 560: The Primordial Era, Primordial Chaos Body


    During the long years of cultivation within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, and others would fantasize about traversing the Human World, and they too wanted to forge a resounding reputation like Li Ya.


    They felt grateful towards Gu An in their hearts, thinking that he should not be forgotten by the people; if Gu An did not want to come into the limelight, then as his disciples, it was their duty to help their master propagate his holy name.


    Everyone looked at Gu An with fervent gazes, waiting for him to confirm the name of their sect.


    Gu An pondered and said, ¡°Let¡¯s take the name of the dojo for our own¡ªfor we shall be called the Beginningless. We have no sect, no door, no clan nor path, ¡®Beginningless¡¯ implies no start and hence is the realm of eternity. I will chase after the realm of eternal immortality, and I hope that you will uphold my will and eventually break free from the shackles of the Three Thousand Great Dao to become true Carefree Immortals.¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone was ignited with excitement, praising the name one after another.


    ¡°Beginningless is excellent indeed! From now on, I shall introduce myself thus¡ª¡¯I am Beginningless Lv Xian!¡¯ Sounds dominant already!¡±


    ...


    ¡°Hahaha, I also think it¡¯s good. Adding ¡®sect¡¯ or ¡®gate¡¯ would have been rather trite.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps many years from now, the Beginningless will become the most mysterious place in the Great Thousand World, with countless people yearning to pursue it, yet unable to find the way.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic, now that the name of our force is set, I¡¯m even more motivated. From now on, I¡¯ll fight for the Beginningless!¡±


    Listening to the discussions of his disciples, Gu An shook his head with a wry smile, and without saying more, turned and left.


    Millennia passed, and the disciples exchanged knowledge with one another¡ªthey had already learned how to use Dao treasures and also understood Gu An¡¯s attitude towards them, that they would not be misused.


    Once Gu An had left, everyone became even bolder.


    Chen Chuan excitedly asked, ¡°Tell me, is my Reincarnation Dao-slaying Sword more powerful, or is Elder Li¡¯s Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword stronger?¡±


    An Xin gave him a look and said, ¡°Don¡¯t think about such questions; we should show Elder Li respect.¡±


    Lv Xian snorted, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being stronger than him? Respect is kept in the heart. Who knows, he might one day depend on us for rescue. I think Dao treasures are stronger than Immortal Path Ultimate Treasures. If you can comprehend the Great Dao within a Dao Treasure, you should be able to feel its vast Dao Intent. Our Beginningless Dao treasures will surely be the most powerful magical treasures.¡±


    After hearing this, An Xin looked at the Six Paths Mirror in her hand with a smile on her face.


    Seeing her not keeping a stern face, the others also smiled and actively discussed the power of the Dao treasures.


    Though An Xin was of the same generation as them, she had unconsciously established great prestige, and everyone knew Gu An doted on her the most. Even Shen Zhen would not act too wilfully in front of An Xin.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera stood at the back of the crowd with a fiery heart.


    Although she had not obtained a Dao Treasure, she felt this was as it should be, given she was not Gu An¡¯s disciple and had entered the Daoist Field of the Beginningless as a prisoner.


    Gu An summoning her was clearly a signal.


    She wanted a Dao Treasure too!


    ¡°Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t be methodically completing my tasks. I should be more proactive. The master likes to pick medicinal herbs¡ªwhy not find a way to increase the production of medicinal herbs?¡± S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera thought so as she looked at the people around her.


    ¡­


    In the reshaped Great Thousand World that had seen ten thousand years pass, the Human World had taken on a new appearance. The Holy Court had completely dissolved, and now the War of Thousand Sects was raging, with no sect showing the dominance to unify the world, for the heavens and earth had become more vast than before.


    Despite the multitude of sects, this period had gained a unified definition.


    The Primordial Era!


    A new Great Thousand World was established, where the heavens met the earth and all things bloomed anew¡ªsuch a time was known as the Primordial, the beginning of everything.


    The sects that had survived the previous Era and made it to the Primordial Era had all become Overlord Level forces.


    The Supreme Sect was one such power!


    Now, the Supreme Sect dominated the Seven Seas and the Three Continents, its influence surpassing even that of the Seven-Star Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Congregations of old times!


    In the Third Medicine Valley, which ten thousand years later still held its esteemed position because the Sect Leader resided in this Medicine Valley.


    Inside a bamboo forest in the valley, Long Qing, wearing a loose white robe, sat cross-legged on the ground. With unruly hair, he had left his youthful features behind, becoming more composed and unfathomable, looking like a true enlightened being amid the forest.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere before him¡ªit was Candle Star from the Battle Court.


    ¡°This reshaped Great Thousand World seems less like it has been reconstructed, and more like reborn. Many Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasures have emerged between the heavens and earth. Over the years, I have fought over them as well. I didn¡¯t expect to encounter the blockade of Profound Yuan Free Immortal; those old undying beings hidden in the depths of the universe have all returned.¡±


    Candle Star sighed, ¡°Clashing swords with Profound Yuan Free Immortal made me fully realize that this world has truly become a part of the Great Thousand World. Just like the other vast worlds I¡¯ve been to, there¡¯s always trouble brewing.¡±


    Long Qing didn¡¯t open his eyes and said calmly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, have you lost confidence in uniting Tian Yi and replacing the Battle Court?¡±


    Candle Star chuckled, ¡°How could that be? I¡¯ve already seized that ultimate treasure. I¡¯m currently brewing the body refinement medicinal broth. In at most a hundred years, Long Teng will be able to cultivate the Primordial Chaos Physique. The legends of the Primordial Era are not to be taken lightly; every major world will go through such a period.¡±


    The Long Teng he spoke of was Long Qing¡¯s son, Long Teng.


    Long Teng had taken Candle Star as his master, and Candle Star was extremely dedicated to cultivating Long Teng. Their relationship as teacher and pupil was even closer than that of father and son.


    Long Qing was not pleased to hear this.


    Since Long Jun had appeared, Candle Star had clearly started to treat Long Qing as though he were dead and thus focused his cultivation efforts on Long Qing¡¯s son.


    Candle Star discerned Long Qing¡¯s upset mood, which he thought was caused by the fate he carried. He thus tried to comfort him, ¡°Long Jun has been gone for thousands of years. Both the Battle Court and the Silent Destruction God Emperor have yet to emerge. Perhaps your destiny has changed.¡±


    Candle Star still shuddered at the memory of the great war from ten thousand years ago.


    Such a mighty Celestial Spirit God was exterminated so easily. He had not seen Gu An¡¯s true form, but he guessed that the person was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Not just him, most of the beings at the level of Free Immortals and those in the Dao Fruit Realm made the same guess, contributing to the rise of the Supreme Sect.


    Now, the Supreme Sect already had several Divine Thought True Immortals under Candle Star¡¯s manipulation. Aside from those elders who had karmic ties with Gu An, the Elder Hall had undergone a complete change of blood.


    With Long Qing out of sight, Candle Star held the greatest power in the Supreme Sect.


    Most of the current disciples of the Supreme Sect were born in the Primordial Era, so they didn¡¯t see Candle Star as an outsider. When they joined the sect, Candle Star was already the strongest in the Supreme Sect, and to this day, all disciples look up to him.


    As for the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, that had become an ethereal legend. But with the existence of the Heaven-Repairing Platform, no one doubted the veracity of this tale.


    Hearing that destiny might have changed, Long Qing opened his eyes. He looked at Candle Star and asked, ¡°If the Great Thousand World were to develop to its peak, could it confront the Battle Court?¡±


    Candle Star pondered, ¡°The Battle Court controls several Great Thousand Worlds and has risen above them. Of course, the potential of the Great Thousand World is limitless. Some powerful Great Thousand Worlds are even territories the Battle Court dares not tread.¡±


    ¡°Are there really such Great Thousand Worlds?¡±


    Long Qing asked with raised eyebrows. Having recovered the memories of his past life, he knew well the might of the Battle Court. However, he had been born in this universe in his past life and was not familiar with other Great Thousand Worlds.


    ¡°Of course. Hongmeng, Nine Extremes, Taishi, Taiqing, Taiwei ¡ª these five Great Thousand Worlds are places the Battle Court dares not overstep. Although I haven¡¯t been to them, the Lord of the War Court is extremely wary of these worlds. Moreover, besides the Great Thousand Worlds, there are other planes of existence. They may not exist according to world rules, but they too have nurtured incredibly potent forces.¡±


    Candle Star paused and said with heavy emphasis, ¡°Although the Battle Court is strong, it is far from the strongest. As long as you maintain hope, your limits will certainly surpass theirs. I¡¯ve always felt that the Long Clan is at the core of the Battle Court. Sooner or later, the Long Clan will surpass the Battle Court and reclaim its power.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Long Qing¡¯s eyes lit up with spirit.


    Just then, a woman appeared out of thin air beside them.


    ¡°Father, Ye Cang has returned, seeking justice for his father. He wields an Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure and has already penetrated the First Sea Domain. He might arrive at Tai Cang Continent today.¡±


    The woman was Long Qing¡¯s daughter, Long Ya, and her expression was complex when she mentioned Ye Cang.


    Long Qing said pensively, ¡°In the end, he has grown up. Nine thousand years ago, I felt his Destiny Pattern was extraordinary.¡±


    Candle Star, however, said dismissively, ¡°What does having an extraordinary Destiny Pattern matter? He shouldn¡¯t have trampled on the face of the Supreme Sect. Personal grudges could be discussed privately. Let him come. I¡¯ll make him understand that even with his exceptional talent, nine thousand years of cultivation is far from enough to shake the foundation of the Supreme Sect.¡±


    Long Qing hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°Don¡¯t harm his life, after all, he was once my disciple. Some misunderstandings, I think, should be discussed face-to-face.¡±


    With a huff, Candle Star vanished on the spot.


    Once he had gone, Long Ya let out a sigh of relief. She came up to Long Qing and whispered, ¡°Father, I¡¯ve heard that Ye Cang has cultivated the Primordial Chaos Body, astonishing the heavens and startling the ghosts. Even the Saintess of the Guangyuan Saint Sect admires him. Not only is his cultivation level formidable, but he also has a powerful backing now.¡±


    Long Qing glanced at her and retorted, ¡°So what, what¡¯s your point?¡±


    Long Ya glared and said, ¡°What point can I have? I¡¯m only reminding you that I did let him down, but you were the one who truly pushed him away from the Supreme Sect. You cared too much for the Supreme Sect, causing your disciple to suffer.¡±


    With that, Long Ya stomped away.


    Long Qing wasn¡¯t angry. He looked up slightly towards the bamboo forest above and murmured, ¡°Master, faced with such a dilemma, what would you choose?¡±


    He had taken on many disciples over ten thousand years, but as the Sect Leader, he always considered the disciples of the Supreme Sect more, hoping his own disciples could bear more since they had enjoyed more of the Supreme Sect¡¯s resources.


    The return of Ye Cang did not alarm Long Qing; it merely made him miss his master.

 Chapter 566 - 561: Breakthrough to Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection

    Chapter 566: Chapter 561: Breakthrough to Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection


    Hidden Spirit Palace, after Gu An picked the medicinal herbs, he looked towards Chen Luo and Xu Ling who were cultivating in the distance, who were now at the Loose Immortal Realm, a long process from Loose Immortal Realm to Wandering Immortal Realm, even disciples within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless were pushing through the Loose Immortal Realm.


    After so many years, Chen Chuan had not encountered another mysterious cause and effect attack, and Gu An was wondering whether or not to let Chen Luo and Xu Ling go.


    Not everyone enjoyed staying in one place to tirelessly cultivate.


    Deep Sea Dragon Carp came to Gu An¡¯s side, still dressed in white. Although his features still carried the soft beauty of a woman, compared to ten thousand years ago, he carried a more distinct presence, making it clear he was not a female demon.


    ¡°Master, do you need me to call them?¡± Deep Sea Dragon Carp asked respectfully, he was also at the Loose Immortal Realm, but his minor realm far surpassed both Chen Luo and Xu Ling.


    Compared to the two, Deep Sea Dragon Carp¡¯s heart was simple, he just wanted to cultivate.


    ...


    Initially, to enter the Hidden Spirit Palace, he had endured countless hardships, and he still remembered them, so he had no desire to leave.


    ¡°No need, what Magical Treasure do you want?¡±


    Gu An asked while stretching his muscles.


    Magical Treasure?


    Deep Sea Dragon Carp¡¯s eyes lit up, he pondered for a moment, and said, ¡°I want a large flag, preferably one that could control the ocean.¡±


    Although he was already aware of the existence beyond the celestial boundary, his heart was still with the ocean.


    As he read more books, he also began to form a goal, which was to dominate the ocean.


    He wanted all creatures in the ocean to worship him as their lord.


    After hearing his request, Gu An just nodded slightly without saying much.


    Refining ten Dao Treasures had not made him feel tired, because in this process, he was also comprehending the Great Dao, and looking back, it still felt wonderful.


    Thus, he decided to continue crafting Dao Treasures, of course, not everyone could receive his Dao Treasures, like Chen Luo and Xu Ling.


    Gu An saving them had already been in consideration of Chen Chuan¡¯s face.


    As his realm continued to rise, Gu An naturally became more emotionally stable, making it even harder for someone to truly find a place in his heart and garner his concern than reaching the heavens.


    He was inherently someone who kept old loyalties.


    ¡°Go and cultivate, I¡¯ll be leaving soon.¡±


    Seeing Deep Sea Dragon Carp standing by not willing to leave, Gu An spoke to send him away.


    He continued to stand there, admiring sections of the Medicine Garden in the Hidden Spirit Palace, while he activated the Lifespan Breakthrough function.


    [You have initiated the Lifespan Breakthrough function, based on your current realm, you have been offered the following breakthrough locations]


    [One, Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens]


    [Two, Ascending to Yellow Heaven]


    [Three, Taiwei Earth Core]


    [Four, Netherworld Deep Sea]


    [Five, Desperate Celestial Tomb]


    [Six, Path of the Great Dao]


    [Seven, Asura Abyss]


    [Eight, Misty Immortal Court]


    [Nine, Ling Mountain]


    Many of these places had appeared before, this time Gu An directly ruled out Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens.


    He carefully pondered these names, and he was very interested in Ling Mountain.


    In Huaxia mythology, Ling Mountain was the Buddhist Sect¡¯s dojo; now that Celestial Court had appeared, he was not sure if this Ling Mountain was the same as the one in the mythology.


    Despite his curiosity, Gu An did not want to go to Ling Mountain.


    He vaguely felt that the waters of Ling Mountain were very deep, other places looked very expansive, while Ling Mountain seemed like just one mountain, even though the lifespan breakthrough transfer locations are temporarily safe, he did not want to risk it.


    For him, the bigger the better for breakthrough locations, so even if anomalies were created, no one would intrude into the Life Span Barrier.


    Thinking it over, Gu An decided to go to the Desperate Celestial Tomb.


    There should be no powerful beings in the tomb, or if there were, they would be sealed.


    Also, for some reason, seeing the Desperate Celestial Tomb, Gu An felt a connection to this place.


    [Transporting to Desperate Celestial Tomb will consume 10,000,000,000 years of lifespan, do you wish to continue?]


    Continue!


    The thought had just arisen when an unusual state that he had not felt in a long time enveloped Gu An, he closed his eyes, losing all senses.


    After a while.


    Gu An felt his feet touch the ground, he immediately initiated the Life Span Barrier, and then opened his eyes.


    What entered his eyes were a series of ruined palaces, and ancient stone pillars towering into the clouds, the ground undulating unevenly, no flowers or grass in sight, only yellow soil and rocks, with the far-off dust swirling into the sky, making the end of the scene indistinct.


    Vast and desolate, this was Gu An¡¯s first impression.


    The Dao Spiritual Qi here was very dense, even denser than in the Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens, but the aura of the Dao here was not as abundant, with the Path of Cause and Effect being particularly outstanding.


    This was actually good for Gu An, even though he had begun to explore other Paths of the Dao, the Path of Cause and Effect was still his main focus.


    Looking around, Gu An did not feel the presence of any living beings.


    The Desperate Celestial Tomb was bigger than he had anticipated, endless to his Heart Eye¡¯s sight. He was curious whether the whole world was inside the Celestial Tomb, or if this place was hiding it?


    He sat down on the spot and pulled up his Attribute Panel to check.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 20,587/338,542,709,068]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Over 330 billion years of life span!


    This time, he would surely succeed in breaking through!


    Gu An was filled with confidence, the last time he broke through, each Crossing the Tribulation had to wait a hundred million years. Now that he had improved in all aspects, the waiting time needed for Crossing the Tribulation should not increase by many times.


    He immediately invested ten billion years of life span into his cultivation level.


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for two hundred million years, you forcefully assaulted the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm using your Great Achievement with the Daoist Dominator Skill, started Crossing the Tribulation, but you did not endure the three thousand Golden Immortal Breaking Dao Tribulations, Crossing the Tribulation failed]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for four hundred million years, you forcefully assaulted the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm using your Great Achievement with the Daoist Dominator Skill, started Crossing the Tribulation, but you did not endure the three thousand Golden Immortal Breaking Dao Tribulations, Crossing the Tribulation failed]


    ¡­ S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was indeed the Taiqing Golden Immortal!


    Once every two hundred million years for a Crossing the Tribulation, not bad.


    In reality, a failed Tribulation could mean severe injuries or even annihilation, being able to restore cultivation level and condition within two hundred million years at this level was rare.


    Quickly, the ten billion years of life span were exhausted, all efforts ending in failure.


    Gu An was not panicked at all, this was just the beginning.


    Another ten billion years of life span!


    One notification after another popped up, but Gu An¡¯s attention was drawn to a huge palace in the distance.


    That massive palace was over a million miles away from him. Compared to the surrounding structures, it was exceptionally magnificent, the gates alone were over ten thousand zhang high.


    For a moment earlier, Gu An felt a faint and eerie presence from that palace that disappeared quickly, as if it was his imagination.


    It seemed that this Desperate Celestial Tomb hid secrets.


    After all the prompts on his panel disappeared, Gu An continued to invest ten billion years of life span.


    Failure!


    Invest again!


    Failure!


    Invest again!


    Finally, success!


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for five billion nine hundred million years, you forcefully assaulted the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm using your Great Achievement with the Daoist Dominator Skill, started Crossing the Tribulation, you endured the three thousand Golden Immortal Breaking Dao Tribulations, Crossing the Tribulation succeeded, your Cultivation Level broke through to the Early Stage of Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm]


    [You practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred billion years, your cultivation level improved]


    A massive amount of Dao Spiritual Qi immediately surged towards Gu An, he didn¡¯t stop but continued to invest life span.


    The life span required to move from the Early Stage to the Mid Stage of the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm far exceeded his imagination, costing him two hundred billion years of life span!


    That was truly frightening!


    However, thinking of the Nine Heavens Cyan Bird who was only in the Early Stage of Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm despite being over two hundred billion years old, he felt more at ease.


    After all, this was the Taiqing Golden Immortal, a realm unimaginable to the beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    He continued to invest life span until his Cultivation Level reached the Perfection of Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm, from Early Stage to Perfection, he had spent nearly a hundred billion years of life span altogether.


    And he still had over one point eight billion years of life span left!


    Meanwhile, anomalies began to appear in the Desperate Celestial Tomb, Dao Spiritual Qi surged from all directions, forming devastating tornadoes, and runes appeared intermittently in the sky, akin to thunder, oppressively intense.


    Gu An turned his gaze back to the distant huge palace.


    That trace of eerie presence he had caught earlier reappeared, his eyes intently focused on that half-open giant door, behind which was darkness, ominously severe.


    After a while, as Gu An basked in the luminance of the Great Dao, he squinted because he saw a figure walking out from that door.


    The figure was as large as an ordinary person, seeming minuscule like dust within the doorway.


    From its shape, it seemed to be a person?

 Chapter 567 - 562: Sin, the Catastrophe of the Supreme Sect

    Chapter 567: Chapter 562: Sin, the Catastrophe of the Supreme Sect


    Under Gu An¡¯s gaze, a young boy with a full head of black hair walked out from the door. He looked to be just over ten years old, very thin, dressed in a pair of tattered pants, his face smeared with dirt.


    He stood in the shadow of the gate, looking around nervously.


    [Sin (Nirvana Realm): 0/9999/9999]


    His Cultivation Level in the Nirvana Realm wasn¡¯t particularly strong, but his causality was extremely complex; even someone as powerful as Gu An couldn¡¯t see through it.


    The tangled, complicated causality was intricately related to the Dao Rules within the Desperate Celestial Tomb. At first glance, Gu An felt like the boy was imprisoned here by the Great Dao.


    But the key question was, how could he be zero years old?


    ...


    Just born?


    Gu An grew curious about Sin, but his immediate priority was to make a breakthrough. After watching for a while, he closed his eyes.


    The commotion caused by the breakthrough soon enveloped the entire Desperate Celestial Tomb, making Sin at the gate even more nervous, to the point where he retracted back into the door, only poking his head out.


    As Gu An closed his eyes, time flew by rapidly.


    An hour later, Gu An successfully broke through to the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm.


    The state of being a Taiqing Golden Immortal still revolved around the elevation of the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, above which appeared a patch of azure sky evolved from the Taiqing, reminding Gu An of the Heavenly Dao.


    The Heavenly Dao encompassed the Great Thousand World just like this!


    Reaching the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm led to a transformation of his Destiny Pattern, unbound by the constraints of the Great Dao. Even without passing through a World Gate, Gu An could leap out of the Great World. He could even glimpse the domains beyond the Great Thousand World.


    Nothingness, Chaos¡ªutter emptiness, without even light.


    The Desperate Celestial Tomb, like the Great Thousand World, though not as vast as the Celestial Spirit Great World, had a similar structure to the Great Thousand World.


    Aside from a leap in Mana, his Heart Eye began to transform, and his Divine Sense, too, underwent transformation. As a Taiqing Golden Immortal, he could come and go as he pleased, his Soul Body reaching his thoughts instantly without any hinderance in the journey.


    Within the Life Span Barrier, Gu An¡¯s body shone with a strong light, Dao Spiritual Qi formed whirlwinds around him, appearing to hide thousands of stars flickering in brilliance.


    After fully stepping into the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm, Gu An started challenging higher minor realms.


    Only after reaching the late stages of the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm did his thoughts return to reality, and when he opened his eyes again, his whole persona underwent a drastic change.


    He became more transcendent, exuding an aura of unparalleled dominance.


    Taiqing Golden Immortal, the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit and also the sixth realm of the Dao Fruit Realm, the Great Dao told Gu An that very few beings reached this layer of the realm, a domain even the Great Dao couldn¡¯t entirely restrict.


    Gu An could feel that his Golden Immortal Dao Fruit had reached its limit. Another breakthrough would grant him even greater favors, and his Dao Fruit too would welcome a new transformation.


    The Dao Spiritual Qi continued to pour into Gu An¡¯s body, the potent Power of the Great Dao surrounding him, as if protecting his breakthrough.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze once again turned towards the distance, the giant palace gate no longer bore sight of Sin.


    He felt somewhat wistful, a feeling that left him confused.


    His intuition told him that he had some connection with Sin, a connection he couldn¡¯t recall, possibly because it pertained to the future.


    He felt it was likely related to Lifespan Reincarnation; perhaps Sin had some connection with one of his Reincarnation Bodies from a past life.


    From the moment he saw the Desperate Celestial Tomb, he had this sense, as if something here was waiting for him, something he was compelled to face.


    Gu An gazed at the massive palace while lost in contemplation.


    Even though he had successfully made a breakthrough, he couldn¡¯t fully decipher the causality of the Desperate Celestial Tomb. However, he was certain that the entire world was a Celestial Tomb, burying countless Great Powers¡¯ causality. He could even envision the scenes from before their deaths.


    The Desperate Celestial Tomb seemed quiet but was truly terrifying. Without the Life Span Barrier, just one hour in the tomb would see Gu An eaten away by mysterious forces within, making escape impossible.


    Whatever this force was, Gu An couldn¡¯t tell, and he even sensed that this force was no less formidable than the Heavenly Dao.


    Time continued to pass.


    Gu An had reached Perfection in the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm, but the strange phenomena within the Desperate Celestial Tomb persisted.


    Aside from Sin, he detected no other presences, as if the Desperate Celestial Tomb housed only Sin, a living spirit.


    Once his Cultivation Level stopped growing, Gu An stood up, choosing to teleport back.


    As for the confusion brought about by Sin, he decided to let time provide the answers, for with the Life Span Breakthrough, there was always the possibility of returning in the future.


    After a while, Gu An reappeared inside the Hidden Spirit Palace.


    He pulled up his Attribute Panel, and just the breakthrough of the Life Span Barrier alone had cost him seventy billion years of life span, leaving him with around a hundred billion years.


    That¡¯s fine, there¡¯s life span left.


    After giving the Deep Sea Dragon Carp that had already begun its cultivation practice a glance, Gu An disappeared on the spot.


    He didn¡¯t return to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless but took one step to arrive at the Outer Sect City of the Supreme Sect.


    It had been tens of thousands of years since he last returned to the Supreme Sect.


    Compared to the last Era, the Supreme Sect was even more prosperous, even the Outer Sect City had been expanded, and it was more vast than the Sect¡¯s Main City of before.


    Gu An appeared out of thin air amid the crowd in the streets without attracting anyone¡¯s attention; even when he appeared in front of the passing disciples, they only felt that he had an extraordinary demeanor and were not confused about his sudden appearance, which was the effect of his Dao Intent.


    He could influence people¡¯s perception, even manipulate their minds.


    The Supreme Sect was bustling today. As Gu An strolled around, he listened to the discussions among the Supreme Sect disciples.


    ¡°I heard that Grand Elder Zhu Xing himself took action and still couldn¡¯t subdue Ye Cang.¡±


    ¡°Is the Primordial Chaos Body really so domineering?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. Ye Cang wields an Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure, and clearly, there is a prominent figure behind him. It is said that the Guangyuan Saint Sect supporting him possesses Great Powers that transcend the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path.¡±


    ¡°The Supreme Sect won¡¯t be overwhelmed, right?¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ye Cang was also once a disciple of our Supreme Sect, but now he has become our enemy. What exactly happened back then?¡±


    Gu An listened to these discussions without paying Ye Cang any mind.


    The new Era would give birth to new talents, especially since the current Great Heaven and Earth are far stronger than in the last Era.


    Before the Great Thousand World was reshaped, thousands of Great Heaven and Earths were scattered across the universe. From ancient times to the present, entities wanting to transcend the Free Immortals realm would leave the Great Heaven and Earth to seek opportunities in the universe, because their own Heaven and Earth could not help them reach higher realms.


    Now, the Great Thousand World has been restored to its original state, and the Heavenly Dao has reemerged. Opportunities are everywhere, and more and more Great Powers are returning. Some come from the river of the Great Dao, others from Reincarnation. There are myriad ways, making the overall strength of the Celestial Spirit Great World rapidly increasing.


    As for the Celestial Court, perhaps standing too high, they have not noticed this, and the Battle Court is even more elusive.


    Returning to the Supreme Sect, Gu An mainly felt nostalgic and wanted to come back and take a look.


    He walked slowly, admiring the street scenes along the way, and before he knew it, he had arrived in front of the Library Pavilion. This time, he didn¡¯t step inside.


    Compared to his last visit, the Library Pavilion had become majestically imposing, and he felt a sense of unfamiliarity.


    Old acquaintances kept surfacing in Gu An¡¯s eyes, bringing a smile to his face.


    Though the old friends were no longer present, the memories of the past were so beautiful. Whenever he reminisced, his mood would become cheerful.


    Nowadays, very few people within the Supreme Sect could recognize Gu An. These people are highly respected and often in seclusion, not the type to stroll around the Outer Sect City.


    Gu An just stood in front of the Library Pavilion, looking at the building, lost in memories.


    The celestial vault behind him began to change color; rolling thunderclouds approached from the horizon, quickly covering the sky above the Outer Sect City.


    As the world darkened, Gu An¡¯s thoughts returned to the present. He turned around to look, and at the end of the earth, lightning flashed and thunder roared as if the apocalypse was upon them.


    Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm¡¯s Grand Elder Zhu Xing couldn¡¯t stop Ye Cang, or more accurately, couldn¡¯t stop the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure in Ye Cang¡¯s hand.


    The soul inside that Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure belonged to a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal from Luotian, and because it was just a soul, it could only exert the strength of a Profound Yuan Free Immortal. Combined with the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure, it had the power to sweep through its realm.


    Gu An saw through the origin of that soul at a glance.


    This soul, named the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, came from another Great Thousand World. When the Celestial Spirit God was preparing to destroy the Great Thousand World, he took advantage of the chaos in the Great Dao¡¯s order and sneaked in. He was fleeing a pursuit, with transcendent forces seeking to execute him.


    Later, the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor encountered Ye Cang. He was attracted by Ye Cang¡¯s physique and, after thousands of years of companionship, they built a deep connection. Ye Cang was determined to seek revenge, and the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor could only support him.


    After defeating Zhu Xing, Ye Cang rapidly advanced towards the Supreme Sect.


    Ye Cang, who was over nine thousand years old, had already reached the Cultivation Level of a Loose Immortal and was not far from the Wandering Immortal Realm. His talent could indeed be considered top-tier in the current era.


    However, his strength was mainly due to his reliance on the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor. The world was unaware of the existence of the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, so Ye Cang¡¯s talent was overestimated even more.


    Simultaneously.


    On the edge of the continent, above the rolling thunderclouds, a man in black clothes advanced against the wind. His face was stern with sharp eyebrows and eyes. His right hand held an ancient cyan tower that continuously burst forth with rainbow light, battering the sea of clouds.


    He was Ye Cang!

 Chapter 568 - 563: The Dominant Ancestor

    Chapter 568: Chapter 563: The Dominant Ancestor


    Gazing at the distant and majestic Supreme Sect, Ye Cang¡¯s eyes brimmed with nostalgia as he murmured to himself, ¡°I¡¯ve finally come back . Compared to before, it indeed looks more like a Holy Land of the Human World.¡±


    A weathered voice emerged from the ancient azure tower, ¡°Regarding the Supreme Sect, I too am quite interested. What kind of sect is it that could attract the protection of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor!


    Ye Cang replied, ¡°But the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has already left the Supreme Sect. Perhaps even he has grown tired of it.¡±


    He had visited the Heaven-Repairing Platform and felt the vast Sword Intent of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. Thus, he had long been an admirer of the Venerable.


    ¡°Everything should have a limit; do not be too extreme,¡± Heaven-Supporting Ancestor said with emphasis.


    ...


    Ye Cang did not reply, his eyes only growing more complex.


    He recalled the scene before he left the Supreme Sect, arguing with his master in the Third Medicine Valley, insisting he hadn¡¯t harmed his fellow disciples. Even though his senior sister testified for him, their master remained unconvinced. To appease the rage within the sect, his master had him leave the Supreme Sect first. After his departure, his sister was murdered.


    She was his only kin, whom he swore to protect in front of their parents¡¯ tombstones.


    Knowledgable of this truth, he felt as though the sky had collapsed. He sought justice from his master but was stonewalled, and to this day, that vengeance had not been claimed.


    He hated his master for not taking a stand for him, and he hated the Supreme Sect even more. Although it was called a Holy Land, it was really dominated by influential families, and without a powerful backing, it was hard to gain a foothold.


    This time, he was determined to demand justice!


    After obtaining justice, he planned to leave far behind, venturing into a vaster world, never to return in this lifetime.


    Of course, there was another thought in his mind.


    That was to see his senior sister one more time.


    Thinking of his senior sister, the chill in his eyes eased.


    ¡°How dare you, Ye Cang! As a disciple of the Supreme Sect, do you truly intend to betray your own sect?¡±


    A majestic voice rang out, thunderous and filled with divine might.


    Ye Cang did not reply, instead, quickening his pace, his aura suddenly burst forth. Mana gathered behind him, forming a Dharma Aspect of towering mountains and rivers, sun and moon shining brightly, and vast rivers rushing, from which the essence of heaven and earth gushed out.


    The clouds ahead were pierced through as Cultivators of the Supreme Sect, armed with Magical Treasures, rushed out, rapidly surrounding Ye Cang, ready for battle.


    ¡­


    Rumble¡ª


    The Outer Sect City shook, and Gu An watched as the City-Protecting Array rose. Pedestrians on the streets hurried along, disturbed by Ye Cang¡¯s arrival.


    Gu An turned and headed toward the Heaven-Repairing Platform. He could foresee that Ye Cang would not bring disaster to the Supreme Sect. Once Ye Cang met Long Qing and they, as master and disciple, broke ties, Ye Cang would completely sever his karma and then truly embark on his own path in life.


    The Primordial Chaos Body was no simple matter, a notch above Zhu Xi¡¯s Primordial Cause and Effect Body. Of course, that was just the physique. The potential of a Cultivator still depended on their comprehension.


    The feud between Ye Cang and Long Qing amused Gu An, but he did not support either of their perspectives.


    Suddenly, he thought of Ji Xiaoyu, who had also severed her familial ties. Such were the matters of the Human World, always with its imperfections.


    Ji Xiaoyu had long returned to the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, which was not part of the Great Heaven and Earth, and remained in the cosmic void of the universe.


    Gu An occasionally kept an eye on Ji Xiaoyu, who was striving to reach the Dao Fruit Realm. Despite the news of the reshaping of the Great Thousand World, Ji Xiaoyu had no intention of coming back to see Gu An.


    Gu An could hear her aspirations; she wanted to reach the same realm as Gu An before she would meet him again. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Naturally, he respected her competitive spirit.


    For the Human World, ten thousand years was a long time, but for Ji Xiaoyu, especially in seclusion, it felt short, so she did not feel it had been long since she saw Gu An.


    Thinking of Ji Xiaoyu, Gu An then thought of Ye Lan.


    Having entered Reincarnation for so long, Ye Lan had not yet reincarnated in the Celestial Spirit Great World. Gu An decided to spend time looking for her next.


    With the Dao Destruction Destiny Seal, as a Taiqing Golden Immortal, finding Ye Lan should not be difficult for Gu An.


    As Gu An thought this, he walked down one street after another.


    He finally arrived in front of the Heaven-Repairing Platform.


    The Heaven-Repairing Platform maintained its original appearance, with many figures on it. Zuo Yijian was still guarding the Heaven-Splitting Axe, sitting cross-legged in mid-air, exuding a celestial demeanor.


    The pressure of the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure enveloped Outer Sect City, but Zuo Yijian kept his eyes closed, an air of calmness that would not change even if the heavens fell.


    Looking at Zuo Yijian, Gu An felt reassured.


    Zuo Yijian was definitely the most devoted person to him, even more devout than Profound Mysterious Zhenren from the Mountain God Temple. Unless his family faced trouble, he had guarded the Heaven-Repairing Platform for over twenty thousand years, protecting the honor of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Gu An also had not treated him unfairly, occasionally using Dao Intent to guide him in Sword Enlightenment.


    Now, Zuo Yijian was also in the Loose Immortal Realm, his Sword Dao achievement not much less than Chen Chuan.


    Once the inheritance of the Heaven-Splitting Axe was handed over, Gu An would give Zuo Yijian a chance to follow him.


    Gu An had steeds, disciples, and demon pets, but he lacked a sword attendant by his side.


    At this moment, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of the Heaven-Splitting Axe, and the disciples who were queuing up were about to verbally abuse the newcomer, but upon recognizing who it was, they hastily bent over to salute.


    The visitor was none other than the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, Long Qing!


    Long Qing paid no attention to the surrounding disciples; he gazed at the Heaven-Splitting Axe, remaining silent.


    Zuo Yijian was still meditating mid-air; he glanced at Long Qing and then closed his eyes again.


    With a pat on the shoulder from the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable and inheriting the Sword Intent, Zuo Yijian held a very high status in the Supreme Sect; even when facing Long Qing, he could act as a senior, and Long Qing did indeed respect him.


    Boom, boom, boom¡ª


    The distant rumbling of thunder grew louder and louder, the oppression belonging to the Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure was approaching.


    Candle Star appeared out of nowhere beside Long Qing and said solemnly, ¡°Behind him, there is someone with a higher cultivation level than me; the Supreme Sect cannot stop him.¡±


    He is the foremost cultivator of the Supreme Sect, and below him, there is a huge gap in cultivation level.


    Hearing his words, Long Qing¡¯s expression did not change.


    Candle Star wanted to say more, but he suddenly turned his head. The city-protecting array of the Outer Sect City shattered abruptly, and a rainbow light came crashing down from the sky, forcing Candle Star to raise his palm and protect Long Qing and the surrounding disciples with his own mana.


    As the light dissipated and the jin qi overflowed, Ye Cang revealed himself, with cracks appearing on the platform under his feet and stones flying.


    Zuo Yijian opened his eyes; his gaze fell on the spot beneath Ye Cang¡¯s feet, his sword-brows furrowing tightly.


    Holding a green ancient tower, Ye Cang ignored Candle Star; his gaze fell on Long Qing¡¯s back, and he said, ¡°Master, long time no see.¡±


    Long Qing slowly turned around. Facing his former disciple, his expression was calm, devoid of any emotion.


    Their eyes met, each seeing only the other.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Long Qing asked.


    Ye Cang responded, ¡°I seek justice. I want you, Master, to publicly condemn the Cui Family and avenge my sister.¡±


    Long Qing said nothing, only quietly looked at him.


    Ye Cang slightly tilted his chin upward, a cold light twinkling in his eyes; he said with a sneer, ¡°It seems that after nine thousand years, the status of the Cui Family in the Supreme Sect has risen ever higher. Master, you also can¡¯t bear to deal with them, can you?¡±


    Long Qing stared at him and said, ¡°The one who murdered your sister was already executed. Do you really want the entire Cui Family to join your sister in death? Do you know how many people are in the Cui Family, and what the Supreme Sect would lose without them?¡±


    Ye Cang stepped forward, the green ancient tower shone with a dazzling light, a strong wind rose from the ground, and his black robe fluttered intensely, enhancing the oppressive force he displayed.


    ¡°He is dead, but my sister, as a disciple of the Supreme Sect, died quietly; is that really right? Moreover, that person was just a pawn; who truly wanted to harm my sister, Master, do you really not know?¡±


    Ye Cang pressed aggressively, the aura of the green ancient tower making the Heaven-Repairing Platform tremble.


    Candle Star couldn¡¯t help but yell out, ¡°Enough! That member of the Cui Family has long left the Supreme Sect. Do you expect the Supreme Sect to spend manpower to hunt him down; how vast is the world, for your sister, how much should the Supreme Sect have to sacrifice for you to be satisfied?¡±


    The Cui Family allowed the mastermind to escape and had the murderer executed; the Supreme Sect indeed had no way to deal with them, especially since the Cui Family helped develop the sect and now counted among the top three families within the sect.


    Candle Star often encountered such contradictions; what he could do was to have the murderer pay with his life, but it was impossible to completely eradicate them because the development of power needed to consider benefits.


    With this loud yell, the aura of Profound Yuan Free Immortal surged toward Ye Cang, making him slide backward.


    A phantom jumped out from the green ancient tower; this was an old Taoist with white hair.


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor hovered in the air, looking down at Candle Star, and said, ¡°Fellow Daoist, you should not belong to this Great Thousand World; why are you so stubborn about the rules of the Human World? If you consider interests, do you think it is worth offending me and a Primordial Chaos Body for a family that oppresses the weak?¡±


    Seeing him appear, Candle Star¡¯s expression darkened and he said, ¡°I want to ask you too; with your high level of Dao Practice, do you really think his stubborn nature won¡¯t bring him great disaster?¡±


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor had no expression on his face and said, ¡°This is his only request in this life, and as his teacher, I must help him. In the Human World, ¡®a day as a teacher, a lifelong father,¡¯ in the Great Thousand World, a teacher should protect his disciple more. I do not care what happens to him in the future; I just want to support him now.¡±


    Hearing these words, Long Qing¡¯s expression changed.


    Zuo Yijian looked at the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor. He could feel the other¡¯s strength, but he was not concerned.


    The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had left many years ago, but Zuo Yijian always felt that the old man was still watching over the Supreme Sect.


    As long as the Sword Intent of the Heaven-Repairing Platform did not dissipate, Zuo Yijian believed the Supreme Sect could not possibly fall.


    Ye Cang, hearing the words of the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, felt a deep gratitude but did not show it on his face; he looked at Long Qing, his eyes filled with disappointment.


    Once, he had respected this Master so much that he even considered him a father.


    The strong stance of the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor put great pressure on Candle Star; he could only look to Long Qing.


    ¡°Say something; if it comes to a fight, I will risk my life to assist you. This guy is just a remnant soul; he cannot afford it!¡± Candle Star said solemnly.


    Seeing the disappointment in Ye Cang¡¯s eyes, Long Qing felt a bit confused; had he really made a mistake?


    In his view, the Supreme Sect was the legacy left by his teacher and Lv Baitian; he had to protect it well, so in his heart, the Supreme Sect was more important than his progeny and disciples.


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor looked at Long Qing and said, ¡°Destroying the Cui Family would be as easy as flipping my hand, but what my disciple wants is your stance, Dragon Gate Master. Could it be that you want to involve the entire Supreme Sect because of past mistakes?¡±

 Chapter 569 - 564: The Myth of the Supreme Sect

    Chapter 569: Chapter 564: The Myth of the Supreme Sect


    Entangled the entire Supreme Sect!


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor¡¯s voice echoed throughout the Supreme Sect, allowing every single person within the Sect to hear him loud and clear.


    In these days, the grudges between Ye Cang and the Sect had already been dug out by the disciples, and with the powerful Cui Family already unpopular among some, the true story emerged against those who fanned the flames.


    Though they sympathized with Ye Cang, they could not accept that he would jeopardize the whole Supreme Sect for a personal vendetta.


    They couldn¡¯t just give up resistance out of sympathy and wait for Ye Cang to execute them, right? Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor¡¯s words instead ignited the wrath of the Supreme Sect members, and more and more disciples flew toward the Outer Sect City.


    ...


    Long Qing¡¯s expression also turned ice-cold. Ye Cang had brought up the master-disciple relationship, which indeed caused him regret, but with Heaven-Supporting Ancestor threatening the entire Supreme Sect, the shame and regret in his heart were instantly replaced by murderous intent.


    He glared at Heaven-Supporting Ancestor and said coldly, ¡°Do you really think you can act recklessly within the Supreme Sect?¡±


    As he spoke, a trace of gray aura emanated from his eyes, making his whole persona appear even more eerie.


    He was not as advanced in cultivation level as Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, but he had his own reliance!


    That was the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect!


    Zuo Yijian, seated cross-legged in mid-air, also spoke up, ¡°Right and wrong, grudges and favors, can be discussed, but if you want to threaten the entire Supreme Sect, I advise you to take back these words, otherwise your cultivation level won¡¯t withstand the consequences of such karma.¡±


    Seeing even a Loose Immortal so arrogant, Heaven-Supporting Ancestor thought these people had gone mad.


    Could it be they believed Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was still protecting them?


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor¡¯s divine sense enveloped the entire Supreme Sect and completely failed to detect the presence of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, not to mention a presence comparable to Candle Star¡¯s.


    As Heaven-Supporting Ancestor was thinking, figures descended from the sky, and Long Qing¡¯s daughter Long Ya had also arrived. Seeing her, Ye Cang¡¯s eyes showed a subtle change.


    Long Ya looked at Ye Cang with a complex expression, faintly resentful, which made Ye Cang unable to look her in the eye.


    A handsome man in a gold-embroidered white robe stood in front of Long Qing. He was tall, his long hair tied up in a crown, exuding an unbeatable elegance, the pride in his expression undeniable.


    ¡°Ye Cang, every debt has its debtor, every grievance its culprit. Master didn¡¯t support you as you wished, but if you honestly ask yourself, did Master mistreat you? Before you left the Supreme Sect, did you get less cultivation resources than I did? Despite conflicts with that disciple from the Cui Family, you both vied for the same opportunity; he died¡ªwouldn¡¯t the Cui Family think of you? Isn¡¯t it because of your lack of foresight?¡±


    This handsome man was Long Qing¡¯s son, Long Teng, and he spoke with the fierce momentum of a wild beast.


    He stared intently at Ye Cang and said, ¡°All you know is hatred, but what about the grace the Supreme Sect has shown you? Because of hatred towards one person, one family, you would involve the entire Sect? Do you really think you are without guilt?¡±


    ¡°Since you hold your sister in such high regard, why didn¡¯t you consider her when you were fighting? Did you think we are obligated to guard your sister for life, watching over her every moment?¡±


    These successive interrogations made Ye Cang furrow his brows.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor did not speak further. He had no personal grievance with the Supreme Sect; he wanted to see how Ye Cang would respond.


    In his view, Ye Cang should experience such a confrontation and come to a clear understanding of himself.


    ¡°The people who have been kind to you, you only demand more, by what right do you act this way?¡± Long Teng said forcefully, and even though Heaven-Supporting Ancestor and Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure were mighty, he showed no fear, and even took a step forward while speaking.


    Seeing Long Teng¡¯s stance, Candle Star revealed a smile on his face.


    Even though Ye Cang had cultivated the Primordial Chaos Body, in Candle Star¡¯s eyes, he still didn¡¯t measure up to Long Teng.


    Feel it¡¯s unfair?


    When Ye Cang was the favored one by Long Qing, did Ye Cang ever consider how Long Teng felt being neglected?


    Granted, Long Qing was somewhat biased in his manner and relationships, the closer they were, the more he may have taken them for granted, mainly because his energy and resources were limited. In his view, there was no need to make a big effort to win over his own children. Perhaps, due to a lifetime of drifting from one life to the next, he cared deeply about how outsiders felt under his command.


    Candle Star didn¡¯t think such a fault was a big deal.


    The present issue wasn¡¯t about what Long Qing did wrong; it was that he wasn¡¯t as strong as Heaven-Supporting Ancestor!


    If he was stronger, would he have allowed Heaven-Supporting Ancestor such insolence?


    More and more people appeared on the Heaven-Repairing Platform, persuading Ye Cang, who had once shown peerless talent. It was too much of a pity for such a genius to become the Supreme Sect¡¯s enemy, especially when the conflict could be resolved. Why go to such lengths to settle the score?


    Ye Cang watched his former Sect friends and teachers, feeling somewhat swayed in his heart.


    But whenever he thought of his sister¡¯s death, he just couldn¡¯t let go.


    The very reason he had left the Supreme Sect with peace of mind was his belief that Master would take care of his sister. But instead of disciplining the Cui Family, Master had let them kill his sister.


    Why should he?


    His Master was the Sect Leader!


    Ye Cang¡¯s anger and intent to kill burst forth in his heart, and the more people tried to persuade him, the more he hated.


    From the beginning to the end, the Cui Family never showed up, and the Supreme Sect did not attempt to capture them; it was as if the Cui Family were the victims!


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Ye Cang¡¯s voice was deep, drowning out all other noises between heaven and earth.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor and Long Qing both turned to look at him. Both were his masters, but one protected him while the other stood on the opposing side.


    Zuo Yijian sensed Ye Cang¡¯s murderous aura and his expression shifted. He was about to stand up when suddenly, his gaze caught a figure, and he widened his eyes in excitement.


    He did not exclaim aloud but quickly repressed his emotions.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor said expressionlessly, ¡°Speak, whatever you wish to do, your master will support you.¡±


    As his words fell, the temperature around plummeted. The ancient green tower constantly burst forth with rainbow light, casting clarity on everyone¡¯s faces.


    Ye Cang took a deep breath and said, ¡°Kill! Kill until¡­¡±


    ¡°Young man, watch your words. Some things can¡¯t be taken back once said.¡±


    A voice suddenly came from behind, and in an instant, Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, who was floating in mid-air, felt a hand press on his shoulder, and he found himself crashing down onto the Heaven-Repairing Platform.


    Having become a remnant soul, Heaven-Supporting Ancestor had almost forgotten what it felt like to physically fall.


    He instinctively turned his head and saw a figure standing behind him, one hand resting on his shoulder.


    Everyone was frightened by Gu An¡¯s sudden appearance, including Ye Cang, whose eyelids twitched wildly.


    That someone had captured the mighty Heaven-Supporting Ancestor so easily.


    Upon seeing Gu An, Long Qing felt relieved, but then, thinking of something, his face showed a shade of shame.


    An elder who had lived through the last era widened his eyes in disbelief. Just as he was about to speak, he seemed to remember something and swallowed his words.


    It was also Candle Star¡¯s first time seeing Gu An, but Gu An¡¯s figure felt familiar to him.


    Wait¡­


    Wasn¡¯t this the mysterious figure who had suppressed the Celestial Spirit God?


    Candle Star instinctively glanced at Long Qing, and seeing his expression, felt even more certain about his guess. He breathed a sigh of relief while also feeling a bit nervous.


    This was the terrifying existence who had effortlessly suppressed the Celestial Spirit God; he couldn¡¯t fathom what such a being might be thinking.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor was unable to move; he couldn¡¯t even retract his Immortal Path Ultimate Treasure. Waves of shock surged in his heart.


    Gu An ignored Heaven-Supporting Ancestor beneath his hand and looked at Ye Cang, saying, ¡°Ultimately, your enemies are not here. Many things can be mended. You can avenge the dead, but you should also cherish the living.¡±


    Ye Cang saw Heaven-Supporting Ancestor pressed to the ground, unable to even turn around to look at him, and this filled him with fear.


    Gu An looked so young but gave off an unfathomable aura.


    He nervously asked, ¡°And who are you?¡±


    He had voiced the question on everyone¡¯s mind.


    Afraid that Ye Cang might offend Gu An, Long Qing hastily barked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to kneel and kowtow to your Ancestor?¡±


    Ancestor?


    Ye Cang stood there stunned, along with Long Teng, Long Ya, and the other members of the Long Family.


    This person was Long Qing¡¯s master?


    Wait!


    Wasn¡¯t Long Qing¡¯s master¡­


    More and more people started to realize this point; some gasped, while others trembled and knelt straight on the ground.


    Ye Cang also came to the realization of Gu An¡¯s identity, his mind buzzing. He stood still, unsure of what to do.


    Gu An¡¯s left hand lifted, and with a wave through the air, a man appeared beneath his hand, his shoulder grasped by Gu An.


    This man was handsomely dressed, his face handsome, but it carried a hint of malevolence.


    His expression was baffled, obviously startled by the sudden turn of events. When he saw Ye Cang, his face greatly changed.


    Ye Cang¡¯s notoriety spread far and wide, and he had always dreaded encountering Ye Cang.


    Upon seeing him, Ye Cang¡¯s eyes instantly reddened, his murderous intent irrepressible.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Cui Xianlin had just opened his mouth when he was suppressed by a force.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t be bothered to listen to their dispute; through causal calculations, he could understand the truth.


    Cui Xianlin¡¯s brother fancied Long Ya, but Long Ya was close to Ye Cang, leading to Cui Xianlin¡¯s brother warning Ye Cang several times in private, which resulted in a grudge between the two men.


    The reason Cui Xianlin¡¯s brother died was that he attacked Ye Cang and, in a twist of fate, was killed by a Demon Beast.


    After Ye Cang left, Cui Xianlin returned to Supreme Sect only to discover his brother¡¯s death. He wanted Ye Cang to suffer the same pain.


    The Cui Family was also in distress. They were wary of Long Qing and Candle Star; otherwise, they would not have sent Cui Xianlin away.


    Whether it was the Cui Family or Ye Cang, both paid a price. Supreme Sect had also discussed this matter with the Cui Family, and ultimately, it was left in the past.


    But the Cui Family never dared let Cui Xianlin return due to Candle Star¡¯s domineering actions.


    Gu An stared at Ye Cang and said, ¡°You¡¯re avenging your sister, and your master helps you; that¡¯s all fine. But you must also allow your master¡¯s Ancestor to help him. What do you think?¡±


    Ye Cang, overwhelmed, was even more unsure of what to do.


    The thought that the person before him was the myth of Supreme Sect threw his mind into turmoil.


    Long Qing quickly approached Gu An and said, ¡°Master, Cang¡¯er is just a bit impulsive. It¡¯s all my fault as his master.¡±


    He was worried that Gu An was angry, always believing that Supreme Sect was Gu An¡¯s soft spot, which was why he valued the Sect so highly.


    Gu An looked towards Long Qing with a calm gaze and said, ¡°You¡¯ve disappointed me.¡±


    At those words, Long Qing¡¯s complexion drastically changed, and unable to maintain the air of a Sect Leader, he knelt down anxiously.


    Seeing the Sect Leader kneel, all Supreme Sect cultivators knelt in unison, Zuo Yijian included.

 Chapter 570 - 565: Righteous Dao, Eternal Life

    Chapter 570: Chapter 565: Righteous Dao, Eternal Life


    Outer Sect City fell into silence, the cultivators who came to support beheld the magnificent scene on the Heaven-Repairing Platform and were utterly astounded, slowing their flying speed, their eyes fixed on Long Qing.


    The Sect Leader knelt?


    When they turned their gazes towards Gu An, they couldn¡¯t see his true face, even feeling a sense of dizziness.


    Seeing his master speaking on his behalf, Ye Cang also came back to his senses.


    Yes, if he could seek the help of Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, why couldn¡¯t his ancestor help his master?


    The moment he saw Cui Xianlin, Ye Cang actually began to let go.


    ...


    It was only because the dead could not be brought back to life that he blamed others.


    It was his own fault, after all¡ªhe had not protected his sister well. Who else could he blame?


    Ye Cang took a deep breath and facing Gu An, he opened his mouth to say, ¡°Thank you, Ancestor, for capturing my enemy for me. I should avenge myself, please, do not be disappointed in my master. He, as the Sect Leader, was indeed helpless, and I, as his disciple, failed to resolve his worries and constantly caused him trouble. It is I who have let him down¡­¡±


    When Long Qing knelt down for him, his hatred for Long Qing completely dissipated.


    Recalling what Long Teng had said, he felt utterly ashamed.


    Now, he only wanted to kill Cui Xianlin and then leave.


    Gu An looked at him and said, ¡°Running away won¡¯t solve the problem. You¡¯ve caused so much trouble for the Supreme Sect¡ªdo you think you can just walk away?¡±


    After hearing this, Ye Cang opened his mouth but didn¡¯t know how to respond to that question.


    Though he had not intentionally killed anyone, his forceful actions along the way had undoubtedly caused immeasurable losses to the Supreme Sect.


    ¡°After taking revenge, have a chat alone with your master, let him decide your fate.¡±


    Having said that, Gu An pushed Cui Xianlin, whose mana had already been restrained, towards Ye Cang. Now as weak as a mortal, once Cui Xianlin regained his freedom, he immediately ran towards the distance.


    However, Ye Cang appeared out of nowhere in front of him, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him high up.


    As Gu An turned and walked away, he dropped a comment, ¡°Zuo Yijian, come with me.¡±


    Hearing this, Zuo Yijian became excited and hurriedly followed Gu An¡¯s steps; just a few steps away, the two disappeared from the Heaven-Repairing Platform.


    With Gu An gone, Ye Cang could no longer restrain his desire to kill.


    ¡°Cui Xianlin, give me back my sister¡¯s life!¡±


    Ye Cang roared with all his might, venting thousands of years of accumulated hatred and pain.


    His voice echoed between heaven and earth, countless cultivators of the Supreme Sect looked up, their minds shaken as they gazed at the figure on the Heaven-Repairing Platform.


    What shook them was not Ye Cang, but the person whom the Sect Leader had knelt before.


    Who in the world was he?


    Not only did he make the Sect Leader kneel, but he also made Ye Cang let go of his hatred towards the Supreme Sect¡ªsuch a figure made the cultivators of the Supreme Sect¡¯s imagination run wild.


    ¡­


    The dark clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, and the sunlight poured down, brightening Third Medicine Valley.


    Under an old tree, after Zuo Yijian finished pouring tea for Gu An, he sat down respectfully, facing Gu An with a mix of anticipation and nervousness in his heart.


    Such a big event had happened, and Gu An calling him away meant Gu An had come specifically for him.


    Was he going to accept him as a disciple, or was he going to ask him to give up guarding the Heaven-Repairing Platform?


    Two thousand years had passed; too many people, including his son, had persuaded him to give up. He wavered at times but still persevered.


    Only he knew how monotonous a life lasting thousands of years could be.


    Hearing Zuo Yijian¡¯s inner thoughts, Gu An laughed and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. Although your guarding of the Heaven-Repairing Platform doesn¡¯t hold special significance for me, your sincerity has touched me.¡±


    Zuo Yijian, flustered, let out an embarrassed smile.


    Gu An continued with a smile, ¡°I offer you two choices: one is to be my Sword Attendant, following me forever, and the other is to teach you the swordsmanship that leads to the peak of the world.¡±


    ¡°I wish to follow you!¡± Zuo Yijian answered without hesitation.


    Gu An looked at him and reminded, ¡°Following me, can you forsake your family?¡±


    Zuo Yijian said firmly, ¡°I have essentially already forsaken them. I have done all I could to give them everything I could. Choosing to follow you is my choice for immortal cultivation. I believe that by following you, I can achieve true immortality.¡±


    He expressed his needs without concealment.


    Such an attitude made Gu An appreciate him even more.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Once someone receives the legacy of the Heaven-Splitting Axe, you can come to Wushi.¡±


    ¡°Wushi? What place is that?¡± Zuo Yijian asked eagerly, suppressing his excitement.


    ¡°That is my Daoist field.¡±


    Having said that, Gu An began to inquire about the development of the Supreme Sect over the years. He was actually aware of it already, but he wanted to understand the Supreme Sect from the mouths of its cultivators.


    Zuo Yijian hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth.


    ¡°Currently, the Supreme Sect has already become a Holy Land, still the leader of the Righteous Dao. As the sect has grown, internal conflicts are inevitable. The Sect Leader often secludes himself for cultivation, with the Grand Elder Candle Star overseeing the power, and the Grand Elder has been doing quite well¡­¡±


    Zuo Yijian spoke in detail, while Gu An listened attentively.


    After a long while.


    Long Qing brought Ye Cang back to Third Medicine Valley. From a distance, they saw Zuo Yijian sitting under a tree, stupidly smiling at a teapot on the table as if possessed.


    Long Qing hesitated for a moment but still walked towards Zuo Yijian.


    Ye Cang subconsciously looked around, searching for his ancestor.


    After taking revenge and reflecting on his ancestor¡¯s power, he felt shocked; he had thought Heaven-Supporting Ancestor was the strongest, but Heaven-Supporting Ancestor was powerless before his ancestor.


    This incident also awakened him; if he hadn¡¯t met his ancestor that day, he might have already died.


    He began to admire and aspire after his ancestor, a person so powerful yet not overbearing, fair, the kind of person he wanted to become.


    Seeing Long Qing and his disciple approaching, Zuo Yijian composed himself, resuming his inscrutable demeanor.


    Long Qing approached him and bowed, asking, ¡°Senior, where has my master gone? Has he left any instructions?¡±


    Zuo Yijian stood up and said, ¡°As for where he has gone off to, I can¡¯t investigate that, and he didn¡¯t leave any message.¡±


    After hearing this, Long Qing frowned.


    Zuo Yijian spoke with a meaningful tone, ¡°Sect Leader, the next time you visit the Heaven-Repairing Platform, don¡¯t just focus on the Heaven-Splitting Axe. Actually, the most important thing on the Heaven-Repairing Platform isn¡¯t the legacy, nor the Sword Intent, but the two words of Righteous Dao he left behind.¡±


    ¡°What is the Righteous Dao?¡±


    ¡°Different people have different understandings, but I think what¡¯s right is right, what¡¯s wrong is wrong. The Righteous Dao should lead the moral climate of the Human World.¡±


    Before the sound of his voice faded, Zuo Yijian had already disappeared from the spot.


    After listening, Long Qing fell into silence.


    Ye Cang, looking at Long Qing¡¯s back, his eyes full of shame.


    After being scolded and looking back at his master¡¯s actions, he suddenly felt that being a master was the hardest.


    Ye Cang began to examine his own heart. What kind of person was he really?


    Did he deserve the two words ¡°Righteous Dao¡±?


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor taught him that if one does not think for oneself, heaven and earth will annihilate them. Immortal cultivation is about striving, but seeing the Ancestor today, he suddenly felt that cultivators must still have some convictions and principles.


    In thousands of years, he had seen countless powerhouses, but in terms of demeanor, no one could compare to his Ancestor.


    The Ancestor had only said a few words, but now that he thought back, each word was filled with deep meaning.


    Under the old tree, Long Qing and Ye Cang, each harboring their own thoughts, were reflecting on their own actions and pasts.


    ¡­


    Gu An returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless and resumed his uneventful lifestyle, not caring about how Long Qing would deal with Ye Cang. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if the Supreme Sect were to be destroyed, he didn¡¯t want to bother.


    His intervention this time was because Ye Cang was considered his disciple, and his disciples could not be enemies with the Supreme Sect.


    Regardless, the Supreme Sect still held a place in Gu An¡¯s heart.


    Gu An sat in a rocking chair reading a book, while in the courtyard, the Great Cauldron was still refining Dao Treasures. This time, it wasn¡¯t An Xin who was helping to guard, but Shen Zhen.


    An Xin needed to cultivate, and Gu An didn¡¯t trouble her. Besides, Shen Zhen was quite interested in Refining Treasures.


    Shen Zhen occasionally glanced at Gu An, with words lingering on her lips but never spoken.


    She always felt Gu An had changed somehow this time, but she couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what it was.


    After reading for a while, Gu An¡¯s mind inexplicably drifted to the figure of the youth.


    Why was that youth trapped in the Desperate Celestial Tomb?


    What made him so capable of moving his heart?


    No!


    It¡¯s time to initiate a Lifespan Reincarnation!


    As soon as Gu An thought it, he did it. After all, he still had a hundred billion years of lifespan, so one attempt wasn¡¯t extravagant.


    His mind stirred, and a series of prompts appeared before his eyes:


    [You consume ten million years of lifespan to initiate a Reincarnation Evolution]


    [Beginning to connect with the Dao Rules]


    [Searching for Reincarnation Worlds]


    [You have the following worlds to choose from. Choose one:]


    [One, Celestial Spirit Great World]


    [Two, Misty Immortal Court]


    [Three, Taishi Great World]


    This time, it wasn¡¯t going to be the Celestial Spirit Great World, but rather, the likelihood of reincarnating into the future was eight or nine out of ten.


    Gu An was not interested in the future, as he had already encountered extremes before.


    His gaze landed on the Misty Immortal Court.


    His previous lifespan breakthrough had also shown this place, so at least that indicated that in the Misty Immortal Court, Taiqing Golden Immortals existed. Being born in such a place would result in a higher potential.


    That¡¯s the one!


    Gu An made his choice, and another series of prompts popped up, reflected in his vision:


    [You choose to reincarnate into Misty Immortal Court]


    [Considering the strength of the Dao Rules of this world, you cannot temporarily activate the ability to seize lifespan, nor can you activate phase functions]


    [Reincarnation Evolution begins]


    No ability to seize lifespan!


    Seeing this prompt, Gu An was not disappointed, he actually breathed a sigh of relief.


    That was for the best, lest the Reincarnation Body go out of control.


    However, previously, Lu Han also started in this way, and eventually activated the power to seize lifespan. He hoped this lifetime would be more stable.


    While pondering, Gu An kept his eyes on the prompts.


    [The first year, you were born in the Jinlan Immortal Mansion of the Misty Immortal Court. You were born with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, astounding the Immortal Mansion. You were named Eternal Life by the Pavilion Master.]


    [At the age of two, the Jinlan Immortal Mansion suffered an attack from space demons. Your eyes were gouged out, and misfortune was cast upon you. The powers in the mansion deduced that you could not live past twenty years. Unwilling to accept this fate, guided by the Pavilion Master, your parents decided to take you to Ling Mountain.]


    What a tough start!


    Couldn¡¯t live past twenty?


    Gu An immediately tensed up. From Misty Immortal Court to Ling Mountain, could Eternal Life¡¯s parents reach it within twenty years?


    He began to look forward to Eternal Life¡¯s ability to activate lifespan evolution, perhaps to break free from fate.

 Chapter 571 - 566: The Path of the Buddha Emperor, Bodhi Golden Body

    Chapter 571: Chapter 566: The Path of the Buddha Emperor, Bodhi Golden Body


    At three years old, your parents encountered an attack by the Star Demon Race in the Chaotic Immortal Star River, your mother was sacrificed, and your severely injured father took you and escaped into a space-time vortex.


    At four years old, despite his injuries, your father continued to take you toward Ling Mountain, and on the Path of the Great Dao, he was attacked by a Great Power Cultivator and perished, his existence erased. You were taken by this Great Power Cultivator to a Little World, where he accepted you as his disciple and imparted the Method of Cultivating Immortality to you.


    Is this misfortune?


    They died so quickly¡­


    Gu An felt something was off; why did every Lifespan Reincarnation start so tragically?


    Could it be that Heavenly Dao was targeting him?


    ...


    At six years old, you successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, learned your master was named Profound Misfortune Ancestor, and despite being blind, you did not know your father was killed by the Profound Misfortune Ancestor. You were grateful for the Profound Misfortune Ancestor¡¯s life-saving grace and upbringing.


    At twelve years old, under the help of the Profound Misfortune Ancestor, you condensed your Golden Core. The Profound Misfortune Ancestor used his own mana to coalesce your eyes, and you regained your sight, escalating your gratitude toward your master to another level.


    At sixteen, the Profound Misfortune Ancestor summoned you, offering you two paths of cultivation, one was the Daoist Emperor path, chasing the Emperor¡¯s Destiny to become a Daoist Emperor; the other was the Path of Eternal Life, pursuing an eternal lifespan to live as long as Heavenly Dao itself. You were caught in hesitation; how would you choose?


    Such quick decision-making!


    Seeing to live as long as Heavenly Dao itself, Gu An instinctively resisted.


    Having suffered so much, he had no fondness for Heavenly Dao and believed his cultivation level should not rely on Heavenly Dao.


    You chose the Daoist Emperor path, and the Profound Misfortune Ancestor showed a relieved smile, beginning to impart the Dao Profound Skill to you.


    At eighteen, you fell into Demonic Possession during your cultivation, causing the Profound Misfortune Ancestor to examine your body and his face to drastically change. You were forced to reveal your early experiences, prompting the Profound Misfortune Ancestor to decide to take you to Ling Mountain in place of your parents.


    At nineteen, the Profound Misfortune Ancestor took you to Ling Mountain, you entered the Great Leiyin Temple, met the Celestial Buddhas, and the Profound Misfortune Ancestor requested the Celestial Buddha to save you. The Celestial Buddha stated that eliminating your misfortune required years of Buddhist spell chanting, and you had to first join Ling Mountain. The Profound Misfortune Ancestor looked at you, giving you the choice; would you choose to join Ling Mountain?


    Yes!


    Are you kidding? With only two years left to live, Gu An couldn¡¯t care less; surviving came first.


    Plus, the Profound Misfortune Ancestor clearly wasn¡¯t a good person; Ling Mountain at least bore no grudge toward eternal life.


    You chose to join Ling Mountain, and the Celestial Buddha personally accepted you as a disciple, preserving your eternal name, hoping that the hard-luck you could truly achieve longevity. The Profound Misfortune Ancestor gave you a few words of advice then left; you watched the back of the Profound Misfortune Ancestor, reluctant to part.


    At twenty, the misfortune within you erupted, luckily, with the aid of the Celestial Buddha, you temporarily suppressed the misfortune. Under the guidance of the Celestial Buddha, you came before the Bodhi Sacred Tree, and the Celestial Buddha transmitted to you a Buddhist Spell, instructing you to chant scriptures and cultivate under the Bodhi Sacred Tree.


    At twenty-three, your cultivation level made a breakthrough, gaining your own understanding of the Buddhist Dao.


    The rest of the hints were all about cultivation.


    Seeing that the Celestial Buddha had made no moves against eternal life, Gu An began to feel fondness for Ling Mountain.


    Keep at it, don¡¯t leave halfway to experience the world!


    Gu An thought this way.


    For him, the opportunity from the Reincarnation Body was not the most important; he primarily relied on the experiences from the Reincarnation Body to enhance his understanding of the Great Dao; the higher the realm, the better he could comprehend the Great Dao.


    Bowing into Ling Mountain, Gu An lacked not in cultivation resources; focusing wholeheartedly on cultivation, he could surely reach a very high realm.


    The hints popped up very fast; at three hundred years old, Gu An successfully achieved Nirvana. During this period, he faced several backlashes of misfortune, each time with the Celestial Buddha intervening.


    He couldn¡¯t make choices staying under the Bodhi Sacred Tree the whole time; Gu An could only watch.


    Reincarnation¡¯s time swiftly passed by.


    In a blink, Yongsheng had already reached the age of nine thousand.


    ¡°At the age of nine thousand, you comprehended the Bodhi Sacred Tree, realized the Buddhist Dao, and nature¡¯s spiritual energy surged towards you, causing heavenly phenomena, attracting the Celestial Buddha and other Buddhas to take notice; you successfully forged the Bodhi Golden Body, and your talent shocked Ling Mountain.¡±


    To Gu An, Ling Mountain must certainly hide a Taiqing Golden Immortal; such a formidable force yet to be shocked by the Bodhi Golden Body indicated it was no ordinary thing.


    ¡°At the age of nine thousand one hundred, you attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Sacred Tree, the Black Profound Emperor suddenly attacked; just as he was about to reach you, the Celestial Buddha appeared and annihilated him; you inquired about the origins of the Black Profound Emperor, and after deliberation, the Celestial Buddha said it was unpredictable, then left; you always felt there was some connection between the Black Profound Emperor and yourself, and you began to comprehend the Way of Cause and Effect.¡±


    ¡°At the age of nine thousand two hundred and thirty-four, you entered the Wandering Immortal Realm, and after a breakthrough, you felt your connection with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, you could trace the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, recalling your early experiences, if not for the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye being taken, and cursed with misfortune, your parents would not have died; you found the Celestial Buddha, proposed your idea of seeking revenge, but the Celestial Buddha forbade it, telling you to reach the Dao Fruit Realm before leaving Ling Mountain.¡±


    Seeing the Celestial Buddha block Yongsheng, Gu An breathed a sigh of relief.


    A mere Wandering Immortal daring to seek revenge? S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still ahead were various prompts about cultivation.


    Shen Zhen, sitting in front of the Great Cauldron, saw that Gu An was not reading, but daydreaming, and could not help asking, ¡°Gu An, did you just have a breakthrough?¡±


    Gu An glanced at her and asked, ¡°Do you think my current realm is something I can easily break through? I¡¯ve just gained new insights into the Great Dao.¡±


    He also would keep secrets from those around him; it was a benign lie, the Path of Cultivating Immortality was filled with bizarre methods, and even those close could unintentionally leak his information.


    Shen Zhen asked, ¡°Just now, when I was focused on the scene inside the cauldron, I saw a Golden Buddha enduring the flames¡¯ tempering; what do you think this signifies?¡±


    A Golden Buddha?


    Gu An grew curious ¨C just as his Reincarnation Body had forged the Bodhi Golden Body, Shen Zhen saw a Golden Buddha, clearly there was some connection.


    ¡°Continue to feel it, and when you can¡¯t see it anymore, discuss it with me in detail,¡± Gu An proposed thoughtfully.


    Shen Zhen nodded and then returned her gaze to the Great Cauldron.


    Gu An continued to pay attention to the Reincarnation prompts.


    ¡°At the age of fifty-seven thousand and forty-six, you succeeded in Crossing the Tribulation and became a Divine Thought True Immortal.¡±


    ¡°At the age of fifty-seven thousand and three hundred and eighty-nine, you mastered the Great Celestial Thunder Spell; the Celestial Buddha was deeply pleased and bestowed upon you the precious Red Dust Buddha Beads of Ling Mountain.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°At the age of sixty-eight thousand five hundred and seven, you succeeded in Crossing the Tribulation and became a Free Immortal; you awakened the Divine Skills of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye and eagerly wished to reclaim the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.¡±


    ¡°At the age of eighty-nine thousand and two, you succeeded in Crossing the Tribulation and became a Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal; you began to solidify your cultivation level.¡±


    ¡°At the age of ninety thousand, the Celestial Buddha agreed for you to leave Ling Mountain, and before saying goodbye, he entrusted you with a task to take a disciple from the Misty Immortal Court, saying they would certainly agree; you left Ling Mountain with doubts.¡±


    ¡°At the age of ninety thousand one hundred and thirty-four, you encountered a group of cultivators ascending to Yellow Heaven; they were entangled by evil spirits, you helped them, and knowing you were heading in the same direction, the group of cultivators decided to travel with you.¡±


    Seeing others follow, Gu An knew trouble was coming!


    Afterward, he frequently encountered problems, but Gu An never faced a choice; perhaps these troubles posed no threat to Yongsheng.


    ¡°At the age of ninety thousand one hundred and fifty-two, you ventured into a Cosmic Domain, and suddenly, Great Dao True Fire emerged from all directions submerging you; you couldn¡¯t escape the universe, only able to resist with your mana, the Great Dao True Fire grew stronger, continuously engulfing people; you protected the living with the Red Dust Buddha Beads, while you yourself endured using the Bodhi Golden Body.¡±


    ¡°At the age of ninety thousand one hundred and fifty-three, your Red Dust Buddha Beads were refined, the protected cultivators all were refined, leaving only you relying on the Bodhi Golden Body to desperately endure; suddenly, a figure came from the deep darkness, self-proclaimed as the Profound Demon Emperor, you sensed the presence of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye on him, knowing he was the one who took your eye, and thinking of your parents¡¯ tragic death, you attacked in rage.¡±


    ¡°Due to the huge gap in cultivation level, you were no match for the Profound Demon Emperor; just as he was about to annihilate you, a golden palm shattered the universe and repelled the Profound Demon Emperor; you turned back and recognized it as your teacher, the Celestial Buddha¡¯s hand, no matter how you called to the Celestial Buddha, he did not respond to you, and you could only leave this shattered universe.¡±

 Chapter 572 - 567: Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, Emperor of Eternal Life

    Chapter 572: Chapter 567: Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, Emperor of Eternal Life


    Seeing the Celestial Buddha take action, Gu An suddenly thought of Yang Xian¡¯s master, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords.


    Even for a life filled with hardships, there are always people who can light it up, bringing hope and warmth.


    The prompt continued: After his defeat by the Profound Demon Emperor, the Emperor of Eternal Life temporarily gave up on retrieving the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. He began to head towards the Misty Immortal Court to fulfill the task assigned by the Celestial Buddha.


    ¡°At the age of ninety-one thousand one hundred and eighty-one, you returned to the Misty Immortal Court. You went back to the Jinlan Immortal Mansion, met with the Pavilion Master who was deeply saddened by your parents¡¯ death, began to console you, and you mentioned the task given by the Celestial Buddha. The Pavilion Master didn¡¯t refuse but enthusiastically took you to the Misty Immortal Palace. Along the way, you learned about the relationship between Ling Mountain and the Misty Immortal Court; the current Lord of the Misty Immortal Court is a close friend of the Celestial Buddha, who had once sent disciples to train in the Misty Immortal Court, and now it was time to take disciples from the Misty Immortal Court to train at Ling Mountain.¡±


    ¡°You met the Misty Dao Emperor, feeling that this person was as profound and mysterious as the Celestial Buddha. After some consideration, you took Fairy Yaoxuan, a prodigy of the Misty Immortal Court, as your disciple. You then left with Yaoxuan towards Ling Mountain.¡±


    ¡°At the age of ninety-one thousand one hundred and eighty-two, you and Yaoxuan arrived at the Path of the Great Dao. You found a Spirit Lake and decided to seek Enlightenment there.¡±


    ...


    Seeing the Emperor of Eternal Life taking Yaoxuan with him, Gu An had a bad premonition.


    He always felt that Yaoxuan would die and that it would profoundly affect the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    Fortunately, things did not develop as he had anticipated.


    Decades later, both of them successfully returned to Ling Mountain, and the entire process did not give Gu An a chance to choose.


    However, the same year they joined Ling Mountain, Yaoxuan expressed her love to the Emperor of Eternal Life. Unlike the Emperor becoming a disciple of Ling Mountain, Yaoxuan was just there to cultivate, and once she left, she would revert to being a disciple of the Misty Immortal Court, so the rules of Ling Mountain could not restrict her.


    This time, Gu An was faced with a choice.


    Upon meticulously recalling past experiences and ascertaining that the Emperor of Eternal Life had not developed feelings for the Misty Dao Emperor, he rejected Yaoxuan¡¯s love.


    ¡°You rejected Yaoxuan¡¯s affection. She was neither angry nor sad but instead chuckled, claiming that she would eventually shatter your Buddhist heart. After Yaoxuan left, you turned back to the Bodhi Sacred Tree and asked the tree about your inner feelings.¡±


    The years of cultivation continued.


    Even without the ability to snatch life span, the cultivation speed of the Emperor of Eternal Life was rapid.


    Although there were no choices to make nor severe trials to face next, Gu An still watched with great interest.


    At three hundred thousand years old, he became the Profound Yuan Free Immortal.


    At one million years old, he became the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without facing Reincarnation Tribulations, purely by cultivating beneath the Bodhi Sacred Tree, with frequent visits and praises for his exceptional talent from the Buddhas.


    ¡°At one million four thousand two hundred thirty-six years old, Fairy Yaoxuan came to visit you. She said she was planning to venture onto the Daoist Emperor¡¯s path to achieve the title of Daoist Emperor. Knowing you are also pursuing this path, you chose to go with her.¡±


    ¡°At one million four thousand two hundred fifty years old, you and Fairy Yaoxuan arrived at the Path of the Great Dao. Fairy Yaoxuan took out a magical treasure bestowed by the Misty Immortal Court to pursue the Celestial Dao Destiny. As you sought and debated the Dao, you discovered that Yaoxuan¡¯s cultivation was not weaker than yours, which surprised you.¡±


    ¡°At one million four thousand three hundred sixty-seven years old, you and Fairy Yaoxuan encountered an attack from a Dao Seeker from the Taishi Great World. After a great battle, you noticed a new type of destiny gathering on you, causing a deeper understanding of the Daoist Emperor to emerge.¡±


    ¡°At one million four thousand four hundred five years old, Fairy Yaoxuan had successfully defeated ten thousand Dao Seekers pursuing the title of Daoist Emperor, achieving it ahead of you.¡±


    ¡°At one million four thousand four hundred twenty-three years old, having defeated ten thousand Dao Seekers pursuing the Daoist Emperor title yourself, the Celestial Dao Destiny gathered around you, and you achieved the title of Supreme Grade Daoist Emperor, soaring in your cultivation.¡±


    ¡°At one million four thousand five hundred seventy-six years old, you and Fairy Yaoxuan unexpectedly met your mentor, the Ancestral Master Xuan Ye. You were delighted. However, during your reunion, the Ancestral Master Xuan Ye suddenly attacked you. With the help of Yaoxuan, the two of you united were still no match for him. He captured Fairy Yaoxuan, forcing you to dissolve your Bodhi Golden Body, threatening to obliterate Yaoxuan¡¯s divine soul. Whether you choose to dissolve your Bodhi Golden Body.¡±


    The prompt finally arrived!


    Master Xuan Ye indeed harbored ill intentions; after all, this man had killed the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s father and sent the Emperor to Ling Mountain, likely hoping to use Ling Mountain¡¯s power to free the Emperor from his misfortune.


    After so many years of acquaintance with Fairy Yaoxuan and venturing the Path of the Great Dao together, even without the presence of love, Fairy Yaoxuan¡¯s place in the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s heart was undoubtedly significant.


    As Gu An hesitated, he suddenly noticed Shen Zhen¡¯s condition seemed a bit unusual.


    Shen Zhen was still sitting in front of the Great Cauldron but was lost in a trance, her eyes empty, as if she were having a terrible nightmare. Gu An could hear her heart¡¯s voice.


    Gu An¡¯s expression turned peculiar, feeling this was absurd.


    How could this be?


    He found Shen Zhen¡¯s heart¡¯s voice was very suitable for the predicament Fairy Yaoxuan was in.


    Could Gu An have a Reincarnation connection with Fairy Yaoxuan?


    Gu An thought for a moment and decided to take a gamble.


    He bet that the Celestial Buddha would take action!


    Compared to the Profound Demon Emperor, the Celestial Buddha was his true master.


    [You choose to release your Bodhi Golden Body yourself. Watching you dissolve your Bodhi Golden Body, Fairy Yaoxuan was distraught. She broke through the suppression of the Profound Demon Emperor, severely injuring him. Destiny surged insanely towards Fairy Yaoxuan on the Path of the Great Dao. Several powerful figures rushed to the scene. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the Profound Demon Emperor tried to flee but was annihilated by Fairy Yaoxuan using Great Divine Power, turning to ashes]


    Man, Fairy Yaoxuan is that fierce?


    [Because you dissolved your Bodhi Golden Body, your Dao Practice was unstable, and your Divine Soul was disordered. Before you lost consciousness, you saw Fairy Yaoxuan flying towards you]


    [At the age of one million seven hundred thirty-two thousand one hundred twenty-one, you finally woke up. You found yourself in a dim world with a bonfire beside you. Shockingly, you saw the figure of the Profound Demon Emperor. Instinctively wanting to attack the Profound Demon Emperor, you then discovered you had no Dao Practice. The Profound Demon Emperor did not kill you but instead explained why he took your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye]


    [It turns out the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye is a supreme Divine Skill from the Primordial Emperor Domain. Even if its possessor perishes, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye can reincarnate through Reincarnation Rules. Your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s predecessor had offended the Celestial Court. Once the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye matures, the Celestial Court would notice, so the Profound Demon Emperor took your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to protect you. The misfortune on you was not his doing but a remnant curse from your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s predecessor, a curse that even Reincarnation couldn¡¯t dissipate]


    [After knowing the truth, you fell into self-doubt, believing that your parents died because of you. You also found out that the Profound Demon Emperor comes from the Primordial Emperor Domain. Seeing the mark of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye on you, he coveted it. The Profound Demon Emperor hopes you would take up the legacy of your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s predecessor, Stealing Heaven Emperor, reunite the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, and rebel against the reign of the Celestial Court. You hesitated whether to become the Hierarch of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect]


    How did it circle back to the Celestial Court again!


    What role does the Celestial Court exactly play in the vast world of the Great Dao?


    Gu An immediately made a choice, to deflect the sharp edge.


    [You refused to become the Hierarch of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect. The Profound Demon Emperor wasn¡¯t mad but returned the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to you and informed you that after saving you, Fairy Yaoxuan was counteracted by the Dao Rules, fell into the Reincarnation Abyss, condemned to never transcend again. You couldn¡¯t find her again. You didn¡¯t believe it, and you secretly swore to find Fairy Yaoxuan]


    [At the age of one hundred one million six thousand three hundred fifty-one, you fully integrated the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, using its tyrannical Divine Skills to restore your Bodhi Golden Body and all Dao Practice. Your Cultivation Level even increased a bit. You began venturing into the Three Thousand Great Worlds, searching for Fairy Yaoxuan. The Profound Demon Emperor chose to follow you, no matter how much you refused, you couldn¡¯t send him away]


    Thereafter, eternal life began adventuring, and new locations continued to unlock in the prompts.


    During the adventures, conflicts inevitably arose, and Gu An frequently faced decisions closely related to life and death.


    If he encountered someone wanting to kill him, even if the opponent was defeated and begged for mercy, Gu An showed no mercy.


    If he encountered creatures in peril and could save them, he let eternal life intervene to rescue.


    In this process, Gu An could feel that eternal life¡¯s personality was shaping.


    This guy inherently had a very assertive nature.


    Later on, eternal life began to compel the Profound Demon Emperor to do tasks for him.


    As the number of enemies he killed grew, eternal life¡¯s reputation spread far and wide. Eventually, someone discovered his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye came from the Stealing Heaven Emperor, which suddenly made his reputation sinister. Ling Mountain even sent people to capture him, demanding he relinquish his Cultivation Level and give up the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Eternal life had a resolution in mind; he needed the power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to find Fairy Yaoxuan and didn¡¯t give Gu An a chance to choose, directly rejecting the demands of the Buddhist Cultivators from Ling Mountain. A fight broke out, putting eternal life at odds with Ling Mountain.


    ¡°This path was inevitable after all.¡±


    Gu An looked at the prompt, sighing internally.


    At the same time, he was curious about the evil deeds Stealing Heaven Emperor had committed that made Ling Mountain directly wary of eternal life.


    It seems, with Stealing Heaven Emperor being annihilated by the Celestial Court, it might not be a misdeed by the Celestial Court; possibly the Celestial Court was eradicating evil.


    Later on, more people troubled eternal life, some out of hatred, others wishing to eliminate the power of the Stealing Heaven Emperor to obtain the Celestial Dao Destiny. Ling Mountain did not relent, continually sending Buddhas after him, which also caused eternal life and the Profound Demon Emperor to be severely injured.


    In the relentless battles, eternal life declared himself Emperor, known as the Emperor of Eternal Life. Many cultivators hearing his title fled immediately, not daring to associate with him.


    Gu An started to worry; with things escalating, the Celestial Court would be alerted sooner or later, and even if eternal life was powerful, he feared he might die by the hands of the Celestial Court.


    [At the age of one hundred thirty-six thousand eight hundred ninety-two, you and the Profound Demon Emperor entered the Taize Great World. You interfered with the Reincarnation Rules, encountering resistance from the Taize Great World. After a fierce battle, you captured the world¡¯s Realm Master of the Taize Great World and stepped into Reincarnation, bringing chaos of Yin and Yang to the Taize Great World]


    Taize Great World, Gu An remembered this realm. The Buddha Immortal who was the Divine Exotic Realm Master was sent to this Great World, which now was boundless, far surpassing the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    It was unknown whether any legend of eternal life remained in the current Taize Great World.

 Chapter 573 - 568: The True Self of Karma, The Mighty Celestial Buddha

    Chapter 573: Chapter 568: The True Self of Karma, The Mighty Celestial Buddha


    ¡°At 136,9102 years old, you stepped out of Reincarnation and returned to the Taize Great World, where you were immediately besieged. Using your overwhelming Cultivation Level, you fought your way out and released all the captured strong figures from Taize.¡±


    ¡°At 136,9320 years old, you descended upon the Great Hong Great World. You pondered the Path of Reincarnation of this Great World, startling the entire Great World. A transcendent being who surpassed the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal came forth, gravely wounding you. In a critical moment, you used the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to escape.¡±


    Gu An stared at the prompts before him, not surprised to see the Emperor of Eternal Life injured.


    Just the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal being so presumptuous and still surviving already proved the strength of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    From the succession of battle achievements, it was evident that the divine skills contained within the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye were not only for combat, but also for aiding the Emperor of Eternal Life in his escapes, which piqued his curiosity about the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    He grew increasingly expectant of the memories inherited from the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    ...


    Experiencing the life of the Emperor of Eternal Life firsthand would undoubtedly be more marvelous than words could tell.


    Constantly battling, constantly getting injured, yet always escaping from the jaws of death, Gu An retained his original stance: he would take his revenge upon enemies and avoid making unwarranted enemies. If he encountered injustices, he would have the Emperor of Eternal Life act righteously.


    Gu An believed in the blessings that came from doing many good deeds.


    By the time the Emperor of Eternal Life was two million years old, he had successfully entered the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, his strength leaping forward. During his breakthrough, he was attacked yet again, but he managed to succeed in Crossing the Tribulation amid the fierce battle, an event that resonated through the ages.


    From then on, the Emperor of Eternal Life was truly grown.


    He and the Profound Demon Emperor often parted ways but always found each other again, which made Gu An think that the Profound Demon Emperor was not simple either. Without the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, to follow the Emperor of Eternal Life in his domineering ways and still survive.


    Perhaps, the Profound Demon Emperor was once a peerless genius of his world.


    The Great Thousand Worlds the Emperor of Eternal Life visited were ever-increasing. He traveled through Reincarnation and probed destiny, encountering few opponents after entering the Innate Golden Immortal Realm.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life would refresh the peak of Lifespan Reincarnation, and Gu An looked forward to seeing how far he could go.


    The flow of Reincarnation prompts swiftly propelled the time of Reincarnation forward.


    At the age of tens of millions, the Emperor of Eternal Life achieved the status of Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal and chose to become the Sect Hierarch of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect under the instigation of the Profound Demon Emperor to develop the sect¡¯s power and to help him search for the whereabouts of Fairy Yaoxuan.


    At the age of over fifty million, the Emperor of Eternal Life condensed the destiny of the Great Dao and became a Taiqing Golden Immortal. In the obscurity of it all, every Daoist Emperor could see his silhouette after the breakthrough.


    From then on, the Emperor of Eternal Life left an indelible mark on the path of becoming a Daoist Emperor.


    But he was still not happy. He couldn¡¯t find Fairy Yaoxuan; as time went on, his resolve did not waver but became even more obsessive. Once, the Profound Demon Emperor advised him to let go of his obsession and focus on developing the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect. This provoked his fury, and he almost annihilated the Profound Demon Emperor.


    Gu An occasionally paid attention to Shen Zhen, whose mind seemed to be still in a dream, and more like in a nightmare.


    This made Gu An think of the predicament Fairy Yaoxuan might have encountered.


    He became more certain that Shen Zhen had some connection with Fairy Yaoxuan.


    What that connection was, perhaps he would have an answer when this cycle of Lifespan Reincarnation ended.


    At the same time, he marveled at the power of Lifespan Reincarnation; it began to affect reality even before it ended.


    The prompts continued, and in the following years, the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect grew stronger. More and more individuals with Great Power came to serve the Emperor of Eternal Life, prompting Gu An to think of the grandeur of Long Zhan when he founded the Battle Court.


    Compared to the Battle Court, the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect clearly had a deeper foundation, though of course, it was unknown if the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect could compare with the Battle Court in Gu An¡¯s own era.


    Millions of years later, the Emperor of Eternal Life grew tired of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect and decided to search for Fairy Yaoxuan on his own.


    Without the Profound Demon Emperor accompanying him, the Emperor of Eternal Life rarely encountered battles, but in his interactions with others, there were always women who fell for him. Fortunately, Gu An rejected them all on his behalf.


    ¡°At the age of 127,74632, while you were contemplating the Dao in the boundless sea of Dao, you were attacked by the Celestial Punishment God. Despite the disparity in Dao Practice, you still managed to repel him.¡±


    ¡°At the age of 127,74633, Celestial Dao Golden Light descended, the Celestial Court sent Celestial Gods and Celestial Generals to attack, sealing the cosmic plane to prevent your escape. You were trapped in a fierce battle. Under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao, even the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye couldn¡¯t help you escape. Just as the Immortal Gods were about to execute you, the Celestial Buddha broke through the universe and forcefully rescued you, suffering severe injuries himself.¡±


    At 127,746,634 years old, the Celestial Buddha sent you to the River of Cause and Effect, instructing you never to step out again. You gazed at the departing silhouette of the Celestial Buddha, remaining silent for a long time.


    At 127,746,656 years old, you encountered the Great Cause and Effect Stele within the River of Cause and Effect, and you began to comprehend the Great Cause and Effect Stele.


    Sure enough, it collided with the Celestial Court!


    Gu An was surprised that the Celestial Buddha could actually contend with the Celestial Court, even severely wounded, and capable of rescuing the Emperor of Eternal Life, which sufficiently demonstrated the strength of the Celestial Buddha. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, the Emperor of Eternal Life also displayed terrifying strength, merely an Innate Golden Immortal, yet able to rival the Immortal Gods.


    The Celestial Spirit Gods, Celestial Extreme Gods, and Gods of Destruction that Gu An had previously encountered all possessed the Cultivation Level of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, and even if that Celestial Punishment God had just ascended, at the very least, he was of the Cultivation Level of an Innate Golden Immortal.


    Keep in mind that the Emperor of Eternal Life did not rely on the ability to evolve through Life Span. His greatest reliance was the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    At 127,747,5897 years old, through the Great Cause and Effect Stele, you discovered that you were not your True Self, which plunged you into confusion.


    At 127,747,004 years old, you accepted the cause and effect of the self, feeling that such truth might actually be a good thing. You could not save Fairy Yaoxuan, but a stronger version of you might be able to. You took out a strand of hair that Fairy Yaoxuan had left behind and began to pursue its cause and effect.


    At 127,901,546 years old, you located the positions of other identities within the cause and effect. Unable to find the True Self, you took Fairy Yaoxuan¡¯s hair and merged it into the Great Cause and Effect Stele, choosing to fall within the Great Cause and Effect Stele.


    You have perished, and your path has dissipated.


    Reincarnation has ended.


    Hm?


    The end?


    Gu An had not expected that the life of the Emperor of Eternal Life would end in such a manner.


    He did not leave the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, but instead prepared to receive the memories of the heritage right there.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World¡¯s capacity to endure was far greater than before, and besides, his Daoist Field of the Beginningless itself was essentially a Life Span Barrier, though it would catch the attention of people within the field.


    Gu An closed his eyes, and the vast memories surged into his mind, giving him a sense of traveling through time.


    He experienced life from the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s first opening of the eyes.


    The Jinlan Immortal Mansion was bigger than he had imagined, completely its own independent world, and there were tens of thousands of such Immortal Mansions within the Misty Immortal Court, with rankings among them. The Jinlan Immortal Mansion was considered a lower-ranked Immortal Mansion, but the birth of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye attracted many Great Powers.


    Through others¡¯ conversations, Gu An learned that the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was not unique, hence the Misty Immortal Court did not associate the Emperor of Eternal Life with the Stealing Heaven Emperor.


    Soon, misfortune began. The Profound Demon Emperor attacked, seizing the opportunity to take the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye during the escort to Ling Mountain. On the way, the parents of the Emperor of Eternal Life died one after another.


    These experiences did not stir Gu An, as he had already gone through several Lifespan Reincarnations.


    However, through the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s perspective, Gu An saw the magnificent expanse of the Great Dao world, which broadened his vision.


    When he arrived at Ling Mountain, he too was shocked by it.


    The height of Ling Mountain was unimaginable, surrounded by many Great Heaven and Earths, like stars, all of which seemed so minuscule in front of Ling Mountain. Even the nebulae in the universe were far less vast than Ling Mountain.


    The Buddha within Ling Mountain each had an extraordinary aura, some even had golden bodies surpassing tens of thousands of feet in height. Gu An also saw the Celestial Buddha, and understanding the image of the Celestial Buddha, he realized why he was able to rescue the Emperor of Eternal Life from the hands of the Celestial Court.


    Just one glance, and Gu An could ascertain that the Celestial Buddha exceeded the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm.


    After becoming a disciple, when the Celestial Buddha was alone with the Emperor of Eternal Life, the imposing aura that overlooked all living beings was gone. He was like a kind monk, teaching the Emperor of Eternal Life how to cultivate and guiding him through confusions.


    In front of the Bodhi Sacred Tree, the Emperor of Eternal Life would forget his sufferings.


    The Celestial Buddha let Gu An see what a true Buddha should be like, possessing both the mighty power to shoulder the weight of all living beings and the compassion to care for the weakest.

 Chapter 574 - 569: Battle Court Strikes, Invincible

    Chapter 574: Chapter 569: Battle Court Strikes, Invincible


    When Gu An was immersed in his reincarnation memories, spiritual energy from the Daoist Field of the Beginningless surged towards him, startling the disciples within.


    Shen Zhen was the first to be awakened. She turned her head to look at Gu An, who was meditating with his eyes closed, her eyes brimming with curiosity.


    An Xin arrived first, followed by Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, Celestial Demon Child, and others. Gradually, everyone gathered in the courtyard within the span of five breaths.


    When they realized the extraordinary phenomenon of the spiritual energy in the Daoist Field originated from Gu An, they all breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°What is Master doing?¡±


    ¡°It looks like he¡¯s seeking enlightenment.¡±


    ...


    ¡°The realm of our Master is so high, yet he can still experience sudden enlightenment. Perhaps his talent is greater than we thought.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, it¡¯s clear that our Master is a genius; how else could he have reached his current realm?¡±


    ¡°Stop guessing and sit down quickly. Let¡¯s profoundly sense the Master¡¯s Dao.¡±


    Everyone discussed in hushed tones, afraid of disturbing Gu An.


    After being reminded by the Blood Prison Great Saint, everyone sat down to earnestly contemplate.


    The Daoist Field of the Beginningless fell into silence. The mountains and forests were beautiful, the sunlight was gentle, everything seemed so perfect.


    An hour later.


    Gu An opened his eyes and saw that everyone was meditating within the courtyard. His expression didn¡¯t change; he just turned his gaze toward Shen Zhen.


    ¡°Such a heavy obsession,¡± Gu An lamented inwardly. He had figured out the relationship between Shen Zhen and Fairy Yao Xuan.


    In fact, there was no actual relationship between the two. It was just that the Emperor of Eternal Life transferred Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s karma onto Shen Zhen, hoping that the original self, namely Gu An, could find Fairy Yao Xuan through Shen Zhen and rescue her.


    Fairy Yao Xuan is a Daoist Emperor with extraordinary talent. Even part of karma could change Shen Zhen¡¯s destiny.


    Shen Zhen was not initially chosen by the Emperor of Eternal Life, but was granted karma by him after meeting Gu An.


    This was the act of the Emperor of Eternal Life after merging with the Great Cause and Effect Stele. He couldn¡¯t deduce where his original self was, so he could only utilize the power of the Great Cause and Effect Stele.


    He chose to self-destruct, also to make better use of the power of the Great Cause and Effect Stele. In the last moment before his will dispersed, he finally locked onto the Celestial Spirit Great World of the future. He chose Shen Zhen because, among the people Gu An cared about, only Shen Zhen had no one in her heart but Gu An.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life believed that only such a relationship could compel Gu An to go and save Fairy Yao Xuan.


    Not only that, the Emperor of Eternal Life also left a mark within the Great Cause and Effect Stele as a way of repaying the original self in advance.


    Through this matter, Gu An suddenly realized that Shen Zhen¡¯s affection for him was indeed different. Although she said nothing, she had abandoned everything to follow him.


    When Shen Zhen chose him, she did not know his true cultivation level; she simply did so because their aspirations and intentions concurred.


    Gu An looked at Shen Zhen and he too felt relieved. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Zhen was not a replacement for anyone; she was still her own person, which was quite alright.


    As for the karma of the Emperor of Eternal Life, Gu An would shoulder it. After all, he was the Emperor of Eternal Life. They were essentially the same person. One day, he would help the Emperor of Eternal Life find Fairy Yao Xuan.


    With a thought, Gu An¡¯s pupils transformed into a purplish-gold hue, with flames faintly surging within.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye!


    After inheriting the memories of the Emperor of Eternal Life, Gu An suddenly mastered the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    It¡¯s worth noting that his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had no association with the Stealing Heaven Emperor, which was another of the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s methods.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life had obliterated Stealing Heaven Emperor¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye within the Great Cause and Effect Stele. The reason Gu An could condense his own Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was because it was a skill that was cultivated, akin to a variation of divine powers, only it affected the bloodline and soul.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life had mastered the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye for hundreds of millions of years and had grasped its essence. This allowed Gu An to directly cultivate the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye; it was a new Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye without any karma.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was a Great Dao creation, extremely difficult to cultivate, and different people could possess different mysteries.


    Now, Gu An¡¯s mana was converging towards the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, which would give rise to Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power unique to him.


    Gu An spread out his Dao intent, immersing the others in the process of enlightenment, to prevent them from seeing the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    ¡­


    The night sky was clear with the moon shining brightly and few stars. Inside the pagoda of Third Medicine Valley, which once belonged to Gu An, Long Qing and Ye Cang sat opposite each other. They had been talking for several days, with Ye Cang speaking and Long Qing listening.


    After Ye Cang had recounted his experiences of nine thousand years, he inhaled deeply and said, ¡°Master, I¡¯ve truly recognized my mistakes. I¡¯m willing to accept punishment. Please discipline me according to the sect¡¯s rules.¡±


    He had already killed Cui Xianlin, avenging his sister, and his vengeance was thus settled, and next, he needed to take responsibility for his own mistakes.


    When he forced his way into Supreme Sect, although he did not create a massacre, he caused many people to get hurt, bringing immeasurable losses to Supreme Sect.


    Long Qing looked at Ye Cang and asked, ¡°If your teacher asked you to take on the responsibility of the Supreme Sect, would you be willing?¡±


    ¡°What responsibility?¡± Ye Cang asked in confusion.


    Long Qing answered, ¡°The responsibility of the Sect Leader.¡±


    At these words, Ye Cang suddenly stood up, astonished, ¡°How can I be the Sect Leader? Besides, isn¡¯t Brother Long Teng the best candidate?¡±


    As he spoke these words, the image of Gu An surfaced in his mind again; he wasn¡¯t clear on what he was thinking, only feeling that the matter was ridiculous.


    Long Qing¡¯s gaze remained calm as he said, ¡°You have finished recounting your past experiences; now it is time for your teacher to talk about his own past.¡±


    Ye Cang¡¯s brows furrowed, and he could only suppress the confusion in his heart before sitting down.


    Long Qing began to talk about the past of the Long Clan and their deep-seated grievances and enmities with the Battle Court.


    Hearing that his master was from Outer Heaven, Ye Cang was shocked but did not interrupt with questions and listened attentively.


    As time went on, Ye Cang¡¯s expression continuously changed, and by the end, his mood had turned somber.


    He had not at all expected that his master carried so many burdens; compared to his master, his own suffering was insignificant.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor flew out from within Ye Cang, looking at Long Qing with a complex expression.


    Seeing Heaven-Supporting Ancestor appear, Long Qing paid no heed and continued speaking about the burden of karma he carried.


    After a long while.


    Long Qing finished recounting the past and looked at Ye Cang, saying, ¡°I am destined to die, but I do not wish my progeny to walk the same old path. I hope they stay away from Supreme Sect, away from the karma of the Long Clan. My views diverge from those of the Grand Elder, so I wish to support you in becoming the next Sect Leader.¡±


    ¡°Your talent is strong enough to become the strongest in Supreme Sect¡¯s future.¡±


    ¡°But, Cang¡¯er, your temperament still needs tempering. It¡¯s fine to be sharp, but in all things, leave some leeway, and do not be too extreme.¡±


    His tone was still calm, revealing no emotion.


    Ye Cang couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Master, why must you bear such heavy karma? The Battle Court hasn¡¯t come yet, have they? Perhaps the Battle Court has already been annihilated, or maybe they can¡¯t even find the Celestial Spirit Great World.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible. The strength of the Battle Court is beyond your imagination. I had also heard of the Long Clan before; I didn¡¯t expect that the Long Clan still had surviving bloodlines. The Battle Court will certainly not let the Long Clan off the hook,¡± Heaven-Supporting Ancestor spoke with a hint of unease in his voice.


    Ye Cang turned to Heaven-Supporting Ancestor and asked with a frown, ¡°Is the Battle Court truly unbeatable?¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor sighed, ¡°Truly unbeatable.¡±


    Ye Cang, unconvinced, asked, ¡°What if my Ancestor made a move? Could the Battle Court withstand it?¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor was caught off guard by the thought of Gu An, which made him shudder, but he still said, ¡°That is the karma of the Long Clan; your Ancestor doesn¡¯t need to get involved. Besides, the might of the Battle Court is great, and you¡¯ve never been to the Great World beyond; you have no idea how terrifying the Battle Court truly is.¡±


    Long Qing joined in, ¡°That¡¯s right, my karma won¡¯t involve my teacher. He took me in and did what he could already. Back then, he did not wish for me to bear such karma; it was my own insistence.¡±


    He looked at Ye Cang and continued, ¡°Cang¡¯er, your teacher was also impulsive like you in his youth. I¡¯m telling you about these things, not because I want you to do anything for me, but to tell you that each person has their fate, and the only things one can control are one¡¯s own matters.¡±


    Ye Cang fell into silence after hearing this.


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor observed the master-disciple duo, his mood turning heavy as well.


    He knew of the Battle Court¡¯s might even more clearly than Long Qing.


    ¡°With your current cultivation level, even if you¡¯re prepared to sacrifice yourself, you probably cannot withstand the Battle Court. If you die, the Battle Court won¡¯t spare your progeny either. Although I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re relying on, I think it¡¯s impossible for you to completely end the karma of the Long Clan,¡± Heaven-Supporting Ancestor looked at Long Qing and warned.


    He paused, then continued, ¡°Moreover, I can feel some powerful force approaching the Celestial Spirit Great World. I was surprised before, but now I think that powerful force must be the Battle Court.¡±


    Long Qing showed a smile and said, ¡°I have my own methods. In fact, I have felt it too, which is why I chose to talk about this matter and do not shy away from your presence.¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor stared at Long Qing and spoke earnestly, ¡°If the Battle Court intends to slaughter the Celestial Spirit Great World, I will take Ye Cang and leave. Although you and your disciple have a deep bond, I also care for him.¡±


    Long Qing did not respond and simply picked up the cup of tea on the table that had long since turned cold.


    Ye Cang took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and his eyes became resolute. He looked at Long Qing and said, ¡°Master, I will remember the principles you¡¯ve shared, but your karma, I want to help you. It¡¯s just the Battle Court, right? I don¡¯t believe they are truly invincible!¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor glared and said, ¡°You little brat, what power do you have to boast? Without my power, how are you any different from an ant?¡±


    Ye Cang turned his head to look at him and said, ¡°If I can¡¯t fight them, I will protect the Long Clan. Master, you can rest assured, I won¡¯t seek death. I remember what I promised you, and once I fulfill what I promised, I might have the strength to confront the Battle Court.¡±


    Heaven-Supporting Ancestor opened his mouth, but no words came out.


    He wanted to say that even if you complete that task, it would still be far from enough to shake the Battle Court.

 Chapter 575 - 570: Heavenly Daos Creation, Ten Thousand Years of Devotion

    Chapter 575: Chapter 570: Heavenly Dao¡¯s Creation, Ten Thousand Years of Devotion


    After inheriting the memories of the Emperor of Eternal Life, Gu An¡¯s life returned to its usual tranquility. His disciples at the dojo were oblivious to the fact that he had practiced the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye as he continued refining Dao treasures.


    Aside from crafting a Dao treasure for the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, he was also preparing one for Jiang Qiong, Long Qing, Yang Jian, and Zhang Buku.


    Of course, these were just being prepared in advance. As for when he would give them away, it would depend on his mood.


    Refining treasures, picking herbs, and occasionally giving guidance to disciples¡ªthe wheels of time accelerated their turning amidst such a rhythm of life.


    A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In the primordial era of the Celestial Spirit Great World, creation was constant. Not only were beings of exceptional talent born, but superior Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as well as Heaven and Earth Treasures, would also be nurtured.


    ...


    Treasures were not only created through refining; Heaven and Earth themselves could give birth to Innate Treasures. Innate Treasures could more easily trigger the Rules of Heaven and Earth, and each contained immense power. Those who obtained an Innate Treasure would find it easier to become formidable figures who could stir the winds and clouds of the world.


    Against such a backdrop, discourse about the Heavenly Dao began to spread again in the Human World. Those who acquired supreme treasures were branded as favored by the Heavenly Dao, causing all beings to fear and yearn for the Heavenly Dao even more.


    One day, after Gu An had just finished refining a Dao treasure, he stood up having decided on the foundation for the new treasure¡¯s refinement, without even bidding farewell to Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen didn¡¯t mind too much, absorbed in the Dao treasure within the Great Cauldron. She sensed a kind of Dao aura she had never perceived before.


    ¡°How can he possess so many types of the Power of the Great Dao¡­¡± Shen Zhen muttered. In her view, mastering one type of the Power of the Great Dao was enough to tower over all beings, yet Gu An had displayed over a dozen, unfathomably deep.


    She simply exclaimed without giving it much further thought and concentrated on comprehending the Dao.


    In recent millennia, as she comprehended the Dao, a desire had taken root in her heart. It seemed she was searching for something, but even she wasn¡¯t clear on what it was. She instinctively felt this longing.


    This yearning drove her to pursue Enlightenment with more diligence than in the first half of her life, no longer allowing herself to slack off.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An arrived at the edge of a cliff and looked down at the mountain path below. Mountains rose high on both sides of the path, blocking the sunlight. The cliff face was covered in grass and vines, creating a quiet, desolate atmosphere.


    At this moment, a scholar with a bookcase strapped to his back was making his way forward, leaning on a wooden staff. The mountain path was steep without stone steps, and weeds covered the sharp rocks, making his advance even slower. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This scholar was the reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Under Gu An¡¯s gaze, a white fox followed behind the Celestial Spirit God.


    The white fox had searched for ten thousand years and finally found the reincarnated Celestial Spirit God.


    Ten thousand years ago, the eldest brother killed an evil person in the city to save the youngest of five, leading to his being pursued by the authorities. Meanwhile, the three white foxes, as agreed, resurrected the youngest brother. However, having shed blood, they could no longer control their murderous impulses, and when anyone troubled them, they would find a way to eliminate them. Eventually, the Immortal Cultivation Sect discovered them.


    With their low cultivation level, they couldn¡¯t resist capture by the cultivators. They were taken prisoner, and the youngest, due to his demonic power, was also taken by the sect.


    Decades later, the youngest seized the chance to rescue the three white foxes, only to find two had already died tragically. He could only flee with the surviving one, who though alive, was at death¡¯s door.


    The surviving white fox, named Su Jin, was gravely injured, forcing the ensuing escape to depend on the youngest¡¯s protection. The Immortal Cultivation Sect began to chase them because she once transformed into a courtesan. The cultivators started to speculate maliciously about their relationship, spreading rumors far and wide, damaging their reputation and leading more cultivators to join the hunt.


    Under the oppression of both the secular world and the Immortal Cultivation Realm, feelings developed between the youngest and Su Jin.


    When the youngest sent Su Jin to the Demon Race¡¯s territory for her safety, he died by the blade of a cultivator while covering her escape.


    Such tragedies were not unusual in this world. Su Jin was fortunate to become a disciple of a Great Power from the Demon Race and even obtained the Reincarnation Technique.


    She searched for the youngest for ten thousand years until she finally found him in this life.


    Of course, Gu An played a role in her finding him, as the Celestial Spirit God was covered by his karmic influence. Without his intention, she would never have found him.


    The Celestial Spirit God had been reincarnated hundreds of times, experiencing various lives. Each death caused his will to briefly awaken, allowing him to take in the experiences of Reincarnation.


    Gu An could sense the changes in the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s mindset, which is why he gave him the opportunity.


    In this life, the Celestial Spirit God was named Bai Sheng, hailing from a remote town. He was on his way to the Imperial City of the Dynasty to participate in the imperial examination.


    As he reached the highest point of the mountain path, the downhill path lay ahead. Stopping, he set down his bookcase and began to wipe off his sweat.


    He turned his head and looked back down the mountain path he came by, beholding the undulating expanse of forest that stretched out magnificently without end. A smile appeared on his face, and a feeling of exuberant pride welled up in his heart.


    ¡°Even if all my reading brings no rewards, having traveled thousands of miles, this life is still worth it,¡± Bai Sheng said with heartfelt emotion, a proud and satisfied smile spreading across his handsome face.


    Suddenly, he caught sight of a little white fox in the grass below, and with a smile and a wave, he greeted it, ¡°Little fox, we meet again. Can¡¯t you bear to part with me?¡±


    Upon hearing his words, Su Jin promptly emerged from the grass, hurried up the mountain, and affectionately rubbed against Bai Sheng¡¯s trouser leg.


    Bai Sheng was amused by her then took out some of his rations and shared a piece with her.


    Gu An stood atop the mountain, gazing down at the joyful scene of the reunion between the man and the fox.


    The stories of scholars and demons made Gu An think of the ancient Huaxia literature ¡°Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio¡± from his past life. In the Celestial Spirit Great World, romances between humans and demons are not uncommon, but they¡¯re not as fraught with complications; few humans betray a demon and live to tell the tale, given the disparity in strength.


    In this life, the end of Bai Sheng and Su Jin¡¯s story was destined to be a tragedy, but with Gu An¡¯s intervention, anything could change.


    Gu An was ready to use Su Jin as a test for the Celestial Spirit God.


    If the Celestial Spirit God still lacked compassion, then it would continue to languish in Reincarnation.


    When Gu An was no longer fearful of the Celestial Court, that would mark the moment of its annihilation.


    With time on his hands, Gu An decided to get involved. He turned and strode toward the forest. In an instant, his attire transformed dramatically into that of a traveling martial hero, dust-covered yet retaining the demeanor of a gallant figure of the Martial World. He wore a broad-brimmed hat and had the Cyan Hong Sword strapped to his waist.


    Su Jin was nibbling on the pastry, her eyes constantly on Bai Sheng.


    Staring at Bai Sheng, she felt somewhat dazed.


    Thousands of years had passed, and he had become completely different.


    In her memory, Xiao Wu never had such presence, always wearing a worried look on his face. But the secret technique she practiced told her this man¡¯s soul was indeed Xiao Wu¡¯s.


    ¡°In this life, I will definitely not let you suffer,¡± Su Jin thought silently.


    Suddenly,


    she turned her head; her movement caught Bai Sheng¡¯s attention, prompting him to look up as well. The nearby trees shook, and they saw a figure emerge from the woods.


    Seeing Gu An¡¯s attire, Bai Sheng grew nervous, fearing the other might be a bandit.


    He quickly stuffed Su Jin into his book box and then turned to face Gu An, feigning calm.


    Gu An lifted his head, his youthful yet somewhat weathered face showing from beneath his broad-brimmed hat. Bai Sheng instantly relaxed, feeling that Gu An seemed like a kind person.


    ¡°I¡¯m Gu An, just passing through. It¡¯s rare to meet someone here, so I thought I¡¯d come say hello ¡ª hope I didn¡¯t scare you?¡± Gu An said with an enthusiastic smile.


    Bai Sheng quickly raised his hand in greeting, ¡°Scare me? Not at all. My name is Bai Sheng, from Lu County, on my way to the Imperial City.¡±


    Gu An curiously asked, ¡°Are you going to take the official examination?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Where might Brother Gu be headed?¡±


    ¡°Coincidentally, I¡¯m also going to the Imperial City. How about we travel together? I can protect you. In return, you can keep me company and talk about your studies. You scholars know much that I don¡¯t. I¡¯ve practiced martial arts since I was young and never had much education; actually, I¡¯ve always envied the world of scholars,¡± Gu An said with a laugh, his easy-going manner increasing Bai Sheng¡¯s favorable impression of him.


    The two sat down to chat and found they got along splendidly.


    Suddenly, Su Jin jumped out of the book box, causing Gu An to be taken aback. Bai Sheng quickly introduced her, explaining that he and the little fox were destined to meet.


    ¡°Foxes are very spiritual, and there¡¯ve been plenty of stories about scholars and fox spirits throughout history. Brother Bai, you must be careful; she might be a demon,¡± Gu An teased.


    Su Jin couldn¡¯t help but glare at Gu An, finding him too talkative.


    Bai Sheng¡¯s handsome face reddened as he hurriedly replied, ¡°How could that be? Even if she were a demon, there¡¯s no way such a story would happen between us.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, Su Jin¡¯s gaze towards Gu An was filled with annoyance, though Bai Sheng failed to notice the change in her eyes.

 Chapter 576 - 571: The First Calamity, Dao Court

    Chapter 576: Chapter 571: The First Calamity, Dao Court


    Gu An and Su Jin accompanied Bai Sheng on his way to the Imperial City, with laughter and joy along the way; Bai Sheng had never been so happy. During this period, Gu An would use a clone to replace himself while his real body went to pick medicinal herbs.


    Su Jin was a ten-thousand-year-old Great Demon, already in the Nirvana Realm, but still had not seen through the switch between Gu An¡¯s true body and his clone.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.


    They had not yet reached the Imperial City, and with two years until the examination, Bai Sheng was not in a hurry; he had set out early, wanting to travel and expand his horizons.


    On this day, the rain drizzled incessantly.


    Bai Sheng and Gu An came to a small pavilion in the mountains to rest, and Su Jin leaped out of the bookcase, perched on Bai Sheng¡¯s shoulder, and licked his face as if trying to help him wipe the rainwater away.


    ...


    Bai Sheng had grown accustomed to her affection and didn¡¯t pay it much mind; he was discussing the local customs and culture with Gu An. Although it was his first visit, he had read about this place in books and was very excited; the rainy weather did not dampen his spirits.


    Gu An held the Wine Gourd in his hand, drinking while listening to Bai Sheng talk about the past and present, discussing the masterpieces that had been born here and the stories that were worth singing and weeping over.


    When Bai Sheng had talked until his mouth was dry and his throat parched, Gu An tossed him the Wine Gourd; Bai Sheng caught it and poured it directly into his mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that there are ghosts and apparitions around here, but I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s true or not. I¡¯ve practiced martial arts for over thirty years, yet I¡¯ve never seen a demon or ghost.¡±


    Gu An, with the Cyan Hong Sword in hand, spoke eagerly.


    Su Jin couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes at him, feeling that he was overestimating himself.


    She really wanted to speak, but she was afraid of scaring Bai Sheng.


    Bai Sheng said with a laugh, ¡°If there is, I would like to meet one too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re as weak as a chicken¡ªaren¡¯t you scared of ghosts?¡±


    ¡°One eventually dies; rather than living a quiet life, never seeing ghosts or demons, I wouldn¡¯t regret or be afraid even if I died under the claws of a demon or ghost.¡±


    Bai Sheng replied with an untroubled laugh, his eyes shining.


    Gu An felt that Bai Sheng seemed frail, but in fact, he was full of energy, interested in everything, and full of fighting spirit.


    This guy had a tenacity inherent in his bones, truly worthy of being the reincarnation of a Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God, despite different origins in each reincarnation, would retain some of the original personality traits. That was also why Bai Sheng could attract Su Jin¡¯s attention.


    Gu An said with a smile, ¡°You should practice martial arts, not just study.¡±


    Bai Sheng stood up, holding the Wine Gourd and assumed a pose, executing a set of awkward Fist Technique, then said proudly, ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to excel in both literature and martial arts? Why don¡¯t you teach me a set of Swordsmanship? I think swords complement poetry.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start now.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Hearing Gu An¡¯s words, Bai Sheng was overjoyed and immediately dragged Gu An to practice swordsmanship.


    After beginning sword training, Gu An was not all smiles and laughter with Bai Sheng, occasionally correcting Bai Sheng¡¯s posture with the hilt of the sword, which angered Su Jin.


    Once Bai Sheng was able to accept her, she¡¯d make Gu An pay.


    As she thought this, she saw Gu An applying more force, causing Bai Sheng to cry out in pain, which further annoyed her.


    ¡°If you¡¯re afraid of pain, you can give up.¡±


    ¡°No problem, I can hold on!¡±


    Gu An deliberately asked this, and upon hearing Bai Sheng¡¯s reply, Su Jin could only bear with it.


    In the days that followed, every time they rested, Bai Sheng would pester Gu An to practice swordsmanship.


    In Su Jin¡¯s view, this Sword Dao was quite ordinary; practicing it was a waste of time. She planned to teach Bai Sheng Immortal Cultivation later since only by stepping onto the Immortal Path could he stay with her forever.


    Another half a year passed.


    Spring had just begun.


    Gu An and Bai Sheng arrived at the gates of the Imperial City, and seeing the majestic gates, Bai Sheng couldn¡¯t help but raise his arms and cheer.


    Su Jin, perched on his shoulder, squinted her fox-like eyes; she sensed a heavy demon qi.


    There were demons in the city, it seemed trouble was brewing.


    ¡°As expected of the Imperial City under the Son of Heaven¡¯s feet, majestic and imposing, the destination of the Celestial Mandate, this is the most prosperous place under heaven,¡± said Bai Sheng excitedly.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°There are not only one Dynasty in this world; to speak of the Celestial Mandate like this is a bit presumptuous.¡±


    Bai Sheng glanced at Gu An and asked, ¡°Have you been to other dynasties?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s first believe that this is the greatest city.¡±


    Bai Sheng lifted his bookcase and strode toward the Imperial City. As he walked, he turned back to ask Gu An the purpose of his visit to the Imperial City.


    Gu An was evasive, which made Su Jin even more vigilant.


    The crowd in front of the city gate was vast; they blended into it and quickly vanished from sight.


    At the same time,


    On the other side of the Human World.


    Li Ya stood atop a mountain, looking down at the valley below, where weeds sprawled wildly with the faint outline of ancient attic buildings visible.


    This was Profound Valley, his first residence when he joined the Supreme Sect years ago.


    Li Ya gazed at the valley, looking lost in thought.


    A figure approached from behind him, it was Long Qing.


    ¡°Elder Li, should I have someone tidy this up?¡± Long Qing asked, weariness apparent in his features.


    With the impending assault from the Battle Court drawing near, his cultivation grew more arduous; he would not have left his practice had Li Ya not returned.


    Li Ya still wore his black garments, with stubble on his face and his hair casually tied, exuding the air of a wanderer from the Martial World, not that of someone from Immortal Cultivation.


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m just taking a glance. You don¡¯t need to accompany me especially; I will be leaving soon,¡± Li Ya replied softly as he overlooked Profound Valley. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In his eyes, the weeds in the valley disappeared, replaced by fields of Medicinal Herbs. He saw three young boys playing and frolicking.


    After hearing this, Long Qing nodded slightly and then turned to leave.


    He could tell that Li Ya was preoccupied, but he had no intention of prying; could any worry be greater than his own life and death?


    As the millennia passed, Long Qing grew increasingly uneasy, always harboring the feeling of an impending calamity.


    After Long Qing departed, Li Ya remained in the same place, deep in thought.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared on his shoulder and said, ¡°Still looking, huh? The master isn¡¯t dead; he just left.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about him. I just wanted to take one last look at this place before leaving. I might never return,¡± Li Ya answered.


    Hearing this, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit cocked its head, asking in surprise, ¡°Where exactly are you going? You still won¡¯t tell me? Ever since you practiced that Miracle Skill, I can¡¯t hear your inner thoughts. Living inside you, I feel like an outsider.¡±


    Towards the end, its tone was of a complaint.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to Outer Heaven. Where exactly, I¡¯m not sure. I want to follow Gu An¡¯s steps, and also look for Zhang Buku. Didn¡¯t you say that the power of the Divine Exotic Realm Master still exists? Maybe Zhang Buku is still alive.¡±


    With that, Li Ya turned and looked up at the Celestial Vault.


    He leaped up, transforming into a beam of sword light, piercing the sky.


    As he soared further from the ground, the blue of the Celestial Vault darkened to black, stars emerged and quickly became resplendent.


    Suddenly,


    A powerful force of Mana descended from above, and Li Ya¡¯s eyes narrowed as a sword materialized in front of him, its blade facing forward, forcefully severing this Mana.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    A shout thundered from the heavens, causing Li Ya to slow down.


    He squinted and saw a man in Silver Armor, spear in hand, rapidly stopping thousands of feet above him.


    ¡°Without the Celestial Dao Order, you are not allowed to leave the Celestial Spirit Great World!¡± the Silver Armor man pronounced, looking down at Li Ya with a commanding voice.


    Li Ya scoffed and asked, ¡°The Celestial Dao Order? Since when does the Celestial Spirit Great World have such a rule?¡±


    He was filled with confusion; for the past three thousand years, he had been secluded in Sword Enlightenment, and upon leaving seclusion, he did not hear of any Celestial Dao Order.


    But the other¡¯s tone, daring to regulate the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, was enough evidence of his extraordinary background, which Li Ya found ludicrous.


    The Great World had just been reshaped, and such a powerful force had emerged?


    Could it be that an Outer Heaven Power had descended and ruled the Celestial Spirit Great World in a very short time?


    The Silver Armor man replied, ¡°This Celestial Rule has been established for a thousand years, set by the Dao Court. I advise you not to act rashly. Above me, there is a Free Immortal who guards. Even if you pass me, you will not reach Outer Heaven. Should you injure me, it will be seen as a challenge to the Dao Court, and you will be doomed never to transcend!¡±


    The Dao Court?


    Li Ya frowned. He had only been detached from the mundane for three thousand years; how had the Dao Court suddenly emerged?


    Upon further thought, he realized that today¡¯s Great World was vast and boundless. Even three thousand years ago, his knowledge of the world had been superficial, and he certainly was not aware of its full extent; perhaps the Dao Court was the overlord from another side of the world.


    ¡°What purpose does such a Celestial Rule serve? To trap all beings within this world?¡± Li Ya asked mockingly.


    The Silver Armor man¡¯s brows furrowed and said, ¡°Your sword is no trivial matter, you must be a Great Power that commands respect. You must have lived from the previous Era until now. Let me tell you, a terrible calamity is approaching. It will be the first calamity since the Primordial Era to affect the entire Great World. Going to Outer Heaven at this time will only lead to one¡¯s demise. The Dao Court is looking out for your welfare, wanting to gather the power of the Great World, to collectively resist the threat from Outer Heaven.¡±

 Chapter 577 - 572: Disaster Looms

    Chapter 577: Chapter 572: Disaster Looms


    If it had been before, Li Ya would have certainly barged into the Dao Court¡¯s blockade without hesitation, but now, upon hearing the Silver Armor man speak of an impending disaster, he couldn¡¯t help but calm down and ponder carefully.


    He had a clear memory of the great battle that took place 20,000 years ago, which clearly involved powerhouses from Outer Heaven.


    Li Ya gave the Silver Armor man a deep look and then turned to fly downwards.


    The Silver Armor man watched as Li Ya disappeared into the sea of clouds and then slowly ascended himself.


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sat on Li Ya¡¯s shoulder, teasing, ¡°You¡¯ve actually stopped being reckless; it feels quite unfamiliar to me.¡±


    Li Ya snorted, ¡°I¡¯m not in any hurry to leave, and besides, if the world is in trouble, I need to stay and protect the Supreme Sect.¡±


    ...


    To reach this point in his life, aside from Gu An¡¯s protection, the support he had received from the Supreme Sect was substantial, and even now, he still considered himself a disciple of the Supreme Sect.


    Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sighed, ¡°You really have grown up.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with that tone, you make it sound like you¡¯re talking to a junior.¡±


    Li Ya immediately pulled Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit down from his shoulder and vigorously kneaded him in his arms.


    A breeze blew over with the sea of clouds, and as Li Ya bantered with Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, he suddenly felt as if nothing had really changed after all.


    ¡­


    At dawn.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0


    Gu An sat on the eaves, watching the rising sun, his gaze reaching far into the distance.


    He saw the Battle Court, searching for the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Because the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had reshaped the Dao Rules, the new Celestial Spirit Great World was temporarily separated from the Path of the Great Dao, making it hard for the Battle Court to directly find the Celestial Spirit Great World. Nevertheless, through causality calculations, the Battle Court was getting increasingly closer to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    ¡°Immortal Emperor¡­¡±


    Gu An pondered this name; in the memory of the Silent Destruction God Emperor, the Lord of the War Court was the Immortal Emperor. The Dao practice of this Immortal Emperor was unfathomably profound, and it was uncertain whether he would come this time.


    He had already sensed the auras of more than a dozen Innate Golden Immortals within the approaching War Court¡¯s forces, with more Battle Court powerhouses arriving continuously. Judging by the situation, they were determined to slaughter all the descendants of the Long Clan.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t the least bit perturbed, he was, on the contrary, looking forward to the arrival of the great battle, during which he could reap Life Span extensively.


    Generally, Gu An wouldn¡¯t engage in slaughter, but if someone threatened him, it was an opportunity to kill righteously and justifiably.


    ¡°Brother Gu, good morning!¡±


    Bai Sheng¡¯s laughter came from the courtyard, and Gu An looked down to see Bai Sheng waving at him. So he smiled and nodded in response.


    ¡°Are you going to read books again today?¡± Gu An asked.


    The civil examination was still a while away. It had been a month since they arrived in the Imperial City, and every day Bai Sheng would stroll through the city, mainly to find books to read.


    With Su Jin¡¯s help, Bai Sheng had come across quite a bit of money on the way and was now quite wealthy.


    Bai Sheng laughed, ¡°I¡¯m not reading today. I heard there¡¯s an Immortal in the city taking disciples, and I want to see if it¡¯s a real Immortal. Brother Gu, want to come along?¡±


    Gu An shook his head, ¡°You go ahead, I¡¯m off to find someone for a drink.¡±


    ¡°You and your drinking.¡±


    After chatting for a bit, Bai Sheng left with Su Jin.


    Gu An watched Bai Sheng leave, knowing that once the impending disaster in the Imperial City was over, it would be his time to leave as well.


    Having accompanied Bai Sheng for a year, he had scattered his worries, and whatever happened between Bai Sheng and Su Jin in the future, Gu An would simply observe from afar.


    The Imperial City bustled day after day; in the eyes of mortals, this Imperial Dynasty was the most powerful entity in the world, manipulating power, capable of altering heaven and earth.


    Little did they know, the world is vast, and even the seemingly immovable behemoths can be undone in an instant.


    If Gu An didn¡¯t intervene, this Imperial Dynasty would be annihilated within days, and not even Su Jin in the Nirvana Realm could stop it.


    The impending disaster would change Bai Sheng¡¯s mindset, igniting a fiery passion for Immortal Cultivation like never before.


    Gu An¡¯s thoughts drifted away as time rapidly slipped by. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dusk approached.


    As night neared, lights gradually lit up the city, and the Imperial City became even more lively, with the noise reaching Gu An¡¯s ears.


    He still sat on the eaves, and following his gaze, billowing dark clouds were rolling toward the Imperial City, creating a heavy oppression.


    At that moment, on another street in the city, Bai Sheng stood on tiptoes in the crowd, looking towards the stage where a Daoist wearing a mask was performing a sword dance, with five disciples dressed as demons circling around him.


    The Daoist¡¯s swordplay occasionally sped up, sharp as the wind, eliciting cheers from the onlookers.


    Bai Sheng didn¡¯t notice that Su Jin on his shoulder was looking up at the Celestial Vault.


    ¡°`


    ¡°This demon qi¡­¡±


    Su Jin¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of dread, she hadn¡¯t expected the Imperial City to attract such a terrifying demon.


    This is not good!


    She turned her head to look at Bai Sheng and licked his face with her tongue.


    ¡°Stop it, I¡¯ll buy you something to eat after I¡¯m done watching.¡±


    Bai Sheng said casually, his gaze fixed on the stage, filled with curiosity.


    Su Jin became anxious, she bit Bai Sheng¡¯s neck, causing him pain that made him cover his neck with his hand. Without waiting for him to speak, she jumped to the ground and ran outside.


    There were too many people around, and Bai Sheng, worried she might come to harm, could only follow her.


    After squeezing through the crowd, Bai Sheng saw Su Jin squatting under a tree not far away, and he hurried over.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Just as Bai Sheng was about to scold Su Jin, she suddenly transformed, turning into a woman in a white dress with a bewitching face. This shocked Bai Sheng so much that he instinctively stepped back.


    Smack!


    Su Jin grabbed Bai Sheng¡¯s wrist and pulled him in front of her.


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯m only going to say this once, don¡¯t scream and shout, a demon is about to descend, and everyone in the city will be devoured by it. I¡¯m no match for it, I can only protect you. You need to come with me now.¡±


    Su Jin stared at Bai Sheng and spoke solemnly, then, pulling him, started walking towards the city gate.


    ¡°Wait a minute!¡±


    Bai Sheng came back to his senses and hurriedly said, trying hard to pull his hand away, but he could not break free from Su Jin¡¯s grip.


    Su Jin turned to look at him, her brow deeply furrowed.


    Bai Sheng quickly said, ¡°Even if you can¡¯t save the entire city¡¯s population, at least bring Brother Gu with us!¡±


    Su Jin snorted, ¡°Why should I bring him?¡±


    ¡°After all, we¡¯ve been traveling together, we¡¯re already like brothers, how could we abandon him?¡± Bai Sheng said in a pleading tone.


    He didn¡¯t care that he was shocked by Su Jin being a demon, he believed Su Jin wouldn¡¯t harm him; if she would, he would have been eaten already on their journey, so why wait until today?


    ¡°Fine!¡±


    Su Jin said impatiently and then took Bai Sheng to their residence.


    Boom¡ª


    The sound of thunder rumbled, but the people inside the Imperial City were still unaware of the danger.


    Within those thunderclouds, a terrifying figure was stirring, and a pair of blood-red eyes loomed over the Human World.


    Suddenly.


    Countless demon birds burst out of the sea of clouds, sweeping toward the Imperial City, their flapping sounds merging together, instantly drowning out the city¡¯s hubbub and disturbing the citizens.


    ¡­


    In the woods, An Xin was sitting on a stone by the brook, fiddling with the Six Paths Mirror in her hand.


    Footsteps approached, and the Sect Hierarch of Qiankun Sect, Yi Qingshan, arrived. His hair was white, but his face still looked young; he was wearing a wide, exquisite robe, and his presence as the head of a sect was hard to conceal.


    He came behind An Xin, bowed, and said, ¡°Predecessor, the Dao Court sent people over, claiming that a great calamity is about to come to the world, and all sects must join forces to repel the enemy. They hope that our Qiankun Sect will accept the Celestial Dao Order to coordinate with the Dao Court when the calamity arrives. However, this Theory of Heaven requires the infusion of Qiankun Sect¡¯s destiny, and I¡¯m somewhat hesitant.¡±


    An Xin replied, ¡°If there is hesitation, then refuse.¡±


    Lately, she had gained new insights into the Six Paths Mirror, and if it weren¡¯t for Yi Qingshan¡¯s call, she wouldn¡¯t have wanted to come out.


    ¡°But the Dao Court is powerful, and compared to it, our Qiankun Sect is like the light of a rice grain against the brilliance of the moon. If we refuse, won¡¯t the Dao Court target us?¡± Yi Qingshan asked with a frown, his tone full of worry.


    ¡°If they become enemies just because we¡¯re unwilling to cooperate, it means that the Dao Court does not have the greatness of spirit to shoulder the world. They just want to take the opportunity to calculate against all sects. Such a sect will sooner or later become an enemy.¡±


    An Xin said casually as she stood up, turned around to look at Yi Qingshan, and asked, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    Yi Qingshan was taken aback and replied, ¡°There¡¯s one more thing. Someone in the sect has achieved Enlightenment and has become crazed. Can you take a look at him?¡±


    ¡°Why not bring him over here?¡±


    ¡°To tell the truth, his cultivation level can be considered top-tier within the sect, and we can¡¯t handle him. He¡¯s locked himself in his Cave Mansion, raving that the sky is falling. I¡¯ve never seen him so afraid. I wonder if it has something to do with the calamity mentioned by the Dao Court?¡± Yi Qingshan frowned again.


    There was something else he didn¡¯t mention.


    In fact, these years, during cultivation, he, too, had felt restless, with a sense of impending disaster hanging over his head.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 578 - 573: Battle Court Mythology, Confronting Destiny

    Chapter 578: Chapter 573: Battle Court Mythology, Confronting Destiny


    In the early morning, the sunlight cut through the smoke-filled ruins of the Imperial City, where corpses and broken walls stained with bloodstains could be seen everywhere.


    Bai Sheng, covered in dust and ash, stood atop the debris, staring at the horrific scenes in all directions, his pupils trembling, unable to accept what was before him.


    The city he considered the most prosperous had turned into ruins overnight, and the sight of the half-remaining mask of the sword-wielding Daoist he¡¯d seen earlier touched him even more deeply.


    ¡°How could this happen¡­¡±


    Bai Sheng muttered to himself, his voice trembling.


    He felt as though he was in a nightmare, a nightmare from which he could not awaken.


    ...


    He looked up into the distance, then immediately rushed down, beginning his search for Gu An, combing through bodies along the way, fighting back fear and disgust.


    As the sun continued to rise, reaching high noon, he still hadn¡¯t found Gu An, his hands now covered in fresh blood.


    Exhausted, he collapsed onto the street, lacking even the strength to lift his head.


    After a morning of searching, his heart knew no fear, only numbness.


    A figure appeared before him, he saw the person¡¯s shoes but couldn¡¯t bring himself to speak.


    Su Jin looked down at Bai Sheng and sighed, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d rather die in the jaws of demons and ghosts, than live a dull life? Last night, you witnessed a Great Demon that most mortals will never see in their entire lives. Shouldn¡¯t you feel fortunate?¡±


    Bai Sheng hung his head and asked weakly, ¡°Are you such a demon as well¡­¡±


    ¡°I do not delight in killing as they do, but I have killed people, killed demons,¡± Su Jin responded, her answer plunging Bai Sheng into silence.


    Su Jin continued, ¡°Since you¡¯ve witnessed supernatural powers, why not cultivate immortality with me in the future?¡±


    ¡°Help me¡­find¡­Brother Gu¡­¡±


    Bai Sheng struggled to speak, and after uttering those five words, he completely lost his strength and fainted, toppling forward, but fortunately, Su Jin caught him in time.


    Su Jin held Bai Sheng in her arms, a smile appearing on her face; she had fantasized about this moment for ten thousand years and had finally achieved it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, in this life I will surely protect you, just as you desperately protected me ten thousand years ago.¡±


    Su Jin murmured softly to herself, lifting Bai Sheng up and then soaring into the sky.


    Her Divine Sense enveloped the entire city before continuing outward.


    ¡°Strange, where on earth did he go? Could a demon have devoured him?¡±


    Su Jin wondered aloud to herself, but she didn¡¯t dwell on it¡ªafter all, she had already searched for Bai Sheng on behalf of him, if he couldn¡¯t be found, it wasn¡¯t her fault.


    She flew off into the distance with Bai Sheng in her arms, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    The clouds above had scattered, and the sunlight spilled over the devastated Imperial City, and gradually, a hint of murky energy began to dissipate.


    ¡­


    Within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    In the courtyard, Gu An lay in a rocking chair reading a book, occasionally instructing Shen Zhen on how to control the Taiqing True Fire beneath the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    It had been ten years since he had parted from Bai Sheng.


    Shen Zhen turned her head to look at Gu An and asked, ¡°Gu An, what¡¯s the origin of that Dao Court? Within the Qiankun Sect, it¡¯s widely rumored that the Dao Court will become the Sect that unifies the entire world.¡±


    Gu An answered casually, ¡°Just like the Holy Court, the Dao Court was once the ruler of a part of the Great Heaven and Earth. After the Great Thousand World was reconstructed, they grew rapidly. Of course, they were able to do this because they had the backing of a highly practiced and powerful being.¡±


    ¡°How strong is he, compared to you?¡± Shen Zhen asked with a raised eyebrow.


    Gu An laughed, ¡°Haven¡¯t fought, hard to say.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right, with you talking like that, that person definitely isn¡¯t your match.¡±


    Shen Zhen rolled her eyes at Gu An, who could hear her admiration for him in her heart, amazed by his strength, though her tone suggested otherwise.


    Gu An, while turning the pages of his book, said, ¡°Nevertheless, it¡¯s still too early for the Dao Court to dream of unifying the Celestial Spirit Great World.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°How far into the future can you see?¡± Shen Zhen asked curiously.


    In fact, she was extremely curious about Gu An¡¯s cultivation level but had always restrained herself, feeling too embarrassed to ask. Given the chance to probe, she wouldn¡¯t miss it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask anymore, the will of heaven cannot be revealed.¡±


    Gu An brushed off the question, and then turned over, his back to Shen Zhen.


    Shen Zhen huffed and then focused on comprehending the Dao Treasure within the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    Silence returned to the courtyard, with only the occasional wind passing through.


    The Three Pristine True Fire beneath the Artifact Refining Cauldron flickered ceaselessly, as if it would never go out. As it wavered, time swiftly passed by.


    Spring came and went, and autumn arrived.


    Five hundred years had passed.


    Five hundred years later, Gu An still lay on the same chair, while Shen Zhen remained seated in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    Gu An turned over and rose, tucking the Green Hero Travelogue into his chest, picked up the Cyan Hong Sword, and drew it from its scabbard.


    The sound of the blade sliding from its sheath startled Shen Zhen; she turned her head towards Gu An, watched him handling the sword, and was about to ask what he was doing when suddenly her expression changed, and she looked up sharply.


    Not just her, everyone in the dojo was alarmed and looked up.


    Above them, the azure Celestial Vault began to pepper with black dots, which quickly expanded like black holes, riddling the vault with a thousand gaping wounds.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Shen Zhen furrowed her brow and asked.


    Gu An did not look up; he gently swung the Cyan Hong Sword, replying, ¡°It¡¯s a transcendent force from beyond the Great Thousand World, known as the Battle Court.¡±


    ¡°The Battle Court?¡±


    Shen Zhen had never heard of this name before; she asked in surprise, ¡°Why do all these major sects like to name themselves ¡®court¡¯, Holy Court, Dao Court, Battle Court¡­ your book¡¯s Celestial Court can¡¯t possibly be real, can it?¡±


    She had always suspected The Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West to be true, and now, thinking about it, it seemed very possible¡ªafter all, Gu An¡¯s Dao Practice was beyond her imagination.


    ¡°It cannot be said, it cannot be said,¡± Gu An said with a meaningful smile.


    He was thinking about what sword technique to use to sweep away the Battle Court.


    At that moment, he felt something and turned his head towards the distance, a flicker of unusual light in his eyes.


    He was looking in the direction of the Supreme Sect.


    At the same time, on the remote Tai Cang Continent.


    Candle Star and Ye Cang appeared beneath Long Qing¡¯s attic, while the Soul of the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor emerged from within Long Qing¡¯s body; he gazed up at the Celestial Vault, his brow deeply furrowed.


    ¡°The Battle Court is truly fearsome¡­¡± murmured the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor to himself.


    Candle Star, too, looked up at the Celestial Vault, his face showing disbelief.


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor turned to him and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you also from the Battle Court? I heard you wanted the Supreme Sect to take the Battle Court¡¯s place?¡±


    Ye Cang looked at Candle Star as well, detecting the sarcasm in the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor¡¯s voice.


    Taking a deep breath, Candle Star said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Battle Court to have such depths. It seems that the existence has finished its seclusion and has called back those Great Powers who have been gone for so long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s odd; he clearly despises the Long Clan, and it was just those War Gods targeting them¡­¡±


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor speculated, ¡°After all, even the Celestial Spirit God has fallen, and yet the Battle Court still dares to come¡ªit must have some confidence.¡±


    Candle Star couldn¡¯t answer; his heart was in turmoil.


    The oppressive force of the Battle Court¡¯s arrival made him tremble with fear; he dared not imagine the sight of facing those War Gods, especially that existence.


    That existence was the myth and legend of the Battle Court. Even though he had reached the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, he had never seen that existence.


    Clang¡ª


    The door of the attic flew open, and Long Qing walked out, descending the stairs at a steady pace, his expression calm.


    A figure abruptly appeared at the base of the stairs; it was Long Qing¡¯s son, Long Teng.


    ¡°Father, what is the origin of the anomaly in the sky? Why do I feel my Qi-Blood surging uncontrollably? I even feel¡­¡±


    Long Teng asked with a furrowed brow.


    Long Qing reached the landing and looked down at him, ¡°Even feeling hostility, murderous intentions?¡±


    Long Teng¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he pressed, ¡°Father, do you have the same feeling?¡±


    Long Qing continued down the stairs, his gaze shifting towards the Celestial Vault, ¡°Some things are too late to tell you, and there is no need for you to know. Just watch.¡±


    ¡°Just watch? Father, what are you going to do?¡± Long Teng¡¯s eyebrows knitted again, an intense unease building within him.


    Long Qing stepped in front of him, giving the unnerving feeling that he could disappear at any moment, which instinctively made Long Teng reach out, attempting to grasp Long Qing¡¯s robe.


    Candle Star, Ye Cang, and the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor, all aware of the Long Clan¡¯s destiny, kept silent, their eyes fixed on Long Qing.


    Ye Cang clenched his fists tightly, filled with reluctance.


    He had not expected the Battle Court to come so swiftly.


    Five hundred years was a long time for mortals, but for him, it was insufficient for his Cultivation Level to break through, far from enough to aid his master.


    Just feeling the vast oppressive force enveloping heaven and earth told Ye Cang that he could not meddle in this karmic destiny.


    But¡­


    How would his master face it?


    Ye Cang knew that his own Cultivation Level was not much higher than his master¡¯s, but his master¡¯s composure filled him with anticipation.

 Chapter 579 - 574: Annihilate Completely

    Chapter 579: Chapter 574: Annihilate Completely


    The Celestial Spirit Great World¡¯s celestial vault was covered with black holes of varying sizes; every creature within the Celestial Spirit Great World, as long as they looked up at the celestial vault, would see such a phenomenon and become panic-stricken. Since the vast majority of living beings had never witnessed such a phenomenon in their lives, it was inevitable that they would be fearful.


    All the Major Sects quickly formed arrays and sent Great Power Cultivators to observe the sky.


    The vast oppressive force of the Battle Court enveloped the entire Great World, yet no creature from the Battle Court had appeared.


    Long Qing took two steps forward, looking at the myriad of black holes with an extremely calm expression.


    He had already prepared himself to die.


    Long Teng looked at his father¡¯s silhouette, unable to resist asking, ¡°Father, what exactly are you planning to do?¡±


    ...


    Long Qing didn¡¯t answer him.


    The protective formation of the Supreme Sect rose up, and figures began appearing around the attic; they were either high-ranking individuals of the Supreme Sect or descendants of the Long Family.


    After Long Qing issued a precautionary command, he no longer spoke, and no matter who asked him, he did not respond.


    Ye Cang looked at his master, feeling extremely distressed.


    Just then, brilliant lights arose from the horizon, all of them entering the black holes within the celestial vault. The lights entered the black holes and disappeared without causing any disturbance, as if traveling through time and space.


    Far beyond, in the depths of the universe, a dark purple light path stretching millions of miles was rapidly extending. Figures were walking on the light path, with black holes continuously appearing on both sides; some figures stepped into the black holes, while others stepped out from within.


    On this dark purple light path, leading at the front was a Nine-headed Flood Dragon covered in black dragon scales. Its nine necks were like mountains, and its nine dragon heads continuously spewed intense heat waves.


    This dragon was larger than any meteor it passed by, advancing like a Creation God Mountain, dignified and vast.


    Following behind it was an overwhelming march of creatures from the Battle Court¡ªhumans, demons, and ghostly evils¡ªall moving in the same direction.


    In the midst of this multitude, a Sword Cultivator advanced. He wore a red robe tightened at the waist, the sleeves broad; his features were young and handsome, and his hair was snow-white. He looked ahead with furrowed brows.


    His name was Fang Xuan, a renowned prodigy of the Battle Court who possessed the cultivation level of a Profound Yuan Free Immortal.


    He was shocked by the sight before him; having lived millions of years, it was his first time seeing the Battle Court amass such military force.


    Looking around, the terrifying aura emitted by those figures made him feel alienated; he even doubted if these people were from the Battle Court.


    Had he only been in seclusion for several hundred thousand years for the Battle Court to have improved this much?


    ¡°Just to invade a Great Thousand World, is it necessary to send so many people?¡±


    ¡°I heard that the Silent Destruction God Emperor fell in that Great Thousand World, which is why there¡¯s such a massive mobilization.¡±


    ¡°What? The Silent Destruction God Emperor fell? How is that possible, being such an ancient being¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to the Celestial Spirit Great World; this Great World has just been reshaped. The world itself poses no threat to us, but there is an extremely terrifying being hiding inside, and it also intends to support the Long Clan, which is provoking the Battle Court.¡±


    ¡°The Long Clan? They haven¡¯t been completely wiped out?¡±


    Listening to the discussions around him, Fang Xuan¡¯s mind conjured up an image of the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    He had only seen the Silent Destruction God Emperor once when he went to listen to the emperor¡¯s doctrine; in his mind, the Silent Destruction God Emperor¡¯s Dao practice was unfathomable, and even the high-level of the Battle Court were very polite toward him.


    Such a being had actually fallen¡­


    Fang Xuan felt uneasy; although there were a lot of them, the more forces the Battle Court deployed, the more dangerous he felt this battle would be.


    The Dao practices of the high-level members of the Battle Court were beyond his imagination; those beings certainly saw more than he did.


    Facing an unknown great battle, how should he ensure his own safety?


    Just as Fang Xuan was lost in chaotic thoughts, from some of the black holes ahead flew out cultivators of the Celestial Spirit Great World. When they saw the unending Battle Court Light Path, they were all startled.


    Before they could speak, nearby creatures from the Battle Court quickly took action.


    The great battle had officially commenced!


    Cultivators from worlds below the Zi Zai Immortal Realm had no power to resist; they were directly obliterated. Those with higher cultivation levels hurriedly escaped back into the black holes, through which they returned to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    All disciples had gathered in Gu An¡¯s courtyard, curious about the celestial phenomena above.


    Gu An didn¡¯t say much; with a wave of his sleeve, the blue smoke above the Artifact Refining Cauldron condensed rapidly, forming a large mirror that reflected the majestic sight of the Battle Court Light Path.


    An Xin, Shen Zhen, Celestial Demon Child, and Blood Prison Great Saint looked up and were all stunned.


    On the trans-universal Battle Court Light Path, the crowd surged like a tide, the massive beings as large as mountains appearing even more fearsome.


    Along the end of the Battle Court Light Path, a terrifying huge shadow loomed in the deep darkness, revealing only its upper body as if carrying forward this vast light path single-handedly.


    The Battle Court Light Path in the hand of this huge shadow resembled a sword thrusting forward, a scene that shocked everyone¡¯s eyes.


    Celestial Demon Child couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to look at Gu An and asked, ¡°Master, who are they?¡±


    The others also turned to look at Gu An. The usually loquacious Blood Prison Great Saint and Lv Xian were also stunned; facing such a force, they felt only apprehension in their hearts.


    Gu An responded, ¡°This is the Battle Court, a power from beyond the Great Thousand World.¡±


    An Xin pressed further, ¡°Why have they come?¡±


    The others were also puzzled, waiting for Gu An to clarify.


    Gu An did not conceal anything and revealed the grievances between the Long Clan and the Battle Court.


    ¡°This grudge has lasted for many years. Twenty thousand years ago, there was an entity known as the Silent Destruction God Emperor who also came for the descendants of the Long Clan,¡± Gu An said calmly.


    Chen Chuan couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°To usurp their nest and to exterminate them, this Lord of the Battle Court is really not anything good, and by the looks of it, they¡¯re likely aiming to take over the Celestial Spirit Great World.¡±


    The others also started cursing at the Battle Court. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin suddenly thought of something. She looked at Gu An and timidly asked, ¡°Master, you granted Long Qing the Long surname, could it be¡­¡±


    As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent¡ªthey all knew Long Qing, who was personally taken in as a disciple by Gu An.


    An Xin still remembered that Gu An had previously refused to guide Long Qing in cultivation because Long Qing carried a great cause and effect.


    Gu An nodded and said, ¡°Yes, Long Qing is indeed a descendant of the Long Clan.¡±


    Everyone looked at each other after hearing this.


    Blood Prison Great Saint became excited and asked, ¡°Master, will you take action?¡±


    The others also felt invigorated by this.


    They had practiced arduously in the dojo. The higher their realm, the more they revered Gu An¡¯s cultivation level.


    They had always been curious about just how strong Gu An was.


    Surely such a powerful Battle Court could force Gu An to reveal all his strength?


    ¡°It is his destiny, why should I intervene? Being able to adopt him, I already took a great risk,¡± Gu An shook his head and chuckled.


    The others didn¡¯t buy it; in their eyes, Gu An would surely protect Long Qing, just as he protected them.


    Jiang Shi lamented, ¡°Who knows how many years of cultivation it will take before I can qualify to participate in such a great battle?¡±


    Scenes of battle appeared in the mirror atop the Artifact Refining Cauldron, endless cultivators from the Celestial Spirit Great World surged out of the black holes, blocking the Battle Court¡¯s advancement.


    Today¡¯s Celestial Spirit Great World was far beyond the previous Era¡¯s Celestial Spirit Great Heaven and Earth, with an astonishingly consolidated power.


    Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, and others, seeing endless cultivators and demons entering the battle through the black holes, felt their blood boiling.


    Gu An didn¡¯t immediately take action; he saw this calamity as a good thing, letting the beings of the Great Thousand World feel a sense of crisis.


    Moreover, this cause and effect had to be ended by the Long Family themselves. Gu An did not want to publicly tie himself with the Long Family on the surface, waiting for Long Qing to be overwhelmed before intervening.


    On the other side of heaven and earth.


    Long Qing leaped up, flying towards the black hole in the sky.


    Candle Star transmitted to him, saying, ¡°Come with me, facing such a Battle Court, you have no chance of victory.¡±


    Long Qing did not respond to him, nor did he look back.


    Candle Star stood in front of the pavilion, opening his mouth, but he ultimately could not muster the courage to go forward and fight alongside Long Qing.


    He knew full well the terror of the Battle Court, and crucially, the strength now displayed by the Battle Court was even more formidable than he had known.


    He sensed the determination of the Battle Court, vowing to completely annihilate the Long Clan!


    Right in the Celestial Spirit Great World!


