Chapter 593: Chapter 586: Variables
Under the guidance of Sage Su, Gu An and Xiao Lan were successfully initiated into the Dao Court, becoming true disciples of the Dao Court, while Xiao Lan became Sage Su’s direct disciple, with treatment and status far surpassing Gu An.
Xiao Lan’s first cave mansion featured an interior space so vast it resembled the Third Medicine Valley, which made Gu An reflect upon the deep foundations of the Dao Court.
It should be known that although Xiao Lan had extraordinary talent, her cultivation level wasn’t high, yet the cave mansion she received was still better than those of over a million other disciples with superior cultivation.
After moving into the cave mansion, Xiao Lan could no longer hide her petty concerns, but Gu An sternly criticized her, telling her to focus on cultivation, as longevity was the true path. This made her feel ashamed and abandon those trivial thoughts in favor of earnest cultivation.
Gu An didn’t stay for nothing; he began helping Xiao Lan plant medicinal herbs and manage the cave mansion, allowing her to concentrate on her cultivation.
By the time he had filled the entire cave mansion with medicinal herbs and organized everything neatly, Sage Su was very pleased with his performance when she came to visit.
…
Sage Su suddenly thought that there were still many redeeming qualities about Gu An, and perhaps he was having a positive influence on Xiao Lan, who was now able to dedicate herself entirely to cultivation.
“You’re doing well; keep helping her, and she will be your greatest opportunity on the path of immortal cultivation,” Sage Su said before she left, and Gu An suddenly felt as if he were back in his old line of work.
He shook his head and chuckled, not minding it, for helping Xiao Lan was something he did willingly, and it also allowed him to conveniently snatch lifespan.
Xiao Lan, who practiced the Innate Reincarnation Skill, could easily awaken memories of her previous life if subjected to a shock. And in this life, she had experienced smooth sailing without any signs of regaining those memories.
Gu An wasn’t in a hurry for her to recover her memories because the longer she lived in this life, the deeper her understanding of the Great Dao would become.
Of course, Gu An wouldn’t always stay in the cave mansion with her; occasionally, he would switch with his clone while his true self was busy with other matters.
Cultivation was a lengthy affair; the higher the realm, the more time was needed for secluded meditation.
In the blink of an eye, another millennium passed, and Gu An’s yearly income of lifespan had increased to forty million years within this year.
Over a thousand years, Xiao Lan had reached the Nirvana Realm and was making rapid strides toward the Loose Immortal Realm.
During this period, she had returned to Xiao Manor twice, helping Xiao Manor transform into a cultivation family. Unfortunately, Manor Master Xiao’s maximum lifespan was too short, and he had passed away some years ago.
One day, Sage Su sent a message to Xiao Lan, which led her to find Gu An and leave the cave mansion with him.
“There are over ten thousand branches within the Dao Court, and the competition is fierce. It’s said that there will be an Enlightenment Conference soon, and disciples from other sects will also be attending. Master wants us to go to Dao City to broaden our horizons,” Xiao Lan said with a smile as she flew on a cloud beside Gu An.
Having attained the Nirvana Realm, she still exuded a lively temperament. Although she was now a thousand years old, she had spent most of that time in secluded cultivation, which made her feel as if she’d only lived one year, with few memories retained.
“We should indeed take a good look,” Gu An smiled.
His gaze had already reached Dao City. Coincidentally, his descendant Long Teng was also in that city, currently engaging in a combat practice with someone.
Within his realm, Long Teng had won ninety-seven consecutive battles against talents from various sects, making his name resonate throughout the city.
Martial Resolution was there, too.
Gu An had always kept an eye on this brother who would understand the Dao whenever he felt disheartened.
A long time ago, Martial Resolution had ventured out alone, enduring many hardships, which helped him achieve enlightenment time after time. For this very reason, he had not returned to the Supreme Sect.
Martial Resolution and Long Teng didn’t know each other, and Long Teng never claimed to be from the Supreme Sect. At the moment, Martial Resolution was among the crowd watching the match, admiring Long Teng’s talent.
Dao City was vast, and Gu An wasn’t worried about bumping into Martial Resolution; unless he wanted to see Martial Resolution, there was no chance they would meet.
Right now, Gu An only wanted to accompany Xiao Lan and help her grow.
Along the way, Xiao Lan chatted non-stop, talking about Dao City before moving on to discuss her cultivation achievements; she even wanted to teach Gu An her spells.
Although they shared the same master, the inheritances they received were different.
