The morning sun penetrated the mountain forest, shining on the stream, sparkling with light.
Gu An still sat on that rock, a year had passed since he left the Supreme Sect, and the Daoist Field of the Beginningless was already filled with various grades of medicinal herbs. It wouldn’t take many years before his yearly income from life span would increase, surpassing the peak would not be difficult.
An Xin, Shen Zhen, and others also began to cultivate in seclusion, and Gu An taught Yi Xiaoliang and the other four each day outside the dojo.
Yi Xiaoliang and his group had to climb mountains and wade through waters back and forth every day. Initially, it was very tough, but after a year of cultivation, they had grown accustomed to it, even considering this journey as part of their cultivation.
While waiting for them, Gu An was watching Zhen Qin.
Since Ye Lan passed away, Zhen Qin had been continuously gaining experience and opportunities outside, yet, regrettably, she was still about to face her life’s limit.
And she was still a long way from reaching the Nirvana Realm.
Zhen Qin seemed to sense her Celestial Mandate, preparing to take revenge on the Ghost Mother of Ephemera.
The death of Su Han had always been a thorn in Zhen Qin’s heart; her reason to cultivate was also to avenge her senior brother.
“Su Han, oh Su Han, you thought you were being kind, but have you ever considered that due to your kindness, your junior sister would carry a millennium of vengeance until her death?”
Gu An murmured to himself, lamenting human nature and fate.
Su Han’s corpse had long been moved by him from the Nianchu Cave Mansion to the World-Excluding Cave Heaven, currently resting in a cave within the dojo.
His soul had gone with the Reincarnation long ago, but since his corpse was well-preserved, Gu An could use causality to seek his reincarnated soul.
He hadn’t wanted to do so, but seeing that Zhen Qin was about to reach her end, he was considering whether to fulfill his disciple’s regret.
Just as Gu An was pondering this, a piercing sound came.
Young Yi Xiaoliang, a year older, charged forward with a wooden sword, swooping like a bird through the forest.
Gu An raised his hand, circled around his own neck, and caught the tip of the wooden sword between his fingers.
Yi Xiaoliang was forcibly stopped, landed on his feet, and subconsciously fell backward.
He looked up at Gu An and shook his numbing right hand, exclaiming, “Master, you are so powerful, are you a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator?”
Gu An stood up, taking the wooden sword in hand, and chuckled, “You found out. With your little skill, you still think of ambushing your master?”
Yi Xiaoliang straightened his neck and said, “What do you mean by ambush? I just wanted to show Master my cultivation progress.”
At that time, the other four also arrived, bowing to Gu An.
Gu An taught them not only cultivation techniques but also proper etiquette and the principles of conducting oneself. In just one year, he had imbued these five with a spirit of chivalry.
Even with their cultivation levels and spells, the five did not bully the common people. Instead, they supported the weak and opposed the strong; they had already gained a good reputation within a hundred miles of their hometown.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Gu An tossed the wooden sword to Yi Xiaoliang, saying, “Today I will teach you the Sword Control Technique.”
Upon hearing this, the five were not very excited, as the Sword Control Technique did not sound like a very formidable spell, especially since they practiced sword fighting regularly.
Gu An saw their lack of interest but did not say much, instead just began teaching the mantra.
…
Inside the Mysterious Space, Yang Immortal Emperor walked towards the Celestial Dao Golden Core, looking at the majestic and spectacular Celestial Dao Golden Core, his eyes not as fervent as before.
After the disaster of the Battle Court, he felt that the Celestial Dao Golden Core could not grant him power to dominate everything, and Heaven had no intention of saving all living beings.
Whether it was the Immortal Dynasty or the Holy Court, most people felt a sense of mission to bear the destiny of all living beings. From the moment they stepped onto the Path of Cultivation, they had done both good and evil, but all felt that as long as they were powerful, they had to protect all living beings.
The Yang Immortal Emperor felt the same; he believed he was destined to be the Lord of Heaven and Earth and must protect all living beings.
He approached An Hao, who was still meditating, comprehending the Celestial Dao Golden Core.
“Your master has left,” Yang Immortal Emperor spoke.
Upon hearing this, An Hao immediately opened his eyes and looked at the Yang Immortal Emperor, furrowing his brows.
The Yang Immortal Emperor continued, “He took a few of his disciples and left the Celestial Spirit Great World, and your junior sister was also taken with him.”
