“Is there a problem?”
Unable to help himself, Gu An rolled his eyes in exasperation and said, “Next time, wait for me to finish before you decide, will you? Isn’t this like giving me hope and then personally snuffing it out?”
Shen Zhen shook her head and replied, “The problem doesn’t come from the Sword Sect but from the Daotian Sect. The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword is not only a taboo swordsmanship within the Sword Sect, it’s a forbidden technique throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty. Whenever the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword emerges, it inevitably leads to bloodshed and slaughter.
A hundred years ago, someone mastered it and killed hundreds of thousands before being seriously injured by an elder of our sect and fleeing the Great Yu Dynasty.”
“The Hateful Heaven Divine Sword is a kind of swordsmanship that can break Heavenly Destiny. The stronger the hatred, the stronger the sword intent. Even a person with mediocre talent can break through the limitations of their Spirit Root if they harbor sufficient hatred.
However, as their cultivation level rises and their hatred deepens, they are very likely to deviate and become a bloodthirsty demon. That’s why the Sword Sect forbids anyone from practicing it.”
Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn’t help but ask, “If that’s the case, why did the Sword Sect create this swordsmanship?”
Shen Zhen answered, “It was created by a genius from the Sword Sect. Naturally, the Sword Sect has the responsibility to handle this matter. They have already destroyed all copies of the sword manual, but the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword still appears from time to time. Maybe the creator dispersed the manual throughout the Immortal Cultivation World before he died.”
Gu An furrowed his brows.
Will practicing this swordsmanship lead to the loss of one’s mind?
If so, Gu An couldn’t in good conscience allow Su Han to continue practicing it—he couldn’t favor his disciple at the risk of bringing slaughter to the Immortal Cultivation World.
Speaking with solemn concern, Shen Zhen said, “Every sect in the Great Yu Dynasty opposes the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword. If you insist on protecting him, you’ll only invite endless trouble. There’s one other solution: have him discard the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword in front of the Sword Sect.
To abandon the sword technique isn’t just about forgetting it; it’s about destroying his meridians and Spirit Root, rendering him mortal.”
Gu An nodded and replied, “I understand.”
Without further ado, he paid his respects to Shen Zhen and then departed.
Shen Zhen watched his retreating figure, shaking her head slightly without offering further persuasion; she believed her words were clear enough.
The following noon,
Gu An arrived at the Outer City. The night before, he had invested a century of his life span from miles away, and his cultivation level had increased significantly.
The trouble caused by Su Han made him increase the daily investment of his life span, striving to reach the ninth layer of the Unification Realm as soon as possible.
While walking to Ye Lan’s residence, Gu An pondered the situation with Su Han.
Su Han was his disciple, whom he certainly wanted to help, but he couldn’t do so unreasonably. Moreover, according to Shen Zhen, cultivating the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was not good for Su Han; he would eventually lose his mind, a path of suffering.
After much thought, Gu An decided to let Su Han choose for himself, with the most he could do being to help him this one time.
At the same time, he considered another issue.
If he invested ten thousand years of his life span into the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, could he find a way to improve it so that it no longer leads to deviation?
But this was a matter for the future. Even if he managed to create it now, the Sword Sect wouldn’t believe him. He couldn’t just demonstrate it for them.
He wouldn’t completely expose himself just for Su Han.
Although they shared the name of master and disciple, he didn’t owe Su Han anything.
Half an hour later, Gu An and Ye Lan walked out from the main gate of the Law Enforcement Hall.
“Since he’s made up his mind, Brother Gu, don’t bother with him anymore. In this world, no one should be responsible for another person’s life to the end. I’ll arrange for someone to send him away from the Supreme Sect quietly,” Ye Lan said.
Gu An nodded. He had negotiated with Su Han for a long time, but Su Han refused to give up the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, even though he promised not to let Su Han give up his cultivation. Still, Su Han was unwilling to let go.
Su Han said that the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword was given to him by his father and was the only connection he had to his father. He also wanted to use the sword to avenge his father.
With the conversation reaching this point, Gu An could only give up.
