“This is a Dao Pattern, representing the initial manifestation of the Dao. Some are born with it, while others acquire it later in life through cultivation. Sudden gains like yours are not unheard of. Regardless, possessing a Dao Pattern means that you will eventually transcend the mortal realm and become an Immortal. I offer you my early congratulations.”
Zhang Xianwang said with a smile, admiration apparent in his eyes.
Gu An immediately clasped his fists, saying, “My name is Gu An. May I ask for your esteemed name, Daoist Friend?”
He could feel Zhang Xianwang deducing his karma. He was unconcerned, for he had already altered the appearance of his karma. Unless someone was of a higher realm than his, looking at his true self would only reveal a life typical of a servant disciple, mundane and unremarkable.
“I am Zhang Xianwang, from a distant place. Meeting you is fate. Why not show me around? I would like to learn about the Supreme Sect and the Heavenly Ranking Conference.”
Faced with Zhang Xianwang’s proposal, Gu An naturally wouldn’t refuse, as he had specifically come for him.
The two walked out of the Treasure Pavilion. Upon seeing Gu An’s mount, Zhang Xianwang did not think much of it as he could not see through the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit.
Along the way, Gu An introduced the details of the Supreme Sect. When he mentioned Sword Venerable Fudao, Zhang Xianwang immediately inquired about the specifics regarding him.
Talking about Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An showed a fervent look, praising him extravagantly.
The Blood Prison Great Saint kept his composure but inwardly felt moved.
He admired this demeanor of his master.
If he had been Zhang Xianwang, he couldn’t have associated Gu An with Sword Venerable Fudao.
Not only did Zhang Xianwang find the Blood Prison Great Saint plain, the Great Saint thought little of Zhang Xianwang as well. Both were great cultivators concealing their cultivation levels, naturally carrying some arrogance in their hearts.
Unknowingly, the two arrived near the Heavenly Repair Platform.
Gu An, with a smile, asked, “The Heaven-Cutting Axe is up there. Do you want to try challenging it?”
Zhang Xianwang looked towards the distance, shook his head slightly, and said, “I surely can’t pull it out; no need.”
He turned back to Gu An and said, “I will be staying at the Supreme Sect for a long time. Next time we meet, I’ll treat you to a drink. If someone tries to persuade you to leave the Supreme Sect, you had better refuse. Possessing a Dao Pattern is innate fortune, but it can also attract calamities. Within the Supreme Sect, at least you have the protection of Sword Venerable Fudao, and others will not dare to meddle.”
With these words, he turned and left.
Gu An watched his figure receding, thinking to himself that this man was quite pleasant.
He had thought the people of the Immortal Spirit Dynasty were all arrogantly detached since they rarely interacted with the outside world, but meeting him today changed Gu An’s opinion about the Immortal Spirit Dynasty.
From afar, Gu An looked towards the Heaven-Cutting Axe, where Zuo Yijian stood beside it, vigilantly guarding it day in, day out.
Now when discussing the Heaven-Cutting Axe, it was hard to avoid mentioning Zuo Yijian.
Gu An’s mind stirred, and his divine thought, mixed with powerful sword intent, aggressively entered Zuo Yijian’s eyes, causing him to become dazed.
Immediately thereafter, Gu An rode off on the Blood Prison Great Saint in another direction, not ascending the platform.
Zhang Xianwang, not yet far away, stopped walking, turned around, and stared in astonishment.
At the same time, a soaring sword intent erupted from Zuo Yijian, prompting the nearby cultivators to retreat as figures suddenly appeared around the Heaven-Cutting Axe, isolating Zuo Yijian.
Zuo Yijian’s eyes became void of spirit, his whole person in a daze, the sword intent moving from below upwards, fluttering his long hair and robes.
Feeling the sword intent belonging to Sword Venerable Fudao, the great cultivators of the Supreme Sect breathed a sigh of relief.
“What happened to him?”
