Chapter 575: Chapter 570: Heavenly Dao’s Creation, Ten Thousand Years of Devotion
After inheriting the memories of the Emperor of Eternal Life, Gu An’s life returned to its usual tranquility. His disciples at the dojo were oblivious to the fact that he had practiced the Immortal Emperor’s Eye as he continued refining Dao treasures.
Aside from crafting a Dao treasure for the Deep Sea Dragon Carp, he was also preparing one for Jiang Qiong, Long Qing, Yang Jian, and Zhang Buku.
Of course, these were just being prepared in advance. As for when he would give them away, it would depend on his mood.
Refining treasures, picking herbs, and occasionally giving guidance to disciples—the wheels of time accelerated their turning amidst such a rhythm of life.
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.
In the primordial era of the Celestial Spirit Great World, creation was constant. Not only were beings of exceptional talent born, but superior Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as well as Heaven and Earth Treasures, would also be nurtured.
…
Treasures were not only created through refining; Heaven and Earth themselves could give birth to Innate Treasures. Innate Treasures could more easily trigger the Rules of Heaven and Earth, and each contained immense power. Those who obtained an Innate Treasure would find it easier to become formidable figures who could stir the winds and clouds of the world.
Against such a backdrop, discourse about the Heavenly Dao began to spread again in the Human World. Those who acquired supreme treasures were branded as favored by the Heavenly Dao, causing all beings to fear and yearn for the Heavenly Dao even more.
One day, after Gu An had just finished refining a Dao treasure, he stood up having decided on the foundation for the new treasure’s refinement, without even bidding farewell to Shen Zhen.
Shen Zhen didn’t mind too much, absorbed in the Dao treasure within the Great Cauldron. She sensed a kind of Dao aura she had never perceived before.
“How can he possess so many types of the Power of the Great Dao…” Shen Zhen muttered. In her view, mastering one type of the Power of the Great Dao was enough to tower over all beings, yet Gu An had displayed over a dozen, unfathomably deep.
She simply exclaimed without giving it much further thought and concentrated on comprehending the Dao.
In recent millennia, as she comprehended the Dao, a desire had taken root in her heart. It seemed she was searching for something, but even she wasn’t clear on what it was. She instinctively felt this longing.
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This yearning drove her to pursue Enlightenment with more diligence than in the first half of her life, no longer allowing herself to slack off.
Elsewhere.
Gu An arrived at the edge of a cliff and looked down at the mountain path below. Mountains rose high on both sides of the path, blocking the sunlight. The cliff face was covered in grass and vines, creating a quiet, desolate atmosphere.
At this moment, a scholar with a bookcase strapped to his back was making his way forward, leaning on a wooden staff. The mountain path was steep without stone steps, and weeds covered the sharp rocks, making his advance even slower.
This scholar was the reincarnation of the Celestial Spirit God.
Under Gu An’s gaze, a white fox followed behind the Celestial Spirit God.
The white fox had searched for ten thousand years and finally found the reincarnated Celestial Spirit God.
Ten thousand years ago, the eldest brother killed an evil person in the city to save the youngest of five, leading to his being pursued by the authorities. Meanwhile, the three white foxes, as agreed, resurrected the youngest brother. However, having shed blood, they could no longer control their murderous impulses, and when anyone troubled them, they would find a way to eliminate them. Eventually, the Immortal Cultivation Sect discovered them.
With their low cultivation level, they couldn’t resist capture by the cultivators. They were taken prisoner, and the youngest, due to his demonic power, was also taken by the sect.
Decades later, the youngest seized the chance to rescue the three white foxes, only to find two had already died tragically. He could only flee with the surviving one, who though alive, was at death’s door.
The surviving white fox, named Su Jin, was gravely injured, forcing the ensuing escape to depend on the youngest’s protection. The Immortal Cultivation Sect began to chase them because she once transformed into a courtesan. The cultivators started to speculate maliciously about their relationship, spreading rumors far and wide, damaging their reputation and leading more cultivators to join the hunt.
Under the oppression of both the secular world and the Immortal Cultivation Realm, feelings developed between the youngest and Su Jin.
When the youngest sent Su Jin to the Demon Race’s territory for her safety, he died by the blade of a cultivator while covering her escape.
Such tragedies were not unusual in this world. Su Jin was fortunate to become a disciple of a Great Power from the Demon Race and even obtained the Reincarnation Technique.
She searched for the youngest for ten thousand years until she finally found him in this life.
Of course, Gu An played a role in her finding him, as the Celestial Spirit God was covered by his karmic influence. Without his intention, she would never have found him.
The Celestial Spirit God had been reincarnated hundreds of times, experiencing various lives. Each death caused his will to briefly awaken, allowing him to take in the experiences of Reincarnation.
