Inside the attic.
Gu An was reading a book, his Divine Sense watching Zhu Xi leave the Third Medicine Valley.
This girl’s temperament…
Gu An didn’t quite know what to say about it. Could he really call her a fellow practitioner when he himself wasn’t this timid?
He didn’t forcibly stop Zhu Xi’s decision. Perhaps he truly could protect her. But these past few years, Zhu Xi had clearly been uncomfortable, especially after her identity as Shengtian was revealed, her heart was tormented, and Gu An could hear the anxious voices within her.
So be it.
Let her go then.
After all, she’s a Saint Heaven Reincarnation; she should be able to turn danger into safety.
But does she think that I can’t resist the Heavenly Dao?
Gu An thought to himself, not with a sense of regret but pondering. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think he was invincible. There was still so much he couldn’t do, and every time he encountered such things, he felt motivated.
He could keep saving the Celestial Spirit Great World, but he couldn’t yet see through the Heavenly Dao behind the scenes.
The Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal might be able to do as he pleased within the universe, but only within the universe.
What lies beyond the universe?
Gu An continued reading while pondering these questions.
He didn’t attempt to divine Zhu Xi’s future fortunes. Ever since the incident with Xiaochuan’s Reincarnation, he’d tried not to predict the future as much as possible, to avoid knowing too much and wanting to change things, bringing about more variables.
Actually, not knowing the future might be a good thing; at least it leaves room for anticipation.
Gu An had sought too much foresight before, and it made him feel life was dull.
“Perhaps in the next Era, I can consider staying somewhere else.”
Gu An silently thought, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.
He, too, started looking forward to the future, to a completely new life.
…
As autumn gave way to winter, the snow blanketed the land in white.
In the Mountain God Temple within the North Sea Mountain Ridge.
Profound Mysterious Zhenren stood on the eaves, gazing at the distant battle in the sky.
The fierce wind raged, the forest shook violently, wave after wave, a sight of magnificent grandeur. Yet Profound Mysterious Zhenren’s figure was immovable, his eyes shining brightly.
Despite having stood guard here for over a thousand years, making his Dao Heart even more steadfast, deep down, he still harbored the blood of one who longed for power. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire
He was the most talented individual in the history of Mount Sanqing!
It was just too bad that Li Ya had stolen his thunder, becoming the most celebrated prodigy of the Li Family and Mount Sanqing.
Nevertheless, staying here hadn’t halted his progress. With the help of the Mountain God, he had achieved Nirvana and stood on the eaves with the demeanor of an Immortal.
Inside the courtyard, a Daoist Child around twelve or thirteen years old squatted in front of the Pill Furnace, fanning the flame; wisps of blue smoke drifted up. From time to time, he wiped sweat from his brow or looked up at Profound Mysterious Zhenren on the eaves.
After a good while.
The Daoist Child couldn’t help but ask, “Master, what are you watching? Isn’t this fierce wind just a natural wind of the world?”
The forest was dense, and he could not see the situation at the horizon, thinking it might rain soon.
Profound Mystery Zhenren replied, “It’s nothing, your teacher was just watching two sparrows fighting. As for this wind, there are plenty of strange winds in the North Sea Mountain Ridge. You’ll encounter them yourself later on.”
The Daoist child’s eyes widened, and he asked curiously, “Such a big wind, and there are still sparrows fighting? I’ve never seen sparrows fight before. I want to watch too.”
“Just focus on refining your pills and don’t forget why you came.”
Profound Mystery Zhenren answered offhandedly, and the Daoist child could only pout in response.
The Daoist child followed up with a question, “Master, why hasn’t the Mountain God appeared yet?”
“He will appear when it’s time. Perhaps your heart is not sincere enough.”
“Then, Master, is the True Immortal Inheritance those people talked about a few days ago real? Why don’t they believe in the Mountain God?”
“You’ll understand when you grow up. Many people are not in pursuit of the responsibilities of Immortal Gods, they just seek the power of Immortal Gods. You should also think carefully about what kind of person you truly want to become.”
