The Third Medicine Valley.
Gu An, who was sowing seeds, looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This Xuan Tianyi was no simple person!
This momentum was already close to the Nirvana stage!
It was known that Xuan Tianyi was only at the six-layer Mahayana Realm. In the Mahayana Realm, even a small gap of one layer was difficult to overcome. For Xuan Tianyi to exude momentum comparable to the Nirvana stage, how incredible was that?
Gu An became curious about Xuan Tianyi’s cultivation technique.
Previously, Xuan Tianyi had already given him the cultivation technique, but he was too lazy to look over it.
On the other side.
At the Heavenly Repair Platform, even after using the secret technique, Xuan Tianyi still couldn’t shake the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Veins bulged on his forehead.
All the onlookers were shocked, including Ancestor Xuan Quan and Lu Lingjun.
To think that Xuan Tianyi’s momentum was so formidable, yet he couldn’t budge the Heaven-Cutting Axe!
What kind of cultivation level did Sword Venerable Fudao possess?
The more they thought about it, the more stunned they felt.
Lu Lingjun’s reverence for the Supreme Sect deepened. After reaching the Mystic Heart Realm, she felt she could act recklessly within the Supreme Sect. Today’s event showed her how far she still had to go; she shouldn’t act carelessly in the future to avoid offending Sword Venerable Fudao.
Several seconds later.
Xuan Tianyi’s momentum dissipated. He slowly straightened his body and let go of his right hand.
The world was silent; no one dared disturb him.
Everyone could feel his pride and anger; they didn’t want to provoke him.
Previously, Xuan Tianyi had touted himself as the number one cultivator of the Supreme Sect, even the world. Today, he couldn’t even lift Sword Venerable Fudao’s axe, bringing great shame upon himself.
Just as everyone grew tense, Xuan Tianyi suddenly laughed, loudly at first, then thrown back in hearty laughter.
Spreading his arms, he laughed, “Who would have thought, our Supreme Sect harbors such a formidable cultivator? I underestimated the world, I am impressed! Impressed!”
His hearty acceptance of failure relieved everyone.
Even though he couldn’t match Sword Venerable Fudao, he remained a figure of admiration and reverence in the Supreme Sect.
Ancestor Xuan Quan took a step forward to console him, “Tianyi, you represent the future of the Supreme Sect. I am pleased that you can see it this way.”
Other elders also stepped forward to offer consolation.
Xuan Tianyi turned around, his robes fluttering as he laughed, “Don’t worry. If it’s against our own, how could I mind? However, one day, I will challenge Sword Venerable Fudao. Before that, I will first eliminate the Demonic Calamity!”
Upon hearing this, cheers erupted. More people began to echo the sentiment, and everyone admired Xuan Tianyi’s ambition. He held his head high, embodying the demeanor of a prodigy.
Time flew by quickly.
Night fell.
Inside the pavilion of the Third Medicine Valley.
Bang!
“Damn it, that was so humiliating!”
Xuan Tianyi slapped the table angrily, one hand couldn’t help but cover his face.
Facing him, Gu An found it amusing and said, “Isn’t it good that someone is stronger than you? At least the pressure isn’t all on you.”
Xuan Tianyi covered his face, “I know. I just regret acting so hastily. I should have tried when fewer people were around. No, I should have given up after a try. Instead, I used the secret technique and caused such a commotion, it’s just too embarrassing!”
The more he spoke, the more frustrated he became.
Gu An secretly enjoyed it; he took out spiritual wine and poured a drink for Xuan Tianyi, “Then let’s drown your sorrows with wine?”
“Drink, I swear to reclaim my honor once I become an Immortal!” Xuan Tianyi said in frustration.
He looked at Gu An, “Don’t tell anyone about this. I’m only confiding in you.”
Gu An said, “Don’t worry, we are sworn brothers. Your honor is my honor, I will naturally cover for you.”
“Sigh, I wonder who Sword Venerable Fudao is and where he is hiding. Honestly, I really want to meet him and get to know him.” Xuan Tianyi sighed.
Gu An teased, “If you knew Sword Venerable Fudao, would you be sworn brothers with him?”
“Why not? It would give you another backer.” Xuan Tianyi laughed too.
“Could you call Sword Venerable Fudao your big brother?”
“Of course, how could I ask him to be my little brother? And he is surely much older than me.”
“Alright, from now on, Sword Venerable Fudao is the eldest brother, you are the second brother, and I am the third.”
“Hahaha, deal, I think it’s a deal!”
Xuan Tianyi laughed gleefully and began clinking bowls with Gu An.
Gu An was equally pleased, finally promoted from little brother to big brother.
Although Xuan Tianyi was over five hundred years older than him, serving as a little brother to someone of lower realm felt uncomfortable. Now, it was better, he became the big brother.
After venting his frustration, Xuan Tianyi started to narrate how heavy the Heaven-Cutting Axe was.
“You have no idea, your brother really gave it his all, but that axe was as heavy as if the Heavenly Dao possessed it…”
The more exaggerated Xuan Tianyi described, the more Gu An enjoyed it. He wasn’t bothered in the slightest, even hoping Xuan Tianyi would continue.
It wasn’t until dawn the next day that Xuan Tianyi finally left. He had to head to the frontline for battle and couldn’t stay in the Supreme Sect for long.
Gu An walked downstairs, stretching lazily. Sunlight bathed him, making him feel refreshed.
The sense of accomplishment from slaying the Demon Master was far less satisfying than listening to Xuan Tianyi praise himself!
Gu An felt he could keep listening if Xuan Tianyi kept boasting for three days and three nights.
Feeling joyful, Gu An began strolling within the Medicine Valley, occasionally instructing the disciples on their tasks. They could all sense his good mood.