    Watching Long Qing¡¯s figure disappear into the black hole, Long Ya looked at Long Teng, anxiously asking, ¡°Big brother, what exactly is father trying to do? Shouldn¡¯t we help him?¡±


    Long Teng was about to speak when a sonorous voice echoed through the entire Great Heaven and Earth:


    ¡°Descendant of the Long Clan, you have stood up, and indeed, you have not dishonored the bloodline of the Long Clan!¡±

 Chapter 580 - 575: Dharma Aspect Shocks the Heavens

    Chapter 580: Chapter 575: Dharma Aspect Shocks the Heavens


    The sudden voice plunged the entire Celestial Spirit Great World into silence, and all living beings felt their hearts chill just hearing it. They couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of existence could possess such an imposing aura.


    Candle Star looked up at the celestial vault, his expression somewhat bewildered as he murmured to himself, ¡°Master¡­¡±


    He understood that the Lord of the War Court used such terrifying power not only targeting to execute Long Qing, but mainly against the protector of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Thinking of his master facing off against the fearsome being capable of annihilating a Celestial Spirit God, his emotions were complex.


    He also thought of the mythological beings of the War Court, fearing that an unprecedented fierce battle was about to occur, one that would reduce the Celestial Spirit Great World to ashes.


    He turned to look at his disciples gazing up at the celestial dome in the distance and couldn¡¯t help but sigh.


    ...


    After so many years at the Supreme Sect, he had grown attached to this place, but no amount of attachment was worth more than life itself.


    He had already forsaken the War Court, and in the face of such a situation, all he could do was flee.


    He withdrew his gaze and disappeared into thin air in front of the pavilion.


    Long Teng, Long Ya, and the other cultivators around them hadn¡¯t expected him to flee; they thought he was going to support Long Qing, so they didn¡¯t think too much of it.


    The Heaven-Supporting Ancestor re-entered Ye Cang¡¯s body, his voice echoed in Ye Cang¡¯s mind:


    ¡°There are many presences within the War Court that are beyond my match. In the face of such a massive invasion, the Celestial Spirit Great World stands no chance of winning. Candle Star has already fled, and you should leave as well.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Cang furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on the black hole above.


    On the other side of heaven and earth.


    With the mountains undulating, Bai Sheng stepped out of the forest and stood on the hillside, gazing at the spectacular phenomenon in the sky, his brow furrowed deeply, his eyes full of shock.


    This was the second time in his life that his understanding had been overturned.


    Su Jin arrived at his side, equally shocked as she looked up at the celestial vault.


    Bai Sheng turned to look at her and asked, ¡°What is this spectacle? How high is the realm of the person who just spoke? And what¡¯s the background of the Long Clan?¡±


    Su Jin took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, I can¡¯t even guess his realm. You see, I¡¯ve lived for over ten thousand years, Could be influential in the Imperial Dynasty, but in the grand scheme of the Great World, I¡¯m just an inconspicuous minor character. To many of the Great Powers, killing me would be as simple as crushing an insect.¡±


    ¡°As for the Long Clan, I have never heard of them either. My understanding of the Great Heaven and Earth is not as extensive as you imagine.¡±


    Bai Sheng couldn¡¯t help remarking, ¡°It¡¯s indeed true that there are always higher beings. If one day, I can make a sound that resonates with all living beings across heaven and earth, then this life would have not been lived in vain.¡±


    Su Jin rolled her eyes at him, said with irritation, ¡°You always talk like you¡¯re giving your last words. Can¡¯t you think about diligently cultivating and pursuing longevity?¡±


    ¡°Is there really such a thing as immortality in this world? Even if one ascends to immortality, as you said, there is still an end to it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care; you must aim for it anyway.¡±


    They began to bicker, unaware that this was a calamity sweeping across the entire world.


    ¡­


    In the vast and boundless universe, myriad black holes of all sizes dotted the cosmos, acting like channels through time and space, with figures emerging from them.


    Fang Xuan walked on the Battle Court Light Path, looking ahead at the looming great battle with a calm expression.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World erupted in astonishing solidarity, as more and more figures rushed in to block the advance of the War Court, yet they did not slow down the pace of the War Court¡¯s forces.


    Fang Xuan didn¡¯t rush to take action. On this occasion, he planned to do the bare minimum, and with the most terrifying existences yet to appear, he dared not act.


    ¡°I am a descendent of the Long Clan, Long Qing. This causality should be borne by me!¡±


    Long Qing¡¯s voice suddenly came, weak in the vast cosmos even though he shouted with all his might.


    Fang Xuan caught the sound of Long Qing, with the words ¡°Long Clan¡± making it impossible for him to ignore.


    A pressure stronger than any of the combatants bore down, halting every living being engaged in the battle.


    A Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal from the Celestial Spirit Great World showed a look of horror, unable to move under this overwhelming pressure.


    His pupils suddenly dilated, and following his gaze, an imposing figure in the darkness behind the Battle Court Light Path gradually became clearer.


    Fang Xuan¡¯s gaze, however, looked in the direction of Long Qing¡¯s voice.


    Long Qing stepped out from a black hole, his right hand raised to his chest, his two fingers together. While moving through the air with floating steps, he was casting divine skills.


    Streams of gray mist emerged from his body, coalescing into figures around him.


    Furthermore, the space in the surrounding universe twisted, spontaneously producing more gray mists that continued to solidify into humanoid shapes.


    More and more gazes fell upon Long Qing, but no one from the War Court side made a direct move against him.


    As Long Qing who was executing the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect looked into the distance, a giant shadow gradually became clear. It was a black-robed Daoist with a Qilin headdress and a stern face; he floated like a mirage behind the Battle Court Light Path, with his lower half seeming illusory, and only his upper half clearly visible.


    It was the master of Candle Star, the current Lord of the War Court!


    His title was the Candle Celestial Monarch!


    The Candle Celestial Monarch was so immense that everything in the universe seemed trifling in his presence, and to the Celestial Spirit Cultivators witnessing this figure, he appeared as the founding god who created the cosmos.


    As the Candle Celestial Monarch emerged from the darkness, everyone from the side of the Celestial Spirit Great World, except Long Qing, lost their courage and willingness to fight.


    It seemed as though the Candle Celestial Monarch had merely leaned forward, he looked down upon Long Qing, observing the Dharma Aspects coalescing behind him, with an indifferent gaze, and he said, ¡°Has your esteemed self not shown yourself yet? Could it be that you have given up on the Long Clan?¡±


    This question likewise echoed throughout the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, An Xin and the others one by one turned their heads to look at Gu An.


    Gu An, holding the Cyan Hong Sword, said, ¡°Why look at me? Qing¡¯Er¡¯s Divine Skills are not simple; perhaps he can resolve this on his own.¡±


    As he spoke, he lifted the blade, his left hand supporting the edge, the tip pointing toward a mirror above the Artifact Refining Cauldron, as if aiming at the Candle Celestial Monarch within it.


    Hearing this, though more confused, the crowd still turned their heads to look at the scene in the mirror.


    The world fell silent.


    All living beings waited for another voice to rise, but it never came.


    In the cosmic void, as the number of Dharma Aspects behind Long Qing grew, the expressions of the powerhouses from the War Court changed.


    In less than ten breaths¡¯ time, the number of Dharma Aspects surrounding Long Qing had exceeded ten thousand, and one Dharma Aspect, towering ten thousand Zhang, radiated an aura of contempt for the universe, causing both Celestial Spirit Cultivators and War Court warriors to involuntarily fix their gaze on him.


    ¡°Long Yu¡­¡±


    The voice of the Candle Celestial Monarch rose, as if murmuring softly.


    As soon as his voice fell, figures scattered apart, quickly surrounding Long Qing and his Dharma Aspects, each figure emanating an unrivaled aura, using their own powerful presence to seal off Long Qing.


    Those Celestial Spirit Cultivators who were suppressed by the Candle Celestial Monarch vanished into ash, only cultivators far away survived, and those who had come forth from the black holes as reinforcements all stopped in their tracks, their attention entirely on Long Qing.


    The Dharma Aspects summoned by Long Qing each radiated a brilliant light, converging into a sparkling region in the universe.


    Those dozen or so War Court powerhouses were scattered around, as if enacting some kind of elusive Formation to block the strong light emitted by the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    ¡°Such a rich force of karma.¡±


    ¡°To summon so many powerful Dharma Aspects with such cultivation level, the Long Clan is indeed extraordinary.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s all there is, it¡¯s not worth us joining hands.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps the existence behind him has already fled. No one can afford the karma of acting against a Celestial God.¡±


    ¡°This Divine Skill seems to utilize bloodline karma.¡±


    The War Court powerhouses discussed among themselves, completely disregarding Long Qing.


    The distant Candle Celestial Monarch did the same, whether it was despicable of what stood behind Long Qing or contempt for Long Qing himself.


    Listening to the voices from all around, Long Qing took a deep breath, his eyes sharpened, and his face began to crack open as blood seeped out.


    The gray aura around him suddenly turned into a bloody one, and an even more terrifying figure rapidly took shape, as if a giant stood up behind him, quickly growing larger, surpassing the Dharma Aspect known as Long Yu by the Candle Celestial Monarch.


    Upon seeing this Dharma Aspect figure, the eyes of the Candle Celestial Monarch suddenly changed.


    ¡°Kill him.¡±


    The voice of the Candle Celestial Monarch rose, and as soon as the words were spoken, the War Court powerhouses encircling Long Qing all made their move, with the force of thunder. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The terrifying pressure coming from all directions made Long Qing feel as if he were being torn apart, yet, he did not die.


    He looked up to see a hundred thousand Zhang tall, blood-colored figure wielding a long spear with one hand, fending off the powerful mana coming at him from every direction.


    This blood-colored figure was clad in armor, his true face obscured, but he emanated an unrivaled and imperious aura.


    His appearance made everyone from the War Court tense up.


    In the sea of people, Fang Xuan¡¯s pupils trembled, and his heart was hit by a storm of shock.


    The cultivators of the Celestial Spirit Great World were similarly dumbstruck.


    In that moment, even within the Great Heaven and Earth, all living beings could see a blood-colored figure reflected in the Celestial Vault, towering high into the sky.

 Chapter 581 - 576: Celestial Destruction God, Greater Cause and Effect

    Chapter 581: Chapter 576: Celestial Destruction God, Greater Cause and Effect


    Looking at the blood-colored figure behind Long Qing, everyone from the Battle Court was shocked, for the figure¡¯s aura was immensely powerful, especially the spear in its hand, which emanated an extremely dangerous aura that seemed capable of collapsing the entire universe.


    Amid countless Dharma Aspects, the blood-colored figure stood like Mount Tai surveying the surrounding peaks, shocking even Long Qing.


    In Long Qing¡¯s mind, the strongest should have been Emperor Longxin. He had managed to manifest the figure of Emperor Longxin, which was that enormous figure.


    Yet, Emperor Longxin appeared so weak in front of this blood-colored figure.


    After mastering the Celestial Dragon Technique, Long Qing dared not casually manifest his Dharma Aspect, as he only had one chance. This was his first encounter with the blood-colored figure.


    Somehow, he knew the name of this figure.


    ...


    Long Mie!


    Long Qing had heard this name before, the grandson of Emperor Longxin, the son of Long Jun.


    He had heard Long Jun boast that Long Mie possessed the strongest talent within the Long Clan, but after seeing the figure of Emperor Longxin, he believed Emperor Longxin was the strongest.


    Today, he truly understood how terrifying the strongest figure of the Long Clan could be!


    Long Qing¡¯s skin continuously cracked open, and blood incessantly seeped out; he quickly turned into a bloody figure, but his eyes were so bright.


    With his own strength, Long Mie demonstrated power that dominated the current battlefield against numerous strong members of the Battle Court.


    From afar, Candle Celestial Monarch watched Long Mie, frowning deeply.


    Ten Innate Golden Immortals actually couldn¡¯t destroy this Dharma Aspect!


    What was the origin of this Dharma Aspect?


    The Innate Golden Immortals who were casting spells were equally shocked. Their power was enough to destroy the universe, but they concentrated their mana together, trying their best not to affect the Heavenly Dao. Yet, the existence they targeted would suffer a more intense impact.


    However, Long Mie¡¯s Dharma Aspect easily resisted their attacks. How could they remain calm?


    Long Qing struggled to lift his right hand, and in an instant, the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect holding the spear pushed forward, vigorously repelling several Innate Golden Immortals and causing airwaves that shook the Battle Court Light Path.


    Almost instantly, all Dharma Aspects surged like arrows, rushing toward the Battle Court Light Path.


    Long Qing was still performing the Celestial Dragon Technique, continuously manifesting Dharma Aspects, and joining the battle, while the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect continued to guard behind Long Qing.


    ¡°Everyone, retreat!¡±


    A Great Cultivator from the Dao Court loudly commanded, and with someone leading, other hesitating Cultivators quickly retreated to observe from a distance.


    The Long Clan¡¯s Dharma Aspects, like a grand army, swiftly advanced onto the Battle Court Light Path, as more and more Battle Court Cultivators joined the fight.


    Fang Xuan drew a sword, ready for battle, his gaze fixated on the blood-colored figure of Long Mie, his heart filled with astonishment.


    A Loose Immortal could summon such a formidable entity. Was this the Long Clan?


    He had always failed to understand why the upper ranks of the Battle Court insisted on completely annihilating the Long Clan, but now he understood.


    Facing such an enemy, it was indeed necessary to eliminate them completely.


    However, another thought uncontrollably popped into his mind.


    How did these high-level individuals snatch the Battle Court from the Long Clan?


    As Fang Xuan was lost in thought, a sword light streaked over his head, powerfully colliding with space, striking the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, which still defended with the spear in its hand.


    Two formidable forces collided, creating shockwaves that caused distant Celestial Spirit Cultivators watching the battle to vanish in smoke and dust, while Cultivators from the Battle Court side were protected by a force of destiny, spared from disaster. From afar, an energy barrier enveloped the Battle Court Light Path, defending against all impacts.


    ¡­


    In Daoist Field of the Beginningless, within the courtyard.


    Everyone intently stared at the Artifact Refining Cauldron¡¯s mirror, watching the power standoff between Dragon Annihilation¡¯s Dharma Aspect and Candle Celestial Monarch, secretly terrified at the immense power before them, where every existing being between the two seemed insignificant.


    Furthermore, Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s aura could even reach into Celestial Spirit Great World; they were fine, protected by the dojo, but the outer environment trembled, a catastrophe for Mortal Spirits.


    An Xin involuntarily looked at Gu An, noting her master was still calmly watching the battle, and she was puzzled.


    ¡°Master, why aren¡¯t you taking action yet? This isn¡¯t like him, and moreover, this calamity originates from Qing¡¯Er, he certainly won¡¯t stand by idly.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that Master has already planned a response? It must be so; Master is always like this, claiming indifference, yet always ends up intervening.¡±


    With that thought, An Xin¡¯s confusion cleared, replaced by exhilaration.


    In her heart, her master had always possessed great compassion to protect all living beings, and she had witnessed it many times.


    Even if Master wanted to leave, he would just disguise his identity and hide in another part of the world, showing that at heart, Master couldn¡¯t sever his ties to this land.


    Gu An stared at the image in the mirror, hearing the thoughts of the crowd, especially those of An Xin.


    He felt both relieved and helpless.


    He was relieved that An Xin had always trusted him, but he felt helpless because his image in An Xin¡¯s mind was too great.


    Gu An indeed had a strategy to cope.


    This calamity, originating from the grudge and karma of the Long Clan, was different from previous calamities. It was a disaster of the Long Family, triggered by his Reincarnation Body, and he would naturally resolve it.


    However, he would not do so as Gu An, but as Long Zhan.


    In this calamity, he would not let the innocent die; the more evil the Battle Court behaved, the more it would provoke his desire to kill.


    His pupils flickered with a peculiar purple-golden flame.


    ¡°Have you already joined them?¡±


    Gu An stared at the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect in the mirror and muttered to himself.


    He felt the aura of the Heavenly Dao emanating from the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect.


    This aura was similar to that of the Celestial Spirit God and the Celestial Extreme God.


    No wonder Long Mie could escape the karma of the Long Clan; it turned out that a stronger force was shielding him from karma.


    But this time was different; Long Qing was using the karma from bloodlines, and as long as Long Mie did not change his physical body, the karma attached to the bloodline would still exist.


    Candle Celestial Monarch, being in the late stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm and joined by sixteen other Innate Golden Immortals, was strangely unable to defeat the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect.


    Gu An was curious about what Cultivation Level Long Mie¡¯s true self had reached now.


    Additionally, Gu An noticed that these Innate Golden Immortals had a different kind of destiny aura from the Battle Court; they originated from the Battle Court, but they bore the destiny of other forces, more intense. This meant these Innate Golden Immortals had other backgrounds.


    It seemed there were other calculations behind this battle!


    Gu An began to look forward to the appearance of the Immortal Emperor.


    As for getting involved in more trouble, Gu An was not too concerned; this battle would certainly allow him to reap a tremendous Life Span, and perhaps after some time, he would break through to a higher Realm.


    ¡­


    On the vast earth, countless fierce beasts were slaughtering each other, the ground split open, blood flowed into rivers, and corpses were countless.


    The fierce ground battle continued, but the Celestial Vault was extraordinarily bright, with stacked clouds making the Celestial Vault appear even more expansive.


    A towering figure clad in Blood Armor stood proudly among the clouds. His hands hung naturally, his shoulder armor resembled a dragon, and his white hair fluttered in the wind, with a blood flower mark on his forehead. His face was handsome, but his gaze was so indifferent.


    He looked down at the slaughter below, his expression unchanged, but the reflection of Long Qing employing the Celestial Dragon Technique flickered in his pupils.


    His figure was identical to the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect. Next to him stood a long spear, the body of the spear covered in blood scales, the spearhead like the claw of a True Dragon, its tip refracting a cold light.


    A figure leapt up and landed beside him; this was a Cyan-robed Daoist, standing on a red gourd, bearing an air of immortality and wearing a cynically amused smile.


    ¡°Celestial Destruction God, someone else is using your power again? How long will you protect them?¡± the Cyan-robed Daoist asked teasingly.


    Celestial Destruction God¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s not exactly using; that¡¯s their own capability.¡±


    The Cyan-robed Daoist raised his hand and drew a circle in front of him, revealing an illusion reflecting the battle outside the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect was so eye-catching. At its feet, a strong light gathered around Long Qing, who was continuously consolidating the Dharma Aspect.


    The continuous Dharma Aspect assaulted the Battle Court Light Path, with Candle Celestial Monarch stepping over from above, continuously approaching the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect.


    Those sixteen Innate Golden Immortals surrounded the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, endlessly displaying Divine Skills and Spells, shaking the entire universe.


    The edges of the universe displayed twisting rainbows, the tremors were from the Great Dao.


    ¡°So many Innate Golden Immortals attacking a Loose Immortal, quite extravagant. Without your power, this guy would have died long ago. Does this still count as his capability?¡± the Cyan-robed Daoist asked, half-smiling.


    Celestial Destruction God was silent for a moment before saying, ¡°This is a Divine Skill called Celestial Dragon Technique created by my grandfather. It gathers all those with bloodline karma through the bloodline, allowing them to form Dharma Aspects to fight on their behalf. This child has summoned so many Dharma Aspects, his Life Span will be exhausted; this is his last battle.¡±


    ¡°Last battle? I doubt it; you always say this, yet you always end up intervening. Without your intervention, the Long Clan would have perished long ago,¡± the Cyan-robed Daoist shook his head.


    To this, Celestial Destruction God did not respond.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist continued, ¡°It won¡¯t be long before you can break through and reach a higher Realm. Your Immortal Position could be promoted, and if you could be transferred back to the Three Thousand Great Worlds, you would be able to protect your descendants.¡±


    The reflection of Candle Celestial Monarch gleamed in Celestial Destruction God¡¯s eyes, his gaze so cold, he watched Candle Celestial Monarch continuously destroying the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspects, approaching his own Dharma Aspect.


    ¡°This time, fate might be hard to escape, with even stronger beings approaching,¡± Celestial Destruction God solemnly said, pausing momentarily before adding:


    ¡°No matter, with me here, the bloodline can continue. When I return, I will let these folks experience the most painful torment of the Great Dao.¡±


    sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 582 - 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe

    Chapter 582: Chapter 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe


    In the universe¡¯s void that constantly shimmered with bright light, the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect wielded the gun shadow in its hand, blocking Divine Skills attacks from all directions, manifesting an unstoppable aura.


    More and more Battle Court powerhouses joined the surrounding attack, spreading out in different directions, beginning to form their formations with a majestic momentum.


    Above the head of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, clouds of light tumbled, where dragon and phoenix phantoms intertwined, as if another dazzling heaven and earth were descending.


    As the number of Battle Court powerhouses involved in the battle soared, the aftermath grew rapidly stronger, with continuous black holes being annihilated, forcing Celestial Spirit Cultivators to either flee back into black holes or retreat at full speed.


    The fleeing Cultivators looked back, unable to conceal the horror on their faces.


    ¡°That person called Long Qing, who exactly is he? His Cultivation Level aura is clearly just a Loose Immortal!¡±


    ...


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of him, but the Divine Skills he¡¯s using are too terrifying, no wonder he has provoked so many powerful beings.¡±


    ¡°So, in addition to Qi Absorption Cultivation, cultivating Divine Skills can also lead to attainment.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Since those guys are targeting that person called Long Qing, we indeed should not get involved.¡±


    ¡°Today¡¯s battle has truly been an eye-opener for us. Within the Great World, we swagger and dominate, but in Outer Heaven, there are far too many existences stronger than us.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit Cultivators discussed while fleeing, today¡¯s battle they would never forget the name Long Qing.


    On the other side.


    The Candle Celestial Monarch had already arrived in front of the circle surrounded by Innate Golden Immortals. He retrieved a Golden Pestle from his sleeves, which connected with nine golden chains and had a silver-blue gem embedded at the bottom. As it shook, a strange Power of the Great Dao burst forth, causing all living beings in the universe to feel dizzy.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0


    Long Qing maintained the gesture of deploying the Celestial Dragon Technique, his body covered in blood, with bare white bones faintly visible on his elbow and shoulder.


    Staring at the Golden Pestle in the hands of the Candle Celestial Monarch, Long Qing felt a strong sense of dread, and seeing that the other Dharma Aspects could not shake the Battle Court Light Path, he felt desolate.


    ¡°I have already exerted my full strength, even summoning the most powerful ancestors, why am I still unable to overcome them?¡±


    Long Qing fell into confusion, before the battle, he had been full of confidence, determined to face death.


    But when he actually faced the Battle Court, only then did he realize why his clan met such fate.


    Just thinking of Long Teng, Long Ya, and other descendants, he felt unprecedented fear.


    He had not yet had the chance to sever the connections with his descendants, if he died, they would have to die too.


    Even the entire Celestial Spirit Great World might be destroyed.


    Long Qing¡¯s eyes filled with hatred, he would not allow such a thing to happen.


    ¡°Battle Court¡­¡±


    Long Qing gritted his teeth and growled lowly, his blood energy surged, and the aura of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect suddenly increased.


    The Candle Celestial Monarch noticed his anomaly, immediately swinging the Golden Pestle in his hand, with a burst of golden light accompanied by a scorching heatwave enveloping Long Qing and the Dharma Aspects.


    In an instant, countless Dharma Aspects were successively annihilated, leaving only Long Qing¡¯s skeleton, and his Soul Body also appeared.


    The Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect moved one foot backward, in a posture fully resisting.


    Outside the formation, all the Battle Court Cultivators watched this scene, their faces showing frantic excitement.


    Fang Xuan was also like this, staring at the Golden Pestle, his eyes burning hot, it was the Battle Court¡¯s treasure, known as the War God Golden Pestle, a treasure that all Cultivators of the Battle Court yearned for.


    The War God Golden Pestle made the entire universe bright, stars rapidly burned, Dao Spiritual Qi was burned into a hot mist, this golden light seemed capable of burning everything away.


    The Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect shook its arm, the gun shadow in its hand burst forth with terrifying blood energy, transforming into thousands of blood dragons, dispersing the vast golden light, rushing first to attack the Candle Celestial Monarch.


    The Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s eyes turned cold, he leaped up, raising the War God Golden Pestle high and smashed it down towards the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, his figure no less than the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, his high position giving him an incredibly terrifying aura.


    The figure of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect was reflected in the Celestial Vault of the Celestial Spirit Great World, and as the Candle Celestial Monarch leaped above the head of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, his silhouette was also seen by the beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    This scene caused all living beings to tremble in fear, no matter where they were, witnessing this scene, their eyelids jumped wildly.


    Bang!


    The Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect raised its spear for a stab, the light cloud above was directly dispersed, great magical power carrying a blood wind ascended, as if intending to pierce through the top of the universe, the Candle Celestial Monarch held the War God Golden Pestle to block the blood wind.


    But only for a moment, the Candle Celestial Monarch exploded with a sudden and violent storm of attacks, the War God Golden Pestle quickly swinging, and the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect similarly swung the gun shadow in its hand.


    Myriad illusions burst forth, as if two worlds were colliding, the earth and mountains shattered, ocean straits were destroyed, Celestial Beasts roared as they rushed towards each other, both vanishing into illusion.


    Various fantastical scenes unfolded, dazzling the observers.


    This was a collision of two Dao Fruit Worlds, a confrontation of the Dao, as the Dao generates all things, their every move contained myriad changes, the Battle Court Cultivators watching were equally dumbfounded, unable to approach, they were barely holding on maintaining the formation outside.


    Below the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, Long Qing, with only his soul attached to his skeleton, still retained his will.


    He could no longer see clearly what was around him, everything in his eyes was shaking, his vision increasingly blurry.


    He struggled to think of his children, but his will was pulled down by an unprecedented heaviness.


    Just as he was about to despair, he instinctively thought of a figure.


    ¡°Master¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Above the sea of clouds, the Celestial Destruction God and the Cyan-robed Daoist were still watching the battle in the illusion.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist clicked his tongue in wonder, ¡°He¡¯s about to give in, your Dharma Aspect is dispersing.¡±


    Following his gaze, although the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect in the illusion was still maintaining its attack, the blood light on its body was dimming.

 Chapter 583 - 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe_2

    Chapter 583: Chapter 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe_2


    The Celestial Destruction God did not make a sound, but the coldness in his eyes grew more intense.


    ¡°Descendant, is this all you can achieve?¡±


    *The Celestial Destruction God pondered silently. Although he spoke of protecting the Long Family if he was present, he understood in his heart that if Long Qing¡¯s lineage perished, the Long Clan would cease to exist.*


    *After attaining the Immortal Class, he severed his ties with the mortal world.*


    *The reason he continued to protect his descendants was merely due to a fixation in his heart.*


    *He was unwilling to see the Long Clan meet such a fate, but unfortunately, he could not personally aid the Long Clan.*


    ...


    At that moment!


    A brilliant light burst forth in the apparition, erupting from the feet of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, or rather, it was Long Qing who was radiating the light.


    Long Qing¡¯s Soul Body shone with an exceptionally bright white light. His flesh began to recover at a speed visible to the naked eye, and his will was also being restored.


    *He was still thinking of his mentor when he suddenly felt a miraculous power burst from the depths of his Soul Body, different from the pain induced by the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect. This power made him feel extremely comfortable, sweeping away his pain and fatigue.*


    The Candle Celestial Monarch seemed to sense it and quickly retreated.


    The Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect also stopped its actions.


    The sixteen Innate Golden Immortals presiding over the grand formation felt immense pressure, an invisible force pushing them back.


    They widened their eyes, their gaze fixed on Long Qing.


    Numerous cultivators from the Battle Court also looked towards Long Qing. Everyone watched as the intense light on Long Qing¡¯s body began to condense into a figure. This figure rapidly grew taller, the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect disintegrated, transforming into an endless stream of blood energy that surrounded this new Dharma Aspect. The blood energy quickly faded from red.


    Fang Xuan watched this figure rapidly rise, his heart pounding wildly.


    *His intuition told him that the terrifying presence he feared most was about to reveal itself.*


    Because the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect was reflected in the Celestial Vault of the Celestial Spirit Great World, all living beings could see the new Dharma Aspect.


    This new Dharma Aspect shone with white light all over, quickly growing to the same size as the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect. Compared to the destructive aura of the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect, the aura of this Dharma Aspect was even more vast and majestic, as if it hailed from the source of time, overlooking all transformations on the Great Dao.


    Within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    An Xin, Celestial Demon Child, and others watched more clearly through the mirror on the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    They all turned their heads to look at Gu An, their expressions peculiar.


    Lv Xian couldn¡¯t hold back and was the first to ask, ¡°Master, isn¡¯t that Dharma Aspect you?¡±


    The Dharma Aspect condensing from Long Qing was in the form of Long Zhan. Although the attire¡¯s outline was different from Gu An¡¯s, the posture and facial features were extremely similar to Gu An.


    And how could it be such a coincidence, Long Qing was also Gu An¡¯s disciple!


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it said that the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect could only summon his ancestors?¡± Shen Zhen murmured.


    Her voice was light, but in everyone¡¯s ears, it was like a thunderclap.


    Could Gu An be Long Qing¡¯s ancestor?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s eyes lit up, and he instantly believed it.


    Following Gu An for so many years, seeing countless orphans, he had never seen Gu An take in anyone else, and he had long noticed how much Long Qing resembled Gu An.


    Gu An remained calm, still staring at the mirror, merely having sheathed the Cyan Hong Sword into its scabbard.


    Seeing that he was unwilling to speak, everyone could only refocus their gaze on the mirror.


    When the Dharma Aspect on Long Qing thoroughly solidified, the terrifying pressure enveloping the Celestial Spirit Great World rapidly dissipated, and all living beings breathed a sigh of relief.


    On the edge of the Tai Cang Continent, the waves crashed against the shore.


    Li Ya stood on the edge of a cliff, looking up at the Celestial Vault, his pupils trembling.


    ¡°Junior Brother Gu¡­¡± Li Ya did not know the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, but he immediately recognized that the Dharma Aspect resembled Gu An.


    Junior Brother Gu had saved the world once again¡­


    So Junior Brother Gu had never left.


    At this moment, Li Ya felt a strong fighting spirit arise. Junior Brother Gu had not left, so he could not leave either. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He resolved to stay in the Celestial Spirit Great World, to protect all living beings!


    As for Zhang Buku, he had no leads to search for, so he decided it would be better to find them after attaining the Dao.


    Elsewhere.


    Bai Sheng looked up at the towering Dharma Aspect, his expression peculiar.


    *For some reason, he found this figure somewhat familiar.*


    Su Jin, however, did not think too much about it. Gu An had not left a profound impression in her memory. She had disliked Gu An from the beginning and naturally would not hold him in her heart.


    On the other side of the human world, on a barren plain, a man wrapped in a large robe walked through the wind and sand. He looked up and saw the massive Dharma Aspect on the Celestial Vault. A look of shock appeared on his weathered face, but it quickly gave way to a smile.


    ¡°Gu An, you¡¯re indeed still here.¡±


    Martial Resolution murmured to himself, then bowed his head, continuing to move forward against the wind and sand.


    Having glimpsed Gu An, his heart was completely at ease. The heavens would not collapse, and he could continue pursuing his destiny.


    The gaze of all living beings was focused on Gu An¡¯s Dharma Aspect. Aside from Gu An¡¯s old acquaintances, the multitude of beings felt hope.


    At the first sight of this Dharma Aspect, all beings felt a profound peace.


    *This feeling was peculiar, yet it truly existed.*


    ¡­


    Long Qing slowly raised his head to look and then stood there dumbfounded. After two breath¡¯s time, he suddenly turned around and soared into the air.


    When he arrived in front of the Dharma Aspect, he was completely stunned.


    A name surfaced in his mind.


    Long Zhan!


    He had heard of Long Zhan¡¯s name, the true primordial ancestor of the Long Clan, the ancient existence that truly established the Battle Court, while Emperor Longxin merely inherited his legacy.


    He had actually summoned the Primordial Ancestor!


    *But that wasn¡¯t the most crucial part¡­*


    *What shocked him was how much the Primordial Ancestor¡¯s face resembled his mentor¡¯s.*


    *No, it wasn¡¯t just a resemblance!*


    *It was his mentor!*


    *Suddenly, he realized, and all his doubts were dispelled.*


    *Why did his mentor choose to adopt him?*

 Chapter 584 - 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe_3

    Chapter 584: Chapter 577: Ancestral Dragon War, The Sword that Cleaved the Universe_3


    Master, why do you want to help him fight against the Silent Destruction God Emperor?


    He suddenly became excited, enveloped by a huge surprise, trembling all over.


    ¡°The Long Clan actually has such an ancestor.¡±


    The voice of Candle Celestial Monarch came through, filled with emotion.


    Just the Dragon Annihilation Dharma Aspect alone was troublesome enough for him, and now the emergence of an even more daunting Dharma Aspect gave him a chilling sense of an unbeatable adversary.


    He trusted his intuition!


    ...


    ¡°Master, it¡¯s time for you to make a move,¡± the voice of Candle Celestial Monarch rose again, teasing in tone.


    All the cultivators of the Battle Court looked towards Candle Celestial Monarch, almost every one of them showing a bit of astonishment.


    In the hearts of the vast majority of Battle Court cultivators, Candle Celestial Monarch was the strongest, and they had not expected him to have brought along his master.


    The master of the Lord of the War Court, could it be that ancient myth?


    As Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s words fell, a gigantic pair of eyes suddenly appeared in the darkness of the void behind him, looming over the entire battlefield.


    The stature of Candle Celestial Monarch was colossal, taller than any mountain in the world, yet before these eyes, he was less significant than their pupils.


    Faced with these eyes, every creature felt panic.


    The Celestial Vault of the Celestial Spirit Great World also revealed these eyes, causing all beings to tremble with fear, unable to comprehend what the heavens and the earth were facing; they could only focus on Gu An¡¯s Dharma Aspect.


    Perhaps this mysterious existence could protect them!


    Long Qing turned around and was equally frightened by the silhouette behind Candle Celestial Monarch. What kind of eyes were those?


    He had lived for twenty thousand years and, with the experiences of his previous life, had never seen such terrifying eyes, like the abyss of the universe, hiding the utmost horror and despair. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°He is not the person I am looking for, he is just an effect-and-cause Dharma Aspect.¡±


    A voice of cold indifference echoed through the universe, audible to all the myriad beings of the Great Thousand World.


    Each word trembled the hearts of all beings, as if the supreme Heavenly Dao was declaring the laws of heaven.


    Candle Celestial Monarch was about to speak, but another voice interrupted his thoughts.


    ¡°The one you seek may well be me.¡±


    All the cultivators of the Battle Court turned their heads in unison, including the Innate Golden Immortals and even those Celestial Spirit Cultivators watching from the distant void.


    The voice came from the Dharma Aspect behind Long Qing!


    Long Qing turned and clenched his excited fists tightly.


    That was his master¡¯s voice!


    His master was his Primordial Ancestor, Ancestral Dragon War!


    This fact did not cause him to crumble; rather, he felt fortunate.


    The person he most revered was his ancestor; it felt like a dream.


    Gu An¡¯s Dharma Aspect lifted his right hand, a myriad of silver lights appeared in his palm, quickly converging into a sword.


    The moment he grasped the sword, Gu An¡¯s voice rang out again:


    ¡°Break!¡±


    Ping¡ª


    Space shattered like a mirror, all beings were frozen in place, including the Innate Golden Immortals, unable to move. They saw a dense expanse of spatial fragments before them, where a more majestic figure appeared behind Candle Celestial Monarch.


    It was a man in a white robe, with yellow, withered hair longer than his robe, his face shriveled, like skin stretched over bone, his eye sockets deep-set. The entirety of his appearance was shockingly terrifying.


    It was the Immortal Emperor!


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s face showed astonishment.


    Long Qing, too, was startled by the sudden appearance of the Immortal Emperor. Then, his attention was caught by the sword light. Glancing inadvertently, he saw a silver blade, spanning longer than the heavens and the earth, slash before him, as if a mythological celestial river had appeared.


    That was the sword in Gu An¡¯s Dharma Aspect¡¯s hand.


    Long Qing couldn¡¯t move; he could not even hear any sound.


    Not just him, all beings had lost their hearing, unable to act, merely witnessing the Dharma Aspect raising his sword to strike at Candle Celestial Monarch and the Immortal Emperor.


    All the cultivators of the Battle Court were plunged into extreme terror because they realized that Candle Celestial Monarch and the being behind him also could not move, as if waiting to be beheaded by the enemy.


    With one slash from Gu An, the sword light burst forth, too fast for even the vision of Innate Golden Immortals to fully capture. The universe seemed split in two by it, a sight profoundly awe-inspiring.


    In an instant, Candle Celestial Monarch was reduced to ash, the Immortal Emperor slashed by the sword light, eyes widening in shock.


    Space busted once more, the shattered fragments quickly dispersing as though illusions striking the senses of all beings.


    Before they could react, a roar of outrage erupted:


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Upon uttering just one word, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s flesh erupted in a thousand sword lights, followed by annihilation, becoming dust, gone from existence.


    The entire universe fell into silence for a moment; the sword light that had bisected the universe still hung in the air, as the cultivators who regained their senses looked towards both ends to discover they could not see the end of the sword light, as if the entire universe was indeed cut in half by it!

 Chapter 585 - 578: Reverse Cause and Effect, Annihilate Battle Court

    Chapter 585: Chapter 578: Reverse Cause and Effect, Annihilate Battle Court


    Candle Celestial Monarch, Immortal Emperor extinguished!


    All the cultivators from the Battle Court were unable to accept this reality, and they all stared blankly at the sword light spanning the universe.


    They could not move, the scene before them sending chills down their spines, driving them to despair.


    Fang Xuan stood in the void, his eyes wide open, the universe trembling in his eyes, his heartbeat was so intense.


    It¡¯s over!


    Fang Xuan fell into an abyss of despair. Since entering this universe, he had speculated that the Battle Court might fail, but he never imagined that Candle Celestial Monarch and Immortal Emperor would be so powerless to defend themselves.


    ...


    Just who was that divine figure?


    How high was their cultivation level?


    Fang Xuan glanced at the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect on Long Qing¡¯s body, filled with shock.


    All beings in the universe looked toward the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect with disbelief in their eyes, and although the beings in the Celestial Spirit Great World didn¡¯t know the specifics of the battle, the disappearance of those mysterious giant eyes gave rise to hopes in their hearts.


    Could it be a victory?


    Long Qing had seen his master win many times before, but each victory still scared him.


    Just how profound was his master¡¯s Dao practice?


    It felt like no matter how strong the opponent, they were effortlessly defeated before his master.


    ¡°Karma Retribution, no one can escape it. Today, the Battle Court sought to exterminate my Long Clan; I will exterminate the Battle Court in return. With but a single swing of my sword, life and death are your own fate. You should all feel fortunate, for if you faced the Battle Court, you wouldn¡¯t even have a chance to live.¡±


    The voice of Gu An rang out once more, plunging all the Battle Court cultivators into the depths of despair.


    Without giving them time to think, the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect lifted its sword and slashed horizontally. A sword light swept across all directions, passing over the Battle Court Light Path, over the Battle Court cultivators surrounding Long Qing.


    Sixteen Innate Golden Immortals turned to ash first.


    The other cultivators met the same end; Long Qing looked around to see the spectacle of enemies being extinguished everywhere, a sight tremendously grand.


    At the same time.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, prompts kept popping up before Gu An.


    [You have successfully stolen 309,872,265 years of Life Span from Zhenren Chenyang (Early Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm)]


    [You have successfully stolen 870,928,711 years of Life Span from Xingxing Dao (Middle Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm)]


    [You have successfully stolen 1,087,249,720 years of Life Span from Ye Yuelan (Early Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm)]


    ¡­


    Watching the prompts before his eyes, the corners of Gu An¡¯s mouth curled up.


    The strength of the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect was not solely attributed to the profound mysteries of the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, but also to Gu An¡¯s own power. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, he intended to steal Life Span, so he poured his own power into the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect to make the strike through it.


    An Xin, Lv Xian, and others turned their heads toward Gu An. Seeing him with a slight smile, everyone could feel his triumphant spirit.


    People couldn¡¯t help but reveal looks of adoration and fervor; Blood Prison Great Saint even couldn¡¯t help but shout in excitement, breaking the silence of the courtyard.


    ¡°My heavens, one sword strike to annihilate the Battle Court?¡±


    ¡°Master, what swordsmanship was that just now?¡±


    ¡°Master, exactly who are you within the Long Clan?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just inconceivable, the person who appeared just now seemed so terrifying, yet they couldn¡¯t withstand a single strike from the master.¡±


    Gu An didn¡¯t respond; he was immersed in the joy brought about by the surge in his Life Span.


    The Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect with a single strike exterminated seventy percent of the beings of the Battle Court, leaving the thirty percent who harbored no karmic enmity with the Long Clan. These beings, terrified out of their wits, would also leave the Battle Court in the future.


    This was the Way of Cause and Effect. Through karmic deduction, Gu An knew which people could be spared.


    In doing so, he could also seem less bloodthirsty, thereby concealing his ability to take Life Span.


    But soon Gu An noticed something was amiss.


    Many of the deceased Battle Court cultivators had not brought him Life Span, but those sixteen Innate Golden Immortals had brought him over eight hundred billion years of Life Span.


    ¡°This time, you cannot escape; the Battle Court must be eradicated.¡±


    Gu An thought silently, his eyes transforming, turning into the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Everyone in the courtyard saw the change in Gu An¡¯s eyes, and they all stopped their discussions, curiously watching him.


    ¡°Let all beings treat it as if it were just a dream.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice sounded, and the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye burst forth with a peculiar purple light, illuminating the faces of everyone in the courtyard.


    All beings between heaven and earth were like this, their vision of the world shrouded in purple light.


    This purple light burst forth from the Celestial Spirit Great World and swept across the entire cosmos.


    This was the first time Gu An used his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power. The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye would cultivate different Divine Powers in different people, and Gu An¡¯s Divine Power was different from that of the eternal Great Emperor.


    His Divine Power could reverse the Way of Cause and Effect; he could restore lost lives and vanished fortunes within a short time to their original state and use this Divine Power to make what should have existed cease to exist, erasing their cause and effect without leaving a trace within the Dao Rules.


    Using this Divine Power would not change time or space.


    Gu An used the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power to revive the Celestial Spirits who had previously died in battle.


    On the Battle Court side, only one person was resurrected from death, but before that person could react, they were extinguished anew.


    After this test, Gu An confirmed that this Divine Power could not bring him repeated life spans.


    Although he had some regrets, Gu An was already very satisfied.


    Everyone in the courtyard only felt their Divine Souls turned upside down, their consciousness blurry, as if they were about to fall into a dream.


    It was not just them; all beings within the cosmic void felt the same. One by one, beings who had already died began to come back to life. After regaining vitality, they did not open their eyes but instead stayed in place with their eyes closed.


    The cosmic void fell into silence as the sword light cut by the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect gradually dissipated.


    Long Qing¡¯s consciousness also sank into darkness. Already exhausted, he relaxed and immediately fell into a dream.


    He dreamt that he was back in the Third Medicine Valley. The weather was clear, the sun bright, and the disciples were coming and going with their labor. The sight brought a smile to his face.


    Indeed.


    A peaceful life suited him better.


    Long Qing remembered the previous great battle, and his smile grew even brighter.


    ¡°Am I already dead?¡±


    Long Qing murmured to himself. Everything around him was so beautiful, too good to be true that he thought he was going to die, that this was a pre-death fantasy.


    Using the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect meant sacrificing himself, and he had been prepared for this, so he was not panicked.


    Thinking of his master¡¯s strength excited him.


    His master turned out to be his Primordial Ancestor, which made him worry even less.


    Once he died, his master would surely take care of his descendants. He knew his master well. Despite speaking harshly, his master was softer-hearted than most people in the world.


    ¡°Dying is not so easy.¡±


    A voice came from behind Long Qing, startling him into quickly turning around to see Gu An approaching. He was surprised and bowed in greeting immediately.


    When Gu An reached him, he said with a wry smile, ¡°Teacher¡­ Primordial Ancestor, I used the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, and after using it, I must die.¡±


    Gu An looked at him and said, ¡°Although the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect was created by Long Xin, this Divine Power originates from my own Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect. I can let you live, but from now on you must never use the Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect again, or you will suffer from Karma Retribution, and even I won¡¯t be able to save you.¡±


    These words were true; he saved Long Qing by using the power of cause and effect.


    After hearing this, Long Qing was overjoyed and knelt down to thank Gu An.


    Gu An didn¡¯t stop him, looking down at him he said, ¡°When I was Long Zhan, I was killed by someone. Even after I obtained cultivation far surpassing my killer, I did not seek revenge, for I thought Long Zhan deserved to die.¡±


    ¡°From now on, with no Battle Court to threaten the Long Clan, your descendants can start over, but make sure not to take the wrong path, or I will personally exterminate the Long Clan.¡±


    Long Qing looked up and hurriedly promised, ¡°I will not disappoint you.¡±


    Gu An spoke with deep seriousness, ¡°Having ended the fate and grudges, the Long Clan should also atone for their past mistakes. As for how, that¡¯s up to you.¡±


    After speaking, Gu An turned and left.


    Long Qing stood up and asked, ¡°Primordial Ancestor, where are you going?¡±


    Without turning back, Gu An replied, ¡°To utterly annihilate the Battle Court, so it ceases to exist.¡±


    As his voice fell, Gu An¡¯s figure disappeared.


    Long Qing stared in the direction of his departure, struggling to remain calm.


    ¡°I really should think about what goals I should work towards in the future.¡±


    Long Qing thought of the words Gu An said to him when Ye Cang forced his way into the Supreme Sect.


    After the excitement, a sense of guilt surged in his heart.


    Always having the elder clean up after him, when would he be able to repay his teacher?


    No, to repay his Primordial Ancestor!

 Chapter 586 - 579: Abyss Dao Sea, Annihilation of the Battle Court

    Chapter 586: Chapter 579: Abyss Dao Sea, Annihilation of the Battle Court


    Above the clouds, the Celestial Destruction God and the Cyan-robed Daoist gazed at the illusion before them, remaining silent for a long time.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist took a deep breath, turned his head toward the Celestial Destruction God, and asked, ¡°Does your Long Family still have such remarkable figures?¡±


    The Celestial Destruction God¡¯s expression grew even more complex, his heart filled with mixed emotions.


    He had never met Long Zhan, which meant the latter had died before he was born.


    He thought of the ancestors his father had mentioned¡­


    When he had first displayed his talent, his father had said it was a family trait, all stemming from the ancestor Long Zhan.


    ...


    However, since the ancestor Long Zhan had died shortly after surpassing the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, he had never been considered strong in his eyes.


    Having seen him today, he felt that even if he faced him in person, he would not be his match, which was beyond his comprehension.


    Could it be that the ancestor Long Zhan had faked his death, and the fortune he now enjoyed was due to Long Zhan¡¯s protection from beyond?


    The more the Celestial Destruction God thought about it, the more confused he became.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist clicked his tongue in wonder, ¡°Speaking of which, the Dao Rules there are so perfect, it must be the Great Thousand World. How could such a grand battle not alarm the Celestial Gods? Could it be that the Celestial Gods of that realm have met with disaster?¡±


    ¡°If that is indeed the case, then it¡¯s likely they died at the hands of¡­¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence, the Celestial Destruction God¡¯s cold gaze fell upon him.


    The Cyan-robed Daoist chuckled and did not continue.


    He waved his hand to dissipate the illusion before them and then looked down at the ground below, lamenting, ¡°The slaughter over there has ended, but the killing here is endless.¡±


    The Celestial Destruction God also looked down, his expression returning to its previous indifference.


    ¡­


    In a bright palace, above was a sea of clouds and below the ground mist tumbled.


    The Immortal Emperor jolted awake, sitting on his throne, gasping for air with bloodshot eyes.


    Behind his throne floated a massive silvery white meteor, pitted and scarred, but surrounded by streams of gray mist that seemed to follow some mysterious pattern, utterly bizarre.


    The Immortal Emperor looked up, his eyes filled with shock and fury.


    ¡°Who¡­ exactly are you¡­¡±


    The Immortal Emperor had expected failure, but he had not anticipated the gap between that person and himself to be so vast; the thought that all sixteen of his Innate Golden Immortal disciples had died made his heart bleed.


    He stood up and turned to the meteor behind the throne, his eyes seething with indignation.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that person was just a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal? Why couldn¡¯t I even withstand one of his moves?¡±


    The Immortal Emperor demanded in a deep voice, his tone barely concealing his murderous intent.


    The mist around the meteor quickened its pace, and a cold voice emerged, ¡°I miscalculated.¡±


    ¡°Miscalculated? My sixteen disciples, having no destiny with the Battle Court, died utterly, and seven among them had supreme potential for the Abyss Dao Sea. Compared to me, they were still so young, to die in that Great Thousand World, do you understand what that means to me?¡±


    The Immortal Emperor spoke through gritted teeth, a gray mist more ominous than that surrounding the meteor emanating from his body, like blazing flames.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like I forced you. You were drawn in by the treasures of the Immortal Palace, weren¡¯t you?¡± the icy voice sounded again.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Just as the Immortal Emperor was about to continue, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, freezing his expression.


    Before he could turn his head, the hand on his shoulder squeezed forcefully, turning him into ashes, as the figure of Gu An appeared.


    [You have successfully seized 18,208,547 years of lifespan from the Immortal Emperor (Late Stage of Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm)]


    Gu An looked disdainfully at the notification that popped up before him.


    Not even as much as the lifespan of an Innate Golden Immortal!


    The seized lifespan was about one-tenth of the victim¡¯s remaining lifespan, meaning the Immortal Emperor could have lived another one to two hundred million years.


    Named immortal, it signified he had lived an exceedingly long age.


    Perhaps it was precisely because he sensed his time running out that the Immortal Emperor


    had not even as much lifetime left as the smallest part of the lifespans of those seven Innate Golden Immortals.


    Those seven Innate Golden Immortals had brought Gu An more than seven hundred billion years of lifespan, meaning each of these seven had at least a hundred billion years of lifespan.


    According to Gu An¡¯s observations, an Innate Golden Immortal should have a lifespan ranging from five trillion years.


    Gu An¡¯s thoughts flashed by in an instant as he looked unflinchingly at the silvery white meteor before him.


    ¡°Who exactly are you to find this place? Have you reached the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm?¡±


    The previously cold voice speaking to the Immortal Emperor resonated once more, this time with a tinge of nervousness.


    Gu An slowly raised his right hand, forming a claw, and pulled a figure out from within the meteor, his throat smashing against Gu An¡¯s palm.


    This was an elder wearing a gray robe, his face gaunt, his white hair tied back, more presentable than the Immortal Emperor, but the terror on his face made him appear disheveled and weak before Gu An.


    ¡°Fellow Daoist, let¡¯s talk this out,¡± the greycloaked elder gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I hail from the Abyss Dao Sea. If I were to die, they will surely notice. You, hiding in the Great Thousand World, wouldn¡¯t want to tangle with more trouble, would you?¡±


    From the moment Gu An entered the hall, he realized he couldn¡¯t move, which filled him with indescribable panic.


    He couldn¡¯t understand how Gu An had found this place.


    [Zhenren Ni Hai (Late Stage of Hengtian Golden Immortal Realm Perfection): 49,802,308,928,702/50,000,000,000,000/50,000,000,000,000]


    Five trillion years life span!


    That is to say, the life span of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal ranged from five trillion to fifty trillion years.


    Too bad, yet another one close to his life¡¯s end.


    It¡¯s true, who would risk everything unless they felt their limit approaching?


    Gu An couldn¡¯t be bothered to communicate with Zhenren Ni Hai; his eyes suddenly changed.


    This time, it wasn¡¯t the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power, but the Calamity Absolute Eye.


    He was going to search Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s soul!


    In an instant, Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s eyes lost their luster.


    The hall then fell into silence.


    Gu An rudely probed Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s memory, completely disregarding his soul, and during this process, calamity slowly began to latch onto Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s body.


    Zhenren Ni Hai came from the Abyss Dao Sea and had a not insignificant friendship with the Immortal Emperor. Ten thousand years ago, Zhenren Ni Hai was a guest at the Battle Court when he accidentally heard Candle Celestial Monarch complaining to the Immortal Emperor about the resurgence of remnants from the Long Clan who had killed a being known as the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    Learning that people from the Long Clan were in the Celestial Spirit Great World, and that the shattered Celestial Spirit Great World was beginning to reshape itself, he thought of the treasure of the Immortal Palace.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, who established the Celestial Spirit Great World, stole the treasure of the Immortal Palace. By decree of the Celestial Court, they ordered the Celestial Spirit God to execute him, but the Celestial Spirit God did not obliterate the Celestial Spirit Great World. Thus, rumors suggested the treasure of the Immortal Palace might still be hidden within the Celestial Spirit Great World, and the Celestial Spirit God was waiting for this treasure.


    As for informing the Celestial Court, that would not be possible; the Celestial Court snubbed contact with the Great Thousand World, and even a powerful being like Zhenren Ni Hai had only ever encountered the guardians, the Celestial Gods, of the Great Thousand World. Every Celestial God was arrogant, looking down on mortal spirits.


    Without obtaining the Celestial Dao Immortal Position, even if one¡¯s cultivation level was higher than a Celestial God, they would be disregarded, and ordinary people would not dare to provoke a Celestial God.


    The Celestial Gods had the supreme Celestial Court standing behind them, an existence beyond provocation.


    The so-called Immortal Palace was also a palace belonging to the Celestial Court; how the news of the Immortal Palace¡¯s treasure was leaked was something Zhenren Ni Hai had no idea about. He only knew the clues to the Immortal Palace¡¯s treasure. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had already perished, but the whereabouts of the Immortal Palace¡¯s treasure remained unknown. Gu An surmised that the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had left the Immortal Palace¡¯s treasure to An Hao.


    Although An Hao had perished, he was a being born of the destiny fostered by heaven and earth, destined to be reborn one day. However, at that time, he might no longer be An Hao, but become someone else.


    Gu An was quite interested in the Abyss Dao Sea, having encountered this place when he had chosen to break through his life span.


    In Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s memory, the Abyss Dao Sea did not belong to the Great Thousand World but lay in a mysterious region beyond it, an ocean formed by the Dao Rules, boundless and vast. It was said that since its birth, the Abyss Dao Sea had been expanding infinitely and had not stopped until now.


    Even Zhenren Ni Hai, who was born from the Abyss Dao Sea, did not know its full extent.


    As Gu An was searching Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s memory, a series of footsteps could be heard.


    The hall was vast, and at the far end, a strong light was visible. Candle Celestial Monarch stepped out from the brilliance, his figure flickering rapidly as he advanced toward Gu An.


    Suddenly.


    He stopped walking, frowning as he looked at Gu An¡¯s back figure. Gu An¡¯s attire was different from the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect, so he didn¡¯t recognize him immediately.


    He didn¡¯t even associate Gu An with the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect, considering how far this place was from the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    How could the one who killed him come back to life faster than him, when he had just been resurrected?


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Candle Celestial Monarch frowned and asked. Although the Immortal Emperor was often in seclusion, he always received Fellow Daoists, and the Immortal Emperor¡¯s disciples were numerous too.


    His Divine Sense couldn¡¯t come close to Gu An and he couldn¡¯t see the scene in front of Gu An.


    Gu An slowly turned around, and it was then that Candle Celestial Monarch saw the person Gu An was holding in his hand.


    Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, instinctively drawing out the War God Golden Pestle.


    He remembered Zhenren Ni Hai, an ancient presence, whom the Immortal Emperor treated with notable respect, leaving a deep impression on him.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Candle Celestial Monarch wanted to ask more, but Gu An spat out a word, interrupting him:


    ¡°Die!¡±


    Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s eyes widened, and he instantly turned into a mist of blood.


    Longevity True Words!


    This was Gu An¡¯s Dao Fruit Divine Power, using the power of cause and effect to determine Candle Celestial Monarch¡¯s death, possessing the subtlety of speaking and making it so.


    Following that, the Zhenren Ni Hai in Gu An¡¯s hands also turned to ash, and his gaze shifted to the outside of the hall.


    Numerous palaces entered his view, countless marvelous sights, and mythical beasts were taken in by his eyes.


    The colossal entities that dominated many universes were about to become illusory in Gu An¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Everything that belongs to Long Zhan should come to an end.¡±

 Chapter 587 - 580: Descending into the Abyss Dao Sea

    Chapter 587: Chapter 580: Descending into the Abyss Dao Sea


    Battle Court, as a transcendent power above the Great Thousand World, had countless creatures under its command, many of whom were compelled to serve.


    Gu An even saw numerous races enslaved, mining cultivation resources for Battle Court.


    He stood in the grand hall of the Immortal Emperor and drew the Cyan Hong Sword from his waist.


    Although the Cyan Hong Sword was just an ordinary treasure sword, it was his favorite because it was a gift from Ye Lan.


    He swung the sword forward casually, effortlessly, yet with that very strike, he severed the destiny of Battle Court.


    He began to eradicate those creatures of the Long Clan who harbored resentment, using the power of karma; he simply needed to calculate who would target the Long Clan afterwards.


    ...


    In addition to these, Gu An also dealt with those Battle Court creatures who had committed excessive killings.


    The number of creatures under Battle Court was vast, and to kill them all would undoubtedly bring great trouble, especially if it provoked the Celestial Court.


    Although Gu An¡¯s Dao practice was profound, he was yet unable to deduce the karma of Celestial Court.


    With the power of karma, the enemy was killed invisibly; as the destiny of Battle Court collapsed, palaces, cities, and towers standing in the starry sky began to crumble.


    Many creatures tried to flee, but their vision blurred, and their consciousness plunged into darkness.


    They died, their Dao perished.


    The disaster came so suddenly that all the deceased had no time to react.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.?¦Ï


    Those cultivators who had just been revived through the destiny of Battle Court were still discussing the terrifying nature of the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect when they perished in succession.


    Those cultivators who died later suffered the most, despair assaulting their spirits; they were helpless and could only wait.


    A loud uproar erupted from Battle Court but soon, the noise disappeared.


    The universe gradually darkened, heralding the quiet death of a massive entity born from the Dao Rules.


    ¡­


    ¡°Fuuu¡ª¡±


    Fang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, panting heavily, covered in sweat, his bloodshot eyes filled with fear.


    He sat up and turned his head, finding himself in a desolate mountain. The sparse spiritual energy here made him instantly realize this was a mortal realm.


    Am I not dead?


    Fang Xuan was overjoyed. If he had died and was now revived, he should have been inside Battle Court; this meant his adversary had spared him a path to life.


    Even if he could revive inside Battle Court, Fang Xuan did not want to die, as it would diminish his cultivation level and destiny.


    Thinking of the heavy losses in Battle Court, Fang Xuan felt that its vital energy was severely damaged, and it might face attacks from other enemies later on.


    Battle Court, no return!


    Fang Xuan felt that the terrifying entity from the Celestial Spirit Great World would continue to retaliate against Battle Court.


    He stood up, the sunlight falling on him, giving him a feeling of rebirth.


    ¡°The higher-ups of Battle Court are too foolish to provoke such beings; I need to seek a new way to survive,¡± Fang Xuan murmured to himself, still shivering from the thought of the previous battle.


    He dared not be an enemy of that terrifying entity any longer, hoping only to be as far from it as possible. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He leaped toward a direction, soaring through the sky like a startled swan, disappearing in an instant.


    ¡­


    Daoist Field of the Beginningless, in the courtyard, Gu An stood before an Artifact Refining Cauldron observing the Dao Treasures inside.


    Celestial Demon Child stood by his side, curiously watching him.


    Half a month had passed since the destruction of Battle Court; all beings felt as if they had dreamt it all.


    After this calamity, the various sects of the Celestial Spirit Great World felt pressure and no longer acted so carelessly; the whole world initiated a trend of seclusion.


    ¡°Master, is Battle Court truly extinct?¡± Celestial Demon Child couldn¡¯t help asking.


    Gu An casually responded, ¡°Whether it¡¯s extinct or not, what does it have to do with you? Focus on your cultivation. The cultivators outside are now striving harder than ever.¡±


    He thought about breaking through.


    After this battle, it was time for him to break through!


    He brought up his Attribute Panel to take a look.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 22,098/831,008,678,146]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Eight trillion three hundred billion years of lifespan!


    This battle had increased his lifespan by six trillion seven hundred billion years, surpassing twenty thousand years of labor. Not only that, but he had also scoured many treasures from the Battle Court. He planned to distribute half into the Celestial Spirit Great World as opportunities for all beings.


    To eliminate the grudges for the Long Clan, he had wiped out all beings within the Battle Court that could potentially threaten the Long Clan. The number was vast, stirring emotions within him.


    Though the beings of the Battle Court hadn¡¯t been annihilated, from now on, the Battle Court would be no more.


    Gu An could feel many strong forces of cause and effect approaching the Celestial Spirit Great World, mostly out of curiosity.


    The destruction of the Battle Court ultimately drew the attention of many powerful forces.


    ¡°I will work hard to cultivate, but I don¡¯t know how many years it will take to reach the Zi Zai Immortal Realm. The more I cultivate, the more I feel the gap between us. How many years have you lived exactly?¡± the Celestial Demon Child asked wistfully, a frequent topic of private discussion among them.


    Everyone felt that when they met Gu An, he already possessed his current strength, as they had never seen him in disarray.


    Not to mention disarray; they had never even seen Gu An look anxious.


    With such an invincible cultivation level, it was indeed difficult to be nervous.


    Gu An turned to look at the Celestial Demon Child and rubbed her head without saying anything.


    He merely answered in his heart.


    Actually, I¡¯m not much older than you.


    The Celestial Demon Child continued chattering. She seemed to have an endless stream of questions to ask.


    As long as it didn¡¯t involve his own cultivation level, Gu An would answer patiently.


    His mind, however, was already drifting to breakthroughs.


    Eight trillion three hundred billion years of lifespan, should that be enough for him to break through to a higher realm?


    He hesitated over whether to wait for the new function after a trillion years but thinking about those powers pressing close to the Celestial Spirit Great World, he felt he couldn¡¯t wait.


    A breakthrough must come first!


    Gu An¡¯s expression hardened, deciding to break through tonight!


    In the following time, disciples from the dojo paid him visits one after another, keeping the courtyard lively.


    As the sun set and the moon rose, Gu An spoke to Shen Zhen, who was guarding the Artifact Refining Cauldron, and then walked out of the courtyard.


    Under the moonlight, the Daoist Field of the Beginningless was adorned with numerous medicine gardens and some spectacular trees. Some were surrounded by faint glimmers, others twisted their vines, vibrant and full of life.


    Gu An walked along, enjoying the scenery of the dojo. He was quite pleased with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. She not only helped increase production but also made the dojo more beautiful.


    Having a delightful environment was always a benefit.


    Reaching the edge of the dojo, Gu An stopped by a lake and began initiating his Lifespan Breakthrough.


    [You have activated the Lifespan Breakthrough Function, based on your current realm, select from the following breakthrough locations]


    [One, Path of the Great Dao]


    [Two, Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens]


    [Three, Abyss Dao Sea]


    [Four, Ascending to Yellow Heaven]


    [Five, Ling Mountain]


    [Six, Endless Jade Pool]


    [Seven, Immortal Cave Heaven]


    [Eight, Sea of Suffering]


    [Nine, Taiwei Great World]


    Seeing the option for the Abyss Dao Sea, Gu An suddenly became intrigued.


    It had only been a month, and perhaps the Abyss Dao Sea hadn¡¯t yet dealt with Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s death. If he attempted his breakthrough there and created a significant disturbance, the Abyss Dao Sea might put Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s death out of their minds.


    After all, the Lifespan Breakthrough would send him to a temporarily safe location, and with the protection of the Life Span Barrier, he should be fine.


    According to Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s memories, the Abyss Dao Sea was boundlessly vast. The place he would arrive was likely far from any power.


    Having thought it through, Gu An made his choice.


    [Transporting to the Abyss Dao Sea requires 10,000,000,000 years of lifespan, continue?]


    Continue!


    Gu An then felt a bout of dizziness, and his vision blurred.


    He patiently waited, excited about the prospect of surpassing the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm and reaching an unprecedented realm.


    Having lived for over twenty thousand years, there were few things that could excite him these days, but growing stronger always made him happy.

 Chapter 588 - 581: Breakthrough to the Late Stage of Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm

    Chapter 588: Chapter 581: Breakthrough to the Late Stage of Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm


    Gu An opened his eyes, and what entered his vision was a dim cosmos, with Dao mist swirling in all directions, filling him with exhilaration.


    He immediately activated the Life Span Barrier and then observed the Abyss Dao Sea once more.


    Under his feet was also a Spirit Mist, yet it gave him a sense of solid ground.


    This universe was dark, bereft of the light of stars, instead it had rivers of light flowing in different directions, bringing a faint glow to the cosmos.


    No wonder it bore the name Abyss¡ªthe longer one stayed here, the more they could sense an aura of deathly stillness.


    It was as if terrifying entities could burst out from the depths of darkness in any direction at any moment, tearing a person to shreds.


    ...


    Gu An¡¯s Heart Eye saw a distant place where there was a Floating City, massive as half of the Celestial Spirit Great World, with thirty-six black towers standing outside, each entwined with a black dragon, ominously thrilling.


    Abyss Emperor City!


    Zhenren Ni Hai was affiliated with this city. Within the Abyss Dao Sea, this city counted as an Overlord Level force. There existed Taiqing Golden Immortals within, and even Zhenren Ni Hai, of those he had seen, could count five Taiqing Golden Immortals on one hand.


    Though he was affiliated with this city, Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s understanding of it was far from thorough. Inside Abyss Emperor City, the hierarchy was strict, with a single Realm¡¯s difference being akin to that between Immortals and mortals.


    It is said that a Daoist Emperor opened the Abyss Emperor City, a figure whose Destiny was recognized by the Dao Rules. Within their own Realm, a Daoist Emperor often possessed the ability to face a hundred enemies alone, which drew quite a number of Daoist Emperors to the Abyss Emperor City.


    When Zhenren Ni Hai first entered the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, he faced the oppression of a Daoist Emperor. On that day, this being, who could have roamed invincibly across the Great Thousand World, knelt like a dog in front of his oppressor, enduring humiliation.


    It was not that Zhenren Ni Hai was weak, but rather that his opponent had the power to eliminate him. At the brink of collapse, he chose to beg, a memory deeply buried within his heart, not even known by the Immortal Emperor.


    It was precisely because of this memory that Zhenren Ni Hai chose to leave the Abyss Emperor City.


    Immortal Emperor befriended him, wanting to join the Abyss Emperor City through him. He did indeed help, but even with his assistance, it was difficult for Immortal Emperor to gain a foothold in Abyss Emperor City. To cultivate his own faction over the long years, the Immortal Emperor nurtured sixteen Innate Golden Immortals, all of exceptional caliber from various realms, seven of whom were qualified to become Daoist Emperors.


    Gu An gazed at the Abyss Emperor City from afar, recalling Zhenren Ni Hai¡¯s memories of it.


    After watching for a while, he shifted his gaze in other directions.


    He could feel other powerful Destinies; Abyss Emperor City was not the most powerful force in the Abyss Dao Sea.


    If he had been born in the Abyss Dao Sea, he wondered how many years he would have to struggle before he could break free.


    Gu An had previously followed causality to the Battle Court and then used the Daoless Celestial Net Step to arrive at the Battle Court in a few steps.


    But the Abyss Dao Sea was different. The Dao Rules here were stronger, and Gu An could not use the Daoless Celestial Net Step to step out in one go, he could only come and go freely within the sea.


    Suddenly, Gu An spotted a colossal creature amidst the boundless Spirit Mist¡ªa tremendous Kun surrounded by tens of thousands of worlds, continuously radiating Spiritual Energy into these worlds.


    Some of these worlds even contained the aura of the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal.


    Because the distance was too far, Gu An could not use Life Span Detection but could sense it through his Heart Eye.


    This Kun was at the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection in Cultivation Level!


    And in those worlds, all beings were unaware of its existence. Even powerful beings like the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal could not jump to Outer Heaven.


    Gu An felt deeply moved; one is shackled from birth, no matter the Realm one reaches, there are always worlds constraining a person.


    He sat down on the spot and opened his Attribute Panel, directly investing ten billion years of Life Span into the two characters for Cultivation Level!


    A prompt immediately popped up.


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for five hundred million years, you use the Daoist Dominator Skill with Great Achievement to forcefully challenge the Daluo Dao Fruit, beginning the Crossing the Tribulation, but you did not survive the Luo Immortal Tribulation where all laws exist, resulting in a failed Crossing the Tribulation]


    [You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for a billion years, you use the Daoist Dominator Skill with Great Achievement to forcefully challenge the Daluo Dao Fruit, beginning the Crossing the Tribulation, but you did not survive the Luo Immortal Tribulation where all laws exist, resulting in a failed Crossing the Tribulation]


    ¡­


    Daluo Dao Fruit!


    Luo Immortal Tribulation where all laws exist!


    Crossing the Tribulation every five hundred million years!


    Gu An¡¯s spirits surged, could the mythological Daluo Immortal really exist? S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon, all the prompts settled down, ending in failure.


    Gu An was not discouraged; he continued to invest Life Span.


    Another ten billion followed after the first hundred billion!


    Seconds later, Gu An still met with failure after having consumed a trillion years of Life Span.


    Since he was only breaking through in Cultivation Level this time, he just needed to leave two hundred billion years of Life Span for the Life Span Barrier.


    Keep going, keep going!


    Today, he must achieve the Daluo Dao Fruit!


    Gu An was filled with fighting spirit, ceaselessly investing Life Span.


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Up until the forty-eighth billion-year mark, a change finally occurred.


    ¡°You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for seven billion years; with the Great Achievement of the Daoist Dominator Skill, you forcibly assailed the Daluo Dao Fruit and began Crossing the Tribulation. You have weathered the ¡®All Laws Are Contained in the Luo Immortal Tribulation¡¯. Crossing the Tribulation was successful. Your Golden Immortal Dao Fruit transformed into the Daluo Dao Fruit, and your Cultivation Level has broken through to the Early Stage of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm.¡±


    ¡°You have practiced Qi Absorption Cultivation for eight billion years; your Cultivation Level has enhanced.¡±


    ¡­


    Gu An showed a smile, genuinely worried that his breakthrough might fail.


    Although he did not utilize his Life Span for evolution and improvement prior to this breakthrough, the endless marvels of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye might have played no small part during the Tribulation.


    He continued to invest Life Span, hoping to bring his Cultivation Level to the Perfection of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm.


    However, when he had advanced to the Late Stage of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, his Life Span had plummeted to two hundred billion years, scaring him from going further.


    He feared being drained dry by the Life Span Barrier.


    The Dao Spiritual Qi had already started pouring into his body, his physical being instantly engulfed in the radiance of the Dao Light.


    Outside the Life Span Barrier, the Dao Spiritual Mist began to surge dramatically, creating ripples in the sea of boundless Spiritual Energy Mist from a macro perspective. Upon closer inspection, these ripples were tumultuous and majestic.


    Phenomena emerged unpredictably; soon, various places within the Abyss Dao Sea burst with the upheaval of Spiritual Energy and the manifestations of Dao Rules.


    Before Gu An could accept the inheritance memories of a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, he already sensed numerous powerful Divine Senses sweeping across.


    Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, Taiqing Golden Immortal, Taiqing Golden Immortal, Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal¡­


    Quietly, Gu An gauged the Cultivation Levels of these Divine Senses; the Abyss Dao Sea was indeed terrifying, far beyond what the Battle Court could match.


    Yet the Battle Court was already an enormous power that the Celestial Spirit Great World could not contend with.


    It wasn¡¯t long before a continuous stream of inheritance memories emerged in Gu An¡¯s mind, and before he could sink into them, he had only one thought.


    Do not provoke the Abyss Dao Sea lightly!


    When Gu An closed his eyes, the Dao Light around him dimmed suddenly, and looking up, a mysterious and colossal black bird flew over. Its body was immensely huge, each feather as gargantuan as mountains.


    It took a good while for the darkness to leave Gu An.


    Inside the Life Span Barrier, Gu An was unaware of this; he had fully immersed himself in the inheritance memories.


    Only after about half an hour did he finally open his eyes.


    He had become a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal!


    Having attained this status, Gu An looked at the Abyss Dao Sea and suddenly felt as if it wasn¡¯t entirely unapproachable.


    His Cultivation Level continued to grow. He looked at the Life Span figures the Barrier was consuming; the numbers were jumping alarmingly, yet they posed no threat to his life and death.


    The Daluo Dao Fruit was far more complex than the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, covered in ancient paths of Dao Patterns, with the Taiqing Cyan Heaven above it beginning to truly evolve into a celestial body.


    The Heavens possessed a power to regulate the three thousand Rules of Heaven and Earth, reminiscent of Destiny, of cause and effect, but if he had to give it a name, Gu An felt it was akin to the Heavenly Dao.


    Gu An noticed countless figures flying overhead, swaying and endless, even more exaggerated and majestic than the previous Battle Court¡¯s armies.


    He continuously employed Life Span Detection, sensing the aura of those passing by.


    Hardly any creatures from the Zi Zai Immortal Realm!


    The Abyss Dao Sea also had Mortal Spirits, but they were either trapped within the Little Worlds or hidden inside Dojos, not daring to emerge and observe the phenomenon sweeping across the entire Abyss Dao Sea.


    ¡°A Daluo approaches; why not show yourself?¡±


    A hoary voice suddenly echoed through the void; Gu An could tell the other was also a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal.


    The foundation of the Abyss Dao Sea was profoundly deep!


    He made no sound, continuing to enjoy the pleasure of his rapidly increasing Cultivation Level.


    The voice did not sound again, but judging by the increasingly robust figures flying by, the other party was growing angry.


    Time continued to elapse.


    The Middle Stage of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm!


    The Late Stage of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm!


    Although many figures passed by, no creature breached his Life Span Barrier. After all, his Life Span Barrier was as insignificant as dust to this void.


    Gu An noted he had only three hundred billion years of Life Span remaining and felt somewhat helpless.


    Life Span was still insufficient!


    Nonetheless, he had become a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, at least making a gigantic leap in Great Realm; he could find another chance to break through to Perfection Realm later.


    This breakthrough had taken nearly eight hundred billion years in total.


    Gu An slowly stood up; he looked again at the Abyss Dao Sea, now able to perceive more.


    Indeed, the Abyss Dao Sea was limitless and full of natural wonders. But the once-mighty Abyss Emperor City now seemed to have lost its powerful aura in his eyes.

 Chapter 589 - 582: An Unprecedented Golden Age

    Chapter 589: Chapter 582: An Unprecedented Golden Age


    Gu An hadn¡¯t immediately left after his breakthrough, instead, he stood within the Life Span Barrier and began to observe the Abyss Dao Sea.


    After reaching the level of a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, the Abyss Dao Sea appeared much clearer in Gu An¡¯s eyes.


    The number of worlds and beings within the Abyss Dao Sea far exceeded those in the universe where the Celestial Spirit Great World was located, and by more than tenfold.


    Stronger Dao Rules, more opportunities for creation, this was enough to nurture even more terrifying entities.


    As a mere Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, Gu An had already located three others, one residing in the Abyss Emperor City, and the others hidden in the shadows.


    In places with independent consciousness, conflicts easily arose, and these three Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortals were clearly not united; their destinies hindered each other, dividing the central region of the Abyss Dao Sea into three parts.


    Besides observing the forces within the Abyss Dao Sea, Gu An was also curious about the creations in this place.


    There were many peculiar races living there, some invisible to the naked eye, existing within the Dao itself, and others were beings formed by thousands of meteors converging together, constantly changing shapes.


    Bizarre and marvelous, a plethora of new and strange phenomena assaulted Gu An¡¯s Heart Eye.


    Seeing new things also allowed Gu An to deepen his understanding of the Dao.


    As a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, the essence of his mana was completely different from that of a Golden Immortal, contrasted as starkly as cloud and mud. Although there was more creation and Profound Mystery from being a Taiqing Golden Immortal to a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, what Gu An felt most was sheer power.


    Pure power!


    Physical body, soul, senses, mana, etc., no aspect was lacking, powerful in every way!


    A Taiqing Golden Immortal couldn¡¯t possibly annihilate a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal!


    Yes, it was simply impossible, the disparity in life essence was too enormous!


    After this breakthrough, Gu An felt he could relax for a while, and enjoy the power of being a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal.


    Of course, this so-called relaxation was still predicated on having finished gathering medicinal herbs.


    Even having reached the state of a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, Gu An did not want to stop his path to becoming stronger.


    Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal was still not enough!


    Gu An stood within the Life Span Barrier, gazing for a long time, before finally choosing to teleport back.


    Above, many powerful figures flashed by, none noticing Gu An¡¯s departure.


    ¡­


    Upon returning to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, it was still before dawn, and Gu An roamed within the forest, using his Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal senses to feel the universe.


    After the breakthrough, he had only two hundred billion years left on his life span, which might seem almost eternal to mortals, but it felt perilous to him.


    He would need at least two trillion years of life span before he dared to challenge a higher realm.


    He even felt that two trillion years might not be enough!


    As long as the Abyss Dao Sea and the Celestial Court did not come seeking him, Gu An had plenty of time to endure, and he hoped not to encounter any situation that required his intervention over the next million, no, ten million years.


    When the sun rose, Gu An began to inspect his various medicine gardens. His disciples all felt he had changed somehow, though they couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what was different.


    In the end, the disciples could only assume that after Gu An had helped his descendants break free of fate, he had shed some pressures, hence the perceived changes.


    It wasn¡¯t until midday that Gu An left the dojo.


    He stepped in front of Jiang Qiong, giving her a fright.


    After a mild complaint, Jiang Qiong joyfully hosted Gu An, pulling him into her own medicine garden. This garden was planted with spirit trees similar to peach trees, filled with pink blossoms and exceptionally beautiful.


    After they sat down, Jiang Qiong poured wine for Gu An and asked, ¡°Was that figure in the sky before you? Although the clothes were different, I recognized you immediately.¡±


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°It was me, and it was not me. That was just my past life. The descendants of my past life gathered the Bloodline Dharma Aspect and summoned my former self.¡±


    Over the years, though Jiang Qiong hadn¡¯t cultivated in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, she was always cared for by Gu An. Sometimes, she would inexplicably gain enlightenment. She wasn¡¯t foolish, she didn¡¯t think it was because her talent was outstanding, she knew it was Gu An looking after her.


    Gu An never said, and she never asked.


    Compared to breakthroughs in cultivation level, what made her happiest was that Gu An still thought of her.


    ¡°Past life? With such high cultivation, how far back does your past life date?¡± Jiang Qiong asked curiously.


    Gu An answered ambiguously, trying his best to satisfy all her curiosity.


    Looking upon Jiang Qiong, who was clad in white and resembled a Celestial Maiden, Gu An could not help but think back to their first encounter more than 20,000 years ago, where Jiang Qiong had been in such a sorry state, almost like a zombie.


    Over the years, her demeanor had become increasingly remarkable, save for one flaw.


    She still disliked wearing shoes, going barefoot instead.


    Seemingly noticing Gu An¡¯s gaze, Jiang Qiong didn¡¯t blush but huffed, ¡°I only dress so casually within my own Dojo. Outside, I am the founding elder of the Gathering Flower Sect, and I must maintain a certain demeanor.¡±


    Gu An smiled and asked, ¡°How has the Gathering Flower Sect been developing recently?¡±


    He was well aware of the situation, but he still asked Jiang Qiong.


    Compared to Jiang Qiong, he practically knew everything, yet when interacting with people, conversation was essential.


    Jiang Qiong also cherished the opportunity to interact with Gu An and began speaking about the development of the Gathering Flower Sect. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the Supreme Sect grew stronger, the Sects on the continent either submitted or relocated. The Gathering Flower Sect chose the latter, and the Supreme Sect didn¡¯t make things difficult for them, even providing some resources.


    The Gathering Flower Sect was now situated on an archipelago and had developed trade islands similar to Immortal Seeking Island. There were no powerful Sects nearby, the only threats being the occasional appearance of Great Demons in the sea, causing losses to the Sect.


    Jiang Qiong had become a laid-back shopkeeper, frequently in seclusion, and seldom bothered by issues.


    ¡°The development is stable, but it¡¯s just too stable, which seems to lack prospects,¡± Jiang Qiong remarked.


    Her unwillingness to leave the Gathering Flower Sect stemmed from the fact that it was a creation of her own, having built too many connections here, making it difficult for her to leave.


    Gu An reassured her with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, numerous great opportunities will soon emerge in the world, and the Gathering Flower Sect will encounter them too. The key is to seize these opportunities.¡±


    The opportunities he referred to were legacies from the Battle Court, half of which Gu An had dispersed across the soil and seabeds of the Human World.


    Though it was only half, it was enough to turn the entire Celestial Spirit Great World upside down and push it to unprecedented heights.


    Some of the Battle Court treasures, including Magic Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, and rich Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, were nearby in the ocean. Gu An had a preference for these, believing if the Gathering Flower Sect managed them well, they could become a top-tier Major Sect of the world in the future.


    ¡°Really?¡± Jiang Qiong asked with surprise.


    Gu An smiled and replied, ¡°Why would I deceive you? In a few thousand years, I will gift you a treasure that will grant you enough power to protect your own Sect.¡±


    The higher his realm, the more nonchalantly Gu An behaved. He no longer pondered consequences too much and did whatever he wished, especially when it came to taking care of those close to him.


    Hearing this, Jiang Qiong became even happier. She stood up, moved closer to Gu An, and reached for his chest with a giggle, ¡°What day is today that you¡¯re treating me so kindly, or could it be that you¡¯ve finally been moved by mortal feelings and missed me?¡±


    Gu An pushed her away and huffed, ¡°Nonsense, I¡¯m a reader of the Classics.¡±


    ¡°What are the Classics? Are they something low-class like the Supreme Secret Transmission?¡±


    Hearing Jiang Qiong mention the Supreme Secret Transmission made Gu An somewhat tense.


    ¡°What Supreme Secret Transmission? I don¡¯t know about it.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, I¡¯ve heard its author, Shen Zhen, has a great relationship with you. What exactly do you do when you are alone, and what do you talk about? Can you share it with me?¡±


    Jiang Qiong said coldly, her eyes full of mischief.


    She wasn¡¯t upset about Gu An¡¯s quirks; instead, she felt that such quirks made Gu An seem more real.


    Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was too strong and too high a level for her to comprehend.


    Compared to the powerful Gu An, she preferred the careful and calculating Gu An of the past.


    The two began to bicker, with Gu An continuously making excuses, which only spurred Jiang Qiong on.


    Until night fell, Gu An chose to stay in Jiang Qiong¡¯s Dojo and preach to her.


    ¡­


    Deep in the cosmos among the stars, where stars dazzled and clouds of light surged in breahtaking beauty.


    Palaces floated upon a massive cloud of light that resembled a spiral stairway, with countless buildings on its surface; these palaces appeared like specks of sand, yet each structure was incredibly vast.


    On a cliff, Ji Xiaoyu was meditating in white clothes and a black robe. She wore a silver-beaded phoenix crown on her head, and a red Dao Pattern on her forehead made her appear even more mystical.


    Suddenly, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor appeared behind her, bowing respectfully with excitement, ¡°Emperor Chen has foreseen that the Celestial Spirit Great World is about to encounter an unprecedented fortune. He hopes to move the Yin Yang Immortal Domain within the Celestial Spirit Great World, and the other two emperors have already agreed. Your Highness, it¡¯s time for us to return!¡±


    Hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu slowly opened her eyes, a flash of brilliance in her gaze. The Dao Spiritual Qi and light clouds where she looked paused as if time and space had frozen.


    Her pupils reflected the majestic scenery of the Celestial Spirit Great World, her look carrying an indescribable meaning.

 Chapter 590 - 583: A New Reincarnation

    Chapter 590: Chapter 583: A New Reincarnation


    Seeing Ji Xiaoyu not answering, simply gazing ahead lost in thought, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor could roughly guess what she was thinking. He said softly, ¡°The one who previously eradicated the external forces should be him. Since he is still around, perhaps we can better integrate into the Celestial Spirit Great World. Why be so stubborn?¡±


    He knew about the pride inherent in the Reincarnation Dao Emperor; he used to support her.


    But now¡­


    Gu An was simply too strong!


    So strong that the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor felt it was a pity not to cling to his coattails.


    No matter how one looked at it, encountering Gu An was the greatest opportunity for both the Reincarnation Dao Emperor and the entire Yin Yang Immortal Domain.


    Ji Xiaoyu still did not respond, and seeing this, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor could only sigh and turn to leave.


    He had just turned around when Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s voice drifted over, ¡°Tell them, I agree too.¡±


    Hearing this, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor turned his head back in surprise, bowed to Ji Xiaoyu once more, and then immediately vanished on the spot.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked into the distance, murmuring softly to herself, ¡°When will I ever catch up to you?¡±


    No one answered her, but she didn¡¯t need an answer.


    Her thoughts scattered, drifting back many years.


    Back then, Gu An was still young, but his eyes were different from those of the other children in the residence.


    ¡­


    Time flowed gently.


    A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.


    Battle Court treasures officially began a golden era in the Human World, with the first Battle Court supreme treasure unearthed, sparking a struggle among many powerful beings. Fortunately, more treasures appeared soon after, making the contention less brutal.


    Every Sect in the Human World started pursuing these treasures. The number of Battle Court relics exceeded the number of Human World Cultivators, after all, the Great Thousand World had just been reshaped, and the Human Race was not yet widespread across the entire world.


    The Qiankun Sect too joined in this trend, with An Xin often bringing news back to the Dojo, stirring up excitement amongst the others. Unfortunately, Gu An did not allow them to go out.


    Gu An¡¯s attitude serene them down, indicating that the treasures outside did not catch his eye.


    After reaching the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent strengthened, allowing the Dojo¡¯s disciples to perceive even more.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had already broken through to the Wandering Immortal Realm first. His talent was not lacking¡ªbefore Nirvana, he was also at the limit of nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years of Life Span. In the Dojo, only the Celestial Demon Child could match him in talent.


    In this millennium, the Yin Yang Immortal Domain descended upon the Celestial Spirit Great World. Gu An saw the Dao Court negotiate with it, eventually coming to some agreement, and allocated a portion of the edge of the Great World for the Yin Yang Immortal Domain to settle.


    After returning to the Celestial Spirit Great World, Ji Xiaoyu didn¡¯t visit the Supreme Sect, nor did she establish any relationship with the Ji Family.


    Gu An could hear Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s heart; she often thought of him, but she had a strong competitive spirit in her bones. She wanted to stand on equal footing with Gu An.


    To this end, Gu An could only respect her.


    He couldn¡¯t have everything in the world develop according to his wishes, and Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s way of thinking made him look forward to it.


    He had protected many people; it was rare for someone not to rely on him, and it made him curious.


    Miss Third, keep it up.


    No matter how hard you try, you will never catch up to me!


    Gu An thought proudly, his gaze drifting to the distant sky, where there was a Barrier. Inside the Barrier, Lv Xian and Chen Chuan were sparring again.


    Though there were millennium-long Combat rituals, these two always sparred privately. Their relationship was excellent; Gu An did not interfere.


    In a previous life, Xiaochuan was just a low-level member of the Supreme Sect. Lv Xian was the first genius of the Sect he had looked up to and envied. Now, they had become the best of brothers¡ªtruly, fate made fools of people.


    No, it should be said that destiny is wonderfully inexplicable.


    Gu An watched for a while, then turned his gaze in another direction.


    Xiaochuan and Lu Jiujia had already reincarnated into the Celestial Spirit Great World, and Ye Lan was soon to follow.


    Ye Lan bore the Dao Destruction Destiny Seal, and Gu An could feel her progressing along the Path of Reincarnation, drawing closer and closer to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Reincarnation is complex, and being reborn could lead one to any other Great World, but the world of one¡¯s birth had a certain pull on the being, ensuring that they would always return to their own Great Thousand World.


    From afar, Gu An saw Ye Lan¡¯s soul and the seventeen lifetimes before her.


    Due to practicing the Innate Reincarnation Skill, Ye Lan would awaken memories of her past lives each time. She would continue to practice the Innate Reincarnation Skill, accumulating Cultivation Level, which made her talent higher in every life.


    Perhaps it was because of the memories of past lives, but she always died alone, never married. Yet, every time she was on her deathbed, she was happy, thinking that in the next life she would meet Gu An.


    Dying with longing, reborn with confusion¡ªthat was her Reincarnation.


    Watching Ye Lan¡¯s past life experiences moved Gu An. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This silly girl¡­


    Regardless, Ye Lan had finally come back.


    Gu An had already deduced where she would be reincarnated. He stood up, gave a few instructions to An Xin, and then disappeared from the spot.


    He arrived at a vast continent, a land even larger than the Tai Cang Continent, with imperial dynasties and innumerable sects established.


    It is worth mentioning that this place fell under the jurisdiction of the Dao Court.


    Gu An appeared in a mountainous forest and started walking in a certain direction. Along the way, he had already calculated the destiny of Ye Lan in this life.


    After seventeen lifetimes of accumulation, the Innate Reincarnation Skill would grant Ye Lan an exceptional talent, which destined her life to be extraordinary and would also bring her into cause and effect with the Dao Court.


    Gu An was not afraid of trouble. He decided Ye Lan should have a smooth and comfortable life this time, without undergoing any hardships.


    Thinking of the Dao Court, Gu An also remembered Lu Han, a former Reincarnation Body, who also had grievances with the Dao Court in his lifetime.


    Of course, these two Dao Courts were not the same entity.


    In the vast multitude of the Great Thousand Worlds, there were many forces bearing the name of Dao Court.


    No matter which branch of the Dao Court it was, the fact that they bore the Dao in their name was enough to prove their ambition.


    After walking some distance, Gu An saw a mountain villa. The cultivators in this villa were only at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Since they had no hope of advancing in immortal cultivation, they retreated from the secular world to live an ordinary life.


    Gu An¡¯s demeanor suddenly became subdued. His magical treasures vanished, and he changed into simple black clothing, with the Cyan Hong Sword and White Spirit Sword hanging at his waist. Although his appearance did not change, he instantly transformed from Immortal to mortal, like a martial hero from the Martial World.


    He approached the gate of the mountain villa and knocked on the door.


    It took a dozen or so breaths before someone came to open it. The door was opened by a young servant, who cautiously assessed Gu An and asked, ¡°Can I help you?¡±


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°My name is Gu An, a wanderer of the world, and I would like to request lodging for a few days. Can you pass the message along? I won¡¯t stay for free.¡±


    The young servant wanted to refuse, but after hearing Gu An¡¯s offer, he hesitated for a moment and said, ¡°Wait here!¡±


    Clang!


    The door was closed again.


    The mighty Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal stood closed out by mortals.


    Gu An found it amusing. He didn¡¯t feel insulted at all; after all, this villa would be Ye Lan¡¯s home in the future.


    After a while, the door opened again, and Gu An was welcomed in.


    Sunlight poured down, shining on the courtyard wall beside it. In the cracks of the wall, green sprouts began to emerge, growing faster and faster.


    By the time the entire courtyard wall was covered with weeds and vines, eighteen years had passed.


    The door opened, and a girl in yellow clothes stepped out quickly, followed by Gu An.


    The girl in yellow looked sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features and a lively figure. Her long hair was tied into two braids draped over her shoulders. After stepping down from the steps, she turned around to look at Gu An.


    ¡°Brother Gu, where shall we go play today? I heard there¡¯s a demon haunting nearby; let¡¯s go catch it,¡± the girl in yellow asked expectantly, her face brimming with the radiant smile of youth, like the bright morning sun.


    Gu An looked at her and cast Life Span Detection.


    [Xiao Lan (Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer): 17/160/9999]


    Her maximum life span had finally risen to nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years!


    Xiao Lan was born with a life span limit of seven thousand years. Over the years, Gu An used his own Dao Intent to aid her Enlightenment in her dreams, up until this day.


    Everything was so coincidental.


    Today, Xiao Lan was to encounter a turning point in her life.


    Gu An wore a smile, which made Xiao Lan blush.


    She glared at Gu An and asked, ¡°Brother Gu, why aren¡¯t you speaking? Are you thinking¡­¡±


    She hadn¡¯t finished her words when she suddenly sensed something and turned around sharply.


    Looking down the mountain path, she saw a woman in white clothes coming from the forest. Her cold and beautiful face, along with the long zither on her back, made her seem like a fairy walking through the woods, stunning Xiao Lan, who had always stayed within a hundred miles of the area.


    The woman in white¡¯s gaze fell on Xiao Lan. Her eyes were calm, but such calm only lasted for two breaths. Then, her pupils dilated suddenly, and in almost an instantaneous movement, she appeared in front of Xiao Lan and grabbed her right wrist.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Xiao Lan cried out in shock, trying to shake off the woman¡¯s hand, but it was futile.


    The woman in white stared at her intently, muttering to herself, ¡°Such a constitution¡­ is rare in the world¡­¡±


    Gu An did not intervene, amused by the scene.


    This woman possessed the cultivation level of a Wandering Immortal Realm. She would be Xiao Lan¡¯s first teacher, leading her onto the path of immortal cultivation.


    Gu An suddenly felt very gratified.


    Vast seas had turned into mulberry fields, the world had changed, and the Human World was indeed a different scenery.


    Fortunately, the sun, moon, and stars still existed, and she was also right in front of his eyes.

 Chapter 591 - 584: Obsession

    Chapter 591: Chapter 584: Obsession


    Xiao Lan felt like she was dreaming today, as if she had encountered an immortal who praised her exceptional talent and wanted to take her as a disciple. After witnessing the immortal¡¯s display of techniques, her father, whom she considered the mightiest, actually knelt down and kowtowed.


    Everything was so dreamlike.


    Even until dusk, Xiao Lan still hadn¡¯t recovered from the shock.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, don¡¯t want to pursue immortal cultivation?¡±


    A familiar voice came, interrupting Xiao Lan¡¯s trance. She turned her head and saw Gu An walking into the garden.


    Seeing Gu An, Xiao Lan¡¯s anxiety dissipated somewhat, and she answered, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to; it¡¯s just that I¡¯m a little scared. After all, I have never been outside before, and she¡­ my master says she wants to take me to Dao Court, which seems to be very powerful¡­¡±


    She began to share her true inner feelings, and Gu An came over to listen to her talk earnestly.


    In the end, Xiao Lan said helplessly, ¡°If only someone could go with me, that would be great. Unfortunately, my brothers and sisters are not recognized by the master.¡±


    Gu An blinked and said, ¡°I can accompany you. Your master has already taken me as a named disciple. Although there¡¯s still a difference in status compared to you, it won¡¯t be difficult to accompany you in the future.¡±


    At that, Xiao Lan¡¯s eyes widened in excitement, and she grabbed Gu An¡¯s arms, asking, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Have I ever lied to you? Manor Master Gu has already entrusted me to take good care of you,¡± Gu An said with a smile, and as he spoke, he raised his hand to ruffle Xiao Lan¡¯s hair.


    Having spent eighteen years at Xiao Manor, Gu An had long been integrated into life there, and everyone held him in high regard. With his insight, Gu An had also established a deep friendship with Manor Master Xiao, and since he had watched Xiao Lan grow up, the manor master was very comfortable trusting him.


    It is worth mentioning that Xiao Lan¡¯s name Lan was chosen by Gu An himself, which attested to the great trust he had earned in Xiao Manor.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. We¡¯ll explore the realm of immortal cultivation together!¡± Xiao Lan was ecstatic, swinging Gu An¡¯s arm excitedly.


    Ever since childhood, she had loved playing with Gu An, because he would fulfill her every wish.


    She shook off the earlier trepidation and confusion, becoming extremely excited about what lay ahead in her life.


    Two days later, the white-robed woman known as Sage Su took Gu An and Xiao Lan and left. Everyone in Xiao Manor stood at the gates to see them off.


    Xiao Lan¡¯s mother cried uncontrollably, while Manor Master Xiao¡¯s eyes were filled with hope.


    His spiritual root qualification was limited, but Xiao Lan¡¯s encounter gave him hope that perhaps he could gain the chance for longevity through his daughter.


    Partings are always sorrowful, but fortunately, Xiao Lan had Gu An¡¯s company. Over a hundred miles away from Xiao Manor, she became lively again.


    Without concern for Sage Su¡¯s immortal status, she chased after her and incessantly asked about Dao Court, chattering the whole way.


    Gu An followed behind the two, enjoying the scenery along the way. He replaced himself with a clone, while his true self went to gather medicinal herbs.


    Sage Su was very gentle and indulgent towards Xiao Lan. As for Gu An, though she was not as enthusiastic, she gave him no cold shoulder, and the atmosphere during the journey was rather pleasant.


    Night fell.


    The three stopped in a forest to rest. Sage Su had no plans to return to Dao Court straight away; she was traveling the Human World, experiencing life, with plans to return to Dao Court after the journey¡¯s end. During this period, she would teach Xiao Lan the techniques for cultivation.


    Xiao Lan was very excited and couldn¡¯t settle down, even after half a day had passed.


    ¡°Master, tell us about Dao Court, and also the realm of immortal cultivation. I¡¯ve heard from father that cultivators have their own hierarchies. While mortals may not see them, the realm of immortal cultivation is vast and magnificent, with waves of grandeur and heroes emerging one after another,¡± Xiao Lan asked Sage Su, leaning on Gu An.


    Sage Su was somewhat displeased with their close interaction, but she did not let it show and instead started to introduce Dao Court.


    In Sage Su¡¯s description, Dao Court was the most powerful sect under the heavens, with countless branches. She mentioned one famed name after another, all prominent figures within Dao Court.


    ¡°My disciple, your talent is no less than theirs. As long as you are willing to work hard, your teacher will help you surpass them and become the top prodigy of Dao Court,¡± Sage Su declared to Xiao Lan with a burning gaze.


    Xiao Lan became even more elated. She sat up, tapping Gu An on the shoulder with a triumphant smile, ¡°Brother Gu, I will be the top prodigy in the world someday, and you just wait for me to protect you.¡±


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°Good, I¡¯m already looking forward to it.¡±


    Sage Su slightly furrowed her brow.


    In her eyes, Gu An was not worthy of Xiao Lan, and, moreover, the path that Xiao Lan must walk did not require romantic entanglements.


    To become a top prodigy in Dao Court, one must devote all their energy to cultivation.


    She didn¡¯t stop her, though, knowing that once Xiao Lan experienced the power and splendor of Dao Court, she would eventually lose interest in Gu An.


    Her gaze toward Gu An became one of pity. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To be abandoned was not a good feeling, and after all, this child was still her disciple. She would ensure he had a good end in the future.


    Listening to Sage Su¡¯s inner thoughts, Gu An almost laughed out loud, but he was an excellent actor and restrained himself.


    Xiao Lan, unaware of their thoughts, was still indulging in her dreams of a cultivator¡¯s life.


    That year, Xiao Lan began her Qi Refinement. Sage Su not only taught her cultivation techniques but also provided her with elixirs, which greatly accelerated her cultivation speed.


    The following year, Gu An gifted Xiao Lan the White Spirit Sword, which delighted her immensely.


    She had grown up and had a budding understanding of affection. She realized her feelings for Gu An resembled that of a married couple in the Human World. Whenever this thought crossed her mind, her cheeks reddened, and she couldn¡¯t help stealing glances at Gu An. Neither of them pointed out this unspoken understanding, savoring the hazy romantic feelings.


    Although Sage Su did not expressly prevent it, she often took Gu An and Xiao Lan to observe mortals suffering for love, hoping to make Xiao Lan realize that love was not reliable.


    However, Xiao Lan remained unaffected and felt even more fortunate that her Brother Gu was not like those men.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Fifty years went by swiftly.


    Xiao Lan had reached the Cultivation Level of the Divinity Transformation Realm, and her talent symbolized by the life span limit of 9,999 years was fully evident.


    According to Sage Su, if Xiao Lan had cultivated within Dao Court, her progress would have been faster.


    Gu An¡¯s apparent cultivation level had reached the Core Formation Realm, which was extraordinary in the Tai Cang Continent but barely noteworthy in Sage Su¡¯s eyes.


    Over those fifty years, they visited twelve dynasties, experienced the customs of various places, and encountered other cultivators, demons, and ghosts.


    Xiao Lan had matured, letting go of the ties in her braids, and gradually developed the demeanor of a Daughter of Heaven.


    No matter how much higher her realm was than Gu An¡¯s, her feelings for him had not faded but rather deepened. It used to be Gu An taking care of her, but now, the roles had reversed.


    Whenever Gu An remained silent, she would ask him what was wrong, fearing he was under mental stress. This bemused and sometimes frustrated Gu An, while also increasing Sage Su¡¯s dissatisfaction.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom why Xiao Lan was so fond of Gu An.


    Before, Xiao Lan had never left the manor and had not met men more outstanding than Gu An, so Sage Su could understand her feelings.


    But now, having seen more of the world and yet being even more fond of Gu An, Sage Su found it utterly baffling.


    The worst part was, Sage Su realized it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to intervene.


    Her intuition told her that if she tried to force them apart, Xiao Lan would turn against her.


    On a sweltering summer day, the three walked along a large river, where waves slapped the banks and white gulls soared, creating a majestic and melancholic atmosphere.


    ¡°Brother Gu, are you hot? Do you need me to cast a spell for you?¡±


    ¡°Brother Gu, are you tired? Do you need to rest?¡±


    ¡°Brother Gu, look over there! Isn¡¯t that demon bird cute? Do you like it? Do you want me to catch it for you?¡±


    Listening to these incessant questions, not only Sage Su grew weary, but even Gu An felt it was a bit much.


    ¡°I¡¯m at least at the Core Formation Realm level, why are you treating me like some delicate scholar?¡± Gu An said, rather helplessly.


    Clad in white, with makeup enhancing her fairy-like appearance, Xiao Lan stood beside him prettily. Hearing his words, she blinked and said softly with a giggle, ¡°Well, I just can¡¯t help it.¡±


    For some reason, she was always thinking about Gu An, sometimes to the extent that she wouldn¡¯t even listen to her master¡¯s words.


    As long as she looked at Gu An, she felt elated and considered herself the luckiest person in the world.


    While they spoke, she couldn¡¯t resist hugging Gu An¡¯s arm, as though afraid he might leave.


    Gu An was torn between helplessness and being touched by her actions. He hadn¡¯t cast any spell on Xiao Lan; this was an emotion that transcended reincarnation.


    Ye Lan¡¯s love for him had become an obsession through the cycles of reincarnation.

 Chapter 592 - 585: The Worlds Number One

    Chapter 592: Chapter 585: The World¡¯s Number One


    Sage Su really didn¡¯t want to look at the young lady Xiao Lan¡¯s posture, her eyes fixed on the great river ahead, her brows slightly furrowed. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She sensed a faint trace of demon qi, enigmatic even to her realm of existence, the opponent¡¯s cultivation level was likely higher than hers.


    Xiao Lan had clung to Gu An for quite some time before she finally, reluctantly, came to Sage Su¡¯s side, asking with curiosity, ¡°Master, since just now, you have been furrowing your brows. What are you looking at?¡±


    Sage Su turned her head to look at her, thinking, have you finally remembered your teacher?


    ¡°There seems to be a Great Demon hidden in the river ahead, and I¡¯m hesitating whether to change our course,¡± Sage Su replied softly.


    Xiao Lan¡¯s eyes immediately lit up and she said, ¡°What kind of Great Demon? Compared to the Endless Flood Dragon we encountered before, which one is stronger?¡±


    ...


    ¡°This demon is probably stronger than your teacher.¡±


    Sage Su shook her head, unafraid to show weakness in front of her disciple.


    Hearing this, Xiao Lan subconsciously looked at Gu An, then turned back to Sage Su and frowned, ¡°Then we should change routes.¡±


    Sage Su felt both relieved and helpless.


    Relieved because Xiao Lan wasn¡¯t so reckless, but helpless because the girl considered everything with Gu An as the primary factor.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze drifted to the distant Great Demon. Downstream in the great river was a vast lake that resembled a boundless ocean, where a demon and a Great Cultivator were engaged in combat, vying for the Battle Court¡¯s legacy treasures.


    That Great Cultivator was adept in the Qi Concealment Technique, not revealing the slightest trace of his aura, making the battle not earth-shatteringly noticeable.


    The Great Demon was likewise afraid of the treasure¡¯s qi leaking out, endeavoring to contain its demon qi, but still leaking quite a bit.


    Watching their combat, Gu An also got some ideas.


    What kind of Dao Treasure should he refine for Xiao Lan?


    ¡­


    When autumn came, the Third Medicine Valley gradually took on a withered yellow hue.


    Under an ancient tree, Long Teng sat in meditation, his robe fluttered slightly, with jin qi swirling around him like various strands of dragon qi.


    Long Qing approached him with someone in tow, none other than the Emperor of the Tai Cang Dynasty, Li Xuandao.


    Dressed in a golden robe and topped with a Dragon Crown, Li Xuandao¡¯s imperial presence was unmistakable, drawing frequent glances from Medicine Valley Disciples along the way.


    Ever since his Nirvana, Li Xuandao had truly displayed his dominance. Reigning for twenty thousand years, he had become the god in the hearts of Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty¡¯s people.


    He and Long Qing were the two most powerful individuals in the Tai Cang Continent. Many feared that a rift between them would lead to chaos, yet their relationship had always been amiable. This cordiality allowed the Supreme Sect and Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty to interact harmoniously, resolving any conflicts by discussion.


    Li Xuandao¡¯s eyes shone the moment he saw Long Teng.


    He had always harbored a bold hunch. The enigmatic Outer Heaven Power had previously sought Long Qing, and the emergence of the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect had strengthened his conviction.


    He thought Long Teng bore a resemblance to Gu An the first time he saw him.


    His features had a sharper edge than Gu An¡¯s, but their facial structures were highly similar.


    Upon reaching Long Teng, Long Qing spoke, ¡°Teng¡¯er, this is His Majesty of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, an old friend of my master. Pay your respects quickly.¡±


    Hearing this, Long Teng immediately stood up to salute Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao smiled, saying, ¡°Seeing you reminds me of the first time I met Yang Jian.¡±


    Yang Jian!


    Long Teng had, of course, heard the name. He was a legend of the Supreme Sect, a senior brother to his father, who had made great contributions to the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty. He was currently the strongest in the dynasty.


    Before the Ancestor made his presence known, he had admired Yang Jian the most.


    In the Tai Cang Continent, anyone over the age of six knew Yang Jian¡¯s tales, which had spread Journey to the West far and wide, turning it into an enduring classic. It had been canonized by the dynasty, despite some content being subversive.


    ¡°Follow me from now on. I will not treat you poorly. I¡¯ll enable you to become another Yang Jian, or even surpass him,¡± said Li Xuandao, filled with boundless aspiration.


    After hearing this, Long Teng did not respond right away but looked towards Long Qing.


    Long Qing nodded, saying, ¡°I do not wish the Long Family to be too closely tied to the Supreme Sect. Following His Majesty to establish some achievements is quite good. Once you get established, the Long Family will move out.¡±


    Long Teng had long been aware of the Long Clan¡¯s destiny, so he had no doubts. He gave Li Xuandao a fistful salute in acceptance, which pleased Li Xuandao even more. Pulling him to sit down, they reminisced about the old times.


    Upon hearing Li Xuandao mention his Ancestor Gu An, Long Teng became interested.


    Now, what he was most curious about and aspired to know was what kind of person Ancestor Gu An really was.


    Li Xuandao started from his first encounter with Gu An, and learning that the Ancestor had once posed as a Menial Disciple made Long Teng even more intrigued.


    When Long Teng found out that historical texts like ¡°The Investiture of the Gods¡± and ¡°Journey to the West,¡± and writings by the Supreme Immortal Venerable were all authored by his Ancestor, his eyes widened. No wonder these texts were must-reads for disciples and even studied as history.


    Now he believed it.


    Perhaps it was truly trials his Ancestor lived through.


    Long Qing watched Long Teng¡¯s expressions and smiled.


    Even though he planned to sever the Long Clan¡¯s ties with the Supreme Sect, he didn¡¯t wish his descendants to drift apart from the Primordial Ancestor.


    Without the Primordial Ancestor, there would be no Long Family. This was something that must not be forgotten.


    An hour swiftly passed.


    Li Xuandao, props himself up on his knees, laughs, and says, ¡°I intend for you to train at the Dao Court for some time. Upon your return, I will declare you Great General. What follows will be an era unlike any before, as we intend to sweep across all Imperial Dynasties and establish a unified Imperial Dynasty, creating merits for the common people. I need you for this. It will be a long and arduous task. You will face countless battles.¡±


    Hearing this, Long Teng¡¯s eyes immediately burn with passion, even his breathing becomes rapid.


    ¡°Is the Dao Court really that impressive?¡± Long Teng asks curiously.


    ¡°In today¡¯s world, it is considered a top-tier Dao Court. Of course, if your Ancestor were still with the Supreme Sect, the Dao Court wouldn¡¯t even be worthy of carrying his shoes. I¡¯ve arranged everything, and upon your arrival, you just need to cultivate. I¡¯ll have someone accompany you to handle everything.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    Long Teng responds excitedly, his favor toward Li Xuandao growing significantly.


    For Long Qing, this is the first time he truly senses Li Xuandao¡¯s charismatic personality. No wonder Brother Yang Jian has willingly served him for so many years.


    Serving the imperial power is well and good, it meant that, however strong the Long Family became, there would always be someone above them.


    That¡¯s what Long Qing thought as he looked at Li Xuandao and Long Teng.


    He started to look forward to Long Teng¡¯s performance in the years to come.


    ¡­


    Eighty years had passed since Xiao Lan left Xiao Manor. Sage Su finally prepared to return to the Dao Court, and before leaving, Xiao Lan wanted to visit Xiao Manor one last time. Sage Su agreed.


    This time, Sage Su didn¡¯t travel on foot; she directly cast a spell, taking Xiao Lan and Gu An with her, and within half an hour, they were back at Xiao Manor.


    The trio stayed for two days before departing. Before leaving, Xiao Lan left behind plenty of cultivation resources for Xiao Manor to soar. Many of these resources came from Sage Su herself.


    Sage Su understood Xiao Lan¡¯s intentions very well¡ªit was normal for the entire household to ascend to heaven when one person achieved Immortal Cultivation.


    She also wanted Xiao Lan to cultivate without any concerns.


    The three of them took to the clouds and headed for the Dao Court.


    As they neared the Dao Court, Sage Su turned to look at Xiao Lan wanting to say something, but seeing Xiao Lan holding tightly to Gu An¡¯s arm, she swallowed her words.


    Never mind!


    It wasn¡¯t like the girl was neglecting her cultivation.


    Once her feelings for Gu An faded, everything would return to normal.


    Gu An was also full of interest in the Dao Court as many old acquaintances had joined its ranks.


    In the previous crisis from Outer Heaven, the Dao Court had demonstrated the responsibility and ambition befitting the world¡¯s number one Sect. Their reputation soared after that battle, and more and more sects believed the Dao Court to be worthy of leading them, trustworthy to hold the position of Alliance Hierarch.


    The Dao Court was not stingy either. They did not require other sects to submit but simply to form an alliance. For each ally, they provided opportunities to cultivate Daoist Techniques. As disciples from other sects returned from training, the Dao Court¡¯s reputation continued to grow.


    Xiao Lan, too, eagerly anticipated the Dao Court. She said she wanted Gu An to stay in her Cave Mansion. According to Sage Su, with her talent, she was entitled to a high level of treatment, and her Cave Mansion was rich with Spiritual Energy.


    Facing her anticipation, Gu An agreed, causing Sage Su to shake her head but say no more.


    Before long, the magnificent sight of the Dao Court appeared before them.


    The Dao Court occupied an entire continent, and above that continent, a layer of cloud seas had formed. On these cloud seas were built dojos and cities, with the higher the Cultivation Level, the higher the residence. Even before setting foot on the continent, one could feel its magnificent Destiny, something neither the former Immortal Dynasty nor Holy Court could compare with.


    Gu An detected the presence of the Saint Minister and other high-ranking officials of the Holy Court. The Dao Court¡¯s swift growth had much to do with the contributions of former members of the Holy Court and Immortal Dynasty.


    Precisely speaking, the Dao Court was an amalgamation of the former overlords of the Great Thousand World before its reconstruction, with a complex interweaving of factions. This was why the Dao Court did not annex other sects but chose to form alliances. Their essence, too, was an alliance of sects.

 Chapter 593 - 586: Variables

    Chapter 593: Chapter 586: Variables


    Under the guidance of Sage Su, Gu An and Xiao Lan were successfully initiated into the Dao Court, becoming true disciples of the Dao Court, while Xiao Lan became Sage Su¡¯s direct disciple, with treatment and status far surpassing Gu An.


    Xiao Lan¡¯s first cave mansion featured an interior space so vast it resembled the Third Medicine Valley, which made Gu An reflect upon the deep foundations of the Dao Court.


    It should be known that although Xiao Lan had extraordinary talent, her cultivation level wasn¡¯t high, yet the cave mansion she received was still better than those of over a million other disciples with superior cultivation.


    After moving into the cave mansion, Xiao Lan could no longer hide her petty concerns, but Gu An sternly criticized her, telling her to focus on cultivation, as longevity was the true path. This made her feel ashamed and abandon those trivial thoughts in favor of earnest cultivation.


    Gu An didn¡¯t stay for nothing; he began helping Xiao Lan plant medicinal herbs and manage the cave mansion, allowing her to concentrate on her cultivation.


    By the time he had filled the entire cave mansion with medicinal herbs and organized everything neatly, Sage Su was very pleased with his performance when she came to visit.


    ...


    Sage Su suddenly thought that there were still many redeeming qualities about Gu An, and perhaps he was having a positive influence on Xiao Lan, who was now able to dedicate herself entirely to cultivation.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing well; keep helping her, and she will be your greatest opportunity on the path of immortal cultivation,¡± Sage Su said before she left, and Gu An suddenly felt as if he were back in his old line of work.


    He shook his head and chuckled, not minding it, for helping Xiao Lan was something he did willingly, and it also allowed him to conveniently snatch lifespan.


    Xiao Lan, who practiced the Innate Reincarnation Skill, could easily awaken memories of her previous life if subjected to a shock. And in this life, she had experienced smooth sailing without any signs of regaining those memories.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t in a hurry for her to recover her memories because the longer she lived in this life, the deeper her understanding of the Great Dao would become.


    Of course, Gu An wouldn¡¯t always stay in the cave mansion with her; occasionally, he would switch with his clone while his true self was busy with other matters.


    Cultivation was a lengthy affair; the higher the realm, the more time was needed for secluded meditation.


    In the blink of an eye, another millennium passed, and Gu An¡¯s yearly income of lifespan had increased to forty million years within this year.


    Over a thousand years, Xiao Lan had reached the Nirvana Realm and was making rapid strides toward the Loose Immortal Realm.


    During this period, she had returned to Xiao Manor twice, helping Xiao Manor transform into a cultivation family. Unfortunately, Manor Master Xiao¡¯s maximum lifespan was too short, and he had passed away some years ago.


    One day, Sage Su sent a message to Xiao Lan, which led her to find Gu An and leave the cave mansion with him.


    ¡°There are over ten thousand branches within the Dao Court, and the competition is fierce. It¡¯s said that there will be an Enlightenment Conference soon, and disciples from other sects will also be attending. Master wants us to go to Dao City to broaden our horizons,¡± Xiao Lan said with a smile as she flew on a cloud beside Gu An.


    Having attained the Nirvana Realm, she still exuded a lively temperament. Although she was now a thousand years old, she had spent most of that time in secluded cultivation, which made her feel as if she¡¯d only lived one year, with few memories retained.


    ¡°We should indeed take a good look,¡± Gu An smiled.


    His gaze had already reached Dao City. Coincidentally, his descendant Long Teng was also in that city, currently engaging in a combat practice with someone.


    Within his realm, Long Teng had won ninety-seven consecutive battles against talents from various sects, making his name resonate throughout the city.


    Martial Resolution was there, too.


    Gu An had always kept an eye on this brother who would understand the Dao whenever he felt disheartened.


    A long time ago, Martial Resolution had ventured out alone, enduring many hardships, which helped him achieve enlightenment time after time. For this very reason, he had not returned to the Supreme Sect.


    Martial Resolution and Long Teng didn¡¯t know each other, and Long Teng never claimed to be from the Supreme Sect. At the moment, Martial Resolution was among the crowd watching the match, admiring Long Teng¡¯s talent.


    Dao City was vast, and Gu An wasn¡¯t worried about bumping into Martial Resolution; unless he wanted to see Martial Resolution, there was no chance they would meet.


    Right now, Gu An only wanted to accompany Xiao Lan and help her grow.


    Along the way, Xiao Lan chatted non-stop, talking about Dao City before moving on to discuss her cultivation achievements; she even wanted to teach Gu An her spells.


    Although they shared the same master, the inheritances they received were different.


    They chatted and laughed, flying for the duration of one stick of incense before finally arriving at Dao City. With that, Gu An was ready to relax and enjoy a leisurely stroll with Xiao Lan.


    Xiao Lan also treasured these rare moments of leisure, clinging to Gu An¡¯s arm the entire time and unwilling to let go, giving the impression that they were Dao companions.


    ¡­


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, within Gu An¡¯s courtyard.


    Celestial Demon Child approached Shen Zhen, who was watching her control the Taiqing True Fire under the Artifact Refining Cauldron. After observing for a while, she asked, ¡°Miss Shen, do you feel like the master¡¯s heart is always elsewhere?¡±


    Shen Zhen replied, ¡°Definitely outside, probably caught by some woman¡¯s heart.¡±


    When facing the disciples in the dojo, Gu An didn¡¯t need to leave a clone to pretend, so everyone could feel his frequent outings.


    As soon as Celestial Demon Child heard this, she couldn¡¯t help but widen her eyes and asked, ¡°If so, aren¡¯t you worried?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? We¡¯ve followed him for an endless time. Be content. Besides, do we really want to restrain him? Even if we had the power, which we don¡¯t, why would we?¡±


    Shen Zhen said nonchalantly, her gaze fixed on the Taiqing True Fire.


    Celestial Demon Child pouted and said, ¡°I naturally wouldn¡¯t dare control the master. I¡¯m just curious.¡±


    Shen Zhen smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s probably some past acquaintance reincarnated; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t spend so much time with them.¡±


    Past acquaintance?


    Celestial Demon Child became interested and asked which past acquaintance it was.


    Shen Zhen glanced at her and said teasingly, ¡°There are probably only two people whose companionship he would cherish: one is the Ji Family¡¯s third young miss, and the other is his junior sister. I bet it¡¯s his junior sister, nine out of ten.¡±


    She began to recount the story of Gu An and Ye Lan, while Celestial Demon Child listened attentively.


    The story of Gu An and Ye Lan was simple, but Celestial Demon Child felt a sense of warmth listening to it.


    She had heard many heart-wrenchingly beautiful love stories, but after hearing this one, she suddenly thought that the person the master liked most in his heart might indeed be Miss Ye.


    The master was so formidable, invincible in the world, yet he chose to live hidden in the mountains ¨C this was enough to prove his temperament.


    Suddenly.


    ¡°Are you talking about me behind my back?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice interrupted the conversation between the two women, startling them as they turned to see Gu An standing right behind them.


    Celestial Demon Child¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment, while Shen Zhen remained composed.


    Gu An walked between them to the Artifact Refining Cauldron and extended his divine sense into it.


    Inside was the Dao Treasure he was refining for Xiao Lan, almost complete.


    After reaching the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal realm, Gu An¡¯s speed and strength in crafting Dao Treasures had increased. He planned to give Xiao Lan a great gift to make her path as a heaven¡¯s pride child even easier.


    Celestial Demon Child moved closer to Gu An and curiously asked, ¡°Master, has Miss Ye really reincarnated?¡±


    ¡°Mhm, Shen Zhen guessed correctly.¡±


    Gu An replied, then briefly recounted the reincarnations of Ye Lan over the years.


    Hearing that Ye Lan had endured more than a dozen reincarnations without forgetting Gu An, even Shen Zhen was touched.


    Celestial Demon Child¡¯s eyes reddened with emotion as she expressed a desire to meet Xiao Lan.


    ¡°Focus on your cultivation; don¡¯t let her surpass you,¡± Gu An teased without giving a direct answer.


    Celestial Demon Child boasted with a proud smile, ¡°I¡¯m a Wandering Immortal; it won¡¯t be easy for her to catch up to me.¡±


    Shen Zhen, on the other hand, asked out of curiosity, ¡°Is her talent in this life very high?¡±


    ¡°Very high.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s answer instilled a sense of urgency in Celestial Demon Child. She did not linger any longer and quickly returned to her training. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Zhen also did not disturb Gu An¡¯s refining any further. Xiao Lan could not bring any pressure to her; she preferred seeking enlightenment rather than blindly pursuing cultivation levels. The True Meaning of the Great Dao brought her joy.


    Refining Dao Treasures was simple for Gu An now; he didn¡¯t need to concentrate intently. He was paying attention to someone else, someone far away in another Great World.


    Zhang Buku!


    He had been sent by the Buddha Immortal to the Taize Great World to search for the Divine Exotic Realm Master. The two had already reunited but had encountered difficulties within the Taize Great World.


    This predicament would cause both to be severely injured, but they would eventually escape with their lives, so Gu An decided not to intervene.


    Knowing the future, he still watched because a variable had appeared in the fight.


    This person was not in Zhang Buku¡¯s fate before, but now, this person would frequently appear in Zhang Buku¡¯s life and even build a very close relationship with him.

 Chapter 594 - 587: The Illusory Celestial Court

    Chapter 594: Chapter 587: The Illusory Celestial Court


    The Vast Sea churned, and storm clouds obscured the heavens, as bolts of lightning continuously flashed across the sky, creating an overwhelmingly oppressive atmosphere between the heavens and the sea.


    Zhang Buku, dressed in a dark red battle armor, levitated mid-air, clutching a long spear. Behind him stood the Divine Exotic Realm Master back-to-back with him. They both stared into the distance where formidable figures blocked every direction, these powerhouses maintaining their distance while conjuring a formation.


    Beside Zhang Buku was another figure, positioned five zhang away. This individual¡¯s garments were tattered, his face smeared with grime, and his hair a complete mess, much like a beggar. His frame was frail, yet his face wore a mocking smile amid the encircling enemies, in stark contrast to the tense expressions of Zhang Buku and the Divine Exotic Realm Master.


    ¡°Hey, Zhang Buku, see for yourself, wouldn¡¯t you rather give the treasure to me? At least you wouldn¡¯t have to die. Any regrets?¡± The frail man teased as he looked at Zhang Buku.


    Zhang Buku didn¡¯t respond, but the Divine Exotic Realm Master coldly retorted, ¡°Xu You, don¡¯t you have to die as well?¡±


    The thin man named Xu You spread his hands indifferently, ¡°My death doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m merely experiencing the Reincarnation Tribulation. If I die, there¡¯s still the next life. You, however, are the real deal. If you die, you truly die.¡±


    ...


    Hearing this, the eyes of the Divine Exotic Realm Master filled with frost.


    ¡°All three of you dared to harm my son, no one will escape today!¡±


    A roar, akin to thunder, reverberated beneath the storm clouds, and the vast fury caused the distant clouds to disperse. A statue, larger than mountains and possessing eight arms, closed in. Each arm wielded a divine weapon while a white-robed man with flowing silver hair, ferocious face, and eyes filled with killing intent stood atop the statue¡¯s head.


    Zhang Buku looked at the eight-armed statue and said, ¡°Even as a Reincarnation Body, you probably don¡¯t want to die. Let¡¯s fight together, and once we break out, I¡¯ll give you a fair chance to compete for the divine treasure.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xu You grinned, revealing rows of blackened teeth, and chuckled, ¡°You sure understand the stakes. Let¡¯s break out together then, and don¡¯t fall behind, I won¡¯t look back.¡±


    With that, he turned and walked in the opposite direction toward the eight-armed statue, flying off, and ahead of him were many Cultivators blocking the horizon.


    This battle drew the attention of many Great Powers from afar, with Gu An observing from the furthest distance within the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    While crafting a Dao Treasure, Gu An watched the battle, focusing mainly on Xu You.


    Xu You didn¡¯t lie to Zhang Buku; he truly was a Reincarnation Body.


    His original self wasn¡¯t simple; Gu An could sense that their Cultivation Levels were almost equal, and he possessed the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    This meant, this person was likely a Celestial God from the Celestial Court.


    Had Gu An not broken through to become a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, he might not have been able to see through the cause and effect of Xu You¡¯s original self.


    The encounter between Xu You and Zhang Buku was no coincidence, since Zhang Buku was an inheritor of Buddha Immortal, who also had ties with the Celestial Court.


    Fortunately, judging from Zhang Buku¡¯s fate, Xu You had no intention of harming him, but rather to support him.


    Although curious, Gu An had no intent to probe further.


    Xu You was unaware of his existence. Why should he provoke needless trouble?


    Even for the topmost Great Powers of the Great Thousand World, the Celestial Court remained an enigma, ethereal and elusive.


    Yet in the Three Thousand Great Worlds, many Celestial Gods roamed. Some knew their identities but chose to feign ignorance.


    The karma of Celestial Gods was immense. Even with only the Celestial Spirit God guarding the Celestial Spirit Great World, many forces dare not forcibly enter.


    It seemed there existed a certain place where, with the right authority¡¯s permission,end ofearthe guardians of the Great Thousand World.


    Gu An watched for a while longer before turning his attention away.


    His present life was calm; he did not wish to entangle too soon with the Celestial Court.


    Unless absolutely necessary, Gu An would not provoke the Celestial Court and aimed to survive within the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t help but think of the Celestial Spirit God.


    In this life, Bai Sheng, with Su Jin¡¯s help, had already embarked on the path of Immortal Cultivation. Gu An hoped he would possess a heart of compassion; that way, the Celestial Spirit Great World could have a Celestial God.


    A Celestial God not only shields the cosmos but also stabilizes the Celestial Court.


    Gu An entertained the thought of persuading the Celestial Spirit God because, in pursuit of the Immortal Palace¡¯s treasures, the Celestial Spirit God had violated the principles of the Celestial Gods, indicating a lack of complete loyalty to the Celestial Court.


    Although the Celestial Spirit God had once aimed to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World, that had been a mission assigned by the Celestial Court, which he had delayed for many years.


    Across the ages, whenever a threat to the Celestial Spirit Great World emerged, the Celestial Spirit God didn¡¯t wait for explanations; he just executed them. This approach, at least, spared many beings from numerous calamities.


    ¡°Celestial Spirit God, I truly look forward to your future. I hope you won¡¯t disappoint me. If it doesn¡¯t work out, I might have to slay a god.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself and a smile appeared on his face.


    Before that, he would continue to enjoy a peaceful life.


    When Xiao Lan naturally awakened her past life memories, he would let her choose whether to stay in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless or continue to traverse the world.


    Nowadays, the Celestial Spirit Great World seemed small in Gu An¡¯s eyes, where he was omnipotent and could dominate everything.


    ¡­


    The Enlightenment Convention lasted a full five years, each dojo had its own Enlightenment Platform, and those who excelled in Enlightenment were announced throughout the cities, becoming renowned across the world.


    Xiao Lan did not disappoint, her comprehension of the Great Dao touched the Stele, marking her prominence, and Gu An could see Sage Su and her fellow cultivators ecstatic at her side.


    Sage Su was usually composed and even somewhat aloof, but faced with Xiao Lan¡¯s remarkable achievements, she couldn¡¯t maintain her composure, fortunately, Xiao Lan did not witness that scene.


    The Dao Court was vast, with tens of thousands of branches, and the Enlightenment Convention was similar to the imperial examination in the Human World, an opportunity for disciples to change their fate, even those disciples with mediocre Spiritual Root Qualification harbored hope, as the Dao Court valued comprehension of the Great Dao more.


    Only after the end of the Enlightenment Convention did Xiao Lan awaken.


    Gu An accompanied her off the platform, and they were soon met by Sage Su and other mentors.


    ¡°Come, let me take you to meet the Great Powers of our sect, your comprehension has been recognized by the higher-ups, my disciple, you are truly going to become a prodigy of the Dao Court!¡± Sage Su grasped Xiao Lan¡¯s hand, excitedly said.


    Xiao Lan hesitated and looked towards Gu An, who winked at her and said, ¡°Go on, it¡¯s not a goodbye. When you return, we¡¯ll have a good chat.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan¡¯s face bloomed into a smile, and she nodded immediately.


    Sage Su pulled Xiao Lan and flew away quickly, other Great Cultivators began to attend to their own disciples, and seeing that they had nothing to discuss with him, Gu An turned and left.


    ¡°Gu An, right? You better be prepared. Xiao Lan will soon soar to great heights and become an existence that both you and even we will look up to,¡± said a middle-aged Daoist, watching Gu An¡¯s departing figure and suddenly spoke.


    Gu An did not stop walking, his departing silhouette made the other Great Cultivators shake their heads, thinking he was being stubborn, little did they know how fragile emotions are in the face of time and talent.


    The journey of Immortal Cultivation is about mastering the Dao Heart and dominating instincts. When cultivators overcome their emotions and desires, they naturally make the most beneficial and rational decisions for themselves.


    Gu An did not mind the discussions of the Wandering Immortals, his thoughts were on Long Teng.


    Long Teng was about to face trouble, and he was ready to lend a hand.


    Regardless, he was Long Zhan, and Long Teng could be considered his kin. Furthermore, Long Teng¡¯s presence in the Dao Court was arranged by Li Xuandao. If something went wrong, and the Li Family and the Long Family turned against each other, it wouldn¡¯t be a pretty sight.


    Gu An did not want to test personal relationships.


    He was not walking quickly, as if strolling since Combat was not allowed within Dao City.


    Long Teng had performed well over the years, and Gu An was quite satisfied with him; if there was any flaw to point out, it was that he was too righteous, not selfish enough.


    Such a character was rare in the Long Family, and Gu An intended not only to save him but also to give him a push.


    Meanwhile, along another street, Long Teng and a man in blue walked shoulder to shoulder.


    ¡°You are really impressive, the Stele in front of you lit up, causing an uproar from the crowd below, and many were inquiring about your origins!¡±


    The man in blue was sent by Li Xuandao to accompany Long Teng in his cultivation. After experiencing the prosperity of the Dao Court, he thought the Tai Cang Continent was quite primitive, so he acted very prudently. Over the years, seeing Long Teng suppress various geniuses, even those of Dao Court were no match for him, which delighted him immensely.


    Especially his performance at the Enlightenment Convention. Long Teng¡¯s comprehension achieved the highest score, with only a handful of people comparable to him.


    Compared to the man in blue¡¯s excitement, Long Teng was quite calm.


    He was still pondering the insights he gained from Enlightenment.


    He felt he needed to find a path genuinely suitable for himself, as his current Daoist Techniques were too mixed, leaving him somewhat confused. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two made their way towards the city gate, and even though Long Teng was not responsive, the man in blue kept talking non-stop, envisioning Long Teng¡¯s future in ten thousand years, believing Long Teng would surpass Yang Jian to become the premier warrior of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty.


    By the time they reached the city gate, Long Teng was still contemplating Enlightenment.


    Suddenly, a figure blocked their path.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± the man in blue asked with a frown.


    Long Teng¡¯s train of thought was interrupted, and he instinctively frowned, looking up about to speak, his pupils suddenly dilated, and he froze, his body even trembling slightly.

 Chapter 595 03-25 - 588: The Support of Dao Court

    Chapter 595: Chapter 588: The Support of Dao Court


    Long Teng looked at Gu An before him, feeling a sense of unreality.


    He still remembered the day when the Ancestor had raised his hand to suppress the Heaven-Supporting Ancestor on the Heaven-Repairing Platform, an image that was vivid in his mind to this day.


    Even though he had seen many strong figures with great powers, he could never forget the Ancestor.


    Moreover, the Dharma Aspect summoned by Long Qing that day made him feel a strong resemblance to the Ancestor, even though his father hadn¡¯t said much, he had always harbored such a guess in his heart.


    Gu An looked at the excited Long Teng and smiled as he asked, ¡°Not in a hurry to go back? Shall we find a place to sit?¡±


    Once Long Teng left the city, he would quickly be surrounded by troubles.


    ...


    Long Teng hurriedly responded, ¡°No, no rush at all¡­¡±


    He was at a loss, not knowing how to face the Ancestor.


    The man in the blue robe was surprised; it was the first time he had seen Long Teng lose his composure like this, and he dared not underestimate Gu An, simply bowing silently.


    Then, the three of them walked toward Dao City; there were plenty of places inside the city where they could sit and chat.


    Eventually, they found an inn, and the three sat down by a window on the fourth floor. After Long Teng ordered some wine and dishes, he looked expectantly toward Gu An.


    The Ancestor had appeared at the Dao Court, it couldn¡¯t be just to find him, could it?


    Even if it wasn¡¯t, now that the Ancestor had shown himself, he must have something to ask of him.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.??


    He was self-aware and knew he could not help the Ancestor much, but he felt that perhaps his comprehension had attracted the Ancestor¡¯s attention.


    Gu An began to make small talk with Long Teng, asking about his experiences over the years, to which Long Teng faithfully responded one by one.


    Long Teng¡¯s attitude made the man in the blue robe even more curious about Gu An, and when he found an opportunity, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Senior, what is your relationship with Long Teng?¡±


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°He is my descendant.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the man in the blue robe suddenly realized, wondering to himself, wasn¡¯t the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect the most powerful in the Long Family?


    The Sect Leader was Long Teng¡¯s father, could there be an even more powerful ancestor?


    Long Teng widened his eyes, extremely excited.


    Indeed! S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ancestor was his ancestor!


    The fact that the ancestor would acknowledge their relationship excited Long Teng tremendously, giving him a feeling as if he were dreaming.


    Gu An turned to the man in the blue robe and smiled, ¡°Let¡¯s keep our meeting today a secret, and don¡¯t mention it to His Majesty either.¡±


    ¡°You know His Majesty?¡± the man in the blue robe asked in surprise.


    Gu An picked up his cup and said, ¡°I¡¯ve known him for over 20,000 years. My name is Gu An, you might not have heard of me.¡±


    ¡°Gu An¡­ what? You¡¯re Gu An!¡±


    The man in the blue robe suddenly stood up, becoming even more excited than Long Teng, and just after asking, he regretted it and instinctively looked around; he saw that other cultivators in the inn did not care about their conversation, which made him sigh with relief.


    He sat down again, and respectfully raised his hand to Gu An, his hands trembling.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°No need for such courtesy¡ªI pay no mind to the worldly rituals of the Human World.¡±


    ¡°Sword Venerable, rest assured, I will not speak of it!¡±


    The excited man in the blue robe said, his name was Li Yu, a descendant of the Royal Family. Although he was not from Li Xuandao¡¯s direct line, he was highly regarded by Li Xuandao, so he was aware of the past between Li Xuandao and Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Long Teng also reassured him, his eyes never daring to leave Gu An, afraid that Gu An might suddenly disappear.


    Gu An finished his cup in one gulp and continued, ¡°Since meeting is fate, I shall enlighten you both a little.¡±


    Before Long Teng and Li Yu could speak, Gu An set down his cup, and a powerful Dao Intent instantly enveloped the two, plunging them into a trance.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze moved toward the window, looking out over Dao City, where the sky was vast and the city splendidly majestic.


    It had to be said; the Dao Court was indeed extraordinary, having built such a foundation in 20,000 years that was stronger than the ancient Holy Court.


    For a very long time to come, the Dao Court would play a crucial role.


    Only when Li Ya rose to become the strongest in the Celestial Spirit Great World would the Dao Court become a thing of the past.


    But that was a very distant future.


    Time swiftly passed.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, as if waking from a dream, Long Teng awoke to see Li Yu still sitting beside him in a daze, and the inn¡¯s server was standing at the table, looking at them nervously.


    Coming back to his senses, Long Teng hurriedly said, ¡°We¡¯re fine, you can go down.¡±


    The innkeeper, although dubious, hurriedly caught the bag of Spirit Stones that Long Teng tossed out and bowed as he took his leave.


    Long Teng looked out the window, his Divine Sense probing but unable to find Gu An.


    However, a segment of inherited memory popped into his mind.


    ¡°Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect¡­¡± Long Teng¡¯s eyes flickered with excitement, filled with gratitude towards Gu An.


    Unlike his father¡¯s Celestial Dragon Dharma Aspect, the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect summoned his Reincarnation Body, and what¡¯s more, without any cost; this gave him a clear direction for his future Cultivation.


    The Path of Reincarnation!


    To wage wars across hundreds, thousands of lifetimes, and to condense the strongest Dharma Aspect!


    Thinking of the Dragon Battle Dharma Aspect that his father had summoned, Long Teng¡¯s heart burned with eagerness.


    At this moment, Li Yu also regained consciousness. After a brief moment of astonishment, he excitedly looked at Long Teng and said, ¡°Long Teng, I¡¯ve received the inheritance of the Sword Venerable, named the Seven Gods Golden Body. Have you heard of this technique?¡±


    Long Teng shook his head, ¡°Since it was granted by our ancestor, it must be a remarkable inheritance. What I received was another kind of Divine Skill.¡±


    ¡°Yes, this Seven Gods Golden Body is indeed domineering. I feel that if I perfect it, I could be qualified to contend with the heaven¡¯s proud sons!¡± Li Yu said, holding back his joy as he grabbed some wine to calm his emotions.


    Long Teng did not respond further and instead turned his gaze back to the window.


    He suddenly grew curious, why had the ancestor appeared within the Dao Court?


    Could it be the ancestor was behind the Dao Court?


    The rapid rise of the Dao Court had always been a puzzling matter for all beings in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    If it was the ancestor, that would make sense!


    Li Yu continued discussing the power of the Seven Gods Golden Body, talking incessantly as usual, even without Long Teng responding.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An had already met Xiao Lan and they were heading back to the Cave Mansion together.


    On the way back, Xiao Lan spoke of the Ting Master¡¯s appreciation for her; she would soon be relocating her Cave Mansion, and she said she would take Gu An with her wherever she went, never to be parted from him.


    The Dao Court allowed the heaven¡¯s proud sons to bring people into the main veins, as long as the numbers were few.


    Gu An had no objections to Xiao Lan¡¯s arrangements; he listened intently to her expressing her excitement.


    Months passed swiftly by.


    One day, Gu An and Xiao Lan, led by a Disciple of the main vein, arrived at the new Cave Mansion.


    After the Disciple of the main vein left, Xiao Lan looked at the Little World before her, thrilled.


    This Little World was quite vast, spanning a hundred thousand miles, brimming with Spiritual Energy, all belonging to Xiao Lan alone.


    ¡°Lan¡¯Er.¡±


    Gu An suddenly called out.


    After hearing him, Xiao Lan turned around reflexively, only for a sword to fly towards her, which she caught instinctively. She looked down and realized it was the White Spirit Sword that Gu An always carried with him.


    ¡°This sword is a congratulatory gift from me, congratulating you on becoming a True Disciple of the Dao Court,¡± Gu An said with a smile, looking at Xiao Lan.


    Xiao Lan, holding the White Spirit Sword joyfully, curiously asked, ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to ask you, what is the origin of the Cyan Hong Sword and White Spirit Sword, and why do you always carry them?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°These two swords were given to me by the most important person in my life. She has passed away, and my giving them to you now signifies that you are the most important person to me at present.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan felt as sweet as honey in her heart, and she immediately rushed towards Gu An, embracing him.


    Gu An shook his head helplessly. How could this girl be more clingy than in her previous life?


    Always wanting to hug him, touch him.


    ¡°This sword contains extraordinary power; don¡¯t tell anyone about it,¡± Gu An said softly, caressing Xiao Lan¡¯s head.


    The White Spirit Sword was no longer ordinary; Gu An had infused a newly forged Dao Treasure into it, merging the two. The White Spirit Sword was now a Dao Treasure, containing power enough to overturn the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Dao. The True Meaning of the Great Dao within it could aid Xiao Lan in her cultivation.


    Nestled in Gu An¡¯s arms, Xiao Lan nodded. She never doubted Gu An, burying her face in his chest.


    She felt truly blessed¡ªher Immortal Path was smooth, and the person she loved most was always by her side.


    She resolved to cultivate diligently, to protect everything she had.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start managing this Little World,¡± Gu An said, patting Xiao Lan¡¯s back lightly with a laugh.


    Reluctant to let go, Xiao Lan released her grip on him and took Gu An¡¯s hand, walking forward as she shared her ideas about how she wanted this Little World to look.

 Chapter 596 03-25 - 589: Breakthrough to Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection

    Chapter 596: Chapter 589: Breakthrough to Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection


    The road to Immortal Cultivation was long and fraught with obstacles, the ancients said, ¡°An Immortal dreams for three thousand years,¡± this saying was validated in today¡¯s Celestial Spirit Great World.


    After stepping into the Nirvana Realm, the time scale of Cultivators began to lengthen, a hundred years as a day, a thousand years as a dream, for those on the path of Immortal Dao, the higher their talent, the faster time passed.


    After becoming a disciple of the main vein of the Dao Court, Xiao Lan entered a prolonged period of seclusion.


    At first, she worried about Gu An, fearing that he would pass away during her seclusion; fortunately, although Gu An encountered many setbacks, he always managed to break through. Once Gu An successfully achieved Nirvana, she completely set her mind at ease and focused on her cultivation.


    Tens of thousands of years passed in the blink of an eye, and although the Human World underwent tremendous changes like the transformation of the sea into mulberry fields, there were not many changes in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.


    That year, Xiao Lan encountered a breakthrough opportunity, under the protection of the Great Cultivators of the main vein, she successfully stepped into the Wandering Immortal Realm, while Gu An watched from a distance.


    ...


    He marveled at the uniqueness of the new Era. Living for ten thousand years to reach Wandering Immortal Realm was rare in the previous Era, but in this new one, such geniuses were not few.


    Blood Prison Great Saint and An Xin even reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm one after another.


    Dao Treasures greatly aided their Cultivation, added with the abundant Spiritual Energy of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, containing the True Meaning of the Great Dao, their Cultivation speed was ever increasing.


    Especially An Xin, who seemed to be transforming into An Hao.


    Though Gu An felt that he contributed significantly to his disciples¡¯ progress, thinking of the past, he still had many reflections.


    ¡°I should also break through a minor realm.¡±


    Gu An watched Xiao Lan consolidating her Cultivation Level at the horizon and made up his mind.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í¨À?.§ã¦Ï


    He originally wanted to rely on his Enlightenment to break through; however, for a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, breaking through a minor realm required much more time than he could imagine.


    Having thought that, Gu An directly switched identities, his original body leaping out of the Little World.


    Among the Cultivators protecting Xiao Lan, the strongest had reached the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, this person did not detect any abnormalities and remained focused on Xiao Lan.


    Gu An¡¯s original body arrived at a forest in the Human World, where he directly performed a Life Span Breakthrough.


    Nine options appeared before him again, most of the locations were ones he recognized.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze fell on Desperate Celestial Tomb. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sins within the Desperate Celestial Tomb had a mysterious cause and effect with him¡ªhe originally thought he could learn about it through Lifespan Reincarnation, but he did not.


    Let¡¯s take another look.


    Now that his realm was higher, maybe he could understand.


    Gu An immediately chose to teleport to the Desperate Celestial Tomb, consuming one hundred billion years of Life Span in the process.


    After a while, Gu An opened his eyes and immediately activated the Life Span Barrier.


    What entered his sight was the desolate scene of the Desperate Celestial Tomb, with colossal and ruined structures stretching all the way to the ends of heaven and earth.


    The grand palace where the sin resided was far from him, but he could easily see the situation of that palace.


    The immense door, still slightly ajar, stretched as dark as if leading to the gates of hell.


    Gu An didn¡¯t keep staring at that palace; he pulled up the Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 34,362/487,609,219,005]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Late Stage of Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    He directly invested Life Span into his Cultivation Level, in increments of one hundred billion years each time.


    Prompt after prompt appeared, with four hundred and eighty billion years of Life Span at his disposal, Gu An barely heeded the failure notifications.


    Eventually, after spending one hundred and ten billion years of Life Span, he successfully reached the Perfection of Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm¡ªnext would be observing the consumption of the Life Span Barrier.


    Vast Spiritual Energy surged from the ground, almost instantly, Gu An was enveloped by golden illumination of the Great Dao.


    The Dao Spiritual Energy of the entire Desperate Celestial Tomb showed anomalies, and even the Dao Rules trembled.


    Now that he was a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, the disturbances he caused far exceeded those of before, and more and more ancient buildings began to tremble, the ground heaved with sand, moving as if it had sentience, appearing like a yellow cloth rising.


    Since it was a breakthrough in a minor realm, Gu An didn¡¯t need to be completely focused on the breakthrough, he divided his attention towards the grand palace where the sin resided.


    Time ticked by.


    In half an hour, Gu An would succeed in his breakthrough, yet halfway through, the sin still did not appear.


    Could something have gone wrong?


    Gu An thought silently.


    Even when he succeeded in his breakthrough, the sin never emerged from that grand palace.


    The Life Span Barrier consumed nearly five hundred billion years of Life Span, which stung quite a bit for Gu An.


    The higher the realm, the greater the Life Span Barrier¡¯s consumption, and for safety, he activated the Life Span Barrier every time he broke through.


    The reason for this was quite simple¡ªGu An enjoyed observing others, and he spied on existences of lower realms without being detected, so naturally, there must be existences stronger than him who also enjoyed spying on those weaker than themselves.


    The purpose of the Life Span Barrier was to prevent him from being observed while gaining strength, this was crucial. Gu An could reach this point today, those enemies he had defeated found it incredible, and the Life Span Barrier played a critical role in this.


    Gu An felt disappointed that he hadn¡¯t seen Zui.


    Although the Desperate Celestial Tomb was constantly showing signs of disturbance, there seemed to be no signs of living beings, not even ghosts or evil spirits.


    Once Gu An¡¯s cultivation level had stabilized, he stood up.


    Before leaving, he covered the entire Desperate Celestial Tomb with his divine sense.


    Since it was a tomb, something must have been buried here.


    The grand palace where Zui resided wasn¡¯t the most mysterious; at the center of the world, Gu An spotted a deep hole over a thousand miles in diameter, bottomless and swirling with a special Dao spiritual qi.


    This was the first time Gu An, who had begun to understand different Dao, had encountered such Dao spiritual qi.


    It was eerie, ominous, and sent shivers down one¡¯s spine.


    Even Gu An, who had reached the perfection of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, had an intuition not to come into contact with this Dao.


    He was about to teleport back when he suddenly sensed movement.


    Something in the deep hole was rushing towards the surface; as it ascended, the invisible and intangible Dao spiritual qi surged like erupting core fire, unstoppable.


    The ground began to tremble violently!


    Gu An wasn¡¯t panicking; he stood within the Life Span Barrier, hidden from detection, but he still prepared to teleport away immediately if needed.


    With a bang!


    Sand flew upwards from the ground violently, the clouds at the horizon dispersed, and an object burst out of the deep hole, aiming to break through the sky. However, when it reached a certain height, it was stopped by an invisible barrier.


    Narrowing his eyes, Gu An saw that it was a forefinger, dark-red throughout, with a tip sharp as a knife, a thousand feet long, emanating a terrifying aura.


    The might displayed by this forefinger was not inferior to the early stage of the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm, but the Dao spiritual qi surrounding it was even more dreadful.


    After being halted, the forefinger fell down, eventually crashing into a ruined temple and raising a cloud of dust tens of thousands of feet high.


    Gu An used the Life Span Detection on this finger, but found nothing, indicating that it wasn¡¯t a living being.


    He turned his head in another direction.


    A faint aura emitted from the grand palace where Zui resided; soon, a figure peeked through the door crack.


    Zui!


    He still appeared to be just over ten years old, unchanged from the last time Gu An had seen him.


    [Zui (Nirvana Realm): 0/9999/9999]


    His age was still zero, his lifespan and maximum lifespan unchanged.


    Gu An grew more curious; what exactly was this state?


    Under his gaze, Zui took a deep breath, as if bracing himself, and then ran towards the direction where the thousand-foot forefinger had fallen.


    The little guy was fast, covering a hundred miles in one step, as if blinking across space.


    Before long, he reached near the thousand-foot forefinger, slowed his steps, and cautiously approached.


    When he stood before the thousand-foot forefinger, it was as if facing a giant mountain; he reached out to touch the thousand-foot forefinger.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Gu An frowned and subconsciously looked down at his own right forefinger.


    He actually felt his forefinger being touched.


    With his high cultivation level, he couldn¡¯t be mistaken.


    Could this thousand-foot forefinger be his own?


    As Zui touched the thousand-foot forefinger, his eyes welled up, and he murmured something in a language not of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    As his tears fell on the thousand-foot forefinger, the bizarre Dao spiritual qi on the finger surged towards him, seemingly wishing to transform him into another kind of creature.


    Gu An¡¯s eyebrows furrowed.


    He felt a strong sense of cause and effect.


    That was not his finger!


    It belonged to an old acquaintance, not from his past life but from his Reincarnation Body.


    It was Fairy Yao Xuan, who he had met in his previous Lifespan Reincarnation.


    Fairy Yao Xuan, in her attempt to save his Reincarnation Body, the Emperor of Eternal Life, had fallen into the Dao, condemned to eternal oblivion, her cause, and effect hard to trace.


    If it weren¡¯t for the Emperor of Eternal Life using the power of the Great Cause and Effect Stele, it would have been impossible to capture even a sliver of Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s cause and effect.


    Through Shen Zhen, the Emperor of Eternal Life sent Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s cause and effect to Gu An, the real persona, which established a causal relationship between Fairy Yao Xuan and Gu An.


    This process, too complex to be captured by the naked eye, was nonetheless real.


    As the relationship between Gu An and Shen Zhen deepened, his sense of cause and effect connected to Fairy Yao Xuan also strengthened.


    He became increasingly certain that the thousand-foot forefinger was indeed Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s. If so, what was the relationship between Zui and Fairy Yao Xuan?


    Could it be¡­

 Chapter 597 03-25 - 590 The Origin of the White Spirit Sword

    Chapter 597: Chapter 590 The Origin of the White Spirit Sword


    Gu An recalled the life of the Emperor of Eternal Life and indeed, he had a relationship with Fairy Yao Xuan. With their cultivation levels, whether they conceived a child depended on their will.


    He felt that the child was likely the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s, and that was why he felt some sort of cause and effect relationship with the child. As his cultivation level broke through, this feeling grew even stronger.


    He continued to watch the child, whose hands were pressed against the thousand-zhang index finger, weeping softly.


    The child didn¡¯t seem to feel some force entering his body; he was only indulging in venting his emotions.


    Gu An was curious in his heart whether a life span breakthrough could teleport someone out.


    Just as this thought arose, he received an answer.


    ...


    No.


    This answer inexplicably appeared in his mind, probably a response from the life span breakthrough.


    With the answer, he dared not act rashly.


    The Desperate Celestial Tomb was not simple; this place was like a sealed land, unable to be exited directly.


    As time passed, the child stopped crying. He leaned against the finger wall, slowly closed his eyes, and seemed to fall into a deep sleep.


    Gu An began to deduce the child¡¯s destiny, but just as before, he couldn¡¯t calculate anything. He again looked toward the thousand-zhang index finger and continued to deduce.


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï


    Gu An suddenly made a sound of surprise, and his expression turned grave.


    This thousand-zhang index finger would later break out of the Desperate Celestial Tomb and descend onto the Great Thousand World. It would bring a great catastrophe to all heavens and myriad realms.


    Gu An saw countless beings fall into evil, and he saw a dark force swallowing up pieces of the Great Thousand World.


    He stopped deducing, his brow deeply furrowed.


    This index finger belonged to Fairy Yao Xuan; relying on it, Gu An might be able to find Fairy Yao Xuan in the future.


    But it would bring irreparable disaster to countless beings, meaning Gu An could not take it out.


    After much thought, Gu An decided to leave the thousand-zhang index finger and the child be for the time being.


    To prevent himself from wavering, Gu An chose to teleport back.


    This teleportation used another ten billion years of his life span.


    Now, however, he had reached the perfection of the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, and just crossing a minor realm had greatly advanced his strength.


    When he returned to the Celestial Spirit Great World and opened his eyes, the environment around him hadn¡¯t changed, but he felt that the Celestial Spirit Great World had weakened. It was so fragile that a single thought from him could shatter this part of the Great Thousand World.


    He walked in a direction, ready to enjoy nature and wait for Xiao Lan to fully stabilize her cultivation level before returning.


    The path of cultivation was like a river, with countless cultivators sailing on it. Some people sailed faster, some overtook others, and some capsized, plunging to the riverbed.


    Gu An looked down at the myriad beings of the Celestial Spirit Great World, contemplating the various states of life, a process that helped him understand the essence of the world.


