Watching the old man crazily preach about the apocalypse, the cultivators passing by on the street couldn’t help but discuss, most of them not taking it seriously, just curious about where this old man came from to dare be so presumptuous at the Supreme Sect.
Gu An remained half-skeptical.
The ocean would swallow everything?
He had heard such legends before; on the ocean, these kinds of legends were not uncommon. Moreover, in recent years, a large rift had mysteriously appeared on the ocean, making it hard for him not to believe.
“I am only one hundred and twenty-seven years old, why so much hardship?”
Gu An thought helplessly, but the previous demon calamity was not a disaster for the mortal world, just a scheme by the immortal cultivation forces, and such things were by no means rare in this world.
This time, he hoped the ocean calamity wasn’t targeting him or the three dynasties’ lands. If that’s the case, he would have to think more, wondering if the Heavenly Dao was scheming against him.
Indeed, he shouldn’t get too involved in the mortal world. Could his way of crazily growing stronger without crossing tribulations be seen as an anomaly by the Heavenly Dao?
To eliminate an anomaly without knowing where it is, it simply launches an apocalypse.
For all beings, a calamity is a catastrophe, but for heaven and earth itself, it’s just a major cleansing.
Lost in thought, Gu An soon saw that old man being seized by a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, still shouting as he was taken away:
“The ocean will swallow everything…”
This small episode didn’t stay in many people’s minds. Compared to such crazy talk, the disciples were more concerned about the Heavenly Rankings Tournament.
The title of “Number One in the World” stirred the hearts of countless cultivators.
Gu An wasn’t too worried either. This old man didn’t have an extraordinary limit to his lifespan, nor did he hide his realm; he was merely at Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation level.
He brought Yang Jian to the Elixir Hall, instructing him to observe carefully and listen, as he might help him with tasks in the future.
This made Yang Jian both excited and nervous, worried about making mistakes and disappointing Gu An.
It wasn’t until evening that they finally returned to the Medicine Valley.
Spring passed and summer came, and Gu An crossed the threshold of one hundred and twenty-eight years old.
The Heavenly Rankings Tournament had already spread throughout the world, but the exact start time was not yet determined. With the operation of the Supreme Sect, over ninety percent of the cultivators in the lands of the three dynasties knew about it.
Who is “Number One in the World” became a hot topic for cultivators during their leisure time.
On this day.
Gu An came to the Immortal Seeking Island. As soon as he arrived, he heard someone discussing the millennial great sea tide.
Legend has it that once every millennia, the ocean will rise and flood land masses, lasting for hundreds of years before it subsides. Not every great sea tide is the same; in severe cases, it could flood the entire mortal world, a phenomenon that happens once in a million years.
Today’s cultivators couldn’t calculate how far it had been since the last apocalypse-level sea tide, but precisely because they couldn’t calculate it, they were in a state of panic.
Everywhere on the ocean, people were proclaiming that the apocalypse-level sea tide was imminent. These people came from different sects, claiming to have sensed the world’s omens and saw the apocalyptic visions in their dreams while cultivating. Weaker cultivators might even undergo deviation and become insane.
Some even linked it to the oceanic rift that appeared before, suggesting it might be a sign of the apocalypse-level sea tide!
When Gu An found Hu Xiaojian, Hu Xiaojian also brought up the matter, his face full of worry.
“The world is truly in chaos now. First, there was the conflict between the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Congregations, battles occurring everywhere. Now, there’s an imminent apocalypse-level sea tide. We truly live in the worst of times,” Hu Xiaojian sighed.
Gu An comforted, “Nothing is certain yet, don’t overthink.”
Though the news was spreading widely, the sea level hadn’t risen, at least not affecting the mainland of the three dynasties’ lands.
According to legend, before an apocalypse-level sea tide erupts, there would be a buildup period of hundreds of years that all living beings in the mortal world can sense. It’s said that during this period, the spiritual energy of the sea would burst forth, enriching the entire world’s spiritual energy, accelerating the cultivation speed of all beings, as if a small mercy from heaven and earth. If one could leave this world during this period, they could escape the calamity.
But that’s only applicable to high-level cultivators. To achieve Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal within those few hundred years, one would at least need to be at the Wandering Immortal Realm.
Gu An and Hu Xiaojian wandered the streets, chatting as they walked.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before them, a woman in yellow attire, her demeanor dignified with an extraordinary aura, and her appearance also top-notch. Her cultivation level reached the Mystic Heart Realm.
“May I ask if you are Senior Meng Lang? My lord wishes to invite you as a guest. My lord is Sage Tang Hai,” the woman in yellow said respectfully.
Using a Mystic Heart Realm female cultivator as a maid?
Such a grand gesture!
As Gu An was thinking, Hu Xiaojian quietly introduced, “Sage Tang Hai is an honorary elder of the Sea Protection Mansion on Immortal Seeking Island, known for his righteous actions and good reputation.”
The implication was that he could be trusted.
Gu An glanced at Hu Xiaojian before looking at the woman in yellow and said, “Lead the way.”
He cast a lifespan detection on the woman in yellow. With a lifespan limit just over two thousand, she would be considered a girl of heavenly pride on the mainland, only to be a maid on Immortal Seeking Island.
The woman in yellow gracefully bowed and then turned to lead the way.
Half an hour later, they entered a mansion. Hu Xiaojian chose not to go inside, waiting at the gate instead.
Tang Hai Mansion was large, with many servants whose lowest cultivation level was at the Nascent Soul Realm.
Led by the woman in yellow, Gu An arrived at a courtyard where he saw a man in blue attire sitting at a table, sipping tea, with a scholarly and elegant air.