“Alright, thank you for your trouble,” Gu An said, nodding to Ye Lan.
The two exchanged a few words before Gu An took his leave.
Walking on the street and watching the bustling crowd, Gu An felt quite sentimental.
Lu Jiujia had strayed from his path for the sake of his own journey, ending up as a disabled person, only able to stay in Mystic Valley to cultivate the Daoist Expansion Skill with Wuxin, and to see if there was hope of rising again in the future.
Su Han, driven by vengeance, was willing to become an enemy of the Immortal Cultivation World without regret.
Gu An was strong, but he still couldn’t decide the path for everyone around him, nor could he change their thoughts.
Human affairs churn endlessly, driven by grudges and emotions.
As Gu An thought about this, his heart seemed to reach an epiphany, entering a strange state.
Unknowingly, he had climbed onto the Heavenly Repair Platform.
He accidentally bumped into someone and quickly snapped out of his reverie.
“Sorry,”
Gu An immediately uttered an apology, his heart filled with surprise.
This was the first time he had entered such a self-forgetting state. He hadn’t experienced anything like it even when inheriting cultivation techniques and spells before.
Looking back, he couldn’t quite articulate it, yet he felt some subtle change within himself.
“Were you just experiencing Path Enlightenment?” asked the person Gu An had collided with, his voice cold and detached.
Gu An involuntarily looked at the man—clad in green, with a rugged appearance and a Sword Box on his back from which three sword handles protruded.
Gu An instinctively performed a Life Span Detection.
[Han Ming (Void Crossing Realm Fifth Layer): 587/1902/2780]
This person had also cultivated a method to conceal his energy!
The Immortal Cultivation World was truly a place with exceptional individuals at every turn.
Gu An curiously asked, “What is Path Enlightenment? I was just lost in thought.”
He silently noted that it was not wise to wander while lost in thought, as it could easily attract trouble.
Han Ming stared at him and said, “To seek Path Enlightenment is indeed to ponder over certain matters, to resonate naturally with the heavens and the earth during contemplation, and thus enter a wondrous state. You need not apologize; it was I who deliberately stopped you. If you had walked any further, you would have collided with those Great Cultivators.”
“Is Path Enlightenment very impressive? Yet, I haven’t felt any change in my Cultivation Level.” Gu An asked, half seriously and half pretending to be ignorant. However, in reality, he truly did not understand what Path Enlightenment was.
Han Ming turned around and looked toward the words ‘Righteous Path’ in the distance and said, “Path Enlightenment is extremely rare. It cannot be taught or predicted, relying solely on one’s own comprehension and blessings. Some people break through realms with Path Enlightenment, and some create astonishing Ultimate Skills through it.
I have also experienced Path Enlightenment, from which I conceived my own Swordsmanship. Although I am not clear on what you are comprehending, in time, you will come to appreciate its benefits.”
“Thank you for the guidance, senior. May I ask for your name?” Gu An asked with a hand raised in salute.
Han Ming replied, “My name is Han Ming, from the Great Yu Dynasty. I have come to seek the wisdom of the Sword Venerable Fudao.”
Upon hearing this, Gu An couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, how do you wish to seek guidance?”
With a burst of energy and focus, Han Ming suddenly shouted, “I am Han Ming, a Sword Cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty, here to challenge the wisdom of the Sword Venerable Fudao. In a month’s time, outside the city, we shall have a Sword Competition. If Sword Venerable Fudao wins, I am willing to inscribe my Sword Dao on the city walls for the disciples of Supreme Sect to cultivate.
However, if Sword Venerable Fudao loses or dares not come, then I shall add two words beside the ‘Righteous Path’!”
This voice thundered like a rock shattering the sky, resounded throughout the city, and traveled far and wide, even reaching the disciples in the Third Medicine Valley who all looked up.
Countless gazes from the Heavenly Repair Platform descended on Han Ming, focusing on him.
Gu An instinctively stepped back, not wanting others to associate him with Han Ming.
However, Han Ming turned and walked towards Gu An.
Don’t come over here!
Gu An felt quite helpless.