    The birth of heaven and earth was not difficult for him, but the operation of the rules of heaven and earth contained a deeper level of Dao Intent.


    The heavens and earths were innumerable, yet their operational rules were mostly similar.


    In the midst of it, perhaps there was an even more transcendent power supporting everything.


    Gu An thought of the mysterious Great Dao aura on the thousand-zhang index finger.


    What kind of Great Dao was it, and why was it so peculiar?


    ¡­


    After breaking through to the Wandering Immortal Realm, Xiao Lan was extremely excited and dragged Gu An to visit Sage Su and their fellow disciples.


    Sage Su and the other Traveling Immortal Instructors had long known that this day would come, but they didn¡¯t expect it so soon.


    When Xiao Lan was in the Qi Cultivation Realm, Sage Su was already in the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Yet when Xiao Lan reached the Wandering Immortal Realm, Sage Su was still in the Wandering Immortal Realm¡­


    Even if the mentor-disciple relationship was as good as it got, Sage Su still felt a bit mixed inside, yet she hid her emotions very well.


    Standing on the side as a bystander, Gu An watched these people congratulating Xiao Lan, thinking with a sigh how life was unfair, and he found it quite amusing.


    Afterward, Xiao Lan wished to return to Xiao Manor for a visit, and Sage Su had no objections. With the cultivation level Xiao Lan now possessed, she was capable of standing on her own. After Sage Su gave her several reminders, she watched Xiao Lan and her companion leave.


    A middle-aged female cultivator remarked with emotion, ¡°Even though she has become a Loose Immortal, she still treats that kid Gu An like a treasure. I really don¡¯t know what kind of enchanting potion Gu An fed her.¡±


    Before Xiao Lan entered the Loose Immortal stage, they all worried that Gu An would be a drag on her.


    Now, they only marveled at Xiao Lan¡¯s deep affection for Gu An. Such emotions were rare indeed.


    If they could keep this up, it would indeed be a beautiful tale.


    On the way back, it was still Xiao Lan riding the clouds, her mood somewhat uneasy. The excitement brought on by her breakthrough was replaced by the nervous emotion of returning home.


    Thousands of years had passed, and her parents had long since departed this life. She already knew this, and she feared that Xiao Manor might no longer exist, that the descendants of the Xiao Family might have forgotten her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there won¡¯t be any issues. It¡¯s said that prodigies have their own destiny; this force, invisible and intangible, can protect those around them,¡± Gu An consoled.


    Xiao Lan looked at Gu An and asked curiously, ¡°Brother Gu, don¡¯t you have any regrets?¡±


    From childhood, Gu An had always been there for her. She had never seen him sad or disheartened, not even angry.


    He always remained gentle, cheerful; not a hint of negative emotion could be seen on him.


    Thinking about it now, Gu An seemed unrealistically perfect.


    The curiosity in Xiao Lan¡¯s eyes grew even thicker, as if she wanted to see right through Gu An.


    ¡°Of course, I have regrets. Everything you¡¯ve experienced, I have already been through. Once you¡¯ve been through a lot and learn to let go, you won¡¯t feel as upset,¡± Gu An replied.


    This puzzled Xiao Lan even more, and she asked, ¡°You¡¯re only twenty years older than me; how can you speak as if you were thousands of years older than me?¡±


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°In dreams, I¡¯ve experienced more than you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Lan¡¯Er, have you ever thought about your goal in immortal cultivation?¡±


    ¡°I actually have.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    ¡°I want to be the Master of the Dao Court.¡± S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Lan said with a proud smile, and seeing her smile, Gu An felt a bit dazed.


    Ye Lan always loved to chase after power. It seemed some things remained unchanged by the cycles of reincarnation.


    Chasing power wasn¡¯t a bad thing; people should always have goals in life.


    ¡°I hope to see you succeed in my lifetime,¡± Gu An sincerely said, making Xiao Lan feel the pressure.


    Yes, her future was bright, but the same couldn¡¯t be said for Gu An.


    Xiao Lan feared that Gu An would be saddened, so she started to change the subject.


    The prodigies of the Primordial Era were far stronger than those of the previous era, and the path to fame was naturally tougher. Xiao Lan¡¯s reputation had already spread within the Dao Court, but in the eyes of the world, she was still unknown.


    She prepared to venture out for trials, to compete for treasures, to punish the wicked and eliminate evil, just like the immortals in the stories.


    However, she was somewhat worried about Gu An.


    Gu An said she could go with peace of mind and that he would wait for her in the Cave Mansion, which relieved her considerably.


    Trials for treasures inevitably meant battle. She couldn¡¯t guarantee Gu An¡¯s safety, but she also feared he might overthink it, leaving her hesitant.


    ¡°By the way, Brother Gu, what is the origin of this White Spirit Sword?¡± Xiao Lan asked out of curiosity.


    She had already discovered there was something unique about the White Spirit Sword.


    ¡°The person who gave me this sword said it was from an immortal. I didn¡¯t believe it until I followed you on the path of cultivation; its origins are for you to discover. I¡¯m not capable of that,¡± Gu An answered.

 Chapter 598 03-25 - 591: With Sentiment and Without Sentiment

    Chapter 598: Chapter 591: With Sentiment and Without Sentiment


    Thousands of years had passed, and Xiao Manor indeed had changed beyond recognition, now known as Xiao City, the strongest Cultivation Family in the region. Despite their eminent status, the descendants of the Xiao Family always remembered Xiao Lan, and her portrait still stood in the ancestral hall for posterity to worship.


    Xiao Lan looked at the excited descendants of the Xiao Family and thought of her brothers and sisters, the newly initiated Wandering Immortal couldn¡¯t help but become teary-eyed.


    Her Cultivation Level was high, and she had lived longer than the members of the Xiao Family, but in reality, she had faced too few hardships and spent the majority of her life in seclusion, so she still had the temperament of a young girl.


    Gu An watched Xiao Lan being surrounded by her descendants, his face filled with a smile.


    The Ye Lan of his past life had once dreamed of such a scene, unfortunately, she had no living family, let alone descendants.


    Xiao Lan stayed in Xiao City for a whole month, and all the citizens knew that the old ancestor of the Xiao Family had returned, even Cultivators from other cities and Sects came to visit.


    During that month, although Gu An could see Xiao Lan every day, they did not spend as much time together as in the past, not because Xiao Lan deliberately neglected him but because the Xiao Family members were too enthusiastic.


    When they left Xiao City, Xiao Lan stood on cloud mists, raised her arms, and laughed loudly, ¡°From now on, I have a new goal, not only to be the Master of the Dao Court but also to help the Xiao Family become an eternally thriving Cultivation Family!¡±


    Her whole being was full of fighting spirit, and an aura unique to great talents appeared on her.


    As for Xiao Lan¡¯s lofty ambition, Gu An thought it was good, as it was a common human sentiment, just like how he would take care of the Supreme Sect.


    Gu An also knew his own problems, always saying he would not interfere, yet he couldn¡¯t help but take action.


    Long Teng was the best example.


    No matter how high the Cultivation Level of a Daoist, they would always look after those close to them.


    Gu An suddenly thought of a question.


    Is it better for Immortal Gods to be affectionate or indifferent?


    Are Heavenly Dao and Great Dao affectionate?


    Gu An fell into deep thought, while Xiao Lan, unaware of what he was thinking, continued to express her lofty ambitions, as if shouting them could make heaven and earth witness her determination.


    ¡­


    In the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, inside the great hall of the palace, thousands of civil and military officials stood on both sides, watching a man dressed in gorgeous Silver Armor approach.


    This man was Long Teng, wearing thick Silver Armor, like a silver dragon wrapped around his body, his helmet adorned with two phoenix wings, and a white cape fluttering as if it had a life of its own.


    At the front of the steps, Li Xuandao, dressed in emperor¡¯s robes, looked at Long Teng, his face full of prideful smiles.


    Yang Jian also stood in the hall, dressed in official robes, not like a military leader, and he sized up Long Teng, nodding slightly.


    Li Yu, who had accompanied Long Teng to the Dao Court previously, was also present, his expression excited, even waving to Long Teng.


    Long Teng remained calm, walked up to the steps, knelt down, and raised his hand to salute Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao smiled and said, ¡°Rise, your battle achievements have satisfied me.¡±


    Seeing Long Teng stand up, an elderly official took out a scroll and began to read, ¡°Admiral Long Teng, who swept through the Drowning Sea Demon Domain, beheaded the dark Demon Emperor, shook the Seven Seas, enhanced the holy might of Tai Cang, is hereby bestowed the title of Admiral of Celestial Praise, ranked First Grade, to enjoy Tai Cang¡¯s Destiny forever, and his Divine Statue to be listed in the Divine General¡¯s Mansion.¡±


    His voice was full of vigor, echoing in the great hall, stirring discussions among the officials. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Many were incredulous; they knew the Emperor would reward Long Teng generously, but no one expected such treatment for Long Teng.


    First Grade, nearly second to none!


    The position of Admiral, previously only achieved by Yang Jian.


    Li Xuandao was very pleased with the officials¡¯ amazement; he aimed to elevate Long Teng to the pinnacle, letting everyone in the world know Long Teng¡¯s name.


    Regardless of jealousy or disdain, Long Teng was destined to soar.


    Li Xuandao raised his right hand, and a golden order shaped like a sword descended from the heavens, landing in front of Long Teng.


    ¡°From now on, you may use this order to command any troops, viewing this order as seeing me personally, and may execute first and report afterwards,¡± Li Xuandao¡¯s voice echoed like a thunderclap, causing an uproar in the great hall, and even Yang Jian was taken by surprise.


    Li Yu was stunned, having not expected the Emperor to go to such lengths.


    However, upon considering the relationship between Long Teng and Gu An, he found it reasonable.


    Although the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty was strong, it was far from contending for supremacy over the world, and only with the support of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable could there be hope.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    Long Teng received the order unflinchingly, his words resounding firmly.


    As he accepted the order, the courtiers all felt that a great change was about to come to the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, as not only had the Emperor favored Long Teng over the years but had also promoted other members of the Long Family.


    With Long Teng being appointed as Admiral of Celestial Praise, the Long Family had truly risen to the top echelon of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, compelling even those with a deeper family heritage to take the Long Family seriously.


    Hiss¡ª


    A fierce wind swept into the great hall, causing everyone¡¯s complexion to drastically change.


    Long Teng turned around, squinting his eyes.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him and pushed forward with a palm, it was Yang Jian.


    As Yang Jian swung his palm, a tremendous mana erupted, seeming to strike an invisible existence, dispersing into a mist of energy.


    ¡°Slaughter my Demon Soldiers and still wish to boast? Ridiculous!¡±


    A cold sneer sounded, and Yang Jian¡¯s complexion abruptly changed as a powerful demonic power dispersed his mana, forcing him to retreat.


    As he retreated, he did not bump into Long Teng; instead, he fixed his gaze, but Long Teng¡¯s figure had already disappeared.


    Li Xuandao on the dragon throne was also compelled to gather his mana but was still shocked into standing up.


    Ministers to either side were knocked to the ground, their cries of agony resounding.


    ¡°Emperor Taicang, consider this a warning today, your Admiral of Celestial Praise must die, and I will let my subordinates feast on his flesh!¡±


    That cold sneer echoed again, the demonic wind in the hall ceased, and Yang Jian also disappeared from the hall, pursuing the source.


    Li Xuandao stood in front of the dragon throne, his brow furrowed, but he did not panic, his eyes mixed with a hint of unusual color.


    ¡­


    Long Teng was bound by an unshakeable demonic power, losing his ability to resist; he could not even open his eyes, feeling the world spinning and his divine soul inverting.


    This sensation lasted a long time until he was finally thrown to the ground.


    As the demonic power dissipated, he opened his eyes and found himself lying in a dim underground plaza, which was vast, and in front, there was an altar over a thousand zhang in diameter with a majestic stone statue standing behind it¡ªa supremely fierce demon whose mere statue emitted an immense oppressive force.


    Long Teng turned to look and saw a red cord binding his battle armor, sealing his mana, preventing him from standing up.


    A figure appeared out of nowhere in front of him¡ªa hawk-headed demon wearing a loose Daoist robe and as tall as a small mountain.


    With his back to Long Teng, the demon faced the statue and said, ¡°Master, I really can¡¯t bear it, I can endure the excesses of the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, but this guy slaughtered my Demon Soldiers, I must tear him apart personally!¡±


    His tone was filled with dissatisfaction.


    A hoarse voice followed, ¡°What is this person¡¯s name? Is he related to that existence?¡±


    The hawk-headed demon snorted coldly, ¡°His name is Long Teng, how could he possibly be related to that existence, Master, you are too cautious, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has long left the Celestial Spirit Great World, if he were really here, it wouldn¡¯t be the Dao Court but the Supreme Sect or the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty that would unify the world!¡±

 Chapter 599 - 592: God of the Great Thousand World

    Chapter 599: Chapter 592: God of the Great Thousand World


    The voice of the eagle-headed demon echoed within the underground plaza, but the aged voice he called ¡°master¡± did not immediately respond.


    Long Teng heard him mention Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but his expression remained unchanged, and he did not disclose his relationship with the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The underground plaza fell into silence.


    The eagle-headed demon turned to look at Long Teng lying on the ground. His right hand lifted, his palm transformed into an eagle¡¯s claw, elongated and sharp, with tips even flickering with a cold light.


    He looked down at Long Teng with a cold smile on his face, unable to hide the murderous intent in his eyes.


    Long Teng looked up at him, his face still calm, showing no fear.


    Seeing Long Teng¡¯s composure, the eagle-headed demon¡¯s anger flared, his face became ferocious as he raised his claw towards Long Teng.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    The ancient voice suddenly rang out, the fierce demon stone statue exuding tendrils of demon qi, quickly coalescing into a transformed demon.


    This was an old man, dressed in a black robe made of animal skin, flying in the air like a ghost. His white hair casually draped, covering most of his face, his gaze fixed on Long Teng with furrowed brows.


    ¡°He is called Long Teng, what is his relationship with Long Qing, the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect?¡± the old man asked. He was unable to foresee the cause and effect involving Long Teng, which made him uneasy and filled with a strong sense of dread.


    He felt a disaster was imminent!


    The eagle-headed demon turned to look at his master, frowning, ¡°Even if he is related to the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, so what? When the Outer Heaven Power attacked before, the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable did not appear, and over these years, descendants of the Long Family have been harmed without all their adversaries being destroyed.¡±


    He knew the identity of the Sect Leader of the Supreme Sect, a disciple of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    But the disciples of Supporting Dao Sword Venerable were not limited to one, Yang Jian included. When Yang Jian assisted the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty in its conquests, he too had been captured by great powers, surviving countless life and death ordeals, never witnessing Supporting Dao Sword Venerable in action.


    There were still enemies of Yang Jian roaming free, which was why the eagle-headed demon felt his master was too cautious.


    He even thought that his master was terrified by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, lacking the spirit of a Free Immortal.


    The black-robed demon flickered, appearing before Long Teng, the eagle-headed demon turning as well.


    ¡°What is your relationship with the Supreme Sect¡¯s Long Family?¡± the black-robed demon sternly asked Long Teng.


    Long Teng snorted, ¡°Kill or shred, I will heed your decision!¡±


    He could tell this demon was deeply wary of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, and he did not want to disgrace his ancestors.


    His attitude made the black-robed demon even more nervous, completely a stance full of confidence.


    The eagle-headed demon frowned, ¡°Master, let me kill him!¡±


    The black-robed demon turned to look at him, his eyes fierce, deep voice declaring, ¡°If you dared, you would have killed him already, why bring him before me? Isn¡¯t it because you¡¯re also uncertain and want your master to take the pressure off you?¡±


    The eagle-headed demon¡¯s eyes widened, wanting to retort, but facing his master¡¯s gaze, he held back.


    Indeed, as his master said, although he was angry, deep down he did not scorn as he claimed verbally.


    If he truly feared no retribution from the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s legendary influence, he wouldn¡¯t have just watched Long Teng slaughter demon soldiers.


    The more he thought about it afterward, the angrier he got, so he couldn¡¯t help but go to the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty when he heard Long Teng was being enthroned, and he blew up in rage, thus capturing Long Teng.


    He was a Divine Thought True Immortal, before whom Long Teng had no power to resist.


    ¡°Moreover, you¡¯ve underestimated the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty. Someone has already caught up,¡± the black-robed demon coldly remarked, his tone icy.


    The eagle-headed demon¡¯s face turned gloomy.


    The black-robed demon looked back at Long Teng, and for some reason, seeing Long Teng¡¯s calm face made him increasingly anxious.


    He also started to get angry.


    Idiot!


    How could you cause such a huge disaster?


    In today¡¯s world, a great era of strife with treasures emerging endlessly, he too needed demons to help him, which is why he supported this disciple.


    Now, he regretted it.


    The black-robed demon took a deep breath and said, ¡°Send him back! He must not be harmed at all!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The eagle-headed demon¡¯s face changed drastically, its eyes filled with disbelief and anger as it looked at its master.


    The black-robed old demon suddenly erupted with an overwhelming aura, causing the eagle-headed demon to stagger back.


    ¡°Either send it back, or our master-disciple relationship is over, I shall leave now!¡± the black-robed old demon stated irrefutably.


    Upon hearing this, the eagle-headed demon panicked.


    Long Teng watched the feud between the master and disciple, finding it noisy.


    Two useless creatures!


    Long Teng wasn¡¯t panicking after being captured, not because he had something to rely on, but because he wanted to die, to plunge into reincarnation.


    He no longer paid attention to the two demons, instead closing his eyes and contemplating the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Technique.


    ¡­


    Gu An just glanced at Long Teng¡¯s plight without paying much heed; such occurrences weren¡¯t rare in the Celestial Spirit Great World where many of his old acquaintances had encountered similar situations.


    Once it was understood that they were connected to Gu An, their enemies often hesitated and even started infighting.


    Gu An was reading in the courtyard, still absorbed in the ¡°Cyan Hero Travelogue.¡±


    The Profound Celestial Intent, now a Wandering Immortal, traveled more and more, writing a book for every location he visited. Some stories were fabricated, while others were true.


    Gu An greatly admired that the Profound Celestial Intent never forgot his roots.


    No matter how high his realm, he still wrote stories from the past without any pretense.


    The Profound Celestial Intent didn¡¯t write ¡°Cyan Hero Travelogue¡± to please Gu An; they hadn¡¯t seen each other for many years, and his writing was more for himself.


    Gu An¡¯s copy of ¡°Cyan Hero Travelogue¡± was purchased from the Immortal Cultivation Realm; he never offered any suggestions to the Profound Celestial Intent.


    An Xin appeared out of thin air beside him and said, ¡°Master, the Qiankun Sect is planning to fight for an Innate Spiritual Tree. Yi Qingshan asked me to lend a hand; he said we could plant the tree near our dojo.¡±


    Gu An replied casually, ¡°If you want to get involved, then do it.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t very strict with An Xin; over the years, she had helped the Qiankun Sect numerous times and was already well-known.


    Of course, the reason Gu An tacitly approved of An Xin¡¯s involvement was that the Qiankun Sect followed a righteous path.


    Unlike other sects that merely struggled for benefits, the Qiankun Sect prioritized life, and if any creatures were threatened, they would intervene, prioritizing the preservation of life in any task.


    Acting chivalrously was a principle for disciples of the Qiankun Sect. Nowadays, many joined the Qiankun Sect to become Cultivating Immortal Heroes, not merely for longevity.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go then; I¡¯ve recently discussed with the Ghost Mother about improving the woodlands outside our dojo to try and cultivate more medicinal herbs. Ideally, I want the outside world to become a Holy Land of the Human World,¡± An Xin said softly with a laugh.


    She was now in the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, holding the Dao Treasure, the Six Paths Mirror, capable of contending against all beings in the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path.


    Gu An nodded slightly, his attention still on the book.


    An Xin glanced at the book cover and thought to herself, ¡°The same book again, how can he never tire of it?¡±


    She bowed to Gu An, then exchanged a few words with Shen Zhen in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, before she left.


    As evening approached, Gu An put down the ¡°Cyan Hero Travelogue,¡± stood up and began to stretch his limbs.


    He looked at Shen Zhen and asked, ¡°Fancy going out for a bit?¡±


    Shen Zhen turned and looked at him, puzzled, ¡°Then who will watch the Artifact Refining Cauldron?¡±


    ¡°Actually, it doesn¡¯t need constant monitoring; even without anyone, the Dao Treasure can successfully form,¡± Gu An answered.


    Shen Zhen¡¯s eyes widened; she almost cursed.


    Biting back her anger, she asked, ¡°So, where do you want to take me?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°To meet the gods of the Great Thousand World.¡±


    ¡°Gods?¡±


    Shen Zhen¡¯s anger faded, replaced by curiosity.

 Chapter 600 - 593: The Mischievous Fate

    Chapter 600: Chapter 593: The Mischievous Fate


    Under the night sky, by the mountainside where the firelight flickered, Bai Sheng, the reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God, sat cross-legged before the fire, cultivating energy to heal his wounds.


    He didn¡¯t notice someone watching him from the mountaintop nearby.


    ¡°Is he the Celestial God from the Great Thousand World?¡±


    Shen Zhen looked down at Bai Sheng, asking with a face full of curiosity.


    To her, Bai Sheng appeared quite ordinary, hardly resembling a Celestial God.


    Although Bai Sheng had undergone Nirvana, he remained an insignificant figure in the world and was now facing the greatest ordeal of his life.


    The most important person to him had been captured by a peerless demon and was to become the Demon Consort. The news had spread across the demon lands, and Demon Kings from all quarters were preparing to offer their congratulations. If he wished to rescue his beloved, he would be up against the entire demon race of the demon lands.


    His pressure was immense, and without any other option, he had to cultivate alone in the desolate mountains and wilderness.


    Gu An, feeling Bai Sheng¡¯s inner turmoil, replied, ¡°He is a reincarnated Celestial God. Don¡¯t be fooled by his weakness, his soul is the strongest existence in the world.¡±


    Shen Zhen wanted to ask how he compared to you, but she felt the question was unnecessary.


    ¡°He seems very troubled,¡± Shen Zhen said softly, staring at Bai Sheng.


    Gu An glanced at her and inwardly nodded in approval.


    Her cultivation level might not be strong, but her perception power was growing as she gained enlightenment.


    In terms of perceiving the Great Dao, Shen Zhen was certainly the strongest among the dojo¡¯s disciples, following a highly unconventional path in her cultivation.


    Gu An briefly narrated the story of Bai Sheng and Su Jin and the predicament he was currently facing.


    Su Jin had been captured by a Demon of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, the most powerful being in the land. Had it not been for Su Jin¡¯s pleas, Bai Sheng would have already been killed by that demon.


    During the years of cultivating together, this man and demon had already become soulmates, and Su Jin had saved Bai Sheng countless times.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine how he would live without Su Jin in the future.


    Especially thinking about the suffering Su Jin might endure, his heart was in agony.


    After hearing this, Shen Zhen showed an interested expression.


    She was no ordinary woman and wasn¡¯t moved to tears by the tale of Bai Sheng and Su Jin; she was pondering another question. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why could Su Jin bridge the gap of reincarnation and find the reincarnated Celestial God?


    She had a vague suspicion that Gu An was manipulating everything from behind the scenes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go down and meet him.¡±


    Gu An dropped this remark and started walking down the mountain, with Shen Zhen following closely.


    Walking behind Gu An, she asked, ¡°Are you going to help him?¡±


    The idea of such a powerful Celestial God enduring the suffering of reincarnation made Shen Zhen think of the world-shattering battle before the remaking of heaven and earth.


    Knowing Gu An as she did, it was clear he wasn¡¯t trying to mock the Celestial God; rather, he wanted the Celestial God to understand the suffering of mortal spirits and thus become a Celestial Immortal that all sentient beings aspired to.


    Since ancient times, countless legends about Immortal Gods had existed, yet rarely did genuine Immortal Gods descend to save the world. For cultivators, Immortal Gods represented more of an aspirational goal.


    Cultivators long for the Immortal Gods, not for the responsibilities they carry, but for the capability of immortality.


    Walking ahead, Gu An said with a soft chuckle, ¡°Helping him is also helping those demons.¡±


    After all, Bai Sheng was no ordinary man. Once he awakened the will of the Celestial Spirit God, it would take only a thought to turn those demons to dust.


    Of course, if Gu An aided those demons in suppressing the Celestial Spirit God, they wouldn¡¯t meet such an end, but why would Gu An want to help them?


    To forcefully wed another¡¯s beloved was inherently immoral.


    Shen Zhen quickened her pace to walk alongside him, and together they approached Bai Sheng.


    With the help of Gu An¡¯s mana, Bai Sheng didn¡¯t sense Shen Zhen¡¯s presence, nor hear their footsteps.


    It wasn¡¯t until the two of them were right in front of Bai Sheng that Gu An coughed falsely, startling Bai Sheng into opening his eyes suddenly.


    Seeing the sudden appearance of two people in front of him, Bai Sheng was frightened and immediately jumped up, quickly creating distance and watching Gu An and Shen Zhen warily.


    He subconsciously thought that the two were demons in disguise, capable of approaching him without his notice, which surely meant their cultivation level was higher than his.


    Could they be subordinates sent by the Demon Emperor?


    Bai Sheng drew his sword, ready to fight.


    Gu An looked at him and laughed, asking, ¡°Don¡¯t you remember me?¡±


    Hearing this, Bai Sheng hesitantly asked, ¡°You are¡­?¡±


    He had only known Gu An for less than a year, and now after so many springs and autumns had passed, he had long forgotten Gu An, only occasionally recalling when he first witnessed the power of immortal cultivation, he would think of an old friend who died in that city.


    ¡°I¡¯m Gu An, Brother Bai, have you forgotten? I accompanied you to the imperial examination and even taught you swordsmanship,¡± Gu An said with a wry smile.


    After hearing this, Bai Sheng concentrated and quickly widened his eyes; he didn¡¯t immediately trust Gu An, instead pinching himself, thinking he might be under the influence of a demon¡¯s illusion technique.


    Shen Zhen covered her mouth to conceal her laughter at his actions.


    Gu An patiently explained, ¡°We are not transformed demons; if we were as you suspect, we wouldn¡¯t bother deceiving you, we would just kill you.¡±


    Bai Sheng thought it made sense, but he was completely unprepared for the fact that someone from his memory, long thought dead, was still alive and standing in front of him.


    He overlooked one detail, that Gu An somehow knew what he was thinking.


    ¡°Brother Gu¡­ where did you go back then?¡± Bai Sheng asked awkwardly, the passage of time having erased his recollection of the feeling of their companionship.


    Gu An sat in front of the fire and gestured for Bai Sheng to come back.


    Shen Zhen sat next to Gu An with poise, appearing like an Immortal Goddess from heaven, her knees pointing towards Gu An, clearly positioning him as the principal figure.


    Bai Sheng took a deep breath, returned to the fire, he was at his wit¡¯s end, and if he could not save Su Jin, life would be meaningless.


    His eyes became resolute, and he resumed his seat from before.


    ¡°Talking about me is pointless. Do you want to save Su Jin?¡± asked Gu An, picking up a stick and poking at the fire as he spoke.


    Bai Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, asking, ¡°Do you have a way? As long as you can help me save her, I¡¯m willing to pay any price!¡±


    Gu An looked at him, his gaze sharpening. ¡°What if it meant your death?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing!¡± Bai Sheng answered without hesitation.


    Gu An continued, ¡°If you die, she might marry someone else. How would that be any different from now? That demon doesn¡¯t want to kill her.¡±


    Bai Sheng¡¯s complexion changed slightly, but he still said through gritted teeth, ¡°It¡¯s different. I want her to be able to pursue the happiness she desires, not be coerced. As long as you can save her, I¡¯m ready to die at any time!¡±


    This scene reminded Gu An of when the boss had saved number five all those years ago. Back then, as now, Su Jin had given hope to the boss, but at the cost of his life.


    Destiny really had a way of playing tricks on people.


    Gu An looked down at the fire, as if contemplating whether or not to save Su Jin.


    Bai Sheng pressed, ¡°That Demon Emperor is a Divine Thought True Immortal from the Eighth Heaven of Immortal Dao. Do you know of a being stronger than him?¡±


    He noticed his question made the woman beside Gu An laugh again, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably as though she were mocking him.


    Gu An leisurely said, ¡°Don¡¯t rush. Let me tell you a story.¡±


    Bai Sheng¡¯s heart was burning with urgency, hardly in the mood for stories, but before he could refuse, Gu An began to speak.


    ¡°In Outer Heaven, far in the depths of the universe, there is a gate known as the World Gate, below which resides a deity called the Celestial Spirit God¡­¡±


    Outer Heaven!


    God!


    Bai Sheng was suddenly captivated and listened intently to Gu An¡¯s continuing tale.


    Shen Zhen was also listening intently, even beginning to imagine such a scene.


    A towering gate standing in the cosmos, beneath it, a deity¡­


    Images began forming in her mind, she even saw other scenes.

 Chapter 601 - 594: The Price of Becoming a God

    Chapter 601: Chapter 594: The Price of Becoming a God


    The night was like water, the fires on the hillside illuminating a thirty-foot radius. Bai Sheng listened to Gu An telling the story of the Celestial Spirit God, his heart longing, his face full of disbelief.


    There were such beings beyond the heavens.


    The resolute, almost invincible Celestial Spirit God filled Bai Sheng with admiration.


    ¡°Even the strongest gods have desires,¡± said Gu An with a sigh, ¡°For the sake of the ultimate treasure, he decided to destroy the Great Thousand World, and for that, he paid a painful price, cast into Reincarnation by a greater power, to undergo the suffering of mortal spirits.¡±


    Listening to this, Bai Sheng¡¯s thoughts churned dramatically.


    He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°So, you know who the Celestial Spirit God reincarnated into, can you have him help me?¡±


    In his eyes, the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path was the pinnacle of Immortal Cultivation. The Great Demon who had reached the Eighth Heaven was already unparalleled, so surely the Celestial Spirit God must be of the Ninth Heaven cultivation level.


    Why would Gu An bring up the Celestial Spirit God for no reason?


    He must have a way to find the Celestial Spirit God!


    Faced with Bai Sheng¡¯s eager gaze, Gu An replied, ¡°I do indeed know where he is, and if he takes action, he will surely be able to deal with that Demon Emperor, but¡­¡±


    ¡°But what?¡±


    ¡°But Celestial Gods are only bound by the Heavenly Dao, no one knows what he thinks, reviving him might bring catastrophe to the entire world.¡±


    Hearing this, Bai Sheng fell silent.


    He felt that Su Jin was most important, but to gamble the freedom of all living beings on Su Jin¡¯s freedom was far too selfish.


    He admitted he was no great philanthropist. He could be selfish, but he could not hurt innocent people.


    Shen Zhen watched Bai Sheng caught in his dilemma, finding it amusing, wondering whether Bai Sheng¡¯s feelings for Su Jin would change after he had restored the will of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Bai Sheng gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Is there no other way? The lives of all living beings, including me, including Su Jin, and including all of you, if saving them requires such a cost, it¡¯s meaningless.¡±


    Gu An said with profound meaning, ¡°Of course there is, and that is for you to convince the Celestial Spirit God to change his views, to become the god that all living beings want.¡±


    ¡°How could I possibly do that?¡± Bai Sheng asked with a frown.


    Upon entering the Immortal Cultivation Realm, he felt his own mediocrity; there were far too many people in this world with far greater talent than him. He had only come this far by the help of Su Jin.


    Could someone like him persuade a Celestial God?


    He didn¡¯t see himself as the protagonist of a story.


    He looked at Gu An, anxiously awaiting an answer, but Gu An didn¡¯t respond, just staring at him with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, which confused him even more.


    Suddenly, Bai Sheng had a thought, his face turned pale, and his eyes widened; his body began to tremble.


    ¡°Could I be the reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God?¡±


    Bai Sheng struggled with the turmoil in his heart and asked cautiously.


    Gu An met his gaze and said, ¡°If you become him, Su Jin will not be as important in your heart, but your will could make him help you save Su Jin.¡±


    At those words, Bai Sheng¡¯s face darkened.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you still have time to choose. The long night stretches before us, why not think about this life.¡±


    As Gu An spoke, he raised his hand, and a plump chicken, plucked clean of feathers, appeared in his hand, and he began to roast the chicken.


    Shen Zhen added from the side, ¡°Sprinkle on more cumin.¡±


    This was the first complete sentence she had said in front of Bai Sheng.


    Bai Sheng looked at the plump chicken in Gu An¡¯s hands, his thoughts drifting off to a time long ago.


    ¡­


    Deep within a tranquil palace, Su Jin sat in front of a large bronze mirror, looking at her own beautiful reflection with hollow eyes.


    She began to feel weary.


    In pursuit of Bai Sheng, it took her ten thousand years; helping Bai Sheng with his Immortal Cultivation, it took her another ten thousand years. Alas, there were always endless troubles in the world, standing in their way.


    She even wondered, would Bai Sheng have lived a better life without her?


    She had come to understand that in life, suffering is inevitable; no one is forever happy and content.


    Instead of being perpetually dissatisfied, it¡¯s better to think about the times once had.


    Su Jin began to reminisce about the moments she and Bai Sheng carefreely spent in the Human World, her face revealing a sweet smile.


    Just then, a graceful figure emerged from the darkness behind her; a female Demon in a purple dress, with a slender figure and delicate features, tiny purple scales adorned her cheeks. She approached Su Jin from behind and bowed gently.


    ¡°My lady, it¡¯s said that the Demon Emperor has invited the Demon Emperor from the Human World as a guest. This grand marriage is no small matter; it will be a moment for the Demon Emperor to demonstrate his influence to the entire Demon Race, and your fame will spread throughout the world.¡±


    The purple-dressed female Demon spoke softly, her voice filled with admiration and longing.


    Su Jin replied calmly, ¡°It seems the Emperor has even bigger ambitions.¡±


    ¡°Yes, there are countless Demon Emperors and Demon Kings in this world. The Human Race has the Dao Court to unite all, but the Demon Race doesn¡¯t have an absolute ruler yet. The Emperor wants to become such an existence,¡± continued the purple-dressed female.


    Su Jin remained silent, listening to her talk about the affairs of the Demon Race.


    She felt a pang of emotion inside.


    Indeed.


    The world was so vast; to have managed so many years of joy with Bai Sheng was already extraordinary. How many loving couples could stay together for so long?


    She knew Bai Sheng would come to rescue her again, but he wouldn¡¯t be able to take her away. The only way to save him was to let go of their love.


    Su Jin¡¯s gaze gradually became cold; she was burying her love deep within her heart.


    ¡°By the way, my lady, a Celestial has recently appeared in the city. He claims to be a servant of the Heavenly Dao, serving the true Celestial Gods. He says an Celestial God will be born within our Demon City. The Emperor values him highly, allowing him to wander the city freely. It¡¯s hard to tell if it¡¯s true or false,¡±


    pondered the purple-dressed Demon, chin in hand.


    Su Jin became interested and asked, ¡°A Celestial? What¡¯s his name?¡±


    ¡°He calls himself the Daoless Celestial.¡±


    ¡°Daoless Celestial? Sounds quite rebellious.¡±


    ¡°My lady, be careful not to speak carelessly, in case he hears you.¡±


    ¡­


    It was a sunny day, no wind, no rain.


    Gu An, Shen Zhen, and Bai Sheng stepped through the gates of the Demon City, awestruck by the magnificent streets ahead of them. Shen Zhen was utterly captivated.


    ¡°I never imagined the land of the Demon Race could be so thriving, and there are also many Cultivators coming and going,¡± mused Shen Zhen.


    The Demons here were Great Demons capable of Transformation; at first glance, the city seemed like one of the Human Race, but a closer look revealed many still had characteristics of their original Demon forms.


    The city was vast and limitless, with mountains and uneven terrain within, the streets noisy with clamor, and the skies crowded with various mounts and Magical Treasures flying past, dazzling onlookers.


    Bai Sheng had also come to this Demon City for the first time; just witnessing its prosperity made him feel immense pressure.


    Not to mention Cultivation Level, the fact that the Demon Emperor could create such a city was beyond comparison with him.


    At least the opponent could bring prosperity to a region, but what about him?


    Apart from the cheap love he felt for Su Jin, what meaning did his existence hold in this world? Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An looked at Bai Sheng and smiled. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready, you can start.¡±


    Bai Sheng took a deep breath and said, ¡°I want to look around a bit more before making a decision.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it together, there¡¯s also someone in the city I¡¯d like to meet,¡± Gu An said with a soft laugh, a playful glint in his eyes.


    He never expected that guy was still alive!

 Chapter 602 - 595 I Really Thought You Were Him

    Chapter 602: Chapter 595 I Really Thought You Were Him


    ¡°`html


    Gu An discovered traces of Wu Dao Xian in this Demon City.


    Wu Dao Xian was the master of the Black Profound Emperor, and he incited the Black Profound Emperor to slay his Reincarnation Body. He, like the Black Profound Emperor, had died at the hands of the Celestial Spirit God, yet he had not truly fallen.


    Wu Dao Xian tutored the Black Profound Emperor in the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill. This cultivation technique was extremely exquisite, and Gu An had imparted it to Jiang Shi and An Shengtian. With this skill, they were able to strive towards the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.


    It was worth mentioning that Zhu Xi also learned the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill from the Immortal Seeker, suggesting that there was some connection between the Immortal Seeker and Wu Dao Xian.


    Of course, there was also the possibility that this cultivation technique was related to the Celestial Court.


    Currently, Zhu Xi was roaming other Great Thousand Worlds, the Immortal Seeker was nowhere to be seen, and yet Wu Dao Xian surfaced first.


    He could feel that this Wu Dao Xian was not the true self; his true self was hidden within a secret space on the Path of the Great Dao. The specifics of the location could only be explored after contacting his avatar.


    Wu Dao Xian proclaimed that an Immortal God would be born here, which piqued Gu An¡¯s interest in him even further.


    *Could it be that he anticipated the revival of the Celestial Spirit God here?*


    *If that were the case, it would certainly be intriguing.*


    Gu An was not afraid of Wu Dao Xian causing trouble. Wu Dao Xian was not tolerated by the Celestial Court and had to hide everywhere, so it was unlikely he would collude with the Celestial Court.


    As for what sort of backing Wu Dao Xian had, Gu An was also quite interested.


    Bai Sheng did not mind Gu An¡¯s proposal. He walked ahead first, indifferent to the person Gu An wanted to meet, as his mind was solely on Su Jin.


    Shen Zhen and Gu An followed behind him. Shen Zhen used the Sound Transmission Technique to ask, ¡°He¡¯s so absent-minded, could he be willing to give up Su Jin?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll know the answer today.¡±


    Gu An replied using the Sound Transmission Technique.


    *He looked at Bai Sheng¡¯s back and felt deeply moved.*


    *It wasn¡¯t Bai Sheng and Su Jin¡¯s relationship that moved him, but his brotherhood with Bai Sheng.*


    *He somewhat missed the days of exploring mountains and waters and drinking joyously with Bai Sheng. Bai Sheng did not know he was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, treated him with less reverence, and had no ulterior motives. They had a sense of kindred spirits.*


    *Sadly, times change, and Bai Sheng had lost his carefree nature and had long forgotten him.*


    *Over thirty thousand years had passed; now the only one he could chat freely with was Shen Zhen. Perhaps the loss of such companionship was the price of power.*


    As Gu An was sighing over the changes brought by time, the Demon City grew increasingly lively.


    A strong wind swept through, startling the demons and cultivators on the streets as they looked up, only to see a large fish with black wings flying over the city walls and heading towards the distance. Its wingspan spanned thousands of feet, blocking out the sky and plunging the street where Gu An and his companions stood into darkness.


    Bai Sheng, having seen much, was not surprised.


    But if he knew that there was a pavilion on the fish¡¯s back, with someone inside not weaker than the Demon Emperor, he would surely be shocked.


    The Demon Emperor of this city was named the Great Liang Demon Emperor. Although he was a Divine Thought True Immortal in cultivation, he possessed clues to a Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure, which was why all the great powers came to celebrate.


    Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure was the Immortal Cultivation Realm¡¯s term for the most powerful Magical Treasures. These treasures were rich with destiny, even capable of creating a world, harboring the power of heaven and earth.


    These Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasures also originated from the Battle Court. Those who crafted them were all Golden Immortals, thus they contained world power.


    Gu An did not harbor ill feelings towards the Great Liang Demon Emperor. Although this guy kidnapped Su Jin, he treated her politely and promised to only win her heart before taking her. The reason for holding the grand wedding in advance was because that Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure was about to be born.


    It was worth noting that people from the Dao Court also came to congratulate the Great Liang Demon Emperor.


    Different realms had different circles. The Great Liang Demon Emperor could at most invite those in the Zi Zai Immortal Realm. Such beings were rare great powers in the world and were considered ancient myths to mortal spirits. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Sheng, though wandering aimlessly, was being subtly guided towards Wu Dao Xian under the influence of Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent.


    As time went by, more and more powerful beings arrived, with steeds even grander than the previous black-winged fish, bringing glory to the city¡¯s demons.


    They did not know just how strong those powers were; they only felt the commanding presence of the Great Liang Demon Emperor.


    An hour quickly passed.


    Unknowingly, Bai Sheng arrived in front of a giant stele, located at a crossroads on the street, towering a hundred feet high and surrounded by hundreds of beings.


    Wu Dao Xian was also here!


    In this lifetime, Wu Dao Xian wore a blue Daoist robe, his hair completely white, and held a horsetail whisk in his hand, exuding an immortal-like aura. He held the whisk in one hand and stroked his beard with the other, seemingly deep in thought.


    Gu An walked directly towards him, brushing past Bai Sheng.


    Following close behind, Shen Zhen¡¯s steps made Bai Sheng subconsciously follow suit.


    ¡°This stele seems to contain some profound meaning.¡±


    Gu An approached Wu Dao Xian and spoke softly.


    Wu Dao Xian glanced at him, initially dismissive, but upon seeing him, Wu Dao Xian¡¯s expression suddenly changed.


    Wu Dao Xian scrutinized Gu An, asking, ¡°What? Did you see something?¡±


    To him, Gu An appeared to be merely a Celestial and Earthly Immortal, but Gu An¡¯s features seemed familiar.


    *Why did he resemble that rebellious disciple of mine from before?*


    Gu An looked at Shen Zhen and asked with a smile, ¡°Did you see anything?¡±


    Upon hearing the question, Shen Zhen began to seriously examine the hundred-foot-tall stele in front.


    Wu Dao Xian kept his gaze on Gu An, his eyes sharp, seemingly wanting to see through him.


    Bai Sheng stood at the back, inspecting Wu Dao Xian. He had seen many Daoists like Wu Dao Xian before, but he could feel that Wu Dao Xian had a certain hostility towards Gu An.


    ¡°I see a giant red tortoise. This stele is a piece of its shell.¡±


    Shen Zhen suddenly spoke, causing Wu Dao Xian to shift his gaze to her, eyes filled with surprise.


    *This woman can actually see through it?*


    Shen Zhen continued to observe intently. She frowned and said, ¡°The red tortoise is still alive, seeking to find this fragment of its shell.¡±


    Wu Dao Xian became interested in her and asked with a smile, ¡°This young lady is remarkable, seeing the cause and effect from Outer Heaven. May I ask whose tutelage you are under?¡±


    Shen Zhen snapped back to reality and did not answer Wu Dao Xian. Instead, she looked towards Gu An, giving an answer with her eyes.


    Wu Dao Xian turned his attention back to Gu An and sighed, ¡°Young brother, you bear a strong resemblance to a certain disciple of mine. Were it not for seeing with my own eyes his soul scattered, I might have thought you were him.¡±


    His eyes showed a trace of nostalgia, as if reminiscing about that disciple.


    Bai Sheng, hearing this, breathed a silent sigh of relief; it didn¡¯t sound like a vendetta.


    Although unsure of how strong Gu An was, he sensed that Wu Dao Xian¡¯s Dao Practice was unfathomable. Such a man was not to be provoked.


    Gu An nodded and said, ¡°You also resemble a master of mine. Were it not for seeing with my own eyes his beheading, I might have thought you were him.¡±


    With these words, Wu Dao Xian¡¯s pupils shrank suddenly. Almost instantly, he lifted his right hand.


    Shen Zhen and Bai Sheng were unable to react in time.


    However, Gu An¡¯s movement was quicker.


    Slap!


    Gu An¡¯s right hand landed on Wu Dao Xian¡¯s shoulder, and with this pat, his mana dissipated instantly, his eyes widening.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 603 - 596 Innate Immortal Gods

    Chapter 603: Chapter 596 Innate Immortal Gods


    Gu An stared at Wu Dao Immortal, his eyes full of shock and anger.


    Because it wasn¡¯t his real body, he didn¡¯t despair. He stared intently at Gu An and said in a deep voice, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to still be alive!¡±


    Gu An pressed on him, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be alive either.¡±


    Shen Zhen and Bai Sheng sensed something was wrong and became vigilant.


    Wu Dao Immortal asked coldly, ¡°Did you come specifically to find me, or for him?¡±


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°He has already arrived, right before your eyes.¡±


    Hearing this, Wu Dao Immortal was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked towards Shen Zhen.


    Could it be that Shen Zhen, with such low cultivation level, was a reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God?


    Although Shen Zhen was female, Wu Dao Immortal, who had seen and known much, found the notion of a man reincarnating as a woman not strange at all.


    Gu An shook his head and turned to glance at Bai Sheng, saying, ¡°The god who slew me back then is him.¡±


    Wu Dao Immortal couldn¡¯t help but look towards Bai Sheng, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. In his eyes, Bai Sheng seemed so mediocre.


    Bai Sheng was also stunned. He subconsciously looked at Gu An.


    Had Gu An died at his hands in a previous life?


    Wasn¡¯t that a deep grudge and great hatred?


    In such circumstances, why would Gu An want to help him?


    Shen Zhen had not expected Gu An to have such a past either, and inwardly sighed that indeed, behind invincibility was a difficult path.


    Wu Dao Immortal fell into silence, more concerned with what Gu An wanted to do than the reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God.


    This body was still too weak, unable to resist this young man¡¯s suppression.


    Wu Dao Immortal was annoyed, thinking of many years of grievances, his anger uncontrollably rising.


    Once, he had placed great expectations on the Black Profound Emperor, but unfortunately, the Black Profound Emperor resisted him and even caused him to be executed by the Celestial Spirit God, and his real body¡¯s injuries hadn¡¯t fully recovered to this day.


    Gu An saw through what he was thinking and said, ¡°Let¡¯s watch a good show together next.¡±


    As his words fell, Gu An withdrew his hand, but Wu Dao Immortal felt his Qi Power being sealed within his body. He was now like a mortal, utterly powerless.


    Wu Dao Immortal knew he couldn¡¯t escape, so he didn¡¯t act rashly. He turned his gaze to Bai Sheng and said, ¡°The Immortal God I¡¯m looking for is not him.¡±


    Gu An asked, ¡°Are there other Immortal Gods in this realm?¡±


    He hadn¡¯t detected the traces of other Immortal Gods, but he didn¡¯t doubt Wu Dao Immortal¡¯s words. Instead, it piqued his curiosity.


    Even though there were no traces of Immortal Gods, the legacies of Immortal Gods were there. Lv Xian held an Immortal God¡¯s legacy, and before the reshaping of heaven and earth, followers of Immortal Gods wandered the Human World, promoting the name of the Heavenly Dao.


    These signs proved that an Immortal God could appear at any time.


    ¡°Yes, this god is not an ascended god but an Innate Immortal God, borne from the Celestial Dao Destiny,¡± Wu Dao Immortal replied, not minding sharing this information with Gu An despite being sealed by him.


    Though they had deadly enmities, both stood against the Celestial Court.


    Gu An thought of Fairy Yao Xuan and suddenly guessed something, directing his gaze toward Su Jin.


    Indeed!


    Su Jin was pregnant, deliberately hiding and sealing the fetus, stopping its development, undetected even by the Great Liang Demon Emperor.


    Bai Sheng had reincarnated many times and fathered children but had never begotten an Innate Immortal God. Why could he this time?


    Gu An carefully observed; the child in Su Jin¡¯s womb had no trace of Celestial Dao Destiny.


    Could it transform later?


    Gu An pondered as his gaze shifted towards the hundred-zhang stele ahead.


    He began to chat idly with Wu Daoxian, discussing the heavens and earth and the origins of the stele.


    Bai Sheng noticed that those around them showed no reaction as if they hadn¡¯t heard the conversation about the Immortal Gods.


    He realized he had embroiled himself in great trouble, yet he was prepared to face death if only it could save Su Jin.


    Past lives, destinies¡ªhe didn¡¯t believe in any of it.


    He was him; he was not a God, and should he become one, the God he¡¯d turn into would surely not be ruled by his current will.


    ¡°Whatever being you are, your resurrection was caused by my sacrifice, and you must help me save her, just save her, without harming anyone else¡­¡±


    Bai Sheng silently recited this to himself, as though he were conversing with his own soul.


    Time continued to advance, and the hour of the great wedding grew ever nearer.


    In the heart of Demon City, a sumptuous feast had already begun. The Great Liang Demon Emperor was making small talk with various guests, female demons danced and sang, and various Spirit Fruits and Spiritual Wine were presented, making everything appear luxuriously lively.


    Although Bai Sheng couldn¡¯t see the details of the grand wedding, listening to conversations of passersby made him increasingly anxious.


    Within Demon City, his Divine Sense met obstacles everywhere, forcing him into wild speculations.


    He frequently glanced at Gu An, who was steadily chatting with Wu Daoxian, oblivious to the matter of him becoming the Celestial Spirit God.


    This only heightened his unease and anxiety.


    ¡°Today is the great wedding day of the Great Liang Demon Emperor and his beloved Su Jin. I thank all who have come to support this event. To make your journey worthwhile, I will present a Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure for all to experience the True Meaning of the Great Dao. Whether high or low in Cultivation Level, all may find a connection with the Dao!¡±


    The voice of the Great Liang Demon Emperor suddenly boomed through the city, interrupting the conversation between Gu An and Wu Daoxian.


    Bai Sheng immediately became desperate, unable to resist speaking out, ¡°Brother Gu, aren¡¯t we starting yet?¡±


    Gu An turned to look at him, asking, ¡°Have you thought it through?¡±


    Bai Sheng took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯ve thought it through, let me become him! Become the Celestial Spirit God!¡±


    Hearing the voice of the Great Liang Demon Emperor had driven him to lose all reason, with his only thought being to save Su Jin.


    Wu Daoxian also glanced at Bai Sheng, a sneer appearing in his eyes.


    Could the all-powerful, invincible Celestial Spirit God really be trapped by love?


    His gaze shifted back to Gu An, thinking this youngster was definitely up to no good, playing such tricks on a Celestial God.


    Hearing Bai Sheng¡¯s words, a change came over Gu An¡¯s eyes, and Bai Sheng, meeting his gaze, felt the world spinning around him.


    At the same time.


    In central Demon City, on a thousand steps, Su Jin stood next to the Great Liang Demon Emperor under a red bridal veil, conducting herself with grace. The Great Liang Demon Emperor, clad in a dragon-embroidered black robe and towering in stature with two horns amid his blood-red hair, merely standing there emitted an unrivaled aura. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor surveyed the expansive square below, where high platforms surrounded the perimeter, each occupied by beings whose Cultivation Level was no less than his.


    He was quite pleased with his pulling power¡ªafter today¡¯s grand event, his fame would spread across the whole world.


    He first aimed to make all demons across the world recognize his name, which would then pave the way for unifying the entire Demon Race.


    The news of the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure stirred an uproar among the high platforms. Many demons and cultivators hadn¡¯t expected the Great Liang Demon Emperor to unveil such a treasure directly.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor relished their discussions. Just as he was about to speak, a terrifying aura suddenly exploded from afar, surging to the skies.


    Boom¡ª


    The entire Demon City shook violently, causing the expressions of Great Demons and Great Cultivators to change as they all turned in the same direction.


    The smile on the Great Liang Demon Emperor¡¯s face froze, his brows furrowing, a chill appearing in his eyes.


    Someone dared to challenge his authority?


    Truly seeking death!

 Chapter 604 - 597: Go Meet God

    Chapter 604: Chapter 597: Go Meet God


    At the hundred-yard stele, hundreds of Cultivators and Demons looked towards Bai Sheng in shock.


    Bai Sheng¡¯s body burst forth with dazzling white light, his Qi Force like flames, his robes fluttering intensely, the light masking his features, making him appear quite divine and full of oppressiveness.


    Shen Zhen¡¯s cheeks fluttered with her hair, her eyes widened, looking at Bai Sheng in surprise.


    Although she had known before coming that Bai Sheng would transform into a Celestial Spirit God, actually witnessing this scene still surprised her.


    She could feel Bai Sheng¡¯s soul transforming, a power that made her Dao Heart tremble surged forth, unstoppable.


    Such a powerful presence was truly worthy of a Celestial God!


    Shen Zhen couldn¡¯t help but glance at Gu An, she secretly wondered, just how powerful was Gu An, who could have thrust such a formidable figure into Reincarnation.


    Fellow Daoist Wu Dao was also surprised, he could tell that the Celestial Spirit God hadn¡¯t entered Reincarnation willingly.


    Thinking back to twenty thousand years ago, when the Great Thousand World underwent reconstruction, the Celestial Spirit God disappeared, could it have been the Black Profound Emperor¡¯s doing?


    He looked towards Gu An, filled with confusion.


    How exactly did this boy manage it?


    Bai Sheng, who was recovering his Cultivation Level, slowly floated upwards, attracting more and more beings to gaze at him, figures appeared atop the buildings in all directions, those were Demon Soldiers of the Great Liang Demon Emperor, none with small Cultivation Levels, but upon seeing Bai Sheng, each showed a face full of fear.


    As Bai Sheng¡¯s aura grew stronger, powerful figures continuously appeared in the sky.


    On the steps above, Su Jin couldn¡¯t help but lift her veil, her makeup exquisite, as beautiful as an immortal in a painting, her eyebrows furrowed.


    For some reason, this momentum felt vaguely familiar to her.


    She tried to remember, but couldn¡¯t recall where and when she had felt such an aura before.


    ¡°My beloved don¡¯t panic, I will return momentarily,¡± said the Great Liang Demon Emperor in a low voice, though his face didn¡¯t appear as calm as he felt inside, because that mysterious aura was rising too quickly, so much so that he couldn¡¯t remain seated.


    Just after speaking, he vanished from the spot.


    Su Jin still looked towards the sky where the aura soared, her pupils suddenly widening, she seemed to think of something.


    Boom!


    A gust of fierce wind came howling, making Su Jin¡¯s dress flutter violently, time seemed to freeze, she instinctively glanced over, and saw a figure glowing with intense light standing next to her.


    In this figure¡¯s hand, held a Demon.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor!


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor was held by the throat by the glowing figure¡¯s right hand, lifted into the air, unable to break free, his face showing pain and anger.


    Su Jin¡¯s heart churned wildly, too late to think.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor had just flown out and was captured; even after living more than twenty thousand years, she was stunned at that moment.


    ¡°Outrageous!¡±


    A roaring shout shook heaven and earth, a Great Power Cultivator from the Zi Zai Immortal Realm appeared next to the Great Liang Demon Emperor, wanting to rescue him.


    Accompanied by a deafening explosion, this Great Power Cultivator was knocked back away, smashing through a palace and further buildings, disappearing into the distance.


    The glow on Su Jin¡¯s face faded, she gradually saw the true face of the person next to her, and she couldn¡¯t help but widen her eyes.


    This person was Bai Sheng!


    Bai Sheng looked no different from before, only his hair was disheveled and fluttering in the wind.


    His expression was so indifferent, his gaze towards the Great Liang Demon Emperor, as if looking at a dead man.


    ¡°You¡­ how is this possible¡­¡±


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor spoke with a trembling voice, his tone filled with shock.


    He naturally recognized Bai Sheng, when Su Jin had pleaded for Bai Sheng before, Bai Sheng seemed no different than an insect in his eyes.


    Had it only been so long?


    Bai Sheng had actually rendered him unable to resist, he even felt that if Bai Sheng exerted force, he would shatter.


    He had never felt such a terrifying sensation before, his heart was extremely fearful.


    ¡°Bai¡­¡±


    Su Jin gazed at the indifferent Bai Sheng, murmuring to herself. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Bai Sheng was no longer Bai Sheng, but the Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God glanced at her, furrowing his brow, the coldness in his eyes making Su Jin¡¯s heart ache deeply.


    More and more mighty figures appeared around, they were not aligned with the Great Liang Demon Emperor, but were there for the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure.


    ¡°Who might you be?¡±


    ¡°The Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure has not yet appeared, so why are you Fellow Daoists in such a rush to act?¡±


    ¡°Who is this person? I have never seen him before.¡±


    ¡°Such aura has already surpassed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path, and it is still rising.¡±


    ¡°I feel like he is not here for the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure, it¡¯s like he has just awakened from Reincarnation Tribulation.¡±


    As each powerful being took out their Magical Treasures, the entire Demon City trembled nonstop, with stones even flying around, and dark clouds gradually gathering in the sky, darkening the Demon City.


    The Celestial Spirit God ignored the discussions around him, slightly tilting his head and looking towards the distance with the corner of his eye.


    He had already spotted Gu An and Wu Dao Immortal.


    He knew he couldn¡¯t escape, still being under control.


    He didn¡¯t feel the urge to seek revenge on Gu An, he was savoring the experiences of this lifetime.


    In fact, he was still Bai Sheng, feeling as though he had personally lived this life, just that his mindset had reverted to that of the Celestial Spirit God, a subtle feeling, yet not discordant at all.


    Su Jin mustered up her courage and asked again, ¡°What exactly¡­¡±


    ¡°I have already awakened the Primordial Will, what you faced before was me in the midst of Reincarnation, he sacrificed himself hoping I would act to save you.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God cut off her words, saying indifferently with no emotional fluctuation in his voice.


    After listening, Su Jin¡¯s beautiful eyes widened, her mind thrown into disarray.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor felt even more terrified after hearing this, as he was well aware of the concept of reincarnation, sinking his heart into despair.


    With his enmity with Bai Sheng, he feared that the other party wouldn¡¯t let him go.


    The Great Liang Demon Emperor closed his eyes, bracing himself for death.


    Just then, he suddenly felt the grip on his neck release, he instinctively opened his eyes, meeting the indifferent gaze of the Celestial Spirit God, causing him to tremble.


    He didn¡¯t dare turn and run for he had already felt the vast difference in cultivation level between them.


    ¡°For eternity, you shall not come across her again, otherwise, you will never transcend this cycle, no existence in this world can help you.¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God reached the ears of the Great Liang Demon Emperor, turning his face pale.


    As the Celestial Spirit God turned to look at Su Jin, the Great Liang Demon Emperor was so frightened that he immediately fled.


    As he fled, the Celestial Gods watching from the sky also began to waver and eventually chased after him.


    They hadn¡¯t forgotten the purpose of their trip; it was the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasure that they sought.


    As the sky filled with Great Power Cultivators and demons departing, a strong wind stirred, blowing through the garments of Su Jin and the Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God slowly lifted his chin, looking down on Su Jin, and said, ¡°Stop looking at me with those eyes, you are merely a trial I encountered in my reincarnations, you shouldn¡¯t chase after me, perhaps you aren¡¯t even aware that you¡¯re being manipulated like a pawn, and any connection between us is false.


    Su Jin¡¯s eyes filled with tears, she gritted her teeth and asked, ¡°Even the feelings we had when we were in love, were those false too?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God frowned, ¡°In face of the Great Dao, all emotions are false, now scram!¡±


    He turned away, looking in the direction where Gu An was.


    Su Jin wanted to say more, but the Celestial Spirit God slapped her abdomen with the back of his hand, sending her flying towards the horizon, quickly disappearing from sight.


    The entire Demon City had descended into chaos, countless demons took to the skies to see what exactly had happened, many also fled in panic.


    Gu An, Shen Zhen, and Wu Dao Immortal saw the figures around them swiftly dispersing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, it¡¯s time to see the God.¡±


    Gu An said softly with a smile, then stepped towards the sky, Shen Zhen and Wu Dao Immortal following behind.


    Wu Dao Immortal found himself unable to move, only capable of following Gu An flying towards the Celestial Spirit God.


    From a distance, as his gaze landed on the Celestial Spirit God, his face turned unnatural, his head involuntarily twitching.


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 605 - 598 Celestial Court and Mortal Spirit

    Chapter 605: Chapter 598 Celestial Court and Mortal Spirit


    Gu An brought Shen Zhen and the Immortal who defied Dao, and soon they arrived at the wedding banquet plaza of the Great Liang Demon Emperor. At that moment, the square was a mess, with colorful cloths still fluttering in the air.


    The Celestial Spirit God stood atop the steps, looking down indifferently at the three persons below.


    Shen Zhen looked at him with a secretly shocked heart.


    Is this a Celestial God?


    Although there were no changes in facial features or figure, the aura exuded was utterly different.


    Even with her current cultivation level, facing the Celestial Spirit God, Shen Zhen couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of reverence¡ªthis was the sentiment a Mortal Spirit felt when facing Immortal Gods.


    It was hard to imagine such beings would fall into the realm of Reincarnation.


    Facing the gaze of the Celestial Spirit God, the Immortal who defied Dao trembled even more violently, not daring to meet the gaze of the Celestial Spirit God.


    ¡°So it is. I have seen you before; I felt then that those guys were not their true selves.¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Spirit God descended from above, lofty and filled with authority.


    Gu An looked at him and asked, ¡°Have these experiences of Reincarnation made you feel anything?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he said, ¡°I know what you want to do, hoping I understand the experience of Mortal Spirits, to feel pity for them. Do you think I have never had such experiences?¡±


    Although Gu An had searched the memory of the Celestial Spirit God, everything about the Celestial Court was blank, so his understanding of the Celestial Spirit God was not complete.


    ¡°Before becoming a Celestial God, we must all go through the ordeal of Reincarnation. The Celestial Court doesn¡¯t make us pity Mortal Spirits; instead, it makes us clearly understand the difference between Immortals and Mortals. You help those Mortal Spirits, and they will indeed appreciate you. But the moment you stop helping, even if you do nothing at all, Mortal Spirits will hate you, believing their misfortunes are all your doing.¡±


    The tone of the Celestial Spirit God grew colder, even revealing his disdain for Mortal Spirits.


    ¡°Immortal Gods created the heavens and the earth to achieve Enlightenment, yet the world nurtured All Living Beings. The Immortal Gods did not abandon All Living Beings; instead, they created the Heavenly Dao so that All Living Beings could live better lives. Immortal Gods even imparted the Method of Cultivating Immortality to All Living Beings in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms. Yet what they received in return was rebellion after rebellion.¡±


    The words of the Celestial Spirit God shook Shen Zhen.


    She didn¡¯t question it because all Cultivators had such ambitions. It¡¯s just that she had never considered these issues from the perspective of Immortal Gods.


    The Celestial Spirit God gazed at Gu An and said, ¡°Do you think what you¡¯re doing is for justice, or to cover up your compassion for your own kind? If you became an Immortal God, would you still act the same?¡±


    Gu An responded, ¡°There are indeed many things in this world that are hard to judge as right or wrong. But if you say the Immortal Gods created everything, that may not be so. Did you create the Great Dao? Was it your choice for the world to foster All Living Beings? You are just walking ahead, blocking those behind you from reaching the heights you¡¯ve attained, then claim it¡¯s because we don¡¯t try hard enough, that we are ungrateful. You can say that, but if that¡¯s really what you think, then it¡¯s truly pitiable.¡±


    Shen Zhen looked at Gu An, her eyes filled with admiration.


    This was what she admired about Gu An; he was never confused.


    The Immortal who defied Dao also looked at Gu An, hearing his disdain for the Celestial Court.


    This lad who has never ascended to Immortality, yet he disdains the Immortal?


    Even though the Immortal who defied Dao had abandoned the Celestial Court, he revered the Celestial Dao Immortal Position and still aspired to Ascend to Immortality.


    The Celestial Spirit God, upon hearing Gu An¡¯s words, didn¡¯t get angry, but from his narrowed eyes, it was evident he felt agitated.


    ¡°You think by not killing me, you can delay the Celestial Court¡¯s attention on the Celestial Spirit Great World. You¡¯re wrong. In fact, it¡¯s not I who insist on destroying the Celestial Spirit Great World, but this world must perish. That is the Celestial Order from the Celestial Court. Although I am interested in that treasure, I can¡¯t deny that I extended the life span of this Great World.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God spoke slowly, his gaze never leaving Gu An.


    Gu An¡¯s lips curled into a smile and said, ¡°I indeed fear the Celestial Court, but you can¡¯t deny that I let you live. With our positions, you should have been annihilated or forever suffer the sorrows of Reincarnation. But now I have given you the opportunity to speak with me. I have even let you create Innate Immortal Gods.¡±


    The pupils of the Celestial Spirit God suddenly dilated, as he hadn¡¯t expected that his secret maneuvering was seen by Gu An.


    How high was this man¡¯s Dao Practice?


    Gu An looked at him and asked, ¡°I wonder if an Immortal God can create Innate Immortal Gods privately.¡±


    The face of the Celestial Spirit God turned ugly.


    Indeed!


    Gu An was merely probing. He had previously wondered, if the Celestial Spirit God could give birth to Innate Immortal Gods, why hadn¡¯t he created an army of Immortal Gods?


    Clearly, the Celestial Court didn¡¯t allow such behavior.


    To become an Immortal God of the Celestial Court, while one could achieve Longevity and immortality, one would also lose a lot, especially freedom.


    ¡°You turned your children into Immortal Gods, probably not to take revenge on me but to evade the reckoning of the Celestial Court.¡±


    Gu An continued, and the Immortal who defied Dao beside him opened his mouth, intending to remind Gu An, but seeing him so confident, he could only hold back his palpitations.


    In fact, the entire Demon City was already enveloped by Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent; there was no fear of leaking anything.


    Celestial Spirit God¡¯s eyes flashed with a strange light as he took a deep breath and said, ¡°Speak, what do you wish me to do?¡±


    Gu An looked at him and said, ¡°I don¡¯t ask for much. I don¡¯t want to be involved in disputes, and I don¡¯t want the Celestial Court to disturb the Celestial Spirit Great World.¡±


    Celestial Spirit God fell silent for a moment before replying, ¡°A Star Monarch will come to investigate soon. If the emergence of this Great World is beneficial to the Celestial Court, they will leave this world alone.¡±


    ¡°What sort of beneficial things?¡±


    ¡°To spread the Celestial Dao Destiny, to revere the Celestial Court, to make all living beings believe in the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    Celestial Spirit God¡¯s response sparked Gu An¡¯s curiosity.


    Could it be that the Celestial Court did not intend to conceal its traces, but rather the rulers of all worlds did not wish for all living beings to know of the Celestial Court¡¯s existence?


    Gu An looked at him and said, ¡°All this requires you to be alive, right?¡±


    Celestial Spirit God fell silent.


    Gu An revealed a smile and said, ¡°How about we collaborate instead? I¡¯ll personally teach your son in the future, and you can deal with that Star Monarch for me.¡±


    Celestial Spirit God gave him a deep look and did not object.


    Then, Celestial Spirit God soared into the sky, flying towards Outer Heaven, and Gu An did not stop him.


    Shen Zhen couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Do you trust him?¡±


    Gu An turned his head to look at her, smiled, and said, ¡°It would be a pity if such a person were to die, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    He never did things without certainty. The marks of the Guiyuan Divine Dao and the Dao Destruction Destiny Seal remained within Celestial Spirit God¡¯s body. Should Celestial Spirit God dare to act rashly, he could stop him at once.


    The Dao-less Immortal had been silent all along. It wasn¡¯t until Celestial Spirit God left the Celestial Spirit Great World that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Indeed a pity. I¡¯ve never heard of any Immortal Gods causing chaos before. This could mean he¡¯s not that kind of lowly God. By the way, who is his son? In that demon woman¡¯s belly?¡± Shen Zhen asked curiously.


    Gu An nodded, then turned his gaze to the Dao-less Immortal. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His gaze once again made the Dao-less Immortal tense up.


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡± the Dao-less Immortal asked in a deep voice.


    Gu An asked with a smile, ¡°Teacher, do you want to live, or do you want to die?¡±


    The Dao-less Immortal cursed inwardly but spoke the truth aloud, ¡°Who would want to die?¡±


    ¡°The task of spreading the Heavenly Dao and the Celestial Court will be given to you. You should be quite skilled at it. If you succeed, I¡¯ll allow you to hide in this world in the future. We won¡¯t interfere with each other,¡± Gu An said softly.


    The Dao-less Immortal carefully asked, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really.¡±


    With that, Gu An turned and left, carrying Shen Zhen with him into the distance.


    The Dao-less Immortal looked in the direction they left, feeling relieved; his eyes turned chilly.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An took Shen Zhen to a distant forest. He began, ¡°Wait here for me. Su Jin will come to this place. I have matters to attend to.¡±


    Without waiting for Shen Zhen to speak, Gu An disappeared from the spot.


    Shen Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head with a smile. She leapt up, sitting cross-legged on a tree branch, and began to recall Celestial Spirit God¡¯s figure.


    ¡­


    In a dark cave, green candlelight flickered on the walls.


    The Dao-less Immortal opened his eyes, his brows furrowed, and he muttered to himself, ¡°How is he still alive?¡±


    He was the true body, located on the Path of the Great Dao, unbelievably distant from the Celestial Spirit Great World, but he could maintain contact with his avatar.


    Learning that the Black Profound Emperor was still alive and entangled with Celestial Spirit God puzzled him.


    Were these two really planning to stand against the Celestial Court together?


    Truly seeking death!


    The Dao-less Immortal began to ponder the arrangement Gu An had for his avatar and whether he should collaborate with Gu An.


    He did not notice an additional figure had appeared in the darkness behind him.


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 606 - 599: Unsettled Heart

    Chapter 606: Chapter 599: Unsettled Heart


    Gu An looked at the true form of the Immortal without Dao before him, his expression calm.


    [Immortal without Dao (Early Stage of Hengtian Golden Immortal Realm): 3,027,800,921,027/5,000,000,000,000]


    The old guy who¡¯s lived for thirty trillion years.


    Gu An thought expressionlessly.


    Previously, the reason he had brought along a clone of the Immortal without Dao wasn¡¯t to catch up on old times but to investigate the karma of the Immortal without Dao.


    Even while communicating with the Celestial Spirit God, Gu An hadn¡¯t stopped exploring the karma of the Immortal without Dao.


    In the end, following the trajectory of karma, he found the true form of the Immortal without Dao.


    The gap between their cultivation levels was enormous; even though Gu An was standing right behind the Immortal without Dao, he didn¡¯t want the Immortal without Dao to notice him, for then the Immortal without Dao wouldn¡¯t be able to detect him.


    This was the absolute suppression of a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal over a Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal!


    Gu An hesitated, wondering whether or not to kill the Immortal without Dao.


    It would take but a single thought to reduce the Immortal without Dao to dust.


    But he felt that since the Immortal without Dao had managed to escape from the Celestial Court and survive all these years, he must have other reliance.


    After so many years, the Immortal without Dao had reached the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, and must have endured many hardships. Gu An guessed the Immortal without Dao would be quite frustrated if he died here without a clue.


    As Gu An pondered this, he raised his right hand.


    ¡°Enough, then I shall cooperate with him for a while. If I can find a place to belong, it beats living in fear here,¡± the Immortal without Dao muttered to himself, beginning to cast spells to transfer more mana to his clone so that the clone could act effectively.


    A complex expression appeared on his face as he lamented, ¡°Why should that brat become so powerful? It¡¯s like the Great Dao is blind, damn it¡­¡±


    Gu An¡¯s hand stopped, just ten centimeters away from the Immortal without Dao¡¯s shoulder.


    After casting the spell, the Immortal without Dao closed his eyes, ready to continue his cultivation.


    Smack!


    Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder, startling him into snapping his eyes open. Then a voice entered his ears, chilling him to the bone, as if he had fallen into a cold cellar.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not performing for me, but without patting you, I can¡¯t be at ease, Master.¡±


    ¡­


    Dusk was approaching.


    Su Jin staggered through the forest, her right hand clutching her abdomen, a pained expression on her face.


    Ever since being slapped by the Celestial Spirit God, she had felt a burning pain in her abdomen, which pained her heart even more.


    From that slap, she felt the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s disgust for her.


    She had searched for him painfully for ten thousand years, then accompanied him in cultivation for another ten thousand years, dedicating herself entirely to him, only to be abandoned in the end.


    As for the past lives and present lives the Celestial Spirit God spoke of, she hadn¡¯t cared at all.


    Awakening memories of a past life would make her become someone else?


    She didn¡¯t believe it!


    The more she thought, the sadder she became, and tears flowed uncontrollably.


    Her vision started to blur, she felt exhaustion and wanted to collapse and sleep soundly.


    Suddenly, she saw two figures ahead, which alarmed her enough to stop in her tracks.


    It was a dense forest; the remaining light of dusk spilled between the trees, casting a gloomy and quiet atmosphere.


    Su Jin¡¯s vision cleared, and she frowned as she looked ahead, a sword suddenly appearing in her hand.


    ¡°Miss Su Jin, long time no see. Do you remember me?¡±


    Gu An stood up to greet Su Jin and then tucked the Green Hero Travelogue into his chest.


    Su Jin tightened her brow as she looked at Gu An.


    She seemed to recall something, her eyes widened in astonishment as she asked, ¡°Is it you? How are you still alive?¡±


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°If you have nowhere to go, why not come with me? After you give birth to the child, you can go wherever you wish.¡±


    Su Jin immediately became vigilant, staring at Gu An with a defensive face and asked in a stern voice, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s expression changed, causing Su Jin to become momentarily lost in thought.


    Shen Zhen turned her head to look at Gu An, filled with curiosity.


    What divine skill was this?


    Gu An stretched lazily and said, ¡°It¡¯s time to go back.¡±


    Shen Zhen nodded; she too wanted to sit down quietly and comprehend the Celestial Dao Immortal Gods.


    ¡­


    Seasons changed, and a year quickly passed by.


    In the courtyard.


    Gu An opened his eyes, and with a thought, An Xin appeared out of nowhere by his side.


    ¡°Master, what is it?¡± An Xin asked curiously.


    Gu An stood up and said, ¡°Go and bring that child in, according to my previous instructions.¡±


    An Xin¡¯s interest was piqued, and she disappeared on the spot.


    Shen Zhen, who was sitting in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, turned towards Gu An and asked curiously, ¡°Are you really going to adopt that child?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°That child is extraordinary. Having him follow Su Jin will only bring her misfortune, and besides, she should start her life anew.¡±


    ¡°Innate Immortal Gods, tsk tsk, I feel like he¡¯s going to stir up a frenzy of competition within the dojo,¡± Shen Zhen teased.


    The qualifications of an Innate Immortal God must be beyond her imagination, and with Gu An¡¯s guidance, his cultivation speed must be astonishing.


    Gu An did not argue; he indeed planned to cultivate the child of the Celestial Spirit God properly.


    ¡°Do you have some scheme with him that even I don¡¯t know about?¡±


    Gu An looked at the Artifact Refining Cauldron, contemplating silently in his mind.


    An hour later, An Xin returned, holding a baby in her arms.


    Everyone in the dojo had gathered in Gu An¡¯s courtyard, as they had heard that Gu An was going to take on a disciple. Everyone was curious: what kind of child could catch Gu An¡¯s attention?


    Seeing An Xin return, the crowd immediately surrounded her.


    ¡°This child is so small.¡±


    ¡°Eh, how has he already achieved Foundation Establishment?¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, the child must be a genius, able to perform Qi Absorption Cultivation with each breath, otherwise how could he catch the master¡¯s eye?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s so cute, let me hold him.¡±


    ¡°Cute, huh? In twenty years, he¡¯ll surely be a conceited fellow, and then you won¡¯t find him so cute.¡±


    An Xin did not pass the baby to the others; after a brief chat with everyone, she approached Gu An and handed the swaddled infant to him.


    Gu An held the sleeping infant with a smile appearing on his face.


    ¡°Such a good boy.¡±


    Gu An began to gently stroke the baby¡¯s cheeks, murmuring softly to himself.


    An Xin prompted, ¡°Master, give him a name, why don¡¯t you? Miss Su Jin said it¡¯s up to you.¡±


    She had taken a liking to the baby as soon as she saw him, so she was also looking forward to the changes he would bring to the dojo in the future.


    Gu An pondered and said, ¡°This child is fatherless and can be said to be born of heaven; let us give him the surname Tian, and name him Hao, he shall be called Tian Hao from now on.¡±


    Tian Hao!


    The crowd began to mull over the name, not thinking that Gu An would choose it carelessly.


    An Xin was stunned, muttering to herself, ¡°Hao¡­¡±


    She held an expectation in her heart and looked forward to how Gu An would respond, but unfortunately, Gu An did not meet her gaze.


    Gu An lifted little Tian Hao above his head, looked up at Tian Hao, and smiled, ¡°From now on, you are my disciple.¡±


    At the same time. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Outer Heaven, deep in the cosmos.


    Below the World Gate, the Celestial Spirit God who was shimmering with a strong light suddenly opened his eyes, flipped over his right palm, and two characters appeared in his palm.


    ¡°Tian Hao¡­ I see, no wonder I could not find it; this twist of fate is truly remarkable. Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, I have lost to you.¡±


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 607 - 600 Tian Hao Immortal Cultivation

    Chapter 607: Chapter 600 Tian Hao Immortal Cultivation


    The dojo had gained a new little junior brother, and for the disciples who had been diligently cultivating for years, this was an extraordinary event. Everyone went to visit Tian Hao and took turns playing with him.


    The one who spent the most time with Tian Hao was the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. Originally, she just wanted to help Gu An share the burden of taking care of Tian Hao, but as she watched this little one grow up, her heart began to stir.


    Especially when Tian Hao, at two years old, called out to her as mother, she was stunned on the spot.


    This scene was witnessed by Gu An, but he didn¡¯t stop it.


    The Ghost Mother had always been on the outskirts of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, unable to blend in with the other disciples, and her actions over the years had already made Gu An consider her as one of his own. Tian Hao¡¯s presence was a perfect opportunity to break down the barriers between her and the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    With Tian Hao¡¯s arrival, time within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless seemed to pass even more slowly.


    In the blink of an eye, Tian Hao had reached the age of seventeen.


    Without any real cultivation, Tian Hao had already achieved the Mahayana Realm Cultivation Level. He only needed to breathe, and his cultivation would surge, much to the envy and stimulation of Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, and others.


    Shen Zhen, on the other hand, thought it was normal. Aside from Gu An, she was the only person in the dojo who knew that Tian Hao was an Innate Immortal God.


    The Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty were naturally in the Nirvana Realm at birth, so Innate Immortal Gods should be even more extraordinary.


    She even felt that Tian Hao¡¯s growth rate was a bit slow.


    On this day.


    Tian Hao arrived at Gu An¡¯s courtyard, and before he could be seen, his voice was heard, ¡°Master! Master! Master!¡±


    An Xin, who was meditating in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, turned to look, and became momentarily lost in a daze.


    In the sunlight, Tian Hao wore a tight-fitting white robe, embellished with intricate gold thread, which made him appear even more dashing. He had a handsome face, with his hair tied up high, and two strands of hair fluttering in front like willow fluff.


    Looking at him, An Xin felt as if she saw An Hao, which stirred a mixture of emotions in her.


    Gu An was lounging in a chair, taking a nap. Without opening his eyes, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss about? You¡¯re so loud.¡±


    Tian Hao came over with excitement and said, ¡°Master, when I woke up this morning, I discovered I have a new amazing ability!¡±


    Although seventeen-year-old Tian Hao hadn¡¯t completely shed his childishness, his facial features had matured, and he was very handsome.


    Before Gu An could speak, the nearby An Xin asked curiously, ¡°What ability?¡±


    Shen Zhen also glanced at Tian Hao. She was the person in the dojo who interacted with Tian Hao the least. As she seldom spoke to him, Tian Hao was a bit afraid of her from a young age, feeling she was not someone to be trifled with.


    Tian Hao turned around, raised his right hand, and as he focused on his palm, something gathered there under the watchful eyes of An Xin and Shen Zhen. Strands of golden flames swiftly wrapped around each other, forming a fireball¡ªand within this fireball emitted a light, at first glance, it seemed like a tiny sun.


    An Xin and Shen Zhen¡¯s expressions changed, because they could feel that the flames Tian Hao had summoned were not ordinary.


    ¡°This fire never extinguishes. I¡¯ve tried it; if I release it, it can float in the air and keep burning,¡± Tian Hao said with a proud smile.


    Although he hadn¡¯t formally started immortal cultivation, he was already aware of its existence.


    As for immortal cultivation, he didn¡¯t see it as all that important, because he was getting stronger every moment.


    Tian Hao looked toward Gu An, wanting to see his master¡¯s reaction, only to find that the master was still lying on the chair with his eyes closed.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Tian Hao shouted loudly, startling the birds in the forest into flight.


    Gu An dug in his ears, rolled over, and stood up. He looked helplessly at Tian Hao, who then raised his hand as if offering a treasure, showing the small sun to his master.


    ¡°Is that it?¡±


    Gu An looked disdainful, his tone filled with contempt.


    Just as Tian Hao was about to retort, Gu An raised his hand, his palm facing the celestial vault.


    In almost an instant, the entire world plunged into crimson, and the temperature between heaven and earth soared.


    Tian Hao subconsciously looked up, then his mouth fell open, his face showing an expression of disbelief.


    An Xin and Shen Zhen looked up to see a colossal sun occupying the entire celestial vault, with no edges visible in any direction.


    Oppressive, awe-inspiring.


    It was the first time Tian Hao had witnessed such a spectacular sight. He had lived for seventeen years, all within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, where no disciples had engaged in combat, so this was truly his first real encounter with the power of the Immortal Dao.


    He shuffled his feet, turned around, and looked in all directions, gradually becoming excited, his body starting to tremble.


    The corners of Gu An¡¯s mouth lifted, and with a squeeze of his right hand, the blazing sun in the sky suddenly vanished as if it had never been there, but the warmth still felt around him told Tian Hao that what he had just seen was no illusion.


    Tian Hao turned to look at Gu An, suddenly exhilarated, and ran to kneel beside him, grasping Gu An¡¯s arm, excitedly saying, ¡°Master, teach me! I want to cultivate as an immortal!¡±


    Having grown up, he naturally understood the difference between a master and a father. Since his master had taken him as a disciple, he would certainly teach him to cultivate.


    ¡°Go to the Qiankun Sect for immortal cultivation.¡±


    Gu An raised his hand to touch Tian Hao¡¯s head, speaking with a soft smile.


    ¡°The Qiankun Sect?¡± Tian Hao showed a look of confusion. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An looked toward An Xin. Coming back to her senses, she asked, ¡°Now?¡±


    ¡°Mm, as soon as he asks, we should send him. It¡¯s just right to let her meet him and dispel the regrets in her heart,¡± said Gu An, then vanished into thin air.


    Tian Hao stood there, stunned, then got up and looked toward An Xin.


    An Xin calmed her emotions, her face returning to its usual dignity, and she walked toward the courtyard gate. Tian Hao looked at Shen Zhen, intending to greet him, but seeing Shen Zhen¡¯s indifferent gaze, he quickly turned his head away and then quickened his pace to catch up with An Xin.


    ¡­


    Universe, World Gate.


    The Celestial Spirit God, exuding endless divine light, opened his eyes, and reflected in his pupils were the figures of Tian Hao and An Xin.


    ¡°He¡¯s finally come out. What exactly do you want to do?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God murmured to himself. Ever since Tian Hao was taken away by An Xin, he had been unable to peek into Tian Hao¡¯s specific circumstances, and it didn¡¯t take much to guess that it had to do with Gu An.


    He had originally thought that Gu An would hide Tian Hao away, but he didn¡¯t expect Gu An to let Tian Hao out.


    Watching the way Tian Hao questioned An Xin, a sense of feeling emerged in his heart that he couldn¡¯t quite define or articulate.


    In truth, he didn¡¯t really care about Tian Hao. The reason he helped Tian Hao become an Innate Immortal God was to give Su Jin a chance at life.


    Now it seemed that Gu An wouldn¡¯t harm Su Jin, but his creation of an Innate Immortal God might instead sow the seeds of some disaster.


    He had gone through countless reincarnations, and the ones Gu An had led him through were only a small part of it. He had experienced various relationships, had kinship, and his heart had long been calm.


    He looked down on Tian Hao coldly, with not a trace of pity in his heart; he just wanted to see what heights his created Innate Immortal Gods would achieve.


    Silence reigned in the universe, and he just stared motionlessly at Tian Hao.


    Time passed, the length unknown.


    The Celestial Spirit God seemed to sense something, and he raised his left hand, from which a golden token flew out, and a voice from within said, ¡°Celestial Spirit God, I didn¡¯t expect you to slack off either. I will be arriving soon. Get ready, at least don¡¯t let me see any trouble.¡±

 Chapter 608 - 601: A Great Opportunity

    Chapter 608: Chapter 601: A Great Opportunity


    In the early morning, a dense fog enveloped the land, and mountain peaks emerged like the tips of swords, resembling an ethereal Immortal Realm of the Human World.


    Atop one of the mountains, there lay a courtyard filled with flora and a slender-limbed white dog sprawled on the ground, deep in slumber.


    Suddenly, the door swung open, and Li Xuanyu, dressed in a white robe, stepped out. The sunlight swept over the distant peaks and fell upon her.


    She raised her right hand, and a petal drifted into her palm. She looked down at it, her gaze cold.


    A female disciple soared on her Flying Sword across the sea of clouds, swiftly entering the courtyard. Before she even touched the ground, her Flying Sword swiftly shrank and flew into her sleeve. After landing, she took two steps forward and smiled, ¡°Master, a Talent of unprecedented caliber has recently emerged from Qiankun Sect. All the branches are vying for him, Master, we should not miss this opportunity.¡±


    As Dao Court¡¯s fame grew, Qiankun Sect also began to emulate Dao Court, establishing different branches to nurture healthy competition and to better manage power.


    Li Xuanyu, now a branch leader and an Elder of Qiankun Sect, had stayed on even after Tang Cai left.


    Hearing the disciple¡¯s words, Li Xuanyu appeared indifferent and said, ¡°There are many talents, why bother competing?¡±


    ¡°This one is different, he comes from the Forbidden Lands! Brought to Qiankun Sect personally by an Immortal!¡± the disciple hurriedly explained.


    Forbidden Lands!


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s expression shifted slightly; she was well aware of the Forbidden Lands and knew that the Immortal was An Xin.


    ¡°Why would an Immortal bring his disciple into Qiankun Sect?¡± Li Xuanyu asked.


    ¡°I wondered about that too, but now I understand. That disciple called Tian Hao is truly extraordinary¡ªthe Sect Hierarch has already designated him as the next Sect Hierarch!¡±


    The disciple was excited, her face full of admiration as she spoke of Tian Hao.


    Curious, Li Xuanyu inquired, ¡°Is he really that impressive?¡±


    The disciple nodded fervently and said, ¡°It¡¯s said that upon joining the sect, he mastered the Great Divine Power on the inheritance pillar after just one look; it¡¯s unbelievable!¡±


    Li Xuanyu pondered thoughtfully.


    Tian Hao¡­


    She hesitated, contemplating whether to try to forge more connections with Gu An, yet hesitant to disturb him.


    She had nothing particular to ask of Gu An; it was just an inexplicable desire to understand him.


    How had Gu An come to such a distant place, and why did he possess such formidable Cultivation Level? What adversities had he faced?


    While the disciple continued to explain the benefits of accepting Tian Hao into their branch, Li Xuanyu listened, but her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.


    ¡­


    Time flies.


    A millennium passed in the blink of an eye.


    With the thunderclouds dispersed above Qiankun Sect, Gu An and Li Xuanyu sat in a tavern on the second floor, drinking as they leaned against the window. Below, the street was filled with Cultivators looking up to the sky.


    ¡°Is Tian Hao even human? To climb from the Mahayana Realm to the Wandering Immortal Realm in a thousand years is just too exaggerated¡­¡±


    ¡°Could he be a reincarnation of Immortal Gods?¡±


    ¡°Very likely, given that he was personally brought into the sect by an Immortal.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, such a Talent is beneficial to us; he could lead Qiankun Sect to a peak it has never before reached.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, rather than feeling jealous, we should look forward to it.¡±


    Listening to the discussions at other tables, Li Xuanyu glanced at Gu An, wondering whether to ask, yet unsure if she should.


    Gu An swirled his wine glass, laughing, ¡°When I first found him, I felt he was different from the rest, and sure enough, even I find it unbelievable.¡±


    Li Xuanyu spoke softly, ¡°Is that so? I don¡¯t believe in so many coincidences.¡±


    From An Xin¡¯s strength, it was clear that Gu An was adept at teaching disciples, so Li Xuanyu attributed all of Tian Hao¡¯s talents to Gu An, convinced that Gu An had been guiding Tian Hao in secret.


    She was qualified to say this; after Tian Hao became her disciple, she started by teaching him with all her heart, but soon Tian Hao¡¯s understanding of Daoist Technique surpassed hers, as if aided by divine intervention.


    Thinking of this, she was filled with emotion.


    She could never forget the expression on Yi Qingshan¡¯s face when he handed Tian Hao over to her.


    Not only did she acquire Tian Hao, but her branch also received better treatment. In just a thousand years, the branch she managed had reached the top ten in the sect rankings, not only attracting more talented disciples but also receiving help from many noble families, who sent numerous Great Cultivators.


    She knew that all the treatment she now enjoyed was brought about by Gu An.


    ¡°Why did you send him to my sect? You know I can¡¯t really teach him anything.¡± Li Xuanyu finally asked.


    Gu An drained his glass of wine and laughed, ¡°Whoever took him, it would have been the same, none could really teach him. This is a great heavenly opportunity. As long as he joined the Qiankun Sect, it would be the sect¡¯s opportunity. As for who should teach him, naturally, I would choose someone I trust. It¡¯s not just because of our old friendship; I also wanted to leave some good karma for Senior Brother Li.¡±


    Hearing Gu An mention Li Ya, Li Xuanyu felt a sense of relief and more at ease.


    Li Xuanyu then asked, ¡°Why not visit my Dao Mountain?¡±


    Gu An looked out the window, saying, ¡°I just like lively places like this. You¡¯re always in seclusion; don¡¯t you find it stifling?¡±


    While speaking, he raised his left hand to support his face, his eyes lazy.


    Li Xuanyu also looked out the window, watching the people coming and going on the street. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt a certain mood as well.


    Although Gu An was watching the street, his heart was actually looking towards Outer Heaven.


    The World Gate was stirring.


    A figure was walking out amid the intense light.


    ¡°Celestial Spirit God, finding this Great Thousand World was not easy. Was it your doing, or has the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable not completely fallen?¡±


    A laughing voice emanated from the World Gate, and immediately after, a gray-robed Daoist stepped out. He had the appearance of a young child with white hair, holding a horsetail whisk in one hand and a White Jade Bottle in the other, his body surrounded by an aura of immortality that faintly sparkled with silver light, as if containing stars.


    The Celestial Spirit God stood up and turned to face the newcomer. The divine light around him dissipated, revealing his true form, still bearing the face of Bai Sheng.


    ¡°Greetings, Deity of the Moon.¡±


    Though the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s tone was cold, he still bowed to the Deity of the Moon. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Deity of the Moon smiled. He approached the Celestial Spirit God and chuckled, ¡°How many years has it been? Have you still not found that treasure?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God replied, ¡°What treasure? I am not aware. The reason I haven¡¯t destroyed this world is because I see a destiny here that is favorable for the Celestial Court.¡±


    The Deity of the Moon glanced into the depths of the universe, saying, ¡°The Celestial Dao Destiny is indeed rising, and the name of the Celestial Court is spreading. However, I know what you truly desire.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s face remained unchanged, quietly staring at the Deity of the Moon.


    After a while, the Deity of the Moon withdrew his gaze. He looked at the Deity of the Moon and said, ¡°With your talent, your Cultivation Level shouldn¡¯t be this low. When will you ascend?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God answered, ¡°The Heavenly Dao will decide. I only need to stay at my Immortal Position and wait quietly for the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    ¡°Haha, if you don¡¯t bow your head, how can he allow the Heavenly Dao to fall upon you?¡± the Deity of the Moon taunted.


    The Celestial Spirit God fell silent once more.


    The Deity of the Moon¡¯s expression turned cold as he said, ¡°Do something for me, and I will help conceal your crimes, allowing you and this Great Thousand World to continue to exist.¡±

 Chapter 609 - 602: Thousand-Year-Old Wandering Immortal, Hundred-Year-Old Ascending Immortal

    Chapter 609: Chapter 602: Thousand-Year-Old Wandering Immortal, Hundred-Year-Old Ascending Immortal S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing the gaze of the Deity of the Moon, the Celestial Spirit God was silent for a while before he spoke, ¡°What is it?¡±


    The Deity of the Moon raised the White Jade Bottle in his hand, from which radiance escaped, rapidly spreading to form an invisible Barrier.


    He stared back at the Celestial Spirit God and slowly uttered four words, ¡°Spreading influence, sealing fate.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God frowned, a trace of a strange color flashing in his eyes.


    ¡°You can think it over. I¡¯ll take a trip to the Great World. It¡¯s rare for me to come here, so I might as well have a good travel around.¡±


    With those words, the Deity of the Moon turned and left.


    The Celestial Spirit God didn¡¯t stop him; he stood there, watching as the Deity of the Moon departed.


    Far away in the Qiankun Sect, Gu An heard their conversation; the methods of the Deity of the Moon could not stop Gu An from spying.


    This Deity of the Moon possessed a mid-stage Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Cultivation Level, and the Celestial Dao Destiny about him was extremely dense.


    Because of his words, Gu An became even more interested in the Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God seemed to have a stronger background than he had anticipated.


    Regarding the arrival of the Deity of the Moon in the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An was not worried that Tian Hao would be discovered; he had already sealed Tian Hao¡¯s Destiny Pattern, leaving only his Talent and Comprehension.


    If his Destiny Pattern were released, Tian Hao¡¯s power would reach an incredibly exaggerated level; it would be impossible to meet an opponent within the same Realm, as the whole Heaven and Earth would aid Tian Hao.


    Not only was Tian Hao an Innate Immortal God, but also the Child of Heaven and Earth. No one in the Celestial Spirit Great World could kill him, and even leaving this Great World, he could still borrow the Celestial Dao Destiny¡ªsuch was his Destiny Pattern, born to reign above all beings.


    Even with his Destiny Pattern sealed and without the aid of Heaven, Earth, and the Celestial Dao, Tian Hao remained the being with the strongest Talent and Comprehension in the entire Heaven and Earth.


    Gu An retracted his thoughts and began to focus on chatting with Li Xuanyu.


    It was rare to have an old friend near the Dojo, so naturally, he wanted to have a chat with Li Xuanyu. The two drank wine and discussed the interesting affairs under Heaven, enjoying themselves immensely.


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s Dao Heart also relaxed.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder, perhaps enjoying leisure time appropriately could enhance her cultivation?


    ¡­


    Days later, a majestic Tian Hao arrived in Gu An¡¯s courtyard. His figure was tall and straight, donning a binding Dao robe specially made by the Qiankun Sect that could actively absorb Spiritual Energy. As he walked, an aura of Immortality swirled around him, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, exuding a detached and elegant charm.


    ¡°Master, I have reached the Wandering Immortal Realm. Do you know what a thousand-year-old Wandering Immortal signifies?¡±


    Tian Hao approached Gu An with hands on his hips and a proud smile.


    Gu An didn¡¯t restrict his movements; even after joining the Qiankun Sect, he still came back often.


    Gu An, who was reading a book, didn¡¯t lift his head and said, ¡°Does it mean reaching the Wandering Immortal Realm in a thousand years?¡±


    He thought back carefully; he had not even been a hundred years old when he reached the Wandering Immortal Realm.


    Not only that.


    He had broken through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm at ninety-six.


    Hearing Gu An¡¯s words, Tian Hao couldn¡¯t help but widen his eyes and exclaimed loudly, ¡°Master, can¡¯t you praise me just once?¡±


    Gu An looked at him helplessly and said irritably, ¡°How old are you, still making such a fuss.¡±


    Besides them in the courtyard was another person, Shen Zhen, who sat in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron without looking at Tian Hao.


    Hearing Gu An¡¯s words, Tian Hao instinctively looked toward Shen Zhen, and seeing Shen Zhen frown slightly, he gave an awkward smile.


    He quickly changed the subject and asked in a lowered voice, ¡°Master, is the Green Hero Travelogue any good? Give me a copy, I couldn¡¯t find this book in the Qiankun Sect.¡±


    Gu An immediately tucked the Green Hero Travelogue away and stood up, looking at Tian Hao seriously, ¡°Do you think your Cultivation Level is sufficient?¡±


    Tian Hao replied, ¡°Not enough, but I will become stronger.¡±


    He was full of confidence, feeling that cultivation was the easiest thing in the world.


    Looking at him, Gu An asked, ¡°Would you like to spar with your master?¡±


    At those words, Tian Hao¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, ¡°Can I?¡±


    He had long wanted to test out his master¡¯s prowess!


    Now a Wandering Immortal, he could also create a sun that blotted out the sky, and any Spell or Divine Skill, he only needed to see once to master, which also made his protective methods quite extensive.


    Shen Zhen turned her head to look at the master and disciple with interest.


    Figures appeared in the courtyard; they were An Xin, Celestial Demon Child, Chen Chuan, and others; they all heard Tian Hao¡¯s words. Hearing that this youngster dared to challenge Gu An, they all became excited.


    ¡°You brat, you¡¯d better give it your all!¡± the Blood Prison Great Saint teased.


    An Shengtian laughed, ¡°After sparring with the Ancestor, have a match with me.¡±


    He had already become a Wandering Immortal and wanted to test Tian Hao¡¯s capabilities.


    Chen Chuan and Lv Xian issued a challenge, and Tian Hao accepted them all in one breath.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera opened her mouth, wanting to persuade Tian Hao, but she had no standing to do so here. She looked towards Gu An and, seeing that he was not angry, felt somewhat more at ease.


    Gu An twisted his neck and raised his hand to snap his fingers. In an instant, the surrounding environment dramatically changed, and everyone found themselves on a gloomy wasteland, under a cosmic starry sky, with an exceptionally broad view.


    Tian Hao was stunned by Gu An¡¯s move and dazedly looked all around.


    The others were equally shocked by the scene before them.


    ¡°It¡¯s not an illusion. It¡¯s real!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s still Spiritual Energy here, although it¡¯s thinner than inside the dojo.¡±


    ¡°What Divine Skills are these? So formidable, completely impenetrable.¡±


    ¡°What a perfect place. Only here can one truly let loose. The previous barrier was too small, unsuitable for battles to the death.¡±


    ¡°What? You still want to fight to the death with your own people?¡±


    The crowd buzzed with discussion, all very excited.


    Gu An soared into the air, turned in the sky, and looked down at Tian Hao with a smile, ¡°Show me whatever abilities you have.¡±


    As soon as the words fell, a heaven-piercing momentum erupted from Tian Hao, shocking the others into quickly gathering their Mana to form protective barriers.


    Everyone was surprised by Tian Hao¡¯s display, even An Xin seemed somewhat bewildered.


    They knew Tian Hao¡¯s Cultivation Level advanced at an astonishing pace, but only when they truly felt his aura did they find it incredible.


    Just a mere thousand years, and this brat surpassed them already?


    Especially those who loved to undergo closed-door cultivation, they all had a sense of absurdity.


    It was as if they had woken from sleep to find the baby from before had grown stronger than themselves; how could they accept this?


    Tian Hao started walking towards Gu An. The Celestial Dao True Fire surged out from his body, blazing fiercely, taking the form of nine fire dragons coiling around him. Behind his head, a sun rapidly grew in size, his black hair waving violently, his expression becoming arrogant. His lips curled up involuntarily, radiating an air of untouchable superiority.


    Gu An gazed down at him, thinking of An Hao.


    An Hao and Tian Hao¡¯s figures overlapped at this moment.


    ¡°Master, I will surprise you!¡± Tian Hao¡¯s voice echoed through the cosmic starry sky.


    ¡­


    Qiankun Sect, amidst a range of mountains, a stream flowed by, and next to the river stood a small pavilion.


    Yi Qingshan, Lin Chuan, Cheng Meng, Gu Changsheng, and Gu Chengdao sat inside the pavilion. The five of them were the highest authorities of the Qiankun Sect, with Yi Qingshan as the Sect Hierarch, and the other four as Elders with great power. Even though they were high in status and entangled in many interests, they still gathered together whenever they had a chance.


    ¡°Big brother, Tian Hao¡¯s talent is indeed beyond ordinary; with his recent breakthrough to the Wandering Immortal Realm, I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t keep him hidden any longer.¡± Gu Changsheng said with concern.


    Lin Chuan sighed, ¡°More than his reputation, I worry that he will become arrogant. Honestly, the last time I faced him, I could no longer suppress him. He¡¯s had too smooth a ride, never faced hardship, and it¡¯s hard to imagine what kind of person he¡¯ll become in the future.¡±


    Cheng Meng rolled her eyes at him, ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? He¡¯s not just backed by the Qiankun Sect; he has Elder An to guide him.¡±


    ¡°That may be true, but you¡¯ve also met Tian Hao. The boy isn¡¯t arrogant or domineering, but he¡¯s very proud. Once he¡¯s set on something, nobody can tell him otherwise.¡±


    The four discussed among themselves, while Yi Qingshan remained silent, sipping his Spiritual Tea, lost in thought.


    Just then.


    A figure descended from the sky and landed outside the pavilion, prompting all five to look over and rise to their feet in shock.


    The newcomer was Tian Hao.


    At that moment, Tian Hao had a somber face and his gaze was full of oppression.


    A sudden unease gripped the hearts of those in the pavilion. Had the brat overheard their conversation?


    Tian Hao took a deep breath and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, four Elders, I want to grow stronger. From today onwards, please instruct me. Whatever you teach, I¡¯m willing to learn!¡±


    Lin Chuan frowned, ¡°What can we teach you? Soon enough, you will surpass us.¡±


    ¡°My master told me to earnestly experience the Qiankun Sect with you. You don¡¯t need to teach me Spells or Divine Skills, just teach me how to conduct myself.¡± Tian Hao said, unable to help but clench his fists.


    He was not angry or frustrated.


    He was afraid.


    Recalling the recent sparring session, chills ran down his spine.


    Cheng Meng seemed to notice something was off and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡±


    Tian Hao shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m fine, I just went back to the forbidden area after my breakthrough and had a round of sparring with my master.¡±


    Hearing this, the five people in the pavilion exchanged glances.

 Chapter 610 - 603: Celestial Court Mythology

    Chapter 610: Chapter 603: Celestial Court Mythology


    Tian Hao¡¯s meteoric rise brought unprecedented morale to the Qiankun Sect, his thousand-year journey as a Wandering Immortal shook both the past and the present, spreading the sect¡¯s name far and wide.


    Over the long years, many came to recruit Tian Hao, including members of the Dao Court, but these endeavors always amounted to nothing. There were also geniuses who challenged Tian Hao, all of whom were defeated.


    In the blink of an eye, ten thousand years passed.


    In the Dao Court, within Xiao Lan¡¯s Cave Heaven Dojo¡ª


    By a mountain stream, Xiao Lan, who had just broken through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, was discussing its power with Gu An.


    The two sat cross-legged on a huge boulder, a small table placed between them with fine wine and Spirit Fruit upon it.


    As Xiao Lan shared her experiences and pondered the True Meaning of Heaven and Earth, she was unaware that the person before her, whom she held dear, was merely an avatar.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze subtly shifted, and his true self replaced the avatar.


    He had just returned from collecting Medicinal Herbs at the Mountain God Temple on Tai Cang Continent, feeling pleased.


    He called up his Attribute Panel and began to admire it:


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 45,402/760,382,411,523]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    The One Trillion Years of Life were drawing ever closer!


    Gu An liked this peaceful and tranquil life, devoid of external foes, yet his life span continued to grow steadily.


    For him, the life span digits were like the experience bar in a video game. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Lan picked up a cup of wine, drank it down in one gulp, and said, ¡°Many peerless geniuses have emerged in the world. The current top genius is not from the Dao Court but from a sect known as the Qiankun Sect. His name is Tian Hao, a name as audacious as the heavens themselves. Yet his breakthrough speed is truly inconceivable. He seems to be just over eleven thousand years old and has already achieved the Cultivation Level of a Carefree Primordial Immortal.¡±


    Upon mentioning Tian Hao, her face showed her deep emotions.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°You aren¡¯t doing too badly either. The path of Immortal Cultivation isn¡¯t about who¡¯s faster, but who lives longer.¡±


    Xiao Lan shook her head and chuckled, feeling that Gu An didn¡¯t recognize the terror of Tian Hao.


    She changed the subject, ¡°Recently, there¡¯s been widespread talk of Heavenly Dao and the appearance of many mythical narratives, claiming that beyond our world exist more powerful Immortal Gods from the Celestial Court¡­¡±


    The myths of the Celestial Court indeed spread throughout the world, backed by the efforts of Dao Immortals and the meddling of the Deity of the Moon.


    As more and more beings became aware of these myths, the Celestial Dao Destiny within the world began to rise noticeably, and the Celestial Dao Light Layer above the Celestial Spirit Great World grew increasingly bright.


    This also made Gu An realize something, despite the difference between Immortals and mortals, the Celestial Court did want all beings to be aware of their existence.


    In the currently circulating myths of the Celestial Court, the most formidable was the Profound Star Immortal Monarch. He was omnipotent, creating heavens and earth, could hear the hearts of all living beings, and could save them from their suffering.


    The Profound Star Immortal Monarch was the master of the Deity of the Moon, who was zealously crafting the Immortal Monarch¡¯s image.


    Gu An had an impression of this Immortal God; before the reconstruction of the world, this god¡¯s followers roamed the Human World, widely spreading his name. This resulted in many ancient texts written by old believers, allowing descendants to learn of history and further believe in these myths.


    It is worth mentioning that many imperial dynasties in the Human World have faith in the Profound Star Immortal Monarch and have even established a destiny connection with it.


    For example, Li Xuandao of the Tai Cang Dynasty was the earliest person to receive the power of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, which occurred in the previous Era.


    Gu An had never interfered with this matter because, in his view, everyone has their own fortunes, and he preferred to observe the development of all things from the sidelines.


    Xiao Lan could not comprehend the existence of Immortal Gods. In her opinion, those with Great Power from the Dao Court were already the strongest beings, how could there be Immortal Gods even more powerful than them?


    Having reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, she felt almost omnipotent and even wanted to venture to Outer Heaven. It was hard for her to imagine just how powerful the mythical Immortal Gods, if they truly existed, would be.


    Xiao Lan began to conspire, suspecting that there were forces beneath the heavens harboring the intent to subvert the Dao Court.


    The Dao Court is the common master of the world, equivalent to the Heavenly Dao, and essentially assumes the role of Immortal Gods, making rules for heaven and earth. Now that all beings are aware that there are even more formidable Immortal Gods above the Dao Court, what should they think of the Dao Court?


    Gu An did not pay much attention to Xiao Lan¡¯s thoughts; everyone has a perspective, and Xiao Lan, now situated within the Dao Court, would naturally consider its interests.


    ¡°The world is still too vast, and the Dao Court has not fully unified heaven and earth,¡± Gu An sighed.


    Xiao Lan picked up the liquor bottle and, while pouring Gu An a drink, asked, ¡°Why is it always me talking? Brother Gu, don¡¯t you have any questions, or is there something you desire? I can help you obtain it now.¡±


    Gu An replied with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I was originally just an ordinary person. To have come this far, I¡¯m already very satisfied. I know what you¡¯re worried about. I have not lost my freedom. While you¡¯ve been in seclusion, I often went out for a walk. I¡¯ve made quite a few friends in the Dao Court. I¡¯m truly content, and my greatest joy is hearing others marvel at your prowess¡ªit makes me proud as well.¡±


    Xiao Lan was deeply touched by his words. She put down the liquor bottle, rose involuntarily, then moved closer to Gu An, looking at him with affection.


    Xiao Lan held Gu An¡¯s hand. He didn¡¯t refuse, watching her slowly lean closer to him.


    When Xiao Lan¡¯s face obscured the lower half of Gu An¡¯s face, his eyes looked up to the heavens.


    At that moment, Li Ya was being intercepted by the Deity of the Moon.


    ¡­


    Wave after wave crashed onto the beach. Dressed in black, Li Ya frowned deeply, staring coldly at the Deity of the Moon who was blocking his path.


    ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Li Ya asked bluntly, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist.


    The Deity of the Moon smiled and said, ¡°Your fate has deviated from the trajectory that the Heavenly Dao had laid out for you. It seems you¡¯ve had the help of a noble person, and not only that, but this change is ongoing. In the future, you might even form a connection with Immortal Gods. Although I¡¯m not sure which Immortal God it is, a bit of Immortal Fate has indeed touched you.¡±


    Li Ya scoffed disdainfully and retorted, ¡°What about you? Are you one of those sanctimonious Taoists who espouse the Heavenly Dao and the Celestial Court? I don¡¯t believe in immortals, and I don¡¯t believe in gods.¡±


    If there truly were Immortal Gods, how could this world have suffered so many tribulations, and each time, it must rely on his Junior Brother Gu to save the day?


    If there truly were Immortal Gods, then it could only be Junior Brother Gu.


    The nature of Junior Brother Gu would not allow others to sing his praises.


    The Deity of the Moon smiled, waved the horsetail whisk in his right hand towards the White Jade Bottle in his left, and from the mouth of the bottle, a droplet of liquid flew out, suspending between the two.


    ¡°Our meeting is also a kind of fate. This is Immortal Brew, capable of transforming you completely, bestowing upon you an Innate Body. Let this be the foundation of a good relationship,¡± said the Deity of the Moon with a smile.


    No sooner had he spoken than the droplet of Immortal Brew struck Li Ya¡¯s forehead fiercely; he had no chance to dodge.


    Li Ya, startled, quickly reached for his forehead, but there was nothing to touch; he could not track the droplet of Immortal Brew, nor could he detect any abnormalities within his body.


    The Deity of the Moon turned and walked away, saying, ¡°This Great World is no simple place. In the future, there will surely be many exciting stories to unfold. Interesting, interesting.¡±

 Chapter 611 - 604: Trillion Years Life Span, Life Span Projection

    Chapter 611: Chapter 604: Trillion Years Life Span, Life Span Projection


    Watching the departing figure of the Deity of the Moon, Li Ya still felt uneasy. He checked himself for a long time on the spot, and after confirming that there was nothing abnormal about him, the Deity of the Moon had already disappeared.


    A Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit appeared out of thin air, seemingly leaping suddenly onto his shoulder, and curiously asked, ¡°Could you see through that person¡¯s cultivation level just now?¡±


    Li Ya regained his composure, furrowed his brows, and said, ¡°I couldn¡¯t see through.¡±


    ¡°If he was really helping you just now, then, boy, your Fuyuan is outrageously strong, to encounter such great opportunities even on the road,¡± the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit remarked.


    After hearing the words of the Deity of the Moon, it had actually believed them.


    Indeed, there was a powerful backer behind Li Ya, just hidden in the shadows, not always watching over Li Ya. Yet, Li Ya kept encountering various opportunities, which compelled it to ponder Li Ya¡¯s Destiny Pattern.


    Could it be that Li Ya¡¯s Destiny Pattern has become very strong now?


    Li Ya, on the other hand, was thinking about the identity of the Deity of the Moon.


    Over the years, he had increasingly felt the changes in the Great Heaven and Earth, with more and more outstanding figures and Great Powers emerging, making him feel like a mere mortal, very insecure.


    Li Ya took a deep breath, leaped up, and flew towards the sea.


    The sea wind howled, and the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on his shoulder, pulling at his earlobe, and asked, ¡°Li Ya, are you really going to the Dao Court? I heard that the Dao Court is created by top cultivators from different Great Worlds. If you cause trouble there, it will be very troublesome.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, am I the kind of person who loves to cause trouble?¡±


    ¡°How so? Don¡¯t you know yourself?¡±


    ¡°I never act recklessly, it¡¯s just that those people are too oppressive!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re always right. You can¡¯t stand others being bullied, but who reaches out to help you when you suffer?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t today¡¯s opportunity a repayment? Do good deeds without asking about the future.¡±


    Li Ya hummed, not wanting to continue this conversation. Changing the subject, he asked, ¡°Do you think Tian Hao is really that powerful? Born in an unknown small sect, yet he has become famous throughout the world, a thousand-year-old Wandering Immortal, that¡¯s too fake.¡±


    ¡°The person is now not a Wandering Immortal but a Carefree Primordial Immortal,¡± joked the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit.


    ¡°If An Hao were still here, would he allow this Tian Hao to be so prestigious?¡± Li Ya lamented.


    He considered An Hao as his greatest rival in life; unfortunately, An Hao was no longer in this world, and every time he thought of this, his heart ached and he felt regret.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit fell into contemplation.


    An Hao, Tian Hao¡­


    Both named Hao, could it be such a coincidence?


    On the other side.


    Seeing that Li Ya was unharmed, Gu An then wrapped his arms around Xiao Lan¡¯s waist, starting to respond to her affection.


    After a while, Gu An suddenly pushed Xiao Lan away, embarrassedly saying, ¡°Under the broad daylight, isn¡¯t it inappropriate?¡±


    Xiao Lan hooked his neck, her eyes flirty, and she licked her lips, softly saying, ¡°Brother Gu, don¡¯t be afraid, this is my Grotto Heaven, just you and me. With the sunlight, I can clearly see everything I enjoy.¡±


    With that, she kissed Gu An again.


    Gu An¡¯s tightly clenched hands involuntarily opened.


    So be it.


    ¡­


    After seeing Li Ya, the Deity of the Moon left the Celestial Spirit Great World, flew to the World Gate, briefly chatted with a Celestial Spirit, then entered the World Gate.


    Gu An witnessed the whole process, feeling that the threat from the Celestial Court was temporarily over, and there would be a long period of peace.


    Indeed, it was so.


    Human affairs were like tides, but these tides could not shake Gu An; his time naturally passed even faster.


    In the blink of an eye,


    more than six thousand years had passed.


    On this day, as Gu An was picking medicinal herbs in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, his hand paused as three prompts appeared before him.


    ¡°You have successfully harvested Dandelion Grass (Tier Four), adding 30 years to your lifespan.¡±


    ¡°Your lifespan has surpassed one trillion years for the first time, activating the Life Span Projection feature.¡±


    ¡°Life Span Projection: You can expend lifespan to project into the Great Dao worlds, materializing three thousand projected selves to pursue different Great Daos. Before projecting, you can only choose one Great Dao to chase. The projected selves cannot be deduced, and you cannot retain their memories, but you can gain their insights into the Great Dao.¡±


    This feature¡­


    It somewhat resembled the Lifespan Reincarnation, yet it was different.


    Lifespan Reincarnation felt as if Gu An was experiencing it himself, and its outcomes were unknown, whereas Lifespan Projection seemed more like a method of reincarnation to comprehend the Great Dao.


    Gu An decided he would try it later, as the projected selves couldn¡¯t be deduced; using this feature likely wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble.


    He continued to pick herbs while reviewing the lifespan features he had activated.


    Life Span Detection, Life Span Barrier, Life Span Deduction, Life Span Prediction, Life Span Fusion, Lifespan Reincarnation, Life Span Simulation, Life Span Dojo, Life Span Breakthrough, Life Span Projection.


    Although he scarcely used half of these features, he was not averse to having more lifespan functions.


    It¡¯s fine not to use them, but impossible not to have them!


    Gu An¡¯s mood improved. Having reached his current realm, it was no longer about simple Qi Absorption but about comprehending the Great Dao; the stronger his Dao Intent, the higher his cultivation level would be.


    This was an intangible method of cultivation, beyond the understanding of Mortal Spirits.


    Seeing that Gu An was in a good mood, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, who was following him, carefully asked, ¡°Master, if Tian Hao encounters great trouble outside, would you intervene?¡±


    Over the six thousand years, although Tian Hao remained a Carefree Primordial Immortal, his renown had grown significantly since he could battle across realms.


    Once, while on an expedition with the Qiankun Sect, he had actually annihilated the physical body of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma. That battle had vastly spread his fame, and he became known as the unmatched number one prodigy in the world.


    Great fame inevitably brought more troubles. More and more prodigies came to challenge Tian Hao but were soundly defeated. There were also those forces that wanted to enlist Tian Hao. Tian Hao¡¯s rejections inevitably made enemies.


    Recently, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had been restless. Though she felt exceedingly safe within the dojo, she could only think that perhaps Tian Hao was in danger.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°Great trouble? There¡¯s no trouble that great.¡±


    ¡°What if there is?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he is unlike any prodigy you¡¯ve met. He won¡¯t die young; his Destiny Pattern destined him to become the strongest. You simply don¡¯t understand what he represents. Even without me, his brilliance would shine bright.¡±


    Gu An explained, knowing that the Ghost Mother of Ephemera had the closest relationship with Tian Hao, even regarding her as a mother. He didn¡¯t mind revealing some karma to her. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, the Ghost Mother of Ephemera immediately felt relief.


    Although she didn¡¯t fully understand how powerful Tian Hao¡¯s Destiny Pattern was, she felt reassured by Gu An¡¯s words.


    ¡°Usually, there¡¯s no need to be too diligent in managing the dojo; you also need time for Enlightenment. The Dao Treasure I bestowed upon you is your best aid in cultivation.¡±


    Gu An spoke sincerely.


    He had crafted a Dao Treasure for the Ghost Mother of Ephemera known as the Nine Netherworlds Heaven-Reversing Flag. This flag embodied the Path of Yin and Yang, it could reverse Cangtian and all things, and was extremely domineering.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forget about cultivating.¡±


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera spoke earnestly, but to herself, she added,


    Nor forget about managing the dojo!


    She was well aware of why she possessed all that she did now. She could not relax, could not abandon the path she had taken, and must strive even harder!

 Chapter 612 - 605: Wrapping Up the Projection

    Chapter 612: Chapter 605: Wrapping Up the Projection


    After harvesting the ripe medicinal herbs, Gu An left alone, while the Ghost Mother of Ephemera started to sow as usual.


    Gu An did not return to his own yard, he just picked a random direction to walk.


    As he walked, he fiddled with the Fate Pen.


    He seemed to be enjoying the scenery along the way, but he was actually watching Zhang Buku, who was far away in the Taize Great World.


    Zhang Buku had taken root in the Taize Great World and had even established a Demon Race force.


    Xu You, a reincarnation from the Celestial Court, assisted him by teaching him the Qi Fortune Method, which made his Demon Race force stronger and made cultivation easier and more fortunate for those under his command.


    Seeing Zhang Buku¡¯s accomplishments now, Gu An was very pleased.


    At least Zhang Buku did not have to wander everywhere; he had found his own life goal.


    What would Senior Brother Zhang¡¯s feelings be like if he were still alive and saw his son commanding the winds and clouds?


    With this thought, Gu An felt even better.


    The advantage of staying in the Human World is that there are always different things happening, something even the Immortal Gods may not experience.


    Even if many things seem similar, they always present differently when experienced by different people.


    After an hour, Gu An arrived at a waterfall and sat on the rocks by the river, then he began to perform Lifespan Projection.


    ¡°Please choose the Great Dao you want to pursue.¡±


    Path of Cause and Effect!


    This was the Great Dao Gu An was most skilled in.


    ¡°Consumption of 100,000,000,000 years of lifespan, do you wish to continue?¡±


    What the hell?


    One trillion years of lifespan!


    Gu An cursed internally; he knew the new features would not be so easy to use.


    The later the features were released, the greater the consumption of lifespan!


    He subconsciously wanted to choose to refuse, but on second thought, there was a reason behind the high cost.


    At least, he wanted to see how expensive it was!


    If not satisfactory, he could simply seal this feature forever!


    Continue!


    ¡°You have chosen to consume 100,000,000,000 years of lifespan to activate Lifespan Projection.¡±


    ¡°Starting Projection.¡±


    ¡°Projected onto the Taiwei Great World.¡±


    ¡°Projected onto the Taiqing Great World.¡±


    ¡°Projected onto the Nine Nether Great World.¡±


    ¡­


    Prompt after prompt continually popped up before Gu An¡¯s eyes, arousing his curiosity.


    He could actually see the specific worlds being projected!


    Gu An saw the Taize Great World where Zhang Buku was, and he also saw the Profound Pure Great World visited by the Black Profound Emperor.


    He even saw worlds that were not named as Great Worlds.


    Though he only saw the names, it was enough to let his thoughts run wild.


    Soon, all the prompts settled down.


    It really had projected three thousand worlds!


    Gu An reflected on this, but soon, he felt that something was amiss.


    The projection was finished, then what?


    Gu An furrowed his brows, he was puzzled but not rushed, he sat on the rock patiently waiting.


    Time swiftly passed.


    About half an hour later.


    Two prompts appeared before him:


    ¡°[Begin to consolidate the projection]¡±


    ¡°[Begin the transmission of the Great Dao¡¯s insights]¡±


    The spiritual energy within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless suddenly stopped, causing everyone in the dojo to open their eyes.


    Before Gu An could think further, endless insights of the Great Dao surged into his mind, plunging his consciousness into chaos.


    At the edge of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, at the entrance of the dojo, stood a stone door built by An Xin.


    Outside the stone door was a dense fog, appearing very mysterious.


    A figure emerged from the thick fog and stepped through the stone door¡ªit was Tian Hao.


    Tian Hao advanced with a dragon¡¯s stride and a tiger¡¯s pace, with three differently shaped long spears, each about ten feet long, floating behind him in a fan formation.


    He wore a smug smile on his face, muttering to himself, ¡°This time I will definitely surprise Master!¡±


    However, no sooner had the words left his mouth than he suddenly stopped, furrowing his brow as he looked towards the distant mountains with a look of surprise and doubt in his eyes.


    Why isn¡¯t the spiritual energy in the dojo moving?


    There was also an uncomfortably erratic force.


    He immediately leaped up, transforming into a rainbow light that flew away, quickly vanishing over the other side of the mountains.


    After a while.


    Everyone gathered by a small river, whispering among themselves as they watched Gu An meditating on a rock across the river.


    Tian Hao was there too, looking at Gu An with curiosity.


    This was the first time he had seen his master enter a state of sudden enlightenment.


    In his eyes, his master was already the most powerful being¡ªcould he possibly have an epiphany in such a Dao practice?


    Could Master be about to break through?


    ¡°Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, what realm has Master reached? Has he obtained the Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal Realm?¡± Tian Hao couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal was a realm he had heard about in the last few decades, belonging to a Great Cultivator from the Dao Court, capable of moving mountains and overturning seas.


    No one answered him because the others did not know Gu An¡¯s realm either.


    Blood Prison Great Saint scoffed, ¡°Brat, you only need to know that Master is stronger than anyone you¡¯ve ever met, even those who created this world are far inferior to Master.¡±


    Tian Hao, stirred by these words, inquired further, ¡°Have you ever seen Master engage in a fight? Not just sparring.¡±


    He was the top disciple of the Qiankun Sect, a leader of the younger generation, often going out on missions and establishing great merits for the Qiankun Sect; he had been through many life-and-death battles, and he was infatuated with that feeling.


    Fierce opponents indeed made for stronger challengers than those in sparring combat.


    Lv Xian laughed and said, ¡°I have, but no one could withstand even one move from your master.¡±


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera added, ¡°No matter how powerful, facing your master means meeting their end by a single sword strike.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lv Xian grew enthusiastic and continued, ¡°It¡¯s time for you lad to know about some of your master¡¯s past deeds.¡±


    He began narrating stories from the Supreme Sect, and An Xin and Shen Zhen, who usually didn¡¯t chat with Tian Hao, occasionally chimed in, along with the Blood Prison Great Saint¡ªthus unveiling the past of Gu An.


    Even Jiang Shi, An Shengtian, Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, Chen Chuan, and Ghost Mother of Ephemera learned about events they hadn¡¯t heard of before.


    From helping small sects establish the Righteous Dao, to saving continents, oceans, and even the world¡ªall could feel Gu An¡¯s heart turning towards profound goodness.


    After saving all living beings, Gu An had chosen to leave the Supreme Sect, live in seclusion here, and had supported the Qiankun Sect, which only increased their admiration.


    The Qiankun Sect remains an Orthodox Daoist Sect to this day; though occasionally committing wrongful acts, most disciples still act by the code of chivalry, and even the Dao Court wouldn¡¯t easily declare war on an Orthodox Daoist Sect like the Qiankun Sect.


    Tian Hao listened intently, his mindset gradually changing.


    Although Gu An had not taught him much directly since he was young, he had always admired his master, who had fostered him. In his youth, every act and word of Gu An had inspired him¡ªhe wanted to become like Gu An.


    ¡°Perhaps, I should not seek to become stronger just for the sake of being strong.¡±


    Tian Hao watched Gu An, who was still meditating across the river, and reflected silently.


    The others were still marveling at past events, which now seemed very distant, giving them an unreal feeling.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An opened his eyes, and the entire Daoist Field of the Beginningless returned to normal¡ªspiritual energy flowed again, and the Path of Cause and Effect no longer ran wild.


    The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Tian Hao across the river.


    Master and disciple locked eyes, Tian Hao¡¯s gaze intense. When he saw his master¡¯s eyes open, his heart skipped a beat in fear.


    Gu An narrowed his eyes, and with just one look, he saw the entirety of Tian Hao¡¯s trillion-year lifespan.

 Chapter 613 - 606 Tian Hao and Gu An

    Chapter 613: Chapter 606 Tian Hao and Gu An


    The embodiments of beings from the Three Thousand Worlds all once pursued the Path of Cause and Effect, exhausting their lifetimes of energy and time. Although Gu An was unclear how long they had lived or what realm they had ultimately reached, their insights into the Path of Cause and Effect, when gathered together, were incredibly vast.


    Gu An looked at Tian Hao, whose future rapidly unfolded before his eyes.


    Two hundred million years!


    Three hundred million years!


    Five hundred million years!


    Suddenly, Tian Hao¡¯s billion-year life span was all within his sight.


    Gu An saw countless destiny lines on him, among which one shone the brightest. That was the destiny undisturbed by the power of the current Great Worlds, a life path predestined by the heavens. Following this line, Gu An could see all that would come to pass for him.


    Tian Hao would become the strongest fighter in the Celestial Spirit Great World. He would travel the Path of the Great Dao, he would challenge other Great Thousand Worlds, and he would even venture into realms above the Great Thousand Worlds.


    This was the path of a legend, and he had never known failure.


    Feeling Gu An¡¯s gaze, Tian Hao was very nervous. He lowered his eyes, not daring to look back.


    The others also sensed a sharp aura emanating from Gu An, and none dared to speak, thinking they might have been too noisy and disturbed him, causing his displeasure.


    Everyone was tense. It was their first time seeing Gu An angry.


    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t long before the chill on Gu An¡¯s face dissipated.


    ¡°Why are you all looking at me?¡± Gu An asked with a smile.


    Seeing his familiar smile, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and followed suit, smiling.


    Senior Sister Anxin was the first to ask, ¡°Master, did you just have a moment of sudden enlightenment?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°Hmm, an epiphany indeed. Alright, disperse now. You don¡¯t expect me to discuss my insights into this realm with you, do you?¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone showed an embarrassed look. They dared not probe, especially since they didn¡¯t know what realm Gu An was in.


    They paid their respects in turn and took their leave.


    However, Tian Hao stayed. He leaped over a stream and came to Gu An¡¯s side, asking, ¡°Master, the Dao Court is holding a grand event of peerless prodigies that claims to take place only once every ten thousand years. Do you think I should participate? I want to, but the Elders in the Sect fear I might encounter danger. The Dao Court is the common master of the world; they wouldn¡¯t do such a thing, right?¡±


    Many famous prodigies had trained at the Dao Court, and it hadn¡¯t schemed against them.


    Gu An answered, ¡°One must always guard against others. Your biggest problem now is that you haven¡¯t faced hardship or defeat. That¡¯s also a good thing. Your master hopes that you never face defeat.¡±


    Tian Hao¡¯s eyes widened as he said loudly, ¡°That¡¯s not true. I¡¯ve only ever lost to you!¡±


    ¡°You brat, still talking about winning and losing with your master?¡±


    ¡°Then how about you try losing to me?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I was wrong, I was just spouting nonsense!¡±


    Tian Hao quickly apologized after being glared at by Gu An.


    After that, Gu An asked about his experiences over the years, and he answered truthfully, his spirits high.


    Gu An understood Tian Hao¡¯s thoughts; the kid had always been looking for an opportunity to spend quality time with him. Before coming of age, although both were in the dojo, Gu An didn¡¯t accompany him in play the entire time.


    Of course, what the kid wanted most was Gu An¡¯s praise.


    Yet Gu An just wouldn¡¯t satisfy him.


    This kid is already proud enough, he must leave some room for improvement, lest his tail lift up to the sky.


    While chatting, Tian Hao leaned against the rock, looking up at Gu An. He did not sit beside Gu An.


    He was indeed very conceited, but he was filled with reverence for Gu An. He did not want to break that attitude, he hoped he would always revere his master, so he would have a goal.


    So many seniors had been surpassed by him, making him feel that the path of Immortal Cultivation was very simple. Only when compared with his master did he feel motivated and full of anticipation. He hoped his master would always be stronger than him so that he wouldn¡¯t feel alone on the path of Immortal Cultivation.


    From Tian Hao¡¯s words, Gu An could feel his sense of belonging to the Qiankun Sect, and that his achievements had not led to any contempt for his own sect, which made Gu An all the more satisfied with him.


    The Sect Hierarch of the Qiankun Sect, Yi Qingshan, was the reincarnation of his disciple, Lu Jiujia. Gu An had his reasons for letting them establish karma, but if the Qiankun Sect were to stray from the right path, he would not blindly support it.


    Whether the Heavenly Dao or the Great Dao should be sentimental, Gu An didn¡¯t know; he only knew he wanted to follow a path of sentiment.


    He didn¡¯t want to set too many rules and restrictions for himself; he would simply follow his heart.


    If he wanted to pity all living beings, then he would pity them.


    If he didn¡¯t want to get close to someone, he would keep his distance.


    The greatest kindness he could offer to all things was not to kill indiscriminately.


    ¡°By the way, Master, they told me a lot about your past. Out of the many disciples you¡¯ve taken, who is your favorite?¡± Tian Hao suddenly asked out of curiosity.


    Gu An glanced at him and he quickly added, ¡°Other than me.¡±


    ¡°You wish, how could it possibly be you?¡± Gu An replied, a little irritated.


    Tian Hao didn¡¯t feel embarrassed, just chuckled.


    Gu An then said, ¡°My favorite disciple should be An Hao. He was the first disciple I truly took to heart to teach, and also the first I adopted. He is just like you, born with the strongest talent.¡±


    Tian Hao¡¯s eyes lit up and he asked, ¡°Is that Senior Sister Anxin¡¯s brother?¡±


    He had heard An Hao¡¯s name before, but the people in the dojo did not talk much about him, as if they were apprehensive.


    ¡°Um, they come from the same village¡­¡± Gu An began to recount An Hao¡¯s life.


    Tian Hao listened intently. This time, Gu An spoke at length, which made Tian Hao feel very happy, feeling closer to his master.


    They talked until dusk. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sky was streaked with crimson, and the celestial vault was desolately beautiful.


    After hearing An Hao¡¯s life story, Tian Hao¡¯s mood was hard to calm for a long time.


    Gu An looked at Tian Hao and asked, ¡°Where do you think you are better than An Hao, and where do you fall short?¡±


    Tian Hao pondered and said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t abandon my kin like he did, but I don¡¯t seem to have his resolve either. He could sacrifice himself for the people of the world, but I can¡¯t do it. I would only give my all for the Qiankun Sect.¡±


    Gu An smiled, not judging Tian Hao¡¯s thoughts.


    He looked up into the twilight sky and said softly, ¡°Hao¡¯er, I gave you the name Hao indeed because of An Hao. I hoped you would go further than he did. As your teacher, I won¡¯t demand anything specific from you. You may choose not to sacrifice yourself for all living beings, but never, by virtue of your own strength, wantonly bully the weak. You must realize that no one can stay strong forever.¡±


    Tian Hao smiled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master. If you inquire at the Qiankun Sect, you will find out I never bully others. I only uphold justice.¡±


    As he spoke, he raised his right hand, used his palm as a sword, and made a few gestures in the air.


    Only in front of Gu An and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera did he show his childlike side. To others, he was the proud, reticent senior disciple of the Qiankun Sect.


    Gu An watched him and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you know how vast Outer Heaven is, how many worlds like the Celestial Spirit Great World are there?¡±


    Tian Hao¡¯s interest peaked. He eagerly asked how large and how many Great Worlds there were.


    Gu An began to tell him about the existence of other Great Thousand Worlds, as well as the most talented and fortuitous prodigies of various Great Worlds, which aroused his passion, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

 Chapter 614 - 607: The Great Cause and Effect Stele, The Path of Power

    Chapter 614: Chapter 607: The Great Cause and Effect Stele, The Path of Power


    After talking with his master for a day, Tian Hao had gained a greater knowledge and developed an even bigger longing for immortal cultivation. Thereafter, he went to the Dao Court with a heart full of fighting spirit.


    Dozens of years later.


    Tian Hao¡¯s reputation spread throughout all the overlord-level forces in the world, and any cultivator who wasn¡¯t in some remote area had heard of his name.


    At the grand gathering of the ages, he overwhelmed the heroes of the world and became the unrivaled number one talent of all time!


    The zenith of acclaim spurred Tian Hao to cultivate even harder, and every breakthrough upon his return from the Dao Court caused tremors across the world.


    Time flew by.


    Twenty thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.


    The Human World presented a new pattern, and although the Dao Court remained the most powerful sect, many strong Daoist lineages had emerged. If they combined forces, they had the power to overturn the Dao Court.


    The self-proclaimed righteous Dao Court never initiated war against sects or imperial dynasties, so the Human World remained at peace, though only relatively peaceful from a macrocosmic perspective of heaven and earth.


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, the lowest Cultivation Level had already reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm. Lv Xian, An Xin, Blood Prison Great Saint, and Celestial Demon Child had all become Carefree Primordial Immortals.


    As for Tian Hao, he had reached the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, and moreover, he was at the 9th Floor of that Cultivation Level. Any talent paled in comparison to him, and coupled with the three Dao Treasures gifted to him by Gu An, nobody could challenge him below the realm of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal.


    Those three Dao Treasures were three long spears, named Divine Punishment, Celestial Punishment, and Immortal Punishment, each containing different powers of the Great Dao.


    Regarding Gu An¡¯s favoritism towards Tian Hao, the other disciples in the dojo had no objections. They wholeheartedly acknowledged Tian Hao¡¯s Talent. Even the Blood Prison Great Saint could do nothing but admire him. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As twenty thousand years had gone by, Tian Hao was now someone they all aspired to chase after.


    Beneath the starry sky, atop a massive mountain peak, there sat a serene palace.


    Within the palace, Ji Xiaoyu was meditating on a jade platform, surrounded by wisps of gray-tinged energy, a manifestation of the Power of the Great Dao.


    A figure appeared atop the palace, it was the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor.


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor bowed deeply and, looking up at Ji Xiaoyu, spoke, ¡°Your Majesty, Tian Hao, known as the number one talent of the world, has come to the Yin Yang Immortal Domain. He has stepped into our territory, seeking the Yin Yang Rebirth Flower. He seems determined to obtain it, and with the three Ultimate Treasures in his grasp, each possessing power not inferior to Heaven and Earth Ultimate Treasures, our people cannot stop him.¡±


    As he mentioned Tian Hao, his expression was incredibly complicated.


    Twenty thousand years ago, he had heard rumors of a peerlessly gifted talent born in the central area of the Great World. He thought those rumors were exaggerated, but having now encountered Tian Hao, he realized they were no exaggeration; in fact, they might have even underestimated him.


    Compared to Tian Hao¡¯s Talent for cultivation, his talent for battle was even more prodigious.


    Ji Xiaoyu slowly opened her eyes, overlooking the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor, and asked, ¡°You mentioned earlier he came from the Qiankun Sect. What is the background of this Qiankun Sect?¡±


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor answered, ¡°Strangely enough, the Qiankun Sect lacks any Great Power but has nurtured such an extraordinary talent. Oh, I¡¯ve also heard there is an Immortal protecting the sacred land of the Qiankun Sect, guarding only their homeland¡ªI¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s true.¡±


    Hearing this, a flicker of intrigue crossed Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s eyes.


    She was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°Let him advance. Allow him to reach the other domains, and there¡¯s no need to inform the other three Emperors.¡±


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor was surprised but asked no further questions, promptly taking his leave.


    Ji Xiaoyu gazed out at the starry sky, murmuring to herself, ¡°Is it you¡­ Tian Hao, An Hao, you truly are formidable, always able to cultivate peerlessly distinguished talents.¡±


    As she calculated with her fingers, her expression grew increasingly complex.


    Tian Hao¡¯s rate of cultivation was simply too mesmerizing, making her feel as if all past distinguished talents were inconsequential.


    At this rate, in less than a million years, Tian Hao would become the foremost figure of this era.


    Perhaps even the legendary Shengtian of the past would be but a stepping stone for him.


    Ji Xiaoyu took a deep breath, her gaze towards the starry sky gradually firming.


    Perhaps, it was truly time for her to take that step.


    ¡­


    In the early morning, Gu An was accompanying Shen Zhen in painting, next to a waterfall, by a mountain with beautiful scenery.


    Shen Zhen was painting a Celestial Spirit God vanquishing demons, while Gu An painted Ji Xiaoyu meditating.


    Shen Zhen glanced at Gu An and scoffed, ¡°It seems you really miss your Third Miss. Why don¡¯t you go find her in Reincarnation?¡±


    Gu An answered, ¡°She is not in the cycle of Reincarnation.¡±


    Shen Zhen showed no interest in Ji Xiaoyu. Seeing Gu An¡¯s response, she did not press further and instead turned to ask, ¡°Look at my painting, does it capture the likeness of the Fairy?¡±


    Her understanding of the Path of Cause and Effect was growing stronger. Even though her Cultivation Level was much lower than that of the Celestial Spirit God, she was able to depict the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s past without him noticing.


    Gu An glanced at her painting and said, ¡°Not bad, but isn¡¯t it rather uninteresting to only probe into his past?¡±


    ¡°This process allows me to deepen my understanding of the Great Dao. Besides, what I can see is far from boring,¡± Shen Zhen said proudly.


    The Celestial Spirit God was, in her view, second only to Gu An. Unable to depict Gu An, she could only paint the Celestial Spirit God.


    Gu An spoke with a profound tone, ¡°Perhaps you should create a Divine Skill, a skill that only you can wield.¡±


    ¡°Divine Skills?¡± Shen Zhen pondered thoughtfully.


    Her Cultivation Level was also that of a Wandering Immortal, and that was even without putting much effort into her Immortal Cultivation, so she grew increasingly confident, even believing that she would eventually surpass Tian Hao.


    Although Gu An did not think she could catch up to Tian Hao, her potential indeed seemed limitless.


    This was not solely due to the power of cause and effect from Fairy Yaoxuan, but also the Great Cause and Effect Stele used by the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    The Great Cause and Effect Stele stood within the River of Cause and Effect, a manifestation of the Great Dao itself, eternally indestructible within the Great Dao. The existence of the Great Cause and Effect Stele was unimaginable.


    With the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s sacrifice, some of the stele¡¯s power had spread to Shen Zhen. As she lived longer, this power became ever stronger.


    Gu An could see through everyone¡¯s future, but Shen Zhen¡¯s future was becoming increasingly obscured in his eyes, a power dissolving her cause and effect, which made him have greater expectations for her.


    While Shen Zhen was lost in thought, Gu An contemplated his own Dao.


    He felt it was necessary to focus on developing a second Great Dao.


    Relying on the Daoist Dominator Skill, Gu An had begun to glimpse the Three Thousand Great Dao, but that was just understanding, not mastery.


    He wanted to master a formidable Great Dao, not as unfathomable as cause and effect, fate, or reincarnation but rather pure strength.


    Like the bright sun in the sky, glorious, upright, with awe-inspiring might.


    The Three Thousand Great Dao was just a collective term; the actual number of Dao was uncertain, with Gu An having glimpsed more than three thousand.


    He wished to choose the most vigorous among these Dao.


    Pure strength!


    After much contemplation, Gu An decided on the Path of Power.


    The Path of Power wasn¡¯t simply about physical strength but represented all types of power at their peak¡ªthat was the Path of Power.


    To prove the Dao with power meant to prove it with Great Magical Power, with Qi Power.


    The Path of Power was ubiquitous; all beings that possessed strength, that could cultivate mana, demonic power, or any other power-focused Cultivation, existed because of the Path of Power.


    Gu An immediately employed the Life Span Projection and chose the Path of Power.


    Still consuming one trillion years of life span, various prompts wildly popped up before him.


    But this time was different!


    He suddenly saw the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Almost instantly, he sensed some changes in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    It seemed an extra person had appeared.


    Gu An calculated with his fingers, his expression growing even more peculiar.


    He couldn¡¯t calculate the projected being, but he did foresee Tian Hao encountering a formidable opponent in the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, marking the first time Tian Hao had failed to conquer a being of the same realm.

 Chapter 615 - 608: Manipulating Fate

    Chapter 615: Chapter 608: Manipulating Fate


    Tian Hao couldn¡¯t defeat the existence that appeared blurred in the causality deduction, but Gu An could see it through his Heart Eye.


    The appearance of that being was different from his, but his intuition told him that this was his projected self.


    After escaping Tian Hao, the projected self turned around and jumped into the Sea of Reincarnation in the Yin Yang Immortal Domain, entered Reincarnation, and disappeared from sight.


    [Start retracting the projected self]


    [Start inheriting the Great Dao insights]


    Two prompts popped up, interrupting Gu An¡¯s thoughts. He vanished from his spot and appeared at the edge of the dojo, starting to inherit the Great Dao insights.


    It wasn¡¯t long before a disturbance occurred within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, alarming everyone.


    Since such an event had occurred before, the dojo disciples merely glanced in the direction of Gu An and then continued to cultivate, not bothering Gu An.


    ¡­


    Under the starry sky, clad in golden robes, Tian Hao stood by the sea, staring at the dark waves ahead, his brow furrowed in thought.


    A figure descended from the sky and landed beside him, it was the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor.


    The two had had many dealings and shared a decent camaraderie.


    ¡°Are you still thinking about that person?¡± the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor asked.


    Tian Hao took a deep breath, looked ahead, and said, ¡°Yes, I felt pressure from someone of the same realm for the first time.¡±


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor consoled, ¡°Even if it¡¯s the same realm, he must be much older than you, and he didn¡¯t defeat you, so why bother?¡±


    In his opinion, Tian Hao already had the greatest talent. He had witnessed the previous battle; the opponent was indeed fearsome, but Tian Hao didn¡¯t lose; it was just hard to determine who was better.


    Their encounter made the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor question life.


    The battle of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma had even a Divine Thought True Immortal like him terrified.


    Had this genius from the Old Era been outclassed?


    He felt that Tian Hao would surpass him sooner rather than later, and much quicker than he had anticipated.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let it go, I feel excited. I¡¯m recalling his combat techniques. He didn¡¯t use many Divine Skills or spells, he simply countered me with pure mana and Qi Power, truly a display of ¡®one force breaks ten thousand laws.''¡± S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tian Hao sincerely remarked, feeling very exhilarated.


    Indeed, Master was right, never underestimate the world, you never know where a strong contender with great fortune might emerge.


    His talent might truly be the best, but he had lived too short a life and still needed to continuously strengthen his Daoist Techniques.


    Hearing Tian Hao¡¯s words, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor opened his mouth, not knowing what to say, unable to grasp Tian Hao¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°What are your plans next? You got what you wanted,¡± the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor asked.


    Facing a genius like Tian Hao, he chose to make a strong connection, having a premonition that this connection might save his life one day.


    Tian Hao withdrew his gaze, looked at the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor, and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m planning to go back. Not being able to sweep through the same realm shows that my combat ability is not enough. I will go into seclusion to cultivate for a while before venturing out again. If you ever come to the Nine Spirit Continent, seek me out. I won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor showed a smile, getting such a promise from Tian Hao was all he wanted; it at least proved that Tian Hao was still willing to maintain their friendship.


    Then Tian Hao bowed to the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor and transformed into a beam of extreme light, leaping up and quickly vanishing into the horizon.


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor watched his departing figure, a look of envy on his face.


    Living for so many years, he had never been as free as Tian Hao.


    A cultivator should be like this, roaming the heavens and earth, unbound.


    Immediately after, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor let out a self-deprecating laugh. The reason he was bound by the Yin Yang Immortal Domain was not because of his talent, but because he needed the power of the Immortal Domain to gather cultivation resources.


    He used to think his cultivation speed was fast, but now it felt slow. He earnestly wanted to reach the Free Immortal Realm.


    He now harbored a ridiculous guess.


    He felt that Tian Hao might reach the Free Immortal Realm faster than him.


    After a while, a figure landed beside the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor, a mysterious cultivator enveloped in black mist, who said in a deep voice, ¡°Emperor, His Majesty has left. She said she would head to Outer Heaven to pursue the Great Dao, leaving you to lead the Reincarnation Domain.¡±


    The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor¡¯s thoughts were interrupted, and upon hearing this, he couldn¡¯t help but be astonished.


    Go to Outer Heaven to pursue the Great Dao?


    ¡­


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a forceful presence. He had completed inheriting the three thousands projected selves¡¯ insights on the Path of Power.


    He underwent a transformation, with his Qi Power and mana rapidly strengthening¡ªa strengthening that required no absorption of Spiritual Energy but was aided by the invisible and colorless Path of Power.


    He felt that the projected self that had entered Reincarnation had disappeared, as if it had never existed.


    This allowed him to completely let go. Although there were many projected selves, indeed, they left no trace behind.


    He carefully sensed the Path of Power.


    Just pondering the Path of Power made his mana surge within the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, and his strength progressed leaps and bounds.


    Pure mana enhancement made him feel incredibly wonderful, and this time his choice was the right one.


    The sun set, and the moon rose.


    Days passed swiftly.


    Ten days later, Gu An stood up. He first went to various places to pick mature medicinal herbs, and only after gathering them did he return to Shen Zhen¡¯s side.


    Shen Zhen had painted a new picture, depicting a scene where the Celestial Spirit God knelt before an Immortal.


    This Immortal was an old Daoist, with an aura of Immortal Dao and bones of divinity, and his back was bathed in rosy light. In front of him, the Celestial Spirit God lacked its usual overwhelming might.


    Gu An raised an eyebrow. Shen Zhen had already been able to excavate his causality through the Celestial Spirit God.


    ¡°Don¡¯t paint recklessly, be careful not to provoke an existence even I can¡¯t withstand,¡± Gu An spoke.


    Shen Zhen snapped back to reality, and when she saw clearly what she had painted, her face turned pale, and she immediately raised her hand, her fingers igniting, rapidly burning the scroll.


    After doing all this, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    She turned her head towards Gu An, embarrassingly said, ¡°I was too engrossed earlier, it wasn¡¯t intentional.¡±


    She also felt a sense of fear.


    The Celestial Spirit God was already so powerful, how horrifying must an existence be that could make the Celestial Spirit God kneel?


    The thought that she might have brought about a catastrophe for Gu An made her uneasy, her eyes filled with guilt.


    Gu An was just trying to scare her. He trusted his own Daoist Field.


    If his Daoist Field weren¡¯t strong enough, Shen Zhen had already provoked that old Immortal. With his Dao Practice far surpassing the Celestial Spirit God, he would just need a thought to descend into the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    ¡°In the future, think about yourself. Your talent might hide unimaginable great cause and effect,¡± Gu An said with a smile.


    The Path of Power had let his strength leap forward, and he also planned to prepare for a breakthrough.


    It was time to think of a way to save Fairy Yao Xuan.


    This was the obsession of the Emperor of Eternal Life, and as the original, Gu An had to help him.


    Speaking of obsessions linked to the Reincarnation Body, Lu Han had one too; his son, Lu Qiuxian.


    The obsession of the Black Profound Emperor was his senior sister, Fairy Bai Xian.


    Gu An didn¡¯t want to create too deep a cause and effect with these people. The Long Family was already troublesome enough, but he could secretly aid them.


    Consider it as repaying them for their lifelong companionship.


    ¡°My great cause and effect?¡± Shen Zhen fell into deep thought.


    Seeing her lose herself once again, Gu An shook his head in amusement.


    It wasn¡¯t necessarily good to be too easily enlightened.


    Gu An sat down and continued painting. He felt that Ji Xiaoyu had left the Celestial Spirit Great World, but he did not stop his brush.


    He had long seen Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s future.


    After many trials and tribulations, Ji Xiaoyu would descend into other Great Thousand Worlds, thus welcoming more opportunities. Her choice was right; she would go further in the future.


    Unfortunately, it was just further.


    Gu An had seen the end of her life; she would die in a struggle.


    He was not worried, when the time came, he would act.


    Peering into destiny did not make Gu An feel desolate towards everything because he was not only able to peer but also to change and even manipulate.


    Beings of lower realms could not detect this manipulation and would only sink in fate.


    One stick of incense later, Gu An completed his painting of Ji Xiaoyu.


    He saw Shen Zhen still in a self-forgetting state, so he couldn¡¯t help but turn his gaze towards other worlds.


    Zhang Buku was temporarily safe, and in the long years to come, his power would grow continuously until he became the Demon Emperor of the Taize Great World.


    Compared to him, Gu An was more concerned about another person.


    That was Zhu Xi.


    The former Lord of the Holy Court, Saint Heaven Reincarnation!


    After being sent out of the Celestial Spirit Great World by the Immortal Seeker, she came to a domain not part of the Great Thousand Worlds to make her way, a place that also had heaven and earth, but without the rules of the Great World.


    Gu An had only recently in the last ten thousand years caught track of Zhu Xi.


    At this moment, she was making her way through an ancient secret realm, said to be the dojo of a Daoist Emperor, filled with mechanisms and its own world.


    This Daoist Emperor made Gu An feel familiar.


    Emperor Ziwei!


    This Emperor had appeared in the life of the Black Profound Emperor and was the strongest in talent he had ever encountered.


    Now recalling it, Gu An felt that this Emperor Ziwei was very extraordinary.

 Chapter 616 - 609: Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect and Emperor Ziwei

    Chapter 616: Chapter 609: Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect and Emperor Ziwei


    Under the black night, ghostly figures in white robes drifted across the hills and fields, their forms ethereal, like phantoms, making not a sound.


    Amidst the forest, Zhu Xi took in this spectacle, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.


    She slowly retreated into the shadows; she turned around and walked towards the deeper parts of the forest.


    Moonlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, illuminating her figure draped in a deep purple long garment, her hair pinned atop her head, exuding an air of authority and spirit.


    Having left the Celestial Spirit Great World tens of thousands of years ago, her experiences had already transformed her.


    She approached a stone statue in the forest, her hand gently caressing the statue while she muttered an enigmatic and complex incantation.


    Moments later, a luminescent green figure flew out from within the statue, an old crone in a Daoist robe, akin to a Soul Body, her face covered in black spots, especially frightening to behold.


    She looked at Zhu Xi, chuckling, ¡°Are you at a loss?¡±


    Zhu Xi stepped back and asked, ¡°Speak then, how shall we cooperate, and what must I give?¡±


    The old crone peered at Zhu Xi, her face full of mockery, ¡°It¡¯s simple, let me take temporary possession of you, I will leave your body once we are out.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhu Xi¡¯s frown deepened.


    ¡°Each of those lost souls surpasses you in Cultivation Level, and they simply cannot step into this forest, unless you wish to stay here forever, this is your only chance, as long as you trust me,¡± the old crone persisted, her gaze burning into Zhu Xi.


    She paused, then added, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, you would already be dead without me.¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes flickered, caught in indecision.


    For a long time.


    Zhu Xi looked up at the old woman and said, ¡°I can agree to your terms, now tell me your name, and the origins of this Daoist field.¡±


    The old crone revealed a smile, ¡°I am called the Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden; this Daoist field was left by Emperor Ziwei. He set this place as a seal, and the most terrifying thing here isn¡¯t the lost souls, he left behind an avatar here, intended for revival, as I see it.¡±


    Emperor Ziwei?


    Zhu Xi silently noted down the name, then said, ¡°Let¡¯s begin then.¡±


    The Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden asked with a smirk, ¡°Do you need my help to snatch some opportunities? I know where the good treasures are hidden.¡±


    Zhu Xi shook her head, ¡°No need, let¡¯s just get out of here soon.¡±


    The corners of the Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden¡¯s mouth curled up, and then she burrowed into Zhu Xi¡¯s body. Instantly, the stone statue burst with green light, swiftly enveloping her.