“It’s Sword Venerable Fudao’s sword intent. Feel it carefully; Zuo Yijian’s sword qi is growing stronger.”
“Is Sword Venerable Fudao guiding him?”
“If it’s him, I can understand, since he has guarded here for so many years.”
“So he wasn’t lying. Did Sword Venerable Fudao really pat his shoulder back then?”
The cultivators discussed animatedly, while Zuo Yijian was engrossed in the sword intent, unable to extricate himself.
Far below the Heavenly Repair Platform, Zhang Xianwang felt the sword intent emanating from Zuo Yijian, and his mind was shocked.
He was, after all, a Carefree Primordial Immortal, yet he hadn’t noticed Sword Venerable Fudao’s intervention; he couldn’t even comprehend how Sword Venerable Fudao’s sword intent could induce Zuo Yijian into a state of enlightenment.
At that moment, he realized his own insignificance.
The Carefree Primordial Immortal was only carefree, not yet at the stage of comprehending the great Dao!
In the corner of his vision remained the retreating figure of Gu An, yet he did not attract his attention.
He could not fathom that Gu An, who had walked in the opposite direction, was the Sword Venerable Fudao who had just shocked him.
Gu An did not look back, deeply concealing both his abilities and fame.
The Blood Prison Great Saint heard the hustle in the distance and also did not turn back, for he knew the legendary Sword Venerable Fudao was right on his back.
When Immortals act, mortals always react with alarm, how dull!
After meeting Zhang Xianwang, Gu An continued wandering around the city, buying many things and then headed back to the Third Medicine Valley.
Upon returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An found An Xin and handed over his purchases to him.
The valley also stored a variety of medicinal herbs, elixirs, secret books, and magic artifacts that the servant disciples could buy directly at prices even lower than in the city, a benefit provided by Gu An; after comparing it, the disciples felt even more gratitude towards him. Because of such actions, even after the servant disciples reached Foundation Establishment and later met Gu An, they would still call him Master.
After arranging all this, Gu An prepared to go upstairs to read.
Coincidentally, Shen Zhen flew in.
Gu An had no choice but to wait for her.
Over the years, Shen Zhen had not been idle, sharing her insights with the Supreme Sect and helping to create many Transmission Jade Slips. These allowed the disciples to cultivate not only by understanding the words but by seeing the cultivation scenarios, earning her real respect from the Supreme Sect.
“Hurry upstairs; there’s something good!”
Shen Zhen eagerly said before taking the lead upstairs, leaving Gu An to follow.
After entering the room and closing the door, Gu An sensed a weak presence downstairs, clearly Ji Xiaoyu trying to eavesdrop again.
Shen Zhen went to the table and pulled out a set of scrolls, swiftly spreading one out.
Gu An walked over and saw that it depicted an ancient scene where many unclothed people knelt on the ground, waving at the sky where a group of cloud-riding figures, dressed magnificently like Immortals, hovered.
“I acquired an incomplete ancient tome previously, and I’ve been studying it daily, then visualizing its complete scene. Perhaps, the Dao is guiding me,” Shen Zhen boasted proudly.
Was it really visualized?
With Gu An’s keen vision, he noticed the environmental contours of the drawing held the subtleties of the Heaven and Earth rules. Your next chapter awaits on empire
Could the Dao really be guiding Shen Zhen?
Something wasn’t right.
Why Shen Zhen?
Gu An suddenly doubted whether Shen Zhen could truly attain the Dao through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
He had previously shocked Zhang Xianwang, and now it was Shen Zhen’s turn to shock him.
Could one comprehend the Heaven and Earth rules without reaching the Immortal Path Realm?
That was too absurd!
Could she be an Immortal reincarnated?
That shouldn’t be, either. If she were the reincarnation of a Great Power, Gu An could have noticed some hints, just like with Ji Xiaoyu, Yang Jian.
However Shen Zhen appeared, she lacked any significant background.