Seeing Gu An remain silent, Zhang Xianwang continued to speak of the great strength of the Immortal Dynasty, whose history was even more ancient than the Holy Court, spanning countless epochs.
“The first Immortal King of the Mortal World was the founder of the Immortal Dynasty. He once contended against the heavens; although he failed and caused the Mortal World to be submerged by the sea, his power was undeniable. To this day, the Holy Court has not produced a being of his equal.”
Zhang Xianwang revealed a look of longing, surprising Gu An.
The Immortal King was actually the founder of the Immortal Dynasty.
If that was the case, why didn’t they pursue the Immortal King Crown?
Was it because the Immortal King Crown would devour vitality?
Gu An pondered, suddenly feeling that the Immortal King Crown might hold secrets.
Thinking carefully, the Immortal King Crown had weakened so much that even the souls of the Mahayana Realm could not fully suppress it; many changes must have occurred over the long years.
After a while.
When Zhang Xianwang paused, Gu An took a deep breath and asked, “Did you come to the Supreme Sect specifically for me? It should not be, right?”
To rally Sword Venerable Fudao?
But Sword Venerable Fudao had already declined.
Zhang Xianwang smiled, his gaze turning towards the window, “Of course not, but I cannot tell you my purpose for the time being.”
Gu An seemed to think of something, his divine thought probing out, quickly covering the Broken Sea Domain.
He discovered that in other continents and oceans, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty hid their qi fortune deeply, but they could not escape the eyes of a True Immortal’s divine thought.
He elevated his divine thought further, covering a broader expanse of heaven and earth, looking from a macroscopic perspective, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty were scattered all over the world, spying on qi fortunes, their fortunes as numerous as the stars in the universe.
What was the Immortal Dynasty planning?
While thinking, Gu An responded, “Thank you for your kindness, Daoist friend, but I cannot abandon the Supreme Sect, I apologize.”
Zhang Xianwang turned his gaze towards Gu An, smiling, “No rush, you still have time to consider. I will stay at the Supreme Sect for a few years.”
Gu An nodded, and then Zhang Xianwang changed the subject, and the two began to drink together.
The wind outside the window suddenly became stronger, blowing the grasses on the windowsill.
Zhang Xianwang’s arrival did not stir up any storm at the Supreme Sect, which remained calm, but, of course, that was only on the surface. Each disciple was still experiencing their own rivers and lakes and struggles.
Seven days later.
Gu An took An Xin again to the Mortal World Peak, where they first roamed around, picking medicinal herbs along the way.
Along the way, Gu An ran into Xu Xi. After paying respects, Xu Xi hooked arms with An Xin, and the two whispered aside.
Because Xu Xi had once helped Gu An receive Spirit Lord Lu, he would occasionally give some pointers for Xu Xi’s cultivation, and over time, Xu Xi and An Xin had become familiar.
After they chatted for a while, Gu An suddenly said, “Xu Xi, take An Xin to find Spirit Lord Lu, she has come again. Just do as before.”
Spirit Lord Lu?
An Xin’s eyes widened beneath her mask, and right after, she heard Gu An’s transmitted message, her expression turning odd.
She seemed to think of something, her eyes becoming excited.
Then, the two women flew towards Debating Peak.
Gu An roamed alone, wandering aimlessly, occasionally chatting with disciples from Dingtian Peak.
He noticed that the Immortal Dynasty also had Immortal Spirits at the Mortal World Peak, hidden in Debating Peak without revealing any trace of the Immortal Dynasty’s qi fortune, their presence unnoticed by everyone on the Mortal World Peak.
Gu An did not intend to intervene. The Immortal Dynasty was plotting, certainly against the Holy Court; he could not afford to be the spearhead.
The Immortal Dynasty invited various sects while arranging for Immortal Spirits to go to each sect. What exactly were they calculating?
Gu An felt that even if the Immortal Dynasty wished to destroy the world, it seemed unlikely; in his view, the Immortal Dynasty was no match for the Holy Court.
Time swiftly passed.
In the evening, An Xin returned, and Gu An took her back to the Supreme Sect.
As the teacher and disciple walked through the forest, An Xin removed her mask, speaking excitedly, “Master, I suddenly understand the feeling of hiding one’s identity. Senior Lu did not recognize me, even mistaking me for a senior.”
In the past, she was very respectful towards Spirit Lord Lu, never imagining that one day their positions would be reversed.
She suddenly understood why her master hid his cultivation level and looked after acquaintances under a different identity. The feeling was quite wonderful.
“Master, if Senior Lu knew your true identity, she would definitely regret, after all the years wandering around outside, her distance from you has only increased. At the Third Medicine Valley, she could spar with you. At Mortal World Peak, even her master does not have the qualifications to meet with you.”
Saying this, An Xin couldn’t help but feel moved, filled with gratitude.
Seeing Spirit Lord Lu today, she realized once again how lucky she was.
Compared to Spirit Lord Lu, she had not sacrificed much, yet she had achieved a status Spirit Lord Lu could not even dream of.
“Think no more of it, your teacher just wants to cultivate quietly, not getting involved in too many troubles. You too, no matter what achievements you attain, always maintain a humble heart,” Gu An casually replied.
An Xin nodded, “I understand, Master. You care so much for Senior Lu, her future achievements will surely be great. I’m just reflecting on how different choices lead to different paths.”
