Ever since they had the Mystic Pure Tree, the White Spirit Rat had basically been napping under it, rarely going out, and when it did, it was gone for several days, making Xiaochuan always worry about it.
Under An Xin’s guidance, Xiaochuan arrived at the Mystic Pure Tree.
The White Spirit Rat was lying under the Mystic Pure Tree, its belly facing the sky.
Xiaochuan squatted down and gently petted its belly, while it displayed a look of comfort.
An Xin came up behind Xiaochuan and said with emotion, “Uncle Xiaochuan, you spoil it too much. It goes out for so long, don’t you think it needs a little scolding?”
She couldn’t stand the White Spirit Rat’s cockiness and laziness. Had it not been Gu An’s pet, she would have taken care of it long ago.
“Don’t underestimate it; it has another name, the Treasure Hunting Rat. It rarely goes out, but when it does, it might come back with a treasure,” Xiaochuan said with a smile.
At these words, An Xin squatted down as well, curiously examining the White Spirit Rat.
The White Spirit Rat opened its eyes to see her, and its eyes widened. Suddenly, it spat a pearl at An Xin, who couldn’t dodge in time.
The pearl hit An Xin’s face and immediately turned into liquid, seeping into her skin.
Everything happened so quickly that An Xin couldn’t react. By the time she realized what had happened, she screamed, stood up hurriedly, and frantically touched her face, while Xiaochuan was also frightened, not knowing what to do.
The White Spirit Rat gave a smug smile and ran behind the tree.
Gu An heard An Xin’s scream and rushed over immediately, followed by other disciples.
“Don’t move, let me see.”
Upon hearing Gu An’s voice, An Xin calmed down instantly and let go of her hands.
Everyone looked closely and saw that apart from a slight redness due to emotional agitation, there were no injuries on her face.
Gu An examined her and then asked Xiaochuan to go fetch Lu Lingjun.
Although An Xin was fine, she had obtained an opportunity.
But Gu An couldn’t say this out loud; he had to get Lu Lingjun to explain it.
Before long, Lu Lingjun arrived. After inspecting An Xin, she smiled and said, “You should thank that fat rat.”
Upon hearing this, An Xin was stunned, and the people around were puzzled.
The White Spirit Rat suddenly peeked out from behind the tree, baring its teeth at Lu Lingjun, but its overly chubby figure rendered it completely non-threatening.
“Senior, do you recognize the pearl it spat out?” An Xin asked nervously.
Just as Lu Lingjun was about to answer, a figure flew in from the distance, and she turned to look.
The newcomer was an imposing male cultivator who swiftly landed behind the group. Frowning, he asked, “Whose White Spirit Rat is that?”
An Xin couldn’t help but tighten her grip on her sleeve.
Gu An stepped forward and said, “It is mine. I’m sorry, Daoist Friend, that pearl has already been absorbed by my disciple. I am willing to compensate with medicinal herbs.”
An Xin looked at him with gratitude, while Lu Lingjun had a look of amusement.
The male cultivator’s cultivation level was at the Nascent Soul Realm, and his cave was not far from the Third Medicine Valley. Having only joined Supreme Sect two years ago, he was unaware of the importance of the Third Medicine Valley. Seeing that Gu An’s cultivation was low, he said sternly, “Compensate with medicinal herbs?
You are merely the acting Valley Master, how many medicinal herbs can you offer? My Water Spirit Pearl is an extremely rare treasure. Your White Spirit Rat sneaked into my cave while I was away and stole it. This is unforgivable!”
Lu Lingjun chimed in, “The Water Spirit Pearl is indeed rare; it can enhance a being’s perception of water attribute spiritual energy.”
The male cultivator glared at An Xin with even more anger, making her even more anxious.
Gu An said helplessly, “How about twenty sixth-grade medicinal herbs?”
Hearing this, the male cultivator was moved, surprised at Gu An’s generosity.
The disciples were also shocked, knowing the high value of sixth-grade medicinal herbs. They usually handled even the seeds with extreme care, for a single seed of a sixth-grade herb was worth their lives.
Seeing the male cultivator hesitate, Gu An continued, “This disciple of mine is An Hao’s sister. Her aptitude is mediocre, so she can only temporarily reside here. If you can let this matter go, An Hao will also appreciate it.”
“An Hao? Which An Hao?” the male cultivator asked with a frown.
Gu An smiled, “Of course, the top of the Golden List.”
The disciples were not surprised, as this had long ceased to be a secret, while An Xin opened her mouth but said nothing.
When the male cultivator heard this, his expression shifted between dark and bright. He coughed once and said, “In that case, on An Hao’s account, I’ll accept your twenty sixth-grade medicinal herbs. But keep a better eye on your White Spirit Rat in the future.”
“Thank you for your generosity, brother. I will take you to get the medicinal herbs.”
Gu An took the male cultivator away, leaving the other disciples to discuss the event.
Xiaochuan began to comfort An Xin. She did not feel wronged, but rather ashamed, as she had received such a stroke of luck out of nowhere and caused trouble for Gu An and An Hao. She felt guilty.
Lu Lingjun snorted, “That kid has guts, not even letting me help.”
She was a member of the Hall of Elders and could have easily made the male cultivator leave with a word.
This made her see Gu An in a new light.
Besides her, Gu An had also sworn brotherhood with Xuan Tianyi and had a close relationship with the Sect Leader. Even so, Gu An did not resort to abusing his power, always offering sincere compensation.
This character was truly admirable.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the male cultivator left.
Gu An looked back, feeling quite emotional.
