In the inn.
Gu An and Wu Jue had squeezed into seats, and after sitting down, continued their discussion about the earlier earth-shattering battle.
Although brief, it was enough to make all spectators’ blood boil.
Gu An agreed with a smile, feeling a slight regret in his heart.
To kill Daoist Tianjian and gain ten years of life span because Daoist Tianjian had less than two hundred years left. Hence, he used ‘withering’ to describe Daoist Tianjian.
Daoist Tianjian must have reached the Mystic Heart Realm long ago, and probably realized he had no hope of improving his cultivation level about seven hundred years prior, which led him to seclude himself in the deep mountains. Sadly, even after sitting in meditation for seven hundred years, he still failed to find his path.
This time, Daoist Tianjian came seeking death!
Gu An didn’t think too much about it; his attention was quickly captured by An Hao on the Heavenly Repair Platform.
An Hao was actually enlightening on the Path!
Elders from the sect gathered around him, protecting him.
Good lad.
Gu An felt a sense of relief in his heart; the stronger An Hao became, the happier he would naturally be.
An Hao was his true disciple, unlike those from Medicine Valley. The more formidable An Hao became, the prouder Gu An felt.
With so many Great Cultivators protecting him, Gu An felt reassured.
He withdrew his thoughts, focusing on drinking and chatting with Wu Jue.
Before long, a figure approached and sat next to Gu An, casually showing him a piece of paper she was holding.
“How is it, how well did I draw?” Shen Zhen asked with a smile.
Gu An looked carefully; the drawing of Daoist Tianjian showed him with his arms spread wide, enduring the sword light descending from the sky. The style was dark and sharp, possessing a kind of tragic beauty.
“Not bad at all, worthy of you,” Gu An casually praised.
Shen Zhen pouted, sensing his perfunctory compliment.
Wu Jue hesitated and asked, “Brother Gu, who is this…”
Although Shen Zhen wore a veil, her dress and the look of her eyes suggested she was a beauty with a not insignificant status.
Gu An smiled and said, “This young lady’s name is Shen Zhen. You can address her as Ms. Shen, just like I do.”
Then, he introduced Wu Jue to Shen Zhen.
Seeing Shen Zhen’s indifferent attitude, Gu An reminded her, “This brother of mine is no ordinary person, he is bound to become famous throughout the Supreme Sect…”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Wu Jue quickly interjected, his face flushing red instantly.
“Is that so?”
Shen Zhen couldn’t help but take another look at Wu Jue, making him even more uncomfortable.
Gu An laughed, “Come, let’s drink, and chat while we drink.”
In his view, Wu Jue would certainly showcase his talent, and Shen Zhen, as the Holy Daughter of a great sect, would inevitably meet him sooner or later. Getting acquainted earlier would aid them in looking out for each other in the future.
Shen Zhen brought up the earlier battle and was also talkative; she led the conversation mostly, with Gu An continuing to play along while Wu Jue became increasingly uncomfortable, only managing to offer awkward smiles.
After 30 minutes.
Shen Zhen stood up to leave, planning to draw a few more scenes of the earlier battle.
After she left, Wu Jue finally relaxed.
Gu An teased, “Why so nervous, you’re not thinking of her, are you?”
“Don’t speak nonsense; that lady obviously has her heart set on you. As a brother, how could I harbor inappropriate thoughts? I’m just not good at talking to women, you know that, I have only you as a friend,” Wu Jue retorted seriously, his eyes wide.
Here we go again!
I have only you as a friend!
Gu An shook his head and chuckled, “Having one more friend opens another path; it’s tiring to walk the path of immortal cultivation alone.”
“I know, I’m just not good at making friends…”
“Then what’s going on with me?”
“You and I hit it off at first sight, that’s not making friends, that’s fate!”
“Hey, you little rascal, you sure know how to talk when it comes to me.”
Gu An was amused; facing him, Wu Jue was assertive and not tense at all.
The two of them chatted until dusk before parting ways.
Gu An then returned to Mystic Valley to see his disciples; he noticed Chu Jingfeng sitting motionless on the mountain peak and decided not to disturb him.
If Chu Jingfeng could enlighten on the Path, that would be a good thing.
However, enlightenment was not so easy to achieve. An Hao and Wu Jue were rare talents seen once in a thousand years; not everyone could be compared to them.
After staying in Mystic Valley for an hour, Gu An then went to Third Medicine Valley.
Third Medicine Valley was much livelier than Mystic Valley, as it had ten times the number of disciples.
Gu An chatted with the disciples for a while before returning to the loft to read a book to calm his mind.
Late at night, footsteps sounded from outside the door, and soon, a voice came through:
“Valley Master, I have something to say to you.”
Lu Lingjun!
Using the Sound Transmission Skill!
Gu An put down the Supreme Secret Records in his hands and covered them with “Investiture of the Gods,” then he said, “Come in.”
Lu Lingjun pushed the door open, entered, and after closing the door, she cast a spell on the door, laying down a restriction.
Gu An was startled and looked at Lu Lingjun in astonishment.
Lu Lingjun turned around, walked up to the table, and greeted Gu An with a salute, saying, “Valley Master, I’m truly sorry, I had been hiding something from you.”
“Your cultivation level…” Gu An asked anxiously.
Lu Lingjun said, “To be honest, I am of the Void Crossing Realm.”
Void Crossing Realm!
Gu An immediately stood up.
Lu Lingjun hurriedly said, “Valley Master, I mean no harm; please hear me out!”
Upon hearing this, Gu An’s expression changed, but he eventually sat down slowly.
Seeing Gu An sit down, Lu Lingjun smiled and said, “I concealed my cultivation level because I don’t have a good understanding of the Taicang Dynasty. I come from a far place. During an adventure in a Great Power’s cave, I encountered a mysterious formation that transported me here. Unable to find my way back, I plan to settle in the Supreme Sect and hope the Valley Master could help introduce me.”