“By the way, Master, is the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect powerful? Compared to Mortal World Peak, which is stronger? Those high monks seem very strong, their presence even more formidable than Shen Xinzi’s. I wonder what they are doing at Mortal World Peak…”
She began to ask endlessly. In reality, she wasn’t looking for answers but merely wanted to express her feelings.
Gu An listened to her speak, not continuing the conversation.
He also felt emotional. The emotion was about how different realms perceive different worlds.
Spirit Lord Lu was pursuing her path of immortal cultivation, An Xin was carefree under his protection, each living their own life, but how could they know that a catastrophe was about to unfold across the world?
If the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court went to war, it would surely affect the entire world!
In front of these two colossal entities, the lives of beings seemed so fragile.
“Focus on your cultivation; regardless, Spirit Lord Lu is still the goal you strive for,” Gu An said, looking ahead.
“Yes, I will work hard, not to let down the favor you show me now, Master!”
An Xin stated resolutely, her eyes determined, her heart full of anticipation.
Under the blue sky.
Imposing mountains stood tall; the breeze blowing, birds soared freely.
An Hao, dressed in blue and white, stood halfway up the mountain, his head tilted upward, observing a figure at the summit. The figure was tall, his entire body emitting a red glow. Looking closely, flames surged within the red glow.
This man, wrapped in flames, had an imposing bearing and an indifferent expression. His luxurious clothing gave off an otherworldly vibe.
He looked down at An Hao, saying, “Innate immense qi fortune, your Life Grid emits an imperial aura. Join the Immortal Dynasty, you have a destiny with us.”
An Hao squinted, responding, “The Immortal Dynasty? Claiming to be Immortal, quite arrogant.”
He twisted his neck as flames rose on his body.
The Flame Primordial Treasure Body!
His aura soared, causing the mountain beneath him to shatter, dust rising like smoke, rocks flying chaotically.
Seeing this, the man at the summit smiled, appreciation shining in his eyes.
“You seem yet to uncover your true Physique,” the man in the red glow spoke.
“What do you mean?” An Hao asked, sensing no hostility from the other, he did not rush to attack.
“If you can cultivate the Flame Primordial Treasure Body, it means your innate physique is incredibly strong. You possess a Physique surpassing the Ancient Treasure Body, unfortunately, no one has helped you uncover this point. Join the Immortal Dynasty, with such qi fortune, you are naturally the darling of heaven and earth, only the Immortal Dynasty can help you grow better.”
The red-glow man paused, then continued, “In the Immortal Dynasty, our citizens are born in the Nirvana Realm, our Emperor has reached the eighth realm of the Immortal Path. Don’t you want to know why your talent is so strong? Perhaps you were born an Immortal Spirit! Why not join us in pursuing the true Immortal?”
An Hao listened, his expression changing.
Born in the Nirvana Realm?
The eighth realm of the Immortal Path?
An Hao, having adventured across the seas for many years, was encountering such a powerful force for the first time.
He became interested in the Immortal Dynasty, yet he did not easily believe the other’s words.
“If the Immortal Dynasty is indeed so powerful, I indeed could join, but before that, you must first defeat me.”
An Hao leaped up, flying to the sky, his flames intensifying, as if a bright sun had suddenly appeared in the sky, illuminating the land.
The red-glow man looked up, a smile on his face, he spoke, “Then are you ready to face the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?”
Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma?
An Hao instinctively frowned, his expression suddenly changing.
As the year drew to a close,
Gu An was discussing paintings with Shen Zhen in his house. As they chatted, he suddenly lost interest, feigning attention to Shen Zhen while using his Divine Thought to explore what his old acquaintances were doing.
Li Ya was still at Three Pure Ones Mountain, seeking Path Enlightenment, cultivating some Divine Skill.
Jiang Qiong was negotiating tensely with senior members of other sects.
Wu Jue was training in Demon Land, accompanied by a woman; Gu An caught them being intimate, startling him enough to quickly move his Divine Thought away.
“Broad daylight, with grass as their mat, unexpectedly bold.”
Gu An remarked internally, then looked towards others.
Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were investigating a mysterious case regarding a Sub-sect, quite troubled.
Hold on!
Where was An Hao?
Gu An immediately pursued An Hao’s qi, finding that the young man had already left the Broken Sea Domain, flying towards the ends of the earth.
An Hao was accompanied by the Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma.
Hmm?
An Immortal Spirit from the Immortal Dynasty?
Gu An eavesdropped on their conversation, soon learning that An Hao intended to join the Immortal Dynasty.
He suddenly felt the power of destiny.
Yang Jian went to the Holy Court, An Hao to the Immortal Dynasty; the two had previously agreed to spar at the Heavenly List convention. Could it really be that when they meet, it would be on the battlefield?
Gu An merely contemplated, not stopping An Hao.
Though he felt the Immortal Dynasty had slim chances, since the Dynasty had existed for so many years, it certainly had some depth.
If An Hao were unwilling, he would have called out for his teacher in his mind.
After a while, Gu An withdrew his Divine Thought.
“Recently, when painting, I thought of a scene I want to capture, yet I fear it might provoke heavenly wrath. Should I paint it?” Shen Zhen suddenly asked.
Gu An shook his head, “Don’t paint it, just tell me.”
Shen Zhen inhaled deeply, his voice mysterious, “I envisioned a scene with two figures confronting each other. One like the brilliant sun, the other sovereign of all under heaven. They stand above the nine heavens, blades clashing.”