They chatted and laughed, flying for the duration of one stick of incense before finally arriving at Dao City. With that, Gu An was ready to relax and enjoy a leisurely stroll with Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan also treasured these rare moments of leisure, clinging to Gu An’s arm the entire time and unwilling to let go, giving the impression that they were Dao companions.
…
In the Daoist Field of the Beginningless, within Gu An’s courtyard.
Celestial Demon Child approached Shen Zhen, who was watching her control the Taiqing True Fire under the Artifact Refining Cauldron. After observing for a while, she asked, “Miss Shen, do you feel like the master’s heart is always elsewhere?”
Shen Zhen replied, “Definitely outside, probably caught by some woman’s heart.”
When facing the disciples in the dojo, Gu An didn’t need to leave a clone to pretend, so everyone could feel his frequent outings.
As soon as Celestial Demon Child heard this, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes and asked, “If so, aren’t you worried?”
“What’s there to worry about? We’ve followed him for an endless time. Be content. Besides, do we really want to restrain him? Even if we had the power, which we don’t, why would we?”
Shen Zhen said nonchalantly, her gaze fixed on the Taiqing True Fire.
Celestial Demon Child pouted and said, “I naturally wouldn’t dare control the master. I’m just curious.”
Shen Zhen smiled and said, “It’s probably some past acquaintance reincarnated; otherwise, he wouldn’t spend so much time with them.”
Past acquaintance?
Celestial Demon Child became interested and asked which past acquaintance it was.
Shen Zhen glanced at her and said teasingly, “There are probably only two people whose companionship he would cherish: one is the Ji Family’s third young miss, and the other is his junior sister. I bet it’s his junior sister, nine out of ten.”
She began to recount the story of Gu An and Ye Lan, while Celestial Demon Child listened attentively.
The story of Gu An and Ye Lan was simple, but Celestial Demon Child felt a sense of warmth listening to it.
She had heard many heart-wrenchingly beautiful love stories, but after hearing this one, she suddenly thought that the person the master liked most in his heart might indeed be Miss Ye.
The master was so formidable, invincible in the world, yet he chose to live hidden in the mountains – this was enough to prove his temperament.
Suddenly.
“Are you talking about me behind my back?”
Gu An’s voice interrupted the conversation between the two women, startling them as they turned to see Gu An standing right behind them.
Celestial Demon Child’s face flushed with embarrassment, while Shen Zhen remained composed.
Gu An walked between them to the Artifact Refining Cauldron and extended his divine sense into it.
Inside was the Dao Treasure he was refining for Xiao Lan, almost complete.
After reaching the Heaven-Opening Daluo Immortal realm, Gu An’s speed and strength in crafting Dao Treasures had increased. He planned to give Xiao Lan a great gift to make her path as a heaven’s pride child even easier.
Celestial Demon Child moved closer to Gu An and curiously asked, “Master, has Miss Ye really reincarnated?”
“Mhm, Shen Zhen guessed correctly.”
Gu An replied, then briefly recounted the reincarnations of Ye Lan over the years.
Hearing that Ye Lan had endured more than a dozen reincarnations without forgetting Gu An, even Shen Zhen was touched.
Celestial Demon Child’s eyes reddened with emotion as she expressed a desire to meet Xiao Lan.
“Focus on your cultivation; don’t let her surpass you,” Gu An teased without giving a direct answer.
Celestial Demon Child boasted with a proud smile, “I’m a Wandering Immortal; it won’t be easy for her to catch up to me.”
Shen Zhen, on the other hand, asked out of curiosity, “Is her talent in this life very high?”
“Very high.”
Gu An’s answer instilled a sense of urgency in Celestial Demon Child. She did not linger any longer and quickly returned to her training.
Shen Zhen also did not disturb Gu An’s refining any further. Xiao Lan could not bring any pressure to her; she preferred seeking enlightenment rather than blindly pursuing cultivation levels. The True Meaning of the Great Dao brought her joy.
Refining Dao Treasures was simple for Gu An now; he didn’t need to concentrate intently. He was paying attention to someone else, someone far away in another Great World.
Zhang Buku!
He had been sent by the Buddha Immortal to the Taize Great World to search for the Divine Exotic Realm Master. The two had already reunited but had encountered difficulties within the Taize Great World.
This predicament would cause both to be severely injured, but they would eventually escape with their lives, so Gu An decided not to intervene.
Knowing the future, he still watched because a variable had appeared in the fight.
This person was not in Zhang Buku’s fate before, but now, this person would frequently appear in Zhang Buku’s life and even build a very close relationship with him.