Chapter 679: Chapter 671: The Fickle Heart of the World
After parting with Zhu Xi, Gu An’s life once again fell into tranquility. He delved into creating a Dao, but this path was exceedingly arduous, always causing this Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal to rack his brains.
Time flew by swiftly.
Another hundred thousand years passed by.
In this year, the Taiqian Dynasty launched a surprise attack on the Dao Court, igniting the flames of war in the Human World.
In the Tai Cang Dynasty, within the Imperial Garden of the palace.
While pouring wine for Gu An, Li Xuandao lamented, “That Taiqian is truly formidable, daring to launch an attack on the Dao Court. Whether successful or not, the courage of Taiqian’s Son of Heaven is enough to command my admiration.”
Taiqian is the strongest dynasty in the world. Although the Tai Cang Dynasty has not been annexed by it, they can still feel its tiger-like might.
If it weren’t for the feud between Taiqian and the Dao Court, Li Xuandao believed Taiqian would eventually march towards the Tai Cang Continent.
Gu An toyed with the jade statue gifted by Li Xuandao, smiling as he said, “What, does Your Majesty also wish to emulate Taiqian?”
He had once visited Taiqian for leisure, and from top to bottom, Taiqian was infused with a belligerent spirit. The reason for waging war against the Dao Court was not due to any grudges but was a means to achieve a dominion through borrowed animosity.
Behind Taiqian stood numerous powerful sects, which was the source of their confidence.
In the coming years, both sides would engage in fierce battles for thousands of years, turning the world dim and chaotic until Zhao Rushen led the Dao Court to suppress Taiqian, ascending to the seat of the Master of the Dao Court. Thus, the Primordial Era came to an end.
Following this began what would be known as the Ancient Era—a period far more prolonged than the Primordial Era. The final battle of the Ancient Era would plunge the Human World into desolation, ushering in the Ancient Period.
Gu An’s gaze could see far into the distant epochs, even glimpsing the Tianyuan Period from which Ji came.
However, the future Tianyuan Period was already vastly different from the Tianyuan Period of Ji’s origin.
Yet Ji was bound to be born; if he didn’t exist, the memories he imparted to Gu An would be illusory.
“To say I don’t wish to emulate is false; as an emperor, who doesn’t want to unite the world? But the Dao Court is too strong, and without certainty of victory, I won’t lead the people of Tai Cang to their deaths,” Li Xuandao shook his head and said.
Currently, he had reached the cultivation level of a Carefree Primordial Immortal. Although he couldn’t compare to the disciples of Wushi in terms of training speed, he was still considered fast in the world.
The two talked about worldly matters, occasionally mentioning Li Ya, Yang Jian, Long Teng, and others.
Nowadays, the person Li Xuandao valued most wasn’t Yang Jian or the prince, but Long Teng.
As the son of Long Qing, and now the patriarch of the Long Family, Long Teng had grown up, his cultivation reaching the realm of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma. He symbolized the highest talent of the Tai Cang Dynasty and was a world-renowned peerless prodigy.
Li Xuandao curiously asked, “By the way, I’ve always wanted to ask, Long Teng’s cultivation speed is getting faster and faster. Even Yang Jian is amazed; is it you secretly nurturing him behind the scenes?”
A Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma, being the sixth level of the Immortal Dao, can roam the Outer Heaven. Reaching the realm of a Divine Immortal of Wondrous Dharma before a million years old is a once-in-a-billion talent.
Gu An raised his wine cup, smiling, “See through it but don’t reveal it.”
He did indeed quite like Long Teng. Often, he would transform into someone else to be near Long Teng. For Long Teng to have reached today was largely thanks to his Dao Intent. When Long Teng cultivated, his Dao Intent would envelop him, aiding in his Enlightenment.
Regarding this, Long Teng was still unaware.
In fact, though Gu An’s Dao Intent could assist others, it was more about giving them a gentle push. If Long Teng had extremely mediocre comprehension, even if he used Dao Intent daily to assist, he wouldn’t have nurtured him to his current achievements.
Li Xuandao, upon hearing this, grew even happier and started inviting for more wine.
The two drank for a full two hours before Gu An finally took his leave.