“Little friend, may I invite myself to your abode? We can discuss our experiences with Path Enlightenment. Frankly, I wish to attain Path Enlightenment once more. Whether successful or not, I shall impart my Swordsmanship to you,” Han Ming said with a friendly smile.
In the distance, Zuo Lin, who was sitting in meditation beside Zuo Yijian, saw Gu An and his eyes brightened.
With his level of Cultivation, he naturally heard Han Ming’s words.
Indeed!
This lad is not simple; my previous intuition was right!
Zuo Lin wanted to stand up but was held back by Zuo Yijian beside him.
“Don’t cause trouble; that Han Ming is no simple character. He was once known throughout the world as ‘Mad Swordsman’ for using his Nascent Soul Realm Cultivation to slay a Great Cultivator of the Divinity Transformation Realm,” said Zuo Yijian in a solemn tone, his eyes sharply fixed on Han Ming.
Upon hearing this, Zuo Lin was stunned.
Under the gaze of many, Gu An found it hard to withstand the pressure and could only nod, then quickly walked away, with Han Ming following closely behind.
The Cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform began to discuss the name Han Ming, with many having heard of it; his deeds swiftly spread.
The Void Crossing Realm Elders sitting on the platform merely gave Han Ming a glance and did not interfere.
Gu An thought for a moment and decided to lead Han Ming to the Third Medicine Valley.
He was curious to see what would happen when Han Ming met Elder Tian.
The journey was silent, with Han Ming following behind Gu An, his thoughts unknown.
After the two arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, Han Ming could not help but ask, “Do you own all this land within a hundred miles?”
“That’s right, what about it?” Gu An responded.
After a moment of silence, Han Ming said with a sigh, “I had thought to take you as my disciple, but seeing that you possess such a vast Medicine Garden, it shows that Supreme Sect has great esteem for you. I can’t help but feel a little disappointed.”
You just challenged me, and now you want to take me as your apprentice?
Gu An mocked inwardly but responded with a smile, “Thank you for your kind offer, senior, but I am not one for fighting and killing, nor do I pursue high or low Cultivation Levels, so I will respectfully decline to become your disciple.”
The two landed, drawing the attention of many disciples.
Elder Tian, who was dozing beneath a tree in the distance, opened his eyes. He recognized Han Ming, and his expression subtly shifted, though Han Ming had not recognized him.
After the two went upstairs and settled down, Han Ming began to recount his experiences with Path Enlightenment. Gu An listened intently.
Han Ming attained Path Enlightenment at the age of two hundred. At that time, he was unable to break through to the ninth layer of the Elixir Formation Realm and felt that his life would be constrained to that point. Thus, he sat under a waterfall, despondent, for seven days and nights before finally attaining Path Enlightenment.
Overnight, his Sword Heart gained sudden enlightenment, and his Sword Intent evolved.
Listening to his story, Gu An began to ponder the limit of Life Span.
He wondered if Path Enlightenment could change the limit of Life Span.
To date, Gu An had not yet seen anyone break the limit of Life Span. Current Life Spans were subject to change.
Different realms of Cultivators saw their current Life Spans increase with higher realms, but each major realm had no standard life span limit since Life Span is linked to conditions, Cultivation Techniques, natural treasures, and so on.
Li Xuandao, for instance, although in the Divinity Transformation Realm, had a Life Span similar to some in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Or Ji Xiaoyu, who had a Life Span of over eight hundred years at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, comparable to the eighth layer of Divinity Transformation like Li Xuandao.
If a person is severely injured, their Life Span can change accordingly, such as Elder Tian or Lu Jiujia.
After all, people are not data, without constant values. He could only observe more closely.
After Han Ming finished speaking, he asked Gu An to share his own experiences with Path Enlightenment. This time, Gu An did not hide anything and spoke truthfully about his concerns, only omitting the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword.
As he finished, Han Ming pondered and said, “Worrying about the safety of your disciples and realizing that you cannot control the destinies of others—such Path Enlightenment may make you a genius.”
“In a month, during my Sword Competition with Sword Venerable Fudao, I might die. Why not, in this month, I impart all of my Sword Dao to you, how about that?”