Upon hearing Lv Baitian’s inquiry, Gu An withdrew his thoughts and replied, “Indeed, I was too greedy.”
Supreme Sect had its eye on the True Immortal Inheritance, wanting to win over Jue Luo Sword Monarch or to persuade Gu An to leave the True Immortal Inheritance within Supreme Sect, even if it was just for his disciples.
Faced with Gu An’s answer, Lv Baitian’s face immediately showed a bit of embarrassment.
He felt insecure, suspecting that nothing could escape Gu An’s all-seeing eye.
Although he had rejected the Elder Hall’s proposal, he hadn’t been resolute—if Gu An had been secretly observing, he might have seen right through his intentions.
As Supreme Sect was rapidly strengthening, those who had experienced the entire process of its development inevitably became arrogant, and Lv Baitian was no exception. Even though he always reminded himself to be humble and to be grateful to Gu An, faced with greater temptations, he couldn’t help but fantasize.
Would Supreme Sect not have hope to replace the Holy Court, the Immortal Dynasty, if they were to produce a True Immortal?
It was evident to the discerning that both the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court were going to collapse, with the Celestial Mandate belonging to other sects.
In these two hundred years, the talk of Celestial Mandate had spread widely, even within Supreme Sect, leading many to believe without doubt, including Lv Baitian.
Lv Baitian felt that the Celestial Mandate was upon Supreme Sect; he believed no other sects in the world could rival Supreme Sect’s rate of growth.
Though the Profound Abyss Divine Dynasty and Celestial Demon Great Sect were strong, those were powers descended from Outer Heaven, not a product of normal development.
Watching the changes in Lv Baitian’s expression, Gu An also felt a wave of emotion.
Truly, times change and people with them.
However, he could understand the thoughts of Supreme Sect’s upper echelons.
For over a thousand years, after learning of Gu An’s true identity, Supreme Sect tried its best not to bother him and even helped him deal with many unnecessary trivialities. Perhaps Supreme Sect thought that seizing the True Immortal Inheritance was just a small effort for Gu An, not very time-consuming.
But…
Gu An was tired of it.
He owed Supreme Sect no favors; he had long since repaid the grace of their past protection.
Gu An spoke up, “Life is like the tide, and people chase the waves, pursuing the destination of the Celestial Mandate. You wish for it too, and I don’t mind, but wanting the Celestial Mandate depends on yourselves, I am powerless to help.”
Upon hearing this, Lv Baitian involuntarily opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself unable to speak.
Gu An raised his right hand, revealing startling black lines in his palm.
“What is this?”
Lv Baitian’s eyes widened as he asked nervously.
Gu An was not just the faith of Supreme Sect, but also his backbone. If something happened to Gu An, how could he remain calm?
Gu An said, “This is the consequence of intervening too much. If my cultivation dissipates and I become a cripple in the future, I wonder if Supreme Sect will still have a piece of Medicine Valley for me to live out my days?”
Lv Baitian’s face paled dramatically; he had not expected Gu An to have such a hidden ailment.
But on second thought, considering the powerful enemies Gu An had faced for Supreme Sect, for all living beings, it was not unthinkable that he would be injured.
Only…
Lv Baitian panicked, more than he had ever been in his life.
He hadn’t panicked when ousted by the Vice Sect Leader or when forced into feigned death.
He hadn’t panicked when misunderstood by his son, or even when his son spoke of killing him.
But now, suddenly unsure of what to do, his heart was filled with shame and regret.
He knew only to ask of Gu An, never once inquiring about the pressure Gu An faced—if he had known sooner, maybe Gu An’s injury would not have been so severe?
Gu An teased, “Sect Leader, if I were to be crippled, would you still be willing to transfer power to me?”
Lv Baitian wanted to comfort him, but thinking of the gap between their realms, he felt he lacked the standing to offer consolation.
“Of course, I would,” he said laughing. “I am not in the Integration Realm now, but the Mahayana Realm, which is sufficient for you to live out the rest of your life in ease, though the position of Sect Leader might be uncertain, considering even I have to rely on you for my standing.”
