With the arrival of midsummer and under the scorching sun, Gu An was picking medicinal herbs in Mystic Valley.
As the number of demons and monsters in the world significantly decreased, the sky became bluer. Now, with the three dynasties, the Holy Land, and the Demon Emperor’s forces actively eliminating demons, Gu An’s speed of harvesting life spans also slowed down.
However, everything gradually returned to peace, which was a good thing for him.
Peace in the world, quietly farming, and developing steadily—that was the true path.
Lu Jiujia came to Gu An’s side and asked softly, “Senior Brother, are you going to participate in the alchemy contest at the end of the year?”
After the Demon Ancestor died, Lv Baitian became active again. First, he made Xuan Tianyi write a book, and then he organized the First Alchemy Contest of the world. The various rich rewards attracted the attention of cultivators across the world, and disciples of the Supreme Sect could participate as well.
In Lu Jiujia’s view, Gu An’s alchemy skills were quite good. He had elevated batch after batch of servant disciples to outer disciples. Just in Mystic Valley alone, more than twenty disciples had achieved Foundation Establishment successfully, and new faces appeared in Medicine Valley almost every year.
“No need to join the excitement; having my name on the Golden List is enough for me to make a living.” Gu An casually replied.
There would be many similar world contests in the future. If there were a calligraphy contest, he might participate since he liked practicing writing daily.
Lu Jiujia sighed at the development of the Supreme Sect.
Now, the Supreme Sect was vastly different from when he first joined, with a more upright atmosphere and a stronger sect. Previously, even seeing a Nascent Soul cultivator was difficult, but now there were numerous Divinity Transformation, Void Crossing, and Unification cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform, and he even heard of Mystic Heart Realm affairs.
The stronger the Supreme Sect, the more opportunities for the disciples. For example, even participating in organizing the First Alchemy Contest of the world could reap significant rewards, making it suitable for disciples with ample time but lacking cultivation resources.
Gu An continued to pick herbs while attentively listening.
Listening more to the opinions of lower-level cultivators about the Supreme Sect revealed more about whether the Supreme Sect was on the right path.
Wait!
Why do I have this sect leader’s mindset again?
Blame Lv Baitian!
However, Gu An was accustomed to acting as Lv Baitian’s behind-the-scenes advisor. This feeling was actually quite satisfying, just speaking without doing, fulfilling his desire to command without exerting effort.
Lv Baitian also enjoyed it. Over time, perhaps one day Gu An would want to manage the sect personally.
It had been several months since the Demon Ancestor’s fall. The Supreme Sect dispatched inner disciples and outer disciples to eliminate demons, while inheriting disciples and true disciples were sent to the Demon Land for exploration.
The Demon Land was vast, an unknown treasure trove for the sects of the three dynasties. Even great cultivators of the Mystic Heart Realm could not resist going.
Lu Lingjun had left the Third Medicine Valley as well, but her departure did not affect the Third Medicine Valley.
When Lu Jiujia finished speaking, Gu An finally said meaningfully, “You must cultivate the technique left by Wuxin seriously. The rise of the Supreme Sect shows that times have changed, and we both have opportunities.”
Lu Jiujia nodded, starting to imagine the future.
Gu An handed the picked herbs to Lu Jiujia, gave a few reminders, and then left Mystic Valley.
Next was the picking in Tianya Valley, Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion, Mountain God Temple, and Nianchu Cave. In the evening, he had to go to the Eight Scenic Caves. It was busy but fulfilling.
Although the number of demonized monsters was decreasing, Gu An still gained a lot of life spans by picking medicinal herbs.
He was even preparing to expand Nianchu Cave Mansion, just as he needed to find two female demons for Tian Yao’er.
At night.
In Nianchu Cave Mansion, Gu An sat at a stone table, sipping tea while watching Tian Yao’er and two little cat demons.
The Demon Land lacked nothing but demons, and Gu An sought out demons that were suffering.
These two little cat demons were twins. Their parents were eaten by a demonized monster last month, and they barely escaped, suffering many injuries over the past month. Tian Yao’er was cleaning their wounds.
Seeing her joyful yet distressed expression, Gu An couldn’t help but think of An Xin.
Do women all like to keep pets?
Gu An extended his divine sense to the depths of the Demon Land. The legend of the Evil Demon spread continuously in the three dynasties, making the Evil Demon a dire threat to all, more terrifying than the Demon Ancestor, even the ancient Holy Land could not shake it.
The demonic qi of the Evil Demon was constantly spreading. Even Gu An, in the Ninth Layer of the Wandering Immortal Realm, needed to spend some time searching for it.
Half an hour later, Gu An’s divine sense locked onto a mountain range deep within the continent, a place nearly ten million miles away from Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, with demonic qi covering a radius of over a million miles.
Gu An’s divine sense penetrated the densest area of demonic qi. Along the way, he saw a group of mysterious cultivators, none of whom were weak, with the weakest at the Mahayana Realm. They had set up camp in a mountain forest’s temple, each cultivating alone without interacting.
It seemed like the Seven Stars Spirit Realm wanted to guard against the Evil Demon breaking its seal?
Soon, he felt a strong restriction, breakthrough only possible by someone at the Wandering Immortal Realm. He felt he could break it, but he did not want to alarm the Seven Stars Spirit Realm or the Evil Demon, so he withdrew his divine sense.
Take it slow, no rush!
If he could reach a lifespan of one hundred million years before the Evil Demon broke its seal, great. If not, he would break through early.