Was this a fortunate mistake?
If Xiaochuan hadn’t been so kind to the White Spirit Rat, would it have spat the pearl on his face?
…
Xuan Tianyi’s Dao Enlightenment Conference was held as scheduled. Gu An took An Xin and Xiaochuan to the Inner Sect City to listen to the teachings. He didn’t gain much, but for An Xin and Xiaochuan, as well as all the Inner Sect disciples, it was immensely beneficial.
With the successful conclusion of the Dao Enlightenment Conference, Xuan Tianyi’s prestige soared, surpassing that of the Sect Leader and becoming revered by everyone in the sect.
In early summer, Xuan Tianyi went to the border and killed a Mahayana Realm Great Demon King and three Mystic Heart Realm Demon Kings, becoming famous across five regions.
Now, the title of the strongest under heaven was attributed to him, though many still believed Sword Venerable Fudao was stronger.
As for the Daoist Lord of Cangtian Sect, he had been silent since his return.
Xuan Tianyi’s action greatly intimidated the Demon Land, giving people hope.
Thus, two years passed.
Gu An’s lifespan reached over 2.5 million years. In those two years, he still occasionally went down the mountain. Upon learning that people called him the Green Hero, he was stunned.
What was this?
That night.
Jiang Qiong left, going somewhere to retrieve her belongings. Gu An could only wish her safety, unable to stop her.
After leaving the thousand-mile range of Supreme Sect, Jiang Qiong walked through the mountains and forests. Clad in a long black robe, she looked like a ghost.
Suddenly, she stopped, frowning.
Following her gaze, a black shadow appeared ahead, and she was startled.
Demon Shadow Divine Skill!
Could there still be a master of Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?
Wait!
Near Supreme Sect, a Great Cultivator who knew Demon Shadow Divine Skill…
Jiang Qiong immediately readied her magic artifact, poised for action.
“If I wanted to kill you, do you think you could resist?” A cold and hoarse voice came from the mysterious shadow ahead.
Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and asked, “May I ask if you are Sword Venerable Fudao?”
Gu An raised his hand and tossed the Ephemera Sect Hierarch Token to her. She did not catch it, but took a step back and looked down at the token on the ground.
The three words ‘Ephemera Sect’ made her complexion change drastically.
“You are from Ephemera Sect? How is that possible?” Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An in disbelief.
Sword Venerable Fudao who had opposed Ephemera Sect was actually from Ephemera Sect?
Gu An said calmly, “This is the Hierarch Token of Ephemera Sect. From now on, you are my envoy, managing Ephemera Sect on my behalf. You can do what you want, but don’t let Ephemera Sect commit any more evil deeds.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong immediately understood.
Sword Venerable Fudao must have taken over the position of Hierarch after Ephemera Sect’s downfall, intending to change Ephemera Sect.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Sword Venerable Fudao is truly a good person, there is no need to be so fearful.
“Why choose me?” Jiang Qiong asked.
“You have been in Supreme Sect for over a hundred years, coming and going. I saw you on Nine Nether Road before. Later, you returned to Supreme Sect and did not harm the disciples, which at least shows that your nature is not bad. You seem to be in a swamp, perhaps because there are people you care about in Supreme Sect or because you are avoiding enemies,” Gu An said nonchalantly.
Jiang Qiong’s expression changed, and her eyes turned cold.
She thought Sword Venerable Fudao was using Gu An to threaten her.
“None of that matters. What matters is whether you are willing to take over Ephemera Sect. The Ghost Mother of Ephemera and the Nine Nether Thirteen Evil will see the token as seeing me. With this token, you can make great impacts,” Gu An said coldly.
Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and said, “To be honest, I have offended Seven Stars Spirit Realm…”
“That is also one of the reasons.”
“What?”
Jiang Qiong’s face changed drastically, and she looked at Gu An in shock.
Moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating her, while Gu An remained in the darkness.
…
Jiang Qiong returned after three months.
It was autumn, and the night was slightly cool.
Gu An and Jiang Qiong came to the Eight Scenic Caves.
“Disciple Grandson, I have returned to say goodbye,” Jiang Qiong said softly, looking up at the Green Vine Tree.
Gu An feigned confusion and asked, “Where are you going?”
Jiang Qiong smiled, “During this time, I’ve thought a lot. Hiding all the time is not the solution; it might even drag you down. Seven Stars Spirit Realm is indeed powerful, but they are not necessarily the rulers of the world. I want to build my own force and keep climbing.”
Gu An appeared hesitant, various emotions flickering across his face.
Noticing his expression, Jiang Qiong felt even happier. She laughed, “The Great Demon Calamity is imminent. The more chaotic it gets, the greater the opportunities. Maybe in a hundred years, I can come to Supreme Sect openly. By then, I’ll have you receive me, all right?”
Gu An asked, “Do you really have to fight?”
“In the world of immortal cultivation, if you don’t fight, you’ll be trampled on sooner or later. Even if you are safe in Supreme Sect for now, what about later? What if someone wants to kick you out and take over your achievements in Medicine Valley, what will you do?”
Faced with Jiang Qiong’s questioning, Gu An remained silent.
Afraid that he would be timid in the future, Jiang Qiong smiled and said, “If you don’t fight, then I’ll fight. Don’t worry, as long as I’m alive, there will always be a place for you. Unless I die.”
Gu An was moved and looked at her.
Satisfied with his expression, Jiang Qiong said, “According to the information I’ve received, the Great Demon Calamity is about to fully erupt. Be prepared for this once-in-a-million-years catastrophe.”