Gu An could sense the changes in the Celestial Spirit God’s mindset, which is why he gave him the opportunity.
In this life, the Celestial Spirit God was named Bai Sheng, hailing from a remote town. He was on his way to the Imperial City of the Dynasty to participate in the imperial examination.
As he reached the highest point of the mountain path, the downhill path lay ahead. Stopping, he set down his bookcase and began to wipe off his sweat.
He turned his head and looked back down the mountain path he came by, beholding the undulating expanse of forest that stretched out magnificently without end. A smile appeared on his face, and a feeling of exuberant pride welled up in his heart.
“Even if all my reading brings no rewards, having traveled thousands of miles, this life is still worth it,” Bai Sheng said with heartfelt emotion, a proud and satisfied smile spreading across his handsome face.
Suddenly, he caught sight of a little white fox in the grass below, and with a smile and a wave, he greeted it, “Little fox, we meet again. Can’t you bear to part with me?”
Upon hearing his words, Su Jin promptly emerged from the grass, hurried up the mountain, and affectionately rubbed against Bai Sheng’s trouser leg.
Bai Sheng was amused by her then took out some of his rations and shared a piece with her.
Gu An stood atop the mountain, gazing down at the joyful scene of the reunion between the man and the fox.
The stories of scholars and demons made Gu An think of the ancient Huaxia literature “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” from his past life. In the Celestial Spirit Great World, romances between humans and demons are not uncommon, but they’re not as fraught with complications; few humans betray a demon and live to tell the tale, given the disparity in strength.
In this life, the end of Bai Sheng and Su Jin’s story was destined to be a tragedy, but with Gu An’s intervention, anything could change.
Gu An was ready to use Su Jin as a test for the Celestial Spirit God.
If the Celestial Spirit God still lacked compassion, then it would continue to languish in Reincarnation.
When Gu An was no longer fearful of the Celestial Court, that would mark the moment of its annihilation.
With time on his hands, Gu An decided to get involved. He turned and strode toward the forest. In an instant, his attire transformed dramatically into that of a traveling martial hero, dust-covered yet retaining the demeanor of a gallant figure of the Martial World. He wore a broad-brimmed hat and had the Cyan Hong Sword strapped to his waist.
Su Jin was nibbling on the pastry, her eyes constantly on Bai Sheng.
Staring at Bai Sheng, she felt somewhat dazed.
Thousands of years had passed, and he had become completely different.
In her memory, Xiao Wu never had such presence, always wearing a worried look on his face. But the secret technique she practiced told her this man’s soul was indeed Xiao Wu’s.
“In this life, I will definitely not let you suffer,” Su Jin thought silently.
Suddenly,
she turned her head; her movement caught Bai Sheng’s attention, prompting him to look up as well. The nearby trees shook, and they saw a figure emerge from the woods.
Seeing Gu An’s attire, Bai Sheng grew nervous, fearing the other might be a bandit.
He quickly stuffed Su Jin into his book box and then turned to face Gu An, feigning calm.
Gu An lifted his head, his youthful yet somewhat weathered face showing from beneath his broad-brimmed hat. Bai Sheng instantly relaxed, feeling that Gu An seemed like a kind person.
“I’m Gu An, just passing through. It’s rare to meet someone here, so I thought I’d come say hello — hope I didn’t scare you?” Gu An said with an enthusiastic smile.
Bai Sheng quickly raised his hand in greeting, “Scare me? Not at all. My name is Bai Sheng, from Lu County, on my way to the Imperial City.”
Gu An curiously asked, “Are you going to take the official examination?”
“That’s right. Where might Brother Gu be headed?”
“Coincidentally, I’m also going to the Imperial City. How about we travel together? I can protect you. In return, you can keep me company and talk about your studies. You scholars know much that I don’t. I’ve practiced martial arts since I was young and never had much education; actually, I’ve always envied the world of scholars,” Gu An said with a laugh, his easy-going manner increasing Bai Sheng’s favorable impression of him.
The two sat down to chat and found they got along splendidly.
Suddenly, Su Jin jumped out of the book box, causing Gu An to be taken aback. Bai Sheng quickly introduced her, explaining that he and the little fox were destined to meet.
“Foxes are very spiritual, and there’ve been plenty of stories about scholars and fox spirits throughout history. Brother Bai, you must be careful; she might be a demon,” Gu An teased.
Su Jin couldn’t help but glare at Gu An, finding him too talkative.
Bai Sheng’s handsome face reddened as he hurriedly replied, “How could that be? Even if she were a demon, there’s no way such a story would happen between us.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Su Jin’s gaze towards Gu An was filled with annoyance, though Bai Sheng failed to notice the change in her eyes.