    Zhu Xi closed her eyes, welcoming all that was happening.


    Gu An, in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless far away, raised his eyebrows slightly.


    This Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden came from the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect!


    The Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect belonged to the Emperor of Eternal Life. Although he was not the founder, the Emperor of Eternal Life had left his mark within the karma and Destiny of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect.


    Gu An¡¯s ability to cultivate the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was due to the inheritance left by a former Sect Hierarch of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect. The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had boundless mystical uses, and at the very least, his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power could reverse everything.


    Gu An could feel that a part of Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden¡¯s karma belonged to the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    Before leaving the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, the Emperor of Eternal Life left behind many inheritances, and Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden had received one.


    Could it be that all the lost souls in this Daoist field were from the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect?


    And there was no knowledge if the Profound Demon Emperor was still safe?


    For that existence who had always aided the Emperor of Eternal Life, Gu An had a profound impression.


    The Profound Demon Emperor could be said to be the most loyal disciple of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, spending his whole life trying to restore it.


    Speaking of which, since the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect offended the Celestial Court, they could only flee all over, and now being suppressed here by Emperor Ziwei, could it be the will of the Celestial Court?


    Gu An remembered Emperor Ziwei bore an uncanny resemblance to Emperor Ziwei. Emperor Ziwei was the Master of the Immortal Palace when the Celestial Spirit God and the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable met, a God of the Celestial Court.


    Gu An continued to observe Zhu Xi¡¯s actions.


    In his memory, Zhu Xi was very cautious, and he didn¡¯t think she would normally leave her destiny in the hands of others.


    After being possessed by the Stealing Mystery Heavenly Maiden, Zhu Xi utilized a unique Secret Technique to quietly leave the forest.


    Along the way, she encountered many lost souls, all very powerful, some even of the Golden Immortal rank, but none noticed her.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Time shifted to noon the next day, and Shen Zhen finally woke up.


    Gu An stood up, not bothering to ask what she had realized, but left after dropping these words:


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so fixated all the time. Sometimes, taking a break for a while can be more helpful.¡±


    By the time Shen Zhen came to her senses, she could no longer see his figure.


    ¡°Indeed, I seem to have become quite obsessed lately, always trying to pursue enlightenment. It appears I¡¯ve been stimulated by that kid, Tian Hao,¡± Shen Zhen murmured to herself as she stood up to tidy up the easel.


    Her mood was still fairly good. Although she hadn¡¯t made any breakthroughs, she had all the time in the world to comprehend it.


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, she never had to worry about danger and felt as if time was extraordinarily lengthy.


    As she was wondering whether to write a book or go shopping at the Qiankun Sect, Zhu Xi was in the midst of a life-and-death battle.


    Suspended in the cosmic void, Zhu Xi stood with a long sword in her hand, her expression blank as she stared at the Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery in front of her.


    The Profound Mystery had become younger than before, her features bewitchingly beautiful, with only a few dark spots remaining on her face.


    She glared at Zhu Xi and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°What cultivation technique did you practice? How did it protect your Divine Soul?¡±


    Zhu Xi raised her sword toward her and said, ¡°The Daoist Unique Venerate Skill. Have you ever heard of it?¡±


    The color drained from Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery¡¯s face; in an instant, the void around them changed color, and twisting green light appeared in every direction, making the void seem like an Illusion Realm.


    ¡°Whose disciple are you from the Celestial Court?¡± Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery asked in a deep voice, her eyes filled with hatred.


    Zhu Xi snorted coldly, ¡°I have nothing to do with the Celestial Court. I¡¯m just an ordinary person from a Mortal Realm. If you insist on taking over my flesh, then let¡¯s fight to the death. May it be your soul scattering or my body and Dao being annihilated, it¡¯s all a matter of skill!¡±


    When she spoke these words, she exuded the aura of the Holy Court¡¯s Shengtian, an aura cultivated from being unmatched for years, fearless in the face of anything.


    Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery suddenly opened her arms, and in an instant, numerous figures appeared amidst the twisting green light, like countless arrows raining down on Zhu Xi.


    Before Zhu Xi could confront these figures, a green beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping her. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everything happened too rapidly, so fast that Zhu Xi couldn¡¯t dodge in time.


    ¡°Do you dare to be so audacious in front of me?¡± Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery said with scorn.


    The figures that moved towards Zhu Xi quickly surrounded the green light pole, forming layers upon layers in an arrangement resembling a Formation.


    Upon closer inspection, these figures greatly resembled the lost souls from the Secret Realm she had encountered before.


    Zhu Xi was unable to move, feeling as if she was being consumed by countless ants.


    She didn¡¯t despair; jin qi started to emanate from her body, circling around her. Gradually, golden lines appeared on her forehead, interwoven, resembling a Golden Lotus blooming upon her brow.


    Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery¡¯s pupils dilated suddenly. Just as she was about to speak, the Golden Lotus on Zhu Xi¡¯s forehead burst forth with dazzling golden light, piercing the green light and annihilating the soul shadows along its path.


    In a flash, Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery dodged to the side, appearing in another location.


    Just as she appeared, she fixed her gaze and saw that Zhu Xi¡¯s figure was no longer inside the formation she had created.


    Boom!


    A sword light suddenly attacked, and Zhu Xi appeared out of nowhere behind her, severing her head with a single strike. The sword light extended infinitely after the cut, eliminating the twisting green light in the void and returning everything to darkness.


    Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery¡¯s head spun in the void, locking eyes with Zhu Xi¡¯s sword-wielding figure.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery was furious, her alluring face contorting with rage.


    Just as she attempted to retaliate, a hand suddenly grabbed her head, rendering her motionless.


    Her eyes widened as she cried out, ¡°Who?¡±


    Zhu Xi stopped, her eyes filled with dread as she saw the figure gripping Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery¡¯s head.


    It was a man dressed in a Dragon Patterned Purple Robe, wearing an imperial crown with hanging beads, his garments exquisite, and behind him, eighteen Purple-scaled Flood Dragons twisted in the air, his face utterly indifferent.


    ¡°Emperor Ziwei! How is this possible? You¡­¡± Stealing Heaven¡¯s Profound Mystery cried out in shock, but before she could finish, Emperor Ziwei crushed her soul head, and her Soul Body dissipated with it, gone without a trace.


    After doing all this, Emperor Ziwei¡¯s indifferent gaze fell upon Zhu Xi, causing her to shudder in fear.


    She was horrified to realize she could find no escape, her instinct telling her that if she dared move, she would be immediately annihilated.

 Chapter 617 - 610: Immortal Emperors Eye Battles Emperor Ziwei

    Chapter 617: Chapter 610: Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Battles Emperor Ziwei


    Emperor Ziwei stared at Zhu Xi, not uttering a word. His gaze was so indifferent, as the murky void fell silent, a suffocating atmosphere spreading to its extremities.


    Zhu Xi felt the aura of the Thief of the Profound Mystique completely vanish, and her heart rose to her throat.


    Before her death, the Thief of the Profound Mystique had revealed this person¡¯s true identity.


    Emperor Ziwei!


    The master of that terrifying dojo from earlier!


    She knew what being called an emperor represented. She was chasing that very path, but the journey to become a Daoist Emperor was incredibly arduous. Those who could claim the title were all possessed of unsurpassed destiny and peerless talent.


    A fully accomplished Daoist Emperor was even more terrifying, possessing the ability to not fear the Immortal Gods!


    ¡°Who taught you the Daoist Unique Venerate Skill?¡± asked Emperor Ziwei, his voice icy cold, an endless tide of killing intent overwhelming Zhu Xi.


    Without control, Zhu Xi blurted out four words, ¡°Immortal Seeker¡­¡±


    Having spoken, her heart was thrown into turmoil.


    What was going on?


    Why couldn¡¯t she restrain herself from speaking the truth?


    Emperor Ziwei narrowed his eyes, murmuring to himself, ¡°It¡¯s him, as unsettled as ever.¡±


    He continued asking Zhu Xi, ¡°Besides him, do you have another master? What is his name?¡±


    He could sense that the Immortal Seeker¡¯s influence on Zhu Xi wasn¡¯t significant, and Zhu Xi was burdened with even greater karma.


    Zhu Xi¡¯s complexion changed dramatically. She opened her mouth, trying with all her might to suppress the urge to speak, but she couldn¡¯t hold it back.


    ¡°Yes, he is Gu¡­¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s voice suddenly stopped, as she felt the bindings around her disappear. She reacted swiftly, turning to flee.


    Her speed was incredible, covering an immense distance in the blink of an eye. However, no matter where she flew in the void, the surroundings looked extremely similar as if she hadn¡¯t moved at all.


    Emperor Ziwei didn¡¯t chase after Zhu Xi but frowned in the direction of her escape.


    He lifted his right hand, his robe billowing, and the entire void changed color.


    Zhu Xi, fleeing at full speed, seemed to sense something. She turned her head, her eyes widening in shock.


    Behind her in the void emerged eighteen enormous draconic shadows, as if occupying the whole space, full of visual impact. They writhed freely, baring fangs and claws, appearing shockingly terrifying.


    Zhu Xi stopped, not because she didn¡¯t want to escape, but because the space around her suddenly solidified, rendering her unable to move.


    What was most terrifying was an invisible force compelling her to turn around, as if a hand was seizing her, spinning her back.


    The Zhu Xi of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm had no way to resist this power.


    Despair filled her eyes.


    The gap was too great; so vast she couldn¡¯t use any Secret Techniques or Divine Skills.


    As the eighteen dreadful draconic shadows closed in, Zhu Xi wanted to end her own life but found she was unable to do so.


    ¡°Since you want to protect her, why not show yourself?¡± spoke Emperor Ziwei, causing Zhu Xi to be astonished.


    Someone was protecting her?


    Was it possible that her earlier escape wasn¡¯t because Emperor Ziwei was distracted, but that another force was secretly aiding her?


    She struggled to turn her head to see what lay behind her.


    In the corner of her eye, the void remained pitch black, like the Abyss, invisible to sight.


    The more this was true, the more uneasy Zhu Xi became.


    She was very clear about her own past; what possible backing could she have that could contend with Emperor Ziwei? She felt it was more likely that another terrifying being was maneuvering her.


    Having left the Celestial Spirit Great World for tens of thousands of years, she indeed had been involved in many karmic consequences which she didn¡¯t fully understand.


    Zhu Xi looked back at Emperor Ziwei, her gaze no longer filled with despair but returning to her usual calmness.


    If worst came to worst, she would die.


    ¡°Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye? Truly a rarity, no wonder you want to protect her.¡±


    Emperor Ziwei¡¯s voice rang out once again, his voice becoming even colder, and the eighteen enormous dragon shadows that twisted at will also stopped in their tracks.


    Hearing this, Zhu Xi turned her head to look again, and this time, her pupils involuntarily dilated.


    She saw a pair of eyes!


    A pair of spectacular and terrifying eyes, the visual impact of which was no less than that of Emperor Ziwei¡¯s eighteen dragon shadows.


    In these eyes shone dark purple pupils, eerie and mysterious. The eyes were so vast, like the eyes of the universe, that they made An Xin¡¯s soul tremble.


    What kind of eyes were these?


    Zhu Xi could not imagine the realm of the owner of these eyes.


    ¡°Although this mortal body isn¡¯t very powerful, if you want to save her from my grasp, let¡¯s see just how capable you are?¡±


    Emperor Ziwei¡¯s voice came from the depths of the void, and as his words ended, the eighteen giant dragon shadows moved.


    They moved like thunder, and the entire void seemed to shatter all at once. The Dao Rules stirred up a strong wind that rushed at Zhu Xi, forcing her to close her eyes instinctively, her body and mind in extreme discomfort.


    At this moment, she felt like a drowning mortal, in pain, suffering, terrified, yet powerless, only able to endure this kind of torture.


    Fortunately, the torture came suddenly and left just as quickly.


    The wild force assaulting Zhu Xi disappeared in an instant, and she then felt a warm power enveloping her.


    Snap!


    Her shoulder was suddenly patted, startling her into opening her eyes.


    A new light shone in her eyes as she saw the once invincible dragon shadows starting to obliterate as if being burned by an invisible fire.


    This scene filled her with surprise. She instinctively turned her head to look but saw no one else. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The feeling of her shoulder being patted seemed to have been an illusion.


    However, those mysterious giant eyes known as the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes remained. They were so calm, silently watching Emperor Ziwei¡¯s dragon shadows become undone.


    Looking at the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes again, Zhu Xi unexpectedly felt a sense of familiarity.


    It seemed she had seen these eyes somewhere before.


    Wait!


    Could it be¡­


    Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes widened with excitement, her body trembling uncontrollably.


    It was her mentor!


    Long ago in the Celestial Spirit Great World, she had never been able to see through Gu An¡¯s cultivation level. She had always thought her mentor came from another Great Thousand World, but she could never have imagined her mentor was so powerful, and moreover, that he could come to rescue her.


    An immense surprise overwhelmed her, making her feel as though she was in a dream.


    Until the dragon shadows vanished, Emperor Ziwei¡¯s voice did not rise again.


    Zhu Xi didn¡¯t understand what had happened, but it was clear that her mentor had won.


    ¡°Run away, continue chasing the Path of the Great Dao.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice entered Zhu Xi¡¯s ears, rousing her, and she immediately flew towards the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    Along the way, the view was dazzling, with star nebulae surging like dragons, the scenery before her eyes enchanting.


    Zhu Xi found that even flying at full speed, she still couldn¡¯t get close to the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    The distance between them seemed eternally insurmountable.


    She didn¡¯t feel lost; instead, she felt her mentor was guiding her.


    Looking at the majestic Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes in the distance, Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes were filled with longing.


    How many years would she need to cultivate to reach such a realm?


    Meanwhile.


    Far away at Human World Peak, Gu An stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the horizon, his eyes reflecting the image of Zhu Xi.


    This time, he had not personally intervened, but it was enough to deal with Emperor Ziwei.


    This Emperor Ziwei, although not the true form, possessed the cultivation level of the Balancing Heaven Golden Immortal Realm Perfection, even more powerful than the Celestial Spirit God.


    Regrettably, defeating Emperor Ziwei did not grant him lifespan, leading him to speculate more about Emperor Ziwei.

 Chapter 618 - 611: Golden Extreme God

    Chapter 618: Chapter 611: Golden Extreme God


    Gu An watched Zhu Xi leave through the void, using his own Dao Intent to carve a path for her that crossed the universe.


    Although Zhu Xi had already reached the Shengtian tier before she paid homage to him as her mentor, they had, after all, spent many years together, and he wouldn¡¯t skimp on giving her a hand.


    Of course, the reason he dared to make a move was because he had no fear of Emperor Ziwei.


    Not just Emperor Ziwei, Gu An also didn¡¯t sense any danger following the cause and effect linked to Emperor Ziwei. Naturally, he still held the Celestial Court in awe and thus did not directly confront Emperor Ziwei.


    His Fate Pen and Infinite Sword Book could be used to strike enemies from afar, and over tens of thousands of years, apart from refining Dao Treasures, he had been continuously strengthening both the Fate Pen and the Infinite Sword Book.


    Some things need not be used, but cannot be too weak.


    In his unmatched years, Gu An enjoyed conjuring enemies for himself.


    He would even imagine facing the entire Celestial Court.


    A figure arrived beside Gu An, it was Zhu Xinglan, his foremost disciple from the Main Peak of Human World Peak.


    Tens of thousands of years might seem long to mortals, but for disciples of a Major Sect like the Human World Peak, it wasn¡¯t considered very long. Over these years, Zhu Xinglan maintained utmost respect for Gu An and was very organized in handling matters, so Gu An would, from time to time, give him some guidance.


    However, the two were not in a true mentor-disciple relationship, and Gu An didn¡¯t truly wish to take him as a disciple.


    ¡°Master, Dao Court has invited Human World Peak for a second discourse on the Dao, and the Main Peak would like you to attend as well,¡± Zhu Xinglan said respectfully.


    Gu An had always maintained the cultivation level of the first tier of Human World Peak. Not only did he hold a high position and wield significant power, but Heaven-Defining Peak had also become the second most important peak after the Main Peak.


    ¡°I need to travel and see the world. When the time comes, we¡¯ll see. I might as well head towards Dao Court¡ªif I can make it, then that¡¯s good; if not, they won¡¯t miss my presence,¡± Gu An casually replied.


    Zhu Xinglan smiled helplessly but dared not insist further.


    After all these years, Gu An was always like this, free from any mercenary interests. He figured it out; Gu An¡¯s choice to join Human World Peak was likely due to Bai Ziya¡¯s invitation, casually accepted in his laid-back manner.


    Zhu Xinglan began to speak of other matters. The current era teemed with emerging prodigies, with ancient Great Cultivators unable to overshadow the luster of the younger generation. As each peerless prodigy rose, various myths emerged as if those peerless figures were Immortal Gods descending from the Celestial Court.


    Take Tian Hao as an example. The followers of the Heavenly Dao claimed he was the reincarnation of Profound Star Immortal Monarch, the fiercest Immortal in the Mortal World on a trial.


    Zhu Xinglan too longed for the elegance of those peerless prodigies. In recent millennia, he had been actively searching for unparalleled talents for Heaven-Defining Peak.


    Unfortunately.


    He found many talented individuals, but none could compare with the first-rate talents of the world.


    Gu An merely listened, not really interested in cultivating peerless prodigies for Human World Peak.


    Once Zhu Xi was completely safe, he retracted his thoughts and headed down the mountain, with Zhu Xinglan keeping him company, eager to chat more.


    Even after tens of thousands of years, Zhu Xinglan still had no clue about Gu An¡¯s origins. Before joining Human World Peak, from which sect had Gu An come? This remained a curiosity for him.


    It was precisely this curiosity that made him look forward to Gu An.


    Hoping Gu An would bring surprises to Human World Peak.


    Unfortunately, he was once again disappointed.


    After spending half a day at Human World Peak, Gu An returned to Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    ¡­


    Deep in the universe, at the World Gate.


    Seated in meditation before the World Gate, the Celestial Spirit God suddenly opened his eyes and stood up, facing the gate.


    The World Gate burst forth with a blinding light, and an immense Celestial Dao Aura flowed forth like dispersing fog, mighty and overwhelming.


    Amidst the vast Celestial Dao Flame, a figure stepped out from within the World Gate.


    It was a towering figure clad in golden armor, his presence no weaker than the Celestial Spirit God. The Armor he wore contrasted starkly with the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s silver Armor, and the light emitted by both was equally brilliant, locked in a standoff.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Celestial Spirit God,¡± the man in golden armor stopped in his tracks. He stood before the World Gate, looking at the Celestial Spirit God, and spoke with a voice like rolling thunder, causing the surrounding Celestial Dao Flame to tremble.


    The Celestial Spirit God wore an expressionless face and asked, ¡°Golden Extreme God, why do you leave the Great Thousand World you guard to come to mine?¡±


    The Golden Extreme God lifted his right hand, revealing a golden token in his palm with two characters engraved.


    Profound Residence!


    The gaze of the Celestial Spirit God remained unchanged as he continued, ¡°The Profound Star Immortal Monarch is really quite audacious.¡±


    The Golden Extreme God snorted coldly, ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern, and even your former master, Emperor Ziwei, has no right to pry into the affairs of an Immortal Monarch.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God fell silent for a moment, then slowly turned aside to make way for the Golden Extreme God.


    The Golden Extreme God stepped forward, passing by the Celestial Spirit God, where gold and silver lights merged, and flames surged.


    After walking ten steps forward, the Golden Extreme God halted, slightly tilted his head, and glanced at the Celestial Spirit God from the corner of his eye, ¡°The Immortal Monarch appreciates you. Back in the Immortal Palace of Emperor Ziwei, he saw that your potential was far beyond that of a Celestial God, and you could go much farther.¡±


    ¡°Once this matter is settled, I shall ascend to be a Celestial Dao Star Monarch, and you will still have a chance to consider it. When I return here, I expect an answer from you.¡±


    With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only strands of golden flames drifting away.


    The Celestial Spirit God watched the direction the Golden Extreme God had left, a look of contempt flickering in his eyes, then returned to his meditation spot.


    ¡­


    Time flowed like a gentle stream, a hundred years passed as swiftly as a single day.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Midway up the mountain, Gu An sat on a tree branch, giving An Xin guidance on cultivating Divine Skills, while his gaze lingered on the Golden Extreme God who had descended into the Human World a century ago.


    This Golden Extreme God possessed the cultivation level of the Late Stage of the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm and was on the cusp of breaking through to the Perfection Realm.


    After coming to the Human World, the Golden Extreme God did not cause much disturbance; he wandered the Human World, created Secret Realms, Divine Statues, and left behind legacies, even offering guidance to some beings with exceptional talent, causing these beings to acquire the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    Since the Golden Extreme God was not committing evil deeds, Gu An naturally had no reason to oppose him.


    Perhaps there was some scheme of the Celestial Court behind this, but for these beings, it indeed represented a significant chance, even altering their lives.


    The Profound Star Immortal Monarch seemed to want to make the Celestial Spirit Great World a world that worships him.


    The reason for not showing himself was probably fear of the Celestial Court¡¯s dissatisfaction.


    ¡°Do the Immortal Gods of the Celestial Court also need the masses to bolster their Destiny?¡± Gu An found this quite amusing.


    The Way of Destiny has existed since ancient times; gathering a group of people¡¯s fortunes together can foster a greater power of protection.


    Gu An had seen into the Golden Extreme God¡¯s future; if he did not intervene, the Golden Extreme God, due to arrogance, would face the challenge of the champion of this realm. After being suppressed repeatedly, the Golden Extreme God would grow increasingly impatient, becoming brutal in his interactions, thus tarnishing his image in the hearts of all beings and affecting the Profound Star Immortal Monarch as well.


    In the end, the Golden Extreme God would be captured by a force from beyond the skies, serving as a resolution for the beings.


    The Golden Extreme God, Emperor Ziwei, Profound Star Immortal Monarch¡­


    Gu An felt the mystique of the Celestial Court gradually revealing itself to him, yet he still couldn¡¯t fathom just how powerful the Celestial Court truly was.


    He sensed that Celestial Gods like the Celestial Spirit God and the Golden Extreme God must be at the lowest tier of the Celestial Dao Immortal Position.


    For a universe like the Celestial Spirit Great World to be controlled by the lowest-tier Immortal God, even if the Three Thousand Great Worlds joined forces, they would pose no threat to the Celestial Court.


    ¡°Master, why is this Calamity Absolute Eye so difficult to practice? Is it part of the Way of Destiny or the Way of Cause and Effect?¡±


    An Xin¡¯s voice came from below, drawing Gu An to turn and look at her. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An replied, ¡°It will become whichever Great Dao you want it to be.¡±


    What he taught was not only the Calamity Absolute Eye, but also the methods of cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, to see whether An Xin could successfully practice them.

 Chapter 619 - 612: Tian Haos Destiny, The Rise of the Immortal Emperors Eye

    Chapter 619: Chapter 612: Tian Hao¡¯s Destiny, The Rise of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye


    An Xin had taken a profound interest in the Calamity Absolute Eye since she began cultivating it.


    She believed that the Divine Power had infinite mystical uses, not just limited to calamities, and she cherished the opportunity to be mentored individually by Gu An.


    Gu An felt that An Xin indeed held the potential to master the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. He chose to impart the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye only to An Xin because her comprehension was continuously improving at a pace unmatched by others.


    She was growing into another An Hao!


    While Gu An watched the Golden Extreme God instructing the geniuses of the Human World, he preached to An Xin, helping her to better enter the state of enlightenment required for the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    At the same time, he pondered when to make his breakthrough.


    For his next breakthrough, he planned not to enhance his Daoist Technique but to advance directly.


    Why bother enhancing the Daoist Technique first when he already felt quite powerful, having recently comprehended the Path of Power, strengthening his methods for Crossing the Tribulation? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, either method would consume a vast Life Span, and he could not judge which was better. He just needed to accumulate enough Life Span.


    Instead of worrying about which method conserved more Life Span, it was better to save up more.


    Using two trillion years of Life Span should likely stabilize the breakthrough.


    If need be, he would wait until he reached three trillion years of Life Span before making his breakthrough.


    With the Golden Extreme God residing in the Celestial Spirit Great World for many years and the presence of the Celestial Spirit God, it was unlikely that this world would encounter a cataclysm.


    Currently, the Celestial Spirit Great World did not need Gu An¡¯s protection; the Profound Star Immortal Monarch hidden in the shadows would also devise ways to protect this realm.


    A spring breeze fluttered past, drifting a tender green leaf over An Xin¡¯s head as she opened her eyes and pondered, her pupils shimmering with a strange light.


    The passage of time left no mark in her eyes.


    Seas had become mulberry fields, and the stars had shifted.


    Another myriad years passed.


    This year, just after the New Year, An Xin still resided midway up the mountain cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Her Cultivation Level remained at the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm. No one in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless had yet crossed this major Realm, but the number of disciples reaching the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm was increasing.


    As for Tian Hao, he was not counted among those in the dojo since he always went out for experiential training.


    After ten thousand years of intensive research, An Xin finally developed her own understanding of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    She discovered that her ability in the Calamity Absolute Eye seemed not just a Divine Power, but more like a secret technique that altered her bloodline, which made her even more hopeful about this Divine Skill. Over the years, she had reduced her outings, dedicating most of her time to cultivation.


    Her master had said that once she mastered it, she could catch up to Tian Hao, perhaps even surpass him.


    This statement was true; Gu An genuinely believed that the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had the merit to challenge the Immortal Gods of the Celestial Court.


    The Profound Demon Emperor had once said that if the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye were fully developed, the Celestial Court would surely take notice, indicating their fear of its power.


    Indeed, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was formidable. Gu An anticipated An Xin¡¯s use of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power with its ability to reverse anything.


    Although powerful, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was not suitable for everyone; should individuals like Lv Xian and Chen Chuan attempt it, it could potentially hinder their cultivation.


    Even though An Xin had the strongest comprehension within the dojo, after ten thousand years of cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she had grasped only a fraction of its essence, demonstrating the difficulty of mastering it.


    ¡°Senior Sister!¡±


    A voice thundered across the Celestial Vault, startling the birds in the forest and capturing An Xin¡¯s attention.


    With such a loud voice, it had to be Tian Hao.


    Every time Tian Hao returned from his training trips, he would visit the dojo, bringing gifts for everyone. No matter his achievements, he maintained his respect for his senior sister An Xin.


    Indeed, everyone knew that Gu An was most fond of his disciple An Xin, and she truly lived up to the responsibility, often helping her fellow dojo disciples achieve their desires.


    Tian Hao quickly descended in front of An Xin, raising his hand in salute.


    After many years apart, his aura had grown even stronger.


    An Xin nodded to him and asked, ¡°Have you made any breakthroughs in your cultivation level?¡±


    Tian Hao smiled and said, ¡°I just broke through to the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm.¡±


    An Xin fell silent.


    They were stuck at the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, where breakthroughs were rare in ten thousand years, yet Tian Hao seemed to feel the hindrances in his cultivation and continued to advance rapidly.


    Dao Void Profound Immortal¡­


    An Xin felt the gap between herself and Tian Hao widening.


    She couldn¡¯t help but doubt herself, even if she mastered this divine skill, could she really stand on equal footing with Tian Hao?


    Such confusion passed in an instant, she decided to trust her master, for without her master, where would she be today?


    Her master had no reason to deceive her!


    ¡°How have you been in recent years?¡± An Xin adjusted her attitude and asked with concern.


    Though Tian Hao called her senior sister, in her eyes, he was a junior.


    Tian Hao and An Shengtian didn¡¯t truly consider themselves as disciples either; their attitude toward An Xin was indeed like that of juniors towards an elder.


    Hearing An Xin¡¯s inquiry, Tian Hao was delighted and began to share his experiences over the years.


    He had visited many places, spreading the renown of the Qiankun Sect far and wide, and with his strength, the Qiankun Sect had become a world-renowned sect, bringing many benefits to the sect.


    Tian Hao had defeated countless geniuses and great powers, but he still vividly remembered the mysterious genius he had encountered in the Yin Yang Immortal Domain.


    ¡°That person is the only one I¡¯ve given my all and still could not defeat. I really want to fight him again,¡± Tian Hao remarked sincerely.


    An Xin¡¯s expression turned odd.


    Someone was able to suppress Tian Hao within the same realm?


    She couldn¡¯t believe it.


    Could it be that master was disguising himself to play with Tian Hao, to prevent this young man from becoming arrogant?


    The more she thought about it, the more it seemed possible; such an opponent had neither hurt Tian Hao nor left a name, everything seemed so coincidental, so mysterious.


    This indeed sounded like something her master would do.


    She did not voice her conjecture but instead smiled and said, ¡°Having an opponent is a good thing; he has always been an inspiration to you. Sooner or later, you will meet again. What you need to do is maintain your cultivation attitude before then and not give yourself reasons for regret.¡±


    Tian Hao nodded, then smiled and said, ¡°If you and the others also ventured out, with the Dao treasures in your hands, you could certainly make a great name for yourselves.¡±


    He had always been puzzled by one thing; why did the master only allow him to go out for training?


    Chen Chuan and An Shengtian had expressed their envy in private more than once.


    An Xin shook her head and said, ¡°We would not venture out, we will always accompany the master.¡±


    Accompany?


    Tian Hao was even more confused; the master often went out too.


    He didn¡¯t dare to discuss the master, and quickly changed the subject.


    The two talked for a while longer, Tian Hao then took out the prepared gift and bid farewell.


    An Xin played with the jade hairpin given by Tian Hao, squinting her eyes as she watched his departing figure.


    Huh?


    An Xin was surprised inwardly; she saw a peculiar kind of destiny around Tian Hao, entwining him like a dragon, radiating scorching light.


    What was that destiny?


    Curious, An Xin pondered.


    Then, her face showed delight, she raised her hand to touch her eyes, feeling a mysterious power surging within them.

 Chapter 620 - 613: Hongmeng Great World

    Chapter 620: Chapter 613: Hongmeng Great World


    Reuniting with Tian Hao, An Xin unexpectedly felt the power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she closed her eyes, deeply immersing herself in understanding.


    Far away, within the Qiankun Sect, drinking, Gu An also sensed the occurrence.


    Perception between Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes was exceptionally sharp, he felt both relieved and curious.


    Could it be the destiny of Innate Immortal Gods that stimulates the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye?


    Wait.


    Could the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye be the pathway to Innate Immortal Gods?


    Is this also why the Celestial Court fears the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye?


    Gu An speculated thus, but he couldn¡¯t be sure, after all, he hadn¡¯t yet seen the Celestial Court.


    ¡°Brother Gu, what are you thinking about? Why aren¡¯t you drinking?¡±


    The cultivator sitting opposite Gu An asked with a smile, he was a good friend Gu An had made in the Qiankun Sect in recent years, named Guan Qiu.


    The two were fair-weather friends, not concerns for each other¡¯s cultivation progress¡ªif they met, they would simply enjoy wine and meat, and chat about the pleasures of life.


    Guan Qiu¡¯s appearance wasn¡¯t handsome, but his cheerful personality, combined with his bright smile, easily closed the distance with others.


    Gu An revealed a smile, saying, ¡°I was just wondering when the geishas you spoke of would appear in the city.¡±


    Guan Qiu laughed, shaking his head in amusement, ¡°This is the Qiankun Sect, how could there be such a place of song and dance? If you¡¯re interested, I¡¯ll take you to the Imperial City later, where the noble officials of the Human World know how to enjoy.¡±


    The two chatted on this topic for quite some time.


    Eventually, Guan Qiu was the first to stand up and say goodbye, lamenting, ¡°I¡¯ve got to go out on another mission, to alleviate suffering and difficulty. I fear it may be years before I can return.¡±


    He was just an ordinary lower-level disciple of the Qiankun Sect, so for him, a few years was quite long. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An offered him a blessing, then watched him depart.


    When Guan Qiu had left, Gu An drank alone, his gaze passing through the window, appreciating the scenery on the street.


    Even within a Major Sect like the Qiankun Sect, cultivators of all realms were striving for their own destiny.


    Gu An had already seen, while drinking, that Guan Qiu would encounter hardships on his journey, even be tortured by Demon Cultivators to the point of preferring death, but he did not intervene.


    Guan Qiu would meet the Golden Extreme God during the most desperate moment of his life, marking a turning point.


    The drinking buddies Gu An had made in the Qiankun Sect long exceeded ten thousand. Many had entered Reincarnation, and others had forgotten him. Among these friends, Guan Qiu was very ordinary, but due to the arrival of the Golden Extreme God, he would embark on an extraordinary legendary path.


    ¡°Brother Guan, while the path ahead is perilous, the night will always pass.¡±


    Gu An picked up a bowl of wine, muttering to himself before tossing it down the building.


    This action signified the end of their cause and effect relationship.


    It wasn¡¯t that Gu An intentionally wanted to sever ties; rather, Guan Qiu would no longer be his drinking buddy, and he wouldn¡¯t retain his current radiant smile.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there? Why are you throwing wine downstairs?¡±


    A beautiful female disciple shouted angrily, covering her head, looking up, but no longer able to see Gu An¡¯s figure.


    The cultivators passing by on the street glanced at her, yet no one approached to strike up a conversation.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An walked through the forest, humming a tune, and started his Life Span Breakthrough as he walked.


    It was time to breakthrough!


    As the thought settled, a series of prompts popped up before his eyes.


    [You have initiated the Lifespan Breakthrough Function. Based on your current realm, the following breakthrough locations are selected for you:]


    [One, Path of the Great Dao]


    [Two, Fallen Divine Realm]


    [Three, Abyss Dao Sea]


    [Four, Celestial Extreme Nine Heavens]


    [Five, Dao Origin Ancestor Tree]


    [Six, Ling Mountain]


    [Seven, Taiqing Deep Realm]


    [Eight, Misty Immortal Court]


    [Nine, Hongmeng Great World]


    Most of the place names had appeared before, it was a good thing that the Desperate Celestial Tomb hadn¡¯t, at least Gu An wouldn¡¯t be entangled in sin anymore.


    Looking at Ling Mountain and the Misty Immortal Court, Gu An felt a bit hesitant.


    Should he represent the Emperor of Eternal Life and revisit his old haunts?


    Forget it, after becoming the Sect Hierarch of the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, the Emperor of Eternal Life might have already caught the attention of the Celestial Court, it was not worth the risk.


    Gu An¡¯s attention was drawn to the Hongmeng Great World.


    The two characters Hongmeng were evidently not simple.


    In the myths of Huaxia from his previous life, Hongmeng represented the ancient, it represented the starting point of everything.


    There was even a saying that Hongmeng existed before Chaos.


    Why not go there?


    Gu An hesitated for a moment, then made a decision.


    [To teleport to the Hongmeng Great World, it will require 10,000,000,000 years of lifespan. Do you wish to proceed?]


    Ten trillion years of lifespan to Gu An now, was hardly anything to consider.


    He agreed without hesitation.


    Immediately following was the familiar sense of discomfort, causing him to close his eyes, deprived of his senses.


    After a while, his senses returned, and he opened his eyes.


    What entered his vision was a vast and boundless universe, filled with a faint purple haze, where he could see stars, continents, and spectacular nebulae like no other.


    He immediately activated his Life Span Barrier, then resumed observing the Hongmeng Great World.


    Once the Life Span Barrier was up, his heart was completely at ease.


    At a glance, the universe seemed boundless, even as a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal like him, he couldn¡¯t see the end in one look.


    This place¡¯s stars and continents showed no signs of life; everything seemed dead and silent.


    Could this be a desolate Great Thousand World?


    Gu An thought curiously, but feeling the Spiritual Energy drifting in the universe, he believed that with such Spiritual Energy, life should have been nurtured.


    The Dao Rules here were very intact and even richer, it was the place with the densest Dao Rules among all the worlds he had been to.


    Being born in such a universe, when a living being first gained Spiritual Intelligence, the power it possessed would be at a height unattainable by all beings in the Celestial Spirit Great World in their whole lives.


    After watching for a long time and not seeing any living beings, he gave up and then summoned his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Lifespan: 82,002/2,014,000,089,137]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Unknowingly, he had already reached the age of eighty thousand two hundred and two.


    Recalling the past, he felt somewhat emotional.


    Could those old friends from the Supreme Sect have imagined that he would reach such heights in his cultivation today?


    Two trillion years of lifespan was Gu An¡¯s confidence for a breakthrough!


    He immediately invested lifespan into his cultivation level, starting with ten trillion years of lifespan.


    [You practice Qi Absorption Cultivation for one trillion years, your great achievement in the Daoist Dominator Skill forcifully impacts the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm, starting Crossing the Tribulation, you did not endure the Lawless and Unrestrained Creation of the Great Celestial Tribulation, Crossing the Tribulation failed]


    [You practice Qi Absorption Cultivation for two trillion years, your great achievement in the Daoist Dominator Skill forcifully impacts the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm, starting Crossing the Tribulation, you did not endure the Lawless and Unrestrained Creation of the Great Celestial Tribulation, Crossing the Tribulation failed]


    One line of prompts after another fell.


    Ten trillion years of lifespan could only suffice for ten breakthrough attempts, ending as usual in failure.


    Gu An felt in his heart that lifespan was becoming increasingly less reliable, but looking at the five characters of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal, his heart was full of anticipation.


    As long as he could successfully breakthrough, no matter how much lifespan it cost, it would be worth it!


    He changes the number of years of lifespan he invested, pouring in a hundred trillion years of lifespan in one go!


    What boldness!


    Although he had not yet succeeded, Gu An already possessed the spirit of a Miaozhen Daluo Immortal, or at least, that was how he felt within his heart.

 Chapter 621 - 614: Breakthrough to Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection

    Chapter 621: Chapter 614: Breakthrough to Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection


    ¡°One trillion years of lifespan could endure one hundred tribulations,¡± rapid prompts flashed in front of Gu An¡¯s eyes, with no change in length, meaning all failed.


    Gu An was not at all panicked, he continued to invest a trillion years of his lifespan.


    His eyes were constantly focused on the prompts in front of him.


    In the mysterious and eerie Hongmeng Great World, purple mist surged.


    As Gu An continuously invested lifespan, when he had poured in five trillion years, his face finally showed a change.


    He began to have an ominous feeling, but fortunately, he still had fifteen trillion years of lifespan left, so there was no need to panic.


    After investing another two trillion years of lifespan, the prompts finally changed.


    ¡°You have practised Qi Absorption Cultivation for eighty-seven trillion years, you forcefully attack the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm with the great achievement of the Daoist Dominator Skill, begin the tribulation and fail to endure the Unrestrained Heavenly Creation of Great Celestial Tribulation¡ªtribulation failed.¡± sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°You have practised Qi Absorption Cultivation for eighty-eight trillion years, you forcefully attack the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm with the great achievement of the Daoist Dominator Skill, begin the tribulation and endure the Unrestrained Heavenly Creation of Great Celestial Tribulation¡ªtribulation succeeded, your cultivation level breaks through to the early stage of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm.¡±


    ¡°You have practised Qi Absorption Cultivation for one hundred trillion years, your cultivation level has been elevated.¡±


    At last, a successful breakthrough!


    A smile bloomed on Gu An¡¯s face, and the spiritual energy of the Hongmeng Great World surged wildly, with him being swallowed by the Dao light.


    He didn¡¯t stop there, continuing to invest lifespan into his cultivation.


    The last breakthrough didn¡¯t reach the Realm of Perfection in one go, leaving him somewhat regretful; this time, he must meet his standard.


    In the end, Gu An successfully reached the Perfection of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm, with seven and a half trillion years of lifespan still remaining.


    Gu An closed his eyes contentedly, immersing himself in the fortune brought by Miaozhen Daluo Immortal.


    As the spiritual energy in the Hongmeng Great World began to surge, the invisible Dao Rules also began to tremble, and ethereal auspicious lights appeared in the void, featuring various colors.


    Towards the end, even lightning appeared within the void, a destructive aura spreading throughout the cosmic vacuum.


    An hour later.


    Gu An finally broke through to the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm.


    He still bathed in the Dao light, and sprouts rapidly sprouted from the top of his head, flowering and fruiting. After the fruit grew, it burst into golden light, forming countless points of light, like a galaxy floating above his head.


    He slowly opened his eyes.


    The Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal can create worlds, even those surpassing the ordinary Great Thousand World, while Miaozhen Daluo Immortal can transform the world into its own power, condensing the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect, whose creation is endless.


    The Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect is composed of the Three Thousand Great Dao, but one Dao acts as the main body, which is wonderfully similar to the Dao Universe known to Gu An.


    This Dharma Aspect is different from the Immortal Dao Dharma Aspect, capable of achieving everything that Miaozhen Daluo Immortal desires, able to create, destroy, and even devour everything.


    Gu An hesitated, should his Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect be mainly the Path of Cause and Effect or the Path of Power?


    After much deliberation, he decided to make the Path of Power the main focus.


    He needed pure strength, moreover, he was only creating the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect, not abandoning the Path of Cause and Effect.


    After deciding, Gu An closed his eyes again, creating the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect deep within his soul.


    Various thoughts burst from the depths of his mind, making his mood increasingly joyful.


    The creation process was not strenuous; it was easy and even felt refreshing.


    Time continued to pass.


    Middle Stage of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm!


    Late Stage of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm!


    Perfection of Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm!


    Gu An opened his eyes, his pupils reflecting silhouettes; all of which were his Reincarnation Bodies.


    During the creation of the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect, Gu An thought about the relationship between the Heavenly Dao and the Celestial Court, so he integrated the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect into the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect. His Reincarnation Body would be a god within the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect, creating even greater power.


    Utilizing the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect in battle would be an unimaginable method for all living beings. If he wished to oppose the Celestial Spirit Great World, he could, in a single thought, use the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect to devour the Celestial Spirit Great World, turning all beings into his slaves and dominating all aspects of their lives, including their Spiritual Intelligence.


    This was a terrifying ability.


    And in the battle between the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortals, the Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect would be used to its extreme, resulting in a collision of Great Dao against Great Dao, powerful enough to crush the universe.


    Gu An hadn¡¯t completely lost himself; he looked at his Attribute Panel.


    He still had two trillion one hundred billion years of life span, not bad!


    This breakthrough cost a total of one trillion eight hundred billion years of lifespan!


    For the next breakthrough, at least five trillion years of life span would be required!


    Gu An¡¯s mouth curled upward, feeling the surge of his newfound powerful mana, euphoric.


    This breakthrough also transformed his Great Dao Intent; his power had undergone an earth-shattering change.


    The Celestial Spirit God was getting farther and farther away from him!


    Gu An didn¡¯t teleport back immediately; instead, he cast his gaze towards the edge of the Hongmeng Great World.


    The Hongmeng Great World had no connection to the Path of the Great Dao nor any space-time channels, seeming like an isolated universe that continuously extended endlessly.


    There were no beings he recognized here, but there was some kind of will being stirred by the anomalies caused by his breakthrough.


    Under Gu An¡¯s gaze, a terrifying figure, almost imperceptible, wandered in the darkness, only perceivable by those possessing the Daluo Dao Fruit.


    Its shape resembled a dragon, its forelimbs and claws were as long as a dragon¡¯s body, its head crowned with antler-like appendages that stood tall like mountain peaks. Two river-like entities flowed around its neck, the nature of which even Gu An couldn¡¯t discern.


    [Celestial Judge Qiong Luo (Middle Stage of Celestial Creation Daluo Immortal Realm):907,872,609,327,874/2,000,000,000,000,000/5,000,000,000,000,000]


    Such a long number!


    Five trillion years of maximum lifespan!


    If killed, that would be a fortune.


    Gu An thought to himself, of course, he wouldn¡¯t do that; he had no desire to become Long Zhan.


    Besides, he currently needed lifespan, but it wasn¡¯t urgent.


    Gu An looked in other directions, curious if there were other beings within the Hongmeng Great World.


    On looking, indeed, he found many wills. They had no flesh but each was powerful, the weakest among them possessing the Cultivation Level of a Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm.


    The Hongmeng Great World was truly not simple.


    Suddenly, Gu An¡¯s gaze fixed in one direction.


    Far in the distance, infinite Hongmeng Purple Qi coalesced into a huge egg, larger than the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, surrounded by swirling Hongmeng Purple Qi.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t use Life Span Detection on it, nor could he see through its true nature.


    Though curious, he had no intentions of disturbing it.


    It appeared the Hongmeng Great World harbored many secrets.


    Gu An watched from within the Life Span Barrier for a while before choosing to teleport back.


    This return trip consumed another hundred billion years of lifespan!


    Back in the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An stood in a forest, opening his eyes to see, one by one, Great Thousand Worlds, Cosmic Domains, Little Worlds, and Mortal Realms entering his view.


    But he couldn¡¯t see the Hongmeng Great World.


    Beyond this universe there was another universe, above this heaven and earth there was another heaven and earth, he seemed to exist in an infinite world, which made him reflect on the enduring nature of the Great Dao.

 Chapter 622 - 615 Celestial God Cataclysm

    Chapter 622: Chapter 615 Celestial God Cataclysm


    Gu An stood in the forest for a while, then he withdrew his gaze and stepped forward.


    With one step, he returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Due to Tian Hao¡¯s return, the disciples gathered in Gu An¡¯s courtyard, creating a lively scene. They listened to Tian Hao recount his experiences over the years, occasionally expressing their admiration, giving great face to Tian Hao, whose smile never faded.


    Tian Hao was narrating a battle with a peerless genius when his gaze suddenly turned to the courtyard wall, where he saw Gu An¡¯s figure.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Tian Hao exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of others who turned to look and saw Gu An return, prompting everyone to rise.


    As Gu An walked into the courtyard, Tian Hao approached him excitedly, saying, ¡°Master, I¡¯ve broken through to the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm!¡±


    Hearing this, Gu An revealed a smile and said, ¡°Not bad, you haven¡¯t been negligent.¡±


    Disciple, your master has broken through to the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm!


    Gu An said this to himself in his heart. He would never reveal his true strength to others, not even to those closest to him.


    The Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm is strong, but it still falls far short of Gu An.


    Gu An walked towards the crowd, with Tian Hao following beside him, continuing to share his gains.


    In front of others, he might be humble, but in front of Gu An, he truly sought praise.


    After a while, everyone sat around the Artifact Refining Cauldron, with Shen Zhen and An Xin also arriving, and they all chatted about worldly affairs together.


    Aside from Tian Hao, only An Xin, Shen Zhen, Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, and Tian Bai occasionally ventured out of the dojo. The others always stayed within, cherishing such opportunities to learn about the outside world, hence the spirited atmosphere.


    ¡°Nowadays, in the Human World, there are many sects worshiping Immortal Gods. I used to think these sects were all frauds until hundreds of years ago when I encountered a genius from such a sect, who unleashed power beyond his Cultivation Level, truly surprising me.¡±


    Tian Hao brought up this topic with a reflective look. He turned to Gu An and asked, ¡°Master, how do you view Immortal Gods? Do real Immortal Gods exist? I mean those born as gods, controlling everything, not the strong ones cultivated.¡±


    Everyone else also looked at Gu An, anticipating his answer.


    Gu An responded, ¡°In this world constructed by the Great Dao, any being you can imagine might indeed exist, but no one possesses absolute power.¡±


    Tian Hao fell into contemplation.


    The others wondered, compared to Immortal Gods, who is stronger, our master or the gods?


    Gu An then posed a question to everyone, ¡°If thousands of years pass and you have reached the pinnacle of the Celestial Spirit Great World, will you stay here, or seek a higher path?¡±


    The Celestial Demon Child immediately replied, ¡°Master, wherever you go, I will follow.¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint gave her a sharp glance. How could she respond so quickly?


    To prevent others from following suit with flattery, Gu An shook his head and said, ¡°Think carefully about this question; don¡¯t rush to answer.¡±


    He stood up and walked towards his house.


    Having just made a breakthrough, he prepared to reassess his Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect.


    Who knows who will be fortunate enough to first experience the power of his Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect?


    ¡­


    Under the sunlight, the summer wind stirred the flowers and grass in the mountains, creating waves of green, a sight so beautiful that it could refresh anyone¡¯s soul.


    Li Ya stood on a mountain ridge, his expression odd as he looked at the person before him.


    The person standing before him was none other than the Golden Extreme God from the Celestial Court.


    Even while roaming the Human World, the Golden Extreme God wore no disguise, not even concealing his golden Divine Armor. Under the sunlight, his armor reflected an unusual brilliance.


    ¡°Again with that, a old Taoist once said the same to you. You people are really something!¡±


    Li Ya couldn¡¯t help but speak sarcastically.


    He was referring to the Deity of the Moon, who had offered him Immortal Brew, scaring him initially, but after many years with nothing eventful, he realized he had been duped.


    Hearing Li Ya¡¯s response, Golden Extreme God arched an eyebrow, his calculations causing his expression to become intriguing.


    Seeing him put on airs, Li Ya grew even more irritated.


    The world is really full of more and more charlatans!


    Li Ya immediately turned and prepared to leave.


    ¡°You truly have become an Innate Body, just that you lack a suitable Cultivation Technique, which is why you haven¡¯t felt your own transformation.¡± The voice of the Golden Extreme God came again, making Li Ya pause in his steps.


    Li Ya half-turned, looking sidelong at the Golden Extreme God, and asked, ¡°Oh? Then can you tell me what an Innate Body is?¡±


    The Golden Extreme God, expressionless, said, ¡°Everything has an origin, so does the Human Race. The very first of the Human Race were born on a higher plane, naturally possessing Innate Bodies, capable of comprehending the Great Dao. Now, you possess the qualities of your ancestors, unmatched by anyone in this realm.¡±


    Li Ya wasn¡¯t surprised, he asked with interest, ¡°Then can you pass on to me the Cultivation Technique of the Innate Human Race?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I can,¡± the Golden Extreme God replied, ¡°however¡­¡± S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°However what?¡±


    Faced with Li Ya¡¯s persistent query, the Golden Extreme God did not answer anymore; instead, he raised his right hand, causing a ring of light to form next to him, expanding rapidly, turning pitch black inside.


    Li Ya frowned; he wasn¡¯t panicked and continued to stand his ground in wait.


    Soon, the ring of light grew taller than the Golden Extreme God, and within it, a blood-colored figure could be vaguely seen.


    Seeing this figure, Li Ya furrowed his brows tighter, feeling an intense aura of bloodlust.


    ¡°This person is from the Innate Human Race, let him be your opponent, you¡¯re of the same Realm. If you can defeat him, then you are worthy of receiving everything you desire.¡±


    As the words of the Golden Extreme God fell, Li Ya¡¯s pupils widened suddenly.


    Clang¡ª


    Li Ya drew the Nine Extremes Sacred Heart Sword with incredible speed, blocking another sword that resembled a Shark Tooth with his blade.


    A long-haired man enveloped in a bloody aura appeared before Li Ya, this man was bare-chested with muscles like tree roots coiling over his flesh, creating a strong visual impact.


    ¡°What powerful Qi Power!¡±


    Li Ya inwardly gasped, his arms trembling.


    With a bang!


    A terrifying force exploded, instantly obliterating the green grass across the hills, turning the continuous mountains into wasteland, darkening heaven and earth.


    Li Ya and the long-haired man turned into two beams of Sword Qi shooting into the sky, with myriad Sword Qi descending from the heavens, ravaging the earth and mountains, with explosions occurring one after another, shaking the heavens and earth.


    The Golden Extreme God looked up with a cold gaze.


    ¡°It¡¯s too slow, perhaps it¡¯s time to give the Human World a little push, to let the Mortal Spirits know who is protecting them.¡±


    The Golden Extreme God muttered to himself, the ring of light beside him growing ever larger, with shadows walking out of it, each not weaker than the long-haired man.


    Faraway inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An opened his eyes.


    His eyes reflected the figure of the Golden Extreme God.


    The fate of heaven and earth changed.


    All because the Golden Extreme God harbored ulterior motives.


    He intended to use his bred Innate Human Race to suppress the world, then play the role of a Celestial God savior. However, things wouldn¡¯t go as he wished, thus attracting more consequences from Outer Heaven.


    ¡°Playing God with such a mindset shows a lack of reverence for the Great Dao.¡±


    Gu An murmured softly. He did not regard the Golden Extreme God highly; he just didn¡¯t want to be disturbed, but if indeed there were changes, then he would be forced to harvest Life Span.


    Even a mighty Celestial God couldn¡¯t foresee that his selfishness would bring about a disaster that could overturn his dominion.


    The so-called power seems only to be strong enough in their own eyes, even the strongest, Cultivators couldn¡¯t see through their own fate.


    Gu An gained a deeper understanding of fate and causality.


    He began to deduce along the lines of the Golden Extreme God.


    He saw many figures.


    Inside the Golden Extreme God, there was a world, hiding an army capable of destroying the Great Thousand World.


    He saw thousands of companions beside the Golden Extreme God.


    He also saw a figure standing above the Great Dao, overlooking all heavens!

 Chapter 623 - 616 Wushi Appears

    Chapter 623: Chapter 616 Wushi Appears


    Gu An watched Li Ya¡¯s battle and was quite satisfied with Li Ya¡¯s growth.


    The Golden Extreme God intended to recruit Li Ya and would not let him die, so Gu An had no intention of intervening.


    It had been tens of thousands of years; it was time to let the Human World experience some turbulence.


    Trials could be opportunities for all living beings; peace does not necessarily mean safety, and great destruction could lead to rebirth from Nirvana.


    Gu An continued to close his eyes and refine his Miao Zhen Dharma Aspect.


    In the years that followed, in less than a decade, the Innate Human Race released by the Golden Extreme God became a major scourge in the world.


    This Innate Human Race had a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, more than ten Profound Yuan Free Immortals, and cultivators from various realms below that; even the least among them possessed the Immortal Dao realm.


    They rampaged everywhere, slaughtering living beings to establish their territories, causing shock throughout the world.


    Being prisoners of the Golden Extreme God, they saw this as their only hope, so they fought fiercely, even if it meant making enemies of the whole world¡ªand they did so with insanity.


    Yet the most powerful, the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, kept a low profile, never making a move, uncertain of whom he was wary about.


    Time flew swiftly.


    A hundred years had passed since the Golden Extreme God released the Innate Human Race, and they had become the most feared race in all the world. Although they were of the Human Race, their methods were brutal, they claimed Innate supremacy, earning the disdain of the Human Race in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    The Innate Human Race not only killed, but they also conquered human Imperial Dynasties and sects, spreading their descendants and forming numerous factions in the Human World, bringing disasters everywhere.


    At noon this day, Xiao Lan returned to her Grotto Heaven.


    She made her way to Gu An¡¯s side; Gu An was meditating by the lake, seemingly deep in concentration, but he was actually pretending.


    ¡°Brother Gu, the Dao Court is preparing to expel the Innate Human Race; I too must go to battle. It might be many years before I can return,¡± Xiao Lan sat beside Gu An and spoke.


    She was neither frightened nor reluctant to leave Gu An; her heart was filled with anticipation and excitement.


    After tens of thousands of years of cultivation, she finally saw a chance to demonstrate her strength!


    She was still in the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, but not far from advancing to the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm.


    Gu An looked at her and said sentimentally, ¡°My dear Lan¡¯Er is really grown up, about to become a savior.¡±


    ¡°Not really, I¡¯m just following the seniors to battle. Of course, if I come across someone suffering, I will lend a hand,¡± Xiao Lan said with a smile.


    The Dao Court¡¯s ideals were upright, worthy of being the leaders of the Righteous Dao, with the majority of disciples bearing the responsibility to relieve suffering.


    Encountering people in distress and not offering help would contradict the identity of a Dao Court disciple!


    Due to Xiao Lan¡¯s connection, Gu An often visited the Dao Court and established many contacts there, which allowed him to understand the Dao Court from the grassroots level.


    While there were indeed dark affairs within the Dao Court, the disciples believed that as long as these were exposed, the Dao Court would provide the answers they sought.


    Xiao Lan began to talk about the deeds of the Innate Human Race. This group of the human race didn¡¯t come from Outer Heaven but suddenly sprang up in the Human World, making the Dao Court¡¯s higher-ups wary.


    Xiao Lan heard from one of her Free Immortal masters that the Dao Court had begun to inspect every secret realm in the Human World to prevent future calamities like the Innate Human Race.


    Gu An pretended to be greatly enlightened, satisfying Xiao Lan¡¯s desire to share.


    ¡°Once she recalls her past life memories, she won¡¯t be this lively anymore.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself, cherishing the current time they spent together.


    Though the soul had not changed, memories could affect one¡¯s personality; what couldn¡¯t change was only the innate nature.


    The two talked for several hours before Xiao Lan finally got up to pack her things, and Gu An continued pretending to cultivate.


    As Xiao Lan left, he could also focus his attention elsewhere.


    ¡­


    When the Dao Court officially declared war on the Innate Human Race, the morale of all beings in heaven and earth surged. More and more sects, imperial dynasties, and races joined the siege against the Innate Human Race, including the Qiankun Sect, the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, and the Supreme Sect.


    However, even facing the siege of the entire world, the Innate Human Race displayed terrifying strength. Even the Great Cultivators of the Dao Court couldn¡¯t penetrate the territories established by the Innate Human Race.


    Battles began to turn into the main melody of heaven and earth.


    Gu An still frequented various dojos, picking mature medicinal herbs.


    Even though he had reached the level of the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, Gu An didn¡¯t deliberately seek to increase his life span, maintaining a healthy rhythm that neither invited trouble nor overburdened him.


    As his old friends also got drawn into the conflict with the Innate Human Race, his life became interesting, and watching his old friends¡¯ experiences added anticipation to his life.


    Battles among the strong were the easiest way to become famous. For mortal spirits, cataclysms were disasters, but for those chosen ones, they were enormous stages.


    More and more chosen ones became famous throughout the world. Those guided by the Golden Extreme God all rose up, extensively promoting the celestial name of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, thereby elevating his status in the hearts of all beings.


    Three hundred years had passed since Xiao Lan joined the battle.


    Early in the morning.


    Gu An returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, holding the White Spirit Rat in his arms, which had become smaller compared to the past, about the size of a cat but still chubby. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°If you cause trouble in the Mortal World again, I won¡¯t let you go out.¡±


    Gu An spoke as he walked, his tone somewhat strict.


    The White Spirit Rat shrunk its head, not daring to make a sound.


    A figure appeared under a tree ahead¡ªit was Chen Chuan. He quickly came up to Gu An and bowed, then hesitated to speak.


    Gu An smiled, ¡°Speak what you wish to say.¡±


    He already knew the purpose of Chen Chuan¡¯s visit, having contemplated this matter on his way.


    ¡°Nowadays, the Innate Human Race is causing chaos. In the past years, evil demons of the Innate Human Race attacked the Qiankun Sect. We want to go out and expel the Innate Human Race. The Qiankun Sect has suffered many casualties due to the demons of the Innate Human Race, and surely the mortals below are living even harder lives.¡±


    Chen Chuan mustered his courage and spoke, his tone uneasy.


    Having stayed in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless for seventy thousand years, he hadn¡¯t yet gone out, and he knew that his current strength was not yet enough to satisfy his master.


    Gu An looked at him and said, ¡°Then go, and tell the others that anyone who wants to go can go. I allow you to use the Dao Treasures, but once this calamity ends, you all must return.¡±


    Chen Chuan was overjoyed and quickly thanked Gu An, not expecting his master to agree so readily.


    He immediately went back to pass on the news.


    Gu An continued to walk leisurely forward, constantly teaching the White Spirit Rat.


    Elsewhere.


    The disciples gathered together, hearing that Gu An agreed to let them go; everyone was delighted, even the Celestial Demon Child wanted to go.


    ¡°Indeed, our master still cares for all living beings of the world. We must perform well and not tarnish the name of the Beginningless,¡± Lv Xian said excitedly. He had long wanted to go out and experience battles with the strong ones of the world.


    The others nodded, and after chatting for a while, they all went back to prepare, leaving only An Xin, Shen Zhen, and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera unprepared to go.


    The Ghost Mother of Ephemera did not believe she was qualified to go.


    Shen Zhen looked toward An Xin, curious, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going either?¡±


    An Xin casually answered, ¡°I¡¯ll go when Master lets me. I want to stay by his side and cultivate.¡±

 Chapter 624 - 617 Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Curse

    Chapter 624: Chapter 617 Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Curse


    Shen Zhen looked deeply into An Xin¡¯s eyes after hearing her words and suddenly felt that An Xin might be the last among these disciples to achieve the greatest success.


    After experiencing the mortal world, how many could return to dedicated cultivation?


    An Xin turned to look at Shen Zhen and asked with a smile, ¡°Elder Shen, why don¡¯t you go out?¡±


    Although Shen Zhen¡¯s realm wasn¡¯t remarkable, and she hadn¡¯t sparred with them, with her Dao Treasure, Shen Zhen would be safe on outward journeys.


    Moreover, their master wouldn¡¯t just stand by idly.


    ¡°Even staying here in the dojo, I can still experience the mortal world,¡± Shen Zhen said softly with a laugh. With that, she turned and walked away.


    An Xin stared at her receding figure, feeling that Shen Zhen was somewhat profound and inscrutable.


    ¡°While they¡¯re away, I should focus on my cultivation to widen the gap between us,¡± An Xin thought silently, a smile forming on her face. She didn¡¯t linger, exchanging a few words with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera before returning to her training.


    She was different from Chen Chuan, Lv Xian, and others; she harbored grander ambitions and was committed to a more resolute path.


    ¡­


    Tai Cang Continent, North Sea Mountain Ridge.


    The Mountain God Temple was nestled in the dense forest, where Profound Mystery Zhenren was watering the plants and flowers in the Medicine Garden.


    Over eighty thousand years had passed, and he had become a Celestial and Earthly Immortal, regarded as an Immortal by all creatures of the North Sea Mountain Ridge. He had been courted by Sects and Imperial Dynasties alike, all of which he declined.


    No one knew why he guarded the Mountain God Temple, many speculating he was indeed the Mountain God, living in reclusion during times of peace, ready to descend the mountain when the world faced calamity.


    At that moment, it was nearing noon.


    A series of panicked footsteps came from outside the temple, followed by a emaciated man in tattered clothes running inside. His hair was disheveled, his face streaked with blood. Upon seeing Profound Mystery Zhenren, he fell to his knees with a thump.


    ¡°Immortal, save me!¡±


    The skinny man cried out earnestly, his voice filled with misery.


    Profound Mystery Zhenren didn¡¯t look at him and casually said, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the power of the Tai Cang Dynasty, and besides, I don¡¯t have the strength to save the world.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the skinny man stopped crying and looked up at Profound Mystery Zhenren, asking, ¡°Then, can you ask the Mountain God to take action?¡±


    Profound Mystery Zhenren halted his work and turned to look at him, his gaze calm.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here three times; this is the third. Are you so certain of the Mountain God¡¯s existence?¡± Profound Mystery Zhenren asked indifferently.


    He was no longer the na?ve person of the past. Today, he would mention the Mountain God, but only as a legend, no longer fervently proclaiming his existence as he had before.


    It wasn¡¯t that he had ceased to revere the Mountain God, but that he understood the Mountain God¡¯s intentions.


    The Mountain God was just one of that being¡¯s identities, as was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Rather than eternally protecting all living beings, the Mountain God likely wished for them to possess the capability to protect their own world.


    Moreover, Profound Mystery Zhenren wasn¡¯t convinced that the Innate Human Race was a dreadful existence, especially compared to the past cosmic calamities. The current situation seemed more like a well-prepared trial.


    Perhaps it was the work of the Immortal Gods spoken of in the world.


    At any rate, Profound Mystery Zhenren didn¡¯t believe in the legends of Immortal Gods like the Profound Star Immortal Monarch or the Golden Extreme God.


    Faced with Profound Mystery Zhenren¡¯s gaze, the skinny man revealed a look of panic. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°No need for further pretense. Speak, what is your origin, and what is your purpose here?¡±


    Profound Mystery Zhenren asked coldly, pressuring the man with the imposing aura of a Celestial and Earthly Immortal.


    Boom!


    A shocking boom echoed from afar, and looking up, one could see a blood-red rainbow light appearing in the sky.


    The Innate Human Race was battling fiercely against the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, and this conflict was affecting the entire Tai Cang Continent.


    The surging aura from afar did not affect Profound Mysterious Zhenren as he looked coldly down at the gaunt man kneeling on the ground, his gaze icy, as if two blades were piercing through the man¡¯s heart.


    The gaunt man bowed his head as he slowly stood up.


    ¡°It¡¯s rare to find a devotee like you in the Human World, worshipping a non-existent Mountain God here for tens of thousands of years. Your devotion has moved me.¡±


    The gaunt man spoke, and his tone seemed transformed, lacking the previous panic.


    He slowly lifted his gaze, and his pupils turned an eerie silver-blue, which made Profound Mysterious Zhenren frown.


    ¡°The Mountain God you worship does not exist, but there are real Immortal Gods worthy of your devotion,¡± said the gaunt man with a mysterious tone.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren said mockingly, ¡°Oh? You also believe in the Profound Star Immortal Monarch? And how will you prove the existence of Profound Star Immortal Monarch?¡±


    The gaunt man shook his head and said, ¡°No, I do not follow Profound Star Immortal Monarch. I am a devotee of another Immortal Monarch, known as Taiyi Immortal Monarch. He is far greater than Profound Star Immortal Monarch. He has created and saved the world, and it is his great virtue that has earned him a position amongst the ranks of Immortals, while Profound Star Immortal Monarch merely inherited his Immortal Position.¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch?


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren was hearing this name for the first time. He furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡±


    The gaunt man replied, ¡°Who I am is not important. I am simply a follower of Taiyi Immortal Monarch. My life once plunged into darkness without hope, and it was he who saved me. There are many like me in this world. You are not the first one I¡¯ve sought out. Followers of Taiyi Immortal Monarch are unlike the lapdogs of Profound Star Immortal Monarch; they blindly proclaim his strength, in ignorance.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you doing the same as them?¡± scoffed Profound Mysterious Zhenren.


    The gaunt man smiled and said, ¡°Naturally, it¡¯s different. I only speak of Taiyi Immortal Monarch to those who share our path. The Immortal Monarch once said that when he truly saves all living beings, then we can praise his name. The biggest difference between him and Profound Star Immortal Monarch is, he acts first and seeks recognition later.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren fell silent.


    He wondered what Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s true intentions were.


    Could it be that both Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch truly exist, and they are engaged in an open and secret struggle, competing for the hearts of all living beings?


    He felt it was quite possible, and this thought made him somewhat disdainful of both Immortal Gods.


    Such behavior, how is it any different from mortals?


    The Immortal Gods in his heart should be high above, without a tint of mortal desires.


    The gaunt man took a step forward and said, ¡°What¡¯s known as the Innate Human Race are actually the slaves bred by the Golden Extreme God under Profound Star Immortal Monarch. Their madness stems from trying to grasp a sliver of hope. The Human World now is a Sea of Suffering, whether for us or the Innate Human Race, everyone is struggling desperately. Only by believing in the coming of Taiyi Immortal Monarch can we see a glimmer of hope.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren asked, ¡°If Taiyi Immortal Monarch is in charge of this matter, what need is there for you or me?¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Dao has its Celestial Rules. Taiyi Immortal Monarch cannot descend directly unless there are people in this world who believe in him and appeal to the Heavenly Dao with great vows, then the Heavenly Dao will permit his arrival. Our great vows do not require numbers, but a heart of devotion. My faith is not enough, perhaps due to my insufficient Dao Practice or maybe I haven¡¯t lived long enough. You have worshipped the Mountain God for who knows how many years; the great vow you can bring must surpass mine.¡±


    As the gaunt man spoke, his gaze towards Profound Mysterious Zhenren grew increasingly fervent.


    Hearing this, Profound Mysterious Zhenren lost interest and said, ¡°Whether what you say is true or false, I only believe in the Mountain God. Go find someone else.¡±


    If the Heavenly Dao does not allow Taiyi Immortal Monarch to descend, there must be another reasoning.


    The Mountain God does not have such constraints!


    Comparing the two made Profound Mysterious Zhenren¡¯s respect for Gu An reach a new height.


    Immortal Gods seek names, seek faith, whereas the Mountain God seeks nothing.


    The gaunt man¡¯s brows furrowed, and his gaze turned displeased.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren humphed, ¡°What now? Do you intend to force me?¡±


    He did not take the gaunt man seriously at all.


    Could a Mahayana Cultivator pose a threat to him?


    The gaunt man stared at Profound Mysterious Zhenren, gritted his teeth, and said, ¡°Although my Cultivation Level is inferior to yours, I can still curse you. Your disrespect for Taiyi Immortal Monarch will surely bring misfortune upon you. Your loved ones will die one by one in this catastrophe, and because of your lack of reverence, you will be harmed by Heart Demons, and your latter life will be mired in the agony of hell.¡±


    As he spoke, his body began to split open, blood oozing out continuously, rapidly turning into a bloodied figure, with even the bones at his joints revealing a dreadful whiteness.

 Chapter 625 - 618: Gu An and Li Xuandao

    Chapter 625: Chapter 618: Gu An and Li Xuandao


    Watching the emaciated man¡¯s abnormal state, Profound Mysterious Zhenren¡¯s brows furrowed tighter, and he immediately became cautious.


    Although the emaciated man¡¯s cultivation level posed no threat to him, the chill that ran down his spine as he listened to the man¡¯s curse was inexplicable.


    The bloodied emaciated man¡¯s face twisted into a fierce grimace, his eyes filled with bitter resentment as he stared at Profound Mysterious Zhenren.


    Quickly, the emaciated man dissolved into a puddle of blood, transforming rapidly into a foul gas, leaving behind only a shallow pit.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren looked at the pit, his brow tightly knit, his eyes filled with confusion, and his heart stirred with unease.


    He was full of dread for that Taiyi Immortal Monarch, feeling that Taiyi Immortal Monarch was even more fearsome than Profound Star Immortal Monarch.


    Profound Star Immortal Monarch, at most, made a fool of all living beings, while Taiyi Immortal Monarch would not tolerate any refusal from anyone, even being ruthless to his own followers.


    ¡°Could it be that the Mountain God speaks the truth, that the Immortal Gods have no obligation to be kind to all living beings and that mortal spirits shouldn¡¯t assume their own perspectives when considering the Immortal Gods?¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren thought with a furrowed brow. The mere recollection of the emaciated man¡¯s face sent shivers down his spine.


    What right did a Mahayana Realm cultivator have to curse him, a Celestial and Earthly Immortal?


    But the mere thought of that enigmatic Taiyi Immortal Monarch prevented him from calming his heart.


    He could only focus on the medicinal herbs in the garden, hoping to divert his attention.


    The distant battle continued unabated, lasting several days, with the evil demons of the Innate Human Race finally being expelled, and the Tai Cang Dynasty once again defended its own territory.


    For tens of thousands of years, without Gu An¡¯s protection, the Tai Cang Dynasty always turned misfortune into a blessing, its foundation growing ever deeper.


    Although the Tai Cang Dynasty¡¯s tribulations had passed, Profound Mysterious Zhenren¡¯s torment only increased.


    Since the curse, his cultivation practice grew increasingly agitated, especially at night, when his mana would run wild, and he began to see many illusions, all depicting the grisly deaths of his kin.


    He, too, had his own family and relatives; the Li Family of the Royal House of the Tai Cang Dynasty was also of his lineage. He even envisioned the dreadful scene of Li Xuandao¡¯s death and the great chaos of the Tai Cang Dynasty, which only heightened his panic.


    He could only wait for the Mountain God¡¯s arrival.


    Throughout the passing years, he had been able to meet the Mountain God two or three times a month, and this was his confidence.


    He firmly believed that the Mountain God was stronger than that so-called Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    On the seventh day of being cursed, Gu An finally arrived.


    Gu An still appeared in the form of a masked figure, for over the years, he frequently guided Profound Mysterious Zhenren in his cultivation. Although Profound Mysterious Zhenren had guessed that he was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, he still preferred this form when meeting Profound Mysterious Zhenren.


    Seeing the Mountain God leap down from the eaves, Profound Mysterious Zhenren stood up excitedly and said directly, ¡°Preeminent Mountain God, I have been cursed!¡±


    Gu An replied casually, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, let me pick some medicinal herbs first.¡±


    Hearing this, Profound Mysterious Zhenren immediately breathed a sigh of relief.


    The Mountain God could surely see through his condition. Telling him not to worry meant that the Mountain God believed the matter was not difficult to resolve.


    Half an hour later, after Profound Mysterious Zhenren finished sowing, he approached Gu An.


    Before he could speak, Gu An waved his sleeve, and a fresh breeze swept towards him. After the wind passed, he felt an immense sense of relief, as feeling unburdened washed over him.


    It was quite marvelous; the oppressive feeling from the past few days disappeared instantly.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren immediately knelt down, thanking Gu An for saving his life.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality. You were targeted by others because you¡¯ve been worshipping me for years. In fact, you could leave; there¡¯s no need to stay here. I am not the Immortal or God you think I am. Staying here, such troubles could potentially arise again in the future,¡± Gu An said lightly, looking down at the kneeling Profound Mysterious Zhenren from his diminished stature.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren looked up at him and spoke earnestly, ¡°I understand that my perspectives in the past were too narrow. I am willing to worship you forever. You taught me how to cultivate, and I can also help those suffering who pass by. My current life is quite enjoyable to me.¡±


    He spoke the truth, he felt that without Gu An¡¯s guidance, he could never have reached the realm he had, let alone lived so many years.


    Following Gu An, he saw the hope for longevity.


    He no longer hoped that Gu An would become the Immortal God he wished for, because Gu An could grant him the power to fulfill his own ideals.


    Immortal Gods truly had no reason to help Mortal Spirits, but he could, and the reason was simply that he wanted to help.


    Gu An sprang up, stepping on his head to leap to the roof¡¯s edge, his back to him, he said, ¡°Reflect on what being cursed feels like, it might just be an opportunity.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren was stunned for a moment, and before he could respond, Gu An had vanished into thin air.


    He didn¡¯t ask whether the curse was completely eradicated, he sat down where he was, closed his eyes, and began to recall his feelings over the past few days.


    Gu An had not left the Tai Cang Continent, but instead, he went to the imperial palace of the Tai Cang Dynasty.


    Li Xuandao was practicing in the Imperial Study, which had been transformed to have a vast interior space with a Spirit Pool, enabling him to cultivate while reviewing memorials.


    Footsteps reached Li Xuandao¡¯s ears, he opened his eyes to look, his face immediately breaking into a smile as he got to his feet, his dragon robe lifting with splashes of water, which swiftly evaporated.


    ¡°You¡¯re here, let¡¯s have a good drink today,¡±


    Li Xuandao said warmly as he looked at Gu An.


    Ever since Gu An had sent Yang Jian thousands of years ago to support Li Xuandao, the two had built a deeper relationship. Every few decades, Gu An would come to drink with Li Xuandao.


    He no longer offered tangible assistance, merely chatting with Li Xuandao.


    Li Xuandao didn¡¯t expect much; in fact, being able to see Gu An gave him great confidence.


    Just thinking of Gu An gave him a fearless vigor.


    Gu An smiled and nodded, and after a while, courtesans brought in wine and dishes, setting them on the long table. They snuck curious glances at Gu An, in their lifetimes it was the first time they saw His Majesty entertaining someone in the Imperial Study, and this person was quite young.


    While they were setting up, Li Xuandao brought up recent developments with Long Teng.


    He had invested all his efforts in cultivating Long Teng, making him a renowned prodigy across the lands and the greatest pride of the Supreme Mysterious Dynasty.


    He had his own little guess, suspecting that Long Teng was a descendent of Gu An, due to the Dharma Aspect summoned by Long Qing on that day being too similar to Gu An.


    Even if he were wrong, at least Long Teng was a granddisciple of Gu An.


    Although Gu An understood his thoughts, he didn¡¯t mind.


    As long as the outcome was positive and the process enjoyable, he would accept it.


    Moreover, he quite liked Long Teng, feeling that this lad was stronger than Long Qing, and his righteousness stood out even more than that of his other disciples. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once the courtesans had left, Gu An spoke, ¡°This world will see the rise of another Immortal Monarch.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Li Xuandao¡¯s smile faded, and he furrowed his brow.


    Thousands of years ago, he had proactively told Gu An about recruiting the followers of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, and this also showed he trusted Gu An more.


    The followers of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch had given him great support, so he didn¡¯t deliberately suppress them. He kept his promise by erecting numerous Divine Statues of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch within the Imperial Dynasty, but he always had reservations about the Immortal Monarch.


    Now with another Immortal Monarch arising, he suddenly felt the calamities of the world weren¡¯t so straightforward.


    Could the appearance of the Innate Human Race be more than just a coincidence?


    Gu An recounted the experiences of Profound Mysterious Zhenren. Since Profound Mysterious Zhenren and Li Xuandao were of the same lineage, Li Xuandao had also visited Profound Mysterious Zhenren many times over the long years.


    Hearing of Profound Mysterious Zhenren¡¯s curse, Li Xuandao¡¯s face turned grim.


    Gu An was telling him these things not because he expected him to do anything, but simply as a friend, sharing the oddities he had encountered recently.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t afraid of Taiyi Immortal Monarch finding out; he could change Li Xuandao¡¯s fate, allowing Li Xuandao to remember these things, while others could not divine that he knew of them through Li Xuandao.

 Chapter 626 - 619: Wushi Saves the World

    Chapter 626: Chapter 619: Wushi Saves the World


    ¡°Immortal Gods want to vie for the hearts of all beings in the Celestial Spirit Great World?¡± Li Xuandao asked, frowning.


    Gu An was pouring himself a drink as he said, ¡°Perhaps, facing the strife among Immortal Gods, what do you think mortals should do?¡±


    After pondering for a moment, Li Xuandao replied, ¡°Go with the flow, as there is a will of heaven in the unseen, as if they never existed.¡±


    There was a desolate feeling in his heart as he spoke these words.


    Even though mortals can practice Immortal Cultivation, the prospect of truly ascending to immortality was so distant.


    Even Li Xuandao himself, as the Emperor of the Tai Cang Dynasty, with all the resources of the world at his disposal, still could not see a hope of ascension.


    ¡°Gu An, where exactly are the Immortal Gods? What are they thinking?¡± Li Xuandao looked at Gu An and couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Gu An shook his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not an Immortal, how would I know where they are or what they¡¯re thinking?¡±


    Li Xuandao looked at him but felt that he was no less than the Immortal Gods.


    Could it be that Gu An chose to seclude himself in this Great World because there were secrets unknown to others hidden here?


    Otherwise, why would two Immortal Monarchs come here?


    Gu An heard what was in his heart but didn¡¯t deny it; in fact, he too was wondering why the Taiyi Immortal Monarch had also come.


    Was it because of a grudge against the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, or for some other reason?


    The Dao Treasure stolen from Emperor Ziwei by the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable was the World Punishment Dao Pearl. This treasure followed An Hao in his Reincarnation, hidden deep within Tian Hao¡¯s soul. Gu An had felt the power of this treasure; it was indeed strong, but not enough to drive the Immortal Gods mad.


    Gu An was curious, but he did not pay too much attention.


    For now, it seemed to be just a covert struggle between two Immortal Monarchs and did not yet represent the Celestial Court.


    The fate of the world might change with the intervention of outer forces, but the changes would also appear before his eyes, allowing him to respond in advance.


    After discussing Profound Mysterious Zhenren, Li Xuandao brought up the prodigies of the world, knowing that Gu An was not telling him these things as a warning but just wanted to chat; there was no need to inquire all the way to the end. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, he was the sky, but compared to the ethereal Immortal Gods, he was no different from dust.


    As they chatted, Li Xuandao brought up Tian Hao.


    Tian Hao was truly too dazzling, which made him think of An Hao. Even though, realistically speaking, Tian Hao¡¯s growth rate was more exaggerated than An Hao¡¯s, he felt that if An Hao were still around, he might not be inferior to Tian Hao.


    Both of them had ¡®Hao¡¯ in their names, as if it signified some kind of legacy.


    Even with the Innate Human Race causing chaos in the world, they could not steal the spotlight from Tian Hao because he too was combating the Innate Human Race, maintaining an undefeated record.


    Tian Hao was shedding the identity of a prodigy; perhaps, after this calamity, he would be a giant of heaven and earth.


    Gu An and Li Xuandao enjoyed their drinks and conversation, and gradually, Li Xuandao forgot his worries. Only in Gu An¡¯s company did he not need to be overly cautious; he relished this atmosphere.


    ¡­


    Thunder rumbled and seas of clouds churned; meteors ablaze with flames fell from the sky, smashing into the earth, which was covered by seas of fire, and the crisscrossing fissures on the ground were so shocking to behold.


    Suspended in mid-air were figures enshrouded in blood qi, all hailing from the Innate Human Race, over a hundred of them, each one with Cultivation Level of Immortal Dao. They all looked in the same direction, their faces filled with horror and despair.


    Looking in the direction of their gaze, beneath the thunderclouds stood a figure proudly against the sky, his hair dyed with blood dancing in the air, his physique robust, holding a broad saber in his hand. The light of the blade flowed along the edge, piercing through the clouds, as countless meteors whizzed by him, striking the earth, shaking heaven and earth.


    It was the Blood Prison Great Saint!


    This was a domain of the Innate Human Race, and the bustling city that had existed here just an hour before had now turned to ash.


    ¡°What exactly is that treasure?¡±


    An old man stared intently at the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber in the hands of the Blood Prison Great Saint, clenching his teeth as he asked.


    His companions around him couldn¡¯t answer him, and even those with a realm higher than the Carefree Primordial Immortal couldn¡¯t understand.


    The gaze of the Blood Prison Great Saint turned towards the boundless sea of fire below. In one corner, flames surged into a scorching whirlwind, forming a safe zone at the center where tens of thousands of silhouettes stood.


    All these people were cultivators captured by the Innate Human Race, their eyes filled with joyful surprise as they looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint held the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber aloft with one hand, a defiant smile on his face, his heart brimming with exhilaration.


    He had been bottled up for eighty thousand years, and now, this kind of slaughter-filled battle was the life he had truly longed for!


    Massacring the Innate Human Race and being revered as the Savior by all living beings, how could it not be joyful?


    ¡°Even if you beg for mercy, I shall not spare you!¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint declared arrogantly, laughing wildly like thunder, resounding through heaven and earth.


    Tens of millions of miles away, Chen Chuan, An Shengtian, and Jiang Shi stood on a cliff, with green mountains stretching out behind them and a dark, smoke-filled world ahead.


    Hearing the words of the Blood Prison Great Saint, they couldn¡¯t help but exchange looks.


    ¡°Why does it feel like this guy is the true apocalyptic evil demon?¡± An Shengtian muttered, unable to restrain himself.


    Jiang Shi shook his head with a wry smile, ¡°Master made him a mount for a reason, at least it spared the Human World one disaster.¡±


    Chen Chuan didn¡¯t laugh, his brows furrowed, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s strange how the evil demons of the Innate Human Race seem never-ending? We¡¯ve been out for a thousand years, killed so many, but do you feel like their offensive has weakened at all?¡±


    He disliked slaughter, and a thousand years of experiences made him detest the Innate Human Race and long to drive them out sooner.


    ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s a place connecting to Outer Heaven, with a constant stream of Innate Human Race evil demons coming in as reinforcements,¡± Jiang Shi speculated.


    An Shengtian¡¯s eyebrows rose, ¡°So if we don¡¯t resolve that place, this calamity won¡¯t end?¡±


    Chen Chuan narrowed his eyes, ¡°That¡¯s right, we can no longer run around like headless flies. Our cultivation level might not be strong, but with the four Dao Treasures combined, we can certainly end this catastrophe and carry on the Wushiji name!¡±


    A millennium of wandering had spread the name of Wushiji throughout the Human World, but Chen Chuan felt it was far from enough.


    His master had saved the Human World many times over, yet people had forgotten him, with voices of faith in Immortal Gods everywhere now. This dissatisfaction was palpable.


    He wanted to make all living beings realize who it was that propped up the Celestial Spirit Great World!


    When An Shengtian heard Chen Chuan¡¯s words, his heart stirred, and his face lit up with anticipation.


    ¡°We could go find Celestial Demon Child and the others, having three more Dao Treasures would give us even more assurance,¡± Jiang Shi suggested.


    Chen Chuan nodded, his eyes gleaming, ¡°Wushiji disciples, wielding the seven great Dao Treasures to save the world, that story would be even more spectacular.¡±


    The three exchanged a glance, leaped forward to aid the Blood Prison Great Saint, and prepared to quickly end the final battle.


    Meanwhile.


    Under the World Gate, the Celestial Spirit God was watching them.


    Ever since Chen Chuan and the others had appeared, the might of the Dao Treasures had caught the attention of the Celestial Spirit God.


    Tian Hao had three Dao Treasures, and at that time, he was amazed at Gu An¡¯s capability to craft Magical Treasures. Now seeing that each of the Wushiji Disciples held one, he was curious just how high Gu An¡¯s realm might be.


    ¡°Profound Star Immortal Monarch, Taiyi Immortal Monarch, and him¡ªin this chess game, Golden Extreme God, you no longer have any hope for life, pitiful that you don¡¯t even know it.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God thought to himself silently. He then stood up and faced the World Gate, seemingly preparing to welcome the arrival of some entity.

 Chapter 627 - 620 The Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave

    Chapter 627: Chapter 620 The Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave


    The Celestial Spirit God stood quietly in front of the World Gate, his gaze calm, his thoughts unknown.


    Time sped by rapidly.


    After a long while.


    The World Gate burst forth with strong light, dazzlingly brilliant, as seventy-two silhouettes stepped out, men and women both, dressed uniquely, yet all exuding an extraordinary aura, displaying the Immortal Light.


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s face changed slightly, clearly not expecting the identities of the newcomers.


    Leading the way was a man in a purple robe, wearing a Divine Crown with delicately embroidered patterns and luxurious crystals adorning his robe, and two dragon horns on the crown reaching to the sky as tendrils of blue flame swirled around him while he walked.


    The Celestial Spirit God immediately greeted them with a fist-and-palm salute.


    The man in the purple robe didn¡¯t respond to the Celestial Spirit God, walking straight past him, with the others following closely behind.


    ¡°Celestial Spirit God, you¡¯ve been guarding this place for so many years, it¡¯s time to bow down to Emperor Ziwei,¡± a young man, clad in golden Chain Armor, holding a long spear joked with the Celestial Spirit God.


    He walked amongst the crowd, and looking at him alone, his presence was no weaker than the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Celestial Spirit God didn¡¯t make a sound, and the golden-armored youth, unangered, continued forward.


    Watching them fly toward the depths of the universe, the Celestial Spirit God reflected, ¡°Taiyi Immortal Monarch has actually sent the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong. It seems the Golden Extreme God is destined to die.¡±


    ¡°But, does the Golden Extreme God really warrant the collective arrival of the Seventy-Two Immortals?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God thought of Gu An, could it be that Taiyi Immortal Monarch knew of Gu An¡¯s existence?


    He had complicated feelings about Gu An.


    Having once died at Gu An¡¯s hands, there was enmity, but since Gu An hadn¡¯t truly wiped him out and also showed immense kindness to his son, it made him unclear about his own feelings toward Gu An.


    Regardless, it was none of his business, he just needed to sit here and watch.


    ¡­


    As the years meandered by.


    Five thousand years had passed since Gu An helped Profound Mysterious Zhenren lift the curse.


    While the whole world was contending with the Innate Human Race, they couldn¡¯t completely eradicate them. Gu An had also tried, quietly eliminating a wicked Innate Human Race Evil Demon, but without receiving any Life Span notification.


    This Innate Human Race had entangled themselves with a bizarre Karma Power related to the Golden Extreme God, perhaps their life spans had long been controlled by him.


    Unable to seize life spans, Gu An grew indifferent to further action, leaving it to the beings of this world to solve on their own.


    Although he didn¡¯t take action, it wasn¡¯t a sign of his indifference. His disciples acted at his behest, having saved countless lives over five thousand years.


    Wushi¡¯s fame had spread, and sects throughout the world knew of Wushi¡¯s existence. Celestial Demon Child, Chen Chuan, and others hadn¡¯t exposed Gu An¡¯s name; the world only knew of their origin from Wushi, oblivious to the master of Wushi.


    On this day, the weather was clear.


    Gu An was instructing An Xin in the cultivation of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. Ever since she had been stimulated by Tian Hao¡¯s Celestial Dao Destiny to a breakthrough, her comprehension of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye grew deeper. Although far from Gu An¡¯s level of achievement, she could now wield the power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power wasn¡¯t Karma Divine Power but a kind of devouring strength that could consume everything, turning it into her own power in a short time.


    This was a very practical Divine Skill for combat. The power gained from devouring was temporary, but in evenly matched battles, this could instantly turn the tide.


    She had only just begun to comprehend; if she were strong enough to devour a part of the Great Dao and make it fight on her behalf, the mere thought of such a scene was terrifying.


    Years had passed, and though An Xin¡¯s comprehension was awakening, her combat talent was not exceptionally high. Now, with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she finally had the qualifications to compete with Tian Hao.


    However, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was not related to the cause and effect of the Celestial Court, and it was not advisable to use it casually after leaving the dojo.


    Gu An looked at An Xin, smiling as he thought.


    Unconsciously, An Xin had become the person who had been his companion for the longest time. He was very fond of this obedient and filial disciple, and his favoritism was overt; he wasn¡¯t afraid of the envy from other disciples because he felt hard-working An Xin deserved such treatment.


    The mentor and disciple duo sat in the bamboo grove, An Xin with her eyes closed. On her eyelids, a pair of purple phantom eyes emerged, mysterious and eerie.


    Bamboo leaves fluttered down, one landing on An Xin¡¯s head.


    Suddenly, An Xin opened her eyes and looked at Gu An, saying, ¡°Master, I have an ominous premonition. The more I comprehend this Divine Power, the stronger this feeling grows, as if some terrifying existence is approaching.¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°Trust your feelings, it is indeed so. In fact, the Divine Power you¡¯re cultivating is no longer the Calamity Absolute Eye, but a powerful Divine Power called the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, which can even invoke the fear of the Immortal Gods.¡±


    An Xin felt this way because the number of Immortal Gods in the Celestial Spirit Great World was increasing.


    Over three thousand years ago, seventy-two Immortal Gods on par with the Celestial Spirit God came through the World Gate, one of whom reached the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection. Gu An had calculated that they were intricately linked with Taiyi Immortal Monarch, implying these Immortal Gods were very likely summoned by Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    They infiltrated the Celestial Spirit Great World undetected, hiding their identity and presence, wandering amidst the Human World.


    Initially, Gu An assumed they intended to emulate the Golden Extreme God and further propagate the name of Taiyi Immortal Monarch, but that was not the case.


    They seemed to be searching for something.


    Protected by the Celestial Dao Destiny, Gu An could not hear their innermost thoughts.


    Now, Gu An suddenly had a guess.


    Could it be they were searching for the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye?


    Once the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was perfected, it would alarm the Celestial Court, yet An Xin had not used the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s power outside, so Gu An still had faith in the dojo.


    His thoughts then shifted to another person.


    Tian Hao!


    An Innate Immortal God, such a being could not go unnoticed by the Immortal Gods.


    Speaking of which, Tian Hao was renowned throughout the land, yet Golden Extreme God had never sought him out. It might have been coincidental in the past, but the fact that they never met to this day was surely not reasonable.


    Could it be that Taiyi Immortal Monarch and Profound Residence Immortal Monarch bore no grudges, and instead, something in this Great World necessitated their competition?


    ¡°Fear of the Immortal Gods? Can I still use it in the future? Will it bring trouble to you, Master?¡± An Xin asked nervously.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s why you must continue to cultivate, develop it to the Realm of Great Achievement, being able to control the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye with ease, so that when you go out in the future, you won¡¯t reveal its aura.¡±


    An Xin pondered and, looking up at Gu An, asked, ¡°Master, could the current chaos in the world have been caused by the Innate Human Race because of me?¡±


    Gu An said exasperatedly, ¡°Do you think you¡¯re capable of that?¡±


    An Xin stuck out her tongue, chastened, her ears turning red, but she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.


    It was good that it wasn¡¯t her; although she did not have grand aspirations to save all living beings, she also did not want to bring about a world-ending calamity because of herself.


    ¡°However, there are currently dozens of Immortal Gods in the Human World. Looking across the Three Thousand Great Worlds, the place with the most Immortal Gods at the moment is our Celestial Spirit Great World.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s words piqued An Xin¡¯s interest, and she began inquiring about the whereabouts of the Immortal Gods.

 Chapter 628 - 621: Purple Dragon Star Monarch, Greater Karmic Ties

    Chapter 628: Chapter 621: Purple Dragon Star Monarch, Greater Karmic Ties


    Gu An shared his understanding of the Golden Extreme God and the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave, including the Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    When An Xin first began to cultivate the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, Gu An felt she had truly grown up and should be introduced to the higher realms to broaden her horizons.


    An Xin was indeed shocked, although tales of the Immortal Gods always circulated in the Human World, she had not imagined so many Immortal Gods were wandering among humans.


    After listening to Gu An¡¯s explanation, An Xin fell silent for a moment before looking up and asking, ¡°Master, is Tian Hao the reincarnation of my senior brother?¡±


    Gu An did not evade the question, he simply nodded.


    An Xin pressed on, ¡°Did you let senior brother become an Immortal God because his Destiny Pattern originally belonged to Immortal Gods?¡±


    In his previous life, An Hao¡¯s talent was equally extraordinary, hardly that of a mortal being.


    Gu An reflected aloud, ¡°All one can say is, due to a mix of fate and chance, this was also the choice of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable¡¯s will.¡±


    He recounted the past of the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, Celestial Spirit God, and An Hao, which made An Xin¡¯s eyes sparkle with a strange light.


    So the final great battle at the End of Era had so many grudges and grievances, her senior brother truly was the Child of Heaven and Earth, adored by the universe.


    An Xin continued to inquire, ¡°Master, if the Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch were to descend and either enslave All Living Beings or attempt to capture senior brother, what would you do?¡±


    Gu An looked at her and asked with a smile, ¡°What do you hope your master would do?¡±


    An Xin blinked and said, ¡°Logically, I hope Master would not get entangled in karma again, but deep down, I¡¯m eager to see how Master would fare in a contest with Immortal Gods.¡±


    The descent of so many Immortal Gods excited An Xin.


    Her excitement wasn¡¯t about seeing Immortal Gods, but about her master¡¯s power.


    Despite the potential threats presented by so many Immortal Gods, Master still faced the world with a smile. Just how profound was his Dao Practice?


    Gu An met her gaze and said, ¡°Immortal Gods are indeed powerful, and your master would not provoke them without cause.¡±


    If an Immortal God provokes you, would you kill them?


    An Xin really wanted to ask this question, but she held back, not for fear of offending but because she wanted to retain some suspense and anticipation.


    While Gu An and An Xin were discussing Immortal Gods, the wandering Immortal Gods in the Human World finally met each other.


    Mountains surrounded a large lake, with dense forests by its edge where the mist rose among the trees. The Golden Extreme God stood at the lake¡¯s shore, frowning deeply while scanning all around him, clutching a long spear in his hand.


    ¡°Golden Extreme God, you truly are exhaustive in your efforts. If I were the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, I would be moved and support you greatly.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, who doesn¡¯t know that Profound Star Immortal Monarch has a mad dog at his disposal, committing acts that offend the heavens and harm reason. Without the Profound Star Immortal Monarch¡¯s protection, that mad dog would have been severely punished by the Celestial Punishment, turned to ashes.¡±


    ¡°I heard that Profound Star Immortal Monarch once descended to have a secret meeting with a mortal woman. Fearing violation of the Celestial Rules, he let the Golden Extreme God extinguish his mortal offspring.¡±


    ¡°A Celestial God who chooses not to guard their domain but instead meddles in dirty affairs is truly laughable.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, those who don¡¯t know might think he hasn¡¯t Ascended to Immortality. Why does the propagation of the Great Dao require the personal intervention of a Celestial God?¡±


    Each voice came from different directions, laden with mockery.


    Looking closely, there were figures moving through the forest, and even on the surface of the lake, figures appeared as if hiding and emerging.


    Golden Extreme God didn¡¯t show anger; his expression was extremely ugly as he gritted his teeth and spat out six words, ¡°Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave¡­¡±


    A look of despair flashed in his eyes; he could tell that the incoming party harbored ill intentions.


    If it were merely a provocation, why would the seventy-two immortals need to personally surround him?


    As he kept silent, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave emerged from the thick fog, all of their gazes falling upon him, making him feel as if he were being pricked by thorns, deeply uneasy.


    Golden Extreme God tried to remain calm and turned his gaze towards the man in the purple robe with the most imposing aura, lifted his hand in salute, and asked, ¡°Purple Dragon Star Monarch, what matter requires mobilizing all seventy-two immortals of Golden Cave?¡±


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch was the leader of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave. Unlike the others, he hadn¡¯t mocked Golden Extreme God; the indifference on his face conveyed a sort of disdain that overlooked all.


    In response to Golden Extreme God¡¯s inquiry, Purple Dragon Star Monarch didn¡¯t answer; he took steps forward until, stopping, they were less than three paces apart.


    Golden Extreme God was burly, yet Purple Dragon Star Monarch stood a head taller than him so that in front of Purple Dragon Star Monarch, his imposing aura suddenly weakened.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch slightly raised his chin, his gaze looking down at Golden Extreme God, who didn¡¯t dare to meet his eyes.


    ¡°Do you really think Profound Star Immortal Monarch sent you here to ¡®preach the Dao¡¯? You are, after all, a Celestial God,¡± Purple Dragon Star Monarch asked.


    Golden Extreme God¡¯s eyes flickered as he replied, ¡°I serve the Immortal Monarch, and I dare not ask too much. My only task received was to ¡®preach the Dao¡¯.¡±


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch¡¯s expression remained cold as he continued, ¡°What the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable stole from the Ziwei Immortal Palace all those years ago wasn¡¯t just the World Punishment Dao Pearl.¡±


    Golden Extreme God looked up at him, his eyebrows knitting together as if he truly didn¡¯t know about this.


    ¡°Do you think Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable managed to steal the World Punishment Dao Pearl right before Emperor Ziwei¡¯s eyes for nothing? That pearl also harbored an even greater karma, and that was the true intention of Profound Star Immortal Monarch. Both Immortal Monarchs have sensed the Destiny Pattern of that existence being born.¡±


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch spoke softly, his eyes turning sharp as he continued, ¡°Currently, only the two Immortal Monarchs are aware of this matter, but it might not remain so in the future. Therefore, the less who know about this, the better.¡±


    Golden Extreme God¡¯s face changed dramatically; he instinctively tried to step back, but a ray of golden light enveloped him, preventing any movement. With great difficulty, he looked up to see a golden umbrella unfolded above his head.


    The other immortals of Golden Cave continued approaching, while the gaze of the Purple Dragon Star Monarch in front of him became increasingly dangerous.


    ¡°Are you planning to slay a god?¡± Golden Extreme God looked back at Purple Dragon Star Monarch, his voice edged with resolve.


    Expressionless, Purple Dragon Star Monarch replied, ¡°Under the brilliance of Heavenly Dao, how could we disobey the Celestial Rules? But we do need you to sleep for a period.¡±


    As his words fell, he struck Golden Extreme God¡¯s chest with a palm, immediately destroying Golden Extreme God¡¯s physical body and turning him into specks of golden light.


    Then he withdrew his hand, and the myriad golden specks shrunk into his palm, coalescing into a Golden Pearl.


    He tossed it aside nonchalantly, and a three-headed Golden Cave Immortal caught the Golden Pearl, immediately popping it into his mouth, beginning to chew and then swallow it down.


    The immortals of Golden Cave observed this scene with mocking smiles.


    A Female Immortal looked at Purple Dragon Star Monarch and said, ¡°Elder brother, we¡¯ve waited so many years, yet we still haven¡¯t found him. In my opinion, why don¡¯t we crush this Great World? If he¡¯s truly here, he would reveal himself.¡±


    Her words garnered support from many of the other Golden Cave Immortals.


    ¡°No, this is, after all, the Great Thousand World. Even though destroying the Great Thousand World would not result in too severe a punishment for us, such an act would inevitably draw more attention. A Great World that could gather and be destroyed by us, if you were in that position, wouldn¡¯t you have second thoughts?¡± an elder immortal spoke up, his gaze fixed on Purple Dragon Star Monarch.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch looked towards the Celestial Vault in the distance, ¡°The karma of this Great World has been altered, but fortunately, legends still remain in the Human World. Next, let¡¯s search for the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. The being granted entry by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has been born into this world, and perhaps pursues the same goal as us. He likely hasn¡¯t left.¡± sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 629 - 622: The Name of Wushi

    Chapter 629: Chapter 622: The Name of Wushi


    When the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong wanted to find Gu An, as soon as the thought arose, Gu An sensed it.


    He didn¡¯t care; he had already erased his causality in the world, even from his disciples and acquaintances.


    Of course, if the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong came to the Qiankun Sect, perhaps they could find him.


    But even if they found him, they wouldn¡¯t be in for a treat.


    Gu An observed An Xin restarting her Immortal Cultivation, his thoughts falling on Tian Hao.


    It now seemed that the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable had stolen not only the World Punishment Dao Pearl from the Ziwei Immortal Palace, but also An Hao.


    Or rather, it was mainly about An Hao.


    The Celestial Spirit God had long delayed destroying the Celestial Spirit Great World, and the Celestial Court had not urged it; perhaps, deeper forces were preventing the Celestial Spirit, involving even Emperor Ziwei.


    Stronger forces were restraining the Celestial Court from destroying the Celestial Spirit Great World, an event that did not leave Gu An feeling fortunate.


    Without these causalities, Gu An would not have come into contact with the Celestial Court so prematurely.


    Of course, these were just hypotheses; he had already established a connection with An Hao and the Celestial Spirit Great World. He wouldn¡¯t avoid them unless he was truly no match.


    With the arrival of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, the destiny of the Celestial Spirit Great World changed once more.


    Gu An calculated that the Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch would descend into this Great World. After their arrival, the Great Thousand World would meet its end.


    Due to the Celestial Dao Destiny, the future had many vague areas, but he could see the general trend and duration.


    ¡°Celestial Gods, Star Monarchs, Immortal Monarchs¡­¡±


    Gu An pondered the hierarchies within the Celestial Court, wondering what realm he needed to reach to not fear the court¡¯s threats.


    He began to feel the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    With the descent of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, the Celestial Dao Destiny in the universe surpassed that of the past, the Celestial Dao Light Layer enveloping the Great World condensed infinite golden light, illuminating the universe, dazzling and bright.


    Gu An had always been curious about Celestial Dao Destiny. At this moment, he realized that Celestial Dao Destiny was harder to comprehend than the Great Dao, primarily because the Great Dao had no will, whereas the Celestial Dao seemed to harbor some will, possessing a strong exclusivity.


    ¡­


    After the Golden Extreme God was devoured by the Golden Cave Immortal, the Innate Human Race did not disappear; they continued to plague the Human World, and they could not be completely eradicated.


    Although it was impossible to eradicate the Innate Human Race in a short period of time, those who opposed them continued to build their renown.


    More and more prodigies rose; to the Mortal Spirits, this was the worst era, but for the sects of Immortal Cultivation, it was the best. They began using the Innate Human Race to train their disciples.


    Time swiftly passed, and a thousand years went by.


    In the extreme northern lands of the world, snow filled the skies, and mountains and rivers were covered in snow.


    Lv Xian, Blood Prison Great Saint, Chen Chuan, Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, An Shengtian, and Jiang Shixing walked along the mountain ridge, the snow falling on them rapidly evaporated, turning into white mist and dispersing.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come,¡± the Blood Prison Great Saint said with a smile, looking at Lv Xian walking ahead.


    Lv Xian snorted, ¡°Nonsense, I am also a part of the Beginningless; naturally, I must unite with you.¡±


    In these years, he had fought alone, creating a significant reputation. Although not as famous as Tian Hao, he was still among the top prodigies in the world. Hearing that the Beginningless were gathering to save the world, he rushed over.


    Dao Treasures could sense each other and even communicate, so coming together was not difficult for them.


    Hearing Lv Xian¡¯s words, the others joined in the conversation. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Indeed, we should show the Great Cultivators across the world the prowess of our Beginningless.¡±


    ¡°The Canghai Profound Yin Sect even dared to besiege me and the Blood Prison Great Saint¡ª we must teach them a lesson,¡± proclaimed An Hao.


    ¡°Our primary target is to eliminate the calamity of the Innate Human Race. Once this tribulation is over, we¡¯ll settle scores with those sects.¡±


    ¡°With the cooperation of the eight Dao Treasures, no one in this world can stop us. The only mystery is what kind of entity the Innate Human Race conceals behind them. Let¡¯s hope it doesn¡¯t alarm the master.¡±


    Everyone discussed, brimming with confidence¡ªa confidence imparted by the Dao Treasures.


    After thousands of years of battles, they had grown significantly, each making progress. The least among them had reached the elevation of Carefree Primordial Immortal, while the Blood Prison Great Saint and Celestial Demon Child had even ascended to the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm.


    The Dao Treasures contained the intents of different Great Daos, always ready to aid them in Enlightenment. During battles, the intent was maximum, thus every battle brought them profound insights.


    As the Beginningless disciples moved forward, several figures dashed through the distant snowy fog, disappearing; they headed in the same direction as the Beginningless disciples, who paid them no heed.


    In the subsequent times, many surpassed them, vanishing into the fog ahead while they maintained a steady pace, discussing both their individual feuds and the affairs of the world.


    After a long time.


    They walked through swathes of fog and reached the edge of a cliff, standing side by side and looking ahead to a majestic icy lake. Nestled among mountains, the high surface of the lake threatened to flood over the peaks and deliver a cataclysm to the lands behind them.


    Looking around, the cliffs surrounding the icy lake were crowded with countless figures grouped by forces, with tremendous demons swirling in the clouds above; the scene was truly awe-inspiring.


    Lv Xian gazed down at the icy lake and asked, ¡°Is this the source of the Innate Human Race? Why haven¡¯t any evil demons emerged from it in these days?¡±


    Celestial Demon Child responded, ¡°Unclear, but the world is abuzz with this news, and with so many sects rushing here, there must be some basis.¡±


    Others sent their Divine Sense toward the icy lake, and quickly sensed a vast aura swirling beneath, blocking all attempts at spying with Divine Sense.


    Sensing this unfathomable aura, the Beginningless group¡¯s expressions turned solemn.


    Not only them, but the newly arrived cultivators of other sects also changed color at this discovery.


    A figure descended from the sky, landing behind the group, who turned and smiled in pleasant surprise.


    It was Tian Hao!


    Tian Hao laughed and greeted, ¡°Fellow Daoists, brothers, sisters, it has been a while. I knew you would come!¡±


    They immediately gathered around him, chattering away.


    In the distance, disciples of the Qiankun Sect watched this scene, exchanging looks of curiosity about Tian Hao¡¯s relationship with the Beginningless group.


    The leading Gu Chengdao watched the scene, his expression unchanging, as he led his disciples towards an unclaimed peak.


    Various sects deliberated what might be hidden beneath the icy lake. Due to Tian Hao, the Beginningless group attracted considerable attention, and soon, the news that Tian Hao originated from the Beginningless spread, making all sects warier and more curious about the Beginningless.


    The Dao Treasure of Beginningless was renowned across the world, as up to now, no one had defeated a Beginningless Dao Treasure, even those whose realms far surpassed the disciples wielding them.


    The actions of Beginningless over the years had been very conspicuous. Now, hearing that Tian Hao came from Beginningless inspired awe in all who heard.


    Could the Beginningless possibly be a force even stronger than the Dao Court, capable of producing the number one pride of heaven?


    Suddenly, an immense oppressive force descended, followed by a voice echoing across the icy and snowy lands:


    ¡°I am Elder Fu Chun of the Dao Court. I will open the barrier beneath this lake. Only Fellow Daoists who have reached the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path may enter the lake with me; others must stay outside to guard against any attack from the Innate Human Race.¡±


    As the voice faded, the sea of clouds above churned violently, forming a massive vortex. The Beginningless group looked up to see a giant sword materializing at the center of the vortex¡ªlarger than mountains, a broadsword with a sharp blade and ancient hilt, exuding an air of endless antiquity.


    As the sword descended, its handle became visible, with an old Daoist standing upon it, his right hand on his chest, casting a spell.


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the four divine swords of the Dao Court, the Sky-breaking Sword!¡±


    Someone exclaimed, revealing the origin of the sword.

 Chapter 630 - 623: The Strategy of Golden Cave

    Chapter 630: Chapter 623: The Strategy of Golden Cave


    Gazing at the imposing Sky-breaking Sword, the cultivators from various sects were shocked, while the people from Daoist Field of the Beginningless compared this sword with their Dao Treasures.


    They found that although the sword was stronger, it did not possess the Great Dao Intent like the Dao Treasures.


    The reason their Dao Treasures were not as strong as the Sky-breaking Sword was still because their Dao Practice was not sufficient.


    If they had the Cultivation Level of the Dao Court Elder Fu Chun, the Dao Treasures in their hands would definitely be more terrifying than the Sky-breaking Sword.


    They looked at the Sky-breaking Sword, and began to fantasize about how powerful their Dao Treasures would be at their strongest stage.


    Tian Hao also summoned his three Dao Treasures, Divine Punishment, Celestial Punishment, Immortal Punishment, three Dao Spears hovering around him, exhibiting their respective glories.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint glanced at him, his eyes filled with envy.


    It was said that these three Dao Treasures could also condense formations, and their offensive power was considered the strongest among Dao Treasures.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint could only envy silently; he knew he was no match for Tian Hao, but he believed he would surpass Tian Hao one day.


    Tian Hao was already standing on his own, and given this situation, it was unlikely that he would return to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless often. Even though his relationship with Gu An would not end, it would inevitably become distant.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had seen such situations several times.


    An Hao, Yang Jian, Long Qing, all considered themselves extraordinary, but after leaving Gu An, they either died or vanished into the Mortal World.


    As he had stayed by Gu An¡¯s side all along, he had now become Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma and wielded a Dao Treasure exclusive to himself.


    He had inquired and found out that those who reached the stage of Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma within a million years were considered to have exceptional talent and immense destiny, and he had reached this realm in less than a hundred thousand years. If there had been no Tian Hao in the world, he would have been at the pinnacle of the cultivation speed.


    Thinking of this, the Blood Prison Great Saint smiled, no longer envying Tian Hao, and even started to look forward to the future.


    Will Tian Hao regret his current choice billions of years later?


    And by then, he would surely regard Immortal Gods as mere trifles!


    The more the Blood Prison Great Saint thought about it, the more excited he became, even forgetting to pay attention to the Ice Lake.


    The Sky-breaking Sword continued to descend, and the surface of the Ice Lake surged with flame-like icy vapors, as if a giant hand wanted to block the Sky-breaking Sword.


    Standing on the hilt of the Sky-breaking Sword, Dao Court Elder Fu Chun¡¯s eyes turned cold, and an immense and boundless aura erupted from within him, making the Sky-breaking Sword flash with sword light.


    Boom!


    The Sky-breaking Sword trembled, then plunged violently downwards, hitting the surface of the Ice Lake, and the terrifying aftermath forced the cultivators from various sects to retreat en masse, immediately gathering their mana to resist.


    The weakest of the cultivators who were able to come here were of the realm of Celestial and Earthly Immortals, possessing the ability to fly to Outer Heaven, but at this moment, facing the power of the Sky-breaking Sword, they all felt as feeble as insects.


    After pausing for a moment, the Sky-breaking Sword abruptly pierced through the Ice Lake; the Celestial Demon Child only felt the world before her eyes suddenly shatter. She blinked subconsciously, and when she reopened her eyes, the Sky-breaking Sword was already gone.


    She saw innumerable Dao Court cultivators descending from the sky like a flurry of carp and diving into the Ice Lake.


    Looking down, she saw that the surface of the Ice Lake had shattered, revealing a vast black hole, flickering with blood-colored lightning, resembling the entrance to hell, a sight that struck terror into the heart at mere glance.


    The voice of the Blood Prison Great Saint came from beside her, ¡°We should also go down; staying behind to guard is not a task for us from the Beginningless!¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, he took the lead and rushed downwards, with Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, and An Shengtian following closely behind.


    The Celestial Demon Child came to her senses and, along with the others, flew downwards.


    Tian Hao watched from a distance towards Qiankun Sect; Gu Chengdao gave him a nod, and he immediately followed the Beginningless crowd into the black hole of the Ice Lake.


    After crossing a dark area, the Celestial Demon Child felt the world spinning as she descended from the sky, arriving in a dim world.


    The ground was scorched red, not a blade of grass in sight, and white bones dotted the landscape like snowflakes. Giant mountains in the distance spewed hot magma; the sky was covered in rolling black clouds, oppressively looming, and the black hole above the Celestial Demon Child¡¯s head seemed terrifyingly vast, as if a great hole had been torn in the Celestial Vault.


    ¡°We should stick together in this place; something is not right here.¡±


    Jiang Shi spoke, and the others had no objections, quickly gathering together.


    Out in the world for thousands of years, Jiang Shi¡¯s strength was not the top among them, but his steadiness and meticulousness made him the backbone in their actions.


    Chen Chuan looked towards the distance, observing the Dao Court cultivators flying like a dragon towards the faraway lands, and his sword-like brows furrowed.


    For some reason, upon entering this realm, he felt an indescribable horror, unable to control his emotions.


    Tian Bai cautiously asked, ¡°Do you all feel like we¡¯re being watched?¡±


    An Shengtian surveyed the surroundings and responded, ¡°Indeed, everyone be careful. We can¡¯t afford to be complacent just because we have Dao Treasures.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll lead the way; follow me!¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint spoke up and then flew off in one direction, not following the main Dao Court force.


    The others followed closely, each tightly holding their own Dao Treasures.


    Before long, as they were still flying, a sudden, overwhelming and terrifying aura burst forth from afar, startling them into an immediate halt.


    ¡°Foolish mortal spirits, you dare to burrow into hell itself, truly seeking death!¡±


    A cold voice echoed through the heavens and earth. Following that, a blood light swept across the Celestial Vault, stirring the boundless sea of clouds. Instantly, the Dao Treasures in the hands of the Beginningless group lit up protective shields, blocking this surge of impact. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite that, they all still felt the shock.


    Jiang Shi, Celestial Cyan, and Tian Bai had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, faces filled with terror.


    Lv Xian quickly raised his hand, and the Twelve Extreme Heaven Calming World Bead flew above everyone, rapidly expanding, emitting strong light, creating layers of Dao Light with each layer being a different color¡ªlayer upon layer forming a gigantic tower¡¯s phantom image, where each layer of Dao Light reflected the heavens and earth if looked at closely.


    Celestial Cyan lifted the Cyan Hong Linglong Tower, Tian Bai held the White Spirit Exquisite Tower in one hand and cast spells on it with the other.


    From within the twin towers emerged two mystical birds, one cyan and one white, intertwining as they rose high, spreading their wings over the phantom tower, creating a second layer of defense.


    Before they could even discuss their situation, a deafening roar came from the distance, with the oppressive might of battle sweeping over them, drastically changing their expressions.


    ¡°What kind of realm is this?¡± An Shengtian exclaimed.


    He thought of the oppressive force that the mysterious Outer Heaven Evil Demons brought to all beings at the end of the last era.


    Equally impenetrable, equally invincible!


    Just as Lv Xian was about to speak, a violent wind came sweeping from afar, a blinding light submerging everything between heaven and earth, causing all things to lose their color.


    Meanwhile.


    Alongside a great river, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave were advancing.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch led at the forefront, looking at his right hand where a Blood Pearl floated in his palm, displaying a great battle within it¡ªincluding the figure of Tian Hao.


    Tens of thousands of Dao Court Great Cultivators were surrounding a world-level Evil Demon of the Innate Human Race; the vast majority could only maintain the Formation, unable to join the battle.


    Tian Hao¡¯s figure was reflected in Purple Dragon Star Monarch¡¯s eyes.


    The golden armored youth floated next to him, curiously observing the Blood Pearl in his hand.


    ¡°This Tian Hao has an ordinary Destiny Pattern, but considering his age, his Cultivation Level is quite impressive!¡± the golden armored youth remarked, clicking his tongue in amazement.


    As an Immortal God, just one glance at Tian Hao was enough for him to know Tian Hao¡¯s background.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch, emotionless, said, ¡°With such Talent, his Destiny Pattern cannot be ordinary. Maybe someone has concealed his Destiny Pattern.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Could he be the one we¡¯re looking for? Could it have been the work of Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable?¡± the golden armored youth pressed on.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch replied, ¡°We¡¯ll know soon enough.¡±


    He lifted his left hand, fire igniting at his fingertips, quickly forming Golden Extreme God¡¯s Soul Body.


    Golden Extreme God looked up at him, eyes full of fear.


    Without saying much, Purple Dragon Star Monarch tossed his Soul Body into the Blood Pearl.


    The golden armored youth laughed playfully, ¡°No need for Golden Extreme God to act; that world conceals a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, enough to force out the person behind the scenes.¡±


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch spoke softly, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to force out Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable or Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but Profound Star Immortal Monarch.¡±


    The golden armored youth was momentarily stunned, then his face broke into an excited smile.


    He turned to the Immortals of Golden Cave behind him and exclaimed, ¡°Hey, we¡¯re going to battle Profound Star Immortal Monarch!¡±


    The Golden Cave Immortals had various expressions¡ªsome were as excited as the golden armored youth, while others frowned with worry on their faces. However, no one voiced objections; they just directed their gazes towards Purple Dragon Star Monarch.

 Chapter 631 - 624 World-Subduing Floating Mountain Aspect

    Chapter 631: Chapter 624 World-Subduing Floating Mountain Aspect


    Heaven and earth were in a tumultuous state, with fierce winds and swirling sand mingled with shattered bones rampaging across the landscape, as if nature itself was in a furious rage, punishing those who dared to offend it.


    Tens of thousands of Great Cultivators from various Dao Courts were arrayed in a formation, spanning over tens of thousands of miles. Their immense mana converged into a giant azure formation, its light piercing the sky. Within the light, silhouettes of azure fish could be seen fleeting across, and within the formation, azure winds formed streams converging upon seven Great Cultivators.


    These seven Great Cultivators were all Profound Yuan Free Immortals, with cultivation levels that reached the heavens and penetrated the earth. Their mana made it difficult for the tens of thousands of Great Cultivators maintaining the formation, almost all of whom were trembling.


    The seven Profound Yuan Free Immortals were jointly attacking a colossal figure that was a hundred zhang tall. No matter how they attacked, they could not shake this colossal figure.


    This figure, with its upper body bare, resembled most of the evil demons of the Innate Human Race. It had disheveled hair and held a dark long saber in its hand. Its body was surrounded by a bloody aura, which blocked all spells and divine skills from all directions.


    Despite the divine skills employed by the Dao Court¡¯s Profound Yuan Free Immortals, they simply couldn¡¯t penetrate the bloody aura surrounding him.


    He had his eyes closed, seemingly still in slumber, unaffected by the attacks around him.


    Meanwhile, more Cultivators were continuously arriving from distant places, joining the encirclement.


    Those from the Daoist Field of the Beginningless had also arrived.


    An Shengtian widened his eyes and swallowed nervously, asking, ¡°What realm is that guy in?¡±


    Every Cultivator aligned in the Dao Court¡¯s formation seemed profoundly inscrutable to him, not to mention those seven Great Cultivators within the formation.


    So many powerful beings gathered yet unable to shake an evil demon of the Innate Human Race?


    ¡°Perhaps resolving him could end the calamities brought by the Innate Human Race.¡±


    Lv Xian mused solemnly, the stronger the opponent, the more excited he became.


    If the Dao Court could resolve the Innate Human Race, how would they have a chance to showcase their prowess?


    Suddenly!


    A tremendous presence emanated from behind those of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, startling them and causing them to turn their heads.


    Not just them, but the other Cultivators who were fighting also turned to look, only to see a rainbow light speeding towards them like a rushing sun.


    In a flash, the rainbow light soared over the heads of those from the Daoist Field of the Beginningless and directly entered the formation, which offered no resistance to it.


    The rainbow light halted, its brilliance dissipated, and a Daoist in white robes appeared. He had the youthful appearance of an elder and held a horsetail whisk. His long eyebrows and beard emphasized his transcendent aura.


    He looked at the hundred-zhang-tall figure and said, ¡°Elder Zhu, long time no see.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, he was the Master of the Dao Court, Yuan Songzi.


    Seeing Yuan Songzi appear, the Great Cultivators on the side of the Dao Court all breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.


    The Dao Court, as an alliance-like sect, had managed to gather various sects together and establish a new sect. The leader of such an influential lineage surely possessed extraordinary capabilities.


    The Great Cultivators present were all high-ranking members of the Dao Court and had witnessed Yuan Songzi¡¯s capabilities to some extent. In their hearts, Yuan Songzi was the strongest being. As long as he was present, all difficulties would be resolved.


    The hundred-zhang-tall figure then opened his eyes. He looked at Yuan Songzi, his fierce face showing no change in expression, and said, ¡°You¡¯re called Yuan Songzi, right? It indeed hasn¡¯t been easy for you to come to this Great Thousand World and to possess such immense fortunes of heaven and earth.¡±


    Yuan Songzi smiled and replied, ¡°It has indeed been eons and the world has transformed tremendously since we last parted. Being able to meet in this Great World is also destiny, but I wonder, elder, how did you come to find yourself in such a state?¡±


    Hearing Yuan Songzi knew the evil demon of the Innate Human Race, the Cultivators of the Dao Court looked at each other in bewilderment. They did not take the matter lightly and continued maintaining the formation.


    Those from the Daoist Field of the Beginningless were also curious. Led by Jiang Shi, they flew towards the back of the hundred-zhang-tall figure.


    ¡°Offending beings one should not provoke leads to such consequences, yet you still have a slim chance of survival. You should leave quickly.¡±


    The being referred to as Elder Zhu responded, his tone indifferent but not forceful.


    Yuan Songzi said helplessly, ¡°I am already the Sect Leader of a sect, bearing the lives of all living beings in the world. How can I flee? From what the elder suggests, it seems you too are compelled against your will. In that case, I can only apologize as I must offend.¡±


    As his voice faded, he raised his left hand and gently swung it, causing a majestic green mountain to rise up behind him, swiftly growing flowers, grass, and trees. These trees quickly took root and sprouted, growing enormously large as if a Divine Army stood upon the mountain.


    The green mountain surged into the clouds at an incredible speed, expanding in bulk in less than two breaths of time, filling the space within the Formation and leaving the Cultivators outside staring in astonishment.


    Even for those from the Dao Court, it was the first time most had seen such a mountain.


    As soon as the mountain appeared, Elder Zhu¡¯s oppressive presence was immediately weakened.


    ¡°Is that a Divine Skill or a Magical Treasure?¡±


    ¡°Such terrifying suppressive force, even though separated by the Formation, I feel my mana being restrained.¡±


    ¡°The Master of the Dao Court is said to be the greatest Great Cultivator of our time, possessing the finest treasures and Divine Skills of anyone. It seems that the rumors are not unfounded.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, not to mention our master, he truly deserves to be called the best of our era.¡±


    ¡°This must be some kind of Power of the Great Dao¡­¡±


    The inhabitants of the Beginningless were amazed by Yuan Songzi¡¯s power.


    Facing the Divine Skill displayed by Yuan Songzi, Elder Zhu¡¯s eyes flashed with admiration and he exclaimed, ¡°I had not expected you to refine the World-Subduing Floating Mountain Aspect to such a degree. Giving you this legacy was not a waste, but alas, you have not stepped into the Realm of Luotian and in my presence, you are still but an ant.¡±


    As his words fell, his expression turned fierce. He suddenly raised his long knife and in a flash of the blade light.


    Boom¡ª


    The Dao Court¡¯s grand Formation was instantly shattered, a terrifying shockwave flinging everyone, including the seven Profound Yuan Free Immortals who had previously surrounded Elder Zhu.


    During their backward flight, half of the Great Cultivators from the Dao Court side were annihilated.


    The people from Beginningless, thanks to the protection of their Dao Treasure, managed to survive, but were completely disoriented, staring unbelievingly at Elder Zhu.


    Standing in front of the World-Subduing Floating Mountain Aspect, Yuan Songzi furrowed his brows as he raised his hand to block the knife energy, with the giant green mountain behind him trembling as if it were about to shatter.


    Waves of shock surged within Yuan Songzi¡¯s heart.


    Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal!


    He had not expected Elder Zhu to have reached such a realm; he remembered that when they had first met, Elder Zhu had lamented that he could not surpass the Profound Yuan Realm in this lifetime.


    In an instant, many terrifying possibilities flashed through Yuan Songzi¡¯s mind considering Elder Zhu¡¯s current state.


    ¡°To eradicate all of you, and to cut in half the Destiny of the Celestial Spirit Great World, Yuan Songzi, blame only your fate that your cultivation level cannot see through the consequences behind this!¡±


    Elder Zhu¡¯s voice sounded again, Yuan Songzi¡¯s expression changed drastically as an unimaginable terrifying power assaulted him, leaving him unable to resist.


    Boom¡ª


    Yuan Songzi¡¯s robes shattered, resembling a burst of blood flowers, as he fell into the giant green mountain, which immediately broke apart.


    The blade energy swept across the land, cutting through the World-Subduing Floating Mountain Aspect, severing the earth, and reaching to the very edge of the heavens, seemingly poised to split the whole world in two.


    Although the inhabitants of Beginningless were not directly in the path of the blade energy, they were still blown towards the horizon by the aftershocks, unable to defend themselves; their Dao Treasure could only protect their lives.


    With this slash, outside the world, in reality, all living beings looked up to see a magnificent blood-red rainbow in the Celestial Vault, splitting the sky into two.


    Even Shen Zhen at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless saw it.


    Sitting in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, Shen Zhen turned to glance at Gu An not far away, reclining on a chair reading a book, and asked, ¡°With such commotion, aren¡¯t you planning to take action?¡±


    She could feel the oppressive force from Elder Zhu, which, despite the great distance, filled her with terror.


    Such a being was beyond any worldly power to confront!

 Chapter 632 - 625: Mysterious Magic Shadow, Master!

    Chapter 632: Chapter 625: Mysterious Magic Shadow, Master!


    Upon hearing Shen Zhen¡¯s words, Gu An did not stand up or look towards her, merely responding casually, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the ones showing off their power are just pawns, this world is not going to be exterminated yet.¡±


    Pawns?


    Shen Zhen was stunned. She stood up and walked towards Gu An.


    She squatted down in front of Gu An and feigned helplessness, ¡°Can I watch this great battle?¡±


    In the past, Gu An had used his divine skills to let them peer into the battle from beyond the heavens from within the dojo. She was eager to know who was carrying the terrible pressure that enveloped the heavens and the earth, and what kind of being would appear next.


    Gu An waved his hand casually, and Shen Zhen turned her head to see blue smoke coalescing on the Artifact Refining Cauldron, showing the scene within that mysterious world. Elder Zhu, holding a long saber, stood like a primeval demon god amidst the mighty clouds of dust, towering into the sky with unparalleled dominance.


    Shen Zhen immediately sent a message to An Xin and Ghost Mother of Ephemera, inviting them to watch the battle.


    Yuan Songzi, who had reached Perfection in the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, was no match for Elder Zhu, who shattered the hope of the Dao Court with a single strike.


    Yuan Songzi, deemed invincible in the world by the hearts of Dao Court cultivators, could not withstand even one move from Elder Zhu, and those who survived did not dare to step forward.


    The heavens and earth were vast, and evil demons of the Innate Human Race started flying into the black hole in the sky, signifying that the external defenses had been breached.


    ¡°I had intended to slowly grind you down, but you insist on delivering yourselves to death. The calamities brought by the Innate Human Race to this world are not of an apocalyptic nature.¡±


    The voice of Elder Zhu boomed, deafening and stimulating every cultivator¡¯s divine sense.


    Upon witnessing his power, most people indeed felt regret, thinking they should not have come.


    The followers of Wushi burst out of the rolling dust clouds and regrouped, looking towards the gigantic figure in the distance with eyes full of terror.


    Blood Prison Great Saint muttered under his breath, ¡°This is tough to chew!¡±


    The aftermath of just one strike had already left them in such a sorry state; how terrifying might it be to face this evil demon directly?


    The others also found themselves in a predicament. Parting now would leave them with a sense of unwillingness.


    If this battle did not end the Innate Human Race, then the Human World would be utterly doomed unless their master intervened.


    Lv Xian suddenly frowned, his gaze locking onto a figure in the distance.


    It was Tian Hao!


    While everyone else was retreating in fear, Tian Hao was the only one charging towards Elder Zhu.


    Three Dao Spears glowed with mighty aura, shielding Tian Hao as he quickly approached Elder Zhu.


    The hundred-meter-tall Elder Zhu looked down at Tian Hao, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    The Innate Human Race had been descending upon the Celestial Spirit Great World for thousands of years. Although he had not appeared in the world, he had been paying attention to the Human World and was aware of Tian Hao.


    The contemporary greatest prodigy of the world.


    With his insight, he had determined that Tian Hao¡¯s destiny pattern was extraordinary, yet he could not fathom it, indicating that a transcendent being was protecting Tian Hao.


    He did not want to get involved with such a person.


    Although he was now a prisoner, he was not foolish. With so many worlds in the Great Thousand World, the Golden Extreme God had chosen the Celestial Spirit Great World and made them pawns; clearly, this world contained a Great Cause and Effect.


    When he sensed that the strongest person in the Celestial Spirit Great World was merely at the stage of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, his wariness of the Celestial Spirit Great World deepened.


    Tian Hao looked at Elder Zhu, his eyes devoid of fear. He knew he was no match for the elder, but he had to stand up and show the world through his actions that they had no room to retreat, and they must fight.


    Many gazes and divine senses fell on Tian Hao, bolstering his courage.


    He grasped the Divine Punishment Spear, pointing it at Elder Zhu and said, ¡°With your abilities, the Innate Human Race would have swept the world long ago. Who exactly is supporting you from behind? Could it be one of the Immortal Gods rumored in the world?¡±


    A figure appeared beside him out of thin air, it was the Master of the Dao Court, Yuan Songzi.


    Yuan Songzi looked alright, just pale. He spoke gravely, ¡°Child, do not act recklessly. This man is named Zhu Guanghan. In another Great Thousand World, he was once the leading prodigy, with talent not inferior to yours. Moreover, a hundred billion years ago, he was already at the stage of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal, and now he has reached even higher levels!¡±


    He knew Tian Hao. Although not a disciple of the Dao Court, he admired Tian Hao and did not want him to perish here.


    Profound Yuan Free Immortal!


    A hundred billion years ago!


    Tian Hao¡¯s face changed.


    The cultivators who could enter this realm all had high cultivation levels, and even though they were far away, they could clearly hear Yuan Songzi¡¯s words.


    Everyone¡¯s expression dramatically shifted, a chill emerging from their hearts as they struggled to comprehend the kind of being they were facing.


    Zhu Guanghan, hearing Yuan Songzi¡¯s words, did not respond, only looking at them coldly.


    Tian Hao, despite his recklessness, realized the gap and did not dare to make rash moves.


    The world fell into an eerie silence.


    Yuan Songzi sensed something was amiss and frowned, ¡°Who are you waiting for?¡±


    More and more evil demons of the Innate Human Race appeared in the distance. They did not attack, merely standing far away, making the atmosphere in the world increasingly oppressive.


    It wasn¡¯t just Yuan Songzi; other cultivators also sensed something wrong.


    At that moment, rolling clouds of blood appeared above Zhu Guanghan, moving rapidly, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.


    ¡°What is that¡­¡±


    Celestial Cyan widened her beautiful eyes and asked softly.


    Even the usually talkative Blood Prison Great Saint fell silent at this moment, his gaze fixed on that mass of blood qi. He could sense that a being even more terrifying than Zhu Guanghan was about to descend.


    And Zhu Guanghan did not even look up. What did that indicate?


    It indicated that the comer was an associate of Zhu Guanghan.


    Zhu Guanghan alone had already made them unable to resist. Why then was there an even stronger presence arriving?


    What exactly had brought them here?


    Soon, a golden light pierced through the mist of blood, illuminating heaven and earth, and a figure with an invincible aura descended. It was none other than the Golden Extreme God.


    The Golden Extreme God, a True God incarnate, looked down upon all with disdain, showing no signs of the embarrassment of being suppressed by the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon his arrival, everyone felt a sense of awe, even feeling an impulse to kneel, including Yuan Songzi.


    The disparity in realms was simply too vast!


    Even Tian Hao stared dumbly at the Golden Extreme God, void of any desire to fight in his eyes.


    Within the golden light, the gaze of the Golden Extreme God focused on Tian Hao, seemingly piercing through him.


    The Golden Extreme God did not speak; he lifted his right hand, and his index finger pointed toward Tian Hao. Tian Hao, immobilized by the aim, felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation, causing his pupils to constrict.


    Far below the World Gate, the Celestial Spirit God opened his eyes, and amidst the intense light, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    Su Jin, who was cultivating in the Qiankun Sect, also opened her eyes and clutched her chest, feeling restless.


    ¡°Could it be Hao¡¯er¡­¡±


    Su Jin furrowed her brows, mumbling to herself. She wanted to get up, but not knowing where to find Tian Hao, she had no choice but to sit back down.


    ¡­


    Facing the pointed finger of the Golden Extreme God, Tian Hao could only hear his own heartbeat, intense like never before.


    For the first time, he felt that he might actually die.


    This feeling was horrendously awful.


    Yuan Songzi wanted to intervene, but he found himself unable to move; he could only watch as Tian Hao stood beside him, facing death.


    Suddenly!


    Several figures appeared before Tian Hao, led by the people of Wushi, each holding a Dao Treasure. They lined up, eight Dao Treasures radiating Dao Intent, forming a spectrum of light that shielded the front.


    Tian Hao inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. His three Dao Spears also burst forth with Dao Intent, merging with the Dao Intent of the other Dao Treasures to collectively resist the Golden Extreme God.


    The Golden Extreme God stared at the people of Wushi, his eyebrows knitting together.


    He could see that these treasures were not simple, having witnessed Lv Xian in combat before; the Dao Treasures had made an impression on him, but he had not anticipated that there would be so many of such treasures.


    Interestingly, his Divine Sense enveloped heaven and earth, yet he failed to detect the presence of these Dao Treasures.


    ¡°Wushi? Who is backing you up?¡±


    The Golden Extreme God asked, managing only to deduce the name Wushi, which remained mysterious in his predictions.


    Yet he was not afraid, for he had someone behind him as well, and not just the Profound Star Immortal Monarch. Beyond the boundaries, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong were also observing.


    The people of Wushi did not respond; they simply exhausted all their strength to resist the aura of the Golden Extreme God.


    Although the Dao Treasures were strong, the gap in their cultivation levels compared to the Golden Extreme God was too vast. Even without the Golden Extreme God taking them seriously, they struggled to withstand his presence.


    Tian Hao, watching the backs of the Celestial Demon Child, Blood Prison Great Saint, and others, felt profoundly touched.


    These were the people who had watched him grow up, and in his heart, they were like family. Watching his senior brothers and sisters protect him, he also felt a thrill of excitement.


    As a child, he had fantasized about fighting alongside his brothers and sisters, almost forgetting about his childhood hopes.


    Seeing that they refused to answer, the Golden Extreme God snorted coldly and pushed his finger forward, releasing a terrifying aura that seemed to crush the people of Wushi.


    Yuan Songzi, being the closest, felt as if his soul was about to scatter.


    As a fully realized Profound Yuan Free Immortal, fear was all that remained in him, unable to maintain the usual indifference.


    However.


    The sensation of terror came quickly and left just as quickly.


    He felt as though he had fallen from the sky to the ground unharmed.


    The sense of survival after a calamity made him gasp for air, and he looked up at the Golden Extreme God with confused eyes.


    However, he saw the Golden Extreme God frowning, his gaze seeming fixed on someone. He unconsciously followed the direction of the Golden Extreme God¡¯s gaze.


    There, he saw a figure enveloped in dark purple Demonic Qi standing above Tian Hao.


    Tian Hao, Lv Xian, and others also turned their heads to look. Tian Hao turned around, his face showing astonishment, while Lv Xian, Celestial Demon Child, and others breathed a sigh of relief.


    Eighty thousand years had passed.


    The world had long forgotten this shade of demons, and the cultivators in this realm, faced with this shadow of demons, felt only confusion and curiosity, with no one recognizing the origin of this demon shadow.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Lv Xian exclaimed excitedly, turning his head back to face the Golden Extreme God, his eyes filled with contempt, as if to say, ¡°You¡¯re finished.¡±


    Master?


    Tian Hao widened his eyes, looking closely. The silhouette of the demon shadow indeed resembled his master. He had not expected his master to appear.


    He had never seen Gu An in action and thought that Gu An, having retreated to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, would disregard worldly affairs.


    The Golden Extreme God, looking at Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow, asked, ¡°Are you the master of Wushi?¡±


    Gu An did not respond. He stepped forward from in front of Tian Hao, and Lv Xian, Celestial Demon Child, and others made way, their gazes filled with adoration and fervor.


    Yuan Songzi, looking closely at Gu An, could not see through him. The demonic Qi around Gu An was so scorching it made his Divine Sense ache.

 Chapter 633 - 626: No Need to Take Action Personally

    Chapter 633: Chapter 626: No Need to Take Action Personally


    Watching Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow approach, the Golden Extreme God furrowed his brows. Although he couldn¡¯t see through the demonic shadow, he wasn¡¯t afraid.


    He was a Celestial God, blessed by the Celestial Dao Destiny, and even if he couldn¡¯t overcome his opponent, he wouldn¡¯t be completely obliterated from existence.


    The Golden Extreme God didn¡¯t inquire about Gu An¡¯s origins, as asking would be meaningless.


    However, this fellow dared to walk directly towards him, and as a Celestial God, he wouldn¡¯t just wait to be killed.


    His right palm lifted, facing Gu An. His expression was cold and indifferent.


    All cultivators, the Innate Human Race and evil demons fixed their gaze on Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow, including Tian Hao and Lv Xian. Tian Hao looked the most expectant and excited.


    Although he had sparred with his master, the gap in the cultivation level was vast, and he had no idea how strong his master truly was.


    Moreover, he had never seen his master fight a life-and-death battle with an enemy. He had only heard from his senior brothers and sisters about the past, which made him long to see his master¡¯s powerful side.


    A golden-red light gathered in the palm of the Golden Extreme God. Lightning intertwined, resembling billions of demon birds screeching. The lightning illuminated the faces of all living beings between heaven and earth, making their expressions shift between light and dark.


    The heaven and earth began to tremble; the ground split open as if the world was about to collapse, permeated with a suffocating and dangerous aura.


    Yuan Songzi, who was nearby, could feel the terrifying power of the Golden Extreme God. His gaze fixated on Gu An, and he made a guess.


    ¡°Could it be the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable? Has he not left?¡±


    Although Yuan Songzi had never seen the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable manifest a demon body, he had heard of the legend and even felt the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s formidable aura when battling with the Celestial Spirit God and the Silent Destruction God Emperor.


    He could only think it was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable hadn¡¯t left!


    As Gu An drew closer to the Golden Extreme God, more and more cultivators recalled the legend of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The Golden Extreme God raised his right hand above his head, the clouds above pierced by golden lightning bolts, which then interwove in his palm. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy rushed forth, forming violent winds that howled, making the trembling of heaven and earth even more intense.


    Zhu Guanghan watched Gu An with curiosity filling his heart. He silently stepped back, not interfering with Gu An¡¯s confrontation with the Golden Extreme God.


    In the eyes of Tian Hao and others, Gu An, who walked towards the thunder, appeared so powerful, his silhouette exuding an unshakable aura.


    The Golden Extreme God swung his hand towards Gu An. Endless golden lightning from all directions of heaven and earth struck at Gu An with a devouring force.


    Boom¡ª


    The vast golden lightning was instantly dispersed, and the Golden Extreme God vanished in a flash.


    The hundred-foot-tall Zhu Guanghan widened his eyes in disbelief.


    He and his kin were enslaved by the Golden Extreme God, so he knew very well how fearsome the Golden Extreme God was. Even though he had become a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, in front of the Golden Extreme God, he was no different from a Mortal Spirit.


    Such a powerful Celestial God was completely no match for this man! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn¡¯t even seen how Gu An made his move.


    But he was sure that the Golden Extreme God hadn¡¯t merely dodged and disappeared but was obliterated body and soul.


    However, a Celestial God could resurrect using the Celestial Dao Destiny, so it was challenging to kill him thoroughly. Therefore, he didn¡¯t pay attention to the Golden Extreme God but kept his eyes on Gu An, filled with fear.


    Everything happened too fast!


    Previously, the Golden Extreme God seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth, but now, the entire world was returning to calm.


    No one spoke, and most of the cultivators were dumbstruck, staring at the demonic shadow.


    Gu An halted his steps, slightly tilting his head as if glancing sideways at Zhu Guanghan, who wore a gloomy expression and did not turn to flee.


    He had long been a prisoner, with nowhere to escape, and he knew he couldn¡¯t escape, so he could only wait for his end.


    Meanwhile,


    in the courtyard of Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Shen Zhen, An Xin, and Ghost Mother of Ephemera were staring at the illusion above the Artifact Refining Cauldron, all three women widened their eyes, then turned their heads to look to the side.


    Gu An still lay on the chair reading a book, making them look back and forth, confirming that the demonic shadow on the battlefield was identical to Gu An¡¯s figure.


    ¡°Is that an avatar?¡± An Xin couldn¡¯t help but ask Gu An.


    Gu An turned a page of his book and said, ¡°Yes, dealing with those guys, why should I personally take action? I¡¯m very busy, okay?¡±


    Whether it¡¯s Immortal Gods or the Innate Human Race, none can grant him life span; hence, he naturally couldn¡¯t be bothered to act personally.


    Shen Zhen, curious, watched the illusion above the Artifact Refining Cauldron and discovered she couldn¡¯t perceive the cause and effect of that demonic shadow.


    You should know that she could even scrutinize the destiny of Celestial Spirit Gods, but she couldn¡¯t see through an avatar of Gu An. How high exactly was Gu An¡¯s true cultivation level?


    Even after coexisting for more than 80,000 years, no one still knew Gu An¡¯s true cultivation level.


    Ghost Mother of Ephemera was also curious about this, feeling very emotional in her heart. Encountering Gu An was truly a tremendous opportunity; she became increasingly grateful to Gu An.


    What she had done could be replaced by anyone else; on the contrary, Gu An had given her opportunities that no other beings could obtain.


    ¡­


    On the shattered blood-red ground, whether they were Cultivators or the Innate Human Race, all stared blankly at Gu An.


    The stronger the momentum displayed by the Golden Extreme God previously, the greater the shock brought to them by Gu An.


    The Innate Human Race felt even more desperate. In their eyes, the Golden Extreme God was the most powerful being, a capable and terrifying Immortal God who brought them eternal despair, yet such a being was annihilated in an instant without any ability to resist.


    They were doomed!


    The Innate Human Race that arrived in this realm were mostly the pillars of their community, and they were clearly aware of the consequences of this expedition.


    Many from the Innate Human Race, also evil demons, showed a relieved expression. Compared to tortured life, if like the Golden Extreme God, they could instantaneously turn to ash and smoke, wasn¡¯t that a form of liberation?


    And painless at that!


    Zhu Guanghan thought so as well, thus he harbored no thoughts of resistance and quietly awaited the arrival of death, his gaze continuously fixed on the demonic shadow of Gu An.


    ¡°Very formidable, are you the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?¡±


    A playful laugh rang through the heavens and earth, the voice youthful, reminiscent of a young boy.


    Figures appeared out of nowhere around Gu An, all shimmering with dazzling immortal light, illuminating the entire dim heaven and earth.


    Tian Hao, Yuan Songzi, and others were startled awake by the sudden arrival of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong. Upon seeing the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong for the first time, they instinctively felt the same reverence as they had toward the Golden Extreme God.


    They even felt that most of these individuals were stronger than the Golden Extreme God.


    Especially that person¡­


    Tian Hao, Yuan Songzi, and the others from the Beginningless unconsciously locked their gaze on the Purple Dragon Star Monarch.


    The stature of the Purple Dragon Star Monarch was notably taller than the other Golden Cave Immortals, his aura overwhelmingly powerful. Looking at the Purple Dragon Star Monarch, their imagination of an invincible person materialized in that moment.


    ¡°Do you know what background he has?¡± Purple Dragon Star Monarch asked emotionlessly, gazing at Gu An surrounded by Demonic Qi, his eyes unchanging and indifferent, as if not viewing Gu An as a concern.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the other Golden Cave Immortals suddenly erupted with their own aura. The entire heaven and earth shattered in an instant, turning into nothingness. All beings only felt as if everything before their eyes suddenly vanished, and they appeared out of nowhere in the cosmic void, while the immortal light of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong caught their gaze, preventing them from looking away, unable to think of anything else.

 Chapter 634 - 627: Son of Heaven, Gaining Experience

    Chapter 634: Chapter 627: Son of Heaven, Gaining Experience


    Facing the encirclement of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave, Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow remained calm, as if he had long anticipated the arrival of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave.


    He did not answer the Purple Dragon Star Monarch. He felt that the Purple Dragon Star Monarch was not qualified to speak to him, and with things having gotten to this point, there was no misunderstanding to discuss.


    The target of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave was Tian Hao, and as a master, Gu An naturally had to step forward.


    Moreover, the conflict between the Immortal Gods could also affect all living beings. Although Gu An didn¡¯t want to be a diligent savior, if he came across a calamity that absolutely couldn¡¯t be resolved by everyone else and he could easily resolve it, he wouldn¡¯t deliberately ignore it.


    Let it be considered the repayment for the many years of life span he had taken while secluding himself in this realm.


    Gu An turned around to face the Purple Dragon Star Monarch.


    The Immortal Lights of the other seventy-one Golden Cave Immortals converged, forming a Formation superior to the Mortal World, invoking the Dao Rules, and discreetly suppressing Gu An.


    The Purple Dragon Star Monarch was a Taiqing Golden Immortal, while the other Golden Cave Immortals were all Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortals. The Formation they formed had already surpassed the limit that a Taiqing Golden Immortal could withstand. Although it was not powerful enough to suppress a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, it was sufficient to sweep through all existences beneath the Daluo Dao Fruit Realm.


    ¡°This Formation is the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array. No one except a Daluo Immortal can escape!¡±


    A Golden Cave Immortal spoke with a proud tone.


    Why would a Daluo Immortal come to this realm!


    If their target was the same as theirs, why would they need to stay in the Celestial Spirit Great World? They could have already taken away the person they were trying to find.


    Cultivators, Innate Human Race Evil Demons, and others watching from afar all watched the battle nervously, not daring to move.


    Tian Hao, Yuan Songzi, Lv Xian, and Celestial Demon Child and others were curious about what a Daluo Immortal was?


    The people of Wushi had indeed heard of this name from the books written by Gu An. They quietly thought that indeed, the books the master wrote were not entirely fictional but were mythical stories that had truly happened. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhu Guanghan looked at the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave, and his expression drastically changed as if he thought of something. He became extremely anxious and very much wanted to flee the place.


    Once the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array was deployed, those outside the Formation could only feel the grandeur but could not personally experience the oppressing force. However, simply witnessing the Immortal Light of the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array made them feel their insignificance¡ªas if they would be reduced to ashes upon mere contact with the Immortal Light.


    Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow remained silent, waiting for either the Profound Residence Immortal Monarch or Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    From a causal deduction perspective, it was unlikely that either of the two Immortal Monarchs would intervene, at least not in the short term.


    Gu An looked at the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave, contemplating how to deal with them.


    To kill them was definitely impossible to accomplish thoroughly; even if annihilated, they could be resurrected through Heavenly Dao.


    It would be possible to seal them like he dealt with the Celestial Spirit God, preventing their resurrection and letting them endure the torment.


    Seeing that Gu An refused to speak, the Golden Cave Immortals grew furious, and one burly Golden Cave Immortal immediately spoke, ¡°Elder brother, destroy him! Since the person we are looking for is right before us, why worry so much? We are Immortal Gods!¡±


    As Immortal Gods, they had absolute confidence.


    Becoming an Immortal signified immortality; they would only fear other Immortal Gods.


    Facing someone of higher Realm who wasn¡¯t an Immortal God, they weren¡¯t scared at all.


    The Celestial Court was their greatest backing!


    Over the endless years, they had experienced innumerable tribulations and faced every possible scenario.


    The Purple Dragon Star Monarch deeply looked at Gu An and nodded slightly. Seeing this, the seventy-one Golden Cave Immortals immediately took action, using their Divine Skills simultaneously. Their Immortal Light rapidly expanded, and wind, fire, thunder, and rain suddenly erupted, instantly engulfing Gu An¡¯s figure.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    Inside the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array, deafening booming sounds erupted, dazzling lights flashed, creating a blinding spectacle that made it impossible to discern the specific situation inside the Array. However, they could truly feel the terrifying aura of the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array.


    Yuan Songzi, Tian Hao, and others instinctively stepped back, an inherent impulse that could not be suppressed by reason, including Zhu Guanghan from the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm.


    They widened their eyes, reflecting the Immortal Light of the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array in their pupils, which trembled.


    They could no longer see Gu An¡¯s figure, but the aura emanating from the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array made everything seem fragile.


    They couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of destruction such a terrifying presence would cause if it descended upon the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    As Great Cultivators, the spectators felt that such an aura could turn the Celestial Spirit Great World to ash, as they themselves couldn¡¯t withstand it at all.


    If such was the case outside the Formation, what would it be like inside?


    As this thought emerged in everyone¡¯s minds, the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array suddenly dispersed, revealing Gu An¡¯s figure, who reached out and grabbed. The Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong transformed into seventy-two beams of golden light that flew into his hand, quickly shrinking and disappearing without a trace.


    Following this, Gu An clenched his fist, and two beams of purple light appeared on his face shrouded with Demonic Qi, the surrounding void abruptly changed, and the scarlet world reappeared, making everyone feel as if they were in a different era.


    By the time they regained their senses, Gu An had vanished.


    The world fell silent, and the sound from the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array gradually disappeared.


    Even Lv Xian and Celestial Demon Child were stunned.


    They had thought there would be a thrilling great battle, but it ended so quickly.


    Zhu Guanghan hovered in midair, also falling into a daze.


    He suddenly didn¡¯t know what to do.


    Dao Court Cultivators turned their gazes to him, equally at a loss, as they were no match for Zhu Guanghan.


    The sky was vast and the sea of clouds pristine, a rainbow hanging at the horizon.


    Below the rainbow stood a small pavilion, perched above the clouds, where two Daoists were playing a game of Go, though the pieces were not black and white.


    One of them, a white-haired man with handsome features, had his eyes covered with a silver ribbon and a golden pattern on his forehead. He wore a spotless white Dao robe, with a scroll floating behind him, its light flowing; the painting within depicted a shifting landscape.


    He was none other than Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s right hand held a game piece between his fingers, not yet placed on the board, seemingly contemplating something.


    Sitting opposite him was a yellow-robed Daoist with an aged face, his hair a mix of black and white, and authority in his gaze. Golden-red halos floated around him like slender, lengthy scarves, and behind his head hovered a phantom image of two mysterious and majestic Divine Beasts intertwined.


    The yellow-robed Daoist spoke, ¡°Do you really intend to interfere in the matters of Celestial titles? There are many Sons of Heaven, why care so much about one who has been exiled? Even sending the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave.¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch responded, ¡°It¡¯s true there are many Sons of Heaven, and many have been exiled, but he¡¯s different. He was once deeply favored, and now he has fallen into Reincarnation. In my view, he¡¯s not being exiled but is undergoing trials. If it were truly an exile, there¡¯d be no need to conceal the heavenly secrets.¡±


    The yellow-robed Daoist shook his head and chuckled.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch then placed his piece on the board, ¡°Not many Sons of Heaven can ascend to the Palace of the Polestar, but he was able to right from birth. I will never forget the scene of thousands of Immortals surrounding him.¡±


    The yellow-robed Daoist teased with a smile, ¡°For that, you would contend with Profound Star Immortal Monarch? You should know that Profound Star Immortal Monarch has backing.¡±


    ¡°As long as it does not violate Celestial Rules, what does a big backing matter?¡± Taiyi Immortal Monarch retorted.


    Suddenly, he frowned, the golden pattern on his forehead shining brightly.