Gu An called up his attribute panel and saw that his lifespan was about to hit nine million years, feeling calm inside.
After a while, Gu An asked, “Have you thought of what to name them?”
The two little cat demons had low spiritual wisdom, still at the First Order.
Tian Yao’er thought for a while and said, “Master, why don’t you name them? Speaking of which, I still don’t know what master’s name is.”
Upon saying this, her tone turned wistful, her gaze at Gu An filled with grievance.
Ignoring her look, Gu An said, “Let’s call them Tianqing and Tianbai.”
Both cat demons were white. The names Tianqing and Tianbai came to Gu An’s mind because of his Qinghong Sword and Ye Lan’s White Spirit Sword.
Tian Yao’er immediately flattered, “Sounds good, as expected of master.”
Gu An stood up and left with a parting word, “Remember, don’t let them step on the herbs.”
Seeing him disappear into thin air, Tian Yao’er pouted, then picked up the two cat demons and brought them to the stone table. She suddenly noticed two books on the table.
“Sword Venerable Legend?”
Tian Yao’er became interested, placing the two cat demons on the table, then picked up one of the books and started reading.
…
At the end of summer, the heat in the world persisted.
In the Third Medicine Valley, Xuan Tianyi sat on a chair, looking depressed. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why doesn’t my Sword Venerable Legend sell as much as your book?”
Gu An was writing, answering, “Maybe there are too many books of the same type, so it has a weaker effect.”
Not to mention other sects, just the Supreme Sect had produced dozens of books about Sword Venerable Fudao. Green Hero didn’t have Pan An’s appeal, so how could it be popular?
Xuan Tianyi sighed, feeling he was better suited to writing travelogues.
He picked up a piece of paper Gu An had just finished writing and read aloud, “Chaos wasn’t divided, and the world was in turmoil; vast and boundless, unseen by anyone. Since Pangu broke the primordial chaos, from then on, clear and turbid were distinguished…”
Just the opening poem captivated him.
This must be an Investiture of the Gods type of book!
He read on seriously, finding it fascinating.
When he finished the first page, he wanted to find the second, but Gu An hadn’t written it yet.
Gu An wasn’t just recalling the plot but also thinking about the handwriting, how to make it look good.
“Forget it, you keep writing. I’m here to say goodbye today.” Xuan Tianyi put down the paper and said.
Without looking up, Gu An asked, “Where are you going?”
Xuan Tianyi replied, “To the Demon Land to find the Evil Demon. The Holy Land is leading us.”
Gu An nodded and said, “Be very careful, don’t be complacent because of your cultivation level.”
“You brat, how dare you lecture me? I’ve roamed the oceans, unlike you who stay in the Supreme Sect all day. Don’t worry, I can’t possibly die; I’m invincible below the immortal path.”
Xuan Tianyi stood up, full of spirit, and said.
Gu An looked at him and asked, “What if you encounter an immortal path being?”
“Then I’ll die gloriously!”
Xuan Tianyi said, turning to leave. At the door, he looked back and urged, “Write faster; I want to see if your book can surpass Investiture of the Gods.”
He pushed the door open and left. Gu An did not get up to see him off.
Surpass Investiture of the Gods?
Gu An chuckled, continuing to write.
As dusk approached, he finally left the Third Medicine Valley.
…
Late at night, in the mountains and forests.
Wearing animal skins, Zhang Buku strolled forward, carrying a stone axe at his waist. His eyes were fixed on the firelight on the mountain, where there was a temple, illuminated by firelight and an inexplicably familiar aura.
He had left the cave a month ago, heading north, seeking opportunities in the Demon Land. Along the way, he had hardly interacted with cultivators or demons, making him very nervous as he cautiously approached the mountain.
Soon, he entered the temple. It was large, with Zhang Buku standing in the outer courtyard, hesitating. The firelight was just behind a wall.
“Since you’re here, come over and meet.”
A voice came from the other side of the courtyard wall. Hearing this, Zhang Buku breathed a sigh of relief and leaped over the wall.
He landed in front of the fire, scrutinizing the black-clad man sitting opposite. The man had a stern face, and beside him was a noticeable heavy sword.
While Zhang Buku observed Li Ya, Li Ya was also observing him.
“My name is Zhang Buku. May I know your name, Daoist Friend?” Zhang Buku cupped his fists and said.
He could sense the person before him was very strong, but now he was no longer the same as before. He was only somewhat nervous, not afraid.
Li Ya replied, “My name is Li Ya. Why do you have half demon energy in you?”
Zhang Buku answered, “My father is human, my mother is a demon. Are you the same as me?”
Li Ya?
That name sounded familiar.
Upon hearing his question, Li Ya glared at him and snorted, “Of course not. I only consumed a demon treasure, having the power of demon blood.”
Zhang Buku felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this.
Noticing the stone axe at Zhang Buku’s waist, Li Ya stood up and smiled, “Kid, how about we spar a bit?”
Since witnessing Sword Venerable Fudao’s Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, he had understood the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword better. He had been diligently practicing for half a year, eager to test it out.
Zhang Buku instinctively touched the stone axe at his waist and asked, “Are we really just sparring?”
Li Ya nodded, “Just sparring, no life-threatening moves. I’ve been practicing my swordsmanship for half a year and want to test it.”
Zhang Buku’s eyes lit up, and he smiled, “To be honest, I’ve been practicing hard for some time too. Alright, let’s go.”