In the Imperial Study, upon hearing Li Xuandao’s words, Ye Yan replied, “I am not sure either. When I left that year, I hadn’t seen Master make acquaintances with any Great Cultivator.”
He was also puzzled in his heart.
He felt that Mystic Valley had extraordinary qi fortune. Su Han, who had disturbed the Taicang Dynasty’s immortal cultivation world decades ago, was his senior brother.
To this day, whenever he thought of Su Han, he couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Back then, he, Zhen Qin, and Su Han followed Gu An to the Third Medicine Valley to cultivate. Who could have imagined that they would each achieve such accomplishments?
Although Su Han’s life or death was unknown, the commotion he caused had already proven his strength. They were no longer the insignificant minor cultivators they once were.
After hearing his words, Li Xuandao did not speak further but fell into deep thought.
For a while, the Imperial Study was engulfed in silence. Each harbored their own thoughts, wondering if there was a powerful figure behind Gu An.
After a long time.
Li Xuandao spoke, “You may leave now. The negotiations with the Great Jiang Dynasty are nearing conclusion. You need to prepare to go to sea. This matter concerns the thousand-year plan of Taicang, and it must not be taken lightly.”
“Yes!”
Ye Yan accepted the order, then saluted and left.
Li Xuandao gazed out the window, his eyes wandering.
“I must advance to Mystic Heart soon, or many things cannot proceed.” Li Xuandao thought silently.
Compared to Li Lingtian’s achievements, he cared more about his own.
To this day, only Lv Xian knew that he had hidden his cultivation level, and now even Lv Xian was unsure of his true level.
Li Xuandao’s ambitions were grand. He wanted to be an immortal emperor, eternally in power. For this, he needed strength to protect himself.
Li Lingtian suffering this setback was also good. It would make him more diligent in his cultivation, ensuring he didn’t create trouble for his imperial authority.
Thinking of this, Li Xuandao smiled.
“Yang Jian, not bad, I will look forward to your future.”
…
Under the blue sky and white clouds.
Among the mountains, Li Ya was meditating on the lake. He was bare-chested, surrounded by mist. His hair floated continuously, and his whole body exuded a powerful aura, causing the lake’s surface to shimmer like a sword’s light.
A figure leaped over the towering mountains, descending from the sky and landing on the lake, causing a flurry of ripples. His feet did not touch the lake’s surface.
It was Zhang Buku!
Zhang Buku wore a robe made of animal pelts, his long hair reaching his waist. His entire demeanor was wild.
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Hands on his hips, he laughed and said, “Brother Li, An Hao has caused another big commotion recently. Do you want to know?”
Li Ya did not open his eyes, answering, “Go ahead, what has he done now?”
The three of them joined the Star Sea Congregations together. Although Li Ya held the Divine Exotic City and was renowned within the sect, his growth speed could not compare to An Hao.
An Hao was the greatest genius in the history of the Supreme Sect, and it was the same in the Star Sea Congregations. He made all other geniuses pale in comparison.
“He has mastered the Flame Primordial Treasure Body. It is said that this physique could dominate the mortal world in ancient times. Although the Star Sea Congregations have the method of cultivation, he is the first person to succeed in tens of thousands of years.”
Zhang Buku sighed. Since ingesting a demon core, his talent had also transformed, making him a genius. But compared to An Hao, he still fell short.
When they met, it was always awkward since they both came from the Supreme Sect. They had to be polite, but Zhang Buku disliked An Hao.
This dislike had no reason. For some reason, looking at An Hao’s face always made him feel annoyed, as if he had seen An Hao somewhere before.
Li Ya opened his eyes, frowning.
He had always regarded An Hao as his goal, but the more he chased, the more powerless he felt.
An Hao seemed to be the protagonist of this world, making everyone else fade into insignificance.
The Flame Primordial Treasure Body—he had heard of it. Once mastered, the person would transform into a radiant sun, invincible in the world.
Zhang Buku continued, “The sect is planning to explore the Sea Breaking Rift today. I have signed up. Are you going?”
Li Ya shook his head and said, “I still need to improve my cultivation level, I don’t want to go. Of course, if you want me to accompany you, it’s not impossible.”
Zhang Buku snorted, “I don’t want you to come with me. Being with you is too unlucky. I mainly came to tell you this so you wouldn’t be looking for me.”
Li Ya glared at him and replied irritably, “Hurry up and go, you’re the unlucky one!”
The two started bickering again. When Zhang Buku mentioned Gu An, Li Ya conceded.
Zhang Buku left satisfied.
Li Ya watched Zhang Buku’s departing figure, cursing silently that when Zhang Buku returned, he would give him a good lesson.
…
Another year of the Spring Festival had arrived.
In the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples were busy hanging lanterns and decorations. Li Lingtian was also bustling with the disciples, mainly following Yang Jian. Seeing Yang Jian busy, he had no choice but to follow.
In the pavilion.
Gu An was discussing a peculiar book with Shen Zhen. The two were expressing their views, arguing vehemently, neither convincing the other.
Suddenly.
It seemed Gu An sensed something, frowning.