    The yellow-robed Daoist picked up a game piece, smiling as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    After a moment of silence, Taiyi Immortal Monarch said, ¡°The Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong failed. The one who acted has an unfathomably high Cultivation Level; they did not test his depth. The only certainty is that he lacks the Destiny of the Celestial Court.¡±


    The yellow-robed Daoist¡¯s interest was piqued, and he smiled, ¡°Those daring to oppose the Celestial Court are indeed rare.¡±

 Chapter 635 - 628: Gu Ans Terrifying Method

    Chapter 635: Chapter 628: Gu An¡¯s Terrifying Method


    ¡°Indeed, such existences are rarely seen, but they often bring great trouble,¡± the Taiyi Immortal Monarch said, his eyes concealed, making it impossible for one to discern his gaze.


    The Yellow-robed Daoist asked, ¡°Were the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave captured?¡±


    If it were merely a defeat or death, that wouldn¡¯t matter much. For Immortal Gods, the most agonizing fate is to be sealed and unable to perish on their own, forced to endure prolonged suffering and waiting only for rescue by the Celestial Court.


    Of course, it would be a difficult process, but the Celestial Court could always save them¡ªsuch is the strength of the Immortal Gods.


    The Taiyi Immortal Monarch replied, ¡°Hmm, we can¡¯t capture their Destiny, nor can we perceive the causality that binds them.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t worried either, but he pondered how next to deal with that person.


    The Yellow-robed Daoist asked with a half-smile, ¡°What do you plan to do, personally intervene? For so many Immortal Gods to descend upon a Great Thousand World goes against Celestial Rules.¡±


    The Taiyi Immortal Monarch did not answer; instead, he picked up a chess piece and gently tapped the edge of the board.


    The Yellow-robed Daoist said no more, not wanting to disturb the Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s contemplation.


    He cast his gaze toward the chessboard, his eyes flashing with a strange light at the sight of a childlike piece.


    ¡­


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Shen Zhen, An Xin, and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera saw the illusion of the demonic shadow disappear, and the three women came to from their shock.


    ¡°Was it the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye that rewrote the heavens and earth?¡± An Xin thought curiously to herself. Before the void reverted to the mundane world, she had seen the divine light of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye flash across Gu An¡¯s face, brief but unmistakable.


    Shen Zhen turned to look at Gu An, who still held the ¡°Cyan Hero¡¯s Travelogue¡± in a lounging pose.


    The more nonchalant he was, the more she admired Gu An.


    After so many years, seeing Gu An take action again still left her in awe.


    At that moment, Gu An¡¯s demonic shadow appeared out of thin air beside his true self, then dissipated into smoke, leaving behind seventy-two tiny orbs of golden light floating in the air.


    Gu An sat up, tucked the ¡°Cyan Hero¡¯s Travelogue¡± into his chest, then raised his right hand, and the seventy-two orbs of light dispersed, revealing small wooden plaques that fell into his palm.


    These wooden plaques were only five or six centimeters long and thin as leaves, crafted as if by an artisan, with different figures carved on each, all images of the Golden Cave Immortals.


    Gu An grabbed the batch of plaques, then took out a red thread, threaded it through the forehead of each plaque, strung them together, and hung them on his belt.


    An Xin, Shen Zhen, and the Ghost Mother of Ephemera witnessed this, their eyes widened, and their perception challenged severely.


    Transforming living beings into such small trinkets was already astonishing, and these plaques originated from beings of great power.


    Even through the illusion, they could feel the might of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave, and the terrifying power of the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array that enveloped the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, inciting fear in all beings within and beyond the heavens.


    After finishing all this, Gu An played with the wooden plaques at his waist, a smile appearing on his face.


    Shen Zhen and the other ladies felt it was preposterous.


    Gu An¡¯s methods turned their understanding of Immortal Cultivation on its head.


    ¡°Why are you all watching me, continue with the excitement,¡± Gu An said to the three of them, reminding them. Startled, they quickly turned back to see the illusion on top of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, where the Daoist Cultivators of the Dao Court had once again surrounded Zhu Guanghan.


    ¡°How did you manage to capture him?¡± Shen Zhen asked, surprised, staring at the illusion.


    Zhu Guanghan had already proven his strength, and all the Great Cultivators in the world could not withstand him.


    Gu An did not answer. He twisted his body and walked toward the outside of the courtyard.


    Before he reached the gate, the voice of Zhu Guanghan came from within the illusion.


    ¡°I have been defeated,¡± he declared, ¡°I am willing to recall the Innate Human Race and no longer bring calamity to the Celestial Spirit Great World.¡±


    His words allowed the Cultivators of the Dao Court to breathe a sigh of relief, yet there were still some who, indignant, asked, ¡°You have slain so many beings, and just like that, it¡¯s over?¡±


    Zhu Guanghan remained composed and said, ¡°We rely on a Destiny unimaginable to you. Even in death, we can be resurrected. To truly kill us, you must extinguish that very Destiny.¡±


    His statement left the inquirer abruptly at a loss for words.


    Yuan Songzi looked at Zhu Guanghan with a complex expression in his eyes.


    He took a deep breath and ordered, ¡°Everyone, withdraw. Do not engage with the Innate Human Race any further.¡±


    Zhu Guanghan turned his gaze to Yuan Songzi and said eerily, ¡°The path of the Immortal Dao is far beyond your imagination. If you wish to govern this world, you must be psychologically prepared.¡±


    As he spoke, he cast a sideways glance at Tian Hao, his stare causing a tremor in Tian Hao¡¯s heart.


    Tian Hao thought back to the earlier battle with the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong and the Golden Extreme God, and for some reason, he felt that these mighty beings had come for him.


    But he couldn¡¯t be sure and feared he might be overestimating himself. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lv Xian patted his shoulder, signaling it was time to leave.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint, however, looked quite disgruntled. This battle had offered him no room to show his prowess; he felt as if he had made a trip for nothing.


    The other Wushiji Disciples, on the other hand, were quite excited, still reminiscing about Gu An¡¯s earlier actions.


    Elsewhere.


    In the depths of the universe, beneath a World Gate.


    The Celestial Spirit God looked into the distance, his mood remaining unsettled for a long time.


    The aura of the Golden Extreme God had startled him; he felt that the Golden Extreme God had surpassed his own power and that in a fight to the death, he would struggle to overcome the Golden Extreme God.


    Of course, the Golden Extreme God was only slightly stronger than him, and his defeat at the hands of Gu An was within expectations.


    However, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong were a different matter entirely.


    The Purple Dragon Star Monarch was a figure whom he had once looked up to, and the other Immortals of Jin Dong were no ordinary individuals either. These seventy-two Immortals hailed from the same Immortal Sect, each previously a pinnacle of talent before ascending to immortality. They did not all come from the same era but were the strongest disciples of the Immortal Sect across different ages.


    Their Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array was an exceptionally fearsome legend, possessing tremendous deterrent power even within the Celestial Court.


    His master had once said that even a Daluo Immortal would lose a layer of skin if caught in the Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array.


    He did not know how powerful a Daluo Immortal could be, but it was certainly a realm beyond his imagination.


    Before Gu An, such a terrifying Golden Cave Absolute Immortal Array seemed fragile, and the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong were defeated in an instant.


    ¡°You did not choose the Profound Star Immortal Monarch nor the Taiyi Immortal Monarch, and yet for his sake, you have gone to such lengths. Who exactly are you?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God muttered to himself. At this point, he also saw the problem.


    Tian Hao was not merely his son, nor solely a manifestation of the Destiny of the Celestial Spirit Great World; there was something deeper about Tian Hao.


    He began to waver inside.


    Could it be that the treasure stolen by the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable back then was not just the World Punishment Dao Pearl, but also Tian Hao¡¯s previous form?


    He had often wondered why Emperor Ziwei did not force him to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World, but now it seemed likely that the successful theft of the treasure by the Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable might have been condoned by Emperor Ziwei.


    He then recalled the scene within the Immortal Palace, the expressions of the Main Deities were so peculiar.


    The Celestial Spirit God sighed. He realized he was entangled in a karma beyond his imagination, and it stemmed from within the Celestial Court itself. Such karma could possibly cause him to lose his Celestial Dao Immortal Position and be reduced to ashes.


    As an Immortal God, one is eternally indestructible.


    But if stripped of the Immortal God status, death would inevitably follow.


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s eyes flickered as he felt the time had come to make a choice.


    He stood up and walked toward the Celestial Spirit Great World, his silhouette resolute and determined.

 Chapter 636 - 629: The Tip of the Iceberg of the Celestial Court

    Chapter 636: Chapter 629: The Tip of the Iceberg of the Celestial Court


    The setting sun dipped westward, and the Qiankun Sect¡¯s Main City bustled as it always did.


    Inside an inn, Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God, who had taken the form of Bai Sheng, sat beside a third-floor window, drinking. The third floor was vast, divided into small rooms with windows, and even though every guest room was full, there was no clamor.


    The Celestial Spirit God looked at Gu An, recalling the times they had roamed mountains and played by the waters, outwitting bandits¡ª back when Su Jin had not yet transformed.


    That experience, albeit brief, seemed quite delightful upon reflection.


    He couldn¡¯t fathom Gu An.


    He had entered reincarnation without any memories. It was understandable to do such things in that state, but why had Gu An accompanied him on those travels?


    In his eyes, Gu An was very strange.


    Gu An was the most terrifying being he had ever encountered; he was merely a Celestial God in the Celestial Court, and his understanding of the Celestial Court was very one-sided¡ªhe couldn¡¯t make comparisons.


    Someone as powerful as Gu An, however, enjoyed playing in the Human World, and even relished drinking with mortals.


    The Gu An in battle and the one at leisure were two completely different personas, making it hard for anyone to associate him with both states.


    Gu An looked at the Celestial Spirit God and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s rare that you seek me out, how is it? Isn¡¯t drinking here more interesting than sitting idly beneath the World Gate?¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Celestial Spirit God didn¡¯t answer the question. He stared intently at Gu An and said, ¡°You didn¡¯t kill me; aside from fearing the Celestial Court, you must have intentions of subduing me, right?¡±


    Gu An counter-queried, ¡°You are a god of the Celestial Court¡ªhow can you be subdued?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just my identity. My heart belongs to whoever it chooses, and I will serve them. Since ancient times, within the Celestial Court, many gods have had their hearts set on the outside world, which is why there are so many Immortal Sects and Orders. The Celestial Court is indeed mighty and immovable, but the hearts of gods are just as complex as those of humans, and under the Celestial Rules, there is also a place where right and wrong blur.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s calm reply left Gu An silent.


    It seemed that wherever there were interests to be had, there was always room for negotiation.


    After pondering for a moment, Gu An said, ¡°Tell me about the Celestial Court first.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s gaze grew profound, ¡°I am a Celestial God, with the qualification to guard the Great Thousand World, but in the Celestial Court, I am merely at the bottom. I do not have the right to enter the true Celestial Court. Ever since my ascent to immortality, I have either stayed with my master, Emperor Ziwei, or remained in the Celestial Spirit Great World. I don¡¯t know much more about the Celestial Court than you do.¡±


    ¡°I can tell you that above Celestial Gods are Star Monarchs, whose cultivation level is at least that of a Taiqing Golden Immortal, and above that are the Immortal Monarchs, a level I cannot reach. Before I betrayed my master, he held such a rank. Whether that is still the case, I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    Celestial God, Star Monarch, Immortal Monarch.


    It seemed that most Immortal Monarchs were perhaps in the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm.


    Gu An, residing in the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection, was not afraid¡ªof course, one must never be careless and should always overestimate the opponent.


    ¡°There are countless Celestial Gods in the Celestial Court; I once trained with a Celestial Army. Did you know? There are hundreds of millions of Celestial Gods there. When I entered their trial realm, I realized how ordinary my talent was. In the eyes of those high in the Celestial Court, I was no different than an ant.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God spoke of this with a complex expression.


    In the Great Thousand World, he was invincible, but in the Celestial Court, he felt so insignificant¡ªa gap unimaginable to mortal spirits.


    Gu An narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°How many such Celestial Armies does the Celestial Court have?¡±


    With one Celestial Army comprising hundreds of millions of Innate Golden Immortals and Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortals, the repressive power of the Celestial Court was indeed frightening.


    The Golden Immortals of the Three Thousand Great Worlds combined couldn¡¯t match that number, meaning the reach of the Celestial Court¡¯s control far exceeded the scope of Gu An¡¯s perception.


    The Celestial Spirit God solemnly said, ¡°Many branches, I¡¯m not clear on the number, no one knows just how terrifying the foundation of the Celestial Court is, even the Immortal Gods within it, only the supreme Celestial Emperor knows.¡±


    Celestial Emperor!


    Upon hearing this, Gu An didn¡¯t want to probe further for fear of provoking taboo.


    The tip of the iceberg that was the Celestial Court was already so terrifying that the realm of the Celestial Emperor was beyond his imagination.


    Gu An asked, ¡°Since you want to take refuge with me, do you know what you will face next?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God, seeing that he did not continue to inquire about the Celestial Court or the Celestial Emperor, also breathed a sigh of relief. Continuing the conversation could provoke detection by the Celestial Court.


    ¡°I know, Profound Star Immortal Monarch, Taiyi Immortal Monarch, I initially thought the former came for faith, but I was utterly mistaken. They are likely eyeing Tian Hao. The Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable created him surely for some mission, and behind this might also be the calculations of my master, Emperor Ziwei. I¡¯m unclear on what he¡¯s scheming or the true origin of Tian Hao, but attracting the attention of two Immortal Monarchs means that even if you resolve them, there will still be bigger troubles ahead.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God said calmly, mentioning Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch there was neither fear nor worry in his demeanor; he believed Gu An could handle these two Immortal Monarchs.


    ¡°Given this, you still wish to help me? Is it because of Tian Hao?¡± Gu An looked at him and asked.


    The protection of the Celestial Dao Destiny prevented Gu An from hearing his thoughts, but based on Gu An¡¯s understanding of him, he wasn¡¯t one to lie.


    A ripple passed through the eyes of the Celestial Spirit God as he said, ¡°If I say Tian Hao doesn¡¯t matter to me at all, that would be false, but more so it¡¯s because I also need a backer. There¡¯s no longer any possibility of ascending within the Celestial Court, and the more chaos that arises in the Celestial Spirit Great World in the future, the greater my sins.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know now, your care for Tian Hao, is it due to fate, or like the Immortal Monarchs, do you have ulterior motives?¡±


    He addressed Gu An with respect, indicating a change in his attitude.


    Gu An asked, ¡°If it¡¯s due to fate, do you have a plan?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God showed a smile. Before coming, he had speculated that if Gu An had ulterior motives, he would have acted long ago; there would have been no need to wait for the Immortal Monarchs to come.


    And over these years, he had watched Tian Hao live carefreely; Gu An showed no signs of controlling Tian Hao.


    The Celestial Spirit God said, ¡°Actually, resolving this is not difficult. With Tian Hao¡¯s talent and destiny pattern, he could be sent to a God stronger than the Immortal Monarchs, and the Immortal Monarchs would have no reason to act against the Great Thousand World. Once Tian Hao leaves, they can only swallow their losses in silence.¡±


    With that said, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh, though it was unclear for whom.


    ¡°Do you have a God worthy of entrustment?¡± Gu An hesitantly asked.


    Located at the bottom of the Celestial Court, the Celestial Spirit God seemed to have no escape; could he still find a way out for Tian Hao?


    The Celestial Spirit God shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know such a transcendental God, but I can recommend Tian Hao to go to the Misty Immortal Court. The Misty Immortal Court has produced many Gods and is recognized by the Celestial Court as an orthodox Immortal Sect. Stronger entities support the Misty Immortal Court from behind, and with Tian Hao¡¯s qualifications, he will certainly be able to enter. The two Immortal Monarchs would not dare to invade the Misty Immortal Court.¡±


    ¡°Afterward, we only need to withstand their retaliation once. Once they fail, they will be forced to temporarily let go of this karma.¡±


    Misty Immortal Court!


    Gu An thought of the memories of the Emperor of Eternal Life, who was born in one of the Immortal Mansions of the Misty Immortal Court and left at an early age. He went back once, and from his memories, the Misty Immortal Court indeed appeared unfathomable.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life was his Reincarnation Body, so in some sense, he could also be considered a disciple of the Misty Immortal Court.


    Sending his disciple Tian Hao to the Misty Immortal Court seemed like karma repeating itself.


    But, could the Misty Immortal Court truly accept Tian Hao?


    Would Tian Hao be protected there after his arrival?


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s understanding of the Celestial Court was not deep, and Gu An¡¯s understanding of the Misty Immortal Court was similarly shallow.

 Chapter 637 - 630 The Feelings of the Celestial Spirit God

    Chapter 637: Chapter 630 The Feelings of the Celestial Spirit God


    Seeing Gu An¡¯s silence, the Celestial Spirit God did not disturb him, after all, the method he proposed was not absolutely without problems, and if Gu An refused, he would not be in a hurry. Before coming here, he had already considered all kinds of situations.


    Having decided to serve Gu An, he had to take a firm stand, thinking about problems from Gu An¡¯s perspective.


    After a while,


    Gu An asked, ¡°How sure are you about getting Tian Hao into the Misty Immortal Court?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God replied, ¡°I have a close friend who comes from the Misty Immortal Court. Although his status is not very high, helping Tian Hao to join the court is certainly not a difficult task. The rest will depend on Tian Hao¡¯s destiny, and we can only do so much. Individual fate still depends on one¡¯s own efforts.¡±


    Gu An thought for a moment and said, ¡°Then let him choose.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God raised his eyebrow, asking, ¡°You want to tell him all this?¡±


    ¡°He is now grown up, qualified to choose his own fate. If he is manipulated by you and me, how are we any different from the Immortal Monarchs?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s reply gave the Celestial Spirit God a deeper understanding of him.


    It seemed that Gu An had no designs on benefiting from Tian Hao.


    Being able to act according to his own wishes, without fearing the threat of the Immortal Monarchs, also showed that Gu An was very confident in his own cultivation level.


    ¡°Hmm, what do you need me to do?¡± the Celestial Spirit God nodded and then asked.


    Gu An revealed a smile, saying, ¡°Keep doing what you were doing before.¡±


    After hearing this, the Celestial Spirit God furrowed his brow and hesitantly asked, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m not qualified to help you?¡±


    Remembering how he had been defeated by Gu An, his expression became unnatural.


    ¡°That¡¯s certainly not the case. You are a Celestial God, your duty is to protect all living beings, and I temporarily do not need you to do things for me. I have already received your intentions, and we will get along very well in the future. As for the two Immortal Monarchs, if they come, you don¡¯t need to stand up for me, I have my own ways to deal with them.¡±


    Gu An explained, which surprisingly made the Celestial Spirit God feel ashamed.


    Being cast into reincarnation by Gu An, even though Gu An said it was to let him experience the thoughts of mortal spirits and to cultivate a sense of compassion, the Celestial Spirit God did not take it to heart. He always felt that Gu An did this to suppress him, to make him submit.


    Now it seemed that Gu An truly cared for all living beings.


    What kind of magnanimity was this?


    The Celestial Spirit God could not imagine it; he had seen many Immortal Gods, but it seemed that none were capable of reaching the extent of Gu An¡¯s actions. The Immortal Gods often touted their own justice and great kindness, but their attitude towards all living beings was one of indifference, respecting fate and the rules of Heaven and Earth.


    ¡°Alright, now that we¡¯ve talked about these things, it¡¯s time to properly enjoy some wine. Recently, the Qiankun Sect introduced a type of drama that exhibits mythological stories, primarily highlighting emotional expression during character dialogues, which sounds very interesting. Let¡¯s go and see it together later.¡±


    Gu An cheerfully said and then poured wine for the Celestial Spirit God.


    The Celestial Spirit God felt puzzled.


    With their levels of cultivation, how could a drama from the Mortal World possibly be interesting, and besides, they didn¡¯t need to go there in person; they could hear it from here.


    However, faced with Gu An¡¯s invitation, he did not refuse.


    In his view, Gu An was doing this for two reasons: one was to show goodwill and the other might hold deeper meanings.


    Next, the two talked only about human affairs, and the Celestial Spirit God gradually relaxed, his thoughts drifting to a woman within the Qiankun Sect.


    Back in the day, the three of them traveled the world together. Now, all within the same sect, even as a Celestial God, the Celestial Spirit God had a very peculiar feeling.


    ¡­


    The news of the great defeat of the Innate Human Race swept across the world like a storm. The Dao Court especially promoted this news vigorously.


    A legendary name once again broke into the ears of the people of the world.


    Supporting Dao Sword Venerable!


    After that battle had ended, the Dao Court held a discussion, and combined with the legends from the Human World, they deduced that the mysterious savior was the legendary Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    To all living beings, Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was ancient, but to the Great Cultivators, not so distant. In the beginning, when the Great Thousand World had not yet reunited, although they were not within the Celestial Spirit Great World, they had felt the vast aura of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. They knew that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable truly existed.


    Not only that, but rumors about the relationship between Wushi and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable also began to circulate. However, because many sects claimed to have a connection with the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, the relationship between Wushi and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable didn¡¯t cause much of a stir.


    Time swiftly passed by.


    A new year arrived.


    Tian Hao returned to the Qiankun Sect. Before he had set foot in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, he was summoned by Gu An. Following the sound, he arrived at a cliffside and saw that there was another person standing next to Gu An, also with their back to him.


    Looking at the figure of this person, he couldn¡¯t help but be stunned, his expression turning peculiar.


    This person was the Celestial Spirit God.


    The moment Tian Hao saw the back of the Celestial Spirit God, an indescribable mix of emotions welled up inside him.


    Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God turned together, and in the sunlight, they both radiated an otherworldly aura that seemed to merge with the Great Heaven and Earth, leaving Tian Hao inexplicably bewildered.


    He came back to his senses, quickly stepped forward, and bowed respectfully to Gu An.


    ¡°Today I called you here to tell you some matters. All you need to do is listen, do not ask questions until we have finished speaking.¡±


    Gu An spoke, leaving Tian Hao feeling baffled.


    After that, Gu An began with the introduction of Tian Hao¡¯s mortal identity in this life. When Tian Hao learned that the mysterious man next to Gu An was his biological father, he was shocked and wanted to ask questions, but was silenced by Gu An¡¯s gaze.


    Once Gu An had finished explaining Tian Hao¡¯s mortal ancestry, the Celestial Spirit God started to recount the karma of Tian Hao with the Heavenly Dao.


    Emperor Ziwei, Celestial Spirit Immortal Venerable, Profound Star Immortal Monarch, Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Golden Extreme God, Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, and so on¡­


    Hearing all these names, Tian Hao felt dizzy; he had not expected his karma to be so complex and daunting.


    When he learned that in his past life he had also been a disciple of his master, he was deeply moved.


    How could the master-disciple bond that spanned reincarnations not touch his heart?


    Especially since he had always been the one being taken care of.


    Even knowing that the Celestial Spirit God was his biological father, Tian Hao still regarded Gu An as the most important and most respected person in his life.


    An hour later.


    Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God looked at Tian Hao, waiting for his choice.


    Tian Hao clenched his fists, his face alternating between expressions, and finally, he took a deep breath and said, ¡°I choose to go to the Misty Immortal Court. I should be the one to resolve my own troubles, rather than always rely on you both. I will prove my worth in the Misty Immortal Court, and I also wish to Ascend to Immortality, to surpass these Immortal Monarchs. No matter their intentions, I will make them regret!¡±


    He raised his eyes to Gu An, his gaze firm.


    There was something he didn¡¯t say, but Gu An could hear it in his heart.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Then I will start looking forward to the day you surpass me, hoping that in the future, you can be my pillar of support.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tian Hao¡¯s eyes widened, and an embarrassed smile appeared on his face.


    His master had guessed his thoughts again!


    The Celestial Spirit God, watching Tian Hao¡¯s interaction with Gu An, felt a tinge of envy.


    Before coming clean to Tian Hao, he had to admit that he was somewhat looking forward to Tian Hao¡¯s reaction.


    He had thought Tian Hao might be surprised or angry, but he never expected Tian Hao to be so calm toward him, as if it did not matter at all who his father was.

 Chapter 638 - 631 Because Shes the One Who Resembles Me the Most

    Chapter 638: Chapter 631 Because She¡¯s the One Who Resembles Me the Most


    Hearing Tian Hao¡¯s choice, Gu An¡¯s face showed a gratified smile as he reflected, ¡°My young disciple has indeed grown up, knowing he must take on his own responsibilities.¡±


    Having said that, he stepped forward, moving past Tian Hao.


    Tian Hao turned around, his gaze following Gu An. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Gu An say, ¡°I have entrusted you to your father.¡±


    At these words, Tian Hao stopped in his tracks and turned his head to look at the Celestial Spirit God, furrowing his brow.


    He had a strong aversion to this biological father.


    From childhood to adulthood, he never lacked a father¡¯s love because, in his heart, his master was akin to a father, and he had always been happy without feeling the need for any inexplicably emerging familial bonds.


    The Celestial Spirit God, seeing through his thoughts, spoke expressionlessly, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to continue any familial ties, but rather to head to the Misty Immortal Court. You¡¯d do well to become stronger. I will pass on Divine Skills to you. Before leaving, you can bid farewell to old acquaintances and also meet your mother.¡±


    After hearing this, Tian Hao asked in surprise, ¡°My mother? Where is she?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s within the Qiankun Sect.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Tian Hao was shocked and suddenly felt at a loss.


    The Celestial Spirit God raised his right hand, and a dazzling light enveloped Tian Hao¡¯s face. In his eyes, the Celestial Spirit God seemed to have changed.


    ¡­


    The terrifying cloud that had loomed over the Celestial Spirit Great World for thousands of years eventually dissipated, and the Innate Demon Race members of the Human World swiftly vanished, with celebrations erupting everywhere for this victory.


    Promoted by the Dao Court and other Major Sects, the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable became a known figure in the Immortal Cultivation Realm within just a few decades, even reaching the ears of mortals with his legend.


    His reputation swiftly surpassed that of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch.


    The followers of the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, who had been developing for tens of thousands of years, could not compete with a single action by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The common people were not fools; they truly felt the threat posed by the Innate Human Race and thus felt a profound gratitude towards the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. Since the Profound Star Immortal Monarch had never sheltered them, how could the two be compared?


    There were even claims that the Innate Human Race had been sent by the faction of Immortal Gods led by the Profound Star Immortal Monarch, suggesting that only those in suffering and despair would hope for the salvation of Immortal Gods.


    Such provocative statements spread quickly.


    Time passed in this context.


    Whether it was the Profound Star Immortal Monarch or the Taiyi Immortal Monarch, neither sent forth Immortal Gods again, and as time passed, the influence of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s world-saving deeds began to wane since there were always new figures arising to pique people¡¯s curiosity.


    Three hundred years later.


    Inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, the day was sunny with clear skies and shimmering waters, and even the breeze carried a coolness with it.


    In the courtyard.


    Gu An was instructing Shen Zhen in Artifact Refining, who was using his Artifact Refining Cauldron. Gu An no longer crafted Dao Treasures himself, but the Cauldron, having been used to create many treasures, had essentially reached the standard of Dao Treasures, with outstanding refining capabilities.


    Looking across the entire Celestial Spirit Great World, no other cauldron could compare with Gu An¡¯s Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    An Xin appeared out of thin air behind Gu An and asked, ¡°Master, Tian Hao is going to Outer Heaven, and he said you¡¯ve agreed. Is that true?¡±


    Her tone was somewhat anxious.


    Although Tian Hao had grown up, Outer Heaven was incredibly dangerous, and Tian Hao was not yet at a level where he could ignore its threats.


    Moreover, from what she understood of Tian Hao¡¯s intent, this trip seemed like a farewell, as he was unlikely to return.


    An Xin hadn¡¯t been overly warm to Tian Hao from childhood, mainly finding it awkward and always reminded of An Hao when she saw him.


    But now that she knew Tian Hao was the reincarnation of An Hao, her feelings toward him had naturally changed.


    Her senior brother had always been like this; she had said farewell to him more than once.


    Without the master, she felt An Hao would have died many times over, a concept she couldn¡¯t grasp and wished to oppose.


    Gu An, with his back toward An Xin, said, ¡°This time he¡¯s not leaving for himself.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    An Xin asked, just as the words left her mouth, she suddenly thought of something.


    Could it be that the Innate Human Race is here because of Tian Hao?


    She then thought of An Hao from her past life, who died to save this world. It seemed like An Hao never lived for himself; his birth was always accompanied by a mission.


    Perhaps to the An Family he was an irresponsible ancestor, but he certainly did not owe anything to all living beings, he even had the merit of saving the world.


    Gu An did not answer An Xin but continued to instruct Shen Zhen on Artifact Refining. Although Shen Zhen was curious about why Tian Hao had left, she did not ask.


    Ever since she started following Gu An, she saw many people come to Gu An¡¯s side, and also saw many people leave.


    In Shen Zhen¡¯s eyes, within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, only An Xin and Celestial Demon Child were like her, able to accompany Gu An continuously; everyone else more or less yearned for the outside world. It could even be said that they only endured here to become stronger.


    An Xin stood still, quickly understanding.


    Her master saw things more clearly than she did, and Tian Hao¡¯s destiny pattern was not something she could imagine.


    She and An Hao were never on the same path; they were just born in the same place as children.


    After a long time,


    When An Xin completely let go, she was about to turn and leave when Gu An suddenly called out to her:


    ¡°An Xin, in a while, come with your master on a trip.¡±


    An Xin couldn¡¯t help but ask in confusion, ¡°Where to? Immortal Seeking Island?¡±


    Gu An looked at her and laughed, ¡°Let¡¯s go see the place Hao¡¯er wanted to go.¡±


    Upon hearing this, An Xin¡¯s eyes widened, revealing a look of delighted surprise. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, Shen Zhen immediately turned her head to look at Gu An, wanting to speak, but he pressed his left index finger to her mouth, silencing her. She could only widen her eyes, looking at him with a resentful expression.


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    An Xin quickly said and then vanished on the spot.


    Gu An then walked towards his own house.


    Shen Zhen asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that she¡¯ll tell Tian Hao since you told her in advance?¡±


    Without turning his head, Gu An said, ¡°She won¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because she is the most like me.¡±


    Shen Zhen was stunned, carefully pondering the commonalities between An Xin and Gu An.


    ¡­


    Under the night sky, atop a majestic peak, sat a temple without a roof, and on the high platform inside, a figure was meditating.


    It was Zhang Buku!


    The current Zhang Buku had a presence that was entirely different from before; his stature was even more imposing. Draped in a black robe embroidered with a yellow dragon, his long hair fluttered slightly. Even though he was sitting with his eyes closed, he emitted an extremely dangerous aura.


    A figure appeared out of thin air in the temple, a ragged-looking man. It was Xu You, who had once shared hardship with Zhang Buku.


    Even after following Zhang Buku to attain immense power, Xu You still maintained a beggar-like appearance, making his true cultivation level inscrutable.


    ¡°My Demon Emperor, are you still here studying Divine Skills, forgetting about the matter we agreed on?¡± Xu You asked in a whining teasing tone.


    Zhang Buku opened his eyes and looked at him, unperturbed, asking, ¡°So soon?¡±


    ¡°Just right, there¡¯s a transcendental being gathering forces. Although it¡¯s the lowest Celestial Dao Immortal Position, the chances are good, much easier than the trials inside the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone,¡± Xu You said with a smile.


    Zhang Buku hesitated and asked, ¡°If I go, how long will it be before I can return? What about our empire?¡±


    ¡°First, secure a foothold upon arrival. That transcendental being wants to take down someone who offended him. This mission is likely about subduing an entire Great Thousand World. Hard to say how long it will take. As for this Demon Race imperial dynasty, why worry? It will not face tribulation for a myriad of years to come. You should have confidence; our deterrent power is very strong,¡± Xu You replied. By the end, his tone held a hint of dissatisfaction.


    Zhang Buku always managed to find something wrong. He had seen other Demon Emperors and Demon Emperors of different Great Thousand Worlds, even witnessed an Emperor at the end of the Demon Race¡¯s causality. In his view, Zhang Buku, as a Demon Emperor, still fell short.

 Chapter 639 - 632: The Fortune of the Immortal Emperors Eye

    Chapter 639: Chapter 632: The Fortune of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye


    Although Xu You¡¯s words were sharp, Zhang Buku had grown accustomed to them; Xu You played an undeniable role in his journey to this day.


    In critical moments, Xu You was always so reliable, and more than once rescued him from desperate situations, their bond had long since become one of life-and-death trust.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go compete for an Immortal Position!¡±


    Zhang Buku looked at Xu You and said earnestly.


    In his heart, though, he was thinking of two other people.


    If he could Ascend to Immortality, he should be able to find Master Gu and Li Ya. What expressions would they wear when faced with the Immortal him?


    With this thought, his fighting spirit was ignited instantly, and his eyes blazed like torches.


    Xu You, seeing him all of a sudden excited, sighed inwardly, ¡®truly an enigmatic fellow.¡¯


    ¡­


    At the end of the year, Gu An stood on a cliff, braving the heavy snow, watching as the figures of the Celestial Spirit God and Tian Hao disappeared into the World Gate.


    Gu An could see that their journey was going smoothly, but the cause and effect beyond the Misty Immortal Court became unpredictable, indicating that there lay mighty beings in the Misty Immortal Court not to be underestimated.


    This was good; he needed the Misty Immortal Court to be strong enough now.


    Moreover, Gu An felt that even if Tian Hao was targeted, he would not die; neither Profound Residence Immortal Monarch nor Taiyi Immortal Monarch seemed like they would send assassins for Tian Hao, but rather seemed more likely to capture him.


    Just like the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, upon discovering Tian Hao, they did not annihilate him with thunderous might, they even had the leisure to speak.


    ¡°Hao¡¯er, what exactly is your origin?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s gaze turned profound, his thoughts stretched even further.


    Who sent An Hao to Ziwei Immortal Palace?


    Why did they send An Hao away to escape the control of the Celestial Court?


    Even though he had reached Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection in Cultivation Level, there were still things beyond his comprehension.


    He wasn¡¯t troubled by this, for he had means to resolve his current perplexities.


    That is to breakthrough!


    As long as he was strong enough, he would be able to see through the fog that lay before him.


    Gu An looked for a while, then turned and walked down the mountain. The heavy snow soon covered his figure, and the footprints he left behind quickly disappeared, without leaving a trace.


    Time is like this snow, erasing all marks in the world.


    Given enough time, even the strongest and most magnificent things will fade away.


    Ten years later.


    An Xin followed Gu An on the mountain ridge, the setting sun stretched their shadows long.


    ¡°Master, don¡¯t deceive me, we are still on the Nine Spirit Continent, how could we reach the place Tian Hao wants to go? You wouldn¡¯t use this as a metaphor, to teach me some life lessons, would you?¡±


    An Xin couldn¡¯t help questioning, her face filled with suspicion.


    If that was truly the case, then she would have to¡­


    Forget it!


    Since he is the Master, she could only endure.


    Gu An laughed and said: ¡°What¡¯s the hurry? Use your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to sense it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, An Xin immediately activated her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, and her pupils turned purple. Her view of the world changed.


    She found that their surroundings were not the forests of the Nine Spirit Continent, but a mysterious cosmic void. A grey airflow came from ahead, and upon careful sensing, she realized that it was the breath of the Great Dao.


    She was greatly shocked and began to seriously sense the Great Dao essences along the way.


    What was going on?


    Was this an Illusion Divine Power? Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Or had she actually arrived in another place?


    An Xin, filled with curiosity, watched Gu An¡¯s figure ahead.


    Gu An continued to walk leisurely as if stepping over rough mountain terrain, his strides not that of walking on flat ground.


    Moreover, An Xin felt a strong sense of kinship emanating from Gu An. Without guessing, she knew it was the perception granted by Gu An¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    The Master who imparted her with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, surely he himself had mastered such peerless Divine Skills.


    She secretly compared and found that her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was far inferior to her master¡¯s.


    This gap was greater than any description in the world.


    She felt that if she faced her master¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she might not even have the courage to resist. It was an immensely vast aura that made her feel incredibly insignificant.


    ¡°I have many disciples, and they have each received different parts of my inheritance, but the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, I have only passed it on to you alone. It is not only because this divine skill is difficult to cultivate, but also because I see the most potential in you. In fact, I think you are my most outstanding disciple, and you will surprise everyone,¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice came from ahead, casual in tone, but the content of his words filled An Xin with joy and surprise.


    Although she had followed Gu An for 88,000 years, it was the first time she had heard her master speak so highly of her.


    Whether it was An Hao, Yang Jian, the current Celestial Demon Child, Blood Prison Great Saint, Lv Xian, or Chen Chuan, so many geniuses have appeared under the master¡¯s guidance, she never dared to imagine that she would be the favorite disciple of her master.


    An unprecedented surprise and touch filled her heart, converging into a mysterious force that caused changes in her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Purplish auras escaped from her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s purple pupils, entwining around her eye sockets and branding into unusual purple Dao Patterns.


    Although Gu An, walking ahead, did not look back, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.


    An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had transformed!


    The reason for the transformation was not just because of Gu An¡¯s words, which were just a catalyst; the main influence was the surrounding Dao Intent.


    At this moment, they were walking on the Path of the Great Dao, surrounded by the intent of the Great Dao.


    The Path of the Great Dao is boundless and beyond ordinary natural forms. He used the Daoless Celestial Net Step to walk on the edge of the Great Dao Path, where no one could detect their presence.


    But this path was very dangerous, and the slightest carelessness could lead to complete annihilation.


    An Xin was unaware of the fortune she was in; she could feel changes within herself, which made her even more grateful to her master.


    Time seemed to stand still as An Xin gradually entered a state of self-forgetting.


    Her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye allowed her to see many impactful images.


    In absolute darkness, a big explosion occurred, giving birth to the universe, with countless shards of rock flying and becoming pieces of worlds, which then gave birth to all living things.


    She saw the origin and destruction of life, the collision of Dao creating the Rules of Heaven and Earth, and she even saw terrifying figures standing with their backs to all living beings at the site of the explosion.


    So many images overwhelmed her sight, and during this process, she absorbed some power.


    This power came from the Great Dao!


    To absorb the power of the Great Dao from something akin to an illusion was beyond An Xin¡¯s own comprehension.


    She realized that she still didn¡¯t understand the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye completely.


    Perhaps the reason her master said she was his most outstanding disciple was mainly because she had cultivated the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    ¡°Master once said that the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye holds different divine skills for different individuals, and they are very profound. Perhaps my Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye is more than just about absorbing power for my own use¡­¡± An Xin thought to herself as she continued to immerse in the current fortune.


    She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, it could have been a day or two, or maybe thousands of years.


    Suddenly.


    An Xin suddenly woke up, stumbled, nearly bumping into Gu An, but fortunately, Gu An steadied her with his index finger on her forehead.


    ¡°We have arrived,¡±


    Gu An said with a smile to An Xin, who came back to her senses and looked around subconsciously.


    They were standing amidst a brilliant starry sky, countless stars and varying massive nebulae visible in every direction, all so beautiful it seemed unreal.


    An Xin was still immersed in the fortune of her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye and felt a sense of loss. She asked subconsciously, ¡°Where is this place?¡±


    Gu An looked in a certain direction and said, ¡°Misty Immortal Court, where your senior brother will practice in the future, and perhaps he will Ascend to Immortality there.¡±


    Upon hearing this, An Xin fully awakened, her curiosity prompted her to ask, ¡°Could it be that Immortal Gods reside here?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°Not exactly, but Immortal Gods have been born here.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, a rainbow light streaked across the depths of the starry space ahead. It was a cultivator who looked like an Immortal, with an extraordinary demeanor, surrounded by several treasures, moving at an extremely fast speed.


    He suddenly stopped, not far from Gu An and An Xin, stood still, his eyes widened, his body trembling slightly.


    This scene left An Xin puzzled, and just as she was about to ask, her eyes suddenly widened.


    Suddenly, a figure burning with black flames appeared out of nowhere behind the cultivator, as tall as a hundred feet, like a mountain behind him.


    The figure with the black flames was raising its right hand, with the index finger touching the cultivator¡¯s head.

 Chapter 640 - 633: The Great Dao is Boundless

    Chapter 640: Chapter 633: The Great Dao is Boundless


    Looking at that black flame figure, An Xin was scared and dared not to speak, for fear of startling the other party.


    The figure appeared out of nowhere, An Xin was completely unaware, now just looking at him, she felt chilled to the bone.


    Even with the advancement of her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she felt terrified when looking at this figure.


    This was an instinctive reaction to mortal danger, telling her at first glance that she was definitely no match for the other party.


    But soon, An Xin realized that the person seemed not to see them.


    She couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to look at her master, noticing his calm face, quietly watching the black flame figure and the cultivator.


    Even that cultivator being suppressed by the black flame figure seemed unfathomably profound to An Xin.


    ¡°Master, what is the cultivation level of the cultivator being pursued?¡±


    Curiously, An Xin asked.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, ranking above Profound Yuan Free Immortal.¡±


    Heaven-Encompassing?


    An Xin was startled, she knew that above Free Immortal was the Dao Fruit Realm, and also knew that the Profound Yuan Free Immortal was the publicly recognized strongest realm in the Celestial Spirit Great World, even the Master of the Dao Court was of this realm.


    The existence stronger than the Master of the Dao Court was actually suppressed by an unknown being, leaving no room to display the might of a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal.


    An Xin asked further, ¡°What realm is the being behind him?¡±


    Gu An answered, ¡°Innate Golden Immortal Realm, ranking above Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, the first realm of the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.¡±


    Innate Golden Immortal!


    An Xin¡¯s horizons were greatly broadened.


    ¡°The higher the cultivation, the less likely it is to overcome a higher realm, if you encounter a being of a much higher realm in the future, it is best to detour, do not try to be brave,¡± Gu An earnestly advised.


    Encountering such a battle was no coincidence. Gu An had foreseen the nearby battle to the Misty Immortal Court and specifically brought An Xin to see, letting her understand the terrifying world beyond the Great Thousand World.


    The universe where the Misty Immortal Court is located is not the Great Thousand World; it¡¯s more vast than the Great Thousand World, and the Dao Rules here are even more intense.


    After calculations, Gu An knew that such a universe was called the Dao Universe, higher than the Great Thousand World.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master, I won¡¯t venture out alone. I want to keep cultivating by your side,¡± An Xin said with a smile.


    She didn¡¯t find cultivating by Gu An¡¯s side dull at all; she relished the feeling of becoming constantly stronger.


    Moreover, she could watch the ebb and flow of the Human World. If she wished to go out and play, the Qiankun Sect was a good place. Within the Qiankun Sect, she could feel the changes in the world, new and interesting things entered her view every year.


    Just then, the black flame figure stretched out a hand and, with the touch on the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal¡¯s head, this Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal was obliterated, ceasing to exist.


    This made An Xin deeply moved, no matter how high one¡¯s cultivation is, would there always be a being they cannot overcome?


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder, this black flame figure is an Innate Golden Immortal, yet couldn¡¯t see her and her master, how high is her master¡¯s realm?


    It must be higher than the Innate Golden Immortal Realm!


    The corners of Gu An¡¯s mouth slightly curved upwards.


    Above the Innate Golden Immortal are the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal and then the Taiqing Golden Immortal.


    Going further up are the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal!


    The gap between him and the black flame figure was far beyond An Xin¡¯s imagination and cognition, but he would not reveal his true cultivation level.


    After exterminating the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, the black flame figure vanished into thin air.


    ¡°In the Dao Universe, beings of any realm must be cautious,¡± Gu An remarked with a sigh.


    An Xin admired Gu An even more.


    With her master¡¯s cultivation, he should be able to easily obliterate the black flame figure, but the master never bullied the weak.


    Compared to those who acted recklessly and without restraint, she admired someone like her master who could control his own desires even more.


    Although Master loves to read some frivolous books, in An Xin¡¯s eyes, Master is the person who most fits the image of an Immortal.


    He knows the secular world, yet he is not of it; truly an Immortal, yet without the arrogance of one.


    She will always remember the words her Master told her.


    True strength is not being invincible, but having the capacity to accept those who are weaker than oneself.


    Gu An continued to move forward, and An Xin quickly followed.


    Along the way, An Xin observed the Dao Universe, every star and every nebula seemed to contain some Dao Intent, allowing her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to continuously gain insights. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was walking slowly, but the scenery around her moved quickly, she knew this was Master¡¯s doing.


    About an hour passed.


    Gu An stopped walking, An Xin came to his side, and looked ahead; her beautiful eyes widened, filled with wonder.


    In front of them was a piece of starry sky emitting dazzling light, with majestic Immortal Mansions suspended, standing above the nebulas like numerous stars, layered upon each other, presenting a vision that shook the soul with its representation of the Great Dao.


    Looking at the grandeur of the Misty Immortal Court, An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye slightly contracted, as if to deeply imprint this scene in her memory.


    ¡°Will senior brother be cultivating in such a Holy Land?¡±


    An Xin murmured softly to herself, a look of anticipation appeared on her face, hoping Tian Hao would show his peerless elegance in such a place.


    Gu An spoke: ¡°The Great Thousand World is countless, as is the Dao Universe; even as your Master, I am not clear on where the end of the Dao lies, nor how many Dao Universes there are. Pursuing the Dao is the most wonderful world, and in the process of pursuit lies Longevity.¡±


    ¡°My child, your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye should not only devour power, but also look at the Dao. The more scenery you see, the higher your Dao Practice will be. Wushi translates to without beginning, just like the infinite Great Dao.¡±


    Listening to Gu An¡¯s words, An Xin¡¯s mindset also began to shift.


    Pursuing the Great Dao?


    Is this why Master faces all calamities with a serene smile, and confronts all tribulations with lightness?


    An Xin also wanted to possess such a mindset, so she watched very intently.


    Yet, standing beside Master and looking at the same scenery, she still could not imagine what everything looked like through Master¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Master, has Tian Hao already gone in?¡± An Xin asked.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Hmm, he is currently engaging in Combat with someone. This will be his first battle in the Misty Immortal Court, and he will get through it smoothly.¡±


    An Xin smiled, hearing Master¡¯s words, she was completely reassured.


    If Master said it would go smoothly, then it certainly would.


    The master and disciple stood in the starry sky, gazing at the Misty Immortal Court.


    An Xin was immersed in the grandeur of the Misty Immortal Court, while Gu An felt the Destiny of the Misty Immortal Court.


    The Misty Immortal Court must be hiding a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, but not a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal.


    However, this does not exclude the possibility of a factor relating to the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal in the Misty Immortal Court.


    Gu An inexplicably thought of the Emperor of Eternal Life¡¯s Master, Celestial Buddha.


    Where is Ling Mountain?


    He suddenly thought to check on Ling Mountain.


    He began to deduce the fates and cause-effect of the Misty Immortal Court.


    The Misty Immortal Court is closely related to Ling Mountain, and if he deduced, he would surely find traces.


    Indeed, he found them.


    Ling Mountain is in another Dao Universe; compared to the memory of the Emperor of Eternal Life, Ling Mountain is even more vast in Gu An¡¯s eyes.


    Under Ling Mountain, several Dao Universes are suppressed, and inside Ling Mountain, there are many Great Worlds, all hidden within the bodies of powerful Buddhist Cultivators or certain treasures.


    The Bodhi Sacred Tree where the Emperor of Eternal Life once resided conceals thousands of worlds; although these worlds are not considered Great Worlds, they too nurture Cultivation Civilizations.

 Chapter 641 - 634: Ten Thousand Years Per Page

    Chapter 641: Chapter 634: Ten Thousand Years Per Page


    Gu An brought An Xin to the Misty Immortal Court, indeed only to broaden her experiences.


    After Tian Hao departed, he needed to cultivate another absolute talent for Wushi, not for any special reason, but because he wished to do so.


    While An Xin was experiencing the Misty Immortal Court, Gu An was feeling the Ling Mountain.


    Following the endless cause and effect of Ling Mountain, he discovered a vaster heaven and earth, different planes, and he even glimpsed the River of Destiny.


    Upon seeing the River of Destiny, Gu An couldn¡¯t help but think of a son from one of his past lives.


    Lu Qiuxian!


    The son of Lu Han, born as a Primordial Cause and Effect Body. On the verge of death, Lu Han asked Lu Qiuxian to revive himself, but somehow, Lu Qiuxian became bound to the River of Destiny, unable to escape from it, yet also thus gaining eternal lifespan.


    Throughout the long years, Gu An occasionally observed Lu Qiuxian, who, after merging with the River of Destiny, seemed like its guardian. His cultivation level was far inferior to Gu An¡¯s current one, but with the River of Destiny, no one could completely annihilate him.


    Lu Qiuxian kept searching for his parents within the River of Destiny; Gu An saw this but was powerless to help.


    Gu An¡¯s exploration into the Path of Destiny was profound; he could feel Lu Qiuxian¡¯s obsession. If he could meet his father, the obsession would dissipate, and Lu Qiuxian would perish, not entering reincarnation.


    Thus, Gu An wanted to wait until he was powerful enough to save Lu Qiuxian before intervening.


    The Lifespan Reincarnation allowed Gu An to enhance his understanding of the Great Dao and even his life experiences, but it also left many regrets.


    Lu Qiuxian searched for Lu Han.


    The Black Profound Emperor sought desperately for Fairy Bai Xian.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life wanted to save Fairy Yaoxuan.


    Other reincarnated beings also had their own regrets, though Gu An had few emotional regrets; it was only before death that he felt regret for not reaching a higher realm.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze quickly found Lu Qiuxian.


    Lu Qiuxian was meditating within the River of Destiny; he wasn¡¯t cultivating, but endless searching within destiny for traces of his parents.


    His cultivation level would strengthen over time, and by aura, it was already comparable to the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm.


    Gu An suddenly wanted to know what Lu Qiuxian¡¯s state of mind was like over the long years; his pupils suddenly changed, transforming into the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    The meditating Lu Qiuxian opened his eyes, frowning as he looked all around.


    Gu An ceased his probing, feeling somewhat surprised inside: ¡°The Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal can sense the surveillance of this Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal?¡±


    He felt relieved, Lu Qiuxian indeed had an extraordinary demeanor, if he were still alive today, his cultivation level would certainly be even higher than it is now.


    Just as Gu An was about to withdraw his gaze, his brow suddenly furrowed.


    Among the countless causes and effects surrounding Lu Qiuxian, he saw a figure approaching Lu Qiuxian.


    This figure was very blurry, carrying an overwhelming murderous intent.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t see through this figure, only that it was approaching Lu Qiuxian, and even could not calculate when it would reach behind Lu Qiuxian.


    This was not an approach in the conventional sense, but a closeness on a causal level; the figure was moving through some sort of causal method to attack Lu Qiuxian.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t warn Lu Qiuxian, and it would have been useless anyway.


    With the River of Destiny, Lu Qiuxian couldn¡¯t resist the other¡¯s approach; knowing beforehand was just adding to his worries.


    After a long while.


    An Xin retracted her gaze, turned her head to look at Gu An, and saw her master frowning. Following her master¡¯s gaze, she could see nothing.


    This made her nervous, what matter or what kind of existence could make her master frown?


    In her eyes, there was nothing that could confound her master, even a deceased person, her master could retrieve them from reincarnation.


    Gu An¡¯s brow smoothed out, he turned his head to look at An Xin, and smiled, asking, ¡°Ready to go back?¡±


    An Xin nodded, saying, ¡°It¡¯s time to go back, I now just want to cultivate properly. Even though I haven¡¯t been out for long, I seem to have more thoughts about the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.¡±


    Gu An looked at her eyes still imprinted with purple Dao Patterns and nodded slightly, then turned around and walked back the way he had come. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin followed behind Gu An, closing her eyes as she walked.


    With each step, she left behind a shadow, identical to herself, as if it was a duplicate.


    Ten steps left ten shadows.


    A hundred steps left a hundred shadows.


    Although Gu An did not look back, he was aware of the situation behind him.


    He had already sensed that An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was not so simple, absorbing external forces and transforming them into her own in a short time seemed powerful, but compared to his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power, it was far inferior.


    His Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye could twist reality and fiction, reshaping the past and erasing the future.


    An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye also penetrates the past and future, but it is different from Gu An¡¯s reality-twisting.


    As they continued forward, the shadows An Xin left behind began to change; their clothing altered, and their aura shifted, reminiscent of her from different periods.


    An Xin slowly opened her eyes, her instincts telling her to look back.


    ¡°Do not look back, maintain your current sensation.¡±


    The voice of Gu An came from ahead, steadying An Xin¡¯s head; she watched her master¡¯s back, and her mind cleared of distractions.


    They were still walking on the boundless edge of the Path of the Great Dao, without encountering any obstacles.


    An Xin felt as though she had been dreaming, waking up back inside the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    She turned her head and saw Lv Xian and Chen Chuan standing in front of her master, debating something, while the master had picked up a book again.


    She didn¡¯t feel that what happened before was a dream; she smiled meaningfully and then turned to leave, preparing to go back to her room for secluded cultivation.


    Shen Zhen, who was sitting in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, looked at the departing figure of An Xin, frowning slightly.


    Previously, she could see An Xin¡¯s karma and, through it, envision An Xin¡¯s past or future scenes, but now, she could no longer do so.


    ¡°Returning from a trip with such great progress?¡±


    Shen Zhen wondered curiously, her gaze then following towards Gu An, her eyes filled with anticipation.


    Gu An, hearing Lv Xian and Chen Chuan arguing, was indifferent and did not look at An Xin but was immersed in his book.


    When a page flipped, it represented an era in the Human World.


    After ten thousand years.


    Gu An closed the book, stood up, stretched his body, bathed in the sunlight; his posture was so relaxed.


    The small wooden plaques at his waist jingled slightly, unbeknownst to anyone that they were transformed by Immortals.


    Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai came rushing from outside the courtyard, and upon reaching Gu An, they chattered non-stop about the legends they had heard.


    Ten thousand years had passed, and many prominent figures and extraordinary talents had emerged in the Human World.


    After the disappearance of Tian Hao, another unparalleled prodigy from the Dao Court has emerged, rivaling the legends.


    The two compared the achievements of this eternal prodigy with those of Tian Hao, debating whose talent was stronger.


    Gu An had already noticed this eternal prodigy, who indeed could match Tian Hao, for this person was a reincarnation of an Immortal God.


    Yes, an Immortal from the Celestial Court!


    It was a maneuver by Taiyi Immortal Monarch, this Immortal Monarch is approaching, ready to descend personally into the Celestial Spirit Great World, for the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave.


    As Gu An limbered up, he looked down contemplatively.


    Where should Taiyi Immortal Monarch be placed?

 Chapter 642 - 635 Gu An versus Immortal Monarch

    Chapter 642: Chapter 635 Gu An versus Immortal Monarch


    ¡°Master, do you think the Emperor Tianhong of the Dao Court can match Tian Hao?¡±


    Celestial Cyan turned her head to look at Gu An, asking seriously. She couldn¡¯t argue with Tian Bai, who always believed that no one could surpass Tian Hao.


    However, the cultivation speed of Emperor Tianhong was not inferior to Tian Hao, and his battle achievements were even more fierce, often winning across realms and even having records of one-against-many cross-realm victories, which were both ancient and brilliant. Coupled with the momentum built by Dao Court, the people have already forgotten Tian Hao and only sing praises to Emperor Tianhong.


    From the comparison of battle achievements, Celestial Cyan felt that Emperor Tianhong truly wasn¡¯t weaker than Tian Hao; Tian Bai merely looked down on the talents from the outside out of reflex.


    Gu An replied: ¡°Within the Celestial Spirit Great World, no one¡¯s talent can match that of Tian Hao, and he has even stronger Destiny Pattern yet to be unleashed.¡±


    This statement made Tian Bai puff out her chest involuntarily.


    Gu An continued: ¡°But once they leave the Celestial Spirit Great World, there¡¯s indeed little difference between the two, and they are bound to leave the Celestial Spirit Great World to venture into higher realms.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Celestial Cyan immediately smiled and stared defiantly at Tian Bai.


    ¡°Instead of worrying about these, it would be better to think about your own cultivation. Your Innate Qualities are indeed mediocre, but having cultivated by my side for so many years, you actually have the qualifications to compete with any genius in the world,¡± said Gu An, shaking his head, causing the two women to reveal embarrassed smiles.


    Their nature was lively, making it difficult for them to concentrate on cultivation for long periods.


    What Gu An said was no false praise. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the reincarnated Immortal God, Emperor Tianhong, did not have the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal constantly releasing Dao Intent in his previous life.


    Tian Bai, clinging to Gu An¡¯s arm, cooed: ¡°With so many dojo disciples, there will always be someone who ranks first, we just need to not fall behind.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, exactly. Recently, Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s progress has been very fast; he is now unanimously recognized as the number one disciple of Wushi. I feel that Emperor Tianhong is no match for him,¡± said Celestial Cyan, hugging Gu An¡¯s other arm with a look of agreement, standing with Tian Bai against Gu An¡¯s stern criticism.


    Gu An said earnestly: ¡°Actually, in my eyes, you are not inferior to the Blood Prison Great Saint; in some respects, I even think you are the most formidable because you have each other. Just like the Dao Treasures I crafted for you, they are meant to complement each other.¡±


    This statement made Celestial Cyan¡¯s and Tian Bai¡¯s eyes light up, and they began asking in which aspects they were considered stronger.


    All of a sudden, Gu An felt a bit of a headache; he was simply customarily praising them, encouraging them to cultivate actively. They could be excited, but did they have to rub against him in their excitement?


    After frolicking with them for a while, Gu An finally sent them back to their own cultivations.


    Afterward, An Xin, having received his message, appeared out of thin air in front of him and curiously asked: ¡°Master, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Since her visit to the Misty Immortal Court ten thousand years ago, An Xin had put aside all matters, allowing Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai to coordinate with Qiankun Sect while she remained in closed-door cultivation, studying the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. This allowed the Blood Prison Great Saint to become the undisputed strongest disciple in the dojo within ten thousand years.


    Should An Xin and the Blood Prison Great Saint go to battle now, the Blood Prison Great Saint would suffer a miserable defeat, according to Gu An¡¯s deduction.


    With the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power, An Xin was more than just a little stronger than the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    Within the same realm, Gu An even felt that An Xin¡¯s suppressive power could surpass that of Tian Hao. After her visit to the Misty Immortal Court, An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye fully awakened, making her divine power extremely suitable for battle.


    It had been ten thousand years since Gu An and An Xin had seen each other, but for An Xin, she did not feel the influence of time on herself, at least her attitude towards Gu An had not changed at all.


    ¡°I am about to engage in a battle, would you like to watch?¡±


    Gu An asked with a smile. Upon hearing this, An Xin¡¯s eyes lit up and she nodded immediately.


    Just as An Xin was about to ask more questions, the scenery around them suddenly changed, and they appeared beneath the World Gate in an instant.


    Although this was not the first time An Xin felt Gu An¡¯s divine powers, she was still startled.


    In these ten thousand years, she could feel her own progress, which greatly boosted her self-confidence, but facing her master, she still felt like a frog in a well.


    An Xin did not dwell on this emotion. She turned to look, her gaze landing on the towering World Gate.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    An Xin asked curiously, sensing the boundless Power of the Great Dao contained within the gate, something she had never seen before.


    Indeed, following her master out always broadened her horizons.


    Gu An did not keep it a secret, starting to introduce the World Gate to her.


    Learning that this was the Heavenly Dao Gate leading outside the Great Thousand World and that beings could only leave the Celestial Spirit Great World through this gate made An Xin more curious.


    Her master didn¡¯t use the World Gate to go to the Misty Immortal Court before!


    Gu An then shared the news of the impending arrival of Taiyi Immortal Monarch with her, having already conversed with her about Tian Hao¡¯s karma, she was aware of the Immortal Monarch¡¯s background.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch was no ordinary Immortal God but an existence higher than Celestial Gods and Star Monarchs. The fact that her master was about to battle such a being filled her with anticipation.


    ¡°Will Taiyi Immortal Monarch come out from within the World Gate?¡± An Xin asked, her gaze fixed on the World Gate.


    The inactive World Gate appeared dark and mysterious, its inner space translucent, showing the cosmic scenery behind it, vast and majestic.


    Gu An reached for the wooden token at his waist, playing with it gently, and said: ¡°Yes, soon you¡¯ll be able to witness the Immortal¡¯s grandeur.¡±


    Meanwhile.


    In a mysterious dark space, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave appeared one after another. They opened their eyes to find themselves unable to take a single step, only able to turn their heads and twist their bodies. They soon all faced one direction, and looking along it, they saw a vast light screen floating in the darkness ahead, allowing them to see the scene of Gu An and An Xin by the World Gate.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 643 - 635 Gu An versus Immortal Monarch_2

    Chapter 643: Chapter 635 Gu An versus Immortal Monarch_2


    ¡°What is this place?¡±


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ve been sealed by that guy, and he apparently wants us to witness something.¡±


    ¡°Listen carefully to their conversation, is an Immortal Monarch coming?¡±


    ¡°This fellow is outrageously arrogant. He is indeed powerful, but how dare he challenge an Immortal Monarch?¡±


    ¡°Big brother, what should we do? We can¡¯t just sit here and wait for death!¡±


    The Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong were agitated, cursing Gu An, and eventually, they turned their gaze towards the Purple Dragon Star Monarch.


    The Purple Dragon Star Monarch¡¯s face was expressionless. Earlier, when they were sealed into wooden tokens, they all fell into a coma, so they felt as if they had just been captured.


    But the Purple Dragon Star Monarch keenly sensed that a considerable amount of time might have already passed in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    If that was the case, what had Gu An done to them during this time?


    Thinking about the methods Gu An used to capture them made it hard for the Purple Dragon Star Monarch to speak and soothe everyone. He felt that Gu An might indeed possess the power to contend with an Immortal Monarch.


    He was the only Taiqing Golden Immortal, as well as one who attained Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm Perfection in cultivation level, and his vision was more penetrating. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In his eyes, Gu An was definitely an existence of the Daluo Realm.


    Such an existence, not belonging to the Celestial Court, truly made him uneasy.


    But there was nothing the Purple Dragon Star Monarch could do now, except to wait quietly.


    In reality, Gu An continued talking with An Xin. He deliberately let the will of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong fall into his own Dao Fruit Universe, allowing them to peek at the battle.


    The reason for doing this was that Gu An had no intention of allowing the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong to leave.


    Immortal Gods might be unkillable, but they could be sealed, and even if they would eventually be discovered by the Celestial Court, it would at least buy Gu An some time.


    For the Celestial Court, tens of millions of years might just be a fleeting moment. From the Celestial Court¡¯s lack of urgency in ordering the Celestial Spirit God to quickly obliterate the Celestial Spirit Great World, it was evident that their perception of time far exceeded that of mortals.


    Any Immortal God who comes seeking trouble, he plans to seal away.


    If he released them directly, that would surely bring great trouble!


    Time passed by, second by second.


    It wasn¡¯t until the World Gate trembled that Gu An and An Xin stopped talking. An Xin turned to face the World Gate, which burst forth with intense light, converging inside.


    This was the light of the Heavenly Dao, which enveloped the surface of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Feeling the strong light of the Heavenly Dao up close, An Xin could sense the might and unfathomable depth of the Celestial Court.


    What kind of formidable power could have created such a force of order?


    As the World Gate was fully activated, a vast and infinite aura poured out from within, forming a majestic celestial mist that spread out, striking awe into all who witnessed it.


    Within the Dao Fruit Universe, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong became excited.


    ¡°The Immortal Monarch has come, he is here to save us!¡± a Female Immortal said excitedly, her face filled with admiration.


    The other Immortals of Jin Dong were also surprised and delighted. Despite having heard from Gu An and An Xin that the Taiyi Immortal Monarch would come, seeing the aura of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch actually appear stirred them deeply, even inciting a sense of sacrificial devotion to the end.


    On the other side.


    A figure gradually emerged from the intense light beneath the World Gate, appearing as though he had walked from the end of the ages, or as if he had come from the very origin of everything, with an indescribable sacred aura assaulting An Xin¡¯s eyes.


    An Xin¡¯s eyes instantly turned into the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, with purple Dao Patterns appearing around her eye sockets, and her pupils reflecting the figure of Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    During the wait, An Xin had been imagining what Taiyi Immortal Monarch would look like, but when she actually saw him, she couldn¡¯t help feeling an abject sense of inferiority.


    This was an essential difference in the nature of life. Whether it was cultivation level, soul, or cognition, An Xin instinctively felt inferior to the other.


    ¡°Heaven-Defying one, you dare await my arrival here. Do you know what you are about to face?¡±


    The voice of Taiyi Immortal Monarch emanated from within the World Gate, echoing across the cosmic starry sky. In an instant, with the World Gate at the center, the space in all directions burst into multicolored rainbow light, rendering this piece of the universe bizarre and fantastical, mesmerizing and mysterious.


    Listening to Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s words, An Xin almost felt an impulse to kneel and bow her head.


    Her mind was shaken, unable to fathom just how profound Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s Dao Practice was.


    Gu An stepped forward and An Xin¡¯s intense discomfort suddenly vanished; she looked towards Gu An subconsciously. In her eyes, Gu An¡¯s image abruptly grew in stature, and he could even be compared to Taiyi Immortal Monarch, who was still within the World Gate.


    Within the Dao Fruit Universe, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong also fixed their gaze upon Gu An¡¯s figure. In their view, the silhouette of Taiyi Immortal Monarch, who was approaching them, seemed almost to overlap with Gu An¡¯s figure. Despite their hatred for Gu An, from this angle, they had to concede that Gu An¡¯s presence was every bit as formidable as that of Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    ¡°Fooling all living beings, isn¡¯t that also a violation of Heavenly Dao?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice sounded, his tone calm.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch continued to approach the gate, walking neither quickly nor slowly, but with each step, he displayed an unstoppable dominance.


    Finally, standing at the edge of the World Gate, he remained bathed in the brilliant light of the Heavenly Dao. Even An Xin could feel that with just one more step, he could reveal his true form.


    An Xin saw what seemed to be a scroll floating behind Taiyi Immortal Monarch. It surged like a river, and on his forehead was a golden pattern. In the absence of distinctive facial features, this golden pattern seemed like a vertical eye, making him appear even more divine, majestic, and inviolable.


    ¡°You dare to talk about Heavenly Dao? What are you plotting against the Son of Heaven?¡±


    The voice of Taiyi Immortal Monarch rang out once more, this time even more authoritative, thunderous, and deafening.


    Gu An retorted, ¡°I do not know who the Son of Heaven is, nor what he represents. All I know is that you wish to capture my disciple. As for the current situation, as an Immortal Monarch, how do you think it should be resolved?¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch fell silent, seemingly not having expected Gu An to be unaware of Tian Hao¡¯s origins.


    But that no longer mattered, as Gu An had interfered with his grand plans and also captured his subordinates.


    ¡°Release the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong and hand over the Son of Heaven. Let us consider this matter settled, and you may continue to hide and cultivate in this world. It will be as if I never encountered you.¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch spoke, equally convinced that Gu An was a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal hiding in the Celestial Spirit Great World, evidently burdened with consequences unimaginable to all living beings.


    Gu An must not dare to face the Celestial Court!


    Separated by the strong light of the Heavenly Dao, Gu An was unable to use Life Span Detection on Taiyi Immortal Monarch, but he could sense that Taiyi Immortal Monarch was merely of Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Cultivation Level.


    Such a cultivation level was nothing to fear!


    ¡°You can only choose one: either the whereabouts of the Son of Heaven in your words, or the freedom of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong. I need one of them to restrain you, to avoid any retaliation from you,¡± Gu An stated placidly.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch did not sense the aura of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong but saw the wooden plaques on Gu An¡¯s waist. No matter how he looked, those plaques appeared to be ordinary, made of common wood, without any mysteries.


    However, Gu An¡¯s query was met with his disdain.


    ¡°A crude attempt at causing dissension. Do you really think you can trap the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong? Since you insist on setting conditions, then feel the power of the Immortal Gods!¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch huffed coldly and took a step forward.


    White hair fluttered out from the strong light of the Heavenly Dao, followed by the true body of Taiyi Immortal Monarch. The silver immortal ribbon concealed his eyes, and his pure white Dao robe flowed like feathers. The scroll hovering behind him was unfurling, revealing a vast expanse of heaven and earth.


    An aura far surpassing that of Taiqing Golden Immortals erupted completely, solidifying the Dao Rules of the entire Celestial Spirit Great World.


    At that moment, time stood still, and everything ceased to move, save for the disciples in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, who remained unaffected. However, they did not perceive the situation outside the Dao Field.


    An Xin, standing behind Gu An, felt it more profoundly.


    Faced with the might of Taiyi Immortal Monarch, she couldn¡¯t help but worry for her teacher.


    She felt that even the Misty Immortal Court, when faced with such a terrifying presence, would likely be destroyed.


    Standing before the World Gate, Taiyi Immortal Monarch slightly lifted his chin. Even with his eyes covered, his lofty demeanor was unmistakable.


    Regardless, An Xin thought the pride of the Immortal Gods was extreme, but she also felt it to be fitting, influenced by the Dao Intent of Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    ¡°It seems you are not as composed and self-assured as you appear. Have you ever pondered upon the sight of yourself kneeling before a mortal spirit?¡±


    The voice of Gu An rose, so very cold.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 644 - 636 Celestial Emperor Bloodline

    Chapter 644: Chapter 636 Celestial Emperor Bloodline


    Gu An¡¯s words were like the coldest sword in the world, piercing through the atmosphere of despair created by Taiyi Immortal Monarch, instantly dissipating the impact on An Xin.


    In the Dao Fruit Universe, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave felt Gu An was even more audacious than Taiyi Immortal Monarch, and this arrogance left them unable to verbalize their curses.


    For some unknown reason, when Gu An¡¯s words fell, the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong all harbored the absurd thought that Taiyi Immortal Monarch was going to be defeated.


    Standing before Gu An, even Taiyi Immortal Monarch seemed suppressed, and despite his eyes being covered by his silver celestial threads, astonishment still colored his face.


    ¡°Kneel before a Mortal Spirit?¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch asked coldly, as golden Dao Patterns on his forehead burst into fierce flames, as if the anger in his heart was instantly ignited, burning fiercely.


    Boom¡ª


    The entire universe shattered in an instant! S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The fragments of space appeared like broken glass, piercing into An Xin¡¯s field of vision, her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes widening, with her purple pupils trembling.


    She could feel the surrounding Dao Rules receding rapidly like startled birds, as an endless sea of stars distanced themselves amidst the space debris.


    Then, everything abruptly came to a halt!


    An Xin instinctively turned her head, and wherever she looked, her gaze met suspended fragments of space, layered upon one another, dazzling and alarming her simultaneously.


    The Celestial Spirit Great World was destroyed!


    The breath of all living beings vanished!


    And it happened in an instant!


    Her gaze shifted to Taiyi Immortal Monarch in front of her; the World Gate remained, while the overwhelmingly powerful Taiyi Immortal Monarch displayed the posture of an Immortal God unquestionably.


    Merely by his aura, he could shatter the Great Thousand World?


    An Xin¡¯s mind went blank, as she could only stare dumbfounded at Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    The shattered universe fell into silence, and the strong light of the Heavenly Dao within the World Gate also disappeared, appearing cautious and gloomy.


    Just then, she saw a pair of purple eyes emerging from the World Gate behind Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    ¡°That is¡­¡±


    An Xin¡¯s eyes widened, she recognized in a glance that those were the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    Her master¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes!


    Standing behind Gu An, she couldn¡¯t see his face, and with her Divine Sense suppressed by Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s aura, she was intensely curious about her master¡¯s demeanor exhibiting the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    What she was curious about was the very thing Taiyi Immortal Monarch feared.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch stared at the purple light in Gu An¡¯s eyes, gritting his teeth, ¡°Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes¡­ No wonder you have the confidence to contend with the Celestial Court!¡±


    He stood still, not because he was stunned, but because he was suppressed by Gu An¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    The capability of Gu An¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes was not just about reversing the past and altering truth, it also possessed tremendous power. Furthermore, with a higher realm than Taiyi Immortal Monarch, suppressing him was as easy as flipping his hand.


    The reason he allowed Taiyi Immortal Monarch to show his might was to let An Xin truly feel the strength of Immortal Gods as well as her own weakness.


    Since guiding An Xin to cultivate the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes, Gu An truly intended to train her to be his strongest disciple.


    No matter how formidable Tian Hao and An Hao were, they still basked in the glory of the Celestial Court.


    Although An Xin¡¯s comprehension grew stronger, she lacked a special Destiny Pattern and the Way of Cause and Effect. Gu An could already see Tian Hao¡¯s Destiny Pattern, so he was sure that the unremarkable An Xin indeed had no great background.


    Gu An looked down indifferently at Taiyi Immortal Monarch, who had destroyed the Celestial Spirit Great World with a single move, clearly because he feared he couldn¡¯t take down Gu An and wanted to cause a stir to attract the attention of the Celestial Court.


    How could such behavior, treating the lives of countless beings as nothing, not be deemed extremely evil?


    Unfortunately for Taiyi Immortal Monarch, he miscalculated.


    Gu An had not been merely engaging in idle talk with Taiyi Immortal Monarch previously, but instead, was enveloping the entire Celestial Spirit Great World with his power of the Way of Cause and Effect, isolating it from the outside world.


    He dared to do so because he was certain that this Taiyi Immortal Monarch was not an avatar, which is precisely the strength of the Way of Cause and Effect; for an avatar, the main body is the ¡¯cause¡¯.


    Gu An did not answer Taiyi Immortal Monarch; in the Shattered Void all around, his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye kept appearing, varying in sizes, densely packed, and filled with a sense of oppression.


    An Xin looked up and couldn¡¯t count the number of Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes.


    At this moment, she felt that her own Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was weak, uncertain if she could ever reach her master¡¯s realm in this life.


    Inside the Dao Fruit Universe, the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave had not seen the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye; in their field of vision, the universe only appeared shattered, while their lord Taiyi Immortal Monarch fell into a bizarre stillness.


    As immortals, they naturally could tell that Taiyi Immortal Monarch was engaged in some kind of standoff with Gu An.


    After shattering the Celestial Spirit Great World, it was impossible for Taiyi Immortal Monarch to simply stop.


    Which means, it is very likely that Taiyi Immortal Monarch is being suppressed!


    Looking again at the cosmic debris around the battlefield, the hearts of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave couldn¡¯t help but feel a chilling dread.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch furrowed his brows tightly; he was surprised and even angered by Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s actions to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    How could the Immortal Gods recklessly destroy the Great Thousand World?


    After the Great Thousand World was reconstructed, the Celestial Court had clearly abolished the order of destruction.


    Even if the destruction order were still in place, it was supposed to be the God of Destruction who ends it, and not even beings with higher ranks than Immortal Positions should act recklessly.


    For the so-called Son of Heaven, should the Immortal Monarchs go to such lengths?


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch¡¯s mind was in turmoil; he was loyal to Taiyi Immortal Monarch, but in his heart, the Celestial Court held a higher place than Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    He supported Taiyi Immortal Monarch in siding with a Son of Heaven, but Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s actions made him feel that there were other schemes behind it.


    The Son of Heaven was reincarnated into the Celestial Spirit Great World; even if Taiyi Immortal Monarch succeeded, how would a Son of Heaven who had developed feelings for the Celestial Spirit Great World view Taiyi Immortal Monarch?


    He did not believe that Taiyi Immortal Monarch had not considered this point.


    If so, there was only one possibility.


    ¡°Are you actually eyeing the Celestial Emperor Bloodline?¡±


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch¡¯s eyes revealed a color of shock, as an uncontrollable rage surged from the bottom of his heart, followed by a change in his gaze.


    Anger turned into disbelief.


    What did he see?


    Not only Purple Dragon Star Monarch, but other Golden Cave Immortals also changed their countenance drastically, some even staring dumbfoundedly, yet not a single one of the Golden Cave Immortals broke the silence, all shocked, they gazed at the screen in front of them.


    Within the screen, Taiyi Immortal Monarch trembled all over, his legs beginning to bend as if he were about to kneel before Gu An.


    Gu An looked indifferent towards Taiyi Immortal Monarch, continuously intensifying the oppression of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    He could make Taiyi Immortal Monarch kneel instantly, but he didn¡¯t do so, this slowly advancing despair and humiliation were more able to make Taiyi Immortal Monarch feel regret and fear.


    Even if he couldn¡¯t annihilate Taiyi Immortal Monarch completely, Gu An still intended to leave behind an indelible fear.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch clenched his teeth, spitting out a word, having exhausted all his strength, he actually couldn¡¯t resist the oppressive force on his body.


    He had almost forgotten the taste of being utterly powerless to resist.


    He was a Celestial Immortal Monarch, yet he was going to kneel before a Mortal Spirit¡­


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch found it absurd; extreme rage and hatred nearly drove him mad, but madness could not save him!


    As time passed, the hatred of Taiyi Immortal Monarch was gradually replaced by despair.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 645 - 637 Absolute Power

    Chapter 645: Chapter 637 Absolute Power


    An Xin watched as Taiyi Immortal Monarch slowly knelt down, feeling a mix of emotions that were hard to articulate.


    There was a sense of relief, astonishment, and admiration for her master.


    At the same time, it was mostly the absurdity brought about by the collapse of the image of the Immortal Gods.


    Is this the Immortal Gods?


    Is this what represents the Heavenly Dao, the existence that all living beings relentlessly pursue throughout their lives?


    When Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s knees finally hit the ground, the pride of the Immortal Gods was completely torn apart. He lost his previous aura of divinity; despite his eyes being covered, as he lowered his head, he emanated an air of decay and weakness from the inside out.


    The gazes of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave also became entirely dim.


    They dared not, nor could they continue to curse Gu An.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch was not only their lord but also their pride. The fact that he knelt down without any power to resist was something they could not accept.


    Just at this moment.


    The shattered universe within the light screen began to change, countless space fragments reversing towards the incoming direction. This scene drew the attention of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave.


    Under their gaze, the Celestial Spirit Great World was quickly restored to its original state, leaving them in awe.


    What kind of power is this?


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch was shocked by Gu An¡¯s display of divine power, stirring up peculiar feelings in his heart. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Immortal Monarch representing the might of the Celestial Court was bringing about destruction; was Gu An, deemed a Heaven-Defying being, saving all living beings?


    They watched as Gu An raised his hand, and Taiyi Immortal Monarch shrank following his gesture, landing in the palm of his hand.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch had been subdued as well.


    Afterward, they witnessed Gu An turning Taiyi Immortal Monarch into a wooden token and hanging it on his waistband, amongst other tokens that looked similar to them.


    They finally understood what their fate would be.


    The light screen in front of them began to shrink, and the consciousness of the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave also began to grow dim, just like the light screen in front of them, they were being consumed by darkness.


    Purple Dragon Star Monarch did not worry about his fate; he was still pondering the scene of Taiyi Immortal Monarch kneeling.


    Not only him, but the other Golden Cave Immortals felt the same.


    Until everything submerged into darkness.


    ¡­


    Standing in front of the World Gate, An Xin looked onwards, observing the Celestial Spirit Great World restored to its original state, and feeling the vitality in the distance, her face showed a look of pleasant surprise.


    She stepped forward, walking up to Gu An, and her gaze fell on his eyes.


    Gu An did not conceal the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, allowing her to observe it.


    Previously, only she and Taiyi Immortal Monarch had seen the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. Even though the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave had heard the conversation between Gu An and An Xin earlier, they had not seen the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye nor heard the question asked by Taiyi Immortal Monarch before kneeling.


    As for Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Gu An had ways to make him forget about the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Apart from the Path of Power, Gu An¡¯s greatest expertise was in the Path of Cause and Effect, erasing memories using the Way of Cause and Effect was no difficult task.


    ¡°Master, that was not an illusion just now, was it? I saw him destroy the Great Thousand World¡­¡± An Xin asked, suppressing her excitement.


    Gu An revealed a smile, saying, ¡°What you felt was all real.¡±


    ¡°Can your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye restore everything? Or does it reverse time?¡±


    An Xin used a respectful form of ¡®you¡¯, reflecting her emotions. Usually, she would not be impolite, but due to their familiarity, she would not address Gu An so formally. This is also why the other disciples clearly sensed her favored status.


    Gu An did not conceal anything and replied, ¡°My Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye can make what has vanished reappear and turn the existent into nothingness.¡±


    He was also not afraid that An Xin would later reveal the mysteries of his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    His reliance was never on the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye; he simply preferred to use it at the current stage.


    Moreover, he could enhance his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye through the evolution of his life span. The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had already been integrated into his attribute panel. As long as he could see the entries, he could enhance it endlessly.


    An Xin¡¯s eyes widened with amazement as she exclaimed, ¡°That sounds so domineering. Isn¡¯t this absolute power over life and death?¡±


    Her own Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye had infinite uses, capable of devouring power and also borrowing the power from the past and future, but essentially, it relied entirely on borrowing. Compared to her master¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye Divine Power, it seemed fancy but was not as impressive.


    ¡°Master, compared to your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, mine is too weak¡­¡± After the excitement, An Xin felt somewhat dejected, thinking she had disgraced the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Gu An raised his hand and rubbed her head, smiling, ¡°How powerful the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye is depends on your cultivation level. One day, you will surpass the strength of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye I displayed just now.¡±


    An Xin was comforted, thinking to herself that her master was truly confident, believing that he could still become stronger.


    If her master stood so high and was still actively getting stronger, how could she wallow in self-pity?


    Gu An, hearing her inner thoughts, was pleased.


    Indeed, she was the disciple he valued the most, always pondering her master¡¯s words.


    Gu An turned around, and with a sweep of his right hand along his belt, the wooden plaque transformed by Taiyi Immortal Monarch emitted a sphere of light that quickly flew into the depths of the cosmos.


    ¡°What is that?¡± An Xin asked curiously.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Immortal gods cannot be completely annihilated but only suppressed. However, I can make him suffer through the torment of reincarnation, to let him experience the feeling of reversed status.¡±


    From the moment Taiyi Immortal Monarch destroyed the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An dismissed the possibility that Taiyi Immortal Monarch would treat Tian Hao well.


    Destroying the Celestial Spirit Great World might be a way to leave a backhand, to attract the attention of the Celestial Court, but there is also the possibility of erasing cause and effect, preventing other entities from tracking down where Tian Hao went.


    One may act differently based on different standpoints, but Taiyi Immortal Monarch had no justifiable reason to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World yet he did it anyway, which displeased Gu An.


    Although the Profound Star Immortal Monarch presented a facade of righteousness, the followers of the Golden Extreme God sent by the Profound Star Immortal Monarch indeed have spread opportunities widely in the Human World.


    As for arranging for the Innate Human Race to cause disasters, this has similarities with the tribulations of heaven and earth. Gu An, though not pleased, could not entirely deny it.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t immortal gods be eradicated?¡± An Xin asked perplexed, her tone filled with indignation.


    Why should such entities be able to become immortal gods?


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°There are not so many whys. There must be a force stronger than us supporting them. Become stronger, and you can change the things you cannot currently change.¡±


    An Xin smiled and nodded vigorously.


    Afterward, Gu An led her toward the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    There should be a long period of peace coming next.


    Gu An was contemplating whether he should enhance his Daoist techniques to increase his combat strength before attempting to cross the tribulation during his next breakthrough.


    He had already reached the second great realm of the Daluo Dao Fruit Realm. Based on the previous realms, the next one would be the final layer of the Daluo Dao Fruit, which will undoubtedly be difficult to break through.


    While thinking, Gu An responded to An Xin¡¯s many curiosities about the previous battle.


    Although the battle had astonished An Xin, she completely failed to understand it.


    She did not know how Taiyi Immortal Monarch shattered the Celestial Spirit Great World, nor how Gu An pressured Taiyi Immortal Monarch into kneeling.


    What she was most curious about was Gu An¡¯s divine power that turned people into little wooden plaques.


    That was not a simple transformation in the typical sense. She probed with her divine sense and found that those wooden plaques seemed to be made of Common Wood, showing no trace of anything unusual within.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 646 - 638: The Struggle of the Celestial Army

    Chapter 646: Chapter 638: The Struggle of the Celestial Army


    Within the vastness of the world, an endless army of Silver-armored Celestial Soldiers is besieging a terrifying figure far larger than any mountain in the Human World. This figure, resembling a Demon Turtle, is coiled in a terrifying Demonic Qi, with more than ten Flood Dragons rampaging within it, and upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these Flood Dragons are the turtle¡¯s tails.


    The Demon Turtle is so colossal that the figures besieging it appear as tiny as dust; a mere twitch from it could cause a catastrophic tremor shaking the heavens and the earth.


    In the distance.


    Zhang Buku, clad in Silver Armor, stands shoulder to shoulder with Xu You, who is also wearing Silver Armor but looking somewhat awkward compared to Zhang Buku¡¯s dignified bearing.


    Zhang Buku looks toward the distant battle with a face full of fear and shock.


    Among the Silver-armored Celestial Soldiers participating in battle, none have a Cultivation Level lower than theirs; their numbers exceed ten million, hailing from different worlds of the Great Thousand World. Yet, the gathering of so many powerful warriors fails to make an impact on the Demon Turtle.


    ¡°This is a Chaos Evil Demon; such demons may not be the strongest, but it is said that the Chaos harbors countless ones like it. If we can subdue this one, our Celestial Army might have a chance to be established,¡± Xu You spoke with a tone full of emotion.


    Zhang Buku turned to look at him, asking in surprise, ¡°With so many Reserve Celestial Soldiers, can we really become Celestial Gods?¡±


    Xu You gave him a disdainful glance and said irritably, ¡°Becoming a Celestial God is not so simple. Only by holding our ground do we have a chance. If we are lucky enough to encounter extraordinary warriors, we could ride the winds to ascend, which is better than facing the Heavenly Dao¡¯s trials alone.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhang Buku once again shifted his gaze towards the distant Chaos Evil Demon.


    Taking a deep breath, he leaped and joined the battle, with Xu You not lingering and following closely behind.


    As far as the eye can see, figures from all directions are still relentlessly charging toward the Chaos Evil Demon, and there are always those who fall, with the Vast Earth strewn with blood and dismembered limbs.


    All those participating in this battle are either the top talents or the most powerful from various worlds. Yet, in the presence of the Chaos Evil Demon, they seem as insignificant as insects; their Spells and Divine Skills not even capable of dispersing the Demonic Qi surrounding it.


    At the same time.


    Atop layers of clouds, a formidable figure overlooks it all, donned in the oppressive Silver Armor of the Celestial Court. Behind him stand two Immortal Gods in robes, looking down indifferently at the battle below.


    As Immortal Gods, they have witnessed countless such battles and they do not sympathize with the fallen, for anyone who has come here has done so with resolution, and even in death, they harbor no regrets.


    The Celestial Calming God slowly said, ¡°This batch of the Celestial Army doesn¡¯t have many with great potential. Even if they survive this ordeal, few are likely to achieve greatness.¡±


    The two Immortal Gods behind him silently nodded, each holding a Jade Disc in one hand and their other hands swiftly moving as though writing something.


    ¡­


    The news that Taiyi Immortal Monarch had been suppressed by Gu An did not spread; at least in the Celestial Spirit Great World, except for Gu An and An Xin, no one knew that Taiyi Immortal Monarch had been there.


    And after Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s Soul was cast into Reincarnation, the Celestial Spirit Great World also did not experience any significant upheavals.


    It wasn¡¯t until the Celestial Spirit God stepped out from the World Gate that he stood before it, sensing something faintly, and looked at the Celestial Spirit Great World with shock in his eyes.


    He could feel a trace of presence left by Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    Taiyi Immortal Monarch had been here, but nothing had happened to the Celestial Spirit Great World. What did that indicate?


    His reverence for Gu An deepened, he had guessed that Gu An possessed the Great Power to contend with Taiyi Immortal Monarch, but he had not thought that this battle would end in silence.


    What did that indicate?


    There could be a vast disparity between Taiyi Immortal Monarch and Gu An!


    The Celestial Spirit God took a deep breath, a smile appearing on his face as he felt everything was heading in a favorable direction.


    He returned to his previous spot and sat down to continue his Cultivation.


    Sending Tian Hao to the Misty Immortal Court, he too was deeply moved. After many years, the Misty Immortal Court remained unfathomable, and his close friend had already surpassed him, filling him with a fighting spirit.


    To know, his talents had been acknowledged by the Celestial Court; before becoming the Celestial Spirit God, his life was filled with nothing but cheers and praises.


    As the Celestial Spirit God closed his eyes, the gears of time in the Human World began to speed up.


    A year passes as if a day.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Another ten thousand years have passed; the Human World has changed beyond recognition, and countless living beings have come and gone, yet the faces governing heaven and earth haven¡¯t changed much.


    This year, as spring ended, Gu An stood at the mountaintop, facing the wind as he stood upright.


    An hour earlier, he had used the Life Span Projection feature, hoping to enhance his Path of Power.


    To him now, spending one trillion years of his life span wasn¡¯t too painful; after the consumption, he still had over fourteen trillion years left.


    As the projection ended, a prompt appeared before his eyes, and he couldn¡¯t help but close his eyes to start feeling the insights of the Path of Power.


    The spiritual energy between heaven and earth suddenly halted, and the Dao Rules began to change, causing the creatures on this land to feel suppressed.


    This time, Gu An didn¡¯t pass on his Dao insights within a dojo; instead, he deliberately chose a continent with a less advanced immortal cultivation atmosphere for the transfer of his insights.


    As Gu An pursued enlightenment, the Power of the Great Dao began to pour into this mainland. Countless cultivators felt uneasy due to the change in nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but before long, they felt an inexplicable sense that made them subconsciously review the cultivation techniques they¡¯ve mastered.


    Soon, this continent fell into silence as the influence of Gu An¡¯s pursuit of enlightenment continued to expand, reaching out towards the oceans and other continents.


    After a long while.


    Gu An¡¯s enlightenment came to an end, and he opened his eyes, then disappeared from the spot.


    After his departure, silhouettes streaked across the sky; these people carried the aura of saints, like enlightened ascetics, observing the mountains and rivers along the way as if in search of something.


    Gu An arrived in a city of the Human World in one step; it was a mortal city with only a few cultivators who kept their cultivation levels hidden, unknown to others.


    He entered a bookshop and started to peruse the collection.


    His thoughts drifted to Zhang Buku of the Taize Great World. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Buku had suddenly disappeared for a few thousand years, and even Gu An could not divine his karma; Gu An speculated it was related to the Celestial Court.


    Fortunately, Zhang Buku later returned unharmed to the Taize Great World, so Gu An did not think too much about it.


    Whenever Zhang Buku and Xu You mentioned the Celestial Court, Gu An could not hear nor deduce anything; perhaps this was why the Celestial Court was so mysterious. Even reaching the Daluo Dao Fruit Realm, one cannot pry into the Celestial Court¡¯s karma.


    Although Zhang Buku had returned, his will was clearly dejected, and Gu An hesitated whether to give him some guidance or not.


    Gu An could guess that Zhang Buku might have suffered a setback in the land of the Celestial Court.


    Most likely, he failed in competing for a Celestial Dao Immortal Position with other outstanding figures, or lost hope and was hugely hit.


    On the other hand, Xu You was unaffected and started to frolic in the Human World and stopped cultivating after returning to the Taize Great World.


    Gu An thought about these things, but soon his attention was caught by the books in his hands.


    When it comes to writing, books by mortals are indeed more delightful to read; those written by cultivators are too utilitarian and lack the delicacy in expressing human emotions.


    ¡°Dear customer, if you like this ¡®Yan Lou¡¯s Secret Lover,¡¯ why not buy it? If you purchase the whole set, I¡¯ll even include original character illustrations drawn by the author,¡± the bookkeeper approached enthusiastically.


    Gu An closed the book in his hands, put it back on the shelf, and turned to leave.


    Seeing this, the bookkeeper¡¯s face showed displeasure.


    Looking decent enough, but why only look and not spend any money?


    How stingy!


    ¡°Shopkeeper, take out all the illustrations you mentioned; I¡¯ll buy them,¡± said Gu An, his voice drifting back, clearing the cloud from the bookkeeper¡¯s face and bringing a beaming smile.


    ¡°Alright! Dear customer, just give me a moment!¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 647 - 639: The Worlds Number One Determination

    Chapter 647: Chapter 639: The World¡¯s Number One Determination


    The setting sun dipped below the horizon within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Humming a tune, Gu An walked along the mountain path, feeling rather pleased and occasionally reaching out to touch the flowers and plants along the way.


    After half a day of contemplation, he decided not to assist Zhang Buku, but rather to let Zhang Buku solve his own predicaments. His intention was to ensure the preservation of Zhang Buku¡¯s life.


    He was also curious to see how Xu You would help Zhang Buku become one of the Heavenly Court Immortals.


    Upon reaching the courtyard atop the mountain, as soon as Gu An entered, the long-awaiting Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai approached him. Aside from them, only Shen Zhen and the White Spirit Rat were in the courtyard.


    ¡°Master, Emperor Tianhong wishes to be disciples at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, what do you think?¡± Celestial Cyan asked first.


    Tian Bai also looked at Gu An with anticipation.


    Early this morning, Emperor Tianhong from the Dao Court arrived at the Qiankun Sect, causing a huge commotion. He proclaimed his desire to become a disciple of the Beginningless, an announcement that startled the upper echelons of the Qiankun Sect, prompting them to call upon Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai.


    Twenty thousand years ago, Wushiji Disciples emerged, saving all living beings. Although it was ultimately the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable who reversed the tides of chaos, the exploits and great fame of the Wushiji Disciples remained illustrious. These disciples, with realms not considered top-tier during their time, wielded mysterious Dao Treasures and were undefeated, leaving a profound impression on all the major sects of the world.


    The location of the Beginningless was easy to speculate, so it was not surprising that the Dao Court Disciples managed to find the Qiankun Sect.


    However, Emperor Tianhong, the most illustrious figure post-catastrophe of the Innate Human Race, expressing a desire to join the Beginningless, caused a tremor throughout the Qiankun Sect.


    The Qiankun Sect was itself established with the support of the Beginningless, so they held it in good esteem, feeling that if a personage like Emperor Tianhong were to switch his allegiance to the Beginningless, it would bode well for them, perhaps even securing him as a connection for their future.


    Gu An replied offhandedly, ¡°Do not accept him, and also inform everyone under the heavens that the Beginningless does not recruit disciples. Those fated will join the Beginningless naturally.¡±


    Even if Emperor Tianhong were not a pawn of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch, he still would not accept him.


    He only takes disciples based on a connection of fate; as for talent, it is secondary.


    The world is vast, brimming with countless geniuses. Though the Blood Prison Great Saint is currently the undisputed top disciple in the dojo, there are many across the world whose talent surpasses his.


    In this new era, every so often, an extraordinary genius carrying the destiny of heaven and earth is born, and ordinary humans with life spans reaching the limit of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years can be found everywhere. On his occasional travels, Gu An has encountered such individuals with the ultimate life span, merely giving them a second glance without the inclination to take disciples.


    ¡°Master, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s fame is unparalleled, and with Tian Hao gone, no one in the world can compare to him. If we accept him, it will surely enhance the renown of our Beginningless. If you do not wish to teach him personally, you can let us accept him as disciples,¡± Celestial Cyan continued, having encountered increasingly more fame and fortune since managing Qiankun Sect on behalf of An Xin, which also caused a shift in their thoughts.


    They wanted the Beginningless to be renowned across the world, to become the preeminent Holy Land. They believed that with Gu An, the Beginningless was incomparable to any Dao Court.


    Circling around them, Gu An walked towards his own room, while saying, ¡°I do not seek fame. If you wish to chase after vanity, you are free to go out and establish your own sect in the future.¡±


    Hearing this, Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai looked at each other; they dared not persuade Gu An any further.


    In front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, Shen Zhen glanced at them and shook her head slightly, but said nothing.


    Even the disciples within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless were starting to pursue fame and fortune; it seemed the world was likely to become embroiled in conflict once again.


    Thinking this, Shen Zhen, who has long contemplated the Path of Cause and Effect, gained deeper insights into the movement of destiny in the world.


    The world has been reshaped for nearly a hundred thousand years, besides the earlier calamities wrought by the Innate Human Race in the Human World, a peaceful backdrop has always prevailed. However, human hearts are restless, and disputes will inevitably arise.


    But even if chaos engulfs the world, what concern is it of hers?


    Shen Zhen withdrew her thoughts and continued her contemplation of the Great Dao.


    After staying in place for a while, Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai went to the Qiankun Sect to reject Emperor Tianhong.


    They waited until night fell.


    The two women returned, walking through the forest, they stopped before a stream. Celestial Cyan turned her head, her peripheral vision glancing back, and said, ¡°Please return, further ahead is unauthorized entry into Wushi.¡±


    A figure emerged from the deep woods, an attractive man dressed in blue with an extraordinary demeanor, unable to hide the pride between his eyebrows.


    He was none other than the current First Pride of Dao Court, Emperor Tianhong!


    Emperor Tianhong looked at the two women and said, ¡°I will not force my way into Wushi; I just want to prove my determination to the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.¡±


    Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai crossed the stream and then turned to face Emperor Tianhong.


    Emperor Tianhong approached the stream, lifted his robe, and knelt on the spot.


    Seeing this, a glimmer of joy passed through the eyes of the two women. Although they had refused Emperor Tianhong, deep down they still hoped that Wushi could have such an exceptional talent like him, so that the name of Wushi would become even more widespread. They did not dare to defy Gu An, and could only hope that Emperor Tianhong could sway Gu An with his own efforts.


    Tian Bai warned, ¡°If you cross this river without permission, you may not only forfeit your chance of entering Wushi but also face irrecoverable doom.¡±


    Emperor Tianhong, kneeling before the river, puffed out his chest and raised his head, his expression resolute. Despite no reply, he had already revealed his determination.


    Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai turned and left, disappearing into the night.


    Beneath the night sky, the mountains and forests were tranquil, with occasional insects chirping, calming Emperor Tianhong¡¯s heart.


    Even though he was currently regarded as the foremost prodigy in the world, Emperor Tianhong felt no humiliation as this was his choice.


    Memories from thousands of years ago surfaced in his mind.


    He had wandered the world, visiting a place known as the Tai Cang Continent. Hearing that the Supreme Sect had once been blessed by an Immortal, he went there to explore.


    It was not until he stepped onto the Heaven-Repairing Platform and grasped the axe that he knew.


    After a brief moment of astonishment, he firmed up a thought in his mind.


    He must acquire this legacy!


    Unable to lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe, he could only pursue the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. He returned to the Dao Court and, using the court¡¯s power, eventually discovered that the Venerable was hidden within the Nine Spirit Continent.


    To break away from the Dao Court, he did not immediately head to the Nine Spirit Continent; instead, he spent thousands of years fervently completing Dao Court tasks as his reply to the Dao Court.


    His will also attracted the attention of the Master of the Dao Court, Yuan Songzi, who after understanding his determination, also expressed support.


    Yuan Songzi knew better than Emperor Tianhong the strength of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. In Yuan Songzi¡¯s eyes, following the Venerable for cultivation, Emperor Tianhong would be able to display even greater talent and truly surpass Tian Hao.


    With the support of his sect, Emperor Tianhong felt lighter about this journey. He had anticipated hitting a wall, so he was not in a hurry.


    For him now, waiting was blissful, his heart filled with endless anticipation.


    He was delighted throughout this entire night.


    Days passed by. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, and White Spirit Rat occasionally passed by him, but he remained unmoved, kneeling before the river.


    After kneeling for ten years, his state of mind was still without ripples.


    However, when he had knelt for hundreds of years and still had not seen the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, a sense of panic finally began to emerge in his heart.


    He had abandoned everything and came with determination; if he couldn¡¯t enter as a disciple under the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, how would he face the Dao Court, how would he establish himself in this world?


    A myriad of thoughts began to invade Emperor Tianhong¡¯s mind, his hands clenching his knees, exerting a slight force.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 648 - 640: Kneeling for Ten Thousand Years

    Chapter 648: Chapter 640: Kneeling for Ten Thousand Years


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s heart was in turmoil. Although everything in his eyes had not changed with the passage of a hundred years, he felt a tremendous malice. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine the situation he would face returning to the Dao Court after failing to become a disciple; let alone the Dao Court, when he came to the Qiankun Sect, how many disciples of the Qiankun Sect watched him.


    The more he thought about it, the more panicked he became, even developing a sense of rage in his heart.


    This anger was so confused even he couldn¡¯t tell whom it was directed at.


    Hate the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable?


    But Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had no reason or obligation to take him in.


    If anyone was to blame, it was his own insufficient talent.


    The Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had taken Tian Hao as a disciple, and Tian Hao was the champion of his era before him.


    Since before his birth, Tian Hao had vanished, so there were always people who believed he was not the strongest champion of all time because he never defeated Tian Hao.


    After the tribulation of the Innate Human Race, everyone knew that Tian Hao was a disciple of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, which made Tian Hao even more legendary.


    When Tian Hao disappeared, people liked to use him to suppress the geniuses of the world.


    In fact, while Tian Hao was alive, he also endured the same doubts Emperor Tianhong faces today.


    But regardless, without defeating Tian Hao, Emperor Tianhong could not truly consider himself the greatest champion through the ages.


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s thoughts ran wild uncontrollably, even though reason told him that a hundred years was nothing, he couldn¡¯t help but dwell on it.


    Kneeling by the small river, as he gazed at his own reflection on the water¡¯s surface, Emperor Tianhong suddenly felt very vulnerable and truly unworthy of the title of the world¡¯s number one champion.


    It was at that moment.


    He saw a figure emerging from the depths of the forest on the opposite side. As he made out the person¡¯s face, a confused expression appeared on his own.


    It was neither Celestial Cyan nor Tian Bai.


    He had never seen this woman before.


    The newcomer was An Xin.


    An Xin, in her cyan dress with delicate makeup, had cool and distant eyes and brows, resembling a fairy living reclusively in the mountains. Her aura, untainted by the mundane world, caused Emperor Tianhong¡¯s gaze to shift.


    An Xin saw Emperor Tianhong, her expression as cold as ever. She walked to the front of the river and stopped. Her gaze landed on Emperor Tianhong, her eyes without a ripple of emotion.


    ¡°I heard you are the Dao Court¡¯s number one talent and the strongest one in the world today. We are both Divine Immortals of Wondrous Dharma. How about we spar?¡±


    An Xin spoke, her tone allowing no refusal.


    Emperor Tianhong frowned and asked, ¡°May I ask if Fellow Daoist is a Wushiji Disciple?¡±


    An Xin answered, ¡°I am considered the foremost disciple of Wushi. If you defeat me, you will be eligible to join Wushi.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s eyes blazed with a fierce light.


    Having knelt and waited for a hundred years, his mood was already irritable. With An Xin¡¯s sudden approach, it seemed like the very opportunity he¡¯d been yearning for.


    He wanted to show the Sword Venerable his talent!


    Emperor Tianhong stood up, with mud and grass falling from his legs. His aura changed abruptly, the wild wind howled, causing the surrounding trees to shake violently.


    ¡°Where shall we spar?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong asked, his intense gaze domineering, his hair dancing wildly like flames.


    An Xin¡¯s eyes flickered with purple light, she replied indifferently, ¡°No need to go elsewhere, right here will do. It will be over quickly.¡±


    Emperor Tianhong felt humiliated, his robe began to billow, a terrifying aura emanated from within him.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside an inn belonging to the Qiankun Sect, Gu An was drinking with his friends who enjoyed meat and wine, when suddenly they felt a terrifying aura coming from afar.


    This wine and meat friend named Qiu Zhuo exclaimed in shock and suspicion, ¡°Could it be someone is causing trouble within the Sect?¡±


    Although the Qiankun Sect of today is far from comparing to the Dao Court, in the eyes of the rank-and-file disciples, the Qiankun Sect is an authentic and major power, dominating a region. Whoever dares to cause trouble within the Qiankun Sect is truly seeking death.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°Since it¡¯s happening within the Sect, why should we worry? Let¡¯s keep drinking and continue talking about Yi Lang¡¯s affairs.¡±


    Yi Lang, the offspring of the Sect Hierarch Yi Qingshan, may not be considered outstanding in terms of talent within the Yi Family, but with his free-spirited and unrestrained character, he always manages to do things that become the subject of much gossip.


    Qiu Zhuo thought that Gu An¡¯s words made sense, so he resumed recounting the tales of Yi Lang¡¯s amorous exploits.


    The terrifying aura appeared abruptly and dissipated just as quickly.


    The entire process took less than ten breaths, which led to much speculation among the disciples of the Qiankun Sect in various cities.


    In the forest.


    Emperor Tianhong was half-kneeling in front of a river, one hand propped against his knee, the other dangling naturally, as he laboriously raised his head to look up, his face covered in cold sweat and bloodshot eyes.


    An Xin stood on the opposite side of the river, about a zhang away from him, her purple pupils gradually retracting their unusual shimmer.


    Compared to Emperor Tianhong¡¯s face full of shock and fear, An Xin¡¯s expression remained indifferent.


    ¡°How is this possible¡­ What divine skill was that just now?¡± Emperor Tianhong ground his teeth and asked. He couldn¡¯t accept his own crushing defeat, especially since it was at the hands of someone in the same realm.


    An Xin replied, ¡°This is a divine skill taught to me by my master. You don¡¯t need to feel sad about it. Although we are in the same realm, I reached this realm long before you were born. Your talent is still higher than mine, but it¡¯s not so simple to get accepted into Wushi.¡±


    Having said this, she stepped forward and flickered past Emperor Tianhong, heading toward the Qiankun Sect.


    Emperor Tianhong looked down and asked through clenched teeth, ¡°Did the Sword Venerable send you here?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have that kind of leisure time. I just sensed that your Dao Heart was wavering. It¡¯s only been a century, yet you can¡¯t hold on, which disappoints those in the Dojo who have expectations for you. However, retreating is also not a problem. There are many paths in the world, and you don¡¯t necessarily have to enter Wushi.¡±


    An Xin didn¡¯t stop her steps, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance.


    Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s pupils dilated, and a color of shame surged in his heart.


    Indeed.


    It¡¯s only been a century.


    What is a century to cultivators?


    Memories of the previous battle flashed through Emperor Tianhong¡¯s mind, and his eyes became fervent.


    Being such formidable Wushi disciples serves to prove the profound heritage of Wushi!


    Even if it takes a thousand years, or ten thousand years, he must enter Wushi!


    Emperor Tianhong straightened his spine and knelt once more. This time, he swept away his previous impatience, and his gaze returned to the steadfastness of when he had first arrived.


    A gentle breeze passed by, lifting the hair beside his ears. Amidst the sound of the wind, he seemed to hear the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable calling out to him.


    Calling out the word ¡°disciple.¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s lips curved upwards, for An Xin¡¯s strength made him long for Wushi all the more.


    Years went by quickly.


    When tens of thousands of years had once again passed, the forest where Emperor Tianhong was located seemed unchanged, as if secluded from the world, unaffected by the Rules of Heaven and Earth.


    There was no alteration in Emperor Tianhong¡¯s attire, but his hair had grown longer, and his beard reached the ground; he kept his eyes closed, his whole being radiating an aura of Profound Mystery.


    Not far off, on a tree branch, Gu An and An Xin stood side by side, observing Emperor Tianhong.


    An Xin spoke up, ¡°Master, if you truly do not wish to accept him, shall I drive him away?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s decade-long kneeling did not only move her. Other disciples of the Dojo also became aware of this man¡¯s determination and were touched by it.


    As the number one prodigy of the world, he has managed to patiently kneel in this place for tens of thousands of years, which is unimaginable how resolute his determination is.

 Chapter 649 - 641 Celestial Plan, Chaos Grudge Luo

    Chapter 649: Chapter 641 Celestial Plan, Chaos Grudge Luo


    ¡°No need, I didn¡¯t say I¡¯d definitely not take him as a disciple.¡±


    Gu An looked down at Emperor Tianhong and replied softly.


    The reasons he did not take Emperor Tianhong as a disciple were, firstly, he did not favor him, and secondly, Emperor Tianhong was a reincarnation of an Immortal God, with the consequences of Taiyi Immortal Monarch¡¯s karma trailing behind.


    However, reincarnation creates a new personality. Judging from Emperor Tianhong¡¯s inner voice, he genuinely wished to take Gu An as his master.


    The reason why Gu An was hesitating was because he wanted to wait until he achieved his own breakthrough before accepting him, using the opportunity to further temper Emperor Tianhong.


    An Xin remarked with emotion, ¡°If it were Tian Hao kneeling, managing to kneel for a hundred years would be already quite good.¡±


    Setting aside talent, she felt that even she herself wouldn¡¯t be able to kneel for ten thousand years.


    Gu An¡¯s eyes did not show any change as he gazed at Emperor Tianhong, probing into his future.


    Standing near Emperor Tianhong, he still did not notice the two of them.


    After kneeling for ten thousand years, Emperor Tianhong had entered a state of self-forgetfulness. He was contemplating the natural laws of heaven and earth, thus forgetting the torment of time.


    ¡°By the way, Master, how is Tian Hao faring these days?¡± An Xin turned to Gu An and asked curiously.


    She believed her master could see the situation of the Misty Immortal Court.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Mixed blessings, but in any case, he won¡¯t die.¡±


    Hearing this, An Xin was completely relieved, and then she began to talk about the affairs of the world.


    Over the years, she occasionally replaced Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai in dealings with the Qiankun Sect, after all, she couldn¡¯t let the two always be busy; she also needed time to relax.


    The current world could be said to be in the same state every millennium, with heroes coming forth in great numbers.


    The ruling power of the Dao Court was weakening, mainly due to the rising number of forces. The Dao Court, upholding the Dao, could only watch as other powers grew stronger.


    With more and more powerful forces emerging, the strife in the world would naturally increase.


    However, compared to the calamity brought by Outer Heaven, the conflicts within the world seem trivial.


    An Xin talked about a prodigy that had risen in the Dao Court in the recent ten thousand years. It was undeniable that the Dao Court had a profound foundation. Just as Emperor Tianhong had left for ten thousand years, another number one prodigy emerged, and now people were using Emperor Tianhong to suppress this prodigy.


    ¡°Without initiating a war, it seems that only creating momentum can maintain the Dao Court¡¯s absolute ruling position,¡± said An Xin in a teasing tone.


    Gu An did not comment on the Dao Court. He had a deeper understanding of it than An Xin did, as he often stayed at the Dao Court to accompany Xiao Lan.


    Xiao Lan had good talent, and with the support from Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent, she had always been one of the top prodigies of the Dao Court. However, because she disliked public attention, the title of the number one prodigy never fell upon her.


    Recently, the Dao Court was preparing to initiate the Celestial Plan, aiming to search for other Great Thousand Worlds.


    Having no intention to suppress the sects within the world, they sought to pursue stronger powers and greater resources. Such ambitions filled most of the upper echelons with pride, feeling that they possessed a higher vision than the world¡¯s sects, embodying the magnanimity of the world¡¯s common lord.


    Gu An thought the Dao Court¡¯s idea was quite good, and he was ready to ask the Celestial Spirit God to help facilitate it.


    Born in the Celestial Spirit Great World, he also wanted to see different developments from the past emerge there. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If every era was headed towards destruction, then Gu An¡¯s effort in saving all living beings would lose its purpose.


    His decision was not to let the Dao Court grow unbridled, but he felt that cultivators should always climb higher and chase after the Great Dao.


    The existence of the World Gate seemed more like a restraint on the development of cultivators.


    No matter how one looked at it, the World Gate did not seem like a natural phenomenon.


    At this moment, Gu An was considering whether or not to allow the disciples of his dojo to venture out. He had his disciples in seclusion all year round in order to accumulate their strength, not to limit their freedom.


    His greatest concern was Chen Chuan.


    When Xiaochuan was first reincarnated as Chen Chuan, he encountered a mysterious karmic force that cursed him, nearly causing the death of his parents. When the Innate Human Race caused trouble, Chen Chuan went out for experiences and did not suffer from the curse again, which is why Gu An considered letting him go out as well.


    After much deliberation, Gu An decided to leave the choice to Chen Chuan.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for a walk outside.¡±


    Having said this, Gu An jumped down, followed closely by An Xin.


    They passed by Emperor Tianhong, with Gu An even giving his shoulder a light pat.


    Emperor Tianhong seemed to sense something, opened his eyes, but saw nothing. He thought it was just a breeze.


    Perhaps it was because he had knelt for such a long time that he didn¡¯t rush to enter Wushi. He felt that his current state was conducive to enlightenment.


    ¡°The Path of Power, strange, how did I come to comprehend such a forceful Great Dao?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong muttered to himself, not thinking it was because his talent was too strong. He had never felt like this in the Dao Court before.


    He had a realization in his heart.


    Even though the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had not shown himself, with An Xin probing him, it was impossible for the Sword Venerable to not be aware of him.


    Perhaps his current insights were a gift from the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Emperor Tianhong was not surprised, for even without such a gift, he would persist.


    The greatest benefit of kneeling for ten thousand years was that he had shed the pressure brought on by being called the foremost of the proud celestials.


    Vain titles are but passing clouds. He is Emperor Tianhong; he wanted to find the true meaning of his existence.


    ¡­


    Above the boundless sea of clouds, an enormous Golden Furnace floated. On its surface were engraved various Divine Beast patterns and majestic mountains and rivers, and crowning it were some towering peaks, exuding a grand presence.


    The Yellow-robed Daoist, who had played Go with Taiyi Immortal Monarch earlier, stood at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the world inside the furnace.


    The furnace interior was a world unto itself with mountains and rivers, and even Fierce Beasts fighting. The robust Dao Spiritual Qi would rush up like the wind from time to time.


    The Yellow-robed Daoist furrowed his brows, deep in thought.


    Right at that moment, a golden ring of light appeared beside him, quickly expanding, and a figure stepped out from within.


    The newcomer was the Celestial Calming God.


    The leader of the Celestial Army, whom Zhang Buku and Xu You had pledged allegiance to, was the Celestial Calming God.


    The Celestial Calming God raised his hand in salute and said, ¡°Immortal Monarch, anomalies from Chaos are emerging in the Three Thousand Great Worlds, rapidly dispersing to each of the Great Thousand Worlds. One of these anomalies has even come to trial under my command¡ªthis is not good.¡±


    The one known as Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, the Yellow-robed Daoist, tilted his head to look at him and asked, ¡°Anomalies from Chaos? Which anomaly?¡±


    The Celestial Calming God responded, ¡°It should be Chaos Grudge Luo. I have captured immense resentment from the soul¡¯s depths of that infiltrator. If left unchecked and allowed to spread rapidly, it will become a great calamity.¡±


    ¡°Grudge Luo?¡±


    The eyes of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch flickered, sinking into contemplation.


    The Celestial Calming God stopped speaking, waiting for Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s command.


    After a long while.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch spoke, ¡°Do not act rashly for now. Perhaps Grudge Luo¡¯s existence is linked to bigger karma and causality.¡±


    The Celestial Calming God frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, ¡°If left unchecked, many living beings will die.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t eradicate the roots of this disaster along with it, even more living beings will die.¡±


    The words of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch caused the Celestial Calming God¡¯s frown to deepen. He gave Huang Feng Immortal Monarch a long look, no longer objecting.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch still stared into the world within the Golden Furnace and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re here, take this trip for me. Go to Profound Star Immortal Monarch and deliver this item to him.¡±


    With that, he lifted his right hand, and a piece of Jin Yu enveloped by billowing purple Qi appeared in his palm, swiftly flying towards the Celestial Calming God.

 Chapter 650 - 642 True Immortals Appearance

    Chapter 650: Chapter 642 True Immortal¡¯s Appearance


    In the blink of an eye, a thousand years have passed.


    In the Dao Court, within Xiao Lan¡¯s Grotto Heaven.


    Gu An and Xiao Lan were sitting in a small pavilion, drinking and chatting. Xiao Lan was talking about the Celestial Plan she had just learned about, and she wanted to venture into the Outer Heaven.


    Gu An listened attentively, but his thoughts were on his own lifespan.


    His lifespan had accumulated to over two trillion years, and currently, he gains about fifty million years annually, even without expanding Medicine Valley.


    ¡°Brother Gu, do you think I should join the Celestial Plan?¡± Xiao Lan asked hesitantly.


    She wanted to join, to experience a broader world and have the chance for greater opportunities, but she couldn¡¯t take Gu An with her and didn¡¯t know how many years it would take before she could return.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°If you want to go, then go. If you¡¯re worried about me, there¡¯s no need. Just think about it, you often seclude yourself for cultivation, and I still live well. I have many friends in the Dao Court, I am not alone. Go ahead and venture, I will wait for you here to return.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan¡¯s face lit up with a smile, as Brother Gu was always so supportive of her.


    Thinking about it, Gu An managed to stay in the Dao Court for tens of thousands of years without any issue, which proves his capability in handling affairs.


    She didn¡¯t have such a big influence in the Dao Court, even peerless prodigies and great figures occasionally find themselves in trouble.


    Xiao Lan continued, ¡°My master also wants me to advance, to strive for the top treatment as the first prodigy in the Dao Court. After Emperor Tianhong left, although the Dao Court promoted another unparalleled prodigy, there¡¯s a clear gap compared to Emperor Tianhong. My master said I have a chance to take the title of the top prodigy, and she will mobilize all her connections to build momentum for me.¡±


    Gu An listened carefully. Where there are people, there are rivalries like those of the Martial World, especially in a major power like the Dao Court, where the internal power struggles are extremely fierce. Behind each prized prodigy, there are numerous cultivators striving to support them.


    The number of cultivators in the Dao Court is countless, many are unknown geniuses or powerhouses. The reason for their obscurity is due to lack of promotion.


    Talking about Emperor Tianhong, Xiao Lan sighed, ¡°I have seen Emperor Tianhong, he truly had an imposing presence, making one feel at first sight that he could make a name for himself in the world. The Dao Court also treated him very well, giving him the best resources. Yet he chose to go and apprentice under the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. I heard that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has repeatedly saved the world, truly a True Immortal of the Human World, but how can Wushi compare to the Dao Court?¡±


    Gu An laughed, ¡°Maybe what he¡¯s pursuing is a stronger Daoist Technique.¡±


    ¡°Cultivation lies in the individual. Although the Wushi¡¯s disciples are famous for a while, their cultivation level is not far superior to the contemporary talents. Mainly they rely on the Dao Treasures of the Beginningless to fight, which shows the cultivation resources Wushi can provide are not top-notch, after all, they reside hidden in a small corner of the world.¡±


    Xiao Lan shook her head, saying she didn¡¯t know much about the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, but in her view, the Dao Court is the strongest sect, after all, she belongs to the Dao Court.


    Gu An found her questioning of Wushi interesting and added, ¡°Anyway, this is your opportunity. The road to Immortal Cultivation is extremely long, and everyone has their choices. You once made a decision that others around you didn¡¯t understand, which was to always take me with you.¡±


    Xiao Lan blinked and said, ¡°That¡¯s different.¡±


    During the conversation, she moved closer to Gu An, tightly hugging his arm.


    ¡°If something happens to Brother Gu one day, and I need to give up my cultivation, I will not hesitate.¡±


    ¡°Tsk tsk tsk, aren¡¯t you cursing me?¡±


    ¡°Hey, I am expressing my true feelings here, why aren¡¯t you moved?¡±


    ¡°I do not hope for that day to come, and I will not let you face such a choice.¡±


    Gu An raised his hand and wrapped it around Xiao Lan¡¯s waist, speaking softly.


    Xiao Lan feels very happy in this life, now without any worries in her heart, something Gu An is pleased to see and will do his best to maintain.


    Unlike dealing


    Because she was his junior sister, Gu An accompanied her in person; the mature medicinal herbs could afford a delay of a month.


    After Xiao Lan left Grotto Heaven, Gu An then went to other Medicine Valleys to start collecting medicinal herbs.


    As Xiao Lan began to pursue the higher Great Dao of heaven and earth, Gu An felt that he also needed to step up and improve the life span and income of each Medicine Valley.


    ¡­


    Xiao Lan followed the Dao Court and flew in the void for several years before finally arriving at the legendary World Gate.


    There were hundreds of people on this journey. Like her, there were twenty geniuses in total, the others were Great Cultivators of the Dao Court, all with Cultivation Levels above the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, and leading them was Yuan Songzi, the Master of the Dao Court.


    Yuan Songzi performed the Cloud Ascending Technique, carrying everyone as they flew together.


    Above the clouds, Xiao Lan gazed far into the distance at the World Gate, utterly astonished by it.


    Even though she was a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, she instinctively felt overwhelmed, the majestic aura of the Great Dao made her breath quicken.


    It was not just her, the other Cultivators felt the same.


    Except for Yuan Songzi, it was the first time for everyone else to see the World Gate.


    They quickly landed on the square in front of the World Gate. Yuan Songzi walked briskly forward and bowed to the Celestial Spirit God in front of him.


    Everyone¡¯s gaze fell on the Celestial Spirit God who was shrouded in the Celestial Dao Immortal Light, rendering his true appearance inscrutable.


    ¡°Is this the true form of an Immortal God?¡±


    Xiao Lan marveled inwardly, feeling somewhat regretful.


    Such a majestic Celestial Gate, such formidable Immortal Gods, and Brother Gu could not see it; truly a great regret in life.


    In the Human World, ninety-nine percent of Cultivators spend their entire lives unable to witness the form of an Immortal.


    The Celestial Spirit God did not speak, but the World Gate behind him began to tremble, and strong light from the Heavenly Dao burst forth.


    ¡°Everyone pass by the Celestial God in turn and pay respects, follow me through the gate!¡±


    Yuan Songzi spoke as he turned back, then walked towards the intense light inside the World Gate.


    The others followed closely, each person¡¯s presence affecting the Celestial Spirit God as they approached.


    When it was Xiao Lan¡¯s turn, she also bowed, but whether it was an illusion or not, she felt the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s form seemed to change, but she didn¡¯t dare to look closely and quickly moved away.


    After everyone from the Dao Court had vanished into the World Gate, the Celestial Spirit God opened his eyes, the Celestial Dao Immortal Light dispersed, and he murmured with a frown, ¡°Strange, why did that girl make my heart flutter?¡±


    Could it be¡­


    The Celestial Spirit God suddenly guessed a possibility, his expression turning peculiar.


    He raised his eyes to look towards the Celestial Spirit Great World, his gaze landing beside the Qiankun Sect.


    He couldn¡¯t probe Wushi, but he could see Emperor Tianhong¡¯s kneeling figure. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He could also sense that Emperor Tianhong was a reincarnation of an Immortal God, so he was curious about how Gu An would treat Emperor Tianhong.


    His gaze then shifted to the Human World, but unfortunately, no matter how he searched, he could not find the reincarnated form of Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    And he did not know where Taiyi Immortal Monarch was suffering.


    As it happens, this is already the second Immortal God to descend and suffer; will there be more Immortal Gods reincarnated and suffering in the Celestial Spirit Great World due to offending Gu An?

 Chapter 651 - 643: Zhao Rushen, The Struggle of the Daoist Emperor

    Chapter 651: Chapter 643: Zhao Rushen, The Struggle of the Daoist Emperor


    The sunlight, filtering through the gaps in the leaves, shone onto the river, creating a golden phosphorescence.


    Emperor Tianhong was still kneeling by the river, his beard touching the ground, knees deep in the mud, his eyes closed, his black hair spilling out; he seemed to merge with the forest, his breath natural.


    Thousands of years have passed since Xiao Lan left, and Emperor Tianhong has been kneeling there for over twenty-one thousand years.


    Footsteps approached from behind, and a man dressed in black appeared. He was handsome, with his black hair coiled up under a headpiece, a sword and a gourd hanging at his waist; he was like an unsheathed treasure sword, impossible to restrain. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The legendary foremost pride of the world, Emperor Tianhong, nurtured by the Dao Court to be the Daoist Emperor, yet kneeling here unable to rise; it seems the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable holds you in low regard. Do you have any regrets?¡±


    The man in black stopped, his voice cold as he stared at Emperor Tianhong¡¯s back.


    Without opening his eyes, Emperor Tianhong asked softly, ¡°Who are you?¡±


    His voice was slightly hoarse, as if he hadn¡¯t spoken in a long time.


    ¡°Zhao Rushen, I too am known as the foremost pride of the world,¡± the man in black answered coldly.


    Emperor Tianhong remained silent.


    Zhao Rushen continued, ¡°You might not recognize me, but I have seen you. When I first entered the Dao Court with no prominent talents, I saw you returning from slaying demons, and the entire city¡¯s disciples shouting your name. You were who I, and all disciples, aspired to become.¡±


    Listening to him, Emperor Tianhong still did not utter a sound.


    ¡°You left the Dao Court, making me who I am today. I received substantial support from the Dao Court, becoming the new foremost pride of the world, sweeping through peers of my realm. I fought across the land for a thousand years without rest. Yet, many compare me to you, saying I have not defeated you, and do not deserve the title of the foremost in the world.¡±


    As Zhao Rushen spoke, he paused, his gaze sharpening.


    ¡°So, you came to challenge me?¡± Emperor Tianhong asked, still not rising, clearly unworried about Zhao Rushen launching a surprise attack.


    ¡°Actually, in my heart, I also feel inferior to you,¡± Zhao Rushen stated calmly, taking a step forward as he continued, ¡°Now I too follow the path of pursuing the Daoist Emperor, which is the legacy left by the Ting Master before his departure. He said both you and I are qualified to achieve the Daoist Emperor, to lead the Dao Court to unprecedented heights. Come back, since Wushi looks down on you, why endure humiliation here? Do you know, your deeds have spread across the world, and everyone knows the unparalleled pride cultivated by the Dao Court kneels in front of Wushi Sect, do you realize how much criticism the court has faced?¡±


    Gradually, Emperor Tianhong opened his eyes; his gaze still full of vitality, unaffected by the passage of time.


    ¡°I am no longer a disciple of the Dao Court. Please return,¡± Emperor Tianhong replied softly.


    He looked across the river, his gaze shifting left and right, as if searching for something.


    Zhao Rushen furrowed his brows, his right hand resting on the sword scabbard at his waist.


    ¡°Junior, this is not a place for you to act recklessly,¡±


    A clear, cold voice came from ahead, startling Zhao Rushen to look up, only to see two figures walking out from the depths of the forest across the river.


    It was An Xin and Chen Chuan.


    Seeing An Xin, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s gaze turned somewhat complicated.


    He couldn¡¯t forget that crushing defeat, he still thinks about what exactly those eyes looked like.


    Chen Chuan followed by An Xin¡¯s side, eying Zhao Rushen with curiosity, filled with an unsettling feeling from the sword qi he sensed on Zhao Rushen.


    Zhao Rushen, looking at An Xin, similarly felt shocked. An Xin gave him an unfathomably profound feeling, particularly when meeting An Xin¡¯s gaze, which made him tremble with fear, a feeling he had never experienced, even when facing beings above the Zi Zai Immortal Realm.


    Not to be provoked!


    This was Zhao Rushen¡¯s immediate feeling.


    ¡°May I ask for the senior¡¯s name?¡± Zhao Rushen raised his hand in salute, asking courteously.


    An Xin answered calmly, ¡°Wushi, An Xin, please leave.¡±


    Zhao Rushen raised an eyebrow, just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chill climbing up his spine, startling him.


    After hesitating for a moment, he chose to salute and leave.


    Although unclear why An Xin held hostility towards him, he also feared dying here.


    Zhao Rushen¡¯s presence quickly faded, while An Xin and Chen Chuan approached the river, facing Emperor Tianhong across the stream.


    Emperor Tianhong looked at An Xin, still not speaking, his gaze remaining calm.


    An Xin spoke, ¡°He wants to kill you.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Emperor Tianhong asked in surprise, thinking that Zhao Rushen seemed more like trying to provoke him into returning through reverse psychology.


    An Xin continued, ¡°And he can do it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s brows immediately furrowed.


    He could feel that Zhao Rushen had reached the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma and had caught up with him in cultivation realm, but this was also because he had been kneeling for twenty thousand years. Even at the same realm, he didn¡¯t believe he would lose to anyone other than An Xin.


    Chen Chuan was also surprised, not expecting Zhao Rushen to be so formidable.


    An Xin looked at Chen Chuan and said, ¡°You go ahead first.¡±


    Chen Chuan nodded, then disappeared into thin air from where he stood.


    Emperor Tianhong wasn¡¯t very curious about Chen Chuan; he sensed that An Xin had something to say to him, which made ripples arose in his heart.


    An Xin stared at Emperor Tianhong and said, ¡°That person will be your nemesis. Both of you will become Daoist Emperors and will stir a world-shaking conflict in the Human World.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say he could kill me? If I weren¡¯t here, wouldn¡¯t I already be dead by his hands? How could I become his nemesis?¡± Emperor Tianhong curiously asked.


    ¡°You will die, but you will rise again in Reincarnation and contend with him lifetime after lifetime.¡±


    An Xin spoke in a very calm tone, as if mentioning a trivial matter, leaving Emperor Tianhong silent.


    He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Can you see my fate?¡±


    ¡°Not me.¡±


    An Xin¡¯s answer caused Emperor Tianhong¡¯s expression to change for the first time, stirring his long-calm heart.


    Sword Venerable¡­


    An Xin continued, ¡°Keep kneeling for now. Master can¡¯t accept you temporarily, and I don¡¯t know the reason, but perhaps this is part of cultivation. Over the years, you should have felt your Dao Practice growing.¡±


    Emperor Tianhong showed a smile, ¡°Indeed, although my cultivation level hasn¡¯t increased, my understanding of the Great Dao is growing rapidly. This must be the blessing of the Sword Venerable.¡±


    This was also the reason he had been kneeling for more than twenty thousand years without feeling tired.


    He had seen hope, and even if he had to kneel for another hundred thousand years, he wouldn¡¯t feel it was hard.


    An Xin stopped talking, flashed beside Emperor Tianhong, and continued walking forward.


    Emperor Tianhong turned his head towards her and asked, ¡°Sister, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I have my matters to attend to.¡±


    An Xin casually replied, a slight smile curving upon her lips, feeling that Emperor Tianhong was very perceptive.


    Emperor Tianhong pressed further, ¡°Will Zhao Rushen bring good or bad results to the Dao Court?¡±


    ¡°Destiny is always changing; knowing the future in advance would only become an obstacle for you.¡±


    Before the words were even fully said, An Xin had already disappeared into the depths of the forest.


    Emperor Tianhong turned back, looking at the river surface, deep in thought.


    Daoist Emperor, huh?


    He had heard from Yuan Songzi before that the prodigies of the Three Thousand Great Worlds were all chasing after becoming Daoist Emperors, but the Celestial Spirit Great World temporarily had no opportunity to achieve that status. Yuan Songzi had told him to prepare well.


    According to what An Xin revealed about the future, becoming a Daoist Emperor seems to be the crux of future world conflicts; this implies Yuan Songzi will succeed.


    To become a Daoist Emperor, it¡¯s necessary to open the pathway to the Path of the Great Dao for the Celestial Spirit Great World!


    Emperor Tianhong took a deep breath, clearing his distractions.


    Just how formidable a Daoist Emperor is, he wasn¡¯t sure, but the Path of Power he was currently comprehending was truly strong.


    Even though his cultivation level had not increased, he could feel his mana undergoing transformation, becoming several times stronger compared to before he knelt.


    Just¡­


    Would such a him also be killed by Zhao Rushen?


    Emperor Tianhong noted Zhao Rushen¡¯s name, looking forward to their future confrontation.

 Chapter 652 - 644: Bizarre Invasion

    Chapter 652: Chapter 644: Bizarre Invasion


    For Zhao Rushen, seeking an audience with Emperor Tianhong is a trivial matter. Ever since Zhao Rushen¡¯s descent into the world, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s destiny has changed. Although Emperor Tianhong will ultimately defeat Zhao Rushen, he will face numerous hardships and will need many lifetimes to accomplish this victory.


    Sitting by the lake, playing his zither, Gu An¡¯s thoughts drifted with the cause and effect tied to Zhao Rushen.


    Zhao Rushen is not the reincarnation of an Immortal God, but his destiny pattern is extremely strong. He is destined to reach the pinnacle of the Celestial Spirit Great World and even bring catastrophe upon heaven and earth. By defeating him, Emperor Tianhong will also Ascend to Immortality.


    It is unclear whether Zhao Rushen is a product of heaven and earth or a scheme by the Immortal Gods.


    If it¡¯s the latter, it should have nothing to do with Taiyi Immortal Monarch. Gu An is unable to see through the Celestial Dao Destiny linked to Taiyi Immortal Monarch, but he can sense its existence.


    Perhaps there are other Immortal Gods eyeing the Celestial Spirit Great World, fortunate that they do not plan to descend in person.


    While playing the zither, Gu An focused his attention on Xiao Lan.


    The Dao Court, with its disciples, has been on the Path of the Great Dao for ten thousand years. This journey, fraught with countless hardships, has reduced their number to less than a third of the original. If not for Gu An¡¯s repeated interventions, they would have perished within the first hundred years of setting foot on the Path of the Great Dao.


    The Path of the Great Dao has no absolute order, only chaos and slaughter; there, no one speaks of righteousness, for every being on this path is here for the sake of an era.


    Under the guidance of Yuan Songzi, Xiao Lan has embarked on the path to chase after the title of Daoist Emperor.


    To become a Daoist Emperor, one must not only comprehend the Dao Rules but also defeat peers and higher-level adversaries on the Path of the Great Dao, constantly seizing destiny to strengthen oneself.


    Each Daoist Emperor has reached the summit through a series of life-and-death battles, and this is why Daoist Emperors can sweep through all beings at every realm level.


    With her innate talents, combined with being enveloped in Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent over the years, Xiao Lan is very familiar with the Dao Rules. The clueless Yuan Songzi even thinks that Xiao Lan possesses a Dao comprehension stronger than that of Emperor Tianhong and Zhao Rushen. Therefore, he has made a last-minute decision to exhaust all efforts to help Xiao Lan become the first Daoist Emperor of the Dao Court.


    As a Daoist Emperor, Xiao Lan will inevitably be involved in the struggle between Zhao Rushen and Emperor Tianhong. Yet, because she is on the Path of the Great Dao, her influence does not reach the Celestial Spirit Great World for the time being, thus the fate of that world remains unchanged.


    ¡°The Path of Obsession, the Great Dao of Thoughts.¡±


    Gu An murmured to himself, feeling surprised.


    Initially, he thought that Xiao Lan, who cultivated the Innate Reincarnation Skill, would follow the Path of Reincarnation or the Path of Soul, or even the Path of Cause and Effect, as he often used it to guide her cultivation.


    It seems no matter which path one followed before, once one aspires to compete for the title of Daoist Emperor, the Great Dao itself will guide the cultivator to the most suitable path for immortal cultivation.


    Gu An began to truly look forward to Xiao Lan¡¯s future. Previously, Xiao Lan had a smooth journey thanks to his support, and her future was all within his sight. But now, Xiao Lan has boundless possibilities, even the potential to surpass his control.


    For those close to him, Gu An naturally hopes they will get better and better. If they can live their own brilliance, that would be even more ideal.


    With these thoughts, Gu An¡¯s mood became even more brisk, and the music he played turned more ethereal, like the high mountains and flowing rivers before him, bringing peace to one¡¯s heart.


    Gu An learned to play the zither from Shen Zhen, not that he had high hopes. In the long years, he always tried different things when bored.


    The sound of the zither was melodious, echoing through the mountains, as the breeze blew, day turned to night, and the constellations shifted.


    Another five thousand years passed by.


    In these five thousand years, aside from Chen Chuan, An Shengtian, and Lv Xian, also left the dojo to make their own way in the world.


    Chen Chuan founded the Sword Sect, and its momentum was fierce.


    An Shengtian went back to support the An Family. Although his destiny with the An Family had been severed, he chose a disciple from the family to instruct.


    Lv Xian wandered the world, challenging the unparalleled geniuses of various sects.


    As long as his opponent was not beyond his Great Realm, he would not use Dao Treasures, relying on his true abilities to continuously defeat formidable talents. His fame grew rapidly, and five thousand years later, he was already among the top talents in the world.


    However, in the world today, the one with the most fame was still Zhao Rushen, who had mastered the Dao Court¡¯s supreme Divine Skill for combat, with inscrutable techniques.


    In this new year, Emperor Tianhong was still kneeling in the forest at the edge of Wushi.


    Gu An went early in the morning to pick mature medicinal herbs, and continued until evening, when he arrived at an island belonging to the Gathering Flower Sect.


    Jiang Qiong had prepared wine and dishes in advance, waiting for his arrival.


    Jiang Qiong was now a Carefree Primordial Immortal, and although not as formidable as a Wushiji Disciple, she did not stay by Gu An¡¯s side all year round. Her Cultivation Level was already the strongest in this sea area.


    Not only the strongest, but she was also seen as a legend in the hearts of many disciples of the Gathering Flower Sect, with rumors of her true capabilities.


    Although Jiang Qiong was not the sect master, she still strategized and made important decisions for the Gathering Flower Sect from behind the scenes.


    ¡°Recently Lv Xian¡¯s fame has grown quite large, spreading across the Seventy-two Seas. Even our sect¡¯s disciples are discussing what kind of a Sect Wushi really is.¡±


    In the pavilion halfway up the mountain, Jiang Qiong poured wine for Gu An while saying with a laugh.


    Beside them was a waterfall, the falling water striking the cliff and raising a misty spray, paired with the lush green flora, creating beauty and a sense of atmosphere.


    Gu An laughed and said: ¡°Wushi is not any sect, and I don¡¯t usually manage them that much.¡±


    Jiang Qiong continued to serve dishes to Gu An and curiously asked: ¡°You¡¯ve been in this world for 130,000 years. What exactly are you pursuing, or to be more precise, who are you avoiding?¡±


    Like others, Jiang Qiong also felt that Gu An had the capability to turn the world upside down before he even met her; she believed he was just putting on a show.


    What she did not know was that Gu An was actually younger than she was.


    Gu An did not specifically clarify this, as admitting the truth would hardly be believed by anyone, and may even plant the seeds of potential trouble. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Pursuing? I am hoping for my current lifestyle to continue for a very long time, until I become tired of it.¡± Gu An said earnestly, then emptied the cup of wine in one gulp.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An, as if she was trying to see through him.


    Gu An raised his hand, took out a scroll, and handed it to Jiang Qiong, saying, ¡°This is a Formation I created. Study it well, and if you can master it, it could protect the Gathering Flower Sect for a million years without worries.¡±


    ¡°That powerful?¡±


    Jiang Qiong was pleasantly surprised. She was very interested in Formations, as could be seen from the incident at Eight Scenic Cave Heaven.


    She directly used her Divine Sense to probe the scroll. Meanwhile, Gu An started to talk about the interesting things he had heard recently. Initially, she was just humoring him, but later on, she was completely engrossed in the content of the scroll.


    Gu An simply shook his head with a wry smile, not too concerned.


    He looked up at the Celestial Vault, his gaze turning profound.


    Recently, a strange power was approaching the Celestial Spirit Great World, which might bring disaster.


    Following this strange power in his deductions, he discovered that many Great Thousand Worlds had already been contaminated by it, and these worlds had plunged into chaos as a result.


    Those tinged with this power would become violent and bloodthirsty.

 Chapter 653 - 645: Gu Ans Reincarnation

    Chapter 653: Chapter 645: Gu An¡¯s Reincarnation


    Such a bizarre force sweeping across the vast Great Thousand World, the Celestial Court should notice it, right?


    Gu An thought silently, although he didn¡¯t know exactly where the Celestial Court was, as he came into contact with more Immortal Gods, he always felt that Immortal Gods were omnipresent, and the power of the Celestial Court was even more domineering, disregarding the wishes of all beings.


    As for the mysterious, strange force, Gu An didn¡¯t pay much attention to it.


    Even if it spread to the Celestial Spirit Great World, it was just another phase of cultivation for all beings, as long as it didn¡¯t endanger him.


    After a long while.


    When the food had all gone cold, Jiang Qiong¡¯s attention finally shifted away from the Array Scroll.


    She looked at Gu An and exclaimed, ¡°Is this really an array that humans can create? It¡¯s too vast and intricate, and from the described effects, it seems as terrifying as the Rules of Heaven and Earth.¡±


    She felt if this array were to be leaked, it would certainly cause a bloodbath, and if someone else had given it to her, she would not dare accept it.


    ¡°It would take many years to master, you should study it on your own first,¡± Gu An said softly with a chuckle.


    What he provided was not just the array itself; the Daoist Techniques contained within were enough for Jiang Qiong to comprehend for a million years.


    Jiang Qiong nodded, she stored the scroll in her Storage Ring, looking at Gu An with eyes full of amazement and deep affection, she sighed, ¡°The things you¡¯ve given me are becoming harder and harder to repay, to be honest, it¡¯s pretty stressful.¡±


    ¡°Then return it to me?¡± Gu An asked with annoyance, didn¡¯t he know Jiang Qiong well?


    This woman just wanted to tease him on the pretext!


    Jiang Qiong laughed playfully, ¡°That won¡¯t do, it¡¯s already been given.¡±


    Then she changed the subject and began to talk about the happenings within the Gathering Flower Sect. As the person of the highest seniority within the sect, she naturally spoke from the perspective of an elder, leaving Gu An feeling like they were chatting about family matters.


    Gu An didn¡¯t find it boring; on the contrary, he was very interested, occasionally asking questions.


    Half an hour later.


    ¡°By the way, do you still remember Lu Lingjun? She stayed in your Third Medicine Valley once. She¡¯s an Ascender. The Ascension Sect she established is doing quite well, having already gained a foothold¡­¡± When Jiang Qiong brought up Lu Lingjun, her tone became cheerful, at the same time, she was observing Gu An¡¯s expression.


    She remembered, An Xin had mentioned a long time ago that Lu Lingjun wanted to take Gu An as her Dao Companion.


    Ever since Gu An¡¯s true identity was revealed, Lu Lingjun seemed to have lost contact with Gu An, not because he didn¡¯t want to see her, but because she didn¡¯t dare to see him.


    Over the years, Jiang Qiong had also dealt with Lu Lingjun, and she felt that there was an inherent pride in her. It seemed this woman couldn¡¯t accept that Gu An was such a strong being.


    However, Jiang Qiong suspected that the fact that Lu Lingjun was still alive today, and the Ascension Sect had developed so well, was due to Gu An¡¯s covert assistance.


    After she finished talking about Lu Lingjun¡¯s situation, she still couldn¡¯t see any sign from Gu An¡¯s face.


    Gu An seemed completely indifferent to Lu Lingjun.


    Gu An showed a smile and said, ¡°Indeed, talking to you is quite interesting. These things I couldn¡¯t see within the Beginningless.¡±


    Seeing that he was uninterested in Lu Lingjun, Jiang Qiong couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Do you always cultivate? Don¡¯t you get bored?¡±


    She could never understand why Gu An had left the Supreme Sect. If he disliked the Supreme Sect, he could switch to another sect or city to stay, why hide in a deserted mountain? She could only think that it was for the sake of cultivation.


    ¡°My life is far more interesting than you think,¡± Gu An said proudly.


    Jiang Qiong raised her eyebrows, skeptical.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°For me, the past 130,000 years have been much slower than the time you have experienced. Take the past hundred years for example, I served as a guard for an Emperor in the Human World for sixty years, aiding four Emperors¡­¡±


    He was telling the truth, in the recent ten thousand years, he liked to experience various identities in the Mortal World. Except for when gathering medicinal herbs, he always used his original body to experience them, and in each identity, he never used his mana, he too would get injured and grow old.


    Isn¡¯t this another form of Reincarnation?


    Jiang Qiong never expected Gu An would do such a thing, she found it both absurd and somewhat interesting to think that a powerful being who could overturn the entire Great World was scrambling for power and profit with mortals in the Mortal World.


    Maybe she should try it too?


    After all, she no longer had to personally oversee the Gathering Flower Sect.


    What followed was Gu An speaking, with Jiang Qiong listening. The more stories she heard, the more she felt that what Gu An was doing was not out of boredom, but a form of cultivation.


    ¡­


    The sun was shining brightly, the sky clear and cloudless.


    Above the mountains, numerous cultivators were flying on their swords, as fast as the wind. Their gathering created a tremendous force that shook the mountains and forests violently.


    In the midst of the crowd, two young men flew side by side on their swords.


    One of them, a youth in black, turned to his companion and excitedly asked, ¡°Long Lin, what kind of demon do you think we¡¯ll encounter this time?¡±


    The youth known as Long Lin was dressed in a tight blue garment, looking even more handsome and extraordinary in demeanor than the youth in black.


    Long Lin looked ahead, a smile on his face as he said, ¡°I heard it¡¯s a Great Demon that has lived for ten thousand years. Otherwise, the sect wouldn¡¯t send out so many disciples.¡±


    ¡°A Great Demon that has lived for ten thousand years? How terrifying could that be?¡± The youth in black suddenly grew worried.


    Long Lin glanced at him and chuckled, ¡°Yang Nian, if you¡¯re scared, it¡¯s not too late to go back now.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the youth named Yang Nian¡¯s eyes widened immediately, and he said, ¡°How could I possibly be scared! I¡¯m just worried about the other disciples. If our Changyang Sect loses this battle, the consequences are unimaginable.¡±


    Long Lin gazed forward, smiling without saying a word.


    It wasn¡¯t just them¡ªthe other disciples of Changyang Sect around them were also discussing the upcoming battle.


    The Changyang Sect had been established for thousands of years and was considered a hegemon on the continent, but they had never contended with a ten-thousand-year-old demon before.


    ¡°By the way, Long Lin, I heard from an elder brother that your clan has found you? Is that true?¡± Yang Nian asked curiously.


    He and Long Lin had both been orphans since they were young, raised by an old man in the mountains. By a stroke of fortune, they joined the Changyang Sect, and Long Lin was found to have an excellent Spirit Root. Yang Nian owed his present status to Long Lin¡¯s support.


    He never expected that Long Lin wasn¡¯t an orphan and that his clan was looking for him. He felt envious but also happy for Long Lin.


    ¡°Yeah, they told me that my parents didn¡¯t abandon me, but rather they perished while on a mission and had to leave me somewhere. The Jade Pendant my parents left me is actually a High-Tier Spiritual Artifact, and that¡¯s also how my clan found me. They want me to return, and I am still considering it,¡± Long Lin replied calmly.


    Yang Nian continued to probe, ¡°Is your family powerful? How does it compare with Changyang Sect?¡±


    ¡°They should be powerful. They have already persuaded the higher-ups of the sect, and it seems the higher-ups have gained significant benefits and are strongly urging me to return,¡± Long Lin said.


    Yang Nian felt even more envious at the response. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why didn¡¯t he have such a background? Before their cultivation, it was he who protected Long Lin, but ever since they began to cultivate, the roles reversed, and now it was Long Lin taking care of him.


    Yang Nian was grateful to Long Lin but also couldn¡¯t help feeling a surging envy in his heart.


    He felt that the heavens favored Long Lin, always letting him encounter good luck, whereas he was left without support; even with Long Lin¡¯s help, trouble always seemed to find him.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, what¡¯s there to consider?¡± Yang Nian tried to restrain his jealousy and forced a smile as he asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s better think about how we¡¯re going to fight next,¡± Long Lin said, dodging the question.


    He hesitated because the Long Family does not accept outsiders. Over the years, he could sense the changes in Yang Nian¡¯s attitude and didn¡¯t want to provoke him with this matter.


    But still¡­


    Just thinking about the words of that family member, a look of longing couldn¡¯t help but appear in Long Lin¡¯s eyes.


    It is said that there are Immortals in the Long Family, beings who exist beyond the Mahayana Realm, transcendental in existence.

 Chapter 654 - 646: Old Acquaintances Meet

    Chapter 654: Chapter 646: Old Acquaintances Meet


    The mountains overlapped, and the land seemed like dragon ridges pressed together. On one such ridge, Gu An stood in front of a cliff, while An Xin was meditating and cultivating nearby.


    ¡°Has it already begun?¡±


    Gu An looked into the distance, thinking this way.


    It had been seven thousand years since he had given the array scroll to Jiang Qiong.


    Seven thousand years had passed, and that mysterious and eerie force had finally seeped into the Great Thousand World. Its method of infiltration was not through a world gate but directly into the Dao Rules of the Great Thousand World. This was an unstoppable invasion method, as its infiltration trajectory couldn¡¯t be fully tracked, at least not by the Celestial Spirit God.


    On the continent where Gu An was, he saw a bloodline member of the Long Family. This youth was named Long Lin, whose best friend was invaded by the eerie force, and he would become increasingly jealous and violent in the future, causing many troubles in Long Lin¡¯s life.


    Gu An, however, had no intention of intervening. Long Lin was too distant in relation, equivalent to a stranger. If he were to protect every descendant of the Long Family, it would be too exhausting, as the bloodline had already surpassed a billion in number, though most had changed names.


    Although the youth named Yang Nian might take a wrong path, he wouldn¡¯t pose a threat to Long Lin¡¯s life.


    Even without the invasion of the eerie force, it was not uncommon in the Human World for brothers and best friends to destroy each other out of jealousy.


    ¡°Master, another calamity befalls the Human World?¡±


    An Xin¡¯s voice rang out, and Gu An turned his head, seeing her opening her eyes with tightly furrowed brows.


    Gu An inquired, ¡°What did you see?¡±


    ¡°My Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye senses a disturbingly evil force, and my future self also informed me that the Human World would face unprecedented tribulations soon, and this disaster will also cover other Great Thousand Worlds.¡±


    An Xin spoke worriedly. Although her future self was manifested through karmic evolution and might not prove true, it still hinted at major trends in the future.


    Gu An nodded slightly, quite satisfied with An Xin¡¯s cultivation results.


    An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye not only could devour power to transform it into her own but also borrow strength from her past and future selves. This was somewhat similar to the Celestial Dragon Reincarnation Dharma Aspect. However, the future self she summoned was formed from karma. Once the future self appeared, its associated future would vanish, making the karmic ties here complex, but through summoning her future self, she could gain predictions on the future trends of the cosmos.


    In addition, the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye inherently possessed a powerful suppressive force.


    At the scene, when she sparred with Tian Hao, she pulled Tian Hao into an illusion realm, forcefully crushing his Dao Heart.


    In the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye¡¯s illusion realm, Tian Hao¡¯s senses were misled, perceiving everything encountered inside as real occurrences.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye contained immense power, which would aid An Xin to grow stronger. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if An Xin did not become a Daoist Emperor, with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, she could still contend with a Daoist Emperor.


    ¡°Indeed, the forthcoming calamities will indeed arrive at the various Great Thousand Worlds; however, the scope of this disaster is boundless and will surely attract stronger beings for suppression, so you needn¡¯t worry too much,¡± Gu An responded.


    Thinking about the Daoist Emperor, his thoughts couldn¡¯t help but drift to the Path of the Great Dao.


    More of his old friends began to pursue the Daoist Emperor.


    Ji Xiaoyu, Zhang Buku, Tian Hao, Zhu Xi¡­


    The Path of the Great Dao was far broader than the Great Thousand World, with countless cultivators striving within. Meeting these few would not be easy.


    However, Ji Xiaoyu did meet Xiao Lan, all thanks to Yuan Songzi¡¯s efforts.


    Yuan Songzi aimed to unite the strengths of the Celestial Spirit Great World, lending mutual assistance.


    Gu An watched over Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan while guiding An Xin in comprehending the Dao better.


    Whether An Xin¡¯s attention was diverted or not was unclear, but she soon became absorbed in enlightenment, forgetting the outside world.


    ¡­


    In the dim cosmic void, an desolate meteor quietly hovered, with a monastery perched upon its surface.


    In a hall, cultivators of the Dao Court were meditating before a gigantic Buddha statue.


    Xiao Lan gazed at the statue, lost in thought.


    ¡°This Buddha is from Ling Mountain. The owner of this monastery was once a devotee of Ling Mountain. In the heart of a Buddhist Cultivator, Ling Mountain is the supreme Holy Land.¡±


    A voice came, interrupting Xiao Lan¡¯s thoughts.


    Xiao Lan turned her head, quickly getting up to salute.


    The meticulously dressed and regal Ji Xiaoyu approached her.


    Now, Ji Xiaoyu mostly walked in the identity of the Reincarnation Dao Emperor. Her cultivation level might not match Yuan Songzi, but Yuan Songzi treated her with respect, addressing her as Fellow Daoist, which garnered significant respect from the Dao Court¡¯s talents for her.


    ¡°Senior, is Ling Mountain truly formidable? Where is it?¡± Xiao Lan asked curiously.


    Ever since meeting the Reincarnation Dao Emperor, the Reincarnation Dao Emperor had always clarified her doubts, treating her with much kindness, fostering strong goodwill in her towards the Reincarnation Dao Emperor.


    Ji Xiaoyu turned her gaze back to the great Buddha statue, saying, ¡°Ling Mountain is elusive, I¡¯ve only heard about it, but what can be confirmed is Ling Mountain stands above the Great Thousand World, and the capabilities of Ling Mountain¡¯s various Buddhas are beyond our imagination.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, Ling Mountain is formidable. In the Great Thousand World where I originated, there once appeared a disciple from Ling Mountain¡¯s Buddhist Sect, who single-handedly saved countless beings and suppressed the Outer Heaven Evil Demon. Even after his departure, many legends about him persisted in the Human World.¡±


    Yuan Songzi walked over, stroking his beard with a smile, his gaze towards the great Buddha statue filled with nostalgia.


