“`
“No,” Gu An flatly refused. How could there be any opportunities when the Supreme Sect was just recovering from a catastrophe?
Lv Baitian was taken aback, not expecting such an outright refusal, and immediately retorted in annoyance, “Brat, I haven’t even said what the opportunity is!”
Gu An sat down and said, “I won’t be the sect leader, I won’t write books, and I won’t accept any further disturbances from the Holy Sons and Daughters.”
After hearing this, Lv Baitian burst into an irritated laugh.
“In your eyes, is that the kind of person I am?”
“I just don’t want to invite trouble. If I’ve wronged you, then I apologize,” Gu An spoke earnestly. Lv Baitian’s face stiffened, and with a forced cough, he said, “Of course you’ve wronged me. I came to find you for other matters.”
“What matters?”
“You must have heard of the Nine Nether Road. The dynasties have joined forces to seal off the Nine Nether Road, and every sect has dispatched cultivators to guard it. Even the main lineage of the Ephemera Sect would have a hard time causing a stir. Now, each dynasty is leading disciples into the Nine Nether Road for training.
The place is rampant with demons and monsters where one can hunt for treasures, and the spiritual energy is very rich, suitable for cultivation,” Lv Baitian slowly explained, which took Gu An by surprise.
He hadn’t expected the Nine Nether Road to become a place like a secret training realm.
“Isn’t the Nine Nether Road supposed to be very dangerous?” Gu An asked.
“Indeed, it’s dangerous. That’s why Great Cultivators lead disciples into training. I intended to give you a spot. Once inside, you’ll be protected, able to cultivate, slay demons, and seek treasures. Whatever you do, there will be others to cover for you. Isn’t that a grand opportunity?
Later on, the Supreme Sect is planning to establish a city within the Nine Nether Road for disciples to rest and cultivate…” Lv Baitian continued enthusiastically.
He believed that developing the Nine Nether Road would lead to the rise of the Supreme Sect, perhaps ushering in the most prosperous era in its history, raising his own status within the sect’s annals.
Gu An listened attentively, thinking it was indeed feasible.
Lv Baitian seemed intent on reversing a trend: historically, cultivators who reached the Unification Realm would leave the lands of the dynasties in search of opportunities. Lv Baitian wanted to enhance the foundation of the Supreme Sect, make it stronger, and eliminate the need for future disciples to venture out in search of their fortunes.
The Nine Nether Road was his first step!
He also planned to open up a sea route, led by the recently returned Elder Xuan Quan.
As he spoke more and more excitedly, he was almost ready to declare dominance over the entire continent.
Gu An, however, found it fascinating and appreciated Lv Baitian’s ideals.
The stronger the Supreme Sect, the better shade he could enjoy.
After a long while, Lv Baitian, seemingly never running out of things to say, looked at Gu An and asked, “What do you think? Will you go or not?”
Gu An shook his head and replied, “I won’t go. I need to stay and look after Medicine Valley.”
“Someone else can look after it just as well.”
“No, I can’t be at ease. Fine, to be honest, I’m afraid. I always feel that the Nine Nether Road is very dangerous, and my combat capabilities are weak, so I won’t go. How about this: can I give my spot to someone else?”
“You won’t go and still want to share the spot?”
“At the very least, I have contributed to the Supreme Sect. I haven’t taken any bribes with such a large Medicine Valley in my charge. Shouldn’t you reward me?”
Watching Gu An’s earnestness, Lv Baitian shook his head in amusement.
He thought about it and agreed to Gu An’s request.
Giving the spot to someone close to Gu An worked just as well, as it could foster a greater sense of identification with the Supreme Sect in Gu An.
Lv Baitian didn’t believe that the position of sect leader could not be relinquished; he was determined to bestow it upon Gu An.
Sooner or later, a day would come when Gu An would accept!
With that thought, a smile appeared on Lv Baitian’s face, full of expectation.
“How do you think the Supreme Sect can become the number one sect of the dynasties?” Lv Baitian suddenly asked. He wanted to test Gu An’s perception and guide him into thinking from the perspective of a sect leader.
Gu An answered directly, “Ruling with an iron fist won’t work; it tends to accrue hatred. Instead, cultural infiltration could be the way, much like the previous Outer City gathering. The Supreme Sect could host various conventions in the future, such as Formation, Alchemy, Sword Competitions, Talisman-making, etc.
We should aim for the ‘Supreme Sect to host a major event every few years that captivates the attention of the dynasties. The initial investment might be substantial, but once people grow accustomed, they will gradually see the ‘Supreme Sect as the righteous pinnacle of the world.”
“Just imagine, when you’ve just stepped onto the path of a sword cultivator, and you hear that the Supreme Sect’s Sword Competition is an event that every sword cultivator must attend and an opportunity to gain fame, you would subconsciously acknowledge the Supreme Sect’s high standing in the Sword Dao.”
“When the Supreme Sect becomes the most frequently mentioned sect in the world, or rather, when they become the most talked-about sect among all people, the ‘Supreme Sect isn’t far from being the number one great sect in the world.”
“Of course, the sect’s own strength is most important.”
Gu An elaborated confidently, inspired by Lv Baitian’s enthusiasm. He even began to discuss the details.
The events shouldn’t be solely about strength; there should also be competitions in other crafts and skills, held in different cities of the Outer and Inner Sects, to boost the economy of each city.
He even suggested creating various societies among the disciples, such as the Elixir Society and the Swordsman Society, to facilitate exchanges among them and allow those with leadership potential to hone their skills.
Lv Baitian was astounded.
It was no fluke that this young man could write ‘Investiture of the Gods’; he truly had great talent!