Shen Zhen noticed the change in his expression, waved her hand in front of him, and asked, “What? Are you angry?”
Gu An shook his head and said, “No, I just thought of something and got distracted.”
“Thinking about something? You don’t respect me!” Shen Zhen glared, angry.
She stood up, put the book on the table into her storage bag, and then left.
Gu An did not stop her; he couldn’t be bothered to cater to her whims.
He sat back in the treasured chair that Shen Zhen had occupied earlier, communicating with the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit in his heart.
“Are you sure?” he asked in his heart.
The voice of the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sounded, “Sure, it’s definitely his aura. Although I have never seen him, the city retains his aura. I cannot be mistaken. The former master of Divine Exotic City is in that rift!”
The rift it mentioned was the one that spanned the ocean. Its appearance had even led to rumors of a world-destroying sea tide.
The Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit had just sensed the aura of the former master of Divine Exotic City from that rift.
Gu An wanted to know the former master’s cultivation level from it, but unfortunately, it did not know.
In its words, the Divine Exotic City had been born after it left that person’s hands.
This was true for all immortal spirit treasures; they could only serve one master. Once the master perished, the immortal spirit would also vanish.
At this moment, Li Ya was still in the Star Sea Congregations, far from the ocean rift. Only the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit sensed that aura.
When Gu An looked at the rift, he saw many cultivators fleeing from it, as if something terrifying was chasing them.
When his divine sense approached the rift, he felt a powerful aura that deterred him from recklessly probing further.
The presence that he could feel was strong. There might be a Carefree Primordial Immortal hidden in the rift.
Gu An withdrew his divine sense, no longer paying attention to it.
The world had countless major forces, and there were numerous Great Cultivators. As long as they didn’t threaten him, he was too lazy to meddle. After all, that rift was extremely remote from the mainland, separated by two continents and countless islands.
Gu An chatted with the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit for a while longer. Once he was sure that the former master could no longer control Divine Exotic City, he felt relieved.
He got up and went downstairs. As he walked down the stairs, he saw the busy disciples in the valley, and a smile appeared on his face.
“The calamities in this world never cease, but if they can be delayed by a few decades, it can grant a generation a stable life.”
Gu An thought this and then walked towards the place where the most disciples were gathered.
Under an old tree, dozens of disciples were gathered, discussing fervently. Among them were two people playing go, one of whom was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.
The other was the best go player in the valley, one of the senior disciples in the valley, respectfully addressed as Elder Lu. He had stayed in the Third Medicine Valley for a hundred years, from youth to old age. Because of his modest cultivation talent, he never thought of leaving the valley.
At this moment, Elder Lu was frowning deeply, with his right hand holding the go piece trembling, hesitant to play.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord’s expression was calm, but he was internally sighing in relief.
This old man’s go skills were too formidable; he almost lost!
Since playing go in the Third Medicine Valley, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had become fascinated with the game, feeling that it contained infinite mysteries similar to the essence of the heavenly Dao. Therefore, he frequently came to the Third Medicine Valley to play.
Go was invented by Gu An and had yet to be widely promoted. Currently, it was only popular in the Medicine Valley.
Gu An created go merely out of boredom. He did not intend to promote it. Even in his past life, he was simply an enthusiast of the game.
At this moment, Gu An squeezed through the crowd and saw Elder Lu sweating profusely. He couldn’t help but say, “Xiao Lu, why don’t I play for you?”
Shameless wandering immortal, bullying my Medicine Valley mortals?
Intolerable!
Elder Lu looked up and saw it was Gu An, then quickly stepped aside. The other disciples were excited.
In their minds, Gu An was the best go player since he invented the game.
As Gu An sat down, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord smiled and said, “Little friend, do you think there is still a chance in this game?”
Gu An laughed, “If you came three moves later, there would indeed be no hope.”
The smile on the Nine-Finger Divine Lord’s face froze instantly.
A wandering immortal’s prowess in go lay in their ability to simulate countless possibilities in an instant, choosing the best moves. From the first move Elder Lu made, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had already seen the outcome.
Knowing the rules of go, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could surely win against ordinary folks. However, it was precisely because he could simulate countless possibilities that he appreciated the subtleties of the game.
He did not play go to win but to experience the process and comprehend his own Daoist sorcery within the game.
He did not expect Gu An to see through his strategy.
Under his gaze, Gu An placed a piece on the board, turning the tides instantly, making him frown.
He immediately placed a piece, and Gu An followed suit.
Unlike others who played slowly, these two played at lightning speed.
They were competing in their ability to simulate!
The disciples around them watched, barely daring to breathe.
Li Lingtian also squeezed in to join the excitement. Seeing the aura of the two playing, he was interested in go for the first time.
One piece after another, the sound of pieces being placed formed a melody, exuding a sharp aura.
Suddenly.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord paused, withdrew his hand hanging in the air, placed the piece down, and said, “I lost.”
As soon as he said this, cheers erupted around them. Elder Lu wiped the sweat off his forehead, revealing a broad smile.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord stared at Gu An, as if trying to see through him.
Though this boy had an extraordinary aura, his cultivation and physique were not impressive. How did he manage to win?