    Xiao Lan was filled with yearning.


    This monastery, though ownerless, could provide them shelter, and it was built by a mere believer of Ling Mountain. How mighty must the Buddhas of Ling Mountain be?


    For years on the Path of the Great Dao, Xiao Lan¡¯s horizons had vastly widened. Yet, wonders she heard continued to leave her in awe.


    Yuan Songzi turned to Ji Xiaoyu, asking, ¡°Have you chosen the next opponent?¡±


    The forces on the Path of the Great Dao were more numerous than the stars of the Great Thousand World. Many forces, like the Dao Court, came to create a Daoist Emperor, so they would establish contacts, setting a time and place for combat resourced by each one¡¯s capabilities without forming enmity among the forces.


    Both Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan were competing to become a Daoist Emperor, but Ji Xiaoyu had a higher cultivation level, so she led the way, with the Dao Court currently supporting her, enabling Xiao Lan to gain experience more easily.


    ¡°Yes, a prodigy from Qianxia Great World whose cultivation level is very similar to mine,¡± Ji Xiaoyu answered, her tone calm.


    Yuan Songzi was about to continue questioning when suddenly the entire hall began to tremble.


    An overwhelming pressure emanated from outside the monastery, startling the meditating cultivators from the Dao Court, causing them to stand up, ready themselves tensely.


    Yuan Songzi frowned, projecting his divine sense towards the Dao Void.


    He saw two figures battling deep in the void, colliding like two brilliant suns, causing the Dao Rules to tremble, and the immense pressure made the meteor they sat upon tremble incessantly.


    ¡°Is that¡­¡±


    It seemed Yuan Songzi recognized one of them, his expression turning exceptionally grim.


    The Dao Court cultivators became even more tense. When Yuan Songzi initially confronted Immortal Gods, he never showed such an expression. Could there be a presence outside more terrifying than the Immortal Gods?

 Chapter 655 - 647: Five Trillion Years Life Span!

    Chapter 655: Chapter 647: Five Trillion Years Life Span!


    ¡°Do you know who is fighting outside, senior?¡±


    Ji Xiaoyu noticed Yuan Songzi¡¯s expression and couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    She appeared calm, but inside she felt terrified. Just feeling the momentum of the battle from afar gave her a dreadful sense of being turned to dust.


    On the Path of the Great Dao, daring to fight so recklessly, these are indeed conceited individuals, for the path harbors many dangers, and making too much noise only invites trouble.


    Her cooperation with the Dao Court was precisely to have them help set up a barrier to prevent the aura of her battles with other Tianjiao from leaking.


    Yuan Songzi took a deep breath and said, ¡°One of them comes from Ascending to Yellow Heaven, named Zhou Jie. This person has killed countless people and proves the Dao with killing intent. If he detects our aura, we will all die.¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone was alarmed, even Xiao Lan couldn¡¯t remain calm.


    Ji Xiaoyu frowned, she knew of Ascending to Yellow Heaven, a terrifying Daoist Lineage, even involving reincarnation.


    ¡°However, Zhou Jie¡¯s opponent is also very strong. Perhaps they will leave soon, so there¡¯s no need to panic. After all, the formation in this monastery is quite exquisite,¡± Yuan Songzi continued, his words slightly easing the tension among the crowd, though no one dared to let their guard down.


    Xiao Lan looked at everyone, feeling deeply moved.


    These seniors hold high positions in the Celestial Spirit Great World, essentially wielding the power of life and death over all beings. Yet on the Path of the Great Dao, they are as insignificant as dust, being extremely cautious and careful.


    Everyone held their breath, not daring to speak, fearing even a sound might disturb the terrifying presence outside.


    However, the oppressive force of the battle drew closer, as if the fighting parties were approaching, and even Yuan Songzi began to sweat on his forehead.


    Suddenly.


    The oppressive force rushed into the distance and disappeared in an instant, making everyone even more tense.


    For a long time.


    Only after more than half an hour did everyone finally relax, believing the opponents had left.


    They gathered around Yuan Songzi, inquiring about the origins of Ascending to Yellow Heaven.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Xiao Lan, her eyes complex, unsure of her thoughts.


    ¡­


    Time flies, and the years go by swiftly.


    As strange forces invaded the Celestial Spirit Great World, more and more beings became violent, leading to increasing conflicts in the Human World.


    This did not affect Gu An¡¯s life; he continued to enjoy his leisurely years, only occasionally diverting his focus to watch over old friends, including those on the Path of the Great Dao. If they faced danger, he would help protect them, but he made it seem like their own luck. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Years passed quickly.


    After ten thousand years, the Human World completely shed its cloak of peace, with conflicts arising everywhere, even the Qiankun Sect went to war with surrounding forces.


    The boundless Celestial Vault began to show lingering clouds.


    Gu An still did not intervene to change anything.


    Another ten thousand years passed.


    That late summer, just past noon.


    Gu An walked through the woods, pulling up his attribute panel for a check.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 161,845/5,048,752,108,241]


    [Physique: Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection]


    ¡­


    Five trillion years of life expectancy!


    He hesitated whether to break through.


    The last breakthrough cost 1.8 trillion years of life; he feared five trillion wouldn¡¯t suffice for the Perfection Realm of the next Great Realm.


    Gu An pondered, pacing leisurely through the woods, with the breeze gently stirring his robes.


    Looking up, the Celestial Vault between the leaves appeared dim, more like dusk than noon.


    After a while, Gu An stopped walking.


    He stood by a small river, with a figure kneeling across it.


    It was Emperor Tianhong!


    Emperor Tianhong had been kneeling here for over fifty thousand years, yet he seemed without the slightest sign of decline, his long beard touching the ground, face clear. Were it not for his knees sunk deep in the soil, one might not believe he had knelt so long.


    Though he engaged in no Qi Absorption Cultivation, his cultivation level broke through to the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, purely through enlightenment.


    Notably, his breakthrough involved no Crossing the Tribulation nor the slightest disturbance.


    ¡°After all these years of kneeling, what is your greatest realization?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice reached Emperor Tianhong¡¯s ear, making him open his eyes suddenly.


    Upon seeing Gu An, he was lost in a daze.


    Though he had never met Gu An before, for some reason, seeing Gu An for the first time, he felt the other was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    To him, Gu An¡¯s appearance seemed perfect, and though Gu An¡¯s aura was not overpowering, it gave a sense of all-embracing magnanimity.


    Emperor Tianhong once believed his Dao Heart was tempered through countless trials, immune to strong emotions, yet he couldn¡¯t suppress the surge of excitement from his heart at this moment.


    Trembling all over, he couldn¡¯t articulate his complex emotions.


    Seeing Emperor Tianhong so overwhelmed, Gu An smiled gently, his smile like a spring breeze blowing into Emperor Tianhong¡¯s heart, dissolving his tension and excitement.


    Emperor Tianhong took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and cautiously said, ¡°My greatest realization is that the strongest Daoist Technique is not found in sects but pervades the world, everywhere in nature.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps Wushi¡¯s name is meant to guide all beings?¡±


    Upon finishing, Emperor Tianhong¡¯s heart was in his throat, afraid he¡¯d offended the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    The longer he¡¯d knelt, the more he revered Gu An, sensing it was Gu An guiding him to enlightenment.


    Gu An chuckled, ¡°Perhaps so, everyone has their own understanding. Do you wish to take me as your master?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s eyes widened with excitement, ¡°Sword Venerable, I do! I very much want to! Will you accept me?¡±


    Gu An raised his right hand, and a sword flew from his palm, swiftly enlarging, its point facing upward, hovering before him. The sword was exquisite, radiating a faint silver glow, with what seemed like stars adorning it.


    ¡°This is the Dao Treasure of Wushi, named the Longevity Sword. You may use it to save this Human World. When you become a savior, return the sword, and then decide whether you wish to be my disciple.¡±


    As Gu An introduced the sword, the Longevity Sword flew to Emperor Tianhong.


    Emperor Tianhong could feel the vast Dao Intent within the sword, yet he wasn¡¯t captivated, instead directing his attention to Gu An, urgently saying, ¡°I can decide now, willing to be your disciple!¡±


    Gu An replied meaningfully, ¡°When you have the highest fame and power, and discern your own Destiny Pattern, then make your decision. There¡¯s no rush; if you are willing by then, I will accept you.¡±


    Hearing this, Emperor Tianhong calmed down.


    ¡°Now go.¡± Gu An continued, upon which Emperor Tianhong stood up, clutching the Longevity Sword. In an instant, a vast memory surged into his mind, leaving him stunned.


    Seeing this, Gu An crossed the small river, passing by him.


    ¡°Go for the breakthrough after all.¡±


    With his back to Emperor Tianhong, Gu An thought silently.


    He followed his thoughts with anticipation.


    What lies beyond the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm?

 Chapter 656 - 648: Endless Dao Mountain

    Chapter 656: Chapter 648: Endless Dao Mountain


    After parting with Emperor Tianhong, Gu An took a trip to the Tai Cang Continent, picking medicinal herbs at the Mountain God Temple, then went alone into the uninhabited mountains and forests, far away from the mundane world.


    He sat under a tree and activated the lifespan breakthrough.


    [You have activated the Lifespan Breakthrough Function. Based on your current realm, the following breakthrough locations have been selected for you]


    [1. Path of the Great Dao]


    [2. War Spirit Holy Mansion]


    [3. Taiwei Earth Core]


    [4. Ling Mountain]


    [5. River of Destiny]


    [6. Endless Dao Mountain]


    [7. Primordial Emperor Domain]


    [8. Profound Abyss Divine Pool]


    [9. Supreme Origin Forest]


    Looking at the options in front of him, Gu An frowned slightly.


    He didn¡¯t see the Desperate Celestial Tomb.


    He was still planning to find a way to rescue the sins within the Desperate Celestial Tomb after breaking through.


    In his view, when he breaks through again, he should have the strength to see through the Desperate Celestial Tomb.


    Don¡¯t mention Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, even ordinary Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortals are rarely seen. Breaking through to a higher realm, even if he¡¯s not the strongest, he should be among the stronger existences within the Great Dao.


    After saving the sins, he could further investigate Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s causality through them, thereby resolving the obsessions left by the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    These matters, to Gu An, didn¡¯t feel troublesome, but rather filled him with anticipation. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In becoming stronger through cultivation, one must have opportunities to demonstrate!


    ¡°Could it be because the Desperate Celestial Tomb cannot withstand my breakthrough, and these places can, that the Celestial Tomb did not appear?¡±


    Gu An suddenly had a speculation.


    If so, could it be inferred that these nine places possess power beyond the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal?


    Even if they don¡¯t, these places can still nurture stronger Daluo Immortals, something beyond the capability of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Don¡¯t mention Daluo Immortals; the Celestial Spirit Great World can¡¯t even nurture Golden Immortals.


    Gu An silently pondered, and after some thought, he chose Endless Dao Mountain.


    The name alone sounded profound and elusive, and it provided better concealment.


    [To be teleported to Endless Dao Mountain will consume 10,000,000,000 years of life span. Do you wish to continue]


    Continue!


    An unfamiliar sensation surged forth, causing him to instinctively close his eyes, and his senses followed suit, losing function.


    After a while, he felt his feet touch the ground, and he immediately opened his eyes, almost instantly activating the Life Span Barrier.


    After setting up the Life Span Barrier, he had time to observe the environment.


    As far as the eye could see, the celestial vault was dim as the void of the universe, with towering mountains standing on the earth, rising and falling, their ends unseen, and the number of peaks uncountable.


    Even at his Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection state, Gu An could not see the boundaries of this world.


    Is this another place in an infinitely expanding universe and earth?


    He observed that every mountain around him contained an immense Dao intent, as if nurturing a Great Dao.


    The oppressive atmosphere of the world made the Endless Dao Mountain appear like majestic deities in the darkness, exuding a sense of vastness and magnitude.


    The mountain under Gu An¡¯s feet was extraordinarily huge; even standing on the summit felt like standing on a vast continent. Its height exceeded the distance from the Nine Spirit Continent¡¯s ground to Outer Heaven.


    The mountain he stood upon wasn¡¯t even the highest Dao Mountain; in the distance stood towering mountains like heavenly barriers, imposing to the extreme.


    ¡°Endless Dao Mountain, I wonder how far it is from the Great Thousand World¡­¡± thought Gu An curiously, as he had never heard of the Endless Dao Mountain before.


    The more mysterious and powerful places there were, the happier Gu An felt.


    If the end of the Great Dao were so easy to reach, the joy of cultivation would diminish significantly.


    Gu An sat down cross-legged and then called up the Attribute Panel.


    First, he worked to enhance his physique, as it had been a while since he made any improvements!


    Gu An invested one hundred billion years of life span directly, but the Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body did not transform.


    He continued investing.


    Ultimately, after spending a total of four hundred billion years of life span, the Primordial Reincarnation Undying Body ascended to the Primordial Dao Creation Body.


    Vast amounts of Dao Spiritual Qi gathered, causing the ground beneath Gu An¡¯s feet to light up with Dao Light, confined within the barrier, while the mountains¡¯ surface outside the barrier exhibited no changes for the time being.


    Soon, Gu An became engrossed in the inheritance.


    The Primordial Dao Creation Body retained the features of the previous physique, undying through reincarnation, ferocious mana, and the capability to create new Great Dao.


    Indeed, Great Dao independent of the Three Thousand Great Dao!


    It¡¯s based on personal mana and physical strength.


    Just like before, no matter how mighty the transformation, Gu An completed the transformation in less than an hour.


    He opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them.


    Create a Dao?


    He suddenly thought, with countless Great Dao, even he couldn¡¯t ascertain the exact number. Could some Great Dao have been created by cultivators?


    This hypothesis could not be answered for the time being, so he turned his gaze to the cultivation techniques in the Attribute Panel.


    Next was the enhancement of the main cultivation technique!


    Gu An invested one hundred billion years of life span into the Daoist Dominator Skill.


    Finally, after expending nearly three hundred and fifty billion years of life span, he upgraded the Daoist Dominator Skill to the Myriad Dao Extinction Skill!


    The Myriad Dao Extinction Skill shifted from the previous vastness to one filled with slaughter traits, with domination leading to extinction, leaving not a trace, ultimately leaving only oneself, surpassing the Great Dao.


    An hour later, Gu An continued upgrading.


    Sun and Moon Selfless Divine Dao ascended to Dao Qi Eternal Divine Sense, consuming nearly three hundred billion years of life span. This was Gu An¡¯s main reliance for hiding cultivation level and aura; he wouldn¡¯t neglect it.


    The upgrades continued!


    Daoless Celestial Net Step ascended to Great Primordial Celestial Net Step, consuming nearly four hundred billion years of life span!


    Hongmeng Void Golden Body ascended to Great Dao Formless Body, consuming three hundred billion years of life span.


    This secret skill evolved from the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, capable of transformation and isolating causality and fate deductions, greatly aiding Gu An in remaining concealed.


    Another hour passed.


    Gu An mastered the Great Dao Formless Body. Even without activating this secret skill, his physical body possessed the capability to avoid being deduced, and this body could also elevate his aura and suppression, serving as a suppressive divine skill.


    Having completed the conventional enhancements, he had to consider battle methods next.


    According to past conventions, Gu An should improve his Sword Dao, but now he wanted to enhance the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was too powerful for him to give up, but it would provoke the Celestial Court¡¯s suspicion. He must upgrade the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to a stronger stage to avoid their detection.


    While Gu An contemplated, changes emerged in the tumultuous Endless Dao Mountain.


    Due to Gu An¡¯s continuous upgrades of Daoist Techniques, the Dao Rules in the heavens and earth began having strange alterations, causing gales to roar, lightning to flash, thunder to rumble, and some Dao Mountains to faintly tremble.


    Before, there had been no sign of any living being.


    But now, they appeared!


    Gu An looked in a direction, spotting a massive black silhouette on the summit of a majestic Dao Mountain far away. The figure was humanoid, standing atop the peak, mysterious to the extreme, akin to an ancient Demon God.


    He couldn¡¯t use Life Span Detection on it, indicating the other party had not revealed their true self.


    Even so, the other party¡¯s aura sent chills through his heart.


    Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal!


    And not at the early stage!


    Gu An merely glanced over and paid no mind. With the Life Span Barrier in place, it would be difficult for the other party to discover him.


    He began to invest life span into the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Right from the start, it was a hundred billion years of life span!

 Chapter 657 - 649: Breakthrough to Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal

    Chapter 657: Chapter 649: Breakthrough to Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal


    [You invested 10 billion years of life span into cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye]


    [You have spent 1 billion years cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, and your understanding of the Great Dao of Cause and Effect has improved]


    [You have spent 10 billion years cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, and your understanding of the Great Dao of Illusion and Reality has improved]


    [You have spent 50 billion years cultivating the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, and the power of your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye has grown stronger]


    ¡­


    Notifications flashed before Gu An¡¯s eyes, but a full 10 billion years of life span was not enough to transform the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    Gu An was not surprised; after all, this was a formidable divine skill feared by the Celestial Court.


    He continued to invest life span, still in increments of 10 billion years.


    Failure!


    Another 10 billion years!


    Gu An had over 400 billion years of life span remaining, so 10 billion years was nothing to him.


    Continuous failures, continuous investment.


    When the invested life span exceeded 1,000 billion years, a subtle change appeared in Gu An¡¯s eyes.


    It wasn¡¯t until the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye advanced that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    A total of 1,800 billion years of life span was consumed, and the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye advanced to become the Absolute Void Eye.


    An endless stream of memories poured into Gu An¡¯s mind, causing him to close his eyes and immerse himself in them, as if the vast information of the Three Thousand Great Dao rushed into his mind, plunging even someone with a Perfection in the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm into chaos.


    The Absolute Void Eye not only can manipulate reality and illusion but can also create them, an almost omnipotent eye whose creations vanish when the user¡¯s mana is exhausted.


    In battle, it can turn an opponent¡¯s divine skills, spells, and even mana into nothingness.


    This is not only suppression against the weak, but even against those with higher cultivation levels, it exerts a certain degree of suppression.


    The Great Dao phenomena caused by the Absolute Void Eye far exceed those from before, with the Endless Dao Mountain still ravaged by fierce winds, and silhouettes appearing consecutively on the distant Dao Mountain. Even a figure shrouded in gray mist appeared atop a nearby Dao Mountain, not revealing their true form.


    This gray mist figure looked up at the dark celestial vault, seemingly searching for the source of the phenomenon, unaware that the source was right beside him on the neighboring Dao Mountain.


    The two Dao Mountains were connected, but the distance between their peaks spanned tens of millions of miles¡ªa distance insurmountable in a lifetime for mortals, but merely a step away for the gray mist figure.


    Time passed quickly.


    An hour later.


    Gu An opened his eyes, his purple pupils transformed into gold and red, enhancing his oppressive presence.


    His Absolute Void Eye focused first on the gray mist figure atop the distant mountain peak.


    Even at such close range, Gu An could not perform life span detection on him, as if some force protected the cultivators in this world.


    However, even without life span detection, Gu An could perceive the other¡¯s cultivation level.


    Late Stage of Celestial Creation Daluo Immortal Realm!


    A Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal can cultivate in the Endless Dao Mountain, prompting Gu An to suddenly harbor thoughts.


    After the breakthrough, should I stay here and observe for a while?


    First, accomplish the breakthrough and see how strong he becomes!


    Gu An reopened his attribute panel. Aside from the consumption in life span evolution, the Life Span Barrier had also been continuously consuming life span, leaving him with more than 450 billion years of life span.


    He began investing life span into his cultivation level.


    [You cultivate the Qi Absorption for 2 billion years, and use the Great Achievement of the Myriad Dao Extinction Skill to forcefully impact the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal realm, beginning to cross the tribulation, but fail to survive the Infinite Celestial Void Great Tribulation, resulting in agtributio..]>


    [You cultivate the Qi Absorption for 4 billion years, and use the Great Achievement of the Myriad Dao Extinction Skill to forcefully impact the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal realm, beginning to cross the tribulation, but fail to survive the Infinite Celestial Void Great Tribulation, resulting in agtributio..]¨C>


    ¡­


    Why does it take 2 billion years just for one tribulation!?


    And that¡¯s even after I¡¯ve improved my Daoist techniques and physique.


    Gu An suddenly felt that it might be challenging to reach the Perfection Realm of the next Great Realm this time.


    In any case, first achieve this so-called Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal!


    A hundred billion years only resulted in five breakthroughs, and after the five breakthroughs failed, Gu An directly invested a thousand billion years of life span.


    Notifications kept popping up, all indicating failure!


    Fifty tribulations, all ending in failure!


    Gu An continued to invest.


    One thousand billion years followed by another thousand billion years!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Failure!


    Gu An focused intensely, the Absolute Void Eye flashing with a terrifying gaze.


    The Great Dao phenomenon of the Endless Dao Mountain began to weaken. The figures standing atop the mountain peaks disappeared consecutively, though some remained observing.


    The gray mist figure on the nearby Dao Mountain did not vanish; he looked around, never settling his gaze on the Dao Mountain where Gu An stood.


    Gu An no longer paid attention to him, focusing entirely on the notifications before him.


    After failing with 10,000 billion years of life span, he realized the problem was significant.


    Is it really this difficult to break through to Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal?


    Or is the Infinite Celestial Void Great Tribulation more terrifying than he imagined?


    As Gu An pondered, he continued to invest life span.


    Yet, after throwing in a second 10,000 billion years of life span, there was still no sign of success.


    He frowned slightly and persisted in investing more.


    After a while.


    He finally succeeded in breaking through!


    [You cultivate the Qi Absorption for 58 billion years, and use the Great Achievement of the Myriad Dao Extinction Skill to forcefully impact the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal realm, beginning to cross the tribulation, surviving the Infinite Celestial Void Great Tribulation, and succeeding in crossing the tribulation. Your cultivation level breaks through to the Early Stage of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal realm]


    [You cultivate the Qi Absorption for 10 billion years, and your cultivation level increases]


    As the notification fell, the Life Span Barrier activated again, far more majestic than before. The Dao Spiritual Qi engulfed Gu An, immersing him in the strong light of the Great Dao.


    Just reaching the early stage cost Gu An 23,000 billion years of life span!


    He dared not continue to break through, after all, he still needed to save life span for the Life Span Barrier.


    First achieve the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal!


    BOOM!


    The dark celestial vault suddenly exploded with a thunderous sound, akin to a great dragon coiling in the heavens, larger than any mountain ridge between heaven and earth, alarming the cultivators practicing within the Dao Mountains.


    In Gu An¡¯s perception, the auras of more and more cultivators emerged, as if the night sky was illuminated and the stars appeared.


    He was astounded.


    Just how many powerful beings are hidden here?


    Even the weakest aura belonged to a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, with most being Taiqing Golden Immortals, and several auras caused his heart to palpitate.


    They must be Dao Extreme Daluo Immortals!


    Could this Endless Dao Mountain be some Holy Land for Enlightenment?


    Gu An pondered, seeing that no one was paying attention to the Dao Mountain he resided on, sinking his consciousness into the inherited memories.


    Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, the pinnacle of the Daluo Dao Fruit, is the ultimate limit beings can reach. To become stronger, one cannot rely anymore on cultivation and enlightenment but must create and develop one¡¯s Great Dao.


    In a sense, Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal is the culmination of the Immortal Dao.


    Beyond that, it¡¯s not the Immortal Dao but the Great Dao!


    Gu An¡¯s Daluo Dao Fruit began imprinting Dao Extreme Patterns, with each pattern containing indelible mysteries. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As long as the Dao Extreme Patterns exist, the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal will not fall, and the Dao Extreme Patterns are not merely on the Dao Fruit but interwoven within the infinite realm of the Great Dao. Even if the Daluo Dao Fruit is destroyed, resurrection is possible, though with one less Dao Extreme Pattern upon revival.


    There are a total of 49 Dao Extreme Patterns, meaning the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal can resurrect 49 times. Even if dissipated, they can be reborn.


    A Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal with Dao Extreme Patterns is nearly an immortal existence. To annihilate a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal completely is exceedingly difficult; even if slain, they can revive. One can only imagine the despair faced against a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal.


    Moreover, Gu An¡¯s mana is also transforming, evolving toward the ultimate power of the Immortal Dao.


    During this process, his Lifebound Great Divine Power, Longevity True Words, is undergoing a qualitative transformation.

 Chapter 658 - 650: Causeless Realm

    Chapter 658: Chapter 650: Causeless Realm


    As Gu An completed the formation of forty-nine Dao Extreme Patterns, his consciousness awoke from the state of enlightenment, and he could feel an earth-shattering transformation within himself.


    He had transformed into a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal!


    Within the barrier was filled with the intense light of the Great Dao, and outside, the dark celestial vault gleamed with purple-red iridescence, both bewitching and terrifying.


    Gu An could sense that the number of cultivators alarmed by this exceeded a hundred thousand, and it was still rising.


    Nearby, there were also a few Dao Mountains where the presence of cultivators emerged, but compared to the Endless Dao Mountain, these figures were far less numerous than the number of Dao Mountains.


    After attaining the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, Gu An¡¯s divine sense also underwent a qualitative change.


    He could feel the end of the Endless Dao Mountain.


    At this moment, new Dao Mountains were still forming on the fringes, continuously expanding this world.


    The distant end he could see was beyond the reach of even Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, and with the ongoing birth of Dao Mountains, the name Endless Dao Mountain was truly deserving.


    Before his breakthrough, the speculation was correct: there indeed existed several Dao Extreme Daluo Immortals in the Endless Dao Mountain; their Dao Mountains stood as the tallest among them, while the Dao Mountain beneath Gu An¡¯s feet was like a small hill before Mt. Tai in comparison, and the Dao Intent contained in those massive Dao Mountains was majestic.


    Even the most mediocre mortal spirit could ascend to immortality while residing on such Dao Mountains.


    Furthermore, Gu An also felt various Heavenly Court destinies here, similar to the destinies of the Celestial Spirit God and the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Golden Cave, even possessing the destiny of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal.


    Gu An had a sense of engaging with a high-level map, becoming even more interested in the Endless Dao Mountain.


    The breakthrough was not yet over; his cultivation level continued to rise, and the anomaly brought to the Endless Dao Mountain began to wane.


    The elusive Dao Rules writhed like a startled swarm of dragons, and the terrifying might of the Dao caused the supposedly unshakable Dao Mountains to tremble.


    Gu An summoned his attribute panel to examine.


    During the breakthrough process, the Life Span Barrier consumed three trillion years of life span, which was not a small number.


    Gu An continued to invest his life span into his cultivation level.


    Any breakthrough was worth it.


    Soon, he once again seized the opportunity for a breakthrough.


    Consuming eight hundred million years of life span, he advanced to the mid-stage of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm.


    The Dao Rules in the world once again raged violently, intertwining heavenly thunders that could destroy the Great Thousand World, shifting colors, magnificent, and mysterious; this beauty cannot mask their dangerous aura.


    From the early to mid-stage of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, Gu An didn¡¯t need to immerse himself in inheritance; he began to observe the Endless Dao Mountain.


    Attaining Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, his ability of deduction also rapidly strengthened.


    He no longer needed to cast spells or use divine skills or the power of the Great Dao; he only needed to think to reach the answer.


    His gaze swept across, and answers continuously emerged in his mind.


    The Endless Dao Mountain, a Holy Land of cultivation above all heavens, almost every cultivator who comes here has a significant background.


    The reason why those figures were shrouded in mysterious black and gray auras was not of their own doing, but because of the protective power of the rules of the Endless Dao Mountain. As long as they stepped into this place, they would be enveloped by the power of the rules, preventing deduction.


    The Endless Dao Mountain is unowned, and Immortal Gods, Human Demons, and Demon Evils may all come to seek enlightenment; combat is not allowed here, even Immortal Gods must abide by the rules.


    Gu An also found a place from where he could leave the Endless Dao Mountain; different places lead to different cosmic planes, some emanating an aura making him wary to explore.


    He even suspected that a certain place might connect to the Celestial Court.


    Whatever he wanted to understand, he could get an answer, unless it involved a power higher than his own.


    This was no longer mere deduction but a higher-tier power, a power that could only be unlocked by reaching Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal.


    Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, nearly immortal, omniscient, and omnipotent, truly the pinnacle of the Immortal Dao!


    While enjoying the improvement of his cultivation level, Gu An¡¯s gaze swept over, gaining a deeper and deeper understanding of the Endless Dao Mountain.


    He decided to return and have a look sometime later.


    Although he could not yet determine how far the Endless Dao Mountain was from the Celestial Spirit Great World, he could leave a mark and trace this realm from the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Time flowed swiftly.


    Those existing at the summit of the Endless Dao Mountain merely observed silently, with no one choosing to flee this world, thus the Endless Dao Mountain did not descend into chaos, and no one arrived at the Dao Mountain where Gu An resided.


    Ultimately, by the time Gu An reached the mid-stage of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, no one invaded the Dao Mountain where he was located.


    He looked at his attribute panel; nine hundred billion years of life span remained.


    He could not break through again!


    Gu An took a deep breath, stood up, and chose to teleport back.


    Immediately after, he disappeared from where he stood.


    The anomaly of the Endless Dao Mountain had not yet completely dissipated, but the heavenly thunders in the sky gradually thinned, and the sound also diminished.


    ¡­


    At dusk.


    Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An leisurely continued along the mountain path, after half a day¡¯s search, his divine sense had locked onto the Endless Dao Mountain.


    When returning to the Endless Dao Mountain in the future, there is no need to use life span for breakthroughs again.


    Actually, while coming back, he could rely on himself to return; however, considering the presence of Dao Extreme Daluo Immortals and Heavenly Court Immortals at the Endless Dao Mountain, he decided to proceed with caution.


    Using ten billion years of life span to ensure safety!


    No matter how high the realm is, caution is needed, especially when facing beings of the same realm.


    Gu An was in a pleasant mood; after reaching the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, he could see further, and the future heavens¡¯ calamities were all within his sight, posing no threat to him.


    He arrived at the courtyard, and his gaze turned towards Shen Zhen in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    He peered into the causal connection to Fairy Yao Xuan within Shen Zhen, seeing a line connecting to the Outer Heaven.


    He looked up, following that line across countless worlds and universes, and he saw an absolutely black void.


    Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s soul was hidden in that void.


    Moreover, there were other souls there, countless in number, all of whom were exiled by the Path of Cause and Effect; there were existences of all realms, even Daluo Immortals, all immobilized and in slumber.


    Causeless Realm!


    Gu An¡¯s mind received the name of that void, and his brows furrowed.


    He could feel the threat of the Causeless Realm, which harbored extremely terrifying power.


    Despite being a place of exile by the Path of Cause and Effect, it seemed there existed a will in this realm capable of free action, more frightening than the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortals of the Endless Dao Mountain.


    It seems rescuing Fairy Yao Xuan is not yet possible.


    Gu An silently withdrew his gaze, not in a hurry. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Judging by Fairy Yao Xuan¡¯s current state, she wasn¡¯t suffering; her consciousness had already fallen asleep, losing the concept of time, as long as he saved her before her soul dissipated, it wouldn¡¯t matter how much time passed in between, making no difference to her.


    Shen Zhen seemed to sense Gu An¡¯s gaze, turning her head to look.


    Upon seeing Gu An, her expression changed slightly, and she appeared a bit dazed.


    Although Gu An¡¯s appearance, temperament, and aura hadn¡¯t changed in the slightest, her intuition told her he had grown stronger again!

 Chapter 659 - 651 White-haired Ancestor

    Chapter 659: Chapter 651 White-haired Ancestor


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡±


    Gu An asked Shen Zhen with a smile; he could hear the speculations in Shen Zhen¡¯s heart, but he didn¡¯t reveal them.


    Even in front of Shen Zhen, Gu An wouldn¡¯t disclose his true strength.


    Shen Zhen snapped back to reality and asked, ¡°The Tianhong Emperor has left. Do you really think relying on him can save the world?¡±


    These years, the Human World has become increasingly chaotic, and she can also sense a mysterious force manipulating the lives of all beings in the shadows.


    Such a power must involve Outer Heaven.


    This is not the cause and effect that the Tianhong Emperor of Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm can conclude, even if he holds a Dao Treasure.


    Gu An moved a chair nearby closer to him with a wave, sat down, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate his potential. He has the talent comparable to Tian Hao. Do you think he seems like an ordinary person?¡±


    ¡°Does he also have an Immortal Gods background?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    Hearing this from Gu An, Shen Zhen could conclude that the Tianhong Emperor had an inseparable connection with the Immortal Gods.


    Click, click.


    The Immortal Gods are elusive and never to be seen, yet near Gu An, they seem not so extraordinary.


    Shen Zhen looked at Gu An by her side, her eyes filled with a strange radiance.


    She was very curious about what role Gu An played in the eyes of the Immortal Gods?


    Shen Zhen jokingly asked, ¡°With so many Immortal Gods appearing before you, the Celestial Court¡¯s target wouldn¡¯t be you, right? If one day, the Celestial Court invites you to join the Immortal Class, what would you choose?¡±


    ¡°That would depend on what the Immortal Position is,¡± Gu An replied casually.


    Shen Zhen¡¯s eyes smiled into crescent moons as she asked, ¡°What if they invited you to tend horses?¡±


    She had initially reached out to Gu An because she liked his books and continued to flip through ¡°The Investiture of the Gods,¡± ¡°Journey to the West,¡± and ¡°Supreme Immortal Venerable¡± to this day.


    Gu An threw Shen Zhen a sidelong glance and said unkindly, ¡°You¡¯re so humorous; if that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯ll go tend the horses and bring you along to assist me.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure! The horses in the heavens must be extraordinary.¡± Shen Zhen said excitedly, causing Gu An to shake his head and laugh.


    The two plotted for some time about going to the Celestial Court to tend horses before they started talking about world affairs.


    Shen Zhen was very curious about what the mysterious force causing chaos in the Human World was. Gu An didn¡¯t hide it and shared his discovery with her, hoping to increase her understanding of the Great Dao.


    Speaking of it, apart from An Xin, Gu An also put great effort into nurturing Shen Zhen. It wasn¡¯t because he was biased, but because others hadn¡¯t reached the stage of Enlightenment and were still in the low-level stage of practicing in retreat.


    Shen Zhen was able to achieve her current accomplishments because she received the cause and effect of the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    Of course, this doesn¡¯t mean she was just lucky. After all, she regarded Gu An as her only reliance, unlike the Celestial Demon Child, who has a life-and-death relationship with Gu An; she abandoned other connections to choose Gu An, which is also the reason why the Emperor of Eternal Life chose her.


    Everything has cause and effect; behind every coincidence is inevitability.


    That year, the Human World faced a change because a once peerless prodigy from ages past was reborn.


    The Tianhong Emperor did not return to the Dao Court but traveled the lands, suppressing evil forces everywhere.


    As the world¡¯s ruler, the Dao Court also exerted efforts to quell chaos. Many prodigies emerged as saviors, the most renowned among them being the current chief disciple of the Dao Court, Zhao Rushen.


    In those chaotic and dark years, the Tianhong Emperor and Zhao Rushen appeared like two stars, wanting to use their faint light to illuminate the entire world.


    ¡­


    A hundred years later.


    On this morning, after picking medicinal herbs within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An left alone.


    As he walked through the woods outside the field, his figure suddenly vanished.


    He continued onward, but the universe beneath his feet changed with each step, traversing a cosmic plane.


    Time and space reeled back; light sped in reverse. His steps seemed swift but slow due to the lack of an end.


    Suddenly.


    Black gas swirled around Gu An, quickly enveloping him. As his right foot set down, he found himself in a dim void.


    He halted and looked ahead, seeing an endless expanse of Dao Mountains, all magnificent and impressive, towering like deities in the distance with divine might emanating boundlessly, full of oppressive force.


    Endless Dao Mountains!


    Gu An had just manifested but immediately felt the force of this place¡¯s rules surging toward him, seemingly wanting to cloak him in a layer preventing cause and effect analysis, yet he didn¡¯t hide his true form. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He continued to maintain the Great Dao Formless Body, for he was also wary of these rules.


    Once the force of the rules bound him, he felt his actions weren¡¯t restricted; it was a very intriguing rule.


    He stepped forward, admiring the towering Dao Mountains along the way.


    Before coming, he had suppressed his cultivation level to Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, and not only that, he had also reduced his presence to appear as a mysterious, cautious cultivator inadvertently exuding a slight Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal aura.


    Coming to the Endless Dao Mountains, he wasn¡¯t seeking cultivation but information, wanting to forge connections with the cultivators here and gain more insights into the Great Dao.


    If he could learn more about the Celestial Court here, that would be even better.


    He wandered aimlessly, noticing most cultivators occupied a Dao Mountain alone, as there were indeed too many.


    The cultivators seemed wary of each other, too.


    This could be troublesome.


    Gu An began to miss Bai Ziya of Human World Peak. When he first ventured to Outer Heaven, he met the enthusiastic Bai Ziya, who even introduced him to Human World Peak.


    Although Human World Peak hadn¡¯t greatly aided his cultivation, it did help him better understand the heavens and earth, which is why he had never severed ties with Human World Peak, cherishing these bonds.


    He continued roaming, waiting for an opportunity.


    During this time, he also saw other figures entering Endless Dao Mountains, most having clear objectives, flying swiftly.


    Gu An spotted a figure that seemed as confused as him, moving slowly and constantly looking around.


    He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously flew over as if he was being careful.


    The other was also a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal; perhaps having some degree of confidence, they dared to wander like this. Gu An previously saw a Taiqing Golden Immortal enter and immediately hide within a Dao Mountain.


    This Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal had a slightly slender figure, resembling a Daoist, holding a horsetail whisk resembling a sword. Seeing Gu An approaching, he stopped and turned to look at him.


    ¡°Fellow Daoist, may I ask if this is the Endless Dao Mountains?¡± Gu An asked, changing his voice.


    ¡°Hmm, this is indeed the Endless Dao Mountains. Is it your first time here?¡± the other replied, their tone slightly cold.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard the Endless Dao Mountains contain endless true meanings of the Great Dao. My Dao Practice has reached a bottleneck, so I wanted to give it a try. The Great Dao aura here is indeed dense, even beyond my imagination, but it¡¯s different from what I expected¡­¡±


    At the end of his sentence, Gu An pretended to hesitate.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t expect there to be so many people here, right?¡± the other chimed in.


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s tone contained a hint of amazement.


    The other remarked, ¡°Those who come here to cultivate are truly Great Powers from various realms; it only goes to show how vast the Great Dao is, far beyond our imagination. I had some understanding of the Endless Dao Mountains before coming, but upon arrival, like you, I was astonished.¡±


    ¡°My name is Hongya Zi, from the Misty Immortal Court. What¡¯s your name, and which sect do you hail from?¡±


    Misty Immortal Court?


    Gu An didn¡¯t expect the first Daluo Immortal he would meet to be from the Misty Immortal Court. He followed with, ¡°My name is Meng Lang. When I attained Golden Immortal, my sect was destroyed, so I¡¯ve been wandering without a sect for now.¡±


    Upon hearing, Hongya Zi said, ¡°With your Dao Practice, founding a sect wouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡±


    Gu An shook his head, ¡°Forget it. Having a sect means having burdens. I prefer pursuing the Great Dao freely and unfettered.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s certainly reasonable,¡± Hongya Zi agreed, seemingly deep in thought before falling silent.


    Gu An pondered on how to further the relationship.


    ¡°Fellow Daoist Meng, since you¡¯re also new here, I assume you don¡¯t know where to head next. Why not join me to listen to a True Immortal¡¯s lecture?¡± Hongya Zi invited.


    Gu An was flattered and hesitantly asked, ¡°I follow you? Is that suitable?¡±


    Hongya Zi reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t have any connection with that True Immortal. Their lectures aren¡¯t private; anyone can attend and listen.¡±


    ¡°May I ask the name of the True Immortal?¡±


    ¡°He is revered as the White-haired Ancestor, a highly respected Immortal God of the Celestial Court.¡±

 Chapter 660 - 652: Preaching, The Incomparable Li Ya of Today and the Past

    Chapter 660: Chapter 652: Preaching, The Incomparable Li Ya of Today and the Past


    The dojo of the White-haired Ancestor is situated on the Endless Dao Mountain. Led by Hongya Zi, the two soon reached the Dao Mountain where teachings were held.


    The height of this Dao Mountain ranked among the top ten, and there was an abundance of powerful presences on the mountain.


    They flew to a mid-mountain location where a sprawling open-air palace had been constructed. On the palace, there were thousands of mats, and already dozens of figures had gathered here.


    These figures were shrouded in the aura of rules, their true forms not revealed.


    Hongya Zi was familiar with some of them and introduced Gu An to these individuals of great power. The atmosphere was quite congenial, and the conversation was enjoyable.


    Among those who came to listen to the teachings were also Taiqing Golden Immortals, who dared not intrude on the conversations of the Daluo Immortals and stayed at a distance.


    As Gu An conversed with other Daluo Immortals, he was also reflecting in his heart.


    Indeed, no matter where you go, there will always be hierarchy.


    In any Great Thousand World, a Taiqing Golden Immortal would be an unimaginable powerhouse, yet here, they were all very constrained, lacking the demeanor of a supreme being.


    He only sighed briefly, not giving it much thought.


    Those he conversed with were Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortals, while afar, there was a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal whom no one dared disturb.


    Through other Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortals, Gu An gained a deeper understanding of the White-haired Ancestor, who held a status in the Celestial Court far above that of an Immortal Monarch.


    He also learned that this lecture might last several hundred, or even thousands, of years, with still several months before it began.


    Gu An was not inclined to listen to the teachings here for thousands of years, as he also needed to gather medicinal herbs.


    So, before the arrival of the White-haired Ancestor, he switched to a clone, and his true self secretly exited the Endless Dao Mountain, returning to the Celestial Spirit Great World unnoticed by the Great Cultivators present.


    Even when in the Celestial Spirit Great World, he could connect his mind with the clone, equivalent to listening in person.


    Such a method probably didn¡¯t count as disrespect, and he thought that other listeners might not all be their true selves either.


    In the following times, more listeners continued to arrive. With the help of Hongya Zi, Gu An met numerous powerful figures from different factions.


    Hongya Zi even introduced him to a Star Monarch of the Celestial Palace. Although this Star Monarch had only the cultivation level of a Taiqing Golden Immortal, relying on the Celestial Palace meant no others dared disrespect him.


    Even in the Endless Dao Mountain, the Celestial Palace held absolute authority, and no one dared to offend it.


    Through Hongya Zi, Gu An also understood that the Celestial Palace had little renown across the three thousand Great Thousand Worlds because the rulers of various places did not wish their subjects to know there was an even mightier existence overseeing them, and the Celestial Gods guarding the Great Thousand Worlds also gave face by not appearing rashly.


    This broadened Gu An¡¯s horizons. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Apparently, there were relationships of interest between the Celestial Gods of other Great Thousand Worlds and their rulers, no wonder people from other Great Thousand Worlds frequently took the Celestial Order through the World Gate.


    Months quickly passed by.


    By the day of the lecture, the number of listeners at this dojo had exceeded eight hundred, with most discussing the phenomenon before the Endless Dao Mountain.


    Gu An was already seated, patiently waiting for the arrival of the White-haired Ancestor.


    He sensed the aura of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal at the top of Dao Mountain.


    Surely, that must be the White-haired Ancestor!


    Gu An silently compared and felt that the opponent¡¯s cultivation might be in the late or Perfection Realm of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal stage.


    Although he was already a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, his life had been so short, like a child compared to a true Daluo Immortal, so he was full of anticipation for this lecture.


    He wanted to see how vast the Dao Intent of other Dao Extreme Daluo Immortals was, and how teachings from beyond heaven differed from his own.


    Dong¡ª¡ª


    A bell sound reverberated through the entire Dao Mountain, bringing quiet to the dojo, as a white light fell from the sky onto the steps in front of the palace, mighty immortal energy dispersing, forming a strong wind over every listener.


    Gu An squinted and saw a figure descending from the white light.


    The White-haired Ancestor!


    Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal!


    Within the dojo, there were only two Miao Zhen Daluo Immortals, and even if the aura of all the listeners combined, it couldn¡¯t match the White-haired Ancestor. This made most listeners sit up straight involuntarily.


    As the white light faded, the figure of the White-haired Ancestor was revealed.


    Though her entire form was surrounded by the gray aura of rules, from her silhouette, she was clearly a Female Immortal, holding a horsetail whisk in her hand, her robes wrapped tightly around her.


    ¡°This time, I will be discussing the Path of Power for you all.¡±


    The voice of the White-haired Ancestor sounded, melodious indeed, a female voice infused with immense Dao Intent, causing the Dao Rules on the Dao Mountain to pause.


    ¡°Thank you, Ancestor.¡±


    The listeners all bowed and said, and Gu An followed suit in salutation.


    The Path of Power?


    He indeed wished to see what distinctive insights this White-haired Ancestor had on the Path of Power, given that he had also mastered it and held great interest in it.


    The White-haired Ancestor sat down, and beneath her appeared a green lotus, equally unfathomable. Gu An even felt the lotus harbored power not weaker than that of the White-haired Ancestor.


    As the White-haired Ancestor began her teachings, time swiftly flowed by.


    Gu An¡¯s mind was also immersed in the listening, following the guidance of the White-haired Ancestor to comprehend the Path of Power.


    ¡­


    While the clone listened to the teachings on the Endless Dao Mountain, Gu An continued living in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Harvesting medicinal herbs had become a regular task for him, one that he wouldn¡¯t interrupt.


    The conflicts in the Human World grew more intense, with volatile rulers emerging within various sects and imperial dynasties, inciting more fierce power struggles internally, including within the Dao Court.


    When internal strife engulfed the Dao Court, unable to fully salvage the worldly chaos, disorder across the universe intensified.


    Emperor Tianhong had fully harnessed the power of the Longevity Sword, capable of contending against the Free Immortal of Daoist Zang, yet his pressure continued to grow.


    He underestimated the difficulty of the salvation task arranged by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    In attempting to align with the Dao Court, the result was that the Dao Court soon erupted into chaos. Some even coveted his physical body, attempting to possess him. After much fighting, he completely severed ties with the Dao Court, and under Zhao Rushen¡¯s scheming, became a most-wanted criminal of the Dao Court.


    He had no choice but to use Dao Treasures to seek out other Wushiji disciples still making their way in the world.


    Gu An observed all these scenes without issuing more directives.


    Until one day.


    Someone appeared in front of the mountain gate of the Qiankun Sect, wearing black clothes, a bamboo hat, and carrying a sword, appearing travel-worn.


    He looked up at the plaque above the mountain gate, revealing a cold face.


    It was Li Ya.


    A Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit jumped out of his body, landing on his shoulder. Looking at the Qiankun Sect, it sighed, ¡°Such abundant destiny, far beyond what the Supreme Sect can compare to, no wonder it¡¯s a force nurtured by the Master.¡±


    Li Ya¡¯s gaze was complicated. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.


    ¡°May I ask your origins, sir, and if you have an invitation to join the sect?¡± A Qiankun Sect disciple raised a sword scabbard, blocking Li Ya, his gaze calm as he scrutinized him.


    Li Ya took out a token from his sleeve, saying, ¡°I have the token of Elder Li Xuanyu, I am her clansman.¡±


    The Qiankun Sect disciple took the token, examined it carefully, then allowed Li Ya to enter the sect upon confirming it was genuine.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit stood on Li Ya¡¯s shoulder, jesting, ¡°Even though you¡¯re already a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, these disciples still don¡¯t take you seriously; it seems your cultivation isn¡¯t enough yet.¡±


    Li Ya snorted, ¡°Nowadays, geniuses keep emerging, what¡¯s my talent worth? Don¡¯t provoke me; I am no longer the hot-blooded Li Ya of old.¡±


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit covered its mouth and laughed, but didn¡¯t tease him further.

 Chapter 661 - 653: The Calamity Ends as the Cup Falls

    Chapter 661: Chapter 653: The Calamity Ends as the Cup Falls


    Under the blue sky, with green mountains and clear waters, birds sing and flowers blossom.


    Li Ya and Li Xuanyu sat in a small pavilion below the mountain stream, drinking tea and catching up. Listening to Li Ya recount his experiences over the years, Li Xuanyu appeared indifferent but was feeling a lot of emotions inside.


    Compared to Li Ya, she felt much luckier.


    In order to become stronger, Li Ya had to roam around and seize opportunities, engaging in Combat year after year, whereas she had no shortage of cultivation resources within the Qiankun Sect and faced no bottlenecks in practice.


    Regarding the absence of bottlenecks in her practice, she suspected that Gu An was secretly helping her.


    Before meeting Gu An, her comprehension wasn¡¯t as impressive.


    After finishing his legendary tales, Li Ya raised an eyebrow as he looked at Li Xuanyu and asked, ¡°Sister, how have you been these years?¡±


    He was unaware of the emotions in Li Xuanyu¡¯s heart. He was still very proud of his own experiences, and although he wasn¡¯t listed among the prodigies, his reputation was not low, and it was all earned through his own efforts!


    Li Xuanyu didn¡¯t conceal her experiences and began to recount how she was mainly advancing her status within the Qiankun Sect.


    In the end, Li Xuanyu sighed, ¡°Compared to you, my life is too plain.¡±


    Li Ya was initially engrossed, but the more he listened, the more he felt something was off.


    With the assistance of the sect¡¯s Great Powers, she successfully crossed the tribulation and broke through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    Under the guidance of Immortals, she achieved the Xiaoyao Immortal Realm.


    During the Celestial Tribulation when crossing the Mysterious Spiritual Immortal Realm, she almost perished, luckily aided by the Wushi Dao Treasure.


    Li Ya opened his mouth, wanting to ask, is this right?


    He knew Li Xuanyu¡¯s talent. Back on the Tai Cang Continent, he had already surpassed Li Xuanyu. After tens of thousands of years of wandering the world, encountering numerous opportunities, he had endured countless hardships just to prove himself in the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm.


    The difficulties Li Xuanyu encountered during her tribulations were the same as his, and every time he succeeded, he was badly wounded and suffered greatly.


    And Li Xuanyu?


    Even though she was his own sister, Li Ya couldn¡¯t help feeling uncomfortable.


    Junior Brother Gu, are you trying to tell me that staying by your side holds more promise?


    Li Ya felt that Gu An was deliberately nurturing Li Xuanyu. If it were just an ordinary connection, protection would already be commendable, how could Li Xuanyu have cultivated to her current Realm?


    And so quickly!


    Li Xuanyu asked, ¡°Why have you come?¡±


    Why?


    Li Ya felt inexplicably blocked in his heart.


    His relationship with Gu An was closer, so why did it now seem more distant?


    Li Ya answered, ¡°Regarding this world, I have obtained some information that I want to convey to Fu Dao Sword Venerable.¡±


    He almost couldn¡¯t help but refer to Gu An as Junior Brother Gu, but then thought that Gu An was Fu Dao Sword Venerable and was the one who altered Li Xuanyu¡¯s fate. He shouldn¡¯t be so impolite.


    Moreover, after tens of thousands of years, would Gu An still recognize him as Senior Brother?


    As his Realm grew higher, Li Ya¡¯s understanding also improved, and he became increasingly in awe of Fu Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s power.


    No matter how strong he became, he was still an ordinary person in this world. He had encountered too many existences that made him look up in awe, which is why he was often amazed by Gu An¡¯s strength.


    What kind of strength could allow Gu An to disregard the entire Celestial Spirit Great World and even confront terrifying existences from Outer Heaven?


    ¡°About the world?¡± Li Xuanyu was surprised, and was about to ask more.


    Suddenly.


    A figure appeared beside the two of them. The newcomer rolled up his sleeves and sat down directly.


    Li Xuanyu was stunned, staring blankly at Gu An.


    Li Ya was equally shocked when he saw Gu An suddenly sitting beside him.


    Gu An was dressed in white, wearing a newly crafted Immortal King Crown, exuding an ethereal aura, and with that nearly perfect face, he seemed like an Immortal Monarch descended from the heavens.


    ¡°What? Not welcoming me?¡±


    Gu An smiled, then nonchalantly poured himself some tea.


    Li Xuanyu regained her composure and said, ¡°How could we not welcome you, I just didn¡¯t expect you to come out personally¡­¡±


    Her gaze inadvertently turned to Li Ya. She had known for a long time that Gu An valued Li Ya greatly, but she didn¡¯t expect that as soon as Li Ya arrived, Gu An would personally come to meet him.


    This affection runs deep!


    Her heart was filled with confusion. Logically, when Gu An met Li Ya, he was already a transcendent Great Power, so how could spending just a few years together in the Profound Valley forge such a bond?


    Or was there a potential within Li Ya that she couldn¡¯t see through?


    Gu An drank a cup of tea and said with a chuckle, ¡°Go ahead, what is this intelligence about the world that you need to tell me?¡±


    Li Ya snapped back to reality, his expression turning serious, and said, ¡°The world is becoming increasingly chaotic. I initially thought it was just Celestial Dao Reincarnation, until I met an old Daoist. He was a servant of the Heavenly Dao and had encountered some kind of curse. Before he died, he told me that a grudge power from Outer Heaven is tainting the Human World. It will amplify the evil thoughts in living beings¡¯ hearts, and if this force isn¡¯t eradicated, chaos in the Human World will continue until the world perishes.¡±


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s expression changed after hearing this, and she instinctively looked at Gu An, wanting to know if what Li Ya said was true.


    She believed that Gu An could see through everything in the world.


    Gu An looked at Li Ya and softly laughed, ¡°You also mentioned it amplifies the evil thoughts in hearts, which suggests that there is already grudge in the hearts of all beings, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    What Li Ya said was indeed true. Those believers who spread the Heavenly Dao and Celestial Court in the Human World had been subjected to curses in succession. Clearly, that strange force dreaded the Celestial Court, but with so many Great Thousand Worlds being invaded by the strange force, could the Celestial Court be unaware?


    Gu An had already detected the source of the strange force, which came from Chaos Grudge Luo, an evil entity originating from beyond the Three Thousand Great Worlds with cultivation at the middle stage of the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal Realm.


    After deducing, Gu An realized there are many similar evil entities like Chaos Grudge Luo within Chaos, and the presence of Celestial Court Destiny at the edge of Chaos indicated that the Celestial Court had long been targeting Chaos.


    Chaos Grudge Luo invading the Three Thousand Great Worlds seems like a conspiracy from whichever angle.


    This conspiracy might originate from Profound Star Immortal Monarch. How could he be the one to stick his neck out?


    When the Celestial Spirit Great World truly reaches the brink of life and death, then he would act.


    He had saved this part of the Great Thousand World many times, but the living beings he saved would eventually head towards death, and his intervention was merely to extend the life span of All Living Beings.


    ¡°Humans have emotions and desires, so evil thoughts cannot be eradicated, but the Outer Heaven force certainly conceals a greater calamity. Perhaps this force grows stronger by absorbing the evil thoughts of All Living Beings?¡± Li Ya said, frowning.


    Gu An cast a sidelong glance at him and said irritably, ¡°It¡¯s not that exaggerated.¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had already seen through the reason Chaos Grudge Luo released the strange force. It wasn¡¯t to absorb the power of All Living Beings but rather, as its grudge power covered more, the Celestial Dao Destiny would recede. Once the Celestial Dao Destiny completely dissipated, Chaos Grudge Luo would descend.


    Before breaking through, he also thought Chaos Grudge Luo¡¯s invasion of the Great Thousand World was for feeding or strengthening. Now it seems, the invaded Great Thousand Worlds resemble a path.


    Chaos Grudge Luo might be fleeing or attempting to reach a certain place, but encountering too much Celestial Dao Destiny along the way, it could only act in this manner.


    It¡¯s like a refugee fleeing, being too hurried to care if any bugs were squashed along the way.


    Li Xuanyu chimed in, ¡°Endless are the tribulations of the world, we cannot always rely on the Sword Venerable. The lessons learned from blood will be left in history, for future generations to remember, thereby avoiding more disasters.¡±


    She was also comprehending the Path of Cause and Effect, and her greatest insight was that as long as there is Spiritual Intelligence, conflict is inevitable, and with enough conflict, disaster is bound to occur.


    She believed that one must save oneself amidst disasters rather than seek assistance from strong entities outside the rules.


    Lately, there have been undercurrents surging within the Qiankun Sect, and the atmosphere has become increasingly severe. However, the higher-ups didn¡¯t want to ask for Wushi¡¯s help, as that would appear incompetent.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Li Ya hesitated, having initially thought the matter would not be difficult for Gu An, hence why he sought Gu An out, only to be refused unexpectedly.


    Gu An gently pushed his tea cup towards Li Ya and said, ¡°Does Senior Brother Li very much want to end this chaos?¡±


    Li Ya instinctively picked up the teapot and poured tea for Gu An, then asked, ¡°What do you mean, just because I want it, it can happen?¡±


    ¡°Since you came looking for me, how could I not fulfill your wish?¡± Gu An said with great vigor.


    In front of others, he would pretend to be a sage, but in front of Li Ya, he wanted to show off a bit.


    Li Ya was greatly surprised, but recalling Li Xuanyu¡¯s words, he felt they made sense.


    Once this tribulation ends, what about the next?


    Would he have to seek out Gu An every time?


    Li Ya furrowed his brow, hesitating, ¡°Would doing this deplete your cultivation level or bring you immense trouble?¡±


    Gu An lifted his tea cup and emptied it again, then shook the cup at Li Ya and said, ¡°This catastrophe may be unstoppable for the All Living Beings under heaven, but for me, it¡¯s just like putting down this cup.¡±


    As he finished speaking, he gently placed the tea cup down.


    He looked at Li Ya and smiled, ¡°See, isn¡¯t it done?¡±


    Li Ya was stunned.


    Li Xuanyu¡¯s eyes also showed a look of confusion.


    Little did they know that the strange force enveloping the All Living Beings under heaven dissipated in that instant, ceasing to exist.

 Chapter 662 - 654: The Change of Cause and Effect

    Chapter 662: Chapter 654: The Change of Cause and Effect


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it already done?¡±


    Upon hearing Gu An¡¯s words, Li Ya was momentarily dazed.


    Such a boastful tone!


    So good at pretending!


    Li Ya secretly grumbled, then asked, ¡°When will you take action?¡±


    If peace could return to the world, that would naturally be a good thing.


    Gu An looked at Li Ya, blinked, and said, ¡°Haven¡¯t I already taken action?¡±


    Li Ya widened his eyes, and said in a deep voice, ¡°Junior Brother Gu, don¡¯t jest with me. How? Did your cup land on the table and disperse that bizarre power covering all living beings?¡±


    Gu An smiled at him, not answering.


    Li Xuanyu was the first to believe Gu An¡¯s words, her gaze at Gu An full of indescribable meaning.


    Faced with Gu An¡¯s smile, Li Ya suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.


    Could it be that Gu An was not boasting, but actually did it?


    But why did he not feel any trace of it?


    Could it be that before he came, Gu An had already resolved that strange power?


    Li Ya was filled with confusion, not knowing what to ask.


    ¡°What are your plans for the future? Do you need to enter the Dao Court?¡± Gu An asked, not continuing to discuss the strange power. He believed that after parting this time, Li Ya would investigate this matter, and then, Li Ya would be even more amazed by his strength.


    Li Ya did not question Gu An¡¯s ability to arrange for him to enter the Dao Court, but he shook his head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be restricted, otherwise I would have stayed at the Supreme Sect all along. I plan to continue traveling, as there are countless opportunities in this world that have yet to bore me.¡±


    Besides the opportunities nurtured by the Great Thousand World after its reshaping, Gu An once spread treasures from the Battle Court across the world. To this day, seventy percent of them have yet to surface, including various inheritances. Even Li Ya, as a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, and indeed a Profound Yuan Free Immortal, would encounter suitable divine skills and secret skills.


    After hearing this, Gu An did not insist. He began reminiscing about the past, causing both Li Xuanyu and Li Ya to be filled with emotion.


    One hundred and sixty thousand years ago, even if they were beaten to death, they could never have imagined achieving the accomplishments and status they enjoyed today.


    Speaking of old friends, they began to talk more to each other, with Li Xuanyu occasionally interjecting, the atmosphere was very harmonious.


    One hour later, Gu An invited Li Ya to visit the Qiankun Sect, while Li Xuanyu found an excuse to leave, not disturbing them.


    After they were alone, Li Ya no longer held back and began to talk about his troubles over the years.


    He spoke about family, love, and enemies, saying whatever came to mind.


    Even when facing his wife and children, he would never show a vulnerable side, but facing Gu An, he couldn¡¯t help but speak of these matters.


    Gu An listened attentively, occasionally teasing Li Ya, causing Li Ya¡¯s emotions to fluctuate.


    After staying at the Qiankun Sect for two days, Gu An took Li Ya to Wushi to see his dojo.


    Upon stepping into the dojo, Li Ya was awestruck by the spiritual energy present.


    Gu An accompanied Li Ya on a stroll inside the dojo, where they encountered disciples cultivating. The dojo was vast, and the disciples preferred to cultivate alone in different spots.


    Upon seeing Gu An¡¯s arrival, the disciples all paid their respects, and Gu An introduced Li Ya to them.


    The disciples had an impression of Li Ya, having heard from An Xin that Li Ya was the person Gu An cared about most.


    Li Ya could sense that each Wushiji disciple¡¯s cultivation level was not weaker than his own, and An Xin and the Blood Prison Great Saint gave him an overwhelming sense of pressure. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Li Ya wasn¡¯t discouraged, believing it only natural to train alongside Gu An.


    After staying at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless for three days, he bid farewell to Gu An.


    ¡°Would you like to stay and cultivate?¡± Gu An asked with a smile.


    Li Ya shook his head and said, ¡°I¡¯ve relied on you a lot already, to tell the truth, I still have the ambition to surpass you. Though cultivating by your side would be faster, it¡¯s impossible to surpass you, so I need to forge my own path, and my nature isn¡¯t suited to long-term seclusion.¡±


    ¡°The world is vast, and my eyes have yet to fully take it in. After I¡¯ve roamed across this world, I¡¯ll return to reminisce with you.¡±


    At this, Li Ya became high-spirited.


    Gu An greatly admired his ambition and thus did not stop him.


    ¡°Besides, I need to see if you¡¯ve truly resolved the catastrophe!¡± Li Ya stated, staring intensely at Gu An, as if challenging him.


    Gu An laughed and said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid these eyes of yours won¡¯t perceive if I¡¯ve truly resolved it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya was instantly frustrated.


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit popped out and said, pitifully, ¡°Master, I want to stay!¡±


    Li Ya immediately grabbed it, and with an awkward smile, said to Gu An, ¡°It¡¯s speaking nonsense.¡±


    The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit widened its eyes, struggling hard.


    ¡°You two do match well.¡± Gu An shook his head and laughed.


    He could hear the thoughts of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit, knowing it was reluctant to leave Li Ya, and spoke out of disapproval of Li Ya¡¯s posturing.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving now!¡±


    Li Ya left this utterance, taking the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit with him.


    Gu An stood amid the woods, watching them leave, feeling quite amused by their banter.


    The power of Divine Exotic City was inferior to Dao Treasure, even if he¡¯d given Divine Exotic City to Li Ya, he wouldn¡¯t have minded. The reason for maintaining a layer of connection was in case Li Ya suddenly left his line of sight in the future.


    An Xin appeared beside Gu An, also watching Li Ya¡¯s back. She curiously asked, ¡°Master, did Elder Li¡¯s causal change, was it your doing?¡±


    Though she couldn¡¯t clearly see all of Li Ya¡¯s fate, she could feel the changes in Li Ya¡¯s fate and causality, affecting his destiny.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s his choices that changed his causality.¡± Gu An answered calmly.


    Though the strange power had been dispelled by Gu An, Li Ya¡¯s interest in powers from Outer Heaven had been piqued, and he would focus more on everything related to Outer Heaven, thereby altering his life¡¯s path.


    With Gu An¡¯s influence existing, the future of the Reincarnation Body would become more and more illusory.


    After all, the Reincarnation Body itself is determined by the original body.


    Gu An¡¯s current strength could create different futures, even make different futures exist truly. Using modern Earth¡¯s terms, he could create parallel worlds with a single thought.


    An Xin had a thoughtful expression, believing Li Ya¡¯s change in choices was also due to this conversation with Gu An.


    Gu An turned around and returned, with An Xin closely following, starting to ask him about her cultivation doubts.


    Though the strange power had been dispersed by Gu An, the hatred among people had already formed, and the chaos in the human world would continue for a while, but compared to before, it wouldn¡¯t become more tragic.


    Meanwhile, Emperor Tianhong would earlier confront Zhao Rushen, marking the beginning of an unprecedented era of dual heroes.


    This contention would also shake the foundations of the Dao Court, bringing a new variable to the dynamics of the human world.


    ¡­


    Endless Dao Mountain.


    The White-haired Ancestor lectured for a millennium, and as the bell rang, all listeners awoke.


    ¡°I permit each of you to ask one question. Once I¡¯ve resolved everyone¡¯s doubts, this lecture will conclude. You may ask about any confusion during the lecture, or ask questions unrelated to this lecture.¡±


    The voice of the White-haired Ancestor rose, causing whispers to ripple through the dojo.


    Gu An also began to ponder what kind of question he should ask the White-haired Ancestor.

 Chapter 663 - 655: Cangtian, Infinite

    Chapter 663: Chapter 655: Cangtian, Infinite


    After the words of the White-haired Ancestor ended, he did not give the listeners much time to think and soon had the listener sitting at the front ask a question.


    This listener inquired about the confusion arising during the hearing of the Dao, the Path of Power is vast and boundless, and the Dao practice of the White-haired Ancestor is extremely profound. Even Gu An, with his achievements in Dao comprehension, benefited greatly from the listening. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing the listener¡¯s question, the White-haired Ancestor quickly dispelled doubts, answering with profound meaning, causing many listeners to fall into contemplation.


    The White-haired Ancestor continued to call on people, letting the listeners ask questions one after another.


    Gu An originally wanted to gather some information, seeing that the previous questions were all about cultivation matters, he felt he couldn¡¯t make an exception.


    However.


    After several dozen listeners, someone finally asked a question unrelated to cultivation.


    ¡°Ancestor, you are honored as the Celestial Dao Venerable of the Celestial Court, how do you view the relationship between Chaos and the Celestial Court, does the Celestial Court leave room for Chaos?¡±


    This listener¡¯s voice was female, her words sharp, her tone aggressive, more like an interrogation.


    Gu An felt that despite her cultivation level being just at the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, she dared to speak to the White-haired Ancestor in such a manner, what kind of backing did she have?


    ¡°Chaos is the place where the Great Dao is nurtured, it cannot be eradicated, the Celestial Court can only set boundaries, leaving no room for leeway.¡±


    The White-haired Ancestor responded indifferently, his tone unchanged from before, seeming not to be angered.


    This listener was surrounded by the aura of rules, Gu An was also unsure if she was satisfied with the answer.


    Questions continued, and once someone led, subsequent questions were all related to the Celestial Court.


    ¡°Besides the Celestial Dao Immortal Position assessment and participating in Celestial Army selection, is there a third way to join the Immortal Class?¡±


    ¡°If one renders great merit to the living beings of a certain world, the Celestial Court will also reward them, allowing them to join the Immortal Class, this is also the main purpose of the Heavenly Dao.¡±


    ¡°The God of Destruction destroyed the Lingjiang Great World without proclaiming the Celestial Court¡¯s decree, is there another scheme behind this?¡±


    ¡°I do not control the Celestial Gods, I cannot answer you, I also will not help you investigate this matter, if you are dissatisfied, you can petition Cangtian.¡±


    Facing the listeners¡¯ inquiries, the White-haired Ancestor¡¯s every answer came quickly.


    She did not seem to hold the posture of an Immortal God, and she also displayed considerable toughness in the face of some challenging questions.


    Through the listeners¡¯ questions, Gu An also learned about Cangtian.


    Cangtian is a kind of will manifested by the Celestial Court using the Heavenly Dao, omnipresent, if there is suffering in the Human World, one can complain to Cangtian, and it will be conveyed to the Celestial Court.


    The White-haired Ancestor used Cangtian to handle many listeners¡¯ grievances.


    Gu An also felt that Cangtian was quite far-fetched, but it related to the Celestial Dao Destiny which even a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal could not deduce.


    Throughout the listening, he had only one feeling.


    All living beings have long suffered under the Celestial Court.


    The Celestial Court¡¯s inaction and wanton actions are clearly not isolated incidents.


    Yet faced with so many complaints, the White-haired Ancestor remained indifferent, did not make any promises, but also did not get angry over the listeners¡¯ questions.


    She truly resembled the Immortal God Gu An imagined.


    Not feeling joy or sorrow over the happiness or suffering of all living beings.


    She seemed unconcerned with the suffering of all beings, her purpose here was not to do anything for the Celestial Court, she simply wished to expound on the Dao, seeking nothing in return.


    Gu An had to admit that such a mindset was the strongest, unbound by any factors.


    Of course, due to his stance, Gu An could not agree with the Celestial Court, because their inaction also posed a threat to him.


    Time quickly passed.


    Unknowingly, it was Gu An¡¯s turn to speak.


    He was already prepared, when the White-haired Ancestor¡¯s gaze fell on him, he opened his mouth and asked: ¡°I have traveled to many universes, finding those powerful ones in infinite expansion, I want to ask, is the Great Dao truly infinite, and what is our meaning as cultivators within the Great Dao?¡±


    Regarding the Celestial Court¡¯s issues, many had already asked, making him unwilling to inquire further.


    Whether the Great Dao is infinite, this is a question he pondered frequently.


    If the Great Dao is truly infinite, it would mean that time and space are also infinite, with no distinction between ancient and future, and cultivators are merely part of the Great Dao, never able to surpass it.


    If Gu An were also infinite like the Great Dao, he should not only have infinite possibilities in the future, his past should also be without end, he could not imagine having no origin to his past.


    This is like the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg.


    If Gu An is the chicken, aiming to achieve infinity like the Great Dao, wouldn¡¯t he need to create an egg for himself, which easily leads to a paradox.


    The existence of the Path of Cause and Effect proves that everything has a starting point.


    Gu An¡¯s question brought silence to the dojo, no longer were there whispers.


    The White-haired Ancestor said: ¡°As of now, the Great Dao is indeed infinite, even the Celestial Court cannot reach the source of the Great Dao, even the supreme Celestial Emperor cannot see the end of the Great Dao, it is precisely for this reason that we can continuously comprehend the Great Dao, never feeling weary or satisfied.¡±


    This answer did not fully satisfy Gu An, but at least clarified that the Celestial Court has not yet reached the point of dominating the Great Dao.


    The questions continued.


    When everyone had finished asking, several days had passed.


    When involving enlightenment issues, the White-haired Ancestor would speak more.


    After the questions ended, the White-haired Ancestor rose and left, and once she left, the dojo became lively, with some listeners immediately leaving, while others chose to stay and continue socializing.


    Hongya Zi did not leave, and pulled Gu An along to interact, which suited Gu An perfectly.


    When meeting a Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal from the Great Thousand World, Gu An feigned curiosity and asked: ¡°I heard from a fellow Daoist that Chaos Grudge Luo from Chaos is wreaking havoc in the Great Thousand World, will the Celestial Court handle this matter?¡±


    This Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal, upon hearing this, snorted: ¡°How would the Celestial Court handle it? Chaosa creatures that can survive are basically favored by the Great Powers of the Celestial Court, I have already detected the matter of Chaos Grudge Luo, affecting several dozen Great Thousand Worlds, yet there are no actions from the Celestial Court, clearly there is a calculation, we should just pretend not to see.¡±


    Another Daluo Immortal spoke: ¡°Indeed, the Three Thousand Great Worlds seem to be the Heavenly Dao¡¯s main stage, but more like the Celestial Court¡¯s breeding ground, nothing that happens within the Three Thousand Great Worlds can escape their eyes, if they don¡¯t act, it indicates it¡¯s their doing.¡±


    Others followed suit, expressing great dissatisfaction with the Celestial Court.


    Gu An greatly admired them, these people truly dared to speak, they were not afraid of this reaching the ears of the Celestial Court?


    After their conversation ended, Hongya Zi pulled Gu An to a secluded place and whispered: ¡°Are you curious as to why they dare discuss the Celestial Court so boldly?¡±


    Gu An nodded.


    ¡°Because the Endless Dao Mountain is not affected by Celestial Dao Destiny, you should be able to feel it, and the Immortal Gods who can come here aren¡¯t bound by the Celestial Court¡¯s rules, so it¡¯s no harm if they¡¯re overheard.¡± Hongya Zi explained.


    Gu An curiously asked: ¡°How does the Misty Immortal Court view the Celestial Court?¡±


    The Misty Immortal Court has produced many Immortal Gods, recognized as a subordinate sect by the Celestial Court.


    Hongya Zi sneered: ¡°How else can they see it, outwardly they still have to flatter the Celestial Court, within the Heavenly Dao, no force dares to oppose the Celestial Court, those who resist have already been obliterated, no matter how powerful, they will eventually be destroyed by heavenly might.¡±

 Chapter 664 - 656: Reincarnation of Yuan Luo

    Chapter 664: Chapter 656: Reincarnation of Yuan Luo


    Hongya Zi was clearly quite discontent with the Celestial Court. When Gu An asked, he opened up immediately and began to speak eloquently.


    It turns out that, although the Misty Immortal Court has a path for ascending to immortality, it comes at a significant cost. Every ten thousand years, it must offer a vast amount of resources to the Celestial Court and erect divine statues of the Heavenly Court Immortals in every Immortal Mansion. Those who successfully enter the Immortal Class, although they don¡¯t sever ties with the Misty Immortal Court, become arrogant and treat the others as slaves.


    Through Hongya Zi, Gu An gained more understanding of the Misty Immortal Court.


    Although the destiny of the Misty Immortal Court is not as powerful as the Celestial Court, it is still a formidable existence. Whether there is a Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm within it is hard to say at the moment. He can¡¯t fully calculate it; the inability to calculate suggests that such an existence might indeed be there.


    The fact that it can nurture an Emperor of Eternal Life is enough to prove the deep foundation of the Misty Immortal Court.


    Hongya Zi was quite impressed with Gu An, feeling as if they were old friends at first meeting. He even invited Gu An to visit the Misty Immortal Court in the future, handing him a token named the Red Domain Immortal Token.


    With this token, Gu An could enter the Misty Immortal Court and be honored as a distinguished guest.


    The Misty Immortal Court possesses numerous Immortal Domains. Hongya Zi is the Pavilion Master of the Red Domain Immortal Mansion and holds significant power within the Misty Immortal Court.


    Gu An accepted without reservation, saying he would definitely visit him.


    Afterward, the two parted ways.


    Gu An was merely a clone; he did not plan to leave Endless Dao Mountain just yet. Instead, he intended to find a suitable Dao Mountain to settle down on.


    He didn¡¯t need to return to his true self; his true self could already access his memories and even directly control him.


    At the same time.


    Far away, in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An began to ponder whether or not to visit the Misty Immortal Court to see Hongya Zi.


    Given his current cultivation level, even if he encountered trouble in the Misty Immortal Court, he could easily retreat unscathed.


    Forget it, there¡¯s no need to rush into this matter, especially since he has no pressing reason to visit the Misty Immortal Court.


    First, he should elevate his cultivation to the Perfection Realm of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal before considering it!


    Gu An closed his eyes, laying on a rock to bask in the sun, while his thoughts wandered to the omnipresent Dao Rules.


    ¡­


    Atop the magnificent Golden Furnace, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch sat cross-legged in mid-air, hands resting on his knees, silently practicing his arts.


    A golden light appeared behind him, manifesting a figure.


    It was the Celestial Calming God.


    The Celestial Calming God clasped his fists in salute and said, ¡°Immortal Monarch, Chaos Grudge Luo has become a significant force. If we don¡¯t suppress him soon, I¡¯m afraid it will cause great trouble. Under the heavens, a higher power will surely notice.¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, with his back turned, did not open his eyes as he asked, ¡°Has the power of the Chaos Grudge Luo invaded the Celestial Spirit Great World?¡±


    The Celestial Calming God frowned and said, ¡°Yes, but his power has vanished. It¡¯s unclear whether he withdrew or if a Great Power intervened.¡±


    Over the years, he had kept an eye on Chaos Grudge Luo, and was quite surprised by the anomalies in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    He hadn¡¯t consulted the Celestial Spirit God, aware of the past of the Celestial Spirit Great World, feeling that there was a Great Cause and Effect in which he dared not indulge. Now, hearing Huang Feng Immortal Monarch mention the Celestial Spirit Great World, his vigilance only heightened.


    He must absolutely avoid getting entangled with the causes and effects of the Celestial Spirit Great World. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing his words, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch opened his eyes. He gazed down at the world within the furnace, contemplating something unknown.


    For a long time.


    ¡°Begin closing the net. You¡¯re responsible for eliminating the power of Chaos Grudge Luo. I will request stronger forces of the Heavenly Dao to capture him.¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch spoke, allowing the Celestial Calming God to breathe a sigh of relief as he accepted the order and departed.


    After the Celestial Calming God¡¯s departure, the area fell silent, with Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s eyes flickering, pondering something in his heart.


    ¡­


    Time passed gently. Since the teaching session at Endless Dao Mountain ended, Gu An had not encountered any major events, and life became leisurely once more.


    The dark clouds looming over the world had dissipated, though conflicts in the Human World persisted.


    After Gu An eradicated the power of Chaos Grudge Luo, within a hundred years, the Qiankun Sect regained peace and began to send disciples out again to save the world.


    In a blink of an eye.


    Ten thousand years passed in an instant.


    At over seventeen million years old, Gu An had accumulated sixteen trillion years of life span, using eight trillion years of life span to progress from the early to the middle stage of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, excluding the depletion from the Life Span Barrier. Therefore, he planned to reach twenty trillion years of life span before attempting to break through to the later stage.


    Until he reaches the Perfection Realm of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, he has no intention of pursuing the functional threshold of one hundred trillion years of life span.


    In the spring of that year, while Gu An was in the courtyard writing with his brush, he suddenly looked up, his eyes carrying an unusual expression.


    Shen Zhen, who was playing the zither beside him, noticed his anomaly and asked, ¡°What is it? Has something happened to the Qiankun Sect?¡±


    Where Gu An was looking was precisely in the direction of the Qiankun Sect.


    ¡°Nothing much, just that a disciple with extraordinary talent is about to be born in the Qiankun Sect,¡± Gu An casually replied, then withdrew his gaze and continued writing.


    Shen Zhen became curious and probed further, ¡°How does he compare to Emperor Tianhong or Zhao Rushen?¡±


    As the millennia passed, the conflicts in the Human World had neared their end. The enmity between Emperor Tianhong and Zhao Rushen was renowned across the world, both being the strongest prodigies of different eras. Now, as they clashed like water and fire, the world was curious as to who would emerge victorious in the end.


    ¡°Perhaps even more so,¡± Gu An said, with profound implication.


    Emperor Tianhong was an Immortal God Reincarnation, while the disciple mentioned was the reincarnation of Chaos Grudge Luo.


    Chaos Grudge Luo didn¡¯t seem to have reincarnated of his own volition; it seemed he was cast into the Reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit Great World by some powerful being, conveniently ending up in the Qiankun Sect, which was certainly no coincidence.


    It appears that behind Taiyi Immortal Monarch or Profound Star Immortal Monarch, there exists an even more powerful presence keeping an eye on Gu An.


    Although separated by Celestial Dao Destiny, Gu An found it difficult to deduce; however, the other party didn¡¯t dare act rashly even when facing his pre-breakthrough self, so naturally, now that he has broken through, he would be even less panicked.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the Qiankun Sect is finally going to rise.¡± Shen Zhen commented, without giving much thought, but rather with a sense of amazement.


    The Qiankun Sect is thriving but too young compared to sects that have been around for millions, tens of millions, or even longer. In all aspects, it falls far behind.


    If it could give birth to a disciple with talent surpassing even that of Emperor Tianhong or Zhao Rushen, it might possibly close that gap.


    Having spent tens of thousands of years near the Qiankun Sect, Shen Zhen had developed feelings for it. Any Wushiji Disciple visiting the Qiankun Sect would be received as an honored guest, without any incidents of disrespect thus far. The leadership of the Qiankun Sect holds Wushi in high regard and dares not take it lightly.


    ¡°The Qiankun Sect will rise eventually, sooner or later, and they will also fall eventually.¡±


    Gu An said as he continued to write.


    He had even given up on the Supreme Sect, so he wouldn¡¯t be constantly sheltering the Qiankun Sect.


    Shen Zhen did not question Gu An¡¯s words but instead asked, ¡°If Emperor Tianhong were to return, would you really take him as a disciple?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°I do not enjoy breaking my word.¡±


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, there were no major secrets to keep. The dojo itself could be moved or rebuilt.


    That Emperor Tianhong could kneel for so many years was enough to prove his character. What if he was an Immortal God Reincarnation?


    Perhaps Gu An could learn more about the Celestial Court from Emperor Tianhong.

 Chapter 665 - 657: Unbeatable Emperor

    Chapter 665: Chapter 657: Unbeatable Emperor


    Sixteen years later, a major event occurred in the Qiankun Sect. A sixteen-year-old male disciple was unusually accepted as a disciple by the Sect Hierarch, with the intention of grooming him to be the next Sect Hierarch. This matter had the approval of the four Grand Elders, and various rumors spread within the sect and even to the entire world. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This boy¡¯s name is Yuan Luo. He didn¡¯t originally have this name, but after his first Qi Absorption Cultivation, he changed it to this name.


    During his first Qi Absorption, he successfully established his Foundation, shocking the cultivator who was instructing him, and the news quickly reached the higher-ups of the Qiankun Sect.


    Thereafter, Yuan Luo took only a year to condense a Golden Core, and at sixteen, he was already at the Nascent Soul Realm, with a cultivation speed that was astonishingly fast.


    ¡°Yi Qingshan discussed for several days and decided to nurture Yuan Luo in the same manner as training a prodigy in the Dao Court. They are determined to cultivate Yuan Luo to be comparable to Zhao Rushen or Emperor Tianhong, but in my opinion, they are relying on Wushi¡¯s protection. Without Wushi, raising disciples like this would only lead to a premature demise.¡±


    An Xin spoke while standing next to Gu An, who was fishing by the edge of a lake created by the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, which was stocked with many nimble fish for his amusement.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Whether we admit it or not, the outside world sees Wushi as the pillar of the Qiankun Sect, and indeed, we¡¯ve done many things.¡± Gu An said, staring at the lake¡¯s surface.


    As his cultivation level became higher and the years he experienced became more numerous, Gu An¡¯s mindset also transformed.


    He focused more on his own feelings.


    An Xin curiously asked, ¡°Master, what¡¯s the origin of Yuan Luo, with such incredible talent? He must be the reincarnation of a Great Power, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, in his past life he was called Chaos Grudge Luo, causing havoc across many Great Thousand Worlds. The previous calamity in the Human World was caused by his power. He was likely captured by the Immortal Gods and cast into Reincarnation, ending up in this plight.¡± Gu An didn¡¯t hide anything, briefly explaining Yuan Luo¡¯s background.


    An Xin frowned and asked, ¡°Actions of the Immortal Gods? Such a wicked entity reincarnated within the Qiankun Sect, wouldn¡¯t there be some scheme involved?¡±


    Gu An glanced at her and smiled, ¡°Indeed, there might be some hidden scheme, but such schemes have never ceased. If you can¡¯t see through them yourself, it means you¡¯re still not strong enough.¡±


    Seeing him still able to smile, An Xin knew everything was under his control. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Master, do you need me to do anything?¡±


    ¡°Let nature take its course.¡±


    Gu An didn¡¯t say much more; he believed An Xin would understand his meaning.


    After spending so many years together, the two had developed a high level of rapport, and some things didn¡¯t need to be repeatedly explained.


    An Xin no longer talked about Yuan Luo but shifted the topic to Emperor Tianhong and Zhao Rushen.


    ¡°I heard the Dao Court plans to cultivate Zhao Rushen to become a Daoist Emperor. Didn¡¯t you say a Daoist Emperor must prove themselves on the Path of the Great Dao? Could it be that Zhao Rushen is heading to the Path of the Great Dao next?¡±


    An Xin was very interested in the Daoist Emperor, and wondered whether a Daoist Emperor at the same realm could rival her Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    ¡°He is destined to go and is fated to become a Daoist Emperor,¡± Gu An replied.


    When mentioning the Daoist Emperor, he couldn¡¯t help but shift his focus to the Path of the Great Dao, observing Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan.


    Ji Xiaoyu had been fighting for many years, and with his destiny forming, he was getting closer to becoming a Daoist Emperor, while Xiao Lan had also started to embark on the Emperor Road.


    After participating in the Daoist Emperor¡¯s competition, their cultivation grew quickly, able to strengthen through battles.


    Xiao Lan had already reached the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, catching up with Tian Hao far off in the Misty Immortal Court.


    Ji Xiaoyu was even assaulting the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm and, in terms of strength, he was now stronger than Yuan Songzi.


    After years of battling side by side, Yuan Songzi had successfully persuaded Ji Xiaoyu to join the Dao Court. If she and Xiao Lan succeeded, the Dao Court would have two Daoist Emperors, giving it the confidence to stand against the Three Thousand Great Worlds outside the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Gu An could hear the voice of Yuan Songzi¡¯s mind, feeling that his mood was far more excited than it appeared on his face.


    Ji Xiaoyu was cultivating and preparing for battle, and his next opponent was an unparalleled prodigy who had achieved a thousand victories at the same realm on the Path of the Great Dao, the Unbeatable Emperor from the Primordial Emperor Domain.


    The Unbeatable Emperor ranked among the top five illustrious prodigies in the Primordial Emperor Domain, and his momentum was extremely strong.


    Gu An had already calculated the result of this battle and wasn¡¯t surprised.


    The original master of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, the Stealing Heaven Emperor, came from the Primordial Emperor Domain. This person founded the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect, even provoking the Celestial Court¡¯s pursuit, proving the terrifying extent of his Dao Practice.


    The deep foundation of the Primordial Emperor Domain was unmatched by the Great Thousand Worlds.


    ¡°Master, do you think we need to foster a Daoist Emperor in Wushi?¡± An Xin asked expectantly.


    Although Wushi wasn¡¯t a sect in the conventional sense, as the senior disciple, An Xin hoped Wushi would grow stronger.


    ¡°It depends on personal goals. I don¡¯t demand it; although a Daoist Emperor is indeed powerful, the path is very difficult.¡±


    Gu An spoke softly, with the memory of the Emperor of Eternal Life in him, he knew how arduous the path to becoming a Daoist Emperor was.


    Looking at the disciples within the dojo, to be honest, he hadn¡¯t yet seen anyone with the potential to become a Daoist Emperor, even Xiao Lan, who relied on his covert protection while outside.


    If Xiao Lan were to venture out alone, she would have died long ago.


    Moreover, he could sense that if he continued to aid Xiao Lan, she would never be able to become a Daoist Emperor, no matter how many times she won.


    The Great Dao¡¯s will on the Path of the Great Dao is unfathomable!


    After listening, An Xin fell into contemplation, vaguely understanding the implication behind Gu An¡¯s words.


    At this moment, Gu An¡¯s fishing rod moved, and he began to reel it in with effort, his arms trembling.


    Watching Gu An struggle as if he were a mortal, An Xin covered her mouth and laughed, thinking her master truly loved to act.


    ¡­


    In a bright palace, Ji Xiaoyu sat meditating in front of a blue crystal, the crystal reflecting her silhouette.


    Yuan Songzi approached, stopping in front of Ji Xiaoyu, hesitating to speak.


    With her eyes closed, Ji Xiaoyu asked, ¡°Speak your mind, Ting Master.¡±


    Yuan Songzi took a deep breath and said, ¡°Give up, your next opponent is unbeatable.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu opened her eyes, staring steadily at him.


    Yuan Songzi continued, ¡°I¡¯ve investigated. The Unbeatable Emperor not only achieved a thousand victories, but he also swept through the peers in the Primordial Emperor Domain. A Daoist Emperor once fought him at the same realm and was defeated.¡±


    To defeat a Daoist Emperor before stepping onto the Emperor Road, even if the Daoist Emperor suppressed his realm, is still unbelievable.


    The mere thought of it filled Yuan Songzi with fear. He feared Ji Xiaoyu would not believe it, so he added, ¡°On the Path of the Great Dao, everyone believes the Unbeatable Emperor is destined to become a Daoist Emperor. Your matchup, dictated by the Dao¡¯s will, is an misfortune. Avoiding the battle might mean wasted efforts, but at least you¡¯ll live.¡±


    The struggle for the Daoist Emperor is no child¡¯s play; nine out of ten losers die.


    Throughout the years, many prodigies have fallen at Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s hand.


    Unfazed, Ji Xiaoyu asked, ¡°Ting Master, have you ever considered that the path to becoming a Daoist Emperor is cruel and cannot be filled with pushovers? If I give up this time, when I next reach this point, I will face another prodigy as formidable as the Unbeatable Emperor. If I always give up, what is the point of walking the Path of the Great Dao?¡±


    ¡°To have the Dao¡¯s recognition, one must defeat the opponents selected by the Dao.¡±


    These words made Yuan Songzi frown; he felt they made sense. Perhaps he had indeed underestimated the difficulty of becoming a Daoist Emperor.


    Thinking that Xiao Lan might also face an opponent like the Unbeatable Emperor made him suddenly feel lost.


    Perhaps he had acted too hastily. Right now, the Dao Court may not be able to nurture a Daoist Emperor.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at Yuan Songzi, smiling with high spirits, and said gently, ¡°Moreover, Ting Master, how dare you assert that I will certainly lose?¡±

 Chapter 666 - 658 The Power of the Emperor Clan

    Chapter 666: Chapter 658 The Power of the Emperor Clan


    The day of the duel between Ji Xiaoyu and the Unbeatable Emperor finally arrived, with the Dao Court¡¯s members trailing Ji Xiaoyu to a meteorite.


    Gazing around, the void was dim, with countless meteorites scattered across it. Above the Dao Court¡¯s party, colorful splendor surged across the void¡¯s ceiling, illuminating it without diminishing its shadowy undertone.


    Ji Xiaoyu stepped into the void, while the others waited on the ground.


    Xiao Lan gazed at Ji Xiaoyu with concern. Having spent many years with him, Ji Xiaoyu had taken good care of her, even teaching her spells and divine skills. In her heart, Ji Xiaoyu was like a mentor. Knowing the power of the Unbeatable Emperor, how could she not worry for Ji Xiaoyu?


    The void was vast, silent, and oppressive.


    Although the Unbeatable Emperor had not yet appeared, this void was already filled with an immense sense of oppression.


    After Ji Xiaoyu distanced herself from the meteorite where the Dao Court was, she stood silently in the void, waiting.


    A long time passed.


    ¡°Ha¡ª¡±


    A shout echoed through the void, disrupting everyone¡¯s thoughts.


    Following that shout, more shouts arose, one after another, growing louder and more imposing, as if millions were roaring in unison, shaking the heavens with overwhelming oppression.


    Everyone from the Dao Court tensed, their gazes directed toward the depths of the void, where a red radiance appeared, rapidly expanding.


    Xiao Lan squinted and saw an imposing figure, akin to a war god, striding out from the vast flames within the red radiance.


    The Unbeatable Emperor!


    He wore a dark red chain armor, with a red scarf around his waist, his trousers wide, billowing in the wind. His face was handsome but indifferent, and he wore a deep red coronet on his forehead. His long black hair danced wildly, his commanding presence threatening to shake the heavens and earth.


    He treaded on the red flames, moving with the grace of a dragon and a tiger, his aura seemingly distorting the void.


    Behind him, countless figures emerged from the red flames, each with an extraordinary aura. Although they remained silent, the deafening shouts continued to echo infinitely through the void.


    The Dao Court¡¯s members looked on from afar, their faces grim, their hearts in their throats.


    ¡°Is the Primordial Emperor Domain really this formidable?¡± an Elder of the Dao Court muttered, his face full of shock.


    Yuan Songzi took a deep breath and said, ¡°This is but one Emperor Clan of the Primordial Emperor Domain. The might of the Primordial Emperor Domain is beyond our imagination. In the Great Thousand World, only a few Great Worlds can barely compare.¡±


    These words fueled further fantasies about the Primordial Emperor Domain among the crowd.


    Meanwhile,


    The Unbeatable Emperor raised his right hand, fiery flames gathering in his palm, forming a long spear, several times his own length, with a massive spearhead, as if a qilin spat out the spear blade, surrounded by a divine beast¡¯s phantom, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws.


    He looked at Ji Xiaoyu from afar and said, ¡°Are you the Reincarnation Dao Emperor? Bearing the name of reincarnation, do not disappoint me.¡±


    As his words fell, he thrust his spear toward Ji Xiaoyu.


    A fiery line suddenly shot out, seemingly splitting the entire void in two. The red flame divine beast phantom roared silently before Ji Xiaoyu, the wave of qi force blowing through her long hair, revealing her cold and perfect face.


    Ji Xiaoyu remained silent, raising her right hand as rolling gray mist emerged from her palm, transforming into dragons coiling around her.


    An exceptional showdown between Daoist Emperors was about to erupt!


    Yuan Songzi watched the Unbeatable Emperor, his eyes filled with fear.


    He could sense that the Unbeatable Emperor was still at the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, yet his aura gave Yuan Songzi, who was at the realm¡¯s perfection, a horrifying sense of impending annihilation.


    He felt that the Unbeatable Emperor could kill him with a single stroke!


    This filled him with dread for the Unbeatable Emperor and increased his concern for Ji Xiaoyu.


    ¡­


    At the Qiankun Sect¡¯s Main City, around the gigantic Battle Platform, hundreds of thousands of disciples stood on the stone steps, observing the fight on the platform.


    Gu An and his drinking buddies were also there, while An Xin was in the distance, sitting with the Qiankun Sect¡¯s upper echelons.


    An Xin maintained a poised demeanor, not looking at Gu An, but dispassionately overlooking the combat on the platform.


    Yi Qingshan put down his teacup, turned to An Xin, and asked with a smile, ¡°Senior, how is this child¡¯s talent?¡±


    Yuan Luo had just transformed into a Divinity Transformation Realm and was battling a Profound Heart Realm disciple.


    Between the Divinity Transformation Realm and the Profound Heart Realm lay the Void Crossing and Fusion realms, and the Qiankun Sect was not a mundane sect of the past. Joining without Nirvana-level Cultivation showed one was young and exceptionally talented.


    Even two great realms lower, Yuan Luo still had the upper hand.


    His talent was evident to the naked eye, even astonishing those disciples at the Immortal Realm.


    An Xin replied, ¡°Indeed impressive, able to contend with any peerless genius in the world.¡±


    Yuan Luo appeared only sixteen or seventeen, still youthful, yet with one palm, he severely injured his opponent, rendering them unable to fight.


    Floating in the air, he looked up to the pavilion where the upper echelons were and loudly declared, ¡°I want to challenge a higher realm!¡±


    His words caused an uproar among the crowd.


    The observing disciples had not expected Yuan Luo to continue challenging, increasing their anticipation of him.


    Grand Elder Lin Chuan signaled with his hand, and a Mahayana Realm disciple stepped onto the platform with a sword.


    Yuan Luo bowed to the opponent, then initiated the attack first.


    ¡°This kid is so formidable; no wonder the higher-ups are promoting him so much,¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    remarked one of Gu An¡¯s friends, prompting discussions among the other friends.


    Gu An was not surprised by Yuan Luo¡¯s performance.


    This child¡¯s mana was bound by his realm, yet his qi-blood force was overly vigorous. Though appearing at the Divinity Transformation Realm, he in fact rivaled Nirvana.


    While watching the spectacle, Gu An was also focused on Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s duel on the Path of the Great Dao.


    Ji Xiaoyu was not a match for the Unbeatable Emperor; despite giving it her all, she was unable to defeat him yet managed to wound him, surprising the Unbeatable Emperor and the Great Powers of the Primordial Emperor Domain.


    Gu An would not assist Ji Xiaoyu to defeat the Unbeatable Emperor, as it held no significance. His goal was to ensure Ji Xiaoyu survived.


    In the final clash of divine skills, Ji Xiaoyu was defeated, her body obliterated, leaving only her soul, barely alive.


    At this point, the destiny she accumulated on the Path of the Great Dao flowed entirely to the Unbeatable Emperor.


    ¡°You are stronger than my previous opponents, and your understanding of the Path of Reincarnation is quite impressive. I think I won¡¯t forget you for a long time in the future.¡±


    The voice of the Unbeatable Emperor resonated through the void, still fierce in aura, with the wounds on his cheeks making him even more imposing.


    Holding his long spear, he approached Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s soul. All around, the void was filled with smoke and clouds, remnants of shattered meteorites.


    Seeing the Unbeatable Emperor about to annihilate her completely, Yuan Songzi hurriedly flew in front of Ji Xiaoyu, urgently saying, ¡°You¡¯ve already won, so why push it to the extreme? Please grant her a chance to live!¡±


    The Unbeatable Emperor slightly lifted his chin, looking down at Yuan Songzi with contempt, saying, ¡°Since when did worms dare to obstruct a Daoist Emperor?¡±


    In the distance, the Great Powers of the Primordial Emperor Domain stepped forward, their boundless might suffocating Yuan Songzi.

 Chapter 667 - 659: A Palm Transcending the Great Dao

    Chapter 667: Chapter 659: A Palm Transcending the Great Dao


    The words of the Unbeatable Emperor were like a series of thunderclaps, echoing endlessly, causing the cultivators of the Dao Court to change their expressions drastically.


    Although they feared the Unbeatable Emperor, hearing his words still made them feel a great sense of humiliation, for Yuan Songzi was the Master of the Dao Court.


    Xiao Lan gritted her teeth, wanting to rush over and fight alongside Yuan Songzi, but was stopped by a female elder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act impulsively, don¡¯t burden the Ting Master!¡±


    The female elder said in a deep voice, her gaze towards Yuan Songzi revealing her uncontrollable unease.


    Yuan Songzi was insulted by the Unbeatable Emperor but didn¡¯t get angry. Following the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s words, he said, ¡°Since you consider us insects, why go to the trouble of stomping on insects?¡±


    Not to mention the imperial clan behind, even if all of them attacked together, they would still not be a match for the Unbeatable Emperor alone.


    On this Path of the Great Dao, a prodigy not only needs personal strength but also a sufficiently strong force to support them.


    The beautiful dream that Yuan Songzi had was completely shattered at this moment.


    Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan lacked the talent, and the Dao Court didn¡¯t have the foundation to escort a Daoist Emperor.


    Even if humiliated, he had to protect Ji Xiaoyu as much as possible because he knew very well that if they did nothing, they would also be doomed.


    The Dao Intent of the great powers of the imperial clan had already sealed this void, leaving them with no escape.


    The Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s lips curled into a contemptuous smile as he said, ¡°I am fulfilling her, losing on the Emperor Road, damaging the Dao Heart, and leading a life of nothing but defeat¡ªwhat meaning does it have?¡±


    His footsteps did not pause, and with each step, the killing intent grew stronger.


    When his words fell, the pressure brought onto Yuan Songzi reached its peak, making him unable to speak, only able to look at him in terror.


    ¡°Spare them, I am willing to die.¡±


    Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s voice came from behind Yuan Songzi, calm, without a trace of anger or fear.


    The Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s smile became wild, and he raised the spear in his hand, pointing its tip at Yuan Songzi, yet his gaze fixed on Ji Xiaoyu. He sneered disdainfully, ¡°It¡¯s over. You¡¯re all doomed. Setting foot on the Emperor Road, you should have been mentally prepared. If not, then learn the lesson of arrogance!¡±


    His right hand suddenly loosened.


    Boom¡ª


    The long spear in his hand burst forth with a terrifying momentum, as if carrying a storm, unstoppably killing towards Yuan Songzi.


    Everything happened too fast!


    Even though both parties were of the same realm, Yuan Songzi had no time to react, only able to widen his eyes.


    When the spear stopped in front of him, his whole body froze, feeling as if even his Divine Soul was fixed in place, unable to move.


    He hadn¡¯t experienced such despair in a long time. Faced with the Divine Spear, he truly felt he was going to die, and there was no hope for reincarnation.


    His mind blank, he instinctively looked at the Unbeatable Emperor, discovering that he frowned.


    The cultivators of the Dao Court were extremely tense, seeing Yuan Songzi not dead, hope ignited in their hearts, thinking that the Unbeatable Emperor temporarily changed his mind.


    Everyone¡¯s gaze was fixed on the Unbeatable Emperor.


    The Unbeatable Emperor frowned deeply, glancing in another direction. He yelled in a deep voice, ¡°What master from where is interfering with me?¡±


    A master?


    The Dao Court¡¯s side was all bewildered, realizing the Unbeatable Emperor was not sparing them out of mercy but that there was other assistance.


    Compared to the extremely arrogant Unbeatable Emperor, they preferred the unknown helper. The cultivators of the Dao Court were all excited, trying hard to restrain their emotions, not daring to breathe even a single breath.


    Xiao Lan also felt surprised, her heart filled with curiosity. Who would rescue them at this moment?


    ¡°Let people off when you can; besides, you have no enmity.¡±


    A hoarse voice echoed through the void, causing displeasure to flash in the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s eyes.


    When Ji Xiaoyu heard this voice, her eyes dimmed.


    Although he had changed his voice, she immediately knew who the owner of the voice was.


    She didn¡¯t want that person to see her so embarrassed.


    The Unbeatable Emperor did not respond, but the great powers of the imperial clan could not remain silent.


    ¡°Does Fellow Daoist want to challenge the imperial clan?¡±


    ¡°If Fellow Daoist is this girl¡¯s support, why not appear earlier? Her destiny should not be like this. If passing by, why entangle in this karma?¡±


    ¡°If wanting to save them, state your relationship, don¡¯t hide in the dark.¡±


    ¡°With such cultivation, do you not know the rules of the Emperor Road?¡±


    The dignified voices rose one after another, all very assertive, seemingly not taking the one who intervened seriously.


    Far off in the Qiankun Sect, Gu An sighed.


    How many years has it been?


    It¡¯s rare to encounter someone so stubborn!


    Gu An, through deduction, knew the reason they wanted to eradicate was to prevent the secrets of the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s Divine Skills from being exposed, leaving no threat for the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s future.


    The reason was sufficient, but having intervened, would he still fight to the death for this reason?


    Ultimately, it¡¯s still too arrogant.


    Gu An could see at a glance the source of this imperial clan; the strongest was no more than a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, and that was an ancient monster hidden for unknown billions of years.


    Having thought that, Gu An¡¯s gaze turned cold.


    Just then, a strand of someone¡¯s hair drifted in front of him. He raised his hand and waved, destroying the hair.


    The surrounding observing disciples were too excited, all discussing Yuan Luo¡¯s performance, and even his drinking and meat friends on his left and right didn¡¯t notice his actions.


    However, Gu An¡¯s wave was not casual.


    The Mana of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal passed through the Celestial Spirit Great World in an incredible manner, entered the Path of the Great Dao, then crossed layers of Cosmic Planes, arriving at the void where Ji Xiaoyu, Xiao Lan, and the others were.


    The questions from the imperial clan had not yet fallen, and the Unbeatable Emperor was still staring intensely at Ji Xiaoyu. The Dao Court¡¯s side was nervously waiting, with Yuan Songzi unable to recover from the earlier shocking experience.


    Suddenly!


    The entire void became bright, darkness was banished, and everyone instinctively looked in one direction, only to see deep within the void, it was as bright as daylight, with an incomparably majestic golden giant hand coming at them.


    Facing this golden giant hand, any existence appeared insignificant.


    The Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s face changed drastically; he was horrified to find himself unable to move.


    Not only him, but the other great powers of the imperial clan were the same, all seemingly petrified, dumbly watching the golden giant hand approach. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s pupils widened, while Yuan Songzi and the cultivators of the Dao Court were left open-mouthed.


    They couldn¡¯t move either, only able to see the golden giant hand getting closer and closer.


    As the hand neared, the outline of the golden giant hand could not fit into their vision.


    In front of such a giant hand, they only felt shock, their emotions indescribable.


    Under their gaze, the golden giant hand seemed to replace the void, lightly waving towards them.


    The wind from its palm blew, turning the great powers of the imperial clan directly into ashes, even the Unbeatable Emperor gradually perished, his expression before death one of disbelief, seemingly not expecting such an end for himself.


    After waving the hand to annihilate the imperial clan, the golden giant hand became illusory, and the strong light it emitted gradually weakened.


    Yet the entire void remained in silence!


    All the cultivators of the Dao Court still held expressions of astonishment.

 Chapter 668 - 660: A Life Span of Ten Trillion Years!

    Chapter 668: Chapter 660: A Life Span of Ten Trillion Years!


    As the Emperor Clan and the Unbeatable Emperor vanished into ash, the golden giant hand dissipated, the void gradually returning to dimness, while the people of the Dao Court remained in silence, unable to awaken from their shock.


    The pure-hearted Xiao Lan was the first to break the silence. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What realm was the senior who acted just now? The legendary Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal?¡±


    The cultivators of the Dao Court awoke one after another, starting to bow in all directions, expressing gratitude to the person who intervened.


    Yuan Songzi also came to his senses, loudly exclaimed: ¡°I am Yuan Songzi from the Dao Court of the Celestial Spirit Great World, grateful for the senior¡¯s assistance. I wonder what can we do for the senior?¡±


    There is no such thing as a favor for no reason. Yuan Songzi reflected on his connections, unable to think of such a powerful entity, he could only ponder what the other party might want them to do.


    However, no one answered him.


    Ji Xiaoyu remained silent, sat down cross-legged on the spot, and began restoring her body.


    Meanwhile,


    In the Qiankun Sect, Gu An was occupied by a series of prompts in his vision.


    To deal with the Emperor Clan, he used his own mana, not relying on avatars, thus he could seize life force, especially since the Emperor Clan lacked Celestial Court destiny.


    [Successfully captured 20,239,008,276 years of life from Emperor Changyuan (Early Stage of Innate Golden Immortal Realm)]


    [Successfully captured 809,244,623 years of life from Gu Dong (Late Stage of Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm)]


    [Successfully captured 209,872,307,762 years of life from Emperor Hantian (Middle Stage of Hengtian Golden Immortal Realm)]


    [Successfully captured 70,982,763 years of life from Qin Li (Perfect Innate Golden Immortal Realm)]


    [Successfully captured 249,827,206,383 years of life from Zhi Zun (Middle Stage of Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm)]


    ¡­


    Looking at his skyrocketing lifespan, Gu An felt agitated. No wonder those with Reincarnation bodies couldn¡¯t resist the temptation of seizing life force. He now felt an impulse to go on a killing spree, but he knew he mustn¡¯t do that.


    Excessive slaughter and rapidly growing stronger would attract powerful entities far beyond his cultivation level to intervene.


    This time, attacking the Emperor Clan was justified and wouldn¡¯t attract attention from beings surpassing Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal.


    The life spans of these powerful figures within the Emperor Clan varied. The strongest Taiqing Golden Immortal provided him with a lifespan not much higher than the Hengtian Golden Immortal, yet overall, it still yielded him substantial gains.


    The Emperor Clan only had one Taiqing Golden Immortal protecting the Unbeatable Emperor; most others were Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortals and Innate Golden Immortals, a total of several hundred.


    [Your lifespan has surpassed ten trillion years for the first time, starting a random lifespan function upgrade]


    [Your Life Expectancy Prediction function has been upgraded]


    [Life Expectancy Prediction upgrade successful]


    [Life Expectancy Prediction: Automatically detects causality. When a living being bears hostility toward your true self or clones, a prompt will appear. It automatically deduces causality. If someone¡¯s causality conflicts with yours, a prompt will appear. Using this prompt does not consume lifespan, but conducting a lifespan detection on the opponent does.]


    Witnessing the prompts before him, Gu An¡¯s eyes changed.


    Unlike the previous Life Expectancy Prediction, this time the function covers his clones and can deduce causality.


    Deducing causality is quite domineering, implying potential enemies could be deduced?


    This function has both pros and cons. The advantage is identifying more enemies; the downside is the pressure of knowing enemies in advance, while the enemies remain oblivious and carefree.


    Of course, the most important thing is that his lifespan has broken through ten trillion years!


    He can proceed to a breakthrough!


    Gu An¡¯s mood became joyful. Once all the lifespan prompts ceased, he brought up the attribute panel for viewing.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 172,971/14,073,593,224,087]


    [Physique: Primordial Dao Creation Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Middle Stage of Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    It¡¯s no wonder the Emperor Clan!


    Gu An acknowledged the Emperor Clan behind the Unbeatable Emperor as indeed powerful.


    [Tianqian Emperor will form a causal hatred with you, destined to become your enemy. Would you like to perform a Life Span Detection on them?] S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Ancestor Chuzi will form a causal hatred with you, destined to become your enemy. Would you like to perform a Life Span Detection on them?]


    [Hanlong will form a causal hatred with you, destined to become your enemy. Would you like to perform a Life Span Detection on them?]


    Another series of prompts emerged wildly, causing Gu An¡¯s eyelids to twitch.


    Indeed!


    The new Life Expectancy Prediction is a double-edged sword.


    With so many potential enemies, if he checked each one, could his fourteen trillion years of lifespan endure?


    Gu An chose one by one for lifespan detection. Upon selecting a name, the lifespan years to be consumed would display, then he would confirm.


    He had no intention of consuming lifespan, but from the lifespan consumption prompts, he could gauge the strength of the enemies.


    The Emperor Clan¡¯s greatest support was one major realm lower than him, so it wasn¡¯t worth using Life Span Detection on them.


    Even so, this function could still reveal the Emperor Clan¡¯s foundation to him.


    For a period following this, lifespan prompts repeatedly appeared. When Yuan Luo defeated the Mahayana Realm disciple to the cheering of the audience, the prompts before him continued.


    The connections behind the Unbeatable Emperor were truly astonishing.


    Gu An was secretly alarmed.


    Qiankun Sect¡¯s Sect Hierarch Yi Qingshan began to praise Yuan Luo, then spoke of the sect¡¯s millennial grand plan ahead, stirring the disciples¡¯ emotions.


    After the gathering, Gu An politely declined invitations from companions for food and drink and left alone.


    On the other side,


    Ji Xiaoyu had restored her body, though her aura was weak and her cultivation level somewhat diminished.


    The cultivators of the Dao Court surrounded her, their faces full of concern.


    Xiao Lan couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Senior, how do you feel? How can we assist?¡±


    The pale-faced Ji Xiaoyu opened her eyes and said, ¡°I am unscathed, but my path to the Daoist Emperor has been completely severed. Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s Divine Skills are indeed tyrannical. It will take me many years to completely dispel the power of his Divine Skills.¡±


    Everyone felt their hearts sink, unable to accept it.


    They had traversed the path of the Great Dao together for so many years, albeit thinking about the possibility of Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s defeat, seeing her fall in such a manner filled them with a sense of helplessness.


    The Emperor Road is indeed not something they can contend for.


    Yuan Songzi took a deep breath and said, ¡°Return to the Dao Court to recuperate.¡±


    He looked at Xiao Lan and said, ¡°You have seen it too, the contention of the Emperor Road is fraught with peril. Before you are defeated, why not stop for now?¡±


    Xiao Lan nodded lightly at his words.


    She too realized the vast gap between herself and Emperor Road geniuses and felt a bit worried for her Brother Gu after being away from the Celestial Spirit Great World for so many years.


    An Elder couldn¡¯t help but sigh and said, ¡°I wonder what kind of deity that senior was, to directly annihilate the Emperor Clan to save us. The path of the Great Dao is indeed one mountain higher than the other, heavens beyond heavens.¡±


    Recalling the fierce battle earlier, they still felt a chilling thrill and an inexplicable excitement.


    ¡°In my opinion, the Emperor Clan brought it upon themselves, being overly arrogant. That senior perhaps didn¡¯t intend to destroy the Emperor Clan, but these fellows gave no leeway and were too arrogant.¡± A Dao Court genius couldn¡¯t help but say, filled with admiration and fervor.


    The golden giant hand will be the goal of his life pursuit from now on!


    Even if he cannot reach that realm in this life, he will cultivate in that direction!

 Chapter 669 - 661: Perfection Realm, The Feelings of the Celestial Spirit God

    Chapter 669: Chapter 661: Perfection Realm, The Feelings of the Celestial Spirit God


    After lamenting for a while, Yuan Songzi led everyone back to the Celestial Spirit Great World. The journey ahead was long, and they dared not let down their guard.


    Soon, everyone fell into silence, each with their own thoughts.


    The image of that golden giant hand lingered in their minds, unable to dissipate, even Xiao Lan was reminiscing.


    This kind of power was too incredible.


    She must tell Brother Gu about it when she returns!


    Thinking of this, Xiao Lan¡¯s mind was filled with the sound and appearance of Gu An, eager to return home.


    On the other side.


    Gu An left the Qiankun Sect and went to an unoccupied mountain forest. At this moment, prompts kept appearing before his eyes.


    The number had already exceeded a million.


    Gu An suspected that it wasn¡¯t just the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s karmic enemies, but possibly other types of karma as well.


    He patiently waited.


    Once all prompts were gone, he would find a place to break through all at once, reaching the Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm.


    During the waiting process, he was also deducing.


    He could confirm that the lifespan predictive ability was stronger than his, but how much stronger was yet to be determined.


    Many names in the prompts were temporarily untraceable because there was no direct causality. How many people with the same name and surname existed!


    Even with lifespan prediction, Gu An did not intend to eliminate his enemies in advance because karma could change. Just because someone was destined to be an enemy didn¡¯t mean he should start a killing spree.


    The new lifespan prediction served more as a warning.


    The more enemies there were, the more cautious he had to be.


    The higher the realm, the easier it was to lose oneself in one¡¯s own power, believing one could do anything.


    Although Gu An was wary of many beings, he did not feel that his current life was suffocating. On the contrary, he felt happy with his life.


    He preferred playing in the Human World within his own small domain to fighting.


    After waiting for an hour, no more prompts appeared, leaving Gu An feeling helpless.


    His karmic enemies numbered in the tens of millions, which was absurd.


    However, judging by the lifespan consumption, not many posed a threat to him.


    Gu An immediately performed the Life Span Breakthrough.


    Even though he could go to the Endless Dao Mountain, he feared leaving traces and being discovered by unknown entities, so he cautiously used the Life Span Breakthrough.


    After all, a round trip only cost twenty billion years of lifespan, which was a drizzle for him now.


    Safety was most important!


    Out of nine prompts, Gu An chose to go to the Hongmeng Great World for his breakthrough, and his figure disappeared into the forest.


    As time passed, the sun gradually set.


    Night fell.


    The forest was still, echoing with the croaking of frogs.


    Gu An¡¯s figure reappeared.


    He was now Perfect in the Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm, having consumed a total of forty trillion years of lifespan for this breakthrough.


    Thanks to the Emperor Clan, even with such a loss of lifespan, Gu An still had a hundred trillion left.


    Next, he could begin to endure for a trillion lifetimes!


    Gu An did not intend to return to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless but rather to take a journey through the Human World.


    Having achieved a breakthrough with difficulty, he naturally had to indulge!


    With the dim night, the forest was silent, the moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, elongating Gu An¡¯s shadow.


    He walked while contemplating.


    Above the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, what realm was there?


    ¡­


    After the Dao Court and various major sects suppressed the internal turmoil, the dawn of peace in the world appeared.


    A thousand years later, the Human World returned to peace.


    The Emperor Tianhong, renowned and praised by the world, came to the vicinity of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    In the forest where he had once knelt for tens of thousands of years, he gazed at the unchanging environment with a look of reflection on his face.


    After fighting in the mortal world for so many years and returning now, he finally understood what the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable meant. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had gained immense fame, and even though he had left the Dao Court, many major sects sought to recruit him. He could easily enjoy all the pleasures of the Human World, and before returning, he did struggle with it.


    But more than temporary pleasure, he wanted to pursue the Great Dao.


    He stood in front of the stream, waiting, looking back on the events of these years and those occasional fragments of memory.


    After waiting for an hour, An Xin¡¯s figure appeared on the opposite bank, startling the Emperor Tianhong, who quickly saluted her.


    An Xin, with a cold expression, said, ¡°Come with me. From now on, you are a Wushiji Disciple, and I am your senior sister.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister!¡±


    The Emperor Tianhong responded, feeling excited.


    After so many years, he had finally become a disciple of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable!


    An Xin turned and left, with the Emperor Tianhong hurriedly following.


    Along the way, An Xin began to introduce the situation within the Beginningless. She explained which disciples were there and what rules to pay attention to, and Emperor Tianhong listened attentively, not daring to neglect.


    When they stepped into the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Emperor Tianhong clearly felt the nature¡¯s spiritual energy was suddenly different, even though the surroundings hadn¡¯t changed much.


    It was only when he emerged from the forest that he saw an incredibly beautiful mountain forest, a rare sight in the world. Every mountain was planted with various Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grass, creating a mesmerizing and beautiful spectacle that no painting could capture.


    An Xin ambled along the mountain path, without flying, compelling Emperor Tianhong to follow her pace.


    ¡°Senior Sister, is the teacher in the dojo?¡± Emperor Tianhong cautiously asked.


    An Xin, without looking back, said, ¡°He¡¯s not here, but at the latest, you¡¯ll meet him the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Is there something urgent? Will I delay him?¡± Emperor Tianhong asked nervously.


    Such a Great Power as the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable must be occupied with unimaginable important matters.


    In Outer Heaven debating the Dao with Great Powers?


    Or exploring the void of the Great Dao?


    ¡°He has no urgent matters, just playing in the Human World. Perhaps in past years, you encountered him, but he transformed into an unremarkable mortal, and you didn¡¯t recognize him.¡±


    An Xin¡¯s answer surprised Emperor Tianhong greatly, raising concerns in his heart.


    He had to recall if he had done anything wrong in front of others.


    While Emperor Tianhong reflected on himself, Gu An wasn¡¯t wandering in the Human World. He was drinking with the Celestial Spirit God at the World Gate.


    The two sat at a small table, with spiritual wine and some human-world dishes placed on it.


    The Celestial Spirit God had long given up mortal desires, but since Gu An invited him, he graciously accepted.


    After drinking a bowl of wine, the Celestial Spirit God took the initiative to say, ¡°Tian Hao should have taken root in the Misty Immortal Court by now. I can sense his cultivation level rising rapidly lately.¡±


    Gu An smiled, ¡°He indeed is doing quite well.¡±


    After reaching the Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm, Gu An could precisely calculate the karma of the Misty Immortal Court. The court¡¯s destiny couldn¡¯t obstruct his gaze. He could see everything within and knew Tian Hao had gained the recognition of an Immortal Mansion, fully integrating into the Misty Immortal Court.


    The Celestial Spirit God nodded and then asked, ¡°How do you intend to deal with the Taiyi Immortal Monarch and the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong? Immortal Gods can¡¯t be completely eradicated. One day, they will return to the Celestial Court or be discovered missing by it.¡±


    Gu An took the wooden token from his waist and placed it on the small table, jokingly saying, ¡°After wearing it for so many years, I¡¯m really not used to it. As for the Taiyi Immortal Monarch, let him continue to sink in the suffering of Reincarnation. I will indeed spare them before the Celestial Court discovers them, but until then, I¡¯ll make them suffer a little.¡±


    Even though it wasn¡¯t the first time Jin Dong¡¯s Seventy-Two Immortals had been turned into wooden plaques, the Celestial Spirit God still felt amazed.


    Immortal Gods were so fragile in Gu An¡¯s hands.


    Even having pledged allegiance to Gu An, he still didn¡¯t know Gu An¡¯s cultivation level.


    ¡°The Human World has already seen other Immortal Gods and Chaos Evil Demons appearing. If this goes on, it will certainly lead to catastrophe. As a Celestial God, how do you think I should get through this calamity?¡± Gu An asked the Celestial Spirit God.


    Perhaps it was an illusion, but although Gu An sought advice, the Celestial Spirit God felt he wasn¡¯t that fearful of the Celestial Court.

 Chapter 670 - 662: The Difference Between Immortal Gods

    Chapter 670: Chapter 662: The Difference Between Immortal Gods


    The Celestial Spirit God contemplated for a long time before saying, ¡°There are only two paths. One, you accumulate merit, benefit all living beings, touch the heavens, thus attracting the attention of the Celestial Court, and be rewarded with a place in the Immortal Class. Two, you abandon this Great Thousand World. Though the Celestial Court is strong, the Great Dao is vast. Ultimately, there are places beyond the Celestial Court¡¯s reach. On the Celestial Court¡¯s bounty list, there are many powerful beings who have yet to be brought to justice.¡±


    His answer left Gu An somewhat dissatisfied.


    In short, isn¡¯t this just a choice between submission and escape?


    The Celestial Spirit God seemed to sense Gu An¡¯s displeasure and continued, ¡°Some of the Celestial Court¡¯s actions do indeed overlook all living beings, but the Celestial Court is not evil. In fact, the Three Thousand Great Worlds still exist, and Immortal Gods rarely present themselves. This alone suffices to prove the severity of the Celestial Rules. Within any force in the world, there is good and bad, and there is no absolutely fair rule or order.¡±


    ¡°The internal struggles within the Celestial Court are also significant, and the Celestial Emperor, who stands lofty, has been in seclusion for years, rarely emerging into the world. Over the endless years, countless purges have occurred in the Celestial Court. But no matter how the changes unfold, Immortal Gods will ultimately be ensnared by their interests. When longevity is no longer a luxury, besides power, all that remains for them is status.¡±


    ¡°Actually joining the Celestial Court is not as unbearable as you imagine, nor will you lose so-called freedom. As long as you fulfill your duties, Immortal Gods can have plenty of personal time.¡±


    Though he pledged allegiance to Gu An, it was an act of desperation, in his heart he wished for Gu An to join the Celestial Court.


    With Gu An¡¯s abilities, rising to a Celestial Dao Immortal Position higher than that of an Immortal Monarch in the future would be no difficult task.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°I do not reject the Celestial Court. I am just cautious about the unknown. After all, even you are unsure where exactly the Celestial Court is, or how deep its waters run.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God couldn¡¯t help but sigh upon hearing this.


    In the Celestial Spirit Great World, he was a high and mighty Celestial God, yet he had never even been to the Celestial Court and was part of its lower echelons, an unnoticed existence.


    Even if he violated the Celestial Rules or neglected his duties, the Celestial Court wouldn¡¯t deal with him in a short time, because the Celestial Court simply didn¡¯t care about him.


    With this in mind, the Celestial Spirit God also felt frustrated.


    He thought he took the wrong path back then. If he hadn¡¯t been obsessed with that Immortal Palace treasure, how would he have ended up in such a situation?


    Gu An asked with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s said your talent is outstanding even among Celestial Gods. Don¡¯t you have any plans? Do you want to remain a Celestial God forever?¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God shook his head and said, ¡°Those who become Celestial Gods are all of extraordinary talent. Even if I give my best in cultivation, ascending would still require an exceedingly long time.¡±


    ¡°I have a junior who is currently participating in the selection for Celestial Gods, cultivating in a Celestial Army. The Celestial God is called Celestial Calming God. Do you know him?¡± Gu An thought of Zhang Buku and thus asked.


    The Celestial Spirit God nodded and said, ¡°I know him. He counts as my senior. He serves the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, and among Celestial Gods, he holds a relatively high position. The lowest in rank are Celestial Gods like us guarding a Great Thousand World, whereas Celestial Calming God isn¡¯t confined to one place. He is akin to a God of Destruction, and his range of activity covers the Three Thousand Great Worlds.¡±


    Mentioning Celestial Calming God, the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s tone carried envy.


    Gu An gained a clearer understanding of Celestial Gods.


    Even among Immortal Gods of the same rank, the extent of power varies.


    The Celestial Spirit God opened up, starting to recount his experiences serving the Celestial Court. Memories related to the Celestial Court couldn¡¯t be confiscated, so Gu An was also curious about his past.


    The universe was silent, distant stars dotting the sky. Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God, drinking before the World Gate, seemed unaffected by time as bowl followed bowl, perhaps a metaphor for the passage of time and the changes in the world.


    ¡­


    In times of peace, time passes more swiftly.


    In the blink of an eye, another ten thousand years have passed.


    The members of Dao Court who had ventured onto the Path of the Great Dao finally returned, causing a commotion in the entire sect.


    Xiao Lan and Yuan Songzi stood on high clouds, looking at the vast sea of people below, smiles on their faces.


    They finally returned!


    Returning from the Path of the Great Dao was an equally long journey, with endless hardships, and only at this moment could their tense minds relax.


    Seeing that Dao Court remained prosperous, the Great Cultivators of the Dao Court were full of relief in their eyes.


    ¡°Ting Master, Elders, I¡¯m leaving first. My Brother Gu is still waiting for me!¡±


    Xiao Lan said this and then turned to leave, disappearing into the ends of the heavens and earth in the blink of an eye.


    Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s expression became unnatural upon hearing her words, but she said nothing.


    A Female Elder shook her head and laughed, ¡°This girl is still as infatuated with her lover as ever. Even after traveling the Path of the Great Dao and broadening her horizons, she remains true to her original heart.¡±


    The other elders also revealed kind smiles. They all doted on Xiao Lan, feeling she was like a child who never outgrew.


    Yuan Songzi¡¯s gaze landed on a figure below, who stood out with overwhelming aura, attracting attention even while amidst the crowd.


    Zhao Rushen!


    ¡°To have grown to such an extent, it seems a lot has happened over these years.¡± Yuan Songzi mused.


    Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s failure on the Emperor Road, and Xiao Lan¡¯s pause, made him realize that the Daoist Emperor was still far from Dao Court.


    Looking again at Zhao Rushen, he felt this person wasn¡¯t so remarkable, at least far inferior to the Unbeatable Emperor.


    Where exactly could the seed of a Daoist Emperor be found?


    Yuan Songzi¡¯s thoughts drifted, his heart feeling a bit melancholy.


    Meanwhile.


    Gu An had already returned to Xiao Lan¡¯s Grotto Heaven to wait, noticing Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s expression. He pondered how to help her.


    Failing on the Emperor Road, her cultivation level regressed, and her Dao Heart was damaged. It was his first time hearing Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s heart sound so lonely.


    He could feel Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s pride, and precisely because of it, he felt this matter was difficult to handle.


    If only he could like creating a Dao Treasure, carve a path of destiny no less than that of a Daoist Emperor.


    With this thought, Gu An¡¯s eyes lit up.


    This direction seems promising!


    Since he has ample time and doesn¡¯t need to engage in daily arduous cultivation, he might as well study different paths of destiny.


    Gu An began to contemplate in this direction.


    He first needed to understand the essence of a Daoist Emperor.


    Not long after, Xiao Lan¡¯s presence burst into the Grotto Heaven, she appeared out of nowhere before Gu An and hugged him tightly.


    ¡°Wonderful, Brother Gu, you¡¯re still here!¡±


    Xiao Lan held onto Gu An tightly, speaking with delight. She was so overjoyed she even shed tears.


    Don¡¯t be fooled by her carefree demeanor usually; in reality, she always worried in her heart. She was away for too long and was truly afraid of changes occurring in Dao Court or Gu An reaching his twilight years. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What are you saying? My talent may not be as great as yours, but I¡¯m also diligently cultivating. I¡¯m not that easy to die.¡±


    Gu An humphed, gently patting her back, feeling a little touched himself.


    In retrospect, he had countless separations with his junior sister throughout this life. He could foresee the future, but his junior sister could not. Worrying for the future was normal.


    It seems showing off some of his own strength appropriately, revealing a bit of the iceberg to leave her in awe, is necessary!

 Chapter 671 - 663: Blaze a New Trail

    Chapter 671: Chapter 663: Blaze a New Trail


    After a long separation, their reunion was fiery with passion. Gu An and Xiao Lan entwined for half a month before they finally parted.


    Xiao Lan continued her cultivation, while Gu An switched avatars. His true self went to various places to harvest matured medicinal herbs.


    After he was done, he returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Walking along the mountain path, Gu An began contemplating the matter of creating a path.


    To create a path similar to that of a Daoist Emperor!


    A Daoist Emperor is an existence aided by Great Dao Destiny. In the same realm, a Daoist Emperor¡¯s power of the Great Dao is stronger, and they can also command the Great Dao of the present environment to fight on their behalf. This gives Daoist Emperors the ability to fight beyond their realm, making them invincible within the same realm.


    There are three thousand Great Daos. Different Daos can cultivate different Daoist Emperors. On the Path of the Great Dao, cultivators competing for the destiny of a Daoist Emperor can devour the Great Dao Destiny of their competitors, thus enhancing their own destiny, and transform the destiny of different Daos into their own without changing the essence of their own Dao. This suggests that there may be some rules judging the Daoist Emperors.


    If a Daoist Emperor relies on the power of the Dao, wouldn¡¯t allowing others to rely on their own power be considered a way out?


    As this thought emerged, countless ideas burst forth in Gu An¡¯s mind.


    He suddenly thought that the Celestial Court could also be such an existence.


    The Heavenly Court Immortals leverage Celestial Dao Destiny, fundamentally similar to Daoist Emperors, albeit the Immortal Gods are stronger.


    Could it be that the so-called Celestial Dao was also created by an extremely powerful existence?


    Gu An¡¯s imagination ran wild, and he decided to test such an approach.


    To transform his own power into a cultivation system for Ji Xiaoyu to use.


    Providing such a method is not difficult and can be transmitted through the Path of Cause and Effect.


    But mere borrowing pales in comparison to the Daoist Emperors and the Heavenly Court Immortals.


    Upon acquiring Great Dao Destiny, a Daoist Emperor¡¯s cultivation speed increases, and the Heavenly Court Immortals can rely on Celestial Dao Destiny to attain immortality.


    Gu An felt that to successfully create this, it would take a very long time.


    He did not feel discouraged by this; instead, he was full of anticipation.


    Things that can be achieved easily are not worth expecting.


    A long time passed.


    Gu An returned to his courtyard, and besides Shen Zhen, An Xin and Emperor Tianhong were also present. The two were discussing something, and upon seeing Gu An, they immediately saluted.


    ¡°Master, Yuan Luo offended Zhao Rushen at the Dao Court¡¯s Genius Conference. Yi Qingshan fears for his premature death and wishes to send him to Wushi for tempering. What do you think?¡± An Xin was the first to speak.


    Gu An shook his head and said, ¡°The Beginningless is not a place for fostering layabouts, and that disciple named Yuan Luo does not wish to train here.¡±


    Upon hearing that Yi Qingshan wanted to send him to the Beginningless, Yuan Luo not only resisted but also flew into a rage. In his view, the sect felt he would be killed by Zhao Rushen, which humiliated him, and he vowed to annihilate Zhao Rushen.


    The enmity between Yuan Luo and Zhao Rushen was not complex. At the Genius Conference, Yuan Luo shone brilliantly, and Zhao Rushen tried to recruit him, but his words implied threats, which displeased Yuan Luo. The two clashed, and with his fiery temper, he even took the initiative to strike Zhao Rushen.


    One must know that Zhao Rushen is currently a chief disciple of the Dao Court, and barring accidents, he will become the next master of the Dao Court. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even though the Dao Court said nothing, offending the chief disciple of the Dao Court put tremendous pressure on the Qiankun Sect.


    Upon hearing Gu An¡¯s words, An Xin did not say much more. She vanished on the spot to negotiate with the Qiankun Sect.


    ¡°Master, I accompanied Senior Sister to the Qiankun Sect yesterday and met that genius named Yuan Luo. I feel he¡­¡± Emperor Tianhong hesitated to continue.


    Gu An walked to the Artifact Refining Cauldron, observing the Dao Treasure inside, and casually asked, ¡°He¡¯s the reincarnation of a Chaos Evil Demon, right?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°You know?¡±


    The things Gu An said to Shen Zhen and An Xin were not spread to other disciples, so the true identity of Yuan Luo had not been revealed. Even though he had joined the Daoist Field of the Beginningless for thousands of years, Emperor Tianhong still did not know that Gu An was aware of this matter.


    ¡°After all, even you, as a Heavenly Court Immortal, have been reincarnated. One more Chaos Evil Demon isn¡¯t surprising,¡± Gu An said with a gentle laugh.


    Emperor Tianhong fell silent.


    He gradually awakened part of his past life¡¯s memories, knowing that he had an illustrious background in his previous life. He had confessed this to Gu An, who fortunately didn¡¯t mind.


    Emperor Tianhong is the reincarnation of a Heavenly Court Star Monarch, whose cultivation level should have been in the Taiqing Golden Immortal Realm in his previous life.


    ¡°Although I don¡¯t understand why this world always attracts so many Outer Heaven existences, as your master, I do not wish to partake in the karma. If one day you wish to return, your master will not stop you.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s words deeply moved Emperor Tianhong, and he quickly said, ¡°I won¡¯t go back!¡±


    ¡°Silly disciple, once you fully awaken your past life¡¯s memories, you¡¯ll know you¡¯ll definitely go back.¡±


    Gu An laughed, knowing well that Emperor Tianhong would not betray his information to the Heavenly Court. Among the Wushiji disciples, even An Xin, no one truly knew how powerful he was, which divine skills he commanded, or even which Great Daos he cultivated.


    If Emperor Tianhong could become a channel for him to express goodwill towards the Heavenly Court, that would be a welcome outcome.


    He bore no grudge against the Celestial Court, nor did he wish to create one. The conflicts with the Immortal Gods were out of necessity.


    Emperor Tianhong remained silent. Listening to his master¡¯s words, he realized he truly could not rashly make promises.


    ¡°By the way, Tianhong, do you want to become a Daoist Emperor?¡± Gu An suddenly asked.


    Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianhong quickly said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I just want to cultivate with Master!¡±


    He hailed from the Dao Court, naturally knowing about the Daoist Emperor. Coupled with some memory fragments, he knew Daoist Emperors to be very powerful, but he preferred to cultivate alongside Gu An.


    Intuition told him that Gu An was his greatest opportunity!


    Gu An turned to look at him and asked with a smile, ¡°If I open up a path similar to that of a Daoist Emperor, would you be willing to step into it?¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s eyes widened with excitement, ¡°Of course, I would! If you pave such a path, Master, I am willing to be the trailblazer!¡±


    Shen Zhen, standing to the side, added, ¡°If you¡¯re truly going to open up a new path of cultivation, then I also want to join.¡±


    She had faith not in the Immortal Gods nor the Great Dao, but in Gu An.


    Gu An shook his head slightly and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a concept. Whether it will succeed is still uncertain.¡±


    Despite his words, both Emperor Tianhong and Shen Zhen were already beginning to dream.


    ¡­


    In a quiet palace, Ji Xiaoyu sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, cultivating. However, her brows were tightly furrowed, as if she was enduring pain.


    Suddenly.


    She opened her eyes wide and spat out a blood arrow. Her face turned pale, and her entire aura collapsed.


    Despair filled her eyes. Her cultivation level was dropping again!


    If this continued, she might fall back to the Daoist Collection Freedom Immortal Realm, or even drop to the Mortal Realm.


    She couldn¡¯t tell if it was backlash from the Emperor Road or if the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s divine skills were still tormenting her.


    ¡°What kind of divine skill is this, that even the slightest leak of breath can make me lose? Is it possible he wants to conceal this divine skill by eradicating everything?¡±


    Ji Xiaoyu fell into contemplation, recalling the divine skills used by the Unbeatable Emperor, which sent shivers down her spine. It was an aura of utmost evil.


    At this moment, a terrifying pressure enveloped the palace, causing her expression to change dramatically.


    She looked up to see a cloud of dreadful black gas appearing on the dim ceiling, within which a pair of terrifying eyes opened. The eyes were purple, resembling a pair of snake eyes, staring down at her.

 Chapter 672 - 664: The Strongest Power

    Chapter 672: Chapter 664: The Strongest Power


    These eyes¡­


    Ji Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine, and she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°You didn¡¯t die?¡±


    Back then, it was with these eyes that the Unbeatable Emperor defeated her. As soon as these eyes opened, she was drawn into a strange Illusion Realm.


    In the Illusion Realm, she was besieged by multiple versions of herself until she was defeated. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even now, she could not comprehend it when she recalled the incident.


    What kind of Divine Skill was that, making her turn against herself? The battle within the Illusion Realm didn¡¯t feel like a hallucination, because afterwards, the injuries she sustained there manifested in reality.


    These mysterious eyes didn¡¯t answer Ji Xiaoyu, only stared coldly at her.


    Ji Xiaoyu sensed something was wrong, her expression changed drastically. She instinctively tried to get up, but an unbelievably terrifying force suppressed her, preventing her from rising.


    The other party was probing her karma!


    No!


    He wasn¡¯t the Unbeatable Emperor!


    Ji Xiaoyu could feel that the oppressive force was much stronger than that of the Unbeatable Emperor. It was an unimaginable power, even Gu An did not bring such a terrifying sense of pressure.


    Could he be the entity behind the Unbeatable Emperor?


    Investigating the cause of the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s death?


    Ji Xiaoyu instinctively thought of Gu An, but in an instant, she focused her attention back on the figure before her.


    Were these eyes a bloodline heritage?


    She had heard from Yuan Songzi that the Emperor Clan, behind the Unbeatable Emperor, dared to take the title of Emperor because they had nurtured many Daoist Emperors. Cultivating so many Great Dao Emperors was beyond the reach of a mere Daoist Technique legacy; the bloodline talent of the Emperor Clan must be extraordinary.


    Just then.


    The eyes closed, but Ji Xiaoyu did not relax, as the suppressive force was still there.


    A silhouette emerged from the black mist at the zenith, an elderly man in black robes, his white hair tied beneath a crown, exuding an extraordinary aura, with a coldness between his brows that sent chills down one¡¯s spine.


    His purple eyes seemed able to penetrate the soul, causing Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s heart to tremble.


    Ji Xiaoyu saw a shadow of the Unbeatable Emperor in him.


    This person clearly had some connection to the Unbeatable Emperor.


    The old man in black descended from the sky, landing in front of Ji Xiaoyu. He raised his right hand towards Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s forehead.


    Faced with such a dire situation, Ji Xiaoyu felt despair in her heart but showed no fear, instead staring straight at the old man in black.


    Clap!


    A hand suddenly pressed on the old man¡¯s shoulder, the sound not loud, yet at this moment, it reverberated throughout the hall.


    The purple eyes of the old man in black widened suddenly, and Ji Xiaoyu saw the newcomer behind him, which made her expression complicated.


    Suddenly!


    The old man¡¯s soul flew out of his body, turning to face the figure behind his flesh, his eyes wide open, emitting a terrifying aura.


    However, nothing happened!


    The old man couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°How is this possible? Who exactly are you?¡±


    His Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was actually suppressed by the other party, unable to unleash its Divine Skill power. It was the first time he encountered such a situation, even encountering an existence with a higher Cultivation Level, his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye could cause trouble.


    Gu An slightly lifted his head, looking at the old man¡¯s soul, his expression indifferent. His right hand squeezed, forcibly pulling the old man¡¯s soul back into his body. Immediately, the old man¡¯s flesh rapidly shrunk, finally disappearing into his palm.


    Gu An¡¯s right hand tightened, then tucked it into his arms, as if he were holding a small trinket.


    This scene left Ji Xiaoyu momentarily dazed.


    With the disappearance of the old man, the pressure suppressing her also vanished, but she remained sitting on the cushion.


    The hall plunged into silence once more.


    Gu An looked at Ji Xiaoyu, suddenly at a loss for words, as the two stared at each other.


    Ji Xiaoyu regained her composure and asked, ¡°Did you anticipate his arrival long ago, or did you notice him the moment he arrived?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°Both. I keep an eye on you when I have nothing else to do.¡±


    These words caused a subtle change in Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s gaze.


    Does he care about me?


    Thinking this, Ji Xiaoyu felt a little elated inside, though she did not show it on her face.


    Gu An could hear her inner thoughts, which boosted his confidence. He smiled and said, ¡°Miss Third, do you have any grievances against me? Not visiting for years and going off on the Path of the Great Dao. If you came to me, I could surely grant you power stronger than a Daoist Emperor.¡±


    He still preferred to call Ji Xiaoyu ¡°Miss Third,¡± as it reminded him of the past.


    ¡°I can¡¯t bear such a title, and I¡¯m no longer associated with the Ji Family,¡± Ji Xiaoyu replied, pondering how to deal with Gu An.


    She knew Gu An¡¯s words might be true, but she still didn¡¯t want to rely on him.


    Gu An sighed inwardly, she¡¯s indeed proud.


    With a wave of his right hand, a Dao Treasure flew to Ji Xiaoyu and Gu An said, ¡°This is a Dao Treasure I crafted, called the Reincarnation Endless Map. It contains the Path of Reincarnation, capable of eliminating the residual power left by the Unbeatable Emperor.¡±


    With that, he disappeared into thin air.


    Ji Xiaoyu looked at the Reincarnation Endless Map hovering in front of her. The map unfolded, filled with strokes and ink, resembling gloomy clouds, with nothing else visible.


    She raised her hand to catch the Reincarnation Endless Map, then let out a slight sigh.


    ¡°He left so quickly; I wanted to ask him about the Unbeatable Emperor¡¯s Divine Skill just now¡­¡±


    Ji Xiaoyu whispered with a sigh, her gaze landing on the Reincarnation Endless Map, her expression turning complex.


    Why hadn¡¯t she felt his dominance before?


    Forcing himself to help her like this.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless. He left quickly because he knew Ji Xiaoyu would inquire about the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    The eyes of the Unbeatable Emperor and the old man in black were indeed the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye!


    Gu An was curious about this. The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was not tolerated by the Celestial Court, yet the Emperor Clan dared to cultivate it?


    No wonder they faced extermination. If the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye were to spread, they¡¯d face even more dire consequences.


    Gu An sat inside his chamber, lifting his right hand where the old man in black, now the size of a grain of rice, stood in his palm.


    At this moment, the old man still retained consciousness. Looking up at the gigantic Gu An, his eyes were filled with horror and despair.


    He roughly guessed what Gu An intended to do but was powerless to resist, unable even to self-destruct.


    ¡°Why is this happening? Why does my Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye fear him so?¡±


    The old man¡¯s mind collapsed with these thoughts, not just because he was facing death, but also because the failure of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye shattered his belief.


    Previously, he believed the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye to be the ultimate power!


    This was the source of his confidence to come!


    It took him millennia, avoiding the Celestial God, to infiltrate the Celestial Spirit Great World, only to be captured immediately upon arrival, a conclusion he had never envisioned.


    Gu An looked down at the old man, his eyes transforming as he unleashed the Calamity Absolute Eye, brutally searching through the old man¡¯s memories.


    In an instant, the old man¡¯s consciousness broke down, his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye losing its luster.

 Chapter 673 - 665: Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor

    Chapter 673: Chapter 665: Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor


    This black-robed elder is the greatest supporter behind the Unbeatable Emperor, known as the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor. The title of Unbeatable Emperor is given to each generation¡¯s emperor successor in the Undefeated Emperor Clan, which has seen many generations of Unbeatable Emperors.


    To obtain the title Unbeatable Emperor among one¡¯s peers is almost to secure the path of the Daoist Emperor, and the reason lies in the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. Acquiring the title allows one to inherit the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye from the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor.


    Even the Undefeated Emperor Clan is unaware of the existence of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. The clan members only know that the Unbeatable Emperor wields a taboo power that cannot be exposed, and they will protect this secret even at the cost of their lives.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye of the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor bears no greater karmic ties; he only witnessed the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect and the Stealing Heaven Emperor being suppressed by the Celestial Court, which made him wary of exposing the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    However, the power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye is too formidable for him to relinquish. Over the years, in moments of despair, he mastered the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, thereby creating the renowned Undefeated Emperor Clan in the Primordial Emperor Domain.


    Now, with the cultivation level of the Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, his cultivation reaches the heavens and the earth, remaining hidden behind the scenes while observing the rise and fall of the human world with a smile.


    If the Unbeatable Emperor and the other elite members of the clan had not been annihilated, he would not have acted.


    Upon realizing that the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor had no entanglement with the Celestial Court and even feared it, Gu An suddenly changed his mind.


    Of course, the main reason was that the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor only had a lifespan of several trillion years left, and killing him would seize several billion years of life.


    But for the current Gu An, life of several billion years was not that important; perhaps the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor could create even greater benefits for him.


    Gu An threw the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor into his Dao Fruit Universe.


    All Daluo Immortals can develop a universe within the depths of their souls. Some Daluo Immortals focus on developing the power of the universe. Previously, Gu An tried to plant and harvest medicinal herbs in his Dao Fruit Universe but didn¡¯t gain life from it, so he had no interest in developing the Dao Fruit Universe.


    For him, the Dao Fruit Universe was more like a divine skill, used to seal enemies and store treasures.


    The Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor opened his eyes and instinctively looked around, finding himself in a dark universe.


    Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and quickly turned his head, only to freeze, his eyes widening with disbelief.


    A pair of golden-red eyes stared at him in the darkness, and in front of these eyes, the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor felt an urge to submit.


    ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡±


    The Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor asked, his voice quivering. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He could feel his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye shivering in fear, an emotion he had never experienced before, intensifying his dread of the mysterious eyes ahead.


    ¡°Regarding the death of your descendants, you should already know the cause and effect. Do you have any grievances?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice sounded, cold in tone.


    Even though the Undefeated Emperor Clan had its reasons, ultimately they refused to relent. Gu An did not directly destroy them; he advised first, and when they refused to heed, they had to face demise.


    The Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor took a deep breath and said, ¡°The strong vanquish the weak; what grievances could there be? I came because I did not recognize your strength surpassed mine.¡±


    ¡°Before I die, I still wish to ask clearly, who exactly are you? Are these eyes of yours the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye?¡±


    Since the fall of the Stealing Heaven Emperor, he had never seen another pair of Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eyes, leading to many speculations about Gu An¡¯s identity.


    He even suspected Gu An might be the Stealing Heaven Emperor!


    ¡°You guessed wrong; I have no connection with the Stealing Heaven Emperor. Indeed, my eyes are the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. You should be able to sense that, even as both possessors of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, the difference between us is significant, unrelated to cultivation level.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice resonated, rendering the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor silent, filled with a strong sense of defeat.


    ¡°Do you hate the Celestial Court?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s inquiry awakened distant memories for the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor.


    His Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye suddenly appeared, and he gritted his teeth, saying, ¡°Yes, at this point, I have nothing to hide. The Celestial Gods of the Celestial Court killed my wife and children. This vendetta, I will never forget for eternity!¡±


    The Unbeatable Emperor was generations apart from him; he held little affection for him, more of a familial duty to continue the lineage.


    But his wife and children were different. Even after such a long time, he could hardly suppress his hatred when he thought of them.


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye of the Stealing Heaven Emperor instigated fear in the Celestial Court, and when the Celestial Gods descended, unable to capture the Stealing Heaven Emperor, the victorious Stealing Heaven Emperor, filled with fighting spirit, even led the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect to actively confront the Celestial Court, invoking the might of the court for suppression.


    In that battle, the Primordial Emperor Domain was affected, leading to the tragic deaths of countless innocent beings, including the wife and children of the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor.


    His hatred stemmed from the fact that his wife and children were not casualties of battle but were sacrificed entirely by a wounded Celestial God who needed Qi-Blood from his entire city, while he happened to be outside the city and escaped, witnessing his wife and children¡¯s souls consumed by the Celestial God.


    During Gu An¡¯s Soul Search, he couldn¡¯t clearly see the Heavenly Court¡¯s Immortal Gods, but he could perceive the situation at the time, albeit the Immortal Gods appeared vague.


    Now the Celestial Court¡¯s Immortal Gods were always plotting against him. Even when the Celestial Spirit God suggested the strategy to ascend to immortality through meritorious deeds, he continued to guard against the Celestial Court.


    The Undefeated Emperor Clan was a power that could be drawn in.


    His Absolute Void Eye had absolute suppression over the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, so he did not fear betrayal from the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor.


    ¡°Swear your allegiance to me, and this causality shall be settled. Both of us being wielders of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, we belong to the same camp; at least we will not be accepted by the Celestial Court, only suppressed by it.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice sounded, and the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor wasn¡¯t surprised. When he saw the eyes of the other, he knew the person was not a Celestial God of the Celestial Court.


    If he refused, he wouldn¡¯t just die; the entire Emperor Clan might face annihilation too.


    He had worked hard for many years and didn¡¯t want his efforts to go to waste now.


    In his eyes, the Undefeated Emperor Clan was merely his weapon, his weapon for revenge against the Celestial Court. However, the weapon wasn¡¯t strong enough yet; he needed to bide his time.


    Gu An, aware of his hatred and plans for the Emperor Clan, sought to subjugate him.


    ¡°I can make your Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye stronger.¡±


    Upon hearing Gu An¡¯s words, the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor¡¯s pupils shrank, and he immediately knelt, solemnly saying, ¡°Greetings, my lord!¡±


    ¡­


    Subduing the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor was merely a side chapter. After assigning him some tasks, Gu An let him go, continuing his peaceful life.


    Since the return of Yuan Songzi, Zhao Rushen began contemplating reaching the level of Daoist Emperor.


    This plan had long circulated within the Dao Court, and in past years, Zhao Rushen was unable to defeat Emperor Tianhong. He felt that only becoming a Daoist Emperor could fully surpass Emperor Tianhong.


    However, Yuan Songzi did not agree to take him on the Path of the Great Dao, making Zhao Rushen quite dissatisfied.


    Yuan Songzi¡¯s assertion that he wasn¡¯t ready felt humiliating to him. Why could a mundane woman like Xiao Lan go, but he couldn¡¯t?


    Occasionally, when Gu An went to accompany Xiao Lan, he noticed Zhao Rushen¡¯s maneuvers, as this fellow was secretly enlisting the upper echelons of the Dao Court, with a mind even inclined toward rebellion.


    To this, Gu An had no intention of intervening, as long as it didn¡¯t affect Xiao Lan.


    Time flowed rapidly under this backdrop, far faster than before, as the Era of the Primordial Era also approached its end.

 Chapter 674 - 666: Changes of the World

    Chapter 674: Chapter 666: Changes of the World


    Two hundred thousand years after the reshaping of Heaven and Earth, figures of both humans and demons have spread across the Celestial Spirit Great World, and the Celestial Dao Destiny that shrouds the Great World has also begun to change.


    Those great powers who comprehend the rules of Heaven and Earth can all sense that the fate of the world is about to enter a completely new phase.


    Time flies.


    It has been a hundred thousand years since Gu An subjugated the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor.


    A hundred thousand years are enough to change the world, but only those great powers who remain in deep seclusion have not been affected.


    Now, the human world has a new landscape, with an Imperial Dynasty named Taiqian rising. Supported by many super sects from the human world, within a hundred thousand years, Taiqian has aggressively expanded, and although it has not yet completely unified the world, its momentum has shown everyone the aura of a World Ruler.


    The relationship between Taiqian and the Dao Court is somewhat tense. Their grievances are many, and it is difficult to discern who is right or wrong.


    In early summer of this year, Gu An wandered with Emperor Tianhong within the Qiankun Sect, watching the recent internal competition. After the Combat ended, they went to an inn to drink wine.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 283,979/18,947,893,809,561]


    [Physique: Primordial Dao Creation Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    Without much fighting and killing, the increase in life span isn¡¯t very fast, but fortunately, it¡¯s steady. Gu An is quite satisfied with this pace of increase.


    For the next million years, there will be no catastrophe in the Celestial Spirit Great World, so his days will be very peaceful.


    He has achieved the cultivation level of the Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm, and he can now consider factors beyond the cosmos in his future predictions. His foresight includes the influence of the Three Thousand Great Worlds on the Celestial Spirit Great World, a prediction ability far surpassing before.


    However, there are still unknown causes and effects he cannot factor in.


    Tian Hao has already left the Celestial Spirit Great World, and it is challenging for larger causes and effects to descend upon the Celestial Spirit Great World again. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While pouring wine for Gu An, Emperor Tianhong curiously asked, ¡°Master, recently a lot of mysterious talents have appeared in the Qiankun Sect. Might this be your handiwork?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°Yi Qingshan constantly begged me, so I had no choice but to recommend a batch of talents.¡±


    This batch of talents is not simple; they are from the Undefeated Emperor Clan and would be considered top-tier talents even in the Primordial Emperor Domain. Coming to the Celestial Spirit Great World, none are inferior to Zhao Rushen.


    Gu An first arranged for the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor to deploy twenty people. These twenty have already established a foothold in the Qiankun Sect. They are very happy to have come to the Celestial Spirit Great World, for within the clan, they amounted to nothing, but here, they finally experienced the treatment of peerless talents.


    The most important thing is that it¡¯s the arrangement of the ancestor. Being able to serve the ancestor, they feel proud.