After Gu An finished, Lv Baitian picked up a bowl of tea, drained it in one gulp, and felt a profound satisfaction.
Lv Baitian looked at him with shining eyes and said, “And you say you’re not fit to be a sect leader!”
Gu An waved his hand, “I lack the qualifications to be a sect leader. I have no illustrious background, no courage, and no daring to implement such grand development strategies. At most, I can only provide suggestions.”
Execution is the hardest part.
Gu An will never become the sect leader!
Lv Baitian smiled and then began to question Gu An about the strategies he had just outlined, to which Gu An patiently replied.
“`
An hour had passed before the two finally exited the attic.
Following behind Gu An, Lv Baitian was still pondering Gu An’s ideas.
As soon as they descended the stairs, he took his leave, claiming to have lost the mood for celebration.
Gu An didn’t try to keep him. Without Lv Baitian, the festive atmosphere of the Third Medicine Valley became even more relaxed.
After the New Year, the opportunity to train on the Nine Nether Road spread quickly within the Supreme Sect.
Treasures, precious materials, demon cores, and spiritual energy, among other benefits of the Nine Nether Road, began to circulate wildly. Clearly, Lv Baitian took Gu An’s advice to heart, emphasizing the specific advantages of the opportunity to motivate the disciples and strengthen their sense of belonging to the Sect.
Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.
Ye Lan was summoned to meet with the Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.
The Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall said cheerfully, “Ye Lan, you’ve been specially designated a spot for the Nine Nether Road journey by the higher-ups. You’re really something. Don’t worry, the Law Enforcement Hall won’t mistreat you and will help you enter the Nine Nether Road more smoothly.”
Ye Lan was stunned.
The Nine Nether Road?
Her first thought was of Gu An.
Despite her many years entrenched in the Law Enforcement Hall, how could an opportunity like the Nine Nether Road fall to her?
She had heard that the first batch of spots for the Nine Nether Road was limited to two hundred people, with virtually no chance for those from the Outer Sect.
Ye Lan’s lips curled into a smile. She felt absolutely no burden about being looked after by Gu An, only surprise and sweetness.
Oh Elder Brother, it seems you do care about me after all, you’re just too stubborn to admit it!
Ye Lan could understand Gu An’s reasoning; affairs of the heart could indeed delay one’s cultivation.
And that’s exactly why she intended to seize every opportunity to grow stronger and prove her resolve to her Elder Brother.
…
As winter passed and spring arrived, all things were reawakened.
The time had come to the beginning of March.
Inside the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An squatted next to the Heavenly Spirit Pond formed by the Heavenly Spirit Water. He had just released a group of carp into it and was watching them swim freely in the pond, observing if they could absorb the spiritual energy within.
Lu Lingjun stood by his side and said, “With this method of raising them, perhaps they could develop spiritual intelligence.”
“Will the Heavenly Spirit Water continue to expand?” Gu An asked curiously.
Lu Lingjun replied, “Given the volume of water I have provided you with, it should reach a diameter of about thirty feet.”
Gu An felt this was rather small.
He was about to say something when suddenly, a surge of sword intent came from afar, stirring the heavens.
Lu Lingjun’s expression shifted slightly as she turned her head to look, her delicate eyebrows knitting together.
Gu An looked up to see clouds of thunder churning in the sky, moving at high speed towards the direction of the Inner Sect.
The Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!
Gu An could sense An Hao’s presence.
The talented youth, already mastering the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!
Gu An felt both proud and a bit astonished in his heart.
An Hao’s talent was truly astounding.
Lu Lingjun expressed her surprise, “This sword intent is similar to the one left by Sword Venerable Fudao at the Heavenly Repair Platform, but it’s far less vast. Could it be that one of Sword Venerable Fudao’s disciples has made initial progress in the Sword Dao?”
Gu An asked curiously, “A disciple? How can you determine that so clearly? Even I can’t sense it.”
Lu Lingjun remained unflustered and calmly said, “Perhaps it’s because I’ve witnessed someone else achieve sword intent.”
Having served as a Servant Disciple for so long, she had come to understand the Supreme Sect and was ready to aim higher.
If she wanted to climb the ranks, her cultivation level was naturally the most crucial element!
She did not plan on starting as an Outer Disciple; instead, she hoped Gu An would recommend her.
Elsewhere.
Surrounded by clouds and mist, a mountain peak emerged from the sea of clouds, resembling an Immortal Realm. Atop the mountain, someone was meditating—An Hao.
An Hao’s white clothing flapped violently, and a sword shadow condensed in front of him, exuding a vast aura.
Several figures appeared out of thin air around him, with Lv Baitian and Xuan Quan among them arriving.
Gu Zong looked at An Hao, astonished, “This Sword Intent is…”
Another Elder spoke solemnly, “The Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao. Has he comprehended it from the Heavenly Repair Platform?”
“Not right, relying on the Heavenly Repair Platform alone wouldn’t suffice. He must have obtained the legacy of Sword Venerable Fudao!” a female Elder said with gravity.
“He’s a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao? No wonder such a genius willingly joined the Supreme Sect without any known background. It turns out Sword Venerable Fudao was grooming him for us,” Gu Zong remarked with emotion.
Lv Baitian watched An Hao closely, his eyes flickering.
Xuan Quan stroked his beard and said, “Such a domineering Sword Intent could be considered the foremost in the Taicang Dynasty.”
His assessment made the other Elders even more excited as they began to discuss An Hao’s origins and talents.
Xuan Quan then waved his sleeve, and several large banners flew out, surrounding An Hao. The flapping banners began to gather nature’s spiritual energy, channeling it into An Hao’s body.