Hearing this, An Hao’s tight brows relaxed, and he asked, “It’s good that he left. This world is becoming more chaotic. My master can save Heaven and Earth once or twice, but he can’t always interfere, or sooner or later, someone stronger than him will come. With junior sister following him, I can truly rest assured.”
Yang Immortal Emperor shifted his gaze to the Celestial Dao Golden Core and said, “An Hao, I suddenly feel that this Golden Core doesn’t represent the Heavenly Dao.”
An Hao looked at him, the firelight of the Celestial Dao Golden Light shining on his face, his expression complex.
“So, what do you intend to do?” An Hao asked.
He didn’t believe in the Heavenly Dao either—he pursued the Celestial Dao Golden Core just to rapidly become stronger.
The world’s situation was unpredictable, and despite his strong talent, he also felt a sense of urgency.
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Yang Immortal Emperor slowly said, “I want to contend for the Theory of Heaven.”
After hearing this, An Hao fell into silence.
The mysterious space fell silent along with them, stretching their shadows long.
…
Seasons changed from spring to autumn, and five years swiftly passed.
The dojo was vast, but few lived there, and each day was quiet, which helped calm Gu An’s heart.
Every day, teaching Yi Xiaoliang and the other four, planting flowers and picking herbs, writing books, practicing calligraphy—Gu An didn’t find it boring at all. Instead, he felt fulfilled.
Five years passed, and Yi Xiaoliang and the four others had all reached adulthood and successfully reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.
In the scorching summer, within the forest, beside a little stream.
Gu An looked at the grown-up five and felt that time indeed flew by.
“Master, I want to change my name and be called Yi Qingshan from now on,” Yi Xiaoliang suddenly said, and the other four spoke as well.
“I want to change too, my name will be Lin Chuan.”
“My name will be Cheng Meng.”
“I want to change my surname too, call me Gu Changsheng.”
“You shameless, well then, I also want the surname Gu, Gu Chengdao.”
Listening to their words, Gu An smiled helplessly and didn’t stop them.
As the five changed their names, their fates too changed accordingly, Gu An saw their futures.
Gu An cleared his throat and said, “You have all established your foundations. In a few years, you will surpass your teacher, and I do not wish to be surpassed. Don’t come here anymore; go and seek a broader path towards Immortality.”
Hearing this, Yi Qingshan and the others fell silent. They did not argue; in fact, they had wanted to leave for the last two years because they had come into contact with cultivators from the Immortal Cultivation Realm and knew how vast it was, making their hearts yearn for it.
“Master, we…” Cheng Meng couldn’t help but speak.
Before she could finish, Gu An raised his hand and said, “No need for filial gestures. I came here to isolate myself from the world to cultivate in peace. You have disturbed me for so many years, isn’t it time to let me go?”
Yi Qingshan immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Gu An, the other four quickly following suit.
Looking at Yi Qingshan, Gu An thought of Lu Jiujia.
Lu Jiujia’s figure merged with Yi Xiaoliang’s, transforming into a new person.
Gu An was not sad; he smiled and accepted their kowtows.
Yi Qingshan stood up and said, “Once a teacher, forever a father. When we Ascend to Immortality and achieve the Dao, we will definitely come back to repay you.”
The others promised as well, and Gu An waved them off with feigned impatience. The five bowed and took their leave.
A few steps later, Yi Qingshan could not help but look back, just as he did the first time he parted from Gu An. He saw Gu An under the shade of the trees, the feeling of reluctance from his youth resurfacing.
Now, stronger than he was six years ago, he was not swayed by emotions, quickly turning back to disappear into the woods with his companions.
Gu An stretched his arms and yawned. Twisting his neck, he said, “Finally sent them off. See you in a thousand years.”
He turned and walked in another direction through the forest.
Just as he stepped over the stream, a plump White Spirit Rat dashed out. It quickly shrank in size and landed on Gu An’s shoulder.
“Master, are those five your disciples?” the White Spirit Rat asked curiously, still with the voice of a young boy.
Gu An laughed and said, “Of course they are, why do you ask?”
“You only taught them for a few years before sending them away; I thought they were like the disciples from the Third Medicine Valley or Profound Valley.”
“They will come back. They will accompany us for a thousand, ten thousand years, and you will have to be their support.”
“Really?”
The White Spirit Rat widened its eyes in surprise.