    Under the admonishment of the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor, these talents behaved very well, causing no trouble and actively making contributions to the Qiankun Sect.


    ¡°Does Wushi have other disciples?¡± Emperor Tianhong inquired further. The twenty talents from the Unbeaten Emperor Ancestor made a great impression during the Qiankun Sect¡¯s competition. He felt their talent was not inferior to his own, which surprised him greatly.


    Gu An shook his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a bit of cause and effect with me.¡±


    Seeing that Gu An didn¡¯t want to elaborate, Emperor Tianhong stopped probing and shifted the topic to the millennium Combat within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Every millennium, one-on-one sparring occurs within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    In the last bout, Emperor Tianhong faced the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    He unexpectedly lost to the Blood Prison Great Saint!


    This frustrated him greatly. He had thought himself to be the second disciple of Wushi, yet he was unable to defeat that seeming frivolous Ox Demon.


    However, considering the Blood Prison Great Saint was his master¡¯s only steed, he felt a sense of relief.


    Now he just wanted to know what divine skills the Blood Prison Great Saint was cultivating that were so domineering.


    Gu An answered, ¡°Extreme Dao Combat Technique, it¡¯s a Daoist technique I created during my reincarnation. It¡¯s a technique distinct from divine skills, very difficult to cultivate, and even he has only barely entered the Dao.¡±


    The Extreme Dao Combat Technique is a Daoist technique created by the Extreme, and among all the disciples, only the battle spirit of the Blood Prison Great Saint is qualified to cultivate the Extreme Dao Combat Technique.


    Hearing this, Emperor Tianhong mused deeply.


    He found that his master had many inheritances, and each disciple cultivated different paths, with no repetition, so he dared not ask his master to teach him the Extreme Dao Combat Technique.


    He believed the Daoist technique passed to him by his master was not weak, only he had yet to reach the grand achievement to unleash its true power.


    ¡°After this internal competition ends, do me a favor by going down the mountain to Taiqian, find someone and teach him the Method of Cultivating Immortality, and give him a new name, Taiyi.¡± Gu An looked at the street outside the window and said softly.


    As he spoke, he handed Emperor Tianhong a Jade Pendant, which would guide Emperor Tianhong to find that person.


    Emperor Tianhong took the Jade Pendant and asked, ¡°To what extent should I teach him, and do I need to bring him back?¡±


    Gu An replied, ¡°It¡¯s up to you, at least ensure he has the power to defend himself. There¡¯s no need to bring him back, nor should you take him as a disciple or reveal the name of Wushi.¡±


    This instruction made Emperor Tianhong even more interested in that person.


    The internal competition of the Qiankun Sect will last several months, as the sect¡¯s establishment is vast, with many talented disciples participating. The final thirty winners will go to the Dao Court together to compete in the Magic Battle Conference, which symbolizes the highest talent in the world.


    The millennial Heavenly Pride Magic Battle Conference is regarded as the most premier event between Heaven and Earth, and the rivalry of talents will bring unimaginable benefits to the sects backing them. It is truly a case of one person achieving Dao, elevating everything related to them.


    After the Qiankun Sect¡¯s competition ended, Emperor Tianhong set off.


    Gu An, however, went to the Hidden Spirit Palace under the sea.


    Chen Chuan¡¯s parents, Xu Ling and Chen Luo, had long departed, and they joined Chen Chuan to develop the Sword Sect together. Without further curses, Gu An naturally paid less attention to them.


    Even though Chen Chuan was Xiaochuan¡¯s reincarnation, Gu An had already given enough care to his parents, with no need to keep watching all the time.


    The Hidden Spirit Palace was desolate, with arrays of Medicine Gardens planted in front of the palace. The distribution was simple, and the colors pieced together gave off a bizarre sense of beauty.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp opened its eyes and saw Gu An harvesting Medicinal Herbs. It immediately stood up.


    Now it had the cultivation of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma; its temperament had become more mature than before, yet in its simple white robe with long hair reaching the ground, it still exuded a feminine grace.


    Although it still had the appearance of a feminine grace outwardly, it already understood the difference between genders. After cultivating in the Hidden Spirit Palace for more than two hundred thousand years, it also harbored greater ambitions in its heart.


    ¡°Master, when will you let me adopt a few disciples to relieve my boredom?¡±


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp came beside Gu An, asking cautiously.


    Since Chen Luo and his spouse left, it felt lonely, often having no one to talk to.


    Gu An ignored its sigh, knowing well what it was thinking, and said, ¡°Once you reach the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, I will permit you to travel for a thousand years to personally select and bring back nine disciples.¡±


    Zi Zai Immortal?


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp¡¯s expression changed slightly, indicating it might take another million years?


    But thinking about its grand ambitions, it felt that even achieving the cultivation of the Freedom Realm was far from enough, and being able to cultivate nine disciples in the Zi Zai Immortal Realm would greatly aid its future vast undertaking.


    ¡°Thank you, Master!¡±


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp immediately bowed, thanking Gu An.

 Chapter 675 - 667: Taiwei Divine Court

    Chapter 675: Chapter 667: Taiwei Divine Court


    Gu An did not look at the Deep Sea Dragon Carp; he continued to pick the medicinal herbs.


    His heart was filled with emotion.


    As the disciples¡¯ time in cultivation grows longer, their hearts too begin to nurture ambitions.


    This is quite normal, for cultivation is indeed pursued with some goal.


    Gu An would not restrain the disciples for a lifetime.


    With his promise to the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, the fate of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp changed. Long in the future, he would unify the ocean demon clans of the Celestial Spirit Great World, even transform into a dragon, establish the Dragon Palace, and would engage in an epoch-changing battle with the Immortal Cultivation Realm on the continent.


    Seeing scenes of the future, Gu An did not think it was a bad thing.


    Such conflicts are the choice of heaven and earth; without the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, someone else would do it. He could not claim that all wars are absolutely evil.


    It is worth mentioning that when that great calamity comes, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp will also face a Wushiji Disciple, only that the two sides do not know each other.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp did not know that Gu An was peering into his future, and he meticulously followed Gu An, narrating his recent cultivation confusions, which Gu An addressed one by one.


    His upbringing of the Deep Sea Dragon Carp was not inferior to that of the Wushiji Disciple, after all, the Deep Sea Dragon Carp had been independently managing the Medicine Garden of the Hidden Spirit Palace with great merit.


    The Deep Sea Dragon Carp was in the realm of the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, while the disciples within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless had the lowest cultivation level also being in the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma Realm, among them An Xin and the Blood Prison Great Saint had already crossed into the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, reaching the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm.


    Although their strength could not yet be considered great, Gu An was still satisfied with their growth speed.


    After all, not everyone could be as favored as him. Even the most exceptional talent requires a long time to accumulate cultivation.


    ¡­


    Under the magnificent blue sky, the mountains stretched continuously, with celestial giant trees rooted, towering over the surrounding majestic mountains, and there was more than one such tree. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beneath a giant tree, thousands of cultivators gathered together, and even with so many people together, the diameter of the occupied area was still far less than the width of the main trunk of the giant tree.


    Once the Holy Heaven Reincarnation and the former Lord of the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven and Earth Holy Court, Zhu Xi, she stood among the crowd, listening to the person speaking at the front.


    ¡°The Divine Court is domineering, controlling the life and death of all living beings under heaven, and the cycle of reincarnation is at their command. The land upon which all beings dwell is divided by them. Those expelled by the Divine Court must leave the Taiwei Great World, but outside the Taiwei Great World lies a dark forbidden zone, with countless evil demons and ghosts lurking, waiting to swallow living spirits. We, imprisoned here, have nothing to await but exile¡­¡±


    Zhu Xi, wearing a blue and white form-fitting robe, with her hair tied casually, exuded a demeanor of a chivalrous lady from the martial world.


    Listening to the speech, her thoughts drifted away, a wry smile appearing on her face.


    She was originally venturing in another Great World. Having awakened her origin divine soul, she was already a Profound Yuan Free Immortal, having re-established her own sect. Due to sectarian struggles, she was jointly targeted by the local major sects. In the midst of chaotic fighting, she deployed a secret technique, shattered the void, and escaped into the chaotic stream of the Great Dao.


    Upon awakening again, she found herself in the Taiwei Great World. Just as she was about to acquaint herself with the new world, a group of cultivators descended from the sky, declaring her an outsider adventurer who must be detained, and thus she ended up here.


    This Little World is the detention ground of the Divine Court, housing countless living beings, even those far exceeding her cultivation, and quite a few at that.


    She wandered this place aimlessly until someone recruited her, inquiring if she wished to escape to safety.


    Having ventured through numerous worlds, Zhu Xi deeply understood that one¡¯s fate must be grasped in their own hands and could not sit idly by waiting for doom, and thus she came along.


    Surrounding thousands, with the lowest cultivation level being the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, and the speaker¡¯s Dao practice being deep and unmeasurable, reminiscent of the type of adversary she faced when departing the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    ¡°Even if my master were here, his Dao practice might still not be as profound as his. How terrifying a level of cultivation to be suppressed by the Divine Court, how formidable must this Divine Court be?¡±


    Zhu Xi pondered alarmed, and thinking of her master made her feel a bit desolate.


    Parting for over two hundred thousand years, she could not find her way back to the Celestial Spirit Great World and felt as though she might never return in this lifetime.


    Only after leaving the Celestial Spirit Great World did she realize how magnificent the Great Dao was.


    Because of this, her heart embraced even grander aspirations!


    She wanted to restore the Holy Court, to elevate it to an existence surpassing the Three Thousand Great Worlds.


    For now, she had to find a way to escape this place.


    The more perilous the situation, the more she felt she could encounter great fortunes.


    This Taiwei Great World surely harbors great fortunes beyond her imagination.


    ¡°Do you suppose what his cultivation level might be?¡±


    A voice suddenly reached Zhu Xi¡¯s ears, causing her to turn her head.


    A handsome man came beside her, his face smiling, in stark contrast to the grave expressions on the faces of those around.


    ¡°How high?¡± Zhu Xi inquired.


    The handsome man smiled and said, ¡°He is an Innate Golden Immortal, above the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal.¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s pupils suddenly dilated. In the previous Great World, she had heard of the legends of Innate Golden Immortals, and she never expected to encounter one in a place like this.


    The handsome man continued, ¡°In this place, there are dozens of Innate Golden Immortals. Do you know the realm of the Divine Court cultivator guarding this place?¡±


    ¡°What is the realm?¡±


    ¡°That one¡¯s realm is the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, above the Innate Golden Immortal, with a hundred Innate Golden Immortals under him, suppressing this place, while within the Divine Court, the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal is far from the summit.¡±


    His words made Zhu Xi furrow her brows tightly, feeling a sense of despair.


    With such a vast gap in cultivation, how could she escape?


    No matter how it seemed, the upcoming actions of this group would all result in failure.


    The handsome man looked at Zhu Xi and said with a faint smile, ¡°I have a way to get you out of here.¡±


    Zhu Xi frowned, cautiously asked, ¡°We are strangers. Why are you assisting me?¡±


    The handsome man grinned, ¡°You bear the karma of the Celestial Court. It seems you are related to some celestial being from the Celestial Court.¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s brows knitted even tighter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, I was planning an escape anyway. Seeing you have such karma, I¡¯d take you along.¡± The handsome man shrugged, wearing a carefree smile.


    Zhu Xi deliberated and thought it prudent to first test him, so she said, ¡°I am called Zhu Xi, and may I know your honorable name, Fellow Daoist?¡±


    The handsome man replied, ¡°I am named Meng Lang.¡±


    Meng Lang?


    Such a common name, Zhu Xi had encountered many bearing this name in various places.


    She glanced around, puzzled, and asked, ¡°It seems others can¡¯t hear our conversation?¡±


    The handsome man named Meng Lang smiled, ¡°Naturally, since we are conspiring to escape, how could it be broadcast?¡±


    ¡°What do you intend to do? Are you also a Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal?¡± Zhu Xi looked intently at Meng Lang, seriously asking.


    Meng Lang shook his head, ¡°A Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal, possessing vast divine skills, I am not.¡±


    Zhu Xi pursued, ¡°Then are you an Innate Golden Immortal?¡±

 Chapter 676 - 668 Trace of the Immortal Gods

    Chapter 676: Chapter 668 Trace of the Immortal Gods


    ¡°It¡¯s not an Innate Golden Immortal either.¡±


    Meng Lang replied, causing Zhu Xi¡¯s brow to furrow again, feeling a bit disappointed.


    The reason she didn¡¯t guess above the Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal was because such a transcendent existence couldn¡¯t possibly be trapped here.


    She stared at Meng Lang, hoping he could convince her.


    What reliance did Meng Lang have that made him think he could help her escape?


    If he didn¡¯t explain clearly, she wouldn¡¯t follow Meng Lang.


    Meng Lang looked ahead, where an Innate Golden Immortal was still passionately speaking, stirring the blood of those present, filling their hearts with high spirits and determination.


    Rather than waiting to die, it¡¯s better to fight desperately.


    ¡°The Taiwei Great World is really deep.¡±


    Meng Lang, who is actually Gu An, thought to himself.


    Gu An, having foreseen in the Celestial Spirit Great World that Zhu Xi was in trouble, came to assist her. He transformed into Meng Lang to avoid getting too involved in karmic entanglements.


    After arriving in the Taiwei Great World, Gu An discovered that several Daluo Immortals were hidden within this Great World, and even some of the world¡¯s karma was too profound to calculate.


    He had heard before that among the Three Thousand Great Worlds, a few had foundations far exceeding other Great Thousand Worlds, and he realized today that it was true.


    This Innate Golden Immortal had already set up a Formation, thinking it would isolate prying eyes, facilitating the stirring of hearts, but little did he know, a Taiqing Golden Immortal was watching him at this moment.


    Yes, not a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, but a Taiqing Golden Immortal standing above the heavens, toying with two pearls in his hand, his expression so cold, and his eyes reflecting the scene of Zhu Xi and others gathering together.


    If Gu An didn¡¯t intervene, Zhu Xi would follow these people to escape, only to be caught by the Taiqing Golden Immortal, brought back to the Dojo, and finally refined into a Ghost Artifact.


    Moreover, Gu An felt the presence of an Immortal God in the depths of the Divine Court in the Taiwei Great World, stronger than the Taiyi Immortal Monarch, forcing him to speculate about the relationship between the Taiwei Divine Court and the Celestial Court.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t make it clear, I can¡¯t go with you. Who exactly are you, and what backing do you have to help me?¡± Zhu Xi¡¯s voice interrupted Gu An¡¯s thoughts.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t ask so much, just watch.¡±


    Zhu Xi frowned upon hearing this, just as she was about to say more, the speaking Innate Golden Immortal suddenly burst forth with a strong momentum, drawing her attention.


    ¡°Everyone, once the escape plan is confirmed, it should not be delayed. We can kill our way out right now. I will open up a tunnel, but it¡¯s uncertain where this tunnel will lead. Most likely, it will lead inside the Divine Court, and we¡¯ll have to improvise afterward.¡±


    The Innate Golden Immortal said while casting spells, drawing circles with his hands, and a black hole appeared in front of him, rapidly expanding, surrounded by intertwining time-space lightning, its darkness making one shiver, appearing so terrifying.


    Once the black hole stabilized, he entered it first, followed closely by others.


    Some hesitated, but seeing those ahead entering, they gritted their teeth and followed.


    Zhu Xi was about to ask Gu An, only to see Gu An follow too.


    This made her feel absurd.


    Was this person¡¯s plan to follow these people?


    Then what was the meaning of everything he said before?


    Without him, she would have followed too!


    Zhu Xi cursed a few words in her heart and also chose to follow.


    She came behind Gu An, staring at his back with an unfriendly look.


    If looks could kill, Gu An would probably have turned to dust by now.


    The two stepped into the black hole one after the other. As soon as they entered the black hole, Zhu Xi¡¯s vision was swallowed by darkness, and even her Divine Sense couldn¡¯t see, but fortunately, she could feel the surge of Spiritual Energy, and she could also hear Gu An¡¯s footsteps ahead.


    ¡°Is this your plan? Without you, I would have followed him!¡±


    Zhu Xi said through gritted teeth, her tone very displeased.


    Gu An¡¯s voice followed: ¡°The real trouble starts after we get out. Without me, you will undoubtedly die.¡±


    These words left Zhu Xi uncertain and apprehensive; she could only hold her confusion in check and remain vigilant.


    She didn¡¯t completely trust the leading Innate Golden Immortal either, just had no choice but to follow under such desperation.


    They moved quickly, and Zhu Xi clearly felt the Spiritual Energy along the way growing richer.


    This indicated they were getting closer to the exit!


    Zhu Xi grew more nervous, beginning to imagine what they might encounter after escaping.


    A while later.


    Light finally appeared ahead, and Zhu Xi heard the voices of the people around her, most of whom felt pleasantly surprised, not expecting to truly escape that suppressed place.


    As the light in front grew brighter, Zhu Xi gradually saw Gu An¡¯s back.


    For some reason, she felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, as if she had seen this person¡¯s back somewhere before.


    Soon, she followed Gu An into a bright light, her Divine Sense instantly recovered; she sensed the people ahead stopping all at once, and she also halted her steps.


    She opened her eyes and looked ahead, her face instantly freezing.


    Not just her, the other escaping individuals also looked forward in disbelief.


    Ahead was a vast and boundless forest, like another world, only everyone¡¯s gaze was focused above the forest.


    Above the sea of clouds, countless figures in purple armor stood on the clouds, each holding a Divine Weapon. Sweeping the eye over them, one couldn¡¯t count how many there were; the vast army exuded a suppressive momentum.


    The leading Innate Golden Immortal¡¯s face turned ashen, as if he hadn¡¯t expected so many enemies waiting outside.


    ¡°Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince of the Divine Court. Why commit treason?¡±


    A voice rang out across the heavens, causing a commotion among the escapees, who hadn¡¯t expected this Innate Golden Immortal to be the Crown Prince of the Divine Court.


    Zhu Xi frowned deeply, feeling only dread.


    Clearly, she had been swept up in a larger karma, where if she hadn¡¯t been incited earlier and stayed in the place of guardianship, she wouldn¡¯t be facing such trouble now.


    The Innate Golden Immortal took a deep breath, stepped forward, and shouted loudly, ¡°General Zhu, you are the Eternal Divine General of the Divine Court, protecting the Great World many times, and all living beings revere you. But now the Divine Court has become a lapdog of the Immortal Gods. In the last million years, how many innocent lives have been lost to the Divine Court¡¯s offerings to the Immortal Gods? Can you really remain indifferent?¡±


    ¡°That Immortal God is insatiable, enlarging ambitions step-by-step, and one day will set eyes on the foundation of our Divine Court. We cannot gamble!¡±


    These words made the escapees even more uneasy, how could it also involve the Immortal Gods? Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even in the Taiwei Great World, Immortal Gods were nothing but elusive legends.


    They, like Zhu Xi, felt things had become extremely perilous, involving the Crown Prince of the Divine Court and the Immortal Gods, meaning what awaited them was likely an irreversible disaster.


    Zhu Xi turned to look at Gu An, noticing not a trace of tension on his face, which only piqued her curiosity even more about how this person planned to lead her out.


    Could it be related to that Immortal God?


    From what the Divine Court Crown Prince said, that Immortal God seemed very malevolent, but to Zhu Xi, an outsider, the good and evil of this realm were temporarily irrelevant. She just wanted to escape.

 Chapter 677 - 669: The Struggle of the Celestial Emperor

    Chapter 677: Chapter 669: The Struggle of the Celestial Emperor


    As the words of the Divine Court Crown Prince fell, a magnificent figure emerged above the vast army in purple armor on the clouds, appearing ethereal in the sunlight, like a mirage.


    General Zhu!


    He stood high above, overlooking the world, wearing heavy and majestic red armor. His face was solemn, and his brows resembled two flames. His long hair coiled beneath the Divine Crown, and seven giant swords radiating different divine lights hovered behind him in a fan shape, as if seven divine powers stood behind him.


    Before General Zhu, Zhu Xi and the escapees felt a deep sense of awe. Some couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure and fell to their knees directly.


    General Zhu¡¯s right hand was half-raised, playing with two beads in his palm, like two stars squeezing together, shaking the soul.


    ¡°Crown Prince, how dare you slander the Immortal Gods and question the Divine Court? If His Majesty knew this, imagine his heartbreak!¡±


    General Zhu¡¯s voice rang out, and as his words ended, a vertical eye suddenly opened on his forehead, shooting a terrifying red beam at incredible speed down from the sky!


    Everything happened too quickly, so fast that the Divine Court Crown Prince had no time to react.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The red light struck the Divine Court Crown Prince, and the dreadful impact blew the escapees away.


    Some attempted to flee, but the tunnel created by the Divine Court Crown Prince had vanished. Just as the escapees tried to leap up, an unimaginable pressure pinned them down, forcing them to their knees.


    Howling winds, scattered debris, and forests were swept away, resembling the arrival of the apocalypse.


    Zhu Xi was pushed to her knees, struggling to lift her head, her pupils trembling in fear.


    Such terrifying suppression!


    She couldn¡¯t imagine how terrifying it would be if the opponent went all out.


    The red light dissipated in front, leaving only a white skeleton of the Divine Court Crown Prince, trembling precariously, eventually collapsing on the ground.


    This scene filled the thousands of other escapees with despair.


    If even the Divine Court Crown Prince had to die, how could they survive?


    High above, General Zhu¡¯s expression was indifferent as if he had not killed the Divine Court Crown Prince, but merely an insect.


    The countless divine soldiers in purple armor, also expressionless, heightened the air of despair in the land.


    General Zhu opened his right hand, letting the two beads fall, releasing a dazzling light as they descended, dimming the world.


    The intense light fell, and Zhu Xi couldn¡¯t help but turn to Gu An beside her, gritting her teeth and asking, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you have a way?¡±


    Gu An glanced at her, a corner of his mouth curving up. His smile appeared arrogant in Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes, seeming crazily out of place at this moment.


    Zhu Xi couldn¡¯t understand why this person could still smile as scorching air waves descended from the sky, making her mind go blank for an instant.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    The ground erupted with a world-shaking explosion; countless trees flew like confetti, the divine soldiers of the Court coldly overseeing everything.


    General Zhu¡¯s expression shifted, greed flashing in his eyes.


    ¡­


    Under the dusk.


    Lying on the ground, Zhu Xi suddenly opened her eyes. Bloodshot filled her view as she gasped heavily, as if waking from a nightmare.


    She sat up immediately, seeing Gu An¡¯s figure beside her.


    Gu An sat on a nearby empty ground, a fire burning in front of him, holding a mirror in his hand, as if admiring his reflection.


    Zhu Xi gathered her thoughts, instinctively looking around, finding herself on a cliff, distant mountains stretching endlessly, the ridges draped in afterglow, beautifully desolate.


    ¡°Did we escape?¡±


    Zhu Xi looked at Gu An, asking nervously.


    Gu An gazed at the Seven-Star Mirror in his hand, saying, ¡°Yes, we escaped, but we¡¯re still in the Taiwei Great World.¡±


    The Seven-Star Mirror, after his modifications, was now a Dao Treasure, reflecting images of the Human World in the Taiwei Great World on its surface as he spied on it.


    Hearing his words, Zhu Xi sighed in relief, standing up, bowing to Gu An in gratitude for saving her life.


    ¡°Senior, I have things to attend to, so I¡¯ll take my leave!¡±


    Zhu Xi turned and left after saying this.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to become stronger?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice came, halting Zhu Xi¡¯s steps.


    She turned back to look at Gu An, her eyes complex.


    Gu An still did not look at her, his gaze fixated on the Seven-Star Mirror.


    ¡­


    Celestial Spirit Great World, Qiankun Sect.


    In the early morning.


    Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God walked down the street, appearing to be strolling, yet discussing grand matters of the Great Thousand World.


    ¡°I learned from my dear friend that the atmosphere in the Celestial Court is strange, reportedly involving the struggle for the Celestial Emperor¡¯s position, with countless unimaginable forces scheming secretly, even reaching the Celestial God level.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God said gravely, under Gu An¡¯s suggestion, he began to deepen relations with other Celestial Gods, with his mentioned dear friend coming from the Misty Immortal Court.


    Gu An, browsing the roadside stalls, asked, ¡°Does it involve Tian Hao? Previously, the Taiyi Immortal Monarch and Profound Star Immortal Monarch seemed to have targeted him.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God shook his head, saying, ¡°Even in his past life, Tian Hao was far from capable of competing for the Celestial Emperor¡¯s position. Not to mention him, even Immortal Monarchs are infinitely distant in rank from the Celestial Emperor, and this struggle won¡¯t erupt immediately. It is likely to simmer for a long time, eventually affecting even the Great Thousand Worlds.¡±


    Though not very knowledgeable about the Celestial Court, he knew what the Celestial Emperor symbolized.


    It was the highest position and power, representing the strongest of the Heavenly Dao!


    ¡°Speaking of which, I discovered an Immortal God in the Taiwei Great World, he with the Divine Court¡­¡±


    Gu An recounted his experiences in the Taiwei Great World, a hundred years since rescuing Zhu Xi, now accompanied by his avatar.


    Besides spying on the Human World through the Seven-Star Mirror, he occasionally wandered the Human World in the Taiwei Great World.


    The Divine Court continually recruited Divine Disciples everywhere, with mortal recruits being severed from family ties forever. Some families received compensation, while others were forcibly enlisted.


    Gu An saw these Divine Disciples being sent into a gigantic Pill Furnace, which was concocting some Elixir, yet unfinished to this day.


    This was probably what the Immortal God sought, with the Divine Court offering tributes for a million years.


    In those million years, countless Mortal Spirits had been sacrificed to the Pill Furnace, yet no Elixir had emerged, piquing his curiosity about the Pill¡¯s origins.


    He also shared this with the Celestial Spirit God, hoping for an explanation.


    The Celestial Spirit God frowned, saying, ¡°Using Living Spirits for Alchemy isn¡¯t unheard of, but I don¡¯t know what specific Elixir that Immortal God is concocting. Yet for it to remain incomplete for so long, it¡¯s probably related to the struggle for the Celestial Emperor. The Taiwei Great World is among the top in the Three Thousand Great Worlds. I suspect other Great Thousand Worlds are also doing the same.¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn¡¯t condemn the Immortal God¡¯s actions, instead feeling more worried.


    He understood the style of the Immortal Gods.


    Immortal Gods would indulge evil, yet not leave traces.


    This meant the Taiwei Great World was doomed to destruction!


    ¡°If such situations arise in many Great Thousand Worlds, eventually¡­ the Three Thousand Great Worlds might be destroyed, and the Celestial Court will recreate the Three Thousand Great Worlds!¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God¡¯s face was extraordinarily grave, his words altering the look in Gu An¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 678 - 670: Substitute

    Chapter 678: Chapter 670: Substitute


    The Three Thousand Great Worlds will be destroyed?


    Gu An was also surprised to hear this. In his view, although the Immortal Gods were tyrannical and saw all living beings as nothing, they would still adhere to the so-called Celestial Rules, even if it meant destroying the world, they needed just cause.


    The Celestial Court indeed had the power to annihilate the Three Thousand Great Worlds in an instant, but wouldn¡¯t doing so violate the Celestial Rules?


    Gu An suddenly felt that the so-called Celestial Rules were quite flexible; when it involved the highest authority, the rules were just child¡¯s play.


    ¡°What do you think we should do?¡± the Celestial Spirit God looked at Gu An and asked seriously.


    The Celestial Gods guarding the Great Thousand World had begun to take action, seeking a way out. To them, the Great Thousand World represented divine authority. If the Great Thousand World were lost, their positions would be destabilized, and their cultivation would suffer backlash.


    The Celestial Gods see all living beings as ants, just as the supreme beings of the Celestial Court see the Celestial Gods as ants.


    Gu An stopped walking, glanced at a few Spirit Beasts squatting in front of a street stall, and replied, ¡°Let things take their natural course. Before anything happens, the only thing you can do is cultivate diligently.¡±


    The Celestial Spirit God had no choice but to give up after hearing this.


    Thinking about Gu An¡¯s unfathomable cultivation level, he felt that when the catastrophe of the fight for the Celestial Emperor broke out in the Celestial Spirit Great World, his predicament might not be as difficult as it seemed now.


    He then continued to recount his experiences from a recent journey, and Gu An listened attentively. Their conversation was only audible to them, and even while walking down a busy street, they didn¡¯t attract any attention.


    After spending half a day exploring the Qiankun Sect, the Celestial Spirit God returned through the World Gate.


    Gu An continued to wander around the city.


    With the joining of twenty geniuses from the Undefeated Emperor Clan, the Qiankun Sect was thriving, reaching an unprecedented period of prosperity. The top genius Yuan Luo continuously enhanced its reputation outside, attracting more people to come and seek guidance.


    At dusk, Gu An carried a Wine Gourd in his hand. He stopped, drinking while watching the commotion.


    The disciples on the street were observing a conflict between two young male disciples. One of them, once a genius, had been crippled during training outside and was now enduring humiliation from the other disciple.


    The other disciple was a descendant of an elder within the sect, which meant no one dared to step forward to intervene.


    Gu An had no intention of getting involved. Watching the scene unfold, he reflected deeply.


    For the disciples of the Qiankun Sect, the sect represented the whole Martial World. For the people of the world, the heavens were vast and boundless, unaware that the Great Thousand World was as insignificant as dust to certain beings.


    Gu An pondered the path he wanted to take and what rules he should follow.


    He believed he could find his true self amidst the turmoil, for he had risen from the depths.


    ¡­


    Time ebbed away, and four hundred years passed.


    In a valley, Zhu Xi, dressed in black, stood on the surface of the lake, holding a long sword with its blade horizontal in front of her as she closed her eyes.


    Gu An lay on the grass by the lake, holding the Seven-Star Mirror, peering into the scenes of the Human World within the Taiwei Great World.


    The Divine Court Crown Prince was but a microcosm; there were many people in the world who wanted to resist the Divine Court and that Immortal God. The Divine Court Crown Prince was also persuaded, and these people had already formed a faction, although lacking the power of the Divine Court, they could only remain hidden.


    Whenever someone was taken to become a Divine Disciple, these individuals would appear, seeking to win over the offspring or siblings of the Divine Disciples using hatred.


    But¡­


    Gu An saw the leader of this faction secretly kneeling before the ruler of the Divine Court; it was all a ploy.


    The Divine Court¡¯s control over the Taiwei Great World was too deep, and for this Great Thousand World to overthrow their rule was extremely difficult. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, as Gu An taught Zhu Xi to cultivate, he saw a variable.


    Zhu Xi would stand in opposition to the Divine Court; once she could deal with that Immortal God, she could replace the Divine Court.


    Boom!


    A vast Sword Intent blew from the lake surface, causing a gust of wind that stirred the flowers and grass, creating a green wave around Gu An.


    Gu An slowly sat up and tucked the Seven-Star Mirror into his arms, turning his gaze to Zhu Xi on the lake.


    Zhu Xi still held her sword, her Sword Intent materialized into thousands of silver stars floating above the lake, creating a beautiful and fantastical scene. Her dress billowed, and her long hair flowed, exuding an otherworldly aura.


    ¡°Finally entered the Dao, did you? This speed truly deserves the Saint Heavenly aptitude.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself silently; Zhu Xi¡¯s previous life was as Shengtian, unrivaled and symbolic of the strongest talent in one Great Thousand World.


    The Sword Intent Zhu Xi comprehended was precisely the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    The Sacred Heart Sword Dao was created by his reincarnation body, Yang Xian, depending on the River of Sword Dao, needing no life span to transform and improve; the Sacred Heart Sword Dao continued to grow stronger.


    Aside from mastering the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, Gu An had used his Dao Intent over the years to assist Zhu Xi in her cultivation, allowing her to gain many insights and creative ideas. She might be able to develop a different Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    Zhu Xi opened her eyes, her gaze sharp, as if two sword beams shot out from them. She slowly raised her head.


    She could already feel the Sacred Heart Sword Dao guiding her from an unfathomable distance. The feeling was subtle, allowing her to even harness the power of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.


    Turning to look at Gu An in the distance, she flickered and appeared before him out of thin air, bowing and saying, ¡°Senior, I have barely entered the Dao.¡±


    Gu An stood and looked at her, smiling, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, we should part ways. Do you want to stay in the Taiwei Great World, or go elsewhere? I can help you one more time.¡±


    Zhu Xi was surprised, not expecting Gu An to leave today, but she was too embarrassed to ask him to stay, so she replied, ¡°I wish to stay.¡±


    ¡°Then be sure of your decision, for I won¡¯t be there to help you later. This Great Thousand World is brewing a terrible disaster, even if you cultivate for millions of years, changing fate will be difficult.¡± Gu An said seriously.


    Zhu Xi took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯ve long made up my mind. This Great Thousand World has a richer Spiritual Energy and Great Dao compared to others I¡¯ve visited, and there are internal issues within the ruling power. There¡¯s room for me to grow here, and I want to stay. Perhaps I can achieve something great.¡±


    Gu An smiled and said no more, turning to leave.


    Zhu Xi watched his back and suddenly knelt, gritting her teeth, saying, ¡°Thank you, Master, for your love. I¡¯ve never been filial to you, but one day, I¡¯ll stand proudly before you and make you proud of me.¡±


    Gu An didn¡¯t pause or look back, his figure vanishing.


    Zhu Xi couldn¡¯t sense any trace of Gu An, feeling hollow inside.


    After all these years together, she finally realized that this Meng Lang was indeed her master in the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An, known as the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    However, she couldn¡¯t tell if the master came for her or just happened to pass by this world.


    She thought it was likely just passing by, which showed how uncommon this Great Thousand World was.


    ¡°Immortal Gods¡­¡±


    Zhu Xi¡¯s eyes flickered, her gaze revealed ambition, giving her a majestic and oppressive aura.

 Chapter 679 - 671: The Fickle Heart of the World

    Chapter 679: Chapter 671: The Fickle Heart of the World


    After parting with Zhu Xi, Gu An¡¯s life once again fell into tranquility. He delved into creating a Dao, but this path was exceedingly arduous, always causing this Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal to rack his brains.


    Time flew by swiftly.


    Another hundred thousand years passed by.


    In this year, the Taiqian Dynasty launched a surprise attack on the Dao Court, igniting the flames of war in the Human World.


    In the Tai Cang Dynasty, within the Imperial Garden of the palace.


    While pouring wine for Gu An, Li Xuandao lamented, ¡°That Taiqian is truly formidable, daring to launch an attack on the Dao Court. Whether successful or not, the courage of Taiqian¡¯s Son of Heaven is enough to command my admiration.¡±


    Taiqian is the strongest dynasty in the world. Although the Tai Cang Dynasty has not been annexed by it, they can still feel its tiger-like might.


    If it weren¡¯t for the feud between Taiqian and the Dao Court, Li Xuandao believed Taiqian would eventually march towards the Tai Cang Continent.


    Gu An toyed with the jade statue gifted by Li Xuandao, smiling as he said, ¡°What, does Your Majesty also wish to emulate Taiqian?¡±


    He had once visited Taiqian for leisure, and from top to bottom, Taiqian was infused with a belligerent spirit. The reason for waging war against the Dao Court was not due to any grudges but was a means to achieve a dominion through borrowed animosity.


    Behind Taiqian stood numerous powerful sects, which was the source of their confidence.


    In the coming years, both sides would engage in fierce battles for thousands of years, turning the world dim and chaotic until Zhao Rushen led the Dao Court to suppress Taiqian, ascending to the seat of the Master of the Dao Court. Thus, the Primordial Era came to an end.


    Following this began what would be known as the Ancient Era¡ªa period far more prolonged than the Primordial Era. The final battle of the Ancient Era would plunge the Human World into desolation, ushering in the Ancient Period.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze could see far into the distant epochs, even glimpsing the Tianyuan Period from which Ji came.


    However, the future Tianyuan Period was already vastly different from the Tianyuan Period of Ji¡¯s origin.


    Yet Ji was bound to be born; if he didn¡¯t exist, the memories he imparted to Gu An would be illusory.


    ¡°To say I don¡¯t wish to emulate is false; as an emperor, who doesn¡¯t want to unite the world? But the Dao Court is too strong, and without certainty of victory, I won¡¯t lead the people of Tai Cang to their deaths,¡± Li Xuandao shook his head and said.


    Currently, he had reached the cultivation level of a Carefree Primordial Immortal. Although he couldn¡¯t compare to the disciples of Wushi in terms of training speed, he was still considered fast in the world.


    The two talked about worldly matters, occasionally mentioning Li Ya, Yang Jian, Long Teng, and others.


    Nowadays, the person Li Xuandao valued most wasn¡¯t Yang Jian or the prince, but Long Teng.


    As the son of Long Qing, and now the patriarch of the Long Family, Long Teng had grown up, his cultivation reaching the realm of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma. He symbolized the highest talent of the Tai Cang Dynasty and was a world-renowned peerless prodigy.


    Li Xuandao curiously asked, ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve always wanted to ask, Long Teng¡¯s cultivation speed is getting faster and faster. Even Yang Jian is amazed; is it you secretly nurturing him behind the scenes?¡±


    A Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, being the sixth level of the Immortal Dao, can roam the Outer Heaven. Reaching the realm of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma before a million years old is a once-in-a-billion talent.


    Gu An raised his wine cup, smiling, ¡°See through it but don¡¯t reveal it.¡±


    He did indeed quite like Long Teng. Often, he would transform into someone else to be near Long Teng. For Long Teng to have reached today was largely thanks to his Dao Intent. When Long Teng cultivated, his Dao Intent would envelop him, aiding in his Enlightenment.


    Regarding this, Long Teng was still unaware.


    In fact, though Gu An¡¯s Dao Intent could assist others, it was more about giving them a gentle push. If Long Teng had extremely mediocre comprehension, even if he used Dao Intent daily to assist, he wouldn¡¯t have nurtured him to his current achievements.


    Li Xuandao, upon hearing this, grew even happier and started inviting for more wine.


    The two drank for a full two hours before Gu An finally took his leave.


    Watching Gu An¡¯s departing figure, Li Xuandao couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Gu An, how much longer can such days last?¡±


    One hundred thousand years to him was extremely long, especially since he was an emperor, facing far more partings than ordinary people.


    He had even seen off many descendants, with the court¡¯s ministers changing batch after batch.


    Only when facing Gu An would his heart calm down, feeling that some things could not be erased by time.


    The most heartless place is the house of royalty, and Li Xuandao had thoroughly become a lonely soul.


    Gu An raised the jade statue in his hand, saying, ¡°Until you grow weary of it.¡±


    Watching him suddenly disappear, Li Xuandao couldn¡¯t help but shake his head and smile, softly murmuring to himself, ¡°How could I ever grow weary¡­¡±


    His expression gradually became complex; he didn¡¯t stand up, continuing to sit at the wine table, lost in thought.


    After leaving the Tai Cang Dynasty, Gu An appeared above the sea of clouds, strolling forward.


    ¡°The human heart is ever-changing ultimately.¡±


    Gu An sighed. As for Li Xuandao¡¯s life, he did not wish to interfere too much.


    Li Xuandao had been emperor for too long; when the expansion of the Tai Cang Dynasty halted, internal conflicts would break out. He had once executed rebellious Royal Family members, which increasingly distanced him from the Royal Family.


    Meanwhile, Li Ya and Li Lingtian had long roamed the world, never returning.


    When Gu An didn¡¯t find him, he would always stay in the bedchamber or the Imperial Study, either cultivating or reading.


    Not only Li Xuandao, but other old friends also faced life¡¯s predicaments, which were more mental than situational.


    The path of Immortal Cultivation is long; when one cannot breakthrough year after year, the fighting spirit weakens, and the thoughts become chaotic.


    Ambitions and emotions intertwined were as complex and uncontrollable as hearts in the mortal world.


    Even for them, Gu An occasionally felt restless, particularly when his path of creating a Dao was not going smoothly.


    For this reason, Gu An liked to travel across the world, visiting major sects and imperial dynasties. The diverse beings always helped to quickly calm his Dao Heart.


    The reason for finding Li Xuandao to drink today was because his path of creating a Dao finally showed progress, and he was in high spirits, seeking a friend to drink with.


    Li Ya was busy with carefree vendettas, making it difficult for Gu An to find him, so he could only find his father.


    When Gu An met Li Xuandao, he was still very weak. Thus, when he saw Li Xuandao, he could remember the lost feeling of weakness, a sentiment that couldn¡¯t be provided by friends made after becoming strong.


    Soon, Gu An disappeared above the sea of clouds.


    He arrived at Xiao Lan¡¯s Grotto Heaven, switching with his avatar.


    Xiao Lan was about to emerge from seclusion.


    Since returning from the Path of the Great Dao, her cultivation growth had slowed. Even after being in seclusion for a hundred thousand years, there was no hope of a breakthrough, which made her heart quite agitated.


    ¡°Brother Gu!¡±


    The voice arrived before the person.


    Gu An, who was admiring the flowers and grass, was about to turn when Xiao Lan pounced on him.


    Xiao Lan, without a word, attempted to kiss him and strip his clothes.


    Although only the two of them were in the Grotto Heaven, such roughness was unprecedented for Gu An.


    Several days later.


    Xiao Lan stood up from the grass, tidied her clothes, looked into the distance, and sighed, ¡°Brother Gu, I suddenly feel I¡¯m not a true genius, as I¡¯m starting to encounter bottlenecks too.¡±


    Gu An stood up with her, gazing at her profile, and asked, ¡°How about we spar a bit?¡±


    Xiao Lan turned to look at him, and slightly shook her head. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Brother Gu, I don¡¯t need to regain confidence by defeating you. Even if I beat you many times, my Dao Practice would not grow because of it,¡± Xiao Lan said, a nostalgic look crossing her face.


    If battling powerful enemies on the Path of the Great Dao, when the fight ended, the Dao Spiritual Qi would surge in her, allowing her to rapidly increase her cultivation level in a short time.


    That feeling was truly wonderful, and she still yearned for it.


    ¡°Who said I want to lose to you?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice interrupted Xiao Lan¡¯s thoughts, causing her to meet his gaze.


    Xiao Lan was stunned. It was the first time she had seen Gu An¡¯s expression so serious.


    She pouted slightly, ¡°What, do you want me to go easy on you?¡±


    Gu An stared at her, whispering, ¡°Even if you give it your all, you can¡¯t possibly beat me.¡±

 Chapter 680: 672 Primordial Dao Emperor

    Chapter 680: Chapter 672 Primordial Dao Emperor


    Seeing that Gu An didn¡¯t seem to be joking, Xiao Lan felt puzzled, but she had her own pride and didn¡¯t want to concede just yet.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s do it!¡±


    Xiao Lan raised her hand and beckoned to Gu An with the demeanor of a master.


    The corners of Gu An¡¯s mouth turned up; with a gentle shift of his right foot, the entire world suddenly changed. The celestial vault turned dim, the flowers and grass on the ground vanished, and an endless wilderness appeared beneath their feet.


    This sudden change in environment caused Xiao Lan¡¯s face to change drastically. She looked around, feeling that everything around her didn¡¯t seem like an illusion.


    What is going on?


    She turned to look at Gu An and cautiously asked, ¡°Are you really my Brother Gu?¡±


    Gu An laughed, ¡°Lan¡¯Er, think carefully. Are you really sure about my origins? Since you became sensible, I have been at the Xiao Manor; before coming to the Xiao Manor, did you know who I was?¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    As she listened to Gu An, the uneasiness in Xiao Lan¡¯s heart disappeared. As long as Gu An was still him, she wouldn¡¯t be afraid.


    Gu An drew out the Cyan Hong Sword, gripping the sword scabbard, and said, ¡°First show me your full strength.¡±


    A gleam flashed in Xiao Lan¡¯s eyes, and her figure flickered.


    Boom¡ª


    Xiao Lan appeared out of thin air in front of Gu An, holding the White Spirit Sword. The sword¡¯s tip was only ten centimeters from Gu An¡¯s shoulder. The ground beneath them shattered, countless debris flew up, as if the world couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure and was collapsing.


    Yet, this mere ten centimeters, Xiao Lan was unable to advance any further.


    Her pupils suddenly dilated, not expecting Gu An to be so formidable.


    Gu An, holding the sword scabbard of the Cyan Hong Sword, pushed forward. Xiao Lan felt an overwhelming force like a tidal wave crush towards her, and she uncontrollably was pushed far away, disappearing at the world¡¯s end like a sharp arrow.


    Along the way, Xiao Lan shattered dozens of massive mountains, leaving a long trail of dust and rock floating in the air, an especially magnificent sight.


    Xiao Lan quickly emerged from the swirling dust, not looking the least bit disheveled. Around her was visible Qi Force, her eyes filled with fear as she looked in Gu An¡¯s direction.


    At that moment, she had a terrifying feeling as if facing death.


    The earth and mountains quaked violently, raising a dust storm that covered the sky. Amidst the vast dust waves was a figure rapidly ascending, unmistakably Gu An.


    Xiao Lan could feel Gu An¡¯s gaze; she no longer cared why Gu An was so powerful. She immediately raised her sword, and Sword Intent soared to the sky, sword shadows appearing around her, rapidly increasing and expanding their range.


    In the blink of an eye, the sword shadows covered thousands of miles around. An endless sea of sword shadows rose along with Xiao Lan¡¯s sword, resembling a cluster of stars heading toward the cosmos. The Sword Qi formed tails like the rise of auroras, splendid to the extreme.


    Xiao Lan swung her sword at Gu An, and the sword shadows from all directions followed suit. Every sword shadow unleashed Sword Qi that shook heaven and earth, unstoppable.


    The ground trembled, the celestial vault ripped apart; in this overwhelming Sword Qi, everything appeared fragile.


    Gu An did not use any divine skills; he flew straight toward Xiao Lan.


    Speed increased dramatically!


    Like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the sea of Sword Qi between heaven and earth, making it seem as though the celestial vault was split in two.


    Clang¡ª


    Xiao Lan¡¯s White Spirit Sword blocked Gu An¡¯s sword scabbard, and at that moment, she felt her Qi-Blood surging, extremely uncomfortable.


    She looked at Gu An and found his expression so indifferent, his eyes devoid of any emotion.


    Such an expression deeply provoked Xiao Lan. She leapt, disappearing in front of Gu An, and reappeared behind him.


    Xiao Lan summoned seventy-two large flags, quickly surrounding Gu An; almost instantly, a formation was set, and thousands of thunders erupted, intertwining around Gu An.


    Gu An slowly turned around, and as soon as the lightning was about to touch him, it vanished directly, creating an unapproachable area around him.


    Xiao Lan¡¯s expression changed slightly. She stored the White Spirit Sword into her storage pouch and cast spells with both hands. The lightning changed color, transforming into Purple Thunder like dragons or snakes, crazily attacking Gu An; the formation¡¯s light also surged, illuminating the entire world.


    ¡°Is this all you can do?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice echoed, causing the fighting spirit in Xiao Lan¡¯s eyes to surge.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    The world roared, the land continuously shattered, rocks soaring into the sky, and the dim celestial vault began to warp, seemingly unable to bear such a massive battle.


    An hour later.


    Amidst the ruins.


    Xiao Lan half-knelt on a large rock, one hand gripping the White Spirit Sword to support her body. Her hair was disheveled, her robes torn and dirty, looking extremely bedraggled.


    She struggled to lift her eyes and saw Gu An descending from the sky, hovering in front of her.


    In comparison, Gu An seemed untouched by the battle; there wasn¡¯t a speck of dust on him, nor any sweat or bloodstains on his face.


    ¡°How is my strength?¡± Gu An asked.


    Xiao Lan pouted, ¡°Very strong, I can¡¯t beat you.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the shock, she felt somewhat aggrieved. A few days ago, everything was so sweet, yet today he was so stern.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°As long as you can defeat me, you can become a Daoist Emperor. I can teach you cultivation.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan looked at him, struggled to stand up, and asked, ¡°Have you been to the Path of the Great Dao?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been there.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you pretend to be so curious when I talked to you about the Path of the Great Dao before?¡±


    Xiao Lan said with a grievance, feeling as if she¡¯d been toyed with.


    Gu An said, ¡°I went there in a past life. Everyone has their past life, you do too. If you wish, I can help you restore your past life memories now.¡±


    Xiao Lan furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°What realm are you exactly? Why are you hiding your cultivation level? Are you¡­¡±


    She wanted to ask if Gu An was sincere with her, but felt it was a question she couldn¡¯t voice.


    Gu An smiled, ¡°I can¡¯t tell you my realm for now. When you exceed me, you¡¯ll know. As for hiding my cultivation level, it¡¯s because I don¡¯t want to cause trouble. I like peace and quiet. You should understand my nature. As for whether I¡¯m sincere with you, you needn¡¯t doubt it. When I went to Xiao Manor back then, it was for you.¡±


    Xiao Lan furrowed her brows even more. She was no longer the innocent girl she once was; she only appeared naive in front of Gu An.


    ¡°Is it because of my past life?¡± Xiao Lan asked.


    Gu An nodded.


    Xiao Lan fell silent.


    Hearing her inner voice, Gu An said comfortingly, ¡°Regardless of past or present life, you are you, only with different memories. If I cared only about your past self, I would have restored your memories long ago.¡±


    Xiao Lan took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Can you help me become a Daoist Emperor?¡±


    Gu An landed in front of her and answered, ¡°I can, but I can also guide you on another path, one not inferior to becoming a Daoist Emperor.¡±


    ¡°What path?¡±


    ¡°Primordial Dao Emperor.¡±


    Xiao Lan¡¯s expression changed. She hadn¡¯t heard of this title, but just from the name, it seemed extraordinary.


    She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is the Primordial Dao Emperor also a level of destiny?¡±


    Gu An smiled, ¡°That¡¯s right, the path to becoming a Primordial Dao Emperor is different from the Emperor Road. It is not through killing, but through comprehension.¡±

 Chapter 681 - 673: The Legend of the Emperor of Eternal Life

    Chapter 681: Chapter 673: The Legend of the Emperor of Eternal Life


    ¡°If I become the Primordial Dao Emperor, can I defeat the Daoist Emperor?¡± Xiao Lan asked the question she was most concerned about.


    In the years of roaming on the Path of the Great Dao, she had witnessed too many prodigies, all of whom were merely competitors of the Daoist Emperor. She couldn¡¯t imagine how truly powerful the Daoist Emperor was.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Whether it¡¯s the Daoist Emperor or the Primordial Dao Emperor, it¡¯s just a boost of destiny. None is absolutely stronger, but becoming the Primordial Dao Emperor, your future will be limitless.¡±


    This wasn¡¯t just idle talk from him. The Primordial Dao Emperor was a path he had forged, and he could use his power to grow infinitely stronger. Sooner or later, the Primordial Dao Emperor would surpass the Daoist Emperor.


    Becoming the Primordial Dao Emperor would not only evoke Gu An¡¯s power of the Great Dao but also allow enlightenment in Gu An¡¯s Dao.


    The name Primordial was derived from Gu An being the Primordial Dao Creation Body.


    The title of Dao Emperor was simply meant to match the prestige of an Emperor. He was inspired by Ji Xiaoyu¡¯s title of Reincarnation Dao Emperor.


    One day, he would make the Primordial Dao Emperor a more formidable existence than the Daoist Emperor.


    Not only his disciples could become the Primordial Dao Emperor!


    Of course, that was a far-off future, as his creation of the Primordial Dao Emperor was still ongoing.


    Currently, it was just in the first stage, which could attract people to the Dao.


    Xiao Lan pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Anyway, you won¡¯t harm me; I¡¯m willing to become the Primordial Dao Emperor. Teach me.¡±


    Gu An smiled, waved his right hand, and Xiao Lan¡¯s injuries instantly healed. Her mana was restored to a full state, and the entire dim world suddenly transformed back into the appearance of a Grotto Heaven.


    This scene made Xiao Lan¡¯s eyelid twitch, and she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Was it an Illusion Realm just now?¡±


    ¡°No, it was the real world, created by me.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s answer made Xiao Lan secretly alarmed. What level of realm was required to achieve such a degree?


    ¡°Sit down.¡±


    Gu An lifted his robe and sat down, gesturing for Xiao Lan to sit as well.


    Once Xiao Lan sat down, Gu An began to teach directly.


    The Daoist Emperor requires fighting and devouring Great Dao destinies on the Emperor Road of the Great Dao. The final victor can become the Daoist Emperor.


    For the Primordial Dao Emperor to rival the Daoist Emperor, it must also have an accumulation process.


    Gu An did not intend to let the Dao Seekers slaughter each other like raising poisonous creatures. He thought of his Life Span Holograms, Lifespan Reincarnation, and the Innate Reincarnation Skill.


    He planned to have the cultivators pursuing the Primordial Dao Emperor gain enlightenment in Reincarnation¡ªnot a personal reincarnation, but a projection of will into Reincarnation.


    It would exist in reality but would ultimately be annihilated. It wouldn¡¯t disturb the Great Dao but could absorb its true essence.


    With this direction, he could better perfect it going forward.


    Xiao Lan soon became engrossed in Gu An¡¯s teachings. The Grotto Heaven remained calm, with a serene beauty undisturbed by time.


    ¡­


    In the Misty Immortal Court, within a vast golden hall, hundreds of youthful cultivators gathered, and Tian Hao was among them. Many surrounded him, chatting, resembling stars arching around the moon.


    ¡°I finally got the qualification to compete for the Daoist Emperor.¡±


    ¡°In a million years, it¡¯ll be our turn. Time is pressing.¡±


    ¡°Tian Hao is truly remarkable. He hasn¡¯t even surpassed attaining the Free Immortal of Daoist Zang, yet he has the qualification to compete for the Daoist Emperor.¡±


    ¡°I heard that the ancestor values him highly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be overly joyful; the road to the Daoist Emperor is arduous. We might end up killing each other.¡±


    The disciples of the Misty Immortal Court in the hall discussed matters of the Daoist Emperor.


    Tian Hao remained silent, recalling the words of the elder who announced the Daoist Emperor matter. He always felt that the elder was watching him with ill intent.


    Although he had integrated into the Misty Immortal Court, he wasn¡¯t born there, so he always had a barrier in his heart, preventing him from fully trusting anyone.


    ¡°Speaking of the Daoist Emperor, our Misty Immortal Court has produced many Daoist Emperors throughout history. Do you know which Daoist Emperor had the highest talent?¡±


    The words of a young man in blue clothes caught the attention of many, prompting Tian Hao to turn his head.


    The blue-clothed man reveled in the attention. He cleared his throat and said, ¡°Naturally, it¡¯s the Emperor of Eternal Life from Jinlan Immortal Mansion!¡±


    ¡°Born with the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, he shocked the entire Immortal Court. Perhaps unmatched talent brings misfortune; Heaven is fair, so evil exists to covet his Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye. Breaking into the Misty Immortal Court, it cost his parents¡¯ lives. To protect him, the Misty Immortal Court sent him to Ling Mountain. The Emperor of Eternal Life inherited the true teachings of Ling Mountain and was the Heavenly Buddha Ancestor¡¯s direct disciple. He was unbeatable once he embarked on the Path of the Great Dao, becoming the Daoist Emperor in an incredibly short time.¡±


    The Emperor of Eternal Life!


    The Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye!


    Tian Hao had heard of this name, said to be a supreme genius from long ago. He had heard several seniors use the Emperor of Eternal Life to pressure talented disciples.


    However, when asking about more deeds of the Emperor of Eternal Life, they were warned not to inquire too much.


    The Emperor of Eternal Life seemed to be a taboo within the Misty Immortal Court.


    ¡°Why did such a powerful Emperor of Eternal Life die?¡± someone asked, puzzled.


    The blue-clothed man mysteriously said, ¡°He didn¡¯t die from being killed. Even legendary Immortal Gods couldn¡¯t do anything to him. He entered the River of Cause and Effect for his beloved. Whether he truly perished remains unknown. In fact, many ancestors within the court anticipate his return. It¡¯s said that Ling Mountain occasionally sends disciples to the River of Cause and Effect for training, likely orchestrated by the Heavenly Buddha Ancestor. The Emperor of Eternal Life was the Heavenly Buddha Ancestor¡¯s most cherished disciple.¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Buddha Ancestor, being a supreme presence beyond the Great Thousand World, still longs for the Emperor of Eternal Life. Imagine his extraordinary talent?¡±


    At these words, the surrounding disciples nodded in agreement, beginning to fantasize about the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    Even Tian Hao couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the elegance of the Emperor of Eternal Life.


    ¡°Wait, how do you know so much?¡± a female disciple suddenly asked, prompting everyone to look at the blue-clothed man with odd expressions.


    Those who knew the blue-clothed man felt even more puzzled.


    The blue-clothed man maintained a smile, though it became increasingly eerie.


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve met him and assisted him!¡±


    The blue-clothed man said proudly, making those around him have even stranger expressions.


    Tian Hao sensed something and frowned, silently retreating.


    Suddenly, the blue-clothed man exploded into a black mist, quickly spreading out, causing surrounding disciples to retreat while holding their magic artifacts defensively.


    ¡°Little ones, I am the Profound Demon Emperor under the Emperor of Eternal Life. I am also a Daoist Emperor. Today, only one among you can survive, and the survivor will have the qualification to compete for the Daoist Emperor!¡± S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The voice of the blue-clothed man resounded, but his tone turned chilling.


    Rumble¡ª¡ª


    The entire palace began to tremble, and Tian Hao¡¯s expression changed dramatically as he felt an overwhelming suppression from outside the hall.


    They had no way to escape!


    What was going on?


    Was it an enemy invasion or an arrangement by the Misty Immortal Court?


    Tian Hao took out his three Dao Treasures and watched the black mist vigilantly, faintly catching the silhouette of someone walking within it.

 Chapter 682: 674: Projecting the Path of Creation

    Chapter 682: Chapter 674: Projecting the Path of Creation


    ¡°Profound Demon Emperor¡­¡±


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, Gu An, lying under a tree reading, murmured this name. Having inherited the memories of the Emperor of Eternal Life, he naturally remembered the Profound Demon Emperor.


    The Profound Demon Emperor was the most capable underling of the Emperor of Eternal Life, helping him to manage the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect and search for Fairy Yaoxuan.


    However, ever since the Emperor of Eternal Life ignored the Profound Demon Emperor¡¯s obstruction, insisted on leaving the Stealing Heaven Immortal Sect to find Fairy Yaoxuan, and even injured the Profound Demon Emperor, the two bid farewell forever.


    Unexpectedly, after so many years, the Profound Demon Emperor was still alive.


    He calculated that the Profound Demon Emperor was invited by the Misty Immortal Court to create crises for this group of talents, forcing them to fight each other, only for the Misty Immortal Court to step in and chase him away.


    The Misty Immortal Court is not an evil sect; letting disciples kill each other is unacceptable, as these disciples come from different Immortal Mansions, and their kin are within the court. If they engage in mutual slaughter, a storm will surely arise, potentially bringing about power shifts.


    Gu An couldn¡¯t help but sigh, indeed, darkness exists everywhere.


    With Tian Hao¡¯s current ability, even with the reliance on a Dao Treasure, it would be difficult to survive till the end; the talents within that palace are not weak.


    The disciples of the Misty Immortal Court did not listen to the words of the Profound Demon Emperor but instead began to jointly attack him. The Profound Demon Emperor¡¯s cultivation level had reached the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, which this group of talents could not contend with.


    Soon, all the talented disciples were suppressed. The Profound Demon Emperor unleashed his divine skills, isolating time and space, so even if a thousand or ten thousand years passed here, only a few breath¡¯s time would pass outside, plunging the disciples of the Misty Immortal Court into despair.


    Eventually, someone couldn¡¯t contain themselves and began attacking their fellow disciples. Once someone took the lead, the slaughter naturally erupted.


    Tian Hao did not actively participate in the slaughter, carefully avoiding other disciples, yet someone still sought him out.


    The Misty Immortal Court seemed to receive some kind of stimulus, intensifying the cultivation of its disciples, wishing to nurture combat power more swiftly.


    The reason behind this, Gu An couldn¡¯t compute.


    If there¡¯s something he couldn¡¯t calculate, nine out of ten times it relates to the Celestial Court.


    Though the Misty Immortal Court isn¡¯t within the Great Thousand World, it¡¯s reasonable to speculate that it got involved due to the Celestial Emperor¡¯s struggle within the Celestial Court, as many Immortal Gods have emerged from the court.


    Gu An had no intention of interfering, though Tian Hao wasn¡¯t the strongest, he was destined to survive.


    Because Tian Hao was a reincarnation of the Son of Heaven, those of great power in the Misty Immortal Court would remind the Profound Demon Emperor.


    Indeed, as Tian Hao was severely injured, the Profound Demon Emperor intervened to send him away.


    This great battle persisted within the Divine Power Illusion Realm for quite some time, yet in reality, it was but an instant.


    Seeing Tian Hao unharmed, Gu An then withdrew his gaze.


    He was not only reading but also condensing the Fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    To have the Primordial Dao Emperor exist, one must create a truly existent fortune that cultivators could obtain and control.


    For this, he projected his life span five times to comprehend the Path of Qi Fortune.


    Every projection of his life span would manifest his Reincarnation Body in the Celestial Spirit Great World. Fortunately, these Reincarnation Bodies didn¡¯t leave a renowned legacy, but became a psychological shadow of defeat for some of the absolute geniuses of the era, unforgettable for all eternity. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Each life span projection required millions of years, and after using it five times, Gu An¡¯s Path of Qi Fortune stepped into a brand-new realm.


    ¡°Sure enough, things are easier with cheats.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself, after five life span projections, condensing the Fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor was no longer difficult.


    This process not only advanced the cultivation of the Primordial Dao Emperor, but also saw a growth in his own cultivation level.


    Gu An continued to indulge in books and immerse himself in creating fortune.


    It wasn¡¯t until dusk fell that he stood up.


    He walked toward the peak where he lived, lifting his right hand. Streams of air circled his palm, supported by the wind, resembling water currents with a fiery sway.


    This was the Fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor!


    Seemingly gentle, but actually imbued with the fierce strength of the Path of Power.


    Gu An pondered repeatedly and decided to embed the characteristic of fierceness into the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    The Primordial Dao Emperor, renowned for mighty power!


    Just thinking about it was exhilarating!


    With a foundation of greater strength, the Primordial Dao Emperor, cultivating different Great Daos, could achieve various creations and directions.


    By the time Gu An reached his courtyard, the Fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor in his hand was solid, twisting like a dragon or serpent.


    Shen Zhen, sitting in meditation in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, turned to look. Gu An then dispersed the fortune in his hand.


    ¡°What was that thing in your hand just now?¡± Shen Zhen curiously asked.


    Gu An smiled: ¡°Just a little spell, you¡¯ve been sitting here for a thousand years, aren¡¯t you going out for a walk?¡±


    He deliberately leaked a trace of the Primordial Dao Emperor¡¯s aura to Shen Zhen, intending to lead her into the path in the future.


    Lately, Shen Zhen encountered a bottleneck in comprehending the Path of Cause and Effect, not even venturing into the mountains and rivers, but sitting in meditation in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron all day.


    She chose to sit here because there was a Dao Treasure containing the Path of Cause and Effect within the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that appropriate relaxation aids enlightenment, I don¡¯t believe it anymore.¡± Shen Zhen glared at Gu An, puffing her cheeks as she spoke.


    Gu An indeed didn¡¯t dare say such things again, having met with a bottleneck when creating the Dao before, the discomfort was indeed unbearable, thus he chose to open up a little.


    After chatting for a while, Gu An returned to his house alone.


    Next, he prepared to contemplate where to place the path of proving the Dao for the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    One couldn¡¯t always require coming before him to become the Primordial Dao Emperor, that would limit its development too much.


    The Daoist Emperor placing the Emperor Road on the Path of the Great Dao was a fine guide; the Path of the Great Dao, being the convergence point of the Three Thousand Great Daos, had no rules, not even the Celestial Court couldn¡¯t control it, granting cultivators more freedom.


    He could also position the path of proving the Dao for the Primordial Dao Emperor on the Path of the Great Dao.


    Let¡¯s call it the Primordial Emperor Road!


    Adding two more words to Emperor Road, making it more appealing!


    Gu An didn¡¯t act immediately, choosing to continue projecting his life span.


    This time, he intended to enhance the Great Dao of Creation.


    To turn what shouldn¡¯t exist into reality, and have it exist for a long time, the Great Dao of Creation was most crucial.


    No creation could be done without the Great Dao of Creation!


    Once again projecting toward the Three Thousand Great Worlds, Gu An was already experienced, uninterested in the process, only waiting for the result.


    ¡­


    Snowflakes flew, covering the vast mountains and rivers of the Qiankun Sect.


    In a great hall, Yi Qingshan, Lin Chen, and other high-ranking leaders of the Qiankun Sect surrounded a remarkably handsome yellow-robed disciple.


    This person was Yuan Luo, the reincarnation of Chaos Grudge Luo.


    Today, Yuan Luo had proven himself as the world¡¯s foremost genius, also the pride of the Qiankun Sect.


    ¡°Did you gain anything from this visit to the Cangming Profound Sea?¡± Yi Qingshan asked with a stroked beard and a kind face. Having watched Yuan Luo grow up, Yi Qingshan felt Yuan Luo was his greatest pride in life.


    As for Tian Hao, he was, after all, from the Beginningless, while Yuan Luo was entirely cultivated by the Qiankun Sect, unrelated to the Beginningless.


    The others also smiled approvingly at Yuan Luo, becoming more and more satisfied with him.


    Hearing the Hierarch¡¯s inquiry, Yuan Luo¡¯s face turned grim, and he said through gritted teeth, ¡°I was defeated by someone whose cultivation wasn¡¯t even higher than mine.¡±


    The hall fell silent with this statement.

 Chapter 683: 675: All Beings Are Equal, Accepting Disciples

    Chapter 683: Chapter 675: All Beings Are Equal, Accepting Disciples


    ¡°How is that possible? Could you have been deceived? Even if they could defeat you, their cultivation level must be higher than yours. Could it be some elder monster in disguise?¡±


    An elder frowned as he spoke, and his words gained the support of others. They all believed that Yuan Luo couldn¡¯t possibly lose to an opponent of the same realm.


    Yi Qingshan also frowned. He believed that Yuan Luo¡¯s judgment wouldn¡¯t be wrong. He could sense Yuan Luo¡¯s setback, and Yuan Luo had been traversing the world for many years and had indeed lost to elder monsters before.


    Yuan Luo took a deep breath and said, ¡°I can confirm his cultivation level is not as high as mine, but I am unsure of his origins and do not know his name.¡±


    The elders¡¯ consolation only made him feel worse.


    He was a proud person who disliked failure, but he disliked even more when others denied his failure.


    The high-ranking members of the Qiankun Sect listened in silence.


    Has another peerless prodigy emerged?


    They calmed down and thought it might not be impossible. Especially with Taiqian and the Dao Court currently at war, the destiny of Heaven and Earth evolving, and great powers declaring that the time for an era change in Heaven and Earth had arrived. In such a season, the birth of beings with greater talent might not be impossible.


    Moreover, given the boundless vastness of Heaven and Earth, the Qiankun Sect is but a drop in the ocean. If the Qiankun Sect can give rise to a talent like Yuan Luo, why can¡¯t more prosperous places give birth to even stronger talents?


    Yi Qingshan spoke, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Win next time, or perhaps, I could recommend you go to the Beginningless for cultivation?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yuan Luo shook his head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go. I just want to rely on myself, and I still have a long way to go. If I reach the end and see no hope, then I¡¯ll seek other paths.¡±


    Yi Qingshan didn¡¯t insist, but he found it strange in his heart.


    Yuan Luo¡¯s resistance to the Beginningless seemed excessive, yet Yuan Luo had never spoken ill of the Beginningless.


    Other elders began to encourage Yuan Luo, hoping he wouldn¡¯t be disheartened. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Faced with everyone¡¯s concern, Yuan Luo accepted each one, appearing very humble. He was arrogant to outsiders, but his reputation within the sect had always been good. This was why the Qiankun Sect was willing to support him at all costs, and his colleagues were proud of him.


    After chatting for quite a while, Yuan Luo finally took his leave.


    After he left, the elders finally expressed their true feelings. They found Yuan Luo¡¯s defeat inconceivable and even birthed worries because of it.


    ¡°No need to worry, currently in the sect, he is not the only world-class talent, and with the Beginningless, we will not fall behind in terms of talent,¡± Gu Changsheng said.


    His words gained everyone¡¯s approval; centuries of companionship were enough for them to trust the Beginningless.


    Yi Qingshan followed up, ¡°The world¡¯s situation is turbulent, tell the people within the sect to be cautious and avoid entanglements with Taiqian and the Dao Court. We cannot support either; Qiankun Sect must follow a path of self-reliance.¡±


    Whether it be the Taiqian Dynasty or the Dao Court, behind them are numerous eternal transcendent forces, making them more like allies.


    The Qiankun Sect¡¯s development is not as advanced as theirs, but each step is very solid, and the top-level is still composed of their initial members.


    After receiving the orders, the elders began to discuss the world situation.


    The Taiqian Dynasty¡¯s offensive is fierce, nearly reaching the Dao Court¡¯s mountain gate, causing an uproar throughout the land. People realized the Dao Court was no longer the undisputed world ruler, which led many ambitious individuals to start scheming.


    The Dao Court¡¯s territory is vast, and its foundations are deep. Even a small piece is enough to make a sect soar.


    ¡­


    A thousand years later.


    Emperor Tianhong returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless. He came immediately to visit Gu An.


    ¡°Master, the person you asked me to mentor, he has died. I failed to protect him; please punish me!¡±


    Emperor Tianhong knelt behind Gu An, his expression dejected.


    An Xin, who led the way, couldn¡¯t move upon hearing these words, standing still to ascertain to whom Emperor Tianhong referred.


    Gu An was inside the pavilion writing a secret manual, his back to Emperor Tianhong, and said, ¡°No matter, dead is dead. I only asked you to teach him, didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d spend so many years before returning.¡±


    That person was the reincarnation of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch. Under Emperor Tianhong¡¯s guidance, his cultivation progressed rapidly, unfortunately, he died at the hands of a great power from the Taiqian Dynasty. Even Emperor Tianhong couldn¡¯t stop it and had to rely on the power of a Dao treasure to protect himself.


    Having spent so many years together, Emperor Tianhong developed deep feelings for Taiyi. His heart filled with grief and self-blame; he even hoped Gu An would seek revenge for Taiyi, but he restrained himself, knowing that his master had no obligation to intervene.


    In his eyes, his master didn¡¯t meddle in worldly affairs, only acting when faced with external threats. To the master, all living beings under heaven were of equal standing, and the master wouldn¡¯t favor anyone.


    Taiyi¡¯s death was ultimately a personal vendetta. He insisted on competing with talents from Taiqian for heavenly materials and earthly treasures, resulting in the intervention of the opponent¡¯s support.


    Emperor Tianhong also made a move, but the opponents were numerous, and he couldn¡¯t prevail.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to mentor for so long and ultimately developed compassion,¡± Emperor Tianhong sighed. Taiyi was his first disciple, and after spending so much time together, he inevitably became attached.


    Gu An turned to look at him and said, ¡°Cherish the feelings this experience brings you. As for Taiyi, he will reincarnate.¡±


    ¡°Really? I clearly saw him utterly obliterated¡­¡±


    Emperor Tianhong¡¯s eyes lit up as he asked excitedly.


    Gu An smiled without speaking, leading Emperor Tianhong to speculate it was his doing, engendering feelings of gratitude within him.


    ¡°Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master¡­¡±


    Emperor Tianhong began to kowtow, exceedingly joyful.


    Gu An looked at him with a silent sigh. Although he had awakened some memories of the Immortal Gods, he was still far from becoming a true Immortal God.


    ¡°Go and cultivate. As for Taiyi, I won¡¯t prevent you from encountering him again in the future, but you need not actively seek him now,¡± Gu An said.


    Hearing this, Emperor Tianhong felt even happier, hurriedly thanking Gu An, then stood up, bowed to An Xin, and vanished from the spot.


    ¡°Master, could that person called Taiyi really be the reincarnation of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch?¡± An Xin approached Gu An and asked softly.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s him.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid they, as two Immortal Gods, might collude?¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, they won¡¯t.¡±


    Gu An answered casually, casting a satisfied glance at his writing.


    An Xin inquired, ¡°Master, do you think I could also take a disciple? I haven¡¯t truly taken a disciple before and want to experience being a master. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t go out; I¡¯ll choose a disciple from within the Qiankun Sect.¡±


    Gu An shot her a glance and said, ¡°You may take only one.¡±


    An Xin was overjoyed and giggled, ¡°Thank you, Master. Rest assured, I won¡¯t carelessly choose. The disciple I take will certainly please you, and they won¡¯t bring shame to the Beginningless.¡±


    Gu An raised his hand to ruffle her hair, smiling, ¡°In truth, aptitude doesn¡¯t matter. If you meet a disciple you¡¯re fond of and they¡¯re willing to accept you as a master, don¡¯t worry too much.¡±

 Chapter 684: 676: Wushis Third Generation, Destiny Fulfilled

    Chapter 684: Chapter 676: Wushi¡¯s Third Generation, Destiny Fulfilled


    After Gu An agreed that An Xin could take on disciples, she eagerly headed to the Qiankun Sect.


    However, An Xin¡¯s standards were extremely high, and after going through the Qiankun Sect, she didn¡¯t find anyone suitable.


    Regarding this, she was not in a hurry, prepared to wait through the long years. She would either not accept disciples or accept one who would be the strongest among the third generation of Wushiji disciples in the future!


    Although the third generation of Wushi has not yet appeared, the Wushiji disciples have already begun to prepare eagerly.


    The once-in-a-millennium sparring already couldn¡¯t satisfy them, especially after the Blood Prison Great Saint and An Xin took the lead, other disciples began to contemplate other ways to surpass them.


    Gu An not only had strong personal strength but also his ability to cultivate disciples was evident to all, and naturally, the disciples wanted to emulate him.


    Upon hearing that An Xin was allowed to take disciples, other disciples in the dojo also approached Gu An, hoping to take on students.


    Currently, aside from An Xin, only Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, Blood Prison Great Saint, Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Emperor Tianhong, Shen Zhen, and Jiang Shi remained in the dojo.


    Chen Chuan, Lv Xian, and An Shengtian had not returned until now. They had already established sects outside and could only occasionally come back to visit.


    As for the competition among the disciples, Gu An did not intervene, as long as it wasn¡¯t malicious competition, after all, in the long years, there needed to be some fun to pass the time apart from cultivation.


    ¡­


    Time passed in a flash, and another ten thousand years went by.


    An Xin still hadn¡¯t taken any disciples, and because of this, the other disciples were not in a hurry either. They adhered to the rules secretly, as An Xin was the senior disciple, and her disciple should be the leading disciple among the third generation.


    Moreover, they required a standard; being the first to take a disciple would easily become a reference for others.


    With so many geniuses in the world, who could guarantee their disciples would be the strongest?


    But if others had already taken disciples, they could make comparisons.


    In these ten thousand years, Gu An had performed six lifespan projections, making his achievements in the Great Dao reach an exceedingly high realm.


    On this day, right after the Spring Festival, Gu An came alone to the vast Path of the Great Dao.


    The Path of the Great Dao was vast and boundless, not in the form of a cosmic plane. It was lush and flourishing, with countless branches, each containing different Dao Rules.


    The part of the Path of the Great Dao he arrived at was considered the main trunk. The Three Thousand Great Dao formed one vast Qi Sea, within which were continents and meteors, with no visible signs of life. Looking towards the overseas part of the Great Dao, darkness made everything here seem small.


    This time, Gu An came to pioneer the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    He hovered in the void, above the Qi Sea of the Great Dao, his Heart Eye capable of seeing incredibly far distances. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He saw some people searching for treasure, some trapped in Dao dilemmas, some fighting for the Daoist Emperor, and some facing life-and-death separations.


    Not only the Human Race and Demon Race but also many other races existed, some not even in the form of living beings, resembling souls or stars.


    All things fell into Gu An¡¯s eyes, and even as a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, he felt the boundless creation.


    Those who could tread the Path of the Great Dao had already become immortals, detached from the mundane world, each entwined with endless karma, as if a world became a speck of dust upon entering the Path of the Great Dao.


    Gu An¡¯s gaze turned to a farther place.


    The Three Thousand Great Worlds lay under the Path of the Great Dao, and the Path of the Great Dao connected many mysterious planes, including the Primordial Emperor Domain, Misty Immortal Court, Ling Mountain, among others. Upwards from the Path of the Great Dao was chaos, and nothing could be seen, but Gu An¡¯s Divine Sense could reach into it, which meant there were planes above; he just couldn¡¯t explore them yet.


    Gu An withdrew his gaze and began to create the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Creating destiny would not cause a great commotion. For the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor to truly establish, it would take long years to develop.


    Rather than say he was creating destiny, he was in fact creating a kind of Great Dao, allowing it to exist in the Path of the Great Dao until discovered by cultivators.


    Notably, Yang Xian¡¯s Sacred Heart Sword Dao was also a kind of destiny. The Sacred Heart Sword Dao would persist with the River of Sword Dao, allowing cultivators to draw upon its power, just like a Daoist Emperor and a Primordial Dao Emperor.


    It¡¯s just that Yang Xian¡¯s cultivation level wasn¡¯t strong enough.


    There¡¯s no denying that Yang Xian¡¯s comprehension was truly terrifying. Without using lifespan evolutions, he could reach this step, even though he wasn¡¯t stronger than the Celestial Spirit God.


    Before Gu An entered the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit Realm, creating such a sword dao was very difficult.


    But Yang Xian was him, and Yang Xian¡¯s greatness was his greatness too.


    As he complimented himself in his heart, he continued creating.


    His Dao Intent formed streams of airflow around him. Before coming, he had already constructed the destiny structure of the Primordial Dao Emperor. Now only the final step was needed for it to be born.


    Soon, these streams of airflow converged to form a gray mist studded with countless golden stars, still swirling around Gu An.


    He raised his right hand and pointed in a direction, and the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor surged that way.


    During the surge, this destiny gradually gained color, resembling a rainbow, but quickly becoming more vivid than a rainbow.


    Gu An watched as it drifted far away.


    Only after it merged into the Great Dao Destiny and disappeared without a trace did he vanish as well.


    He didn¡¯t return directly to the Celestial Spirit Great World but visited other Great Worlds, even going to the Primordial Emperor Domain and Misty Immortal Court. Each time he went somewhere, he would erase his karma and aura.


    After several hundred back-and-forth trips, he finally returned to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    At this moment, it was still afternoon, with a bright and sunny day.


    Gu An went to the Gathering Flower Sect and met with Jiang Qiong.


    Upon hearing Gu An¡¯s message, Jiang Qiong immediately set aside everything and came to meet him, even having her disciples prepare Immortal Brew and Immortal Food.


    The two met in a small pavilion on the mountain top, outside of which a vast sea of clouds resembled an earthly fairyland.


    ¡°Did something happen?¡±


    Gu An asked with a smiling face, naturally aware of what Jiang Qiong faced. His direct call for her was also to help her out of a predicament.


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong¡¯s smile faded, she furrowed her brows and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s still the Taiqian Dynasty and the Dao Court causing trouble. Taiqian is rallying all the sects and dynasties to divide Dao Court¡¯s territory. Before Taiqian breaks Dao Court, whatever territory the sects get will forever belong to them. But if they wait until Taiqian breaks Dao Court, Taiqian will confiscate all the land in the world. The elders of our sect also want to get involved, but I don¡¯t think Taiqian will win.¡±


    ¡°Why won¡¯t they win?¡± Gu An asked.


    Jiang Qiong gave Gu An a sidelong glance and responded with irritation, ¡°Because the Tai Cang Dynasty still exists, the Dao Court won¡¯t annex the Tai Cang Dynasty, but Taiqian will.¡±


    Gu An smiled helplessly, ¡°I have long been unrelated to the Tai Cang Dynasty. The evolution of worldly affairs is not something I will interfere with.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Jiang Qiong didn¡¯t believe it, and her inner voice made Gu An give her a glare.


    Gu An fake coughed and said, ¡°I have an opportunity here, if you can grasp it, the Gathering Flower Sect might become as strong as the Dao Court in the future.¡±

 Chapter 685: 677: The Visage of an Old Friend

    Chapter 685: Chapter 677: The Visage of an Old Friend


    ¡°What opportunity?¡±


    Jiang Qiong¡¯s eyes lit up with curiosity, and she asked eagerly. She trusted Gu An wouldn¡¯t deceive her, so she already began looking forward to the future of the Gathering Flower Sect.


    Gu An said, ¡°The Great Dao encompasses three thousand paths; besides Qi Absorption for Immortal Cultivation, there are many aids. I have an opportunity in hand called the Primordial Dao Emperor. By achieving the Primordial Dao Emperor, within the same realm, no one can defeat you. You will find it easier to attain Enlightenment than other cultivators. Of course, becoming a Primordial Dao Emperor is no easy task. I can only provide an opportunity; success depends on your efforts and fortune.¡±


    ¡°Primordial Dao Emperor?¡±


    Hearing this name, Jiang Qiong was instantly excited.


    Just from the name, she felt it was formidable.


    Gu An then waved his sleeve, and a gust of clear wind brushed Jiang Qiong¡¯s face, causing her to become slightly dazed, her consciousness floating into the Great Dao.


    The initial opening of the Primordial Dao Emperor requires not only time but also Dao Seekers. The more people comprehend it, the stronger it becomes.


    Destiny inherently needs to spread. Every living being carries the creation of the Great Dao, which they cannot perceive, but when they move toward a certain goal, the creation aligns with that target, forming an intangible, imperceptible destiny.


    The more beings pursuing the Primordial Dao Emperor, the faster its destiny grows.


    This process also aids Gu An¡¯s Dao Practice. Of course, he can also transmit his power to all cultivators through the Primordial Dao Emperor, complementing each other.


    While Jiang Qiong was immersed in the creation of the Primordial Dao Emperor, Gu An began drinking wine.


    He decided to conceal the fact that the Primordial Dao Emperor was his own creation. Even his disciples wouldn¡¯t know the truth.


    Jiang Qiong was just the beginning. Gu An would lead those he cared about into the Primordial Dao Emperor. Of course, if someone didn¡¯t want to become a Primordial Dao Emperor, he wouldn¡¯t force them.


    But he thought no one could refuse to become a Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Just like the attraction of the Daoist Emperor to the world, cultivators find it hard to refuse additional power to enhance themselves.


    Thus, in the years that followed, Gu An transmitted the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor to his disciples, old friends, only saying that the Primordial Dao Emperor was a destiny rank different from the Daoist Emperor. Just as he anticipated, no one refused to become a Primordial Dao Emperor.


    When dealing with Li Ya and Martial Resolution, Gu An didn¡¯t appear in person but allowed them to encounter the opportunity to become a Primordial Dao Emperor in a serendipitous manner. This made both extremely happy, thinking they had found the greatest opportunity in the world. Through the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor, they sensed the vastness of the Great Dao, even feeling their souls had transcended the Great Thousand World.


    To truly become a Primordial Dao Emperor, reaching the stage of soul projection is required, where the cultivators need to resonate with the Great Dao. That is a high level of achievement, a process in which Gu An would not assist them.


    If the Primordial Dao Emperor were chosen by his will, it could never surpass the Daoist Emperor.


    ¡­


    On the Path of the Great Dao, in a void space.


    A man in red with white hair was treading a sword, his features handsome and posture upright, like an Immortal Monarch wandering the void.


    His name was Fang Xuan, a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal.


    Suddenly, his face turned pale, and he couldn¡¯t help raising his hand to clutch his chest, showing a pained expression.


    ¡°Damn it, I survived the Celestial Spirit Great World, and after merely tens of thousands of years, I am to die on the Path of the Great Dao? Heaven, you truly love to toy with me¡­¡±


    Fang Xuan thought bitterly. Not long ago, he encountered two prodigies battling over the Daoist Emperor. Because he stayed to watch, one of them secretly attacked him, cursed him with bad luck, and left him in great distress.


    He had just managed to become a Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal; he also aimed to be a Daoist Emperor. Yet, before setting foot on the Emperor Road, he was about to die.


    His heart filled with confusion, he couldn¡¯t help but think of the battle between the Battle Court and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable back then. He thought he had great destiny for surviving under the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.


    Now it seems it was indeed just good luck.


    On the Path of the Great Dao, his talent wasn¡¯t extraordinary. He was even defeated by contenders for the Daoist Emperor in the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm.


    Looking back on his life, he was a renowned genius of the Battle Court since childhood, yet he had never done anything worth boasting about, always failing. He once found comfort in the idea of poor timing, but now?


    Fang Xuan¡¯s eyes gradually dimmed, his mana roiling within, painful memories surfacing that he wished not to recall.


    He flew towards a nearby meteor. Upon landing, disregarding the flying sword, he staggered to a mountain wall, sat against it, and tried to meditate and cultivate energy.


    ¡°Pff¡ª¡±


    A mouthful of black blood spurted from his mouth, splattering on the ground and turning into scalding black smoke as it dissipated.


    He spat not only blood but also his Dao Practice; they were fragments of his Dao Fruit.


    His Dao Fruit was shattering.


    Fang Xuan was unable to cultivate energy; he leaned back against the mountain wall, his head drooping.


    At this moment, he looked so weak, but such scenes were not uncommon on the Path of the Great Dao. He remembered the dead he¡¯d seen before.


    He once admonished himself to be cautious, never to follow in their footsteps.


    But he never expected¡­


    Fate was already before his eyes.


    Fang Xuan¡¯s lips curled, revealing a self-mocking smile.


    Suddenly.


    A light appeared before him, capturing his attention. He instinctively looked up and saw a light at the end of the cliff ahead.


    For some reason, he felt compelled to see that light clearly.


    He was dying anyway; he couldn¡¯t die so disgracefully!


    If he were to die, he would die standing!


    Fang Xuan took a deep breath and forced himself to his feet, walking shakily forward.


    He was only a few dozen feet from the cliff¡¯s edge, yet it felt like a lifetime¡¯s journey.


    When he finally reached the cliff¡¯s edge, his chin was stained with black blood, his entire being appearing miserably tragic.


    At the cliff¡¯s edge, he finally saw the existence within that light¡ªa piece of silver crystal, like a fragment of some creation, emitting light while rotating.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Fang Xuan murmured. As he recognized the silver crystal, his spirit condition surprisingly improved somewhat.


    He involuntarily raised his hand to touch the silver crystal.


    When his fingertip made contact with the silver crystal, a strong light burst forth, engulfing him in an instant.


    ¡­


    Supreme Sect, Third Medicine Valley.


    Under an old tree, Gu An, transformed into a middle-aged cultivator, was playing chess with the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch.


    Even though he had left the Supreme Sect for hundreds of thousands of years, because his Sword Intent atop the Heaven-Repairing Platform had yet to disperse, many still came in pursuit of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. Emperor Tianhong once came in the past.


    The Supreme Sect might not have been a top sect in the world, but its fame was immense.


    Gu An¡¯s eyes slightly changed as he placed down the chess piece in his hand, somewhat surprised in his heart.


    ¡°Unexpectedly, this person has such fortune¡­¡± sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An sensed someone stepping into the Primordial Emperor Road of the Primordial Dao Emperor on the Path of the Great Dao; this person had some causal ties with him, being a cultivator from the Battle Court whom he had spared in the past.


    The cause and effect on the Path of the Great Dao are complex, especially concerning such destiny ranks as the Primordial Dao Emperor. Gu An couldn¡¯t discern who in the future would become a Primordial Dao Emperor, so Fang Xuan¡¯s success came as a surprise.


    It¡¯s truly a case of fate playing tricks, turning foe into friend.


    Sitting opposite Gu An, the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch stared at the chessboard, his brows furrowed tightly. He occasionally glanced up at Gu An, then back at the board, thinking deeply.


    After a while.


    The Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch looked up at Gu An and said, ¡°This Fellow Daoist, you remind me of an old friend.¡±


    Gu An chuckled and asked, ¡°Who?¡±


    The Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch stood up, walked to the side, turned his back to Gu An, and stroked his beard sentimentally, saying, ¡°He was someone who disappeared almost four hundred thousand years ago. His chess skills were second only to mine. I see his style in you.¡±


    Gu An glanced at the board and internally scoffed.


    Is he trying to take this chance to end the game?

 Chapter 686: 678: The Rise of the Emperor

    Chapter 686: Chapter 678: The Rise of the Emperor


    The Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch began recounting his past with Gu An, leaving out Gu An¡¯s name entirely, and altering many parts of the story.


    Gu An sat in front of the chessboard, patiently listening to the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch boast.


    His thoughts drifted to the Supreme Sect.


    Currently, the Supreme Sect¡¯s Sect Leader is Ye Cang. Under his leadership, the Supreme Sect has developed excellently, growing stronger year by year. The alliance between the Supreme Sect and the Tai Cang Dynasty has proven effective, with both sides brimming with zeal.


    Gu An considered releasing the inheritance of the Heaven-Splitting Axe. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The inheritance contained within the Heaven-Splitting Axe was long negligible, but the Sword Intent imparted by Gu An was so powerful that no one could lift it.


    After laying the groundwork for hundreds of thousands of years, it was time to bestow the true inheritance of the Heaven-Splitting Axe.


    Gu An infused it with a special Primordial Dao Emperor Fortune, doing so without drawing any attention.


    As Gu An had predicted, after finishing his story, the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch wanted to drag Gu An to the old residence of a deceased friend, ignoring the chess game he was about to lose.


    Thinking of how many times the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch had lost to him, Gu An let it slide.


    For the time being, Gu An observed Fang Xuan while dealing with the Nine-Fingered Divine Monarch.


    By the time he left, no one knew that the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable had ever returned.


    ¡­


    The war between the Dao Court and the Taiqian Dynasty finally concluded, with the Dao Court gaining the upper hand. After Zhao Rushen slew the Taiqian Son of Heaven, the Taiqian Dynasty unraveled, descending into chaos akin to the Human Purgatory.


    This lengthy war, spanning many years, resulted in countless casualties. As the Taiqian Dynasty¡¯s fortune dispersed, a blood mist lingered over the Taiqian Land, refusing to dissipate for a long time.


    By slaying the Taiqian Son of Heaven, Zhao Rushen became renowned across the world, relinquishing the title of prodigy to become a hero recognized by all.


    Simultaneously, the Spiritual Energy between Heaven and Earth began to strengthen, birthing more creations, making Immortal Cultivation increasingly accessible.


    Time flew by.


    Fifty thousand years had passed since Gu An infused the Path of the Great Dao with Primordial Dao Emperor Fortune.


    The Taiqian Dynasty became an ancient legend in the Human World, with a significant increase in Free Immortals. The limits of prodigies becoming increasingly exaggerated, and the world¡¯s order growing more intricate.


    Within the Dao Court, in Xiao Lan¡¯s Grotto Heaven.


    Gu An accompanied Xiao Lan in cultivation while examining his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 445,492/31,076,970,562,704]


    [Physique: Primordial Dao Creation Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    His life span was growing steadily, but it was still far from a trillion years.


    Gu An planned to attempt a breakthrough after reaching a trillion-year life span.


    Though the variables invading the Celestial Spirit Great World were increasing over the years, none posed any threat to him, so he remained unfazed.


    These variables were normal; any powerful Great Thousand World would attract visitors from Outer Heaven. The Celestial Spirit Great World, while not yet strong, was in a phase of rapid development, attracting beings from other Great Thousand Worlds and dimensions to explore opportunities.


    The Taiqian Dynasty was supposed to perish within a few thousand years but was extended by visitors from Outer Heaven for ten thousand years.


    Of course, it wasn¡¯t just the Taiqian Dynasty that had help from Outer Heaven; the Dao Court did too. The Master of the Dao Court, Yuan Songzi, originally hailed from another Great Thousand World.


    Xiao Lan opened her eyes, gazing at Gu An and sighed, ¡°Brother Gu, I still can¡¯t achieve the level of projection; it¡¯s too difficult. Although the Primordial Dao Emperor doesn¡¯t require fighting like the Daoist Emperor, the difficulty is no less.¡±


    Gu An sat on a tree, playing with the Seven-Star Mirror, smiling, ¡°Precisely because it¡¯s difficult, it proves its strength. Why rush? You have plenty of years to try.¡±


    Xiao Lan took a deep breath and curiously asked, ¡°Brother Gu, how many years did it take you to become a Primordial Dao Emperor?¡±


    ¡°About a million years.¡±


    Gu An replied casually. Hearing this number, Xiao Lan felt relieved yet despaired.


    A million years.


    Even if her talent was greater than Gu An¡¯s, wouldn¡¯t it take her at least five hundred thousand years?


    She felt a bit exhausted.


    She stood up and said, ¡°Brother Gu, how about we go out and have a look around?¡±


    Gu An jumped down from the tree, pocketing the Seven-Star Mirror, and walked toward Xiao Lan.


    ¡°What¡¯s so good about that mirror that you always carry it with you?¡± Xiao Lan couldn¡¯t help but ask. Her Divine Sense once peeked at the Seven-Star Mirror but found nothing unusual about it.


    Gu An replied, ¡°I¡¯m the only one who knows its value.¡±


    Xiao Lan rolled her eyes; luckily, the mirror hadn¡¯t become sentient, or she would have been more suspicious.


    Gu An accompanied Xiao Lan out of the Grotto Heaven, his attention once again focusing on the Path of the Great Dao.


    That Fang Xuan had actually succeeded in projection!


    This guy had an extraordinary comprehension on the Primordial Emperor Road.


    Gu An eagerly anticipated his achievement of Primordial Dao Emperor status. A Primordial Dao Emperor needed someone to showcase its splendor; defeating a Daoist Emperor would have even more impact.


    ¡­


    On the Path of the Great Dao, atop a Meteor.


    Fang Xuan sat in meditation on the edge of a cliff, his red clothes fluttering and white hair flowing. His eyes were closed, and his head trembled slightly.


    Gradually, his brow furrowed, as if enduring some pain.


    After a long time.


    Fang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils trembling as if awakened from a great dream, his emotions out of control.


    He tried hard to calm himself and showed a look of joy on his face, murmuring to himself, ¡°Is this the creation of the Primordial Dao Emperor? I haven¡¯t truly undergone Reincarnation, yet I possess memories of Reincarnation. Whether it¡¯s imagination or reality remains unknown. If true, the comprehension method of the Primordial Dao Emperor is too incredible¡­¡±


    On the Path of the Great Dao, he mostly heard about the Daoist Emperor. Although there were other fortune levels, none could compare to the Daoist Emperor.


    The Primordial Dao Emperor was different!


    The mere hundreds of Reincarnation memories he received just now left him astounded.


    He could feel that the real-time had not passed for so long.


    If he could undergo multiple Reincarnation Enlightenment sessions, his cultivation breakthrough speed would exceed the previous method.


    With this thought, Fang Xuan¡¯s heartbeat began to quicken.


    ¡°Primordial Dao Emperor¡­ I never heard of it before. Even if other Primordial Dao Emperors exist, they must be few, far fewer than the Daoist Emperors. This will be the greatest opportunity of my life¡­¡±


    Fang Xuan¡¯s excitement grew.


    He closed his eyes, carefully recalling the insights from his prior Reincarnation experiences.


    At the same time.


    In another void space on the Path of the Great Dao, a Black-armored Lion Demon arrived beneath a great tree. His form was humanoid yet burly, his head retaining the original shape, with a mane reaching his waist, exuding a strong sense of oppression.


    He raised his right hand, reaching towards a Silver Crystal floating beneath the tree branches.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    The Black-armored Lion Demon muttered, eyes full of curiosity.


    He was not alone; with Fang Xuan¡¯s successful Enlightenment, the Path of the Great Dao gained hundreds of Silver Crystals, scattered across various void spaces. Most were quietly awaiting those with fate, while some, like the Black-armored Lion Demon, encountered them soon after their appearance.

 Chapter 687: 679: New Momentum

    Chapter 687: Chapter 679: New Momentum


    The dark void, a mass of purple clouds floating in front of a bright full moon, with a cliff standing above the clouds, where an old man in a white robe is sitting.


    He has white hair and a youthful face, with two halos floating behind his head, constantly changing colors, beautiful and mesmerizing.


    He opens his eyes, pinches his fingers to calculate, his expression becomes strange.


    He begins to continually deduce, but unfortunately, no matter how he deduces, he cannot unlock the confusion in his heart.


    A figure suddenly appears behind him, a celestial god dressed in blood armor, with a terrifying aura, white hair fluttering, and a blood flower imprint on his forehead.


    It is the Celestial Destruction God!


    He has another identity, known as Long Mie, the grandson of Emperor Longxin.


    The Celestial Destruction God bends and raises his hand, saluting the old man in white, saying: ¡°Master, your disciple has come to see you.¡±


    ¡°How many years has it been, you have finally come, it seems you have successfully refined a Dharma Body for that entity.¡± The old man in white speaks, his tone calm.


    The Celestial Destruction God replies: ¡°Duty calls; the Celestial Mandate cannot be violated.¡±


    ¡°The Celestial Mandate cannot be violated? Indeed, it cannot be violated.¡±


    The old man in white stands up, turns to look at the Celestial Destruction God, gazing up and down, with a look of gratification in his eyes.


    ¡°Your Dao practice is not bad, proving you haven¡¯t wasted your time, you¡¯re not unworthy of my cultivation.¡± The old man in white strokes his beard and smiles.


    The Celestial Destruction God responds: ¡°Master has cultivated more than just this disciple, without Master, I would have died long ago.¡±


    The old man in white shakes his head, turning to gaze into the dark void, while the Celestial Destruction God looks at him intently. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Disciple, your talent is extraordinary, possessing gifts that even the Immortal Gods find hard to match; from now on, you need not restrain your desire for slaughter.¡±


    The old man in white says softly, reflections of great explosions flickering in his pupils.


    The Celestial Destruction God frowns upon hearing this and asks, ¡°Do you think it is already that time?¡±


    ¡°Even if it hasn¡¯t arrived, you must prepare in advance; the changes in the Great Dao are becoming increasingly complex, and the struggles within the Celestial Court are growing fiercer, who can say how much disaster lies within, and what it will ultimately evolve into.¡±


    The old man in white sighs as he speaks.


    The Celestial Destruction God remains silent for a moment before saying: ¡°I am not prepared to rely on the talent left by the Long Family, the Long Family should disappear; I will only cultivate steadily.¡±


    The old man in white glances at him, saying meaningfully: ¡°It seems someone from the Long Family still lives, and you¡¯ve gained a burden; the old you couldn¡¯t wait to be free of restraints.¡±


    The Celestial Destruction God replies: ¡°Indeed, some still live, but they have cut ties with the past; I simply do not wish to follow the old path of the Long Family, growing stronger through slaughter, to me, that is not the Righteous Dao.¡±


    Hearing this, the old man in white chuckled, shifting his gaze back to the void.


    ¡°Before returning to the Celestial Court, take a trip along the Path of the Great Dao, there is new fortune born there, what exactly it is, you shall explore for yourself.¡± The old man in white instructed.


    The Celestial Destruction God agreed, saluted him, and then vanished from the spot.


    Only the old man in white remained on the cliff, standing in front of the bright moon, his figure appearing desolate.


    ¡°Who will be the next Celestial Emperor? Is this truly just a battle for the Celestial Emperor?¡±


    The old man in white muttered to himself, with no one able to answer him, he was questioning himself.


    ¡­


    Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Another ten thousand years have passed since Fang Xuan¡¯s first reincarnation projection successfully appeared.


    The Human World has ushered in a new prosperous age, with the Hundred Sects vying for supremacy, yet neither the Qiankun Sect nor the Supreme Sect, despite their strengthening, were able to enter the ranks of the Hundred Sects of the world.


    Over the years, besides daily life, Gu An is most concerned with the fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Currently, over three hundred cultivators are pursuing the Primordial Dao Emperor along the Path of the Great Dao; more than a thousand have encountered this opportunity, some perishing in the recent ten thousand years, others giving up on this opportunity.


    Generally speaking, having over three hundred cultivators striving for the Primordial Dao Emperor, this destiny is considered to be formed.


    Although the Primordial Dao Emperor does not seek quick strength through victory, the reincarnation projection speeds up cultivators¡¯ advancement, possibly resulting in the emergence of the first Primordial Dao Emperor within hundreds of thousands of years, which piques Gu An¡¯s curiosity.


    Who exactly will it be?


    Fang Xuan was the first to begin, but new talents have emerged along the Path of the Great Dao, with momentum surpassing his.


    As for the Dao Seekers in the Celestial Spirit Great World, they were all acquaintances of Gu An; their natural abilities did not match the prodigies of the Path of the Great Dao, and Gu An would not show favoritism towards them on the Primordial Emperor Road, as they almost certainly could not become the first Primordial Dao Emperor.


    On this day, within the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    Gu An plays the flute while watching the celestial battle in the sky.


    He creates a barrier field, allowing the Blood Prison Great Saint and An Xin to engage in combat, with Shen Zhen, the Celestial Demon Child, Celestial Cyan, Tian Bai, Jiang Shi, Ghost Mother of Ephemera, Emperor Tianhong, and the White Spirit Rat watching nearby, their hearts surging and discussing continuously.


    ¡°Why has the Blood Prison Great Saint stopped again? Could it be he¡¯s fallen under an illusion technique?¡±


    ¡°An Xin is formidable; it feels like she¡¯s toying with the Blood Prison Great Saint.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, don¡¯t let him hear you say that, he¡¯ll hold a grudge.¡±


    ¡°Senior Sister An Xin is indeed strong, it¡¯s entirely unclear how powerful she really is.¡±


    ¡°Did anyone see what divine skills An Xin used?¡±


    The disciples are endlessly discussing, and Gu An intentionally used a barrier to conceal An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, so the disciples did not witness any change in An Xin¡¯s eyes, nor could they feel the power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye.


    This led to the combat feeling awkward, with the Blood Prison Great Saint intermittently pausing. If not for his formidable corporeal body and abundant Qi-Blood, he would have already been defeated.


    Compared to An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, Gu An was more pleased with the progress of the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had created his own divine skills, allowing his flesh to rapidly regenerate, even if his body turned to dust, he could recover in a short period.


    But such recovery requires consuming soul energy, and he began to feel fatigue, a fatigue emanating from the depths of his soul, weakening his control over his body.


    At this rate, his defeat was inevitable.


    Gu An pondered whether to send the Blood Prison Great Saint to train along the Path of the Great Dao?


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was well-suited to grow stronger through combat, but regrettably, when asked several times before, he stubbornly refused to go, even though Gu An promised he could return to the Beginningless afterward, the Blood Prison Great Saint still did not agree.


    If the Blood Prison Great Saint were assigned to tasks in the Human World, he would go, but the Path of the Great Dao is far away, and he always felt that once there, returning shortly would be difficult.


    No, it wouldn¡¯t work.


    He must be made to go out and train for a hundred thousand years before returning.


    Gu An thought silently.


    Not only to make Blood Prison Great Saint grow stronger but also to reduce the pressure on the other disciples.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint not only loved to fight but also had a foul mouth; every time he won, he¡¯d resort to frantically taunting his opponents, so now no one hoped he would win, all were watching his misfire.


    After some time.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint was defeated and exited the barrier with An Xin.


    An Xin, like a celestial being descended to the mortal world, landed beside Gu An, her clothes without any change, appearing not to have undergone any battle.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint hung his head low, devoid of fighting spirit, his fists clenched tightly.

 Chapter 688: 680 Wushi Free Immortal

    Chapter 688: Chapter 680 Wushi Free Immortal


    ¡°Master, I won.¡±


    An Xin lightly laughed, causing other disciples to cheer, which made the Blood Prison Great Saint even more uncomfortable. To appear magnanimous before the master, he had to force a smile.


    After Gu An offered a few simple remarks, he let An Xin lead the disciples away.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint landed beside Gu An, hanging his head, looking utterly forlorn.


    After the aura of An Xin and the others faded into the distance, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Master, next time I will definitely win it back!¡±


    Thinking about it now, it¡¯s truly incredible.


    Before the creation of the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, An Xin¡¯s talent was so mediocre, hardly worth mentioning compared to other disciples. Yet, after arriving at Wushi, An Xin¡¯s Dao Practice advanced rapidly.


    Recalling the earlier battle, he even felt a chill. An Xin¡¯s Divine Skills were too terrifying; he was besieged by countless An Xins. If not for his body¡¯s strong self-healing power, he would have long been defeated.


    The self-healing Divine Skill he created seemed tailored to showcase An Xin¡¯s prowess; with anyone else, it¡¯s doubtful they¡¯d witness so many An Xins.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s heart had never been so defeated; he dared not face Gu An¡¯s gaze.


    Although An Xin was Gu An¡¯s most cherished disciple, he was the only mount!


    In his view, his position was more special, and he could not afford to lose.


    Gu An seldom saw the Blood Prison Great Saint so dejected, asking, ¡°Are you very unwilling?¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint nodded heavily, his usual arrogance gone.


    ¡°Lost is lost, win back later. An Xin also once lost to you. Even I have opponents I cannot defeat,¡± Gu An comforted him.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions.


    Gu An¡¯s lips twitched slightly because he heard the thoughts of the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint internally asked, but have you ever lost?


    ¡°If you achieve the Primordial Dao Emperor status earlier than An Xin, perhaps you could surpass her,¡± Gu An pointed in a direction.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint looked up at him, reluctantly saying, ¡°She is also chasing after the Primordial Dao Emperor. Even if I am one step ahead, she will eventually catch up unless I have stronger Divine Skills than hers.¡±


    The suppressive power of the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye was too strong; after the Immortal God Reincarnation Emperor Tianhong lost to An Xin, he dared not challenge her again.


    Only by truly facing An Xin¡¯s Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye can one feel that despair.


    ¡°That may not be the case. The Divine Skills you have created have limitless potential; you just haven¡¯t thoroughly explored them. In fact, I have the most confidence in you, but don¡¯t tell the other disciples this,¡± Gu An said earnestly. Hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint was instantly excited, his eyes even glistening with tears. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These words at this moment gave the Blood Prison Great Saint a great encouragement.


    He swept away the feelings of loss and confusion, becoming full of fighting spirit.


    He believed his master would not deceive him!


    ¡°Master, I definitely will not disappoint you!¡± the Blood Prison Great Saint promised, also pledging to himself.


    Gu An followed up: ¡°I want to send you to the Path of the Great Dao for training, strive to become the first Primordial Dao Emperor of Wushi, and once you achieve it, you can return.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s excitement calmed down. He did not immediately agree, appearing hesitant.


    He feared that after he left, Gu An would adopt another mount.


    Not to mention, Celestial Cyan and Tian Bai were eyeing his throne.


    Gu An didn¡¯t comfort his concerns, joking that if he wanted to take a mount, would he need the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s permission?


    ¡°I am very interested in the origins of the Primordial Dao Emperor and the Daoist Emperor. You must not only grow stronger but also collect information on both, and when you return, I will help you perfect your Divine Skills,¡± Gu An said solemnly.


    Seeing his serious demeanor, the Blood Prison Great Saint dared not refuse, and could only agree.


    Gu An let him rest for a few days, and then would send him to the Path of the Great Dao.


    Embracing this arrangement, the Blood Prison Great Saint began to look forward to the Path of the Great Dao. What kind of place is it?


    He must make a great name for Wushi!


    The Blood Prison Great Saint thought his master might really send him, allowing him to build rapport along the way. However, once he was ready, the master simply waved his sleeve and sent him to the Path of the Great Dao.


    So this is how he¡¯s sent¡­


    The Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s senses were rendered useless; he tightly closed his eyes, thinking bitterly.


    After a while.


    He felt his feet touch solid ground, his senses quickly returning to normal, and as he opened his eyes, his pupils widened.


    Before him was a magnificent Dao Intent Qi Sea, vast and boundless. He stood upon a meteor, feeling so small, with the darkness beyond the Dao Intent Qi Sea appearing terrifying, as though it could swallow him at any time.


    ¡°What a majestic Dao Intent¡­¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint murmured, the last bit of resistance in his heart disappearing completely.


    In such a place for cultivation, he might truly surpass An Xin again!


    ¡­


    The departure of the Blood Prison Great Saint left a quieter atmosphere in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless; upon learning that he¡¯d been sent by Gu An to the Path of the Great Dao for training, everyone felt a sense of crisis.


    When the Blood Prison Great Saint returns, he will surely be more arrogant. Though they could no longer compete with the Blood Prison Great Saint, they did not wish to be mocked for their increasing gap.


    Thus, the Daoist Field of the Beginningless entered a period of secluded cultivation.


    The Human World was also changing.


    As more and more sects rose, the Dao Court¡¯s suppressive power declined, their control over the Outer Heaven was broken, and the sects of the Human World sent disciples to the Outer Heaven for training, ushering in the first Outer Heaven craze of the new era.


    Reaching the Outer Heaven Immortal stage allowed one to go to the Outer Heaven, but previously, due to the Dao Court, cultivators found it difficult to venture there.


    As more cultivators went to the Outer Heaven, its stars began to be claimed. Some fled to the Outer Heaven, some opened Little Worlds or dojos there, and some even established sects.


    The Human World was experiencing a flourishing era not seen in a million years.


    In this context, a hundred thousand years passed like pages in a book, leaving no trace.


    In those hundred thousand years, in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, besides the Ghost Mother of Ephemera, the weakest Cultivation Level was Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, and An Xin was the first to reach the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, becoming the first Free Immortal among Wushi¡¯s disciples.


    A fifty-five-thousand-year-old Free Immortal, how dazzling.


    However, An Xin¡¯s reputation did not spread in the Human World, but Emperor Tianhong could use her as a comparison to the world¡¯s prodigies, making him feel incredulous while also motivating him to cultivate harder.


    In the second century after breaking through to Zi Zai Immortal, An Xin finally selected a favored disciple.


    She brought back a six or seven-year-old boy to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, hoping Gu An could bestow a name.


    This child did not come from the Qiankun Sect but was an orphan from the Nine Spirit Continent, whose parents were killed by a Demon Beast. Had it not been for An Xin¡¯s intervention, he too would have perished.


    This experience reminded Gu An of An Hao from back then.


    ¡°Let¡¯s call him An Zizai.¡±


    Gu An looked at the timid boy hiding behind An Xin, murmuring.


    An Xin asked with a smile, ¡°Is it because I¡¯ve just reached the Zi Zai Immortal Realm?¡±


    Gu An shook his head, saying, ¡°I just hope he¡¯s different from your senior brother, free from many burdens, and I hope in this life he can live freely and for himself.¡±

 Chapter 689: 681: Vile Ancestor

    Chapter 689: Chapter 681: Vile Ancestor


    ¡°Carefree and at ease, huh¡­¡±


    An Xin murmured to herself, thinking of An Hao, her mood somewhat heavy.


    When she was a child, her parents were eaten by demons. If An Hao hadn¡¯t desperately protected her, she would¡¯ve died too. In her heart, An Hao was like her own brother. Even though they only depended on each other for a few years, before An Hao soared far away, she constantly thought of him.


    An Hao was like an eagle, never stopping, always soaring high, with missions constantly appearing in his path, ultimately dying for all living beings.


    In this life, he was reincarnated as Tian Hao, yet he had to head to the Misty Immortal Court for the sake of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    After knowing An Hao¡¯s destiny, An Shengtian no longer resented this Primordial Ancestor. Instead, he took An Hao as a goal, wanting to surpass An Hao to prove that An family¡¯s descendants were not a burden on An Hao.


    Young An Zizai did not yet understand the meaning of his name. When An Xin fell silent, he couldn¡¯t help but shout to Gu An, ¡°I have a name, I don¡¯t want to be called An Zizai!¡±


    Gu An asked with a smile, ¡°Then what¡¯s your name?¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°My mother calls me Little Spring.¡±


    ¡°You can keep that name; people can have more than one name.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s words made An Zizai feel much more relaxed.


    For some reason, being renamed made him very nervous, as if he was being sold.


    At this time, Shen Zhen, the Celestial Demon Child, and others arrived one after another, curious about An Xin¡¯s disciple¡¯s talent.


    An Zizai¡¯s talent was naturally not lacking, with an ultimate life span of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years as well.


    On the Nine Spirit Continent, orphans like him were not in the minority, especially when the timeline was extended to tens of thousands of years.


    In the long years, such tragedies were countless. An Xin never deliberately managed these unless they appeared right before her.


    An Zizai attracted An Xin¡¯s attention because he invoked the Rules of Heaven and Earth in his despair, even though he had no cultivation level at all.


    However, the ultimate life span of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years is not uncommon in today¡¯s human world. Physical aptitude is no longer the most important; unseen, untouchable comprehension determines how far a cultivator can go.


    An Zizai¡¯s adorable appearance quickly won everyone¡¯s pity.


    Gu An did not plan to teach An Zizai, conveniently giving An Xin a chance to hone her teaching skills.


    An Zizai¡¯s arrival broke the quiet atmosphere of the dojo, and the disciples stopped retreating, beginning to accompany An Zizai¡¯s growth.


    This was Wushi¡¯s first third-generation disciple. Even if the disciples had competitive hearts in teaching and passing on skills, they hoped An Zizai would excel.


    Thus, everyone took turns teaching An Zizai.


    In the following decade, the Daoist Field of the Beginningless was quite lively. Though An Zizai was an orphan, he was not solitary; in fact, he was somewhat carefree, often causing chaos in the dojo.


    At seventeen, An Zizai had already formed a Nascent Soul, with outstanding talent, filling all the Wushiji disciples with confidence and expectation.


    In the summer, Gu An was reading on a large tree by the mountain stream, enjoying the cool breeze.


    A figure appeared out of thin air beneath the tree, looking up at him.


    It was An Zizai.


    He wore a fitted blue and white robe, his long hair casually tied with a cloth band. His handsome face still bore a hint of childlike innocence.


    ¡°Hey, Ancestor, why are you reading again? What book is so interesting?¡±


    An Zizai called out. His divine sense couldn¡¯t approach Gu An, so he didn¡¯t know what Gu An was reading.


    Since childhood, Gu An hadn¡¯t taught him cultivation, but under everyone¡¯s guidance, he knew the Ancestor was the most powerful person in the world.


    However, Gu An liked to tease him. When he was young, Gu An would sometimes suddenly yank his pants, embarrassing him in public, so he didn¡¯t speak to Gu An with much reverence and even harbored some hostility.


    In his heart, this Ancestor was too harsh. Whenever the uncles praised him, the Ancestor would always criticize him, pointing out his shortcomings. The most crucial part was these flaws indeed existed, making him feel aggrieved.


    ¡°This is a book for adults; don¡¯t ask.¡±


    Gu An replied casually. Although he didn¡¯t teach An Zizai, he quite liked the boy. An Zizai¡¯s arrival indeed made the dojo lively, life more interesting.


    Sometimes, Gu An had to admit he was getting old.


    Elders like children the most; he wasn¡¯t like this before.


    After hearing this, An Zizai became more curious about the book in Gu An¡¯s hands but was displeased with Gu An¡¯s words, insisting he was already grown up.


    ¡°Master asked me to tell you that the Magic Battle Conference of the Qiankun Sect is about to begin and asked if you would like to go watch?¡±


    An Zizai continued to ask, very curious about this matter. Since coming to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, he hadn¡¯t been out and was curious about everything outside.


    ¡°I will go to watch, but I won¡¯t go with you all.¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    An Zizai pouted, waved his fist at Gu An, and then disappeared from where he stood. He was already eager to head to the Qiankun Sect.


    Gu An didn¡¯t care about his small actions and continued reading, thoughts dwelling on the Path of the Great Dao.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had already successfully carried out a reincarnation projection, considered stepping on the road of the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Now, over a thousand beings had stepped onto the Primordial Emperor Road, and although no one truly became a Primordial Dao Emperor, many forces were investigating the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Even including the Celestial Court!


    Gu An saw a Celestial God investigating the Primordial Dao Emperor and even engaging in dialogue with one of the contenders for the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    This Celestial God seemed familiar to him, and although the other possessed the destiny of the Celestial Court, which could block deductions, he instantly noticed the resemblance between the Celestial God and Long Xin.


    He vaguely speculated in his heart.


    Even if this Celestial God had nothing to do with the Long Family, Gu An wouldn¡¯t deliberately suppress them.


    He had anticipated today¡¯s scenario when he opened the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    He wasn¡¯t worried about anyone discovering him through the fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor. The fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor had already been established, equivalent to the Great Dao. The Great Dao is boundless; who could trace it back to its root?


    Fang Xuan grew well on the Primordial Emperor Road, his understanding of the Great Dao far surpassing those of the same realm after multiple reincarnation projections.


    Gu An believed he wouldn¡¯t lose if he fought with someone of the same realm on the Emperor Road.


    This indicated that the Primordial Dao Emperor indeed held potential not inferior to that of the Daoist Emperor.


    After observing for an hour, Gu An turned over and leapt down, tucking the Green Hero Travelogue into his chest, then headed towards the Qiankun Sect.


    He wasn¡¯t going to watch the Magic Battle Conference of the prodigies but because an old friend had arrived at the Qiankun Sect.


    This old friend was none other than Profound Celestial Intent, the writer of the Green Hero Travelogue.


    After traveling the world for hundreds of thousands of years, it was the first time he came to the Qiankun Sect, bringing no particular purpose, just happening to arrive here.


    Gu An looked forward to meeting him.


    They truly hadn¡¯t seen each other for hundreds of thousands of years, and Gu An¡¯s Green Hero Travelogue was bought from the human world, not obtained directly from Profound Celestial Intent.


    Meanwhile.


    Profound Celestial Intent was strolling through the bustling main city of the Qiankun Sect. He had visited many flourishing sects like this. Walking amidst the crowd, he observed the ethos of this sect, seeking inspiration.


    ¡°This Qiankun Sect is indeed remarkable, not only deeply rooted but I haven¡¯t witnessed a single act of bullying and oppressing the weak; truly deserves to be the leader of the Righteous Dao in this region.¡±


    Profound Celestial Intent marveled internally, involuntarily thinking of the Supreme Sect.


    Since Gu An left, he hadn¡¯t returned, unbeknownst if today¡¯s Supreme Sect still possessed such a spirit of the Righteous Dao?

 Chapter 690: 682: The Style of a Grandmaster

    Chapter 690: Chapter 682: The Style of a Grandmaster


    Profound Celestial Intent walked on the streets of the Qiankun Sect, thinking about the Supreme Sect. Although he missed the Supreme Sect, he had no desire to return.


    He did not want to shoulder too much responsibility; he desired more to roam the world freely.


    Even if the Supreme Sect had the extraordinary opportunities left by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, he still did not wish to go back.


    Compared to the cultivation level, he had more pursuits.


    In his view, if one lived only to live longer, it would be very dull. He enjoyed experiencing the dust and grime of the human world, interacting with different people, and he liked writing these experiences down, hoping that those destined to see them would make his life worthwhile.


    Of course, the reason he was willing to stay away from the Supreme Sect was that Gu An had left. Although Gu An was gone, the sword intent left at the Heaven-Repairing Platform remained, showing that Gu An still had affection for the Supreme Sect.


    With someone protecting the Supreme Sect, he had no worries.


    ¡°Hey, fellow Daoist, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?¡±


    A voice interrupted Profound Celestial Intent¡¯s thoughts. He turned his head to see a middle-aged cultivator approaching. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This person was wearing an elegant blue robe, his demeanor serious, exuding an extraordinary aura.


    Profound Celestial Intent stopped, waited for him to approach, and then spoke, ¡°I am Profound Celestial Intent, indeed, it is my first time visiting the Qiankun Sect. I came to broaden my horizons after hearing about your grand assembly.¡±


    He had entered the Qiankun Sect openly, registered his identity, and handed over spirit stones, so he was not worried about any trouble.


    The middle-aged cultivator spoke softly, ¡°I have a few books here that can help you better understand the Qiankun Sect. Would you like to look at them?¡±


    Turns out he was promoting books¡­


    Profound Celestial Intent was somewhat disappointed. He couldn¡¯t discern the man¡¯s cultivation level and had thought he was a Great Cultivator. Now it seemed the man likely possessed some secret treasure, and his cultivation was probably not high.


    ¡°How many spirit stones?¡± Profound Celestial Intent asked.


    Being new here, he didn¡¯t want to instigate trouble. If it wasn¡¯t too expensive, he could consider it a good deed.


    ¡°A hundred pieces of top-grade spirit stones,¡± the middle-aged man said seriously.


    ¡°So expensive? Forget it!¡±


    Profound Celestial Intent shook his head and walked away.


    Unexpectedly, the middle-aged man blocked him again, making him annoyed and ready to get angry.


    The middle-aged man raised his right hand, twisted his fingers to reveal seven books, and Profound Celestial Intent was drawn to their titles.


    Qiankun Secret History, Elder¡¯s Apricot Loft Tour, That Night, That Wind, Those Emotions¡­


    Just from the titles, Profound Celestial Intent sensed an author¡¯s magnificent literary accomplishment, as if he saw a literary giant, comparable to himself.


    ¡°You definitely won¡¯t regret buying them!¡±


    The middle-aged man said earnestly, as though imparting a world-class secret manual.


    Profound Celestial Intent asked, ¡°May I take a look at a couple of pages?¡±


    The middle-aged man immediately took out a book and handed it to him. He accepted it, flipped a page casually, and was astounded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll buy it! Do you have any more?¡±


    Profound Celestial Intent asked resolutely, determinedly.


    ¡°No more, but there will be more in the future. If you¡¯re still here when the new books come out, I¡¯ll find you,¡± the middle-aged man replied, shaking his head, always serious, leaving one unable to imagine him doing such things.


    His attitude greatly impressed Profound Celestial Intent. What kind of conviction is this?


    ¡°May I ask for your name, fellow Daoist?¡±


    After the transaction, Profound Celestial Intent raised his hand to salute and asked, his tone full of respect.


    The middle-aged man returned the salute and then left with a single sentence: ¡°I am Zhang Chunqiu.¡±


    Zhang Chunqiu?


    Profound Celestial Intent remembered the name, deciding to write it into his book.


    Subsequently, Profound Celestial Intent lost interest in sightseeing and quickly found an inn to savour the newly acquired treasure.


    Elsewhere, the Magic Battle Conference of the Qiankun Sect officially began.


    An Zizai followed An Xin to see the excitement; they were warmly received by the Qiankun Sect¡¯s senior members. Hearing that An Zizai was An Xin¡¯s disciple made the senior members gaze at him fervently.


    Wushi previously sent Tian Hao to the Qiankun Sect, a person who truly made the Qiankun Sect famous worldwide, bearing profound significance.


    An Xin was Wushi¡¯s eldest disciple; to be taken as her disciple meant that An Zizai must be an extraordinary existence.


    However, they did not dare to recruit rashly; they simply endeavored to please An Zizai.


    In the pavilion observing the battle, Yuan Luo sat on a chair, looking far towards the pavilion where the elders gathered, his eyes landing on An Zizai, frowning slightly.


    He naturally recognized An Xin and respected her greatly; in his youth, An Xin had even given him a spell.


    Yet seeing the elders¡¯ attitude made him somewhat unhappy.


    The Qiankun Sect was fine everywhere except for a lack of confidence, always needing Wushi¡¯s assistance.


    The twenty prodigies previously sent by Wushi were indeed strong, a few even made him troubled, but these people stuck together and never truly integrated into the Qiankun Sect. Sometimes, he worried they might betray them.


    In his view, where in this world is there perpetual giving? Why did Wushi help the Qiankun Sect so much?


    If in the future, Wushi needed reciprocation, how could the Qiankun Sect refuse?


    Always relying on others, when can they become independent?


    The Dao Court is like this, with too many factions, always clashing, unable to truly rule the world. Sometimes, one decision stirs internal debate for decades, centuries, and even the Master of the Dao Court lacks absolute power.


    Yuan Luo noted An Zizai¡¯s appearance, and An Zizai seemed to sense something, turning to look at him.


    Their eyes met in the distance, and Yuan Luo quickly averted his gaze.


    An Zizai frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable under Yuan Luo¡¯s stare.


    ¡°That person¡¯s name is Yuan Luo; he was once our Qiankun Sect¡¯s top genius, quite remarkable. I can have him teach you divine skills,¡± Yi Qingshan said to An Zizai beside him, smiling.


    Sitting beside the Sect Hierarch, such treatment stirred not only Yuan Luo¡¯s interest; many disciples discussed An Zizai¡¯s background.


    An Zizai shook his head, ¡°Thank you, Sect Hierarch, for the offer, but I have my master and martial uncles¡¯ guidance, no need to trouble you.¡±


    His words shook Yi Qingshan and the senior members.


    So many of Wushi¡¯s disciples teach him?


    It seems Wushi intends to nurture him heavily!


    This intensified the senior members¡¯ desire to recruit An Zizai.


    They wouldn¡¯t doubt Wushi but instead believe An Zizai¡¯s future was boundless, destined to become renowned worldwide.


    Lv Xian, Chen Chuan, An Shengtian already had world-renowned names; this young man was likely to surpass these three.


    An Zizai felt uncomfortable with their gazes, so he could only direct his attention to the ongoing combat ahead.


    ¡­


    In the dim void, countless meteors drifted, while afar, nebulas shifted their forms, wondrously beautiful.


    Fang Xuan, clad in red, walked on a sword, his robe fluttering, embodying the grace of an immortal.


    Fang Xuan¡¯s gaze was forward, his eyes calm, but his heart was slightly anxious.


    ¡°I wonder what the peers will think of me?¡±


    Fang Xuan journeyed to this void, sensing the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor here, not the true Primordial Dao Emperor, as the destiny was lesser, but close.


    He had studied the Primordial Dao Emperor for many years, encountering a bottleneck now, urgently wishing to exchange insights with others.

 Chapter 691: 683: The Most Idle Person

    Chapter 691: Chapter 683: The Most Idle Person


    Fang Xuan journeyed through the Meteor Ocean, feeling the increasingly intense destiny unique to the pursuers of the Primordial Dao Emperor, which made his heart more uneasy.


    On the Path of the Great Dao, cultivators pursuing the Daoist Emperor would fight upon meeting; he wondered if those chasing the Primordial Dao Emperor would do the same?


    To become the Primordial Dao Emperor, there is no need to kill each other, which is why he dared to come.


    But the Path of the Great Dao has no rules, and there will always be those who recklessly act, so he cannot guarantee that such interactions won¡¯t cause him trouble.


    Regardless, he had already come.


    Fang Xuan released his aura, wanting to let the other party sense him.


    ¡°Do you also wish to become the Primordial Dao Emperor?¡±


    A voice came from ahead, surprisingly that of the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    In the depths of the void, the Blood Prison Great Saint sat in meditation on a meteor, eyes open, looking towards the direction Fang Xuan flew from.


    Appreciation showed in his eyes, not just because Fang Xuan was a kindred spirit, but also because Fang Xuan¡¯s attire suited his taste.


    ¡°I am Fang Xuan, indeed wishing to become the Primordial Dao Emperor. I hope I haven¡¯t disturbed you, Fellow Daoist.¡±


    Fang Xuan¡¯s voice came with a tone of anticipation.


    He did not immediately approach the Blood Prison Great Saint but maintained a safe distance.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint stood up, gazing from afar at Fang Xuan, scrutinizing him.


    ¡°Fang Daoist, I did want to meet other kindred spirits. Would you come over for a chat?¡± The Blood Prison Great Saint responded, his tone somewhat warm, making Fang Xuan breathe a sigh of relief.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint had long wanted to converse with a kindred spirit, not for cultivation, but to complete the tasks assigned by his master.


    He came to the Path of the Great Dao not only for cultivation but also to gather intel on the Daoist Emperor and the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    Fang Xuan appeared in front of the Blood Prison Great Saint out of thin air, raising his hand in greeting.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint smiled, warmly grabbing Fang Xuan¡¯s wrist and pulling him to sit down for a chat.


    Fang Xuan remained slightly vigilant, but as their conversation deepened, he grew fond of the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint began by sharing his insights without reservation, speaking boldly without probing Fang Xuan.


    Having lived until today, Fang Xuan had experienced a lot of deceit and could discern that the Blood Prison Great Saint bore no scheming, only infinite curiosity about the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    He too was filled with curiosity about the Primordial Dao Emperor, feeling he could enjoy a pleasant rapport with the Blood Prison Great Saint.


    After the Blood Prison Great Saint finished sharing his insights, Fang Xuan too spoke without reservation, which also gained the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s favor.


    This person is good, can befriend!


    This was the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s sentiment.


    Having been on the Path of the Great Dao for so many years, he felt lonely, long wanting someone to talk to.


    The two felt an instant connection, lamenting not having met earlier.


    When the Blood Prison Great Saint revealed he came from the Celestial Spirit Great World, under the Primordial Sword Master, Fang Xuan was shocked, which puzzled the Blood Prison Great Saint, who inquired about it.


    After hesitating for a moment, Fang Xuan disclosed his origin.


    Upon hearing that Fang Xuan was once a Battle Court disciple and participated in the attack on the Celestial Spirit Great World, later being exterminated by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, the Blood Prison Great Saint couldn¡¯t help but laugh.


    Just when Fang Xuan thought the Blood Prison Great Saint would mock him, the Blood Prison Great Saint laughed and said, ¡°The fact that you survived under my master¡¯s hand means you weren¡¯t meant to die, although it must be confessed that my master showed mercy. To be honest, I¡¯ve had the same experience as you.¡±


    Fang Xuan was surprised, not expecting the Blood Prison Great Saint to have had a similar experience. He immediately inquired about his past, and the Blood Prison Great Saint began to recount his tale.


    Knowing that the Blood Prison Great Saint came from the Mortal World, nearly killing the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable¡¯s disciple after ascending, and was eventually subdued by the Sword Venerable, gaining an unprecedented opportunity, made Fang Xuan hold the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable in even greater esteem.


    Let alone, in that battle, the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable really could have annihilated all Battle Court beings.


    This Supporting Dao Sword Venerable was truly merciful, a deservedly enlightened Great Power.


    He felt that the Sword Venerable acted so, considering that many of the Battle Court disciples were against their will, much like himself, having no choice but to follow orders from the sect.


    After their honest exchange, their relationship improved, and the Blood Prison Great Saint proposed they become sworn brothers, to Fang Xuan¡¯s delight. They immediately knelt and swore to the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable and the Great Dao, which left Gu An at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless both laughing and crying.


    Karma is indeed interesting.


    Although he could not predict how the Primordial Dao Emperor would develop, he could precisely forecast the futures of the Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan.


    The two would venture together on the Path of the Great Dao, even expanding their sworn brotherhood to include other prodigies chasing the Primordial Dao Emperor. Eventually, the Blood Prison Great Saint would bid farewell to his brothers and return alone to the Celestial Spirit Great World, while Fang Xuan and the others would continue to make a name for themselves on the Path of the Great Dao, with their future being immeasurable.


    ¡­


    Millennia passed swiftly.


    One day, in early summer, Gu An was fishing in the dojo, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a book in the other, a new work by Profound Celestial Intent.


    Through his minor manipulations, Profound Celestial Intent remained in the Qiankun Sect, waiting for more books to appear before him, unaware that these books contained Dao Intent, causing Profound Celestial Intent to frequently achieve enlightenment and steadfastly decide to linger a while longer.


    Yes, just linger a little longer; he¡¯s destined to roam the earth.


    With this mindset, Profound Celestial Intent eagerly anticipated more works from that mysterious author.


    Even if it meant waiting a hundred years for a book, he thought it worth it!


    As Gu An enjoyed a peaceful moment of relaxation, a figure appeared behind him.


    ¡°Ancestor, Master won¡¯t let me go out, fearing that if I leave, I won¡¯t return. But I just want to go out for some experience, and I will come back eventually!¡±


    An Zizai said aggrievedly, his temperament still youthful at a thousand years old, because he had yet to experience life¡¯s trials, and he knew this, hence his desire to gain experience, just like the prodigies of the Qiankun Sect.


    Gu An, with his back turned to him, responded casually, ¡°You underestimate the hold of the mortal world. Once you go out, you might not return. I can¡¯t make this decision. If you want to go out, persuade your master. Frankly, even if you don¡¯t come back, I won¡¯t mind.¡±


    Although Gu An didn¡¯t mind An Zizai, he cared a lot about An Xin. Knowing how much An Xin cherished An Zizai, he didn¡¯t want to interfere with An Zizai¡¯s life. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing his words, An Zizai couldn¡¯t help but glare at him, feeling his ancestor¡¯s nature was as perverse as ever.


    An Zizai rolled his eyes and asked, ¡°Ancestor, how about if I go to visit my uncles?¡±


    Lv Xian and the others were far from the Nine Spirit Continent, a journey long enough for him to gain experience.


    ¡°Ask your master.¡±


    ¡°Can you just speak a little bit for me?¡±


    ¡°Ask your master.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    No matter how An Zizai tried to persuade him, Gu An remained unmoved, leaving him quite frustrated.


    Just then, An Xin appeared beside him, scaring him into bowing quickly.


    An Xin frowned, saying solemnly, ¡°Haven¡¯t I told you not to disturb your ancestor¡¯s cultivation without reason?¡±


    ¡°Is this considered cultivation?¡±


    An Zizai couldn¡¯t help but retort. Ever since he became aware, he had never seen Gu An cultivate. In his opinion, among the Beginningless, the most idle was Gu An.


    Unpleased, An Xin¡¯s eyes flashed, and she scolded, ¡°Kneel and apologize!¡±


    An Zizai felt aggrieved to the point of bursting, yet chose to obediently kneel.


    Gu An turned around, smiling at An Zizai, making his eyes redden.


    An Xin looked towards Gu An, asking, ¡°Master, can you predict whether he will return if he goes out?¡±


    An Zizai suddenly felt hopeless, believing Gu An would certainly not speak up for him.


    ¡°He will return, but he will go through many events.¡± Gu An casually replied, surprising An Zizai.


    Gu An had not spoken; he had discerned An Zizai¡¯s destiny upon leaving the dojo. Eventually, the kid would return, but before that, he¡¯d face many trials, perhaps bearing some missions.


    Of course, these missions were only within the Celestial Spirit Great World and weren¡¯t significant in Gu An¡¯s eyes. But as long as this kid could resolve them on his own, he was disinclined to interfere.


    An Zizai was certainly not the last Wushiji Disciple; there would be new disciples in the future, so Gu An did not consider him crucial.


    An Xin understood her master¡¯s implication.


    An Zizai would experience many things, and they would undoubtedly be quite challenging.

 Chapter 692: 684

    Chapter 692: Chapter 684


    ¡°Are you ready to face life¡¯s challenges? You will meet many people, and you may make enemies. Perhaps you will fall in love with someone, but in the end, it might be unfulfilled. Even so, you still want to go out?¡±


    An Xin looked at An Zizai and asked, her tone melancholy.


    An Zizai was overjoyed upon hearing this because his master finally relented.


    ¡°Gain or lose, it is my fate. I just want to see, not necessarily to gain anything.¡± An Zizai looked up at his master and answered seriously.


    Watching his expression, An Xin sighed, took out her Dao Treasure, the Six Paths Mirror, and handed it to An Zizai, saying, ¡°This is my magical treasure. I¡¯ll lend it to you. Go visit Chen Chuan. Show him this mirror, and he will see you. Tell him I would like you to follow him to cultivate swordsmanship.¡±


    As An Zizai took the Six Paths Mirror and was about to say something, An Xin handed him a Jade Pendant, saying it could guide his direction.


    ¡°Go now, or I¡¯ll change my mind.¡± An Xin said with an indifferent expression.


    Gu An glanced back at An Zizai and laughed, ¡°Look at you making your master so angry, such impiety!¡±


    Because of what he said earlier, An Zizai initially felt grateful, but now that sense of gratitude vanished.


    ¡°Master, I will come back!¡±


    An Zizai quickly knelt, kowtowed to An Xin, then stood up, glared at Gu An, and turned to leave. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin watched as An Zizai disappeared into the horizon and then bowed towards Gu An, silently departing.


    Gu An didn¡¯t console An Xin; instead, he had a mischievous feeling as if watching a play.


    ¡°People always long for freedom. The harder the challenges, the stronger the desire for freedom.¡±


    Gu An said leisurely. He had taken on many disciples and knew this very well.


    However, everything must be experienced. An Xin wanting to take a disciple has to face the disciple¡¯s mindset. After all, a disciple is human, with thoughts of their own.


    At this moment, the fishing rod quivered, and finally, a fish took the bait.


    Gu An immediately gripped the fishing rod with both hands, starting a battle of wits with the fish in the lake.


    Water splashed, scattering onto the leaves, with sunshine illuminating the droplets, making them appear as if they held tiny worlds within.


    An Zizai¡¯s departure once again left the Daoist Field of the Beginningless quiet, with other disciples also starting to retreat into seclusion for cultivation.


    For Gu An, the liveliness or quietness of the dojo wasn¡¯t the most important aspect; time seemed to speed up with each passing moment.


    Eight hundred years later.


    Gu An returned to this spot to fish, holding a book in his other hand while waiting for a fish to take the bait.


    The sunlight was bright, making the lake¡¯s surface glisten, and a gentle breeze blew through, ruffling his hair.


    A figure emerged from the woods behind him¡ªa man in a warrior¡¯s cloth robe, with disheveled hair, a weathered face, and stubble around his mouth. His eyes carried a look of sorrow.


    It was An Zizai.


    Compared to eight hundred years ago, he was a different person, devoid of his previous spirit, and his demeanor appeared desolate.


    An Zizai looked at Gu An¡¯s back, somewhat dazed, with a slight change in his eyes.


    He suddenly recalled the scene from years ago when he left, with the Ancestor also fishing here, turning his back to him, the silhouette unchanged, giving him a sense of traversing time and space.


    ¡°Disciple greets the Ancestor!¡±


    An Zizai approached Gu An from behind, bowing respectfully, his voice filled with melancholy.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to be back.¡±


    Gu An replied without turning his head to look at An Zizai.


    He already knew what An Zizai had gone through over these years. Eight hundred years seemed like a day to him, but for many, it was a long, lengthy passage of time.


    During these eight hundred years, An Zizai experienced many things, witnessing the tragic deaths of brothers, those he loved, unable to protect those who trusted him. Too many blows had crushed his former vivacity.


    If not for An Xin¡¯s Six Paths Mirror protecting him, he wouldn¡¯t know how many times he would have died.


    An Zizai raised his eyes to look at Gu An, taking a deep breath, asking, ¡°Ancestor, is there truly justice and fairness in this world? Why do some commit atrocities but still enjoy people¡¯s adoration, and even when their sect knows of their crimes, they cover for them?¡±


    He was referring to a Great Cultivator of Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal from one of the Hundred Sects¡ªthe Beidou Sect.


    The disciple of that Great Cultivator worked for him, capturing mortals among the people, and even some cultivators fell victim, committing all sorts of atrocities. An Zizai and his friends, upon witnessing injustice, offended the Great Cultivator¡¯s disciple, triggering a series of grudges.


    An Zizai was hunted for over a hundred years and once lay in hiding for a hundred years before finally killing that disciple, only to uncover the truth. Helpless before Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal¡¯s suppression, he could only watch his beloved ones dying.


    Even the Beidou Sect continued to hunt him, and if not for his timely escape to Chen Chuan¡¯s Sword Sect, he would have already been killed.


    The Sword Sect was nowhere near as powerful as the Beidou Sect, yet the legend of the Beginningless still lingered in the world, giving the Beidou Sect pause.


    ¡°The Path of Cultivating Immortality does not lie in the short term. What you see is just a fragment of the vast mortal world. In years to come, what puzzles you will surely have answers. Those evils and seemingly invincible will also be obliterated, while right and wrong will be judged by future generations.¡±


    Gu An responded absent-mindedly. For disciples venturing out, he only ensured their survival but would not aid in revenge, so he wouldn¡¯t interfere with An Zizai¡¯s vendettas. If he desired revenge, he must cultivate diligently and rely on himself.


    An Zizai¡¯s gaze became complex, as he continued questioning, ¡°Ancestor, you must have lived for a long time. In your view, does justice prevail in this world, or is it a matter of survival of the fittest?¡±


    ¡°Looking back, no matter who laughs last, when facing history, they all must raise the banner of justice. This indicates that at least in this world, justice is what all beings desire, and it cannot be shaken.¡±


    This was Gu An¡¯s most patient response to An Zizai, without any mockery or ridicule, answering each of his questions seriously.


    After hearing, An Zizai fell into silence.


    A thought also flashed through his mind.


    And that was to kneel and ask the Ancestor to avenge him. If the Beidou Sect could stand up for their disciple, perhaps the Ancestor would as well.


    But the thought came quickly and disappeared just as fast.


    After all, despite Beidou Sect¡¯s injustice, it was he who actively intervened.


    Moreover, back then, neither the Ancestor nor the Master wanted him to go out, but he insisted on venturing out for training. Sometimes, he wondered if those people might have escaped a disaster if he hadn¡¯t gone out?


    The more An Zizai thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became, even nearly unable to breathe.


    ¡°I can go into the reincarnation and retrieve all the people you care about, bringing them back to life. But you have to consider one point: in their next life, they might fare better, or after being resurrected, they might endure more suffering. You cannot predict any circumstance.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice floated over, making An Zizai¡¯s face change dramatically, his eyes revealing an expression of disbelief.


    Into reincarnation?


    Resurrection?


    An Zizai knew the Ancestor was powerful, but he never grasped just how powerful. Yet hearing the Ancestor¡¯s words today, he was shocked, as if the entire world before him instantly brightened.

 Chapter 693: 685: Removing the Son of Heaven

    Chapter 693: Chapter 685: Removing the Son of Heaven


    An Zizai was shaken by Gu An¡¯s words for a long time; when he came to his senses, he began to seriously ponder the words of the Ancestor.


    Should he choose revival?


    He indeed lacked the courage to say he could protect others for a lifetime, let alone those old friends who had been dead for many years and might have already reincarnated.


    He remembered his master once said that reincarnation is natural, and many Great Powers even rely on reincarnation for cultivation.


    Knowing that his old friends had entered reincarnation brought him some comfort.


    He originally thought that his old friends would be lost forever, with no hope for reincarnation.


    After contemplating for a long time.


    An Zizai looked at Gu An and replied, ¡°Let things take their natural course. I don¡¯t want to interfere in their lives anymore, but I will strive to cultivate, avenge them, and fulfill my mission.¡±


    The brother closest to him had said before dying that perhaps he was the hope to overthrow the Beidou Sect, that he would become the Savior.


    In the eyes of those people, the Beidou Sect was the most powerful existence, covering the skies with one hand, and An Zizai had also felt the strength of the Beidou Sect. For now, he couldn¡¯t think of how to topple the Beidou Sect.


    The Human World was vast, and almost every place he had been to was under the control of the Beidou Sect, even when encountering cultivators of the Qiankun Sect, they were full of dread for the Beidou Sect.


    From a young age, An Zizai had been instilled with the idea that his Ancestor was the strongest, but after going out once, this thought wavered; even knowing the Ancestor could enter reincarnation, he did not feel that the Ancestor could reverse the fortunes with sheer personal power.


    After hearing An Zizai¡¯s choice, Gu An said nothing more. An Zizai then paid his respects and turned to leave. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Zizai¡¯s aura attracted the attention of the dojo disciples, who left their seclusion one after another to seek out An Zizai.


    Gu An continued fishing, but his ears were eavesdropping on their conversations.


    When the Wushiji disciples learned of An Zizai¡¯s experiences, they were filled with righteous indignation; even the Celestial Demon Child wanted to visit the Beidou Sect, but in the end, was subdued by An Xin.


    ¡°Uncles, I will take this revenge personally. From now on, I will train diligently. I have seen the worldly affairs of the Human World, and I will not let you down again!¡±


    An Zizai said earnestly, having reignited his fighting spirit after conversing with the Ancestor and many mentors.


    Though he had lost much, he was not left with nothing.


    He not only had to seek revenge but also to protect the Wushiji.


    Emperor Tianhong snorted and said, ¡°What Beidou Sect? When you want revenge in the future, I will accompany you. Rest assured, you shall collect the heads of your enemies.¡±


    An Zizai couldn¡¯t help but look at Emperor Tianhong; of all the uncles, Emperor Tianhong was the one he respected and feared the most, for Emperor Tianhong rarely spoke, often just watching him in silence.


    Though Emperor Tianhong didn¡¯t like talking to him, he had taught him spells, making him family in An Zizai¡¯s heart.


    Moreover, An Zizai believed that Emperor Tianhong could very well be the second strongest within the Wushi, next only to the Ancestor, and the aura exuded by Emperor Tianhong made him aspire.


    Hearing such grand words from Emperor Tianhong, An Zizai did not question it; instead, it made his heart warm, filling him with a profound sense of security.


    With such mentors around, the unease brought by the Beidou Sect gradually dissipated.


    An Xin glanced at Emperor Tianhong and said, ¡°You should still cultivate diligently!¡±


    Emperor Tianhong shifted his gaze and did not retort.


    ¡°Nephew, tell us what the current Human World is like?¡± Celestial Cyan looked at An Zizai and asked curiously.


    An Zizai nodded and began to describe the landscapes he had seen, including the Sword Sect founded by Chen Chuan.


    The Wushiji disciples had also gone out to train before, comparing their memories with An Zizai¡¯s descriptions, which made them feel the world had changed greatly. Unfortunately, they could not grasp from An Zizai¡¯s words what the top cultivation level in the Human World was now.


    When An Zizai mentioned that the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path was the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, his face was filled with a look of longing, which almost made the crowd laugh, but they restrained themselves and tactfully did not expose it.


    ¡­


    Within the Qi Sea of the Path of the Great Dao, the stars shone brilliantly, and a beam of golden light swept across the top of the Qi Sea, countless figures advancing within it, all donned in golden battle armor, with an imposing and unstoppable aura.


    Zhang Buku and Xu You walked amidst the Celestial Army, rather inconspicuous.


    Their gazes were fixed on the hulking figure at the forefront of the army.


    Celestial Calming God!


    Celestial Calming God was clad in heavy and commanding celestial armor, wielding a large saber, with Dharma Aspects ebbing and flowing around him as he walked.


    ¡°Are we dealing with the Chaos Evil Demon again this time?¡±


    Zhang Buku asked Xu You in a low voice, while other Heavenly Soldiers were also discussing, all very excited.


    To be able to enter the Celestial Army, one must be a peerless talent and a Great Power from various realms, and they only got excited about combat.


    In great battles, it¡¯s the easiest to seize destiny and accumulate merit; their goal is to become a Celestial God like the Celestial Calming God.


    Xu You replied, ¡°Probably not. If it were the Chaos Evil Demon, there would have been word of it long ago. There hasn¡¯t been a whisper, which means that perhaps what¡¯s happening next isn¡¯t by the will of the Cangtian but a personal matter of the Immortal Gods.¡±


    His gaze swept from side to side, seemingly searching for someone.


    ¡°A personal matter of the Immortal Gods?¡± Zhang Buku was even more puzzled.


    ¡°Do not assume the Immortal Gods only act for all living beings. They too have their struggles over interests.¡± Xu You said, his face calm beyond measure.


    Shedding his beggar appearance, even wearing the Heavenly Soldiers¡¯ battle armor, he looked unsuited, unlike Zhang Buku who seemed imposing and majestic.


    ¡°Why is this not about seeking treasures for the Immortal Gods? How do you conclude it¡¯s an internal struggle among the Immortal Gods?¡± Zhang Buku pursued further.


    He had long realized Xu You wasn¡¯t simple; in the Taize Great World, Xu You already acted as if omniscient. Now that they were within the Celestial Army, Xu You could still answer his questions, filling him with confusion.


    Based on their tens of thousands of years of life-and-death bonds, however, he trusted Xu You wouldn¡¯t harm him.


    ¡°Because this is the Path of the Great Dao, a place that cannot be deduced, and where the destiny of the Celestial Court cannot encompass. Acting here won¡¯t be discovered by the Celestial Court, and even if an Immortal God falls here, it¡¯s hard to find the true culprit.¡±


    Xu You¡¯s words made Zhang Buku frown, and the surrounding Heavenly Soldiers, upon hearing this, inquired with Xu You.


    The two had joined the Celestial Army for hundreds of thousands of years and made many friends. Xu You had no reservations and answered whoever asked him.


    The Celestial Calming God at the forefront seemed not to notice him and never looked back.


    Time swiftly passed.


    The golden light extended infinitely, and the Celestial Army¡¯s steps never halted, as though trudging along an endless path.


    For a long time.


    A vast and overwhelming pressure emanated from ahead, enveloping tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers within the army, causing them all to change their expression.


    Celestial Calming God halted his steps, and with his pause, all Heavenly Soldiers followed suit, feeling the terrifying pressure from the front, standing solemnly and not daring to speak.


    ¡°Celestial Calming God, do you truly intend to annihilate us to the bitter end?¡±


    A voice filled with murderous intent resounded from the front, the tone full of indignation.


    Celestial Calming God¡¯s face was expressionless as he said, ¡°Choosing the wrong team, picking the wrong camp, one should face a fate of endless calamity, no matter where you flee. You should be grateful that it¡¯s me coming instead of that Immortal Monarch.¡±


    The mysterious voice followed, ¡°Ridiculous, even the Son of Heaven dares to eliminate you. Your fate and that of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch will be worse than mine!¡±

 Chapter 694: 686: Myriad Supreme Palm

    Chapter 694: Chapter 686: Myriad Supreme Palm


    Son of Heaven?


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch?


    Zhang Buku, upon hearing these two names, felt himself being swept into a terrifying conflict among the Immortal Gods.


    However, he did not feel afraid, as he had no choice in the matter.


    ¡°The heavens have their own justice, accept the Celestial Punishment!¡±


    The Celestial Calming God raised a giant sword, and a boundless burst of mana erupted, forming a towering Dharma Aspect tens of thousands of feet tall, also wielding a sword.


    Without waiting for the Celestial Calming God¡¯s command, the Dharma Aspect swung its blade, as if Pangu was splitting heaven and earth, cutting out a dazzling white light that seemed to want to cleave the cosmic void before it in half. The Qi Sea below the Great Dao churned violently, creating a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur.


    All the Heavenly Soldiers held their breath, their eyes fixed intently forward, the bright light reflecting on their faces, their expressions so stern and unyielding.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time they had witnessed the Celestial Calming God in action, so they were not shocked, but each time they felt the immense power of the Celestial Calming God, their hearts would stir with hot-blooded ambition.


    They too wanted to become such a dominating and powerful Celestial God!


    As the Celestial Calming God¡¯s Dharma Aspect swung its blade, the cosmic void ahead shattered in the white light, revealing an incredibly massive figure from the darkness, shrouded entirely in black aura, far larger than the ten-thousand-foot-high Dharma Aspect of the Celestial Calming God, making all the Heavenly Soldiers feel insignificant by comparison.


    Many Heavenly Soldiers were startled. This figure¡¯s demeanor seemed related to the Celestial Court, yet their appearance was akin to a Chaos Evil Demon, leading to more speculation about the Celestial Court.


    ¡°Form ranks, slay the foe!¡±


    The voice of the Celestial Calming God roared like thunder, and without hesitation, he leapt forward, leading the charge towards the formidable figure.


    Tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers immediately began to cast spells, forming ranks, as mighty Celestial Dao Destiny gathered together, creating an oppressive and terrifying momentum that soared higher and higher, as if the Majestic Might of Heaven was awakening.


    ¡­


    Time flew by, and it had already been ten thousand years since An Zizai returned.


    An Zizai focused on his cultivation, making rapid progress in his cultivation level, yet the path of Immortal Cultivation is long. No matter how fast he cultivated within ten thousand years, he could not catch up with other Wushiji Disciples.


    With those eight hundred years of experience, his Dao Heart became more stable, and he no longer desired to venture out for experience. He diligently practiced day and night, which greatly satisfied An Xin.


    Gu An, however, was somewhat displeased, thinking that An Zizai had become less interesting.


    He began to look forward to other disciples taking on apprentices.


    After An Xin took on an apprentice, others indeed began to prepare to take on apprentices. However, with An Zizai¡¯s exceptional talent, they had yet to find suitable candidates in the Qiankun Sect or the Nine Spirit Continent, so they had been waiting.


    The world is vast, with many talents, but for the Nine Spirit Continent, a talent like An Zizai is incredibly rare, one in ten thousand years.


    Days passed quietly, and Gu An occasionally paid attention to the state of the Path of the Great Dao. The Primordial Dao Emperor¡¯s influence was growing, with the number of Dao Seekers exceeding three thousand, although many more desired to become the Primordial Dao Emperor, yet many perished on the journey.


    On the Path of the Great Dao, some matters related to Zhang Buku also caught Gu An¡¯s attention.


    Shrouded by the Destiny of the Celestial Court, Zhang Buku¡¯s actions were difficult to fully foresee, but his extensive activities always left traces, allowing one to follow his trail.


    The Heavenly Army to which Zhang Buku belonged was active on the Path of the Great Dao, conquering in all directions, causing many forces to be apprehensive.