Profound Mystery Zhenren spoke calmly, his tone like a breeze that settled the Daoist child’s heart into tranquility.
Even the persistent strong winds could not disrupt the tranquility within the courtyard.
A figure entered the temple precinct, it was He Qingsong.
He Qingsong first looked at Profound Mystery Zhenren on the eaves, then turned his gaze to the Daoist child.
Profound Mystery Zhenren turned his head to look at He Qingsong, frowning. For some reason, he felt very uncomfortable the moment he saw He Qingsong.
That feeling was strange even to him.
“Do I give you a very uncomfortable sensation?” He Qingsong asked, his gaze then drifting towards Profound Mystery Zhenren.
Profound Mystery Zhenren appeared out of nowhere in front of him, and the Daoist child looked nervously at He Qingsong, thinking to himself, could this person be a demon?
“Who are you and what brings you here?” Profound Mystery Zhenren stared at He Qingsong and asked.
He Qingsong answered, “My name is He Qingsong. The name isn’t important. The significance of this body is to act for Great Heaven and Earth. You’ve been too close to an existence that conflicts with Heavenly Dao, which is why you subconsciously feel hostility towards me. This is also the emotion you experience after facing the will of Heavenly Dao’s rejection.”
“What do you mean? Who is rejected by the Heavenly Dao?” Profound Mystery Zhenren frowned.
He Qingsong, unchanging in expression, said, “You know very well who he is. I can only tell you that there truly are immortals in the world, but he is not one. Immortals, being high above, cannot be glimpsed by mortal spirits. You’ve already entered the Nirvana Realm and are on the path to pursue immortality. You should revere immortals.”
Profound Mystery Zhenren coldly said, “Aren’t immortals supposed to be the protectors of all beings? Why must they clearly delineate themselves from sentient beings?”
“That’s just the thinking of mortals. Who said immortals have to protect sentient beings? Immortals create living beings, create heaven and earth, create everything. In the eyes of immortals, all things are equal. Your current resentment is misguided. The current suffering of sentient beings is due to their excessive pressure on heaven and earth, which is the self-protective consciousness of heaven and earth. The unending calamities are just because heaven and earth want to unload the burden; sentient beings are that burden. And immortals recognize and support heaven and earth in shedding that burden.”
The words of He Qingsong made Profound Mystery Zhenren’s face turn ugly, and they rocked his Dao Heart.
Are immortals really like that?
He Qingsong lifted his right hand, and a broken piece of white jade appeared in it. He spoke with sincere gravity, “You have a heart of great compassion, rare in this world. You are indeed destined for an Immortal Fate. This jade is called Celestial Dao Jade. It can avert all tragedies, but it also requires a price to be paid. I gift this jade to you, whether to use it, and how to use it, is up to you.”
As his words fell, the Celestial Dao Jade flew into the hands of Profound Mystery Zhenren.
Seeing He Qingsong turn to leave, Profound Mystery Zhenren asked, “Did you choose me because of him?”
Without stopping, He Qingsong said without looking back, “Your heart yearns for the Immortal, and actually, the Immortal can also feel it. To use your own words to your disciple just now, you can’t feel the Immortal, simply because the time has not yet come. If you want to become an Immortal, you must understand everything, must go through tribulations of the mortal world. Only when you are not swayed by emotions do you qualify to become an Immortal.”
After stepping out the door, he disappeared into thin air as if he had never been there.
Profound Mystery Zhenren looked down at the Celestial Dao Jade in his hand, his brow deeply furrowed.
The Daoist child came to his side, curiously looking at the Celestial Dao Jade, asking, “Master, is what he said the truth? Is the Mountain God not an Immortal?”
Clutching the Celestial Dao Jade, Profound Mystery Zhenren took a deep breath and said, “Disciple, your teacher will teach you a lesson today. Do not listen to what others say; look at what they do. Your faith should not be defined by anyone else. Whatever you believe in, that is the truth.”