With the resources of the Supreme Sect, he smoothly reached the Mahayana Realm, but his cultivation level was quite embarrassing for someone in the position of Sect Leader.
Gu Anle laughed, “That’s true. A Sect Leader in the Mahayana Realm is rather disgraceful.”
“My cultivation speed isn’t slow, and it’s not like everyone can be like An Hao.”
“If I ever lose my cultivation, I’ll change my name and surname, and from then on, call me Elder Gu.”
“Sure, when the time comes, I’ll accompany you.”
The two laughed and talked as if they had returned to over a thousand years ago.
Gu An was just trying to scare Lv Baitian, but he didn’t expect Lv Baitian to take it to heart.
That was good, too. It was time for the entire Supreme Sect to have an awakening, relying on one person was not good for the sect.
Two hours later, as twilight descended, Lv Baitian left with a resolute expression on his face, as if he was going to report something to the Elder Hall.
Gu An then turned his head to look at the Third Medicine Valley. From the top of the mountain, the Third Medicine Valley was truly magnificent.
Wherever he went in the future, he would have to take the Third Medicine Valley with him, after all, it was the fruit of his labor for one thousand and eight hundred years.
After sitting alone in the pavilion for a while, Gu An stood up and walked down the mountain.
The setting sun shone on him, and as he descended the mountain, he gradually became dim.
Upon returning to the valley, Gu An stopped under the attic, looking into the distance, Chen Chuan was sparring with Long Qing, drawing crowds of disciples to watch and cheer.
Chen Chuan had a strand of Celestial Dao Destiny about him, very faint, hard to detect, but it sure existed.
Gu An glanced once and continued upstairs.
“Master, Elder Li of the Inner Sect Refining Hall is about to host a birthday feast for his two thousandth year, and he has sent someone to invite you,” the Blood Prison Great Saint spoke up.
That Elder Li was an old friend of Gu An’s for a thousand years, and after living past two thousand years, he would face his mortality in not too many years.
“I understand,” replied Gu An. “Go and find An Xin, tell her to prepare a gift.”
“Okay!”
Blood Prison Great Saint immediately rose and went off in pursuit of An Xin’s aura.
After Gu An went upstairs, he sat down at the desk, turning his head to look out the window.
After Elder Li’s passing, Gu An’s true friends would be very few. He was still popular now, but more people came to him for his power. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire
When Gu An became friends with Elder Li, the Third Medicine Valley was not famous, and the apparent gap in their cultivation levels wasn’t significant. It started as a chance meeting at an inn, both fond of “Cyan Hero’s Travelogue,” talking for a long time before forming a bond.
“A new era really is coming.”
Gu An murmured to himself, feeling the old times and old friends fading away.
He didn’t dwell on it, instead, he extended his Divine Sense across the universe.
Choosing the place for his breakthrough was what he should care about the most at the moment.
As his Divine Sense probed, he saw a powerful force emerging in the Silent Extinction Domain, even flying the flag of the Battle Court, having already ruled over a dozen Great Heaven and Earths.
The strongest in the Battle Court was at the late stage of the Profound Yuan Free Immortal Realm, a minor level higher than Sword Gu Ming had been before.
They were expanding towards the direction of the Celestial Spirit Great World, and it was only a matter of time before they would wage war.
Looking around, Gu An felt that to make a breakthrough, he still needed to look for a place within the Reincarnation Vortex.
The Reincarnation Vortex connected to many Great Heaven and Earths located in this universe, just that they were very far apart.
However, the Reincarnation Vortex also led to the Land of Reincarnation, the destination of souls, unreachable even for Free Immortals. Nevertheless, the Heaven-Encompassing Free Immortal could capture traces of the Reincarnation.
Otherwise…
For the next breakthrough, go to the Land of Reincarnation?
As this thought took hold, Gu An’s eyes brightened even more.