    One of the followers of the Primordial Dao Emperor expressed confusion to others about why the Celestial Court was so ostentatious, unlike their past conduct.


    Gu An did not interfere with the actions of the Celestial Court, as long as they posed no threat to him.


    On this day, Gu An had just returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, sitting on a cliff, playing with the wooden plaque formed by the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, his gaze falling on the reincarnation of Taiyi Immortal Monarch.


    This life¡¯s Taiyi Immortal Monarch had lived for over ten thousand years, a disciple of one of the Hundred Sects in the Human World, considered to have exceptional talent, currently experiencing his own life.


    The present Taiyi Immortal Monarch seemed to have fully integrated into the Celestial Spirit Great World, yet his Celestial Dao Immortal Position would eventually lead him out of this realm.


    Aside from the Celestial Court coming to seek Taiyi Immortal Monarch, the reincarnation of the Chaos Evil Demon, Yuan Luo, had also sowed the seeds of disaster in this realm.


    Gu An pondered on how to face the Celestial Court.


    One day, he knew he would have to make a choice, whether to join the Celestial Court, oppose it, or live a life of hiding everywhere.


    Just as Gu An contemplated the future, An Xin appeared behind him.


    ¡°Master, could you personally teach Zizai a piece of Great Divine Power?¡± An Xin asked after performing a bow to Gu An. The most powerful divine skill she mastered was the Immortal Emperor¡¯s Eye, but this divine skill was strictly forbidden by Gu An to be passed on, so she dared not mention it to An Zizai.


    An Zizai¡¯s talent and comprehension were both excellent, and his current cultivation achievements were remarkable, excelling in all respects. However, this made him lack his unique skill, making An Xin feel it was a bit unsatisfactory.


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, everyone possessed a unique piece of Great Divine Power as their trump card.


    Gu An responded, ¡°He¡¯s not worried himself, so why are you so anxious?¡±


    An Xin replied helplessly, ¡°He will eventually seek revenge on the Beidou Sect, where strong individuals abound and prodigies are numerous. With his abilities, it¡¯s hard to exact revenge. Since he will inevitably face the Beidou Sect, why not teach him in advance?¡±


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    Gu An said lazily, showing little interest in teaching that boy An Zizai.


    An Xin squatted beside him, grabbed his arm, and started to act coy, continuously pleading with him, abandoning her usual serious and solemn demeanor. If An Zizai saw this, he would no doubt be stunned.


    ¡°Alright, alright.¡±


    Unable to withstand his beloved apprentice¡¯s coquetry, Gu An could only agree.


    ¡°There¡¯s no better time than the present, I¡¯ll teach him today!¡±


    An Xin, delighted, stood up and disappeared from the spot with him.


    A stick of incense¡¯s time later, a refreshed An Zizai, clad in clean robes, arrived behind Gu An, respectfully saluting, unable to show the same disrespect to Gu An as in his youth. Only after experiencing certain things did he realize how difficult everything he had now was to obtain.


    And everything he now possessed was brought to him by the Ancestor.


    Even when his Master took him as a disciple, it required the approval of the Ancestor.


    ¡°What divine skill do you want to learn?¡±


    Gu An asked as he stood up, turning to face him.


    The breeze grazed Gu An¡¯s black attire, and he still exuded the carefree immortal aura that transcended worldly constraints.


    On the way, An Zizai had already made up his mind, and he answered without hesitation, ¡°I want to learn a divine skill that can bring justice to the world, capable of forcefully suppressing all injustice!¡±


    Gu An¡¯s lips curled slightly, amusedly saying, ¡°Speak so righteously, isn¡¯t it just about wanting a sufficiently domineering divine skill?¡±


    An Zizai scratched his head in embarrassment after hearing this.


    Seeing this gesture, Gu An inwardly nodded in satisfaction. This was more like him in the past, not so weary and stagnant.


    ¡°I recently created a palm technique that may satisfy you,¡± continued Gu An.


    ¡°You just created it?¡±


    An Zizai hesitated slightly, suspecting that the Ancestor wanted to use him to test it out.


    Though he had changed greatly in character, his memory remained, and the Ancestor was great in all respects, except that he loved to tease him!


    Gu An introduced, ¡°This palm technique is named Myriad Supreme Palm, consisting of seven palms. Mastering the first palm alone is enough to quell all chaos in the world.¡±

 Chapter 695: 687: As Godly as Stabilizing the World

    Chapter 695: Chapter 687: As Godly as Stabilizing the World


    ¡°Myriad Supreme Palm¡­¡±


    An Zizai muttered the name of this palm technique, having heard Gu An say that the first palm could quell all the chaos of the world, which made him anticipate and feel pleasantly surprised.


    The name itself sounds powerful!


    ¡°Please, Ancestor, teach me!¡±


    An Zizai immediately knelt down, speaking with a face full of expectation.


    Gu An looked at him, smiled, and said, ¡°The Myriad Supreme Palm is a secret skill I created after comprehending the Great Dao. It consists of seven palms, equivalent to seven kinds of Great Divine Power. The first palm I will teach you is named ¡®World-stabilizing Like a God¡­''¡±


    An Zizai listened patiently. This was Gu An¡¯s first time teaching him, and he wanted to prove his talent, so he was very attentive.


    Gradually, his mind became immersed.


    He was entering the Dao!


    It wasn¡¯t that his comprehension was astonishing, but rather Gu An was guiding him with his Dao Intent.


    Since An Xin had spoken, and An Zizai was the first to cultivate the Myriad Supreme Palm, Gu An naturally had to teach earnestly. He was bound to ensure An Zizai¡¯s Myriad Supreme Palm would become renowned.


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    When An Zizai awakened, his eyes became clear, and it was now nighttime.


    He instinctively looked around and did not find Ancestor¡¯s silhouette. He took a deep breath, reminiscing about the insights in his mind, and his spirit trembled.


    He had never encountered such a powerful secret skill before; he hadn¡¯t even mastered it yet, but just recalling the inherited memory, he felt this secret skill was invincible in the world.


    This was only the first palm. What kind of incredible power would the seventh palm possess?


    For the first time, he became intensely curious about Ancestor¡¯s Dao Practice.


    What kind of cultivation level was needed to create such a secret skill?


    An Zizai suddenly wanted to follow Gu An by his side to cultivate. Previously, he thought Gu An was annoying and would keep his distance, but now, he was curious about everything about Gu An.


    How high is Ancestor¡¯s Dao Practice?


    What kind of life has he experienced?


    Why does Ancestor refuse to appear in the world?


    So many questions aroused An Zizai¡¯s sense of rebirth, even filling him with fighting spirit.


    Thus.


    In the days that followed, An Zizai began to stick to Gu An. As long as Gu An was in the dojo, he would go to Gu An¡¯s side to cultivate the Myriad Supreme Palm.


    As time passed, the Wushiji Disciples gradually learned that Gu An had created a secret skill, but they didn¡¯t ask An Zizai about how to cultivate the Myriad Supreme Palm. Without Gu An¡¯s orders, they didn¡¯t dare act rashly.


    This had been a rule cultivated over hundreds of thousands of years, where disciples would not exchange divine skills, and they had full confidence in their own divine skills.


    ¡­


    In the void, countless meteors floated silently in the darkness.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan sat shoulder to shoulder, cultivating together.


    Fang Xuan opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and his eyes became complex.


    ¡°How many lifetimes have you projected?¡± The Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s voice came from beside him, with a tone of exhaustion.


    Fang Xuan glanced over, seeing Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s expression was somewhat desolate as well, he replied, ¡°Twenty-seven lifetimes, all were bitter.¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint followed with a sigh, ¡°Twenty-one lifetimes, I was bitter too.¡±


    Both fell into silence together.


    After a while.


    ¡°Perhaps experiencing enough failures can prepare one for all future hardships. The strength of the Primordial Dao Emperor isn¡¯t just about cultivation level and divine skills, but also a robust Dao Heart,¡± Fang Xuan sighed.


    He could hardly imagine how many reincarnations the real Primordial Dao Emperor had experienced, and what kind of mindset he had when looking at the Great Dao, at all things?


    Perhaps they hadn¡¯t heard of the Primordial Dao Emperor before because he had already transcended, without any desire for fame or gain.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint nodded, saying, ¡°The higher my achievement in cultivating this path, the more I revere the Primordial Dao Emperor. No wonder my master sent me to cultivate; I feel the Primordial Dao Emperor is stronger than the Daoist Emperor.¡±


    Fang Xuan smiled and replied, ¡°That¡¯s inevitable. The Daoist Emperor relies purely on slaughter and does not cultivate the heart.¡±


    The two continuously expressed their longing for the Primordial Dao Emperor. Even though they had cultivated up to now, they still couldn¡¯t see the day when their Dao would be complete, but having each other, they felt more confident and less confused.


    Just as the two were having an unending exchange, a dazzling light erupted from the depths of the darkness, catching their attention.


    An overwhelming aura came, causing them to frown.


    Boom¡ª


    A Jing Hong shot over swiftly, making the void where the Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan resided as bright as day.


    The two looked up to see a figure above. It was a man cloaked in a black robe with chain armor underneath, standing in the void. His face was grim, eyes like a snake, looking down at the Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan with furrowed brows.


    Blood Prison Great Saint was the first to ask, ¡°Is there something you need?¡±


    Although the opponent¡¯s aura was powerful, he wasn¡¯t fazed at all. At worst, they would fight; it had been many years since he last battled.


    Fang Xuan glanced at Blood Prison Great Saint, suddenly feeling this sworn brother was more belligerent than he imagined because he heard the eagerness in the Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s tone.


    Although Fang Xuan was considered a genius, he didn¡¯t like to fight. To him, immortal cultivation didn¡¯t necessarily require combat; fighting was the ultimate last resort.


    ¡°The Celestial Court is arresting beings who are stepping onto the Emperor Road. Although you don¡¯t have the Destiny of the Daoist Emperor, the Destiny on you two is very special, and you might be targeted by the Celestial Court. Leave the Path of the Great Dao soon,¡±


    The black-robed man looked down at the Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan, then turned and left, shattering the void in the blink of an eye and disappearing without a trace.


    ¡°The Celestial Court?¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint frowned. He had heard this name before, but didn¡¯t know much about it, only that the legendary Immortal Gods came from the Celestial Court, which also represented the Heavenly Dao.


    Fang Xuan knew more about the Celestial Court, and his expression turned ugly. He whispered, ¡°Better to believe it exists than not; we should find a place to hide, at least stay away from the main plane of the Path of the Great Dao.¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint glared and said, ¡°So what if it¡¯s the Celestial Court? This is the Path of the Great Dao; I¡¯ve never heard of a force that could dominate it single-handedly!¡±


    If they left, how would he carry out the tasks his master assigned?


    Fang Xuan wanted to continue persuading when suddenly, a vast oppression descended, enveloping them both, causing their expressions to change. They instinctively turned to look.


    From the direction where the black-robed man had appeared, a golden light unfolded rapidly toward them, accompanied by deafening footsteps, as if tens of thousands were marching together.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint immediately took out his Dao Treasure, the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber. With the Dao Treasure out, the suppressive force he encountered immediately weakened.


    He grabbed the adjacent Fang Xuan, who was immobilized by the oppressive force, and turned to flee.


    ¡°Humph! Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    The Celestial Calming God¡¯s cold snort came from behind. Before Blood Prison Great Saint could turn his head, he suddenly felt an irresistible pull. Even the Dao Treasure couldn¡¯t completely resist this suction force.


    Blood Prison Great Saint was greatly horrified and instinctively turned his head, seeing the endless darkness like a giant abyssal mouth engulfing everything, about to swallow him and Fang Xuan.

 Chapter 696: 688: Unfathomable Ancestor

    Chapter 696: Chapter 688: Unfathomable Ancestor


    Within the Wushi Dojo, at dusk.


    Gu An was carving a wooden figure in the courtyard, Shen Zhen was cultivating in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, and An Zizai was pondering deeply atop the courtyard wall, as the twilight glow cast an aura of tranquility and harmony over the entire courtyard.


    Suddenly.


    Gu An slightly raised his eyebrows; he sensed that Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan had been captured, and the threads of destiny suddenly became blurred. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Celestial Court!


    Only the Celestial Court could make destiny appear this obscure.


    Fortunately, the Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan carried the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor, allowing him to track their whereabouts.


    Gu An began tracing their trail through the destiny of the Primordial Dao Emperor and saw the plight of Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan.


    Huh?


    Gu An suddenly thought of the Divine Court within the Taiwei Great World.


    The Divine Court was also aiding the Immortal Gods in capturing creatures, tossing them into a furnace, and now the same fate befell Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan.


    Could it be that these Immortal Gods were preparing for the Celestial Emperor¡¯s struggle?


    Gu An stood up, stretched lazily.


    He looked at An Zizai and suddenly had an idea.


    No matter what, An Zizai, being the eldest disciple among the third-generation disciples of Wushi, must eventually possess the ability and insight to stand on his own.


    Currently, An Zizai severely lacks insight, even considering the Free Immortal Realm as the highest stage of immortal cultivation.


    ¡°Zizai, I am planning to go out and have a look. There might be battles involved. Would you like to come and see?¡±


    Gu An spoke, and as soon as he said this, An Zizai turned his head towards him with an expression of interest.


    Not only him, but even Shen Zhen looked at Gu An, eyes full of curiosity.


    ¡°Ancestor, I¡¯m afraid I will drag you down¡­¡±


    An Zizai wanted to go, but recalling his previous experiences of external training made him hesitant.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°No worries, you won¡¯t need to act. Such an opportunity is rare. Think about it carefully.¡±


    Hearing this, An Zizai fell silent, while Shen Zhen spoke, ¡°Your ancestor wants to broaden your horizons. You are the first third-generation disciple of Wushi, and you will surely have many junior brothers and sisters in the future. Do you think you are qualified to be the eldest disciple in your current state?¡±


    Her words were not pleasant, tinged with a shade of mockery, but they did not anger An Zizai.


    An Zizai took a deep breath, finding reason in Shen Zhen¡¯s words. He gave Shen Zhen a grateful look, then said to Gu An, ¡°Ancestor, I am willing to go with you!¡±


    Gu An immediately waved his sleeve, and An Zizai felt a strong wind rush towards him, instinctively closing his eyes.


    Then An Zizai could not open his eyes, only feeling himself falling, unable to extend his divine sense, which instinctively made him feel tense.


    After a while, An Zizai felt his feet touch the ground, and instinctively opened his eyes to see Gu An¡¯s back.


    Seeing his ancestor before him, he breathed a sigh of relief.


    Without speaking, he raised his head to observe the surroundings. He found himself in a dim world, the celestial vault pitch-black like a starless night sky, the barren earth and heaps of scorched soil emanated fire sparks and smoldering smoke, gradually making him feel the heat.


    ¡°What is this place?¡±


    Confusion filled An Zizai¡¯s heart, and he could only look towards his ancestor.


    Gu An said, ¡°We are inside a great cauldron, where thousands of beings beyond the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path are suffering.¡±


    Beyond the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Path?


    Thousands?


    An Zizai¡¯s eyes widened, his mouth dropped open in shock, his worldview experiencing a strong impact.


    In his understanding, the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path was the highest realm, and he could not envision how powerful those beyond it could be. Yet thousands of such powerful beings were subdued here.


    ¡°Above the Free Immortal Realm is the Dao Fruit Realm, segmented into Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal, Profound Yuan Free Immortal, and Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal. Beyond that lies the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, segmented into Innate Golden Immortal, Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, and Taiqing Golden Immortal.¡±


    Gu An gazed into the distance, softly introducing, leaving An Zizai even more astounded.


    There are so many realms above the Free Immortal?


    What realm was the ancestor in?


    His intuition told him the ancestor might very well be a Taiqing Golden Immortal!


    How else could he know so much?


    An Zizai nervously asked, ¡°Ancestor, who is the enemy and where are they?¡±


    Gu An did not hide it, ¡°The owner of this cauldron is an immortal god from the Celestial Court. We came here because my steed was captured here.¡±


    ¡°Is it Uncle Master Blood Prison?¡± An Zizai¡¯s eyes lit up as he asked.


    Though the Blood Prison Great Saint was a steed, he was regarded as a disciple within Wushi, and An Zizai had heard his name since childhood.


    Among the disciples of Wushi, Blood Prison Great Saint was the second only to his master, with immense capability.


    ¡°Yes, it is him.¡±


    Gu An answered, having already sensed the presence of Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan within the cauldron. They were trying to escape the cauldron, but no matter how they exerted their divine skills, they could not break free.


    The other trapped individuals within the cauldron had long given up hope, opting only to meditate to resist the cauldron¡¯s flames as best as they could.


    ¡°Are we going to rescue him now?¡± An Zizai asked excitedly.


    He was excited for two reasons: meeting the Blood Prison Great Saint and encountering the Immortal Gods and realms beyond the Free Immortal. He felt a thrill reminiscent of his early days of training away from the Nine Spirit Continent.


    ¡°No rush.¡±


    Gu An turned to walk, and An Zizai quickly followed.


    He glanced around, feeling very nervous, unsure of where the enemy lay.


    ¡°This world is so vast. Is it really a cauldron?¡±


    An Zizai was secretly astonished, unable to imagine the strength and features of the Celestial Court Immortal God who wielded such a great cauldron.


    As they advanced, An Zizai saw bones upon bones¡ªhuman remains, and demon remains, shocking to the eye, the stances of some of the skeletons making his scalp tingle; he could imagine how desperate they must have been while alive.


    ¡°Ancestor, how did you bring me in?¡± An Zizai refocused his gaze on Gu An, cautiously asking.


    Invading even the treasure of an Immortal God seemed effortless; An Zizai truly sensed his ancestor¡¯s profound abilities, heightening his anticipation for the impending battle.


    ¡°Just stepped in.¡± Gu An answered casually.


    This offhand remark further increased An Zizai¡¯s admiration for him.


    ¡°Ancestor, will you fight the Immortal Gods?¡±


    ¡°In this place, it might be worth testing their edge.¡±


    ¡°What is this place? Where is this great cauldron located? Is it still within our world?¡±


    ¡°This is the Path of the Great Dao, incredibly far from the Celestial Spirit Great World, so distant that with your current cultivation level, you will never be able to come here in your lifetime.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s answer left An Zizai wide-eyed again, memorizing the name of this place, determined to journey here if possible in the future.


    ¡°Ancestor, if a battle does start, will you use the Myriad Supreme Palm?¡± An Zizai blinked, expectantly asking.


    Gu An gently nodded; he did not look back, but this gesture was enough to make An Zizai feel thrilled.


    Having cultivated the Myriad Supreme Palm for so many years, he had not truly witnessed the power of this secret skill.

 Chapter 697: 689: Demon Gods Physical Body

    Chapter 697: Chapter 689: Demon God¡¯s Physical Body


    Under the dark celestial vault, the Blood Prison Great Saint landed, landing beside Fang Xuan, both of their expressions grim.


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t escape at all!¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint gritted his teeth, clenching his fists, his eyes filled with rage.


    Having cultivated on the Path of the Great Dao for so many years, to be effortlessly trapped in this realm made him feel deeply humiliated.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act rashly, let¡¯s meditate and observe this realm first.¡±


    Fang Xuan pulled the Blood Prison Great Saint to sit down, cautiously watching their surroundings. The floating scorched smoke and sparks reminded him of a terrible event that had occurred here, and it was likely to happen again.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint took a deep breath, struggling to calm his emotions. He then dispersed his Divine Sense, trying to investigate the situation here.


    He quickly saw figures of other captives but could not see the figures of Gu An or An Zizai. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°So many people were caught, and many have a higher cultivation level than us.¡±


    Fang Xuan murmured, his tone full of unease.


    ¡°Xuanji Emperor! He¡¯s also here, reportedly one of the best chances of becoming a Daoist Emperor among the current prodigies¡­¡±


    Fang Xuan¡¯s face changed dramatically. After saying this, his face looked ashen.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint felt increasingly anxious. Why had the Immortal Gods captured so many people?


    Meanwhile.


    An Zizai followed Gu An all the way. He noticed that although his pace hadn¡¯t accelerated, the surrounding environment shifted significantly.


    This was a very peculiar experience. Although he advanced quickly, it was hard to notice unless he observed carefully.


    It must be the Ancestor¡¯s doing!


    An Zizai looked at Gu An with growing admiration. As a child, he didn¡¯t understand why his master always obeyed the Ancestor without question and wouldn¡¯t ask a single question regarding his commands, nor why other disciples feared the Ancestor so much.


    Though seemingly carefree, the Ancestor actually possessed Great Divine Power capable of extraordinary feats, but he usually didn¡¯t show off.


    An Zizai silently vowed that he too wanted to become a person like the Ancestor.


    True strength should be displayed at critical moments, not flaunted in daily life.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice suddenly rang, pulling An Zizai¡¯s thoughts back to reality. In that instant, he had the illusion that heaven and earth trembled.


    His gaze was drawn forward; his eyes slowly widened, pupils filled with astonishment.


    Following his gaze, there was a giant egg standing on the ground ahead, as massive as a mountain, towering a thousand zhang high. The surface of the giant egg was like flesh and skin with veins, glowing red inside, faintly revealing a giant curled up within.


    Gu An looked up at the giant egg and used Life Span Detection, but received no feedback.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s not for alchemy but for forging a body¡­ Without a soul, could it be for possession?¡±


    Gu An speculated secretly, sensing that the flesh inside the giant egg was already no less than the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm.


    This body lacked Celestial Dao Destiny, yet exuded a terrifying aura, one that the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal should not have.


    Gu An carefully deduced, finding this aura to be linked to some Great Dao, and that this body had countless ties to the Three Thousand Great Dao.


    Delving deeper into his deductions, he saw a darkness, a cosmic plane beyond the Three Thousand Great Worlds, oppressively bleak, with nothing visible.


    Though not much useful information was gained, he could confirm that the purpose of the Great Cauldron capturing so many living beings was to refine their flesh and merge it into this body.


    ¡°Ancestor, what is that?¡± An Zizai couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Just looking at the body within the giant egg made him shudder and gave birth to a strong urge to flee.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a Demon God.¡±


    Gu An answered, his gaze fixed on the giant egg ahead.


    An Zizai wanted to ask more questions when suddenly the ground trembled, and frightening earth fire erupted. He instinctively flew upward, his eyes glancing at the ground.


    Gu An still stood in place, the blazing flames around him causing no harm, his robe untouched by the fire, as if the surrounding inferno were an illusion.


    The speed of the earth fire¡¯s ascent was so fast that An Zizai had to keep flying upwards. In the distance, silhouettes of other living beings also rose, with strong auras bursting from different directions; An Zizai could sense anxiety in those auras.


    ¡°Ancestor¡­¡±


    An Zizai looked at Gu An, calling softly, terror of the flames driving him to seek reliance on Gu An.


    Gu An suddenly waved his sleeve, taking the giant egg into his sleeve. He then took a step, a fierce wind erupting from around him, spreading instantly, dispersing the flames along the way.


    In the distance.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan still sat on the ground, using their mana to resist the surrounding blazing flames.


    Fang Xuan frowned and was about to speak when a strong wind came from the horizon, blowing away the sea of fire around them, making them turn their heads to look.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    The Blood Prison Great Saint muttered, tensing up, his right hand gripping the Heaven-Breaking Blood Prison Saber beside him.


    Fang Xuan didn¡¯t answer the Blood Prison Great Saint; he was probing the situation in that direction with his Divine Sense. Unfortunately, unable to see Gu An, he couldn¡¯t find the source.


    ¡­


    Above the Qi Sea of the Great Dao, golden light extended infinitely; hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers walked upon it, swaying unstoppably.


    At the front, the Celestial Calming God held a saber in one hand and a Black Cauldron in the other.


    In his grasp, the Black Cauldron appeared tiny, its surface engraved with fierce beast images, lifelike and eerie to the point of fear.


    Suddenly.


    The Celestial Calming God stopped, frowning as he glanced at the Black Cauldron in his hand.


    When he stopped, the hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers halted with him.


    Zhang Buku, standing amidst the crowd, gazed at the stance of the Celestial Calming God, curiously asking, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Beside him, Xu You squinted and answered, ¡°The Soul Refining Cauldron seems to have a problem.¡±


    Soul Refining Cauldron?


    Zhang Buku was even more curious. He felt a sense of awe and dread towards the Soul Refining Cauldron, recalling scenes of it suppressing numerous prodigies, even he, as a Celestial God, felt intimidated.


    This cauldron was so ominous, full of evil!


    Boom¡ª


    A pillar of fire suddenly rose in front of the Celestial Calming God, soaring into the sky, grandly towering, making even the mighty Celestial Calming God appear small before it.


    Within the fire pillar, the massive Soul Refining Cauldron slowly rose, becoming countless times larger than before.


    ¡°Who dares meddle with an Immortal Artifact!¡±


    The Celestial Calming God¡¯s voice echoed, solemnly oppressive, like thunder echoing endlessly.


    All the Heavenly Soldiers were on guard, ready to form a formation at any moment.


    The Soul Refining Cauldron halted, suspended in the void, the surrounding fire pillar dissipating soon, quickly restoring calmness.


    The Heavenly Soldiers looked around, finding no enemy figures, forcing them to turn their gaze to the Soul Refining Cauldron.


    The top cover of the Soul Refining Cauldron did not tremble, standing as firm as Mount Tai, giving a sense of unshakable gravity.

 Chapter 698: 690: Flip of the Hand

    Chapter 698: Chapter 690: Flip of the Hand


    As hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers fixed their gaze on the lid of the Soul Refining Cauldron, inside the cauldron, the endless sea of fire had already dissipated. One by one, figures soared into the air, hovering, and looked around, eager to grasp the situation.


    Who extinguished the cauldron fire?


    Some of these captives had already experienced the burning flames and knew the terror it wrought.


    That gust of wind just now was definitely no coincidence; there is a mysterious figure extinguishing the fire!


    An Zizai looked at Gu An, his eyes filled with anticipation.


    What kind of epic battle will unfold next?


    Under An Zizai¡¯s watchful eyes, Gu An turned, facing a direction, and slowly raised his right hand.


    It has begun!


    An Zizai felt a surge of excitement, his eyes filled with expectation.


    As Gu An lifted his palm, a terrifying aura erupted. This time, he deliberately weakened the barriers of cause and effect and aura, allowing all creatures within the cauldron to see him, but unable to see him clearly.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan also turned their heads, their gazes locked on Gu An.


    They could only see a blurry figure, unable to discern Gu An¡¯s true appearance.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint¡¯s expression was invigorated, his breathing becoming rapid.


    Though unclear, he instantly guessed it was Gu An!


    Back then, when Gu An stood against the Battle Court, his figure was just as unseeable, but his presence was felt.


    He just got caught, and his master has arrived!


    ¡°Who is that, daring to¡­¡±


    Fang Xuan furrowed his brow and muttered to himself. Suddenly, as if realizing something, his eyes widened and shifted to the excited, trembling Blood Prison Great Saint beside him, causing his own heart to quiver.


    That existence has indeed come!


    On another side of the world within the cauldron, dozens of creatures hovered in the air, headed by a man clad in dark red battle armor. His figure was robust, long hair coiled beneath the majestic headpiece of a Divine Beast, with a stern face exuding immense pressure.


    This was the Xuanji Emperor, whose cultivation had reached the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal Realm. He was the existence with the greatest hope of becoming a Daoist Emperor on the current Path of the Great Dao!


    The Xuanji Emperor also couldn¡¯t see Gu An¡¯s true self, but this person gave him the same feeling as his clan¡¯s ancestor¡ªprofound and unfathomable.


    He had an intuition that this person might lead them out.


    Under the watchful eyes of thousands of prodigies and Great Cultivators, Gu An gently pushed forward with his right palm. The action seemed casual, like picking flowers and grass.


    But as Gu An¡¯s arm straightened, a terrifying force suddenly erupted, shattering the darkness of the celestial vault in front of him. A whirlwind mixed with burnt smoke roared forth, like a pack of dragons vying to be the first to rush out, creating a grand spectacle.


    Thousands of captives caught in the whirlwind were all stunned by this palm of Gu An.


    They could feel the terrifying, irresistible force. Ever since they fell into this realm, they had tried to break out, all in vain. Their strongest divine skills didn¡¯t create the slightest damage.


    Cloaks flapping and hair swirling, all captives gazed at the broken hole in the horizon where inside shone a dazzling white light, resembling an entrance to a new world.


    ¡­


    Above the Qi Sea along the Great Dao, hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers watched as a huge hole was blasted through the Soul Refining Cauldron. The oppressive heat wave surged out, unstoppable, and the majority of heavenly soldiers showed a look of disbelief.


    Such an immortal artifact was actually pierced through?


    And from the inside!


    The Celestial Calming God¡¯s face was equally grim as he leapt into the air, arriving at the hole in the Soul Refining Cauldron, using his physical body to withstand the wind and waves. He raised his mighty sword high, while hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers began to form ranks.


    Zhang Buku and Xu You both directed their mana while looking at the Soul Refining Cauldron, their gaze concentrated on that hole, curious about what kind of powerful being had broken through the cauldron?


    They instinctively thought of the Xuanji Emperor, whose performance had impressed them when the Celestial Calming God captured him.


    Under the scrutinizing eyes of all the heavenly soldiers, the blinding light inside the hole of the Soul Refining Cauldron continued to shine as a figure slowly emerged, seeming like a speck of dust compared to the gaping hole but exerting extreme pressure on the heavenly soldiers.


    Gu An slowly walked out of the white light, followed by An Zizai.


    Neither the Celestial Calming God nor the hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers could see their true forms, only perceiving two vague silhouettes, which made the Celestial Calming God even more wary of Gu An.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The Celestial Calming God questioned sternly. He was sure he had never captured these two before, meaning they had sneaked into the Soul Refining Cauldron without a trace.


    Their cultivation level was likely above his! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is the Path of the Great Dao, and any being daring to oppose the Celestial Court might intend to kill them.


    Especially since they hid their true forms, it was clear they harbored ill intent.


    He could die and be resurrected through the Celestial Court¡¯s destiny, but his hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers couldn¡¯t since they hadn¡¯t truly been inducted into the Immortal Class.


    After putting in so much time and effort, he didn¡¯t want his soldiers to fall here.


    Gu An did not respond to the Celestial Calming God. His gaze swept over the hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers and spotted Zhang Buku.


    He looked at Xu You beside Zhang Buku. He had previously calculated that a Daluo being backed Xu You. Now, looking at Xu You up close, he could see more of the cause and effect.


    The Daluo existence behind Xu You had intricate ties with the Celestial Court, but wasn¡¯t completely shrouded by its destiny.


    Could it be he wants to break away from the Celestial Court?


    As Gu An pondered, hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers flew upwards, encircling the Soul Refining Cauldron, quickly forming ranks, like a giant golden bell¡¯s silhouette enveloping the void. Within the silhouette, countless golden dragons and fire phoenixes coiled, exuding immense pressure, with dragon roars and phoenix calls resonating endlessly.


    From behind Gu An, figures flew out of the white light, all the captives emerging.


    After the Blood Prison Great Saint flew out, he gazed at Gu An from afar with an excited look, but he restrained the urge to acknowledge him.


    The master had not revealed his true form, so he couldn¡¯t spoil things.


    He began to anticipate how his master would confront the heavenly court immortals.


    The Xuanji Emperor, Fang Xuan, and other captives saw the Celestial Court¡¯s formation complete and dared not act rashly, all their attention focused on Gu An, pinning their hopes on this mysterious great power.


    The Celestial Calming God lifted his sword, pointing it at Gu An, as his dharma aspect rose, radiating majesty like an ancient war god standing up, dwarfing even the Soul Refining Cauldron.


    ¡°If you refuse to speak, you¡¯re an enemy!¡±


    The Celestial Calming God shouted solemnly, thoughts rushing through his mind, but with so many enemies over the long years, he couldn¡¯t promptly identify who it was.


    Yet, he didn¡¯t waste time in idle chatter. During the questioning, he was already mobilizing the celestial army¡¯s destiny of the Celestial Court, focusing it on himself.


    He was already at the cultivation level of a Heaven-Balancing Golden Immortal, and his momentum was escalating crazily.


    Gu An saw through the Celestial Calming God¡¯s little tricks but didn¡¯t mind.


    An Zizai looked at the figure of the Celestial Calming God and the grand formation of hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers. This was the first time he had encountered such an imposing scene in all his years.


    ¡°Watch closely, this is the first strike of the Myriad Supreme Palm.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice suddenly resonated in An Zizai¡¯s ears, causing his eyes to widen.


    An Zizai fixed his gaze on Gu An, watching him raise his right hand once more.


    This time, Gu An didn¡¯t push forward but instead flipped his right hand upwards and then pressed it downwards.


    Not just An Zizai, almost everyone had their eyes glued to Gu An. Seeing his movement, no one dared breathe.


    As Gu An¡¯s palm pressed downward, an immense, boundless pressure descended from the sky, enveloping everyone, shocking them as they looked up.


    Hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers raised their heads uniformly, the scene utterly spectacular; they too widened their eyes in disbelief.


    The always composed and profound Xu You¡¯s expression also drastically changed, exclaiming in shock, ¡°How can this be!¡±

 Chapter 699 691: The True Immortal Gods

    Xu You''s voice was drowned out by the roar within the void, and Zhang Buku beside him also widened his eyes, with specks of golden light appearing rapidly in his eyes, quickly connecting into a continuum.


    Hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers looked up, all with expressions of utter astonishment.


    Celestial Calming God looked up and was similarly shocked. He immediately roared in anger, raised his sword, and slashed upwards. His mana, nearly at the limit of the Heaven Balancing Golden Immortal Realm, suddenly erupted, soaring skyward.


    The golden bell phantom formed by hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers trembled violently, and those Golden Dragons and Fire Phoenixes, as if encountering a natural enemy, ceased altogether, roaring towards the sky.


    The thousands of other trapped people behind Gu An also looked up, all staring in stupefaction, the golden light illuminating their shocked expressions.


    Golden ethereal palms of varying sizes descended from the sky, endless and inexhaustible, all shining with piercing golden light, occupying the entire sky above the void, as if another plane was descending, full of oppression.


    No matter which direction one looked, there were massive golden palm silhouettes as large as mountains, some even larger than heaven and earth, with an unimaginable oppressive force that made it impossible for them to escape the range of the Celestial Army''s formation.


    Even the Xuanji Emperor of the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortals could not count how many golden ethereal palms there were. In the face of such divine skills, the Heavenly Court Immortals were like mere mortals, insignificant and fragile.


    An Zizai opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the relentless descent of the golden ethereal palms, his mind blank as he gazed at the spectacle.


    Time seemed to slow down, and everyone except the Celestial Calming God had no time to react.


    The Celestial Calming God wielded his sword to cut, and in the process of ascending, the vast mana transformed into a crimson Qilin, surrounded by heavenly thunder. It was even larger than the Soul Refining Cauldron, but under the endless palm silhouettes of the God-Calming Realm, it was like a mosquito caught in a storm, ready to be overwhelmed at any moment.


    The descent of the God-Calming Realm was extremely fast, from appearance to arrival in less than half a heartbeat.


    Countless golden ethereal palms smashed onto the golden bell phantom, and the dazzling golden light made the entire void lose its color.


    Zhang Buku looked up with wide eyes; he instinctively wanted to use his divine skills, but his actions weren''t quick enough, and ultimately, his entire body was engulfed by the golden light.


    Boom! Boom! Boom... S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the cosmic void lost its color, deafening roaring sounds erupted continuously, An Zizai also closed his eyes, unable to see, and the incoming sounds made him feel as if the entire Dao Universe was shaking, his Qi-Blood freezing, causing extreme discomfort.


    Standing behind Gu An, he felt this way, let alone the others.


    Blood Prison Great Saint felt both uncomfortable and excited, even though he couldn''t see, the vast spectacle of the God-Calming Realm echoed in his mind.


    Such divine skills, he wanted to learn them too!


    Once he returned, he would pester his master to teach him this divine skill!


    Xuanji Emperor also found himself unable to perform magic, but he sensed a special fate¡ªa special fate not only due to pure and powerful cultivation but also a special fate supporting it.


    This fate was similar to the Daoist Emperor''s, comparable to the Great Dao, yet independent of the Great Dao.


    This astonished the Xuanji Emperor greatly.


    Is there a kind of Great Dao Destiny on the Path of the Great Dao stronger than the Daoist Emperor?


    He had no time to ponder more, quickly realizing his consciousness was being dragged into slumber.


    ...


    An Zizai had a dream, dreaming of Ancestor slaughtering indiscriminately among the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, no immortal or god able to withstand a single blow, a completely one-sided massacre.


    Suddenly.


    Ancestor approached him, frightening him into abruptly waking up, opening his eyes wide and sitting up, gasping for air.


    The morning sunlight pierced through the mountains and rivers of the earth, shining on him, giving him a feeling as if a lifetime had passed. He instinctively turned his head and found himself in Ancestor''s courtyard.


    Shen Zhen and An Xin were sitting in front of the Artifact Refining Cauldron, conversing in low voices, with no sign of anyone else.


    He couldn''t help but ask, "Master, Uncle Shen, where''s the Ancestor?"


    "Your Ancestor went out to play, estimated to be back by evening." An Xin replied calmly.


    It was Shen Zhen who turned his head to look at him, curious, "How was it? Did you witness your Ancestor''s hand?"


    An Zizai took a deep breath, nodded heavily, recalling the memories in his mind. He couldn''t help but clench his fists, his eyes shining, he replied, "Ancestor used the divine skills he taught me, so strong, there must be at least a hundred thousand Heavenly Court Immortals, not one could withstand a single palm from him..."


    An Xin also became interested, turning to listen to him describe the previous battle.


    At the same time.


    Gu An was staying in the Mountain God Temple of Tai Cang Continent. After picking the ripe medicinal herbs, he came into the courtyard, then silently activated the Life Span Barrier, taking out the Demon God Body he had taken from the Soul Refining Cauldron, still within an egg.


    He did not kill the Celestial Calming God and the hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers. The Celestial Calming God couldn''t be killed, and those Heavenly Soldiers were innocent, simply following orders. If they were all killed, the karma involved would cover the Three Thousand Great Worlds and various mysterious universes, let alone Zhang Buku who was also among them.


    Of course, aside from intimidating the Celestial Calming God, this battle also showcased the power of the Primordial Dao Emperor to those thousands of trapped people and hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers.


    These trapped people and Heavenly Soldiers were all Great Powers and gifted prodigies. They would certainly perceive the fate of the Primordial Dao Emperor, and they could spread the Primordial Dao Emperor across their respective universes.


    At this moment, Gu An was more concerned with the Demon God Body that the Celestial Calming God had refined.


    He observed carefully and found that this Demon God Body had a high tolerance for the Three Thousand Great Daos, meaning it could cultivate various Great Daos with ease.


    For whom was the Celestial Calming God preparing this body?


    This body had no Heavenly Court destiny, so Gu An realized that there were hundreds of such bodies within the Three Thousand Great Worlds, and one was hidden within the Divine Court of Taiwei Great World.


    So many Demon God Bodies, and they are all being refined by immortals and gods¡ªmust be related to the struggle with the Celestial Emperor.


    Do they need so many Demon Gods to overthrow the current Celestial Emperor''s rule?


    Gu An was very curious about how strong the Celestial Emperor really was today?


    What was his concept of the Heavenly Dao?


    Perhaps the disregard of the Immortal Gods for all living beings is related to the battle for the Celestial Emperor.


    Gu An looked at the Demon God Body, silently thinking.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren sat beside him, curiously looking at the giant egg in front of Gu An. Even though the egg had shrunk a lot, the figure curled up inside still appeared large.


    Staring at the figure inside the giant egg, Profound Mysterious Zhenren felt very uneasy, feeling that this body was terrifying, making him afraid to disturb Gu An.


    For a long time.


    Gu An glanced at Profound Mysterious Zhenren and smiled, "I shall grant this body to you, to aid in your possession. Do you agree?"


    Upon hearing this, Profound Mysterious Zhenren''s face changed greatly, not immediately agreeing or refusing, but cautiously asked, "What is the origin of this body?"


    "This body was refined by the Immortal Gods, true Immortal Gods. If you possess it, you will have talent surpassing all creation, but you will also bear unforeseen karma, which might drag you into immense trouble in the future."


    Gu An explained, making Profound Mysterious Zhenren even more nervous.


    True Immortal Gods?


    The reason Profound Mysterious Zhenren follows Gu An is because he devoutly believes in Immortal Gods. Now hearing of true Immortal Gods from Gu An, his heartbeat quickened.

 Chapter 700: 692: The Supreme Celestial Emperor

    Chapter 700: Chapter 692: The Supreme Celestial Emperor


    ¡°How do you wish me to choose?¡±


    After much thought, Profound Mysterious Zhenren decided to inquire about Gu An¡¯s attitude.


    He owed his current achievements entirely to Gu An¡¯s support, and he believed Gu An would not harm him. Even if he was merely a pawn for Gu An, he would willingly accept it. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An replied, ¡°Naturally, I hope you can accept it, and perhaps in the future, you could use this body to enter the Immortal Class.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°Do you want me to infiltrate the Celestial Court?¡±


    So clever!


    Gu An spoke earnestly, ¡°Immortal Gods exist, but they disregard all living beings. Some even commit evil deeds in the Human World. I think there might be issues within the Celestial Court that creates Immortal Gods.¡±


    The reason he chose to give the Demon God Body to Profound Mysterious Zhenren was twofold: to genuinely help him change his fate, and because Profound Mysterious Zhenren yearned for Immortal Gods, thus he could send him to the Celestial Court as a spy.


    The Destiny of the Celestial Court is complex and cannot be predicted, but if a spy is planted, they can still investigate the internal situation of the Celestial Court.


    After hearing this, Profound Mysterious Zhenren thought it made sense. The current Immortal Gods were indeed strange. They were not seen saving the world; instead, many catastrophes arose because of them.


    ¡°Then I am willing to possess this body, thank you for your grace!¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Gu An.


    If it weren¡¯t for Gu An¡¯s care, he wouldn¡¯t have lived this long. Even though he was already hundreds of thousands of years old, his path of cultivation was still hopeful, all thanks to Gu An.


    Moreover, he believed Gu An was greatly virtuous. Without Gu An, the world he resided in would have been destroyed several times already.


    No matter the underlying reasons, born in the Celestial Spirit Great World, he should take its side. Whoever protected it was the true Immortal God in his heart.


    Gu An, looking at Profound Mysterious Zhenren kneeling in front of him, couldn¡¯t help but think back to fifty-six thousand years ago, when Profound Mysterious Zhenren had also knelt to him like this.


    He wondered whether this arrangement was a blessing or a curse for Profound Mysterious Zhenren?


    Gu An did not hesitate. He had already explained the pros and cons and his intentions to Profound Mysterious Zhenren, which was also what the latter sought.


    He believed that Profound Mysterious Zhenren was not compelled by his power.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren surely knew that even if he refused Gu An, Gu An would not trouble him.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s begin.¡±


    ¡­


    On a desolate meteor on the Path of the Great Dao, Zhang Buku opened his eyes, quickly stood up, and looked around. He found himself surrounded by Heavenly Soldiers.


    Xu You stood by his side, frowning as he looked into the distance.


    Zhang Buku couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Did that person leave?¡±


    Xu You nodded and said, ¡°The other party didn¡¯t harm us; they probably left to save someone.¡±


    Following his gaze, at the horizon, the Celestial Calming God was meditating on a cliff, with his back to hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± Zhang Buku whispered, also staring at the Celestial Calming God.


    Xu You replied, ¡°He might be transmitting information.¡±


    He took a deep breath, turned to Zhang Buku, and asked, ¡°Did you feel anything during the previous great battle?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhang Buku began to recall carefully, thinking of the terrifying scene that seemed to suppress the world, and he still felt fear.


    After a while.


    Zhang Buku hesitantly said, ¡°That person had a kind of Destiny similar to the Daoist Emperor, but different from it.¡±


    The Great Dao Destiny was no secret to him. He currently had access only to the Celestial Dao Destiny and Daoist Emperor. Whether becoming a Celestial Dao Immortal God or a Daoist Emperor, one would possess unparalleled divine power in the same realm.


    Now there was a new type!


    Gu An¡¯s Great Dao Destiny made him feel an extremely fierce aura that directly confronted the soul and Dao Heart.


    ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s another kind of Great Dao Destiny. The heavens are about to change,¡± Xu You said softly, his words full of complexity.


    Zhang Buku asked in confusion, ¡°Change?¡±


    ¡°A long time ago, when the Daoist Emperor was born, it once triggered a catastrophe that swept through the Three Thousand Great Worlds and all the heavens, even affecting the Celestial Court. Although the Celestial Court disdained the Daoist Emperor, once there were many Daoist Emperors, they attempted to overthrow the Celestial Court¡¯s rule. If this Great Dao Destiny also flourishes, it will inevitably challenge the divine might of the Celestial Court.¡±


    Xu You¡¯s voice was filled with emotion.


    ¡°Do you mean the Celestial Court will hunt down this kind of Destiny?¡±


    ¡°No, the Celestial Court is arrogant. They disdain all existence, especially the supreme Celestial Emperor. He can allow all forces to grow. The conflicts between the Celestial Court and all the heavens are basically about offending a certain Immortal God, rather than the will of the entire Celestial Court.¡±


    Mentioning the Celestial Emperor, Xu You¡¯s eyes shone with a light Zhang Buku had never seen before.


    Zhang Buku could feel Xu You¡¯s immense reverence for the Celestial Emperor, sparking unlimited curiosity about him.


    What kind of being is the Celestial Emperor?


    Meanwhile.


    In another plane on the Path of the Great Dao, Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan were blocked by a group of people.


    ¡°Do you also wish to pursue the Primordial Dao Emperor?¡± Blood Prison Great Saint asked with a raised eyebrow.


    The Primordial Dao Emperor had already taken root and flourished on the Path of the Great Dao. Blood Prison Great Saint didn¡¯t think this was a secret, nor did he know that the Primordial Dao Emperor was something Gu An had pioneered.


    After the previous great battle, he assumed that Gu An was also the Primordial Dao Emperor. It made sense: if Gu An wasn¡¯t the Primordial Dao Emperor, why would he let them cultivate as the Primordial Dao Emperor?


    As for Gu An sending him to gather information, he understood it. Even though he had begun reincarnation projection, his understanding of the Primordial Dao Emperor was still insufficient.


    Not to mention the Primordial Dao Emperor, those Daoist Emperors who achieved their own Great Dao Destiny probably didn¡¯t know enough about it.


    Xuanji Emperor nodded and said, ¡°Indeed, that fiercely powerful Great Dao Destiny suits me more.¡±


    Having witnessed Gu An¡¯s power, he was enthralled by such a powerful and domineering aura. Even though he was already close to becoming a Daoist Emperor, he decided resolutely to abandon it.


    In his eyes, the Daoist Emperor was just a form of power, not his lifelong pursuit. Now, with the emergence of a stronger and more alluring power, how could he hesitate?


    The people following Xuanji Emperor had similar thoughts; they were very curious about the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    ¡°To tread the Primordial Emperor Road, you must find the Primordial Crystal; it will guide you into the path¡­¡± Blood Prison Great Saint began introducing the Primordial Crystal.


    A proud talent behind Xuanji Emperor had a slight change in expression because he had encountered a Primordial Crystal before but hadn¡¯t paid much attention to it, thus secretly blaming himself for being blind.


    After chatting for a while, Xuanji Emperor finally thanked them and left.


    Blood Prison Great Saint and Fang Xuan both received Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures from him, which made them feel favorable toward him.


    This person was different from other proud talents on the Emperor Road; he was not that arrogant and acted considerately.


    Watching them leave, Fang Xuan smiled and sighed, ¡°My path is not lonely. I truly look forward to the day when the Primordial Dao Emperor overshadows the Daoist Emperor.¡±


    Blood Prison Great Saint laughed, ¡°That day will surely come. The Daoist Emperor¡¯s path of proving the Dao, like raising venomous creatures, goes against the natural Daoist Technique, and will ultimately be eliminated.¡±

 Chapter 701: 693: Fifty Thousand Years in the Human World

    Chapter 701: Chapter 693: Fifty Thousand Years in the Human World


    Attacking the Celestial Calming God¡¯s Celestial Army didn¡¯t bring any trouble to Gu An. With his help, Profound Mysterious Zhenren successfully possessed the Demon God Body, but needed time to adapt.


    Life returned to tranquility once again.


    Having witnessed the might that could calm the world like a god, An Zizai became thoroughly exhilarated and focused all his efforts on cultivation, more diligently than anyone else.


    Time flies like a fleeting horse, never to return.


    Half a million years passed in the blink of an eye.


    The Human World welcomed an unprecedented golden age, with the Hundred Sects establishing branches beyond the heavens, exploring the void and the Silent Extinction Domain.


    The number of Free Immortals doubled, and most Free Immortals were born after the reshaping of Heaven and Earth, all possessing excellent talents.


    In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, the highest cultivation level among the second-generation disciples reached the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, able to hold their own, while the lowest were Divine Thought True Immortals.


    Four more third-generation disciples had joined, ranked by seniority, they were Lu Zidao, the disciple of Celestial Demon Child; Zhou Yu, the disciple of Jiang Shi; Jiang Lan, the second disciple of An Xin; and Shangguan Xian¡¯er, the disciple of Celestial Cyan.


    The weakest, Shangguan Xian¡¯er, had also reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.


    The eldest of the third-generation disciples, An Zizai, had reached the cultivation level of Dao Void Profound Immortal.


    All these third-generation disciples chose to remain at the Daoist Field of the Beginningless to cultivate, though they did not receive personal instruction from Gu An.


    On this day, at noon.


    Gu An lay resting under a tree, checking his Attribute Panel.


    [Name: Gu An]


    [Life Span: 1,067,509/76,680,956,221,303]


    [Physique: Primordial Dao Creation Body]


    [Cultivation Level: Perfect Daoist Great Luo Immortal Realm]


    ¡­


    He was already an ancient being over a million years old, with a life span reaching seventy-six trillion years!


    Every time he saw his age, Gu An would sigh with emotion.


    Truly, time spares no one.


    Looking back, his greatest sense of achievement was not his own cultivation level, but that the people he cared about were all living well.


    Li Ya, Martial Resolution, and Yang Jian were all Free Immortals. Though not the top cultivations in the Human World, they were considered first-rate and held considerable influence wherever they went, even the Hundred Sects in the Human World treated them well.


    Other old friends like Jiang Qiong, Li Xuandao, and Profound Celestial Intent were all doing well, even those like Lu Lingjun, Gu Yu, Zuo Lin, and You Yingying, with whom he had lost contact, had received his secret assistance and were living their own brilliant lives.


    Some people, though drifting further apart, did not leave Gu An feeling regretful. He continued to keep an eye on them, considering it a small pleasure in his otherwise calm life.


    ¡°Ancestor, look at the book I wrote!¡±


    A melodious female voice came from the side. A woman, dressed in a white skirt and as beautiful as a celestial being, floated over like a startling swan, quickly landing beside him.


    It was Shangguan Xian¡¯er, the disciple of Celestial Cyan.


    She was the third-generation disciple closest to Gu An, not because she was the only female disciple, but because she shared the same hobby as Gu An.


    Her interest was inspired by Shen Zhen.


    Whenever Shangguan Xian¡¯er came to find Gu An, he would internally sigh.


    That wretched Shen Zhen, what has he turned his obedient disciple granddaughter into!


    And Celestial Cyan, who lost interest in a disciple in under a thousand years and completely ignored it.


    Shangguan Xian¡¯er crouched down, handing the book in her hands to Gu An, her delicate face full of anticipation.


    Gu An glanced at An Xin meditating not far away, then tucked Shangguan Xian¡¯er¡¯s book into his arms, gave a slight cough, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll read it later, you can leave now, don¡¯t disturb your senior brother¡¯s cultivation.¡±


    Shangguan Xian¡¯er turned her head to look at An Xin. She held a deep reverence for An Xin; in the entire Daoist Field of the Beginningless, she feared An Xin the most.


    Seeing An Xin still meditating, Shangguan Xian¡¯er turned back, looked at Gu An, and said mysteriously, ¡°Ancestor, Qiankun Sect is going to war with the Dao Court because of Yuan Luo. The information is very reliable!¡±


    Yuan Luo and Zhao Rushen had a long-standing feud from their early years. Both were once the first geniuses of their respective sects and now held great power, which gave them even more confidence. Conflicts arose with each encounter.


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡±


    Gu An said casually. In fact, he had already foreseen the final outcome of this conflict.


    Before Yuan Luo¡¯s birth, Emperor Tianhong would kill Zhao Rushen, causing the decline of the Dao Court until it disappeared from history.


    Now that Yuan Luo replaced Emperor Tianhong, a war between Qiankun Sect and the Dao Court was inevitable. Not just Qiankun Sect, the Hundred Sects in the Human World would also besiege the Dao Court, aiming to overturn the world order of the past million years.


    Many other sect¡¯s Great Cultivators had already secretly colluded with Yuan Luo.


    The twenty geniuses from the Undefeated Emperor Clan had also risen. They came from the Emperor Clan, inherently belligerent, and had long wished to overthrow the Dao Court. Now they were on good terms with Yuan Luo, serving as his support.


    Even without these twenty geniuses, the Dao Court would ultimately fall. It was a destined fate, as no power could remain prosperous forever in the Human World, so Gu An didn¡¯t stop the geniuses from the Undefeated Emperor Clan.


    Not only had he introduced variables to the Human World, but over these five hundred thousand years, there were also more than a thousand beings with great divine skills from other Great Thousand Worlds.


    The Celestial Spirit God did not intervene, for the Celestial Spirit Great World also had many who ventured through the World Gate.


    The variables increased, and the Profound Yuan Free Immortals and Daoist Zang Zizai Immortals of the Human World could no longer foresee the future, causing unrest within the Dao Court.


    Yet the fate of the Celestial Spirit Great World remained visible to Gu An. Whenever changes occurred, new destinies appeared in his vision. If he focused, he could even see the destiny branches created by these variables in advance.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Dao Court, the strongest sect under the heavens. No, it¡¯s the strongest even beyond the heavens. Once Qiankun Sect goes to war with them, could it affect our Daoist Field of the Beginningless?¡±


    Shangguan Xian¡¯er¡¯s voice was filled with excitement and anticipation as she spoke.


    Among the third-generation disciples, aside from An Zizai, the others only knew Gu An was strong, but how strong exactly, they were unsure. Moreover, the second-generation disciples intentionally didn¡¯t reveal that Gu An was invincible to prevent them from becoming too arrogant.


    Gu An stood up, listlessly saying, ¡°Maybe. You better seize the time to cultivate. With your cultivation, you¡¯re merely cannon fodder against the Dao Court.¡±


    He touched his chest, curious about the book Shangguan Xian¡¯er had written.


    Deliberately, he didn¡¯t simulate it beforehand, letting this book remain a mystery.


    Objectively speaking, Shangguan Xian¡¯er¡¯s characterization of people and depiction of environments was indeed top-notch, though she lacked the creativity of Shen Zhen.


    Shangguan Xian¡¯er huffed, ¡°I¡¯ve already preliminarily mastered the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords. I may not lack the strength to fight!¡±


    ¡°Oh please, with your swordsmanship, you call that the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords?¡± S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ancestor, you¡¯re going too far!¡±


    ¡°Not just your Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords, even your master¡¯s doesn¡¯t qualify. Your comprehension in Sword Dao is too poor!¡±


    Gu An deliberately teased Shangguan Xian¡¯er, inciting her face to redden with anger.


    Unlike how he encouraged the second-generation disciples, Gu An relished discouraging the third-generation ones. He just liked seeing his disciple grandkids getting rattled.


    He knew he was quite vile for doing so, but seeing his grand disciples, he just couldn¡¯t help but crack jokes.

 Chapter 702 694: The First Primordial Dao Emperor

    After a heated exchange with Gu An, Shangguan Xian''er left with a frustrated heart.


    "Master, is there divine scheming behind the conflict between the Dao Court and the Hundred Sects of the Human World?"


    An Xin''s voice came through, as she opened her eyes, gazing at Gu An from afar.


    Gu An turned his head to look at her and asked with a smile, "What is it? Are you worried about the Qiankun Sect?"


    An Xin shook her head and replied, "It doesn''t matter who wins or loses; it''s natural selection, destined by fate. I''m just worried that there''s some interference from Outer Heaven. If that''s the case, wouldn''t it be a great pity for the sects of the Human World?"


    No matter who wins or loses, the internal strife in the Celestial Spirit Great World can''t affect much, as a new order will always arise.


    But the variables brought by the Immortal Gods are different, potentially overwhelming the entire Celestial Spirit Great World. Such events have occurred before.


    "Then you don''t need to worry. The current disputes are also an evolution of the Human World''s progress."


    Facing An Xin, Gu An was willing to reveal some heavenly secrets.


    The scheming of the Immortal Gods has always existed, but it''s not the current conflict.


    An Xin nodded slightly, then came to Gu An''s side, beginning to inquire about difficulties in cultivation. She, too, had stepped onto the Primordial Emperor Road, though her daily cultivation still primarily focused on the Immortal Emperor''s Eye.


    The master and disciple chatted for a while before Gu An finally departed.


    He walked through the woods, his gaze fixed on the Path of the Great Dao.


    Someone was about to achieve the position of Primordial Dao Emperor!


    This will be the first Primordial Dao Emperor!


    And that person is Fang Xuan!


    On the current Path of the Great Dao, over three thousand beings have stepped onto the Primordial Emperor Road. Once the first Primordial Dao Emperor is born, the fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor will rise significantly, extending to the Three Thousand Great Worlds. At that time, the Primordial Crystal will also be distributed across All Heavens and Myriad Realms.


    The fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor is still in a growing state. If someone were to kill Gu An, this fortune would dissipate into thin air. Once a Primordial Dao Emperor is born, then¡ªeven if Gu An were to fall¡ªthe fortune of the Primordial Dao Emperor would remain, just like the Great Dao, eternal and unchanging.


    Because of this, Gu An also eagerly anticipated Fang Xuan''s success.


    At this moment, Fang Xuan was meditating in an independent void, where only he and the Blood Prison Great Saint existed. The Blood Prison Great Saint was far away, not daring to disturb him.


    Once this cycle of reincarnation reflection concludes, integrating all reincarnation insights, Fang Xuan will truly become the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    As Gu An''s gaze fell upon Fang Xuan, Fang Xuan opened his eyes in response, his eyes bursting forth with a frightening brilliance, as if illuminating the entire void.


    Seeing this, Gu An''s lips curled up, and he withdrew his gaze.


    He knew Fang Xuan had succeeded.


    And no one would come to stop him.


    ...


    As the sun set in the west, on the grass by the big river, a man in black with a straw hat was advancing. He carried a broadsword on his back, three treasure swords at his waist, and a Wine Gourd in his hand, drinking as he moved.


    Behind the man in black was a young boy in commoner clothes, with two ropes thicker than his arms tied around him, connected to a broken log with a diameter of over a foot.


    This scene was quite spectacular because the disparity between the young boy''s physique and the log was immense, making one marvel at the powerful strength contained within his small frame.


    The young boy was already drenched in sweat and panting heavily. He looked up at the man in black ahead and gritted his teeth, saying, "Master, I''ve been carrying this burden for a hundred miles; are we not stopping yet?"


    "This is just the beginning."


    Li Ya replied casually, tipping over the Wine Gourd in his hand and shaking it downwards, catching a single drop that fell before tossing it into his mouth.


    His action seemed quite carefree, making it hard to believe he was a Free Immortal.


    The tides of the Human World rose and fell, with exceptional talents always taking turns to shine. Li Ya''s renown wasn''t particularly illustrious, but his growth rate had always been among the top in the world, with continuous opportunities. He, too, was now on the Primordial Emperor Road.


    Hearing his master''s words, the young boy couldn''t help but ask, "Continuously refining my physique¡ªis it really useful? When will you teach me the Method of Cultivating Immortality? Master, I really want revenge; you can''t just mess with me like this!"


    Li Ya did not turn back, snorted, "You brat, I''m not some idle person who has the time to mess with you. Your physique is extraordinary; it needs to be awakened. I''m doing this for your own good."


    Hearing this, the young boy could only suppress his frustrated feelings.


    After a while.


    He couldn''t help but ask again, "Master, where are we going?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "To the Sword Sect, to see how my junior brother''s disciple is doing in their Dao practice."


    "The Sword Sect? Is Master Uncle also in the Sword Sect?"


    During the years following Li Ya, the young boy had heard of the Sword Sect''s name, a supreme sect rumored to house immortals. Just the thought of possibly having his master come from the Sword Sect made him excited.


    Having lived together for many years, he only knew his master''s name was Li Ya, but not his background, which he was always curious about. Unfortunately, Li Ya wouldn''t divulge any details.


    "Your Master Uncle isn''t there because the founding ancestor of the Sword Sect is your Master Uncle''s disciple."


    Li Ya''s response made the young boy''s eyes widen, his face full of disbelief.


    He was truly shocked.


    The Sword Sect was founded countless years ago, and in the legends of the Immortal Cultivation Realm he''d heard, only the Dao Court was older than the Sword Sect.


    If Li Ya wasn''t exaggerating, then how many years had Li Ya lived?


    "Your Master Uncle has many disciples; of course, I also have many, but unfortunately, my disciples don''t compare to his."


    Li Ya hummed softly, intentionally provoking the young boy.


    As expected, upon hearing this, the young boy quickly said, "Master, don''t worry, I will surely not disappoint you. I will cultivate to surpass the Sword Sect''s founder!"


    "All you do is brag."


    Li Ya said this, but couldn''t help the upward curve of his lips.


    He truly saw endless hope in the young boy, recalling the past An Hao!


    At his current realm, to advance his cultivation level required accumulating long centuries, so he also wanted to take disciples to pass the time. He''s had more than ten disciples but felt none could compare to Gu An''s disciples.


    He liked to compare his disciples with An Hao and Yang Jian.


    The young boy, to divert his focus, began to inquire about the name and whereabouts of that Master Uncle.


    Unfortunately, no matter how he asked, Li Ya gave ambiguous answers, leading to some bad guesses.


    Could it be that Master and Master Uncle were not on good terms?


    Just then, the young boy noticed an old man fishing by the river ahead, which confused him.


    There was no town within a thousand miles; why would someone fish here?


    Could it be a sage in seclusion?


    He had heard many legends; Great Fortune Seekers often encountered reclusive sages, thereby gaining inheritances and opportunities.


    Li Ya also noticed the old man, appearing indifferent but was actually alert inside.


    Because he couldn''t discern the other''s cultivation level!


    He proceeded without a change in pace.


    As he walked past the old man''s back, the old man spoke, "Li Ya, from the Tai Cang Dynasty, son of the Son of Heaven of Tai Cang, sent to the Supreme Sect for cultivation in his youth."


    Li Ya stopped immediately upon hearing this.

 Chapter 703: 695: Heavenly Ascension Stairs

    Chapter 703: Chapter 695: Heavenly Ascension Stairs


    Li Ya looked at the old man by the river and squinted, asking, ¡°Who are you, sir, and how do you know me?¡±


    The boy in coarse clothing followed and stopped, looking at them nervously. This old man had an unfathomable aura and immediately revealed his master¡¯s origins. Clearly, he wasn¡¯t simple.


    The old man slowly stood up, turned to Li Ya, revealing a face full of wrinkles. His eyes were so hollow that it sent chills down one¡¯s spine.


    ¡°If I said I am an Immortal God, would you believe me?¡± The old man stared at Li Ya, speaking in an indifferent tone.


    Li Ya raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Anyone who reaches Nirvana can call themselves an Immortal. There are plenty of Immortals in this world. Why wouldn¡¯t I believe it?¡±


    Immortal Gods!


    The boy in coarse clothing was stunned, quickly removing the rope from his body and watching the old man warily.


    He had experienced family destruction, so his vigilance was extremely high.


    ¡°I am the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch of the Celestial Court, ruling over the Three Thousand Great Worlds. Everything in your eyes is not even as large as my palm to me.¡±


    As the old man spoke, he raised his right hand, his gaze falling on his palm.


    Such arrogant words made Li Ya frown. He also grew cautious, ready to fight at any time.


    ¡°Throughout hundreds of thousands of years, I¡¯ve sent people to help you numerous times, teaching you Daoist techniques. Of course, your accomplishments today are also due to your own strong fuyuan and the help of other benefactors. But the Immortal Gods have always been watching you.¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch raised his eyes to Li Ya, their eyes meeting. Li Ya inexplicably believed him.


    Li Ya asked, ¡°So? What do you want? Do you need me to repay you?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch asked, ¡°If I offer you the opportunity to become an Immortal Class, would you take it?¡±


    ¡°What are the conditions?¡±


    ¡°After joining the Immortal Class, Cangtian will only grant you duties and divine power. I don¡¯t need you to do anything for me.¡±


    The words of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch made Li Ya frown even more.


    Li Ya stared intently at Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, as if trying to see through him. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch continued, ¡°To be honest, choosing you wasn¡¯t because of your own opportunity, but because of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. I think the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable has a misunderstanding about the Celestial Court and the Immortal Gods. If there¡¯s no substantive conflict, I see no need to be enemies. If you become an Immortal God and understand the Celestial Court, you would build a bridge between the Celestial Court and the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.¡±


    ¡°In the future, a terrifying cataclysm will descend, sweeping across the Three Thousand Great Worlds. We can face it together.¡±


    Upon hearing him mention Gu An, Li Ya¡¯s frown instead eased.


    Saying it like this, it seems true. Although he thinks highly of himself, he wouldn¡¯t truly think he could attract the attention of the Immortal Gods.


    Even though he doesn¡¯t know where the Celestial Court is, just hearing about it, he imagines it as an unimaginably powerful force.


    Li Ya asked, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why don¡¯t you just approach him directly? Can¡¯t you find him?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch turned his head towards the horizon, speaking leisurely, ¡°There is already an Immortal God by his side, and sooner or later he will be told. As for finding you, it¡¯s just to deepen my sincerity.¡±


    Li Ya thought for a moment and said, ¡°Then can I talk to him first before coming to you?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch looked at him, smiled, and softly said, ¡°Of course, that¡¯s not a problem. Let me first take you to see the Celestial Court.¡±


    As he finished speaking, he suddenly swung his sleeve, sweeping away Li Ya and the boy in coarse clothing, the three disappearing together from the grass.


    Far away on the Tai Cang Continent, Gu An did not stop what he was doing, continuing to pick medicinal herbs.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren followed beside him. After five hundred thousand years, he had completely mastered the Demon God Body, his cultivation reaching the Zi Zai Immortal Realm, with an even more terrifying physical strength. Gu An believed that even Daoist Zang Zizai Immortal was no match for him.


    Such progress is not exaggerated, after all, the Demon God Body is a great opportunity from the Celestial Court.


    Now when facing him, Gu An no longer hides behind a tiny masked figure but confronts with his true form.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren followed beside Gu An, like a Daoist child, inquiring about his cultivation doubts. Gu An listened patiently, answering every question.


    After Gu An finished picking the ripe medicinal herbs, Profound Mysterious Zhenren began sowing seeds.


    Gu An did not leave immediately but waited in the courtyard, his gaze on the row of stone statues in front of the courtyard wall, all of which were Sword Venerate Divine Statues crafted by Profound Mysterious Zhenren.


    When Profound Mysterious Zhenren returned to the courtyard, Gu An spoke, ¡°Why make these stone statues? I don¡¯t need faith, nor do I need people to always remember me.¡±


    This was the truth. His cultivation to date was not reliant on the faith of the masses or worldly merits.


    ¡°They should remember. You don¡¯t need faith, but the world must not forget you. This is my selfish thought because I know this world isn¡¯t so important to you. If no one remembers you, there¡¯s no need for you to remain here.¡±


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren spoke earnestly. The higher his cultivation level, the more he admired Gu An.


    Even with a Dao Heart like his, he would yearn for the universe beyond, for other Great Thousand Worlds, but Gu An could remain reclusive here and save the world multiple times.


    After hearing this, Gu An did not respond directly but smiled, ¡°Your kin is about to ascend to immortality.¡±


    ¡°Kin? Do you mean Li Ya?¡± Profound Mysterious Zhenren asked with a frown.


    He already knew the relationship between Gu An and Li Ya. Back then, he marveled at Li Ya¡¯s luck.


    Although they share the surname Li, he and Li Ya were like strangers. In his view, without Gu An¡¯s help, neither he nor Li Ya could become immortals.


    ¡°There are Immortal Gods wooing him, trying to persuade him to become an immortal, supposedly to draw me in.¡± Gu An spoke with a smile, lifting his eyes to the celestial vault, his gaze seemingly already locking onto Li Ya.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren heard the implication in Gu An¡¯s words and asked, ¡°Since it¡¯s a scheme, will you intervene?¡±


    Gu An calmly replied, ¡°Let Li Ya see the Celestial Court first. He needs to make his own choice. Even if the other party¡¯s target is me, for him, it¡¯s a great opportunity rarely encountered in life.¡±


    These words made Profound Mysterious Zhenren deeply respectful. Compared to Gu An¡¯s broad-mindedness, the schemes of the Heavenly Court Immortals were insignificant.


    The lord of the Celestial Court is lacking; it would be better to let the senior take charge!


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren looked at Gu An, thinking to himself.


    ¡­


    Above the sea of clouds, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, Li Ya, and the boy in coarse clothing appeared out of thin air.


    The boy in coarse clothing collapsed directly onto the clouds. He was about to speak, but was captivated by the sight above.


    Following his gaze, the celestial vault was azure, and at the top of the celestial vault, one could see the cosmic starry sky, vast and boundless, giving a fantastical sense of being in a dream.


    The celestial vault merged seamlessly with the universe.


    Li Ya was also drawn by the magnificent scene above, feeling that the concentration of spiritual energy here far surpassed that of the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Cultivating here for a day might equal several months in the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    Is this the Celestial Court?


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch spoke, ¡°This is not the Celestial Court, but it leads to the Celestial Court. The Celestial Court is above all realms, and cannot be reached merely by traversing the universe. One must ascend the Heavenly Ascension Stairs. In the Celestial Court, not all Immortal Gods can ascend the Heavenly Ascension Stairs. The Celestial Spirit God who guards the Celestial Spirit Great World has never stepped on the Heavenly Ascension Stairs in his life.¡±

 Chapter 704: 696: Heavenly Might!

    Chapter 704: Chapter 696: Heavenly Might!


    Heavenly Ascension Stairs!


    Li Ya looked up, searching for the Heavenly Ascension Stairs that Huang Feng Immortal Monarch mentioned, but no matter which direction he looked, he couldn¡¯t find them.


    The cloth-clad youth was also searching for the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    The Celestial Vault was boundless, the universe magnificent, its end unseen, and the sea of clouds beneath their feet equally vast, making them feel as insignificant as dust.


    After looking around, Li Ya couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Where are the Heavenly Ascension Stairs? You can¡¯t have brought me here just to look at the sky, right?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch smiled and said, ¡°Usually, you can¡¯t glimpse the Immortal Signs of the Celestial Court, but today I will make an exception. You are about to witness something even a Celestial God cannot comprehend.¡±


    These words made Li Ya and the cloth-clad youth even more expectant.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch stepped forward, then lifted his robe, kneeling with one knee and raised both arms, chanting magic spells that Li Ya and his apprentice could not understand.


    Li Ya and the cloth-clad youth became even more anxious, looking up at the Celestial Vault, waiting for the Heavenly Ascension Stairs to appear.


    The sea of clouds ceased its surging, the Celestial Vault and the starry cosmos remained silent yet oppressive.


    As time passed, Li Ya and the cloth-clad youth gradually felt an overwhelming pressure, reminiscent of the Celestial Tribulation experienced during Crossing the Tribulation.


    Li Ya felt it most acutely, as none of the pressures he had faced during any Celestial Tribulation ever compared to the current Heavenly Pressure.


    Suddenly, a burst of golden light descended, illuminating Li Ya and the others, eyes wide open, mouths slightly agape.


    A streak of golden light quickly descended from the depths of the universe, rapidly enlarging, seemingly set to occupy the entire cosmos.


    Before Li Ya and the youth could ponder further, the golden light had already descended, turning into an incomparably majestic golden mountain, stretching countless miles long, its height unfathomable.


    The cloth-clad youth gazed upwards, pupils full of golden light.


    Even Li Ya was shocked, looking up in awe and spontaneously guessing how high this golden mountain might be.


    It seemed a million zhang high!


    Placed in the Celestial Spirit Great World, it would probably be visible even from Outer Heaven.


    Yet he had never seen such an enormous mountain, making him forget his worries for a moment, staring blankly at the golden mountain ahead.


    The golden mountain shone brightly, devoid of any vegetation, appearing like a heavenly wall across their path, and once it fell, its imposing aura grew, showing no end in sight on either side.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch slowly stood up, looking at the million-zhang-high golden mountain before him, eyes full of reverence.


    ¡°How could the Heavenly Ascension Stairs¡­¡±


    Li Ya took a deep breath, looked towards Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, opening his mouth to ask, yet before he could finish, another vast Heavenly Pressure descended, startling him to look up again.


    What he saw next was a scene he would never forget.


    One after another, golden mountains a million zhang high fell from the top of the universe, stacking upon each other, shaking the heavens.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    The entire world seemed to tremor, the sea of clouds roiling like molten waves, the cloth-clad youth gazed in shock at the Celestial Vault, body trembling incessantly, and Li Ya, though slightly better, was not much different. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Golden mountains layered upon one another, rising continuously, forming a golden celestial staircase leading into the depths of the universe, each step a million zhang high, exuding an insurmountable oppression, sacred and solemn.


    After a while, the disturbances in this world finally subsided.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch waved his sleeves, taking Li Ya and the cloth-clad youth to the distance, looking at the Heavenly Ascension Stairs from millions of miles away.


    Even from such a distance, the Heavenly Ascension Stairs still overwhelmed the eyes of Li Ya and his apprentice.


    From this vantage point, the Heavenly Ascension Stairs seemed to have already broken out of the boundaries of this world, leading deep into the universe, unseen at the end, and Li Ya and the youth felt that just walking along these stairs would take them to the peak of the Great Dao.


    The feeling was wondrous, yet the two inexplicably nurtured such a thought.


    ¡°The Heavenly Ascension Stairs are not just tall; each step harbors immense Heavenly Pressure. To set foot on the first step, one must first reach the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit Realm, a realm far beyond your current reach. Only those in the Immortal Class have the opportunity to attain it.¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch remarked with a tone of reflection.


    Although this was not his first sight of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, he could not help but marvel every time he saw them.


    The existence of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs symbolized the insurmountable gap between the mortal and the immortal!


    Even someone like Huang Feng Immortal Monarch felt a sense of awe toward the Heavenly Dao.


    Li Ya did not respond, still caught in the throes of shock.


    He could feel that every step of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs encompassed the strongest True Meaning of the Great Dao, so much so that he felt an impulse to kneel and worship.


    The trembling cloth-clad youth couldn¡¯t withstand the Heavenly Pressure and knelt in the sea of clouds, eyes vacant.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch turned, looking at Li Ya, and with a smile, asked, ¡°Now how will you choose? Will you still seek him out? Even if I can¡¯t form a friendship between you and him, becoming an Immortal God is your greatest opportunity. Only by becoming an Immortal God can you truly achieve immortality. I cannot harm you, for the Celestial Rules exist.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya instinctively wanted to agree, yet as he spoke, he forcibly suppressed the urge within.


    After seeing the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, he believed in the existence of the Celestial Court, influenced by the Heavenly Dao on his soul, making him unable to doubt it.


    Yet when it came to Gu An, he had to tread carefully.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s words only made him feel that the Immortal Monarch was fearful of his contact with Gu An.


    Was it truly to form an alliance through him?


    Li Ya took a deep breath and said, ¡°I still wish to find him first. I will strive to convey your sincerity.¡±


    He feared that Huang Feng Immortal Monarch would turn hostile, so he left room in his words.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch heard this, still maintaining a smile, yet his smile grew more and more eerie.


    Li Ya realized something was amiss, immediately grabbing the cloth-clad youth, distancing them from Huang Feng Immortal Monarch.


    The next second, Li Ya¡¯s expression changed drastically, discovering his mana had solidified, looking at Huang Feng Immortal Monarch in terror.


    The cloth-clad youth also awoke from his shock, glancing at Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, frightened by the Monarch¡¯s sinister smile.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch stared intently at Li Ya, sighing, ¡°Mortal, I have treated you with such sincerity, yet why do you still mistrust me?¡±


    Though fear gripped Li Ya¡¯s heart, his words remained unyielding; he directly questioned, ¡°What do you intend to do with Gu An? If you are truly an Immortal God, why resort to such tricks?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch laughed coldly, ¡°I did not deceive you; I do wish to win him over, to make him an Immortal God. But if he refuses, then the Celestial Court can only eliminate him. No one can refuse the Celestial Court¡¯s invitation. If you do not understand, you must understand today!¡±


    Boom!


    His aura erupted suddenly, his clothes burnt away by flames, flesh as if turning to ashes and scattering, his form heightened, quickly revealing his true form.


    Golden-red light ribbons surrounded him, his appearance still aged, yet more solemn than before, two Divine Beast phantoms rising behind his head, intertwining.


    The yellow robe fluttered, celestial aura exuded, the revealed form of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch emanated an unparalleled aura of dominance.

 Chapter 705 697: Fight to the Death

    Facing the true form of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, Li Ya and the young man in simple clothes felt immense pressure, especially the young man, who felt like he might explode and die at any moment. The oppressive aura around them squeezed his body, causing his qi-blood to become chaotic.


    Li Ya was terrified; he could feel Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s killing intent.


    If he refused again, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch would definitely kill him!


    Moreover, he would have no power to resist!


    At this moment, memories of the past unexpectedly surfaced in Li Ya''s mind.


    Those were memories of the Profound Valley, when he, Gu An, and Meng Lang followed Senior Brother Zhang Chunqiu to sow seeds. Back then, Meng Lang liked to order Gu An around, while he always watched from the side.


    These memories had long become blurry, but for some reason, they became clear once again at this moment.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch quietly watched him, waiting for his decision. The grand and boundless Heavenly Ascension Stairs still stood behind Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, like the end of the world, an insurmountable chasm.


    The young man in simple clothes couldn''t turn his head to look at his master, but he could feel his master''s agony.


    The Immortal Gods spoke eloquently, but with such aggression, it was obviously not with good intentions.


    However...


    If he died here, he would miss his chance for revenge...


    The young man''s heart was filled with fear and unease.


    Li Ya remained silent for a long while. Only when Huang Feng Immortal Monarch shifted his gaze to the young man did he finally speak: "I refuse to comply with you, even if you kill my disciple. Doing this will only make me angrier. If I survive, I will regard you as my greatest enemy, and even with the Celestial Court''s protection, I will use all means and all my strength to take revenge on you."


    "Until death."


    His tone wasn''t fierce, even sounded strained, but his gaze was icy cold.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s brow slightly furrowed, and the killing intent in his eyes grew stronger.


    A mere mortal dared to threaten him like this!


    Boom!


    The young man in simple clothes suddenly exploded, flesh and blood flying everywhere, splattering onto Li Ya, covering half of his body with a bloody hue. His face was still marked with the remnants of the flesh and blood, yet his expression did not change.


    He continued to stare tightly at Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, as if his disciple''s death didn''t affect him.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch sneered with disdain, saying, "Do you think you still have a chance? Refuse me, and not only will you die, but everyone related to you will also suffer misfortune, living a life worse than death in the Human Purgatory, until death."


    He raised his right hand, reaching towards Li Ya.


    Li Ya''s face remained stoic, only the chill in his eyes intensified.


    Snap!


    A hand suddenly rested on Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s left shoulder, directly facing him. Li Ya''s expression finally changed, and the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s face slightly altered; he turned his head slightly, using the corner of his eye to glance at the person behind him.


    Standing behind him was none other than Gu An. Even though they were close, he couldn''t see Gu An''s true face.


    "Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, you''ve finally decided to show yourself."


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch spoke, his tone tinged with mockery.


    "Your entry into the Celestial Spirit Great World must have been an accident. If you truly wish to support that Son of Heaven, you wouldn''t have sent him out. Join the Celestial Court; I will personally petition Cangtian."


    "You have no room for refusal. Having captured Taiyi Immortal Monarch and the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong, you''ve already committed a heavenly crime. If you do not ascend to Immortal God status before Cangtian becomes aware, you will face the wrath of the Celestial Court. By then, you will be facing an existence far more terrifying than I."


    Li Ya fixed his gaze on Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, waiting now for Gu An''s choice.


    "Can you really represent the Celestial Court?"


    Gu An''s voice rang out, and Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s body froze. Just as he was about to respond, a terrifying force suddenly obliterated his body, causing him to follow the same fate as the young man in simple clothes, except he did not explode into a blood flower but instead turned into flying ash and dispersed.


    Seeing Huang Feng Immortal Monarch unable to resist in Gu An''s hands, Li Ya was not surprised, but only his gaze turned complex.


    Junior Brother Gu...


    Why couldn''t you appear sooner?


    Li Ya thought bitterly. He felt he had no right to blame Gu An because the young man''s death was his responsibility.


    Even having lived for hundreds of thousands of years, and after having experienced the tragic death of disciples, his heart still felt filled with guilt and unwillingness.


    Just then, he noticed a change in Gu An''s eyes, a dark red cold light flickering, rendering him momentarily dazed.


    "Master..."


    A familiar voice reached Li Ya''s ears, as if it came from a great distance, gradually growing louder.


    He suddenly opened his eyes wide, awakening like from a dream, turning his head to see his disciple, the young man in simple clothes, standing right beside him.


    "Xianyou, you..."


    Li Ya looked at the young man, speaking in shock; he was utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend the situation.


    The young man named Li Xianyou stood before Li Ya, excitedly saying, "Master, I''m not dead. I am alive. I thought I was going to die just now; was I caught in an illusion technique?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Ya looked down at his robe, noticing that the bloodstains were rapidly disappearing.


    The previous scene was definitely not an illusion technique!


    Li Ya turned his head towards Gu An in the distance. Gu An was watching him, yet in his eyes, Gu An''s figure was so blurred that he couldn''t discern Gu An''s current expression.


    "Junior Brother Gu... What just happened?"


    Li Ya couldn''t help but ask. Upon pronouncing "Junior Brother Gu," Li Xianyou''s eyes widened, immediately turning towards Gu An.


    "Everything that just occurred was real, not an illusion. I merely turned his death from reality into illusion; he is still alive."


    Gu An replied, leaving Li Ya and Li Xianyou even more astonished. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They couldn''t possibly understand Gu An''s meaning, filling them with awe towards him.


    Such unimaginable techniques, what level of cultivation must it be to achieve such?


    Li Xianyou asked nervously, "Then, was that Immortal God truly dead just now?"


    Hearing this, Li Ya also grew tense, awaiting Gu An''s answer.


    Gu An, facing away from the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, replied, "Immortal Gods are immortal; just now, he was only a projection. In reality, his summoning of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs wasn''t to showcase heavenly might to you but to summon a path for stronger existence to the Human World."


    Stronger existence?


    Li Ya and Li Xianyou shivered involuntarily, instinctively looking towards the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    At the top of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, leading to the end of the universe, a ball of white light had unknowingly appeared, slowly expanding.


    Their hearts raced, feeling a chilling sensation as if being watched by an unknown presence.


    "Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, since you know, yet dare to come, who are you truly? Whom do you serve, and what do you seek?"


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch''s voice echoed, cold and foreboding, with killing intent engulfing the limitless cloud sea.


    Gu An slowly turned around, facing the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    At the top of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, within the dazzling white light, a figure descended. The million-zhang high stairs were like ordinary stone steps from the Mortal World beneath his feet.


    He bathed in the strong light of the Heavenly Dao, making it impossible to see his true form, yet merely his silhouette brought immense pressure to Li Ya and the others.


    Every step he took echoed with the terrifying momentum of a collapsing sky.

 Chapter 706: 698: Golden Crow Divine Sovereign

    Chapter 706: Chapter 698: Golden Crow Divine Sovereign


    The Heavenly Dao¡¯s brilliant light grew larger and larger, resembling the arrival of a bright sun. The mysterious figure descending from the peak of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs moved neither fast nor slow, but his footsteps grew louder and louder, resounding like the trembling of the heavens and the earth.


    Li Ya and Li Xianyou raised their heads, their expressions dazed as they gazed at the figure on the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    The true form of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch had already filled them with great despair, but compared to this figure, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch seemed insignificant.


    An overwhelming aura enveloped the entire world, causing the sea of clouds to come to a standstill.


    Boom! Boom! Boom¡­


    The rumbling grew more intense, the mysterious figure¡¯s footsteps seemed to tread on the hearts of Li Ya and Li Xianyou, making their souls tremble in fear.


    Li Ya forced himself to hold his fears in check and looked towards Gu An¡¯s back.


    Gu An stood in front, facing the Heavenly Ascension Stairs. His vague figure exuded an unshakable aura of steadiness, giving Li Ya some relief.


    Li Ya¡¯s emotions eased slightly, and he chose to trust in Gu An.


    Gu An dared to come, he must have confidence!


    As time passed, the figure on the Heavenly Ascension Stairs grew larger and larger, so large that the Celestial Vault seemed cramped in comparison.


    At this moment, another figure appeared on the first step of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, it was none other than Huang Feng Immortal Monarch.


    His figure, like that of a mortal, did not appear majestic. Standing on the first step of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, he looked insignificant, yet his aura was hard for Li Ya to ignore.


    As for Li Xianyou, his cultivation level was too low to even see Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s form; he could only stare blankly at the arrival of the mysterious Giant Immortal.


    ¡°Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, the existence behind me is the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign, ranked among the Supreme Immortals of the Celestial Court, in charge of the Celestial Law, and able to represent heaven¡¯s will. Do you truly intend to defy the will of heaven?¡±


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s voice resounded, his tone solemn.


    Gu An gazed at the figure of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign. With the celestial destiny of the Celestial Court upon him, Gu An couldn¡¯t perform Life Span Detection on him but could sense his cultivation level.


    Late Stage of Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal Realm!


    The celestial destiny upon him was extremely thick, far surpassing that of Huang Feng Immortal Monarch.


    Even if faced with the Early Stage of Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, it should still be difficult to extinguish him in a short time. Of course, he was by no means a match for a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal either.


    Gu An did not fear too much nor was he afraid of offending the Celestial Court because of this.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch acted too cautiously, clearly fearing that the matter would be exposed. The Celestial Court was so powerful that if Gu An had really offended them, they could easily suppress him instead of constantly probing him. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An surmised it had to do with Tian Hao.


    Tian Hao was the Son of Heaven reincarnated. Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, Taiyi Immortal Monarch, and others had come for him. From their perspective, Gu An might be the protector of the Son of Heaven, possibly with other powerful Immortal Gods backing him.


    It was precisely because of this that Huang Feng Immortal Monarch continually asked if Gu An wanted to join the Celestial Court.


    If he truly wanted to recruit Gu An, why would he seek out Li Ya?


    So far, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch had not revealed how to make Gu An and Li Ya become Immortal Gods, only constantly demonstrating the power of the Celestial Court.


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign did not stop walking, but as his distance to the sea of clouds shortened, his form became clearer. He seemed to be clad in thick Divine Armor, with a divine bird perched on his shoulder.


    Golden Crow!


    This Golden Crow was also enveloped in the strong light of the Heavenly Dao, without revealing its true form.


    ¡°Do you also dare to represent heaven¡¯s will?¡±


    Gu An¡¯s voice rang out, breaking the oppressive aura of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, allowing Li Ya and his student to breathe a sigh of relief and cease their nervous tension throughout their bodies.


    Huang Feng Immortal Monarch squinted, his eyes bursting with coldness. He stopped speaking, waiting for the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign to make a move.


    ¡°What is your relationship with the Eternal Life Venerable? Do you know what consequences your actions will bring?¡±


    An authoritative voice echoed, devoid of any emotion.


    Eternal Life Venerable?


    Could it be the existence backing Tian Hao?


    Gu An spoke, ¡°The person you are looking for is no longer in the Celestial Spirit Great World. You have been bothering me incessantly, and it really troubles me.¡±


    ¡°Humph, by aiding him, you become our enemy. Since you refuse to speak, then prepare to die and feel the true wrath of heaven!¡±


    The voice of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign resumed, domineering and starkly contrasting Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s demeanor.


    He stopped his steps, stood on the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, and looked down at Gu An. Raising his right arm, the Golden Crow on his shoulder fiercely flapped its wings, diving downward.


    After leaving the strong light of the Heavenly Dao, the Golden Crow revealed its true form, enveloped in True Sun Fire, with a shape resembling a crow, its wings spanning millions of miles, as if bringing a sea of flames raining down from the Celestial Vault, unstoppable.


    Li Ya and Li Xianyou¡¯s faces changed drastically at this scene.


    Gu An suddenly raised his hand, the Cyan Hong Sword appearing out of thin air. Holding the sword, he slashed towards the sky.


    With one slash, the Sword Qi shot out like a bright moon, the True Meaning of the Three Thousand Great Dao gathering upon the Sword Qi, causing numerous stars to appear behind it, as if a galaxy soared.


    Almost instantaneously, the Sword Qi collided with the Golden Crow.


    Boom¡ª¡ª


    Dazzling light burst forth, the world lost its color, fierce winds crushed the sea of clouds, forcing Li Ya to channel all his mana to protect both himself and Li Xianyou.


    Even though Gu An intentionally enveloped them with Dao Intent, the powerful gusts of the Great Dao still made their hearts race.


    The Golden Crow Divine Race stood lofty above, a pair of cold and terrifying eyes appeared on that face whose features were indistinct. He raised his hand, a roaring fire wave surged behind him, rolling like dragons.


    ¡°Outrageous!¡±


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign¡¯s tone revealed extreme anger, and with this explosive shout, the sea of clouds beneath Gu An and his companions dispersed directly.


    The terrifying True Sun Fire descended from the sky, dispelling the powerful light between heaven and earth. Li Ya looked up, witnessing an unbelievable sight: countless massive fire dragons coiling above the Celestial Vault. The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign stood among them, his Golden Armor blazing like the sun, his visage stern, his eyes continuously seeping with flame, without pupils. His red hair coiled beneath the Divine Crown, like an unrivaled divine king descending with overwhelming celestial might.


    Gu An could sense a certain special power contained within those fire dragons, transformed from the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    Could this be the celestial law that Huang Feng Immortal Monarch mentioned?


    ¡°Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection, no wonder you dare to oppose us. The Eternal Life Venerable truly is a master of fine maneuvers!¡±


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign¡¯s voice arose, causing Huang Feng Immortal Monarch¡¯s face to change dramatically. He had guessed that Gu An might be a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, but hadn¡¯t expected him to have reached the Perfection Realm.


    Little did he know, this was Gu An¡¯s disguise.


    For Gu An, suppressing his cultivation level to Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection was enough to defeat the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign.


    Today, he intended to crush the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign¡¯s courage completely, so he would dare not trouble him again!


    The wind stirred Gu An¡¯s black dao robe, he stood holding his sword with one hand, facing the wind, his silhouette imparting an indelible impact on Li Ya and Li Xuanyu.


    Before Gu An, in the air, a huge sword shadow of silvery light appeared, larger than any single step of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, its tip pointing towards the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and the countless fire dragons.


    A Sword Intent capable of shaking the clouds and disturbing the Great Dao locked onto the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign.


    Standing on the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, Huang Feng Immortal Monarch widened his eyes and exclaimed, ¡°Such Sword Intent, how is it possible? What is your relationship with the one from the River of Sword Dao?¡±

 Chapter 707: 699: Gu Ans Realm

    Chapter 707: Chapter 699: Gu An¡¯s Realm


    The sword intent of the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords condensed into an image, hanging in the celestial vault, pointing at the Heavenly Constitutional Dharma Aspect of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign. Facing this sword intent, the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign felt an immense threat, immediately gathering celestial dao destiny to continually elevate his aura.


    The celestial vault began to collapse, space twisted, revealing patches of strange light spots.


    Li Ya looked up at the magnificent scene in the sky, his face filled with excitement.


    This sword intent¡­


    Yes!


    It was the Sword Dao taught to him by Gu An, the Daoist Technique he had cultivated the longest.


    Before this, Li Ya had hesitated, thinking he needed to seek more powerful divine skills as his achievements in Sword Dao couldn¡¯t keep up with his cultivation level advancement.


    But now, witnessing the might of the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords, the confusion in his heart was dispelled.


    The path of Sword Dao could always be pursued! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu An held the Cyan Hong Sword, the tip pointed downward as he looked up at the celestial vault, the sword shadows of the Three Thousand Slaying Dao Swords directed at the direction within his gaze.


    He deliberately waited for a moment, allowing the mana of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign to reach its utmost limit.


    He heard the words of the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, but he didn¡¯t care.


    Now, he wanted to slay both the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch. Even if they could rely on the celestial court¡¯s destiny to revive, today he must shatter the courage of these two immortal gods.


    Gu An¡¯s eyes grew cold, and the sword intent avatar, which had paused for a moment, suddenly erupted with a terrifying momentum capable of shattering everything.


    Boom¡ª


    The silver light sword shadows moved like thunder, instantly scattering the sky full of fire dragons, revealing the magnificent scene of the cosmos.


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign stared wide-eyed, casting spells with both hands, unleashing his immense mana without reservation. Yet, in the face of Gu An¡¯s sword intent, even with the blessing of celestial dao destiny, he still felt his heart tremble with fear.


    How could Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal be so powerful?


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign was himself a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal. Inside and outside the celestial court, he had encountered Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal Realm perfection before, but no one had ever filled him with such fear as Gu An.


    His fear arose quickly, and his demise came just as swiftly.


    Li Ya and Li Xianyou only sensed the world brighten. In an instant, the celestial vault shattered suddenly, the universe following swallowed by darkness. They felt as though they had fallen into an abyss, the endless darkness assaulting their sight, causing their hearts to feel intense dread.


    This was an instinctive emotion. Even though they had the protection of Gu An¡¯s Dao intent, the impact on their vision still affected their minds.


    Fortunately, this fear was short-lived.


    When they regained their senses and looked closely, they could no longer see the figures of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and Huang Feng Immortal Monarch. They were in the dark universe, void and desolate, with only the three of them remaining along with the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    The Heavenly Ascension Stairs still stood, the dazzling golden light becoming the sole source of light in this universe.


    Gu An looked at the Heavenly Ascension Stairs, feeling in his heart that the creations of the Heavenly Dao were truly extraordinary, unable to disperse even the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.


    He turned to walk toward Li Ya and Li Xianyou, just as the master and disciple were about to speak, when suddenly their vision blurred.


    The next moment, Li Ya and Li Xianyou felt their feet touch the ground, instinctively opening their eyes to find themselves back by the riverside they had previously passed.


    Li Ya looked around, already unable to see the figure of Gu An.


    Everything that had happened before felt like a dream.


    Li Xianyou also did not find the figure of Gu An, standing there dazed, recalling everything that had happened before, his expression bewildered.


    For a long time.


    Li Ya took a deep breath, looked up to the horizon, and murmured to himself, ¡°Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal¡­ is that your realm? Unheard of, and I wonder how many realms away it is from the Profound Yuan Free Immortal¡­¡±


    Knowing Gu An¡¯s realm, Li Ya began to feel excited. At least he now had a target to pursue.


    Li Xianyou couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Master, was that person earlier the uncle-master you mentioned before?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was him.¡±


    Li Ya¡¯s expression returned to calm, as enigmatic as ever.


    ¡°He¡¯s amazing. Is he the most powerful existence under the heavens?¡±


    ¡°Not just under the heavens. If you look beyond heaven, you won¡¯t find many who are his match.¡±


    ¡°So powerful, how can he be your junior brother? Could it be you¡¯re hiding your cultivation?¡±


    Li Xianyou asked expectantly, his eyes shining brightly.


    Li Ya did not answer, merely gazing profoundly toward the horizon, stirring Li Xianyou¡¯s imagination and making it difficult for his emotions to calm down for a long time.


    On the other side.


    Gu An did not return to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, but stood on the cliff of a high mountain. In front of him, a sea of clouds churned, with peaks emerging from the clouds in the distance. It was as if he stood above the Cangtian, with beautiful scenery.


    He was reflecting on the previous great battle.


    This battle had caused anxiety to arise in his heart.


    The celestial court¡¯s destiny was truly unsolvable, allowing immortal gods to resurrect endlessly. He must devise a method to dissolve the celestial court¡¯s destiny.


    The celestial court¡¯s destiny was essentially the celestial dao destiny, only transformed through some creation, making the celestial court¡¯s destiny more complex.


    If he possessed a method to dissolve the celestial court¡¯s destiny, he could kill immortal gods at will!


    He thought it might be possible to start from the Path of Cause and Effect and the Path of Qi Fortune.


    Although he could not think of a solution for now, he could conduct life span projection and life evolution.


    He did not immediately set about doing this; instead, he lifted his eyes to the celestial vault, his gaze hesitant.


    In the unseen, he sensed a sword intent calling to him from afar, that place being the River of Sword Dao.


    The sword intent used to slay the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign had alerted a powerful being hidden within the River of Sword Dao, who used sword intent to show goodwill and wished to meet him.


    Should he make a trip to the River of Sword Dao?


    ¡­


    Above the boundless sea of clouds, there was a massive vortex emitting golden light, resembling an entrance to an exotic world, magnificently vast.


    Beside the vortex, two figures appeared out of thin air above the clouds and mist, precisely the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch.


    At this moment, the form of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign was no longer as huge as it had been before. Though still more stalwart than the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, they now appeared roughly similar in size.


    The two immortal gods half-kneeled on the mist, their backs rising and falling, gasping for breath.


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign, with his head lowered and eyes wide open, kept gasping, his eyes full of shock.


    Though he could revive, the sword intent earlier actually injured his Dao fruit, leaving him with lingering fear.


    Even he was like this, not to mention the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch. Huang Feng Immortal Monarch trembled all over, supporting himself on the ground with both hands. He felt Gu An¡¯s killing intent still locked onto him.


    After a while.


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign stood up, turning his head to look at Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, who was still kneeling on the ground. He spoke: ¡°Never go to the Celestial Spirit Great World again.¡±


    He had already returned to his usual state, solemn and indifferent.


    The Huang Feng Immortal Monarch did not lift his head, asking through gritted teeth: ¡°What about the Taiyi Immortal Monarch and the Seventy-Two Immortals of Jin Dong?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, what about them? Could it be you and the Taiyi Immortal Monarch have become close friends? The celestial court is in turmoil now, supporting the Son of Heaven we have chosen is the top priority.¡±


    ¡°The Son of Heaven protected by the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable is too weak, unable to threaten the Son of Heaven we chose. Don¡¯t delay the important matters.¡±


    The tone of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign was irrefutably firm, causing the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch to fall silent.


    Seeing him so dejected, the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign said earnestly: ¡°When the Son of Heaven exits seclusion, sweeping across the Great Dao and all heavens, then we will ask him to destroy the Celestial Spirit Great World. It will be no difficult task.¡±


    The Huang Feng Immortal Monarch stood up, nodding with a complex expression.


    He no longer dared to go to the Celestial Spirit Great World.


    He didn¡¯t want to face that sword intent again. Even if he could revive, each revival would deplete his cultivation, not to mention the feeling at the moment of death was real.


    ¡°Remove the Heavenly Ascension Stairs and pretend it never happened. Do not spread it, understand?¡±


    The Golden Crow Divine Sovereign stared at the Huang Feng Immortal Monarch, asking in a deep voice.


    The Huang Feng Immortal Monarch took a deep breath and said: ¡°I will bury this matter in my heart forever.¡±

 Chapter 708: 700 Infinite Void Sword Ancestor

    Chapter 708: Chapter 700 Infinite Void Sword Ancestor


    In the dark void, a river that emitted a silver-blue radiance stretched across the universe, twisting slightly, resembling an endlessly long silver dragon advancing slowly.


    This was the River of Sword Dao, formed by the Sword Dao nurtured by the heavens, on whose surface silver lines continuously emerged, symbolizing the birth of new Sword Dao.


    Gu An appeared out of thin air on the River of Sword Dao. He had spied upon the River of Sword Dao many times, but this was his first time truly coming to it.


    As soon as he manifested, he stepped forward and walked toward the interior of the River of Sword Dao.


    The Sword Intent he displayed when confronting the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign and Huang Feng Immortal Monarch had disturbed the strongest presence within the River of Sword Dao. Gu An sensed that the other party¡¯s cultivation level had reached the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, although their minor realm was not as high as his.


    This time, Gu An suppressed his cultivation level and came to meet this powerful presence with the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection cultivation level.


    After entering the River of Sword Dao, Gu An was surrounded by Sword Intent. As he glanced around, he could peer through the Sword Intent into different worlds, seeing the Three Thousand Great Worlds, countless Little Worlds, and mysterious planes adrift within the Great Dao.


    The bizarre and colorful scenes along the way could not tempt Gu An to halt his steps.


    Flying within the River of Sword Dao, Gu An felt as if he were traversing through time and space.


    After a while, his feet landed on the grass, which was part of a small island floating in the depths of the River of Sword Dao.


    On the island was a grove, and on the grassland outside the grove stood numerous steles engraved with the names of various Sword Dao, numbering over a hundred.


    After just sweeping a glance at them, Gu An walked toward the grove. The grove was serene and not very large; he reached the garden inside the grove after less than twenty steps.


    In the garden grew many flowers and plants, and there was a small wooden building¡ªnot very exquisite, giving off an ancient feel. In front of the building was a stone table at which sat an old man in a grey robe brewing tea.


    The fragrance of tea filled the air, and Gu An could feel a certain Sword Intent within the tea aroma.


    ¡°Please have a seat, Fellow Daoist.¡±


    The old man in a grey robe looked at Gu An and spoke with a smile.


    [Infinite Void Sword Ancestor (Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm Early Stage): 0/0/0]


    No life span?


    No wonder he could only stay in the River of Sword Dao; it seemed his physical body and Divine Soul had already merged with the River of Sword Dao, coexisting with it.


    Gu An silently contemplated as he followed and sat opposite the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor scrutinized Gu An, while Gu An likewise sized him up. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while, the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor took the initiative to speak: ¡°You must be the master of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao. Earlier, I was wondering how this Sword Dao could grow so rapidly with such a great cause and effect propelling it in the future. It turns out it was you, Fellow Daoist. The Sacred Heart Sword Dao indeed has good fortune, and it will surely assist you in reaching higher realms.¡±


    He noticed that Gu An was at the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm Perfection, not as high as his own, but he believed Gu An would reach the same realm as him in the future, or even surpass him.


    He himself had achieved today¡¯s Dao Practice by sacrificing freedom, whereas Gu An had lost nothing.


    Gu An nodded, curious as he asked, ¡°Why are you in this River of Sword Dao, Fellow Daoist?¡±


    With the ability of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, plus the connection with the River of Sword Dao, seeing through the origins of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao did not seem difficult to Gu An.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor stroked his beard and smiled: ¡°To be honest, I was once a disciple of the Immortal Cave Heaven. Back then, while I was still in the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal Realm, I offended a Supreme Immortal of the Celestial Court. To avoid implicating the Immortal Cave Heaven, I came to the River of Sword Dao to self-destruct. By a stroke of luck, I didn¡¯t die but was reborn. Sadly, I can no longer leave the River of Sword Dao and can only study the Sword Dao here, spying on the evolution of the Great Dao in the worlds.¡±


    ¡°Actually, the reason I asked you to come is not just because of your Sword Intent but also because your clash with the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign reminded me of my past. Dare I ask what grievances you have with the Celestial Court?¡±


    Gu An did not hide anything and replied: ¡°I secluded myself in a Great Thousand World, wanting to stay away from trouble. By chance, I took on a disciple, little knowing he was the reincarnation of the Son of Heaven, attracting the Heavenly Court Immortals. Even though I sent him to the Misty Immortal Court, these Immortals still won¡¯t let me go, and I¡¯m at a loss.¡±


    At the end, he gave a bitter smile.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor listened and shook his head, saying: ¡°The Heavenly Court Immortals do indeed act overbearingly. Back then, I didn¡¯t intentionally offend that Supreme Immortal either, yet it still brought about disastrous consequences.¡±


    Gu An knew of the existence of the Immortal Cave Heaven. The name had appeared before when he used Life Span Breakthrough, but he wasn¡¯t sure of the foundation of the Immortal Cave Heaven.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor began recounting his past. Those grievances were not surprising; he had merely stepped up to save a group of cultivators being harmed by a demon, but it turned out that the demon was backed by a Supreme Immortal. Since then, he had been beset by endless pursuits.


    As the two conversed, Gu An began gathering information about the Celestial Court, and the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor did not hold back.


    The celestial positions in the Celestial Court, from low to high, are classified as Celestial God, Star Monarch, Main Deity, Immortal Monarch, Supreme Immortal, Celestial Dao Venerable, and the supreme Celestial Emperor.


    The celestial positions in the Celestial Court are not entirely determined by cultivation level. With sufficient merit, one could also be promoted, though the gap between each celestial position wasn¡¯t excessively wide.


    Some Supreme Immortals are Miaozhen Daluo Immortals, while others have surpassed the Miaozhen Daluo Immortal Realm.


    Additionally, the duties for each celestial position vary, as do the Celestial Dao Destinies they receive. Some immortals exist for combat and are extraordinarily powerful, while others, who are less skilled in combat, hold high ranks but may have cultivation levels lower than their subordinates.


    Besides these celestial positions in the Celestial Court, there are also some formidable presences that only partake in destiny, not holding specific celestial offices, and would only appear when the Celestial Court was in turmoil.


    Through the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor, although Gu An could not determine the exact realm of the immortals by their celestial positions, he could at least confirm one point: within the Celestial Court, the most powerful was the Celestial Emperor.


    In Gu An¡¯s previous life in Huaxia, there were also many legends, including a Celestial Court, but within that Celestial Court, the Celestial Emperor was not the strongest. This was indeed a difference.


    Yet, they were both called Celestial Courts; perhaps the mythology from Huaxia was related to the Celestial Court he was confronting.


    Could it be that the Celestial Emperor in myths was not the strongest due to the internal struggles of the Celestial Court?


    Gu An silently speculated.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor continued: ¡°I observed that the one who first provoked you was an Immortal Monarch. Therefore, the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign should indeed be the end of this cause and effect. As it involves the Son of Heaven, they certainly dare not call upon Cangtian. Although you could stand against the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign, it is best for you to think of more strategies.¡±


    ¡°If you do not reject the Celestial Court, joining it is actually a good plan, or letting your disciple enter the Celestial Court to share the burden for you.¡±


    Gu An developed a favorable impression of the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor. His suggestion was also one Gu An had considered. Despite having a vendetta with the Celestial Court, he was still being advised in this manner; the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor was indeed sincere with him.


    ¡°I will consider it, though I am quite curious about the fight for the Son of Heaven. Could you tell me about it, Fellow Daoist?¡± Gu An agreed and then inquired further.

 Chapter 709: 701: Legend of the Celestial Court

    Chapter 709: Chapter 701: Legend of the Celestial Court


    ¡°The Great Dao was born from chaos. Since its birth, the cosmic planes have continuously multiplied and expanded. When the Celestial Court was born, no one knows. The Celestial Emperor is one of the oldest living beings. During his reign, the Three Thousand Great Worlds have been destroyed and rebuilt. In other words, the existence of the Three Thousand Great Worlds does not last as long as the Celestial Emperor¡¯s life.¡±


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor looked at the teapot on the table, speaking with a leisurely tone, while Gu An listened intently. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Over the long years, the Celestial Emperor has had many children. The Sons of Heaven are innumerable, and perhaps there are more hidden among the Human World. The talents of the Sons of Heaven are very high. As their cultivation level increases, their ambitions naturally grow. The struggle among the Sons of Heaven in the Celestial Court has become commonplace. I heard of such struggles even when I was in the Immortal Cave Heaven.¡±


    ¡°The top ten Sons of Heaven have all grown up, even surpassing the Celestial Dao Venerable. They have stayed in the position of Son of Heaven for too long, and their ambition has led them to covet the position of the Celestial Emperor. But as long as the Celestial Emperor remains, it is difficult for the Celestial Court to fall into chaos. The Celestial Emperor¡¯s favor towards a Son of Heaven influences the camp of the Immortal Gods. Some Sons of Heaven capture the Celestial Emperor¡¯s favor just by meeting him once, while others are cast into reincarnation for offending him, implicating the Immortal Gods who were close to them.¡±


    ¡°Of course, there is another situation where after being abandoned by the Celestial Emperor, he still keeps them in mind. This happened a long time ago, so some Immortal Gods try to recruit those Sons of Heaven reincarnated in the Human World to gain maximum benefits.¡±


    ¡°The Celestial Emperor¡¯s heart is unfathomable by Immortals or Gods. The Celestial Emperor holds the greatest celestial power and can dismiss the destiny of Immortal Gods. He has even executed many Sons of Heaven. For ambitious Immortal Gods, the struggle in the Celestial Court is unpredictable in fortune and calamity. Your disciple probably once received the Celestial Emperor¡¯s favor, which is why some Immortal Gods tried to recruit, leading to dissatisfaction among other Sons of Heaven.¡±


    The words of the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor left Gu An deeply moved. The struggle between the Celestial Emperor and the Sons of Heaven was strikingly similar to the Human World¡¯s Royal Family battles, only more cruel and complex.


    ¡°Some Celestial Gods, upon just being promoted to Star Monarch, are recruited and forced to take sides. Until their demise, they don¡¯t even realize they died due to the Sons of Heaven¡¯s struggle. Although the Celestial Court is the place of highest authority on the Great Dao, how different are the Immortal Gods at the bottom of the Celestial Court from mortals? Merely stronger, but their life and death are equally beyond their control.¡±


    ¡°Since you are aware of the Sons of Heaven¡¯s struggle, whether you enter the Celestial Court personally in the future or let a disciple join, you can take precautions and not be so passive.¡±


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor said this as he picked up the teapot on the table and began pouring tea for Gu An.


    Gu An noted that the small furnace on the table was burning with a special Taoist fire, no less potent than the flames of the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign.


    ¡°Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for telling me so much. I wonder why you have called me here, and what I can do for you?¡± Gu An shifted his gaze to the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor and curiously inquired.


    The information the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor provided was very valuable to him. He didn¡¯t mind reciprocating within his abilities.


    Upon hearing this, the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor chuckled softly, ¡°I dwell in the River of Sword Dao, eternal and undying. The battles within the Great Dao are unrelated to me. What desires would I have? Existences like mine can be found within other rivers of the Great Dao too, so I am not lonely.¡±


    After pouring tea for Gu An, he poured a cup for himself. The aroma of the tea filled the air, with smoke like some spirit beast dancing over the cup.


    ¡°So, Fellow Daoist has no regrets concerning the Immortal Cave Heaven?¡±


    Gu An inquired while raising the teacup and taking a gentle sip. This tea contained profound truths of the Sword Dao, aiding in cultivation.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor laughed, ¡°Once within the Great Dao, naturally cutting off past karmic ties, I have no relation with the Immortal Cave Heaven anymore. This time, I sought you merely to discuss the Sword Dao. I am very interested in the Sacred Heart Sword Dao. I have comprehended it before, yet it is continually strengthening, and I can never fully understand it. Would Fellow Daoist be willing to discuss the Dao with me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, though it cannot be for too long.¡±


    Gu An pretended to hesitate, not wanting to delay picking medicinal herbs.


    The Infinite Void Sword Ancestor laughed heartily and proceeded to drink tea and discuss the Dao with Gu An.


    This discussion lasted a month.


    Gu An seized an opportunity to interrupt, then took his leave, promising to return again in the future. Only then did the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor not feel regretful.


    Upon returning to the Celestial Spirit Great World, Gu An first went to various areas of the Medicine Valley to pick medicinal herbs. Once all the mature medicinal herbs were harvested, he finally exhaled a sigh of relief.


    He suddenly felt as if he was being controlled by the medicinal herbs. Actually, picking for one less year wouldn¡¯t have harmed him, but the habit formed over many years left him unable to stop.


    Upon realizing this, Gu An couldn¡¯t help but mock himself with a smile.


    Still not strong enough, he thought. When his strength reaches a level where he no longer cares about the income from ten or a hundred years of life span, his mentality should change.


    He returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless and began recalling his discussion of the Dao with the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor. The Sword Dao achievement of the Infinite Void Sword Ancestor was undoubtedly the strongest he¡¯d ever encountered, and even a month of such discussion benefited him greatly.


    The turmoil in the Human World continued to evolve. Even though his grand-disciples frequently came to him to chat about these matters, he paid them no heed. His thoughts were concentrated on the Celestial Court.


    He had to think about how to place Profound Mysterious Zhenren within the Celestial Court without being detected.


    At the same time, he also had to think about how to resolve the Celestial Court¡¯s destiny.


    In the blink of an eye, a hundred years passed.


    Gu An made no progress concerning destiny, hence he chose a minor approach, frequently performing life-span Phantoms.


    With each life-span Phantom, he left behind a legend in the Three Thousand Great Worlds. Fortunately, the reincarnated lives concerned themselves solely with their own cultivation, leaving no ties or karma, so their legends had limited impact.


    After a consecutive ten life-span Phantoms, Gu An¡¯s understanding of the Path of Qi Fortune reached another level.


    But it still wasn¡¯t enough¡ªhe still had a long way to go to fully comprehend the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    ¡­


    In the depths of the universe, the World Gate still stood.


    The Celestial Spirit God was meditating in front of the gate when he suddenly sensed something, opening his eyes, he calculated with his fingers, his face changed dramatically, and he stood up abruptly. He took a few steps forward and knelt halfway down in front of the World Gate.


    Soon, a strong light burst from within the gate, illuminating the dim void, stretching the shadow of the Celestial Spirit God long.


    A figure slowly emerged from the World Gate, an old man in white robes holding a horsetail whisk, with crane-white hair and youthful complexion. His figure appeared slightly thin, and clouds rose beneath his feet. Behind him presented a sea of stars¡¯ Dharma Aspect, his eyes calm, seemingly containing two Great Worlds.


    The Celestial Spirit God kept his head low, not daring to look at the white-robed elder.


    At this moment, the Celestial Spirit God was filled with shock.


    He didn¡¯t recognize this white-robed elder, but the elder¡¯s Celestial Dao Destiny was the heaviest he had ever seen in his life. The elder¡¯s Immortal Position must be exceedingly high, beyond his imagination.


    Why would such a being personally come to the Celestial Spirit Great World?


    Friend or foe?


    Is he here to find him, or to find Gu An?


    Or perhaps he has come for the Taiyi Immortal Monarch or the Seventy-Two Immortals of Golden Cave?


    His mind was in turmoil, filled with extreme tension. He didn¡¯t even dare to send a transmission to Gu An, fearing being detected by this powerful Immortal God.

 Chapter 710: 702: Heavenly Courts Heavenly Order

    Chapter 710: Chapter 702: Heavenly Court¡¯s Heavenly Order


    ¡°Rise, I have come this time for personal matters.¡±


    The elder in white robes spoke, and these words made the Celestial Spirit God even more nervous, as coming for personal matters likely meant vendetta.


    ¡°Do you know the cause and effect of your son?¡± The elder in white robes stopped in front of the Celestial Spirit God and asked with an indifferent expression. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Celestial Spirit God raised his eyes to look at him, hesitated for a moment, and said, ¡°Is he the reincarnation of the Son of Heaven?¡±


    Since the other party could ask this, it was certain they knew the situation; hiding the facts he knew would only make things more troublesome.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, he is the Son of Heaven, Xuanqing, and also my disciple. I entrusted Emperor Ziwei to cover up his cause and effect. To have kept it hidden for so long, I am quite satisfied.¡±


    The response from the elder in white robes made the Celestial Spirit God sigh with relief. So, he was Tian Hao¡¯s former master; in that case, he shouldn¡¯t be an enemy.


    ¡°I am titled Eternal Life Venerable, and I wish to meet Supporting Dao Sword Venerable. Go and summon him for me; I will wait for him at the World Gate.¡±


    With an indisputable tone, the elder in white robes spoke, and upon hearing the term ¡®Venerable,¡¯ the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Inside, he was in turmoil; he never expected such a legendary figure to come in person.


    He dared not refute and immediately rose to go find Gu An.


    Eternal Life Venerable waved his sleeve, and the clouds around him dispersed, concealing his figure.


    ¡­


    Nine Spirit Continent, Qiankun Sect.


    Gu An and the Celestial Spirit God met in the city; the two walked on the street, strolling while discussing Eternal Life Venerable.


    ¡°A being in the Celestial Court entitled as Venerable is an ancient legend. Venerable is an existence above Immortal Monarch. It¡¯s my first time seeing a Venerable; he came for Tian Hao, claiming to see you,¡± the Celestial Spirit God said with a tightly furrowed brow and a worried face.


    The arrival of Eternal Life Venerable to seek him was understandable, as after all, he had an inseparable cause with Tian Hao.


    But why look for Gu An?


    Tian Hao had already left the Celestial Spirit Great World, yet Eternal Life Venerable still sought Gu An. Could it be to eliminate Gu An?


    The Celestial Spirit God had deep interactions with Gu An. He knew that if Gu An were eradicated, he too would find it hard to escape death.


    Immortal Gods are indestructible, but that¡¯s outside the Celestial Court. Inside, high-ranked Immortal Gods must die if their Celestial Court destiny is removed.


    Gu An¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he looked around; he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to meet Eternal Life Venerable.


    As soon as Eternal Life Venerable arrived, he had already sensed it.


    This person¡¯s cultivation level was in the early stages of the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, far surpassing the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign.


    Both being Supreme Immortals, the Golden Crow Divine Sovereign was merely a Miao Zhen Daluo Immortal, while Eternal Life Venerable reached the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal Realm, no wonder he could be the master of the Son of Heaven.


    Gu An wasn¡¯t afraid of the trouble because Eternal Life Venerable did not harbor hostility toward him, nor did he become his cause-and-effect nemesis.


    Ever since the Life Expectancy Prediction upgraded, Gu An would always receive hints of cause and effect hatred. Those destined to foster enmity with him numbered over ten billion.


    This was still despite not venturing everywhere, making it hard to imagine how many enemies those cultivators, exploring the heavens, would encounter in a lifetime.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll go meet him later; it¡¯s rare for you to come by, so why not take a look at the new novelties in the Qiankun Sect,¡± Gu An softly laughed after hearing the Celestial Spirit God¡¯s words.


    Seeing Gu An so calm made the Celestial Spirit God reassured as well, admiring him secretly. Gu An¡¯s composure was enough to make him pursue for a long time.


    Despite the admiration, he could never wholeheartedly immerse himself in amusement.


    It wasn¡¯t until dusk that Gu An followed the Celestial Spirit God to the World Gate.


    Night fell.


    Gu An returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless; he entered his courtyard where only Shen Zhen sat before the Artifact Refining Cauldron.


    Seeing Gu An return, Shen Zhen turned her head, noticing the golden token in his hand, asked curiously, ¡°What is that in your hand?¡±


    Gu An walked over to his deck chair and sat down, lying on it, he raised the golden token with his right hand, seemingly wanting to admire it under the moonlight.


    ¡°This is the Heavenly Court¡¯s Heavenly Order; with this token, one may be ranked in the Immortal Class,¡± Gu An replied.


    Eternal Life Venerable sought him out specifically to offer such an opportunity, which appeared as a repayment for caring for Tian Hao but was very clear to him that Eternal Life Venerable wished to tie him completely to Tian Hao, becoming part of the same faction.


    This Heavenly Court¡¯s Heavenly Order could allow one to directly enter the Celestial Court without undergoing trials, starting at a rank higher than a Celestial God. The Celestial Spirit God was taken aback when he heard about the power of this order, nearly shattering his beliefs.


    Unable to part with Tian Hao, Gu An naturally did not refuse this opportunity. He was now considering whom to give it to.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren did not count as he needed to prepare for both possibilities and not be led by Eternal Life Venerable.


    He decided to choose one disciple to ascend to immortality, based on who had the greatest desire.


    ¡°Rank in the Immortal Class?¡± Shen Zhen was taken aback, immediately stood up, squatted down beside Gu An, and curiously examined the Heavenly Court¡¯s Heavenly Order.


    She inquired how the order came to be, and Gu An did not hide it.


    Shen Zhen had long known about the existence of the Celestial Court and Tian Hao¡¯s origins through Gu An. But even so, she was still amazed when she heard about Gu An¡¯s engagement with the Immortal Gods.


    Even always at Gu An¡¯s side, she couldn¡¯t fully gauge how high Gu An¡¯s level was.


    ¡°Who do you think this order should be given to?¡± Gu An asked nonchalantly.


    Shen Zhen thought for a moment and said, ¡°Do you remember your other disciple, Yang Jian? Yang Jian once wished to pursue An Hao. Now that An Hao has already reincarnated and is ascending to immortality, why not let Yang Jian ascend and continue to pursue An Hao? I always feel there¡¯s something hidden when you want a disciple in the dojo to ascend.¡±


    Having been in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless for so many years, how could she not realize the dojo¡¯s uniqueness?


    Moreover, having delved into the path of cause and effect, she understood the fearsome nature of cause and effect and thus did not wish for someone from the Daoist Field of the Beginningless to ascend to immortality.


    Gu An glanced at Shen Zhen, a smile touched his lips.


    ¡°Gu An, what is the Celestial Court really like? How many Immortal Gods are there, and where are they?¡± Shen Zhen curiously asked.


    Gu An narrated all the information he had learned, which left Shen Zhen full of emotion.


    ¡°It seems even the so-called Immortal Gods cannot escape the strife of interests, but what heights would true transcendence reach?¡±


    Shen Zhen sincerely sighed, and Gu An did not answer her; he was also pondering this very question.


    Is the supreme Celestial Emperor transcendent?


    If transcendent, why is there a struggle for the position of Celestial Emperor? And the countless vast Great Daos still exist in places where even the Celestial Dao destiny cannot cover, indicating that the Celestial Dao is not the mightiest.


    That night, Gu An and Shen Zhen admired the moon together, discussing their imaginations of transcendence.


    Until the next morning, Gu An left the Daoist Field of the Beginningless with Shen Zhen and An Xin.


    On the way, An Xin learned of Gu An¡¯s intention for Yang Jian to ascend to immortality and thus learned of the interaction between Gu An and Eternal Life Venerable, which piqued her curiosity about An Hao¡¯s identity as the Son of Heaven.


    Yang Jian currently remained in the Tai Cang Dynasty, but he was in long-term seclusion, away from the court. The Tai Cang Dynasty¡¯s foremost Great General was Long Teng, whose presence allowed him to cultivate peacefully.


    Having reached the Free Immortal state, he was considering undergoing the Reincarnation Tribulation.

 Chapter 711 703: Ascend to Immortality, Great Changes in Heaven and Earth

    It was early autumn, and in the Holy King Palace, Yang Jian sat in the courtyard, sipping tea and enjoying the scenery.


    He wore a loose embroidered robe, his expression gentle, making it hard to believe he was once the great general who helped establish the Tai Cang Dynasty with great achievements.


    "I didn''t expect you to be so leisurely now; do you no longer have higher pursuits in life?"


    A female voice rang out in the garden, startling Yang Jian to turn his head, only to see An Xin entering through the garden''s archway, followed by Shen Zhen, and behind Shen Zhen was someone else.


    When Yang Jian saw who that last person was, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately stood up and knelt on the ground.


    "Disciple Yang Jian pays respects to Master."


    Gu An walked at the end, and upon hearing Yang Jian''s words, he did not respond immediately but instead glanced around the garden.


    This garden''s structure and scenery were exactly the same as a garden in the Third Medicine Valley from years ago, showing Yang Jian''s deep longing for the past.


    An Xin approached Yang Jian and said irritably, "You still remember you have a master. So many years have passed, why haven''t you come to see your master? Don''t say you couldn''t find him; if you had the heart, a million years wouldn''t be enough to find him?"


    Yang Jian looked up, helplessly said, "Although I have retired, I cannot leave the Tai Cang Dynasty. The imperial dynasty has enemies all over the world; I truly feel powerless."


    An Xin snorted and said no more, moving to the side.


    Yang Jian watched as Gu An approached, his face showing excitement. In the past million years, he often imagined meeting Gu An, but when the day finally came, his thousand words were stuck in his throat, unable to be expressed.


    "Stand up, let''s sit and talk."


    Gu An smiled, and his smile made Yang Jian feel relieved.


    Although they hadn''t seen each other for many years, Gu An had always been concerned about Yang Jian, never blaming him for not visiting. After all, the vastness of the world couldn''t be ignored, and as long as Yang Jian held him in his heart, he was satisfied.


    After all, Yang Jian had grown up under his care and was once his most beloved disciple.


    Times had changed, and Yang Jian was no longer his most powerful disciple, but Gu An did not assess his disciples based solely on strength.


    He nurtured disciples out of interest, never relying on them.


    Yang Jian quickly got up, then invited Shen Zhen to sit down as well.


    After the four sat down, Gu An began asking about Yang Jian''s experiences over the years, and Yang Jian spoke at length while Shen Zhen and An Xin listened intently.


    After an hour.


    Gu An then stated his purpose, discussing the pros and cons of becoming an Immortal God and even disclosed An Hao''s background.


    Upon hearing that An Hao was the reincarnation of the Celestial Emperor''s son, Yang Jian was shocked but found it reasonable. Even as the world was reshaped and the cultivation speed of human prodigies grew increasingly exaggerated, An Hao''s impact on him was the greatest. Such a genius being the Celestial Emperor''s son made sense.


    "I am willing!"


    Facing Gu An''s gaze, Yang Jian agreed directly.


    Gu An smiled, "No rush, you can think about it more; there will be no regrets later."


    Yang Jian said seriously, "Becoming an Immortal God means losing freedom, but such an opportunity is something Mortal Spirits can never touch. How can I refuse my master''s kindness? Moreover, as you said, it involves Senior Brother An Hao. I am willing to enter the Celestial Court on your behalf, aiding Senior Brother An Hao while also being your eyes within the Celestial Court."


    Having held power in the Holy Court and a high position in the Tai Cang Dynasty, he understood what he needed to do after knowing the backstory of this cause and effect.


    Being his master''s pawn, he had no worries and even looked forward to it.


    And he believed his master wouldn''t let him down.


    After staying in the Tai Cang Dynasty for so many years, he had grown tired of the struggles within the Human Dynasty. Participating in the Heavenly Son''s contest in the Celestial Court thrilled him; such feelings hadn''t surfaced for a long time.


    Gu An''s lips turned upward; with Yang Jian''s words, he naturally had no reason to refuse. He directly took out the Heavenly Court''s Heavenly Order and placed it on the table.


    "When you''re ready, just infuse your Divine Sense into this token, and the Heavenly Dao will summon you to the Celestial Court. The timing is up to you."


    With that, Gu An stood up and turned to leave.


    An Xin and Shen Zhen followed closely behind.


    Yang Jian immediately got up, bowed to Gu An''s departing figure, and respectfully sent him off.


    Gu An, along with An Xin and Shen Zhen, vanished into thin air within the garden, and only then did Yang Jian lay his eyes on the Heavenly Court''s Heavenly Order. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elsewhere.


    Gu An and his companions arrived on a street in the Imperial City, planning to enjoy themselves for two days before returning.


    "Guess how long it will take him to reach the Celestial Court?" Shen Zhen asked with a smile.


    An Xin was just about to speak when suddenly, a deafening roar sounded from afar. A majestic celestial might enveloped the entire world, causing everyone on the street to turn their heads. From the east direction of the Imperial City, a white pillar of light appeared, piercing through the skies spectacularly.


    Shen Zhen was stunned; she sensed a tremendous Celestial Dao Destiny and immediately guessed it was Yang Jian.


    She didn''t expect Yang Jian to act so swiftly.


    An Xin laughed, "He''s smart; the more he prepares, the more he hesitates. After all, he''s not a lone wolf."


    Among the bustling street, only Gu An hadn''t turned his head.


    Before he came to find Yang Jian, he knew Yang Jian would agree and had even seen when Yang Jian would ascend to immortality.


    Now he pondered when to let the Profound Mysterious Zhenren ascend and where that should happen.


    Yang Jian''s ascension caused quite a stir, drawing Great Power from all over the Tai Cang Dynasty, including Li Xuandao.


    During the ascension, Yang Jian confided his intent to ascend to immortality to Li Xuandao but didn''t explain how he could do so, hoping Li Xuandao would take care of his descendants.


    Li Xuandao agreed, filled with shock and wonder.


    Could there truly be Immortal Gods?


    He always thought that so-called Immortals were merely beings who achieved immortality through cultivation, like the former Holy Court claiming to be Immortals, and now the Dao Court and the Hundred Sects of the Human World claimed the same. He also called himself an Immortal to his people.


    But today, witnessing the Celestial Dao Destiny taking Yang Jian away, he realized his understanding was overly simplistic.


    The ascension destiny connected to the Celestial Dao Light Layer on the surface of the Celestial Spirit Great World, causing global Great Powers to take notice.


    In the following days, more and more Great Powers arrived to witness Yang Jian''s ascension.


    Yang Jian was not simply ascending; during the process, his physical body and soul underwent purification by the Celestial Dao Destiny, and his cultivation level surged incessantly.


    Feeling his rapidly rising aura, onlooking Great Power Cultivators marveled, some even attempting to force their way through, only to have their physical bodies turned to ash by the Celestial Dao Destiny, with their souls nearly obliterated, deterring others from acting rashly.


    Subsequently, even the Profound Yuan Free Immortal arrived, including the Master of the Dao Court, Yuan Songzi.


    On the street, Gu An calculated that the Human World''s fortunes had changed.


    Yang Jian''s ascension marked an imminent leap in the Celestial Spirit Great World''s Celestial Dao Destiny because people worldwide began to believe in immortals, and the beliefs of Cultivators could further bolster the Celestial Dao Destiny.


    The Tai Cang Dynasty would thus become world-renowned, with Yang Jian becoming an immortal name passed down through all generations.

 Chapter 712: 704 Immortal Gods Era

    Chapter 712: Chapter 704 Immortal Gods Era


    Yang Jian¡¯s ascension had a profound influence, spreading wider with time, and years later, the matter reached the Qiankun Sect, triggering widespread discussion.


    In the years that followed, the search for immortal traces and the pursuit of opportunities to ascend to immortality became the main theme of the Human World¡¯s immortal cultivation realm, even mortals began chasing such traces.


    Yang Jian never ventured beyond Heaven, yet was able to ascend to immortality in the Human World, indicating that the Human World harbors immortal fate.


    Once this news broke, the vanished Celestial Dao followers reappeared like bamboo shoots after a rain, filling the Human World with legends of ascension, making this phenomenon increasingly mystical.


    Time passed quickly.


    Ten thousand years later, the Human World fully entered a mythical era, with all beings driven mad in the pursuit of immortal fate, leading more cultivators to pretend to have divine powers, in this process, some cultivators discovered the power of faith, causing the number of immortal gods in the Human World to grow.


    One hundred thousand years after Yang Jian¡¯s ascension, the number of Free Immortals in the Human World reached new heights, and factions, races, cities, and Little Worlds in the void outside Heaven also became more numerous, with the Celestial Spirit Great World moving towards its peak.


    Tai Cang Continent, North Sea Mountain Ridge, Mountain God Temple.


    In the courtyard.


    Profound Mysterious Zhenren knelt on the ground, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat.


    And Gu An sat on the steps in front of him, scrutinizing him, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.


    ¡°If you intend to ascend in the future, don¡¯t use the name ¡®Zhenren¡¯ anymore, revert to your original name, henceforth called Li Xuanmiao.¡±


    Gu An spoke, to which Profound Mysterious Zhenren had no objection, as he had long left Mount Sanqing and the title of Zhenren was no longer important.


    ¡°Senior, do I really have the qualifications to pass the Celestial Dao examination?¡± Li Xuanmiao looked up at Gu An, hesitantly asking.


    Gu An had already told him the way to ascend to immortality; he needed to qualify for the Immortal Class by winning against immortal gods. Over hundreds of thousands of years, Gu An taught him many divine skills, yet he had never won a victory.


    ¡°Do not underestimate yourself, your opponent in the Illusion Realm was me. Looking across the world, there is no Free Immortal who could be your match.¡±


    Gu An softly chuckled, knowing fully well the strength of Li Xuanmiao.


    Over the years, Gu An had cultivated Li Xuanmiao more than An Xin, although this was partly because An Xin was already on the right track. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An Xin would walk the path of the Reincarnation Dao Emperor, without needing to undergo the Reincarnation Tribulation.


    Li Xuanmiao similarly had not undergone the Reincarnation Tribulation, as Gu An was suppressing his cultivation level. The difficulty of challenges in the Celestial Dao examination depended on the trialist¡¯s cultivation realm.


    Gu An had previously simulated a life span to know the process of this examination.


    This Celestial Dao examination was a chance for immortality Lu Xian had once stumbled upon and had already been handed over to Gu An.


    The Celestial Dao Immortal Stone, containing opportunities for ascension, which Gu An had understood from the Eternal Life Venerable, was concealed in almost every Great World. It represented the Celestial Court¡¯s mercy to all beings of the Human World; those with extraordinary talent could ascend by passing the Celestial Dao examination within it, the Immortal Position determined by their own strength.


    The Celestial Dao Immortal Stone could not capture fate; even the Eternal Life Venerable could not deduce its specific location, whether or not one encounters it depends on fate.


    Of course, passing this examination is exceedingly hard, Lu Xian had already failed before.


    It is worth mentioning, if one passes the examination and then refuses to ascend, Celestial Punishment would ensue, as no one could refuse the Celestial Court.


    ¡°Truly?¡±


    Li Xuanmiao asked in surprise, trusting in Gu An¡¯s judgment because Gu An was the most powerful being under Heaven.


    No!


    Perhaps even beyond Heaven, he was the strongest.


    ¡°Naturally, from now on, call me Master.¡±


    Gu An¡¯s words brought delight to Li Xuanmiao, who promptly knelt down to take him as his master.


    Thereafter, Gu An took out a small cauldron and said, ¡°This is the Mountain and River Unparalleled Cauldron and is a Dao Treasure of Wushi. I have temporarily sealed Wushi¡¯s destiny, yet even so, it is still a formidable magical treasure. It will protect you when you are in mortal danger, just like every Wushiji Disciple has a Dao Treasure.¡±


    Yang Jian did not have one yet, but it was already prepared for when he returned from the Celestial Court to visit.


    Li Xuanmiao received the Mountain and River Unparalleled Cauldron with joy, the more he looked at it, the more he loved it.


    After he played with it for a while, Gu An began guiding him to refine the cauldron.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for you to ascend to immortality.¡±


    Gu An thought to himself while looking at Li Xuanmiao.


    All of Li Xuanmiao¡¯s divine skills were personally imparted by him, leaving no shortcomings, coupled with his Demon God Body, Gu An was eager to see how Li Xuanmiao would perform once he became a god.


    Meanwhile.


    The Path of the Great Dao.


    The Blood Prison Great Saint sat cross-legged atop a mountain peak, surrounded by the aura of the Great Dao, casting an oppressive atmosphere across this void.


    In the distance, on the barren land, Fang Xuan stood shoulder to shoulder with five cultivators, gazing at him.


    ¡°I wonder if the Second Brother will succeed?¡±


    ¡°He surely will; his talent in the Primordial Dao Emperor far surpasses ours.¡±


    ¡°The second Primordial Dao Emperor among us is about to be born; it¡¯s truly exciting.¡±


    ¡°We must also strive. Once all seven of us become Primordial Dao Emperors, we can challenge the Daoist Emperor to vindicate the Primordial Dao Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Haha, in actuality, there¡¯s no need for us to act; Xuanji Emperor alone can vindicate, with his talent, he is bound to become a Primordial Dao Emperor.¡±


    Fang Xuan did not engage in the conversation with the other five; he looked at the Blood Prison Great Saint, his gaze steady, confident in the latter¡¯s success.


    Fang Xuan had already attained the Primordial Dao Emperor, fully aware of its power, and no longer deemed it necessary to compete with the Daoist Emperor.


    In his view, no Great Dao Destiny could compare to the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    The Daoist Emperor relied on combat and deprivation, the Celestial Dao destiny on faith, while the Primordial Dao Emperor only required enlightenment.


    The Three Thousand Great Daos never mentioned one Dao devouring another, thus he felt the Primordial Dao Emperor was the truly correct path.


    Nevertheless, he had no reason to dampen the enthusiasm of his sworn brothers.


    More than fretting over whether the Blood Prison Great Saint would succeed, he feared that success would lead to separation.


    Since the destruction of the Battle Court, Fang Xuan drifted alone, with the Blood Prison Great Saint as his only confidant and support, and he did not wish for him to leave. However, if return was his chosen path, he would not obstruct it.


    At this moment, an overwhelming pressure descended, compelling Fang Xuan and the five others to turn their heads, seeing a massive black hole appearing in the depths of the void, seemingly about to devour from the ends of the earth.


    From within the black hole, numerous dreadful auras emerged, clearly indicating an incoming force.


    ¡°Prepare for battle; there are always those seeking shortcuts.¡±


    Fang Xuan spoke emotionlessly. As the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal, bolstered by the Primordial Dao Emperor, he would not fear anything short of a Golden Immortal.


    Upon hearing this, the other five each brought out their magical treasures, not surprised by the arrival of adversaries.


    This group had plagued them for tens of thousands of years, coveting Fang Xuan¡¯s body as a Primordial Dao Emperor to understand its mysteries.


    Fang Xuan was the first to fly forth, his formidable aura erupting suddenly, matching the combined aura of the mysterious force within the black hole.

 Chapter 713: 705: Dojo Expansion

    Chapter 713: Chapter 705: Dojo Expansion


    It has been a hundred years since Li Xuanmiao started calling Gu An his master. The human world has not changed much, with life and death occurring daily, while the hundred great sects and the Dao Court in the Immortal Cultivation Realm are still in friction, leaving the situation unclear.


    On this day, after the New Year.


    Gu An brought Li Xuanmiao to the Dust World, a Great Thousand World more prosperous than the Celestial Spirit Great World, even hiding an Innate Golden Immortal.


    He planned for Li Xuanmiao to ascend to immortality in Dust World.


    To this end, he even altered Li Xuanmiao¡¯s cause and effect, making him a native creature of Dust World. Not only did Li Xuanmiao¡¯s karma appear this way, but memories of him also emerged among the great cultivators of the world. Now, Li Xuanmiao is a renowned talent known across Dust World.


    He practically changed the entire Dust World¡¯s cause and effect; such is the power of a Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal, even the celestial gods of this world were unaware.


    At the ocean¡¯s edge, on the beach, Li Xuanmiao held the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone, looking at Gu An with a serious expression.


    Gu An smiled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, you¡¯ve already experienced the trials inside, only this time your opponents are immortal gods. To be cautious, I¡¯ll first hide your memories of me, and after you achieve immortality for ten thousand years, these memories will resurface.¡±


    Li Xuanmiao took a deep breath and nodded slightly.


    Gu An immediately waved his sleeve, a gust of wind sent Li Xuanmiao into a daze.


    When he regained consciousness, Gu An was nowhere to be seen. He looked down at the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone in his hand and immediately probed it with his divine sense.


    After the time of one stick of incense.


    The sand beneath his feet suddenly erupted with a skyward blast, shooting straight into the clouds, followed by a brilliant light forming a Celestial Dao Beam, as spiritual energy in the world frantically surged toward him.


    He passed the Heavenly Dao trial!


    Beyond the heavens, deep in the cosmos, at the world gate, the celestial god guarding the Dust World opened his eyes, displaying a peculiar expression.


    ¡°There are people in this realm who can pass the evaluation of the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone? Impressive.¡±


    The celestial god muttered to himself, his face showing a look of anticipation.


    Having an immortal god born in this world also benefits him, as he will receive rewards from the Celestial Court, and this newly-ascended immortal¡¯s position will surely be higher than his, possibly allowing them to become acquainted.


    Many ascended gods and trial gods hold nostalgia, and some Great Thousand Worlds are rich in heritage because of their numerous immortal gods, far surpassing other Great Thousand Worlds.


    He stood up, intending to go and meet the new immortal god, where he could offer some advice as a form of greeting, establishing familiarity.


    ¡­


    Gu An returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, feeling elated that Li Xuanmiao was about to join the Immortal Class.


    It was uncertain what level of Celestial Dao Immortal Position Li Xuanmiao could attain.


    According to the Eternal Life Venerable, whether by using the Heavenly Dao Command or through the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone, the immortal position will be above the celestial gods.


    The Eternal Life Venerable also listed other methods of achieving immortality, so he would not guess that Gu An had a Celestial Dao Immortal Stone in his possession.


    There are dozens of methods to become immortal, and any path involving the Heavenly Ascension Stairs is a superior one; most celestial gods are appointed through recommendations from immortal gods or selected from participating in heavenly soldier trials.


    Even the most gifted among Celestial Spirit Gods, unable to advance through the Celestial Dao Immortal Stone, required recommendations from immortal gods. Talent is the least noticeable in the Celestial Court because there are so many gifted geniuses aspiring to become immortals.


    Even the greatest talent in a single Great Thousand World is considered insignificant within the Great Dao.


    Gu An strolled leisurely along the small river in the dojo.


    Ahead, someone was cultivating by the river, none other than Emperor Tianhong.


    After many years, Emperor Tianhong had awakened some memories of immortal gods, making him cherish his time cultivating in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless even more, as he knew he would eventually return to the Celestial Court.


    Hearing footsteps, Emperor Tianhong opened his eyes and turned his head, and upon seeing it was Gu An, he quickly got up and bowed to Gu An.


    ¡°Continue your cultivation, I¡¯m just taking a stroll.¡±


    Gu An said with a smile, Li Xuanmiao¡¯s ascension made him view Emperor Tianhong more favorably.


    Without necessity, he indeed need not oppose the Celestial Court, as he preferred peaceful, enlightenment-seeking days over battles and killings.


    As he passed by Emperor Tianhong, the latter breathed a sigh of relief and continued meditating and cultivating.


    Despite having spent many years together, he still felt great pressure facing Gu An.


    Gu An, hearing his inner thoughts, did not mind much either.


    As the number of people in the Daoist Field of the Beginningless grew, he could not befriend every disciple, as that would be too exhausting.


    Among the third-generation disciples, only Shangguan Xian¡¯er seemed interesting to him, and he was lazy to bother even with An Zizai, whom he had taken to see the world.


    After walking a hundred miles further, Gu An saw Lu Zidao, Celestial Demon Child¡¯s disciple, sparring with Jiang Lan, An Xin¡¯s second disciple, in swordsmanship. The two used neither mana nor divine skills, only exchanging sword techniques, their movements sharp and swift.


    Upon noticing Gu An approaching, their faces changed, intending to stop, but Gu An¡¯s voice reached them:


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop, I¡¯m just passing through.¡±


    Hearing this, Lu Zidao and Jiang Lan¡¯s eyes sharpened, and their movement techniques became even faster.


    The third-generation disciples all wanted to win Gu An¡¯s favor, and they took this rare opportunity to showcase their talent in front of him more earnestly.


    Gu An bypassed them and entered the mountains and forests.


    ¡°If the dojo¡¯s disciples reach a hundred in the future, it might need expanding.¡±


    Gu An silently contemplated, as high-realm disciples¡¯ combat would inevitably have a broad impact, even if restrained.


    Expanding the dojo required a life span; he planned to incorporate the entire Nine Spirit Continent into the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    His consideration stemmed from seeing the future, where the Qiankun Church would face calamity, causing chaos within the sect and significant casualties among the continent¡¯s beings.


    This was caused by internal strife, and Gu An still would not interfere, perfectly aligned with his wish for Qiankun Church to stand independently.


    He had sheltered the Qiankun Church for so long, and continuing to protect it would violate his principles, as relying on the Daoist Field of the Beginningless to become the world ruler would be against his creed.


    The Qiankun Church could be the world¡¯s premier sect but could not solely rely on the Daoist Field of the Beginningless.


    The world¡¯s leading sect must not only be strong but also command public respect.


    An hour later, Gu An leisurely returned to his courtyard.


    As he passed the Artifact Refining Cauldron, Shen Zhen suddenly asked, ¡°Can you discern Yang Jian¡¯s current immortal position now?¡±


    Since Yang Jian ascended to immortality, she had been curious about this and asked many times. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without stopping his steps, Gu An replied, ¡°Still can¡¯t, but you¡¯ll know when he returns.¡±


    He had to go back inside to read; recently, Shangguan Xian¡¯er had another magnificent work, and he needed to appreciate it carefully.


    Shen Zhen pursed her lips, secretly resolving not to let Shangguan Xian¡¯er surpass her; she too should start writing again.


    As the sun set and the moon rose, a night passed.


    The next morning.


    Gu An walked out of the house, holding a book in his hand, with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Where are you going again?¡± Shen Zhen asked curiously.


    Gu An glanced at her and said, ¡°Going to Qiankun Sect.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too.¡±


    Shen Zhen immediately stood up, guessing what Gu An was about to do and wanting to join in on the excitement.


    Gu An did not refuse her, and headed straight to the courtyard gate.


    Just as he reached the gate, An Xin appeared out of nowhere, frowned, and said, ¡°Master, I received news that Yuan Luo has turned into a demon!¡±

 Chapter 714: 706: Inheritance of Heaven and Earth

    Chapter 714: Chapter 706: Inheritance of Heaven and Earth


    Yuan Luo, once the top genius of the Qiankun Sect, is now a Free Immortal, famous throughout the world.


    His descent into a demon is a great blow to the Qiankun Sect, which prides itself on being an Orthodox Daoist Sect.


    An Xin received the news that Yuan Luo, during his training outside, encountered many sects. For some reason, he suddenly turned into a demon, slaughtering tens of thousands of cultivators, including hundreds of fellow disciples. The news spread back to the Qiankun Sect, and they couldn¡¯t contain it.


    Other sects are also using this incident to damage the reputation of the Qiankun Sect.


    An Xin felt that this was an unprecedented crisis for the Qiankun Sect, and if not handled properly, it could affect its future development.


    ¡°Let nature take its course; this calamity can just test the resolve of the Qiankun Sect,¡± Gu An replied casually.


    Yuan Luo hadn¡¯t truly become a demon; he merely acted out in a fit of rage. In fact, he had always had a streak of fierceness since childhood, and the higher-ups of the Qiankun Sect were aware of it.


    As the reincarnation of Chaos Grudge Luo, Yuan Luo¡¯s power would grow with his resentment and anger. During his conflicts with the Dao Court, he became increasingly aware of this and began consciously allowing himself to enter extreme emotions.


    Currently, Yuan Luo isn¡¯t powerful enough, at least not capable of endangering the world. The Chaos Grudge Luo is sealed, so he can only borrow a little power.


    In fact, aside from Yuan Luo, there are other hidden dangers within the Qiankun Sect.


    The rules of the Righteous Dao sometimes incite hatred and can become tools for those with intentions.


    Upon hearing Gu An¡¯s words, An Xin realized something. She stepped aside to make way for Gu An.


    Watching the departing backs of Gu An and Shen Zhen, An Xin sighed slightly. She understood that her master had grown tired of caring for the Qiankun Sect.


    Although she got along well with the Qiankun Sect, she wouldn¡¯t go against or doubt her master¡¯s decision.


    An Xin stopped thinking about it and turned to leave. Recently, she had been immersed in the reflections of Reincarnation, gaining deeper insights into the Primordial Dao Emperor.


    She increasingly felt that the Primordial Dao Emperor was unfathomable, and it was a path with limitless potential. She was resolute in her determination to become a Primordial Dao Emperor.


    The disciples of Wushi all walk the path of the Primordial Dao Emperor, and she aims to become the first Primordial Dao Emperor within the Beginningless, aside from Gu An!


    ¡­


    The sun was bright, and amidst the surrounding mountains, Xiao Lan, in a white dress, walked on the stone path beside a stream, curiously admiring the scenery along the way.


    ¡°Senior Sister Xiao Lan.¡±


    A voice came from the side, and a young man in blue descended from the sky, landing beside her with a smile on his face.


    The blue-clothed man¡¯s figure was tall, with an elegant demeanor, and his smile felt as gentle as a spring breeze.


    Xiao Lan nodded towards him and asked, ¡°Junior Brother Cheng, you¡¯re here too?¡±


    ¡°Master said that the Ting Master wanted to see me, so I came. I didn¡¯t expect I wasn¡¯t the only one. As it seems, there might be other disciples as well.¡± Junior Brother Cheng smiled.


    Xiao Lan couldn¡¯t help but become interested; it seemed the Ting Master had something major to arrange.


    The two continued forward, chatting along the way.


    On their journey, they encountered other disciples, heightening their curiosity about the purpose of this trip.


    Upon arriving at a courtyard, they saw a dozen or so disciples waiting there, and Xiao Lan also spotted Zhao Rushen.


    ¡°Even he¡¯s here; it must be something significant.¡±


    Xiao Lan thought silently. Zhao Rushen now wielded immense power, second only to Ting Master Yuan Songzi within the Dao Court. Everyone regarded Zhao Rushen as the next Ting Master.


    Not only Xiao Lan, but the other disciples were also surprised to see Zhao Rushen. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Rushen sat beside Yuan Songzi in a black robe, exuding a domineering aura. His gaze was penetrating, and except for a few, most didn¡¯t dare meet his eyes.


    Yuan Songzi looked at the group and said with a smile, ¡°Everyone who¡¯s supposed to be here is here. I have something to announce today.¡±


    The disciples stood in a line, not daring to sit like Zhao Rushen.


    Xiao Lan wasn¡¯t necessarily afraid, but she didn¡¯t want to be too close to Yuan Songzi or Zhao Rushen. She spent years in seclusion, avoiding the factional struggles within the court as much as possible.


    Although Yuan Songzi had taken her to the Path of the Great Dao, her master wasn¡¯t in the same faction as Zhao Rushen.


    ¡°Ting Master, what has happened? Could it be that the Hundred Sects in the Human World are planning to besiege us?¡± Junior Brother Cheng couldn¡¯t help but ask first.


    His words made the other disciples tense up.


    Over the years, there have been more sects causing trouble for the Dao Court. Various kinds of conflicts have been reported internally. The Dao Court flaunts itself as the Righteous Dao and the World Ruler, but their handling of certain matters has left the disciples dismayed. Everyone could feel the pressure from other sects and perceive the Dao Court¡¯s growing weakness.


    Normally, they are dissatisfied with the upper echelons, but when it comes to going to war with the Hundred Sects, they feel apprehensive.


    Today¡¯s situation is unlike the past; the Dao Court indeed lacks the power to suppress the entire Human World.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it, but the situation you foresee will happen sooner or later.¡±


    Yuan Songzi smiled softly. His words made the disciples¡¯ faces change dramatically, but seeing his smile, they felt he wasn¡¯t worried.


    Perhaps the Ting Master already had a plan.


    Thinking this way, the disciples felt at ease.


    ¡°You all are the brightest disciples of the Dao Court, and your reputation is extremely high. I plan to let you inherit the various legacies of the Dao Court. Once the Dao Court is dissolved in the future, you can establish your own sects. Are you confident?¡±


    When Yuan Songzi said this, his smile didn¡¯t fade, as if he was discussing something trivial.


    Upon hearing this, the courtyard burst into an uproar; the disciples were all shocked and began to object.


    ¡°Ting Master, what do you mean? Why dissolve the Dao Court?¡±


    ¡°We are not afraid to fight, even if it means a life-and-death struggle with the Hundred Sects. We are not afraid!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, with all the storms we¡¯ve seen since the Dao Court¡¯s establishment, what¡¯s there to fear?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Ting Master, why don¡¯t we just start a war with the Hundred Sects and catch them off guard!¡±


    While the disciples were passionately excited, Xiao Lan kept silent, her eyes fixed on Yuan Songzi. She didn¡¯t think Yuan Songzi was a coward.


    Back when the Undefeated Emperor Clan wanted to kill them, Yuan Songzi showed no fear and was at the forefront.


    The combined Hundred Sects of the Human World are no match for the Undefeated Emperor Clan.


    Yuan Songzi raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. The group could only suppress their emotions.


    ¡°The Dao Court has presided over the world for a million years; it has been long enough. In fact, you might not know that the Dao Court itself wasn¡¯t founded by me alone. It was formed by the unification of the greatest sects from the Great Heaven and Earth before the world¡¯s reformation, and I merely facilitated it. After the Dao Court dissolves, you will establish your sects, creating a new order for the era. This itself is a form of legacy.¡±


    Yuan Songzi spoke seriously, paused, and continued, ¡°Of course, the Dao Court will not easily be dissolved. At the very least, it should make other sects realize how precious this throne is and serve as a warning for future generations, thus better benefiting all living beings under heaven.¡±