Gu An, surprised, said, “With your cultivation level, if you want to join the Supreme Sect, you can do so openly. Why do you need my recommendation?”
“The rules of the Supreme Sect are strict. With my cultivation level, I can only become a Guest Elder and would have to wait many years. I have observed that you have connections; would it not save decades of waiting if you could help?” Lu Lingjun earnestly replied.
While speaking, she took out three bottles from her sleeve and said, “These are bottles of Heavenly Spirit Water, and I hope the Valley Master likes them.”
Seeing this, Gu An frowned and said, “This is ridiculous. By doing this, you make it seem like I am accepting your gifts to help you. What would people think of me if word got out?”
He gathered the three bottles in front of him.
Lu Lingjun laughed and said, “How could that be? These matters are separate; this Heavenly Spirit Water is to thank the Valley Master for your care during this time.”
“Hmm, you are thoughtful.”
Gu An smiled in satisfaction and then motioned for Lu Lingjun to sit.
He began to advise her about several things, mainly describing the structure of the Supreme Sect and highlighting the role of noble families to prevent Lu Lingjun from making enemies.
Initially, Lu Lingjun was indifferent, but as she listened, she realized that Gu An was indeed considering her well-being, and she became serious.
…
As autumn turned to winter, a great snow covered the Third Medicine Valley.
One day, Lv Baitian came to visit Gu An. Seeing his figure, Lu Lingjun knew her opportunity had arrived.
Gu An did not disappoint her. An hour later, Gu An and Lv Baitian came downstairs, and Gu An waved to Lu Lingjun from afar.
She quickly walked up to the two men, and Lv Baitian looked her over and said, “Gu An has told me about you. Follow me, I’ll get your Disciple Token changed.”
Lu Lingjun immediately thanked Lv Baitian and also bowed to Gu An.
Gu An smiled and nodded, then watched as the two flew away.
Xiaochuan came over, astonished, and asked, “Why did Lu Lingjun leave?”
“Didn’t you notice how fast she flew?”
Gu An asked back, then turned and left.
Xiaochuan paused, then caught up to his pace and asked, “What do you mean? Wasn’t it the senior flying with her?”
“Xiaochuan.”
“What is it, Brother?”
“Being bold is sometimes a good thing; keep it up.”
“Huh?”
Gu An no longer paid attention to Xiaochuan and walked towards the Heavenly Spirit Pond.
Watching the koi in the pond had become one of his pleasures.
Lv Baitian had come earlier to discuss the Golden List Conference and the World’s First Sword Society. Gu An didn’t want to become an advisor, so he didn’t offer many opinions, which is why Lv Baitian did not stay long.
The following days should be much more peaceful.
That’s what Gu An thought.
In the cold winter season, the news that Sword Venerable Fudao had executed Daoist Tianjian with a single strike began to spread across the nine dynasties, and the Supreme Sect also used this opportunity to start negotiations with other dynasties, preparing to establish themselves in other territories.
The process was difficult, but the top officials of the Supreme Sect did not feel the slightest bit tired. From top to bottom, everyone felt a surge of momentum—that the Supreme Sect was about to soar.
With the support of the world’s number one cultivator, how could the Supreme Sect not cover the land of the nine dynasties?
…
Time flew like a shuttle.
Five years swiftly passed, and the 67-year-old Gu An walked out of the Elixir Hall.
He stopped in front of the gate, looked back, and sighed softly.
Zhu Qinglu had already retired to return to his hometown, and although the new elder was very respectful toward him, it still made him somewhat uneasy.
Old friends are gone, and today there are new ones.
Gu An turned back and blended into the crowd on the street.
In the past five years, as the Supreme Sect soared, the number of disciples from the Outer City could be seen.
The Golden List Conference had spread across the world, and it was to be held at the Supreme Sect in five years. The sect had invited a hundred noble families, scattered across the nine dynasties, to drive participation. With their involvement, the number of geniuses joining the Golden List in the future would increase.
Gu An guessed that the Ji Family and the Gu Family had put forth much effort, of course, and other noble families also wanted to invest in the Supreme Sect—having an additional path was always a good thing.
As Gu An walked along the street, he heard passing disciples discussing, with many names of talents entering his ears, among which An Hao was mentioned the most.
Last year, An Hao went down the mountain for training and had conflicts with the Demon Path. As an Elixir Formation Realm cultivator, he had slain a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator, making his name resound throughout the Immortal Cultivation World.
The title of the Supreme Sect’s number one genius was firmly placed on An Hao’s head, unshakeable by anyone.
As for Lv Xian, although he was the foremost in the Hundred Clans Conference, the Hundred Clans, aloof and high, did not connect with the Immortal Cultivation World.
Over these five years, Gu An’s life was uneventful, but his lifespan had increased by over seven hundred thousand years. His lifespan had already broken through the two million-year mark; the ten million-year threshold no longer seemed so far away. Therefore, he felt motivated every day, never feeling tired or bored.
“Brother Gu, long time no see!”
A voice came from around the corner of the street. Gu An turned his head and saw Zhou Tongyou from the Jueshan Sect approaching.
Zhou Tongyou was followed by an elder with a plump figure and a feather fan in hand, appearing quite amiable.
Before he could reach Gu An, Lu Lingjun appeared out of nowhere in front of Gu An.
Back then, after Lu Lingjun followed Lv Baitian and left, she returned the next day. Her current position was that of an Inner Sect Elder, but her duty was to protect Gu An, which had frustrated her for a long time. If not for her wariness of Sword Venerable Fudao, she might have drawn her sword against Lv Baitian.