An Xin approached him, “Master, I’ve been practicing swordsmanship recently. Can I spar with you for some pointers?”
She wasn’t looking for a fight; she sincerely sought guidance, knowing Gu An was a Golden List Genius, though the lowest among them.
Gu An agreed without hesitation, leading her to an open area to spar.
The sun continued rising, symbolizing hope ascending.
Days passed one after another.
After the death of the Demon Master, no demon dared infiltrate the Supreme Sect, while Di Xie returned to the Heavenly Repair Platform, indicating he had received the Supreme Sect’s approval.
Towards the end of the year.
A piece of news shook the world!
Sword Venerable Fudao was an Immortal!
This was revealed by Xuan Tianyi himself. According to their investigation, the monster slain by Sword Venerable Fudao with one axe strike was the Demon Master of the Demon Land, an existence far surpassing the Mahayana Realm.
When this news spread, the world was stunned, then overjoyed.
The morale of the cultivators of the three dynasties soared, and the cultivators from all over who were slaying demons and monsters also grew more determined.
With an Immortal backing them, the Human Race could surely endure this calamity.
Staying in the Supreme Sect, Gu An wasn’t delighted by this news; instead, he felt trouble looming.
Now surely, the Demon Emperor, Demon Ancestor, and Seven Stars Spirit Realm’s eyes would be on Sword Venerable Fudao.
Fortunately, no one knew that Sword Venerable Fudao was him.
As the winter snow began to melt, Gu An headed to the Third Medicine Valley. He turned to look at his pavilion.
There stood a figure below the pavilion.
Ji Xiaoyu!
Ji Xiaoyu looked silently at the garden area, her appearance was extraordinary, with a heavenly charm. Even in a black robe, she exhibited an ethereal fairy-like aura, attracting much attention from the disciples.
Gu An stepped forward, arriving beside Ji Xiaoyu, and said, “Third Miss, long time no see, why have you come?”
Ji Xiaoyu withdrew her gaze and turned to scrutinize Gu An, “Foundation Establishment Realm, seventh layer, your progress isn’t bad. Core Formation is hopeful.”
Gu An smiled, “With such a large Medicine Valley, even a pig could reach Core Formation. My progress is already quite slow.”
Ji Xiaoyu neither affirmed nor denied, “The Ji Family has completely withdrawn from the Supreme Sect. Do you not regret it?”
“Regret what? Haven’t you heard that Sword Venerable Fudao is an Immortal? With him, the Supreme Sect will surely endure this calamity.” Gu An shook his head, showing an expression of admiration.
He wasn’t boasting but aligning with the current mindset of Supreme Sect disciples.
Now, all Supreme Sect disciples took pride in Sword Venerable Fudao, mentioning him in every three sentences.
Ji Xiaoyu smiled, “Sword Venerable Fudao is indeed formidable. I also highly respect him.”
“By the way, Third Miss, why have you returned this time?” Gu An asked.
Wasn’t she supposed to gather intelligence on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?
Why had she returned so quickly!
Ji Xiaoyu said, “I have returned to see Sword Venerable Fudao.”
Gu An widened his eyes, “Have you met him before?”
Ji Xiaoyu nodded, “He saved my life, he is my savior.”
Before Gu An could ask more, she continued, “I want to go to the Heavenly Repair Platform, will you accompany me?”
Gu An had no objections and agreed. Ji Xiaoyu waved her sleeve, lifting Gu An with spiritual power, and flew into the sky.
Lu Lingjun, under the Mystic Pure Tree, looked up, frowning.
“Primordial Daoist Talisman…”
Lu Lingjun seemed to recall something, her thoughts drifting into memories.
Soon, Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived at the Outer Gate City, flying directly to the Heavenly Repair Platform.
Many people surrounded the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Zuo Yijian was also there, guarding the Heaven-Cutting Axe, and said in a deep voice, “Each person can try only once, do not offend the Sword Venerable, or you will be dealt with according to the strictest sect rules!”
He raised his sword, causing the surrounding people to disperse.
His sword had once received the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao, making his name widespread. The Supreme Sect believed Sword Venerable Fudao favored him, as Sword Venerable Fudao had also saved him. Thus, they assigned him to guard the Heaven-Cutting Axe, which he accepted as an honor.
Even when his son, Zuo Lin, approached, he would sternly reprimand him.
After the crowd dispersed, he took out Investiture of the Gods.
Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu arrived before the Heaven-Cutting Axe. Zuo Yijian glanced at them, “Nephew Gu, you can only try once.”
His tone was indifferent, but Gu An didn’t get angry, finding it amusing instead.
This guy was too interesting.
Ji Xiaoyu didn’t immediately touch the Heaven-Cutting Axe. She said, “The Heaven-Cutting Axe was forged by Ancestor Xuan Tian. The purpose of forging this axe was to better execute a set of axe techniques called the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe. When perfected, the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe could split the sky and was one of the nine inheritances of the Holy Land. Perhaps lifting the Heaven-Cutting Axe could lead to the inheritance of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe.”
Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin couldn’t help but look at her.
Zuo Lin naturally recognized her. He had attended the Ji Family’s grand banquet. However, since the Ji Family withdrew from the Supreme Sect, he looked down on them and did not greet her earlier.
Gu An didn’t expect Ji Xiaoyu to guess his plan.
She had guessed it, yet, why say it aloud?
Did she not fear the presence of spies from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?
Ji Xiaoyu raised her hand and grasped the handle of the Heaven-Cutting Axe.
At that moment, Gu An suddenly sensed a mysterious power within her.
Primordial Daoist Talisman!
This woman…
She planned to cheat?