Watching Gu An’s departing figure, Li Xuandao couldn’t help but ask, “Gu An, how much longer can such days last?”
One hundred thousand years to him was extremely long, especially since he was an emperor, facing far more partings than ordinary people.
He had even seen off many descendants, with the court’s ministers changing batch after batch.
Only when facing Gu An would his heart calm down, feeling that some things could not be erased by time.
The most heartless place is the house of royalty, and Li Xuandao had thoroughly become a lonely soul.
Gu An raised the jade statue in his hand, saying, “Until you grow weary of it.”
Watching him suddenly disappear, Li Xuandao couldn’t help but shake his head and smile, softly murmuring to himself, “How could I ever grow weary…”
His expression gradually became complex; he didn’t stand up, continuing to sit at the wine table, lost in thought.
After leaving the Tai Cang Dynasty, Gu An appeared above the sea of clouds, strolling forward.
“The human heart is ever-changing ultimately.”
Gu An sighed. As for Li Xuandao’s life, he did not wish to interfere too much.
Li Xuandao had been emperor for too long; when the expansion of the Tai Cang Dynasty halted, internal conflicts would break out. He had once executed rebellious Royal Family members, which increasingly distanced him from the Royal Family.
Meanwhile, Li Ya and Li Lingtian had long roamed the world, never returning.
When Gu An didn’t find him, he would always stay in the bedchamber or the Imperial Study, either cultivating or reading.
Not only Li Xuandao, but other old friends also faced life’s predicaments, which were more mental than situational.
The path of Immortal Cultivation is long; when one cannot breakthrough year after year, the fighting spirit weakens, and the thoughts become chaotic.
Ambitions and emotions intertwined were as complex and uncontrollable as hearts in the mortal world.
Even for them, Gu An occasionally felt restless, particularly when his path of creating a Dao was not going smoothly.
For this reason, Gu An liked to travel across the world, visiting major sects and imperial dynasties. The diverse beings always helped to quickly calm his Dao Heart.
The reason for finding Li Xuandao to drink today was because his path of creating a Dao finally showed progress, and he was in high spirits, seeking a friend to drink with.
Li Ya was busy with carefree vendettas, making it difficult for Gu An to find him, so he could only find his father.
When Gu An met Li Xuandao, he was still very weak. Thus, when he saw Li Xuandao, he could remember the lost feeling of weakness, a sentiment that couldn’t be provided by friends made after becoming strong.
Soon, Gu An disappeared above the sea of clouds.
He arrived at Xiao Lan’s Grotto Heaven, switching with his avatar.
Xiao Lan was about to emerge from seclusion.
Since returning from the Path of the Great Dao, her cultivation growth had slowed. Even after being in seclusion for a hundred thousand years, there was no hope of a breakthrough, which made her heart quite agitated.
“Brother Gu!”
The voice arrived before the person.
Gu An, who was admiring the flowers and grass, was about to turn when Xiao Lan pounced on him.
Xiao Lan, without a word, attempted to kiss him and strip his clothes.
Although only the two of them were in the Grotto Heaven, such roughness was unprecedented for Gu An.
Several days later.
Xiao Lan stood up from the grass, tidied her clothes, looked into the distance, and sighed, “Brother Gu, I suddenly feel I’m not a true genius, as I’m starting to encounter bottlenecks too.”
Gu An stood up with her, gazing at her profile, and asked, “How about we spar a bit?”
Xiao Lan turned to look at him, and slightly shook her head.
“Brother Gu, I don’t need to regain confidence by defeating you. Even if I beat you many times, my Dao Practice would not grow because of it,” Xiao Lan said, a nostalgic look crossing her face.
If battling powerful enemies on the Path of the Great Dao, when the fight ended, the Dao Spiritual Qi would surge in her, allowing her to rapidly increase her cultivation level in a short time.
That feeling was truly wonderful, and she still yearned for it.
“Who said I want to lose to you?”
Gu An’s voice interrupted Xiao Lan’s thoughts, causing her to meet his gaze.
Xiao Lan was stunned. It was the first time she had seen Gu An’s expression so serious.
She pouted slightly, “What, do you want me to go easy on you?”
Gu An stared at her, whispering, “Even if you give it your all, you can’t possibly beat me.”