[Sage Tang Hai (Loose Immortal Realm Fifth Layer): 8908/27000/27500]
The woman in yellow stopped her steps, bowed to Sage Tang Hai, and then left.
Sage Tang Hai looked at Gu An and stood up to clasp his fists in salute, “Daoist Friend, I apologize if my invitation disturbs you.”
Gu An approached the table, raising his hand in return salute, “No worries, I have nothing much to do anyway.”
Then, both of them sat down and began to chat.
After some casual conversation, Sage Tang Hai finally said, “Daoist Friend, the number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures you’ve purchased over the years is staggering, and many people are inquiring about you. But rest assured, no one dares to cause trouble on Immortal Seeking Island. I’ve also helped you block some of them.”
Gu An didn’t understand his meaning and could only follow along, thanking him.
The strongest on Immortal Seeking Island had only the cultivation level of Wandering Immortal Realm. Gu An didn’t really regard anyone there seriously.
“Recently, the news of the apocalypse-level sea tide has been rampant. Whether it’s true or not, the world is in turmoil. If we cultivators can band together for warmth, that would be the best. Ten years from now, I plan to hold a private auction here, even offering an Immortal Path Spirit Tree. If Daoist Friend is interested, you can attend it. The actual trading price will count seventy percent of the final transaction price. Consider it my gift to Daoist Friend as a meeting token,” Sage Tang Hai said, stroking his beard with a smile that gave a comforting feeling like a spring breeze.
Gu An heard this and smiled, thanking him again.
An Immortal Path Spirit Tree?
He was indeed very interested!
The highest-grade spirit tree he had was only of the ninth rank. He couldn’t imagine what wonders an Immortal Path Spirit Tree would hold.
Seeing Gu An agree, Sage Tang Hai became more enthusiastic.
The two chatted for a long time, with Sage Tang Hai revealing his desire to form a small circle of Loose Immortals, to explore and venture into the Ancient Immortal Path Secret Realm together.
After a full hour, Gu An finally left Tang Hai Mansion.
Hu Xiaojian followed without saying a word.
…
The first wisp of autumn breeze blew into the Third Medicine Valley.
Yang Jian stood in front of the wooden railing, staring blankly at the pavilion where Gu An lived.
It had been a while since he apprenticed under Gu An, yet nothing in his life had changed. Gu An hadn’t taught him any cultivation techniques or spells, causing him some agony.
He was already twenty-one years old, and his cultivation remained at the third layer of the Energy Cultivation Realm, making him very anxious.
He heard that the number one genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao, had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm at his age.
Time passed as he daydreamed.
As dusk fell, Yang Jian washed a batch of fruits and carried them on a large wooden tray to the Blood Prison Great Saint’s side.
Just as he was about to leave, a voice came from the pavilion, “Jian’er, wait for me downstairs after nightfall.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian became excited, quickly bowing to the pavilion. He didn’t shout loudly, fearing other disciples might hear.
An hour later, wearing clean clothes, Yang Jian stood in front of the stairs, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the window upstairs.
Blood Prison Great Saint found it amusing, teasing him now and then, making him blush, not knowing how to respond.
Suddenly, the door upstairs opened, and Yang Jian immediately stood straight.
Gu An descended the stairs and headed towards the Transmission Array Platform. Yang Jian quickly followed, and Blood Prison Great Saint also trailed behind.
The two of them, along with the ox, used the teleportation array to reach the Mystic Valley and then headed towards the deserted mountains and forests.
Seeing Gu An riding on the ox’s back, Yang Jian felt very nervous. He wanted to ask his master when he would teach him cultivation techniques but was afraid of being rude.
They walked through the night.
By dawn, Yang Jian was in a daze.
Gu An made Blood Prison Great Saint stop; beside them was a large river, the water so clear that they could see small fish and crabs.
Gu An looked at the rising sun and asked, “Jian’er, do you wish for superior cultivation techniques?”
Yang Jian awkwardly scratched his head and said, “If such exists, I naturally want it…”
Gu An didn’t dislike his utilitarian nature.
He looked at Yang Jian and asked, “What are you willing to sacrifice for immortal cultivation?”
He planned to nurture Yang Jian well and keep him close, a treatment even An Hao didn’t receive.
Yang Jian was stunned for a moment and said, “I have nothing, but I desire only immortal cultivation, even if it costs my life.”
Gu An said calmly, “Your root and bones are special, making energy absorption difficult. You should feel it too.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian’s face instantly darkened.
His aptitude was not merely humble; even in the Third Medicine Valley, it was considered low-tier. After many years in the valley, he hadn’t even broken through a single minor stage, which made him yearn even more for higher-level cultivation techniques.
“I can transform you into a genius, but you must endure unimaginable pain, perhaps even facing physical destruction. Are you willing?” Gu An fixed his gaze on Yang Jian, his tone indifferent.
Facing his master’s gaze, Yang Jian felt inexplicably flustered.
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“Master, are you scaring your disciple?” Yang Jian asked cautiously.
Physical destruction sounded terrifying.
Gu An said, “Changing one’s fate against the heavens isn’t easy. If you fear, I won’t force you. I will still teach you appropriate cultivation techniques and spells, but your path will progress slowly.”
Yang Jian asked, “Master, has any other senior brother or sister succeeded?”
Gu An shook his head and said, “I’ve truly taken only two disciples. The others are just given elixirs, and your senior brother is already a world-renowned genius.”
World-renowned?
Yang Jian opened his mouth, filled with confusion.
Isn’t the master at the Core Formation Realm? How does he have such a powerful disciple?
World-renowned?
Could he compare to the legendary first genius of the Supreme Sect, An Hao?